32 The Making of a Showcase House We visited the 2011 Marin Designers Showcase House during its construction to give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of this $45 million estate.
40 Blissful Beginnings Four couples with deep roots in Marin say “I do.”
Special Sections
48 Marin Magazine’s Seventh Annual Wedding Resource Guide Planning a wedding can be stressful — which is why we culled this list of top Bay Area vendors for your nuptials.
62 {415} Revive A journey through asanas, blindfolds and oms takes a yogi from one end of the county to the other — and transforms more than just his exercise routine.
In Marin
23 Currents Vision boards for 2012, Marin residents fostering education for underprivilaged students, wandering down Grant Avenue in San Anselmo and more.
28 Conversation Dr. Mary Marcy, Dominican University’s new president, grew up in Nebraska and came to Marin by way of the Pacific Northwest, Massachusetts and Oxford.
Destinations
67 Travel Buzz
Beyond the slopes on snowshoes, tutors who travel with purpose and a new spa retreat in Tahoe.
70 Journey Valencia offers history with modernity, open gardens with dense downtowns, cathedrals, and a kid-friendly science museum.
Out & About
77 Calendar A roundup of what to do in Marin and beyond.
86 Dine An insider’s guide to restaurants and food in the Bay Area.
Marin Home
103 Backstory A family of four finds its forever home in Tiburon.
106 Details These creative Marin County address markers show a lot of personality.
COLUMNS
MINI OF SAN FRANCISCO
Meals On Wheels - SF
Editorial
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nikki Wood
EXECUTIVE EDITORS
Julie Sinclair, Mimi Towle
SENIOR EDITOR Daniel Jewett
SENIOR WRITER Jim Wood
EDITOR-AT-LARGE Tim Porter
COPY EDITOR Cynthia Rubin
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Logan Link
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
PJ Bremier, Austin Murphy
CONTACT editorial@marinmagazine.com
Art
ART DIRECTOR Veronica Sooley
PRODUCTION MANAGER Alex French ext 111 | production@marinmagazine.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Alec & T Photography, Drew Altizer, Jarreau Lucien Cross, Mo DeLong, Jessamyn Photography, Barbara Ries, Linda Russell, Ashley Tilley Davis, Nike Van Der Molen
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HOME RUN THE GLADES
IT’S A TIME of new beginnings. Here at Marin Magazine, it’s our fi rst issue of 2012 — and we’ve decided to start a new tradition of having this letter come from us: the staff editors who put each issue together.
There’s a lot of “new” in the county to go around: We’re thrilled to introduce you to Dominican University’s new president, Dr. Mary Marcy. Marcy grew up in Nebraska and comes to Marin via both Massachusetts and Oxford; she is looking forward to many long years on campus. Turn to Conversation, beginning on page 28, to learn more about her thoughts for the future of this esteemed Marin institution.
What’s new in Belvedere? At the end of this month, on January 31, the 2011 Marin
Designers Showcase (which benefits San Rafael’s Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership) will be launching with an evening gala. (See RSVP Hot Ticket on page 20 for more details.) Contributor PJ Bremier does an excellent job telling the story behind the design of this $45 million estate. Not in the market for such a property but still interested in seeing it? Tours begin on February 1. The full story begins on page 32.
Appropriately titled, “Blissful Beginnings” introduces four adorable couples — most of whom met in Marin in high school. Each couple chose a distinctive way to say “I do,” such as touring downtown Mill Valley and watching fi reworks on the Pacific coast of Baja. We hope you’ll enjoy meeting these couples as much as we did writing about them.
Looking to jump-start your own beginnings? Turn to page 23 to read about Sausalito resident Bonnie Bruderer’s passion for helping others attain their goals through vision boards. Even skeptics here in the office agree there could be something to the “law of attraction” — and that it can’t hurt to set some goals for the New Year.
We also profile three generous Marinites bringing about change in different corners of the world through education. We salute their efforts — and the opportunities they’re bringing to children around the world — and hope to help raise awareness about their causes. Their stories are on page 24.
Our staff goal as we move forward is to continue improving the magazine as we report on the people and places that make this county a great place. Have ideas for us? Please send them to editorial@marinmagazine.com.
Cheers to an amazing year ahead!
Marin Magazine Staff Editors
ON THE COVER
Even skeptics here in the office agree there could be something to ‘the law of attraction’ — and that it couldn’t hurt to set some goals for the New Year.
Half Pound of Sour Cherries, by Ilya Zomb. The Russian-born artist’s images of ballerinas, elephants and fruit appear as if out of a dream, but he says it’s everyday life that inspires his flights of fancy. To see more of his work, visit caldwellsnyder.com.
BARBARA RIES (TOP), COURTESY OF CALDWELL SNYDER (BOTTOM)
Above, from left: Mimi Towle, Dan Jewett, Nikki Wood, Julie Sinclair
Marin’s Independent Bookstores
poets, novelists and journalists. “Steve and his staff don’t just sell books,” says Nancy Adess, an appreciative customer. “They also help build community.”
An
independent, locally operated bookstore is a treasure, one worth going out of your way to support.
Various approaches call for community support.
IBY JIM WOOD
DON’T WANT TO live in a city that doesn’t have a bookstore,” novelist Ann Patchett, author of Bel Canto and State of Wonder, said recently upon the closing of the last independent bookstore in her hometown of Nashville, Tenn. Patchett, however, didn’t move away. Instead, she found a knowledgeable partner, ponied up an initial investment of $300,000 and opened Parnassus Books in downtown Nashville. That’s how much independent bookstores mean to people — many of whom live in Marin.
Obviously, independent bookstores are in survival mode. As if a sluggish economy weren’t problem enough, they’re fending off price-cutting competition from giants like Barnes & Noble, Costco and Target, as well as online sites such as amazon.com.
“Amazon sometimes gives buyers a better discount than I get from my wholesalers,” says Woody Leary, owner of 1st Street Books on College Avenue in Kentfield. “How can you compete with that?” Yet, somehow, Leary is competing. “We’ve been here almost 35 years,” she says with a business-is-pretty-darn-good smile. “We have customers who enjoy discussing books before buying them,” she adds. “They love books and we love them; so it works for everyone.”
Leary’s 1st Street Books is one of only five independent bookstores in Marin (with its population of 258,000) that are waging a determined battle against big-box retailers and Internet sellers. In most instances, the heart of the bookstore’s surrounding community is at risk. Another Marin merchant waging the battle is Steve Costa of Point Reyes Books in Point Reyes Station, which has sponsored popular book events that attract noted
Now, Costa has come up with a plan similar to the decades-old community-supported agriculture network, which he calls Community Supported Bookstores (CSB). It calls for people who value the presence of Point Reyes Books (many claim it’s the “fi rst place they go” when visiting West Marin) to write checks from $150 to $500 as deposits against purchases they’ll make in the coming year. “This seals in their commitment to the local bookstore,” says Costa. In its fi rst five weeks of existence, Point Reyes Books’ CSB has enrolled 90 members. “Some people have written checks for $1,000,” he reports. “We hope to have over 200 members by the end of the year.” Costa’s Community Supported Bookstore concept is receiving nationwide attention and acceptance.
In Corte Madera, Book Passage has had a similar plan under way for the past year. “Our Friends of Book Passage has hundreds of members,” says co-owner Elaine Petrocelli. “It’s one reason we’ve been able to survive and now almost thrive.” A Friends membership costs from $75 to $2,500 a year, depending on what someone who appreciates the bookstore is willing to invest. In return, Friends get front-row seats at author-signing events (Regis Philbin and Isabel Allende recently appeared), invitations to author receptions at Dominican University (Chris Matthews and Dr. Andrew Weil headlined in November), talks on the publishing industry given by Petrocelli, and entrance to a twice-a-year sale where everything is marked down 30 percent. “I wanted to include a discount on books purchased,” recalls Petrocelli, “but our members said, ‘No, we appreciate your being here and we want to keep you here.’ ”
Similar attitudes and events involving the community take place at Whyte’s Booksmith in San Anselmo and Book Depot in Mill Valley. An independent, locally operated bookstore is a treasure, one worth going out of your way to support and thus ensure its continuing presence in your community. That is my point of view. What is yours? Email pov@marinmagazine.com.
Your Letters
Giving in Marin
I was happy to see the great information about Marin nonprofits in the “Marin Giving in Action” story (November 2011).
MICHELLE H. MARTINEZ, HOSPICE BY THE BAY
We want to thank editor-at-large Tim Porter for the nice picture in “Marin Giving in Action” and also thank Women’s Initiative and Marin Magazine for the support. MAYRA ROSAS, INSTITUTO ACASULA CARMEN CASTRO
Chorus Anniversary
Thank you so much for including such a beautiful and charming piece about Marin Oratorio (Looking Back, December 2011). The chorus was thrilled to see it; it makes our anniversary celebration that much more exceptional. JULIE SCHNAPF, ALTO, MARIN ORATORIO
Sir Francis Drake Hoax?
There is a sidebar to the excellent “Did Drake Really Do It?” story in the October 2011 issue
that I’d like to comment on. Pranksters from the E. Clampus Vitus society in the 1930s hammered out a plaque and placed it near the Drake landing area. It was eventually found and declared authentic. Then, in the 1970s, new testing declared it to be a hoax. More recently, the Clampers came forward and admitted the hoax. DENNIS KAVANAGH, SAUSALITO
Virgin Islands Bar
I think Jon Kimball in the “Winter Blues” story (November 2011) may have had one too many Painkillers, the signature drink, at the Soggy Dollar Bar — he forgot which island he was on! The Soggy Dollar Bar is on Jost Van Dyke. Everything else he said, though, brings back wonderful memories of some fantastic vacations in the Virgin Islands! JEFF HARBAND, TIBURON
Marin’s Music Scene
KC Turner (“Calling All Musicians,” November 2011) remains a major force in building music community in Marin, San Francisco and the
ONLINE, WE ASKED YOU
Were You Proposed to in Marin? If so, where?
“Proposed to in front of Akira Sushi on Fourth Street, San Rafael ... people were honking at us! ”
Leah Captanian Bronson, San Rafael
“Muir Woods!”
Sandy Simmons Moore, Stinson
“The little dock/pier at Bayfront Park (which is no longer), complete with candles, wine, glasses and dogs.” Molly Coomber, Mill Valley
“Marin Headlands: very romantic! ”
Hillary B. Sessions, Mill Valley
“Top of Tam … at sunrise.”
Amy Knudsen, San Rafael
“Also proposed to on Mount Tam, in a secret spot. A day before Thanksgiving in 2006. It was awesome.”
Ashley Panian Hurd Riley, San Rafael
“Does my Mill Valley kitchen count?”
Pamela Scholtz, Mill Valley
universe (through his songwriting club on Facebook). He supports live local music unflaggingly, and the community of performers and performing songwriters is continuously grateful for his efforts. I thank him personally and on behalf of the community that is Local Music Vibe. ALAN MONASCH, VIA FACEBOOK
KC is wonderful! One of our favorite nights at Finn’s is on Mondays. He draws great local talent from all of Marin and beyond. Thanks KC!
FINNEGAN’S MARIN, NOVATO, VIA FACEBOOK
KC, Jon, Danny and Krickie — mentioned in Dan Jewett’s article — are all key players in the local music scene. In Fairfax, there are also open mics every Monday at all three music venues: 19 Broadway, Peri’s and Cafe Amsterdam. (Amsterdam is all ages.) Marin music lives! CYNDI CADY, VIA FACEBOOK
I read the article “Strike Up the Band” (December 2011) that talks about the Marin nightclub scene. What about Rancho Nicasio? It just fi nished celebrating its 70th anniversary. Great music, food, and people!
GRETCHEN MULLER, MARINMAGAZINE.COM
A Chef’s Thanksgiving
Great recipes and tips for Thanksgiving in “A Time for Thanksgiving” (Nomember 2011)! KEVIN MCCULLOUGH, VIA FACEBOOK
Visiting Istanbul
That was a timely article on Istanbul in Marin Magazine (Journey, November 2011). This place is defi nitely worth a visit. HOWARD FOSTER, VIA FACEBOOK
Mountain Splendor
Great shot of Mount Tam (“The Magic of Mount Tam,” December 2011). There’s a
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
Japanese word for this — unsui — which means “cloud hidden, whereabouts unknown” and also “young student monks.” I love this sight and see it often from my house in a river valley north of Seattle.
CHUCK CLARK, VIA FACEBOOK
Paddleboarders Took Note
“Getting On Board” (December 2011) was an awesome article! It doesn’t get much better than this. SUP yoga is the most fun ever. Leigh Claxton is an amazing teacher, and once you try it with her, you will be eagerly awaiting the next class. ELISA BROOKS, VIA FACEBOOK
Great article. SUPing has changed my life. I’ve never felt better. ARLINE THOMAS, VIA FACEBOOK
Marin is a mecca for all things stand-up paddle (SUP) — from BOGA Yoga to seal watching to cruises around Richardson Bay and Belvedere Island to SUP surfing all over (Bolinas, Stinson, Ocean Beach). We are truly blessed to have so many options. With how many sports can you have the entire family out there doing it, from the little guys to grandparents? It changed our lives for sure. TRISH MEYLER, VIA FACEBOOK
Even More on Panhandling
I found Jim Wood’s POV “Marin’s Roadside Panhandlers” (October 2011) interesting. I agree with everything he said in the article. I also agree with what Ms. Paquette of St. Vincent de Paul said. I only wonder what you would expect to accomplish by handing out information about local organizations. The panhandlers already know about them, so you would be merely arousing a hostile reaction from them, I would think. ARNOLD KNEPFER, CORTE MADERA
Kudos
I love the redesign and look forward to enjoying this new look in many more issues of Marin Magazine. LEE DURAND, MILL VALLEY
As a photojournalist living in Marin, I wanted to congratulate all of you for the good work that you are doing with each issue. I know the amount of work that it requires to make the magazine a happy one! LUZ ELENA, MILL VALLEY
Thank you for a great publication. As your magazine so well depicts, the best of Marin is in its great beauty, open spaces and diversity that are available to all who are lucky enough to live here. Jim Wood thinks exactly like I do; I always think he is right on. I have a chronic illness and am bedridden ... and I feel less alone when reading Marin Magazine. There are wonderful people with large intellects and hearts out there whom I don’t get a chance to meet. Great work, great reporting; there are good people behind your magazine. MONA MURPHY, BELVEDERE
I loved your August 2011 Editors’ Choice issue; I read it cover to cover. I have lived in this beautiful county for 30 years, and your editors absolutely hit all of the real Marin County places to go. LINDA ZANIDES, SAN RAFAEL
It’s All in the Details
Fred Dupuis (shown above), and Carole Bennett (right), each won a $50 gift certificate for sending in their photos in response to our Details section in the November (gates) and December (front doors) issues, respectively. We thank and congratulate them both!
Tamra A. Stern
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Your comments may be edited for clarity and brevity. Send letters to Marin Magazine , One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965, or email us at letters@marinmagazine com . Please include the town where you live and a daytime phone number.
Tuesday, January 31, 6–9 p.m.
Villa Belvedere, Belvedere
Be among the first to see Villa Belvedere, a newly constructed 15,500-squarefoot home overlooking the bay. This breathtaking estate has been transformed by top Bay Area designers and artists. The evening will be elegant yet comfortable with a selection of fine food from Il Davide, Lotus and Stacy Scott Catering paired with gold medal–winning selections from Paradise Wines.
Proceeds benefit the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership in Marin.
$150 per person 415.479.5710, marinshowcase.org
In Marin
CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND CAUSES OF THIS UNIQUE COUNTY
It’s as easy as cut, paste — and absorb. Visualizing 2012
THE TEMPTATION TO yearn for renewal with the arrival of the New Year is hard to resist — and Sausalito’s Bonnie Bruderer, CEO of V.I.S.S. International (experienceviss.com), just may have a way to make that wish a reality. Bruderer’s company promotes the use of vision boards, photo collages — like the one shown above — made famous by overachievers such as Oprah, Andre Agassi and Ellen DeGeneres. The hoi polloi was introduced to the concept via the 2006 movie The Secret, in which the handsome John Assaraf revealed that through the power of the law of attraction he was actually living in the exact home he had unwittingly posted on his vision board years earlier.
Bruderer has worked closely with motivational speakers including Assaraf and Tony Robbins for more than a decade and has personally coached thousands toward reaching their goals. Why vision boards? “There is scientific research that states our minds think in pictures, and by having a vision board we are giving an instruction to our conscious and subconscious mind to seek out what we want,” she explains. “Up to 95 percent of our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are determined in the subconscious mind, and with so much information bombarding us the vision board acts as a tool to change those fi lters.”
Want to make your own vision board? “Easy,” says Bruderer (shown above). “The more specific the better.” To begin your own vision board collage, jot down your goals by health, relationship, fi nance and career categories, then fl ip through magazines to fi nd images that correspond with those goals. Cut, paste, display — and then wait for the law of attraction to change your world. MIMI TOWLE
Love of Education
The U.S. spends $4,000 per student each year, while developing countries spend only about $40. Fortunately, there are people working to remedy this inequity, including these three Marin residents. M.T.
