turning up the volume on marin’s happy, healthy lifestyle.
New Africa/Adobe Stock
New year, new choices. Make 2021 the year you find a perfect home.
Nick Svenson 415.505.7674 | nick@marinsfhomes.com www.marinsfhomes.com | BRE #01918616 #1 Agent in Marin County by Transactions, 2019 GGSIR #1 Agent in Marin County by Transactions, 2018 GGSIR
Want to love where you work? We are searching for passionate sales executives like you who value the ability to express their professional opinion and enjoy working in a positive, transparent company culture. At Marin Living you will have boundless room for professional growth and will benefit from an unrivaled commission structure. We function from a place of individual strengths and team support where goals are clearly identified and celebrated. Our CRM system is state-of-the-art and we have an open-territory structure. Not to mention our casual work-from-home environment, ability to create your own schedule and unlimited vacation time. And most important, you have a love for creating marketing strategies for clients across multiple platforms and a passion for print. If this sounds like a perfect fit, send your resume to Jessica Cline and tell us how you can contribute to our success. jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.302.0850
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PROMOTION
Fox Hollow, Plan 5, Exterior
Three Unique Communities. One Incredible Locale. It’s a new year and there are endless possibilities. With the way we work now, you can live anywhere. Why not trade the crowded and expensive urban living experience for an affordable home located in the heart of wine country? No longer just a weekend escape, a growing number of people are leaving San Francisco, the East Bay and Silicon Valley behind and becoming full-time residents of Sonoma County. What better way to do it than at the new Santa Rosa Collection by City Ventures? These three unique communities with myriad styles, amenities and living spaces offer something for everyone — couples, young families, empty-nesters, single professionals and those that just want a weekend getaway. “Buyers who have always wanted the Russian River Valley lifestyle, but have been tied to their desk in the city, are now free to find more space at a
better price here in wine country,” says Natasha Zabaneh, senior vice president at City Ventures. ROUND BARN The first solar-included new home neighborhood in the highly regarded community of Fountaingrove, Round Barn townhomes feature many community-exclusive amenities such as parks, playgrounds, pool, cabanas and a community garden. FOX HOLLOW A stylish community of single-family, solar-ready homes with many included features and private yards, Fox Hollow is near all Santa
Rosa has to offer — everything from nearby trails and parks to the vibrant downtown area with enticing restaurants and wineries. RESERVE This community presents spacious single-family homes on large homesites with indoor-outdoor spaces, multi-gen living options and the ability to customize the finishes and amenities of your new home. Also, there are no Mello-Roos or HOAs. The model homes are open for tours! Learn more or schedule an appointment at the SantaRosaCollection.com.
PROMOTION
Reserve, Plan 2, Santa Rosa Room
Round Barn, Plan 3, Kitchen
Flooring Design Center Carpet | Area Rugs | Hardwood | Laminate
City Carpets COVID Safety Policy During this crisis our store will remain open as an essen�al business for your convenience, and we want to assure you we have taken every precau�on to keep you and our staff safe.
A few of the items we have done for safety purposes include the following: ▪ We limit the number of people in the showroom and maintain a 6’ social distance ▪ Our showroom air filters are thoroughly cleaned ▪ We have fans installed to keep the showroom air moving ▪ We have installed sneeze guards wherever needed ▪ Our showroom carpets are deep cleaned ▪ Returned flooring samples are placed in an exterior bin and sani�zed ▪ Every sample is sani�zed prior to being placed in the showroom ▪ Complimentary hand sani�zer, gloves, and masks are available for customers ▪ Touchless payment op�ons (Apple pay), and touchless waste baskets are available ▪ Our employees self cer�fy daily that they or anyone in their home have no cough, fever or illness ▪ Mandatory temperature taking & recording every day for each employee ▪ Health Safety Qualified thru American Ra�ngs Corp. If you prefer to shop virtually from the comfort of your home, our website features easy to use shopping and design tools, product catalogs, visualiza�on and more! Whether you are shopping with us now or in the future, we are here to provide you with the excellent service and quality products you've come to expect. Thank you! Leigh Bakh�ari Owner Store Hours: Mon. to Fri. 8am – 5pm; Sat. 9am – 5pm; Sundays & Evenings are Appointment Only Senior Hours: Mon. to Fri. 8 – 9am & by Appointment
555 E. Francisco Blvd, San Rafael www.city-carpets.com • 415-454-4200 • CSL #746886
M O U N TA I N S TO M A R I N A S , MARIN IS OUR HOME
BOWMAN REAL ES TATE GR O U P 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
BowmanRealEstateGroup.com @THEBOWMANGROUP
MARIN MATTERS
Providing Marin families more of what they want
home. Home provides security, control, belonging, identity, and privacy, among other things. But most of all, it’s a place that provides us with a centering—a place from which we leave each morning and to which we return each evening.
BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP | 415.755.1040 BowmanGroup@VanguardProperties.com DRE# 01933147
Get A Clean Start this Year
Recovery Without Walls, founded and directed by Howard Kornfeld, M.D., is a unique office-based medical practice for those who are questioning or concerned about their relationship with alcohol or other substances. You can have your best year ever in 2021. While sheltering in place during Covid-19, problem drinking has significantly increased, particularly among women. Winter months combined with pandemic lockdowns and challenging family dynamics have led many to adopt unhealthy
habits. But 2021 could be the year you end your reliance on alcohol with advanced techniques and cutting-edge medications, using evidence informed approaches that our team has introduced years ahead of other practices. The phrase “recovery without walls� describes a recovery philosophy unencumbered by either the limits of reductionist thinking or the less frequent need for the walls of a residential center.
RECOVERYWITHOUTWALLS
With a focus on psychotherapy, mindfulness, sleep restoration, yoga and noninflammatory dietary and supplement choices, we treat patients privately in our office with empathy and meticulous confidentiality. You can regain control and reduce the physical and emotional distress associated with withdrawal. Dr. Kornfeld has 30 years of experience and is board certified in addiction, emergency and pain medicine. The
practice includes physicians, psychologists, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and eating disorder and recovery specialists. Our team is unrivaled in the field.
Howard Kornfeld M.D. | Recovery Without Walls 3 Madrona Street, Mill Valley, CA 94941 | 415.383.2949 office@recoveryww.com | www.recoveryww.com
Jessica Cline
CEO jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.302.0850
Casey Gillespie
Creative Director casey@marinlivingmagazine.com
Daniel Jewett
Executive Editor dan@marinlivingmagazine.com
Emily Blevins
Design Director emily@marinlivingmagazine.com
Dina Grant
Advertising Director dina@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.238.2030
Wine Country Advertising Consultant Chet Klingensmith chet@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.216.1780 Advertising Consultant Kim McGinnis kim@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.559.8598 Contributing Editor Casey Hatfield-Chiotti Interns Aiden Achuck, Jack Bober, Tiffany Dang Contributing Writers Dean Karnazes, Nicolas Stecher Copy Editor Cynthia Rubin
Mailing Address Marin Living PO Box 2104 Mill Valley, CA 94941 Office phone: 707.302.0850
Editorial or press inquiries: casey@marinlivingmagazine.com, dan@marinlivingmagazine.com Subscriptions Customer Service: 818.287.2940 mlmcs@magserv.com
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Volume 2, Issue 1. Marin Living magazine is published in Marin County by Five19Publishing Inc., Mill Valley, CA 94941. All rights reserved. Copyright ©2021. Reproduction of Marin Living is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Five19Publishing Inc. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned. Marin Living is mailed bimonthly to homes and businesses in Marin County and San Francisco. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Marin Living magazine, PO Box 16895, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6895.
PUBLISHING
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you are not alone. There is help out there. Here are some local mental health resources.
Local Suicide Prevention Hotline 415.499.1100 MarinHealth Behavioral Health (www.mymarinhealth.org) or 415.925.8808 County of Marin Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (www.marinhhs.org) Access and Assessment Line 888.818.1115 Crisis Stabilization Unit 415.473.6666 Mobile Crisis Response Team 415.473.6392 National Suicide Prevention Line (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org) or 800.273.8255.
table of contents. january/february 2021
77
20 news.
Black Lives Matter art, Marin census update, a wider Narrows, Meadowood residency and more.
27 local splurges.
Products to help you get your health and fitness back on track.
28 eat & drink.
From sauces to gourmet delivery to wine clubs — bring the restaurant experience home.
30 beauty.
No matter which age group you fall into, these products and supplements will help you look and feel your best.
34 local getaways.
going places. 77 land & sea.
Walking, tasting, shopping and relaxing — Calistoga has you covered.
The automobile industry is changing, and electric vehicles have never looked so good (or been so fast).
38 take note.
80 drawn together.
KQED’s Forum host, Michael Krasny, reflects back on an illustrious career behind the mic.
14 january/february 2021 marin living.
Tiburon’s newly elected vice mayor on how this year’s challenges are building a better and more inclusive town.
from the team.
16 from the ceo. 18 from the creative director.
Courtesy of Lucid Motors
spotlight marin.
The Lucid Air is the fastest charging electric vehicle on the market. It also offers 1,080 horsepower and a range of 517 miles.
The pool area at CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa
features.
Lisa Diederich Photography
40 The Running Man
Ultramarathon runner, New York Times bestselling author and Marin resident Dean Karnazes offers some wisdom on perspective, the healing power of the outdoors and mental resilience.
44 The Science of Aging
A look into how the Buck Institute is conducting life-changing science — which is happening right in our own backyard.
50 The Renewed You
Wellness retreats give guests the ultimate reset with treatments and experiences rooted in healing and nature.
turning up the volume on marin’s happy, healthy lifestyle.
On the Cover Rodeo Beach byJonah Richards
marin living. january/february 2021 15
from the ceo. Caption Teekay
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying ‘I will try again tomorrow.’ ” —Mary Anne Radmacher
Bold Optimism
16 january/february 2021 marin living.
58. Learn what the leaders in real estate, wealth management, design, matchmaking, addiction rehabilitation, cannabis, retail and beauty are doing to pave the way in their respective industries. It’s individuals like them who inspire us. They run the the businesses that fill Marinites with pride and optimism. They have endured and pushed through to keep their dreams alive. Sometimes through chaos, our purpose becomes crystal clear. It may not be our purpose forever, but it is for right now, and after the year we’ve all had, I’m living in the present and appreciating the life we’ve created. Our team is entering 2021 with the boldest of optimism. We are ready for what this year has in store — at least we think we are. Bring it, 2021; we’re going to make the best out of you, too.
Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder
Portrait by Becca Teal Batista
This year is primed to be better than 2020. The vaccines are on the way, we elected the first female mayor of San Rafael and we’ve elected the first woman vice president our country has ever seen. Despite these breakthroughs, no matter what happens, things can’t possibly be stranger than last year. There’s no way anyone could’ve precisely predicted how life-altering Covid-19 would be. As insane, confusing and frustrating as it was, something extraordinary happened to us at five19publishing. When the world felt like it was falling apart, we had each other, and we got to work. Starting a new business is risky; starting a new business during a pandemic is something altogether different. To say we’ve learned a lot would be a disservice to the concept. We are first-time business owners, which comes with many I’ve-never-done-this-before challenges. We met every day on Zoom. We kept going. Every wall we hit, we plowed through it. We put everything we had into it. We pushed on to the next challenge. We tossed out all the publishing rules and started doing what we love, and we focused on what we knew our clients needed. We are changing the game, and it’s just the beginning. We are listening to you, Marin, and we are adding more creative and marketing services to our offerings this year to keep up with our community’s demand and needs. We have worked in publishing for most of our careers, and frankly, it’s time for a new approach. So, here we are, doing it our way. We couldn’t have done it without the fantastic “Trendsetters” that you will be introduced to starting on page
Servicing Marin County + Sonoma + San Francisco @ona.life City of San Rafael License No: 2018-08-ONA Bureau of Cannabis Control: C9-0000100
from the creative director.
“How you age has everything to do with the choices you make right now — what you eat and how active you are, but also how you spend your free time and how you see the world around you.” The New Rules of Aging Well by Frank Lipman, M.D., and Danielle Claro
A Vital New Year
18 january/february 2021 marin living.
Dean Karnazes running the trails of Marin.
If you are a runner then you surely know ultramarathoner and Kentfield resident Dean Karnazes. Named one of the Men’s Health Top 100 Fittest Men of All Time and one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time magazine — when Dean speaks, we should listen. But even if you aren’t a runner, his feature “The Running Man” in this issue imparts wisdom that feels particularly relevant right now. What I love about the quote at the top of this page is that it emphasizes that there is more to healthy living than exercise and eating nutritiously — you must surround yourself with things that
make you happy and cultivate a positive outlook. We’ve tried to fill the pages of this month’s issue with things that will do just that — enjoy! Be well,
Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder
Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Corey Rich Photography
When we designed our editorial calendar for 2021, we knew right away that vitality had to be at the top of our list of topics to cover. It was early 2020 and the study had just been released again naming Marin County the healthiest county in California (bravo us!). I had also recently gotten back into road biking and while I consider myself to be pretty fit, I was taken aback by the number of people in their 60s — possibly even 70s — that were racing by me like I was standing still. Some people might get upset about a thing like that, but my first thought was, That is going to be me one day. Clearly, I need more practice, but the experience was nothing if not inspiring. For me, vitality has everything to do with aging well. The misconception is that aging is an issue to deal with in your later years, but really it’s just semantics. Our obsession with wellness and self-care is an obsession with aging well. This month, I spoke to Eric Verdin, M.D., CEO and president of Novato’s Buck Institute for Research on Aging, and a handful of scientists who are doing incredible work in the field of aging research and longevity. What an honor it was to speak to some of the brightest minds in the field — and what they are doing not only is fascinating, but could very well change the way we live in the years to come. Wellness is just the beginning.
