Marin Magazine May 2012

Marin Marin

Features

44 Bridging the Golden Gate Many say the toughest tasks came before construction started.

50 a nd the Winners a re . .. Meet our 2012 cover contest winner and the 12 finalists.

58 m other’s Day Brunch A local chef creates a Marin-style celebration. may 2012

In Marin

21 Currents The Golden Gate Bridge in photos, Sausalito’s sister city, gifts for Mom, and a Q&A with an artistic director.

36 FYI Great landscape reveals itself like a well-crafted tale in one Ross garden.

40 Conversation Greg Moore heads the nation’s largest national park conservancy.

Destinations

67 Go Mother’s Day cooking class getaways o˜ er more than just great recipes.

72 Travel Buzz Arizona wine, a new look for Nick’s Cove and cowgirl escapes.

74 Journey A San Anselmo resident travels to Cuba’s capital town and environs.

Out & About

81 Calendar A roundup of what to do in Marin and beyond.

92 Dine An insider’s guide to restaurants and food in the Bay Area.

94 Flavor Two culinary stars come up with the perfect margarita.

Marin Home

115 Backstory

Backstory A

Belvedere home with views of the Golden Gate bridge and a private dock.

COLUMNS

14 POV

12 View From Marin

138 Looking Back

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Editorial

Editorial d ir E c tor

Nikki Wood

E x E cutiv E Edi tor Mimi Towle

m anaging Editor Daniel Jewett

s E nior writ E r Jim Wood

Editor- a t- l arg E Tim Porter

c opy Editors

Cynthia Rubin, Shelley Wolson

c ontributing w ri t E rs

PJ Bremier, Melissa Gardner White, Richard Wheeler

c ontact editorial@marinmagazine.com

Art

a rt d ir E ct or Veronica Sooley

p roduction m an ag E r Alex French ext 111 | production@marinmagazine.com

c ontributing p ho tograph E rs Drew Altizer, Mo DeLong, Jennifer Martine, Barbara Ries, Nike Van Der Molen

Administration

c ontroll E r Maeve Walsh ext 104 | mwalsh@marinmagazine.com

o ffic E m an ag E r Sophie Shulman ext 100 | sshulman@marinmagazine.com

Web

wE b p roduction m an ag E r Peter Thomas ext 120 | pthomas@marinmagazine.com

Volume 8, Issue 5. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Open Sky Media. All rights reserved. Copyright©2012. Reproduction of Marin Magazine content is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Open Sky Media. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned. Marin Magazine reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertisement deemed detrimental to the best interests of the community or that is in questionable taste. Marin Magazine is mailed monthly to homes and businesses in Marin County. Subscription rates are $12 per year. phone 415.332.4800, fax 415.332.3048, email editorial@marinmagazine.com, website marinmagazine.com.

Marin (USPS 024-898) is published monthly by Open Sky Media, One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sausalito, CA, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Marin Magazine, One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965.

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THE STYLE BAR  SUBWAY  SUSIECAKES

VICTORIA PASTRY CO  THE WATER STORE

WELLS FARGO BANK  WIPEOUT BAR & GRILL

WOODLANDS PET FOOD & TREATS Just off Highway 101 on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard www.bonair.com

Advertising

Publisher Stephanie Ericson ext 108 | sericson@marinmagazine.com

a dvertising d irector Michele Geoff rion Johnson ext 110 | mjohnson@marinmagazine.com

senior a ccount m an ager Leah Bronson ext 109 | lbronson@marinmagazine.com

a ccount m an ager Dana Horner ext 107 | dhorner@marinmagazine.com

r estaurant a cc ount m anag er Matt Cli fford ext 113 | mcli fford@marinmagazine.com

a dvertising a rt d irector Alex French ext 111 | afrench@marinmagazine.com

Regional Sales O

ffices

Wine c ountry Tognetti & Associates | Wendy Tognetti 707.544.3643

s outhern c ali fornia Leah Bronson ext 109 | lbronson@marinmagazine.com

n e W y o rk Couture Marketing | Karen Couture 917.821.4429

h a Waii

Destination Marketing | Debbie Anderson 808.739.2200

Marin Magazine

P resident/co-founder Nikki Wood ext 105 | nwood@marinmagazine.com

m arin m ag azine One Harbor Dr, Suite 208, Sausalito, California 94965 P h  415.332.4800 fax  415.332.3048 W eb marinmagazine.com email advertising@marinmagazine.com to subscribe marinmagazine.com/subscribe

member of the b PA WorldWide

View From Marin

This month we celebrate two things that, although seemingly unrelated, are both symbols of strength and stability: mothers and the Golden Gate Bridge.

w e st art off y honoring the mothers among us. o ur G o section highlights nearby cooking classes that are perfect to take with m om , Currents looks at mothers who also fi nd time to run successful businesses, and we have a feature story on Chef Aaron w right, of t avern at Lark Creek, who shares his recipes for a m ar in-style m ot her’s Day Brunch.

a nd another thing we all love is the iconic structure known as the Golden Gate Bridge. It gets us from here to there, and it’s an architectural treasure and an internationally recognized landmark.

up this issue — and the 12 fi nalists, whose art we just couldn’t resist. And as if all that isn’t enough, fl ip through the pages for a great margarita recipe, a look at a fi rst-class Ross garden, a journey to Cuba and much more.

And another thing we all love is the iconic structure known as the Golden Gate Bridge. i t get s us from here to there, and it’s an architectural treasure and an internationally recognized landmark. You’l l fi nd us paying homage to the span and its 75th birthday in many di fferent ways throughout the issue, but readers won’t want to miss our i n m ar in photo spread showing the bridge’s many faces, as well as our feature story explaining how the “world wonder” almost wasn’t.

You’ll also fi nd a feature introducing our annual cover contest winner — whose painting you probably already noticed as you picked

Finally, do you have a favorite hair salon, signature cocktail or yoga studio in m ar in? t his year we’re including a readers’ choice category in our August h ot 101 e ditors’ Choice issue. s o please cast your votes today at marinmagazine.com/readerschoice.

Marin Magazine Staff Editors

The Pension Problem

Marin’s supervisors are addressing an issue that is serious, but not a crisis. by jim wood

THE p Ension p Ro Bl EM in Marin, like in many local governments, is that the county owes, and will owe, more to its retirees than it will be able to pay them. This shortfall may eventually have to be paid by taxpayers and/or the county, which may be forced to reduce services and sell off ssets.

ways,” Adams says, “through employee contributions, through employer contributions and by investing monies held in the fund.” When investments fall short, she adds, “the county makes up the difference.” Adams points out that about 10 percent of the general budget is directed to funding the pension deficit; the county has 17 years to pay off his unfunded liability; and recently investments have been paying strong returns. “Thanks to sound financial management,” she says, “Marin is one of few California counties maintaining a AAA bond rating and healthy cash reserves.”

The shortfall, she maintains, is a result of three factors: the fi nancial meltdown of 2008–09; increased benefits voted in during good times; and the fact “that retirees are living longer, especially in health-conscious Marin.”

The amount of Marin County’s total ‘unfunded’ pension obligations is a matter of conjecture — figures range from $700 million to $2.4 billion.

The amount of Marin County’s total “unfunded” pension obligations is a matter of conjecture — figures range from $700 million to $2.4 billion. And even that $700 million figure is contested.

“The county’s current pension plans are simply unsustainable,” says attorney Denis Rice, a former county supervisor from Tiburon who opposed many aspects of the plans when they were put in place 34 years ago. “Worst case scenario,” he recently said at a county-organized community forum about pensions, “we’ll have to sell our prized open space to developers.” His other concerns were closed libraries, clogged courts and curtailed environmental enforcement.

Rice is not alone. A year ago, a countywide group called Citizens for s ustainable p ension p la ns was formed with members including n ovato’s Frank Bullentini, s an R afael’s Jody Morales and s an A nselmo’s Fielding Greaves, in addition to Rice. C sp p members advocate at supervisor meetings for quick pension reform and are hosting candidate forums in an effort to resolve the crisis.

County s upervisor s usan Adams agrees Marin’s unfunded liability is a serious issue. “But it’s a crisis only if no one is paying attention to it or doing something about it,” she says, “and we are doing something about it.” According to her, the pension fund’s liability is actually being reduced.

“Marin’s pensions are funded in three

Adams is emphatic that citing an unfunded liability of even $700 million is misleading. “A little less than half that amount is anticipated retiree health benefits, which we are making great strides in getting under control.”

Jeff ickman, the director of the Marin County Employees’ Retirement Association, an independent county agency, agrees with Adams. “As of June 30, 2011, there were 4,547 participants — active, inactive and retired — in the county’s plan,” he says, “and with $1.065 billion in the fund to pay their benefits, and a projected pension liability of $1.436 billion, that leaves an unfunded liability of $371 million.”

Wickman also notes that positive investment returns in the past two years, including an astounding 23.5 percent return i n fi scal year 2010–2011, have helped reduce the county’s unfunded liability.

Meanwhile, county administrator Matthew Hymel lauds Marin’s supervisors for being proactive. “They’ve cut benefits for new hires, capped cost-of-living adjustments at 2 percent and endorsed Governor Jerry Brown’s proposal for statewide pension reform.”

An unfunded liability of $371 million is a serious and complex matter involving state and local governments as well as various employee unions. Marin supervisors are prudently moving toward resolving it. However, it will take time, and now is not the time to panic or be divisive. That’s my point of view. What’s yours?

Email pov@marinmagazine.com.

Climate Controversy

Your Letters

I have a few comments about “Rising Seas” (April 2012), by Tim Porter. Who are the “experts” he mentions? I think he needs to do some more research. Marin County residents must be more fearful than ever after reading this article. What we have is a man-made crisis of global proportions, one made to frighten the population so we all start riding bikes, living close to freeway arteries and regulating businesses so completely that they move out of the country. Why doesn’t Marin Magazine ever offer another point of view? At least Marinites have a choice of information. There is so much research out there to refute global warming but the mass media doesn’t pay attention. barbara Patton, via email

Bravo! “Rising Seas” in the April 2012 edition wa s a fi ne piece of journalism. I’ve enjoyed leafing through Marin Magazine’s monthly editions though, I must admit, with some mild chagrin.

I might certainly have missed the substantive articles in past issues, distracted by the beautiful photography. I’ve viewed the magazine principally as a glossy periodical pandering to the Marin mystique, a bit on the “froofy” side. I don’t know if this story represents a change in your editorial objectives or a lack of attention on my part, but I’d like to thank you for a job well done. Articles like “Rising Seas” will slow my sometimes brief journey through your magazine. david osinGa, san raFael

In your latest edition of Marin Magazine Tim Porter reports on “rising seas.” As much as I usually enjoy your magazine, I was disappointed in the lack of statistically relevant information within the article. We could do something about the flooding in our area. It will cost a lot, but it’s a better solution than raising the roads and highways and elevating the houses on stilts. The solution is to dredge Richardson Bay. Sediment and silt wash down

online, we asKed You

What is the best, worst or funniest thing that has happened to you on the Golden Gate Bridge? 101

“My first car accident when I was 16, on my way to a soccer game.”

Barry Murray Kuhn

“On the 50th anniversary, I timed my drive from Mill Valley so I would be on the bridge at the precise time of the beginning of the fireworks.”

Ken Brooks, Mill Valley

“Waving at the pilots mid-span from our ’67 convertible Firebird during a Fleet Week flyby.”

Jennifer Pierce McGhie, Mill Valley

“Sticking my head out of the sunroof of a limo on my way to a bachelor party in the city.”

Jeff Gibilisco

“Years ago my Mercedes diesel died on it. For good!”

Karen Z. Hardesty, Tiburon

into the bay from Mount Tam and fi ll it like dirt in a bathtub. If we remove some of the sediment and repeat the dredging at regular annual intervals, we could deal with the problem head-on. PhilliP lion, via email

This is an outstanding article and I hope it serves as a wake-up call to move the issue of coastal inundation to the front burner. (Coastal inundation is the combined effect of sea level rise and land subsidence; the latter occurs for all lands underlain by sediment and arti ficia l fi ll.) Addressing coastal inundation is a daunting task and I don’t think it will be solved by governments alone; there simply isn’t enough money.  B ut rather than giving up, I believe the opportunity exists to create an “open source” project for Marin County that draws on the global community to help us identify a step-by-step program to address the coastal inundation issue. We must realize that we are not alone; communities from around the world face these same issues, and some of them have already done much of the legwork for us.

We know that implementation is down the road some distance, and will require government-scale engineering.  But figuring out the scope of the issue, reviewing data that’s already available, running small programs to collect data were none is available, fleshing out complexities associated with our local areas of inundation, customizing solutions for each, running cost estimates for those ideas, and prioritizing each project given available resources are all smaller projects that could be done by harnessing the talents available through local volunteers and contributors who chime in via the Internet. daniel Karner, Ph.d., KentField, ProFessor oF GeoloGY (retired)

Zip it

I read with interest your very nice magazine every month. I was surprised to see that your April Destinations article (“It’s Hip to Zip”) did not include our local zip line place! Right in our backyard we have Sonoma Canopy Tours, a beautiful place and a wonderful adventure. My son and I went there and had a great time on the lines, the spiral staircase

around once

an arts & crafts store

MARIN GENERAL SPRING GALA

Saturday, May 12, 6:30 p.m.

Sausalito’s Marinship Park

The theme is Feria de Espa˜a, a spectacular and festive delight for all the senses. The menu is by Taste Catering with live music by the Dick Bright Orchestra. This year’s beneficiary is Emergency & Trauma Services, which treats approximately 35,000 patients annually. Support will ensure the hospital’s ability to continue providing the best care in the community it serves. The event honoree is Marin General Hospital supporter Mary Barbara Schultz.

$500 per ticket

415.925.7770; visitmaringeneral.org/events

The scoop on Bay Area events you’ll

want to attend

[UPCOMING EVENTS]

MALT ART SALE

Saturday and Sunday, May 19–20

Preview: Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Public: Saturday 2–5 p.m, Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Druids Hall, Nicasio

Enjoy art in an elegant country setting. For the preview sale and artist reception, guests can expect a champagne and hors d’oevres reception followed by a farm-to-table lunch accompanied by local wine and beverages. At the public sale, wine, beverages and lunch are available for purchase. This event supports local farmland conservation. Fifty percent of proceeds go to MALT. In the past, the event has raised more than $1 million for MALT.

Preview tickets: $150 each ($75 is tax deductible) Public sale is free malt.org; 415.663.1158

Friend us to share RSVP Hot Ticket photos at facebook.com/marinmagazine.

STORYBOOK BALL

Sunday, May 20, 4–7 p.m.

Mill Valley Community Center

millvalleylibrary.org/storybooks WHEN WHERE WHY YOU SHOULD GO COST FIND OUT MORE

Inspired by the children’s classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this event transports attendees to the land of Oz, where they will experience performances by the Stark Ravens Historical Players, Marin Youth Performers and a magic show starring Timothy James, as well as dancing, delicious food and drinks, and many creative activities sure to appeal to children of all ages. The event raises critical funds that support free children’s and teens’ programming at the Mill Valley Library. For children ages 4 to 10 and their parents (or other adult).

$50 per person

on a tree and the suspended bridges and walkways. m arti a n drews, t ib uron

It was a thrill to read your zip line article in this month’s magazine, as my husband and I did this a couple weeks ago in Boquete, near the Vulcan Baru, in Panama. We are both in our 60s, and at fi rst I thought, what was I thinking! It was such a thrilling adventure. There were 12 stations throughout the mountain jungle canopy. Anyone can do this. It made us feel young again. I love your magazine. b arbara Plaut, via email

a u Paris

I enjoyed “Postcards From Paris” (March 2012), by Barbara Ries. I received this issue the day I returned here from my home in Paris — after having left a “lock” on the Pont des Artes in memory of my late husband. He was always amused by this bridge and the locks left there. Thanks for a great article that hit on so many things missed by most. Merci. d elsa h a m, t ib uron/Paris

Corrections

In the April issue’s Home Renovation Guide, the address for Carpets of the Inner Circle was incorrect. The correct address is 495 Jackson St., San Francisco. We also did not list the phone number for Castaneda Iron Works, which is 415.332.3730. We regret the oversights.

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.

M arin H o M e & garden e xpo

Saturday and Sunday, June 2–3

Marin Center Fairgrounds 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael

Explore innovative ideas and custom concepts for your home and garden with more than 150 home improvement specialists. Two full days of DIY lectures and demos plus special presentations, including “Eichler NOW: A Fresh Look at Mid-Century Modern” and the Marin History Museum’s “An Afternoon in a Victorian Parlor.” Also enjoy live music on the Home Grown Marin Music Stage and children’s activities, great food and more.

$10 adults; free for kids under 12 marinhomegarden.com; 415. 507.1537

May 19, 9

Marin Art & Garden Center 30 Sir Francis Drake, Ross

This fun-filled dy features games, rides and performances for toddlers, preschoolers and children up to six years of age. Autopia, a mini-car ride, and Pixie Olympics, a mini-obstacle course for kids, are two of the signature attractions. Pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, food, drinks, face painting and more are also planned. Music by Fur, Scales and Tails; Ali Weiss; and Warren Mann of Mini Music. This is one of two annual fundraisers for Pixie Park.

Admission is free; games, activities and food require purchased tickets.

pixiepark.org

200 Exhibitors and Sponsors

CREATE YOUR IDEAL SPACE

SATURDAY, JUNE 2ND, 10am to 6pm SUNDAY, JUNE 3RD, 10am to 5pm

Two Full Days of Music on the "Home Grown Marin Music Stage" Featuring Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums on Saturday and 'Til Dawn on Sunday • Marin Community Music Groups.

Lecture and Demo Stage: Learn how to make home brew, keep bees, compost, go solar, save money on your remodel, feng shui your garden and more!

Hear iconic Marin Architect Daniel Liebermann who apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright in conversation with Barry Peterson on "Our Human Environment " Meet Allison Oropallo finalist in the HGTV All American Handyman competition - "Why hire a handyman when you can be a Handywoman!"

Special Eichler Living exhibits and lectures “Eichler NOW: A Fresh Look on Mid-Century Modern” with Bill Hansell, Catherine Munson and Special Guests.

See the Marin History Museum's "A Victorian Parlor" exhibit. And Children's Activities from HeadsUp, Youth in Arts and Playwell Technologies.

All at Marin Center Fairgrounds and Exhibit Hall $10 • Kids 12 and under Free

For full Home & Garden Expo schedule: marinhomegarden.com 415-507-1537. Produced by Pacific Expositions.

In Marin

celebrating the people, places and causes of this unique county

A Golden Birthd Ay

The Golden Gate Bridge is always ready for its close-up. Photographers of all types — visiting tourists, aspiring amateurs and seasoned pros — probably devote more pixels to the span than to any other local icon. There are 412,645 (and counting) shots of the bridge on the photosharing site Flickr alone and a mind-boggling 23 million photo returns on Google. We chose a few from local photographers to make this birthday card for the bridge. Happy 75th, Golden Gate! T im PO r TE r

BOO k S

Reading List

The Gilly Salt Sisters by Tiffany Baker, Grand Central Publishing, $24.99. t his t iburon author holds a ph. D. in literature and it shows. Her second well-reviewed novel grabs early and doesn’t let go. A salt farm, the dynamics of sisterhood and tensions of rival families are topics, but it’s the entire story that counts.

