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PUBLISHER, MARIN MAGAZINE
FOUNDER, MAKE IT BETTER MEDIA GROUP
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Bernard Boo, Jeanne Cooper, Dawn Denberg, Bob McGee, Shannan Younger
Art
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Lisa Hilgers
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Alex French
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Bob McGee, David Duncan Livingston, Jacquelyn Warner Administration
CIVIC DEVELOPMENT Sharon Krone
CONTROLLER Maeve Walsh
Volume 16, Issue 9. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Marin Magazine Inc. owned by Make It Better Media LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright©2020. Reproduction of Marin Magazine content is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Marin Magazine Inc. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned. Marin Magazine reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertisement deemed detrimental to the best interests of the community or that is in questionable taste. Marin Magazine is mailed monthly to homes and businesses in Marin County.
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We advisor to meet you, no matter where you are on life’s journey.
There are very few absolutes in life; but an education is one of them. It can never be taken away. Family ties may sever. Jobs, property and fortunes may evaporate. But education lasts forever.
However, this year, education is in jeopardy and parents need sympathy as well.
We’re grateful for and bullish on the future for every child blessed to attend the schools featured in our Private School Guide and the Marin Public School system. We appreciate the challenges that they and their parents face navigating the Covid-19 challenges. Also, we applaud adults who avail themselves of the opportunity to explore new ideas, learn new skills during this pandemic pause too. Intriguingly, people who consider themselves life-long learners often are the most interesting and happiest adults too.
This is why we’re particularly excited to deliver this Education Issue into your mailbox. In these pages you will find a deep dive into homeschooling, as well a note from Mary Jane Burke on what is happening in our public schools. Please also see our more robust content and connection to outstanding educa tion sources online too. We have not only a directory to the area’s private schools, that is updated every year, but a comprehensive guide that explains the different types of private school options as well.
We also believe that education is the least expensive solution to most social problems too. Imagine a world where everyone is well trained to earn money doing something they enjoy, while learning strong critical thinking skills and empathy for others. That is a vision worth pursuing. Amplifying the efforts of good people trying to accomplish this is a goal of not only Marin Magazine, but all of Make It Better
Media Group too. For this reason, we will soon be publishing a list of “Outstanding Educators In Covid Times.” And again, please watch for the article to be published online, featured in one of our email newsletter Better Letters and promoted widely through our social net works soon.
It’s a hard time to be a teacher. We’re more grateful for their service than ever. Please nominate your favorites by sharing a short story about them through your social network, by tagging @marinmagazine or by email, editorial@marinmagazine.com. Your efforts will lift spirits in more ways than most of us can imagine. They will become nominations for our Outstanding Educators list too.
Our entire issue is intended to make you appreciate living in Marin County. We have a unique First Person account from a man who was a painter on the Golden Gate Bridge. If you like what you read, we’ve published his entire story online. For those who love fashion, but are weary of its effects on the environment, managing digital editor Kasia Pawlowska introduces us to Julie Wainwright, creator of The RealReal, as well as her longtime friend Kevin Ngo, who offers tips on how to spot fake designer goods. And finally, you can see just a few of our Best of the County awardees collected from Instagram. For more, check out #MarinBOC2020.
As always, we appreciate your feedback. Let us know how you feel about what you’re reading here in the print pages and online. Contact us at editorial@marinmagazine.com and social media @marinmagazine. Your attention and ideas are important to us. Thank you.
Susan B. Noyes, Founder of Make it Better Media and Chief Visionary Officer
Paul Jenkins is known for pouring paint onto canvas and creating veils of translucent and luminous color which have characterized his work since the 1950s. The paintings of Jenkins have come to represent the spirit, vitality, and invention of post World War II American abstraction. Over more than seven decades, Jenkins’ paintings have been widely exhibited around the world. He has had seven major retrospectives at American and European museums.
Robert Green Fine Arts, established 1969, exhibits primarily painterly, abstract expressive work by painters that thoroughly take advantage of the sensually evocative nature of color and form.
“Beyond right and wrong there is a garden. I’ll meet you there.” Rumi
“Phenomena Hit the Tiger at Center” 1968 Acrylic on canvas 36x72 inches
What do you love about MVFF?
What I love most is that it feels inclusive and not exclusive. Everyone is friendly, open-minded, and eager to share their love for film. It’s an energy that you can’t fake or manufacture.
Were you able to see any movies in the theater before shelter-inplace? If so, what were they?
I think the last movie I saw in the theater before shelter-in-place was Waves by Trey Edward Shults, which floored me. It’s one of the most eye-opening movies about family and race I’ve ever seen.
Where has your work appeared before?
PopMatters.com, DenOfGeek.com
What have you appreciated most about living in Hawaii since shelter-in-place?
The strong sense of community that cares for one another has been as beautiful as the empty beaches and open trails.
What are you most excited to do when we can travel freely again?
I’m looking forward to spending time with friends and family on the mainland and in Europe, but also hoping for a splurge trip to Fiji or French Polynesia.
Where has your work appeared before?
Alaska Beyond, Southwest: The Magazine and Marin Magazine, among others.
What do you miss most about your job?
Having such a genuine love for my job at the Golden Gate Bridge means there is obviously so much I miss, but the privilege of working alongside some of the most skilled steel painters in the world is what I miss most. Our big personalities meant we did not always get along, but when it came time to work, we had unconditional trust in our partners having our backs.
What’s the most interesting fact about the Golden Gate Bridge that most people don’t know?
Many think the only way to reach the top of the towers is to climb the main cables, but truth is there is a freight elevator, almost as old as the bridge itself, inside each tower. This elevator can fit up to three people, and has seven stops on its way up from the pier to the tower tops.
Most interesting fact you learned while writing this story?
I was surprised that there isn’t a more definitive number of how many children are home schooled.
Did your stance on homeschooling change?
Not only am I a product of public schools, my parents met as public school teachers. I went into the article thinking there are pros and cons to homeschooling. Writing this article didn’t change my view, but it did help me see the many different ways that families can homeschool and find a set-up that works best for them.
Where has your work appeared before?
Better, Chicago Parent, Metro Parent, BonBon Break, the BBC and my essays have appeared in several anthologies.
Bernard Boo Film Unites, pg. 28
Bob McGee Dream Job, pg. 42
Shannan Younger Homeschool Hits Big Time, pg. 26
Jeanne Cooper Hawaii Renewed, pg. 67
The Cooperative Cleaning Company has Bay Area’s
The Cooperative Cleaning Company (CCC) delivers superior green housekeeping services while providing employees with compensation, health care, and paid time off benefits exceeding the industry average. A native of France, owner Sarah Neil holds a master’s in anthropology from the Sorbonne in Paris and speaks eight languages. Mike Neil, a fourth-generation San Franciscan, spent 30 years in IT before “retiring” to help with CCC. And when not studying at university, daughter Roxane Raphael rounds out the ownership team.
The Cooperative Cleaning Company, 510-845-0003, CoopCleaning@gmail.com, CooperativeCleaning.com
The Rohnert Park original, known for its organic salads, veggie burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, recently expanded into the long-vacant former Denny’s space alongside Highway 101 in Corte Madera. Gluten-free and vegan options are available across the menu, including the burrito and the oven-baked waffles. The fast food concept is best experienced via
their drive thru, at least until their patio opens. 5839 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera 415.737.0655 amysdrivethru.com
The Parisian-Portuguese chef and former coowner of San Anselmo’s L’appart restaurant, Alexandre de Jesus, decided to pursue his patisserie passion. He opened a home-based baking business with his wife, Sasha and
named it for their son, Lucas. Look for French and American-inspired pastries, especially tartes and pies. Savory Quiche Lorraine or Mac-n-Cheese Pot Pie is dinner-worthy when paired with a salad while a Gateau Frasier sings strawberry’s sweet summer song. Pick-up in Corte Madera or deliv ery in Marin. Address provided upon completed order 415.271.0860 petitlulupatisserie.com
After a two year hiatus, owner-chef Soo Young Kim brought back this petite San Anselmo restaurant, complete with bistro favorites from pre-Covid-19 times such as farro risotto verde with a crisp 62-degree egg and half a roast chicken with Jerusalem artichokes and Kerala Curry Night on Wednesdays. Fish tacos and a Star Route little gems salad are must-trys.
115 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo 415.902.9084 bistroviz-sananselmo.com
Fairfax native Margaret Ruiz and her life and business partner, David, joined forces with chef Cameron Myers to bring the bounty of the county to the table in the space once occupied by Tamal. Appetizers and salads feature local cheeses, oysters, and produce while the cheeseburger with Stemple Creek beef topped with housecured pork belly, has already developed a cult following.
23 Broadway Blvd, Fairfax 415.524.8478 stillwaterfairfax.com
In Tomales, owner Ted Wilson re-imagined the restaurant and bar‘s offerings for Covid-19 times, delivering Tell Collins cocktails and William Tell burgers to the sunny patio on a rolling cart. A new breakfast menu includes chicken and waffles, doughnuts filled with Nutella or raspberry, salmon frit tata, and Bloody Marys. 26955 Highway One, Tomales 707.879.2002 williamtellhouse.com
The cabanas and tiny homes at this seaside inn in Dillon Beach have reopened and the onsite restaurant is once again serving local fish and chips, clam chowder and seasonal favorites for the duration of Marin’s extended summer season.
1 Beach Ave, Dillon Beach 707.878.3030 dillonbeachresort.com
Tables at the waterfront restaurant on Tomales Bay extend along the pier to The Boat Shack for socially-distanced dining and new tables are available across the street in The Croft, an expansive garden that supplies vegetables to the restaurant. The waterfront lounge, a new dining area to the left of the restaurant is better suited for larger groups. 23240 Highway One, Marshall 415.663.1033 nickscove.com
New in Town is an ongoing bulletin on new businesses throughout the Bay Area. To be considered for future listings, email christina@marinmagazine.com. Bay Area Doorstop Market Amy’s Drive Thru
The editors and publishers of Edible magazines, including Edible Marin and Wine Country, concepted and built this locally-sourced marketplace to expand opportunities for the artisans, crafters, and makers that call the Bay Area home. Look for everything our bountiful region has to offer, from wine and cookies to flowers, masks, and linens, all delivered direct from the maker to your home. Pick-up also available from maker locations. bayarea.doorstep.market
It’s hard not to think about Walter White’s Car Wash business as you drive through the very friendly new Ducky’s Car Wash in Sausalito. We think they are in a good mood because it’s a business model that has proven successful. Good news for salty Sausalitians who need to sparkle up their ride, as the team from Mill Valley Car wash just opened Ducky’s on Bridgeway. Bonus, when you get a car wash, you’ll save .10 per gallon on your gas at the adjoining Shell sta tion. Win-win! duckyscarwash.com
For more New in Town visit: marinmagazine.com/ new-in-town
Nick’ s Cove
William Tell House
Chef Alexandre de Jesus
As comedian Michael Che said in a comedy skit, "We're striving for Black Lives Matter? Matter? Really? Matter?" Let's strive for better, let's strive for: "Black Lives are EQUAL." Lately, I’ve been reading articles about families with means in Marin hiring personal tutors for their children during the pandemic or hiring teachers in a personalized "learning pod." I have a question: What kinds of profound impact could we see if we considered hiring local Marin City teens who are Black or POC to assist in the tutoring and mentoring of our young children rather than perpetuating the status quo by hiring Mill Valley's mainly white young adults? This could give the Black youth a platform to stand and feel appreciated. We have the opportunity to instill the values of racial equity, fair play and diversity in our children now by choosing how we approach these decisions around schooling in the face of this pandemic. I'm trying my best to raise my two children to be socially aware; the children of our future who will be accepting, kind and compassionate to all and know in their souls that Black lives are equal. If you would like to learn more information about this project please reach out to Jahmeer Reynolds with Marin City Cooperation Team at Jreynolds@smcsd. org. My desire for all of our children is a community that genuinely welcomes rather than rejects and lends a helping hand when one is needed as well as a community that teaches togetherness rather than superiority. It would be nice to see this pandemic bring our community closer together and make progress where progress is desperately needed.
–Riki S, Mill Valley
I have really enjoyed Marin Magazine from your first issue. However, I do agree with [last month’s] letter writer Heather McCorkindale. Keep both going and can you bring back Jim Woods historical pages? Look-
halted one of my favorite monthly publications. I was so happy and relieved to finally look in my mailbox and see the issue waiting for me. The issue was uplifting and supportive to all of us — especially small businesses. The neighbor story really gave me something to think about. And, as always, I LOVED the cover. Thank you for delivering a bit of normalcy to my mailbox and life.
–Dyer Grote, TiburonEditor Response: We are on it! We will be back on our regular print schedule starting with the September issue.
ply being more thoughtful about the images and messages you want to include in each issue can make a difference and help stop the spread. –Sharon Fusco, Larkspur
Editor Response: We agree! Concerned, we took a look and realized that most of these were ads and most likely shot, pre-pandemic, but point taken!
ing forward to many more Marin mags. –Gee Kampmeyer, Tiburon
Thank you for continuing the print copy of Marin Magazine. I am way over screen time and usually delete the emails I get that are not critical, but do look forward to a relaxing unwind and peruse the print magazine sitting in the garden, or have a copy in the car for unforeseen downtime or grab a quick snippet of info on the go. I especially, love the beautiful photos I can dog ear and save to my “must try” or “home ideas” files as well as look for familiar faces.
–Kathy Winkler, Mill Valley
Please keep the print form of Marin Magazine coming! I agree with the letter to the editor I read in the last issue. When it was late last month, I was so worried that Covid-19 had
I love Marin Magazine and think that you have a great opportunity to help stop the Covid-19 spread in our community over the months ahead. A picture is worth a thousand words and you could choose to include more photos of people or models wearing protective masks, seated or standing at safe social distances, and consider excluding photos of large social gatherings altogether. In Volume 16 Issue 8 I counted over 115 photos of people standing or seated within 2 to 3 feet of each other, the majority unmasked, not including parents with children or the large gatherings on pages 18 (Marin Art & Garden Event), or page 90 (10,000 Degrees students). Please re-think the messages you are sending our community during this high risk period of Covid-19 spread and lead by example. As we approach the Fall and flu season, several months away from a Covid-19 vaccine, sim-
“I love this place. Visiting Flour Craft has become my post-hike reward. Sometimes it’s even my reward for no reason whatsoever.” – @victorvolta via Instagram in response to our “5 Things to do Now” post with the Mill Valley Lumber Yard.
“Thank you!!! We would love to have you all in the shop. And congrats to the other businesses, opening a shop during COVID is no easy task! Will definitely go check all these out” –@saffronandpoe via Instagram in response to our New in Town post.
Contact us @marinmagazine.com or editorial@marin magazine.com
“Thank you so much for the share @marinmagazine and supporting the Marin artist community!” – @jennifertestaphotography via Instagram in response to our repost of her photo.
“This is great, thank you! Taking the kids this weekend!” – @wiesmade via Instagram in response to our “5 Things to do Now” post with Muir Woods.
“Smart. I like to revisit things like this. Although I’ve always been humble, and in fact, short on confidence, I find it invaluable to
visit and revisit these basic pillars of moral character. They are tested and tried at various times in our journey.” – @christivtahoe via Instagram in response to our Lao-Tzu quote post.
“I discovered this beach with my kids not long ago! Really mystical,” – @sarahcherifgambin_art_studio via Instagram in response to photo of Bolinas Beach.
“A perfect thing to do while at home. Thank you. Looking delicious!” – @moquinmichelle via Instagram in response to our ultimate wine and cheese guide post.
“Great use of space!!!!” – @_todd_ shoberg via Instagram in response to our post of a mansion on Corinthian Island in Belvedere.
“Gorgeous shot and scene. It’s been an epic fog season!” – @epic7travel via Instagram in response to a post of a foggy sunset in Sausalito.
“Where to start? So many changes. I’m dropping so many balls, more than ever. *sigh*” – @eatdrinkthink via Instagram in response to our post asking how parents are prepping for back to school.
The name of Nancy Chung Hooper, who wrote “Getting to Know My Neighbor: The Man in the Window Shares the Story of a Well-Lived Life” in our August issue, was misspelled. Additionally, we erroneously stated that Brad Giles went to school with Amos Brown — this was not the case.
In late March, astronomers dis covered a comet using NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE), and dubbed it just that. Something that made this massive hunk of ice, rock and dust so special is that it won’t return for another 6,800 years. The article garnered 4,200 views in just two days.
Did you know that in the early 1900s avocados were known as “alligator pears” in the United States? “Avocado” actually comes from the word ahuácatl, which means “testicle” in an ancient Aztec dialect. There are several theories as to why the fruit bears this name — one is its shape, and the fact that it grows in pairs. Also, the Aztecs believed it contained aphrodisiac qualities.
water in a setting of pristine natural beauty. Marin offers plenty of prime paddling locations. We shared the five spots that are most often mentioned when you ask locals to recommend kayaking. This post received close to 300 likes and was shared over 50 times on Instagram.
If it weren’t for Griffin and his fellow “rebels with a cause,” you wouldn’t be enjoying beautiful vistas from Tiburon Boulevard. Instead, you’d be zipping along a freeway to Angel Island, Alcatraz, and Telegraph Hill. This is because in the 1950s devel opers would have bulldozed the hills of Tiburon to fill Richardson Bay and built a new city called Reeds Port. This story was the most shared on Facebook last month.
One of the reasons Belvedere is so well preserved is the integrity of the architecture and charac ter of this 2.4 square mile hamlet. This is thanks in part to Hadley Construction, a Belvedere-based building company that started in 1950 and has worked on more than half the homes in there. This post reached over 10,000 people on Instagram and was liked close to 600 times.
The summer season won’t be the same until the Wine Country fully reopens, but fortunately many win eries in Napa and Sonoma counties are already welcoming guests, with a new emphasis on outdoor tasting and dining experiences. This post has been among the most shared on our site over the past two months.
What to know about this increasingly popular approach to education . BY SHANNAN YOUNGER
CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND CAUSES OF THIS UNIQUE COUNTY
What to know about this increasingly popular approach to education.
BY SHANNAN YOUNGERParents around America turned their kitchen tables (and other parts of their homes) into classrooms this past spring as schools closed due to Covid-19. As a new academic year begins and the pandemic continues, many families are officially opting out of their public or private schools and making the switch to homeschooling. Homeschooling had been growing in popularity before Covid-19, but it’s becoming increasingly mainstream.
While some parents are choosing to shift education to the home for safety reasons, J. Allen Weston, Executive Director of the National Home School Association, says once parents got a taste of what education at home could be like, they found taking care of the whole process was a better fit.
“Parents [are] coming to a realization that they had been looking at homeschooling from a very jaded perspective and now that they understand what it is really like they can’t imagine sending their chil dren back,” says Weston. He is among the experts predicting that homeschooling will stay popular long after the pandemic has passed.
Homeschooling is not a new concept, of course, going back in American history to colonial times through the mid-nineteenth century, when community schools were not yet con structed or accessible. The first public high school was built in Massachusetts in 1820. Massachusetts was also the first state to enact a compulsory education law in 1852. Due in large part to efforts by Progressives, public schools were seen as increasingly important around the country and every state had compulsory education laws by 1930.
Whether the pandemic results in an increase in the numbers remains to be seen, but Weston antici pates an uptick. He believes that those who adopt the homeschooling lifestyle will stick with it even after the threat of the virus recedes.
