Marin Magazine March 2015

Paragon is with you as you move through life’s stages & places.

AKRIS

& About

TIM PORTER (TOP LEFT, RIGHT); DEEN VAN MEER (MIDDLE)

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WE KICK OFF the fi rst issue of spring with our annual spring fashion shoot — staying on trend with the fringy and lightweight fabrics of the season that look even better in movement. Flip through the pages to get a preview of what you’ll be wearing when the days start to get longer and the weather temps rise.

Next up, we head outdoors to see who might be flying by. Writer Laura Hilgers and

photographer Jack Wolford tag along with some birders who, fresh off he winter bird count, have their binoculars ready for the returning birds of spring. Marin is a stop on the Paci fic Flyway, so there is much to see.

Finally, believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about summer camps for the little ones. Before you start planning your nap and reading schedule, you’ll need to do some booking — and spaces ar e fi lling up fast. So give our listings a look; we’ve got lots of great ideas for adventure and fun.

Up front we’ve got some info on the Battery Townsley hike, including when you can get a peek at what a World War II casemated battery actually looked like. We also introduce you to a San Rafael writer, the guys behind the Marin-inspired Headlands Brewing Company and College of Marin’s man-in-charge, David Wain Coon.

In Destinations Sherrie Strausfogel explains why when it comes time to hit the spa in Hawaii, you’ll want to find a spot with local and traditional ingredients. We’ve also got details and tips on amazing hikes and cool educational opportunities. And for something a little different, join writer Calin Van Paris on a fairy-tale trip to Slovenia.

It’s an exciting issue and we hope you enjoy it. And after you do, we hope to see you out and about in you r fi nest spring out fit or, just as likely in Marin, in some cargo shorts with a pair of binoculars around your neck.

Marin Magazine Staff Editors

GO WITH THE FLOW

We turned photographer Claudia Goetzelmann loose at San Francisco’s Left Space Studios to capture the spirit of spring fashion for 2015. The goal, according to Fashion Editor Veronica Sooley, was to “show movement and showcase the trends, including pleats, fringe and lightweight fabrics.” The shoot was enhanced by our model’s dance background (a pleasant surprise) and the power of the Reel EFX RE Fan II wind machine.

We stay on trend with the fringy and lightweight fabrics of the season that look even better in movement.

Above, from left: Mimi Towle, Nikki Wood, Dan Jewett

Without a Home

The homelessness problem and its solution are more complicated than most imagine. BY

Over $18 million a year in federal, state and county funds is directed toward homelessness in Marin.

JIM WOOD

HOMELESSNESS IS ONE of the most complex and perplexing issues of our time,” Larry Meredith, Marin County’s director of Health and Human Services, told me last week as several dozen volunteers waited in the January predawn darkness to conduct a census of homeless people in the county.

One reason for this complexity is the extremely wide spectrum of people often referred to as “homeless.” Here’s an example: when I first met John (not his real name), I thought he was a fellow volunteer. John is a trim, very well dressed and well-spoken 33-year-old African-American man who, it turns out, is homeless. He was being paid to help me find where other homeless people would likely be sleeping. Once we started talking, I learned he has a cellphone and a laptop and his goal in life is to someday have his writings published.

John was born in New Jersey, lived in Denver and San Diego and landed in Marin about a year ago. His problem: while successfully pursuing a career in market research, he began taking and depending on an over-the-counter drug that gave him a hallucinogenic high. He began shoplifting the drug, which landed him in jail and eventually put his life on the skids — where it stayed for several years. I could tell John was not happy without a place to call home. He’s been sober now for two years and wants a better life.

John spends his weekdays working with Downtown Streets Team, a group of homeless men and women who get a stipend for cleaning up streets and parks in downtown San Rafael. Also, he’s taking advantage of REST, the rotating emergency shelter program that each winter night shuttles 60 men and women to a different Marin church or shelter where they receive a home-cooked dinner and a safe place to sleep.

Once my time with John had ended, I encountered Chris (again, not his real name). By now the sun was up and Chris was sitting on a concrete stoop on Fourth Street eating what looked and smelled like waste food. Though his appearance was slovenly

— considerably overweight, food on his shirt, stained trousers — Chris was outgoing. He told me he was 41, had lived all his life in Marin and had spent the night “sleeping outside, up by the church.” He also readily admitted to “some major psychological issues.”

After talking for a while, Chris began to reveal a victim’s mentality. It seemed every organization I suggested might help him — REST, St. Vincent de Paul’s dining room, Ritter Center — Chris felt would only “hassle” him; make him do “what they want” him to do, not what he liked to do. However, Chris did say he might visit St. Vincent around noon, but he wasn’t sure.

I later learned from Jason Satter field, Marin County’s homelessness coordinator, that the vast di fferences between John and Chris illustrate the complexity of the homelessness issue. “One solution doesn’t come close to solving all aspects of the problem,” he says. According to Satter field, “over $18 million a year in federal, state and county funds is directed toward homelessness in Marin, both to keep the problem from becoming greater and to accommodate those with no housing.”

Currently, Marin has 165 nightly shelter beds (REST provides an additional 60 beds in winter). In addition, Marin houses almost 850 individuals who would otherwise be homeless, in a variety of locations, most of them supervised by Novato’s Homeward Bound of Marin, an incredibly efficient and effective nonprofit. Satter field notes that 2013’s census showed that beyond those being housed, there were 933 homeless people in Marin that year and, because of improved survey techniques, 2015’s numbers will likely be higher.

And if, as many now advocate, a permanent homeless shelter were built in Marin, would men like Chris avail themselves of its services? An equally perplexing question: would such a shelter only cause more homeless people to come to Marin County seeking benefits available here? The only sure thing: homelessness is indeed a perplexing and complex issue, one that calls for compassion, understanding and patience. That’s my point of view. What’s yours?

Email pov@marinmagazine.com.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily re flect the policy or position of Marin Magazine and its sta ff.

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Your Letters

In Charge

Hi, Jim Wood; several readers called my attention to Citizen Marin being named in your column in the February issue (POV). Thanks for the acknowledgement. In 2015, working with activists from the 11 municipalities and the unincorporated areas, we plan to do more to develop a collaborative environment to address pressing needs in the county. You asked, “Did I leave out anyone, or any group?” and the answer is yes. Bob Silvestri, founder of Community Venture Partners, is one of the thought-leaders who is guiding Marin’s destiny. Thanks for the magazine. It’s beautiful and thought provoking. SUSAN KIRSCH, CITIZEN MARIN CO-FOUNDER, VIA EMAIL

Jim Wood, how could you forget Mary Jane Burke? Even more fabulous now than when Marin Magazine wrote about her in 2009 with stats about all her schools, employees

and students. She is an absolutely incredible Marin leader with extraordinary in fluence, power and success, with Trisha Garlock and their jointly created SchoolsRule Marin right behind. DEBORAH GOLDMAN, CHAIR OF KIDDO!, VIA EMAIL

Marin on the Move

Jim, I liked your article (POV, January). I think trolleys are a great idea. Cars are a scourge. The more cars there are, the worse people behave while driving them. Trolleys would bring our community together. You have my vote. JOSEPH SHIRADO, VIA EMAIL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Your comments may be edited for clarity and brevity. Send letters to Marin Magazine , One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965, or email us at letters@marinmagazine com . Please include the town where you live and a daytime phone number.

ONLINE, WE ASKED YOU

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“Kismet in San Anselmo.”

Caroline Nelson

Selene Rose

“Bella in San Rafael.”

Helen Luttemo

“Viva Diva in San Rafael.”

Carey Shumway Clahan

“Citrus in Tiburon.”

Melanie Victor-Smith

What are your favorite local Marin boutiques?

“7 On Locust in Mill Valley.”

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Going Green

Back in March 2011, we featured a Q&A with Tom Hudgens, a former professional chef now teaching cooking at College of Marin, who shared his recipe for Joan’s Irish Soda Bread. Do you have a go-to St. Patrick’s Day recipe? If so, be sure to head to marinmagazine.com/irishsoda and leave your recipe in the comment section of the Q&A.

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Time for Camp

Believe it or not, summer camp sign-ups are right around the corner. We have a great list of all the summer camps in Marin County on our website. From academic and theater to music and science, there’s a camp to suit every interest. Visit marinmagazine.com/camps to find a place that’s right for your child.

How many restaurants have you visited for the Tastemakers 2015 Challenge? Five? Ten? Be the first person to visit all 30 Marin restaurants featured in February’s Tastemakers story, snap a photo at each one and post them on Instagram with the hashtag #marintastemakers by May 4. If you are not on social media, you can email photos to lwalker@marinmagazine.com. The winner will receive a $100 gift card for use at F3.

DEBRA TARRANT (BELOW)

In Marin

CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND CAUSES OF THIS UNIQUE COUNTY

HISTORY

HIKE Taking a unique walk through time.

BY CALIN VAN PARIS • PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER

FOR NEARLY A decade, the National Park Service (NPS) has invited history bu ffs and curious hikers to visit Battery Townsley, a former pillar of military technology strategically situated in the Marin Headlands. Throughout World War II the battery (which never actually saw battle) housed as many as 150 soldiers at a time, the men undergoing rigorous training to operate the giant newfangled guns located there. The once-monthly 45-minute hike to the bunker — by way of the Coastal Trail, beginning at the Fort Cronkhite parking lot — has gained popularity in recent years with the installation of a 16-inch-caliber, 120-ton, 68-foot-long gun reminiscent of the two weapons originally installed in the casemate in 1940. Guests are invited to partake in tours led by park rangers and dedicated volunteers who, according to NPS’s Alexandra Picavet, travel from as far as Stockton to share their knowledge with battery guests. Expect wartime posters, fun facts (the two battery guns were capable of shooting 2,100-pound projectiles 25 miles out into the Paci fic; the walls vary from 5 to 13 feet in thickness) and the chilling (literally) experience of wandering around an enormous wartime bunker. Open the first Sunday of each month, noon–4 p.m., nps.gov

GEOGRAPHY OF HOPE

MARIN CARES

In 1960, writer and environmentalist Wallace Stegner penned a letter to Congress. Now known as the “Wilderness Letter,” Stegner’s words helped introduce what became the Wilderness Act of 1964. At the letter’s finish Stegner called our wild landscapes “the geography of hope,” and for five years, Point Reyes Books has taken those words to heart with the Geography of Hope Conference, an annual literary event that combines great writing with activism. This year’s event, “Mapping a New Geography of Hope: Women and the Land,” takes place March 13–15 and features more than a dozen predominantly female writers from around the country who use their chosen medium to communicate environmental views. “Women have been forces of nature in both the world of environmental literature, beginning with Rachel Carson, and on the ground here in Marin County saving so much of our open space and farms,” says Kate Levinson, co-owner of Point Reyes Books. Authors and co-chairs Robin Wall Kimmerer and Kathleen Dean Moore join a slew of others in readings, guided field trips — led by female naturalists, ranchers or farmers, accompanied by GOH authors — and dinners, panel discussions and conversations, each meant to bring people closer to the places they inhabit. “We will map how writers and readers can protect — and be advocates for — our local geography and for the planet,” Levinson says. ptreyesbooks.com/goh C.V.P.

ALEX

Conference attendees can enjoy readings, field trips, dinners and panel discussions.

From Ireland With Love

For many in the county, true Irish traditions are celebrated every day, not just on St. Patrick’s Day. These offerings inspire a deeper understanding of the heritage carried over from the green-hued homeland. C.V.P.

PLAY Enjoy traditional Irish jam sessions with talented musicians who convene all over the county to learn and play music in a positive and supportive environment. Founded in 2002, Marin Ceili values playing time above all else (“more play, less talk”) and meets Wednesdays at St. Isabella School in Terra Linda and Sundays at The Sleeping Lady in Fairfax. marinirishmusic.com

BROADCAST West Marin radio station KWMR has been broadcasting The Celtic Universe , a show featuring music from all over the Celtic diaspora, since 2000. This month the station celebrates the Irish-American Crossroads Festival with special programming, and co-host Lyons Filmer serves as emcee of “Mother Ireland,” a music, folklore and dance event on March 14 at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes Station. kwmr.org

DANCE Traditional Irish dancing is a unique brand of movement: typically, arms remain at the sides and erect posture is maintained while complex and fast-paced footwork takes center stage. The Healy Irish Dance Studio, established in San Francisco in 1887, is the longest-running dance school in the world . C lasses are currently offered in Larkspur, San Anselmo and San Rafael. healyirishdancers.com

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Author Talk

MM: Since this was your first mystery novel, how did you go about tackling it? Was the process different than that of your other books? IA: The process was not very different from that of my other novels’, except that the research was focused on forensic stuff nd the psychology of a serial killer. My challenge was to create suspense, plant clues and red herrings, distract the reader so that he or she would not guess the ending, etc. Creating the characters was easy because I had a lot of help — I was even able to interview (extensively) a Navy SEAL.

MM: What compelled you to venture into the uncharted territory of crime writing? IA: I was tempted to write a crime novel because it was a big challenge for me. I am always trying new things and taking risks; I seem incapable of relying on tested formulas. All my books are different.

MM: How did Ripper come about? IA: The book was not my idea. My

agent, Carmen Balcells, suggested that I write a book with my husband, William Gordon, who is a crime novelist. We tried but it quickly became obvious that such a project was impossible: Willie writes in English and I write in Spanish; he has an attention span of 11 minutes, I can write for 11 hours; he doesn’t need to research because all his novels are placed in San Francisco in the ’60s and he knows the place and the time very well, while I research every single detail of my books. So Willie went to write his sixth novel alone, while I tried my hand at my first mystery.

MM: You tend to write about families. What is it about that dynamic that speaks to you? IA: In Latin America extended families are very important — we live in clans. As a political refugee in Venezuela in the ’70s and ’80s, and later as an immigrant in the United States, I lost my extended family, so I suppose I compensate by writing about families in my books. It is an exercise in nostalgia. CALIN VAN PARIS

Local Page Turners

Ripper by Isabel Allende of San Rafael, Harper Perennial, $15.99. After a string of murders in San Francisco, high school senior Amanda takes her fascination with the online mystery game Ripper into the real world, making crucial breakthroughs even before the police. Amanda’s exhilaration turns to panic when her mother goes missing, raising the emotional stakes in this convoluted case.

Ten Windows: How Great Poems

Transform the World by Jane Hirshfield of Mill Valley, Knopf Publishing Group, $24.95. In this collection of 10 eye-opening essays, the award-winning poet shines light on the art of poetry. Examining pieces by some of poetry’s most notable figures, Hirshfield reveals the mechanisms that infuse poems with their profound power. Appearing at Book Passage Corte Madera March 17, 7 p.m.

Murder on the Champ de Mars (An Aimée Leduc Investigation) by Cara Black of San Francisco, Soho Crime, $27.95. As a single mother with a newborn, detective Aimée Leduc has time to investigate only one mystery: parenting. Nonetheless, when a young boy claims that his dying mother has a secret connected to the unsolved murder of Aimée’s father, she’s instantly hooked, launching into a frantic expedition to find the ailing woman before it is too late. Appearing at Book Passage Corte Madera March 11, 7 p.m.

We Are Pirates by Daniel Handler of San Francisco, Bloomsbury, $26. Phil experiences disappointment when his concept for a new radio show doesn’t garner the enthusiasm he imagined. Meanwhile, Phil’s daughter, Gwen, forges a friendship with an eccentric old man. Handler masterfully juxtaposes freedom with constraint, young with old and humor with gravity. Appearing at Book Passage Corte Madera with Michelle Tea March 7, 4 p.m.

A Dangerous Place: A Maisie Dobbs

Novel by Jacqueline Winspear of San Anselmo, Harper, $26.99. It is spring of 1937, and psychologist/investigator Maisie Dobbs is scheduled to return to England to visit her ailing father. On the boat home, Maisie has second thoughts, and she makes a bold decision to disembark at a British garrison town in Gibraltar — a safe haven for many refugees escaping the Spanish Civil War. When a local Sephardic Jew is murdered, Maisie dives into an investigation that transforms her detour into a perilous journey. Appearing at Book Passage Corte Madera March 20, 7 p.m.

Book picks by Book Passage’s Kathryn Petrocelli.

We sat down with San Rafael’s Isabel Allende to discuss her new book Ripper

MADE BY MARIN

Headlands Brewing Company

BY THE TIME Phil Cutti and Patrick Horn met at a home brew event, they were both well on their way to becoming true craft beer a ficionados. Cutti was helping to host the event (a fundraiser for his swimming group) and pouring his own small-batch label, Muddy Puddle, while Horn was building his brand, Paci fic Brewing Laboratory. The two kept in touch over the next year, sharing recipes and talking hops, and in early 2013 Cutti and Horn dreamed up the Marininspired Headlands Brewing Company — over beers, naturally. Headlands crafts three brews — Groupe G Belgian RyePA, Hill 88 Double IPA and Pt. Bonita Rustic Lager — which are sold locally in easy-to-carry cans perfect for a day of the laid-back brand of exploring Marin was made for. As for a favorite, the boys can’t pick just one. “They all have their time and place,” says Horn. PHILOSOPHY “Headlands Brewing is about celebrating the moment in the moment,” says Cutti of the brand’s mission. “Our beers are based in tradition and pushed forward with fresh, quality ingredients. They are approachable and our 16-ounce cans make them accessible on the trails, on the bay and at the beach.” THE SCOOP Headlands launched in 2013 with the three beers and has remained true to those core brews. “Groupe G is our most unique beer,” says Cutti. “It is an IPA that highlights the characteristics of the Mosaic hop: floral, earthy, citrusy and a touch bitter.” BEYOND MARIN Headlands Brew is quintessentially Marin, available at a variety of local restaurants and bars, as well as markets throughout the county. And as the company takes its name from one of the epic Marin landscapes, it’s not surprising that the founders have long been environmental advocates, frequently taking part in nonprofit work and restoration. WHAT THEY SAY “We live and work in one of the most beautiful spots in the world, so take the time to look around, breathe it all in and appreciate it — with a Headlands beer, of course.” headlandsbrewing.com CALIN VAN PARIS

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Phil Cutti (left) and Patrick Horn

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SOCIETY

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David Wain Coon

BY JIM WOOD • PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER

exception.