Some a ssembly r equired: a Journal of m y Son’s First Son by Anne Lamott, with Sam Lamott, Riverhead, $26.95. r emember Operating Instructions, the book about this Fairfax’s author’s first son? Now Sam’s a father, Anne’s a grandmother and their book is a riot — and insightful. i t presents an interesting take on being a new parent or grandparent.

Elegy for Eddie: a m aisie Dobbs n ovel by Jacqueline Winspear, Grand Central Publishing, $25.99. i t’s London, 1933, and e ddie is popular with street merchants for his gentle ways until, suddenly, he’s killed. m aisie volunteers as an investigator, but city power brokers secretly object. Why? t he p opular m arin mystery writer presents another twisting tale. Jim W OOD

Jonathan m ed rick and partner Kim (Crazy Lace) Whybrew make creamy custom leather clothes, bags and purses out of wild deer, elk, buffalo and moose hide. How did you get into leather? Boy Scouts. m y un cle had a saddle shop and he brought me boxes of scraps. When did you start wearing it? i g ot my first set of leathers in 1969 in Boulder. t hey called me “Leather-clad Lightning Lad.” a nd t he shop? ever yone thought i w as crazy, but i q uit my job as a manager at Fairfax Lumber, bought a sewing machine, made 100 drawstring bags, got on my old t ri umph motorcycle, went up to Bodega Bay and turned south. i s old them to every mom-and-pop store down to m on terey, came back with the money and opened up the shop. Looks like you weren’t so crazy. i t wa s tough at first. i ’d work construction in the morning and work here from 1 until 7. i t tu rned out to be worth my while because i a m the only one left in m ar in doing this. Still have a motorcycle? i h ave a Dyna Low r id er, Harley-Davidson, a 2001. Her name is Bell, after a sleigh bell of my mom’s. e ver y time i h it a bump i h ear it and think of her. What should someone’s first piece of leather be? i ’d s ay a vest. i t ca rries your ceremonials, like your phone, your wallet or your pocketknife. t he m ost important thing is that it regulates your core energy. i t keeps you warm. What is the weirdest thing you’ve made? A bag for carrying pythons. How’s the money? Well, we meet our overhead and if we have a little extra we take a vacation. We take it one day at a time, and that’s pretty much a good philosophy for life. T im PO r TE r

You’re Out

Grab your neon headbands and head over the bridge this month. “We are pumped to have been chosen by the American t ra mpoline Dodgeball Association of America (At DAOA) to host the first-ever t ra mpoline Dodgeball World c ha mpionships,” says s ausalito’s Dave s cha ffer, co-owner of House of Air in s an Francisco, about the May 11–13 event. “Highly trained athletes from all over the globe are converging for the games.” Attendees can expect balls zipping through the air, knee-high socks, shorty shorts and lots of trampoline dodgeball. If you’re not on a team, be sure to check out atdaoa.com for a live stream. houseofair.com mimi TOWLE

COLON CANCER IS COMMON. AND CURABLE.

ESPECIALLY HERE—OUR SURVIVAL RATES BEAT THE STATE AND NATIONAL AVERAGES!

OURS IS THE ONLY FULL-SERVICE CANCER CARE PROGRAM IN MARIN

A nationally recognized program with survival rates that exceed the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) rates for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers

As a leader in colon cancer diagnosis and treatment, Marin General Hospital’s five-year survival rates are better than state and national rates, especially for more severe, later-stage cases.

We offer state-of-the-art treatments and technologies, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and medication, all of which have contributed to the steady increase in survival for metastatic colorectal cancer patients. We also participate in leading-edge clinical trials, which give our patients access to some of the most promising new treatments. Of course, early detection is crucial, so we recommend colonoscopy screening for all patients age 50 and older.

Marin General Hospital also offers a caring staff and a host of holistic treatments and services through our Center for Integrative Health & Wellness. All to help the people of Marin and their families fight the battle against colon cancer—and win.

OUR HOME. OUR HEALTH. OUR HOSPITAL.

3

top moms

Workin’ It

Mothers are busy no matter what. Add starting a business from scratch to the mix and it’s a juggling act. In honor of Mother’s Day, we took a look at entrepreneurial Marin women who are raising families and running businesses large and small. m

Green to Go

When her daughter’s preschool requested that parents pack a “no-trash lunch,” a Corte Madera mother of three, Chance Claxton , helped launch no-waste lunch kits in 2008. With the help of vendors like Whole Foods, sales of her Kids Konserve recycled-cotton bags and stainless-steel containers are expected to hit the $2 million mark in 2012. kidskonserve.com

Playing Games

Debra Tarrant of Mill Valley got tired of hearing her kids say “ i ’m bored” and decided to do something about it. Last April she and partner Bronwyn Brunner of San Francisco created t he B ored Game, a pouch that holds 40 different traditional games, and a new company to go with it. t he p ack is available in several local stores, including d ot tie d oo little in San Francisco. theboredgamecompany.com

Turning Water Into Gold

Kara Goldin , a r os s mother of four, funneled her desire for unsweetened, naturally flavored water into a $30 million company. h er f iveyear-old business, h in t Water, is giving the soda manufacturers a run for their money and earned Goldin a spot on Fortune magazine’s Most Powerful Women e nt repreneurs list in 2011. drinkhint.com

Sausalito’s Sister

i t took the building of one of the world’s longest t wo-tier bridges to bring Sausalito a sister — Sakaide, Japan. t he sister-city relationship began more than 20 years ago, when engineers from Sakaide visited the Golden Gate Bridge to gather inspiration for construction of their own record-breaking Seto- o hashi Bridge (pictured). “When the country of Japan was devastated by the earthquake, we took carloads of clothing to San Francisco to go to Japan,” says Sausalito Sister City Program president Susan r oe sausalitosistercity.org

SOPH i E SHUL man

Surfer Girl … and Guy Big congrats to m il l Valley’s Bianca “B” Valenti for winning the SeaHawaii w om en’s Pipeline Pro on Oahu last m ar ch — making her the only female pro surfer in the Bay a rea. a lt hough Valenti is the first, she would love to see more local women surfers begin to win surfing events. w hile her day job — working alongside her father, executive chef Duilio Valenti of Frantoio r istorante — keeps her busy, Valenti takes advantage of every spare moment to hit the waves. i n ot her local surf news, look for Tam Valley’s Gary Griffis in the upcoming movie Of Men and Mavericks , the life story of the late Santa Cruz surf legend Jay m oriarity. Griffis’ surfing skills landed him the speaking part of “young blond” who helps a young m oriarity learn to surf. m T

I’m recycling the Golden Gate Bridge.

Says m arin Recycling Center’s Joe Garbarino, about the center’s middle of the night concrete debris removal project on the iconic bridge. The center regularly processes 20-ton slabs of concrete left over from the bridge’s $660 million seismic retrofit project. In all, 78 concrete panels, weighing 20 tons apiece, will be moved to m arin Recycling in the early morning hours and then ground into gravel. The resulting material will be used for roadbeds and to line sewer and water line ditches throughout m arin. J.w.

n ew Di GS Just in time for Bike to Work Day, May 10, we salute City Cycle, recently relocated from San Anselmo to a 9,500-square-foot showroom in Corte Madera. Planning to ride? Look for the shop’s energizer stations in partnership with Marin County Bicycle Coalition at Vista Point and the Marina Green. citycycle.com m .T.

Building the Ultimate Dog House

Guide Dogs for the Blind, the largest guide dog training facility in the country, has many reasons to celebrate this year. The organization broke ground in February on a new state-of-the-art student residence and training facility expected to be completed in 2013 at its San Rafael headquarters, and it has appointed a new CEO, Paul Lopez. “We thank Marin businesses who open their doors to us, making it possible to train both our dogs and students in real-life situations,” Lopez says. The organization also celebrated a 70th birthday. For readers who might be new to puppy ownership, we asked the experts for a few tips. m .G.W.

1 When housebreaking, stick to a schedule. Take young pups outside every hour.

2 When you’re not directly supervising your new puppy, keep him confined to a crate.

3 Socialize your pup — introduce him to many people and situations.

4 Say a command just once. Use bits of food and praise as the reward for a successful response. Keep training sessions short (five to 10 minutes, two to three times a day).

5 Even if it’s cute, don’t allow your pup to bite during play. If your puppy does bite, reprimand with a firm “ouch.”

1 Straw hat with ribbon from Jeanne Marie by Kathy Jeanne, $195 at Mill Valley Hat Box (Mill Valley) 415.383.2757.

2 Raffia crochet hat from Helen Kaminski, $165 at Mill Valley Hat Box.

3 Hand-spun cotton scarf from Sammy, $86 at Erica Tanov (Larkspur) 415.464.9008. 4 Canvas cotton reversible ecotote from Green Girl, $60 at Beach Belle (San Anselmo) 415.258.9844.

5 Floral scarf from Spun by Subtle Luxury, $56 at Kismet (San Anselmo) 415.454.2629. 6 Sisal fair trade tote from Erica Tanov, $86. Over the Door hooks from Windsory, $17 at Bed Bath & Beyond (Larkspur) 415.925.9140. 1 2 3 4 6 5

Gifts for Mom

With m other’s Day right around the corner, here are some playful hats, bags and scarves that can make the perfect gift. By veronica sooley

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10 questions for

James Dunn

r etiring

m ountain Play artistic director

san rafael

a new season of theater kicks off this month with m ountain Play’s production of The Music Man, but it also means a curtain call for the group’s artistic director of 30 years, James Dunn. Born at m arin General Hospital in 1933, Dunn has spent most of his life immersed in the local drama scene, which included cofounding the California Shakespeare Festival in Los Gatos and a stint as artistic director of the California a ctors Theatre. But Dunn isn’t fading into the sunset; he will continue to teach and direct in the College of m arin drama department, which he founded in 1963.

1

Do you have a favorite m ountain Play? i have three or four that are pretty outstanding — ones that hit me emotionally hard: Oklahoma, South Pacific , My Fair Lady and Fiddler on the Roof i e specially liked the music in these productions.

2

Your best backstage moment?

For the past seven or eight years we’ve always given out a m cDill Award to the person who gives the production 110 percent. i t is a model of a dill pickle named after the late m ountain play actor John m cDill. t hat tradition is really one of my favorite moments backstage.

3

What’s the craziest thing that’s happened at a m ountain Play? i t was in The King and I in 1987. i t was a real foggy, misty and cold day when we started the play at 1 p.m. i n th e second half of the play the king’s wives put on a play for him and one of the characters said, “And Buddha, make the sun come out!” And all of the sudden the clouds lifted and the sun came out! t hat was one of the strangest yet wonderful moments i ’ve experienced on the mountain.

4

What’s you favorite musical score? West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein. t he m usic in West Side Story, in my opinion, is comparable to Shakespeare’s poetic language in Romeo and Juliet

5 Was it ever too hot or too cold? t he opening day of our second production of South Pacific, in 1997, was very hot. We had sand trucked in as part of the scenery and the sun was hitting it all morning long. t he only ones who knew how hot the sand was were the actors — it was a quick and highenergy performance.

6

How did you get the squad of warplanes to fly over the theater in 1988 at the end of South Pacific? pro ducer m arilyn Smith contacted pilots who had restored World War i i airplanes and flew them. Her husband Bob Smith cued in the planes from above the theater with a radio.

7 a re you a Gleek (fan of the show G lee)? No!

8 What’s your favorite drink and where do you like to drink it? t he margarita at the Cantina.

9 What’s your favorite after-show place to eat in m arin? t he Cantina.

10 Your plans for next summer? i ’m not sure yet i might travel to classical lands like Greece and r ome. m

• in person

Get Covered

Meet Greg Martin and the finalists at our Get Covered Contest Celebration event May 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Town Center in Corte Madera. It’s a great chance to celebrate with the contest winner and to view art from this year’s Marin Open Studios participants.

A Nice Ride

Come by the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael for the Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance on May 20 and be sure to stop by and say hello. We’ll have a booth where you can play dress-up and have your photo taken. This year’s Concours promises to be special, with singular vintage automobiles, including many rare models you might not see again for some time. Come join us!

Connect with us

Flip Out

Marin Magazine now has a complete digital edition. Flip through the pages of our magazine, just like you would on your sofa with a cup of coffee. Share pages with your friends, write notes, bookmark pages, click on links and print. marinmagazine.com/ digital

Readers’ Choice

The editors of Marin Magazine want your help selecting top spots for our annual Hot 101 Editors’ Choice issue. We’re featuring 16 categories ranging from art to cocktails to pizza and would love to know your preferred picks. It’s your chance to give your favorite Marin places a nod for being the best. So visit the link below, cast your vote, and look for the winners to be announced in the August 2012 issue. marinmagazine. com/readerschoice

The Artful Garden

Great landscape design reveals itself like a well-crafted tale in one Ross garden.

by PJ b remier • P ho tos

by b

ar bara r ie s

An engaging landscape design is like a good story: i t st arts with an interesting plot, allows colorful characters to play off quieter background figures, includes some twists and turns along the way, sprinkles in a few surprises and, always, creates a compelling experience that draws you back again and again.

That’s the story behind one landscaped property in Ross whose horticultural roots reach all the way back to the early 1900s. Remnants of the original planting scheme by the estate’s former owner and plants man, a lbert d ibblee, can still be seen on the hillside, where he nurtured the plants — primarily camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons — that he brought back from his extensive travels.

But the real landscape story begins with the current owner, who purchased the property 40 years ago and has been shaping it ever since.

“ i ’ve been heavily involved in the garden design,” says the founder of a well-known s an Francisco–based securities company.

“ n ot hing happened here that i haven’t spent some time and effort thinking about.”

The labor of love hasn’t been a solo effort; he’s had help from one of the top landscape designers in s an Francisco, s tephen s uzman of s uzman d esign a ssociates. s uzman worked on the project over the years with horticulturist

Ken Mendonca and landscape architects Mimi l yons, Maureen s immons and Tracy Westphal.

The aesthetic approach from the start, he says, was to forge “a combination of grandeur and intimacy” on the property. “We’ve been involved in this garden for over 20 years, designing the spa, pool and pool terraces, the big lawn, the cutting garden and the orchard.”

Over time, the property owner brought in new elements to add texture and provide visual contrast. a ll t he plantings were revitalized and new trees and shrubs brought in to create a balance between uniformity and complexity and offer di fferent experiences. “Our vision was to keep the expansive views of

the forests that are so spectacular and to keep as much of the woodland oaks, azaleas and rhododendrons as possible,” he says. “They normally don’t do well together, but they’ve done so for years.”

Putting Down r oots

a fter living on the p en insula and in s an Francisco, the owner moved to Ross seeking sunshine, easy access to the outdoors and a comfortable commute to his office in the city. e ven though the property represents only a fraction of d ibblee’s original 78-acre estate, the four-acre purchased parcel seemed to promise everything on his wish list and more.

“ i just fell in love with the location,” the owner says. “ i t’s got a phenomenal view of Mount Tam and the canyon, you don’t see another house so it’s really private, and it’s south-facing so you have sun for a big part of the day.”

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The formal English-style garden that was in place, however, needed a major overhaul. “It was totally overgrown and didn’t bear any resemblance to what you see now,” he recalls. “You could barely see Mount Tam through all the trees and shrubs and the wisteria was all over the back veranda. If there’s one thing I’ve really done here, it is to open up the garden to the light and the views and create more space.”

Now the property, much of it cultivated, wraps itself around a grand century-old twostory home, unfolding seamlessly through a series of both quiet and bold spaces, giving the garden a graceful sense of rhythm through every season.

Color and Form

And in spring, it reverberates with a blaze of color. “During the blooming season, especially in May, it is nothing but an abstract painting here, with every color in the book,” he says. “When the azaleas and rhododendrons are blooming, it’s one amazing solid wall of color.” Actually, di fferent “rooms” make up the landscape: the sunken white garden, planted with white roses, peonies and lilies, created for a daughter’s wedding 20 years ago; a cutting garden and orchard that supply flowers

and produce for the house; a long camellia allée that presents seasonal displays of pink and red blossoms; and a great lawn from

If there’s one thing I’ve really done here, it is to open up the garden to the light and the views and create more space.

which terraces, containing a mix of foliage plants and showy perennials, descend to the Olympic-size swimming pool.

Mayten and dwarf lemon trees and camellia bushes grace a dining terrace, and lacy Japanese maples and dogwoods mingle with oakleaf hydrangeas and climbing iceberg roses to serve as a serene backdrop in the entry courtyard.

The serenity is broken up just a little by sculptures such as a large-scale whimsical hare by Welsh artist Barry Flanagan that peers out from the foliage in the courtyard. The sunken garden holds another surprise in the dynamism of the falling female figure in The River, by sculptor Aristide Maillol. The figure’s contorted, precarious position gives energy to the placid space and plays off he curves of Mount Tamalpais rising in the background.

The most striking art piece, however, might be a towering totem pole commissioned by the owner several years ago. A collector of native art, he chose the totems — all power symbols — and hired renowned Native American artist Jim Hart, of the Paci fic Northwest indigenous Haida tribe, to carve them into a red cedar pole. The symbols include three watchmen, an eagle, a killer whale, fi sh and fowl depicted in Haida tradition, and a transforming raven that’s part bird and part woman, but not the bobcat the owner originally wanted. “Jim said they don’t do bobcats,” he says, lightly. A spiritual ceremony accompanied the pole-raising.

For now the watchmen and other totem creatures overlook the pool area, where the motif of a Haida chief’s “wearing blanket” is laid out in shimmering Italian glass tile. And the owner, his family and his guests overlook it all.

“The garden is a special place,” he says. “All my kids have grown up here, and there are so many nooks and crannies that I never get bored.” m

Tamra A. Stern JD CFP ®

Greg Moore

a Tiburon resident heads the nation’s largest national park conservancy. By Jim Wood • Photos B y t im P orter

It doesn’t always happen, but sometimes college studies and career do blend beautifully. i n 1978, 22-year-old Greg Moore graduated from Uc Berkeley with a major in c onservation of n at ural r esources and a minor in landscape architecture. t hen, after a short stint as a park ranger, Moore did graduate study in environmental planning at the University of w ashington. n ow, as the executive director of the Golden Gate n at ional Parks c onservancy, Greg Moore is, quite literally, involved every day with the conservation of natural resources, landscape architecture and environmental planning.

That first year I think we generated $5,000 for park projects and activities; now we have a budget of $25 million for projects and activities.

a nd the organization is considered the preeminent parks conservancy in the entire national park system. i t is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to preserving — and enhancing the experiences of visitors to — the Golden Gate n at ional Parks, whose official name is the Golden Gate n at ional r ecreation a rea or GGnr a i ncluded in the 43 parks the conservancy supports are gems like the Marin Headlands, Muir Woods, Muir Beach, c rissy Field, a lc atraz i sla nd, the Presidio, Lands e nd a nd the Golden Gate Bridge. t hat totals more than 80,000 acres stretching over three counties and hosting nearly 20 million visitors annually — more than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand c anyon and Glacier national parks combined. Moore, 60 and soft-spoken, is an ardent hiker and bicyclist and has lived in Marin for almost 30 years; he and his wife, n ancy, and their 19-year-old son, Zack, now live in t iburon, across from Blackie’s Pasture.

