entertaining, holiday gifting & the end of 2020.
New Africa/Adobe Stock
Grateful and thankful — home is where family gathers and memories are made.
Nick Svenson 415.505.7674 | nick@marinsfhomes.com www.marinsfhomes.com | BRE #01918616 #1 Agent in Marin County by Transactions, 2019 GGSIR #1 Agent in Marin County by Transactions, 2018 GGSIR
PROMOTION
From Crowded Streets to Country Vines Never hunt for a parking space again. Trade the crowded and expensive urban living experience for an affordable home located in the heart of wine country. No longer just a weekend escape, a growing number of people are leaving San Francisco, the East Bay and Silicon Valley behind and becoming full-time residents of Sonoma County. What better way to do it than at the new, solar-included, farmhouse-style townhomes at Round Barn in Santa Rosa by City Ventures? “Buyers who have always wanted the Russian River Valley lifestyle, but have been tied to their desk in the city, are now free to find more space at a better price here in wine country,” says Natasha Zabaneh, senior vice president at City Ventures. Indeed, as employers
become more flexible and the workplace has morphed into more of mindset than a commute to an office, employees are finding they can widen their net to include buying a home further afield — often paying less per month for a new home than what they were previously paying in rent (prices at Round Barn start as low as $599,990). If that home has a two-car garage, views, a great school district, plenty of space, versatile floorplans and proximity to verdant vineyards and one of California’s top food and wine destinations, all the better. Santa Rosa itself is undergoing a renaissance with the galleries
and shops of pedestrian-friendly Fourth Street, the coffee houses and art galleries of South of A Street (SOFA) district and the antique shops and historic buildings of Old Town. And if recreation is what you are after, there is easy access to the Sonoma Coast, Russian River and local and regional parks like Armstrong Redwoods National Preserve, Howarth Park, Spring Lake and Annadel State Park. All of this will have you asking yourself why you didn’t make the move to Sonoma County earlier. All this and more is waiting for you in Santa Rosa.
www.LoveLiveSantaRosa.com | 707.657.3353
PROMOTION
Flooring Design Center Carpet | Area Rugs | Hardwood | Laminate
555 E. Francisco Blvd, San Rafael www.city-carpets.com • 415-454-4200 • CSL #746886
M O U N TA I N S TO M A R I N A S , MARIN IS OUR HOME
B OWMAN REAL ESTATE GRO U P is comprised of professionals specializing in negotiation, marketing, construction, design, law, and hospitality. Our diverse backgrounds enable us to focus on each aspect of the process, creating a detailoriented experience for our clients. Negotiation is the most valuable tool we bring to the table. Ever y aspect of our process has been tailored to provide our clients the best possible price and terms for their sale or purchase.
B O W M A N R E A L E S TAT E G R O U P. C O M
BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP | 415.755.1040 BowmanRealEstateGroup.com @THEBOWMANGROUP
BowmanGroup@VanguardProperties.com DRE# 01933147
MARIN MATTERS Providing Marin families more of what they want
B O W M A N R E A L E S TAT E G R O U P :
T H E R E ’ S N O PL AC E L I K E H O M E FO R T H E H O L I DAYS
68 Waterside Circle | San Rafael
859 Austin Avenue | Sonoma
55 Robinhood Drive | San Rafael
5 Meadow Avenue | San Rafael
18135 State Route 1 | Marshall
16 Sirard Lane | San Rafael
150 West Trinity Road | Kenwood
75 Sunny Oaks Drive | San Rafael
175 Del Oro Lagoon | Novato
16 Saunders Avenue | San Anselmo
40 Brown Drive | Novato
70 Madrone Road | Fairfax
65 Valley Avenue | Tomales
832 Towne Street | Sonoma
IN THE NEW ‘’BUSINESS AS UNUSUAL” WORLD, 2020 HAS CERTAINLY BEEN A UNIQUE YEAR. We are deeply grateful for the trust our clients have placed in us as we’ve navigated through the transactions together. For our second year in a row, a portion of each purchase and sale is contributed to our favorite charity, Home for a Home, providing homes in Guatemala. Everyone needs the security of a home, especially now.
Want to love where you work? We are searching for passionate sales executives like you who value the ability to express their professional opinion and enjoy working in a positive, transparent company culture. At Marin Living you will have boundless room for professional growth and will benefit from an unrivaled commission structure. We function from a place of individual strengths and team support where goals are clearly identified and celebrated. Our CRM system is state-of-the-art and we have an open-territory structure. Not to mention our casual work-from-home environment, ability to create your own schedule and unlimited vacation time. And most important, you have a love for creating marketing strategies for clients across multiple platforms and a passion for print. If this sounds like a perfect fit, send your resume to Jessica Cline and tell us how you can contribute to our success. jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.302.0850
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Step inside this stunning designer showcase and a recent collaboration between internationally acclaimed designer Laura Hunt and homeowner-with-a-vision Lanessa Erickson. Immediately connecting, the duo went to work on creating the unique touches that make this house a home. This special Mill Valley oasis is situated on a quiet and secluded cul-de-sac with incredible views of the San Francisco skyline and the rolling hills of Marin. With an amazing family friendly floorplan and the perfect balance of elegance and luxury, this 5 bedroom home spans over 5,000 square feet, with a chic and sophisticated surprise at every turn. Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate.
Tell us everything Lanessa… When this house spoke to you…what did it say? After living in SF for 15 years, we were used to beautiful views and easy family living so finding our home in Marin was a challenge. After nearly three years, we found 8 Laurina. We fell in love with the natural light and family friendly floorplan. We also loved that we could be in the city in 20 minutes or Sonoma in 40 minutes. What was your design inspiration? The design was inspired by the surrounding vintage Oak trees on the property. We kept to colors and textures that naturally surround the property. We wanted to pull the outside, inside in a sophisticated and unexpected way. The wallpaper, light fixtures and artwork are all so gorgeously unexpected, yet works unexpectedly well. How did you choose such “steal the show” pieces? Wallpaper is so much fun! Truthfully it was easy with the guidance of our designer, Laura Hunt. Laura listened to all our feedback and was able to pull together samples that could have all worked. Light and art were very important to filling our walls. We love pieces that are organic, sophisticated and still bring the outside, inside. Tell us your favorite room and why? My favorite room is the dining room. This room was very different when we bought the home. The wallpaper, paint, light fixture and custom buffet table feel like a cool bar and private dining space. Just add friends and you have an elegant dinner party!
If you could describe your home as a person, what would his or her traits be? The unexpected, cool kid. You don’t know until you come and see it. What is a feature in your home that you can’t live without? The best feature of the home is having a beautiful, family home in the best location in Mill Valley. We are walking distance to hiking trails and schools and a short drive to San Francisco or the Wine Country. Describe the first words that come to mind when you experience the breathtaking views…if that’s possible. The views are calming. We can see the city and bay or watch the deer, turkeys and the natural fauna that peppers Marin. It has everything one needs to feel close to city life, yet feel just far enough away.
And there we have it, sophisticated elegance in Mill Valley!
www.8laurina.com
Sharon Kramlich DRE 01184449 sharon.kramlich@compass.com 415.609.4473
Kendra Appelbaum DRE 02065311 kendra.appelbaum@compass.com 415.497.1028
Be Your Best Self
Recovery Without Walls, founded and directed by Howard Kornfeld, M.D., is a unique office-based medical practice for those who are questioning or concerned about their relationship with alcohol or other substances. While sheltering in place during Covid-19, problem drinking has significantly increased, particularly among women. As resolutions and hopes for the new year approach, particularly during the pandemic, you could end your reliance on alcohol with advanced techniques and cutting edge medications, using evidence informed approaches that our team has introduced years ahead of other practices. The phrase “recovery without walls� describes a recovery philosophy unencumbered by either the limits of reductionist thinking and the less frequent need for the walls of a residential center.