LAST MONTH, PRESIDENT Barack Obama requested $60 billion to make two years of community college free for all students in the United States. Whether that funding ever materializes is a matter of hard-to-predict congressional politics. On a far smaller scale, in 2004, College of Marin (COM) trustees called on county voters to approve spending $250 million to revitalize aging facilities on its two campuses: Kent field and Indian Valley (Novato); the answer was a resounding “yes,” and the deal was done. To date, a physical education center, a fi ne arts building and a performing arts building, a childhood study center, and a science, nursing and math building have been completed at Kent field; at Indian Valley, a main classroom building and a transportation technology center have been constructed.

The task that remains is to complete COM’s new academic center at Kent field’s highly visible corner of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and College Avenue (see rendering), which is

expected to be done by fall of this year. Along with a full plate of academic duties, the job of overseeing COM’s considerable construction ultimately falls on the shoulders of 50-year-old David Wain Coon, Ed. D. Coon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Central Washington University along with a Doctor of Education degree from Seattle University. He came to College of Marin in 2010 following a five-year stint as president of Evergreen Valley College in San Jose, a campus noted for its richly diverse student body.

College of Marin has more than 5,700 students enrolled in credited programs at its two campuses; will you describe a typical student? Can I do it this way? I’ll describe such a student by giving the percentage of our student body that justifies that description. In other words, the typical student is female (58 percent), meaning that 58 percent of our current enrollment of 5,700 students is female. OK? And what I just said counts for one characteristic of the typical COM enrollee. Other characteristics are that our typical student has transferred from another college (67 percent), is a high school graduate with no college degree (also 67 percent) and, this might surprise you, is over 25 years of age (55 percent). This so-called typical student also lives in Marin (83 percent), probably in the central part of the county (36 percent), is either Caucasian (52 percent) or Hispanic (25 percent) and is attending COM on a part-time basis (75 percent) with a goal of gaining an Associate in Arts degree (39 percent). In addition to the 5,700 in our credited program, we also serve an additional 1,375 students in our noncredit program and 2,200 in our community education program, for a total enrollment of over 9,000. Both programs are also important to the college and community.

How about some stats on you and the task of presiding over two campuses and 5,700 students. How big is your staff? What are your hours? And what does the job pay?

It’s an exciting time for community colleges, and the College of Marin is no

The college’s new academic center on the Kentfield campus should be done by this fall.

the center of

My executive staff umbers five and, all told, we operate with an administrative staff f 30 and just under 200 maintenance personnel. The full-time faculty numbers 110, and there are 240 part-time instructors. As for my hours, that’s easy: For me, presiding over a community college is a 24/7 commitment, I haven’t taken a vacation in years where I’ve been able to completely unplug and I’m always thinking about what I didn’t get done one day and what has to get done the next day. As for salary, our sevenmember board of trustees was kind enough to recently offer me a second four-year contract with an annual base pay of $255,000.

Is that a comparable base salary for a community college of COM’s size? It is. A funny story about the job being 24/7 is that last fall I did a “Work a Day in Your Boots” exchange with our maintenance sta ff, where I got teamed with two gardeners. I wore jeans that day and the three of us were clearing out an area when one asked me if I’d ever figured out what my job pays on an hourly basis. I did some quick thinking and gave him a number that surprised me because it was so low. “No way man,” was his laughing reply. “I do not want your job.”

Regarding the challenges of your job, has the acrimony between faculty and administration, so prevalent a few years ago, subsided? I think so, for the most part, yes. In the past three years, we’ve hired 45 new faculty members and they are bright and passionate about thei r fields of instruction. And soon, over 50 percent of our faculty will have been turned over. That’s very exciting; along with all the construction soon coming to an end, that’s probably the most exciting thing happening on our campuses. These are the kind of bright and dedicated people who will be with us for a long time and, along with our veteran faculty, will really put College of Marin on the map.

For background purposes, what is College of Marin’s history? How did Indian Valley come about? College of Marin opened in 1926 as Marin Junior College and the name was changed in 1947, so we’re coming up on our 90th anniversary. The Kent field campus encompasses 77 acres, while Indian Valley is 333 acres in size including a large organic

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garden operated by COM in collaboration with Conservation Corps North Bay and extensive athletic fields that are on a long-term lease to the City of Novato. Many wonder how Indian Valley — which is somewhat isolated, being two miles up Ignacio Boulevard from Highway 101 — ever became part of College of Marin. It was opened in 1975 as an independent college intended to serve an enrollment of 5,000 students. At the time, I think there was talk that Ignacio Boulevard would somehow connect

College of Marin opened in 1926 as Marin Junior College and the name was changed in 1947, so we’re coming up on our 90th anniversary.

on through to Novato Boulevard, which never happened. Then the campus was closed for a while before it merged with College of Marin in 1985. In round numbers, Kent field has 4,200 students and Indian Valley’s attendance is around 1,500, but many students attend classes at both campuses, and classes are given day and night at both locations.

What are College of Marin’s specialties? Who are some famous alumni? Nursing is one of our signature programs, and this year it will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, as will our drama department, and we’re proud of both programs. Yet we pride ourselves on being a really comprehensive community college. Along with the usual range of academic courses, our career tech programs — that’s another way of saying vocational training — are also popular. Auto tech has a variety of offerings at Indian Valley; then there are also programs for medical and dental assistants, multimedia managers, court reporting, organic farming and gardening and emergency medical technicians. Famous alumni? The late Dian Fossey, the great anthropologist, attended in the 1940s; of course the late Robin Williams was in our drama department in the early 1970s; and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was here about the same time. Those are the ones that quickly come to mind; I’m sure there are others.

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What are your goals for College of Marin’s future? I’d like to see us finish up Measure C construction, which should happen by fall of this year. Then we’ll have a whole new appearance for the community to enjoy. We are now looking at architectural renderings of the academic building and the landscape that will surround it and give a definite sense of arrival to College of Marin. Then I want to see us provide a 21stcentury learning experience for all our students, and I think that with the bright new people we’ve hired, and the bright people who have been here, we can definitely do just that. Right now, I’ll admit, we are not always the first choice for students graduating from local high schools, and I want to see that change. We’re working hard at it and starting to see improvement — but I want to see more progress in this area.

Finally, what are your thoughts on President Obama asking for $60 billion to provide free community college to qualified students over the next 10 years? The America’s College Promise proposal would create a new partnership with states to help them waive tuition or fees in high-quality programs for responsible students, while promoting key reforms to help more students complete at least two years of college. To me, the formula seems to be fairly straightforward: a quality college experience plus free tuition will result in increased enrollment, certi ficate completion and, ultimately, employment. Students who attend at least halftime, maintain a 2.5 grade point average while enrolled, and make steady progress toward completing their program will have their tuition or fees eliminated. Here’s COM’s end of the deal: we will be expected to offer programs that are either academic programs that fully transfer to local public four-year colleges and universities or occupational training programs with high graduation rates that lead to degrees and certi ficates that are in demand among employers. Of course, at COM we already offer programs of this nature. While it’s di fficult to predict where the America’s College Promise will end up given the political environment in Washington, this idea certainly is encouraging. What a tremendous validation of the role community colleges play in education and training and in the economic development and prosperity of our country. m

ROBERT

This spring a plethora of pleats and floaty fabrics will put a bounce in your step.

BODIES IN motion

PHOTOS Claudia Goetzelmann EDITOR/STYLIST Veronica Sooley

STYLIST Leah-Marie HAIR & MAKEUP Elizabeth Chang (elizabethchangmakeup.com) for Smashbox Cosmetics and Bumble & bumble.

MODEL Rosa K./Look Model Agency SHOT at Left Space Studios in San Francisco

{This page} Marigold dress by Porcelain, $189 at porcelainnyc.com. Evangeline winged leather sandals by Sophia Webster, $560 at Saks Fifth Avenue (SF) 415.986.4300. Mid-century 18k gold and diamond fringe necklace, $14,750 at Lang Antiques (SF) 415.982.2213 and langantiques.com.

{Opposite} Love silk jumpsuit by LoveShackFancy, $495 at Saks Fifth Avenue. Cage sandals by Freda Salvador, $475 at Freda Salvador (SF) 415.654.5128. Fine mesh earrings plated in 18k gold by Whiting & Davis, $80 at whitinganddaviscollection.com.

{Previous spread} Horizon Daze short sheer overlay dress by Camilla, $599 at shopbop.com. Vienna gold brass metal mesh handbag by Whiting & Davis, $330 at Citrus boutique (Tiburon) 415.435.1321 and whitinganddavisbags.com. Casey sandal by Yosi Samra, $125 at yosisamra.com.

{This page} Sunsetter one-piece suit by L*Space by Monica Wise, $158 at lspace. com. Kenda maxi skirt by Tory Burch, $450 at Tory Burch (SF) 415.398.1525. Pick Up Sticks earrings by The2Bandits, $118 at the2bandits.com.

{Opposite} Julla linen dress by Oska, $399 at Oska (Mill Valley) 415.381.1144. Samantha ballet flat by Yosi Samra, $84 at yosisamra.com. Macramé small bucket tote by Tory Burch, $750 at Tory Burch. Mandela pendant necklace by The2Bandits, $128.

Dress by Rebecca Taylor, $650 at Nordstrom (Corte Madera) 415.927.1690 and rebeccataylor. com. Samantha ballet flat by Yosi Samra, $84 at yosisamra.com. Ladder gold necklace (handcrafted in Paris with ribbon and gilded brass chain) by Marie Laure for ASH + AMES, $395 at ashandames.com.

{This page} Floral-print neoprene crop top by Clover Canyon, $185 at Saks Fifth Avenue (SF) 415.986.4300. Foil pleated long skirt by Proenza Schouler, $1,875 at Saks Fifth Avenue. Lucinda leather fringe necklace by Cocoa Jewelry, $68 at cocoajewelry.com.

{Opposite} Fringe leggings by Delikate Rayne, $173 at delikaterayne.com. Montien beaded fringe silk top by Theory, $245 at Saks Fifth Avenue. Soho reversible mesh coat by Elie Tahari, $568 at Neiman Marcus (SF) 415.249.2720. Tasi visor by Helen Kaminski, $145 at helenkaminski.com. Cage sandals by Freda Salvador, $475 at Freda Salvador (SF) 415.654.5128.

{This page} Velanie Romper by Trina Turk, $398 at trinaturk.com. Lexington wedge sandal by Tory Burch, $325 at Tory Burch (SF) 415.398.1525. Gold Choker with Spain Pendant by ASH + AMES, $400 at ashandames.com.

{Opposite} Morris pleated T-back jumpsuit by Alice + Olivia, $495 at Neiman Marcus (SF) 415.249.2720. Black fringe bracelet/necklace (handcrafted in Paris with vintage beads and ruthenium chain) by Marie Laure for ASH + AMES, $375. Lattice sunglasses by Tory Burch, $250 at Tory Burch.

for the Birds

Experienced birders, and those new to the hobby, love spotting in Marin’s wildlife paradise.

BY LAURA HILGERS • PHOTOS BY JACK WOLFORD

IF THE THOUGHT of peering through binoculars at yellowbilled magpies or warbling vireos sounds as exciting as reading the dictionary, consider this: at a recent Marin Audubon Society field trip to the Las Gallinas wildlife ponds, a midair battle between two red-tailed hawks rivaled any Messerschmitt-Spit fi re dog fight you might catch on the History Channel.

Roughly 25 birders — it’s so 19th century to call them bird-watchers — were walking along the trails of the wildlife area when guide Susan Kelly spotted a red-tailed hawk flushing out a flock of meadowlarks. “Good spotting, Susan!” her fellow guide, Len Blumin, exclaimed. The hawk, after thoroughly frightening the smaller birds, settled on the rungs of an electrical tower, 20 feet above the ground. It was soon joined by another equally kind-hearted raptor.

Before long, the two hawks had so irritated one another that they were engaged in a midair battle, wings engaged and fl apping, going after one another as they fumbled to the ground. When they finally landed with a plunk within the tower’s con fi nes, one hawk began attacking the other, trying

to peck it to death, it seemed. As the hawk lay nearly lifeless, the assembled birders pondered whether they should call Fish and Wildlife to step in. But while they discussed the dilemma, the bird suddenly rose up, flapped its wings and flew away.

The episode was wild and dramatic, and a perfect example of the fleeting pleasure of birding: look quickly because the object of your fascination will soon fly away.

As fleeting as the pleasure can be — or perhaps because it is fleeting — more and more Americans are embracing birding, which is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the country. According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife survey, there’s been a 9 percent increase in the people who observe wildlife (most of them birders) from 2001 to 2011. Jeff Gordon, president of the American Birding Association, says he’s seen his membership grow by almost 10 percent in the past four years. The only problem, he says, “is that no one can quite agree what the definition of a birder is.” It could be the person who hangs a bird feeder in her backyard or the retiree who travels the world in the hopes of spotting rare plumage.

What everyone can agree on, though, is that Marin is a rewarding place to bird, and that we’re home to several hundred hard-core birders. “If you look at the states with the largest lists of birds, Texas is the winner, with California hot on its heels,” says Gordon. “But California, by virtue of being a big and populous state, has for decades been a center of birding culture, particularly in Marin.”

The reason? Birds like Marin. We have a wide variety of terrain that attracts thousands of birds. According to Melissa Pitkin, education and outreach director at Point Blue Conservation Science, 470 species have been recorded at the Point Reyes National Seashore alone. Because the Point Reyes peninsula juts out along the Pacific Flyway — the migratory path between Alaska and South America — it’s a popular place for migrating birds to stop and rest along the way. Richardson Bay, with its abundant Pacific herring run (and Audubon sanctuary), is also a popular spot for wintering birds, such as the western grebe and long-billed curlew. Our ample open space offers everything from grasslands and forests to lagoons and beaches. By avian standards, the real estate options here are sweet.

It’s little surprise, then, that Marin has been, or is, home to some of the world’s most renowned birders. Rich Stallcup, who cofounded the Point Reyes Bird Observatory (now Point Blue) in 1965 and died in 2012, was something of a legend among birders. The West Marin resident recorded a huge number of fi rst sightings and played a pivotal role in the rise of birding as a national pastime. Another West Marin resident, Keith Hansen, is one of the top bird illustrators in the country and a seasoned local Audubon field trip guide. Other birders mention these two with a bit of awe.

Which gets to the second most common activity among birders, after lifting their binoculars: sandbagging. There is a kind of reverse pecking order among birders, with everyone claiming to be not nearly as knowledgeable as the birder standing next to them. Len Blumin, a retired emergency room physician, has been birding for about 30 years, is a bird photographer and has read more than 100 books on the subject. But, he says, “Rich Stallcup’s knowledge was easily 10 times greater — and I’m not exaggerating; maybe it was 50-fold greater — than mine or Susan’s. We’re still learning.”

Opposite page: Blumin and Prather. This page from left: Reference guide; a hawk.

Opener: Pattie and Len Blumin, Hale Prather, Linda Herman and Sonja Suzuki conduct the Christmas Bird Count in Tiburon.

Our ample open space offers everything from grasslands to forests to lagoons and beaches. By avian standards, the real estate options here are sweet.

Christmas Bird Count at Richardson Bay and Lyford House (this image and above); Ed Nute (top right); Snowy Egret (opposite).

This page: Hale Prather spotting. Opposite: Pattie and Len Blumin, Hale Prather and Sonja Suzuki at the count.

Susan Kelly, a retired techie who has taken numerous birding classes over the years, including at City College and Point Blue, has the same aw-shucks-I’m-just-learning-still attitude. It’s refreshing in this age of look-at-me.

Birding has not, however, escaped the modern world. In truth, it’s been transformed by it. Where birders used to once carry field guides, they now carry their iPhones, and birding apps are ubiquitous. There’s iBird, an online field guide; an Audubon app; and the Birdwatchers’ Diary app, where birders keep track of what they’ve seen. But mostly, there are Yahoo Groups, which allow birders to connect in a way they never have before. Just seen a kingbird out at Las Gallinas? Get on North Bay Birds and let all your Marin buddies know. Before long, otherwise respectable citizens will be calling in sick and lugging their scopes to San Rafael. Prior to the advent of this technology, it would have taken months for other birders to learn of a sighting, by reading about it in a magazine.

Not that technology has been a godsend to birding. There are also apps that play birdsong and can help identify certain calls, but drive some birders crazy. Why? Because there’s always the birder who thinks it’s a swell idea to use the apps to draw birds out into the open, all the better to watch them. “That’s not really a good thing for the birds,”

says Blumin. Purists contend that the whole idea behind birding is to observe nature, not tamper with it.