You have been executive director of the Golden Gate n ational Parks Conservancy almost from its inception. Could you walk us through the phenomenal growth you’ve both experienced? i hope it’s fair to say we have grown together. i n 1985, when i c ame on board there were four or five employees who mostly operated bookstores at various park locations. n ow we have more than 300 employees who host several visitor centers and conduct tours such as the one on a lc atraz i sla nd. t hat fi rst year i t hink we generated $5,000 for park projects and activities; now we have a budget of $25 million for projects and activities. t hese include programs we run in partnership with the n at ional Park s er vice and the Presidio t ru st such as the youth environmental center at c rissy Field, camping programs at the Presidio for kids who have never camped before, and our native plant nurseries. We’ve also grown from a few dozen conservancy members to more than 12,750

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Savor a lovely three-course Brunch Menu in Murray Circle or gather upstairs with a group for an extensive gourmet Brunch Buffet. May 13. 415-339-4750

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75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

The world-famous icon in our own backyard turns 75 on May 27. Join the festivities on Memorial Day weekend.

TERRACE PARTY

Hey, neighbor! You’re invited to a delightful evening of fun. Savor live music and a gourmet buffet dinner by Murray Circle Chef Justin Everett. May 27, 6–10 pm. Adults $75 / Kids $25. 415-339-4758

MAKE THE PARTY LAST LONGER

Enjoy special packages on suites or rooms for the Anniversary weekend.

ART GALLERY EXHIBIT

‘Visions of the Golden Gate at 75’ Celebrate the bridge’s past and present with rare historical views from the 1930s’ construction era by land surveyor and photographer W. G. Voorhies. These neverexhibited images are juxtaposed with contemporary visions by photographers Robert Campbell, Emil Flock and Chris Honeysett. Thru June 30, 8:30 am–7 pm

I

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and from a few hundred volunteers to more than 35,000. t hat kind of support is a tribute to the generosity of people in the Bay a rea who use and appreciate these parks.

i s the Golden Gate n ational Parks Conservancy the largest in the country? Within the n at ional Park s er vice there is no one at our level of activity and gifts to the park. a nd i say that humbly because we have the wonderful and special advantage of being in the middle of so many people who love this park. t herefore, it is not like Yosemite or Yellowstone — which, by the way, both have highly successful support organizations.

What are some projects the conservancy currently has under way? r emember almost all our projects are in partnership with the n at ional Park s er vice, the Presidio t ru st or some other agency. t hat said, we recently completed restoring the suspension bridge to Point Bonita Lighthouse; we’ve done a major trail and marsh restoration project at Muir Beach that includes the r edwood c reek watershed; a new visitor center at Lands e nd is about to open; the 58-year-old water tower on a lc atraz i sla nd has been stabilized and repainted; on Lincoln Boulevard, we’ve completed two overlooks of the Golden Gate Bridge, one of which features the two bridge towers in perfect alignment; and, in

cooperation with the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and t ra nsportation District, we will open a new Bridge Pavilion that will greet visitors and tell the bridge’s remarkable story. a lso, we’re staging the Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th birthday party, which will line the c rissy Field shoreline with art and photographic exhibits, a vintage car show, a historic boat parade and band concerts on s at urday, May 27, over the Memorial Day weekend.

Where is the money coming from to support all these projects and activities? We have three primary sources. First, the generosity of Bay a rea residents to support these parks is truly impressive and they provide gifts ranging from five dollars into the millions. s econd, we receive support from public and private grants, such as from the c al ifornia s tate c oa stal c onservancy and, third, funds are generated from tours and gift sales. Here in Marin, for example, the Marin c om munity Foundation provided vital support for the post-to-park conversion of Fort Baker and the launch of an environmental institute based there, the i nstitute at the Golden Gate. Possibly our largest project to date, the $36 million restoration of c rissy Field into a popular national park with biking and walking paths, expansive grasslands, an environmental center, a freshwater marsh and the Warming Hut c afe, was funded mostly by an $18 million gift. s ince its inception in 1981, the Golden Gate n at ional Parks c onservancy has provided more than $243 million in support of park projects and programs. m

Golden Gate Bridging the

Many say the toughest tasks came before construction started.

by Jim Wood

Looking back at how one of c al ifornia’s most iconic structures came to be, one could argue that San Francisco didn’t need the g ol den g at e b r idge but that San Francisco and some counties to the north wanted the g olden g ate b r idge.

i n th e 1930s, when the bridge was built, San Francisco’s population was approximately 500,000 while Marin c ou nty had only about 50,000 people. a t the same time, across the bay, as the San Francisco– o ak land b ay b r idge was being constructed, o ak land’s population was nearly 300,000. o ak land and San Francisco — each centers of commerce, citizens and culture — indeed needed an efficient means of moving people and things across the water.

c ou ld the same be said of San Francisco and the more sparsely populated areas to the north?

Hardly. a nd that is what made the g ol den g at e b r idge such a tough sell.

Serious talk of bridging the g olden g at e was initiated in the a ug ust 26, 1916, edition of the San Francisco Bulletin by columnist James Wilkins, who also had experience as a civil engineer. “Such a bridge, of course, would be of the suspension type,” Wilkins wrote, “and it will be longer than any other structure of its type in the world.” Surprisingly — considering today’s era of contentious public hearings, lawsuits, environmental considerations and difficult-to-negotiate labor contracts — in just over 20 years, Wilkins’ fantasy would become reality.

b ut it wasn’t as simple as it sounds. t he building of the g olden g ate b r idge had all of the typical modern-day problems and more. i n fact, many historians say constructing the g olden g at e b r idge was the easy part; getting to the ground-breaking was much more di fficult.

t he bridge concept was set aside when World War i erupted. b ut following the armistice, county supervisors from both San Francisco and Marin quickly voted to “investigate the possibility of bridging the g olden g at e.” Such stirrings caught the attention of a c hicago engineer named Joseph

b . St rauss, already a builder of some 400 bridges, who came west to investigate such possibilities. Strauss, just over five feet tall and seeking engineering immortality, proposed an ugly, cagelike cantilever-suspension hybrid span and estimated its cost at more than $17 million.

i f design wasn’t Strauss’ strong suit, smart, savvy and unrelenting salesmanship was. He understood San Francisco didn’t need a g olden g ate b r idge. i f one were to be built, Strauss realized, it would be because folks in desolate areas to the north wanted it. So in January 1923, he went to Santa Rosa, where banker Frank P. Doyle (as in Doyle Drive) convened a daylong convention; there, a group named b ridging the g olden g ate was formed.

b y Ma y of that same year, the c al ifornia Legislature, under the c oombs b i ll, authorized the formation of the g ol den g at e b r idge and Highway District, whose job it was to design, construct, finance and operate a bridge across the g olden g at e Strait.

t he struggle wasn’t over. o ve r the next five years only six of the 13 n or thern c al ifornia counties eligible to join the b ridge and Highway District elected to do so, including parts of Mendocino and n ap a counties, along with all of Sonoma, Marin and San Francisco counties and Del n or te c ou nty on the o re gon border. Why only six? Primarily because county supervisors knew that soon taxpayers would be asked to guarantee the construction bonds by allowing liens against their homes, croplands, vineyards and businesses in the event that the bridge wasn’t built or came in over budget, or that the tolls couldn’t cover construction costs. i t wa s a big risk indeed.

There was still considerable doubt the Golden Gate Bridge could ever be built.

The Great Depression was in full swing, the bridge’s construction cost of $35 million was only an estimate, and with physical factors like swirling tides, channel depths, ranging winds and fog — not to mention countless other engineering challenges — there was still considerable doubt the Golden Gate Bridge could ever be built.

The latter half of the 1920s saw endless debating, campaigning, estimating and theorizing about constructing the Golden Gate Bridge. Marvelous Marin, a bridge booster group, distributed 10,000 “Bridge the Gate” bumper stickers. In San Anselmo, the Lions Club handed out windshield stickers asking, “Why Wait?” In discussions that would not be out of place today, conservatives argued for austerity, while progressives pushed for action.

The all-critical construction bond measure vote was finally set for November 4, 1930. Southern Paci fic Railroad, owners of most of the bay’s ferry lines, naturally opposed the issue. So did the American Steamship Lines, which erroneously declared that the bridge would be too low and thus keep “10 of the world’s greatest ships from entering San Francisco harbor.” The vaunted Commonwealth Club was also negative on the subject; so was a Taxpayers’ Committee Against the Golden Gate Bridge Bonds.

But other groups were in favor of the bond measure. In addition to Marvelous Marin and the San Anselmo Lions, most chambers of commerce within the fledgling district’s six counties, along with the emerging Automobile Dealers Association and the San Francisco Chronicle, backed the proposition. Their cause was given a strong boost when the bridge district voted unanimously to require the eventual contractors to hire only workers who had lived in one of the six counties for at least a year.

Only voters in the district’s six counties would be going to the polls. And if the $35 million, plus an additional $39 million in interest, could not be repaid via bridge tolls, liens would be issued against every county resident’s property as a way of making good on the debt. Moreover, passage of the measure required not a simple majority, but a two-thirds approval by voters. Given all this, the odds of passage were not good.

Yet once all votes were counted, the tally stood: 145,697 voted in favor of the bonds while 47,005 voted against. Therefore, the Golden Gate Bridge would be built. In celebration, “at three o’clock on November 12, 1930,” writes Allen Brown in his colorful 1965 book Golden Gate: Biography of a Bridge, “every store in Marin closed its doors so that all could attend a football game in San Rafael that featured an air show over the playing field.” The next day, according to Brown, Marvelous Marin staged a patriotic parade down Fourth Street to celebrate the passing of the bond.

Over time, due primarily to the efforts of San Francisco’s A.P. Giannini, founder of the Bank of America, the $35 million in bonds were successfully sold, earning interest of between 5 and 5.25 percent. Construction on the Golden Gate Bridge started on January 5, 1933 and was completed in May 1937. It came in on budget and, save a tiny portion built using Works Progress Administration funds, none of the money came from state or national sources — the project was all regionally funded.

The bridge officially opened on May 27, 1937, when as many as 200,000 people walked across it. A massive ceremonial car caravan crossed over, north to south, the next day. Thanks to tolls that ranged from 25 cents to a dollar, the $35 million in bonds were successfully retired in 1971. Delegates from the six counties who literally risked their homes and businesses to see the bridge built still serve on what is now the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District Board of Directors. Representing Marin are County Supervisors Judy Arnold and Kate Sears, Tiburon council member Alice Fredericks and Novato engineer and water consultant J. Dietrich Stroeh. Every day, more than 100,000 cars cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and it has been dubbed one of the modern wonders of the world. m

GThis

wasn’t easy, but now we are pleased to introduce our winner and the 12 finalists (in no particular order).

BY DANIEL JEWETT

WINNERS ARE.. WINNERS ARE.. And the

year in our annual cover contest we had more than 430 entries, highlighting some really exceptional artistic talent. Choosing

REG MARTIN’S PIECE caught our attention right away; the whimsy and sense of freedom it evoked seemed a perfect match for a Marin Magazine cover, and when we put the masthead on it and noticed that one of the figures was playfully interacting with our logo, we knew we had our 2012 contest winner.

“It is set on a road heading out to Tomales,” says Martin, a San Anselmo resident and native Marinite. “I liked the look of this field; it kind of looks like the High Plains.”

Martin, who has been painting since he was a child, notes his fi ne art pieces usually feature a bit of o° eat realism. “I always throw in something a little bohemian, something a little o˛ . I was looking at this scene for a while and then it popped into my head: two women walking on wires.”

When Martin discovers a scene like this, he first sketches it and then brings that sketch home to continue building out the image. After that, the process of transferring it to a painting begins. “I work in layers,” he explains. “For this I started with the sky, then added the clouds, then the background of grass, then the pole, then the wires, the girls and the truck; finally I added the grass in front.”

Martin has been featured in solo and group shows all across the country in places like the Cohen Rese Gallery in San Francisco, the Oakland Museum of California, the San Diego Museum of Art and Agora Gallery in New York City. This month, you can see more of his work at Gallery Bergelli in Larkspur, May 5–30, and meet him at an artist’s reception on May 11, 6–8 p.m.

˝ GET COVERED Meet Greg Martin and the finalists at our Get Covered Contest Celebration event May 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Town Center in Corte Madera. It’s a great chance to celebrate with the contest winner and to view art from this year’s Marin Open Studios participants.

GREG MARTIN

High Plains

40” x 60”, acrylic on canvas marinartist.com

a nise Gemmell Surrender #4

30” x 40”, photograph hellodeer.com

Anise Gemmell G ot her start in photography as the family historian chronicling trips, like one to Denali n at ional Park when she was eight. But now the s an r af ael resident and confessed thrift store junkie enjoys her job as the photography and online manager for the local s onnen auto dealership. Besides being able to “geek out on German engineering,” she really enjoys being able to drive the cars from m il l Valley to her s an r afael studio.

“ t hi s photograph is part of a series i am currently working on called ‘ s ur render,’ which is mostly made up of women holding white flags — in this picture i wanted to portray surrendering as a beautiful thing.”

Christin Coy

Torpedo at Four 10” x 10”, oil on panel christincoy.com

Christin Coy says it was her experience as a child growing up in n or way, a country with a rich traditionalart heritage and a deep respect for nature’s beauty, that inspired her to become a painter. a t age 14 Coy came to the United s tates, then went on to earn a degree in fi ne art from UC Berkeley, work for a landscape architect, move to n ovato, and fi nally, some 21 years ago, rekindle her love of painting. h er favorite subjects are animals.

“When i visited a l and Cathy Poncia’s ranch in t omales three years ago,” she recounts, “i was told the story of t orpedo, the bum lamb that was raised by a l’s mom, a nita. h e is just like a very large and wooly dog that loves to have his head and back scratched. When t orpedo was growing up, i was told, he preferred people to his own kind, but over time has adapted to his flock — yet he can’t resist a treat now and then from a friendly human.”

g reg r ag L and Rufous on Cream with Red and Blue 12” x 12”, acrylic on panel gregragland.com

FO

r M O re than 30 years, Greg r ag land has created art using a variety of media including metal, plastic, resin, fiberglass, wood, ceramic and paint. t he p ark City, Utah, resident exhibits at galleries across the country, including places like Gallery Bergelli in l arkspur, and his art is in many private, corporate and government collections. h e loves to present a modern take on wildlife art.

“ i crea te abstract color-field environments for the photo-realistic birds to exist within,” he says. “ t he se paintings are freeze-frame glimpses of nature’s creatures in abstracted color compositions. i ex perience nature by watching the fl ight of birds moving through the sky.”

r ichard Lindenberg

Kent Island 12” x 12”, oil richardlindenberg.com

Plein air painter r ichard l indenberg traces his inspiration to the work of early California impressionists such as e dg ar p ay ne, Maurice Braun and percy Gray as well as contemporary masters Scott Christensen, r andy Sexton, p aul Kratter, Kevin Courter and Kim l ordier. t he n ovato resident exhibits locally, is involved with many area art groups, and co-chairs the 100-year-old California a rt Club.

“i frequent West Marin often on painting trips,” he says. “Originally, this painting was smaller but the simple composition worked for me, so i blew it up to a larger version. i t features Kent i sland as seen from Wharf r oad in Bolinas looking toward Mount t amalpais in the background.”

Kim Ford Kitz Rodeo Beach

48” x 32”, oil on canvas kimfordkitz.com

Co M ing F ro M A family of artists, musicians, directors, actors and an art college president, k im Ford k itz was seemingly born for an artist’s life. But it wasn’t until her youngest child went to kindergarten that the s an Anselmo resident decided to return to art school and get back to her painting. w hen k it z isn’t painting she is designing sets and handling the art direction for local theater companies in Marin.

“i painted this abstract landscape from memory,” she says, “after spending a day out in the headlands, driving around and hiking in the hills surrounding r odeo Beach on a beautiful sunny day. w hen i paint a landscape i tend to use thick brushstrokes and bold color to restructure space and perspective.”

m ichael r yan Twilight Reflections 11” x 14”, photography wanderingiphotography.com

In his work Petaluma-based photographer Michael r ya n combines a love of creating images with his love for the natural world. The aim, he says, is not only to capture a fleeting moment in an artistic way, but also to inspire viewers to connect or reconnect with the beauty around them.

“This image was taken at the Marin Cheese Factory pond on an early January morning,” he says. “As a nature photographer i ’m always looking for compelling reflections, as they can be exceptional subjects. o n th is morning, conditions turned out to be excellent, with little or no wind and a nice bank of fog in the background. Moments like these are why i continue to photograph.”

CLEM MCCARTHY

Tomales Clam Digger 11” x 14”, watercolor clemmccarthy.com

CLEM MCCARTHY HAS been painting since he was “old enough to hold a brush.” The passion for art was fueled by an art teacher at Tamalpais High School and later by instructors at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. The Sausalito resident, who also spent time as an advertising art director and a creative director, now paints full time.

“This piece was inspired by the beauty and serenity of Tomales Bay — it’s always a draw for me,” he says. “I saw this lone figure digging for clams and captured it as best I could on paper. I like my paintings to tell a story.”

ANDREW FAULKNER REMEMBERS seeing the work of his parents’ artist friends on the walls when he was growing up and being dragged to many an art opening; he figures some of that must have sunk in. But the Mill Valley resident only paints — using a digital tablet, his preferred tool — for fun; in his other life he is a successful graphic artist who earned his chops as senior designer for Macworld magazine. You can now see his work in publications such as Sunset and The New York Times.

“My wife and I go out to Stinson Beach quite often to visit my father-in-law, who has a house at Seadrift,” he says. “Sometimes I’ll take a photo on my phone and create a painting from that. That’s what I did in this case. I liked the simplicity of all of the houses in a row and the runner as the only movement in the scene.”

ANDREW FAULKNER

Stinson Beach Runner 20” x 26”, digital painting afstudio.com/painting

Robert Gantt Steele had reached the end — as a licensed architect, he felt he had done about all he could do. So 32 years ago he put down the t square and picked up the easel.

t he l ar kspur resident loves to travel across the country with his wife to paint, or to paint at locations in Marin, or to paint with friends; in fact, he says he is always ready to paint just about anywhere.

“I painted this image from life and was inspired by the calm glow at the end of the day,” he recalls. “Had to hurry to catch the changing light. n o one seemed to be aboard. t he boat seemed to be past its prime; it was a little grimy but more charming because of it. I liked the dirty sail covers.”

r obert Ga ntt Steele Day’s End 9” x 12”, oil on panel robertgsteele.com

Debra m a DDox Tour de California

28” x 28”, oil on canvas and mixed media debramaddoxfineart.com

One of Debra Maddox’s best childhood memories was of sitting at the kitchen table drawing and painting with her dad and older sister, both of whom are also talented artists. “ t he absolute joy that I experienced in creating art has just been a part of my Dna ,” the Mill Valley resident says. Maddox enjoys painting by the large windows in her in-home studio and teaching classes to impart the love of art to children.

“During the last t our de California ev ent in Marin, I took several photographs with the hope that I would be able to use some of the images in a painting,” she recalls. “When I returned to my studio to begin creating the composition, I wanted to capture the thrill of the moment — one that we all as human beings have experienced.”

