30 Made by Marin The ever-stylish Serena and Lily.
32 Conversation Phil and Jill Lesh discuss their new music and food venue.
Destinations
65 Go Hawaii through the eyes of a best-selling author.
68 Travel Buzz Stay with the S.F. Giants, shower in Sedona, play golf in Oregon and more.
Out & About
71 Calendar A roundup of what to do in Marin and beyond.
80 Dine An insider’s guide to restaurants and food in the Bay Area.
86 Flavor A kale recipe kids will love.
Marin Home
109 Backstory A family finds a liberated life in Tiburon.
112 Details Nothing but net: the basketball hoops of Marin.
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 Editor Cynthia Rubin
Editorial a ss istants
Melissa Gardner White, Logan Link, Sophie Shulman
contributing writ E rs
VERBENA An elegant setting for a holiday party
CIRCLE
dining rooms for intimate gatherings
Inspiring Venue FOR Private Parties & Events
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, Cavallo Point provides an idyllic backdrop paired with breathtaking views. The lodge offers stunning indoor and outdoor event spaces, and menus highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients from local providers – enhanced by a stellar wine list.
Book your holiday party before October 1, 2012 and receive 50% off facility rental with minimum food and beverage expenditure of $5,000 or minimum of 10 guest rooms blocked – just mention Marin Magazine.
RESERVATIONS
For groups of 10-24 in Murray Circle restaurant, call 415.339.4758 or email murraycirclerestaurant@cavallopoint.com. For groups of 25+, call 415.339.4731 or email groups@cavallopoint.com. For cooking parties, call 415.339.4799 or email cookingschool@cavallopoint.com.
Blair Campbell, Dawn Margolis Denberg, Stephanie Martin, Jennie Nunn, Nate Seltenrich, Judith M. Wilson
i nt E rns
Lena Felton, Camellia Khalvati, Jillian Rodrigo 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
Mo DeLong, Jocelyn Knight, Marco Krapels, Shaynr Hughes, Trinette Reed and Chris Gramly, 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/ it m anag E r Peter Thomas ext 120 | pthomas@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.
PHOTO: KEN VIALE
It’s one of our biggest issues of the year, so we pulled out all the stops to bring you the ultimate fall fashion preview. f or this photo shoot at the beautiful Campodonico e state gardens in Kent field, we enlisted the help of a stellar camera-wielding team from s an Rafael. Indeed, t rinette Reed and Chris Gramly, who are also a couple, had the perfect eye to capture the glamorous blacks, golds and greens worn by our model Lauren. t he results are looks perfect for any fall party or gala.
Also in our feature section, writer Blair Campbell takes an in-depth look at the future our public libraries are already preparing for. As Marin librarians point out, libraries are always adjusting to the changing needs of the public, and now — with cutting-edge technology changing the way we read — isn’t any di fferent. Libraries are embracing the future and becoming not just literacy havens but meeting places and event centers.
Another big story this month profiles Marin residents who travel to far-flung regions of the world to bring essential resources to schoolchildren who need them the most. We also have an update on three organizations doing similar work that we reported on in January.
In the front of the magazine we salute last month’s Readers’ Choice winners, reveal some America’s Cup fun facts, meet an 8-year-old entrepreneur, check in with Mill Valley home-decor duo s erena and Lily, and talk with Phil Lesh and wife Jill about the musician’s new s an Rafael venue, t errapin Crossroads. In the back of the book you’ll find a kid-friendly kale recipe by Harmony Restaurant’s n orman Louie, as well as our calendar and dining-out listings.
s o enjoy this month’s issue, then start planning your out fit for the fall and holiday party seasons — they’ll be here before you know it.
Marin Magazine Staff Editor s
t he results are looks perfect for any fall party or gala.
A DAy for fAshion
Our production team logged a 10-hour day moving clothes, equipment and people into position for the Marin Magazine fall fashion shoot. t hese behind-the-scenes photos show what is was like setting up for that perfect shot. According to editor/stylist Veronica s ooley the weather also lent a helping hand, “the day was overcast, giving us that perfect fall look.”
barbara ries (top);
veronica sooley (bottom)
a bove, from left: Dan Jewett, n ikki Wood, m imi Towle
I
Weather Report
It’s time to think constructively about global climate change. By
Twant to be part of a possible solution, not an ominous problem.
Jim Wood
HIS S u MMER , I’ VE caught myself complaining about Marin’s overcast mornings. Far better this, I then remind myself, than the heat, drought and fi restorms other areas are facing. Like millions worldwide, I’m thinking more and more about what might be causing these anomalies. Like others, I now believe that the signs are too hard to ignore: global climate change is happening and is caused by humans.
Mother Earth is in deep trouble. Respected NASA scientist James Hansen believes: “this is the greatest challenge humans have ever faced.” And recently, u C Berkeley’s renowned physics professor Richard Muller, a longtime climate change skeptic, announced he’s now a climate change believer. “And humans are almost entirely the cause,” he wrote in a New York Times op-ed piece.
Scientists agree that since the industrial revolution, carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere has increased by one-third, ocean levels have risen eight feet and temperatures, on average, are 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit higher. According to Bill McKibben’s sobering article in August’s Rolling Stone, this May was the warmest on record in the Northern Hemisphere and it was the 327th consecutive month that global temperatures exceeded averages seen in the 20th century. In June, more than 3,200 u .S. heat records were broken, forest fi res raged in Colorado, dust clouds covered Phoenix, droughts killed crops in the Midwest and hurricanes and torrential rains occurred in places where they haven’t before.
Is human activity causing this? A fascinating new book, Global Weirdness, by the respected research group Climate Central, clearly points out that the 4.2-billion-year-old earth has always gone through climate changes — and what we are now undergoing may be
no different. As a layperson, I see it in simpler terms: Dinosaurs didn’t drive Corvette V-8s; nor did they build hundreds of coal-fired power plants in developing countries or fly thousands of jetliners through the sky every day. The bottom line is that humans are using lots of carbon-dioxide-producing fuel.
Is there hope? Attendees at environmental conclaves in Kyoto, Copenhagen and Rio de Janeiro agree that if the world, somehow, could limit its energy consumption to 565 gigatons of carbon emissions between now and 2050, there would be a less than two-degrees-Fahrenheit rise in global temperature. However, as McKibben’s Rolling Stone article states, energy companies and oil-producing nations have an estimated 2,795 gigatons of carbon-emitting energy at their disposal between now and then. And corporate profits — along with the economies of oil-producing countries — are highly dependent on expending that amount of energy.
The reality is that when places like Sausalito, Greenbrae, Hamilton, the Canal area and Tiburon’s Main Street — as well as many cities in Florida, New York City and thousands of islands around the world — are being inundated by rising tides, none of the humans mentioned above, including myself, will be alive.
That said, at the risk of sounding self-righteous, I would like to mention what I’m doing to move in a positive direction. I recycle, don’t use plastic bags, do drive a hybrid or else ride a bike or take public transportation, use energyefficient bulbs, consume power from Marin Clean Energy and plant a drought-tolerant garden. I do these things with our nine grandchildren in mind and because I want to be part of a possible solution, not an ominous problem. That’s my point of view. What’s yours?
Email pov@marinmagazine.com.
Your Letters
A Youthful Solution
We agree wholeheartedly with the comments about the unsightly litter problem along Highway 101 (POV, July 2012). “Third world” defi nitely comes to mind. The Marin County Board of Supervisors should be embarrassed, and Caltrans should rightly be criticized. We recently took driving trips through Arizona and Oregon. Arizona’s highways must be the cleanest and best maintained in the U.S., and Oregon is close on Arizona’s heels. So, why can’t California do a better job of cleaning up its highways? There is a solution that has already been tested and proven e° ective. Oregon established a Youth Litter Control Program in 1971. The item below is from the State of Oregon O˛ ce of Maintenance and Operations: The Youth Litter Patrol program
was founded in 1971 to involve youth in the cleanup and prevention of litter and vandalism. Today, participants in the Litter Patrol program pick up litter along state highways. Crews usually have a crew leader and two or more crew members and are based in various locations in the state. Crews work primarily during the summer months. Crew leaders must be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check, and have a valid Oregon driver license with an acceptable driving record. Crew members must be at least 16 years old. Litter Patrol workers are paid on an hourly basis. The Marin County Board of Supervisors should speak with Oregon and Caltrans about setting up a similar program. Progressive Marin would be a great place to start such a program. If successful here, it
WE ASKED YOU
What are your favorite Marin boutiques?
“West Marin Thrift Store’s “Funk and Flash” event on September 15.”
Elisabeth Ptak, Inverness
“Viva Diva in San Rafael.”
Julie Holleman Widergren, Novato
“Kismet, Carolina and Sandbox.”
Caroline Nelson, Kentfield
“Koze and Paparazzi in Tiburon.”
Stephanie Pratt
“Gala and Kismet.”
Heidi Darling, San Anselmo
just might catch on elsewhere in the state. The cleanup of the Highway 101 litter problem is long overdue. A Youth Litter Patrol is an idea whose time has come. STEPHEN FEIN AND MAREN KINSCHER, MILL VALLEY
A Wine Trip
I really enjoyed the Destinations article (“Savor the Day,” July 2012) about wineries. My husband and I drove over to Truett Hurst Sunday and enjoyed a fabulous afternoon. It was a hard choice, whether to sip wine on the patio enjoying live music (Hawaiian that day!) or wander down to the creek and sit on those red chairs (in your photo). Thanks for the article; the ideas in˜it made for a delightful outing. MARCY EMMETT, SANTA ROSA
Education Excellence
I am pleased to learn that you will be featuring Marin education in the September edition of Marin Magazine (Your Letters, August 2012). Hopefully, you will include Kentfield native Emily Pilloton of Studio H. After doing some marvelous work with high school students for two years in rural Bertie County in eastern North Carolina and prior to that in Africa, Pilloton has moved her Studio H high school design/build program to REALM Charter School in Berkeley. You will recall that Pilloton is a graduate of Redwood High School, UC Berkeley and the graduate program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I think it would be of interest to Marin readers to learn about a program started by a Marin native that has had a positive impact on student learning throughout the world, and that will now be
Marin Marin
back in the Bay Area. Don Leisey, i nte rnationa L
a ca D em y for e D uc ationa L e ntr epreneurship, s an r afae L
Eds.: Please see our education feature on page 58 and the sidebar on page 63, which mentions Studio H.
n o m ention
While I do love reading Marin Magazine, I was disappointed to see that Austin Murphy’s article “Everyone in the Water” (July 2012) did not mention Sequoia Aquatics of Marin. The USA Swim Club headed by coach Eric Whitten has two locations, Lucas Valley and Scott Valley. The coaches are amazing, some of the team members are nationally ranked and two swimmers have quali fied for the Grand Prix. Please ensure in the future if there is mention of USA Swim Club to include this wonderful team. Wen Dy t aran tino, s an r afae L
Good i deas
I think Marin Magazine is fantastic. Please do more articles about special places and events in Marin . We had iron railings done by Castaneda Iron Works, which advertised in the magazine. We would not have known about them otherwise. Advertisers should know that their ads have an impact because you have a g reat audience. t e D Gomo LL , m i LL Va LL ey
I love articles that help us understand the life around us, which we take for granted. Some examples are the article on container shipping (“Boxes on the Bay,” December 2009) and t he article on Niman Ranch (“Nicolette Hahn Niman,” March 2010). I would love to see an in-depth article on PG&E or an update on Marin history focusing on open space or why BART isn’t here. These ideas are lost on many
newcomers to Marin, and that history is why Marin is special in the ways that it is. s usan t ru mbu LL , n o Vato
Eds.: Please see Looking Back (May 2012) for information on the failed attempt to bring BART to Marin.
Do the m ath
In Looking Back (August 2012), is Jim Wood suggesting that if I were born in 1962, I’d be 60 years old this year? He’s a great writer, but I’m not so sure about his math. r ich r us Do rf, s an r afae L
Looking Back is always my fi rst glimpse into your refreshingly varied magazine articles. This time someone didn’t check their math as the 1960 event referred to in “The World Was Watching” happened 52 years ago, not 62. s haron Da V is , s an r afae L
i m iss m arin
As a former Marin County resident who has lived in Mill Valley, Sausalito and Bolinas, I cannot begin to express how much I miss the entire county or dinners at the Trident, drinks at Latitude 38 or late nights at the No Name Bar. I also miss racing over to Bolinas late at night or crossing the Golden Gate through the rainbow tunnel — many vivid memories of times, places and pals. John c orcoran, h ay nes V i LL e, Va.
i n the t rees
Congratulations to Sophie Fleming of Corte Madera, who shows off er freshly planted apple tree and wins a $50 dining gift certificate for her entry in “Branching Out” (August 2012, page 104).
Letters to the e D it or 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.
In Marin
celebrating the people, places and causes of this unique county
Make a Stand
eight-year-old Fairfax resident Vivienne Harr is helping to free kids around the world from slavery with each $2 cup of lemonade (made with free trade ingredients) she sells at her stand in Doc edgar park at the corner of Cascade and Cypress drives. Her goal is to raise $150,000 (enough to help 500 kids) for the nonprofit Not For s ale, which combats modern slavery and human trafficking. s he began her roadside venture in June; to meet her goal, she expects to keep it going, rain or shine, through the winter, at which
point her dad, social media author eric Harr, says, “lemonade might turn into hot chocolate.” Vivienne was moved to act after viewing a photograph taken by journalist Lisa Kristine of two child slaves in Nepal carrying rocks strapped to their heads. s he’s generating more support through social media, including Facebook, pinterest and t witter, where she has more than 15,000 followers — including her favorite singer, Katy perry. t o buy a virtual cup, go to makeastandlemonade. com/donate. m ELi SSa Gar Dn Er WHi TE
r eading List
t each your c hildren w ell: p arenting for a uthentic Success by
Madeline Levine, Ph.D., Harper, $25.99. By the Marin-based author of New York Times best seller The Price of Privilege , this book gives “practical advice for raising well-rounded and successful children,” says Kirkus Reviews, “and a rethinking of the term ‘success.’”
n orthern c alifornia c raft Beer Guide by Ken Weaver, Cameron + Company, $21.95. From Santa Cruz to Arcata (which includes Marin) and featuring more than 150 producers, this is the bible for craft beer drinkers. A nifty, well-produced softcover compendium of the who, what and where of some of the world’s finest small breweries. Cheers.
a Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers, McSweeney’s Books, $25. About “the frustrations of middle-class America in a newly globalized world,” writes New York Times ’ Michiko Kakutani. In a new pared-down voice, the acclaimed Sausalito novelist tells the tale of Alan Clay, who’s deep in debt and making a sales pitch to the king of Saudi Arabia. Jim w oo D
winner S
For this year’s August editors’ Choice issue we asked you, the reader, to vote for your favorite m arin businesses in 16 categories. t he response was great and these are the lucky establishments that m arin residents just can’t live without. Congratulations to the winners.
a rt Gallery
s eager Gray Gallery, Mill Valley, seagergray.com
Dance Stu Dio
s tage Dor, s ausalito, stagedor.com
y o Ga Stu Dio
YogaWorks, Larkspur/Mill Valley, yogaworks.com
m e Di-Spa
s kins pirit, Mill Valley, skinspirit.com
Hair Salon
s iren s alon, s an Anselmo, sirensalon.net
m u Sic Venue
s weetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley, sweetwatermusichall.com
m arin Boutique
Viva Diva Boutique, s an r afael, vivadivaboutique.com
Ki D -Frien Dly r e Staurant
Pizza Antica, Mill Valley, pizzaantica.com
m arin p izzeria
Pizza Antica, Mill Valley, pizzaantica.com
Sala D
Insalata’s fattoush salad, s an Anselmo, insalatas.com
San Dwic H
Michael’s s ourdough, s an r afael/ n ovato, michaels sourdough.com
Si Gnature c oc K tail s aylor’s r estaurant and Bar’s top-shelf margarita, s ausalito, saylorsrestaurantandbar.com
c o FFee SHop
Marin c offee r oasters, various locations Hotel c asa Madrona Hotel & s pa, s ausalito, casamadrona.com
Home Furni SHin GS t ie: Bliss and s unrise Home Bliss, Mill Valley, blisshomeanddesign.com s unrise Home, s an r afael, sunrisehome.com
Bi Ke Store Mike’s Bikes, s an r afael/s ausalito, mikesbikes.com
Mirror, Mirror If you know people who love the spotlight, the recently installed mirrors (called heliostats) atop the two Golden Gate b ridge towers could be the best way to wow them this summer. b y simply going online and choosing an exact location and time, m arin residents with a view of the bridge towers (s horeline park in t iburon is considered ideal) can use their computers to control the motorized mirrors, reflecting the sun for a fourminute personalized light show. t he free service (donations are accepted) is a collaboration between space scientists at UC b erkeley and a Londonbased artist. Would-be participants have just a little more time to schedule an appointment for some fun with the sun. solarbeacon.org meli SSa G ar D ner w H ite
Boo KS
Marin Magazine Sept issue - half pg spread
Neal Gottlieb, Founding Twin
October 8, 7:30–9 p.m.
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco
Best-selling author and physician Deepak Chopra will share insights from his latest book God: A Story of Revelation, which explores the evolving nature of God. A book signing follows the California Institute of Integral Studies event.
$30, $40, $55 (includes a copy of the book)
415.392.4400; ciis.edu/publicprograms
The scoop on Bay Area events you’ll want to attend
[up C o M in G events]
October 28, 5:30 p.m.