With a focus on psychotherapy, mindfulness, sleep restoration, yoga and noninflammatory dietary and supplement choices, we treat patients privately in our office with empathy and meticulous confidentiality. You can regain control and reduce the physical and emotional distress associated with withdrawal. Dr. Kornfeld has 30 years of experience and is board certified in addiction, emergency and pain medicine. The practice includes physicians, psychologists, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and eating disorder and recovery specialists. Our team is unrivaled in the field.
Howard Kornfeld, M.D. | Recovery Without Walls | 3 Madrona Street, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.383.2949 | office@recoveryww.com | www.recoveryww.com
RECOVERYWITHOUTWALLS
RECOVERYWITHOUTWALLS
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
Contributing Editor Casey Hatfield-Chiotti Interns Aiden Achuck, Jack Bober, Tiffany Dang Contributing Writers Ahtossa Fullerton, Theresa Gonzalez Copy Editor Cynthia Rubin
Mailing Address Marin Living PO Box 2104 Mill Valley, CA 94941 Office phone: 707.302.0850
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Volume 1, Issue 3. Marin Living magazine is published in Marin County by Five19Publishing Inc., Mill Valley, CA 94941. 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. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Marin Living magazine, PO Box 16895, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6895.
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table of contents. november/december 2020
spotlight marin. 26 news.
Marin’s plan for climate change, an initiative to supply essential workers with masks, a new parklet in San Anselmo and ways to support wildfire victims and frontline workers.
30 local splurges.
Need some holiday shopping inspiration? We have ideas for her, him and the kids.
36 legacy.
A personal reflection on Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s enduring legacy and the mission to keep it alive.
38 local getaways.
Your guide to holiday meal ingredients from local farmers, producers and suppliers.
42 wellness.
Expert advice for navigating a very different kind of holiday season.
44 take note.
Anyone else ready for a staycation? Marin’s charming hotels and inns are the answer.
74 land & sea.
The annual lighted boat parade in Sausalito is ready to set sail.
77 new digs.
Resident urban farming guru Christian Douglas on how to ready your winter garden for spring — right now.
80 drawn together.
The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir on why he supports the Save Our Stages Act.
from the team.
18 from the ceo. 20 from the creative director.
art credit
A look at how some of your favorite annual holiday events are shaping up this year.
going places. 70 voyager.
16 november/december 2020 marin living.
features.
48
54
From entertaining ideas to favorite family recipes, it’s the feel-good guide to the holiday season — 2020 style.
Marin families and schools are still navigating unchartered territories, but silver linings are emerging.
Home for the Holidays Tiffany Dang
We loved our cover so much that we thought it would be fun to continue the search for nuggets from 2020 — how many can you find?
School of Life
On the Cover Illustration by Tiffany Dang
marin living. november/december 2020 17
from the ceo.
I turned 45 this year. There are birthdays I remember, most I don’t — but this year has been extraordinary for so many reasons well beyond the global pandemic, life-altering election and civil unrest. My partners and I started five19publishing Inc. I never dreamed of owning my own business, and for a long time it was something so far out of reach for a girl from a small town in Indiana. Those days are over and here I am living and thriving in the most beautiful place on earth. My love for Marin has grown stronger than I ever thought it could, and it’s because of you. The community is what makes a place a home. We aren’t seeking great fortunes; we are seeking a place of purpose in our lives. A life well lived and one of service is a principle that runs deep in our company culture. You’ll see that we cover the things that matter to Marin, but they also matter greatly to us. Our bold optimism and hope for a better world are the center of our conversations. “We all benefit from a healthier, cleaner community with fair wages and reliable work. We can make more than we thought we could, in different ways. The flexibility and ingenuity shown by our community at this moment inspire hope that we can meet challenges creatively, collaboratively and with compassion,” says Johanna La Fleur of the San Rafael–based Equipe (“team” in French), who is collaborating with several public and private organizations to create masks for our community made by our community. Read more about what they are doing on page 29. It’s community work like this that matters. 18 november/december 2020 marin living.
Speaking of contributing, take a look at the innovative ideas from the doctors in our health and medical special section. These are the leaders in their respective fields and through their state-of-the-art practices and products they offer the community, they are making us feel better in these tough times. I’m so inspired by their passions and how they are giving back. Read more about them on page 60. This year tried to get the best of us, but we gave it our best, and we got the best from this crazy year. I couldn’t possibly be prouder of the hard work, sacrifice, and ability to beat those who didn’t want us to exist at all — and we did it with smiles on our faces, knowing our collective truth would win out. We embrace all the hope, ambition, and wonder 2021 will bring thanks to our partners and readers. We continue in boundless gratitude to those who supported us this year. Happy holidays, Marin. We all deserve a rest.
Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder
Alex Master/Adobe Stock; portrait by Becca Teal Batista
We Made It Work
Spacious suites allow easy movement of equipment and room for experts to do their best work
New technology allows real-time, multiviews of the heart to assist in critical cardiovascular procedures
California’s Most Technologically Advanced New Hospital—Right Here in the North Bay. The new Oak Pavilion at MarinHealth Medical Center is equipped with SM
best-in-class technologies to provide the ultimate Healing Place. Patients benefit from state-of-the-art equipment and advanced technologies in every department, including: • 3 Philips multiuse interventional suites for electrophysiology, cardiac catheterization, and interventional radiology procedures • 2 designated ORs for our da Vinci Xi surgical robot ®
• Advanced imaging systems, including the advanced Philips Ingenia 3 Tesla (T) MRI
Computerized tomography (CT) scanner
• A “Virtual Care” network that enables instant bedside video communication between patients and caregivers • Patient rooms can be converted into a negative pressure environment to contain infectious airborne pathogens Learn more about how your high-tech hospital meets the highest standards of care.
Take a virtual tour of your new hospital at www.MyMarinHealth.org/oak “MarinHealth” and the MarinHealth logo are servicemarks of Marin General Hospital and used by its affiliates pursuant to licensing arrangements.
Connect with us
from the creative director. A holiday table setting by Sausalito-based Alison Events.
For nine months we’ve all been dreaming about our pre-apocalyptic lives — in the rearview those times certainly seem charmed, don’t they? As the last days of 2020 tick away, I think there is one thing we can all agree on: it has been one for the history books. At this point, it’s exhausting just thinking about it. Lifealtering pandemic, unprecedented job loss, economic downturn, Black Lives Matter protests and riots, and catastrophic West Coast wildfires aside, here are some things you may have forgotten about: the Australian bushfires, the invasion of murder hornets (they are back, by the way), Meghan Markle and Prince Harry quitting the royal family, Harvey Weinstein’s conviction and imprisonment, the U.S. drone strike that led to Iran asking Interpol to arrest our president, Tiger King, Grimes and Elon Musk naming their baby X Æ A-12, Beirut’s ghastly explosion, Trump’s impeachment, Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell’s arrest, Marvel hero Chadwick Boseman’s untimely death, the Pentagon releasing UFO videos (and no one cared), shero Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s devastating passing — and did anyone else notice that Kanye West was on the ballot running as vice president? You couldn’t make this stuff up. And even if you did, no one would believe you because it is so bonkers. It certainly leaves a gaping, wide-eyed silence at year’s end. But here we are, and 2021, here we come. 20 november/december 2020 marin living.
When we were thinking about the cover for this issue, there was one thing we knew for certain and that was we wanted to capture the utter chaos this year has unleashed on us and have some fun with it. At first it may just seem like another pretty illustration (thank you to the super talented Tiffany Dang), but look closely — tiny nuggets of 2020’s pandemonium are layered in. Think Where’s Waldo? if he had been microdosing LSD while watching a horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick. That is 2020. What I love most about the illustration is that each time I look at it I notice something new, and it is something that makes me laugh, which is exactly what we all need right now. With all the fire and brimstone, we were acutely aware of the need to balance
this issue out with a little levity alongside some great ideas to make your holiday season more festive — be it gift giving, entertaining, attending holiday events or supporting local arts and culture institutions. From our Marin Living family to yours, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. See you in 2021! Warmly,
Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder
Kristen Wood; portrait by Becca Teal Batista
We’re Still Standing
Cassie Zampa-Keim, owner of Innovative Match, answers the question …
How to take the leap to love? In “normal” times, i.e., before Covid-19, being single and dating around the holidays meant sometimes dealing with uncomfortable social situations. Remember the holiday party scene in Bridget Jones’s Diary when Bridget had to field a slew of awkward questions at the dinner table about her dating life from fellow coupled guests? It was excruciating for her (and me as I watched), but I must say, I gave the woman credit. As much as she dreaded those parties, she went and put herself out there. So did her reindeer jumperwearing future beau, Mark, who she kept running into at those parties. And you should do the same: you’ve got a holiday gathering (or five) coming up on your calendar, whether over Zoom or outside and socially distanced. So get up and get out there.
