marin living july/august 2020

be well.

Premiere Issue

+ Healthy Living Reboot + Accidental Activists: Debra Messing and Mandana Dayani + Tahoe State of Mind + Wanderlust Travel

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The Team 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 Graphic Design Intern Tiffany Dang Contributing Writers Casey Hatfield-Chiotti, Alana Malone, Jack Middleton Copy Editor Cynthia Rubin

Mailing Address Marin Living PO Box 2104 Mill Valley, CA 94942 Office phone: 707.302.0850

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Volume 1, Issue 1. Marin Living magazine is published in Marin County by Five19Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright ©2020. 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.

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Congratulations on the launch of Marin Living Magazine. We salute your dedication to enriching our community as we work together, from home, during this challenging time.

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table of contents. july/august 2020

69

Blue whale sightings off the Farallon Islands, a major voting initiative and bringing Marin City locally grown food.

16 my obsessions.

Woodworker Aleksandra Zee lets us in on a few of her favorite things.

18 local getaways.

From left: Lake Tahoe in all its splendor; artist George McCalman.

22 modern living.

Everything you need to turn your bathroom into your personal oasis.

24 local splurges.

Historic Sonoma Plaza is open and ready for business.

We round up the best of local clean beauty brands, so make some room in your medicine cabinet.

20 eat & drink.

26 take note.

Chef Roland Passot ups our backyard barbecue game with a French-infused take on the summer staple.

6 july/august 2020 marin living.

A conversation with the co-creator of “The Dissenters” podcast, plus cultural must-sees.

going places.

69 voyager.

Get your wellness fix this summer at Lake Tahoe. A look at where to stay and how to find your moment of serenity.

74 land & sea.

80 drawn together.

The sun is out and the bay awaits — here’s how to safely get back on the water.

S.F. artist George McCalman explains the inspiration behind his new exhibit that examines remarks about race.

76 new digs.

from the team.

Christian Douglas offers expert advice on turning your backyard into an edible paradise.

08 ceo letter.

10 creative director’s letter.

Portrait by Georgia Hodges

spotlight marin.

13 news.

80

28

Knowledge Is Wellth

From financial health to the importance of color psychology in the home to virtual wellness retreats, a look at how to inject a little self-love into your life.

This aerial photo was taken

by Dirk Dallas for his book Eyes over the World: The Most Spectacular Drone Photography (Rizzoli).

42

The Fantastic Journey

Narada Michael Walden’s vibrant recording career isn’t showing any signs of slowing down — the San Rafael studio owner explains how he became the newest member of the rock band Journey.

46

By the Book

Far right: copyright © 2020 Dirk Dallas

Armchair travel is the new summer vacation — and wait until you see all the far-flung places we are going.

be well.

On the Cover Photograph by Joyt/Adobe Stock

marin living. july/august 2020 7

ceo letter.

We can say wholeheartedly that we, too, are reimagining our lives and creating the existence that we’ve always wanted.

Do What You Love

8 july/august 2020 marin living.

tional oracle; his ability to spring from writing and editing to how we get the magazine to your front door and inbox is something to behold. I’ve worked with advertising director Dina Grant for more than 12 years, and her ability to spin a thousand saucers at the same time while writing marketing plans and servicing our clients’ needs is unparalleled. She’s yet to crack a plate, and I suspect she’s not going to anytime soon. Design director Emily Blevins is the youngest of our fivesome and our creative unicorn. Her knack for transforming stories into works of art can only be described as inspiring. It’s her take on our vision and her fresh visual approach that allows the words and images to truly stir your emotions. As for me, I’ve always wanted to manage a band — and now I have the pleasure of doing just that except our music is the community and the musicians are my friends.

I’m especially excited to introduce our first Marin Visionaries special section; these people and businesses are the ultimate forward-thinkers in their fields and define Marin in the most special of ways. We sincerely admire the people featured here: they come from a variety of industries including law, female empowerment, real estate, and my personal favorite, matchmaking. Thank you for enriching our community with your inspiration and expertise.

Gratitude, passion, creativity and opinions are in full bloom at Marin Living magazine. We welcome all who want to be the change in the world — one story at a time.

Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder

Photo by Becca Teal Batista

Welcome to our premiere issue! You must be asking, who starts a magazine in the middle of a pandemic? Well, the short answer is, we do. Sharing a viewpoint that Marin is changing faster than ever, we want to be a part of that change by using our gifts to report on the community we love as it evolves.

In times like this, prioritizing personal chemistry over professional obligation is more critical than ever. Life is short, and we want to work with people we admire and who share similar values, priorities and views. The five Marin Living co-founders have many decades of combined experience in publishing and we work beautifully together. Quite simply, we like each other and it allows us to soar to new heights with our talents and find harmony in the ever-changing work-life balance. As we watch our friends, colleagues and community retool their lives during Covid-19 and the awakening social justice movement, we can say wholeheartedly that we, too, are reimagining our lives and creating the existence that we’ve always wanted. So, here we are, actively changing, happy, and living the American Dream of owning our own business. Welcome to Marin Living.

Our clients are the reason we exist. As first-time business owners, we are exceptionally grateful to our partners who believed in us for this first issue. My hope is that they love working with a seasoned team, one who strives hard for their brand to be center stage, and who creates a fully applied marketing strategy beyond just the printed advertisement for them. Marketing is at the very center of Marin Living and we’ll bring the know-how of our entire team to work for your business every step of the way.

We are grateful for these early partnerships and are excited for all the new partnerships still to be formed.

We often think of our abilities as superpowers here at the magazine, and collectively we work together like a finely oiled machine. Let’s meet the team. Casey Gillespie, our creative director, is equal parts wordsmith and visual mastermind. You can thank her for our thoughtfully assembled content and the dramatic visuals. Executive editor Dan Jewett is an organiza-

The Concept of Home Our priorities are evolving before our eyes with immense value being placed on family, health and flexibility.

These core elements will impact our lifestyles and the spaces we choose to live in, well into the future.

Jon DiRienzo

j.dirienzo@ggsir.com | 415.744.4161 | Lic.# 01354297

Joe Hosni

j.hosni@ggsir.com | 415.465.4955 | Lic.#02009324

www.ExceptionallyCoolHomes.com

exceptionally.cool.homes

In Gratitude If someone would have said to me a year ago, “There is going to be a global pandemic and right in the middle of it you are going to join forces with some of the most talented people you have ever met and create a magazine that revolves around one of the most incredible destinations on the planet,” I would have dismissed all of it as crazy talk. But here we are, and what a beacon this entire process has been.

Not only because I feel like we are surfing the wave of change as it is happening, but also because the community has opened its arms and warmly welcomed us. It is a 10 july/august 2020 marin living.

humbling reminder of how lucky we are to live in Marin County.

Within these pages you will find our content stretches farther than the physical boundaries of Marin. This is because as Marinites we travel to the rest of the Bay Area regularly; we will explore wine country, San Francisco, the East Bay and occasionally the Peninsula, but always as it pertains to the people who live in Marin.

You will also notice that we are going to weave in some national content, filtering it too through a local lens. People today are more connected than ever and we want to cover the things that are important to you locally and beyond.

Which is why when we were putting together our editorial calendar we knew right away that our inaugural issue had to revolve around wellness. Self-care and mental health have become priorities for all of us in 2020, and we wanted you to know that not only are we all in it together, but that there are some phenomenal people and services available to you locally. Life has been hard lately, and we don’t want to shy away from difficult topics. We will support local businesses and local voices and shine

a light on things that matter to our community. Some of those voices we are particularly proud to have in this issue are those of Mandana Dayani and Debra Messing, whose new podcast, “The Dissenters,” tackles activism head on with an exciting list of inspiring guests. And San Francisco– based artist George McCalman, who offers some important insight on the Black Lives Matter movement. His upcoming exhibit is one that should not be missed.

We can’t wait to hear what you think of the issue — my virtual door is always open, so drop me a line; I’d love your feedback.

And if there is something you really want to see in the pages of Marin Living, let me know. The magazine is a living entity and it’s going to evolve, and we are excited to have you be part of that evolution.

Warmly,

Casey Gillespie, Creative Director and Co-Founder

Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Adobe Stock/ Alena Ozerova

creative director’s letter.

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Photo by Sean Gee, courtesy of Point Blue

spotlight marin.

Out of the Blue

Researchers with Point Blue Conservation Science stationed at the Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge noticed a strange sight on June 13 when spray from blue whales suddenly appeared in every direction. After a count, they realized that a nearrecord 47 of these amazing creatures — some up to 87 feet long and each able to eat up to four tons of krill per day — were feeding in the area protected by the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. This breathtaking shot of the largest mammal on earth was taken by a staffer that day. marin living. july/august 2020 13

spotlight marin.

EVOO-hhh

Get Out the Vote VotePlus10 (voteplus10.org), a free platform that personalizes advocacy and activism, launched in Marin County in May with the hopes of getting one million users committed to vote on November 3. “Even before the Covid-19 pandemic created an environment of disconnect and inactivity for many, it was apparent that the community of people around me felt powerless when it came to having an impact on the economic, social and political issues that mattered to them,” says VotePlus10 CEO Ken Kurtzig. The platform requires just 10 minutes a month for voters to make a positive impact. Users complete actions to gain points and reach new levels, building a sense of progress on big issues. “We hope that by making activism easier and accessible to a wider audience, we can positively influence the number of voters in November,” adds Kurtzig.

14 july/august 2020 marin living.

Photo by Erin Alderson, courtesy of PRMRY

As Californians, we have every right to be picky about our olive oil — after all, our farmers grow some of the best olives in the world. So when we recently discovered the new California-based PRMRY extra-virgin variety (helloprmry.com), we were pretty excited. The founders have more than 15 years’ combined experience in the industry, and the packaging — UV-spray-coated glass bottles with wooden tops — not only looks great on a kitchen counter, it also keeps the oil fresher longer. It’s a win-win. Be sure and check out the website for useful tips on everything from harvesting to shelf life.

spotlight marin.

Marin’s Bounty Driven by the strong production of milk, poultry, livestock and wine grapes, agriculture in Marin is on the rise. The 2019 report, presented to county supervisors by Stacy Carlsen, Marin’s agricultural commissioner, was good news and showed a continued rebound in production after a decline in 2016 and 2017. Here are some production numbers showing the positive growth.

$97,929,000

Total Value of All Products

$111 million

Highest Value Ever (2015)

$32.8 million Organic Milk

$6.9 million

Aquaculture (oysters, mussels and clams)

$2.1 million Sheep

$20 million Poultry

$14.8 million Cattle

$1.4 million Photo by Andi Hatch, courtesy of Conscious Kitchen (bottom)

Wine Grapes

Social Wellness While we all have been taking a break from gathering in person, social media has become our lifeline to the rest of world. And a few months ago, Instagram quietly released Wellness Guides to help people who have been struggling to sustain connections with other people or who need a little help handling anxiety or grief during the pandemic. To locate the Guides, navigate to the Explore tab and there you will find well-being content from your favorite creators, public figures and organizations. Next time you are mindlessly double tapping, give it a try. Your mental health will thank you.

Kitchen Stories Conscious Kitchen started at Sausalito’s Bayside MLK Elementary School in 2013 as a way to “bring fresh, local, organic food to children in schools, primarily in underserved communities right here where we live and work — to support their minds and bodies, health and wellness,

people and planet,” say the mother-daughter team and co-founders Judi Shils and Erin Schrode. At the onset of Covid-19 the company started offering buy-one-give-one CSA boxes with the donated food benefiting families in Marin City, but the love has reverberated throughout our community. “It

has done three beautiful things — bring fresh, local, organic, seasonal food to the homes of people who purchase boxes, provide direct, regular income to farmers who have lost much of their business, and supplement nutrition alongside our hot meals for people in our community in a time of need,” says Shils.

Want to get involved? Sign up for your CSA box and learn more at consciouskitchen.org. marin living. july/august 2020 15

my obsessions.

Clockwise from left: Aleksandra Zee; Cleo Wade’s Heart Talk; a view from The Ventana, Big Sur; the “Change Cadet” icon for the podcast of Akilah Cadet, Ph.D.

my skin, but improved the texture and makes me glow. I will never be without it.”

Knock on Wood

Woodworker Aleksandra Zee’s Instagram is the stuff creative dreams are made of, but she is so much more than just a social media personality.

By Alana Malone Aleksandra Zee’s art has a meditative quality, so it is no wonder that the beautifully appointed hotel and wellness destination MacArthur Place in Sonoma commissioned her to create a giant mural for the lobby ceiling. The Oaklandbased woodworker uses patterns and colorful wood grains to guide the eye, imparting a calmness to the space — her meticulousness is palpable. “The first thing I do when starting a new piece is sort through my lumber, being very selective with wood grain and color pattern, and matching pieces up that work with each other. The entire process of starting a piece is very intentional,” says the artist. Zee found her calling 16 july/august 2020 marin living.

while she was working as a display artist for Anthropologie. “I would make anything from tables to fixtures to largescale displays, and whenever the project revolved around being in the woodshop, I felt like I was home. That is when I knew I had found my medium,” she says. Zee is planning to launch a new body of work in September that will be centered around functional sculpture. Here, she shares some of her favorite things.

Beauty must-have: “Jan Marini Age Intervention Duality (janmarini.com) is my absolute fave. I have always had problematic skin and this is the only product I have ever used that not only cleared up

Currently on repeat: “Akilah Cadet’s podcast, ‘Change Cadet’ (changecadet. com). She is passionate about being a soldier of change and creating space to support antiracism, diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. I just took her Power and Privilege workshop where we learned about confronting our privilege in whatever manner that may be, and using it to support others, not just to become an ally, but an accomplice in the fight for racial equality and justice.”

Dream staycation: “The Ventana in Big Sur (ventanabigsur.com) is always on the dreamy list.”

