Marin Magazine June 2014

Every California Closets system is custom designed specifically for you and the way you live.Visit our showroom or call today to arrange for a complimentary in-home design consultation. See how your home can be more beautiful and functional with our exceptional designs, exclusive finishes and accessories.

CaliforniaClosets.com

LARKSPUR 12 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd. 415.455.1200

In Marin

Currents Local brewers, going green, beer festivals, hightech surf and more.

Q&A A father-andson restaurant team.

On the Job You fly if he gives the OK.

Conversation Peter Coyote and the effort to save wildlife.

Destinations

Go Tahoe’s top 12.

Paris, Lyon and Barcelona Chef Justin Everett leads a culinary journey.

Out

& About

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

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

Flavor Dishes made with love at Beerworks.

On the Scene Snapshots from special events in Marin and San Francisco. Marin

Home

Backstory

house becomes a home with a little help from friends.

TIM

© Purcell Murray Inc. 2014

THE ULTIMATE GRILL

Coyote is committed to grilling perfection. So much so, nothing is left to chance. Each grill is fully assembled at the factory – so there’s nothing for you to do but enjoy truly peerless cooking results. It’s available at dozens of local retailers, courtesy of distributor Purcell Murray. To find a dealer, call 800.892.4040 or visit purcellmurray.com.

SO. CAL SHOWROOM: Huntington Beach, CA 92649

BAY AREA SHOWROOM: Brisbane, CA 94005

ON THE WEB: purcellmurray.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Debra Hershon ext 120 | dhershon@marinmagazine.com

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Michele Geoff rion Johnson ext 110 | mjohnson@marinmagazine.com

MAILING ADDRESS One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965 PHONE 415.332.4800 FAX 415.332.3048 SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES subscriptions@marinmagazine.com 818.286.3160 INTERNSHIP INQUIRIES / STORY IDEAS editorial@marinmagazine.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please send letters to editorial@marinmagazine.com. Be sure to include your full name, city, state and phone number. Marin Magazine reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length and style.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Rates are $12 for gift subscriptions or free for general subscribers. To subscribe, manage your subscription or change your address visit marinmagazine.com/subscribe.

BULK ORDERS

For information on bulk orders of Marin Magazine, please call 415.332.4800.

From left: Mimi Towle, Nikki Wood, Dan Jewett

Bay Area

events

want to attend

26TH ANNUAL MARINSCAPES

WHEN WHERE WHY

YOU SHOULD GO COST FIND

June 26–29

Historic Escalle Winery, 771 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur

View and purchase artwork exclusively depicting Marin landscapes at the Opening Night Gala June 26 (5:30–9:30 p.m.), followed by a Meet the Artists Reception June 27 (5:30–8 p.m.) and the MarinScapes Exhibit and Sale June 28–29 (noon–6 p.m.). All events include refreshments. Proceeds benefit Buckelew Programs.

SUMER IS HERE! It’s June, and everyone wants to get outside to enjoy the Bay Area and all the activities going on here. But where to start? We have more than a few suggestions in our fi rst-ever Summer Guide, including places to surf, places to hike, fresh food to eat and concerts to see. You’l l fi nd the guide in the middle of the magazine; pull it out and keep it on hand for lots of great adventures that will take you all the way through August.

We kick off eatures this month with a look at a summer solstice celebration on Muir Beach. It’s the longest day of the year, and writer Lynda Balslev has all you need to know to celebrate — and eat — like a Viking.

We continue with a story on low-water gardens. Whether we like it or not, the drought is still with us, but, as writer Nate Seltenrich finds out, there are ways to fill your garden or public space with colorful plants that don’t put a big strain on the water supply. And a big thanks to Kevin Sadlier, owner of Green Jeans Garden Supply in Strawberry, for helping us identify the various succulents shown in the piece.

Additional features include a look at Marin resident Thom Weisel’s generous art donation to

the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and a photo essay featuring tourists taking pictures of themselves at the Golden Gate Bridge. Although quite different, both are sights worth checking out this summer.

Up front, since it’s all about Dad this Father’s Day, we ask local brewmasters about their, and their fathers’, favorite beers, and speak to fatherand-son restaurateurs Bill and Tyler Higgins. You’ll also meet a Novato flight surgeon and learn what Peter Coyote and Camilla Fox are doing to save apex predators.

Finally, in Destinations we introduce you to the top 12 things to do in Tahoe this summer and take you on a culinary trip to Paris, Lyon and Barcelona with Murray Circle executive chef Justin Everett and pastry chef Ethan Howard.

It’s an issue packed with food, fun and festivities celebrating all things summer, and we hope you enjoy reading it. After you’re done, grab the sunscreen and we’ll see you at the beach.

We’ve got places to surf, places to hike, fresh food to eat and concerts to see.

Marin Magazine Staff Editors

you’ll

Decoding the Ballot

innovator Marshall Tuck. Parents of schoolchildren should investigate this race; it will impact their off spring.

BY JIM WOOD

The Republicans have several attractive candidates in the June 3 primary.

THERE ARE SEVERAL intriguing races on the June 3 primary ballot. The following is my take on key issues and candidates.

Democratic Governor Jerry Brown will get the most votes, but Republican newcomer Neel Kashkari will come in second, which, under California’s open primary system, means the two will go at it again in November. Check out Kashkari — he’s a 40-yearold Southern Californian with two MBAs who worked at Goldman Sachs and then the Treasury Department, where he administered TARP, 2008’s Troubled Asset Relief Program — so he has business and government experience. Meanwhile, Marin’s Gavin Newsom will win handily in the contest for lieutenant governor.

Marin’s Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), as he should, will win a second term as U.S. Congressman from District 2, which includes Marin, western Sonoma and up the coast to Oregon. As for state senator, a new (for Marin) name is the strong candidate; he’s Mike McGuire , a popular Democratic Sonoma County supervisor. Meanwhile, assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) did solid work in his first term in Sacramento and will probably be returned to office. His November opponent looks to be Diana Conti , a College of Marin trustee.

As for Marin County’s other elected officials, Mary Jane Burke (superintendent of schools), Richard Benson (assessor/recorder/ county clerk), Ed Berberian (district attorney) and Robert Doyle (sheriff/coroner) have all done good work and all are running unopposed.

Measure B will allow construction of a permanent home for the farmers’ market at the Marin County Civic Center.

The battle to be California’s Secretary of State (overseeing state elections) isn’t its usual snoozer — and again, the Republicans have an attractive candidate. This time it’s Pete Peterson, who runs a think tank on civic leadership and, early on, won the endorsement of the Los Angeles Times. His closest rival is state Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) who is young, determined and talented. Peterson and Padilla will probably oppose each other again in November.

A similar situation exists in the campaign for state controller (state’s chief fi nancial officer). Fresno mayor Ashley Swearengin is another Republican candidate worth considering. One of two Democrats, assembly speaker John Pérez or board of equalization member Betty Yee , will probably face off against Swearengin in November. As for state treasurer (responsible for bonds and investments), former controller John Chiang is a sure winner; same for Kamala Harris for state attorney general (chief legal officer), Dave Jones for insurance commissioner and Fiona Ma for a seat on the state board of equalization. All are Democrats.

In the race for California superintendent of schools, a close contest is under way between incumbent Tom Torlakson and

A critical county race involves county supervisorial District 1 (San Rafael, Santa Venetia, Lucas Valley), where San Rafael city councilperson Damon Connolly is challenging incumbent Susan Adams. Connolly has chaired the successful Marin Clean Energy, but has changed course dramatically on vital housing issues. At the same time, Adams did tireless work building consensus regarding housing in Marinwood; she does her homework. This one is close.

An easier call is Marin’s District 5 (Novato, Bel Marin Keys, Black Point), where incumbent Judy Arnold , who has accomplished much in her eight years as supervisor, is expected to turn back a challenge from Toni Shroyer, a real estate agent with limited political experience.

Finally, two Marin measures deserve yes votes. Measure A, a library parcel tax, involving only Corte Madera, Ross, Fairfax, Novato and county unincorporated areas, would extend a $49 parcel tax for another nine years. Measure B will allow construction of a permanent home for the farmers’ market at the Marin County Civic Center, the cost of which ($20 million) will be raised through a capital campaign.

Don’t forget to vote on or before June 3. That’s my point of view. What’s yours?

Email pov@marinmagazine.com.

Sure, you’re generous with your giving, but are you:

smart?

fulfilled? ▼ ▼

Are you leveraging the most effective giving vehicle? Are you enjoying the greatest tax advantages? Is all of your administration streamlined?

Do you have a personal philanthropic advisor guiding your giving strategy? Do you have confidence that your giving is making real impact?

MCF connects the people who want to make a difference in the world with the organizations that can affect real change. If you're ready to take your giving to the next level, give us a call at 415.464.2500.

Your Letters

Dahl and the Dogs

A

TIMELY NOTION.

Thank you for the in-depth profi le of local public official Linda Dahl (Conversation, March 2014). We appreciate the open space that Marin offers its residents for use. However, I take serious issue with a few points in the article. Dahl makes some wildly controversial yet entirely unsubstantiated comments about dogs that I had to read a few times just to make sure that I was seeing them correctly. The majority of Marin residents own dogs. If they were all “hunters or herders” as she claims dogs mostly are, the county would be in constant chaos. That is simply an untrue statement. And as for the disparaging comment about the type of people in Marin she encounters, well, that just con fi rmed my suspicion that she too is working the PR machine to paint dogs and their owners as an antienvironmental nuisance. They in large part are not. The few bad examples are

pointed out time and again as the standard when they are actually the anomaly. The most responsible stewards of the land I have ever seen in Marin or elsewhere are, more often than not, dog owners. It was otherwise interesting to read about her work and managing so much land. JESSICA TEAS, VIA EMAIL

Looking for Pennies

Jim Wood, we loved the Looking Back in the April issue about the sinking of the San Agustin. Readers whose children search for pennies in the shipwreck at the Bay Area Discovery Museum may not realize that their kids’ favorite pirate ship is actually a replica of the San Agustin itself.

JENNIFER CALESHU, BAY AREA DISCOVERY MUSEUM

Skate Freedom

“Stinson Beach. Great waves to boogie-board.” Cheermom Vukovich

101

“The beach at No Name Pond near Dogtown.”

Alan Atha

“Redrock Beach.”

Janna Barkin

“Black Sand Beach, but I don’t like the hike down.”

Kristin Gebert

“Stinson Beach. Day trip, great walks and good eats.”

Madeline Schaider

What was, is

Island of Hawaii 866.977.4589

Karron L.

same spirit and camaraderie that your article (“Shredding Marin,” May 2014) suggests. On Fridays, students at Redwood High would get a ride up to Bootjack from their folks or their older brothers and set up pup tents for weekends of unsupervised fun. Sunny afternoons were for body-sur fi ng at Stinson, but when it was foggy or on long summer evenings we slalomed Panoramic Highway from Rock Springs to Bill’s Superette. We started out using metal roller skates nailed to pieces of two-by-four; when the blacktop had torn out the wheel bearings you had to pick up the pieces and walk down. If the infrequent highway-patrol cruiser stopped to question, we disappeared into Steep Ravine. We did as many runs as our boards could take. In time, sticky/soft Kryptonics urethane wheels, laminated plywood skateboard blanks and metal trucks gave us game. Though I do not remember intentionally jumping up or off f any stationary objects back then, that does not mean we did not catch some air. We may have envied the warm water and waves of the south, but going the surfer/skater route was fun.

JOHN WARNE, CORTE MADERA

How Smart is SMART?

Jim Wood sure didn’t check the “facts” about the SMART train but it was good propaganda for the SMART gang (“Right on Track,” April 2014). Susan Adams said only 400 a day would use it and another supervisor said 1,000 a day would use it. You printed that 1.4 million a year would use it, which amounts to about 4,000 a day. But this train was never meant to move people. The SMART train goes through no big cities and doesn’t end at a big city like BART does in S.F. Even if people use it how would they get to western San Rafael? It will worsen tra ffic. It has 83 road crossings that will bring tra ffic to a halt for minutes. How about kids crossing the tracks to get to school and the danger they face? ROBERT A. CASPER, SAN RAFAEL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Your comments may be edited for clarity and brevity. Send letters to Marin Magazine , One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965, or email us at letters@marinmagazine com .

In Marin

CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND CAUSES OF THIS UNIQUE COUNTY

LOCALLY BREWED

Five beer makers reflect on their craft, their favorites and their fathers.

BY CALIN VAN PARIS

MARINITES LIKE THEIR beer. They also like their neighbors. So what could be better than getting together for a locally crafted lager? We talked to five brewmasters who head up Marin breweries (and one in Sonoma) about what they do, what they like and — in honor of Father’s Day — what their dads drink.

BREWMASTER

BBLS (BARRELS) PER YEAR

Jeremy Marshall, brewing at Lagunitas Brewing Company for 11 years; lagunitas.com

400,000 in 2013; slated for 600,000 this year.

MOST POPULAR IPA and Lil’ Sumpin’ Sumpin’, followed by seasonals.

NightTime — our current 22-ounce seasonal and first “official” black IPA.

Mike Schnebeck, brewing at Mill Valley Beerworks for three years; millvalley beerworks.com

Last year we did about 350 bbl.

Probably the Kölsch, but a lot of employees love Shipshape, a double IPA that we make occasionally.

Treble Hook Rye, because it’s the first beer I ever came up with. Park is the one I would drink every day.

Christian Kazakoff, brewing at Iron Springs Pub and Brewery for six years; ironspringspub.com

1,300-plus, and we’re on track to produce 1,500plus this year.

Casey Jones Imperial IPA with the Kent Lake Kölsch and JC Flyer IPA tied for a close second.

Right now I’m enjoying our Die Kraft Roggenbier. I tend to gravitate toward the seasonals.

Arne Johnson, brewing at Marin Brewing Company for 19 years; marinbrewing.com

Alan Atha, brewing at Baeltane Brewing for a year and a half; baeltanebrewing.com

About 2,600, which is basically our capacity. 250 bbls last year, with plans to increase to more than 500 bbls per year.

Our flagship, Mt. Tam Pale Ale. I’d say it accounts for about 40 percent of our total production.

Marin IPA, because it’s the first commercial beer I created from scratch. But if there’s a Belgian-style beer on tap I’ll usually go for that.

Either of our two Double IPAs — Rumplestiltskin and The Frog That Ate The World.

The Frog That Ate The World (which I’m drinking as I answer these questions).

DAD’S FAVORITE He would prefer Censored because it’s malty and not too hoppy. He tasted IPA and said, “Ick, it tastes like flowers!” Guess he’s not a hophead!

I remember him saying he liked Bass, and I recently brought him some Beerworks Westfalia and Four Brothers. He seemed to like those quite a bit.

Whatever beer I currently have on tap in the Public House at AT&T Park during a Giants game.

My parents were brewers when I was young, and his favorite of my brews has always been the Marin IPA.

My father isn’t with us now, but if he was it would most likely be our Black Spot Porter, a smooth English style that he would drink during World War II as a Yank paratrooper in England, where he met my mum.

GOING GREEN

You’ve probably visited Marin’s new Target store, but did you know the building is LEED Gold certified? Construction was adjusted once the Target team learned that San Rafael requires Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, which comes from the U.S. Green Building Council, and decided to make the store the first in the chain to go this green. “Through careful coordination with Target and

the contractors, we were able to address the issues of fromthe-ground-up construction on a hazardous site,” says Elaine Long, LEED AP and job captain at MBH Architects, the firm that designed the building. Sustainable elements of the design include innovative energy-saving methods like a roof-mounted photovoltaic system and employee transportation options such as shuttles, bike lockers and discounted transit passes. mbharch.com C.V.P.

TIM PORTER (TOP PHOTOS)

Lagunitas Brewing Company

Celebrity Cruises invites you to experience Top Chef at Sea

Indulge in a vacation that will thrill your inner chef’testant. Introducing Celebrity’s Top Chef at Sea experience, where you can participate in Quickfie Challenges, sample Top Chef- inspired cuisine, and meet chef’testants from Bravo’s Emmy® Award-winning TV show. Book today and prepare for a modern, upscale vacation that will leave you completely relaxed, renewed—and hungry for more.

Top Chef Signature Sailings

• 7-night Bermuda cruise on Celebrity Summit®—July 27

• 7-night Alaska cruise on Celebrity Solstice®—Aug 15

• 12-night Europe cruise on Celebrity Infinity®—Sept 19

• 7-night Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Reflection®—Nov 15

Experience it at celebritycruises.com/sf

To book, call us at 1-888-456-7887 or contact your travel agent.

©2014 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador.

That’s modern luxury.SM

HOP TO IT

The California Beer Festival is making its way to Marin this month, and it definitely includes everything necessary for a successful celebration: live music, bocce ball, bike valet, delicious sliders and enough beer to keep even the festival’s mascot, Burt the Bear, cheerful. Head to Stafford Lake Park on June 28 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. to get your share of suds. californiabeerfestival.com C.V.P.

BREWS ON TAP 70 3 OUNCE sample size

Bridging THE GAP

NatureBridge, an environmenta l field science program, aims to take Marin County kids’ education out of the classrooms and into our national parks. We asked the organization’s Golden Gate director, Aaron Rich, to share a few lesser-known facts about the diverse natural world that exists in our shared backyard. naturebridge.org C.V.P.

MINIMUM DRINKING AGE

Currently at least four river otters are making their home in Rodeo Lagoon. NatureBridge students are recording sightings of the animals as part of the program’s citizen science efforts.

The endangered Mission Blue butterfly, which can be found on Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands, typically spends its entire life within a 50-meter radius of the lupine bush where it emerges.

High-Tech Surf

Rodeo Lagoon is also home to an endangered fish called the tidewater goby. Male tidewater gobies dig dens for females to lay eggs in. Females fight to select dens and males guard the eggs until they are hatched.

There are a number of variables involved in a successful surf mission. Hit the beach sans disappointment with these three apps designed to optimize any rider’s experience. C.V.P.

SURFLINE Get all the necessary information for the day’s ride in one place. Surfline offers all-encompassing surf reports and forecasts along with live, HD surfcam images available for premium members. A favorite of the folks at Proof Lab Surf Shop.

SHARK NET Thanks to Stanford University scientists and the Global Tagging of Pacific Predators project, you can track white shark movements. Learn about each animal through a bio, and receive updates when a sighting occurs.

SWELLTELL Get your friends to use SwellTell for an easy way to spread the word about local surf conditions. This app allows users to share photos, wave heights, crowd size, wind direction and tide with their list of contacts, sending unique “swelltells” via text.

PHOTO © BERNARD BOO

10 QUESTIONS FOR

Bill and Tyler Higgins

Restaurateurs

MILL VALLEY

In 1985, just as Bill Higgins was about to open his first San Francisco restaurant with partners Bill Upson and Cindy Pawlcyn, he posed with his 1-year-old son, Tyler, in front of the now world-famous Fog City Diner. Fast-forward 30 years to find more restaurant launches for Bill, real-world experience and training for the now grown-up Tyler (who is general manager of the classic eatery) and a yearlong multimillion-dollar transformation of Fog City (which dropped “Diner” from the name). With his son at the helm of his flagship restaurant, Bill keeps busy as co-owner of Real Restaurants, which includes Bix, Betelnut, Zero Zero, Tra Vigne, Buckeye Roadhouse, Bungalow 44, Picco and Bar Bocce. Taking similar paths is nothing new for the father and son, who both attended the University of Colorado Boulder and completed their training at the prominent Chicago restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You, and who both live in Marin.

MIMI TOWLE

1

How is it working with your son? Short answer, great.

2

How is it working with your dad? Our relationship has always been easy and honest, so working with him is the same as playing catch.

3

Advice on working with family? BH: Be grateful that you have this rare opportunity; show unconditional respect. Find time to laugh as much as possible and share a beer at the end of the day.

4

Bill, why restaurants? I started in college when I worked at a fraternity brothers’ sandwich shop. I wasn’t paid, but I learned the art of a good turkey sandwich. Despite the slave labor, I was hooked.

5

Favorites chefs? BH: It’s hard to answer, since I have so many great friends who are chefs, including those at Real Restaurants and my neighbor Tyler Florence, but I’d have to say it’s always going to be Cindy Pawlcyn; if it wasn’t for her, none of us would be here.

6

Key to running a successful restaurant? BH: That’s a hard one. Probably adherence to quality, attention to detail and a sense of urgency. Repeat daily.

7

Any other Marin folks at Fog City? TH: There are a few: Pat Frazier and Dustin Sullivan, our bartender, who created our very popular Something with Vodka, Not So Sweet cocktail.

8

Highlights of growing up in Mill Valley? TH: Walking to Park School. And I have great memories of Stinson and Little League. BH: There’s nothing like the Mill Valley Memorial Day parade.

9

Special occasion restaurant? TH: Every Monday night was Buckeye night — we sat in the red booth and watched Monday Night Football. Or we also went to El Rebozo, a Mexican restaurant, where Fireside is today. BH: They had crab enchiladas in the ’80s, which was impressive. We also did a lot of La Ginestra.

10

Wh at do you order at Buckeye?