Geoff m eyer

Golden Gate Fall Afternoon

30” x 40”, oil and acrylic on canvas geoffmeyer.com

Geoff Meyer credi T s his mother, artist c ar olyn Meyer, with introducing him to the world of painting. The s an r af ael–based graphic artist likes to combine painting with overlapping images from his camera featuring the cities, bridges and buildings he has visited. He often excludes images of cars and people from his works, preferring to show a city in its raw form.

o f this image he says, “i realized that my day began and ended by crossing the g olden g ate Bridge. e ver yday i would transition from home life to work life and the bridge was my symbol for a safe passage. My linear style of art, mixed with heavy perspective and depth, worked perfectly to express how the bridge looks and feels.”

Gail m orris

The Field

48” x 48”, oil on canvas gailmorris.com

Discouraging professors convinced g ail Morris to change h er major from fine art to art history. i t wa sn’t much of a problem for the f airfax resident, who graduated and discovered even more things in life to be interested in, such as music, fi lm, photography, snorkeling and scuba diving. But everything “fell into place” when she decided to give painting another shot and make it her career.

“This (image) is an actual hay field near Highway 37,” she says. “My focus in creating this painting, and in all my paintings, is to reduce each landscape to its visual and emotional essence. The great color-field abstractionists as well as more traditional plein air landscape painters inform my work.”

Mother’s Day Brunch ( ) the Wright Way

A local chef creates a Marin-style Mother’s Day celebration.

by

Having been at the helm of the t avern at Lark Creek for nearly three years and at Calistoga Ranch before that, chef a aron Wright has had occasion to implement lessons he learned from his mother, who focused on simple cooking using the best ingredients possible. Meals were celebrations in his childhood home, and he will be carrying on this tradition with his own family by honoring his wife Sadie’s second Mother’s Day. i n keeping with his localsource cooking philosophy, Wright went to the Civic Center farmers’ market on a recent t hu rsday for ingredients to make the perfect Mother’s Day brunch. Care to duplicate his efforts? We’ve included recipes and a time line. e njoy.

Chef’s Shopping List

Thursday: m ar in CiviC Cen Ter

Farmers’ m ark e T

Asparagus

Baby greens

Marble potatoes

Onions, both green and yellow

Gypsy or bell peppers

Pattypan or starburst squash

Fresh large eggs

Strawberries

Farmstead blue cheese

Oranges

s a Turday: Gro Cer y s Tor e r un

Dungeness crab

Herbs, including chervil, chives, dill

Heavy cream

Mascarpone cheese

Chef’s Time Line

Weekend Prior

Check supplies

General shopping

Thursday BeFor e

Shop at farmers’ market

Freeze fruit ice cubes

Prepare mustard vinaigrette

Friday and s a Tur day

Bake biscuits

Prep vegetables

Cook vegetables

Set table

s unday m orn in G

Poach eggs

Cut strawberries

Whip cream

Grill asparagus

Assemble platters

Marble Potato Salad with Spring Herbs and Mustard Vinaigrette

Serves 8

i ngre D ients

3 pounds marble potatoes, or small red potatoes kosher salt

1½ cups extra-virgin olive oil

¼ cup whole-grain mustard

1 ounce sherry vinegar

1 ounce fresh lemon juice

1 cup canola oil

salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions

Potato s alad: Boil whole potatoes in salted water until fork tender, about 20–30 minutes. d rain and cool potatoes completely, then press them slightly to flatten. h eat ½ cup olive oil in a large skillet, about 3–5 minutes, add potatoes and lightly fry until golden brown. t ransfer to a towel and allow excess oil to drain. t oss potatoes with enough vinaigrette (see recipe, below) to coat the potatoes. Adjust seasoning and dressing amount as desired. t ransfer to a platter and garnish with fresh spring herbs.

m ustard Vinaigrette: i n a large bowl, whisk the mustard with the vinegar and lemon juice. Gradually whisk in the remaining 1 cup olive oil and the canola oil, and season with salt and pepper.

Garnish: 2 sprigs chervil, 6 sprigs chives, 2 sprigs dill

Grilled Asparagus and Blue Cheese

Serves 8

i ngredients

3 pounds asparagus, trimmed, blanched ex tra-virgin olive oil

kosher salt

baby lettuces

4 ounces Point Reyes blue cheese, crumbled aged balsamic vinegar

sea salt

d ir ections

a sparagus: Flash-blanch asparagus in salty boiling water for 15 seconds, then chill in ice water. Dry asparagus and drizzle with oil and kosher salt for the grill. Heat grill to 500°F, turn heat down and add asparagus. Rotate once, cooking 2–3 minutes on each side, then remove from grill and place on a serving platter.

Finish: Place greens next to asparagus, top with crumbled blue cheese, and drizzle with oil and vinegar. Season with sea salt.

Tip: To prevent flame-ups from the grill, start the grill on high, then turn to low before grilling.

Market Vegetable Hash with Dungeness Crab and Poached Farm Eggs

Serves 8

i ngre D ients

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

4 cups yellow onion, diced paprika salt (equal parts paprika and salt mixed)

3 cups gypsy pepper or red bell, ½-inch dice

3 cups pattypan or starburst squash, ½-inch dice

4 cups red potato, blanched, ½-inch dice

1 ½ cups e nglish peas

1 ½ cups green onions, thinly sliced

2 pounds d ungeness crab, meat and legs

8 farm eggs, poached

Directions

Hash: Add oil and onions to a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Season with paprika salt and cook until soft and slightly caramelized; transfer to a large mixing bowl. r ep eat with peppers, squash and potatoes, one at a time. Flash-blanch peas in salty water and shock in ice water. Mix the peas, green onions and crabmeat in with the sautéed vegetables, season with paprika salt and add to a casserole dish. Arrange crab legs and poached eggs on top of the vegetable mixture. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

e gg s: Crack eight fresh eggs into two small bowls (four eggs each) to avoid shells and to allow you to add the eggs to the water all at the same time. Bring a large pot filled with three inches of water to a boil, reduce to medium heat, and swirl water before adding eggs. Add eggs to the pot and cook for 3-5 minutes, depending on desired doneness, checking eggs with a slotted spoon. o nce eggs take shape, transfer them into a bowl of cool water.

Garnish: Chervil and minced chives. Tip: Poach eggs up to four hours before serving brunch, and store in cool water in fridge. Prep this dish in stages over two days, doing most of the work on Saturday.

Biscuits with Sweet Cream and Strawberries

Serves 8

i ngredients

3 ½ cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons butter, ice cold, cut into small cubes

3 ½ cups heavy cream, plus extra for baking

sanding or granulated sugar, for sprinkling

¼ cup mascarpone cheese

3 pints strawberries

½ cup orange juice

d irections

s weet Biscuit d ough: Combine flour, ½ cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer with the paddle on a low speed, add butter and mix until butter is broken into little pieces. (Can also be done by hand or in a food processor.) Add 1 ½ cups cream to the mix until the dough just comes together — do not overmix. Remove to a floured counter and roll dough to 1 inch thick. Using a floured round four-inch cutter, cut into eight biscuits; keep in fridge or freezer until ready to bake. Brush the top of each biscuit with a little cream and sprinkle with sanding or granulated sugar. Bake biscuits at 400°F for 20 minutes or until golden brown. If frozen, bake 30 minutes. Serve cool.

s we et c ream: Combine remaining 2 cups cream, ¼ cup sugar and mascarpone cheese in a mixing bowl. Whip until soft peaks form. Scoop onto biscuit with a warm spoon.

s trawberry m ix: Hull and slice strawberries, sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup sugar, and add orange juice; stir gently, just to combine. Keep berries in fridge until ready to serve.

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Destinations

the latest local travel deals and getaways plus journeys around the globe

Cooking With Mo M

Mother’s Day cooking class getaways offer more than just great recipes. story and photos by Veronica s oo ley

Throughout the years, my mother, Julie s ooley, has given me many useful cooking tips. a nd a lthough I’ve learned much from her, it is getting together and creating something in the warmth of the kitchen that I most remember.

s ome of the tips she has shared are practical — chill the bowl and beaters before whipping cream; freeze extra homemade pesto in ice cube trays for a quick sauce later — and many derive from her experience as a horticulturist. We often used fresh herbs she grew on the premises wherever we lived, including a nice garden she created outside our s an r afael home; it was there that Mom taught me to save herbs for the winter by cutting them and drying them on a cookie sheet in a slightly warm oven overnight.

While h amburger h elper and s wa nson

frozen dinners were standard fare on other family dinner tables, our mom fed us veal piccata, spaghetti alla carbonara (from her college semester abroad in Italy), baklava and tolcheni (which she learned to make as a young bride visiting in-laws in Macedonia). My mom loves to cook. s o when it came time for me to plan a special pre–Mother’s Day outing, a cooking class at the new state-of-the-art r amekins culinary facility in the s onoma Valley seemed like the perfect idea.

Besides catering and events, r amekins offers several types of cooking classes (handson, demonstration, kids’) featuring cuisines like French, Italian, a sian and Mexican — all taught by professional chefs using produce from the school’s nearby 5th s treet Farms. a lt hough we opted for the three-hour afternoon “s unday Dinner at Nonna’s t able” class ($95 per person), multiday options

are available, including a four-day culinary retreat for the ultimate foodie (starting at $3,900 per person) featuring trips to local wineries and sustainable farms, instruction on advanced culinary techniques from guest chefs, wine education with master sommeliers and a private dinner at French Laundry. o ur class, taught by award-winning r amekins executive chef Lisa Lavagetto, emphasized classic Italian specialties like braciole, ravioli, focaccia and zeppole and was in the “hands-on” mode: s tudents are encouraged to walk around to the different stations to try making each dish. t his format allowed for as much or as little direct involvement as desired. In our class, the participation spectrum ranged from one gentleman who chose to sample and sip his way through the preparations to a notetaking foodie who studiously made it to every station (more serious students should probably

Other Local Cooking Schools

1 Cavallo Point For four years, Cavallo Point has offered cooking classes with names like “San Francisco Cioppino,” “ t he N ew Vegan” and “Say Cheese!” — all held in one of Marin’s most beautiful settings. (Sausalito) cavallopoint.com

2 Holman r an C H t ucked away in Carmel Valley, h olman r an ch has acres of olive trees, a winery and horseback riding; now it’s also home to a new cooking series taught by chef Brandon Miller, “ i n yo ur Backyard,” focusing on local bounty. (Carmel Valley) holmanranch.com

3 PHil o a PPl e Farm t his rustic yet luxurious farmhouse and cooking school is a popular weekend destination offering two types of classes: serious and relaxed. i n both cases the tuition (not including lodging) covers meals, recipes, instruction and wine for the class. (Philo) philoapplefarm.com

4 Culinary i ns titute o F a me ri C a Classes at Ci A Greystone range from a five-hour “ t aste of Ci A Co okbooks” to the two-hour “Samplings and Wine e xplorations.” t he setup for each is the same: a hands-on team approach with a little help from a professional chef. d em os start at $15 per person. (Napa Valley) ciachef.edu

opt for the more intensive demonstration courses). The class ends with students sharing and celebrating the meal with other classmates and the instructor chefs.

As our class started, we gathered in the Ramekins dining room, where Lavagetto gave us an overview, introduced the sta , explained the kitchen and equipment and went over the recipes. We then received our aprons and watched her demonstrate how to make dough and prepare ravioli. We each chose a food prep station (my mother and I mastered the art of focaccia), but everyone managed to visit most of the stations. We learned to use roasted garlic rather than raw and got a sense of the ideal cooking time for a crispy focaccia crust with a soft interior.

While this class was billed as the less intense option, Lavagetto — who describes herself as “formerly Irish” and now firmly Italian — dispensed many words of wisdom. The recipes were passed down from her

husband’s “nonna,” who cooked in the hotels of Lake Como. “Taste and adjust” was one such tip: the chef explained that the source and freshness of many ingredients change the flavor, so measurements must be tweaked accordingly, even more so when a recipe calls for “some” of this or “a pinch” of that.

She also pointed out that it helps to gather and prepare all the ingredients prior to cooking, a technique known as “mise en place.”

When we chose our food stations, all the ingredients were measured and set up, which saved a lot of time. The wisdom here goes beyond mere logistics —as Lavagetto pointed out, the more you boil a protein the tougher it will be, and the longer you bake the focaccia, the crisper. She shared other tactics I had never thought of; for instance, she always adds carrot shreddings to her meatballs because they not only add a bit of sweetness, but also help with acid reflux.

We weren’t the only family duo in the class; among the 20 people in attendance were a son and mother and a couple, celebrating birthdays. At the end of the session, while most of the others left for home or a hotel, we opted to stay in one of Ramekins’ six on-site rooms. After a full day of cooking, we were happy to settle onto the balcony of our room with a glass of wine. The school is four blocks from Sonoma Square, so the walk into town is scenic and easy; the historic Estate restaurant, former home of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, is also close by.

As the evening wound down, we raised a glass for a toast, quoting yet another nugget recalled from Lavagetto’s class: “Food is love; food is family.” My mother and I couldn’t agree more.

Room rates start at $235 in high season (April–October) and individual cooking classes range from $80 to $240 per person; kids’ classes start at $55. ramekins.com m

r aised in a r izona People in Arizona no longer just drink wine; now they also bottle it. The Verde Valley of Sedona yields numerous grape varietals, attracting notice in a market that has previously overlooked the region. Fully guided valley tours are offered every Wednesday and Saturday for $170 per guest with transportation included. vvwinetrail.

com H ea TH er G e LL er T

Cowgirl Getaways

If opulent spas and city lights are not your thing, consider saddling up for a dude ranch — they aren’t just for guys anymore. H.G.

1

a

lisal r anch

a lisal r anch, in the Santa Ynez v al ley just north of Santa b arbara, keeps lodgers busy with golf, tennis, horseback riding and more. “Cowgirl b ootcamp,” May 6–9, provides gourmet meals and a picnic lunch, line dancing instruction, daily horseback rides, nightly live entertainment and archery lessons. $2,550 for two people, alisal.com

2 Hidden m eadow r anch

Known for unorthodox activity options like ice fi shing, snowshoeing and b b g un target shooting, Hidden Meadow r anch in Scottsdale, a ri z., is also a dogfriendly escape. t he “ Mother’s Day Cowgirl Getaway,” May 7–13, includes ladies’ horseback rides, all-girl cocktail receptions with appetizers, gourmet meals and a complimentary spa treatment. Starting at $545 for two people, hiddenmeadow.com

3 Paws Up Lodge

With 37,000 acres of land to play on, this luxurious guest ranch resort in Montana offers tentbased fitness, “yogalates” and an organic spa tucked in the woods. t he “Cowgirl u p” package includes a four-night stay with gourmet meals, a cattle-drive adventure for two, complimentary cowboy hats, massages and more. Starting at $5,103 for two people, pawsup.com

The New Nick’s It’s a new day at Nick’s Cove in m arshall along Highway 1. a fter ownership changed hands from the Kuleto Group (the folks behind Farallon and Epic Roasthouse) to a private investor, a decision was made to broaden the appeal of the restored historic bayfront cottages and restaurant. General manager Dena Grunt and her team got right to work, replacing the white tablecloths with recycled wood tabletops, adding live music and promoting former sous chef a ustin Perkins to top chef in the kitchen. The menu emphasizes local produce, locally raised goat, lamb, beef and chicken, fresh seafood and Tomales Bay oysters. nickscove.com mimi TOWLE

Discover Marin’s Hidden Jewel

Havana affair

a San a nselmo resident travels to Cuba’s capital town, and beyond.

story and photos by r ic hard Wheeler

d

When I told friends last fall I was going to Cuba, they invariably stopped whatever they were doing, tilted their heads and looked me in the eye with a measure of envy. Responses ranged from “I’ve always wanted to go there” to occasional disbelief, as in “why on earth would you want to go there?” Whatever the reaction, the fascination with and curiosity about Cuba were undeniable.

t his page: t he Callejón de h amel, a small alley in central h avana.

n ext page, from top:

t he famous m alecón seawall is a favorite gathering spot; the abandoned Jose m ar ti s tadium complex; a fruit vendor in Guanabacoa.

I suspect both responses stemmed from the lure of the forbidden. Cuba has been off-limits to Americans for so long that it seems a land waiting to be discovered. t here’s the old ’50s Chevys we see in pictures: Colorful and showy, they are still in everyday use there. o r it could be a desire to peer inside a solidly communist country (one of the last that remain). Maybe it’s the Ma fia legacy, symbolized in the scene in The Godfather: Part II where the mobsters divide up territory in Cuba by slicing a cake decorated with a map of the country on the terrace of the Capri h otel. Another symbol of that bygone era are the grand and ornate buildings slowly falling into ruin along the Malecón, the broad five-mile stretch of roadway hugging a seawall that stretches from the mouth of o ld h avana’s harbor to the downtown district Vedado. o r it could be the cult of Che Guevara, the early Cuban revolutionary and countercultural icon whose popular slogans are brightly inscribed on the only billboards one ca n fi nd in Cuba.

For the last 15 years Cuba has invested in its tourism infrastructure and, as a result, e uropeans and Canadians have flocked to the island’s lovely white-sand beaches. h otels and resorts, joint ventures between the Cuban government and large e uropean hotel chains, have sprung up along the cays and inlets well to the east of h avana. But for American tourists, at least for now, the only legal way to visit Cuba is to go with a cultural or people-to-people exchange trip. Getting the mandatory license for travel to Cuba isn’t as complicated as it may sound, however. In January 2011, the o ba ma administration relaxed the rules considerably: t he new category of “general” license allows travel for anyone signing on with a growing list of tour operators, universities and museums offering such trips.

t ou rs are organized around a theme or purpose, such as education, science, medicine, arts and music, or general cultural contact. Some stay close to h avana, like ours did, while others take you to cities and rural settings farther a field.

o ur agenda wa s fi lled with excursions to various local destinations — and it wasn’t to beaches or golf courses. o ur tour had the rather generic title “Getting to Know the Island Society and People.” e ach morning we enjoyed breakfast at e l Presidente, our hotel, which was built in the 1920s. t he marble interior, wide veranda and uniformed waiters, bellhops and bartenders recalled an earlier, more romantic time in its history. After breakfast, we climbed

aboard a Chinese-made YuTong bus piloted by Francisco. Hoji, our guide, would then extemporize, often in great detail, about the history and culture of the places we were soon to visit, which included common tourist highlights such as the fortress of San Carlos de la Cabaña, where a ceremonial cannon is fi red each night at 9 o’clock sharp. A group of Cuban soldiers, dressed as 18th-century Spaniards, reenact the erstwhile event that once signaled the nightly closing of the city gate.

After dark, we were free to enjoy the nightlife (where we could fi nd it) and walk the streets on our own. One night we got a taste of the music scene that inspired the popular Buena Vista Social Club album and fi lm, at a dinner show at the Cafe Taverna on the Plaza Vieja. The musicians played many of the tunes I was familiar with from the famous recording. It was a tourist-only crowd, other than the Cuban waiters and bartenders, the musicians and two wonderful salsa dancers, one of whom picked me out of the crowd as her partner to end one of the numbers. How am I going to pull this off ? I thought as she led me onto the floor. Drawing on my limited repertoire of salsa moves, I said to myself, Well, here we go, and proceeded to lead her around the floor like a pro. (At least that’s how I’ll remember it.)

