Marin Magazine May 2016

When Rebecca Hermanski had her son Graham at Marin General Hospital, it was a natural, un-medicated birth. But her second pregnancy was more complicated. Tests revealed that Rebecca’s body was essentially rejecting her daughter’s blood. The baby would likely be born anemic, and the pregnancy would require careful monitoring and a detailed delivery plan. Through Marin General Hospital’s relationship with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Rebecca received all the specialized prenatal care she needed without leaving Marin. UCSF high-risk pregnancy specialists collaborated with her OB/GYN throughout the pregnancy, and Rebecca was able to deliver at Marin General Hospital. Baby Grace spent nine days in the Level II NICU, under the watchful eye of Marin General Hospital experts and a UCSF neonatologist. Although her start was complicated, everyone agrees that Grace is now a happy, healthy, beautiful baby.

To read more healing stories, visit www.maringeneral.org/healing

I’m Rebecca, and this is my healing place.

BLACKIE’S PASTURE BEACH

In Marin 25 Currents Muir Woods parking, bike speed limits, drop-in fitness and more. 28 FYI Big changes at SFMOMA. 30 Q&A A mock trial superstar coach. 32 Made by Marin Fashion toppers. 34 On the Job Protecting sea life. 36 Conversation Meet WildCare’s Karen Wilson.

Destinations

59 Go Baja bound. 62 Journey Why everyone is going to Todos Santos.

Out & About

69 Calendar A roundup of what to do in Marin and beyond. 78 Dine An insider’s guide to restaurants and food in the Bay Area. 86 Flavor L’Appart Resto’s lobster salad. 92 On the Scene Snapshots from events in Marin and San Francisco.

Marin Home

99 Backstory The first choice wins in Novato.

69

COLUMNS 18 View From Marin 20 POV 154 Looking Back

This year’s cover contest winner, Barrie Barnett, loves to be on the water. She even lives on a houseboat in Sausalito and paddleboards to the ICB Building to do her art. Her inspiration for this piece was the Marin Rowing Association Juniors.

TIM PORTER (TOP RIGHT); BEN DAVIDSON (BOTTOM)

Design a strategic giving plan. Establish a structure for family philanthropy. Involve your wealth advisor to create a holistic portfolio. Take command of your giving.

PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Nikki Wood

Editorial

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Mimi Towle

MANAGING EDITOR

Daniel Jewett

FASHION EDITOR

Veronica Sooley

SENIOR WRITER Jim Wood

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Kasia Pawlowska

COPY EDITOR Cynthia Rubin

EDITORIAL INTERN Emily Hawkins

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

P.J. Bremier, Ben Davidson, Laura Hilgers, Geoff ames, Tim Porter, Calin Van Paris Art

ART DIRECTOR

Veronica Sooley

PRODUCTION MANAGER Alex French

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ben Davidson, Mo DeLong, Emily Dulla, Todd Pickering, Tim Porter, Debra Tarrant, Jack Wolford

CONTROLLER

Maeve Walsh

WEB/IT MANAGER Peter Thomas

DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER

Leigh Walker

OFFICE MANAGER

Kirstie Martinelli

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Tracy Evans M.D.

One of Northern California’s leading dermatologists, with a brand new Marin County location at the Town Center in Corte Madera.

Tracy also does extensive volunteer work in her field.

TracyEvansMD.com

Tracy McLaughlin

Named in the Wall Street Journal as top 1% of all agents nationwide. Marin County’s #1 agent every year since 2005.

MarinFineHomes.com

Contributors

PJ Bremier

Writer, Conversation (p. 36)

PJ Bremier grew up in Mill Valley and worked in local radio and television and at Turner Broadcasting System before focusing her career on covering home and garden topics — including in our Home Style section — for various Marin publications. She is a lifelong advocate for animal welfare and, in her spare time, manages her family’s boatyard, fosters shelter dogs until they fi nd homes, rides her American wild horses, and is restoring her father’s vintage Jaguar roadster. Bremier currently resides in Greenbrae. pjbremier.com

Todd Pickering

Photographer, Subcultures (p. 54)

A graduate of San Francisco Art Institute, Todd Pickering has been photographing the Marin landscape for more than three decades. His focus is the Point Reyes region, but travels have taken him to the far reaches of the world in search of beautiful subjects and light. His commercial work ranges from architecture to wineries. Sur fi ng, music and photography make up the trifecta of his creative path. You might see him walking the beaches of West Marin with his wife and his dog Sam Shepherd. toddpickering.com

Emily Dulla

Photographer, Custom Creations (p.

48)

Growing up in the Arizona desert, Emily Dulla felt a pull toward the sea. Always up for a swim or a last-minute trip to a tropical destination, she can usually be found with camera in hand, looking for patches of pretty light. Specializing in lifestyle and commercial photography, Dulla has shot numerous clothing and jewelry brands throughout the Bay Area. She feels fortunate to live in the Golden State surrounded by so many people who make her laugh. emilydulla.com

LAURIE CURTIS (TODD PICKERING)

It’s a fact that during the 2008 catastrophic “bear” market downturn, most investors lost significant wealth – and faith – in financial markets. Many never fully recovered – financially or psychologically. Strangely, most investors are poised to make the very same mistake during the next big market decline. Unfortunately, this is a result of Wall Street’s “set it and forget it” approach to investing. Here at Main Street Research we see things differently. Our Active Risk Management process mitigates the risk of catastrophic decline, as was the case in 2008, while at the same time allowing investors to participate in today’s rising market. If you are interested in avoiding past mistakes and preparing for the “bear,” we should talk. Call or visit www.ms-research.com. Minimum relationship $1 million.

MAY IS ONE of our favorite months of the year. It is for this issue that we, inspired by all the activity surrounding Marin Open Studios, hold a contest to attract some of the most intriguing artists working or showing in Marin and feature them in our pages. That search led us to the artwork by Sausalito’s Barrie Barnett you see on this month’s cover

and to the work of the 12 fi nalists you’ll meet herein. Barnett has started a new tradition we hope continues; check our blogs page to see how she celebrates.

We follow that with a look at a whole di fferent kind of art form: jewelry making. Writer Calin Van Paris asks local artisans what it takes to make their wearable pieces and how you can tell the di fference between fashion jewelry and fi ne jewelry.

We wrap up features with a new recurring feature called Subcultures, a look at activities in Marin that draw passionate and loyal followings. This month, adventure sports competitor and writer Geoff ames introduces you to outrigger canoeing culture.

Up front we’ve got a look at a new Muir Woods parking system and a very new (and bigger) SFMOMA. We also introduce you to a popular mock trial coach, a twin sister hatmaking team, an animal husbandry manager and WildCare’s executive director.

In Destinations we focus on Baja, with a look at surf getaways, swimming with the sharks and the newest peninsula hot spot, Todos Santos. It may be getting warm here, but it’s positively tropical there.

It’s a fun issue, sure to please your artistic side. Whether you are planning to head to the new SFMOMA, a local jewelry store or one of many open studios, we hope you’ll agree art defi nitely makes life far more special.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Once our cover contest winner is selected, the fun really starts. This month, getting the scoop involved a short walk through our Sausalito office park to the nearby ICB Building and studio. It was there that managing editor Dan Jewett and photographer Tim Porter got to know winner Barrie Barnett and see her artistic process.

JACK WOLFORD (TOP); BARRIE BARNETT (BOTTOM)

We hold a contest to attract some of the most intriguing artists working or showing in Marin and put them in our pages.

Marin Magazine Staff Editors

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

My

My

You’ve spent your life accumulating wealth. And, no doubt, that wealth now takes many forms, sits in many places, and is managed by many advisors. Unfortunately, that kind of fragmentation creates gaps that can hold your wealth back from its full potential. The Private Bank can help. The Private Bank uses a proprietary approach called the LIFE Wealth Cycle SM to find those gaps— and help you achieve what is important to you. To learn more, contact Elaine Cramer, Vice President and Private Banker, at elaine.cramer@unionbank.com or 415-380-6081, or visit unionbank.com/private.

1 Investment management services o ered by MUFG Union Bank, N.A. in conjunction with its subsidiary, HighMark Capital Management, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and investment advisory services o ered by UnionBanc Investment Services LLC, a registered broker-dealer, investment adviser, member FINRA/SIPC, and subsidiary of MUFG Union Bank, N.A. Insurance services o ered by UnionBanc Insurance Services, a division of MUFG Union Bank, N.A., California State Insurance License No. 0817733. Insurance and annuities are products of the insurance carriers. Non-deposit investment products: Wills, trusts, foundations, and wealth planning strategies have legal, tax, accounting, and other implications. Clients should consult a legal or tax advisor. • NOT a Bank Deposit • NOT FDIC Insured • NOT Insured by any Federal Government Agency • NO Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value ©2016 MUFG Union Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Union Bank is a registered trademark and brand name of MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

Downtown Challenge

Is it time for local merchants to step up their game?

BY JIM WOOD

DOWNTOWNS ARE MYSTERIOUS collaborations, especially here in Marin. Sometimes they thrive, other times they barely survive. Their only planning is city zoning; rarely does one entity own an entire downtown; and most downtowns have long histories. Novato’s Grant Avenue, one of Marin’s youngest downtowns, is 90 years old.

By my count, there are nine downtowns in the county. Alphabetically, they are Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Point Reyes Station, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito and Tiburon. Most of them have a city hall, library, fire station and/or police department nearby, if not directly in the central area. Marin’s beloved city and town centers are also home to banks, cafes, bars, movie theaters and restaurants.

“Eight customers and this place is full,” owner Ray Martin says. “And they come from all over, Novato, Petaluma, even San Francisco.”

Have you enjoyed M.H. Bread and Butter? While a few San Anselmo eateries have recently closed, this bakery/cafe is thriving. Located on the edge of downtown, it serves breakfast, lunch and an early dinner — and its breads and pastries are in high demand throughout Marin.

Most, but not all, of Marin’s downtowns have what you’d call a draw. For Sausalito it’s the ferry terminal, tourist shops and restaurants. For Point Reyes Station, it’s the National Seashore, although, with clever merchandisers like Toby’s Feed Barn, Epicenter, Vita and Zuma, along with a quality grocery store, bookstore and hardware store, downtown Point Reyes Station is also a popular shopping spot.

Marin’s historic downtowns are facing enormous pressures in order to survive, let alone prosper.

Another commonality: due to big-box retailers (Costco, Best Buy, Staples), the internet (Amazon — need I say more?) and many nearby established shopping centers (Town Center, Vintage Oaks, The Village at Corte Madera, Marin Country Mart), Marin’s historic downtowns are facing enormous pressures in order to survive, let alone prosper.

You’d think with its homelessness problem, San Rafael’s Fourth Street would be the last place to invest money. But Paul Goldstone, a Berkeley-based real estate investor, doesn’t agree. He just paid “well into the millions” for a decades-old 40,000-square-foot building in the heart of that city, where he plans to create a San Rafael Market Hall. “It will be similar to Rockridge’s Market Hall, Oxbow in Napa or the San Francisco Ferry Building,” he tells me with con fident optimism. “There’ll be food and cooking vendors of all sorts, along with inside and outside dining.”

Regarding the homeless issue: “Once an environment is clean, well-lighted and successful, those problems, over time, will disappear,” says Goldstone, who owns buildings throughout the Bay Area and has already begun construction in San Rafael.

A success of a different size is in downtown Fairfax where Scoop, operating from a sevenfoot wide storefront, sells organic ice cream.

What attracts people to go downtown? Tiburon (full disclosure: my downtown), despite its San Francisco ferry dock, the popular Friday Nights on Main and perennially packed Sam’s Anchor Cafe, has long had a somewhat sleepy central district. Is that from a lack of parking? Or not enough advertising and promotion? Or an isolated location?

Tiburon/Belvedere will get a bit of an answer to those questions when Rustic Bakery — with always-busy cafes already operating in Larkspur, Novato and Marin Country Mart — opens a fourth cafe in the Boardwalk Center. Whether downtown business succeeds mainly from pragmatic factors or the appeal, talents and creative energy of the merchant itself is something this newcomer may help reveal.

Keeping a downtown thriving anywhere in Marin is an extremely tricky endeavor — promotions, teamwork and individual effort are all required. And for the most part civic players here are trying their best. Local residents may have to make sacri fices — shop neighborhood stores even if retail prices are higher — for our central districts to succeed. At the same time, many merchants will need to step up their game as they compete for customers with box stores, Amazon and the malls. 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 reflect the policy or position of Marin Magazine and its staff

Bay Area events you’ll want to attend

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

[UPCOMING EVENTS]

MARINMOCA’S SEVENTH ANNUAL ALTERED BOOK & BOOK ARTS EXHIBITION

WHEN WHERE WHY YOU SHOULD GO

Exhibition through June 4; closing party June 4, 5–8 p.m. 500 Palm Drive, Novato

The fundraiser displays the work of 150 Bay Area artists who reconstruct and rework books to produce a remarkably varied exhibition. The silent auction is posted for bidding during the exhibit through June 4. Then, on June 4, the auctioneer will auction off a selected group of altered books. Wine, tasty hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be served. This event supports the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art’s ongoing exhibitions and community programs.

DIVINE WINE EXTRAVAGANZA

Your Letters

Journey for Good

Calin Van Paris’ account of her Habitat for Humanity trip to Guatemala (Journey, April) captured my interest. She provided an excellent snapshot of the people, the country, the Western Highlands and the deep satisfaction that comes from volunteer service. We have visited the places she describes, including the women’s weaving co-op in San Juan la Laguna, where local women learn to make a living while also preserving their cultural heritage. The photographs were also captivating. One of the best articles I have read in your magazine. Thanks for running it. MADELINE KELLNER, NOVATO

In the Park

As a regular reader of Marin Magazine I enjoy hearing about local events, books and people. I was especially pleased with the beautiful spread by Kasia Pawlowska (Currents, “Local Fixtures,” April) on Art Contemporary Marin’s Parked Art program. This nonprofit organization has been working the past seven years to encourage contemporary art in Marin by means of exhibitions and other art events. An outdoor self-guided sculpture walk will open at Falkirk Cultural Center on May 25. CLAUDIA CHAPLINE, PRESIDENT/CO-FOUNDER, ART CONTEMPORARY MARIN

COST

FIND OUT MORE

Free, bidding and donations encouraged 415.506.0137, marinmoca.org

WHEN WHERE WHY YOU SHOULD GO COST

FIND OUT MORE

May 14, 5:30–9:30 p.m. Unity Center, 600 Palm Drive, Novato

The Divine Wine Extravaganza is a benefit for the arts programs at Marin School of the Arts. Numerous exclusive wineries will present their finest vintages for tasting, and guests will enjoy delicious food pairings from excellent local restaurants, fantastic auction items, and live music and entertainment throughout the evening.

$95 415.383.6114, divinewine.org

Want to see all the images from our RSVP Hot Ticket events? Visit marinmagazine.com/hotticket for the latest.

Corrections

In our April Conversation with Mark Laret we misstated a few facts. Here is the correct information: Mark Laret is the CEO of UCSF Health, an organization consistently ranked one of the top 10 hospitals in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report. It is not one of the 10 largest medical facilities in the U.S. The UCSF hospitals have more than a million outpatient visits a year, not one million outpatients.

The man identified in April’s “Cooking With Beer” feature for Sessions restaurant was actually Fort Point Beer Company’s head brewer Mike Schnebeck, not chef Michael Bilger.

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.

• in person

Fragrance Week at Saks Fifth Avenue

Spring is here and it’s time to put away that heavier perfume for a lighter one. What better way to find your subtle scent than heading to Saks Fifth Avenue San Francisco’s Fragrance Week ? From May 1 to May 8, receive an exclusive atomizer with your $100 in-store fragrance purchase. Grab your friends and head to Saks on Thursday, May 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. and partake of light bites and refreshments from All Seasons Catering. For more information, call 415.438.5367.

Get Covered Contest Celebration

Join Marin Magazine staffers, cover contest winner Barrie Barnett and the 12 finalists at the Get Covered Contest Celebration May 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bon Air Center in Greenbrae (Suite 302). Enjoy refreshments and view art by this year’s Marin Open Studios participants. We hope to see you there.

In Marin

CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND CAUSES OF THIS UNIQUE COUNTY

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

With its soaring redwoods and shaded paths, Muir Woods is undeniably a popular local and tourist attraction. But in spite of a push to have guests get there and leave by shuttle, 80 percent of the park’s nearly one million annual visitors arrive by car, only to face backed-up traffic and a full parking lot. As a result, after years of deliberation and studies, the National Park Service will implement a parking reservation system as of 2018. The changes are designed to alleviate overcrowding and elevate the quality of the visitor experience, as well as reduce impact on the environment. Reservations for vehicle parking and the Muir Woods Shuttle will be handled through a website or call center. nps. gov/muwo KASIA

PAWLOWSKA

JACK WOLFORD

SLOW DOWN Last month, Marin County sheriff ’s deputies started using lidar devices to record the speeds of bike riders on Open Space district fire roads and trails that receive the most complaints about dangerous activity. Lidar, short for Light Detection and Ranging, utilizes narrow laser pulses that are more accurate in calculating speeds than radar readings. The current speed limit is 15 mph on roads and trails, 5 mph when passing. sharethepathmarin.org K.P.

Sky’s the Limit

Marian Kwon and Monika Rose are friends and mothers who worked with big brands like Gap, Design Within Reach, Disney and LeapFrog before they founded Epic Sky. The two Mill Valley women found that clothing stores appealing to girls their daughters’ age lacked a positive message and launched their Sausalito-based venture with the goal of empowering teen and tween girls. Epic Sky’s model centers on the creative visions and desires of Gen Z girls (ages 10–15) and lets them make those visions a reality. Joining an all-female adult management team, girls serve on an advisory board and are responsible for designing and developing clothes, accessories and content that are then sold online. epicsky.co K.P.

THE DAILEY METHOD thedaileymethod.com

Barre work plus special classes for newcomers, new moms and brides-to-be.

A nonstop circuit that includes cardio, weights and Pilates Springboard work.

Youth and adult classes ranging from ballet and modern dance to cardio hip-hop.

A mix of weights, core work and cardio, all performed on a stationary bike. 55 minutes 55 minutes 1 hour or 1.5 hours 45 minutes

Drop-in Fitness

Focuses on alignment and posture. Offers classes moms can participate in with newborns.

45 minutes or 1 hour

Most of us are familiar with the health benefits of yoga and exercise: improved flexibility, muscle building, increased focus — the list goes on. But if doing yoga or going to the gym doesn’t sound appealing, you can still get fit. Here’s a small sample of group workout classes throughout the county (and just over the bridge) that will get the job done. K.P.

Mill Valley, San Rafael Four San Francisco locations Fairfax, Mill Valley Larkspur

PURE

Left to right: Monika Rose, Marybeth Moser, Kelly Sparks, Isabelle Fymat and Marian Kwon.

Bigger and Better Than Ever

returns

ON JUNE 2, 2013, SFMOMA closed its doors for nearly three years while a massive expansion and remodel project got underway. During this time the existing collection was dispersed among partner museums (Asian Art Museum, Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University, Contemporary Jewish

Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora, Oakland Museum of California and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts) and would pop up at various surprise venues as a part of the SFMOMA On the Go program, but the Bay Area’s cultural loss was palpable. Prior to construction the museum inspired and educated the masses with its finely curated collection of artwork and bold

KASIA PAWLOWSKA

SFMOMA

after a lengthy hiatus with aid from a local patron of the arts. BY

Above: The brick-red existing structure is now connected to the new white addition seen behind it. Left: Chara Schreyer.

exhibitions for more than 75 years. A trailblazing institution, SFMOMA was the first on the West Coast dedicated solely to 20th-century art and has the designation of having been home to Jackson Pollock’s inaugural show.