It’s Your Story. Where Will It Take You? www.ExceptionallyCoolHomes.com
Jon DiRienzo
Joe Hosni
jon@ech-re.com 415.744.4161 Lic. #01354297
joe@ech-re.com
exceptionally.cool.homes
415.465.4955 Lic. #02009324
Radha Mehta
20 january/february 2021 marin living.
spotlight marin.
“I often hear from the nonBIPOC community that this series helped raise their awareness on the reason for the Black Lives Matter movement and its call for justice. That raised awareness is a simple step toward inclusive thinking, especially for many of us who have the honor to serve on juries, manage staff or act as gatekeepers of opportunities for others. Each of us needs to do better at being inclusive and empathetic toward others in all that we do.� Radha Mehta, artist, #SayTheirNames project
marin living. january/february 2021 21
Face to Face Like many since the start of the the Black Lives Matters movement, Marin-based multimedia artist Radha Mehta (www. radhamehta.com) was moved to action 22 january/february 2021 marin living.
after discovering how many lives have been needlessly lost due to police brutality, and so was born her Say Their Names series (www.saytheirnames.memorial). “After I’d learned of the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, I decided to paint those portraits as a way to learn about who they were and to honor each of them with a moment of silence. And in the process, I found I wanted to know more about the Black Lives Matter movement. I came across the NPR podcast Code Switch and an article titled ‘A Decade of Watching Black People Die.’ Although
its list of deaths since Eric Garner was not comprehensive, I was aghast to see how many names (at least 1,500) it did mention. I researched those names, one by one, and started painting. I have done nearly 50 portraits,” says Mehta. The hand-drawn watercolor paintings are being displayed indefinitely throughout San Francisco in storefronts and galleries. Mehta is currently working with Illuminate SF on including the series as part of a larger Bay Area project in partnership with the San Francisco Bayview Opera House launching in the spring of 2021.
Radha Mehta
news.
news.
A Successful Census A year before the 2020 census was to take place, Marin County granted the Canal Alliance funds to conduct census outreach across the county. The project lead, Stephanie McNally, the advocacy and policy senior manager at Canal Alliance, got to work with partners and nonprofits, especially in historically undercounted areas, to make a plan. Then the pandemic hit and it all went out the window. So the action teams pivoted and came up with innovative, socially distanced ways to get the message out. That included ads on buses, a digital campaign with the Independent Journal, signs at pharmacies, toppers on gas station tanks, shopping cart ads, people with signs and tablets at food pantries, phone hotlines and changing the messaging based on current events. “Even some of those hard-to-count census tracks that we had targeted for outreach, the historically undercounted groups, some of them didn’t make it to their 2010 response rates but they got really close and we feel great about that, because in a year like this with the pandemic and the Trump administration’s position on the census, that might have made people say ‘why bother?’,” says McNally. “I feel like some of those where we got really close, we would have been much lower if we hadn’t made that effort. I’m proud of the work all these partners did.” Marin City exceeded the 2010 count, while the Canal District was off a little compared to 2010; overall Marin County did better than in 2010. The census officially ended October 15; here are some 2020 numbers on local self-response rates.
Jack Bobber (top, right)
2020 Marin
2010 Marin
National
76.3%
72.1%
67%
Bay Area
California
San Rafael
75.7%
69.6%
74.4%
Sausalito
Inverness/ Olema
Novato
73%
42.8%
Canal
Marin City
66.4%
68%
80.9%
Muir Beach
68.6%
Wide Open It is Marin and Sonoma commuters’ worst nightmare — the traffic jam that often starts in Novato and goes, on and off, all the way to Petaluma. Those days of traffic frustration for the drivers of the estimated 146,000 cars and 6,900 trucks that regularly travel that corridor (pre-pandemic) are coming to an end. In December the California Transportation Commission (catc.ca.gov) approved $40.1 million (to be used in conjunction with Regional Measure 3 funds) to widen the last bit of roadway from Novato to the Marin/Sonoma county line and to build 3.5 miles of northbound carpool lanes and 6 miles of southbound lanes in the area. This last bit of construction will complete the widening of the 17-mile corridor and allow for a 50-mile HOV network from north of the Golden Gate Bridge to Santa Rosa. “We have waited over 20 years to finally say this is the last piece to complete the Marin Sonoma Narrows; no more deaths from cars entering 101 from side streets, and less greenhouse gas from vehicles idling in long lines,” says Marin County Supervisor Judy Arnold. “In short, this completion is a testament to the patience and cooperation between two counties and their state and federal agencies.”
marin living. january/february 2021 23
news.
The Slopes Are Open is something so powerful about being in the mountains and breathing fresh air,” says North Lake Tahoe Director of Global Communications Liz Bowling. “There is a sense of normalcy to it. A sense of ‘I come here every year, this is where I go to connect with myself and disconnect with the rest of the world,’ and you are still able to do that.” But Bowling also stresses the need to adhere to new safety protocols that are in place and urges those thinking
about a trip to check out the Know Before You Go (www.gotahoenorth.com/know beforeyougo) webpage first. “Resorts in North Lake Tahoe have been working diligently since March to ensure their operations can adhere to current public health and safety requirements,” she adds. “Our resorts offer organized outdoor recreation in controlled environments to manage physical distancing, and a number of new safety protocols are in place.”
Courtesy of North Lake Tahoe Convention & Visitors Bureau
Grab the skis and snowboards: North Lake Tahoe ski resorts are open (with capacity and lift restrictions), as are activity providers, retail (20 percent in-store capacity) and restaurants (takeout only), while at the time of writing, lodging on the California side was closed until January 1 (although it is open on the Nevada side). Traveling for two to three hours in your car to access the resorts is allowed under state guidelines. “There
24 january/february 2021 marin living.
news.
Affordable Housing Coming to Marin City A new 74-unit, 73,793-square-foot multifamily housing apartment building on Drake Avenue in Marin City, currently the site of Village Baptist Church, was approved by the Marin County Community Development Agency (www.marin county.org/depts/cd) last November. The units, ranging in size from 592 to 1,128 square feet, would all be designated for households that qualify as very
low or extremely low income and construction is expected to start this year and take 21 months. The project, headed by developer AMG & Associates LLC of Encino, is the first in Marin to take advantage of Senate Bill 35, which streamlines the approval process for housing developments that address California’s severe housing shortage and affordability crisis. The developer has proposed
a similar project in Novato that is still being reviewed. “While there are critics of the streamlined process that we are required to follow, county staff planners have applied the utmost rigor in reviewing this application to confirm it met all requirements under state law as well as the county’s well-established zoning and development standards,” says Tom Lai, the CDA’s interim director.
Courtesy of AMG & Associates LLC (top); Michelle Drewes (bottom)
Vintage Sustainability
Sessions standing in front of three works of art — “Hoary Redpoll,” “Golden Winged Warbler” and “Tree Swallow” — by Sharon Beals.
One thing is for sure — the pandemic has rekindled our love of cocooning. Mill Valley resident and design industry veteran Hilary Sessions saw this as the perfect moment to turn her passion into a reality. Enter Quarry Hill Antiques (www.quarryhill antiques.com), inspired by Parisian antique markets. “One of the things I love about antique and vintage pieces is their sustainability,” Sessions says. “There is also something very comforting about adding antiques to our homes; they give us a real sense of warmth and security. Something we all need right now.” Mill Valley Lumber Yard, 129 Miller Avenue, Suite 804, Mill Valley
marin living. january/february 2021 25
news.
Ojai Valley Inn’s The Farmhouse restaurant
Fans of chef Christopher Kostow and the three-Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood are in for a treat this winter. Although the iconic Napa eatery was destroyed in September’s Glass Fire, the chef and his team are heading to Ojai Valley Inn’s The Farmhouse restaurant (www.ojaivalleyinn.com) from February 3 through March 28 for a winter culinary residency. “This culinary residency is very special for our team, as the design inspiration for The Farmhouse began with a trip to Meadowood, where we met with chef Kostow and architects Howard Backen and Silvia Nobili to develop the Farmhouse concept,” says Chris Kandziora, general manager of Ojai Valley Inn. Diners will enjoy the same type of elevated dining experience that they would experience at Meadowood, with local ingredients from both Ojai and Napa in every dish. Space is very limited and tickets ($495 per person with wine pairings) can be purchased on Ojai Valley Inn’s website. 26 january/february 2021 marin living.
Courtesy of Ojai Valley Inn and The Restaurant at Meadowood
Home Away From Home
local splurges.
1 2
3
5
4
Happy & Healthy
Whether you are getting your fitness regimen back on track, upgrading your beauty routine or in need of a habit reboot, these products are sure to help you start the new year out right. By Casey Gillespie
Clockwise from left: Courtesy of REI, Ten Speed Press, The Well Organics, House of Waris and Lumen
1.
Pick up a copy of Happy Habits: 50 Science-Backed Rituals to Adopt (or Stop) to Boost Health and Happiness (Ten Speed Press) by Karen Salmansohn and start 2021 off on the right foot. Chock-full of interesting studies and simple rituals to incorporate into your daily life. New year, new you? Available at Barnes and Noble (Town Center, Corte Madera) or www.penguinran domhouse.com, $14.99
2.
We all need a moment of Zen and clarity now and
again, and what better way to get it than with a convenient, take-anywhere aromatherapy mister? We love The Well Organics’ atomizer in Positivity (an addictive mix of jasmine, neroli, rose and ylang-ylang) for a midday pick-me-up. Simply mist, inhale and recharge. Available at www.thewell organics.com, $22–$42
3.
Give your immune system the extra support it needs with House of Waris Botanicals Immunity One Tea. It’s a tasty combination of organic
elderberry, lemon and ginger — while the adaptogenic mushroom cordyseps adds a touch of earthiness. Delicious. Available at goop Lab (2121 Fillmore Street, San Francisco) and www.goop.com, $30
4.
Tech fanatics, this one is for you. Customize your nutrition plan, optimize workouts, track how your metabolism is affected by sleep and so much more with the newly released Lumen device. Simply blow into the hand-held apparatus and get personal-
ized meal plans, learn how to fuel your workouts and monitor your fitness data in real time via the smartphone app. www.shop.lumen.me, $299
5. Stay stylishly warm on your
next hike up Mount Tamalpais or run along the Dipsea Trail with this REI Co-op Wallace Lake Ribbed Beanie in antique moss. It is both stretchy and breathable and sure to be your new favorite outdoor accessory. Available at REI (Town Center, Corte Madera) and www.rei.com, $24.95
marin living.
january/february 2021 27
eat & drink.
Free Spirits tequila, bourbon and gin
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
With ever-changing Covid-19 restrictions your dining out game isn’t what it once was. But with these local services and vendors you can bring the restaurant experience — and healthy eating — home.
W
E ALL MISS restaurants.
And most of us certainly haven’t been eating as well as we would like to now that we are stuck inside. Here are six delicious ways to bring restaurant quality to your table, while keeping health in mind.
For an alcohol-free January Mill Valley’s own Free Spirits Company (www.drinkfreespirits.com) has created a revolutionary way to enjoy alcohol-free cocktails. Using a process called distillate reconstruction, the company distills and extracts the essential oils and flavors of natural ingredients like American white oak, European juniper and Mexican blue agave and skips the fermentation step. Those distillates are recombined in ways that honor the nose, taste and mouthfeel 28 january/february 2021 marin living.
of bourbon, gin and tequila (vitamins B3 and B6 and amino acids are added for a little extra lift). Just replace all or part of the spirit in your cocktail with Free Spirits to make a drink free of or light on alcohol. “I look back at each time I drank one too many, and it wasn’t necessarily the alcohol I was after,” says founder Milan Martin. “I wanted a great cocktail, something complex and delicious made just for me.” $37 per bottle
Gott’s finally decided to put 13 of them in jars available for sale. Flavors include Ranch, Secret Sauce, Cilantro–Pumpkin Seed Dressing, Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette, Lemon Tahini Dressing, Peanut Lime Vinaigrette and eight types of mayo including Charred Jalapeño Mayo. “What makes our condiments special is our use of fresh ingredients and unique flavor combinations,” says Jen Rebman, culinary director at Gott’s. $4.99 each
For the home cook looking for an extra kick
For the exotic make-it-yourself home experience
Gott’s Roadside (www.gotts.com), with locations all over the Bay Area, including at Bon Air Center, is famous for its food and, especially, its sauces. After customers kept asking if there was any way to take home the restaurant’s sauces, dressing and dips,
Unless you have some previous experience with it, most home chefs don’t usually attempt the Spanish party favorite: paella. Mat Schuster, chef/owner at San Francisco’s Canela Bistro and Wine Bar (www.canelasf.com), knew that and so
Courtesy of Free Spirits
By Daniel Jewett
eat & drink.