How has Covid-19 and social distancing rules affected dating, especially around the holiday season? Holiday gatherings may not happen in person at all, which can be to your advantage. If you’re not clicking with the group on one particular Zoom holiday cocktail hour or party, feel free to leave after about 20 minutes. Just make sure you’ve given it the old college try before saying your goodbyes.
Do the holidays offer any advantages for clients looking to date? Opportunity, opportunity, opportunity! How many times can I say it? I can’t emphasize it enough. A holiday gathering can change the context of your interaction in a positive way, allowing you to get to know others in a more casual, personal manner.
Would you say you also help clients become more self-aware and break bad habits? I listen to what’s worked and hasn’t for them in the past. I’m straightforward because I care. I want my clients to move on from whatever’s been holding them back and find the happiness they say they want — and deserve.
What qualities do you possess that make you a good matchmaker? Experience! I’ve been making matches for almost three decades now and I know what makes my clients tick because I take the time to get to know them personally.
Innovative Match, Ross | 415.259.8714 | www.innovative-match.com
D I S C OV E R YO U R O W N P R I VAT E O A S I S I N T O D AY ’ S W O R L D Just twenty minutes north of the foggy city, in the idyllic community of Ross, you will find lush green space, sunny skies, lovely shops and restaurants, and the region’s best schools and recreational activities at your doorstep. These two unique estates offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and provide the best environment for children to learn and play and the ultimate retreat for adults to work, exercise, and relax without a long commute.
$22M
3 UPPER AMES AV E N U E
2.16+ Level Acres 5 Bed 7 Full + 1 Half Bath 8,240 SqFt
With personal surroundings being more paramount than ever, these two extraordinary private enclaves provide spacious living and unparalleled amenities for your family.
3 2 5 U P P E RTOYO N . CO M
3 Car Garage 1 Guest Cottage
$16.5M
325 UPPER T OY O N DRIVE
360Ëš Views
5 Bed
4 Full + 2 Half Bath
8,845 SqFt
CA R E Y H AG G LUN D C O N DY
415.461.8609 carey@careyhagglundcondy.com DRE 01323032
C A R E Y H A G G L U N D C O N D Y. C O M
4.5+ Acres
NEAL WA R D
3 Car Garage
415.269.9933 neal@compass.com DRE 01052285
5 Car Motor Court
N E A LWA R D P R O P E R T I E S . C O M
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
3 U P P E R A M E S AV E N U E . C O M
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spotlight marin.
Jack Bober
Climate Change Reboot Marin’s various municipalities know climate change and sea level rise are coming but have lacked a cohesive effort to address the problem. In a September report titled “Climate Change: How Will Marin Adapt?” the Marin civil grand jury, while applauding the work local governments have done so far, says a centralized strategy is necessary. “By committing to a more collaborative approach, Marin will be better prepared for the difficult climate change challenges that lie ahead,” the report states. The grand jury recommends a “Marin climate adaptation task force” be created, as well as an “office of sustainability and resilience.” marin living. november/december 2020 25
news.
It Takes Two Something fun has just popped up in San Anselmo. Local retailer Longway (formerly Neve and Hawk, www.neveandhawk.com) has teamed up with outdoor design studio OR.CA (www.orcaliving.com) to install the town’s first permanent parklet. Longway owner Kris Galmarini says the intention behind creating the space was community. “The parklet is an answer to a lack of
seating capability in our coffee shop due to Covid, but it’s also an answer to life in general. We need community now more than ever, and this provides that in one of the most beautiful ways I could have ever imagined.” The pieces in this beautifully designed cedar seating area are oiled in various warm tones to echo the rolling golden hills of Central Marin, where
the store is situated. Working with Molly Sedlacek, OR.CA’s founder, was a dream, says Galmarini. “I trusted her vision and knew she would create a magical space for not only us, but our town — a place people can come, smile, feel good and safely be with others.” So what are you waiting for? Grab a cup of java and see for yourself. 641 San Anselmo Avenue.
“This is the next big global industry,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a September news conference. “And California wants to dominate it.” Out of Gas
In this quote the governor is talking about clean-energy technologies such as electric vehicles that will help combat climate change. The executive order accelerates the timeline for California to ban
26 november/december 2020 marin living.
the sale of new greenhouse-gas–producing, gasoline-powered cars statewide by 2035. It’s all part of the state’s overall climate change strategy that has been made more urgent amid a record-breaking wildfire season.
news.
Easy Rider
This page: courtesy of Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition; opposite page: Cass Cleave
There has been a lot of talk about the expansion of the donation-funded Napa Valley Vine Trail (www.vinetrail.org). And the popularity of the current 12-mile trail is on the rise. “Last year we were seeing 350,000 uses of the Vine Trail per year between Yountville and South Napa, and this year, with Covid and despite the fires, that number has jumped to a projected 500,000 uses,” says Chuck McMinn, chair of the Vine Trail Coalition. Eventually the trail will span 47 miles and connect the entire Napa Valley, from Vallejo to Calistoga. Want to get in on the fundraising efforts and spoil the wine collector on your Christmas list? The new Vintner Collection program “lets wine lovers all over the country help to complete the Vine Trail while enjoying fantastic wines in a first of its kind cross-winery bottle design,” adds McMinn. The program is a collaboration between 10 Napa wineries, each of which will craft three barrels of custom cabernet sauvignon. Two bottles will be released each year over the next five years. When the collection is complete, the bottles can be placed side by side to illustrate the Vine Trail in its entirety. Check out the trail website for more ways to give and get involved.
By the Numbers
It was an election for the history books. At press time it was looking like local voter turnout would be the highest in more than a century, and for the first time in California history, ballots were mailed to every registered voter. “Covid has definitely presented challenges. We’ve been implementing many changes as a result of recent legislation that was passed in response to the pandemic — changes such as sending all active registered voters a ballot in the mail and changes to polling places,” says Lynda Roberts, Marin County’s registrar of voters. Here are some 2020 Marin County voting numbers.
news.
By the Book
Bay Area photographer Kristen Loken counts restaurants among her favorite clients, so when the food industry began to suffer during the shelter in place she knew she had to help. “As I began reaching out to chefs, I was hearing stories of loss, yes, but also of resilience. Stories of people cooking for their communities, supporting their neighbors and of strength and hope. I really wanted to capture that spirit and document the time and effort these amazing people have put in in order to survive,” she says. Food People (Are the Best People) (www.food peoplebook.com), released on December 1, shines a spotlight on California’s food industry workers, as they are some of the hardest hit in 2020. Childhood hunger is another cause close to Loken’s heart, so “with schools closed during the pandemic and so many kids not getting the meals they depend on, No Kid Hungry (www.nokid hungry.org) felt like the right place to contribute, and I’m so happy to give them 15 percent of profits from the book,” she says. 28 november/december 2020 marin living.
People Helping People The devastation from Wine Country’s Glass Fire is still raw, with more than 1,500 structures destroyed and hundreds more having sustained damage, including homes, wineries and some of the valley’s most iconic hotels. Countless jobs were lost and many workers — including a huge number of Latino workers — are shouldering the burden in an already tough year. Want to show support for those who were affected? Here’s where to start.
1.
