Cabro Community

Practicing the art of living together harmoniously

Community Living

Residents and guests share a moment before a holiday meal 2019

"Cabro" is the name of our street in Novato, California, which is in Marin County, north of San Francisco. For the past 26 years, our communal home has been a unique and highly successful model for living together harmoniously and having maximum fun. We blend our talents, strengths, and intentions to enhance each other’s lives as well as to contribute to building a better world in myriad ways.. We aim to continue to stay healthy and have as much fun as we can within our group and the few significant others who visit here regularly.

Read about our community in this article that appeared in the Marin Independent Journal in May of 2020…

https://www.marinij.com/2020/05/28/communal-living-in-novato-offers-immunity-from-pandemic-isolation/

Quality of Life

One of the obvious benefits of living in community is we each have so much more than is possible living on our own. Our environment includes gorgeous views from our 13 acres of hilltop land, swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, and gardens galore. We share delicious gourmet meals, fun parties and events, and meetings and activities to stay in good relationship with each other and support our personal growth.

My Space/Our Space

We are an owner-occupied property: we each own our own rooms and share equally in the spacious common areas and beautiful grounds. There are plenty of opportunities for privacy, alone or with visitors. We all contribute to maintaining and upgrading the property according to what we take pleasure in doing.

History and Philosophy

A group of community-minded friends rented this estate property in 1995, so we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in July 2020! The group purchased the property in 1997, and began making improvements. Dozens of people and their children have lived here over the years and still return regularly to enjoy our family and home. We are not affiliated with any group or belief system -- except perhaps the notion that we all have more by sharing. We are devoted to kindness, communication, and supporting each other’s growth and happiness. We are the center node in a larger community that includes spin offs of other communal homes in Novato.

A message from the co-founders of Cabro Community, Fay Freed and Ronn Landsman:

On July 1^st, 2020 we celebrated our 25^th anniversary as an intentional community. We have always known that in some way, a seed of the future was planted here. But now, as the world is experiencing the Covid19 viral pandemic, we can see even more clearly than before - - community as a way of life makes more sense than ever, both financially and socially. May this urban/sub-urban household model, conjunct with the times, inspire you to create the community of your dreams. Or - - come and join us as the future unfolds…

Location and Property

Our 5000 sq ft home is on a ridgetop in Novato, CA, with almost 360 degree views -- to the east across San Francisco Bay and beyond, and to the west across forested hills and open space. We are about a 15-minute drive to Highway 101. We are committed to living as sustainably as possible and responsibly stewarding our land -- and we are solar-powered!

Outdoor amenities include:

20x40 solar heated swimming pool, scene of lap-swimming and summer pool parties;
Hot tub and sauna -- a great way to wake up in the morning or warm up in at night;
Lushly landscaped grounds around the house, with vegetable gardens and fruit trees;
Large meadow space for parking, gardening, sports and creative development;
Hiking trails leading directly from the property into miles of beautiful woods, streams and open space.

Living Spaces

We inhabit the main house and a remodeled garage building. The house has 7 bedroom spaces and the garage has a bedroom and a small suite. The communal spaces include a comfy living room, a spacious dining room, big kitchen, large laundry room with an extra refrigerator, and 3 full bathrooms and 2 half baths. Our “great room” is a great space for sitting by the fire, watching a big-screen TV, playing ping pong, dancing, exercising as well as being available for events and parties. The garage building has ample storage and there is plenty of parking available.

COMMUNITY LIFE

Interested?

Food and cooking

Sharing cooking and eating together often is a cornerstone of our community. We share responsibilities for shopping, cooking and cleaning up. Sometimes we grab a bite with a couple of folks in the kitchen; sometimes it’s just 4-6 of us at the dining room table; and then there are many dinners with all of us plus friends. We have omnivores, aspiring vegetarians, and two vegans. We buy only organic when possible and share the costs of the food. Generally everyone gets to eat what they want at a reasonable cost.

Meetings and Communions

We have found that the key to harmonious living is clear and kind communication. We have house meetings about every two weeks for about an hour and a half. We talk about everything -- even the slightest detail so that problems don’t grow and fester. Each quarter we have a day-long “communion” where we have longer and deeper discussions and spend hours working together on the land or in the house.

Accountabilities

There’s lots to do to keep the household running smoothly, and things get handled by “ accountabilities” -- the chores we take on as individuals or small groups. Areas of responsibility include shopping and cooking, garbage, gardening, watering, pool management and hot tub maintenance, paying bills, repairs and house/grounds maintenance, etc. We generally like to have people do what is their pleasure to do, including taking pleasure in what they are responsible for.

Taking care of each other and personal growth

Since everyone’s well-being affects everyone else, we are devoted to having everyone in our family live their best life. We are very hands-on when a resident is experiencing challenges, be it health or otherwise. We aim to envelop each other in loving kindness, but also to offer tough love when needed. We come together at times for personal growth processes and programs that expand our emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.

Interested in joining us?

Joining our community involves a mutual process of evaluating whether you are right for us and we are right for you. We call this an “evaluacy,” and it can take up to three months. If you are interested and want to know more about us click here.