Bix? Zero Zero? Bungalow 44? Picco? Bar Bocce? BH: Buckeye: woodgrilled rib-eye steak. Bix: lobster spaghetti with jalapeños and basil. Zero Zero: rigatoni with duck, bacon and chicories. Bungalow 44: Kobe beef cheeseburger, truffle fries. Picco: wood-grilled quail with corn bread stuffing. Bar Bocce: speck, burrata and arugula pizza. m

TIM PORTER

Flight Doc

BROOKLYN-BORN JIM SIMON fell in love with the Bay Area during a medical internship. He moved back East, but returned in 1978 to buy the Corte Madera home in which he still lives. He’s worked in and run emergency rooms, been a family doctor in Petaluma, practiced occupational health and invented medical devices. Since 1999, Simon has occupied what he calls the “world’s smallest medical office” at Gnoss Field, whose door bears a plaque spelling out, in Braille, his name and official title, Senior Aviation Medical Examiner. What does a flight surgeon do? Every pilot need s a fl ight physical — airline captains at least annually, depending on their age, and private pilots under 40 every five years; older ones, every two years. What would keep a pilot grounded? You check height and weight, blood pressure, vision. You look in their ears and eyes. You listen to their heart and lungs. Those are the important things. They don’t want you to be blind or pass out. Are your children pilots? One of three is. My oldest son is a professional pilot. I had him on a fl ight simulator when he was in diapers. At 4, he sat in my lap on the plane. At 16, he soloed. What was more difficult: teaching your son to fly or to drive? Driving. There are all the other drivers doing unpredictable things, and some of them with questionable medical status, questionable visual status and questionably maintained vehicles. It’s real scary out there on the road. You’ve practiced many types of medicine. How did they differ? When I was an ER doc, it was, “My friend shot me.” When I was a family practice doc, it was, “My back, my teeth, my neck, my kids.” In occupational health, it was, “Doc, my pinkie hurts. Can I have the rest of my life off ?” For aviation medicine, it’s, “Hi Doc! You look great! No, I’m fi ne!” How many flight physicals do you perform? Ten to 20 a month. Where do the pilots come from? Reno, Northern California, Southern California, Central Valley. Do they fly in for their physicals? Yes. My joke is you ca n fly in for your medical, but you might not fly out. That’s funny. It might be the last line of this story. I have a better one. At 15, I wanted to invent medical devices. I wanted to help the blind see, the deaf hear and the lame walk. I have been unable to do that so far, but God has allowed me to be a fl ight surgeon. m

Dr. James Simon, flight surgeon, 451 Airport Road, Suite B, Novato

You’ll have to make it past him if you want to sit in the pilots’ seat.

BY TIM PORTER

EXPERT ORTHOPAEDICS - WHERE SPORTS AND SCIENCE MEET

Our Physicians

Thomas Sampson, MD

Hip Arthroscopy

Leonard Gordon, MD Hand & Wrist Surgery

Elly LaRoque, MD Shoulder & Knee

Nicholas Colyvas, MD Shoulder & Knee

The physicians at Post Street Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine form an elite group of specialists with particular expertise in hip arthroscopy, complex hand and wrist problems, foot and ankle conditions, and shoulder and knee reconstruction. All of our patients, whether world-class athletes

or recreational enthusiasts, receive individualized care and attention. Our physicians share your passion and dedication to achieving a return to full performance.

Catherine Cheung, DPM Foot & Ankle, Podiatry

Kristin Wingfield, MD Sports Medicine

Youjeong Kim, MD Spine

Piers Barry, MD Shoulder & Knee

Peter Coyote and Camilla Fox

Working to change perceptions of and develop better strategies for dealing with Marin’s apex predators.

BY MIMI TOWLE • PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER

TO KICK OFF last fall’s inaugural Marin Conversations series, a North Bay affiliate of San Francisco’s Commonwealth Club, celebrated actor and activist Peter Coyote took the stage at Mill Valley’s Outdoor Art Club with Camilla Fox, founder and executive director of Larkspurbased Project Coyote (where Peter serves on the advisory board). The two came together to speak about their efforts to protect the often-maligned and feared canine predators, including wolves, coyotes and foxes. While it’s tempting to have fun with their highly appropriate names, both Fox and Coyote are very serious about working together to make a difference.

Born Robert Peter Cohon, the son of Ruth and Morris Cohon, in New Jersey in 1941, Peter Coyote (he changed his name in 1966) and Camilla Hovey Fox, born in St. Louis Missouri, daughter of Bonnie and Michael Fox, a prominent canid researcher, are involved in a nationwide effort to teach the public about protection and the ecological benefit of apex (top-level) predators. That these wild animals benefit ecosystems can be a hard to sell to those with cats and small dogs or farmers with livestock to guard.

TIM PORTER (LEFT); JOHN HARRISON (FOXES)

KELI HENDRICKS

What has happened since your appearance at Marin Conversations? CF: We’ve had several very positive victories for wildlife. The California Fish and Game Commission voted 3 to 2 to move our petition forward to ban predator-killing contests statewide. If we prevail, this will set the precedent for the nation. Most people are shocked to learn that it is legal to kill coyotes, foxes, bobcats and other wildlife as part of a tournament for prizes and “recreational fun.” They’re even more shocked to learn that thousands of such contests take place each year in the U.S., killing tens of thousands of wild animals. Back in April, the Los Angeles city council voted unanimously to ban snares and other body-gripping traps citywide. And California banned the residential sale of toxic rat poisons, which can kill wildlife as well as companion animals

Anything to look out for this month? CF: Yes. On June 4 the California Fish and Game Commission will hold another public hearing in Fortuna on our petition to ban predatorkilling contests and on a proposal to list gray wolves under the California Endangered Species Act. If people are interested in learning about these issues and opportunities to get involved, we encourage them to visit our website, projectcoyote.org. We’re also launching our Coyote Coexistence Plan with the Town of Superior, Colorado, and expanding our partnerships with San Francisco as well as several other cities and communities across the country to model Project Coyote’s success here in Marin.

Camilla, of all careers, how did you become an advocate for wildlife and apex predators? After working in the field of animal and environmental protection for more than 15 years, I saw a need for an organization that would be a voice and an advocate for the most maligned wild animals in North America: predators. Like Native Americans of this country, predators have been persecuted, maligned and misunderstood for centuries. We kill them in vast numbers with unimaginable methods from poisoning to aerial gunning to “denning” — the killing of coyote and fox pups in their dens. I grew up with predators in my midst, as my father studied wild canid behavior. We had a rescued timber wolf named Tiny. She was an orphan who would have otherwise been put down; she was part of our family for 15 years.

When did you decide to become an advocate for animals? PC: I grew up in the country and got a gun when I was 10 years old. I loved hanging out with our family’s ranch manager, Jim; he was an ex–game warden with a passion for nature, and he was my hero. He had protected the egrets in Florida from milliners from New York hunting their feathers. He took me hunting, taught me how to remove the human scent from traps by boiling them in maple bark, taught me how to set them. One day, we were walking in the woods and we approached one of the traps we’d set. I was so excited. I thought, I get to see a wild animal up close. It was a weasel. It just sat up and looked and me. It was injured, trapped by its hind leg. I heard it, inside my mind, say, “What are you going to do to me?” and I was so startled, I looked at Jim thinking he heard it too. But he killed it. The next day we caught a raven and it said the same thing. I said, “Let’s not kill it, Jim. Let’s let it go,” but it was wounded and he killed it. It’s one of the reasons I always feed ravens today. It was indisputable to me in that moment that they were, like me, alive. I wish I could say I stopped hunting at that point. I didn’t, but that experience planted a seed that I couldn’t ignore. If you grow up on a farm your relationship to life and death is always bittersweet — you feed your chickens and then you are eating them, or you feed your pigs and then you eat them. That bittersweet ambivalence has been with humans

for centuries. It’s why we have ceremonies, like saying grace over our food. It’s a recognition that life is complex.

CF: I knew from a young age that I wanted to dedicate my life to protecting animals and the wild . I rescued animals when I w as barely out of diapers, became a vegetarian when I w as 6, refused to dissect animals in school and cofounded Boston University’s Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals when I w as 18. From then on I h ave solely worked in the nonprofit field of anima l a nd environmental protection . I’m g rateful to be able to follow my passion and my bliss, as Joseph Campbell would say.

What’s your message to adults who feel they have grown out of their animal-loving phase?

PC: Lots of people have pets and pets are usually the objects of their uncritical a ffection. There is another side to pets that we sort of forget, which is, if you live with a dog or a cat, in short order you learn clearly that you can communicate with them. You know their moods and realize without a doubt that they are sentient beings, with their own purpose for being alive, not yours. People will talk about them like they are members of their family: “So-and-so is cranky today, or tired.” This relationship is common, but it is the tip of the iceberg in the experience of relating to another species. If you stop to think about your pets, they are like a challenged child compared to the intelligence and emotional potential of a wild animal.

Camilla, describe your work with the farmers in West Marin. What worked, what didn’t? In 1996 we learned that our county was going to allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture “Wildlife Services” to experiment with a very dangerous poison known as Compound 1080 to kill coyotes and other predators on West Marin ranches — ostensibly to protect

I saw a need for an organization that would be a voice and an advocate for the most maligned wild animals in North America: predators.

A GREAT PYRENEES

livestock . We formed the Marin Coalition for California Wildlife to try to stop the use of this poison and to seek alternatives to the killing of native carnivores. We met with the County Board of Supervisors and generated hundreds of letters from Marin residents who wanted a di fferent approach. Our county responded by bringing the ranchers and our coalition together in mediated discussions. We listened, they listened, common ground was established and the Marin County Livestock and Wildlife Protection Program was established. Their goal was to protect their animals and our goal was to help fi nd an alternative to the existing federal program, which depended largely on indiscriminate lethal methods.

It’s been 14 years; how has it been working? According to the Marin County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures, which oversees the program, livestock losses have been reduced as well as costs. More ranchers are recognizing the benefits of living with coyotes and other predators that help to keep rodent populations down (for example, one

Consultation to rehabilitation, expert care close to home.

We know comprehensive care is important to you. At Novato Community Hospital in addition to highly trained orthopedic physicians and anesthesiologists specializing in pain management, we have a team of physical therapists, nurses and case managers. They are experts in helping you through your procedure, your hospital stay and your recovery at home. We stay with you every step of the way, just another way we plus you. 415.209.1464 novatocommunity.org

coyote can consume more than 1,800 rodents in a year) as well as keeping transient juveniles out who may be more prone to hunt novel prey like livestock. And many ranchers are thrilled to see how effective guard animals like Great Pyrenees, Anatolian shepherds, llamas and alpacas can be in deterring predators. It’s truly amazing to see these animals in action — doing what they do best.

Are there more coyotes recently? CF: Coyotes — along with many other predators — were shot, trapped and poisoned to the point of extirpation in parts of their historical range including parts of Marin County. They have recovered in many areas. When not exploited

Terra Linda Urgent Care OPEN 7 DAYS/WEEK sutterhealth.org/urgentcare

If I don’t make some exception for them, if I don’t open my life for them in some way, I am obliterating their environment ... no matter how “green” I may advertise myself to be.

(e.g. indiscriminately trapped, poisoned, etc.), they self-regulate and maintain stable family groups. When they’re exploited, their populations can actually increase. We know this from decades of research — and yet our federal government still relies heavily on indiscriminate killing methods. We estimate that at least 500,000 coyotes are killed each year in the U.S. alone — that’s one per minute.

Key things to think about regarding coexisting? PC: Coyotes are the Jews of the animal world. Since the 1920s they have been gassed, snared, poisoned and hunted from planes with the aim of eliminating the species. But they have survived and flourished. All these efforts have managed to accomplish is to spread coyote populations from their original territory in the West and Midwest to all over the country. We live in a county that is over half open space. It is their territory where they feed, where they get water. If I don’t make some exception for them, if I don’t open my life for them in some way, I am obliterating their environment and I am actually expressing sel fi shness no matter how “green” I may advertise myself to be.

How do predators, like coyotes benefit an ecosystem? PC: Everybody loves the forest, right? Everybody loves trees, but if you kill off he apex predators like wolves and coyotes, the trees won’t survive. The coyotes keep down the porcupines, rodents and deer that eat the shoots of the trees — it happens very quickly, in several seasons.

What do you think is in human nature that encourages us to domesticate animals? CF: Fear factor. We have to recognize that we are part of the ecosystem. When we came out of the trees walking upright on the plains of Africa we had a visceral and understandable fear,of predators. After all, we were potential prey. Project Coyote acknowledges that fear. But as we grapple with the repercussions of losing the wild — both wildlife and wildlands — and as our children become more separated from the wild with computers, cellphones and technology, it becomes all the more imperative that we preserve the wild for future generations. m

Marin is the wealthiest county in California. Yet nearly a quarter of our older adults are living in poverty.

They need rides, meals, classes, community. That’s where Whistlestop comes in.

We’re the largest Marin organization serving older adults. For sixty years, we’ve been helping people age with grace, dignity, and independence.

We offer 6 to 8 classes a day, five days a week. We serve over 7,400 meals each month. We provide more than 130,000 rides each year.

Won’t you help with a monthly gift? Just $10 a month buys fifteen homebound seniors a good meal and a friendly visit.

Help us take care of our own at AgingInMarin.com

IN MARIN, WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN.

SOMETHING IS WRONG WHEN ONE of the RICHEST COUNTIES IN AMERICA STILL HAS MORE THAN 20,000 OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN POVERTY.

Midsummer

Night

You don’t have to be a Viking to enjoy the summer solstice festival, but it helps.

BY LYNDA BALSLEV • PHOTOS BY SEAN COPE

IT’S SUMMER SOLSTICE and Danish Vikings have invaded Muir Beach. They are easy to locate. If you don’t see their red flags or hear a chorus of song, then just follow the smoke to the burning effigy. When you approach the lively throng, you will be welcomed like an old friend and handed an ice-cold Carlsberg beer. While the singing is optional, drinking is not.

Summer solstice, or midsummer, is widely celebrated throughout northern Europe and the Baltic countries. In Denmark, the tradition harks back to the Viking era, when midsummer was a magical evening steeped in pagan ritual celebrating the summer light. Blazing bonfires were lit to ward away malingering evil spirits; flowers and herbs with medicinal properties were gathered for curative needs; and pilgrimages were made to healing springs. With the rise of Christianity, the pagan traditions were tidied up and packaged into the decidedly less hedonistic anniversary of the birth of John the Baptist ( Sankt Hans) on June 23, which became Denmark’s official day of the solstice celebration known as Sankt Hans Aften

Nowadays, the summer solstice is an excuse for Danes to stay up late and party — and who can blame them after a long winter in the dark? And what a party it is: People of

all ages gather along the beaches that line the coast, fjords and lakes. The daylight lingers to near midnight, when the sun attempts to set, teasing the horizon, before changing its mind and rising again in the wee hours of the morning. Bon fi res are lit, speeches are made, songs are sung, and food and drink are plentiful. The celebrations culminate with an e ffi gy of a witch burnt over the fi re, a relatively contemporary addition to the litany of solstice rituals and a symbol of banishing evil spirits — much to the delight of neo-pagans, children and pyromaniacs alike.

The beauty of this celebration is that it is not con fi ned to the motherland. Wherever there are Danes, a beach and the summer solstice, you can be sure there will be a party. For the past six years, Muir Beach has hosted a group of expat Danes, along with an ever-increasing entourage of their friends and Viking-wannabes who fancy a party honoring the longest day of the year. It’s a wonderful blend of Nordic tradition and Marin sensibilities. Picture a roaring bonfire, kettle grills roasting sausages and skewers of meat, tables laden with local cheese, baskets of freshly picked strawberries and platters of inspired farmers’ market salads, with plenty of local wine and Danish beer for refreshment.

Muir Beach provides an ideal gathering point, its pristine beach offering enough cragginess and dramatic weather to satisfy any wandering Viking. More important, it’s one of few Marin beaches whose rules allow bonfires, which are a mandatory accessory to this midsummer celebration. (The rules at Point Reyes beaches also allow bon fi res with a permit.) Last year, Muir Beach underwent a signi ficant overhaul of its visitor facilities, including a new parking lot and restrooms and restoration of damaged wetlands. A new footbridge and relocated paths now provide easy access to the semicircular cove’s 1,000-foot expanse of sand flanked by boulders and coastal

When you approach the lively throng, you will be welcomed like an old friend and handed an ice-cold Carlsberg beer. While the singing is optional, drinking is not.

Muir Beach provides an ideal gathering point, its pristine beach offering enough cragginess and dramatic weather to satisfy any wandering Viking.

Nowadays, the summer solstice is an excuse for Danes to stay up late and party — and who can blame them after a long winter in the dark?

This page, food items clockwise from top left: Deviled eggs; goat cheese and onion tart; fruit basket; peach tart; local cheese; farmers’ market green salad. Opposite page, food items clockwise from top left: sausage; grilled flank steak skewers; potato salad.

Grilled Marinated Flank Steak Skewers With Green Chile Sauce

SERVES 8

Ingredients

Meat

3 pounds flank steak, cut against the grain into ¾-inch strips

Marinade

2 cloves garlic, minced

¼ cup olive oil

¼ fresh lime juice

¼ cup Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons Sriracha

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon salt

Green Chile Sauce

2 poblano peppers, stemmed and seeded, coarsely chopped

2 jalapeño peppers, stemmed and seeded, coarsely chopped

2 garlic cloves

1 cup cilantro sprigs

½ cup olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

½ teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon salt

To Prepare

Prep and marinate the meat the night before serving. The longer the meat marinates, the more tender and flavorful the results. The strips can be skewered in advance and transported, ready for grilling, to the beach. 1 Whisk the marinade ingredients together in a large bowl.

2 Add the flank steak and turn the meat to thoroughly coat. 3 Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight, stirring once or twice. 4

To make the green chile sauce, place the peppers and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and process to blend. Transfer to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until use. 5

To grill, prepare the grill for direct cooking over high heat. Thread the meat onto pre-soaked bamboo skewers or metal skewers. Grill the skewers, turning as needed, 10 to 12 minutes for medium-rare. 6

Arrange on a platter and drizzle the green chile sauce over the meat.

• For more recipes, visit marinmagazine.com/solstice.

The efgy burning is an optional but highly recommended special effect.

blu ffs. Sure, there will be wind and possibly fog, but for a Dane this is nostalgic — and besides, any excuse to celebrate will not be thwarted by a matter as trivial as the weather. The simple solution is plenty of blankets, fleece and libations — the location and whatever weather it brings are readily accepted. But for this group of returning revelers, the weather somehow, magically, always works out in their favor. Rumor has it that in each solstice celebration, by the time the sun descends over the Paci fic, the skies grow clear and the wind calms to a whisper. Perhaps it’s coincidence or divine intervention — or simply a distorted perception in fluenced by aquavit?

Solstice is a party for all, so pack a picnic, rally your friends and head to the beach. While there is no precise way to celebrate at a solstice beach party, a good rule of thumb is the more the merrier, and potluck is the way to go. Let the hosts take charge of the grilled foods and sundries, and ask everyone else to complete the menu with an appetizer, salad or dessert and to contribute a bottle for sharing. Time the festivities for the end of the afternoon to enjoy a few hours of sunshine before the sunset. Claim a spot on the beach, keeping in mind the flow of the tide and the direction of the wind. Bring portable grills and tables, a Weber kettle if you have it, and plenty of charcoal

and wood for stoking the bon fire. And don’t forget long sticks for roasting s’mores and snobrød — skewered hot dogs wrapped in bread dough, a Danish campfire favorite.

The effigy burning is an optional but highly recommended special effect: Enlist artistic types, closet wiccans or spirited teenagers to help in advance and transport the creation, ready to burn, to the beach. Just be aware that a 10-foot witch strapped to a car roof might prove distracting to drivers along the winding route. When the sun begins to set and the sky grows dusky, it will be time to stoke the fi re and burn the effigy, which is guaranteed to attract the attention of the entire beach.

Once the fi re dies down and darkness blankets the beach, it will be nearly 9 p.m., woefully early by midnight sun standards but perfectly in sync with Marin beach-closing hours. The park rangers are remarkably tolerant of burning witches, but much less flexible about closing-up time. With a little teamwork the party will be packed and cleaned up, cars and trucks loaded, and another midsummer passed. Well, almost. Since there are technically a few hours remaining of the solstice eve, a few Vikings might head to the Pelican Inn for a quick nightcap. After all, they serve mead. m

the Rethinking Garden

As drought takes hold in California, home and business owners are taking different approaches to low-water landscaping.

BY NATE SELTENRICH • PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER

Opener: Green platters aeonium (green); aeonium Schwarzkopf (black); senecio (blue).

This page: The pergola was original to the 1912 garden and was restored. The archways seen in the same photo are three sides of an 18th-century bell tower; Paul Wiseman. Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Pink-tipped aeonium kiwi; sedum varieties (two photos); agave attenuate.

CALIFORNIA IS ENTRENCHED in its worst drought since we started keeping track. More than 38 million people rely on rain and snow that falls for a few months each year to drink, grow food, shower, wash clothes and dishes, and beautify their yards.

In the past couple of years Mother Nature has failed to deliver, and water districts across the state have begun rationing. On April 1, Marin County asked residents to reduce their water use by 25 percent or else face fi nes. So we install low-flow toilets and high-efficiency washers, we take shorter showers, and we never leave the faucet running.

