V I TA L I TY ISSUE
“Nick is the real deal — a true guide through the wilds of real estate.” —John and Sarah, satisfied Marin homeowners
Where the Redwoods Meet the Sky The tools to forge your future, the solutions to secure it. Nick Svenson stands apart. Deeply rooted in Marin, his knowledge of the area, paired with an authentic, down-to-earth approach, makes him not just an agent, but a confidant. Nick doesn’t just close deals — he opens doors to new opportunities.
Nick Svenson nicks@compass.com 415.505.7674 www.nicksvensonproperties.com DRE #01918616
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate.
JESSICA CLINE
CO-FOUNDER, CEO
jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.302.0850
DINA GRANT
CO-FOUNDER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
dina@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.238.2030
ADVERTISING Marketing Strategy Consultant & Wine Country Specialist Chet Klingensmith chet@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.216.1780 Marketing Strategy Consultant, Hawaii Meredith Low meredith@marinlivingmagazine.com, 808.388.2644 Marketing Strategy Consultant Kim McGinnis kim@marinlivingmagazine.com, 415.640.4504 Marketing Strategy Consultant & Local Business Specialist Carrie Moler carrie@marinlivingmagazine.com, 415.271.3080 Marketing Strategy Consultant Courtney Roberts courtney@marinlivingmagazine.com, 415.720.3752
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DANIEL JEWETT
CO-FOUNDER EDITORIAL AND OPERATIONS DIRECTOR dan@marinlivingmagazine.com
EDITORIAL Editor Caitlin Hamer Contributing Designers Roberto Avalos, Madeleine Hannes, Gregory Odendahl, Kathryn Saffell, Ronald Sequeira, Britney Trezzo Contributing Writers Christina Cavallaro, Casey HatfieldChiotti, Annie Geiser, Joey Knelman, Laura Schooling Contributing Photographer Jeff Lewis Copy Editor Cynthia Rubin Client Services Director Lauren Winsett lauren@marinlivingmagazine.com, 415.300.0908
Mailing Address Marin Living PO Box 2104 Mill Valley, CA 94941 Office phone: 707.302.0850
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Volume 5, Issue 01. Marin Living® magazine is published in Marin County by Five19Publishing, Inc., Mill Valley, CA 94941. All rights reserved. ©2024 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.
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IN FAIRFAX
Pioneering the Future of Fitness with 360° of Boutique Offerings
Welcome to FITLAB®, where we believe in community, empowerment and fun on your journey to a healthier lifestyle. Our inclusive 360° fitness boutique brings people together, regardless of experience or fitness level. Our expert trainers and instructors offer dynamic workouts from one-on-one sessions to innovative classes for everyone. We prioritize fun alongside hard work at FITLAB, where we help our members reach their personal goals. Join our vibrant community and embrace the best version of yourself this new year at FITLAB. www.fitlabstrong.com | 415.785.3026
Your Local Lifestyle and Real Estate Specialists BowmanRealEstateGroup.com @THEBOWMANGROUP
MARIN MATTERS Providing Marin families more of what they want
JENNIFER AND HER TEAM WORK TIRELESSLY Being our own client has been a unique experience. After purchasing our new home in Bel Marin Keys we had to take on the role of sellers. We knew we had to follow the same path we advise our clients to follow. It turns out that it is easier said than done when it comes to your own home and checkbook. We truly believe in our process as realtors and moved forward despite any anxiety we were feeling personally as sellers. We engaged a stager, ignored our personal preferences and moved forward with renovating the bathrooms, updating the kitchen, windows, doors, landscaping, flooring and paint. We addressed the systems that needed to be updated based upon the home inspection. We left the country to celebrate our anniversary and let our team take over with showing the house. While on our trip we received 4 offers and accepted an offer 21% over online valuations. These results gave us more than 2x return on the investment we made by updating our house for sale. The moral of the story is that proper preparation and presentation will receive offers in any market, and skillful negotiations will result in selling your home for the highest possible price.
BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP | 415.755.1040 Team@BowmanRealEstateGroup.com DRE# 01933147
- Jennifer Bowman
TABLE OF CONTENTS. J A N U A RY/ F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 4
spotlight marin.
82
14 news.
The annual FOG fair returns to S.F.; an update on the eelgrass restoration project; new e-bike rules and more.
26 local splurges.
Self-care items to get your new year started on the right foot.
28 eat & drink.
34 local getaways.
going places. 80 land & sea.
38 take note.
82 voyager.
Something special is happening at Nick’s Cove.
Winter is the ideal time for a Wine Country getaway.
Now is your chance to chase Marin’s waterfalls.
The Chan National Queer Arts Center in S.F. ushers in a new era.
88
86 about last night.
We partnered with Fred Segal for one heck of a party at Marin Country Mart.
Nutrive is giving hope to the millions who suffer from IBS.
88 drawn together. Meet the man who has cycled to the top of Mount Tam more than 7,000 times just to see the sunrise.
from the team.
28 6 january/february 2024 marin living.
10 from the ceo. 12 from the creative director.
Top to bottom: Douglas Friedman, Jeff Jungsten, Gamma Nine
42 game changers.
Exploring the wellness mecca that is Sedona.
Designed in California Assembled in the United States Engineered for a better world This is the Lucid Air, the longest range electric car on the market.* Experience the new standard in sustainable luxury.
LUCIDMOTORS.COM Village at Corte Madera 1802 Redwood Hwy., Ste. #B-037 Corte Madera, CA 94925 (415) 707-3664
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*EPA est. range ratings when equipped with 19” wheels: 516 Grand Touring/425 Touring. Manufacturer’s projected range for Pure equipped with 19” wheels is 410 miles; EPA est. range is 419. Actual results will vary.
FEATURES.
44
Well Into the New Year Your guide to all the practitioners, studios and classes that you will need to start your year off right.
48 On the West Marin Wavelength A piece of West Marin history gets an update, but retains all the charm.
52
Natural Wonders
On the Cover Photographer Jeff Lewis captures the splendor of Marin (Forest Knolls and the Bolinas Ridge shown here).
8 january/february 2024 marin living.
Steven J. Magner
Find tranquility with photographer Jeff Lewis as he takes you on a wellness journey around the world and back.
a thousand years in the making contemporary - transitional - classic berkeley |
san rafael
|
www.istanbulrug.com
menlo park
from the
CEO
touch is what makes our work so fulfilling. The support we received from our clients, partners and the community fueled our passion for delivering content that resonates. Our remote work culture has brought us flexibility and freedom. Our team has thrived in this environment and we will continue to embrace it, ensuring our group enjoys a balanced and fulfilling life. I’m thrilled about what this year holds for us. To our incredible team, clients and readers, your support and trust mean the world. Together, we’re set to make 2024 an extraordinary year. Let’s embark on this journey with hearts full of hope and minds brimming with creativity. Here’s to a time of endless opportunities and shared successes. Welcome to 2024 — our best year yet!
JESSICA CLINE, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO
AS I SIT DOWN to write this note, I’m filled with a familiar surge of optimism. This January ritual has always reflected my unwavering belief in better days ahead. Looking back over the past few years, I see that each has brought its unique challenges and triumphs — from the unprecedented times of 2020 to the year of growth and resilience that was 2023. And here I am, more hopeful and excited than ever. Our journey through 2023 was nothing short of inspiring. We navigated through the ups and downs with a spirit of camaraderie and innovation. I also took time for selfcare, exploring the tranquil spas and wellness studios in Marin. This year, I plan to continue prioritizing health and well-being, not just for myself, but for our entire team. Our connection with our clients last year was profound. We delved deep into their visions, helping their businesses flourish. This personal 10 january/february 2024 marin living.
Nick’s Cove (pictured here) is another Marin spot on my must-visit places for 2024.
Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Christopher Stark
RENEWED VIGOR
Are you concerned about your relationship with alcohol or other substances?
Recovery Without Walls, founded and directed by Howard Kornfeld, M.D., is a unique office-based medical practice for those who are questioning or concerned about their relationship with alcohol or other substances. In the years since the pandemic, problem drinking has continued to increase. As this year takes shape, you could end your reliance on alcohol with advanced techniques and evidenced-informed, cutting-edge medications that our team has introduced years ahead of other practices.
restoration, and exercise, including noninflammatory dietary and supplement choices. You can regain control and reduce the physical and emotional distress associated with withdrawal. We can seamlessly transition patients to residential care when needed.
The phrase “recovery without walls” describes a treatment philosophy unencumbered by the limits of reductionist thinking and the less frequent need for the walls of a residential center. We treat patients privately in our office with empathy and meticulous confidentiality, while placing a focus on psychotherapy, mindfulness, sleep
Dr. Kornfeld has over 30 years of experience in the addiction, emergency, and pain fields, and is board certified in pain and addiction medicine. The practice includes a physician, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychotherapists, as well as eating disorder and recovery specialists. Our team is unrivaled in the field.
www.recoverywithoutwalls.com | 415.383.2949
RECOVERYWITHOUTWALLS
from the
creative DIRECTOR effect on health and life expectancy. They also found that people were more kind and generous after a meaningful experience. Why do I mention all this? Mainly because winter might just be the most awe-inspiring time of year in Marin, with the fog, bird migrations, waterfalls, the magical light. We highlight some pretty incredible destinations, locations and people in this issue and my hope is that they leave you wanting more. Marin is nothing if not steeped in awe-inspiring moments. So here’s to a winter full of health, happiness, increased longevity, kindness and generosity. I can’t think of a better way to start the new year.
IT’S FUNNY HOW MY perception of starting a new year has changed. January 1 used to mean it was time to go fast and hard — a time to implement all things to make the year as successful and productive as possible. It was invigorating and exhausting. The pandemic changed all that for me. I’ve done a one-eighty and now I see the path to change and abundance as a quieter endeavor. I recently came across a book called Losing Eden by British author Lucy Jones. One of the biggest takeaways was her discussion of awe. She dedicated an entire chapter to the scientific examination of the concept done by psychologist Dacher Keltner at UC Berkeley in the 1990s. His lab found that experiencing awe — brought on by a host of things like beautiful landscapes, works of art, a captivating piece of music — increases happiness and lowers stress. One of the scientists on his team connected awe to reduced levels in an important inflammation marker — so experiencing something emotionally impactful has a direct 12 january/february marin living.
Photographer Jeff Lewis captures Marin when she is most beautiful.
Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Jeff Lewis
FIND YOUR AWE
CASEY GILLESPIE CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER
It’s time to bank with
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spotlight marin.
South African artist and visual activist Zanele Muholi will have their first major exhibition on the West Coast this year with Zanele Muholi: Eye Me. On view at SFMOMA January 18 to August 11 (www.sfmoma.org), the exhibition highlights the Black LGBTQ+ community in South Africa through Muholi’s art, which includes photographs and paintings.
Zanele Muholi, “Yaya Mavundla, Parktown, Johannesburg,” from the series Brave Beauties, 2014
14 january/february 2024 marin living.
Courtesy the artist and Yancey Richardson, New York; © Zanele Muholi
EYE OPENING
news. by Caitlin Hamer
CENTER STAGE
GIRL POWER The Marin Women’s Hall of Fame is celebrating its Class of 2024 on February 8. Held at the Embassy Suites San Rafael and hosted by YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley (www.yourywca.org), the event honors five inductees who join the ranks of more than 150 Marin women of distinction.
