THE FEEL GOOD ISSUE
Something wonderful is about to happen.
A Local Expert with Global Reach
© 2021 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. The Sotheby’s International Realty trademark is licensed and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. The Sotheby’s International Realty network fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty. *Ranking source: BrokerMetrics via BAREIS, #1 individual agent based on total number of Marin County transactions, 1/1/2018-12/31/2020. Sales volume figures via BAREIS MLS.| Nicholas Svenson DRE: 01918616
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M O U N TA I N S TO M A R I N A S , MARIN IS OUR HOME
BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP is comprised of professionals specializing in negotiation, marketing, construction, design, law, and hospitality. Our diverse backgrounds enable us to focus on each aspect of the process, creating a detailoriented experience for our clients. Negotiation is the most valuable tool we bring to the table. Ever y aspect of our process has been tailored to provide our clients the best possible price and terms for their sale or purchase.
B O W M A N R E A L E S TAT E G R O U P. C O M
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MARIN MATTERS
Providing Marin families more of what they want
Bowman Real Estate Group is a member of a non-profit in Guatemala called Home For A Home. (homeforahome.org) Home for a Home is driven by the belief that a safe, solid home can be the catalyst to positive and effectual change in people’s lives. In honor of each of our clients’ sales and purchases, we make a donation to fund the construction of homes for families in critical need. With these donations, we are building homes in some of the poorest areas of Guatemala. The houses are simple, yet solid. They provide a huge improvement from the conditions most of our recipients are living in before receiving one of our homes, often dramatically improving their lives and creating safer environments for raising their children.
BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP | 415.755.1040 BowmanGroup@VanguardProperties.com DRE# 01933147
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EDITORIAL
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table of contents. april 2021
features.
30
Beyond Binary Two Bay Area fashion brands are proving genderless clothing is here to stay.
A sea level rise defense plan, free Wi-Fi for Marin City, DocLands is back, public art in San Rafael and more.
20 local splurges.
New gear for those who prefer to travel on two wheels.
22 beauty.
going places. 70 voyager.
Taking a closer look at San Diego’s sophisticated side.
74 land & sea.
How SMART is handling the pandemic and a look at future stations.
When it comes to home design, what do eco-friendly and sustainable really mean?
24 eat & drink.
80 drawn together.
26 local getaways.
from the team.
Whiling the day away in Sebastopol.
28 take note.
Your favorite local musicians are playing live in backyards and driveways all over Marin and the Bay Area. 8 april 2021 marin living.
Bee Cool A look at how local honeybees are fueling small businesses and keeping the ecosystem healthy.
38
Coast to Coast Caroline Pacula captures the essence of Marin’s dreamy shorelines.
76 new digs.
Doctors weigh in on cosmetic procedures in the age of Zoom.
Terra Linda’s newest addition is going to be your summer hangout spot.
34
Artist John Deckert is shining a light on unsung heroes.
10 from the ceo. 12 from the creative director. On the Cover Sausalito photographed by Caroline Pacula
Dave Massey/www.stock.adobe.com
spotlight marin. 14 news.
o t e p Esc a Palm Springs A desert oasis with an island stat e of mind.
Located in the Uptown Design District, Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs features island-inspired drinks and dining options and the soothing St. Somewhere Spa, Palm Springs’ largest spa. Each of our guest rooms and suites is a sanctuary designed to help you escape and recharge.
1600 N Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262 | www.margaritavilleresorts.com | 760.327.8311
from the ceo.
I GOT MY FIRST VACCINE SHOT. My journey with Covid-19 has been life-changing and I’m grateful. I’ve slowed down and designed a very different life than the one I was leading before all this happened. Working from home has helped me hone my level of concentration and commitment to peace. Dare I say, I’ve changed. And do I feel good? The answer is yes, and I like it. A dear friend of mine said, “Pruning bloomed buds from a rosebush allows the new buds to grow.” I’ve done a lot of pruning in the last year and my inner peace and ability to harness the vision for our business have never been stronger. Our new buds are blooming, and excitement is all around us. As I was standing in line to receive my shot, I looked around the room and couldn’t help but wonder how the lives of people around me have been altered. We’ve all changed. But my thoughts keep drifting to the 1920s right after the Spanish flu pandemic — after it was over, people’s lives and the culture exploded with creativity, wealth and excitement. I’m ready for it all and vow to keep my peace while doing it. Marin is on the verge of a creative explosion and we have a front row seat to share it with you. Take a look at our “Groundbreaking Women” special section on page 46. These women are using their skills to provide services to the community and are dedicated to helping the next generation of 10 april 2021 marin living.
female business owners. We are all wiser for our experiences; sharing and guiding those right behind us is an act of honoring those who came before us. We are committed at Marin Living to continue learning from our wise mentors while fostering those at the beginning of their journeys. In this Feel Good issue, my hope is that we find our way to peace while getting back to our full schedules. We all need to feel good in the new wave of creativity, shopping, traveling, visiting with friends, getting manicures, cocktailing and, above all, maintaining hope that a new dawn is right around the corner. Good things are indeed about to happen.
Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder
Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; EpicStockMedia/www.stock.adobe.com
Full Bloom Ahead
Live retirement on your own terms Are you on track? If you’re planning for retirement, one of the first steps is organizing your finances so you can do all the things you’ve dreamed about. From creating retirement income, to managing your investments and protecting what you’ve earned, I can help guide you toward a successful and secure retirement. Strengthening your financial securitySM Let’s talk—contact me today. Helen Abe, CIMA®, CPFA, CRPC® Senior Vice President – Financial Advisor 300 B Drakes Landing Road, Suite 155 Greenbrae, CA 94904 (415) 445-8468 helen.abe@rbc.com us.rbcwealthmanagement.com/helen.abe
Investment and insurance products: • Not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency • Not a deposit of, or guaranteed by, the bank or an affiliate of the bank • May lose value © 2021 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.
21-JD-00352 (02/21)
from the creative director.
ATMUS San Francisco, one of the brands spotlighted in our gender-neutral clothing feature.
THE FEEL GOOD ISSUE couldn’t have come at a better time. Marin is turning into a vibrant spring wonderland, the vaccine is giving people a sense of hope, stores and restaurants are reopening, and while we certainly aren’t back to where we were pre-Covid, there is a light on the horizon. I have had so many people say to me that post-Covid is going to look a lot like the Roaring Twenties (so that light might actually be a disco ball, friends), and you know what, I am here for it. In the meantime, the team is cautiously optimistic that we will be out mingling with all of you before we know it. At first glance, the “feel good” theme seems delightfully simplistic, but we wanted to explore what it means on a deeper level. Our features focus on issues that are important to not only us, but Marin as a whole: gender inclusivity, the positive impact of honeybees and how those tiny workers fuel local businesses, and the awe-inspiring beauty of Marin’s coastal areas. The idea of conservation and sustainability runs in the veins of people who live here and so it makes sense that the Good Future Design Alliance, an organization founded by Bay Area– based designer Katie Storey, was born here. The organization is on a mission to reduce industry waste by 50 percent over the next five years — and that is something to feel good about. You’ll also find an update on Stinson Beach’s newly announced 12 april 2021 marin living.
sea level rise defense plan. I don’t know about you, but it’s things like this that make me incredibly proud to be a Marinite. More sunshine, warmer weather and loosening restrictions means beers gardens (we have the scoop on a hotly anticipated opening in Terra Linda) and outdoor tastings in Wine Country (Sebastopol is currently topping our list of must-visit places). We also have you covered if you are on the lookout for some new bike gear, and if you are missing seeing live music performances, we have a pretty genius idea for your next backyard get-together. See what I mean? I feel good just writing about it. We hope that you feel the positive vibes in this issue, too.
Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder
Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Megan Bagaman
In Good Company
Top 1%
Marin is filled with Realtors. I spent quite a bit of time researching top Realtors before choosing McCarthy + Moe team. The team includes several design and operational experts to make the process seamless and easy. I would not consider any other team to sell my next home. - Robert M., San Rafael
$100 M+ in Sales
The McCarthy + Moe team helped me get the perfect property in a challenging market. They expertly guided me through the pricing and negotiating process so I was able to get the house that I wanted at a competitive price. After our offer was accepted, the team guided me through closing, finding contractors, working with the neighbors, etc. They have a deep and extensive knowledge of real estate, coupled with a dedication to her client’s goals and patience with the bumpy journey of getting there. - Gail G., Mill Valley
The team has been amazing. I wanted to move quickly the McCarthy + Moe team were ready to move just as fast as I was. - Alison G., San Rafael
61 Clients Helped
WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS
Liz McCarthy + Shenna Moe 415.250.4929 | 415.846.9538 Team@McCarthyMoe.com McCarthyMoe.com DRE 01421997 Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition,sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
We are focusing on developing a specific long-range Adaptation Plan for the Stinson Beach area as a pilot ... We chose the Stinson area because it is the most immediately at risk to impacts from sea level rise and flooding among the seven communities in West Marin.
spotlight marin. 14 april 2021 marin living.
Elyse Omernick
— JACK LIEBSTER, PLANNING MANAGER AT THE COUNTY OF MARIN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
marin living.
april 2021 15
news.
Plan of Action
16 april 2021 marin living.
1080 Chestnut Street
A Virtual Showcase Ten of the West Coast’s leading interior design firms will join with University High School and the San Francisco Decorator Showcase to present New Perspectives, an all-virtual 3D version of the annual event (www.decoratorshowcase. org). This year’s designers get to tackle 1080 Chestnut Street, a 5,445-square-foot Russian Hill penthouse with 360-degree views spanning from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge to the Financial District. Reimagined spaces include a yoga and meditation room by studioHEIMAT, a living room and bar by Kobus Interiors, and a kitchen, atrium and dining room by Studio Collins Weir. The event launches May 22. —Daniel Jewett
Courtesy of the San Francisco Decorator Showcase
STINSON BEACH, the most vulnerable among the seven coastal communities in West Marin, will collaborate with multiple agencies, including the County of Marin Community Development Agency, to implement a sea level action plan that could start as soon as May and involves a three-year planning process. The agencies are dedicated to making Stinson Beach residents and people who frequent the area part of the solution. “The existential questions related to sea level rise require the community to reach absolute understanding of their situation and be deeply engaged in developing an effective response. We want to take a radical approach by providing technical and organizational support, but ownership and direction of the work will be the responsibility of the whole community,” says Jack Liebster, planning manager at the County of Marin Community Development Agency (www.marincounty.org). Suggested adaptation measures include closing flooded roads, flood-proofing homes, constructing sand dunes and installing seawalls, and Liebster says that land swaps, where homes are moved to safer locations and the vacated parcels are restored to native conditions, are potentially in the cards as well. “Preliminary assessments indicate that with the slow dual disaster of shore erosion and downright [land] drowning, most of the beach at Stinson could be gone in 40 to 50 years,” adds Liebster. “Our kids and grandkids will curse us for that.” —Casey Gillespie
news.
Female Eagles Soar On February 8, four of Marin’s young women made history by attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, a prestigious recognition of achievement and the highest rank offered in Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scouts). The four young women — Jordan Locke,
Jordan Locke
Bella Segovia
19, San Rafael; Bella Segovia, 18, Tiburon; Gina Schneider, 18, Fairfax; and Stefanie Iojica, 19, San Anselmo — are joined by nearly 1,000 female scouts across the country as the first women to achieve this high honor. The scoutmaster of Troop 1015 (www.troop15marin.org), Lisa Linnenkohl, couldn’t be prouder. “It’s another glass ceiling shattered,” Linnenkohl says, emphasizing the importance of their accomplishments in paving the way for future female scouts. —Julia Apffel
Stefanie Iojica
Gina Schneider
Portraits courtesy of Scouts BSA; MarinHealth
Walk-In Care In March, MarinHealth (www. mymarinhealth.org) opened its first urgent care clinic to provide same-day and walk-in care to patients with nonemergency medical issues. Located on Civic Center Drive in San Rafael, the new clinic features on-site doctors who can diagnose and treat a broad array of conditions as well as on-site imaging during daytime hours. The clinic is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and serves patients age 3 months and older. “We are excited to launch this new urgent care endeavor, and we look forward to serving the Marin community,” says Dr. David Klein, CEO of MarinHealth. —J.A. marin living.
april 2021 17
news.
