The Outdoor Issue Let Summer Wash Over You
Down the block or around the world: expertise matters.
© 2022 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. The Sotheby’s International Realty network fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. *Ranking source: BrokerMetrics via BAREIS, #1 individual agent based on total number of Marin County transactions, 1/1/2018-12/31/2021. Sales volume figures via BAREIS MLS.| Nicholas Svenson DRE: 01918616
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Agent by Transactions in Marin Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. 2018-2021*
Nick Svenson nick@marinsfhomes.com MarinSFhomes.com 415.505.7674
let there be
summer with the symphony sfsymphony.org/summer JUN 29 GET HAPPY: A JUDY GARLAND CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION WITH JESSICA VOSK
JUL 7–8
NIGHT IN BOHEMIA WITH THE SF SYMPHONY & CELLIST JOHANNES MOSER JUL 23–24
PIXAR IN CONCERT
JUL 28–29 PINK MARTINI WITH THE SF SYMPHONY
AUG 4–5
BATES & BERNSTEIN WITH THE SF SYMPHONY
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BowmanRealEstateGroup.com @THEBOWMANGROUP
MARIN MATTERS
Providing Marin families more of what they want
EASY AND STRESS-FREE “From their expert advice on which home improvements would have the greatest impact on buyers, to getting those projects completed and the home listed, Jennifer and Elliott took care of everything for us.
Their hard work
resulted in multiple offers above list price, exceeding our expectations. The team at the Bowman Real Estate Group made the process of selling our home easy and stress-free.”
Todd and Cyndi Wheeler Owners - Bacchus & Venus | Sausalito, CA bacchusandvenus.com
The value of our business is measured in the quality of the relationships we build.
BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP | 415.755.1040 Team@BowmanRealEstateGroup.com DRE# 01933147
MOST WANTED A LIFETIME OF PASSION, HEALTH AND EASE
Dr. Cat and Randy Gibson, L.Ac, the creative forces behind 9 Corners Med-Cryo-Spa, have done something truly unique: they’ve achieved a successful record of over 100,000 treatments with clients ranging from pro athletes to dharmacharas. They are the creative forces behind 9 Corner’s Med-Cryo-Spa. Their passion and flair for all things health are showcased in their glamorous, yet cozy, wellness galleria — a crown jewel of Marin County. I continue to interview this bon ton couple who pioneered nonsurgical health programs for more than three decades by expertly blending acupuncture, cryo therapies, infrared saunas, fasting mimicking, massage and nutraceuticals. Sitting on the 9 Corner’s veranda I ask the couple about their secret to success. “We use natural treatments that meld with the body’s energy and intellect to achieve maximum results.”
Written by Tyco Montgomery Photography by Blue Spot
9corners.com / 415.209.9600
“To enjoy a lifetime of good health one must protect their body and prevent mistakes with its care. That’s why we use natural treatments that meld with the body’s energy and intellect to achieve maximum results,” explains Dr Cat. This tenet permeates all they do. For permanent fat removal they use gentle Pagani heat/cold treatments. To boost libidio or reduce pain they combine acupuncture with cryo therapy and infrared. Clients also love The Reset, a five-day fasting mimicking nutrition program, because they naturally lose inches off their waistline while generating stem cells. “Our treatments are fun, easy and clinically proven.Visit 9 Corners to learn what we can do for you!” After my time with Dr. Cat and Randy, three things became clear and paramount: I’m impressed by the exuberance of this couple’s truth and steadiness in a tilted world; I found people I believe in and who believe in me; and I know I want more.
PROMOTION
Ascend at Hamilton Field
Your Dream Home Awaits City Ventures, the leading builder of solar-powered, eco-friendly residences, is offering competitively priced homes in two of its premier North Bay communities.
Since 2010, City Ventures has built over 4,000 homes in some of the most desirable and enviable neighborhoods thoughout California. Buyers of City Ventures homes find themselves in endlessly walkable communities full of open spaces, vibrant neighborhoods, energy and excitement. The solar-powered homes by City Ventures are thoughtfully built in popular styles and include the latest energy-efficient technology as well as architecture and interior amenities that reflect what people really want. Ascend at Hamilton Field Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and live your best town and country life within Hamilton Field in Novato, a vibrant community closely connected to San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland by the SMART train and Larkspur ferry. You’ll enjoy sunny, wide-open spaces in this neighborhood that boasts parks and protected wetlands interconnected by a trail system. A community garden, bocce courts and play area are within the Ascend neighborhood of solar-powered, all-electric, Spanish colonial–style homes. Floor plans include 3-4 bedrooms, 2.5-3.5 bathrooms and both include attached two-car garages; from the $800,000s. Round Barn Enjoy the ultimate indoor/outdoor lifestyle at City Ventures’ solar-powered townhome community in Santa Rosa. Perfectly situated in the desirable neighborhood of Fountaingrove, these stylish homes with decks and patios, a community that includes a pool, spa, garden, playground and parks is just a short distance away from the Russian River Valley and Santa Rosa’s vibrant outdoor dining and entertainment scene. All homes have a warm farmhouse feel that reflects the surrounding vineyards and all boast solar systems, all-electric, energy-efficient appliances and smart thermostats. Floor plans include 3 and 4 bedrooms; from the $700,000s. Ascend: Ascend@CityVentures.com 415.214.4689 @NovatoNewHomes Round Barn: RoundBarn@CityVentures.com 707.657.3353 @SantaRosaCollectionCV
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Creating and defining your identity is our passion. We can help. Communicating and delivering your strategic message is the difference between winking in the dark and actively wooing customers. Let us develop a full creative and marketing strategy for your business.
About Us We are a group of talented creative and marketing professionals who have turned decades of experience into a new Marin County media company. five19 publishing includes Marin Living magazine and five19 brandstudio. Contact Jessica Cline at 707.302.0850 or jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com to get started.
Jessica Cline
Casey Gillespie
CEO jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.302.0850
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EDITORIAL
Associate Editor Caitlin Hamer Contributing Designers Roberto Avalos, Jamie Bankston, Madeleine Hannes, David Sebo Contributing Writers Bob Cooper, Joseph Knelman, Laura Schooling, Weekend Sherpa Contributing Photographers Jack Bober, Brent Durand, Elyse Omernick
Advertising Consultant Courtney Roberts courtney@marinlivingmagazine.com 415.297.4507
Copy Editor Cynthia Rubin
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Volume 3, Issue 6. Marin Living® magazine is published in Marin County by Five19Publishing, Inc., Mill Valley, CA 94941. All rights reserved. ©2022 Five19Publishing, Inc. Marin Living® is a registered trademark of Five19Publishing, Inc. Reproduction of Marin Living is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Five19Publishing, Inc. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned. Marin Living is mailed 10 times a year to homes and businesses in Marin County and San Francisco. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Marin Living magazine, PO Box 16895, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6895.
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table of contents. july/august 2022
96
30 local splurges. Summer is here — time to up your SPF game.
32 eat & drink.
Judy’s Eggs is a supermarket staple — meet the family behind the brand. 14 july/august 2022 marin living.
An insider’s look at S.F.’s latest design masterpiece, Presidio Tunnel Tops.
90 great outdoors.
Weekend Sherpa’s recommendation for three hikes you’ll want to check out.
spotlight marin. 22 news.
Diego Rivera at SFMOMA, Wine Country fun, concerts at MAGC, drought relief and more.
going places. 88 land & sea.
94 new digs.
Does your outdoor space need a revamp? We have some ideas.
96 voyager. 34 local getaways.
Santa Cruz, the beachy stuff childhood memories are made of.
40 take note.
S.F. Gay Men’s Choir artistic director Tim Seelig has one more big show in store before he retires.
Via ferrata is about to be your new favorite vacation sport.
104 drawn together.
Meet the man behind Marin Sonoma Impact Ventures.
from the team.
18 from the ceo. 20 from the creative director.
Clockwise from left: courtesy of Alpenglow Expeditions; Emily Choinski, Big Basin Vineyards; courtesy of Supergoop!
30
34
upcoming
shows
july
sweetwatermusichall.com
foreverland: michael jackson trib. electric tumbleweed w/ Achilles Wheel the steel wheels spin doctors dead on mondaze Open Mic w/ Austin Delone Mr. Jimmy peter case w/go by ocean wood belly (((folkyeah!))): thee sinseers LA DAME BLANCHE tainted love: best of 80's live new orleans suspects Trivia Cafe w/ Howard Rachelson dead on mondaze open mic w/ Austin Delone jack broadbent never come down w/Cristina Vane the altons stroke 9 jeff "skunk" baxter
aug
Caitlin Canty ~ September 25 La Dame Blanche, July 17
Jack Broadbent mykal Rose July 27 pete floyD THE PURPLE ONES days in between dead on mondaze Open Mic w/ Austin Delone GREG LOIACONO super diamond: neil diamond tribute orgone shamarr allen the airplane family the airplane family Mon. 10/3 . 8pm Open Mic w/ Austin Delonev thu. 10/6 . 8pm walking mirrors fri. 10/14 . 9pm jenerator cd release party thu. 10/20 . 8pm marble party W/ sandy's sat, 10/22 . 9pm Shamarr Allen tha building w/ seal party August 15 sun. 10/23 . 8pm Trivia Cafe w/ Howard Rachelson wed, 10/26 . 8pm groundation thu, 10/27 . 8pm scan for tickets and additional Information fri. 10/28 . 9pm DOORS OPEN 1 HOUR BEFORE SHOW TIME sat. 10/29 . 9pm
Thu. 8/4 . 8pm fri. 8/5 . 9pm sat. 8/6 . 9pm mon, 8/8 . 8pm tue. 8/9 . 7pm fri, 8/12 . 9pm sat, 8/13 . 9pm sun, 8/14 . 8pm mon, 8/15 . 8pm sat, 8/20 . 8pm sun. 8/21 . 8pm tue. 8/23 . 7pm wed, 8/24 . 8pm thu, 8/25 . 8pm fri, 8/26 . 9pm sat, 8/27 . 9pm sun. 8/28. 5pm wed, 8/31 . 8pm
19 corte madera ave, Mill Valley
sept
fri, 7/1 . 9pm thu, 7/7 . 8pm fri, 7/8 . 9pm sat, 7/9 . 9pm mon, 7/11 . 8pm tue. 7/12 . 7pm Wed., 7/13 . 8pm thu. 7/14 . 8pm fri, 7/15 . 9pm sat 7/16 . 9pm sun. 7/17. 8pm fri, 7/22 . 9pm sat, 7/23 . 9pm sun. 7/24. 5pm mon, 7/25 . 8pm tue. 7/26 . 7pm wed, 7/27 . 8pm thu, 7/28 . 8pm fri, 7/29 . 9pm sat, 7/30 . 9pm sun, 7/31 . 8pm
The Blasters September 18
fri, 9/2 . 9pm mustache harbor sat, 9/3 . 9pm HOWLIN RAIN thu. 9/8 . 8pm johnny a. fri. 9/9 . 9pm lucibela sun. 9/11 . 8pm the samples fri. 9/16 . 8pm dirty cello sun. 9/18 . 8pm the blasters mon, 9/19 . 8pm LAUREN MONROE thu. 9/22 . 8pm SEAN HAYES fri, 9/23 . 9pm petty theft sat. 9/24 . 9pm petty theft sun. 9/25 . 8pm caitlin canty wed, 9/28 . 8pm joan osborne Thu. 9/29 . 8pm joan osborne the arcadian wild bobby rush metalachi andrew duhon the seeds shovels & rope darlingside Bobby Rush george porter jr & runnin pardners October 6 george porter jr & runnin pardners soul ska
oct
features.
44
Anchored in History
Sausalito’s Spaulding Marine Center is keeping the Marin maritime legacy alive.
48
Into the Wild
Photographer Elyse Omernick respectfully documents some of Marin’s most fascinating residents.
54
At the Water’s Edge
A look at the North Bay’s beautiful coastal areas, above and below the water.
The Outdoor Issue Let Summer Wash Over You
16 july/august 2022 marin living.
Elyse Omernick
On the Cover “ This was an image I had envisioned for a long time. When I put on my wetsuit that day I didn’t think the conditions were good enough to capture this picture, but I decided to give it a try. I’m very glad I did as it’s one of my favorite pictures I’ve ever taken.” —Jack Bober
Allison Salzer A PAT H TO H O M E Why Work with Allison • Data Driven Intelligence • Win-Win Deal Making • Design and Vision
SOLD 880 Idylberry Road, San Rafael $2,375,000 - Record Breaking Sale 4 Bd | 2 Ba | 2,033 Sq Ft
Learn more at AllisonSalzer.com
Top 500 Wall Street Journal Real Trends Ranking
10% Average achieved over list price SOLD 667 Knocknaboul Way, San Rafael $1,850,000 | 4 Bd | 2 ½ Ba | 2,769 Sq Ft
$150M+ in Sales Volume
Allison Salzer 415.297.2110 allison.salzer@compass.com DRE 01978463 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
from the ceo.