Clif Family winery (www.cliffamily. com) has partnered with cycling clothing company Capo (www.capocycling.com) and Ride Napa Valley (www.ridenapa valley.com) to launch a line of cycling apparel called California Love, which raises money for first responders who courageously battled the 2020 wildfires. Items can be purchased on Capo’s website; just search California Love.
2.
Specifically aimed at Latino-led nonprofits that support families displaced by the wildfires, the Latino Community Foundation (www.latinocf.org) is reinstating its Wildfire Relief Fund. Previously, the
fund was designated for Northern California, but now it helps families all over the state.
3. Supporting sommeliers, tasting room
staff and seasonal harvest workers who lost their jobs due to Covid and/or the fires, the United Sommeliers Foundation (www.unitedsommeliersfoundation.org) is accepting monetary donations through the website.
4.
Working hand-in-hand with donors and nonprofits, the Napa Valley Community Foundation (www.napavalleycf.org) has set up a Disaster Relief Fund to provide both short- and long-term help for members of the community impacted by the fires.
5.
One hundred percent of the taxdeductible donations made to the Redwood Credit Union Community Fund (www.rcucommunityfund.org) will be dispersed directly to fire survivors with a priority for those in Sonoma, Napa, Marin and Lake Counties who have lost their primary residences.
news.
Anabel Vicente
Masks for All
A Handbook for Uncertain Times
Courtesy of EQUIPE
On September 8, 15 Marin schools in Marin County were reopened for on-site instruction. But with that comes a lot of uncertainty for parents, teachers and students alike. To help, Marin County Public Health, working closely with the Marin County Office of Education, created a new online handbook and school status dashboard (coronavirus.marinhhs.org/schools) with information on home symptom screenings, health and hygiene practices, school arrivals and departures, the role of the school health office, attendance policies and protocols for returning to school after a student shows symptoms. Also included on the webpage is an interactive map that gives current school status along with the number of Covid-19 cases among school staff and students. “We thought it would be helpful to have a webpage to bookmark, where we have easy-to-follow steps on this gradual and safe reopening plan from trusted sources,” says Lenora Kwok, RN, Marin Schools Nurses Organization coordinator. “Our ability to get more kids back into school is up to all of us. It’s not time to relax our protective measures.”
What started as a modest effort by Marin resident and business owner Johanna La Fleur to get high-quality, reusable and washable face masks to the county’s essential workers, particularly in the Canal District, has mushroomed into something much larger. “I began in partnership with Canal Alliance to produce masks locally through a network of home-based sewers almost entirely in the Canal District,” says La Fleur, who used her expertise with fabric and sewing garnered through her San Rafael– based canvas bag and home textile business EQUIPE; she donates one mask for every two sold on her site. The first 2,000 masks were delivered to at-risk frontline workers through the alliance’s food pantry days on Tuesday. “They were desperately needing masks and loved the idea that they could have masks that were made by the community for the community.” The idea was so successful that now Kaiser Permanente, the County of Marin, City of San Rafael, the Canal Alliance and Marin Health and Human Services have joined the MarinTogether (www.equipe. design/marin-together) effort with a goal of raising funds, generating awareness and getting 10,000-plus masks produced. You can help by donating $20, which will produce three masks for those in need and keep the sewers employed. “My family and I feel happy to be helping our community,” says sewer Anabel Vicente. “We are thankful to have been able to join EQUIPE in sewing these masks, which helped us create income in a moment of crisis and gave us the opportunity to keep communities safe.” marin living. november/december 2020 29
local splurges.
Gifts Galore
The season of giving is upon us. Here are some gift ideas from local retailers to help you check everyone off your holiday list. By Casey Gillespie
1.
2.
for
HER
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Marin’s newest CBD brand, Molly Jones, takes stress relief to the next level with mouthwatering flavor combinations intended specifically to appeal to women. Plum Cardamom CBD Gumdrops 9-pack box available at Flour Craft Bakery (702 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo) and www. mollyjones.com, $65
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If unique is what you are looking for, then search no further. A collaboration between Heath Ceramics and Alabama Chanin, this necklace is one she’ll wear for years to come. Bird’s Nest Double Large Bar Necklace in indigo, available at Heath Ceramics locations and www.heathceramics. com, $250
30 november/december 2020 marin living.
3.
All products in the newly launched Oleema Skincare line are free of parabens and lauryl sulfites, crafted in small batches and super luxurious. She and her youngerlooking skin will thank you. All Natural Oil Cleanser and Moisturizing Nectar, available at www.oleemaskin care.com, $36 each or $60 for the set
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First published in 1984 as a limited art edition, this Salvador Dalí–designed tarot deck has been resurrected by Taschen, complete with book by German tarot author Johannes Fiebig. Perfect for the tarot curious and Dalí fans alike. Dalí. Tarot by Johannes Fiebig, available at Target and www.target. com, $44.99
5.
Design-forward and oh-so-practical, this Maison Bengal– designed bag is the ideal companion for her weekly farmers market run. And the best part? You will be supporting the cultural institution SFMOMA. Jute Macramé Bag in yellow, available at www.museumstore. sfmoma.com, $45
art credit
5.
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local splurges.
1.
2.
for
HIM 5.
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Obi Kaufmann’s signature watercolor maps and trail paintings tell the epic tale of California’s forests and ecosystems. The Forests of California by Obi Kaufman, available at Marin Art & Garden Center (30 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Ross) and www.marin garden.org, $55
3.
These Joe Doucet Studio playing cards will have him channeling his inner James Bond. Family game night just got a serious upgrade. Areaware Minimalist Playing Cards, available at Hero Shop (Marin Country Mart, Larkspur) and www. heroshopsf.com, $10
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Whimsical pajama bottoms are weekend wear staples, but they might just morph into his favorite workfrom-home pants, too. Roller Rabbit men’s Simon pajama pant, available at Roller Rabbit (Marin Country Mart, Larkspur) or www.rollerrabbit. com, $78
5.
Handcrafted in San Francisco, this messenger bag’s utilitarian design and sleek color combo will surely make it his favorite use-it-for-everything carryall. Heath + Stein Supply Bag in gunmetal, available at Heath Ceramics locations and www.heath ceramics.com, $375
art credit
Cyclists will love the WaveCel technology that promises nextlevel protection against injuries whether he is on dirt, gravel or pavement. Trek Bontrager Specter WaveCel cycling helmet, available at Trek (13 San Clemente Drive, Corte Madera) and www.trekbikes. com, $149.99
4.
32 november/december 2020 marin living.
Find Your Place in Marin Sending warmest gratitude to all my clients — together we are celebrating a record breaking 2020.
When you are looking for a real estate agent, you look for someone who is well respected in the community, trustworthy and holds integrity as the most important value. Southern Marin is a special place and Deborah loves helping clients find the perfect home here. Read her blog to learn more about how recent transplants and legacy Marin residents alike can get the most out of their real estate experience and the latest on the Marin market. Deborah Cole | COMPASS, 250 E Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941 | 415.497.9975 deborah.cole@compass.com | www.deborahcolerealestate.com/blog
local splurges.
1.
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for
KIDS 5.
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What are the holidays without a festive PJ set? Created by three enterprising Bay Area moms, these fair trade pajamas are made from organic cotton and are as cute as they are affordable. Mightly red stripe twopiece PJ set, available at www.mightly.com, $29.95
3.
Keep the kids hydrated in style with one of these playful, brightly hued glass water bottles from Bay Area company bkr. They are so fun, you just might want to pick one (or two) up for yourself, too. Spiked Audrey bottle 500 ml, available at www. mybkr.com, $42
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4.
Spend some quality time with the family and feel great about it — Sausalito-based Boon Supply allows you to donate 40 percent of this purchase to a cause of your choice. Family Conversation Cards, available at Boon Supply (1 Lovell Avenue, Mill Valley) and www.boon supply.com, $26
5.