Go-to for a therapeutic pick-me-up: “The Assembly in San Francisco (theassembly.com) is the most beautiful space.

It is wellness-focused and offers endless options for moving your body, meditation, soul work and community.”

Book to snuggle up with: “I’m currently reading Cleo Wade’s books Heart Talk and Where to Begin.”

Aleksandra Zee photo Antrom Kury; The Ventana photo courtesy of the resort

Favorite place to relax: “My backyard.

My husband and I have put a lot of work into it and it is an oasis for us to unwind in.”

Indoor / Outdoor

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out & about.

A Day Out in Sonoma

At Sonoma Plaza, summer brings new openings and a much-anticipated reacquaintance with some old favorites.

Clockwise from top: Taub Family Outpost; El Dorado Hotel + Kitchen; Sigh Champagne Bar

18 july/august 2020 marin living.

Clockwise from top: courtesy of Taub Family Outpost; courtesy of El Dorado Hotel + Kitchen; Sigh photo by Garrett Rowland, courtesy of Sigh Champagne Bar

By Casey Gillespie

out & about.

5. El Dorado Hotel + Kitchen

405 First Street West eldoradosonoma.com An ideal spot for an overnight stay, the contemporary hotel embodies the wine country spirit, while the El Dorado Kitchen boasts the Jean-Georges-trained chef Armando Navarro, who is known for his creative take on simple, seasonal ingredients.

6. Sigh Champagne Bar

120 West Napa Street sighsonoma.com In a town filled with wine, sometimes a glass of bubbly and a locally sourced cheese board is just what the doctor ordered. The list of California sparkling wines is brief, but inspired.

7. The Loop

461 First Street West sonomaloop.com A chic, airy women’s boutique offering a high-end selection of casual favorites. We love the pared-down color palette and quality investment pieces including cashmere duster cardigans and leather handbags.

sonoma plaza

H

ISTORIC SONOMA PLAZA, resplendent with Spanish Colonial flavor, is about a 45minute drive from Central Marin, and it’s a day adventure that doesn’t disappoint. Lush green space surrounds City Hall on all sides and provides a shaded area for picnics and a muchneeded rest from the summer sun. Unlike the cooler coastal areas in Marin, Sonoma feels more like Southern California in the hotter months, with temps regularly reaching the mid-90s. Luckily, the plaza offers a respite with its tasting rooms aplenty, stylish cafes, great restaurants and fashion boutiques that ooze easy California style.

1. Taub Family Outpost

497 First Street West taubfamilyoutpost.com The newest addition to the Sonoma Plaza family, this restaurant-meets–artisanal market (with a rumored speakeasy) even has a takeaway window for grab-and-go goodies to enjoy while you shop.

8. Tasca Tasca

2. Sonoma Bungalows

158 West Napa Street sonomabungalows.com The obvious choice for an extended stay, newly opened one- and two-bedroom bungalows offer gourmet kitchens, luxurious furnishings, an on-call concierge service and a short walk to everything the plaza has to offer.

3. Wildeflower

107 West Napa Street 707.721.1041 Muted tones, market bags, boho jewelry and natural skin care are a few of the lust-worthy finds at this women’s fashion boutique. It’s nearly impossible to leave without buying a “souvenir.”

4. G’s: A Modern General Store

19 West Napa Street ggeneralstore.com A can’t-miss modern-day take on the beloved general store. You’ll find a curated selection of infinitely shoppable clothing, home decor, bedding and children’s items.

122 West Napa Street tascatasca.com A lively European-style eatery where Portuguese chef Manuel Azevedo serves fresh, colorful tapas inspired by his homeland. Order lots of small plates to share and keep the wine flowing.

9. Lake Sonoma Winery Tasting Room

134 Church Street lakesonomawinery.com A stylish tasting room set back just off the square. Give them 24 hour’s notice and they can arrange a tasting of their soughtafter wines paired with a French country– inspired picnic from the girl & the fig.

10. Pangloss Cellars

35 East Napa Street panglosscellars.com Here, in a historic building in the heart of the square, the vibe is industrial chic and decidedly unpretentious. The wine flights and small bites are a delicious precursor to dinner and the atmosphere is as lively as the wine selection. marin living. july/august 2020 19

eat & drink.

Backyard Barbecue

While restaurants are cautiously opening up, many people are still enjoy the simplicity and fun of a summer’s day spent cooking on the grill and crafting cocktails in their own backyards.

By Daniel Jewett

M

ILL VALLEY CHEF Roland Passot began his culinary career at the age of 15 in Lyon, where he learned from some of the most famous chefs in France. In 1988 he opened San Francisco’s La Folie (recently closed after 32 years) with his wife, Jamie, followed by Left Bank Brasseries in Larkspur, Menlo Park and San Jose. Here Passot gives us some of his barbecue secrets.

What is French barbecue?

French barbecue is different than American. My wife is from Texas, she has a secret recipe that she doesn’t want to share with me, but she makes that very hot. French barbecue is different because we don’t use as much sweet. We do a lot of 20 july/august 2020 marin living.

kebabs, sausages like merguez, fish, with African spices. If we want it a bit more spicy, we’ll use piment d’espelette with a marinated chicken. We might do sardines or shrimp on the skewers or put down half lobsters or oysters with cucumber, horseradish and sour cream on the warmer.

I also like to grill watermelon or stone fruit with a little bit of olive oil and serve with cheese or prosciutto.

Do you prepare your own spices when you barbecue?

The other day we were cooking some ribs with a dry rub and we used a spice blend called Marrakesh Sitar from the San Francisco company Spice Tribe. It’s a mixture of ginger, coriander, honey, turmeric, cassia cinnamon, paprika,

rosebud, cumin, orange peel, allspice and green cardamom. It is delicious and it’s great for people who don’t want to grind their own spices.

What’s the best drink to have with barbecue?

I love Champagne, but with barbecue, I like a good beer. I also love rosé in the summer, and you don’t have to spend a fortune. Sur un Coup de Tête is from the Passot family plots in the Beaujolais region; it is very tasty served slightly chilled and drinks very easily.

What’s your ideal barbecue day?

For me, barbecue is casual. We turn the barbecue on, play pétanque, grill, drink and have fun. That’s what it’s all about, I think.

eat & drink.

Trouble in Paradise Isaac Shumway, owner/bartender at San Rafael’s California Gold, shares his favorite beat-the-heat cocktail.

GRILLED STONE FRUIT SALAD Serves 4–6

Ingredients

Ingredients 3 peaches (quartered) 3 plums (quartered) 3 nectarines (quartered) 3 avocados (quartered, skin on) herb yogurt (recipe provided) 1 cup toasted almonds 1 cup caramelized honey and Thai chile vinaigrette (recipe provided) sliced serrano ham or prosciutto 1 cup watercress (washed and picked) olive oil Maldon salt

Herb Yogurt 1 cup whole milk yogurt 1 tablespoon basil (chopped) 1 tablespoon chives (chopped) 1 tablespoon caramelized honey and Thai chile vinaigrette Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Keep cold until ready to serve.

Caramelized Honey and Thai Chile Vinaigrette 1 cup honey 1/2 Thai chile 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar Heat honey with the Thai chili over medium to high heat until caramelized. Remove from the heat and strain to remove the chile. While still warm, whisk in the vinegar and cool down.

To Make Brush the peaches, plums, nectarines and avocados (skin on) with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill each cut side of the fruit 1-3 minutes total (depending on ripeness of fruit). Spread the herby yogurt on the bottom of a plate and top with the toasted almonds. Remove the fruit from heat and slice into appropriately sized pieces, removing the skin from the avocado, and put on the plate.

Place a few slices of the serrano ham around the fruit. Garnish with the cleaned watercress. Drizzle with the caramelized honey vinaigrette and finish with a little Maldon salt.

1 very fine grind of fresh Tellecherry Black Pepper 1 ounce Wild Turkey 101 bourbon (or any good high-proof bourbon) 1 ounce Campari 3/4 ounce lemon juice (hand-pressed) 3/4 ounce grapefruit juice (hand-pressed) 1/2 ounces honey syrup (2 parts honey/1 part hot water) Basil leaf

To Make Grind the pepper into a cocktail shaker tin. Add bourbon next, to help dissolve the black pepper.

Add the rest of the ingredients. Add ice and shake hard until ice cold. Double strain over fresh ice in a double old fashioned glass (double strain means you use a Hawthorne strainer and a small sieve). Garnish with a basil leaf and enjoy. marin living. july/august 2020 21

At-Home Oasis Over the last few months, we have learned the value of turning our home into a personal sanctuary of self-care. Whether you are looking to bring a few accoutrements into your bathroom or do a full redesign,these soothing additions are sure to turn bath time into “me� time.

By Alana Malone

22 july/august 2020 marin living.

1. Badeloft freestanding bathtub BW-07, available through the Badeloft showroom (2829 Bridgeway, Suite 101, Sausalito) and badeloftusa.com, $2,890.

2. Lavender Citrus/Matcha Mint dual bath salt set, available at Crate and Barrel Corte Madera Town Center and crateandbarrel. com, $44.

3. HG Savannah candle, available at Hudson|Grace

All images courtesy of product brands and retailers

modern living.

modern living. at Marin Country Mart and hudson gracesf.com, $65.

4. Earth Clock in pale pink, available at Acacia (415 Valencia Street, San Francisco) and acaciasf. com, $105.

5. Small Dip-Dyed Stool, available at Serena & Lily (3457 Sacramento Street, San Francisco) and serena andliliy.com, $78.

8. Baudelaire Natural Sea Sponge, available at Parachute San Francisco (445 Hayes Street, San Francisco) and parachutehome. com, $21.

9. Blush herringbone Turkish towel, available at Snugally, snugally. com, $46.

10. “Day at the Beach Club” by San Francisco– based artist Caroline Pacula, available at serenaandlily.com, $1,500.

11. D. S. & Durga Concrete After Lightning candle, available at Prevalent Projects (61 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley) and prevalent projects.com, $65.

6. Turkish bathrobe in blush, available at Crate and Barrel Corte Madera Town Center and crate andbarrel.com, $99.95.

Courtesy of D.S. & Durga (Concrete After Lightning)

7. MUN Glassware round carafe rose quartz, $120, MUN Glassware medium glass, $22 each, available at Live and Love by Flora and Henri at Marin County Mart or florahenri.com.

marin living. july/august 2020 23

local splurges.

24 july/august 2020 marin living.

local splurges.

Clean Sweep The Bay Area is home to some of the best clean beauty brands on the market, and there is no time like the present to toss out all those toxic products cluttering your medicine cabinet and treat yourself to something healthier. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite locally based brands — radiant summer skin awaits.

By Alana Malone

1. Sea Me

The effects of Ayla Sea Soak have been compared to a deep tissue massage so it’s no wonder that this kelp and sea salt bath (both ingredients harvested in California) is touted not only for its ability to relax and renew, but for its powerful detoxification properties as well. Available in store at 1825 Bush Street, San Francisco, or aylabeauty.com, $59.

All images courtesy of brands

2. Olive You

If you haven’t tried Petalumabased McEvoy Ranch’s clean beauty brand, ODE Body and Skincare, you are in for a treat. Harnessing the nourishing benefits of early harvest extra-virgin olive oil, the Citrus Oro Feather-Light Hydration Body Oil absorbs easily and leaves skin hydrated, radiant and protected. Available for curbside pickup at the San Francisco Ferry Building and McEvoy Ranch at 5935 Red Hill Road, Petaluma, and at mcevoyranch.com, $42.

3. Sun-Kissed

If you are looking for a nontoxic, gender-neutral way to protect your skin, look no further than S.F.-based Louis Pierre M. Veronique’s Color

Free Daily Sunscreen SPF 20.

Your skin will love the product’s sun-protective oils and antioxidant micronutrients, which work together to defy signs of premature aging. Available at the brand’s Berkeley Lab and Store at 1820 Solano Avenue, Suite B-2, Berkeley, or marieveronique.com, $48.

4. Flower Child

Monastery’s floral repair concentrate Attar is a cult favorite among beauty fanatics for a reason — the proprietary mix of hazelnut, rose hip seed, rose extracts and Indian tuberose, combined with vitamins A, B, C and E, repairs damage, stimulates cell turnover and erases fine lines. And the scent?

Absolutely delightful. Available at Monastery’s Spa at 4175 24th Street, San Francisco, or monasterymade.com, $158.

5. Gold Standard

If you are trying to simplify your beauty routine, the Active Treatment Essence by Vintner’s Daughter is about to be your favorite go-to. This all-in-one treatment exfoliates, brightens, firms and provides optimal skin nutrition and multilevel hydration. Nutrient-rich botanicals paired with a unique fermenta-

tion process make this a product like no other. Your skin will thank you. Available at Nordstrom andvintnersdaughter.com,$225.

6. Bath Time

Moroccan-inspired and infused with green tea, peppermint and cardamom, Pharmacopia’s Argan Oil Shower Gel is our new reason for showering. An invigorating blend of organic shea butter, jojoba, aloe and olive leaf extracts, this body wash is so moisturizing that you can even skip the post-shower lotion application. Available at pharmacopia.net, $19.95.

7. In a Flash

Juice Beauty has just introduced Prebiotix Instant Flash Facial, which is one part cleanser, one part exfoliating mask and one part mini facial. There is a lot to love about this product, but the Prebiotix bio-fermented complex is worth a shoutout for its ability to strengthen the skin barrier and protect against evnvironmental pollutants. The Juice glow is real.

Available at Ulta, Credo and juicebeauty.com, $52.

8. So Polished

Lavender Body Polish, which is a nourishing sulfate-free blend of blueberry seed powder, mango seed butter and an organic herbal blend of aloe vera, calendula, chamomile and white tea extracts. The enzyme-based exfoliation leaves skin soft and radiant. Available at Whole Foods, Target and eoproducts.com, $12.99.