A portion of the 60-foot “You Are Home” mural completed for the Canal Alliance —10 artists were featured; this section is by Isidoro Filadelfo Angeles.
Goodbye, complicated applications for San Rafael public art projects. Instead, among many initiatives to improve cultural equity and access to the arts, the city aims to make the public art approval process as easy as possible by forming the San Rafael Social Justice Community Art Group (www.cityofsanrafael.org/art-and-public-expression). The shift came just in time for a few important projects to get started, one of which councilwoman Maika Llorens Gulati is especially excited about. Through a collaborative effort by the county, city of San Rafael, local businesses, and artists and community members, the Canal neighborhood will soon be receiving a mural. “Now more than ever we need inspiration and strength,” Gulati says. “And this project is a celebration of our diverse cultures and identities, empowering our neighborhood and adding cultural and economic vitality.” —Sydney Segal
Wi-Fi For All “I really think we need to start looking at the internet as a public good,” says Itoco Garcia, superintendent of the Sausalito Marin City School District (www.smcsd.org). Garcia is one of the community leaders spearheading a project to bring free neighborhood Wi-Fi to Marin City, bridging a digital divide exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Three public Wi-Fi access points will be installed in the first phase of the project and two years of internet access will be provided to up to 300 households in Marin City. The school district is partnering with the Marin County Department of Information Services and Technology and the Marin County Office of Education on the project. —Julia Apffel 18 april 2021 marin living.
Mural photo by Amy Hart; grapestock/www.stock.adobe.com
Public Connection
news.
DocLands Film Festival
For the past four years, San Rafael–based DocLands, a program of the California Film Institute, which also produces the Mill Valley Film Festival, has celebrated some of California’s most talented filmmakers, and 2021 is no exception. Though much of the program will be presented virtually, the DocLands Documentary Film Festival (www.doclands.com) is back, May 7 to 16 and better than ever. When asked about the films she’s most looking forward to, director of programming Joni Cooper says, “It’s like asking which of your children is your favorite!” All of the 24 feature-length and several short films were chosen based on their high production value, unique perspective and emotionality and each fits within one of three categories: WonderLands, The Great Outdoors and Art of Impact. On the whole, however, the audience can expect to feel joy when watching almost every film, says Cooper. “I think this is especially relevant as we enter our second year of the pandemic — I mean, who isn’t seeking joy right now?” — S.S.
Don’t Call It a Comeback At more than 80 years old, Larkspur’s Lark Theater (www.larktheater.net) has long proved itself to be special; however, the Covid pandemic has revealed the theater’s strength in crisis after having to temporarily close last March. “We had time to pause, reflect and make some pivots,” says executive director Ellie Mednick — the most noticeable being the drive-in movie program, which began in July and has recently returned. From now until November 2021, Thursdays through Saturdays, the family-friendly experience is back, complete with classic favorites and concession items under the stars. Some major renovations are likewise on the horizon for the film and performing arts center’s physical reopening in September. —S.S.
Courtesy of DocLands; Lark Theater
The Lark Drive-In returns
Magnitude of All Things
marin living.
april 2021 19
local splurges.
2
Hot Wheels Does your cycling gear need a spring refresh? Here are the items topping our two-wheel wish list. By Casey Gillespie
1
3
4
1. No ride in Marin is complete without sunglasses and we love the retro vibe of these by Smith Optics. The Smith Ruckus glasses are comfortable (especially behind the ears) for extended periods and come in a variety of colors so you can ride as subtle or wild as you like. Available at Mike’s Bikes in Sausalito, www.mikesbikes.com or www.smithoptics. com, $159–$219
20 april 2021 marin living.
2. Pearl iZumi’s classic women’s Attack jersey is made for warmer weather, but pairs perfectly with a base layer for cooler morning rides. Order it in this fun, bright yellow (Screaming Yellow Immerse) and you’ll be visible for miles. www.pearl izumi.com or www. rei.com (order online and pick up at Town Center Corte Madera location), $85
3. Bombas performance cycling socks are made for long rides — seamless toes, Y-stitched heel and safety stripes. Plus, these socks (shown here in black) literally never fall down. There is a feel-good factor, too; the company donates one pair to a homeless shelter for every pair purchased. Win-win. Availble at www.bombas.com, core styles available in packs of three, $48
4. L.A.-based Road Runner Bags are some of the best around. They are made in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and come in super handy whether you are road biking, mountain biking or commuting. The Burrito Bag is one of our faves (shown in Teal Orange/Cordura: The Jay Stone). Available at Alameda Bicycle (1522 Park Street, Alameda) or www.roadrunner bags.us, $45
5. Stay hydrated with Polar Bottle’s BPA-free Sport Insulated Water Bottle. The Tri-Layer insulation keeps your water cold twice as long and the ultrathin bottle makes sipping mid-ride a cinch. It comes in a variety of cool colors so you can coordinate with the rest of your gear. Available at Sports Basement Presidio (610 Old Mason Street, San Francisco) and www.polarbottle. com, $12
Courtesy of Smith Optics; Pearl iZumi; Bombas; Road Runner Bags; Polar Bottle
5
An Oasis in Brookside 115 Brookmead Court, San Anselmo A meticulously-updated brown-shingle home in the heart of the sought-after Brookside neighborhood is set in a quiet cul-de-sac less than a block from the beloved Brookside elementary school. A classy, no-expense-spared remodel includes vaulted ceilings, updated kitchen and bathrooms, as well as the addition of a full bathroom with laundry closet, air conditioning and much more. Three bedrooms plus two full bathrooms (one en suite) are all on a single level. The open-concept great room, dining room and kitchen, adjacent to the outdoors, is the
epitome of California indoor/outdoor living. An enormous flat yard affords multiple uses, with a redwood deck just off the kitchen for outdoor dining and relaxing. You will also enjoy a hot tub, a large lawn, a wonderful magnolia tree, a play structure plus swing set, garden beds and a fire pit with seating. Parking is available in the one-car garage. Centrally located with endless hiking and biking trails nearby. Enjoy the vibrant Brookside neighborhood, walk to the local school and relax in your lovely backyard. It’s wonderful here!
Nick Svenson #1 Most Sales in Marin, Sotheby’s International Realty, 2018, 2019, & 2020 415.505.7674 I nick@marinsfhomes.com www.marinsfhomes.com I DRE #019118616
© Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc., are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.
beauty.
The Doctor Is In
Do all those hours spent on video calls staring at your own mug have you craving younger-looking, healthier skin?
AS A WOMAN IN HER EARLY 40S, my ideal morning beauty routine would consist of washing my face, applying a two-in-one moisturizer and SPF, and throwing on some mascara before heading out the door. However, all those years spent in the sun perfecting my sun-kissed look as a teen and twentysomething has left my skin in a less-than-perfect state. I think my quest for natural beauty is a shared one — eating well, getting enough sleep and managing stress through self-care should, in theory, allow me to be the best version of myself, even on my daily Zoom calls. But let’s talk about those video calls, because the so-called “Zoom effect” is real. Pre-pandemic, we spent countless hours in face-to-face meetings, at bars and restaurants socializing (in flattering light, might I add) and, for most of us, very little time staring 22 april 2021 marin living.
at our own faces on a 13-inch screen. Oh, how times have changed. In the last 12 months, we have become more in tune with our appearance and more critical of our (alleged) flaws than with the carefree “look in the mirror before you leave for work and not again until you wash your face before bed” we may have enjoyed BC (before Covid). So what are we to do? Local cosmetic doctors are finding that less is more when it comes to client requests in the age of Zoom. The new technology is less invasive, has minimal to no downtime and is giving people the boost in self-confidence that our work-fromhome selves are craving. Erase fine lines? Even out skin tone? Wake up to thirtysomething skin again? Yes, please. Here’s a look at some of the newest and most sought-after treatments in and around Marin.
Visual Generation/www.stock.adobe.com
By Alana Malone
TREATMENT: SCARLET Chris Bacchi, M.D. Marin Medical Aesthetics
Is this a new treatment you are offering? We have recently added ScarLet to our medical clinic menu. It is a new technology utilizing microneedling paired with radiofrequency.
TREATMENT: BBL HERO BY SCITON
Dr. Faye Jamali Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine
Which skin issues is this treatment used for? Hyperpigmentation (brown spots), redness, uneven skin tone and antiaging. What is it about this technology that makes it unique? BBL Hero stands for BroadBand Light, High Energy Rapid Output. It is the biggest breakthrough in laser and light technology in 20 years. Unlike traditional IPL (intense pulsed light), this requires no numbing, has three times more energy and is four times faster. It can easily and rapidly treat not only the face but anywhere on the body with no downtime. It can also address texture and smoothness of skin, which the old-fashioned IPL does not.
All photos courtesy of doctors
Are there any added benefits? It accurately targets the genetic expression of skin molecules associated with aging, stimulating your body’s natural ability to regenerate healthy, new, younger-looking skin. By having this treatment three to four times a year, your skin will look better, have a more even tone and appear more youthful year after year. Who is requesting this treatment? Mostly women, and patients desiring more even skin tone and a reversal of the signs of sun damage. What do you personally like about this treatment? It’s painless for the patients and gives fast and amazing results with no downtime.
Do you think the fact that most of us now spend a lot time on Zoom has contributed to the popularity of this treatment? Many of our patients have said they are seeing their face more than ever before as a result of working from home on Zoom calls. Any little thing that was bothering them before about their appearance is now seen more frequently. In addition, they know others are seeing their face more often. What issues does this treatment address most effectively? ScarLet nonsurgically addresses dark circles under the eyes, droopy eyelids, wrinkly necks, crepey chest skin, and can even be used for scalp lifts. What is it about this technology that drew you to it initially? What is remarkable about this procedure is that it is a very comfortable, relatively fast procedure without any bleeding, and immediate results can be seen. There is little to no downtime with no side effects. Because this procedure stimulates collagen production, additional results can be seen weeks after. Is there any type of skin that you would not recommend this treatment for? Unlike some laser or light-based therapies, ScarLet is safe on all skin types.
TREATMENT: KYBELLA
Karron L. Power, M.D., MPH, ABAARM PowerMD
Have you seen an uptick in patients asking for this treatment? Yes, video calls have increased people’s awareness of what their faces look like from different perspectives. People see a photo or a video taken from a low angle and, for the first time, notice a double chin. Looking down at a computer screen emphasizes a double chin and makes the jowls on either side of the mouth appear more prominent. Who is asking for this procedure? It is most popular with men seeking a stronger, more masculine chin and jaw structure; women looking to shrink and lift jowls and sharpen the jawline; or younger people who are seeing the early signs of tech neck, the bunching of skin and fat that develops under the chin from looking down at electronic devices for extended periods of time. What is really appealing to you, as a doctor, about Kybella? I can delete unwanted volume as easily as I can add volume to refine facial features, improve symmetry and restore youthful proportions. Now that it’s part of my age-fighting arsenal, I can achieve transformative results with simple, noninvasive, in-office treatments. What does recovery look like? Patients will likely have some swelling, bruising or numbness under the chin. There will be swelling immediately after the initial treatment and a recovery time of six weeks to see the final results of the procedure.
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april 2021 23
eat & drink.
New Brew The owners of a neighborhood tavern with roots in San Francisco are ready to pour you a cold one in Terra Linda. By Daniel Jewett Photos by Rachel Weill
WHEN CHRISTIAN ALBERTSON moved to San Francisco in 2003 to be with a girl — now his wife — he met at his Boston college, the former brewpub manager soon realized that nobody in the Bay Area was really doing a true, quality beer bar. He mentioned to his friend Nat Cutler that he was thinking of opening his own beer bar and Cutler said, “I’ve always wanted to do that.” So in
24 april 2021 marin living.
