Outside the Dental Office

May 2010 - Awards

Dr. Collins and his wife Pam were honored as Marin County's Outstanding Volunteers in Public Education. At the awards ceremony, they received the award sponsored by the Marin County School Administrators Association. The association recognizes students, teachers, administrators, and parent volunteers who have contributed time and energy to make a difference. Judy Colton, Principal at San Rafael High School, promoted the award, recognizing the couple for the many years of service: Pam as a founder and past president of WeAreSR! the parent association replacing the PTSA, and as a Director of the Tree Lot Fundraising Committee. Pam also has worked in both the counseling office and administration at SRHS. Dr Collins was recognized for his facilitation of the formation of WeAreSR!, his leadering the Athletic Booster's Grill Dads at the football games. He also acted as facilitator of several campus groups, lectured students in the ASB Leadership class, and recently stepped dows as chairman of the San Rafael High School Site Leadership Team. He has further contributed by serveing on the Measure B Bond oversight committee, the Surplus Properties Committee, and most recently the High School Budget committes for the San Rafael High School District.

May 2010 - Hall of Honor

San Rafael High celebrated its 2nd Annual Hall of Honor. Rich and Dolly Nave, alumni benefactors, and Terry Summa, former head of the Music Department was honored. Dr. Collins roasted his former marching/symphonic band instructor by recalling memories of his outstanding teacher.

April 2010 - College Tours of the East Coast

Yes both kids got into Harvard Law! Well the Harvard Law Library anyway. Good times from Providence to Boston to Springfield, New Haven and New York City. Which university did they like best? Who knows, but one thing is for sure, the Broadway shows in Manhattan were certainly a hit! We saw Billy Elliott and Next to Normal. Meag plans to stay at COM and Sky off the UC Davis in the Fall.

March 2010 - Hiking the Trails of Mt. Tam

On a cool clear morning Alpine Lake glimmers at first light. Dr. Collins continues his treak to hike all the trails and fire roads on Mt. Tam. This particular morning started at the dam and headed up Cataract Trail to the Helen Market Trail which drops back down to lake level. Further on the Kent Trail heads up the mountain to Serpentine Knoll for a look at one of the common metamorphic rocks of Mt. Tam. From there the hike continued around the bog of High Marsh with a brief stop for a bite at Laurel Dell. The trek down Cataract was busy with hikers with cameras out and mouths open. Good trek just under 4 1/2 hours.

Beginning of February....

While most campers stayed home to watch the Superbowl, Dr. and good buddies from dental school camped in the snow at Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley. Rain was the forecast and did not disappoint. The guys hiked to Lower Yosemite Falls and later to the recent rock slide below the face of Half Dome to get exercise and take photos. Cooking under the Easy Up kept the rain out and campers dry. All in all, snow is easier to have camping than rain. Maybe next year!;

January 2010 - Scout First Aid Meet

Marin Council Boy Scouts put on a First Aid Meet the end of January to test the scouts in actual emergency scenarios. The car photo simulated an accident, 2 boys unconscious, smoke from under the car with engine running. As the scene progressed, fire was announced. The boys did get the engine off and retrieved the victims, but didn't quite move them far enough away, so got dinged on points on that one. Patrols from many Marin County Troops participated.