1PODS Forming homeschooling pods of like-minded families and students is a very popular trend in home-based education. Weston notes that it allows flexibility for working parents and single parents who may not be available for the full amount of time necessary.
Julie Vassilatos formed a pod with two other families when homeschooling her daughter and found it to be a great way not only to share the work but also to capitalize on the strengths that each educator brought to the home classroom.
“It’s a gift to be able to lean on friends and neighbors. It’s also ben eficial for homeschool students to have content delivery from several different teachers,” says Vassilatos.
She says upfront conversations are essen tial to the success of the pod, noting, “We agreed in advance that we would have expectations, what they would be and that grades would be based on them.” Her
daughter also attended a weekly co-op of more than 100 homeschoolers.
2MICROSCHOOLS Some parents, like Marin mother Darcy Alkus-Barrow, are taking that further by opting to homeschool and hiring a teacher in a trend sometimes referred to as microschool ing. “We’re focused on bringing in the teacher to do more of the heavy lifting,” AlkusBarrow says. She explains that while the curricu lum would be “largely decided by the private educator,” it is also pos sible to “switch off days where a family will teach something to the whole pod.”
Alkus-Barrow said some of the reason for embracing a microschool with an outside teacher was her research of child psychol ogy. “It is really important developmentally for little kids to have a positive example out side of their parental figures,” she says, noting that role is “usually filled by a teacher.” The social-emotional benefits of being around even a small group of other students was also a significant factor in the family’s decision.
Schools are cornerstones of their communities. They provide education, social interaction, daily supervision and even food for students. However, due to the pandemic, schools have been forced to reassess and adjust how they offer services. If we have learned anything these past months it’s that planning ahead is nice in theory, but largely unrealistic.
Although they are still working out the kinks, Marin County schools have worked diligently with public health officials to address the ongoing changes to health and safety regula tions. Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools, has maintained that emotional health and wellness is as important as physical safety. “For all children, but especially our youngest students, the academic and social benefits of returning to the classroom while following the public health guidelines are critical to their overall develop ment and safety,” says Burke.
The goal, according to Burke, “is to support the health and well-being of students and staff during this process.” While a return to consistent, safe, in-person schooling is the hope for many, Burke says, “We recognize the concerns and anxiety surrounding the return to the classroom and believe that a transitional approach will allow staff and students to feel more comfortable in this new environment.” With this in mind, here’s how Marin County schools are planning for the foreseeable future.
While all schools are starting with distance learning, some are hoping to transition to a hybrid program where families can choose to have their student join a small cohort for in-person classes. This will, of course, depend on the state of cases in the county.
SAFETY: Face masks, thermometers, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer and other basic precautionary supplies have been provided to all Marin schools.
Several schools have invested in extra antiviral equip ment — air filters, outdoor classroom tents, plexiglass partitions, clear face screens for teachers, touchless hand dryers, hand sanitation stations and individual school supplies for students — as well as ramping up the school cleaning hours.
TRAINING: School districts including Mill Valley, Shoreline Unified, Lagunitas, Miller Creek and Reed Union have pushed their start dates to accommo date teachers’ adjustment to distance learning. The Marin County Office of Education has also provided resources and workshops to assist educators in virtual engagement strategies and social emotional learning.
For more on education visit: marinmagazine.com/ category/community/ family
For more on films visit: marinmagazine.com/
The California Film Institute knows how to entertain a crowd — just ask anyone who’s been to a party at the Mill Valley Film Festival. But all of the fun and entertainment is fueled by the organization’s deep passion for artistry, education, and representation. Here are just three of CFI’s many programs and initiatives, all designed to make real change in Bay Area communities and beyond, via the power of cinema.
Launched in 2015, Mind the Gap is the Mill Valley Film Festival’s gender equity initiative, which over the years has spotlighted women filmmakers from across the globe in an effort to change the landscape of the film industry. MVFF is making its most powerful statement yet with its “50/50 by 2020” commitment — starting this year, 50% of the films featured in the festival will be women-directed.
CFI Education offers a wide variety of programs designed to immerse students across the Bay Area in the world of cinema, giving them the tools to tell big-screen stories of their own. Their My Place, My Story program focuses on teenagers and
puts them through an intensive five-day workshop in which professionals guide them through the process of creating a personal, short film that expresses their life experiences. CFI is in the process of building an online forum for the program to continue in light of Covid-19.
¡VIVA EL CINE!
2004 satire A Day Without a Mexican illustrated in comedic, poignant fashion that Latinx people are integral to California’s identity. In the same spirit, MVFF’s ¡Viva el Cine! initiative invites Spanish-speaking festival-goers to celebrate Hispanic culture on the big screen, showcasing Latinx films and filmmakers. This year, one of the featured titles is a documentary short called Colette the Artist, about a pig who lives in Todos Santos, Mexico, and...does art!
Avocados — people grow them in backyards and grocery stores display towering mounds of the warty brown rocks year round. It wasn’t always the case, however. Due to their shape and bumpy exterior, in the early 1900s avo cados were known as “alligator pears” in the United States. This moniker, unsurprisingly, did not inspire the
masses to consume them. “Avocado” actually comes from the word ahuá catl, which means “testicle” in an ancient Aztec dialect. There are sev eral theories as to why the fruit bears this name — one is its shape, and the fact that it grows in pairs. The other is that the Aztecs believed it contained aphrodisiac qualities. Either way, when the Spaniards arrived, ahuácatl became aguacate, then avogato, and finally, avocado.
Even with the name change, custom ers weren’t biting. Low-fat diets of the ‘80s that spilled into the ‘90s demon ized the fatty fruit and the industry
su ffered greatly. It wasn’t until the California Avocado Commission hired a public relations firm that things started to take off. The firm, Hill and Knowlton, worked the avocado into the Super Bowl marketing machine, cre ated a Guacamole Bowl, and invented a mascot, “Mr. Ripe Guy.” Their efforts paid off andsomely and the value of the crop went up almost 70 percent. Not only that, but now avocados are also pool floats, tattoos, jewelry, a quintessential California emblem, and of course, toast toppers that you see all over Instagram.
BY KASIA PAWLOWSKA
It is undeniable that when worn properly, face masks help slow the spread of Covid-19, but they can also cause skin problems, including miliaria, also known as heat rash, perioral dermatitis, acne, and worsening of rosacea. To help avoid these, we talked to master aesthetician Eva Claiborne, to get her tips.
How to deal with sweat and mask wearing? Make sure that you keep your skin clean. Washing your face morning and night, and even during the day if you are sweating. I also recommend using an antioxidant serum to strengthen the immunity of your skin — it will help prevent any unwanted blemishes. Best materials in the heat? Silk and organic cotton. These materials are both breathable and keep your skin cool while offering protection. Fabrics with a tight weave like cotton, and ones that can hold a static charge like silk, are effective because they provide a double barrier: mechanical and electrostatic. What about SPF and mask wearing? Always wear an SPF over your skin care products. Since some SPFs have oils in them — which can cause excess sweating and breakouts — make sure that the SPF you are using is oil-free. I recommend wearing SPF 15 at least. Best skincare routine? My go-to regimen consists of 3-easy steps: 1) wash your skin, 2) apply a serum 3) apply a moisturizer. I suggest to all my clients that they follow their skin care regimen both morning and night, and wash their skin after sweating. If you’re on the go and need a quick skin refresher, a spritz of toner is the perfect solution.
Our surroundings affect our mood. Foster a sense of wonder and creativity in your kids and keep them engaged whether they’re going back to school or learning from home with these games, supplies, and decor you can pick up locally.
BY KASIA PAWLOWSKACucu’s PlayHouse, Eco-crayon Sticks $9, cucusplayhouse.com
These stick crayons are made with 100% pure beeswax, carnauba wax, soy wax and natural mineral pigments. Handmade by a family business in the USA, they are made with various angled edges to enhance coloring creativity.
EO Resealable Hand Sanitizer Wipes, $24, eoproducts.com
Keep hands clean and fresh with these natural lavender hand sanitiz er wipes which are 99.9% effective against most common germs thanks to the 62% alcohol content. This resealable pack is perfect for on-the-go.
Five Little Monkeys, Glow in the Dark Science Lab $20, 5littlemonkeys.com
Use this kit to conduct fun and illuminating experiments with glowing substances and neon pigments. Mix up a solution to make glow sticks or observe your creations under a UV flashlight, all while learning about phosphorescence.
Gamescape North, Color This Book: San Francisco $10, gamescape-north.com
Featuring more than 25 illustrations by artist and comedian Abbi Jacobsen, this coloring book captures the beauty and personality of San Francisco — from architectural landmarks and cultural attractions to everyday street scenes.
Pottery Barn Teen, No Kid Hungry Rainbow Tie Dye Face Masks $20, pbteen.com
These No Kid Hungry face masks boast stylish designs and are crafted of quality fabric for a comfy fit. Plus, while supplies last, 30 percent of the retail price goes towards No Kid Hungry — a national campaign working to end childhood hunger.
Serena & Lily Felted Wool Wall Giraffe $168, serenaandlily.com
From its ombré spots to the super soft, organic lambswool, this felted giraffe brings well-crafted whimsy to the room. Lightweight and easy to mount on the wall, it’s a cheery addition to any room.
Stasher Reusable Silicone Sandwich Bag $12, genatural.com
A total crowd pleaser, some say the Stasher fam starts with this essential — whether you’re meal prepping and packing your lunch, or just trying to keep your tinted moisturizer from exploding into your gym bag.
Target, Trans by JanSport Supermax Backpack $36, target.com
This pack has a fully padded back panel, softly padded shoulder straps and a water bottle pocket. With an internal 15’’ laptop sleeve, two main compartments and a front zip pocket with an organizer, it can hold everything you need.
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For more on local shopping visit: marinmagazine.com/ local-business
Pub crawls are archaic, a type of fun that dates to the “before times.” But a brewery crawl? B-E-E-R spells ad venture, not to mention a real opportunity to be out of the house for at least a few hours, enjoying the beauty of the Bay Area as if Covid-19 never happened. And you don’t even need to bring your own glass. Sort of. That’s where a growler comes in. Typically 64 ounces (the equivalent of four pints), growlers are a way to savor the fresh beer from small, lo cal brewers who do not produce at an industrial scale. Stephanie Martens, co-owner of San Ra fael’s Pond Farm Brewery, says that growlers and their smaller counterpart, crowlers, are a lifeline for small breweries. “Growlers and crowlers are poured from a tap then sealed,” she says, allow
ing customers to take fresh beer home with them (once sealed, the beer cannot legally be consumed on-premises). There is the risk of some oxygen getting into the container so these freshly-made beers “have a shorter shelf life,” Martens says. So hit the road, purchase a growler along the way, and savor the flavor of local beer. Here are a few plac es to slake your thirst.
The wrap-around deck opens out onto the open space and turtle pond at Marin Country Mart and is dotted with shaded picnic tables situated six feet apart. Mt. Tam Pale Ale is the brewery’s flag ship for 30-plus years and is used to enliven the batter of the house’s fish and chips. According to
a California law that went into effect at the end of 2013, “breweries can fill any growler, but they have to cover up any old label in at least a semipermanent way,” says Christian Hansen, Social Media Manager for Marin Brewing Company and Moylan’s in Novato. “It looks a little ridiculous… but Moylan’s and Marin Brewing Company do al low it.” A new bill doesn’t require a brewery to fill outside growlers and guidance seems to change every week. It’s a good idea to call ahead.
MBC
1809 Larkspur Landing Circle (in Marin Country Mart), Larkspur
Current hours: Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday, 12–7 p.m., Friday–Saturday, 12–9 p.m.
want to re-fill, we will give them a new one at no extra charge.”
765 Center Blvd., Fairfax
Current hours: Mondays and Thursdays, 4–9 p.m.; Fridays–Sundays, 12–9 p.m.
Expanded seating on the sidewalk and a sweet patio offer space to enjoy tacos, nachos, and que sadillas from @PopUpMarin at Pond Farm Brew ing on San Rafael’s west side. Martens calls the San Rafael Lager “no nonsense” while a German style Maibock balances spiced hop notes with toasty malt flavors.
1848 Fourth St, San Rafael
Current hours: Open for patio seating (table ser vice) and pick-up, Thursday–Friday, 3–9 p.m.; Sat urday, 12–9 p.m.; Sunday, 12–6 p.m. Wednesday, 2–7 p.m., open for to-go beer pickup only (place order online).
Just off of Novato’s main drag, this nano brewery recently opened an outdoor patio complete with umbrellas and picnic tables to savor everything from Grumpas, a Scotch style ale, to a dry stout named Genius. Taquiza Los Cunados serves up Mexican food every Wednesday, Friday and Sun day and Grateful Greek serves their signature gy ros on Thursdays for your pairing pleasure.
1016 Railroad Ave., Novato
Current hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 4–8 p.m.; Sunday, 12–5 p.m.
There is no better way to celebrate California’s North Coast than with a beer from aptly named Fogbelt. A light and youthful Sapling Smash Ale drinks more like a pilsner. Should you desire a tree-named beer that’s been around a while, try the Methuselah Barrel-aged Sour. Aged in Zinfandel barrels for 23 months, it is a beer that pre-dates Covid-19. It pairs amazingly well with a plate of elote nachos or black garlic fries. As for beer to-go, “We sell our own glass growlers or fill other breweries growlers,” says co-owner Paul Hawley. Just be sure to savor your growler at home, and not on either of the brewery’s patios. 1305 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa
Current hours: Open daily, 12–10 p.m.
15 Rowland Way, Novato
Current hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12–7 p.m. for outdoor dining or food & beer to-go
The new outdoor dining area along Center Bou levard is the perfect spot from which to take in the local scenery. The mushroom melt on rye is a popular order here and the seasonal beers, like trailer Swift, an American style blonde ale, bal ance a beer menu of long-running favorites like Kent Lake Kolsch and Epiphany Red Ale. “At the present time, we are not taking used growlers into the pub,” says owner Mike Altman. “If some one comes with an Iron Springs growler they
There may not be another brewery within easy driving distance which serves pho, the Vietnam ese-style soup (there’s also a veggie version avail able) and banh mi sandwiches. This year-and-ahalf old brewery is located near Santa Rosa’s Old Courthouse Square. Though the team’s goal is innovative ales, Holy Water hard seltzer leads off with peach and mango (for the ladies, perhaps?) and a Hefeweizen, brewed in traditional Bavarian style with malted wheat, is the season’s refresh ing way to beat the heat. Pause for a moment in their on-site beer garden, or grab a growler to-go. (Sorry, only three 3 Disciples growlers can be re filled at this time.)
502 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa
Current hours: Wednesday–Friday, 4–9 p.m.; Satur day, 12–9 p.m.; Sunday, 12–8 p.m.
Perhaps best known for their 4-packs of tall boys, this East Bay-based brewery delivers on easy drinking flavor. Bo Pils has earned countless accolades at statewide and national beer sum mits for its subtle lemony character and light, balanced body. Outdoor dining at their on-site taproom is open, curbside pickup and direct ship ment are available or look for their iconic cans at Marin supermarkets and restaurants.
1001 Canal Blvd., Richmond
Current hours: Wednesday & Thursday: 2–7 p.m. (curbside pickup only)
Friday: 2–4 p.m. (pickup only)
Friday: 4–8 p.m. (pickup and outdoor dining)
Saturday & Sunday: 28 p.m. (pickup and outdoor dining)
We’ve created a unique online experience that enables you to explore the advancements and features of our new building, from the comfort of your home. Check out video tours of the new departments with insights from our experts, a virtual street fair with demos of new technology, health tips, fun activities, valuable downloads, and much more. Place Like Your New Healing Place.
Good News! Our new hospital, the Oak Pavilion at MarinHealth SM Medical Center, is opening. It’s the newest patient-centered, technologically advanced hospital in the state of California. Financial support from our community made the dream possible, and more than a decade of planning and four years of construction made it a reality.
For Bob McGee’s full story about his time as a painter on the Golden Gate Bridge from 2003-2014, go to marinmagazine.com/ first-person
BY BOB MCGEE Job
Ialways dreamed of being a painter on the Golden Gate Bridge. What an honor to be responsible for keeping such a tremendous achievement of both design and construction safe in my hands! Constant maintenance from a permanent paint crew is required to dress this architectural treasure with a coat of International Orange, protecting it from the natural erosions of wind and fog, as well as the constant exposure of the steel to the salty air. It is a glorious job for any painter, and I am proud to have risked life and limb to do my part to keep the bridge standing forever.
On my first day as a Golden Gate Bridge painter, the paint department superintendent, Rocky, took me onto the bridge in his paint scooter. He told me that the east sidewalk, which faces the bay was open to the public, both pedestrians and bicyclists. The west sidewalk, facing the ocean, was exclusive to bridge workers during the weekdays, off limits to tourists. We took to the east sidewalk first, and Rocky emphasized that dealing with tourists was an important part of our job. He insisted that I be courte ous, take time to answer their questions, and try to make their visit to the Bridge as pleasurable as possible.
The unique prespective of working on the Golden Gate Bridge gave me front row access to the best and worst of humanity.
I always enjoyed the privilege of inter acting with so many tourists and visitors through the years. At times, I felt like I had been hired to wear a Mickey Mouse costume at Disneyland, posing for selfies, pointing the way to the restrooms, and having kids stomp on my feet. Being involved in a visitor’s bridge experience became a simple means of sustaining my love for the bridge, helping to make my job more than “just a job.”
I’m often asked a variety of questions concerning my years at the bridge, but often the same ones come up ad nauseam, making the answers quite repetitious:
“Yes, that is Alcatraz Prison; the color of the bridge is called International Orange; an elevator in each tower goes to the top; no, we do not paint the bridge from one end to the other, then start again.” Answers such as these become part of our daily routine as bridge painters.
Another not-so-trivial subject matter often inquired upon by visitors to the Bridge, and still asked today when people find out what I did for a living, “What do you know about suicide jumpers?”
No doubt, suicide jumpers come to mind when one thinks of the Golden Gate Bridge. Questions concerning this subject may be asked out of harmless morbid curiosity; or possibly fueled by misconception of urban myths, such as those leading people to believe that suicide jumps, like earthquakes, happen here every day, which of course, they do not.
Thousands of tourists from all over the planet flock to the Golden Gate Bridge every day, but it is no secret that the bridge’s intrigue, mystique, and popularity also attract another element; those looking to end their lives in a romanticized manner by jumping off his famous landmark.
This article is not intended to analyze the psychological reasons of why a person leaps from the bridge, because I actually know little about the subject. I will try my best to share with you all I have witnessed concerning jumpers, and along the way, try to answer some of the questions I have been asked about suicide jumps off f the bridge.
As of 2019, an estimated 1,700 people have jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge, with only 25 known survivors. The number of deaths is considerably higher if counting those who jumped at night that went unrecorded. During the last few decades, an average of nearly 30 people a year have jumped off he bridge.
Profi les of jumpers were not kept in the early years of the bridge, but using the information we do have from past jumps and the accurate records kept now, we have an idea of some trends and characteristics. Jumpers are almost exclusively from the Bay Area, with the average age being 41 years old. Occupations of the jumpers have varied over the years. Professors and students usu ally lead the list, with suicide jumps by software engineers recently on the rise. About 80% of the jumpers are white, and 56% are not married.