E Rana Madanat: Started a Business Sixteen-year-old avid reader Rana Madanat came to the Bay Area to meet her arranged husband and in-laws with the promise she would go to college — but instead ended up working in the family business. After fi nding solace in her public library, reading books about business and women like herself, Madanat decided to pursue her dreams — moving out on her own, taking her children with her and purchasing Cafe Marmalade in Ross. Years later, while visiting family in Jordan, Madanat realized that her nephew didn’t have access to the books that had given her inspiration as a child. The result is Growing With Books, a nonprofi t that fosters the love of reading and literacy in Jordan and other countries with libraries and story time programs, parent training and college scholarship funding. growingwithbooks.org
E Jay Tamang: Opened a Library Nepal FREED (Foundation for Rural Education and Economic Development) is a registered NGO founded in 2009 by Mill Valley resident Jay Tamang along with his brother, Nuwakot, to provide better education for the area’s children. Nepal native Tamang, who works at the Camino Alto Whole Foods, is raising his family here in the county and sending money back home. Tamang came to the United States with the goal of making money to help his community, and he has succeeded. In 2009, the Park School Library opened in the neighboring village of Kahule, as well as a three-room school in Bhalche; a fundraiser at his children’s school in Mill Valley provided much of the building funds. Nepal FREED continues to work toward building more schools and libraries. nepalfreed.org
E Dave Eggers: Built a School After collaborating on the best-selling novel What Is the What, based on the life story of Valentino Achak Deng, author Dave Eggers and Deng cofounded the Valentino Achak Deng (VAD) Foundation using proceeds from sale of the book, grants and donations. The VAD Foundation is committed to rebuilding South Sudan by constructing schools, libraries, teacher-training institutes and community centers. The first major project was the construction and operation of a brand-new high school in Valentino’s hometown. The Marial Bai Secondary School is now in its third academic year with nearly 350 students enrolled. Eggers makes annual visits to the school, contributes to design projects there and occasionally teaches an art class. valentinoachakdeng.org
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EVO SPA
URBAN REMEDY food is medicine
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presented by:
Increase the effectiveness of your Weekender Vitality Cleanse by adding a Detox Yoga Class.
Instructor KARYN HOLLAND will guide you through specific yoga sequences to purify the organs and calm the mind.
January 22, 11:30 - 1:30 Call Yogaworks - Larkspur to register for the Detox Yoga Class. 415.925.2440
DETOX YOGA
S Kismet
Clothes, shoes and accessories from wellknown designers (Kate Spade) as well as locals (Lynn Tallerico of Mill Valley). 601 San Anselmo, shopkismet.net
Toss
San Anselmo Avenue
At first glance, San Anselmo Avenue seems frozen in time, an apt subject for the eye of Americana painter Norman Rockwell. A sidewalk stroll, though, reveals a thoroughly modern main street — trendy boutiques and home-grown designers abut older stores full of vintage clothes and rare books. Rockwell would still be tempted, but with an updated palette. TIM PORTER
WANDERINGS
You’ll find bags of all sizes and shapes with a focus on two things: style and color (and lots of it). One of three Bay Area retail outlets of Toss Designs, owned by Jennifer Hogan of Ross. 343 San Anselmo, tossdesigns.com
Studiolo
Art and artifacts for home and personal style, featuring local artists such as jeweler Denise Hazleton and tiara designer Carla Roth, can be found inside. 411 San Anselmo, studiolo.biz
The Vintage Flamingo
You know how some stores try to be hip and others just are? This is the latter. Hats, boots, gloves, shades and more, more, more — all for the past 20 years. 528 San Anselmo, thevintageflamingo. com/home
N Heldfond
Book Gallery
Bibliophiles beware. The constricted confi nes of this flatiron building will seduce you with fi rst editions (Catcher in the Rye sells for $6,500), rare children’s books and salacious customprinted posters, as it’s done for 22 years. (Also, don’t miss the Hemingway versus Eliot face-off on the website.) 310 San Anselmo, heldfond.com
Felíce
Located behind Vintage Flamingo in the same cavernous space; it’s a well-stocked party store with seasonal supplies, toys, cars and costumes for kids and adults. 528 San Anselmo, felice sananselmo.com
Delectables
This bright home-andgarden shop features luscious French linens for the table, fun folding picnic baskets, ceramics and candles. 530 San Anselmo, 415.256.9893
Dogville
If your dog (or its owner) doesn’t need it, they don’t sell it — including a fun selection of canine-themed T-shirts for humans. Represent your pet! 554 San Anelsmo, dogvilleonline.com
S Beach Belle
Racks of colorful swimwear from SoDeMel, Vitamin A and L*Space; activewear by Zobha; and big bags to carry it all in. 570 San Anselmo, 415.258.9844
N All Things Rose
Is your little girl pretty in pink? Does she desire to be ravishing in red? Then All Things Rose is the place for her. Here, designer Rose Cage sells darling dresses and more — all of a certain hue. 237 San Anselmo, 415.456.7673
The Vintage Flamingo
Felice
Best Wedding Photo
This past September and October, we ran an online wedding photo contest. The winner, San Rafael’s Melissa Mordokowicz, submitted “Groomsmen — Last Fling” and garnered 4,105 votes.
WHAT SHE WON: A second honeymoon that includes four nights with ocean-view accommodations at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa on Oahu’s Waikiki Beach.
America’s Cup
2013 : COUNTDOWN
Get Ready
Sports fans, mark your calendars for the America’s Cup races coming to the San Francisco Bay. Fun fact: Rolex Yachtsman of the Year and über-brainiac navigator Stan Honey (he developed the fi rst-down line for TV football coverage) has been retained by the America’s Cup to improve television coverage of the event. M.T.
August 11 – 19, 2012 / America’s Cup World Series (45-foot boats)
August 27 – September 2, 2012 / America’s Cup World Series (45-foot boats)
July 4 – September 1, 2013 / Louis Vuitton Cup (72-foot boats)
September 7 – 22, 2013 / America’s Cup Match Finals (72-foot boats)
Experience Marin Country Club
Dr. Mary Marcy
Dominican University’s new president, who grew up in Nebraska, came to Marin by way of the Pacific Northwest, Massachusetts and Oxford.
BY JIM WOOD • PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER
ACROSS AMERICA, THE average age of a university president is 62. Dr. Mary B. Marcy, the recently inaugurated president of Dominican University of California, is only 47 years old.
Yet you can’t say she has been living on the fast track. Marcy, who has a doctorate in political science, grew up on a ranch in Hay Springs, Nebraska, with 32 students in her graduating high school class. When she entered University of Nebraska, the pace of her life began picking up. Following graduation, Marcy was accepted to both Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Oxford University, choosing Oxford because it offered her a scholarship.
Since she’d never before traveled outside the four states of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and South Dakota, Marcy was in a bit of culture and academic shock studying in the United Kingdom. Eventually, however, she not only survived but thrived, making the basketball team, joining the strategic studies club and learning how to really study. “Over time, I found my own identity and developed my intellectual curiosity; attending Oxford was a transforming experience,” she says.
After receiving her advanced degree, Marcy worked in public and private universities,
Dominican has some very strong academic programs; it is a school that is small enough to have a common vision, but large enough to do significant projects — and we are already starting to do that.
mostly in the Pacific Northwest. In 2003, she was hired by Bard College in Massachusetts and eventually served as provost and vice president until earlier this year, when she accepted the presidency of Dominican University of California — and Marcy, her life partner and their loyal cat moved to Marin. “Because I grew up in Nebraska and spent time in Seattle, the West feels like home to me,” she says. “And Marin feels like the best of the West in every possible way.”
What attracted you to Marin County and Dominican University? A strong commitment to students was apparent in my first conversation with the university’s search committee. I saw Dominican as a very nimble and yet ambitious institution. Another appealing factor was the campus culture. I felt a sense of accomplishment as well as aspiration. Dominican has some very strong academic programs; it is a school that is small enough
to have a common vision, but large enough to do significant projects — and we are already starting to do that. Finally, I liked the fact that Dominican is the county’s only four-year university; that means it is the cultural and intellectual center of the Marin community. I see this happening through programs like the Leadership Lecture Series, last year’s governor’s debate, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and various internship programs. I love the things Dominican University does in Marin County. Last year, for example, students contributed more than 8,000 hours of service to local nonprofit groups through our ServiceLearning Program. Currently, this program is working in partnership with 20 community organizations and county agencies.
For those unfamiliar with Dominican University, please describe it. Our campus, which is just off Grand Avenue in central San Rafael, was founded in 1890. So it is a
Opposite, far left: Mary Marcy in her office. Left: Angelico Hall. Below: Students celebrating their graduation.
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very established and yet alive and vibrant environment. We have just under 1,500 undergraduates and just over 600 graduate students, along with a Pathway Adult Learning program with more than 200 night students. Twenty-nine percent of our undergraduates are the fi rst in the family to attend college; 39 percent are of African American, Hispanic, Asian American or Native American heritage; and while tuition is $36,900 (comparable to other private universities), more than 85 percent of the undergraduates are on scholarship or receiving fi nancial aid of some type. Our faculty numbers almost 200, which allows for an average class size of 14 students. More than 500 students live on campus, while others live in nearby homes and apartments. We compete in NCAA Division II in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, tennis and cross country and in men’s lacrosse. Dominican University is an open campus, and most visitors fi nd it to be a delightful college environment. I know I do.
What are the primary strengths of Dominican’s academic program? Ours is a classic university approach that features a strong undergraduate academic experience, one that is also applied outside the classroom.
Marcy talking with colleagues.
One thing that defi nes Dominican’s academic program is that every freshman is required to take a comprehensive fi rst-year experience course called Big History. Big History is a multidisciplinary approach to understanding
Before earning a bachelor’s degree, every student must have three experiences outside the classroom that put their learning into action.
the origins of the universe and the complexity of its development, from the Big Bang to the future of the planet, mixing topics that at many colleges would be covered separately in courses on biology, physics and philosophy, among other fields. Another distinguishing feature is that before earning a bachelor’s degree, students must have three experiences outside the classroom that put their learning into action. This can be a local internship, a community project or an international experience. No other university in the country requires this. Our largest enrollments are in psychology, business and nursing, while biology is quite strong and growing. In fact, in the past few years, the science program has grown significantly (from 28 undergraduate students in 2000 to more than 220 graduate and undergraduate students in 2011) as we’ve developed working partnerships with Novato’s BioMarin and the Buck Institute.
Can we expect any changes under your leadership? I think any changes will be a natural evolution. I am inheriting a strong, vibrant institution that has seen considerable growth in the last decade. My role will be to integrate that growth by focusing and further defi ning our areas of strength.
If you had one thing to say to people in Marin, what would it be? We are your university, and our relationship is indeed a partnership. As stated earlier, Dominican University is more than 100 years old, so we are part of the fabric of the Marin community. In a sense, we’ve matured together. We are Marin’s university, and you are always welcome on campus. m
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“The Tamalpais offers the opportunity to trade some of my “have-to’s” for my “want-to’s”. It gives me a secure home base for travel to fishing and golf venues around the world. This maintenancefree lifestyle means more time to pursue my passions.”
At The Tamalpais in Marin, everything you need today –and may need tomorrow – is close at hand. Enjoy a wealth of inspiring choices while managing your future health care costs. To learn more about the peace of mind shared by Neal McNamara and all our Life Care residents, call Nancy Martin at 415-464-1754 and ask about our new contract options.
THE MAKING OF A SHOWCASE HOUSE
We visited the 2011 Marin Designers Showcase house during its construction to give you a behindthe-scenes glimpse of this $45 million estate.
PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER
WHEN VILLA BELVEDERE, the elegant new 15,500-square-foot estate overlooking the waters of San Francisco Bay, is publicly unveiled this month, ticket holders for the 2011 Marin Designers Showcase — a benefit for the San Rafael–based Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership — will be among the fi rst to glimpse this one-of-a-kind property.
“I knew about this house pretty early on during the house-search phase,” says Nevil Neil, the consulting director for Marin Designers Showcase. “Having viewed more than 50 homes, and lost three in consideration, it all came down to the very first home I wanted; it was destined to be the right project.” Visitors, he says, will see views and more views but also “a wonderfully livable space that hosts a grand production or provides an intimate stolen moment alone. You can’t help but connect with the quality of architecture, design and art.”
Neil says that showcase attendees may notice some of the most striking art collaborations ever presented. “Showcase guests will find themselves immersed in works by emerging and established artists as part of the designers’ interiors,” he says. “This level of artist collaboration is unprecedented for the Marin Designers Showcase.” He predicts that due to its location and the caliber of the participating designers, Villa Belvedere will attract national attention. PJ BREMIER
The House
The luxury three-story, seven-bedroom residence situated on exclusive Belvedere Island may be a Green Point–rated, solar-powered smart house with remote technology and a living roof over its three-bay garage, but those aren’t the fi rst features most attendees will notice. The big draw is the knockout panorama including both the Golden Gate and San Francisco–Oakland Bay bridges, Alcatraz, San Francisco, Sausalito and Mount Tamalpais.
Developer Jeff Paster knew that the views of the $45 million property would be only part of the home’s consummate appeal. “The buyer of this estate will likely have several homes around the world,” he surmises. “What they will value is a world-class view from a world-class home in a world-class locale, and being able to host hundreds of their friends, family, dignitaries and business associates on their terraces to watch the America’s Cup will be very special for them.”
Paster, who’s completed three other luxury homes in Marin, insisted upon custom-quality and high-end features: a nearly 2,000-bottle temperature-controlled wine vault; a
soundproof theater; a spa gym; a professional kitchen and butler’s pantry for the family and a caterer’s kitchen for the 50-foot-long professionally lit art gallery; whole-house sound with invisible speakers; radiant heat; security cameras; a concrete-topped teakwood outdoor kitchen; and a 50-foot-long Bisazza glass–tiled lap pool with adjoining spa and cabana, an elevator and even air-conditioning to cool party guests on a warm summer evening.
Paster brought in Sandy Walker of the San Francisco architectural fi rm Walker & Moody to design the residence. “He could design a house that fit very neatly into the environment in a classic and sophisticated way,” he says. P.B.
The Property’s History
In 1981, realtor Olivia Hsu Decker sold 425 Belvedere Avenue to Verna Harrah, widow of Bill Harrah, the erstwhile owner of Harrah Hotels and Casinos in Las Vegas and Reno. After moving in, Harrah met neighbor Jerry Ganz, the highly successful Midwestern entrepreneur who was the original mass-marketer of automobile seat belts.
Three years later, Ganz bought Harrah’s art deco home, which sat near his on nearly an acre parcel along Belvedere’s south-facing shoreline with spectacular San Francisco and Sausalito views bookending a full-frame portrait of the Golden Gate Bridge. “I think I paid around two million dollars for it,” Ganz says. Shortly thereafter, and according to a variety of recountings, Ganz demolished the existing structure and applied for a permit to construct a new home. “It was for my daughter,” Ganz remembers. “Then she didn’t want it.”
“Getting a permit for Ganz’s house took more than five years,” recalls San Francisco architect Andrew Skurman. “We fi nally got approval in 1994.”
Former Belvedere Mayor Connie Wiley has a different recollection of the time involved. “It seemed to go on for forever,” she says. At the time, Wiley was serving on the Belvedere planning commission, and Ganz, who by then owned additional parcels along Belvedere Avenue, had established himself as a cantankerous if not combative landowner.
Local realtor Nan Allen remembers the lengthy struggle to permit Ganz’s proposed 16,000-square-foot home. “Jerry brought out five Chicago attorneys, all of them in dark suits, to argue his case,” Allen recalls, “and around midnight, after it was finally approved, he walked over to Connie Wiley, smiled and unexpectedly said, ‘I just want you to know, I’m never going to build that house.’ ” And he never did.
Fourteen years later, in 2008, realtors Lydia Sarkissian and Bill Bullock listed and sold Ganz’s vacant property to Marin developer Jeff Paster for close to $10 million. In 2010, Paster’s 15,000-square-foot residence — the location of this year’s Marin Designers Showcase — was permitted. Will Jerry Ganz, currently visiting his daughter in Marin, be among its many viewers? “I plan to drop by,” he says. JIM WOOD
At the time of this photo shoot, Villa Belvedere was in the throes of construction, with crews working hard throughout the three-story building. Opposite top: A digital rendering of the finished house shows its prominent location on Belvedere Island. Left: Jeff Paster, owner/ developer.
The Designers
Twenty-two top design firms from around the Bay Area were invited by showcase organizers to put their fi nishing touches on Villa Belvedere.
Suzanne Tucker of San Francisco’s Tucker & Marks brings her aesthetic to the living room and adjacent study by taking cues from the same richly appointed and inviting exoticism found in fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent’s personal residences in France and Morocco. Tucker based her color palette on the warm neutrals of creams, caramels and cocoas and the cool colors of celadon and ocean blue seen outside in the bay, and she chose furnishings from French modernist Jacques Adnet and the Parisian designer Jean-Henri Jansen of Maison Jansen. Several textiles from her own line, Suzanne Tucker Home, appear in the two rooms, including blue-gray silk jacquard draperies and latte-colored silk-and-linen pillows.
Candace Barnes, a San Francisco–based antiques dealer and principal of Candace Barnes Design Studio, also drew inspiration from the waters of San Francisco, but from another perspective. “Looking at the bay and realizing how fortunate we are to live in this port city, and thinking about our connection to other ports, particularly the Middle East, I felt that the room should embody an international spirit and connection,” she says. Textured silk draperies dress her windows and a Silk Dynasty wall covering in a beautiful ivory crackle-on-canvas will adorn the walls. For special pieces, she’s chosen a set of classical Greek-style Klismos chairs to place around a Paul Evans mid-century dining table, a charcoal drawing of a chandelier by Gonzalo Fuenmayor and a free-form bronze sculpture by Adam Gale.
David Kensington says his goal for the kitchen and family room is guided by his principle of working in harmony with the architecture and natural setting, using natural
materials. “As the home is a sophisticated piece of modern architecture, I wanted my furnishings to have the same level of sophistication, comfort and integrity of design,” he says. His eponymous firm is teaming with the internationally recognized New York fi rm Studio Sofield to create custom furnishings and has chosen impressionist paintings from the John Berggruen Gallery in San Francisco for the walls. For the kitchen, he’s opted for custom bar stools and a custom line of dinnerware from Heath Ceramics.
