Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified.
compass.com
We are privileged to expand our Bay Area presence by partnering with long-respected brokerage, Alain Pinel Realtors®, known for its high level of excellence and decades of experience in the local market.
38 Dropping In Challenging big waves and unequal pay.
Rock climbing has big risks and bigger rewards.
Chinese women and girls found refuge in old San Francisco and Marin.
52 She’s in Charge More and more, women are leading the family business.
25 Currents
Decorator showcase, mothers and daugh ters, and more.
30 Q&A
Swimming the English Channel.
32 FYI
How do artists stay in business?
34 Conversation
The woman behind Rustic Bakery.
89 Go Borough hopping in N.Y.C.
92 Journey The trip of a lifetime in Peru.
101 Calendar
A roundup of what to do in Marin and beyond.
106 Dine An insider’s guide to restaurants and food in the Bay Area.
116 On the Scene
Snapshots from events in Marin and San Francisco.
121 Backstory
Out of the hills and close to town.
Photographer Sachi Cunningham caught this image of Bianca Valenti at the January 13, 2018, Jaws Challenge big wave contest in Maui.
Dance Series 02 and Best of Smuin at YBCA, S.F.
Look forward to equal parts learning and vacation at 1440 Multiversity—a trusted place for world-changing wisdom. Now featuring weekend and 5-day programs in personal, professional, and spiritual growth that stir the heart in the California redwoods near Santa Cruz.
PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Nikki Wood
Editorial EDITOR
Mimi Towle
MANAGING EDITOR
Daniel Jewett
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Kasia Pawlowska
SENIOR WRITER
Jim Wood
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Christina Mueller
DIGITAL EDITOR
Jessica Gliddon
COPY EDITOR
Cynthia Rubin
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julia Flynn Siler, Melanie Haiken, Laura Hilgers, Kirsten Jones Neff, Dawn Margolis Denberg, Sophi Rutherford
ART DIRECTOR
Rachel Gr iffiths
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Alex French
ILLUSTRATOR
Stefania Infante
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Sachi Cunningham, Mo DeLong, Lenny Gonzalez, Vivian Johnson, Sophi Rutherford
Administration / Web
CONTROLLER Maeve Walsh
WEB/IT MANAGER Peter Thomas
OFFICE MANAGER Hazel Jaramillo
CHIEF VISIONARY OFFICER
Susan B. Noyes, Founder
Volume 15, Issue 5. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Marin Magazine Inc. owned by Make It Better Media LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright©2019. 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. Marin (USPS 024-898) is published monthly by Marin Magazine Inc., One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sausalito, CA, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Marin Magazine, One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965.
Our new spring collections have arrived and are in stock and ready for delivery. Visit one of our eight local showrooms and discover why Terra has become the premier destination for California luxury outdoor living. Contact us at commercial sales@terraoutdoor.com for trade and designer inquiries. TerraOutdoor.com
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Tracy McLaughlin has been named as one of the San Francisco Business Times’ Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business for 2019. These outstanding women leaders were evaluated on their influence in their industries as well as in their communities and will be recognized in a special edition of the San Francisco Business Times.
While a 60-foot mountain of kinetic aqueous energy makes no exception for gender, until this year the World Surf League did.
READING THROUGH OUR second annual “Celebrating Women” issue, I’m beaming with community pride. Last year the issue was a huge success, and the challenge this year was to repeat it. I wasn’t sure if we could pull it off
How were we going to come up with an article as heartwarming as 2018’s “Fantastic Four,” about the decades-long supportive friendship between local female powerhouse entrepreneurs? We did. And then some. One fun surprise this year came in Conversation, when Carol Levalley of Rustic Bakery recalled the huge boost of con fidence and sales she got by partnering with Peggy Smith and Sue Conley of Cowgirl Creamery — another local instance of women helping women.
Any initial hesitation I might have felt about devoting an entire issue to women was proved wrong. I’d wondered whether overtly celebrating women might be suggesting women “needed” the boost. At 50ish, I’ve had the luxury of not letting gender determine my future — because decades before I even thought about a vocation, the real-life Mary Tyler Moores were paving the way as the Ed Asners supportively held open the doors.
There is no better duo to dispel my doubts than the team who created our cover: pro surfer Bianca Valenti and photographer Sachi Cunningham. While a 60-foot mountain of kinetic aqueous energy makes no exception for gender, until this year the World Surf League did. Valenti and Cunningham’s tenacious campaign to change such inequity and their ballsy insistence on pay parity for female surfers have put them in the national spotlight. Yes, I know I just used a word associated with male virility to describe the strength and drive that propelled 5-foot-5 Valenti to tackle a giant wall of water and any barriers denying her right to be there. I did a quick internet search on the origin of ballsy (OK, I actually spent way too much time on it) and
found the defi nition I was looking for in the Online Etymology Dictionary: among the iterations, starting with the old English ballocks, was “ball buster,” a disparaging term for “dominant female … who destroys a man’s self-con fidence,” dated 1954. Sounds a little harsh, right?
This “he versus she” brought me back to the brouhaha over author Emily Chang’s memory of what motivated her to write Brotopia; Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley. In a podcast recorded at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, she recalled meeting with a male chairman of Sequoia Ventures, a VC fund that at that point employed only men in the executive roles. Asked about his responsibility to hire women to equalize the workforce, he said, “I think we are completely blind to race, gender, sexuality. We are looking for women very hard, but what we aren’t prepared to do is to lower our standards.” I gasped along with the recorded audience. “Wow,” I thought, imagin ing the characters in Mad Men toasting him with their lunch martinis.
Looks like women still have some work to do after all. I hope we can see the humor in the fact that whoever wrote the definition for “ball buster” back in 1954 was probably a man, and probably feeling a crisis of confidence as he thought about the impending wave of women poised to threaten his world. I’d like to think he has changed his stance. In 2019 we have so many real threats to consider, and blocking a surfer’s ability to make a living because of her gender or a VC’s opportunity to create wealth because she is a mom is not moving the needle forward.
And to men reading this who might be roll ing their eyes and thinking “Enough,” just remember that we are your mothers, wives, girl friends, sisters, daughters, employees and now, in some cases, your boss. How does this a ffect you and your future? Ball’s in your court.
Mimi Towle, Editor
Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas opens in Summer 2019 on two miles of calm, swimmable beach on the spectacular Sea of Cortés. Those who call it home can become part of a Beach & Yacht Club that offers the joy of belonging and the promise of adventure in the untamed nature of the East Cape. Now is the last chance for pre-opening pricing on homes of elemental luxury. Join us on the sea of dreams.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmastm are not owned, developed or sold by Four Seasons Hotels Limited or its affiliates (Four Seasons). The developer, Desarrolladora la Ribera, S. de R.L. de C.V., uses the Four Seasons trademarks and trade names under a license from Four Seasons Hotels Limited. The marks “FOUR SEASONS,” “FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS,” any combination thereof and the Tree Design are registered trademarks of Four Seasons Hotels Limited in Canada and U.S.A. and of Four Seasons Hotels (Barbados) Ltd. elsewhere. Renderings and maps represent an artist’s conception and may differ from the finished product. This is not an offering for sale in any jurisdiction where the project is not registered. E.&O.E.
IN A MONTH where we honor moth ers with their own special day, we at Marin Magazine dedicate an entire issue to women of all ages. You’l l fi nd lots of female-themed articles this month, starting with profi les of two stellar athletes. We meet surfer Bianca Valenti, who is challenging the biggest waves as well as pay inequity in her sport. In another feature we introduce Sophi Rutherford, a young Marinite who brings a ton of passion to rock climbing yet makes sure to send a rope down to the next generation of climbers.
We also present a feature by Julia Flynn Siler, about discoveries she made while writing a new book about a female founder of a safe house for Chinese women and girls forced into sex slavery and other forms of servitude at the
turn of the last century. To Siler’s surprise, this incredible story has some important Marin connections.
Meanwhile, Laura Hilgers talks to five women who have taken over the family busi ness — in fields ranging from compensation surveys to garbage collection to ferry transit. It
Big wave surfer Bianca Valenti is challenging the biggest waves as well as pay inequity in her sport.
turns out this is one big way women are gaining executive and leadership roles in the workplace.
Up front you’ll find stories on Marin profes sionals participating in this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase. You’ll also meet a woman who found time to swim the English Channel when she wasn’t advancing public policy and one who started a worldwide food company on the strength of an excellent cracker.
In Destinations you can go from borough to borough in the one-and-only New York City. Also, writer Melanie Haiken heads south to Peru for the trip of a lifetime, exploring Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lima.
So we hope you fi nd a lot to like, respond to and think about in this tribute to women and their amazing deeds and achievements. But please don’t forget to call, write and celebrate the moms in your life on Mother’s Day.
In December, associate editor Kasia Pawlowska took a whirlwind tour through the Big Apple. The New York City tourism bureau kept her busy with a packed schedule of events in places like the Eataly market and Hudson Yards, but a highlight was a visit with former Brook lyn borough president Marty Markowitz. Here she can be seen (white shirt) chat ting it up with Markowitz (middle) at Brooklyn’s Noodle Pudding.
WHEN WHERE WHY YOU SHOULD GO
April 27–June 1, 5–8 p.m.
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, 500 Palm Drive, Novato
The book becomes art at MarinMOCA’s beloved exhibition, featuring 180 original book art objects created by artists who combine compelling messages. These artworks will be on display during the 10th annual exhibit and silent auction, now running through June 1.
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and libations while you bid on your favorite pieces, and don’t miss the closing party and live auction on June 1.
Writer, “Seeking Refuge” (p. 48)
What prompted you to write this book?
Six years ago, I came across a harrowing fi rst-person account by a woman who led a large group of mostly Chinese girls and women to safety after the 1906 earthquake.
What did you find most inspiring about the work of these women? These Victorian-era women did not have the right to vote and possessed almost no political or economic power outside the home. Yet, they exerted power in a way that was acceptable during their era — by creating and running a “safe house.”
Where has your work appeared before? The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek and more.
Photographer, “Dropping In” (p. 38)
What’s the biggest wave you’ve ever ridden?
If it’s more than double overhead I want to be shooting, not sur fing. I swim in waves much larger than I surf. The biggest wave I’ve ever rid den is probably something over twice my height. But I’m short, so that doesn’t take much.
Have you ever been injured on the job?
I’ve had my back raked over a dry reef in Indonesia, my shoulder dislocated, and I banged up my knee pretty bad on the rocks swimming out at Mavericks this past season.
Where has your work appeared before? The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Outside, Surfer and more.
Writer, “She’s in Charge” (p. 52)
What do you like most about family businesses?
COST
FIND OUT MORE
Free (bidding and donations encouraged)
415.506.0137, marinmoca.org
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marinmagazine.com/hotticket
What I like most about family businesses is that they involve family. Whenever family is involved, people have a deeper connection — whether it’s to their work or to their community.
What surprised you most while doing research for this story? I was surprised to learn that family businesses are at the forefront of advancing women. That’s great news, and I think a lot of people don’t know it.
Where has your work appeared before?
The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine and Southwest: The Magazine, among other publications.
Our top Instagram post this month is by Gianna McLaren, @gianna_mclaren. “I had taken this photo at the short (but steep!) section of stone stairs along the Dipsea Trail. It was one of the first spring mornings after all the rain and I was so happy to get out and enjoy this beautiful place we call home. I was on my way climbing back down when I decided to turn around and snap a few quick shots with my iPhone X — I loved the mysterious look of the stone steps and the sun rays were so perfect shining through the dark redwoods, which made it feel so magical.” Want to see your photo in print? Tag us @marinmagazine with your best snap.
1 New in Town (March 2019) Our ongoing bulletin on new businesses in Marin and throughout the Bay Area.
2 “Mount Tamalpais Hiking and History” (March 2014) – Quick facts, historical events and some of the best Sleeping Lady hikes Marin has to offer.
3 “David and Nic Sheff” (January 2019) The true story of a local family’s battle with addiction and its aftermath makes it to the big screen.
4 What’s Hot: Brew Coop (March 2019) The wait is over — San Francisco’s dedicated self-pour taproom is here.
5 What’s Hot: Flores (February 2019) Elevated Mexican food comes to Corte Madera.
If you’d like to see your photos in our annual June Summer Guide, now is the time to get in the running: tag us (@marinmagazine) in your posts of favorite summertime photos that feature Marin and include the hashtag #inmarin for your chance to be featured in our pages.
WHEN WHERE WHY YOU SHOULD GO
Art Show: June 22–23, noon– 6 p.m.
Escalle Winery, 771 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur Buckelew Programs presents MarinScapes Reimagined 2019, the 31st annual exhibition and sale of Marin County landscape artwork. Enjoy an exclusive preview opening night gala on June 20 (5:30–9:30 p.m.) and an artists’ reception on June 21 (5:30–8 p.m.). The show includes “The Invented Landscape,” curated by the renowned Seager Gray Gallery of Mill Valley. The event raises funds for Buckelew Programs.
COST
FIND OUT MORE
Show $20, reception $25, gala $175
415.491.5705, buckelew.org
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Want to see all the images from our RSVP Hot Ticket events? marinmagazine.com/hotticket
The newest addition to the Arthur Murray dance studio family welcomes dancers of all ages and abilities to its ballroom near the intersection of Second and Third avenues in San Rafael’s West End neighborhood. arthurmurraylive.com
The fundamentals of ceramics, wheel throwing and hand building are at the heart of Glaze and Confused on Fourth Street in San Rafael. The shop’s relaxed atmo sphere helps beginners and experienced potters evolve their craft as
guided by their own two hands. glazeand confused.com
Let the merlot flow along with your creativity at Wine and Design , bringing painting parties and classes for kids and adults to downtown San Rafael. wineanddesign. com/locations/ sanrafaelca
Tory Burch brings her own brand of colorful ready-to-wear shoes, handbags, accessories, watches, home goods and fragrance to a new flagship store in San Francisco’s Union Square. toryburch.com
After 15 years in the auction world, Sarah Shepard pivoted to open an eponymous gallery, celebrating paintings, drawings, photographs, works on paper, textiles and prints at Larkspur’s Marin Country Mart. sarahshepardgallery.com
Clothing for little people, with a focus on natural and sustainable materi als, comes to downtown Novato via the Village Child , along with balms and teas to support pre- and postnatal moms. villagechildrens boutique.com
A recent move to 749 Bridgeway from its
40-year home a few doors down Sausalito’s main thoroughfare has not diminished Burlwood Gallery ’s selection of locally crafted redwood furniture.
The shop also has an extensive array of exclusive-design jewelry and international brands, including Lalique, Baccarat, Daum, Lladro, Michael Aram and Swarovski. burlwood gallery.com
Opening for the first time in the Bay Area in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood, The Museum of 3D Illusions offers a chance to interact with optical illusions. sfillusions.com
Homemade pastas, seasonal salads and wood-fired pizzas strike a balance between Southern Italy and
Northern California at Cucina SA . Proprietor Donna Seymour recently revamped the cozy space on San Anselmo Avenue, adding a 30-seat bar and outdoor seating on the nearby bridge. Plans are in the works to turn an upstairs mezzanine into a lounge. cucina-sa.com
The team at 9 Corners Functional Medicine has opened a new spot on Novato’s Grant Aveune. Club 9 Cryo serves up functional medicine and healing (cryotherapy, infrared sauna and bio-coding) in a club-like space with crystal chandeliers, dark leather couches and music. club9cryo.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.
Glaze and Confused
Museum of 3D Illusions
A town built by inspired craftspeople and visionaries. The perfect blend of agricultural heritage and trendsetting experiences. Join us in Healdsburg and dig into our roots, enjoy the fruits of our labor, and discover why we’re the tastemaker of Sonoma wine country.
Sandy Erickson and Danielle Elins Owners/Erickson Fine Art Gallery, Inc.
Erickson Fine Art Gallery sculpture by Jeffrey Van Dyke
Why did you decide to go into business together? I opened the school 41 years ago and when Caitlin graduated from college, we saw a unique opportunity to work together, combining my longtime expertise with Caitlin’s fresh ideas and new energy.
Caitlin, what have you learned from working with your mom? I have learned that loving what you do is the key to happiness.
Cece, what have you learned from working with your daughter? I’ve learned that collaboration with Caitlin on choreographic and adminis trative projects makes our job twice as fun.
What’s the best thing your mom brings to the business? Cece has created a wonderful community. Her attention to detail and tender loving care for our students and their families is inspiring.
What’s the best thing your daughter brings to the business? Caitlin’s positive energy and innovative ideas impact our students’ lives both in and out of the studio.
Mama and Lisa Suthipipat Kitti’s Place Restaurant kittisplace.comWhy did you decide to go into business together? We decided to open the restaurant together because of our love for food and our love for each other, my dad Kitti included.
Lisa, what have you learned from working with your mom? Cooking skills and dedication, and to never give up when times get tough.
Payao (“Mama”), what have you learned from working with your daughter?
I’ve learned new ways of approaching the business, flexibility is the key. I don’t cook the old-fashioned, tra ditional Thai but more of a fusion because we have very sophisticated customers.
What’s the best thing your mom brings to the business? The best thing my mom brings to the business is her strength. She is my role model. She does what she loves, which is cook ing and she never gets tired. Most of the time she has more energy than I do.
What’s the best thing your daughter brings to the business? The best thing Lisa brings to the business is her patience and positive atti tude. She treats every day as a new day.
Cosmic View (medicinal tinctures and products) acosmicview.co
Why did you decide to go into business together? We had the perfect combination of skills to build and execute a brand vision and the scienti fic knowledge and know-how to formulate great products that people love.
Nicole, what have you learned from working with your mom? The importance of building a business in this industry with someone you trust implicitly; the power of making medici nal products with the utmost respect and intention.
Christine, what have you learned from working with your daughter? How well we complement one another, bringing our diverse skills together in making the highest-quality and beauti fully branded products.
What’s the best thing your mom brings to the business? She incorporates science in such a meaningful way into everything we do, from sourc ing ingredients to educating the end consumer.
What’s the best thing your daughter brings to the business? Her artistic flair, genius and demand for the highest quality.
Why did you decide to go into business together? A shared love for legacy and innovation that we could bring to our family tradition of making wine since 1879.
Erin and Shannon, what have you learned from working with your mom? Respect for our heritage guides every decision we make, especially with our Blueprint wines.
Robin, what have you learned from working with your daughters? From Erin I learned to break from custom and stay fresh. Shannon cap tured our soul on social media with her unique voice.
What’s the best thing your mom brings to the business? Passion and tenacity. Her love of wine is authentic and infectious. Every vintage has that signature of excellence and a ffection.
What’s the best thing your daughters bring to the business? Pride in legacy and vision for the future. Their children are the sixth generation of our winemaking family.
Why did you decide to go into business together? Having danced in the same profes sional ballet company, we have experienced working together in demanding and rigorous environments; it was a natural progression for us to transition into running a business together. We also bring very di fferent genera tional perspectives, which makes us versatile.
Leilani, what have you learned from working with your mom? Since we’ve been working together, I’ve developed a stronger work ethic, sharp ened my teaching skills and developed more patience.
Melinda, what have you learned from working with your daughter? I have learned from her how to enjoy my hec tic workdays a bit more. She’s also taught me the impor tance of social media.
What’s the best thing your mom brings to the business? She believes in all of her stu dents and the greatness they carry inside of them. She then finds a way to bring it out.
What’s the best thing your daughter brings to the business? Her connection to the current trends, her fantastic warm personality and funny sense of humor.
TO OUR HEALTH After a slip in 2017, Marin County has been deemed the healthiest county in the state, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program, which compares health and longevity for counties’ residents within each state and nationwide. For the ninth time in 10 years Marin scored highest within California for life expectancy, with San Mateo and Santa Clara counties close behind. Marin also received the state’s highest scores for Length of Life and Clinical Care. Length of life is partially assessed by a prematuredeath metric; in this regard the county’s score was the third lowest of any in the nation. However, housing afford ability, income inequality, high rates of substance use and racial disparities in health were noted as weaknesses: among 58 California counties, Marin ranked 39th in residents’ housing cost burden, 54th in income inequality and 48th in high rates of binge drinking. The results also show Marin’s African American and Latino children are four and eight times more likely, respectively, to live in poverty than their white counterparts. Another area of concern was Marin’s aging population — the oldest of any in the state. It’s estimated a third of our residents will be 60 or older by 2030. marincounty.org KASIA PAWLOWSKA
Unlike Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July, Memorial Day (May 27, this year) is a relatively new holiday. In May 1868, General John A. Logan, commander of a Union Army veterans’ group, called for a nationwide day of commemoration for the more than 620,000 soldiers killed on both sides of the Civil War. Some soldiers were honored before this, however: On May 1, 1865, more than 1,000 recently freed slaves, along with members of the U.S. Colored Troops and a number of white Charlestonians, assembled to create a proper burial site for the Union dead. Here are some other lesser-known facts about Memorial Day, courtesy of history.com. KASIA PAWLOWSKA
• Logan probably adapted the idea from similar rituals in the South. Even before the Civil War ended, women’s groups in Southern states were gathering informally to decorate the graves of Confederate dead.
• It underwent a name change. Although the term Memorial Day was in use by the 1880s, the holiday was officially known as Decoration Day for more than a century; a federal law changed the name in 1971.
• It started with a narrower focus. For more than 50 years the holiday honored only the Civil War dead, not
Americans killed serving in other conflicts. It wasn’t until the U.S. entered World War I that those memorialized included all U.S. military members who died during service. Even so, Memorial Day was not officially a national holiday until the 1970s, during America’s tumultuous involvement in the Vietnam War.
• More than 20 towns have laid claim to being the holiday’s “birthplace” — but only one has federal recognition. In 1966, 100 years after the town of Waterloo, New York, began shuttering its businesses for the
day to hold the first of many annual celebrations of the military dead, President Lyndon Johnson signed congressional legislation declaring the upstate village the “official” birthplace of Memorial Day.
• Memorial Day traditions have evolved over the years. There are some formal rituals still on the books: the American flag should be hung at half-staff until noon, then raised to the top of the staff. And in keeping with legislation passed by Congress in 2000, all Americans are encouraged to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.
Just because these foods are pale doesn’t mean they’re bland, and what they lack in hue they make up for in nutrition. Take a look and see where to get your fi x locally. K.P.
Nutrients Fiber, choline, vita min C, vitamin K, vitamin B6
Benefits Said to promote weight loss and healthy diges tion, helps with sleep, learning and memory
Manganese, sele nium, vitamin C, vitamin B6
Can combat sickness including the common cold, helps detoxify the body from heavy metals
Fiber, vitamin C, potassium, iron
May boost heart health, promote digestion; good for your gut bacteria
Vitamin C, folate, pyridoxine, potassium
May benefit heart health, loaded with antioxidants, contains cancerfighting compounds
Protein, fiber, phos phorus, copper, zinc
Promotes eye health, may prevent diverticular disease
Since 1977, the most esteemed designers on the West Coast have been using their talents to transform mansions and simultaneously raise funds for the San Francisco University High School Financial Aid Program. Of the 40 people selected to take part in this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase, Marin is turning out in a big way, with six participants hailing from the county. Visitors will be able to view their work at the Presidio Heights mansion from April 27 to May 27, and if the house seems familiar, it is: known as “Le Petit Trianon,” it was also the site of the Decorator Showcase in 1982 and was modeled after the Petit Trianon chateau in France at the Palace of Versailles. Built from 1902 to 1904, the S.F. manse has been the setting for numerous concerts, including performances by then–child prodigies Yehudi Menuhin and Isaac Stern. decoratorshowcase org K.P.