Osher Marin JCC, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael
Immediately following the season-opening “Viva Italia!” concert on Sunday, the Marin Symphony celebrates its 60th season with an exciting and elegant gala. Share the afterglow at this Italy-inspired event featuring finewines, dinner and entertainment. Proceeds benefit Marin Symphony’s programs, community and youth outreach work.
Marin Charitable’s Mad Marin event is a 1960s-inspired evening, featuring a swanky cocktail lounge, silent auction, seated dinner with live auction followed by music and dancing. Marin Charitable, an all-volunteer organization, provides funding to local organizations that offer education, critical support and enrichment for school-aged children living in Marin with limited opportunities. All funds raised directly impact the Marin kids who need it most. $200
marincharitable.org
a n GEL s by THE b ay
October 12, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Corinthian Yacht Club, 43 Main Street, Tiburon
Marin Center for Independent Living’s much-anticipated annual gala sells out every year, so make your reservation early. More than 250 guests will celebrate the fifthyear of Angels by the Bay by taking in sweeping views of the city while tasting offerings from several exclusive wineries. Guests will have the opportunity to shop for unique, one-of-a-kind boutique items from fabulous vendors, bid on silent auction items and enjoy a gourmet three-course luncheon and a spirited live auction. All proceeds help MCIL serve older adults and people with disabilities in Marin County.
$125 per person
415.459.6245, ext. 17; marincil.org
Mi
LL Va LLE y
September 15–16, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Old Mill Park, Mill Valley
The 56th Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival showcases more than 140 fineartists and offers live musical entertainment and children’s activities. The juried works include prints, jewelry, paintings, woodwork, photography and sculpture. The festival is held in the redwood grove of Old Mill Park in Mill Valley and is rated one of the top 10 finearts and crafts shows in the Northwest.
$10 general; $5 students, seniors; free for kids 12 and under
415.381.8090; mvfaf.org
Vino and Vinyasa
September 13, 6 p.m. yoga class, 7–9 p.m. wine reception
The Pad, Bon Air Center, Greenbrae
Go to check out this new exercise hot spot at the grand opening launch party. Enjoy a yoga class from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres by Blue Barn Gourmet. Marin local MC Yogi will DJ the yoga class for the event. If you don’t feel like doing yoga, come for the wine and food.
Marin Country Club, 500 Country Club Drive, Novato
Enjoy a full day of golf and great food at the prestigious Marin Country Club in Novato all while supporting a worthy cause. Guests will enjoy a barbecue lunch, a round of golf and a delicious reception dinner. Put your golf talents on display and compete for great prizes, including a chance to win $25,000. Ohlhoff ecovery
Programs offers affordable drug and alcohol treatment programs for working men and women and treatment programs for teens as well as counseling available in Bay Area high schools.
$800 golf foursome; $1,500 tee sponsor
415.621.4388; golfohlhoff.com
Friend us to share and view RSVPHot Ticket photosat facebook.com/marinmagazine
Want to see all the images from our RSVPHot Ticket events? marinmagazine.com/hotticket
Calling Young Composers t he m arin s ymphony’s 2012 National Young Composers Challenge invites musicians ages 13 to 18 to participate in a free workshop with renowned musical artists and also to write and submit an original score for chamber ensemble or full orchestra. Kids whose scores are selected will receive a cash prize and a professional recording of their composition performed by the Orlando philharmonic Orchestra or the m arin s ymphony. Available spots are limited for the workshop, to be held s aturday, October 6, at s an Domenico s chool, so register early. youngcomposerschallenge.org SOPH i E SHUL man
Artists Wanted
Are you skilled at drawing dogs or cats or painting pictures of pets? c reative r escue, a Marin nonprofit that raises money for animal shelters, is looking for artwork depicting canines and felines for its new holiday card line, to be launched and sold this fall. Marin c ounty high schools and nonprofit organizations around the county are encouraged to submit tail-wagging tidbits for consideration by s eptember 28. Proceeds go to the Marin Humane s ociety and the Milo Foundation. creativerescue.net m .G.W.
Daniel
Keeping Lunches s afe
If you’re a nutritionally savvy parent, you know it’s important to fill a child’s lunch box or bag with healthy foods like organic fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread and meats free of artificial ingredients. If, however, you’re improperly storing these edibles, you may be compromising her health nonetheless. Here are some safety-minded packing tips:
1 Perishable foods such as meat and poultry must not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. (One hour on exceptionally hot days.) If the lunch will be sitting any longer, it’s important to keep it chilled by including an ice pack. Alternately, a frozen juice box will help prevent spoilage and provide a hydrating beverage to boot. Foods that don’t need refrigeration include whole fruits and vegetables, hard cheese and that old standby, peanut butter and jelly.
2 Reusable packing materials are great for the environment; just make sure to wash everything thoroughly between each use. Unrefrigerated food scraps are a prime breeding ground for harmful bacteria that quickly spread via cross-contamination.
3 The container itself is just as important as the food that’s inside. Some lunch boxes, for example, are made of polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC. This hard plastic is cheap and durable, but it’s also potentially toxic; the chemical can leach into your child’s food and be inadvertently swallowed. So can a chemical called bisphenol A, or BPA, often used to make water bottles, plastic food storage containers and many aluminum cans. Avoid these hazards by only using plastic products labeled BPA- and PVC-free, or stick with glass, porcelain and steel containers. Da Wn m argolis De n Ber g
MADE BY MARIN
Serena and Lily
SERENA DUGAN (LEFT) and Lily Kanter (right) fi rst met in a Mill Valley baby boutique, quickly bonding in discovering they agreed the nursery accessory market lacked style-driven flair. After a few more discussions, Serena & Lily, an online home furnishings and decor company, was born. PHILOSOPHY Both women believe the home should be a comfortable family haven with an interior reflecting its inhabitants’ lifestyle and personality. IN MARIN The surrounding beauty and outdoors sensibility of Marin has been an important design influence. Serena has been particularly inspired by views of the bay from her deck in Sausalito. THE GOODS Serena & Lily products include bedding, accessories, art, rugs and furniture for babies, kids and adults. Organic versions of items like cribs are available. CLASSIC SELLERS are the Charing Cross Rug and the elegant, serene Tess Collection for the bedroom. Highlights of the fall collection, launching this month, are the Abbot pendant light, mohair throws and hand-painted Azure plates. BEYOND MARIN Serena & Lily is community oriented and supports organizations that advocate for underprivileged and at-risk women and children. The company worked closely with parents, kids and teachers to create the World Repair Kit, a compilation of facts, inspiration and tools to empower young people to help bring about positive change. WHAT THEY SAY “Even when a design originates from somewhere halfway around the world, I always bring it back to our o˛ ce in Marin and it gets blended with that casual California aesthetic to make something truly unique,” says Serena. “Marin is such a huge part of who we are it just wouldn’t make sense for us to be anywhere else,” Lily adds. serenaandlily.com SOPHIE SHULMAN
ABBOT PENDANT, $75 Faceted glass with iron framing and a chain cord
MOHAIR THROWS, $250 Woven by hand from fine mohair, available in five colors
RIVIERA ARMCHAIR IN MUSHROOM, $225
A classic bistro chair crafted by hand of sustainable rattan in alternating colors
AZURE DESSERT PLATES, $98 FOR SET OF 4 Hand-painted assorted set
KUBA PILLOW SHAM, $64
New signature pattern is a refined take on traditional African textiles
The award-winning Comfort Sleeper™ by American Leather is now available at the lowest prices of the year. Great by day, even better by night, the Comfort Sleeper offers no bars, no springs and no compromises in a wide selection of fabrics and leathers.
Sale runs September 4 - October 4.
FPhil and Jill Lesh
A music legend builds the ultimate clubhouse and rediscovers the pleasures of life off the road.
By Nate Selte N ri ch • Photo S B y t im P orter
or Phil l es h, 30 years with one of popular music’s most celebrated groups was just the beginning. a fter the Grateful Dead disbanded upon Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995, the bassist launched Phil l esh & Friends, a group featuring revolving membership that he continues to perform with today. i n 20 09, he reunited with Dead guitarist Bob Weir in Furthur, a live act that has earned accolades of its own. n ow 72 , l esh retains an intense passion for music. Following an ill-fated attempt to open a venue in Fairfax, he and wife Jill, who live in r oss, bought the former s ea food Peddler restaurant along s an r afael’s scenic canal in February and converted it within weeks into a warm, modern restaurant/venue called t er rapin c rossroads (Terrapin Station was the name of the ninth Grateful Dead studio album). t he place was conceived as a home away from home, a community center, and a
t his page: Jill and Phil l esh in the upstairs dining room at t errapin c rossroads. t he
classic dancing turtles grace the sign outside.
o pposite page: Guests in the main dining room.
comfortable place for Phil to play — whether with big-name acts or with sons Grahame and Brian, both in their twenties — without having to hit the road. The venue’s debut in March came just two months after the reopening of the Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, an effort led in part by bandmate Weir. We sat down with Phil and Jill in Terrapin Crossroads’ upstairs lounge to discuss the new project.
What’s your take on the success of the place so far? Phil Lesh: Well, it’s still a work in progress. We haven’t even begun to start bringing the variety of music that we want to bring in here. I’m very pleased with the response that we’ve been getting. People come up to me on the street and they’ll say things like, “Well, thank you for building that here,” or, “I haven’t come down yet, but I’ve got to because everybody’s talking about it.” So I think people really know that it’s here and are interested and are planning to come down. Jill Lesh: We’ve done 50 shows already, between the Grate Room and the bar. It’s been really fun. We’re getting a lot of parents coming with their teenage kids to the shows, which is really fun. It’s kind of been a family a ffair. P: That’s the vision that we had originally. We want it to be multigenerational. We want to involve everybody in
Connect with us
• in person
wine, w omen and shoes
Slip into your stilettos and join us at Wine, Women and Shoes September 15 at the Campodonico Estate Gardens in Kentfield (the location of our fall fashion shoot) for an afternoon of fun, food, wine and fashion. Come by to say hello, grab a magazine and pose for a photo. Proceeds from the event benefit Sunny Hills Services, providing services to vulnerable youth and their families. winewomenandshoes.com/sunnyhillsservices
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Harmony Restaurant owner Norman Louie knows how to make kids eat their vegetables. You can read about his award-winning organic Lacinato kale vegan stir-fry on page 86, but you can see how he makes it in our latest Marin Magazine video. See this piece and many others here: marinmagazine.com/videos.
the community and have them feel like this is a place for them to come hang out. a nd that’s working out pretty well, i think.
Will you have an opportunity to host upand-coming m arin-based artists? Have you been keeping an eye on the local scene? P: Yes, that’s defi nitely part of the program. We haven’t started to do that yet, because we’ve been trying to get established. But the scene seems to be thriving. o ut in Fairfax, there’s all kinds of local musicians playing all the time. i ’m constantly moving around,
t he place was conceived as a home away from home, a community center, and a comfortable place for phil to play.
trolling for musicians. a nd word is getting out. J: Bobby [Weir] was talking about the s weetwater and t errapin c rossroads having a synergy, with di fferent people coming in. We’ve actively discussed that.
i t’s a pretty phenomenal coincidence that you both opened venues in the same year. J: They’ve been working on the Sweetwater for a long time. It was kind of a coincidence that it all happened at the same time. We’ve both been on similar paths. It’s kinda cool, though. We believe in synergy in the Grateful Dead world, so it’s a good thing. P: If we can get the three of these entities [including Weir’s nearby TRI Studios, featured in the July issue of Marin Magazine] working together, we’ll have quite a little scene here. I’m excited about that. And I’m excited about having young musicians come in and play. I want to have multigenerational bands. I’ve already started that with my sons, so musicians their age will come in and play with musicians my age.
Your idea of creating a clubhouse like this goes back pretty far, doesn’t it? P: Grateful Dead had a flash of trying to do that in the late ’60s. We were going to fi nd a place and plug into it and beam it up to the rock-and-roll satellite and send it all over the world. That, of course, didn’t happen. We tried again in the ’80s; we were thinking about trying that approach at Rancho Nicasio, but that didn’t
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Phil Lesh performs at Terrapin with his two sons, Grahame (left) and Brian (right).
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work out. But then, 30 years later, we have Bob doing the s weetwater and this came up for us. s o it’s obviously time for it to happen.
How often do you anticipate performing at Terrapin Crossroads? P: i mean, i t’s my sandbox. i can’t imagine anything that i could enjoy more than playing music down here. Maybe three shows a week instead of four. s o far it has been absolutely great.
Sounds like you’re pretty thrilled that you’ve landed here after all those decades of dreaming about it. P: i ’m ecstatic. s omebody the other night, after i ’d just fi nished playing a bar show with both of my sons, came up and he asked, “Phil, have you ever been happier?” a nd i have to admit, i couldn’t say that i ever have. i mean, this is my favorite place.
We’re getting a lot of parents coming with their teenage kids to the shows, which is really fun.
J: t here’s a line in a Grateful Dead song that says, “s ee here how everything leads up to this day,” and it kind of has. P: t here’s another one
that says, “I will not forgive you if you will not take a chance.” And then there’s the one that says, “Inspiration moved me brightly.” Put all those together and this is what you get.
So the issues in Fairfax were ultimately for the better? J: We wouldn’t have done this if we hadn’t done Fairfa x fi rst. Because we would’ve been overwhelmed. Everybody was really nice in Fairfax, I mean really lovely. It wasn’t the right destination, but it was the right path. We had to go through there. You always hear the negative, but there were so many nice people in Fairfax. P: Yeah, we learned a lot. The majority of people were extremely supportive. Gary Graham from 19 Broadway took us around and we met all the other business owners. J: It was actually a really positive experience, for the most part. I mean, it’s nice we ended up here.
You changed the name from Terrapin Landing to Terrapin Crossroads. What does the new name mean to you? P: Crossroads is a meeting place, of minds, of ideas, of people. So the thought of crossroads really seemed to describe what we were looking to do. A crossroads is like a place where you continue a journey. m
The main dining room features views to the outside seating area and the canal beyond.
GLAM Golden, Glitzy,Gilded, Golden, Glitzy,
Fall is all about luxe — from sequins to fur and baubles galore, these looks will definitely garner attention at any party or soiree.
Previous spread: Tulle illusion gown with cap sleeves by Reem Acra, $6,800 at Saks Fifth Avenue (SF) 415.986.4300. Paige stingray and gold tassel earrings by Alexandra Beth, $118 at alexandrabeth.com. 18k rose gold cassini bracelets, $3,150 and $4,150; 18k yellow gold cassini bracelet, $3,150 at Kathleen Dughi Jeweler (Mill Valley) 415.383.0462. This page, clockwise from top left: Gold multistone ring by Alessandra Gallo, $225 at M Clothing (Corte Madera) 415.924.8891. Leaf earrings by Kevia, $225 at kevia.biz. Amethyst ring in 18k black and rose gold, $3,300 at Kathleen Dughi Jeweler. Pink stone ring by Alessandra Gallo, $225 at M Clothing. Nouveau glamour ring by Kevia, $138 at kevia.biz. Rose cut diamond and blue sapphire ring in 18k rose gold, $9,000 at Kathleen Dughi Jeweler. Opposite: Open-back blouse by Haute Hippie, $275 at M Clothing. Bacall trouser by Donna Karan, $950 at Saks Fifth Avenue. Katelin necklace by Alessandra Gallo, $248 at M Clothing. Printed scarf by VSA, call for pricing at Koze (Tiburon) 415.435.1916.
This page and opposite: Militia black stretch knit with mesh jacket by Daniela Corte, $275 at danielacorte.com. Lace bralet by Kenny, $40 at kennyclothes.com. Fear & Loathing leather pants by One Teaspoon, $498 at freepeople.com. The Audra bronze metallic suede boot by Anyi Lu, $595 at Nordstrom (Corte Madera) 415.927.1690. Chain sunglasses, $8 at H&M (SF) 415.986.4215. The Shevy choker in 22k plated gold by The 2 Bandits, $148 at the2bandits.com. Stay with Me 16” and 22” chain necklaces in black rhodium-plated brass by Karen London, $83 and $100 at karenlondon. com. Suzy gold/black cuff with snake skin by Alexandra Beth, $168 at alexandrabeth.com. Gold spiked cuffs, $7 each at H&M. Pavé black diamond band in 18k black gold, $9,600 at Kathleen Dughi Jeweler (Mill Valley) 415.383.0462. 18k rose gold link ring, $6,000 at Kathleen Dughi Jeweler.
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White and cognac diamond wide band ring in 18k rose gold, $13,500 at Kathleen Dughi Jeweler (Mill Valley) 415.383.0462. Pewter and bronze leopard printed lamé pumps by Christian Louboutin, $625 at Saks Fifth Avenue (SF) 415.986.4300.
Silk organza gown with hand-cut leather “scale” embroidery by Mathieu Mirano, $7,990 at mathieumirano.com.
Tracy stingray and gold hoop earrings by Alexandra Beth, $148 at
This page: Bronze lamé column gown with hand-embroidered “star” detail by Mathieu Mirano, $6,990 at mathieumirano.com.
Brit mini crossbody purse by Foley & Corrina, $250 at OSKA (Mill Valley) 415.381.1144. Mosaic leaf-shaped moonstone hoop earrings by Kevia, $275 at kevia. biz. Triple stone ring by Alessandra Gallo, $298 at M Clothing (Corte Madera) 415.924.8891. Gold with gray stone ring by Alessandra Gallo, $225 at M Clothing. Silver with gray stone ring by Alessandra Gallo, $225 at M Clothing.
Opposite: Stretch textured knit dress with copper dots by Alaia, $4,785 at Saks Fifth Avenue (SF) 415.986.4300. Oval 18k yellow gold earrings, $3,800, at Kathleen Dughi Jeweler (Mill Valley) 415.383.0462. Hand-carved ametrine, carved black jade, diamonds, on 18k yellow gold and sterling silver woven chain, $9,000 at Lehrer Designs (Larkspur) 415.461.2212.