Another day brought us to Ernest Hemingway’s home, Finca Vigia, near the village of Cojimar, a few miles east of Havana. The famous author lived here, on and off, from 1939 until his death in 1961. According to the guide, few things have changed since Hemingway last set foot in the house; his widow reportedly donated his property to the Cuban government soon after his death. The leopard and lion skins from Africa are there, and enshrined outside is his famous fishing boat Pilar

Cuba has its national mythology, as does every country. The Museum of the Revolution puts it all on display. Once the presidential palace of Fulgencio Batista, whom Castro overthrew in 1959, the museum contains documents and photographs, sculptures, paintings and statues that illustrate the history of Cuba’s revolutionary struggles from the poet Jose Marti to the Bay of Pigs and beyond. There is even a bust of Abraham Lincoln here. The marble wall above the grand entrance stairway is pockmarked with bullet holes, a legacy of an aborted political uprising in 1953. On another wall is a mural depicting in caricature the figures of three recent U.S. presidents whose reputations in Cuba have not fared well.

With the sanctioned tours’ emphasis on people-to-people exchange, visits to Cuba also include trips to areas off the beaten track. One of our excursions was to the organic farm at Alamar, a barrio on the outskirts of Havana. A rich red soil underlies rows of verdant crops on this organoponico, or urban farm. Organic agriculture arose out of necessity, during what Cubans call “the special period” in

the early to mid-1990s, when the demise of the Soviet u nion severed the country’s economic lifeline. From the scarcity of resources that followed, Cuba built up models of urban organic farming that were ahead of its time. In comparison, the bleak and crumbling r u ssian-built apartment blocks across the street did not appear so innovative.

In the village of r eg la, across the harbor, we entered the church of n uestra Señora de la Virgen de r eg la on the feast day of St. Lazarus, the 17th of December. n umerous practitioners of Santeria, wearing all-white clothing, partially fi lled the sanctuary. An Afro-Cuban religion, Santeria

Organic agriculture arose out of necessity, in the early to mid-1990s, when the demise of the Soviet Union severed the country’s economic lifeline. From the scarcity of resources that followed, Cuba built up models of urban organic farming that were ahead of its time.

exists today in some semblance of balance with the Catholic faith here. While the priest was baptizing young children at the font near the altar, worshippers lit candles in an alcove at the back of the church. They were leaving gifts of flowers beneath the statue of the Black Virgin, or, as her alter ego in the Santeria tradition is known, y emayá, the spirit of the oceans, protector of sailors and mother of all living things. In the nearby town of Guanabacoa, we visited a small museum devoted in part to the history of this religion and how it, and other similar African religions, evolved in Cuba. o n another day, we traveled west several hundred kilometers along the national highway to see the Viñales Valley, now a u ne SCo h istorical site and a Cuban national park. Dome-shaped limestone hills, called mogotes, dominate the geography here. The vistas are stunning and look similar to the famous karst landscapes of Vietnam and southern China. Between the mogotes lie the richest tobacco-growing lands in Cuba. At Benito Camejo’s farm on the valley floor, where his family has farmed since the 1840s, we watched his cousin Carlo roll up a few cigars from a sheaf of drying tobacco. He explained how tobacco is grown, stored and delivered. n inety-five percent of the crop goes to the government at a fi xed price; the farm retains the other 5 percent. We lit up the cigars he offered us before heading outside, where he showed off is prized pure-white fighting cock, now retired. A pair of jutias, or tree rats, which apparently are a delicacy in the countryside, waited patiently in their cages for him to slip them some corncobs.

Transpor Ta Tio n in Cuba is di fficult. Buses are crowded, unreliable and few in number. The railroad is almost nonfunctional, and it’s expensive. So that leaves the automobile. As we embarked on our two-hour trip to the town of Viñales (located in the north-central Pinar del r io P rovince), we passed many intersections outside Havana where people had gathered to hitch rides with passing cars. An official, dressed in yellow, serves as a kind of majordomo, flagging down cars with blue license plates — signifying that they are government-owned — that have empty seats. o nce stopped, the driver must give a lift to whoever wants to go in that direction and the rider is expected to contribute some money for gas. Sometimes, when the wait is long, travelers walk up the roadway waving peso bills at oncoming cars hoping to entice drivers with the lure of a small profit. Most Cubans say things are improving here, but, as the trip to Viñales revealed, it’s a slow process.

After lunch on our last day I decided to walk back to the hotel several miles away on my own. I charted a path through the narrow streets, deeper into the old city, hoping to emerge at the Malecón. Along the way, several people approached me. I had learned already that street hustlers are common here, as in every city, and so was prepared for whatever scam might emerge. I was guarded. They were eager to know where I was from, to try out their e nglish and, often but not always, to relate their stories of woe under Castro’s communism. I’d heard that in many cases these stories were ploys to gain sympathy with the aim of extracting a few Cu Cs (the Cuban convertible peso, used by foreign visitors) from tourists. I met a police officer, a street sweeper, a uniformed guard named Mario who was pulling down the flag over a small monument, and two young men selling some sort of liquid refreshments from a cart along the Malecón.

There is a quality of naïveté about the people here, as though they have been cut off from the world for so long that they have not yet developed the toughness and cynicism that arises under the heat and pressures of capitalism. They are, however, seasoned in surviving under communism. This requires an altogether different form of toughness that was conveyed to me several times during my walk. n ee dless to say, by the time I reached the hotel I had given away all my spare coins.

Travel is, at heart, a process of discovery, and Cuba offers an opportunity to explore new territory and deepen your understanding of your place in the world. At fi rst I had thought a structured trip might not be the best way to journey into this terra incognita, but what I found once the trip began is that it fit well with my desire to go beneath the surface of things and discover, if only for a brief time, the pulse of a country hidden away from us for far too long. m

If You Go

Many organizations are now authorized by the U.S. to offer trips to Cuba. The first trip under the new guidelines was in August 2011 and, since then, interest in travel to Cuba has mushroomed and many organizations have applied and received licenses to host peopleto-people trips. Costs can vary widely, but range from $1,500 to more than $5,000 for an eight- or nine-day trip. Some include airfare from either the United States or Cancun, Mexico, while others do not. Here are a few of the most experienced outfits (starting with the organization that led this trip):

Cuba Education Tours cubaexplorer.com

Global Exchange globalexchange.org/tours/by-country

I nsight Cuba insightcuba.com/cuba-tours

N ational Geographic Society nationalgeographicexpeditions.com

{University A lumni Programs and M useums}

Stanford University alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/travel-study/overview

UC Berkeley alumni.berkeley.edu/travel/cal-discoveries/latin-america/cuba

University of Michigan alumni.umich.edu/get-active/true-blue-travel/travel-itineraries/2012/Cuba

American Museum of Natural History amnhexpeditions.org/home

Out & About

CALENDAR / o N T HE SCENE / DINE

Calendar

gallerie S

a rth aus First international mobilephone photography awards exhibition, through June. 411 Brannan St, 415.977.0223, arthaus-sf.com

THEATER

t hrough m ay 6 Swipe Presented by Smuin Ballet, this piece features the choreography and writing of Val Caniparoli set to a remix of music by Gabriel Prokofiev. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF). 415.556.5000, smuinballet.org

ma y 6 t he Stronger, p ariah, and Simoon Three one-act plays showcasing August Strindberg’s

innovative gifts. Cutting Ball Theater (SF). 415.292.4700, cuttingball.com

ma y 17–J un 17 t he n ight of the i guana Ross Valley Players depict this tale of redemption set in an exotic Mexican coastal jungle. Barn Theatre (Ross). 415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.com

ma y 20 t he Keys to h eaven A man’s surreal journey through biblical places and his encounters with

historic literary characters. Cutting Ball Theater (SF). 415.292.4700, cuttingball.com

ma y 20–J un 17 t he m usic m an See the Tony Award–winning musical in the Mountain Play’s acclaimed outdoor theater. Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.1100, mountainplay.org

ma y 24–J un 9 Show Choir! t he m usical A mockumentary portraying young singers’ and directors’ struggle for national recognition. The Theater at Children’s Creative Museum (SF). 415.749.2228, act-sf.org

ma y 24–J un 17 g od of Carnage Watch adults behave like children in this acclaimed Broadway comedy. Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5208, marintheatre.org

may 24–J un 17 n oises o f f Novato Theater Company’s production of a play within a play. Novato Theater Company Playhouse (Novato). 415.883.4498, novatotheater company.org

Com E dy

t ue S day S m ark p it ta 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

ma y 6 S .F. Comedy Showcase Laugh with the Bay Area’s best stand-up comics, many of whom are veteran late-night television regulars. Punchline (SF). 415.397.7573, punchlinecomedy club.com

dA n CE

t hrough m ay 6 d on Quixote S.F. Ballet brings new scenery and costumes designed by Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz to this romantic tale set in Spain. War Memorial Opera House (SF). 415.865.2000, sfballet.org

m USIC t ue S day S Swing Fever The band pays tribute to jazz artists and composers, playing selections from its roster of over 1,000 tunes ever y fi rst

and third Tuesday. Panama Hotel (San Rafael). 415.457.3993, panamahotel.com

t ue S da y S 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

ma y 4 John Santos The five-time Grammy nominee performs with his sextet. George’s (San Rafael). 415.226.0262, georgesnightclub.com

ma y 6 l it tle Kids r ock b enefit Grammy Award–winning musician Shelby Lynne headlines the all-ages event supporting the nonprofit's free music lessons and instruments for underprivileged youth in public schools. George’s (San Rafael). 415.226.0262, georgesnightclub.com

ma y 6 , 8 b eethoven and the b ridge Alasdair Neale conducts this musical tribute celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marinsymphony.org

ma y 9 X-35 Thirty-five years after its inception, the punk band X plays its 1970s hits. Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.3850, sweet watermusichall.com

L d

ma Y 10-12 Barbary Coast and Beyond: m usic from the Gold r ush to the PanamaPacific Exposition The San Francisco Symphony highlights the city’s musical heritage with selections from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s. Davies Symphony Hall (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org

ma Y 18 Firewheel The band rocks out with a blend of urban rock, country and folk music, with special guests The Overcommitments. George’s (San Rafael). 415.226.0262, georgesnightclub.com

ma Y 18 Beat the Drum, Dance and Sing Explore rhythms and dances from di fferent cultures, including folksong and contemporary

compositions. Old St. Hilary’s (Tiburon). 415.435.1853, land marks-society.org

ma Y 20 Young a rtists

Concert, m arin m usic

Chest Listen to talented young performers while supporting Marin Music Chest’s endeavors on behalf of music students. Mill Valley Chamber Music Society (Mill Valley). 415.381.4453, chamber musicmillvalley.org

GALLERIES

MARIN

a cacia Gallery Ongoing work by Kathleen Lipinski, Steve Emery and Birgitta Kappe. 4162 Redwood Hwy, San Rafael. 415.479.3238, acaciagallery.net

through May 26. 1408 Mission Ave, San Rafael. 415.485.3328, falkirkculturalcenter.org

Gallery Bergelli New work from Greg Martin as well as a group show from gallery artists. 483 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.945.9454, bergelli.com

Gallery r ou te One Emergences Sculpture by Mimi Abers and “Through Our Eyes,” a Latino photo project, through May 13. 11101 Hwy One, Point Reyes Station. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org

m arin a r ts Ongoing work. 906 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.666.2442, marinarts.org

Swipe at Yerba Buena Center for the a rts

a r t a bloom Studio and Gallery Oil paintings by Gabriella Spina Drake and classes for artists. 751 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.256.1112, artabloom.com

a rt Works Downtown Surface Design A sculpture and mixed media display created by Virginia Breier. 1337 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.451.8119, artworksdowntown.org

Claudia Chapline Gallery The work of Fred Blackman, Claudia Chapline, Italo Scanga and Harold Schwarm. 3445 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach. 415.868.2308, cchapline.com

Falkirk Cultural Center Falkirk’s Annual Juried Exhibition Featuring local artists,

m arin Society of a r tists Spring Rental Show Rent for three months any art displayed at this exhibit, May 6−20. 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross. 415.454.9561, marinsocietyofartists.org

m ona Lease Gallery Paintings by Karen Worth are featured as well as work from artists in the gallery’s spring catalog. 39 Greenbrae Boardwalk, Greenbrae. 415.461.3718, monalease.net

n or thbay a rtWorks Marin Open Studios, May 5–6. 7049 Redwood Blvd, Ste 208, Novato. 415.892.8188, northbayartworks.com

O’Hanlon Center for the a r ts Works by Virginia Fauvre, Kris Gordon, Gail Robertson, Jeremy Thornton, Barry Toranto, Jhaya Warmington and Julia Javrotsky. 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.4331, ohanloncenter.org

r obert a llen Fine a rt Northern California Landscapes and Cityscapes A group exhibition of plein air and studio works on canvas and panels, featuring Heather Capen, Peter Loftus, John Maxon, Larry Morace, Davis Perkins, Richard Schloss,

J. Thomas Soltesz and Wendy Schwartz. 301 Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.2800, robertallenfineart.co

r obe rt Beck Gallery Ongoing exhibits. 222 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.456.7898, beckgallery.org

r obert Green Fine a r ts Abstract works by Paul Jenkins. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.8776, rgfineart.com

r ock Hill Gallery Watercolors by Jeannie Vodden. 145 Rockhill Dr, Tiburon. 415.435.9108, ccctiburon.net

Seager Gray Gallery Art of the Book Show The 17th annual show of all things book-related. 23 Sunnyside Ave, Mill Valley. 415.384.8288, seagergray.com

• ma Y 12 r oss Garden Tour e xplore spectacular gardens complete with sculptures, e ng lish roses and expansive lawns. Ross School (Ross). 415.457.2705, rossgardentour.org

Smith a ndersen n ort h Who Was Lenny Z? Photographs and drawings by Leonard Zielaskiewicz. 20 Greenfield ve, San Anselmo. 415.455.9733, smithandersen north.com

Studio 333 Ongoing exhibition featuring more than 40 Bay Area artists working in different medium. 333A Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.8272, studio333.info

Studio 4 a r t Work by local artists; classes and workshops with materials included. 1133 Grant Ave, Novato. 415.596.5546, studio4art.net

The i mage Flow Group Work by Stuart Schwartz, Barbara Hazen and Tim Porter. 401 Miller Ave, Ste F, Mill Valley. 415.388.3569, theimageflw.com

The Painters Place

Work from fie local painters of North Bay landscapes, through May 12. 1139 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.461.0351, thepaintersplace.com

San Franci Sco Berggruen Gallery

The work of Joel Shapiro, through May 19. 228 Grant Ave, 415.781.4629, berggruen.com

Cain Schulte Gallery

Elins Eagles-Smith

Crossover Sculptures by Gyongy Laky. 251 Post St, 415.543.1550, cainschulte.com

Gallery New works by Raphaelle Gothalls. 49 Geary St, 415.981.1080, eesgallery.com

George Krevsky Gallery

Artistic Visions of the Golden Gate Bridge Honoring the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, May 3−June 9. 77 Geary St, 415.397.9748, georgekrevsky gallery.com

Gregory Lind Gallery

Paintings by Barbara Takenaga, May 3− June 16. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, gregorylindgallery.com

m eyerovich Gallery

Lantern Flowers New works from Donald Sultan, through June 18. 251 Post St, 415.421.7171, meyerovich.com

Paul m ah der Gallery Paintings by Elena Zolotnitsky. 3378 Sacramento St, 415.474.7707, paulmahdergallery.com

r ena Bransten Gallery Drawings from

Amparo Sard, through June 2. 77 Geary St, 415.982.3292, rena branstengallery.com

Weinstein Gallery Ongoing exhibits. 301 Geary St, 415.362.8151, weinstein.com

MUSEUMS

M arin

Bolinas m useum

Mother’s Day/Dia de las Madres Fiesta Enjoy music, food and dancing in celebration of mothers around the

world, May 13 (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org

m arin History m useum Garden Party in Honor of the Bridge’s 75th Anniversary Celebrate the birthday of the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge with games, crafts, music and dancing, May 6 (San Rafael). 415.454.8538, marinhistory.org

m arin m useum of Contemporary a rt Third Annual Altered Book and Book Arts Show Examine a display of sculptures, hanging mobiles and collages made with redesigned old books, through May 26 (Novato). 415.506.0137, marinmoca.org

m arin m useum of the a me rican i ndian Explore the history, languages, art and traditions of Native Americans (Novato). 415.897.4064, marinindian.com

BAY AREA

Conservatory of Flowers This unique living museum features rare and exotic plants and flowers (SF). 415.831.2090, conserv atoryofflowers.org

Contemporary Jewish m use um California Dreaming Explore the history of the Bay Area’s Jewish community with a documentary video and photographs, through October 16 (SF). 415.655.7800, thecjm.org

de Young The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk

See a presentation of 30 animated mannequins

displaying the provocative designs of Jean Paul Gaultier, through August 19. Also Arthur Tress: San Francisco

1964, a rediscovered lost body of photographic works depicting San Francisco locals during a politically and culturally exciting

time, through June 3 (SF). 415.750.3600, deyoung.famsf.org

Sutter Pacific now provides online tools to manage your health. You can email your doctor, request an appointment, view lab results and renew prescriptions. Our doctors, who are part of the Sutter Health network, are affiliated with some of the most respected hospitals in the region and provide quality care at locations near you.