9. One a Day

One of Marin’s best kept secrets is clean beauty brand Pomega5 and its Daily Revitalizing Concentrate. This daily repair treatment system is formulated with pure omega 5 oils and pomegranate fruit essence, which repairs, heals and leaves skin rejuvenated, nourished and looking brighter with every use. Available at pomega5.com, $72.

Marin Living readers save 20 percent with code MarinLiving20 until August 31, 2020. Plus, Pomega5 will contribute 15 percent of sales to the S.F.-Marin Food Bank’s Covid-19 food drive. sfmfoodbank.org

San Rafael–based EO Essential Oils has just launched its French marin living. july/august 2020 25

take note.

Mandana Dayani (left) and Debra Messing

The Accidental Activists The co-creator of the new “The Dissenters� podcast talks about friendship and celebrating the activism that we are all capable of.

By Daniel Jewett 26 july/august 2020 marin living.

take note.

We are the megafans of these heroes. And we are telling these stories through that lens — as vulnerable, grateful, geeky, starstruck hosts.

The Cultured Life Summer is the best time to get out and enjoy a concert, mingle with friends and take in nature.

This year, many of the usual festivals are canceled or rescheduled,

Photo by Justin Campbell

A

LTHOUGH THEY MET 10 years ago, it was a more recent vacation at a mutual friend’s home that rekindled entrepreneur and former Rachel Zoe vice president Mandana Dayani and Will & Grace actress Debra Messing’s friendship.

“It was love at second sight! We quickly realized how much we have in common and have spent way too much time together since,” Dayani says.

But since then Dayani and Messing have done a lot more than enjoy animal memes (an obession the two share that is always good for a laugh) — they work together on Dayani’s “I am a voter” project (a public awareness campaign that aims to create a cultural shift around voting and civic engagement), and, in May, started a podcast called “The Dissenters” (dearmedia.com), which focuses on everyday heroes who have found a way to create real change in the world around them. The first season’s 20 guests run the gamut from Hillary Clinton and Adam Schiff to Shannon Watts, a stay-at-home mom who took on the National Rifle Association, and Amanda Nguyen a former Harvard student who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for helping to craft and pass the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act. “We wanted to learn about the people that inspired our own journeys, and through that exploration, we organically came to the inevitable dream of wanting to meet and honor them,” Dayani says of starting the podcast. “We are the megafans of these heroes. And we are telling these stories through that lens — as vulnerable, grateful, geeky, starstruck hosts.”

While some of the Dissenters — the title was inspired by Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s famous “I dissent” slogan — already possess some social power, Dayani says the goal is to focus on those like recent Bay Area transplant Shannon Watts,

but there are some ways to still experience the magic — but from a safe distance.

1.

Stern Grove Festival The ever-popular concert series is canceled this year but you can watch previous performances every Sunday at 4:30 p.m., through August 16, on KPIX-TV/ Channel 5 with host Liam Mayclem. sterngrove.org

who became fed up with gun violence and started Moms Demand Action, taking on the NRA from her living room.

“Shannon is one of our biggest heroes who has inspired most of our own activism.

She is the ultimate example of anyone can do anything they believe in,” Dayani says. “She recently wrote a book called Fight Like a Mother, which is an incredible resource for anyone who wants to get off the sidelines and pursue their passion.”

Dayani calls herself and Messing “accidental activists” and sees that quality in many of their guests. “Almost all of the Dissenters we interviewed had no intention of becoming a hero or building a foundation. They started because they experienced an injustice and they took an action,” she says.

According to Dayani, one of the program’s most important quotes, one that really set the tone for the show, came in the first episode during a discussion with Glennon Doyle, a bestselling author and creator of Together Rising, an all-women-led nonprofit organization supporting women, families and children in crisis. “Activism is not something we turn over to a group of people. The most important activism happens at the bus stop, at the dinner table on the phone with your mom,” Doyle said. “That’s the stuff that changes the fabric of the country.”

A second season of “The Dissenters” is already being planned and the hosts are looking for potential guests and encouraging suggestions on the show’s Instagram account @thedissenters. Have your say!

2.

San Francisco Opera Watch Let Freedom Sing: Operas About Liberation, exploring the many ways that operas have told the tale of the desire to be free.

Hosted by Kip Cranna. Event begins at 1 p.m. on August 2. sfopera.com

3.

Transcendence Theatre Company The Sonoma County–based theater company brings you its best-ever live performances via online streaming. See I Hope You Dance August 14–19 and 21–23 and enjoy the pre-show interviews. bestnightever.org

4.

Marin Theatre Company MTC’s Rising virtual camps are available to kids ages kindergarten through 12th grade.

Students will meet on Zoom once a week for a one-hour session. marintheatre.org

5.

Drive-In Movies at Bon Air Center Bon Air Center and the Lark Theater have teamed up to present a free summer drive-in movie series for the whole family. See Flashdance on August 20 at 8:30 p.m. bonair.com/events

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28 july/august 2020 marin living.

Adobe Stock/ Alena Ozerova

KNOWLEDGE IS WELLTH The recent state of the world has given us all reason to take pause, and the consensus is that as we have emerged from our shelterin-place cocoons, wellness, self-care and health are at the forefront of most people’s minds.

From financial wellness to healthy relationships to far-flung retreats, here’s a look at how to inject a little self-love into your life.

By Casey Gillespie

Color has long been known to be a powerful communication tool and can be used to cause reactions, alter thinking, suppress or stimulate appetite and can even

Have you ever noticed that when you walk into a spa you immediately feel more serene? Most yoga studios understand the importance of a calming color palette as well, and it is not by chance. Color has long been known to be a powerful communication tool and can be used to generate reactions, alter thinking, suppress or stimulate appetite and can even raise blood pressure — so just imagine how important color choices are in our homes.

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average American spends 87 percent of their time indoors, so to say that interior design and color choices are important is an understatement. And no one knows this better than Florence McLaughlin, the color specialist behind 30 july/august 2020 marin living.

Mill Valley’s Eye For Color (eyeforcolor marin.com). She says, “To create a feeling of well-being, you need to feel cozy and cared for. Color can achieve that.” One important factor to keep in mind is that “it differs from room to room because the same color will read differently depending on the amount of light.” Where to start?

“Soft muted tones like water colors can contribute to your wellness,” says McLaughlin. And perhaps more important in a place like Marin, you should take inspiration from the surrounding nature. “If you have a fig tree outside consider that for your palette. If you live by the water use the bay colors with its grays, blues and greens,” she adds, recommending that you change the colors every couple of years.

But color choices extend past what you use on the walls. Linens, textiles and furniture all contribute to the overall ambiance of a space — and are much easier to swap out when you need a change. “Surround yourself in really comfortable fabrics and textiles. Wear cashmere and linen. Add a throw made of natural fibers like alpaca or even nice cotton and lots of faux fur,” says McLaughlin, adding that her favorite shop for these items is Coyuchi (coyuchi. com) in Point Reyes, because the brand uses organic and sustainable materials.

“Wrapping ourselves in comfort is really important for wellness. And choose all-natural fibers for clothing, sleepwear, bedding and throws — in your favorite color scheme, of course.”

art credit

COLOR ME WELL

raise blood pressure.

Photo by Eileen Roche Photography

HOLISTIC HEALTH “Having a healthy physical body or absence of disease doesn’t alone achieve wellness.

To achieve wellness, we need to have a healthy mind, healthy habits, a healthy exercise routine, healthy coping mechanisms and healthy emotional healing,” says Zohreh Sadeghi, doctor of Ayurvedic medicine and founder and director of San Francisco’s Roha Center for Healing Arts (rohasf.com). Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest holistic healing practices, was developed more than 3,000 years ago in India and is popular with people who have a devoted yoga practice or who prefer a gentle food-as-medicine approach.

“Ayurveda and yoga are sister sciences … they have the same goal, opening up the channels within the body and the mind in order to release and eliminate ama (physical, mental and emotional toxins) to make the entire being more sattvic (good, pure, clean),” adds Sadeghi. Ayurveda incorporates yoga asanas (postures), pranayama (breath work) and meditation as tools to bring the body back into balance,

but Sadeghi is quick to point out that in order to become more in tune with your body you must “distinguish between the messages your mind is sending you versus what your body is telling you.”

Have you ever noticed that during times of extreme emotional stress you feel like you have a physical injury even though you haven’t done anything to cause it?

There is a reason for that. “Ayurveda believes that a person’s state of mind has a great impact on their overall health and well-being. A healthy mind will lead to a healthy body and vice versa,” she says.

“When there is an imbalance within the mind it could show itself through different physical symptoms. And when there is agony or pain within the body, the mind becomes uneasy, restless and agitated.”

Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on treating symptoms, Ayurvedic medicine revolves around prevention. “We have special methods for rejuvenating the body and the mind. So, it’s highly beneficial to see an Ayurvedic doctor even when you’re healthy and don’t feel any symptoms within your body,” she says. Want to learn more?

Sadeghi recommends Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing: A Practical Guide and The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies, both by Vasant Lad.

HAPPY DAYS The benefits of meditation are well documented and while mindfulness might seem like a passing trend, our money is on the fact that it is here to stay.

There is an increasing focus on mental health in America and self-help tools are on the rise. One favorite is the Happy Not Perfect app (happynot perfect.com). It takes meditation, journaling and gratitude and adds a healthy dose of fun for what it calls a Happiness Workout. In less than five minutes, the app guides you through ways to let go of stress, helps you create a gratitude practice and ends with a short meditation that sets you up for the day. It’s the mental health workout we have all been waiting for. marin living. july/august 2020 31

Photo courtesy of Hoshino Resorts

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OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness tourism was a $639 billion industry in 2017 and it is predicted to reach an estimated $919 billion by 2022. So it is no wonder that luxury resorts aiming to help guests regain some balance in their lives are popping up all over the globe. While Covid-19 has certainly thrown a wrench into our 2020 travel plans, not surprisingly, it’s these wellness getaways that people are craving the most. Our tip? Do your research, book now and travel later. Here are some ideas to get you started.

ART OF BATHING For those really wanting to get away and immerse themselves in another culture’s wellness practicees, Hoshino Resort’s Hoshinoya Guguan (hoshinoya.com/guguan/en, from $609 per night), located in the hot spring region of Taichung, Taiwan, is the Japanese-style escape we have all been dreaming of. At this resort, the art of bathing coupled with unparalleled Japanese hospitality is at the heart of the experience. Each room has a semi-open-air bath where guests can enjoy their own private hot spring with soft, low-alkaline, naturally carbonated water that flows directly from the source. The resort’s public spaces are also designed around the flowing waters of the hot spring and guests are invited to enjoy the healing waters in the large public outdoor bath, the water garden and the indoor baths. Dining options are as unique as the hotel’s design — drawing inspiration from Japanese cuisine using Taiwanese cooking methods, each meal is a delicate dance of art and nourishment. Guests won’t want to miss the 1,300-meter promenade located behind the hotel for revitalizing walks in nature or the morning and evening stretching program, which is rooted in the ancient practice of qigong.

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Top to bottom: Canyon Ranch Wellness Retreat Woodside; Four Seasons Sensei Lanai

HOME ON THE RANCH Back in November, Canyon Ranch, the OG of wellness retreats, opened its newest offering Canyon Ranch Wellness Retreat Woodside (canyonranch.com/ woodside, from $899 per night), and for those looking for an immersive wellness experience a little closer to home, this is the ticket. The 16-acre property, located just south of San Francisco, offers an intention-based program using sciencebacked programming to create customizable holistic wellness journeys — from active to reflective — allowing guests to enjoy consciously crafted nutritious meals, expert-led workshops, fitness options galore and a team of specialists on hand to address every aspect of the wellness experience. Canyon Ranch Wellness Retreat is scheduled to reopen on July 31.

Situated on a secluded tropical island in the center of the Hawaiian archipelago, the Four Seasons Sensei Lanai (four seasons.com/sensei, from $1,130 per night) offers an integrated wellness program designed by Dr. David Angus, Sensei’s co-founder and accomplished author. The philosophy is centered around three practices — move, nourish and rest — and is designed to help participants develop and maintain a conversation between the body and mind. A five-day itinerary is recommended to get the most out of the experience and includes a wellness consultation upon arrival and a combination of therapeutic spa treatments and one-on-one consultations with practitioners in fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, stress management and yoga.

Daily activities also include hikes or nature walks, an on-site 18-hole putting course, and other island activities like snorkeling, horseback riding, scuba diving excursions and more. And if that isn’t enough, the rolling hills, tropical greenery and convivial staff are guaranteed to impart the wellness reset you have been craving.

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VIRTUAL WELLNESS If you are still feeling like it is too soon to venture farther than your own backyard, you aren’t alone. And the good news is that you don’t need to — especially when some of the most sought-after wellness retreats in the world are offering virtual gatherings. Ibiza-based Kundalini yoga retreat Soul Adventures (souladventures.co.uk) is run by reiki master, shamanic healer and yogi Trish Whelan. She is offering a 40-Day At-Home Virtual Retreat ($90) that you can start at any time and finish at your own pace. Sign up and you will also receive lifetime access to meditations, yoga classes and live virtual healing circles. Oneworld Ayurveda (oneworldayurveda.com) is a Bali-based retreat created by a team of Ayurvedic doctors, yogis and chefs. The virtual offering includes a seven-day detox (starting at $95) designed to boost the immune system, improve vitality, remove toxins and teach mindfulness. Attendees will receive access to seven yoga classes, cooking demonstrations and Balinese blessing rituals. And if that wasn’t enough, for each program purchased, a donation will be made to provide a local Balinese family with a week’s worth of food.