Additional items shown on table of contents page: Monica black leather peep-toe booties by Jon Joseph, $245 at jonjosef. com. Luna bracelet by Karen London, $150 at karenlondon.com.
This page: Short-sleeved silk chiffon gown with lace yoke and ruched bodice by Reem Acra, $5,000 at Saks Fifth Avenue (SF) 415.986.4300. Cocoa Carlisle duster by Ralph Lauren Blue Label, $798 at Ralph Lauren (SF) 415.788.7656. The Stella anthracite glitter sandal by Anyi Lu, $445 at Nordstrom (Corte Madera) 415.927.1690. Hand-beaded clutch by Moyna, $149 at Koze (Tiburon) 415.435.1916. Sydney tassel earrings by Alexandra Beth, $188 at alexandrabeth.com. Mercedes-Benz C250 Sedan, $44,000 at R.A.B. Motors (San Rafael) 415.508.5678. Opposite: Sequin peplum top by Tory Burch, $425 at Tory Burch (SF) 415.398.1525. Tourmaline trellis pendant with tourmalines and diamonds set in 22k gold and platinum, $55,000 at Alix & Company (Mill Valley) 415. 380.0880. Gold rope necklace with 22k gold chain and clasp, $20,000 at Alix & Company. Next page: Leather-top long dress by Marna Ro, $483 at shopbop.com. Mirror acrylic clutch bag by Jimmy Choo, $595 at Saks Fifth Avenue. Leather turn-lock stretch belt, $125 at Saks Fifth Avenue. Berlin 18kt rose gold chain necklace with diamond in clasp, $24,500 at Kathleen Dughi Jeweler (Mill Valley) 415.383.0462. Premium leather wrap bracelet with 22k gold toggle clasp, $2,760 at Alix & Company. Polished onyx in 22k gold and silver ring, $1,880 at Alix & Company.
Libraries of the future
Marin information centers turn the page toward a brighter and increasingly electronic tomorrow.
by b lair Campbell
phot os by t im p or ter
Call it a professional habit: Mill Valley City
Librarian Anji Brenner likes to do a little research before she speaks in public.
So when Brenner was called upon to give remarks last year at the many celebrations and program launches marking the Mill Valley Public Library’s centennial, she decided to look into the library’s history. When Brenner came across a speech the state librarian of California had given at the 1966 dedication of the library’s current building, she was surprised — and a bit humbled — by its message.
“When I read this librarian’s remarks, I thought, Here I thought we were reinventing ourselves, that we had all these new ideas. And it was actually in a very similar vein,” Brenner says.
Turns out that the public’s relationship to information, and the technologies facilitating that relationship, are always evolving. So while this moment in history — with the convergence of shrinking budgets and surging demand for e-books — might seem to be giving libraries an unprecedented mandate to change in order to stay alive, that’s actually what they’ve always had to do. And they’ve done it, time and again, by remaining true to the guiding principle of free and egalitarian access to the materials, information, services and programs they provide.
Opposite page, clockwise from top left: m ill Valley library’s main reading room; speaker a llison Cook; City Librarian a nji Brenner (blue dress) at a First Friday event; lecture poster. This page: n ooks available for borrowing.
E-Book Explosion
Despite their constant evolution, there’s still a common misperception that libraries function primarily as repositories for physical books. Many people have therefore equated the rise of e-books with the demise of the library, Brenner notes. But “it’s anything but that,” she insists. “We have always been about more than just the particular format of what you read.”
Yet as the popularity of e-books grows — which it’s done at lightning speed, with an April 2012 Pew Research Center study fi nding four times as many people reading e-books on any given day than two years ago — libraries inevitably face new challenges.
“We’re seeing increasing numbers of our users turning to their iPads and to their Kindles to do, in many cases, a majority of their reading,” says Abbot Chambers, currently city librarian at the Sausalito Public Library and former assistant director for library services at the Belvedere-Tiburon Library. “The challenge for us as a library is to fi nd collections of shared e-books that we can provide for our users.”
The Sausalito and Mill Valley libraries are joined in that effort by their fellow members in the Marin Automated Resources and Information Network (MARINet), a consortium that also includes the city libraries in San Rafael, Belvedere-Tiburon, San Anselmo and Larkspur, as well as the Marin County Free Library. With the e-book revolution positioning libraries at the center of tense negotiations over licensing and financial arrangements, the shared access that MARINet facilitates has made an enormous difference in the user experience of e-book lending.
“There’s so much in play right now with the publishers, and many of them are very skittish about making the books they’re publishing available to libraries,” says Chambers, noting that only two of the “big six” publishers are participating in the OverDrive platform through which MARINet makes e-books available to its users.
With OverDrive, a user can search for an e-book title in MARINet’s main online catalog or on the OverDrive MARINet Digital Downloads page. Both catalogs are accessible via the individual library websites or at marinet.lib.ca.us. Once you’ve selected
the e-book (or audiobook, video or music) you want to check out, you can choose how you’d like to download it. A popular best seller, for example, might be available in both Kindle and Adobe EPUB format. Depending on the number of copies of that book currently available — determined by the number of licenses MARINet has purchased for that item — you may be able to check that book out for one, two or three weeks or add yourself to its wait list, using your library card number and PIN.
The publisher skittishness Chambers mentions is born of the fact that print books have their own physical “built-in failure.” The average print book the library purchases “starts to look pretty shabby after it’s been circulated 25 or 30 times,” Chambers says. “The thing they’re worried about with the electronic versions is that they never wear out.” So publishers are “just not quite sure how to price them.”
Gail Haar, director of county library services at Marin County Free Library, likens today’s e-book battles in the publishing world to the music industry’s issues with rights management five or six years ago. “The publishers are scared of libraries because they think we’re going to take away all their sales,” she says. These concerns have driven up licensing fees: While a consumer might pay $12.99 to put a book on a Kindle, Random House (for one) has raised e-book licensing fees for libraries to as much as $85 per e-book. By contrast, a library receives a discount of roughly 40 percent on a print best seller, which might cost around $25 in a bookstore.
Pooling Resources
Such fuzzy math only adds insult to injury, given the fiscal shortages libraries now face. The California budget woes of the past several years have seriously impacted local libraries’ bottom line; state funding for public libraries was completely eliminated in last year’s budget, as was money for a major state-run literacy program, and the funds weren’t restored in 2012. As a result, across the board libraries have had to do more with less.
“We’re trying to maintain a minimum level of service with less money, which means less sta ff, less new books, less online
resources, less time to go out into the community and talk with people,” says Sarah Houghton, director of the San Rafael Public Library and author of a popular blog, Librarian in Black, that focuses on libraries and technology. “This is not a very delicate way of putting it,” she adds, “but the way I think of it now is there’s no more trimming the fat. We’ve trimmed the fat, we’ve trimmed the muscle, we’re into bone and internal organs at this point. There’s no more to cut without really destroying the institutions, and every public library is facing that problem.”
Pooled resources in the form of MARINet are one crucial means for cashstrapped libraries like San Rafael’s to withstand the budget crunch. Through MARINet, a user of any Marin County library has access to most items in the collections of every Marin County library, and you can submit a request online for those materials and ask that they be delivered to your local library. Another big advantage: MARINet helps its member organizations nimbly keep up with current trends in library services.
“Moving forward in technology costs money, so it’s the collaborative thinking about the many choices we have and directions to go in that helps us make the best
decision,” says Deborah Mazzolini, library director of Belvedere-Tiburon Public Library. For example, when Mazzolini introduced circulating e-readers at the Belvedere-Tiburon library, allowing users to check out Barnes & Noble’s Nook device, she worked with her staff (which then included Chambers) to launch and fine-tune the program. Based on its success, several other local libraries followed suit.
“The advantage of being a network and also operating individually is that individual libraries, like with Tiburon and the e-readers, can experiment with new things,” says Chambers. “Then if they work, other libraries can pick them up. If they don’t work, then this stuffdies on the vine. We can innovate that way.”
Beyond Books
Marin County librarians seem to agree that the future of libraries lies beyond books, regardless of their format, and that each library must embrace its role as a public center of culture, learning, community, experience and imagination. Marin County Free Library’s Gail Haar notes that the 10 libraries she oversees are often fi lled with after-school tutors and their students, people studying, self-employed professionals and telecommuters who would otherwise work at home. The telecommuting and self-employed can take advantage of the library’s wireless access and quiet setting as a kind of free co-working facility.
Other librarians note this trend as well, along with an increase in adults attending library-based programs such as book groups, local author readings and art docent and master gardener talks. In Mill Valley, where the library now hosts a monthly First Friday series featuring free lectures, readings and performances, participation in such programs was up 25 percent in 2011 from 2010.
Belvedere-Tiburon’s Mazzolini believes libraries will increasingly provide access to tools users might be unable to afford on their own — workstations set up with software such as Adobe’s Creative Suite, for example. With a planned expansion of Belvedere-Tiburon’s library, Mazzolini envisions the space functioning as “a buzz center, like the Apple Store.”
“Libraries are going to continue to encourage and support a literate, enlightened and learning-oriented community,”
Upcycling: t he e-book Version
i n addition to their affiliations with m arin et and Link+ (a catalog of 50 academic and public libraries in California and n evada that share a collection of roughly 10 million books), San r afael Public Library and m arin County Free Library are now participating in the Open Library project, a free e-book lending service created by a San Francisco-based nonprofit called the i nternet a rchive. Through the program, participating libraries donate all discarded physical books to the i nternet a rchive, which scans the books, makes digital copies of them, puts those copies online, and loans them out to one user at a time through any participating library.
“We’re really focused on that model, and [we’re] trying to support an e-book library built by libraries, for libraries, that doesn’t result in a direct cost to us at all,” says San r af ael Public Library Director Sarah Houghton, who raves about the program. “ i t al so means our physical books don’t end up in the recycling bin. They end up digitized in the hands of someone who can use them.” For more information, visit openlibrary.org. B.C.
Opposite page: The Tech Petting Zoo at the Tiburon Library. This page: Sarah Houghton, director of the San r afael Public Library, at Pickleweed.
she predicts. “They’re going to become more important as cultural hubs.” Marin’s libraries will also continue to provide access to culture outside the library via features like museum pass lending programs, which Mazzolini launched at her library before helping to implement similar programs in Mill Valley and Sausalito. Such programs are part of an effort to “go beyond the physical media,” says Chambers, perhaps even loaning (as some libraries do elsewhere) such resources as musical instruments and plots in community gardens — ideas that appeal to him as well.
“In large part we’re about shared resources and pooling community money to make things available, so that
individuals don’t have to purchase them on their own,” he explains. And ultimately, lower demand for physical materials frees up more space inside the library for programs — with those devoted to kids and learning topping the list.
There’s no doubt that child-related resources and activities are a major component of what public libraries do best. As ever, a primary goal is to help instill a lifelong love of learning — and a view of the library as a place to find not just knowledge, but respite and inspiration as well.
“People come here not only to find books and information but to find a better version of themselves — a more contemplative and insightful version,” Mill Valley’s Brenner
says. “And that is a timeless concept. As long as we keep that in mind, then I think regardless of the year or the century, we will always be relevant.” m
• Taking advantage of services at m arin’s 16 public libraries is a great way to save money. i n ad dition to wireless i nt ernet, these libraries have everything from classes and clubs to museum passes and homework help. Check out the latest your local library has to offer. marinmagazine.com/library
belvedere-t iburon Library e xpansion
Approved
The recent proposal to expand the existing 10,500-square-foot Belvedere-Tiburon Library into a building more than double the size — 26,500 square feet — was approved in July in a 4 to 1 vote, but not before polarizing residents of both communities.
“The proposed expansion is out of sync with the size of our community and its needs,” Belvedere’s r ich Bergsund wrote in a comment when signing a petition opposing the project. “ i t has not been properly vetted in public forums nor has it been sufficiently planned from a financial perspective.” His sentiments encapsulate those expressed by nearly 500 other signees from both communities who oppose the expansion, estimated to cost between $12 million and $14 million.
Tiburon’s Janice a nderson-Gram, however, is in favor. “Over six years there have been more than 20 community forums regarding the expansion,” she commented after signing a pro-expansion petition along with nearly 150 residents from Tiburon and Belvedere. “The needs assessment was done by one of the nation’s finest library consultants and the San Francisco architect has scaled the project to fit with nearby structures and comply with the town’s general plan.”
a cc ording to Library Director Deborah m az zolini, once exact costs are determined it will take up to three years to raise the money, and construction — not expected to affect the library’s normal operation — will take another year. J im WOOD
“People come here not only to find books and information but to find a better version of themselves — a more contemplative and insightful version.”
Opposite page: a nji Brenner; drawing of BelvedereTiburon Library expansion (brown building). This page: m ill Valley Library’s main entryway; a First Friday event at m ill Valley Library.
beyond our borders
Light, water and clothing are easy for us to take for granted, but in the most impoverished areas of the world, they’re miracles that can help children learn and change their lives. Here are some m arin residents who have found ways to improve education in third world countries.
by Judith m . Wi lson
l ights in the n ight
Moira Hanes and Marco Krapels of Larkspur discovered that a little light could make a big di fference for students in Zambia.
The seeds for this simple idea were planted after a friend gave them a solar-powered LED light and cell phone charger in 2010. “When he first gave it to us, we thought, ‘Cool, we’ll use it on a camping trip,’” says Hanes.
Then Krapels read an article in The New York Times describing how children in areas of Africa without electrical power can improve their academic performance by using solar-powered lights to study at night. “The light went on,” says Hanes. “We decided to provide solar lighting to some areas that need it internationally.”
Hanes, Krapels and economist/clean-tech adviser Gianluca Signorelli launched Empowered by Light (empoweredbylight. org) in 2011. They got their first grant from Emeryville-based Clif Bar & Company, began collecting donations from individuals and held a fundraiser in San Francisco. In the fi rst year they raised $100,000 to pay for lights and their deployment, using Zambia as a starting point.
The organization has distributed 10,000 lights so far and is already seeing the difference they make. Preliminary results of recent tests show students in Zambia’s Shambongo district, who used to have the lowest scores in the country, have moved up seven places in the academic rankings. “That’s just with half a year’s use of our lights,” says Hanes.
Education is the students’ ticket out of poverty, she notes. “It’s their only hope for a better life. It was an obvious area to target.”
t op: s tudents studying at night in Zambia. b ottom: m arco Krapels shows students the light.
Well Wishes
In September 2011, fi fth-grade students at Bel Aire School in Tiburon decided to make technology the focus in an effort to help students at a school in Liberia.
With the assistance of the Rotary Club of Tiburon-Belvedere, they established a partnership with the Elizabeth Sele Mulbah Institute in Liberia and started research to learn about the West African country and define a project. At first, they concentrated on finding ways to use technology to improve student literacy, but after a cell phone conversation with people at the Liberian school in March, they changed direction. “We found out that there is one resource they need most of all, and that is water,” says principal Patti Purcell. “Our kids were just blown away by the fact that the kids didn’t have water to drink.”
The closest source was four miles away, and the daily trek to fetch water took children away from classes, so the Bel Aire students decided to help build a well. They borrowed $1,800 from their own student council to send to Liberia, and then they started fundraising.
They held a Liberian Celebration Night featuring African food and dancers and participated in a four-mile walkathon (the route led from Blackie’s Pasture to the Belvedere-Tiburon Library and back) symbolizing the distance the Liberian students walked to get water. By mid-June, the well in Liberia was in operation, allowing children there to spend more time in school, and the students in Tiburon had raised $3,800 to pay back the loan and provide seed money to resume the technology-based literacy project in the 2012-2013 school year.
Jocelyn Knight
This page: Tiburon students on stage at Liberian Celebration n ight; artwork depicting water. Opposite page: a frican dancers in Tiburon; spreading the word about the need for water in Liberia.
For the Love of education: Update
In January, we wrote about three organizations founded by Marin residents to improve education in developing countries. Here’s an update on the progress they have made over the past nine months. SOPH i E SHUL man
• Growing With Books i n 2007, r ana m adanat created a nonprofit that fosters a love of reading and literacy in Jordan and other countries by opening libraries, starting story time programs and funding parent training and college scholarships. i n the past few months, a tutoring program has been implemented that pairs retired teachers with children for after-school homework assistance. The program has become so popular that plans for building a separate learning center dedicated to tutoring are in the works. Growing With Books is expanding to another location in Jordan and one in m orocco. Closer to home, Growing With Books is joining forces with Oma Village, a local project that will oversee construction of a new low-income family housing community in n ovato. m adanat’s organization will help create a comfortable setting where families can come together to do homework, use computers and play. growingwithbooks.org
• Valentino a chak Deng Foundation (Va D) The Va D Foundation, founded by m arin writer Dave Eggers to build schools, libraries, teacher-training institutes and community centers in South Sudan, continues to stand as a symbol of hope in the region. Despite the political conflicts in the Sudan, Va D continues to supply food, school materials and equipment to the m arial Bai Secondary School (m BSS). Staff was busy during the spring preparing new special programs for girls’ education, and this December m BSS will celebrate its first-ever graduates. valentinoachakdeng.org
• n e pal Fr E ED n epal Foundation for r ural Education and Economic Development (Fr EE D), a registered nongovernmental organization, improves educational resources for the region’s children. This year its founder, Jay Tamang, has been hard at work drafting a proposal for erecting a new two-room building in n epal to serve as an addition to the Shree Simrangchaur Lower Secondary School. a bout 450 students from neighboring villages attend the school. Budgeted at $15,000, construction of the new building will begin soon. nepalfreed.org
m aking the Grade
Learning as Leadership (LaL), a for-profit organization in San Rafael that teaches leadership skills to people from all over the world, encourages participants in its training programs to focus on an intention larger than themselves. So when journalist Lorin Mallorie was involved, she told fellow members of a workshop about a school in an impoverished area of Haiti. Other participants got excited about the idea of helping needy students in another country and immediately offered to donate money, even though it wasn’t part of the program. “People just started raising their hands,” says senior executive coach Laura Gates.