Request a primary care appointment online – even for new patients

Primary care and specialty doctors throughout Marin

Same day appointments available

di r osa Preserve Cycle

Hung Liu challenges the documentary authority of historical Chinese photographs by painting the same subjects, through June 10 (Napa). 707.226.5991, dirosapreserve.org

Exploratorium

Interactive exhibits provide an ongoing exploration of science, art and human perception (SF). 415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu

Legion of Honor The Cult of Beauty: The Victorian Avant-Garde, 1860-1900 An exploration of the British Aesthetic movement with a focus on its beginning with a small circle of progressive artists and poets and ending with its arrival

in the middle-class home, through June 17 (SF). 415.750.3600, legionofhonor.org

m useum of the a frican 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

San Francisco m useum and Historical Society My Vision of My Favorite Bridge View the entries in this art competition for Bay Area students celebrating the Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th birthday, May 4−6 (SF). 415.537.1105, sfh istory.org

San Francisco m useum of Craft and Folk a rt Only Birds Sing the Music of Heaven in This World This exhibition, organized by artist Harrell Fletcher, explores the relationship between art and agriculture from a variety of perspectives, through July 7 (SF). 415.227.4888, mocfa.org

SFm Oma Mark

Bradford Billboard paper, posters, newsprint and more play into Mark Bradford’s abstract paintings made from fragments of the urban environment, through June 17 (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org

Yerba Buena Center for the a rt s Super 8 Eight artists from eight cities across the globe share their videos in a multichannel format, through July 7 (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org

EVENTS

TH r O ug H m a Y 28 San Francisco Decorator Showcase View the works of top interior and landscape designers at this premier display. 2020 Jackson St (SF). 415.447.5830, decoratorshowcase.org

ma Y 3 m arin i nterfaith Council Prayer Breakfast Celebrate all faiths in the community. Congregation Kol Shofar (Tiburon). 415.456.6957, marinifc.org

ma Y 5 The a rt Deco Preservation Ball This 75th birthday party for the Golden Gate Bridge features artistic images of the iconic bridge and popular music from the era when it was built. Bimbo’s 365 Club (SF). 415.982.3326, artdecosociety.org

Carnaval and g rand Parade in San Francisco

• ma Y 31 Daughtry Rock out with the multiplatinum band during the San Francisco stop of its “Break the Spell” tour. Warfield (SF). 415.345.0900, thewarfield theatre.com

ma Y 5–6, 12–13 m arin Open Studios Visit local artists’ studios to view or purchase works, meet the artists and enjoy hors d’oeuvres. Various locations (Marin), marinopenstudios.com

ma Y 9 a nniversary Dinner Celebrating 31 Years of Building Homes and Hope in the Tenderloin Cocktails, live music, dinner and a program emceed by ABC-7 anchor Cheryl Jennings. Hilton Union Square (SF). 415.358.3906, tndc.org

ma Y 12 m arin Human r ace Run a 5K course with 4,000 locals and enjoy music, activities and a pancake breakfast to benefit local

nonprofits and schools. Fairgrounds and Lagoon Park (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marinhumanrace.org

ma Y 12 Greg Borelli’s m ay m adness Classic Car Parade and r ockin’ Street Dance Relive the ritual of cruising in a 1950s and ’60s nostalgia-fest featuring hundreds of classic, custom and vintage cars. Fourth Street (San Rafael). 415.388.7208, downtownsanrafael.org

ma Y 12 The Great r ussian r iver r ace Watch the world’s top canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding athletes race down the Russian River. Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach (Healdsburg).

of

Join Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) and celebrated California landscape artists for an inspiring art show and organic, farm-to-table lunch benefitting farmland conservation.

The art show has raised more than $1 million to protect at-risk farmland.

MAY 19TH MAY 19 TH , 2 PM – 5 PM & MAY 20 TH

707.433.1958, great russianriverrace.com

ma Y 12 m arin General Hospital Foundation

Gala Benefit Emergency and Trauma Services by attending this black-tie event with food, live entertainment and a “Feria de España” theme. Marinship Park (Sausalito). 415.925.7770, maringeneral.org

ma Y 15 Speak to m e C onversations, wine and appetizers with successful Bay Area women. This month Laura Carstensen, Ph.D., discusses her book about happiness, health and fi nancial security. Community Center (Mill Valley). 415.888.2329, speaktomeevents.com

ma Y 16 a ndy Cohen, Bravo’s r eality TV

m ogul: From Project r unway to Top Chef to The r eal Housewives

The reality television guru recounts his experiences in the world of pop culture. S.F. Club O ffice (SF). 415.869.5909, commonwealthclub.org

ma Y 16–20 San

Francisco Fine a rt Fair

View the best of the Bay Area’s contemporary art in a spacious display of sculptures, installations and live performances. Festival Pavilion (SF). 415.345.7575, fortmason.org

ma Y 18–19 Kitchens with a View and Cooking Too Walk along historic San Carlos Avenue and explore seven kitchens with views of Sausalito to benefit Sausalito Woman’s Club Preservation Society. San Carlos Ave (Sausalito). 415.332.2700, sausalito womansclub.org

ma Y 19 Pixie Park

Spring Fair A day of fun for children, including pony rides, a giant slide, a petting zoo, face painting and much more. The Marin Art & Garden Center (Ross), pixiepark.org

ma Y 19 Uncorked!

The Ghirardelli Square

Wine Festival Taste and learn about Northern

California wine while enjoying music and cooking demonstrations. Ghirardelli Square (SF). 800.310.6563, sresproductions.com

ma Y 19–20 m a LT a r t Show and a r tisan Cheese Tasting Artists gather to paint landscapes in West Marin in support of farmland protection.

Druids Hall (Nicasio). 415.663.1158, malt.org

• California a cademy 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. Explore scientific elements as they relate to the Golden Gate Bridge, May 24 (SF). 415.379.8000, calacademy.org

ma Y 20 m arin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance

Peruse a nationally recognized display of rare and classic cars. Marin Civic Center (San Rafael). 415.479.7727, marinsonoma concours.org

ma Y 20 Storybook Ball

Children will experience the world of Alice in Wonderland with dancing, treats, face painting and characters in costume. Community Center (Mill Valley). millvalleylibrary.org

ma Y 23 –OCT 28

Before the Bridge: Sight and Sound at the Golden Gate Immerse yourself in this visual and audio story of life in the Presidio before the Golden Gate Bridge. Presidio (SF). 415.561.5418, presidio.gov

ma Y 24 The Golden Gate Bridge at 75: What m akes an i con Explore the iconic history, meanings

and signi ficance of the Golden Gate Bridge. SF Club O ffice (SF). 415.869.5909, commonwealthclub.org

ma Y 25–27 m arin

Greek Festival Partake of authentic homemade Greek food along with live music, cooking demonstrations and other activities celebrating Greek culture. College of Marin Indian Valley Campus (Novato), 415.883.1998, maringreekfestival.com

ma Y 26 Golden Bridge a nniversary Celebrate the bridge on “Family Park Day” with exhibits, artifacts, bike trips and talks about the iconic landmark. Crissy Field (SF). goldengatebridge75.org

ma Y 26 Golden Gate Bridge m ovie n ight Relax with an evening of movies featuring the Golden Gate Bridge. Presidio (SF). 415.561.5418, presidio.gov

ma Y 26–27 San Francisco Carnaval and Grand Parade A large multicultural celebration complete with parade, food and live entertainment. 24th and Bryant streets (SF). 415.642.1748, sfcarnaval.org

ma Y 27 Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th a nniversary Celebration at Pier 39 Mark the bridge’s 75th with live 1930s music and free swing dance lessons. Pier 39 (SF). pier39.com

ma Y 27 m uir Beach Volunteer Firemen’s Barbeque This event honoring the Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department features local musicians, barbecued chicken, prizes and children’s activities. Picnic Grounds (Muir Beach). 415.384.0683, muirbeach fi re.com

ma Y 27 23rd a nnual Larkspur Flower and Food Festival Celebrate the start of summer with bouquets, tasty gourmet food samples, live music and kids’ activities. Magnolia Ave (Larkspur). 415.924.3803

ma Y 27 Golden Gate Bridge 75th a nniversary Live music, classic cars, a watercraft parade and educational presentations. Fort Mason Center (SF). 415.345.7575, fortmason.org

ma Y 29 n ancy Pelosi, Democratic House Leader: Commemorating 25 Years in Congress Converse with the in fluential leader as she reflects on her political career. Fairmont Hotel (SF). 415.869.5909, commonwealth.org

film

ma Y 5 Family Day at the m ovies Marin Charitable presents the fourth annual event offering free entertainment, a ra ffle, a silent auction, face painting and a showing of the movie Rio. Lark Theater (Larkspur). 415.924.1659, marincharitable.org

ma Y 11–13 Sausalito Film Festival Watch features, shorts, animation and documentaries from around the globe. Cavallo Point (Sausalito). 415.887.9506, sausalito fi lmfestival.com

ma Y 22 Shorts in Brief: a Pixar Family Film Festival An exclusive presentation of awardwinning animated shor t fi lms created by Pixar. Smith Rafael Film Center (San Rafael). 415.454.1222, ca fi lm.org

nature walks & talks

ma Y 5 Howl to the Full m oon Hike Hike down the Southern Marin Line Fire Road in celebration of National Pet Week. Learn about trail etiquette and explore the area. Baltimore Canyon Preserve (Greenbrae). 415.473.2816, marin humanesociety.org

ma Y 16 m arin Scuba Club Dan Kiely discusses his solo kayak adventures in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. The Flatiron Saloon (San Rafael). 415.456.5628, marin scuba.org

Marin Magazine Celebrates ART!

This year we’re excited about our renewed partnership with Marin Open Studios, the popular art exhibit that takes place two weekends in May — May 5–6 and May 12–13, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m — throughout Marin County. Below is a sampling of Marin artists who will be opening their studios for public viewing.

Latchezar Boyadjiev is a renowned glass sculptor whose work is part of major museums in the USA and Europe including the permanent collection of the White House. He is exhibiting in major galleries throughout the USA and is in private collections on all continents.

Latchezar Boyadjiev Studio

Open Studios: May 5 & 6; 11am-6pm Novato, CA

415.883.2025

LatchezarBoyadjiev.com

A plein air painter specializing in Northern California scenes, Kay’s colorful brushstrokes instantly usher her viewers into an emotional connection with the vineyards, waterfront, and panoramic coastlines she calls home. Her artworks in the Impressionist tradition express how light transforms color. Visit her studio or website for information on classes, workshops, and lectures.

Kay Carlson

Open Studios: May 12 & 13, 11am-6pm

415.331.9520 Sausalito, CA KayCarlson.com

I work with various types of media, but the common ground is encaustics – an ancient medium using beeswax, dammar crystals and oil-based pigment. The process of melting, applying, carving and fusing translucent and opaque layers is physical, focusing and intense. Each piece reflects this, inviting a close and intimate art experience.

Nancy Pollock

Open Studios: May 5 & 6

415.721.7752 San Rafael, CA nancypollockart.com

Emerging artist specializing in original high quality limited edition bronze sculptures. Explore these extraordinarily-detailed distinctive pieces at the website listed below and be among the first to collect these rare sculptures. In-home showings are available upon request.

Margaret V. Tavares 916.451.7866

margaretvtavares.com sculpture@margaretvtavares.com

• Picco California Dishes like mini-burgers and seasonally driven menu items, along with risotto made every half hour, have kept people coming back. 320 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.0300, restaurantpicco.com

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

Boca Pizzeria Italian Good luck getting a seat at this new indooroutdoor family-friendly pizzeria in the Village at Corte Madera. Owners Shah Bahreyni and Sam Ramadan’s 142seat eatery features Neapolitan-style pizza topped with imported San Marzano tomatoes and fresh house-made mozzarella. Other menu items, made with local ingredients, include roasted leg of lamb salad, beet salad, grilled eggplant sandwich and portabello and porchini mushroom ravioli. 1544 Redwood Hwy, 415.924.3021, bocapizzeria.com

Brick & Bottle

California Sourcing local and artisanal 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

c ham Pagne 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

i l Fo rnaio 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

m ar in Joe’s Italian Authentic Italian dishes have been served here for over 50 years. Pick from soup, salad, seafood, mesquite-grilled or sautéed meats and more than 10 pasta options guaranteed to satisfy. Have a drink and hear local musicians at the well-known piano bar. 1585 Casa Buena Dr, 415.924.2081, marinjoesrestaurant.com

Paci Fic c atc h Pana sian The well-priced menu here offers a bounty of fresh-grilled items and Paci fic Rim—inspired small or main plates, including generously portioned wasabi bowls fi lled with rice (white or brown), veggies and your choice of chicken, beef and cooked or raw fih. 133 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.3474, pacificcatch.com

SE a Thai Bi STro

A sian SEA stands for Southeast Asian, and co-owner and executive chef Tony Ounpamornchai infuses his cooking with Thai and other Asia n 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

Th E Co un TE r 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 415.924.7000, thecounterburger.com

FAir FA x

123 Bolina S 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. 123 Bolinas St, 415.488.5123, 123bolinas.com

i ro n Spring S p u B & B r E w E ry Ame rican

Grab a beer and a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich — which one Chronicle reviewer calls “the best mushroom dish I have ever tasted.” 765 Center Blvd, 415.485.1005, ironspringspub.com

Greenbr Ae

Bi STro Vi S à V i S California This Bon Air Shopping Center eatery features the cooking of Michelinstar-rated chef Mike Fredsall. 282 Bon air Ctr, 415.925.4370, bistrovisavis.com

w ip Eou T Bar & g ri ll American The family-friendly hot spot has sur fb oards 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

Kent

Field

h alf Day Caf E

American A tuckedaway setting of intertwining ivy and large open windows makes a perfect breakfast nook that’s also open for brunch and lunch. The menu includes lattes, exceptional pastries and much more. The place is casual and can get crowded on the weekends. Dine on the outdoor patio or inside. 848 College Ave, 415.459.0291, halfdaycafe.com

pa Cifi C Ca f E S eafood

For 37 years, customers have been coming to this 115-seat casual restaurant for the fresh seafood and superior customer service.

The owner is friendly and welcoming; as a Yelp reviewer commented, “It felt like we

The Perfect Margarita

Two culinary stars come up with a delicious drink and more.

In celebration of the opening of Sausalito’s new Copita, a joint venture of restaurant veteran Larry Mindel and chef and cookbook writer Joanne Weir, we decided to share a recipe for the perfect margarita. A longtime resident of Sausalito, Mindel has wanted to open an authentic Mexican restaurant offering seasonal dishes and fresh produce from his garden for many years. After he tasted one of Weir’s “perfect” margaritas, plans were set in motion to open a restaurant together. Weir, who previously cooked at Chez Panisse, is a James Beard Award–winning cookbook author and the host of Joanne Weir’s Cooking Confience on PBS. The word copita refers to a small glass used to taste tequila — seems like the right moniker for their new place. mimi TOWLE

r Ecip E

Joanne Weir’s Classic Libation

Serve S 1

i ngredients

2 o unces of 100 percent agave tequila of your choice

¾ ounce agave nectar

¾ ounce water

1 ounce lime juice

To prepare: pla ce all ingredients in a shaker with plenty of ice. Shake vigorously for five seconds. pour into a highball glass and serve. According to Weir, a salt rim is optional but not traditional. “ i go both ways but mostly unsalted,” she adds.

One Planet Granola

Rana Madanat knows the expression “share the love” very well. After years of serving pastries at her cafe in Ross and starting Growing With Books, a nonprofit that promotes literacy, she and daughter Sandra are mixing up another adventure — artisan granola.

risotto and burgers. Now offering a pri x fi xe menu every monday. 38 Miller Ave, 415.381.7321, balboacafe.com

Boo Koo Asian The menu offers something for every eater — vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, carnivore. Menu items include chicken pho, vegan summer rolls, pad thai and fivespice pork satay — all made with organic, locally produced veggies and proteins from vegetarian-fed, sustainably raised sources. 25 Miller Ave, 415.888.8303, eatbookoo.com

Bungalow 44

American Much like sister restaurant Buckeye Roadhouse, Bungalow 44 offers a mean dose of homey carbo- and lipid-laden

One Planet Granola is made from all-organic ingredients. Find it at Woodlands Market in Kentfield, Mill Valley Market, Cafe on the Common in Ross, and online. oneplanetgranola.com h eather g ell ert

dishes, such as the burger, fried chicken and tru ffle fries, as well as a few lighter items. 44 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500, bungalow44.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 r ist orante i ta liano 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,

parties of 12. 507 Miller Ave, 415.388.3474, hawkstavern.com

h ar mony Chinese Dishes here are an infusion of many fl avors. The barbecue pork bun is fi lled with house-made roasted meat in a savory 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

p ia zza 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

large groups and anything in between.

Owned by Roberto Zecca and chef Duilio Valenti, both from Milano, the kitchen uses local and organic ingredients. The popular happy hour starts at 4:30. 152 Shoreline Hwy, 415.289.5777, frantoio.com

h aw K ’s t av ern

American Pop into this country-style tavern for a quick snack —a fresh-baked pretzel or sautéed red kale — or settle down for a farmto-table meal. The 18 dishes on the menu include bangers and mash (here done with organic pork sausage and buttermilk mashed potatoes) and Scottish salmon with blackeyed peas and garlic aioli. A private dining room is available for

s hore line Co FFee s hop Ame rican Tucked away in a parking lot at Tam Junction, this Mexican coffee shop is (to quote one Yelper) a “funky diner” with a small-town feel. Mexican grilled cheese, open-face meat loaf sandwich and local/ organic tuna tostadas are just a few of the menu selections, a mix of Mexican and traditional breakfast fare. 221 Shoreline Hwy, 415.388.9085

19 Corte Madera Ave, 415.388.3850, sweet watermusichall.com

t a malpie Italian Traditional pizzas from a 1,500-year-old recipe, with organic ingredients gathered from the farmers’ market twice weekly. Sit indoors or out; enjoy starters like creamy polenta, salads, and pies with names like Hoo-kooE-koo and Railroad Grade. 477 Miller Ave, 415.388.7437, tamalpiepizza.com

p ia tti r is torante an D Bar Italian The staff rides 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. 625 Redwood Hwy, 415.380.2525, piatti.com

r o Bat a g ri ll an D s ushi 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

s up er Duper Burger a mer i C a n “Fast food burgers, slow food values” is this burger joint’s motto. Prepared with 100 percent allnatural beef that’s ground fresh daily, these burgers will make your mouth water. Pies and cookies are baked in house, and shakes, in such fl avors as cookies and cream and double chocolate and chips, are made with organic Straus Creamery soft-serve from Petaluma. Sit at one of 20 indoor or outdoor tables or take away in environmentally friendly compostable containers. 430 Miller Ave, 415.380.8555, superdupersf.com

s we etwater m us i C h al l Ca Fe Ame rican Located at the entrance of Sweetwater Music Hall, the cafe is a small oasis of calm dedicated to the F.L.O.S.S. philosophy: Fresh, Local, Organic, Seasonal and Sustainable. O ffering breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, the menu includes brown-butter scrambled eggs on avocado toast, crispy chicken sliders with gingery cabbage slaw and vegan Thai spring rolls with sweet and sour sauce.

t oas t American Take the kids out for an omelet or pancake breakfast at this cozy venue; lunch and dinner are served, too. 31 Sunnyside Ave, 415.388.2500, toastmillvalley.com

t on y t ut to p iz za Italian Tony offers creative artisan-style pizza using natural and local organic ingredients. Mostly outdoor seating, so dress accordingly. Dine in or take out. 246 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.383.8646, tonytuttopizza.com

Novato

Bo C a Pizzeria

Italian authentic pizza prepared with fresh mozzarella made in house daily and tomatoes imported from Italy. Other menu items include grilled rosemary chicken sandwiches and braised beef short rib pappardelle. Weekly specials include 50 percent off all wines by the bottle on Wednesdays and half off raft beers on Thursdays. 454 Ignacio Blvd, 415.883.2302, bocapizzeria.com

Chianti Cu Cin a 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 chef Edgar DeLon. 7416 Redwood Hwy, 415.878.0314, chiantinovato.com

h il lto P 1892

California Situated in an historic estate in Novato, with sweeping views, Hilltop 1892 offers

traditional favorites with a California fl air. Open from breakfast through dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. 850 Lamont Ave, 415.893.1892, hilltop1892.com

r u Sti C Ba kery

California Organic mouthwatering pastries, breads and sandwiches are on the menu here, including Meyer lemon mascarpone danishes and a bacon, avocado and heirloom tomato sandwich with mesclun. 1407 Grant Ave, 415.878.4952 rusticbakery.com

Sa N aN Selmo

Bi Stro 330 French In the heart of San Anselmo, Bistro 330 features simple French cuisine: steak frites, mussels, crème brûlée and more. 330 San Anselmo Ave, 415.460.6330

Comfort S Ca fe a me rican This cozy spot features local ingredients and serves breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. Be sure to try the