Shaken, Not Stirred
Sailing into summer like this boat on Richardson Bay
Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder
18 july/august 2022 marin living.
Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Mitch
IT’S OFFICIALLY SUMMER and I’m thrilled. Whew, we made it! This issue spans two months, giving our team a little time to rest, enjoy our families, travel and savor Marin’s outdoor spaces (this issue has some pretty great ideas for ways to experience everything outdoorsy Marin has to offer). Our culture is built around a “life first” philosophy and our publishing schedule is one way we live up to this credo, which is at the heart of our company. It’s time for a welldeserved break and we are taking full advantage. Marin is one of the most innovative regions in our country and I am in constant awe of the creativity and entrepreneurship going on all around us. Our “Celebrating Visionaries” special section in this issue showcases just how diverse and inspiring the people here really are. We have everyone from a CEO whose company is using “Resonance Science” to study how nature functions to solve problems all the way to an all-women-run startup that is delivering clean, beautiful food you can trust to time-crunched Marin families. Speaking of inspiring people, Diego Rivera is one of those artists who has had an effect not only on Mexican art, but on the entire art world. I remember learning about him in my art school days and starting to understand how the infusion of one’s culture and political views plays out in art. I’m still reveling in how very powerful that synergy is. Check out the new exhibit at SFMOMA starting July 16. Martini, anyone? Yes, please! On July 21 at 7 p.m. I’ll be judging the Bartender Battle Royale at recently revamped Mac’s at 19 Broadway in Fairfax where the best bartenders in Marin will showcase their skills. Join me and let’s say cheers to a fantastic summer. We all have so much to celebrate, let’s do it.
Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay Beautifully aromatic, harmoniously complex, refreshingly bright. www.newtonvineyard.com
from the creative director.
Outdoor Life The growing body of research also says that spending time in nature — whether that is a neighborhood park, your own garden or one of Marin’s larger open spaces — is a remedy for stress. It can lower blood pressure, quell stress hormones, calm the nervous system, enhance immune function and reduce anxiety. Pretty cool, right? Perhaps then it’s no surprise that Marin was recently voted the healthiest county in California (again). I think about this nearly every morning when I am out walking or running at the break of dawn and there are tons of other people out there with me — many in their 70s or 80s. So enjoy the issue, but also take our cue and spend some quality time in nature this summer. Doctor’s orders.
Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder
A Marin adventure curated by Weekend Sherpa * White, M.P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J. et al. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep 9, 7730 (2019)
20 july/august 2022 marin living.
Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Weekend Sherpa
WELCOME TO THE OUTDOOR ISSUE! This month we really wanted to capture the beauty and diversity that Marin offers. From maritime culture and mountain biking on Mount Tam to the surfing community and hiking the local beaches, it’s all in there. I never take for granted how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful corner of the earth. Did you know that nearly 85 percent of Marin County is open green space? Every time I think about it my mind boggles in amazement. A friend was here visiting from the East Coast last month and she said the air tastes sweet in Marin. I love that and couldn’t agree more. This issue got me thinking about nature and how it affects our health. According to a recent study*, led by Mathew White of the European Centre for Environment & Human Health at the University of Exeter and published by Nature magazine, it takes precisely 120 minutes of spending time in nature every week to influence our health and well-being for the better. Hitting that magical number on a weekly basis is what it takes for people to say they feel healthier and happier — 30 minutes here and there or all at once, it makes no difference. And the best part? The benefits apply across the board regardless of occupation, ethnic background or socioeconomic status, as well as to people with chronic illnesses and diseases. The American Psychological Association agrees.
Your Real Estate Advisor
Thank you to my friends, family and clients for your continued trust, support, and loyalty. I am so very grateful to be able to work with such amazing people. I appreciate being your trusted advisor with all things real estate. From the obvious of buying and selling to helping with decisions about remodeling, big or small, I am here for you in Marin, San Francisco, and Sonoma. —Lei Ann Werner
Testimonials Sold in 7 days for $2,300,000, +44.2% LP Lei Ann was patient, thoughtful, and kind throughout the selling process, while also being smart and thorough in recommending updates and repairs that would help the house present in the very best possible light. Lei Ann and her team handled every single aspect of the updates and repairs, hiring and coordinating with painters, floor refinishers, gardeners, repair people, stagers, etc., and putting together and managing a timeline that flowed seamlessly right up to the date we listed the house. I was surprised by how easy it was for me... She is fantastic. —M.D., San Rafael Sold in 8 Days for $1,455,000, +21.8% LP Working with Lei Ann has always been a pleasure. She is the best realtor in Marin. She is always professional, and prompt. Her work preparing our home in Novato for sale was exemplary, not only did she help us sell the home above and beyond our expectations, she managed the team of contractors that turned it into a beautiful brand new home. I would recommend her as my first choice real estate agent, remodel consultant, and construction manager to anyone looking for a home, or considering selling their home in the Marin area. —J.L. and L.A., Novato
24 Aquinas Dr., San Rafael Represented Seller
3 BD | 3 BA | ±2,200 SQ. FT. | ±0.27 AC Lot
725 Alice St., Novato Represented Seller
4 BD | 3 BA | ±2,010 SQ. FT. | ±0.74 AC Lot
Purchased for List Price $2,600,000 Lei Ann provided exceptional guidance in our long struggle to find the right home in Sonoma... She kept us focused as our ideas twisted and turned and our vision adapted to reality. Each house visit was a learning adventure. Crystal, part of Lei Ann’s team was a delight to work with as well, sharing her enthusiasm and adding perspective as we wrestled with decisions. When we finally found our dream house the process was smooth every step of the way. Time to celebrate! —B.R. and D.R., Sonoma
Lei Ann Werner
The Werner Group 415.710.0117 | l.werner@ggsir.com License# 00994572
3393 White Alder, Sonoma Represented Buyer
3 BD | 3 BA | ±2,323 SQ. FT. | ±3.2 AC Lot
42+Million
$
Sales Volume in 2021
Top 1% of All Marin County Agents
Diego Rivera, La ofrenda (The Offering), 1931 — on view at SFMOMA starting July 16
“As an artist I have always tried to be faithful to my vision of life, and I have frequently been in conflict with those who wanted me to paint not what I saw but what they wished me to see.” — DIEGO RIVERA
22 july/august 2022 marin living.
Art Bridges; © 2022 Banco de México Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; photo: Christie’s Images Limited
spotlight marin.
WINE & FOOD EXPERIENCES
|
VINEYARD ADVENTURES
Authentic Sonoma Awaits! Retreat to St. Francis Winery & Vineyards and experience wine like never before. Explore our Certified Sustainable estate vineyard aboard our Tour de St. Francis: Tasting Trolley or bask in breathtaking panoramic mountain views in our acclaimed garden-to-table culinary pairings.
100 PYTHIAN ROAD AT HWY 12, SANTA ROSA, CA | 888-675-WINE | STFRANCISWINERY.COM
news.
Eelgrass Rescue
Diego Rivera, Girl in Blue and White, 1939
Diego Rivera Exhibit at SFMOMA A new exhibition, Diego Rivera’s America, will be on display at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (www.sfmoma. org) starting July 16. This examination of the prominent Mexican artist’s work highlights the 1920s to the mid-1940s and features more than 150 paintings, drawings and frescoes. The exhibition also includes three galleries dedicated to largescale film projections of Rivera’s murals and constitutes the most in-depth look at the artist’s work in over two decades.
24 july/august 2022 marin living.
The Richardson Bay Regional Agency (www. rbra.ca.gov) and its conservation partners recently applied for a grant to facilitate the restoration and protection of eelgrass. The $1.2 million in funds would go toward working on 15 acres of eelgrass beds in Richardson Bay over three years, but the damage to the underwater vegetation extends to roughly 90 acres. Primarily caused by anchors dropped into the bay floor, the diminished amount of eelgrass contributes to coastal erosion and negatively impacts the greater environment.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Los Angeles; © 2022 Banco de México Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; photo: courtesy Sotheby’s, New York (left); www.stock.adobe.com/divedog
News by Caitlin Hamer
news.
Tessa Lark at Alpha Omega Winery
Weekends in Wine Country
Courtesy of Fesitval Napa Valley; Drew Altizer Photography (bottom)
From July 15 to 24, Festival Napa Valley (www.festivalnapavalley.org) returns for its 16th summer season, with Trisha Yearwood headlining the Arts for All Gala on July 17. Cakebread Cellars (www. cakebread.com) is bringing back its summer Fri-YAY series on the afternoons of July 22 and August 26, offering food and wine pairings, live music and outdoor lawn games for a perfect way to end the week. On August 13, Santa Rosa is hosting the third annual Wine Country Distillery Festival (www.winecountrydistilleryfestival.com), which brings regional distilleries and artisan food vendors together to share and celebrate craft spirits, all set to the beat of live music.
Puccini at Charles KrugWinery
Danny Click & the Hell Yeahs
Sounds of Summer This July, Marin Art and Garden Center (www.maringarden.org) is bringing back its Summer Concerts in the Garden, hosting live music on the lawn on Thursday evenings. Featuring a wide range of musical genres, the series kicks off on July 7 with Richmond’s own Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic, while Edgardo Cambón Y Su Conjunto LaTiDo will be wrapping up the month on July 28. Tickets are $20 for adults and admission is free for children 17 and under.
Need for Speed From August 12 to 21, automobile aficionados will be gathering once again for Monterey Car Week. The classic car show will be taking over Alvarado Street on August 12, while August 17 to 20 sees the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The Little Car Show is happening in Pacific Grove on August 17, and the week’s festivities conclude with the 71st annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. See you there!
Sports cars on Ocean Avenue
26 july/august 2022 marin living.
Courtesy of: Danny Click (top); www.SeeMonterey.com (bottom)
news.
news.
Emergency Drought Funds
www.stock.adobe.com/Fisher Photostudio
Marin County has been declared a primary disaster area by the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to ongoing drought conditions. This status means agricultural businesses and non-farm small businesses that do business directly with farmers and ranchers may apply for emergency loans. “As the region enters its third year of drought, this season is going to take a significant toll on our agricultural industry,” says Marin County Agricultural Commissioner Stefan Parnay. Conservation measures are underway in Marin, but the drought’s impact has already been felt by ranchers and farmers who had to import water, reduce their herds and fallow their land last year.
marin living. july/august 2022 27
news.
By the Numbers
Preserving History
Preliminary numbers from the 2022 Point-in-Time Homeless Count showed an increase in overall homelessness in Marin County. Significant funding and eviction moratoriums prevented an anticipated sharp increase, but the numbers still reflect skyrocketing rents, inflation and the pandemic.
Marin City is celebrating 80 years by preserving the community’s history through a number of projects (www.marincity80.com), with none more personal than Grandmothers Feed Us Love, a cookbook rooted in Black culture with recipes gathered from eight generations of local women. Copies can be purchased through Performing Stars (call 415.332.8316) and mail orders through Book Passage (www. bookpassage.com) in Corte Madera.
8.4%
Increase in homelessness in Marin County since 2019 Number of homeless individuals in 2022
73
Number of families experiencing homelessness
34%
Decrease in number of homeless veterans
714
County-wide total of permanent supportive housing units anticipated by the end of 2022
243
Lawrence Batterton
Spirited Showdown Craft cocktail lovers are invited to witness the Bartender Battle Royale at Mac’s at 19 Broadway in Fairfax (www.macsat19broadway.com) on July 21 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. The bracketed competition will provide spirits and basic ingredients and tools, but entrants will be presenting their own original recipes as they compete for cash and prizes. “We want to build our local craft cocktail community and celebrate our best local cocktail bars and bartenders,” says Lawrence Batterton of Novato’s King Floyd’s Bar Provisions. Cheers!
28 july/august 2022 marin living.
Number of formerly homeless individuals in permanent supportive housing
$20 million
Committed county funding for development and operations of permanent supportive housing
Book cover courtesy of Performing Stars; www.stock.adobe.com/SARINRA (top); Jarret Standard Photography (bottom)
1,121
LIVE LIFE OUTSIDE C REATE
A WELL DESIGNED SPACE
AND CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUTDOOR LIVING .