From top: Aubrie Pick; Robb Gordon, courtesy of the Four Seasons

TROPICAL OASIS

heart to heart Kim Peirano, DACM, L.Ac., doctor of acupuncture and founder of San Rafael– based Lion’s Heart Wellness (lionsheart wellness.com), offers advice on how to be well and stay well, and explains why sickness isn’t always a bad thing.

“In my practice, intuitive healing refers to the way I gain insight about my patients and how I come up with treatment plans.

I read a lot of evidence-based medical journals and texts, but I also lean heavily on my intuition for how and what to apply to each unique patient. I tune into my intuition by listening to my guidance and reading the energy of the body to know where to place needles or what to say to open up that gateway for healing. The world of alternative healing is vast, and there are tons of different modalities and healers, and even within a modality every practitioner will be very different in their

approach and strategy. It’s important to listen to your gut instincts, and also accept that moving toward true healing requires some discomfort — maybe it’s the pain of an acupuncture needle or the realizations about what needs healing or letting go of. A healing journey isn’t always easy, but it is always worthwhile. When things get tough it’s important to keep going; you’re just around the corner from the real magic.

I use oracle decks associated with healing that help me connect to my guides. Often, I will use these before a patient comes in to help me get a good read on what the overall picture is that they are working through or how to help them. I also ask what I need to know about myself and how I communicate or interact in order to create the best environment for each person. Sometimes the information

might be a clue to something the patient isn’t telling me about or it’s a general guide to what to address.

Wellness to me is being in alignment with our true intention. Our true intention is our purpose for being here on the earth at this time, and it’s different for everyone — it’s not usually something we are aware of, but we can sense when we’re in alignment or heading down the right path. Wellness is being on that path, and healing is the process of finding it again. We can get off our path in a number of ways, and oftentimes illness or issues in our lives are actually signs to help us steer back; we just need to listen.

When we start doing that, we can have a much richer experience in life, learning with our illness and even experiencing wellness while being sick — it doesn’t have to be one or the other.”

It’s important to listen to your gut instincts, and also accept that moving toward true healing requires some discomfort.

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Dedicated yogis all over the Bay Area are itching to get back to their in-studio practices, but as things start to slowly open up again, there is still some understandable anxiety around being in a closed space with others. The next best thing? Outdoor yoga, of course. NPK Yoga (npkyoga.com) specializes in socially distanced outdoor yoga paired with hiking ($20 per class).

Class location and dates vary, so check the website, but rotating venues include Baker Beach, Rodeo Beach, Muir Beach and China Camp State Park. Depending on the locale, the 90-minute session includes a round-trip hike followed by an hour of yoga. At others, it entails a hike with a stop at an overlook to practice yoga, and then a hike back to the starting point. Either way, it sounds like an invigorating way to spend a Saturday morning. In San Francisco, Outdoor Yoga SF (outdooryogasf.com) is run by Julie Aiello, with classes taking place on Baker Beach. There are two types of 75-minute classes ($25 per class) — power vinyasa and all-levels vinyasa — where participants are given headphones to help them focus while they practice. Don’t worry, you can still hear the sound of the waves while you vinyasa. Still feeling like at-home yoga is the safest bet? Switch up your normal yoga practice with internationally acclaimed yogi Rocky Heron (rockyheron. com). Born in the Bay Area to a celebrated reggae artist and an alternative-medicine woman, Heron uses an amalgamation of styles and modalities fine-tuned to keep you engaged and coming back for more.

His classes are available online at MazeOn Yoga, Glo, YogaGirl and on YouTube (check his website for more class info).

Yoga instructor and educator Rocky Heron

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This page: courtesy of Rocky Heron; opposite: courtesy of Methodology

GET MOVING

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EAT THIS NOT THAT How about a show of hands — who is a little tired of cooking three meals a day? Every. Single. Day. Us too. The good news is that warmer summer weather practically begs for a cleanse. And yes, cleansing is a controversial topic, so maybe we’ll just call it a super dose of veggies that you don’t have to cook and is delivered right to your door. On board? Thought so. And living in Marin, we have some pretty great choices. Local favorite Urban Remedy’s (urbanremedy.com) Energizing Cleanse ($53) is a one-day cleanse consisting of six low-glycemic juices — all organic, gluten-free, dairy-free and non-GMO. The green juices offer that super dose of veggies while the Blue Magic cashew milk is so yummy that even kids can’t resist. Methodology (gomethodology.com) offers prepared food delivery with rotating menus each week. They can accommodate most diets and you can choose how many meals you want to receive each day and every week. It offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and is adjustable to accommodate your desired caloric intake. Meals include items like Paleo Smoked Salmon Lox & Egg Breakfast Sandwich, Vegan Hawaiian Sticky Hodo Soy Tofu and Paleo Lobster Avocado Toast — clearly above and beyond your average diet plan. Dee’s Organic Catering (deesorganic.com), founded and run by Delores Coleman, has been providing delicious food to Marinites for more than 15 years, and if you are looking for a home-cooked experience this is your go-to. While Coleman is known for catering larger events like the Mill Valley Film Festival and Marin Art Walk, she can also create specialized menus that fit to any diet and deliver straight to your door (for reoccurring clients she offes reusable containers). Thinking of throwing a dinner party and don’t want to cook? Coleman and her team can handle that, too. marin living. july/august 2020 37

SLEEP MATTERS One simple Google search reveals a bevy of sleep wellness institutions across the country.

Someone seeking help for a sleeping disorder or support for building better sleep hygiene isn’t surprising — but what is surprising is a recent 38 july/august 2020 marin living.

study from Sweden’s Uppsala University. Researchers there found that young, healthy individuals who lost just one night’s sleep dramatically increased the level of tau protein in the blood — an increase that is strongly associated with an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. We all know sleep is important, but creating a calming sanctuary to allow the body to rest and

repair is essential — and one of the ultimate acts of self-care.

A good place to begin? Your bed. And if you are looking for luxurious, nontoxic, locally made linens, Novato-based Bella Notte (bellanottelinens. com) is a likely place to start.

“We spend half of our lives in bed, and we’re committed to helping our customers create a truly restorative sanctuary,” says the company’s brand

Photo by Elizabeth Messina, courtesy of Bella Notte

Bella Notte’s color palette is inspired by the colors of Marin

director, Taylor Batlin. Made without harsh chemicals or toxic dyes, the artisan linens have been created in the Bay Area since 1996. “For Bella Notte, conscious everyday luxury means a commitment to creating fewer, better home textiles that our customers can live in and love for yearshe antithesis of fast fashion,” she adds. “Our artisanal dye process starts with hand-mixing our unique color palette and then garmentdyeing each small batch of product to order, using only non-hazardous and nontoxic dyes, as well as hypoallergenic softening agents for you and your family’s health.”

And it is impossible not to love the peaceful, locally inspired color palette. “Our core offering is inspired by the natural beauty around us, each color offering a sense of calm … a range of blues and grays in Fog, Sterling, Cloud and Mineral echo where the sky touches the sea along our rugged Marin coastline; Eucalyptus, like the delicate green leaves found in Madrone Canyon; and Pearl and Rouge, elegant blushing pinks inspired by the Cecile Brunner climbing rose in our Mill Valley home.

With each core color, we hope to evoke a sense of serenity and tranquility,” says Batlin.

STAYING CONNECTED The shelter-in-place order came as a shock to many of us, at times leading to an unfamiliar feeling of being deprived of social interaction, but thanks to modern technology like FaceTime, Zoom and social apps like Houseparty, the resounding consensus is that it actually brought friends and family together. But what about those we were isolating with?

The line between healthy relationships and not-so-healthy relationships was thrust to the forefront — the proof lying in surging divorce rates. On the positive side, there seems to be an uptick in the search for wellness in our personal relationships.

According to a 2019 article by Harvard Women’s Health Watch, the absence of meaningful social connections is associated with depression, cognitive decline in later years and an increased mortality rate. One of the studies cited examined data from more than 309,000 people, and found that “a lack of strong relationships increased the risk of premature death from all causes by 50 percent — an effect on mortality risk roughly comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and

greater than obesity and physical inactivity.” Dating expert Cassie Keim of Ross’ Innovative Match (innovative-match.com) says, “Research has linked psychological well-being to physical well-being. Feeling satisfied with your life could decrease your risk for certain illnesses — such as cardiovascular disease — and can be as powerful as the benefits from adequate sleep, a good diet and not smoking.” So what does a healthy romantic relationship entail?

According to Keim, “The hallmark of a healthy relationship is the absence of negativity. Wellness reflects the presence of space — for happiness, health, personal satisfaction and mutual respect.”

Whether you have just gotten out of a bad relationship, are looking for love or are in a long-term committed relationship, one thing remains constant: “Wellness should be fundamentally intrinsic, meaning you should determine your self-worth using only internal factors, and not external sources,” she says. “The ability to share your life with another, a partner who inspires you to be your best and healthiest self, and is happy for you when you are,

can be fulfilling in a way you cannot replicate platonically.”

Sure, romantic relationships are important to most of us, but at the end of the day they are not what define who we are, and surrounding ourselves with people who care about us — friends, family, colleagues — has proven just as significant. Keim adds, “It is equally as important for you to have a network of people who know you intimately and would be there for you in your time of need.” But that is not the end of the story. “Wellness can improve or worsen at the drop of a hat, so you need to stay on top of it,” Keim says. “To do that, the first healthy relationship you need to work at is the one you have with yourself. Communication is essential — make sure the narrative in your head is a positive one. Understanding your needs lays the groundwork for you to understand your partner’s, and is the foundation to a strong, healthy relationship.”

Feeling satisfied with your life could decrease your risk for certain illnesses — such as cardiovascular disease — and can be as powerful as the benefits from adequate sleep, a good diet and not smoking.

marin living. july/august 2020 39

Do you feel like you have been living on high alert? You are not alone. The National Institutes of Health define emotional wellness as “the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times.” And if there is one thing we have all become very familiar with lately, it is difficult and stressful times. However, as the world of wellness continues to evolve, experts are developing explanations around ailments we knew existed but didn’t have language for — until now. One such phenomenon, emotional inflammation, is quickly garnering attention. The recently released Emotional Inflammation: Discover Your Triggers and Reclaim Your Equilibrium During Anxious Times (Sounds True) by Dr. Lise Van Susteren and Stacy Colino is redefining how we view stress and anxiety. Sleep problems, agitation, outrage, hyperreactivity, persistent grief, inescapable anxiety about the future — the book teaches us how to evaluate triggers, understand these feelings and listen to what the body is trying to say.

FABRIC OF OUR LIVES Back in March when the shelter in place was issued, many textile businesses quickly pivoted and started making masks. One local company, San Rafael–based Rough Linen (roughlinen.com), did just that and focused its efforts on keeping health care and law enforcement workers safe.

The company prides itself on the products being natural, sustainable, breathable and inherently antimicrobial, and this approach is reflected in everything from face masks to pinafores and aprons, curtains and bath textiles. Founder Tricia Rose says, “Linen has always spelled magic for me, it evokes my grandmother’s house,

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and everything that is secure and loving.

The wholesome roughness of its unironed texture, its fresh smell, even the weight of it. Humans co-evolved with linen. I love its provenance, its freshness under my hand.”

Although linen is the fabric of choice for sunny summer afternoons spent by the sea, it has a long history, getting its start in Europe and dating back some 65,000 years. And unlike linen, Rose says, “the first poly-cotton sheet ever woven is still out there, in landfill or the ocean; that’s a sobering thought.” Linen is a natural fiber, fashioned from the stem of the flax plant, making it 100 percent biodegradable. And compared to cotton, the growing process for flax uses less water, less fertilizer and almost no pesticide — something we can all feel good about.

Tihs page, Liz Daly, courtesy of Rough Linen; opposite, Stephanie Mohan

AN OPEN BOOK

PLANT LIFE Gathering Thyme (gatheringthyme.com) is a women-owned herb store and health care clinic in San Rafael. The founders, Cheryl Fromholz, a Western clinical herbalist, and Judy Lieblein (photo inset), shamanic practitioner and reiki master, promote health and well-being though herbs and food as medicine. They offer herbal courses, workshops, events and a marketplace where you can purchase herbs, spices, salves, supplements, mushrooms, teas, essential oils and more.

Fromholz offers some insight into herbalism, foraging in Marin and plant-based wellness.

How is Western herbalism different than other types?

There are many forms of herbalism, each being a unique and ancient practice specific to a region of the world.

Ayurveda evolved as the predominant form of herbal healing in India, whereas Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient system of health and wellness that began in China.

Unani Tibb is practiced almost exclusively by the Muslim community in the Middle East and it is thought that this practice has its roots in ancient Greek medicine and the teachings of Hippocrates.

There are also many, many other community or culture-specific practices enjoyed by people worldwide, including curanderismo of Latin America and Traditional Native American Herbalism. In the U.S., Western herbal traditions come from both Native American herbalism and from the European colonizers whose medicine was based on the ancient Greeks.

Why is being an herbalist in Marin so special?

We have an incredible abundance of native medicinal plants that grow in Marin County

and it is one of the reasons I was drawn to live here. We also have some special ecosystems, including the coastal redwood forests and beautiful oak woodlands. I think this is what draws many people to live here and why so many people promote and practice living healthier lives, and this includes using herbs as medicine.

What are the most beneficial and commonly used medicinal plants in Marin?

We have so many wonderful native plants and wild weeds that find their home in Marin. If I had to focus on native plants, I’d say yerba santa, red root (also known as ceanothus), yarrow, grindelia, elder and the turkey tail mushroom. For the wild weeds, undoubtedly nettle would top the list along with dandelion, plantain, fennel and yellow dock. The use of each plant would take up paragraphs on their own, each having a multitude of applications. You can see I listed just as many wild weeds as native plants — we can’t discount our weed-based wild medicines.