One part bedtime story and one part history lesson — this will be a favorite with the kiddos. Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World, available at Book Passage (51 Tamal Vista Boulevard, Corte Madera) and www. bookpassage.com, $17.99
art credit
What says holiday fun more than a puzzle the whole family can enjoy? The kids will learn about animals, landmarks and geography and love every minute of it. A win-win all around. Map of the World puzzle, available at SFMOMA and www. museumstore.sfmoma. org, $16.99
4.
34 november/december 2020 marin living.
Live retirement on your own terms Are you on track? If you’re planning for retirement, one of the first steps is organizing your finances so you can do all the things you’ve dreamed about. From creating retirement income, to managing your investments and protecting what you’ve earned, I can help guide you toward a successful and secure retirement. Strengthening your financial securitySM Let’s talk—contact me today. Helen Abe, CIMA®, CPFA, CRPC® Senior Vice President – Financial Advisor 100 Drakes Landing Road, Suite 100 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 © 2020 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.
20-JD-03338 (10/20)
legacy.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s sudden death affected the nation in ways we didn’t think possible, but for women in the legal profession the subsequent call to action has been loud and clear. By Ahtossa Fullerton RBG. Three letters that evoke a woman of enormous intellect and courage. For so many women in the legal community, her passing brought feelings of despair and dread; our mentor, flame-holder and civil rights guardian has left us and created a vacuum so great, it feels nothing can fill that space. 36 november/december 2020 marin living.
So much has been written on what made her so extraordinary: her brilliance, her conviction and her impact as both an attorney and jurist. But for female attorneys one attribute was foremost: she was relatable. She was a working mom, wife, advocate and activist. She could have been a friend from law school, Marin
About the Author Ahtossa Fullerton is a juvenile dependency attorney and serves on the boards of Marin County Women Lawyers, California Women Lawyers and the Marin County Bar Association. She lives in Mill Valley with her family.
Illustration by Tiffany Dang
The Notorious RBG
County Women Lawyers or California Women Lawyers (CWL); someone who fights every day for equality, juggles the demands of family and community, and tries to be the best attorney she can be. The loss created an overwhelming sense of urgency across the nation. Discussion saturated social media. In just three days, members of the CWL board created a nationally attended, virtual tribute with women honoring her from all over the country. One speaker, the Honorable Martha Walters, described how meaningful it was for her as the only woman on the Oregon Supreme Court to have another woman elected to the position. When asked years ago, Justice Ginsburg unabashedly stated there would be enough women on the United States Supreme Court “when there are nine,” as there had been nine men without question. She inspired with grace, practicality and determination. Many are asking, what do we do now? We will keep working to bring about change as Justice Ginsburg did — relentlessly. This loss spurred a feeling of fierce obligation to RBG and to all of her sacrifice. We cannot allow her life of service to have been in vain and must continue to fight for what she advanced. There remains so much to achieve: the Equal Rights Amendment, a woman’s right to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom, and the guarantee of civil rights for all of our citizens, no matter their racial or gender identity. Civil rights are not up for debate. They are the rights of all humanity. While some have made the word “feminism” political, ask any feminist and she will tell you that feminism is about equal opportunity and the right to self-actualize. Justice Ginsburg understood this, and with the help of our allies, we will persevere.
101 Upper Road, Ross $6,995,000 This Howard Backen inspired modern retreat in Ross on over an acre is reminiscent of a boutique winery in Napa with 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms and beautifully landscaped grounds. Designed by acclaimed local designer Jennifer Tidwell of The Workroom, and flawless construction by Adamas Builders the home is the perfect blend of style and attention to detail.
Make This Holiday One to Remember. Try our go-to fall cocktail, combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake for 10 seconds, and serve. Ingredients 4 oz Gin 4 oz Apple Cider 1 oz Lime Juice 2 oz Honey Simple Syrup Dash Cinnamon
Garnishes: Thyme Sprigs 1 Apple – julienned Honey Simple Syrup: ¼ Cup Honey ¼ Cup Hot Water
Radhi Ahern Scott Kalmbach
COMPASS 415.879.8311 ahern-kalmbach.com DRE 01411471 | 01795204 @ahern_kalmbach
local getaways.
Brickmaiden Breads
38 november/december 2020 marin living.
Cowgirl Creamery
Clockwise from top: Jack Bober, Sara Remington, Leonardo Ferri
Point Reyes’ natural beauty makes for a perfect day out.
local getaways.
A Day Out in West Marin and Petaluma From farmers markets to creameries to hand-delivered wines, turn this season’s festive gatherings into a celebration of local purveyors.
Illustration by Tiffany Dang
W
By Casey Gillespie HILE THIS year’s holiday
get-togethers may not look the same as in years past, it doesn’t mean that they have to be any less joyful. In fact, spreading the joy may be even easier than you think when you go on an old-fashioned ingredient-gathering day trip and meet the farmers, bakers, producers and winemakers whose delicious products will be filling your holiday table. From West Marin to Petaluma (and maybe a few side stops along the way) — all you have to do is pack a cooler, your shopping list and a little holiday cheer.
POINT REYES STATION 1. Point Reyes Farmers Market
11250 Highway 1 www.pointreyesfarmersmarket.org The cornucopia of organic seasonal fruit
and vegetables is just the beginning at this quaint farmers market — visitors will enjoy access to numerous and varied local farmers and producers. Think fresh flowers from Point Reyes Flowers, eggs from Chi’ken City by Kitty and gluten-free superfood snacks from Mami’s Crunch.
2. Bovine Bakery
11315 Highway 1 www.bovinebakeryptreyes.com The key to a stress-free holiday meal is knowing what to cook yourself and what to buy. Pies are a great item to leave to the professionals, and Bovine’s are among the yummiest. Preorder your pies and pick up in-store. One bite and you’ll be a fan, guaranteed.
3. Brickmaiden Breads
40 Fourth Street www.brickmaidenbreads.com
Whether you are picking up a loaf of artisan sourdough, a dozen mouthwatering cookies or a savory hand pie to keep you going during your shopping excursion, this is one stop you don’t want to miss. You can also place an order on the website and grab your goodies at the San Rafael Farmers Market (Thursdays and Sundays) or Mill Valley Farmers Market (Fridays).
4. Cowgirl Creamery
80 Fourth Street www.cowgirlcreamery.com Not only is the famed triple-cream Red Hawk made in Point Reyes, this location offers all the Cowgirl favorites and then some. Grab a few bottles of Applegarden Farm cider, local wines crafted in San Anselmo and Nicasio, black truffle honey from Oakland, and so much more. It’s also a perfect place to source some stocking stuffers for the foodies in your life. marin living. november/december 2020 39
local getaways Shucking oysters at Hog Island Oyster Company.
MARSHALL
20215 Highway 1 www.hogislandoysters.com New Year’s Eve celebrations practically beg for oysters, and it doesn’t get any better than driving straight to the source in Tomales Bay. You can also order online and have them delivered or stop by the Larkspur location if you need an oyster fix in a hurry. 40 november/december 2020 marin living.
Remy Anthes
5. Hog Island Oyster Company
In Vino Veritas
Marin winemakers give their expert advice for holiday meal pairings.
2018 Ellen Redding Pinot Noir, Stubbs Vineyard, $42 Pairing: “Any holiday dinner, especially Thanksgiving, will likely bring some bright cranberry-fruitstyle wines to the table. This pinot noir not only is a wine with a deeply rooted local story, it has plenty of fresh raspberry and wild bramble to match the savory elements of Aunt Martha’s gravy-topped stuffing and mashed potatoes.” —Patrick McNeil, Wines That Deliver Availability: www.winesthat deliver.com (free local delivery), Ludwig’s in San Anselmo, Farmshop Bodega in Larkspur
Point Reyes farmland
PETALUMA 6. Marin French Cheese Company
7510 Point Reyes–Petaluma Road www.marinfrenchcheese.com The perfect stop for an artisan-cheesebuying frenzy. The creamery offers so many more options than are available at local supermarkets, and you can grab other staples on your list like Cline Cellars wines, locally made jams and jellies and last-minute Wine Country gifts from the can’t-miss marketplace.