MILL VALLEY I WALNUT CREEK I BERKELEY I SAN RAMON I BURLINGAME
TERRAOUTDOOR.COM
888.449.8325
I
MOUNTAIN VIEW I LOS GATOS I ROCKLIN
N AT I O N W I D E S H I P P I N G
local splurges.
Here Comes the Sun Whether you are hiking, sailing or enjoying a glass of vino outside with friends, these SPFs have you covered. By Casey Gillespie
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1. Formulated with 20 percent uncoated zinc oxide, squalane for moisture and shea butter to hydrate the skin, Indie Lee Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is going to be your new summer go-to. We love that it is unscented, making it ideal for everyday use. Available at Cos Bar (Marin Country Mart) or www.cosbar. com, $42
2. Looking for a sunscreen that will do double duty? Then try Supergoop! Daily Dose Hydra-Ceramide Boost + SPF 40 Sunscreen Oil. It protects the skin barrier while locking in moisture, leaving the skin nourished and safe from the sun. Available at Sephora (Corte Madera Town Center) or www. supergoop.com, $46
30 july/august 2022 marin living.
3. Everyone’s favorite face oil now offers an equally nourishing sunscreen. Le Prunier’s Plumscreen SPF 31 lives up to the hype. In addition to protecting skin from the sun, it promises to reduce the appearance of dark spots and improve texture and smoothness. Win! Available at Ayla (1825 Bush Street, San Francisco) and www.aylabeauty. com, $78
4. Juice Beauty’s SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen is water-resistant, organic, broad spectrum and made for an outdoor lifestyle. A great option for kids and adults alike. Available at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy (230 East Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley) or www. juicebeauty.com, $18
5. Arcona’s Nearly Invisible SPF 30 is a dry mineral powder that is undetectable on the skin, is talcfree and won’t clog pores. This brush-on SPF can effortlessly be reapplied for all-day protection. Available at International Orange (Marin Country Mart) or www.international orange.com, $45
All images courtesy of the brands
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Chris Davis
2021 STATS
149 LOANS CLOSED $124M FUNDED Thank you to all my clients and referral partners in Marin County for a wonderful year! Why clients choose Chris “The team on our loan went above and beyond to get us funded on our tight timeline. Above and beyond. We were due for pregnancy on a Monday and needed to close on Friday before so we can move before birth. The team all rallied, worked late, and made it happen for us. Truly thankful” - Jeffrey A. “The whole team was incredibly helpful and supportive, getting me a great loan rate and helping me navigate all the paperwork and requirements.” – Carola H. “Chris Davis and his team were excellent to work with. Communication was always straightforward and timely.” – Christina B.
Contact Chris today for your next purchase or refinance.
Chris Davis
SVP of Mortgage Lending C: (415) 307-0277 | O: (415) 800-0983 Chris. Davis@Rate.com | Rate.com/ChrisDavis 324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd San Anselmo, CA 94960 *Guaranteed Rate 2021 Production Report As ranked among the top 200 mortgage originators in Mortgage Executive Magazine’s Top Originators in America 2020 list. Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing. Receipt of application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee. Restrictions may apply, contact Guaranteed Rate for current rates and for more information. NMLS ID: 681647, LO#: CA - CA-DBO681647 Guaranteed Rate Inc.; NMLS #2611; For licensing information visit nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Equal Housing Lender. Conditions may apply CA - Licensed bythe Department of Financial Protection and Innovation underthe California Residential Mortgage Lending Act
eat & drink.
Excellent Eggs
When it comes to Judy’s Family Farm Organic Brown Eggs, the chickens come first.
FOR JONATHAN MAHRT AND HIS FAMILY, terms like “cage free,” “natural,” “organic,” “grown local” and “humane” aren’t just buzzwords. They’re a promise deeply rooted in nearly a century’s worth of farming experience, and one that’s delivered with every carton of Judy’s Family Farm Organic Brown Eggs. With a product locally cultivated under the Mahrt family label, Petaluma Egg Farm (www.petalumaeggfarm.com), the idea for the Judy’s brand was conceived at home. “It was inspired by my mom, who started to feed us more organic food when my three brothers and I were young, and she thought that my dad should also be producing an organic egg,” explains Mahrt. 32 july/august 2022 marin living.
The family has been raising the Judy’s variety since 1996, and local shoppers likely recognize the design on the cartons; this too includes the Mahrt family touch. “That is a handdrawn design that my dad worked on with a local artist,” says Mahrt. “The boy and the girl are supposed to be caricatures of my parents as children working on the farm.” Both of Mahrt’s parents have extensive history in the business. Petaluma Egg Farm was started in 1983 by Mahrt’s father, Steve, but his family started producing eggs in Petaluma in the 1920s. Mahrt’s mother, Judy, grew up helping at her family’s Calistoga hatchery, a business that dates back to the early 1900s. Mahrt and his brothers were encouraged to continue this tradition, and the family now
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By Caitlin Hamer
Courtesy of Petaluma Egg Farm
produces several other brands under the Petaluma Egg Farm label: Uncle Eddie’s Wild Hen Farm, Rock Island, Petaluma Pastures and the Daily Egg. But Judy’s boasts the distinction of producing the first Certified Organic Egg in California. All of the eggs for Judy’s Family Farm come from the family farm in Marin County. And every egg comes from chickens that are raised inside a barn, without cages, free to move around and exhibit their natural behaviors. The chickens eat only certified organic feed and are given no antibiotics, which is part of the process of meeting the USDA National Organic Program standards. The amount of space that the chickens have, as well as their access to food and water and the monitoring they receive at the farm, all contribute to the brand’s Certified Humane label granted by the Humane Farm Animal Care organization. Both certifications require successful thirdparty audits, but Mahrt notes that meeting the stringent standards was easy due to the family’s years of experience. “We were actually producing organic eggs before the USDA National Organic Program even existed,” says Mahrt.
“It’s hard to verify, but we’re pretty sure we were the first organic egg producer in California and one of the first in the United States.” Referring to their eggs as “sustainably homegrown,” the Mahrts take pride in the quality of the products as well as their origins: “When you’re buying our eggs, they’re all coming from hens raised by our family the best way we know how, down the road in Marin County.”
The Mahrt family
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local getaways.
Exploring Santa Cruz
When it comes to beachy summer getaways, Santa Cruz is the stuff childhood memories are made of. Twenty-nine miles of beaches packed with surfers waiting to catch the perfect swell, a walkable downtown area rife with eateries and quirky shops, and, of course, the iconic boardwalk with a 100-year-old seaside amusement park. Outdoorsy types will love Santa Cruz’s 14 state parks and all that Monterey Bay has to offer. While you are in town, make time for a stroll down the wharf’s pier (at 2,745 feet, it’s the longest in the U.S.) and enjoy the classic beachside gift shops, fresh seafood restaurants and cafes — the kids will love the barking sea lions. Here are a few ideas to kick your family getaway off right. 34 july/august 2022 marin living.
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By Casey Gillespie
www.stock.adobe.com/Lux Blue (above); Paul Dyer (inset)
Capitola Village
Capitola Village
Dream Inn 175 W. CLIFF DRIVE
A short drive from the heart of Santa Cruz, Capitola is known for its colorful waterfront buildings and quintessential seaside vibe, and it is a must visit. Stroll along the waterfront, stopping for snacks, a little shopping and a dip in the sea. There are tons of beachfront restaurants and bars to choose from, so be sure and grab a seat (and drink) for golden hour.
www.dreaminnsantacruz.com Located right on the beach in the heart of Santa Cruz, this is the place to be if you want to be in the middle of it all: midcentury-inspired decor, family-focused pool area and an air of playfulness that kids will love. The on-site eatery, Jack O’Neill, has live music in the evenings and huge windows with fantastic views of the beach and pier.
Dream Inn
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local getaways.
FOR THE ADULTS When you need a break from the kids’ pool, saltwater taffy and boogie boarding, these sophisticated spots offer a quiet reprieve.
Roaring Camp 5401 GRAHAM HILL ROAD, FELTON
www.roaringcamp.com Choose from the Redwood Forest Steam Train (75 minutes) or the Santa Cruz Beach Train (3 hours) and then sit back, relax and take in the sites. Both trips offer a look into Santa Cruz’s storied past as well as a peek at what life was like around the turn of the 20th century. If you are looking for something extra special, book a seat for the Moonlight Dinner Party on August 13.
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 E. CLIFF DRIVE
www.santacruzmuseum.org
Abbott Square Market 705 FRONT STREET
www.abbottsquaremarket.com Anchored by the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, the bustling area offers plenty to do. Pop into the museum for your culture fix, enjoy the interactive public art outside and then grab a bite and a cocktail at one of the cafes in the square. Want to hear live music? This is the place — check the website’s calendar to see who’s playing.
Avanti 1917 MISSION STREET
Located above Seabright Beach (once known as Castle Beach), the museum explores the evolution of plant, animal and human life stretching from the bay to the top of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Don’t miss the Remembering Castle Beach exhibit, on display until August 21. 36 july/august 2022 marin living.
www.avantisantacruz.com When you need a parents’ night out on the town book a dinner reservation here (takeout is also available).
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Santa Cruz boardwalk
A Powerful Partnership for our Patients. At MarinHealth , we go above and beyond to provide our community with the best possible care. Sometimes, that means going beyond our existing service area to form powerful alliances that allow us to offer our patients highly specialized care, close to home. ®
Maternity Care Our Maternity Care program is renowned for outstanding expertise, advanced technology, and seamless collaboration between MarinHealth and UCSF Health specialists, when needed. Our alliance supplements our exceptional offering by providing patients access to world-class specialists in complicated and high-risk pregnancies, advanced screening, diagnostic testing, and maternal-fetal genetics.
Pediatric Programs Level II NICU
We follow UCSF Health’s proven academic protocols in caring for fragile babies in our 7-bed Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU.) Specialists from UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals’ neonatology team are available 24/7 for on-site consultation. Madison Clinic Our satellite location of the UCSF Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes provides outpatient education and support for young North Bay patients.
Vascular Medicine
MarinHealth has the only comprehensive Vascular Medicine program in Marin County. UCSF Health vascular surgeons dedicated to the Marin community work collaboratively with MarinHealth interventional radiology and cardiology specialists to perform innovative multidisciplinary procedures.
Neurosurgery UCSF Health neurosurgeons provide exceptional expertise for spine and brain surgery on both an emergency and elective basis at MarinHealth Medical Center.
NEW Orthopedics UCSF Health brings academic and clinical expertise to MarinHealth’s robust Orthopedic and Sports Medicine programs. Our comprehensive program now includes expertise in general sports medicine, arthritis, primary and revision total joint surgery of the hip, knee, and shoulder, hand surgery, as well as nonoperative spine procedures.
Primary & Specialty Care Clinics MarinHealth has convenient clinics throughout the North Bay that are part of UCSF Health. With expert primary care providers and specialists like cardiologists, gastroenterologists, urologists and more.
“MarinHealth ” and the MarinHealth logo are registered servicemarks of Marin General Hospital and used with permission. ®
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local getaways.
The farm-to-table eatery offers California cuisine at its finest — organic, sustainable and pastureraised. Order anything on the menu, it’s all delicious.
Big Basin Tasting Room 525 PACIFIC AVENUE
www.bigbasinvineyards.com The recently opened spot features a taste of the organic, mountain-grown wines this winery is known for — at the beach. Grab a seat outside and try a flight, a glass or a bottle paired with locally sourced bites. It’s located right in the heart of downtown and walkable from the many nearby accommodations.
Flower Bar
Seymour Marine Discovery Center 100 MCALLISTER WAY
www.seymourcenter.ucsc.edu Both kids and adults will love the unique opportunity to visit a working marine laboratory. See the largest blue whale skeleton in the world, pet the sharks and other sea creatures in the touch tanks, observe the aquarium teeming with life from the bay, and so much more.
The Penny Ice Creamery 913 CEDAR STREET
www.thepennyicecreamery.com No beach vacation is complete without enjoying a scoop (or two) of ice cream in the afternoon sun. We love this shop because everything is made in-house from organic dairy and sustainably grown products. The open kitchen offers a front-row look at how the small-batch, seasonal flavors are made. Yum! 38 july/august 2022 marin living.
912 CEDAR STREET
www.flowerbarsantacruz.com This coffee shop meets wine bar meets flower shop is a little slice of heaven. Whether you are looking for a latte and croissant or a glass of wine and a gourmet sandwich, this is your go-to. And while the bouquet of flowers is optional, the truffles are not — grab some to go.