Sakara Aphrodite Fig Bar
Courtesy of Sakara; Briana Marie Photography (Gott’s)
he added mixed seafood, chicken and chorizo, and vegan with mixed veggies paella kits to his meal kit options. Needless to say, the kits became instantly popular. “When it took off as a pickup and delivery item, we realized that people would probably want to make it at home, but in a way that the outcome would be more successful and stress free,” Schuster says. “It’s still the number-one seller.” Prices range from $28 to $55 depending on size and ingredients; paella pans are also available.
For the health nut in the family What do Gwyneth Paltrow, Drew Barrymore and Hilary Duff have in common? They have all used Sakara’s (www.sakara. com) signature organic meal delivery program to gain more energy, lose weight, feel less bloated, improve skin clarity and increase focus. The flavorful meals, delivered prepackaged on a customizable weekly schedule, are based on a wholefood, plant-rich diet, full of hydrating and nutrient-dense superfoods. They are also all-organic, gluten-free, dairyfree, and non-GMO and have no refined
Gott’s sauces
sugar. “Americans aren’t eating enough plants every day so it’s crucial that we focus on eating fresh, live plants as the number one thing we can do to support a healthy microbiome,” say co-founders and co-CEOs Danielle DuBoise and Whitney Tingle. $27–$70 a day with weekly subscription
For the family who likes a little wine with dinner A new wine club from sommelier Serena Harkey and Marin chef Roland Passot aims to take the guesswork out of picking the right wine while also allowing customers to enjoy the exclusive feel of wine club membership. The innovative new wine club, LB Cru (www.leftbank. com/cru-wine-club), offers members one bottle and a recipe, six bottles or 12 bottles a month. And the best part is that pickup, available at Larkspur’s Left Bank Brasserie (and Passot’s other restaurant locations), includes a glass of wine with purchased lunch as well many other membership perks. “Wine doesn’t always have to be expensive or intimidating to be enjoyed,” says Harkey. “Our focus is on
providing French and domestic wines that you can’t find in grocery stores.” $35, $120 or $200 per month
For the family that needs easy and healthy delivered After meeting in France and then falling in love upon returning home to Northern California, Jessie and Laurent started their eponymous San Rafael–based food delivery service (www.jessieetlaurent. com) in 1981. The goal has always been to provide delicious, handmade food to clients throughout the Bay Area. The ready-to-eat gourmet meals include favorites like Chicken Cordon Bleu, Korean Red Devil Prawns with Garlic Noodles, Coq Au Vin and, of course, the popular Cookie Dough of the Week. Customers can also easily gift meal deliveries to busy family members or those who are ill, and you can even contribute to a community fund. “At Jessie and Laurent, we feel true connection happens around the table,” says partner Rick Graves. “If we can bring our customers comfort and joy through delicious meals, then we’re doing what we set out to do.” $70 minimum order. marin living. january/february 2021 29
beauty.
Getting Better With Age By Casey Gillespie With life expectancy at a record high and people working and playing well into “old” age, the infinite quest for a youthful appearance is a familiar one. Beauty brands famously tout products promising antiaging miracles, but “antiaging” is a misnomer. We are all aging, right this very second. It’s also incorrect to think that only people in their 40s or 50s should be concerned about their skin and how it is changing on a cellular level. In fact, the body’s production of collagen — the building block for bones, skin, hair and muscles, and what gives skin its plump, youthful appearance — starts to decline in our mid-20s. 30 january/february 2021 marin living.
Bay Area beauty expert Marie-Veronique Nadeau, founder and head of research and development for beloved clean beauty brand Marie Veronique (www.marieveronique.com), has been touting the benefits of listening to your body since the company’s inception in 2002. After dealing with teenage acne and rosacea in her late 30s, she began to focus on the root causes of inflammatory conditions and how skin irritations develop into chronic conditions. Her solution? Steer away from beauty products containing chemicals and toxins. “Natural ingredients are the answer for skin experiencing problems such as irrita-
tion, chronic redness, dermatitis, even acne and premature aging, due to constant exposure to preservatives, fragrances and synthetic sunscreen agents in products,” says Nadeau. “In pharmaceuticals, risk is measured by dosage over time, and it’s important to remember that we use skin care products daily over many years. I often hear people say, ‘It can’t be suchand-such causing my sudden flare-up — I’ve been using it for years.’ And yet, that’s precisely the problem.” While the skin inarguably changes over time, if we understand how to work with those changes and supplement deficiencies, it’s possible to defy beauty
Clockwise from top left: deniskomarov; Irina; Roman; photo-lime; Wayhome Studio; Елена Юдина/stock.adobe.com
As we age our skin undergoes significant changes. The key to healthy, vibrant skin is learning to roll with the punches and knowing which products and supplements to add into your regime.
norms no matter what our biological age. And when it comes to choosing a skin care routine? “Don’t over-exfoliate, don’t be too aggressive, listen to your skin. A little kindness goes a long way,” Nadeau says. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the changes that take place as we age and how to love the skin you’re in.
30s “At age 30 your skin is at its peak, but 30 is a milepost. It is also when we start to lose about one percent hyaluronic acid production per year, and other processes start to slow down as well,” says Nadeau. Cell turnover slows, which in layman’s terms means we start to lose some of that youthful glow, skin is a little drier and it recovers from inflammation at a slower rate. And all those teenage years spent frolicking on the beach sans sunscreen? Yep, the telltale signs start to show up on our faces as unevenness in tone and possibly even some dark patches. Nadeau recommends developing a healthy skin care regime and religiously sticking to it, and if you haven’t been applying sunscreen every day, now is definitely the time. Ingredients to incorporate into your skin care routine: It’s a good time to start adding retinol to your nightly routine. “Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, stimulates collagen production, improves uneven pigmentation, and thickens the dermis to give you that glowy, dewy-appearing skin,” says Elaine J. Lin, M.D., of Dermatology Consultants of Marin Inc. (www.derma tologyconsultantsofmarin.com). “Additionally, it is great at treating acne. The key to maintaining its benefit is regular and consistent use,” she adds. Along with retinol-containing products (best bet is to visit your dermatologist to get the formula that suits you), you should also be using sunscreen every day and a vitamin C serum like Marie Veronique’s Vitamins C+E+Ferulic Serum because “you want to protect from UV damage by not only blocking UV rays, but by preventing damage by the rays that do not get blocked,” says Nadeau.
Terri Loewenthal
40s “This is the decade when the changes that began in the 30s start to become perceptible — eye wrinkles are a definite feature, and the first signs of the labial folds around the mouth are normal. Think of them as expression lines,” explains Nadeau. Many people in their 40s also begin to notice a
Marie-Veronique Nadeau
loss of firmness and poorer skin texture. And more signs of sun damage in the form of hyperpigmentation are common. Many people turn to laser treatments in their 40s, using them as preventative medicine to stimulate the deeper layers of the epidermis, which boosts firmness and a more youthful appearance. “Collagen is a major structural component of the skin. As we age, we lose the production of collagen, which leads to visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin and volume loss. Laser treatments can trigger collagen production, which in turn slows down the process of visible aging,” says Lin. Taking oral supplements can be very helpful as well, and Nadeau recommends “taking NAD+ — a key player in maintaining optimal metabolic processes (healthy DNA). It’s considered by aging researchers to be the main ‘antiaging’ supplement.” Ingredients to incorporate into your skin care routine: During this decade, collagen loss becomes more noticeable, and because collagen production is absolutely
dependent on vitamin C getting into the cells, it is important to supplement both topically and orally. If you want to get technical, incorporate vitamin C derivatives like tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which is found in Marie Veronique’s C-Therapy Serum, as it plays a key role in helping skin cells produce collagen. Lin also recommends Revision’s Vitamin C Lotion 15% (www.revisionskincare.com) and Paula’s Choice RESIST Super Antioxidant Serum (www.paulaschoice.com). Continue using sunscreen as well as retinol to help reverse photodamage. And don’t forget that NAD+ supplement.
50s Most women experience menopause in their 50s and this leads to a shift in hormones, most notably a decline in estrogen and an increase in androgens (most noteably testosterone). Skin becomes noticeably thinner and begins to lose both elasticity and moisture. Expression lines also deepen, and it is marin living. january/february 2021 31
beauty.
Pamper the Skin You’re In A Pick-Me-Up
Mill Valley’s Skin Spirit (www. skinspirit.com) offers a spectrum of treatments, including for those just starting on a skin care journey (micropenning and microneedling for reducing fine lines and uneven skin tone) and those looking for more of a heavy lift (IPL skin tone correcting and Ultherapy ultrasound for collagen boosting).
Wellness Boost
Ingredients to incorporate into your skin care routine: To shore up the skin’s protective barrier, introduce oils into your skin care regime. “Everyone should make a point of getting an oil blend that contains all three of these barrier lipids: cholesterol, ceramides and fatty acids,” says Nadeau. “Ceramides are easy to find in ingredient lists, and you can sometimes find fatty acids (cranberry seed oil, black raspberry seed oil, chia seed oil, prickly pear seed oil, evening primrose oil) in moisturizers as well. Cholesterol is harder to find, but it’s important for proper barrier function to have all three lipids in your mix,” she 32 january/february 2021 marin living.
says. A good choice is Marie Veronique Rejuvenating Night Oil/Extra Healing.
60s and Beyond “Catherine Deneuve famously said that in her 60s she had to choose between her body and her face — and she chose her face. I think she meant she decided that she would allow herself to gain a few pounds because it enhances facial contours and softens wrinkles,” Nadeau points out. While hormone levels are now returning to normal post-menopause, circulation slows significantly, which gives skin a duller appearance. The outermost two layers of skin — the epidermis and dermis — also thin, which can give skin a crepe- or tissue paper-like appearance. Deeper wrinkles, age spots, more defined creases, particularly around the mouth — are all normal. But it is not all bad news, far from it. “Efforts in earlier decades to establish good care routines start to pay off in this decade — skin can hold up remarkably well as long as you consistently nourish and take care of it,” Nadeau says. Ingredients to incorporate into your skin care routine: “We are past the age where hormones like estrogen are giving us hydrated skin — so making sure we are keeping skin properly moisturized becomes paramount,” says Nadeau. Switch to products that offer a lot of hydration and are richer in both texture and ingredients. Try gentler, more luxurious cleansers like milks and oils and don’t forget your daily application of vitamin C and retinol.
Take Two
Elysium’s Basis supplement (www.elysiumhealth.com) is changing the way we think about aging. The body produces NAD+ naturally (it is required for hundreds of metabolic processes, including creating cellular energy and maintaining healthy DNA), but NAD+ declines as we age. Basis is a NAD+ precursor (a supplement that encourages the body to produce more NAD+ itself) that supports healthy aging.
puhhha/stock.adobe.com; courtesy of Elysium Health
particularly important to protect the lipid barrier. “The skin’s lipid barrier primarily consists of ceramides, which help create a water-resistant, protective layer that prevents the skin from drying out. It also helps create a tight seal against microbes and irritants in the external environment,” says Lin. And moisturize, moisturize, moisturize, because this will help to soften wrinkles. “The body is producing fewer natural oils, so make sure you have sufficient fats in your diet. Now is not the time to take up low-fat diets,” says Nadeau. Avoiding sugar as much as possible is recommended as well, as sugar weakens your collagen fibers and causes wrinkles. “Ironically, it’s OK, even desirable, to have saccharides in your moisturizer because sugar attracts water. The rule at this age is wear your sugar, just don’t eat it,” she adds.
Located on Union Street in San Francisco, Redmint Sanctuary (www.redmint.com) Herbal Bar offers beauty and wellness elixirs that work from the inside out. Based on traditional Chinese medicine, the teas and tonics are the perfect addition to any skin care routine. Be sure to try the Glow & Charm.
Introducing Outpost Real Estate After 15 years and over $650 million in sales, Ahern + Kalmbach is transforming and expanding its brand to serve a wider audience with the same incredible service and results. Outpost founders, Radhi Ahern and Scott Kalmbach are well known for their signature style and for presenting well-designed homes that sell for commanding prices. Their keen eye for design, innovative systems and strategies have laid the groundwork for them to expand their reach. A top-producing team in San Francisco and Marin, Ahern + Kalmbach has built their business on entrepreneurial ingenuity and forward thinking. Outpost is simply the next evolution of these principles. “Outpost� is a vantage point from which to survey the landscape and map out the future. Outpost Real Estate curates each client’s path forward, wherever that road may lead.