December 2007 the two — Cutler handling finance and Albertson managing beer and food — opened The Monk’s Kettle (www.monkskettle.com) in the Mission District, offering hard-to-find premier Belgium and French beers and much more. It was an instant success. “We were crazy busy,” says Albertson, who saw the premier beer scene immediately explode with both San
Outdoor Beer Gardens You Can Visit Now
Anderson Valley Brewing Company The brewery has announced the opening (in phases) of a 30-acre dog- and family-friendly Beer Park with sporting activities, mobile food and drink carts, outdoor stages and much more. 17700 Boonville Road, Boonville, www.avbc.com East Brother Beer Company Although it is in Richmond, this venture was started by two Mill Valley neighbors with a passion for beer. See what all the fuss is about. 1001 Canal Boulevard, Richmond, www.east brotherbeer.com Gestalt Haus After a bike adventure, visitors like to park their rides in the adjacent outdoor public seating area and refuel with German sausages and very large beers. 28 Bolinas Road, Fairfax, 415.721.7895 HopMonk Tavern Dining in the beer garden is back with delicious beer
and food. Marinites are counting the days until live music also returns. 224 Vintage Way, Novato, www. hopmonk.com/novato Iron Springs Pub Indoor dining is back at 25 percent capacity and, while the outdoors is also open, BYOB is encouraged — blankets, that is. 765 Center Boulevard, Fairfax, www. ironspringspub.com Marin Brewing Company The original Marin brewery and pub is still going strong. Stop by for an enormous selection of handmade styles and tasty food to boot. 1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, marinbrewing.com Pond Farm Brewing Company Trevor and Stephanie Martens, a husband-andwife team, feature their house-brewed beer paired with a rotating selection of food pop-ups, all served at their casual and bright spot. 1848 Fourth Street, San Rafael, www.pondfarm brewing.com
Francisco’s La Trappe and Oakland’s The Trappist opening a mere six weeks later. “We were overrun with business; it was more than we ever could have imagined.” A handful of years later, a Terra Linda couple, Jeff and Allison Jordan, opened the second iteration of their North Beach restaurant, Giordano Bros., right across the street and became friends with Cutler and Albertson. At the couple’s prodding, the long-held idea of expanding Monk’s Kettle became a real possibility. “We feel really, really good about the concept and feel like it could work anywhere,” Albertson says about the Terra Linda expansion. “They know the area really well, so we can cater to the neighborhood itself. It kind of all came together.” After much looking and a few failed attempts to land the right spot, the four partners finally settled on buying a building that once housed a martial arts studio. And with that — throw in a pandemic and a three-year effort to get permits and build out the location — Terra Linda finally gets its 4,000-square-foot family-friendly tavern. It sports 86 seats inside and 60 outside, 30 taps featuring local California beers (wine, cider and kombucha will also be on tap) and kitchen
Jeff and Allison Jordan, Christian Albertson and Nat Cutler
favorites like the popular burger and house-made mustard and pickles (there will also be a kids’ menu). It opens May 1. “An American tavern is not really what you have in that area right now,” Albertson says. “We hope to be a real gathering place for families.” He points out that changes in the beer industry have made filling his beer list much easier. “In the old days, for saisons you’d have to go to France, you’d have to go to Belgium for the sours. Now you can get all of that within 50 miles of us — my concept is to have an excellent option for every single style and now I can fill that whole list locally, and it is all excellent.” As for the response from the local residents, Albertson says it’s been overwhelmingly positive. “Every time we are in there working people are stopping by saying ‘Thank god, you guys are here.’ It’s been really, really nice.” Some customers might also feel a bit of nostalgia when going to the new Marin Monk’s Kettle. “We have a lot of people, they lived in the city and they used to go to the one in the Mission,” Albertson says. “People who dated at our place in San Francisco say they can’t wait to come in with their kids.” Prost! marin living.
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Osmosis Day Spa
By Casey Gillespie
Sebastopol is having somewhat of a renaissance. For decades, it was known for its plum and apple crops, and in the late 1960s it became a refuge for Haight-Ashbury’s migrating flower children. They flocked to the North Bay’s green hills and valleys wanting to live off the land, many joining communes and partaking in all that 1967’s Summer of Love had to offer. Today, Sebastopol’s main attraction is The Barlow, a former applesauce canning plant that belonged to prominent resident Thomas Barlow and his family. The Barlow now houses a walkable maze of local businesses that offer plenty of wining, dining, tasting and shopping. Planning a visit to Sebastopol? Here are the places you won’t want to miss. 26 april 2021 marin living.
Barge North Company 6780 MCKINLEY STREET, STE. 140
www.bargenorthcompany.com A proud proponent of the slow fashion movement, this company — which offers styles for men, women and kids as well as home goods — only carries brands that meet its ethically made standards. Don’t miss the impressive selection of apothecary items; you won’t leave empty-handed.
Blue Ridge Kitchen 6770 MCKINLEY STREET, STE. 150
www.brkitchen.com When the cuisine is dubbed “California comfort food with a Southern drawl”
Courtesy of Osmosis Day Spa
A Day Out in Sebastopol
AT THE BARLOW
local getaways.
you know it is going to be good. The menu offers a little something for everyone with Blue Ridge BBQ, smoked Gouda mac and cheese, shrimp and grits, and even a vegan roasted cauliflower steak. Show up hungry!
Golden State Ciders 180 MORRIS STREET, STE. 150
www.drinkgoldenstate.com A nod to Sebastopol’s apple-growing roots, this wildly popular taproom offers 12 different varieties of cider, including two that are exclusively served on site. Visitors can also get food from neighboring eateries — order at GSC and it will be delivered straight to your table.
JG Switzer 6780 MCKINLEY STREET, STE. 115
www.jgswitzer.com
and Italian surprises (don’t miss the Tuscan bean breakfast). There are no wrong choices here.
HopMonk Tavern 230 PETALUMA AVENUE
www.hopmonk.com An institution in its own right, this 115-year-old stone-and-timber tavern offers a spacious outdoor beer garden and a space called Abbey for live music (Thurs–Sun). While the tavern has four outposts around Marin and Wine Country, this is the original and has enough rustic charm to prove it.
Lynmar Estate Winery 3909 FREI ROAD
www.lynmarestate.com Tucked away on a quiet road, the charming winery is a must-visit. Made
up of three vineyards, the estate prides itself on pinot noirs and chardonnays, and the wines pair perfectly with the gourmet eats prepared by executive chef David Frakes. The tasting room is being renovated, but new outdoor spaces open this month along with the wine-and-food-pairing lunches.
Osmosis Day Spa 209 BOHEMIAN HIGHWAY, FREESTONE
www.osmosis.com A 10-minute drive from Sebastopol, Osmosis is known for its popular cedar enzyme baths (a natural fusion of cedar, rice bran and enzymes). This gem of a day spa also offers a selection of organic facials, massages and expansive Zen gardens with a meditation garden, secluded pagodas and a hammock field, among other blissful attractions.
A workshop and studio combo known for its luxurious, natural-fiber home goods and decor. Think upcycled sheep fur, baby alpaca throws, brightly colored silk pillows and flax bed linens. It’s the ideal place to pick up a housewarming gift — even if it is for yourself.
Region. 180 MORRIS STREET, STE. 170
www.drinkyourregion.com This choose-your-own-adventure wine tasting experience allows guests to selfserve at the wine tasting machines (or opt for the more traditional experience in the adjacent room) while enjoying the light-filled space. Region offers more than 50 different wines from 25 Sonoma County wineries. It’s hard not to have fun here.
Caption Here
BEYOND THE BARLOW
Fork Roadhouse 9890 BODEGA HIGHWAY
Courtesy of Lynmar Estate
www.forkcatering.com Situated on the outskirts of Sebastopol, the farm-to-table eatery offers breakfast, lunch and to-go. The menu ranges from healthy California classics (avocado toast and grass-fed Stemple Creek Ranch hamburger) to Mexican bites (try the pork belly fried egg taco)
A feast at Lynmar Estate
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G. Love performing in Novato
Tunes, Delivered
Music fans are dancing away the pandemic blues with personal performances by their favorite artists in their backyards and driveways. By Daniel Jewett Photos by Brent Ferguson WHEN SAN FRANCISCO PROMOTER KC Turner moved to the Bay Area from Missouri to work at Birkenstock in 2005 he didn’t know how his life would unfold, he just knew he liked music, playing guitar and writing songs. He soon moved to Novato and often drove to San Francisco or Petaluma to play open mic nights. When Finnegan’s Marin opened right down the street, he asked the owner about starting an open mic night a little closer to home, to which the owner responded, “How about next 28 april 2021 marin living.
Monday?” And just like that, Turner’s life path came into focus. “It was kind of my 10,000 hours to learn how to organize and introduce artists in front of an audience, run sound, promote, the whole gamut, and in a very small setting,” Turner says, adding that attending a living room show in Sausalito sealed the deal. “I was just blown away by the concept and the experience of hearing this amazing performer in a living room with no amplification. It kind of melted my face off.”
And so Turner refined the concept and began promoting artists, booking his Cookout Concert Series at Novato’s HopMonk and running his successful KC Turner Presents (www.kcturnerpresents.com) series of living room concerts featuring top-name and under-the-radar talent. Then the pandemic hit and Turner saw all aspects of his business undergo a total shutdown. “Watching all that work literally vanish with nothing you can do about it made me sad and depressed,”
take note.
he says with a laugh. And then musician Megan Slankard mentioned seeing something about people in Italy doing outdoor, socially distanced shows and, after some percolating, Turner decided to give it a try — using strict Covid-19 protocols and a hard limit of 20 guests. With the artists in tow, his Bose PA system and some lights, Turner put on 35 shows last fall — sometimes two or three a day. This spring, he’s expanded the performance time to 75 minutes and offers fans the chance to, for a flat fee, have artists like John Doe of X, the Mother Hips, Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Megan Slankard, David Lowery of Cracker and many more play in their driveway or backyard — you pick the time and the guests you want to invite. “We had everything from just people in tears, because they were so happy to see a songwriter play at their home, to people laughing uncontrollably. It meant so much to them to have that 75 minutes of forgetting that the world’s on fire,”
It was a dream to see live music again. And being in my backyard with friends felt almost normal for a moment.
Turner says. “And also, for the artists, it just really reminded a lot of them why they do what they do.” “It was a dream to see live music again. And being in the backyard with friends felt almost normal for a moment,” says Lauren Garner of Novato, who booked G. Love for a backyard show. “Having one of my favorite artists at my home was surreal — an unforgettable experience.” Turner says that after this series of spring shows — he’s already booked 87
of them — he will go back to his regular duties as promoter and booker, so this opportunity is unique. One interested John Doe and X fan told Turner he has been following the punk band since 1979, but was on the fence about booking a show. Turner told the man, “I’m going to respect whatever decision you make. But I will tell you this: John Doe will never play your driveway again — he’s not touring now; he’s got the time.” The man got right back to Turner: “You’re right. Let’s do it!”