But what about outdoors, where most of our water ends up? There’s a perception, even in the Bay Area, even in Marin, that low-water landscapes are less than ideal — that our options amount to cacti and rocks, or scraggly and scrawny, branchy and brown, just plain tough California natives.

Yet as many property owners throughout Marin have demonstrated, that perception is wrong. Today, when the need for low-water-use landscapes is greater than ever, there are also more resources — and plant options — available than ever before to ease the transition from thirsty and wasteful to thrifty and sustainable.

Drought-tolerant Beauty

Paul Wiseman has surely dispelled the notion that water-wise gardens must be bland or unruly — or, for that matter, anything short of stunning. Aesthetics and artistic design have been primary considerations in the ongoing, multiyear (six and counting) transformation of his century-old Belvedere garden into a low-water landscape. Drought-tolerant plants, including an impressive array of eye-catching succulents, are arranged like oils on canvas in a colorful, textural, manicured work of art, like the best English and Eastern gardens but with a fraction of the water requirements.

“I’m an aesthetic gardener,” Wiseman says. “Being green doesn’t have to be ugly. You can make those conscious decisions and still have it look good.” Wiseman is the first to admit he doesn’t like the California scrub palette. Instead, he sourced plants from around the world based on their aesthetic value, turning to Chile, Argentina, South Africa,

Drought-tolerant plants, including an impressive array of eye-catching succulents, are arranged like oils on canvas in a colorful, textural, manicured work of art.

At 700 Larkspur Landing, 55,000 square feet of lawn and sheared shrubs were converted to a neat meadow of native grasses and annuals.

the Canary Islands, Corsica and Australia, plus California for select natives. In his garden, prickly, pointy, soft, leafy, crawling, flowing, flowering water misers like aloe, agave, star jasmine and fan palms join broad sweeps of succulents in blues, reds, pinks, purples and yellows to supplant more demanding roses, rhododendron, geraniums and others.

“I think we really need to rethink, what does a garden look like? ” he says.

Keep It Native

Dan Dufficy, a landscape designer and the owner of CNL Plant Nursery in Mill Valley, would agree, in an infectiously passionate way — indeed, with every fiber of his being. He’d agree that all new gardens need to be low-water-use, droughttolerant, and much more sustainable than current models. He’d even agree that aesthetics are incredibly important.

But there’s one place that Dufficy won’t budge: wherever and whenever possible, he says, California natives are the way to do it. “Those are the plants that want to be here,” he says. “They like our soil, they like our micro-habitats. Our insects need them, our birds need them. It’s a critical, critical element for Marin County.”

He admits there’s just one problem: the right plants for the job — that is, mature, visually appealing, landscape-quality specimens — can still be tough for homeowners and even nursery owners to track down. “The plants are just starting to be readily available,” he asserts. “Even right now, it’s di fficult to find good-looking, drought-tolerant California native plants.”

Instead, he says, the market remains dominated by imported low-water-use Mediterraneans and high-water-use plants lifted

from traditional gardens in wet-summer climates. But for those who want a visually distinctive garden that requires far less water and provides habitat for Marin’s resident insects and wildlife, he argues, the extra scouting is worth it.

Paired with carefully programmed drip irrigation and thoughtful pruning and sculpting, the likes of salvia, sage, coyote brush, coffeeberry, sword fern, madrone, buckeye and manzanita can not only attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, coyotes, snakes and quails, but also build award-winning showcase gardens, Du fficy says.

Public Spaces Inspire

Bay Area homeowners and businesses reconsidering what a garden looks like can now turn to the Bay-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening Coalition. The Richmond-based nonprofit partners with public agencies, landscapers and property owners to reduce waste and pollution, save water and create vibrant landscapes grounded in environmental principles.

“We’re starting to get away from this aesthetic of everything having to be neat and trim with squared-off edges toward more of a natural look and a more diverse plant palette,” says Stephen Andrews, a soil scientist who works as a trainer and technical expert for the coalition.

When it comes to water, he says, the most important change is the declining appeal of the lawn. By sheet-mulching a lawn and killing the sprinklers, most homeowners will see overall water use fall immediately by 50 to 90 percent, a benefit compounded by fi nancial and health savings from ditching the fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: The walkway features secondand third-century Roman busts; chairs by Munder-Skiles surround a gas fire pit; ancient Turkish and Italian pots by the spa; agave attenuate. This page: The work of BayFriendly can be seen at Larkspur Landing.

This page: The sunny outdoor living space features bay views.

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Aeonium green platters; an original staircase featuring the fourth bell tower side; euphorbia; a gravel path.

Bay-Friendly guidelines also discourage pruning and trimming, which generates yard waste — but that doesn’t mean carefully designed gardens and landscapes must go feral. Exemplary Bay-Friendly–certified gardens are available for the public to view at Dixie Elementary in San Rafael, where a 3,800-square-foot native plant garden relies solely on rainwater for irrigation, and an office park at 700 Larkspur Landing in Larkspur, where 55,000 square feet of lawn and sheared shrubs were converted to a neat meadow of native grasses and annuals. Both appear natural, manicured and altogether beautiful.

Among the Bay-Friendly Coalition’s founding members in 2009 was the Marin Municipal Water District, consistently one of the state’s most aggressive water agencies when it comes to conservation policies and programs. “We strongly subscribe to the principles there, which are about making healthy, friendly landscapes from a water perspective and from an ecological perspective,” says Dan Carney, the district’s conservation manager. “That’s really the philosophical basis for all of our programs related to landscape.”

Water and Plant Alternatives

Even drought-tolerant gardens need water, particularly to get them established during the fi rst two or three years, so it’s important to consider where that water is coming from. The MMWD provides recycled water — treated sewage wastewater — through designated pipes for use at some parks, businesses and municipal sites in the county, and encourages homeowners to install rainwater and gray water systems.

Gray water refers to used water from dishwashers, washing machines, showers and sinks that can be piped straight to the landscape, saving clean water for where it’s needed most. The county also offers fi nancial incentives to homeowners who install “smart” irrigation controllers that use weather and humidity sensors to adjust drip-system flows.

Since launching his business 30 years ago, San Rafael landscape architect Pete Pedersen has seen county guidelines a ffecting residential landscape water use tighten considerably. But many homeowners remain uncertain how to achieve the aesthetic they desire within the water limits they need to follow. Select high-water-use favorites can be used sparingly in prominent locations, but for everything else, it’s often a matter of simple substitution.

“A lot of things grow in California. For high-water-use plants, there are low-water-use plants that can satisfy a lot of the aesthetic requirements,” he says. “For instance, instead of English laurel, there are things that can be the hedge that people want, like Grecian laurel, which is essential a bay tree, and Texas privet.”

Or, instead of classic hydrangea macrophylla, try quercifolia, also known as oak leaf hydrangea, the only low-water hydrangea well-suited to placement in sunny Bay Area gardens alongside natives and drought-tolerant Mediterraneans.

When it comes to beautiful and water-wise landscape design, Pedersen says, “it’s not just about rounding up the usual suspects.” In ways both big and small, it’s about rethinking the California garden. m

LINES ON THE HORIZON

A sneak peek at the new de Young exhibit, donated by the Weisel family of Marin.

BY MIMI TOWLE

ÜBER-SUCCESSFUL FINANCIER THOM Weisel is no stranger to headlines, and these days the topic is his generous donation to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Although the longtime Marin resident has been collecting Native American art for quite some time, that category is not what initially drew his attention. He started out collecting contemporary art, but began to see the same qualities he admired in artists such as Barnett Newman, Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning in the powerful geometric canvases of Navajo blankets, in the brilliant and free visual experimentation in pre-contact Southwestern Native American ceramics and in the elegant classicism of great Northwest coast art. “I fi rst became inspired by Native American art after spending so much time in Sun Valley and the fi rst piece I purchased was a third-phase chief blanket, which I bought from artist Tony Berlant in 1973,” recalls Weisel. Since then he has amassed an impressive collection. In all, the Weisel family has gifted about 200 objects that, in museum director Colin B. Bailey’s words, “will reshape the Native American art collection at the de Young.”

This month marks Bailey’s fi rst anniversary at the museum, and he says meeting Thom Weisel was one of the top priorities when he came on board. “It was the first time I had crossed the Golden Gate Bridge,” he recalls of the occasion, “and once I got to the Weisels’ beautiful home in Ross, I was impressed by the array of pottery and unique weavings. While this genre was new to me, his passion was contagious. It was very exciting and intense — quite a heady experience.”

The exhibition spans nearly 1,000 years, from 11th-century Mimbres ceramics to 19thcentury works by recognized artists such as the Hopi-Tewa potter Nampeyo. According to Fine Arts Museums curator Matthew Robb, who specializes in the Arts of the Americas, these pieces not only represent the best of their types, but are also a great example of changing regional styles throughout the centuries.

Absorbing such a collection has been tasked to Robb, who is displaying 70 of the 200 pieces in the exhibit Lines on the Horizon, which opened last month. “It is always a pleasure to look at art with someone who has an intuitive grasp of aesthetic merit,” says Robb. “Over the last couple of decades, Thom has formed a premier collection of Native American art. One of my favorites is the powerful bear (pictured) from the Haida people of America’s northwest coast. Formerly in Andy Warhol’s collection, it is a ruggedly carved and modeled figure meant for the interior or exterior of a clan house to signal lineage and power.” These works, he says, are suitable companions to the de Young’s holdings in other areas of world art

Weisel is also providing an endowment that will give researchers and curators at the museum an opportunity to learn more about the people and cultures behind the art and to develop educational programs related to the collection. We asked Robb to highlight a few signi ficant pieces. m

Poncho Serape, 1830, Navajo, Southwest

This is an extremely rare piece. There are only 29 known surviving poncho serapes of this type known to collectors. Woven in a vertical direction, the textile reflects the meshing of four distinct cultures: Spanish, Mexican, indigenous Aztecs and Native American. It is a wonderful example of a piece of art that would only occur at this specific time and place. Though cotton had been used for centuries in ancient Mexico and the Southwest, the introduction of wool had a big impact — since it was heavier and warmer, it was very desirable.

Ute-style Wearing Blanket, 1840, Navajo, Southwest

This prized Navajo weaving was collected by George Horace Lorimer, who lived from 1867 to1937 and was editor-in-chief of the Saturday Evening Post. Lorimer was also an advocate for the rights of Native Americans. This blanket was given to him during one of his frequent visits to the Navajo reservation in the early 20th century. The white and the brown colors were not dyed; they were natural colors from sheep, which were introduced by the Spanish in the last years of the 16th century. The blue is from indigo, a trade item weavers were getting from the Spanish.

Ceramic Vessel, 1890–1910, by Nampeyo, Hopi-Tewa, Arizona

This is a classic example of famed artist “Iris” Nampeyo, who was born in 1860 and lived until 1942 in Hano Pueblo in Arizona. Her mother was Hopi and her father was Tewa; she learned her pottery skills from her paternal grandmother. Nampeyo’s art bridges the gap between ancient (1500s) iconography and methods and modern-day. Because of her popularity at the time, she was also one of the most photographed potters in the Southwest . S he used local clays fired to around 1,000 degrees Celsius, what we call “earthenware” temperature, and the motif is of a tail of an eagle, with talons.

Water Jar, 1880–1900, Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico

The black-and-white line work on this 19th-century vessel evokes designs seen on ves sels from a thousand years before, suggesting that artists in the late 19th century had access to ancient objects. While the artist is unknown, this is a great example of what we will be researching in the future. Do the motifs mean the same thing in different time periods? It was probably used as a water jar, and it was made of earthenware.

Serape, 1850, Navajo, Southwest

This item was collected by Lieutenant Colonel James Cooper McKee (1830–1897), one of the signers of the 1868 U.S. treaty with the Navajo. The blanket has a distinct network pattern that’s the mark of one of the master weavers from the classic period. This piece is exciting because it underscores the research potential of this entire collection. It’s artistic detective work — we are looking for who originally owned it and how it was made. The more we learn about the weaver (or weavers) and then compare this to the technical aspects of other, similar objects — how tightly is it woven, what kinds of dyes and threads are being used — the more we will understand the true history embedded in these objects

Museum

and

new

the Horizon exhibit at the de Young. Behind them is a carved bear figure made by the Haida people.

director Colin Bailey (left)

Thom Weisel at the

Lines on

“

They come from all over the world to take their photos here.

STORY AND PHOTOS

BY TIM PORTER

PICTURE PERFECT

MANY OF THE 13 million tourists who visit Marin each year stop first at Vista Point, the overlook at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge. They descend in droves from tour buses, pile out of packed minivans, and pedal over from the city in caravans of rented bikes. They wield cameras, phones, GoPros and iPads to record the moment, using San Francisco, the bridge or just the fog as a backdrop.

A few snap and run. Many more linger. Some flash peace signs. Some balance in odd positions in order to “hold” the bridge with their hands. Couples give their expensive cameras to strangers in order to get a picture of themselves. Others indulge in endless selfies.

People are in a good mood. They are on vacation. They speak in many languages and use gestures to ask others to photograph them. Most say please and thank you in English.

Most of them are also cold. They are dressed for L.A. warmth, not Bay Area bluster. They shiver as they smile. They hug to stay warm. They wear matching sweatshirts purchased at the Wharf.

Vista Point offers a carousel of diversity — Indians, the women wrapped in saris; Japanese and South Koreans, affluent and in groups; Western Europeans, darkly dressed and aboard bikes; Mexicans, up from the Central Valley with family; and, of course, Americans from the heartland, comfortable in pastel T-shirts and mom jeans.

A few years ago, I began photographing these tourists photographing each other at Vista Point and at Battery Spencer in the Headlands above the bridge. As they made their snapshots, I made my own.

Some of the images speak for themselves — a bride, young lovers, two men dressed as prisoners of Alcatraz. Others show a fleeting family dynamic — one unsmiling person in a cheery group. But most are of happy (and windblown) visitors enjoying their moment in Marin.

Diane Arbus, photographer and writer

One of the risks of appearing in public is the likelihood of being photographed.

ASTON LAKELAND VILLAGE BEACH & MOUNTAIN RESORT

Destinations

THE LATEST LOCAL TRAVEL DEALS AND GETAWAYS PLUS JOURNEYS AROUND THE GLOBE

TAHOE’S TOP 12

BY NICOLE CHESLOCK

The view from the Tahoe Rim Trail is sublime.

IN THE SUMMER of 2010, a decade after moving west from New York City, I heard the perfect description of Lake Tahoe: “Alpine Caribbean.” I was on the beach, about to glide across the water on a stand-up paddleboard, when I heard the phrase and realized that although Tahoe’s temps are not nearly as welcoming, the magnificence of the see-through crystal-blue water definitely compares to the splendor of that sunsplashed land. As school wraps up, thoughts turn to summer getaways; here are some favorite Tahoe locations that never disappoint.

Hit the Trails

• Heart-Pumping Rewards

By far my favorite short hike is one that begins on the Tahoe Rim Trail right off ighway 267. In less than an hour, you can capture one of the most astounding views of Lake Tahoe while raising your heartbeat on the ascent. This out-and-back-again hike can easily be stretched to two hours (or more). The rock outcroppings at the top offer natural “seats” where you can relax and catch up with a

friend, enjoy a snack and take photos with the lake as a backdrop. From North Lake Tahoe Boulevard in Kings Beach, drive or bike 2.6 miles up Highway 267 to access the trailhead. From the Tahoe Rim Trail, take a left onto the spur trail for incredible views. For a more strenuous challenge continue on the Tahoe Rim Trail to Martis Peak, where the unforgettable view from the fi re lookout building will have you gazing at the peaks you’ve bagged and asking for more. tahoerimtrail.org

• Backpacking 101 and Beyond

Put you r fitness level to the test at higher altitude. Tahoe Trips and Trails, led by the insanely fit Patty and Jeff aird, offers threeday trips with the latest ultralight packs. Expect a night under the stars and epic hikes culminating wit h a fi nal dinner at Stella and lodging at the Cedar House Sport Hotel in Truckee. Your guides take care of all the logistics — you just show up. Also check out Tahoe Trips’ teasers for endurance treks, outdoor yoga, edible plant walks and a geology hike. tahoetrips.com

• Big Blue Paddle

Tahoe’s water trail offers 72 miles of shoreline. Beat the crowds (and the noise of motorboats) with an early morning start. I often begin paddling from Kings Beach State Recreational Area. I’ll head east for a quick dip and loop around the rocks off peedboat Beach or west for a snack at Waterman’s Landing in Carnelian Bay. One of these days I will do all 72 miles, which usually takes a week. Check out the Lake Tahoe Water Trail map for standup paddle and kayak launch sites, amenities and parking. laketahoewatertrail.org

• Give and Explore

Step up to the Tahoe Rim Trail Challenge , a self-guided fundraiser for the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (the organization dedicated to the stewardship of the trail). With six featured destinations, the challenge reveals the best of the 165-mile trail. Depending on the destination and season, you can hike, bike, ride horseback, ski or snowshoe. Children especially love photo ops with the Trail Challenge mascot, a stu ffed marmot.

Registration includes a one-year TRTA membership, a T-shirt and access to members-only web pages. Or make 2014 the year you conquer the complete Tahoe Rim Trail. TRTA is partnering with Shuttle Around Tahoe to transport people to trailheads around the lake. tahoerimtrail.org

New and Noteworthy

Eats

• Brews, Blues and Barbecue

The Backyard Bar at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, located at Northstar, features St. Louis–inspired smoked ribs, brisket and pulled pork, house-made sauces, wood-fi red pizzas, traditional burgers and bratwurst. Looking to step behind the scenes? Join the property general manager, Joseph Mattioli, a former Ritz-Carlton executive chef, for a hands-on cooking class. ritzcarlton.com

• Seafood Shack

With seafood flown in daily, Morgan’s Lobster Shack & Fish Market on Truckee’s West River Street is where locals flock for grilled, sautéed or steamed scallops, shrimp, halibut, salmon

and specials. Of course Morgan’s offers lobster: lobster rolls, lobster mac and cheese, and a delectable, too rich not to share grilled cheese with chunks of lobster. morganslobstershack.com

• Keep It Local

On-site blended fruit and veggie juices and signature sandwiches plus wholesome “grab and go” items make Tahoe Central Market at Kings Beach the place to pick up tasty bites and groceries. The small space is stocked with organic produce, microbrews and regional favorites including Sugar Pine Cakery’s grain-free chocolate chip cookies, Truckee Sourdough bread, Wolfdale’s smoked trout and Sierra Valley Farms’ cocktail mixes. tahoecentralmarket.com

• Farm to Peak

Savor a glass of bubbly while riding the Quail chairlift to the top of Homewood Mountain Ski Resort , where chefs will prepare a five-course seasonal dinner with beer or wine pairings on July 5 and August 9 and 30. Complete your west-shore mountain experience, and work off those calories, with

a short 20-minute hike to the top of Eagle Rock. skihomewood.com

Body Treats

•

Mamma Knows Best

There is no one I’d rather get a facial from than Mia Cimarrusti, a ffectionately known as “Mamma Mia.” Tahoe City’s Pure Skin , her tiny studio across the street from Commons Beach, is an authentic skin treatment cocoon. Cimarrusti’s fascination with product ingredients and wealth of knowledge (honed over 15-plus years) keeps her datebook fi lled. Custom offerings based on skin type include microdermabrasion, microcurrent treatments and organic botanical peels. 530.412.0446

• Bliss at the Ritz

The Ritz-Carlton Spa , Lake Tahoe offers profound luxury that will inspire you to leave your phone and cares behind. From the soothing scents and hydrating effects of facials with Eminence products (made with ingredients from organic farms in Hungary) to a comforting massage, the Ritz-Carlton brings the spa experience to a higher level. The spa’s newest offering, the Ashiatsu Massage, uses deep pressure created by a barefoot therapist — let someone walk all over you. ritzcarlton.com

• Find Your Balance

With a signature massage featuring chamomile, lavender, sage and just the right amount of pressure, the Stillwater Spa at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe at Incline Village is a pampering oasis and a destination in and of itself. The spa’s dry cedar sauna, eucalyptus steam room and numerous treatment options make the trip to the scenic east shore more than worthwhile. laketahoe.hyatt.com

• Beautify at the Coup

Talent, a passion for hairstyling and concern for the environment distinguish Melissa Cox’s Coupe Sixty-One in Truckee, a must-stop for a blow-out before a special event or night out. Her eco-friendly hair salon boasts exceptional products and service. coupesixtyone.com m

Follow our Tahoe blog for the latest adventures of freelance writer Nicole Cheslock, who’s lived in the area since 2004. marinmagazine/tahoe

Opposite page: The Ritz-Carlton. This page, from top left: Stretching with Tahoe Trips and Trails; lobster grilled cheese from Morgan’s; the Trail Challenge mascot; Coupe Sixty-One.