February shows include a concert-style performance featuring the music of George Michael and another with Sting joined by the S.F. Symphony.
Hotel Healdsburg has brought back its Mushroom Foraging Adventure (www.hotelhealdsburg.com). Available through February, this experience includes a wild mushroom hunt with an expert forager and a three-course dinner at Dry Creek Kitchen, plus a special additional course prepared with the day’s bounty. On January 20, Papapietro Perry Winery is hosting a wine and caviar tasting event (www. papapietro-perry.com). Guests are invited to spend an afternoon enjoying roe from The Caviar Co. alongside Papapietro Perry wines. 16 january/february 2024 marin living.
Clockwise from top left: Hannes van der Merwe; courtesy of Papapietro Perry; Eric Ryan Anderson
W
I
A N D DI E N N E
Broadway SF continues to bring entertainment to the city (www.broadwaysf.com), and this winter’s shows include Tony Award–winning musical The Wiz January 16 to February 11. The Broadway-bound national tour, which features Wayne Brady among the cast, will make its stop at the Golden Gate Theatre. On February 3, Broadway SF presents The Life and Music of George Michael, a concert-style experience that captures the performance and sound of the famous singer. The one-night-only show highlights his music with Wham! as well as his solo career and takes place at the Curran Theatre. Sting takes the stage with the San Francisco Symphony (www.sfsymphony.org) February 14 and 15 to perform his most celebrated songs reimagined for orchestra. Performances will be held at Davies Symphony Hall.
Dee’s Organic
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produce, our menu is a journey through the finest organic flavors. Whether it’s a birthday bash, corporate event or a wedding reception, our catering services add a touch of green elegance to your special day. Let us take care of the details, so you can focus on making memories. Book Your Date Today
415.312.0790 • info@deesorganic.com • www.deesorganic.com
news. by Caitlin Hamer
GRAND D E S IGNS
An uptick in electric bicycle accidents involving school-age children has led to the introduction of an online dashboard to track e-bike related accidents and guide local safety policy (www.marinhhs.org). “E-bikes are a great way to get around and help kids build independence,” says Mary Sackett, Marin County supervisor. “We want riders to wear a helmet, not to carry passengers, and if you’re buying an e-bike, go with a Class 1 [equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling] e-bike.”
SLOW YO UR ROLL 18 january/february 2024 marin living.
Nikki Ritcher (above); www.stock.adobe.com/Uwe (below)
The 10th edition of FOG Design+Art is celebrating the city with the theme of “A Love Letter to San Francisco.” FOG Fair 2024 (www.fogfair.com) features exhibitions and FOG Talks and runs from January 18 to 21 at Fort Mason Center, with a preview gala on January 17. The annual fair showcases contributors to design and visual arts, bringing together work from galleries worldwide and prominent design dealers.
Design + Build Now Serving Marin County “I believe the key to life is a combination of an open floor plan, the right mix of vintage and modern, olive trees, a dining table lined with linens, all accompanied by fantastic food, wine and good company.” —Samantha Harris Samantha Harris Designer / Project Manager / Builder / Remodels Pools / Landscaping / Flipping Houses www.harrishouse.design / 310.926.8617
news. by Caitlin Hamer
FOOD BANK
CLOSURES
THE P
RI
Z
BUZZING
FOR
BONSAI
The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (www.sfcm.edu), in partnership with the San Francisco Symphony, is now accepting applications for the annual Emerging Black Composers Project, its Michael Morgan Prize and the Cabrillo Emerging Black Composers Prize. Applications are due February 1 and are open to Black American composers age 35 or younger (in 2023) who have completed a degree program in composition or music performance or have equivalent experience. 20 january/february 2024 marin living.
Sonoma Botanical Garden (www.sonomabg.org) and Redwood Empire Bonsai Society have partnered to present Living Sculptures: The Art and Science of Bonsai. A display of more than 15 miniature masterpieces can be found in the garden’s indoor gallery, accompanied by signage. Bonsai demonstrations and special interpretive tours will also be offered. The exhibition runs January 5 to March 22.
2023 honoree Xavier Muzik photo by JonJon Blunden (left); Daniel Perales (right)
Y
E
ON
E
E
Facing an end to federal, state and local funding for emergency pandemic services, the San Francisco–Marin Food Bank (www.sfmfoodbank. org) will be reducing its pandemic-era services over the next two years, which includes closing all emergency pop-up pantries located across Marin and San Francisco by the end of June 2025. Nearly 25 pop-up pantries were opened locally after the pandemic began.
news. by Caitlin Hamer
THE MAGIC OF MINDFULNESS
Can you tell us a little bit about the book? Huber: It’s a collection of our observations that remind us to appreciate the little moments that often slip by unnoticed. The book includes blank pages so readers can also record their own observations and experience the joy of creative expression.
in line. We stood there for a few minutes before realizing MOMA is closed on Wednesdays … which we’d have known if we’d been paying attention. Instead of going home, we decided to explore downtown San Francisco. And we gave ourselves an assignment: let’s notice what’s going on around us and see what happens.
What inspired your approach to mindfulness? Older: The idea for Today I Noticed project came to us, ironically, because Deborah and I weren’t paying attention. Five years ago (2018), on a Wednesday, we headed to SFMOMA. We were so pleased because we were first
Why is mindfulness so important to you? Huber: We live in challenging, often overwhelming times. Mindfulness is a powerful way to access more gratitude and joy, no matter what’s going on around or within us.
NOT TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin is now offering after-school programs at four schools in Novato (www.bgcsonoma-marin.org). The local organization provides a safe and supportive environment for youth through its clubs. “Our programs are designed to help students reach their full potential, and we are excited to work with the district and the schools to make a positive impact on the lives of their students,” says club CEO Jennifer Weiss.
22 january/february 2024 marin living.
Reproduced with permission from the publisher, Copyright © 2023 by Willow Older and Deborah Huber (Blue Star Press)
Two Mill Valley authors, Deborah Huber and Willow Older (www.todayinoticed.com), have embraced the power of noticing everyday moments, and they’re sharing the practice with the world through their illustrated journal, Today I Noticed: A Little Book of Mindfulness That Will Change the Way You See the World (Blue Star Press with Penguin Random House). Available at Book Passage, The Depot, Two Neat and Copperfield’s Books.
EELGRASS
R E C OV E RY UPDATE
Efforts to protect the eelgrass in Richardson Bay is showing signs of effectiveness, according to recent findings presented to Richardson Bay Regional Agency (www.rbra.ca.gov). Researchers have found that damage to the eelgrass has plateaued and the acreage is no longer decreasing. Eelgrass beds are beneficial for the environment, but illegally anchored vessels in the bay have caused extensive damage to the plant.
Outdoor Warmth, All Year Round The cold fog is coming in, yet you’re cozy and warm on your deck, thanks to expertly-selected and optimally-placed permanent patio heaters.
Alfresco Heating is Marin County's national patio-
www.stock.adobe.com/Todd Winner
heating specialty company. They provide expert advice, high-quality permanent and portable gas and electric patio heaters, installation, and repair services. They would love to bring warmth to your outdoor living area.
For a free phone consult contact: 415-884-2880 glow@alfresco-heating.com
the LIST
24 january/february 2024 marin living.
A look at special offers and new products from some of the Bay Area’s favorite businesses.
1
BRICOLEUR VINEYARDS Although it’s only been open since 2020, Windsor’s Bricoleur Vineyards has already gained national recognition. And as co-founder Sarah Hanson Citron was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, the winery’s Sip With Purpose initiative to support cancer research remains as important as ever, especially with the return of World Cancer Day on February 4. www.bricoleurvineyards.com
2
PAPAPIETRO PERRY WINERY Fresh from a 25th anniversary celebration in 2023, Healdsburg’s Papapietro Perry Winery is looking to the future by celebrating its fourth annual Women in Wine Day on March 25. The social initiative was started by the winery’s co-owners and co-founders and highlights women in the wine industry who are inspiring, supporting and empowering the next generation. www.papapietro-perry.com
3
DORMAN ASSOCIATES, INC. This full-service design firm in Mill Valley is well known for practicing experiential architecture and prioritizing each client’s personal tastes and needs. While the firm specializes in both residential and commercial projects, it keeps the focus on children’s centers. Notably, the team has also been supporting the local community, partnering with North Bay Children’s Center and Habitat for Humanity. www.dormanassociates.com
All images courtesy of the brands
By Caitlin Hamer
excellence excellence empower ommunity community success success inspiration inspiration model model vision vision dream dream growth growth trailblazer trailblazer innovation innovation trendsetter trendsetter
development pioneer pioneer nurturing nurturing teacher teacher bright TH bright TH futures futures leader leader
mentor mentor seeding seeding education education motivation motivation cultivating cultivating
en nc ce 3355 yyeeaarrss ooff eexxccee ll ll e e ii n n eeaarrllyy eedduuccaatti o i onn Together we can make a positive and lasting impact Together we can make a positive and lasting impact helping children and their families thrive! helping children and their families thrive!
Help us celebrate this milestone with a contribution of $35 or Help usto celebrate this milestone with a contribution of $35 or more the programs of the North Bay Children’s Center. Your more to thewill programs of the and North Bay Children’s Your donation pay it forward give a young child Center. access to donation will pay it forwardthat andbuild give athe young child access to early learning experiences foundation for early learning experiences thatsuccess. build the foundation for school-readiness and lifelong school-readiness and lifelong success. Tax ID: 94-3024246 • 932 C Street, Novato • www.nbcc.net Tax ID: 94-3024246 • 932 C Street, Novato • www.nbcc.net
Scan the QR code to donate Scan the today! QR code to donate today!
local splurges.
WELLNESS
1. No at-home spa day is complete without Monastery’s Attar Floral Repair Concentrate. Essential-oil free, this nourishing balm has an intoxicating list of ingredients like rose hip seed, rare rose extracts and jasmine sambac, which can repair UV damage and soften fine lines. Available at Monastery (4175 24th Street, San Francisco) and www.monasterymade.com, $168
The start of the new year is the perfect time to slow down and treat yourself to some much-needed self-care.
By Casey Gillespie
Urban Remedy’s Purify Cleanse is packed with potent phytonutrients and polyphenols, and a heaping helping of vitamins, minerals and healing plant pigments. Available at Whole Foods and www.urbanremedy.com, prices vary per bottle
2
4. Using Tronque’s Ionic Dry Body Brush, made from extrafine ion-charged copper bristles, has so many benefits we won’t name them all, but exfoliation, increased circulation and
3
4
5 All images courtesy of the brands
1
5. An at-home spa day calls for comfort and this Luxury Plush Long Robe (shown here in nickel) by RH is just the ticket. You can also have it monogrammed. Available at RH Marin (1750 Redwood Highway, Corte Madera) or www.rh.com, $135
WA R R I O R
2. What is more luxurious than a good bar of soap? Our first choice is Salt + Clay, which is artisanal, made in small batches and hand-poured in Marin County. The brand uses food-grade ingredients from sustainable sources so there is nothing not to love. Available at OCN Culture (550 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo) and www.shopsaltclay.com, $14 each 3. If your holiday season of excess has finally caught up with you, then a juice cleanse might be in order.
lymphatic drainage are among our favorites. Available at Neiman Marcus (150 Stockton Street, San Francisco) and www.tronque.com, $70
26 january/february 2024 marin living.
eat & drink.