LaL CEO Shayne Hughes of San Rafael and executive coach LeeAnn Mallorie of Oakland signed on as volunteers to launch the project and traveled to Haiti to visit the one-room school, L’Ecole de Compassion in Savenette Cabrale, and determine needs. What they saw moved them.
“They had no supplies,” says Hughes, “and the teachers were untrained volunteers.” In addition, school uniforms were required, so if parents couldn’t afford them, their children stayed home. “The littlest things for us here are life-changing there. The gap is phenomenal,” says Hughes, who took crayons and paper to Haiti, but found that the children there didn’t know what to do with them.
Leadership workshop participants contributed $10,000, with additional funds coming from individual donations to LaL’s nonprofit Nuer Foundation, to purchase school supplies and uniforms, send teachers to certi fication courses and pay them a modest stipend for the first time. The funds were also used to make building improvements and add sixth grade to the K–5 school. In the end, enrollment jumped from 150 students to 170.
“It was defi nitely an eye-opening experience,” says Hughes. m
This page: Shayne Hughes and Lee a nn m allorie in Haiti; students at L’Ecole de Compassion. Opposite page: m ore images from Savenette Cabrale, Haiti.
Three More to Cheer On
1
The Global Book Exchange
t ibu ron resident Marilyn Nemzer started the Global Book e xc hange in 1987 to find new homes for used textbooks that might otherwise be thrown away. Based in t er ra Linda, the organization seeks to improve education and literacy by handing down thousands of K–12 textbooks, library books and educational materials to recipients in need. So far it has distributed two million free books — locally, throughout the United States and to more than 30 other countries worldwide. bookexchangemarin.org
2 Konbit Haiti
Samantha Cooprider, Coo of Learning as Leadership in San r afael, became interested in helping Masikot, a poor community in h aiti, after rescuing a 10-year-old girl from slavery and returning her to her family there. i n addition to hiking two miles up a mountain alongside a horse carrying 60 pounds of school supplies to reach the town earlier this year, she developed a microcredit program to help people start their own businesses and become self-sufficient. She raised funds for 50 microcredit loans and had 250 applications. “We know that education and microcredit have to go hand in hand,” she says. konbithaiti.org
3 Project H Design
Founded by r edwood h igh School alum emily Pilloton, the nonprofit Project h d esign uses design and hands-on building to transform curricula, environments and experiences in K–12 programs in the United States. i ts projects include streamlined desks for computer skills instruction and a weight room for athletic teams. i t has been featured in The New York Times and on t ed com, The Colbert Report and the USA Network. projecthdesign.org J. m W.
Destinations
the latest local travel deals and getaways plus journeys around the globe
Lost and Found
Julia Flynn Siler shares Hawaiian discoveries made while writing her best-selling book The Lost Kingdom .
By m imi Towle
When we heard about how much fun Wall Street Journal reporter
Julia Flynn Siler of r oss had researching her latest book, Lost Kingdom: Hawaii’s Last Queen, the Sugar Kings and America’s First Imperial Adventure , we wanted to hear more about her journey into island history. w e di scovered a gripping tale of kings and queens both old and new and some great ways readers can experience some of the same features that captivated Siler.
w hat were the geographic highlights you encountered while writing this book? Lost Kingdom is a history of h awaii, told through its last queen, Liliuokalani. In the course of my research, I spent months poring over yellowed letters, diary entries and other materials in archives, mainly in h onolulu. My digging took me on some wonderful adventures, including a private tour of Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on U.S. soil, where Liliuokalani was placed under house arrest in 1895 before her trial and eventual forced abdication, as well as w ashington Place, which
w aikiki, once a retreat for royalty including Queen l iliuokalani, now attracts 73,000 tourists a day to its bright blue waters and warm white sand beach.
is now the governor’s mansion in Honolulu. I sang with the choir in Kawaiahao, the fi rst Christian church built on o ahu, took hula lessons, sampled kava (a mouth-numbing drink made from the awa plant) out of a coconut shell, and was invited inside the private home of one of the descendants of the sugar kings of Hawaii, white men who came to the islands to raise sugarcane; she showed me medals and other gifts given by the last king of Hawaii to her great-grandfather. And my all-time favorite hotel on o ahu is the Halekulani, or “House Befitting Heaven.” Staying there is very expensive, but a drink at its House Without a Key at sunset, with exquisite hula and music from a half-century ago, is magical.
• If you go: Iolani Palace is located at 364 South King Street in Honolulu; opt for a guided tour for $20 or an audio tour for $12, iolani palace.org. Public tours of Washington Place, at 320 South Beretania Street in Honolulu, are available, 808.586.0248, washingtonplace foundation.org. The Royal Hawaiian Center, at 2201 Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, offers free hula lessons every Tuesday at 11 a.m. and every Thursday at 4 p.m., royalhawaiiancenter .com. Sample kava at Diamond Head Cove Health Bar, 3045 Monsarrat Avenue, Suite 5, in Honolulu, 808.732.8744. Halekulani is an oceanfront hotel at 2199 Kalia Road in Waikiki with rooms starting at $465, halekulani.com.
Where should those who want to retrace your footsteps go?
I fell in love with downtown Honolulu, where the Hawaii State Archives are located within a stone’s throw of Iolani Palace and the state legislature. It has a rich mix of historically signi ficant buildings and great hole-in-the-wall places that offer the island’s famous plate lunches, and quite a bit of hidden luxe in its private clubs and corporate headquarters. It’s such an exotic mix of cultures, with Chinatown abutting its cluster of high-rise office buildings along with the mighty Kawaiahao Church, built from coral stone and adorned with portraits of the kingdom’s rulers. A short walk past the gravestones is the Mission Houses Museum, with its friendly cafe. Honolulu has so much history packed into such a small area that I think it’s a great place to visit for a family or couple where one person loves history and the other prefers to relax in a beach chair.
• If you go: Kawaiahao Church, located at 957 Punchbowl Street in Honolulu, is open for self-guided tours; be sure to call ahead to make sure it will be open, kawaiahao.org. Mission Houses Museum consists of three mission houses — including the oldest wood-frame structure in the state, shipped from Boston in 1820 — that served as homes and workplaces for the first Christian missionaries who came to the islands; guided tours available, general admission is $10, 553 South King Street in Honolulu, missionhouses.org.
Any suggestions for travelers with kids? o ver spring break this year, a friend and I took our 14-year-old sons on a trip to o ahu, with an itinerary geared toward energetic teens. We jokingly dubbed it the Hawaii Five-0 tour, because we visited a few places that are regularly featured in the CBS series, including the statue of King Kamehameha I that stands in front of the fictional Five- o headquarters (which is really the Aliiolani Hale, the building that houses the Hawaii Supreme Court). We also spent a day at Pearl Harbor, including a private guided tour of the USS
Missouri, which was featured in the new fi lm Battleship. The boys particularly liked the fl ight simulators and other interactive parts of the Paci fic Aviation Museum (plus, it’s got a great cafe). For several days, we stayed on o ahu’s North Shore. Highlights there were the shrimp trucks and the movie tour of the Kualoa Ranch, where parts of the movies Pearl Harbor, Jurassic Park and Godzilla were fi lmed. For us moms, the 4,000-acre working cattle ranch on o ahu’s windward side was truly one of the most beautiful places we visited — and history bu ffs wil l fi nd the story of how an American family, the Judds, purchased the initial acreage from Hawaii’s king in 1850 fascinating. The ranch has remained in the same family for more than 150 years.
• If you go: Aliiolani Hale is at 417 South King Street in Honolulu; because the statue faces northeast, the best time to go for a photo is in the morning. Hawaii Five-O tours are available through kuloa.com and hummertourshawaii. com. Pearl Harbor tours vary in price and duration, but prices start at $69, pearlharboroahu. com. Kualoa Ranch is located at 49-560 Kamehameha Highway in Kaneohe; tour options include an $8 “Legends and Legacy” walking tour, a $24 boat tour and a $99 all-terrain vehicle or horseback tour, kualoa.com.
What about the other islands? Because both the Hawaii State Archives and the Bishop Museum Archives are located in Honolulu, I spent much of my time on the island of o ahu. But I took several trips to Maui to research
Above: Julia f lynn Siler in front of Iolani Palace. The statue of King Kamehameha.
the sugar industry and trace the large footprints left by Claus Spreckels, who earned the nickname the “Sugar King of Hawaii” after carving out a Hawaiian sugar empire from former royal lands. There is only one sugar mill still left on the islands — the HC&S sugar mill in Puunene — across from the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in July. The small town of Spreckelsville, between Kahului and Paia on Maui’s North Shore, is best known these days as a windsur fi ng spot. For more adventurous travelers, descendants of Claus Spreckels rent out their gorgeous oceanfront home in Hana, Hale Honu, which boasts the Sugar King’s very own (refurbished) bed. Finally, as a garden buff nd a history lover, I’d have to recommend a visit to Kahanu Garden on Maui’s North Shore, which is one of five gardens owned by the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii. Although it’s way off he radar of most tourists, it is home to Piilanihale, a massive lava-rock structure that is believed to be the largest ancient place of worship (heiau) in Polynesia and a National Historic Landmark.
• i f yo u go: Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum has six exhibit rooms plus outdoor displays of plantation equipment, 3957 Hansen Road , P uunene, 808.871.8058, sugarmuseum. com. Hale Honu is booked by Hana Bay Charters & Accommodations and rates are $610 per night with a three-night minimun, hanabaymaui.com/halehonu.html. Kahanu Garden offers $10 self-guided tours on a first-come, first-serve basis and $25 guided tours start at 10 a.m., register online, 1819 Hana Highway, Hana, ntbg.org/gardens/kahanu-tours.php. m
The Siler family hikes the original Hana Highway in Wailua Valley.
Stay and Play
Why not just make a night of it next time you go to a game? Here are three San Francisco hotels that offer baseball fans a little something special. mimi TOWLE
1
Hotel Union Square has a d ugout Suite, complete with “Fear the Beard” window shades, a plush bed decorated with a Giants pillow and a Giants beanbag chair. r ates start at $325. hotelunion square.com
2
The Powell Hotel is offering a “San Francisco Giants Baseball Package,” which includes a junior suite, four Giants tickets for seats in the View Level section, parking and a complimentary continental breakfast. r ates start at $459. thepowellhotel.com
3
Harbor Court Hotel , just six blocks from the stadium, is featuring an “ e xperience the e xcitement of At &t Park” package with two passes to tour the ballpark (not during a game) and a lunch voucher for $25. r ates start at $190. harborcourthotel.com
Shower Alfre Sco t ourists flock to s edona for the breathtaking red rock formations, the hiking trails and the spiritual energy many believe is indigenous to the area. b ut even metaphysical skeptics are sure to find inner peace in the outdoor showers at the newly renovated L’Auberge de Sedona. As part of a $25 million renovation, 53 out of 87 rooms at the resort now feature alfresco cedar showers, perfect for viewing the sunrise or evening constellations with your ablutions. “ t hese rooms have indoor shower facilities as well, but they don’t get much use,” says resort general manager Jesse Alexander. “In fact, many guests have told me that they enjoyed the outdoor shower so much, they plan on building one onto their own homes.” If outdoor showering doesn’t float your boat, perhaps a few sun salutations in a morning yoga class or a lavender body scrub at the justredesigned 5,000-square-foot spa will do the trick. It’s good to have options. lauberge.com Da
Tee for Two m arin-based a uberge r esorts has recently expanded to include Bend, Oregon’s Pronghorn Golf Club & r esort, a five-star luxury property. To celebrate, the Pronghorn management is offering a “Stay and Play” package highlighting its two world-class golf courses, designed by Jack n icklaus and Tom Fazio. The $1,659-per-person deal includes a complimentary shuttle to and from the r edmond/Bend airport, two nights’ lodging, two rounds of golf on each course and a $40 credit for dining in on-site restaurants. pronghornclub.com m .T.
Apps to Go
Want to make your summer travel a little more fun and e˜ cient? Here are roadworthy apps worth checking out. M.T.
1 POSTAGRAM — POSTCARDS WITH EDGE
The app is free; just provide the mailing address and for 99 cents, Postagram will print and send your travel photo to friends and family through the U.S. mail.
2
IFLY — LAYOVER INFO
Looking for a healthy meal, a massage, ground delay updates or local hotel listings? Comprehensive info on iFly includes amenities, departure times at more than 700 airports, and downloadable maps for your phone so you don’t have to pay international roaming charges when checking your location.
3 TRIPIT — MANAGE YOUR MILES
Besides itinerary management, TripIt has a few extras including frequent flier and loyalty point trackers and the ability to share your itinerary with iCal or Google Calendar.
MOUNTAIN HIGH
After a $40 million renovation, the St. Regis Aspen Resort is ready for prime time. As conceived by architect Lauren Rottett (who also worked on W La Jolla Hotel and Residences and The Surrey Hotel in New York), the five-star property has a spiffed-up lobby, pool area and library as well as 179 guest suites with upholstered leather beds, writing desks designed by Ralph Lauren and soaking tubs. Be sure to make a reservation at the new Chefs Club, Food & Wine ’s first on-site concept restaurant. stregisaspen.com. JENNIE NUNN
Out & About
CALENDAR / o N THE SCENE / DINE
French Pyrenees by Gregory Kondos
Sept 1–3 Sausalito Art Festival
View 270 artist exhibits including painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramic, glass, fiber arts and fashion, woodwork, photography, mixed-media and more at one of the largest events of its kind. Marinship Park (Sausalito). 415.331.3757, sausalitoartfestival.org
Calendar
THEATER
t hru S ep t 9 War h or se The story of a young boy’s beloved horse, set during World War I. Curran Theatre (SF). 888.746.1799, shnsf.com
t hr u S ep t 15 o ur Country’s Good An outdoor production
of the award-winning play about love, death, laughter and profound thought. Redwood Amphitheatre (Ross). 415.251.1027, porchlight.net
t hr u S ep t 23 t he l iar A story about a charming young man who is a pathological liar. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre (San Rafael). 415.499.4488, marinshakespeare.org
t hr u S ep t 30 a m idsummer n ight’s d ream Marin Shakespeare Company
stages the immortal romantic comedy. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre (San Rafael). 415.499.4488, marinshakespeare.org
t hru o C t 7 Chinglish The West Coast premiere of the Broadway comedy. Roda Theatre (Berkeley). 510.647.2949, berkeleyrep.org
S ep t 1–3, 8 –9 m uch a do a bout n ot hing Shakespeare’s tale of intrigue, ambush and conquest. Old Mill Park (Mill Valley). curtaintheatre.org
S ep t 4– o C t 28 t he Vagina m onologues
A show highlighting the humor, power and excitement of womanhood. Lark Theater (Larkspur). cabaret sf.wordpress.com
S ep t 27– o C t 21 t opdog/ u nderdog The Pulitzer Prize–winning drama about brothers Lincoln and Booth. Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5208, marin theatre.org
DAnc E
S ep t 23, 25 m ove to m ove Four contemporary dance masterpieces by the Nederlands Dans Theater. Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center (San Rafael). 415.454.1222, ca fi lm.org
c om EDy
t ue S day S m ark p it ta and Friends A favorite comedy event. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmorton theatre.com
m USIc
t hru S ep t 30 Summer m usic Series Stop by Town Center every Sunday for great music while you shop. Town Center (Corte Madera). 415.924.2961, shoptowncenter.com
S ep t 3 15th a nnual m arin City b lues, Jazz and Soul p ar ty Featuring live music, food, arts and crafts to benefit Blues in the Schools. Drake Avenue (Marin City). performingstars.org
S ep t 6 l aur ence Juber The two-time Grammy Award winner and lead guitarist for Paul McCartney’s Wings performs. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmorton theatre.com
S ep t 6 Valerie o rt h Bill Hansell presents a different artist each week as part of Max’s Guitar Pull. Max’s Deli (Corte Madera).