Suicide jumps are obviously random. One fact, not so random, is that male jumps far out number female jumps (three males to each female), but females do unfortunately jump, and when this does happen, it makes a permanent impression, much di fferent than seeing a male jump.
Minimal cloud cover accompanied by the lifting of fog hours earlier made for a rare sunny afternoon at the bridge. My partner Mike and I had been assigned the task of attending to the sandblast pots at midspan, on the west sidewalk.
As point men for the operation, our main duties included keeping the sandblast pots full of sand and coordinating with the crew below using bridge radios. Having shut the operation down, we waited for the rest of our crew to climb up from below. Leaning on the outer safety rail, I took a moment to enjoy the gorgeous day, but my bliss was interrupted while noticing unusual activity across the roadway, about a hundred yards from where we stood.
Number one lane northbound, the lane closest to the sidewalk had been closed offby bridge patrol. A patrol vehicle had pulled right up behind a vehicle that appeared to be stalled. Mike and I started walking down the opposite sidewalk to get a better view.
We noticed the vehicle parked a bit irregular, with the driver’s side door still open. The vehi cle looked abandoned. A commotion began on the east sidewalk. I saw what seemed to be a small woman standing with her back against the outer guardrail. She appeared to be in an agitated state.
Curious to know what was happening, I turned my bridge radio on, listening as bridge secu rity assessed the situation. I saw the two officers cautiously approach the nervous woman, who now had one of her hands on the guardrail, the other at her side. The officers were careful to keep a safe distance and appeared to be pleading with her. Why not just pounce on her, and grab her before she had a chance to jump over the rail? The answer came over the bridge radio.
According to the report, she held several hypodermic needles in her hand, and began act ing violently towards the officers. I could see the woman, needles in hand, wielding them like a knife, hacking and slashing them vigorously. She had remarkable aggressiveness for someone so small. Each time the officers moved close to her, she poked and jabbed them away. She obviously did not want anyone near her.
Then, as if having no doubts or second thoughts in accomplishing what she had come to the bridge to do, she rolled her petite frame up and over the guardrail so quickly that the lung ing officers had no chance of grabbing her. She left our view. She had jumped. Mike and I gasped in horror. We knew the only thing beyond the rail, were a three-foot-wide steel cord, and then a 200-foot fall to the waters below. Surely, she was gone.
Both officers quickly approached the rail and looked over. Then, a frantic report came over our radio saying that the woman actually still held on to the outer edge of the chord. We looked at each other with amazed approval. No sooner had we gotten our hopes up, that we saw the officers twist their bodies in frustration. We knew at that moment, the woman could not hold on any lon ger, or she had let go on her own, but either way she had obviously fallen. By the time she hit the water, the Coast Guard had time to position themselves below her, but soon after, we heard the radio describing it as a recovery, not a rescue. Sadness overcame me. The incident happened so fast it is impossible to explain the emotional overload and feeling of futility to witness something like this and be utterly helpless to assist.
I feel sorrow for the two bridge patrol officers and what they must have to live with, always wondering if they should have just sacri ficed themselves, and taken the stab from the needles fi lled with “who knows what,” to save a woman who wanted more than anything to die on this day.
The view of the San Francisco skyline hum bled me each and every morning as I emerged from the Robin Williams Tunnel (formerly the Waldo Tunnel), heading south on Route 1. What a privilege!
Choose to approach the Bridge on a foggy morning, and be so lucky as to enter into what appears to be the Bridge’s own distinct environment. A heavy mist creeps along as if preparing to engulf you, leading you helplessly into a shifting fog bank. The thick white wall of misty darkness ultimately surrounds you in a world of strange stillness and solitude.
Eric Steel’s documentary fi lm The Bridge came out in 2006. The project focused on suspicious people who might be considering jumping offthe bridge, and attempted to record their jump on fi lm. Steel and his crew set up stationary surveillance cameras in various locations, fi lming the Golden Gate Bridge day and night. Telephoto and wide-angle cameras captured 10,000 hours of footage recording 23 suicides off he Bridge in 2004.
The project became a viral sensation for awhile, but legal issues prompted its removal from the internet shortly after its release. Steel had misled bridge officials about his intentions, stating on his permit that he intended “to capture the powerful, spectacular intersection of monument and nature, that takes place every day at the Golden Gate Bridge.” Bridge officials cited an increase in suicide attempts as the documentary began appearing at fi lm festivals and attracting publicity, and argued the fi lm an “invasion of privacy.”
The fi lm had mixed reviews. Critics called it nothing more than morbid and unethical voy eurism. The New York Times called it “gripping viewing but you feel like a voyeur of somebody else’s pain.” Andrew Pulver of The Guardian went as far as saying it “could be the most morally loathsome fi lm ever made.”
Steel defended his fi lm as an anti-suicide project. He stated that most of his fi lm focused on heartfelt interviews with loved ones the suicide jumper left behind. Steel argued that he may have prevented at least six suicides when his fi lm crew pointed out suspicious characters to bridge security officers, who removed the possible jumpers from the bridge. He also has on film a woman’s life being saved when a passerby pulled her back over the rail.
Of course, this is not where controversy lies. We are a voyeuristic society by nature. We desire to be indulged and shocked by “reality TV” and “fake news.” The public interest and curiosity in Steel’s fi lm did not come from the lives that were saved, but from those that were lost. One of the 23 suicide jumps in 2004 I remember all too well. I experienced it live from a di fferent angle, and have a much di fferent perspective than when I saw it on fi lm.
While walking along the bridge sidewalks, the gentle morning mist wraps you in a blanket of fog, teasing your senses with a slight satisfying chill. The fog, accompanied by the eerie call of the bridge foghorns below can almost give the impression that this mass of concrete and steel is perhaps a living entity. Energy flows through the muted steel, and between foghorn blasts, a hush fi lls the emptiness like a voice waiting to speak.
Weather conditions change at a moment’s notice on the bridge, and its tem pestuous tantrums can command your attention in other ways. Continuous gusts of bitterly cold wind can wail on you relent lessly, one after the other, tearing through your body. Grabbing hold of you and not let ting go, the bridge wants you to know there is power behind the beauty.
The bridge has given me views of the San Francisco Bay Area that are breathtaking. I have spent evenings atop the South Tower staring out for hours at unimaginable sights, such as an evening view of the city lights, or the rising moon breaking out of the clouds at midnight over the ocean. Experiences such as these gave me a chilly delight that I could never tire of, nor forget. Looking back, I was lucky bridge management did not know they actually paid me to do a job I no doubt would have done for nothing.
What a day for a picture. The South Tower Crew: Brian, Stew, the author, Kevin, Mike and Vince.
For more ways to get outdoors visit: marinmagazine.com/ outdoors
Alyssa Ravasio’s formative years are marked by the outdoors. The Corte Madera native spent many summers exploring the forest and crossing rivers while camping with her family in the Trinity Alps, Hendy Woods State Park and other sites throughout California. In 2013, she started coding a website called California Camping that would later become Hipcamp — an app and site that offers various outdoor and camping options. Private landowners can list their prop erty for camping, glamping, or RV space for users to book based on a variety of factors including listing type, location, landscape, activities offered and amenities. The site also includes user reviews and photos of public campgrounds in national parks.
You went to UCLA and created your own major there — what was that?
It was actually about the internet. From a very young age I wanted to be a film director. I went to UCLA and then ended up not getting into film school, so I created a major about the internet. Mostly out of necessity to get a degree, but also because I was obsessed with the internet. I had a series of pretty significant realizations that this technology represented a massive leap for our culture, and we were in such the early days of learning how to use it. So I fixated on figuring out how this tool was going to change the culture in the right way. Hipcamp was how I combined my obsession with the internet and its ability to reshape our culture with one of things I think is most missing in our culture, which is a connection with and a love for nature.
An unlikely partnership. Totally, but in my mind a lot of things that seem like unnatural partnerships feel natural. For me, the internet and nature — perfect! They're so similar. A map of the internet looks exactly like the map of a fungal network or your brain.
Like mycelial mats.
Yes! Exactly
How many Hipcamp sites do you have right now? We have a little over 300,000 across the whole country.
What’s your process for reaching prospective hosts?
That is the question for our company for sure. Our biggest challenge right now is reaching more landowners. We find that when landowners join the platform they stick around. It's a really good platform and model for them. We're doing a lot of experimentation, but word of mouth is actually the biggest way. Press is another big way. The Bay Area is actually one of our most supply-constrained markets. We have the biggest imbalance of people who want to get outside and no place to send them. Probably not a big surprise. So in those markets, especially just getting the word out through the community tends to be the trick.
Another unlikely pairing — farmers and Instagram.
I agree with the overall point, but we're actually experimenting with Instagram right now and there's a surprisingly large number of cool — not a million — but cool young farmers. They’re on Instagram and they’re crushing it! And everybody loves them. But that case aside, landowners are hard people to reach. They're busy. They have a big piece of land they're taking care of. They have a million different chores and projects that they're working on every day, not just sitting in a scrolling on their phone. They have no time for scrolling, that is a pastime of the urban and suburban. So they are harder to reach and also, interestingly, they are a type of person that very few tech companies have tried to reach. So it's a fun challenge for us because there's no playbook, we have to create it.
How have you pivoted since the pandemic?
The health and safety of our community is always our top priority, especially during the pandemic. We're committed to making sure our landowners feel confident and prepared to host safely during the pandemic and educating everyone from first time campers to seasoned adventurers on how to get outside responsibly. Now more than ever, people are engaging in a deeper connection to the outdoors and interest in the outdoors is surging.
What are some safety precautions Hipcamp has taken?
We’ve added guidelines for campers in a prominent place at the top of the Trip Page so all Hipcampers
In my mind a lot of things that seem like unnatural partnerships feel natural. For me, the internet and nature — perfect!
have this information readily available before they arrive at a property. The main guidelines are: be mindful of the local community; adhere to local requirements; practice physical distancing; take care of your health; be fire safe; and leave it better. We’ve also created the Covid-19 Safety Standards to help hosts create a safe experience. Hosts can also choose when to list their property and are able to easily put their listing on hold for any reason, including Covid-19 and shelter-in-place requirements. Hosts can self-certify that they have implemented our Covid-19 Safety Standards and earn a badge on their listing page.
How do you set up a host with everything they need?
Everything is on the website and we have a team in place. You can call them and they'll talk you through whatever questions you might have. One of the cool things we learned in terms of infrastructure is that RVs and camper vans are the fastest growing segment of our audience. Obviously, van life is a big thing right now. What's amazing is that as a landowner you don't have to build infrastructure, so what we often advise is start small and see how it goes. What we see happen over time is they might start with the vans and the RVs and then they earn some income, and now it's time to build that outdoor kitchen they've always dreamed of.
Have you seen a spike in campers since the pandemic?
People are traveling on average 40 percent closer to home on Hipcamp than they did this time last year. We’ve seen more and more people want to access the outdoors as air travel has become less frequent for many. Hosts on our platform are making over three times more revenue on Hipcamp this year versus the same time last year. It’s a great time to join Hipcamp if you’re a private landowner, farmer or rancher.
How do you feel about being called the Airbnb of camping?
I understand the comparison, but we're a really different company. Our whole mission is to get people outside and we're really building a community of people who are — both on the camper and the host side — extremely passionate about the land and connection with nature. Having a community that has those shared values and is focused on those shared values creates a really different type of organization.
Are there stories you could share of land being saved?
One of my favorite stories was when I showed up on a property and a landowner handed me a piece of paper. I actually thought it was a list of complaints, but it was a letter from a development company. It said the parcel was extremely interesting for development, and to call them. But the lady said, “I hate these letters, this would destroy everything I believe in. My whole goal here is just to leave this land a little better than I found it.”
She was actually the inspiration behind “Leave it better than you found it,” which is our most important company value. She said, “Look at this nice thick paper. They know what they're doing. I don't always know how I'm going to make it work. I'm terrified I'm gonna have to call them, except not anymore, because having Hipcamp turns this into junk mail. So take this letter to your team. I want you guys to understand the impact you're having.”
Our team gets emails all the time where people have a very similar arc: a few months ago, we were really struggling, but now we have income that we can invest in this project like we've always wanted to.
What advice do you have for first-time campers who are curious but nervous?
Go glamping. It’s the perfect first step. Camping trips often go wrong when you didn't realize you needed a thing — the sleeping bag wasn't warm enough. You forgot the flashlight. You didn't have the right tool for the stove. We have good guides on our site and there's lots of places where you can rent gear. Also, if you have a friend that can take you in and your guide, that's the best.
You’ve grown a lot and have investors now. What was your day to day like and how has that changed?
That’s a good question. I used to solve problems and do things. Now, I lead and manage really talented people. They do the things, and that was a hard gear for me to shift because I love doing things and getting into it. I love the feeling of finishing something. I feel like I have a totally new job now, I got a promotion. It's exciting because my capacity and the organization's capacity for getting lots done has increased so radically because we've hired a head of engineering and a head of content and V.P. of operations and our head of policy. Now there's this whole level of leaders in their respective areas that are setting strategy for all these things that I was trying to get done all the time. They're hiring, they're making sure things happen. They're working with their team to actually make the work real. So that's been a huge change, but a good one.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received? I got really good advice to fall in love with the problem, not the solution. It's really easy to fall in love with our own ideas. Early on I was thinking, “I'm going to build this really cool website with all the different state parks, national parks and county parks on one website. People are going to love it.”
But really the problem I was trying to solve was that it was so hard to go camping. I for it to be simple, I wanted to get excited and not have it feel like a giant hassle because I didn't book a site six months ago. That problem is what allowed me to realize that private land and partnering with these landowners to create new places for people to get outside, essentially a people-powered park system, was a solution. One that I didn't come up with.
People came to me and asked if they could list on my website. But because I stayed anchored in the problem, I was able to see that this solution — which was actually way smarter than the original, way more transformative and just a much bigger opportunity — matched my problem. So staying really in touch with the problem, not a solution, gives you the opportunity to collaborate with the universe on what the actual solution should be.
It also makes sure you're pointing in the right direction. I think the big risk for early stage entrepreneurship is if you're not sure there's a real problem, you can waste a lot of time trying to get people to like the thing you created. But if there's a real problem and you keep pulling and pulling, eventually you can create something of real value.
Julie Wainwright had already helmed three Bay Area online companies — Berkeley Systems, Reel.com and Pets.com — before starting the RealReal in 2011. An online and brick-and-mortar marketplace for authenticated luxury consignment, the RealReal is based on the circular economy and sells consigned clothing, finejewelry, watches, fine art and home decor. We caught up with the e-commerce entrepre neur about her journey, favorite purchases and future plans.
The idea for The RealReal was born after I was out shopping with a girl friend: my friend purchased items from a consignment rack in the back of an upscale boutique. I never knew her to shop consignment or buy from online resale websites. When I asked my friend “why” she said she trusted the shop owner, the shop was stu
beautifully curated, and she was get ting amazing deals on Louis Vuitton and Gucci. It changed my percep tion of consignment. The lightbulb went off and I did extensive research of the luxury and resale markets and even tested resale methods myself.
There was a massive market oppor tunity to create a beautiful shopping
BY KASIA PAWLOWSKAexperience, preserve the romance of luxury brands, ensure authenticity and remove barriers to consignment – not to mention the business model would be impervious to the likes of Amazon and Alibaba. In December of 2011, I had my ah-ha moment and by early March I picked out a name, regis tered the business, and raised capital.
In June 2011 I opened the doors. I went from running the business out of my house to renting a warehouse and setting up a true office where all items would be processed and authenticated.
We saw that the stores are a great way to engage people in luxury consign ment (and a reason we opened in San Francisco). By delivering a high-touch shopping and consigning experience in a physical store setting, we’re able to attract and introduce many first-timers to The RealReal. The in-store business has also brought our brand to life. We’re able to connect our community directly with experts for consignment drop-offs or valuation meetings, and customers can see and try-on pieces in-person.
We’ll be opening our fifth store in Chicago later this yea r — fi rst to follow after our San Francisco opening earlier this year.
My biggest takeaway is to not be afraid of failure. Fearing failure will hold you back from ever taking the risks required to move forward. Starting The RealReal was a career highlight. I reached a point where I couldn’t be held back by “what if I fail” mentality. At the same time, I also realized that if I wanted to have my dream job, I would have to create it. That’s what I did with The RealReal.
I shop for clothing every week on The RealReal and then re-consign when I am done. So I keep my fashion circu lating and many beautiful things come and go. My favorite purchases have been my art purchases. I have a Calder weaving which is amazing, a Warhol print and two Robert Longo’s from his Men in the Cities series, circa 1980.
The Louis Vuitton Monogram Keepall is a classic. No matter the social environment or current trends, this design maintains its spot as the leader of investment pieces for men.
Moncler Down Jackets are the best of the best. They are functional, fashionable, and durable making them a great investment for anyone.
The timeless style matched with world-class craftsmanship and fabrication make Loro Piana sweaters an easy choice to invest in. It’s also notable that even though timeless, we’ve seen their resale value increase over the past year, especially as people shifted even more into sweaters.
The Kelly is currently our most searched Hermés handbag, even ahead of the iconic Birkin. Made widely popular when spotted on Grace Kelly in 1977, the bag comes in two slightly di fferent shapes — the original Sellier which is structured and boxy, and the Retourne which is more relaxed.
Louis Vuitton wallets are a practical luxury item you can use every day. Although the brand’s monogram was fi rst introduced in 1896, resale value for wallets that feature this signature motif is up to $100 since last year (proof that this accessory will never go out of style).
Whether they’re a classic khaki or red vinyl plaid, Burberry trench coats are a wardrobe staple. Despite drastic shifts in the political and economic climates over the last four years, their resale value has remained at a steady high. In addition to some of the brand’s most modern versions of the trench, The RealReal offers a strong selection of Burberry’s vintage styles.
{NOELLE SCIACCA, WOMEN’S EDITORIAL LEAD AT THE REALREAL} SAN FRANCISCO STORE
{PATRICIA STEVENS, CATEGORY DIRECTOR OF FINE JEWELRY AND WATCHES}
The demand and resale value for the Love Collection has stood the test of time.
This American classic is a top seller in the Bay Area. Collections with clean lines and modern design, such as the T collection, resonate particularly well within this market.
Rolex demand is at an all-time high, the Datejust is particularly popular in the Bay Area — it’s an iconic style that’s also very versatile.
The cleaner lines of these pieces have started trending nationwide during the pandemic as more minimal designs outpace flashier, statement pieces.
Tags tell tales — they really do! Some manufacturers utilize factory production codes to denote the age of production, factory of origin, collection information, or even style names. It is crucial to analyze all tags present on an item, and even its collateral to ensure that the format and information printed or stamped are indeed consistent with the brand’s production.
Assessing the hardware of any type of product, especially a handbag or garment, can reveal a lot of information. Two things to assess when reviewing an item’s hardware would include the quality of the engraving as well as ensuring that the zippers are indeed authentic. A clean engraving should appear hollowed out nicely as if it has been done with a single tool. Heavy stippling, pitting, or crooked carvings should immediately raise a red fl ag. Believe it or not, zipper manufacturers are highly counterfeited, especially on luxury goods. Whether there is a Riri, Lampo, or YKK zipper on the item, I recommend comparing the shapes of the zipper pull and slider to one that you can search online.