Jack Bober
7. McEvoy Ranch
5935 Red Hill Road www.mcevoyranch.com Only 15 minutes from downtown Petaluma, the ranch has products to meet all your holiday needs: wine, olive oil, jams, tapenades, honeys, vinegars and its own all-natural beauty and bath products for that someone special on your list.
8. Tara Firma Farms
3796 I Street www.tarafirmafarms.com What would the holiday season be without a turkey? Order your organically fed bird ahead of time and pick up at the farm November 21 or 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The online store is a great place to sign up for weekly deliveries — get everything from pork to grass-fed beef to pastureraised chicken.
9. Thistle Meats
160 Petaluma Road www.thistlemeats.com If duck is your go-to holiday meal of choice, then Liberty Ducks (www.liberty ducks.com) is a must. Order straight from the source for home delivery or stop into Thistle and grab duck sausages, liver mousse, breast or a whole bird, along with other meaty must-haves on your list.
2018 Brooks Note Marin County Pinot Noir, $38 Pairing: “Our Marin pinot is from the rolling, windswept hills of West Marin. We love it with an herb-crusted lamb chop or if you’re vegetarian, it’s delicious with sautéed mushrooms, garlic, thyme and rosemary. This is a beautiful wine that will pair with dinner or shine during cocktail hour.” —Garry Brooks, Brooks Note Winery Availability: www.brooksnotewinery.com
2018 Pey-Marin Dry Riesling, The Shell Mound, $22 Pairing: “This deliciously crisp riesling pairs perfectly with both roast turkey and baked ham and is versatile enough for the entire meal. Its delightful aromatics stand up to heavy appetizers, and its crisp finish is great with tangy cranberry sauce. And at only 11 percent alcohol you won’t have to worry that Uncle Henry gets too, um, sauced.” —Jonathan Pey, Pey-Marin Vineyards Availability: www.peymarin.com, Cowgirl Creamery, Point Reyes Station
wellness.
Not So Merry?
Cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and twinkling lights don’t conjure feelings of joy for everyone, and if you are one of those people — or know someone who is — there is help out there. By Casey Gillespie
Why do people feel more of a strain on their mental health during the holiday season? Rebecca Maxwell: There are many reasons like busier schedules, social obligations, religious events, remembering loved ones who have passed, and there is less daylight, which for some directly impacts mood. People often use alcohol as a pick-me-up, but alcohol impairs judgment 42 november/december 2020 marin living.
and rational thinking. Excessive alcohol use or binge drinking may contribute to increased feelings of depression. Because of the pandemic and shelter in place, this year will have more of the same stressors and added ones, too. People may still not be able to gather with their families, social support systems or congregations. Some may have lost people in their lives and grief may be prolonged and exacerbated by the holidays. Heather Carlberg: The pandemic has turned our worlds upside down. For many, it slowed us down in ways we have not seen in years. Our expectations have shifted and we have all had to learn to sit with uncertainty. At the same time, we have been deprived of some of our coping strategies like hugs, travel, dinner with friends, shopping, etc. Additionally, we have had to
manage stress around fires and unhealthy air. This can lead to habits of excess like too much food or alcohol or doom scrolling. The goal of these behaviors is to numb these uncomfortable, uncertain feelings, but sitting with uncertainty is a fundamental task of well-being. What are the main differences between having the holiday blues and a mental health disorder? RM: The major difference is the level of impact that it has upon the individual. It is normal for one to feel more sadness or experience stress during the holidays, but it is usually transient and without significant impact on the individual’s ability to function. It’s when these symptoms become pervasive, last for several weeks or more, and severely impact one’s life that it becomes a mental disorder.
Collages by Emily Blevins
Even in normal circumstances the holidays can be stressful, but 2020 has clearly presented its own set of challenges. We asked MarinHealth’s Heather Carlberg, M.D., medical director of Behavioral Health, and Rebecca Maxwell, LCSW, director of Behavioral Health, for some advice on making the most of the holidays and how to help someone who needs emotional support.
wellness. Tips for coping with 2020 stressors during the holiday season? RM: We can try to let go of what we cannot control, and that seems like a lot these days. But what we are able to control — good quality sleep, regular exercise and eating well-balanced meals — can help us navigate through these challenging times. Get outside as much as possible. Be mindful of your media intake. There is so much fear and misinformation being spread; only rely on trusted news sources and limit your daily exposure. Use technology to stay in touch with those you cannot connect with in person, and do this often. Meditate, take a bath, listen to music and make time to relax. Pay attention to your body, mind and spirit. Don’t ignore feelings or physical symptoms of anger, sadness or frustration.
Reach out to others. Those around you may not know that you feel lonely, so speak up for yourself and ask for what you need. HC: The science of behavioral psychology teaches us that circumstances are a small part of what makes us happy. Our choices around how we spend our time, how we spend our money and where we place our attention are responsible for a much larger percentage of our happiness. Make this holiday a time to use the lessons learned from 2020. Make it slower, be mindful of what you have and stay focused on what really matters. What advice can you give someone who is already dreading the holiday season because they will be spending it alone? RM: Set your expectations and don’t compare your situation to others’. Be kind to yourself, and practice self-care. Reach out to others. Those around you may not know that you feel lonely, so speak up for yourself and ask for what you need. Volunteer — in person or virtually. Giving back helps one feel a sense of purpose and meaning and helps one connect with others. Join a support group or connect with a therapist. What are some signs that kids might be depressed or suffering from another, and possibly newly developed, mental health disorder? RM: Be on the lookout for the commonly
known symptoms of depression such as feeling sad or depressed, decreased interest in things that they used to be interested in, becoming withdrawn or isolative, changes in sleep, appetite, weight, energy, expressions of worthlessness or hopelessness, thoughts of suicide or wanting to die. Children and teens do not necessarily display symptoms of depression like adults. Sometimes they may be more irritable or agitated and may lash out at their parents, siblings or peers. Teens can be impulsive, so listen when they say that they feel sad or even suicidal and offer support and seek help. Be on the lookout for intentional self-injurious behaviors such as cutting, burning, drug or alcohol use. If you notice any of these things, ask how your child is feeling. Be direct and let them know that help is available and they should never feel embarrassed or ashamed letting someone know how they are feeling.
If someone close to you seems to be suffering from a mental health issue and they are unaware of it, how can you help? RM: Talk to them, let them know what you have noticed and offer support. Reach out to those who may be more isolated and lonely; let them know they are not alone. If you are concerned about their safety, offer to support them in making an appointment to speak to a mental health professional. Additional information and resources can be found at MarinHealth Behavioral Health, www.mymarinhealth.org or 415.925.8808; Marin County 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 Lifeline, www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 800.273.8255. marin living.
november/december 2020 43
take note.
The Show Must Go On Not to be stopped by Covid-19 restrictions, three venerable end-of-year performance favorites go virtual to bring fans the traditions they love and need more than ever. By Daniel Jewett
Courtesy of SFGMC
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus
44 november/december 2020 marin living.
A Christmas Carol
[At] Home for the Holidays The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (www.sfgmc.org) was only a few months old when then S.F. Supervisor Dianne Feinstein called on the group to sing at a memorial for Supervisor Harvey Milk after his 1978 assassination. Later, starting in 1990 at the height of the AIDS epidemic, the chorus began presenting the always upbeat Home for the Holidays on Christmas Eve at the Castro Theatre for all the men who could not go — or were not welcome — home to their families. And for its all-virtual 43rd season, the chorus is keeping that tradition alive. The performance is December 24 at 6 p.m. Artistic Director Timothy Seelig talks about the show. Tell us about the show’s history? Three of our holiday shows are the traditional, and now legendary, shows at the Castro Theatre, all on Christmas Eve. Those began more than 30 years ago and they were called Home for the Holidays because we are coming home to the Castro. We hope to film portions of the show from the stage — nobody really knows where you are until you see that iconic proscenium of the stage; it is pretty recognizable and we would love to do that.
