Currents

Awesome Opossums

In recent years several local species, such as river and sea otters, have made impressive comebacks. Conservation efforts undoubtedly played a key role in rising numbers, but another aspect didn’t

NATURE’S CORNER hurt — the cuteness factor. The Virginia opossum isn’t endangered, though these shy and gentle creatures definitely have a bit of an image problem here in Marin. We spoke to Kate Lynch, education program coordinator at WildCare, to get the facts straight about this misunderstood critter. wildcare.org KASIA PAWLOWSKA

• TALL TALES

“Opossums have a prehensile (capable of grasping) tail, which they use as a safety line when they climb trees. No, they don’t hang from their tails. Disney lied. They can use their prehensile tail to carry dried leaf litter and grasses back to a den site for bedding. Opossums also have opposable thumbs on their back feet, which helps them climb.”

• SUPERHEROES

“Opossums are essentially immune to the rabies virus. Their

average body temp is about 94–96 degrees Fahrenheit, too low for the rabies virus to

take hold. They can eat about 5,000 ticks per season, according to the Cary Institute, which hailed them as

champions in the fight against Lyme disease.”

• POCKET CHECK

“Opossums carry their babies in a pouch on their stomach called

a marsupium. Often, when Mom is killed by a car or a dog, her pups are still safe inside her

pouch. If you ever see an opossum dead on the side of the road, and it’s safe to do so, check the pouch for living pups.”

• SCAPEGOATS

“Opossums often get blamed for the annoying behavior of other species. They don’t generally knock over garbage cans, but they will clean up the mess once the raccoon

leaves. Opossums aren’t good diggers but they will take advantage of unearthed worms and grubs once the skunk has eaten

his fill.”

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WEBSITE ancestrydna.com 23andme.com livingdna.com vitagene.com WANTED: ROOM FOR RENT The reach of last October’s North Bay fires extended well beyond wine country, affecting industries in neighboring counties and ones outside the state as well. Due to its proximity to the fire zone, Marin took a swift punch in a spot that was already hurting: housing. To help alleviate the pressure of displaced residents from Napa and Sonoma counties searching for dwellings in house-strapped Marin, legislation that incentivizes home owners to build

rental rooms in their houses was passed. The Marin County Board of Supervisors decided to waive building and planning fees up to $1,500 until the end of the year for secondary dwelling units. The fee waiver does not apply to owners who benefit from renting units short-term for 30 days or less, and those who do receive the waiver must commit to hosting only longterm renters for the first year. marincounty.org K.P.

A Decade In

Sausalito’s Cavallo Point Lodge made a big splash when it opened for business in 2008. Though it is billed as a lodge — a national park lodge, at that — the property has an undeniable resort-like feel, with services and amenities to match. With a spa, a restaurant boasting BY THE NUMBERS an award-winning wine program, a cooking school focused on local ingredients, miles of hiking trails and stunning views, guests can easily be happy without ever leaving the grounds. Adding to the mystique is the sense of history from the Presidio’s military past, evoked by the beautifully restored, LEED-certified landmark brick buildings encircling the grounds. This seamless meld of old and new has drawn praise from the likes of National Geographic and Conde Nast Traveler, and the acclaim keeps coming. Here are some numbers to round out your knowledge of the resort. cavallopoint.com KASIA PAWLOWSKA