&PARIS, LYON BARCELONA

Retracing the roots of French and Spanish cuisine. STORY AND PHOTOS BY JUSTIN EVERETT

STAGING (PRONOUNCED STAH-JING) is a term well known to many chefs. Originating from the French word stagiaire, meaning trainee, it has come to be more broadly used for chefs who travel to other cities and countries to “work” in another chef’s kitchen, dine at local eateries and absorb the local culture and surrounds. Taking advantage of a lighter schedule at Sausalito’s Murray Circle, pastry chef Ethan Howard and I decided to gather some inspiration by walking in the footsteps of some of our favorite chefs: Alain Passard, Pascal Barbot, Eric Ripert and A lain Ducasse, as well as mentors/ culinary icons Joël Robuchon, Paul Bocuse and Thomas Keller. In 12 days, we packed in four Michelin-starred restaurants and a famous open-air food market in three of Europe’s gastronomic capitals — Paris, Lyon and Barcelona.

Pastries and More in Paris

We could blame the extra 150 euros ($208 U.S.) we spent on renting a sleek black town car, instead of the 7.50 Euros ($10.40 U.S.) it would have cost to take the Metro, on jet lag or false advertising, but truthfully, we were tired and didn’t know any better. The fact that our driver didn’t pull into the driveway of our hotel furthered our suspicions that our taxi was not quite legit. Fleeced and famished, we lugged our bags up the beautifully manicured driveway, surrounded by ornate and inviting gardens, and mustered our best French to check in to the Saint James Paris, a Relais & Châteaux property. This once stately manor has retained its charm,

artwork and grandeur, yet the rooms are updated with the modern amenities one might need. A bottle of Taittinger awaited in our rooms — a good antidote to our earlier ordeal. We sipped, snoozed and were soon refreshed enough to embark on ou r fi rst dinner booking.

Paris is a city of museums, many having one or more dining options. My wish list included the Mini Palais, housed in the iconic Grand Palais, as I’d heard about the menu’s approach to seasonality. Bright and airy during the day with large windows, sweeping verandas overlooking the museum grounds, polished wooden tables and whitewashed walls, the room has a relaxed, elegant country home feel. But during our visit as dusk approached, the lighting changed to a dim blue, soft sultry music fi lled the air, and the space took on a club-like feel that was an obvious hit with the young crowd. The food was classic French with contemporary touches: cream of carrot with ginger and lemongrass shards emerging from the fresh creamy broth; roast duck fi llet with spices, candied turnips, orange, ginger and rosemary; a simple raw beef tartare with French fries that exempli fied the cuisine in its simple, flawless precision. Local wines by the carafe were the perfect match, fueling enthusiasm for some evening sightseeing.

The next day, Ethan’s mission was to fi nd the best macarons and pastries in Paris. Pierre Hermé is an internationally famous pâtisserie boutique with shops around the world. We visited the fi rst to open in Paris located in the SaintGermain-des-Prés. We were literally kids in a candy shop,

Opposite page: At Barcelona markets such as this one you can talk to the farmers directly.

This page, left to right: Shopping for kitchenware at E.Dehillerin; enjoying pastries at Pierre Hermé; the Saint James Paris.

and overindulged appropriately, walking out with a box of sweet delicacies including lemon tarts, macarons, profiteroles and more — all in the name of research.

In Paris there is a famous kitchenware shop called E.Dehillerin; it’s nearly 200 years old. I was introduced to it when I worked for Thomas Keller and he returned from a trip with palette knives from this shop for all his chefs. “This knife,” he instructed, “must be our hands.” No tongs or sharp implements could respect the ingredient as would this tool. I was keen to pay it forward with oyster shuckers and the same palette knives for my chefs back at Murray Circle. We spent over an hour exploring rows and rows of hanging copper pots, narrow aisles and basement nooks and a few hidden passages the staff lerted us to. Considering they sang “If you’re going to San Francisco …” in unison when we finally left, I’m thinking our enthusiasm was appreciated.

Dinner that night was at our hotel’s restaurant, aptly named Restaurant in Saint James Paris and led by Virginie Basselot, who was awarded her first Michelin star this year. She was trained by chefs such as Dominique Bouchet at the Crillon, Guy Martin at the Grand Véfour and Eric Frechon at the Bristol. Continuing the quest for learning, we observed the kitchen before dinner. We didn’t need to understand the language and could happily have slipped into any of the roles.

The front of the house was like an English gentlemen’s club, with wood paneling, bronze-colored fabrics and high trompe l’oeil ceilings. Each dish was a tribute to the revered techniques French chefs have handed down over the centuries. A black lace of truffles decorated many of our dishes, foie gras flourished and Pithiviers were so intricate that I was inspired to revisit some of my lessused French repertoire.

The following day began with the last lemon tart from our Pierre Hermé stash and a full itinerary, starting with a tour of markets.

The outdoor market, Marché d’Aligre, is in the 12th arrondissement behind the Bastille. It combined several markets; a street market that runs along rue d’Aligre; a historic covered market, the Beauvau Covered Food Market in the center; and a flea market that spreads out behind the square. We watched prawns scramble across the ice, so you knew they weren’t transported from oceans afar, and we exchanged stories with the farmers who had brought their freshly harvested produce to market. An elderly woman selling antiques drew my attention. It was lunchtime and she had a plate of oysters that she was slowly shucking and swallowing between nibbles of cheese and sips of wine — a very di fferent scene from the hastily consumed work lunch we are used to in the U.S. Ethan had similar thoughts as he watched a bereted man standing at a stall enjoying steak and red wine. No cellphones to be seen here. These lifestyle glimpses are some of my richest memories from this trip — seeing people celebrate each meal as an occasion, and just life in general, whether at a cafe, restaurant or street stall.

Next to cross off the list was Bistrot Paul Bert, one of Paris’s most acclaimed bistros. We marveled as we walked through the doors at how accurately chef Thomas Keller had reinterpreted such a classic look and feel in his own Bouchon Bistro in Yountville — wicker chairs, huge potted palms, marble tables and a relaxed yet refined free-flowing feel.

Ethan’s beet salad emerged from the kitchen, a plump, moist poached egg wobbling on top of lightly wilted mache, surrounded by a rainbow of thinly sliced beets. My venison carpaccio was simple and delicious — venison, truffle and sour berries, freckled with Maldon salt. Lunch rolled on with seared cod and forest mushrooms and then steak. We left with a renewed passion and appreciation for Keller’s bistro and what it represents, transporting the diner to the streets of Paris.

After two days we had learned that dining at 7:30 in the evening probably wasn’t the best choice if we wanted to really embrace local culture and life, so at 8:30 we arrived at Pinxo, an open-style, clean and minimalistic tapas restaurant. Pig’s trotters with gremolata, crab delicately encased in lettuce speared with nut brittle, and a deconstructed paella with prawns resting precariously on a rice construction with rich tomato broth were the orders of the day. There was a festive feel to the whole occasion, and we agreed dining later was defi nitely the better choice.

Our “last supper” was reserved for the two-Michelin-star restaurant L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Saint-Germain, as it provided a chance to observe the precision of service, and execution of meals that garner two stars. An arresting black facade greeted us and we were led into the restaurant — a huge open kitchen with wraparound seating for those who wanted to watch the kitchen magic; glossy black tables with woven mats and red water glasses; modern artwork, and long glass walls, all creating a sense of sleek elegance with a fluent symmetry.

The dishes were an acrobatic feat, artistically assembled on plates that were themselves works of art. Lobster with shards of crisp apple sat on a triangular gold leaf design; venison tartare was wrapped in paper-thin venison carpaccio nursing a quenelle of caviar; veal pot stickers swam in a red poppy broth in a white oblique angular bowl. As Joël Robuchon was really the fi rst Michelin-starred French chef to embrace Asia n flavors, it came as no surprise that his dishes had such clean lines and unique flavor profi les.

Neither of us was eager to get to bed on our last night in Paris, so we located a cafe-bar a friend had recommended. The Lockwood was, upstairs, a cafe with unusually amazing coffee, and downstairs, an underground cave of a bar with dim lighting, loud music, locks displayed on uneven wooden walls and a decidedly San Francisco feel. A perfect place to sip late-night cocktails and people-watch.

Old Meets New in Lyon

Lyon seems a contrast of worlds, illustrating in an exceptional way the progress and evolution of architectural design and town planning over many centuries, with the Rhône dividing ancient from modern. I was most enticed by the city’s ancient history from when the Romans settled, evoked by the Gothic structures and churches (I’m a church architecture junkie) on narrow cobblestone streets.

Thankfully, our hotel, the Cour des Loges, was in the historical section of the city. It consisted of four wonderfully restored Renaissance buildings, each with an internal courtyard. Highlights were the ornate glass dome, balconies reinforced with stone arched loggias and an absinthe dispenser in the hotel bar.

Here was where Ethan and I had ou r fi rst official “stage,” in the kitchen of Restaurant Les Loges, with chef Anthony Bonnet. The restaurant was reminiscent of a Florentine courtyard with a marble floor and a spectacular contemporary glass-and-steel ceiling.

In contrast to the work schedule at Murray Circle, at Cour des Loges the kitchen team arrives at 9 a.m. and does preparation work until 2 p.m., then goes home until 6 p.m., when they return to the restaurant for the dinner service until the late-night closing.

We were both comfortable stepping into our roles on the line. The kitchen flow, dishes and techniques were familiar yet with small di fferences: ingredients such as wasabi seeds and creative use of smoke and essential oils. One dish was particularly fascinating. Chef would intricately remove the flesh from an orange, nestling foie gras into the hollowedout rind. Roasted slowly to incorporate the flavors, the piece was then served ceremoniously tableside. The server lifted the lid off he fruit, allowing a puff f steam to escape, and sprayed the succulent contents with a short burst of orange essential oil, before carefully upturning the contents on the

This page, left to right: the food at Bistrot Paul Bert; hotel Cour des Loges; market goodies.

This page, left to right: The first official “stage“ at Cour des Loges (first two photos); the market Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse.

plate and squeezing the juice over the top. The unique presentation was only surpassed by the dish’s flavor.

An exciting part of the trip for me was a pilgrimage to the market Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, created by the celebrated chef, now 88 years old. It was a shrine of food worship. Everything was in its most fresh, perfect and pristine of forms: The whole chickens remained intact with their heads and some feathers to illustrate their freshness, and the raw milk cheeses were kept at varying temperatures and humidities to best showcase their character. Needless to say, even a non-foodie would leave happy.

Chef Bocuse ha s five restaurants in Lyon: the main haute cuisine restaurant, L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, a recipient of three Michelin stars, and four brasseries, each named after a region surrounding Lyon and specializing in its particular cuisine. At Le Sud (“The South”), you wil l fi nd dishes like salade niçoise, osso buco, Bresse chicken tagine with lemon and fi sherman’s soup. Simple and exquisite.

A visit to Lyon would not be complete without a rural exploration of the surrounding wineries. We took a relaxed one-hour drive through the countryside to Domaine du Vissoux for a planned private barrel tasting of a dozen Beaujolais. Housed in an old bucolic brick structure, Domaine du Vissoux is a family-run wine estate in the Pierres Dorées (golden stone) area in southern Beaujolais. As a gift for the occasion, I had prepared my own version of pâté en croûte. My efforts were rewarded as Pierre-Marie Chermette, the winemaker, casually unwrapped the package, laid out the contents on a brick-like mallet used for pounding in the barrel bung,

turned to one of the barrels and drew out a glass for us each. He also pulled out his pocketknife and in the spirit of sharing sliced some of his own wild boar sausage for us to sample. I couldn’t have written a more authentic chefmeets-winemaker moment in a movie script.

Arriving back at the hotel, Ethan and I were humbled to fi nd that our new friends and hosts had prepared a classic lyonnaise feast for us. Starting with snails and fresh churned butter, succulent sardines preserved in local oil, anchovies and just-shucked oysters, the protein-laden meal progressed to the richer side with creamy quenelles and tripe accompanied by the compulsory pomme puree and grain mustard. The company and food made for a perfect if bittersweet fi nale to our stay in France.

Barcelona Without Boundaries

Barcelona’s cuisine contains some stark contrasts to the classic French. While still rooted in fresh, seasonal ingredients, it’s playful and inventive, with fewer rules and boundaries. Our base was Hotel Cram circa 1892, in the middle of the Eixample District, close to the Paseo de Gracia, Rambla de Cataluña, Plaza de Cataluña and the Ramblas. A rooftop pool and bar, with wooden furniture and daybeds, is the center of activity day and evening and overlooks the city.

Ou r fi rst meal at Ten’s Tapas Restaurant was a brilliant initiation. Entering through the Park hotel, I immediately noticed the long white bar surrounding the kitchen. Each dish was accentuated with modern and unpredicted innovation: Bloody mary ice cream with sea snails, fried smelt, foie gras with lemongrass, and plays on textures and

temperatures like I’d never experienced. It almost seemed they were poking fun at themselves, while being very serious about the food, using the presentations and dishes to bring levity to the occasion.

In contrast, Moments, the Mandarin Oriental’s twoMichelin-star restaurant, is beautifully and intricately decorated in every way, from the food to the decor. The palest of pale blue ceilings matches the staff niforms, which the marketing material aptly describes as “fi fties air stewardess meets Givenchy meets Star Trek.” Moments is run by the legendary Catalan chef Carme Ruscalleda, the world’s only female chef to hold seven Michelin stars.

We opted for the Gastronomic Tasting Menu featuring numerous courses and tastes, crafted with modern technique at the highest level, but each offering not what it at first seems. Sitting on wooden holders, small cards illustrated by the chef (yes, she is also an illustrator, and a writer and artist) accompanied each presentation of dishes. One dish featured tuna tartare perched on top of glistening fava beans. Another dish, their version of potato, ham and eggs, starts with a potato chip sphere paying homage to a lusciously soft poached egg, its brilliant orange yolk ready to deliver nuggets of crispy ham draped over the chip. We also enjoyed caviar verde (green caviar), Maresme peas in a Spanish ham broth offered in a caviar tin; a selection of five cheeses on a piece of slate; and a porcini and chocolate dessert.

Two of my greatest passions were fulfilled beyond my dreams in just one day. At the Gaudi House museum, I wished I had a whole day to absorb the iconic

architectural genius. My next stop was El Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria. Dating back to 1217, it’s an elaborate conglomeration of everything in Spain’s culinary dictionary. Painstakingly designed arrangements of food are laid out, and one is definitely not welcome to touch: baskets upon baskets of dried mushrooms and spices, whole aisles of hanging chiles, glistening seafood — sea snails, miniature mussels, plump sardines and fish waiting to be gutted — rows of freshly squeezed juices, cured meats and hams everywhere.

All too quickly our gastronomic journey came to an end and we flew home in a blur of new memories. We had made lasting friends, and most important, came away with a revived excitement for old-world mastery of preparing, serving and celebrating food. m

This page, top: Gastronomic Tasting Menu at Moments.

Bottom, left to right: The food at Ten’s Tapas Restaurant; informal dining at Domaine du Vissoux; the “potato, ham and eggs” at Moments.

Out & About

CALENDAR / ON THE SCENE / DINE

Novato Festival of Art, Wine and Music

Megan Slankard

THEATER

THRU JUNE 8 Ladybug

Girl and Bumblebee

Boy, the Musical Friends Lulu and Sam transform into their make-believe alter egos to protect the playground from a variety of dangers. Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5200, marin theatre.org

THRU JUNE 15 Other Desert Cities This show for adults centers on a clash between conservative and liberal generations during a holiday gathering in Palm Springs. The Barn Theatre (Ross). 415.456.9555, ross valleyplayers.com

THRU JUNE 15 South Pacific The Mountain

Calendar

Play celebrates its 101th season with South Pacific, two parallel love stories set in an island paradise during World War II. Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.1100, mountainplay.org

JUN 5–29 Failure: A Love Story Set in 1920s Chicago, the play tells

the story of the four Fail sisters who look for love in the little time they have left. Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5200, marin theatre.org

DANCE

JUN 1 Angels and Dragons This unique “dansical” features the Don’t Quit Your

Day Job Dancers in a combination of dance, theater and storytelling. Stage Dor (Sausalito). 415.339.1390, stagedor.com

JUN 21 Recalling Hawaii A heartfelt hula theater performance celebrating the past, present and future of Hawaii through imagery, music and dance. Dominican

University (San Rafael). 415.302.6009, recalling hawaii.com

COMEDY

JUN 12 An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin One of America’s foremost comedians, Tomlin has worn many, many hats during her long career. Join her as she revisits more than a dozen of her favorite characters in one fun-fi lled evening. Nourse Theater (SF). 415.392.4400, cityarts.net

JUN 18 The Punch and Judy Show The Piccolo Puppet Players present a family-oriented puppet show featuring the antics of Punch and Judy. Library (Marin City). 415.332.6159, marinlibraryfriends. marin.org

MUSIC

JUN 1 BottleRock

Napa Valley Check out BottleRock for a fantastic live music lineup in a beautiful outdoor setting, supplemented by top-notch food and wine fresh from the Napa Valley. Napa Expo (Napa Valley). bottle rocknapavalley.com

THEATER / COMEDY / MUSIC / GALLERIES / MUSEUMS / EVENTS / FILM EDITED BY CALIN VAN PARIS

Still Life with Milk Jug and Fruit by Paul Cézanne

JUN 1 Golden Gate Opera See Georges

Bizet's Carmen from the hills of Tiburon. La Villa Encantada (Tiburon). 415.339.9546, goldengateopera.org

JUN 1 Todd Dennman and Trinity Uillean piper Todd Dennman joins Trinity — featuring Diana Rowan on Celtic harps, Eamonn Flynn on keyboard and special guest John Ward on guitar — to perform a variety of material from early medieval to traditional Irish music. Studio 55 (San Rafael). 415.453.3161, studio55marin.com

142 Throckmorton (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, djangofest.com

JUN 7 Manring Kassin Darter and OoN Michael Manring, Larry Kassin and John R. Burr (Manring Kassin Darter) join bass and bassoon duo Arine Cap and Paul Hanson (OoN) for a night of groovy music. Studio 55 (San Rafael). 415.453.3161, studio55marin.com

JUN 1–8

Berkeley Festival and Exhibition

The San Francisco Early Music Society presents its biennial festival that brings together early music performers, scholars and enthusiasts for a week of concerts, lectures, conferences and master classes. Various locations (Berkeley). 888.722.5288, earlymusic.org

JUN 5 Joan Osborne and the Holmes Brothers Singer/songwriter Joan Osborne and gospel-style trio the Holmes Brothers share a San Francisco stage for the fi rst time to celebrate the release of their new albums, Love and Hate and Brotherhood, respectively. JCCSF (SF). 415.292.1233, jccsf.org

JUN 6–8 DjangoFest

Top gypsy jazz performers from around the world converge at this annual event featuring the Robin Nolan Trio, the Hot Club d’Europe, Olli Soikkeli, Pearl Django, Paulus Schäfer and more.

