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M O U N TA I N S TO M A R I N A S , MARIN IS OUR HOME
BOWMAN REAL E STATE GROUP is comprised of professionals specializing in negotiation, marketing, construction, design, law, and hospitality. Our diverse backgrounds enable us to focus on each aspect of the process, creating a detailoriented experience for our clients. Negotiation is the most valuable tool we bring to the table. Ever y aspect of our process has been tailored to provide our clients the best possible price and terms for their sale or purchase.
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ST ILL WORKING WITH THEM
WIN AND CLO SE
When you work with Jennifer, you work with her team. A real
Jennifer helped my wife and I find, and more importantly
estate transaction is complicated and having a competent
win and close, on our property in San Anselmo. Before that,
and cohesive team shouldn’t be a luxur y but a requirement.
she worked with us to look at all sorts of houses in Marin and had a very deep understanding and sense of history for all the neighborhoods we considered.
It was comforting for me to know that as the transaction progressed, there was always at least one set of eyes on
The home we ended up with comes with a unique retail
the immediate task at hand - communication was prompt
space, but that also meant challenges on our mortgage
and
and
(commercial not just residential). She would not give up
extensive network allowed us to gracefully navigate the
during closing and was always ready to find a creative
inevitable challenges that surfaced throughout the sale.
solution or reach out to her network as added resources.
professional.
Their
expertise,
experience,
As positive an experience as I had with the sale of my house, they have set the bar quite high for themselves as I continue to work with them in finding my next home!
— Freddie H
BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP | 415.755.1040 Team@BowmanRealEstateGroup.com DRE# 01933147
Added bonus is that her husband and partner Elliott, has a contractor background, so looked at each house with us and was present for our inspection. What an added reassurance for a complex and at times stressful process!
— Nish and Jane N
Jessica Cline
Casey Gillespie
CEO jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.302.0850
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Dina Grant
Daniel Jewett
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Maternity Care That Exceeds Your Expectations Planning a pregnancy or already pregnant? Schedule an appointment with one of our expert OB/GYNs or Certified Nurse Midwives. Our MarinHealth | UCSF Health Clinics offer a full range of maternal ®
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Connect with us
table of contents. may 2021
60
26 going places. 60 voyager.
28
64 land & sea. spotlight marin. 16 news.
Pollination tours in Wine Country, new drought guidelines, supporting the AAPI community and other events.
26 local splurges.
Summer will be here before you know it; time to up your outdoor entertaining game. 8 may 2021 marin living.
28 eat & drink.
The owner of Marin’s Flour Craft has a new cookbook and gluten-free baking has never been so delicious.
32 local getaways.
When is the perfect time for a seaside Half Moon Bay getaway? Right now.
36 take note.
Marin Theatre Company innovates and the world benefits (plus two don’t-miss productions).
A Larkspur man and his kayak go on a once-in-a-lifetime solo trip to Hawaii.
66 new digs.
When planning your summer garden, remember that your plants need some social distancing, too.
80 drawn together.
Meet Mari Robles, Headlands Center for the Arts’ new executive director.
from the team.
12 from the ceo. 14 from the creative director.
Clockwise from left: Cheryl Juetten; courtesy Buttercup Home; Erin Scott
The Willamette Valley offers a very different experience for wine lovers.
Incomparable views. Warm hospitality. Sensational wines. We invite you to join us for an unforgettable experience in our newly renovated Oakville tasting room in the heart of Napa Valley. oakville, ca | minerwines.com | 800.366.WINE
features.
38
Together Again Point Reyes band El Radio Fantastique is reunited post-pandemic and fresh music is coming your way.
42
A New Chapter in Kid Lit Two local authors are meeting kids eye-to-eye one inclusive book at a time.
46
The Creative Class Celebrating Bay Area culture with five incomparable artists who are at the top of their game.
On the Cover and Left The Marin Civic Center with Oshalla Diana Marcus (cover) and Jeffrey Levin (left) photographed by Justin Buell.
10 may 2021 marin living.
LIVE LIFE OUTSIDE C reate
a well designed space and change
your relationship with outdoor living .
MILL VALLEY I WALNUT CREEK I BERKELEY I SAN RAMON I BURLINGAME
TERRAOUTDOOR.COM
I
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N AT I O N W I D E S H I P P I N G
from the ceo.
WE ARE PROUD TO BE BOLDLY optimistic at five19publishing and the excitement in the air is intoxicating. We’ve spent the last nine months building our dream company and team. We are grateful to have been able to leave our 9-to-5 jobs and dedicate oursleves fully to building the best magazine in Marin and San Francisco. Our story is one of timing and opportunity, and let’s be honest, most success stories begin that way. Our company has allowed us to use the many tools we’ve cumulatively acquired over the years, and on our own terms. It just doesn’t get any better that that. Admittedly, Covid-19 has been tough for everyone, but I can honestly say we’ve used every minute to prepare for the creative wave that is headed our way. And creative storytelling is what we do best — both editorially and for our clients — so we say, “bring it on!” Marin is exploding with new ideas and we are here to tell the stories and explore our gorgeous county with you. This month our entire issue is dedicated to Creative Culture, and it is blooming like never before. Each page is curated to introduce Marinites to the inspiring artists that are living among us, making our lives more interesting and beautiful. 12 may 2021 marin living.
Over the last few weeks, I have been (safely) attending events, coffee dates, lunches and cocktail mixers, and I feel alive again! What makes me most happy is being vaccinated and finally being able to mingle with the wonderful people of Marin. Sitting down one-on-one with business owners who share that same excitement has been really enlightening and inspiring. Thank you Marin for supporting Marin Living and for seeing and feeling our passion to tell your stories. Let’s do coffee, shall we? Call me.
Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder
Dasha Petrenko/www.stock.adobe.com; portrait by Becca Teal Batista
Back At It
Servicing Marin County + Sonoma + San Francisco @ona.life City of San Rafael License No: 2018-08-ONA Bureau of Cannabis Control: C9-0000100
art credit
from the creative director.
Wright’s use of light throughout the building’s interior and exterior adds a delicious touch of whimsy.
Ode to a Building I AM GOING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING and it’s pretty weird: I have a crush on a building. Is that even possible? Long before I moved to Marin, I was, like many others, obsessed with Frank Lloyd Wright’s work. But while driving through the arches every week on my way to the farmers market, my feelings for the structure have intensified. I can’t decide if it is the pink stucco walls, blue roof and brilliant use of light, or the fact that Wright was 90 years old (!) when he conceived it all. This was not only his largest public commission, it was also the last building he designed before his death, and that too plays a huge part in my obsession. The small details and quietly grand nature of the building give it a personality of its own. And it was this intoxicating Wes-Anderson-meets-Walt-Disney vibe that inspired our Creative Class feature this month. We gathered some of the most interesting and talented Bay Area artists we could find and asked them to come and play with us. And much to my delight, they were game. This includes one my favorite people to collaborate with, our incredibly creative and passionate photographer, Justin Buell. We all relished the opportunity to get together (in person!) and create something; the very activity we have all ached for over the last year. I am so inspired by how they excel at their chosen crafts and their intelligence and dedication to creative pursuits, and I am sure you will be, too.
But this feature is just the beginning of our deep dive into the arts. We spoke to two Marin children’s authors about tackling tough topics in their books and the rewards that that brings. The über-talented Point Reyes band El Radio Fantastique also takes center stage in this issue, as do the Marin Theatre Company’s latest productions and Mari Robles, the Headlands Center for the Arts’ new executive director. After a year of watching our precious arts and culture scene suffer, we are so thrilled to be able to support these artists and institutions, and the work that the last 12 months has brought forth. As we hinted at in the last issue, something wonderful is indeed happening. We are all emerging from our cocoons and the energy is electric. And we can’t help but feel optimistic about that.
Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder marin living. may 2021 15
“Many people don’t realize that some pollinators only eat or lay eggs on specific plants. We were able to take open spaces that were filled with grass, some weeds and volunteer wildflowers and gently transform them by adding plants with purpose.”
spotlight marin. 16 may 2021 marin living.
Anthony Colangelo
—LISA MATTSON, JORDAN WINERY’S DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
art credit
marin living.
may 2021 17
news.
Pollinators Find a New Home
18 may 2021 marin living.
Supporting the AAPI Community We are cautiously rejoicing as eateries are opening up again and embracing the new norm of fewer diners indoors. It seems that George Chen’s Michelin-rated Eight Tables (8 Kenneth Roxroth Place, San Francisco, www.eighttables.com) was ahead of the game pre-pandemic with his intimate eatery. While we’ll be making dinner rounds to as many restaurants as we can, Eight Tables deserves a special shout-out for recognizing the flurry of racial discrimination against the AAPI community and offering a 20 percent discount for the rest of the year for those residing within a 20-block radius of Chinatown. Now, that is what community is all about. —Casey Gillespie
China Live
OFTEN TOUTED FOR its Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Russian River Chardonnay, Jordan Winery (www.jordanwinery.com) is now embarking on a new endeavor — becoming the largest and most diverse pollinator sanctuary in the country. The multiyear planting scheme is set to initially transform eight acres (expected to grow to 10 acres over three years) of non-native grassland into a coveted habitat for pollinators, including the vulnerable western monarch butterfly (Jordan is situated on their migratory path), bees, moths and other insects. So far, more than 3,400 plants, encompassing about 100 species, have been planted. “We kept reading more and more news articles about the dwindling population numbers of western monarchs. We know that many pollinators have lost their habitat due to wildfires over the last five years, and we felt like we had the land, the support of John [Jordan] and the will to do something,” says Lisa Mattson, director of marketing and communications for Jordan Winery. Want to experience the magic for yourself? Try the Vineyard Hike, a four-mile adventure that includes a seated charcuterie picnic lunch, salad from the chef’s garden and, of course, a wine pairing ($110 per person). Or book a spot on The Estate Tour & Tasting ($135 per person), which launches this month (available through October) and takes guests on a culinary adventure around the ranch, passing the pollinator habitats along the way. —Casey Gillespie
news.