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Beyond
Megan Bagaman
The
he forefront of the gende s are at t rless f d n a r ashion zeitgeist, ab e r A y a B wo se t
30 april 2021 marin living.
ty through genderless c g diversi loth n i t a r eb ing l e c nd line a n io t s. i n i def f l se ting r o p sup
Binary
By Keri Bridgwater
YVES SAINT LAURENT DEFINED A NEW ERA for women in 1966 with his iconic Le Smoking tuxedo, and Jean Paul Gaultier sensationally included the “men-skirt” in a 1984 haute couture show. More recently, singer Harry Styles donned a Gucci ballgown for his history-making December 2020 Vogue cover. Flouting traditional binary fashion rules might not be new, but a liberating move away from gender labels has allowed more creative self-expression, and big brands have taken note. Beyoncé went gender-neutral for her Ivy Park athleisure line, and with unisex and polysexual capsule collections from luxury labels like Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs proving a hit among consumers, breaking gender norms in fashion has gone mainstream. “The concept of women wearing more androgynous styles is seen as pretty normal — ‘boyfriend jeans’ have been around for years — but now emerging and established brands are pushing boundaries,” says Victor Tu, founder of genderneutral clothing line ATMUS San Francisco (www.atmus-sf. com). “The younger generation like Gen Z are more fashion forward and expressive in their styling, so providing options
for people who identify as fluid or nonbinary is important as it allows self-expression in a much more nonconforming way.” Sitting at the intersection of gender inclusion and sustainability, ATMUS, which launched last December, aims to allow just that. While generalist clothing veers toward being boxy and oversized, for his loungewear line Tu opted to use organic shapes giving the illusion of contouring that flatters all body types without being too formal. “Sizing is always going to be a work in progress with unisex, but we’re constantly adjusting for a better fit,” says Tu, adding that although his original creations were geared to men, after friends and colleagues of both sexes expressed an interest he decided to go gender neutral. Through its sustainable production processes (garments are produced in small quantities using eco-friendly materials in San Francisco’s design district), Tu also advocates for the environment. As a member of the global movement 1% for the Planet, he is donating one percent of annual sales to a local nonprofit. While the ocean served as inspiration for his first collection (the Ebb & Flow Hoody and the Pacific Sweatshirt
Autumn Northcraft
StereoType
I have a lot of friends who are new parents and they’re choosing not to give their child a gender because they’re waiting for them to grow up and
Jessie Hartman
choose it for themselves. are bestsellers), Tu looked to brighter sunset hues for the shorts, T-shirt and kimono-style wrap that will make up his spring/summer line. Of the mindset that the “pink is for girls and blue is for boys” color code belongs in the past, Tu believes the demand for gender-inclusive apparel will become the new normal, especially for kids. “I have a lot of friends who are new parents and they’re choosing not to give their child a gender because they’re waiting for them to grow up and choose it for themselves,” he says. With a daughter who loves camo prints and anything black and a son who sometimes prefers dresses and more feminine sparkles, San Francisco–based designer Elizabeth Brunner also recently set out to change the narrative regarding gendered fashion norms for children. “When I had the idea for StereoType, I couldn’t believe something like this hadn’t already been created,” Brunner says of the kids’ clothing line she launched last November. “We’re so eager to put kids in a box and keep them there instead of letting them explore beyond that. I want to challenge the idea that girls can only wear princess dresses and boys have to stick to dinosaurs. The line is all about unlearning what we’ve been taught to believe about gendered clothing. It’s really about stepping back and letting children make those choices for themselves instead.” No stranger to the fashion industry, Brunner was the founder of a pioneering high-end clothing label for eight years that incorporated discarded fabric swatches before getting the idea for StereoType in 2018. Inspired by her boy-girl twins’ eclectic mix-and-match approach to getting dressed, and designed to celebrate individuality and freedom of expression, the nine-piece collection includes T-shirts and will expand to beanies, sweatpants, a blazer and two skirts, one of which doubles as a superhero-esque cape, by summer. Everything is made in San Francisco, and unlike in the traditional cycle when it comes to apparel release, collections will be sustainable and seasonless with just one drop per year.
“When I first started talking to my kids about the line, my son was like, ‘Does that mean everyone is going to know they can wear whatever they want now?’ ” says Brunner, adding that while she was initially nervous about him wearing a skirt to school, she soon realized the concern stemmed from her own issues. “Being aware of your limits and boundaries, asking yourself or reflecting on why they are there and if they’re there for reasons that are supporting your child or not … that was a big eye-opener for me.” For parents looking to embrace a more gender-neutral wardrobe for their own kids, Brunner suggests asking for hand-me-downs from family or friends or walking through both clothing sections in a store to see what your child is naturally drawn to (a bill introduced in the California Legislature in late February would require large department stores to stop differentiating boys’ and girls’ toy and child care sections, but clothing is not covered). “Just be open and let them enjoy it, see where it takes them. It doesn’t mean your son is always going to want to wear a skirt or your daughter a camo print, but in the moment, they might, and that’s OK. Kids should feel like they can be whoever they want to be.” Definitions related to gender stereotypes (something she paid careful attention to when choosing the label’s moniker) may have been instilled in us for decades, but Brunner hopes by redefining notions about what kids can and can’t wear based on their gender and permitting them to dress in whatever makes them feel good will afford more freedom to future generations. “Advocating for freedom of expression when it comes to clothes is a larger conversation that doesn’t end with children. It’s about individuality across the board for everyone,” she says. “I don’t know how many people I talked to about the line who said they wish something like this was around when they were a kid. So, it touches a lot of people. It’s pretty exciting to think where it could go.”
ATMUS
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Honeybees tell the story of Marin — uncover the flavor in a wide array of local products. By Joseph Knelman art credit
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AS THE WEATHER GETS WARMER AND THE DAYS GROW longer, Marin is experiencing a flowery spring awakening. From Mount Tamalpais’ hiking trails to cloistered backyard gardens, simply stepping outside reveals the abundant colors and fragrances of local wildflowers and trees in bloom. But people are not the only ones enjoying Marin’s botanical bliss; so too are the bees that harvest nectar and pollen from those flowers and trees. From this nectar, bees will produce honey infused with the unique flavors of Marin’s flora. It’s the Microclimates “Marin produces some of the best honey because there is such a variety of wildflowers ... each microclimate is producing different flowers,” says Ali Trotta-Marshall, co-owner of Marshall’s Farm Honey, a Bay Area honey producer with roots in Marin. “When you take a walk on Mount Tam, you’ll see flowers in one place and then you won’t see them in another place.” As a result, if bees are in one area versus another, they will be collecting different types of pollen and nectar with a distinct composition of carbohydrates and phytochemicals, bringing distinctive tastes to their honeys. Some 30 years ago, Marshall’s Farm founders Spencer and Helene Marshall started their honey operation in Fairfax with this knowledge. “The thing that Spencer and Helene did that other honey companies don’t do is they realized that each microclimate produced a unique honey,” and they kept those batches separate, says Trotta-Marshall. Marshall’s Farm continues to produce honey that way. The Fairfax wildflower honey, at times heavily influenced by crape myrtle, can be “like tasting a literal flower,” says Trotta-Marshall, while Mount Tam honey may take on more of a wild berry flavor given the different flora in each area. The subtle differences of local honey provide a chance to observe and sample nuances of the natural world around us. While small-batch honeys may be widely distributed, they are pretty easy to find locally. Marshall’s Farm sells its specialty honeys at the Thursday and Sunday Marin Civic Center farmers market and on the shelves of Good Earth Natural Foods. Marshall’s Farm honey also appears at Bay Area restaurants and bars, surfacing on menus ranging from the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco (where rooftop hives are kept) to Chez Panisse and to The French Laundry, to name a few. For some current honey-forward food and drink offerings, Farmshop at Marin Country Mart incorporates Marshall’s Farm Star Thistle honey into its Caramelized Meyer Lemon Pizza, and San Francisco–based Woods Beer & Wine Co. uses the Bay Area Blend honey in its Local Honey Herbal Ale. marin living.
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Bubbles and Bees For a more effervescent take on the various flavors of Marin honey, Gordon Hull, founder and meadmaker at Heidrun Meadery at Point Reyes Station, brews honey into a beverage. Mead, made by fermentation of honey, is known as a drink of medieval times, but here it is reinvented into a modern, light and refreshing Champagne-style beverage. “The way we produce mead is very unorthodox,” says Hull. “We use the traditional method the French developed for making Champagne, but instead of fermenting grapes we are fermenting honey.” This process, resulting in a drier (less sweet) sparkling mead, gives Hull and the team the ability to incorporate the flavors of West Marin into their different varieties. “Our focus is on trying to reveal those characteristics of the flower, and we found that by making the mead sparkling, we get as close as we can to experiencing the nectar of the flower,” Hull says. Hull has discovered that honey from Bolinas, with its prolific eucalyptus, brings an aromatic quality to the mead. In other parts of West Marin, honey made from the nectar of coastal chaparral plants including manzanita and coyote bush “tend to be a little more herbal in flavor.” As a mead maker, Hull is tasked with bringing out the flavors harvested by honeybees in each variety ranging from Marin County wildflower to California orange, raspberry and sage blossom meads. The Heidrun operation is even restoring some of the farm’s grassland pasture into ground for wildflower plants that produce nectar for honeybees on the property. “I’m always proudest of the Point Reyes Wildflower when we make it, partly because it’s produced from our own hives on our own property and we are doing all the beekeeping and all the flower cultivation to feed those bees,” says Hull. Heidrun offers the opportunity (by reservation) for visitors to take a glass of the effervescent mead with them on a stroll at the farm to visit the honeybees. Visitors may also enjoy one of the featured tasting flights or simply purchase a bottle to put on ice and share at an outdoor table. Sweet Rejuvenation Uses of honey have been wide-ranging throughout history, and Debra Tomaszewski, founder and CEO of the skin care line Marin Bee Company, has brought the health benefits of Northern California honey to her products. Debra and her husband, Bill, began their journey in beekeeping after a move from the East Coast to Marin, initially settling in Kentfield about 20 years ago. Because of their love of gardening, the couple began beekeeping, which soon expanded into educating others about honeybees and related environmental issues. “We wanted to bring attention to the bees and respect for the earth,” says Debra. Her passion for bees first inspired her to start a nonprofit, the Planet Bee Foundation, which now delivers distance learning programs on the intriguing science of honeybees to schools nationwide. 36 april 2021 marin living.
The collapse of bee colonies is a persistent and substantial concern, and climatic changes are adding extra pressures. Three years ago, she also launched the Marin Bee skin care line, partly in search of remedies for her family’s sensitive skin. “Everything was harsh, and I was like ‘I’ll just make a mask of natural products’ … I wanted a more healthy, natural experience,” she says. After experimenting with honey and beeswax from her own hives, Debra worked with chemists to refine the formulations that have become Marin Bee, including face mask, lip repair and skin hydration products. The collection highlights Northern California wildflower honey for the beneficial enzymes, amino acids, minerals and vitamins that it naturally contains. Supporting Local Honey (Bees) Beekeeping is not without its challenges. Year after year the collapse of bee colonies is a persistent and substantial concern, and climatic changes are adding extra pressures. Covid-19–related restrictions have also placed stress on the business side of local honey-based operations that strongly depend on relationships with retailers and restaurants to reach customers. Yet the enthusiasm and dedication of people interacting with local honey remain strong in Marin, and there is no shortage of opportunity to support local efforts. “The beauty of working with the local farmers is that you’re supporting that farmer and you know where your honey is coming from,” Debra says. While collecting pollen and nectar, honeybees provide essential pollination services that support our ecosystem, providing us with clean water, stable soils and a place for recreation. Plants that are reliant on bees for pollination cannot survive without these symbiotic interactions. For humans, honeybees not only support the environment but are also essential for food production — including everything from almonds to apples. As Trotta-Marshall points out, honey gives us a connection with each other and the wonder of landscapes that we live among. “We forget that this incredible product is made by insects, it’s made by nature ... we don’t really focus enough on how we are so profoundly connected to this earth.”
A Taste of Local Honey
Clockwise from top: Courtney Caldwell, Alison Trotta-Marshall, Megan Bayley, Farmshop Marin; Marin Bee
Heidrun Meadery Make a reservation at www.heidrunmeadery. com to enjoy a Champagne-style mead tasting and Heidrun’s farmscape at Point Reyes Station; pick up food to pair with your tasting (the mead goes particularly well with cheese and oysters from nearby). Heidrun mead can be found at The Farm Stand at Forest Knolls, Good Earth Natural Foods or Heidrun online.
