Come join us for our Fall Fundraiser on October 8, 2026 to help raise funds for the Endowment. The event will be held at The Redwoods from 5:30 to 8:30 and includes dinner, cocktails and musical performances. To buy tickets or become a sponsor, go to www.theredwoods/events.

Marin IJ Posted By: Sara Briscoe Moseley June 25, 2026

The Residents’ Committee at The Redwoods, a community of seniors in Mill Valley, is proud to announce a record-breaking year for its Scholarship Fund, awarding nine Marin County students scholarships of $4,000 each.

This year’s awards total $36,000, making it the most successful scholarship season in the program’s 35-year history. Thanks to the generosity and dedication of Redwoods residents, the fund grew sufficiently to support more students than ever, providing assistance as they pursue higher education and career goals.

Since its founding, The Redwoods Scholarship Fund has provided financial support to local students while fostering connections between generations. The nine scholarship recipients were selected based on academic achievement, community involvement, leadership and future potential.

For more information, visit theredwoods.org.

Pictured: Scholarship recipients (from left): Clive Barker, San Rafael High School; Abby Kagan, Novato High School; Maya Kux, San Rafael High; Lila Samadani, Redwood High School; Maria Pastor Garcia, Archie Williams High School; Conan Munter, San Marin High School; Abisha Rodriquez Gutierrez, San Rafael High; Ellis Stahley, San Marin High; Bryan Tecum, San Rafael High.

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KRON4 News came to The Redwoods for our fabulous Pride Celebration with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. See the video here.

KRON4 News - John Shrable interviews three residents of The Redwoods about how we celebrate Pride Month. Watch the video here: LGBT Seniors Celebrate Pride.

The Redwoods

Ah, The Redwoods… A Community of Seniors…

A remarkable place to live in

Nestled on 10acres in the quaint town of Mill Valley, Cal –

The County of Marin

You can see Mt. Tamalpais from afar if you care

To look that way… or take a quick trip across the famed “Golden Gate” that leads to

The city by the Bay (San Francisco, that is!)

To me, it’s like a village of unique and seasoned souls

Sharing time& space, love and grace while they

Strive toachieve their personal, simple, or complex goals

…And if perchance, a moment occurs and just

A fraction of one’s story is told…

You are enriched beyond and soon will see

How more precious that is than gold!

Yes, there may be an array of canes, walkers,

Wheelchairs and those that can walk without

But a storehouse of experience, wisdom,

Eclectic talent and legacy is what this

Is all about

There is gardening, poetry, music, art, movement,

And tai-chi if you care to…

Swimming, a gym, a movie or 2, and learning

New tech skills if you dare to!

…And, Oh my!... a monthly “wine, coffee,

sparkling cider” social in the lovely courtyard there.

You can sit down, relax alone, or “talk story”

With any number of folks!

You just need to find a chair!

Now for those who can and choose to eat

Their own cooked or simple meal – of course

They can,

However, the spacious dining area can

Accommodate as well, if that is indeed the need

Or the plan.

I could go on and on about the things offered there

And the gratitude I feel each day

But there is one thing I need to add

I just have to say

There is joy, compassion and humor – never shame

Only understanding when anyone of us may

Say… “I’m sorry, but I have forgotten

Your name!”

Ah… The Redwoods… a delightful, colorful

Patchwork community of seniors!

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July 3, 2025 - Marin IJ Giving Marin

The Redwoods’ $4,000 scholarship winners (from left): Tia Asleim, Terra Linda High; Disha Divakar, San Marin High; Jacob Forman, Tamalpais High; Edy Ramos, Terra Linda High; Stella Smoot, Archie Williams High; Dhanya Subramanian, Novato High; Grace Underwood Bowler, Novato High; Bertha Velazquez, Novato High. Photo courtesy of The Redwoods

In a tradition spanning over three decades, the Scholarship Committee at The Redwoods has honored outstanding high school seniors from across Marin County with college scholarships. This year, eight graduating seniors were each awarded a $4,000 scholarship in recognition of their academic achievement, community involvement and financial need. The 2025 recipients were selected from a pool of 31 applicants representing eight high schools throughout Marin. The selection process, conducted by a nine-member volunteer committee, includes a review of each student’s academic record, extracurricular involvement, work experience, honors and personal essays, as well as in-person interviews with top candidates. This year’s awards ceremony, held at The Redwoods, was attended by residents, students and their families.
For more information, visit theredwoods.org.