By the Numbers For the 11th time in 12 years, Marin was ranked as the healthiest county in California. The 2021 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report confirms why we love living here: great places to exercise and a community focus on healthy eating and high-quality medical care. But county Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis emphasizes that the report’s findings apply unevenly across Marin along lines of race and income. “As a county, we’re doing well overall, but our weakness is inequities within Marin,” he says. “That’s the work ahead of us as a community. When all are able to thrive, that will be real cause for celebration.” —Julia Apffel
MARIN
CALIFORNIA
Average Life Expectancy
85.4 years
81.7 years
Adult Obesity
18% of adults
24% of adults
Access to Exercise Opportunities
97% of residents
93% of residents
6.4 ug/m3
8.1 ug/m3
9.2
8.8
690:1
1,250:1
Air pollution (average daily density of fine particulate matter)
Access to healthy food (out of 10)
Ratio of Population to
Song_about_summer/www.stock.adobe.com
Primary Care Physicians
marin living.
may 2021 19
news.
Submit your favorite park photos for a chance to be part of the exhibition.
Your Photographic Debut
Equity in Marin A new Race Equity Planning Committee reflects Marin’s continued effort to become a more welcoming, multicultural place. Calls for inclusivity and racial justice have increased, especially given the recent assaults affecting the Bay Area’s Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) population, as well as the digital divide exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. “Our Office of Equity and County Administrator’s Office is committed to addressing and rectifying long-standing biases, and to healing relationships with our most marginalized populations,” says Assistant County Administrator and committee co-leader Angela Nicholson. Made up of 20 residents from diverse backgrounds — ethnicities, ages, gender — the committee has been meeting since January to review current policies and provide suggestions. You can learn more about Marin’s equity measures on the county website, www.marincounty.org. —Sydney Segal 20 may 2021 marin living.
Erik Peterson (top); Visual Generation/www.stock.adobe.com (bottom)
You know all those great photos that you’ve taken at parks this past year? Now’s the time to show them to the world. The My Park Moment photo contest (www.presidiotunneltops.gov/my-park-moment) is looking for photos of your favorite park moments to display in an outdoor photo exhibition this September. The show will take place around the Presidio Tunnel Tops, an exciting new addition to the Presidio, opening in spring of 2022. Designed by the same firm that did New York City’s famed High Line, Presidio Tunnel Tops will feature picnic grounds, scenic overlooks, walking paths and more. —Julia Apffel
How to Take the Leap to Love Innovative Match founder Cassie Zampa-Keim says it’s time to spring into romance.
Why is May a good time to welcome a new approach to dating? May is one of my favorite months of the year. Spring is well underway and summer is just around the corner. This time of year is perfect for finding romance. With time to clear your head, you can reimagine your life with someone special in it. Take affirmative steps to find that person by signing up for a dating app, joining a meetup group, exploring a new hobby, and talking to a dating coach and matchmaker like myself with more than 30 years of experience helping others find love in others and themselves.
Why is it important for people looking for love to break out of old habits? People tend to be creatures of habit. We get up at the same time, go to bed at the same time each night, and use the same type of toothpaste day in and day out. Dating is no exception and singles can get caught up
seeing the same kind of person over and over again with little success, but not realize why. If you haven’t been meeting like-minded singles or are continually involved in relationships that crash and burn, it’s probably time to re-examine your dating habits. That can include who you’re searching for, how you interact with the people you meet or how you exit a situation that’s not working for you. In my experience, once you become a more conscious dater by breaking old habits and starting new ones, you’ll see a new landscape in the dating world.
Have you started any new trends in your industry? I’ve been in this business for as long as I have because of one thing: I’ve always stayed current on new developments in dating. When online dating became popular, I incorporated it into how I find my clients their matches. The same goes for keeping up-to-date on dating apps, meetup groups and where I advise my clients to go to give themselves the most exposure.
Innovative Match, Ross | 415.259.8714 | www.innovative-match.com
news.
Every Drop Counts
Taking to the Streets San Rafael’s redesign of its busy Third Street corridor has been in the works for years and now the plan is finally here. “Third Street is one of the two main corridors that goes east and west through San Rafael to serve all of West Marin,” says city Director of Public Works Bill Guerin. “That’s why this project was identified for funding a long time ago, among several major street projects.” Highlights of the redesign include a two-way bike path, wider sidewalks, curb extensions, smoother road surfaces, updated underground and traffic light systems and new trees. Guerin warns we can expect some traffic challenges during the next year of construction but says the work will ultimately improve the situation for cars, bikers and pedestrians alike. —Sydney Segal 22 may 2021 marin living.
Courtesy of: Marin Water (chart); WRT (street rendering); tanawatpontchour/www.stock.adobe.com
Marin Water’s board of directors just voted to mandate water conservation measures in the face of a historic drought. Reservoirs are currently at 52 percent capacity (traditional April average is 92 percent) and 2020 marks Marin’s second driest year in 90 years. Avoid warnings and fines by only watering landscaping pre-9 a.m. or post-7 p.m., look for car washes that recycle water, promptly fix leaks, make sure hoses have a shutoff nozzle and conserve water indoors. Cynthia Koehler, board of directors president, says, “Marin is a community that pulls together and knows how to conserve.” —Julia Apffel
“No one could have predicted it. Not the economists, not the real estate agents, and especially not the nation’s homebuilders. But the pandemic caused an emotional run on housing unlike any other.” (CNBC)
Q1 2020 vs Q1 2021 MARIN MARKET REPORT SOLD 2021 $ SOLD 2020 $ Q1 2021 PER SqFt Q1 2020 PER SqFt
Marin Belvedere Corte Madera Fairfax Greenbrae Larkspur Mill Valley Novato Ross San Anselmo San Rafael Sausalito Tiburon
2020 MED $
2021 MED $
$2.0M
292
497
708
833
$1.7M
5
7
1418
1830
$4.5M $5.4M
10
18
882
949
$1.5M
$1.7M
8
13
539
812
$1.1M
$1.6M
4
9
969
817
$2.2M
$1.9M
6
13
869
1020
$2.5M $2.6M
40
81
808
968
$1.7M
$2.4M
74
121
471
556
$1.1M
$1.3M
3
3
844
1195
$2.8M $2.8M
15
46
805
846
$1.7M
$1.9M
71
93
609
719
$1.3M
$1.5M
6
17
871
1086
$1.9M
$2.4M
22
31
1031
1119
$3.7M $3.8M
$1.9M MEDIAN SALES PRICE
102
227
29
SOLD IN PAST MARCH
CURRENTLY IN CONTRACT
MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET
It’s the end of Q1 2021 and median Marin home prices are still on the rise. Competition is fierce and the McCarthy + Moe Group has the experience and expertise to guide you to success! Contact us to learn more about out how you can, move when you chose.
Liz McCarthy + Shenna Moe 415.250.4929 Team@McCarthyMoe.com McCarthyMoe.com DRE 01421997 | 01854690
news.
The Book Is Back The 12th annual MarinMOCA (www.marinmoca.org) Altered Book Exhibition and Fundraiser is happening again through May 23, with a mix of in-person and virtual offerings. As before, the event is juried by Mary Austin, founder of the San Francisco Center for the Book, and Donna Seager of Seager Gray Gallery in Mill Valley, who will pick the winners. But you can win as a viewer by participating in the online silent auction (which runs concurrently on www.bidsquare.com) and bringing home one of 130 unique pieces including art by Julia Arndt (top) and Maria Esther Sund (left). The exhibit is also open to the public on MarinMOCA’s Novato campus. —Daniel Jewett 24 may 2021 marin living.
As an experienced financial advisor, I guide the conversation around your financial decisions to help you achieve important wealth goals. I also focus on empowering women to reach new financial heights.
What makes women so effective at business and customer relations?
What is it about you that makes you a groundbreaker?
What does it mean to the next generation of girls to see women succeed in business?
I have survived almost three decades in financial services—it is still predominantly a male-oriented business. I continue to grow each year and help my clients with important financial decisions.
What does it mean to you to run a womenowned business? It is important to showcase that women can be successful in running a business. Having female role models is even more important today. We can show there is no glass ceiling when you are the owner of your own business.
Generally, women take an approach of listening and then problem solving. Women are natural at not letting their egos lead, but focusing on the customer’s needs first.
It is a big deal for young women to see successful role models in all areas of their lives. Observing successful business women will open doors to more possibilities for young women. They learn that anything is possible.
What separates you from the pack? I engage and lead clients in difficult conversations to help bring clarity. Most people, especially women, find it difficult to have money conversations with loved ones. It helps to have me there to guide these discussions.
Contact me to learn more about how I can help you reach your financial goals.