Observing birds has contributed greatly to science. Every December, birders in Marin County (and around the entire U.S.) go out and tally for the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count, which helps Audubon monitor bird populations over time. And “citizen scientists” help Point Blue conduct its Paci fic Flyway Shorebird Survey, the results of which are used to formulate policy for agencies such as the National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife. Without volunteer birders, these counts could not happen. It’s a win-win. Without crucial bird habitat — which these groups are trying to preserve — there would also be no birding.

Many of the birders who grab their binoculars and head to Point Reyes or Bolinas or Las Gallinas this month to watch for the return of migrating birds like the chipping sparrow and black-throated gray warbler, however, do it simply because they love it. It’s not just the beauty of the birds that’s the draw; it’s also their personalities. “The birds’ antics can be just incredible,” says Blumin, citing the hawk fight mentioned above.

Susan Kelly agrees. “Those are the kinds of things that make birding really interesting,” she says. “You go out and you see something like that fight and you’re just like, wow.” m

The West Marin resident recorded a huge number of first sightings and played a pivotal role in the rise of birding as a national pastime.

LEARN MORE

CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO Ornithologist Joe Morlan teaches classes. fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan

COLLEGE OF MARIN COM often schedules ornithology or birding classes; check the catalog. marin.edu

MARIN AUDUBON SOCIETY Marin Audubon has a number of guided field trips, led by experienced birders, every month. marinaudubon.org/events-field-trips.php

MARIN COUNTY PARKS The park system offers several guided birding walks a month, led by naturalists. marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/calendar

POINT REYES FIELD INSTITUTE The institute offers a number of birding field trips and classes. ptreyes.org/camps-classes-programs/field-institute

Marin Magazine’s FIFTH ANNUAL SUMMER CAMPS GUIDE

Summer is almost here and now is the time to make some choices about where to send the little ones for camp. Spots for dance, arts, technology, sports and more are filling up fast, so be sure to peruse the many great options in the following listings. To find additional listings — searchable by town, price range and specifics such as ages, hours or specialty — visit marinmagazine.com/camps.

Day Camps

MARIN

142 Throckmorton Sumer Camp, Mill Valley Theater, grades 2-9 415.383.9613 throckmortontheatre.org

Academy Deturk Performing Arts Workshops, San Rafael Theater, ages 8-16 415.456.4297 academy-deturk.com

Angel Island Camp, Tiburon General, ages 5-12 415.435.4355 angelislandcamp.com

Art Reactor - School for Digital Arts, Mill Valley Art/Technology, ages 12-18 415.948.5482 theartreactor.com

Audubon Summer Adventure Camp, Tiburon Nature, ages 4-17 415.388.2524 richardsonbay.audubon.org

Avid4 Adventure, Mill Valley Adventure/Nature/Sports, ages 2.5-14 800.977.9873 avid4.com

Azzi Basketball Camp, Mill Valley Sports, ages 8-14 415.948.1263 azzicamp.com

Bay Area Discovery Museum General, ages 3-14 415.339.3900 baykidsmuseum.org

Belvedere Tennis Camp, Tiburon Sports, ages 4-8 415.435.4792 belvederetennisclub.com

Blue Star Music Camp, San Anselmo Music, ages 13-18 415.847.8444 bluestarmusiccamps.com

Bolinas Surf Camp, Bolinas Sports, ages 6 and up 415.868.0264 surfbolina.com

Camp Create, Belvedere Art/Music, ages 6-11 415.435.4501 ststephenschurch.org

Camp Doodles, Mill Valley General, ages 4-11 415.388.4386 campdoodles.com

Camp Edmo, Mill Valley Nature/Makers/Art/Science, grades pre K-4 415.282.6673 campedmo.org

Camp EdTech, Mill Valley Tech/Digtial Media, grades 5-8 415.282.6673 campedtech.org

Camp Funderblast, Mill Valley General, ages 5-9 415.843.1730 funderblast.com

Camp Strawberry, Mill Valley General, ages 4.5-15 415.383.6494 strawberry.marin.org

Canon Kids Sports Camp, Fairfax Sports, ages 5-13 415.234.1056 maaquatics.com

Caren Horstmeyer Girls Basketball Camp, Larkspur Sports, ages 8-14 415.794.4311 horstmeyerhoops.com

Champions Soccer Camp, Mill Valley Sports, ages 5-14 415.482.8813 championsoccercamp.com

Children’s Cottage Co-Op, Larkspur Young Child, ages 2-5 415.461.0822 cccmarin.com

College of Marin Community Education, Kentfiel Sports, ages 5-13 415.485.9318 marin.edu

Corte Madera Montessori Academic, ages 2-5 415.927.0919 cortemaderamontessori.com

Dance Palace Camp, Point Reyes Station Dance, ages 6-12 415.663.1075 dancepalace.org

Dance With Sherry Camp, San Rafael Dance, ages 6 and up 415.499.1986 dancewithsherrystudio.com

Dauth Hobbies, San Anselmo General, ages 6-12 415.454.3087 dauthhobbies.com

Dave Fromer’s Annual Marin Soccer Camps, Mill Valley Sports, ages 5-12 415.383.0320 davefromersoccer.com

Davidson Clubhouse Program, San Rafael General, ages 6-12 415.485.3790 petaluma-marinbgc.org

DG Educational Services, Nicasio Nature, ages 6-13 415.662.1099 dges.org

Dickson Ranch Horse Activity Camp, Woodacre Horse, ages 7 and up 415.488.0454 dicksonranch.net

Dominican University of California Sports Camps, San Rafael Sports, ages 7-12 415.482.3543 dominican.edu

Doodlebug Marin, San Anselmo Art, ages 3 and up 415.456.5989 doodlebugmarin.com

Enriching U, Novato Art/Film/Science/Technology, ages 10-14 415.506.0282 enrichingu.com

Fantastical Adventures, Tiburon General, ages 8-15 415.435.4355 theranchtoday.org

Fashion Camp with Western Bonime, Larkspur Fashion, ages 8-18 415.887.8391 marinfashioncamps.com

Fast Forward Adventure Reporters Camp, San Rafael Writing/Film/Video, ages 11-18 415.272.3569 fastforwardweb.com

Fiona Soccer Camp, Fairfax Sports, ages 5-13 415.497.8164 fionasoccercamp.com

Golden Gate Learning Center, San Anselmo Academic/Art, ages 5-14 415.383.2283 goldengatetutoring.com

Green Play Sustainable Summer Camp, Mill Valley General, ages 5-14 415.264.2828 maringreenplay.com

Higgins Summer Tennis Camps, Mill Valley Sports, ages 5-18 415.963.2549 higginstennis.com

Katia & Company, San Rafael Dance/Theater, ages 7-14 415.305.2153 katiaandcompany.com

Luis Quezada’s Soccer Camp, San Anselmo Sports, ages 5-15 415.302.6779 usasoccercamp.org

Marin Ballet, San Rafael Dance, ages 3-18 415.453.6705 marinballet.org

Marin Catholic Wildcat Camp, Kentfiel Art/Sports, ages 8-18 415.464.3800 wildcatcamp.org

Marin Christian Academy Summer Day Camp, Novato General/Music/Religion/Art, ages 6-11 415.892.5713 summercamp.visitmca.org

Marin Dance Theater, San Rafael Dance, ages 3-11 415.499.8891 mdt.org

Marin Horizon Outdoor Adventures Camp, Mill Valley Nature/Science/Cooking, ages 10-14 415.388.8408 marinhorizon.org

Marin Primary and Middle School Summer Day Camp, Larkspur Young Child, ages 2-6 415.924.2608 mpmscamps.org

Marin Rowing, Greenbrae Sports, ages 12-18 415.461.1431 marinrowing.org

Marin Shakespeare Company, San Rafael Theater, ages 5-14 415.499.4487 marinshakespeare.org

Marin Theatre Company Summer Theater Camp, Mill Valley Theater, ages 3-18 415.322.6026 marintheatre.org

Ross Academy MONTESSORI

SCHOOLR

Summer Mini-Camp

June -August

Toddler Program 2-3 years Primary Program 3-5 years

SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS 2015

Marin Treks Science Camp, Novato Science/Nature, ages 6-14 415.250.0988 marintreks.com

Marin YMCA Summer Camp, San Rafael General, ages 5-15 415.492.9622 ymcasf.org

Marinwood Camp, San Rafael General, ages 3-13 415.479.0775 marinwood.org

Program Highlights

Mark Day School Summer Camps, San Rafael Theater/Arts/Tech/Chinese/Sports, ages 6-10 415.472.8000 markdayschool.org

Masterworks Kid’s Art Studio, Corte Madera Art, ages 6-14 415.945.7945 masterworkskidsart.com

Mathnasium, Mill Valley Academic, ages 4-18 415.384.8272 mathnasium.com

Mega Gymnastics, San Rafael Sports, ages 2+ 415.257.6342 megagymnastics.com

Mill Valley Potter’s Studio Summer Camp, Mill Valley Art, ages 7-11 415.888.8906 millvalleypottersstudio.com

Mill Valley Recreation and Community Center, Mill Valley General/Sports/Arts, ages 5-14 415.383.1370, millvalleycenter.com

Miss Sara’s Ballet School, Ross Dance, ages 2-11 415.450.1425 misssaras.com

Miwok Livery Summer Camps, Mill Valley Horse, ages 7+ 415.383.8048 miwokstables.com

Morning Star Farm Horse Camps, Novato Horse, ages 8-15 415.897.1633 morningstarfarm.info

Mt. Tam Bikes Camp, Mill Valley Sports, ages 8-14 415.377.9075 mttambikescamp.com

Multi Sport Kids Camp, Larkspur Sports, ages 6-12 415.924.6226 mttamrc.com

Musical Theatre Camp, Larkspur Theater, ages 8-18 415.453.0199 marilynizdebskiproductions.com

Musical You!, Mill Valley Music, ages 7-11 415.383.3712 singersmarin.org

MY AMP Rock Band Summer Camp, San Rafael Music, 8-18 415.306.7923 detrickmusicinstruction.com

Ninja Camps, Corte Madera Sports, ages 6-12 415.927.0899 practicalmartialarts.net

No Limits Sports Camp, Greenbrae Sports, ages 5-12 415.717.6925 nolimitssportscamp.com

Osher Marin JCC Camp Kehillah, San Rafael General, ages 2.5-16 415.444.8055 marinjcc.org

Otis Guy Mt. Bike Camp, Fairfax Sports, ages 7-13 415.250.2585 otisguymountainbikecamp.com

Own The Mic, Novato Music, ages 11-18 415.218.7688 ownthemic.org

Performing Arts Academy of Marin, Mill Valley Dance/Theater, grades 1-10 415.380.0887 paamarin.com

Pine Point Cooking School, Sausalito Cooking, ages 9-17 415.332.4352 pinepointcooking.com

Play-Well Engineering FUNdamentals, San Anselmo Science/Technology, ages 5-11 415.460.5210  play-well.org

Pyramid Gymnastics, Corte Madera Gymnastics, ages 5-12 415.927.1240 thepyramidgym.com

Robotics Camp at San Domenico, San Anselmo Technology, ages 11-15 415.258.1900 sandomenico.org

RoCo Dance, Mill Valley Dance, ages 7-18 415.388.6786 rocodance.com

Rolling Hills Club, Novato Sports, ages 3-14 415.897.2185 rollinghillsclub.com

Ross Academy Montessori School Summer Mini-Camp, Mill Valley General, ages 2-5 415.383.5777 rossacademymontessori.com

Ross Recreation, Ross Academic/General, ages 3-15 415.453.6020 rossrecreation.org

Sage Educators, Mill Valley Academic, ages 8-18 415.388.7243 sageeducators.com

Sail Camp, Sausalito Sports, ages 8-16 415.775.8779 sailsea.org

San Anselmo Recreation Department Camps, San Anselmo General, ages 3+ 415.258.4640 townofsananselmo.org

San Anselmo Tennis Camp, San Anselmo Sports, ages 7-14 415.258.4640 tennisinmarin.com

San Domenico Summer Camps, San Anselmo Sports/Art/General/Sports/ Theater, all ages 415.258.1944 sandomenico.org

San Francisco Yacht Club (SFYC Youth Sailing), Belvedere Sports, ages 7-16 415.435.9525 sfyc.org

Scuba Camp, Novato Sports, ages 8+ 415.897.9962 pinnaclesdive.com

Sea Trek Kayak Camp, Sausalito Sports, ages 9-11 415.332.8494 seatrek.com

Slide Ranch Summer Day Camps, Muir Beach General/Nature/Animal/Cooking, ages 5-18 415.381.6155 slideranch.org

Steve and Kate’s Camp, Mill Valley General, ages 4-13 415.389.5437 steveandkatescamp.com

Studio 4 Art, Novato Art, ages 4-14 415.596.5546 studio4art.net

Summer Day Camp - Community Center, San Geronimo General, ages 5-10 415.488.8888 sgvcc.org

Summer Odyssey, San Rafael Academic, ages 7-15 415.482.3543 dominican.edu

Summer Playground - Town Park Location, Corte Madera General, ages 5-12 415.927.5072 ci.corte-madera.ca.us

SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS 2015

Summer Sailing Program, Sausalito Sports, ages 6-18 415.332.7400 sausalitoyachtclub.org

Susan’s Art Camp, San Rafael Art, ages 9-13 415.479.5277 tickenart.com

Tennis and Swim Camp, San Rafael Sports, ages 5-12 415.456.2700 marinyachtclub.com

The Image Flow’s Photography Camp, Mill Valley Photography, ages 11-14 415.388.3569 theimageflw.com

ThinkMarin, Corte Madera Academic, ages 9-18 415.461.2454 thinkmarin.net

Tiburon Adventure Camp, Tiburon Sports/Adventure, ages 2-8 415.435.4366 btccc.org

Tiburon Yacht Club (TYC Junior Sailing), Tiburon Sports, ages 8-13 415.789.9294 tyc.org

Training Squadron, Novato Adventure 415.798.8370 trainingsquadron.com

Tutu School, Larkspur Dance, ages 3-8 415.419.5610 tutuschool.com

Walker Creek Music Camp, Marshall Music, ages 5-adult 415.663.1342 walkercreekmusiccamp.org

West America Tae Kwon Do, Mill Valley Sports, ages 4+ 415.383.4755 westamericatkd.com

Wildcare Camps, San Rafael Nature, ages 3.5-12 415.453.1000 wildcarebayarea.org

Willow Tree Stables Riding Lessons, Novato Horse 415.897.8212 willowtreestables.com

Youth Tennis Programs, San Rafael Sports, ages 4+ 415.456.1837 rafaelracquetclub.com

Young Performers International, Mill Valley Music, ages 5-14 415.420.2960 youngperformersintl.org

GREATER BAY AREA

COOK! Culinary Programs, Emeryville Cooking, ages 9-18 510.594.1104 pauldingandco.com

PlanetBravo, Los Angeles Art/Film/Photography/Science/ Technology, grades 2-9 310.443.7607 planetbravo.com

Soulaule at Walker Creek Ranch, Petaluma General, ages 9-14 415.491.6600 walkercreekranch.org

Sterne School, San Francisco Academic, grades 5-12 415.922.6081 sterneschool.org

The Protocol Academy, San Francisco General, ages 3-18 415.234.6616 dailyprotocol.com

TAHOE

Birkholm’s Water Ski School, South Lake Tahoe Sports, all ages 530.573.1928 birkholmswatersports.com

Camp Skylandia, Tahoe City General, ages 3.5-10 530.583.3440 tahoecitypud.com

SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS 2015

Lake Tahoe Sitters, Lake Tahoe General, ages 0-14 530.545.1217 laketahoesitters.com

Overnight Camps MARIN

Call of the Sea - Voyage Seaward, Sausalito Adventure/Science/Nature, ages 12-17 415.331.3214 callofthesea.org

Camp and Teen Travel Consultants, San Rafael General, ages 7-18 415.454.5441 campandteenconsultants.com

Coastal Camp at Nature Bridge, Sausalito Nature/Science, ages 4-15 415.331.1548 coastalcamp.org

Point Reyes Summer Camp, Point Reyes National Seashore Adventure/Nature/Science, ages 7-16 415.663.1200 ptreyes.org

GREATER BAY AREA

Camp Chrysalis, Berkeley General, ages 8-17 510.843.6157 campchrysalis.com

Camp Lotsafun, Reno Special Needs, ages 7+ 775.827.3866 amplifylife.org

Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria General, ages 7-15 805.927.0254 campoceanpines.org

Camp Sacramento, Sacramento General, all ages 916.808.6169 cityofsacramento.org

Camp Unalayee, Palo Alto Adventure/Nature, ages 10-17 650.969.6313 unalayee-summer-camp.com

Camp Wasiu II, Reno Girl Scouts, ages 6-17 775.322.0642 gssn.org

Camp Winnaribbun for My Dog & Me, Reno Pets/Nature, all ages 775.348.8412 campw.com

Catalina Island Camp, Two Harbors General, ages 7-17 626.296.4040 catalinaislandcamps.com

embARC Summer Design Academy, Berkeley Academic, ages 16-18 510.643.1188 ced.berkeley.edu

Gold Arrow Camp, Lakeshore General, ages 6-14 800.554.2267 goldarrowcamp.com

Marin County 4-H, Angwin General, ages 9-19 707.996.0354 cemarin.ucanr.edu

Plantation Farm Camp, Cazadero General/Nature/Family, ages 8-17 707.847.3494 plantationcamp.com

River Way Ranch Camp, Sanger Adventure, ages 7-17 800.821.2801 riverwayranchcamp.com

Shaffe’s High Sierra Summer Camp, Sattley General, ages 8-17 866.597.6617 highsierracamp.com

Walton’s Grizzly Lodge Summer Camps, Portola General, ages 7-14 530.832.4834 grizzlylodge.com

Wolf Pack Sports Camps, Reno Sports, ages 5-18 775.784.4046 unr.edu

SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS 2015

Wonder Valley Family Camp, Sanger General/Family, all ages 800.821.2801 wondervalleyfamilycamp.com

TAHOE

American Dance Training Camps’

Ultimate Sierra Mountains Dance Camp, Squaw Valley Dance, ages 8-17 415.666.2312 americandancetrainingcamp.com

Camp Concord, South Lake Tahoe General, ages 0-16+ 925.671.2267 campconcord.org

Camp Noel Porter, Tahoe City Religious, ages 6-18 530.583.3014 campnoelporter.org

Echo Lake Youth Camp, Echo Lake General, ages 7-15 510.981.5140 ci.berkeley.ca.us

Lake Tahoe Kids’ Camp, Minden Sports, ages 6-14 775.782.4496 tahoekidscamp.com

Lake Tahoe Music Camp, Stateline Music, ages 10-18 800.233.8928 unr.edu

Lake Tahoe Nike Tennis Camps @ Granlibakken Resort, Tahoe City Sports, ages 9-18 800.645.3226 ussportscamps.com

Squaw Valley High Altitude Basketball Camp, Olympic Valley Sports, ages 8-18 800.621.2945 highaltitudebball.com

Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) Youth Backcountry Camp & Backcountry Camp Squared, Stateline Sports/Nature/Adventure, ages 12-17 775.298.4491 tahoerimtrail.org m

Fine Art Summer Camps for Kids Since 1998

ASTON WAIKIKI BEACH TOWER

Enjoy one of Waikiki’s most luxurious and private resort condominiums. Elegant designer suites. Gourmet kitchens. Private balconies with spectacular oceanfront views of Waikiki Beach. On-site concierge service. Personalized service delivered with true island hospitality.