CBS News Feb 22, 2025‍

At 103 years old, you might expect Dorothy Smith to be taking it easy. But a chance encounter with YouTube influencers helped the centenarian complete the last item on her bucket list: Travel to Australia. Watch the video here: Chance encounter helps 103-year-old woman finish her bucket list - CBS News

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by mvchamber | Feb 3, 2025

The Board of directors at The Redwoods, Mill Valley’s Community of Seniors, a non–profit organization that provides affordable independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing to older adults, has announced the appointment of Kyle Ruth – Islas, MNA, LNHA, RCFE (Petaluma) as Chief Executive Officer for the organization. The appointment was effective January 1, 2025.

Ruth–Islas, who had served as The Redwoods Chief Operating Officer/Administrator since 2022, succeeds former CEO Hunter Moore. In his capacity as CEO, Ruth–Islas will be responsible for strategic planning and will oversee resident programs and services, financial management, human resources, facility management, community relations, and fundraising. Janet Hines, Chair of The Redwoods Board of Directors, reported that Ruth–Islas was selected following an extensive industry search and input from a variety of stakeholders.

“Hunter Moore was a wonderful leader for The Redwoods,” she continued. “He achieved remarkable things during his seven–year tenure – both at The Redwoods and in the community at large, and we know that Kyle will do the same. Not only does Kyle have extensive experience in leading senior living communities, but he knows The Redwoods well and is beloved by residents and staff alike. We are so pleased to have ‘one of our own‘ as our new CEO and it’s been a wonderfully smooth transition.”

“The Redwoods is truly a special place, filled with wonderful and unique residents and a highly committed, skilled staff,” said Ruth–Islas. “I am overjoyed to serve this community.

“As I look forward, I’m reminded of the many challenges facing our industry, but know that with our dedicated Board of Directors, talented staff, and input from our residents, we will continue to find creative ways to continue to serve older adults in need of support – and enhance what makes The Redwoods so special.”

Ruth–Islas explained that his key priorities for 2025 and beyond will include staff recruitment and retention, expansion of clinical capabilities, technology advances, increased affordability for residents, and a related endowment campaign.

Prior to his COO position at The Redwoods, Ruth–Islas served in leadership positions at several communities serving older adults in varying levels of care, including The Telecare Corporation’s Morton Bakar Center (Hayward, CA), Westwood of Brentwood (Brentwood, CA), The Jewish Home and Rehab Center (San Francisco, CA), and University Retirement Community (Davis, CA). He holds a Masters in Non–Profit Administration from the University of San Francisco and a number of industry–related credentials, including licensure as a Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA) and certification as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) Administrator.

Kyle is a third–generation long–term care professional and has spent his entire professional career thus far serving older adults and their support systems. He resides in Petaluma with his wife, two children, and Miniature Australian Shepherd.

*The Redwoods, A Community of Seniors, is located on 10 acres in beautiful Mill Valley, California, and offers a continuum of care to seniors from around the Bay Area.

The mission of The Redwoods is to maintain a creative, affordable community that promotes good health, well–being, and security for a diverse group of seniors.

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You may have seen people jumping into frigid seas or stylish ice baths, claiming these dunks are good for heart health, muscle recovery, stress and more.  It has its roots in traditions dating back hundreds of years. Today’s experts have ideas for why cold-water immersions might work, and they are based on both scientific and anecdotal evidence.

According to a study published in the journal Current Psychology, participants who took showers of 50-57 degrees Fahrenheit for up to a minute daily for two weeks reported lower stress levels than the control group. Also, Dr. Rachelle Reed, an exercise physiologist in Athens, Georgia believes that old showers may also improve mood and energy or mental alertness. She said, “You sort of feel a little bit elated, and that is thought to be due at least in part to that increase in (the) neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine.” 

During immersive cold therapy, the temperature shock can briefly stress the cardiovascular system, spiking blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate. This can lead to improved blood flow. That said, people who have cardiovascular issues, circulatory problems, diabetes, are pregnant, have recently had surgery, or are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, should not try cold showers or bathing without speaking to a doctor first.

If you want to try cold-water immersion, and have been cleared by your doctor, experts suggest you start small. So, ease into it. No matter what you do, experts agree you should pay attention to your body’s feedback, and you should remove yourself from the cold if you need to.

We live in an area that presents many different opportunities for cold-water immersions. Whether it is a cold indoor, or outdoor, shower or bath, a dive into the Pacific or, as I have done for several years now, a New Year’s Day jump into the San Francisco Bay. While some may think you are crazy, why not try it and see if it helps your mood and health and starts your year off right!