STAY A LITTLE
Nick’s Cove has new abodes and delicious food prepared by a Top Chef. And you won’t find a single pair of tweezers in the kitchen. By Christina Cavallaro
LONGER
28 january/february 2024 marin living.
knickknacks were everywhere, creating a rich sense of nostalgia. We had just enough time for a glass of pinot noir in front of our wood-burning stove before the short walk across the street to Nick’s restaurant. We started off with a classic cocktail at the bar — a bloody mary with Sonoma Brothers vodka and Nick’s secret spice blend — that paired well with the
Beloved West Marin mainstay Nick’s Cove has gotten an all-over upgrade, and it is just as good as you imagine.
Adahlia Cole
SOME RELATIONSHIPS JUST WORK. And an exciting new collaboration with Tomales Bay’s Nick’s Cove (www.nickscove.com) and Top Chef Masters winner Chris Cosentino feels like a warm and inviting blended family. The partnership comes on the heels of a top-tobottom renovation of the iconic on-site cottages that have been there since the 1930s. We arrived at our cozy bungalow for the night, the “Fly Fisherman’s,” with its views of the bay all around and claw-foot tub beckoning from the wainscoted bathroom. The 1940s jazz was playing softly and charming
oysters. A couple sips in and Cosentino appeared pushing a giant wheelbarrow filled with ice, piles of those local oysters and bottles of champagne. We followed him out to Nick’s Boat Shack. Cosentino, who grew up clamming and fishing in coastal New England, says it was easy to integrate the food of the East Coast at Nick’s. “It felt like I was coming home.”
30 january/february 2024 marin living.
We polished off dozens of oysters with celery mignonette and several trays of grilled ones with house barbecue sauce and herbed butter. “You guys hungry?” he shouted to us, the good Italian that he is, and asked if we’d brought our expandable britches. And with that our merry little party trotted back toward the dining room along the pier lined with colored lights as a light rain fell. Cosentino is
Gamma Nine
eat & drink.
AGO Projects, Mexico City Altman Siegel, San Francisco Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York Anthony Meier, Mill Valley Berggruen Gallery, San Francisco Casemore Gallery, San Francisco Catharine Clark Gallery, San Francisco Crown Point Press, San Francisco David Lewis, New York David Zwirner, New York Demisch Danant, New York Fergus McCaffrey, New York Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin Gallery FUMI, London
Gladstone Gallery, New York Haines, San Francisco Hauser & Wirth, Los Angeles Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco Hostler Burrows, New York Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco Jessica Silverman, San Francisco Karma, West Hollywood Lebreton, Monte Carlo Lehmann Maupin, New York In celebration of its tenth anniversary the fair launches FOG FOCUS, an invitational designed to showcase art by young artists as an integral part of San Francisco’s
Gió Marconi Gallery, Milan
Commonwealth and Council, Los Angeles
Marianne Boesky Gallery, New York
Et al., San Francisco George Adams Gallery, New York Johansson Projects, Oakland
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS fogfair.com
Marc Selwyn Fine Art, Beverly Hills / Marian Goodman Gallery, New York
CULT Aimee Friberg, San Francisco
January 17, 2024 Preview Gala Benefiting the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Magen H Gallery, New York
creative ecosystem.
Crèvecœur, Paris
JANUARY 18-21, 2024 FORT MASON CENTER
LUHRING AUGUSTINE, New York
Mendes Wood DM, New York Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, New York Micki Meng Gallery, San Francisco NILUFAR, Milan Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles
Jonathan Carver Moore, San Francisco
Ornamentum, Hudson
OCHI, Los Angeles
Pace Gallery, New York
Schlomer Haus Gallery, San Francisco
pt.2 Gallery, Oakland R & Company, New York Rebecca Camacho Presents, San Francisco Salon 94 | S94D, New York Sarah Myerscough Gallery, London Shulamit Nazarian, Los Angeles Talwar Gallery, New York Tina Kim Gallery, New York
eat & drink.
Chef Chris Consentino (below); Fries With Eyes, one of the restaurant’s specialties.
the brother you never had (if your brother was a celebrity chef); you feel like you’ve known him your whole life. He’s just fun, and so is his food. “The goal is to create a lovely, honest experience. People don’t want tweezers,” he tells us. “I want it to be fun.” And it is. Plate after plate was passed familystyle. Fries With Eyes, fried smelts with tartar sauce; Not Your Grandma’s Clam Dip, an addictive updated take on a classic; Smoked Black Cod Dip, served in a robin’s-egg blue Le Creuset pot with fried saltines on the side. And for entrees, in addition to classics like cioppino and fish and chips there’s even a burger, named after Cosentino’s Grandpa Thurston. “Because every fish house needs one,” he tells us. But this one has tartar and cocktail sauce on it.
32 january/february 2024 marin living.
The showstopper came when Cosentino, who made cooking with offal (the odd bits and cuts of meat) famous, scraped out the insides of some lobster heads into a bowl of melted butter. “You had to know I was going to do one gutty thing,” he said. We dutifully slathered the rich, chive-y, lemony mixture onto a crusty slice of baguette, enjoying each bite. We never thought we’d eat again but started all over again the next morning with French press coffee and freshly baked pastries delivered to our door. You know those getaways that feel like a whole vacation rolled into one 24-hour period? Yeah, that’s Nick’s. Even the sheets smelled like magic. We took a walk in the garden and then packed up our stuff, including our new Nick’s tote bag with its printed message, “Stay a Little Longer” — and we really, really wanted to.
Gamma Nine
The goal is to create a lovely, honest experience. People don’t want tweezers.”
Learn to dance at Marin Ballet Your first class is free! Our experienced teachers nurture your child in an atmosphere of encouragement and fun. • Age-appropriate dance training, using creative movement, songs, and games. • Older students are introduced to ballet, character, and contemporary styles. • At least two performance opportunities per year, including Nutcracker (ages 8+)
Photo: Andy Mogg
Register Now! Scan Here Using Phone
Class Schedule
Day
Time
Creative Movement 1 Age 3 Per Quarter: $133
Wed.
3:15 – 4:00pm
Sat.
9:00 – 9:45am
Creative Movement 2 Age 4 Per Quarter: $133
Sat.
9:00 – 10:00am
Sat.
11:15 – 12:15pm
Ballet Prep 1 Age 5 Per Quarter: $200
Wed.
4:00 – 5:00pm
Sat.
10:00 – 11:00am
Thurs.
4:00 – 5:00pm
Sat.
10:00 – 11:00am
Ballet Prep 2 Age 6 Per Quarter: $200
- Marin Ballet Graduate
Students, ages 7–18, are placed into Levels by audition. Call Us 415.453.6705 info@marinballet.org
“I am walking away with more fulfillment, resilience, adaptability, and grace than what any other afterschool activity/sport could have given me.”
100 Elm Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 marinballet.org
local getaways.
A WINTER WEEKEND IN SONOMA Winter in Wine Country is made for locals and a weekend escape is a luxury not to be passed up. Sure, it’s easier to book everything from wine tasting to hotel stays during the off-season, but also there is something very magical about the stillness of the area when fewer people are around. Here is your guide to the perfect weekend away. By Casey Gillespie
MacArthur Place’s renovated spaces are as cozy as they are luxe.
29 E. MacArthur Street www.macarthurplace.com Sonoma’s newest luxury experience is also one of its oldest. MacArthur Place started more than a century ago as a family estate, vineyard and working ranch, and while it retains much of that charm thanks to the verdant grounds and lovingly kept historic buildings, it has been transformed over the last four years with an extensive renovation. A renovation that puts it on par with some of the über-luxury resorts in Napa, sans the price tag. Upon arriving, you will be tempted to take a seat and enjoy your tranquil surroundings with the glass of bubbly offered at check-in, but you will also want to savor as much time as possible in your 34 january/february 2024 marin living.
room (trust us) — custom-made furnishings, luxurious linens, indoor and outdoor showers, and thoughtful touches like refillable water bottles, complimentary snacks and working fireplaces are just the beginning. The folks at Kes Studio, the firm behind the interior design, really outdid themselves, perhaps most noticeably in the fearlessly curated art dotted all over the property. Once you have settled in, take a dip in the heated pool or visit the fitness center, although these are only the tip of the iceberg — the jewel in the property’s crown is the well-appointed spa. It is an intimate space with a host of offerings including bespoke facials, sumptuous body treatments and massages as well as 100-minute wellness journeys that you should definitely work into your schedule. As for dinner, stop by the charming Bar at
Courtesy of MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa
MACARTHUR PLACE HOTEL & SPA
Luxury COA STA L L I V I NG
New Home for the New Year Ring in the new year with this featured residence at The Strand. Luxury, light-filled living alongside the marina is calling you home.
Homesite
33
House Residence D
Approx. 3,121 Sq. Ft. Two-Story Home 4 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms 2-Car Garage Formal Living and Dining Rooms Open-Concept Main Living Area Last Water-View Home
$2,675,000
SA LE S OF F ICE 80 BAYHARBOR W Y, SAN RAFAEL , CA 94901 GINA ORD, COMMUNIT Y SALES MANAGER CA DRE #00968538 | GOrd@TrumarkCo.com | (415) 806 -8921 This is not an offer to sell but is intended for information only. Trumark Homes reserves the right to make modifications to materials, specifications, plans, pricing, various fees, designs, scheduling and delivery of homes without prior notice. Square footage is approximate. Homes shown may not represent actual homesites. Plans and dimensions may contain minor variations from floor to floor. CA DRE license #01877720.
TheStrandMarin.com
local getaways.
WO RT H A V I SI T
373 First Street West • www.auteurwines.com
This vintner-founded winery started with a mission to create the best pinot noir in California and has since expanded to offer a few chardonnays as well. But red lovers will do well to stop into the charming tasting room and stay awhile.
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3
CAFE LA HAYE
140 East Napa Street • www.cafelahaye.com
The restaurant, which garnered a very positive mention in the 2023 Michelin Guide, is tucked away just off the square. Chef Jeffrey Lloyd is known for his thoughtful ingredient pairings, while the wine list has also been carefully curated. If you haven’t eaten here yet, what are you waiting for?
SONOMA VALLEY MUSEUM OF ART 551 Broadway • www.svma.org
Starting January 20, SVMA will offer a new exhibition, Tsherin Sherpa: Different Worlds. The globally renowned artist emigrated to San Francisco from Nepal in 1998 and his work reflects his experience of the Himalayan diaspora, seamlessly blending his traditional rearing with his new American experiences.
4
SOSIE WINES 25 East Napa Street, Ste. C • www.sosiewines.com
If you are a fan of French wines, you will love Sosie. The owners traveled all over French wine country learning about the prized grapes and winemaking processes, and the fruit of their labor now resides in every glass.
Enjoy your morning coffee or evening glass of wine around the fire pit.