Upstairs, Gioi Tran of Applegate Tran Interiors in San Francisco gives the sumptuous 1,300-square-foot master bedroom suite a chic and tailored look. The suite is part of a full wing of the home that also includes an opulent bathroom with his-and-her room-size closets. (Her closet has shelving for 100 pairs of shoes, floor-to-ceiling cabinets, a custom vanity and a built-in refrigerator.) Tran’s design “will not be overly dressed but simplistic with texture, color, pattern and refined details,” he says. “The view of the bay spoke to me, so to keep the serenity there we chose deep grays and aubergines.” He’s selected mostly custom pieces — a four-poster bed, slipper chairs, mirrors and three Nepalese area rugs — for the space and explains: “When I go to a showcase, I want to see something new. Custom pieces make a room more interesting.”
The work of two Marin firms, Cecilie Starin Interior Design and Sunrise Home, are spotlighted in two guest room suites that, like others in the house, have walk-in closets, full bathrooms and, of course, gorgeous views. “Bella Vista,” Starin’s guest room, represents the intersection of classical and modern with a color palette of warm and cool neutrals and lights and darks to evoke a sense of tranquility. She silver-leafed the ceiling, washed the walls in a weathered gray and trimmed them with a crackled-linen wall-border accent to give the impression of an old-world patina. For furnishings, she chose a sleek wrought iron
Above right: Suzanne Tucker of San Francisco’s Tucker & Marks displays fabrics that will be featured in the living room. Below: Tiburon designer Cecilie Starin with her storyboard for NY Suite I.
four-poster bed wrapped in diaphanous linen, a classically styled desk and an antique tufted chaise along with mid-century modern artwork from Bay Area abstract expressionist Walter Kuhlman.
Catherine Coy and Alison Wilson are a design duo from Sunrise Home, the home furnishings and accessories store in San Rafael. The two combined roughhewn woods; fat, textural wools; thick mohair; and raw silk to create a guest room that honors the sights and sounds of the local waters. Their favorite accent is a reclaimed ship’s propeller found in rural Louisiana that has been artfully used to create the base for a console table. “It’s a one-of-a-kind piece perfectly suited to a home on the bay,” says Annie Bowman, owner of Sunrise Home.
Outside, San Francisco landscape designer Stephen Suzman of Suzman & Cole Design Associates took on the challenging plot. “We wanted something elegant, striking and suitable for the site, which is sunny and exposed to harsh winds,” Suzman says. “Most of the excitement comes through the foliage rather than the flowers, and it’s a fairly limited plant palette.” Suzman chose the glossy evergreen leaves of boxwood, correa and Magnolia grandiflora trees to lend a quiet shimmer to the garden and, for flashes of color, Leucadendron “Safari Sunset” and red trumpet vines. Citrus, choisya and star jasmine, all with shiny foliage, were selected to introduce fragrance and the blue-green foliage of aloes, agaves, succulents, fan palms, lavender and Hardenbergia subtly refer to the waters below. P.B.
Who Made It Happen
DEVELOPER Jeff Paster
ARCHITECTURE Walker & Moody
CONSTRUCTION Cello & Maudru Construction Co.
KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGN Laughlin Designs
LIGHTING DESIGN Eric Johnson Associates
SMART HOME/HOME THEATER/HOME SOUND DESIGN
Metroeighteen
COLOR CONSULTANT Ruth Hyndman Design
CUSTOM CABINETRY Domicile
GARAGE Garage Solutions
DOORS AND WINDOWS NorthStar WoodWorks and Loewen
LANDSCAPE DESIGN Suzman & Cole Design Associates
LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION Siteworks Landscape, Inc.
SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION Aquascape, Inc.
SOLAR ELECTRICITY Real Goods Solar
FEATURED DESIGNERS
Chief Designer Beth Laughlin, Laughlin Designs
Exterior Landscape Stephen Suzman, Suzman & Cole
Design Associates
Main Entry Brigitte Micmacker, A New Leaf Gallery | Sculpturesite
Living Room and Offi ce Suzanne Tucker, Tucker & Marks
Family Breakfast Room and Kitchen David Kensington
Dining Room and Side Entry Candace Barnes, Candace Barnes
Design Studio
Master Suite Gioi Tran, Applegate Tran Interiors
Guest Suite I Katie Denham, Katie Denham Interiors
Guest Suite II Catherine Coy & Alison Wilson, Sunrise Home
NY Suite I Cecilie Starin, Cecilie Starin Interior Design
NY Suite II Lindy Donnelly, Lindy Donnelly Interior Design
NY Suite III Robin Barnato, Studio Home
NY Suite IV Kriste Michelini, Kriste Michelini Interiors
Scullery and Pantry Ian Stallings, IS Design
Exercise Spa Colin Daly & Julie Exley, Trellis Interiors
Study and Office David Harris & Richard Kasten, Harris & Kasten
Coat Closet Jim Coch, Cunningham Design
Powder Room Linda Horning, Cunningham Design
Pool/Spa/Cabana Katherine Hill, Katherine Hill Interiors
Art Advisory Stephanie Breitbard, Stephanie Breitbard Fine Arts
Gallery Deborah Allyce-Miller, Allyce Art Advisory
Above: A rendering of the 1,300-square-foot Master Suite by Gioi Tran of Tran Applegate Interiors in San Francisco depicts the room’s four-poster bed, slipper chairs and serenity-inducing aubergineand-deep gray color scheme. Right: Annie Bowman, owner of San Rafael’s Sunrise Home, discusses floor coverings for Guest Suite II with project designers Catherine Coy and Alison Wilson.
The buyer of this estate will likely have several homes around the world. What they will value is a world-class view from a world-class home in a world-class locale, and being able to host hundreds of their friends, family, dignitaries and business associates on their terraces to watch the America’s Cup will be very special for them.
The Cause
“We kept looking around, but we really wanted to have our annual fundraiser at this house,” says Linda Davis, CEO of the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership, about Villa Belvedere, the Marin Designers Showcase home. “This year’s event is going to be just spectacular; we knew we wanted this location ever since we fi rst saw it.”
While its annual benefit is usually held earlier in the year, the center decided to push it back to when the Villa Belvedere
estate would be finished. Each year the center hosts other events, such as Heart of Marin and the Marin Human Race, to raise funds that go toward harnessing the effort of more than 10,000 volunteers, holding some 80 workshops and providing training and services to 700 nonprofit groups, but its annual showcase is the only event that directly benefits the center itself. (Proceeds from the home tour’s ticket sales will go to the center.)
DANIEL JEWETT
The Tour
The 2011 Marin Designers Showcase tour takes place February 1 to 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Shuttles leave from Tiburon Boulevard at Beach Road in Tiburon. General admission is $30; seniors are admitted for $25. Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and costs $20. Thursday evening wine tastings (February 2, 9, 16 and 23) take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets for the wine tastings are $40.
The event launches with a gala from 6 to 9 p.m. January 31 ($150 per ticket); see RSVP Hot Ticket on page 20. The house will also be available for private parties.
Savvy shoppers can snap up many of the designer furnishings and accessories featured in the house during the public sale of furniture from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 27. Admission is $5 with a Showcase event ticket. For information, call 415.479.5710 or visit marindesignersshowcase.org. P.B. m
The view from 425 Belvedere Avenue spans the bay from bridge to bridge and beyond.
Blissful Beginnings
Four couples with deep roots in Marin say “I do.”
Lita Collins and Chris McNamara, May 21, 2011
ACCORDING TO GROOM Chris McNamara, he’d been working up the courage to ask out the beautiful and charming Lita Collins since they were 11. An extreme sports enthusiast, Chris is not timid by nature: He has jumped 3,000-foot cliff s and set rock climbing records. But taking the leap of courtship was a bit more daunting. “Timing is everything,” he says. “We went to middle school and high school together, and Lita even spent two summers working at my parents’ newspaper.” However, there was no official romance until they ran into each other a few years ago and sparks flew.
Lita, now a real estate agent with Frank Howard Allen in Greenbrae, remembers the moment she realized they would get married. Daylight saving time had just started, so it was dark and cold out. “We met for a cozy glass of wine at Vascos in downtown Mill Valley, and while we were talking with Paul, the owner, I realized that I was indeed going to marry Chris McNamara,” Lita says. “It felt very exciting and calming at the same time.”
Few other couples have utilized the entire downtown of Mill Valley for their wedding day as Chris and Lita did. Chris had the idea of a pre-ceremony town stroll, which not everyone was keen on upon hearing about it. “People tried to talk us out of it, but it was my favorite part, hands down,” he says. The couple’s celebration started with a stop at La Coppa Coffee to say hello to Ishmael, their favorite barista; next they visited Evan and Ronnie at The Store; and then they posed with their flower girl at Mill Valley Market.
The couple’s ceremony and reception were held at the Outdoor Art Club, and it ended that evening at the Balboa Cafe. “We asked our favorite bartender Brenden to stay open late that night,” recalls Lita, “so we got to fi nish the night with him — and his delicious cocktails!”
VENUE Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club, outdoorartclub.org
PLANNER AJ Pell at Peridot Events, peridot-events.com
CAKE fl ourChylde Bakery, fl ourchylde.com
FLORIST Main Street Floragardens, mainstfl oragardens.com
MUSIC Spencer Sutherland, sutherlandmusic.com
DRESS L’Ezu, lezu.com
SUIT Hugo Boss, hugoboss.com
HAIR Dagaz Salon, dagazsalon.com
I knew early on that I wanted to marry Meg. Her wit, spunk, beauty, strong will and overall zest for life made me want to be around her all the time.
Megan Keane and Curtis Tuggle, August 27, 2011
WHO INVITED THE frat guys?” was Megan Keane’s first exchange with Curtis Tuggle, a friend of a friend who showed up at her 25th birthday party in a popped pink polo carrying a 24-pack. “You,” was his quick response. Unexpectedly, their verbal sparring resulted in a four-month romance.
“Then life happened, and we went in different directions,” says Megan. Three years later, Curtis insisted Megan join him at a summer barbecue, which led to romantic walks in San Anselmo, Megan’s hometown — which eventually led to an engagement on the Matt Davis Trail above Stinson Beach.
“I knew early on that I wanted to marry Meg,” says Curtis. “Her wit, spunk, beauty, strong will and overall zest for life made me want to be around her all the time. So I did the only thing that seemed logical; I locked her in for life.”
Holding their reception at the San Francisco Theological Seminary in the hills of San Anselmo was an easy decision. “When I showed Curtis the seminary and specifically the view from Geneva Terrace, he was hooked,” says Megan. “We wanted our guests to share in its magic, too.”
Highlights included Bishop Thomas Daly’s homily. “It was personal and funny,” says Megan. Others, she says, were “my dad and Curtis’s brother harmonizing to ‘The Wedding Song’ by Peter, Paul and Mary; the Irish sing-along after the cake was cut; everyone dancing under the stars, especially when ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’ by Lionel Richie played in honor of my late mother, Sandy (she loved Lionel) — my siblings and I danced in a circle; it was wonderful. Lastly, our fi rst dance, ‘You Make My Dreams Come True’ by Hall and Oates. Perfectly goofy and yet endearing. It was so us.”
VENUE St. Anselm Church, saintanselm.org
PRIEST Auxilary Bishop of the Diocese of San Jose, Thomas A. Daly
RECEPTION San Francisco Theological Seminary, Geneva Terrace, sfts.edu
I found the episode where Jessica Fletcher gets a marriage proposition and ‘green screened’ myself into the part where her suitor says, ‘The bride I had in mind was you, Jessica.’
Danielle Grant and Chris Detrick, August 20, 2011
ALPHABETICAL ORDER PLAYED a crucial role in the futures of Chris Detrick and Danielle Grant 14 years ago, in Ms. Partlow’s World History class at Redwood High School when Danielle, a self-described “serious student type” was seated right next to Chris, who was sporting at the time spiked hair with bleached blond tips and lots of punk jewelry. “If you had told either one of us then that we would end up together, I think we both would have called you crazy,” Danielle recalls.
Fast-forward 12 years to a Tuesday after a long day at work (the couple had been going out for eight years at this point), when Danielle settled in to watch one of her favorite shows, Murder She Wrote Suddenly, to her chagrin, Chris appeared on the screen, and she thought he had recorded over her show. “I found the episode where Jessica Fletcher gets a marriage proposition and ‘green screened’ myself into the part where her suitor says, ‘The bride I had in mind was you, Jessica,’ ” says Chris.
The couple held their ceremony and reception at the Ralston L. White Retreat in Mill Valley. “Getting married on a heart-shaped lawn in the middle of the redwood trees with the peak of Mount Tamalpais as our backdrop was the ideal setting,” says Danielle, and they even gave redwood saplings as gifts to their guests.
Local KCBS news anchor (and Chris’s bandmate) Stan Bunger was ordained especially for the occasion; Danielle’s constant canine companion, Brutus, was in tow; and the couple spent months perfecting their own vows. “Our coordinator, Nichole, was amazing; she took care of every detail,” remembers Danielle. Another highlight was that many guests were able to spend the night. “We were able to have brunch and take a hike with our guests in the morning,” says Danielle. “It gave us a chance to spend more quality time with the people we love and don’t get to see often enough.”
VENUE Ralston L. White Retreat, ralstonwhiteretreat.org
OFFICIANT Stan Bunger, ordained online on ulchq.com
PHOTOGRAPHY Linda Russell & Jarreau Lucien Cross, russellphoto.com
WEDDING PLANNER Nichole Kohake, Swank Events and Weddings, swankeventsandweddings.com
CATERER An Affair to Remember, remembercatering.com
MUSIC The Crymuscles, Greg Scott II, and Big Earl & the Cyrin’ Shames
INVITATIONS Wedding Paper Divas, costco.com
DRESS Maggie Sottero “Rhianna Royale” from La Boutique Des Brides, laboutiquedesbrides.com
SUIT Ermenegildo Zegna Black Tuxedo, Gene Hiller, genehiller.com
HAIR Wendy Sissel, A Line Salon, alinesalon.com
FAVORS Coastal Redwood Tree Saplings for guests to plant, arborday.org
Chelsea Hardesty and Marc Ialeggio,
May 14, 2011
ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2010 , Chelsea Hardesty switched her Facebook status from “single” to “engaged.” By the end of the day, she had over 100 comments and tons of phone calls. “It made me smile and feel thankful that I have so many fantastic people in my life that were really happy for me,” she says.
Chelsea met her future husband, Marc Ialeggio, in 1986 at Redwood High School; the two were in the same ceramics class. Twenty-three years later, after a first date at Marinitas, Chelsea knew Marc was the one. Marc says the feeling was mutual. After three hours of “catching up,” he knew he would ask Chelsea to marry him.
While his proposal atop Mount Tam continued their love-made-inMarin story, their wedding took them south of the border to Mexico’s
Capella Pedregal for an intimate celebration with about 70 guests, most of whom were from Marin. Highlights included fi reworks that Chelsea’s mother, Karen, surprised the couple with after dinner. Another was the pint-size (all-kids) wedding party that included Lauryn, Marc’s 8-yearold daughter and Bella, Chelsea’s 9-year-old niece, who brought the crowd to tears with a speech she wrote. “It was the only time I couldn’t hold back the tears all day,” says Chelsea.
Another special moment involved their friend Bob Matousek, who performed the ceremony under a colorful strand of paper dragonflies made by their friend Colette Clowes. “Dragonfl ies are symbolic in our family and remind me of my grandparents,” recalls Chelsea. Chelsea and Marc agree: Good things are defi nitely worth waiting for.
2250 Union Street Suite 1B San Francisco, CA 94123 415.931.5492 bellabridesmaid.com
BRIDAL GALLERIA
Embarcadero Center 3 San Francisco, CA 94111 415.362.2277 bridalgalleria.com
FORGET ME KNOTS BRIDAL 1738 Union Street, Suite 101 San Francisco, CA 94132 415.921.0838 forgetmeknotsbridal.com
GENE HILLER
729 Bridgeway Sausalito, CA 94965 415.332.3636 genehiller.com
GLAMOUR CLOSET 114 Columbus Avenue San Francisco, CA 94133 415.391.1515 glamourcloset.com
GROUP LILI
Planning a wedding can be stressful — which is why we culled this list of top Bay Area vendors for your nuptials. For a more extensive listing, visit marinmagazine.com/ weddings.