S ep t 11 Fiona a pple T he Grammy Award–winning artist hits the city during her summer headline tour. The War field (SF). thewar fieldtheatre.com
S ep t 13 o livia n ew ton
John The Grease alum performs her only Northern California show. SHN Golden Gate Theatre (SF). shnsf.com
S ep t 19 San Francisco Symphony o pe ning Gala Concert Michael Tilson Thomas leads
Thea T er / Comedy / m usi C / Galleries / m use ums / e ven T s / F il m edited by Sophie Shulman
d rawing by t eresa Saia
eVent S
the San Francisco Symphony with special guest violinist Joshua Bell, followed by an after-party with live music, dancing, wine and food. Davies Symphony Hall (SF) 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org
SEPt 21 KC t urner
Presents Promoter KC Turner brings the music of Matt the Electrician to Marin at this special house concert. Email Turner at kc@kcturner music.com to purchase tickets and discover the location (San Rafael). kcturnermusic.com
SEPt 23 Crosby, Stills and n ash The trio of legendary singersongwriters, referred to as the world’s fi rst folk rock “supergroup,” performs. Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). marincenter.org
GALLERIES
MARIN
a rt 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
m
a rt Works Downtown Organic Intentions
Featuring sculptural installations by Mari Andrews, Mary Button Durrell and Patricia Lyons Stroud, through September 28. 1337 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.451.8119, artworksdowntown.org
Art Plus Life Works by Bob Demmerle, Linda Gass, Mary Daniel Hobson, Elizabeth Jameson, Daigan Lueck and Maud Zimmer, through September 21. 451 Mesa Rd, Bolinas. 415.868.2308, commonweal.org
Falkirk Cultural Center
Biannual juried exhibit, through September 14. 1408 Mission Ave, San Rafael. 415.485.3436, falkirkculturalcenter.org
Viva
JAN
Glinka
Tchaikovsky
Mozart
Beethoven
att the Electrician at KC t urner Presents in San r afael
Quartet San Francisco
Nigel Armstrong, violin
Axel Strauss, violin
Marin Symphony Chorus
Joyce Yang, piano
Fine a rt Etc. Featuring a collection of sculptures and paintings by artists from Northern California and around the world. 686 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.332.1107, finearttc.com
Gallery Bergelli Fall Group Show New work by gallery artists, through October 17. 483 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.945.9454, bergelli.com
Gallery r ou te One 14th Annual Box Show, through September 30. 11101 Hwy One, Point Reyes Station. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org
An active, yet relaxed lifestyle permeates through every Member and aspect of Marin Country Club. Located in the tranquil Ignacio Valley, the illustrious clubhouse sets the scene for an impeccably groomed 18-hole championship golf course. Collaborating with the challenging course to enhance the lifestyle, recreational facilities include: four lit, plexi-cushion tennis courts; a fully equipped fitness center; and a family focused aquatic facility–with programs for children and adults alike. Enjoy numerous, year-round social activities for the opportunity to create lasting family memories and lifelong friendships. Contact the Membership Director at 415.382.6712 for information on our New Membership Programs.
m arin Society of a r tists 85 Years A nonjuried show for members celebrating the MSA’s 85th anniversary, through December 10. 3501 Civic Center Dr (San Rafael). 415.454.9561, marinsocietyofartists.org
• SFm Oma Six Lines of Flight: Shifting Geographies in Contemporary Art An exhibit by artists from six cities around the world, September 15–December 31 (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org
m ona Lease Gallery Sculpture by Deborah Childress, through September 10. 39 Greenbrae Boardwalk, Greenbrae. 415.461.3718, monalease.net
O’Hanlon Center for the a r ts Dreamscapes: Into the Unknown A juried,
r obert a llen Fine a r t Abstract works on canvas and panel by Suzie Buchholz, Michael Moon and
Lifestyle
Marin Country Club is proudly managed by Troon Privé.
Sound and Fury by Dinh Q Le
Aida Schneider, through September 28. 301 Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.2800, robertallenfineart.co
r obert Green Fine a rt s Six Guys and a Girl A revolving group show of gallery artists’ work, through September 2. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.8776, rgfineart.com
r ock Hill Gallery Marin landscapes in oil by Anna Ladyzhenskaya, through October 11. 145 Rockhill Dr,
smithandersen north.com
Studio 4 a rt Work by local artists; classes and workshops with materials included. 1133 Grant Ave, Novato. 415.596.5546, studio4art.net
San Franci Sco a rtHaus New paintings by Marin artist Carolyn Meyer, through September 29. 411 Brannan St, 415.977.0223, arthaus-sf.com
Recent paintings by Gregory Kondos, through October 12. 341 Sutter St (SF). 415.392.2299, caldwellsnyder.com
Gregory Lind Gallery Art by Don Voisine, through October 20. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, gregorylindgallery.com
i nte rnational Orange Artists’ interpretations of the Golden Gate Bridge, through October 28. Fort Point, 415.556.1693, international-
r ena Bransten Gallery City Surface Lead pencil work by artists Annie Han and Daniel Mihalyo, through September 15. 77 Geary St (SF). 415.982.3292, renabransten gallery.com
MUSEUMS
M arin
Bolinas m useum P review for the 20th annual art auction to benefit the Bolinas Museum, featuring local artists and special offerings (Bolinas).
Sam Querrey plays at the Club at Harbor Point in m ill Valley
m arin History m useum
Marin IJ: 150 Years of Ink
The story of how the Marin Independent Journal evolved, in celebration of its 150th anniversary, through September 15 (San Rafael). 415.454.8538, marinhistory.org
m arin m useum of Contemporary a rt Fall national juried exhibition, through September 30 (Novato). 415.506.0137, marinmoca.org
BAY AREA
California a cademy of Sciences Nightlife
Enjoy music, creatures and cocktails at this adults-only event and take some time to explore the exhibits and aquarium displays every Thursday night (SF). 415.379.8000, calacademy.org
Chinese Historical Society of a merica
Remnants: Artists
Respond to the Chinese American Experience Works from five artists that highlight personal narrative, memory and family, through December 15 (SF). 415.391.1188, chsa.org
Conservatory of Flowers Plantosaurus Rex: Prehistoric Plants at the Conservatory of Flowers Exhibit featuring plants from the days of the dinosaurs, through October 12 (SF). 415.831.2090, conservatoryof floers.org
Contemporary Jewish m useum California Dreaming 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 William S. Paley Collection: A Taste for Modernism Paintings, sculpture and drawings from the late 19th century through the early 1970s, through December 30 (SF). 415.750.3600, deyoung.famsf.org
di r osa Preserve
Entering the Wild Works depicting humans’ relationship to nature, through September 23 (Napa). 707.226.5991, dirosapreserve.org
Legion of Honor Man Ray, Lee Miller: Partners in Surrealism Photographs, drawings and manuscripts about the relationship between the two European artists, through October 14 (SF). 415.750.3600, legionofhonor.org
Oakland m useum of California Ken and Melanie Light: Valley of Shadows and Dreams Featuring 31 black and white photographs of California’s Central Valley, through December 31 (Oakland). 510.318.8400, museumca.org
San Francisco Opera Ball at Opera Ball Pavilion
San Francisco m use um of Craft and Folk Art Fiber Futures: Japan’s Textile Pioneers Featuring art melding Japanese artisanal and industrial textile traditions, through October 6 (SF). 415.227.4888, mocfa.org
Yerba Buena Center for the a r ts Occupy Bay Area Art and writing supporting economic fairness, equality and reform, through October 14 (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org
EVENTS
Thru OCT 28 Before the Bridge: Sight and Sound at the Golden Gate Immerse yourself in a visual and auditory story of life in the Presidio
before the Golden Gate Bridge. Presidio (SF). 415.561.5418, presidio.gov
SEP T 1 –2 Shamanism and a lternative h ealing Conference Meet Shamans from Mongolia, Siberia, Africa, Laos and Peru and attend presentations and participate in panels. Dominican University (San Rafael). shamanism conference.org
SEP T 1 –30 a rchitecture and the City A series of events that celebrate the Bay Area’s architectural heritage, including the Golden Gate Bridge. Various locations (SF). 415.362.7397, aiasf.org
SEP T 5 People in Glass h ouses: The Legacy of Joseph Eichler The Lucas Valley Homeowners Association celebrates 50 years of builder Joseph Eichler and the many examples of modern design in Lucas Valley. Lucas Valley Community Center (San Rafael). 415.472.3202
SEP T 6 Fashion’s n ight Out A global initiative to support the fashion industry and highlight fashion design. West field San Francisco Centre (SF). westfild.com
SEP T 7 Opera Ball The San Francisco Opera celebrates its 90th season. Opera Ball Pavilion (SF). 415.565.3204, sfopera.com
SEP T 8 Feasting in the Fields This outdoor farm-to-table luncheon features a menu by
the executive chef of Greens Restaurant, organic juice beverages, farm tours, music and a special program for children. Green Gulch Farm (Mill Valley). 415.354.0354, sfzc.org
SEP T 8 –9 Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival Enjoy an ice cream sundae–eating contest, dessert samples, children’s activities and live music in one of San Francisco’s most iconic locations. Ghirardelli Square (SF). 800.310.6563, sresproductions.com
SEP T 9 EcoFair m arin More than 80 exhibits, demonstrations, speakers, food, beverages, live music and children’s activities in celebration
Sculpture by m icki Shampang-Voorhies at Sausalito a rt Festival
of Marin’s rich heritage of innovative environmental stewardship. l agoon Park (San r afael). 415.519.5565, ecofairfmarin.org
SEPt 9 Gatsby Summer a fternoon d on your Gatsby attire and explore a display of dozens of original
automobiles from 1919 to 1942 with a jazzy soundtrack. d unsmuir Hellman Historic e st ate (Oakland).
510.527.7736, artdecosociety.org
SEPt 9 Heavenly Pancakes a bove the Clouds on m ount t am
We share a lot with our coastal cousins. In fact, ocean and marine mammal health teaches us volumes about our own. Visit us today for a life-changing introduction to your not-so-distant relatives.
a pancake breakfast at the West Point Inn, a nationally registered historic site overlooking Marin. Proceeds help workers preserve and operate the inn. West Point Inn (Mill Valley). 415.388.9955, westpointinn.org
SEPt 15 Coastal Cleanup Day Join more than 80,000 volunteers in an effort to remove trash from state beaches, lakes and waterways. Various locations. coastal.ca.gov
SEPt 15 Lawn Party e njoy live music and food to benefit Marin Meals on Wheels. Magnolia Terrace (San r afael). 800.310.6563, thelawnparty.com
Sensitive about whiskers
SEPt 15–16 m ill Valley
Fall a r ts Festival One of the top fi ne arts and crafts shows in the n or thwest exhibits a wide array of prints, paintings, woodwork, photography and sculpture. Old Mill Park (Mill Valley). 415.381.8090, mvfaf.org
SEPt 16 Long m eadow r anch Harvest Party and Summer Concert Series Horseshoes, wine, food and live music by funk-jazz group Vinyl. l ong Meadow r anch Winery (St. Helena). 707.963.4555, longmeadowranch.com
SEPt 19 a t aste of Downtown Sample wine and taste hors d’oeuvres. Fourth St (San r afael).
Noshes on raw, seasonal seafood
2
Sensitive whiskers
5
Adopt - a - Seal ® Adoptee
6
T:4.75”
800.310.6563, sresproductions.com
SEPt 22 Dipsea Hike for Zero Breast Cancer
A 6-mile trail loop that starts and ends at the famous Dipsea steps. Enjoy food, music and prizes to benefit Zero Breast Cancer’s research and education programs. Old Mill Park (Mill Valley). 415.507.1949, dipsea. zerobreastcancer.org
SEPt 22 Floating Homes t our Find out what it’s like to live on the water in one of the most unique communities in the Bay Area, featuring 15 homes. Various locations (Marin). flatinghomes.org
SEPt 22–23 Polk
Street Blues Festival
Live music, arts and crafts and gourmet food booths in one of the city’s historic districts. Polk Street (SF). 800.310.6563, sresproductions.com
SEPt 22–23 t ennis
Classic World-class men and women tennis professionals compete in the World Cup Team Challenge. The Club at Harbor Point (Mill Valley). tennisclassic.org
SEPt 23 Yerba Buena Family Day Five of San Francisco’s top cultural destinations including SFMOMA, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the Museum of the African Diaspora and
Children’s Creativity Museum join forces for a free event with hands-on art-making activities and familyfriendly performances. Various locations (SF). 415.614.3216, ybfamilyday.org
SEPt 28–30 100,000 Poets for Change An assembly of poets, artists and musicians advocating for environmental, social and political change. Arlene Francis Center (Santa Rosa). 100tpc.org
SEPt 29 Stepping Out to Celebrate Life An evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing benefiting breast cancer grants programs. Exhibit Hall
(San Rafael). 415.455.5882, tocelebratelife.org
SEPt 29 Blackie’s Hay Day Enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, climbing walls, tractor rides and more at this familyfriendly event. Blackie’s Pasture (Tiburon). blackieshayday.com
film
SEPt 7–29 Film n ight in the Park The outdoor fi lm series celebrates its 21st year, showing Mamma Mia, The Adventures of Tintin, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Hugo, Spellbound and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Various locations (Marin). 415.272.2756, fi lmnight.org
SEPt 9 California
Forever The story of California’s state parks, including Yosemite in 1864 to the present day; meet the fi lmmakers David Vassar and Sally Kaplan in person.
Rafael Film Center (San Rafael). 415.454.1222, ca fi lm.org
SEPt 23 t he B ig Picture: r et hinking Dyslexia A documentary exposing misconceptions about dyslexia and exploring the dyslexic experience through interviews; meet fi lmmaker James Redford in person.
Rafael Film Center (San Rafael). 415.454.1222, ca fi lm.org
nature walks & talks
SEPt 1–3 Sausalito a r tists at Work
Visit more than 30 artists at work and purchase art. The ICB Building (Sausalito). 415.706.5051, sausalito artists.com
SEPt 29 WildCare
Family a dve ntures
Beach Family Day Spend a day at the beach and look for shells, beach hoppers and egrets. Rodeo Beach (Sausalito). 415.453.1000, wildcarebayarea.org
• 123 Bolinas California Known for farm-fresh, organic cuisine, 123 Bolinas was created by four friends who aimed to showcase seasonal fare in a relaxing, intimate environment. Enjoy locally brewed beer and small-production wines as you take in the view of Bolinas Park through the floor-to-ceiling windows. 123 Bolinas St, 415.488.5123, 123bolinas.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
This 142-seat eatery features Neapolitanstyle 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
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
r ick ’s Wine c e llar California This oneroom bar and wine shop is owned and operated by Marin natives Rick and Candy Mendell. You can order by the glass, fl ight or bottle, all of which pair nicely with the cheeses, salami and hot paninis. 207 Corte Madera Ave, 415.927.9466, rickswinecellar.com
se a t ha i Bistro 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
c rostini at 123 Bolinas in Fairfax
ingredients when possible and includes an extensive wine list. 60 Corte Madera Ave, 415.927.8333, seathaibistro.com
The Coun 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
i ron Spring S p ub & b re wery American
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
Sorella Caffe i talian
Open for over six years and run by sisters Sonia and Soyara, Sorella, which means “sisters,” serves up fresh Italian food with a northern in fluence. Customer favorites include cioppino, butternut squash ravioli and eggplant parmesan. Another highlight is the giant wheel of Grana Padana cheese, which is passed around the tables.
Easy place to bring the kids. 107 Bolinas Rd, 415.258.4520, sorellacaffe.com
Greenbr Ae
b i 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 b ar & 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 Cafe
American A tuckedaway setting of intertwining ivy and large open windows makes a perfect breakfast nook that’s also open for brunch and lunch. 848 College Ave, 415.459.0291, halfdaycafe.com
pa Cifi C Ca fe Seafood
For 37 years, customers have been coming to this restaurant for the fresh seafood and superior customer service. The owner is friendly and welcoming; as a Yelp reviewer commented, “It felt like we were having dinner at a friend’s house.” Another perk is the complimentary glass of wine while you wait for a table. Half-bottles of wine available for $8. 850 College Ave, 415.456.3898
Larkspur
El Huarac HE l oc o Mexican Bringing authentic Mexico City dishes to Marin, chef Veronica Salazar’s menu has gained quite a following. From mini huaraches (fi lled corn masa cakes) to the footlong huarache with two salsas, crema, queso fresco and two toppings of your choice, you get a true taste of a homemade Mexican meal.
Italian Pastry chef Gary Rulli is renowned for his Northern Italian specialties and treats.