Destinations

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

HAWAII’S INNER BEAUTY

BY SHERRIE STRAUSFOGEL

Disney’s Laniwai Spa at Aulani.

OUTRIGGER RESORTS brings you the best live Hawaiian music every night in Waikiki.

HAWAII’S SPAS FULLY embrace the healing benefits of ingredients from the islands’ soil and sea, relying on them as the ancient Hawaiians did when nature’s bounty was their medicine chest. They knew the value and use of every fruit , flower, leaf, root, stem, seed, bark, sap, shrub and twig, gathering this knowledge through intense training in laau lapaau (the practice of Hawaiian medicinal plant healing). Many of the same plants, herbs and other gifts of nature in spa treatments today have been used for centuries to enhance health, beauty and well-being. These endemic and indigenous ingredients from nature — used by Hawaiians even before the first voyagers set foot or canoe on the islands — may have unusualsounding names, but they have time-tested therapeutic benefits.

From the Land

• ‘Alaea

This water-soluble red clay, mixed with sea salt, was a soothing salve in ancient Hawaiian medicine. Rich in minerals and mixed with essential oils, the iron oxide found in ‘alaea is said to cleanse and nourish skin; spas use it in scrubs to exfoliate, tighten and soften.

•

‘Awa (Kava)

Traditionally, the bitter and astringent-tasting root of the plant was pounded, mixed with water and coconut juice and consumed for medicinal and ceremonial purposes by people of the South Paci fic. A mild relaxant, the

Music to your ears.

Take advantage of limited-time rates before it’s too late.

Spa products at Fairmont Orchid’s the Spa Without Walls.

Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

Henry Kapono

AWARD-WINNING MUSICIAN Sunday evenings at Duke’s Waikiki Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort

root is believed to alleviate stress, anxiety, insomnia and headaches. Spas include it in soothing body wraps to help ease aches and pains and soften skin.

• Ko (Sugarcane)

Ancient Hawaiians used the juice of the sugarcane to sweeten their oftenbitter herbal medicines. Hawaiian turbinado sugar derived from cane is a natural antiseptic. Raw sugar’s grainy texture gently exfoliates, is much gentler than a salt scrub and aids in the hydration of dry skin.

• Kukui Nut Oil

The kukui nut, also known as candlenut, has always been valued for its oil. In ancient times, the oil of the white kernels was extracted to light stone lamps and ti leaf torches.

The bark , flowers and nuts all had medicinal applications. Hawaiians used the small fi ve-petaled whit e flowers and the sap of the green nut to heal chapped lips, cold sores and mild sunburn and the mashed nut to relieve constipation and skin irritations. Today the rich oil is one of the best known natural sources of linoleic and linolenic fatty acids that promote healthy skin and hair and appears in body oils, shampoos and conditioners. Because it is very emollient, it is a favorite massage oil for lomilomi.

• Limu (Seaweed)

Readily available at the beach, limu is a traditional remedy for coral cuts, stomachaches and general aches and pains. Seaweed, rich in minerals, is considered one of nature’s most complete nutritional sources and in scrubs and wraps helps detoxify the body and nourish skin.

• Niu (Coconut)

This was once the Hawaiians’ most versatile tree, providing everything from thatching to drink to medicine. Its sweet meat yields emollient oil with a clean scent and conditioning properties for hair and skin. Heated, the oil eases muscle aches; grated, the pulp adds texture and sultry fragrance to body scrubs. The many shapes and sizes of coconut shell make it a handy massage tool.

Where to Splurge

Nature as healer is the philosophy behind even the most decadent Hawaiian spa services. Sugar scrubs improve circulation by exfoliating dry, dead skin. Herbal wraps detoxify the body and replenish skin nutrients. Lomilomi with kukui nut or coconut oil eases muscle and joint pain. And the sweet scents of jasmine, ginger and coconut lift the spirit. Here we’ve curated a list of treatments on each island.

A massage featuring a personalized body polish at Laniwai Spa.

•

Laniwai Spa at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu

The 80-minute Kilikili signature therapy begins at the outdoor hydrotherapy garden and Pulu (meaning “to make soft or saturate”) Bar, where spa-goers create a personalized body polish from cane sugar or sea salt and traditional fragrances, such as maile, plumeria, pikake and mango. Then, a lomilom i ( Hawaiian massage) is enhanced with fragrant coconut oil and misting jets of water and fi nished with nourishing Hawaiian body butter. $225, disneyaulani.com

•

Spa Grande at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort and Spa on Maui

A new “farm to spa” treatment menu features local ingredients, holistic application and results-driven rituals. The Royal Niu Coconut Dream is two-and-a-half hours of treatments for two. Couples share coconut water and coconut delicacies before being exfoliated by fibrous coconut husks and a mild coconut scrub, followed by a coconut butter body wrap that includes a scalp and foot massage. Next is a 25-minute coconut milk bath for soft, smooth skin. The fi nale is a 50-minute massage with coconut oil and shells. The gliding and rolling of smooth coconut tools easily relax muscles, as the pressure can be fi rm to medium to mellow. $630, grandwailea.com

lomilomi massage with warm coconut oil, followed by a detoxifying scrub of sandalwood, ‘awa (kava), ginger and oats, and then a hot lava stone massage to ease muscle tension . T he treatment is offered indoors, at an oceanfront hale or in a waterfall hale. $189 for 50 minutes, $259 for 80 minutes, fairmont.com/orchid-hawaii

• Halelea (House of Joy) Spa at the St. Regis Princeville

Resort

A premium collection of vacation homes in seven beachfront and golf-front resorts in Wailea and Makena, Maui

The Spa Without Walls at The Fairmont Orchid on Hawaii Island

•

Seven of the spa’s 11 body treatments feature local ingredients from the Big Island . Awa Earth & Fire is a 50- or 80-minute soothing

This elegant spa enhances its exotic treatments with essences of local fruits and flowers. The 90-minute Kauai Waialeale Body Masque, which leaves skin deeply cleansed and detoxi fied, features a blend of ginger, noni, kava, turmeric, organic aloe and blue-green algae. It is followed by a full body massage that incorporates an oil made with indigenous maile vine. $275, stregisprinceville.com m

• One- to five-bedrooms

• Fully-equipped kitchens

• Living room with private lanai

• Washer and Dryer

• Parking

• Wi-Fi

• $155 in resort credits to Wailea restaurants and spas

Halelea Spa at the St. Regis Princeville Resort.

Spa Grande at Grand Wailea.

Get Active

Good news — you don’t have to visit another country to walk on the most active volcano on the planet. Kilauea at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island is one passport-free plane ride away. Considering that more than 4,400 visitors can descend on this 24-hour national park daily (during peak hours), rangers have come up with some tips for visitors.

MIMI TOWLE

ARRIVE EARLY If you can get to Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube, pictured on right) before 10 a.m., not only is parking available, but the lava tube is virtually empty of people. As a bonus, birdwatching at Nahuku is best in the early morning.

HIKE IT One of the most scenic and popular trails is the four-mile Kilauea Iki Trail. Plan to hit the trail by 8 a.m. and be out by 10:30 a.m. Ideally, you can go to Nahuku (above) first at 7:30 a.m.

SEE MORE The historic and scenic Chain of Craters Road originates at the summit of Kilauea and stretches 19 miles to Holei Sea Arch. Overlooks, pullouts, and lesser-known hikes (Mauna Ulu, Puuloa Petroglyphs) abound — and it’s a good way to avoid the crowds and see more of what the 333,086-acre park offers.

GET THE GLOW The best time to observe the volcanic glow from Halemaumau at Jaggar Museum overlook is before sunrise or after 9 p.m., when most visitors have left.

FOLLOW THE LIGHT Since Jaggar Museum is the closest visitors can get to the summit’s glowing lava lake, it’s also the park’s most popular spot after 5:30 p.m. Consider parking at the Kilauea Overlook and bring a flashlight for the short walk to Jaggar.

GO HIGHER Mauna Loa Road is well worth exploring during prime hours, especially in good weather. Kipukapuaulu offers an easy, forested hike, and the views and bird-watching are excellent along the way to the Mauna Loa Overlook at 6,662 feet.

Education Vacation

Looking to make your next trip to the islands a bit more enriching? Here’s a short list of free talks intended to ensure you return home with more than a sunburn and tiki mug. M.T.

Oahu

• WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Your digestive system is known as “the second brain” because the vagus nerve actually manufactures more neurotransmitters than the brain does. For example, about 80 percent of your serotonin is made in the gut. Hence gut health is essential for mental and emotional health .

WHERE Oceanfront luxury hotel Halekulani has just introduced the “Living as an Art” lecture series, featuring wellness expert Kamala Skipper. The event occurs on the last Saturday of the month and is complimentary

for guests; otherwise a $25 fee applies. halekulani.com/living-well-lecture-series

• WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Prior to becoming the most-awarded winter Olympian, Apolo Ohno as a youth hid out in a friend’s basement to avoid his fi rst training camp.

WHERE “Study Hall” at The Modern Honolulu (pictured) is a monthly salon that happens at 6 p.m. in the hotel's “hidden” speakeasy. Lecturers include artists, authors, celebrities and creative types. modernhonolulu.com

Maui

• WHAT YOU’LL LEARN At Olelo Hawaii, you’ll discuss the history of language in Hawaii and learn how to pronounce Hawaiian words. At the end of the class, you will receive a certi ficate with your Hawaiian name WHERE The Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea was voted as having the “Best Hawaiian Cultural Program” by the readers of Maui News. T he program, led by full-time cultural coach Jonelle Kamai, includes an in-depth Hawaiian Cultural Tour featuring topics like ancient Hawaiians’ medicinal uses of native plants such as lauae, maia and ‘awa and the history of neighboring islands. The tour concludes in the resort’s signature restaurant Ko, where guests have the chance to press fresh sugarcane into juice. The cultural tour begins every Wednesday at 10 a.m., and a Hawaiian language and history talk is held Thursdays at 9 a.m. fairmont.com/kea-lani-maui

IN CELEBRATION OF 50 years as the reigning grande dame of hospitality on the Big Island of Hawaii, the legendary Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is launching a “50 Acts of Aloha” giving campaign, with recipients ranging from the Muscular Dystrophy Association to the Kohala junior tennis league to restoration efforts benefiting the endangered palila (Hawaiian honeycreeper) on the slopes of Mauna Kea.

The campaign “is our way of carrying on the legacy of our founder Laurance S. Rockefeller,” hotel manager Phyllis Branco says. “Although a developer, he was also a passionate conservationist. By initiating 50 Acts of Aloha, we add to the honor of working at such a historic hotel. The beauty here, our amazing team members and our guests who return year after year all combine to make this a truly special place.”

Mauna Kea executive chef Hans Lentz, who spent the past two years heading up

the kitchens in Africa’s five-star Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi, also feels honored to be associated with the hotel. “I have known of Mauna Kea throughout my career, since many of this famed hotel’s executive chefs, especially in the early years, were from Germany, as am I,” he says. Since stepping into the chef role here he’s introduced more special California winemaker dinners, featuring Groth, Jordan and Mondavi, among others. In March the resort holds its second annual Bacardi Bash, a two-day 50 Acts of Aloha event whose proceeds go to a local hospital.

While much has been written about the property throughout the years — its beach on Kaunaoa Bay has repeatedly been voted best in the world; it’s the only Hawaiian hotel to win an architecture award; and

it’s a favorite Hollywood A-listers’ stomping ground — here are a few fun facts even frequent visitors may not know. And if you’re heading over soon, check out the “Golden 50th” packages available for room stays, golf and tennis. timelessmaunakea.com M.T.

MKBH Fun Facts

1 A GOOD EYE The art collection has 1,600 works, including a unique piece from New Guinea and unusual canoe decorations from the Maori of New Zealand.

2 ON THE NOSE The nose on the Buddha statue was broken on the sculpture’s delivery in the 1960s — revealed after years of exposure to the elements (including volcanic ash) washed away the paint.

3 FOR THE BIRDS Two parrots live on property: Mango, 25, and Keo, 42 (another, Alika, retired in 1995).

4 FISH FABLES Some of the koi in the entry are decades old.

5 INSPIRED COLOR The hue of the famous orange logo, Pantone No. 165, was created to evoke a flowering royal poinciana tree at sunset.

6 NO GIRL DRINKS The signature cocktail Fredrico was named by frequent hotel guest Fred Allen, who wanted something more “manly” from beloved bartender Jim Jung at the Hau Tree Bar.

REFINING the art of

RELAXATION

The beach on Kaunaoa Bay as seen in the mid-1960s.

Traveling in a former communist country, a couple creates their own fairy tale as they discover natural and man-made beauty.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CALIN VAN PARIS

Opener: Lake Bohinj.

This page, from top: Church of St. John the Baptist on the east bank of Lake Bohinj; pitched tents at Camp Zlatorog; a hidden oasis at the base of the Julian Alps.

THEY SAY THAT every village in Slovenia has three things: a church, a bar and a linden tree, but it’s nearly impossible to spot the trifecta from the window of the rental car. One moment, we’re entering a red-roofed hamlet with slight roads and an impossible-to-pronounce name (Selišče, Tomišelj), but seconds later it’s over, like some trick of light, and we’re back winding through rich farmland and massive limestone formations, a steeple just visible in the rearview. The towns are so tiny they make the country — which in reality is about the same size as the state of Massachusetts — seem immense.

For a diminutive country, Slovenia is full of such contrasts. An artful European ambience is juxtaposed with the sulky cement remains of former Yugoslavia, from which Slovenia gained independence in 1991. The country went on to join the European Union in 2004, giving up the tolar in favor of the euro in 2007. From an outside perspective this is a happy development, but the shift is one that many citizens — accustomed to socialist sameness and faced with a struggling capitalist economy — are still aspiring to celebrate. The country’s confident beauty belies its uncertainty, and the tourism industry takes full advantage: I FEEL SLOVE NIA (emphasis on the letters that spell “love”) is the region’s ubiquitous slogan.

After a few days in Ljubljana — Slovenia’s lively, candycolored capital — and group tours of Postojna Cave and the nearby Predjama Castle, my boyfriend and I were ready for some peace, quiet and independence, so we rented a car. The prospect of riding buses, trains and shuttles seemed draining, and we congratulated ourselves on the frivolous decision as we retreated from town, liberated from the public transportation hassle, the GPS barking incoherent directions to point the way.

Of Tourists and Tranquility

We were bound for Lake Bled, the country’s signature scenery and our most highly anticipated destination. Back in the States, a precursory Google search of “Slovenia” brought up hundreds of images of the fantastic landscape: the lake itself surrounds Bled Island, home to several architectural feats, including the Church of the Assumption, built in the 17th century, and a Baroque 99-step staircase to which visitors can ferry, row or even swim. The picturesque display is overseen by Bled Castle, which sits on a towering cli ff . I mean, come on. Aside from Slovenia’s outdoorsy allure (the country is one of Europe’s lushest, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, kayaking and biking — especially with the pleasant weather we encountered during our August visit), and general obscurity (“You’re going where?”), the fairytale factor was a major draw.

As such, our disappointment upon arrival at Lake Bled was palpable. The would-be dreamy scene was teeming

with tourists of all shapes and sizes, our campground overbooked, crammed with recreational vehicles and electric grills. Reality had put the kibosh on our idyll. Fifteen minutes, a canceled reservation and one blurry photograph later we were back on the road in search of Lake Bohinj, a lesserknown alpine basin highly lauded by locals, who were easy to communicate with — nearly everyone spoke English.

