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— ELLIOT PAGE
How to Take the Leap to Love
Cassie Zampa-Keim is the Bay Area’s top concierge matchmaker. A satisfied client explains why he chose Innovative Match.
Why did you hire Cassie?
MICHAEL: I was dating, but it never worked out well. I was looking for the love of my life, albeit a rather lofty goal, and I was not finding the quality of woman that I wanted and was tired of being painfully lonely. I remember thinking that I use consultants, experts and coaches for my business life, so why not use an expert for my personal life?
What did you get out of hiring Cassie?
MICHAEL: I was a project for Cassie. After interviewing me to determine who I am and what I wanted, Cassie “tuned me up!” She coached me on my dating skills by tweaking a few things I did before, during and after dates. And before my first date, Cassie upgraded my look. I remember her saying, “OK, now you are ready to date.” Cassie introduced me to very high-quality women, and within months, I met Liz and hit my lofty goal beyond my wildest dreams.
Why did you take Michael on as a client?
CASSIE: It was all about Michael’s mindset and positive attitude. Michael was serious about finding someone to date. He was laser-focused. He told me he wanted to date a woman whose lifestyle would meld with his, someone in his age group who is sincere, likes to travel and is as equally passionate about finding a partner. Michael was willing to commit to a relationship, but first, he was willing to commit to me, giving me the time and attention I needed to help him.
Is it different working with men versus women?
CASSIE: Surprisingly, no. Men are easily misunderstood. So as with all my male clients, I talked to Michael and listened to him. Men have very specific needs, which align closely with women’s: they want intimacy and a quality partner with whom to share their lives. Men and women may be business leaders, but it doesn’t mean they are successful daters. It’s my job to merge these two identities.
News by Caitlin Hamer
Pride Month
June is Pride month and that means it’s time to get out and celebrate! From San Francisco to Wine Country and beyond, there are plenty of ways to join in the festivities and show your support for the LGBTQ+ community.
San Francisco Pride Parade
“Love Will Keep Us Together” is 2022’s theme for this two-day celebration. Festivities start on June 25 at the Civic Center, with the famous parade happening on June 26 (www.sfpride.org).
18th Annual Queer Women of Color Film Festival
This free event features films created through the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project programs (www.qwocmap.org), as well as films by independent filmmakers from around the world. Screenings take place on June 10, 11 and 12 in the Presidio Theatre in S.F.
Pride Wine Festival at the Academy
Pride Month kicks off on June 4 at San Francisco’s luxurious private club The Academy. Co-presented with Out in the Vineyard (www. outinthevineyard.com), this evening features wine from LGBTQ+ vintners paired with food from Classic Culinaire.
Pride Celebration at Chandon
Chandon (www.chandon.com) is hosting its first Pride Celebration at its Yountville winery. This June 11 event includes live music, food and wine, and an exhibition of work by artisans and local vendors from the LGBTQ+ community.
S.F. Pride Day at Oracle Park
The San Francisco Giants (www.mlb.com/giants) are celebrating Pride on June 11. Special event tickets for this game include a pair of limitededition S.F. Pride socks. A portion of funds will be donated to local charities.
Oakland Black Pride Festival
A Black Queer Expo, Masqueerade Party and other events rooted in Black, queer joy are happening at the 2022 Oakland Black Pride Festival (www.oaklandblackpride.org), June 24 to 26. This year’s theme is “Happy Hereafter.”
Pride Brunch
On June 25, the 24th Annual Pride Brunch (www.prcsf.org) is returning to the Westin St. Francis. This “Love Is in the Air”–themed event will honor the grand marshals of the San Francisco Pride Parade.
Frameline46: the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival
This longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival (www.frameline.org) is returning June 16 to 26, with the theme “The Coast Is Queer.” More than 90 films will be screened at a record number of venues throughout the Bay Area. Check the website for more info.
Stern Grove Festival
Summer Starts Now
This summer is seeing the triumphant return of in-person events. From June 7 to 12, the de Young Museum invites floral fans to the 38th annual Bouquets to Art (deyoung.famsf.org) fundraiser, fully on-site for the first time since 2019. Visitors can admire breathtaking bouquets inspired by the museum’s permanent collection. For some fresh-air fun, the Fairfax Festival (www.townoffairfax.org) is happening June 11 and 12. This free Marin celebration includes a parade, food and drinks, arts and crafts, entertainment for kids and a flea market. On June 12, San Francisco’s Stern Grove Festival (www.sterngrove. org) kicks off its 85th season. These concerts are free (advance reservations are required) and include performances by Cat Power, Taj Mahal, LeAnn Rimes and others. Over in San Rafael, it’s time to be “So Happy Together” as the Marin County Fair (www.fair.marincounty.org) returns after a two-year hiatus. From June 30 to July 4, the county fairgrounds are home to carnival rides, food and drinks, fireworks, live music from artists like Sheila E and Digable Planets, and more.
A New Tomales Bay Resource
Hog Island Oyster Co. is set to be the first shellfish farm in Tomales Bay to be allowed to harvest and commercially sell the seaweed that naturally grows on its gear. Commercial harvest of seaweed has been prohibited to protect Pacific herring that lay their eggs on it, but pending final approval, the company can make use of and sell the algae that is typically returned to the water or thrown away.
Tomales Bay
New Adult Treatment Facility
Marin Health and Human Services’ Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is partnering with Progress Foundation to operate a new adult residential treatment facility in San Rafael, the first licensed treatment center of its kind in Marin. “Our services are individualized and offered in a way that teaches and enhances movement toward increased self-sufficiency,” says Steve Fields, Progress Foundation’s executive director. Once finished, the facility will connect community members with mental health and substance use resources.
Sip and Savor
Wine Country is uncorking another month of can’t-miss events. On June 11, the city of Napa (www. donapa.com) celebrates its 175th year with The Napa Table, an extravagant outdoor dining experience that shows off the region’s world-class food scene. Portions of the evening’s proceeds will go to the Napa Food Bank. In Glen Ellen,
Transcendence Theatre Company
(www.transcendencetheatre.org) will begin its summer season on June 17, the first full season in-person since 2019. This award-winning outdoor entertainment experience, hosted in Jack London State Historic Park, includes a pre-show picnic before each outdoor musical revue performance, featuring gourmet food trucks and fine Sonoma wine. June 25 brings Taste of Sonoma (www.tasteofsonoma.com) to Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens. The afternoon event, presented by Vintec, will showcase Sonoma County’s famed vintners and include wine tasting, food trucks, wine seminars and more.
A project by S.F.-based Mork-Ulnes Architects
Accolades for Architects
The American Institute of Architects, San Francisco (AIASF) named their 2022 Design Awards honorees (www.aiasf.org) and hosted a recent celebration at S.F.’s PROXY. The main categories are Architecture, Interior Architecture and Unbuilt Design. These awards recognize achievements in architecture and design by local individuals and firms and celebrate the talented professionals who contribute to making the Bay Area beautiful with the buildings they design.