OUTPOST 415.879.8311 outpostrealestate.com DRE 02014153 outpostrealestate
local getaways.
Schramsberg Vineyards
34 january/february 2021 marin living.
Courtesy of Schramsberg Vineyards
Napa Valley
local getaways.
The rolling hills of Napa Valley
A Day Out in Calistoga
Historic wineries, a walkable downtown with plenty of wine-tasting opportunities, locally owned shops, relaxing spas and a couple of breweries thrown in for good measure — Calistoga is Wine Country at its best. By Casey Gillespie
A
N INTEGRAL PART of Napa
Ziss/adobe.stock.com
Valley’s Wild West/winemaking history, Calistoga not only is home to some of the region’s most treasured wineries, but remains a premier wellness getaway due to its mineral-rich waters and geothermal hot springs. Located at the northernmost tip of Napa Valley, and only a 90-minute drive from Central Marin, the laid-back town offers a charming rustic vibe paired with Wine Country spoils that make for a perfect day or weekend getaway.
1. Chateau Montelena
1429 Tubbs Lane www.montelena.com This storied family-run winery is every bit as magical as you would imagine. Covid-friendly outdoor experiences and a new luxe Concierge Service (oeno-
philes will enjoy exclusive access to an extensive cellar of wines, some dating back to the 1970s) allow visitors to enjoy the pastoral grounds and warm, never pretentious hospitality.
2. Schramsberg Vineyards
1400 Schramsberg Road www.schramsberg.com Winemaking at Schramsberg began in the 19th century, and pick marks from the original excavation can be still seen on the cave walls. Go for the sparkling wine, but stay for the cabernets and pinots, bottled under the Davies label. It’s an Old-World experience you won’t want to miss.
3. Evangeline
1226 Washington Street www.evangelinenapa.com
This delightful little bistro specializes in classic French cuisine with a touch of New Orleans Creole flair. The wine list offers both Old World and New World selections, while the patio has plenty of atmospheric outdoor dining spots. The best part? This lively little eatery is attached to an equally charming city hall.
4. Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort
1300 Washington Street www.romanspahotsprings.com One would be remiss to visit Calistoga and not partake in the healing mud and mineral baths. We highly recommend a soak in the mud — a mix of volcanic ash, natural peat and geothermal mineral water — between tastings (the spa is located just off the main drag). You’ll be renewed, refreshed and ready to keep on sipping. marin living. january/february 2021 35
local getaways.
Sunrise over Calistoga
1507 Lincoln Avenue www.drwilkinson.com This iconic resort — founded in 1952 and one of the town’s first health spas — has just received a full renovation and now boasts midcentury design touches as well as 50 refreshed guest rooms and new dining options. The updated spa includes three geothermal mineral pools, CBD and aromatherapy treatments, and new outdoor treatment rooms as well as eight mineral baths.
6. Buster’s Original Southern BBQ
1207 Foothill Boulevard www.busterssouthernbbq.com A Calistoga staple, this place has been serving Southern barbecue since 1965. Umbrella-covered outdoor picnic tables, paper plates and live music (Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m.) are the weekend escape we have been needing. The come-hither aroma from the outdoor roasters? It’s enough to convert a vegetarian. 36 january/february 2021 marin living.
7. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley
400 Silverado Trail www.fourseasons.com/napavalley Opening in early 2021, Four Seasons hotly anticipated newest slice of luxury is coming to Napa Valley. With 85 guest rooms, its own vineyard and tasting room and an eight-room spa complete with steam pods and hammocks that are suspended over geothermal pools, it’s a luxe spot for a special weekend stay.
8. Napa Brewing Company (part of Calistoga Inn)
1250 Lincoln Avenue www.calistogainn.com In a town known for wine, Napa Brewing Company certainly makes a strong argument for craft beer (it’s also the first commercial brewery in Napa post-Prohibition). Part of the Calistoga Inn, the brewery is situated right on the Napa River and offers plenty of casual beer garden– type seating and a weekend brunch menu that pairs great with a cold one.
9. Blackbird of Calistoga
1347 Lincoln Avenue www.blackbirdofcalistoga.com Located right in the heart of downtown Calistoga, Blackbird is just the shop for finding all the things you never knew you needed. It stocks a curated array of musthave books, design-forward tabletop items, rustic Wine Country–inspired art and ceramics, and plenty of games and toys for the kids, too. It’s the place to buy thoughtful gifts — for yourself or someone else.
10. Vintage Treehouse
1117 B Lincoln Avenue Tucked away at the far end of the shopping and wine tasting thoroughfare you’ll find this treasure trove of antiques (along with a few other can’t-miss antique dealer shops in the same area). With wares ranging from vintage furniture to charming knickknacks, 1950s and ’60s nostalgia pieces, vintage clothing and collectible dishes and flatware, it’s definitely worth the short walk from downtown.
Lynn K. Watson/adobe.stock.com
5. Dr Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs
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Signing Off Marin’s own Michael Krasny steps away from the microphone as the popular host of KQED’s Forum on February 15 to enjoy walking the local trails, writing books and spending time with his first grandchild. By Daniel Jewett 38 january/february 2021 marin living.
Kevin Berne/Courtesy of KQED
take note.
take note.
“It becomes kind of fascinating, like a roulette wheel; you don’t know what is going to come up.“
F
OR 27 YEARS he helped you get to work. He helped you start your day. He helped you stay informed. He took your questions as he talked to prominent newsmakers and political and cultural figures including presidents Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama, Cesar Chavez, Francis Ford Coppola, Jerry Garcia, Rosa Parks, Charlize Theron, Sean Penn, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and many, many more. Indeed, it seemed like that distinctive and articulate voice was as much a part of Bay Area culture as its bridges, sports teams and Indian summers. But what many don’t know is that before Marin’s Michael Krasny moved on to KGO AM in the ’80s and eventually found his home at KQED in 1993, he hosted a public affairs/Marin celebrities show on San Rafael’s 1,000-watt KTIM FM station called Beyond the Hot Tub, the name partially inspired by the infamous George H. W. Bush quote about the county. “The name makes me squirm a bit now,” Krasny says. “But at the time it seemed like a good idea because of this identification of Marin County with hedonism.” When Krasny finally moved to Forum as its second-ever host it was focused solely on local news, but the interviewer, author and professor quickly mapped out a new path for the show that would gain it the nearly 250,000 listeners per week it has now. “I want to spread this out. I want to do national and international news; I’d like to do the arts; I’d like to talk to authors,” Krasny told his new bosses. “And they were very supportive.
“The whole spirit of the program in my mind was keeping current, having different points of view and being a public place of ideas,” he says, pointing out the important role of the callers, texters and emailers who ask guests questions. “You do a high civic discourse type of program and you can get into the depths and the roots of the content. It becomes kind of fascinating, like a roulette wheel; you don’t know what is going to come up. Sometimes an hour is really just not enough.” In the ’90s, radio was all about bombast and sensationalism and Krasny didn’t know if his idea for a more civil, long-form program was going to work. “Back then the goal was to get your listener to pound the dashboard; you want to get them and keep them there. That’s what people like Howard Stern and others who became famous in the radio world for their outrageousness do,” he says. “I didn’t know if my concept would take hold, but it just worked somehow. I think people were also tired of all the bombast, the yelling and the attempt to sensationalize.” As the show got more popular, the guest list grew to include celebrated political figures, actors and authors at the top of their games. But it was sometimes the unsung hero who made his day. “Some of the ones that made lasting impressions were those who were doing the most enduring and selfless work, work that didn’t get heralded,” he says. “I’m talking about Doctors Without Borders participants or journalists who put themselves in harm’s way. I’ve had the privilege of talking to just an extraordinary array
of different people, many of whom don’t usually get spotlighted. And yet, I’ve also had the great privilege of interviewing some of the major news-makers and important cultural figures of our time.” And as is the case with anyone who does lots of interviews, you sometimes run up against opinions that are different than your own — and to Krasny, those countervailing ideas were just as important as ones he agreed with. “When I started I had people on from the Hoover Institution [a conservative American public policy think tank], and I got a lot of flak for that,” he says. “I had to educate my listeners that when you hear ideas that are different than yours, it’s a good thing, not a bad thing. If somebody believes something completely contrary to you, you want to know how they think so you can battle their ideas better with your own.” For now, Krasny is happy to move on to the next chapter and focus on family, writing more books and walking the trails of Marin. “I want to go out on a high note at 76 years old,” he says. “Marin is an idyllic place to live, the weather is great, people are nice, there are a lot of places to hike and to be a part of the outdoors. It’s always been a place one can thrive in.” Whoever follows Krasny as host (KQED will conduct a national search) may want to know how he developed his interview skills and succeeded in hosting thousands of live on-air conversations. His advice: “The best metaphor I have for it is a bat in a cave. I follow my instincts, curiosity and radar. It’s an intuitive sense; it’s in the moment.” marin living.
january/february 2021 39
THE RUNNING MAN
MY RUNNING CAREER
Ultramarathon runner, New York Times bestselling author and Marin resident Dean Karnazes offers some wisdom on perspective, the healing power of the outdoors and mental resilience.
Corey Rich Photography
BY DEAN KARNAZES
began in kindergarten. Literally. I was the oldest of three when my youngest sister came along, and my time-crunched mom found it increasingly difficult to pick me up after school. I didn’t like being a burden and wanted to help somehow. My solution: use my legs. I started running home from school and ever since it’s been a torrid love affair. Since then, I’ve raced and competed on all seven continents — twice — running in some of the most remote and exotic places on earth. Many of these challenges have been daunting, such as running a marathon headed to the South Pole, running 135 miles nonstop across Death Valley in the middle of summer, and running 50 marathons in all 50 states in 50 consecutive days. I know, it sounds impossible. I sometimes wonder how I did it myself. But that’s what I love about running: impossible is relative. To some, running around the block might seem impossible, an unattainable conquest. And when that goal is accomplished, suddenly everything seems within reach. Running teaches us that limitations are mostly self-constructed. If we can somehow step back from our preconceived notions of what is and isn’t possible, we’re capable of truly extraordinary deeds. Running provides this indelible lesson. Another beautiful element about running is that it’s accessible to everyone. Young or old, large or small: running is open to all ages, body types and abilities. Case in point, after running competitively in high school I quit the sport entirely. I didn’t take up running again until the night of my 30th birthday when I decided that rather than having another round of tequila, I’d run 30 miles to celebrate the occasion. I walked out of a bar in San Francisco — three sheets to the wind — peeled off my pants and ran straight through the night to Half Moon Bay (in my underwear, no less). If an unathletic, drunken 30-year-old can do that, you’re never too old or too lost to start. After that I began running competitively again, racking up somewhere close marin living.
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to 100,000 cumulative miles. And now — nearly three decades later — I’m still going strong. I don’t buy into the premise that the human body has a finite number of footfalls before it deconstructs. Nonsense. Take care of your body and it takes care of you. I’ve seen marathoner finishers in their 70s, 80s and 90s. And by most measures, these folks are healthier and more vibrant than their peers. Running provides myriad physical and mental health benefits, from preserving telomere length (these are the caps at the end of chromosomes and a predictor of biological aging and life expectancy; runners have longer telomeres and are physically and aesthetically younger than their peers) and bone density to easing depression and anxiety. Not only is running antiaging, running improves quality of life. Cardiovascular fitness is elevated — runners literally have bigger hearts — muscles grow stronger and cognition is enhanced. According to David Linden, Ph.D., a professor of neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, running can spark the growth of new blood vessels to nourish the brain and may also produce new brain cells in a process called neurogenesis, which may lead to an overall improvement in
brain performance and prevent cognitive decline that accompanies normal aging. In other words, running adds years to your life and life to your years. And best of all, in Marin County we have access to some of the most spectacular running trails on the planet. For the uninitiated, Marin County is known as a premier destination for trail runners across the globe, and many popular races take place in the headlands and around
interactions, yet running is a permissible activity and something encouraged by health experts. Why? Beyond the physical benefits and natural mood enhancement, running builds resilience and grit. Running teaches you that no matter how badly things hurt, you can get through it. I’ve run many 100-mile footraces, 200-mile footraces, and even a 350-miler, forgoing sleep for multiple days. Were there points when I thought I couldn’t get through it? Absolutely. To persist, I put the blinders on the past and future. I stopped reflecting on old times, stopped thinking about things to come and instead focused on nothing other than the present moment in time, the here and now. Rarely do we live in the present; our minds are typically racing with thoughts, fears, hopes and distractions. Getting through protracted and seemingly insurmountable challenges in life requires quieting the mind and inhabiting the now. At mile 280 I was certain I couldn’t go on. The finish was still 70 miles away and that thought was crushing. I could barely make it to the street post up the road, let alone another 70 miles. So I stopped thinking about it. Instead, I turned all of my attention to taking the next step to the best of my ability. And my next step to the best of my ability, and my next … I didn’t reflect on the past or think about the future, I
“If we can somehow step back from our preconceived notions of what is and isn’t possible, we’re capable of truly extraordinary deeds.”
art credit
Mount Tamalpais. The oldest trail race in America, the Dipsea, is certainly notable — stretching 7.4 miles from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach — but there are plenty of others, from marathons to hundred-milers (yes, people run a hundred miles nonstop right here in Marin!). If you’ve ever considered taking up running, there’s no better time than the present. The pandemic has placed restrictions on our movements and social
42 january/february 2021 marin living.