Fonts and typography are the biggest giveaways on a counterfeit product, however, it takes extremely skilled eyes to make out these discrepancies. Though the font on a brand stamp can look extremely close to its authentic counterpart it is extremely rare that a coun terfeiter will be able to identically mirror what the brand produced. It’s like trying to perfectly forge a signature. When you are assessing the fonts on any item, say a “Made In” stamp, brand stamp, or even the script on fabrication tags, I recommend picking out a single letter rather than the entire word or phrase so that you are able to compare slopes and angles (such as an ‘S’ or a ‘V’).
Trust your senses . Sight, scent, and touch are extremely helpful when looking at an item. Counterfeits often possess a very heavy chemical scent, one of which is not friendly to the nose. Furthermore, understanding what fabrication or textile the item should be crafted of is extremely impor tant when running your hands along the item. For instance, if a garment states a cashmere blend you should be able to make out the cashmere with your fi ngers.
My biggest authentication tip is to always take into consideration the “sum of the parts” rather than forming your conclusions off of one discrep ancy. Whether an item is artistically hand-produced or mass-produced, there is always room for error and mis take. If one red fl ag alarms your eyes, fi nd the other red flags. I always think to myself, “Is there more going for the item or against it?”
Produced by School
A WARM WELCOME We reached out to our Private School Guide partners to learn more about how they are responding to Covid-19. Here are
How has San Domenico School pivoted in response to Covid-19? Since we transi tioned to distance learning in March, 2020, our fac ulty, staff, and Covid-19 Response Teams have been engaged in deep scenario planning and professional development. Our teachers, specialists, and coaches have been respon sive and creative, such that they were able to offer a full range of sum mer programming while also preparing for back to school 2020.
How will you conduct teaching in the fall? Are there any contingency plans for the spring? SD’s Covid-19 Response Team Committee on Reopening School has developed a HyFlex program that can easily toggle between on-campus and dis tance learning so we are ready for a strong and inspiring year ahead regardless of how the pandemic evolves and independent of what local and state health directives are in place.
What will you be offering to make your curriculum and educational experience unique? SD has invested heavily to ensure a student and parent experience that delivers on our mission to provide exceptional education and a sense of purpose even within context of these unprecedented times. Our school has survived 170 years being responsive to the needs of the times and we are here for
How has Brandeis Marin pivoted in response to Covid-19? Brandeis Marin quickly pivoted to our distance learning plan in March that closely followed our on-campus sched ules. Our students continued to meet online with their teachers daily to cover all curricular benchmarks. Our plan in cluded synchronous and asynchronous learning, individual meetings with teachers and specialists including our art, makers lab, and athlet ic directors. Additional parent-teacher conferences were held, as well as sharing multiple parent and student surveys so we could assess our distance learning program and make improvements where necessary.
our community now, stronger together. New technology such as 30 Swivl Camera packages will elevate the Hyflx learning environment for our students, with spotlights on the teachers, 360 range of motion follow cam capability, and microphones and speakers all so students and teachers can hear and see one another more clearly. New, top of the line, health and safety products and policies are being put in place to mitigate risk. New “SchoolPass” software will be used for wellness reporting, visitor management, and student dismissal, all of which will support reduced risk of contagion with tracking and tracing as need ed. Program adjustments have been made for additional social and emotional support for our students. Our faculty has been energized by professional development to reinforce tools to optimize student engagement in these unique times. Differentiated instruction, inten tional use of learning time (including synchronous and asynchronous learning), student voice and choice, all of these will ensure that in such an uncertain global environment, our students will have an inspiring and responsive learning experience.
Please visit sandomenico.org/BacktoSchool2020 to learn more about San Domenico’s HyFlex program for 21st Century Learning.is the mi crocosm of society; therefore, our priority is to create a safe space for our students to be who they are, honoring their cultures and celebrating our differences.” m
This summer we are providing all teachers with professional train ing in hybrid learning so that learning will be robust, consistent, and accessible whether delivered in person on campus or online (when circumstances require). Classes will share a common platform for learning and offer a consistent interface for teachers, students, and families. At the instructional level, faculty will build their lessons using a simplifiedand consistent approach to create a predictable rhythm to learning across multiple modalities (on-campus, online, and blended).
Visit our private school guide online marinmagazine.com/ private -school-guideHow will you conduct teaching in the fall? Are there any contingency plans for the spring? Our plan for the return to school involves three priorities. First, school will be a safe and healthy place for students. Second, all students will have access to high quality, exceptional learning in a warm, nurturing commu nity. Third, our program will be flxible and prepared in the event that school must return home occasionally next year.
Our dedicated team has worked tirelessly this summer to create a comprehensive Reopening Plan to guide our operations for the 20202021 school year. The campus has been thoroughly prepared to wel come students, faculty and staffback to school in a way that supports all the elements of our health and safety plan, physical distancing be tween students and staff, use of the outdoor spaces for learning, maxi mal ventilation of classrooms, expanded hand-washing stations and so much more.
In addition, students will continue to engage with hands-on, proj ect-based learning in all grades and classes. With these common, con sistent principles and a common platform underlying instruction, student learning will continue seamlessly even if we must toggle be tween in-school learning and home due to public health concerns.
What will you be offering to make your curriculum and educational experience unique? Above all, Brandeis Marin will continue to provide the high quality, caring educational experience that is the foundation of our mission while taking all of the necessary steps to safeguard our community. Over the summer we will be work ing to implement technology systems that will make it easier for our
How has Mark Day School pivoted in response to Covid-19? Early this year, in part due to our connection to our global partner school in Beijing, we already had been preparing a detailed plan for learning continuity. On March 13, we closed our campus and transitioned to distance learning; our faculty and ad ministration immediately distributed technology and materials to all students in anticipation of a prolonged closure.
Since day one of distance learning, students across grades K-8 have participated in live, synchronous classes and moments of connection to preserve vital touch-points for learning. Students received devic es including iPads and laptops with which to participate in distance
students (and parents!) to access course materials. This should en able us to improve on and reduce the challenges we faced this spring and more effectively and efficitly engage all of our students when they are learning online. A new online learning management system will be rolled out in all lower school classes to create a single, orga nized framework for retrieving and submitting schoolwork. We will be providing all of our teachers with robust summer professional de velopment to be sure they are equipped with the training to deliver an exceptional hybrid learning experience for all students.
The coronavirus has tested our society in unprecedented ways. We have shown that Brandeis Marin is nimble and well-positioned to meet this moment.
Anything else current or potential families should know? Brandeis Marin is committed to the well-being of our whole com munity, and we are prepared to support the learning journey of every student — in this moment and into the future. Brandeis Marin is rec ognized as a forward-thinking center of educational innovation. We harness the timeless values of the Jewish tradition to infuse cutting edge learning in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the humanities with social purpose. Our students are confidet lead ers and joyful learners, ready to face the challenges of today and to morrow with an open mind and courageous heart
If you are looking for an inspirational K-8 education for your child and a collaborative, nurturing partnership for your whole family, take a look at Brandeis Marin today. m
learning. Faculty used a combination of class and small group con figuations during live lessons and offered “offichours” so students could ask questions and receive additional support via live interaction. Students received between two to four hours of live instruction per day, depending on grade level, in addition to other synchronous activities.
In addition to regular daily contact with families, during the spring we surveyed families formally two times to obtain feedback on how distance learning was working. We also understood that challenges varied from family to family, and we strived to provide individualized assistance where it was needed; for example, in tech resources, counseling, and learning support.
how the following eight schools are adapting to this unprecedented challenge — visit our website to view updates from the other private schools in our guide.
How will you conduct teaching in the fall? Are there any contingency plans for the spring? The trajectory of the pandemic and health directives are ever-changing. We continue to make decisions in alignment with Marin County’s Public Health Offics, who are in turn guided by ongoing data and research regard ing the pandemic and societal response across the globe.
Our plans for the coming school year include the ability to flx ibly transition between a Hybrid Learning model that includes both in-person and distance learning elements and a Distance Learning model in which all students learn remotely. In alignment with Public Health, we will enter the fall in Distance Learning mode, while seeking to provide a learning hub program for school-aged children of essen tial workers.
Starting on our Opening Day, September 1, Distance Learning 2.0 will include increased live sessions, virtual small group work, 1:1 check-ins, refinedschedules and assignments, a timely and robust assessment program, and a reliance on ongoing feedback from parents and guardians about individual student/family needs.
Learning continuity is a top priority. We are prepared to transi tion smoothly between models at any time throughout the year while maintaining strong academics, social-emotional learning, and community moments.
What will you be offering to make your curriculum and educational experience unique? Every facet of our program and every single decision comes from careful consideration and extensive research — and this moment in time is no different. Our program is child-centered in its approach, and we acknowledge the challenges of this time for children across the developmental spectrum; emotional support is required for academic excellence, which has always been the backbone of a Mark Day education. Since the spring, we have been researching and designing frameworks that will allow us to offer the exceptional education that is a hallmark of Mark Day while adhering to local and national health directives.
While the educational landscape may look different, our goals remain the same. We continue to regularly refineour cohesive curriculum and assessment system and focus on the objectives and aspirations of our graduates.
Additionally, maintaining a sense of community continues to be a top priority as we work and learn remotely. In the fall, as we did throughout the spring, we will continue to have whole-school as semblies twice per week and regular community building activities. Integrating this connection to community with hands-on, studentcentered learning is in many ways what makes Mark Day’s distance learning program unique. It’s not about checking boxes or fillingthe day with various activities to keep students busy — it’s about main taining the feel of a school community while continuing to learn.
Mark Day School has always valued the close partnership between parents and guardians and the school. As families transition to dis tance learning and working from home again in the fall, we know that what families will experience and need will be vastly different from household to household. Easing families into this new learning model and supporting them along the way is an important part of this ongo ing partnership. We will continue to survey parents and guardians to identify strengths and areas for support and improvement.
Anything else current or potential families should know? Mark Day School is a vibrant, inclusive learning community, and we will support one another and continue learning together, no matter the circumstances. We cannot wait to welcome children and families to the new school year and to get students and teachers work ing together again. There is so much to learn, and growth mindset, critical thinking, creative problem solving, global perspective, and so cial and emotional skills that Mark Day nurtures in our students have never been more important than in today’s work. We cannot wait to get up and running together. m
After successfully pivoting to distance learning last spring, we have been focused on our return to on-campus instruction. To do this we have invested heavily in addi tional staff, technology infrastructure and devices, facilities — including four outdoor tent-based classrooms — and safety equipment and services. At the same time we have engaged teachers in further professional development to ensure we offer best-in-class distance learning if we cannot be on campus.
How will you conduct teaching in the fall? Are there any contingency plans for the spring? We are in the midst of applying for a waiver for K-6 instruction. We are confidet we can safely host on-campus instruction with our large campus, abundant open space, and outdoor entrances to nearly every classroom. We are also looking into ways to have meaningful in-person connections among our 7th and 8th grade students as permissible in Marin County.
What will you be offering to make your curriculum and educational experience unique? Though we have made sig nifiant changes to our program and spaces to be ready for in-person instruction, we will continue to offer departmentalized instruction at all grade levels. This will allow our students to learn from educators who are teaching their passion. m
School has looked to our mission and pillars to navi gate through the pandemic since the spring tran sition to distance-learning. For every decision we look through the lens of equity, and communicate frequently with our community members via emails, Zoom coffees with the head of school, and surveys. We are fortunate to have a strong community built on relationships, which has remained an incredible asset. Sustaining our community and the social-emotional well-being of our students is paramount to our culture. Practically speaking, the safety of our com munity is the number one priority, and we have developed extensive health and safety protocols and are following all guidelines from the state and county health departments. We look forward to safely re opening our campus to all students as soon as possible.
How will you conduct teaching in the fall? Are there any contingency plans for the spring? The toddler through kindergarten programs will be able to resume on-campus learning in stable cohorts at the start of school on August 24. For fist through eighth grades, there will be a two-week on-campus orientation before transitioning to distance-learning. Following that we are planning for on-campus, hybrid, and remote programs, depending on what we will be able to do at any given time. We want to prioritize on-campus learn ing when possible, however we will also have distance-learning op tions in place for the full year for kindergarten through eighth grade. In order to ensure that all students are able to participate effectively,
How has Marin Catholic pivoted in response to Covid-19? In response to the pandemic and school closure, we have been following these guiding principles:
Health and safety are our priority. This remains the highest priority as we work to reopen school. Following state and county guidelines, we have developed procedures and attained the technology for effective health screening of all students and faculty and staff, physical distancing protocols, and a definedtraining and ori entation program to provide clarity of expectation and protocols for all community members so that they can lean into their work with con fidence.We have no expectation currently that Marin will be offthe watchlist any time soon, but we will be ready when we are given clear ance to return to in-person instruction with whatever restrictions we face.
We have been assertive in using the experience of our summer athletic workouts on campus to inform our fall plans. Led by our Athletic Department team and our dedicated coaches, we have been
we are moving to a 1:1 tech device program in which every kindergar ten through eighth grade student will be issued a kit containing a tech nology device and all relevant accessories.
What will you be offering to make your curriculum and educational experience unique? We believe that our pre-exist ing small-class teaching model, abundant outdoor learning spaces and tradition of outdoor education, combined with our innovative and pas sionate faculty will provide a robust educational experience for all stu dents. Our technology team is extremely responsive to student, family, and faculty needs. We are also fortunate to have online learning man agement systems in place for all grade levels, as well as the tools and technology to strengthen both on-campus and distance learning. We will be offering a distance-learning option during on-campus learn ing periods and in most cases, those students will be able to access the live classroom through videoconferencing and webcam technology. Overall we are fortunate to have a small, cohesive team that will en able us to remain flxible despite changing circumstances throughout the school year.
Anything else current or potential families should know? We have a limited number of openings in select grades for the upcoming school year. We encourage you to contact our admissions team at admissions@marinhorizon.org and visit our website to tour our campus virtually. To learn more about our reopening plan, please visit marinhorizon.org/reopeningplan for the most up-to-date infor mation. m
able to onboard 50-90 student-athletes a day onto our fieldsand into our gym with great success. It has been tremendously gratifying to have our student-athletes back in team cohorts and in action. The out pouring of gratitude from our student-athletes and their parents has been affirmin
Early in July, we announced that we would be postponing the opening of our Academic Calendar year to September 8. This has given us more time to develop our plans and procedures, prepare the physical plant including securing our PPE, and train faculty and staff. Beginning the week of August 17 and running through September 4, we will start bringing smaller groups of students on campus for orien tation and training with the intention to scale up the number of stu dents on campus each week as allowed.
The Essential Question: What can we do well? Given all restrictions, we need to definewhat we can do well and do it! This re quires signifiant reflectionon the part of teachers, counselors, and our leadership team to determine where our critical focus must be
on a daily basis. For example, since we cannot test well in some of the traditional ways in distance learning or a hybrid mode, teachers are examining and preparing alternative methods of assessment and methods of measuring student learning.
Some of our extra-curricular programs like clubs and student ac tivities will necessarily be scaled back.
We are operating “Mission as Usual”. This is as opposed to “busi ness as usual” and is related to the essential question: what can we do well? By our Catholic Mission, we are committed and called to the intellectual and spiritual formation of our students in all we do — cur ricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular. We do this fist with an emphasis on deep relationships, so this is a particular challenge with out in-person contact. In our new schedule we are dedicating one day a week to what we call “Kairos Days” (Kairos is Greek for “God’s time”) in which we will spend time as a community, in small forma tion groups, to consider and discuss topics like “identity” and “racial justice.” Additionally, we will be gathering on “Kairos Days” for prayer, Mass, and Adoration.
How will you conduct teaching in the fall? Are there any contingency plans for the spring? We had much success in the spring with distance learning and we are proud of what our students, faculty and staffwere able to accomplish. However, we know that the fall will be a different experience because we will begin without the benefitof an established student/teacher relation ship. We have adapted a schedule that ensures clear structure, a pre dictable cadence, and long blocks of class time to provide teachers latitude for instructional variety. Instructional days will occur four or fie days a week with “Kairos Days” scheduled on eight Wednesdays during the semester. On instructional days, three to four classes will meet per day for 75 minutes either in distance learning or hybrid mode
with additional built in time at the beginning or end of the day for teacher offichours or tutorials.
We learned last spring that the best decisions are made with the maximum amount of experience and data so we do not have a contin gency plan for spring yet. We will remain prepared to pivot to distance learning, a hybrid mode where half of the students are on campus, the other half at home, or God willing, back to normal!
What will you be offering to make your curriculum and educational experience unique? Our “Kairos Days,” led by Assistant Principal for Student Life, Anne-Marie Funk, are designed to capture all the elements of our spiritual and communal formation programs. Given the political climate and given that this is an election year, we are committed to creating forums for productive discourse on “identity” and “racial justice.”
We are reading Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson as a full school community as a jumping offpoint for these forums. Just Mercy invites the reader to accompany Stevenson on his journey through American history and the criminal justice system. A Harvard-educated lawyer, Stevenson has dedicated his career and life to working for justice for “the poor, the wrongly condemned, and those trapped in the furthest reaches of our criminal justice system.” He concludes Just Mercy in the spirit of our Catholic call to justice: “’Let he who is without sin cast the fist stone.’...But today, our self-righteousness, our fear, and our anger have caused even the Christians to hurl stones at the people who fall down, even when we know we should forgive or show compassion. I told the congregation that we can’t simply watch that happen. I told them we have to be stonecatchers.” (p. 309)
Creating stonecatchers in support of one another and in service to the greater community is one among our key goals with these forums on our “Kairos Days.”formation. m
How has Headlands Preparatory School pivoted in response to Covid-19? Thanks to our 1:1 model, Headlands Prep (previously Tilden Prep Marin) is uniquely prepared for the transition to distance learning. We have long offered selected remote class sessions as part of our personalized academic program, allowing our Distance Learning Plan to be seamlessly integrated into our existing model. Whether in person or at a distance, a Headlands Prep education is designed to harness individualized learning and aca demic mastery to ensure personal growth, academic success, and true preparedness for high school and college.
How will you conduct teaching in the fall? Are there any contingency plans for the spring? We seek to maintain high academic standards and a supportive learning environment, and provide community members with continuity of learning. Since we began our distance learning plan, the feedback from our families, stu
dents, and teachers, is that the learning is still very much happening. As always, Headlands Prep plans to keep the well-being of all mem bers of the community — students, teachers, staff, and parents — at the forefront of its decision-making.
While we are eager for all of us to get back on campus, we are pro ceeding with caution and have decided to continue with distance learning and expect to do so through the end of December 2020. We believe making this decision now creates a sense of predictability and stability for all of us during these times of uncertainty.
We recognize that distance learning and the extended shelter-inplace restrictions have taken a toll on all of us, especially our students. We will continue to monitor the situation and in the event there are signifiant improvements or changes in the Covid-19 crisis we will reevaluate this decision. We will continue to offer distance learning even when we open for in-person class instruction. We are prepared to con tinue into spring if that is the right choice for our community.
What will you be offering to make your curriculum and educational experience unique? Headlands Prep is dedicated to individualized learning, academic mastery, personal growth, and civic engagement. The central element to our educational model, oneto-one courses allow for an individualized educational experience tai lored to student needs and success.
Headlands Preparatory School uses a Mastery Learning educa tional philosophy and method that supports all students to become competent and confidet learners. The Mastery Learning approach at HPS guides all aspects of the educational experience. From instruc tion to homework to assessment, all student learning is designed to be engaging, meaningful, intentional, and builds a strong foundation for long-term learning.