MacArthur for a pre-dining drink, and then enjoy the Mediterranean-inspired fare in Layla’s airy setting (it is also open for breakfast, brunch on the weekends and lunch). The hotel has solved the I-just-need-a-coffee-or-quick-nosh dilemma, too: The Porch, open all day, offers coffee, teas, breakfast bites and small snacks, and these are best enjoyed fireside in the cozy communal outdoor area. A sumptuous winter break with wellness built into its ethos? Yes, please. The property is offering a Sonoma Sanctuary Escape with up to 25 percent off accommodations and a complimentary $100 nightly resort credit that can be used at The Spa at MacArthur, Layla, The Bar at MacArthur or The Porch through March 31. 36 january/february 2024 marin living.
Clockwise from top right: courtesy of Tsherin Sherpa and SVMA; MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa; Barry Schwartz Photography
1
AUTEUR WINES
The hotel is a short walk or drive from Sonoma Square and a day of wine tasting and nibbles is just what the doctor ordered. Here are a few great places to start.
Celebrate the
CLASS OF 2024 INDUCTEES
MARIN
WOMEN’S
FEBRUARY 8, 2024 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. Embassy Suites San Rafael 101 McInnis Pkwy, San Rafael, CA 94903 Buy your ticket today! bit.ly/MWHF24 On sale now through January 26, 2024 or until sold out
LINDA WITONG ABRAHM Retired Marin Deputy District Attorney, President Soroptimist International Novato, and NonGovernmental Organization United Nations Delegate
BERTA CAMPOS-ANICETTI Retired Director of Latine Services North Marin Community Services
KIM MAZZUCA President & CEO, 10,000 Degrees
BEVERLY K. WOOD Judge of the Superior Court, Marin County
KELLYE EBONI MCKINLEY CEO, Our Sisters Keeper
YOURYWCA.ORG
take note.
A PL ACE O F TH EIR OWN
The $15 million Chan National Queer Arts Center in S.F. is the new home of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and the first of its kind in the nation.
ALTHOUGH THE SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS (www.sfgmc.org), forged in the aftermath of the assassination of supervisor Harvey Milk and mayor George Moscone, has existed for 45 years, it has never truly had a home. Late last year, that all changed in a big way. “We’re the only gay men’s chorus in the world to own our own building. And that means a lot not just for the community and the space we’re able to provide for our own membership, but also for other organizations that have queer accessibility as part of their mission,” artistic director Jacob Stensberg says about the four-story, 23,000-square-foot, 1930s art deco building, located in the Mission District. Stensberg says the building now has a completely renovated first floor with full ADA accessibility (even on the stage), a new art gallery, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems and, on the third floor, space for 40 to 120 people to have rehearsals, dinners and special events that is also available to the community at large. 38 january/february 2024 marin living.
“When I look for events to go to, I’ve always looked for a building like ours that I know will have queer-friendly programming and it will be relevant, it will be entertaining, it will be something that I believe will make a difference,” says Stensberg, who moved to the Bay Area for the job almost two years ago. And with the new center come some big ideas, including initiatives launching next year like a tour to Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota, which are seeing “obscene amounts of antitrans legislation,” and a project called Memory Keepers, which will be a platform for queer elders to give their firstperson narrative of the activist history of San Francisco. “One of the threats to our community is the simple act of forgetting, forgetting the history, forgetting where we’ve come from and forgetting the giants whose shoulders we stand on,” Stensberg says about the importance of the project. There is also an effort to bring the school outreach that SFGMC singers have been doing on their own time
Stefan Cohen
By Daniel Jewett
Are You Suffering Unnecessarily From Treatable Chronic Pain?
Howard Kornfeld, M.D., is the founder of Recovery Without Walls and a board-certified pain specialist with long-standing experience in the use of the unique analgesic buprenorphine, a medication that has been consistently underutilized and misunderstood by many clinicians and patients. Dr. Kornfeld, an experienced emergency physician prior to becoming board certified in both pain and addiction medicine, has taught as a clinical faculty member in the pain fellowship program at UCSF over the last 20 years. He is also a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
and his published innovations have received wide
Dr. Kornfeld was an early adopter of buprenorphine for the management of severe pain in the United States
chronic pain, including the elderly, and become a
www.recoverywithoutwalls.com | 415.383.2949
recognition and support. Most often used to replace other types of, often ineffective, opioid medications that carry higher risks, in low dose forms, and with proper consultation, buprenorphine can be appropriately provided to a wide range of patients suffering from quality-of-life-restoring treatment strategy.
RECOVERYWITHOUTWALLS
take note.
One of the threats to our community is the simple act of forgetting, forgetting the history.”
The Pansy L. Chan and Terrence D. Chan National Queer Arts Center, located in S.F.’s Mission District.
40 january/february 2024 marin living.
including then-supervisor Matt Haney, who was able to secure $250,000. And when it came time name to the center, only one honoree made sense: it had to be chorus founding member Terrence Chan. “He is a magical man who was present at the very first rehearsal on October 30, 1978. He was present at the first performance, which was only five weeks later on November 27, on the steps of city hall for the candlelight vigil [for Milk and Moscone],” Stensberg says. And “when the conversation of what would having a home look like, he and his partner, Edward Sell, were ready to make a commitment that they knew could help launch the chorus into its next 45 years.”
Courtesy of SFGMC
in-house, now that they can present more robust programs at the center. “We have a curriculum that we share with children that uses storytelling and song to help give kids the strength to live authentically and be themselves in spaces that are safe to do so,” says Stensberg. The three-year campaign to acquire and renovate the building, formerly the Bahá’í Center, got its start when the previous owners decided to sell — but they wanted the building to remain a community center and offered it to the chorus first. Jumping at the chance, the SFGMC started requesting donations from the community and also received help from numerous city and state leaders
m e d - c r y o - s pa t r e at m e n t s
d r c at a n d r a n d y g i b s o n , o w n e r s
9 CO R N E R S
luxe healthstyle
2024
reimagine your best life
grace
c
laughter
c
healing
c
community
Live your healthiest life this year, full of vitality, free from pain and excess weight. Experience the ultimate in healthstyle at 9 Corner’s luxurious Galleria. Choose from dozens of programs that will have you looking gorgeous, feeling rejuvenated, and ready to conquer the world. Nourish your spirit with private wine tastings, inspiring Mystique Dining & Magic shows. Indulge in some retail therapy at The Fashion House and rub shoulders with celebrity performers and fashion designers. For 25 years, we’ve been dedicated to your healthstyle journey. visit the world’s only healthstyle galleria
9corners.com 415.209.9600 208 vintage way. k29. novato
fa s hi o n h o u s e & w in e ta s t in g s a l o n
m y s t i q u e d inin g & m a g i c s h o w s
game changers.
HEALTH FIRST A new app is taking the mystery out of one of medicine’s most inscrutable medical conditions.
THE END OF A DELICIOUS MEAL is, for many, dedicated to perusing the dessert menu, having one more nightcap or happily taking a passeggiata home. But that culinary pleasure comes at a cost for an estimated 5 to 10 percent of the world’s population: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is painful, uncomfortable and utterly distracting in everyday life. The worst part is there is no clearly prescribed path to ease the inexhaustible pain. “When I got my diagnosis, that’s where my journey in the health care system ended,” says Nanda Zaanen, founder of Nutrive (www.nutrive.health), a brand-new app here to bring some sanity to you and your gut. Zaanen struggled with IBS for years before a diagnosis, but even then her doctors couldn’t offer her a solution to the problem, which didn’t make sense to Zaanen. Having worked as an engineer
42 january/february 2024 marin living.
and product manager, building big data and AI products in the semiconductor industry, she “always loved solving problems through product.” It was time to come up with a solution that could help her — and millions of others suffering with IBS — live a more normal life. Nutrive is built around the number one thing that Zaanen, and dietitians nationwide, found to help with IBS symptoms: evidence-based nutrition choices that won’t cause further irritation and are simple and accessible. And that’s what the app does: makes diet suggestions based on these recommendations. The low FODMAP diet is a reduction of fermentable carbohydrates to reduce distress in the GI tract and is often the prescribed treatment given by dietitians to patients with IBS. But the diet can be incredibly restrictive. Curating a personalized daily diet to such restrictions takes an enormous amount of time, mental resources and frankly, self-restraint (say goodbye to the dessert menu).
“I knew I could make evidencebased nutrition for IBS much simpler through a great product and personalization,” says Zaanen. Nutrive offers FODMAP instruction so that all users can learn how to personalize their diet and manage their digestive symptoms. Then, users can search through hundreds of recipes that adhere to that diet in the app. Already, Zaanen talks about the success story of one user who is low FODMAP and vegan. “Basically every Sunday she had to sit down for hours and hours doing meal planning and research on how she could get by during the week,” Zaanen recounts. “And we took away all of those steps for her.” Nutrive is focusing on IBS relief for now, but Zaanen sees a bigger-picture possibility. “We are just starting out in the food and medicine space. There are many more chronic conditions where if you change your nutrition, you can really transform how you feel.” Research is starting to show that diet can positively impact autoimmune disease, kidney disease and even cancer. It turns out, you actually are what you eat.
Courtesy of Nutrive (above); www.stock.adobe.com/vxnaghiyev (below)
By Annie Gieser
Having a home means aging with hope and dignity
“
I had no choice. With my health issues, I couldn’t go back to the street. This place - it’s been a godsend.
”
— TED, WHO HAS A STUDIO APARTMENT AT ONE OF OUR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS
Photo by Paige Green
As Marin grows older, so do people seeking help at Homeward Bound of Marin. Last year, 26% of people served in our programs were 62 or older. That number has risen from 17% just four years ago as housing and food costs eat more of a fixed income. Our programs provide wraparound services for vulnerable seniors as they achieve stability and resilience. You can help seniors thrive at hbofm.org/donate.
Together we can fulfill the vision that “everybody needs a place to call home.”
hbofm.org/donate
NEW YE WELL INTO THE
44 january/february 2024 marin living.