A Running Commentary: Dean’s Book List Bravery: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas by Alexi Pappas Olympic runner, actress, filmmaker and writer Alexi Pappas’ wisdom and wit are beyond her age. This book will have you laughing, crying and cheering — sometimes all at once. Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself by Rich Roll A graduate of Stanford University and Cornell Law, Rich Roll was a successful attorney who was 50 pounds overweight. His discovery of endurance sports helped salvage and remake him. Run Fast. Eat Slow. Nourishing Recipes for Athletes by Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky Part recipe book, part training plan and entirely inspirational. Shalane Flanagan is a four-time Olympian and a winner of the New York City Marathon. Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest
Corey Rich Photography (this page and opposite)
Race the World Has Never Seen
concentrated in totality on each next step. I persisted and eventually achieved my goal. Dealing with the uncertainty of the moment requires similar disciplined thought and action. A Covid-19 vaccine is imminent, but when will it be widely available? And how long will it be effective? This is a race with a distant finish line. We know that. Instead of focusing on reaching a faraway end point, focus instead on the here and now. Be your best in the present moment of time. Paraphrasing Eleanor Roosevelt, “Yesterday’s history, tomorrow’s a mystery, but this moment is a gift; that’s why they call it the present.” As the pandemic lingers on and the prospect of more lockdowns continues, running is my savior. I’m not alone. Each day I pass other runners. We nod and acknowledge each other; no words need be
spoken. We are kindred spirits and share a commonality that transcends language and thoughts. Every runner knows this feeling. My hope is that one day you will, too. Wishing you strength and endurance during these extraordinarily tumultuous times. Long may you run. About the Author Dean Karnazes was named by TIME magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.” He is a recipient of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Lifetime Achievement Award and author of the New York Times bestseller Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner and The Road to Sparta. Dean lives with his wife and family in Kentfield and spends most of his time exploring the trails of Marin.
by Christopher McDougall Born to Run is a classic and helped usher in a whole new approach to running great distances. Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory by Deena Kastor and Michelle Hamilton Deena Kastor is a phenom who holds American records in every distance from the 5K to the marathon. The book is a fascinating peek into the mindset of an elite athlete. Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner by Dean Karnazes What’s not to love about a guy ordering pizza delivery in the midst of a 200-mile nonstop run? Best of all, most of the stories take place in Marin County and the Bay Area, so you’ll know the terrain.
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44 january/february 2021 marin living.
Courtesy of the Buck Institute
I. M. Pei–designed Buck Institute for Research on Aging
The Science of Aging Marin’s Buck Institute is one of the world’s foremost institutions for studying aging — and here we take a closer look at the life-changing science that is happening right in our own backyard. BY CASEY GILLESPIE
i
N DECADES PAST, aging was left to the old, but with new discoveries surrounding ketones and senescent cells (more on that later), among myriad other innovations, the way we look at longevity is evolving like never before. In fact, aging well is something people as young as their 20s are now taking into account. “There’s a lot of misinformation — this idea that research on aging science is focused on making rich people live longer or that we’ll be able to live to 1,000. There is nothing that tells us that we’re going to get that kind of life extension. However, living healthily to 100, I’m convinced this is something that most of us can do today,” says Eric Verdin, M.D., CEO and president of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging (www.buckinstitute.org), an independent biomedical research institute that studies aging and age-related disease in Novato. According to Verdin, 90 percent of your healthspan (the portion of your life span spent in good health) is determined by environmental factors like food choices, exercise and sleep, while only 10 percent is predetermined by your genetics. “That really puts the whole issue of healthspan squarely in your own lap,” says Verdin. And the earlier you start caring about that, the better. There is a lot of conflicting information when it comes to eating well, getting
enough exercise and enjoying quality sleep, making it difficult to understand which road to better health is the correct one (it’s actually different for everyone). But the Buck’s goal is to shed some light on that as well. “In addition to our research, this whole idea of (the Buck) becoming a source of validated information for the public, for me, is equally important,” adds Verdin. There is another piece of the aging science puzzle that’s been making headlines in recent months — and that is the connection between meaningful social interactions and longevity. Verdin elaborates: “If you adopt a lifestyle that is incompatible with friendship, you’re probably hurting yourself. Friendship and our sense of purpose are two of the major determinants of healthspan and life span, which is why this pandemic is so toxic for the elderly; they’re isolated from their families and friends.” Understanding the different factors that affect aging and their connection to each other is vital to increasing the number of healthy years we spend at the end of our lives. And in Marin, with our outdoor lifestyle, ease in securing healthy food and strong sense of community, increasing those years is a relatively easy thing to do. While the national average life span is 78 years old, in Marin County the average life expectancy is 87. “I would predict that if we were to take everyone and optimize them, we could probably bring average life expectancy from 87 to 95 — so we’re not so far from 100,” Verdin adds, “and that is amazing.” In the pages that follow, we explore some of the groundbreaking work the scientists who are leading the way in aging science are doing. marin living. january/february 2021 45
The Center for Reproductive Longevity and Equality investigates the correlation between reproductivity and aging in women. What does the term “equality” in the name of the center refer to? Women are aging much earlier than men in terms of their reproductive capacity, which includes the hormones produced by the ovary. Those hormones are critical for the functioning of downstream organ systems. This fact runs up against the reality that many women need to put off having children to make room for their careers — and that the delay causes women to suffer the consequences of infertility that often happens with advanced reproductive age. Men don’t have that disadvantage; they can reproduce throughout their life span. If scientists were able to delay menopause, what health benefits could this potentially 46 january/february 2021 marin living.
provide for women as they age? There is a lot of data that shows that menopause accelerates aging phenotypes. This is largely related to the fact that you have reduced estrogen, which is so important to the functioning of other organ systems. Any tissue or system that has estrogen or progesterone responsiveness — cardiovascular system, brain, immune cell function and bone health — would be positively influenced if we were able to delay the onset of menopause. Are there lifestyle changes a woman can make to slow down the rate that her fertility declines? We know that conditions like obesity and diabetes can have a negative impact on gamete health and fertility, so diet is really
important. Smoking and environmental pollution can have negative impacts on reproductive health as well. What are the negative implications of women being able to bear children into their 50s and beyond? I don’t think it’s our goal to help women get pregnant in their 60s or 70s. There are issues with getting pregnant and the burden of carrying a pregnancy at that age has its own challenges. Right now, we’re seeing women in their 30s and 40s having trouble with fertility and using assistive reproductive technologies to get pregnant. I would love to help those women conceive naturally. Additionally, we may be able to optimize endocrine function during aging, without impacting fertility. That could provide significant health benefits to women throughout their life span, including the years after childbearing.
Illustration by Emily Blevins; portrait courtesy of the Buck Institute
Francesca Duncan, Ph.D.
“Any tissue or system that has estrogen or progesterone responsiveness — cardiovascular system, brain, immune cell function and bone health — would be positively influenced if we were able to delay the onset of menopause.”
Julie Andersen, Ph.D.
Illustration by Emily Blevins; Jim Hughes Photography
Studying the quest for new ways to prevent and cure neurodegeneration, with a particular focus on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. What are some of the discoveries that have been unearthed with the funds from the NIA $3.4 million grant? We received funds from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to test the efficacy of a natural dietary gut flora–derived metabolite called urolithin A (UA) in slowing or preventing the presentation of Alzheimer’s disease. UA is metabolized in the gut from a precursor called ellagic acid (EA), which is found in several health foods including pomegranates, berries and walnuts, to name just a few. As they age, the mice we are studying display plaques and tangles as well as losses in cognitive function similar to those observed in human Alzheimer’s patients. Studies have already shown that our microbiome — the bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses that live inside our gut — may play a role in neurological conditions such as autism, epilepsy and depression. We hypothesized that oral administration of UA would slow the onset of Alzheimer’s. It’s still early days, but the
data we’ve collected so far suggests that UA is neuroprotective. One of the things we’re really interested in testing is whether we can restore production of UA by introducing a more youthful microbiome to the older mice as they begin presenting with Alzheimer’s. Results from these studies would further our understanding of how reinstating a more youthful microbiome restores gut-brain signaling and protects brain neurons. Have you discovered anything completely unexpected? We had expected that UA would elicit neuroprotection, but what’s really exciting about our initial results is that it looks like we’ve been able to identify a dosage that works. This is extremely helpful in terms of UA’s potential use in treating diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. In a separately funded study, we looked at the efficacy of megadose vitamin D. Here, we saw something very surprising — the mice on
a high-dose vitamin D displayed signs of diabetes as they aged. This only seemed to occur in the Alzheimer’s mice and not in their normal siblings. We found that this was accompanied by distinct changes in the gut microbiota that appear to selectively drive the mice into a diabetes-like state. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to Alzheimer’s, leading to a rising concern that older individuals may be self-medicating to avoid risk of diabetes, resulting in consumption of large dosages, of which the potential negative consequences are currently unknown. We think that this could have important implications given that diabetes is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s. How much of a factor is lifestyle — even for younger people — when you talk about developing diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s? It’s huge. A NIA-funded study published this past June in the journal Neurology showed that people who engaged in regular physical activity, did not smoke, consumed light-to-moderate amounts of alcohol, ate a high-quality diet, and engaged in cognitive activities had a 60 percent reduced risk for developing Alzheimer’s. Parkinson’s has also been associated with environmental factors such as increased exposure to pesticides and a high-fat diet and is slowed by physical exercise and increased consumption of beverages like tea, coffee and antioxidant-containing foods. Physical exercise including aerobics, resistance training and stress management via mindbody practices including meditation, yoga, tai chi and dance have also been suggested to be beneficial. marin living. january/february 2021 47
“A number of laboratories have shown that at least two interventions — each known to promote healthy aging — also reduce the abundance of senescent cells ... caloric restriction and exercise.”
Judith Campisi, Ph.D. Understanding cellular senescence, the cause of chronic inflammation connected to many age-related diseases.
SASP factors, and those change over time. However, senescent cells and the SASP can and do, under certain circumstances, have beneficial effects. Examples include certain times during embryogenesis and during wound healing and tissue repair. Thus, it is important to know when and where and what type of senescent cells are present in order to understand their role in aging and disease. What is the correlation between senescent cells and disease? The correlation is excellent — in mice, humans and other mammals, even in zebra fish. But correlation does not prove causality. However, transgenic [genetically modified] mouse models now exist where it is possible to selectively eliminate senescent cells at any point in the life span. Experiments using these mice clearly demonstrate that senescent cells
Are there any external factors that affect the aging of senescent cells in younger people? A number of laboratories have shown that at least two interventions — each known to promote healthy aging — also reduce the abundance of senescent cells, or at least the abundance of cells that express detrimental (inflammatory) SASP factors: caloric restriction and exercise.
Illustration by Emily Blevins; Jim Hughes Photography
Can you explain what cellular senescence is? When cells become senescent, they acquire three new features: they stop dividing; they become somewhat resistant to dying; and they secrete many bioactive molecules (the senescence-associated secretory phenotype or SASP). The SASP seems to be particularly important for driving aging because it includes a large number of factors that promote inflammation. Low-level chronic inflammation is a hallmark of aging tissues (and has been termed “inflammaging”). Inflammation, while an essential process during tissue repair, can be destructive to tissue structure and function when it is chronic. Senescence is hard to study because there are no specific senescence markers. Also, each cell type differs from others with regard to the genes it expresses, especially genes encoding
are indeed causal for a surprisingly large number of human age-related diseases, ranging from neurodegeneration to latelife cancer. Fewer studies have used senolytic drugs (which kill senescent cells), but those results support this conclusion. That is, eliminating senescent cells can either delay the onset, ameliorate the severity, or, in some cases, reverse the manifestation of many age-associated diseases. Two important lessons we’ve learned from the above studies. First, senescent cells are almost always rare, comprising only a small percentage of cells in any tissue. Second, in transgenic mice it is not necessary to kill all senescent cells in order to delay, ameliorate or reverse age-related diseases. Generally, eliminating 70 to 80 percent of senescent cells is sufficient.
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Brianna Stubbs, Ph.D.
Illustration by Emily Blevins; portrait courtesy of the Buck Institute
The lead translational scientist in Ketones Lab is using the body’s own metabolic signals to increase longevity.