Helen Abe, CIMA®, CPFA, CRPC® Senior Vice President – Financial Advisor 300 B Drakes Landing Road, Suite 155 Greenbrae, CA 94904 (415) 445-8468 | helen.abe@rbc.com us.rbcwealthmanagement.com/helen.abe
Investment and insurance products: • Not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency • Not a deposit of, or guaranteed by, the bank or an affiliate of the bank • May lose value © 2021 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.
21-JD-00994 (04/21)
local splurges.
Sea the Light Add a touch of nautical whimsy to your outdoor entertaining with these eye-catching pieces. 1
By Casey Gillespie 2
3
5
1. Handcrafted by John Robshaw, each 100 percent cotton throw takes a week to make and is worth the wait. Made of layers of cotton voile and contrasting chambray, this throw is ideal for chilly afternoons on the water or snuggling up on the sofa. Sahati Indigo Throw available at Well Made Home (Marin Country Mart, Larkspur) or www.well madehome.com), $225.
26 may 2021 marin living.
2. ‘Tis the season for outdoor entertaining and this 15-inch Summer Sail Coco Tray is a must have whether on land or sea. The intricate painting is by Isabelle Z. and goes very well with chilled glasses of rosé. Available at Buttercup Home (366 Ignacio Boulevard, Novato) or www.buttercup homestyling.com, $48.
3. Celebrate California’s iconic coastline with this handcrafted cutting board. It will add a little visual interest to your next cheese spread or look equally gorgeous hanging on the wall. California Beach Cutting Board available at Makers Market (129 Miller Avenue, Suite 603, Mill Valley) or www.makers market.us, $95.
4. Can you really ever have too many stylish decanters? Didn’t think so. This one is designed by lchendorf Milano and, as the name implies, would be fabulous filled with premixed cocktails at your next get-together. Tequila Sunrise Bottle available at Design Within Reach (Marin Country Mart, Larkspur) or www.dwr.com, $115.
5. All the detail of a ceramic serving platter with the long-lasting, shatterproof convenience of melamine (it’s also dishwasher safe and BPA-free). If you love nautical-themed dinner parties as much as we do, this one belongs in your collection. Whale Shaped Melamine Serving Platter in navy available at Pottery Barn (The Village at Corte Madera) or www.potterybarn.com, $19.50–$39.
Courtesy of Well Made Home, Buttercup Home, Makers Market and Kea’s Kreations, Design Within Reach, Pottery Barn
4
The Exchange at Larkspur Landing is the proud winner of both the Bay Area and Pacific Southwest regional TOBY competition for the Suburban Office Park Low-Rise category. The Outstanding Building of The Year award is the most prestigious program in the commercial real estate industry recognizing quality in commercial buildings and rewarding excellence in building management. The Exchange is a unique property located just north of San Francisco with convenient access to transportation and retail amenities. Our serene campus offers: • easy access to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, SMART rail station, and just steps from the Marin Country Mart • an enclosed courtyard with seating areas, games, and outdoor yoga offerings • a private tenant lounge available for meetings, trainings, conferences or an afternoon coffee • complimentary wifi throughout its campus • EV charging stations and ample car and bicycle parking Our commitment to energy and water efficiency as well as waste reduction means prioritizing the use of environmentally conscious practices and products. Every building at The Exchange is proud to be LEED certified Platinum or Gold and we have recently implemented GPS-iMOD Ionization Air Purification Systems to improve particle and pathogen reduction for our tenants. We invite you to tour our beautiful campus to discover the unique qualities and amenities that won 2020’s TOBY Award. For more information, please contact: Whitney Strotz • +1 415 451 2406 • whitney.strotz@cushwake.com • LIC #01351397
eat & drink.
On the Rise Marin’s favorite gluten-free baker has just released a cookbook and now you can make the tasty treats in your own kitchen. By Daniel Jewett
Erin Scott
HEATHER HARDCASTLE, WHO, along with her husband, Rick Perko, opened Marin’s first gluten-free bakery in 2013 based on her recipes, took that concept to its logical conclusion and last month released her first cookbook, The Flour Craft Bakery & Cafe Cookbook (Rizzoli New York, 2021). “Ever since I got into cooking professionally, I always wanted the opportunity to do a book because I think the recipes and the way I approach gluten-free baking is unique to what’s out there,” Hardcastle says. “I mean, I have like every cookbook known to man in my personal collection, and I know that what I do is just a little bit different.”
Vegan Fruit Crumble Bars
marin living. may 2021 28
Real Estate Done Differently Aviva Kamler’s deep Bay Area roots and extensive reach equals homeowner happiness.
AVIVA KAMLER www.avivakamler.com Aviva.Kamler@sothebys.realty 415.717.1056 DRE#: 02076186
Q avkamler
For Hardcastle, who gave up on being a landscaper and went to the Culinary Institute of America in Napa in her 30s, baking was a love born out of necessity after she was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance about 20 years ago and discovered there weren’t good bakery options for people like her. “I mean most people had an option, but it would be like a coconut macaroon that was shrink-wrapped from god knows how many years ago,” she says. “I just thought, you know, I can do better than this. There’s no reason why gluten-free has to be thought of as something that, unless you really need to eat it, you don’t want to.” And the people of Marin agreed as they flocked to both Flour Craft bakeries (www.flourcraftbakery.com) — a second opened in 2018 — often asking “what’s gluten free here?” only to discover that absolutely everything was. And so about two years ago Hardcastle set out to achieve her second dream of writing a book so she could share her knowledge with bakers of all skill levels. She sent out book 30 may 2021 marin living.
proposals and was pleasantly surprised when the publisher Rizzoli, a brand whose quality level always impressed her, expressed interest. “I wanted to make the best book that I could and I thought they were a good partner for that,” Hardcastle says. She says the experience of doing a project of this magnitude was a real education, but one made easier by teaming up with frequent customer Erin Scott, a celiac who lives in Berkeley, on the photos. “We just immediately hit it off. I knew that she really got my aesthetic of how I want my food to be shown and she did.” As for which recipe in the book is her favorite, Harcastle says that changes but there are some standbys. “The lemon bars are delicious. The carrot cake is great. The orange polenta cake is probably our bestselling cake of all time at the bakeries and that would be one of those recipes that if I did not put it in the book people would be upset.”
This page and opposite: Erin Scott
Salted Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
eat & drink.
1 Quart Starter
Sourdough Waffles
Time 2 minutes, plus 5-20 days to develop the starter
Makes 4 waffles
Ingredients
Anyone who keeps and feeds a starter is always looking for a new way to use it, and I can pretty much guarantee that these crispy, light, and extra-delicious waffles are reason enough to nurture your starter regularly. Make sure you plan ahead for this recipe as it requires that you mix a simple sponge the night before you actually cook the waffles. The extra overnight fermentation lends excellent flavor to the waffles, and it takes just a minute to mix it up the evening before. These waffles are equally good made sweet or savory. When I’m in need of a quick dinner, I reheat them straight from the freezer on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes until re-crisped. Then I serve them with any number of toppings I have on hand like poached eggs, leftover roasted vegetables or pesto, smoked salmon or fresh herbs.
teff flour (or sorghum flour) ¼ cup filtered water, room temp ¼ cup To Make 1. In a large, wide-mouthed glass jar with plenty of room to spare, whisk together the teff flour and water. Allow to rest, uncovered on an open windowsill or in a well-ventilated room for at least 5 days, or up to 3 weeks. 2. After a few days or maybe a week or so, you will start to see bubbles form on the surface of the starter. Be patient. It can take longer than you’d expect for this to happen. Just leave it alone and check in on it every couple of days. Once you see active bubbles (think beer), that is the time to start feeding it. To feed, whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and 2 tablespoons water every other day or so. After you feed your starter for the first time, allow it to rest on the counter for 4–6 hours until you see bubbles form on the surface of the starter. 3. Continue this process for 3–5 more days until your starter has developed a pleasantly sour flavor/aroma and is very active after feeding. Your starter will be quite large at this point and you will have enough volume to use in any of the sourdough recipes in the book. The sourdough recipes in this book call for “unfed” starter. This simply means the portion removed from the original starter for a recipe should not be fed ahead of use in that recipe. After removing enough starter for whichever recipe you choose, feed it, and place the remaining starter in the refrigerator to rest until you need it again.
Cook Time About 10 minutes
Ingredients For the overnight sponge: sourdough starter, unfed 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup
white rice flour ½ cup sorghum flour ½ cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon For the batter: eggs 1 large butter, melted ¼ cup vanilla extract ½ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon xanthan gum ½ teaspoon To Make 1. Put all the ingredients for the overnight sponge in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest at least 8 hours or overnight at room temperature. 2. The next morning, or after 8 hours, whisk all the ingredients for the waffle batter into the rested sponge. 3. Preheat the waffle iron. Spray the iron with nonstick spray. Ladle about ½ cup batter into the waffle maker and cook until golden brown and crispy. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve immediately or freeze, stored in zip-top bags, for up to 3 months. Reheat the waffles in a preheated 350°F oven for 10 minutes and they’re honestly as good as the day they were made.
4. Remember, every time you use your starter you must feed it by replacing what you took out. For example, if you take out 1 cup of starter for a recipe, you will need to replace it by feeding it with ½ cup flour plus ½ cup water. And never let your starter get down to less than one-fourth of the base volume. If you take out all of your starter and/or wash the vessel in which it lives, you will need to start the whole process over from step one.