Given the miles of forested, undeveloped land along with a national park to boot, it came as a surprise to learn that in Slovenia, “camping” is a relative term. Those who wish to sleep under the stars must do so in designated camping

Slovenia’s 29-mile stretch of Adriatic coastline is reminiscent of neighboring Croatia: Slavic and Italian influences intermingle while locals enjoy an unhurried, Old World approach to life.

areas, which are fi lled with amenities and, well, other people. To camp solo, one must either hike to one of the several sanctioned cabins strategically located throughout Triglav National Park (and hope that it is not already occupied) or approach the owner of a stretch of farmland and request permission to stay the night. This all sounded fairly timeconsuming, so when we fi nally located Lake Bohinj, we pitched our tent at Camp Zlatorog.

The sunset found me waist-deep in Bohinj’s calm, algid waters, a sigh of sincere serenity hanging in the dusky air and the taste of Laško — Slovenia’s ale of choice — lingering on my lips. Zlatorog’s camp restaurant provided ample picnic tables and a basic but welcome menu of food and drink, along with a wholesome family vibe reminiscent of Kellerman’s in Dirty Dancing — animated card games supplemented by laughter and a soundtrack of ’80s pop.

What Zlatorog lacked in privacy was made up for by locale, with tents positioned in a wooded area bordering the lake. Down the road, arduous trails slithered upward toward a number of sister pools, laid out like lily pads in the Julian Alps’ higher perches. A hike was defi nitely in order.

As the Wind Blows

If this trip had a theme, spontaneity was certainly it. The planning I had attempted prior to flying over — 11 hours from SFO to Munich followed by two hours to Slovenia on the ever-so-accommodating Lufthansa — had been discarded after the rental car indulgence and subsequent Bled debacle, and instead we (a “we” that included an iPhone, Wi-Fi and TripAdvisor) took each day as it came. This sort of adventure is liberating as long as you remain thoughtful in regard to impromptu decisions, which, on ou r fi rst official morning in Bohinj, we did not.

With nothing but bread rolls in our bellies and packaged apple strudel in our day packs, we began what camp sta ffers assured was an easy-to-moderate hike to a waterfall followed by the series of alpine lakes. Seasoned hikers both, we con fidently strode toward the skyward trails, saying hello to fellow hikers (none American, all English speakers) while smugly snickering at their inappropriate footwear. These friendly hikers were clearly not in it for the long haul.

As it turns out, neither were we. The requisite hour and a half brought no lakes, only a steep and steadily rising forest

This page, from top: The seaside city of Piran; a storybook stairway in the Tolmin Gorges; the improbable placement of Predjama Castle.

This page, from top: The ruins of Tolmin Castle; The Blue House, home to Valentini and his antiques. Opposite: Tolmin villages and the Soca River as seen from Kozlov rob.

path. The lesser athlete of our duo, I gasped mouthfuls of air while enjoying yet another break on yet another forgotten stump. A young couple making their way down the trail eyed me sympathetically. “How much farther to those lakes?” I sputtered. An hour and a half, they casually replied, and with that I threw in the proverbial towel — no amount of “pacing myself” would propel my body up that mountain with only strudel as fuel. Dejected, we turned back.

Fortunately, we are not trail-bound folk, and our downhill energy empowered us to explore offshoots of the main route. The first led us down a likely illegal path to the aforementioned waterfall. Tourists who had opted for the approved route waved down from a viewpoint across the ravine, restoring our identities as competent explorers. We rode this prideful current back to the path and down a wooded hill and were rewarded with an oasis of sorts — a flowing tributary of Lake Bohinj, accompanied by a crystalline pond as clean and cold as ice. Raindrops tumbled from the smattering of clouds overhead, and in that moment, I really did “feel Slovenia.”

Back at the lake, a campsite canoe was the ideal vessel for a quick trip across the water. We docked on a tiny beach, enjoying swigs from our ever-present bottle of Teran (a wine made from a dark-skinned grape variety found primarily in Slovenia, but available in Italy and Croatia as well) and discussing the serendipitous events that led us to this idyllic corner of the country. Nightfall returned us to the protection of our tent, where I was lulled easily to sleep by a symphony of toppling droplets made heavy by the branches overhead.

Savoring the Seashore

The sunrise reignited our need for transience. The now fully realized storm had inspired my inner sun seeker, and we hastily packed up camp between intermittent downpours.

A mere one-and-a-half hours of driving brought us to un fi ltered sunlight and a dreamy 80 degrees.

Slovenia’s 29-mile stretch of Adriatic coastline is reminiscent of neighboring Croatia: Slavic and Italian in fluences intermingle while locals enjoy an unhurried, Old World approach to life. Piran, a city playfully crammed into peninsula formation, a castle (of course) at its point, is the country’s most popular seaside destination, and one I was eager to visit. An accidental jaunt to nearby Portoroz, which I can only describe as the Reno of Europe, made Piran all the more appealing, and we happily parked outside the gates of the city, a mandate to avoid excess automobile tra ffic in town.

We strolled along the cape, fast-melting gelato in hand, while other visitors basked on man-made cement “beaches” that jutted from the main drag, children splashing in the briny sea. Anxious as we were to join them, our ultimate Adriatic destination awaited around the corner in Izola, Piran’s less-crowded little sister.

Another sunset, another swim — this time off he rocky shores of Izola Beach. The waters of the Adriatic enveloped me like a downy blanket, surprisingly warm and gentle waves lapping against my skin, easing me into a state of unfettered bliss. If I could have, I would have forgone a bed in favor of a slumber in that sea. But one must eat, so we waded back to shore, dried off nd pulled up two seaside seats at Gostilina Sidro — a seafood restaurant with Mediterranean in fluences, as is the norm in this region — for a dinner of too much bread, mussels and a buttery pasta loaded with more tru ffles than either of us had ever seen, let alone eaten, all at once.

With bellies full, we followed a maze of meandering alleyways to the Wine Bar Manziolini, positioned in a charming square opposite a large white stucco church. Regulars sat around an outdoor piano, crooning in various languages, their jovial expressions brightened by candles and muted light from within the bar. We succeeded in closing the place down — not so impressive considering it was only open till midnight— and soon found that all of Izola shared a Cinderella bedtime. We took our partially fi nished bottle of Teran and wandered the empty maze for hours, losing ourselves in quiet corners — laundry hanging on lines overhead, alley cats skittering by pastel-colored buildings squished in a whimsical, romantic layout reminiscent of nearby Venice, a city that once ruled over Izola. The place was ours for one night, making one night just enough.

One More Castle

Tolmin was the last stop on our jumbled itinerary. Bags fully stocked with almond biscotti and plump, oily olives from the Italian vendors that sprinkled Izola’s avenues, we headed north — past the home of Slovenia’s famous, snow-white Lipizzan horses — toward the wooded villages that we had come to adore during our time in Slovenia.

Our Tolmin haven was The Blue House, a three-story roadhouse situated in the Soča Valley, its powder-blue paint job bright against the unseasonably gray sky. The owner, Valentini, is an avid antique collector, a hobby evidenced by the well-edited collection of furniture and striking wall decor. We were only planning to stay one night at Valentini’s museum of treasures, but one quickly became three as we made The Blue House our home. After a day of doing nothing but skipping stones on the nearby Soča River — which, like most rivers in the region, is made an impossible shade of pale turquoise by the flecks of limestone that litter the bottom — we were ready to explore the Tolmin gorges, known locally as Tolminska korita (an important fact, it turns out, as no one seemed to know what or where the “Tolmin gorges” were).

The lowest point in Triglav National Park, the gorges showcase the uniquely Slovene river hue through a series of eroded channels, which hikers can explore via paths, stairways and suspension bridges. The day’s rain resulted in rushing rivers, morphing the typically tropical-looking turquoise waters into a blanched aqua that better echoed the chilly temperature. The sun peeked out occasionally from the clouds, highlighting the wildflowers and butterflies that inhabited the craggy banks. Back at The Blue House, a dinner of homemade vegetable soup prepared by Valentini himself ensured we were again warm, cozy and very much at home.

One last castle visit seemed the only appropriate way to say good-bye to this magical country. The ruins of Tolmin Castle sit on the ridge of Kozlov rob, offering breathtaking views of the villages below, the Soča cutting through the landscape like a glacial vein. As we gazed down at the valley and upward to the Alps, I thought about how all fairy tales are born of some semblance of reality. If Prince Charming really did come riding in on a white horse, it was probably a Lipizzan, and it was defi nitely in Slovenia. m

CAVES AND CASTLES Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle, postojnska-jama.eu/en

LAKE BOHINJ Camp Zlatorog, camp-bohinj.si/en

TOLMIN The Blue House, bluehouse.si

HOSTEL Hostel Alieti, en.hostel-alieti.si

Out & About

CALENDAR / ON THE SCENE / DINE

THEATER

THRU MAR 15 Newsies

SHN presents the Tony Award–winning musical that tells the true story of a band of homeless and orphaned children who sell newspapers on the streets of New York and eventually make headlines. Orpheum Theatre (SF). 888.746.1799, shnsf.com

THRU MAR 15 The Convert In 1896 South Africa, a young Shona girl converts to Christianity and becomes a servant to an African evangelist in order to avoid an arranged marriage. Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5208, marintheatre.org

Calendar

MAR 7–15 Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds

Inspired and supplemented by the reggae music of Bob Marley, Three Little Birds follows Ziggy — who is afraid of everything — on an unexpected adventure with his friend Nansi that forces him to get out of the house and into the Jamaican sunshine.

Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5208, marintheatre.org

DANCE

MAR 12–22 ODC/ Dance Downtown Contemporary dance company ODC/ Dance celebrates its 44th season with two world premieres: Dead

Reckoning by KT Nelson and The Invention of Wings by Brenda Way in collaboration with KT Nelson. YBCA (SF). 415.863.6606, odcdance.org

COMEDY

TUESDAYS Mark Pitta and Friends The comic hosts an evening for up-and-comers and established headliners to work on new material. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, throck mortontheatre.org

MAR 7 George Lopez: Listen to My Face Entertainer George Lopez travels to the Bay Area on his most recent stand-up tour, bringing his version of family comedy to the stage. The War field (SF). 415.345.0900, thewar fieldtheatre.com

MAR 13 The Infinite Monkey Cage Check out the award-winning BBC Radio comedy and science series, recorded in front of a live audience. Palace of Fine Arts (SF). 888.746.1799, shnsf.com

MAR 20 Alton Brown

Live! The Edible Inevitable Tour The Food Network’s Alton Brown has taken his show on the road, and it spans all genres. Enjoy a bit of comedy, a multimedia lecture, live music, extreme food experimentation and even puppets. Golden Gate Theatre (SF). 888.746.1799, shnsf.com

MAR 26 Amy Schumer

The creator, star, writer and executive producer of Inside Amy Schumer — the popular Emmynominated Comedy Central show — comes to San Francisco to perform her brand of unbridled stand-up. Davies Symphony Hall (SF). 800.745.3000

MUSIC

SUNDAYS Traditional Irish Session Head to Fairfax for an open, Irish-pub-style jam session. The Sleeping Lady (Fairfax). 415.485.1182, sleepinglady fairfax.com

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

MAR 1

Chuck Prophet and Stephanie Finch

Rocker Chuck Prophet comes to Sonoma in support of his 13th album, Night Surfer HopMonk Sonoma listening room (Sonoma). 707.935.9100, hopmonk.com

MAR 6 Rebirth Brass Band

The Grammy Award–winning New Orleans band comes to Mill Valley to perform hip-shaking selections from the recent studio album, Move Your Body Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.1100, sweet watermusichall.com

MAR 6–7 SoundBox:

Nathaniel Stookey and Edwin Outwater Check out the San Francisco Symphony’s new experimental performance venue and late night live music series with this month’s set featuring a preconcert exploration of Oliver DiCiccio’s musical sculptures and a postconcert set by DJ Nicole Lizée. SoundBox (SF). 415.503.5299, sfsoundbox.com

MAR 7 Megan Slankard

Indie alt-rock artist Megan Slankard and her band perform her edgy, raw, sometimes sassy songs. Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.1100, sweetwater musichall.com

MAR 7–8 A Bach

MAR 8 New Century Chamber Orchestra

Guest concertmaster Glenn Dicterow of the New York Philharmonic leads the ensemble through a selection of Mozart, Brahms, Grieg and Hoist. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org

MAR 13 The Musical Box: Selling England by the Pound Known for reproductions of performances by the rock band Genesis, The Musical Box applies painstaking detail to every element of each show, including visual, scenic, audio and musical. Regency Ballroom (SF). theregency ballroom.com

MAR 14 Cynthia Phelps

The principal violinist of the New York Philharmonic joins Italian pianist Laura Magnani, the San Francisco Boys Choir and more, presented by Musica Marin. (Tiburon). musica marin.com

MAR 14 Howlin Rain

Triple threat (front man, songwriter and lead guitarist) Ethan Miller performs songs from Howlin Rain’s latest album, Mansion Songs. Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.1100, sweetwater musichall.com

Sampler

The San Francisco Bach Choir samples three of Bach’s many genres, including the Lutheran Mass in F, one of his few works to feature virtuosic horns. Calvary Presbyterian Church (SF). 888.473.2224, sfbach.org

MAR 15 Mill Valley

Philharmonic Enjoy music, dancing and food at this 15th annual fundraising event. Community Center (Mill Valley). mill valleyphilharmonic.org

MAR 19 Robyn Hitchcock The psychedelic pop rocker returns to San Francisco. Great

Photo by Todd Rosenberg

Also: Marin Symphony Chorus and Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra

• MAR 21 Straighten Up and Fly Right: A Tribute to Nat King Cole Bay Area Cabaret presents a special tribute to Nat King Cole — a onetime regular at the Venetian Room — featuring jazz guitarist/ vocalist John Pizzarelli and Grammy Award–winning jazz pianist, producer and composer Ramsey Lewis. Venetian Room at the Fairmont (SF). 415.392.4400, bayareacabaret.org

American Music Hall (SF). slimspresents. com, 866.558.4253

MAR 19–21 Death

With Interruptions

Left Coast Chamber Ensemble presents a new opera by awardwinning composer Kurt Rohde, based on Nobel Prize winner José Saramago’s story of death and his love for the principal cellist of a local orchestra. ODC Theater (SF). 415.617.5223, leftcoastensemble.org

MAR 19–22 Yountville

Live Enjoy live music — including Colbie Caillat, Matt Nathanson and O.A.R. — food prepared by celebrity chefs and local culinary stars and the best Napa Valley wines at this festival in the heart of wine country. Various locations (Yountville). yountvillelive.com

MAR 21 A Celtic Appalachian Celebration Join a slew of world-class Irish musicians as they perform together for the fi rst time on the West Coast. Players include Mick Moloney and multi-instrumentalist Michelle Mulcahy. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). irishamerican crossroads.org

MAR 21 OKGO Creative quartet OKGO — known for its unique and mind-blowing music videos — perform songs from the new Upside Out EP, a preview of the forthcoming album. The War field (SF). 415.345.0900, thewar fieldtheatre.com

MAR 22 Kronos Quartet The San Francisco–based Grammy Award–winning quartet performs selections from its more than 800 commissioned

works and arrangements. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org

MAR 22 Willow Wray: A Celebration of Life and Song A heartfelt and visual remembrance of Willow Wray and the release of her new album Seeds of Love, recorded seven weeks before her May 2014 passing. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, throck mortontheatre.com

MAR 25 Pert Near Sandstone This band combines hillbilly, old-time and bluegrass traditions on it s fi fth studio album, The Hardest Part of Leaving Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.1100, sweet watermusichall.com

MAR 28 Ukulele Session An open

music session featuring Ukulele Friends of Ohana, aka UFOs of Marin. The Sleeping Lady (Fairfax). 415.485.1182, sleeping ladyfairfax.com

MAR 29 JD Souther

The songwriter behind the Eagles hits “Heartache Tonight,” “Best of My Love” and “New Kid in Town” performs music based on his own stylistic roots, which encompass both rock and country. Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.1100, sweet watermusichall.com

GALLERIES

MARIN

Art Abloom Studio and Gallery Classes for artists. 751 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.256.1112, artabloom.com

Art Works Downtown Stop by the gallery during the March 13 art walk. 1337 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.451.8119, artworksdowntown.org

Bubble Street Featuring genres of fantastic art, imaginary realism, neo-Victorian and steampunk. 565 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.339.0506

Claudia Chapline Gallery and Sculpture Garden Amie Lute Abstract figure painings and drawings by the artist. 3445 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach. 415.868.2308, cchapline.com

Falkirk Cultural Center Edge Artists Group Show Works from Edge Artists in multiple mediums, through March 7. 1408 Mission Ave, San Rafael. 415.485.3328, falkirkcultural center.org

Fine Art Etc. Featuring a collection of sculptures and paintings by artists from Northern California and around the world. 686 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.332.1107, finearttc.com

Gallery Route One

Lucid Art Residency Annual Exhibition An annual group exhibition featuring works made during each artist’s residency in 2014, March 20–April 26. 11101 Hwy One, Point Reyes. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org

Headlands Center for the Arts Set Lists for a Setting Sun Works by Dario Robleto, through March 29. 944 Simmonds Rd, Sausalito. 415.331.2787, headlands.org

Marin Civic Center Galleries Capturing Lightning in a Bottle Works by members of the Marin Photography Club, through May 22. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 415.450.1079, photoartsmarin.com

Marin Society of Artists Your Favorite Medium

A juried show, through March 21. 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross. 415.454.9561, marin societyofartists.org

Mine Gallery Original contemporary art. 1820 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax. 415.755.4472, gallerymine.com