BLUESTONE MAIN

Out & About / dine

Philly cheesesteak and Chinese chicken salad. 335 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.9840, comfortscafe.com

L’a p part r es to French i t’s the second Marin restaurant for owners Bruno d en is and Olivier Souvestre 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

Lococo’s p iz zeria

Italian The pizza crust is divine, as is the house salad. Good spot to come with the entire family. Closed Mondays 638 San Anselmo Ave, 415.453.1238, lococossananselmo.com

s we et Lif e Bakery and c af e American

With an emphasis on simplicity and tradition, the menu here includes fresh-baked pastries, sandwiches, salads and pizza. Swing by in the morning for a breakfast pizza topped with bacon, potato, chives, egg and a thymeinfused white sauce, lunchtime for a tea sandwich, in the evening for a glass of wine. 101 San Anselmo Ave, 415.456.4580, sweet lifebakeryandcafe.com

SAn R AFAe l

a mici’s e as t c oa st p izz eria California The array of pizzas includes gluten-free crust options and the new Siciliano, an enticing mix of mozzarella, slow-roasted garlic, sausage, broccoli and crushed red pepper fl akes, sans tomato sauce. 1242

Fourth St, 415.455.9777, amicis.com

a r izmendi Bakery

California A workerowned 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 mu ffi ns, pastries and sourdough bread pizzas . 1002 Fourth St, 415. 456.4093, arizmendibakery.org

Broken d ru m

Brewery & w oo d Gri LL American O ffering a wide array of eats, handcrafted and local beers and live music in one place, the Broken d ru m is a hot spot for Rafael Theater Patrons (10 percent off ntire bill with ticket stub), passersby and regulars. e xpect live music Friday and Saturday nights, tacos on Tuesdays and Bloody Marys all day on Sundays. 1132 Fourth St, 415.456.4677, brokendrum.com

m u LB er ry s tr eet p izz eria Italian Chef Ted Rowe won fi rst place in the Food n et work Television Pizza Challenge with his Mushroom Lover’s Pizza — sautéed mushrooms in a creamy garlic sauce atop a fresh pizza crust. Located across from the Smith Ranch Road movie theaters, it’s a great place to grab dinner and a movie. 101 Smith Ranch Rd, 415.472.7272, mulberry-streetpizzeria.com

s an r afae L Jo e’s Italian Guido and Theresa Farina run this Marin institution, which has been famous for sophisticated yet

casual i talian fare since 1947. Great for large parties, the dining room holds 240. The Paci fic red snapper meunière and roast sirloin of beef are standouts. 931 Fourth St, 415.456.2425, srjoes.com

Sol Food Puerto Rican With south-ofthe-border treats like yellow rice, beans and plantains and authentic Puerto Rican specialties, this one-room eatery on Fourth Street just off ighway 101 can be hard to get into, but it’s worth the wait. n o alcohol served. 903 Lincoln Ave, 415.451.4765, solfoodrestaurant.com

Taj o F m ar in Indian d elicious n or th and South i ndian cuisine, from the $8.95 lunch special to dinners that include goat curry, spinach, lentils and tandoori. Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options available. 909 4th Street, 415.459.9555, tajofmarin.com

Whipper Snapper r e STau ran T California/Caribbean Owner and chef Bill Higgins serves reasonably priced and delicious tapas. Save room for deliciou s fi sh tacos and yummy chocolate bread pudding. On Sundays, try the $3 glasses of sangria. 1613 Fourth St, 415.256.1818, whipsnap.biz

Vin a n Tic o Italian Chef e d Vigil uses only seasonal ingredients that are organic and locally sourced. The weekly changing menu includes oysters, fresh salads, handmade pastas, seafood and carefully crafted red meat dishes. Local artists’ work is featured

each month on the walls. Happy hour is 5 to 6 weekdays. 881 Fourth St, 415.454.4492, vinantico.com

Sau Sa l Ito

a ngelino r e STau ran T Italian Father-and-son chefs Pasquale and Alfredo Ancona offer handmade pastas and seasonal antipasti at this authentic i ta lian restaurant, which has been featuring cuisine of the Campania region for the past 24 years. 621 Bridgeway, 415.331.5225, angelinorestaurant.com

Bar Bocce a me rican Food tastes better, your company becomes funnier and issues of the day seem trivial when you’re dining on a bayside patio wit h 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

c i Bo Cafe Husbandand-wife team Alfredo and Tera Ancona offer a menu of tarts, croissants, cookies, paninis and soups. e very 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

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In the natural splendor of Marin County there is a 30-acre community for people of independent minds who require homes reflecting their own expressed wishes and active lifestyles. Where distinctive quality, attention to detail, access to health care providers and the abundance of services provide a truly remarkable value.

Feng n ian Chinese

Busy at lunch and dinner, this spacious hangout has been a popular spot for wonton soup, pot stickers and daily specials for nearly two decades. For an indulgent treat order the Szechwan crispy calamari or honey-glazed walnut prawn. Free delivery. 2650 Bridgeway, 415.331.5300, fengnian.com

m u rray Cir C le Ame rican e njoy 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

Poggio Italian A great place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a night out. e xecutive chef Peter Mcn ee cooks up delicious n or thern i ta lian cuisine using fresh and local ingredients, including produce from the nearby Poggio chef garden. 777 Bridgeway,

415.332.7771, poggiotratoria.com

Salito’S S eafood i n a wel l-known location on Richardson Bay that was most recently home to Paradise Bay, Salito’s features a new look and casual ambience. e njoy a n ick and n or a’s Cocktail Special or a signature dish, including whole roasted d ungeness crab, housemade kettle bread served with Straus butter and sizzling iron-skillets of mussels. 1200 Bridgeway, 415.331.3226, salitoscrabhouse.com

Saylor’S r e Sta urant and Bar California/ Mexican Marin’s fi rst tequila bar offers over 100 tequila options. n ig htly meal specials include chicken potpie, roasted salmon, baby back ribs and traditional meat loaf. 2009 Bridgeway, 415.332.1512, saylorsrestaurantand bar.com

S Pin naker Seafood Chef Phil Collins excels at preparing seafood, and it shows in the beautiful plate presentations. Set right on the water, this romantic spot is great for an evening occasion. 100 Spinnaker Dr, 415.332.1500, thespinnaker.com

Su SH i r an Japanese Fresh, innovative small plates are just big enough to share, the traditional sushi is melt-in-yourmouth good, and the wine, cocktail and sake lists keep the pickiest bar fly well satisfied. 107 Caledonia St, 415.332.3620, sushiran.com

Sweet g ing er Japanese Owner and chef e dna and Wayne Chiang know their way around good sushi. Try fresh sashimi, the classic d ragon Roll, 49er’s Roll or Rock ’n Roll, or be adventurous and have Wayne whip you up something off he menu. Good sake and a comfortable setting round out the reasonably priced

meal. 400 Caledonia St, 415.332.1683, sweet gingersausalito.com

TIburon

Ca Pri C e California Book the private party room for large groups or just relax in what one Yelp reviewer called “the perfect romantic dinner spot.” Midweek take advantage of the restaurant’s wellpriced three-course dinners for less than $25. 2000 Paradise Dr, 415.435.3400, thecaprice.com

m il ano 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 & Pe PPe r American Popular items on chef Abraham Monterroso’s menu include scallops, rib-eye steak, a beef burger and traditional crab cakes with jalapeno dipping sauce. 38 Main Street, 415.435.3594

Sam’S a n C H o r Ca Fe American e veryone 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. e njoy transfat-free calamari, fresh fi sh, seasonal salads and pastas. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527, samscafe.com

Servino r i Sto rante

Italian e xecutive Chef Wesley Shaw cooks up an array of rustic i ta lian dishes, including house-made pastas, wood oven pizzas and seasonal specialties. A member of Marin Organic and one of Marin’s fi rst eateries to become certi fied as a green business, Servino uses fresh, local and organic ingredients whenever possible. Check the website for the live music schedule. 9 Main St, 415.435.2676, servino.com

t i B ur on g ri ll

California The atmosphere here is truly enchanting, with two outdoor patios, two indoor fi replaces and candlelit tables at dinner. n o 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, tiburongrill.com

We

ST MAr In

d rake S Bea CH Ca Fe

American i f you’re OK with the long drive, you can’t beat the view and the fresh local ingredients used to make the burgers, salads and soups at this casual spot ( i nverness). Walk on the beach after lunch. 1 Drakes Beach Rd, 415.669.1297, drakescafe.com

n i C k ’S Co ve American Large windows open the 130-seat eatery to the picturesque Tomales Bay and Hog i sland. Menu consists of the freshest available local seafood, oysters and bounty from nearby West Marin farms, including

Bodega Bay d ungeness crab cake and Tomales Bay clam chowder (Marshall). 23240 Hwy 1, 415.663.1033, nickscove.com

oSt eria Stellina California Whether it’s to cap off a ay of hiking or celebrate a romantic anniversary, Osteria Stellina suits any occasion. (Point Reyes). 11285 Hwy 1, 415.663.9988, osteriastellina.com

Pine Cone d ine r

American Just off he main road, Joannie Kwit has re-created the ultimate neighborhood diner. Vintage china and homemade curtains complement the eclectic but homey menu featuring local fare. A favorite for locals as well as tourists (Point Reyes Station). 60 Fourth St, 415.663.1536, pineconediner.com

Sand d ol lar American Originally built from three barges in Tiburon in 1921, the Sand d ollar Restaurant wa s floated to Stinson that same year and it’s still there today. e njoy live music along with local barbecued oysters and n ew e ng land clam chowder. Sunny deck is great in the afternoon (Stinson). 3458 Shoreline Hwy, 415.868.0434, stinson beachrestaurant.com

Sur Fer S g ril l

American The view doesn’t get better than this — nor does the surf salad. Built right out on Stinson Beach, this casual lunch spot offers up tasty fresh organic salads alongside corn dogs, burgers and fries. Stinson Beach Park, Hwy 1, 415.868.1777, surfersgrill.com

marin a D vertisers speak up

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Darla Fisher, owner, president, general manager of Koze

Koze is a boutique for women of all ages. We specialize in clothing and accessories you will reach for time and time again. Our lines include prominent ready-to-wear labels and leading local designers. Always stylish, never fussy — Koze collections look as good as they feel.

What is your competitive edge?

Inclusiveness. We want everyone who walks through our door to have an amazing experience (even the fellas).

What makes you excel at what you do?

We know how to keep things current without getting lost in a trend. We’ve created a fashion-forward product mix that balances comfort and style.

Describe your dream client/customer. Moms and daughters shopping together — we love it!

Briefly describe your business philosophy.

Our philosophy incorporates three main objectives: provide women of all ages with a beautiful and friendly shopping environment; offer well-priced, contemporary collections with our client’s lifestyle in mind; and tailor service to the individual.

What makes your work worthwhile?

The people. Hands down, we have the best clients. The loyal following of Koze enthusiasts are among the classiest, most interesting and stylish women I’ve ever met.

From a business standpoint, who’s your inspiration?

The people I work with — a collection of the most talented, creative and caring women I know. Paula, Jessica, Katie and Elisa are the heart and soul of Koze.

KOZE, 16 MAIN STREET, TIBURON, 415.435.1916, GETKOZE.COM

Deals on Meals

Enjoy local restaurants and save 30 percent on meals. Check out the participating restaurants in our “Deals on Meals” section and experience big savings. Spend only $35 for a dining certificate worth $50. Simply go to marinmagazine.com/dineout to purchase a dining certificate from a restaurant in this section and we will mail it to you. Try a new restaurant or purchase a certificate for an old favorite. A perfect gift for any occasion. Limited supply each month.

Dine local — save big time!

Amici’s offers a taste of the Northeast’s distinctive Italian fare, including authentic thin-crust pizzas, and freshly made pastas and salads. Amici’s offers dine-in and takeout as well as delivery of their entire menu to local homes and businesses. A Gluten Free menu is also available at the San Rafael location.

Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria

1242 Fourth Street

BooKoo is a funky hole-in-the-wall restaurant in downtown Mill Valley serving Southeast Asian-inspired street food. Think noodle and rice bowls, banh mi, soups and salads, beer and wine. We pride ourselves on fresh, healthy and flavorful food that is affordable and prepared quickly. Come visit!

415.455.9777

San Rafael, CA amicis.com

50th year,

Join us for a memorable dinner.

BooKoo 25 Miller Ave

415.888.8303 Mill Valley, CA eatbookoo.com

House. Sunday Brunch in the Terrace Room is a Bay Area tradition with free-flowing champagne and a delicious buffet.

Cliff House 1090 Point Lobos

415.386.3330 San Francisco, CA cliffhouse.com

Consistently rated “Best of Marin,” Comforts offers fine city and homestyle food. Enjoy breakfast or lunch in our café, or choose from a wide range of take-out items for a family dinner or picnic lunch. Catering services also available. Open 7 days.

Comforts Cafe

335 San Anselmo Avenue

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

415.454.9840 San Anselmo, CA comfortscafe.com

dinner menu is featured. Groups of all sizes are welcome!

Il Fornaio

223 Corte Madera Town Ctr

152 Shoreline Highway

415.289.5777 Mill Valley, CA frantoio.com

Built in the fifties and recently remodeled,

has a long historyformerly Zack’s, Margaritaville and Paradise Bay, the new interior includes a marble oyster bar, lots of light and great food. The deck sits above Richardson Bay and offers views of San Francisco’s spectacular skyline, Tiburon and the passing boats.

415.927.4400

Corte Madera, CA ilfornaio.com

Salito’s 1200 Bridgeway

415.331.3226 Sausalito, CA salitoscrabhouse.com

On the Scene

• m arin m as ters Fine a rt s ho w and s al e Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks while perusing the work of nationally acclaimed artists February 10–11 in Mill Valley at a special Outdoor Art Club event.

• m arin d es i G ne rs s ho wcase Gala o pe nin G Attendees got a sneak peek at the newly constructed 15,500-square-foot Villa Belvedere on January 31 while enjoying food from Il Davide, Lotus and Stacy Scott Catering and wine from Paradise Wines.

• Jon Kabat-Zinn l ec ture Author and meditation teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn spoke about “Mindfulness in Education” at a February 17 benefit for the nonprofit Mindful Schools.

• Grand Openin G O f St uff San Francisco’s newest vintage decor store kicked things off with a bang at a March 23 grand opening party featuring delicious food, a DJ, cocktails and go-go dancers. m

• Yaz Kre HBie L a rt O penin G T he work of Marin-based landscape painter Yaz Krehbiel was the featured attraction of a March 3 opening at Smith Anderson North Gallery in San Anselmo.

CREATE YOUR IDEAL SPACE

SATURDAY, JUNE 2ND, 10am to 6pm SUNDAY, JUNE 3RD, 10am to 5pm

200 Exhibitors & Sponsors ◆ 2 Full Days of Home Grown Music Lectures and Demos ◆ VIP Presenters ◆ Children’s Activities $10 • Kids 12 and under Free • Full Home & Garden Expo schedule: marinhomegarden.com AT MARIN CENTER FAIRGROUNDS AND AND EXHIBIT HALL , Scan for $2.00 OFF admission or go to http://tappinn.com/view/page/c/9656 E vent produced by Pacific Expositions.

MarinHomeGarden_quart_0512_FNL.indd 1

Marin General Hospital Foundation presents A black-tie gala benefiting t rau M a Center & eMer G en C y s ervi C es at Marin General Hospital

SATURDAY,

MAY 12, 2012

Marins H ip park, s ausalito

As a community we honor M ary barbara s CHultz

Mary Barbara Schultz and her late husband, Niels Schultz, moved to Greenbrae in 1946. The Schultz family has a long history of supporting Marin General hospital. Their recent donation was directed toward the Emergency Department to help provide better access, reduce wait times, allow for more rapid assessments, and improve the experience for patents, families and staff. Work has already begun and is expected to be completed in 2012.

Mrs. Schultz’s sense of adventure and an enduring interest in other cultures has led her to extensive traveling around the world. When talking with Mrs. Schultz, she reveals great pride in her four peerless daughters; undoubtedly, family is her greatest treasure.

415.925.7770 or www.maringeneral.org/events

4/13/12 9:28 AM

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at: 1(888) 680.4247 -or- chdewitt@aol.com

Woodside Luxury Estate www.WoodhavenManor.com

Once in a lifetime comes the opportunity to acquire a rare and extraordinary architectural masterpiece….welcome to Woodhaven! This incomparable estate is nestled in one of the Peninsula’s most exclusive enclaves.The town of Woodside is treasured for its unspoiled natural beauty and relaxed California lifestyle. Blessed with outstanding schools and innumerable outdoor activities, there is always something for friends and families to do together. Woodside: $39,500,000

A San Francisco skyline view w/ two bridges, bay and island views with level lawn and pool area are hard to find in Tiburon. Not to mention an approx 8,000 sqft home w/ 5-bedrooms w/ ensuite baths situated on approx acres that include a large media/bonus room, second kitchen, gym, wine cellar, sauna and steam room next to the pool/spa area. This is resort

and only 20 minutes to San Francisco. Co-Listed:

Nicasio: $1,750,000

www.NicasioGreenAcres.com

Stunning and sophisticated estate on three acres. Private drive leading 6-bedroom/4-bath view home. Upstairs guest suite, formal living room w/ fireplace, grand room/family room w/ fireplace. Entry opens to living, dining, family room & kitchen. Second family room/bonus or game room is on the second lower level. Decks and level lawn.

The largest acreage for sale within 25 miles of the Golden Gate Bridge, this 115 acre parcel of rolling Marin countryside offers unsurpassed beauty and privacy with views that stretch from San Francisco Bay to the Point Reyes Headlands. Featuring southern exposures, the property is ready for the construction of your refuge from the city and resides in the highly respected Nicasio school district.

Marin Home

from tours and makeovers to decorative details and realtor insights

Dock of the Bay

A real estate professional finds her not-so-perfect home on

As a partner and cofounder of Decker Bullock s ot heby’s International r ea lty, Olivia Hsu Decker has an experienced eye for world-class homes.

Besides having owned property at Lake Como and two French châteaux, she has lived in a succession of homes in Belvedere, fi rst on Beach r oad, then Golden Gate a venue, and later Belvedere a venue. Beyond the city’s beauty, ideal climate and proximity to s an Francisco, she appreciates that “it’s safe and secure and not pretentious like Beverly Hills or the south of France.”

But it was elevation, including a steep driveway and four stories, that prompted her to move from her prior place to her current one, a waterfront house on Belvedere Island wit h a flat driveway and only three stories that she plans to reduce to two.

t he home fi rst came to Decker’s attention when the realtor son of the property owner contacted her to co-list the home with him. “ t hey wanted $22 million so I turned the family down, as it was overpriced,” she says. But after five years on the market, the house dropped in price to $4.5 million, and Decker, this time interested in ownership, bought it.

Built in the mid-1980s, it ha s five bedrooms, seven bathrooms and its own private beach and dock on s an Francisco Bay. Cathedral ceilings give volume to the living room, which, along with the dining area, embraces stellar views of s an Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge and s au salito through a wall of glass doors s ti ll, it will require “tons of work,” Decker admits. “I looked carefully for over a year and narrowed it down to this home. a lt hough it needs a multimillion-dollar renovation, I thought not much could go wrong with a 5,600-square-foot waterfront home with a boat dock, even in a bad market.”