JUN 8 Cookout Concert Series Promoter KC Turner hosts a summer concert and cookout featuring the music of John Vanderslice and Amber Rubarth. Hopmonk Tavern (Novato). 415.892.6200, hopmonk.com

JUN 8 Left Coast Summer Reading The Left Coast Chamber Ensemble starts its summer season with music evocative of relaxing summer reading lists, along with many book-inspired compositions. 142 Throckmorton (Mill Valley). 415.617.5223, leftcoastensemble.org

JUN 8 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl The Marin Symphony presents a brand-new event: a showing of the fulllength classic Disney fi lm presented with live music from the orchestra. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 425.473.6400, marincounty.org

JUN 11 Acoustic Guitar Showcase Local acoustic guitar players showcase their personal methods of play. Sleeping Lady (Fairfax). 415.485.1182, sleeping ladyfairfax.com

500 Country Club Drive, Novato www.marincountryclub.com • 415.382.6712 sfitzpatrick@marincountryclub.com

• JUN 28–29

Italian Street Painting

Marin Pop-up Gallery Now held on alternating years, Italian Street Painting Marin's Pop-up Gallery showcases the work of 20 street painters as they re-create historic scenes representative of 1940s California. A Street (San Rafael). 415.882.2423, italianstreet paintingmarin.org

JUN 11 Guided by Voices Joined by special guest Bobby Bare Jr., rock group Guided by Voices performs songs from the six full-length albums it has recorded in the past four years. Regency Ballroom (SF). theregencyball room.com

JUN 12 Stern Grove

The free concert series begins with the music of Smokey Robinson and Patti Austin. The event is preceded by a ticketed picnic lunch and benefit. Stern Grove (SF). sterngrove.org

JUN

415.435.1853, land marks-soceity.org

JUN 13 Chris Cain Band

Enjoy Chris Cain’s jazz/ blues guitar ri ffs and soulful vocals that have the intensity of a much older blues performer. Fenix Supper Club (San Rafael). 415.813.5600, fenixlive.com

JUN

JUN 18 Broadway to Hollywood with Richard Glazier Concert pianist, master storyteller and leading authority on George Gershwin Richard Glazier performs a live multimedia show dedicated to great movie music. Smith Rafael Film Center (San Rafael). 415.454.1222, ca fi lm.org

band who does it right by dressing to the nines in ’80s regalia and re-creating Jackson’s unforgettable gravitydefying moves. Regency Ballroom (SF). the regencyballroom.com

GALLERIES

MARIN

13 Holly Williams

13 Alexander Sung

The internationally recognized classical pianist performs all eight pieces of Robert Schumann’s Noveletten, Op.21. Old

The granddaughter/ daughter of Hank Williams Sr. and Hank Williams Jr. takes the stage to perform tracks from her third studio album, The Highway, featuring her signature acoustic stylings. Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.1100, sweet watermusichall.com

JUN 19 Joseph Bacon

Enjoy an evening of classical guitar with Joseph Bacon, who has studied classical guitar and Indian music with some of the best in the world. Public Library (Corte Madera). 415.924.4844

JUNE 27 Who’s Bad:

The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band

Enjoy all of your favorite Jackson hits from a

Art Works Downtown Shelter A juried exhibit expressing the theme of shelter, through June 6. 1337 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.451.8119, artworksdowntown.org

Falkirk Cultural Center

Reflections An exhibit from the Terra Linda Ceramic Artists, June 13–August 16. 1408 Mission Ave, San Rafael. 415.485.3328, falkirk culturalcenter.org

EUGENE MORITA

Gallery Bergelli Memories of Dreams

Works by Sanjay Vora, through June 26. 483 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.945.9454, bergelli.com

Gallery Route One Open

Secrets An annual artistmembers exhibition, June 20–July 27. 11101 Hwy One, Point Reyes. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org

Marin Society of Artists

Visions A juried exhibition, through June 7. 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross. 415.454.9561, marinsocietyofartists.org

Marine Mammal Center

The Ghost Below This exhibition by Judith and Richard Lang explores the harmful effects of marine debri, through June. 2000

Bunker Road, Sausalito. 415.289.7325, marine mammalcenter.org

O’Hanlon Center for the Arts Wabi Sabi Exhibition A juried exhibition, through June 19. 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.4331, ohanlon center.org

Robert Allen Fine Art Traditional Landscapes

A group exhibition of abstracted landscapes on canvas and panel, June 5–July 31. 301 Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.2800, robert allenfineart.co

Robert Green Fine Arts Abstract expressionist paintings by Sam Francis, John Grillo, Paul Jenkins, Jim Bird and more. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill

Valley. 415.381.8776, rgfineart.com

Roberta English Works by Cheung Lee, Mayumi Oda, Li Huayi, Ju Ming and Toko Shinoda. 1615 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.331.2975, robertaenglish.com

Rock Hill Gallery

Landscape photography by Lance Kuehne, through June 19. 145 Rock Hill Drive, Tiburon. 415.435.9108, ccctiburon.net

Room Art Gallery

Works by both Bay Area artists and major masters, housing the largest collection of Picasso, Chagall and others in Marin County. 86 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.380.7940, roomartgallery.com

Seager Gray Gallery

Experience the Art Walk on June 3. 23 Sunnyside Ave, Mill Valley. 415.384.8288, seagergray.com

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

SAN FRANCISCO

ArtHaus An intimate presentation of diverse works in various styles and mediums by New York and Bay Area artists. 411 Brannan St, 415.977.0223, arthaus-sf.com

Caldwell Snyder

Paintings and sculptures by local artists. 341 Sutter St, 415.392.2299, caldwellsnyder.com

Electric Works Works by David Schubert. 1360 Mission St, 415.626.5496, sfelectricworks.com

Gallery Wendi Norris Passage Works by San Francisco artist Val Britton, June 5–August 2. 161 Jessie St, 415.346.7812, gallery wendinorris.com

Gregory Lind Gallery

Work from Christian Maychack, through June 7. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, greg orylindgallery.com

Hackett-Mill Frank Lobdell: A Celebratory Exhibition A display of the artist’s paintings, drawings and sculptures, June 6–August 8. 201 Post St, 415.362.3377, hackettmill.com

John Berggruen Gallery Works in various mediums. 228 Grant Ave, 415.781.4629, berggruen.com

Thomas Reynolds Gallery Works by Ken Auster, through June. 2291 Pine Street, 415.441.4093, thomas reynolds.com

MUSEUMS

MARIN

Bay Area Discovery Museum Super Kids Save the World Centering around “green” materials and practices, this exhibit teaches kids to be super starting with the four Rs: recycle, reduce, reuse and repair (Sausalito). 415.339.3900, baykidsmuseum.org

Marin History Museum

An Afternoon in a Victorian Parlor A display of an old-fashioned sitting room in the historic Boyd Gate House (San Rafael). 415.454.8538, marinhistory.org

Marin Museum of Contemporary Art Summer National Exhibition Works by Randy Pottenger and Laura Lee Fritz, through July 13 (Novato). 415.506.0137, marinmoca.org

BAY AREA

Asian Art Museum

Enter the Mandala An exhibit featuring works centered on cosmic centers and mental maps of Himalayan Buddhism, through October 26 (SF). 415.581.3711, asianart.org

California Academy of Sciences Skulls Check out an exhibit featuring more than 640 animal skulls and the mystery behind them, through November 30. (SF). 415.379.8000, calacademy.org

Conservatory of Flowers Chomp! They Came From the Swamp A collection of carnivorous plants, through October 19 (SF).

415.831.2090, conserv atoryofflowers.org

Contemporary Jewish Museum Designing Home: Jews and Midcentury Modernism, through October 6 (SF). 415.655.7800, thecjm.org

de Young The Bay Bridge: A Work in Progress, 1933–1936

A newly acquired group of photographs by Peter Stackpole documenting the bridge’s original construction, through June 8 (SF). 415.750.3600, deyoung. famsf.org

Exploratorium Ongoing interactive exhibits exploring science, art and human perception (SF). 415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu

Museum of Craft and Design Elevated Corrugated A group exhibition featuring 10 artists working exclusively with cardboard, through June 22 (SF). 415.773.0303, sfmcd.org

The Walt Disney Family Museum Magic, Color, Flair Works by Mary Blair, through

September 7 (SF). 415.345.6800, waltdisney.org

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Public Intimacy A focus on the way contemporary artists have explored interpersonal relationships and other social exchanges in South Africa, through June 29 (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org

EVENTS

JUN 1 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon Watch as more than 2,000 athletes from around the world take a 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the San Francisco shore, followed by an 18-mile bike ride to Golden Gate Park and an 8-mile

trail run through the Presidio. Various locations (SF). escapefrom alcatraztriathlon.com

JUN 1 Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour Join Sausalito artist and author Victoria Colella on a three hour walking tour of Sausalito’s houseboat communities, historic vessels, art studios and wooden boat center, with tea and cookies to end the day. Yacht Harbor Boardwalk (Sausalito). sausalitowooden boattour.com

JUN 4 Benefit Art Auction Join Headlands Center for the Arts for a live and silent auction, live entertainment, food, cocktails and a pop-up shop housing limited edition works inspired by the

Headlands. SOMArts Cultural Center (SF). 415.331.287, headlands.org

JUN 7 Rods and Rescues Love cars? Love dogs? Head to Rods and Rescues, a car show and rescue dog adoption event featuring live music, a DJ, local food and more than 100 classic cars and dogs from Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue, the Marin Humane Society and Green Dog Rescue Project. Outlet Village (Petaluma). 415.518.0906, coupe androadster.com

JUN 7 Trails and Oceans Stewardship Day Visit Point Reyes National Seashore to participate in two stewardship projects

Congratulations to Marin Catholic

Class of 2014

Our 177 graduates have received over 700 acceptances to colleges & universities nationwide. We recognize their achievements and the 30,572 Christian Service hours they have contributed to people in need, locally and around the world. www.marincatholic.org

at Limantour Beach in celebration of National Trails Day and World Ocean Day. Limantour Beach (Point Reyes). 415.663.1200, ptreyes.org

JUN 7–8 Union Street Festival Check out one of San Francisco’s biggest free annual events featuring more than 100 boutique artists, live entertainment, live jazz and contemporary music and more. Union Street (SF). 800.310.6563, union streetfestival.com

JUN 8 French Market Shop for antique and vintage home and garden decor at this outdoor market featuring art booths, vintage clothes, books and jewelry, French music, crepes and more.

Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium parking lot (San Rafael). golden gateshows.com

JUN 9 To Celebrate Life Golf Tournament Tee it up to benefit the breast cancer foundation. Marin Country Club (Novato). 415.455.5882, tocelebratelife.org

JUN 12–15 2014 Children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference The seventh annual Book Passage Children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference covers all aspects of creating a children’s storybook — from developing ideas to fi nding a publisher. Book Passage (Corte Madera). 415.927.0960, bookpassage.org

JUN 14 Tiburon Classic Car Show Stop by this community event celebrating the beauty of classic cars built prior to 1971 in the equally beautiful setting of the Tiburon waterfront. Waterfront Park (Tiburon). 415.297.2615, tiburon classiccarshow.com

JUN 14–15

Fairfax Festival and EcoFest

Join the Fairfax community for its 37th year of small town celebration. The festival starts with a family fi lm night, followed by a parade, flea market, wine tasting and much more. Downtown (Fairfax). fairfaxfestival.com

JUN 14–15 Marin Art Festival Local artists display their work in mediums including

Photo by Jennifer Skinner

The Bay Bridge: A Work in Progress, 1933–1936 at the de Young, S.F.

painting, sculpture, jewelry and ceramics. Enjoy music and dancing, clowns, strolling musicians, world cuisine, coffee, dessert and wine. Lagoon Park (San Rafael). marincounty.org

JUN 14–15 North Beach Festival Celebrate the birthplace of the Beat generation at the 60th annual festival, featuring live music, live Italian street painting, beverage gardens, kids' chalk

area and more than 150 booths offering fi ne arts, crafts, gifts and food. North Beach (SF). 800.310.6563, sres productions.com

JUN 14–15 Novato Festival of Art, Wine and Music Visit Novato for a weekend of local treats, regional vintage wines, a petting zoo for the kids and two stages with live music. Grant Avenue (Novato). 415.897.1164, novato artwinemusic.com

JUN 15 Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast

Enjoy a hearty pancake breakfast while enjoying breathtaking views of Marin County, with proceeds going toward preservation and operation of the historic West Point Inn. West Point Inn (Mill Valley). 415.388.9955, westpointinn.org

JUN 16 Bank of Marin Golf Tournament Bank of Marin holds its 20th annual golf tournament

to benefit Sunny Hills Services at the Meadow Club. Guests begin the day with a barbecue and continue with a cocktail reception, dinner and auction following the tournament. Meadow Club (Fairfax). 415.462.0980, meadowclub.com

JUN 21 Summer Solstice Celebration

Join the San Francisco Botanical Garden as it celebrates the summer solstice with wine, cheese and a stroll through its 100-yearold redwood grove. Botanical Garden (SF). 415.661.1316, sfb o tanicalgarden.org

JUN 22 Wine, Beer and Gourmet Food Tasting

Enjoy award-winning wines, handcrafted beer, celebrity chef

samplings and specialty foods at this popular event, back for its 33rd year, benefiting the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce and Kiddo!. Depot Plaza (Mill Valley). millvalley.org

JUN 25 Solstice Celebration: Joie de Vivre Join in to honor Marin Community Clinics community volunteers, celebrate the season and help raise funds to provide medical and dental care to Marin’s under- and uninsured. Marin Art and Garden Center (Ross). 415.526.8527, marinclinics.org

JUN 25 Doug Hofkins the Surfing Magician

By day, Doug Hofk ins is a Santa Cruz surfer, but by night, he’s a magician specializing

in sleight of hand and making object s float, then disappear. Public library (Corte Madera). 415.924.6382

JUN 28 California Beer Festival Sample more than 70 craft beers at this event featuring live music, bike valet and gourmet sliders. Sta fford Lake Park (Novato). california beerfestival.com

NATURE WALKS & TALKS

JUN 6 Pooja Mottl: The 3-Day Reset Author Pooja Mottl discusses her book The 3-Day Reset, which outlines 10 simple ways to change your cravings and start eating whole, healthy foods. Book Passage (Corte Madera).

415. 927.0960, book passage.org

JUN 6 Richard Ravitch with David Crane

Former New York lieutenant governor Richard Ravitch, author of So Much to Do: A Full Life of Business, Politics, and Confronting Fiscal Crises, appears in conversation with David Crane, former special adviser to Arnold Schwarzenegger. JCCSF (SF). 415.292.1233, jccsf.org

JUN 7 Colin Jack: If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur This special event for kids centers on illustrator Colin Jack’s book If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur, which provides a tonguein-cheek look at the practical uses of dinos. Book Passage (Corte

Madera). 415. 927.0960, bookpassage.org

JUN 10 Tom Robbins

Acclaimed author Tom Robbins discusses his forthcoming memoir Tibetan Peach Pie, which stitches together stories of his unconventional life. Isabel Du ff y facilitates. Nourse Theater (SF). 415.392.4400, cityarts.net

JUN 11 Literary Lunch with Lisa See The New York Times best-selling author celebrates her newest novel, China Dolls, with a literary lunch catered by Insalata’s Restaurant. Guests will receive an autographed copy of the novel. Book Passage (Corte Madera). 415.927.0960, bookpassage.org

JUN 18 Butterflies of Marin County Join David Herlocker from Marin County Parks in a discussion of local butter fly species, the best places to fi nd them and tips

for butter fly-friendly gardens. Public Library (Fairfax). 415.457.5629

JUN 28 Laundry to Landscape Learn about gray water and “laundry to landscape” system

options through a demonstration and audience discussion. Tamalpais Valley Community Center (Mill Valley). 415.388.6393

The Left Coast Chamber Ensemble at 142 Throckmorton, Mill Valley

Dine

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS AND GOOD FOOD IN THE BAY AREA

• ODALISQUE CAFÉ Mediterranean This casual art cafe was inspired by La Grande Odalisque, an 1814 oil painting by Jean-AugusteDominque Ingres. Menu items are built from seasonal items available at farmers’ markets and include pan-seared scallops, roasted butternut squash risotto and a variety of pizzettas. 1335 Fourth St, 415.460.1335, odalisquecafe.com

CORTE MADERA

BENISSIMO Italian “Benissimo” means “really, really good” in Italian. Aside from the daily 4 to 6:30 p.m. happy hour, when drinks are $3 to $5 and small plates $5 to $7, the menu offers a large selection of pizza, pasta and large plates, like grilled pork loin and pollo alla marsala. 18 Tamalpais Dr, 415.927.2316, benissimos.com

BLUE BARN GOURMET American The first Marin outpost of the S.F.–based Sustainable Restaurant Group, Blue Barn Gourmet has proven to be very popular. The menu consists of customizable salads, toasted sandwiches, soups and more, prepared with locally harvested produce and proteins. 335 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.1104, bluebarngourmet.com

BOCA PIZZERIA Italian Owners Shah Bahreyni and Sam Ramadan’s 142-seat eatery features Neapolitan-style pizza topped with imported San Marzano tomatoes and fresh, house-made mozzarella. Other menu items (all made with local ingredients) include roasted leg of

lamb salad, beet salad, a grilled eggplant sandwich and portobello and porcini mushroom ravioli. 1544 Redwood Hwy, 415.924.3021, bocapizzeria.com

BRICK & BOTTLE

California From private parties to catered events, chef Bob Simontacchi’s menu offers seasonal selections made with local ingredients. Enjoy signature dishes like orzo mac ‘n’ cheese with smoked Gouda and local favorites like sa ff ron fettucine and tomato braised short ribs. The restaurant also hosts one of the best happy hours in town. 55 Tamal Vista Blvd, 415.924.3366, brickandbottle.com

IL FORNAIO Italian Sausalito’s Larry Mindel hit a home run with this upscale Italian restaurant franchise. Aside from the pizzas and pastas, the menu offers a variety of salads and carb-free entrées. 223 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.4400, ilfornaio.com

MARIN JOE’S

Italian

This Marin mainstay has been around for over 50 years. Choose from a menu of soups, salads, seafood, mesquite-grilled or

Pan Seared Diver Scallops

EDITED BY MIMI TOWLE

sautéed meats and a plethora of pasta options guaranteed to satisfy.. 1585 Casa Buena Dr, 415.924.2081, marinjoesrestaurant.com

THE COUNTER California/American

The folks at the Counter have taken the “have it your way” motto to a whole new level. Known for all-natural Angus beef, turkey, chicken and veggie burgers, the restaurant also offers a burger bowl (all the ingredients without the bun). And if you want a martini with your burger, no problem—there’s a full bar. 201 Corte Madera Town Ctr 415.924.7000, thecounterburger.com

FAIRFAX

123 BOLINAS California

This Fairfax spot was created by four friends who aimed to showcase seasonal fare in a relaxing, intimate environment. Enjoy locally brewed beer, smallproduction wines and one of the many cheese boards as you take in the view of Bolinas Park through the floor-toceiling windows. 123 Bolinas St, 415.488.5123, 123bolinas.com

IRON SPRINGS PUB & BREWERY American

Choose from an extensive beer list, and enjoy your selection with an ale-braised BBQ pork sandwich, prawn tacos or the house-ground chicken bacon cheeseburger. 765 Center Blvd, 415.485.1005, ironspringspub.com

SORELLA CAFFE

Italian Run by sisters Sonia and Soyara, Sorella — which means “sister” in Italian — serves up fresh Italian food with a northern

in fluence. 107 Bolinas Rd, 415.258.4520, sorellacaffe.co

STEAKHOUSE GRILL & BAR American This steakhouse at Deer Park Villa has been around nearly a century, making it more than your typical steak spot. The longtime gathering place features a daily happy hour, live entertainment and a large, heated deck. 367 Bolinas Rd, 415.456.8084, deer parksteakhousegrill.com

GREENBRAE

BISTRO VIS À VIS

California This little bistro features the cooking of Soo Young Kim, who previously acted as owner, chef and sommelier at Petaluma’s Sooze Wine Bar. The neighborhood spot boasts outdoor seating for casually fi ne dining, a wine bar and a menu including duck con fit and wine-braised short ribs. 282 Bon Air Ctr, 415.925.4370, bistrovisavis.com

KENTFIELD

AMBROSIA Italian This family friendly Italian joint serves traditional pizzas and homemade pastas, with one of the best wine-by-the-glass programs in Marin. Owner Mark Leslie is bringing his pizza, pasta and passion for good wines by the glass to Kent field— check Facebook for details. 800 College Ave, 415.454.9292

HALF DAY CAFE

American Tucked away in a setting of intertwining ivy and large open windows, this café is the perfect breakfast nook and is also open for brunch and lunch. The menu

includes coffee drinks, exceptional pastries and much more. Enjoy a casual meal inside or on the outdoor patio. 848 College Ave, 415.459.0291, halfdaycafe.com

LARKSPUR

BELCAMPO MEAT

CO. American The goods at this meatery are delivered from the certi fied-organic Belcampo Farms near Mount Shasta, dedicated to practicing a holistic approach to pasture management. 2405 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.448.5810, belcampomeatco.com

EL HUARACHE LOCO

Mexican Chef Veronica Salazar’s menu has gained quite a following by way of the authentic Mexico City dishes. From mini huaraches (fi lled corn masa cakes) to the foot-long huarache with two salsas, crema, queso fresco and two toppings of

your choice, you’re sure to get a true taste of a homemade Mexican meal. Marin Country Mart, 1803 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.925.1403, huaracheloco.com

FABRIZIO RISTORANTE

Italian This restaurant was opened by Italian transplant Fabrizio in the early ‘80s. Swing by for traditional Italian dishes and an extensive wine list featuring bottles from all over Italy. Outdoor seating makes the experience even more special. 455 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.3332, fabrizioristorante.com

FARM HOUSE LOCAL California Downtown Larkspur’s newest gem is sure to please with simple, healthy food in a warm, cozy atmosphere — both inside and outside on their covered patio. With a seasonal menu that follows what is fresh and local, chef David Monson creates

dishes such a s flu ff y omelets stu ffed with local meats, cheeses and vegetables, and made with Glaum eggs from the South Bay. 25 Ward St, 415.891.8577, farmhouselocal.com

FARMSHOP California

Originally based in L.A., Farmshop Marin has customers clamoring for cocktails and a delicious assortment of California-centric cuisine. Call ahead for a reservation — this place is always packed.