In order to ensure students have a strong foundation on which to build skills and later content, students must demonstrate mastery by
How has St. Patrick School pivoted in re sponse to Covid-19? Beginning with the school closure in March, we have developed and imple mented a successful Distance Learning Program for our students that offers daily instruction over Zoom, assignments posted to Google Classroom and the use of rich digital re sources curated by our Faculty. Our Administration and Faculty have spent the summer evaluating and building upon our Distance Learning Plan to support our students as we begin the 2020-2021 school year.
Each school site under The Archdiocese of San Francisco has com pleted a Site SpecificSafety Plan that follows Public Health Guided Return to Site-Based Classroom Instruction, which will aid us in bringing our students, faculty and staffback to school as safely as pos sible when we are given permission to re-open.
How will you conduct teaching in the fall? Are there any contingency plans for the spring? With the Governor’s recent announcement regarding school reopening guidelines, we will begin our school year in distance learning mode.
earning a minimum of 80 percent on any assessment. If students have not demonstrated mastery, we review the material and reassess until mastery is achieved.
Anything else current or potential families should know? We have rolling enrollment throughout the year, and in ad dition to our full-time program, we offer single courses for credit as well as tutoring and prep for standardized tests. Ours is NOT an inde pendent study program. Our program includes synchronous learning where our students meet with their teachers for online class periods on a frequent and regular schedule, and asynchronous independent homework/project time. Using this approach, we give our students support, while integrating strategies for independent work. Our teach ers close communication loops with families daily with our unique progress reporting system. m
Depending upon the situation in the Spring, and recommenda tions from Marin Public Health, we will either continue with Distance Learning or reopen for site-based instruction, per our Site Specifi Safety Plan.
What will you be offering to make your curriculum and educational experience unique? Community has always been at the heart of our school. The challenges attendant upon dis tance learning have made us more aware of the importance, and the strength, of our community connections. We will continue to build the bonds with our students and families that help each member of our community thrive.
Anything else current or potential families should know? We partner with parents as primary educators for their chil dren. We understand that not every family is comfortable with school reopening with in-person instruction. Therefore, St. Patrick School will offer distance learning to those families who elect not to send their children to campus and/or students who are in quarantine. m
At Marin Montessori School, we provide an education for life. We nurture the development of each child to his or her fullest potential – intellectually, physically, socially, creatively, and emotionally.
We do this by empowering students with the time and space to explore their passions, dig deep, solve real world problems, and learn by doing. Our students are taught to lead, rather than told to follow. As a result, they are able to confidently navigate a grounded, successful path ahead.
Reading about Marin Montessori School is one thing; experiencing it is another. Schedule a virtual tour to explore what makes Marin Montessori an exceptional toddler through 9th grade school community.
5200 Paradise Drive 415.924.5388
C orte Madera, CA marinmon tessori.org
Marin Horizon is an independent, co-educational day school located in a safe, residential neighborhood in Mill Valley, only 15 minutes from San Francisco. From toddlers to 8th graders, we place equal importance on academics and integrity, in joyful classrooms and as part of our larger community. Teachers collaborate across departments to present students with complex, challenging curriculum, and a hallmark of the school is its commitment to equity and inclusion. Our dedication to outdoor education sends students across the Bay Area and beyond, reinforcing the independence and leadership fostered in the classroom.
Marin Horizon has several features that make it wellsuited to current guidelines including small class sizes and ample indoor and outdoor classroom spaces. Call or visit our website to learn about our fall reopening plan and visit our campuses virtually.
305 Montford Avenue
415.388.8408
M ill Valley, CA marinhor izon.org
Whether on campus, or remotely, we value our international, inclusive community and its safety is our priority. In this new normal, we’ve rolled up our sleeves and are rising to the occasion promoting SPATIAL over SOCIAL distancing.
We’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished together and look forward to a new school year.
From age 2 through grade 12, in San Francisco and Marin.
Visit our website to learn more about us and take a virtual tour: lelycee.org #LFSFCares & Ashbury Campuses, SF 415.661.5232
Brandeis Marin is committed to the well-being of our whole community, and we are prepared to support the learning journey of every student – in this moment and into the future.
Brandeis Marin is recognized as a forward-thinking center of educational innovation. We harness the timeless values of the Jewish tradition to infuse cutting edge learning in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the humanities with social purpose.
Our students are confident leaders and joyful learners, ready to face the challenges of today and tomorrow with an open mind and courageous heart.
If you are looking for an inspirational K-8 education for your child and a collaborative, nurturing partnership for your whole family, take a look at Brandeis Marin today.
RESILIENT. DEDICATED. INNOVATIVE. 180 North San Pedro Road 415.472.1833 S an Rafael, CA brandeismar in.org
Founded in 1850, San Domenico’s mission includes a commitment to recognize what it means to be human in a global community, and respond with integrity to the needs of the times. In today’s world, it may feel like the global norm is uncertainty. At SD, however, we carry on a 170-year legacy as California’s first independent school, providing not only excellence in education but also, a sense of purpose.
Using San Domenico’s robust and exceptional HyFlex model, SD students experience full school days, with both synchronous and asynchronous learning, and appropriate academic challenge as well as social emotional support, extracurriculars, athletics, and community building. Whether in on-campus or distance-learning mode, SD’s dedicated faculty encourage our students to ask the big questions, explore their own values, and work together to promote a more inclusive, socially just, and sustainable community and world.
1500 Butterfield Road 415.258.1905 San Anselmo, CA sandomenico .org
Marin Catholic’s student body is made up of 800 young men and women. We are committed to small class sizes, which create an intimate learning environment and produce strong teacher-student relationships in a challenging college preparatory curriculum.
Marin Catholic is one of the premier Catholic, college preparatory high schools in California. Consistent with Gospel Values, we are committed to the education of the whole person and instill in our students the confidence that will empower them as informed, compassionate individuals to live a fulfilling life and engage in learning as a lifelong process. Students are drawn from a broad spectrum of social, religious and economic backgrounds.
We don’t just talk about making a difference-our students make the difference. Experience is what sets us apart. Experience Marin Catholic.
FAITH. KNOWLEDGE. SERVICE. 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd 415.464.3800 Ken tfield, CA marinca tholic.org
Faith. Knowledge. Service. It’s more than a mission, it’s a way of life.
Saint Hilary School is a faith-filled community where children in Kindergarten through 8th Grade receive a strong ethical and academic foundation allowing them to develop their unique personal and intellectual gifts. Saint Hilary’s “whole child” approach prepares students for academic success with an innovative, future-ready curriculum taught in a community that cultivates compassion, empathy, honesty, and faith.
A Future-Ready Saint Hilary includes:
• 3 Full-time teacher/2 Aides in Kindergarten - 1st Grade
• Next Generation Science Standards
• Advanced Math Program for Grade 8
• Project-Based Learning
• Tinker Lab, Coding, 3D Printing, Robotics
• Advanced Academic Specialists
• Service Learning curriculum
• Honors placement in high school
COMPASSIONATE, INNOVATIVE, FUTURE-READY Hilary Drive on, CA
At Town School, boys experience an education that is designed specifically for them. They discover new facets of their identities, develop enduring relationships, and are continuously given opportunities to lead, learn, and grow through the support of a loving and joyful community. We offer an outstanding educational program that enables each student to pursue his strengths and fulfill his potential.
We intentionally design experiences that help boys create an expansive personal definition of boyhood and manhood. Our hallways are filled with laughter, expressions of close friendships, helpful acts and curious and imaginative minds. At Town, we encourage our students to approach their learning with joy, respect, integrity, curiosity and a sense of belonging.
K-8 ALL BOYS SCHOOL IN SAN FRANCISCO 2750 Jackson Street 415.746.1151 an Francisco, CA wnschool.com
Headlands Preparatory School, formerly known as Tilden Preparatory School Marin, is a small, innovative, WASCaccredited middle and high school based in Sausalito, CA. Headlands Prep first opened its doors in 2017 under the umbrella of Tilden Prep, which has been celebrating student achievement for over 14 years. We teach the way students learn, ensuring that they master material to a B grade or higher. Students experience real success in their courses and increased confidence for future learning.
• Full-time middle and high school
• Single courses
• Master course content at your own pace
• One-to-one personalized learning
Explore our wide range of over 150 UC-approved courses including 34 AP and 26 honors classes. Call today to schedule a tour or a consultation!
1050 Bridgeway ausalito, CA
The Marin School is an independent, college prep high school in San Rafael. Small by design, TMS students thrive in a challenging, collaborative environment where dedicated faculty set high expectations and encourage each student to realize their full potential. We offer a UC-approved, thought-provoking curriculum, with a creative approach to everything we do. Our small, supportive environment inspires our students to take risks and explore new ideas.
In the coming school year, our small class sizes of 8-10 will allow our students greater opportunity to maximize distance learning and receive daily support from faculty and staff. When we are able to safely return to campus, our small size again has a huge benefit, with cohorts of less than 30 students making in-person instruction safer, with more days on campus. Visit www.themarinschool.org/fall2020plan to learn more.
Schedule your virtual visit today!
415.339.9336, ext. 1009 admissions@themarinschool .org San Rafael, CA themarinschool .org
For more than 40 years, Good Shepherd Lutheran School has been so much more than just a place to go to school. Generations of proud alumni, past and present faculty, students and their parents will tell you about our values that shape all that we do in and outside the classroom. We believe our Core Values of honesty, respect, responsibility, courage, fairness and compassion are essential building blocks for success in Preschool – 8th grades, high school, college, and life.
Good Shepherd has always emphasized the importance of comprehensive, educational excellence that is supported and nourished by a caring community. However, our students are so much more than a collection of well-rounded young people. We see them as rays of light, tomorrow’s leaders, and beacons for the future.
To learn more about GSLS or the application process, please contact our Admission Office.
“Train up a child the way they should go: and when they are old, they will not depart from it.” ~ Proverbs 22:6
1180 Lynwood Drive 415.897.2510 No vato, CA gslsnov ato.org
Our educational environment consists of traditional values and innovative curriculums that cultivates engaged learners and encourages students to work to their full potential. Our school community fosters an enthusiasm for learning and inspires students to be critical thinkers who lead with compassion.
As we continue to work together to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we strongly believe that a partnership with parents is even more critical in helping our teachers motivate our children in developing their unique talents and gifts. We believe this gives our children confidence which prepares them for success in premier high schools.
We invite you to schedule a private tour of St. Patrick School and to learn more about our programs. Together, we help our children grow to be STAR students.
Skilled Learners – Thoughtful Individuals Active Christians – Responsible Citizens
120 King Street
415.924.0501 Larkspur, CA stpatr icksmarin.org
Brandeis Marin brandeismarin.org • 415.472.1833
Branson School branson.org • 415.454.3612
Bright Horizons child-care-preschool.brighthorizons.com 415.492.2262 7:1;
Caulbridge School caulbridgeschool.org • 415.481.1243
Corte Madera Montessori cortemaderamontessori.com • 415.927.0919
Fusion Academy Marin fusionmarin.com • 415.472.1421
Gate Academy gateacademy.org • 415.491.4700
Good Shepherd Lutheran School gslsnovato.org • 415.892.2880
Lycée Francais de San Francisco lelycee.org • 415.661.5232
Headlands Preparatory School headlandsprep.com • 415.944.2254
Pre-K
Pre K-8 COED Lutheran
Pre K-5 COED French
Pre-K 9:1; K-5 10:1; 6-8 16:1 ELEA, WASC
Pre-K-K 7:1; 1-5 9:1 CAIS, WASC, AEFE, NAIS
6-12 COED Independent 1:1 WASC
Marin Academy ma.org • 415.453.4550
Marin Catholic High School marincatholic.org • 415.464.3800
Marin Christian Academy marinchristian.org • 415.892.5713
Marin Country Day School mcds.org • 415.927.5900
Marin Horizon School marinhorizon.org • 415.388.8408
Marin Montessori School marinmontessori.org • 415.924.5388
Marin Primary & Middle School mpms.org • 415.924.2608
Marin Waldorf School marinwaldorf.org • 415.479.8190
Mark Day School markdayschool.org • 415.472.8000
Montessori de Terra Linda School mdtl.org • 415.479.7373
Mount Tamalpais School mttam.org • 415.383.9434
North Bay Christian Academy nbca.com • 415.892.8921
North Bridge Academy northbridgeacademy.org • 415.462.5657
Our Lady of Loretto School school.ollnovato.org • 415.892.8621
Saint Hilary School sainthilaryschool.org • 415.435.2224
Saint Patrick School stpatricksmarin.org • 415.924.0501
San Domenico School sandomenico.org • 415.258.1900
St. Anselm School stanselmschool.com • 415.454.8667
St. Isabella School stisabellaschool.org • 415.479.3727
St. Raphael School straphaelschool.com • 415.454.4455
9-12 COED Nondenominational 9:1 WASC, NAIS, CAIS
9-12 COED Catholic 24:1 WASC
Pre K-8 COED Christian 15:1 ACSI, WASC
K-8 COED Nondenominational 8:1 CAIS, NAIS
Toddler-8 COED Independent 8:1 CAIS, NAIS
Pre K-9 COED Montessori 5:1 12:1 AMI, CAIS
Pre K-8 COED Nondenominational 7:1 WASC, NAIS, CAIS
Pre K-8 COED Waldorf 24:1 AWSNA
K-8 COED Independent 5:1 NAIS, CAIS
Pre K-6 COED Montessori
Pre-primary 6:1; K-6 12:1 AMI, NAIS
K-8 COED Independent 7:1 CAIS, NAIS, BADA
9-12 COED Christian 10:1 ACSI, WASC
3-8 COED Dyslexic/Independent 10:1
TK-8 COED Catholic 14:1 WCEA, WASC
K-8 COED Catholic 13:1 WASC, WCEA
K-8 COED Catholic 9:1 WCEA, WASC, NCEA
K-12 COED Independent 10:1 CAIS, WASC, NAIS, TABS
K-8 COED Catholic 7:1 WASC, WCEA, NCEA
K-8 COED Catholic 15:1 WCEA, WASC
Pre K-8 COED Catholic 18:1 WCEA, WASC, NCEA, WASC, WECA
Star Academy staracademy.org • 415.456.8727 1-12 COED Nondenominational 6:1 WASC
Terra Mandarin Preschool terramandarin.org • 415.906.2220
Terra Marin School terramarin.org • 415.906.2220
The Discovery School thediscoveryschoolbadm.org • 415.339.3991
The Helix School thehelixschool.org • 415.569.5056
Pre-K Nondenominational/Mandarin Immersion 8:1 In process
K-8 COED Nondenominational 8:1 In process
Preschool COED Independent 5:1
3-12 COED Independent 5:1 NPS
The Marin School themarinschool.org • 415.339.9336
The Mountain School marinmountainschool.org • 415.924.4661
The New Village School thenewvillageschool.org • 415.289.0889
9-12 COED Independent 8:1 WASC, NAIS
Preschool COED Independent 10:1
K-12 COED Independent avant-garde 12:1
Archbishop Riordan High School riordanhs.org • 415.586.8200
Cathedral School for Boys cathedralschool.net • 415.771.6600
Children’s Day School cds-sf.org • 415.861.5432
Chinese American International School cais.org • 415.865.6000
Convent & Stuart Hall sacredsf.org • 415.563.2900
Cornerstone Academy cornerstone-academy.net • 415.585.5183
Cornerstone Academy cornerstone-academy.net • 415.665.9747
Cornerstone Academy cornerstone-academy.net • 415.587.7256
De Marillac Academy demarillac.org • 415.552.5220
Drew School drewschool.org • 415.409.3739
Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires ndvsf.org • 415.421.0069
French American International School internationalsf.org • 415.558.2000
German International School of Silicon Valley gissv.org • 650.254.0748
Hillwood Academic Day School hillwoodschool.com • 415.931.0400
Holy Name School holynamesf.com • 415.731.4077
ICA Cristo Rey Academy icacademy.org • 415.824.2052
Jewish Community High School of the Bay jchsofthebay.org • 415.345.9777
Katherine Delmar Burke School kdbs.org • 415.751.0177
9-12 Boys Catholic 10:1 WASC, WCEA
K-8 Boys Independent/Episcopal 5:1 CAIS
Preschool-8 COED Independent
Pre-K 8:1; K 12:1; 1-8 15:1 NAIS, CAIS
Pre K-8 COED Mandarin/English Pre-K 9:1; K 10:1; 1-8 9:1 WASC, CAIS
K-12, Single-sex and COED Independent Catholic K-8 10:1; 9-12 7:1 CAIS, WASC, NAIS, WCEA, IBO
6-8 COED Christian/Independent/Cantonese/ Mandarin/English 25:1 WASC
Pre-K COED Christian/Independent/Cantonese/ Mandarin/English 24:1 WASC
Pre K-5 COED Christian/Independent/Cantonese/ Mandarin/English 25:1 WASC
4-8 COED Catholic/Independent 12:1 NCEA, WASC
9-12 COED Independent 8:1 CAIS, NAIS, WASC
TK-8 COED Catholic 14:1 WASC, WCEA
Pre K-12 COED French/English 10:1 CAIS, WASC, NAIS, CIS, IBO (HS)
K-8 COED Bilingual/Non-Secular K 10:1; 1-5 15:1 WASC
K-8 COED Nondenominational 7:1
Pre K-8 COED Catholic 18:1 NCEA, WCEA, WASC
9-12 Girls Catholic 20:1 WCEA, WASC
9-12 COED Independent 5:1 WASC, NAIS
K-8 Girls Independent 7:1 CAIS, NAIS
Kittredge School kittredge.org • 415.750.8390
Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan Armenian kzv.org • 415.586.8686
Lick-Wilmerding High School lwhs.org • 415.333.4021
Lisa Kampner Hebrew Academy hebrewacademy.com • 415.533.1830
Live Oak School liveoaksf.org • 415.861.8840
Lycée Francais de San Francisco lelycee.org • 415.661.5232
Maria Montessori School sfmontessori.com • 415.731.8188
Mercy High School mercyhs.org • 415.334.0525
Millennium School San Francisco millenniumschool.org • 415.992.8520
Mission Dolores Academy mdasf.org • 415.346.9500
Our Lady of the Visitacion School olvsf.org • 415.239.7840
Presidio Hill School presidiohill.org • 415.751.9318
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory shcp.edu • 415.775.6626
Saint Cecilia School stceciliaschool.org • 415.731.8400
Saints Peter and Paul Salesian School sspeterpaulsf.org • 415.421.5219
San Francisco Adventist School sfasonline.org • 415.585.5550
San Francisco Day School sfday.org • 415.568.3611
San Francisco Friends School sffriendschool.org • 415.565.0400
San Francisco Montessori Academy sfmontessoriacademy.com • 415.759.5710
San Francisco University High School sfuhs.org • 415.447.3100
San Francisco Waldorf Grade School sfwaldorf.org • 415.931.2750
San Francisco Waldorf High school sfwaldorf.org • 415.431.2736
School of the Epiphany sfepiphany.org • 415.337.4030
Spanish Infusion School. spanishinfusionschool.org • 415.865.0899
K-8 COED Independent 10:1 NIPSA
Pre K-8 COED Bilingual/Armenian 10:1 WASC
9-12 COED Nondenominational 15:1 CAIS, NAIS, WASC
K-12 COED Jewish 10:1 WASC
K-8 COED Independent 6:1 NAIS, CAIS
Pre K-5, 6-12 COED French
Pre-K-K 7:1; 1-5 9:1, 10:1 CAIS, WASC, AEFE, NAIS
Pre-K COED Montessori 22:1 AMI, IMS, NAMTA
9-12 Girls Catholic 20:1 WASC, NCEA
6-8 COED Independent 12:1 CAIS
K-8 COED Catholic/Independent 14:1 WASC, WCEA, NCEA
K-8 COED Catholic 13:1 WASC, NCEA
Pre K-8 COED Progressive 11:1 NAIS, CAIS
9-12 COED Catholic 13:1 WASC, NCEA, WCEA
K-8 COED Catholic 35:1 WASC, NCEA, WCEA
K-8 COED Catholic 25:1 WASC, WCEA, NCEA
K-8 COED Christian 10:1 ACSI, NADSDA
K-8 COED Independent 6:1 NAIS, CAIS
K-8 COED Independent/Quaker 10:1 FCE, CAIS, NAIS
Pre-K/Preschool COED Montessori 6:1 UMA, NAMTA
9-12 COED Nondenominational 7:1 WASC, NAIS, CAIS
Pre K-8 COED Waldorf 5:1 AWSNA, WASC, NAIS, POCIS
9-12 COED Waldorf 5:1 AWSNA, WASC, NAIS, POCIS
TK-8 COED Catholic 18:1 NCEA, WCEA, WASC
TK-8 COED Bilingual Spanish/English 9:1 NAIS, ERB, AISAP
St. Anne School stanne.com • 415.664.7977
St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception saicsf.org • 415.648.2008
St. Brendan Parish School stbrendansf.com • 415.731.2665
St. Brigid School saintbrigidsf.org • 415.673.4523
The Hamlin School hamlin.org • 415.922.0300
The San Francisco School sfschool.org • 415.239.5065
Town School for Boys townschool.com • 415.921.3747
Urban School of San Francisco urbanschool.org • 415.626.2919
West Portal Lutheran School wplsf.com • 415.665.6330
Woodside International School wissf.org • 415.564.1063
Pre K-8 COED Catholic 18:1 WASC, WCEA, NCEA
K-8 COED Catholic 16:1 NCEA, WASC, WCEA
K-8 COED Catholic 23:1 WASC, WCEA, NCEA
K-8 COED Catholic 25:1 WASC, WCEA
K-8 Girls Non-sectarian 8:1 CAIS, WASC, NAIS, NCGS
Pre K-8 COED Independent 6:1 CAIS, NAIS
K-8 Boys Independent 11:1 NAIS, CAIS, ERB
9-12 COED Independent 9:1 WASC, NAIS, CAIS
K-8 COED Christian 18:1 NLSA, WASC
9-12 COED Independent 5:1 WASC
AAA | Adventist Accrediting Assoc.