And now, the wait is over. The transformed building opens its doors to the public on May 14 and will offer almost three times more gallery space than the former structure, displaying more than 600 never-before-seen artworks promised to the museum through its Campaign for Art initiative. Over seven years the program collected work from close to 200 donors and increased the SFMOMA’s collection by more than 10 percent. International as well as local collectors and artists donated works, including a Bay Area resident and one of the world’s most active modern and contemporary art buyers, Chara Schreyer. Schreyer’s private collection is widely seen as one of the 10 best in the world of modern art, making her a mainstay on the prestigious ARTnews 200 Top Collectors list — she’s appeared on it 15 years in a row.

But accolades and rankings aside, it’s evident Schreyer’s life is one that’s dedicated to art. “I was always a visual person,” she says, and has childhood memories of walking through model homes with her father, a successful Southern California developer. Eventually, at UC Berkeley, she broadened her tastes and knowledge while pursuing an art history degree.

“Renaissance art was my fi rst love,” she says, but a particular aspect of modern wound up resonating even more: “it’s art that’s about concept rather than product.” After graduating, Schreyer stayed in the Bay Area and began collecting. She now own s five homes — one in Belvedere, Tiburon and San Francisco; two in Los Angeles — that all serve as evolving galleries fi lled with works by Ruth Asawa, Jeff Koons, Eva Hesse, Allen Ruppersberg and Jeff all, to name a handful. Does she have a favorite piece? “It’s like children,” she replies. But inquisitive aesthetes can get an idea of her preferences and view some of her cache later this year when a presently untitled book about her art-fi lled homes is released by Assouline.

Like a true supporter of the arts, Schreyer enjoys collecting work by young artists, most recently Alex Hubbard and Carol Bove, and she likes to highlight pieces giving voice to

the often-marginalized. One of the works she is promising as a gift to SFMOMA is Glenn Ligon’s painted neon sculpture “Double America.” “Glenn Ligon is a gay black man and the piece speaks to the double standards in this country. I’m left-leaning,” she adds.

In addition to collecting, for the past 20 years Schreyer has served on SFMOMA’s board of trustees, who range from artist Ed Ruscha (whose work she owns) to tech mogul Marissa Mayer. So what stirs her the most about the new SFMOMA? “I’m so proud and excited — the Fisher Collection, Agnes Martin’s work, the fact that up until the completion of the (New York) MoMA (in 2018 or 2019) this will be the largest museum of its kind in the country.”

The 460,000-square-foot revamped SFMOMA will also offer free admission to those 18 and younger and open its entire fi rst floor to visitors without a ticket, making it one of the most fi nancially accessible museums in the country. Factor in that along with the 32,000 modern and contemporary works by Ai Weiwei, Chuck Close, Frida Kahlo, Cindy Sherman and others, and it’s also among the best, Schreyer believes. “I’m a little biased,” she admits with a laugh. sfmoma.org m

Above: Glenn Ligon’s “Double America.” This image: Rear view of the new SFMOMA.

Over seven years the program collected work from close to 200 donors and increased the SFMOMA’s collection by more than 10 percent.

QUESTIONS FOR

David Vogelstein

Lawyer

MILL VALLEY

Fueled by a passion for humanity, endorphins from his daily workouts and an obscene amount of Diet Coke, David Vogelstein has been called an “outrageous cowboy for good,” “counsel,” “coach,” and by most students, just plain “Vogie.” His mission: to make the world a better place, one student at a time. By day he is a criminal justice attorney based in Marin County, and for 150 evenings a year, he can be found in a brightly lit classroom on the Tamalpais High School campus coaching the 30-person Mock Trial team. A brief Mock Trial primer for those who are unfamiliar: it’s a team competition with 20 members playing different courtroom roles. The same case is “tried” by all schools, and each team earns a number of points based on the performance of all team members. The team with the most points wins. In the Mock Trial world, Vogelstein is legendary; his Tam High team has won county competitions for more than 20 years.

1What’s your secret strategy? I teach self-revelation. Get these kids to know themselves and teach them to articulate their viewpoint and help others — simple to say, hard to do.

2

How do you teach self-revelation? I have to be selfrevelatory and talk about my absolute failures — not the superficial sh*t, the really deep dark stuff that we all live with. I want them to have an OMG moment and say, “Revealing who I am didn’t kill me; it made me stronger.”

3

Do you have go-to props? There is a great picture on the internet; I bring it in early on. It is of a Third Reich crowd saluting Hitler in the ’30s, except for one guy who is in the center with his arms folded. This is what I’m am trying to teach the kids; be that one guy with the guts to say “no.”

5

Has anything changed in 20 years? These days the kids are inundated with internet information; experiential stuff is lacking. They go to a baseball game and are looking at their phones. I try to have them invest in the notion of being in the moment, in the court, in the classroom — show up personally.

6

What is the importance of education in your life? My wife and kids are teachers. Education was so important to my Holocaust-survivor immigrant parents that they moved into a tenement apartment on 92nd and Madison so my siblings and I could go to the excellent public school PS6 in New York City. 7

Who’s your biggest influence? No question, my parents, going back to how as childhood sweethearts from extremely wealthy families they escaped to opposite ends of the U.S. while fleeing Hitler and later reunited. They started over in New York, and my dad was sent to the front lines of World War II. He came back a very liberal and compassionate man and taught us the purpose of life is to help others.

8

How did you become a lawyer? It’s a natural fit for me. You have to be in the moment. It’s like playing basketball on the streets of New York City. It doesn’t matter if you are fat, thin, gay, straight, white or black, when you have the ball, you either pass or take the shot. That is exactly what it’s like being in court. It’s simple: focus and be a human being. 9

Biggest challenges for your team? The pressure is enormous for a team that has won for two straight decades. The current crop does not want to be the ones who lose. So, my job is to relieve the pressure. Winning is a by-product of having fun.

10

Tricks to getting through to the kids? I have the advantage of not living with them; I don’t have all that baggage and can communicate with them much easier. Sometimes with parents, it’s not about that moment, but all the moments that lead up to that moment. 11

How do you deal with so-called affluenza? I am a big foe of the TMM disease — too much money; it is a disability if not handled properly. It doesn’t have to be, but it can be. What can happen with TMM is fear. Fear of expos ing your kid to the real world, so you are overly protective and want to do everything for them. You want them to have everything, and what you are doing is cutting them off at the knees and making them weak. When you are doing everything for your kids you are not letting them fail and develop their own strengths and egos, and that’s what life is.

12

What’s your biggest fear? Someday I walk into my courtroom and go against one of my former students and lose badly. It hasn’t happened yet but it’s get ting close — and they are really, really good litigators. m

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Mountain View 650-969-2200 1064 W. El Camino Real Mountain View, CA 94040

Los Gatos 408-395-1700 120 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Los Gatos, CA 95030

San Ramon 925-837-7787 2095 San Ramon Valley Blvd. San Ramon, CA 94583

Mill Valley 415-331-1603 258 Redwood Hwy Mill Valley, CA 94941

Walnut Creek 925-935-5553 2042 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Walnut Creek, CA 94596

MADE BY MARIN

Kin/K

IF YOU WANT your out fit to make a statement, don’t splurge on a dress or a suit; get some mileage for your money with an accessory. By their nature, multipurpose accessories make the biggest impression — and none do a better job of this than hats. Of course, buying local is always advisable and your optimal topper isn’t far away with Kin/K in the neighborhood. Twin sisters Sara Brady and Ashley Cornil, California natives, are the brand’s co-founders, and they incorporate visions from their world travels, as well as architecture and landscapes, in Kin/K designs. Passionate about hats from an early age, the sisters blend age-old craftsmanship with modern designs and touches to create a truly unique look in their Sausalito studio. PHILOSOPHY Kin/ K’s mission is to rejuvenate the craft of millinery and to bring hats and their history back into the forefront. “Hat making is a very romantic process,” Cornil says. “Hats are one of the oldest found clothing pieces in history, dating back to 3,000 B.C.” Brady and Cornil nod to the past by using wood hat-making blocks dating back to the early 1900s, but add their signature Marin-designed accessories to help modernize a classic shape. THE SCOOP High-quality materials include precious metal, silk and ha nd woven panama straw. The sisters also favor uncommon juxtapositions of textures and color in their designs. This kind of attention to detail takes time: a single Kin/K hat can go through 90 steps and touch more than 60 hands before it reaches your head. Toppers range from $90 to $180 and are offered in a variety of colors and styles. BEYOND MARIN Kin/K hats are sold across the U.S., in a number of other countries, and through online retailers. WHAT THEY SAY “Though hats are a niche accessory, we saw an opportunity in the market and decided to go for it,” Brady says. “We learned all we could about the history and process of making wool hats nishing process. Shortly thereafter, Kin/K was formed and a shop was set up in our garage.” Cornil adds, “We were bound to start a creative business together. It was

JAGGER/NOVA BAND, $160

FONDA FLEK, $128

DEMI/PUCKER, $144

BIRKIN/GOLD COLLAR, $146

Sara Brady (left) and Ashley Cornil

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Saint Francis Memorial Hospital

St. Mary’s Medical Center

Sea Life Sanctuary

AFTER A CHILDHOOD surrounded by animals (11 cats and two tortoises) and careers in investment banking and fashion design, Sophie Guarasci has found her passion — caring for sick and injured animals. This is your third career? And my last. I’ve found what I love doing. How did you end up here? I started volunteering here 12 years ago and I got so into it that I did a vet tech internship. Now, I am a licensed veterinary technician, an LVT. How did you discover the Marine Mammal Center?

Sophie Guarasci, animal husbandry manager, Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito

I was always fascinated with marine mammals, so I found it online. When

I came here while on vacation and saw volunteers working here, I said, “Wow, I really want to do that!” You lived in London then? Yes, but my husband was offered a job in the U.S. and two of the places we could come were L.A. or San Francisco and I really pushed for San Francisco because I wanted to come to the Marine Mammal Center and volunteer. How has the work changed since you started? Every year we get more animals. The last three years have been particularly bad. Last year was a record year. We had more than 1,800 animals that we brought in. We’re seeing

ON THE JOB

species that we didn’t see before, like Guadalupe fur seals coming up from Mexico. The pattern with warming waters is having a big effect. What are the main reasons animals come in? A lot of it is malnutrition, starving pups. Another one is domoic acid, the same toxin that a ffected the Dungeness crab. It causes brain damage in California sea lions. They have seizures and can develop epilepsy. What else? A lot of the things we see are human-related. We see animals that have been shot or entangled in fishing line and gill nets. That must be hard. We see a lot of su ffering. Last year was a really difficult year because the animals that came in were in severe condition. You have to make hard decisions. At times we have to euthanize animals. It’s very tough to do. You can’t save them all. We really do our best because our main goal is to release them into the wild. Returning a wild animal to nature must be gratifying. It’s one of the most satisfying things we do. Everyone gets quite emotional. I know I do. I’ve seen hundreds of them released and I still get teary-eyed. m

TIM PORTER

Helping sick marine mammals return to the wild is more than just a job. BY TIM PORTER

We believe in patient-centered care. Whether it is a minimally invasive procedure or a surgery, our specialists help you determine the best treatment for you to maintain your lifestyle. Our Bone & Joint program provides exceptional quality care and dedicated staff partnering with you through your healing process. It’s how we plus you.

Karen Wilson

BY PJ BREMIER • PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER

KAREN WILSON HAS helmed WildCare, the San Rafael–based wildlife rehabilitation and education center, for the past 13 years, but she didn’t start out working with nature.

The suburban Detroit native began her career in advertising in Boston, but a subsequent move to San Francisco found her working in the environmental field, first as a program manager for the California Coastal Commission and later as vice president of development for the California State Parks Foundation.

Wilson oversees an organization that employs 32 people, coordinates with 350 volunteers and treats more than 4,000 injured or orphaned wild animals, representing more than 200 di fferent species, each year. Today, she is steering WildCare through a $10 million capital campaign to build an expansive new facility in San Rafael that promises to be a major resource for wild animals, their caretakers and visitors throughout the Bay Area.

Wilson lives in Fairfax with her husband, Todd Tash, a fourth-grade teacher at Ross School, and their 3-year-old rescue dog, Wally.

What brought you to WildCare? I had helped grow the California State Parks Foundation for 10 years when I saw an (employment) ad for WildCare. Up until then, I had never heard of it, and even though I live in Fairfax and walk the trails, I had never encountered an injured wild animal. I decided to apply and got the job. The day I walked into the facility, I knew my dream was to build a new WildCare. It was so evident at that point, but we had a lot of other things to do before we ever considered it. We needed to shore up the fi nancial situation, grow the budgets to do better programs, build the board, expand the education program and advocate for wildlife. WildCare had never done any advocacy on a broad scale. It’s important to make a di fference with individual orphaned and injured animals, but advocacy is critical.

Karen Wilson holds Sequoia, an 11-year-old northern spotted owl.

You met Elizabeth Terwilliger, a pioneering Marin naturalist, when you first started your job at WildCare . H ow did that go? A month after I joined Wildcare I went to visit her at The Redwoods in Mill Valley where she was living. She was on the board of Wildcare at the time. I spotted a pair of mallards in the creek and asked her if she thought they mated for life. Without missing a beat, Elizabeth replied, “You know, you’d have to ask them.”

changes that make that less likely to happen by keeping them inside, or in outdoor cat condos, which is safer for the cat, too.

What is your most memorable case? Maybe it was the bobcat that was hit by a car and lay on the side of Highway 101 in San Rafael. He was unconscious when a passerby, thinking he was a large domestic cat, picked him up and put him in her car. He woke up but luckily wasn’t awake enough to do any damage. His leg was broken in two places and our veterinarians — who are all volunteers, by the way — put pins in his leg at their clinic and he was released back to the wild. That’s why this new hospital is so critical. We don’t want to have to transport animals to get care and we’re hoping to have the resources to hire a veterinarian.

then, after you get them all safely out of the place, to block the entrance. Most people don’t know that by law, a commercial pest control company can’t release animals it traps; it’s required to kill them. Our WildCare Solutions Service, however, will come out for a small charge, perform an inspection and seal the entrances for any Bay Area resident.

What might people not know

about WildCare?

What does WildCare advocate? One of the best examples is stopping the use of rat poison. If you poison a rat, you poison a hawk, an owl, a fox or bobcat or any other predator that eats it. We test all the carnivore patients for levels of rodenticides, even if a car has hit them, and we have found that 90 percent have some level of rodenticide in their system. The Environmental Protection Agency has used our data to continue its studies on rodenticides. Now, we’re working with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and have expanded our testing, through a network of veterinarians and their clients, to include dogs and cats. And, last year, after a number of con fined tule elk in Point Reyes died when their ponds dried up, we circulated a petition to instate a policy that in the event the drying-up ever happened again, the National Park Service would provide water. We’re very proud of that.

Why is WildCare important? We are so lucky to be in this natural world but our boundaries bump up against each other. Ninety-nine percent of the time that an animal comes through WildCare, it’s because of a negative human interaction. We’re not trying to mess with the natural order; we jus t fi x what humans happened to do that shouldn’t have happened in the fi rst place. There are threats to wildlife everywhere but the number one problem is cats. They prey on the songbird population so we encourage people to make

What are the biggest complaints about wildlife? Skunks, when they’re in mating season and more likely to spray, but raccoons are high up on the list. When they’re nesting and having babies, they ca n fi nd their way into chimneys and other areas of a house. We encourage people to let them have their babies (skunks won’t spray in their dens) and

Some people might think WildCare is only about caring for animals, but just as important is our educational focus. We have 20,000 Bay Area children a year go through our educational programs. We offer field trips that are tied to science standards and our nature van goes to schools to teach children about California wildlife. We also have weeklong day camps in the summer. We won’t turn down any child or school because of fi nances and our full scholarships include transportation.

You’re in the midst of a $10 million capital campaign but still need to raise $4 million. How are you doing that? We’ve just hired a wonderful new development director and, besides our big donor push, we’ve come up

Future home of the new 36,000-square-foot space for WildCare at Silveira Ranch.

Ninety-nine percent of the time that an animal comes through WildCare, it’s because of a negative human interaction.

Robert H. Byers, MD

Elizabeth A. Dailey, MD

Lisa M. Elvin, NP

John R. Goff, MD

David H. Goltz, MD

Marco Jacobi, PA

Abbey Kennedy, MD

John C. Keohane, MD

Paul H. Kim, MD

Michael Pouliot, MD

Michael J. Oechsel, MD

Ernest H. Sponzilli, MD

Kathleen I. Strahm, PA

Brian W. Su, MD

Pouliot, MD

Dr. Pouliot completed his orthopedic training at Stanford University and fellowhip at the University of Washington.

He specializes in disorders of the hand, Dr. Pouliot will begin seeing consultations in September 2016.

with creative ways for donors to contribute at smaller levels. There are lots of “naming opportunities,” from metal leaves to an outdoor tree sculpture and wildlife sculptures, to spaces that still need naming including various rooms, the bird wing, the hospital, the ambassador and shorebird exhibits, a nest play structure for children, and a mother oak tree. People can name a space for themselves or in honor of their parents, grandchildren or anyone special to them.

Anything else on your wish list? In addition to the important capital campaign, we really need new hospital equipment such as a digital X-ray machine.

You plan to move to a new location in San Rafael in 2017. Tell us how you found it. Two previous properties we thought we had secured fell through and then Renee Silveira called two-and-a-half years ago and said her family had some space we could use. It’s a former Nike missile site built by the U.S. Army in the 1950s on land it leased from the Silveiras.

Later, Renee and her mother, Lorraine, came to WildCare and said that the late Tony Silveira (Lorraine’s husband) was passionate about wildlife and that he would absolutely love and appreciate the partnership. It will be called WildCare at Silveira Ranch.

Where is it? It’s five acres on Smith Ranch Road surrounded by seasonal wetlands and pasture. It has so much wildlife that we can enhance our programming right on site and because we’ll have the space, we won’t have to send patients off o other centers. That will be much less stressful for the animals.

How will it be different from your current location? It’ll be great. Right now, we are so crammed for space. We only have one exam

Michael

We want WildCare to be around for generations to come and to make a positive difference for people and wildlife.

room and, in the busy spring and summer seasons, we have patients lined up inside the room and out in the halls, with predators and prey right next to each other, which isn’t good for them. We’ll move into a 36,000-square-foot space with an existing concrete block barrack and mess hall that will be renovated for our new hospital, classrooms and offices, but we’ll expand the space to build a great hall. There will also be a Terwilliger Discovery Center, which is an interactive space for children and their families; expanded, naturalistic habitats for our ambassador animals that can’t be released; and better opportunities for the public to interact with them. We will have the space to run three simultaneous summer camps or hold a lecture or big event. And we’ll have a much better hospital for the animals.

What can visitors expect to see? It will be a real destination where they can spend the day. They can explore the discovery center for a few hours, buy a pre-made sandwich or bring their own picnic, browse the gift shop, participate in interactive programs with the animals, and see animal patients in foster care. This is our legacy. There hasn’t been anything like this and we want WildCare to be around for generations to come and to make a positive di fference for people and wildlife. m

Kele, an American kestrel, arrived at WildCare in 2011.