O’Neill Yacht Charters 275 LAKE AVENUE
www.oneillyachtcharters.com What is a beach holiday without getting out on the water? O’Neill’s offers public and private charters and a variety of packages depending on whether you prefer a day or evening sail. There are even wine tasting and local beer sampling sails. Kids are welcome, too.
Tricia Mogensen
Avanti
take note.
Seelig conducting the choir at Davies Symphony Hall
One Big Night In July, a rare musical collaboration entitled Final Words celebrates the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and the retirement of its groundbreaking artistic director.
AFTER MORE THAN 11 YEARS leading the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) to new heights as artistic director, Tim Seelig is retiring in July. But in keeping with the chorus’ tradition of always going big, he’s not leaving without conducting one last epic concert — this time bringing in the San Francisco Symphony and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir to join with the chorus at Davies Symphony Hall on July 13. “It’s going to be big,” Seelig says, laughing, then adds that the idea came to fruition after the symphony’s Jeffrey Jordan and SFGMC’s (www.sfgmc.org) Chris Verdugo resumed pandemic-delayed plans to work together and decided that the time was right to focus on honoring Seelig’s service to the gay community. They asked him, “How would you feel about the San Francisco Symphony presenting the chorus for your final concert? Of course, I fell to the floor. For the first time in my life I was speechless.” 40 july/august 2022 marin living.
Seelig’s long road to this night began when he was living in Dallas and came out at age 35 after being married and having two kids. It was 1987 and he had no idea that there was such a thing as a gay men’s chorus, but soon discovered that the Turtle Creek Chorale was looking for a conductor. “I auditioned for the job and started with a small, dysfunctional, codependent and bankrupt chorus. We were a perfect match,” he says. After 20 years there, Seelig stepped down and, as fate would have it, began flying out to serve as an SFGMC guest conductor for a ’60s-themed show at Davies Symphony Hall featuring Joan Baez. Soon after, he was offered the job full time. “I didn’t know if I had it in me to climb one more hill,” says Seelig, but in the end “a job as the artistic director of the SFGMC — the grandfather of the movement — was just too intriguing to me.” The SFGMC set the tone for that movement (that now includes hundreds of gay choruses across the nation) in 1978
Photo by Gooch
By Daniel Jewett
TASTINGS
EVENTS
PIZZA
BOCCE
PICKLE BALL
S U M M E R IN A GLAS S AWA ITS 20 MINUTES AWAY IN BEAUTIFUL SONOMA VALLEY
707-996-4188 • 62 Bonneau Rd, Sonoma • anabawines.com •
@anaba_wines
Tim Seelig
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For Seelig, one of the best parts of the upcoming concert has been putting together the musical program. “We have a music input committee but, of course, I have veto power,” he says with a grin. “When I started selecting my favorite pieces from these eleven-and-a-half years I had a list a mile long; the hard part was cutting it down. We have excerpts from a couple of the commissions that we’ve done, and I then divided it into blockbusters with a symphony. And yeah, they’re big.” Seelig says he is looking forward to the concert, when people from all over the country will come to hear the SFGMC, many for the first time, but it is going to be a little nerve-wracking. “We get to practice with the symphony orchestra from 3 to 5:30 on the day of the show. It’s walking a tightrope with no safety net,” he says. “That’s the biggest fear: we pass out the music to the symphony and it doesn’t work. There’s always that risk, but we’ve taken great care to try to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
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when it debuted at the candlelight memorial for the assassinated Harvey Milk and George Moscone. “I think it cemented for the chorus that they would forever spend equal energy, time and focus on mission as they did on music,” he says, adding that a recent video of the chorus singing an Irish blessing for the victims of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, has more than one million views. “People are hungry for a voice in the wilderness of comfort and hope that is not religious.” The show will be divided into two parts, the first with the symphony and the second with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, as the two organizations celebrate the fifth anniversary of their joint road trip to the South that seemed imperative after Donald Trump won the presidency. A documentary of that Lavender Pen Tour, one of Seelig’s proudest moments as leader of the chorus, won the Documentary Audience Award at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival.
NOW OPEN DAILY Authentic Italian cuisine Crafted by hand, but from the heart
625 Redwood Highway Mill Valley, CA 94941 www.piatti.com 415.380.2525 @eatpiatti
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Anchored in History
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The Spaulding Marine Center is helping maintain Sausalito’s deep maritime legacy.
www.stock.adobe.com/Taddeo
By Caitlin Hamer
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There are few sights more typically Sausalito than that of sailboats scudding across the horizon. To live in this waterfront community is to be tied to maritime culture. During World War II, Sausalito saw rapid development as a shipbuilding hub, and though that industry has since slowed down, its legacy remains thanks to places like the Spaulding Marine Center (www.spauldingcenter.org).
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Spaulding Marine Center
they can learn good hand and tool skills that can still be taken elsewhere if they decide they don’t like the marine industry,” adds Edinger. Functioning as both a nonprofit and as a historic, active boatyard, Spaulding also serves as an educational center for the community. There are workshops for people who own boats, sailing summer camps for kids and weeklong boatbuilding workshops where people can build small kit boats like kayaks, rowing skiffs or stand-up paddleboards. Prior to the pandemic, the center also offered marine electrical workshops, diesel engine workshops and other events of interest to yacht owners, something they’re hoping to do again in the near future. Those who want to connect to the local maritime culture in a less hands-on way are welcome to visit the center. Guests can stop by Mondays through Fridays, sign themselves in,
Jay Grant (above)
With an active boatyard on site, Spaulding Marine Center is cementing its place in Marin’s long-held maritime legacy by valuing the traditional skills of the craftspeople and sailors of days gone by. This is in part due to the center’s history. It was built in 1951 by Myron Spaulding, a highly respected yacht designer and boatbuilder (and incidentally, concert violinist) who enjoyed great success racing sailboats in the San Francisco Bay. A local legend who designed and built his first small boat while attending Polytechnic High School in San Francisco, Spaulding primarily constructed watercraft on commission before creating the boatyard and turning his focus to doing repair work and measuring boats for yacht racing. But his stamp on the industry remains through the boats and lines he designed, like the 20-foot Clipper class, Spaulding 33 sailboats and the custom 45-foot yawl Chrysopyle, which was built in 1961. Though Spaulding passed in 2000, the center he created remains active, with the maintenance work being done at the boatyard bringing in revenue to help support the nonprofit programs. “Very few boats are built locally anymore,” says Bill Edinger, president of the Spaulding Marine Center. “Most of today’s boats are manufactured in factories. But we just built a fleet of small sailboats called San Francisco Bay Pelicans, and we built those here almost completely.” Roomy and stable, these vessels are considered great for children to sail, and it might just be the younger generation that the center most needs to connect with. In particular, they’re hoping to reach aspiring marine industry craftspeople with their boatbuilding apprenticeship, Boatworks 101. “The marine industry is in dire need of new workers,” says Edinger. “The majority of workers are ready to retire, so we’re looking for younger people who are ready to be in the industry for a long time.” The apprenticeship lasts 15 months, with the cohort spending the first nine months training at Spaulding’s boatyard, exploring a variety of tasks before rotating through partner employers for the rest of the apprenticeship. “There’s a lot of young people where college isn’t appropriate, and this is a wonderful career path where
Jeff Hosier Photography
“The marine industry is in dire need of new workers. The majority of workers are ready to retire, so we’re looking for younger people who are ready to be in the industry for a long time.”
and take a self-guided tour as well as take a look at the historical items in the boathouse. The center has a marine library available to peruse, and some of Spaulding’s casting patterns are on display too. Visitors are even encouraged to safely check out the boatyard, where they might be able to see typical operations like boats being pulled out of the water and washed and painted. Guests may also spot Arete, which is one of the boats that Myron Spaulding designed. Named after the Greek word for “best,” she is docked at Spaulding and used as a private yacht. And of course, there’s Freda, said to be the oldest active sailboat on the West Coast, on hand to admire when she’s not out on community sails or participating in races or wooden boat shows. Restored and relaunched after sinking in the San Rafael canal, she’s another testament to the importance of the work done at Spaulding.
Apprentices take part in the Boatworks 101 program.
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Into the
Wild Marin has a diverse and inspiring variety of animals within its borders. Wildlife photographer Elyse Omernick has learned how to capture their beauty, while being respectful of their needs.
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Words and Photography by Elyse Omernick
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CALIFORNIA COYOTE Coyotes are masters of disguise and extremely smart animals. This photograph, taken in Larkspur, happened by pure luck, as I like to think the clovers represent in the image. I love its intense stare, which made me feel quite connected with him in that moment. WILSON’S WARBLER My family and I were camping in northern Marin County when I heard these little jewels singing next to the nearby stream. Wilson’s warblers travel up to the Pacific coast and Canada during the spring and summer months to nest and raise their young.
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NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL Every winter, elephant seals arrive at the southern beaches of Point Reyes National Seashore for their birthing and mating seasons. This is a male “bull” elephant seal vocalizing his dominance, as there was another bull nearby.
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BALD EAGLE Bald eagles are making a comeback in Marin. Until recently, they were not known to nest within our county, but we are starting to see more and more pairs and successful nests over the past few years.
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“Wildlife photography has taught me how to truly feel at one with my surroundings, learn the inner workings of an animal’s daily routine, and how to properly respect animals.”
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Elyse Omernick (www.elysephoto.com ) is a wildlife, landscape and portrait photographer living in Marin County. She leverages her background in illustration and animation, combined with her love for the outdoors, to create each photograph. Omernick serves on the board of directors for the Marin Audubon Society, where she focuses her efforts on northern spotted owl conservation and outreach.
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NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL FLEDGLING I monitor many nests throughout Marin County through my work with the Marin Audubon Society. This photo is special to me because it was taken on the day this youngster left the nest for the first time. BOBCAT This is a male bobcat hunting in tall grass during the evening hours. It is important to give these majestic cats plenty of space and keep your visits short so as to not interrupt them. Building trust with an animal takes time, but when the trust is established, it’s magical.
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Life at the Water’s Edge
Ocean Beach, San Francisco Photo by Jack Bober
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An exploration of local seascapes through the eyes of two Marin-based photographers. By Joseph Knelman
Photo by Jack Bober
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THE SUMMER SUN DRAWS PEOPLE toward the sea. Rodeo, Muir and Stinson beaches are warming up and becoming weekend destinations where beachgoers plant umbrellas to shade picnics and take refreshing dunks in the ocean. While beach trips are situated among the coast’s sand dunes and intermittent coves, local photographers are looking to bring the ocean that extends far beyond into focus, too. The ocean around Marin is one-of-akind, even for photographers who have traveled coastlines around the globe. Offering unparalleled access, the coast has an atmosphere of remote rugged56 july/august 2022 marin living.
ness. “The Northern California coast is just special,” says Marin-based underwater photographer Brent Durand, who grew up around the beaches of Southern California. “The energy of the ocean is wild, it’s bigger and rougher. I’m drawn to that, that feeling of adventure and exploration.” Durand gains access to the ocean’s wonder through photography in combination with scuba diving skills. “One of the reasons I love diving on the North Coast is that sometimes you find a huge underwater feature you never would have thought existed, like a big 40- to 50-foot wall covered in white Metridium anemones,” he says.
Durand’s photography requires a keen sense of observation to read the ocean and light, anticipate ecosystem features, and be in position to take the best wildlife photos possible. In particular, his work is bringing attention to kelp forests, a foundation for marine ecosystems on the California coast. Achieved via scuba diving excursions from Monterey and Sonoma County coasts, Durand’s photography is a testament to environmental changes that might not be on the radar of people living and visiting just miles away from these undersea forests. “The obvious changes are a lot less kelp forests and also less abalone.
“The energy of the ocean is wild, it’s bigger and rougher.”
A woman capturing large waves breaking during a storm at Rodeo Beach. Photo by Brent Durand
The further you get north, the more abalone there should be, but they’ve basically been dying off since about 2014,” says Durand. Bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) beds extending north from Marin, and the diverse organisms they support, have faced staggering declines over the past decade with shifts in ocean conditions, sea star die-off and a resulting profusion of purple urchins that mow down kelp forests when left unchecked. In an April edition of the New York Times this year, one of Durand’s photos of bull kelp was featured alongside a piece on the vulnerable state of California’s kelp forests, just one example of his photos
Split-view photo of a moon jellyfish floating off the rugged coast in Stillwater Cove Regional Park. Photo by Brent Durand
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“ It almost feels euphoric in a way, being out in the water, being in that spot taking those pictures.”