PARTICIPATING THIS YEAR:
Jo Ann Hartley Interior Design , San Rafael
Martin Kobus, Martin Kobus Home , Sausalito
Jane Richardson Mack, Jane Richardson Design , Fairfax
Get it from Roasted Sicilian cauliflower at Tamalpie Pizzeria (Mill Valley), tamalpiepizza.com
Shrimp and garlic noodle at VN Noodle and Grill (San Rafael), 415.306.8299
Fresh jicama and cucumber with chili powder and chips at Copita Tequileria y Comida (Sausalito), copita restaurant.com
Onion soupe gratinee at Left Bank Brasserie (Larkspur), leftbank.com
Tacos on soft corn tortillas at the Siren Canteen (Stinson Beach), thesirencanteen.com
Julie Rootes, Julie Rootes Interiors , Corte Madera
Susan Collins Weir, Studio Collins Weir, Sausalito
Victoria Weiss, Croworks , San Anselmo
Food CAULIFLOWER GARLIC JICAMA ONION WHITE CORNIt’s a fact that during the 2008 catastrophic stock market downturn, most investors lost significant wealth – and faith – in financial markets. Many never fully recovered – financially or psychologically. Strangely, most investors are poised to make the very same mistake during the next big market decline. Unfortunately, this is a result of Wall Street’s “set it and forget it” approach to investing. Here at Main Street Research we see things differently. Our Active Risk Management process mitigates the risk of catastrophic decline, as was the case in 2008, while at the same time allowing investors to participate in today’s rising market. If you are interested in avoiding past mistakes, we should talk. Call or visit www.ms-research.com. Minimum relationship $1 million.
PAST PERFORMANCE MAY NOT
STRATEGY
THE LOSS OF A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF ANY SUCH INVESTMENT. THOSE RISKS INCLUDE THE RISK OF CHANGES IN ECONOMIC AND MARKET CONDITIONS, THE CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENTS WITHIN A PORTFOLIO, AND THE VOLATILITY OF SECURITIES. MAIN STREET RESEARCH, LLC IS INDEPENDENT AND UNAFFILIATED WITH FINANCIAL TIMES, THE CREATOR OF THE 2018 FINANCIAL TIMES 300 TOP REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS
OF FUTURE RESULTS. THEREFORE, NO CURRENT OR PROSPECTIVE CLIENT SHOULD ASSUME THAT FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF ANY SPECIFIC INVESTMENT DIFFERENT TYPES OF INVESTMENTS INVOLVE VARYING DEGREES OF RISK, AND THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY SPECIFIC INVESTMENT WILL EITHER PROSPECTIVE CLIENT’S PORTFOLIO. AN INVESTOR MUST UNDERSTAND AND BE WILLING TO ACCEPT THOSE RISKS,
Melissa Blaustein is a doer. She founded Allied for Startups, a global network of startups, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and advocacy groups trying to build consensus on public policy issues affecting new businesses. She’s also director of international advocacy and digital programs for Fuel Freedom Foundation, which aims to open up the U.S. market to gasoline alternatives like ethanol, methanol, compressed natural gas and electric vehicles. Most recently, she also swam the English Channel.
Have you always lived in Marin? I grew up in Mill Valley, went to nursery school in Sausalito and Redwood High School in Larkspur, and got my undergrad degree at Cal in Berkeley. Then I received my Master of Public Affairs in Global Energy and Sustainability Policy in France.
What kind of work did you get involved in after college? Social impact and making a difference shaped my career. In college I interned for now-Governor then-Mayor Gavin Newsom and out of college I interned at the White House on the digital strategy team. Later I became digital director for then-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords on her last campaign.
3How did you get into swimming? Not only was I never a swimmer, I really was never an athlete. Freshman volleyball at Redwood High School was the last [sport] I did. Upon moving back from France, I was encouraged by some friends to try a triathlon and hated everything about it except the swimming. My first triathlon was in 2015 and in 2015 Kim Chambers swam from the Farallon Islands to the Golden Gate Bridge. She came to speak at a women’s organization I was on the board of at the time and said, “You should come swim with me.” And I said, “No, you’re a worldclass marathon swimmer and I can’t put my face in the water and breathe when I’m swimming.” And so finally after a lot of pushing and going to the pool a couple of times, I started going to the bay.
What’s your training schedule like? I go to the 5:45 a.m. practice at Redwood High School with North Bay Aquatics. After the 5:45 practice I drive to the South End Rowing Club for a weight workout and then get in the water for a dip — that’s Monday through Thursday. Sometimes in the evening I’ll do a hot yoga class. I love Red Dragon Yoga in Mill Valley. On Saturday or Sunday I’ll have a longer swim and Friday is kind of my day off.
How do you qualify to swim the English Channel? I swam the Strait of Juan de Fuca between the United States and Canada in September of 2017 and was the first woman to do that in almost 30 years. The water temperature was 47 to 48 degrees for that eight-hour swim, and that counted as my qualifying swim for the English Channel. To qualify you have to swim for six hours at 60 degrees or less.
What are some of the rules? There’s an observer on the boat in addition to the pilot and your crew. You can’t touch the boat at any time or you’re
done with the swim. You can’t touch anyone. When they feed you during the swims they throw food in a water bottle on a rope and you tread water and drink it from the rope. You also swim without a wetsuit.
You attempted the swim once before you completed it. Yes. It looked like a beautiful day when the swim started, and it took a really scary turn. There were 25-knot winds, the waves were pummel ing me and the boat almost hit me twice, but I was still not going to stop. I mean, I would not have got ten out of the water for anything. But for a variety of reasons the pilot just said the swim was over and you have to trust the pilot.
8
And then you went again two weeks later?
After the first attempt my mom looked at me and said, “You’re not going to be happy until you finish the swim.” So I stayed in England and waited for an open window two weeks later.
How long did the swim take?
Fifteen-and-a-half hours.
10
What appeals to you most about the sport?
It’s a sport where it doesn’t matter how fast you are. It doesn’t matter if someone else is better than you or someone else is going to do a more dangerous challenge or any of those external factors. And I loved it because there’s not really anything quite like the feeling of jumping into cold water.
You’re also involved in city affairs, right?
I’m part of Sausalito’s Rotary Club, vi ce chair of the Sustainability Commission and am on the chamber of commerce board — I love it. For everyone my age I think that it’s so important to be engaged locally. You gain so much more social capital from developing those relationships than you ever could from spending 20 minutes on your phone on Instagram. Plus, Sausalito is still salty, and I love that it’s one of the few communities that’s got the salt.
Favorite local bar? I love the No Name because they have live music. m
This page: Checking out the art at Art Basel Miami Beach. Opposite: “434 N. East” by Bibby Gignilliat.
Working in the art world today means navigating the line between creativity and commerce.
BY JESSICA GLIDDONANDY WARHOL ONCE said, “Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art.”
With his pop culture prints, the artist both embraced the idea of art as commodity and questioned commercialism. Many of today’s most valuable and celebrated artists have found success following his lead, with Jeff oons and Damien Hirst each having net worth in the hundreds of millions.
Since the 1970s and ’80s, artwork prices have skyrocketed to unprecedented heights. According to the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2018, sales in the global art market reached $63.7 billion in 2017 and show no sign of slowing.
Art a s a fi nancial investment is in a sense a contradiction, as it is often art’s resistance to commodi fication that gives it its greatest fi nancial value. But art world institutions have become more commercialized too. Today, art fairs are as much a part of the social calendar as elite events such as Art Basel Miami Beach or community favor ites like the Sausalito Art Festival. Galleries set prices, and auction houses drive them higher. The art market has been
so strong in recent decades it seems to operate under its own rules, a prime example being Sotheby’s 2008 auctioning of new work by Damien Hirst, which drew record sales even as the world economy collapsed.
Todd Levin, director of New York art advisor y fi rm Levin Art Group, notes that galleries were once more aligned with artists in protecting creative integrity. “More and more, it is the gallerists who are responsible for constructing and participating in these ‘circuits of commerce,’ ” he says. “They are transitioning into the merchants and marketers of art. There is the desperate expectation of novelty — but no longer of development.”
According to the auction house Christie’s, an artwork’s value comes down to a few key qualities: rarity, quality, provenance and market demand. The HBO documentary The Price of Everything illustrates the arbitrary fluctuation of demand, highlighting artist Larry Poons, whose career gradually faded away while his contemporaries like Frank Stella achieved enduring fame. The value of art seems increasingly to have more to do with contemporary celebrity than with creative merit.
As galleries have become more commercial, online auctions have caused seismic shifts in the art market. Art sales on the web rose by 12 percent to $4.22 billion in 2017, according to the 2018 Online Art Trade Report. Artsy Auctions, ArtSpace, Saatchi Art — these digital platforms are attracting a wider range of collectors than ever.
Once limited to smaller transactions, online bidding is now an essential part of the business. Christie’s has responded with Christie’s Live, while also exploring the in fluence of disruptive technologies through events such as the Art + Tech Summit in London. “Christie’s Live offers collectors further accessibility to the categories that they are passionate about, giving them the ability to participate in our sales without having to travel to our sale rooms,” says Cathy Busch, managing director of Christie’s Chicago. “Online sales continue to be the number-one recruiter of new buyers, and sales are also up 40 percent.”
These changes also a ffect smaller markets like Marin’s. “I think the whole way the art world has worked is shifting,” says local artist Bibby Gignilliat. “Increasingly, artists are selling directly to clients through the internet. Many are also trying pop-up shows and art fairs. There is still a place for galleries, but I’m not sure for how long.”
Sausalito’s Eric Zener agrees online sales have offered artists more ways to reach audiences outside the gallery system. “Artists loved online art in the beginning,” he says. “It was a chance to self-promote and sell directly.” Yet it hasn’t proved as effective as hoped.
Artists aren’t the only ones vying for the spotlight; collec tors are becoming players too. Japanese billionaire Yusaku
Maezawa, famous for having paid $110 million for a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat, is planning to travel to the moon aboard one of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rockets and wants to take some of the world’s artistic tastemakers along. The idea has captured the imagination of Zener, who’s hoping to be one of the artists on that team and create galactically inspired work.
History’s great artworks once only existed thanks to rich benefactors, and collectors are also now stepping into that role. In a smaller community like Marin, reaching such collectors can be challenging, despite the area’s
history as an enclave for artists. “It’s a beautiful place to work,” says Zener. “It’s near the San Francisco art scene also. But high rents are driving art galleries and artists out of town. You don’t have that sense of community you used to have.”
Gignilliat is fi nding some camaraderie as one of 140 who work at ICB Sausalito, which houses three floors of artists’ studios. “The community is great,” she notes. “We support each other by teaching art classes or organizing events for artists to sharpen their business skills.” They also team up to fi nd connections beyond galleries. “Ironically, making art is a solo activity that depends on others,” says John Kunzweiler, ICB’s president. “We actively seek and engage with galleries, printers, shows, designers, etc. It takes a village to keep our association relevant, and we must constantly and creatively engage.”
But there are limits to the support these kinds of institutions can provide. “There are ways to make it without gallery representation, but it’s hard,” Zener says. “When a work costs $80,000, you need something to validate this worth, often through representation by a notable gallery.” Relationships with galleries don’t come cheap: most take 50 percent of an artist’s profit. “You have to see it as a partnership — I make, you sell,” says Zener. “It’s a relationship built on trust and longevity.”
Museums provide another avenue for contact and exposure: “I work with the SFMOMA gallery,” says Gignilliat. “This allows me more freedom, since [smaller private] galleries often require you to have an exclusive arrangement.”
For all the lofty creative principles, art and its creators only survive if the market wants them to. “Art itself today is no better or worse; the number of historically important art ists in any given decade is no larger or smaller, and gallerists and collectors no smarter or dumber,” Levin says. “The force behind it all is simply increased demand.” Creativity and commerce, it seems, are destined to remain intertwined. m
It takes a village to keep our association relevant, and we must constantly and creatively engage.
With an idea for a handmade cracker, this fashion entrepreneur wound up starting a popular bakery-cafe.
BY KIRSTEN JONES NEFF PHOTOS BY LENNY GONZALEZRUSTIC BAKERY FOUNDER and president Carol Levalley is a rare breed: equal parts creative and practical. She’s someone who can simultaneously dream up a gourmet menu and build complicated spreadsheets, design granola packaging and crunch numbers for a kitchen remodel. When she launched Rustic Bakery with husband and partner Josh Harris in 2005, the idea was simple: they would make and sell organic artisan crackers. Little did they know their exponential success — Rustic Bakery crackers, crisps and cookies are now found in markets across the U.S., Canada, Japan and the Middle East — would lead to four local bakery-cafes that have quickly become casual dining landmarks in Marin. Levalley, for whom Rustic is a second career, sat down to talk to us about diving into a new vocation and managing the challenges of rapid growth and success.
How did Rustic Bakery and the Rustic brand come to be? Well, I was an art major in college and after college pursued a career in fashion. I had a successful career in apparel in L.A. and started my own label in high-end casual women’s wear — kind of boho before boho was a thing. So, I’d had a career in apparel for about 20 years when I started to think about getting into the food industry. I’d always loved to bake and had been making crackers to go with artisan cheese for friends and family. I thought, “Well, I’m going to take a look at the best cheese shop in S.F., Cowgirl Creamery, and see if they have
anything like these crackers.” I went to the Ferry Building shop and saw that they didn’t have anything handmade to go with the beautiful selection of cheese they offered. I con tacted the Cowgirls (cheese-company founders Sue Conley and Peggy Smith), arranged for a meeting, and took them some samples, which they loved. They said, “We’ll take 50 cases a week.” So that was pretty amazing.
Was it a bumpy transition from apparel to fine food? We were kind of stumbling around, as it was all new to us — we knew how to manufacture but didn’t know anything about the food industry. The Cowgirls were our mentors. They helped me develop eight flavors of flatbreads to go with their cheese. On October 13, 2005, we sent them their ver y fi rst case of 50; they were true to their word, as that was what they said they would order.
Was there a particular hurdle you faced as you launched the business? Yes. We were renting a commissary (shared) kitchen when we heard about a kitchen for sale down on Magnolia in Larkspur. We had a business plan and it included eventually buying a kitchen. It turned out this kitchen for sale in Larkspur had everything that we were looking for. The owner came to us and asked us if we would like to buy the lease for the bakery, but we didn’t have $200,000, which was the price. So, I said to Josh, we can create a com pany and create shares and we’ll pull in family and friends and come up with $100,000. Of that, we’ll offer $40,000 for the bakery and we’ll run the business on the remaining $60,000. The crackers were getting a great response, and we couldn’t keep up with the demand from places we were already shipping to. So, it was kind of a no-brainer for every one to jump on board. But then convincing the owner of the bakery that she should sell it to us for $40,000 was another thing. She took the offer. It had been for sale for quite a while with no offers, so she took our offer and we were off o the races.
That must have been terrifying. I don’t remember ever feeling scared. I remember feeling like I was on a path that I had to keep going on. It just made sense. It was really, really hard work to get the business started. I have never worked that hard in my life. I’d be up by 4 at the latest and do all the morning bake myself. My day was from about 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the bakery. We had planned to just make the crackers, but the landlord said that in order to purchase the bakery lease we had to have a retail component. So I said, “Okay, we’ll open a cafe. We’ll just make some
croissants and serve coffee and it will be very simple.”
Then, as soon as we opened the doors, it was popular. But it was super challenging because we now had a new retail business and a new wholesale business. It was a lot at once. We were very small potatoes. I remember at the end of the day when we fi rst opened the cafe, we had $500 and I said, “Oh my gosh, Josh, this is amazing!” I was thrilled.
You seem comfortable learning as you go. For better or worse, I have a tremendous amount of self-con fidence and I always feel like I ca n figure it out, one way or the other. In the face of adversity, I respond well and figure out solutions. For me, it is important to see the entire path ahead of me. If it isn’t entirely clear what the right move is, I wait. I wait until I really feel certain. That approach has never let me down. Very often it is a “Eureka!” moment, and then everything falls into place.
Has opening in Marin been critical to your success? Yes. Marin has been very supportive of an organic business. Originally, we approached the Cowgirls because I knew they would like the fact that I wanted to make organic crackers. Then we decided we would make our whole cafe organic. I serve people the way I serve food at home. It is very personal, 100 percent my creation, and always with the highest-quality ingredients. My philosophy is get the best you can. That wouldn’t have worked in a lot of places because organic means more money and organic does not have the value in some communities the way it is valued here in Marin.
Your cafes are incredibly popular. Do you intend to continue to grow? The four cafes we have right now feel really good. We are looking at another location that we are pretty seri ous about, but we’re not in active expansion on the cafe side
anymore. We built our 25,000-square-foot plant in Petaluma in 2015, and we just took on another building, so we have doubled our space to 50,000 square feet of production facility. We’ve been able to grow our wholesale business very quickly. Manufacturing is a lot easier than starting cafes.
In February Rustic Bakery was in the news; what happened? It was a bit overblown, but what happened was we had a run-of-the-mill, ordinary I-9 document audit. ICE conducted over 4,000 of these employment eligibility veri fication audits last year in California alone. All of our I-9 documents were in order and turned over to the auditor for inspection upon the request. The auditor found that some of the documentation on the forms was unable to be veri fied and we were told to give the employees in question an opportunity to provide veri fiable documentation and if they could not, we would have to dismiss them.
How did you respond? Over the last 10 weeks, we have hired and trained a large group of people to replace the employees we lost. It has been a difficult process and challenging to keep our cafes open during the transition. I would like to thank my general managers and bakery managers, who pulled together as a team to keep Rustic Bakery going after the audit. Lastly, I want to thank our amazing customers, who have been supportive throughout the process.
What would you say to a young artisan producer? Love what you’re getting into because it’s going to be your life. You know you hear sto ries about how a woman lifts a car off er kid? Well, I feel like that was the kind of energy I had when I first started, for the first five years of this business. I don’t even know how I did it. No idea.
What are you most proud of about your business? The Rustic Bakery Cafes have become community gathering spots, cornerstones. That is what (as a cafe) we wanted to be, and I think we succeeded i n fi lling a need for that. It’s so fun when you’re here at Larkspur Landing on a nice day and all the tables are full outside and you see people bumping into their neighbors and friends. That is what Rustic Bakery is — the heartbeat of a community. m
“Horizon’s
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of new work by Katheryn Holt.
that
at
of climate change.
“Melting icebergs and shifting horizons. My paintings are about our changing environment and the elusive layered nature of memory.” - Katheryn Holt
A healthy, athletic mother of four, Brittany Kurtz loves to run, hike, bike, and paddle with her husband and boys. In August of 2013, she came down with what seemed to be a urinary tract infection that slowed her down dramatically. Seven months, three doctors, and many antibiotic prescriptions later, Brittany was still sick, and had been running a nearly constant fever. She did some research and connected with one of our expert urologists, a robotic surgeon, who was determined to get her answers…and relief. He used our da Vinci® Si robot to assist him in removing an infection-filled, grapefruit-sized cyst on her kidney–through just four tiny incisions! Brittany was quickly back to all her favorite activities, taking full advantage of Marin’s great outdoors. To read more healing stories, visit www.maringeneral.org/healing
BY KIRSTEN JONES NEFF • PHOTOS BY SACHI CUNNINGHAM
was a beautiful sight — a circle of the most daring surfers in the world, sitting on their boards in the calm shallows just inside the reef at Pillar Point near Half Moon Bay. Holding hands and bouquets, they gathered for the start of the Mavericks big wave surf competition season; the event happens in late winter–early spring, but only if the swell arrives. This past October’s “paddle out,” a traditional part of the annual Mavericks opening ceremony, was all the more powerful with the presence of seven of the world’s top female athletes, a select few women who are strong enough, talented enough and brave enough to surf this mind-bogglingly forceful and dangerous swell. For the fi rst time in its 20-year history, female big wave surfers, including local surfing superstar and gender equity activist Bianca Valenti, were invited to compete in the contest.
It might not have happened if not for a very determined mother. Flash back 25 years to
when Valenti was 8, and her mother, Shane, regularly woke her up in the dark hours of the morning. Valenti’s parents were divorced; her father lived in the Bay Area (where Valenti would move after college) and she lived primar ily with her mother in Orange County’s Dana Point. “My mother would wake me up at 5 a.m. and say, ‘Hey, if you want to surf before school, you’ve got to get up now!’ Then she would take me to the beach and walk the dog while I surfed,” Valenti recalls. At a time when few girls were competing, Valenti’s mother would also get her to contests every weekend. “All the credit to my mom for being so super awesome and supportive, seeing my passion and love.”
Women supporting women is a tidal force in the monumentally shifting world of female surfing. In 2016, frustrated by meager prizes and lack of opportunity to compete, Valenti and fellow big wave surfers Paige Alms, Keala Kennelly and Andrea Moller, along with San Mateo County Harbor Commissioner Sabrina
Brennan and North Bay lawyer Karen Tynan, formed the Committee for Equity in Women’s Surfing (CEWS). Over the past three years, as the four female athletes rode some of the biggest waves women have ever surfed, they simultaneously pounded away nonstop to gain access to competition and reshape the policies of their sport’s league.
Courage is key for a big wave surfer because while you may stay on your board, more likely you will drop in on a building-size wave and find yourself cartwheeling out of control, bru tally pummeled and held under by the mass of water until you are on the edge of consciousness. Then you regroup and head back out. According to everyone who knows the CEWS surfers, what makes them warriors in the waves is exactly what makes them unstoppable in meeting rooms. “With Bianca, what I’ve seen is that if she puts her mind to it she’s going to do it,” says Sachi Cunningham, a surf photographer and film maker who has followed the CEWS team from the start and is in production on a documentary, SheChange, about their story. “Bianca’s a fireball, and she is unwavering. She is also very smart, so she understands how systems work.”
“Yes, these women are unique,” agrees Tynan, the Healdsburg-based pro bono legal counsel for CEWS who happens to also be a former Merchant Marine chief officer with her own reputation for tenacity. “They work in a challenging environment every day, so they manage fear. They know risk and how to manage risk, so they are sophisticated about negotiation and strategies.”
Buoyed by the the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, Valenti and her CEWS-mates gradually gained momentum as they applied steady pressure, fi rst on Cartel Management, the previous owners of the Mavericks competi tion, then on the World Surf League. Harbor Commissioner Sabrina Brennan, who is mar ried to a surfer and has in-depth knowledge of California’s coastal policies, devised a strategy for CEWS members as they fought gritty battle
after gritty battle to secure equal access for women at Mavericks, one of just three major big wave competitions worldwide (the others are Jaws in Maui and Nazare in Portugal).
Brennan and attorney Tynan designed and oversaw a strategy built around California’s equal opportunity laws. CEWS appealed to the California Coastal Commission, the governing body that issues the permit for the Mavericks event, pointing out that equal access to the coast, a public resource, and equal pay are man datory under California law. “We powwowed and decided we were going to push hard for equal pay,” says Valenti, who spoke repeatedly before the coastal commission, the California State Lands Commission and WSL executives.
League made surfing history, and women’s sports history, with new inclusion and equity policies. Not only are women now invited to the Mavericks Challenge, but the league will pay equal prize money to female surfers at Mavericks and in all WSL-sponsored com petitions. While surfing has lagged behind other sports in integration and compensation of women, this new policy means the World Surf League has leapfrogged over other major athletic groups, becoming the fi rst U.S.-based global sports league to offer genders equal pay.
Opener: Valenti at the November 26, 2018, Jaws Challenge big wave contest in Maui. She placed fourth but, for the first time, was paid equally. This spread: A recent shot of Valenti at Ocean Beach and one as a child in Dana Point in Orange County.
“One thing I’ve learned from this process is that we are all part of the community, and the coast is our resource, so we all have a right to present our opinion.”
In early September 2018, after all the public testimonies, open- and closed-door meetings and heated negotiations, the CEWS team saw their advocacy pay off: the World Surf
Bianca Valenti’s prominence in her field means she could easily be mentioned in the same sentence as hometown heroes Jonny Moseley or Jared Goff, although in Marin she’s still not a household name. Last fall she caught a barrel wave in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, touted on viral social media as “the biggest wave ever paddled into by a woman.” And last year Outside Magazine named her one of the top accomplished athletes among the likes of free climber Alex Honnold and international tennis phenom Naomi Osaka.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS 20-YEAR HISTORY, FEMALE BIG WAVE SURFERS WERE INVITED TO JOIN THE MAVERICKS
COURAGE IS KEY FOR A BIG WAVE SURFER BECAUSE, WHILE YOU MAY STAY ON YOUR BOARD, MORE LIKELY YOU WILL DROP IN ON A BUILDING-SIZE WAVE AND FIND YOURSELF
OUT OF CONTROL.