Sourdough Waffles
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A Day Out at Half Moon Bay From the best clam chowder outside New England to charming mom-and-pop shops and family-friendly sandy beaches, Half Moon Bay is a coastal paradise.
Botanist and Garden Apothecary’s CEO, Jennifer Lee Segale
32 may 2021 marin living.
Cody McCready courtesy o f Garden Apothecary
By Casey Gillespie
local getaways.
Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
One of two of The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay’s golf courses
Half Moon Bay, or Spanishtown as it was once called, is only about an hour’s car ride away, but once you are there it feels like you have truly escaped to a seaside paradise. It is named for the stunning crescent-shaped harbor situated just north of town, and it’s home to the world-famous Mavericks (the huge swells that draw surfers from near and far in the winter months). During Prohibition, Half Moon Bay with its dense fog and veiled coves became a smuggler’s dream, drawing Canadian rumrunners, which might explain the collection of exceptional breweries and distilleries in the area. The historic downtown is still home to many vintage buildings and there is nary a chain or corporate store to be found on Main Street. Venture a little farther and you’ll find blissful luxury hotels and some of the best seafood in California. Here are a few stops that should not be missed.
Abode 417 MAIN STREET
www.abodehalfmoonbay.com While strolling along Main Street be sure and pop into this charming home-ware store brimming with everything you have been looking for: artisan soaps, hand-poured candles, beautiful throws, market baskets and a whole lot more.
Beach House 4100 NORTH CABRILLO HIGHWAY
www.beach-house.com Situated across the street from the water (and you really can’t beat the central location), the guest rooms provide spectacular views of the bay and easy access to the coastal walking path. Day-trippers can pop in to enjoy the spa, while guests and visitors alike can book a private yoga class on the beach. marin living. may 2021 33
Sam’s Chowder House
329 MAIN STREET
www.gardenapothecary.com Whether you are looking for locally made teas and clean, botanist-formulated skin care (both made in-house), small gardening tools or native plants, this is your store. Perfectly curated and infinitely charming; we dare you to try and leave empty-handed.
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company 390 CAPISTRANO ROAD
www.hmbbrewingco.com
can even grab a freshly baked baguette to go with your favorite bottle of wine.
Jettywave Distillery 155 BROADWAY
www.jettywave.com This newly opened distillery offers a variety of libations served at the must-stop-and-stay-awhile Swell Lounge, which also features inspired bites. The owners’ passion for this little enclave is palatable and it is sure to be the local hangout this summer.
Jupiter & Main 432-B MAIN STREET
Come for the beer (they serve a wide array including Kolsch, Saison, IPAs, milk stouts and others) and stay for the expansive, inviting outdoor area and seafood-heavy pub menu. This is where warm California weekends get even better.
The Half Moon Bay Wine & Cheese Company 421 MAIN STREET
www.hmbwineandcheese.com
www.jupiterandmain.com Craft bitters, artisan salts, classic games, engaging coffee table books, gourmet dog treats, stylish men’s clothing and clean grooming products — this store has all you could ever want and then some. While there is a decisive masculine vibe here, women will love it, too. Promise.
Sam’s Chowder House 4210 NORTH CABRILLO HIGHWAY
One part wine bar and one part gourmet deli, this is the only stop you’ll need to make for your afternoon picnic. The cheese selection is stellar and you 34 may 2021 marin living.
www.samschowderhouse.com It would be a sin to visit Half Moon Bay and not stop here for a lobster roll and
a bowl of chowder. Located right on the beach and often voted as having the best seafood around, this place is an institution — and for good reason. No reservations on the weekend (the wait is usually about an hour), but you won’t be sorry.
The Olive Crush 300 Main Street www.theolivecrush.com Foodies will love the vast selection and unique combinations of organic olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Visit the website to get an idea of what they offer, but the assortment is much bigger (and more tempting) in store.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay 1 MIRAMONTES POINT ROAD
www.ritz-carlton.com For those wanting an immersive luxury getaway, look no further than the RitzCarlton. Located on a rugged hillside cliff, the hotel offers a seafood-heavy dining experience at Navio (brunch is always popular), a beautiful spa and not one but two golf courses. You really can experience the best of Half Moon Bay without ever leaving the property.
Marc Fiorito; opposite page, TPG/www.stock.adobe.com
Garden Apothecary
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local getaways.
Half Moon Bay’s stunning coastline draws surfers and beachgoers alike.
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William DeMeritt in The Catastrophist
Behind the Digital Curtain
Marin Theatre Company is making headlines and leading the way in storytelling as it finds new audiences in an evolving artistic world. By Daniel Jewett
36 may 2021 marin living.
Courtesy of Marin Theatre Company
take note.
IN MARCH OF 2020 Marin Theatre Company’s artistic director, Jasson Minadakis, knew the organization had a problem when pandemic lockdowns forced it to close its production of Kate Cortesi’s Love after only two live performances. But the obstacle turned out to be a blessing in disguise, bringing new audiences and innovative ways of presenting stories for the Mill Valley– based artistic institution. MTC (www.marintheatre.org) quickly switched tracks, filmed Love and presented it online during the same dates that it would have run onstage and an idea was born — one that came from stepping back and then moving forward with a new intention. “How are we going to prepare ourselves to create work that is still new American writing, featuring new American playwrights, and not start doing live programming with just artist interviews or reading scripts online?” Minadakis says. “We decided we were going to figure out how to produce.” He sat down with MTC’s playwright-in-residence Lauren Gunderson, who also happens to be the most produced living playwright in America, and rising star Denmo Ibrahim, a first-generation Egyptian-American actor, playwright and entrepreneur who had appeared in several MTC plays, to discuss a new vision. “I talked to the two of them about what would they create, if they could, for the digital sphere that lives somewhere between live theater and work that you can see online. And I asked them to really think kind of outside the box,” Minadakis says. “Both of them went 10 times beyond.” After first resisting the idea of writing about her husband, well-known virologist Nathan Wolfe, who proposed a plan to protect the economy from pandemics years before the Covid-19 outbreak, Gunderson started to see a way the story could be told, which became The Catastrophist. After three weeks of virtual rehearsals with the team, which included actor William DeMeritt and director of photography and editor Peter Ruocco, another rehearsal week at MTC’s Boyer Theatre and two days to space and tech the show, they realized Gunderson’s vision in just three days of filming. “The first time I physically met our actor in person was on the first day of our fourth week of rehearsals when we were standing in
the parking lot for the safety meetings,” Minadakis says. The show, which has been extended through July 25, has been a huge hit, generating coverage in newspapers across the country like The New York Times and even being featured on PBS NewsHour. And starting on May 18, Ibrahim’s Brilliant Mind, a story of generational trauma, the struggle between self and family, and the weight of carrying a legacy told through the eyes of first-generation Americans, is set to break even more new virtual ground at MTC. The play is a kind of choose-yourown-adventure performance featuring a live component, filmed components and digital interactive components where the audience makes choices about what they think they are seeing and different possibilities follow.
“I asked one question about it — can we figure out a live piece to this? — and she not only came up with a live piece, she came up with an interactive piece to it as well,” Minadakis says. “And it’s really just amazing how integrated the components are and the sorts of things that are exploding out of it.” With the success of The Catastrophist, which has been seen in 44 states and 10 countries, the challenge for Marin Theatre Company is to figure out how to retain that audience. “Is it possible for people who want to be subscribers and live in Paris, or New York, or D.C., or even across the bay, to see everything we do because almost everything we do is new work?” Minadakis says. “How do we use what we’ve done during this time to create new opportunities for the organization and to bring more people into the organization?”
Actor and playwright Denmo Ibrahim
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Together Point Reyes’ El Radio Fantastique is happy to be back entertaining fans with new music and shows after a year out of the spotlight.
Again By Tanya Henry
Known for its enigmatic and genre-defying music, El Radio Fantastique (www.elradiofantastique. com) appears poised to metamorphize — once again. While the eclectic Point Reyes Station– based band hasn’t played together for almost a year, they haven’t stopped creating, writing and collaborating. marin living. may 2021 39
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dance-pop hit single “Strange but True” made it to number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 list. It’s a quintessential ’80s dance track that many of us undoubtedly grooved to back in the day — pure unbridled fun. Thankfully, Di Morente hasn’t shed his early skin entirely and brings this same upbeat, danceable sensibility to his much more noir-inflected El Radio Fantastique. “I’m just really into bubblegum pop,” says Di Morente, who writes most of the songs for the band. “It feels like a true collaboration,” says Noelle Boucher. “I came in as a violinist, but I felt so encouraged that I’m now singing, too.” It isn’t only Boucher who expressed gratitude and appreciation for the encouragement Di Morente offers to his fellow bandmates. “We are all huge fans of each other,” says Di Morente, and as Gene Fisher points out, “it helps that our musical tastes are similar enough that we usually agree with each other.” “The music is the deciding factor — whatever the song needs is the direction we will go,” offers Di Morente, who has been writing practically nonstop during the pandemic. Along with a brand-new single, “Hollywood Girl,” that will drop in May, the band also completed “London’s Fatal” last June. The track (available on the band’s website) is a rousing synthesizer-driven number with plenty of bass and drums that provide
Matt Gallagher
“We really don’t know what we sound like anymore — we’ve forgotten a lot of our parts,” jokes longtime band member Robin Livingston, who provides keyboard and vocals for the band along with producing videos and working on other musical projects. Front man Giovanni (Johnny) Di Morente founded the band in 2003 while living in New Orleans. Throughout the years it has undergone multiple incarnations (it once included a robust horn section complete with saxophone, clarinet and trombone). In 2008 Di Morente returned to Point Reyes and formed the current iteration of El Radio Fantastique that contains not only a lineup of multitalented musicians, but also a tight-knit group of friends who all grew up together in West Marin. “To be honest, I had no idea how talented they really were,” says Di Morente of his bandmates, who include Colin Schlitt on bass and percussion, Robin Livingston on keyboard and vocals, Gene Fisher on drums and percussion, Noelle Boucher on violin, and the newest member of the band, Jim Cucuzzella, who owns the Players Guitars store in San Rafael, on guitar. Most of the members contribute vocals, with Di Morente taking the lead vocalist role. Di Morente is no stranger to performing. In the late 1980s he was part of the male duo band Times Two, whose
Justin Mayfield (top)
Opposite: The pre-Covid version of the band included (left to right) Emily Halthom, Colin Schlitt, Giovanni DiMorente, Oz Beckers, Robin Livingston, Noelle Boucher, Gene Fisher and Jeff Smiler. This page from left: the last album; playing live at the Point Reyes Parade in 2019.