If someone wanted to dabble in herbalism before signing up for a workshop or course, what would you recommend?

Reading anything by Rosemary Gladstar.

Before I started paying for courses and going to herb school, I read every book on herbs I could get my hands on, but it was Rosemary Gladstar’s books that really stood out for me. Medicinal Herbs, A Beginner’s Guide or Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health are two really good herbal primers. Both are very easy to read, with recipes you can make on your own. I also recommend learningherbs. com, an online site with lots of free information. In my experience, however, nothing beats going to herb school, where you develop deep bonds not just with the plants but with fellow students.

marin living. july/august 2020 41

THE FANTASTIC JOURNEY 42 july/august 2020 marin living.

art credit

v

v

Photo by Dean Opper Photography

v

San Rafael’s Narada Michael Walden has a vibrant and remarkably successful recording career — and at 68 years old has just joined the legendary rock band Jouney.

The musician opens up about his own musical journey and why helping others has gotten him to where he is today.

By Daniel Jewett

marin living. july/august 2020 43

HILE HE MIGHT not be a household name to many, Marin’s Narada Michael Walden is someone you’ve certainly heard. The singer, songwriter, drummer and producer, who has operated Tarpan Studios in San Rafael since 1985, is responsible for a staggering 57 number one hits, and has won three Grammys and an Emmy. Fluent in everything from jazz and pop to fusion and soul, Walden has produced hits for a diverse array of artists, including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, George Michael, Starship, the Temptations and many more. Beyond his solo albums and collaborations, he also played an integral part in introducing Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to the world. While Walden gives back through his own foundation and has done so for the last 17 years, just last month he collaborated with John McLaughlin, Cindy Blackmon Santana, Carlos Santana and Ralphe Armstrong to release the video “The Quarantine Blues” to raise money for the Musicares Coronavirus Relief Fund, which benefits musicians struggling due to Covid-19 closures. “We Can Live Forever,” the new single from his upcoming album Immortality, was also released last month. We talk to Walden about his career and his new role as the drummer for Journey.

How did you get your start and how did you get into music?

For Christmastime, when I was 4 or 5, I got a little toy drum set and that ignited me. The heads were made of paper, the papers would only last about 20 minutes 44 july/august 2020 marin living.

before they would break and that would be orgasmic for me. I love that feeling and I still get that feeling today. That’s where it comes from.

became my first dance hit. Jazz-rock fusion, which I had come up in, wasn’t as hot anymore and dancing was the big craze now.

Was it always all about drums for you?

I eventually graduated to playing piano; my grandfather had a piano. I was always around music so I would write my songs and play. I kind of studied a lot of people around me.

How did you come to work and tour with renowned guitarist Jeff Beck?

I went to London in 1975 to make Jeff’s Wired record and when I got there, they only had one song, “Led Boots.” We learned that song and cut it hard and strong in the studio with George Martin producing and Geoff Emerick engineering (the producer and engineer for the Beatles) and it was just hot. Jeff needed more material so I went down to the piano and wrote “Come Dancing,” “Sophie,” “Play with Me” and “Love Is Green,” and we cut those.

How did you get the name Narada?

When I was about 24 years old, I was a disciple of guru Sri Chinmoy. He was the guru for guitarists John McLaughlin and Carlos Santana and a few Mahavishnu’s I really admired. After I joined the Mahavishnu Orchestra, I received my name, Narada, and it means “supreme musician.”

Through music, my mission is to take away sadness and bring happiness.

What was it like joining the Mahavishnu Orchestra at the young age of 21?

It was the most fantastic thing. They had reached a pinnacle of combining different styles of music together in a rarified form we had never heard before — taking Indian music and mixing it with blues, jazz and hard rock. And I’m telling you they flew, like the fastest jet plane in the world.

To play with John McLaughlin at that time was like jumping into the fastest cockpit in the world, flying, fast, hard, intense and doing your best to listen and check everything out as you’re going.

What was your first hit?

On my third album I crossed over to dance music because the label was threatening to drop me if I didn’t have a hit. “I Don’t Want Nobody Else (To Dance with You),”

Then in the ’80s you really started working with vocalists — like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey. How did you make that shift?

I got to work with Aretha Franklin and we had success with “Who’s Zoomin’ Who” and “Freeway of Love.” Then I was asked to do Whitney Houston and after that broke open, the whole floodgate came in.

When people see you on the charts doing well, then everyone starts looking at you.

I got all kinds of phone calls.

How did you come to join Journey?

Neal [Schon, guitar/backing vocals] I’ve known for a long time from being in the Bay Area. Over time we’ve played together at different events and then, most recently, we did an album for him together called The Universe that hasn’t come out yet.

In the making of that album, we became really close. And then, not long ago, he asked me if I’d like to join Journey. And I said, “Yes, of course.”

You didn’t hesitate?

No, I’m raising babies, and I’m in a situation where I like having things that are consistent in my life — where I know what I’m doing. It’s very good to have things you know you can focus on; if I know I can focus I can do really well.

What is Journey doing during Covid-19?

Right now, we are at my studio, just Neal, my engineer and me, writing songs. Johnathan Cain [keyboards/backing vocals] is in Miami; he’s writing ideas. Randy Jackson [bass] is back on board; he’s coming up with ideas and playing on stuff. We’re just kind of moving things along with Arnel [Pineda, lead vocals] in the Philippines singing on stuff. We make something and send it around and everyone adds their parts to it.

There is a new album in the works?

Yes, and definitely a single coming. We did “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” for UNICEF; that kind of sparked everything to come together. We were sitting at home and we came together, played that and got excited to keep it moving. I love Journey’s positive music that reaches millions round the world. I’m looking forward to bringing new zest, bang and heat to the music.

all those different patterns, but having Neal in the room, we just smoked it down.

Then Jonathan played, then Randy, then Arnel added his parts so the editor could put it all together.

What’s it like playing such a classic song like “Don’t Stop Believin’ ”?

Great! I do a thing for Sting, the Rainforest Fund benefit shows, and two of those shows have ended with the big grand finale being the song “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” because it’s a powerful message and everyone knows it, loves it, dances and just goes crazy. I knew the power of that song.

So, you and Randy Jackson, of American Idol fame, are now the Journey rhythm section?

Randy is my bass player from way, way back. He’s really a great, great musician, he’s a wonderful TV personality too, but

he’s really a great bass player. We toured together, we opened up for the Brothers Johnson, and Randy put on a hell of a show — a hell of a show. He’s a great bass player and a great showman. For us to play together now is just a very natural thing.

Marin is one of the best places to call home but there has been a lot of turbulence over the last couple of months. Do you have any closing thoughts on that?

I believe that Black Lives Matter, and I think that at this time it’s important that we take a hard look and purify our spirits and our hearts and bring real love for each other back to the forefront. That we look after each other and take better care of each other.

Journey playing “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” for a UNICEF benefit — opposite from left: Walden, Arnel Pineda and Neal Schon; this page from left: Jonathan Cain, Randy Jackson and Jason Derlatka.

Video stills courtesy of Journey

Is it weird to join a band and do your first performance without all the musicians being in the same room?

No, not for me at all. I had memorized the song — I knew it really well. It’s actually kind of a complicated song, it grows through four different patterns as it gets more and more intense. You have to learn

...NOT LONG AGO, HE ASKED ME IF I’D LIKE TO JOIN JOURNEY. AND I SAID, “YES, OF COURSE.”

marin living. july/august 2020 45

art credit

By the

Clockwise: courtesy of Izabel Goulart/photography by Lucas Mennezes Serpa; © Carlos Souza

Opposite page: Izabel Goulart poses in front of the signature ceramics of the Amalfi Coast. This page: Bay of Conca Dei Marini. Both images are from Amalfi Coast.

Warm summer days, getting lost in colorful Mediterranean villages, exploring beaches and historic ruins in Southeast Asia and beyond ... visiting far-flung destinations may have to wait until next year, but wanderlust is alive and well.

Enjoy a taste of this season’s best destinationdriven coffee-table books — because daydreaming definitely isn’t canceled. Edited by Casey Gillespie

Book marin living. july/august 2020 47

“Hailing from Brazil, I arrived in Europe in the late 1970s to work for Valentino. I took up residence in Rome; however, my fondest memories lie with the holidays we’d spend at Valentino’s home in Capri. We’d take his speedboat out to Li Galli, a tiny archipelago on the coast of Positano, for swims and picnics, and we would often visit Rudolf Nureyev, as he had bought a home there.

Along the Amalfi Coast — 40 kilometers of south-facing Italian littoral giving onto the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea — the taste of the food, the views, and the aroma of lemons and geraniums were irresistible. I’d use any excuse I could to return to the area, whether to visit friends like Alba Clemente, the amalfitano actress and costume designer, or to simply wander the smaller towns between Positano and Ravello. It held a kind of storybook enchantment for me, that continues to pull me back.”

— Carlos Souza and Charlene Shorto 48 july/august 2020 marin living.

Clockwise from top: The breakfast terrace at Villa San Giacomo in Positano; Sea urchins found off the coast of Li Galli.

AMALFI COAST (Assouline), text and photography

by Carlos Souza and Charlene Shorto, assouline.com, $95

Clockwise from top: courtesy of Villa San Giacomo; courtesy of Amin Jaffer

Amalfi Coast

London in Bloom Counterclockwise from top: Wisteria-covered house, Kensington; The Sunken Garden, Kensington Gardens; Lamppost in Kensington; Moyses Stevens floral boutique, Belgravia.

London in Bloom (Abrams Image) by Georgianna Lane, abramsbooks.com, $19.99 GEORGIANNA LANE

GEORGIANNA LANE

“London captivated me well before I meandered along its ancient cobblestoned alleyways or marveled at its historic structures. From the air, circling Heathrow one long-ago summer, I discerned, at first, the bright-green patchwork fields of the countryside, and then the breathtakingly grand expanses of the Royal Parks, and finally, closer in, a multitude of row houses with their tiny gardens of pinks and purples, all lush and welcoming. Subsequently, I fell deeply in love with the irresistibly complex bouquet of tradition and trendsetting, whimsy and pageantry, playfulness and propriety that is this magnificent city. Perhaps not surprisingly, my most memorable London experiences have been inextricably interwoven with gardens.

Whether I was rambling through nearby Richmond Park from our Sheen cottage the first summer I visited in my teens, or sitting in Russell Square in my early twenties, memorizing Shakespeare for my acting courses at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the open spaces of London have seeped into my consciousness, awakened my imagination, and become part of me.” — Georgianna Lane E X P L O R E T H E B L O O M IN G D E L IG H T S O F T H E E N G L ISH C A P ITA L

London in Bloom offers an irresistible, unique view of the city, showcasing the botanical beauty of its

extraordinary parks, graceful gardens, and charmingly chic flower markets and boutiques.

Gorgeously photographed, this companion to the

popular Paris in Bloom and New York in Bloom takes you on an enchanting floral tour of London, celebrating luscious blooms and intricate architectural details.

All photographs copyright © 2020 Georgianna Lane

U.S. $19.99 Can. $24.99 U.K. £14.99 ISBN 978-1-4197-3078-8

marin living. july/august 2020 49

“In a time when oversaturated and heavily edited photos are all the rage, it’s inspiring to work on a book like this that shows Mother Nature, mural artists, and indigenous cultures the world over truly can be bright, beautiful and better than a picture can ever convey.

There are lakes in Patagonia and Canada that are bluer than the mind can conceive of; there are sunsets in the tropics that Photoshop cannot improve upon; and there are pops of color in the regalia of chiefs and hill tribes tucked into all corners of the world, just begging to be discovered. As photographers and world travelers, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to show the world why nature and culture is so worth protecting. Over the past seven years, as I have traveled solo to many remote places, I have seen glaciers shrinking and trash filling the ocean. But I have also seen people becoming more concerned with ‘leave no trace’ principles, preserving what we have, and recognizing the importance of asking people if it’s OK to photograph them before taking their picture. As the world becomes more and more connected through social media, it’s each of our responsibilities to fiercely protect and preserve it.” — Kristin Addis 50 july/august 2020 marin living.

Rainbow Atlas: A Guide to the World’s 500 Most Colorful Places (Chronicle Books) by Taylor Fuller, chron iclebooks.com, $30 This page, clockwise from top: Los Colorados Pink Lakes, Río Lagartos, Yucatán, Mexico; Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto, Japan; Mendenhall Glacier, Tongass National Forest, Alaska; Tunnel of Love, Klevan, Ukraine.

Opposite page: Batu Caves, Malaysia.

This page and opposite: photographs © 2020 Quarto Publishing PLC

The Rainbow Atlas

Eyes Over the World

This page and opposite: copyright © 2020 Dirk Dallas

“Whether by plane, paraglider, drone, or even a homebuilt experimental aircraft, we often find ourselves yearning for that heightened perspective and to create an image that really brings it home. I guess that’s why aerial photography is a passion like no other; it never fully does justice to what the eyes have witnessed. This book comes just about as close as possible to giving us a glimpse of this special and unique world that many will only dream of seeing with their own eyes. That is the beauty of this day and age, and the marriage of technology and art. What used to take hundreds of thousands of dollars and years of planning can be done in very remote places with a small drone. In the last few years our slim view of the planet and its beauty has been forever changed by the fact that we can now always answer that burning question: What does it look like from up there? Well, now we know for certain; it’s more beautiful, more vibrant, and more complex than we could have ever imagined, and in so many ways it’s only the beginning.

This book will make you fall in love with nature all over again, reminding you of that first time you saw something whose beauty truly took your breath away. It will make you want to spread your wings and imagine ... just what it would feel like to fly.” — Chris Burkard

Opposite page: Costas Spathis. Ionio, Pelagos, Greece.