The Larkspur location (there are three others) is a favored spot for lunch as well as coffee and a sweet. 464 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7478, rulli.com
lE ft B ank rE sta urant French Known for awardwinning French cuisine and a lively brasserie ambience, this corner spot on Magnolia Avenue has rated high with locals for well over a decade. 507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331, leftbank.com
m ar in Br E wi ng c o a me rican Grab a cold beer made right on site and pair it with fi sh and chips — fresh cod dipped in Mt. Tam pale ale batter, served with steak fries and homemade tartar sauce. 1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.4677, marinbrewing.com
p icco California This has been a popular place ever since opening in 2005 . Dishes like miniburgers and seasonally driven menu items, along with risotto made every half hour, have kept people coming back. The Picco Pizzeria and Wine Bar next door is cozy (not many seats) but already famous for
its wood-fi red pizzas, great wine selection and soft-serve Straus Family Creamery ice cream. 320 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.0300, restaurantpicco.com
r us tic Bak E ry 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. Located a the Marin Country Mart, as well as 1139 Magnolia Ave, 415.925.1556, rusticbakery.com
tH E t av E rn a t l ar k c r EE k a me rican The next chapter in the 1888 Victorian Murphy House, formerly known as Lark Creek Inn, is being written by chef Aaron Wright. 234 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7766, tavernatlarkcreek.com
and house-made kombucha and root beer, this Mill Valley brewery is set to keep the local palate pleased. Don’t miss the small beer hall selection of pretzels, salumis and cheeses. 173 Throckmorton Ave, 415.888.8218, millvalleybeerworks.com
cHampagn E
y ank EE p i E r a me rican This family-friendly casual clam shack is harbored in a quaint house built in 1924 as a private residence. Though known for beerbattered fi sh ’n’ chips, clam chowder and tasty salads, Yankee Pier serves fresh seafood delivered daily from both coasts with special dishes by chef August Schuchman. 286 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7676, yankeepier.com
MILL Va LLe y
Bal Boa c af E m il l v all E y California Menu items include pan-roasted Alaskan halibut and risotto and burgers. Now offering a pri x fi xe menu every monday. 38 Miller Ave, 415.381.7321, balboacafe.com
B EE r works
Br E w E ry a nd B EE r c af E a me rican With a beverage menu of handcrafted beers made on site, imported and local microbrews
Boo k oo a sian Finally Mill Valley has an Asian street food restaurant and best of all, dishes are $10 and less. 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
Buck E y E r oad H ou s E a me rican Oysters Bingo, baby back ribs and chili-lime “brick” chicken are a few of the satisfying, comfort-food menu items that have made this classic roadhouse a favorite since the ’30s. 15 Shoreline Hwy, 415.331.2600, buckeyeroadhouse.com
Bungalow 44
a me rican Much like sister restaurant Buckeye Roadhouse, Bungalow 44 offers a mean dose of homey carbo- and lipid-laden dishes, such as the burger, fried chicken and tru ffle fries, as well as a few lighter items. The bar is a neighborhood favorite, known for tasty spirits and eye candy. 44 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500, bungalow44.com
Fre nch 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
d i ps E a c af E Comfort
This longtime breakfast spot has been serving up tasty pancakes and egg dishes with homemade biscuits since 1986. Lunch specialties include BLTs and tuna melts and generous Cobb salads. Now offers Greek-inspired dinners. 200 Shoreline Hwy, 415.381.0298, dipseacafe.com
f ra ntoio r ist orant E 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, large groups and anything in between. Owned by Roberto Zecca and chef Duilio Valenti, both from Milano, the kitchen uses local and organic ingredients. For special occasions and private parties, reserve the olive-press room. The popular happy hour starts at 4:30. 152 Shoreline Hwy, 415.289.5777, frantoio.com
Hawk’s t av E rn a me rican 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
John
s uper Huarache c ampechano at El Huarache l oco in l arkspur
and buttermilk mashed potatoes) and Scottish salmon with black-eyed peas and garlic aioli. A private dining room is available for parties of 12. 507 Miller Ave, 415.388.3474, hawkstavern.com
i ndia Pala C e Indian Known as “that great restaurant in the Travelodge,” India Palace is a favorite among the takeout crowd; however, eating on site is a treat too. 707 Redwood Hwy, 415.388.3350, india palacemillvalley.com
Grilly’s r estaurant Mexican Both the Mill Valley and Fairfax locations offer “healthy Mexican food” like grilled chicken, steak or veggie-fi lled burritos with glutenfree and vegetarian options. 493 Miller Ave, 415.381.3278, grillys.com
Harmony 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. Strawberry Village, 415.381.5300, harmonyrestaurant group.com
Pearl’s P H at Bur G ers American Dubbed a silver-spoon alternative to a greasy spoon diner by The New York Times, Pearl’s has a loyal following for the big juicy all-natural patties (vegetarian, turkey, beef, bu ffalo or grilled chicken) served up with tasty sides such as garlic or sweet potato fries, shakes and seasonal smoothies. Eat in if you can get a seat, or take out. 8 East Blithedale Ave, 415.381.6010, pearlsdeluxe.com
Piatti r istorante and 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. Take a peek at the impressive collection of Italian wines to go with your rustic seasonal Italian meal. 625 Redwood Hwy, 415.380.2525, piatti.com
All your favorites from brochu walker twelfth street by cynthia vincent renee sheppard black halo MiH
facebook.com/carolinamillvalley
Waffle alla Frutta at i l Fornaio in Corte m adera
Old-Fashioned Watermelon Gardenia Milk Shake
The warm days are far from over, which means there’s still plenty of time to lie by the pool and sip a homemade drink. In our July issue we gave you five recipes, but here’s another — courtesy of San Francisco’s hot new Ice Cream Bar — to add to your list. mimi t owle
reci Pe
i ngredients
2 whole eggs
N cup turbinado fountain syrup ( O cups turbinado sugar, K cup water, hand shaken until dissolved)
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1 drop gardenia extract (25 drops gardenia oil in 1 ounce high-proof neutral grain spirit) about 1 cup fresh watermelon watermelon wedge
d irec tions
1 In a shaker, combine two raw eggs, turbinado syrup and heavy whipping cream, one drop of gardenia extract and watermelon. 2 Lightly crush watermelon with a muddler and add three to five walnut-size ice cubes to your shaker. 3 Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds. 4 Strain into a frosted parfait glass. 5 Garnish with a watermelon wedge.
Ice Cream Bar, 815 Cole St, 415.742.4932, theicecreambarsf.com
Pizza a ntica Italian Although a recent Yelp reviewer praised it for having “by far the best thin-crust pizzas in Marin,” this Strawberry shopping center spot also offers antipasti and hearty salads. Wine is served by the glass, half carafe or bottle. 800 Redwood Hwy, 415.383.0600, pizzaantica.com
r ob ata Grill and Su S hi 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
Shoreline c off ee
Sho P American 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. 221 Shoreline Hwy, 415.388.9085
Su Per d u Per b ur G er Ame rican “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. 430 Miller Ave, 415.380.8555, superdupersf.com
Sweetwater m u S ic h al l c afe American 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. 1 9 Corte Madera Ave, 415.388.3850, sweet watermusichall.com
t a mal Pie 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
t oa St Ame rican 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
Va Sco Italian Whether you’re at a table, the bar or the back counter, you can expect an intimate and tasty dining experience at this one-room trattoria. Try one of the restaurant’s pasta dishes or thin-crust pizzas. 106 Throckmorton Ave, 415.381.3343, vascomillvalley.com
Nov At o
c hianti c uc ina
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 ick ey’S r e Sta urant & b ar
Ame rican Besides a full service restaurant and bar (with banquet/ meeting rooms) this comfort food classic offers poolside dining and a garden patio overlooking green lawns. 250 Entrada Drive, 415.883.9477. rickeysrestaurant.com
r u Sti c b ak ery
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 Avenue, 415.878-4952, rusticbakery.com
t oa St Ame rican Sister to the popular Mill Valley location, Toast Novato features outdoor dining and architecture by Stanley Saitowitz as well as great dishes by executive chef Michael Garcia. 5800 Nave Dr, 415.382.1144, toastnovato.com
w il d f ox Ame rican Perched on the hillside off ighway 101, this rustic mesquite grill features smooth cosmos and other beverages and a menu full of comfort dishes like seafood risotto with bits of butternut squash. 225 Alameda del Prado, 415.883.9125, wildfoxrestaurant.com
Ross
c afe on the c o mmon French A quaint one-room coffeehouse centrally situated near Ross Common. Get there early for the full selection of pastries to
enjoy with freshsqueezed orange juice. 22 Ross Common, 415.461.2205
m arché a ux
Fleurs French This gem of a restaurant is known for cuisine showcasing locally farmed produce, wild and fresh seafood and free-range meats prepared with an artisan’s touch. The wine and beer list is extensive. 23 Ross Common, 415.925.9200, marcheaux fleurs restaurant.com
Tra TToria Fresco
Italian Every neighborhood deserves a one-room trattoria like this one. The service is friendly and the farmers’-market-fresh food is fabulous — especially the gnocchi. 13 Ross Common, 415.464.0915, frescotrattoria.com
San a n Selmo
c om For T s c a Fe a merican This cozy spot features local ingredients and serves breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. Be sure to try the Philly cheesesteak and Chinese chicken salad, both classics.
335 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.9840, comfortscafe.com
i nsala Ta’s m editerranean Awardwinning chef Heidi Insalata Krahling offers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes prepared with local organic produce and artisan meats. 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.457.7700, insalatas.com
l ’a ppar T r es To French It’s the second Marin restaurant for the team behind Le Garage Bistro in Sausalito. Owners Bruno Denis and Olivier Souvestre are offering a menu most Francophiles would be proud of, complete with items like smoked herring, bone marrow and cassoulet de legumes. 636 San Anselmo Ave, 415.256.9884, lappartresto.com
l ococo’s p izzeria Italian Worth driving to from all over Marin, and it’s an easy place to meet up with friends. The pizza crust is divine, as is the house
Executive director Judi Shils of Marin-based Teens Turning Green, which helps young people make and promote environmentally responsible choices, was inspired by Harmony Restaurant’s dedication to sustainability. So the organization tapped owner n or man Louie to compete in the e co Top Chef of Marin challenge. The goal: to create kid-approved school lunches, including an entrée, side and dessert, for $1.35 per meal. e ig ht schools gathered for the competition, and Louie, who was impressed with the kids’ knowledge about healthy foods, won third place with his Organic Lacinato Kale Vegan StirFry. How did he come up with the recipe? His children Brandon and Brenna are great taste testers. MIMI TOWLE
Organic Lacinato Kale Vegan Stir-Fry
4–5 portions
Ingredients
1 bunch Lacinato kale
1 box organic tofu
2 tablespoons organic tea oil
1 bunch organic green garlic
¼ cup snap peas
1 bunch spring onions
¼ cup vegetable stock salt to taste
2 tablespoons potato starch (optional)
¼ cup precooked corn kernels (optional)
Directions
1 Wash and cut kale leaves into bite-size portions. Drain and cut tofu into small cubed blocks.
2 Heat 1 tablespoon tea oil on medium heat and place tofu in hot pan . Keep tofu still, then stir until golden brown on all sides.
3 r em ove, drain and set aside.
4 Bring 2 quarts water to a rolling boil, add kale leaves and stir occasionally until almost tender (3 to 4 minutes). 5 Add tofu and blanch another 45 seconds , d rain and remove. 6 i n a he ated large pan or wok, add remaining tea oil and toss in chopped green garlic, snap peas and spring onions. s tir for about 15 seconds and add kale and tofu mixture. 7 t os s for additional 1 minute and add vegetable stock and salt to taste. i f yo u prefer a thicker consistency, add potato starch mixed with water; also add freshly cut corn kernels if desired.
Louie’s Sources:
Kale from Ken at o rc hard o rg anic Farms in s ebastopol; tofu, 365 brand at Whole Foods (organic); g reen garlic and spring onions (both organic) at Fiddlers Green Farms in Brooks, Calif.; tea oil from r ep ublic of t ea
Out & About / dine
salad. Good spot to come with the entire family.
Closed Mondays
638 San Anselmo Ave, 415.453.1238, lococossananselmo.com
m ar initas Mexican
The sister restaurant of i nsalata’s, Marinitas continues to flourish as a bastion of creative Latin cuisine in Marin. i t may not be as low-priced as most Mexican restaurants in the area, but this is not your typical southof-the-border spot. This place gets packed, so make reservations.
218 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.454.8900, marinitas.net
Orchid t ha i Thai
Owners Peggy and Tom Thongnopneua create an inviting atmosphere with warm smiles and helpful menu suggestions. The fare has won “Best of Marin” many times. 726 San Anselmo Ave, 415.457.9470, orchidthairestaurant. com
s we etlife 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, and egg, lunchtime for a tea sandwich, in the evening for a glass of wine. 101 San Anselmo Ave, 415.456.4580, sweet lifebakeryandcafe.com
t a c O Ja ne’s Mexican n amed after the owner’s mother, this casual but colorful place welcomes the whole family. d on’t miss out on Jane’s handmade agave margarita or grilled plantains with crema. 21 Tamalpais Ave, 415.454.6562, tacojanes.com
Specializing
AquaTalia
Minnetonka
Toms Frye
vera
Fit
Tory Burch
Rebeccca
lola
vince
BLUESTONE MAIN
San Rafael
a mici’s East c oa st
Pizz E ria 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 izm E ndi Bak E ry California A workerowned bakery, Arzimendi prides itself on using the freshest, most local ingredients available. 1002 Fourth St, 415. 456.4093, arizmendibakery.org
Brok E n d ru m
Br E w E ry & w oo d Grill a me rican O ffering a wide array of eats, handcrafted and local beers and live music in one place, the Broken Drum is a hot spot for Rafael Theater Patrons (10 percent off entire bill with your ticket stub), passersby and regulars.
1132 Fourth St, 415.456.4677, brokendrum.com
c r EPE vi n E a me rican Bistro/Creperie Casual dining, outdoor seating and a diverse menu of savory crepes (such as the Italian crepe fi lled with roasted peppers, eggplant, onions, artichoke hearts, tomato sauce and mozzarella). 908 Fourth St, 415.257.8822, crepevine.com
i l d av id E I talian A large selection of both Italian and California wines by the glass along with the dolci menu’s tiramisu have kept locals coming back for years. Don’t leave without sampling the limoncello. 901 A St, 415.454.8080, ildavide.net
l ot us r E sta urant Indian Lotus Restaurant has earned Hall of Fame kudos from Pacific Sun readers for nearly a decade. Family owned and operated, it serves up North Indian cuisine with vegan and vegetarian options in a
m ik ey’s Cuban New chef Freddy Caamel has added a Cuban menu to the mix in this casual restaurant. Try “Mikey’s special” for breakfast, nachos for lunch, or the ropa vieja from the new Cuban menu for dinner. 783 Anderson Dr, 415.454.6453, eatatmikeys.com
m ul berry s tr eet
Pizzeria Italian Chef Ted Rowe won fi rst place in the Food Network 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-street-
Panama Hotel
r est aurant
American The tropical garden is a prime dining spot for people-watching and taking advantage of San Rafael’s warm weather. The Sunday brunch menu is a hit with kids, who can’t get enough of the Panama Wa ffle served with bananas, warm chocolate sauce and whipped cream. 4 Bayview St, 415.457.3993, panamahotel.com
Pizza o rg asmica
American Eat in or order a half-baked pizza to cook and enjoy at home. Visit the website for information about monthly specials such as Orgasmica Madness
(tomato sauce, light mozzarella, roasted diced beets, caramelized onion, goat cheese, bacon, sausage and basil) and Patty’s Hot Mama (includes jalapeño ranch sauce and cauli flower). 812 Fourth St, 415.457.2337, pizzaorgasmica.com
s ab or of s Pai n Spanish Opened in 2003, this tapas and wine bar is a great place for a romantic date or a big party (catering available). Old-world values and a healthy olive oil–based Mediterranean diet have preserved the authentic fl avors found throughout Spain’s history. Enjoy wine tasting, eating and shopping for fi ne wines all under one roof. 1301 Fourth St, 415.457.8466, saborofspain.com
s an r afae l Joe’s Italian Guido and Theresa Farina run this Marin institution, which has been famous for sophisticated yet casual Italian fare since 1947. Great for large parties, the dining room holds 240. The Paci fic red snapper meunière and roast sirloin of beef are standouts. 931 Fourth St, 415.456.2425, srjoes.com
s ol f ood 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. No alcohol served. 903 Lincoln Ave, 415.451.4765, solfoodrestaurant.com
❖ Facials and Massages
❖ Body Wraps and Scrubs, Spa Packages
❖ Eucalyptus Steam Room
❖ Fitness Center
❖ Organic, Kosher, Natural, Marine-Based Products
❖ Complimentary Valet Parking Available for our Local Spa Guests
Discover Marin’s Hidden Jewel
Su S hi to Dai For Japanese Snagging a seat in this popular sushi spot can be a challenge, but patience will be rewarded with tasty and fresh sashimi, unique sushi rolls and great prices. 816 Fourth St, 415.721.0392
t aj o F m ar in Indian Delicious North and South Indian 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
t he re Sa & j oh nny’S Co m Fo rt Foo D American Cooking like Mom used to make. Drop by for eggs Benedict, tuna melts, coffee and some of the best milk shakes around. 817 Fourth St, 415.259.0182, theresa-and-johnnys.com
Whipper Snapper r e St aurant 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
y et Wah Chinese Named after the founder’s wife (“Yet” refers to the moon, “Wah” to brightness), this beloved mainstay offers dim sum daily along with the traditional Chinese menu. Groove to live music in the Kung Fu Lounge. 1238 Fourth St, 415.460.9883, yetwahsanrafael.com
SAu SAl Ito
a ngelino r e St aurant Italian Father-and-son chefs Pasquale and Alfredo Ancona offer handmade pastas and seasonal antipasti at this authentic Italian restaurant, which has been featuring cuisine of the Campania region for the past 24 years. 621 Bridgeway, 415.331.5225, angelinorestaurant.com
a vat ar’S Indian Looking for “the best meal of your life”? Let owner Ashok Kumar order for you. One-room casual dining for lunch and dinner. 2656 Bridgeway, 415.332.8083, enjoyavatars.com
Bar Bo CC e Ame 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
Ca FFé Di v in o t u scan Locals come for the tasty pastas and salads as well as coffee drinks, served in a funky one-room setting. 37 Caledonia St, 415.331.9355, caffdivinosausalito.com
Ci Bo Cafe Husbandand-wife team Alfredo and Tera Ancona offer a menu of tarts, croissants, cookies, paninis and soups. Every dish
is made from scratch with local and seasonal products. And now Marinites no longer have to drive over the bridge to get famous Blue Bottle coffee. Located in the historic brick building at 1201 Bridgeway. 415.331.2426, cibosausalito.com
Dario’s Pizza Italian Opened in 1972, Dario’s continues to dish up traditional family-style Italian calzones, pasta and pizza. Join the online coupon program for monthly bargains and delivery specials like Monday’s 2-for-1 deal. 2829 Bridgeway, 415.332.6636. dariosrestaurant.net
Feng n ia n 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
Fish Seafood It is all about the fresh catch here. You can dine at one of the picnic tables or purchase fi sh to cook at home. Casual, and bring cash (lots of it!). 350 Harbor Dr, 415.331.3474, 331fish.com
Kitti’s Place Thai/ California Known for the tasty Chinese chicken salad and spring rolls. Owner Kitti Suthipipiat was the cook at Comforts in San Anselmo for many years. Try weekly specials like the Thai Toast: crispy sliced baguette topped with shrimp and chicken. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.331.0390, kittisplace.com
l e g a rage French Escape the touristy Sausalito spots and grab brunch right on the water. The atmosphere is animated with light French music (think Amélie). The Kobe Burger, though not as Parisian as the other menu items, is to die for. And the much-adored croque-monsieur is under $10.