AACS | American Assoc. of Christian Schools
ACCS | Assoc. of Classical Christian Schools
ACSI | Assoc. of Christian Schools International
AEFE | Agency for French Education Abroad (Agence pour l’enseignement français à l’étranger)
AISAP | Assoc. of Independent School Admission Professionals
AMI | Assoc. Montessori Internationale
AMS | American Montessori Society
AWSNA | Assoc. of Waldorf Schools of North America
BADA | Bay Area Directors of Admission
CAIS | California Assoc. of Independent Schools
CIS | Council of International Schools
CITA | Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation
ELEA | Evangelical Lutheran Education Assoc.
ERB | Educational Records Bureau
FCE | Friends Council on Education
GCSDAC | General Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church
GSACS | Golden State Assoc. of Christian Schools
IBO | International Baccalaureate Diploma
JSEA | Jesuit Secondary Education Assoc.
JSN | Jesuit Schools Network
NADSDA | North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist
NAIS | National Assoc. of Independent Schools
NAPCIS | National Assoc. of Private Catholic and Independent Schools
NCEA | National Catholic Educational Assoc.
NCGS | National Coalition of Girls Schools
NCSA | National Christian School Assoc.
NIPSA | National Independent Private Schools Assoc.
NLSA | National Lutheran School Accreditation
NAMTA | North American Montessori Teachers Assoc.
SACS CASI | Southern Assoc. of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement
TABS | The Assoc. of Boarding Schools
WASC | Western Assoc. of Schools and Colleges
WCEA | Western Catholic Educational Assoc.
BY JEANNE COOPER
Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort, now offers overnight stays as well as wellness.
Given the 14-day quarantine required for visitors, a trip to Hawaii is no longer an easy hop across the pond. Pandemic-inspired procedures were enacted to tempt travelers, but many in the islands are wary. The economic toll has been steep: The Hawaii Restaurant Association predicts one in four currently closed restaurants will never reopen. Still, for those dreaming of a Hawaii trip "some day," here's the latest news.
instantly popular with diners — mostly locals , g iven that Hawaii's 14-day travel quarantine is unlikely to be lifted soon. Dishes such as charred tako in a kochujang glaze with local crispy potatoes and kim chee gastrique draw on Toride's Korean roots and the requests of Wailea regulars for "more Chinese or ethnic-inspired food," she explains, "and I add a lot of little Hawaiian touches, like a lilikoi mousse or pineapple glaze, and a lot of local agriculture and produce to make it shine."
Other attractions, lodgings and restaurants in the islands are also focusing on renewal during this pandemic period — including some virtual programs to enjoy while waiting for travel to resume.
When Hawaii went on lockdown in mid-March, Maui chef MiJin Kang Toride used her time wisely. Just a few weeks before, Top Chef fan favorite Sheldon Simeon had tapped Toride to take the helm at Lineage , his 15-month-old hot spot in Wailea Closing it for nearly four months proved less of a disappointment, though, and "more of a time for me to reflect on a different concept and route," says Toride, whose résumé includes Ka'ana Kitchen at the Andaz Maui and Terra in St. Helena lineagemaui.com
The result of her reflections debuted in late July: a unique Korean- and Chinese-inspired menu,
Do: The tasting room of Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate Estate above Lahaina had only been open for two days before the March shutdown. Now the retail side of the solar-powered factory, which offers views of its 20-acre cacao orchard, has reopened for guided tastings of its artisan wares. You can also order chocolates online and email aloha@mauichocolate.com to arrange a tasting via Zoom. mauichocolate.com
Stay: Closed for now, Ka'anapali Beach Hotel is undergoing a $75 million renovation that will include two refurbished wings of premium rooms that showcase staff-made Hawaiian arts and crafts. They're
slated to open in December, along with Huihui, a new oceanfront restaurant and sailing academy for guests and local students. kbhmaui.com
Do: Being closed for 11 weeks brought a new bloom to Waimea Valley's 150 acres of gardens, cultural sites and 45-foot waterfall. Reopened with distancing and mask protocols, the nonprofit site offers an hour-long guided history tour four days a week — plus gorgeous images and videos on social media. waimeavalley.net
Dine: Rather than reconfigure indoor dining, Merriman's Honolulu created a lively Street Burger and Beer Garden on its front steps in Ward Village, now open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The fast-casual menu includes Kobe beef hot dogs, house ground cheeseburgers and Mexican-style corn on the cob. merrimanshawaii.com
Dine: Like everything else at the spectacularly redesigned Mauna Lani, an Auberge Resort, the CanoeHouse only had a couple months to impress before the shutdown . T he resort's premier dining spot, which now serves an ambitious Japaneseinspired, Hawaii-sourced menu, reopened in July with social distancing, plus fundraising concerts for the
Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate grow cacao on 20 acres above Lahaina.
For more on travel visit marinmagazine.com /travel
local arts presenter, Kahilu Theatre. aubergeresorts. com/maunalani
Stay: Backed by the lush green hills of upcountry Waimea, the renovated Kamuela Inn recently debuted two new executive suites, 825 and 1,010 square feet each (from $339), with kitchen and dining/living rooms. The stylish decor pays tribute to the area's paniolo (cowboy) heritage. thekamuelainn.com
Do: If you can't take Hanalei Taro & Juice Co.'s weekly farm tour — the only legal access to the private fields and wildlife preserve — or visit its food truck in Hanalei and Puhi, at least now you can order its delicious taro mochi cake, taro burgers or even poi online. The website also offers free virtual wallpaper downloads to inspire a future visit. hanaleitaro.com
Stay: The 75 one- to four-bedroom suites of the solar-powered Cliffs at Princeville may make social distancing on vacation easier, but the 22-acre resort is also emphasizing sustainability these days. New
plantings, biodegradable fertilizers and restrictions on herbicides help protect its endemic vegetation, highlighted on botanical walks. cliffsatprinceville.com
Do: Lanai Cat Sanctuary, home to more than 650 felines in an innovative open-air compound, took a financial hit when it had to close for several months, since nearly all of its programs were funded by visitor donations. Its furry denizens are greeting guests again with virtual adoptions and online shopping of logo gear are available — including yoga pants,
for the next time the sanctuary streams one of its popular yoga classes with downward-facing cats. lanaicatsanctuary.org
Stay: Larry Ellison's sumptuous and serene Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort, has shed its rarefied allinclusive rates for customized "Guided Experiences," starting at $1,130 per night for one (ages 16 and older) and including private air from Honolulu and an array of wellness, fitness, spa and salon options. Room-only stays are also now available, beginning at $650 a night. fourseasons.com/sensei
Mauna Lani's updated CanoeHouse, above, has all open-air seating. Eco-friendly measures enhance the Cliffs at Princeville grounds, far left, while an online store supports the 650-plus felines of Lanai Cat Sanctuary, left. Below: Kamuela Inn's new suites honor Hawaii's cowboy heritage.
With these apps and sites, you can still see — and taste — the world.
BY KASIA PAWLOWSKA
As the days pass and Covid numbers continue to break records across the country, visions of our deferred vacations are becoming more and more obscured. Do white sand beaches really exist? Are sleeper trains real? How does a passport work? Strange times indeed. Of course most people have done what they can to keep things fresh and exciting, but there are only so many neighborhood walks to take and pretty plants to photograph for your Instagram Stories. Eventually, a wistful sense of wanderlust will surface — sorry. But if you’re looking to safely quell your craving for foreign places and far away foods, check out these sites.
At one point, it’s safe to say all of us have dreamed of going into space. The feeling of weightlessness, the chance to see Earthrise — say no more. If you’re looking for high definition views of Earth from the space station, want to see what the Mars rover is up to, or see a feed from the International Space Station (ISS), it’s all online for your eyeballs to relish. The live video from the International Space Station includes internal views when the crew is on-duty, Earth views at other times, and it’s accompanied by audio of conversations between the crew and Mission Control.
There’s a reason bird watching has taken off during shelter-in-place — we’re stuck indoors and staring out the window more than ever. Getting to know local avians and your neighbors’ weird routines is fun, but like most things, the repetition grows stale. If you’re seeking some new scenery, check out Window Swap. The site lets you look through someone else's window somewhere in the world for 10 minutes. A click transports will transport you to a bucolic scene in the Swiss Alps straight out of Heidi, or to a sea of urban high-rises in Singapore, or to a construction lot in Algiers. Do you have an enviable view you’d like to share with the world? Submit it! Send a 10-minute, horizontal HD video of your window and frame, with your first name and location for credits to qunaliaa@ gmail.com. Alternatively, you can upload your video to vimeo.com and send the link.
Climb the highest mountains, delve into the deepest canyons, lurk your high school boyfriend’s home all without getting out of bed thanks to Google Earth. Dubbed “the world’s most detailed globe,” with Google Earth, you can explore worldwide satellite imagery, 3D buildings and terrain for hundreds
of cities. Reminiscing about your first apartment? Zoom in on it — or anywhere — and then dive in for a 360° perspective with Street View. You can add placemarks to maps, collaborate with others, and share your story, or future vacation goals, like a presentation. Functional on phone, desktop, or on your Chrome browser, there are also many guided tours led by some of the world's leading storytellers, scientists, and nonprofits.
Among the best, if not the best, parts of traveling involve trying new food. Whether it’s a regional potato chip, a heralded neighborhood classic, or an intimidatingly named dish from an up-and-coming restaurant on the other side of the country — some people, they take in cities through their stomachs. While traveling within the United States is still permissible for most, many have reservations about flying, hotels, multiple stops and myriad other valid and invalid things. Californians, however, can’t casually pop into New York like before, but can still have a taste of the famous lox platter from Russ & Daughters. How? Enter Goldbelly. Goldbelly’s staff curates items from beloved local restaurants around the United States and ships to all 50 states. So regardless of where you are, if you’re craving a French Dip from Philippe’s in LA, or Heggies Pizza from Minnesota, with Goldbelly, you can have it all.
From early on, St. Helena was the commercial hub of central Napa Valley. John York, who lived on what is now Dean York Lane, and David Hudson, whose house is still located at Beringer Winery, were among the first white residents. Prior to this, the area was inhabited by a Yukian-speaking group named the Wappo. In 1868 the railroad reached the town and it became an important shipping center for fruit, grain and mining products. Around the same time, people began to plant vineyards and the wine industry started to grow. In 1876, St. Helena was incorporated as a town — visit the historic downtown today for a glimpse into the past.
Amidst towering redwood trees in the heart of town is the enchanted Harvest Inn. Tudor-style buildings dot the 8-acre resort which features 81 rooms, a family and an adult pool — both with hot tubs — as well as in-room wine and an onsite restaurant, Harvest Table. Helmed by Executive Chef Vincent Sanchez, the restaurant serves high-end California fare using local ingredients. Prior to his post here, Sanchez worked in esteemed local establishments including
Ad Hoc in Yountville and The Girl and the Fig in Sonoma. With individual HVAC units in every room, sprawling cabernet vineyards to stroll, as well as contactless check-in and check-out, the Harvest Inn is a socially-distant dream getaway. harvestinn.com
Enjoy elevated, American farmhouse cuisine made in a farmer nursery barn at Farmstead — Long Meadow Ranch’s restaurant. Long Meadow Ranch is a family-owned business that produces grass-fed beef and lamb, extra virgin olive oil and estate-grown grapes and wine among other items in the Mayacamas Mountains. The restaurant — which has been reset to provide a safe eating space — showcases this bounty on its refined, yet approachable menu that includes home-smoked ribs, warm burrata and a selection of well-balanced cocktails. Tequila fans, check out the Porch Swing — Tanteo jalapeno tequila, watermelon, combier, lime, agave, basil, and a chili salt rim. longmeadowranch.com
In the southern part of St. Helena, off Highway 29, is the Clif Family Tasting Room. Named Velo Vino, which in Italian means “Bicycle Wine,” a variety of tasting options are offered here that take place on a recently rearranged and spaced patio. All of the Clif Family wines are made at a nearby custom crush facility with grapes that have been sourced from vineyards that are generally farmed organically. A perfect spot for those looking for a quality experience without splurging, the Clif Family wines are among the most affordable priced wines in town. Oh and the bike theme? It’s no accident — the founders co-own Clif Bar. cliffamily.com KP
If you’re worried about flying because of Covid19 you’re not alone. According to recent polls, up to 64 percent of people don’t feel safe flying and 33 percent say they won’t fly until there is a vaccine. But air travel may not be as bad as people think. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology study shows that passengers have 1 in 4,300 chance of catching the corona virus on a full, two-hour flight. If the middle seat is open chances drop to 1 in 7,700. More so, depending on your age and other risk factors, the chances of dying from Covid-19 contracted on a flight are between 1 in 400,000 and 1 in 600,000. KP
FamilyCare Allergy & Asthma is your trusted partner in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies and asthma, with three convenient locations in the region. Our practice has been serving the community since 1979 and we are excited to open a new office in San Rafael, staffed by our three allergists. We treat patients of all ages and our goal is to provide every patient with high-quality, personalized care so that those suffering can find relief and get back to the things they love. Nuestras doctoras hablan español.
New office in San Rafael!