Abounds ART

The more than 200 participants in this year’s cover contest certainly brought their artistic gifts to the game. And once again they used them to full effect, turning in a stunning selection of photography, painting and illustration for our tenth anniversary competition. We’re proud to introduce our winner and 12 finalists (in no particular order).

BY DANIEL JEWETT

FOR AN ARTIST with an impressive creative family legacy who began painting at age 9, received her fi rst commission at age 12 and was a working portraitist by 21, the hardest thing was to hear that she had to stop.

“It was the low point of my life,” says Sausalito artist Barrie Barnett, 57, a pastelist who discovered in 2000 that the dust created during her work was dramatically a ffecting her health. “To fi nd that the medium I loved was killing me created a huge dilemma; I was secretly planning my funeral.”

Called “the fi nest living pastelist” by renowned dog painter William Secord, Barnett was going to have to leave that medium and fi nd another way. So the artist, then recently divorced, donated her more than 1,000 pastels to a local art academy in Maryland (her home state) and in 2013 came to Sausalito, where she took up residence on a houseboat, opened a studio in the ICB Building and continued doing animal and human portraits, this time in oil.

“I got through it and discovered it could loosen me up,” Barnett says about transitioning to oil. “It was a more fluid outcome, less overworked.”

Still, something was missing: Barnett was working constantly on commissions but wanted to “paint something that I love.” And then it hit the Marin Rowing Association member (another activity her family excels at): why not paint people participating in that sport?

“I started thinking how I could capture the beauty of the sport in a painting,” she says. “Not easy at all, as to me the beauty is in the fluid, perfectly synchronized movement.”

She began in January, aiming to have the painting done in time for the contest, and she just made it — after a few nights of sleeping on the studio couch and drinking tea and French brandy. What inspired her was the youthful energy of the athletic Juniors, but she got much more than just a piece of art from the experience.

“This painting restored a fi re of ambition in me,” Barnett says. “It’s a milestone; I discovered that I really want to paint rowers.”

BARRIE BARNETT

Marin Rowing Association Juniors 26” x 30”, oil on canvas barriebarnett.com

• Meet Barrie Barnett and the finalists at our Get Covered Contest Celebration event May 12, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at 302 Bon Air Center in Greenbrae. It’s a great chance to celebrate with the contest winner and to view art by this year’s Marin Open Studios participants.

PEGGY MURPHY

The Blue Studebaker

25.5” x 25.5”, acrylic on canvas escalaworks.com

Inspired by her mother’s love of painting, Peggy Murphy, a 20-year resident of Marin, studied with other artists, visited many museums and taught herself everything else she needed to know to become a painter herself. She also fi nds inspiration in the works of masters such as Édouard Vuillard, Édouard Manet and Wayne Thiebaud.

“I am drawn to subjects that capture beauty as well as the grit and patina of daily life,” Murphy says. “This truck with its dents, rust and weathered paint was already a piece of art. I just knew it would make a great subject.”

Born and raised on a dairy farm in Switzerland, Barbara Libby-Steinmann moved to Marin in 1996 to study English and pursue an arts career. She teaches art at Bacich Elementary in Kentfield, where she strives to help students develop their creative and artistic skills.

“My passion is to be outdoors, breathing in the fresh cool air of a new day, feeling the sea breeze on my skin, climbing a mountain and enjoying stunning views,” Libby-Steinmann says of what ignites her creative spark. “I experiment with simplifying essential shapes and lines, moving toward the abstract, while never completely losing touch with the essential details.”

BARBARA LIBBY-STEINMANN

View of Mt. Tam from Loma Alta

24” x 30”, oil on canvas barbaralibby.com

INGRID LOCKOWANDT

The Oyster Farmer

48” x 60”, acrylic on canvas ingridlockowandt.com

Last year’s Cover Contest winner is back with another piece reflecting life in Marin. The full-time artist and Tiburon resident began painting at a young age and says she enjoys portraits the most, finding they provide the greatest challenge and satisfaction.

“I drove to Point Reyes National Seashore and randomly turned off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard onto a road paved with crushed oyster shells,” she says of this painting’s genesis. “At the end of that road, I found myself at the source of the shells, the now-defunct Drakes Bay Oyster Company. While I was taking pictures of the workers, a young oyster farmer, who seemed a little shy, caught my attention.”

DEBORAH HAMON

Blue Whiteout

21” x 30”, digital C-print deborahhamon.com

Deborah Hamon is a full-time artist who grew up in Australia but has lived in Novato, where she loves to run or hike the local trails when she isn’t holed up in the studio, for the last 12 years. This photograph is part of her “Polar PomPom Project” designed to help children engage with art and climate change.

“I worked with third- and fifth-grade classrooms across Marin in 2013 discussing things kids can do to help the environment and how art can be used to help continue the conversation,” Hamon says. “Then I packed up over 2,000 yarn pom-poms and set offon a three-week journey into the remote Arctic (where this photo was taken) on a tall ship.”

SPENCE SNYDER

Strata

x 22”, casein on watercolor paper dropr.com/spencesnyder

Growing up in Novato, Spence Snyder always loved to draw and make mazes in school. He eventually decided to pursue that passion, fi rst at Academy of Art University in San Francisco and now as a freelance designer and illustrator with clients including Yahoo!, Intuit and EA Games.

“This piece is from a series called ‘Sticks and Stones ’ and refers to the materials of nature that make up the great majority of our environment including most ‘man-made’ materials,” Snyder says. “This series ha s environmental concerns at its heart and is generally an exploration of how we humans perceive and manipulate nature.”

MARY SERPHOS Limantour Dunes Photography imagesbymaryserphos.com

When Mary Serphos isn’t out on the Marin trails, traveling the world or working her other job as a psychotherapist, the New York native and current Fairfax resident teaches others to manipulate digital photos and turn them into works of art as she has learned to do — a process that took many years to perfect.

“ ‘Limantour Dunes’ was taken at a memorial for a dear friend, Deb Hubsmith, a Marin resident who died of leukemia,” she says. “Deb was an inspiration to many, locally and across the country, as she played a prominent role in implementing Safe Routes to School. This photo, shot at Limantour Beach in Point Reyes, is dedicated to Deb, a courageous, generous and dynamic soul.”

STEVE EMERY

Loma Alta Rocks

36” x 36”, acrylic on canvas emerylipinski.com/emery

Steve Emery, a full-time artist since 1980, is an active participant in the arts community of Marin. He helps produce the annual exhibit and fundraiser MarinScapes and even finds time to play accordion and piano in Band of Pirates, which includes four other members of his Sir Francis Drake High School graduating class. He and his wife, artist Kathleen Lipinski, were named Marin County Cultural Treasures in 2015.

“I run the trails to experience the wonders each season brings,” he says of the inspiration guiding his work. “I love getting way out in the hills, running with my camera to get that last beautiful light.”

ELIZABETH GOREK

Party Dress

45” x 36”, oil on canvas elizabethgorek.com

After growing up in a family of artists in Hong Kong and Canada, Elizabeth Gorek came to Northern California in 1996; here, she found inspiration in the landscapes, seascapes and the people themselves. You can often fi nd her in her barn studio or at her Sam the Butcher art space in Ross.

“The figure for me has the most power and is what challenges me the most,” Gorek says. “This woman is all dressed up and alone sipping tea. I’m drawn to images of women contemplating things, maybe because that’s what I do.”

MICHAEL WELCH

The Square 24” x 28”, mixed media michaelwelchart.com

Michael Welch is a Northern California native who majored in art at California College of the Arts. Although he got his start using traditional mediums, Welch quickly became enamored of the possibilities presented by new media. He lives in West Sonoma County, but loves to travel to Marin for hiking and dinner.

“I love town squares. There’s something really special about a centrally located space in the middle of town dedicated specifically to people,” Welch says about what inspired this portrait. “ It’s always an unpredictable combination of moments of solitude interspersed with various degrees of interesting conversation, people watching, book reading and life contemplation.”

JAMES VAN KRIEDT

Icons of Marin 9” x 10.75”, digital illustration vkdesign.co

James van Kriedt is a Mill Valley resident inspired by Mount Tamalpais, vintage typography and the beauty and bounty produced by Marin’s artisans and crafters. He has a degree in industrial arts and graphic design and is the founder and owner of VK Design.

“I centered this artwork around the iconic places we all know, then imbued it with recognizable images, each evoking a different meaning for different people,” van Kriedt says.

CONNIE MILLHOLLAND

From Marin

36” x 36”, oil on canvas millhollandarts.com

Early in Connie Millholland’s life, teachers recognized her talent and asked her to develop art projects for other students. That provided a lot of confidence for the budding artist, although it would take several years and lots of experimentation in di fferent techniques to develop and perfect her abstract style.

“I wanted to create something di fferent than a traditional landscape and began on one cold day in January, swirling the paint around the canvas to develop the background,” Millholland says of this painting. “I then created the shapes to resemble a view of the Golden Gate Bridge from Belvedere. The painting evolved very easily and I was pleased with the results.”

JEFFREY BEAUCHAMP

Morning Over the Old Back Fields 40” x 30”, oil on canvas jeffreybeauchamp.com

Jeff rey Beauchamp grew up in New Jersey and started his career in New York doing animation for television commercials. It was after viewing the sunset along the Mount Tamalpais ridge road on a motorcycle ride with his father that the artist knew Marin was where he needed to be.

“Every piece I do is made up along the way, but this one was a particular metamorphosis — from figure to landscape, shallow space to deep,” Beauchamp, the 2011 Cover Contest winner, says. The piece started out as a figure painting, and “it was a nice enough beginning, with a yoga-like pose from my model, but it wasn’t quite interesting enough, so keeping the general thrust and presence of the young woman, I transformed her into a lofty cloudscape.”

C reations Custom

BY CALIN VAN PARIS • PHOTOS BY EMILY DULLA

We buy it, we wear it, we pass it down through generations — but how does the fine jewelry we treasure come into being?

HEN IT COMES to commemorative treasures, there is nothing quite like a portable precious adornment. The unmatched allure of fine jewelry is easy to understand on a surface level: as human beings, we are and always have been magpies by nature, drawn to all things aspirational, valuable and, most important, shiny. In addition, wearable trinkets offer a symbolic, lasting means of marking memorable occasions. But in a consumer market dominated by trends and fast fashion, what separates a piece of truly fine jewelry from just another accessory? And aside from the valuable materials — gold, platinum, diamonds — what justifies that higher price tag?

Kristina Saxen of Sausalito’s Lulu Designs Jewelry is an expert who can answer that question. A longtime jeweler and recent graduate of Rhode Island School of Design’s prestigious Jewelry and Metalsmithing program, Saxen has traditional and contemporary skills in all areas of jewelry-making and is putting her acquired and natural artistry to use as a design partner at Lulu. “You need knowledge of metals to successfully execute speci fic designs,” says Saxen, who metal-wise works primarily with 14-karat gold at Lulu, as well as sterling silver. “If you’re operating on an elementary figure-it-out-as-you-go level, you’re limited to the constraints of your materials. But when you learn how to manipulate metals into exactly what you imagine, the possibilities are really endless.”

While Saxen mastered her craft at school and under the tutelage of mentors, many metalsmiths follow an even more traditional path. Jeffrey Levin, a goldsmith and co-owner of maker-haven The Poet and The Bench in Mill Valley, was born in South Africa, where the jewelry trade is decidedly old world. When he decided he wanted to work with metal, Levin did what Europeans have been doing for centuries: he spent three years as an apprentice, learning at the bench (a specialized worktable) alongside a seasoned journeyman, then became a journeyman himself before striking out on his own. Interestingly enough, this step-by-step real-world instruction didn’t exist for jewelers in the United States until recently. Master goldsmith Keith Bartel of Tiburon is a Marin native, and after developing a passion for the art form during a jewelry class at Redwood High School he forged a Europeaninspired path of his own. “The master I chose to study with was Alan Revere, who originally studied in Pforzheim, Germany,” says Bartel. “I was an apprentice, I was a journeyman, and after four years I started my own business. I’ve defi nitely put in the time and acquired the experience to call myself a master goldsmith.”

So what are these learned metalsmithing skills, exactly? To describe it simply: metal jewelry pieces are formed either through casting (creating a master mold from which copies can be made) or fabrication (cutting and forming a piece directly out of metal). Most fi ne jewelers favor fabrication, allowing for pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind. Knowing your metal is indeed the first step, con firms Janet Alix of Mill Valley’s Alix and Company: “We work with sterling silver, many different karats of yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, platinum and palladium,” she says. “We’re goldsmith s — we utilize many materials.” Differences in fine metals go way beyond aesthetics: Saxen and Lulu work primarily with 14-to18k gold, rather than softer higher-karat metal that a simple bang might more easily scratch. Platinum requires extreme

“I’ve never thought of my jewelry as trophies. I’m here to take care of it and to love it, for we are only temporary custodians of beauty.”

W— Elizabeth Taylor

Opener and this spread: Tiburon master goldsmith Keith Bartel takes a break in his shop and shows off his designs and the tools of the trade.

heat for manipulation, so doing repairs while stones are in place is impossible — diamonds will frost over and the piece will be ruined. Similarly, sterling silver is an excellent conductor, making set stones susceptible to high temperatures and reconstruction a real challenge.

So how do you transform a lump of mineral into an eye-catching bauble? With a lot of heat and a selection of triedand-true tools, some of which are depicted in Renaissance paintings, Alix points out. These include hammers for shaping — each varying slightly in shape and size, designed to force metal in different directions — plus pliers and, most important, fire. Whereas metalsmiths of yore would surround an oversize flame source in groups, trying to modify the temperature with bellows, today’s jewelers work solo with handheld torches. Fueled by butane, propane or a combination of propane and bottled oxygen, most torches offer adjustable flame sizes and temperature, enabling jewelers to manipulate pieces and target tiny speci fic areas. “It’s kind of exciting, the melting and transforming of the metal from solid to liquid to solid, and then shaping and forming — that’s all very intriguing to me,” Bartel says. “Most of my work is based on techniques that are hundreds and thousands of years old.”

But newer techniques now prevail, notably for merging of metals: Modern jewelry-making employs soldering, “a way of bonding two metals with the help of an alloy that makes a bond at a lower temperature than that at which the metal melts,” Alix explains. That means jewelers can create joints and secure separate items without jeopardizing the integrity of the piece. “In ancient times, they didn’t know about solder, so they relied on fusion welding for everything,” Alix adds. “Fusion happens at the temperature at which the metals are beginning to melt. And just as they begin to flow together, but before they lose shape and form a big blob, you pull the heat away.” It was a “di fficult and delicate technique, the failure of which means all your work is for naught, and [artisans] had so much less control.” Another

After pieces are heated, cut, formed, hammered and fused, jewelers use files and polishes to make the works look like new. “The shiny, fi nished metals you see in stores — there’s a whole process to get the metal back to that state,” Saxen says. “Files get rid of the rough marks, which kind of hides the crude steps of the actual process, so it’s more of a mystery.”

For jewelers who work with precious gems, the metal is a frame to showcase the stone. Today’s range of settings includes channel (stones are suspended between two strips of metal); prong (gems are held by prongs with minimal metal to highlight the stone); bezel (metal is bent to match the shape and size of the stone, then soldered to the piece); and burnish (metal is pushed around stones after insertion). “Finding beautiful stones is not very hard,” says Alix, who mentions the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show as a major resource. “Like many others, I usually design pieces for the stone.”

Asked what separates fine from fashion jewelry, local makers cite a number of factors. “There’s a level of care to be found in a piece of fi ne jewelry. Even with technology, you can only rush a handmade piece so much,” Saxen says. “When customers see an aspirational piece in real life, they know that it began as a creative fantasy. Aside from the materials, what makes it worth the price point is that, to the person who made it — brought it into being through a process that’s only accessible after years of training and experience — it’s priceless.”

Fine pieces are designed to serve as family heirlooms that hold many stories over time. But most of all, Alix notes, they’re made to be enjoyed.

“A lot of people have regular lives, and we want to make things they aren’t saving for once a year — what’s the fun in that?” she points out. “I really advocate that people wear their stuff, especially if it’s special. Life is short. Wear your jewelry.” m

modern innovation is a laser welder, a machine that wields a concentrated, narrow beam of heat, permitting precise, intricate repairs and designs not possible before.

This spread: More of Bartel's many tools and some concept sketches.

Local Makers

Naturally beautiful Marin is further embellished by the many creators of eye-catching fine jewelry. From independent upstarts to long-standing family businesses, here’s a curated collection of some of the best.

ALIX AND COMPANY Janet Alix works with a small team of bench jewelers and goldsmiths to create custom and original designs. Mill Valley, 415.380.0880, alixandcompany.com

DAVID HESTON The former sculptor creates contemporary pieces for men and women. San Rafael, 415.499.7635, hestondesigns.com

DELEUSE JEWELERS A family business since 1934, Deleuse in Marin is currently run by degreed gemologist Jeff Deleuse and his wife, Janet. Tiburon, 415.435.2484, deleusejewelers.com

JOHANN PAUL JEWELERS Johann Paul offers virtually every service on the jewelry-making spectrum, each performed by a specialized expert. Greenbrae, 415.461.1866, johannpauljewelers.com

JULIANNA’S FINE JEWELRY This decades-old operation is run by three generations of women and partner Jean-Louis Van Den Bosch, all trained in watchmaking and repairs. Corte Madera, 415.413.0898, juliannasfinejewelry.com

KATHLEEN DUGHI The Mill Valley team dreams up sophisticated designs — as well as repurposed pieces — with craftsmanship that honors the late founder, Kathleen Dughi. Mill Valley, 415.383.0462, kathleendughi.com

KEITH BARTEL Local master goldsmith Keith Bartel partners with clients to conceive one-of-a-kind pieces and facilitate repairs. Tiburon, 415.435.6238, keithbartel.com

LEHRER DESIGNS Master goldsmith Stephan Gunning has more than 35 years of experience in custom jewelry design. Larkspur, 415.461.2212, lehrerdesigns.com

LULU DESIGNS JEWELRY Stacy King and her all-female design team showcase precious gemstones in unique contemporary pieces. Sausalito, 415.729.9570, luludesignsjewelry.com

MARIN JEWELERS GUILD A collective of artists with a wide range of beautiful gem and jewelry creations. San Rafael, 415.454.2711, marinjewelersguild.com

NORMAN MAHAN JEWELERS Fine jewelry creations are the hallmark of this well-known Marin designer and gemologist. Mill Valley, 415.389.9300, normanmahanjewelers.com

POET AND THE BENCH This new store celebrates Jeffrey Levin’s 30 years as a jewelry maker and goldsmith. Mill Valley, 415.569.4383, poetandthebench.com

SAUSALITO JEWELERS The waterfront company uses the latest jewelry-making technology to craft ethically sound custom pieces. Sausalito, 415.331.2100, sausalitojewelers.com

SOFIA JEWELRY Sofia Jewelry is a family affair: the custom design team is led by Carl Priolo and son Lucas, and the company’s name was inspired by daughter Sophia. Mill Valley, 415.388.8776, sofiajewelrystore.com

STEPHAN-HILL Owners John and Marion Garfolo create award-winning jewelry and are recognized for unique pieces that celebrate Marin. San Rafael, 415.459.5808, stephanhill.com

UNION STREET GOLDSMITH Founded by G lenda Queen and gemologist Terry Brumbaugh, this San Francisco stalwart specializes in all areas of jewelry-making, from women’s to men’s to watches. S.F., 415.776.8048, unionstreetgoldsmith.com

SUBCULTURES

WATER WAYS

Outrigger canoeing is an ever-popular sport in Marin.