Ocean Beach, San Francisco Photo by Jack Bober
Several fish-eating anemones grow on a rock in Fort Ross State Historic Park. Blue rockfish swim in the background. Photo by Brent Durand
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highlighting these important underwater ecosystems for the public at large. Back on the surface, surf and landscape photographer Jack Bober captures ocean swell moments that are otherwise lost in the blink of an eye. Bober, who grew up in Marin and graduated from Redwood High School, has long been drawn to places beyond the shore. After experimenting with water photography on trips to Hawaii and Southern California and improving his gear, Bober took some of his first water shots at Marin’s Fort Cronkhite. Inspired by other San Francisco surf photographers, including Sachi Cunningham and Adam Warmington, Bober’s work reveals characteristics of waves that are imperceptible to most without the skillful positioning and
timing of his photography. “I try to get in the spot where a surfer would envision themselves, in the barrel shot with the waves coming toward you,” says Bober. “I feel like everything slows down when I am in that spot.” Being in the ideal location requires resolve, stamina and calm to steady oneself (and camera gear) in the forces of breaking waves. Bober’s photography ultimately captures the wide-ranging diversity of wave form and the athleticism of local surfers. The people in the local surf communities that Bober documents from Fort Cronkhite to Ocean Beach in San Francisco become well-known to him and that facilitates his work. “Especially when waves are really big, it’s good to know that you have a
couple other people out there; it’s nice to know that tightknit community in Marin,” Bober says. On a personal level, paddling out beyond Marin’s shores is an awe-inspiring activity for both photographers. “It almost feels euphoric in a way, being out in the water, being in that spot taking those pictures,” says Bober. Their work is also about sharing these special places — both above and below the surface. Bober and Durand’s photography communicates a story about ecosystems and people that inspires a closer look at marine environments around us. “There are some gems on the coast that are there if you’re willing to put in the work and go find them,” says Durand, “not just for photographers, but for everybody.”
Follow their work on Instagram: @jackboberphoto; @brentdurand
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PROMOTION
Community Minded Helping Lake County Pet Owners Prepare for Wildfire Season We had the opportunity to help Jameson Animal Rescue provide free rabies, combo vaccines, and microchip services to 500-plus animals to help folks prepare for wildfire season and other natural disasters. Since the area has a great need for vaccines and medical care, people lined up for hours ahead of the start time for the event which included pet food and pet supply distribution, animal vaccinations and chipping and registering pets. Find out how you too can volunteer to help animals in need at www.jamesonanimalrescueranch.org. Bowman Real Estate Group 1118 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939 415.755.1040 | www.bowmanrealestategroup.com
Your Local Style Guru Shop the City founder Sahra has learned to embrace the style of the Bay Area and all of its microcommunities. She listens closely to each client’s specific lifestyle, location and needs to ensure their style serves them, whether they’re a work-from-home mom, a social butterfly who’s back in the office, or a high-profile person about town. Sahra has been in the fashion industry for nearly 18 years, and she knows the ins and outs of the industry — everything from how and where to shop to what brands will fit what body type the best. Shop the City | 415.484.6710 | info@shopthe.city www.shopthe.city | /@shop_the_city /shopthecityUS
What Matters Most in Real Estate The nuances of real estate are numerous and knowing each one is what sets a great agent apart from the rest. Nick Svenson brings his intimate knowledge of the buyer base, timing, design, marketable characteristics and pricing to the table in a way that is easy to understand and act on. By leaving no stone unturned, buyers and sellers are sure to be very well positioned in the market. Nick Svenson has used this approach to become a top producer in the business and is currently one of the top agents in Marin County. Nick Svenson | nick@marinsfhomes.com www.marinsfhomes.com | 415.505.7674 DRE #01918616
Celebrating Visionaries Marin Living is thrilled to feature the most influential leaders in the Bay Area. These individuals and businesses are the ultimate Visionaries in their respective fields. Here we showcase what makes these experts leaders in their industries and illustrate how innovation sets them apart from their competitors.
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Susan Hewitt, C.J. Nakagawa + Team The Marin Group This number one team thinks outside the box to deliver the best results possible. What makes your team visionaries? Our experience with new construction led us to realize the average homeowner could financially benefit from targeted property preparation before introducing their home to the market. We bring an exclusive team of contractors and project managers to increase our clients’ property values. Delivering on that vision has made us the No. 1 team at Golden Gate Sotheby’s by transaction number. We have a unique perspective and bring three generations of experience to every seller and buyer we work with. How are you disrupting your industry? When the pandemic hit, we were already providing our clients with virtual tours and cinema-quality videos. For sellers, we maximize value by treating every listing as a flip with a strong focus of return on investment. For buyers, we provide an in-depth understanding of construction, home systems, neighborhoods and microclimates and unparalleled access to off-market listings. Any exciting new listings? 19 Highland Court (pictured right and left) has been meticulously renovated and expanded. It is essentially a new home with designer finishes and walking distance to downtown Larkspur. Asking price is $5,395,000 (website below). The Marin Group Susan Hewitt, C.J. Nakagawa + Team 500 Drakes Landing Road, Greenbrae, CA 94904 | 415.407.8349 info@themaringroup.com www.themaringroup.com www.19highland.com /@themaringroup DRE #00996144, DRE #01913564
C.J. Nakagawa and Susan Hewitt
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Mark Hinds Resonance Technology Group Technology in harmony with nature. Tell us about yourself and the work you are doing. I’m the CEO and founder of a group of companies that are bringing forth advanced technologies in the health, energy, agriculture and environment sectors based on a new understanding of science. The companies utilize a strategic methodology that identifies extraordinary inventors, scientists and engineers to help them productize, commercialize and license their technology and bring their genius to the world. Can you explain more? These companies are the culmination of almost two decades of work to begin introducing a radically new understanding of science that has the opportunity to solve most every problem facing humanity today. What is this new understanding of science? This new understanding of science is called “Resonance Science” whereby we look at how nature functions and then emulates that to solve problems. Everything that humanity does today is “dissonant” to how nature functions. Resonance Science has the opportunity to change, in a positive manner, humanity in a way that is so fast and so impactful that few people really have an understanding of the potential of what is coming. Give us an example of one of the companies and their product. UpTerra utilizes resonant principles to change agriculture. The results across multiple types of crops show that water consumption is reduced, pesticides can be reduced or eliminated, plant yield is increased, and the vitality and nutrient content of plants are increased. Resonance Technology Group www.rtg.io www.upterra.co
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Ken Dara Engel & Völkers Sausalito An agent with outstanding local knowledge and unparalleled global reach. What makes your team visionaries in their field? Through the award-winning global network Engel & Völkers provides, my clients benefit from the vast knowledge and experience of our forwardthinking associates and marketing teams. “Going international” has become a real possibility for many clients. I’m one of the most connected real estate agent in the country, both nationally and globally — I know the top one percent of all agents around the country. Whether my clients are looking to move into or out of Northern California, buy investment property in the U.S. or abroad, I have the knowledge and wherewithal to assist them. What separates you or your business from the pack? I find that the commonalities in what my clients are looking for in real estate in terms of lifestyle, investment and community are the key elements that determine a successful buy/sell transaction. I don’t focus solely on a single geographic location. People are much more global these days and I want to be able to represent them no matter where in the world they are looking for real estate. What do you want people to know about your business? I build a genuine relationship with my clients and treat them with care, discretion and professionalism. I have a hard-working team comprised of a buyers’ agent, business development professional, listing coordinator and social media associate that really cares about the people we represent. Ken Dara, Engel & Völkers Sausalito 539 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965 415.425.3626 | DRE #01331869 ken.dara@evrealestate.com www.kendara.evrealestate.com /@coffeewithkendara /kendaraluxuryhomesmarin
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Jennifer Bowman and Elliott Fink Bowman Real Estate Group This cutting-edge team always puts the client first. How does your team’s vision manifest itself in your business practice? We believe in Total Customer Satisfaction, providing a personalized perspective to your real estate experience. Our multiple-agent team and dedicated support staff ensure that all of our clients receive the highest level of service. We use our cuttingedge marketing and negotiation strategies to make sure you get exactly where you want to be. What separates your business from the pack? We are a group of specialists who have been working together as a group long before the trendy “team concept” was in vogue. It just makes sense to work with people who are accomplished in the diverse disciplines required to fully represent a client: negotiation, construction, legal contracts, architecture, hospitality, psychology, marketing and social networking. Does your business have a notable history in the Bay Area? Given my mother’s legacy as a top-producing Marin real estate agent and my father’s successful career in architecture, it’s safe to say I was born to it. Elliott’s father was a notable local commercial agent and together we’ve been immersed in Marin real estate in some capacity for over 40 years. We understand all the micro-trends and are able to take full advantage of the emerging possibilities based on our knowledge of Marin. Bowman Real Estate Group | VANGUARD PROPERTIES | 1118 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939 | 415.755.1040 team@bowmanrealestategroup.com www.bowmanrealestategroup.com /@bowmangroupmarin /thebowmangroup | DRE #01933147
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Cassie ZampaKeim Innovative Match Find the confidence and follow-through you need to date successfully. How are you thinking outside the box? I’ve always believed it’s important to keep my finger on the pulse of changes and trends in the dating industry, which is why I’m still here after more than 30 years in the business. After successfully helping my clients through the pandemic by creating strategies for them to meet new people and then to keep the relationship they started going, it became evident to them how being a motivated dater is essential under any circumstance. . What separates you from the pack? I’m not a nine-to-five dating expert because dating isn’t a nine-to-five prospect. I understand my clients may need me for last-minute advice, whether about what they’re wearing, how to say goodnight, or what to text after a date. Other times, my clients may need reassurance and a friendly ear. I’m here for them whenever they need me. I’m the office, and I’m always open. What’s the most interesting new innovation you have come up with? I’m an expert at helping my clients expand their mindset, especially about distance. The pandemic was instrumental in opening up a new world of singles who lived farther away.
Innovative Match Ross | 415.259.8714 www.innovative-match.com
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Beth Sasan & Traci Thiercof Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty What makes your team visionaries in their field? We are making steady strategic pivots with our clients during market shifts. Pivot is our motto, and we are continually assessing real estate trends and noting the subtle changes happening in the market to make corrections for our clients’ future actions — whether buying or selling. How does your team’s strategy manifest itself in your business practice? Our goal is always client satisfaction. When we have effective vision and strategy, we have happy clients and successful transactions. Why is it important to have a clear vision for your business? All of life’s journeys need thoughtful planning to reach the desired destination, and our business is no different. We focus, plan and always aim to be one step ahead of obstacles that may come up so we can proactively manage them. What separates your business from the pack? Team work and moxie! Our partnership is strength in numbers. Our clients benefit from our combined experience, time and united networks. Do you have a unique history in the Bay Area? We are both third-generation Marin residents with large families and deep connections. Not only do we have stories of our own about growing up in Marin, we love to tell our families’ stories as well. Our grandparents lived in Marin before the Golden Gate Bridge existed.
Beth Sasan & Traci Thiercof, Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty 415.990.7186 | www.bethsasan.com DRE #01433542 | 415.793.0111 www.tracithiercof.com | DRE #01817886
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celebrating visionaries
Beth McDougall, M.D. CLEAR Center @ JYZEN Labs Transforming the practice of medicine. What makes you a visionary in your field? I am an integrative medical doctor and founder of CLEAR Center of Health in Mill Valley and author of Your Pristine Blueprint, The Missing Key to Longevity, Reversing Disease, and Radically Transforming Your Life. For 25 years I have been committed to changing the way medicine is practiced. My latest endeavor is JYZEN Labs, the new bio-optimization laboratory in Mill Valley that is now the home of CLEAR Center — it opens on July 5. What inspires you about JYZEN Labs? What really inspires me is to be able to legitimize bio-optimization medicine and put it on the map to show that with the right lifestyle practices, the right products, and taking advantage of the right technologies used in the right way, you can reverse disease, enhance your longevity, and live a vital life. Tell us more about the lab. We create personalized biooptimization programs designed to help you meet your unique goals. Led by four integrative physicians and supported by the best technologies, we draw on an array of tools including brain fitness programs, autonomic nervous system testing, body composition analysis, respiratory fitness, IV therapy and our metabolic reset weight loss program to support you in achieving your goals. Everything is designed to ensure your comfort and to optimize your health, including UV sterilization of every room. CLEAR Center @ JYZEN Labs 100 Shoreline Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941 www.jyzenlabs.com www.bethmcdougallmd.com /@bethmcdougallmd | /@jyzenlabs
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celebrating visionaries
Cory Halbrdier, CEO Spacial What do you want people to know about your business? Spacial’s specialty is creating an extension of someone’s home into their backyard with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), also known as a backyard cottage. ADUs offer a flexible space in the backyard and are often used in several ways: to provide a comfortable space to house aging parents, keeping them out of a retirement home; to help adult children get on their feet financially after college; to generate passive net income of $1–2k/month (after financing) through renting them out; as a separate office space, art studio or yoga studio. What new innovations do you offer? We provide busy and astute homeowners a single point of contact and handle the whole process from contract to delivering the keys. And we do it in a shorter time period, building their ADU offsite in parallel to the onsite work so that we can be in and out of a backyard in 4 to 8 weeks. What separates your business from the pack? Spacial’s ADU was designed by award-winning architect CAZA and it’s built to local California code. Though it’s built offsite, it is built to higher standard than most homes built onsite. Spacial 925.725.6444 info@spacialhomes.com www.spacialhomes.com /@spacialhomes | /spacialhomes
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celebrating visionaries
Payam Ghafoori Compass A true visionary is always one step ahead.