O’Hanlon Center for the Arts Black, White and Shades of Gray, through March 26. 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.4331, ohanloncenter.org

Petri’s Fine Arts Featuring contemporary works in various mediums. 690 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.332.2626, petrisfineart.com

Robert Allen Fine Art Group Exhibition Prints, drawings and mixedmedia works on paper, through March 31. 301 Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.2800, robertallenfineart.co

Robert Beck Gallery

Early California and contemporary plein air paintings. 222 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.456.7898, beckgallery.org

Robert Green Fine Arts Paul Jenkins Paintings and watercolors from the 1960s and 1970s, through March 29. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.8776, rgfineart.com

John Pizzarelli

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

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

Leslie Allen: Fresh Paint, through March 29. 108 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.384.8288, seagergray.com

Smith Andersen North

Folk Photography: Poems I’ve Never

Written Works by Joe

Schwartz, through March 7. 20 Greenfield Ave, San Anselmo. 415.455.9733, smith andersennorth.com

Studio 333 Why There Are Words Literary series featuring New York Times best-selling authors and other award-winning writers. 333A Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.8272, studio333.info

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

The Blissful Gallery 3-D works by local artists. 3415 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach, 415.868.2787, theblissfulgallery.com

Zener Schon Contemporary Art Contemporary works in various mediums from Eric Zener, Paige Smith, JD Wilson and more. 23 Sunnyside Ave, 415.738.8505, zener schongallery.com

SAN FRANCISCO ArtHaus San Francisco–New York (Nonstop) Works by Marin artist Carolyn Meyer. 411 Brannan St, 415.977.0223, arthaus-sf.com

Fouladi Projects

Contemporary fine art and curated functional works. 1803 Market St, 415.621.2535, fouladiprojects.com

George Lawson Gallery Silver Screen Pieces by Tama Hochbaum, through

March 21. 315 Potrero Ave, 415.703.4400, georgelawson gallery.com

Gregory Lind Gallery

Free Range Works by Jake Longstreth, through March 14. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, gregorylindgallery.com

Hackett-Mill Rare works from the 1950s and 1960s by American, European and Asian artists. 201 Post St, 415.362.3377, hackettmill.com

Meyerovich Gallery

Grisha Bruskin: Paintings and Sculptures. 251 Post St, 415.421.7171, meyerovich.com

Pier 24 Photography Art from the Pilara Foundation collection. Pier 24, 415.512.7424, pier24.org

Rena Bransten Projects Works by Tony DeLap, through March 14. 1639 Market St, 415.982.3292, renabransten gallery.com

Thomas Reynolds Gallery Pieces by contemporary painters, most exploring the intersection of realism and abstraction. 2291 Pine St, 415.441.4093, thomasreynolds.com

MUSEUMS

MARIN

Bolinas Museum A Life in Transition Skateboard photography by Brian

Gaberman, through April 5 (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org

Marin History Museum Faces in Marin History

A special exhibit featuring rarely seen photographs, portraits and stories from Marin founders and notable residents of past and present, through October 31 (San Rafael). 415.454.8538, marinhistory.org

Marin Museum of the American Indian Explore Native American history, languages, art and traditions (Novato). 415.897.4064, marinindian.com

Marin Museum of Contemporary Art Legends of the Bay Area: Lawrence Ferlinghetti, through April 5 (Novato). 415.506.0137, marinmoca.org

BAY AREA

Asian Art Museum The Printer’s Eye Rarely seen works from the Grabhorn Collection, a large assemblage of Japanese woodblock prints, through May 10 (SF). 415.581.3711, asianart.org

California Academy of Sciences Enjoy an adults-only experience after 6 p.m. every Thursday. (SF). 415.379.8000, calacademy.org

Conservatory of Flowers Aquascapes The art of underwater

gardening, through April 12 (SF).

415.831.2090, conserv atoryofflowers.org

Contemporary Jewish Museum Letters to Afar An immersive video art installation centering on Jewish immigrants from the U.S. who visited their hometowns in Poland during the 1920s–30s, through May 24 (SF). 415.655.7800, thecjm.org

de Young Botticelli to Braque: Masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland Works by many of the greatest painters from the Renaissance to the early 20th century, March 7–May 31 (SF).

415.750.3600, deyoung. famsf.org

Off the Grid — Sausalito by Carolyn Meyer at ArtHaus, S.F.

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

Legion of Honor Artists and Editions: A Publication in Memory of Steven Leiber, through March 29 (SF). 415.750.3600, legionofhonor.org

Museum of Craft and Design Data Clay: Digital Strategies for Parsing the Earth An exhibit that explores the medium of ceramics coupled with digital technologies, through April 19 (SF). 415.773.0303, sfmcd.org

Oakland Museum of California Fertile Ground: Art and

Community in California A collaboration between SFMOMA and OMCA examining how California artists have in fluenced and have been in fluenced, through April 12 (Oakland). 510.318.8400, museumca.org

San Francisco Botanical Garden Magnolia Bloom Nearly 100 rare and historic magnolias blossom into pink and white blooms in this mustsee floral spectacle, through March 31 (SF). sfb otanicalgarden.org

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art Unconventional and Unexpected: Quilts Below the Radar, 1950–2000, through May 17 (Sonoma). svma.org

The Walt Disney Family Museum All Aboard: A Celebration of Walt’s Trains A comprehensive exhibit exploring the in fluence railroading had on Walt Disney’s life and work, through March 15 (SF). 415.345.6800, waltdisney.org

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Polyscroll Works by Nate Boyce, through April 5 (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org

EVENTS

MAR 14 Pi Day at the Exploratorium Celebrate the mathematical constant at this free day, one of the museum’s six free days of 2015. Exploratorium (SF). 415.528.4444, exploratorium.edu

MAR 15 Smuin Ballet 2015 Gala Join

Willie Brown, Wilkes Bashford, Renel Brooks-Moon, Mark Leno and London Breed for a special gala event celebrating Smuin’s 21st season. Galleria (SF). 415.556.5000, smuinballet.org

MAR 16 Purim Palooza: A Family Carnival Come in costume and enjoy carnival games, activities, food and live music. Make masks, crowns, puppets and more, all in the name of silliness. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org

MAR 16–JUN 30 Connections Art Contemporary Marin presents an exhibition showcasing the work of

female environmentalists in conjunction with this year's Geography of Hope Conference. Red Barn Gallery (Point Reyes). 415.464.5125, artcontemporary marin.com

MAR 17–22 Dame Edna’s Glorious Goodbye: The Farewell Tour Dame Edna Everage (Barry Humphries) of Australia celebrates the end of more than 50 years in the entertainment industry with amazing sets, talented dancers and a hilarious performance. Orpheum Theatre (SF). 888.746.1799, shnsf.com

MAR 20–22 California’s Artisan Cheese Festival Back for its ninth year, this wine and cheese

event brings together artisan cheesemakers, cheese enthusiasts, winemakers, authors, brewers and chefs for tastings, education and demonstrations. Sheraton Sonoma County (Petaluma). 707.837.1928, artisan cheesefestival.com

MAR 21–22 Indoor Antique Market Browse a selection of antiques that includes fi ne art, vintage and estate jewelry, silver, decorative art, glass, prints and postcards at this spring show. Marin Center Exhibit Hall (San Rafael). 415.383.2252, goldengateshows.com

MAR 26 Marin Women’s Hall of Fame Annual Induction and Celebration Dinner Join YMCA San Francisco

and Marin to honor the 2015 inductees to the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame. Peacock Gap (San Rafael). 415.397.6886, ywcasf-marin.org

MAR 29 Transamerica Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon Runners will travel an icon-laden course over the Golden Gate Bridge, through the Presidio down Lincoln Highway, along Crissy Field and ending in the heart of the city at Civic Center Plaza with a rock concert. Bands will also perform along the course. Various locations (SF). runrocknroll. competitor.com

FILM

THRU MAR 1 San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival Enjoy ocean-related independent fi lms at this 12th annual cinema event. Films center on topics ranging from ocean exploration to conservation in mediums of documentaries, animation and more. Cowell Theater (SF). 415.561.6251, ocean fi lmfest.org

MAR 2–3 The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Journey to exotic locales with these extreme, big-screen stories featuring spelunking, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking and a slew of other adrenaline-inducing sports. Smith Rafael Film Center (San Rafael). sanrafaelban ff.bpt.me

MAR 3 Havana Curveball Catch favorites from the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival at this Marin event. This documentary centers on a 13-year-old

as he approaches his bar mitzvah and ponders what it all means. Filmmaker guests will be present. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org

MAR 12 The Russian River: All Rivers Filmmakers share this documentary highlighting the history of the Russian River, as well as the diverse factors that in fluence the watershed, drawing attention to the general problems facing all rivers. Smith Rafael Film Center (San Rafael). rafael fi lm.ca fi lm.org

MAR 16 David and Me Forensic pathologist Judy Melinek discusses her work in conjuction with David and Me, a documentary about a convicted murderer who, after 29 years in prison, has a team of dedicated lawyers and activists searching for new evidence to exonerate him. Smith Rafael Film Center (San Rafael). rafael fi lm.ca fi lm.org

NATURE WALKS & TALKS

ONGOING First Tuesday ArtWalk Join The Mill Valley Arts Commission each month for a stroll through town to view exhibits by local artists. Various locations (Mill Valley). cityofmill valley.org

ONGOING Mark Twain Walking Tour of Napa and Sonoma Local actor George Webber morphs into Mark Twain as he brings alive the pasts of the historic towns. 707.694.5097, georgewebber.com

ONGOING Sausalito Walking Tours Take a one-hour walk through Old Town and learn about its history. Vina del Mar Plaza (Sausalito). 415.331.3791, travelswithteri.com

ONGOING Sunday Hikes on Mount Tam Cap off our weekend with a three-to-fivemile group hike up Mount Tamalpais. Each trek is led by a Friends of Mount Tam volunteer. Various locations (Mill Valley). 415.258.2410, friendsofmttam.org

ONGOING Free First Wednesdays Visit the Bay Area Discovery Museum on the fi rst Wednesday of every month for an exploration fi lled with fun and creativity. Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito). 415.339.3900, baykidsmuseum.org

MAR 2 Sen. Olympia Snowe The Marin Speaker Series presents Olympia Snowe, the fi rst woman in U.S. history to serve in both houses of a state legislature and both houses of Congress. Named one of the top 10 U.S. Senators by Time, Snowe discusses her career journey and politics. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.473.6400, marincenter.org

MAR 3 Tennessee Valley Nursery Take a trip to the nursery to aid in native habitat restoration by transplanting seedlings, pruning plants, collecting and cleaning seeds or maintaining the nursery, while learning

about local species and restoration. Tennessee Valley Nursery (Mill Valley). parksconservancy.org

MAR 4 Surprising Benefits of Bacteria: The Human Microbiome Katie Pollard — senior investigator at Gladstone Institutes and professor in the Division of Biostatistics at UCSF — joins Shannon Bennett to discuss the good side of bacteria. Nourse Theater (SF). 415.563.2463, cityarts.net

MAR 6–8 Creative Photography Weekend Spend the weekend learning about photography through a series of classroom talks and demonstrations, field sessions at various times of day and technique discussion. Various locations (Point Reyes). ptreyes.org

MAR 7 Headlands Art Adventure Join Point Bonita YMCA for a look at the work of Andy Goldsworthy and an opportunity to create your own momentary nature art, by gathering found natural objects and building sculptures. Point Bonita YMCA (Sausalito). ymcasf.org

MAR 7–8 Writing It Down Write from your heart on this nature retreat, which explores subjects, surroundings and dialogue, drawing inspiration from time outside and motivation from workshops and discussion. Hagmaier Ranch (Point Reyes). ptreyes.org

MAR 9 One Book One Marin Discussion

Join in a lively session about 2015 One Book One Marin selection At Night We Walk in Circles, written by Daniel Alarcón. Library meeting room (Point Reyes). 415.663.8375

MAR 14 Towering Trees of Muir Woods: A Youth Program Bring your kids to explore the towering redwoods and participate in a scavenger hunt, play guessing games and sing tree songs while enjoying the forest. Muir Woods (Mill Valley). 415.388.2596, parksconservancy.org

MAR 18 Minds of Their Own: Animal Intelligence Author of Animal Wise and a contributor to Science, Psychology Today and National Geographic, Virginia Morell talks with Roy Eisenhardt about what your pets are really thinking. Nourse Theater (SF). 415.563.2463, cityarts.net

MAR 18 Exploring Mark Rothko Join best-selling biographer Annie Cohen-Solal to discuss the work of Mark Rothko — his style and the aesthetic evolution that defi ned his work in abstract expressionism. JCCSF (SF). 415.292.1200, jccsf.org

MAR 27 Park

Stewardship Marin

Head to Oakwood Valley to help restore the critical habitat, improving a trail through hands-on work and learning about ecological history along the way. Oakwood Valley (Mill Valley). 415.561.3044, parksconservancy.org

MAR 28 Our Local Owls: Their Lives and Behaviors Spend an evening with these mysterious creatures as you learn about their natural history, meet live owls in the classroom and go into the field to visit some of their preferred habitats. Field Institute (Point Reyes). ptreyes.org

MAR 29 Sunshine Tour of Muir Woods Enjoy a three-mile stroll through the redwood forest as it wakes up. Experience the sounds and smells and accompanying stories and historical information about the redwoods. Muir Woods (Mill Valley). 415.388.2596, parksconservancy.org

MAR 30 Gloria Steinem

The Marin Speaker Series presents Gloria Steinem, a longtime proponent of the advancement of women. The activist, editor, author and documentarian discusses her views on feminism and true equality. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (SF). 415.473.6400, marincenter.org

MAR 31 Digital Generation: How Technology Is Shaping

Our Youth CEO and founder of Common Sense Media and book author Jim Steyer discusses issues related to children’s media and education in the U.S. Community Center (Mill Valley). 415.888.2329, speaktomeevents.com

Dine

• 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 petrale sole 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

CORTE MADERA

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

PACIFIC CATCH

Pan-Asian The wellpriced menu features a bounty of freshly caught items and Paci fic Rim–inspired small or main plates, including wasabi bowls fi lled with white or brown rice, veggies and your choice of chicken, beef or fi sh (cooked or raw). Paci fic Catch is successfully modeled after the Paia Fish House on Maui,

down to the chalkboard menu and Hawaiian music. 133 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.3474, pacificcatch.co

PIG IN A PICKLE

Barbecue/American

Fresh, local ingredients and the highest quality brisket, pork, ribs and chicken comprise the menu of this Town Center eatery. Sauces are crafted to represent the best American barbecue regions, from Memphis to South Carolina. House made pickles, buns and sausages will keep you coming back. 341 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.891.3265, pig inapicklebbq.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

Tailgate Platter

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS AND GOOD FOOD IN THE BAY AREA EDITED BY MIMI TOWLE

THREE BIRDS WINE

BAR California This oneroom bar and wine shop features more than 20 options by the glass, and a nice selection of bottles to take home. Enjoy free corkage for your Three Birds bottles at select local restaurants and an all day happy hour every Monday. 207 Corte Madera Ave, 415.927.9466, threebirdswinebar.com

VEGGIE GRILL Vegan/ Vegetarian This restaurant’s menu of vegan/ vegetarian items — think quinoa bowls supplemented with tempeh or vegetablebased proteins and sides like crispy portobello — ensures that there is something for every kind of eater. 100 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.945.8954, veggiegrill.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

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. Customer favorites include the cioppino, butternut squash ravioli and Pollo alla Sorella. Another highlight is the giant wheel of Grana Padana cheese, which is passed

around from table to table. 107 Bolinas Rd, 415.258.4520, sorellacaffe.co

GREENBRAE

FIFI’S DINER American

Enjoy a classic homestyle breakfast at this diner-inspired joint know for its pancakes and low prices. Mickey Mouse pancakes are available for the kids. 284 Bon Air Shopping Ctr, 415.461.3247, fifisdiner.co

JASON’S California

Head to Jason’s for seafood dishes with an Asian and Italian fl air. Try the fi sherman stew or, miso-glazed Chilean sea bass. 300 Drakes Landing Rd, 415.925.0808, jasonsrestaurant.com

LARKSPUR

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, huarache loco.com

EMPORIO RULLI Italian

Pastry chef Gary Rulli is renowned for his Northern Italian specialties and treats. The Larkspur location (there are three others) is a favored spot for lunch as well as coffee and a sweet treat. 464 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7478, rulli.com

FARM HOUSE LOCAL

California This downtown Larkspur 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

• LE GARAGE French

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

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

BUNGALOW 44

EL PASEO American

This Marin chophouse continues to impress as the years pass — 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

GIRA POLLI Italian Not in the mood to cook?