Kevin Berne
How are you putting the songs together? We are in the midst of making virtual choir videos and the guys are learning it pretty much on their own, then recording themselves, and it contributes to the large virtual choir. It’s really a different skill set; each of them are singing their parts by themselves to their screen. It’s nothing like standing onstage and seeing an audience respond. But there are two things: what we do and who we are. The “what we do” has been taken away. But the “who we are” as humans and as a community chorus is still fully intact. Did all the restrictions on performance — especially singing — impact member interest this year? Despite knowing that they would not be singing together and that this season would be virtual, 222 dues-paying singers signed up. After this virtual season, God willing, we can gather next summer for the next real season — that’s our hope and dream.
A Christmas Carol The legendary actor James Carpenter returns as Ebenezer Scrooge, joining Sharon Lockwood and students from the American Conservatory Theater’s (www.act-sf.org) Master of Fine Arts program to, for the first time in the San Francisco theater’s 44-year history, bring the ever-popular A Christmas Carol to life as a radio play. The show runs December 4–31, and tickets to the virtual event range from $40 to $60 and include bonus activities for a family of up to four. Associate Conservatory Director Peter Kuo talks about the program. What prompted you to do a radio show this year? Because we are not able to gather in person and in the theater as we normally would. We wanted to keep the Christmas Carol tradition that A.C.T. presents to the Bay Area intact and so we decided to adapt our stage production into an audio drama.
What is it like directing a radio show versus live theater? I’ve been adapting the script a lot; our stage production is very big and visually based. Christmas Past comes in on this swing lit up with electricity and Christmas Future is this big black bird-like creature, but now we don’t have that. So I and some of my collogues went through the original Dickens novel and pulled out sections that have a little more of a narrative — this way we are getting more visual descriptions read out audibly. In this audio drama format, you have more ability to ignite the audience’s imagination in a really exciting way. How does the program reflect our current times? I decided to package the show as four student narrators who are in the middle of this global pandemic and have been socially podding together. As a result, they can’t go home and see their family and friends, so they get together and celebrate by reading A Christmas Carol. marin living. november/december 2020 45
take note. Lisa Fischer sings at GLIDE
The Cultured Life These safe and fun events will get you in the holiday spirit. November 20–January 17 Go on a mile-long socially distanced “Glowfari” through the Oakland Zoo and see hundreds of larger-than-life animal lanterns. www.oaklandzoo.org December 1–31 Follow the Gingerbread Man to the 14th annual Sausalito Gingerbread House Competition and Tour — most houses will be displayed in windows so you can view them from outside. Get the map and more info at www.sausalito.org. December 4–6 and 11–13 Enjoy live entertainment, a holiday singalong, wine and bites, a live performance and a screening from the comfort of your car at Transcendence Theatre Company’s Broadway Holiday at the Drive-In. At SOMO Village in Rohnert Park and Sonoma Raceway. More information at www.bestnightever.org.
haven’t seen for a long time. It’s always a pretty cool event.
An all-star cast, including India.Arie, Joan Baez, Lisa Fischer, Michael Franti, Goapele, Tom Johnston, Ledisi and D’Wayne Wiggins, will come together virtually this year to support GLIDE’s (www. glide.org/holidayjam) mission and bring some holiday cheer. The event, hosted again this year by Renel Brooks-Moon, will feature a mix of live-streamed and archival best-of performances, all in support of the organization’s mission to address some of society’s most pressing issues, including poverty, housing and homelessness, and racial and social justice. The show begins at 6:45 p.m. on November 19 and streaming is free, but donations are encouraged. We spoke to Marin’s Tom Johnston, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this month as a founding member of the Doobie Brothers, about the event.
Why is it important to give your time and talents to GLIDE? It’s damn sure a worthy cause; they are an incredible organization. The first time I met Cecil Williams [pastor emeritus] and got to know all those people, I thought that it was really impressive, I really did. You could tell that they believed in the cause, that there was a good reason for them being there. They weren’t doing it just to look good in the local papers; they were doing it because they really believed in what was going on.
Tell us about the 2012 clip they are going to use of you? It was me performing with the choir; my daughter was there performing as well. It’s really fun to do. You see people you haven’t seen before and people you 46 november/december 2020 marin living.
Why is it important to support organizations like GLIDE? Anything to help them get through these times that are hard for everybody, but doubly hard down there in the Tenderloin area and the areas where they serve. They reach a very diverse group of people; a lot of them need help and are homeless or having problems with substance abuse. And they also provide spiritual guidance — and with what we are going through with Covid, it just intensifies the need for what they are doing.
December 5, 12, 19 Stop by Greenbrae’s Bon Air Center for a socially distanced Santa Claus experience and the chance to write a letter to the big man. You can also grab a tree at the famous Pronzini’s tree lot and wonderland. www.bonair.com December 7–24 See Santa Claus and get photos with proper distancing protocols in place at The Village at Corte Madera. Make reservations at www.villageatcortemade.com/ holiday. Selfie: December 11–13, 16–24 Music: December 12–13, 19–24 Make time to stop by Town Center Corte Madera for photos at the festive holiday photo selfie station and get an ear full of live music while you are there. www.shoptowncenter.com
Courtesy of GLIDE
GLIDE’s Annual Holiday Jam: Rise Up for Change
The Story of Great Design
You’ve found your dream home, but you don’t know how to express your personality in your new home environment. Maybe you are a business owner looking to improve your store layout for maximum revenue growth or you are a real estate agent who wants to show your new listing in its best possible light. You need a project manager with vision, a complete Rolodex of industry contacts and true creative ability. Peter Gilbert of MOS Design (My Own Story) is a master creative and space whisperer with the ability to take a vision, create a concept and manage the project through fruition. He brings his best to the smallest projects and those of massive scale. Let Peter roll up his sleeves and show you what true innovative design looks like. Peter Gilbert | MOS Design (My Own Story) 400 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo 94960 | 415.521.8151 | peter.mosdesign@gmail.com
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By Casey Gillespie
We’ve asked some local friends for tips and tricks to make your end-of-year gathering — no matter how big or small — the highlight of 2020.
Home for the Holidays
Norman and Blake
A table setting can be simple and chic, like this one from Alison Events.
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“We are thinking about renting a house in a drivable location and being near the water; otherwise, my wife, Donna, and I will stay home, cook a savory meal, and create a new ritual that feels meaningful with a few close friends. I am a ‘half-full’ gal and finding joy and being grateful is part of my soul. When I think about our most memorable holidays, they include providing community service and hosting dinners for friends who would have been alone.” —Jodie Silberman, San Rafael
Foraged objects are a great way add some natural flair to a table.
In a normal year, the holidays
Home & Design (www.farmhouseurban. conjure visions of friends and family flying com) Serena Armstrong. “It might seem and driving in from near and far, hearty like an obvious answer, but the key is to hugs and days spent gathering around use a lot of them. A mishmash of votive a cozy table sharing comfort food. This candles covering the center of a table is year, however, will undoubtedly be a little not only beautiful to look at before guests different. With many people still wanting sit down, but it also allows for the room to be ultracautious to protect their pods, lighting to be dimmed.” grandparents and themselves, gatherings Creating a gorgeous tablescape are destined to be more intimate than doesn’t take a professional or a huge ever before. But that doesn’t mean you budget. Armstrong says that much of what have to forgo the holiday you need can be foraged. cheer altogether — in fact, “The best tablescapes are “We typically enjoy the small touches can make this made with found objects. holidays at home in season shine bright. Getting the entire family Marin. We’re Greek, the Whether you are enterinvolved in the gathering of holidays always mean taining a party of two or 10, whatever strikes their fancy lots of family. But my making the dining table feel is part of the fun. Fallen parents are older, and with festive is a great place to leaves, branches, pine cones, the risk of Covid, we’re start. “My go-to for adding feathers, stones, seashells playing it safe and instant festivity to a table and driftwood make great gathering virtually. The is candles,” says interior holiday decorations for the 2021 holiday season is designer and owner of Mill table, mantel, countertop or going to be a blowout!” Valley’s FarmHouseUrban wherever,” she says. — Dean Karnazes, Kentfield
If you are in the Covid cautious camp and want to take the party outside for extra ventilation and distancing but are worried about unpredictable weather, Alison Hotchkiss, owner of Sausalito’s Alison Events (www.alison events.com), has some suggestions. “You can rent umbrellas, heaters and tents. Instead of spending money on a clunky heater you use twice a year, rent one. Same with a tent — if you are worried about rain, throw a little pop-up tent up in the backyard. Or if you have the space, rent a Shelter Co. tent (www.shelter-co. com) and put the kids in there for dinner and a movie,” says Hotchkiss. And if you are concerned about the spread of Covid, have everyone tested before they come over. “It doesn’t hurt to have hand sanitizer and extra masks either,” she adds. Small gatherings can be socially tricky, especially if it is the immediate family, and there are a few insider tricks to make it feel bigger and more celebratory. Hotchkiss recommends “having a big, beautiful floral piece — Good Earth does an amazing job with floral arrangements — an abundant cheese platter and a great playlist with songs everyone will like. Also, new slippers are nice if yours is a no-shoe house like mine. Target has cheap ones, and it’s a fun way to make everyone feel cozy.” marin living.