What makes you a visionary in your field? As a visionary in my field, I have exceptional communication skills. Knowing how to verbalize the goals of my clientele is essential. Communication isn’t just one-sided. A visionary leader is also an active listener. Like a chess player, visionaries plan ahead to make the best business moves. Also, implementing strategic planning is paramount and involves creating an action plan with a particular strategy in mind. My strategies are designed to take my clientele toward their ultimate vision. Do you have a notable history in the Bay Area? I was born into a family of real estate investors in the Bay Area, my passion for real estate started at a young age. As a native to Marin County, San Francisco and the East Bay, I’ve ascertained every inch of the respective geographic areas and have complete knowledge of them. I grew up in Tiburon and my wife and I are currently raising our own family in Marin County. Why is it important to have a clear vision for your business? A clear vision sets a standard of brilliance and execution, which will force your business to stretch. Being positive, specific and ambitious with your vision propels the entire business forward to a successful outcome. The impetus of setting a vision is twofold: it’s there to generate a long-term strategy for where the business is going; secondly, it’s meant to align everyone around the business’ trajectory.
Payam Ghafoori payam@compass.com | 415.577.5252 /@payam_ghafoori www.payamghafoori.com | DRE #01935373
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Gregg Foster Summit Professional Builders Inc. This building team prides itself on communication and client support.
How does your team’s vision manifest itself in your business practice? Summit Professional Builders was created on the vision that because the construction industry is challenging, stressful and uncertain, the clients need very personal, honest and engaged support to be able to enjoy the process. We approach every family and their project in a way that allows for a longterm relationship to develop. How are you disrupting your industry? We have a design coordinator on staff that helps provide continuous support to clients, their interior designer and even their architect. This staff is integrated into the team to assist in communication
about purchasing, sourcing, value engineering, lead times and availabilities. During this age of supply chain issues, having real time information is imperative, so the client has someone to address every question. The DC position is a great value to clients. What separates your business from the pack? Summit’s success and strong referral base stem from a focus on effective communication, financial transparency and hands-on management. Our clients rely on us to add value to their property — often one of their most important assets — and to create a structure that provides ongoing enjoyment to its users.
Summit Professional Builders Inc. | 1010 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Ste. 201, Kentfield, CA 94904 /@summit_professional_builders | LIC #789450 415.454.3280 | gfoster@spb-inc.com | www.spb-inc.com |
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celebrating visionaries
Claudine Claudine’s Naturally Nourishing Meals Save time with clean and beautiful meals delivered to your door.
What makes your team visionaries? We created a business out of a need for fresh and organic, ready-to-serve, delivered meals. We provide a true farm-to-table experience because we know people want a variety of healthy options for themselves and their family meals, but don’t have the time or resources to prepare them. Each meal is beautifully packaged and comes with a list of ingredients and farms included. What separates your business from the pack? The menu changes every week based on what’s available at the farmers market. Therefore, meals are fresh, exciting and change with the seasons.
In three years, we’ve never repeated a week’s menu. How does your team’s vision manifest itself in your business practice? We go to farmers markets every week and handpick all of the organic produce that will be used in the meals. We also deliver in 100 percent compostable packaging and reusable cooler bags. What new service do you offer? We now offer a gorgeous farm-to-table meal, serving six, that is perfect to bring on a picnic or when hosting friends or family. A meal arrives fresh and fully cooked on Friday, so you are ready for the weekend.
Claudine’s Naturally Nourishing Meals | hello@cookingclaudine.com /@cookingclaudine www.cookingclaudine.com |
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Angie Bynon University of Redlands School of Business & Society, Marin Campus Gain the 21st century business skills you’ll need to make a difference. What makes the University of Redlands School of Business & Society visionaries in higher education? At the University of Redlands School of Business & Society, we teach, mentor, and empower agile agents of change to positively impact business and society and to gain the 21st century skills needed to thrive and make a difference. How is the university disrupting business education? We provide an integrated approach to business education that considers critical concepts and skills within the societal context in which businesses operate. We focus on seven pillars: Purposeful Leadership & Inclusive Management; Ethical Decision-Making; Socially Responsible Practices; Environmental Sustainability; Business Analytics; Innovation & Technology; and Global & Cross-Cultural Perspective. What academic programs do you offer? We offer business degree and certificate programs, including: Master of Business Administration (MBA); M.S. in Organizational Leadership; M.S. in Business Analytics; B.S. in Business completion program; Business Location Analytics Certificate; Organizational Leadership Certificate. University of Redlands School of Business & Society, Marin Campus 105 Seminary Road, San Anselmo, CA 94960 415.451.2832 angie_bynon@redlands.edu www.business.redlands.edu /urschoolofbusiness | /@urbusandsociety /@redlandsbusinessandsociety
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Jennifer Brinn Reiki of Marin Learn how to be the best version of yourself.
What makes you a visionary in your field? So many people are seeking to fulfill their soul’s purpose. We offer healing sessions that facilitate getting really quiet in the mind, hearing your soul speak and feeling what’s in your heart so you may move forward from a connected place. Why is it important to have a clear vision for your business? I began Reiki of Marin with a vision of connecting people to their true state so they may show up in life as the best version of themselves. Having a clear vision of my “why” has helped me make choices in what we offer, the practi-
tioners we hire, and how we reach out to the community. What are you doing to stay connected with the local community? We offer a full scholarship program for people from underserved socioeconomic communities to enroll in our Reiki Training Certification program. We also offer mentoring on bringing Reiki healing back into their community. What do you want people to know about your business? At Reiki of Marin, we understand that healing isn’t about curing symptoms, it’s about helping you feel whole and connected.
Reiki of Marin | 300 Valley Street, Ste. 202, Sausalito, CA 94965 | 415.430.5813 /@reikimarin | /reikimarin reikimarin@gmail.com | www.reikimarin.com |
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Renzo and Crystal Azzarello Luna Blu Escape to your dining homeaway-from home. What makes your team visionaries in their field? I believe one of our greatest talents is our ability to make food an experience. It is the difference between a person just feeding themselves or the experience of someone going out, who doesn’t just want to eat but wants to try different things that they could never try at home. The joy for us is making the guest happy. How does your team’s vision manifest itself in your business practice? The past two years have seen challenges in our ability to hire and retain staff. It is no secret that this is a huge operational challenge we are facing right now. This means we as restaurant owners need our business to have strong cultural values if we have any chance of hiring and retaining great staff. My wife Crystal and I came to recognize our core values are what has become our greatest recruiting tool. What separates you or your business from the pack? We give our customers a reason to return by offering them a unique and memorable dining experience that they won’t get anywhere else. We believe that by creating a sense of community, we have transformed Luna Blu from a mere eating place to a place where people go to eat and socialize. Luna Blu 35 Main Street, Tiburon, CA 94920 415.789.5844 crystallunablu@gmail.com www.lunablurestaurant.com /lunablurestaurant /lunablutiburon
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Chandra Alexandre, CEO Community Action Marin Well-being comes from being connected to community.
What makes your team visionaries in their field? We have over 200 employees who show up every day for others guided by values of service, relationship, unity, and inclusivity. They’re motivated and caring, determined to help. How are you thinking outside the box? Our approach embodies an understanding that people are not going to achieve well-being or self-sufficiency outside of meaningful, trusted relationships. As people, we need systems of support that are responsive to individual and family
needs over time. Community Action Marin’s Whole Family Approach is designed to help people, as individuals connected in networks of family, friends, and community, to regain confidence and stability. What new services do you offer? We’re working to create more pathways to better jobs for people of low income. We just launched a commercial driver’s license training academy partnership. We’re also leveraging our commercial kitchen with a pilot apprenticeship program for people wanting to work in the hospitality industry.
Community Action Marin | 555 Northgate Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903 | 415.526.7500 /@communityactionmarin | /@cmtyactionmarin cam@camarin.org | www.camarin.org |
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Belinda Wickwire Belinda Wickwire Jewelry Antique jewelry styled uniquely for you. What makes your team visionaries in their field? At Belinda Wickwire Jewelry we offer an experience. We are not just a store with beautiful jewelry, but rather a team of creatives who custom-style pieces for you. We love to mix the old with the new and offer each customer a piece unique to them. Why is it important to have a clear vision for your business? My store is evolving daily so I have to roll with the changes and think ahead strategically. It’s a store in constant motion and growth. I redesign displays weekly to highlight new inventory and to assure my vision remains on course. My displays are also pieces of art. I love to use antique boxes, books and frames to display the jewelry, creating a feast for the eyes. Belinda Wickwire Jewelry 526 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94901 415.785.7519 | belinda@belindawickwirejewelry.com /@belindawickwirejewelry www.belindawickwirejewelry.com | /belindawickwirejewelry
Eduardo Valadez diptyque The Director of Marketing explains how this heritage luxury brand has an eye on sustainability. What makes your team visionaries in your field? Diptyque is always thinking outside the box with a huge focus on innovation while honoring our 61 years of heritage. We are currently rolling out fragrance refill stations at all 90 global diptyque boutiques over the next few years, and we continue to enhance our efforts with recyclable packaging and refillable product innovations — like our latest launch, La Droguerie. What new products do you offer? Our newest innovation is La Droguerie, a fresh companion to diptyque’s perfumed creations; this is a full collection of household cleaning products, blending beauty with utility and sensual enjoyment with respect for the environment. diptyque | 2009 Larkspur Landing Circle, Ste. 18b, Larkspur, CA 94939 /@diptyque 415.666.2107 | www.diptyqueparis.com |
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celebrating visionaries
Allison Tryk Floramye This CBD brand shop offers so much more.