Pick up a wood-fi red rotisserie chicken or family dinner from this hot spot, or stick around for the specialty pasta and a glass of wine. 590 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.383.6040, gira-polli.com

GRILLY’S 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) 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, details from the

seasonally driven menu items to the 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

MILL VALLEY

AVATAR’S PUNJABI BURRITOS Indian A small and friendly place with only a few tables, but myriad

Indian-inspired burrito dishes to choose from. Try the curry chicken or Jamaican jerk wrapped in warm naan. Cash only, but well worth the trip to the ATM. 15 Madrona St, 415.381.8293, enjoyavatars.com

BALBOA

CAFE MILL VALLEY California

The San Francisco institution has 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

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,

American Much like sister restaurant Buckeye Roadhouse, Bungalow 44 offers a mean dose of homey carbo- and lipid-laden dishes, such as the burger and the fried chicken with tru ffle fries. The bar is a neighborhood favorite, known for tasty spirits and eye candy. 44 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500, bungalow44.com

DIPSEA CAFE Comfort

This longtime breakfast spot has been serving up tasty pancakes and egg dishes with homemade biscuits since 1986. Try a biscuit with a poached egg and sausage — or just plain butter. Lunch specialties include BLTs, tuna melts and generous Cobb salads; enjoy Greek-inspired dinners in the later hours. 200 Shoreline Hwy, 415.381.0298, dipseacafe.com

Mexican Both the Mill Valley and Fairfax locations offer quick and healthy Mexican fare like grilled chicken, steak or veggie-fi lled burritos with glutenfree and vegetarian options. 493 Miller Ave, 415.381.3278, grillys.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 housemade 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

JOE’S TACO LOUNGE

Mexican Joe’s serves up tast y fi sh tacos, burritos and enchiladas as well as more unusual items

like Mexican pizza, tofu salad and crab tostadas. Colorful interior and quick service make this a fun, easy stop. If there are too many unsupervised kids for a peaceful meal, takeout is easy too. If you stay, grab a selection of hot sauce bottles from the wall and fi nd your perfect match. 382 Miller Ave, 415.383.8164, joestacolounge.com

KITCHEN SUNNYSIDE

American This brunch stop brings some gourmet to your morning with options like Dungeness crab hash, marscapone-stu ffed french toast, eggs Florentine and bottomless mimosas. Lunch options like paninis and burgers are also available. 31 Sunnyside Ave, 415.326.5159, kitchen sunnyside.com

LA GINESTRA

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 or on the outdoor deck for a truly exceptional view right on the water. Peruse the impressive selection of Italian wines to accompany your rustic seasonal meal. 625 Redwood Hwy, 415.380.2525, piatti.com

PIZZA ANTICA Italian This Strawberry Shopping Center spot boasts amazing thincrust pizza along with an array of antipasti and hearty salads. Wine is served by the glass, half carafe or bottle. 800 Redwood Hwy, 415.383.0600, pizzaantica.com

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

PIAZZA D’ANGELO

Italian 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

PRABH INDIAN KITCHEN Indian Owned and operated by the Singh family, this restaurant is dedicated to serving healthy, organic and sustainable food with gluten-free and vegan options. Dishes include chicken pakora, vegetable biryani and basil garlic naan. Try the Thali menu (offered at lunch), a selection of several Indian dishes served at once. 24 Sunnyside Ave, 415.384.8241, prabh indiankitchen.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

Out & About / DINE

SHORELINE COFFEE

American Tucked away in a parking lot at Tam Junction, this ee shop is a funky diner with a smalltown feel. Enjoy the mix of Mexican and traditional breakfast 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 and vegan Thai spring rolls with sweet and sour sauce. 19 Corte Madera Ave, 415.388.3850, sweet watermusichall.com

THEP LELA Thai This jewel is tucked away in the back of Strawberry Village. Diners come for the tasty kee mao noodles, pad thai, fresh rolls and extensive bar menu. It’s also a great place for lunch. 615 Strawberry Village, 415.383.3444, theplela.com

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

THE GARDEN BISTRO

Mediterranean Fresh, local ingredients combine in dishes that are a tasty representation of Greek cuisine. The appetizer sampler includes dolmas, falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, pita, tomato tahini and cucumber yogurt mint dipping sauce. 333 Enfrente Rd, 415.883.9277, garden medrestaurant.com

MUSCIO’S Italian Largeplate Italian food, inspired by the tradition of family dinners. Meals include Mom’s Fettuccine with Prawns (gluten-free rigatoni available), My Sister’s Minestrone Soup and pesto chicken pizza. The kids’ menu ensures the whole family will enjoy an evening at Muscio’s. 1200 Grant Ave, 415.898.2234, muscios.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

SMASHBURGER

American This burger joint invented, and makes use of, a patented tool that smashes a meatball into the perfect burger patty while it’s on the grill. Enjoy that newfangled burger with a Häagen-Dazs milkshake and a side of haystack onion rings. 7320 Redwood Blvd, 415.408.6560, smashburger.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

INSALATA’S

Mediterranean Award-winning chef

Heidi Krahling offers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes prepared with local organic produce and artisan meats. 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.457.7700, insalatas.com

LINCOLN PARK WINE BAR American Choose between an intimate setting at the marble bar with vintage stools or a lively atmosphere in the lounge room with built-in banquettes.

Adhering to a farm-totable and grape-to-glass philosophy, the Lincoln Park Wine Bar serves locally sourced and organic food and wine.

198 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.453.9898, lincolnparkwine.com

MARINITAS Mexican

The sister restaurant of Insalata’s, Marinitas continues to flourish as a bastion of creative Latin cuisine in Marin. It may not be as lowpriced as most Mexican restaurants in the area, but this is not your typical south-of-the-border spot. The festive atmosphere and funky decor complement the excellent food for a classy, lively experience. This place gets packed, so make reservations.

218 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.454.8900, marinitas.net

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

VALENTI & CO. Italian

This bright and cozy space is the ideal environment for a sampling of authentic Italian cuisine from Chef Valenti, a Milanese transplant.

Though Valenti sticks to his culinary roots, the dishes at his Marin restaurant make use of local ingredients.

A seat at the vinobar offers a prime view of the open kitchen. 337 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.7800, valentico.com

SAN RAFAEL

AMICI’S EAST COAST PIZZERIA California

The wide array of thincrust pizza includes the Siciliano, an enticing mix of mozzarella, slow-roasted garlic, sausage, broccoli and crushed red pepper fl akes, sans tomato sauce. Gluten free crust is available. 1242 Fourth St, 415.455.9777, amicis.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

JOHNNY DOUGHNUTS Breakfast These fresh doughnuts are handmade in small batches using dairy from local farms to create both the dough and fi llings. Stop by the shop or have the food truck come to you. 1617 Fourth Street, 415.450.1866, johnnydoughnuts.com

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

RANGE CAFE American

With floor-to-ceiling windows positioned overlooking the grand Peacock Gap lawns, the Range Cafe is the perfect place to enjoy comforting American classics with an elegant twist. This inviting lunchtime cafe with its ice-cold lemonade and refreshing chardonnays makes a great dinner spot once the sun sets. 333 Biscayne Dr, 415.454.6450, rangecafe.net

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

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. 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 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, aurora-sausalito.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

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

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

FAST FOOD FRANCAIS

French Owned and operated by the owners of Le Garage and L’Appart Resto, F3 serves brunch, lunch and dinner, all featuring “Frenchi fied” American comfort food. Sample a rotating menu including items like the Luxe burger (Diestel turkey, brie, lettuce and a fried egg topped with tru ffle aioli). Enjoy with a side of Brussels sprout chips or pomme dauphines (tater tots). 39 Caledonia St, 415.887.9047, eatf3.com

Peter Uzelac, MD

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

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

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

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

SEAHORSE Italian The spacious dining area, accompanied by a dance floor and stage, make Seahorse ideal for both small and large celebrations. Enjoy a modern twist on classic Tuscan coastal cuisine while grooving to the nightly live music and entertainment. 305 Harbor Dr, 415.331.2899, sausalitoseahorse.com

SPINNAKER Seafood Chef Phil Collins excels at preparing seafood, and it shows in the beautifully plated presentations. 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

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

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Simply Salad

A dish that will brighten any warm spring day.

PIZZA IS GOOD. Pizza on a waterfront patio with a communa l fi re pit and bocce ball court is better. You’l l fi nd all this and more at Bar Bocce, a Sausalito favorite featuring a menu of thin-crust sourdough pizza, seasonal salads, shareable appetizers and local beer and wine. Executive chef and partial owner Robert Price, a 1983 alum of the City of Bath Culinary Institute in Bath, England, is the mastermind behind the popular eats. Price has been whipping up delicious fare for decades, beginning at The Capital Hotel in London. After a move to the West Coast, Price found his calling in California cuisine, helming noteworthy kitchens throughout the 1990s, co-founding Verbena in Oakland and fi nally helping to open the classic Buckeye Roadhouse in Mill Valley, where he continues to serve as executive chef. In 2005, Price added Bungalow 44 to his impressive restaurant collection, with Bar Bocce following in 2011. Of the three hot spots, Bar Bocce boasts a particularly laid-back ambience, along with stunning scenery, details not lost on Price. “I love being able to create a really fun, very accessible menu that is pizza-centric,” he says. “Plus, the view never gets old.” Here, Price shares a fresh and simple salad ideal for alfresco dining. barbocce.com CALIN VAN PARIS

Spring Zucchini Salad

SERVES 4

Ingredients

¼ cup shelled pumpkin seeds

Salt, fresh cracked pepper, cayenne powder and paprika to taste

3 small or medium yellow zucchini

3 small or medium green zucchini

1 ½ lemons, juiced

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

15 to 20 parsley leaves

15 to 20 celery leaves

¼ cup freshly shaved Parmesan

To Prepare

1 Toast pumpkin seeds until they begin to brown. 2 While still warm, toss seeds in salt, pepper, cayenne and paprika to taste; set aside. 3 Using a mandoline, slice the zucchinis longways as far as possible while still maintaining shape. 4 Place zucchini in a salad bowl. 5 Add lemon juice, olive oil, parsley and celery leaves and cheese to the bowl. 6 Add desired amount of salt and pepper. 7 Hand-toss the salad, ensuring full coverage over each ingredient. 8 Plate by hand so that any excess dressing remains in the mixing bowl. 9 Garnish each salad with the seasoned pumpkin seeds.

required in the main room. 107 Caledonia St, 415.332.3620, sushiran.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

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

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

GINZA Japanese

Whether you go for the volcano roll or indulge in the eightcourse Omakase meal, the fresh ingredients coupled with the tremendous view of

San Francisco keep this place busy, so make reservations or arrive early. 41 Main St, 415.789.5123, ginzasushi-tiburon.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

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

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

STATION HOUSE CAFE

of this restaurant’s unique Asian fusion cuisine. 22 Hawthorne St, 415.685.4860, benusf.com

BOULI BAR American/ Mediterranean Head to Boulettes Larder’s new bar and dining room for the savor y fl avors of spicy lamb, feta and mint or the bittersweetness of salad topped with barberries, bulgur and pomegranate, all in a setting of handsome wood tables and an open kitchen. 1 Ferry Building, 415.399.1155, bouletteslarder.com

BOXING ROOM Cajun

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 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 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 Whether it’s to cap off a ay of hiking or celebrate a romantic anniversary, Osteria Stellina suits any occasion. 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

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

SAN FRANCISCO

AQ RESTAURANT & BAR California AQ takes seasonal to a new level, not only adapting the menu but also transforming the decor of the entire venue to match the weather outside. This summer the warmly lit space parallels the dishes made with fresh veggies, nuts and fi sh. 1085 Mission St, 415.341.9000, aq-sf.com

BENU Asian/French Plan an evening at Benu for a formal and sophisticated meal. The breathtaking compositions are offered on a tasting menu that gives you the full experience

The Southern comfort of Louisiana, updated to fit the polished elegance of the city. Indulge in authentic Cajunstyle eats and fresh California seafood. 399 Grove St, 415.430.6590, boxingroom.com

BUN MEE Vietnamese

The Southern comfort A fun and casual lunch spot that put s a fl avorful twist on classic Vietnamese. Sit back in this playful space with a salad, bowl or sandwich and enjoy the stylish San Francisco vibes. 2015 Fillmore St, 415.800.7696, bunmee.com

ESPETUS CHURRASCARIA

Brazilian This steakhouse boasts a tasting menu of 14 meat courses grilled in the traditional Brazilian method. Patrons control the pace of the pri x fi xe experience with colored signal cards. 1686 Market St, 415.552.8792, espetus.com

FRANCES California

San Francisco elegance meets comfort food. The local, seasonal

Fruit Galette

menu is a must-try on any trip to the city. Be sure to make a reservation. 3870 17th St, 415.621.3870, frances-sf.com

HAKKASAN Chinese

The sleek, streamlined design is in sync with the delicate composition of the dishes, making this a grand S.F. destination. The rich-fl avored slowbraised beef and the hot-and-sour soup are essentials. 1 Kearny St, 415.829.8148, hakkasan.com

KIN KHAO Thai Fullfl avored Thai: From spicy curries to crab sen chan (a fresh seafood pad thai) to off-the-wall cocktails designed by Bon Vivants, this new San Francisco eatery is sure to impress. 55 Cyril Magnin St, 415.362.7456, kinkhao.com

LOLÓ Mexican Fashionable San Francisco–style Mexican cuisine fuses market-fresh ingredients with traditional dishes. The whole atmosphere is bright, colorful and festive, a reflection of Loló’s fl avor-blasted menu. 974 Valencia St, 415.643.5656, lolosf.com

MICHAEL MINA Japanese/French

Michael Mina has clearly mastered the fi ne line between award-winning art and Alaskan halibut. Each brilliantly crafted dish gives diners a delicate blend of fl avors that add up to a distinctive, luxurious dining experience. 252 California St, 415.397.9222, michaelmina.net

NAMU GAJI Korean

A clean and natural design in a streamlined setting, where a shiitake mushroom dumpling and an eightounce Korean-accented burger are among the many options to discover. 499 Dolores St, 415.431.6268, namusf.com

NOPA California The easy California menu shows off oasted chicken and pork chops, with a bouquet of appetizers to set the mood. Although this S.F. destination is busy almost every night (a good sign), the wait at the legendary bar is half the fun. 560 Divisadero St, 415.864.8643, nopasf.com

RICE, PAPER, SCISSORS Vietnamese

Don’t be fooled by the casual setting in this Vietnamese pop-up cafe — the grilled steak bahn mi i s five-star-worthy. Take a seat on one of the bright red stools on Mission Street and stay warm with a pot of jasmine tea. 1710 Mission St, 415.878.6657, ricepaperscissors.com

RICH TABLE California A bright, relaxed environment, fresh ingredients grown only feet from the kitchen, creative and quirky cocktails and California wine. 199 Gough St, 415.355.9085, richtablesf.com

‘‘Finally, a store that understands me.’’ Beauty. Simplicity. Creativity. The elegance of clean, modern design. Free gift-wrapping. Attentive, experienced staff. All this plus thousands of handcrafted designer gifts for your home and tabletop, jewelry, and much more await you at Terrestra in downtown Mill Valley. Featuring the largest-in-USA selection of fine leather goods from Mywalit of Lucca, Italy.

Wish granted.

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

For even more local restaurant listings, vistit us online at marinmagazine.com

On the Scene

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

DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY (SF BALLET); GARY FERBER (MOUNTAIN PLAY); KEN FRIEDMAN (BREAD AND ROSES)

Eileen Grady, Michael Schwartz and Sara Pearson

• MOUNTAIN PLAY ASSOCIATION More than $109,000 was raised to fund the spring production of Peter Pan during the annual Mountain Play fundraising gala November 8.

• BREAD AND ROSES Boz Scaggs performed and outgoing executive director Cassandra Flipper was honored at the November 27 event at the Great American Music Hall.

Dave Perron, Boz Scaggs and Cassandra Flipper

• SF BALLET 2015 GALA Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and dinner as well as a special performance and after-party at S.F. Ballet’s annual gala event held at the War Memorial Opera House January 22.

Bob Fisher, Raphaela Lipinsky, Lexie George, Randi Fisher and John Fisher

Glenn McCoy, Debra Bernard and Stephanie and Jim Marver

Nigel Sutton, Shelby Strudwick, Wilkes Bashford and OJ Shansby

We’ve Got Game! March Madness Menu Highlights at the Bar: Applewood Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with House-Made Buns, Spicy Honey-Glazed Chicken Wings, Pacific Oysters Chipotle-Style, and Daily Happy Hour Specials, 4:30–7pm. Weekly Seasonal Supper Menu. Special event? Private Rooms Available. Call for Details.

Brick & Bottle

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

The Speakeasy is a casual neighborhood sports bar with delicious affordable food, 10 beers on tap and a great wine list. Open 7-days per week for lunch and dinner including a classic weekend brunch. Famous for the “Speakeasy Burger” and crunchy fried chicken. Dine-in, take-out and delivery available from open until close.

The Speakeasy 504 Alameda Del Prado 415.883.7793 Novato, CA TheSpeakeasyNovato.com

The historic Cliff House offers awesome views from every angle and one of nature’s best shows every day. Dine in the casual Bistro Restaurant or the elegant Sutro’s at the Cliff House. Sunday Brunch in the Terrace Room is a Bay Area tradition with free-flowing champagne and a delicious buffet.

Cliff House 1090 Point Lobos 415.386.3330 San Francisco, CA cliffhouse.com

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 and grill

Consistently rated “Best of Marin,” Comforts offers fine city and homestyle food. Join us for breakfast or lunch in our cafe, or take home lunch or dinner from our vast array of dishes in our take-out. Easter and Passover are fast approaching and we’ll have a fantastic menu filled with our classic and favorite dishes for the holidays. Contact catering for more details!

Comforts Cafe

335 San Anselmo Ave 415.454.9840 San Anselmo, CA comfortscafe.com

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

Il Fornaio award-winning specialties include housemade pastas, wood-fired pizza, authentic risotto, and rotisserie meats, along with artisan cocktails and a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. Recently awarded the “Marchio Q” by the Italian Chambers of Commerce in Italy, Il Fornaio provides you with the best Italian dining experience outside of Italy.

• FALL FASHION FUNDRAISER

The Raccoons’ fall fashion show and fundraiser to benefit Marin General Hospital attracted more than 140 people to the St. Francis Yacht Club on November 14.