Marshall’s Farm Honey Taste the flavor of different parts of Marin with Marshall’s Farm Honey. Small-batch Marin honey can be found at the Marin Civic Center farmers market or Good Earth Natural Foods, or shop online at www.marshallshoney.com.
Marin Bee Northern California honey confers local Marin Bee skin care products with beneficial properties. Try the honey-forward face mask or lip repair to start. Available through Macy’s or at www.marinbee.com.
Farmshop Marin Perfect for takeout, Farmshop’s (at Marin Country Mart) Caramelized Meyer Lemon Pizza includes Marshall’s Farm Star Thistle Honey from just across the bay. www.farmshopmarin.market
Woods Beer & Wine Co. This San Francisco brewer makes a Local Honey herbal ale featuring Marshall’s Farm Bay Area Blend honey. The ale includes notes of lavender, eucalyptus and yarrow amid the honey. Shop online for overnight delivery in California at www.woodsbeer.com.
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ST I N S O N B E AC H
C OAST to
C OAST
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Photography by Caroline Pacula
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Photography is a
L A N G UAG E that tells a story
A C R O S S C U LT U R E S and without barriers.
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RO D EO B E AC H
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Photographer Caroline Pacula (www.carolinepaculaprints.com), who left her career in tech to dedicate herself to her creative passion a little over 10 years ago, first dabbled in family photography before focusing her lens on coastal landscapes. “While I’ve lived in the Bay Area for more than 35 years, I was born in France to Dutch parents,” she says. Her sense of wanderlust is reflected in her photography and stems from a childhood spent living in different countries, most notably Asia and Africa, and from being exposed to diverse cultures all over the world before moving to Marin. “My father changed roles at his company, and he was asked to transfer from Algeria to Marin County.” While she can easily wax philosophical about the beauty that lives in every nook and cranny from Sausalito to the Point Reyes National Seashore, Pacula says that Stinson Beach will always hold a special place in her heart. She has a series of memories over time that include family day trips, high school gatherings with friends, bonfires and acoustic guitars, and more recently, a much-needed escape for her 40th birthday. In the pages that follow, she plays with light, color and scale in her signature style as she captures the coastal enclaves around Marin. “One of my favorite quotes is by lifestlye blogger Paula Bendfeldt,” says Pacula. “ ‘Travel opens your heart, broadens your mind and fills your life with stories to tell,’ and photography captures all these stories and moments.” —Casey Gillespie Caroline Pacula’s work can be purchased at Serena & Lily (www.serenaandlily.com), Anthem in San Francisco (www.anthemsf.online) and on her website.
T O M A L E S B AY
“In the early morning, Tomales Bay looks like a painting with colors ranging from gleaming yellows to coral and rose pink. The tides are low in some parts of the wetlands and the marsh reflects and glistens with golden flickers of light.”
MU I R B E AC H
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P O I N T R E Y E S N AT I O N A L S E A S H O R E
“When the sunrise crested over the green valleys, I was awestruck by the array of beautiful colors: burnt orange, golden yellows and swipes of light blues and pinks. It was as if time had stopped. I had no one to please but myself, and the imagery was enough to consume me.”
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Light can be so
FLEETING and can change at a
MOMENT ’S NOTICE.
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INVERNESS
groundbreaking
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women.
Marin Living magazine is honored to feature the most influential women and women-owned businesses in Marin. These outstanding women have proven to be a forces of nature in their respective industries breaking through boundaries and providing the dynamic services, products and community connections that set them apart in their fields. marin living.
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PROMOTION
Kari Auringer Cornerstone Cellars has been making small production wine from some of the best vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Santa Rita Hills for 30 years.
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business? roundbreaking Cornerstone Cellars started with a group of friends sharing a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon around a picnic table on the hillsides of Howell Mountain. I’ve been at the helm for the past decade and half and strive to create wines that are elegant, full of life and representative of the growing sites I’ve selected. My hope is that my work inspires other young women to pursue their dreams. I don’t think the playing field is level for women, and I hope that others will see that while it may not always come easy, it’s worth going after.
women.
Are you doing anything special to nurture or instruct the next generation of female business leaders? I enjoy the conversations with younger women that are eager to be promoted in winemaking and in viticulture, and to discuss their goals and how they might achieve them. I enjoy sharing my wines and engaging in conversations about how I was able to achieve success in my own field. Do you or your business have a unique or notable history in the Bay Area? We are a small, boutique wine producer by most standards and have been producing wines from some of the best vineyards in Napa Valley for 30 years. Why is living and working in the Bay Area so special? We have it all here. We have access to amazing, local, sustainably-farmed food from a large variety of sources and cultures.
Cornerstone Cellars | 707.945.0388 | concierge@cornerstonecellars.com | cornerstonecellars.com | @cornerstonenapa
PROMOTION
Chris Bacchi, M.D. You’ll find a keen interest in science and a warm bedside manner at Marin Medical Aesthetics.
What makes women so effective at business and customer relations? In health care, it is often women who engage health care services for their roundbreaking family members. As natural consumers, they therefore know what customers would want to see from their service providers.
women.
What do you think it means to the next generation of girls to see women succeed in business? I hope that young women who see successful female business owners are encouraged to not place a glass ceiling on themselves. Being successful means you need to believe in yourself first. Are you doing anything special to nurture or instruct the next generation of female business leaders? This semester I am hosting a senior nursing student for her clinical rotation. I spend time sharing the business aspects with her as well. I certainly did not learn that in medical school. What sets you apart in your industry? My background as a nurse and university professor is unique among physicians. My patients would say these experiences have contributed to my warm bedside manner, and my focus on teaching them about their conditions and treatments. How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? As a highly trained clinical scientist, I am fascinated with taking what is currently being done in aesthetics and either improving upon it or using it in novel ways.
Marin Medical Aesthetics | 807 D Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 415.785.4604 | marinmedicalaesthetics.com | marinmedicaloffice@gmail.com
PROMOTION
Petra Bergstein Higby The Caviar Co. brings a true caviar retail experience to Tiburon — champagne vending machine included.
What is it about you or your business that makes you a groundbreaker? The caviar industry has been around for hundreds of years, which contributes to its groundbreaking long-lasting traditions and rich history. We pride ourselves in our efforts to make caviar more approachable. For example, in the past we have partnered with San Francisco’s Humphry Slocombe for a caviar and ice cream dessert or with Balvenie to find the perfect caviar and whisky pairing.
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Are you doing anything special to nurture or instruct the next generation of female business leaders? Being a women-owner in a predominantly male-dominated industry, I think it’s more important than ever to encourage women to pursue their passion and let them know that together, we can move mountains. We have worked with the San Francisco nonprofit Dress for Success and really love its mission of empowering and preparing women for their future careers. What sets you apart in your industry? The Caviar Co. puts a huge emphasis on transparency. Not all caviar is the same — it varies by species and the caviar label should note that clearly. We feel that it is our responsibility to relay that information directly on the label to be as forthcoming and trustworthy as possible. Also, with our new retail location on Main Street in Tiburon, we are bringing items like a champagne vending machine, build your own caviar service and afternoon tea.
The Caviar Co. | 46A Main Street, Tiburon, CA 94920 | 415.889.5168 | petra@thecaviarco.com | www.thecaviarco.com | @thecaviarco
PROMOTION
Heather K. Bernstein The team at HKB Interior Design listens and is not afraid to go against the grain to give you the space of your dreams. What is it about your business that makes you a groundbreaker? The vision of our company is that we groundbreaking want to empower anyone who engages with us to purposefully draw outside the lines to create purpose and intention in their own homes. And we are not afraid to go against the grain to do so.
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What does it mean to you to run a women-owned business? To be a women-owned business means having the courage to own who you are and have the confidence to apply your vision to positively impact the industry you are in. Women are strategic thinkers but many of us are also innately creative and have the power to think outside of the box. I’m proud to run a female-owned-and-operated business and hope to inspire young women to pursue their dreams. What makes women so effective at business and customer relations? I believe women are eager to listen and learn and this is a big part of being effective. Are you doing anything special to nurture or instruct the next generation of female business leaders? We are helping the women of Gilead House understand how to run a businesses. What sets you apart in your industry? The values of HKB are to spread contagious energy. We listen. We embolden spaces. We cultivate. We value ideas over hierarchy.
Heather K. Bernstein Interior Design | 415.279.0648 | www.hkbinteriordesign.com | heather@hkbinteriordesign.com
PROMOTION
Jennifer Bowman Bowman Real Estate Group of Vanguard Properties uses their experience and compassion to help clients get to where they want to be.
What is it about you or your business that makes you a groundbreaker? Groundbreakers have a diverse nature that allows them to spend time mulling over theories as well as expressing ideas. They groundbreaking are inquisitive, introspective and methodical. My team and I have taken these core personality traits and leveraged them to garner our clients the best value possible for their property whether they are buying or selling.
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What makes women so effective at business and customer relations? Women listen patiently and pay attention to details. Women feel the pain of their customers when there is a problem and tenaciously stick by the customer to find a solution. What do you think it means to the next generation of girls to see women succeed in business? I was fortunate to have been surrounded by many successful businesswomen as a girl. As a result of this exposure, I never thought that there was a career path I couldn’t choose to take. What sets you apart in your industry? I prioritize relationship building. You don’t do business with a company; you do business with people you like and trust. You are seeking a trusted advisor to help you find a haven for you and your loved ones. How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? We are focusing on simple laws of human nature and applying them to the negotiation process. Distilling our process down to the simplest element of relating to people on an individual, human level.
Bowman Real Estate Group | 1118 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939 | 415.755.1040 | bowmangroup@vanguardproperties.com www.bowmanrealestategroup.com | @bowmangroupmarin | @thebowmangroup | DRE #01933147
PROMOTION
Sarah Gott Joel Gott Wines uses grapes from all over California to bring its customers the absolute best wines.
What makes women so effective at business and customer relations? For winemaking it can be both a business and an art, so navigating that balancing roundbreaking act often comes naturally for women. Not always, but often. We also have to work with a lot of different types of personalities, from vineyard managers and grape growers to barrels negociants, cellar staff, and then the marketing and PR. Women mostly are good communicators, and work on the relationships, even in business.
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What do you think it means to the next generation of girls to see women succeed in business? For the next generation of girls I think it’s always good when they see that women are in all types of industries, especially when they’re holding roles that were typically dominated by men. I think we’re getting to a place where they can see that there aren’t any limits as to what they can do or what types of jobs they can have. There were very few head women winemakers when I first got into the industry, but you see so many more nowadays. What sets you apart in your industry? At Joel Gott Wines we work with grapes from the whole state of California and make our wines at six different wineries throughout the state. And that’s with six women and three men at the winemaking helm. We have a great team of young up and coming talent, mostly women. Why is living and working in the Bay Area so special? We have the bay, beautiful cities, the coastal areas, mountains and skiing and of course wine country.
Joel Gott Wines | 707.963.3365 | gottwines.com | info@gottwines.com | @joelgottwines
PROMOTION
Dr. Faye Jamali Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine offers the newest and most effective treatments, all delivered by a doctor.
What is it about you or your business that makes you a groundbreaker? groundbreaking I am a firm believer in the idea that it is never too late to be brave, be fearless and reinvent yourself. After working as an employee at a hospital for over 20 years, I decided to take the leap and start my own business at 50 years old. I built everything from the ground up. We now offer the newest and most effective technologies on the market to help our patients feel like their best self.
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What do you think It means to the next generation of girls to see women succeed in business? I strive every day to set an example for my daughter and other young girls that women can overcome any adversity. I have battled and survived breast cancer and I have been in recovery for 12 years after becoming dependent on opioids following a wrist fracture. It’s important to share our stories of struggle as well as our triumphs. They are equally crucial for succeeding in business as well as in life. What’s a groundbreaking new service that you offer? The BBL Hero by Sciton. It is the biggest advance in laser technology in 20 years. It targets brown spots and red spots to noticeably improve sun damage without any downtime. We have also seen improvements in texture and fine lines after treatment from this laser. It can be used all over the body for amazing results.
Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine | 250 E. Blithedale Avenue, suite B, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.887.8718 | hello@bellemarin.com | www.bellemarin.com | @bellemarinca
PROMOTION
Aviva Kamler This fifth-generation local has a fresh perspective on real estate and wants to make your buying experience as enjoyable as possible.
What do you think it means to the next generation of girls to see women succeed in business? I think when young girls can see women who look like them it allows them to see themselves in this position. It allows them to groundbreaking dream about what is possible. Representation matters in every sense of the word, and I know I always looked up to the women in my life who were hardworking, driven, honest and successful.
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What sets you apart in your industry? I am a local millennial and I sell in both Marin and San Francisco. I used to be the marketing manager for my previous broker before becoming an agent, so I was able to understand a lot of what goes on behind the scenes. Marketing is crucial for selling homes so it was a unique lens to better understand and learn the industry. What is a new and engaging way you connect with clients? Pre-Covid, we used to have broker tours and visit new properties that just hit the market. Every Tuesday I would post “Tuesday Tours” on my Instagram page and let my friends and followers follow along as I toured properties ranging from $800,000 condos to $20 million homes with stunning views and custom architecture. This is a fun and easy way to reveal some of the nuance that goes on behind the scenes in real estate. Why is living and working in the Bay Area so special? We get to call this beautiful place home. The proximity to trails, access to some of the most beautiful beaches, wonderful year-round weather, fresh local produce. Living in the Bay area is also special because I grew up here.
Aviva Kamler | 415.717.1056 | aviva.kamler@sothebys.realty | www.avivakamler.com | DRE #02076186
PROMOTION
Brigitte L. Lank, Ph.D. A cutting-edge approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.
What is it about you or your business that makes you a groundbreaker? In my work with substance use disorders and behavioral addictions I am sensitive to not assuming a person has an addiction nor that they desire abstinence. I meet somegroundbreaking one “where they are” and focus on one’s relationship (not problem) with substances and behaviors. I address the “suffering” underneath the behavior and work to explore its origin, which often expresses itself as self-destruction and self sabotage.
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Have you started any new trends in your industry? I have developed or helped to implement many residential and outpatient treatment programs in the Bay Area. I have been at the forefront of converting large-scale properties to residential treatment centers implementing empirically based methods to cutting-edge treatment protocols. What separates you or your business from the pack? My practice, in tandem with Recovery Without Walls (www.recoverywithoutwalls. com), offers a confidential medical and clinical practice to treat addiction chronic pain and co-existing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Our approach integrates leading-edge pharmacology. What’s a groundbreaking new service that you offer? I developed a personalized Intensive Outpatient Program named the Identity Transformation Model (ITM). The ITM’s curriculum is implemented via educational and therapeutic workbooks integrated with in person or telehealth psychotherapy.
Brigitte L. Lank, Ph.D. | 3 Madrona Street, Mill Valley, CA 94941 | 415.272.7758 | drlank@att.net | www.drlank.com
PROMOTION
Rainy Hake Austin The Agency uses an innovative team approach to bring the best customer care and results to their clients. What core values have guided your work and decisions? Throughout my career, I have focused on groundbreaking quality in all things. It’s a simple concept, but one that can truly transform an organization. Making thoughtful, strategic choices, partnering with good people who care about others, and thinking as a creative problem solver in every aspect of my job is crucial to my business philosophy.
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What example do you hope to set as a successful woman in business? For me, as a mother of two young daughters and a female businesswoman, l am proud to set an example for my girls. I want them to know that they can do and be anything they want. I want them to choose joy in their lives, and I want them to lead by example as good stewards in their community. How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? Luxury is not a price point but an experience. So, a decade ago, The Agency took a new approach to real estate, priding itself on collaboration and creating a brand to help elevate the sales professional. By working as a team and leveraging our collective expertise, knowledge and talents, we are able to provide a better experience for our clients. What separates The Agency from the pack? We are a boutique firm with a truly global reach. Our brand is unmatched in its power to deliver results for our agents and clients.
The Agency | rainy@theagencyre.com | theagencyre.com | @theagencyre
PROMOTION
groundbreaking
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Cecilia Quezada and Julia Campbell Quezada Architecture is a women- and minority-owned business that uses diversity as an advantage no matter the scale of your project. What makes women so effective at business and customer relations? Julia: As women, we grow up fostering a sense of emotional intelligence. At the end of the day, it’s all about putting the client at the center of the project and nurturing a relationship with them. We’ve had loads of practice doing this for our families. Cecilia: We pride ourselves on being good listeners, which is particularly important in this industry. It is the foundation that allows us to translate our client’s visions into great design. What do you think it means to the next generation of girls to see women succeed in business? J: Representation matters. Women are actively seeking role models — we didn’t have a lot of examples in our lives when we were growing up. At my all-girls grammar school, I was encouraged to follow a vocational profession, and was inspired by taking technical drawing only offered at the local boys’ school C: Statistically, 50 percent of architectural students are women, but only 17 percent go on to become licensed architects.
If we can do our part to close that gap, to show women that it is possible to be licensed and also have a good work/life balance, we’ve done our job well. What separates you or your business from the pack? C: Surprisingly, there are very few women-owned architectural partnerships in the Bay Area let alone woman and minority owned. As a partnership, we are able to take on projects of many different scales. From 20-story towers, to custom residences, to a 600-square-foot wine bar called Squalo Vino in downtown Tiburon, our broad perspective translates into more inclusive and thoughtful designs. J: It also comes down to our amazing team. We are committed to hiring diverse, international talent; it is their different backgrounds, education, and life experiences that add more depth to what we can offer our clients. C: Recently we have done pro bono work in Marin City, and we seek out socially conscious projects surrounding supportive housing, accessible health care and animal rescue.
Quezada Architecture | 639 Front Street, First Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111 415.331.5133 | info@qa-us.com
PROMOTION
Cassie Zampa-Keim The founder of Innovative Match is always there for her clients. What does it mean to you to run a womenowned business? A close “best thing” second to becoming a mom was starting my business, which I did when my children were small. My two groundbreaking daughters and son grew up watching me nurture a business that contributes to people living a fuller life.
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What makes women so effective at business and customer relations? Being a woman in this industry has helped me connect with my clients, who are both women and men. I get that my clients have a lot going on regardless of the stage of life they are at. It’s why I make myself available to my clients long after most matchmakers go home for the evening. What do you think it means to the next generation of girls to see women succeed in business? Especially in my line of work, which is helping people find a satisfying relationship, it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture. The big picture is that a relationship is a part of your life, but not all of it. To be successful in love and life it’s important to have interests and goals outside your relationship. Women often get carried away with the idea of a relationship, particularly a wedding, without fully appreciating what life will be like in a relationship or marriage. When young girls see women thrive in business, whether they’re in a relationship or not, it makes them strong mentally and emotionally. It gives them confidence and the ability to trust in themselves. And that’s ultimately what will make them a healthy partner for someone else without losing themselves in the process.
Innovative Match | Ross | 415.259.8714 | innovative-match.com
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Donna Bernstein Donna B Fine Art transforms fine equestrian art into wearable fashion. What makes you a groundbreaker in your field? groundbreaking My horse paintings have a signature abstractive edge that makes them unique, and what I have learned is that my art is painting horses the way they make me feel. Then I redesign my paintings into elegant fashionable silk scarves for the dreamy equestrienne in us all.
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Donna B Fine Art | Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | 208.861.4331 donna@donnabernstein.com | www.donnabernstein.com
What is mean to you to run a women-owned business? Right now is the best time to be in business and be a role model, whether on a grand scale or a very small scale.
Barbara Chambers Chambers + Chambers Architects uses the Bay Area as a backdrop for the incredible homes they create.
What do you want people to know about you and/or your business? I am living my dream. Since I was a child, I have wanted to be an architect. I am living my passion. I am a supportive boss. I am committed to career development. I want an engaged team free of burnout. I promote exercise, meditation, group activities. My office reflects calm, promotes reflection. My team reflects my own balance. What makes women so effective at business and customer relations? The courage to own who we are and to lead by example. To exhibit strength, intelligence and grace. To positively influence the world around us. I want to support and promote female owned businesses. I very much consider myself a mentor.
Chambers + Chambers Architects 420 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.381.8326 | barbara@chambersandchambers.com www.chambersandchambers.com | @chambersandchambers
PROMOTION
Dolores Coleman Dee’s Organic Catering believes that food should nurture and nourish. What is it about you or your business that makes you a groundbreaker? Dees Organic was born from my heart. That’s where my recipes and food come from. I love nurturing and nourishing people whether it is my family, my clients or my community. I am a believer in food security for all, which is why during this time of the Covid-19 crisis it was easy to switch my priorities from parties and events to providing nutritious meals to people in need. groundbreaking
What does it mean to you to run a women-owned business? I love being a woman and having my own business. It can be challenging at times but very freeing. My goal is to uplift other women and help them know they can have their own business as well. Also, representation matters. It is important for the next generation of girls to see themselves in the role models around them.
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Dee’s Organic Catering | 1545 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 415.484.3491 | dee@deesorganic.com
Meghan Evans Buttercup Home creates a unique and safe shopping experience that will leave you inspired. What does it mean to you to run a women-owned business? For me, running a women-owned business means that anything is possible. With it comes a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but at the end of day it is my creation, dream and destiny. What makes women so effective at business and customer relations? In my company of nine women, I find that our lifelong skill sets make us effective. Many of us have worked in the corporate world, raised families, created beautiful homes and tended our gardens. We are the ultimate multitaskers and bring that to Buttercup Home. Because of this past experience, we are masters at creating happy customers. Above all else, we ultimately treat our customers how we hope to be treated. Buttercup Home | 366 Ignacio Blvd, Novato, CA 94949 415.506.4444 | studio@buttercupbend.com | @buttercuphomestyling
PROMOTION
Jeannie Jarnot Beauty Heroes, based in Novato, sets a new standard in beauty and wellness. What is it about you and your business that makes you a groundbreaker? Beauty Heroes holds the most stringent ingredient standard in the beauty industry. We’ve always had a passion for healthy beauty but realized a few years ago that ingredients need to go beyond being groundbreaking nontoxic for our bodies (that seems obvious) and we need to consider how they bioaccumulate in the environment. So, you won’t find any silicones, petroleum-based ingredients, acry-
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lates or polyethylene glycols in any of our products. What sets you apart in your industry? We work hard to keep our messaging educational and empowering, so our community feels like we are working together to champion products that are truly better for us and the environment. I founded the Blue Beauty movement, that recognizes beauty and personal care brands making a positive impact on the environment.
Beauty Heroes | 817 Grant Avenue, Novato, CA 94945 415.895.1480 | novatostore@beauty-heroes.com www.beauty-heroes.com | @beautyheroes
Keira Kotler Everviolet is leading the industry in comfortable, adaptive, beautiful and sustainable lingerie. What is it about your business that makes you a groundbreaker? Everviolet is changing the lingerie landscape by creating functional and beautiful intimate apparel for women after cancer and other medical challenges. We are the first mover in the adaptive intimate apparel landscape, dedicated to helping women reclaim a sense of self and femininity following change. We believe that women should not have to compromise comfort for fashion, and when we feel our best, we live our best lives. We offer complimentary fit consultations by appointment, both virtually and in person in our San Anselmo HQ.
Everviolet | www.everviolet.com | hello@everviolet.com | @everviolet
PROMOTION
Sarah Mitchell Hansen The Model Bakery brings a European flavor to its women-led business.
Are you doing anything special to nurture or instruct the next generation of female business leaders? Yes. We are unique in that we are a largely female-managedand-operated business. The Model Bakery is well-known locally for having hired generations of young students (mostly female) and going back nearly seven generations. We have a diversified staff made up of multiple ethnic backgrounds, which brings a unique mix of creativity to product development. groundbreaking
What does it mean to you to run a women-owned business? It is empowering to be a female business owner with almost 100 employees in an industry previously led by men. We see more businesses run by women these days than ever before. There are so many strong female leaders in the food industry in California that set examples.