Can you explain what a ketone is? Ketones are a family of compounds that our body can break down for energy instead of its usual fuels, glucose (sugar) or fat. The main reason that ketones exist is to fuel our brain when we are running low on glucose stores. Our body only makes ketones when glucose stores are running low, such as if you follow a very low carbohydrate diet or if you don’t eat any food for more than a day or so. Until recently, the only way to raise the amount of ketones in the blood was to follow a low-carbohydrate diet or fast, but now scientists are developing drinkable ketones that can give the body access to ketones without any other dietary changes. How do ketones play a factor in the way the body responds to stressors and how might they improve healthspan? Situations that cause the body’s carbohydrate stores to run out are stressful, especially when we think about ketones in the context of starvation. It is important that the body turns on a coordinated set of processes that protect it from rapid breakdown and would help us to survive long periods of starvation. In that regard, the presence of ketones is part of the way the body signals the need for self-preservation. Ketones may help to switch on multiple pathways that cause cells to clean themselves up and regenerate; this could help with healthspan.
It is early days, but research shows that ketones have promise to treat some of the common diseases of aging such as heart failure and neurodegeneration. Your lab is working on a supplement to mimic the effects of the ketogenic diet — can you tell us more about that? We have developed a new form of edible ketone, called a ketone ester. This is a compound that breaks down inside the body and raises the levels of ketones in the blood without the person having to follow a ketogenic diet or undertake fasting. It also works very quickly and doesn’t rely on fat breakdown like the ketogenic diet. We think that having ketones in the blood could be helpful for some aspects of health and longevity, and you might be able to get some of these benefits just by drinking ketone esters without needing to follow the ketogenic diet. The ketone ester will be the main ingredient of a new product, Metabolic Switch, that is being released this year by a company called Juvenescence.
know for sure yet if and how ketones could interact with the disease process of Covid-19. From our knowledge of the basic science of ketones we suspect that they could interact with some aspects of the immune system (i.e., inflammation and oxidative stress), which might help with the response to infection. While we suspect that could have a positive effect, there are also ways in which these ketone effects could be counterproductive. We need to do more research to be sure, but it is an interesting possibility. Ketones might also be helpful in mitigating some of the conditions that come alongside being in intensive care with a disease like Covid-19. ICU patients have a high rate of heart damage, delirium and also muscle wasting — there is mechanistic evidence to support the use of ketones to prevent these side effects. But again, intensive care is a complex set of stressors and we can’t be sure if the net effect would be positive or negative until we test this in a carefully controlled setting.
Are there any connections between ketones, Covid-19 and immunity? It’s important to say that we really don’t
The Buck Institute is a nonprofit organization and relies on donations. To get involved, visit www.buckinstitute.org. marin living. january/february 2021 49
The Renewed You Wellness retreats give guests the ultimate reset with treatments and experiences rooted in healing and nature. By Casey Hatifield-Chiotti
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Kodiak Greenwood, courtesy of Post Ranch Inn
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Kim Carroll, courtesy of Rush Creek Spa
California and Arizona’s wellness getaways are needed now more than
ever. The properties are planning accordingly for the visitors who are likely to end up on their doorsteps in 2021. Spas and hotels have revamped services and introduced new amenities designed to help people connect with the outdoors and shake off the baggage that comes with uncertainty and loss. “This year, our lives have been derailed,” says Gigi Richardson, spa and wellness manager at the new Rush Creek Spa near Yosemite National Park. “We’ve had no self-care. We’ve been homeschooling. We want to bring people to a place where they feel optimistic once again and recharged.” The spa, the first to open on Yosemite’s western edge, opened in November with strict cleaning standards and social distancing protocols in place. Immediately, guests started arriving from the Bay Area and beyond. Richardson recalls a male client who was stoic when checking in, but who she soon spotted splashing in one of the spa’s waterfalls. “When you come out smiling, mission accomplished,” she says. Here are five of the best regional wellness getaways, both big and small, lesser-known and established, offering everything from transformational sleep treatments to ancient water rituals so visitors can start anew.
Rush Creek Spa
Rush Creek Spa’s outdoor lounge
The new 5,000-square-foot spa at Rush Creek Lodge (from $160, www.rushcreeklodge.com), designed by San Francisco–based Anthony Laurino (Shoreline Hotel, Hotel Tomo) takes cues from its awe-inspiring neighbor. Yosemite’s Carlon Falls–inspired custom waterfall coves offer guests a chance to sit on a bench while warm water cascades down the wall behind them and over their shoulders. “The water washes away any heaviness. It’s the ultimate 2020 detox,” says Richardson. Cool Mist Showers, ideal after spending time in the Himalayan Salt Sauna, re-create Yosemite Falls’ fine mist and the Warm River Rock Beds emulate the park’s smooth granite rocks when baked in the sun. There’s also a covered outdoor lounge, an amber-hued Aromatherapy Steam Room — perfumed with eucalyptus and lemongrass — a granite waterfall hot tub and five treatment rooms. Mindfulness is a part of each treatment. During a Swedish massage, therapists use a sound bowl to quiet guest’s wandering minds and hot stones to balance chakras. The wood-and-stone Rush Creek Lodge, opened in 2016 by two Bay Area dads, is grand but never pretentious. Guests can also choose to stay at Evergreen Lodge, a historic property with 88 cabins, seven miles away.
Post Ranch Inn Big Sur’s Post Ranch Inn (from $925, www. postranchinn.com) continues to set the bar for what a health-centered getaway can be. The environmentally friendly hotel, with accommodations built into a cliffside, is introducing a sleep program in February. One of the country’s foremost experts on sleep, Michael Breus, Ph.D., acts as guests’ sleep guru. Breus believes people fit the description of one of four sleep chronotypes: the bear, the wolf, the lion or the dolphin. His personalized tips for achieving more restful sleep include meditations and guidance on room temperature. New sleep-inducing treatments have also been rolled out, including Crystal and Gemstone healing. Guests place a dream stone, a piece of ocean-polished Big Sur jade, on the heart chakra and perform a Native American purifying ritual to clear the way for deep sleep. During the Herbal Tea Ritual, guests select herbs and flowers from the inn’s garden to create a calming blend to take home. Post Ranch Inn guests can enjoy massages and other treatments in the spa, an open-air tent or their room. Three of the property’s Mickey Muennig–designed Ocean Houses, with curved roofs covered in grass and native plants, had extensive renovations in 2020 that included adding wine barrel wall paneling, custom furniture and outdoor soaking tubs. Post Ranch Inn’s use of nontoxic cleaning supplies and chemical-free sheets and mattresses add to the overall feeling of well-being. marin living. january/february 2021 53
Carmel Valley’s Refuge day spa (from $52, www.refuge.com), built in 2011, specializes in hydrothermal therapy, an ancient Greek and Roman tradition of using hot and cold water to heal certain ailments. Hydrotherapy is common in Europe, but not so prevalent in the U.S. The rare coed outdoor relaxation spa encourages visitors to do a Thermal Cycle. The three-step process begins with heating up in a steam room or sauna for five to 10 minutes. Then guests do a 60-second cold plunge (Refuge’s Nordic pools are the temperature of an icy river), followed by relaxing in an Adirondack chair near a fire pit or a zero gravity chair. Doing the cycle several times soothes aches and pains, boosts the immune system and releases endorphins. Spa-goers who visit the two-acre property overlooking the Santa Lucia Preserve will feel like they’ve stumbled on an exotic swimming hole. Refuge has six hot pools with cascading thermal waterfalls, natural bluestone pool decks and walkways lined with native drought-resistant plants. The spa offers Swedish or deep tissue massages for even deeper relaxation, and Refuge enforces a strict no-cellphone policy to ensure complete peace and silence. An almost entirely outdoor facility, Refuge was able to reopen in August when Covid restrictions were lifted. Masks are required while checking in, in the locker rooms and during a massage, but not while using the pools or outdoor relaxation areas. Carmel-by-the-Sea, a European-inspired village with cottages right out of a Charles Dickens novel, and the valley that stretches inland have many wonderful hotels. 54 january/february 2021 marin living.
Courtesy of Enchantment Resort
Refuge
Enchantment Resort Guests at Sedona’s Enchantment Resort (from $359, www.enchantmentresort. com) can still embark on a life-changing journey even though the property’s Mii amo Spa is closing for a significant renovation and expansion this year. Seven spa suites with relaxation areas and large bathrooms will feature cupping, astrology, aura photography, reiki and craniosacral therapy where a practitioner balances the flow of cerebrospinal fluid from the top of the head down the spine to relax and alleviate stress, to name just a few treatments. Enchantment’s intuitive practitioners are like therapists but better. It’s located in Sedona’s Boynton Canyon Vortex, and guests swear by the healing effects of a visit. While certain rituals are also on pause, guests can participate in Morning Celebration, a guided mediation encouraging a positive start to each day in the light-filled Canyon Studio. Enchantment’s new Trail House, introduced at the end of 2020, allows guests to connect with outdoor adventure like never before. The modern, earthen concrete structure, which blends in with the red, rocky landscape, is a dedicated place for cycling and hiking guides to plan trips and educate guests about their surroundings. There’s also a mountain bike shop and interpretive center. State parkland surrounds the canyon, providing easy access to miles and miles of rugged trails. Two hundred and eighteen casita guest rooms and suites, each with a patio or deck overlooking the canyon, are Southwestern inspired with adobe fireplaces, wood beams and patterned wool blankets.
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CIVANA Stylish and affordable CIVANA (from $329 per night or $599 all-inclusive, www. civanacarefree.com), a Sonoran Desert retreat outside Scottsdale dotted with palm trees and cacti, believes wellness and happiness go hand in hand. Nothing is overly restricted or regimented. A wellness 56 january/february 2021 marin living.
journey here could include yoga on the lawn and lounging by the pool, cocktail in hand, or a packed itinerary with rose garden meditations, desert hikes, outdoor sunset spin classes and socially distanced sound-bowl and stargazing sessions. The resort offers about a dozen complimentary
movement and fitness classes daily. There’s no judgment and anything goes. CIVANA, which reopened in September, also has a refreshing approach to healthy eating. Executive Chef Scott Winegard’s seasonal menus at Seed, the on-site cafe and specialty market, and Terras, the resort’s
Lisa Diederich, courtesy of CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa
CIVANA’s spa entrance
dinner destination, are focused on wholefood ingredients. Guests will want for nothing when dining on a sourdough spelt waffle with peaches or Sonoran chickpea pasta with smokey butternut queso. CIVANA also has a hydrotherapy spa with 22 treatment rooms. Guests are encour-
aged to “take the waters” before or after a treatment like the Sonoran Sea Facial, which includes a layered massage that mimics the ocean’s rhythms to release jaw tension and soothe headaches. The Aqua Therapy Circuit has an oxygenated relaxation pool, a cold deluge shower and a German-designed
sauna with five steam levels. It’s the only one of its kind in the continental U.S. Due to constantly changing Covid-19 guidelines, we recommend that before planning a visit you contact the spa for current status and any requirements. marin living. january/february 2021 57
Marin Trendsetters
v_l/Adobe Stock
You know who they are: they’re the business owners or community members who are always pushing the envelope to make your life and those of your friends and family better. As we kick off the new year and embrace 2021, these individuals are coloring outside the lines and leading the way in making the new year a truly special one. Nothing changes without trendsetters and we invite you to get to know them in this special section.
PROMOTION
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Helen Abe RBC WEALTH MANAGEMENT
This financial advisor at RBC Wealth Management wants you to move beyond your fears and focus on living your best life. What is it about you or your business that makes you a local trendsetter? What sets me apart is that my parents were immigrants so I grew up learning what it was like to have limited resources and earnings, yet still be able to care for a large family through hard work, sacrifice and thrift. My mother literally saved her pennies and taught me the “art of saving,” highlighting the old adage “it’s not what you earn but what you can save that matters.” What sets you apart in your industry? What separates me from the pack is that I love simplicity and sticking with the basics. My goal is to guide clients in investing with a sound financial strategy that they can be comfortable with over the long term. I am always mindful that my clients’ best interest comes first. How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? My industry is still only 25 percent female. Clients have expressed a comfort with how I show a more caring and personal interest in both their personal and financial well-being — I call that “financial betterment.” People have a yearning for financial betterment with all that is going on today. Do you or your business have a unique or notable history in the Bay Area? I was born in San Francisco and have spent my entire life in the Bay Area. Having worked with my clients for more than 25 years, I am proud to now be serving the needs of the next generation of children and grandchildren of my clientele. What’s the most interesting new innovation you have come up with? My unique approach is to problem solve for my clients by listening to their rich stories. I assess each person’s situation to get a deeper understanding of what is most important to them. Only then will I be able to provide customized longstanding solutions.
Helen Abe, CIMA®, CPFA, CRPC®, Senior Vice President – Financial Advisor | RBC Wealth Management 300 B Drakes Landing Road, Suite 155, Greenbrae, CA 94904 | 415.445.8468 | helen.abe@rbc.com | www.us.rbcwealthmanagement.com/helen.abe
PROMOTION
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Dr. Faye Jamali Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine is here to help you make the most important investment — in yourself. What do you love about your business? Helping you age gracefully and joyfully is our passion and privilege at Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine. You deserve to look and feel your absolute best at every stage of life, and we believe your life shouldn’t have to stop for aesthetic treatments.