• SUMMER SOLSTICE

CELEBRATION

More than $79,000 was raised to help the underinsured and uninsured gain access to medical and dental care at the Marin Community Clinics’ annual celebration at the Marin Art and Garden Center.

CHAD GOODMAN (FALL FASHION); JOCELYN KNIGHT (SUMMER SOLSTICE)

Brian Alexander, Peter Pelham, Kathy King and Jerry Cahill

Grace Hughes, Al Varner and Linda Tavaszi

Susan Adams and James Clever

Marilyn Rooney, Kari Cusack, Annie Mendenhall, Tiffany Sams, Diane Kahn, Elaine Nolan and Cooksie Giannini

Jane Marra, Patti Stadlin and Cynthia Goodman

STUDIO SNAIDERO BAY AREA

Sales and Rentals

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

sfmoma.org/visit/artists_gallery Email for an appointment: artistsgallery@sfmoma.org Gallery Hours Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Maya Kabat, Urban Field #9 artwork photo: Philip Cohen; artist photo: Elise Morris

BY LAURA HILGERS

• PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER

WHEN BARBARA BORUN

Smith began looking for a house last spring, she knew exactly what she wanted.

“I was looking for a house that was charming and cozy inside and out,” says Smith, “but I also wanted it totally redone.”

A longtime resident of Larkspur, Smith wanted to downsize after a divorce and sending two kids off o college. So she asked her realtor, Susan Hewitt, to fi nd a pre-1940s home that was move-in ready. They did an extensive search, bidding unsuccessfully on two other houses before Smith bought this 1938 home, which, with its vintage European rooftop tiles, painted fir floors and small rooms, emanates old-fashioned appeal.

The home’s charm is the handiwork of San Anselmo designer Julie Neil and builder/ developer Dan Defner, who expanded and renovated the former one-story cottage in 2011, adding a master bath and an entire second floor. The remodel was so seamless that it feels like the second floor has been there all along.

The attention to period detail is evident everywhere, especially in the kitchen, which

has a farmhouse vibe, with wide-planked oak floors and simple, clean gray cabinets. It’s ideal for Smith, who trained as a pastry chef and loves to cook. “This house was like fi nding a needle in a haystack,” says Hewitt. “There are not a ton of these classic homes that have a gorgeous kitchen like this.”

Smith has added her own style to the place: In the living room, she’s hung a clear and blue Murano chandelier, bought from Venetian glassblowers on a family trip years ago. It’s a stunning conversation piece that she’s carried from home to home. And it blends well with her furniture, much of which was designed by Los Angeles–based Lois C. Esformes, notably the room’s mohair ottoman and chairs.

Like the house itself, Smith’s aesthetic is a mix of old and new. In the dining room, she’s placed a modern painting alongside antique dining room chairs and an Asian tansu chest, fi nds from her years of San Anselmo antiquehunting. The home reflects her own history too: a living-room shelf displays books once owned by her immigrant grandparents. She’s placed new and vintage family portraits (and

a few Ansel Adams works) artfully on dressers and desks and hung paintings by her (very talented) college-age daughter throughout.

If one word could be used to describe the house, it would be warm. Smith couldn’t be happier. “This is an amazing home because they’ve totally redone it but retained all the charm,” she says. “I just love that.” m

THE DETAILS

WHERE SHE PURCHASED The Morningside neighborhood of San Anselmo

WHAT SHE BOUGHT A renovated 1938 Mediterranean-style home

LISTING AGENTS Kathleen Daly and Lisa Lange, Coldwell Banker

SELLING AGENT Susan Hewitt, Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty

STATS Price per square foot for homes in the neighborhood: $520–$820

There are not a ton of these classic homes that have a gorgeous kitchen like this.

Opposite page: The living room and chandelier; Borun Smith. This page, clockwise from top: The farmhouse kitchen; the dining room; a guest bedroom; dresser top; the second-floor landing.

Let There Be Light

When it comes to illuminating a room, it’s all about what you have hanging around. BY PJ BREMIER

IF THERE’S A party going on in any room, chandeliers — with or without the life of the party swinging from them — are sure to be at the center of it. And while there will always be a place for traditional chandeliers, we think it’s time for the more playful ones to share the spotlight. 4

1 Albedo Suspension Lamp, $920, Hive Modern, 866.663.4483, hivemodern.com 2 Terzani Argent Rectangular Chandelier, $6,250, Lunaria (Corte Madera), 415.461.0588, lunaria.us 3 Droplet Glass Pendant, $319, West Elm (Mill Valley), 415.388.2950, westelm.com 4 Clear Crystal Sphere 9-Light Chandelier, $1,799, Lamps Plus (San Rafael), 415.453.6912, lampsplus.com 5 PS Maskros Pendant Lamp, $90, IKEA (Emeryville), 510.420.4532, ikea.com 5

millennial

active

Natives of both Marin & San Francisco, Erin and Jacquie are seasoned realtors with over 20 years of combined real estate experience in both markets. A strong sense of ethics, superior negotiating skills, top-notch marketing for your home and community involvement are key factors in their success. When you work with Erin and Jacquie, you’ll not only be working with top quality realtors, you will also be working with successful negotiators and trusted friends. Erin Howard

Everyone talks about excellence but what does it really mean in real estate? In most cases, slapping on a high-end logo and doing business as usual. Enter Paragon.

Paragon exudes excellence. Elegant offices, seasoned management, an in-house design team and an expert analyst whose market intelligence is regularly quoted in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. There’s no question that Paragon is here to challenge the status quo. Best can always be better. Put simply, Paragon walks their talk.

I started my career as an attorney, then built a designer clothing company where 60% of my business was Saks, Neiman Markus and Nordstrom. I’ve fought for excellence in everything I do but after 16 years in residential real estate I still wasn’t proud of my industry. For the first time I feel differently. I couldn’t be prouder of my association with Paragon, a company that is grounded in innovation and imagination and is constantly looking for ways to do things better because in my mind, good enough, well, it just isn’t.

TRACY OTSUKA, J.D.

ASSOCIATE BROKER 707.318.9847 tracy@tracyotsuka.com BRE#01234343

EXCEPTIONAL STINSON BEACH HIGHLANDS HOME

One of the finest properties in Stinson Beach, located in the coveted highlands, this unique home boasts custom detailing throughout. Situated on a peaceful ½ acre with sensational ocean and mountain views, accompanied by the sounds of the ocean in the background and just steps from Mt. Tam trail heads. There is expansive outdoor living area with upper level slate decks with stainless steel cable rail and lower level bluestone patio areas. Features include teak cabinets and casework, copper detailing, extensive use of glass, a variety of stone, radiant heated floor and automated gates. Built by Woodworking West, Inc. 7 Avenida Farralone, Stinson Beach Offered at $3,500,000

Conveniently Located in Stinson Beach 3470 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970

I needed a place where I could experience excellence.

SARAH NANCY BUTLER

Looking for a New Home?

Relax and enjoy the San Francisco skyline from this 4BR/6BA masterpiece just minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge. Designed by prominent San Francisco architects, Porter & Steinwedell. This elegant property sits on two hill side parcels providing unobstructed, breathtaking vistas from almost every room. The gardens were custom designed by the renowned landscape architect Fred Warnecke. Luxurious master suite features his and her master-baths & three walk-in closets. 2700 bottle wine cellar, gym, secluded patio, terrace, 4 car garage+ detached house with kitchen & half bath. www.54LowerCrescent.com

offered at $5,750,000

Julia Bernardini (415) 225-0468

Newly built, contemporary home with stunning views of Mount Tamalpais boasts elegance and style! Expansive main living space with open floor plan bordered by 40 feet of retractable glass. 1600 sq. ft. terrace with outdoor kitchen & multiple entertaining spaces. Spacious kitchen has large island with bar seating & breakfast nook with modern dining booth. Other features include large office (or 5th bedroom), 10 ft. ceilings throughout, oversized two car garage & elevator!

offered at $3,995,000

Paul Cingolani (415) 726-9630

Exceptional Home in San Anselmo

This exceptional home is located in the heart of the Seminary area of San Anselmo. This home was custom built with the finest finishes. The interior space features a gourmet kitchen with large island, great room with French doors that lead to a lovely landscaped garden perfect for indoor/outdoor living. The home includes five bedrooms and three and one-half bathrooms plus a den. There is also a home office with built in desk, speakers in many areas; six skylights, with walnut, slate and tile floors. Wine storage room.

offered at $2,250,000

Carol SCott (415) 971-5676

An entertainer’s dream. This home features three bedrooms and two baths, with just under 2100 square feet, on a very quiet street. Upon entering this home you will fall in love with the views from every room. Enjoy the deck as your own private sanctuary. Features include: a beautifully updated kitchen with granite counters and a detached two car garage with bonus room that could be converted into a golf cart garage. Come by and see this home, you’ll never want to leave.

offered at $849,000

Pat Kelly (415) 209-9000

Contemporary Sausalito Masterpiece

Novato’s Coveted Marin Golf & Country Club

Stunning Contemporary View Home in Kentfield

Highly competitive and famously complex, the San Francisco real estate market can be both challenging and rewarding.

Zephyr turns savvy, informed Bay Area urbanites into successful homeowners, investors and sellers. ZephyrSF.com

Pacific Union is Proud to Welcome Blaine Morris

Suzanne

Pacific Union is proud to Welcome Bryan Beaver to the Kathleen Brady & Bryan Beaver Team

Luxury Property Specialists

415.987.9967, 415.847.1491

Bryan.Beaver@pacunion.com

Kathleen.Brady@pacunion.com

PacificUnion.com

1550 Tiburon Boulevard, Suite U, Tiburon License #01023448, #00958832

Beaver & Kathleen Brady Luxury Property Specialists

Bryan

It just doesn’t get any better than this. Panoramic Bay and City views abound in this recently remodeled contemporary home sited on an 18,500 sq. ft. parcel. This very spacious home features 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths, highlighted by a generous master suite with a large walk-in closet and a private balcony. Additional special features include recessed lighting, marble countertops, hickory hardwood floors, Loewen windows and new wool carpeting. The main level includes a living room, formal dining room, family room, Chef’s kitchen and a private guest suite. Enjoy the best of outdoor living with multiple patios, an outdoor barbeque, infinity pool and a beautifully landscaped large level yard. Convenient location offers close proximity to Reed School and is just moments from town and the Tiburon Ferry. 35RollingHillsRoad.com Offered at $4,350,000

Space meets vintage style in this remodeled & expanded 1910 home. This spacious, light-filled home is ideal for a large family, home office(s) &/or frequent visitors. Hardwood floors, high ceilings, crown molding, and stylish new interior paint, light fixtures and hardware make this property turnkey.

Quality and detail abound in this sophisticated Belvedere Island 3Bd/2.5Ba gem! Perched on the hillside in a prime location to enjoy the views and convenience of the Belvedere lagoon, ferries, yacht clubs, park and town. This elegant one level remodel offers style and comfort with a floor plan ideal for an easy indoor/ outdoor lifestyle. Casual entertaining or al fresco dining can be enjoyed on the spacious stone patio featuring a fireplace and built in grill. Great room, three bedrooms (one currently used as office), TV room or study, two bathrooms and powder room.

 “We feel that Ted did an amazing job from beginning to end, with marvelous results of multiple o ers within a few short days of being listed.”

— Kismet W

 “I want to thank Ted Strodder for the wonderful job he did for me with the purchase of two investment properties in Marin. Ted was very knowledgeable and a delight for me to work with. The two properties that I bought area a perfect match for me and my investment objectives.”

— Lynne B

 “Not only does Ted know the region and local economy extremely well, but he also has valuable contacts throughout the area which he is more than willing to share. Whether for construction, landscaping or permitting advice—he has always steered us in the right direction.”

— Anne & Todd G

Ted Strodder

or call 415.377.5222 ted@gomarin.com

gomarin.com for more

Ted Strodder Featured in MARIN magazine’s Backstory 2013,

A once in a lifetime opportunity to own 1000+ acres of extraordinary viable ranch land in peaceful verdant west Marin, just 45 minutes from San Francisco. This exceptionally special property offers a simply elegant 3BD/2BA main house, a charming guest house, a caretaker’s house, 2 barns, an outstanding professional horse riding arena, a 7 acre pond, fruit tree orchard, vegetable garden, miles of trails and so much more. Cattle currently graze the pastoral landscape and the ample supply of well water and springs allows many options, like grapes or olives, for this pristine land.

Dominican Rose

This magnificent Georgian estate covers nearly two beautifully landscaped level acres in the heart of Dominican. This exquisitely remodeled home of approximately 8,000 square feet encompasses five en-suite bedrooms, seven bathrooms, elegant formal living and dining rooms, library, media and a billiard room. The combination kitchen and family room open to the outside grounds which feature heritage trees, gardens, fountains, pool, spa, secret pond and pool cabana. A true resort!

475 Bridgeway, Sausalito

Luxurious contemporary home, completely renovated and updated in 2014, with spectacular panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline and Bay. The top level boasts a stunning master suite, a state-of-the-art bathroom with soaking tub and immense shower, study, viewing decks, and additional ensuite.

Main level offers gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, bay windows looking out at Angel Island, Alcatraz, and San Francisco. Formal dining room, spacious living room with fireplace, full bar and family room, 1 ensuite, powder room, 2 large decks to

New Listing–

112 N Dream Farm Road, Inverness

The magnificent Arts & Crafts style estate was designed by architect Thayer Hopkins and built by Jim Lino; whose craftsmanship is reminiscent of the European Guilds. The home is sited on approx.10.5 acres and overlooks Tomales Bay, offering sweeping views, of the East Shore ranches, and Black Mountain. This stately home boasts nearly 5000 sf. of living space, 3 fireplaces, built-ins and 4 spacious bedrooms, each with private baths. A dramatic Living room is the focal point of the home featuring a 28 ft. high vaulted ceiling, hand milled trusses and clerestory windows. The large country kitchen is a Chef’s delight. Beautifully manicured grounds complete this wonderful offering.

Offered at $4,650,000

112NDreamFarmInverness.com

New Listing–

127 Kehoe Way, Inverness

One of the best view properties in Inverness. Enjoy stunning panoramic view of Tomales Bay from nearly every room of the Ranch style home. Sited on a sun drenched level to gently rolling 3.24 acres and surrounded by beautiful Coast Live Oaks, and grassy knoll puts this property in a class by itself.

Offered at $2,250,000

127KehoeWayInverness.com

Rick Trono 415.515.1117 rick.trono@sothebysrealty.com LivingMarin.com

Providing extraordinary service to our clients is our number one priority. Our association with Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty enables us to offer the premiere global brand, extensive international, national and local exposure and luxury services to our valued clients at all price points.

Falla Associates

a.falla@deckerbullocksir.com | 415.518.1930 janice.guehring@sothebysrealty.com | 415.717.9636 j.firkins@deckerbullocksir.com | 415.603.5768

15 Surfwood Circle, San Rafael

Spacious, impressive 5 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with water and hillside views offering a large recreation room, beautiful yard with pool and prime location near hiking and biking trails, McNear’s Beach and China Camp State Park. Price upon request.

1919 Grant Ave., San Francisco Sale Price $1,250,000 Beautiful condo-converted flat in 2-unit building w/ 1 car parking on a historic Telegraph Hill block.

Judy LeMarr

Luxury Home Marketing Specialist® 415.793.5030 judy@marindreamhome.com marindreamhome.com

28 Spring Rd., Kentfield Sale Price $1,900,000 Iconic Mid Century home with sweeping southern views of Mt. Tam and the Bay.

102 Belvedere Dr., Mill Valley Sale Price $1,065,000 Perfectly appointed cottage remodel in the heart of Strawberry Heights. Convenient commute location.

Alva Falla Janice Guehring Jennifer Falla Firkins

Time Flies

A half-century later, these trees now reach the sky.

BY JIM WOOD

LOOK FAMILIAR? IT’S downtown Mill Valley sometime in the late 1950s, but its historical signi ficance dates back to almost a century ago. On Memorial Day 1918, beneath the fl agpole in the center of the photo, a brass plaque was dedicated by the town’s Outdoor Art Club (still very much in existence) declaring that the strip of land between what is now Depot Bookstore and Peet’s Coffee be forever referred to as Lytton Square. The naming was in honor of 19-year-old Lytton Barber, the fi rst Mill Valley resident to die in service to his country during World War I. In 1960, three redwoods were planted alongside the fl agpole, and now, half a century later, they soar 70 feet in the air (inset) and all but obscure the fl agpole and it s fl ag — but the plaque is still there. This 1950s photo is from Marin Memories: A Pictorial

History of Marin County from the 1800s to the 1960s, a 143-page limited-edition book published by the Marin Independent Journal, United Markets and the Marin History Museum. m

COURTESY OF THE MARIN HISTORY MUSEUM; TIM PORTER (INSET)

CIRCA 1950s

Curt HumphreyJudy Stern

Smith Karen BurrousNolan MisitanoMarian Jung

OSKA 153 Throckmorton Mill Valley 415 381 1144 millvalley.oska.com

OSKA 310 Center Street Healdsburg 707 431 7717 healdsburg.oska.com 2130 2130 Fillmore San Francisco 415 563 1717v 2130-sf.com

Beverly Hills / Chicago / Edina / Healdsburg / Lake Forest / Mill Valley / New York / Pasadena / Seattle / Calgary / Vancouver London / Paris / Munich / Amsterdam / Stockholm / oska.com