#1 BEST S.F. AREA HOTEL, TRAVEL + LEISURE 2015

68 ROOMS IN NATIONAL HISTORIC BUILDINGS

+2,000 BOTTLES OF WINE

11,000-SQUARE-FOOT SPA

+800 ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART ON SITE

Marin County

Of the many intriguing names in Marin County — Nicasio, Sausalito — few have a more mysterious origin than Marin. One possible source of the name dates back to 1775, when Spanish naval lieutenant Juan Manuel Ayala became the first European to enter San Francisco Bay. While charting the area over a period WHAT’S IN A NAME of 40 days, he named the inlet between what are now San Pedro Point and Point San Quentin Bahia de Nuestra Senora del Rosario la Marinera — eventually shortened to Marin, many assume. Another story says a local native was the namesake: Chief Marin, who reportedly roamed the area that includes most of the county, and who gained various reputations as a warrior, peacemaker, landowner and/or mariner. Yet here the plot thickens: many historians claim the chief’s nickname was El Marinero — echoing Ayala’s inlet name of 1775. Moreover, “Marin” is apparently derived from Latin or Spanish, not the argot of the local Coastal Miwok tribe, to which Chief Marin nevertheless reportedly belonged. In her exhaustively researched book Place Names of Marin, Louise Teather suggests looking at it this way: “The name Marin honors a legendary Indian who was either a great chief or a skilled sailor, or one and then the other; or (it commemorates) a Spanish name given during the first charting of the bay in 1775; or all of the above.” JIM WOOD

11 QUESTIONS FOR

Memo Gidley

Born on a sailboat in La Paz, Mexico, 46-year-old Jose Guillermo “Memo” Gidley grew up as a Sausalito “anchor out” before his family settled in San Rafael. Bicycle motocross led to dirt bikes, go-karts and finally cars. He ultimately rose to Indy car and endurance Race Car Driver racing, meanwhile still sailing and also winning go-kart and Jet Ski championships. A near-fatal accident during the 24 Hours of Daytona in TIBURON 2014 left him with major injuries, but after a lengthy recovery he is back in the driver’s seat for 2018, working with professional road racing teams and teaching karting to aspiring drivers. While racing is his passion, his day job is running his Sausalitobased boat charter company, Sailing Memo Boat Charters. We caught up with Gidley over coffee, not far from the Sausalito Community Boating Center at the Cass Gidley Marina, named for his late father, a fixture of Marin’s boating scene. WILLIAM P. FREED JR.

1Why car racing over sailing? I was into speed from the get-go. My dad always sent me out in

our El Toro dinghy on the windiest days, and for some reason I was also into vehicles. When my uncle took me to a car race, I thought, “This is it!”

2When was your first chance to drive an Indy car? At Long Beach in 1999, I met a team owner

with an available seat. I got my first taste of 950 horsepower a week later.

3When did you find your place in top-level racing? Indy car opportunities came in 1999. In 2000, I led my first laps and got noticed for being fourth fastest at a test session. I did nine races that

year and 15 races with the Target team in 2001, leading at Michigan and nearly winning Cleveland. 4 What makes teaching racing and sailing rewarding? I love both, and my true passion has become sharing with people experiencing these sports for the first time.

5Why do racing fans connect with you? Car racing is hard for an average person to get into, and people saw that as someone with no financial backing, I pushed and didn’t give up.

6When did you turn the

corner in your recovery?

Having family, friends and fans reach out and cheerlead was a

big help. I thought about how much more difficult it would

be for someone with less of a support network. I had to sleep on my stomach for five months. Sleeping on my back again was a win. Small victories, like tying my shoes, showed there was more coming. The really big deal was medical clearance to drive again.

7Any advice for those facing similar circumstances? Find motivation to recover and give

your body time to heal. For me, it was a case of telling my body that I planned to use it again.

8What’s your favorite place to sail? The “Slot,” where the wind really howls in the summertime. It is very exciting — fast boat speed and challenging to sail.

9What’s your ideal day in Marin County? A mountain bike ride followed by a sail. Of course, I like going to Sonoma Raceway. But just being here — living in Tiburon and enjoying the views — and spending time with my wife, daughter and mom.

10 What are your favorite spots to eat in Marin? Las Guitarras in Novato. I also like F3 and Bar Bocce in Sausalito, as well as Barrel House Tavern. I like visiting Avatar’s for a fusion burrito.

11 What is your favorite road to drive? And what’s the fastest you’ve ever driven? I like

Highway 1 here in Marin. And over 250 miles per hour in an Indy car. m