a rich backdrop for Di Morente’s searing vocals. Despite its potentially grim lyrics, there is a buoyancy and clarity to the song that at almost four minutes long makes it uplifting and eminently danceable. With four albums behind them, El Radio Fantastique displays an impressive musical range that showcases everything from a lush orchestral sound to crooning ballads and layered percussive arrangements that at times seem dreamlike and otherworldly. Di Morente’s captivating vocals and dark lyrics are often juxtaposed with rocking rhythmic arrangements that seem both sad and joyful. “Put Me in the Ground” from their Shine EP exemplifies the band’s ability to sing melancholic tunes with hypnotic beats that keep listeners entranced and tapping their feet. Oh Lord, put me in the ground/Take me to the graveyard in the heart of town/ I say…Oh Lord, put me in the ground/I never had a heartache quite like this. The band is known for its theatricality and vaudevillian live shows. This cinematic sensibility is on full display in their music videos, revelaing the creativity and artistry this band seems to have in spades. Di Morente’s early obsession with radio transmission informed his naming of the band. He also cites listening to Marin’s “weird” KTIM
FM 100.9 radio station as a young boy, which exposed him to Monty Python and other out-there programming that made a lasting impression. There is no doubt the band, while hard to describe or pigeonhole, has an eclectic vibe — but as the above photo suggests, it’s difficult to say whether their image is David Lynch or Burning Man–inspired. Now that music venues are slowly reopening their doors again and beginning to book live acts, El Radio Fantastique is eager to start performing together again. Pre-pandemic they played regularly at the nearby Old Western Saloon in Point Reyes Station and could also be caught at Peri’s and 19 Broadway in Fairfax. And while the band members look forward to playing together and to debuting their new material, they also appear excited just to see each other. It is evident from the strong praise they all voice for one another that this band, despite its size — there are currently seven of them — genuinely respect and like each other. Di Morente put it this way: “The band is a tight-knit family of creative friends. It is something rare and wonderful.” See El Radio Fantastique play their first show in almost a year at Smiley’s Saloon (www.smileyssaloon.com) in Bolinas on May 28. marin living. may 2021 41
A NEW CHAPTER IN KID LIT
Two Marin authors celebrate diversity with kids’ books that normalize some of children’s biggest struggles and ensure every child feels seen.
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By Laura Schooling
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PARENTS ARE NO STRANGERS
Jean Kobben/www.stock.adobe.com
to children’s books, often referred to as kid lit. From a child’s birth we rely on sweet illustrations and rollicking rhymes to soothe, nurture and teach our kids — and not just literacy, but kindness, empathy and community. Duck & Goose, Elephant & Piggie — you’re like family. But just as children are aging out of their favorite board books, parents may find that kids are struggling in ways even these beloved books never prepared them for. Two Marin therapists-turned-writers are meeting families’ needs by penning books about social, cultural and psychological diversity.
Merriam Sarcia Saunders is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Kentfield who raised three kids with what she refers to as possessing a “cocktail” of neurodivergent traits. She’d spent years searching for kid-friendly books that addressed ADHD, both for her own kids and for her practice, when she decided to write her own. “Adults have so much life experience to draw on when we face problems. We don’t know who to talk to or how to seek help. Kids don’t have that kind of agency. Books help them do that,” Saunders says. Her novel, Trouble With a Tiny T, is directed at middle schoolers and offers an enjoyable glimpse into the mind of a smart, creative kid with ADHD who stumbles upon a bag of magic and accidently brings toys to life. “You don’t have to be neuro-atypical to enjoy it; it’s just a fun book. But maybe it will create a little awareness or empathy in kids who may be in class with someone with ADHD. Because there is one in every class, at least one,” says Saunders. Books can be a powerful ally to kids who are feeling isolated. “We’ve all had that experience where you lose yourself in the world of a book. So for a kid that may be feeling isolated, it can be especially meaningful to share something in common with a book character. For some, it could even feel like a friend,” says Saunders. And it’s not just the kids
who are struggling. Parents, now more than ever, are running on fumes. Saunders talks about the vast lack of understanding around ADHD, which leads people to think it’s a matter of poor parenting. With her books she seeks not only help kids, but to help families feel seen and give them a toolkit to talk to their kids. “My favorite emails are the ones from parents that simply say, ‘Thank you,’ ” she adds. Her two picture books are designed for parents to read to their younger children and come with a notes section that helps parents lead conversations with their kids and even change their own way of seeing their family. My Whirling, Twirling Motor is about a kid who just can’t settle his body, which gets him into plenty of trouble each day. But then his mom pulls him aside to tell him all the great things he did that day — and he feels loved and motivated to focus on the positive. My Wandering Dreaming Mind follows a girl who can’t seem to pay attention, which makes her feel terrible about all the things that she’s lost track of. Her mom helps her reframe her negative thoughts and focus on what an amazing kid she is. Michael Genhart, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in San Francisco and Mill Valley. After hearing repeating emotional themes
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As many communities in Marin struggle with a lack of diversity, books
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can expose kids to the wider world.
from his clients, he wanted to be able to help a broader audience and has, in just five years, written 11 books. He noticed the teenagers and adults he worked with at his practice often had challenges navigating their friend relationships, so he went about creating books he wished they could have found at a younger age. Peanut Butter & Jellyous, Mac & Geeeez!, and Cake & I Scream! help kids understand why their friends may exhibit distressing behavior, and he does it in an accessible and disarmingly funny way. Ouch! Moments: When Words Are Used in Hurtful Ways and So Many Smarts! help kids understand bullying and bolster self-esteem. Genhart also set out to create more inclusive literature, drawing on his own experience. “Representation is one of the main things I was thinking about,” he says. “It’s super important for kids to see themselves and their families in a book. If you don’t see yourself in books, you can feel invisible.” Rainbow: A First Book of Pride explains the significance of the rainbow flag while showing families with two moms and two dads. Accordionly: Abuelo and Opa Make Music shares how two grandfathers from different cultures find common ground through their shared love of music. He is releasing two more books this fall: May Your Life Be Deliciosa and They’re So Flamboyant. Rudine Sims Bishop, who has been called the mother of multicultural children’s literature for her research on the topic, has talked about the importance of children’s books as windows, sliding doors and mirrors. Windows allow you to see into another world, sliding doors let your imagination become part of that world, and when conditions are just right, mirrors reflect the world back to us as part of a larger human experience. As many communities in Marin struggle with a lack of diversity, books
Where to Turn Need some help navigating challenges with your kids? Here’s where to begin: Pediatrician: Your doctor has likely seen it all and can advise you on whether your children’s behavior is a typical developmental stage or requires additional support. Teacher: You know your child better than anyone, but your teacher sees your kid in a different environment and may recognize behaviors you don’t. A Novel Mind: Co-created by Merriam Sarcia Saunders, this website is a resource for finding and exploring books that touch on neurodiversity and mental health issues, www.anovelmind.com. Local children’s librarian: They have a handle on what speaks to children and what’s new on the shelf. Magination Press: The publishing arm of the American Psychological Association, which published many of Genhart’s and Saunders’s books, includes notes for parents, www.apa.org/pubs/magination.