Peter Uzelac, MD
ausalito
Out & About / DINE
Opt for indoor or outdoor seating. 85 Liberty Ship Way, 415.332.5625, legaragebistrosausalito. com
m u rray Cir C le Ame rican Enjoy the sun on the deck of this Cavallo Point restaurant. Locals say they come back for the fresh seasonal specials like wild sturgeon and Wolfe Ranch quail. 601 Murray Circle, 415.339.4750, cavallopoint.com
n apa Valley Burger Company American
Serving local all natural and organic meats, produce and wines, this burger joint offers classic burgers, fries, salads, tacos and root beer floats. Gluten-free buns available. 670 Bridgeway, 415.332.1454, napavalleyburger company.com
p la te Shop California If the seasonal menu and 14 large vegetable beds outside the kitchen door aren’t telltale signs, the menu is — the Plate Shop is all about fresh, local and all-organic cuisine. Choose from an extensive wine list
and an assortment of cocktails. 39 Caledonia St, 415.887.9047, plateshop.net
p oggi o Italian A great place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a night out. Executive chef Peter McNee cooks up delicious Northern Italian cuisine using fresh and local ingredients, including produce from the nearby Poggio chef garden. 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771, poggiotratoria.com
Salito’S S eafood In a well-known location on Richardson Bay that was most recently home to Paradise Bay, Salito’s features a new look and casual ambience. Enjoy a Nick and Nora’s Cocktail Special or a signature dish, including whole roasted Dungeness 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
Cheddar Bacon r ye Bread at Wildfox in n ovato
100 tequila options. Nightly meal specials include chicken potpie, roasted salmon, baby back ribs and traditional meat loaf. If you’re up for wilder entertainment there are frequent events like margarita night and fl ight night tequilatasting parties. The private dining room is perfect for large parties. 2009 Bridgeway, 415.332.1512, saylorsrestaurantand bar.com
Seahor S e I talian
The spacious dining area, stage and dance floor make Seahorse perfect for both small and large celebrations. Enjoy a modern twist on classic Tuscan coastal cuisine while shaking your booty to the nightly live music and entertainment. 305 Harbor Dr, 415.331.2899, sausalitoseahorse.com
Spinnaker 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 S hi r an Japanese
Fresh, innovative small plates are just big enough to share, the traditional sushi is melt-in-your-mouth good, and the wine, cocktail and sake lists keep the pickiest bar fly well satisfied. Even the prices don’t deter the herd of sushi enthusiasts who line up nightly to partake; reservations are required in the main room.
107 Caledonia St, 415.332.3620, sushiran.com
Sweet Gin G er
Japanese Owner and chef Edna and Wayne Chiang know their way around good sushi. Try fresh sashimi, the classic Dragon 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
t a Ste o f r om e Italian This local landmark has evolved from a cafe into a full-service restaurant offering pasta, pizza, sandwiches and salad in an authentic Italian ambience. Find the green, white and red awning and you’re there. 1000 Bridgeway, 415.332.7660, taste-of-rome.com
t a Ste o f the h im alaya S Himalayan The restaurant focuses on blending di fferent cultures and cuisines: spices from India, spirituality from Tibet, hospitality from Nepal and the freshness of ingredients from California. 2633 Bridgeway, 415.331.1335, himalayaca.com
t om my’ S w ok Chinese Scrupulously fresh ingredients and free-range chicken make the yellow coconut milk curry here divine. Nice atmosphere and good takeout. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.332.5818, tommyswok.com
Salman Rushdie Joseph Anton: A Memoir
Wellington’s California British transport Jeremy John and his wife, Jill, have created an expansive (2,400-square-foot) wine bar with a homey feel, board games, views of the bay and a worldly cellar featuring a ffordable bottles and special reserves. 300 Turney St, 415.331.9463, wellingtonswine.com
Tiburon
Capri 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.” 2000 Paradise Dr, 415.435.3400, thecaprice.com
Don a nt onio t rat toria i talian
Located in Tiburon’s historic Ark Row, this trattoria offers authentic i ta lian cuisine. The menu includes traditional courses with selections such as chicken piccata,
m il ano i talian
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
n e W m or ning Cafe
American On a sunny morning, tables will be fi lled with locals enjoying the sun and extensive breakfast menu; lunch served as well. 1696 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.4315
s al t & p e pper
organic roasted rack of lamb and housemade pesto. 114 Main St, 415.435.0400, donantoniotrattoria.com
g inz a Japanese
Whether you simply go for the volcano roll or indulge in the eight-course Omakase meal, the fresh ingredients coupled with the tremendous view of San Francisco keep this place busy. 41 Main St, 415.789.5123, ginzasushi-tiburon.com
g ua ymas Mexican
Situated right next to the Tiburon ferry terminal on the waterfront. The touchit-you’re-so-close city views and outdoor seating make it a great place to bring visitors on a warm summer night. 5 Main St, 415.435.6300, guaymasrestaurant.com
American This sun-fi lled, hardwoodfloored one room restaurant with bluecheckered tablecloths is a local favorite. Popular items on chef Abraham Monterroso’s menu include scallops, rib-eye steak, a beef burger and traditional crab cakes with jalapeno dipping sauce. 38 Main Street, 415.435.3594
s am ’s a n C hor Cafe
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
s erv ino r is torante i talian e xecutive Chef Massimo Covello comes to the kitchen via Frantoio and Piazza d ’A ngelo, where he 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 ib uron t a vern
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, tiburontavern.com
Wes T M Ari n
Drakes b ea C h Cafe 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 Cove 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
o ste ria s t ellina
California Whether it’s to cap off a ay of hiking or celebrate a romantic anniversary, Osteria Stellina suits any occasion. The menu is i ta lian-inspired using organic, local ingredients. i f you’re looking for something unusual try the goat shoulder, a favorite of locals and tourists alike. (Point Reyes). 11285 Hwy 1, 415.663.9988, osteriastellina.com
park si D e Cafe
American Most people know it as the ultimate breakfast spot (think Guatemalan scramble or wa ffle with blood orange–strawberry compote and whipped cream — served alfresco) but lunch and dinners are popular here too. (Stinson).
43 Arenal Ave, 415.868.1272, parksidecafe.com
p ine Cone Diner
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. (Point Reyes Station). 60 Fourth St, 415.663.1536, pineconediner.com
r an C ho n i C as io American Known for live music and an extensive menu featuring everything from dungeness crab burgers to walnut-crusted goat cheese, Rancho n ic asio is open seven days a week. Be sure to stop by for happy hour from 4-6 p.m. 1 Old Rancheria (Nicasio)
Rd, 415.662.2219, ranchonicasio.com
s an D Do llar
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. (Stinson). 3458 Shoreline Hwy, 415.868.0434, stinson beachrestaurant.com
s ta tion h ou se Cafe
American Fresh local homegrown foods, served when available, are showcased on the chef’s menu. Stop in on weekends for the live music and enticing wine and beer lists. 11180 State Route One, 415.663.1515, stationhousecafe.com
s u rfers 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
v eggie b urger at t he Counter in Corte m adera
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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!
From family-night to date-night and special events, Brick & Bottle brings a fresh approach to California cuisine. Enjoy favorites such as thincrust pizzas, Mary’s chicken, braised short ribs, organic salads, and healthy Kids’ meals. Join us at the bar for lite bites and lively conversation.
Brick & Bottle
55 Tamal Vista Blvd
Cucina, a
friendly
restaurant in
welcomes you to our family, where great food, service and atmosphere await you. We invite you to our table, offering a casual and memorable experience. At Chianti Cucina, you’ll feel like a neighborhood regular. OpenTable.com Diner’s Choice Winner 2011 & 2012.
Chianti Cucina
415.924.3366
Corte Madera, CA brickandbottle.com
Consistently rated “Best of Marin,” Comforts offers fine city and home-style food. Our menus change daily to reflect what is fresh and in season, using only the best, quality ingredients. Enjoy breakfast or lunch in our café, or choose from a wide range of take-out items. Catering also available. Open 7 days.
Comforts Cafe
335 San Anselmo Avenue
7416 Redwood Blvd
415.878.0314 Novato, CA chiantinovato.com
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
152 Shoreline Highway
415.289.5777 Mill Valley, CA frantoio.com
Chianti
family
Italian
Novato,
Specialties include mesquite-grilled steaks and fish , house-made pastas, fresh salads and soups, a wide variety of desserts, and fresh baked bread along with artisan cocktails and a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. Each month, a special regional dinner menu is featured. Groups of all sizes are welcome!
Il Fornaio
223 Corte Madera Town Ctr
415.927.4400
Corte Madera, CA ilfornaio.com
The Napa Valley Burger Company brings a taste of Napa Valley to Sausalito. We offer fine wines, fresh gourmet burgers and gluten free options in one of Sausalito’s oldest brick buildings. Come down, grab a bite and compete in our Name that Burger Contest!
Napa Valley Burger Company
670 Bridgeway
In addition to 1/4 lb and 1/2 grass-fed burgers, Pearl’s offers grilled chicken sandwiches, turkey burgers, veggie burgers, and grass-fed buffalo burgers. Pair them with our famous hand battered onion rings, and thick shakes blended with home
Pearls Phat Burgers
8 East Blithedale Ave
415.381.6010
Mill Valley, CA pearlsdeluxe.com
One of Marin County’s newest neighborhood eateries, Tiburon Tavern features elevated comfort cuisine paired with Northern California’s freshest cuisine and coastal influences. This resident public house will tempt you with its farm-to-table dining approach, chic gastropub vibe and the area’s only self-serving wine bar.
Tiburon Tavern
1651 Tiburon Blvd
415.435.5996
Tiburon, CA tiburontavern.com
415.332.1454 Sausalito, CA napavalleyburgercompany.com
The Counter offers all-natural, humanely-raised beef and 312,120+ combinations to build your own burger. The Counter is a great place for family, friends, great music and a full bar. Voted best burger in Bay Area by SFGate.com readers on Baylist 2011. ‘LIKE’ us on www.facebook.com/ TheCounterCorteMadera !
The Counter 201 Town Center
415.924.7000 Corte Madera, CA thecounterburger.com
RISTOBAR is the destination for rustic Italian fare & artisanal pizza. Enjoy a casual, comfortable neighborhood setting while conversing, eating, & drinking with friends and family. Indulge in the best products & practices of Italy with the bounty of fresh ingredients available in the bay area. Don’t miss our 15/30 Tuesdays for $30 bottles of wine. Now serving weekend brunch!
RISTOBAR
2300 Chestnut Street
415.923.6464 San Francisco, CA ristobarsf.com
On the Scene
snapshots from special events in marin and san francisco edited by d
m arcia r yan, f ern l
and
• o utdoor a n tique m ark et Attendees got a taste of a real French neighborhood street market July 8 at San Rafael’s Civic Center as they shopped and enjoyed French music and crêpes.
• a n niver Sary Celebration
The Marin nonprofit Trips for Kids held its 25th annual celebration at the Mill Valley Community Center May 6. More than 200 guests enjoyed an evening of wine, food and music as well as a live auction and a retrospective.
an iel Jewett
r uss Colombo
• b ank of m ar in Golf
t our nament A beautiful Marin day provided the perfect setting for the 18th annual tournament benefiting Sunny Hills Services, a nonprofit providing help to vulnerable youth and their families. The event was held at the Meadow Club in Fairfax.
a ndrea Schultz and Patricia Small
oiacono
Gloria t aylor
d oug m cConnell and m arilyn Price
• Grant a wa rds r e Ce P ti on More than 19 Bay Area nonprofit groups gathered at Tiburon’s Servino restaurant April 4 for the To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation 2012 grant awards reception. A total of $237,513 was awarded to the nonprofits, which help women and men with breast health issues.
• m arin m a Gazi ne e di tors’ Choi Ce Party More than 250 winners of Marin Magazine Editors’ Choice Awards and guests enjoyed an evening of celebration, food and drink, including the award-winning Marin Mojito from Marinitas, at the first-ever magazine awards event July 26 in Mill Valley.
• ma Lt r et irement Marin Agricultural Land Trust’s executive director Bob Berner was honored April 12 for 28 years of service. Guests enjoyed sustainable wine and hors d’oeuvres by chef Annie Somerville at the event held at Greens Restaurant in San Francisco.
Jeanne Capurro, Pat Giacalone and Linda Blum
m ette Quittgaard and s tefan Kirkeby
a nnie s omerville, Bob Berner and s ue Conley
m ichael r ose and w ayne Kaleck
s ietse n abben and s tefan m uhle
SF MARI N
•
•
•
•
•
Macbeth
Oct. 4 (pay-what-you-will
5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 at 8pm; Oct. 14, 21 at 2pm
PERFORMING
Tickets: $20 General, $15
$10 Students/COM Employees and Alumni Box O ce: 415.485.9385
ad lib marin advertisers speak up
michele presley, director of sales and marketing at JumpstartmD
JumpstartMD offers a supportive, physician-supervised program to help patients achieve safe, swift and sustainable weight loss.
Briefly describe your business philosophy.
“Transforming weight loss” for us is about helping people lose weight with the very same strategies they will need to keep it off for their lifetime. Everything we do comes from a collective desire to help patients achieve fast and motivating weight loss that is healthy and built to last.
What is your competitive edge?
We achieve outstanding results. Our science-based program — founded by Stanford-trained physicians — has been proven up to four times more effective than popular diets and other programs. We provide private, personalized care from a multidisciplinary team of nutrition, psychology, fitness and weight loss experts. Our patients have said they love that we emphasize nutrition and lifestyle education and fresh food meal strategies rather than chemically processed, prepackaged diet food.
Which product or service (that you offer) is your favorite?
My favorite is our program, which is a comprehensive “Meals, Movement and Mindset” approach that encompasses the core of our business.
sara thomas, owner of Sara’s List
Launched this past spring, Sara’s List is an online marketplace for buying and selling quality preowned furniture and home furnishings. Thomas got the idea after enduring frustrating experiences buying and selling with other furniture sites such as Craigslist and eBay.
What makes Sara’s List better than its competitors?
Our very crisp, clean-looking website is incredibly easy to navigate and attracts high-end buyers and sellers. Our “Buy It Now” feature’s commission is 15% to sale price instead of up to 50% found elsewhere. We also offer a YouTube video feature, which allows sellers to upload a video of their item.
How do you assist the seller?
Our Concierge Service takes pictures, writes descriptions, figures pricing, posts items and gives delivery and storage recommendations. Our “Buy It
Hearing from ecstatic patients who have reversed the need for diabetes or heart medications and have completely transformed their health through our program is without question the best part of my job.
What makes your work worthwhile?
Playing a part in improving people’s lives makes it worthwhile and inspirational. Weight gain sneaks up gradually over the years. Watching people turn that all around — for good — is a real thrill!
JUMPSTARTMD, 599 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BOULEVARD, SUITE 300, GREENBRAE, CA 94904, 855.586.7782, JUMPSTARTMD.COM, MPRESLEY@JUMPSTARTMD.COM
Now” feature sells directly to the buyer for you. Buyers are pre-registered and looking for quality pieces.
How do you assist the buyer?
We will not publish a listing if it does not represent value to the buyer. Quality listings, complete information and our photo zoom feature ensure all details are provided. Every seller is registered, which makes transactions more secure.
What is your company’s biggest obstacle?
Getting people to think green when it comes to buying home furnishings. Most of us recycle and think twice about drinking water from plastic bottles, but purchasing pre-owned furniture — regardless of your economic status — is a fairly new concept.
What is next for your company?
Sara’s List will soon give sellers the option to donate the proceeds of the sale of their item to a charity of their choosing if the item hasn’t sold after a certain amount of time. We are also talking with local home furnishing businesses and interior designers to create a sample sale category.
SARA’S LIST, SARASLIST.COM, SARA@SARASLIST.COM
Marin Home
from tours and makeovers to decorative details and realtor insights
WInstead, she says, they “envisioned a new home, one with open space and sky and sea and close to town, but it seemed impossible to fi nd until we found this house.”
hen Mark and Polly e ly decided that their k ent field home — a large c ape c od–style house with an e ng lish garden — owned them instead of the other way around, the family of four opted to make do with a lot less — and a lot less home maintenance.
“ t he property wasn’t that big but it took a team to keep it running — it took too much time, too much money and too many people,” says Polly, a marriage and family therapist.
a fter undertaking a reimagining of their lives, the family “just let go of everything,” she recounts. “ t he k ids gave away their stuff nd we opened the door to our k ent field house and let people buy whatever was there.”
s he admits that she and her husband, a high-tech entrepreneur, “were on a ‘bigger is better’ track for a while, accumulating a lot of things, until we found the truth for us is that more isn’t better.”
t he home is a 2600-square-foot, threebedroom modern-style residence near o ld s t. h ilary’s c hurch in t iburon, with plenty of windows, stellar t iburon and s an Francisco views, an open floor plan, a family office and small guest room, instant access to open space, an easy walk to downtown, and furnishings so well-suited to the house, the e lys purchased them, too.
“Polly and Mark are amazing people,” says realtor s usan Van Liere. “ t hey were very clear on what they were looking for and how they wanted to change their lifestyle. It made their home search focused and very gratifying.”
t he family is enjoying its new hometown, too, joining in on the activities at the t iburon Peninsula c lub and Friday n ig hts on Main, riding the ferry into s an Francisco for dinner and letting the children explore downtown t iburon on their own.
“We ultimately got way more — we got our freedom, our money and our time back,” Polly says. “a nd, oddly, smaller as the house is, it flows with more ease than the other house. It’s a really nice feeling.” m
Clockwise from top left: a vertical succulent garden; the family piano; a stone monk sculpture; a seating area.