Who we are: The current Cabro family

Dozens of people have been a part of our community over the past 25 years, but in recent years we’ve had a pretty steady core group who are resident owners. Two new residents joined us in 2020 Here’s a bit about who we are, how long we’ve been here, and what we are up to in the world.

MARY CHASE

I’ve had 16 extraordinary years at Cabro and plan to spend the rest of my life here. I am a writer and media producer, and much of my work over the past 14 years has been with the Pachamama Alliance in San Francisco. My film and video productions span 40 years and many topics, but mostly focus on saving the world. I am the author of three books and am currently working on another one. My partner, John Tyler, lives in the woods on the Central Coast, and we share long weekends in both places. I love to dance, hike, swim, and play ping pong. I am a devoted “foodie” and love to cook, especially with a skilled housemate.

GENIE OHASHI

A resident for 13 years, I am an active participant in the larger Marin community which means I’m more often out and about than at home. I have a facial rejuvenation business in San Rafael (www.thenaturallift.com), belong to BNI by the Bay (www.bnibythebay.com -part of the worldwide Business Networking International organization), and dance hula with Na Pua O Ka La’akea (www.hulaon.org). Those activities along with smatterings of social activism and being a foodie (originating from a home economics degree from Cal State Long Beach) makes for a busy life. My partner of 11 years, Lauren Campbell, lives in Forestville, an arrangement we find gives us great footings in both communities. I grew up in LA and have lived in the DC and Tampa areas.

LONNIE GREEN

I have lived at Cabro for almost six years but have been participating in many of the community events over the last 25 years here at Cabro. I am a couples counselor, screenwriter and author, specializing in emotional intelligence. It was my 28 year old daughter who insisted that I consider moving here when a room came open -- she considers that she was raised “in community” since we have been socializing with the larger community around Cabro for her entire life. She was right; living in a community home has been an enriching experience for me -- at times challenging (although always with good results) and at other times, deeply fulfilling and sweet.

JARMAN MASSIE

I came to Cabro 18 years ago for a communication workshop and fell in love with the community lifestyle of living together sustainably as well as having everything you could possibly want for comfort and fun people to share it with. I am a Healthy Lifestyles coach and lead groups in becoming plant-based along with using superfoods. My program includes physical conditioning through activities like cycling, yoga, hiking and especially dance. I have been a professional dancer and now teach dance as well as participate in dance competitions throughout California. I love living in a place where we all give and receive incredible gifts to each other and seek to make our contributions to the world.

CHARLIE BRONSON

I came to Cabro when I moved back to the U.S. from abroad. My best friend, Jarman, brought me in on a temporary gig, which is now 5 years of growth. Having been on my own for quite some time, living in a community household is a quantum leap in relationship energy and fulfillment. I love it. Think support, love, and emotional intelligence -- that’s Cabro! Professionally, I am a marketeer, supporting businesses involved in exercise and/or nutritional fitness. I thrive in our open space here, with our rootedness in nature. My hobbies include sailing, swimming, running, biking, hot tubbing, fine Pinots...and learning how to be a better man in relationships!

PAUL VALENTI

I have been associated with the Cabro Community and participated in events here over the last 25 years. I moved in a year ago after considering the next step in my life’s journey and determining that I wanted a more sustainable life path. I was drawn to this home by the exquisite natural surroundings and the amazing people. I am retired after working in corporate sales for over 35 years. I am the father of two grown children and have a wonderful relationship with them and with my former wife/business partner. I have a decades-long meditation practice, and I practice Qi Gong daily. I also love the study and practice of biodynamic cranial sacral bodywork, as well as walks in nature, especially the woods and the beach. I recently returned from Ajijic, Mexico. which has ignited my interest in travel. Living at Cabro after all the years of visiting has been a real blessing and joy, especially during Covid. The people and surrounding grounds are simply wonderful.

Lil

Lil is the most recent addition to Cabro (since September, 2021) and loves being here. Cabro is medicine and magic for her. And, Prince, her miniature poodle, is very happy here, too. When it came to how she found Cabro, she had prayed about her next living situation after caring for her now deceased parents, "God, show off!" And, wow, has that prayer been answered!

Lil is a nonprofit professional with over 30 years experience in a variety of settings. She is currently coming up on 10 years with a nonprofit consulting agency that specializes in culturally responsive behavioral health for diverse communities.

BRAD BAKER

I am a semi-retired orthotic practitioner (certified orthotist) and fitness equipment inventor. I was drawn to the Cabro community during the mist of COVID and sheltering in place when I felt the need and desire to leave San Francisco for the beauty and space of Marin. The big draw for me was the very noticeable vitality of everyone living here. There seemed to be a common commitment to personal growth and healthy, sustainable living. And although we are all boomers, everyone is engaged in something they have a passion for. I thought to myself “I can live with these people.” I moved in last August and discovered that I had moved into paradise. My passions are being out in nature, physical fitness and the pursuit of good health, being considerate of my fellow man, enjoying a good bottle of cab, and a competitive game of eight ball.

INTERESTED IN JOINING US?

Joining our community involves a mutual process of evaluating whether you are right for us and we are right for you. We call this an “evaluacy,” and it can take up to three months.

If you are interested and want to know more about us contact Mary Chase at maryechase45@gmail.com and tell us about yourself and how you heard about us.

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