W EAR BY CAITLIN HAMER
An expertly curated selection of wellnesscentered experiences to discover in Marin and beyond as you embark upon a healthier and happier new year.
marin living. january/february 2024 45
WELL INTO THE NEW YEAR
CITRINE Named after a powerful crystal, this shop is all about joy and abundance. While Citrine sells clothing and accessories to help women look and feel their best, it also carries crystals and sacred objects and offers a variety of classes and wellness services. 489 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, www.citrineca.com
DIALOGICAL PERSONA HEALING ARTS Transform your life for a deeper sense of purpose through Kelsay Myers’ personal empowerment programs. Start your journey of self-discovery by focusing on inner healing and using creative practices like mindfulness, drawing and intuitive movement to help you change and grow. www.dialogicalpersona.com
DR. WILKINSON’S BACKYARD RESORT Pamper yourself with an indulgent Wine Country escape courtesy of Dr. Wilkinson’s spring-fed geothermal mineral pools and volcanic ash mud baths. It’s a healing experience unique to the area, with the hot spring water containing minerals that help you relax and detox. 1507 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, www.drwilkinson.com
ELAN HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER This family-owned and -operated fitness center has been helping women achieve their health and fitness goals since 1984. Elan offers personal training, a variety of online and in-person group fitness classes and weighted and cardio equipment for more individualized experiences. 230 Greenfield Avenue, San Anselmo, www.elanfitness.com
EPI CENTER MEDSPA As the nation’s first medical spa of its kind (and also the first eco med spa), this place is unsurprisingly dedicated to being at the forefront of technological advances and environmental responsibility. The customized cosmetic treatment programs here include medical-grade products and organic ingredients. 450 Sutter Street, Ste. 800, San Francisco, www.epicentermedspa.com
ESSENTIAL CLEARING For anyone who struggles to function when the vibrations in their home and office don’t feel right, Essential Clearing uses energetic harmonizing 46 january/february 2024 marin living.
technology to release unhelpful energies and usher in new potential for both you and your spaces. www.essentialclearing.com
FITLAB STRONG This woman-owned business fuses functional training and group fitness for a truly boutique experience. FITLAB Strong has the most highly recognized and effective fitness modalities in the nation, like TRX suspension equipment and Les Mills formats, and a schedule packed with classes. 711 Center Boulevard, Fairfax, www.fitlabstrong.com
JULIA HARRELL, SPIRITUAL TEACHER Tap into your spiritual side with guide and clairvoyant teacher Julia Harrell. She offers numerous services to help you get on the path to who you truly are, from energy checks to readings and self-guided digital courses to grow your spiritual abilities. www.juliaharrell.com
LIVE HEAL TRAVEL If you want a vacation that focuses on tranquility, authentic connections and minimizing your impact on the planet, then Live Heal Travel was created for you. Founder Rosalyn Acosta can help you create custom trips to eco-wellness destinations like Peru, Uganda and New Zealand. www.livehealtravel.com
MARIN NUTRITION AND HEALTH Good nutrition is about more than just weight loss — it can boost your immune system, increase your focus and enhance productivity. Create a customized plan and enjoy access to personalized coaching and meal plan assistance to help you achieve your goals. www.marinnutritionandhealth.com
METTA YOGA Immerse yourself in the metta (loving kindness) lifestyle at one of Metta Yoga’s Marin locations. In addition to a variety of classic vinyasa flow classes, you can also find aerial yoga play and classes for expectant and new moms here. Locations in San Rafael, Corte Madera and Sausalito, www.mettayogastudio.com
MOONSTONE SKIN & BODY CARE Here you’ll find soothing facial treatments that also include aromatherapy and gentle massage, allowing you to relax and recharge while addressing your skin care needs. If you’re looking for more advanced treatments, the spot also has peels, microdermabrasion and noninvasive facelift and Botox alternatives. 1129 First Street, Novato, www.moonstoneskincare.com
OSMOSIS DAY SPA SANCTUARY Lush, tranquil grounds and a spa menu full of rejuvenating treatments — this spot is a sanctuary, indeed. The Cedar Enzyme Bath is not to be missed, not only for its myriad health benefits, but because you won’t find it anywhere else on this continent. 209 Bohemian Highway, Freestone, www.osmosis.com
RECOVERY WITHOUT WALLS Recovery Without Walls founder and medical director Dr. Howard Kornfeld is a nationally recognized leader in the innovative utilization of buprenorphine for both addiction and chronic pain. The confidential, individualized and compassionate care at this outpatient clinic is unmatched. 3 Madrona Street, Mill Valley, www.recoverywithoutwalls.com
UNALOME, REIKI & WELLNESS Whether you want to benefit from reiki healing or learn how to become a practitioner of this Japanese healing modality yourself, Unalome, Reiki & Wellness, formerly Reiki of Marin, is the place to go. The gentle, non-manipulative touch helps balance your nervous system to relieve physical and emotional tension. Locations in Sausalito and Ross Common, www.unalomemarin.com
SHERI LANGER, LMFT, PSYD Contemporary artist and psychotherapist Sheri Langer has developed a deep understanding of the necessity of using unique approaches to help her clients. By using art in therapy, clients can access hidden information about themselves through nonjudgmental exploration, in a nonthreatening way. arthealer@me.com, 415.680.6573
SOME LIKE IT HOT YOGA People rave about hot yoga for a reason — the heated and humidified practice room warms your
muscles for a deeper workout and promotes sweating to help you flush toxins from your body. Get ready to feel stronger and more energized. 408 Ignacio Boulevard, Novato, www.somelikeithotyoga.com
SPIRIT ROCK MEDITATION CENTER Set in the serene seclusion of West Marin, this center boasts a supportive environment for turning inward. Meditation practitioners of all levels are welcome for the session duration of time of their choice; drop-in programs, day retreats and longer visits are available. 5000 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Woodacre, www.spiritrock.org
THE STUDIO PILATES MARIN This is where to go if you want an authentic Classical Pilates experience, a method that dates back to the early 1900s. The Studio is equipped with Gratz Classical Pilates equipment and offers intimate group classes and private sessions. 1800 Fourth Street, San Rafael, www.thestudiomarin.com
THRIVE GIRL INC. Michell Kawaja’s specialty is helping people learn to let go and find joy through movement, and by movement, we mean silent discos. Keep an eye out for her events or hire her for a private party. Your body, mind and spirit will thank you. www.thrivegirl.com
VITALITY FOR LIFE – POWERED BY VASPER A two-hour workout in 21 minutes? Say no more. It’s all thanks to Vasper, a low-impact training system used by NASA astronauts and Olympic athletes. Vasper can also be safely used by people with Parkinson’s or those recovering from injuries, surgeries and concussions. 21 Tamal Vista Drive, Ste. 196, Corte Madera, www.vitalityforlife.org
WELLSPRING ACUPUNCTURE Most frequently sought out for pain relief, acupuncture can also relieve stress, improve immunity and address conditions such as mold exposure and insomnia. Wellspring Acupuncture also offers other services like massage, classical homeopathy consultations and Acutonics sound healing sessions. 21 Tamal Vista Boulevard, Ste. 219, Corte Madera, www.wellspringmarin.com
Steven J. Magner
The Lodge at Marconi is perched above Tomales Bay.
48 january/february 2024 marin living.
ON
THE
WEST
MARIN
The Lodge at Marconi, a historic property in West Marin that has run largely off the radar, has been given a new life without losing any of its rustic charm. BY LAURA SCHOOLING
W A V E L E N G T H Marshall has long been a place for respite; though within the county, it feels miles and decades removed. Those who have cruised Shoreline Highway, maybe to enjoy a bayside lunch at Hog Island Oyster Co. or The Marshall Store, probably never knew the Lodge at Marconi (www.lodgeatmarconi.com) was perched above Tomales Bay, just a short trek down the road.
Though the new team behind the dog-friendly, 45-room property would like more people to know about the destination, they have no intention of disrupting its distinctly West Marin vibe. Rodney Fong, one of the owners and a former Redwood High School student (as well as the president and CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce), reiterated that this was a “historic repair
“
The design refresh — let’s call it camp-chic — is minimalist, modern and functional.” “Antennae Site,” where a 270-foot Marconi tower used to be and which has unobstructed bay views. In the ’60s and ’70s, the property fell into the nefarious hands of Synanon — a rehab facility turned cult. One common trait of its members was a shaved head, which led both George Lucas and Robert Altman to cast them as extras in their films THX 1138 and California Split, respectively. The group became increasingly violent and problematic, its members and leader eventually arrested. The property was relinquished in the early ’80s. Now, the only shadiness existing here is under the towering trees that dot the property’s three-and-a-half
Steven J. Magner
and replace” mission; they did not add any new structures. That means the original building coexists with the bulk of the guest housing, added in the 1970s. The design refresh — let’s call it camp-chic — is minimalist, modern and functional, with a focus on natural woods and a neutral palette of brown, gold and green. For the last many years, the 62-acre property was run by California Parks and Recreation as a rustic venue, largely used for corporate off-sites and other events where the bucolic setting was the star. Old online reviews praise the location, the creature comforts less so. But the location’s pre-trust-fall years are even more storied. Guglielmo Marconi, after whom the site is named, is often credited as the “inventor of the radio.” Italian-born Marconi established himself with radio-wave advancements that could send wireless signals thousands of miles (as opposed to two miles, the previous known limit). It was the Marconi Company that operated the radio on the Titanic, and it is solely due to SOS calls made on the equipment that the RMS Carpathia, nearly four hours away, was able to reverse course and return to rescue more than 700 people floating in lifeboats. In 1913, when his business was expanding in the U.S., Marconi built a small hotel on the site of what is now the Lodge at Marconi to house staff from his nearby transpacific radio station. Fong says his favorite spot on the property is what the website calls
miles of hiking trails, often used by locals and their dogs. Support of local residents was core to the project. Fong speaks of West Marin’s beauty and tranquility and says the neighbors “have every reason to be protective of it because it is so special.” Rather than fight the locals, the property’s team has celebrated them. From the food and beverages sold on site to the activities offered, it’s all about local businesses. One unique offering comes from Richard Vacha, who runs Point Reyes Tracking School and shows people “the intimate view of nature” they can experience by adapting a “respect and curiosity” approach. John Finger, the founder and CEO of Hog Island Oyster Co., says, “We’re excited to see
There are three-anda-half miles of hiking trails on the property.
some TLC being lavished on this beautiful site and look forward to working with the Lodge at Marconi team.” The site will continue to subtly evolve. A spa is set to open in the coming months and there are plans to further draw attention to Marconi’s work. The hotel team is working with a Radio Marconi historian to develop a walking tour around the property including old photographs and artifacts to tell the story of Marconi in California. But as fabulous and fresh as the property is, it is staying true to its past. “It has a long history of nonprofit retreats,” says Fong, and while they hope to welcome others from around the Bay Area and beyond, management has no desire to fundamentally change. Music to West Marin’s ears. marin living. january/february 2024 51
N AT U R A L W O N D E R S P h o t o g r a p h s a n d Wo r d s by J e f f L e w i s
M A R I N
We live in a fast-paced, high-tech world and I believe it’s important to break away from our phones, desks and screens to explore somewhere new, take some deep breaths and be mindful in the moment. It’s during those times that I find wellness. I’ve found it in the fairy-tale villages of Switzerland. I’ve found it climbing sky high in the remote mountains of California, Canada and beyond. I’ve found it watching the sunset from idyllic beaches in Hawaii. And I’ve found it on my morning walks in the rolling hills right here in Marin. Wherever you are, I hope you feel inspired to get outside. Marin is a magical place and we are so lucky to have it.
Hawk Hill, Marin Headlands (opposite). This page, clockwise from top left: taken from Mount Livermore, Angel Island State Park; Sausalito; Marin French Cheese Company grounds; Waldo Grade (Sausalito)
marin living. january/february 2024 53
CA N A DA
The Canadian mountains have become a happy place for me. I fell in love with them more than a decade ago and have returned many times. I love climbing airy mountains and feeling the brisk, fresh air on my face, watching the clouds roll in over an ocean of golden larch trees and impossibly blue lakes, and heli-backpacking while the aurora borealis lights up the night sky over some of the most dramatic and remote spires in the world. In each of these places, I find serenity.