Why is it important to have a clear vision for your business? We are very clear that we want effective, intentional and fulfilling products and services. Having these values makes our jobs so much easier as we know who we are and how we work. What separates your business from the pack? We don’t know of any other CBD brand shops with other small business offerings, bespoke services and fine vintage jewelry, but please correct us if we’re wrong. What new services and products do you offer? We have yuzu honey rose dusted confections that just launched as well as a beautiful new facial mask kit and eye/lip balm. These are all incorporated into uniquely curated services at our downtown Larkspur location. Bob Garrow, founder Allison Tryk, co-owners Ruby Hackney and Matt Wadlington
Amy Thompson Amy Thompson Brand Photography Helping clients define themselves and their brands. How are you disrupting your industry? I focus on brand photography, so that means getting to know each client and creating photos that really speak to who they are and who their business is. What separates you or your business from the pack? What I do goes far beyond a simple headshot. Lifestyle photos, action shots — these work together to tell the story of you and your brand. I also love to use different scenes and wardrobes to let your personality shine. Together, we’ll discuss your brand and find ways to highlight what makes it special. On photo day, I’ll lead you through scenes and poses designed to make you feel relaxed and confident. All you need to do is have fun. Amy Thompson Brand Photography | 510.410.5424 amy@amythompsonphotography.com www.amythompsonbrandphotography.com /@amythompsonphotography
Floramye | 270 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939 /@floramye 800.484.0124 | www.floramye.com |
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celebrating visionaries
Stacey Templeton Kaplan Bella in Marin Get a personal shopping experience at Bella. What makes you a visionary? I’ve dreamed of building a strong business that has multiple locations and employs women that love fashion, people and their community. This June I opened my fourth location in Bon Air Center. My plan is to open additional Bella stores in Sonoma County. What is unique about your service approach? Shopping at Bella is about having a personal experience that you can’t get online. The personal touch is something that online shopping will never match. What sets you apart from others? We color code the fashion for an elevated shopping experience. Our large tables display our well-priced jewelry, so it is at our customers’ fingertips. Bella in Marin | Four Locations: Pacheco Plaza, Red Hill Shopping Center, Bon Air and Strawberry Village /@bellaboutiquemarin www.bellamarin.com |
Cecilia Quezada, Julia Campbell and Richelle Nolan Quezada Architecture
Photography by Reny Huelskamp
How does your team’s vision manifest itself in your business practice? We believe that a diverse business is a successful business. Our team reflects ideologies and perspectives from all over the world and from different social and economic backgrounds. What separates your business from the pack? Surprisingly, there are very few women-owned architectural partnerships in the Bay Area, let alone both women- and minority-owned. As a partnership, we are able to take on projects of all types and scales, from custom homes, to hospitality, to multistory towers. QA provides a bespoke boutique experience for every client. Quezada Architecture, WBE/MBE | 639 Front Street, 1st Floor San Francisco, CA 94111 | 415.331.5133 | info@qa-us.com www.qa-us.com | /@quezada_architecture
Richelle Nolan, Cecilia Quezada and Julia Campbell
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Kim Manley KM Herbals Skincare KM Herbals provides nourishing botanical skin care for the summer months. Why is it important to have a clear vision for your business? We have the rare privilege of having a hand in every stage of the creation of our skin care as the manufacturer. A clear vision allows us to align the products we create with the mission of our company and sincere needs of our community. We believe that what is real lasts, and this frees us from the ebbs and flows of passing trends. What separates your business from the pack? Our 30 years of dedication to handcrafted skin care is what keeps us alive and energized. We are both the farmer in the soil and the chef in the kitchen, using the highest quality organic, biodynamically-grown, and wild-harvested raw materials and essential oils — we bring farm-to-bottle products to your front door. KM Herbals Skincare | 707.878.2980 | shop@kmherbals.com /@kmherbals www.kmherbals.com |
Jeanne M Ernst The Paver Lady Enjoy your outdoor spaces like never before.
What makes your team visionaries in their field? We use modern products and techniques. How does your team’s vision manifest itself in your business practice? We meet and brainstorm on how best to approach the project and respect all ideas. Why is it important to have a clear vision for your business? As we say, measure twice, cut once. No do-overs. How are you thinking outside the box? We are women owned and operated, and we use local materials and contractors.
The Paver Lady | P.O. Box 63, Mill Valley, CA 94941 | 415.619.1446 www.thepaverlady.com | CSLB #91357SP
PROMOTION
celebrating visionaries
Angela DeSalvo Transformational Soul Work Get in touch with your natural-born abilities and true self. What do you want people to know about your business? Transformational Soul Work, or simply Soul Work, is a method of practicing self-inquiry. It consists of seven elements that I gently guide you through while being present to you and your story. I offer insight that connects you with your conditioned, autopilot behavior. In time, you harness the potential to show up in your life unapologetically as yourself, fully expressed and consciously aware. What separates you from the pack? The gift that I offer to people by guiding them back home to themselves comes from a steady, authentic place within me. It has taken me a lifetime to finesse my natural-born abilities of being an empath, a spiritual medium and an intuitive. Transformational Soul Work angela@angeladesalvo.net | www.angeladesalvo.net /@angelacdesalvo | /transformationalsoulwork
Amanda Apesos Resonant Water Join the community and enjoy natural deepearth water. What makes you a visionary in your field? Absolute insistence on the use of glass bottles in a zerowaste cycle of providing elementally pure deep-earth water.
Amy Thompson Photography
How are you disrupting your industry? A one-woman, boot-strapped startup is succeeding in bringing truly pure water to the community in an industry dominated by large corporations. We are using ethical sourcing, fair trade principles and sustainable practices. How does your team’s strategy manifest itself in your business practice? Every level of the business is created around elevating consciousness in how we treat each other, the Earth, water as an element, and all of life. Resonant Water | 1121 Francisco Boulevard East, Ste. 2, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 888-R-WATER-1 | www.resonantwater.com
Tell Your Story September: Beautiful Living In September, Marin Living will pay tribute to experts who make our lives more beautiful. Whether it’s personal beauty, home beautification or maybe even finding a sparkling new abode altogether, this advertorial feature will provide readers with an inside look at the experts, services and products that contribute to living a beautiful life. We will spotlight how these professionals’ passion, commitment and love for what they do drives their businesses forward. They are always looking for ways to raise the bar and improve their offerings so customers and clients know they are working with the best in the business. Is this you? Get in touch!
Marin Living will provide a marketing support campaign with a sponsored article on our website for one year, newsletter sponsored promotion to 16,000 opted-in subscribers and social media support.
Contact Jessica Cline for more info jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com follow us on social @marinlivingmag + subscribe to our newsletter at www.marinlivingmagazine.com/newsletter
www.marinlivingmagazine.com
going places.
art credit of Tordrillo Mountain Lodge Courtesy
Summer Vibes A much-anticipated park opening, three hikes to add to your summer list, reinventing your outdoor space and a new way to get high on vacation.
Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
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land & sea.
Tunnel Vision
The team behind NYC’s famed High Line brings a much-awaited urban greenscape to San Francisco. Presidio Tunnel Tops opens July 17 and welcomes everyone to explore, play and see the city in a whole new way.
BACK IN 1993, work began to replace the seismically unsafe Doyle Drive, and the progressive idea to construct two tunnels with parkland on top was born. Countless hours of community input, collaboration between the Presidio Trust and the National Park Service, and fundraising (to the tune of $98 million) by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy have resulted in Presidio Tunnel Tops (www.presidiotunneltops. gov), a park that will change the face of San Francisco. A design search that included 100 agencies landed on James Corner Field Operations (www.fieldoperations.net), the global landscape architecture and design firm celebrated for its work on NYC’s High Line. Both the High Line and the Presidio Tunnel Tops allow visitors to see the city in an entirely new way. “Everyone will visit the park expecting the view to be fantastic because we all know that the bay offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, but I believe people will be even more awed by how impressive the view is because the Tunnel Tops allow you to be at a higher elevation than has previously been able to be experienced,” says Richard Kennedy, senior principal at Field Operations. “You’re up high, hovering above the marsh of Crissy Field, and if you spin in a circle, you can see almost every landmark in the city.” 88 july/august 2022 marin living.
The park was designed to fit into the context of the landscape — from the shape of its topography to the plantings and furnishing materials. Field Operations worked with the Presidio Trust to reclaim wood from its forest management program. “All the wood you see used in the furnishings and play structures is from the Presidio forest,” explains Kennedy. Community outreach has been at the core of the project, including getting input from 10,000 members of the public. “Studies have shown that the three groups that national parks were not servicing well were communities of color, low-income families and people with disabilities,” says Michael Boland, the Presidio’s chief park officer. “So, we’ve been very intentional about working with those communities to get their input and make sure that the experience we will deliver for the Tunnel Tops makes it worth traveling for.” There is something for everyone: picnic tables, wheelchair- and stroller-accessible pathways, green fields for playing and lounging, play structures, and tiered concrete and grass steps that look out onto perhaps the world’s best sunsets. There is even a fire pit — responsibly overseen by forest rangers for special events.
Courtesy of James Corner Field Operations
By Laura Schooling
A rendering of Presidio Tunnel Tops park.
“Our goal is to build generations of young people that have a relationship with the outdoors and will be the next generation of rangers, conservationists and park managers,” says Boland. The Field Station is a new drop-in learning center that offers kids ways to connect with nature through the lens of art and science (free; open weekday afternoons and on weekends). And next to it is the Outpost, a two-acre play area made entirely of natural materials. “If we’re bringing children out to the national park, maybe for the first time, they should feel that they are connecting to the natural environment,” adds Kennedy. Free family-friendly events and activities are scheduled July through October (www.presidiotunneltops. gov). Naturally, we can’t wait.
The new park has a campfire circle.
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Mountain bikers in Point Reyes National Seashore
90 july/august 2022 marin living.
All photos courtesy of Weekend Sherpa
great outdoors.
Excellent Point
Happy Trails to You Here are three gorgeous local hikes to add to your summer outings list.
art credit
By Weekend Sherpa
Mountain biking and national parks usually don’t go together, but Point Reyes National Seashore has several mountain bike–friendly trails that are itching to be explored. Don’t expect technical or much singletrack — these trails are wide-open and good for beginner mountain bikers. For a fantastic ride with sweeping views of Drakes Estero and southern Point Reyes, make the 4.3-mile (one-way) ride out to Drakes Head. Leaving from the Estero Trailhead, you’ll pedal through coastal grasslands and scrublands. Keep an eye out for peregrine falcons cruising overhead. In about a mile you’ll cross over the Home Bay bridge and get your first opportunity to see bat rays and all variety of water and shorebirds like great blue herons, great egrets and loons. Drakes Estero is where fresh and salt water mix, and the wildlife loves it. Continue on the fire road, crossing cattle guards while enjoying more wideopen views of Drakes Estero. Turn off at Drakes Head Trail and your final 2.3 miles are more singletrack-ish, but not technical. Your destination is the end of the trail at Drakes Head, where you’ll have a tremendous view of Limantour Beach, Drakes Bay and the Marin coastline. Have a picnic here and see if you can spy any leopard sharks or bat rays in the water below.
Tamtastical Hike
This 6.8-mile loop through the woods and ridges that make up the northern foothills of Mount Tamalpais offers the best of both worlds: solitude and grandeur. Get an early start at the popular Deer Park Parking Area and Trailhead and follow the wide Deer Park Fire Road. The trail rises to a ridgeline through mixed forests. At the junction, begin your descent on Shaver Grade Road to the shores of Phoenix Lake. Continue your way around the lake, making sure to take in the open views of the water before heading up the hillside on the Gertrude Ord Trail. This singletrack trail completes the loop around the lake, but not before sending you over a bridge surrounded by pines and redwoods. As you emerge from the woods, take a left on Shaver Grade Road to begin your return. As you start your climb, keep an eye out for the signposts marking the Hidden Meadow Trail on the right. Hop on the trail to add in the views that you might expect from being in Mount Tam’s shadow (you’ll know marin living. july/august 2022 91
great outdoors.
One hike connects three Marin beaches.
you’re in the right spot if you soon cross a little footbridge before entering a small meadow). The trail quickly rises to a wide-open ridgeline with big views of the valley below. At the next junction point, follow the signs straight ahead for Six Points Trail, which dips into a mixed forest grove. Finally, rejoin the Deer Park Fire Road and make your way back.
Three Beaches to the Wind
This 7-mile (round-trip) beach-tobeach-to-beach hike in the Marin Headlands is like enjoying a favorite comfort food: it’s almost always good, it feels familiar and it just warms up the soul — or at least the thighs. Enjoy a highly panoramic section of the Coastal Trail and three beaches along the way. Fair warning, this hike is beautiful, and strenuous in parts, but those views — coastal comfort all the way. The hike connects three beaches in the Marin Headlands: Muir Beach, Pirates Cove and Tennessee Cove. It’s 3.5 miles (one-way) from Muir Beach to Tennessee Cove, but you can turn around whenever you like to shorten it. Things start off gentle enough as most people make their way to relax at Muir 92 july/august 2022 marin living.
Beach. But your sights are set on the Coastal Trail and climbing the hill to the south. Take your time and look behind you — the views grow as you go. Once you reach the top of the climb, keep hiking and enjoy swoop-de-doo views of the rugged Marin coastline and tiny Pirates Cove as you work your away along the ridgeline and gently up and down. When you come to the detour trail for Pirates Cove, you can assess your stamina and decide if you want to shorten the journey. For those wanting the full three-beach experience, keep going up for a steep halfmile ascent to Coyote Ridge, followed by a welcome descent to Tennessee Valley and Tennessee Cove. This classic Marin hike-in beach is always a hit, with its crashing waves and black sand beach. It’s also your turnaround point.
Then back up you go! We recommend going to Pirates Cove on the return journey if you’re going all the way to Tennessee Cove. This ensures you know your time frame and how much daylight is left (in summer, this usually isn’t a problem). The cove is also a great place to have your picnic. The trail down to it is short, but steep in a few sections, with loose dirt. Take your time. Pirates Cove is a crescent-shaped haven with a hulking and holed rock formation and plenty of driftwood benches made by previous visitors. Important: mind the tides. Some of the homemade benches are closer to the water and waves can come up quickly. Late afternoons in summer offer beautiful light for the return trip, and you can always grab a seat in the sand at Muir Beach to watch the sunset.