How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? I feel that continuing education is incredibly important as a physician in the Medical Aesthetics industry. I am constantly seeking out the newest and best technology to bring to our patients for the most impactful results.
CoolSculpting, CoolTone, and Cellfina to help contour the body, or it can be in skin rejuvenation. With many laser treatments, peels, Vivace microneedling, and highgrade skincare regimens for at-home care, we have many options that can be customized to each patient’s specific needs.
What sets you apart in your industry? I perform all procedures myself to ensure the highest level of expertise and continuity of care. I offer complimentary consultations to ensure our patients have all the information about our services and can plan their care on their own terms.
What new services and products do you specialize in that address our current times? Covid-19 has definitely changed all of our lives. Being at home so much has given us time to reevaluate our priorities. We want our clients to know that it is okay to invest in themselves. This investment can be in
What are your hobbies and interests outside of your business? I have a background in art and enjoy painting and design. I designed our entire office space in what started as an empty shell. I also enjoy baking and taking hikes in the Mill Valley hills behind my home.
Dr. Faye Jamali | Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine | 250 E. Blithedale Avenue, Suite B, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.887.8718 | hello@bellemarin.com | @bellemarinca
PROMOTION
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Deborah Cole This Southern Marin real estate guru wants to make sure you find the perfect Marin County home, or can sell your existing one with ease. What separates you or your business from the pack? My clients say they feel like they are working with a trusted, hard-working friend who gives them the inside edge they need in our red-hot market. What is it about you or your business that makes you a local trendsetter? There’s a saying in the real estate world: “You list, you last.” But I have always loved working with buyers and helping people find a place in Marin and handing them the keys to their new home in our amazing county. So
I have gone against the tide and I have continued to work with lots of buyers at all price points as well as my listing clients.
passage of Proposition 19, which is expected to have a huge impact for sellers and buyers starting in spring 2021.
What is unique about your approach to serving your customers? I share everything they need to know about the inventory of homes, neighborhoods, schools, financing, return on investment with homeownership in Marin, tax ramifications, comps, market trends, etc. For instance, I’ve been keeping all my clients in the know through my e-newletters and blog posts on my website about the
How has the pandemic changed Marin real estate? The Covid-19 crisis and the resulting shut down of amenities coupled with the new work- and school-from-home lifestyle has contributed to a migration of people from San Francisco to Marin. With five record-setting months in a row and open houses prohibited, our buyer and seller clients need us more than ever.
Deborah Cole Real Estate | 250 E. Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, CA | 415.497.9975 deborah.cole@compass.com | www.deborahcolerealestate.com/blog
PROMOTION
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Jon DiRienzo & Joe Hosni Break away from the status quo with the forwardthinking, technology-driven Exceptionally Cool Homes. What is it about your business that makes you a local trendsetter? We are not afraid to take risk and we are not afraid to be different. We just launched Exceptionally Cool Homes as a stand-alone business with no big brokerage affiliation. How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? The business of real estate is shifting. It is driven by new technologies, which empower agents to perform with greater efficiency and more independence. Everything is becoming more streamlined and we are embracing this trend. What sets you apart in your industry? Our unwillingness to accept the status quo. We think and act creatively to deliver outstanding results to our clientele and we are not afraid to be different. What new services and products do you specialize in that address our current times? We have become truly adept at leveraging digital media on behalf of our clients. The reliance on new mediums has been accelerated in 2020 and we feel we are at the forefront relative to our peers. What do you want people to know about you and/or your business? Although we may appear casual and laid-back, we are actually tenacious and highly strategic.
Exceptionally Cool Homes | www.ExceptionallyCoolHomes.com | 415.744.4161 | 415.465.4955 | jon@ech-re.com | joe@ech-re.com
PROMOTION
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Cassie Zampa-Keim Innovative Match offers an always-available personal touch that strongly increases your chances of dating success. How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? I’ve always believed it’s important to keep my finger on the pulse of changes and trends in the dating industry, which is why I’m still here after more than 30 years in the business. Most recently, I’ve had to help my clients through dating during a pandemic. That meant creating strategies for my clients to meet new people and then keep the relationship they started going, all the while staying safe. It’s been a challenge, but, I’m happy to say, it’s come with its successes too. I have numerous clients in flourishing relationships and a few weddings on the calendar for 2021. What separates you or your business from the pack? I’m not a 9-to-5 dating expert because, guess what? Dating isn’t a 9-to-5 endeavor. I understand my clients may need me for last-minute advice, whether about what they’re wearing, how to say goodnight after a first date, or what to text after a date. Other times, my clients may need reassurance and a friendly ear. I’m here for them whenever they need me. I’m the office, and I’m always open. What’s the most interesting new innovation you have come up with? My dating profiles are not the typical ones you’d find online. I speak to my clients personally, in addition to them completing an in-depth profile assessment. They tell me their story, which I then fashion into a oneof-a-kind profile that reads like a story instead of a cliched personal ad. My profiles are as unique as the clients I write them for.
Innovative Match | Ross | 415.259.8714 | www.innovative-match.com
PROMOTION
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Dr. Chris Bacchi The latest treatments delivered in a professional, warm environment is what you will find at Marin Medical Aesthetics. What is it about you or your business that makes you a local trendsetter? We have the latest technology in the field in both our body sculpting and skin care lineup. What sets you apart in your industry? All practitioners at Marin Medical Aesthetics are licensed professionals. As one reviewer stated, “Dr. Bacchi and her team are incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful and warm professionals that make it an amazing experience with any treatment you choose.” What new services and products do you specialize in that address our current times? We have utilized the idea of the “medical gym.” So many people have gained a few
pounds and/or have been unable to get their pre-Covid workouts in. Our Emsculpt allows you to get a jump start to getting back in shape. For example, an abdominal treatment comfortably offers 20,000 muscle contractions in just 30 minutes. Do you or your business have a unique or notable history in the Bay Area? I have lived in the Bay Area for more than 20 years. I feel a strong commitment to the community as evidenced by the fact that I am raising my children here, have taught at a local university, have served a school board term and I volunteer at a local clinic. How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? I personally do all the initial appointment
consultations, taking the time to hear each patient’s concerns. Together, my patients and I create an individualized treatment plan. The field of aesthetic medicine evolves so rapidly that I am excited to share the latest developments with my patients. Moreover, I am dedicated to achieving the best possible results, and educating my patients about how best to maintain the results achieved. What are you doing to stay connected to the local community? Currently, we will be hosting a Dominican University senior nursing student. Placements for their training have been dramatically reduced in Covid times. We are happy to help by offering this position so the student can meet her required clinical hours.
Dr. Chris Bacchi | Marin Medical Aesthetics | 807 D Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 415.785.4604 | www.marinmedicalaesthetics.com
PROMOTION
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Peter Gilbert MOS Design is a totally new concept that meshes creativity with technology to serve its customers.
courtesy of Jason Wells Photography
What is it about you or your business that makes you a local trendsetter? In my past corporate life, I held the position of director of visual merchandising and brand experience for several fashion-forward brands and it has always been part of my job to keep a close eye on industry trends and innovative concepts. What sets you apart in your industry? Since my vision for MOS is to essentially create a lifestyle brand, I would say what sets me apart from most is that I do not just consider myself a designer, or a stager or even a retailer. Although these are all areas that I am currently focused on building and further developing as part of the MOS brand, I purposely do not position myself into just a single category or industry.
What separates you or your business from the pack? I consider MOS to be a totally different concept, which in itself sets us apart from the pack. We have created what normally would be a staging company warehouse, and we plan to redefine how that space is used by turning our warehouse into a showroom and retail space, which will allow us to continue to provide our customers on both the design and the staging side new and updated product assortments. Have you started any trends in your industry? I am currently working with several vendors in London and Canada looking at new and innovative ways to infuse and incorporate digital and holographics.
What is unique about your approach to serving your customers? I flex to the needs of the customer and in every situation always do the right thing no matter what. My customers always come first. What new services and products do you specialize in that address our current times? MOS now offers a state-of-the-art service called Matterport. This top-of-the-line camera captures a high-resolution image of every detail within the home and builds a 3D model of the space to use virtually. I plan to also advertise this valuable service to other retailers, restaurants and home owners; it is great tool to have for insurance purposes as well.
MOS Design | Peter Gilbert | 404 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94960 | 415.521.8151 | peter.mosdesign@gmail.com
PROMOTION
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Dr. Karron L. Power A from-the-inside-out approach sets PowerMD apart. Have you started any trends? PowerMD was the first Bay Area clinic to fully integrate medical aesthetics, peptide therapy and hormone treatments to provide a unique from-the-inside-out approach to beauty, fitness and wellness. Our treatments help patients regain the vigor and vitality of their younger years. They want to feel as great as they look. We think that beauty is more than skin deep. What is unique about your approach to serving your clients? At PowerMD, every patient should feel great about their treatment experience and results. For each patient, we define unique beauty, body and fitness goals and tailor it to their budget. Then we develop an individualized treatment protocol that may include lasers, injectables, peptide or hormone optimization and clinical skin care. At PowerMD, we build relationships and trust. We let the results speak for themselves. What new services and products do you specialize in that address the current times? Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent closure of gyms, demand for body sculpting and fat reduction treatments have skyrocketed. In response, PowerMD has developed a safe, sanitized, and effective body composition protocol. We use the latest sculpting lasers to directly target fat cells and stimulate the underlying muscle layer. What sets you apart in your industry? At PowerMD, we take our time. Every patient/provider relationship is built on a solid foundation of information, education and communication. Then we earn our patients’ trust by thoroughly, honestly and knowledgeably addressing any treatment questions or concerns. Once this partnership is in place, we develop a long-term treatment plan.
Dr. Karron L. Power, MPH | POWER MD Medical Aesthetics Treatments | 206 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae, CA 94904 415.785.7995 | www.powermd.com
PROMOTION
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Howard Kornfeld, M.D., and Associates Recovery Without Walls offers a cutting-edge approach to the alcohol and drug use, emotional turbulence, chronic pain and isolation of the ongoing pandemic. What about your practice makes you a trendsetter? Our practice at Recovery Without Walls uses evidence-based treatment, including targeted medication and psychotherapy tools, that we often introduce years ahead of other clinics. I was an early adopter of the FDA-approved drug, buprenorphine, to treat addiction and chronic pain and have taught and published about buprenorphine for more than 20 years as clinical faculty in the pain followship program at UCSF. Our discoveries about the use of buprenorphine have been frequently cited by other researchers and practitioners. We are also innovators in the use of other medications for alcohol use disorder, depression and chronic pain
including baclofen, ketamine, selegiline and mood stabilizers. You are more than a clinician. Tell us about a few of the other projects you have undertaken. I worked to end the use of the gas chamber at San Quentin in the 1990s. In 1981, I was a delegate at the First Congress of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), which led to the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985. This last year, an organization I helped found, the FLCCC Alliance, has pioneered approaches to Covid-19 well in advance of standard interventions with the MATH+ and the I-MASK+ protocols (FLCCC.net), focusing on steroids, heparin, vitamin C,
ivermectin, zinc, vitamin D, quercetin and melatonin. I continue to be inspired by the “ecology of mind� of 20th century biologist and systems theorist Gregory Bateson. What makes your team so different? I have 30 years of experience and am board certified in addiction, emergency and pain medicine. We are a multidisciplinary team of physicians, psychotherapists, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, a registered dietician/ eating disorder specialist, and a community of recovery interventionists and counselors. Our patients experience an unusual level of individualized support, including diagnostic testing, hormonal support, nutritional supplementation, acupuncture, physical therapy, massage and mindfulness practice.
Howard Kornfeld, M.D. | Recovery Without Walls | 3 Madrona Street, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.383.2949 | office@recoveryww.com | www.recoveryww.com
PROMOTION
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Don Vita VITA Planning & Landscape Architecture brings experience and a global perspective to each project. What is it about you or your business that makes you a local trendsetter? We care about our environment and strive to bring places that people can feel satisfied working and living in. We work to create that intangible “umami” environment. What sets you apart in your industry? We understand the business of real estate — from managing entitlement risk or peak capital to sales and marketing. Working closely with our clients, we assist in evaluating the potential for each project, helping to craft appropriate business models. This allows us to view a project from a master planning level and helps us understand how its vision can be reflected
in the detailed architecture, site planning and landscape design. How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? Highly amenitized Private Community and Lifestyle Development is something that we have specialized in for nearly 20 years and we are bringing that expertise to new markets including wineries, boutique hotels and mixed-use developments. What separates you or your business from the pack? We value the true artistry that comes with hand-drawing plans, whether it is a sketch, master plan or a marketing ren-
dering. Of course, we use digital rendering programs, but we have the unique ability to merge the two approaches which allows clients to envision the community from a technical perspective while maintaining a human touch. What is unique about your approach to serving your customers? We listen to both the land and our clients. We utilize one of our core values — empathy — to intently listen to our clients and deeply understand their challenges and goals. With that intimate understanding, we then craft design solutions that are both socially and environmentally responsible.