Valenti’s father is chef Duilio Valenti of Valenti and Co. Italian restaurant in San Anselmo, where Bianca can often be found either waiting tables or eating what she calls the “best and healthiest performance food ever,” specially made by her dad. She now con siders Northern California home and an ideal training ground for her big wave career, but she spent most of her youth surfing the Southern California coast. Contests had no girls’ divisions at fi rst, so she surfed shortboard competitions against boys. Then, when she was around 11, she joined a local Women’s Open Longboard divi sion, which helped extend and hone her skills.
But even as a teenager she felt the current working against her. Prize money for girls and women was pennies compared to what boys and men were getting, and the only female surfers profiting through sponsorship were the ones who looked like bikini models. Discouraged, she soured on the competition circuit until UC Santa Barbara, where she joined the surf club. It was then she heard about great Northern California breaks. “I had spent a lot of time in Marin, but I actually didn’t realize there was such good sur fing until friends on the surf team from Marin said, ‘Next time you come up, bring your wetsuit and we’ll surf.’ So that’s when I started to get into big wave sur fi ng.”
Today, San Francisco’s Ocean Beach, with its notoriously arduous break, is her regular stomping ground, and she surfs Mavericks whenever possible. Mill Valley’s Proof Lab co-founder Nate McCarthy has been a huge supporter, sur fi ng with Valenti and helping her get the right board for big waves. He sent her to a board shaper in Pacifica known for making Mavericks “guns” (long, thick boards designed for big waves), but Valenti had to convince the shaper to make her a board. “The guy was really hesitant. He didn’t feel comfortable making a female a board. I told him, ‘I got this, don’t worry about it.’ I just didn’t let it get to me.” As the rare female in big waves, Valenti has made it a habit to focus on encouragement from men like McCarthy. Additional supportive ranks include surf legends like Ryan Seelbach, Kelly
Slater and Kai Lenny, who have likewise cham pioned her CEWS peers.
The long-standing pay disparity for male and female surfers has been not only dispir iting but prohibitive for women who want to surf for a living. Professional big wave surfers must train and condition daily, in the water and on land, including breath and survival train ing. It is full-time work, yet the meager prize winnings have barely paid women enough for airfare to get to the waves.
“My friend Paige Alms, a top female big wave surfer, lives near two male surfers in Hawaii who are making a bunch of money, buying huge houses,” says Valenti. “And Paige, who has won the past few years, who is literally training with these same guys, has just been hitting her head on that glass ceiling.” Media coverage and commercial opportunities are a signi ficant part of the professional surfing equation, so access to high-profile events like the contest at Mavericks, one of the most infamous sets of waves on the planet, means not only the oppor tunity to compete and win, but more visibility and sponsorship.
“There is a nuance to this story. It’s not about bikinis; it’s about real athleticism,” says Tynan, who believes the location of the CEWS battle in California is relevant. “This state, with our very strong laws and protec tions, is really the prime forum to make sure there is equality in sports for women and girls. People are already talking to us about legisla tion and codifying this kind of requirement for no discrimination in sporting events.” Indeed, on February 11 of this year, California Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath introduced Assembly Bill 467, the “Equal Pay for Equal Play” measure, requiring sports prize equity for both male and female participants in all competitions held on public lands.
So how, after all this struggle, is Valenti feel ing about the sea change? “It’s a huge relief,” she says, shaking her head. After years of confront ing everything from eye-rolling pushback to aggressive personal abuse in her campaign, it’s a relief to be able to do what she already knows she can do: surf Mavericks — which she’s been sur fi ng since 2012 — in competition.
“You have these goals and you get bullied and it distracts you,” she says. “The last thing you want is to feel distracted when you are doing something so challenging and dangerous. Now we are past that and it feels like anything is possible.” m
Riding a wave at Ocean Beach in San Francisco.In a sport with a lot of risk, there is a reason rock climbers keep coming back.
IT’S 9:55 A.M. on June 20 last year and I am crouched in the gully of Cloudripper, a summit on Bishop Pass, an hour south of Mammoth Lakes. The steep gully is the width of a school bus, and the granite walls on either side are the height of a five-story building. Maybe I am screaming; I don’t remember. I am shaking and hyperventilating and tears are flowing.
I think I am in shock but not ready to admit it yet. There have been two rockfall events within five minutes and the thundering boulders have come within inches of my body. I remember whimpering and screaming as my climbing partner dragged me over the rocks to the safer side of the chute. I remember quoting a mantra in my head for five hours on the silent hike back out, probably to keep from going crazy. In many ways, this should have stopped me from ever climb ing again. However, there is both risk and reward in climbing and it’s that chance of reward that keeps me crawling back.
I am a 21-year-old San Rafael girl who skipped college to work full time so that I can climb part time. In my dream world, I would live out of a van, with a dog, climbing and doing photography and
videography for a living. Raised in Marin, I had parents who were always dragging me on hikes and camping trips. Despite this, climbing was not on my radar until age 14. Being an insecure teenager who was too shy to join the soccer team, I was intrigued when a co-worker suggested rock climbing as an alternative to team sports. After taking an introductory belay lesson at Planet Granite, I was hooked.
I’m not sure when the first person looked up at a rock face and decided it was a good idea to try to climb it. However, there is record of a few like George Anderson, who in the late
Opposite: Rutherford leading a climb at Boxer Rebellion in Nevada. This page: Climber Alex Wong looks at El Capitan from Taft Point in Yosemite National Park.
1800s made the first recorded ascent of Half Dome in Yosemite. John Muir was credited with the first ascent of Cathedral Peak in Tuolumne Meadows even earlier. In the early to mid-1900s, new advances in gear allowed more climbers like Warren Harding and John Salathé to take on even bigger Yosemite chal lenges like El Capitan and Lost Arrow Spire.
It wasn’t long before climbing started to become a recognized sport, and the ethics shifted. Climbing no longer required ham mering pitons (small chisel-like pieces of gear) into cracks, damaging the rock. Those were replaced with removable camming devices and other gear still used today. Over the last decade, climbing has become an even more popular pastime; recently, the Oscar-winning docu mentary Free Solo, about world-class climber Alex Honnold’s rope-free ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite, turned a bright light on the sport and the question of why climbers risk it all for such a seemingly simple reward.
I can’t speak for all climbers, but I can say that my goal is to push my physical limits, which often means going for the hardest grade pos sible; each ascent is given a grade of di fficulty that di fferentiates between a hike, a scramble and a climb requiring gear and rope.
I remember finishing my first di fficult climb in Yosemite, at Generator Crack. My climbing partner Brenton Bostwick and I had run into a group of three at the base of the ascent and we decided to work the problem together. It was not only the grade but the style that was challeng ing. It took me almost two hours to inch up the burly crack, which varied in size from being able to fit a fist to fitting my entire body. There were
tears, laughs, grimaces and fear. But the feeling of pulling over that lip was one I had never felt before. I was free and open and every bad feeling that was lingering in my body and mind had dis solved. This is why I keep going back.
There is the obvious reality that not every one makes it home from a climb. Over the past few years, I have lost too many friends and acquaintances to the sport. Remembering these friends is often overwhelming, and I would be lying if I said those thoughts didn’t affect my climbing — participating in a high-risk sport takes a toll. These thoughts make it hard to climb at times and working through that is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.
To me, climbing was never a sport learned through YouTube or books, but one learned through mentors. It is the people in my life and in climbing who influence me to look beyond
FROM TOP LEFT) MIGUEL ELIAS; SOPHI RUTHERFORD; MIGUEL ELIAS
the initial surface of what we do. If we were to only chase the summits and big projects, climb ing would be a sel fi sh pursuit. But it is when we bring others into our world that we excel as climbers, and as humans.
Brenton has been my climbing partner and a mentor to me since 2016. While I taught him about climbing, he showed me the value of being a selfless climbing partner. Another, unlikely climbing mentor was David Wells, my boss at 101 Surf Sports. He showed me that leading by example is a strong yet quiet way to live as well as teach. Through the sport I have learned that helping other climbers can be far more impor tant than any physical feat.
In early 2017, I met my other climbing partner, Miguel Elias. Soon after we started climbing together, I realized it was my turn to be a mentor. Beginning on his first day of climbing, I made it my priority to make sure he learned about etiquette, ethics and safety. Over time, I have set Miguel up with a spreadsheet of climbing goals, gear lists and an education wish list. We have driven hours for speci fic climbs I knew he would enjoy. After a few trips with him I started carrying an extra blanket, an extra pair of wool socks and spare coffee, things I’d learned could make or break his day.
Throughout my climbing career I have seen many good climbers who went to great lengths to teach others all they know. Over the past few years I have seen less of this. Still, the good climbers are not just the ones who are spon sored and pushing grades, but the ones who invest themselves in others’ success.
I have these fleeting moments during a climb, maybe during a hard move or taking in a magical moment, where I get this rush, maybe even a high. These moments keep me tied in, always searching for more.
We all have di fferent reasons for re-taping bleeding skin back together and trying again. That day on Cloudripper challenged my reasons for climbing. It also showed me why I go back and fight the crippling anxiety. To this day I still jump at loud noises and look away from friends when I encounter loose rock. Maybe I still climb as a way to try and understand why I am here, or maybe to bring back what was once lost. We search for these moments because when we reach our highest level of human potential, we feel most alive. m
Climber Mark Westerberg balancing on crimps in Yosemite. Opposite, clockwise from top left: Rutherford finds the grip in Yosemite; Elias practicing thin crack climbing; Rutherford at Bishop Pass.
EARTHQUAKE REFUGEES ON THE STEPS OF THE “FAIRY PALACE”SAN RAFAEL
AFTER THE 1906 EARTHQUAKE, A GROUP OF MORE THAN 60 CHINESE WOMEN AND GIRLS FLED TO SAN ANSELMO
In the early morning hours of April 18, 1906, the massive San Francisco earthquake struck. Fires erupted, and in the days that followed, thousands of exhausted “earthquake refugees” trudged over cracked streets and around toppled buildings seeking safety. Some fled to seek safety in Marin.
A large group of these people came from a “rescue home” on the edge of Chinatown, at 920 Sacramento Street, just below the nearly completed Fairmont Hotel. After fires destroyed the home, its superintendent, Donaldina (Dolly) Cameron, led more than 60 mostly Chinese girls, women, and babies through the burning city, onto a ferry from Sausalito, and eventually to shelter in a barn in San Anselmo, on the grounds of the San Francisco Theological Seminary.
BY JULIA FLYNN SILERIn the five years I spent researching and writing my forthcoming historical book The White Devil’s Daughters: The Women Who Fought Slavery in San Francisco’s Chinatown , I came to appreciate the courage of Cameron and the girls and women in her care. Besides danger from unstable buildings and fire, they were contending with other residents desperately vying for passage out of the city; the disaster took more than 3,000 lives and left a quarter of a million people homeless. I also discovered Marin County’s many con nections to the story of Cameron and the Chinatown refugees.
Members of the group who made that jour ney to Marin ranged in age from an infant named Ah Ping, only a few weeks old, to young women and girls who’d escaped sex slavery or other forms of servitude to the elderly, includ ing a woman who was partially blind. By the time they reached the seminary, Cameron was responsible for the feeding, housing and care of 67 people.
Tracing this large group’s journey, I visited the castle-like seminary, overlooking the Ross Valley. In the library, I pored over annual reports of the
group that had set up the rescue home known as the Occidental Mission House in Chinatown in 1874. Those women fought the slave trade with the goal of providing shelter to those who’d been subjected to involuntary servitude.
Buried inside the musty records for 1906–1907 was a note by Cameron that read, “Life in an empty barn, with very scanty bedding, insufficient food, one tin dipper and a dozen teaspoons and plates for a family of 60 is not comfortable; yet all made the best of the situ ation.” What goes unmentioned is that the seminary itself suffered significant damage during the quake, including the partial collapse of Scott Hall’s tower.
It began raining in the days after the women arrived, adding to their misery. But Cameron also reported a happy occasion: the wedding of one of the home’s residents, Yuen Kum, to a man named Henry Lai, who had traveled from Cincinnati for the event. Originally the ceremony was meant to occur in the Mission Home in San Francisco, but instead, on April 21, 1906, the couple wed in the seminary’s chapel “amidst showers of California roses,” Cameron wrote. More than
a century later, I passed the spot where it hap pened, on my way to the library.
A nearby orphanage — the predecessor to what was long known as Sunny Hills and recently renamed Side by Side — provided extra bed ding for the women. Then, at the end of April, Cameron and the group moved to San Rafael’s Gerstle Park neighborhood, to a home they called the “Fairy Palace” because it was luxurious com pared with the seminary barn. The house, at 3 Bayview, built in 1889, is still there today.
After about six months in the house, the group attracted the attention of shipping magnate Robert Dollar, who that same year pur chased a nearby mansion he renamed Falkirk, after the town in Scotland where he was born. A Presbyterian like Cameron, Dollar was a leader in trade between China and the U.S. and helped fund institutions across Marin, including Sunny Hills, the Theological Seminary and a home for boys; he also donated the land that today is San Rafael’s Boyd Park.
As the rainy season of 1906 approached, Cameron realized she needed something bigger than the “Fairy Palace” to house and educate the young people, many of them previously
DONALDINA (DOLLY) CAMERON AT AGE 25; THE MISSION HOME BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE
traumatized, in her care. Encountering resis tance from Marin landlords nervous about renting to such a large group of Chinese girls and women, she moved the group temporarily to Oakland. The daughter of a Scottish sheep farmer who’d suffered hardships in her life, Cameron displayed resilience and grit to fight the era’s widespread racism toward the Chinese.
Meanwhile, Robert Dollar and his wife, Margaret Proudfoot Dollar, joined forces with other prominent supporters, such as New York philanthropist Grace Dodge and Chicago inventor Cyrus McCormick; they would later help fi nance rebuilding of the mission home at 920 Sacramento Street in San Francisco. The Dollar family also funded the design of a second Chinese “mission home” by the famed architect Julia Morgan in Oakland. Intended to house younger residents, the second building became known as the Ming Quong Home for Chinese Girls. It was purchased and donated to Mills College in 1936.
I also discovered another Marin connection to the Occidental Mission Home: John H. “Jack” Manion. Manion had been born in my home town of Ross 30 years before the group moved
temporarily to the area following the earth quake and he worked closely with Cameron and the Mission Home in the 1920s and 1930s, helping to reduce human tra fficking and curtail the tong wars during that time.
Cameron never married or had her own chil dren, though many of the girls in her care came to call her “Mama” or “Lo Mo” and she referred to them as her daughters. Among my biggest surprises is that one of Cameron’s closest liv ing relatives, her grand-niece Ann Cameron, is a resident of Corte Madera. Ann kindly shared a trunk-load of family letters, photographs and memorabilia with me. She later gifted this material to UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library as a possible addition to its large collection of materials documenting the story of Chinese immigrants in California.
Ann also shared with me her memories of “Auntie Wu,” a Mission Home worker she and her brother and sister came to know and love. Her full name was Tien Fuh Wu and she’d been sold by her father to pay his gambling debts when she was a child. Abused by her owners, she eventually came to the attention of the Mission Home workers and was brought to live at 920
Sacramento Street, initially as a sewing teacher, about 15 months before Cameron arrived there.
Cameron and Wu eventually became friends and colleagues, working alongside each other at the home for more than four decades. As Cameron grew sterner in her old age, Wu grew softer: she’d bring Cameron’s nieces and nephew Chinese food on their birthdays and arrange window seats for them to see the annual Chinese lunar New Year parade.
Growing up in Marin, I had probably driven or biked past the seminary, Falkirk, 3 Bayview and Ann Cameron’s house in Corte Madera a hundred times without knowing much about the history of these places. But Marin played a key role in providing a refuge to thousands of survivors of the 1906 disaster, including Cameron and her earthquake refugees — who found here not only temporary safety, but last ing connections. m
A launch party for The White Devil’s Daughters: The Women Who Fought Slavery in San Francisco’s Chinatown (Penguin Random House) will be held at Book Passage in Corte Madera on Thursday, May 16, at 7 p.m.
EARTHQUAKE-DAMAGED SCOTT HALL IN 1906; CAPTAIN ROBERT DOLLAR WITH RESIDENTS AT MING QUONG HOME FOR CHINESE GIRLS
Mel Croner started the company in 1978 as a bou tique compensation and benefits consulting fi rm and soon took on a business partner, Pete Culver. In 1989, Croner’s oldest daughter, Hali, joined the fi rm. At the time, the company was conducting surveys on how much people earned in various fields, but Hali was its fi rst employee to look at compensation in the emerg ing world of video game production. Since she’s taken charge, the company’s 20-or-so employees have con tinued to branch out and now produce nine annual industry-speci fic surveys, monitoring pay packages for workers in everything from animation to digital content to biotech.
Pete and Mel, now in their 70s and 80s, drop by the office in between tennis and golf games. But there’s no question who’s boss. “My father has been a model of how to step back when it’s time for someone else to come forward,” Hali says. “He and Pete were willing to step back because they were at the point in their careers where they didn’t need to work as much and they saw me thriving and wanted to support me.”
It’s a growing pattern: the Smith and Sons of the world are becoming Smith and Daughters. A recent study by EY (formerly Ernst & Young) of the world’s 589 largest family businesses showed that increasingly, women are becoming their leaders. In the workplace overall, 13.8 percent of business’s top management teams are composed of women, but in family-owned businesses that jumps to 22 percent. What’s more, 60 percent of surveyed family companies were consider ing choosing a woman as their next CEO.
That’s big news, because family businesses are the backbone of the global economy, creating an estimated 70 to 90 percent of the worldwide gross domestic product (GDP) and 50 to 80 percent of jobs in most countries, EY has found.
Why are families more receptive to female execs? “There are a lot of variables, but long-term thinking
is defi nitely one of them,” says EY Americas Family Business Leader Carrie Hall. “Family businesses tend to think more long-term and when people [women who h ave more tim e to prove themselves] can per form in their roles over a longer period of time, it helps erase biases.”
For many women, joining the family business was a practical move — not necessarily one they’d planned on. Take Stephanie Kirby Plante, president and CEO of CPi Developers, which owns San Rafael’s Shoreline Center as well as the Tesla Supercharger station in Kettleman City, California. Plante’s grandfather, Martin Bramante, started the business in 1967, when he purchased a land fi ll known as San Quentin Disposal. While Plante was growing up, her mother, Susan Bramante Kirby, helped with his bookkeeping. The family decided to develop the San Rafael site in 1987.
Plante loved television and, after graduating from UC Berkeley, became a traffic reporter for KRON 4 and then a producer. When her mother was diagnosed with cancer in 1999, she quit her job to help care for her. Her mom died soon afterward, and Plante thought about returning to television. But her grand father urged her to stay put. “You’re going to have to handle your mother’s a ffairs,” Plante says he told her. “Oh, and by the way,” he also said. “I don’t know how to turn the computer on. Do you think you could come in and help me for a while?”
Twenty years later, she’s still at CPi. In 2015, a year after her grandfather died, she bought out several rel atives and is now the company’s sole proprietor. But her family’s legacy is a point of pride. “It’s important to me to celebrate our tenure here,” she says. “Being in business for more than 50 years is a tremendous feat and I’m grateful for those roots and that founda tion, which taught me never to expect anything and to work hard for what you want, and then to make space and time to give back.”
Being part of the family does not shield women from challenges, especially in male-dominated indus tries. Patty Garbarino, president of Marin Sanitary Service, knows this well. A few weeks into that role, she was sitting at a conference table with her father, Joe, who co-founded the company in 1948. They were waiting for a union representative; when he arrived
When Hali Croner, CEO of The Croner Company in Kentfield, took over the business from her father and his business partner in 1999, her father gave her the greatest gift of all: he let her run the show.HALI CRONER STEPHANIE PLANTE PATTY GARBARINO
he took one look at Patty and said, “Um-huh. No way. I don’t negotiate in no room with a woman.”
“Well, OK,” Joe replied. “But you’re going to have a hard time following this meeting from a parking lot.”
The union negotiator relented and joined the con versation. Since then, Garbarino has negotiated with the Teamsters countless times in the 19 years she’s been boss, and it’s among the accomplishments she’s proud est of. She also oversees 255 employees and was elected president of the California Refuse Recycling Council in 2000 — as the first woman ever to hold the position.
Garbarino is one of four daughters; there were no sons to inherit the business. That also was the case for Andrea Schultz, president of Greenbrae Management, which manages the Bon Air Shopping Center and sev eral apartment buildings. She is the youngest of four girls. Her grandfather, Niels Schultz, was a Danish immigrant who purchased more than 600 acres of ranchland from the Catholic Archdiocese in 1946. The swath of land originally stretched from Highway 101 to Manor Road in Kentfield. In addition to building homes and apartment buildings, Niels and his son (also named Niels) opened the Bon Air Shopping Center in 1952.
The younger Niels — Andrea’s father — was run ning the company when she joined in 1990. Her youngest child had started kindergarten and she wanted something to do. Over time, she assumed more and more responsibilities and was named pres ident in 2006, two years before her father’s death. Since then she’s had to confront a challenging retail environment and has overseen the “refresh” of the shopping center, transforming it into a community gathering place with fire pits, a bocce court and plenty of places to sit. She also oversees about 35 employees.
As part of the refresh, Schultz and her team decided to redo their signage to reflect their heritage: “We have so much history here and I thought we
MAGGIE M C DONOGHshould capture that,” she says. “I wanted to go forth with a more modern look, but I also wanted it to be about my father and grandfather too. So now our signs say ‘BON AIR GREENBRAE Since 1952.’ ”
Because of those deep community roots, Schultz is a strong believer in giving back — a common trait among family business leaders, EY’s Carrie Hall says.
Schultz sits on the operating board and executive committee of Marin General Hospital and was chair of MGH’s Foundation Board. Hali Croner served as president of the board of directors of Congregation Rodef Sholom in San Rafael. Stephanie Plante has been a member of the board of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce for seven years.
Being part of a support network is important for these women as well. Schultz and Croner are mem bers of Vistage, a peer mentoring organization for CEOs and business owners nationwide. Plante often reaches out to other members of the East San Rafael Working Group, which she started.
For Maggie McDonogh, support is closer to home. She’s owner/operator of the Angel Island–Tiburon Ferry, which her father, Milton, founded in 1959. McDonogh considers herself a fourth-generation business owner because her great-grandfather “ran boats” around the bay starting around the mid-1800s, and her grandfather operated the launch between the north and south towers of the Golden Gate Bridge while it was being built. She took over the company a few years before her father’s death in 2008.
“The most challenging part about this job has also been the biggest blessing, which is I was able to rear my children while I worked on the boat,” McDonogh says. “My dad always helped out. My mom would help out. But I was the mom who had the baby in a little sack while I was running the boat.”
By bringing her kids literally on board all the time, she’s also been able to line up her successors — a con cern that often looms for family businesses. “It was wonderful to work with my father and have him as my best friend, mentor and business partner,” she says, “and now I get to work with my son, Sam, who’s my new business partner. I get to teach him and watch him develop and excel past what I’ve taught him. And my daughter, Becky, is deckhanding. So I’m lucky. My children want to do the same thing.” m
ANDREA SCHULTZ
Whether they’re running households or businesses, women bring a unique spirit and enthusiasm to their work. And in all they do, they elevate those around them while often finding their own successes along the way. When it comes to the local business world, there are plenty of successes to point to. In this section we invite you to get to know some pretty inspiring women.
Martha Bodell took her husband and family’s tile and stone construction company to new heights by opening the Design Showroom in 2008 during the economic downturn. This proved to be an accurate read on the economy and NCT thrived and grew by reaching out directly to homeowners.
Martha leads the North Coast Tile and Showroom team in working with designers, contractors, architects and homeowners with a confident, thoughtful and professional attitude.
NCT is a one stop shop which offers stone slabs, a beautiful tile selection, design services and installation of both stone and tile. One client says, “Being in Martha’s showroom is like being in her living room. The care that was taken with the selection, design and installation of our slabs and tile made us feel like family”.