Marin Country Mart, 2233 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.755.6700, farmshopla.com

LEFT BANK RESTAURANT French

Known for awardwinning French cuisine and a lively brasserie ambience, this corner spot on Magnolia Avenue rates high with locals. Those with a small appetite (or budget) can opt for happy hour (4 to 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close, M–F)

•

BARREL HOUSE TAVERN California

Stop by Barrel House for great local food enhanced by fantastic bay and city views. The relaxed urban envrionment is ideal for enjoying one of the restaurant’s barrel-aged cocktails. 660 Bridgeway, 415.729.9593, barrelhousetavern.com

beer-battered fi sh ‘n’ chips, clam chowder and tasty salads, Yankee Pier serves fresh seafood delivered daily from both coasts. 286 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7676, yankeepier.com

MILL VALLEY

BALBOA CAFE MILL VALLEY California The San Francisco institution has already become a place to see and be seen in Mill Valley, especially after the 142 Throckmorton comedy nights. Menu items include Niman Ranch fl at iron steak, braised beef brisket risotto and classic burgers. 38 Miller Ave, 415.381.7321, balboacafe.com

appetizers, most priced under $6. 507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331, leftbank.com

MARIN BREWING CO American Grab a cold beer made on site and pair it wit h fi sh ‘n’ chips — fresh cod dipped in Mt. Tam pale ale batter, served with steak fries and homemade tartar sauce — or another item from the all-American menu. Marin Country Mart, 1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.4677, marinbrewing.com

PICCO California Popular since its inception, dishes like mini-burgers , seasonally driven menu items, and risotto made every half hour, keep patrons coming back. The Picco Pizzeria and Wine Bar next door is cozy (not many seats) and 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

RUSTIC BAKERY California Try a large house-made pastry, an artisanal salad or a mouthwatering sandwich at this Marin favorite. Two Larkspur locations: Marin Country Mart, 415.461.9900; 1139 Magnolia Ave, 415.925.1556, rusticbakery.com

SUSHI-KO Japanese

Choose from a large selection of maki, nigiri and sashimi before catching a movie right across the street. Marin Country Mart, 1819 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.8400, sushi-ko.com

YANKEE PIER American

This family-friendly, casual clam shack is harbored in a quaint house built in 1924. Known for

BOO KOO Asian Authentic Asian street food is now available for $10 or less. The restaurant offers options for every eater—vegans, gluten-frees, vegetarians and carnivores alike. Menu items include chicken pho, vegan summer rolls, pad thai and five-spice pork satay, all made with organic, locally sourced veggies and proteins. 25 Miller Ave, 415.888.8303, eatbookoo.com

BUCKEYE ROADHOUSE American Oysters Bingo, baby back ribs and the Chili-Lime “Brick” Chicken are a few of the satisfying, comfort-food-style menu items that have made this classic roadhouse a favorite since the ’30s. The warm, dark-wood bar with red leather booths is a popular spot for cocktails, conversations or a light meal. 15 Shoreline Hwy, 415.331.2600, buckeyeroadhouse.com

Pan Roasted Cod

EL PASEO American

This Marin chophouse continues to impress — the restaurant itself has been around since 1947. The menu speaks to the restaurant’s elegance, with offerings like roasted bone marrow, crispy duck wings and the El Paseo short rib. 17 Throckmorton Ave, 415.388.0741, elpaseomillvalley.com

EXTREME PIZZA

American Pizza by the slice or pie — including gluten-free options. Come up with your own creation or choose one of the restaurant’s favorites, like the Mr. Pestato Head: homemade pesto sauce, potatoes, red onions, feta, fresh basil and mozzarella. 393 Miller Ave, 415.569.4134 , extremepizza.com

FRANTOIO RISTORANTE

ITALIANO Italian

Known for its in-house olive press, superior olive oil and excellent Italian cuisine, this spot is a great choice for an intimate dinner, celebration and anything in bewteen. For special occasions and private parties, reserve the olive-press room. The popular weekday happy hour starts at 4:30 p.m. 152 Shoreline Hwy, 415.289.5777, frantoio.com

HARMONY Chinese

Enjoy a lighter take on Chinese at this restaurant, nestled in the Strawberry Village. The barbecue pork bun is fi lled with house-made roasted meat in a savory sauce, and fresh

mussels are accented with red chili and Thai basil. Pair your pick with wine, beer or tea. Be sure to check out the weekday lunch special for an excellent deal. Strawberry Village, 415.381.5300, harmonyrestaurant group.com

LA GINESTRA Italian

A favorite family spot for over 30 years; getting a table or booth here can take awhile. While this old-school Italian eatery is known for traditional pastas, veal dishes, pizzas and dry martinis, the familiar waitstaff s also part of the attraction. 127 Throckmorton Ave, 415.388.0224, laginestramv.com

MILL VALLEY BEERWORKS American

Known for handcrafted beers, imported and local microbrews and house-made kombucha and root beer, this popular downtown Mill Valley neighborhood brewery recently doubled its space and expanded its food and beverage menu. Choose from a large selection of small plates, including king oyster mushrooms, roasted potatoes and grilled squid, and a small list of large portions like rabbit con fit. 173 Throckmorton Ave, 415.888.8218, mill valleybeerworks.com

NOURISH GRILL American This restaurant for the Club at Harbor Point is situated on the waterfront and open to

the public. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, it serves classics like grilled shrimp, and an all-American clubhouse burger.

475 E Strawberry Dr, 415.381.4400, nourish.harbor-point.com

PIAZZA D’ANGELO

Italian It’s always a party at this longstanding hot spot. A great place to meet up with friends for a fresh plate of pasta, or to make some new friends at the bar. Chef Andrea Guilini, originally from Venice, is known for his creative, seasonal dishes like the stu ffed veal loin with wild mushrooms and house-made mozzarella. 22 Miller Ave, 415.388.2000, piazzadangelo.com

PIATTI RISTORANTE AND BAR Italian The staff rides itself on capturing the warm and welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria. Get a table by the window. Peruse the impressive selection of Italian wines to accompany your rustic seasonal meal. 625 Redwood Hwy, 415.380.2525, piatti.com

ROBATA GRILL AND SUSHI Japanese Robata translates as “by the fi reside”; fittingly, food here can be cooked on an open fi re and served in appetizer-size portions to pass around the table. Or simply order your own sushi or entrée from the menu. 591 Redwood Hwy, 415.381.8400, robatagrill.com

SHORELINE COFFEE

SHOP American Tucked away in a parking lot at Tam Junction, this coffee shop is a funky diner with a smalltown feel. Enjoy the mix of Mexican and traditional breakfast fare. 221 Shoreline Hwy, 415.388.9085

SOL FOOD Puerto Rican

This Marin favorite has opened doors in Mill Valley, where they continue to serve up everyone’s favorite Puerto Rican cuisine. The line can get long, but the food is well worth it. 401 Miller Ave, 415.380.1986, solfoodrestaurant.com

SWEETWATER MUSIC HALL CAFE 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, the menu includes brown-butter scrambled eggs on avocado toast, crispy chicken sliders with gingery cabbage slaw and vegan Thai spring rolls with sweet and sour sauce. 19 Corte Madera Ave, 415.388.3850, sweet watermusichall.com

TOAST American Take the kids out familystyle breakfast at this cozy venue; Toast is on the small side, so be sure to allot time for a wait. Lunch and dinner are served, too. 31 Sunnyside Ave, 415.388.2500, toastmillvalley.com

NOVATO

BOCA PIZZERIA Italian

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

GRAZIE CAFE Italian

Locals visit this family-owned-and-run restaurant for delicious paninis, salads and the unbeatable homemade cookies. Soak in the sun on the outdoor patio or revel in some peoplewatching inside the always-bustling cafe. 823 Grant Ave, Ste E, 415.879.5181

HILLTOP 1892 California Situated on a historic estate in Novato with sweeping views, Hilltop 1892 offers classic favorites with a California flair. Open lunch through dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. 850 Lamont Ave, 415.893.1892, hilltop1892.com

RICKEY’S RESTAURANT & BAR

American Besides a full-service restaurant and bar (with banquet and meeting rooms), this comfort food bastion offers poolside dining and a garden patio overlooking green lawns. Visit during the summer from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. for live jazz to accompany your meal. 250 Entrada Dr, 415.883.9477, rickeysrestaurant.com

RUSTIC BAKERY California Organic mouthwatering pastries, breads and sandwiches are on the menu here. Try the Marin Melt — Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt. Tam and Point Reyes’ Toma cheeses grilled on honey whole wheat bread, served with dressed baby greens and crisp apple slices. 1407 Grant Ave, 415.878.4952, rusticbakery.com

TOAST American Sister to the popular Mill Valley location, Toast Novato features outdoor dining and contemporary architechture by Stanley Saitowitz. The spacious restaurant is ideal for large parties and families looking for a large plate of comfort food. 5800 Nave Dr, 415.382.1144, toastnovato.com

SAN ANSELMO

COMFORTS CAFE

American This cozy spot features local favorites made with local ingredients. Stop in for breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch and offerings from the delicious deli selection. Be sure to try the Philly cheesesteak and Chinese chicken salad, both classics. 335 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.9840, comfortscafe.com

FLOUR CRAFT BAKERY

California Flour Craft is San Anselmo’s answer to local gluten-free needs: Artisan pastries, fresh bread, desserts, special occasion cakes and lunch items are all gluten- and peanutfree. Customer favorites include the Earl Grey Chocolate Tea Cake and Flourless Hazelnut

Fudge. 702 San Anselmo Ave, 415.453.3100, flourcraftbakery.co

L’APPART RESTO

French Owners Bruno Denis and Olivier Souvestre of Le Garage fame offer a menu most Francophiles would be proud of, complete with items like roasted bone marrow and cassoulet. 636 San Anselmo Ave, 415.256.9884, lappartresto.com

MH BREAD & BUTTER

California This one-stop shop offers everything from coffee and pastries to artisan bread and braised meats. Highquality ingredients and a comfortable atmosphere make MH worth checking out. 101 San Anselmo Ave, 415.755.4575, mhbreadandbutter.com

SAN RAFAEL

BROKEN DRUM BREWERY & WOOD

GRILL American

O ffering a wide array of eats, handcrafted and local beers and live music, the Broken Drum is a hot spot for Rafael Theater patrons (10 percent off entire bill with your ticket stub), passersby and regulars. You’ll fi nd live music Friday and Saturday nights, tacos on Tuesdays and Bloody Marys all day on Sundays. 1132 Fourth St, 415.456.4677, brokendrum.com

CREPEVINE American Bistro/Creperie Choose from a diverse menu of savory crepes, with favorites like the Italian crepe, fi lled with roasted peppers, eggplant, onions, artichoke hearts, tomato sauce and mozzarella. Sweet and savory crepes are available

“To have a permanent “Home” to sell our meat gives me inspiration and encouragement to continue my family’s tradition of ranching in Marin County.”

“The proposed Farmers Market Pavilion and Market Canopy make a statement to Marin County and its residents that agriculture is important to our livelihood and our economy. It provides a permanent home to a wellestablished market and will provide more direct marketing opportunities to the next generation of farmers.”

“We see the Marin Farmers Market as a bridge to jump to something permanent, and this project is perfect for us. Every Sunday at the market people ask where is our permanent location, well this can be the answer to this question and our dream come true.”

“My family sold potatoes at the Marin Farmers Market, which allowed my grandfather and uncle to ‘incubate’ a potato business and diversify their sheep and beef business at a time when beef and lamb prices had fallen. The Market provided a retail outlet and revenue to finance this effort, building a bridge between low and better times that allowed a five decade old farm to continue.”

- Robert Eyler, Marin Economic Forum/Economics Professor at Sonoma State University

“The Farmers Market at the Marin Civic Center is a long standing cornerstone of our food system and is enjoyed by all. The planned Market Plaza and Canopy will give the community the stage it deserves to continue this celebration of local agriculture and healthy food.”

- David Lewis, UC Cooperative Extension

“Approximately 167,000 acres in Marin are farms or ranches, which amounts to 50% of the land. As farmers and cheese makers we proudly see agriculture as the heart and soul of Marin County. Having a permanent Marketplace and Canopy will demonstrate to the farmers/ranchers and consumers that this County highly values our local food system.”

- Tamara Hicks, Toluma Farms & Tomales Farmstead Creamery

Marin Civic Center (Sun & Thurs, 8-1, all year)

OAKLAND — Grand Lake (Sat, 9-2, ALL YEAR) Hayward (Sat, 9-1, ALL YEAR) Clement st (Sun, 9-2, ALL YEAR) newark (Sun, 9-1, ALL YEAR) stonestown (Sun, 9-1, ALL YEAR)

- Julie Rossotti, Rossotti Ranch

- Carlos & Mayra Rosas, Barrio Contemporary Mexican Cocina

- Lynn Giacomini Stray, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.

Marin Market – Conceptual Design April 15, 2014 v7

Looking north through the Market Canopy and into the Market Hall

WILLIAMS ARCHITECTURE

Out & About / DINE

all day long, as are all breakfast items. 908 Fourth St, 415.257.8822, crepevine.com

FENIX California An intimate live-music venue in the heart of downtown San Rafael. Fenix features globally inspired California cuisine with a Southern French twist. Dishes like fried green tomatoes or 72-hours sous-vide short ribs — accompanied by a glass from the extensive wine list — defi ne the experience. 919 Fourth Street, 415.813.5600, fenixlive.com

IL DAVIDE Italian A large selection of both Italian and California wines by the glass, along with the tiramisu, have kept locals coming back for years. Don’t leave without sampling the limoncello. 901 A St, 415.454.8080, ildavide.net

MULBERRY STREET

PIZZERIA Italian Chef Ted Rowe won fi rst place in the Food Network Television Pizza Challenge with his For the Love of Mushroom pizza — sautéed mushrooms in a creamy garlic sauce and a red wine reduction atop a fresh pizza crust. Be sure to try other unique pies, like the spicy Three Beer pizza and the clam and garlic pizza, as well. 101 Smith Ranch Rd, 415.472.7272, mulberry-streetpizzeria.com

PANAMA HOTEL RESTAURANT

American The dinner menu offers a large selection of options — from tortilla soup to wild mushroom raviolis — but it’s the Sunday brunch menu that will keep the kids happy;

try the Panama Wa ffle served with bananas, warm chocolate sauce and whipped cream, along with a pitcher of “make-your-own” mimosas for the adults. The tropical garden is a prime spot for people watching. 4 Bayview St, 415.457.3993, panamahotel.com

PIZZA ORGASMICA

American Enjoy indulgent favorites like the Serpent’s Kiss or Inspiration Point pies with a crisp beer, Orgasmica style. Eat in or order a halfbaked pizza to cook and enjoy at home. 812 Fourth St, 415.457.2337, pizzaorgasmica.com

SOL FOOD Puerto Rican Fast becoming a Marin legend, Sol Food whips up traditional Puerto Rican dishes just like the ones owner Sol Hernandez grew up eating. Favorites include the bistec sandwich, mofongo and fried plantains, but anything tastes good with a dash of the eatery’s signature hot sauce, which is for sale by the bottle (as is the lemon-garlic salad dressing). 901 Lincoln Ave, 415.451.4765, solfoodrestaurant.com

SUSHI TO DAI FOR Japanese Snagging a seat in this popular Fourth Street sushi spot can be a challenge, but patience is rewarded with tasty and fresh sashimi, unique sushi rolls and great prices. 816 Fourth St, 415.721.0392

TAJ OF MARIN 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 Fourth St, 415.459.9555, tajofmarin.com

TERRAPIN

CROSSROADS

American This waterfront restaurant and music venue — opened by local musician Phil Lesh — houses fresh food and local talent. The menu includes salads, savory dishes and wood-fi red pizzas to go with a wide selection of beers, wines and cocktails. 100 Yacht Club Dr, 415.524.2773, terrapin crossroads.net

THERESA & JOHNNY’S COMFORT FOOD

American A favorite of everyone from kids to the foodie set, this charming eatery serves up food 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

VIN ANTICO American

This resurrected restaurant offers seasonal market-inspired cuisine like stone oven-baked fl atbreads, handmade pasta and organic salads. The kitchen is open to the dining room, so try to snag a seat at the chef’s counter. 881 Fourth St, 415.721.0600, vinantico.com

SAUSALITO

ANGELINO RESTAURANT Italian

Father-and-son chefs Pasquale and Alfredo Ancona offer handmade pastas and seasonal antipasti at this authentic Italian restaurant, which has been showcasing cuisine of the Campania region for over 20 years. 621 Bridgeway, 415.331.5225, angelinorestaurant.com

AURORA RISTORANTE

& PIZZERIA Italian Novato’s Auror a fi nally has a counterpart in southern Marin. Aurora offers traditional Italian food, a full bar

Frittata with Pea Pesto Crostini at Cibo in Sausalito

Avocado and Roasted Carrot Salad

SERVES 4 Ingredients

Black and white sesame seeds

4 ounces tahini

2 ounces water

4 ounces plain whole-milk yogurt

2 tablespoons olive oil

Sea salt

Lemon juice

1 bunch baby rainbow carrots

2 tablespoons wildflower honey

1 preserved lemon (optional)

1 avocado Mint leaves

To Prepare

1 Scatter sesame seeds into frying pan. Toast on medium heat, shaking occasionally, until dark and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside. 2 In a bowl, thin tahini paste by whisking water into it until any lumps are smoothed. Whisk in yogurt and olive oil. 3 Finish with salt and lemon juice to taste and set aside. 4 Coat a pan lightly with olive oil and sear carrots at high heat until slightly charred. 5 Turn off heat and immediately drizzle one tablespoon of honey into the hot pan, allowing it to caramelize and even burn slightly. 6 If you have a preserved lemon handy, thinly slice, toss into the pan and coat with rest of honey. 7 Spread the tahini dressing liberally onto serving plate.

8 Slice avocado and scatter half over tahini. 9 Place warm, honeyed carrots over the avocado. Layer more avocado slices on top of carrot. Garnish with sea salt, a squeeze of lemon juice, toasted black and white sesame seeds and fresh torn mint leaves.

Where the Heart Belongs

FOR CHEF YELLA Catalana, cooking at Mill Valley Beerworks is literally a labor of love. The Mill Valley native’s career began with an internship at Greens Restaurant in San Francisco, an experience that cemented her desire to lead a culinary life. After traveling around the world, studying and eating wherever and whatever she could, Yella finished her degree while working as a pastry chef in Los Angeles. She relocated to the Bay Area to work at Boulettes Larder in the iconic Ferry Building, but quickly discovered that her heart belonged in Mill Valley. Three years ago while enjoying a pint at Mill Valley Beerworks (her favorite local bar), she met owners Tyler and Justin Catalana — now her husband and brother-in-law, respectively — and together the three transformed the bar into a full-blown restaurant, where Yella honed her skills as the pastry chef. In January she took over the kitchen completely. “It has been a such a joy working with the local farmers and purveyors and all of their magnificent offerings,” she says. “In a neighborhood restaurant, the icing on the cake has been the people: getting to know regulars as friends and working with such a lovely and tight-knit crew.” Here she shares the recipe for a frequently requested dish: a unique and beautiful salad featuring unusual aromas and delicious flavors. millvalleybeerworks.com CALIN VAN PARIS

and friendly service, making it a great option for families, groups, dates and sports enthusiasts, who can keep up to date on the game via large fl at-screen TV. 300 Valley St, 415.339.8930, aurorasausalito.com

AVATAR’S Indian If you’re on the hunt for innovative Indian fare, head straight to Avatar’s and let owner Ashok Kumar order for you. Sip Masala Chiar sweetened with brown sugar in this casual, one-room restaurant, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. 2656 Bridgeway, 415.332.8083, enjoyavatars.com

BAR BOCCE American Food just tastes better when you’re dining on a bayside patio with fi re pits and a bocce ball court. Order one of the sourdough bread pizzas and a glass of wine, and you’ll see why this casual eatery, overseen by Robert Price of Buckeye and Bungalow 44, has become a local favorite. 1250 Bridgeway, 415.331.0555, barbocce.com

CIBO Cafe Located in a historic brick building on Sausalito’s main drag, Cibo is a great place to a sip a quick cup of coffee outdoors. Husband-and-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. 1201 Bridgeway, 415.331.2426, cibosausalito.com

COPITA Mexican Chef Joanne Weir serves up fresh Mexican fare in the heart of downtown Sausalito. The ever-changing menu is always 100% gluten-free, and the in-house tequila bar offers over 30 varieties, available blanco, reposado or añejo. Enjoy your meal at the bar or on the outdoor patio. 739 Bridgeway, 415.331.7400, copita restaurant.com

DAVEY JONES DELI American Stationed in the New Bait Shop Market, Davey Jones Deli boasts houseroasted sandwich meats, healthy condiments and local, organic vegetables. The deli offers sandwiches, veggiewiches, wraps and salads with vegetarian, vegan and meat-lover options. 1 Gate 6 Rd, 415.331.2282, daveyjonesdeli.com

FENG NIAN Chinese

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, honey-glazed walnut prawn or lemon chicken. Staying in? Feng Nian offers free delivery. Free delivery. 2650 Bridgeway, 415.331.5300, fengnian.com

FISH Seafood The ultimate place to head for freshly caught fare. Order the fi sh tacos, ceviche and a bottle of wine and take in bay views and air on the deck. Casual; bring cash (lots of it!). 350 Harbor Dr, 415.331.3474, 331fish.co

tel +1 512.236.1032 webberstudio.com

Ever since Terrestra opened in San Francisco, customers from Novato to Sausalito have been coming across the bridge and asking us to open in Marin. We were listening. Our new store in downtown Mill Valley is filled with thousands of fabulous gifts and decorative accessories, jewelry and fine leather goods, and everything for creative entertaining.

Wish granted.