This page: Altamash Javed. Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Eyes over the World: The Most Spectacular Drone Photography (Universe Publishing)

by Dirk Dallas, rizzoliusa.com, $35

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Celebrating Marin Visionaries

Adobe Stock/ Artem

It’s an incredible group of people who make Marin the diverse, beautiful, dynamic and extraordinary place that it is. We think it is important to take a moment to salute those individuals, organizations and businesses whose efforts make it so exceptional. In this special section, we recognize the visionaries who are changing the way this community lives and thrives.

PROMOTION

CELEBRATING MARIN VISIONARIES

Radhi Ahern & Scott Kalmbach AHERN + KALMBACH

Scott and Radhi bring a modern and collaborative approach to real estate and always put the client first.

What is it about you and your business that makes you a visionary in your field?

We are a top producing real estate team in Marin and San Francisco. Our goal is to bring a modern perspective to our real estate business. We always try to anticipate what’s coming around the corner and we like to be part of the process of making the trends, not following them. We aspire to produce results for our clients that previously seemed unattainable and we are always striving to set new price per square foot thresholds.

What is unique about your approach to serving your customers?

We treat every client and every transaction as if it were our own property that we were buying or selling. We put our clients’ best interests above our own and always maintain constant, transparent communication, trust and mutual respect. We treat our clients

like partners and we look at the relationship as a longterm investment rather than a single trade.

rate with a talented group of designers and architects to help us create a signature look.

How are you adapting your business practices to deal with the current unprecedented times we find ourselves in?

With the new restrictions, buyers are being very selective about which properties they want to tour. Our targeted marketing campaigns utilize social media, 3D tours, interactive floor plans and, when appropriate, virtual staging, to connect with a broad audience of motivated and qualified buyers.

What are you doing to give back to your locally community?

We volunteer and donate to several organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Grateful Gatherings, where we have participated in building and furnishing homes for families in need.

What sets your business apart from others?

Our keen eye for design is our secret sauce. We have extensive experience remodeling and developing homes, so we can help buyers visualize their dream home with the right modifications. We often collabo-

What do you want people to know about you?

We make the process of buying and selling real estate drama free and 99 percent of the time our clients come back to us for their future real estate needs. We are down-to-earth but no nonsense. We take our business very seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.

We have a work hard, play hard philosophy and always try to balance work and family.

Radhi Ahern & Scott Kalmbach | AHERN + KALMBACH 415.879.8311 | team@ahern-kalmbach.com | ahern-kalmbach.com |

ahern_kalmbach

PROMOTION

CELEBRATING MARIN VISIONARIES

Karyn Holland CITRINE

This Larkspur business is helping the community stay centered and well during these trying times.

What is it about you and your business that makes you a visionary in your field?

Citrine is more than just a retail space, it’s a wellbeing sanctuary in downtown Larkspur. Karyn Holland, the owner and founder, has a curated a selection of high-quality goods and services to fully embody the clean, wellness-oriented lifestyle so many Marin residents seek. Karyn’s vision for the company combines her deep knowledge of yoga, energy work and crystal healing with leather goods, clothing, jewelry and homewares.

What inspired your unique space?

Karyn has had a vision for a space that combines her deep knowledge of energy work, crystal healing and yoga with curated home, leather goods, clothing and jewelry. Citrine finally manifested itself as a beautiful space located in downtown Larkspur early this year. With a leather and soft goods production facility located in Marin, they created a line of leather goods, all carrying the namesake stone for abundance and joy.

What new services and products do you specialize in that address our current times?

Citrine’s specialties lie within the thoughtful, holistic approach to full mind, body and spiritual wellness.

Now more than ever, there is a need for stillness and the creation and protection of the inner and outer sanctuary. Citrine’s goal is to tap into our innate ability to heal ourselves through practices like energy work, yoga, crystal healing and astrology readings.

Every product Karyn carries in the store is infused with this healing energy.

What do you want people to know about you?

With over 20 years in the fashion industry and teaching yoga, meditation and energy healing, Karyn is uniquely qualified to open a space like Citrine. With the Marin factory that produces their leather goods, as well as various other soft goods, Citrine has the ability to customize products to fit each customer’s unique needs. Karyn’s natural desire for personal growth and self-empowerment has manifested in the products and services Citrine offers. The shop is where she bridges her passion for spiritual well-being with her signature sophisticated-yet-relaxed California style.

485 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939 | 415.755.4027 citrineca.com | karyn@citrineca.com

PROMOTION

CELEBRATING MARIN VISIONARIES

Deborah Cole DEBORAH COLE REAL ESTATE

This Southern Marin real estate guru puts integrity and fairness back into the mix for buyers and sellers.

What is it about you and your business that makes you a visionary in your field?

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 home 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. The buyers eventually turn into sellers and so my business grows organically that way. With the recent exodus from the city to Marin as a result of shelter in place and work from home, this has proven to be a fortuitous approach.

What is unique about your approach to serving your customers?

I make sure to share all of the information available on everything from the inventory of homes, neighborhoods, schools, financing, investment return on home ownership, tax ramifications, comps, design trends and home maintenance. I educate a lot of relocating clients coming mostly from San Francisco but also from all over the country and the world about how incredible Marin is and the amenities and highlights of the different communities.

What new services and products do you specialize in that address our current times?

To be able to present my sellers’ listings during shelter in place, I had 3D tours and full-motion videos prepared for my listings so that buyer clients could view the house before coming for a visit.

What are you doing to stay connected with the local community?

When we return to our reopened lives, I plan to get re-involved in movements that encourage people to try to walk/bike/carpool to school (Safe Routes to School) and to work, and to trip link to reduce car trips.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of your business?

Hiking and biking, films, literature, climate change advocacy, pickleball and I want to get back into golf.

What do you want people to know about you?

I really try to be fair and kind to everyone. I can be trusted to put my client’s best interests first. I’m fun to work with, optimistic and I’m a resourceful problem solver.

Deborah Cole Real Estate | Compass 250 E. Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941 deborah.cole@compass.com | 415.497.9975 | marinhomesforsale.net

PROMOTION

CELEBRATING MARIN VISIONARIES

Dr. Karen M. Horton SAN FRANCISCO PLASTIC SURGERY

As an advocate for women and a doctor who takes a holistic approach to patient care, Dr. Horton is a leader in her field.

What is it about you and your business that makes you a visionary in your field?

There are very few women plastic surgeons in the United States, with only 13 to 17 percent being women. And most (over 90 percent) of plastic surgery patients are women! I am also a leader in my field, presenting lectures at national and international meetings. I believe it is imperative to support other women.

What is unique about your approach to serving your customers?

I treat my patients as I would my sister or a good friend.

I get to know my patients “head to toe, inside and out,” because I care about them as a whole person.

What new services and products do you specialize in that address our current times?

My practice is never the first to jump on the bandwagon for new machines or trendy name-brand procedures.

We offer only tried and true, FDA-approved and professional society endorsed surgeries and office procedures.

What sets your business apart from others?

Many of our team members have been in the office for 20 years or longer. Every one of us has a vital role in caring for our patients, both surgical and nonsurgical. Our practice philosophy is to educate, inform and empower our patients to make the best decisions about their bodies.

What are you doing to stay connected with the local community?

I dedicate part of my practice to offering women advanced techniques for breast reconstruction after cancer that does not sacrifice major muscles of the body, but instead provides beautiful and natural looking results with the fewest surgical steps possible.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of your business?

When I’m not taking care of my patients, I’m a devoted mom of fraternal fourth-grade twin girls, a wife of nearly 25 years, a sister and a loyal friend.

What do you want people to know about you?

I love what I do. It is an honor and a privilege to care for my patients.

2100 Webster Street, Suite 506, San Francisco | 415.923.3067 | info@drkarenhorton.com | drkarenhorton.com @drkarenhorton, @drkarenhortonbeforeandafters

PROMOTION

CELEBRATING MARIN VISIONARIES

Julia Butler, Elizabeth Serres, and Robyn Christo EPSTEIN + HOLTZAPPLE LLP

Smart with heart. It’s what sets our team at Epstein + Holtzapple apart.

What exactly do trust and estate litigators do?

In the most basic sense, we represent clients in court when a conflict arises after someone dies, or is still alive but is unable to manage their finances.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

We meet clients while they are grieving the loss of a loved one and are involved in a lawsuit. Guiding clients during this challenging time allows us to connect with

them on a deeper level, which is incredibly gratifying.

Zealously advocating for our clients in court also brings us great joy.

particular lawsuit, the probate courts in which they are tried, and the legal issues that might arise. This can only come from experience.

Why does experience matter?

If you break an elbow, you don’t want a heart surgeon to handle the repair. The same idea applies to trust and estate lawsuits. Clients want to feel confident that their attorneys are deeply familiar with the anatomy of their

What do lawyers do to relax?

Lawyers don’t relax! Of course, we’re joking, but as busy moms and attorneys, it can be a challenge. We do our best to take our mind off work by focusing on selfcare and spending time with our families and friends.

711 Grand Avenue, Suite 230, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 628.240.3854 | epholtzlaw.com jbutler@epholtzlaw.com | eserres@epholtzlaw.com | rchristo@epholtzlaw.com

PROMOTION

CELEBRATING MARIN VISIONARIES

Keira Kotler EVERVIOLET

Helping women undergoing change feel confident and comfortable.

What is it about you and your business that make you a visionary in your field?

I turned a challenging life experience into a way of helping others. Following breast cancer, I founded Everviolet, a beautiful lingerie and loungewear collection that nurtures changes in a woman’s body following illness, surgery, pregnancy, menopause and even puberty.

What is unique about your approach to serving your customers?

Everviolet stands for health, and everything we do embodies this value. From our wellness journal to the use of sustainable fabrics and recycled packaging, to

small batch production runs, our garments are good for our customers and the planet.

What new services and products do you specialize in that addresses our current times?

In July, we are proud to be launching a collection of comfortable, breathable, fashionable and reusable face masks. They are made with two layers of organic cotton and an internal filter to help protect our customers and their loved ones against Covid-19.

What sets your business apart from others?

Our mission is to help women reclaim a sense of self and

hello@everviolet.com | everviolet.com @everviolet

femininity following change, and that means helping them feel comfortable and confident every day. Our collection redefines traditional lingerie through the use of luxe fabrics, elegant silhouettes and detailed design construction. Goodbye wires, scratchy lace and strap marks. Hello breathability, comfort and ease.

“At a certain point, we will all experience changes in our bodies — Everviolet is about celebrating the strength and grace that we gain from navigating them.”

PROMOTION

CELEBRATING MARIN VISIONARIES

Jon DiRienzo GOLDEN GATE SOTHEBY’S — EXCEPTIONALLY COOL HOMES

Thoughtful communication and marketing that generates buzz and anticipation.

What is it about you and your business that makes you a visionary in your field?

Our process is creative, as opposed to transactional. We dig deep to discover the essence of a property, build compelling story lines, and then handpick the perfect team for a project. Ultimately, our aim is to be impactful and extract the most value we can for our clients.

What is unique about your approach to serving your customers?

To me, the most crucial element of service is empathy.

You can’t help your client achieve their goals if you don’t understand them, so you must be a great listener and be thoughtful in your communication.

What new services or products do you specialize in that address our current times?

We are experiencing a historic shift in our business driven by the crisis. People are looking more discerningly at how a property fits their needs both in good times, and bad. There is an emphasis being placed on health, safety and family and it is our job to understand how it correlates to the homes they live in.

What sets your business apart from others?

I think our style is authentic and we are not afraid to take risk in our presentation. In turn, our listings usually generate good buzz and anticipation. We never settle for the status quo.

What are you doing to stay connected with the local community?

A truly positive by-product of SIP has been the opportunity to get to know our neighbors better. I think communities are much stronger now and those support systems will be long lasting.

What are your hobbies or interests outside of your business?

I enjoy hiking, biking and sports. I have missed watching my kids play sports, but now I get to actually play sports with them which has been fun. Music has always been important to me, but never more than right now.

What do you want people to know about you?

I deeply value their trust and I will go to the mat fighting for them.

Golden Gate Sotheby’s — Exceptionally Cool Homes, Jon DiRienzo (CA DRE: 01354297) 500 Drakes Landing Road, Greenbrae, CA 94904 | 415.744.4161 | exceptionallycoolhomes.com

PROMOTION

CELEBRATING MARIN VISIONARIES

Cassie Keim INNOVATIVE MATCH

Cassie Keim looks at the totality of the dating process to help her clients find lasting connections.

What is it about you and your business that makes you a visionary in your field?

I focus on my clients’ strengths to help them actively express themselves, leading to a more authentic, motivated and invigorated life of achievement and success.

What is unique about your approach to serving your customers?

I develop a results-oriented action plan, working closely with and coaching clients on developing their own network, navigating the online dating world, and optimizing results with date-smart strategies for the 21st century. I also provide access to hundreds of potential matches that clients would not be likely to meet on their own using up-to-date information on the best online dating sites.

What sets your business apart from others?

What sets my business apart from others like mine is me, and the almost 30 years of matchmaking and life experience I share with my clients every day. When I was in my 20s, I beat cancer. I know what it means to want to live. Not just survive, but really live. I know what it takes to build a rich, fulfilling life by engaging in healthy interpersonal relationships, and I help my clients achieve that, whether it’s through dating or life coaching.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of your business?

I love to hike, ski, travel and spend time with my family. I also like to read about my industry and what’s changing.

What do you want people to know about you?

I truly care about my clients. It’s why I invest so much time in them. Many of my clients become my friends, and we stay friends long after they find their partners in love and life. I am a connector and a firm believer that love, health and happiness are intrinsically intertwined.

I know firsthand how love has the power to heal us, whether we are physically sick or heartsick. And what I love most is watching my clients thrive for years to come because of the love I helped them find. There’s no better feeling.