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Martha supports The Living Room, Art Start and Sonoma County Museum, all of which were championed by her mother. They support four high school booster clubs, SRJC Baseball and Wrestling team, Sonoma State University Baseball team and individual student athletes.
CA 415.300.6881
Aconsistent top-producing agent in Marin County for over 15 years, Chelsea E. Ialeggio truly understands every important facet of managing a successful brokerage. After a decade working in investment banking, Chelsea built a real estate business based on a high level of integrity and knowledge, principles she has instilled in the agents she now manages. As Vanguard Properties’ Marin Sales Manager, Chelsea’s leadership philosophy is based on the pursuit of excellence and Vanguard’s vision of collaboration, cooperation, and compassion. Her belief that success can be achieved without compromising steadfast values has inspired her colleagues to join her and as a result, Vanguard’s Marin sales volume grew over 100% in 2018 to nearly $500 million. Vanguard believes in cultivating best practices in the next generation of agents and offers a coaching program that is incomparable in the brokerage community.
One of Chelsea’s great pleasures is to share her vast real estate experience so that everyone benefits – agents raise the bar of real estate professionalism and clients receive unparalleled service. Chelsea recognizes the privilege of living and working in one of the most beautiful places in the world and shares her good fortune both locally and globally, dedicating a portion of her earnings to many charities that strive to improve the lives of others, including Home for a Home, The Milo Foundation, and Homeward Bound of Marin.
Nooshin Behroyan, founder and CEO of Paxon Energy & Infrastructure Services, is a 16-year Marin resident and a serial entrepreneur.
She brings extensive cross-cultural experience that promotes gender diversity and work-force equality in the field of oil, gas, and utilities by addressing barriers, and driving change for positive impact, especially for women engineers and veterans. Paxon empowers their employees to apply their training and skills so as to successfully transition into productive careers. Veterans alone make up 20% of Paxon’s total employees.
Nooshin’s strategic hires and job training programs, coupled with geographic and organic growth models, has helped launch Paxon into one of the fastest growing and leading women owned consulting firms heavily involved in improving the safety of oil and gas pipelines in the US and Canada. They integrate the latest in technologies to monitor electric lines, and help protect infrastructures and surrounding communities. The San Francisco Business Journal named Paxon as among 2018’s Top 10 largest construction program management firms of the Bay Area.
Nooshin holds a B.A. in Architecture from UC Berkeley, and a M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Davis. She is also a professionally trained piano player and has played for the UC Berkeley Jazz Ensemble. In addition, she is a mom to two active children (Arman10 and Ava-8).
Open-heart letter, Owning ONA has pushed me beyond my own personal limits to learn about cannabis policy/regulations on a state and local level, start an association/coalition, push boundaries, overcome my fear of public speaking, and most of all, learn how to use my voice for what I believe.
Marin, THANK YOU for supporting my mission to destigmatize, educate, and bring cannabis mainstream. I’m humbled by all the local support I’ve received, acknowledging my work, my passion and my story – having hometown love and support feels absolutely incredible!
Lastly, in the name of women, I’ve always been surrounded by intelligent, powerful, and phenomenal, “You can do it” women. Some older and wiser than me, others younger with new, fresh eyes, and some the same age with accomplishments that I can only dream to achieve. All these determined, motivated, creative and inspirational ladies have guided and shaped me. Be a mentor, every little + big girl needs one!
Love – Nurit
PS: On January 1, 2018, ONA flawlessly transitioned into the regulated market getting awarded licensing by the Bureau of Cannabis Control, City of San Rafael and County of Marin – making ONA the only two time locally licensed cannabis concierge in Marin..
Serving Marin + SF • 415.909.0382 • ona.life San Rafael Lic #2018-08-ONA Bureau of Cannabis Control: C9-18-0000104-TEMP
With more than 30 years’ experience working on behalf of animals, Nancy McKenney leads one of the most respected animal welfare organizations, Marin Humane.
Nancy provides innovative leadership to this progressive organization, which includes more than 110 staff members and 600 volunteers. Marin Humane finds homes for animals, provides support to low-income pet guardians, offers training classes, educates young animal advocates, investigates cruelty, rescues wildlife, and much more.
With a Master’s degree in Not-for-Profit Leadership, experience with several animal welfare organizations, and as a member of state and national humane associations, Nancy provides key leadership to one of Marin’s most beloved organizations. She’s also helped develop a stellar board of directors, which guides the organization to the highest levels of integrity and success.
Join Nancy and Brody (Marin Humane alum) on May 19 for Woofstock, a dog-friendly outdoor music benefit on the Marin Humane campus. 415.883.4621 • marinhumane.org
Focused on custom residential architecture and interior design services, Chambers + Chambers is a boutique architectural practice in Mill Valley, California. Understated elegance, quiet luxury, richness in color and texture, classical detailing and axial relationships are signature elements of Barbara’s award winning designs. Barbara finds design inspiration through her passion for and love of classical architecture, antiques, sculpture, art and travel.
chambersandchambers.com
Top-producing Realtor Zamira Solari has been making an impact in Marin County real estate for more than 17 years. Today, she is more passionate than ever about the business she has built on a foundation of unwavering integrity, trust, and complete dedication to her clients’ success. With close to 200 sales under her belt, Zamira’s superior negotiating skills, dynamic marketing approach, and deep-rooted connections play a major role in her achievements. Real estate is her business, but on a personal level, she is motivated by the trust and confidence her clients place in her, and she’s driven to exceed their expectations every single day.
Zamira is a longtime Marinite who proudly gives of her time and resources to many amazing local organizations including the YES Foundation, Drake Fund, Gilead House, Children for Change, Compass Community Fund, Film Night in the Park and a plethora of youth sports programs. Her strong belief in giving back to her community has inspired her husband and two children to join in her efforts to make Marin County truly the best place to call home.
Zamira has a true desire to connect with her clients, and she brings an exorbitant amount of enthusiasm, energy, and positivity to every interaction. She possesses an intricate understanding of the business, and she gives willingly of her knowledge and support. With personal attention, selfless advice, a real love of the profession, and a proven track record, Zamira ensures her clients’ unparalleled success in their Marin buying or selling experience.
Marin Optometry, est. 1937 is the Bay Area’s premier optometry practice and eyewear boutique, bringing the absolute best individualized eye care, newest technology in optical lenses and most current fashion in today’s eyewear from around the world. Located in Mill Valley, we are here to serve the community so you love the way you look and love the way you see!
Dr. Jean Brennan and Sharon Segal love their Bay Area and Mill Valley community. Community sits at the forefront of their values - within their Marin Optometry family, and the community at large. We support many local social and cultural causes, including Kiddo, Rotary, 10,000 Degrees and Saint Vincent De Paul.
We believe seeing is believing. We’re here to give you your absolute best vision and we look forward to building a relationship with you and your family to last a lifetime!
158 Throckmorton Ave • Mill Valley, CA 415.360.2170 • marinoptometry.com
CANDOR. KNOWLEDGE. RESPONSIVE. RESULTS.
As a former media sales executive, a local business owner and a resident of Marin for more than 25 years, Kelly will help you find your dream home in the “perfect-for-you” neighborhood. She understands that buying or selling a home is a very personal, often emotional, decision. She prides herself on understanding her clients’ goals and dreams, developing a personal relationship based on listening, integrity and trust.
Vanguard Properties – Marin • Mill Valley, CA 415.250.6034 • kellyericksonrealestate.com
Jennifer Johanson is the President and CEO of EDG Interior Architecture + Design, a globally recognized hospitality design and strategy studio headquartered in Marin, with offices in Dallas and Singapore. EDG specializes in branding, restaurant concepts, and hotel and resort design. Jennifer has established EDG as a leading innovator in hospitality design strategy, with active projects in the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Jennifer’s balance of design creativity, business savvy and strategic innovation drives phenomenal results. Her work with ground-breaking chefs, hoteliers, and entrepreneurs has positioned EDG at the forefront of the hospitality design revolution. Architect by training, maverick by nature, Jennifer measures success by client satisfaction and tangible results.
Recent projects include signature restaurants in Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Kona; an edible garden in centerfield at the Giants Oracle Park, and boutique hotels on the Oregon Coast, in Newport Beach and Manhattan Beach; with new wine country resorts underway in Sonoma and Napa. EDG is an awardwinning team of 75 designers, architects, strategists and graphic designers. The home office is housed in Hangar 7 at Hamilton Landing.
7 Hamilton Landing, Suite 200 • Novato, CA 415.454.2277 • edgdesign.com
Gabriela Buich is an explorer of people. In her work, she analyzes interpersonal relationships and believes that creating an open organizational culture starts with each individual.
Referred to by her clients as the “Jedi of transformational breakthroughs,” and the “soul mirror,” Gabriela connects from her heart creating an intuitive trust which enables people to rescript old stories while catalyzing inner evolution. Gabriela’s teaching is a combination of 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, deep empathy, laughter, discovery, and accountability. She lasers in on personal potential.
In addition to her C-suite clientele, Gabriela has been dedicated to supporting women. Recently, she hosted a women-focused workshop cultivating coaches and leaders and was the keynote for the Women Sharing Wisdom Institute in Kenya.
“My practice is the practice of openness, which grows capacity for living from joy and provides a foundation for supporting those who feel called to show up and do the work.”
Serving the SF Bay Area gabriela@3cscoaching.com • 3cscoaching.com
Moonstruck Fine Jewelry, Johanna Becker’s new Mill Valley studio, is the culmination of 30 years making extraordinary, one-of-a-kind pieces for women who LOVE jewelry! Whether you have a custom piece you’ve been fantasizing about, or just want to browse a gorgeous collection of curated pieces from local goldsmiths, come to Moonstruck where Johanna can make your jewelry desires come true!
11 Bernard Ave • Mill Valley, CA 415.383.0462 • @moonstruckfinejewelry
GOLDSMITH & MILL VALLEY BUSINESS OWNERWith nearly a BILLION DOLLARS in sales, Marilyn Rich is dynamic, well known for her strong negotiating skills, her integrity, warmth and extraordinary service. Marilyn always asks her clients how she can help, because achieving her clients’ real estate goals is her primary focus. Marilyn is excellent at determining what should be done to improve a home when selling to get the highest price in the shortest length of time, and her A-plus team of professionals can get it done!
Her strong belief in the importance of giving back, serving community and supporting charities keeps her involved and in-touch. She loves sharing her knowledge of Marin’s towns and neighborhoods, schools and recreational opportunities. When looking for a home, this knowledge and experience are invaluable.
Being from, and in, a real estate family, Marilyn’s San Francisco, Peninsula and East Bay, connections and far-reaching networks are unparalleled. Can she help you? Yes, she can. A portion of Marilyn’s commission goes to Side by Side, formerly Sunny Hills Children Services.
Debbie Duering, the owner of Architectural Design Carpets, has been a leader in the Bay Area flooring industry since 1990. Her senior sales team consists of two creative and dedicated women, Kate Googins and Mary Lippert, who have been part of her team for over 15 years. They work hand-in-hand with the Bay Area’s top interior designers, architects, and realtors on residential and commercial properties. These ladies excel in the top flooring trends ranging from carpet and hardwood to custom rugs and commercial flooring. Using a woman’s ingenuity Debbie, Kate, and Mary constantly think outside the box and their attention to detail is not only a level of standard at Architectural Design Carpets but part of their creative nature.
When it comes to investing in flooring for any project, no matter how big or small, the foundation of your home starts with Architectural Design Carpets.
1111 Francisco Blvd East • San Rafael, CA 415.458.1717 • adccarpets.com
Bonnie Powers is co-curator of the jewelry and home goods shop she owns with her husband, goldsmith Jeffrey Levin. Her passion lies in the power of design to shift experience and culture. As a creative agency exec, Bonnie advocates for connecting us to the human experience. Similarly, the store edit reflects Bonnie’s passion for discovery and a considered fascination with narrative, taste and devotion to craft.
New Location • 11 Throckmorton Ave • Mill Valley, CA poetandthebench.com
Marin County has always been a home for Monica. She grew up in Mill Valley, CA., where she attended Old Mill, Mill Valley Middle School, and Tamalpais High School. After graduating from Tam High, Monica attended UCLA where she obtained her BA in World Arts and Cultures. Directly after receiving her degree she moved to New York City to work for companies such as: Calvin Klein and Jcrew. She then moved to Los Angeles and worked at Sketchers, before moving back to Marin to work at a start-up footwear company located in San Rafael called Vionic. While at Vionic she was the Senior Director of Product Development and Costing departments.
Monica specializes in start-up businesses within corporations and brings a structured yet grounding presence to the workplace. Her distinctive abilities have helped Nice Guys Delivery stand out as a business of merit and professionalism in the newly formed legal cannabis industry.
Nice Guys Delivery is a licensed cannabis delivery service which operates out of San Rafael, CA.
Monica and her partner, Adam Fong, co-owner and CEO of Nice Guys, own a house in West Marin and are raising two young boys and three dogs. It’s a dream come true for her to raise a family and own a business serving the community in the same county where she grew up.
Back in 1993 when Leigh Bakhtiari and her husband Hossein opened the doors to City Carpets in San Rafael, there were few women strongly entrenched in the flooring business. Leigh wanted to change that dynamic and proceeded to build her visibility within the industry knowing she could open doors for others to follow.
In her career, Leigh has shown the importance of a woman’s leadership in business and more specifically in the flooring industry. She is a currently a Regional Network Coordinator for Carpet One Co-op, pastpresident and long-tenured board member for the Redwood Empire Floor Covering Association, in addition to serving on advisory councils for fiber manufacturers including Stainmaster® Flooring and Gulistan® Carpets.
According to Leigh, there is much more to be done, including building awareness and support for sustainable practices within the flooring industry. City Carpets gives her a showroom to introduce natural flooring products that are created to last in appearance and comfort.
555 East Francisco Blvd • San Rafael, CA 415.454.4200 • city-carpets.com • CSL #746886
Stephanie Cannell knows the difference between having insurance and being insured. Specializing in Southern Marin for the last 15 years, she overcomes insurance objections that are unique to our area. Handling all types of insurance from auto, home, life and umbrella to construction and small business. Stephanie brings her experience to work for you.
232 E Blithedale Ave, Suite 206 • Mill Valley, CA 415.388.7979 • 415.302.2989 cell • 415.388.7980 fax
Finding the right home is about so much more than square footage and number of rooms. It is also about quality of life and how you live outside those walls. Carey Hagglund Condy is not only one of the most respected luxury real estate agents in Marin County, but also one of its most passionate residents. That’s why she is the Face of Luxury Marin Homes. Having raised her three daughters here, Carey lives and breathes the Marin lifestyle and knows first-hand what her clients want and need. Whether hiking on Mount Tam, playing golf, or being active in the community, Carey’s not just your agent, but part of your Marin network. “To me, real estate is more than just selling houses. It means creating connections — between buyer and agent, family and home, home and community.” By providing her unique and personal perspective to living in Marin, her unparalleled knowledge and attention to detail, Carey and her team will help guide your journey to your perfect home so you too can enjoy “Marin Living Beyond The Four Walls”.
Dr. Cat’s success springs from her business-school mind, Taoist leadership style and camp counselor attitude. Earning degrees in business, psychology and a PhD in Asian Philosophy, she is one of few Westerners to receive teachings from the Dali Lama and is versed in Taoism, Zen, Buddhism, I Ching, and Confucianism.
One key to her success is contemplation. “Great leaders and innovators carve out space to think.” Another is analyzing important decisions by “knowing the time and knowing your position” like a chess player.
Dr. Cat is known as an innovator. She has been involved in more than 200 businesses internationally, in Silicon Valley and locally. In Marin, she owns 9 Corners Functional Medicine Center with her husband, Randy Gibson LAc, MA, MS. In it’s 21st year, 9 Corner’s Team hosts over 1000 sessions per month. Her newest innovation, Club 9 Cryo Lounge, delivers Cryo Therapy, Infrared Saunas and Bio Coding. She’s partners with a Buck Institute molecular scientist bringing revolutionary bio and physio health tests to Marin residents. Club 9 / 9 Corners is the only place in the US interlinking Bio Coding, Functional Medicine, Cryo, and Infrared. “It’s breathtaking to advance personalized medicine in such effective, affordable ways,” smiles Dr. Cat.
Applegarth + Warrin is honored to be recognized as the top team at the #1 real estate brokerage in Marin. The women of Applegarth+Warrin — Kara Warrin, Jennifer Glassman and Melissa DiVita — specialize in high-end, luxury real estate, with over $1 billion in sales. Known for their discretion, uncompromising quality, and an elite level of service, they have facilitated the buying and selling of some of Marin’s most coveted homes.
The team is comprised of real estate mavens, moms, and philanthropists, spanning backgrounds in design and sales. With over 50 years combined experience, this team excels at providing unparalleled service and expertise to their clients. Their commitment to building strong communities by investing in local charities, schools, and non-profits sets them apart.
Professionals with local knowledge and a global reach: Applegarth + Warrin and the Sotheby’s brand, with its prestige, worldwide presence and superior network is unrivaled by any other brokerage.
Put Marin’s top team to work for you.
To partner with A+W for your real estate needs, please call 415-383-5200.
Cassie Zampa-Keim is a renowned dating and relationship strategist, author, speaker and coach. She is the founder and CEO of Innovative Match, a national relationship-services firm.
One of the industry’s leading experts on dating, Cassie has worked with thousands of singles over the past three decades. She’s been named one of the World’s Top Matchmakers (UK Dating), written for and been featured in leading media publications and is the author of the acclaimed “Finding Love After 50.” One of the early pioneers of using online dating with clients, Cassie draws the latest technologies to service clients.
Cassie launched Innovative Match to deliver a 21st century approach for helping clients to realize their relationship goals. Cassie offers a holistic, data-driven road map for transforming clients’ dating lives, drawing upon technology expertise, psychological training and work as a dating and life coach as well as a compassionate heart.
Ross, CA 415.259.8714 • innovative-match.com
I paint spacious, blissful havens for the soul, to uplift and quiet the mind, and elicit inner peace. Come experience my Blissful Gallery’s relaxing effect! Nurturing and empowering are at the core of both my art and my life coaching practice, to help people thrive. Since 2013, 4% of every sale is gratefully donated to charity. Emmeline Craig - Blissful Gallery.
3415 Shoreline • Stinson Beach, CA 415.868.2787 • emmelinecraig.com
415.265.3344 kzhardesty@vanguardmarin.com
Karen Z. Hardesty has consistently excelled in her real estate career in total sales production and, more importantly, with the extraordinary service she provides to her clients. Her belief in the value of home ownership and deep knowledge of the Bay Area market have benefitted her buyers and sellers through many years and economic cycles with results that keep them coming back to her. Strategically advising them on how properties will hold their value during changing markets, they return to her again and again for their real estate needs. She has repeatedly seen homes provide luxury and warmth, and if purchased wisely, become the client’s strongest investment.
Karen grew up in Pasadena and Newport Beach and attended USC. Her work with Disney, CBS, Dean Witter and running her own photography business gave her valuable training in interpersonal relations and negotiating skills, all instrumental in her success.
Since 1982 Karen has resided in Marin County and appreciates what it has to offer. She is a broker associate with Vanguard Properties and finds their elegance and collaboration the perfect platform from which to serve her clients. An added bonus is having her daughter, Chelsea E. Ialeggio, as the Marin Sales Manager!
Karen is involved in philanthropic endeavors with a focus on the needs of children in impoverished areas and veterans. She also counsels cancer patients facing this traumatic diagnosis.
CLIENT FOCUSED. RESULTS DRIVEN.
Robin’s innovative approach is carefully designed to achieve the best outcome for each client she serves and each home she sells. She works closely with her clients to uncover a home’s most appealing features, then highlights them through skillful marketing and preparation. A dedicated professional, Robin and her team deliver a high level of service and personal attention to ensure a smooth and effortless transition.
With a background in marketing to high net-worth clients for Fortune 500 companies, Robin understands how to appeal to a sophisticated audience. And as a real estate investor with a solid business background, she is a strong negotiator and valuable member of any development team.
Robin lives in Mill Valley with her two sons, one a passionate mountain bike racer, and the other a proud member of Marin County Search and Rescue. She is actively involved in the Marin community and donates a portion of each home sale to local charitable organizations.
RobinCorey.com • 415.710.4047 CalRE# 02027379 • Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
An acclaimed interior designer with a rock n’ roll edge, Holly Kopman creates glamorous, multi-layered interiors with her keen eye for detail. Materials, color, and scale combined carefully with contemporary, vintage, and Holly’s own signature custom pieces are the trademark of Holly A Kopman Interior Design. Holly considers herself a conduit for her clients’ design ideas and personal aesthetic.
3020 Bridgeway, Suite 207 • Sausalito, CA 415.339.9386 • hollyakopman.com
2100
Dr. Karen Horton has been in practice in San Francisco since 2006, focusing primarily on aesthetic surgery for women and aesthetic breast reconstruction. An athletic mother of twin girls and Marin resident herself, Dr. Horton focuses on creating natural results with preservation of muscle function to help patients return to everyday activities quickly after surgery. Dr. Horton’s boutique practice hosts an all-female staff whose goal is to ensure each patient has the very best experience and outstanding results.
Karen has a women’s touch in the way she approaches each patient individually and incorporates mental, emotional and physical considerations when planning their procedure. Dr. Horton has also developed innovative techniques when it comes to popular female procedures including breast augmentation, tummy tucks, labiaplasty and mommy makeover procedures. Her practice offers non-surgical aesthetic treatments including Botox, fillers, lasers, CoolSculpting and medical-grade skin care by “the gentle injector”, Emily Sespaniak, NP.
Alys Grace® has the quaint charm of a favorite neighborhood boutique with many contemporary ready-to-wear designers found worldwide. Alys Grace husband and wife team, Phil and Tiger Bachler, opened their doors in 2008 in Menlo Park, in the heart of the Silicon Valley and have since opened 4 more locations in Los Altos, San Francisco, Corte Madera, and San Ramon. Whether you’re looking for luxurious sweaters, a special date night dress, a great fitting pair of jeans or that essential white tee shirt, Alys Grace’s curated collection of contemporary designers allows you to build that perfect wardrobe.
From coveted denim brands such as Mother, AG, Moussy, and Citizens of Humanity, to collections from A.L.C., L’Agence and Iro and everyday essentials from ATM and Vince, Alys Grace is able to dress their clients for real life. The butterfly logo symbolizes what we hope to convey to every client we style: joy, rebirth, femininity, and transformation.
Corte Madera, CA 415.945.9520 • alysgrace.com
JMJ Studios is an all-women architecture firm that brings innovative design solutions to any project regardless of size or budget limitations. Founded in 2012, Architect Julie Johnson brings strong commercial design experience to the residential market. We believe that architecture should be designed for a specific client, on a specific site and for a specific purpose.
PO Box 231 • Kentfield, CA 415.370.5344 • jmj-studios.com
Selling or buying a house is one of the most significant events in a person’s life. Working with a professional you can trust to guide you through the process is a key part of ensuring a successful outcome. Meet Christine Christiansen, the consummate real estate professional whose top priority is to truly listen to her clients. Her capacity to fully embrace her clients’ needs and desires is the reason for her success in the Marin luxury market. She listens, she learns, and she will lean in to get you what you want. Her clients are continually impressed and have all referred her, used her services again, or become friends.
415.259.7133
christine@vanguardmarin.com christinechristiansen.com
Christine has created exclusive collaborative opportunities where she learns about properties not widely available to others thereby getting her clients in first to see Marin’s best homes. Her strong relationships with gold-standard contractors, inspectors, engineers, lenders, and attorneys constitute a concierge team, ready to respond quickly and smoothly to manage the most complex of transactions. Christine is one of Vanguard Properties’ top luxury property agents and her business acumen gives her an edge that hones her for success.
Meet Christine and you will immediately understand why she is among the best in her profession, why she has earned the respect of so many, and why she will certainly earn yours.