Dawson City, Yukon (top); Yoho National Park, BC (bottom); Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, BC (opposite)
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H AWA I I
I feel blessed to have spent more than a year of my life in the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii is an idyllic paradise with turquoise waves lapping on golden sand, majestic palm trees and towering ridges carpeted in every shade of green. Many of my fondest memories are of Hawaii, where I find repose.
Punaluu, Oahu (opposite). This page, clockwise from top left: Hauula, Oahu; Na Pali Coast, Kauai; Lahaina, Maui; North Shore, Kauai
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SW I TZ E R L A N D
Growing up, I remember seeing photos of places that looked too perfect to be real. Many years later, I experienced these very places with my own senses — and I loved it so much that I had to return the following year. Switzerland’s mountains are breathtaking, no doubt, but what makes being there so memorable are the fairy-tale-like villages with their little shops, the warm people who encourage me as I learn their language, and the cows and sheep frolicking with their ring-a-linging bells. Through each of these, I find peace.
Mürren (top); Grindelwald: this photo was awarded first place in the Marin County Fair (below); Matterhorn, Zermatt (opposite)
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YO S E M I T E + TA H O E
I have a long, loving relationship with our Sierra Nevada Mountains. Back in my college days, I discovered the best way to keep my mental health in check was to escape to the Sierra on weekends. In 2011, I backpacked the 221-mile John Muir Trail, then went on to serve for three seasons as a backcountry ranger in Sequoia National Park. It’s no surprise that I was in top physical shape because I was hiking 15 to 25 miles a day. And, just as important, whenever my mental load began to boil over, the mountains were there for me. Exploring in the Sierra, I find tranquility.
Half Dome, Yosemite Valley (opposite); this page, clockwise from top left: Yosemite National Park high country; Yosemite Valley; Lake Tahoe; Ansel Adams Wilderness, Mammoth
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Mount Tamalpais from Corte Madera Ridge
Whether I’m watching the northern lights dance over remote spires in the Yukon, dining next to cows in fairy-tale Swiss villages, or sneaking out in Novato for a morning hike before meetings, being in nature has the same healing effect on me. It’s where I seek wellness.
Novato-based Jeff Lewis is Marin County’s premier landscape artist. He was voted Best Artist in Marin in 2023, has been published globally by Fortune 500 companies, and partners locally with Marin Agricultural Land Trust. You can support his art by purchasing handcrafted prints and coffee-table books at numerous local art festivals and craft fairs and online at www.landESCAPEvisuals.com.
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Wilson Beniot ‘Learning and Growing Together’ Lifehouse has several different support programs to best meet the range of needs of the 370 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) that they serve in our community. There are two Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) group homes that are staffed to provide personal care and medical support to individuals with multiple disabilities. The people in this program are often non-verbal and have acute medical issues. The Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the essential support system for people in these homes and make certain that the delicate ecosystem for their lives continue successfully.
Wilson Beniot & Jaryd Kalb
Meet Wilson Beniot. He has been with Lifehouse for 30 years and is one of the dedicated DSPs who provides the critical and complex care to the people in the ICF program. He is kind and gentle with the residents he works with, always pitching into the team depending on his busy schedule. Supporting people with I/DD is his passion and anyone that he works with will tell you that he truly cares, being recognized as “Outstanding Staff” several times throughout his career at Lifehouse. Wilson is diligent and devoted to supporting people in the ICF program because he knows how much they depend on him. The high quality of care needed to support these individuals consists of continuous intensive training and communication with other staff. Lifehouse is committed to ensuring its employees have the tools and resources needed to be successful. The ICF program has monthly trainings that range from personal care, to universal precautions, client advocacy and medical support. Wilson attests that, “Lifehouse is the best in the industry for training their staff. The monthly trainings keep us all at our best to provide care for these folks. It’s also an opportunity for all of the staff to check in with one-another and build a support system within our team. I’m so grateful that Lifehouse provides the time and space to keep us at our finest.” Lifehouse and Direct Support Professionals like Wilson open the door to make health, happiness and dignity possible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community. For 69 years Lifehouse has been dedicated to ensuring that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are accepted, have a place in our community and are able to lead full lives. www.lifehouseagency.org 415.526.5300 @lifehouseagency
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Trendsetters You know who they are – the individuals, business owners and teams who are always pushing the envelope and making clients’ lives better. Nothing changes without trendsetters. And as we kick off the new year and embrace 2024, we honor the individuals and business who color outside the lines and lead the way in making the new year a truly special one.
CASSIE ZAMPA-KEIM // INNOVATIVE MATCH
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
New year, new love: Find more success with dating in 2024.
PROMOTION
How are you disrupting your industry? 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. I am continually creating strategies for my clients to meet new people and innovative ideas about how to keep the relationship they started interesting. The successes are evident; I have numerous clients in flourishing relationships and a few weddings on the calendar for 2024.
complete an in-depth profile assessment. They tell me their story, which I then curate into a one-of-a-kind profile that reads like a story instead of a cliché personals ad. My profiles are as unique as the clients I write them for, and the results speak for themselves.
What separates you from the pack? I’m not a nine-to-five dating expert because, guess what? Dating isn’t a nineto-five endeavor. I understand my clients may need me for last-minute advice, whether about what they’re wearing, how to say goodnight after a first date or what to text after a date. What’s the most interesting new innovation you have come up with? My dating profiles are not the typical ones you’d find online. I speak to my clients personally, in addition to having them
INNOVATIVE MATCH West Coast | 415.259.8714 www.innovative-match.com
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
What sets you apart in your industry? Being the primary point of contact from start to finish and the collaborative way that I interact with and guide my clients sets me apart. We become partners in the process of selling or buying and we are on a very tight-knit journey together. My clients respond well to the informed, hands-on nature of how I work, and the service does not stop once a transaction has closed. I become a trusted advisor and resource into the future. What makes you a trendsetter? I bring a higher level of service to everything I do in real estate. My clients enjoy real time guidance and attentiveness and interface directly with me throughout the home selling and home buying process. I am knowledgeable, available, I listen to their needs, and I implement effective solutions to
SCOTT WOODS // COMPASS Your trusted guide to buying and selling real estate in Marin.
anything that may come up during our time working together.
PROMOTION
What separates your business from the pack? I bring a multimillion-dollar luxury property marketing sensibility to all levels of properties that I represent. I invest in top tier photography, videography, digital renderings and web presentation to properly tell the story of the unique attributes of my listings. I implement the same level of presentation quality from $10 million luxury estates to $500k vacant lots. Presentation is everything!
SCOTT WOODS COMPASS 1550 Tiburon Boulevard, Ste. U, Tiburon, Ca 94920 415.419.4510 scottwoods@compass.com www.scottcwoods.com DRE #01863705
What do you want people to know about you? I have enjoyed working with high-end developer clients over the years, setting sales records for cutting-edge custom homes and gaining invaluable knowledge in the process. I currently represent one of Marin’s long-time builder/ investors and have some interesting projects in the mill.
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
LEI ANN WERNER // THE WERNER GROUP Helping clients succeed with captivating marketing and a team approach.
PROMOTION
What makes you a trendsetter? Blending my client-focused approach with a deep understanding of the Marin real estate market and tapping into a wide network of professional connections, I strive to pave the way for a new standard of service and excellence in the industry. Employing leading edge marketing strategies to showcase properties that captivate the modern audience is a key aspect of my approach.
What sets you apart? Our team approach centers on the understanding that every client’s needs are unique. We create a marketing approach that precisely aligns with our clients’ individual real estate goals. At times, we facilitate property sales, while on other occasions, we provide valuable guidance. Our clients appreciate our genuine commitment to their best interests.
LEI ANN WERNER THE WERNER GROUP Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty 415.710.0117 l.werner@ggsir.com DRE #00994572
What do you want people to know about your business? Our business is relationshipbased. The transaction itself represents just a fraction of our broader commitment to our clients. We advise our clients throughout their homeownership journey to maximize their return on investment when it comes time to sell. Our ultimate objective is to empower our clients to achieve their financial real estate goals.
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
What is it about your business that makes it a local trendsetter? Our adaptability and ongoing ability to remain ahead of design trends, as well as our positioning as innovative leaders in this fast-paced and ever-changing industry is something we are very invested in. We strive to break stereotypes, reimagine spaces and bring fresh perspectives to the forefront. Adding in the unexpected and whimsy that feels elevated, storied and authentic. What sets you apart in your industry? Our love of curating vintage/found pieces and blending them with modern aesthetics to create impactful and distinctive designs resonating with each client’s individual personality sets us apart from others in this industry. We aim to implement a sense of nostalgia combined with contemporary style to create an emotional connection that turns a house into a home.
LORI SPERLING & ASHLEY RUIZ // THE STILL COLLECTIVE Distinctive design that turns a house into a home.
What separates your business from the pack? We forge meaningful collaborations with other women-owned businesses in complementary industries. We not only support and encourage diversity in the business landscape but also bring a fresh perspective and unique offerings to our designs, embracing our Latin culture and weaving it into all that we do.
PROMOTION
What do you want people to know about your business? The Still Collective is a multilevel business from interior design, home staging, project management to our new retail store, STILL in San Anselmo. We pride ourselves on being kind, collaborative, approachable and just a really down-to-earth team of women.
THE STILL COLLECTIVE 562 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94960 Design: design@thestillcollective.com Staging: hello@thestillcollective.com Website: www.thestillcollective.com 415.519.0271 @/the_still_collective
// THE SPA AT MACARTHUR
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
The perfect treatment, no matter what your lifestyle.
What is it about your business that makes it a local trendsetter? We offer highly curated and custom treatments for our guests, knowing that a variety of lifestyle and personal factors can affect their preferences. The Spa at MacArthur has continually worked closely with organic and natural partners such as Eminence Organic Skincare and TARA Spa Therapy and recently introduced Laurel, a local flower and herb-based skin care product line. What sets you apart in your industry? Our skilled therapists create personalized services using advanced products paired with traditional techniques and technology boosts such as LED light or microcurrent therapy enhancements. Have you started any trends in your industry? We’re leaders in the “Farm to Massage Table” movement in which many of our plants and flowers from our six-acre property and surrounding farms appear as ingredients in our spa amenities. For instance, The Sanctuary of Flowers ritual uses an exfoliating botanical body polish with local wildflower essences that was created exclusively for The Spa at MacArthur by Floral Alchemist LotusWei.
PROMOTION
What’s the most interesting service that offer? The Reboot Ritual is one of four 100-minute Journey treatments that is offered on our menu. The treatment begins with a body wrap in our infrared sauna blanket providing deeply penetrating heat along with layers of charcoal, clay, amethyst, obsidian crystals and medical grade magnets that work together to promote a full body detox.
THE SPA AT MACARTHUR 707.938.2929 29 E. MacArthur Street, Sonoma, CA 95476 info@macarthurplace.com www.macarthurplace.com/spa / @macarthurplace
DR. FAYE JAMALI // BELLE MARIN
PROMOTION
What is it about your business that makes it a local trendsetter? At Belle Marin, we always stay ahead of the curve with the services and treatments that we offer to our patients. Whether it’s bringing in the newest technology or using our current technology in new and interesting ways, the goal is always the same — to achieve natural and lasting results that our patients can feel great about. What sets you apart in your industry? At Belle Marin, we cherish and prioritize every individual who walks through our doors. Our commitment extends to embracing diverse journeys in personal aesthetics, regardless of whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or stepping into the world of treatments for the first time. We approach each patient with open arms and without judgment, meeting them exactly where they are.