Innovative Match | Ross | 415.259.8714 | innovative-match.com

PROMOTION

CELEBRATING MARIN VISIONARIES

Dr. Stanley Poulos, Dr. Yngvar Hvistendahl and Dr. Trent Douglas PLASTIC SURGERY SPECIALISTS

Three board-certified doctors and a beautiful clinic ensure clients have an exceptional experience.

What makes you a visionary in your field?

PSS is unique in the aesthetic business in that it’s an aesthetic surgery practice with three board-certified plastic surgeons. It also features an in-house surgery center, a Medspa with multiple providers and a full array of equipment and technologies for state-of-the-art aesthetic results — all in a beautiful 6,000-square-foot clinic.

What is unique about our approach to service?

We stand behind our brand, and our brand essence is to provide an exceptional experience to every patient, every time. Our entire team is constantly working to improve and we are passionate about it.

What new services address our current times?

Our time in history is dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic. We isolated for two months, during which time we devoted ourselves to creating a safe environment for our team and our patients. We now do much of our consultative process via telehealth and virtual consults with an emphasis on the safest approach.

How do you stay connected with the local community?

PSS serves a patient base that comes from all over Northern California. That said, Marin is our home, and all of us try not to let a day go by without appreciating the great people and Marin’s natural beauty.

What is unique about your business?

Experience and expertise are, of course, of prime importance in our field. We want to go a step further and provide exceptional service in a fun atmosphere while always maintaining the highest professional standards.

What interests outside business makes up your lifestyle?

PSS has a team of 20 unique professionals that mirrors our patient base — from 20-somethings to 60plus. With kids, families, sports, etc, there is never a dull moment. In our current time, we are all striving for wellness and wishing the same to our colleagues, patients and friends.

Plastic Surgery Specialists | 350 Bon Air Road, Suite 300, Greenbrae, CA 94904 415.925.2880 | psspecialists.com

PROMOTION

CELEBRATING MARIN VISIONARIES

Jennifer Bowman BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP

Embracing change and technology to give her clients a leg up in a competitive market.

What is it about you and your business that makes you a visionary?

I embrace change at every opportunity and continually adapt to the evolving real estate market, and I use emerging technology in our marketing and research that gives our clients a leg up in negotiations.

What is unique about your approach to serving customers?

Bowman Real Estate Group is comprised of professionals specializing in negotiation, marketing, construction, design, law and hospitality. Our diverse backgrounds enable us to focus on each aspect of the real estate process, creating a detail-oriented experience for our clients.

What new services and products do you specialize in that address our current times?

We have adapted to doing “business as unusual� in the changing market by embracing real-time video home tours, seller perspective videos offering a more personal vision of a home, virtual staging, and digital platform listing presentations and property evaluations.

We have discovered how the current environment can be advantageous for negotiation and our clients love the results.

What sets your business apart from others?

Negotiation is the most valuable tool we bring to the table. Every aspect of our process has been tailored to provide our clients the best possible price and terms for their sale or purchase.

What are you doing to stay connected with the local community?

The third Thursday night of each month we host a salon (via Zoom now). We have an open Q &A discussion featuring our clients, friends and industry professionals.

What do you want people to know about you?

I am passionate, persistent and practical. I always do my best to meet the high standards I set for myself.

Bowman Real Estate Group | 1118 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939 | 415.755.1040 jennifer@vanguardproperties.com

bay area design

Want to be part of our Bay Area Design advertorial feature?

In our next issue, Marin Living magazine will honor the Bay Area’s top designers, architects, art galleries and home goods providers. The advertorial feature will provide an inside look at design industry leaders and is the perfect place for Bay Area designers of all types to showcase what sets them apart in the industry. We will spotlight each designer’s unique talents, projects and merchandise by allowing them to tell their own stories in their own voice, and offer a focused look at their talents, projects and brands. For more information, contact Dina Grant, advertising director, at dina@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.238.2030 follow us on social @marinlivingmag + subscribe to our newsletter at marinlivingmagazine.com/newsletter

marinlivingmagazine.com

PROMOTION

Community Minded

Exceptionally Cool Homes The concept of home is evolving before our eyes with immense value being placed on family, health and safety. These core elements will impact the spaces we choose to live in and design, well into the future.

Jon DiRienzo Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty j.dirienzo@ggsir.com | 415.744.4161 | Lic.#01354297 exceptionallycoolhomes.com

exceptionally.cool.homes

Putting Trust Into Trust Litigation Meet Epstein + Holtzapple LLP’s team of trust and estate litigators.

The team is comprised of highly skilled and approachable lawyers with decades of experience in this specialized area. E+H’s team has built its reputation on being able to expertly guide clients with empathy through the tumultuous experience of being embroiled in family conflict. E+H’s team is also deeply committed to Marin County, dedicating volunteer hours to local organizations, including Legal Aid of Marin, Whistlestop, the Marin County Superior Court and the San Rafael High School Mock Trial team. epholtzlaw.com 711 Grand Avenue, Bay Building, Suite 230, San Rafael, CA 94901 628.240.3854

Sweeping Views from San Francisco Bay to Mount Tamalpais 6 Midden Lane — this exceptional residence from Deborah Cole Real Estate showcases sweeping views from San Francisco and the bay to Mount Tamalpais. Bathed in sunlight, the gated home offers beautifully landscaped grounds at the end of a quiet lane. Transformed recently by a top designer, the 11-room home features a chef’s kitchen with Calacatta quartz tops, hardwood floors and quality, transitional finishes. Perfect for work and learn-from-home: an office and two family rooms. Recreation outside your door!

6middenlane.com, marinhomesforsale.net Deborah Cole Real Estate Compass 250 E. Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941 deborah.cole@compass.com | 415.497.9975

going places.

Summer Magic

art credit

This summer we are going fewer places than we have in summers past, but getting out on the bay, or even in your own back garden, can be the mini escape you’ve been needing.

Lake Tahoe is beckoning, too — it is, after all, a wellness lover’s dream getaway destination.

marin living. july/august 2020 69

voyager.

Tahoe State of Mind Lake Tahoe — which officially reopened to tourism in June — offers a chance to reset in the great outdoors during the summer of social distancing.

By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti Sprawling cobalt-blue Lake Tahoe, fringed with ponderosa pine forests and mountain peaks, doesn’t have to try very hard to boost travelers’ mental and physical wellbeing. Merely breathing in the pristine air 70 july/august 2020 marin living.

and gazing at the alpine lake, a five-hour drive from Marin and split by the California-Nevada border, can do wonders for frazzled minds. Mindfulness is also in the destination’s DNA. Washoe Indian tribes used to gather for sacred ceremonies on the lake’s southern shores each summer.

North and South Lake Tahoe’s hotels and resorts have reopened, cautiously, with a renewed focus on wellness and nature.

Protocols designed to keep travelers

safe are also in place. Take Care Tahoe (takecaretahoe.org) is a regional initiative encouraging sustainable travel and safety during the era of Covid-19 that offers useful advice on social distancing guidelines, wearing masks and staying home if visitors feel unwell. From a via ferrata climb to a “touchless” spa treatment, here are the best ways to enjoy a safe and relaxing escape to Lake Tahoe this summer.

voyager.

Reimagined Spas and Stays Spread across 235 lakefront acres, the LEED-certified Edgewood Tahoe (edge woodtahoe.com, from $449 per night), where fitness gurus like Tracy Anderson and Harley Pasternak have hosted retreats, offers plenty of space for guests.

The bright and airy lobby, with 38-foottall glass windows overlooking the lake, seems uniquely suited to social distancing.

Guests can rest assured that the property, which is reservations only for now, has implemented all the stringent cleaning and distancing requirements. Still, it’s the care put into reopening signature amenities that stands out. Morning mountain yoga on the event lawn — with mats spread six feet apart — has resumed, and a menu of “hands-off” services is available in the bright white spa, which features a floor-to-ceiling glass retractable wall

that creates a feeling of airy spaciousness. While guests can still have a traditional hands-on massage, there’s also Reiki Energy Healing (a therapist channels soothing Rei energy and hovers their hands over the client to address mental, physical and spiritual imbalances) and a self-guided Hypervolt massage using percussion technology. The full-body treatment works wonders on sore muscles.

Evening activities have also been reworked. Additional telescopes, which are cleaned regularly, have been added for safer stargazing, and guests receive s’mores kits in individually wrapped packages. Few activities are more comforting to the soul than roasting marshmallows in a fire pit as the sun sets behind the Sierras.

Also on Lake Tahoe’s South Shore, Camp Richardson Historic Resort & Marina (camprichardson.com, from $115 per night) also offers urbanites a place to

relax and renew. Nestled in an old-growth forest, Camp Richardson is like summer camp for the whole family; there are no phones or televisions and buildings are spread throughout the property, including a general store and an ice cream parlor.

Guests can stay in a charming 1926 hotel with wood beam ceilings or in rustic cabins, many with porch swings and gas fireplaces (due to Covid-19, cabins no longer have utensils and cookware). Camp Richardson has a swimming beach and a marina renting out boats, Jet Skis, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, but there’s also plenty to explore nearby. The Tallac Historic Site next door is where California’s rich and famous built their summer estates in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The 35-foot Rum Runner yacht, which has reduced capacity, offers several cruises a day from the marina to Emerald Bay, a beautiful blue-green inlet surrounded by state parkland.

Opposite: Isaiah Stofferahn, @isaiahphoto, courtesy of the Coachman Hotel; this page: courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

Merely breathing in the pristine air and gazing at the alpine lake, a five-hour drive from Marin and split by the California-Nevada border, can do wonders for frazzled minds.

This page: Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe’s Lake Club.

Opposite: a guest relaxing on the Coachman Hotel’s grounds.

marin living. july/august 2020 71

A few blocks from the Heavenly Gondola, the Coachman Hotel (coach mantahoe.com, from $170 per night) is a more stripped-down retreat and gateway to the great outdoors. Originally two motels built during the tourism boom from the 1960 Tahoe Winter Olympics, the buildings were given a hip upgrade in 2016. The renovations included a sleek black paint job and modern mountain guest-rooms with hand-built plywood vanities and leather chairs. The hotel — a five-minute stroll to the lake — is popular for remote working and lounging by the pool; deck seating

72 july/august 2020 marin living.

has been rearranged so guests can stay distanced. Fire pits and outdoor summer movies on the poolside lawn are also part of the draw.

In North Lake Tahoe, the mountainside Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe (ritzcarlton.com, from $349 per night) has reopened its Lake Club in time for the height of summer. The club is a short shuttle ride away and available to hotel guests for an additional fee.

Water lovers can rent captained MasterCrafts for an afternoon of wakeboarding or waterskiing on the lake from the club’s private pier. Kayaks and stand-up paddle-

boards are complimentary. At the hotel, surrounded by mountain meadows and white pine forests, the backyard lawn, pool and fitness center are open. In addition to the hotel’s 170 guest rooms, the RitzCarlton has 12 two- and three-bedroom residences with master suites, gourmet kitchens and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Group activities at the resort have been paused for now. However, it’s still possible to do a self-guided hike focused on mindfulness and meditation by heading to one of the Northstar Resort hiking trails outside the hotel’s door.

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: courtesy of Airbnb; courtesy of Airbnb; Stephanie Russo, @stephanicrusso, courtesy of the Coachman Hotel; Cheyenne Knowles; Jude Fulton, courtesy of the Coachman Hotel, @hey__judes; Aleksandra/Adobe Stock; this page: courtesy of North Lake Tahoe Vistor’s Bureau

New Outdoor Activities

Airbnb Experiences

Tahoe has invested millions of dollars into new trails and activities in recent years.

The year-old East Shore Trail snakes along a stunning section of Nevada lakefront that was once difficult and dangerous to get to. The wide three-mile-long walking and biking path connects Incline Village to Sand Harbor State Park with access to public beaches and coves along the way.

Tahoe Via Ferrata (tahoevia.com), which opened in Squaw Valley in 2018, operates four guided via ferrata routes.

Via ferratas use steel cables, rungs and ladders and provide more protection than typical rock climbing; most via ferratas are in Italy and Austria. The company has enacted social-distancing measures.

Climbers must stay six feet apart and wear gloves, and private group rates have been reduced to encourage climbs with immediate family only. The new Loophole Route includes climbing up granite towers and traversing a cable bridge while taking in panoramic views of the valley.

Full Moon Kayak Tour One hour before sunset, kayakers meet at Commons Beach for a moonlit tour along the lake’s west shore (airbnb.com/exper iences/961344, from $65 per person).

The American Canoe Association–trained instructor provides dry bags, kayaks, paddles, headlamps and life jackets, plus history about the area.

Wilderness Hike to Secluded Lakes This Desolation Wilderness day trip (airbnb. com/experiences/220477, from $160 per

person) begins at Emerald Bay. It’s not for the faint of heart, hikers climb over 2,000 feet in the first two miles. The reward is a dip in a secret alpine lake with lunch. Expect plenty of breaks for photos along the way.

Yoga Hike with a View Join experienced yoga teacher Kristen for a three-hour adventure beginning at High Meadow Trail (airbnb.com/experiences/360331, from $45 per person). It takes an hourto hike to the stunning vista overlooking the lake and mountains, where the instructor leads students through a 75-minute flow.

Home Away from Home Airbnb stays on Lake Tahoe come in all sizes and shapes. A midcentury modern cabin, the Tahoe A-Frame (airbnb.com/ rooms/28186181, from $325), designed

by Jennifer Henry-Novich, has its own Instagram following. Located on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore, the 1963 cabin has two bedrooms and a sofa bed, a gleaming white subway tile kitchen and statement decor like a Malm freestanding fireplace and honeycomb chandelier.

A five-minute drive from Tahoe City, the one-bedroom Breathtaking Lake View Remodeled Old Tahoe Cabin (airbnb. com/rooms/19593499, from $295) is a meticulously renovated chalet perched above Carnelian Bay. It has stainless steel appliances, works by local artists and radiant floor heating in the bathroom.