BY GEOFF JAMES • PHOTOS BY TODD PICKERING

AS THE WEATHER warms and light dawns earlier, here in Marin, it’s not unusual to spy a six-person canoe gliding across our waterways. Six-man and -woman teams can be seen warming up in the dappled morning light (and also in the fading evening light), and anyone close enough might hear a continual “hut, hike, ho” as a team pulls a 40-foot boat through the glassy water. Considered the state sport of Hawaii, outrigger canoeing has steadily grown more popular nationwide over the past few decades, in both recreational and competitive forms, including in Marin.

Who paddles outrigger canoes? Water-loving men, women and kids are drawn to this sport. Many clubs have special divisions for keikis (18 and younger), masters (under 40) and senior masters (50 and older). Benefits include being on the water, staying active and being part of a team. In 30 minutes, a paddler might complete 1,500 strokes. The motion of leaning forward and pulling the paddle through the water makes for an extreme workout, especially for the lats and core, and burns as much as 700 calories an hour. Outrigger canoeing brings paddling into the realm of team sport, as there’s regularly scheduled practice with fellow paddlers. It “forces you to keep your practice time and not fi nd excuses,” says Steve Wegner from He’e Nalu men’s team. “You don’t want to be the guy to let down the team.” The fellowship in outrigger is hard to describe: it’s intense, yet the joy of feeling the canoe moving forward in a synchronized manner is contagious. Paddlers here in Marin range from beginners to veterans with two decades under their beltless board shorts. Besides the shorts, gear includes UV shirts, hats and shorts — all waterproof.

The He’e Nalu men’s team practices just outside the San Rafael Canal.

Where do people meet? Most outrigger canoe paddling is centered around canoe clubs. Marin has two: He’e Nalu Outrigger Canoe Club in San Rafael and Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club in Sausalito. Both have multiple six-person outrigger canoes and offer scheduled practices for their men’s and women’s teams, along with club events. He’e Nalu hosts an annual outrigger race on August 6 called the Round the Rock Alcatraz Challenge, and Tamalpais Outrigger holds the Kula Anela Hoe Wa’a Outrigger Canoe Race around Angel Island on August 27. For both clubs, team members come from all over the county — Novato, Mill Valley, San Rafael and Sausalito — plus San Francisco and Sonoma County. The outrigger community is rooted in tradition and friendship, says Amy Connell of the He’e Nalu women’s team: “We all share a love for the water and the friendships and a heartfelt love for the sport.”

What does it take to be a team member? Committing to practice and your team are really what it takes to become part of a crew. Canoe clubs have set practices on the weekends; then, as the days get longer, practice moves to a couple of times a week after work, usually at 5:30 or 6 p.m. A typical workout takes an hour to an hour-and-a-half. He’e Nalu has a men’s workout Sunday mornings and a women’s on Saturday mornings.

How does one become a team member? Considering that six paddlers are needed for each boat, the clubs continually seek members. He’e Nalu Canoe Club is at 101 Surf Sports on the canal in San Rafael, which opens up to San Pablo Bay; contact the club directly for more information about its new paddler program. The Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club, at Fort Baker in Sausalito’s Horseshoe Cove at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, does its recruitment in March and April.

Why outrigger canoe? For athletes wanting a team sport that involves the water, community and a great workout, belonging to an outrigger club has great appeal. Travel is also a draw: races happen all over Northern California, including Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, and some teams even go to Hawaii or Southern California. Training starts in March for summer competitions; the first races are Memorial Day weekend. “There is nothing that clears my mind better than being out on the water after work,” says Michele Dermer of Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club. “When I am paddling, all I can think of is my stroke and how I can help my crew glide our boat across the bay. When we’re done, no matter what, it’s all smiles — we’re cold and tired, sure, but smiling.” m

The Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club practices in view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Destinations

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

BAJA BOUND

While you can’t drink the water on the sun-soaked peninsula, submersing yourself in the gin-clear Sea of Cortez is highly encouraged.

Guests enjoying the water at Monuments Beach at The Cape.

SURF WITH THE PROS Known as one of the most desirable stretches of white sand in Los Cabos, Monuments Beach (aka Surfers’ Paradise) is adjacent to the newly opened The Cape. So it only makes sense that the property, a Thompson Hotel, would offer a once-in-alifetime retreat for surfing fanatics. Taking place May 19–22, the multiday experience presented by Mansa Vida (a travel company founded by pro surfers Rob Machado and Tim Curran) includes surfing workshops with the pros, screenings of cult surf films, a photography exhibition of work by renowned surf photographer Tom Servais, a live rooftop acoustic guitar concert with music by Curran, daily breakfast and morning yoga, and swag from the pros’ sponsors. And for those who want to experience the ultimate in luxury, the Surfer Villa — a three-bedroom, two-story unit complete with a chef’s kitchen and private plunge pool — is an option for the weekend. If that’s not enough to convince you to go, maybe the unparalleled views of El Arco from the only rooftop bar (shown below) in Cabo San Lucas will. Packages start at $2,921 for single occupancy. thompsonhotels. com/the-cape VERONICA SOOLEY

Swimming With Giants

Behemoths as big as school buses with gaping four-foot-wide mouths and 300-plus rows of tiny teeth are roaming the ocean, but fear not, whale sharks are gentle giants and the world’s largest fish, who filter-feed on tiny creatures like plankton and fish eggs. A mystery to scientists over the years, these polka-dotted swimmers of warmwater seas were rarely spotted in the wild — even the ultimate underwater explorer, Jacques Cousteau, only encountered the elusive whale shark twice in his career. But lately the solitary nomads have been found in the rich feeding grounds off Madagascar, Australia, the Philippines, Yucatán and La Paz, and a bucket-list swim with one is even better than you can imagine.

Eco-adventure company Explora Baja delivers an exquisite whale shark experience. A simple shaded skiff hisks a small group to the turquoise shallows of the Bay of La Paz in the Sea of Cortez, a place Cousteau called the “aquarium of the world.” Once a whale shark is spotted, mask-and-fi n-donning swimmers quietly slip into the sea for an eye-toeye, adrenaline-surging snorkel. Faint stripes and white-dotted designs — each pattern is unique a s a fi ngerprint — color the gray-blue creatures, which pose no threat to humans. Remoras cling to thei r fi ns and bellies, along for the ride.

This epic whale shark adventure is further enhanced by a stay at the lovely Costa Baja Resort, a sprawling property 15 minutes outside of sleepy La Paz, with a hotel, villas, private homes, a yacht-dotted marina, swim-up bar, spa, Gary Player golf course and five fab restaurants. A stunning beach club also awaits wit h fi re pits, daybeds, an in fi nity pool, frosty margaritas, carne asada tacos and friendly service. With your toes in the sand and a cold drink in hand, you’ll already be planning your return, as it’s impossible to get those gentle giants out of your mind. costabajaresort.com

La Paz’s whale shark season runs November through April. Only opt for certified captains with permits who follow the regulations and whose boats bear the whale shark flag. ANN

WYCOFF

Feel the Heat

If you can handle the temperature, consider a post–spring training jaunt to Scottsdale in Arizona. Here we look at three properties offering not only substantial discounts throughout the summer, but also something new. MIMI

1The award-winning Fairmont Scottsdale Princess will debut renovations this summer, including 102 new rooms and a brand-new sunset pool with a splash pad, white-sand beach and swim-up bar. Rooms start at $169 per night. fairmont.com/scottsdale

2The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, home of the FlowRider (sur fing wave), now has a private island for rent in Kierland Cove in its “lazy river” pool. The offer includes lounge chairs, umbrellas, reserved tubes, complimentary chips, salsa and water. Island rates start at $450 a day. Summer room rates start at $149 per night. kierlandresort.com

TOWLE

3After a big refresh of the pool last fall, Camelback Inn and Sanctuary invites guests to come take a splash. The upgrades include a resurfacing of the main pool and the addition of an adults-only quiet pool and a new children’s pool. Rooms start at $199 per night. marriott.com

Tudor Trek

Grieving Downton Abbey fans can now live out British period drama fantasies near Midhurst, West Sussex, about an hour away from London, at the Cowdray Estate . The sprawling 16,500-acre property includes a country house, cottages, a polo club and the ruins of Historic Cowdray, a Tudor partially destroyed by a fire in 1793. In 2007 the estate opened to visitors, with optional on-site activities such as clay pigeon shooting, fly fishing and golf, and the country house became available as a wedding venue for the very first time. Downton ’s popularity has definitely added to the allure of the place: during a 2011 auction at the estate, it turned out most of the items dated from 1909 to 1929 — the exact period in which the über-popular BBC show is set. Daunted by the thought of dealing with time zones and currency? Organizer Nicole McNaughton can handle everything for you stateside. nmluxe. com, cowdray.co.uk KASIA PAWLOWSKA

GLEANING AND GROWING

Being in high school in 2016 isn’t simple. Keeping up with everything from music lessons to sports practice to SAT tutoring and staying on top of college admissions make it easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. After all, school is only one part of what it takes to be a well-rounded person. So in 2000 educator Suzanne Lettrick founded the Global Education and Action Network (GLEAN) to help fill in the gaps. The Mill Valley–based organization helps facilitate trips for students that expose them to remote cultures around the world for several months at a time. The expeditions are designed using the GLEAN method that promotes lifelong learning and focuses on data collection and quantitative research abroad. Each trip is centered around a topic a student would like to study and involves interviews with key people and documentation of lifestyles. The average cost for airfare and expedition is $8,000. In the past students have researched cultures in Mongolia, China, Siberia, India, Botswana, South Africa and Nicaragua. gleansworld.org K.P.

TODOS SANTOS

A visual journey through a former mission town.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY BEN DAVIDSON

THE NAME OF the quaint Baja village rolls off he tongue with melli fluous Spanish grace. And like its name, Todos Santos has a graceful, easy pace that has made this Paci fic-facing town one of the must-see destinations of 2016, according to The New York Times.

Founded in 1723 with the establishment of the mission Santa Rosa de las Palmas, Todos Santos evolved into a thriving sugar-producing town in the 19th century. The industry brought prosperity to the region and especially to the local sugar barons.

Sugar has long since disappeared here, leaving only crumbling industrial relics and colonial-era brick buildings and a local economy based on fi shing and farming. But after a period of decline, Todos Santos has risen again and has quietly become a popular destination for travelers visiting the tip of the scenic Baja peninsula.

With surf-perfect beaches and cobbled side streets lined with galleries and fi ne restaurants, this colorful “pueblo mágico” seduces day-trippers from Los Cabos and overnighters seeking to explore its many charms and to enjoy a taste of the old Baja Sur way of life.

Opposite: A fisherman’s “panga” on the beach at Punta Lobos. This page: A Baja buggy struts past the Hotel California (on right).

If You Go

Todos Santos is a 50-mile drive northwest of Cabo San Lucas on Highway 19. It takes about 90 minutes to drive there once you get out of Cabo.

PLAY

• Todos Santos has long been on the radar of the sur fi ng community, and with good reason: experienced surfers ca n fi nd a variety of excellent breaks, all within a half hour’s drive of town. Check out the waves at La Pastora , Los Cerritos and San Pedrito. Caution: the ocean is powerful and dangerous on the Paci fic side of the Baja peninsula, and strong undercurrents, swells and riptides abound. If you’re a beginner surfer or a swimmer, Los Cerritos Beach usually has the safest conditions.

• Eco-tourism specialists Todos Santos Eco

Adventures offers a broad range of outings and activities, including hiking, kayaking , fi shing, whale watching, horseback riding, sur fi ng (including a women's surf camp), snorkeling and cooking. The company’s horseback rides are a great way to experience the traditional ranchero culture of Baja. tosea.net

STAY

• Guaycura is an artfully appointed boutique hotel in the historic center of town. Walk to shops, galleries, bars, and myriad restaurants within seconds of leaving the elegant lobby. Use

Opposite page (clockwise from top left): Colorful picado flags catch the wind in Todos Santos’ historic town center; a colorful, crumbling facade near the town square on Calle Centenario; camarones al mojo de ajo (shrimp in garlic sauce) is a Baja favorite; scoping out the waves at surf spot Playa Los Cerritos. This page from top: Art, gardens and nature mix at La Esquina cafe; boutique hotel Hacienda Cerritos perches on a bluff above the Pacific at Playa Los Cerritos.

of the property’s El Faro Beach Club and Spa is included with all stays, and the rooftop Sky Bar is an oh-so-chill place for evening relaxation and sunset-watching with a view of the town. The hotel’s excellent oceanfront restaurant, El Mirador, is just a short drive away. guaycura.com

• On the same street as Guaycura, the Todos Santos Inn occupies a lovingly restored, former 19th-century home of a sugar baron. The property features lush gardens and a restaurant, and each of the eight rooms is outfitted with Spanish tile and antique furniture. todossantosinn.com

• Owned by two Swiss expats, boutique hotel

Posada La Poza offers eight guest rooms on La Posada beach. It also features the fi ne El Gusto restaurant, an outdoor spa and saltwater swimming pool and a Jacuzzi as well as numerous outdoor activities such as birdwatching in a wildlife sanctuary around a freshwater lagoon. lapoza.com

EAT

• At La Casita , popular for seafood and sushi, the coconut shrimp, scallops and seared tuna are standouts. lacasitatapaswinebar.com

• Tequila’s Sunrise is the perfect spot for

getting your margarita on. Located within stumbling distance of the infamous Hotel California, this casual spot attracts lively nighttime crowds. Ask for the Damiana margarita, made with a local herb liqueur known for its aphrodisiac qualities.

• La Esquina (the Corner) is an artistic and musical refuge for expats and the surfer crowd, who hang out and compare notes over fine coffee and casual Mexican meals. Check out its weekly farmers’ market for interesting crafts and products created mostly by members of the expat community. laesquinats.com m

Add more heat to your summer! Put on your summer whites and join us at Cavallo Point for the White Hot Party with Marin Magazine. This cool event not only celebrates the season’s long, warm days, it’s also the party for Marin Magazine’s special publication, Marin Summer: The Ultimate 2016 Guide to Activities and Events. Admission includes a sumptuous array of hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, entertainment by the celebrated David Martin’s House Party—a 9-piece musical experience, and white hot dancing! $85 / person CALL 1.888.651.2003 VISIT cavallopoint.com/whiteparty 601

A portion of proceeds

benefit A nonprofit transforming the school food system at Marin City’s MLK Jr. Academy

Photos: Kodiak Greenwood, Tim Porter, Jasmine Wang

Out & About

CALENDAR / ON THE SCENE / DINE

DANCE

MAY 6–15 Dance Series Two Smuin Ballet finishes off its 22n season with this performance, featuring a world premiere piece from choreographer Helen Pickett set to an original score by composer Jeff Beal. YBA (SF). 415.912.1899, smuinballet.org

THEATER

THRU MAY 1 The Lion Follow one man, Benjamin Scheuer, on his musical journey from boyhood to manhood, focusing on pain, healing and the redemptive power of music, which he demonstrates by way of six guitars.

Strand Theater (SF). 415.834.3200, act-sf.org

THRU MAY 8 Anne Boleyn The fabled fallen mistress fi nally gets to tell her side of the story. Watch as Boleyn seeks an opportunity to legitimize her relationship with Henry VIII while simultaneously pushing a Protestant agenda — a sample revisionist take on a woman’s experience in the royal world. Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley).

Calendar

415.388.5200, marintheatre.org

THRU MAY 15 Eating Pasta Off the Floor Maria Grazia A ffi nito’s new solo show takes the actress to her mother’s hometown in Italy, where the two try to shed light on their volatile relationship. The Marsh (SF). 415.282.3055, themarsh.org

THRU MAY 15 The Most Happy Fella Created by Frank Loesser, this unconventional romance takes place in the Napa Valley and features a memorable score. Eureka Theatre (SF). 415.255.8207, 42ndStMoon.org

MAY 3–8 Cinderella Go to the ball with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s

classic reimagining of “Cinderella,” a story of transformation, a glass slipper and living happily ever after — with a few surprising twists. Orpheum Theatre (SF). shnsf.com

MAY 11–JUN 5 The Last Five Years A.C.T. presents a brandnew production of Jason Robert Brown’s acclaimed musical

about the marriage of two twentysomething New Yorkers, the story told from start to fi nish from each perspective. Geary Theater (SF). 415.749.2228, act-sf.org

MAY 20–JUN 19 A Dreamplay In this surreal play, Hindu deva Indra’s daughter comes to earth in an attempt to understand humanity, befriending an officer, a lawyer and a poet, and experiencing joy, pain and su ffering. The Cutting Ball Theater in residence at EXIT Theatre (SF). 415.525.1205, cuttingball.com

MAY 22–JUN 19 West Side Story Now in its 103rd season, the Mountain Play Association presents West Side Story, the classic Broadway re-creation of Romeo and Juliet, set on the Upper West Side of New York City in the 1950s. Enjoy song, dance and theatrics in a historic outdoor amphitheater atop Mount Tamalpais. Sidney B. Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre (Mill Valley). mountainplay.org

MAY 27–JUN 19 Anna in the Tropics Ross Valley Players presents the story of a group of

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

Cuban-American cigar rollers whose lives are a ffected by a reading from Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. Barn Theatre (Ross). 415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.com

DANCE

MAY 5–8

Tacit Consent

An immersive performance installation with sound design and score by Dan Wool, allowing audiences to experience sound di fferently as they move through the unique space. YBCA (SF). 415.978.2787, lissfaindance.org

COMEDY

TUESDAYS Tuesday Night Comedy Funnies

An evening of hilarity featuring comedians who make us laugh and think. Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, throck mortontheatre.org

Nathan Bickart and crew. Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, throck mortontheatre.org

MAY 4–19 Beethoven in the City Celebrate Cypress String Quartet’s 20th season with one of many free, public concerts presented at unique venues throughout San Francisco, and all featuring the works of Beethoven. Various locations (San Francisco). 415.500.2150, cypressquartet.com

MAY 9 Mischa Maisky Chamber Music San Francisco welcomes world-renowned cellist Mischa Maisky in his debut recital. Herbst Theatre (SF). 415.392.4400, chambermusicsf.org

MAY 7

Andrew Dice Clay: Live in Concert

One of the country’s most controversial comics comes to San Francisco to make locals laugh with his unique brand of entertainment. The War field (SF). 415.345.0900, thewar fieldtheatre.com

MAY

14 An Evening with Paula Poundstone

The star of NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! returns to Marin for an evening of spontaneous, interactive hilarity. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org

MUSIC

MAY 1 Jazz Sundays

With Nathan Bickart Trio Enjoy original compositions and jazz standards performed by pianist, composer and educator

MAY 15 Musae: Bridge of Song San Francisco women’s choral ensemble Musae performs a program of music from the Baltics, including new choral work from Karin Kuulpak, the most recent winner of Chanticleer's student composer competition. Old St. Hilary’s Landmark (Tiburon). 415.435.1853, land marks-society.org

MAY 19–MAY 21 This Was Made Here: A Diasporic Odyssey

Local performer Meklit Hadero was born in Ethiopia and raised in Brooklyn. Now, as an East Bay resident, Hadero creates music that combines Ethiopian melodies with American jazz. YBCA (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org

MAY 21–22 Mozart and Salieri: Friends and Rivals The 100-voice Marin Oratorio Chorus and Orchestra is joined by organist John Fenstermaker, fl autist Carol Adee and vocal soloists Christa Pfei ffer, Heidi Waterman, Kyle Stegall and Jeff rey Fields to perform the works of these two beloved Viennese composers. College of Marin (Kent field). 415.485.9385, marinoratorio.org