Gail Sexton Anderson helps people make babies, but not in the traditional way. Since 2006, Donor Concierge, based in San Rafael, has provided personalized services to help IVF patients navigate their third-party fertility journey.
Clients from all over the world hire the company to find, select and match egg and sperm donors, and gestational surrogates. A sort of ‘general contractor’ for fertility, Donor Concierge works with anyone trying to have a baby - older women who may have been through numerous IVF cycles, second marriages, single men and same-sex couples.
Through a network of trusted fertility professionals, the team guides clients through the process, sometimes right to the birth.
“I founded Donor Concierge to create a safe place to explore the myriad decisions in finding a donor or a surrogate. It’s an overwhelming process and people waste precious time and money trying to navigate it on their own.”
415.663.6097 • donorconcierge.com
Creating sustainable, non-toxic living spaces today. I have always loved textiles and the creative breadth that is encompassed in interior design. Working with my clients is about giving them the courage to realize their innermost dreams. It’s like solving a complex and very personal puzzle. People have the opportunity to show who they really are in the way they decorate their homes.
323 Pine Street, Unit A • Sausalito, CA 415.331.9323 • pinestreetinteriors.com
PINE STREET NATURAL INTERIORS415.993.9973 getsava.com
Andrea Brooks came to cannabis later in life after a debilitating injury left her in pain and unable to function. Using an array of tinctures and topicals, combined with a wellness routine, she recovered and was inspired to create a platform that would make it easier for others to find and learn about cannabis for wellness.
In 2016 she founded Sava, a cannabis delivery service with a focus on curation, education, and customer support. “During my initial explorations I saw how many artisan crafters were making such high quality products, and I wanted to make it easier for people to find those brands,” says Andrea. “Whether you use cannabis to unwind, to sleep well, to deal with pain, as an aphrodisiac - it should be easy and convenient to find what you need.”
Sava has been in Marin since the beginning, and can now deliver to anyone over the age of 21. Not sure where to get started? “It took me a lot of research and trial and error to find the right products for me,” says Andrea, “so we created an excellent customer support system. We provide free consultations, and are available by email and phone to make it easy for our customers to find the perfect thing for their needs. We love this plant, and want to support people in exploring it!”
LA BELLE FIFI
Fiona Dorst is the owner of La Belle Fifi boutique, a uniquely curated collection of fine lingerie and distinctive swim and resort wear. Originally from the Bay Area, Fiona followed dreams and opportunities to the film industry in LA, PR and publishing in NYC and finally to a farm in Africa. La Belle Fifi is an expression of her many experiences.
121 Corte Madera Town Center • Corte Madera, CA 425.758.7158 • labellefifi.com
INTELLIGENT ARCHITECTURE
Richardson Architects provides design and management of residential, commercial, and institutional projects throughout Marin County and the greater Bay Area. Established in 1984, the Mill Valley-based firm is run under the leadership of Heidi Richardson. Dedicated to “intelligent architecture”, the team creates site-specific solutions, navigating complicated zoning and permitting constraints, to create timeless designs.
225 Flamingo Road • Mill Valley, CA 415.380.0474 • RichardsonArchitects.com
In 2018 we sent 65+ kids to enrichment programs, filled and delivered 355 backpacks, fulfilled Christmas for 180 people/53 single parent homes, raised over 150k in cash, and sent it right back into the community. This year, we are opening Los Angeles and Sacramento chapters and building SparkleBiz: micro-lending to women who want to start or grow their businesses. To sign up or donate, email: samantha@ sparklenow.org 415.552.5600 • sparklenow.org
LEADER WHO KNOWS HOW TO WIN IN THE GAME OF REAL ESTATE.
Lori Saia Odisio celebrates over 20 years as an award-winning real estate professional in Marin. A Marin native and Cal Berkeley graduate on a track scholarship, Lori’s trademark is to work hard, understand her clients’ needs and exceed expectations every time. Her happy clients often become repeat customers, and her ability to deal with sensitive issues such as celebrity, divorce, death, estate sales and relocation is highly regarded. As a trusted advisor, she knows that a home is a client’s largest equity in their portfolio, but also an emotional asset where a person plants their roots and builds a life. Lori has the experience and expertise in all price points as she has sold over 450 homes and has clocked in over $350 million in sales.
Client and author Anne Lamott shares, “Lori Odisio is a brilliant realtor–probably the savviest in the county–but besides that, EVERYONE falls in love with her.” Clients Celeste and Cort Bishop add, “Lori is proof positive that a top-notch professional with a mixture of smarts, pragmatism, creativity and energy can and does make the difference. Lori also brings other attributes to the table…she cares about her clients.”
Lori knows the importance of giving back and often works behind the scenes to ensure a need is filled. She also serves on the Board of the Marin Athletic Foundation which serves Marin County’s athletic programs by focusing on the health, safety, and injury prevention of Marin County high student athletes. Please donate at marinathleticfoundation.org.
Since 1990, Accuchex has been privileged with the responsibility of paying people correctly. Leslie Ruhland is a Marin County native and is the EVP of Accuchex Corp. Headquartered in Novato. “One of my favorite things”, says Ruhland, “about working with companies’ payroll is that no matter the size or industry, our friendly and knowledgeable staff adds value, and in doing so, we become part of our clients’ adventure.”
Photo: Mary Small Photography
415.883.7733, ext 110 • leslie.ruhland@accuchex.com
CURATED TEA BOXES
Claire Forgan is a tea sommelier and Founder of the online business, “Tea By C”. Members of Tea By C enjoy monthly tea boxes that Claire curates according to their flavor profiles and requested health benefits. Claire sources unique teas from around the world and tells you about their background and health benefits, making these teas educational and tasty.
San Rafael, CA teabyclaire.com • claire@teabyclaire.com
When an energy healer is a jewelry designer, her pieces become elixir adornments, energetically designed to assist in unspoken ways - for you to feel empowered, nurtured and beautiful. Her jewels are an addition to you as they expand your natural glow and beauty. When you are drawn to Julie’s work, what if that is your knowing, showing you an energy that will contribute to you?
73 Throckmorton Ave • Mill Valley, CA 415.871.4236 • julietuton.com • julietutonenergy.com
Longtime Marin resident Pamela Hadfield suffered from migraines for 25 years—and then she tried cannabis. Within three months, she was managing her migraines, and in six months, she was preventing them altogether. Today, Pamela is the co-founder of HelloMD, the largest health and wellness-oriented cannabis community.
As a new medical marijuana patient, Pamela found reliable cannabis information hard to come by. She also wished she could talk to a doctor who could answer her questions about cannabis. Understanding this was a need shared by many others, she co-founded HelloMD in 2015.
An award-winning user experience designer, Pamela has since become a passionate cannabis advocate and educator, speaking at events around the world. What first began as a service connecting medical cannabis patients with doctors, HelloMD has since expanded into a global digital health care platform—the go-to place for all of your cannabis needs.
HelloMD comprises online doctor consults along with a library of educational cannabis content, which includes thousands of articles, videos and Q&As. Visitors can also buy highquality, lab-tested cannabis and hemp-derived CBD products vetted by Pamela and the HelloMD team.
When she isn’t working, Pamela enjoys kiteboarding, snowboarding, dirt biking and hiking in the hills with her husband, three kids and dog. You can also catch her on the John Muir Trail this summer.
Elizabeth Suzuki is a partner at Sutton Suzuki Architects, a small design-oriented firm with projects throughout Northern California as well as Malibu, Tahoe, Hawaii, and Kauai.
Elizabeth places an emphasis on quality design as well as service for her clients. She finds that working collaboratively with her clients is the best way to find innovative solutions which are progressive yet timeless, specific to the client and context.
The team of professionals at Sutton Suzuki Architects combines the best of time-honored creativity with cutting-edge processes. Merging knowledge and talent, they work together with a collaborative spirit that sparks their success.
Elizabeth is proud of the business she has created. She understands that the firm’s integrity starts with individual pride in what they do – and how well they do it. Design styles may be variable but attention to detail is enduring. suttonsuzuki.com
Since Performing Arts Academy of Marin (PAAM) opened in 2009, Annie has provided premier training and a warm community environment, allowing students to reach their full potential as artists. A strong believer in the power of arts to inspire all areas of development, Annie delights in watching the hard work, growth and achievement of PAAM students, from preschool through high school.
60 Belevedere Drive • Mill Valley, CA 415.380.0887 • paamarts.com
Melanie Victor-Smith took the concept “Have Art Will Travel” literally with her new mobile art gallery, “Artstream”. With a retrofitted 1954 Airstream she represents local artists who celebrate the beauty of the Bay Area.
The Artstream was born after years of developing a boutique print business with fine artists. While working with a variety of clients, she discovered a pattern she calls, “blank wall syndrome”. That empty wall in your home waiting for a piece that’s both unique yet fits your budget. Because the fine art world feels inaccessible for most people, she set out to create a whole different experience.
Melanie travels to locations all over the Bay Area showcasing one artist at a time inside the trailer. The process is designed to feel welcoming and inclusive. Decorated with comfy sofas and iPads, you can view work from all the artists she represents.
Follow Melanie @TheArtstream on Instagram to see where she’ll be pulling up next.
artstream.com • info@artstream.com
Michele Affronte is the foremost Realtor® representing the Floating Home community in Sausalito. Teamed with the vast resources of Engel and Volkers International Real Estate, Michele provides sellers and buyers with an exceptional level of service and deep understanding of this unique market. Her International marketing, and 32 years experience selling waterfront property, make her your best choice to list or buy your floating home with!
Engel & Volkers International • 415.798.0236 • Lic #000959293
There’s even more happening in New York than you might think.
BY KASIA PAWLOWSKA
Statue of Liberty Museum opening (May)
TWA Hotel at JFK Airport opening (May 15)
World Pride/50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising (June 28)
Empire Outlets opening (in phases April through summer)
MoMA reopening after 40,000-squarefoot expansion (October)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK , so good they named it twice. It’s inspired more quotes than perhaps any other city in the world, and rightfully so. New York City is the cultural hub of this country — whatever your preferred flavor is.
Over the past few centuries people have been drawn here for myriad reasons, seeking opportunity or free expres sion, hoping to find themselves or get lost in the mix. For a metropolis so well established, it’s also impressive for how it keeps reinventing itself and defying stereotypes. After all, how do you sum up a population of 8.6 million? Besides, there’s more to the place than Manhattan.
Home to Yankee Stadium and birthplace of Jennifer Lopez, the Bronx was the city’s much-maligned backstage borough for years. But what it lacks in skyscraper clout it more than makes up for in history and hidden gems. The site of the orig inal Little Italy, its Belmont section and main artery Arthur Avenue still contain countless specialty shops and classic small businesses, some dating back over a century. A mere stroll takes you past La Casa Grande, where cigars are handrolled in plain view; the Bronx Beer Hall, with local craft brew and a menu of foods from neighbors like Mike’s Deli; and Calabria Pork Store, where hundreds of sausages hang from the ceiling. Down the road is the New York Botanical Garden, established in 1891, now a National Historic Landmark, and at 250 acres the biggest of its kind in any U.S. city. The 50 distinct gardens and collections have more than a million plants and annually attract about as many visitors, who come for the themed evening parties and events as well as the beautiful grounds.
While Lena Dunham and HBO’s Girls popularized Brooklyn, former borough president Marty Markowitz also deserves credit for putting it on the map. “One of the fi rst things I did in office was put up signs letting people know when they were coming into and leaving Brooklyn with famous phrases relating to all the di fferent residents — fuhgeddaboudit, Brooklyn’s in the house, oy vey — and so on,” he says. He also founded several free concert series, helped revitalize the economy by enticing businesses and manufacturers over the bridge, and was instrumental in bringing an NBA franchise, the Nets, here from New Jersey. Barclays Center, where the Nets play, opened in late 2012 as part of the Paci fic Park mixed-use commercial development in Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights neighborhood. That’s one of many local projects and renovations taking place: down the street, the 25-story New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge also had an overhaul showcasing the borough, with new locally sourced dining
at Brooklyn Pantry and The Great Room Bar and Lounge and upgrades to the 665 rooms and suites, including modern workspaces and locally made lighting. And OK, another draw of the property is proximity to Manhattan.
With the mind-boggling number of options — dining, entertainment, transportation, shopping and otherwise — it’s easy to get overwhelmed in Manhattan. But one-stop attractions exist. In New York City’s original Eataly market location in the Flatiron District, visitors can pick up artisan goods, groceries and gifts for the folks back home, then dine at one of many adjacent restaurants. There’s Il Pastaio for the pasta-lovers, Manzo for meat-lovers, Il Pesce for seafood fans, and the list goes on. When it comes to drinks, however, there’s no experience quite like Bar SixtyFive at the Rainbow Room (Bar SixtyFive is open to the public, while Rainbow Room only hosts private events and occasional brunches throughout the year). Way up on the 65t h floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza — looking at you, 30 Rock — the Rainbow Room opened in 1934, one year after the end of Prohibition, and has been an American cocktail landmark ever since. You’l l fi nd classic drinks and beautifully crafted novelties like the silver-flecked Silver Slipper.
Around the world, buzz about New York centers on Hudson Yards, the nation’s largest private real estate development to date. Still partially under construction in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, it has more than 18 million eyepopping square feet of commercial and residential space and will include over 100 shops and restaurants, 14 acres of open space and the world’s first Equinox Hotel. Thirteen of the 16 planned buildings rest on a platform built over the West Side Yard, a storage yard for Long Island Rail Road trains. The finishing piece to an elaborate network of urban design, Hudson Yards will also connect to the High Line at a point that opens to a public square, gardens and the Shed, a firstof-its-kind dedicated arts venue with a 500-seat theater, two levels of exhibition space, and a retractable shell that rolls forward over the adjacent plaza to create The McCourt, designed for large-scale performances, installations and events. In the middle of the whole development is the Vessel, an interactive landmark that designer Thomas Heatherwick calls “a playground for humans” — a massive honeycomb staircase with nearly a mile of vertical climb. Conceived by Heatherwick and his eponymous studio, it has 154 intercon necting flights of stairs, with almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings, where people can view both the city and each other from different angles and heights. m
For more information, visit nycgo.com.
Clockwise from top left: Botanical Garden in the Bronx; Bar SixtyFive in Manhattan; Eataly in Manhattan; Hudson Yards and the Vessel in the Chelsea neighborhood; whimsical Brooklyn signage.
Exploring Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lima on a trip of a lifetime.
Opener: The iconic Machu Picchu. Opposite, clockwise from top: The town of Machu Picchu Pueblo; Santo Domingo Church; the streets of Cusco.
IT’S JUST AFTER sunrise as I follow my small group of fellow travelers and our guide up the path to Machu Picchu. And I’m nervous — not the reaction you might expect in one of the world’s most honored and revered places. But the weight of expectation feels intimidating: what if the place I’ve wanted to visit since I fi rst pulled a yellowed copy of Hiram Bingham’s Lost City of the Incas off my parents’ bookshelf has lost its magic, now that it’s visited by more than a million people a year?
But as we round the corner and the mist clears, it’s as if I’ve just stepped into the shoes of the explorers and archaeologists who fi rst pulled apart the jungle vines and stared in wonder and fascination at the massive ruins beneath. It may not be the lost city of the Incas — that’s now known to be Vilcabamba, 50 miles away — and it may not be a place you wander in silent serenity, but it doesn’t matter. The awe is absolute.
Try to describe Machu Picchu, though, and everything that comes to mind sounds like a cliché, has already been said, or both. What you’re left with is a deep sense of mystery and the tingle of a puzzle scholars are still working out.
While most scholars now believe Machu Picchu was built as a palace compound by the Inca emperor Pachacuti, and they agree it was laid out to serve as an astronomical calen dar, its full purpose is still unknown. Was it a ceremonial temple, a diplomatic meeting place, a center of craftsman ship or, as has recently been postulated, the fi nal stop in a religious pilgrimage? Why was it abandoned? And how in the world were 50-ton blocks of smoothly chiseled granite carried up the sheer-sided peak and fitted together so intri cately that no mortar was needed and a toothpick can’t slide between the blocks?
Exploring its elegantly constructed stairways, plazas and living complexes and marveling at the sophisticated engi neering of its terraces, underground waterways and secret passages, I felt my 9-year-old bookworm self come back to life.
My experience in Machu Picchu was as magical as I hoped partly thanks to the efforts of Hotel Sumaq Machu Picchu and its Mystical Tour of Machu Picchu, led by Daniel Gutierrez Vargas, a third-generation shaman. Not only did Daniel introduce us to the philosophy and spiritual symbol ism of the Incas, he also conducted a haunting Pachamama ceremony making offerings of fruits, seeds, spices and herbs to the earth goddess — and got us on the fi rst bus in the morning and into the citadel while it was still deserted.
And Daniel’s fi nal thoughts eerily con fi rmed my sense of childhood awe: “Machu Picchu is a sacred place, and when we feel the energy here, we see it with the heart of a child.”
A piece of advice, here: many people visit Machu Picchu as a day trip from Cusco, and practically speaking, this works. But there are a host of reasons that staying in Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes) for a night — or a few — allows you to have a much deeper and more powerful experience of one of the world’s most famous sights.
One is the chance to hike Mandor Valley and visit Los Jardines de Mandor (Garden of Mandor) with its thundering waterfall and self-guided nature tour of the plants of the Andes along the way. For nerds like me, an extra thrill is knowing that you’re walking along the Urubamba River in the footsteps of Hiram Bingham, seeing the area where he stopped before a local farmer guided him up the mountain to “find” the ruins.
Another is the chance to tour Machu Picchu in the morn ing, when it’s less crowded before the day-trippers arrive. And being surrounded by Hotel Sumaq’s museum-worthy collection of Inca and Quechua metalwork, weavings and pottery made me feel like I wasn’t leaving Machu Picchu entirely behind when I walked out through the doors.
If, like me, you’ve dreamed since childhood of seeing one of the world’s most iconic sites, why rush the experience of a lifetime?
First the capital city of the Inca Empire and then for a time the capital for the Spanish viceroyalty, Cusco is layered with history and culture. Baroque churches tower atop the ruins of Inca temples, and my hotel, the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco, is in the 16th-century Convent of San Agustín, with an Incan burial site in the basement. Look up as you wander Cusco’s steep cobblestone alleys and you’ll see intricately carved wooden balconies and stucco bell towers silhouetted against the sky. Look down and you’ll see Quechua women spreading their multihued weavings along the sidewalks and posing with baby llamas for a photo.
A visit to Qorikancha is a literal demonstration of con quest, with the ruins of the Inca Temple of the Sun serving as the foundation for the dominating Santo Domingo Church, and a museum with examples of the goldwork the Spanish looted from the once-dazzling complex. The ruins
Clockwise from top: Plaza de Armas (also known as Plaza Mayor) in Lima; Basilica of San Francisco in Lima; a mural by Jonatan “Jade” Rivera.
of Sacsayhuamán, in addition to being some of the most impressive examples of Inca stonework, offer a panoramic view of modern Cusco.
But history is just the beginning; art and food are the pulse of Cusco today. Starting some 10 years ago, Peruvian food seized the global cuisine spotlight, and the Cusco region is arguably the new epicenter of a movement to rediscover and reclaim its indigenous roots. It’s no acci dent that one of the powerhouses of the movement, chef Virgilio Martínez of Lima’s famed Central, last year sited his new restaurant Mil adjacent to the visually stunning ruins of Moray in the Sacred Valley.
The complex also houses Mater Iniciativa, a ground breaking research institute founded by Martínez’s sister Malena, which organizes expeditions into the most remote parts of Peru to learn from the indigenous villagers about native herbs, vegetables and other ingredients in danger of being lost to history, environmental degradation and climate change.
In Cusco I also make a pilgrimage to the museum of internationally renowned fiber artist Maximo Laura, where his private collection is on display, glowing with light and color and representing the pinnacle of Peruvian contemporary textile arts. More traditional weaving art is showcased at Central Traditional de Textiles, which houses a gallery and offers guided day trips to nearby villages known for their long history of textile art.
Peru’s history, Spanish, Inca and earlier, is rich with mys tery, myth, mystique and misinformation, and nowhere is this more on display than in Lima, known as the City of Kings and today a sprawling city of 10 million people.
There is the mystery of Francisco Pizarro’s bones, for example. Enshrined for more than a century in a marble sarcophagus in Lima’s Basilica of San Francisco, they had their authenticity called into question when a box full of old bones was discovered buried below the church. No one knew for sure until 1985, when scholars matched the discovered skull to records of sword cuts from Pizarro’s assassination. And the bones in the original display? They are thought to be those of a scholar, whose name will prob ably never be known — nor how the switch occurred.
After pondering this, I visit the other many landmarks around Lima’s Plaza Mayor, which include the ornately baroque Archbishop’s Palace, the serene 16th-century Santo Domingo Monastery, and the art deco Gran Hotel Bolívar, which lays claim to having invented the Pisco sour, though several other establishments also take credit for that honor.
More layers of history are on display at Museo Larco, housed in an 18th-century mansion built alongside a
It’s important to be aware of new rules gov erning Machu Picchu that require all visitors to go with a guide and choose one of two halfday time slots, 6 a.m. to noon or noon to 5:30 p.m. Advice: Stay over night and go at sunrise, beating the day-trippers from Cusco who arrive for the noon slot. If you hope to hike one of the peaks, Huana Picchu or Machu Picchu itself, you must purchase a permit, and permits often sell out far in advance.
IN MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO (AGUAS CALIENTES) Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel machupicchu hotels-sumaq.com
IN CUSCO JW Marriott El Convento Cusco marriott.com/ hotels/hotel-photos/ cuzmc-jw-marriottel-convento-cusco
IN LIMA Country Club Hotel lhw.com/hotel/ Country-Club-LimaHotel-Lima-Peru
Westin Lima Hotel marriott.com/hotels/ travel/limwi-thewestin-lima-hotel-andconvention-center
IN CUSCO Mil milcentro.pe
IN LIMA Maras marasrestaurante.com.pe
seventh-century pyramid. The museum’s astonishing private collection of pre-Columbian art showcases the sculpture, metalwork and pottery of the Mochica, Huari, Chimú and other local indigenous cultures going back 4,000 years, its most popular attraction being a blushinducing museum of erotic art.
Next comes modern Miraflores, where Limeños and visitors flock to blu ff-top Parque del Amor (Park of Love) and its enormous statue of entwined lovers, a prized back drop for selfie-taking couples. While some travelers are discouraged by Lima’s size and notorious tra ffic conges tion, the park’s Gaudi-like mosaic paths and spectacular views of the Pacific aren’t far from my base, the elegant Country Club Hotel, making it possible to linger longer, enjoying the festive vibe.
My favorite part of Lima by far, though, is the bohe mian enclave of Barranco, once a seaside getaway for the wealthy, where decaying Beaux Arts mansions now house airy galleries and shops bursting with the best of Peru’s thriving artisan scene.
The buildings of Barranco are covered in vibrant murals, so many in fact that the streets are treated as an open-air gallery. In 2015 the government, after causing an outcry when it ordered that some of the older murals be painted over, hosted a contest that drew artists from around the world, so many of the murals are new and the colors dazzling. Don’t miss the gallery of muralist Jonatan “Jade” Rivera, known for his distinctive magical realism, whose work won that contest.
Barranco is also home to several of Lima’s best museums, including the Museo Pedro de Osma, with a private collection of colonial art housed in a columned 19th-century mansion, and MAC, the museum of contem porary art. A must is MATE, the gallery of photographer Mario Testino, which houses his extraordinarily intimate photos of Princess Diana of Wales, the last portraits taken before her death.
I choose a return visit to Barranco for my last night in Lima, walking across the Bridge of Sighs, site of many a romantic tryst, then underneath it down Bajada de los Baños. The steep twisting alleyway, lined with bars and restaurants, leads to a cliff-hugging boardwalk that’s a popular spot to watch one of Lima’s spectacular sunsets.
Thinking back on my visit, I remember an oft-repeated quote from the late Anthony Bourdain, who visited Peru for a 2013 episode of his show Parts Unknown.