To schedule an appointment, call 415.847.4022. FamilyCareAllergy.com
San Rafael • Petaluma • Santa Rosa
Christine Royer, M.D. Board-Certified Allergist
Julie Caraballo, M.D. Board-Certified Allergist
Maria Petrick, M.D. Board-Certified Allergist
Liz and Dez Fiedler were done with food when they sold their chain of frozen yogurt swirl shops, Loving Cup, in 2018. Dez’s heart, however, pined for beer. The duo, who live within easy walking distance of their new beer garden, The Junction, in Mill Valley’s Tam Valley neighbor hood, started this beer-focused business using micro-local connections. “We walked up to the business next door,” Liz said. The space, formerly Marin Auto Science, would soon be available. “Dave was retiring and Jack and Judy Martin [who own the adjacent business and parking lot] pulled together the parcels for us.” Contractors were secured and the build-out began. Knowing they wanted a food component, the Fiedlers connected to Jeff rupman, of San Francisco’s PizzaHacker, on a referral from their plumber, Pete. Turns out Krupman was in the process of moving to Sausalito. Kismet. Opened during Covid-19 times, the indoor space currently acts as a placeholder for future enjoyment of indoor pies and beer — a separate room will host live music or private parties — while all the action is currently in the enormous, bi-level backyard. Enter via the parking lot (it’s shared with The Dipsea Café), then place your order digitally via scanning a QR code taped to your table. Margarita pizza is a classic and allows immediate interpretation of Krupman’s pizza style, which he describes as Mid-Atlantic. “It’s somewhere between New York and Naples,” he says. At 14 inches, it is big enough to share or pair with an Intermezzo Salad, chock-a-block with Mariquita Farm’s rainbow carrots and organic cucumbers. (Gluten-free pies are in the works.) With 30 taps and a robust can program, the Junction pours familiar beers, like the Woodfour New Ridge Lager, and experimental bottlings, like Barbottle Brewing’s Tangberry Typhoon. Grab you r fleece to sip one by a fi re pit after dark when the fog breeze picks up — out door heaters, soon to be installed, await Pete’s deft hand. CHRISTINA MUELLER
WHO Liz and Dez Fiedler run The Junction beer garden; pizza and salads from Jeff Krupman’s PizzaHacker. WHAT An expansive beer garden serves unique brews, pizza and salads in Mill Valley. WHERE 226 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley, thejunc.com; thepizzahacker.com
AN GUIDE FOOD IN THE BAY AREA EDITED BY MIMI TOWLE
Summer Fave pizza
Benissimo Italian COVID-19 UPDATE: Takeout and to go menu available daily 4-10 p.m. “Benissimo” means “really, really good” in Italian. Aside from the daily 4 to 6:30 p.m. happy hour, the menu offers a large selection of pizza, pasta and large plates, like cioppino, fresh fishes of the day, T-bone steaks and the signature Benissimo Burger or portobello burger. 18 Tamalpais Drive, 415.927.2316
Burmatown Asian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for takeout, Tuesday–Saturday, 3-8 p.m. or delivery 3–7 p.m. The small home-style Asian fusion restaurant offers fresh, light meals like tea leaf salad and basil shrimp stir-fry, as well as curries, coconut rice and chili-garlic green beans. Extra heat optional. Prepare for a short wait if dining in, or order for takeout. 60 Corte Madera Ave, 415.945.9096
Cafe Verde Californian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for takeout and delivery daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. This revamped cafe offers wraps, paninis, salads, tea and more nearly all day long. Enjoy any of these items inside or out on the patio
and be sure to inquire about the German and Belgian beer samplers. 502 Tamalpais Drive, 415.927.1060
Il Fornaio Italian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for outdoor dining and takeout daily, 5-9 p.m. Delivery available daily, 4-9 p.m. Aside from pizzas and pastas, this upscale-Italian fran chise serves a variety of salads and carb-free entrées. 223 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.4400
La Maison De La Reine Vietnamese COVID19 UPDATE: Open for takeout daily, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Dine on family-style Vietnamese fare in the Town Center. The crunchy cabbage chicken salad with peanuts, fresh spring rolls and pho options are popular picks. 346 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.0288
Marin Joe's Italian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for takeout daily, 4–8 p.m. Delivery via Dine-In Marin. A Marin mainstay for over 50 years, with a menu of soups, salads, seafood, mesquite-grilled or sautéed meats and a plethora of pasta options. 1585 Casa Buena Drive, 415.924.2081
Pig In A Pickle American COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining, takeout, and curbside service daily, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Delivery via Dine-In Marin (415.927-9007). Fresh and locally sourced brisket, pork, ribs, and chicken get star billing at this Town Center eatery. Sauces are crafted to represent various American bar becue regions, including Memphis and South Carolina. House-made pickles, buns, and sausages will keep you coming back. 341 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.891.3265
Veggie Grill Vegan/ Vegetarian COVID-19 UPDATE: Takeout daily, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Delivery via DoorDash. Veggie Grill is a fast-casual restaurant chain that celebrates the veggie by offering a variety of hot sandwiches and burgers, entree salads, bowls, home-style plates, shareable sides, organic teas and housemade desserts prepared only with vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts. 147 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.945.8954
World Wrapps Californian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for takeout daily, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Delivery via GrubHub. Owners Keith Cox and Matt Blair have
revamped this “fast food” joint to feature healthy and flavorful items like a Hawaiian poke wrap and a tahini tofu summer roll that’s vegan-friendly. Exotic housemade beverages include boba tea, mango lassi, and Vietnamese iced coffee. 208 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.3663
Fradelizio's Italian COVID-19 UPDATE: Takeout and contactless curbside available Wednesday–Monday, 3-8 p.m. Fradelizio’s blends Northern Italian with California-inspired healthy fare, featuring natural beef and freerange chicken dishes. 35 Broadway Blvd, 415.459.1618
Iron Springs Pub & Brewery American COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for takeout, Thursday, 4-9 p.m, Friday–Sunday, 12-9 p.m, Monday, 4-9 p.m. Pair your pick from the extensive beer list with an ale-braised barbecue pork sandwich, shrimp tacos or the houseground-chicken bacon cheeseburger. 765 Center Blvd, 415.485.1005
The Lodge American COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining and takeout, Tuesday–Sunday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Delivery via Uber Eats and DoorDash. Beer, cider and wine to go in Growlers and Cans. The Lodge features all-American eats like a breakfast burrito stuffed with eggs, spinach and salsa; share plates like a sausage board served with Lodge tots and slaw; and pour-over coffee and draft beer for riders and hikers alike. 1573 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.456.8084
Sorella Caffe Italian COVID-19 UPDATE: Takeout available, Tuesday–Sunday, 4:30-8 p.m. Run by sisters Sonia and Soyara, Sorella serves fresh Italian with a northern influence. Customer favorites include the cioppino, butternut squash ravioli, and Pollo alla Sorella. Another highlight is the giant wheel of Grana Padano cheese. 107 Bolinas Rd, 415.258.4520
Way Station American COVID-19 UPDATE: Outdoor dining, takeout and delivery available, Tuesday–Friday, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 12-9 p.m. Delivery in Fairfax and San Anselmo residents via TOWN FLYR program; or GrubHub, DoorDash, Uber Eats. The ‘cue gets all the love but salads, flatbread pizzas, and a wide selection of tapped and bottled beers plus wines round out the
menu. Kid-friendly and dog-friendly with outdoor seating. 2001 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.300.3099
Farmshop American COVID-19 UPDATE: Patio dining daily, 5:30-9 p.m. Takeout and curbside pickup available daily, 4-9 p.m. Located in the Marin Country Mart since 2013, Farmshop Marin has quickly become a top spot here in the county and earns raves for its avocado hummus. Indoor and outdoor seating available. 2233 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.755.6700
Hog Island Oyster Co. Seafood COVID-19
UPDATE: Open for patio dining and takeout Wednesday–Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Delivery available with DoorDash and Caviar. The full-service Marin Country Mart location features a full bar with seasonal cocktails, beer and wine and the same bay-to-bar philosophy as the Tomales Bay original. Oysters, raw and grilled are a must, then check the day’s menu to see what was most recently pulled from Marin’s waters before decid ing what to eat. 2401 Larkspur Landing Circle, 628.253.5905
Marin Brewing Co American COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining, takeout beer and food, Sunday–Thursday, 12-7 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 12-9 p.m. Grab a cold beer made on-site and pair it with fish ’n’ chips — in this case, fresh cod dipped in Mt. Tam pale ale batter, served with steak fries and home made tartar sauce — or anything from the allAmerican menu. 1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.4677
Perry's American COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining (reservations strongly recommend, please call to reserve) and takeout, Monday–Thursday, 3-9 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, Bruch 12-3 p.m.; Dinner, 3-9 p.m. Delivery via Caviar. Perry's on Magnolia has the quintessentially American fare, bustling bar and warm personality the San Francisco original has always been famous for. Along with three separate dining rooms in a historic building, there’s outdoor dining on the patio and in the redwood grove. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch on weekends and holidays; valet parking in the evenings. 234 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.1877
Posie American COVID19 UPDATE: Open for takeout only, ThursdaySunday, 1-9 p.m. This hip artisan ice cream shop opened by Kyle Caporicci, former pastry chef of Michelin-starred Commis, is making a name for itself with seasonal flavors, home made gluten-free cones, and vegan ice cream. For lunch, you’ll find meticulously prepared open-faced tartines and Instagram-ready
pastries. Menu changes weekly. 250B Magnolia Ave, 415.891.8395
Rustic Bakery
Californian COVID-19
UPDATE: Open daily, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. for counter orders to-go or curbside delivery via phone or ChowNow. Delivery via Caviar and DoorDash. Catering via ezCater. The homegrown bakery is known and loved the world over: Pope Francis famously requested Rustic Bakery flatbread and crostini when he visited the U.S. in 2015. Organic bread, crois sants and pastries baked fresh each morning and salads, sandwiches, and soups for lunch make Rustic a local staple.
2017 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.9900
Buckeye Roadhouse American COVID-19
UPDATE: Open for patio dining, takeout, and contactless curbside, Monday–Thursday, 4-8 p.m; Friday–Sunday, 12-8 p.m. Delivery via Dine-In Marin. Coffee Cart open Monday–Friday 6-10 a.m. Oysters Bingo, baby back ribs, and chili-lime “brick” chicken are a few of the satisfying comfort-food menu items that have made this classic roadhouse a favorite since the ’30s.
15 Shoreline Highway, 415.331.2600
Bungalow 44 American COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for outdoor dining, takeout and curbside pick-up daily, 5-8 p.m. Reservations recom mended. One of Mill Valley’s neighborhood hot spots, featuring contemporary California comfort food, signature cocktails, fine wine, and one-dollar oysters from 5 to 6 p.m. every
day. 44 E Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500
Californian COVID-19
UPDATE: Takeout avail able, Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m; Sunday, 10 a.m-7 p.m. Healthy options become addictive at this eatery that now has locations in both Tam Valley and San Rafael. Once you stop in for the deliciously fresh quinoa wrap, you’ll want to return to try the chipotle rice bowl. A casual lunch spot and great for takeout, Cafe del Soul also serves smoothies and pressed juices. 247 Shoreline Highway, 415.388.1852
American COVID-19
UPDATE: Open for patio dining, takeout, and curbside pickup daily, 12-8 p.m. Delivery via Uber Eats, Postmates and DoorDash. Updated with ingredients to reflect modern tastes, American classics like grilled chicken Waldorf salad with pickled grapes, lobster roll with toasted challah and veggie slaw, and a land and sea pasta with housemade egg pasta, pork belly and crab. 38 Miller Ave, 415.888.2108
Mexican COVID-19
UPDATE: Open for takeout, Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Cup of Joe's coffee cart, MondaySaturday, 7 a.m.-12. Joe’s serves up fish tacos, burritos and enchiladas as well as more unusual items like Mexican pizza, tofu tostada, and crab tostadas. A color ful interior and quick service make this a fun, easy stop. 3 82 Miller Ave, 415.383.8164
Piatti Ristorante and Bar Italian COVID-19
UPDATE: Open for takeout daily, 12-8 p.m. Delivery via DoorDash and Caviar. The staff prides itself on capturing the warm and welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria. Peruse the impressive selec tion of Italian wines to accompany your rustic seasonal meal. 625 Redwood Highway, 415.380.2525
Piazza D’Angelo Italian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining (walk-in only) and takeout (including items from their new Alimentari) daily, 4-8 p.m. Delivery via DoorDash, Dine-In Marin and Uber Eats. Piazza D’Angelo evokes a traditional trattoria dining experience. Enjoy a variety of house-made pastas, meat and seafood dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and gluten-free offerings with organic and locally sourced ingredients. 22 Miller Ave, 415.388.2000
Prabh Indian Kitchen Indian COVID-19
UPDATE: Open for patio dining and takeout, Monday–Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.9:30 p.m. Delivery via Uber Eats, DoorDash, Caviar, Grubhub. This restaurant empha sizes healthy, organic, sustainable eating in choices like chicken pakora, vegetable biry ani, and basil garlic naan foods, with options for the vegan and glutenfree. At lunch, the thali menu lets you try several Indian dishes at once. 24 Sunnyside Ave, 415.384.8241
Sol Food Puerto Rican COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for takeout daily, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Delivery via Caviar. 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
Vasco Italian COVID19 UPDATE: Open for takeout daily, 5-8 p.m. Whether at a table, the bar or the back counter, you can expect an intimate dining experi ence in this one-room trattoria. Try one of the pasta dishes or thincrust wood-fired pizzas. 106 Throckmorton Ave, 415.381-3343
Watershed Californian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining and takeout daily, 12–8 p.m. The Stemple Creek Ranch burger and fresh pastas are matched with a bevy of simply prepared, easy to share dishes (like spicy rock cod lettuce cups or lamb riblets) that reflect chef Kyle Swain’s careful sourcing and focus on local flavor. 129 Miller Ave, 415.888.2406
Boca Pizzeria Italian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for outdoor din ing and takeout, daily 12-9 p.m. Delivery via DoorDash. Enjoy authentic pizza prepared with fresh mozzarella made in house and tomatoes imported from Italy, or go for a grilled
rosemary chicken sand wich or the braised beef short rib pappardelle. Weekly specials include half off all wines by the bottle on Wednesdays and half off draft beers on Thursdays. 454 Ignacio Blvd, Novato, 415.883.2302
Chianti Cucina Italian COVID-19 UPDATE: Takeout available, Sunday–Thursday, 4:30-7:30 p.m. and Friday–Saturday, 4:30-8 p.m. Order via phone or Drive-Thru app. This cozy eatery offers an array of Italian and American dishes, including a long list of pastas; try the housemade ravioli cooked up by chef Edgar DeLon. 7416 Redwood Highway, Novato, 415.878.0314
Finnegan's American COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining, takeout, and contactless curbside, Wednesday–Sunday, 11:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Please call to order. Delivery via DoorDash. The dark wood paneled booths and high backs on bar stools mean it is easy to linger over Irish-inspired meals like corned beef and cabbage or nachos made with waffle fries instead of corn chips. 877 Grant Ave, Novato, 415.899.1516
Hopmonk Tavern American COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining, takeout and delivery, Sunday–Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m.10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The beer garden-style outdoor patio and live music keep
fans coming back to this Novato brewhouse. 224 Vintage Way, Novato, 415.892.6200
Baan Thai Cuisine Thai COVID-19 updates: Open for take out and curbside pickup, Tuesday–Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Sunday 12:30-9 p.m. Please call to order. Known for its mango sticky rice, this restaurant is committed to serving fresh, local and seasonal food. Warm up with the tom kha soup or stave off the heat with a lychee iced tea. 726 San Anselmo Ave, 415.457.9470
Cucina sa Italian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining and take out daily, 4-8
p.m. Delivery 4:30-8 p.m. Homemade pastas, seasonal salads, and wood-fired pizzas strike a balance between southern Italy and northern California at Cucina. Proprietor Donna Seymour recently revamped the cozy space on San Anselmo Ave, adding a 30 seat bar and outdoor seating on the bridge. Plans are in the works for the upstairs mezzanine to become a lounge. 510 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.2942
Insalata’s Mediterranean COVID19 UPDATE: Take out available daily, 11 a.m.6:30 p.m. (order by 4 p.m.). Award-winning chef Heidi Krahling’s restaurant features delicious, soulful Mediterranean fare, as
well as food-to-go at a counter inside. 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.457.7700
M.H. Bread and Butter Californian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining and take out, Thursday–Monday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. A one-stop shop for everything from coffee and pastries to artisan bread, with a seasonal brunch menu. High-quality ingredi ents and a comfortable atmosphere make MH worth checking out. 101 San Anselmo Ave, 415.755.4575
Tony Tutto's Pizza COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining and take out, Wednesday–Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. After nine years
in Mill Valley, owner Greg DiGiovine relocated to Ross, bringing his familiar pies and kid- and dog-friendly vibe to downtown.
The vegan pies are still here and a gluten-free crust is now available. 16 Ross Common, Ross, 415.383.8646
Valenti & Co. Italian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for courtyard dining, take out and curbside pickup, Tuesday—Sunday, from 5 p.m.; pickup 5-7 p.m. 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
Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria Californian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for delivery, pickup, and contactless curbside daily, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. A wide array of thin-crust pizzas, freshly made pastas, and salads are the ticket here, along with flameroasted lemon chicken wings, for dine-in, takeout, and delivery. Gluten-free pizza crust is available. 1242 Fourth St, 415.455.9777
Boiadeirus Steak Brazilian COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for takeout daily, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and delivery through DoorDash or Uber Eats. The picanha is the signature cut at this Brazilian-style
steakhouse where gau chos carrying grilled meats on long swords cruise the room, offering portions of up to 10 meats. A huge salad bar offers everything from feijoada and potato salad to yucca and deviled eggs. 925 Fourth St, 628.253.5854
Caribbean Spices Caribbean COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for takeout, TuesdaySunday, 4-10 p.m. Jerk chicken with just the right amount of heat is a menu highlight at this brick-and-mortar San Rafael extension of chefowner Frantz Felix’s food truck of the same name. Go for the Caribbean sangria and Haitian specialties like griot or goat curry and African American–inspired ver sions of creole snapper
and seafood gumbo. 819 Fourth St, 415.299.2680
Flatiron American COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for takeout, Thursday–Saturday, 4-8 p.m. Please call to order. Delivery via Grub Hub. The remodeled Flatiron is where refined American bar food lives happily in its ideal environment — with a bevy of craft beers. This polished sports bar serves noshes like chili lime cauliflower, classic sand wiches, and truffle and waffle fries in a space that also features classic arcade games. 724 B St, 415.453.4318
Il Davide Italian COVID19 UPDATE: Open for curbside pick-up and delivery, Tuesday–Saturday, 3-7:30 p.m. 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. 901 A St, 415.454.8080
LaVier Cusine Mexican COVID-19 UPDATE: Open daily, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Please call for curbside pickup. Free-range meat and fresh seafood are the focus at this all-organic Latin fusion eatery run by Gabriela and her husband Guillermo, who hails from Yucatán. Try the popular puffy fish tacos with slaw and black beans. Brunch is served on weekends until 2 p.m. 1025 C St, 415.295.7990
Le Chalet Basque French COVID-19
UPDATE: Open for patio dining, takeout, and delivery, Wednesday–Sunday, 4-8:30 p.m. Order by phone, through Dine-In Marin, or with DoorDash. This familystyle place features dishes inspired by the Basque regions of France and Spain, like frog legs in a garlic butter and lemon sauce, a veal calf liver sauté and sweetbreads with port wine sauce and mushrooms. 405 North San Pedro Road, 415.479.1070
RangeCafe American COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining (reservations recom mended), takeout and delivery daily, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Call or order online. The cuisine is local, seasonal, made
with naturally raised ingredients and served in a casual, comfortable and refined setting, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grand Peacock Gap lawns. 333 Biscayne Drive, 415.454.6450
Sol Food Puerto Rican COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for takeout daily, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Fast becoming a Marin legend, Sol Food whips up traditional Puerto Rican dishes just like the ones owner Sol Hernandez grew up eating. Favorites include the bistec sand wich, mofongo and other fried plantain dishes, 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
Fish Seafood COVID-19 UPDATE: Outdoor din ing daily, 11:30 a.m.–8 p.m. for groups of 6 or less. Fish market is open; to-go orders via phone or website, delivery via Caviar. The ultimate place for freshly caught fare. Order the fish tacos, ceviche and a bottle of wine and take in the bay views on the open-air deck. Though cash is still king, credit cards are now accepted (woot!). 350 Harbor Drive, 415.331.3474
California and Mexican cuisine. 2009 Bridgeway, 415.332.1512
Open Mon–Sat 10–5 EncoreConsignment.com 11 Mary Street, San Rafael 415.456.7309
Now Accepting Fall Consignments
Whipper Snapper Restaurant Caribbean COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for takeout or contactless curbside, Tuesday–Sunday, 4:30-8 p.m. Owner/chef Bill Higgins serves tapas, sangria and reason ably priced organic dishes. The CaliforniaCaribbean lunch and dinner cuisine blends local farm-fresh ingredi ents with Latin flavors. Be sure to try the popular fish tacos, Cuban “cigars” and chocolate bread pudding. 1613 Fourth St, 415.256.1818
Angelino Restaurant Italian COVID-19
UPDATE: Patio dining and takeout available Tuesday–Sunday, 5-9 p.m, orders taken via phone. Angelino Pastry
Bar (with classic croissants and focaccia and a raspberry-polenta Pop Tart), is open for pick-up at 8 a.m, Tuesday–Sunday. Authentic Italian eatery with handmade pastas and seasonal antipasti, showcasing cuisine of the Campania region for more than 20 years. 621 Bridgeway, 415.331.5225
Avatar’s Indian COVID19 UPDATE: Open for patio, takeout and delivery, Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m. If you’re on the hunt for innovative Indian fare, head to Avatar’s. Sip masala chai sweetened with brown sugar in this casual one-room restaurant, ideal for a quick lunch or dinner. 2656 Bridgeway, 415.332.8083
Kitti’s Place Thai COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for takeout, Monday—Friday, 12-6 p.m. This home-style 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
Poggio Italian COVID19 UPDATE: Open for patio dining, reserva tions recommended, Monday–Thursday, 6:30-11 a.m. and 4-8 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, 6:30-11:30 a.m. and 2-8 p.m. Call for takeout or curbside pick up. Delivery via GrubHub. Executive chef Benjamin Balesteri creates Northern Italian fare using fresh and local ingredients. 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771
Saylor’s Restaurant and Bar Mexican COVID-19 UPDATE: Agave Terrace open for al fresco dining, Monday–Saturday, 4-8 p.m. Takeout available with same hours or delivery through Dine-In Marin, DoorDash, and Uber Eats. Chef/owner Sean Saylor uses fresh local ingredients and seafood to create a distinctively Cabo combination of
Milano Italian COVID19 UPDATE: Takeout available daily, 11:45 a.m.-11 p.m. Located in the Cove Shopping Center, this familyowned neighborhood spot is known for its pasta and friendly ser vice. Favorites, like the cheesy garlic bread and pesto, keep customers coming back. 1 Blackfield Drive, 415.388.9100
Sam’s Anchor Cafe American COVID-19 UPDATE: Open for dining on the deck, takeout and delivery.S am's boathouse feel and boat tie-ups are intact and spiffy white umbrellas and deck chairs line the waterfront patio. Allday cocktails remain a fixture as does the signature cioppino, while offerings like crab toast and a raw bar reflect the menu's enduring sea food focus. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527
Waypoint Pizza Pizza COVID-19
UPDATE: Takeout and delivery available, Sunday–Thursday, 12-8:30 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 12-9 p.m. Family-friendly, with cooked-to-order gour met pies, slices, fresh salads and, for sports fans, a large-screen TV. Order online for quick pickup or delivery. 15 Main St, 415.435.3440
For more comprehensive restaurant listings, visit us online at marinmagazine.com/ food-drink
SEPT 7 The Heart of San Francisco Join Antenna Theater on Labor Day with your quarantine crew from a safe distance for the Heart of San Francisco Celebration. At 3 p.m., a skywriting plane will draw a mile-high Heart above the Golden Gate Bridge. (can be seen anywhere with a GGB view; also available to live stream 3 p.m. PT). antenna-theater.org
SEPT 12, 13 Build From Here: The Future of Ensemble Theater A two-day long event featuring workshops, artistic presentations and panels for artists, activists, educators, theater professionals — anyone committed to building effective and long lasting systemic change. Each program offers tools, resources and dialogue to build a foundation in racial justice and the stories that are told within the model of ensemble the ater. (live stream 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. PT) foolsFURY.org/BUILD
THRU SEPT 13 Broadway Under the Stars A virtual com pilation of the best of the last eight seasons of Transcendence Theater’s Broadway Under the Stars con certs with never before seen footage and fea turing hundreds of artists, all from the comfort of your own home. (Fridays: 6:30 p.m. pre-show and 7:30 p.m. show; Saturday and Sundays: Matinee: 1 p.m. pre-show and 2 p.m. show Evening: 6:30 p.m. pre-show and 7:30 p.m. show). bestnightever.org
SEPT 11, 12, 13 Gala Celebration A musical fundraiser celebrating the last summer evening event of 2020. Uplifting performances featur ing the best of the best from their last 10 years — songs from West Side Story, Ragtime, Dear Evan Hansen, and many more. bestnightever.org
GUY THEATER / COMEDY / MUSIC / MUSEUMS / EVENTS / FILM / TALKS EDITED BY SABRINA TUTON-FILSONSEPT 18 Reach for the Stars Gather within your social bubble, include others via Zoom, and enjoy live music, a delicious meal and cocktails delivered to your door, while con necting with Side by Side and support their essential behavioral and mental health services for youth in the Bay Area. (online auction and virtual dinner 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. PT). one. bidpal.net/sbsrfts20
Website allows audi ence members to ask a question beforehand. Conversations rather than readings.