MAY 28 Sean Hayes

Get soulful with Sean Hayes as he performs rhythmic, folk-rock selections from his more than 20-year career. Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.3850, sweetwatermusic hall.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 Marin Contemporary A juried exhibition, through June 17. 1337 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.451.8119, artworks downtown.org

Bolinas Gallery Make/ Shift Shelter This exhibition brings together three artists inspired by architectural forms born of necessity and made by hand with salvaged materials, through June 12. 52 Wharf Road, Bolinas. 415.868.0782, bolinas-gallery.com

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

Claudia Chapline Gallery and Sculpture Garden Works by Claudia Chapline, Jim Garmhausen, Etta Deikman and others. 3445 Shoreline

Hwy, Stinson Beach. 415.868.2308, cchapline.com

Desta Gallery The Way of Art. 417 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo. 415.524.8932, destagallery.com

di Rosa Equilibrium: A Paul Kos Survey Western landscapes from San Francisco–based Paul Kos, through July 10. 5200 Carneros Hwy, Napa. 707.226.5991, dirosaart.org

Falkirk Cultural Center 3D/3Seasons An exhibition of outdoor sculptures presented by Art Contemporary Marin, May 27–September 20. 1408

Mission Ave, San Rafael. 415.485.3328, falkirk culturalcenter.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

A group exhibition, through May 8. 11101 Hwy One, Point Reyes. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org

Marin County Civic Center Rising Stars: The 25th Annual Marin County High School Art Show More than 150 works selected from 19 high schools throughout Marin, in partnership with Youth in Arts, through May 31. 3501 Civic Center Dr, San Rafael. 415.473.7000, marincounty.org

Masterworks Kids’ Art Studio Youth art classes. 305B Montecito Drive, Corte Madera. 415.945.7945, master workskidsart.com

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

O’Hanlon Center for the Arts Young Artists at Work Art by the students of Bayside Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, May 3–21. 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

Abstract Landscapes and Cityscapes on Canvas A group exhibition, through May 31. 301 Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.2800, robert allenfineart.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

Between Two Worlds Work by Charlotte Bernstrom. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.8776, rgfineart.com

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; the largest collection of Picasso, Chagall and others in Marin County. 86 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.380.7940, roomartgallery.com

Seager Gray Gallery

New artworks. 108 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.384.8288, seagergray.com

Smith Andersen North Jean McMann and Doug Muir. 20 Greenfield Ave, San Anselmo. 415.455.9733, smith andersennorth.com

Studio 333 Art and events. 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

Oils, watercolors and prints by painter Emmeline Craig. 3415 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach, 415.868.2787, emmelinecraig.com

Zener Schon

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

SAN FRANCISCO

ArtHaus Contemporary art. 411 Brannan St, 415.977.0223, arthaus-sf.com

Caldwell Snyder Gallery

Painter Siddharth Parasnis. 341 Sutter St, 415.392.2299, caldwellsnyder.com

California Historical Society Experiments in Environment: The Halprin Workshops, 1966–1971, through May 8. 678 Mission Street, SF, 415.357.1848, californiahistorical society.org

Fouladi Projects Art from Yuichi Hirako, through May. 1803 Market St, 415.621.2535, fouladiprojects.com

Equilibre by Paul Kos at di Rosa, Napa

George Lawson Gallery Works by Justine Frischmann, through May 28. 315 Potrero Ave, 415.703.4400, georgelawson gallery.com

Gregory Lind Gallery Heights Where the Light Still Lingered Work by Sarah Bostwick. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, gregorylindgallery.com

Hackett-Mill As I Am: Painting the Figure in Postwar San Francisco A celebration of the grand opening of the SFMOMA’s new building featuring works by David Park and Richard Diebenkorn, through May 27. 201 Post St, 415.362.3377, hackettmill.com

John Berggruen Gallery Works by Bridget Riley, through June 30. 228 Grant Ave, 415.781.4629, berggruen.com

Meyerovich Gallery Katz and Kass New works by Alex Katz and Deborah Kass, through May 4. 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 These American Lives Works by Rupert Garcia, Dawoud Bey and others, through May 12. 1639 Market St, 415.982.3292, renabransten gallery.com

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

MARIN Bay Area Discovery Museum Children’s China Participate in a traditional tea ceremony, learn Chinese character writing, partake in dragon parades and more, through May 8 (Sausalito). 415.339.3900, baykidsmuseum.org

Bolinas Museum Human Impact on Bolinas Lagoon: A Timeline, through August 14 (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org

Marin Museum of the American Indian The Land of the Ancestors Photographs of ancestral Puebloan sites by Tom Benoit, through August (Novato). 415.897.4064, marinindian.com

Marin Museum of Contemporary Art 7th Annual Altered Book & Book Arts Exhibition Books function as a springboard for artists in this exhibit for all ages, through June 4 (Novato). 415.506.0137, marinmoca.org

BAY AREA Asian Art Museum Pearls on a String: Artists, Patrons and Poets at the Great Islamic Courts, through May 8 (SF). 415.581.3711, asianart.org

California Academy of Sciences Incoming! Explore the solar system, narrated by George Takei. (SF). 415.379.8000, calacademy.org

Conservatory of Flowers The Wild Bunch: Succulents, Cacti and Fat Plants The conservatory celebrates the world’s water-hoarding

SPOTLIGHT

Bridging the Bay

Jessie Bridges returns to Marin.

IT’S SAID THAT musical talent runs in families — for proof, look no further than the Jacksons and the Judds. As it turns out though, the Bridges are also a family of multifaceted performers. Jessie Bridges, daughter of actor and singer JeffBridges, has proven a musical presence in her own right. The Oakland-based artist has put out two albums — her eponymous 2010 release and 2013’s Let It Breathe — and counts everyone from CSNY to Jenny Lewis among her in fluences. With a sound that resists categorization, Bridges has played at many venues throughout the Bay Area like the Throckmorton as well as the Great American Music Hall. She’ll be making her way to Marin again on May 21 to take part in a free acoustic concert series, Novato Live at City Hall. jessiebridgesmusic.com KASIA PAWLOWSKA

You’ve been playing guitar since you were 13; how has your style evolved over the years? When I was writing songs in my 20s I was simply expressing something that I was going through. Now that I’m in my 30s I find that I’m much more intentional about what I say and how I say it. Somewhere along the way, what used to be a flattering interpretation of something I grew up loving somehow shifted into my own unique style. And I’m looking forward to seeing how it continues to change.

Any standout touring moments? The very first time I took the stage opening for my dad in Oregon. We were at a beautiful outdoor venue just outside of Ashland (Britt Pavilion in Jacksonville, Oregon). There were over 2,500 people in the audience. As I walked onstage I was filled with so many different emotions: excitement, anxiety, terror, joy, shock. Moving through my set, one song after another, I felt more and more comfortable onstage. The audience was

so wonderful and supportive and encouraging. It was such a gift to have had my music and my performance received so positively. There’s honestly nothing like your first big show — and that’s a moment I will never, ever forget.

What kind of message are you trying to convey through your music? The intention behind most of my songs is supported by a notion that being comfortable in your own skin is the most important thing. I’m a strong believer in feeling things deeply and completely, and I think that this message definitely comes through in my writing.

Are you currently working on a new album? I’m not currently working on a new album. The music industry has changed so much over the years and I’ve realized that releasing my work in the form of complete albums no longer feels relevant or necessary. Instead I’m approaching my music recordings in more of a one-song-at-a-time way.

plants in this roughand-tumble exhibit, May 6–October 16 (SF). 415.831.2090, conservatoryof floers.org

Contemporary Jewish Museum Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution Experience the life of Bill Graham through photographs ranging from his childhood as a German Jewish refugee to his pivotal role in the rock and roll industry, through July 5 (SF). 415.655.7800, thecjm.org

de Young Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective The world-premiere retrospective of Oscar de la Renta’s work celebrates the life and career of one of fashion’s most

in fluential designers, through May 30 (SF). 415.750.3600, deyoung.famsf.org

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

Legion of Honor California BookWorks Modern and contemporary artists’ books and portfolios allow viewers to see the state from the vantage point of creators, May 7–October 16 (SF). 415.750.3600, legionofhonor.famsf.org

Museum of Craft and Design Lines That Tie Works by Carole Beadle and Lia Cook, through August 7 (SF). 415.773.0303, sfmcd.org

Oakland Museum of California Altered State: Marijuana in California The fi rst-ever museum exhibition to focus on marijuana in California today, through September 25 (Oakland). 510.318.8400, museumca.org

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art Thirty-eight sculptural creations by 17 Japanese artists, through June 12 (Sonoma). svma.org

The Walt Disney Family Museum Mel Shaw: An Animator on Horseback The fi rst-ever retrospective of the life and work of Disney animator, creative and master horseman Mel Shaw,

through September 12 (SF). 415.345.6800, waltdisney.org

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Murmur Wall Designed by Future Cities Lab, the Murmur Wall is a unique combination of sculpture, light and data collection along the wall at the main entrance to YBCA, through 2016 (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org

EVENTS

THRU MAY 1 Blossoms, Bees and Barnyard Babies Go farm-hopping and celebrate all things Sonoma County by meeting local farmers, vintners and artisans while enjoying bites, sips, tours and demonstrations.

Various locations (Sonoma County). 707.837.8896, farmtrails,org

THRU AUG 31 Wild Flowers Head to the San Francisco Botanical Garden to observe a wide and varied selection of seasonal blooms, from dogwood to blue puya. S.F. Botanical Garden (SF). 415.661.1316, sfb otanicalgarden.org

MAY 1 Marin Founders Celebration At this annual event, celebrate the nonprofi founders and directors who make Marin County a special, giving place to live. The Buck Institute (Novato). marin founders.org

MAY 6–7 Annual Plant Sale Peruse plants and enjoy wine, small bites, live music and auctions. San Francisco Botanical Garden (SF). 415.661.1316, sfb otanicalgarden.org

MAY 7–8, 14–15 Marin Open Studios Artists across the county are given the opportunity to show and sell their work to local art collectors, curators and colleagues. (Various locations). 415.343.5667, marin openstudios.org

MAY 8 The French Market Peruse this outdoor antique market in search of art, books, textiles, vintage and estate jewelry, furniture, prints and much more, all accompanied by French music and

Changing the Narrative

For 35 years, 10,000 Degrees has been helping underserved students change the narrative of possibility. Too often our students are discouraged from pursuing their college dreams. We believe in each student’s potential and provide them with the resources and tools to get to and graduate from college. They surpass all expectations.

graduate from college, beating the national average of 54%

crepes. Marin Civic Center (San Rafael). 415.383.2252, golden gateshows.com

MAY 10 Honor Our Healers: A Special Evening with Zero Breast Cancer Reflect on 21 years of searching for the environmental causes of breast cancer while enjoying a familystyle meal courtesy of Insalata’s. Louise Greenspan, co-author of the book The New Puberty, will reprise her recent TEDMED talk. Community Center (Mill Valley). 415.507.1949, zerobreastcancer.org

MAY 12 Modern Ball Enjoy eats, drinks and dancing and a chance to check out the new SFMOMA at this homecoming

soiree. SFMOMA (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org

MAY 14 Divine Wine Extravaganza Help raise money for Marin School of the Arts with award-winning wine, local cuisine, auction items and evening entertainment. Presented by Academy of Art University and Harbor Point Charitable Foundation. Unity Center (Novato). 415.389.7266, divinewine.org

MAY 15 Pixie Park Spring Fair Celebrate spring with the whole family at this seasonal fair, featuring games, music, a jumpy house and a petting zoo for young children. Marin Art and Garden Center (Ross). pixiepark.org

MAY 16 Women’s Council of Realtors Charity Golf Tournament Enjoy a day of sun and sport at the second annual Women’s Council of Realtors golf tournament. Support Image for Success, a local nonprofit organization that provides complimentary wardrobes to men, women and children transitioning to a life of self-reliance. San Geronimo Golf Course (San Geronimo). wcrmarin.org

MAY 21 Battle of the Chefs Guest chefs Todd Davies of Hilltop 1892 and Sean Saylor of Saylor’s Restaurant and Bar show off heir culinary skills in a good old-fashioned cook-off o help fund scholarships for local

students courtesy of the Sausalito Woman’s Club. IDESST Hall (Sausalito). battleof thechefssausalito.com

MAY 21 Family Gala: Make and Believe The Bay Area Discovery Museum’s fi rst family gala fi nds the space transformed into a futuristic wonderland where classic fairy tales meet 21stcentury technology. Enjoy food, drinks, dancing, special performances and more. Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito). 415.339.3900, baykidsmuseum.org

MAY 21 Garden Conservancy Open Day

Enjoy one-day-only access to two exceptional private Marin County properties in

Ross and Kent field, and view outstanding examples of design and horticultural practice. Various locations (Marin). garden conservancy.org

MAY 21 Marin Alfresco Join Bay Area chefs and wineries in this outdoor tasting under the stars, featuring jazz and a silent auction followed by an evening of dance-worthy tunes from Wonder Bread 5. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org

MAY 21–22 Ranches and Rolling Hills Landscape Art Show and Sale View Marin’s farmland through the eyes of renowned plein air painters from Marin County and Santa

Barbara’s Oak Group. Enjoy a farm-to-table preview lunch and an opportunity to view and buy art. Druids Hall (Nicasio). 415.663.1158, malt.org

MAY

22 Storybook

Ball: Charlotte’s County Fair This parent/ child event — for children up to age 10 — is inspired by Charlotte’s Web, the classic tale by E. B. White. The community center will be transformed into an old-fashioned county fair complete with games, music, dance and craft activities, along with local food, craft beer and wine. Community Center (Mill Valley). 415.755.8990, mvlf.org

MAY 29 Muir Beach Volunteer Firemen’s Barbecue Head to the 44th annual Muir Beach volunteer fi remen’s barbecue, a fun event for the whole family with delicious food, activities for the kids, live music from IrieFuse and Andre Pessis, and dancing. Santos Meadows (Muir Beach). 415.381.8793, muirbeach fi re.com

FILM

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). cityofmillvalley.org

ONGOING Free First Wednesdays Visit the Bay Area Discovery

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, friends ofmttam.org

THRU MAY 1

Vineyard to Vintner

Weekend Head to Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District for intimate library wine dinners, winery open houses, private tastings

Mischa Maisky at the Herbst Theatre, S.F.

and photographers converge to make over 30-plus rooms and outdoor spaces in a Telegraph Hill mansion. Villa de Martini (SF). 415.447.5830, decoratorshowcase.org

MAY 1 Road to Recovery 5K Partake in this marathon, a community celebration of those in recovery and a day of health and wellness for everyone who supports recovery from addiction. Crissy Field (SF). 415.296.9047, openrecoverysf.org

MAY 4 Cascade Canyon

Take advantage of an early start and enjoy the chorus of breeding birds that make this preserve their home. Cascade Canyon Preserve (Fairfax). 415.893.9520, marincountyparks.org

MAY 4 Guided Tour of the Gardens at Alcatraz Head to Alcatraz for this unique behindthe-scenes tour of the island’s spring blooms. Pier 33 (SF). 415.455.5260, magc.org

MAY 4 The Thread: An Improvisation and Acting Workshop This new series of workshops welcomes actors of all levels to try their hand at comedy and improvisation. Classes are led by performers/educators Geoff Bolt, Melissa Jones Briggs and Michael O’Brien. Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, throck mortontheatre.org

MAY 6 Listen to Your Mother Kick off our Mother’s Day weekend with a national live

reading series in celebration of motherhood, showcasing the voices of local storytellers. Brava Theater (SF). listentoyourmother show.com/sanfrancisco

MAY 7 Bay Area Human Race Support your favorite nonprofit, school or community group in this decadesold 5K run/walk/dog walk. Marin Center Fairgrounds (San Rafael). cvnl.org/ bayareahumanrace

MAY 9 Pluto Matters Professor Renu Malhotra demonstrates Pluto’s importance via the new view of our solar system’s history, astronomical evidence and critical assessment of current theoretical models.

California Academy of Sciences (SF). 415.379.8000, calacademy.org

MAY 15 Birds of Mount Burdell All bird lovers are welcome on this special hike, which takes place at the height of breeding season. Look out for lazuli buntings, blackheaded grosbeaks, warbling vireos and many more — and don’t forget your binoculars. Mount Burdell Preserve (Novato). 415.893.9508, marincountyparks.org

of wisdom cards, including those of Byron Katie, Esther Hicks, Louise Hay and Osho. Sunrise Center (Corte Madera). 415.924.7824, sunrisecenter.org

MAY 15 Lightroom and Photoshop for Beginners: Class One Photoshop and Lightroom tutor Carl Gosline delivers straightforward information-packed classes revealing work-flow habits, tips, tricks and shortcuts for using and integrating both applications in this four-part class. Book Passage (Corte Madera). 415.927.0960, bookpassage.com

MAY 21–22 Medical Cannabis: The Science. The Truth. The best minds in the medical cannabis industry gather to lecture, share fi ndings and lead accredited courses in this unique two-day conference, presented by United Patients Group. Dominican University (San Rafael). unitedpatients group.com

MAY

28 McEvoy Ranch

Tour Head north for an inspiring and informative walking tour of McEvoy’s olive groves and vineyards, followed by an optional wine tasting. McEvoy Ranch (Petaluma). 707.778.2307, mcevoyranch.com 298

MAY 15 Design Your Life with Gestalt Tarot Develop clarity regarding you r fi nances, relationships, health, career and goals by working with a variety

CHESTNUT STREET APRIL 30 – MAY 30

Dine

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

• SORELLA CAFFE Italian Run by sisters Sonia and Soyara, Sorella, which means “sister” in Italian, serves fresh Italian food with a northern influence. Customer favorites include the cioppino, butternut squash ravioli and Pollo alla Sorella. Another highlight is the giant wheel of Grana Padana cheese. And if that isn’t enough, stop by for live music. 107 Bolinas Rd, 415.258.4520, sorellacaffe.com b $$$ s D

CORTE MADERA

BOCA PIZZERIA Italian

This Italian-inspired pizzeria utilizes Northern California’s bounty of seasonal ingredients and showcases local microbreweries and wine country’s boutique varietals. The menu includes large selections of appetizers to share, organic salads when available, pastas, local free-range poultry and meats, desserts and Neapolitan-style pizzas with house-made mozzarella. 1544 Redwood Hwy, 415.924.3021, bocapizzeria.com s $$ s ∞ C LD º

BRICK & BOTTLE

California Seasonal selections made with local ingredients are the specialty here, with service also available for private parties and catered events. Enjoy signature dishes like orzo mac ’n’ cheese with smoked Gouda and petrale sole and tomato-braised short ribs. The restaurant has been voted “Best Happy Hour,” by Marin Magazine readers. 55 Tamal Vista Blvd, 415.924.3366, brickandbottle.com s $$$ s ∞ C D º

IL FORNAIO

Italian

This upscale Italian restaurant franchise’s menu offers, aside from the pizzas and pastas, a variety of salads and carb-free entrées. 223 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.4400, ilfornaio.com s $$ s ∞ C LD BR

PACIFIC CATCH PanAsian The well-priced menu features freshly caught items and Paci fic Rim-inspired small or main plates, including wasabi bowls fi lled with white or brown rice, veggies and a 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, pacificcatchcom s $$ s ∞ C LD º

PIG IN A PICKLE

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.