What’s the most interesting new product or service you have? TruBody stands out as a noninvasive marvel. This dynamic duo combines the power of TruSculpt for targeted fat reduction with TruFlex, a groundbreaking technology designed for muscle toning and building. For facial rejuvenation, SkinVive is a series of micro-droplet injections of Hyaluronic Acid, harnessing the power of HA to provide a transformative experience and create glowing, healthy-looking skin.
BELLE MARIN AESTHETIC MEDICINE 250 E Blithedale Avenue, Ste. B Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.887.8718 | hello@bellemarin.com
Photo by Reny Jane Photography
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Discover a new you with personal aesthetics based on the latest technology.
CHRIS DORMAN AIA // DORMAN ASSOCIATES, INC.
PROMOTION
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Design that capitalizes on the outstanding Marin views and weather.
What is it about business that makes it a local trendsetter? Our architecture firm is constantly evolving. We started as a small residential practice and have expanded into a larger firm specializing in both residential and commercial architecture with a focus on hospitality. We love incorporating experiences into our spaces, framing views with windows and large sliding doors that open your living room to the beautiful Marin weather. At Flora Farms, our farm-to-table restaurant in Mexico, there are hardly any walls at all, the dining is oriented to the field where a band plays every night. This concept has been recently labeled Experiential Architecture and we feel this has always been a part of our design ethos. This can also be seen through some of our local projects such as the Watershed at the Mill Valley Lumberyard and the rebranding of the Piatti restaurants. What separates your business from the pack? In our office we emphasize collaboration, creativity and communication at the beginning of every project. We are committed to working closely with clients to create architecture that aligns with their vision and reflects a client-centric approach, fostering a genuine partnership in the design process. We were early
adopters of three-dimensional visioning and offer fully developed models for virtual walk-throughs for every project. It’s fun to see our clients show their friends the model of their project. Ged, the owner of Watershed, loved to walk people through the Watershed before we ever started construction.
DORMAN ASSOCIATES, INC. 229 Flamingo Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.380.7914 cd@dormanassociates.com www.dormanassociates.com
OLIN COHAN, CO-FOUNDER // MASAYA HOMES Growing forests one backyard at a time.
not compromising on material, quality and durability. We make these to last forever.
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
What sets you apart? We love great design and building products that enhance people’s everyday lives. For work, family, quality of life, financial stability even. But what I truly love is the tangible result of what we do. I often visit our forests to see the positive impact we have on our planet. It’s hard to explain with words, but it feels like we are accomplishing something real.
PROMOTION
How are you disrupting the ADU industry? I don’t know if we disrupt. We like to revisit and rethink every aspect of our industry. We all have that ‘’question everything” character here. The most obvious disruption is that our ADUs are made from reforested teak, which is huge in an industry where most ADUs aren’t made with particularly sustainable or high-quality materials. We grow teak on deforested pastures in Central America. The teak farms support sanctuaries that allow flora and fauna to thrive, while capturing literally tons of carbon. What’s the most interesting new product you’ve come up with? We developed a panelized system that allows us to solve problems that everyone has with construction. We now flat pack entire ADUs, deliver them without the need for heavy machinery and install faster than conventional construction. Sounds easier than it is, considering we are
MASAYA HOMES 1911 Fourth Street, Ste. 104, Berkeley, CA 94710 415.691.9544 info@masayahomes.com www.masayahomes.com
JENNIFER BOWMAN AND ELLIOT FINK // BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP A trusted real estate team with a Bay Area legacy.
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
What is it about your business that makes you a local trendsetter? Our clients get much more than a real estate agent. We have built a team of highly specialized individuals who have vast experience with real estate transactions and services. Our combined backgrounds include: marketing, design, construction, project management, law, hospitality, development, psychology and competitive sports What sets you apart in your industry? Creating a community among our clients and a bank of combined resources. We host salons on many different lifestyle topics for our clients.
What do you want people to know about your business? Our doors are always open, whether it’s a simple question or access to our comprehensive list of trusted vendors for home improvement or repair.
BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP Vanguard Properties 1118 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur 415.755.1040 team@bowmanrealestategroup.com www.bowmanrealestategroup.com /@bowmangroupmarin thebowmangroup | DRE #01933147
PROMOTION
How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? Jennifer hosts a national television show focusing on Bay Area lifestyle, The American Dream Selling Bay Area. She features local charities, small businesses and activities.
What separates your business from the pack? At Bowman Real Estate Group, our strengths are negotiation and access to a highly experienced, tight-knit community of lenders, tradespeople, legal experts and financial experts.
// MOONSTONE SKIN & BODY CARE Using the latest science to help you meet your skin care goals.
What is it about your business that makes it a local trendsetter? We are always educating ourselves on the latest and best professional skin care treatments available for our clients. This past year, our team received training on new treatments, including dermaplaning and Jet Plasma, as well as the latest in bio-hacking, such as using microcurrent treatments and supplements. In 2024, we will extend our expertise into K-beauty, peri/menopause skin care and infrared light therapy.
FALLA ASSOCIATES // GOLDEN GATE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
MOONSTONE SKIN & BODY CARE 415.898.0426 1129 First Street, Novato, CA 94945 www.moonstoneskincare.com @moonstoneskincare
How are you disrupting your industry? The skin care industry can be overwhelming, and it it’s often difficult to distinguish what is worth your investment and time. We make it our job to do that for our clients. We question and test treatments and products and filter the best of the best for our clients. We focus on science, product ingredients and our clients’ needs, to help customize treatments and meet their skin care goals.
The insight and experience to give clients the best guidance.
What is it about your team that makes them trendsetters? Our combined nearly 70 years in real estate gives us just that, the insight and experience. This enables us to provide our clients with unrivaled service and guidance, ultimately maximizing the value of their home, or helping them find the right home. What is unique about your client approach? Because we work across all price points, we have a range of clientele needs and subsequent strategies to both debut a home to market and to maximize the potential buyer pool. What makes this unique is that our clients get the same service and luxury experience at any price point, which is rare. What services do you specialize in that addresses our current times? It’s not a new service, but home preparation on a budget is one that we do very well and is an essential service in the market right now given increased rates and a constricted market.
PROMOTION
FALLA ASSOCIATES GOLDEN GATE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY 902 Irwin Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 415.602.5768 j.firkins@ggsir.com fallaassociates@ggsir.com
DOUG COOMER // NORTH BAY CANDLEWORKS Candles that as unique as the Bay Area itself.
What makes you a trendsetter? Our team is innovative and always looking for new and better ways to improve our products. We immerse ourselves and get constant feedback through artisan craft fairs and farmers markets which can lead to new products, like our laser engraving service.
NORTH BAY CANDLEWORKS 615.540.9331 757 Lincoln Avenue, Ste. 19, San Rafael, CA 94901 www.northbaycandleworks.com /@northbay_candleworks
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
What new product or gift sets you apart? We are now incorporating custom engraving into some of our candle vessels, some which allow the light to pass through as a lighted image on the vessel. What makes your product unique? Our candles will fit into any decor and will fill your home with beautiful fragrances and our candles make a perfect gift — especially for those with a Bay Area connection.
JENNIFER BRINN // UNALOME, REIKI & WELLNESS A new name and location mean even more for Marinites.
What sets you apart in your industry? With five reiki practitioners in our group, we’re one of the only wellness centers in Marin County that specializes in reiki along with other integrative healing modalities.
PROMOTION
What do you want people to know about your business? Formerly Reiki of Marin, we’re now Unalome, Reiki & Wellness. Unalome is a buddhist symbol representing the path to awakening. That’s what all of our modalities offer, a way to connect to a wiser version of you. UNALOME, REIKI & WELLNESS unalomemarin@gmail.com www.unalomemarin.com 415.430.5813 Ross Commons and Sausalito @unalomemarin
What are you doing to stay connected with the local community? We’re happy to announce we’ve now got two locations, one in Sausalito and one in Ross Commons that both offer healing sessions, wellness workshops and reiki classes to conveniently serve Marin County.
ROXANNE ALBIN // APPLIED FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. Customized solutions to help you achieve your financial goals.
Do you have a notable history in the Bay Area? My history in Marin has spanned 49 years. My family moved to San Rafael Thanksgiving of 1974. I lived in Marin until 2022, when I moved to Petaluma to acquire farm property.
Tell Your Story MARCH ISSUE: Inside & Out Home March is not only when we welcome spring, it is also when we start thinking about sprucing up our homes inside and out. Whether you are thinking about selling or renovating your property or looking for a new residence that speaks to your design aesthetic, we will be showcasing individuals and businesses that offer outstanding expertise in these areas. This is your opportunity to spotlight your products and services with an advertorial profile that highlights what makes you and your business the best choice for potential clients. We will enhance your exposure with a linked sponsored article on our website for one year, newsletter promotion to 16,000 opted-in subscribers and on social media.
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
PROMOTION
What are you doing to stay connected with your local community? We are committed to staying connected with our local community and making a positive difference. We are providing pro-bono services to individuals and organizations in need of financial assistance and serving on various boards as well as organizing donation drives.
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
APPLIED FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. PO Box 687, Petaluma, CA 94953 415.842.7635 info@appliedfinancialservices.com www.appliedfinancialservices.com
What separates your business from the pack? At AFS, we service for profits, nonprofits as well as individuals, we don’t just stick to one size or type of client. Our clients range in size from needing four hours per month to 40-plus hours per week of our combined services. We also provide a range of services to nonprofits including single audit preparation support, budget preparation, grant invoicing, fund accounting and much more.
going places.
From a Sedona escape to an exploration of the natural wonders right in our backyard, start the new year with a healing adventure rooted in nature.
L’Auberge de Sedona offers a luxury escape in one the country’s most sought-after destinations.
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Courtesy of L’Auberge de Sedona
RESTORATIVE RESPITE
for
FAIRFAX
MILL VALLEY
Shop online at genatural.com or visit us in-store
land & sea.
GO CHASING
WAT E R FA L L S Exploring local waterfalls can support good health and help you appreciate new perspectives. By Joseph Knelman
80 january/february 2024 marin living.