“A prophet once said, ‘Don’t tell me what a man says, don’t tell me what a man knows. Tell me where he’s traveled.’ I wonder about that: do we get smarter, get more enlighten ment as we travel? Does travel bring wisdom? I think there is probably no better place to find out than Peru.” m
Pull this guide out to learn about this year’s Open Studios.
Marin Open Studios 2019 is an opportunity to meet artists, discover new neighborhoods and purchase aff ordable art.
and the sheriff ust deal with a con man. Gateway Theatre (SF). 415.255.8207, 42ndstmoon.org
THRU MAY 19 Jazz Adapted from Toni Morrison’s novel set in 1926 Harlem, this pro duction explores themes of revenge and unforgiv able acts. Underscored by Bay Area musician Marcus Shelby. Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5200, marintheatre.org
THRU JUN 15
Significant Other Surrounded by girl friends during his search for Mr. Right, Jordan, a gay, Jewish, 20-something New Yorker, learns that sup porting the people you love can be harder than looking for love. San Francisco Playhouse (SF). 415.677.9596, sfplayhouse.org
THRU MAY 12 Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Charlie Bucket and four other children win admission to the myste rious chocolate factory, where Willy Wonka serves as their guide to an epic adventure. Golden Gate Theatre (SF). 888.746.1799, shnsf.com
THRU MAY 12 Vanity Fair Ambitious Becky Sharp is as determined as ever to attain status in this new produc tion based on William Makepeace Thackeray’s 19th-century novel. Playwright Kate Hamill reinvigorates Sharp
with a spirit that is decidedly 21st century. Geary Theater (SF). 415.749.2228, act-sf.org
THRU MAY 12 Weightless, the Rock Opera by the Kilbanes Part concert, part play, part dream, this story of Procne and Philomela weaves together myth from
Ovid’s Metamorphoses with indie rock to tell a story of sisterhood, love, betrayal and rebirth. Strand Theater (SF). 415.749.2228, act-sf.org
THRU MAY 12 110 In the Shade Sparks fly when a charm ing stranger visits a drought-stricken Depression-era town
THRU MAY 19 The Jungle Named for the makeshift home of thousands of immi grants and refugees in Calais, France, from January to October 2016, this play is a reminder of a massive human rights crisis that stoked fears about the dangers of mass migration. Curran (SF). 415.358.1220, sfcurran.com
MAY 16–17 Throwin’ a Ball Tonight With caba ret in his heart and the American Songbook on his lips, Tom Reardon brings his wry storytell ing and musical theater chops to the stage. Feinstein’s at the Nikko (SF). 866.663.1063, feinsteinsatthe nikko.com
MAY 19–JUN 16 Grease Launching its 106th sea son, the Mountain Play returns to Mount Tam with Chelsea Holi field (Sandy) and David Crane (Danny) donning saddle shoes and leather jackets not to brave the
THEATER / COMEDY / MUSIC / MUSEUMS / EVENTS / FILM / TALKS EDITED BY CHRISTINA MUELLERfog but to belt out classic hits through mid-June. Cushing Memorial Amphitheater (Mill Valley). 415.383.1100, mountainplay.org
MAY 23–JUN 16 Moll
Flanders Adapted for the stage by Jennifer LeBlanc from Daniel Dafoe’s 1722 novel, the story follows the main character from England to the colonies in the New World and back again as she attempts to secure her fi nancial future through her skill as a “fortuned widow.” Barn Theater (Ross). 415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.com
MAY 28–JUN 9
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical After win ning two Tony Awards in 2014 and a Grammy in 2015, the musical story of the rise of King returns for an encore performance. Golden Gate Theatre (SF). 888.746.1799, shnsf.com
MAY 29–JUN 23
Rhinoceros In this new adaptation of Ionesco’s absurdist satire, a rhinoceros rampages through a town square. Villagers debate: was it real or is it fake news? Amid the chaos, one villager must decide to take a stand or join the mindless hordes. A.C.T.’s Geary Theater (SF). 415.749.2228, act-sf.org
THRU JUN 1 Dance Series 02 and Best of Smuin Loosely inspired by the 385-mile pro test wall of women in India on New Year’s Day 2019, Smuin Ballet celebrates the end of its 25th season with work from Amy Seiwert, along with the return of Michael Smuin’s
favorites. YBCA Theater (SF). 415.912.1899, smuinballet.org
MAY 7–12 The Shostakovich Trilogy Set to the composer’s orchestral works, this co-commission with American Ballet Theatre includes three ballets; Symphony #9, Chamber Symphony and Piano Concerto #1. War Memorial Opera House (SF). 415.865.2000, sfballet.org
MAY 12–14 Listening
Creates an Opening Part of the 2019 Walking Distance Dance Festival, this site-speci fic perfor mance invites dance interpretation and deep listening, both within the body and across landscapes and public spaces. Mary Armentrout Dance Theater (SF). 415.549.8519, odc.dance
MAY 19 Just Dance Academy Spring Performance The San Rafael–based dance school presents Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, a Bollywood perfor mance. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.473.7000, marincenter.org
MAY 30–31 Jim Gaffigan The Grammynominated comedian, actor, writer, producer and New York Times best-selling author yuks it up with jokes about fatherhood and obser vations on life. Masonic (SF). 415.776.7457, sfmasonic.com
The comedian and podcaster returns to Marin.
Marin favorite Paula Poundstone is back in the Bay Area this month, for shows in Santa Rosa and Walnut Creek and a stop at the Osher Marin JCC on May 11. The regular panelist on NPR’s weekly comedy news quiz Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me! recently launched a weekly podcast calle d Nobody Listens to Paula Po undstone. We caught up with her to discuss the show and more. marinjcc.org
Your website says you perform 85 shows a year. That’s a lot. Where do you call home? San Marcos (in San Diego County). It’s not my home but I’ve been staying there temporarily for 30 years.
You return to Marin and the Bay Area regularly. What do you like about returning to Marin? Marin is one of my favorite stops. It is a nice crowd. And I have some friends there. It is always nice to see familiar faces. I always find nice people in the crowd to talk to.
What do you like about Bay Area audiences? I don’t ask of my crowd that they think what I think. Sometimes I have to say I am not a political analyst and I’m not campaigning. I’m not even the most informed voter. My act is largely autobiographical, that I heard something and this is my reaction to it.
Is it fair to say that Bay Area audiences are most likely to know your work from your recurring appearances on NPR? I did live in the Bay Area for a while and I was a part of the club scene in the early ’80s, so there is that. But some people come who know me from the NPR show and are mystified as I don’t answer questions [in my performances] about the week’s news. The two groups get along well.
MAY 4 Kronos Quartet Composed of two vio lins, a viola and a cello, this all-strings group performs its singular blend of repertoire and new works. Kanbar Center (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org
MAY 5 Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán Making its Davies Symphony Hall debut on Cinco de Mayo, the band brings classic charro suits and Mexican string ensemble style to a hall better known for European renditions. Davies Symphony Hall (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org
MAY 5 Musae Presented by BelvedereTiburon Landmarks Society, this concert in a monthly series at Old St. Hilary’s church is a celebration of spring. 415.435.1853, landmarkssociety.com
MAY 7 Jefferson Starship and Big Brother and the Holding Company From the ashes of Jefferson Airplane, the longrunning iteration of the band brings its sound to the North Bay for one show. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.473.7000, marincenter.org
MAY 10 Deva Premal & Miten with Manose Meditate or groove to the East-meets-West stylings of a band that glides across the cutting edge of the worldwide chant phe nomenon, performing with Nepalese bansuri maestro Manose. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San
Rafael). 415.473.7000, marincenter.org
MAY 12 Marcus Roberts Trio The fi nal perfor mance of the American Masters New Century’s season fi nds the trio performing works by Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin. Kanbar Center (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org
MAY 17 The Spin Doctors The band exploded onto the scene with Pocket Full of Kryptonite in 1992. Celebrate 30 years of their jam band style at this anniversary show. Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.3850, sweet watermusichall.com
MAY 18–19 Marin Oratorio Joined by the Whole Noyse, a Renaissance wind band, the singing group and 100-voiced cho rus revels in Claudio Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610. James Dunn Theatre (Kent field). marinoratorio.org
MAY 21 Non-Marching Band Known as the Sewer Band, the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band is celebrating 61 years of big band music, show tunes and musical surprises for all ages. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.473.7000, marincenter.org
MAY 23-25 San Francisco Symphony Polish conductor Krzysztof Urbański returns to lead an audience favorite, Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony. And Vilde Frang makes her San Francisco Symphony debut with the Elgar
Violin Concerto. Davies Symphony Hall (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org
MARIN Bay Area Discovery Museum Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice Explore the land of fires volcano and squishy forest floor and the land of ice’s chilly slide and cave before digging for fossils in the field research station; opening May 25 (Sausalito). 415.339.3900, bayareadiscovery museum.org
Bolinas Museum Changing California: Historical Ecology of the Bay Area See this exhibit in the main gallery (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art Books become art at the 10th annual Altered Book exhibit and fundraiser, through June 1 (Novato). 415.506.0137, marinmoca.org
The Museum of the American Indian Native Expressions Featuring the works of Becky Olvera Schultz, whose art is inspired by peoples indigenous to the Americas, the exhibit includes clay and mixed-media masks, rawhide shields and other works by this well-known California artist, through June 28 (Novato). 415.897.4064, marinindian.com
BAY AREA Asian Art Museum
Lifting Barbells Artist Kim Heecheon uses letters from his girlfriend, images of Seoul and data from his late father’s
smart watch to come to terms with his father’s death, through May 12 (SF). 415.581.3711, asianart.org
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive Boundless: Contemporary Tibetan Artists at Home and Abroad Featuring the works of contemporary artists as well as important historical pieces, through May 26 (Berkeley). 510.642.0808, bampfa.org
California Academy of Sciences Giants of Land and Sea Discover the forces that make Northern California a place unlike anywhere else. Step inside an immersive fog room, feel a jolt in an earthquake simulator, and explore marine mammal skeletons and models (SF). 415.379.8000, calacademy.org
Charles M. Schulz Museum Peace, Love, and Woodstock The smallest, dare we say flightiet, Peanuts character gets his own exhibition exploring all things Woodstock, from namesake to nest, through September 8 (Santa Rosa). 707.579.4452, schulzmuseum.org
Contemporary Jewish Museum Predicting the Past: Zohar Studios, the Lost Years Arranged by L.A.-based artist Stephen Berkman, this exhibition of photography and environmental installations examines the New York City work of 19th-century Jewish immigrant photographer Shimmel Zohar, through July 7 (SF). 415.655.7800, thecjm.org
de Young Monet: The Late Years Featuring 50 paintings from 1913 to 1926, the years that marked the end of the artist’s career, including many from his garden at Giverny, through May 27 (SF). 415.750.3600, deyoung.famsf.org
di Rosa Viola Frey: Center Stage Known for her larger-thanlife figuratie ceramic sculptures, Bay Area artist Viola Frey’s career spanned fie decades and included works in a range of media, through December 29 (Napa). 707.226.5991, dirosaart.org
Exploratorium Self, Made What makes you you? Dare to try on new personas and explore others through interactive exhibits, artworks and costumes, through September 2 (SF).
415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu
Legion of Honor Early Rubens Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens’ most productive years, 1608 until about 1620, are explored along with his masterful handling of oil paint and sensuous coloring, through September 8 (SF).
415.750.3600, legionof honor.famsf.org
Museum of Craft and Design Wanxin Zhang: The Long Journey An installation of monumental clay figures for which artist Wanxin Zhang is known includes traditional shapes and iconography from Chinese history threaded with contemporary California funk and pop culture influence, through July 14 (SF). 415.773.0303, sfmcd.org
Oakland Museum of California Pushing West: The Photography of Andrew J. Russell Commissioned to document the Transcontinental Railroad’s western expansion, completed 150 years ago in 1869, Russell’s photography shows the tremendous impacts of the technological marvel on the land and native peoples, through September 1 (Oakland). 510.318.8400, museumca.org
SFMOMA Louise Bourgeois Spiders Both fierce and fragile, spders are the focus of this sculptural exhibit in scale both intimate and monumental, through July 14 (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org
SFMOMA Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again The firt retrospective of the artist’s work in 25 years, the exhibition includes over 300 works over three museum floor, including iconic pieces and lesser known ephemera. May 19–September 2 (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org
Sonoma Valley Museum of Art Sonoma Modern | Contemporary Featuring artists who have lived and worked in Sonoma County, including Chester Arnold, Mary McChesney and Dennis Ziemeinski, among others, through June 16 (Sonoma). 707.939.7862, svma.org
The Walt Disney Family Museum Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World Celebrate Disney’s most beloved and recognizable character, through Jan 6, 2020 (SF). 415.345.6800, waltdisney.org
Immigrant Yarn Project Celebrate the diverse citizenry of the United States at the nation’s largest crowdsourced art installation, featuring thousands of yarn-based art pieces by over 600 contributors from California to Maine and everywhere in between. Fort Point (SF). immigrant yarnproject.org
With proceeds ben efiting the fi nancial aid program of San Francisco University High School, this annual event tasks 45 designers with remod eling each of this San Francisco manse’s 45 rooms. Le Petit Trianon (SF). 415.447.5830, decoratorshowcase.org
This special exhibition on California’s wild flowers features photographs by Nita Winter and Rob Badger and addresses the effects of climate change on a universal emblem of beauty. Bay Model Visitor Center (Sausalito). 650.608.1274, cnpsmarin.org
Celebrate the Exploratorium’s 50 years of science, art and human perception in a very Bay Area setting while enjoying demonstrations and performances, all to support another 50 years. Exploratorium (SF). 415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu
MAY 4–5, 11–12 Marin Open Studios Discover Marin artists and interact with them where they work. Various locations. 415.343.5667, marinopenstudios.org
MAY 7 Center for Reproductive Rights Benefit Enjoy a cocktail reception and program featuring the personal stories of two legal clients of the center. Julia Morgan Ballroom (SF). reproductiverights.org/ sfb enefi2019
MAY 22–24 San Francisco Ballet School Festival Hosted by the San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary, the events include a dinner and performances show casing the best of the students’ work, in three di fferent programs over three evenings. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater and Four Seasons Hotel (SF). 415.865.2000, sfballet.org
MAY 26 Muir Beach Volunteer Firemen’s Barbecue Savor bar becue chicken and vegetarian tamale lunches after dancing to live music by Andre Pessis and his All-Stars and Soul Ska. All proceeds from the event and ra ffle benefit the Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department. Santos Meadow (Muir Beach). 415.381.8793, muirbeach fi re.com/bbq
MAY 1–5 Silent Film Festival Including works such as Stan and Ollie, Buster Keaton in The Cameraman and Coeur Fidèle from Jean Epstein. Castro Theatre (SF). 415.777.4908, silent fi lm.org
With over 10 million books in print in 25 languages, including Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls, Naked and Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris and his incisive wit translate easily to a global audience. As a master satirist, Sedaris will undoubtedly have much to say about American culture on the Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium stage. May 8, 415.473.7000, marincenter.org
MAY 16 Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan with William Shatner Live Enjoy a screening of the classic fi lm, followed by the original Captain James T. Kirk (Shatner) onstage shar ing stories from the Star Trek movies and TV series as well as from his 50 years in showbiz. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.473.7000, marincenter.org
MAY 16, 18 The Tempest Watch the Stratford Festival’s latest production of Shakespeare’s fi nal masterpiece from your theater seat. Lark Theater (Larkspur). 415.924.5111, larktheater.net
MAY 1 Luthier Renaissance Centered in the North Bay, a sea change in the world of guitar making produced a new generation of young luthiers (those who make stringed instruments) and a worldwide renaissance in the design, building and playing of the acous tic and electric guitar and basses. Led by Harry Fleischman. Science Buzz Cafe at HopMonk Tavern (Sebastopol). 707.829.7300, hopmonk.com.
MAY 12–JUN 6
Graduate Fellows Exhibition With representative works from Bay Area graduate students in the arts, this show is a window into emerging Bay Area artists and regional arts programs. Headlands Center for the Arts (Sausalito). 415.331.2787, headlands.org
Award-winning humorist David Sedaris comes to Marin.What’s Hot
About a year after opening Tamalpie Corte Madera, Karen Goldberg has shifted gears, partner ing with local Olympian Jonny Moseley to open Moseley’s Sports & Spirits in the same central Corte Madera spot. Now it’s a casual sports bar offering more food options (still including pizza), almost any bar game one could imagine (pool, bag toss, shu ffleboard, liar’s dice and even Hammerschlagen), an outside beer garden with a fi re pit, and no fewer than 11 flat-screen TVs. “My wife and I were [Tamalpie] regulars and loved the idea of creating a space that we would both want to hang out in together or with friends,” Moseley says. That meant, for him, adding enough TVs so people can watch a game from anywhere in the bar, and for his wife, Malia, a menu of healthy and tasty food. Liar’s dice was on her list too, as was food service available until midnight on weekends. Moseley has brought in a few of his own touches, including a “buy your friend a drink” board similar to one in Squaw Valley, a turkey chili recipe from Deer Valley, his dad’s rum Manhattan recipe, and a blonde ale from his brother’s Rugged Coast Brewing. MIMI TOWLE
WHAT Tamalpie Corte Madera becomes Moseley’s Sports & Spirits WHERE 55 Tamal Vista Boulevard, moseleysmarin.com
WHO Business partners Karen Goldberg and Jonny Moseley
AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS AND GOOD FOOD IN THE BAY AREA EDITED BY MIMI TOWLE
American The fi rst Marin outpost of the S.F.-based eatery has proven very popular. The menu includes customizable salads, toasted sandwiches, soups and more, prepared with locally harvested produce and proteins. Try the Jersey cow milk gelato from Double 8 Dairy of West Marin. 335 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.1104, bluebarn gourmet.com
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The Italian-inspired pizzeria utilizes Northern California’s bounty of seasonal ingredients and showcases local microbreweries and wine country’s boutique varietals. The menu includes appetizers, sal ads of organic produce when available, pastas, local free-range poultry and meats, desserts and Neapolitan-style pizzas with house-made mozzarella. Wine half off n Mondays. 1544 Redwood Highway, 415.924.3021, bocapizzeria.com
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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, burma town.com
b $$ S D
FLORES Mexican With an emphasis on regional Mexican dishes and fl avors sourced from family recipes, the menu is based on California seasonality and revolves around masa. The daily-made tortillas are featured in dishes such as duck con fit enchiladas, Dungeness crab tostadas, and chili-braised beef short ribs. There’s a full bar to boot. 301 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, 415.500.5145, floressf.com
s $$$ S C LD BR º
IL FORNAIO Italian Aside from pizzas and pastas, this upscaleItalian franchise serves a variety of salads and carb-free entrées. 223
Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.4400, ilfornaio.com
s $$ S Í C LD BR
LA MAISON DE LA REINE Vietnamese Dine on family-style Vietnamese fare in the Town Center. The crunchy cabbage chicken salad with peanuts, fresh spring rolls and pho options are popular picks. 346 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.0288, lamaisondelareine.com
b $$ S Í C LD
Seafood The Paci fic Rim–inspired restaurant has a familyfriendly atmosphere. The menu, showcasing freshly caught seafood, includes tacos, poke, ceviche, sandwiches, salads, rice bowls, seasonal cocktails and daily specials. 133 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.3474, pacificcatch.com
s $$ S Í C LD º
American Fresh and locally sourced brisket, pork, ribs and chicken get star billing at this Town Center eatery. Sauces are crafted to represent various American barbecue regions, including Memphis and South Carolina. House-made pickles, buns and sausages will keep you coming back. 341 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.891.3265, piginapicklebbq.com
b $$ S Í BLD
California Create your own salads and burgers using all-natural proteins including Angus beef, turkey, chicken, mahimahi, bison or the latest addition, the Impossible Burger. The restaurant has patio seating, a kick-back vibe and a popular happy hour. Give the spiked milkshake a try. 201 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.924.7000, thecounterburger.com
s $$ S Í LD º
Grill is a fast-casual restaurant chain that celebrates the veggie by offering a variety of hot sandwiches and burgers, entree salads, bowls, home-style plates, shareable sides, organic teas and housemade desserts prepared with vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts. 147
Corte Madera Town Center, 415.945.8954, veggiegrill.com
b $ S Í LD
California Owners Keith Cox and Matt Blair have revamped this “fast food” joint to feature healthy and fl avorful items like a Hawaiian poke wrap and a tahini tofu summer roll that’s vegan-friendly. Exotic housemade beverages include boba tea, mango lassi and Vietnamese iced coffee. 208 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.3663, worldwrapps.com
$ S Í LD
California Zinz is an upscale wine bar, retail store and art gallery with a cozy, sophisticated atmosphere, an eclectic array of boutique wines and craft beer, and light appetizers. The quaint neighborhood space also holds events and happy hours. 207 Corte Madera Ave, 415.927.9466, zinzwinebar.com
b $$ Í º
If you’re looking for a quick, fresh meal, Grilly’s is an easy and delicious stop. Pick up a couple burritos and the much-loved chicken taco salad and you have a lunch or dinner to please the whole family. 1 Bolinas Ave, 415.457.6171, grillys.com
$ S Í C BLD
American This New Orleans–style res taurant serves up creole staples like fried
chicken and wa ffles, shrimp and grits, po’boys, gumbo and beignets. Opt for the spicy syrup or homemade hot sauce to get that Cajun kick. Cash only. 57 Broadway Blvd, 415.457.9866
b $$ S BL BR
IRON SPRINGS PUB & BREWERY American Pair your pick from the extensive beer list with an ale-braised barbe cue pork sandwich, shrimp tacos or the house-ground-chicken bacon cheeseburger. 765 Center Blvd, 415.485.1005, ironspringspub.com
b $$ S Í C LD º
MAS MASA Mexican
Chef and owner Patrick Sheehy focuses on the ancient technique of corn nixtamalization, using organic, nonGMO blue corn to make its handmade tortillas. The beer and wine lists highlight California microbreweries and wineries. 31 Bolinas Road, 415.529.5444, eatmasmasa.com
s $$ S Í LD
Due Colori Ravioli di Agnello at Servino, Tiburon
SORELLA CAFFE Italian
Run by sisters Sonia and Soyara, Sorella, which means “sister” in Italian, serves fresh Italian with a northern in fluence. Customer favorites include the cioppino, butternut squash ravioli and Pollo alla Sorella. Another highlight is the giant wheel of Grana Padano cheese. Stop by for live music on weekends and every second and fourth Thursday of the month.
107 Bolinas Road, 415.258.4520, sorellacaffe.com
b $$$ S D
The former Fairfax Cyclery space has been recon figured and now also serves food and an assortment of beers.