Terrestra | San Francisco | Mill Valley 30 MILLER AVENUE ■ 415 -384-8330 ■ TERRESTRA.COM

KITTI’S PLACE Thai/ California Owner Kitti Suthipipiat was the cook at Comforts in San Anselmo for many years and brings a certain knack for delicious Chinese chicken salad to her own endeavor. The regular menu items are sure to please, but try the weekly specials as well. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.331.0390, kittisplace.com

LE GARAGE French Escape tourist-fi lled Sausalito for an indulgent brunch right on the water. The atmosphere is animated with light French music (á la Amélie), and the much-adored croquemonsieur is under $10. Opt for indoor or outdoor seating. 85 Liberty Ship Way, 415.332.5625, legaragebistro sausalito.com

MURRAY CIRCLE

American Cavallo Point’s acclaimed restaurant, features local seasonal fare by executive chef Justin Everett, with pairings from an extensive wine list and tempting desserts. Don’t forget to visit Farley Bar for cocktails with a view. 601 Murray Circle, 415.339.4750, cavallopoint.com

OSTERIA DIVINO Tuscan Locals come for the live music, tasty pastas and coffee drinks, all served in a funky one-room setting. Stop by for their Sunday brunch that features more music and creative breakfast plates. 37 Caledonia St, 415.331.9355, caffedivinosausalito.co

POGGIO Italian A classic trattoria with comfortable neighborhood charm and destination-caliber

cuisine. Executive chef Benjamin Balesteri creates delicious Northern Italian fare using fresh and local ingredients, including produce from the nearby Poggio chef garden. 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771, poggiotratoria.com

SALITO’S Seafood

Enjoy a cocktail or a signature dishes like whole roasted Dungeness crab, housemade kettle bread served with Straus butter and sizzling iron skillets of mussels in a casual, whimsical ambience 1200 Bridgeway, 415.331.3226, salitoscrabhouse.com

SAYLOR’S

RESTAURANT

AND

BAR Mexican Marin’s fi rst tequila bar offers more than 100 varieties. Enjoy the festive atmosphere with a margarita, grilled snapper tacos or an avocado stu ffed with Dungeness crab salad. Happy hour M-F from 4 to 7 p.m. 2009 Bridgeway, 415.332.1512, saylorsrestaurant andbar.com

SEAFOOD PEDDLER

Seafood

A great place to seek out fresh seafood in a warm and inviting environment. East and West Coast fi sh are flown in daily, and the recipes are adjusted to accommodate the freshest options. 303 Johnson St, 415.332.1492, seafoodpeddler.com

SPINNAKER Seafood

Chef Phil Collins excels at preparing seafood. Set right on the water with sweeping views of San Francisco, this romantic spot is great for an evening occasion. 100 Spinnaker Dr, 415.332.1500, thespinnaker.com

‘‘I wish Terrestra were right here in Marin!

SUSHI RAN Japanese

Sample innovative small plates just big enough to share before enjoying some of the best sushi the Bay Area has to offer; the prices don’t deter the herd of enthusiasts who line up nightly to partake. Just stopping by? The wine, cocktail and sake lists keep even the pickiest bar fly satisfied. Reservations are required in the main room. 107 Caledonia St, 415.332.3620, sushiran.com

SWEET GINGER

Japanese Owners and chefs Edna and Wayne Ching know their way around good sushi. Try fresh sashimi, the classic dragon roll, 49ers 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

TASTE OF THE HIMALAYAS Himalayan Born in the foothills of the Himalayas, siblings Pemba, Dawa and Pasang serve up favorites from Nepal, Tibet and India. 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

TOMMY’S WOK

Chinese Scrupulously fresh ingredients, free-range chicken and traditional dishes make Tommy’s Wok a top contender for ful fi lling

your next Chinese food craving with a nice atmosphere for dining in and the perfect takeout for a night at home. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.332.5818, tommyswok.com

THE TRIDENT Seafood Set in a turn-of-thecentury building constructed in 1898 for the San Francisco Yacht Club, this waterfront restaurant is a shoe-in for date night. Executive chef James Montejano — known for supporting local farmers, fi shermen and organic food producers — prepares dishes like Sugar Spice Grilled Loch Duart Salmon and Trident Cioppino. 558 Bridgeway, 415.331.3232, thetridentsausalito.com

WELLINGTON’S

California British transplant Jeremy John and his wife, Jill, have created an expansive (2,400-square-foot) wine bar with a homey feel including comfy leather couches, 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

CAPRICE California Book the private party room for large groups, or just relax in this romantic dinner spot. Take advantage of the restaurant’s well-priced three-course dinners for less than $25, and don’t miss Prime Rib Mondays. 2000 Paradise Dr, 415.435.3400, thecaprice.com

• FAST FOOD

FRANCAIS French F3 features “Frenchified” American comfort food. Sample a rotating menu including items like the Luxe burger (Diestel turkey, brie, lettuce and a fried egg topped with truffle aioli). Enjoy with a side of pomme dauphines (tater tots). 39 Caledonia St, 415.887.9047, eatf3.com

DON ANTONIO TRATTORIA Italian

Located in Tiburon’s historic Ark Row, this trattoria offers authentic Italian cuisine in a quaint setting. The menu includes traditional courses with selections such as chicken piccata, organic roasted rack of lamb and housemade pesto. 114 Main St, 415.435.0400, donantoniotrattoria.com

GUAYMAS Mexican Situated right next to the Tiburon ferry terminal on the waterfront, the touchit-you’re-so-close city views and outdoor seating make it a great place to bring visitors on a warm summer night. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. M-F. 5 Main St, 415.435.6300, guaymasrestaurant.com

MILANO Italian Located in the Cove Shopping Center, this familyowned neighborhood spot is known for its pasta and friendly service. Favorites like the cheesy garlic

bread and pesto pasta keep customers coming back. 1 Blackfield Dr, 415.388.9100, tiburonmilano.com

NEW MORNING CAFE

American Sit outside or indoors at this casual cafe. On a sunny morning, tables will be fi lled with locals enjoying the sun. 1696 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.4315

SALT & PEPPER

American This sunfi lled, one-room restaurant, featuring hardwood floors and blue-checkered tablecloths, is a local favorite. Popular items include scallops, ribeye steak, a beef burger and traditional crab cakes with jalapeño dipping sauce. 38 Main St, 415.435.3594

SAM’S ANCHOR CAFE

American Everyone knows Sam’s deck is the prime spot for brunch on a lazy sunny Sunday, and its bar is the town’s historic watering hole, but Sam’s is also a great place for lunch or dinner. Enjoy

trans-fat-free calamari, fresh fi sh, seasonal salads and pastas. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527, samscafe.com

SERVINO RISTORANTE

Italian Executive Chef Massimo Covello comes to the kitchen via Frantoio and Piazza D’Angelo; here, he cooks up an array of rustic Italian 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. 9 Main St, 415.435.2676, servino.com

TIBURON TAVERN

California The atmosphere here is truly enchanting, with two outdoor patios, two indoor fi replaces and candlelit tables at dinner. No item is more than $25, including the steak, with entrées falling in the $14 to $18 range. Happy hour

is 4 to 6:30 p.m. M–F. 1651 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.5996, tiburontavern.com

WEST MARIN

THE LUNCH BOX American Spending the day on the coast? Stop by this modern day mom and pop deli for some beach bites. In addition to deli offerings, Lunch Box offers a full Mexican menu on Thursday and Friday evenings, with recipes from the chef’s hometown of Colima (Stinson). 15 Calle del Mar, Ste 2, 415.868.8884, lunchboxmarin.com

NICK’S COVE American Large windows provide picturesque views of Tomales Bay and Hog Island. The 130seat eatery’s menu consists of fresh local seafood, oysters and bounty from nearby West Marin farms (Marshall). 23240 Hwy 1, 415.663.1033, nickscove.com

OSTERIA STELLINA

California The menu is Italian-inspired and features local, organic ingredients. If you’re looking for something unusual try the goat shoulder, a favorite of tourists and locals alike (Point Reyes). 11285 Hwy 1, 415.663.9988, osteriastellina.com

PARKSIDE CAFE

American Perfect for a sit down, alfresco meal or for grabbing a burger to enjoy on the beach. Choose from an array of organic, locally grown produce, artisan meats and wild seafood (Stinson). 43 Arenal Ave, 415.868.1272, parksidecafe.com

PINE CONE DINER

American You ca n fi nd this ultimate neighborhood diner just off he main road. Vintage china and homemade curtains complement the eclectic but homey menu featuring local fare. A favorite for locals as well as tourists (Point Reyes Station). 60 Fourth St, 415.663.1536, pineconediner.com

RANCHO NICASIO

American Known for live music and an extensive menu featuring everything from Dungeness crab cakes to the Garlic and Rosemary Lamb Medallions dish, Rancho Nicasio is open seven days a week. Be sure to stop by for happy hour, 4 to 6 p.m. M–F. 1 Old Rancheria (Nicasio) Rd, 415.662.2219, ranchonicasio.com

SAND DOLLAR

American Originally built from three barges in Tiburon in 1921, the Sand Dollar Restaurant wa s floated to Stinson

that same year. Enjoy live music along with barbecued local oysters and New England clam chowder. The sunny deck is great in the afternoon (Stinson). 3458 Shoreline Hwy, 415.868.0434, stinson beachrestaurant.com

SIR & STAR AT THE OLEMA California

The historic inn has reopened as a roadhouse-style restaurant featuring rustic decor and a delicious yet a ffordable menu. Try the housemade bread and honey butter, the kale Caesar and the stu ffed quail, or take the plunge and sample the entire menu — the majority of items are $20 or less (Olema). 10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.663.1034, sirandstar.com

STATION HOUSE CAFE

American Fresh local homegrown foods, served when available, are showcased on the chef’s menu. Stop in on weekends for live music and enticing wine and beer lists (Point Reyes Station). 11180 State Rte One, 415.663.1515, stationhousecafe.com

SURFERS GRILL

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

For more local restaurant listings, visit us online at marinmagazine. com/dine

The BOS Sandwich

DINE out

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.

DEALS ON MEALS

Dine local — save big time!

New Seasonal Menu! Featuring vegetarian dishes and bar bite specials like Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup, Crispy Blue Lake Green Beans, Roasted Baby Artichoke Salad and Veggie Yukon Potato Gnocchi. Daily Happy Hour Deals. Intimate dining rooms and catering available.

Brick & Bottle

55 Tamal Vista Blvd 415.924.3366 Corte Madera, CA brickandbottle.com

Il Fornaio award-winning specialties include house-made pastas, wood-fired pizza, authentic risotto, and rotisserie meats, along with artisan cocktails and a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. Each month, a special regional dinner menu is featured. A perfect location for any celebration and groups of all sizes!

Il Fornaio 223 Corte Madera Town Ctr 415.927.4400 Corte Madera, CA ilfornaio.com

Serving Lunch, Dinner and Weekend Breakfast. RangeCafe Bar and Grill, located on the course at Peacock Gap Golf Club, offers a delicious array of dining options to satisfy the whole family. All items are freshly prepared and served in a relaxed and inviting environment.

RangeCafe Bar and Grill

333 Biscayne Drive 415.454.6450 San Rafael, CA rangecafe.net bar

The Lunch Box offers unique and intriguing sandwiches, salads and soups, perfect for a bite on the go or lunch on the beach. Reserve your Picnic Lunch in the Park with refreshments and homemade desserts for $21 per person. Catering and special orders available seven days a week at catering@lunchboxmarin.com

The Lunch Box 15 Calle Del Mar 415.868.8884 Stinson Beach, CA lunchboxmarin.com

On the Scene

• SCHOLARSHIP NIGHT 2014 The inspiring May 1 evening featured the chance to meet 10,000 Degrees students and alumni while enjoying food, wine and raffles at the Marin Civic Center.

• ART WORKS DOWNTOWN VIP PREVIEW PARTY

Guests at the May 2 preview party at Art Works Downtown in San Rafael got the chance to purchase art and meet AWD artists while enjoying wine and a silent auction.

SNAPSHOTS FROM SPECIAL EVENTS IN MARIN AND SAN FRANCISCO EDITED BY DANIEL JEWETT

Jill Zwicky and Lynda Rae

• PASSPORT TO A CHILD’S FUTURE Cocktails and a silent auction got guests in the mood for an internationally themed dinner at the Marin Advocates for Children benefit event at Peacock Gap Golf Club April 26.

Alex Seddio and Judy LeMarr

Mike Hughes, Susan Christman, Julian Terkaly and Alicia and Eric Allbin

Ann Lacey, Maxwell Drever and Christie Gazulis

Saul Pena and Todd Garrett

Mars and Venus

Marin Conversations on June 4 with John Gray and Jan Yanehiro

Celebrated author John Gray has been helping us understand the differences between men and women in our communication styles, social interactions, and perceptions of the world. Has anything changed? Join Dr. Gray and award winning journalist and author Jan Yanehiro discussing this still critical topic and the importance of understanding these differences in the workplace.

Marin Conversations is a monthly dialogue on important social issues presented by The Commonwealth Club and the Marin Community Foundation and meets at The Outdoor Art Club, One West Blithedale Ave., Mill Valley Light dinner fare and cash bar at 7:00 pm; the program runs from 7:45 – 9:00 pm. commonwealthclub.org/mc

Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd., Building A, San Francisco, CA 94123 415-441-4777

artistsgallery@sfmoma.org sfmoma.org/visit/artists_gallery Gallery Hours

Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Michele Sudduth

Exhibition Dates

Doug Shoemaker, Michele Sudduth

June 7 – July 3, 2014

Opening reception Saturday, June 7, 2014, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

The Commonwealth Club putting you face-to-face with today’s thought leaders

conversations marin

Michele Sudduth, Neverland, 2014; photo: John Janca, ArtBot Photography

ad lib

MARIN ADVERTISERS SPEAK UP

Terrestra is a destination resource for all Marin, offering an exceptional selection of handcrafted home accessories, fine leather goods and jewelry. Our shop also features dozens of local designers and brands made in the USA. Customers from Novato to Sausalito tell us daily that they come for the great selection of unique design finds.

Jim Robinson, owner of Rockpave

Rockpave is a permeable paving product that is environmentally friendly, aesthetically beautiful and extremely versatile. As strong as concrete, Rockpave looks like loose, wet gravel, but is bound together with a permeable resin so water flows through it. Rockpave surfacing can be enhanced with glass pebble beads and LED lighting. Easy to install and competitively priced, it is an exciting new alternative to stone, slate, concrete or brick.

How did you discover Rockpave?

I am an avid cyclist and a cycling friend from Australia introduced me to Rockpave. I was immediately impressed with the beauty, versatility and environmentally friendly aspects of the product. As a Marin contractor, I knew this would be an exciting product to bring to market.

What is your permeable product’s competitive edge?

Our binding agent and infiltration rates are far superior to those of other permeable products on the market because Rockpave uses a 100 percent solids, aliphatic resin. This translates to longevity, UV light tolerance, flexibility and the strength of concrete. It leads the industry in infiltration rates.

What is your favorite project to date?

Three come to mind: a rooftop in Melbourne, Australia, that won the

What makes you excel at what you do?

Terrestra opened in North Berkeley in 2003 and in San Francisco’s Laurel Village in 2007, so we’ve learned a lot about serving different communities and listening to customers.

What is your competitive edge?

Some shops do a great job with home decor, some with ceramics or jewelry, and some big department stores do it all, but for a small independent to do all these things well is unique.

Which product is your favorite?

We’ve worked for a decade with a family that makes stunning recycled glass dinnerware in Pennsylvania; their commitment to artful design and the environment is always inspiring.

What makes your work worthwhile?

We love working with the artists who make these beautiful things and helping our customers make connections between the objects they use every day and the people who design them.

TERRESTRA, 30 MILLER AVENUE, MILL VALLEY, 415.384.8330, INFO@TERRESTRA.COM, TERRESTRA.COM

Growing Up Green Award in 2010; a backyard patio chess board; and the use of old automobile nuts and bolts mixed in with pebbles at the entrance of the Melbourne Kangan Auto Institute.

Name the best attributes of your product?

Rockpave is an affordable, environmentally friendly product that is beautiful and extremely strong. Also, it is extremely versatile and can be used creatively by incorporating different colored stones, glass beads or other unique decorative items to create stunning garden scape or indoor flooring.

ROCKPAVE, 415.488.5156, ROCKPAVE.COM

Amy Satran and Ray Kristof, owners of Terrestra

Help when you make the most important financial decisions of your life.

Mortgage rates have an impact on your family’s long-term financial planning. Our approach to mortgages not only considers interest rates but how a specific loan will affect your overall financial objectives such as your lifestyle, children’s education and planning for retirement. 1100 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 108 Larkspur, CA 94939 www.opesadvisors.com

Opes Advisors is licensed by the CA Bureau of Real Estate 01458652, Oregon ML-4902 and NMLS 235584. Equal Opportunity Lender. Opes Advisors is a registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Advisors shown BRE #00977567 NMLS #299111, BRE #00957141 NMLS #237059, BRE #01352808 NMLS #304076, BRE #01490862 NMLS #296243, BRE #01009554 NMLS #285939, BRE #00984429 NMLS #251115. ©2014 Opes Advisors, Inc. All rights reserved.

From left to right: Judy Stern, Nolan Misitano, Jeff Smith, Marian Jung, Erin Whalen, Melanie Victor-Smith, Karen Burrous, Marc Herrenbruck Palo Alto

FROM TOURS AND MAKEOVERS TO DECORATIVE DETAILS AND REALTOR INSIGHTS

BY

With a view of Richardson Bay, the sprawling Ipe wood deck is the owner’s favorite place to entertain.

LAURA HILGERS • PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER

SOMETIMES, IT TAKES a village to create a beautiful home. Other times, it simply takes a boathouse.

When Tim McGaw began searching for a home in 2012, he turned to the people he saw at an ungodly hour every morning, his fellow rowers at Marin Rowing. First up was realtor Barry Crotty — and McGaw knew exactly what he wanted. “The number one thing for me was to fi nd a place for my kids,” says McGaw, a recently divorced dad of three grown children. An inveterate entertainer, he also wanted an open floor plan, outdoor living space and a view.

McGaw, who oversees the operations of a private investment office, and Crotty wasted little time. They started their search in May and found a Mill Valley home soon after. “It offered everything that Tim was looking for, bedrooms for his kids and views off he family room and kitchen,” says Crotty.

The home was a 1930 cottage that had been renovated several times in eclectic Mill Valley fashion. McGaw thought the house was great — “until my adult supervision showed up.”

The “supervision” came in the form of interior designers Muriel Martens and Paula Leland Kent. McGaw knew Martens through the boathouse, of course, and had asked the duo to help make his house a home, while paying tribute to some of its colorful history. It was thought to be a speakeasy during Prohibition; in the ’70s, it was home to EST retreats.

It was also home to an eyesore of a brick fi replace, which dominated the main room — and which Martens and Kent quickly removed, putting a caramel and gray marble one in its stead. With the help of rower/contractor Mike Stralka, they renovated two bathrooms, creating a contemporary look with porcelain and glass tiles from Ann Sacks. And they hired yet another rower to build bookcases and turn a funky spare room into a library. The room retains much of the old Mill Valley charm, including a stained-glass window featuring all 12 signs of the Zodiac.

What made McGaw happiest, though, was the outdoor kitchen Martens and Kent built, with granite countertops, a Turbo Elite gas grill, wine cellar and sink. “We made sure

the grill was facing outward,” says Martens, “so Tim could see the view and talk to guests while he cooked.”

McGaw regularly fills the home with people: fellow rowers, baseball-watching buddies and, whenever possible, his daughter and two sons. “I was talking to my daughter recently and she said, ‘This is our house now too,’ ” says McGaw. He smiles happily when he says this, like a man who knows which crew matters most. m

Opposite page: The great room; a fire pit on the lower deck. This page, clockwise from top left: A guest bathroom; the master bedroom; the library; the front door; kitchen; McGaw (center) with rowing buddies.

THE DETAILS

WHERE HE PURCHASED The Tam Valley neighborhood of Mill Valley

WHAT HE BOUGHT A 1930 brown-shingled home

LISTING AGENT Myriam Noel McCarthy and Cathy Youngling, Alain Pinel Realtors

SELLING AGENT Barry Crotty, Coldwell Banker

STATS Price per square foot for homes in the neighborhood: $451–$803

The room retains much of the old Mill Valley charm, including a stained-glass window featuring all 12 signs of the Zodiac.