The most stunning feature is the large deck with a panoramic view of the lake.

The four-bedroom, three-bath Mountain Modern Beauty w/Full Chamberlands Access (airbnb.com/rooms/21920908, from $341) is more modern, and it comes with all the upscale neighborhood’s perks, like access to a private beach with a wooden pier. Guests adore the vaulted white wood ceilings, large open kitchen and luxurious bedrooms with Egyptian cotton sheets and Pendleton blankets from the National Parks Collection.

This page: Reconnecting with nature is a way of life in Tahoe.

Opposite, clockwise from top left: Airbnb’s Tahoe A-Frame; a relaxing oasis; enjoy a nightcap at the Coachman Hotel; sunrise over Lake Tahoe; experience indoor-outdoor living at the Coachman Hotel; life on the water

marin living. july/august 2020 73

land & sea.

Other Ways to Sail on San Francisco Bay

1.

Fine Day for Sailing A six-person sailing craft out of Galilee Harbor in Sausalito available for charters, including full moon and sunset trips. finedayforsailing.com

2.

Sail San Fran A luxury, 41-foot sailboat available for charters for up to six people out of the Cove at Tiburon marina. sailsanfran.com

3.

Modern Sailing School and Club This Sausalito-based club offers memberships for access to clinics and a fleet of charter sailboats, destination sailing vacations, skippered sails

Hopping on a boat and getting out on the open water is a safe and fun way to reconnect with nature and find some summer solace.

By Jack Middleton For San Francisco captain Zorah Rose, who anchors her sailboat at the Travis Marina under the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, an affinity for water started at a very young age.

“When I was 8 — my brothers were a lot older — they would always take me fishing and boating,” she says. “They never let me get away with not helping fix everything.

It was a family lifestyle.”

That all-in attitude rubbed off on her and when Rose finally moved to San Francisco in 2011, she took up sailing and joined a boat ownership partnership, where members share costs, maintenance and time on the boat. After seven years, she decided to branch out and get her captain’s license, buy a boat and start her own private charter and sailing adventure business, Creative Concierge SF (creative conciergesf.com). “I just loved the look on people’s faces when they go underneath the bridge, or I put them behind the wheel.”

74 july/august 2020 marin living.

She bought her 1977 Islander 36 in 2018, and in 2019 she tore it to the bones and totally rebuilt it, including adding a powerful Perkins 4108 motor. Now she can sail clients down to Santa Cruz and then motor back home quickly.

“People come from all over the world to get a chance to sail on San Francisco Bay,” she says. “On a day ride you go out for three hours — you go under the gate, you cruise the city line, bump in and see the seals at Pier 39, get close to Alcatraz.

It’s fun and exciting.”

Like many other small boat charter captains, Rose shut down for a while during shelter in place. But she is now up and running again. With a capacity to carry six people, she mostly takes out families and groups that have already been sheltering together. She asks people to wear masks, but they are allowed to walk about the boat, take the wheel and even ride the bow.

4.

Club Nautique The club offers memberships for classes and access to a fleet of sailboats, an awardwinning sailing and powerboat school, events, and charters out of Sausalito and Alameda. network/clubnautique

“It’s been unbelievable to be back on the water,” she says, and reports that after months of being cooped up, clients are eager for a safe, socially distanced adventures on the bay. “Most often I hear people say, ‘That was incredibly therapeutic, I had no idea how much I needed that.’

I think that when people see dolphins and seals they just are reminded about nature and that where we live is incredible.”

Rates start at $150 per hour for groups of six people with a two-hour minimum.

On the third Sunday of every month Rose offers a free day for families and children to come out and look at the boat, go on board and sometimes even take a quick spin.

Adobe Stock/Sergey Novikov

Sail Away

and team-building events. modernsailing.com

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Landscape architect and urban gardening guru Christian Douglas is demystifying the art of planting your own garden — while making Marin more beautiful, one bite at a time.

By Casey Gillespie

P

ANIC BAKING SEEMED to be the breakout hobby of 2020, but then spring sprung and our corona carb obsession quickly gave way to backyard and balcony gardening. On the surface it is a soothing and gratifying hobby, but dig a tiny bit deeper and it’s an exercise in self-sustainability. And let’s be honest, many of us thought growing some of our own vegetables would be a great way to put off another torturous threehour supermarket trip.

76 july/august 2020 marin living.

Historically, times of crisis have always seen a rise in people’s interest in gardening.

During World War I, food shortages led to households being encouraged by the federal government to plant Victory Gardens. “Food is Ammunition — Don’t Waste It,” “Sow the Seeds of Victory,” and “Grow Vitamins at Your Kitchen Door” were all popular slogans used to encourage Americans to relieve some of the stress put on the food supply chain.

The same sort of efforts were encouraged

during the Great Depression, throughout World War II and in the 1970s, when extortionate energy costs and inflation caused the price of food and other necessities to skyrocket. From that perspective, it’s not at all surprising that we’ve seen an uptick in interest — especially in Marin, where we are lucky enough to be able to grow year-round.

And if there was any doubt about the surge in interest in Marin, Dave Stoner, president of Sloat Garden Centers

Garden photo by Caitlin Atkinson, courtesy of Christian Douglas Design; Douglas portrait by Leigh Nile Photography

One of Christian Douglas’ Mill Valley creations; landscape architect and farming expert Christian Douglas

confirms it: “With so much of the population staying home, growing your own food has become the focus in many gardens and with many families. Children and adults are being exposed to the joys of gardening for the first time and have discovered the healing and rewarding aspect of working the soil and reaping the harvest,” he says.

Unless you have experience growing, trying to figure out what to plant, where to plant it and why it isn’t thriving can be rather daunting. “Google has a tendency

to overwhelm us with contradicting information,” says Christian Douglas, owner of the Marin-based landscape architecture company Christian Douglas Design (christian-douglas.com) and The Backyard Farm Co. (thebackyardfarm company.com). “Small-scale intensive farming is nuanced and there are lots of tips and tricks,” he says. “We’re trying to figure out ways of supporting people remotely so that you can just come to us and get that information without spending

forever searching it out, because I think that’s where people get paralyzed.”

Christian Douglas Design is a full-scale landscape architecture firm that fuses high-end design with urban gardening.

A quick tour around Douglas’ Instagram feed reveals a visual feast of exquisitely designed outdoor living and growing spaces — and perhaps even a local celebrity face or two. Chef Tyler Florence and Douglas have collaborated not only on the design, but seasonally on the TV personality’s elaborate, multitiered backyard kitchen garden.

Douglas is an award-winning landscape designer and touted urban farmer whose work combines his love of design with his passion for sustainable agriculture. Originally from England, he co-owned a design and fine gardening company — garnering multiple awards at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show — before leaving it all behind and traveling the world learning as much as he could about sustainable and regenerative agriculture, and working and teaching at for-profit and nonprofit farms as well as education centers.

After discovering that many of the people he had worked with globally were from the Bay Area, Douglas realized he had found his people and decided to settle in Marin in 2012. “The Bay Area has both of the things I love most: design and farms.

There’s a huge design community here, and there’s also a huge progressive agricultural scene. And, of course, being European, certainly British, we love the bay ... Marin in particular, the coastline feels very much like the British Isles,” he says. “There’s a high concentration of people who are into environmental awareness and food, and all the governing bodies are supportive of it as well.” Which is why, shortly after moving to California, he set up the Backyard Farm Co., a sister company to his design firm aimed at teaching people about edible landscaping, while helping to foster the marin living. july/august 2020 77

PROMOTION

Community Minded

Everviolet: Lingerie that Celebrates the Beauty of Change Everviolet is a beautiful lingerie and loungewear collection nurturing changes in a woman’s body following meaningful life events. Each piece has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate ongoing sensitivities resulting from surgery, illness, pregnancy and menopause.

The bestselling Vela Bra features wireless support, ultra-soft lace and an internal layer of sustainable jersey. Referred by Vogue Business as “Bras for real women not supermodels,” this game-changing silhouette redefines the lingerie experience through a trifecta of femininity, elegance and comfort. everviolet.com, hello@everviolet.com @everviolet on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Real Estate by Collaboration These days, collaboration matters more than ever — it takes a village to prepare a listing. When you hire Nick Svenson, you get his entire team of experts, everyone from color consultants and stagers to landscapers, handymen and inspectors. Nick Svenson embodies what you want from your real estate agent. His knowledge of the real estate market and construction is the backbone of the guidance he offers to his clients. Nick has become a top producer in the business and is currently one of the Top 25 agents in Marin County. As someone who was born and raised in Marin County, there isn’t a town, neighborhood or street Nick doesn’t have knowledge of.

Nick Svenson nick@marinsfhomes.com | marinsfhomes.com | 415.505.7674

Get Beautiful, Natural Looking Results at Dr. Karen Horton’s Office Be the very best you. Dr. Karen Horton’s office offers nonsurgical aesthetic procedures for Bay Area women and men from the experienced aesthetic “gentle injector,” Emily Sespaniak NP. We treat noticeable features of aging to produce a brighter and refreshed look to the eyes, face, brow area, neck, chest and skin, creating beautiful, subtle and natural results — you won’t look “overdone,” “surprised,” “frozen” or different. Put your best face forward and age gracefully.

Visit our website to learn more.

2100 Webster Street, Suite 506, San Francisco, CA 94115, info@drkarenhorton.com, drkarenhorton.com

Photo by Adam Potts, courtesy of Christian Douglas Design

connection of growing your own food to sustainability.

“Growing food locally, even if it’s just a percentage of what we eat on a weekly basis, takes the load off huge organic farms and their impact on the environment, and that matters because food security is going to become more and more important,” he says. “As a designer, I took on the responsibility of what we should be starting now, designing more and more food into our residential landscapes and neighborhoods.” Luckily, in Marin we can grow 12 months out of the year and even planting a small seasonal garden can help lesson some of the pressure on the industrial food supply chain. But where Douglas really plans on making a difference is in getting kids involved.

Whether it is working with families one on one or with schools on growing projects, he believes that instilling a sense of connection with the earth and learning how to be more self-sufficient is the gift that will keep on giving for generations to come. “We have a team of farmers who have worked professionally on organic farms and who bring those skills and that knowledge to support people and empower them to become better farmers, and then teach their children. The idea is that we teach them, our next generation of leaders, so that they have gardening in their blood. We want to create more of that in our community now so that we can pass it on to the next generation,” he says.

An edible raised garden is both beautiful and functional.

Even though it was the act of growing food that first allowed early humans to stop chasing game and start settlements, and it is certainly part of the human experience, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to come naturally to all of us. “Gardening has its highs and lows. It’s not always consistent. You’re working with the natural world and there are ebbs and flows, which is why I think people can lose interest,” says Douglas. “That’s why we set up the Backyard Farm Co. — to provide a resource for people and a place to feel supported and to learn quickly. We teach people the little hacks so that they can succeed and therefore feel more motivated to continue on.”

If you (and the kids) haven’t started planning your fall garden yet, he adds, now it is the time. “It depends on where you are in Marin or the Bay Area, but probably around late August, you’re going to be getting everything ready, switching out your summer vegetables. For fall, we’re getting more into our brassicas: Brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, sweet peas, sugar snap peas, leafy greens and root vegetables. Think about ingredients you would use to make soups.” And if you need help making that garden grow? You know who to turn to.

Christian Douglas’ Local Supplier Hit List Baker Creek Heirloom Seed also sold at Petaluma Seed Bank (110 Petaluma Blvd, N. Petaluma) rareseeds.com Cottage Gardens of Petaluma 3995 Emerald Drive, Petaluma cottagegardensofpet.com Fairfax Lumber & Hardware 109 Broadway, Fairfax, fairfaxlumber.com Green Jeans Nursery 690 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley greenjeansgadensupply.com The Living Seed Company 10970 Shoreline Highway, Point Reyes Station livingseedcompany.com Sloat Nursery Kentfield 700 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Kentfield, sloatgardens.com West End Nursery 1938 Fifth Ave, San Rafael westendnursery.com

marin living. july/august 2020 79

drawn together.

Don’t Ask Me Graphic designer, artist, professor and S.F. Chronicle columnist George McCalman doesn’t need you to query him about how to handle yourself in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.

He wants you to take the time and do the work yourself.

Three days after the murder of George Floyd, George McCalman, who is a Black man living in San Francisco, started receiving calls from white friends asking for help with “healing.” This led him to write an opinion column for the San Francisco Chronicle called “The Temerity of Whiteness,” and eventually to the gallery show that the title of the piece shown here is taken from. The show title is a snide remark that refers to the kinds of questions he was getting from his white friends — questions he didn’t feel it was his responsibility to answer.

“Myself and all the Black people around me have been deluged by the same form of craziness, which is this extreme way the white community has 80 july/august 2020 marin living.

been responding to us with their awareness,” McCalman says. “I have personally received a lot of crazy, infuriating and triggering responses.

“This is the stuff that really settles under the skin and gives people cancer,” he adds. “This is a terrible situation and I don’t

want to hold on to any form of it — I want to return it to sender.”

McCalman says the show is a collection of “all the crazy phrases that white people have said to me.” He felt he needed to paint these phrases and put them up for people to see, judge, discuss and then come

to their own conclusions about.

Ultimately, he says, “It felt like a very therapeutic way to deal with it.”

See his show “Tell Me Three Things I Can Do” at the Perish Trust starting in mid-August.

728 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, theperishtrust.com

Portrait by Daniel Dent; illustration by George McCalman

By Daniel Jewett

Ideas Worth Sharing

Shifting

mind | body | world | life

A TEDx ONLINE BROADCAST

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 6pm. See this years speakers and register now at: TEDxMarin.org

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