AS THE HOLIDAY BUSTLE SUBSIDES, the sounds of local waterfalls are gaining force, bringing an element of excitement to the end of a busy season. In fact, experiencing water around Marin’s trails might bolster recent New Year resolutions to keep wellness in focus. Studies are increasingly documenting the benefit of exposure to “blue spaces,” aquatic features such as rivers, oceans and waterfalls. So-called “blue therapy,” which involves interacting with such environments, may improve mental health and decrease stress, among other health benefits. Fortunately, Marin has you covered when it comes to winter waterfalls. “From Novato down to Blithedale, out to Point Reyes, up on Mount Tam, and tucked back into Fairfax, there is a wealth of waterfalls,” says Tracy Salcedo, author of the recently published Falcon Guides’ Hiking Waterfalls Northern California: A Guide to the Region’s Best Waterfall Hikes and a 2020 National Outdoor Book Award winner. For Salcedo, who grew up in Marin, researching and writing the guide to hiking Northern California water-
Published with permission from FalconGuides, copyright © 2023 by The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc., NPS public domain (this page and opposite)
falls brought a new perspective on local landscapes. “Back when I lived in Fairfax, I was a mountain biker and basically we were blasting down Repack on our bicycles and blowing past the waterfall,” she says. But more deliberate observation can unveil new experiences, she found. “Moving slowly in these places and using all your senses can really enliven the waterfall experience,” says Salcedo. Observations of sounds, sights, smells and textures together reveal the details that uniquely define each feature and amplify the effect it has on the visitor. For example, Alamere Falls at Point Reyes National Seashore is large and invigorating whereas Cataract Falls on Mount Tam can bring experiences of calm, she says. Even revisiting the same waterfall across the wet to dry season offers opportunity for new sensations as the ephemeral falls wax and wane in their flow and the vegetation changes. Salcedo’s time chasing waterfalls also brought into focus some bigger environmental concerns. During her research for this particular guidebook the waterfalls were impacted by drought and some of the hikes to access her favorite spots are prime examples of landscapes burned by recent wildfires that are now undergoing ecological recovery. Whether providing a pathway to wellness or new perspectives on local landscapes, the hikes Salcedo documents in her guidebook empower the reader to start off the new year at a healthy pace. “What I try to bring is the perspective of someone who moves slowly through a landscape,” she says.
Alamere Falls at Point Reyes National Seashore (opposite page and below)
Looking to start the new year exploring Northern California? Salcedo recommends letting waterfalls be your guide. She shares some favorites below, with many more details available in her 2023, second edition of Hiking Waterfalls Northern California: A Guide to the Region’s Best Waterfall Hikes.
1
Feather Falls, Plumas National Forest, near Oroville, CA “One of my favorite waterfalls; the landscape burned, but the trail was amazing.”
2
Hollow Falls, North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, near Oroville, CA “This is a basalt mesa top where water seeps through that feeds a variety of waterfalls as well as amazing wildflower blooms.”
3
Mill Creek Falls, Lassen Volcanic National Park, near Mineral, CA “I’m a big fan of Lassen Volcanic, so I would send folks up there.”
4
Fern Falls, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, near Crescent City, CA “Way north in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, there’s a trail called Boy Scout Tree Trail. It’s an amazing redwood hike that leads to a waterfall.”
5
Waterfalls within Yosemite National Park “Yosemite is always a good option; you can’t beat those waterfalls.” marin living. january/february 2024 81
voyager.
SEDONA’S MY ST I Q U E From energy vortexes to crystal grottoes, Arizona’s “it” destination offers ethereal calm and experiences verging on the metaphysical.
Douglas Friedman
By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti
I INHALED the heady scent of palo santo as the practitioner covered my eyes with a cloth. I couldn’t tell where she was in the room, but I felt warmth moving up my left leg. Suddenly, with my eyes closed, I still saw color: bright yellow in my core and, a short while later, a flash of green near my heart. I was well into Energy Clearing, a popular treatment at Mii amo (from $1,400 per night; www.miiamo.com) where a therapist cleanses your aura through rituals and bodywork. The destination spa in Sedona is beloved by celebrities (Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan) and anyone seeking inner peace and enlightenment. As part of the treatment, I also wrote down two negative words that were no longer serving me and two positive ones I wanted to invite into my life. “You had a blockage in your solar plexus chakra
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and your heart chakra,” my practitioner told me after the treatment. I had come to Mii amo with the goal of manifesting life changes. Perhaps this was the first step. A decade ago when I first visited, I would have considered myself a skeptic when it came to anything woo-woo wellness, but a visit to Sedona, a hub for New Age thinking since the ’70s, made me a believer. After my fournight Mii amo retreat, I felt a lightness in my soul I hadn’t felt in years. This
time, my second visit, I was here to go deeper and see the results of a $40 million dollar expansion and renovation unveiled in 2023. “The biggest challenge of this project was to keep the heart of Mii amo, while making it even better than it was before,” the resort’s lead architect, Dana Tang, told me. I was pleasantly surprised to see many things unchanged; the exterior walls were the same shade of burnt orange; the Crystal Grotto, a domed space with an aperture at the apex and an earthen floor used for meditation, had been lightly refreshed; the pool deck still had stunning views of horseshoe-shaped Boynton Canyon. A new member of Relais & Châteaux, the resort has a new signature restaurant, Hummingbird, serving locally grown and foraged ingredients, a new Movement and Fitness wing, renovated
Sedona has been known as a healing destination for decades.
voyager.
guest rooms with fireplaces, and dedicated spaces for Journey guests who have booked three-, four-, seven- or new 10-night all-inclusive packages. Sitting in the new Relaxation Lounge with its curved wooden ceiling and 11-foothigh floor-to-ceiling glass instantly puts guests in an inspired frame of mind, with views of the canyon’s red sandstone walls — the result of high concentrations of iron and quartz — and the tall Kachina Woman spire, a sacred site of the Hopi Nation that looms large during any Mii amo stay. People believe the ground in Boynton Canyon, where Mii amo is located, emits a higher vibration and frequency of energy, which is why it is considered one of Sedona’s major vortex meditation sites — defined as enhanced energy locations that facilitate mind and body healing. The other major vortexes in Sedona are Cathedral Rock, Bell
A guest room at Mii amo (top); patio view from the Casita room (bottom)
Rock and Airport Mesa, and all are accessible by hiking and mountain biking trails. Even if you don’t believe in all of that, it’s hard not to see the healing power of Sedona’s topography. The protected Coconino National Forest surrounds the isolated desert town of only 10,000 people, where red rocks contrast with twisted juniper trees. An international Dark Sky City, it’s a place where you can see the Milky Way at night. “There are a lot of things that happen in the desert we can’t explain … supernatural things,” my driver told me on the way into town one afternoon. In Sedona, even taxi drivers are mystics. On the main drag in Uptown, I popped in and out of shops offering aura readings and selling crystals in all shapes and sizes, from healing midnight fluorite, the same deep 84 january/february 2024 marin living.
Douglas Friedman (this page and opposite)
Boyton Canyon, where Mii amo is located, emits a higher vibration and frequency of energy.”
MORE WELLNESS ENDEAVORS According to a recent report from the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness industry is expected to grow 57 percent to $8.5 trillion by 2027. Sedona’s flagship properties can’t roll out new programs catering to today’s sophisticated wellness warriors fast enough. Situated along the banks of Oak Creek in the heart of town, L’Auberge de Sedona (from $599 per night; www.lauberge.com) has introduced the Zodiac Collection — a series of custom itineraries based on the zodiac elements: fire, earth, air and water. The Wilde Resort & Spa’s (from $219 per night; www. thewilderesort.com) new Reset in The Wilde invites couples to reconnect over three nights and participate in activities like a Full Moon Drum Circle, stargazing and storytelling around the fire pits.
The relaxation lounge (above); the whirlpool room (below)
blue hue as the night sky, to pricey clusters of iridescent golden lemurian quartz that is supposed to magnify the flow of prana (life force) through the body. I was drawn to a small chrysoprase stone, turquoise with brownish gold veins. Known for manifesting joy and optimism, it has been called one of the best antidepressants in the crystal world. During my wellness visit, I did reiki healing, an intentional aromatherapy massage and hypnosis. On my last morning, I hiked up to Kachina Woman. While vortexes are a modern construct, Sedona’s Indigenous people have seen it as a sacred setting for hundreds of years. Just below her base, where the vortex is said to be strongest, I sat down on a smooth rock and closed my eyes. I felt the sunlight warm my forehead and my right hand started to hum. I knew the changes I was seeking weren’t going to happen overnight, but I felt energized enough to tackle them. marin living. january/february 2024 85
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ABOUT LAST Locals gathered for a festive night of holiday shopping at Marin’s first Fred Segal boutique, located in Marin Country Mart. Guests sipped Patz & Hall wines and noshed on gingerbread men and other tasty treats while they enjoyed mingling and celebrating an early start to the holiday season.
NIGHT. MARIN LIVING AND FRED SEGAL HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENT NOVEMBER 30, 2023
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01. Christian Meoli, Minerva and Camilla Jackson 02. LA Lassek, Andrena Felger, Cori Castro and Cheyenne Levi 03. Ann Marie Vargas and Carly Tegt 04. Guests enjoying themselves 05. Kelsay Myers 06. Michele Dugan and Ashley Walter 07. The Fred Segal boutique 08. Belinda Yan and Blake Cussen
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Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography
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drawn together.
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This Mill Valley resident has summited Mount Tamalpais more than 7,000 times, all in the name of seeing the sun rise over the hills of Marin.
FOR MILL VALLEY’S JEFF JUNGSTEN, every morning for more than 35 years has started in almost the same glorious way — watching the sunrise atop Mount Tamalpais with a cup of warm coffee in hand alongside a small group of like-minded souls. But how did the “dawn patrol” leader get his start? He says it all began as a late night/early morning adventure with some childhood friends who skipped bedtime and instead biked to the top of the mountain. “We were probably 12 or 13, the sun came up and it was magic up there, warm. It was awesome,” says Jungsten, who grew up in Marin and now owns San Rafael–based Jungsten Construction. “We ended up riding back down the way we came up and it was one of those aha moments: wow, I can end up someplace like this.” Jungsten was hooked and began going up any chance he got, wanting to know every place and every trail on Mount Tam. As he continued the early morning cycle — he says it is much 88 january/february 2024 marin living.
less crowded and more enjoyable for sunrises than for sunsets — he began to notice a pretty regular group and asked if anybody wanted to make it a regular once-a-week thing. They did. But Jungsten was going much more often than that and so he found a way to encourage people to join him there up to three times (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) a week: add freshly brewed coffee to the mix. “I got a little Jetboil pour-over coffee maker and the next day texted the group and said, ‘We’re having coffee at the top of the mountain,’ ” Jungsten says. “Sure enough, a lot of people showed up.” Since the group meets at Equator Coffees at about an hour and 10 minutes before sunrise, it wasn’t long until Equator co-founder Helen Russell caught wind. She offered to make the group a custom “Dawn Patrol” blend to replace what they had been drinking, coffee created by infamous Tour de France cyclist Floyd Landis. “We were drinking coffee made by a guy who was a cyclist and
didn’t know anything about coffee. She said, ‘Oh, that can’t happen,’ ” Jungsten says with a laugh. As for what makes him crawl out of bed in the dark each morning, Jungsten gives all the credit to the mountain. “There really is nothing like the temperature inversion or the cloud layers or the different lighting effects; it’s just such a unique place,” he says. “What if the sun came up once every 10,000 years? The entire world would go see it. But we get up there, we have it all to ourselves, and it happens every day.” About two years ago a big group came up to celebrate Jungsten’s 7,000th summit (yes, he keeps track on a spreadsheet) and it made for a special moment after nearly four decades of effort. “You look across a cloud layer to this epic view and there’s other people that you realize have come up from all sorts of different places to share a sunrise,” Jungsten says. “I’ve done it since I was a kid and it never, ever gets old.”
Courtesy of Jeff Jungsten
By Daniel Jewett
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