Menu items include pizzas, sandwiches, and snacks like citrus marinated olives or house-made pickles. Beers on tap are almost all exclusively local favorites. 2020 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.721.7644, splitrock tapandwheel.com
b $$ LD
American Jared Rogers, the former executive chef of Picco has returned with Guesthouse. Rogers is heading up the kitchen in the Kent field eatery, and has partnered with well-known mixologist Dustin Sullivan to open this 110-seat space. Look for menu classics such as mini lobster rolls or kurobuta pork chops with crispy pota toes. 850 College Ave, 415.419.5101, guest housemarin.com
s $$$ D
HALF DAY CAFE
TAMAL Mexican The regional cuisine here highlights coastal regions of Oaxaca and the Yucatán Peninsula. Dine inside or on the patio and enjoy craft Mexican cocktails or some of the Bay Area’s best craft beer. 23 Broadway, 415.524.8478, tamalfairfax.com
s $$$ LD
VILLAGE SAKE
Japanese Lucky for Fairfax, beloved former Sushi Ran chef Scott Whitman has opened an izakaya, a Japanesestyle community pub, on Bolinas Road. In the compact space, you’ll fi nd sushi and skewers, salads and small plates, plus great sake and craft beers. The daily wait list opens online at 5 p.m. 19 Bolinas Road, 415.521.5790, villagesake.com
b $$$ Í D
American Barbecue from a food truck trailer embedded into the wall is the main attraction at this mechanic’s shop turned eatery, where
tall sliding windows frame washed concrete floors that lead to a craft beer garden with fi re pit. The ’cue gets all the love here, but salads, fl atbread pizzas, and a wide selection of tapped and bottled beers plus wines round out the menu. 2001 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.300.3099, waysta tionmarin.com
b $ S Í LD
GOTT’S ROADSIDE American The restaurant’s fi rst Marin outpost features the signature Californiainspired dishes Gott’s is renowned for as well as a roll-up garage door that brings the outside in when weather permits and a 30-footlong pine table for community-style eat ing. 302 Bon Air Center, 415.785.4233, gotts.com
b $$ S Í BLD
JASON’S California Head to Jason’s for seafood dishes with an Asian and Italian fl air. Try the fi sherman
stew or miso-glazed Chilean sea bass. 300 Drakes Landing Road, 415.925.0808, jasons restaurant.com
s $$$ S Í C LD
PATXI’S PIZZA Pizza
This welcoming neighborhood restaurant is a great place to share a meal with family and friends. Try the popular burrata bruschetta appetizer and/ or focus on what Patxi’s does best — Chicagostyle deep-dish pizza. Gluten-free and vegan options available. 340 Bon Air Center, 628.243.0721, patxispizza.com
s $$ S Í LD
VICTORIA BAKERY & CAFE Italian The famed Italian pastry place now offers elder flower cake, the same kind served at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, as well as savory lunch options like paninis, open-face spinach croissants and quiches. 292 Bon Air Shopping Center, 415.461.3099, victoriabakery marin.com
$$ Í BL
FARMSHOP American Located in the Marin Country Mart since 2013, Farmshop Marin has quickly become a top spot here in the county. Indoor and out door seating available. Marin Country Mart, 2233 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.755.6700, farmshopca.com
s $$$ S Í C LD BR
American Tucked away in a setting of intertwining ivy and large open windows, this cafe is the quintessential breakfast nook and is also open for brunch and lunch, including coffee drinks, pastries and much more.
Enjoy a casual meal inside or out on the patio. 848 College Ave, 415.459.0291, halfdaycafe.com
b $$ S Í BL BR
FARM HOUSE LOCAL California This downtown Larkspur gem is sure to please with simple, healthy food in a warm, cozy atmosphere, both indoors and on the covered patio. The seasonal menu, inspired by American classics, includes biscuits and gravy; a “BLAT” (with avocado) sandwich; and a daily flu ff y omelet stu ffed with local meats, vegetables and artisanal cheeses. 25 Ward St, 415.891.8577, farmhouselocal.com
b $$ S Í BL
LEFT BANK RESTAURANT French This authentically classic brasserie has been serving the Larkspur community for more than two decades. Whether on the patio, at the European-style bar or in the casually elegant main dining room, it’s a fun and French experience. 7 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331, leftbank.com
s $$$ S Í C LD BR
PICCO California Popular since its inception, Picco has a seasonally driven menu featuring items such as risotto (made every half hour) that keep attracting return visits. 320 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.0300, restaurantpicco.com
s $$$ S Í C D
PIZZERIA PICCO Pizza This upscale parlor offers Californiain fluenced Neapolitan pizzas, cooked in a wood-burning pizza oven. Fresh mozzarella is pulled in-house and the menu also features organic salads, a daily soup and Straus Dairy soft-serve ice cream. 316 Magnolia Ave, 415.945.8900, pizzeriapicco.com
b $$ S Í LD º
RUSTIC BAKERY California The home grown bakery is known and loved the world over: Pope Francis
Double Stacked Cheeseburger at Mersea, S.F.famously requested Rustic Baker y fl atbread and crostini when he visited the U.S. in 2015. Organic bread, croissants and pastries baked fresh each morning and salads, sandwiches, and soups for lunch make Rustic a local staple. 1139 Magnolia Ave, 415.925.1556; Marin Country Mart, 2017 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.9900, rusticbakery.com
b $$ S Í BLD BR
BUCKEYE
ROADHOUSE American Oysters Bingo, baby back ribs and ChiliLime “Brick” Chicken are a few of the satisfying comfort-food menu items that have made this classic roadhouse a favorite since the ’30s. The warm dark-wood bar with red leather booths is a popular spot for cocktails, conversa tions or a light meal. 15 Shoreline Highway, 415.331.2600, buckey eroad house.com
s $$ C LD BR
American One of Mill Valley’s neighborhood hot spots, featuring contempo rary California comfort food, signature cock tails, fi ne wine, and one-dollar oysters from 5 to 6 p.m. every day.
44 E Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500, bungalow44.com
s $$$ S Í C D
CAFE DEL SOUL
California Healthy options become addictive at this eatery that now has locations in both Tam Valley and San Rafael. Once you stop in for the
deliciously fresh quinoa wrap, you’ll want to return to try the chipotle rice bowl. A casual lunch spot and great for takeout, Cafe del Soul also serves smoothies and pressed juices. 247 Shoreline Highway, 415.388.1852, cafedelsoul.net
$ S Í LD
American The brain child of pastry chef Heather Hardcastle, this second location, in the bright and airy renovated Lumber Yard, offers not only gluten-free baked goods but sandwiches, salads and takeout. The fi rst location is in San Anselmo. 129 Miller Ave, 415.384.8244, flourcraftbakery.com
b $$ S Í BL
If you’re looking for a quick, fresh meal, Grilly’s is an easy and delicious stop. Pick up a couple burritos and the much-loved chicken taco salad and you have a lunch or dinner to please the whole family. 493 Miller Ave, 415.381.3278, grillys.com
b $ S Í C BLD BR
Enjoy a lighter take on Chinese at this restaurant, nestled in Strawberry Village. The barbecue pork bun is fi lled with house-made roasted meat in a savory sauce, and signature prawns are wok seared with scallions. Pair your pick with wine, beer or tea and be sure to check out the weekday takeout lunch special.
401 Strawberry Village, 415.381.5300, harmonyrestaurant group.com
b $$ S LD
INC.
Mexican Joe’s serves up fi sh tacos, burritos and enchiladas as well as more unusual items like Mexican pizza, tofu tostada and crab tostadas. A colorful interior and quick service make this a fun, easy stop. If there are too many unsupervised kids for a peaceful meal, takeout is easy too. If you stay, grab a selection of hot sauce bottles from the wall and fi nd your perfect match. 382 Miller Ave, 415.383. 8164, joestacolounge.com
b $$ S Í BLD
PIAZZA D’ANGELO
Italian Family owned for over 35 years, Piazza D’Angelo evokes a traditional trattoria experience. Enjoy a variety of pastas, meat and seafood dishes, wood-fi red pizzas, and gluten-free offerings with organic and local ingredients. 22 Miller Ave, 415.388.2000, piazzadangelo.com
s $$ S Í C LD BR º
Besides its popular thin-crust pizzas, this Strawberry Village restaurant serves seasonal dishes like Tuscan fried chicken with spicy honey, burrata with crushed sweet peas and toasted focaccia, and ricotta gnocchi with sun-dried tomato cream. 800 Redwood Highway, 415.383.0600, pizzaantica.com
b $$ S LD BR º
PIZZA MOLINA Pizza
One of Mill Valley’s favorite pizzerias is back with a distinctly family-friendly, casual vibe. Patrons ca n fi nd their favorite California wines and beers on tap along with a robust pizza menu that incudes gluten-free and vegan options. 17 Madrona St, 415.383.4200, pizza molina.com
b $$ S Í D
PLAYA Mexican Drawing inspiration from travels and the fresh , fl avorful cuisine
served on the playa, Peter Schumacher and Bill and Vanessa Higgins have developed a menu that blends locally sourced, organic and sustainable ingredients with a bar highlighting a selection of exceptional tequilas and mezcals.
41 Throckmorton Ave, 415.384.8871, playamv.com
s $$ Í D
SHOP American Tucked away in a parking lot at Tam Junction, this coffee shop is a funky diner with a small-town feel. Check out the mix of Mexican and traditional breakfast fare. 221 Shoreline Highway, 415.388.9085, shoreline coffeeshop.com
b $$ S Í BL BR
TAM TAM RAMEN Asian Ramen, bao sliders, wonton nachos and pan-fried gyoza are made fresh to order, with sushi and salads from Whole Foods and
Urban Remedy available in the grab-and-go cooler. If you’re dining in, an array of sake, beer and wine rounds out the menu. 745 E Blithedale Ave, 415.381.3900, genjiweb.com
$$ LD
TAMALPIE Italian
Owner Karen Goldberg designed this restaurant with a large group seating area, indoor and outdoor fi replaces, and a small casual bar. The food is Italian with the daily modern inspiration of locally sourced seasonal ingredients found in the salads, house-made pastas and crispy Neapolitan-style pizza, with a selection of beer and wine to match. 477 Miller Ave, 415.388.7437, tamalpie pizza.com
s $$ S Í C LD º
VASCO Italian Whether at a table, the bar or the back counter, you can expect an intimate dining experience in this one-room trattoria. Try one of the pasta dishes or thin-crust wood-fi red pizzas. 106 Throckmorton Ave, 415.381.3343, vasco millvalley.com
s $$ S D
CHEESE California
Focused on small production winemakers, the wine menu features a bottle list with over 300 selections, wines by the glass that change weekly as well as California, Oregon and Washington beers on draft and by the bottle. A rotating cheese and charcuterie menu, served with bread from San Francisco’s Jane Bakery, is also offered. 31 Sunnyside Ave, 415.758.3408, westcoastsf.com
b $$ D
BESO BISTRO AND WINE BAR California
This Hamiton Field bistro highlights locally sourced organic produce, fresh sustainable seafood, and pastureraised and free-range meat. Wine lovers can embrace their inner Dionysus — Beso offers more than 20 selections by the glass and more than 50 by the bottle.
502 S Palm Drive, besobistro.com
b $$ Í LD
California Organic pastries, breads, salads and sandwiches are on the menu here, including daily seasonal specials.
Try the Marin Melt — Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt. Tam and Point Reyes Toma cheeses grilled on honey whole wheat, served with dressed baby greens and crisp apple slices. 1407 Grant Ave, 415.878.4952, rusticbakery.com
b $$ S Í BLD BR
COMFORTS CAFE American Comforts has a cozy sit-down patio and serves breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. A large takeout section offers fresh bakery items, seasonal salads, soups, sandwiches and even entrees for dinner at home. Besides the famous Chinese chicken salad, other winners are the stu ffed pecan-crusted French toast , fl avorful scrambles, Chicken Okasan (nicknamed “Crack Chicken” by fans) and wonton soup.
335 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.9840, comfortscafe.com
b $$ S Í BL BR
CUCINA SA Italian Cucina SA recently ren ovated and expanded its space to include a full bar that seats 30 with an upstairs mezzanine area that will eventually become a lounge. Along with two dining rooms, a private dining option and outdoor tables on the adjacent bridge, the restaurant is a solid bet for casual after-work drinks or hosting large parties. The menu has woodfi red pizzas, homemade pastas, modern takes on Italian classics and lots of vegetarian, gluten-free options and now a full bar.
510 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.2942, cucina-sa.com
s $$ S Í LD º
L’APPART RESTO French Savor a range of French and local favorites or a $36 three-course pri x fi xe menu in an energetic yet sophisticated setting. There’s live music on Thursdays; dinner Monday to Saturday; lunch and brunch Friday to Sunday.
636 San Anselmo Ave, 415.256.9884, lappartresto.com
b $$ S Í LD BR
M.H. BREAD AND BUTTER California A one-stop shop for everything from coffee and pastries to artisan bread, with a seasonal brunch menu. Highquality ingredients and a comfortable atmosphere make MH worth checking out. 101 San Anselmo Ave, 415.755.4575, mhbreadandbutter.com
b $$ S Í BL BR
PIZZALINA Italian Along with handmade pizzas baked in a wood oven, you’l l fi nd classic shrimp risotto and a
Shrimp Tempura Bao Slider at Tam Tam Ramen, Mill Valleycaprese salad with mozzarella di bufala. Menus change daily according to seasonal markets but always include salads, antipastos, house-made pastas and main dishes. Outdoor dining available. 914 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.256.9780, pizzalina.com
b $$ S Í LD º
This bright and cozy space is the ideal environment for authentic Italian dishes made with local ingredients. A seat at the chef’s table gives a prime view of the open kitchen.
337 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.7800, valentico.com
b $$$ D
California This roadside cafe has it all, including fresh fi sh and goodies from the garden. These guys were doing local and sustainable before it was cool. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and live music. 625 San Geronimo Valley Drive, 415.488.0105, twobirdcafe.com
b $$$ Í BLD
The cuisine is local, seasonal, made with naturally raised ingredients and served in a casual, comfortable and refi ned setting, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grand Peacock Gap lawns. An inviting cafe at lunch with ice-cold lemonade and refreshing chardonnays makes a great dinner spot once the sun sets.
333 Biscayne Drive, 415.454.6450, rangecafe.net
s $$ S Í C BLD º
SHIRO KUMA Japanese Shiro Kuma, which means polar bear, takes its inspiration from chef Yasuo Shigeyoshi’s childhood in a small rural town in the south of Japan and offers traditional-style sushi and wagyu A5 and Kobe beef to cook over ishiyaki grilling stones. Popular weekly specials include hama chi jalapeño and the omakase (chef’s choice) dinner. 1518 Fourth St, 415.295.7464, sushishiro kuma.com
b $$ S LD
American A favorite with both the kids and the foodie set, this charming eatery serves food like Mom used to make. Drop by for eggs Benedict, tuna melts, coffee and some of the best milkshakes around. 817 Fourth St, 415.259.0182, theresaand-johnnys.com
b $$ S Í BL BR
Japanese When own ers Benson Yang and Kevin Fong decided to open Marin’s fi rst ramen shop in 2014, they weren’t sure what to expect. Three years later, Uchiwa remains loved by ramen enthusiasts for its rich broths, fresh noodles and wide assortment of appetizers. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available. 821 B St, 415.991.3693, uchiwaramen.com
b $$ LD
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ANGELINO RESTAURANT Italian 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, angelino restaurant.com
s $$$ S BLD
AVATAR’S Indian If you’re on the hunt for innovative Indian fare, head to Avatar’s. Sip masala chai sweetened with brown sugar in this casual one-room restaurant, ideal for a quick lunch or dinner. 2656 Bridgeway, 415.332.8083, enjoyavatars.com
b $$ S LD
CIBO California Located in a historic brick building on Sausalito’s main drag, this is a great place to a sip a quick cup of coffee outdoors. The menu offers tarts, croissants, cookies, paninis and soups. Every dish is made from scratch with local and seasonal prod ucts. 1201 Bridgeway, 415.331.2426, cibosausalito.com
$$ S Í BL
COPITA Mexican Co-owner Joanne Weir presents fresh Mexican fare in the heart of downtown Sausalito. The ever-changing menu is 100 percent gluten-free, and the inhouse tequila bar serves over 100 varieties and fantastic cocktails. Dine at the bar or on the outdoor patio for great people-watching.
739 Bridgeway, 415.331.7400, copita restaurant.com
s $$ S Í LD BR
This waterfront res taurant features craft beer, burgers, rotisserie chicken and other hearty, seasonal fare in a communal setting, with outdoor seating and great views. 300 Turney St, 415.766.8999, joineryca.com
b $$ Í LD
This home-style family restaurant has been in Sausalito 20 years and features favorites like lettuce cups, soft spring rolls and weekly specials. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.331.0390, kittisplace.com
b $$ S Í LD
POGGIO Italian Executive chef Benjamin Balesteri creates Northern Italian fare using fresh and local ingredients. Private dining rooms above the restaurant can accommodate larger parties (10 to 150 guests). 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771, poggio tratoria.com
s $$$ S Í C BLD
SEAFOOD PEDDLER RESTAURANT AND FISH MARKET Seafood The fi sh is bought daily from loca l fi shers, who are also restaurant patrons. Recipes are adjusted to incorporate the freshest catch. 303 Johnson St, 415.332.1492, seafoodpeddler.com
s $$$ S Í LD BR º
SUSHI RAN Japanese Sample innovative small plates just big enough to share before enjoying some of the best sushi the Bay Area has to offer; the prices don’t deter the herd of enthusiasts who line up nightly to partake. Just stopping by? The wine, cocktail and sake lists keep even the pickiest bar fly satisfied. Reservations are required in the main room. 107 Caledonia St, 415.332.3620, sushiran.com
s $$ Í LD
THE TRIDENT Seafood Set in a turn-of-thecentury building constructed for the San Francisco Yacht Club, this waterfront restaurant is a shoein for date night. The restaurant, a famous
1970s hangout, is now known for supporting local farmers, fi shers and organic food producers. 558 Bridgeway, 415.331.3232, the tridentsausalito.com
s $$$ S Í LD BR º
LUNA BLU Italian Executive chef Renzo Azzarello serves Sicilian seafood and homemade pastas with a Californian touch. The seasonal menu incorporates fresh and organic produce, local naturally grown meat and poultry from small farms. The restaurant complies with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, so all the seafood is sustainable. In 2014 diners voted Luna Blu one of the Top 100
Neighborhood Gem res taurants in America. 35 Main St, 415.789.5844, lunablurestaurant.com
s $$ S Í LD
California This location of the beloved bakery offers the same menu as the other locations in Novato and Larkspur, as well as outdoor dining. Enjoy a wide array of fresh salads, sandwiches and pastries on the boardwalk. 1550 Tiburon Blvd, 415.797.6123, rustic bakery.com
b $$ S Í BLD BR
Italian Chef and owner Angelo Servino highlights organic ingredients in rustic Italian dishes, includ ing house-made pastas, wood oven pizzas, and seasonal specialties. Located on the bay in Tiburon, Servino also prides itself on its extensive sustainable seafood program. Savor la dolce vita on the waterfront patio. 9 Main St, 415.435.2676, servino.com
s $$$ S Í C LD BR º
This coastal escape is now famous for barbecued local oys ters, Dungeness crab mac ’n’ cheese and cocktails incorpo rating homegrown ingredients. Large windows in the 120seat restaurant provide picturesque views of Tomales Bay and Hog Island (Marshall). 23240 Highway 1, 415.663.1033, nickscove.com
s $$$ S Í C LD BR
OSTERIA STELLINA
California Whether it’s to cap off a ay of hiking or celebrate a romantic anniversary, Osteria Stellina suits any occasion. The menu is Italian-inspired and features local organic ingredients. If you’re up for something unusual, try the goat shoulder, a hit with both tourists and locals (Point Reyes). 11285 Highway 1, 415.663.9988, osteriastellina.com
b $$ S LD
MERSEA American Executive chef and cofounder, Parke Ulrich started this exciting venture on Treasure Island. Mersea, which means “island oasis” in Old English, serves standard comfort food like burgers, fi sh and chips and the like with a local-focused Bay Area twist. Also not to be missed are the curated cocktail menu and unbeatable views (Treasure Island). 699 Avenue of the Palms, 714.350.3889, mersea.restaurant
s $$ S Í BLD
MICHAEL MINA California Michael Mina has clearly mastered the fi ne line between award-winning art and Alaskan halibut. Each brilliantly crafted dish has a delicate blend of fl avors that add up to a distinctive, luxuri ous dining experience. 252 California St, 415.397.9222, michaelmina.net
s $$$ LD
NIKU STEAKHOUSE Japanese This American steakhouse has a distinct Japanese in fluence and eschews predictable fare, offering a 10-course seasonal tasting menu in addition to an à la carte menu where vegetables get the same kind of attention as meat — kimchi and koji are made on-site. Notables dishes include Japanese wagyu from the Hyogo prefecture, in-house dry-aged domestic beef, porterhouse steak and a bone-in tomahawk steak intended for sharing. 61 Division Street, 415.829.7817, nikusteak house.com s $$$ LD º
PALIO Italian After clos ing down to undergo an extensive renova tion, Palio d’Asti has been reimagined as Palio, and now offers a brand-new dining space, expanded bar and lounge, as well as private dining rooms. The menu features different regions of Italy while maintaining an emphasis on seasonal, sustainably sourced California ingredients. Dishes include housemade pastas, whole Mediterranean sea bass and numerous woodfi red pizza options. 640 Sacramento Street, 415.395.9800, paliosf.com s $$ LD º
SALT HOUSE American Owned by Mill Valley brothers Mitchell and Steven Rosenthal and Doug Washington, Salt House’s chef Evan Gotanda’s menu highlights a Japanese in fluence and includes seasonal dishes like roasted cauli flower with cashews, kabocha squash and furikake, as well as housemade pastas. 545 Mission St, 415.543.8900, salthousesf.com s $$$ LD º
$ $$ $$$ S
Full bar
Wine and beer
Inexpensive (entrees $10 or less)
Moderate (up to $20) Expensive ($20 and over) Kid-friendly
Outdoor seating
Private party room Breakfast, lunch, dinner Brunch Happy hour s
BLD BR º
These listings are not intended to be a full review of the business, rather a quick guide to some of the most popular restaurants in the county. For more restaurant listings, visit us online at marinmagazine.com/dine
Consistently rated “Best of Marin,” Comforts offers a full-service restaurant for breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch, as well as an array of seasonal salads, soups, entrees and baked goods for takeaway. Our menus change regularly to reflet what is fresh, local and in season. Catering services are also available.
335 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, CA 415.454.9840 comfortscafe.com
On 40 acres year-round in Bolinas and on 20 acres during winter in SoCal’s Coachella Valley, Star Route Farms grows lettuces, chicories and nettles so flavorful, chefs like Alice Waters (Chez Panisse) and Traci Des Jardins (The Commissary) clamor to add them to menus. Annabelle Lenderink manages the farm, as well as another called La Tercera on small plots in Bolinas and Peta luma where she cultivates near-forgotten varietals like the Italian Marina d’Chioggia squash. Recent Star Route additions like celt uce (Chinese stem lettuce) and melon cucumbers from Puglia will likewise bring a glint to an intrepid chef’s eye.
Cool coastal climate crops are Star Route’s specialty. Greens, herbs and non-heat-loving vegetables, such as fennel, beans, squash, broccoli, onions, artichokes and radishes, are available almost year-round, but late spring brings a seasonal bounty: blink and the time for fava greens and nettles is almost over. With this spring’s regular rains, Meyer lemons and romaine, Little Gem lettuces, arugula and spinach have kept growing later in the season. And where would we be without the beets and carrots? These favorites help Marin residents bridge into summer, when basil, summer squash and cucumbers take over the table.
Craving a little sauce with your ’cue? Marin restaurant people know a thing or two about gravy for every situa tion. At Smitty’s Bar in Sausalito, bartender Nancy (she asked me not to use her last name) whips up a Bloody Mary Mix (32-oz. jar, $10) that can stand in for marinara when vodka and cel ery are not in the day’s plans. “It has a bite but it’s not too spicy,” she says. smittysbar.com
Owners Victor Cielo and Sol Hernandez at Sol Food hand-mix their pique sauce ($12 for 16 oz., $6 for 10 oz.) with vinegar, sugar and seven different chiles. “They make it in the mornings in the biggest cauldron and stir it with a big wooden paddle,” says Christina Ford, manager of the Mill Valley location. “If you are not used to it, you cannot go in there because the spices are so intense.” Ford recommends the sauce as a marinade or a sprinkle on pizza, while the more culinarily daring could try it as a pickle brine or popcorn seasoning. solfoodrestaurant.com
While many Marinites expect a sticky sweet red sauce for barbecue, Pig in a Pickle ’s Damon Stainbrook notes that “in other parts of the country, that doesn’t even exist.”
He created a line of sauces ($7 for 16 oz. barbecue sauce; $7 for 5 oz. hot sauce), exclusive to the restaurant in Corte Madera’s Town Center, to represent the breadth of regional condiment options, notably around the South. Lots of vinegar and no tomato suggests eastern Carolina and Memphis; white sauce evokes Alabama; a sauce with mustard means South Carolina; lots of vinegar and just a little tomato and you’re in the middle of the Carolinas. And to properly ground the senses in Marin, there’s a fermented hot sauce and yes, that red stuff. piginapickle.com CHRISTINA MUELLER
MEET THE FARMER
The artist and Marin Open Studios executive director discusses this year’s event and her artistic passions.