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Karen Mitchell and Sarah Mitchell Hansen
The Model Bakery: Napa (Oxbow Public Market), St. Helena and Yountville. Muffins and bread at Whole Foods stores in Mill Valley, San Rafael and Novato. www.themodelbakery.com
Leeta Steenwyk Make your space elegant and comfortable with Bella Notte Linens. What is it about your business that makes you a groundbreaker? Bella Notte Linens is America’s original brand of washable luxury bed linens for the home — handcrafted and dyed to order in Novato, California. What makes women so effective at business? Women are phenomenal listeners. This inherent attribute provides women the ultimate opportunity to develop strong relationships with vendors, teams and customers. Bella Notte Linens | customercare@bellanotte.com www.bellanottelinens.com | @bellanottelinens
Thank You! To All of Our Partners
Rainy Hake Austin
Meghan Evans
rainy@theagencyre.com www.theagencyre.com
366 Ignacio Boulevard, Novato, CA 94949 415.506.4444 studio@buttercupbend.com
THE AGENCY
Aviva Kamler
415.717.1056 aviva.kamler@sothebys.realty www.avivakamler.com
Jeannie Jarnot BEAUTY HEROES
817 Grant Avenue, Novato, CA 94945 415.895.1480 novatostore@beauty-heroes.com www.beauty-heroes.com
Leeta Steenwyk
BELLA NOTTE LINENS
customercare@bellanotte.com www.bellanottelinens.com
Dr. Faye Jamali BELLE MARIN AESTHETIC MEDICINE
BUTTERCUP HOME
Petra Bergstein Higby THE CAVIAR CO.
46 A Main Street, Tiburon, CA 94920 415.889.5168 petra@thecaviarco.com www.thecaviarco.com
Barbara Chambers
CHAMBERS+CHAMBERS ARCHITECTS
420 MillerAvenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.381.8326 barbara@chambersandchambers. com www.chambersandchambers.com
Kari Auringer
250 E. Blithedale Avenue, suite B, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.887.8718 hello@bellemarin.com www.bellemarin.com
CORNERSTONE CELLARS
Jennifer Bowman
DEE’S ORGANIC CATERING
BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP
1118 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939 415.755.1040 bowmangroup@ vanguardproperties.com www.bowmanrealestategroup.com
Brigitte L. Lank, Ph.D. 3 Madrona Street, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.272.7758 drlank@att.net www.drlank.com
707.945.0388 concierge@cornerstonecellars.com www.cornerstonecellars.com
Dolores Coleman
1545 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 415.484.3491 dee@deesorganic.com
Donna Bernstein DONNA B FINE ART
7141 E Rancho Vista Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85251 208.861.4331 donna@donnabernstein.com www.donnabernstein.com
Keira Kotler EVERVIOLET
hello@everviolet.com www.everviolet.com
Heather K. Bernstein HEATHER K. BERNSTEIN INTERIOR DESIGN
415.279.0648 heather@hkbinteriordesign.com www.hkbinteriordesign.com
Cassie Zampa-Keim INNOVATIVE MATCH ROSS
Ross, CA 415.259.8714 www.innovative-match.com
Sarah Gott JOEL GOTT WINES
707.963.3365 info@gottwines.com www.gottwines.com
Chris Bacchi, M.D. MARIN MEDICAL AESTHETICS
807 D Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 415.785.4604 www.marinmedicalaesthetics.com marinmedicaloffice@gmail.com
Sarah Mitchell Hansen THE MODEL BAKERY
644 First Street, Bldg. B, Napa, CA 94559 707.963.8192 www.themodelbakery.com
Cecilia Quezada and Julia Campbell QUEZADA ARCHITECTURE
639 Front Street, First Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111 415.331.5133 info@qa-us.com www.qa-us.com
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let’s get social!
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prosperity & your future. What impacts prosperity and your future? Home value, investment portfolios, trusts, insurance and other valuable assets; it’s how we manage all aspects of our wealth. A lot depends on the partners we select to help us achieve our goals. Allow Marin Living to showcase your area of expertise. Your unique approach can provide the stability and insights that help individuals realize prosperity. Marin Living will spotlight the people and their companies who are making a difference in people’s financial lives in May’s Prosperity & Your Future advertorial feature. Let us spotlight what makes you and your business stand out from the crowd. Contact Dina Grant at dina@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.238.2030.
www.marinlivingmagazine.com
PROMOTION
Community Minded 21st-Century Matchmaking That Humanizes Modern-Day Dating Innovative Match takes a hybrid approach to dating. After more than 30 years in the business, founder Cassie ZampaKeim stays current with dating trends by incorporating online dating with her exclusive list of pre-vetted, eligible singles. Clients can choose from a host of services that include coaching, writing a unique online dating profile on the client’s behalf and management of online dating profiles. The result is an unparalleled dating experience in which clients rediscover what they love about themselves — and the confidence to share their best self with others. Innovative Match Ross | 415.259.8714 | innovative-match.com
Working Together to Change the Planet At Bowman Real Estate Group, we believe we can “do better together” to change our planet. It starts with small acts close to home. Our team, with the help of volunteers from Marin Rowing Association, spent an afternoon collecting trash from Corte Madera Creek from Highway 101 to South Eliseo. We plan to make this a quarterly effort. Please contact us if you would like to join our efforts to clean Corte Madera Creek. Bowman Real Estate Group 1118 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939 | 415.755.1040 www.BowmanRealEstateGroup.com
You Are Invited to the Style and Design Shoppe Buttercup Home, an interior design and staging company, invites you to its brick-and-mortar store in the Pacheco Plaza Shopping Center. The shoppe is full of gorgeous furniture, home furnishings, accessories and gifts. Walk in and leave with enough to redesign any room in your home. We are here to answer any design questions, large or small. Join us once a month for our fun outdoor market and check out all the brand-new products. Next Outdoor Market: April 23 and 24 Store Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues–Sat Buttercup Home | 366 Ignacio Boulevard, Novato, CA 94949 (in the Pacheco Plaza Center)
Spring Awakening
going places.
Gerald Geronimo/www.stock.adobe.com
A San Diego getaway, visiting Wine Country by train and a lesson in what it truly means to go green when it comes to home design.
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voyager.
San Diego’s Sophisticated Side New design hotels, renovated museums and a flourishing culinary scene are transforming San Diego into one of the West Coast’s most cosmopolitan destinations.
Musuem of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla
70 april 2021 marin living.
art credit
By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti
KNOWN FOR ITS SURF CULTURE and plenty of endorphin-releasing sunshine, San Diego has always been a popular spring break destination. While beach bonfires and sunset strolls on the boardwalk are all well and good, the city increasingly has more to offer, not just for beach lovers and families (who come to frolic in the waves and visit Legoland and the San Diego Zoo), but culture hounds as well. Interesting architecture, artsy neighborhoods with eclectic eateries and upgraded cultural institutions are all reasons to stray beyond the sand. Here’s how to get the best of both worlds on a trip to San Diego.
Courtesy of Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas (top); Musuem of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla (left)
Where to Stay Blending into a coastal bluff, the sustainably minded Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas (from $599 per night, www.alilahotels.com), which opened in the North County community in March, draws on the San Diego coastline’s beauty. Natural materials like stone and driftwood have been integrated into the design, and the hotel has direct access to Ponto Beach. The resort’s 130 rooms and suites feature linens crafted from sustainable beechwood fibers and boast views of Batiquitos Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean. Many have balconies or patios with fire pits. Alila Marea also has a permanent collection of artwork by famed surf photographer Aaron Chang and a coastal-inspired spa. Closer to downtown, Monsaraz, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (from $180 a night, www.hilton.com), is opening in Point Loma this month. Just steps from the harbor, it celebrates the area’s Portuguese heritage; Monsaraz is the name of a medieval hilltop village in Portugal. The lobby sports traditional Portuguese-style blue tiling and maritime references throughout, like rugs inspired by waves and fish basket light fixtures. Playful touches include vintage travel posters in guest rooms and a large geometric mural by San Diego artist Janie Rochfort in the courtyard. Downtown’s The Guild Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (from $149 a
Alila Marea guest room patio
night, www.theguildhotel.com), opened in 2019 in a 1920s YMCA and won an Orchid Award for Historic Preservation the following year. The intricate facade with terracotta and iron detailing was painstakingly restored during the renovation. The lobby, designed by sought-after L.A.-based designer Sormeh Rienne, feels both timeless and modern with a hand-torched herringbone floor, fluted burgundy reception desk and luminous bar with quartzite counters. Make believe you’re in Paris while sipping a glass of rosé champagne in the Grace Garden, a courtyard restaurant with black and white umbrellas and olive trees. While located in the Gaslamp Quarter, which has become San Diego’s
rather touristy nightlife hub, the Pendry San Diego (from $285 per night, www. pendry.com) keeps things on the up and up. The hotel’s cinematic common spaces include a lobby with a wooden wall with built-in booths and the Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile, where a mirrored chandelier dangles from the soaring ceiling. Guests can also enjoy a spa and rooftop pool, multiple drinking and dining venues, including the sustainable seafood restaurant Lionfish, and a contemporary art show at the hotel’s art gallery. San Diego’s very own grand dame, the Hotel del Coronado (from $339 a night, www.hoteldel.com), is in the midst of a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion to make the property relevant for another 100-plus years. marin living.
april 2021 71
voyager.
The Cabanas “neighborhood” debuted last summer with 97 SoCal-inspired guest rooms featuring nautical decor and sunburst mirrors. Another new enclave, known as The Views, will open this summer. Named for the hotel’s founders, Babcock & Story Bar has been restored to its former glory with the refurbishment of the original 50-foot mahogany bar and the original cupola.
Juene et Jolie
72 april 2021 marin living.
Balboa Park’s new living room, the Mingei International Museum (www. mingei.org), will reopen this summer following a three-year-long closure and renovation designed by San Diego’s LUCE et studio. Located in a 1915 Spanish Colonial building, the museum is devoted to folk art, handcrafts and design; the permanent collection consists of objects from 140 different countries. The new look includes terraces with leafy park views and site-specific installations, like a hand-dyed wool tapestry by Netherlands-based artist Claudy Jongstra. The first floor, which will include a cafe and rotating exhibitions, will always have free admission to the public. Also in Balboa Park, San Diego’s world-famous comic book convention, Comic-Con, is getting a permanent home for exhibits, panels, art shows, installations and more this summer. The Comic-Con Museum (www. comic-con.org/museum) is opening in an 85-year-old building, and the facade will become a canvas displaying colorful banners during the day and dazzling illumination at night. The mezzanine level will be home to three art galleries showcasing prolific artists’ work and the colorful, graphic world of comics and pop culture. The long-awaited Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla (www.mcasd.org/mcasd-expanding) is slated to reopen later this year. Selldorf Architect’s reimagining of the seaside museum will double the size to more adequately display the extensive collection of Latin American and minimalist art.