Don Vita | VITA Planning & Landscape Architecture | 181 3rd Street, Suite 100, San Rafael, CA 94901 415.259.0190 | info@vitainc.com | @designbyvita
PROMOTION
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
Belinda Wickwire Visiting Belinda Wickwire Jewelry is like taking a step back in time. What is it about you or your business that makes you a local trendsetter? I am a jewelry concierge and bespoke designer specializing in a curated collection of antique and vintage jewelry that you won’t find anywhere else. What separates you or your business from the pack? A Marin treasure trouvé, Belinda Wickwire Jewelry is like taking a step back in time. The store is filled with a finely curated collection of antique and vintage jewelry from the 1700s on. I style everything with a contemporary focus making this store a definite destination place to visit.
Belinda Wickwire Jewelry 526 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, Ca. 94960 | 415.785.7519 belinda@belindawickwirejewelry.com | www.instagram.com/belindawickwirejewelry www.facebook.com/belindawickwirejewelry
Dolores Coleman Dee’s Organic wants you to appreciate the customer service, but always remember the healthy and delicious food. What is it about you or your business that makes you a local trendsetter? I make sure we serve the freshest, local and organic ingredients. I also keep track of what is new and upcoming in the food industry. What do you take pride in? I want to be your personal chef for daily or weekly meals that will satisfy the whole family. I love designing menus for events or my home clients. I want you to always remember the food.
Dee’s Organic Catering | Dolores Coleman | 1545 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 415.484.3491 | dee@deesorganic.com
PROMOTION
Nurit Raphael
MARIN TRENDSETTERS
ONA.Life provides exemplary customer service to help clients find the perfect cannabis product. What sets you apart in your industry? ONA.Life is more than a delivery service — our concierge service provides personalized attention in the form of in-depth product education, exemplary customer service and delivery that works around your schedule. What is it about you or your business that makes you a local trendsetter? ONA.Life was the first licensed cannabis company in Marin County working to shift perspectives around the role cannabis plays in a healthy lifestyle. By destigmatizing cannabis, we have built a true health and wellness company. How are you staying connected with the community? Since opening in 2015, our brother-and-sister team at ONA vowed to make a difference for the community and launched “Random Acts of Kindness.” The latest donations have been made to the local Marin family who started “Save Sight Now” and Cucina San Anselmo.
ONA.Life | 415.909.0382 | www.ona.life | hello@ona.life
Marian McNaughton Gifts and apparel at Revente Boutique are environmentally friendly and unlike anything else you will find in Marin. What is it about you that makes you a local trendsetter? Revente features a curated selection of current designer brands and uncommonly cool gifts in an upscale setting. I aim to show that you can be a conscientious consumer and enjoy premium products and ambience. Have you started any trends in your industry? My exclusive products that I help design and develop are a huge hit. I offer a wide range of locally minded home products and gifts that have created a really popular gift-giving trend. What sets you apart in your industry? Revente is a hybrid concept boutique, part new and part resale. This is a new concept and there is no other Marin store like it.
Revente Boutique | Marian McNaughton | 286 Bon Air Center Greenbrae, CA 94904 | 628.240.3748 | reventeboutiques@gmail.com | www.reventeboutique.com | @reventeboutique
Thank you to our Trendsetting partners. We salute their optimism and inspiration. Belinda Wickwire Jewelry Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine Compass Real Estate — Deborah Cole Dee’s Organic Catering Exceptionally Cool Homes Innovative Match Marin Medical Aesthetics MOS Design Ona Life Power MD RBC Wealth Management — Helen Abe Recovery Without Walls Revente Boutique VITA Planning & Landscape Architecture
inside & out marin. As many of us are still spending more time than ever at home, it’s time to start thinking about sprucing your work and personal space up — inside and out. Calling all interior designers, architects, landscape designers, retailers and design-product makers. Get in front of our audience in March’s special section and tell them what makes you and your business special. For more information, contact Dina Grant, advertising director, at dina@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.238.2030.
subscribe to our newsletter at www.marinlivingmagazine.com/newsletter
www.marinlivingmagazine.com
PROMOTION
Community Minded Helen Abe Helps Clients Feel Comfortable Enough to Focus on Financial Betterment “Clients have expressed a comfort with how I show a more caring and personal interest in both their personal and financial well-being — I call that financial betterment. People have a yearning for financial betterment with all that is going on today.” Helen Abe, CIMA®, CPFA, CRPC®, Senior Vice President – Financial Advisor RBC Wealth Management, 300 B Drakes Landing Road, Suite 155, Greenbrae, CA 94904 415.445.8468 | helen.abe@rbc.com www.us.rbcwealthmanagement.com/helen.abe
Belle Marin: Next-level Aesthetic Treatments for Marin County Inspired by art and the environment, small business owner Dr. Faye Jamali is driven to bring out your most flattering, radiant best, fueled by an unwavering passion for natural-looking results. Belle Marin 250 E. Blithedale Avenue, Suite B, Mill Valley, CA 94941 | 415.887.8718 Hello@BelleMarin.com | @bellemarinca
Nurit Raphael Explains How ONA.Life Came to Be “I noticed that Marin County didn’t have any cannabis delivery services that I personally enjoyed ordering from. I was watching all these new beautiful cannabis brands come to life and knew I could create something that would speak to women like myself. ONA has become a lifestyle brand and I couldn’t be more proud of it.” ONA.Life | 415.909.0382 www.ona.life | hello@ona.life
going places.
“We need places to scream and run wild as well as places to be quiet.” —Marty Rubin, author
marin living. january/february 2021 75
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Photographer and Marin resident, Reny Jane, specializes in personal portraiture, corporate headshots, and commercial lifestyle photography. For inquires, please visit www.renyjane.com
land & sea.
Rivian R1T
Electric Avenue From high-tech startups to new models made by some of your favorite manufacturers, the competition in the electric car market is heating up.
Andi Hendrik
By Nicolas Stecher In September Gavin Newsom signed the most ambitious automotive legislation in the nation, mandating that by 2035 every vehicle sold in the Golden State would have to be electric. Sure, that deadline seems a long way into the future, but we don’t have to wait 15 years to get our zero emission roll on — a slew of ion-munching vehicles are hitting showrooms as we speak. Tesla, of course, still rules the roost with a mighty electric talon, while venerable manufacturers like Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar, Nissan, Volkswagen and more are bringing a range of all-electric offerings to market. Beyond the badges we all grew up with, however, are several all-electric startups shaking up
the automotive landscape. From Bollinger and Rivian’s earth-tumbling trucks to Lucid’s sleek city fare, here are a trio of potential disrupters to keep your eyes on.
Rivian With announced investment of more than $3 billion — including industry titans Ford and Amazon, the latter of whom they’re building delivery trucks for — Rivian (www.rivian.com) is as much of a sure thing as exists these days. The Launch Edition of their R1T truck has the stats (754 horsepower; 826 pound-feet of torque), range (300-plus miles), and
off-road capability (14.2 inches of ground clearance; 11,000-pound towing). Plus, its innovative and highly adaptable “skateboard platform” packages the entire EV powertrain under the wheel line, providing a low center of gravity and tons of storage (big frunk, central gear tunnel and copious compartments under the seats and truck bed). While not Cybertruck futuristic, the smooth skin, unique headlights and grille-less facade lend it an exterior that is matched within by sustainable vegan leather, natural-grained ash wood trim and 360-degree Rivian Elevation sound system. Launch Edition arrives this summer and prices start at $75,000. marin living. january/february 2021 77
land & sea.
Lucid Motors Lucid Motors (www.lucidmotors.com) subscribes to the kitchen sink approach, loading their upcoming four-seater Lucid Air with so much tech (fastest-charging EV; 34-inch curved 5K display), performance (1,080 horsepower), range (517 miles), design (world’s most aero-efficient 78 january/february 2021 marin living.
luxury car), sustainability and luxury that it set benchmarks across the EV landscape. Envisioned around the miniaturization of its all-wheel drive powertrain, including more compact yet powerful dual electric motors, Lucid’s concept of luxury is to optimize interior cabin space to offer a full-size luxury-class vehicle in a sport sedan package. And since
the Newark, California–based startup designed and developed all the battery packs for the Formula E motorsports series, Lucid’s tech has been tested under the harshest F1-like duress. Deliveries of the Air Dream Edition ($169,000) begin in spring, with more affordable editions culminating in the base Air ($74,400) arriving in 2022.
Courtesy of Lucid Motors; Bollinger Motors
Lucid Air
LEGACY BRANDS
FORD Mustang Mach E If you live in California the all-new Mustang Mach E will squeak in under $35,000 thanks to more than $11,000 worth of combined federal and state incentives. That’s the most affordable option on this list. www.ford.com
Bollinger Motors The uber-boxy Bollinger (www.bollinger motors.com) may look like a Legobuilt ’70s Land Rover Defender, but its refreshingly Luddite shell belies a highly advanced EV architecture. The B1 SUV and B2 pickup boast unique features like glass roofs and a super-long passthrough cargo tunnel, complementing real-world off-road capability thanks to better approach, breakover and departure angles than a Jeep Wrangler. With dual motors supplying 668 pound-feet of instant torque capable of towing 7,500 pounds and carrying 5,200 pounds of payload, Bollinger proves trucks can go zero emission without compromising IRL capability. While considerably more expensive than the Rivian, the Bollinger is meant to compete in the marketplace with restomod (cars that are gutted and reassembled piece by piece with modern tech) Defenders when it arrives end of 2021 for $125,000.
PORSCHE Taycan Turbo S What do you get when Porsche builds a zero-emission sled? Of course the fastest (zero-to-60 mph in 2.4 seconds; 162 mph top speed) and most expensive EV currently available in the U.S. Starting just south of $200,000, the Taycan Turbo S is the cost-be-damned option that’s worth every cent. www.porsche.com
Bollinger B1
VOLVO XC40 Recharge Volvo aims for half of global sales to be fully electric by 2025, and it all starts with electrifying its stylish and fun XC40 crossover. Class-leading safety standards are expected; Google-based Android infotainment and coming autonomy anticipate the future. XC40 Recharge will start at $54,985, but will arrive at under $48,000 after federal credits. www.volvocars.com marin living. january/february 2021 79
drawn together.
A Time for Change Tiburon’s new vice mayor talks about how challenges around diversity, technology, open space and pandemic closures are reshaping the town for the better. By Daniel Jewett Jon Welner is a busy guy. Not only is he the recently elected vice mayor of Tiburon, where he and his family have lived for 17 years, but he serves on numerous committees there, is president and on the board of the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, is a leading environmental lawyer at the law firm Mintz, and is on the advisory board of the Environmental Law Section of the California Lawyers Association, among other pursuits. Welner talks about what 2021 holds for the town of Tiburon.
Tell us about the Use of Technology Committee that you lead? It was the first thing I launched when I joined the council. Tiburon is one of the minority of communities that has posted audio instead of video of its council meetings. It seems like a small thing, but I think it really does matter to people in terms of feeling like government is transparent and feeling like they are participating. One of the effects of the pandemic has 80 january/february 2021 marin living.
been that all of our meetings are now on Zoom. I anticipate that after things return to normal, it will be a relatively easy matter to get the council to agree to video webcasting all of our meetings. What is currently being done at the 110-acre open space Martha property in the hills above Tiburon where a development of 42 large homes is being proposed? I’ve been working on a pro bono basis with the Tiburon Open Space Committee for well over a decade now trying to ensure that any development that occurs there is thoughtful and appropriate. We’ve been working and hoping to find a solution whereby some combination of the county and/or Tiburon could acquire the property and preserve it as open space. There are negotiations going on now between the Open Space Committee and the owner over creating an appraisal and trying to figure out if there is some way to broker a deal. I’m hopeful and optimistic that we’ll
find a way to keep that as open space for the benefit of everyone. How are Tiburon’s restaurants and retail doing during pandemic times and what is being done to help them? It’s been really tough and we’ve lost some businesses, which is a source of great concern. We did have a very successful program that was really well liked to close off Main Street to cars in the summer months through October 1. It was a hopeful development that occurred. We are doing everything we can to help folks hang on until the vaccine becomes widely available and hopefully things come back to normal in the spring. The Caprice restaurant is under new ownership and has been using this time to rebuild and remodel; the new Michael Mina restaurant has been under construction all this time — so there are signs of great hope, new places that will open when things return to normal.
Aiden Achuck
In September of last year Tiburon police had a volatile encounter with Yema Khalif and Hawi Awash, the Black owners of Yema clothing store on Main Street, that led to the resignation of one police officer and the early retirement of the chief of police. In the aftermath a new diversity and inclusion committee was created. What can you tell me about that? What happened at Yema was terrible. I saw the video and I thought it was inappropriate behavior and it needed to be fixed. But I think we are responding to it wonderfully and I am very excited about this new diversity and inclusion committee. I insisted and am really happy that all the council members are participating in it along with the public. It’s going to be a great learning exercise. We are going to take what we learn and everyone’s ideas and make Tiburon a better place.
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