I grew up in San Rafael in the 1940's and 1950's and, during that time, Marin County was a very close community. Everybody from San Rafael and Tam High knew each other because we used to have exchange assemblies. Tam was our biggest rival. They were the only schools in Marin until Marin Catholic came around in 1949 or around there.

Many people don't realize this today but back then College of Marin used to have a fraternity called the XANTHAS. They did all kinds of pranks like throwing a dummy off the Golden Gate Bridge and faking a robbery at the Rafael Theater. The sheriff caught up with them on both counts. They did that stuff just to be funny and they were stupid kids.

We went to King Cotton drive-in and a big drive in called Andy's on the Miracle Mile where the cleaners is now. We went to the drive in movie on Francisco. We used to sneak kids in in the trunk of the car.

At San Rafael High they had a Barn Dance every year with Hay Bales in the gym and three legged races. It was Big Band music like Tommy Dorsey and Harry James and Artie Show in those days, before rock and roll. And Frank Sinatra. And we did cruise 4th Street as they showed in American Graffitti although we were listening to music before the songs of that movie.

I had a great time growing up in Marin. It's a different world today and Marin is a totally different place.