EDITED BY MIMI TOWLE

Crab Cakes

341 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.891.3265, pig inapicklebbq.com b $$$ s ∞ BLD

THE COUNTER

California/American Customers can build their own salads and burgers with fresh ingredients. Burgers are made with allnatural Angus beef, turkey, chicken or bison. Gluten-free options and a vegan veggie burger are available. The restaurant also has patio seating, an airy kick-back vibe, and a popular happy hour (give the adult milkshake a try!). 201 Corte Madera Town Ctr 415.924.7000, thecounterburger.com s $$ s ∞ LD º

THREE BIRDS WINE

BAR California This oneroom bar and wine shop features more than 20 options by the glass and a selection of bottles to take home. Enjoy an array of cheese and charcuterie in addition to other bar snacks in the comfortable lounge. 207 Corte Madera Ave, 415.927.9466, three birdswinebar.com b $$ ∞ º

FAIRFAX

123 BOLINAS California

Created by four friends wanting to showcase seasonal fare in a relaxing, intimate environment, this cozy, one-room eatery offers locally brewed beer, small-production wines and seasonal food along with the view of Bolinas Park through the floorto-ceiling windows. 123 Bolinas St, 415.488.5123, 123bolinas.com b $$ s ∞ D º

BAREFOOT CAFE

American Chef Tony Senehi prepares fresh

Californian dishes made with local, organic ingredients, from sustainable sources. A popular brunch location, neighbors and tourists come to this quaint restaurant in the heart of Fairfax for everything from their eggs benedict to panna cotta dessert. 1900 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.460.2160, barefootcafe.com b $$ s BLD

IRON SPRINGS PUB & BREWERY American

Choose from an extensive beer list, and enjoy your selection with an ale-braised barbecue pork sandwich, prawn tacos or the house-ground chicken bacon cheeseburger. 765 Center Blvd, 415.485.1005, ironspringspub.com b $$ s ∞ C LD º

LARKSPUR

AMALFI RISTORANTE

Italian Antonio Volpicelli, of Don Antonio in Tiburon, has taken over the old Fabrizio space and fi lled it with more traditional Italian cuisine. The menu offers an assortment of classic dishes like orgonzola gnocchi, veal parmesan, carbonara and an extensive wine list. Guests are welcome to enjoy any one of these items on the spacious outdoor patio. 455 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.3332, amalfi ristorantelarkspur.com b $$ ∞ LD

BELCAMPO MEAT

CO. American The goods at this meatery are delivered from the certi fied-organic Belcampo Farms near Mount Shasta, dedicated to practicing a holistic approach to

pasture management. Try the classic grilled items, like the roasted tri-tip sandwich or the sloppy joe. Marin Country Mart, 2405 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.448.5810, belcampomeatco.com b $$ ∞ LD BR

FARMSHOP California

Located in the Marin Country Mart since 2013, Farmshop Marin has quickly become a top spot here in the county. Indoor and outdoor seating available.

Marin Country Mart, 2233 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.755.6700, farmshopca.com s $$$ s ∞ C LD BR

LEFT BANK RESTAURANT French

Known for award-winning 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 appetizers (4 to 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close, Monday to Friday), most priced under $6. 507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331, leftbank.com s $$$ s ∞ C LD BR

MARIN BREWING CO.

American Grab a cold beer made on site and pair it wit h fi sh ’n’ chips — in this case 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 b $$ s ∞ LD º

PERRY’S American

The San Francisco mainstay has opened another new location,

this time across the bridge in Larkspur, bringing with it its wide selection of salads, steaks and comfort favorites like French onion soup. Replacing the Lark Creek Inn, the skylights bring in plenty of natural light and an expanded bar is ideal for sipping the restaurant’s famed bloody mary’s. Valet parking is offered and brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays. 234 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.1877, perryssf.com s $$ LD º

PICCO California Popular since its inception, Picco has a seasonally driven menu featuring items such as risotto (made every half hour) that keep patrons coming back. Pizzeria Picco next door is famous for its wood-fi red pizzas, wine selection and softserve Straus Family Creamery ice cream. 320 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.0300, restaurantpicco.com s $$$ s ∞ C D

RUSTIC BAKERY California This homegrown bakery is known and loved the world over. In fact, Pope Francis famously requested Rustic Baker y fl atbread and crostini when he visited the United States in 2015. Bread that’s baked fresh each morning in addition to granola, cookies, mu ffi ns and croissants make this a local staple. 1139 Magnolia Ave, 415.925.1556; 2017 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.9900; rusticbakery.com b $$ s ∞ BLD BR

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS START YOUR CAREER IN TELEVISION

Join the Sports Broadcast Summer Camp for the most hands-on, real-life professional production training available to students in the Bay Area.

Learn camera operation, directing, multi-camera switching, on-screen graphics, scorekeeping, and audio mixing, while providing live TV coverage of select San Rafael Pacifics games.

MILL VALLEY

BALBOA CAFE MILL

VALLEY California The San Francisco institution has become a place to see and be seen in Mill Valley, especially after 142 Throckmorton comedy nights. Menu includes Niman fl atiron steak, braised beef brisket risotto and classic burgers. 38 Miller Ave, 415.381.7321, balboacafe.com s $$$ ∞ LD BR º

BUCKEYE ROADHOUSE

American Oysters Bingo, baby back ribs and Chili-Lime “Brick” Chicken are a few of the satisfying, comfort-food menu items that have made this classic roadhouse a favorite since the ’30s. 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 s $$ C LD BR

BUNGALOW 44

American One of Mill Valley’s neighborhood hot spots, featuring contemporary California comfort food, signature cocktails, fi ne wine, and one-dollar oysters from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day. 44 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500, bungalow44.com s $$$ s ∞ C D

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 with 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 b $$ s ∞ BL

EL PASEO American

This award-wining eatery in the heart of downtown Mill Valley

• JOHNNY DOUGHNUTS

Breakfast The fresh doughnuts are handmade in small batches with local dairy products in the dough and fillings. Stop by the shop or have the food truck come to you. 1617 Fourth St, 415.450.1866, johnny doughnuts.com $ s BL

has been voted most romantic restaurant in Northern California. Built from Mount Tam railroad ties and brick in 1947, El Paseo was restored by owner Sammy Hagar in 2009. The menu offers California and European fare and an extensive wine list. 17 Throckmorton Ave, 415.388.0741, elpaseomillvalley.com b $$ ∞ C D

FRANTOIO RISTORANTE Italian

This 6,000-squarefoot eatery is centered around the in-house olive press, which produces a special blend popular with locals. For special occasions and private parties, reserve the olive-press room. The popular weekday happy hour starts at 4:30 p.m. 152 Shoreline Hwy, 415.289.5777, frantoio.com s $$$ ∞ C LD º

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, harmony restaurantgroup.com b $$ s LD

KITCHEN SUNNYSIDE

American This brunch stop brings some gourmet to your morning with options like Dungeness crab hash, mascarpone-stu ffed French toast, eggs Florentine and bottomless mimosas. Lunch options like paninis and burgers are also available. 31 Sunnyside Ave, 415.326.5159, kitchensunnyside.com b $$ s BL BR

LA GINESTRA Italian A favorite family spot for over 30 years; getting a table or booth here can take awhile. While

this old-school Italian eatery is known for traditional pastas, veal dishes, pizzas and dry martinis, the familiar wait staff s also part of the attraction. 127 Throckmorton Ave, 415.388.0224, laginestramv.com s $$ s D

PIATTI

Ave, 415.384.824, prabhindiankitchen.com b $$ s ∞ LD

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 s $$ s ∞ C LD BR

MOLINA California Focusing on woodfi red, California coastal cuisine, the menu features items cooked in the famed Alan Scott oven and selected from Marin County’s farmers’ markets, including shell fi sh, oysters, rabbit, pig, quail and cattle. Both the menu and the music change nightly. 17 Madrona St, 415.383.4200, molinarestaurant.com b $$$ ∞ D BR

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

SHORELINE COFFEE SHOP American Tucked away in a parking lot at Tam Junction, this coffee shop is a funky diner with a smalltown feel. Check out the mix of Mexican and t r aditional breakfast fare. 221 Shoreline Hwy, 415.388.9085 b $$ s ∞ BL BR

SOL FOOD Puerto Rican

This Marin favorite has opened in Mill Valley, still serving 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 $$ s ∞ BLD

TAMALPIE Italian

Owner Karen Goldberg designed this restaurant with a large group seating area, indoor and outdoor fi replaces, and a small casual bar. The food is Italian home cooking with the daily modern inspiration of locally sourced seasonal ingredients found in the salads, house-made pastas and crispy Neapolitan style pizza, with a selection of beer and wine to match. 477 Miller Ave, 415.388.7437, tamalpiepizza.com s $$ s ∞ C LD

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 s $$ s ∞ LD

URBAN REMEDY Juice

With a selection of juices, snacks and bowls including plenty of gluten-free, grain-free, and low-glycemic-index options, this is a popular stop. Raw desserts round things out. Try the namesake salad or give the cashew milk with cinnamon and vanilla a shot to see what Urban Remedy is all about. 15 E Blithedale Ave, 415.383.5300, urbanremedy.com $$ ∞ BLD

VASCO Italian Whether you’re at a table, the bar or the back counter, you can expect an intimate and tasty dining experience in this one-room trattoria. Try one of the pasta dishes or thincrust wood-fi red pizzas. 106 Throckmorton Ave, 415.381.3343, vasco millvalley.com s $$ s D

NOVATO

BOCA TAVERN

American Bring a date or celebrate a special event at this classic steak house, which features wholesome American fare. Favorites include the mac ’n’cheese croquettes, hanger steak and duck-fat fries. 340 Ignacio Blvd, 415.883.0901, bocasteak.com s $$$ s ∞ C LD º

CHIANTI CUCINA

Italian This cozy eatery features an array of Italian and American choices, including a long list of pastas; try the house-made ravioli cooked up by chef Edgar DeLon. 7416 Redwood Hwy, 415.878.0314, chiantinovato.com b $$$ s ∞ D º

MARVIN’S RESTAURANT

American Voted “Best Breakfast in Novato,” this spot is known for serving up generous portions of Americanstyle breakfast and lunch fare at a great value. The corned beef hash, benedicts and superb service attract a consistent crowd all year round. 1112 Grant Ave, 415.892.4482 $ s ∞

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. 250 Entrada Dr, 415.883.9477, rickeysrestaurant.com s $$ s ∞ C D º

RUSTIC BAKERY

California Organic pastries, breads, salads and sandwiches are on the menu here, including daily seasonal specials. Try the Marin Melt — Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt. Tam and Point Reyes Toma cheeses grilled on honey whole wheat, served with dressed baby greens and crisp apple slices. 1407 Grant Ave, 415.878.4952, rusticbakery.com b $$ s ∞ BLD BR

THE SPEAKEASY

American There’s nothing like the comfort of a solid burger and beer when you’re kicking back and watching the game. In addition to the 10 beers on tap, you can go beyond traditional pub grub with treats like a deconstructed salmon salad. 504 Alameda del Prado, 415.883.7793, thespeakeasynovato.com b º

TOAST American Toast Novato features outdoor dining and contemporary architecture by Stanley Saitowitz. The spacious restaurant is ideal for large parties and families looking for generous portions of comfort food. 5800 Nave Dr, 415.382.1144, toastnovato.com b $$ s BLD

SAN ANSELMO

COMFORTS CAFE

American Established in 1986, Comforts has a cozy sit-down patio and serves breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. A large take-out section offers fresh bakery items, seasonal salads, soups, sandwiches and even entrees for dinner at home. Besides the famous and popular Chinese chicken salad, other winners are the stu ffed pecan-crusted French toast , fl avorful scrambles, Chicken Okasan ( nicknamed “Crack Chicken” by fans) and wonton soup. 335 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.9840, comfortscafe.com b $$ s ∞ BL BR

FARM BURGER

American This burger chain is known for 100% grassfed meats and something that’s not nearly as commonplace – alcoholic milkshakes. So if you want to put a little tang in your dessert, try one of their golden state cider floats or a mission hard root beer. Other fares include a pastured pig banh mi, a superfood salad, as well as a lil farmers menu for kids. 882 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.785.4802, farmburger.net b $$ s ∞ LD

FLOUR CRAFT BAKERY

California The artisan pastries, fresh bread, desserts, specialoccasion cakes and lunch items are all gluten- and peanut-free, with dairy-free and vegan options available. Customer favorites include the cacao nib and walnut coffee cake, flourless hazelnut fudge brownies, and the signature granolas. 702 San Anselmo Ave, 415.453.3100, flourcraftbakery.com $ s ∞ BL

INSALATA’S

Mediterranean Award-winning chef Heidi Krahling offers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes prepared with delicious produce and artisan meats. 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.457.7700, insalatas.com s $$$ s C LD BR

L’APPART RESTO

French French specialties, local favorites and a $35 three- course prix fi xe menu are served up in an energetic yet sophisticated environment. 636 San Anselmo Ave, 415.256.9884, lappartresto.com b $$$ s ∞ LD BR

MARINITAS Mexican

The sister restaurant of Insalata’s continues to flourish as a center for creative Latin cuisine in Marin. It may not be as low-priced as most local Mexican restaurants, but this is not your typical southof-the-border spot. 218 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.454.8900, marinitas.net s $$ s LD BR

M.H. BREAD AND BUTTER California This one-stop shop offers everything from coffee

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Opening of Hawai‘i Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail

Guest speakers including Dr. Sam Gon III (The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i)

Guided field trips on land and sea

Trade show for outdoor and birding equipment

Bird-themed arts and crafts fair Photography and painting workshops

For more information and registration: hawaiibirdingtrails.com FOLLOW

• SAYLOR’S RESTAURANT AND BAR California/Mexican Chef/ owner Sean Saylor uses fresh local ingredients and seafood to create a distinctively Cabo cuisine. Serving more than 200 varieties of tequilas that are even better when enjoyed in the private Cabo Wabo room named for (and approved) by Mill Valley’s own Tequila master, Sammy Hagar. 2009 Bridgeway, 415.332.1512, saylors restaurantandbar.com s $$ s ∞ C LD º

business with an energy-efficient kitchen and features a retractable rooftop and exotic interior decor with casual pink-tablecloth settings. The reasonably priced dishes are made with local, nonGMO and gluten-free ingredients. 704 Fourth St, 415.456.5808, lotusrestaurant.com b $$ s C LD

MCINNIS PARK GOLF CLUB RESTAURANT

Fourth St, 415.457.2337, pizzaorgasmica.com b $$$ s ∞ C LD º

and pastries to artisan bread and braised meats. High-quality ingredients and a comfortable atmosphere make MH worth checking out. 101 San Anselmo Ave, 415.755.4575, mhbreadandbutter.com $$ s ∞ BL BR

PIZZALINA Italian Pizzas are handmade and cooked in a wood oven; other classic Italian items include shrimp risotto and a burrata antipasto dish. Menus change daily according to the seasonal markets but always feature salads, antipastos, house-made pastas and main dishes. 914 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.256.9780, pizzalina.com b $$ s ∞ LD º

VALENTI & CO. Italian

This bright and cozy space is the ideal environment for authentic

Italian dishes made with local ingredients. A seat at the chef’s table gives a prime view of the open kitchen. 337 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.7800, valentico.com b $$$ D

SAN RAFAEL

GREEN CHILE KITCHEN

Mexican Don’t let the name fool you; while green chilies are present on the menu, many other varieties are also featured. From the organic, house made, blue corn tortillas to the red chile chicken wings, this restaurant located in downtown San Rafael offers a cornucopia of hues and fl avors. 1335 Fourth St, 415.521.5691, greenchilekitchen.com b $$ s LD

FENIX California An intimate live-music venue in the heart of

downtown San Rafael, Fenix features globally inspired California cuisine with a Southern French twist. Dishes like fried green tomatoes or 72-hour sous-vide short ribs, accompanied by a glass from the extensive wine list, defi ne the experience. 919 Fourth St, 415.813.5600, fenixlive.com s $$$ s C BLD BR º

FLATIRON American

The remodeled Flatiron is where refi ned American bar food lives happily in its ideal environment – among a bevy of craft beers. Owned by the Strickers, a husband and wife duo, this polished sports bar offers food like chili lime cauli flower, classic sandwiches, as well as tru ffle and wa ffle fries in a space that also features classic arcade games. 724

B St, 415.453.4318, flatironsanrafael.com s $$ LD º

IL DAVIDE Italian

The large selection of innovative and classic Tuscan dishes and house-made pasta has kept locals coming back for years. Ingredients are organic and locally sourced where possible, and there’s a vast selection of both Italian and California wines by the glass. Don’t leave without trying the limoncello. 901 A St, 415.454.8080, ildavide.net s $$$ s ∞ C LD

LOTUS CUISINE OF INDIA RESTAURANT

Indian Family owned and operated since 1999, Lotus serves up organic North Indian cuisine with many vegan and vegetarian options. The restaurant is a certi fied green

American Grab a meal prepared by chef Chris Harman before or after hitting the driving range (or even without picking up a club). Outdoor seating is popular, as is the full bar, with a selection of premium Scotches, small-batch bourbons and more than 50 wines from California vineyards. McInnis Park, 415.491.5959, mcinnis parkgolfcenter.com s $$$ ∞ C LD

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 crust. Be sure to try other unique pies, like the spicy Three Beer pizza and the clam and garlic. 101 Smith Ranch Rd, 415.472.7272, mulberrystreetpizza sanrafael.com b $$ s

PIZZA ORGASMICA

American Enjoy indulgent favorite pies like the Serpent’s Kiss or Inspiration Point with a crisp beer, Orgasmica style. Eat in or order a half-baked pizza to cook and enjoy at home. 812

RANGE CAFE American With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grand Peacock Gap lawns, the Range Cafe is the perfect place for 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 s $$ s ∞ C BLD º

ROCKETROLL Japanese

There are plenty of fusion restaurants around, but not many that blend Mexican and Japanese favorites. Rocketroll, however, offers everything from a spicy tuna rice bowl, to yellow fi n tuna and salmon sashimi sushi burritos. Smoothies like the avocado fresher round out the menu. 1109 Fourth St, 415.866.0537 $ LD

SAN RAFAEL JOE’S

Italian A Marin institution famous for sophisticated yet casual Italian fare since 1947. The dining room, with a friendly atmosphere and seating for 240, is great for large parties, and the roast sirloin of beef and Fettuccine Joe’s are sure to please. 931 Fourth St, 415.456.2425, sanrafaeljoe.com s $$ s LD º

SOL FOOD Puerto Rican Fast becoming a Marin legend, Sol Food whips up traditional Puerto Rican dishes just like the ones owners Sol Hernandez grew up eating. Favorites include

Chocolate Torte

the bistec sandwich, mofongo and fried plantains, but anything tastes good with a dash of the signature hot sauce, also for sale by the bottle (as is the lemon-garlic salad dressing). 901 Lincoln Ave, 415.451.4765, sol foodrestaurant.com $$ s ∞ BLD

STATE ROOM

BREWERY American

Formerly the Broken Drum, State Room Brewery has ditched the pizza house vibe in favor of an elegant 1930s-era stateroom. Many beers are made on-site and all drafts are available in sizes from half pints to takehome growlers; beer fl ights are also available. The gastropub’s menu, created by Chef Ed Vigil, changes seasonally and includes grass-fed beef short ribs and sashimi grade tuna poke. 1132 Fourth St, 415.295.7929, stateroombrewery.com s $$ LD

TERRAPIN CROSSROADS

American This waterfront restaurant and music venue presents fresh food and local talent. The menu includes salads, savory dishes and wood-fi red pizzas plus a wide selection of beers, wines and cocktails. Come for the food, stay for the music. 100 Yacht Club Dr, 415.524.2773, terrapin crossroads.net s $$ ∞ C D BR º

URBAN REMEDY Juice

With delicious juices, snacks and bowls including plenty of gluten-free, grain-free, and low-glycemic-index choices, this is a popular spot. Raw desserts round things out. Try the namesake salad or

give the cashew milk with cinnamon and vanilla a shot to see what Urban Remedy is all about. 1904 Fourth St, 415.786.8011, urbanremedy.com $$ ∞ BLD

VIN ANTICO American Vin Antico, “where passion meets the plate,” serves seasonal marketinspired cuisine like stone-oven-baked fl atbreads, handmade pastas and organic salads, all innovatively prepared. The kitchen is open to the dining room and there’s a full bar with artisan cocktails. 881 Fourth St, 415.721.0600, vinantico.com s $$ s C LD º

WHIPPER SNAPPER RESTAURANT California/Caribbean

Owner/chef Bill Higgins serves tapas, sangria and reasonably priced organic dishes. The California-Caribbean lunch and dinner cuisine blends local farm-fresh ingredients with Lati n fl avors. Be sure to try the popula r fi sh tacos, Cuban “cigars” and chocolate bread pudding. Available for parties and special gatherings and the restaurant has a back patio for alfresco dining. 1613 Fourth St, 415.256.1818, whipsnap.biz b $$ s ∞ C LD º

YET WAH Chinese

Named for the founder’s wife (“Yet” refers to the moon, “Wah” to brightness), this beloved mainstay has a traditional Chinese menu and daily dim sum. Expect live music in the Kung Fu Lounge. 1238 Fourth St, 415.460.9883, yetwahsanrafael.com s $$ s ∞ LD

KATHLEEN DUGHI JEWELER

HAND-FABRICATED FINE JEWELRY EXQUISITE CUSTOM DESIGNS BRIDAL

11 B ernard S treet M ill V alley 415.383.0462 www kathleendughi coM

Discover Terrestra’s curated collection of modern accessories for your home, handcrafted functional art in ceramics, glass, and wood, designer jewelry, and the USA’s largest selection of fine leather goods from Mywalit of Lucca, Italy.

