History of IRC

Search for Property

July 27, 2004 Fundraising Event with Joseph Goldstein at the Messiah Lutheran Church. About 500 people. In celebration of the “IMC Retreat Fund”. BOOKMARK MEMENTO
April 2006: Donation of $2 million dollars from Sangha member gave momentum to the idea
May 2006: first property we seriously considered was Villa Isabella in San Mateo, a Senior Care facility
- Sangha tour and meeting $2.5 million 13 bedrooms on 1/2 acre
Found property after 5 yrs of search led by Carol Collins with assistance from Susan Ezequelle and Ines Freedman
8/11/09 The Mansion, an Alzheimer facility, was found by Kim McLaughlin’s realtor, Pat Leggett
- Kim M. was searching for property for her daughter in Santa Cruz and mentioned our search to Pat Leggett, her realtor. (The realtor was referred by Carol Collins.)
- 8/18/09 Pat Leggett showed it to Kim McLaughlin, Carol Collins, Ines & Bruce Freedman
  - Dede Beam, the owner was asking $3.5 million
8/3/10 Gil Fronsdal saw property for first time
2/11/11 Sangha members toured. Pictures

Purchase

8/26/10 Letter of Intent sent to owner
9/3/10 hired Hamilton & Swift Land Consultants (Deidre Hamilton) to apply for our conditional use permit
10/18 Submitted application for Conditional Permit
10/13/10 IMC Board approved for us to make an offer up to 2.5 million
10/18/10 Made offer of $2.3 million to Dede Beam contingent on Permit
11/23/10 Offer accepted 2.6 million, carry 300K
4/15/11 Conditional Permit approved by Santa Cruz County
5/31/11 PURCHASE DATE: close escrow May 31st. Took possession 6/1
6/2/11 Barbara & Ted Wall moved in as caretakers for 3 months
8/1/11 Betsy Blessing moved in as caretaker Was asked to stay through renovation. She was recommended by Carla Brennan
3/20/12 Agreed on SBC Contract – not signed yet
3/31/12 IPO Fundraiser (Insight Practice Opportunity) at IMC
3/23/12 Contract signed and delivered. $1,907 million
4/1/12 Construction begins (6 month contract)
- Notice of proposed development on corner
7/23/14 “Tree House Purchase”: property next door, 1998 Glen Canyon, purchased by Supporter giving IRC 5 years to raise funds to buy it for $750,000.
- 4/21/15 IRC Purchased property with $250K
- 8/29/15 Raised funds to pay off 1998 Glen Canyon!

Videos (all in Vimeo)

Past History of Property

1969 Rhythm Dukes, a Santa Cruz rock band lived on the property: August 1969 the First version of the Rhythm Dukes consisted of Jerry Miller John Barrett Don Stevenson and Fuzzy John
- Rhythm Dukes 1, Rhythm Dukes 2, Rhythm Dukes 3, Rhythm Dukes 4, Rhythm Dukes 5
Prior to 1969 Anton Verban lived on the Ollalieberry farm which preceded the Sunny Acres subdivision for 30 years.
1974-74 Robert Barrer’s photos from “Care of Life Farm”. Kim McLaughlin met Robert Barrer at the Mental Health Association event March 2, 2013. He had lived on the IRC original farmhouse in 1974, prior to Dede relocating the farmhouse on the property and developing it. PHOTOS
1985 Dolores Beam added to the farmhouse on the property creating a Senior Care Facility: The Mansion. Opened its doors 1986
Newspaper Articles:
- 6/9/11 Press Banner Article
- 6/11/11 Santa Cruz Sentinel Article

First Retreat

Inaugural Retreat: October 24-27, 2013. 44 people attended. By invitation only, experienced practitioners.
- Ajahn Pasanno gave the first talk: video
- Andrea Fella gave the second talk

Volunteer Dharma Day 4/24/14:

Joseph Goldstein 7/28/14 10 Year Anniversary of IMC Retreat Fund Event Ted Weinstein’s Photos

4/21/15 Purchase of 1998 Glen Canyon property (Tree House). Loan paid off 8/29/15. See “A Gift for Gil”

12/6/16 800K loan of mortgage was gifted to IRC. IRC is now debt free.

GIFTS:

Greg Smith made the Meditation Hall Altar and the outside bell on the deck by the kitchen
The Meditation Hall Buddha was a gift from Spirit Rock
The Quan Yin was a gift from Aaron Chavira, as was the Mahapajapati in the 2nd floor lobby.

Insight Retreat Center