Custom built estate on a private lane in the heart of exclusive Scotts Valley. Ideally located in Mill Valley’s banana belt, this home offers 4100 sq.ft. with the unique luxury of four oversized suites. Southern exposure pours natural light throughout the home. With a remodeled gourmet kitchen, expansive decks and large flat yard area entertaining will be fun and easy all year round. Other features include: Private Tennis and Swim Club just steps away from the house, Venetian plaster walls and soaring ceilings throughout the house.

offered at $2,998,000

RobeRt bRadley (415) 314-1314

Single level, gated estate with detached guest cottage located at the end of a culde-sac. Four bedrooms, three bathrooms with over 3,000 square feet of total living space. This home includes an updated kitchen, remodeled bathrooms, living room, dining room and large office. The spectacular grounds of this home are accented by large stone, custom paver patios, beautiful gardens and Pebble Tec pool. Perfect location close to the Branson School, award winning K-8 Ross School, Ross Common and downtown San Anselmo.

offered at $2,395,000

RobeRt

(415) 314-1314

Spacious, Light & Bright Home in Novato

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

offered at $1,995,000

Ray bakowski (415) 608-7806

Located in the Newport subdivision of Hamilton. A Beautiful Somerset model, this home features 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths w/additional loft space. Main level has a formal living room, formal dining room, 2 bedrooms & a full bath. Large cook’s kitchen with granite counters, double oven, built-in microwave and a 5 burner gas cook top. Kitchen opens to the family room. Upstairs: Large master suite with walk-in closet and his and her vanities, 2 additional bedrooms plus a large office. Laundry room is also upstairs for your convenience. Great rear and side yards for entertaining and gardening.

offered at $869,000

david GallaGheR (415) 407-6848

Custom Mill Valley Estate

bRadley

Beautiful, Gated Ross Estate

Contemporary Craftsman Estate in Marin

This 2014 Contemporary Craftsman, built to the highest standards of quality. Featuring an open floor plan capturing the indoor/outdoor lifestyle with inviting arches drawing you into each space. The great-room boasts a carefully designed custom chef’s kitchen with white shaker cabinets, built-in hood, farmhouse sink, & more. The kitchen, great room and large deck are connected by doors of glass. Formal living room with fireplace, formal dining room, 4BR/4.5BA and den/office which can be used as the 5th bedroom. Located near award-winning schools, and downtown San Anselmo.

offered at $2,875,000

Paul Cingolani (415) 726-9630

This beautifully cared for classic Greenbrae home offers two levels of open floor plan that will accommodate varied needs. Six bedrooms, three baths, two family rooms, living/dining room with wall of glass to take in the views of the bay; plus deck access, and newly refinished hardwood floors on the main level are just few of features of this home. Award winning schools, close proximity to dining, shopping and transit.

offered at $1,675,000

eva Benard (415) 497-5702

Beautiful, spacious home in sought after neighborhood. This four bedroom, two and one-half bath home has been expanded and upgraded to feature a gourmet chefs kitchen, an open floor plan with cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors and a large master suite. In addition, there is outdoor access from the living room to a peaceful and private deck and gardens on a sun filled lot. Just minutes to downtown Mill Valley, award winning schools, Stinson beach and quick easy access to San Francisco. Attached 2 car garage. This lovingly cared for home is just what you’ve been waiting for.

offered at $1,450,000

eriC gelMan (415) 686-1855

Big, Beautiful Bay Views from Sausalito

Enjoy the epitome of a Marin County lifestyle in world famous Sausalito! This beautiful top floor spacious end unit will make you feel at home as soon as you enter this sweet space. Enjoy your morning coffee on your deck. Close to the ferry, shops and restaurants; 101 & the Golden Gate Bridge—you can’t ask for a better location. First time on the market!

Low HOA dues.

offered at $861,000

Mona Skyler (415) 290-6662

Brand New Construction in San Anselmo

Greenbrae Living at its Finest

Marvelous Morning Sun in Mill Valley

Janice GuehringAlva FallaJennifer Falla Firkins

Ethel Avenue, Mill Valley

This 4bd/2.5ba home was designed with Mill Valley’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle in mind and is a short distance to town. Beautifully updated, the home offers views of Mt. Tam and well maintained gardens. 2-car garage.

358EthelAveMillValley.com

$1,795,000

Rick Trono 415.515.1117

Oak Avenue, San Anselmo

Magical panoramic views over the Bay and entire Ross Valley from this 1.5+/-acre, gated compound. 3bd/2ba main house, separate office, apartment and 2+car garage. Pool and huge patio.

555oak.com

$1,695,000

Lindy Emrich 415.717.4005

Poplar Drive, Kentfield

This storybook, 3bd/3ba, Carmel-style home on a large level lot in desirable Del Mesa is within the award-winning Ross School District and the Priory Swim and Tennis Club boundary. Expansion potential! Charm abounds!

266Poplar.com $1,875,000

Donna Goldman 415.509.2427

De Silva Island Drive, Mill Valley

Elegant, one-level unit that everyone covets. 3bd/2.5ba can be 2bd plus den. Lovely views of Sausalito, the Bay and beyond. Private courtyard off the master suite. Two-car attached garage, elevator.

25DeSilvaIsland.com $1,795,000

Suzanne Shelhart 415.613.0100

King Street, Mill Valley

Impeccably designed in coveted location, close to downtown amenities. 3bd/3.5ba with living areas open to welcoming covered porches & lawn. Gorgeous Carrara marble kitchen!

21KingStreet.com $1,595,000

Stephanie Lamarre 415.806.3176

Upland Avenue, Mill Valley

Enchanting, open and bright 5bd/4ba home in Blithedale Canyon with panoramic Mt. Tam views. Sited on a large, private, sun drenched lot with lawn area and patio. Chef's kitchen and vaulted ceilings. Close to town and Mt. Tam trails!

MarinHomesToday.com

Price Upon Request

Lee Parkhurst 415.302.5548

World Class Views in Tiburon

120 Sugarloaf Drive $2,995,000 World class views spanning the bay from the Golden Gate to the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge. This 3110± sq. ft. 3 bedroom, plus ­office/den,­2.5­bathroom­residence­includesmany­fine­finishes­and­is­designed­ for you­toenjoy views from nearly every room.

Gorgeous Pointe Marin

89 Laurelwood Drive

Just listed $1,315,000

Julie Widergren

www.MarinRealEstateNow.com 415.827.8727 j.widergren @ deckerbullocksir.com

More Home. Less Down Payment.

FirstREX can provide up to half of the 20% or more down payment required on a mortgage loan. It’s an investment for us, not a loan, so we don’t charge interest and you make no monthly payments to us, ever. Instead, we share a portion of the gain or loss in home value when you sell — up to 30 years later. Find out how REX HomeBuyer can help put you in the home you really want, today.

“...I liked that FirstREX is on board with us. That says it’s a smart investment. I would recommend REX HomeBuyer to my friends and family.”

– CHRIS B., SAN DIEGO, CA

“I really do endorse this program … I’m happy now that I can offer it to my clients and enable them to buy more home.”

– KATHLEEN BRADY, REALTOR PACIFIC UNION TIBURON

“[This] equity investment program can help you buy that house... Better yet, during the time you own the house, you make no payments to FirstREX...”

– LEW SICHELMAN, LA TIMES

Minutes from Marin Country Club, this ex tensively upgraded 3877± sq. ft 4 bedroom/4 bath home features gourmet kitchen with Sub Zero and Wolf appliances, French doors opening to a stone ­courtyard­with­fire­place, hardwood floors, marble master bath, California closets, office/bonus room and more! ©2014 FirstREX Agreement Corp. All rights reserved. REX HomeBuyer Agreements are provided exclusively by FirstREX Agreement Corp. Certain restrictions apply. “FirstREX” is a trademark of FirstREX Agreement Corp. , a wholly owned subsidiary of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. FirstREX is an independent investor and is not affiliated with any bank, lender, or real estate brokerage firm. California BRE License #01524819.

ur•ban [ur-buhn] adjective; 1.city-like; 2.sophisticated, sleek, contemporary; 3.cutting edge.

farm•house [fahrm-hous] noun; 1.warm inviting family home; 2.natural, rustic, casual.

Urban Farmhouse: 493 Lovell, Mill Valley Offered at $5,495,000

KCS Estates has done it again; this time seamlessly fusing urban sophistication with farmhouse warmth to create an elegant yet relaxed environment in one of Marin’s most coveted neighborhoods. Situated on a 26,000+ square foot lot that offers privacy, views and the ultimate in Mill Valley living. This home has been impeccably remodeled and expanded to offer all of the luxuries of today’s elite lifestyle. The open main level features soaring ceilings, a spacious chef’s kitchen and a bar flanked by two glass enclosed wine cellars. Folding LaCantina doors connect a covered loggia to create an ideal indoor/outdoor entertaining environment. A luxurious master suite and private offi ce complete the main floor. An open staircase welcomes you to the informal family room, three additional bedrooms, and outdoor areas. Throughout the residence, sleek modern lines and sophisticated fi nishes are juxtaposed with farmhouse details and reclaimed materials to create this stunning utopia.

493lovell.com

PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS

• Virtually new construction, impeccably transformed using only the highest quality construction and materials.

• Spacious 5 bedroom. 4.5 bath home including separate guest apartment

• Over 4600 square feet of living space on ~26,000 foot lot

• Expansive level lawn and bocce court

• Generous two car garage and separate guest apartment connect to the main home via an artisan glass elevator.

• State of the art Control4 Smart Home technology enables remote control of lighting, media, video entry security and more.

Melissa Crawford 415.302.0057

melissa.crawford @ sothebysrealty.com melissacrawford.com

ideal

Belvedere Island Jewel offered at $2,495,000

Classic Belvedere Brown Shingle, complete contemporary remodel. Drop dead views of Angel Island, Raccoon Straits, Corinthian Island and SFYC. Hardwood floors, stainless kitchen, limestone baths. Four bedrooms, three and one-half baths, family room, dining room. Enjoy evenings by the huge outdoor stone fireplaces and watch the sailboats come home for the night…indeed a magical place.

Mill Valley Mid-Century Modern, 21st Century Style offered at $1,595,000

Enter a world of intelligent design and awe-inspiring views. A dream for entertaining, this home has an open floor plan bringing together the living, dining, kitchen, and breakfast rooms. Features include, cedar floors, air conditioning, solar system and large garage with glass doors. Walk to Whole Foods, restaurants and schools. Enjoy the Mill Valley lifestyle.

Four bedrooms, two and one-half baths, family room, decks and level yard.

David Pfeiffer 415.516.0412

Jan Gregg 415.927.1220

Timeless in Tiburon

Perfectly suited to gracious entertaining and family life, this stunning residence offers a split-level floor plan of 5+ bedrooms, 4 baths, kitchen/family room, den, lower level family room and artist studio / au pair or 5th bedroom.

• 5+ bedrooms 4 full baths

• 5,000+ sq. ft.

• Formal living and dining rooms

• Chef’s kitchen / family room

• Top level master suite

• Den, 2nd family room, au pair or 5th bedroom

• 1/2 acre with gorgeous SF bay views

From its enviable position overlooking views of the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge, stands an impeccably designed residence set amid a 1/2 acre landscape of manicured and terraced grounds. Surrounding lands of open space ensures rare and enduring privacy.

8ViaParaisoWest.com

Patricia Scott Winslow 415.577.1106 ps.winslow@deckerbullocksir.com

22 Creekview Court, Novato Listed at $1,595,000

Beautifully appointed home in Pointe Marin, gorgeous pool, 4 beds, 4.5 baths, office. 22creekviewct.com

7069 Lucas Valley Rd, Nicasio Just listed at $1,595,000 Custom 3 bd, 2.5 bath home with vaulted ceilings & bonus room on approximately 5 acres. Magical setting! 14 minutes from 101. 7069lucasvalley.com

Coming Soon!

105 Bolinas Ave, Ross

Listed at $2,695,000 Amazing Craftsman in coveted Ross with gorgeous estate-like grounds. 4 beds, 4 baths. Large bonus room. Ross School.

45 Barber Ave, San Anselmo Just listed at $1,650,000 Jewel of a home in sought after Winship Park. 4 beds, 3 baths plus bonus room and family room. 45BarberAve.com

409

Summit Drive

Corte Madera $2,595,000

TOTAL PRIVACY

2900± sq ft 3 BR/2.5 BA on 1 acre± gated and fenced English Tudor style house surrounded by open space and MMWD. Master is up and the rest of the living space is on 2 levels. 30 minutes to SF and 35 minutes to beaches.. Fabulous panoramic views from Mt. Tam to the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge, East Bay, Richmond bridge, and Vallejo for multiple fireworks displays. Located close to hiking trails, open space and much more!

18 Peninsula Road

Belvedere $2,795,000

Never before on the market, this sunny original one level home is only two blocks from the village, ferry and downtown shopping and restaurants! It is located on a wide section of the Lagoon and is sited diagonally on the approximately 7180 sq ft lot. The main house has three bedrooms and two full baths, plus there is an attached 1 bedroom, 1 bath au pair (or guest) suite and a one-car garage. There are two large outdoor gardens and living areas, both on the Lagoon (with its boat dock) and on the Southwest side of the house for full afternoon sun all year long.

16 Old Landing Road

Tiburon $4,995,000

Your own Cape Cod style beach front retreat with a large main house, plus separate guest house and office down a long private driveway. Boat dock with 2 hoists, plus boat ramp, pool, large level lawn and beach! Lots of parking on over 7 acres (including some tide land). Extremely private setting. Ideal for family compound or corporate retreat.

79

West Shore Road

Belvedere $5,495,000

The minute you walk into this beautiful Walker and Moody designed home you are captivated by the stunning skyline views of SF, the Bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge. The unique Southern orientation of this elegant 3150± sq ft home offers more privacy and sun protection while allowing for panoramic views from almost every room. The home is on the market for the very first time. The land is included in the sale price. And with a boat dock and mooring buoy. You are minutes from the ocean and the entire Bay is your backyard.

Stunning Sausalito contemporary 4+bedroom/3bath home boasts sweeping views of San Francisco, Bay Bridge and Alcatraz and stands as the epitome of an “Entertainer’s Dream.” Located in one of the best parts of Sausalito, this sun-drenched stunner has an ideal layout, featuring­a­ magnificent gourmet kitchen, designed by a classically trained chef, which opens graciously to a Great Room-style living/dining/family room area. Enjoy outdoor living from the San Francisco view front terrace and an expansive side patio leading to terraced gardens with hot tub, viewing platform and play area. Luxurious Master Suite offers amazing views and privacy. This exquisite home includes formal foyer entry, library/office that opens to front view terrace, an enormous wine cellar, garage and finished basement with lots of storage

B ELVEDERE Expansive deck, dock and boat lift have direct access to the Bay. Private entry gate and lawn lead to the impeccable interior including gourmet kitchen, wine closet, formal dining area, family room, 4 bedrooms and office area. Spectacular views including Mt. Tam from nearly everywhere. Land is included with favorable FEMA conditions 15WestShore.com

TIBURON A beautiful entry gate welcomes you to this private home which was expanded and remodeled in 2006. Gorgeous kitchen/family room open to level lawn and several decks—ideal for grand scale entertaining. Water views from just about everywhere. Five en suite bedrooms, with the sumptuous master suite and office on the main level. Second family room downstairs.

SAN RAFAEL Surrounded by lush, blooming grounds, this property is a gardener’s paradise. Gorgeous, mostly level one acre offers a sun drenched potential pool site and shady zen-like seasonal creek. This mid-century modern home has 3 bedroom suites, formal floor plan and generous separate studio/4th bedroom. Lots of green features including electric car charging station.

TIBURON Start creating your dream home with WORLD CLASS Golden Gate Bridge views now. Fully approved plans are anticipated mid-May for a 2800± sf, one story, three bedroom suite home with family room and two car attached garage. Huge deck and delightful gardens, This extraordinary opportunity is rare—house is lovely as it is with some work or take it to an entirely new level.

9Locust.com

All design aspects complement the dramatic views, maximizing light and space, while preserving the “mid-century” modern appeal of the original 1949 design. Immediately upon entering, the quality fi nishes provide a sense of character and the spacious rooms encourage large or small gatherings. The Chef’s Kitchen includes all the latest designs of stainless appliances including Miele and Dacor. A Breakfast Nook takes full advantage of the views. Outdoor spaces include the generous “view deck,” sun-flooded during the day and displaying the “lights of Sausalito Harbor” at night. Professional landscaping creates the ultimate privacy while preserving the magnifi cent views. Easy access to the historic hamlet of Sausalito, the ferry to San Francisco and just 5 minutes to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Majestic Private Contemporary Estate

Just 6 minutes from downtown Mill Valley nestled in the beautiful majestic redwoods is a super private, elegant, contemporary, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom hillside home which imparts an elegance to the rustic setting. It is sun-drenched with amazing valley views. It features a Great Room, Living Room, and Chef’s Kitchen that all have cathedral ceilings. There are beautiful Brazilian cherry hardwood floors with

radiant heat throughout. The home is spacious and light, offers wraparound decks, and an oversize patio that has ideal flow for fantastic indoor/outdoor entertaining. In addition, it features a separate Studio In-Law unit, tons of storage, and several bonus rooms for offices and a home gym. The home’s multiple levels are serviced by an elevator top to bottom.

169roseavenue.com

Brian Byers 415.602.7915

brian.byers @ sothebysrealty.com BrianByers.com

State Route One, Olema

Renown Druids Hall, an acclaimed B&B in Olema, is now for sale as a residential estate. In 2001 a full renovation using the best local craftsmanship and materials returned the property to its former standing which was built in 1885 formally for the Ancient Order of Druids. As one enters the property a natural inclination is to explore the splendors and details of the architecture reminiscent of the past. Elegant and inspiring, the grand main residence surrounded by lovely landscaped gardens and adjacent to GGNRA offers two separate living levels with two fantastic kitchens, Rumford fireplaces, custom cabinetry, radiant heat wood floors, grandiose marble & tile baths and a detached Japanese style guest house. The gracious ease and ambiance throughout the property beckons idle days of relaxation and celebration throughout the seasons. coastalwestmarinsplendor.com $2,250,000

Cristina di Grazia 415.710.1048 c.digrazia @ deckerbullocksir.com cristinadigrazia.deckerbullocksir.com

•

Located on 0.78 acre mostly flat land, this custom-built, one-level, sun-filled house was completed in 2005 by the Weiss Company. It features five bedrooms and four full baths including three separate suites. Great room and kitchen equipped with top-of-the-line appliances. Enjoy indoor/outdoor lifestyle from living areas and bedrooms showcasing a flat, beautifully landscaped backyard. A deer fence borders entire property allowing for unrestricted gardening. Very large driveway and front yard as well. Spacious finished basement can easily be transformed into an office or play/rec room and is not included in the square footage. Ample ultra-clean storage area under the house. Perfect for for adults and children alike. Five bedrooms (three en-suite), four baths… $3,200,000

Magnificent, over 7,000 sq. ft. estate located on over 10 acres with stunning views of the rolling hills of West Marin. Once home to legendary Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, this property is very private with the long driveway leading to the grand entrance. Formal marble entry with sweeping staircase and high ceilings and formal living room with fireplace, stunning views and French doors leading to the sparkling pool, spa and patio. Formal dining room, gourmet kitchen with granite counters and breakfast area, and family room with wet bar and access to the patio. Upper-level master suite with view side deck overlooking the pool and patio, huge walk-in closet and master bath with sauna and marble shower, plus three guest suites and fourth bedroom currently used as a rec/gym room. Au-pair/office suite with separate entrance. Two-car garage plus a fantastic detached warehouse/garage with high ceiling, perfect for a car collector with 4-5 cars or as studio or artist retreat. Mature garden with wonderful landscaping, palm trees, lawns and rose gardens. Five bedrooms, five full and two half baths and minutes from Highway 101… $2,895,000

Gated, private and stately, with exquisitely landscaped gardens, view-side veranda and terraces and commanding views of the San Francisco Bay, Mt. Tamalpais, Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Stunning living room, formal dining room, kitchen with fireplace, and gracious master suite with sitting area, fireplace, view-side balcony and top-floor study. Separate onebedroom French-country guesthouse with Carmel sandstone fireplace, vaulted ceiling, hardwood floor and intimate veranda with bay views. Five bedrooms and five full baths on approximately two-thirds acre…

Gated, private, and designed for elegant comfort and a modern lifestyle, with masterfully integrated indoor and outdoor living and sweeping views from Mount Tamalpais through the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Skyline. Approximately 5,000 square feet of lavishly appointed interiors with the highest quality finishes and custom design. Beautiful kitchen/family area, formal living and dining rooms and luxurious top-floor master suite with stunning bath and his and her dressing areas. Wonderful outdoor living with beautiful view-oriented pool and fountains, lavish kitchen, dining patios and pool-side loggia, and stunning lawn and gardens designed by Michael Yandel – truly a private sanctuary for quiet enjoyment and solitude. Five en suite bedrooms, including guest suite with separate entrance, circular drive and 3-car garage… $8,888,000

274 Glen Drive, Sausalito

History Headquarters

The Anne T. Kent California Room has a wealth of information.

BY JIM WOOD

MARIN HISTORY

BUFFS, start your engines. Using just a few words, describe the subjects of the historical photos above, and pinpoint the year each photo was taken. To make it easier, here’s the answer for photo No. 1: Library founder Anne T. Kent, 1976. In the 1920s, Anne T. Kent, a Long Island librarian who married into Marin’s influential Kent family, was instrumental in establishing the Marin

County Free Library system. In 1974, she initiated an oral history program at the library. Today, the Anne T. Kent California Room, located on the fourth floor of the Marin County Civic Center, is an archive of photos, maps, books and newspapers relating to Marin County’s colorful history. So if a photo has stumped you, you can research it at marin library.org/californiaroom. Better yet, drop by in person. Then send your answers to editorial@marin magazine.com. m

Anne T. Kent, a Long Island librarian who married into Marin’s influential Kent family,

was instrumental in establishing the Marin County Free Library system.

300 Summit Avenue

San Rafael

4Bed/4Full, 2Half Bath +2 Offices $2,295,000

Shana Rohde-Lynch 415.789.9999

SpectacularSummit.com

1360 Butterfield Road

San Anselmo

3Bed/2Bath $1,750,000

Jeff Sterley 415.359.4871 Video at SterleyTV.com

1825 Beach Street

San Francisco

2Bed/1.5Bath $1,295,000

Link & Nan Allen 415.302.8877

285 Sunset Way

Muir Beach

2Bed/1Bath $1,195,000

Debra Allen 415.279.3751

285Sunset.com

60 Monte Vista Avenue

Mill Valley

3Bed/2.5Bath $1,195,000

Karen Fairty 415.717.7586

KarenFairty.com