How do you describe yourself? California colorist, plein air/studio artist, Marin Open Studios executive director, and lucky enough to have a wonderful partner and husband, graphic designer and artist Don McCartney.
Please describe your journey as an artist and a founder of Open Studios. I grew up in Wisconsin. When I was 14, I saw a painting by Andrew Wyeth in Life magazine. It was “Christina’s World,” and an inner voice said, “This is what I am supposed to do.” I signed up for oil painting classes after school. I did not have any role models. My dad said, “Kay, you cannot eat paint.” I persisted, earned an English degree from the University of Wisconsin and a minor in art. Winning a trip to Paris in an essay contest my senior year propelled me to seeing the impressionists and haunting the Louvre. Returning to Wisconsin, I found that inner voice kicked in again and I headed to San Francisco, determined to study art. I worked for several galleries, learned how to sell art and, even more, how much the public needed art. I painted outdoors in my 20s and was in fluenced by landscape photographers including Brett Weston. I moved to Marin in 1983 and joined a gregarious potluck group in Woodacre that nurtured and mentored me like a family. I still exhibit with them today. When I moved into a studio at the ICB in 1991, it was the beginning of a more public life and I was amazed at the vast number of artists who worked in Marin. There was such a thriving group of artists in Sausalito and I latched onto the tradition with Tim Rose, who had started the ICB Building December Open Studios. I joined the Marin Art Council and again my inner voice said, “Start a countywide
BY SUSAN NOYESold. She had a quality of practical irreverence unusual in the Midwest. I left them both at age 21 to take a trip to California and did not return, which was hard on all of us. I am not a mother, but my paintings are my children. I also teach painting and have mentored many artists in their careers, especially women.
Marin Open Studios.” In 1993 I invited Tim to join me, and with lots of support, we brought the art community together in a new way. People need art, and I enjoy being the facilitator, placing artwork in their world that will light up an inner life and voice.
How does being a woman inform your work, your life? I struggled to kick off xpectations to get married early and realized that I needed to partner with someone who would not crush my artist self. I worked to balance my male and female sides; Marin offered a creative soil with constant personal growth opportuni ties and abounding outdoor beauty. I bring a female sensitivity to looking at the world.
Please describe your family and how it informs your work and life. My grandmother was a storyteller, very creative, and my mother was strong and is still in my hometown at 95 years
What do you most enjoy about life in Marin? I came to San Francisco in 1971 but it took me until 1983 to make my way to Woodacre, and then until 1991 to open my studio at the ICB in Sausalito after a divorce. I have lived in Marin for 36 years. What I enjoy most about this county is an intimacy with nature and the incredible variety of landscape and quality of light. I love seeing Mount Tamalpais from new vantage points, the water views of West Marin, and the physicality of the coastal ter rain. I return to many favorite hidden places in various seasons and times of the day, and new discoveries are reflected in my oil paintings.
What inspires or informs your work? My paint ings are metaphors for pairing, serenity and relationships. As a colorist, I see and emphasize the color in shadows and life on the water on late afternoon walks. The local art community, my ICB studio, artist friends, the Marin Art School and my students give me great joy.
What are your hopes for the future? I want to get back to having more time painting outdoors and in the studio. I am looking for a successor to mentor into someone who can take over the leadership role of Marin Open Studios.
Marin Open Studios, May 4–5 and 11–12. marinopenstudios.org
Susan B. Noyes is the founder and chief visionary officer of Make It Better Media Group, as well as the founder of Make It Better Foundation’s Philanthropy Awards. A mother of six, former Sidley Austin labor lawyer and U.S. Congressional aide and passionate philanthropist, she has also served on many boards.
Matt and Katie Paige, Helen and Chuck Schwab
Sara Williams, Rich Silverstein and Carla Emil
• MARIN CASA More than 230 guests gathered at the Mill Valley Community Center for a night of dinner, a silent/live auction and to hear from volunteer and youth speakers at the Harvest of Hope event.
• HOLIDAY HEROES AT&T Park was the setting for holi day festivities enjoyed by sports celebrities, guests and more than 400 underserved children and their families.
• FOG DESIGN + ART For a weekend in January, attendees got to see the latest in the worlds of design and visual arts at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion.
Roth Martin, Katie Paige, Stanlee Gatti, Susan Swig, Allison Speer and Douglas Durkin
Lionel Shaw, Hunter and Alexis Pence, Zakary Stiffler and Michael Stiffler
Robyn Roberts, Thomas Peters and Susan McQuaid
SNAPSHOTS FROM SPECIAL EVENTS IN MARIN AND SAN FRANCISCO EDITED BY DANIEL JEWETT
The 23rd annual ball took place February 9 at the Marin Civic Center and raised funds for organizations serving vulnerable young members of the community.
More than $230,000 was raised at this boozy and science-filled annual event in February that also served as a celebration of the Exporatorium’s 50th anniversary.
Doug Dalton and Emily Kramsey
Chris Flink, Mike Mauze, Alison Mauze, Eoin Harrington and Ruben Morrell
TO SEE MORE EVENT PHOTOS VISIT MARINMAGAZINE.COM/HOTTICKET
• MARIN VALENTINE’S BALL
Julie and Al Stoll
Mike Brown, Suzanne Trainor, Chris Brown and Katie Rice
such as Dior, Butter, Smith & Cult, Chanel and Zoya
Manicure, Pedicures, Nail Art, Microblading Eyebrows, Elegant & Natural Beauty, Eyelash Extensions, Special Occasion Makeup 415.888.2092 ~ dollanddandy.com ~ 67 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, CA
Located through the gates of CNL Native Landscape Nursery ~ next to Proof Lab in Tam Junction. info@ millvalleypottersstudio.com 415. 888. 8906
FOR SEVEN YEARS, Missy Zech and her husband Erik lived in a lovely home in the hills of Tiburon. And while it had many assets, including a fantastic master suite and an expansive yard, there were a few negatives. “It had all this space, but we mostly just hung out together in the family room,” Missy recalls. In addition, it was walkable to nothing. “What I really wanted was a house where we could walk to town,” she says. With two kids attending Redwood High School and a third about to enroll there the next year, the couple decided that meant relocating to Larkspur.
As a seasoned realtor, Missy knew what it would take to get their place ready for sale. First, the family moved into temporary housing so a contractor could blaze through necessary updates. Second, since she recognized the importance of a pristinely staged home, they’d need to clear out the furniture. But rather than pay to store it all, she and Erik
made a radical choice. “We decided to donate everything to wild fi re victims,” Missy says.
The Zechs were still prepping their home for sale when they fi rst laid eyes on what would become their new abode. “It had been our intention to sell the old house before buying the new one, so when we saw it, I didn’t give it serious thought,” she recalls. But two weeks later the home was still on the market, and Missy got to thinking. “We were trying to be fi scally responsible about the move, but then my husband looked at me and said, ‘Look, if you really think this is the one, let’s just go for it,’ ” she says. And they did.
The house, built in 1906, was in amazingly good shape. “It had been recently renovated and freshly painted, but we still wanted to do a few things to make it our own,” Missy says. Aided by Caitlin Jones Designs, a fi rm based in both Seattle and San Rafael, they made cosmetic changes — most notably, a kitchen facelift that included repainting the cabinets,
adding a backsplash and replacing the countertops. They also swapped in a new sink, faucet, air gap and brass cabinet pulls.
With no furniture, there was less packing to do before moving day. “The fi rst few weeks [after move-in] we had nothing but mattresses and we all camped out together in the living room,” Missy recalls. Meanwhile, their designer rushed to stock the new place. Bedroom sets arrived fi rst, followed by a sofa for the family room, a U-shaped sectional for the living room, and the many other furnishings and touches that make a house a home.
The Zech family wasted no time settling into Larkspur living. “I think being walkable to everything makes it easier to build community,” Missy says. She’s also thrilled to be ensconced in a more intimate space. “Getting rid of all that excess was liberating,” she notes. m
For column consideration, please send photos and a description to dawn@marinmagazine.com.
WHERE THEY PURCHASED The Baltimore Park neighborhood of Larkspur
WHAT THEY BOUGHT A 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath Craftsman
SELLING AGENT Stacy Achuck and Missy Zech of Compass
LISTING AGENT Victoria Love and Tina McArthur of Compass
THE STATS Price per square foot for homes in the neighborhood: $1,090
Opener: The Zechs hope to fill their new home with happy memories much like the VW parked in the driveway. It’s a cherished relic of Missy’s own childhood. Opposite: The U-shaped sectional is a favorite hangout spot for Zech family gatherings. This page, clockwise from top: Freshly painted cabinets and a new backsplash transformed this kitchen; a cozy, clutterfree master bedroom; interior details; the entire Zech brood; lower level bathroom.
romantic master suite and sweeping sylan
Novato
Stunning
Nina Lo Coco 415.899.9256
CalRE#01979189
Novato | $1,775,000
Gated estate w/mini vineyard, 2 master suites & fireplace.
John Hammer 415.971.4769
jhammer@cbnorcal.com
CalRE#00975220
The Sea Ranch | $2,295,000 Luxurious details in custom 3br/3ba
Ranch oceanview home.
Karen Butler 707.953.7166
CalRE#01889521
Fairfax | Price Upon Request Modern 4br/3.5ba
Smith
Novato | $1,379,000
Lovely craftsman-style home in cul-desac w/backyard oasis.
Abby Tanem 415.497.9542
atanem@cbnorcal.com
CalRE#01301798
Novato | $1,018,000
Contemporary 3br/3ba home w/flat backyard, in great location.
Doug Hecker 707.484.6408 dhecker@cbnorcal.com
CalRE#01347843
San Rafael | $1,595,000
Stunning expanded 4br/2ba backs to open space w/pool + waterfall.
Terri Dawson 415.257.2062
Scott Cherry 415.257.2000 CalRE#01152254 | CalRE#00483672
San Rafael | $1,450,000
Magical four bedroom mid-century masterpiece with stunning views.
Greg Corvi 415.548.3245
greg.corvi@cbnorcal.com CalRE#01314816
San Rafael | $1,700,000
Charming Victorian home in Gerstle Park w/14 rooms including apt. Virginia Weber 415.378.5869 virginia.weber@cbnorcal.com CalRE#00905868
San Anselmo | $998,000 2br/1ba classic bungalow with office on expansive flat lot.
Lita Collins 415.515.5006 lcollins@cbnorcal.com CalRE#01890947
Novato
Beautiful
Doug Hecker 707.484.6408 dhecker@cbnorcal.com CalRE#01347843
Novato
Colleen
Novato
Carol
Corte
Kathleen Freitag 415.899.9282
CalRE#01088070
San
Denise
Novato
Sarah Newmarker 415.465.3761 sarah@sarahnewmarker.com
CalRE#01960859
Corte
Marika Sakellariou 415.713.8848
CalRE#01486869
IN CONTRACT OFF-MARKET IN 24 HOURS RECENTLY SOLD
207EvergreenDrive.com
JUST SOLD
92MtTiburon.com$4,395,000 $7,400,000
175 FRANCISCO STREET #19 | SAN FRANCISCO | $4,200,000
60 CURREY AVENUE | SAUSALITO | $2,995,000
87 MELROSE AVENUE | SAN FRANCISCO | $1,695,000
52 EL CAMINO AVENUE | SAN RAFAEL | $1,665,000
321 EVERGREEN DRIVE | KENTFIELD | CALL JULIE
OAKCREST ROAD | SAN ANSELMO | CALL JULIE FOR DETAILS
BOLINAS ROAD | FAIRFAX | CALL JULIE FOR DETAILS
415.246.3200
Lic.# 01715679
CRAIG 415.720.1053
Lic.# 01258090
“Nothing in a real estate transaction is easy or predictable, so an excellent agent is critical. Stephanie Lamarre will get the deal done because she is solution oriented, whip smart and hardworking. Equally important, she has integrity, discretion, and expertise. I cannot recommend Stephanie highly enough and will use her for all future home sales and purchases.”
-Buyer & Seller
“Stephanie Lamarre was genuinely heaven sent to us. She brilliantly masterminded, executing on extremely tight timelines, making key aesthetic decisions, managing service providers, pricing, marketing, and deftly handling showings and prospective buyers. We owe her a lifetime of gratitude.”
-Seller
stephanie @ stephanielamarre.com StephanieLamarre.com Lic.# 01840604
Since 1906
Built during the Gilded Age, Magnolia House, named in honor of the property’s majestic trees, is iconic for its noble stature and confident roof tops. Early 1900s architecture is expressed in this Designer Showcase home through period moulding and mullioned windows. Designer drapery and hand-painted wallpaper reflect the era, while today’s demand for sun-flooded rooms, larger bedrooms and ample storage marry the best of both worlds. An ample kitchen featuring Wolf and Subzero appliances accommodates serious cooking, while an elegant dining room and oversized living room with doors opening to the garden recall graceful entertaining of bygone times. The home boasts 6 bedrooms, 4 full plus 2 half baths, a library and a large second family room. Outside, one can find quiet serenity along shaded walkways or enjoy the pleasures of dining al fresco under the pergola. A small fruit orchard, bocce ball court, garden boxes, pool, pool house and a work shop for the hobbyist offer something for everyone. At night, lighting in oak, maple and olive trees, and splashing fountains turn the property into a magical landscape. 1644GrandAve.com
259 Morningside Drive, Corte Madera $1,299,000
3 BD | 2 BA
Turn Key Home in Christmas Tree Hill
Available only in the private market. Please call or text agent for details.
Alex Narodny
415.847.0309
alex@marinrealestate.net Lic.# 01942938
Valerie Castellana
415.533.9211
valeriec@sothebysrealty.com
ValerieCastellana.GoldenGateSIR.com Lic.# 01324085
• Tiburon | $5,299,000
5 BD | 4.5 BA | ±3,000 sq. ft. Stunning Contemporary Complete Remodel
• Bret Harte Road, San Rafael | $1,699,000
6 BD | 5 BA
Estate-like Property on Huge Lot
• 131 Mitchell Drive, Fairfax | $569,000
2 BD | 2 BA | Condo Ground Floor Unit with Nice Backyard
Listed by Alex and Karin Narodny
Call Alex Narodny for information/showings 415.847.0309
Karin Narodny
415.265.7488
karin@marinrealestate.net Lic.# 00550056
6 Hawthorne Lane Corte Madera
3 BD | 2 BA $1,800,000
Up a private drive, this mostly one level home offers indoor/outdoor living with bay views from most rooms and lovely patio areas for enjoyment and entertainment. Sited on 2± park-like acres, this remodeled home is minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge and hiking trails. Move right in, or expand and enhance to an estate property.
6HawthorneLane.com
Jean Ludwick 415.690.8003
j.ludwick@ggsir.com
JeanLudwick.GoldenGateSIR.com Lic.# 01197652
Located off a quaint private lane with a small cluster of custom estate-like homes, this gorgeous one-of-a-kind Craftsman style five bedroom, three and one-half bathroom home, at approximately 4,000 square feet, has been tastefully designed with the finest of finishes and designer touches. Situated behind a gated private driveway on over one acre overlooking majestic redwoods with a meticulously landscaped private yard, including a level lawn area, butterfly garden, outdoor fireplace and multiple patio areas. Open and inviting floor plan ideal for entertainment. Easy commute location near the Wolfe Grade and Kentfield border. Pride of ownership shows throughout! MarinCraftsmanEstate.com
@ ggsir.com Lic.# 01183576
ggsir.com
01372896
open space,
a tastefully remodeled four bedroom, three bathroom,
vegetation year-round,
Remodeled in 2018, this beautiful single-level home is the perfect blend of comfort and hip design. Sitting on a prime ±18,000 sq. ft. level lot, this is the quintessential Sleepy Hollow site. Ideal layout with living spaces on one wing, and bedrooms on the other. The remodeled Chef’s kitchen is the capstone to the open floor plan, with great connectivity between the family room, dining room and living room with vaulted ceilings. The hardwood floors lead you down the hallway to find 3 bedrooms, as well as an open concept office/work station. At the end of the hallway is the master bedroom, along with his and her closets and a master bedroom lounge. The easy indoor-outdoor flow won’t let you forget about the over-sized level lot, which offers potential pool sites and expansion possibilities. This one is a winner!!!
This Stinson #beachhouse is everything you need and nothing you don’t. Slip away to the unparalleled wild beauty of West Marin to your perfectly appointed beach home. This is a plug and play beach escape steps from the ocean and safely nestled into a quiet community cul-de-sac. Sunbathed in light, this considered home has been meticulously furnished to blend with its gorgeous environment across a multi-level bedroom, living space and converted garage.
Newly built in 2011 with the highest end and environmentally conscious materials. A 1.65kw solar array provides almost all your energy needs and a silent, high efficiency radiant heating system keeps your home green and warm below the handsome Italian Travertine floors. The windows and doors are Kolbe & Kolbe, the cabinets are by J. Spix Fine Cabinets and the skylights by Lindal Cedar Homes. Warm light and stunning views all around in this beautiful refuge, nestled in-between the lagoon and the ocean with lush mountains looking over you. 4Francisco.com
Architecturally stunning classic center-entrance Colonial that’s private and gated on over an acre of sprawling grounds with fruit trees and a solar-heated pool. This residence boasts grand scale and a functional floor plan with multiple living spaces, plus an office/6th bedroom. The spacious master suite features awe-inspiring views, two walk-in closets and a luxurious en suite. Prime for entertaining! 5Kenilworth.com
Corey Robinson Realtor®
415.758.0255
Corey@SothebysRealty.com
Lic.# 01783258
vast lawn and pool area.
highly sought-after floor
ModernForbes.com
Susan Hewitt & C.J. Nakagawa
415.407.8349
susan@sothebysrealty.com
Lic.# 00996144
Beautifully updated property with brand new renovated kitchen situated on huge double lot. Enjoy two backyard areas, including new art studio, pergola, fruit trees, and vegetable patches. Charming home with optional in-law unit, located in the highly desirable Brookside neighborhood of San Anselmo flats. Gardener’s dream yard with S/W exposure, sun-drenched level grassy lawn, large patio, magical redwood tree canopy for shading. Enclosed garage, office, storage, much more!
01872470
Best floor plan and views! No one above or below. Hardwood, fireplace, decks, remodeled kitchen, mini-office, custom bookcase and cabinets. Very close to Whole Foods, restaurants and other shopping, plus near Bayfront Park, Golden Gate Bridge, transportation.
Carolyn Svenson
415.720.4773
carolyn@marinsfhomes.com MarinSFHomes.com Lic.# 01122182
Stunning modern design home overlooking Marconi Cove in Marshall. 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, courtyard garden, separate guesthouse, salt-water pool, elegant pool house and solar. Within an hour drive from the GG Bridge.
±60 private acres, gated and fully fenced, ±5 acre olive orchard, grazing pastures, custom built animal shelters and outbuildings.
Call Rick Trono for price and additional features of this remarkable property.
Rick Trono
Broker Associate 415.515.1117
r.trono@ggsir.com RickTronoSellsMarin.com Lic.# 01045523
Top Producer 2018
Located on a large corner lot, 2 & 4 Marine Way is one of the few duplexes in Stinson Beach. The location is ideal! This charming property is extremely close to the beach, the Siren Cafe, the famous Dipsea Trail head, and the heart of the village. The duplex has a successful history as a long term rental and has boundless possibilities as a short term rental, or the duplex would be a great family compound. #2 has a one bedroom and one bath with a private back yard, #4 has one bedroom, a bonus room, two baths, garage and deck with a private back yard. Ocean views can be seen from the bedroom and wrap-around deck. 2 & 4 Marine Way, Stinson Beach, Listed for $1,450,000
SARAH NANCY BUTLER • OCEANIC REALTY (415) 868-0717 | DRE #01258888 | 3470 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970, oceanicrealty.com
Set on one of Mill Valley’s most spectacular parcels of land, this work-of-art features a modern barn-style feel with the same large, open great room of its past, 16-foot kitchen ceilings, and a wall of collapsible folding doors that open to straight-on Mt Tam views and an expansive deck and lawn area. There are 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths in the main house, with a free-standing guest house. A private pathway winds past redwoods and through the .5+ acre parcel to provide an easy route to downtown Mill Valley. www.EagleCliffEstate.com
Exclusively represented by
Fabulous, exquisitely renovated four bedroom, four and one-half bath home, on a sun-drenched l evel lot with a flat lawn, in a premier Mill Valley location just blocks to downtown. Secluded from neighbors and the street in a private estate-like setting, this magnificent home offers indoor-outdoor living and entertaining at its finest. Fully-appointed, recently constructed separate legal cottage with full kitchen and private access, perfect for guests, home office or as additional living space. Close to schools, the library, Old Mill Park, and some of the most beautiful streams, waterfalls and trails in Marin.
Covering Marin and Wine Country, The Collaborative is a seasoned group of Compass veterans who have come together to leverage their collective experience to provide exceptional service for all your real estate goals. Contact us today to learn more about Compassexclusive offerings including Coming Soon, Compass Concierge and more. thecollaborativemarin.com
Glen Williams 415.465.4423 DRE 01910513
Sharon Kramlich 415.609.4473 DRE 01184449
David Grega 415.515.2218 DRE 01110757
Lori Docherty 415.254.7016 DRE 01370723
Sharon Faccinto 415.272.3799 DRE 01036478
Steve Sekhon 415.480.4562 DRE 01843478
Lynn Reid 415.559.2814 DRE 01164587
A private lane leading to a gated driveway reveals this classically designed and recently updated Ross home with contemporary finishes and gracious floorplan.
Loft-like open architecture well-sited within an open meadow surrounded by majestic redwoods. Equidistant from Ross K-8 School and Phoenix Lake.
Mid-Century-modern with stunning views of Mt. Tam and the Bay in the highly desirable Seminary Area of San Anselmo. Near trails and top schools!
Located on a quiet cul-de-sac just off Lagunitas Road in one of the most desirable areas of Ross, this 4BR/3BA jewel has been published in numerous design magazines. Close to trails and Ross K-8 School!
Goldman 415.509.2427
01408527
Compass is a
Housing Opportunity
License Number 01527235.
material presented herein
only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or with drawal may be made without notice.
is made as to accuracy of any description.
measurements and square footage are approximate.
Being dropped into the bay was but a hiccup in the illustrious career of Engine No. 112.
BY JIM WOODIT WAS A Monday, June 30th, in the unlucky year of 1913, while switching tracks on a wharf in the rail yards of Tiburon, that Northwestern Pacific Railroad’s Engine No. 112 suddenly dropped into 25 feet of water. The locomotive’s engineer, James Selvage, and firefighter Harry Sikes were trapped in the cab for 50 seconds before scrambling to safety. The wharf, pil ings and all, was only six months old. So how could this happen? “Shipworms, they’re like waterborne termites — in Spanish they’re called toredos — had weakened the pilings in record time,” says Phil Cassou, head docent at the Railroad and Ferry Depot Museum in Tiburon. “It’s one of the best stories we tell here at the museum.” The nearly 70-ton engine, which had been in service only five years, was hoisted out of the salt water, dried off, repaired and put back to work within a week. After that, according to Cassou, the oil-burning steam locomotive’s career not only continued, but flourished. For nearly 40 more years, Engine No. 112 reliably transported passengers and freight throughout Marin and Sonoma counties and often went as far north as Eureka. In 1952, it was retired and restored, fi rst by the NWPR in Tiburon and then in 1962, after being barged across the bay, at Bethlehem Steel’s shipyard in San Francisco. After all this — decked out in a striking two-tone green coat of paint, with a silver smoke box, a mustard-yellow boiler jacket and a red cab roof — Engine No. 112 was a star attraction at the California State Railroad Museum in Old Town Sacramento for many years. Now it is believed to be parked in storage there. m
CIRCA
The locomotive’s engineer and a firefighter were trapped in the cab for 50 seconds before scrambling to safety.
At Compass, we believe no barrier should stand between where you are and where you belong. By pairing knowledgeable agents with intuitive technology, we deliver a modern real estate experience in the Bay Area and beyond.
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity Laws.