Weekend Sherpa gives you ideas to make the most of your weekend outdoors. Their weekly email newsletter is packed with great recommendations on where to hike, bike-ride, hang out on the beach and enjoy pretty much anything that’s fun to do outside in Northern California. Sign up at www.weekendsherpa.com and check out their podcast, Take It Outside.
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Give your outdoor living space an upgrade just in time to make the most of summer. By Casey Gillespie
SUMMER MEANS SWIMMING POOLS, barbecues, dinner parties under the stars and hours spent lounging outside enjoying the warmer weather. Thinking of giving your outdoor space an upgrade? We spoke with Serena Armstrong of Mill Valley’s Serena Armstrong Interiors (www.serenaarmstrong interiors.com) about the latest trends and how to make the most of indoor-outdoor living. To achieve that new look, Armstrong suggests “mixing modern silhouettes with otherwise traditional homes.” And while there are currently lots of fun, contemporary shapes to play with, in terms of color, this year’s products are much more subdued. “We’re seeing outdoor seating collections in mesh materials
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and light tones like white and pale gray,” she says. The good news is neutral tones are not only aesthetically pleasing, they are also easier to mix and match with pieces you already own. For smaller spaces, Armstrong encourages you to “think big! As counterintuitive as it may sound, bigger pieces of furniture — pots, lanterns, etc. — will actually make a space feel more spacious.” And alternatively, if you have a sprawling outdoor area and can’t figure out how to make it feel cozy, she suggests “creating zones much like we do in large rooms. Decide how you’d like the space to function — grilling and dining, relaxing and sunbathing, gathering with friends, etc. — then select pieces that are all the same aesthetic.” And if you are looking for something that will instantly transform your space, think green. “Another high-impact item to add to outdoor spaces are plants — as many as you can manage. They’re not only visually appealing, but are also fantastic mood lifters,” says Armstrong. Here are a few of our favorite picks to start your summer off right.
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Scaling New Heights With travelers clambering for more mindful outdoor experiences, via ferratas are becoming a hot commodity at top-notch resorts from Alaska to Utah.
Amangiri
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By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti
Courtesy of Amangiri
Via ferrata at Amangiri
“BREATHE, RELAX, HAVE FUN,” I repeated to myself like a mantra as I peered out at the cathedral mesas and the suspended pathway of cables and steps in front of me and tried desperately not to look down. I was about to cross the Cave Peak Stairway, a 200-foot-long aerial staircase suspended 400 feet above the canyon floor, at Amangiri luxury resort (from $3,000 a night; www.aman.com) in remote southeastern Utah. My guide, JJ, who always seemed to be sporting a wide grin, had given me sage advice before he crossed: “There’s going to be bounce; that’s physics. Just take a deep breath and relax. It’s beautiful.” I tried to keep this in mind as I began to cross the 120 steps with nothing in between them but air. The Cave Peak Stairway is part of the Cave Peak Via Ferrata Trail at Amangiri. I had been on via ferratas in Europe, but never in the wild, awe-inspiring landscapes of the American West. Via ferrata is Italian for “iron way” and is a system of metal ladders and cables developed in World War I to move troops through the Alps. It’s like rock climbing but safer. Climbers wear helmets and harnesses and are clipped into cables using auto-locking carabiners and lanyards — and therefore connected to the rock — 100 percent of the time.
Before my husband and I, who had come to Amangiri for a much-needed weekend away from our busy lives, went across the staircase (the longest of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere), we wound our way up the spine of the Cave Peak Mesa, clipping, climbing and talking with JJ as we went along. “It’s mental, it’s physical, but as long as you don’t have a crippling fear of heights, you can do it,” he told us. We later learned JJ had traversed at least 1,500 routes in the U.S. and been a guide for everyone from celebrities to royalty. He told us about Amangiri’s unique year-round via ferrata program for hotel guests. There are routes ranging from the beginner-friendly Canyon Crossing Via Ferrata, which is designed for families, to the intense Red Line Ridge route. This is the brilliance and appeal of the sport. It makes climbing a big cliff accessible to people with no prior climbing experience and explains why these routes — still a popular way to experience the Dolomites in Italy and the French Alps — are increasingly available in the States. The Larkspur-based investment group that owns Amangiri wanted to offer unparalleled outdoor experiences, so they helped create Adventure Partners, an independent outfitter company run by expert outdoorsmen, along with the resort. They were the first to build a via ferrata on marin living. july/august 2022 97
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private resort property about a decade ago, and they have expanded Amangiri’s program steadily. Adventure Partners has also installed dozens of via ferrata routes around the U.S., including at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Other luxury hotels and ski resorts from Alaska to California have followed suit. Near Four Corners and Grand Staircase Escalante and a four-hour drive from Las Vegas (the closest airport is in Page, Arizona), Amangiri feels like a national park. It sits on 920 acres of red-rock country and Colorado Plateau. Amangiri’s modernist design blends in so seamlessly with the landscape that I couldn’t help thinking it looked like a billionaire’s lair out of a James Bond film. After a day of adventuring (the hotel also offers horseback riding, myriad hiking trails, trips to the nearby national parks and more), guests can unwind in the spa, which features Navajo healing traditions like flotation therapy in near darkness and crystal sound bowl healing. Visitors can also take a dip in a swimming pool that winds around a rocky outcropping and participate in activities like a wildlife workshop. One night I got to hold a beautiful and curious boa constrictor who was the same dusty gold shade as the desert’s sculpted sandstone. Dinners by the crackling fire at Amangiri or Camp Sarika, the hotel’s luxurious glamping accommodation that is a 15-minute walk from 98 july/august 2022 marin living.
the main resort, are just icing on the cake. There’s a reason Amangiri is a favorite of everyone from Silicon Valley CEOs to Hollywood A-listers. “It’s all alpha males and females. So, I have to tell them to slow down,” said JJ. Back at the staircase, I pushed the carabiners with my hands, which were fixed to my harness with two blue lanyards, as I had been instructed to do, and slid them along the wire cables on either side of me as I took each step. Each time I came to a bolt on the cable I removed the carabiners one at a time, so that I was always attached on one side. Hearing the rhythmic “click, click” gave me some comfort as I made my way methodically across the ravine. When we were all safely on the other side, we stopped for a moment to feel the warm Utah sun on our faces before climbing down steps bolted to a cool, steep pale purple and green striped canyon wall. After we plopped down on solid ground and began our hike back to the resort — where a prickly pear margarita and large guest room with an outdoor lounge and fireplace awaited — I thought about something JJ had said as we began our approach: “I’ve done this route 300-plus times, and I can count the bad days on one hand.” I hadn’t felt this exhilarated and alive in a long time, and I could not wipe the smile off my face.
Courtesy of Ted Turner Reserve (this page); Alpenglow Expeditions/Tahoe Via Ferrata (opposite)
Costilla Lodge
Tahoe Via Ferrata Tahoe Via Ferrata (from $119 per person; www.tahoevia.com) opened at Palisades Tahoe Resort in 2018 and has serious big mountain cred. It’s operated by Alpenglow Expeditions, an international mountain guiding service that leads trips on every high-altitude peak in the world, including Mount Everest. The Tahoe routes wind their way up the Tram Face, a granite slab that is not ideal for technical rock climbing but is perfect for a via ferrata. Climbers choose between a two-, three- or four-hour tour and routes include steep and technical to fun rock scrambles. All have impressive Olympic Valley views. Tahoe Via Ferrata’s season is typically May through September. Visitors can stay at the Village at Palisades Tahoe, but you don’t have to be a guest to do the via ferratas.
Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve
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Ted Turner’s Vermejo resort (from $1,800 per night; www.tedturner reserves.com/vermejo) spans 558,000 acres in northern New Mexico and offers unfettered access to nature, including animal sightseeing tours, fishing and a brand-new via ferrata route. Open this spring, Vermejo’s year-round via ferrata is a combination of ropes course and rock climbing with balance-beam walks, a swinging-bridge crossing and a rock prow traverse almost 30 feet off the ground. Animal excursions to spot bison roaming free and New Mexico gray wolves are like going on a safari closer to home. Vermejo has a variety of accommodations, including Costillo Fishing Lodge and a 1900s mansion with seven luxurious guest rooms.
Tahoe Via Ferrata
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Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Open since 2017, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s (from $450 for up to two people; www.jacksonhole.com) via ferrata routes take guests on a high alpine journey above the valley floor across suspended bridges and along granite walls. There are routes for beginners as well as professional climbers, and the season runs through October 9. Visitors might choose to stay slope-side at the resort’s eco-chic Hotel Terra or the more luxurious Four Seasons Resort, or in town at the new modern motor lodge, The Virginian.
Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
Via ferrata at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
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Courtesy of Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
Olympic gold medalist Tommy Moe and heli-ski pioneer Mike Overcast, the owners of the luxe Tordrillo Mountain Lodge (from $8,500 per person for a three-night trip; www.tordrillo mountainlodge.com), had Alaska’s first via ferrata on state land installed in 2018. The four-hour-long route, available June through September and a short helicopter ride from the lodge, has views of the Triumvirate Glacier and a volcano. Overcast says via ferratas have low environmental impact but leave a big impression on guests looking for meaningful travel experiences. “Every one of our guests who did the via ferrata said it was life-changing,” he said. Other enticing summer activities at the lodge include heli-skiing (available through early July), fishing for Alaska king salmon, hiking, biking and boating on Judd Lake.
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The Future Is Local A Mill Valley startup forges a community for local entrepreneurs and mentors. By Mitchell Sam Rossi
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Zachary Kushel
“You have some of the most impressive entrepreneurs on the planet living in Marin County.”
He points out that the financial infrastructures of Silicon Valley and San Francisco have not historically served the entrepreneurs of Novato or Santa Rosa. “The future will be more local,” Kushel says, noting North Bay residents already embrace that idea. “We eat local. We buy local. We donate local.” The business community seems to agree with Kushel’s assessment. MSIV currently boasts an Executive Network roster of 38 established businessmen and women as well as a Founders Network with 112 startup entrepreneurs. After nearly two years, MSIV just hosted its inaugural conference, North Bay NEXT. “This was our coming-out party,” he says. “We had nearly 275 guests and more than 45 speakers, all of whom were from either Marin or Sonoma counties. “If we do this right, the startup community will reflect our greater community,” Kushel adds. “It will align with who we are as North Bay residents. We are good corporate citizens, we care about the planet, and we care about each other. If you desire to build the next great company that will be a local job creator, we want to help you make that journey a little less lonely.”
Courtesy of MSIV
CONSIDERING APRIL 2020 WAS NEAR THE ONSET of a global pandemic, it probably was not the most opportune moment to launch an in-person networking community. For entrepreneur Zachary Kushel, however, the North Bay was well overdue for an alliance dedicated to introducing the new generation of startup founders to the prominent businessmen and women who call the area home. “You have some of the most impressive entrepreneurs on the planet living in Marin County,” Kushel says. “But there was no community connecting them.” The former head of business development at Glassdoor, one of Marin’s most successful startups, Kushel has also held leading positions at SmithRx in San Francisco and Cisco Systems in San Jose. A longtime Marin resident, he celebrates the North Bay not only for its natural beauty but for its potential treasure trove of financial and intellectual resources. “This is a place where you know people through your kids. You don’t necessarily know people through their businesses,” Kushel says. To bridge this divide, Kushel created Marin Sonoma Impact Ventures (MSIV, www.msivfund.com). Based in Mill Valley, MSIV is an investment fund but one that emphasizes support for a genuine community. “We have created the first regional venture capital fund that is focused entirely on Marin and Sonoma startup companies,” Kushel says. His vision of the company goes beyond monetary investments by creating a network to connect entrepreneurs with established executives willing to lend expertise to promising businesses. The idea of supporting new business is not unique, Kushel says, but he stresses that MSIV’s approach is different, as the company spotlights local startups and views Marin and Sonoma counties as a single economic region. “On their own, Marin and Sonoma are two relatively small counties,” Kushel says. “But together, they have a population over 750,000 and a GDP above $50 billion. That is a value greater than either Vermont or Wyoming.” Yet, in the past, investors have often dismissed North Bay startups as lifestyle businesses without giving them a fair shake, Kushel notes. He has also heard voiced the mistaken assumption that, through MSIV, he is trying to build a northern version of Silicon Valley. “It was very intentional for us to put ‘impact’ in our name because we hope our impact is on the future economic vitality of this community. It is about creating strong social ties, a robust startup community, and local jobs,” Kushel says.
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