can expose kids to the wider world. “We should prepare our kids for the beauty of a diverse world and to celebrate that and take part in that. And one way of starting that is through books,” says Genhart. “It’s important for teachers and parents to introduce conversations about differences because we’re all different from each other and how beautiful is that?” marin living. may 2021 45
The
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t i v a eC e r C
The wonderful thing about art is that, regardless of the medium, ultimately it is a celebration of our differences, of what makes us unique. Meet five artists who are at the top of their game — and are nothing if not unique. By Casey Gillespie • Photos by Justin Buell • Shot on location at Marin County Civic Center
Jered Nelson page 48
Windy Chien page 50
Jeffrey Levin page 52
Oshalla Diana Marcus page 54
Janey Fritsche page 56
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Jered Nelson
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Ceramicist
IN CREATING DINNERWARE there is a lot to consider. Among the nuances are size, color and weight and how these things will play out in a restaurant setting. Will the server be able to carry more than one plate at a time? How easy is it to put down and pick up? How will the chef use the plate to control the temperature of the food and the diners’ experience? As someone who creates dinnerware for some of the most revered restaurants in the Bay Area, Jered Nelson (www.jeredspottery. com) knows about all of this firsthand. Having earned a degree in ceramics at Minnesota State University Moorhead, Nelson was influenced by the Japanese tradition of mingei and credits his father for passing down an acute attention to detail. He also has a deep-rooted fascination with how people interact with ordinary objects. “I always wanted to be an artist/ craftsperson; I didn’t feel I had a choice. I had some mentoring by older artists — two that had a big impact on my work. Sonja Christiansen-Iverson told me of her long love affair with clay in such a way that I fell in love, too. And Paul Soldner inspired me to think about more than my craft,” he says. Originally from South Dakota, Nelson moved to the Bay Area in 2004 and for six years worked at Heath Ceramics as a prototyper and problem solver. He has created pieces for Chez Panisse and for restaurants owned by Daniel Patterson, Michael Mina and Michael Chiarello, to name a few, but like for so many, 2020 was a different time for the potter. “The last year consisted of more thinking than creating,” says Nelson. “I’m working with a lot of new colors right now. I feel like we are at a crossroads of sorts and finding the colors that resonate helps me understand how people are feeling.” It seems fitting. When asked about his favorite part of the creative process, he answers, “I love to imagine the possibilities, the solutions and the resolutions to conflict.” marin living.
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Windy Chien “GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION. I used this mantra to quit my job and focus on making art my life,” says Windy Chien (www.windychien.com), a San Francisco–based fiber artist who works with knots to create sculptures and site-specific, and often large-scale, installations. After 14 years of owning an independent record shop in S.F. and then almost a decade at Apple, she had a yearning to work with her hands. “At first, I was making products — a pendant light, hand-carved spoons, etc. — but I quickly realized I didn’t love, and was easily bored by, running a product-based business. It’s way more fun to make one-off fine art works,” says Chien. After exploration of various mediums, it was a macrame class that set her on a new creative path. With more than 4,000 documented, named knots to explore, she tasked herself with learning a new knot every day for a year, documenting each one on Instagram, which resulted in her much-lauded book The Year of Knots (2016). In her work, Chien explores complex themes, both social and those of the natural world, incorporating recognizable patterns (think DNA double helixes and circuit boards). “Knots sit at the intersection of function, science and history, and to that fertile place I add aesthetics to illuminate,” she says. Currently, there are five of Chien’s works on exhibit at Walnut Creek’s Bedford Gallery in the group show A Beautiful Mess: Weavers and Knotters of the Vanguard (until June 13). She is also preparing for a solo show at Sarah Shepard Gallery in Larkspur that starts in July. 50 may 2021 marin living.
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Fiber Artist
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Jeffrey Levin
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Goldsmith and Jewelry Designer, Co-founder of Poet and/the Bench “BEING AN ARTIST is a calling,” says Jeffrey Levin. A Cape Town, South Africa, native, he was born into a family of jewelers. “I have immense respect for the foundations, iconic designs and simplicity. I embrace a more European style, which translates to the clean lines you’ll see in my work as well as an approach of making perfectly imperfect tactile pieces,” he says. While Levin has been in the U.S. for three decades, he admits that life in Cape Town — the images of the colorful houses of the Bo-Kaap in Cape Town’s Malay Quarter; the coming-of-age celebrations by the Ndebele tribes and the graphic markings that women painted on their homes; the music scene; and the influence of European culture on fashion — will always be in his bones. Along with his wife, Bonnie Powers, Levin opened Mill Valley’s Poet and/ the Bench (www.poetandthebench. com) in 2015 with the idea of combining his custom jewelry atelier with a platform for emerging and independent designers and artists. He is quick to add that “in the 1940s activist Edna Foster bought what is now the complex where our shop is located with the intention of building an artists’ community. It feels good to be carrying on that tradition.” Levin and Powers are creating a local tradition of their own. “Urbanist and activist Jane Jacobs wrote, ‘Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.’ This rings true for us. We will continue to locate new artists from diverse backgrounds and celebrate the voices that society doesn’t often shine a light on,” he says. marin living.
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Oshalla Diana Marcus “EVERY TIME I CROSS one of the bridges — San Rafael–Richmond, Bay Bridge or the Golden Gate — I am reminded of how beautiful the nature we live in is. The marshlands, great redwoods, majestic mountains and the rolling fog are inspirations to create,” opines Oshalla Diana Marcus, a third-generation Marinite and the creative force behind the blossoming Marin City’s MC Arts and Culture center (www.mcartsandculture.com). Her artistic career has spanned nearly 40 years and draws upon a multiplicity of disciplines, including theater, television, film and dance and a gratifying delve into the world of wellness: teaching yoga and Pilates. “Yet, I know I am just getting started as I enter into another level — a synthesis of all that I have ever done,” says Marcus. A big part of this next chapter is her role as curator of the MC Arts Gallery, a position she stepped into in the middle of what she calls “the 2020 Covid-19 reality shift.” And as with most things in her life, she has embraced it with a robust desire to create — this time emphasizing a deeper community connection and an opportunity to shine a light on other artists of African descent. “We will host the first Marin City Arts Festival in July featuring selected artists from the Africa diaspora and artists from Marin District 3 (unincorporated Mill Valley, Sausalito and Tiburon). In the fall of 2021, I am curating an exhibit entitled Vindication of Black,” she says. The center will also be participating in this year’s Marin Open Studios. Her personal dance practice is evolving as well. “I am embracing partner dance in the form of tango — a Kikongo word translating as ‘the place where we meet.’ I knew nothing about the African roots of tango, but upon learning of it, I was inspired to master the art form,” she confesses. 54 may 2021 marin living.
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Dancer, Director and Curator at MC Arts and Culture
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56 may 2021 marin living.
Janey Fritsche
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Painter
“I BELIEVE THAT there is something magical about where the land meets the sea, the melding of conscious and subconscious,” says San Rafael resident and fine artist Janey Fritsche (www. janeyfritsche.com). While she has only been painting full time for the past five years, her creativity was fostered throughout her career in interactive design work. Her clients were broad and diverse, including Apple, George Lucas Educational Foundation, Stanford University, Paramount Pictures, the Smithsonian and the Grateful Dead. But her time dedicated to her art has been just as fruitful and includes solo exhibitions at the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art in Novato and commissioned work for Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Cathedral Hills Hospital in S.F. and Bodega Bay Lodge. After a life-changing stint on Oahu, Fritsche became focused on ocean conservation. “I experienced the joy of spending a lot of time in Hawaii’s beautiful waters and the sorrow of seeing the damage to the coral reefs and other sea life,” she says. And that passion emanates from her paintings, though in the last year she admits her intention has evolved. “When we were still in lockdown, I was desperate to be outside, and China Camp provided an outlet. I was delighted with the joy I saw there in kids and parents as they played in the water. I became intrigued with the idea of including people in my paintings. I was really thirsty for people connection.” She adds, “With this new work, I’m focusing on the joy inherent when people let their day-to-day cares slip aside as they gather at the seashore. It is a place where we can just be at peace and awaken joy.” marin living.
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going places. May As Well
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Exploring a very different Wine Country, a daring solo kayak adventure to Hawaii and a lesson in social distancing for your summer garden.
58 march 2021 marin living.
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The Allison Inn & Spa, a luxury getaway in Oregon’s Willamette Valley
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Blending the New With the Old New hotels, socially distanced spa treatments and wineries with a French connection all beckon in Oregon’s buzzy Willamette Valley.
Head chef Sara Hauman in the kitchen at Soter Lodge
60 may 2021 marin living.
Cheryll Juetten Photo
By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti
voyager.
HERE IN THE BAY AREA, we have plenty of fantastic wine at our fingertips, but Oregon’s lauded Willamette Valley wine region, about a 10-hour drive north and a relatively quick plane ride from SFO (travelers fly into PDX and drive about an hour to the Wine Country), is worth the pilgrimage. Made up of nine appellations and stretching from Portland to Eugene, the rustic green valley — moss-covered trees and slightly listing metal barns with rusted red roofs dot the countryside — has been producing excellent pinot noir since the late 1970s. A Willamette Valley pinot won the GaultMillau French Wine Olympiades (much to the alarm of the French) in 1979. The American Viticultural Area has grown by leaps and bounds since then. There were just 70 wineries in 1990; now, there are nearly 700, but the production remains a fraction of what California produces. Oregon produces 1 percent of the domestic market while California makes a whopping 81 percent of all U.S. wine. But in the Willamette Valley, visitors will be able to try wines and have experiences they might not otherwise.