You probably didn’t need another reason to visit downtown Mill Valley. But here we are.

SAUSALITO

ANGELINO RESTAURANT Italian

An authentic Italian restaurant with handmade pastas and seasonal antipasti, showcasing cuisine of the Campania region for over 20 years. 621 Bridgeway, 415.331.5225, angelino restaurant.com s $$$ s BLD

AURORA RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA Italian Novato’s Auror a fi nally has a counterpart in southern Marin. Traditional Italian food, a full bar and friendly service make it a great option for families, groups, dates and sports fans, who can keep up-to-date on the game via fl atscreen TV. 300 Valley St, 415.339.8930, aurora-sausalito.com b $$ s ∞ LD

AVATAR’S Indian If you’re on the hunt for innovative Indian fare, head to Avatar’s. Sip masala chiar sweetened with brown sugar in this casual, one-room restaurant, ideal for a quick lunch or dinner. 2656 Bridgeway, 415.332.8083, enjoyavatars.com b $$ s LD

BAR BOCCE American Food just tastes better 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 s $$ s ∞ LD

BARREL HOUSE TAVERN California

Stop by Barrel House for great local food enhanced by fantastic bay and city views. The relaxed urban setting is a perfect match for the barrel-aged cocktails. 660 Bridgeway, 415.729.9593, barrelhousetavern.com s $$$ s ∞ LD º

CIBO Cafe Located in a historic brick building on Sausalito’s main drag, this is a great place to a sip a quick cup of coffee outdoors. The menu offers tarts, croissants, cookies, paninis and soups. Every dish is made from scratch with local and seasonal products. 1201 Bridgeway, 415.331.2426, cibosausalito.com $$ s ∞ BL

COPITA Mexican Chef Joanne Weir serves up fresh Mexican fare in the heart of downtown Sausalito. The everchanging menu is gluten-free, and the in-house tequila bar offers over 100 varieties and fantastic cocktails. Dine at the bar or on the outdoor patio for great people-watching. 739 Bridgeway, 415.331.7400, copitarestaurant.com s $$ s ∞ LD BR

DAVEY

JONES

DELI

Stationed in the New Bait Shop

American

Market, Davey Jones Deli offers houseroasted sandwich meats, healthy condiments and local, organic vegetables; the deli serves sandwiches, veggie-wiches, wraps and salads with vegetarian, vegan and meat-lover options. Because the sandwiches are so generous, this easy stop is great during a day of boating, biking, hiking,

and general adventuring around Marin. Gate 6 Rd, 415.331.2282, daveyjonesdeli.com b $$ s ∞ L

F3/FAST FOOD FRANCAIS French

Owned and operated by the owners of Le Garage, F3 serves brunch, lunch and dinner featuring “Frenchi fied” American comfort food. A rotating menu includes 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 pommes dauphines (tater tots). 39 Caledonia St, 415.887.9047, eatf3.com s $$ s ∞ LD BR

FENG NIAN Chinese

This spacious popular hangout has served up wonton soup, pot stickers and daily specials for nearly two decades. For an indulgent treat, order the Szechwan crispy calamari, honeyglazed walnut prawn or lemon chicken. Staying in? Feng Nian delivery available. 2650 Bridgeway, 415.331.5300, fengnian.com b $$ s LD

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

KITTI’S PLACE Thai/ California This homestyle family restaurant has been in Sausalito 20 years and features favorites like lettuce cups, soft spring rolls

and weekly specials. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.331.0390, kittisplace.com b $$ s ∞ LD

LE GARAGE French

Escape the tourist crush for an indulgent Sausalito brunch right on the water. The atmosphere is animated with light French music (à la Amélie), and the much-adored croquemonsieur is under $10. Indoor or outdoor seating. 85 Liberty Ship Way, 415.332.5625, legaragebistro sausalito.com b $$$ s ∞ BLD BR

LIGHTHOUSE American

A great spot to grab a classic breakfast — the fruit pancakes, omelets and Danish-in fluenced dishes will make you a return customer. This is a small but popular space, so arrive early or be prepared for a wait. 1311 Bridgeway, 415.331.3034, light house-restaurants.com $$ s BL

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. Stop by Farley Bar for cocktails with a view. 601 Murray Circle, 415.339.4750, cavallopoint.com s $$$ s ∞ C BLD BR

NAPA VALLEY BURGER

COMPANY American Incorporating local, all-natural and organic produce and meats, this burger joint serves up gourmet patties, fries, root beer floats and more. With outdoor and indoor tables, the space can accommodate up to 100

OLIVIER CRIADO AND Alexandre de Jesus worked together at San Anselmo’s L’Appart Resto for more than three years before purchasing it in January 2015, but their journey to ownership was many years in the making. De Jesus was raised by Portuguese parents in Paris, where he was exposed to cooking that fused both cultures. After stints in kitchens both in Paris and on Reunion Island, he made his way to Portugal and became chef at the world-class resort Villa Vita Parc in Armação de Pêra. He came to the Bay Area in 2005, eventually finding his way to L’Appart. Co-owner and general manager Olivier Criado also has French roots: he grew up in La Celle Saint-Cloud, a town of 22,000 residents located between Paris and Versailles. His love of cooking led him to culinary school at l’Ecole Hôtelière de Paris CFA Médéric and later to a number of restaurants in Paris, including L’Auberge Dab. La Maison d’Aurore in Gargenville was the first restaurant Criado owned and managed, and like L’Appart, it featured fresh, house-made fare and a refined wine list. In 2010 Criado came to the U.S. to open L’Appart Resto, which became famous for a salad whose recipe the owners share here. The dish has (almost) always been on the menu, Criado says: “It is a really flavorful salad, perfect for a warm day on the patio with a glass of rosé or Sancerre. We took it off the menu once and people were mad. They asked us to bring it back, so we did.” Fresh lobster tail from Maine is used, since its quality and taste do not vary much throughout the year. The tarragon dressing adds freshness, and fruits (yellow peaches in midsummer, Granny Smith apples the rest of the year ) bring crispness and sweetness to the fan-favorite dish. lappartresto.com KASIA PAWLOWSKA

Lobster Salad with Tarragon Dressing

SERVES 2

Ingredients

1 yellow onion, sliced

1 bay leaf

2 raw whole lobster tails still in the shell

2 heads butter lettuce

2 Granny Smith apples

½ cup whole-kernel corn

½ cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

1 teaspoon honey

½ teaspoon lemon juice

½ cup olive oil

1 teaspoon champagne vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped Salt and pepper, to taste

To Prepare

For lobster

1 To a large pot add 6 cups water, raw onions, bay leaf and a pinch of salt.

2 Bring to a boil. 3 Place the lobster tails inside the pot, cover and steam in the shells for 8 minutes. 4 Transfer with tongs to bowl to cool. 5 When tails are cool, remove the meat from the tails and slice into bite-size pieces. For salad 1 Separate the lettuce leaves, wash, rinse and dry. 2 Cut the apple in half and chop into ¼-inch-thick slices.

3 In a large bowl, mix the butter lettuce and apples with corn and cherry tomatoes. For dressing 1 In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, lemon juice, olive oil, champagne vinegar and tarragon. 2 Add salt and pepper to taste. To serve 1 Lay the slices of lobster tail on top of the plated salad. 2 Add the tarragon dressing just before serving.

DEBRA TARRANT

people. 670 Bridgeway, 415.332.1454, napavalleyburger company.com s $$ s ∞ L

OSTERIA DIVINO

Tuscan Osteria Divino offers authentic florentine cuisine inspired by the fi nest local, organic, seasonal produce, meat and fi sh available, along with an extensive artisan pasta selection. Live music Tue-Sun. 37 Caledonia St, 415.331.9355, osteriadivino.com b $$ s ∞ C BLD BR º

POGGIO Italian Executive chef Benjamin Balesteri creates Northern Italian fare using fresh and local ingredients. Private dining rooms above the restaurant can accommodate larger parties (10 to 150 guests). 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771, poggiotratoria.com s $$$ s ∞ C BLD

SEAFOOD PEDDLER RESTAURANT AND FISH MARKET Seafood

The fi sh is bought daily from loca l fi sherman and recipes are adjusted to incorporate the freshest catch. 303 Johnson St, 415.332.1492, seafoodpeddler.com s $$$ s ∞ LD BR º

SEAHORSE Italian The spacious dining area, accompanied by a dance floor and stage, make Seahorse ideal for celebrations large and small. 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 b $$$ ∞ C LD BR º

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

TASTE OF THE HIMALAYAS Himalayan

Popular for lunch and dinner, enjoy authentic food from a faraway region. 2633 Bridgeway, 415.331.1335, sausalitotasteofthe himalayas.com b $$ s LD

TOMMY’S WOK

Chinese Fresh ingredients, free-range chicken and traditional dishes ful fi ll the Chinese food craving with a nice atmosphere for dining in and great takeout for a night at home. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.332.5818, tommyswok.com b $$ s ∞ LD

THE TRIDENT Seafood Set in a turn-of-thecentury building constructed for the San Francisco Yacht Club, this waterfront restaurant is a shoe-in for date night. The restaurant, a famous 1970s hangout, is now known for supporting local farmers, fi sherman and organic food producers. 558 Bridgeway, 415.331.3232, the tridentsausalito.com s $$$ s ∞ LD BR º

Ranches

Rolling Hills & landscape art show and sale

Join Marin Agricultural Land Trust and celebrated artists for the 19 th Annual Ranches & Rolling Hills Landscape Art Show and Sale.

Saturday, May 21, 2016, 2-5 p.m. Sunday, May 22, 2016, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Proceeds from the event help protect Marin County family farms and the delicious local food they produce.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.malt.org/artshow or (415) 663-1158

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 wellpriced three-course dinners for less than $25, and don’t miss prime rib Mondays. 2000 Paradise Dr, 415.435.3400, thecaprice.com s $$$ D

DON ANTONIO TRATTORIA Italian

Located in Tiburon’s Ark Row, this trattoria serves authentic Italian cuisine in a quaint setting. Traditional selections include chicken piccata, organic roasted rack of lamb and house-made pesto. 114 Main St, 415.435.0400, donantoniotrattoria.com b $$ D

“Everything that I learned at Dominican has been valuable in shaping who I am as a person and as a result has shaped the work that I create and how I conduct myself with people everywhere.”

~Casey Lee Thorne

To learn more, contact us today at enroll@dominican.edu, 415-485-3204 or 888-323-6731.

GUAYMAS RESTAURANT Mexican Situated right next to the Tiburon ferry terminal on the waterfront, it’s got touch-it-you’re-soclose city views and outdoor seating, making it a great place to bring visitors on a warm summer night. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday. 5 Main St, 415.435.6300, guaymasrestaurant.com s $$$ s ∞ C LD º

LUNA BLU Sicilian Executive chef Renzo Azzarello and his wife, Crystal, serve English afternoon tea (a special service by reservation only). The menu changes daily, incorporating seasonal, fresh and organic produce. The restaurant has partnered with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood

Watch, so all the seafood is sustainable. In 2014 diners voted Luna Blu one of the Top 100 Neighborhood Gem restaurants in America. 35 Main St, 415.789.5844 s $$$ s ∞ LD

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 keep customers coming back. 1 Blackfield Dr, 415.388.9100 s $$ s ∞ LD

NEW MORNING CAFE

American Sit outside or in at this casual cafe. On a sunny morning, the place is fi lled with locals enjoying the sun and extensive breakfast menu; lunch is served as well. 1696 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.4315 s ∞ BL

SALT & PEPPER

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

b s ∞ LD

SAM’S ANCHOR CAFE

American Sam’s deck is a popular 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. Sample a seasonal menu served all day, every day. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527, samscafe.com

s $$$ s ∞ C LD BR º

The LINES Ballet BFA at Dominican University of California offers students an unequaled opportunity to discover themselves as artists and gain an excellent artistic and academic education along the way. This unique four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program combines the acclaimed, rigorous training and philosophy of one of the nation’s premier dance institutions with the comprehensive liberal arts education and social values of the Dominican tradition.

Dominican LINES Ballet BFA, ’10 Founder, Inside Out Contemporary Ballet

JEREMY HARPER

SERVINO RISTORANTE

Italian Chef and owner Angelo Servino highlights organic ingredients in an array of rustic Italian dishes, including house-made pastas, wood oven pizzas, and seasonal specialties. Located on the bay in Tiburon, Servino also prides itself on itsextensive sustainable seafood program. Savor la dolce vita on the waterfront patio. 9 Main St, 415.435.2676, servino.com s $$$ s ∞ C LD BR º

TIBURON TAVERN

California The atmosphere here is enhanced by two outdoor patios, two indoor fi replaces and fresh flowers. Happy hour is 4 to 6:30 p.m. every day. 1651 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.5996, lodgeattiburon.com s $$ s ∞ C BLD BR º

WEST MARIN

NICK’S COVE American Nick’s Cove offers a coastal escape on Tomales Bay, serving famous barbecued local oysters, Dungeness crab mac ’n’ cheese and cocktails using home-grown ingredients. Large windows in the 130seat restaurant provide picturesque views of Tomales Bay and Hog Island. (Marshall). 23240 Hwy 1, 415.663.1033, nickscove.com s $$$ s ∞ C LD BR

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 up for something unusual,

try the goat shoulder, a hit with both tourists and locals (Point Reyes). 11285 Hwy 1, 415.663.9988, osteriastellina.com b $$ s LD

PARKSIDE CAFE

American Perfect for a sit-down alfresco meal or for grabbing a burger to enjoy on the beach. Beautiful patio garden seating, ocean views, and private wood-fi red dinners make this café a relaxing retreat. If you’re on the go, check out the new market and bakery. Choose from an array of organic, locally grown produce, artisan meats and wild seafood (Stinson). 43 Arenal Ave, 415.868.1272, parksidecafe.com s $$$ s ∞ C BLD

RANCHO NICASIO

American Known for live music and an extensive menu featuring everything from Dungeness crab cakes to garlic-rosemary lamb medallions, Rancho Nicasio is open seven days a week. Be sure to stop in for happy hour, 4 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. 1 Old Rancheria (Nicasio) Rd, 415.662.2219, ranchonicasio.com s $$$ s ∞ C LD BR º

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 s $$ s ∞ LD

• PIZZA ANTICA Italian

This Italian-inspired restaurant in Strawberry Village offers much more than impeccably prepared thin-crust pizzas. The seasonal dishes are created with local ingredients and include chopped salads, housemade pastas, and meat, fish and fowl entrees, such as the Tuscan fried chicken and roasted pork chop. 800 Redwood Hwy, 415.383.0600, pizzaantica.com b $$ s LD BR º

SIR & STAR AT THE OLEMA California

The historic inn has reopened as a roadhouse-style restaurant featuring rustic decor and a delicious yet a ffordable menu. Try the house-made bread and honey butter, the kale Caesar and the stu ffed quail, then come back and work your way through the entire menu — most items are $20 or less (Olema).

10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.663.1034, sirandstar.com b $$ s C D

STATION HOUSE

CAFE American Fresh local homegrown foods are showcased for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stop in on weekends (5 p.m. on Sundays) for live music and wine, beer and cocktails (Point Reyes Station). 11180 Highway 1, 415.663.1515, stationhousecafe.com s $$ s ∞ C BLD BR º

SAN FRANCISCO /EAST BAY

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. 1085 Mission St, 415.341.9000, aq-sf.com s $$$ ∞ D

CLIFF HOUSE California

Great food, beautiful view and lots of history — what else could you want? An awardwinning wine list? They have that too. Not only does Cliff ouse boast a popular Sunday champagne brunch, it also focuses on local, organic, sustainable ingredients and seafood on its everyday menu. 1090 Point Lobos, 415.386.3330, cliffhouse.com s $$ s BLD

EPIC STEAK American

An meat lover’s mecca with a sophisticated atmosphere, Epic

Steak’s bayside location delivers on all fronts. Professional service, choice cuts and chocolate sou ffles are among the things that keep patrons coming back. 369 Embarcadero, 415.369.9955, epicsteak.com s $$$ ∞ LD º

FRANCES California San Francisco elegance meets comfort food. The local, seasonal menu complements any trip to the city. Bar is reserved for walk-ins, but reservations are recommended. 3870 17th St, 415.621.3870, frances-sf.com b $$$ D

KIN KHAO Thai Fullfl avored Thai: from spicy curries to pad kee mao (drunken noodles with pork) to off-thewall cocktails designed by Bon Vivants, this new San Francisco eatery is sure to impress. 55 Cyril Magnin St, 415.362.7456, kinkhao.com s $$$ s LD º

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 s $$$ LD

PERRY’S American Perry’s, for over 45 years an institution on Union Street in San Francisco, is known for its classic American food, its warm personable service and its bustling bar. Signature dishes include traditional Cobb salad, prime steaks and, of course, the renowned hamburger. Perry’s also serves a weekend brunch. Hotel Griffon, 155 Steuart St, 415.495.6500, perryssf.com s $$ s ∞ C D º

PIKANHAS BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE

Steakhouse This all-you-can-eat steakhouse located in Point Richmond offers different cuts of beef, pork, lamb and chicken that are slowly cooked with special grills to preserve all the natural juices and fl avors. 25 W. Richmond Ave, Richmond 510.237.7585, pikanhassteakhouse.com b $$ s LD

RICE PAPER SCISSORS

Vietnamese At this brick-and-mortar Mission District spot with a pop-up sibling, try the popular grilled steak bahn mi on one of the bright red stools and stay warm with a pot of jasmine tea. 1710 Mission St, 415.878.6657, ricepaperscissors.com $$ s ∞ LD

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

SESSIONS AT THE PRESIDIO

American

Located just across the Golden Gate Bridge, this restaurant has serious ties to Marin. The fruits, vegetables, herbs and olive oil hail from our county thanks in part to the restaurant’s partnership with Skywalker Ranch. Additionally, the 100 craft beer offerings, including 24 draft options, will keep beer lovers more than satisfied. 1 Letterman Drive, 415.655.9413, sessionssf.com s $$ ∞ LD

THE PROGRESS

Californian The second restaurant venture from State Bird Provisions’ chef proprietors Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski brings the same kind of innovation as thei r fi rst. Popular dishes include shaved cauli flowerherbs and pig fries as well as a “treasure chest” of fermented sausage. The beverage list is also worth a look as general manager and wine director Jason Alexander has curated an expansive wine list and a number of craft cocktails. 1525 Fillmore St, 415.673.1294, theprogress-sf.com s $$$ LD

KEY TO SYMBOLS

s b $ $$ $$$ s ∞ C BLD BR º

Full bar

Wine and beer

Inexpensive ($10 or less per entree) Moderate (up to $20)

Expensive ($20 and over)

Kid-friendly

Outdoor seating

Private party room

Seating: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Brunch

Happy hour

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

Spinach Triangoli

Enjoy lite bites at the bar and sunsets over Mt. Tam on the patio. Pair select wines with our weekly seasonal supper or savor Chef Bob’s signature dishes, bringing a fresh twist to modern comfort foods! Join us for Mother’s Day, Sunday May 8th, 11am-9pm!