89 Gravenstein Highway Suite B Cotati, CA 94931
707.793.1100 grouplili.com
JIN WANG
300 Grant Avenue, Penthouse San Francisco, CA 94108 415.397.9111 jinwang.net
JOAN GILBERT BRIDE San Francisco, CA 415.752.1808 joangilbertbride.com
LA BOUTIQUE DES BRIDES 888 Brannan Street Suite 261 San Francisco, CA 94103 415.431.3400 laboutiquedesbrides.com
LEA DESIGNS
324 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard San Anselmo, CA 94960 415.461.4804 leacouture.com
L’EZU
1482 S. Robertson Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90035
310.657.5398 lezu.com
LOUIS THOMAS
Corte Madera Town Center
Corte Madera, CA 94925
415.924.1715 louisthomas.com
MARINA MORRISON WITH GRACE BRIDAL SALON
30 Maiden Lane Fourth floor San Francisco, CA 94108
415.984.9360 marinamorrison.com
NORDSTROM
1870 Redwood Highway Corte Madera, CA 94925 415.927.1690 nordstom.com
NOVELLA BRIDAL
557 Pacific Avenue San Francisco, CA 94133
415.981.9373 novellabridal.com
SELIX FORMALWEAR
9000 Northgate Mall San Rafael, CA 94901 415.491.4409 selix.com
SHADOWS
429 San Anselmo Avenue San Anselmo, CA 94960
415.459.0574 shadowsbridal.com
BEAUTY
ACACIA SALON AND DAY SPA 1015 B Street
San Rafael, CA 94901 415.453.8899 acaciasalonanddayspa.com
BLUE MERCURY
1624 Redwood Highway Corte Madera, CA 94925 415.924.5400 bluemercury.com
CHAMPAGNE SALON AND DAY SPA 1 Blackfield Drive Tiburon, CA 94920 415.380.9111 champagnesalonand dayspa.com
EVO SPA
800 Redwood Highway Strawberry Village Suite 216 Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.383.3223 evo-spa.com
111 Country Club Drive Incline Village, NV 89451 775.832.1234 laketahoe.hyatt.com
THE KENWOOD INN AND SPA 10400 Sonoma Highway Kenwood, CA 95452 707.833.1293 kenwoodinn.com
THE RITZ-CARLTON LAKE TAHOE Truckee, CA 96161 530.562.3000 ritzcarlton.com/LakeTahoe
RAMEKINS EVENT CENTER 450 West Spain Street Sonoma, CA 95476
707.933.0450 ramekins.com
VILLAGIO INN SPA 6481 Washington Street Yountville, CA 94599 707.945.4549 villagio.com
SAN FRANCISCO
FORT MASON CENTER/ FIREHOUSE Landmark Building A San Francisco, CA 94123 415.441.3400 fortmason.org
HORNBLOWER CRUISES AND EVENTS
Pier 3, Embarcadero San Francisco, CA 94105 415.788.8866 hornblower.com
HOTEL VITALE 8 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94105 415.278.3700 hotelvitale.com
THE CLIFF HOUSE 1090 Point Lobos San Francisco, CA 94121 415.386.3330 cliffhouse.com
THE FAIRMONT 950 Mason Street San Francisco, CA 94108 415.772.5000 fairmont.com/sanfrancisco
THE RITZ-CARLTON 600 Stockton Street San Francisco, CA 94108 415.296.7465 ritzcarlton.com/hotels/ san_francisco
PARC 55 HOTEL 55 Cyril Magnin Street San Francisco, CA 94102 415.392.8000 parc55hotel.com
WESTIN ST. FRANCIS
335 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102 415.397.7000 westinstfrancis.com
HAWAII
FOUR SEASONS RESORT HUALALAI
72-100 Kaupulehu Drive Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 808.325.8000 fourseasons.com/hualalai
THE FAIRMONT KEA LANI
4100 Wailea Alanui Drive Wailea, HI 96753
808.875.4100 fairmont.com/kealani
THE FAIRMONT ORCHID
1 N. Kaniku Drive Kamuela, HI 96743
808.885.2000 fairmont.com/orchid
TURTLE BAY RESORT
57-091 Kamehameha Highway Kahuku, HI 96731
808.293.6000 turtlebayresort.com
THE KAHALA HOTEL AND RESORT 5000 Kahala Avenue Oahu, HI 96816
808.739.8888 kahalaresort.com
WAIMEA PLANTATION COTTAGES
9400 Kaumualii Highway Kauai, HI 96796
866.774.2924 astonhotels.com
WEDDING REGISTRIES
BLOOMINGDALE’S 845 Market Street San Francisco, CA 94103
415.856.5300 bloomingdales.com
CABANA HOME
238 East Blithedale Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415.383.0201 cabanahome.com
CIAO BELLA ITALY
19 Princess Street Sausalito, CA 94965
415.289.1160 ciaobellaitaly.com
CRATE & BARREL
Corte Madera Town Center Corte Madera, CA 94925
415.924.5412 crateandbarrel.com
DAVID M. BRIAN
110 Bon Air Center Greenbrae, CA 94904
415.464.0344 davidmbrian.com
Bardessono
Bardessono is a newly defined experience in hospitality that weds “deep green” with luxury, a subtle aesthetic, privacy and graciousness. Celebrate your special day, rehearsal dinner or brunch in one of our unique venues – from ballroom to outdoor garden to rooftop pool. Service, surroundings and intention define an experience every guest will come to know as uniquely their own.
Whether you are planning an intimate wedding, rehearsal dinner or a post-wedding brunch, the Bardessono staff will customize and serve your event with exceptional attention to detail. For more information, contact our wedding specialist Ms. Jamie Gansler.
6526 Yount Street • Yountville, CA
707.204.6025 • bardessono.com
HEATH CERAMICS
400 Gate Five Road Sausalito, CA 94965
415.332.3732 heathceramics.com
NEIMAN MARCUS
150 Stockton Street San Francisco, CA 94108
415.362.3900 neimanmarcus.com
POTTERY BARN 1822 Redwood Highway Corte Madera, CA 94925
415.924.1392 potterybarn.com
RESTORATION HARDWARE
1700 Redwood Highway Corte Madera, CA 94925
415.924.8919
restorationhardware.com
SUR LA TABLE
Corte Madera Town Center
Corte Madera, CA 94925
415.945.0112
surlatable.com
TIFFANY & CO.
350 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
415.781.7000
tiffany.com
WILLIAMS-SONOMA
1802 Redwood Highway Corte Madera, CA 94925
415.924.6799
williams-sonoma.com
NAPA VALLEY’S GREENEST LUXURY HOTEL
Parc 55 Hotel
THE PERFECT CITY WEDDING DESTINATION
55 Cyril Magnin Street
San Francisco, CA
415.392.8000
Parc55weddings.com
Parc 55 Wyndham is ideally situated in the heart of downtown San Francisco. From diverse space perfect for intimate or lavish gatherings, to luxury accommodations, exceptional catering, and breathtaking city views, Parc 55 Wyndham offers the perfect setting for your special day.
Parc 55 Wyndham is the ideal destination for ceremonies of any size, with ample space to accommodate 15 to 1,500. Our distinctive Club Lounge, located on the 31st floor is ideal for rehearsal dinners, wedding showers, receptions and brunches.
We pride ourselves on a professional and friendly staff. A devoted catering services manager will work with you to plan your special day.
Boasting a sophisticated, yet unpretentious city setting, Parc 55 Wyndham is in the middle of all that is San Francisco. Our location offers access to shopping, dining, nightlife and the arts, just steps from our door, with convenient access to BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) and the cable car.
Offering inventive new takes on American classics, cityhouse Restaurant fuses modern techniques with fresh ingredients. For a more casual setting, cityhouse Bar provides the ideal environment for enjoying time with family and friends.
With inviting accommodations, award-winning services, unique event space, and its downtown location, Parc 55 Wyndham is sure to provide a perfect and memorable city wedding experience.
Julianna’s Fine Jewelry
The Village Corte Madera, CA
415.924.9711
juliannasfinejewelry.com
Julianna’s Fine Jewelry offers you an exquisite selection of wedding rings, fine watches, and upscale gifts. Select stunning rings from prestigious designers such as Simon G, Roberto Coin, Mikimoto, Gabrielle, and Ritani, or consult with Julianna’s custom design expert, Jean-Louis, to create the one-of-a-kind set you are imagining.
They offer the finest quality diamonds at very competitive prices and they make it easy and comfortable for you to find the perfect rings in which to celebrate your love and devotion. Commemorate the day for other special loved ones by choosing a thoughtful and lasting gift from a wide selection of fine Swiss watchmakers: Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Tag Heuer, and Raymond Weil.
Their selection, design services, superior quality and customer service have resulted in many happy customers and friendships over the last 26 years. They are a family, and they treat you like you are too. They love seeing that “I just found the perfect ring” look on your face!
Next time you’re in the Village at Corte Madera, stop by and find Julianna, her daughter Judy, or any of their devoted staff ready and happy to offer you expert advice on all your fine jewelry desires.
Marin Country Club
EXPERIENCE YOUR DREAM
500 Country Club Drive
Novato, CA
415.382.6714
marincountryclub.com
Marin Country Club, tucked away in a majestic canyon of Northern California, has been defining brides’ dreams for decades. The Tuscan-style clubhouse, allinclusive wedding collections, and championship caliber 18-hole golf course provide a myriad of options that truly allow the bride and groom to define their own experience. Sunny weather with picturesque landscape provide an exquisite venue for brides and grooms to exchange their vows.
Wedding ceremonies and receptions of up to 300 are held in the prestigious clubhouse surrounded by lush olive trees and fragrant lavender. Once you step through the front doors you feel as though you have been whisked away to romantic Tuscany. Serene lighting and architecture lend itself to your rich experience. Each bride and groom work closely with our Executive Chef and Catering Director to create a culinary experience that surpasses even the highest expectations. Marin Country Club ensures no detail of your dream wedding is left unfulfilled. Photo: Silvermans Photography, www.silvermansphotography.com
Scan the image on the right with your smartphone or tablet to Begin Your Dream Wedding Experience.
Inn Above Tide
YOUR BOX SEAT ON THE BAY
At The Inn Above Tide, all 29 rooms and suites face San Francisco Bay and are directly over the water with sweeping views of the San Francisco city skyline, Alcatraz, Angel Island and Marin. From your private deck set over the lapping waves, watch the ever-changing enthralling play of light and sea life against an unforgettable backdrop. Fireplaces, over sized soaking tubs, complimentary breakfast and evening wine and cheese add to the allure. There is perhaps no better place than this intimate destination to become engaged, celebrate your wedding night or honeymoon. Walk to Sausalito restaurants, or ride complimentary bicycles along the waterfront. But then again; you may just want to just enjoy a cocktail on the deck, get a fire going, ask the concierge to arrange dinner delivered and stay in.
The Inn Above Tide is your box seat on the bay.
30 El Portal • Sausalito, CA 415.332.9535 • innabovetide.com
Kate’s Blossoms
CUSTOM FLORAL DESIGN & EVENT STYLING
Since 1990, Kathleen has provided floral designs and services to couples, which, complement the wedding day’s theme, wishes, family customs, and logistics into the celebration of which they have always dreamed. Weddings, receptions, and elopements in Marin, Sonoma, Napa, San Francisco, and Mendocino. We welcome your visit to our design studio.
By appointment • kathleen@katesblossoms.com 415.408.3862 • katesblossoms.com
StoneTree Golf Club
DISCOVER MARIN’S HIDDEN JEWEL
Nestled between downtown San Francisco and Wine Country in Northern Marin, StoneTree is an exceptional venue for elegant celebrations of every kind. Reflecting the classic “Old Marin” architecture of genteel country estates, StoneTree’s clubhouse is a warm and welcoming environment. Featuring panoramic views of the Coastal Range, Mt. Tamalpais, Mt. Burdell and Big Rock Ridge, StoneTree provides world class service and amenities to suit even the most discerning tastes. Our graceful Black Oak and Waterfall Salons open to a delightful wraparound balcony sheltered by wide roof overhangs. The expansive outdoor terrace enables you to take full advantage of Northern Marin’s wonderful weather. Our world class catering and events team will work with you to turn your event into memories that will last a lifetime. We are also available to assist with elopement packages, rehearsal dinners, groomsmen golf outings and postwedding brunches.
9 StoneTree Lane • Novato, CA 415.209.6296 • stonetreegolf.com
Alix & Company
ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDING RINGS
Classic, Romantic, Modern, Vintage. At her gallery and workshop in downtown Mill Valley, jewelry designer Janet Alix uses recycled gold, platinum, and ethical gemstones to design custom rings from the simple to the sophisticated. High ceilings with slow-moving fans, old wooden floors and beautiful display cases make this romantic showroom a delightful place to find the ring of your dreams.
55 Throckmorton Avenue • Mill Valley, CA 415.380.0880 • alixandcompany.com
Union Street Goldsmith
GLENDA QUEEN AND TERRY BRUMBAUGH
Glenda Queen and Terry Brumbaugh of Union Street Goldsmith have over 40 years in the trade. This unique shop with its friendly staff is welcoming and unpretentious. Each case bursts with jellybean colors – yellow diamonds, orange sapphires, pistachio-green pearls and other exotic gems. Their jewelry designs go as well with Levi’s as they do with black tie.
1909 Union Street • San Francisco, CA 415.776.8048 • unionstreetgoldsmith.com
Johann Paul Jewelers
FOR ALL YOUR JEWELRY NEEDS
Johann Paul Jeweler’s Philosopy is to provide unsurpassed customer service, value and quality. They also pride themselves in being a full Bridal Boutique. They offer classic and innovative wedding and engagement designs such as Yael (pictured), Elliott Chandler, Martin Flyer, Scholdt Designs, and of course Hearts on Fire, The Most Perfectly Cut Diamond in the World TM
272 Bon Air Shopping Ctr • Greenbrae, CA 415.461.1866 • johannpauljeweler.com
Spinnaker Restaurant
WEDDINGS - REHEARSALS - SPECIAL EVENTS
The Spinnaker banquet facility is located on the water in historic Sausalito. The banquet room and its outdoor deck boast scenic views of the San Francisco Bay, Angel Island, Belvedere and Sausalito waterfront. The room can accommodate up to 160 people for a seated or buffet meal with dance floor, DJ/band and bar setup. Our banquet staff would be happy to work with you to plan a unique and memorable event.
100 Spinnaker Drive • Sausalito, CA 415.332.1572 • thespinnaker.com
Ondine
WATERFRONT WEDDINGS
With Ondine’s sophisticated interior, sumptuous custom cuisine and a backdrop of breathtaking bay views, “happily ever after” is clearly on the horizon. Perched above the Sausalito waterfront, this unique, full-service private venue is the perfect setting for elegant and carefree wedding events. Bookings include exclusive use of the facility, which seats up to 150, or accommodates 200 for a standing reception.
558 Bridgeway, 2nd Floor • Sausalito, CA 415.331.1133 • ondinesausalito.com
Lang Antiques
BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE JEWELS SINCE 1969
When you buy an engagement ring at Lang Antiques you receive more than a ring. Our expert staff will provide the best customer service possible while assisting you in the selection of a vintage ring as unique as your love. We have the largest selection of high quality true vintage engagement rings that you will find anywhere.
323 Sutter Street • San Francisco, CA 415.982.2213 • langantiques.com
Royal Society Jazz
VINTAGE MUSIC BRINGS SMILES
Romantic. Swinging. Jazzy. Magical. The Royal Society Jazz Orchestra plays your choice of authentic styles: Jazz Age 1920s, Swing Era 1930s-40s, and Sinatra 1950s. For elegant cocktail music, charming dinner music, and the hottest dance music, you can count on our ensembles, from trio to big band. Carla Normand, featured vocalist sings the famous songs of love in her warm, period-perfect style.
Serving the Bay Area
707.765.2055 • rsjo.com
A Year of YOGA
A journey through asanas, blindfolds and oms takes a yogi from one end of the county to the other — and transforms more than just his exercise routine. BY AUSTIN MURPHY
IN MY YOUNGER, wilder days — last year — I was a rambler; a yoga gypsy partial to every beautiful bargain that walked in the door. What’s this, a $10-for-10days special at Red Dragon’s sweet new studio in San Rafael? Where do I sign?
I didn’t set out to be a yogic nomad, traveling the length and breadth of the county, from Yoga Toes in Point Reyes Station (charming!) to Yoga Mountain in Fairfax (great instructors, love the space) to the YogaWorks studios in Larkspur Landing and Mill Valley (very good classes, slightly more commercial vibe). But when you’re starting out, the cyber-coupons and new-student specials offered by many of the yoga studios in Marin make the gypsy method the least expensive way to go. Of course, once you’re no longer a “fi rst-time student,” you’re paying full freight. And it’s time to settle down.
I’D BEEN TO A HANDFUL OF YOGA CLASSES. In my mind (and, let’s be honest, the minds of anyone who saw me), I sucked. I couldn’t sit cross-legged; my knees kept wanting to point to the ceiling. The chanting at the start of class made me feel self-conscious. I was reluctant to replace what I thought of as a real workout — a good, long, hard run or bike ride — with a session on a mat. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. This last year, about 12 or 15 years after I should’ve given yoga a chance, I gave it a chance. Rather than rue that
decade-plus of stooped shoulders, unconscious breathing and general rigidity, I’m just grateful to have seen the light — or, on the day I signed up for Eric Monkhouse’s blindfolded yoga workshop at YogaWorks in Mill Valley — the darkness. Monkhouse is a transplanted Brit; an ex-rugby-playing surfer with a blond mane and great dimples who also happens to be a DJ, musician, gourmet cook and expert in Thai massage. Toward the end of that blindfolded session, he handed us dark chocolates to place on our tongues.
“I prefer to savor the experience, letting it melt slowly,” Monkhouse told us in his lilting accent, and I could sense, if not see, that he had the full attention of his female students. I remember thinking, Dude, give the rest of us a chance.
While I am aware of, and appreciate, the pulchritude on display at most yoga classes, it’s not what got me in the door or what keeps me coming back. I was in a rut. I didn’t realize how deep the rut was until I ventured into the warm room.
A few years ago, I’d reached a point of diminishing returns with my exercise routine, which consisted of what a Buddhist friend once described as “the punishing workouts of the West.” Even here in paradise — running the trails on Mount Tam, cycling the gorgeous byways of West Marin — it got … stale.
Plus, I got tight, and not in the good way (the way Hemingway meant). Over the years and decades, my range of movement had shrunk to the point where, a couple years
ago, I stood in a chiropractor’s office and was informed that my posture left much to be desired, that my sacrum was crooked (or something), and that one shoulder was several inches lower than the other.
Finally, last December, during a break in my travel schedule, I dropped into the Fairfax studio now known as the Yoga Lab, which offers a hatha flow class in a warm room. The heat was an eye-opener. It wasn’t Bikram-hot (say, between 105 and 110 degrees), but it was warm enough to have me drenched with sweat 15 minutes into the 90-minute session. One reason I’d been slow to commit to yoga was a reluctance to sacrifice what I thought of, in those days, as a real workout — a ride or run. Trust me, this is a real workout.
All that cycling and running was my ally in strength poses like Crescent Lunge and Warrior I. But those same bunched, inelastic muscle groups ensured a slapstick outcome when I attempted, for instance, to get the crown of my head near the floor in standing straddle. The first few times I tried to get into Double Pigeon — “a wonderful hip opener,” the teachers never fail to say — I toppled like Humpty Dumpty. I now sit on a block, approximating the pose while counting the seconds until we move on to something else.