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Where to Stay The Setting Inn Napa Valley is opening a sister hotel in the Willamette Valley, The Setting Inn Willamette Valley (from $220 a night, www. thesettinginnwillamette.com), in mid-May. Set on a hillside overlooking the Chehalem Mountains’ patchwork of vineyards and farms, the upscale bed-and-breakfast will have just eight guest rooms — if you can, book the light-filled corner room with a four-poster bed and a Juliet balcony. Breakfast, delivered directly to guest rooms in wooden boxes each morning, consists of locally made pastries and award-winning fromage blanc from Briar Rose Creamery in Dundee. The same degree of thought has been put marin living. may 2021 61
into common spaces, e.g. a living room with a 29-foot vaulted ceiling and a white board-and-batten adorned fireplace or a bocce ball court with valley views. The owners of The Setting Wines, a project involving Aperture winemaker Jesse Katz, plan to open a winery on the property in the future. The Allison Inn & Spa (from $445 a night, www.theallison.com) has set the bar high for luxury accommodations in Oregon for more than a decade, and it’s continuing to evolve with the times. The hotel’s 15,000-square-foot vinotherapy spa features treatment rooms that look out onto private gardens where deer are known to nibble. A new Himalayan Salt Therapy room, which bathes guests in warm, amber-colored light, helps counterbalance the effects of electronic devices and boosts the immune system, all while being touchfree. This summer, therapists will give outdoor massages in a temporary structure in the Meadow Garden. One 62 may 2021 marin living.
of the pleasures of a stay at The Allison is strolling the vast grounds. A milelong path winds its way past vineyards and a sculpture garden featuring everything from repurposed antiquities to abstract art. The 36-room Atticus Hotel (from $285 a night, www.atticushotel.com) opened in McMinnville, a town in the heart of Oregon Wine Country with a lively main thoroughfare lined with 100-year-old buildings, in 2018. The hotel looks like it was built at the turn of the century — the grand lobby and guest rooms have high ceilings, jeweltoned furnishings and local art — but it’s new construction. The same person owns the hotel’s farm-driven Red Hills Kitchen as well as the excellent Red Hills Market in Dundee.
What to Do May is Oregon Wine Month and wineries have special events like cooking classes and wine and cheese
pairings, but there’s plenty to do year-round. For a more adventurous Wine Country experience, Equestrian Wine Tours (from $190 a person, www.equestrianwinetours.com) offers two-and-a-half-hour rides on Tennessee walking horses through Dundee’s russet hillsides. Tours typically stop at Winter’s Hill and Durant vineyards, also home to the Durant Olive Mill. Many of the horses are rescues, and custom saddlebags make purchasing and transporting bottles a breeze. Wine de Roads’ (from $150 per rider, www.winederoads.com) cycling tours through the Chehalem Valley last six hours and include three winery visits and a picnic lunch. The terrain is mainly flat roads with some rolling hills. On frequent stops, guides impart wisdom about the region’s history and, of course, the wines. Tours begin in late April and are offered through October.
Sionnie LaFollette
The luxury bunkhouse at Atticus Hotel
voyager.
Portland Rose Balloons (from $199 per person, www.portlandrose balloons.com) sunrise flights glide over the Willamette River, forests, tulip fields and golden vineyards and take off from different locations in the valley depending on the season. Families should check out the 8,000-square-foot Stoller Experience Center at Stoller Family Estate (www. stollerfamilyestate.com), which has augmented reality, art, interactive tasting tables and videos projected on a jumbotron as well as wide lawns; the Smithsonian-affiliated Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum (www. evergreenmuseum.org) in McMinnville, the location of Howard Hughes’ original Spruce Goose; or go for a hike in Champoeg State Park.
Courtesy of Equestrian Wine Tours
Where to Taste French winemaking royalty, the Drouhin’s, founded a winery in Beaune, France in 1880. They purchased land in the Willamette Valley in the 1980s and the rest is history. Led by winemaker Véronique Drouhin, Domaine Drouhin’s (www.domainedrouhin.com) bright and elegant pinots and chardonnays stand up to their Burgundian counterparts. Domaine Drouhin is offering seated outdoor tastings by appointment on their outdoor terrace overlooking the 235-acre estate. Seek out the Carlton Winemakers Studio in Carlton to experience a rising star. The owners of 00 Wines or “Double Zero” (www.00wines.com), Chris Hermann, an environmental lawyer, and his wife Kathryn are creating what might be considered Oregon’s “grand crus.” The Hermanns’ minimal intervention pinots and savory “black chardonnays,” made using an 80-year-old Burgundian technique where a winemaker extracts maximum tannins from grape skins are complex and addictive. The silky Kathryn Hermann Cuvée is made exclusively with a California chardonnay clone planted decades ago and largely ripped up in the region. The Hermann’s are also making small quantities of wine in Burgundy and Champagne. 00 Wines doesn’t have a fancy tasting room, but you can taste and buy the wine at the Winemakers Studio. In addition to being a winemaking facility it is great place to learn about up-and-
coming winemakers and has a lightfilled tasting room and patio. Burgundy fans will want to travel 30 miles south to Lingua Franca (www. linguafranca.wine) in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, where a dream team is creating wholly original wines that express the region’s terroir like the deep, delicate 2018 The Plow Pinot Noir. French winemaker Thomas Savre worked at Domaine de la RomanéeConti in Burgundy, while co-founder Larry Stone was the first American to win the Best International Sommelier in French Wines competition in Paris. Consulting winemaker Dominique Lafon is the namesake, director and winemaker of one of the great estates in Meursault. Lingua Franca’s seated tastings by appointment offer in-depth intel on winemaking and the valley.
Soter Vineyards (www.soter vineyards.com), owned by the founder of Etude Wines, doesn’t have a French tie, but the hilltop tasting room does pay homage to the valley’s agricultural roots. The 240-acre property is a certified biodynamic farm, and the architecture — lofty reclaimed wood ceilings, an oversized fireplace and sliding doors — recalls a modern farmhouse. Soter offers tastings for small groups on different parts of the property, making it great for keeping distance. Ingredients from the farm are used in the MSR Provisions tasting menu, where head chef Sara Hauman, who worked in San Francisco at Bar Agricole and Octavia, pairs seasonal bites (think smoked oyster with toasted hazelnut and brown butter and purple broccoli tempura with garlic and chickpea-miso dip) with Soter wines.
Equestrian Wine Tours
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land & sea.
In the Open Water
Larkspur’s Cyril Derreumaux is set to undertake a 2,750-mile journey in a kayak this month that he hopes will bring a world record and sense of inner peace.
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By Daniel Jewett
64 may 2021 marin living.
All photos by Teresa O’Brien Photography
ON MAY 30, SAUSALITO RESIDENTS will see a strange sight in the early morning hours: a Frenchman, 44-year-old Cyril Derreumaux, who lives in Larkspur and trains in Sausalito, will hop into his specially made kayak and depart from Sea Trek, followed by a flotilla of small crafts that will accompany him to the Golden Gate Bridge. From there, the paddlers and rowers will head back to the comforts of their homes while Derreumaux continues on, unassisted and under his own power, for another 2,750 miles, planning to land, 60 to 70 days later, in Waikiki (www.solokayak tohawaii.com). His goals are to set a Guinness World Record, gain a new sense of himself, and catch up on Seinfeld. “That will probably be the point where I say goodbye to everybody and that’s gonna be so emotional,” he says of crossing the gate and heading to the open ocean. “What is that going to be like? I don’t even know how to visualize it, but it’s going to be very intense. These kinds of emotions you don’t feel in the real world.” And that is the essence of the journey, the “human element,” that Derreumaux expects he will discover as he pushes himself to the limit on the water. Although he has conquered the ocean in a small craft before — setting a Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing to Hawaii with three other rowers in 2016 — this will be the first time doing it solo, and in a kayak. “The biggest challenge will be being alone. I don’t know how I’m going to react. I’ve been training for it,” he says. “I have all the entertainment in the world — music audiobooks and podcasts and I’m planning to download all the seasons of Seinfeld. But I might end up talking to myself.” Derreumaux also has multiple sets of everything, including GPS units, a satellite phone, water desalination devices, water
pumps, paddles, solar panels and lithium-ion batteries, as well of a selection of high-fat powders and even specially made dehydrated energy bars that each contain 550 calories — a meal in a bar, he says — so that he can last out there without any outside support. His confidence is high given all this but he says storms will still be the scariest part — especially if he is sealed inside his tiny waterproof cabin when one hits. “The waves could be so big that they make the boat flip,” he says, adding that the fully loaded 800-pound boat is self-righting and has a sea anchor, essentially an underwater parachute, that will slow it down and put it in the right orientation against the waves. “You are on the infinite ocean, you don’t see land, and with the fury of the winds, it just makes for a scary moment.” That the custom kayak was made at all is something of a miracle. To find the best person to make it, Derreumaux called the only guy he could think of who might know: Peter Bray, who kayaked from Canada to Ireland in 2001 in a vessel made by Rob Feloy. “It didn’t tip once,” Bray told Derreumaux, who tracked down the English boat builder, by then retired, and convinced him to make his craft, the Valentine. “Look, I would love for you to build it if you could, you know, there’s nobody else,” he told Feloy. “I must have been enthusiastic enough that he decided to take on the project.” Above all else, Derreumaux knows this will be a lifechanging journey. “I don’t know what I’ll learn. But I know I’ll be a different person and hopefully a better human being when I come back,” he says, thinking back to his previous crossing. “When I arrived home, I enjoyed all these simple pleasures so much — my dry pillow, a hot shower and hot coffee. Everything had so much more value that you can’t explain if you’ve never missed it.” marin living. may 2021 65
new digs.
Plants Need Social Distancing Too
When it comes to planting your home garden, spatial planning is key. By Christian Douglas 66 may 2021 marin living.