SEPT 5 Louise Penny
Former CBC radio jour nalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache nov els discusses her newest book, All the Devils Are Here. (live stream 12 p.m. PT; $40 to register and receive a compli mentary copy of Penny’s new book). book passage.com
SEPT 9 Mary Ladd and Don Asmussen In con versation with Michael Krasny, Ladd and Asmussen discuss their collaboration The Wig Diaries, an irreverent cancer book, delivered with bold gallows humor to intimately address the gravity of cancer. (live stream 4 p.m. PT). bookpassage.com
SEPT 16 Sue Miller
Recognized interna tionally for her elegant and sharply realistic accounts of contempo rary family, Miller will be discussing her latest release, Monogamy, an engrossing and haunting novel about marriage, love, family, happiness and sorrow. (live stream 4 p.m. PT). bookpassage.com
SEPT 19 Ayad Akhtar
Join the conversation between Adam Johnson and Ayad Akhtar about his new novel, Homeland Elegies, the profound and provocative story of an immigrant father and his son searching for belonging — in postTrump America, and with each other. (live stream 4 p.m. PT). bookpassage.com
SEPT 24 Jodi Picoult
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things and A Spark of Light comes a riveting novel about the choices that alter the course of our lives. Join in the conversation. (live stream 4 p.m. PT; $40 to register and receive a complimentary copy of Picoult’s new book). bookpassage.com
SEPT 27 Michael Ian Black Actor, comedian and writer Michael Ian Black discusses his book A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son, both a poignant look at boyhood in the form of a heartfelt letter from the comedian to his teenage son, and a radical plea for rethink ing masculinity and teaching young men to give and receive love.
(live stream 4 p.m. PT). bookpassage.com
COMMONWEALTH (LIVE) - Must pre-regis ter for these free events.
SEPT 3 Cass Sunstein: How Much Information is Too Much? The world is projected to generate 90 zettabytes of data this year and the next. What information do we need to know? What role should policymak ers play in helping us fi nd data that improves our well-being and fi lter out information that wastes our time or even endangers us? (live stream 3:30 p.m. PT). commonwealthclub.org
SEPT 9 Fox News, Trump and the Distortion of Truth In a world of “fake news,” President Donald Trump has labeled one network as telling his “truth” — Fox News, CNN anchor and Chief Media Correspondent Brian Stelter tells the twisted story of the mutually beneficial relationship between
President Trump and Fox News and dives into a relationship that he argues comes at the expense of the American people. (live stream 3:30 p.m. PT). commonwealthclub.org
SEPT 15 How Racism Erodes Mind, Body and Spirit, and How to Heal and Learn Mary-Frances Winters will discuss the ideas in her new book, Black Fatigue, which describes a phenom enon Black people know well: the multifaceted physical and psycholog ical damage wrought by simply living, day by day in a racist society. (live stream 9 a.m. PT). commonwealthclub.org
SEPT 16 The Case for Thinking Bigger Matthew Yglesias, cofounder of trendsetting news site Vox, outlines his belief that if America is to win its own future, the county will need to have more ideas and ambition — to think bigger, while taking the problems of
Mary-Frances Winters
present decline seri ously. (live stream 12:30 p.m. PT). commonwealthclub.org
SEPT 30 American Health Care: What’s Left After COVID-19?
A virtual medical panel discussion about whether the COVID-19 crisis will end up trim ming some of the waste out of America’s healthcare system or changing it more fundamentally. (live stream 6 p.m. PT). commonwealthclub.org
SEPT 1 Robin’s Wish
Telling the incred ible and true story of beloved actor/come dian Robin Williams. Through a gripping journalistic lens, this documentary sheds light on Williams’
neurodegenerative disorder and highlights the beauty and power behind the mind of one of the greatest entertainers of all time. (Available On Demand).
SEPT 4 Guest House When engaged couple Sarah (Aimee Teegarden) and Blake (Mike Castle) buy their dream home, there’s a catch: a party animal named Randy (Pauly Shore) in the guest house who refuses to leave. (Available On Demand).
SEPT 4 Mulan A young Chinese maiden dis guises herself as a male warrior in order to save her father. Live-action remake of the 1998 Disney animated fi lm. (Available on Disney+)
SEPT 11 I Am Woman In 1966, single-mother Helen Reddy (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) leaves her old life in Australia for New York and star dom, only to fi nd that the industry’s male gatekeepers don’t take her seriously. While handling the increased pressures of fame and a new relationship, Reddy is forced to take control of her destiny. (Available On Demand).
SEPT 18 The King’s Man Explores the ori gins of the Kingsman organization in the early 1900s and up to WWI. Starring Ralph Fiennes and Gemma Arterton, among others. (Available in theaters).
SEPT 22 Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story Narrated by Michelle Rodriguez, this movie tells the story of these unsung professionals, their struggles on screen to perform at the high est level and their fight off-screen to be treated fairly and equally. (Available On Demand).
SEPT 25 Greenland A family fights for sur vival as a planet-killing comet races to Earth. John Garrity (Gerard Butler), his estranged wife Allison (Morena Baccarin) and young son Nathan make a perilous journey to their only hope for sanctu ary. As the countdown to global apocalypse approaches zero, their incredible trek culmi nates in a desperate and last-minute fl ight to a possible safe haven. (Available in theaters).
Ayad AkhtarOn August 6th, the Walt Disney Family Museum hosted over 20,000 virtual guests in their musical and storytelling experience with multiple award-winning composer and songwriter Alan Menken and special guest Lin Manuel-Miranda. Event proceeds sup ported the museum’s education programs, which provide arts and animation instruc tion to the next generation of creative talent. Their newest initiative, the At-Promise Youth Animation Academy, is an intensive animation-focused training program for high school students experiencing economic and social displacement. In addition to helping dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline, dis proportionately experienced by young people of color and those in underserved communi ties, the Academy will strive to diversify the employee ranks in the animation and film industries. In total, over $160,000 was raised during this event. waltdisney.org
Amplifying services during COVID-19 to battle poverty in San Mateo.
Samaritan House has been battling pov erty in San Mateo County for over 45 years. They provide food, shelter, housing, healthcare, personalized case manage ment and much more to more than 14,000 San Mateo County residents, including families, seniors, veterans, homeless adults and individuals living with a disability. Their virtual fundraising gala, created in response to the growing demand for
their Fund A Need program, was a great success. The presenting sponsor, Carole Middelton, started the night off with an opening donation of $25,000, followed by matching donations by Gilead Sciences and Sutter Health. Auctioned items, including a weekend getaway in Palm Springs, a con gressional experience with Jackie Speier and a vacation in paradise in Kihei, Maui, each went for almost $5,000. Then the Bohannon Foundation came through with the night’s largest donation of the night, $100,000, which helped Samaritan House reach their goal of $280,000. samaritanhousesanmateo.org
Providing essential services to people in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. GLIDE is San Francisco’s premier social service provider and boasts a nearly-60 year legacy of challenging injustice and standing with the poor, people of color, LGBTQAI+ persons, and others facing oppression, isolation and stigma. During this unprecedented public health emer gency, GLIDE has continued to provide essential services to unhoused and lowincome Tenderloin neighbors, serving approximately 15,000 meals a week, safely delivering health and harm reduction services, behavioral counseling, spiritual community and support and more. On August 15th, they hosted their first virtual edition of the GLIDE Legacy Gala, an event honoring social service changemakers — this year, musician/activist Michael Franti and National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman. With an online awards ceremony, panel discussion, Q&A and digital DJ dance party, GLIDE raised over $70,000 to support their ongoing efforts.
glide.org/legacygala
OUR COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER IN COVID-19 EDITED BY SABRINA TUTON-FILSON Send us your community Love Stories at marinmagazine.com/ the-magazine/ contact-us• WALT DISNEY FAMILY MUSEUM’S EVENING WITH ALAN MENKEN & LIN MANUEL-MIRANDA RAISES OVER $160K FOR EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE
Supporting under-resourced youth with their At-Promise Youth Animation Academy. how nonprofits can
Rose and Paul Smith loved almost everything about Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood. The one thing it lacked: Proximity to their tight-knit group of friends. “It seemed like all our best friends were moving to Marin, so when we got serious about buying a place, it just made sense to be there too,” says Paul. “Our kids are like cousins to one another and it was important to us that we all be close to one another.” And Rose grew up in Bolinas. Her mom still lives there and her dad’s out in Point Reyes.
Initially, the Smiths considered setting down stakes in Woodacre, a town where two of their nearest and dearest had settled. But, com ing from Oakland, the San Geronimo Valley felt a tad too remote. Instead, they zeroed in on Fairfax and quickly identified “the one.”
“It was dated but in excellent condition,” says Paul. Of course, the Smiths weren’t the only ones to see the home’s potential. “There were 11 offers on the place,” recalls Paul. Fortunately, their realtor, Stephen Pringle with
Zephyr Real Estate, advised them well and they won the bidding war.
Quickly thereafter, the Smith’s relocated to Fairfax so their daughter could enroll in the local school. The opportunity to live in their newly purchased home was still nearly a year away, due to the family’s ambitious remodel ing plan. To bring their plans to fruition, they teamed up with architect Craig O’Connell, who not at all coincidentally is one of the “best friends” that drew the Smith’s to Marin in the first place. “We’d had no experience with remodeling, but trusted Craig implicitly to help us through the process,” says Rose.
The project entailed a near down-to-thestuds renovation, although the focus was on improving the flow between the home’s public spaces. “The existing space was very compart mentalized,” says Paul. Highlights of their new design include a clean, bright kitchen with bleached walnut cabinets custom crafted by Hope Builds in Petaluma. “We designed the kitchen with an oversized island to create a communal gathering spot,” says Paul. “We
wanted lots of counter space for those rare but important holidays when there are lots of cooks in the kitchen.”
The home’s new dining area flows effort lessly into the backyard vis-a-vis a wall of glass doors that disappear into the walls, allowing for an effortless transition to the home’s new tiled patio. All three of the home’s bathrooms also got a makeover.
The remodel which wrapped in April 2019 has brought the family tremendous joy, par ticularly since March when the Smith’s and the rest of the world began spending an inordinate amount of time at home. The dining room table has become a workspace for the on-duty par ent, while the off-duty parent offices upstairs in the multipurpose room. “We call it the rumpus room because it serves many purposes, guest suite, exercise room, media room, and now a quiet workspace,” says Rose. “And the kids just love the yard. It’s not huge, but it’s amazing how many little hiding spaces it has. We feel really lucky to be sheltering in this space.” m
Opposite: Light-filled livingroom. This page top left: A communal gathering spot; Top right: Outdoor patio; Middle: Bar stools around an island are great for snacking and casual dinners;
Bottom left: A wellappointed bathroom doesn’t have to be large to be functional;
Bottom right: A light, bright master bedroom.
Designed with the future in mind & situated in a coveted cul-de-sac Tiburon location, this meticulously remodeled 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom, plus office home features Mt. Tam, Richardson Bay & Belvedere Lagoon views. The family oriented design offers plentiful space for entertaining, multiple home offices, and a separate ADU space for guests or an au pair. An open floor plan creates areas that flawlessly blend for a seamless flow. Direct deck access to an expansive deck extends the living to the outdoors. The home is designed to easily integrate a solar and generator system and the 2-car garage includes a battery recharge station.
In the heart of Bolinas the Pepper House, a gleaming victorian farm house, is a landmark that has gracefully anchored the upper reach of Wharf Road for over 100 years. The home has four bedrooms, two full baths, and a galley-style kitchen that opens to a dining room with space for everything from dinner parties to weekend breakfasts for the whole crew. A front porch and upper deck overlook the village and a sunny private rear deck has a view of the wooded hillside. Property includes a garage at the street and newly installed high speed internet connections makes the Pepper house well suited for working from home. Barrett
7 Tower Drive | Mill Valley at $2,750,000 | 2.5BA Represented
170
110 Walnut Ave | Mill Valley at $2,200,000 | 3BA | 110Walnut.com
205 | Mill Valley at $2,250,000 | 2BA | 205Timoteo.com
170 Stanford Ave | Mill Valley at $2,200,000 | 3BA | 170Stanford.com
162 Knight Drive, San Rafael: Offered at $1,225,000 Pending *Representing the Buyers
7 Carolyn Lane, Mill Valley: Offered at $1,785,000
135 Cascade Avenue, Mill Valley: Offered at $1,595,000 *Represented the Buyer Bayview Terrace, Mill Valley: Offered at $1,550,000 Nancy Drive, Novato: Offered at $1,095,000
Nob Hill/Downtown Spectacular, luxury, corner unit, 1399± square foot two bedroom, two-and-a-half bath condominium with epic, panoramic views from all windows. Newly and beautifully remodeled with top of the line fixtures and beautiful hardwood floors throughout. One level unit, elevator, parking garage, 24/7 security and front door attendant, all utilities plus heat included, and a fabulous San Francisco Nob Hill location. Gramercy Towers has been a landmark of Nob Hill since 1974. The three tower building is located on California Street, between Jones and Taylor, across the street from Grace Cathedral, and adjacent to the Masonic Center, and close to many other landmarks. In addition, there is a health club, complete with an indoor pool, fitness equipment, spa and sauna.
Stunning Panoramic View Condominium Classic mid-century modern unit/building with zillion dollar panoramic, unobstructed bay and city views. Two bed, two bath classy Tiburon condominium. Walk in level just steps from the parking. No stairs. Unit is all one level with two decks to soak in the gorgeous views. End of the street, corner building with iconic views that wrap around from Saint Hilary’s to Angel Island to the City, marinas and bay, and the Belvedere Lagoon to Mount Tamalpais. Close to town and the ferries, and a pool!
Located in desirable Sleepy Hollow, this turn-key Colonial Garrison style two story home is 3,223± square feet and sits on a private, sunny and tranquil 0.35± acre lot with a sparkling pool. Taken down to the studs in 2014, the home was almost entirely remodeled and transformed into a contemporary masterpiece, encapsulated within a classic shell. The attention to detail is phenomenal. Top of the line upgrades include an open chef’s kitchen, a high-efficiency solar panel system, an 800 bottle temperature controlled wine cellar, solid wood Brazilian Koa hardwood floors throughout, Milgard windows, a presidential tile 30 year roof, central A/C, two en suite bathrooms with heated flooring, a full laundry room, two level lawns and a secluded lower patio next to a seasonal stream. No attention to detail has been overlooked, no expense spared. Price upon request. 15DutchValley.com
Additional highlights include:
• Move-in ready
• Large deck and patio surrounding swimming pool
• Outdoor built-in gas fire pit
• 0.35± acres completely fenced in with new redwood/cedar fencing
• Property-wide irrigation system
• Relatively new presidential tile 30 year roof
• 1 gas and 1 wood fireplace
• French doors leading to a balcony off the master bedroom
Jason Lewis 415.971.6868
Jason@JasonKnowsMarin.com JasonKnowsMarin.com Lic.# 01317682
Sophisticated and modern Kentfield home ready for the net round of updates. An ideal layout with an extra large living room adjacent to the backyard plus a dining room, family room and a lovely light filled kitchen with breakfat nook, all on the same level. A bedroom with it’s own entrance and full bathroom creates the perfect space for an au pair or guest. Upstairs are three more bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom. The owner’s suite boasts vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light, a walk-in closet plus an office noo
An unexpected retreat with multiple yard spaces each with professionally appointed landscaping. A hot tub, a newly built wrap around deck with modern railings and a greenbelt view, plus a large lawn for play and entertaining. A 3 car garage plus a large driveway allows for plenty of guest parking or storage.
Located in the most sought-after school district in Marin, this home is an easy walk to the local schools as well as to restaurants, cafes, and the Woodlands Market. The beloved Corte Madera Creek walking and biking path is right outside of your door, leading you to downtown Larkspur, the Ferry building, and much more. An unbeatable location for the busy working lifestyle with quick access to the shopping center and freeway. A true sanctuary in the heart of it all!
If you have to shelter-in-place anywhere on the planet, Marin County is a pretty great place to land. This year for our Best of the County feature we reached out to a few local experts in their respective fields — the best of the best, if you will — to help us select winners. While we tried to stick with standard categories, you’ll notice we aimed for businesses and things you can enjoy now. Here are just some of this year’s champs. To see more, check out the #MarinBOC2020 hashtag on Instagram. us @marinmagazine with your best Instagram snap.