The house had furnishings so wellsuited to the house, they purchased them, too.
the details
Where they purchased Old Town, Tiburon
What they bought A modern-style view home near open space
l is ting agent Craig Swanson, Decker Bullock
Sotheby’s International Realty
s ell ing a gen t Susan Van Liere, Alain Pinel Realtors
s tat s Average cost per square foot for homes in neighborhood: $750
c lockwise from top left: c lean, simple lines define the home; the e ly family; outdoor staircase; long windows offer lots of natural light; the kitchen and dining space.
As lam Dunk
They wait there in driveways, backyards and cul-de-sacs — indeed, Marin basketball hoops are always ready for a pickup game, “horse” or just a few lone shots.
Email a photo of yourself standing by your hoop to letters@marinmagazine.com and we’ll choose one or more submitted photos to run in the next issue.
Photos by t im Porter
$5,200,000
World class views from the pinnacle of Tiburon. San Francisco waterfront & Golden Gate Bridge views are featured from nearly every room of this contemporary home. The open floor plan capitalizes unimpeded views spanning Mt. Tam across the city front to the Bay Bridge. From the moment you enter, the quality finishes provide a sense of character and architectural distinction. Spacious rooms encourage large or small gatherings for easy entertaining. www.117Sugarloaf.com Collaborating Luxury Home Specialists
Junipero Serra Avenue, San Rafael
$949,000
Perfectly sited and proudly presenting this completely renovated and expanded three bedroom, two and one half bath one level home located in San Rafael’s highly desired Villa Real neighborhood offering a panorama of views from Mount Tamalpais to the Bay and beyond. The cheery home has a sunny outlook with a south west exposure and an open temperament. The owner has lovingly and personally selected the upgrades and improvements to make this a comfortable and exciting place to call home. www.9juniperoserra.com
Santiago Way, San Rafael
$879,000
This elegant, yet practical residence located in coveted San Rafael Park is situated at the end of a private cul-de-sac on over one third of an acre with expansive views of the surrounding hills of Lucas Valley. Custom built in 1984, the sunny west-facing property boasts many upgrades and a floor plan perfect for indoor and outdoor entertaining. Backing to open space and with its close commute proximity to shopping, theater, wine country and points north, this home is a must-see property. www.31santiago.com
Sherry Ramzi 415.902.7344
s.ramzi@deckerbullocksir.com Sales and Marketing Consultant, BA, SRES www.marinexclusivehomes.com
$3,695,000
Enter into a world of contemporary perfection in this newly constructed home that is sure to wow all sensibilities. As one contemplates the aura of the property set upon nearly one third of an acre, its beauty and elegance is pervasive. From every vantage there is a natural feeling inherent in this unique and special property. From the contemporary exterior to the gracious entry and sumptuous interior design and appointments, the detail work and execution are superlative. This home has a legal second studio unit with its own private entrance. www.73Sunrise.com
• 5 Bedrooms, 4 and 1 Half Bathrooms
• Custom Chef’s Kitchen with Caesar Stone Island
• Contemporary Designer Stainless Appliances
• White Oak Wide Plank Engineered Flooring
• Radiant Heat with Individual Room Controls
• Remote Controlled SMART System-RadioRA2
• Integrated Surround Sound System
• Legal Second Studio Unit
s.ramzi@deckerbullocksir.com
www.marinexclusivehomes.com
Corte
Madera
Offered at $849,000
You will fall in love with this charming Corte Madera home! Walk in the door to a fun, retro kitchen that has a dining area as well as a breakfast bar. The kitchen is adjacent to a living & dining room that is perfect for entertaining and large dinner parties. Step down from here into an extremely spacious light-filled family/game room with a vaulted ceiling and a wood-burning fireplace. There are two sliding doors leading from the family to an expansive deck with a planter box offering tomatoes, strawberries & zucchini as well as a fenced-in level lawn. This lush setting will have you entertaining all summer long. The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and two large closets. Two cozy kids rooms, a stylish remodeled full bathroom, two-car attached garage, tons of storage space, a large level front lawn, and bright landscaping complete this special home. Conveniently located near parks, schools, Paradise Market, shopping centers, public transportation, and an easy commute to San Francisco or the North Bay.
www.46ElCamino.com
Kentfield Contemporary
$1,595,000
This contemporary four bedroom, three and one half bath home on a private lot seamlessly integrates the amenities of today’s California lifestyle. An open kitchen flows into the spacious family room, yet remains separate from the formal living and dining rooms for ease of entertaining. The four bedrooms are conveniently located on the same floor and separate from the common areas providing a quiet retreat from the activity on the main floor at any time. A spacious Master with well-appointed bath and generous walk-in closet flanks one side, while at the other two bedrooms share a “Jack & Jill” bath, with an en-suite guest room sandwiched in between. The almost .25 acre lot allows for ample room to play, with a large flat patio space, private gardens, secluded sitting areas, and decks from which to enjoy the sun setting behind Mt. Tamalpais. Located just a few short blocks to the shops and acclaimed Kentfield schools, with easy access to 101 and the Larkspur Ferry terminal. This home provides a welcome retreat at the end of a busy day while keeping you within easy reach of all of the amenities of life in central Marin.
LISTED
Perfect bay-front retreat, offering year-round resort living with waterside deck, pier and boat lift. Newly remodeled, with bright and airy great room with “driftwood” floors, whitewashed and hessian walls, white shuttered windows, open-beam cathedralceiling, fireplace and floor to ceiling windows that capture the panoramic view from Golden Gate Bridge through Mt. Tam and the San Francisco Bay. Kitchen with marble-top isle and counters, bar seating, wine cooler and Wolf, Sub-Zero and Bosch appliances. Master suite with two walk-in closets and the large, beautiful bath. Three bedrooms, two and one-half baths, hot tub, newly landscaped level lawns and gardens, wired for sound inside and out, two car garage, and the sound of the water lapping on the rocks… $5,795,000
Mediterranean – Moorish in Marin County, California
21 TOUSSIN, KENTFIELD
A true interpretation of modern architecture with overtones of ancient proportions, acknowledging it’s natural setting amid oaks, serene privacy and vista of Mt. Tamalpais and the Marin hills.
Details abound with this unique property: Marble foyer floor with oversized imported Copper door, custom Moroccan window treatment, stenciled 18’ ceiling in living room, wet bar, oversized wood-burning fireplace, formal dining room, wine cellar, Wolf range, walk-in pantry, handcrafted handrail, spacious Master bathroom and bedroom with balcony, nine skylights and numerous windows that offer natural light and mesmerizing views.
3 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths – Offered at $1,545,000 – http://21Toussin.com
Donald & Josette Loeblein (Sale by owners)
Tel.: (415) 453-2864 • E-mail: dojolo@comcast.net • (Commissionable to Real Estate Agents)
LeMarr 2012 Secretary, Marin Association of REALTORS 415.793.5030 • judy@marindreamhome.com www.MarinDreamHome.com
122 HoWard drive, tiBuron
Light-filled 5 bedroom/ 3.5 bath home with an open floor plan, views and a great back yard! Excellent location near award-winning Del Mar Middle School and Blackie’s Pasture playground, trails and playing fields. Everyone loves this home’s back yard, with its level lawn & beautiful landscaping---a great place to unwind, kick the ball around or entertain guests. Sensible floor plan for easy indoor-outdoor living: on the main floor is the living room with soaring ceilings and fireplace; a dining room, and a great-room style kitchen/den combo, with eat-in area and den opening directly to the back yard. Upstairs, just the master suite and 5th bedroom. Nice bay views from the master suite. (the power lines are finally being undergrounded this Fall.) Comfortable lifestyle, great neighborhood, excellent Tiburon Schools! Offered at $1,825,000
Golden Gate Avenue, Belvedere
Evergreen Drive, Kentfield
Bolinas Avenue, Ross
200GoldenGate.com
RossResortHome.com
Throckmorton Drive, Mill Valley Reduced! Willis Polk-architectural gem built around 1900. Roam in over 4500sf. 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths plus office and au-pair. Klyce-built quality, high ceilings and large, sunny lot near downtown.
465Throckmorton.com
$2,900,000
Chris DeNike 415.250.8052
Debes Ranch Road, San Rafael Fantastic, one-level, remodeled home. 4bd/3ba on ever an acre. Sun and privacy, hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen, black bottom pool with waterfall and spa, sport court, attached 3-car garage and a level yard.
15DebesRanch.com
$1,695,000
Michael Cohen 415.602.9969
“Our APR agents guided us through the entire process with a level of diligence and professionalism that I have to believe is rare. We can't say enough great things about Alain Pinel.”
Emlin Place, Kentfield
4bd/3.5ba on a cul-de-sac and very desirable private lane. Upgraded kitchen and baths, new living room fireplace, master on main level and three decks.
8Emlin.com
$1,495,000 Carol Olrich 415.971.0332
Summit Avenue, Mill Valley
Reduced! Stunning San Francisco views from most rooms, best Mill Valley weather, quality in every detail. Built in 2004, 3754+/sf, 5bd/3.5ba with all the bells. Private, sunny, flat lawns.
388Summit.com
$2,695,000
Michelle Klurstein 415.250.0895
Meadow Ridge Drive, Corte Madera Warm, light-filled, 4bd, 3.5ba contemporary. Kitchen with 6-burner Viking range and Sub Zero refrigerator, wine room, oak hardwood floors and great room with access to patio and rear yard. Serene views.
$1,485,000 David Doyle 415.215.3169
Terra Mortgage Banking
Nancy Go , Novato (415) 897-2826
Terra Mortgage Banking
Larkspur Headquarters (415) 925-9900 FHA lender
Super-Jumbo Loans to $5 Million TerraMortgageBanking.com
In only three short years, Terra Mortgage Banking has grown to be the largest independent residential lender in Marin County. How? By taking a local approach to real estate lending.
That’s Nancy Go in the picture above. Nancy is a Marin native and the newest addition to our team of Mortgage Advisors.
Nancy joined Terra because she believes local borrowers should have access to a local direct lender. Terra works with local appraisers, o ers genuine loan approvals and quick closing times, and our rates meet or beat those of the national mega-lenders.
Our ve Marin branch o ces are sta ed with experienced, nationally accredited Mortgage Advisors who live in Marin and understand the local market. Like Nancy.
If you are purchasing a new home, or re nancing your present one, we invite you to contact us today to discover the advantages of a local approach to lending.
Ross: $11,950,000
Ross: Located on Ross’ Gold Coast, this View Estate has 7 bedrooms/8.5 baths which include Main Residence, 2 guesthouses, cabana, and 3 car garage on nearly 2 acres (approx) fully landscaped. Close-in to school & town. Builder/Designer: Mitch Wiener. Visit www.RossCountryManor.com
Tiburon: $4,250,000
Tiburon: $2,750,000
Tiburon: On a cul-de-sac by Open Space, this 4 bed/5.5 bath home on .51 acres (approximately) has full-on views of San Francisco, the Bay, Mt Tam and beyond. 5300 sq ft home (approximately). Visit www.HawaiiByTheBay.com
Tiburon: You’ll love the convenience of this newly constructed 5 bedroom/5 bath home with Guesthouse. It is close to downtown & ferry! Beautiful garden and level lawn on quiet street in Old Town. Visit www.1801MarWest.com
WIENER
00707023
Kathleen Clifford
171 West Blithedale Avenue
A Storybook cottage awaits! Newly remodeled with tasteful nishes, desirable layout, and enticing indoor-outdoor living. Located on arguably one of the best streets in Mill Valley, this home is compellingly close to the village center, and adjacent to the best hiking and biking around. Top line appliances, beautiful buttermilk Caesar stone with glass tile and tumbled stone back-splash, and a large open breakfast bar highlight the kitchen. Living and family rooms open to the generous outdoor dining and lounging deck, overlooking the gardens, with Japanese maple and mature redwood trees. Upstairs, a grand master suite boasting Mt Tam views and natural light features an alluring bath and large closet with custom shelving. 2 additional beds and a lovely hall bath with double sinks complete the upper level. Downstairs, there is a full basement of several rooms providing extra exible-use space for storage, workshop, exercise needs, hobby areas and more.
Features:
3 BR, including master suite with replace | 2 full baths, one half bath | living and family rooms | generous deck and yard areas | enormous full basement
Offered at $1,395,000
Alluring Avon
6 Avon Avenue, Mill Valley
WOW! This impeccably remodeled home has the unique combination of gorgeous southern views, and yet is located in a coveted neighborhood, right in the heart of everything. Easy access to schools, Boyle Park and downtown Mill Valley, this home has it all. Gleaming Brazilian Cherry oors accent the Chef’s Kitchen with stainless appliances, double ovens, and slate countertops. Formal living and dining rooms are adjacent to a family room with a view of Tam, and an outdoor dining deck. Doubling as a media room, a projector, screen, at screen TV and surround sound beckon. Downstairs the master suite features a large walk in closet and a stone bath with double sinks. 2 additional large bedrooms, plus an o ce, laundry room and great bath complete this level. A separately entered guest suite provides for peace and privacy. Flat play area compliments the outdoor space which has fruit trees and tiered gardens.
Virtually new construction. Nestled in the exclusive enclave of Tiburon’s finest estates. Breathtaking views of the Bay spanning Marin, the San Rafael Bridge, Sonoma, and the East Bay hills. This thoughtfully designed home with timeless finishes offers 4Br/3.5Ba, plus an Office/Den. Dramatic master suite with comfortable retreat and fireplace. Gracious living with spectacular Bay views from every room! All living areas open to large stone terraces, expansive deck, lush level lawn & built-in BBQ. The luxurious easy floorplan embodies custom details attracting all lifestyles, whether family living or sophisticated entertaining. An outdoor person's dream only steps away to the finest mountain top trails in Marin County, offering 360 degree world class views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Mountain ranges from the East Bay to Mount Tamalpais.
Exclusively Offered At $3,795,000
For additional pictures and details: 98Sugarloaf.com
The Richmonds
13 Overhill Rd Mill Valley
Up a long driveway, set on a private half acre lot, this single story 4BD/3BA home, in original condition, has stunning panoramic views of San Francisco, the Bay & Horse Hill. Custom built in 1968 and owned by one family, this lovely home has a wonderful oor plan and smart architectural details .
13OVERHILLRD.COM
Offered at: $1,360,000
17 Katrina Lane
San Anselmo
Gated and private on 2/3 of a level landscaped acre, fabulous 5BD/3.5BA home personi es the indoor/outdoor California lifestyle. Floor to ceiling windows that transport you through the inner atrium to the dramatic back yard, where the pool and spa are surrounded by a lush verdant lawn.
17KATRINA.COM
Offered At: $1,595,000
New Listing
31 Glen Dr. Mill Valley
111 Jamaica St
Tiburon
Enjoy easy living in this stunning remodeled 3BD/2.5BA one level home located in the boating community of Paradise Cay. Light and bright with an open oor plan and fabulous custom gourmet kitchen, this home is an entertainer's delight.
111JAMAICA.COM
Offered at: $1,695,000
Located in one of Mill Valley's most desirable and best weather neighborhoods, this dramatic 3BD/3BA mid-century modern is set above the trees on just under a ½ acre. Walls of windows look over the stunning natural lush landscape and the spacious decks and patio create that indoor/outdoor lifestyle.
31GLENDR.COM | Offered at: $1,449,000
Coming Soon
In this architect’s magni cent tree house, light pours into the two story windows that look out over the canyon. Quintessential Mill Valley, this 3BD/2BA house with a den, o ce nook and stunning remodeled kitchen that opens to an intimate garden on one side and an expansive deck on the other is the perfect retreat.
Price Upon Request
This light-filled home features sunny Southwest exposure on the lagoon. Feels like a Nantucket vacation home. 3Bd/2Ba. Co-listed with Theresa Coleman.
10Lagoon.com
Offered at $1,850,000
to downtown Mill Valley
Just Sold! Light open floor plan with easy indoor/outdoor flow on large lot. 5 Bd, 3 Ba plus office, bonus room, storage and workshop. Beautifully modern upgrades.
442Laverne.com
Offered at $1,520,000
WATERFRONT LIVING IN TIBURON Spectacular VIEWS of SF Bay and Angel Island. Large BOAT DOCK. Charming 2 unit property plus separate studio. Co-listed with Theresa Coleman.
2096Paradise.com
Offered at $1,799,000
Just Sold! San Francisco City and Bay views. Sunny and private, on over an acre. Special retreat feeling with the best of indoor/outdoor living and plenty of level land.
200MargueriteAve.com
Offered at $2,295,000
Close
Mill Valley with SF Bay Views
circa 1921
Marin’s Danish Legacy
t he majestic allure of one of California’s oldest retirement homes. By Jim Wood
The retirement home
Aldersly — “shelter for the aging” in Danish — sits on a pleasant hillside in San r af ael near Dominican University. Why the Danish name? m or e than 90 years ago the property was acquired and the home founded to serve California and n ev ada inhabitants of Danish heritage. t he official dedication in December 1921 drew more than 400 people.
remains from the early days. i n 1939, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess i ng rid of Denmark visited Aldersly and enjoyed themselves so much they returned in 1960, this time as king and queen. t heir daughter Queen m argrethe i i a nd her husband, Prince h en rik, toured the grounds in 1976. t oday, spread over 3.5 beautifully landscaped acres and possibly the oldest operating retirement facility in California, Aldersly is home to 121 seniors averaging around age 85. i n 1978 Christian m or tensen, born in 1882 in a village near Skanderborg, Denmark, moved in. As the story goes, one day, at age 96, he rode his bike to Aldersly and never left; he lived there, regularly smoking cigars, until he died at 115 — one of the world’s oldest men. m
In 1939, Crown prince Frederik and Crown princess Ingrid of Denmark visited.