Which is silly, really. Because the lesson from every instructor is, this is not a competition — even with yourself. Whatever your body can do that day, in that moment, is … correct. We seek non-judgment, non-attachment to outcome. We seek to remember to turn our cell phones off before class. (Seriously, do it. You don’t want to be That Guy.) The point is to dwell in the process, to link breath to the movement — a series of asanas (poses) in vinyasa (a sequence). The point is not necessarily to show up in class on Saturday morning with the sole purpose of sweating out your hangover.
MY FAVORITE INSTRUCTOR PARTED WAYS with Yoga
Lab, so I did too. Thus began my period of yogic promiscuity as I roamed from Fairfax to San Rafael (for a brief, unsatisfying fl ing with Bikram) down to Larkspur Landing, sampling the instruction of James Higgins, with his highly creative sequences and intriguing digressions, and the lighthearted, luminous Lisa Maria, whose class I never leave without thinking it was exactly what I needed.
Farther south, I ascended the steps to YogaWorks’ Mill Valley studio, alternating between Monkhouse, whose classes are an addictive blend of yoga and music (he invites
students to raise their voices in song and circulates among us playing his signature didgeridoo), and the exciting, exacting Sharon Lape, whose class is easily the most challenging I’ve taken. I like that a lot, just as I like her Paul Harvey monotone, which seems slightly odd at fi rst, until such time as it draws you in, then hypnotizes.
In the end, I returned to Fairfax, this time to Yoga Mountain, a studio that’s taken on the welcoming, nurturing, radiant personality of its owner, Sienna Smith. Seeking work a few years back, Smith walked into the now-defunct Yoga Loka and asked the owner if she was looking for someone to manage the studio. “I’m not hiring,” came the reply, “but I am selling.”
Six months later, Smith sat in Bolinas Park, across the street from the studio — now her studio — and asked herself, “What am I gonna do with this thing? What am I doing here?”
Having healed herself (Smith began practicing in her early 20s to alleviate chronic neck pain, the result of schlepping heavy backpacks many miles in her previous life as a field biologist), it has become clear that she is in Fairfax to help heal others. And not just in her popular classes, which
combine healing asanas, breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques.
Smith is also a kind of healer in the community. After a recent class, she counseled a woman whose back had been giving her trouble, then was grilled by a woman whose husband wanted to practice but had injured his shoulder. Smith, who says that’s typical, is continually
What has improved, rather dramatically, after my first year of yoga are my posture and sense of physical and (to a less quantifiable extent) spiritual well-being.
stunned and delighted by the ways her studio has knit itself into the fabric of the town.
“I would say our studio is humble, connected to yoga’s traditions and considers the whole person as a unique individual.” She’s proud that in addition to bringing many years of experience to the table, most of her instructors “live here; their kids are in the schools; they get the vibration,” she says.
I get it that it’s no big deal that my knees still don’t want to come anywhere near the ground when I sit cross-legged. No one really cares. What have improved, rather dramatically, after my fi rst year of yoga are my posture and sense of physical and (to a less quantifiable extent) spiritual well-being. And my chanting. I truly feel as if I can ommmmm with the best of them.
I still drop in on Monkhouse and Lape and Lisa Maria: we’re blessed to have so many amazing teachers in this county. But it’s nice to have a studio that feels like a touchstone, a sanctuary. Be it ever so humble. m
our
embrace the possibility of finding contentment through the practice of yoga; to live with more simplicity, balance and presence. At embrace yoga, find your sanctuary… …connect, practice, rejuvenate
The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui and The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i. Two islands. One culture of Aloha to celebrate the two of you.
The two worlds of Fairmont Resorts Hawai‘i invite you to experience the amazing diversity of the Hawaiian Islands and the signature service and attention you’ve come to expect. Invite the ‘ohana and indulge in 22 tropical acres of wedding wonder at The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui. Then escape to The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i for your honeymoon. Once you’ve joined together, the possibilities are endless.
THE FAIRMONT KEA LANI, MAUI
THE FAIRMONT ORCHID, HAWAI‘I
Destinations
THE LATEST LOCAL TRAVEL DEALS AND GETAWAYS PLUS JOURNEYS AROUND THE GLOBE
BEYOND THE SKI BOOTS
January marks the beginning of Truckee’s Cedar House Sport Hotel’s weekend snowshoe tour season. Professional guides will take guests and non-guests alike out for a day of trekking for $85 (includes snowshoes, snacks and post-tour refreshments). And weather permitting, Cedar House also offers full moon adventures. “If a snowshoe hike under the full moon in Tahoe is not on your bucket list, it should be,” says Tahoe resident and part-time ski instructor Nicole Cheslock. “As much as I love alpine skiing, there’s nothing like a blanket of stars overhead with a hot toddy, and you don’t have to worry about getting hit by an out-of-control snowboarder or skier.” In addition to the Cedar House Sport Hotel, snowshoe hikes are available through the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Northstar California, Squaw Valley and Tahoe Adventure Company. While the original snowshoes featured in National Geographic were made of reed and straw, today’s version is a high-tech evolution of steel and nylon allowing for an effi cient stride through powder or packed snow. Just dress in layers, wear a pair of wicking socks and pack snacks; snowshoeing can burn up to 1,000 calories per hour. Snowshoes rent for about $25 a day and are available at most ski rental outlets. MIMI TOWLE
Tutors Travel With Purpose
Since 2007, Sage Educators tutoring center (in Mill Valley and Larkspur) has taken several of its students on a summertime volunteer trip to Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador. Working with Planet Drum Foundation to help this large coastal city — with a population of nearly 20,000 — become ecologically sustainable, the group has planted native trees to prevent erosion and teaches classes in eco-building practices for local youth as part of the foundation’s Bioregional Education Program. This journey has proved lifechanging for not only the residents of the area but also the Marin County students themselves. To read more about their journey, visit marintravelswithpurpose. wordpress.com. LOGAN LINK
SPA-ING SLOPE-SIDE
Just in time for ski season (and those sore muscles that come with getting back on the slopes), Tahoe’s Granlibakken Resort has just opened Lighthouse Day Spa. Beside deep tissue massage, hot stone therapy, chakra therapy, reflexology, and prenatal and reiki healing massages, the center will also offer wellness packages as well as facials and nail care. granlibakken.com
This Spanish city offers history with modernity, open gardens with dense downtowns, cathedrals, and a kid-friendly science museum.
BY JIM AND NIKKI WOOD
IF YOU ARE heading to Valencia, Spain, here’s our advice: Take along an empty suitcase (the shopping is beyond abundant); stay at least a week (there’s that much to do) and arrive a little bit hungry (the restaurants and cafes are world-class). One more suggestion: If you’re not heading to Valencia, put it on your to-do list. We found this ancient city of 810,000 residents on the Mediterranean coast to be clean and safe yet deeply intriguing and always entertaining.
Credit the Romans in 138 B.C. for founding Valencia; credit today’s Valencians for building a modern museum, where we strolled atop a glass floor and gazed down on those original Roman baths, tombs and even a ward for victims of the plague. Then in 714 A.D. the city was conquered by Muslims and, five centuries later, converted to Christianity by a local king — all of which makes for a rich cultural and artistic heritage.
A mere 54 years ago, the course of Valencia’s history was altered significantly (and magnificently) when, following a major flood, the Turia River was redirected and the city was on its way to becoming Spain’s third largest.
Where the Turia River once flowed is now Turia Garden, a contiguous stream of parks, promenades and playgrounds that cut a graceful swath through all of the city. Anchoring this three-mile-long greenbelt at one end is BioPark
Valencia, a 25-acre zoo designed with barriers that contain the various animals but are invisible to visitors. What anchors the other end of Turia Garden is a story unto itself. Our hotel, the very accommodating Primus Valencia, is easy walking distance to the massive and yet visually airy City of Arts and Sciences and was designed by renowned architect and Valencia native Santiago Calatrava. The 86-acre City of Arts and Sciences, or Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, is fi lled with interesting options for tourists and residents alike. It houses Spain’s largest opera house; a science museum that’s twice the size of the California
Most structures within the City of Arts and Sciences appear to float on a veneer of water that reflects their dramatic presence.
Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park; an aquarium that’s the largest in Europe; an Imax Dome Theater presented architecturally as the “Eye of Wisdom;” a multipurpose center that, among dozens of other attractions, hosts international tennis tournaments and equestrian events; and a promenade that is both an outdoor art gallery and a botanical garden. Bisecting all of the above is the
The Imax Dome Theater is known as the “Eye of Wisdom” and sits in the center of the 86-acre City of Arts and Sciences. The opera house building is in the background.
six-lane Calatrava Bridge, completed in 2008, with a spectacular curved mast rising 400 feet in the air.
Most structures within the City of Arts and Sciences appear to float on a veneer of water that reflects their dramatic presence. The complex also includes three restaurants; an underground (literally) nightclub for the city’s chic that springs to life at one in the morning and closes at three-thirty; and parking and transit terminals for the 25 million visitors from all over the world who come to this amazing attraction annually. As two of those 25 million tourists, we considered standout moments visiting the amazing dolphin show at the aquarium, seeing baby chicks come to life at the Museum of Science and catching a fascinating fi lm on the Hubble Space Telescope at the Imax Dome theater. Trust us, Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences is a modern-day phenomenon that is tourist-friendly in an old-fashioned manner.
Valencia’s ancient city center, however, is another matter. Its maze of boulevards, streets and alleyways will frustrate the most experienced urban traveler. Again, trust us — no two maps we referred to were the same. The good news is that around every corner lies a surprise. One of ours was wandering into Valencia’s 100-year-old high-ceilinged Central Market, a constantly buzzing mix of sights, sounds, colors and smells where the people are every bit as engaging as the products. “It’s one of the oldest markets in all of Europe,” a local baker told us in slightly accented English. “After a recent renovation, it is even more beautiful than before.”
We completely agreed. In addition to baked goods, locally harvested vegetables, fruit, meat and fish were displayed with pride in a spacious and immaculate environment that is sure to bring out everyone’s inner chef. Obviously there were pyramids of Valencia oranges, but there were also mushrooms of all shapes and sizes, fresh pineapple and eggplant, live eels and stands offering samples of horchata, the famous health drink favored by Valencians that’s made from water, honey and crushed tiger nuts. In one tiny, tidy booth, a whitehaired, white-smocked merchant — glasses at the tip of his nose — sat behind a glass panel using a scalpel to prepare recently caught anchovies for display. He looked more like a jeweler than a seafood salesman.
And if jewelry is your interest, head for Marquese de Dos Aguas, an easy-to-fi nd enclave of upscale shopping, services and cafes in the ageless heart of Valencia. Bvlgari, Hermès, Loewe, Montblanc, Louis Vuitton and Ermenegildo Zegna — they’re all there. We visited Lladró, a boutique where the high-quality porcelain figurines for which the artisans are known — from ballerinas to lovers to Buddha — are presented in a museum-like setting. Little did we know the creative headquarters of Lladró — whose secret formula for porcelain perfection is known only to the Lladró brothers — is located just outside Valencia’s city limits. A Lladró bust
From top: Lovers in a colorful street scene; Valencia is famous for growing rice and being the origin of paella, the popular dish that here contains rice, rabbit, chicken, duck and sometimes snails (seafood can also be added in the coastal regions); colorful buildings are typical throughout Valencia.
Obviously there were pyramids of Valencia oranges, but there were also mushrooms of all shapes and sizes, fresh pineapple and eggplant, live eels, and stands offering samples of horchata, the famous health drink favored by Valencians that’s made from water, honey and crushed tiger nuts.
JIM WOOD
Scenes from the city: The Central Market, chicks hatching at City of Arts and Sciences, an aquarium show complete with jumping dolphins, Buddha busts at the Lladró store, and bikes throughout the city available for rent by the hour. Opposite: Calatrava Bridge.
of Buddha costs around $450 (including shipping). At the other end of the scale was “Queen of the Nile,” a statuary considerably larger and more intricate piece involving dozens of figures and colors; it was priced at $165,000.
Just blocks away, we viewed an object whose value is inestimable. Within the enormous Cathedral of Valencia — well protected and high atop an altar — sits a chalice many Christian historians believe is the Holy Grail, the cup Christ purportedly used as a drinking vessel at the Last Supper. It has been enshrined in the cathedral since 1437, and, although the Vatican has never authenticated it, Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI used the chalice in services during their visits to Valencia.
But don’t let such history lead you to think the Gothicinspired Cathedral of Valencia is just another musty religious shrine. It’s immaculate, well lit and offers engaging self-guided audio tours in several languages. In addition to the (possible) Holy Grail, we were taken with the 15thcentury paintings of the martyr San Sebastian’s torturing and an elaborate, two-and-a-half-ton throne made of gold, silver and countless jewels that to this day is carried through Valencia’s streets during religious celebrations.
Another celebration, one of a more hedonistic nature, is the city’s famed Restaurant Week, or Cucina Oberta. To our delight, it was occurring while we were in town. Back near the Central Market, Seu-Xerea, a sleek (zero art on the walls) restaurant, we feasted on paella (which was invented in Valencia) that included sardines, roasted pumpkin, red peppers and caramelized baby onions and was over-the-top delicious. Because of the national tradition of siesta, lunch in Spain does not start buzzing until two in the afternoon. Our subsequent dining experiences involved seafood from the Mediterranean, wines from nearby vineyards and hams raised locally. Two favorite restaurants were Las Graelles, where (we were told) singer Julio Iglesias dines when he’s in town, and A Tu Gusto, a corner cafe amid the apartments opposite the City of Arts and Sciences. All gave the impression that Valencians prefer cuisine that arrives in small portions — but large flavors. The tastes were off the charts.
If you’re getting the impression Valencia is a touristfriendly destination, you’re spot on. Bilingual guides — we recommend at least one day with one — are available through most hotels; museums and cathedrals have multilingual self-guided audio tours; taxis are both reasonable and ubiquitous; frequently found kiosks rent bicycles for an hour or the day; and a Valencia tourist card gives you discounted fares on city buses that seem to pass by every time you look up. One fi nal suggestion: Never hesitate to hop on a red, open-air Valencia tour bus. Its two routes pass by every attraction the city has to offer; they provide multilingual audio descriptions of what you’re witnessing; and the maps, confusing though they can be, are the best ones available.
Valencia is readily accessible from land (the bullet train from Madrid covers the 200 miles in 90 minutes), sea (the Queen Elizabeth II, The World and other top cruise ships dock at the city’s Royal Juan Carlos I Marina) and air (we flew in from Zurich). Bay Area travelers, note that Valencia hosted the America’s Cup races in 2007 and regularly stages European Formula One races as well the World Motorcycle Championships and the Global Champions Equestrian Tour. In addition, music, fashion, dance, fi lm and religious festivals are constantly on the city’s calendar. Granted, it is the birthplace of paella, but Valencia is cooking up a lot more than rice. m
CALL for ENTRIES
ATTENTION ARTISTS:
Enter the Sixth Annual Cover Art Contest.
WINNERS:
A winner from one of the following categories: painting, photography and illustration.
EXPOSURE:
The winner will be featured on the cover of the May 2012 issue.
ENTER NOW AT:
Out & About
CALENDAR / ON THE SCENE / DINE
ArtHaus
The Space of In Between
LISTING ON PAGE 82 GALLERIES
Maxine Solomon's Times Past, Times to Come
Calendar
THEATER / COMEDY / MUSIC / GALLERIES / MUSEUMS / EVENTS / FILM EDITED BY
DANIEL JEWETT
W THEATER
THROUGH JANUARY 7 Bring It On This comedy brings you into the sometimes cutthroat world of competitive cheerleading. Orpheum (SF). 888.746.1799, shnsf.com
12–15 The Last Five
Years This popular offBroadway play focuses on a five-year relationship examined through intersecting timelines. Novato Theater Company Playhouse (Novato). 415.883.4498, novatotheater company.org
12–FEBRUARY 5
Humor Abuse Lorenzo Pisoni — the youngest member of the Pickle Family Circus and son of cofounder Larry Pisoni — tells the story of growing on the road in this one-man show. ACT (SF). 415.749.2228, act-sf.org
THEATER
8 MythBusters Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, co-hosts of the Emmy-nominated Discovery series MythBusters, take attendees behind the myths. Golden Gate Theatre (SF). 888.746.1799, shnsf.com
19–FEBRUARY 19
Cabaret Hector Correa directs this classic musical produced by Independent Cabaret Productions and Shakespeare at Stinson. Fort Mason Center (SF). 415.381.1638, cabaretsf. wordpress.com
26 The Best of Times, The Jerry Herman Salon Celebrate the 80th birthday of a popular Broadway tunesmith. Eureka Theater (SF). 415.255.8207, 42ndstmoon.org
COMEDY
TUESDAYS Mark Pitta and Friends The comic hosts an evening for up-and-comers and established headliners to work on new material. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmorton theatre.com
13–15 Becoming Julia Morgan The play follows the life of renowned architect Julia Morgan over a six-year period and is being performed in a building she designed. Sausalito Woman’s Club (Sausalito). 800.838.3006, brownpapertickets.com
19–FEBRUARY 19 She
Stoops to Conquer This comedy, set during the American Revolution, is full of period costumes and witty characters. Barn Theatre (Ross). 415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.com
13 Lewis Black The prolific comedian, actor and author takes the stage and lets audiences know what is wrong — and right — with America. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marincenter.org
E DANCE
3–8 Shen Yun An evening of classical Chinese dance with full orchestral accompaniment. War Memorial Opera House (SF). 888.633.6999, shenyun performingarts.org
ROBERT FUJIOKA
MythBusters at Golden Gate Theatre
7 Love2Dance: Mixin’
It Motown More than 300 dancers of all ages take the stage for this upbeat performance.
Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marincenter.org
21–22 RoCo Dance on Stage This dance recital features junior and senior dancers on the fi rst day and a children’s program on the second. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marincenter.org
27–FEBRUARY 3
S.F. Ballet The 2012 season kicks off with Onegin, a three-act story ballet. War Memorial Opera House (SF). 415.865.2000, sfballet.org
MUSIC
TUESDAYS Kortuzday
Jonathan Korty and Danny Uzilevsky host a weekly invitational jam that often attracts some big-name players and always produces great music. 19 Broadway (Fairfax). 415.459.1091, 19broadway.com
“Nathan is perhaps one of the most inspiring human beings that I’ve come across in the last two decades. It never ceased to amaze me how blessed, generously gifted and humble he is. He is destined for big success.”—
6–8 S.F. Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1. Davies Symphony Hall (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org
7 Moonalice A night of music from local veterans. George’s (San Rafael). 415.226.0262, georgesnightclub.com
13 Chick Jagger and the Sticky Fingers
This Rolling Stones tribute band is the only one fronted by a female singer. Southern Pacific Smokehouse (Novato). 415.899.9600, thesouthernpacific.com
19 Left Coast Chamber
Ensemble The ensemble introduces audiences to Stephen Hartke’s Horse with the Lavender Eye. 142 Throckmorton (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmorton theatre.com
22 Jupiter Quartet This Boston-based quartet was formed in 2001. United Methodist Church (Mill Valley). 415.381.4453, chamber musicmillvalley.org
Your Symphony’s first concert of the New Year features 17-year-old Bay Area native, Nathan Chan Elgar’s impassioned and valedictory Cello Concerto is the perfect vehicle for his exceptional talents.
Dvorák’s beloved New World Symphony is the finishing touch to this extraordinary program.
Learn more: www.marinsymphony.org
Reserve your seats
Individual tickets are on sale now. Call 415.499.6800 or purchase in person at the Marin Center Box Office, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, Mon – Fri, 11am – 5pm and Sat 11am – 3pm.
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 3pm Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 7:30pm
Youthful Brilliance MSMarin Symphony
Alasdair Neale, Music Director
Onegin at War Memorial Opera House
Complimentary Invisalign consultations are available through the month of January.
Whitening is included with Invisalign treatment.
(415) 459-8006 ~ www.asmileisforever.net
29 Wilco The Chicagobased alternative rock band takes the stage. The Warfield (SF). 800.745.3000, thewarfieldtheatre.com
29, 31 Marin Symphony
At only 17 years old, Bay Area native Nathan Chan has already conducted symphonies, played with top orchestras and even starred in an HBO documentary. See him perform Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto with the Marin Symphony. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marinsymphony.org
E GALLERIES
MARIN
Acacia Gallery
Collages by Andrea, plein air painting by Birgitta Kappe and ongoing work by Kathleen Lipinski and Steve Emery. 4162 Redwood Hwy, San Rafael. 415.479.3238, acaciagallery.net
Art Abloom Studio and Gallery Studios and classes for artists. 751 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.256.1112, artabloom.com
Art Works Downtown Printmaking from the Kala Art Institute in Berkeley. 337 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.451.8119, artworksdowntown.org
Falkirk Cultural Center Fragility and Strength Works from the California Society of Printmakers juried by Don Soker, through March 9. 1408 Mission Ave, San Rafael. 415.485.3328, falkirkcultural center.org
Gallery Bergelli New work by gallery artists. 483 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.945.9454, bergelli.com
Gallery Route One
Candace Loheed exhibit, through January 22. 11101 Hwy One, Point Reyes Station. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org
Marin Arts Winter show, through January 13. 906 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.666.2442, marinarts.org
A John Bankston painting in If Wishes Were Horses… at Rena Bransten Gallery
Marin Society of Artists
Where in the World. Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross. 415.454.9561, marinsocietyof artists.org
Marine Mammal Center
Home for the Holidays Activities and tours for the whole family. 2000 Bunker Road, Sausalito, 415.289.7325, marine mammalcenter.org
Mona Lease Gallery
Painting by Luce. 39 Greenbrae Boardwalk, Greenbrae. 415.461.3718, monalease.net
O’Hanlon Center for the Arts Annual O’Hanlon Center member show. 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.4331, ohanloncenter.org
Robert Allen Fine Art
Seasonal Landscapes
Paintings and drawings by Leslie Allen, Peter Loftus, John Maxon,
Victoria Ryan, Richard Schloss, Wendy Schwartz and Connie Smith Siegel, through January 31. 301 Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.2800, robertallenfi neart.com
Robert Beck Gallery
Featuring early California impressionist paintings from the Northern California Society of Six group. 222 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.456.7898, beckgallery.org
Robert Green Fine Arts Paintings by Bay Area–born postwar painter and printmaker Sam Francis, through January 22. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.8776, rgfi nearts.com
Rock Hill Gallery Fine art photography by Tom Jacobs, through March 1. 145 Rockhill Dr, Tiburon. 415.435.9108, ccctiburon.net
Seager Gray Gallery
New work by Leslie Allen, through January 14. 23 Sunnyside Ave, Mill
An Ed Loftus drawing in Big Things to Avoid at Gregory Lind Gallery
Valley. 415.384.8288, seagergray.com
Smith Andersen North A black-and-white photo exhibit featuring Black Panther photographs from 1968. 20 Greenfield Ave, San Anselmo. 415.455.9733, smithandersen north.com
Studio 333 Ongoing exhibition featuring more than 40 Bay Area artists working in different mediums. 333A Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.8272, studio333.info
Studio 4 Art Work by local artists and workshops offering materials and classes. 1133 Grant Ave, Novato. 415.596.5546, studio4art.net
The Image Flow A group show featuring photography. 401 Miller Ave, Ste F, Mill Valley. 415.388.3569, theimageflow.com
The Painters Place Local Lands Landscapes of Marin and the North Bay by Marin County plein air painters Christin Coy and Richard Lindenberg, through January 14. 1139 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.461.0351, thepaintersplace.com
SAN FRANCISCO
ArtHaus The Space of In Between New work by Maxine Solomon, through March 31. 411 Brannan St, 415.977.0223, arthaus-sf.com
E Exploratorium Science of Cocktails This annual tradition features local celebrity bartenders, interactive experiments, DJ music, short films and, of course, plenty of unique cocktails, January 26 (SF). 415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu
Gregory Lind Gallery
Big Things to Avoid Work by Ed Loftus, through January 21. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, gregorylindgallery.com
Rena Bransten Gallery If Wishes Were Horses… Work by Tara Tucke and John Bankston,
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MUSEUMS
MARIN
Bolinas Museum
Etchings by contemporary female artists, January 21 through March 11 (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art The annual Small Treasures exhibit is on view as well as a special exhibition of work by Bay Area artist Mary Tuthill Lindheim, through January 15 (Novato). 415.506.0137, marinmoca.org
Marin Museum of the American Indian Silver Stone Shell Jewelry of California and the Southwest including a look at the tools, materials and methods that artists have used over the centuries, through January 15 (Novato). 415.897.4064, marinindian.com
BAY AREA
Asian Art Museum Museum Maharaja: The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts See paintings; photography; textiles and dress; jewelry; jeweled objects; metalwork; and furniture from princely India, through April 8 (SF). 415.581.3500, asianart.org
California Academy of Sciences NightLife
Enjoy music, creatures and cocktails for adults only and take some time to explore the exhibits and aquarium displays every Thursday night (SF). 415.379.8000, calacademy.org
Conservatory of Flowers This unique living museum features rare and exotic plants and flowers (SF). 415.831.2090, conser vatoryofflowers.org
Contemporary Jewish Museum Houdini: Art and Magic The fi rst major exhibition to examine Houdini’s life, legend and influence includes more than 160 objects, fi lms and photographs,
Does Your Bond Portfolio Need a Check-up?
through January 16 (SF). 415.655.7800, thecjm.org
de Young Masters of Venice: Renaissance Painters of Passion and Power from the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna See 50 paintings by sixteenth-century Venetian painters Titian, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto, Mantegna and more, through February 12 (SF). 415.750.3600, thinker.org
di Rosa Preserve Looking At You Looking At Me Photography, video, sculpture, painting and electronic constructions that examine the way we
Are you prepared for the possible impact of: • Rising interest rates
• Deteriorating credit quality
• Market volatility
In today’s challenging financial environment, actively reviewing your bond portfolio may help you achieve your financial goals.
Call today to receive a complimentary copy of our newsletter and to arrange for your complimentary comprehensive bond portfolio evaluation.
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Jeff Wells Senior Vice President Financial Advisor 1101 Fifth Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901 415-482-1515 866-240-8173
jeffrey.j.wells@mssb.com
Bonds are subject to interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, bond prices fall; generally the longer a bond’s maturity, the more sensitive it is to this risk. Bonds may also be subject to call risk, which is the risk that the issuer will redeem the debt at its option, fully or partially, before the scheduled maturity date. The market value of debt instruments may fluctuate, and proceeds from sales prior to maturity may be more or less than the amount originally invested or the maturity value due to changes in market conditions or changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Bonds are subject to the credit risk of the issuer. This is the risk that the issuer might be unable to make interest and/ or principal payments on a timely basis. Bonds are also subject to reinvestment risk, which is the risk that principal and/or interest payments from a given investment may be reinvested at a lower interest rate.
Becoming Julia Morgan at the Sausalito Woman's Club
look at each other, through February 18 (Napa). 707.226.5991, dirosapreserve.org
Legion of Honor Pissarro's People
More than 100 images highlighting Camille Pissarro’s unique and lifelong
interest in the human fi gure are on display, through January 22 (SF). 415.750.3600, legionofhonor.org
Museum of the African Diaspora Exhibitions that blend art and
innovative technology with the African tradition of storytelling are the focus at this unique museum (SF). 415.358.7200, moadsf.org
Napa Valley Museum
Dreams of Toyland
One of the largest and
most comprehensive 19th- and 20thcentury collections of Christmas toys, games, decorations and Victorian ornaments is on display, through January 31 (Yountville).
707.944.0500, napavalleymuseum.org
San Francisco Museum of Craft and Folk Art Fiat Lux: Randy Colosky New Works Colosky uses a wide range of materials including aluminum, concrete, engineered ceramic honeycomb, brick and reclaimed wood as well as wall drawing, video and photography to alter the look of the gallery, facade and outdoor
space of the museum, through February 25 (SF). 415.227.4888, mocfa.org
SFMOMA Less and More: The Design Ethos of Dieter Rams
See work by one of the most influential industrial designers of our time whose “less but better” ethos was built into products made by the German household appliance company Braun and served as inspiration for products like Apple computers, through February 20 (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Imagecity: Selections from Video Cubano, a project of the 8th Floor, New York
Recent videos from established and emerging artists based in Cuba, through January 22 (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org
EVENTS
12 Grants Ceremony
Marin Charitable will award $150,000 in grants to organizations that offer support, education and enrichment to school-age Marin County children in need. Sunny Hills Auditorium (San Anselmo). marincharitable.org
14–15 Bay Area World
Guitar Show Buy a guitar or check out the exhibits of old, rare, celebrity-owned, new and used guitars,
Olivia Hsu Decker
Wilco at The Warfield
amps, banjos, effects, memorabilia and equipment. Exhibit Hall (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marincenter.org
21 Bay Area Environmental Education Fair More than 100 exhibits featuring the latest in classroom materials, environmental education programs, field trip sites and more. Exhibit Hall (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marincenter.org
24 Speak to Me Conversations, wine and appetizers with successful Bay Area women. This month hear from Christine Bronstein, Deborah Santana, Jennifer Pahlka and Sheryl O'Loughlin.
Community Center (Mill Valley). 415.888.2329, speaktomeevents.com
26 Sausalito Historical Society Steefenie Wicks of the Galilee Harbor Community will share images and talk about the harbor that was built after the destruction of Bob’s Boat Yard in 1980. City Council Chambers (Sausalito). 415.289.4117, sausalito historicalsociety.com
27–29 Gem Faire Dealers from all over the world offer gems, jewelry, beads, crystals and minerals. Exhibit Hall (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marincenter.org
28 Loving Spoonfuls Jan Wahl is emcee at
this special all-ages event featuring a chance to cast a vote for the best soup, best dessert and best appetizer in Marin. The event benefits the Community Institute for Psychotherapy. Community Center (Mill Valley). 415.459.5999, cipmarin.org
31 Marin Designers
Showcase Gala The showcase features a newly constructed 15,500-square-foot home overlooking the bay that has been decked out by 24 top Bay Area designers. Villa Belvedere (Belvedere). 415.479.5710, marinshowcase.org
FILM
21-22 Lark Theater
Enchanted Island Live at the Met features Baroque opera from Handel, Rameau, Vivaldi and more. The Lark Theater (Larkspur). 415.924.5111, larktheater.net
NATURE WALKS & TALKS
18 Marin Scuba Club Nicole Larsen presents material from the Oceanic Society. Fish (Sausalito). 415.456.5628, marinscuba.org
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Anthony Yin MD Endocrinology and Diabetes
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Lorenzo Pisoni in Humor Abuse at ACT
AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS AND GOOD FOOD IN THE BAY AREA EDITED BY MIMI TOWLE
N LA MAISON DE LA REINE Vietnamese A refreshing change amid the plethora of Italian, Mexican and Chinese options. The crunchy cabbage chicken salad with peanuts, fresh spring rolls, and combinations of pho are popular menu items. 346 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.0288
CORTE MADERA
BENISSIMO Italian
Benissimo means “really really good” in Italian. Besides the daily 4-to-7 happy hour when drinks are $3 to $5 and small plates $5 to $7, specials include happy hour all day on Monday, free corkage on Tuesday, martini
night on Wednesday, and live jazz on Thursday. 18 Tamalpais Dr, 415.927.2316, benissimos.com
BRICK & BOTTLE
California Sourcing local and artisan ingredients, executive chef Scott Howard brings simple California cuisine to Corte Madera’s Brick & Bottle. The restaurant features a large bar area, an outdoor patio and family-friendly dining. 55 Tamal Vista Blvd, 415.924.3366, brickandbottle.com
CHAMPAGNE BAKERY
French This casual bakery displays freshly made pastries, croissants, tarts, cookies and cakes, to be enjoyed indoors or out on the patio. Brioche French toast and French dip sandwich with Swiss cheese are among the many menu options. Catering is also available. 103 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.5470, champagnebakery.com
IL FORNAIO Italian
Sausalito’s Larry Mindel hit a home run with this upscale Italian restaurant franchise. Besides the award-winning breads, pizzas and pastas, the menu offers a variety of salads and noncarb entrées. 223 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.4400, ilfornaio.com
SEA THAI BISTRO
Asian SEA stands for Southeast Asian, and co-owner and executive chef Tony Ounpamornchai infuses his cooking with Thai and other Asian fl avors to create innovative dishes. The menu features sustainable and local ingredients when possible and includes an extensive wine list. 60 Corte Madera Ave, 415.927.8333, seathaibistro.com
THE
COUNTER
California/American
The folks at the Counter have taken the “have it your way” motto to a new level. Mostly known for all-natural Angus beef, turkey, chicken or veggie burgers, the restaurant also offers options like a bowl (all the ingredients without the bun) or salads. And if you want a martini with your burger, no problem; there’s a full bar. 201 Corte Madera Town Center 415.924.700, thecounterburger.com
FAIRFAX
123 BOLINAS California
Known for farm-fresh, organic cuisine, 123 Bolinas was created by four friends who aimed to showcase seasonal fare in a relaxing, intimate environment. Enjoy locally brewed beer and smallproduction wines as you take in the view of Bolinas Park through the floor-to-ceiling windows. 123 Bolinas
Chicken Pho at La Maison de la Reine
St, 415.488.5123, 123bolinas.com
FRADELIZIO’S Italian
Blending Northern Italian and seasonal California cuisine, Fradelizio’s uses the freshest ingredients possible. Popular menu items include homemade gnocchi. Having a party? Reserve the rooftop garden, which seats up to 20 people. 35 Broadway Blvd, 415.459.1618, fradelizios.com
SORELLA CAFFE Italian
Open for over six years and run by sisters Sonia and Soyara, Sorella, which means “sisters,” serves up fresh Italian food with a northern influence. Customer favorites include cioppino, butternut squash ravioli and eggplant parmesan. Easy place to bring the kids. 107 Bolinas Rd, 415.258.4520, sorellacaffe.com
GREENBRAE
BISTRO VIS À VIS
California This Bon Air Shopping Center eatery features the cooking
of Michelin-starrated chef Mike Fredsall. 282 Bon air Ctr, 415.925.4370, bistrovisavis.com
WIPEOUT BAR & GRILL American The family-friendly hot spot has surfboards hanging from the ceiling, fun-in-the-sun music, a full bar and large televisions displaying surfers riding waves. Menu includes fi sh tacos, salads and burgers.The only thing missing is the sand at this surf-style, upbeat eatery. Kids eat free on Tuesdays with each purchase of an adult entrée. 302 Bon Air Ctr, 415.461.7400, wipeoutbarandgrill.com
LARKSPUR
EMPORIO RULLI
Italian Pastry chef Gary Rulli is renowned for his Northern Italian specialties and treats. The Larkspur location (there are three others) is a favored spot for lunch as well as coffee and a sweet. 464 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7478, rulli.com
❖ Facials and Massages
❖ Body Wraps and Scrubs
❖ Natural Nail Services
❖ Spa Packages
❖ Organic, Kosher, Natural, Marine-Based Products
❖ Complimentary valet parking available to our local spa guests. 801 Bridgeway, Sausalito 415.354.8308 ❖ www.casamadrona.com
Cataplana: manila clams, tomato, chorizo, grilled bread, rouille at Insalata's in San Anselmo
FABRIZIO RISTORANTE
www.ramekins.com 707.933.0450
Italian Traditional Italian dishes with an extensive wine list from regions all over Italy; outside seating makes the experience even more special. 455 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.3332, fabriziorestaurant.com
MARIN BREWING CO
American Grab a cold beer made right on site and pair it with fi sh and chips — fresh cod dipped in Mt. Tam pale ale batter, served with steak fries and homemade tartar sauce. 1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.4677, marinbrewing.com
TABLE CAFÉ Indian/
American This Indiainspired café’s unique menu features entirely organic ingredients. Dishes include seasonal salads, incredible soups and fresh juices. The specialty of the house is dosa, fi lled with a variety of ingredients and served with savory
THE TAVERN AT LARK CREEK American The next chapter in the 1888 Victorian Murphy House, formerly known as Lark Creek Inn, is being written by chef Aaron Wright and culinary director Adrian Hoff man. 234 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7766, tavernatlarkcreek.com
MILL VALLEY
AVATAR’S PUNJABI BURRITOS Indian A small and friendly place with only a few tables but myriad Indianinspired burrito dishes to choose from. Try the curry chicken or Jamaican jerk wrapped in warm naan. Cash only, but worth the trip to the ATM. 15 Madrona St, 415.381.8293, enjoyavatars.com
BALBOA CAFE
MILL VALLEY
California The San Francisco institution
Oysters at the Left Bank
W LEFT BANK
RESTAURANT French
Known for award-winning French cuisine and a lively brasserie ambience, this corner spot on Magnolia Avenue has rated high with locals for well over a decade. Great happy hour. 507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331, leftbank.com
has already become a place to see and be seen in Mill Valley, especially after the 142 Throckmorton Comedy nights. Menu items include pan-roasted Alaskan halibut or risotto and burgers. 38 Miller Ave, 415.381.7321, balboacafe.com
BEERWORKS
BREWERY AND BEER
CAFE American With a beverage menu of handcrafted beers made on site, imported and local microbrews and house-made kombucha and root beer, this Mill Valley brewery is set to keep the local palate pleased. Don’t miss the small beer hall selection of pretzels, salumis and cheeses. 173 Throckmorton Ave, 415.336.3596, millvalleybeerworks.com
CHAMPAGNE
French Enjoy a croque-monsieur alfresco, linger over a fl aky, buttery croissant with a cappuccino, or
pick up chocolatedipped strawberries for your dinner party. 41 Throckmorton Ave, 415.380.0410, millvalley.champagne bakery.com
FRANTOIO
RISTORANTE
ITALIANO Italian
Known for its in-house olive press, superior olive oil and excellent Italian cuisine, this spot is a great location for an intimate dinner, large groups and anything in between. Owned by Roberto Zecca and chef Duilio Valenti, both from Milano; the kitchen uses local and organic ingredients. For special occasions and private parties, reserve the olive-press room. The popular happy hour starts at 4:30. 152 Shoreline Hwy, 415.289.5777, frantoio.com
HARMONY Chinese
Dishes here are an infusion of many flavors. The barbecue pork bun is filled with house-made roasted meat in a savory
Our new coffees and rich espresso are sourced and roasted by Martin Diedrich, one of California’s pioneering roasters of specialty coffee. Come try a silky cappuccino with a warm chocolate croissant, or our favorite brioche French toast. Bon Appetite!