Kylee Sebree
Museum News
Spa Pendry
Courtesy of Pendry San Diego
Where to Eat and Drink World-renowned chefs have become a fixture in San Diego, and the dining offerings have never been more tasty and diverse. James Beard Award semifinalist Claudette Zepeda’s VAGA Restaurant & Bar (www.alilahotels. com) at the Alila Marea will draw on Zepeda’s upbringing on both sides of the border and introduce guests to San Diego’s rich cultures and cuisine. Ember & Rye (www.hyatt.com), the new dining venue at Park Hyatt Aviara, is another palate-pleasing concept from acclaimed chef, restaurateur and television personality Richard Blais. The restaurant is a modern country club cum steakhouse serving fresh seafood and aged steaks and offering coastal views. San Diego native Tony Guan (UnderBelly, Restaurant Gary
Danko) is taking inspiration from his Chinese-American heritage at Fortunate Son (www.fortunatesonchinese. com), which opened in 2020 in Normal Heights. The menu pays homage to American Chinese takeout classics like beef and shishito peppers instead of the traditional beef and broccoli and sweet and sour pork belly. There’s plenty of patio seating, but don’t miss a chance to peek into the lavish interior decorated with lanterns, plants and carved dragons. Cesarina (www.cesarinarestaurant. com) in Point Loma is only two years old, but it feels deeply rooted in the community. Owner Cesarina Mezzoni, who lived in Rome, got her start in San Diego at a farmers market stand selling handmade pasta and fromscratch sauces. The eatery has a lush patio and an open-air pasta factory
where guests can watch chefs making plump gnocchi and thin strips of bucatini. Cesarina excels at sweets like tiramisu with homemade ladyfingers and vegan cannoli with pistachio and candied orange zest. Farther north in Carlsbad, French cuisine is getting the fresh San Diego spin at Jeune et Jolie (www.jeune-jolie. com). Chef Eric Bost worked his way through some of the best restaurant kitchens in Paris, including Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée and Les Ambassadeurs at the Hôtel de Crillon, before landing in Southern California. The restaurant is currently offering an outdoor dining experience. Make a reservation for a tasting menu that might include scallops with brussels sprouts and smoked eel or aged duck with tangy rhubarb while sitting beneath SoCal’s twinkling night sky. marin living.
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Courtesy of SMART
land & sea.
A train at the San Rafael station
Keep on Rolling
SMART looks ahead to increased ridership, new initiatives and new stations in the coming years as the pandemic eases. By Daniel Jewett
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, SMART, Sonoma-Marin Area Rapid Transit, was seeing daily ridership numbers that were approaching the 3,000s, especially after the Larkspur station opened near the ferry terminal in late 2019, and things were looking to only get better. The pandemic changed all that and daily numbers quickly fell to the 300s. But Matt Stevens, who handles communications, marketing and customer service for the agency (www. sonomamarintrain.org), is looking forward to seeing those numbers bounce back soon as riders return for all the good things that come from leaving the car at home. “When you are commuting via car it’s like a second job,” says Stevens, who started with the agency in 2001 as a consultant and has worked there as an employee since 2012. “When you’re on the train you can relax, you can read a book, do work if you need to. You can make phone calls or you can just enjoy the scenery. The North Bay is blessed with incredible scenery and some of the best parts can only be seen from the train.” Beyond its loyal regular riders, SMART has helped out many during the pandemic by participating in the Metro-
By 2022, work should start on completing Windsor and moving on to Healdsburg — finally connecting San Francisco and everything in between to
Tiffany Dang
Wine Country via public transit.
politan Transportation Commission’s Clipper START pilot program, which offers 50 percent off rides to low-income riders. Also, during the pandemic, SMART is offering free rides to anyone going to get a vaccine, similar to a free program that helped those who lost their homes and vehicles evacuate Sonoma during the 2017 wildfires. “Coronavirus is another kind of fire that’s been raging through our community and so this is an opportunity for us to help people get their vaccines,” Stevens says. SMART spent most of last year preparing for the new Windsor station, which will be followed by the construction of new stations and track improvements in Healdsburg and then Cloverdale. “We did all of the in-water work where we’d be able to rebuild all the bridges, including both rail bridges, as well as bicycling bridges, and got all of our culverts done. Basically, everything to prepare the ground for rebuilding the railroad tracks themselves,” Stevens says. By 2022, work should start on completing Windsor and moving on to Healdsburg — finally connecting San Francisco and everything in between to Wine Country via public transit — where a big challenge is bridging the Russian River. Stevens says that officials in Healdsburg have asked the agency to look at moving the planned station from the historic rail depot south of town to one of two choices in the heart of downtown. “We think that’d be cool,” he says. SMART is expanding in other ways. In December of last year, the California Transportation Commission voted to approve SMART’s takeover of 21 miles of rail from the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Co. between Healdsburg and Mendocino and manage freight hauling between Napa and Windsor. Although the deal must still be approved at the federal level, the approval gave SMART access to $4 million to buy four locomotives, other equipment and rail operation rights from Northwestern Pacific Railroad. “The State of California has noticed that we have the ability to get things done and to build things cost-effectively — if not on budget, then under budget,” Stevens says of the approval. “I think that is a big vote of confidence.” marin living.
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new digs.
Bathroom remodel by Storey Design using more than 80 percent secondhand and reclaimed materials
Good to Be Green Even the most conscious consumer can find it hard to make responsible choices when buying for the home or remodeling, but the following tips will give you a greener lens on your next design decision. by Laura Schooling 76 april 2021 marin living.
Lose the Chemicals Love that new furniture smell? Time to rethink that. Turns out, that’s off-gassing, which happens when a product releases chemicals in the air. When you install high-toxicity furniture with common VOCs (volatile organic compounds) like formaldehyde and flame retardants, you’re trapping chemicals indoors and huffing toxins that have been linked to birth defects, endocrine disruption (reproduction, immunity problems) and cancer. Organizations like UL (www.ul.com) are trying to simplify the search process for consumers with SPOT, an online product database that tells you if that item on your wish list earns UL’s GREENGUARD seal, which certifies a product is low in toxicity. Marin’s own RH has a number of products that are GREENGUARD certified, including nursery furniture collections from RH Baby & Child (rhbabyandchild.com). Some furniture brands are even designed with recycling in mind, like Steelcase and Herman Miller. Cradle to Cradle Certified (www.c2ccertified.org) products, which include brands like Herman Miller,
Henry Gao
CONSUMERS HAVE BECOME increasingly aware of the impact their purchases have on the environment and their own health, especially here in Marin County. Organic food sales have more than doubled in the last 10 years, the beauty industry has focused on detoxifying and demand for vehicles that don’t rely on fossil fuels has turned Elon Musk into the richest man in the world. And yet, if you’ve tried to purchase a couch, table, or — the whammy of all stress-inducing home purchases — a mattress, you know being eco-conscious is not so straightforward. In fact, the EPA reports that 9.7 million tons of furniture ended up in landfill in the U.S. in 2018, a 33 percent increase since 2000. But fear not: there is a growing movement to improve the safety and responsibility of the home design industry as well as bring better products to consumers and reuse as much as possible.
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last, they’ll have a purpose for decades to come. And if your style evolves, you can enlist a refurbishment company like Revitaliste (www.revitaliste.com) to modernize your piece. Or try a resale store, a charity organization or a Buy Nothing Project group.
factor in the full cycle of a product — what materials were used, how they were sourced and how the materials can be recycled or renewed. Think Natural Buy natural materials whenever possible — pure latex, organic cotton or wool mattresses, and solid wood furniture. Avoid those that contain particleboard, PVC and flame retardants. Yet, even when the materials are ideal, pay attention to the construction of the item. Glue is a big off-gassing culprit. Good Wood Look for products made with certified sustainable wood, which means the wood was harvested in a sustainable way. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC, www.us.fsc.org) stamp of approval is a great one to look for. Also, reclaimed materials breathe new life into items that once would have faced the landfill, such as wood from old houses made into tables or pouf stuffing made from plastic water bottles. Some lines of reclaimed furniture are even popping up at retailers like Crate & Barrel and West Elm. Buy Fewer, Better Invest in high-quality items. Just as with the move away from fast fashion, people are starting to look down on fast furniture, which pollutes the environment and ultimately ends up in a landfill. If you seek out quality items that are built to 78 april 2021 marin living.
Labels to Love
FSC, the Forest Stewardship Council, offers the world’s most trusted forest certification and helps consumers and companies identify and purchase products from responsibly managed forests.
Cradle to Cradle Certified offers a science-based standard for safe and responsible materials and products that support a “circular economy.”
Products that have achieved GREENGUARD certification are scientifically proven to meet some of the world’s most rigorous thirdparty chemical emissions standards, helping to reduce indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure.
Donate Donating is the best way to give your items a new life, especially if they are in good shape but no longer suit your style. After 20 years working in the interior design industry, Carolyn Flannery was fed up with waste. “When I ordered three tables for a client and they arrived with a small scratch, the manufacturer told me to throw them away. It was cheaper for them to send new ones than to take them back.” She launched Make It Home (www. makeithomebayarea.org) as a way to eliminate that waste and provide “pride of place” furnishings for the people who need it most. She works directly with county services and other charitable organizations to furnish residences for people transitioning out of homelessness, young adults leaving the foster system and other at-risk populations. Flannery is accepting lightly used furniture, bedding and kitchen supplies from individuals, retailers, manufacturers and hotels. The demand is far greater than the supply, and she is actively seeking donations and volunteers.
Courtesy of RH Baby & Child
RH Baby & Child
Reduce Waste Bay Area interior designer Katie Storey of Storey Design is leading a movement to eliminate construction and design waste at scale. In just one year, 120 product makers and design service providers have joined the Good Future Design Alliance (GFDA, www. thegfda.com), with a commitment to reduce waste by 50 percent in five years. The organization provides its trade members with a toolkit to reduce, reuse and recycle. “Five hundred million tons of construction materials go to the landfill every year in the U.S. That’s like 500 Golden Gate Bridges,” Storey explains. “We want to help our industry do their jobs with less waste and protect the planet.” Consumers can source local product makers and designers on the GFDA website and visit GFDA Marketplace, a designer consignment boutique in the San Francisco Design Center.
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drawn together.
Art for the People Santa Rosa artist John Deckert uses his talents to honor those who keep us going during the pandemic. By Daniel Jewett
WHEN THE PANDEMIC hit last March, Santa Rosa artist John Deckert, 73, knew that he and his wife would need to hunker down and stick close to the house. But the artist, who made headlines during the devastating 2017 wildfires for creating oil paintings of first responders and then giving his subjects those creations, didn’t want to put down his brushes. “I wanted to keep painting and so I started focusing on the lawn crew, the guy from PG&E that climbed the pole and restored our electricity, the guy who works at Costco, the cashier at the grocery store,” Deckert (www.john deckert.com) says of the project that has grown to 65 paintings, all eventually given to the subjects. “To me, they are the people that keep things going so I can quarantine in my house.” While the focus, unlike with the first-responders series in 2017, has mostly been on the more everyday-life kind of heroes, Deckert has painted some images of frontline nurses at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. “They have specifically expressed the idea that this is a bright spot in a dark and hard year,” he adds. “ And so I just thought, you know, this is really important.” Deckert, who began his art career as an abstract painter in New York City in the mid-’70s, eventually moved to Paris, where he discovered portraiture after watching Parisian street artists make a good living at it. He ended up moving to Mill Valley in 2003 after a college sweetheart — now his wife — found his website and the two rekindled a 80 april 2021 marin living.
SRMH head nurse Sheila Smith
romance. The couple eventually moved to Santa Rosa, where Deckert was delighted to set up a large studio under a skylight in the home’s two-car garage. “You do 65 paintings and it really improves your skill,” Deckert says of the project. “And so, for me, selfishly, it’s like I just took a class.” Deckert’s style, like that of American painter John Singer Sargent, is to repeatedly apply oil paint, then scrape off a layer with a palette knife and apply paint again so the brushstrokes aren’t as obvious. “There’s a famous story about John Singer Sargent and people say, ‘Oh, man, he scraped the painting down 60 times and made that poor woman sit there for all that time.’ ” For Deckert, though, the biggest reward is when he finally finishes a
painting produced from a photograph he took — he does admit to sometimes taking too long to finish — and presents it to the subject, giving that person a direct connection to fine art in the process. “When I started giving the paintings to people they were really happy and would say ‘Oh my god, this is beautiful.’ And more than once I had people say, ‘Nobody has ever painted me before,’ ” he says. “And it becomes obvious that art has isolated itself from people. I thought, you know, I’m doing a good thing in giving people the experience of fine art painting. They can associate it with the pride of what they do and the importance to the community or they can just take it as, you know, something nice to put up on their wall.”
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