For those looking to buy, Decker suggests shopping around for the property that best fits your needs, but “bear in mind that there is no such thing as a perfect home — buy the best location and the best views,” she says. “If the house is not right, you can always remodel, but you can’t change the location or move the Golden Gate Bridge to the front of your window.” m

y ou can always remodel, but you can’t change the location or move the Golden Gate Bridge to the front of your window.

the details

where she purchased Belvedere Island

what she bought A contemporary home with a private beach and dock on San Francisco Bay

listing agent Jennifer Dunbar, Frank Howard Allen Realtors

selling agent Olivia Hsu Decker, Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty

stats Average cost per square foot for homes in neighborhood: $1,100 to $1,400

Bradley Real Estate Presents These Fine Homes

The Grande Dame of San Rafael

This historic 1892 Queen Anne Victorian is nestled in the center of a rare estate property, graced with over 2 level acres of breathtaking, gated gardens. This property seems worlds away from everything, yet is close to many of Marin’s favorite amenities, from trails for hiking and cyclists, to the Dominican College’s cultural activities, and San Francisco’s city life. The impeccable and expansive grounds include a private redwood grove with a personal zip line, tennis court and a showcase pool. The elegant home boasts 7BR/7BA, a large dining room and formal living room, four fireplaces, and approximately 7,900 square feet of living space.

offered at $7,500,000

BETH SASAN (415) 990-7186

The Perfect Perch for the America’s Cup Race

Situated on the Tiburon side of Mill Valley, this beautiful custom built home has views of San Francisco and the Sausalito yacht harbor from almost every room. Designed by architect Henry Taylor, this home boasts unique lines with 4 bedrooms, 5 full baths, and a large flat backyard with all day sun. A real chef’s kitchen makes it perfect for entertaining. www.141ChapelDrive.com

offered at $3,500,000

Stunning Water View Villa

Grand 4BR/4.5BA panoramic Bay view villa newly constructed in 2007 with designer finishes and located in Sausalito’s prestigious Banana Belt neighborhood! Sitting directly above Sausalito’s famous downtown with easy access to many restaurants and shops, this gorgeous and RARE new construction offers over 4,000 sq. ft. of bright, sunny space. Includes soaring ceilings, exquisitely designed Chef’s kitchen laid out in great room-style with Living Room and Dining Room, stunning Master Suite with unbelievable water views, 2 garages & an elevator that connects all levels. www.GrandBananaBelt.com

offered at $3,400,000

CAMARA SCREMIN (415) 902-7183

Contemporary Craftsman Estate

This exquisitely constructed 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom single-level home is situated on over an acre of level land. Built in 2005, this home is located on a private country lane with two other custom estates. The centerpiece of this magnificent home is the oversized great room which includes a chef’s kitchen, 20 foot breakfast bar and large family room area. The home’s brilliant floor plan allows for convenient indoor/outdoor living access from the great room. The large master suite includes a fireplace, oversized walk-in closet, exercise/meditation room, private patio and designer bathroom with a jetted tub. www.100KristinMarie.com

offered at $1,925,000

See thousands of listings in Marin County and beyond:

ROBERT BRADLEY (415) 314-1314

Discover Your Dream

We believe that finding a home is more than just searching houses. It’s about discovering an area, learning a neighborhood, and adopting a community. McGuire.com provides tools that allow you to go beyond the search, without leaving the search. And now, that search can deliver the roadmap that takes you home.

You might not know what you’re looking for, but now you know where to find it, mcguire.com

We are innovative. We are McGuire.

3 eaSt road, roSS

Amazing new price for this classic style, exquisite finishes and outstanding execution of interior design blend to create this elegant home. Surrounded by a magical garden bathed in sunlight, enjoy the easy indoor outdoor flow from the charming patio to the living room and gourmet kitchen. Located in the coveted flats in the heart of picturesque Ross, the home is a casual stroll to the commons or Phoenix Lake. Complete remodel in 2005. Offered at $1,799,000 www.3eastroad.com Sarah kowalczyk 415.464.7484 or lotte Moore 415.412.7471

tiBuron • coMing Soon

Situated on 1 acre of land at the end of a private driveway, - with unobstructed city, bay and Mt. Tam Views, - this jewel box has just completed an extensive renovation. Offering complete privacy, - and a south west facing orientation, - home is bathed in light and views from every room in the home. With 4 bedrooms plus a den, 4 bathrooms and an open and airy floorplan, - this classic yet modern home, offers the perfect frame for any lifestyle. With an additional unfinished studio, - and a landscape plan included, there is still time to add your own style to this spectacular home. Price upon request. Sarah kowalczyk 415.464.7484 or lotte Moore 415.412.7471

S. oak, San nSelMo

Custom built in 2004, this spectacular, secluded yet practical home offers amazing views over Ross Valley and San Francisco Bay. Inside, discover a remarkably family-friendly floor plan with 5 bedrooms, 4 ½ baths, a home office and huge family game room. Outside, harmonious landscaping features a level lawn and sports court - the ultimate dream for Marin family living. Recycled hardwood floors, soaring ceilings with unobstructed views, upscale and grand, this is a family dream home, all within minutes to town. Offered at $2,650,000

Sarah kowalczyk 415.464.7484 or lotte Moore 415.412.7471

Sarah kowalczyk

Top Producer ∙ McGuire Partners 415.464.7484

skowalczyk@mcguire.com

DRE# 01742287

lotte Moore

Top Producer ∙ McGuire Partners 415.412.7471

lmoore@mcguire.com

DRE# 01744042

A Rare Find in Mill Valley

Located in the heart of Homestead Valley, this picturesque four bedroom, two bath 1920s original farmhouse has been beautifully updated and expanded over recent years to meet current day needs and luxuries. This home truly embraces indoor/outdoor living! Lovely grounds with level front and rear yard, mature gardens, play structure, expansive deck and spa. The main level interior includes a living room with fireplace, formal dining room, a tastefully remodeled kitchen with built-in breakfast alcove, family room with cathedral ceilings and French doors that open to the back yard. In addition, there are two bedrooms, one full bath and laundry room located on the main level. Upstairs master suite with a private deck, views to the Bay and fourth bedroom, office/nursery complete this fine home. Conveniently located close to shops and downtown with an easy commute to San Francisco.

$1,995,000

$3,650,000 Magnificent Contemporary

Nestled on almost one-half acre with breathtaking views of Mount Tamalpais, this Mill Valley custom contemporary estate home represents the best of California living! Constructed in 2007, this five bedroom, three and one-half bath estate was designed to inspire by creating an exclusive, private and peaceful sanctuary just minutes from downtown. With a fabulous blend of sophistication and relaxed modern flair, the open floor plan boasts elegant formal living and dining rooms, a state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen with breakfast nook, dramatic family room with bifolding glass walls that generously open to the lawn, gardens, patio and deck. The upper level features a pampering master suite with dual closets, spa bath, fireplace and private terrace plus an additional three bedrooms. The fifth bedroom/home office is located on the main floor. Special home features include Brazilian Cherry wood floors, bifolding window walls, five zone radiant heat, standard seam metal roof, three gas fireplaces, concrete colored floors, three car garage and so much more. Not on MLS.

Grega

Spacious and peaceful, vaulted ceilings, gourmet kitchen, multiple decks, pool, view of San Francisco Bay and Mt. Tamalpais, 4 bd, 4 ba… $2,525,000

bright, remodeled and beautiful, w/ fabulous Belvedere Lagoon, Bay & Mt. Tiburon views. 2 stories plus master suite on split level. 4 bd, 3 ba... $1,775,000

Valley

staircase. 7 bd, 3 ba… $3,495,000 Stun renovation. E leg indoor-outdoor living on over 0.5 ac. between main hse/pool hse. Chef’s kitchen, huge master, pool, spa. 4 bd, 3.5 ba + 1 bd, 1 ba pool house… $3,950,000

with amazing

Remodeled, 6 bedrooms in the main house PLUS a garage apartment w/ kitchen. Some grounds and a great pool on the view side, big view and privacy… $3,195,000 Private and spacious three-story contemporary designed with skylights and tall windows that capture the light and the views, 3 bd, 3.5 ba… $3,395,000

One of the original Ross homes now beautifully improved & restored to its original grandeur. Gated, private, 1 acre. Wonderful outdoor living w/ saltwater pool & spa, level lawns/gardens, 4 bd, 4 ba… $7,950,000

World-class wtrfrnt contemp on 1.2± water-level acres w/ up-close vws of GG Bridge/SF skyline. 5 BR, 5.5 bath main res + sep 2 BR, 1 bath guest house… $22,250,000

Western-most wtrfrnt promontory of Belvedere Island w/ SF skyline/ GGB views. 5 bd, 4 ba main residence plus separate 1 bd, 1 ba guest quarters… $21,950,000

Wonderfully close-in & private, 2-acre, gated estate with beautiful sparkling pool, sunny sport-court, Bay and Richmond Bridge views. 4 bd, 3 full & 2 half ba… $7,995,000

Classical Japanese meets American Techno-Luxe. Bay & garden views, tatami room, raised engawas, multi-level. 3 master suites, 5 bd, 5 ba… $6,900,000 Majestic parklike estate with Mt. Tam views, ±7736 sf on ±1.42 acres, master with balcony, terrace, pool, level lawn, 4 bd, 5 full & 3 half ba… $7,995,000

Stunning views of GG Bridge & SF skyline. 10,000+ sf, pool, gated. 5 bd, 7 full + 2 half ba main residence plus separate 1 BR, 1 bath guest apartment… $19,880,000

Is The Difference

Linda Nicolay Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 415.497.5625 linda.nicolay@camoves.com DRE# 01847429

Charming home with guest quarters

Margaret E. Deedy Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 415.464.3540 mdeedy@coldwellbanker.com DRE# 00628197

1400 SQ. FT. PENTHOUSE

Lovely penthouse with a Southwest exposure from the large wraparound deck. This condo features a large master suite with walk-in shower and custom built-ins, plus two more bedrooms and another full bathroom. Asking $1,225,000. $3,559 monthly fee for one person $4,973 for two.

57 Bridge Road, Ross 57Bridge.com

Offered at $2,695,000

Beautiful and private four bedroom, three and a half bath home in Old Ross with gated entry, generously-sized rooms, swimming pool, patios, landscaped gardens and two-car garage.

210 Lagunitas Road, Ross 210Lagunitas.com

Offered at $5,500,000

The Bowman Group

8 Pomeroy Road, Ross 8Pomeroy.com

Offered at $2,595,000

Gorgeous four bedroom, three and two half bath home on private, gated lot with separate studio/office, two-car garage, pool, lawn, landscaped grounds and amazing panoramic views.

65 Ridgecrest Road, Kent Woodlands 65Ridgecrest.com

Offered at $2,450,000

Stunning four bedroom, three and one-half bath home on nearly one acre in prestigious Kent Woodlands featuring spacious rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows and excellent Mt. Tam views.

ACTIVE LISTINGS

6 Duff Lane, Ross

6DuffLane.com

Offered at $5,295,000

231 Poplar Drive, Kentfield 231Poplar.com

Offered at $2,655,000

6 Greenwood Way, Kent Woodlands

6Greenwood.com

Offered at $1,675,000

Charming four bedroom, three and one-half bathroom home includes office/5th bedroom and a remodeled kitchen and is located on a cul-de-sac in a desirable neighborhood in the flats.

400 Upper Toyon Drive, Kentfield

400UpperToyon.com

Offered at $3,595,000

Sequoia Valley Road, Mill Valley Spectacular new construction. 5bd, 4ba contemporary with the ideal layout for modern living and entertainment. Panoramic views and adjacent to Marin’s famous Mt. Tamalpais State Park.

746SequoiaValley.com

$2,345,000

Bernard Link 415.336.8676

Culloden Park Road, San Rafael Grand, gated estate in the coveted Forbes neighborhood. Enormous value for 4500+/-sf, 6bd/4ba, renovated home on a large private lot backing to open space. Spectacular Mt. Tam views, all day sun, gorgeous gardens.

88CullodenPark.com

$2,195,000

Stephanie Lamarre

415.806.3176

Tamalpais Avenue, San Anselmo Reduced! This 5bd/4ba home has it all. Airy and light-filled, open floor plan, traditional upper level layout, spacious backyard with refinished pool and hot tub. One block to downtown San Anselmo.

60Tamalpais.com

$1,790,000

Jonathan Marks

415.307.0505

Altura Way, Greenbrae Reduced! Gorgeous, 4bd/2.5ba home on a private lot, bathed in sunshine, with a pool and Mt. Tam view. Large gourmet kitchen, spacious master suite, vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors. Coveted Kentfield schools.

1AlturaWay.com

$1,575,000

Beverly Shwert

415.297.7811

Teaberry Lane, Tiburon French country home set on an idyllic .5+/acre with unobstructed San Francisco Bay views. Finest finishes and attention to detail throughout. Three bedrooms, three baths, mostly one level.

17Teaberry.com

$1,850,000 Bernard Link 415.336.8676

Altura Way, Greenbrae Wonderful, 4bd/3ba home sited on a large, sunny, private lot with view of Mt. Tam. Comfortable floor plan, remodeled kitchen and baths, large family room that opens to pool and yard. Coveted Kentfield schools.

179AlturaWay.com Price Upon Request

C

De Nike P resents

Delight, Surprise, Historic, Family, Starlight, Masterpiece, Romance, Friends, Passion, Mystery, Dreams, Laughter, Play, Create, Garden, Sun, Song, Dance!

Known as "Waldruh" or “Forest rest” this historic home truly represents an opportunity that comes along once in a great while. Built in 1895 and not available for over 40 years, this iconic home celebrates a time where song was in the air and love was abundant. As referenced in "Mill Valley-The Early Years" this home "was one of the centers of early Mill Valley cultural and social life" and "the scene of many entertainments."

Conveniently sited near downtown on a large, private, sunny lot this amazing, gated home offers 6 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. Period carpentry wraps the spacious great room which is anchored by an extraordinary fireplace. The high ceilings throughout add volume to each room. Also included is a formal dining room, a butler’s pantry, a "billiard room" with a raised dais and an eat-in kitchen. There is also a very private home office or au pair/guest room. Mature landscaping grounds the home while the various terraces and decks bring the outside in. With dedicated architecture, ascetics and Klyce-built quality this special home represents a found treasure.

Contact Chris today for an appointment to see these and other luxury homes in

405 Marion Avenue, Mill Valley

Ideally positioned within a park-like setting and resting on over a half acre, this 4 bedroom plus office, 2.5 bath home represents the true essence of a Mill Valley lifestyle. As you enter on the main level you’ll discover a professional and spacious kitchen, which is well-appointed with gorgeous soap stone countertops, custom cabinetry and high-end appliances. The chef’s kitchen opens to a dramatic great room encased by walls of windows that take full advantage of the sunshine and dramatic views. Additionally on this level there is a contemporary half bath and guest room. On the upper level you will be impressed by the serene feel and size of the master suite. Here you’ll find beautiful views, open beam ceilings, a cozy fireplace, a sitting area, a spa bathroom and extensive closet space. On the lower level are two fantastic children’s bedrooms that share the 2nd full bathroom. As kids of all ages explore the grounds, they will find a large flat lawn to play catch or kick the ball, a separate area where there is a jungle gym and multiple pathways that induce imagination. There is also a private office, a beautiful slate deck and a substantial 2-car garage. This ideal location offers a swift commute to San Francisco, a nearby staircase that leads to downtown and proximity to abundant Marin hiking.

fhallen.com/facebook | fhallen.com/twitter | fhallen.com

Charming Country Estate • Offered at $1,595,000

Only a short drive through rural Marin brings us to this superb three bedroom, three bath residence on 2.35+/- pristine acres. The present owner has added very special touches to an already exquisite home. One is welcomed to an interior of fine living: a gracious stairwell, open kitchen, large formal dining room, stately living room with fireplace and built-in cabinetry, all of which open to gardens and lawns. Each room is flooded with light and enjoys unsurpassed pastoral views. Separate, private guest quarters are located in an orchard setting.

With its serene setting, this is not just a home but a lifestyle. Relax at the local café, or minutes by car will offer a plethora of coastal dining. A very special place.

Tamalpais Ave, Mill Valley

The light and magic of this charismatic home with views of San Francisco is a rare nd so near to downtown Mill Valley. Located at the foot of Middle Ridge and just 3 minutes to the Plaza. This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home was remodeled in 2007 with designer nishes and recently upgraded again in 2010-2011. The custom Snaidero kitchen is the center piece of this singular sensation, one of a kind home. The city view is crystal clear from the living room, dining room combo and master suite; all with limestone decks for outdoor/indoor enjoyment. The private level lawn, deck/patio combo and veggie garden captures sunlight all day long and feels like your own personal spa retreat.

| Offered at $3,395,000

21 Sea Way, San Rafael

Nestled in a private oasis, Chateau de Jean embodies and blends the charm and personality of Marin County and France within a grand family environment. Multiple living and family entertainment areas provide community, privacy and fun simultaneously. There is room to roam on this expansive property, with adventures calling from the circular driveway entry, to the pool and courtyard area, and up to the top of a built-out tree fort. 21SeaWay.com Price Upon Request

Gilmartin Drive, Tiburon Breathtaking and truly one of a kind bridge to bridge views from the summit of one of Tiburon’s most revered locations. This custom designed family estate celebrates magnificent space, functionality and flow, thereby enabling a complete family environment. Multiple bedroom suites, tall / vaulted ceilings, designer showcase kitchen, with new Viking range, multiple fireplaces, expansive family room, au pairs quarters and so much more.

Upon Request

circa 1961

Bringing BART to Marin

m ore than 50 years later, the question remains:

“What might have been?”

by jim wood

These renderings from a twopage g eneral e lectric ad that appeared in the April 1961 issue of Holiday magazine raise an interesting question. At the time they were published, BA r T wa s slated to go across the bay on the underside of the g olden g ate Bridge and travel well into m ar in County. s o what happened?

The fi rst problem was an engineering study that concluded the g olden g ate Bridge couldn’t handle a second deck equipped with a high-speed train. While some di ffered with that fi nding, others maintained an under-the-bay tube from f isherman’s Wharf to s au salito was a more direct, even better, solution. While that debate raged, a second, even larger problem arose. i deally, BA r T wa s to include s an f ra ncisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, m ar in and s an m ateo counties.

“Then, in April 1962, s an m ateo County

The first problem was an engineering study that concluded the Golden Gate Bridge couldn’t handle a second deck equipped with a highspeed train.

withdrew from BA r T,” writes Barry s pitz in Marin: A History, “concluding that taxes would be too high and that the existing s outhern Paci fic rail system was adequate.” That move put added fi nancial pressure on the remaining four counties.

A month later, BA r T officials became fearful that m arin voters — wary of the now-higher costs and the possibility of increased development in their county — would overwhelmingly rebuff A r T in a n ovember election. Therefore, BA r T officials asked m arin County supervisors to vote to “withdraw” from BA r T, which they did on m ay 17, 1962. Ten years later, on s eptember 11, 1972, BA r T commenced passenger service connecting Alameda, Contra Costa and s an f ra ncisco counties. m