Champagne Bakery
Mill Valley
Corte Madera
champagnebakery.com
415.380.0410
415.927.5470
Frantoio tantalizes your taste buds with contemporary Italian cuisine. Family owned since 1995, the restaurant emphasizes fresh, sustainable and organic ingredients serving locally produced fruit, vegetables, seafood, and meats. Enjoy fantastic salads, housemade pasta, wood fired pizza, grilled entrees, and decadent desserts in an elegant yet relaxed setting.
Frantoio Ristorante
152 Shoreline Highway
Chianti Cucina, a family friendly Italian restaurant in Novato, welcomes you to our family, where great food, service and atmosphere await you. We invite you to our table, offering a casual and memorable experience. At Chianti Cucina, you’ll feel like a neighborhood regular. OpenTable.com Diner’s Choice Winner 2011.
Chianti Cucina 7416 Redwood Blvd.
415.878.0314 Novato, CA chiantinovato.com
Perched on the Sausalito waterfront , Horizons offers diners spectacular views and a classic Northern California menu featuring fresh seafood, steaks, pasta and seasonal specialties. Deck dining, a full bar and an extensive wine list also make Horizons a favorite destination for bayside cocktails and aperitifs.
415.289.5777
Mill Valley, CA frantoio.com
Specialties include mesquite-grilled steaks and fish , house-made pastas, fresh salads and soups, a wide variety of desserts, and fresh baked bread along with artisan cocktails and a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. Each month, a special regional dinner menu is featured. Groups of all sizes are welcome!
Il Fornaio
223 Corte Madera Town Ctr
Horizons 558 Bridgeway
415.331.3232 Sausalito, CA horizonssausalito.com
French bistro in the heart of San
The sister restaurant of Le
in
offers simple and delicious French fare. We are open for lunch/brunch on Friday, Saturday & Sunday and dinner Wednesday through Monday. Try our “Nuits Savoyardes” every Monday night all winter long. Bon Appétit!
415.927.4400 Corte Madera, CA ilfornaio.com
L’appart Resto 636 San Anselmo
415.256.9884 San Anselmo, CA lappartresto.com
Casual
Anselmo.
Garage Bistro
Sausalito
In Italy, every meal is a journey...the same is true at Milano. Start with appetizers featuring a selection of bruschetta and pizza straight from our wood-burning oven; then move on to a traditional menu. Discover the Italian art of lingering over dinner with family and friends, making conversation and enjoying wine, in a setting that is both urban and relaxing.
Milano Restaurant
1 Blackfield Drive, #1
415.388.9100
Tiburon, CA tiburonmilano.com
In Japanese, Robata means “by the fireside” and refers to the grill-style cooking of northern Japanese fi shermen. Our menu offers traditional as well as contemporary fare. Over 25 premium sakes. Come see why we’ve been Mill Valley’s favorite Japanese restaurant for over 27 years.
Robata Grill & Sushi
591 Redwood Hwy.
415.381.8400 Mill Valley, CA robatagrill.com
Taj of Marin offers exquisite North and South Indian cuisine in a luxurious setting. The menu includes meat, seafood, vegetarian, glutenfree, and vegan options. We carry a wide selection of beer, fine wine, and traditional Indian drinks. Live music Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings. Certificate for dinner only.
Taj of Marin
909 4th Street
415.459.9555
San Rafael, CA tajofmarin.com
Dining in? Try one of the great recipes in Organic Marin. Produced by Marin Magazine, this seasonal cookbook celebrates the organic farmers of Marin County and over 40 delicious recipes from local restaurants. 35% off with the code DINEIN. Go to themarinstore.com/organicmarin
the Seafood Peddler for the freshest seafood Marin has to offer, shipped in daily from the east and west coast! Dine indoors or enjoy our beautiful waterfront patio. Catch live music in our Palm Ballroom! Book one of our banquet rooms for a private party, perfect for any occasion.
Seafood Peddler
100 Yacht Club Drive
415.460.6669 San Rafael, CA seafoodpeddler.com
This locally-owned bar and grill features natural Angus burgers, killer fish tacos, hand-tossed pizzas, fresh seafood, salads and sandwiches. Dine on the outdoor patio, enjoy drinks from the full bar and watch sporting events on numerous giant screens. Wipeout is proud to be a Green Certified Business. Specials like $5 Pizza Wednesdays listed online.
A Light Bite
Orange “creamsicles” make a tasty winter treat.
When Sausalito’s Emily Luchetti, pastry chef for both Waterbar and Farallon Restaurant in San Francisco, graduated from college, she took a cooking position while looking for a career. What she didn’t realize at the time was how close she came to fi nding her ultimate job. “After working on the culinary side for seven years, I switched to baking,” she says. “A half hour in the kitchen and I knew I was where I was supposed to be.” Why creamsicles? “People think there isn’t much seasonal produce in the winter, but there really is. When writing dessert menus in winter I want to make sure there is some color and brightness of fl avor. Citrus does that. These sun-fi lled treats contrast with the weather and make us feel better.” MIMI TOWLE
RECIPE
Blood Orange–Vanilla “Creamsicle”
SERVES 6
Ingredients
For the blood orange sorbet (or use store-bought):
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise with seeds scraped out
2K cups heavy (whipping) cream
1 cup milk
K cup sugar
2 N teaspoons plain gelatin
2 tablespoons water
3 blood oranges, peeled and segmented
To make the sorbet:
1 In a large bowl, combine the blood orange juice, sugar, lemon juice and salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves. 2 Refrigerate for at least two hours or up to overnight. 3 Churn in an ice cream machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 4 Freeze until the dessert can be scooped, about two hours, depending on your freezer.
To make the vanilla custard:
1 Combine the vanilla bean, seeds, cream, milk and sugar in a medium saucepan. 2 Heat on medium, stirring occasionally, until almost simmering. 3 Turn off the heat and cover the pan, letting the vanilla bean steep in the liquid for 10 minutes. 4 Stir together the gelatin and the water in a small bowl; let stand for fi ve minutes. 5 Strain the cream mixture into a bowl, discarding the vanilla bean. Stir the gelatin mixture into the cream with a heat-resistant plastic or wooden spatula. 6 Let the liquid cool to warm, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. (Stirring prevents the gelatin from sinking to the bottom of the hot liquid.) 7 Pour the vanilla custard into six ramekins. 8 Refrigerate until set, at least four hours. (Note: The creams may be made up to two days ahead. Once fi rm, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
To serve:
1 Unmold by dipping the bottom of the ramekins in a bowl of very hot water. 2 Run a knife around the inside edge of each cream and invert onto a plate. 3 Arrange the orange segments around the creams. 4 Place a scoop or quenelle of sorbet on top of the custard, and serve immediately.
sauce; fresh mussels are accented with red chili and Thai basil. Pair your pick with wine, beer or tea. Strawberry Village, 415.381.5300, harmonyrestaurant group.com
PIAZZA D’ANGELO
Italian It’s always a party at this longstanding hot spot. A great place to meet up with friends for a fresh plate of pasta, zuppa di pesce or pollo novello, or make some new friends at the bar. 22 Miller Ave, 415.388.2000, piazzadangelo.com
PIATTI RISTORANTE AND BAR Italian The staff prides itself on capturing the warm and welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria. Try for a table at the window for a truly exceptional view right on the water. Take a peek at the impressive collection of Italian wines to go with your rustic seasonal Italian meal. 625 Redwood Hwy, 415.380.2525, piatti.com
ROBATA GRILL AND SUSHI Japanese Robata translates as “by the fi reside”; fittingly, food here can be cooked on an open fi re and served in appetizer-size portions to pass around the table. Or simply order your own sushi or entrée from the menu. 591 Redwood Hwy, 415.381.8400, robatagrill.com
SMALL SHED
FLATBREADS California
Slow food chef Ged Robertson uses only local, mostly organic ingredients. 17 Madrona St, 415.383.4200, smallshed.com
THEP LELA Thai This jewel is tucked away in the back of Strawberry Village. Diners come for the tasty kee mao noodles, pad thai, fresh rolls and extensive bar menu. It’s also a great place for lunch. 615 Strawberry Village, 415.383.3444, theplela.com
TSUKIJI SUSHI
Japanese Named for the largest fi sh market in world, Tsukiji is owned by Roy and Chanel Liu. The couple earned their sushi stripes operating Morpho in San Francisco and Akira in San Rafael. Helping them behind the sushi bar is former Sushi Ran head sushi chef Haruo Komatsu. 24 Sunnyside Ave, 415.383.1382, tsukijisushimv.com
NOVATO
BOCA STEAK & SEAFOOD South
American Bring a date or celebrate a special event at this classic steak house, which features chef George Morrone’s (Aqua, Fifth Floor) Argentinean heritage. The grass- and grain-fed steaks are cooked over oak and almond. 340 Ignacio Blvd, 415.883.0901, bocasteak.com
CHIANTI CUCINA
Italian This cozy eatery features an array of Italian and American choices, including a penne pesto described by one Yelp contributor as a “hot creamy bowl of heaven.” Another standout menu item is the house-made ravioli cooked up by Chris Harman, former owner and chef of Capra. 7416 Redwood Hwy, 415.878.0314, chiantinovato.com
HILLTOP 1892
California Situated in a historic estate in Novato, with sweeping views, Hilltop 1892 offers traditional favorites with a California flair. Open from breakfast through dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. 850 Lamont Ave, 415.893.1892, hilltop1892.com
SOUTHERN PACIFIC SMOKEHOUSE
American Aside from nightly live music by locally and nationally known artists, this family-friendly eatery in the Vintage Oaks shopping center features wood-fi red dishes such as dry-rub baby back ribs, as well as fresh, organic produce and an extensive wine list. 224 Vintage Way, 415.899.9600, thesouthernpacific.com
TOAST American Sister to the popular Mill Valley location, Toast Novato features outdoor dining and architecture by Stanley Saitowitz as well as great dishes by executive chef Michael Garcia. 5800 Nave Dr, 415.382.1144, toastnovato.com
ROSS
CAFE ON THE COMMON French A quaint one-room coffeehouse centrally situated near Ross Common. Get there early for the full selection of pastries to enjoy with fresh-squeezed orange juice. 22 Ross Common, 415.461.2205
MARCHÉ AUX
FLEURS French This gem of a restaurant is known for cuisine showcasing locally farmed produce, wild
Imperial Manhattan at Southern Pacific Smokehouse in Novato
and fresh seafood and free-range meats prepared with an artisan’s touch. The wine and beer list is extensive. 23 Ross Common, 415.925.9200, marcheauxfleurs restaurant.com
TRATTORIA FRESCO
Italian Every neighborhood deserves a one-room trattoria like this one. The service is friendly and the farmers’-market-fresh food is fabulous — especially the gnocchi. 13 Ross Common, 415.464.0915, frescotrattoria.com
SAN ANSELMO
BUBBA’S DINER
American Kids will be begging for seconds and so will adults at this hopping local hangout. Burgers, shakes and fries, and homemade apple pie. 566 San Anselmo Ave, 415.459.6862, bubbas-diner.net
COMFORTS CAFE
American This cozy spot features local ingredients and serves breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. Be sure to try the Philly cheesesteak and Chinese chicken salad, both classics. 335 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.9840, comfortscafe.com
CUCINA RESTAURANT AND WINE BAR Italian
Relax with a glass of wine and have a slice from the to-die-for thin pizzas, topped with items like truffle oil and fontina cheese. 510 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.2942, cucina restaurantand winebar.com
L’APPART RESTO
French It’s the second Marin restaurant for the team behind Le Garage Bistro in Sausalito. Owners
Bruno Denis and Olivier Souvestre are offering a menu most Francophiles would be proud of, complete with items like smoked herring, bone marrow and cassoulet de legumes. 636 San Anselmo Ave, 415.256.9884, lappartresto.com
MARINITAS Mexican
The sister restaurant of Insalata’s, Marinitas continues to flourish as a bastion of creative Latin cuisine in Marin. It may not be as low-priced as most Mexican restaurants in the area, but this is not your typical southof-the-border spot. 218 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.454.8900, marinitas.net
SAN RAFAEL
ARIZMENDI California
A worker-owned bakery, Arzimendi prides itself on using the freshest, most local ingredients available. Known for the famous wolverines and cheese rolls, it also cooks up an assortment of muffi ns, pastries and sourdough bread pizzas . 1002 Fourth St, 415. 456.4093, arizmendibakery.org
SABOR OF SPAIN
Spanish Opened in 2003, this tapas and wine bar is a great place for a romantic date or a big party (catering available). Old-world values and a healthy olive oil–based Mediterranean diet have preserved the authentic flavors found throughout Spain’s history. Enjoy wine
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COMING SOON
New Tastes in Marin
From bagels to burgers to Neapolitan pizzas, three Bay Area favorites are opening their doors in the county. LOGAN LINK
E This month, Marin is getting a taste of the city with the opening of two San Francisco–based eateries: Miller’s East Coast Delicatessen and Super Duper Burgers. Miller’s, which has chosen the Montecito Shopping Center in San Rafael as its second spot, serves up authentic East Coast Jewish favorites such as crusty bagels, homecooked turkey and smoked fish. Over in Mill Valley, Super Duper
tasting, eating and shopping for fi ne wines all under one roof. 1301 Fourth St, 415.457.8466, saborofspain.com
SAN RAFAEL JOE’S
Italian Guido and Theresa Farina run this Marin institution, which has been famous for sophisticated yet casual Italian fare since 1947. Great for large parties, the dining room holds 240. The Pacific red snapper meunière and roast sirloin of beef are standouts. 931 Fourth St, 415.456.2425, srjoes.com
SEAFOOD PEDDLER
Seafood A great place to seek out fresh seafood in a warm and inviting environment. Varieties of East and West Coast fi sh are flown in daily. Dine indoors or out, or better yet, rent the banquet room for a party. 100 Yacht Club Dr, 415.460.6669, seafoodpeddler.com
TAJ OF MARIN Indian
Delicious North and South Indian cuisine, from the $8.95 lunch special to dinners that include goat curry,, lentils and tandoori.