This page and opposite: Sasha Gulish
Christian Douglas and The Backyard Farm Company team hard at work.
DO SPRING TRIPS TO THE GARDEN nursery tend to get the best of you? Surrounded by an overflow of tantalizing vegetable seedlings bursting with delicious potential, you can easily find yourself leaving the store with way more plants than you have room for in your garden. Back home, you try and figure out a way to squeeze them all in and hope that the 10 tomato plants don’t elbow out the eggplants, peppers and basils you’ve planted right next to them. You’re not alone; it happens to the best of us. However, packing in more plants doesn’t necessarily mean more production — and without a clear crop plan, you might be hurting your harvests. Use these three planting techniques to give your plants some breathing room and make the most of your summer garden. Keep Your Distance Each plant is competing for the sunlight, water, nutrients and air that it needs to grow to its full potential. Planted too closely together, seedlings will struggle to get enough nutrients in their crowded root zone or enough sun on their leaves, and as a result they often will not grow large enough to reach their full harvest potential. Similar to a houseplant in too small of a pot or a sapling in the shade of larger trees overcrowded garden beds can leave plants looking spindly or stunted instead of robust. Overcrowding your garden can also increase the likelihood of disease and nutrient deficiency. Without scarcity of airflow and sunlight between leaves, fungal and bacterial diseases become more prevalent and spread easily. Do yourself and your plants a favor by giving them enough room to grow. This is especially important for large crops like tomatoes, brassica and squash, which are heavy feeders (they eat up a lot of
Try succession planting so you have a continuous supply of fresh vegetables.
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new digs.
Salad greens require a little less space than other crops and can be enjoyed all summer.
Get Specialized Sometimes less really is more. It’s tempting to grow one of every variety you see in the seed catalogue or at the nursery, but this can lead to unsatisfactorily small harvests all around. Instead, try devoting more space to the vegetables you use most. For example, a large patch of salad greens is always good to have on hand, or enough snap peas to use in a recipe for the whole family. Specializing in five or so vegetables that you can get multiple harvests from is a smart way to grow. We find that specialization produces harvests that can help you scratch items off your grocery list. You may find yourself saying, “I never have to buy kale at the store again!” Other perfectly prolific summer vegetables include basil, cherry tomatoes, chard, green beans, shishito and jalapeño peppers, and zucchini. Work in Succession If you only plant veggies once in the spring, you’re likely to run out of salad greens and root crops to harvest after 68 may 2021 marin living.
Spacing Specifics Front Row Successions: 20–40 seeds per foot: arugula, loose-leaf lettuce, cilantro, carrots, turnips, radish (root veg seedlings should be thinned to 1 inch apart). If you live in a hot part of Marin, avoid planting these in the midsummer heat. Middle of the Pack: 3–4 inches: peas, beans, mustard greens, spinach; 6–10 inches: bok choy, fennel, endive, lettuce, onions (and garlic; leeks in winter) Large and in Charge: 1 foot: peppers, strawberries, celery, chard, kale, collards, potato, basil (basil likes its own company, so plant in clusters); 18 inches: cucumber, eggplant (broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower in the winter); 2 feet: tomatoes, summer squash (zucchini), winter squash (like butternut, plant in the spring, harvest in fall, eat through winter). It’s always a good idea to plant tall crops in the “back” (often north, depending on your garden’s orientation to the sun) so that they don’t cast shade on your other crops.
a month or two. Succession planting is the practice of staggering your plantings over time so that you never run out. Lettuce, arugula, mustard greens, radish, carrots and cilantro are all ideal candidates — just seed a new row every month for an almost continuous supply. It’s easy to see why this is one of my favorite backyard tips. The ideal summer garden includes an even mix of these smaller, fast growing succession crops and the larger long-term crops. You can be eating lettuce, radishes and kale all spring while you wait for your tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers to ripen up. Now just remember to amend your soil with compost or fertilizer before planting and water your veggies consistently. Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to a bountiful summer. And if you still have crop planning questions, The Backyard Farm Company has just launched a Farm in Four Weeks online course that covers all the fundamentals of backyard farming. Christian Douglas, of Marin-based Christian Douglas Design (www.christian-douglas. com), is an award-winning landscape designer known for his food-forward approach to exterior style. He is the founder of The Backyard Farm Company (www.thebackyardfarm company.com), which supports families by helping them become confident about growing food at home.
Sasha Gulish
nutrients in the soil) with a longer growth cycle, and this also means they are more susceptible to diseases like powdery mildew. Space is a little less crucial for quick small crops like salad greens, radishes and legumes, which don’t require large amounts of nutrients and can still grow quite happily in tight formation.
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May is Mental advertise with us. advertise with us. Health Awareness Month Let us help evolve, grow and promote your brand. For more contact advertising director, Letinformation, us help evolve, growDina and Grant, promote your brand. at dina@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.238.2030. For more information, contact Dina Grant, advertising director, at dina@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.238.2030.
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There is help out there. Here are some local mental health resources. I In Local Suicide Prevention Hotline 415.499.1100 MarinHealth Behavioral Health (www.mymarinhealth.org) or 415.925.8808 County of Marin Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (www.marinhhs.org) Access and Assessment Line 888.818.1115 Crisis Stabilization Unit 415.473.6666 Mobile Crisis Response Team 415.473.6392 National Suicide Prevention Line (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org) or 800.273.8255
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stepping out.
Celebrating Female Winemakers On April 8 Marin Living magazine partnered with Cornerstone Cellars, Napa Valley to present a virtual wine tasting event. The event celebrated the magazine’s April Groundbreaking Women special section and was attended by 20-plus local female business owners and professionals (wine samples were delivered to attendees prior to the event). The star of the show was Cornerstone’s winemaker, Kari Auringer, who presented three wines and shared her winemaking philosophy.
Winemaker Kari Auringer
Some of the pieces offered at Commonwealth
78 may 2021 marin living.
Jason and Alexis Nordby, Heather and Jim Rosenfield
On April 16 Marin Country Mart welcomed its newest store to the family with an outdoor spring soiree to celebrate the opening of Commonwealth. The pop-up jewel shop’s curator, Alexis Nordby, was on hand greeting guests and introducing them to her collection of handpicked designer jewelry while they sipped on Champagne, noshed on bivalves from Hog Island Oyster Co. and enjoyed bites from Tha Siam.
Courtesy of Cornerstone (top); Tammy Horton (bottom)
Baubles & Bubbles
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An Art Experience for All Headlands Center for the Arts’ new executive director is pushing for change in her industry. By Daniel Jewett Photo by Brent Ferguson
WHEN LONGTIME HEADLANDS Center for the Arts (www.headlands. org) executive director Sharon Maidenberg announced her planned departure last year, a committee of staff and past and present board members started an international search to find the right person to expand and enhance the mission of the multidisciplinary, international arts center located in Sausalito at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. They found the ideal candidate in Maricelle “Mari” Robles, an arts educator, leader and administrator who grew up in Chicago, but is also informed and inspired by her Puerto Rican heritage (she is the first Latina to hold this role in the center’s 39-year history). Robles has spent much of her career crisscrossing the country working to build education and inclusivity programs at museums in Miami and Chicago and even at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. “I was excited about this opportunity at Headlands because I feel like it’s such an amazing artist-centric organization,” Robles says. “Given my experience with public programming and my interest in that intersection between communities, people, art and artists, and organizations, it felt like a perfect match.” But it was her experience at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago that is illuminating her path now. “The MCA Chicago is in the Gold Coast neighborhood. It’s a tourist and luxury brand neighborhood. So how could it connect to all of the neighborhoods in the city of Chicago, and what are some strategies that museums can 80 may 2021 marin living.
Mari Robles, Headlands Center for the Arts’ new executive director
employ to signal that they’re listening to a broader audience?” Robles says, adding that while MCA Chicago was answering those questions 15 years ago, it seems that over the last five years more museums have started to seriously address the question of inclusivity. “I think the field is really being taken to task right now and that our cultural institutions should be able to articulate the public good they offer and be a part of the change to make the arts more equitable.” At Headlands, Robles hopes to bring the arts to as many people in the Bay Area as possible by expanding access to the center’s artist talks, hikes, studio visits and tours, and through its new fellowship and its signature Artist-in-Residence programs. “We offer public programs and I’m really interested in continuing to make that a stronger offering, and in making sure that people across the Bay Area know that they can come here, see an exhibition, experience a hike, take a selfguided walk that an artist recommends for you — they can run into creatives and also feel their own creativity.” She wants to see the residencies and the new fellowships, including the
inaugural Threshold Fellowship that launches with a marine biologist who will look at questions of climate change, grow so that there can be more intersections between Bay Area artists and the national and international artists who will come back to the residency program post-pandemic. One way to do that is to keep the Community Rapid Response Fund — created to support artists working in their own communities during the pandemic — going even after the pandemic and to bring the Headlands experience to the public. “We have a gorgeous campus, but it can be difficult to get to,” Robles says. “What does Headlands look like when it is in your community.” When it comes down to it, Robles’ own family experience is the ultimate guiding light for how she wants to approach her work at Headlands. “Growing up, I saw individuals who feel comfortable in cultural spaces, they feel like it’s their own, and that they can claim it regularly,” Robles says. “And then I have family members who don’t feel that way. It’s about how the invitation happens and I think that is where my deep passion for the arts comes from.”
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