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

Why choose a single cut when you can feast on a dozen specialty cooked meats on live embers presented by dashing servers? Pikanhas Brazilian Steakhouse has developed a faithful following, ranked amongst the best local steakhouses. Come visit our cozy restaurant for an outstanding experience!

Pikanhas Brazilian Steakhouse 25 W. Richmond Ave 510.237.7585 Pt Richmond, CA pikanhassteakhouse.com

Consistently rated “Best of Marin” , Comforts offers fine city and homestyle food. Our menus change regularly to reflect what is fresh and in season. Summer and graduation season is fast-approaching. Comforts Catering can provide you with all your grad’s favorite dishes, including some great seasonal items! Contact our catering department for more details.

Comforts

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

Grilly’s serves up fresh, healthy and fast Mexican food to Marin. Everything is made from scratch daily-from the marinated and grilled meats, the fire roasted salsas, our world famous chicken taco salad to the housemade agua frescas. A great line up of vegan and gluten free items.

Feng Nian 2650 Bridgeway 415.331.5300 Sausalito, CA fengnian.com

Grilly’s Mill Valley

Grilly’s Fairfax 493 Miller Ave One Bolinas Ave 415.381.3278 415.457.6171

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

PHOTO: LEE RUE, INTELITE-DESIGN.COM

On the Scene

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

MO DELONG (DESIGN CENTER)

Kathleen Lack, Gale McKee, Kay Carlson and Jaleh Etemad

• ART AND WINE Attendees enjoyed art by Gale McKee and wine March 13 at the monthly event at Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon & Gallery in Sausalito.

• SHOP AND STYLE Corte Madera Larkspur Mothers Club members enjoyed champagne, appetizers, shopping and style advice from Sherene Chen at Palette Boutique in Corte Madera March 3.

Jenn Simmon, Sherene Chen and Beth Karlsson

• S.F. DESIGN CENTER Marin At Home ’s own editor-in-chief, Zahid Sardar, was a participant at the Palecek-hosted “Secrets to Getting Published” panel held February 24 as part of the Design Center’s “Design San Francisco” event.

Andrew and Crystal Palecek, Scot Meacham Wood, Irene Edwards, Lindsey Shook and Zahid Sardar

Cheryl Chenault, Traci Rock and Denise Maloney

Kaylee Whitworth, Martha Rosellini and Mono Moreno

OSCAR DE LA RENTA BENEFIT GALA More than 350 attendees enjoyed champagne, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres March 9 as they got a sneak peek at the de Young’s new exhibit celebrating the influential designer.

• MARIN HUMANE SOCIETY The MHS celebrated 10 years in Marin March 6 at the Clubhouse at Peacock Gap with dinner, dancing, auctions and, of course, stories about animals.

Nancy McKenney, Robin Rodi and Remey

Ray and Sandy Monticelli and Skylar Cye with Winston and Jax

•

Trevor Traina, Dede Wilsey, Boaz Mazor and Annette de la Renta

Lynn Wyatt and Andre Leon Talley

Marin Home

FROM TOURS AND MAKEOVERS TO DECORATIVE DETAILS AND REALTOR INSIGHTS

COMING IN FIRST

In matters of real estate, a young family learns the importance of trusting their instincts.

BY LAURA HILGERS • PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER

The spacious, sunny home sits on a kidfriendly cul-de-sac.

OCCASIONALLY, FIRST LOVE really is the best love. At least it was for Ti ff any and Tony Moraes, when they started house hunting last year.

The Moraeses had been living in Novato, in a 1,600-square-foot 1957 home with two young children and a black lab, and were bursting out of the place. “Literally, it was like a Tetris puzzle,” says Tony. “If we brought something into the house, something had to go out.” They wanted more space, and if they could get an open floor plan, good schools, and a cul-de-sac where the kids could ride their bikes, all the better.

Last January, the couple, who were high school sweethearts, decided to visit open houses to see how much they could get on their budget. This house was one of the fi rst they saw, and it was the fi rst they fell for. They didn’t make a bid because they hadn’t

officially begun their search. But over the next couple of months, they compared every place they saw to it, a 3,400-square-foot home with open floor plan and Scandinavian-in fluenced design (the former owners were Danish).

“I always tell my clients that if you keep thinking about a house, there’s a reason,” says their realtor, Megan Pomponio. The Moraeses kept tabs on the house, and after another offer on it fell through, they finally made a bid themselves.

Smart move. The home, built in 2000, is the perfect antidote to cramped living. The entryway, which sports a dramatic chandelier akin to a deconstructed metal fan, has a 22-foot-high ceiling. Up a few stairs, the living room and dining room, which are brilliantly sunny because of a series of tall, slender windows, has ceilings 14 feet high.

After moving in, the Moraeses were so enamored of the home’s airy feel that they

changed their decorating style, from a farmhouse look to more midcentury modern. With the help of Anne-Christine Pajunen, an in-house designer at West Elm, they created a cool but comfortable look, with a gray chenille wool couch and two gray-blue West Elm Retro Wing chairs in the living room, all accented by colorful pillows purchased at Target.

The kitchen, remodeled by the previous owners, has an equally clean aesthetic, with white laminate cabinets, black granite countertops and a gray tile backsplash. Just off the kitchen are a walk-in pantry, home office and laundry area, all so spacious they still blow Tiffany away. As does the cul-desac out front, where the Moraes kids learned to ride their bikes this past summer. The house, the location — they’re ideal for this young family. And proof you can get it right the first time. m

THE DETAILS

WHERE THEY PURCHASED The Brookside Meadows neighborhood of Novato

WHAT THEY BOUGHT A contemporary four-bedroom home LISTING AGENT Toni Shroyer, Bradley Real Estate

SELLING AGENT Megan Pomponio, Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty

STATS Price per square foot for homes in the neighborhood: $315

Opposite page: The living room, filled with West Elm furnishings. This page, clockwise from top left: The kitchen and Scandinavian table; the Moraes family; a flower arrangement; the large, sunny backyard; a lighted wall sculpture, created by artist Scott Coppersmith; the master bedroom.

Reed Heights Tiburon Knolls

was very responsive to questions and follow up with the entire process. She also really listened to our needs and didn’t continue to ‘sell’ other options once we had set our sights on the home we wanted.”

OPENING NEW DOORS

As the #1 real estate company in the Bay Area and Northern California, as well as the trusted real estate choice of the North Bay community for generations representing thousands of buyers and sellers, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage looks forward to serving you in the future with even

greater innovation, resources and continued success at its two new powerhouse Marin County locations—conveniently located to best serve you:

Novato | 7250 Redwood Boulevard, Suite 207, 415.897.3000

Dana Kreuzberger, Manager

San Rafael | 899 Northgate Drive, Suite 100, 415.456.3000

Scott Cherry, Manager

©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker®, Previews® and Previews International® are registered trademarks licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. All rights reserved. This information was supplied by Seller and/or other sources. Broker believes this information to be correct but has not verified this information and assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should

Exquisite and rarely available five bedroom, six bath gated estate property on coveted Hill Drive! Nearly every room of this west facing, light filled residence, reminiscent of a Montecito estate, enjoys a spectacular view of Mt. Tam. Under the direction of noted architect Jared Polsky, this iconic and architecturally significant property has been beautifully renovated with high end finishes to ideally suit a modern lifestyle. A 70-foot lap pool, abundant gardens of roses and fruit trees, sprawling lawns, and a full guest house complete this gated, private estate. Award-winning Ross School District. 111Hill.com

Vintage

Charm Meets Open Floor Plan!

Remodeled four bedroom home features master on main level and gracious indoor-outdoor flow in a close-to-town San Anselmo location.

Price TBD

Video and photo montage at: 27SanRafael.com

Idyllic Setting at the end of Private Lane

This shingled home with cottage is in a coveted Kentfield location! Three bedroom, two bath home features a large, sunny flat yard and separate in-law/office.

Price TBD

Video and photo montage at: 65Hermit.com

A Lovely Mediterranean Home

Located on a tree lined street and well-known bike route. Close to town and a playground, this three bedroom San Anselmo charmer will steal your heart!

Price TBD

Video and photo montage at: 1311SanAnselmo.com

This stunning one of a kind modern contemporary home is located in one of Tiburon’s premier areas. Recently completely remodeled featuring spectacular unobstructed views of the water, Golden Gate Bridge and Mt. Tam. Four bedrooms, 6.5 baths—all bedrooms

include private baths with beautiful finishes. Two additional large rooms with bathrooms and closets can be used as an o ce, exercise room, nursery, or au-pair/bedrooms. 6ViaParaiso.com O ered at $5,650,000

Located at the end of a private cul-de-sac, this elegant home exudes warmth and comfort. The impressive arched entry doors, companion to the exquisite façade windows, open to the formal floor plan and inviting kitchen family room. Many custom details add to the quality of this striking home—wide plank hardwood floors, remodeled kitchen with large center island and KitchenAid appliances, spacious bedrooms—to mention a few.

9Emlin.com $2,695,000

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•

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Stunning Home in Olive Ridge offered at $1,595,000 238 Club Drive, Novato Built in 2007 next to open space preserve, this four bedroom, 3.5 bath, 3733 sq. ft. solar home features an open floor plan with soaring ceilings, main level guest suite, gourmet kitchen, temperature controlled wine closet, hillside views, and much more.

JUST LISTED

117 Chapel Hill, Novato Vacation in this six bedroom, five bath, 4163 sq. ft. home with private yard, views, outdoor kitchen, pool & hot tub, and a separate studio with full bath. Entertain in this spacious residence featuring gorgeous french doors, gourmet kitchen with island, main level bedroom and full bath, and much more.

listings!

Vacation at Home, Luxury Living offered at $1,849,000

Sweeping Views in Novato offered at $1,485,000 26 Knolltop Court A private backyard oasis with views for miles, this four bedroom, three bath home is an entertainers delight. This property offers a large gourmet kitchen, a formal living room with vaulted ceilings and guest suite with private balcony, all on the main level.

San Rafael 7Pheasant.com

GLOBALESTATES.COM

Mill Valley 1Cornwall.com

279 & 289 Redwood Road, San Anselmo Sold at $3,050,000

Fabulous 4 bedroom (plus office) custom Craftsman home on a one-acre lot, and the adjacent appx 1.5 acre parcel. Both on a sunny San Anselmo knoll top with expansive views and great sun. Level lawn, extensive gardens, mature oaks. See aerial video at www.289RedwoodRoad.com

Upper Scott Valley, Mill Valley Offered at

$2,500,000

Spacious 5 bedroom home on a quiet lane adjacent to Open Space, with expansive views of Horse Hill and beyond. All day sun. A gardener’s paradise! Built in 1984 with high ceilings and great indoor-outdoor flow. Convenient location with an away-from-it-all feel. Scott Valley Clubhouse and great Mill Valley schools nearby. Co-listed with Shelley Adams.

Mill Valley | NOT ON MLS Offered at $3,400,000

A rare offering in downtown Mill Valley’s best microclimate, Blithedale Ridge’s Sunny Heights! Gorgeous and unique 3 bedroom with separate work studio, a den, library, newly remodeled kitchen open to the great room. Soaring ceilings and massive floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. Peeks of the San Francisco skyline from the upstairs windows. www.MillValleySunnyHeights.com

Sharon Faccinto

McGuire Partner™ 415.272.3799 sfaccinto@mcguire.com CalBRE# 01036478

from City to Country and all stops in between

THINKING REAL ESTATE

Marin, San Francisco, and Wine Country.

EXCEPTIONALLY COOL HOMES

“The secret to obtaining maximum value for your home lies in your ability to showcase its beauty, and tell an enticing story, to the widest possible audience of buyers.”

I specialize in style-forward, architecturally significant property. Whether your home is in perfect selling condition, or in need of some sprucing, I will shine the brightest possible light on your property thus ensuring your asset achieves the success it deserves.

Traditional three bedroom, three bath home plus loft/den in Kentfield’s Murray Park. Approximately 3,000 square feet of living space in this expansive home ready for a new owner to inspire with their finishing touches. Indoor/outdoor living with large front deck and great view of Mt. Tam and the surrounding hills. Terraced back yard with hot tub. “Tiny House” outbuilding great for craft, hobby, or guest space. This magical setting will appeal to those seeking a peaceful retreat yet close to town location in a great school district.

Mid Century Modern single level home in the coveted Country Club area of San Rafael. This spacious 3BR/2BA home has a great flowing floorplan, with a resort-like feel. Boasting an over 1/3 acre lot with sparkling pool and a large cabana with kitchen, ideal for entertaining. The expansive living room/dining room combination opens to the maturely landscaped backyard providing a relaxing indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Great light and bright kitchen with butcher block counters with a divided breakfast nook looking over to the Marin Yacht Club harbor. A separate den provides for a perfect home office or hobby space. The rose garden and fruit trees complete this gardener’s dream home. Two car garage with extra parking!

THE BRIDGE HOUSE

Once in a lifetime opportunity to live in an unparalleled setting on two plus acres in the flats of Ross. As you enter through the gates, the estate beckons you with its majestic architecture and breathtaking landscaping. This classic Dutch Colonial Revival was built in 1906 and is owned by Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh.

The house has been modernized where it counts yet retains much of the authentic detail and original design envisioned by the celebrated architect, C. A. Meussdorffer.

We needed a place to play.

345 RIVIERA DRIVE | SAN RAFAEL, CA

A spacious, mid-century home hits the sweet spot at Peacock Gap Golf Course—Capturing the long green views on the course, this residence enjoys a perfect blend of indoor/outdoor living.

Offered at $1,650,000 www.345RivieraDrive.com

300 DRAKES LANDING RD., SUITE 120 | 415.805.2900 GREENBRAE, CA 94904 PARAGON-RE.COM

• Over 2,700 sq ft

• On the golf course

• 4 bedrooms plus office

• 2 bathrooms

• Indoor/outdoor living

CATHY YOUNGLING 415.272.5899 cyoungling@paragon-re.com www.CathyYoungling.com Lic# 01210981

Tanja M. Ross

Just Listed! 164 Crescent Avenue, Sausalito - $3,250,000 This remodeled 4bd/3ba home allows for incredible in/outdoor entertainment; capitalizing on the expansive views of the SF skyline, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz & Angel Island, & the surrounding SF bay. The soaring great room takes center stage among the interior spaces with vaulted beamed ceilings, a massive fireplace. Only the highest quality finishes have been chosen: Viking Appliances, Carrera Marble, & Badeloft. Just minutes to the GG Bridge & SF. www.164crescent.com

This is a classic arts and crafts style house that is just a few houses from the beach and close to the heart of the village. It was custom built in 1997 on a 8400 square foot lot with great pride and natural materials. There is mahogany and wainscoting throughout. The airy and open upstairs master suite has whitewater ocean views. This spacious and light-filled three bedroom and two bath (two bed, one bath on tax records) home has a strong and successful Vacation Rental history. The front porch lends itself a perfect spot for putting your feet up and taking in the salt air. There is a gentle transition from inside to outside hot tub retreat and a completely fenced in garden space. 7 Calle del Resaca Listed for $2,400,000

Conveniently Located in Stinson Beach 3470 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970 (415) 868-0717 oceanicrealty.com | DRE #01258888

Specializing in Sales, Vacation Rentals, and Property Management in Stinson Beach.

SARAH NANCY BUTLER

Arts and Crafts Stinson Beach Bungalow

Soothing Sutro

In 1916, the trip to the San Francisco baths from Marin took about two hours and cost less than a dollar.

BY JIM WOOD

IT’S 100 YEARS ago, you’re in Fairfax and you just read about the fabulous Sutro Baths. “The Largest Indoor Swimming Palace in the World,” says the advertisement, “with six saltwater pools of varying temperatures, plus one freshwater pool and numerous waterslides and springy diving boards.” So without the Golden Gate Bridge, how did folks from far-flung Fairfax get to Ocean Beach? “You’d catch a 12:24 p.m. Northwestern Paci fic Railroad electric interurban train from downtown Fairfax,” says rail historian

Fred Codoni about his hometown. “It cost maybe 20 cents and arrived in Sausalito at 12:55 p.m.” Then came a ferry to San Francisco, leaving at 1 p.m. and reaching the Ferry Building by 1:35 p.m. “From there you took a Market Street Railway trolley,” Codoni says, “and the sevenmile ride cost ten cents and took about one hour.” The Sutro Baths cost San Francisco Mayor Adolph Sutro $1 million to build. It opened in 1896 and remained an Ocean Beach landmark until 1966, when it was consumed in a spectacula r fi re during its demolition. m

The Sutro Baths cost San Francisco Mayor Adolph Sutro $1 million to build.

CIRCA 1900

The Finest Real Estate Worldwide

Wherever you find beautiful properties, premium service, and extraordinary living, you will find Engel & Völkers, the world leader in luxury real estate.

Set in the private community of Irvine Cove, among the most scenic and private beaches in Southern California, VILLA DEI TRAMONTI, or “villa of the sunsets”, is the largest of only five homes opening on to the sands of this idyllic cove in Laguna Beach. The stunning villa and grounds are hidden from view by private entry gates and open only to the beach below. The interior is “informal perfection”, uniquely in tune with the seaside locale. Nearly ten thousand square feet of interior space create a flowing plan. The emerald waters of the cove below are visible from every major room with walls of glass carefully placed for the most striking views. Surrounded by nearly half an acre of ocean view terraces and mature gardens, this home epitomizes exclusive oceanfront living and entertaining. Offered at $51,000,000.

Engel & Völkers Laguna Beach John Veytia, Global Real Estate Advisor • Tel: + 1 949-701-5554 john.veytia@evusa.com • JohnVeytia.evusa.com • CALBRE #00279282

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