STREET SCENE
Tamalpais Drive

Driving around Camden Park, it's easy to miss Tamalpais Drive, off Camden Avenue and those who live there say they kind of like it that way…cozy and quiet. With the exception of visiting friends and family or the occasional wandering stranger, residents usually have their neighborhood all to themselves. It may or may not be selfish, but homeowners have each staked their rightful claim to the inviting stretch that forms a lazy "S" curve along the graying asphalt, then suddenly doglegs to the left into Rafael Street.
Constructed in the mid 1960s, each house on Tamalpais Drive has slowly taken on the unique character of its owners, past and present. Decades ago, the street was home to mostly white, middle-class families with several children who attended local public schools and whooped it up at one of several nearby parks. Back in the 60s and 70s, homes were decorated more uniformly and yards were comprised of the standard green lawn with flowerbeds. Chevys and Fords dotted the driveways.
As the years have passed, fewer kids visit the park and play ball in the street. That's because the homes have become too expensive for most families to buy. The once white bread neighborhood has now become far more ethnically-mixed, as busy professionals grab the chance to buy and retirees hold on to their piece of the American Dream. Today along Tamalpais Drive, Friedman lives next door to Giotto who shares a fence with the Yoon family. The Chus, Shizanos and Alessandrinis are all lumped together. And, most say they're happy with the arrangement.

In a recent effort to build even more neighborhood camaraderie, which some say is lagging, residents put out the first edition of a newsletter called "The T-R Times… Neighborhood News for Tamalpais and Rafael." Its editor is Larry Flammer, who lives just about midway along the drive …the semi-retired school teacher and his wife, Sally, also organized a successful block party held back in late August that closed the street and featured a kids' Jump House, apple-bobbing contest and more.
The Flammers have lived in the same house since it was first built back in the 60s. They say they've welcomed most all of the changes and now want to contribute what they can to the neighborhood they've always called "home."
There's mention of tentative plans for an upcoming "Neighborhood Watch" program, a Halloween costume parade and a voluntary open house night during the Christmas holidays…. it's said caroling may be involved.
But, by far the most compelling aspect of the newsletter can be found on the back, under the headline "A Neighborhood Need." It pitches the idea of a block fundraising program for children in need… in particular, neighborhood resident Patrick Wilkus. Seventeen-year-old Patrick has been blind since birth and has other physical challenges. Yet, he will graduate from Willow Glen High School early next year and plans to go on to college. The local Lions Club chapter has set up a fund to assist Patrick in reaching his dream and soon, his neighbors will be showing their support in one of the most effective ways they can… with their wallets.
Way down at the other end of a spectrum of issues is the conundrum of the street itself. Some residents complain about teenage speeders going faster than the posted limit on a regular basis. And, homeowner Thang Nguyen isn't happy about the current state of the roadway's surface. He says he would like to see it smoothed over to take care of the loosening asphalt turned to gravel that clings to the bottom of shoes and is repeatedly tracked into his house.
It's hard to say if loose gravel has any effect on the value of homes in the area. Most likely not. Mid-range home prices along Tamalpais/ Rafael, also known as "Tam-Raf" currently hang right around $550,000. Currently, only one house is for sale. Cruise the street to find out which one, if you're interested. But don't be surprised if you feel a little like an outsider. If you buy the house on this friendly street, that feeling won't last long.

- By Barbara Luis