Burgers is using seasonal, organic ingredients to create classic all-American favorites as well as unique choices such as portobello mushroom patties. Also opening a second location is Novato’s Boca Pizzeria, which is bringing Neapolitan-style pizzas and house-made mozzarella cheese to the Village at Corte Madera. millerseastcoast deli.com, bocapizzeria.com, super dupersf.com
California/Caribbean Owner and chef Bill Higgins serves reasonably priced and delicious tapas. Save room for delicious fi sh tacos and yummy chocolate bread pudding. On Sundays, try the $3 glasses of sangria. 1613 Fourth St, 415.256.1818, whipsnap.biz
SAUSALITO
ANGELINO RESTAURANT Italian Father-and-son chefs Pasquale and Alfredo Ancona offer handmade pastas and seasonal antipasti at this authentic Italian restaurant, which has been featuring cuisine of the Campania region for the past 24 years. 621 Bridgeway, 415.331.5225, angelinorestaurant.com
CIBO Cafe Husbandand-wife team Alfredo and Tera Ancona offer a menu of tarts, croissants, cookies, paninis and soups. Every dish is made from scratch with local and seasonal products. And now Marinites no longer have to drive over the bridge to get famous Blue Bottle coffee. Located in the historic brick building at 1201 Bridgeway. 415.331.2426, cibosausalito.com
or outdoor seating. 85 Liberty Ship Way, 415.332.5625, legaragebistrosausalito.com
LIGHTHOUSE
American Blueberry pancakes, omelets and Danish-influenced dishes are the draw here. It’s a small space, so be prepared to wait or get there early. 1311 Bridgeway, 415.331.3034
MURRAY CIRCLE
right on the water, this romantic spot is great for an evening occasion. 100 Spinnaker Dr, 415.332.1500, thespinnaker.com
TIBURON
DON ANTONIO
TRATTORIA Italian
AVATAR’S Indian
Looking for “the best meal of your life”? Then let owner Ashok Kumar order for you. One-room casual dining for lunch and dinner. 2656 Bridgeway, 415.332.8083, eatavatar.com
BAR BOCCE American
Food tastes better, your company becomes funnier and issues of the day seem trivial when you’re dining on a bayside patio with fi re pits and a bocce ball court. Throw in sourdough bread pizzas and a glass of wine and you’ll see why this casual eatery, whose co-owner and executive chef is Robert Price of Buckeye and Bungalow 44, has become a local favorite. 1250 Bridgeway, 415.331.0555, barbocce.com
CAFFÉ DIVINO Tuscan
Locals come for the tasty pastas and salads as well as coffee drinks, served in a funky one-room setting. 37 Caledonia St, 415.331.9355, caffedivinosausalito.com
HORIZONS Seafood/ American A great place for waterfront deck dining with stunning views of Angel Island, Alcatraz and the San Francisco skyline. A full bar offers draft beers, specialty cocktails, and an extensive wine selection. Valet parking and docking facilities available. 558 Bridgeway, 415.331.3232, horizonssausalito.com
KITTI’S PLACE Thai/ California Known for the tasty Chinese chicken salad and spring rolls. Owner Kitti Suthipipiat was the cook at Comforts in San Anselmo for many years. Try weekly specials like the Thai Toast: crispy sliced baguette topped with shrimp and chicken. 3001 Bridgeway #D, 415.331.0390, kittisplace.com
LE GARAGE French
Escape the touristy spots and grab brunch right on the water. The atmosphere is animated with light French music (think Amélie). The Kobe Burger, though not as Parisian as the other menu items, is to die for. And the much-adored croquemonsieur is under $10. Opt for indoor
American Enjoy the sun on the deck of this Cavallo Point restaurant. Locals say they come back for the fresh seasonal specials like wild sturgeon and Wolfe Ranch quail. 601 Murray Circle, 415.339.4750, cavallopoint.com
PLATE SHOP California
If the seasonal menu and 14 large vegetable beds outside the kitchen door aren’t telltale signs, the menu is — the Plate Shop is all about fresh, local and all-organic cuisine. Choose from an extensive wine list and an assortment of cocktails. 39 Caledonia St, 415.887.9047, plateshop.net
POGGIO Italian A great place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a night out. Executive chef Peter McNee cooks up delicious Northern Italian cuisine using fresh and local ingredients, including produce from the nearby Poggio chef garden. 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771, poggiotratoria.com
SPINNAKER Seafood
Chef Phil Collins excels at preparing seafood, and it shows in the beautiful plate presentations. Set
Located in Tiburon’s historic Ark Row, this trattoria offers authentic Italian cuisine in a quaint setting. The menu includes traditional courses with selections such as chicken piccata, organic roasted rack of lamb, and housemade pesto. 111 Main St, 415.435.0400, donantoniotrattoria.com
GUAYMAS Mexican Situated right next to the Tiburon ferry terminal on the waterfront. The touchit-you’re-so-close city views and outdoor seating make it a great place to bring visitors on a warm summer night. Happy hour is 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Menu includes specialties like puerco macho — pork loin chop with grilled plantain, topped with an ancho chile, garlic and onion sauce. 5 Main St, 415.435.6300, guaymasrestaurant.com
MILANO Italian
Located in the Cove Shopping Center, this family-owned neighborhood spot is known for its pasta and friendly service. A good place to take the kids — or catering option for your next birthday party. 1 Blackfield Dr, 415.388.9100, tiburonmilano.com
SALT & PEPPER
American This sun-fi lled, hardwoodfloored one-room restaurant with bluecheckered tablecloths is a local favorite. Popular items on chef Abraham Monterroso’s menu include scallops, rib-eye steak, a beef burger and traditional crab cakes with jalapeño dipping sauce. 38 Main Street, 415.435.3594
SAM’S ANCHOR CAFE
American Everyone knows Sam’s deck is the prime spot for brunch on a lazy sunny Sunday, and its bar is the town’s historic watering hole, but Sam’s is also a great place for lunch or dinner. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527, samscafe.com
TIBURON GRILL
California The atmosphere here is truly enchanting, with two outdoor patios, two indoor fi replaces, and candlelit tables at dinner. No item is more than $20, including the steak, with entrées falling in the $14 to $18 range. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. 1651 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.5996, thelodgeattiburon.com
WEST MARIN
OLEMA INN California
One of the most charming settings around, this inn and restaurant is a great destination lunch spot for a Sunday drive, or dinner every night. The menu includes imaginative combinations using regional and organic greens, while the bar features a full wine list (Olema). 10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.663.9559, theolemainn.com
RANCHO NICASIO
American Known for live music and an extensive menu featuring everything from Dungeness crab burgers to walnut-crusted goat cheese, Rancho Nicasio is open seven days a week. Be sure to stop by for happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. 1 Old Rancheria (Nicasio) Rd, 415.662.2219, ranchonicasio.com
Grilled sea bass with rice pilaf and roasted pepper–mushroom ragout at Horizons in Sausalito
Marin Home
FROM TOURS AND MAKEOVERS TO DECORATIVE DETAILS AND REALTOR
A TURN TOWARD TIBURON
A family of four finds its forever home.
BY PJ BREMIER • PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER
The Jaffees’ dining room overlooks the waters off Tiburon’s shoreline.
IAN AND JACQUELINE Jaffee’s new Tiburon home — a block above Tiburon Boulevard — has wide water views from its deck, the main rooms, even the master bedroom — an unimagined bonus not on their wish list when they began casually house-hunting this spring.
“Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think we’d have a water view,” insists Jacqueline, an attorney and mother of two young boys.
In fact, she and Ian, a physician at California Pacific Medical Center, hadn’t even considered Tiburon in their search; Corte Madera or Mill Valley offered quicker commutes to San Francisco. And with more than a year left on the lease of the Strawberry house in which they were living, they weren’t quite ready to buy.
But after Jacqueline fell in love with a pretty, remodeled 1950s house that she found while “playing around” on an online real estate site, she and real estate broker Patti Cohn hoped that Ian would fall for it too.
The house, set on a quiet cul-de-sac, fit all of the Jaffees’ requirements: at least three bedrooms and two bathrooms (this one has four bedrooms and three bathrooms), at least 2,000 square feet and move-in ready.
The view may have sealed the deal, but the boys were at the center of it. “We’ve lived a lot of places before, but now that I’m a mom it’s all about the boys,” Jacqueline says. “We don’t buy homes for sport. This is where I want to raise our family. We knew when we bought this house it was truly going to be our home. Our kids will go to proms and leave for college from here, and it will be our home when we become grandparents. We feel like we’ve hit the jackpot.” m
Never
in our wildest dreams did we ever think we’d have a view of the water.
THE DETAILS
WHERE THEY PURCHASED Tiburon
WHAT THEY BOUGHT A fourbedroom contemporary-style home on a cul-de-sac with water views
LISTING AGENT Rus LeBlanc, LeBlanc Investments
SELLING AGENT Patti Cohn, Frank Howard Allen Realtors
STATS Average cost per square foot for homes in neighborhood: $617
Above left: Jacqueline and Ian Jaffee in their kitchen; an art wall with family photographs and their children’s art decorate the wall behind them.
Above right: A wellloved chair, one of the couple’s first purchases together in Houston, finds its place in Tiburon.
This is where I want to raise our family. We knew when we bought this house it was truly going to be our home.
Clockwise from top: The living room features a wall of windows; an iron bed from Charles P. Rogers Beds in New York; the spiral staircase, a new addition, leads to a bonus room below; the red door and blue cement floor of the bonus room; Ian’s childhood “fun jar,” used to store his Star Wars action figurines; Jacqueline, Drayson, Ian and labradoodle Clyde have fun on the back deck.
What’s in a Number?
These creative Marin County address markers show a lot of personality.
Email a photo of yourself standing by your home’s address to letters@marinmagazine. com (please include your phone number and full address), and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a $50 gift certifi cate for Horizons in Sausalito.
Here is a rare opportunity - a 5-bedroom, 5-full & 3-half bath estate in Tiburon. The estate sits on nearly 2/3 of an acre and features 8,000 square feet of living space and countless thoughtful touches. The sweeping World Class views of San Francisco combined with the exceptional indoor-outdoor living make this a sanctuary from the stress of life for the discerning homeowner. Upon entering you are immediately inspired by the grand two-story foyer with walls for art. There is a gourmet chef’s kitchen with high-end appliances. Attached to the kitchen are the family and breakfast room, as well as a fabulous formal dining room and living room for entertaining. There is an expansive master suite, spacious media entertainment/bonus room with bar, kitchen, sauna and steam rooms, 180,000 bottle wine cellar, and custom home
the panaramic views of the San Francisco skyline and both bridges. The grounds include a level lawn area, stone patios, organic vegetable and cutting gardens and dramatic outdoor lighting. Only twenty minutes from San Francisco, close to the
This is a lifestyle worth living! www.TiburonViewEstate.com
RECENTLY SOLD
12 Norwood, Ross Offered at $5,495,000
REPRESENTED BUYER
25 Corte Alegre, Greenbrae Offered at $1,675,000
REPRESENTED SELLER
25 Tradewind Passage, Corte Madera Offered at $879,000 REPRESENTED SELLER
6 Leeward, Belvedere Offered at $2,800,000 REPRESENTED SELLER
77 Piedmont Court, Larkspur Offered at $1,095,000 REPRESENTED SELLER
222 Bayview Street, San Rafael Offered at $779,000 REPRESENTED SELLER
408 Alexander Avenue, Larkspur Offered at $2,495,000 REPRESENTED SELLER
34 Ash, Corte Madera Offered at $995,000 REPRESENTED SELLER
41 Key Largo, Corte Madera Offered at $729,000 REPRESENTED SELLER
It’s Time To Love Where You Live
Still searching for your dream home? Go to www.FHAllen.tv to create a custom, guided video tour of Frank Howard Allen properties.
Choose area, price point and property type – then just relax and enjoy the show.
Visit www.FHAllen.tv or contact one of our agents to learn more. Judy LeMarr Service • Experience • Results 2011-2013 Director, Marin Association of REALTORS 415.380.4642 • judy@marindreamhome.com www.MarinDreamHome.com
Edwards
$1,659,000
7ReedRanch.com
www.BayFrontModernLiving.com Contemporary/Modern Bay front home with high ceilings, window walls for San Francisco views and Sausalito glittering lights. 4-bedroom with en-suite baths.
Almost thirty acres of ocean and mountain view property. The vistas of the sea and historic Pigeon Point Lighthouse are breathtaking. There are two buildings: the main house and an auxiliary building which is approximately 2,500 sq.ft., both with clear redwood siding. The natural landscaping accents the home and views of ocean, mountains and horses. Pescadero: $4,400,000 Elegant Mediterranean Home www.450BellaVistaAve.com
Elegant and charming turn of the century 4-bedroom/2½-bath Victorian Style home with tranquil and pristine water views, beautiful garden and sunroom. Watch the boats glide by from the sunny, enclosed porch with antique glass and French doors/windows. Belvedere: $2,299,000
Gorgeous greenbelt lot situated above homes at the end of Alta Way. Owner has survey, landscaping plans, road construction plans, soils report and house plans. Area of expensive homes at the end of a private street location and views. More information available on website. Utilities need to be brought about 70 feet to lot line.
Successful transactions happen, because of one’s relationships. Thanks to my clients and colleagues for a successful year. Consistent Results…
Top Producer & Realtor of the Year 2010
John A. Zeiter, Jr.
Top Producer 415.720.1515
jzeiter@mcguire.com
DRE# 1325942
Closed Transactions in 2011
8 Drakes Cove, Larkspur
5 Lupine Cir, Novato
225 Mirada Ave, San Rafael
13 Narragansett Cov, San Rafael
6 Fox Hollow Pl, Novato
10 Ivy Lane, San Anselmo
69 Esmeyer Dr, San Rafael
64 Marinero Cir, Tiburon
5 Coronet Way, Kentfield
6 Winding Way, Novato
40 Palm Way, Mill Valley
110 Birch Way, San Rafael
17 Esmeyer Dr, San Rafael
6 Williamson Ct, Novato
404 Hickory Lane, San Rafael
3330 Shelter Bay Ave, Mill Valley
Six Compelling Reasons to Own 336 Lowell Avenue
Offered at $1,199,000
∙ Prominent location: Mill Valley ridgetop; great views; quiet cul-de-sac; good weather; 7 minutes* to 101
∙ Turn-key condition: Remodeled & up to date
∙ Desirable Size: 2360 sf*, 3+ bedrooms including a very appealing master suite, 3 full baths, good room proportions; broad market appeal on resale
∙ Flat ground: Grassy protected yard
∙ Substantial parking: 2 car garage + 3 car independent off-street spots
∙ Well Priced for the size, amenities & location
* approximate figures
This Spanish colonial heirloom resides on the best view lot in Mill Valley. Old-world patios encircle the home with relaxing vistas from every nook. Once the estate of Alice Eastwood, and then the home of the town’s Mayor, this charm exudes tranquility. Private gate to access Mt. Tam trails, hillside orchard, pool & well. - 609Summit.com -
“This
Home of renown abstract expressionist artist, Walter Kuhlman in the downtown district, two bedrooms, two baths; sold in 35 days . . . $899,000
Sausalito Dramatic residential conversion of the former Star of the Sea Church on double lot in the Banana Belt, four bedrooms, three and a half baths . . . $2,150,000 (sold above asking) San Rafael Spectacular new high tech contemporary of steel, glass, wood & concrete, Bay Views, one+ acre, four bedrooms, four baths, pool . . . $2,150,000 Sausalito Commercial $2,495,000
Represented Buyer. Breathtaking views of San Francisco from updated loft-like contemporary, two bedroom, three bath . . . $1,500,000
Tiburon Represented Buyer. Stunning views of San Francisco, bedroom, three and a half baths . . . $3,499,000
Sausalito
Sausalito
Beachfront Paradise – Lot 5: The last and only level, private, multi-acre parcel on Tiburon Peninsula, with sandy beach, fully entitled and approved for development. Approximately 7.5 level acres, with its tidelands, grassy meadows, and some 300 linear feet of extraordinary sandy beach waterfront, situated on one of the most prestigious and sought-after shorelines in California. Potential for gated estate, with winding drive, 8,750 square foot residence, including 3+ car garage, with au pair, pier and boat dock. Truly unprecedented, last-in-a-lifetime opportunity… $6,800,000
Celebrating the Extraordinary Agents who joined in 2011!
We welcome the top agents of today and tomorrow who have joined Decker Bullock Sotheby’s Inter national Realty this year. They can now offer their clients the best global brand, international exposure, and luxury services for properties at every price point.
Tam Junction Reprieve
(or State Highway 1) as it heads west toward Muir Beach, Stinson Beach and West Marin.
“In 1941, the intersection’s name was changed from Dolan’s Corner to Tam Junction due to a request the Tamalpais Valley Improvement Club made of the Greyhound Bus Line,” recalls a local resident who was born in Tam Valley (and wishes to remain anonymous). “We wanted the change to appear on their bus schedules and ticket stubs.”
PBY JIM WOOD
A turn-of-the-20th-century intersection now has organic gardens and an indoor skateboard ramp.
ICTURED ABOVE IS a 1930 aerial view of Tam — or Tamalpais — Junction. The street running straight across the photo is today’s Shoreline Highway. The image was taken before the Redwood Bridge was completed across Richardson Bay; thus, this was the only way to get from San Francisco and Sausalito to San Rafael and points north.
According to a 1908 map, the street angling up to the left was called Bolinas Road. Now, it too is Shoreline Highway
According to her, the Dolan family owned Tamalpais Lumber; the building was torn down in the early 1950s. The tile-roof structure across the street was a gas station in the ’30s, a tavern in the ’40s and a grocery in the ’50s. Now the building, estimated to be as many as 90 years old, houses Proof Lab, a popular surf, skateboard and clothing shop. Recently, Proof Lab — along with neighboring tenant AlphaDog Lodging — created Grow, a “sustainability-themed art and education center” featuring classes on organic gardening, backyard chicken raising, painting and pottery.
In addition, the surf shop has expanded and now includes more retail space, a music venue and an indoor skateboard ramp. “We want to be the gathering place for Tam Valley,” says Proof Lab’s owner, Will Hutchinson. m
CIRCA 1930
Planning is power.
A TRULY COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL PLAN IS A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL THING.
What exactly is financial planning, anyway? The term has been used in so many different ways that it’s basically lost its meaning. But the practice of in-depth, personal financial planning—as rare as it may have become—is a game-changer.
Financial planning is not a commodity. It’s a specialty. In its pure form, it allows you to maximize the potential of your assets and live life on your own personal terms. The experience should be creative, liberating and empowering.
To help shed a light on this topic, we’ve prepared an “executive brief” on financial planning. It defines what genuine financial planning entails, what you should expect from the process, and how you should feel once your investments are hard at work in support of your personal vision. You’ll find it at www.privateocean.com/power
Sarah Wotherspoon, MS, CFP®, is an advisor at Private Ocean and chair of the financial planning committee.