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Eat, Drink and Be Merry Want to mix things up this year? Here are a few recipes to get you into the swing of things.
By Manny McCall, San Francisco “Simply put, I love lamb, and any opportunity to prepare an entire leg calls for celebration. This recipe combines some of my favorite ingredients and is really easy to make. The best part is that with such a big cut, you’ll have leftovers for sandwiches the next day. That is, if you manage not to eat it all.” Serves: an army; prep time: 25 mins; cook time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Ingredients
To Make
LAMB 1 (6–8 pound) trimmed, bone-in leg of lamb 4 cloves of garlic, minced 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme 2–3 anchovy fillets, chopped (optional) 1 tbsp kosher salt 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper 2 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp olive oil
LAMB 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil. 2. Pat lamb dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, score the top side by making shallow cuts across the lamb. 3. With a mortar and pestle, mash garlic, rosemary, thyme, anchovy, salt and pepper. 4. After you have a consistent paste, fold in Dijon and olive oil. 5. Place lamb, fat side up, on a rack in the prepared roasting pan. Liberally spread garlic mixture evenly over the meat, rubbing thoroughly into every nook and cranny. 6. Place into oven and roast until the
POTATOES 2 pounds yellow wax potatoes 1 smashed garlic clove 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tbsp butter 2 tsp kosher salt 52 november/december 2020 marin living.
lamb reaches an internal temperature of 135°F for medium, about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, or until desired doneness. Let rest for 20 minutes before slicing. POTATOES 1. Fill a pot with one inch of water and put a steamer basket inside. Cover and bring to a boil. 2. While the water is heating, cut the ends off the potatoes and then cut each potato in half. 3. Once the water has reached a boil, adjust heat, and steam the potatoes for 15–20 minutes or until fork tender. 4. Set aside and let cool. (Steaming can be done in advance.) 5. While the lamb is resting, heat a large heavy-bottom pan over medium-high heat. 6. Add garlic, oil and butter to the heavy bottom pan and place potatoes thick side down for about 2–3 minutes until they are brown and slightly crispy around the edges. 7. Flip the potatoes and repeat on the other side. 8. Once the potatoes are done, put them in a bowl and sprinkle with salt.
Manny McCall; portrait by Yvonne Mouser
Herb Roasted Leg of Lamb with Yellow Wax Potatoes
To Make 1. Preheat oven to 500°F. 2. Break the panettone into pieces in a bowl. 3. Melt chocolate on low heat with heavy cream. 4. Beat the eggs and the sugar into the mixture. 5. Add the beaten egg to the chocolate and keep stirring the mixture. 6. Bring it to boil and turn off the heat. 7. Pour the chocolate mixture into the panettone, so it soaks it up. 8. Once the panettone has soaked up the chocolate, using a double boiler, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15–20 minutes. Serve with mascarpone ice cream.
Hemingway Daiquiri
Panettone Chocolate Bread Pudding
Emily Blevins; Christian Darcoli portrait by Charity Epperson
By Nancy Tingley, Larkspur “The past few years my daughter and I have hosted a Christmas cocktail party. We serve hors d’oeuvres like my mother used to make — olives cooked in cheese dough, homemade cheese crackers and pâté. We choose three cocktails and my daughter, who worked as a bartender in college, takes over the bar. The first year, I told her, ‘My friends don’t drink much.’ After the party my daughter said, ‘Rethink that — your friends can drink.’ ”
Ingredients 2 ounces white rum 3/4 ounces fresh lime juice 1/2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice 1/2 ounces maraschino liqueur lime wedge
To Make Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds. Then strain and garnish with a lime wedge.
By Christian Darcoli, director of culinary for Servino Ristorante, Tiburon “This holiday recipe is an elevated take on bread pudding. I created it trying to find a way to give more flavor to this very simple dessert. Panettone is a classic Christmas bread in Italy, where I grew up, and making the bread pudding with it makes a huge difference, giving it a more intense flavor, texture and presentation.”
Ingredients 4 cups heavy cream 2 cups sugar 7 egg yolks 18 ounces mascarpone cheese
To Make Beat the heavy cream, add in the sugar and egg yolks and then the mascarpone cheese. Freeze until ready to serve.
Serves: 12 Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients 1 panettone 1 pound dark chocolate pastilles 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 liter of heavy cream 5 egg yolks 1 cup granulated sugar marin living.
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School of Life As Marin families and local schools navigate learning together while still apart, new, unexpected scenarios are bubbling to the surface, and some silver linings as well. By Theresa Gonzalez Illustrations by Tiffany Dang
W
hile summer in Marin saw county restrictions loosen, schools spent the summer months crafting a plan A, B and C that would make sense for a slew of Covid-19 scenarios this fall. But parents were just recovering from spring. “By the end of May, we were losing our minds. We were completely burned out,” says Bronwyn Wrobel, who was living in Oakland at the time. They didn’t like the idea of putting their kindergarten-age daughter in front of a screen all day, so she and her husband, Jonathan, set their sights on Marin County’s opening schools.
An 8,000-square-foot home in Novato packed with sheltering-friendly amenities (a pool, basketball court and tree house on two lush acres), plus separate living quarters for the grandparents, caught their eye. “We were like, ‘Crazy times call for extreme measures,’ ” she says. They jumped on the opportunity, and the family of three, along with three grandparents, moved in, commune-style, right before the school year kicked off. While multigenerational living wasn’t a thought six months ago, it turned out to be the ideal solution for the family. marin living.
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School’s Out
The Equity Problem
Of course, many Marin schools did not open for in-person learning in the fall and won’t do so until January, but some have started to reopen while some never closed. “We had [student] boarders who were here all summer because they couldn’t go home; their countries were closed,” says LeaAnne Parlette, director of San Domenico Lower School and Middle School in San Anselmo. Using a model proven successful in Denmark, San Domenico teachers were trained on what the school calls a HyFlex model: full days of both synchronous (students work together) and asynchronous learning (students work independently) as well as emotional support, extracurriculars and community building. Outdoor classroom tents, hand-washing stations and water refill stations were set up as part of the school’s health-and-safety measures. Parlette says that 95 percent of the K–8 students and 74 percent of the Upper School students are opting to return to on-campus learning. “I would say the biggest challenge is teachers having to do dual teaching,” says Parlette. That is, making sure that both on-campus learners and distance learners are fully engaged when teachers can no longer walk around the classroom and adjust their lesson depending on whether or not students are getting it. “In a virtual setting, it’s so much more difficult to get that type of feedback,” says Michelle Cortez, assistant principal of Novato High School and director of Marin School of the Arts (MSA). “We’ve discovered how to use breakout rooms and tools like Padlet, which is basically the equivalent of raising your hand and having a discussion.” These tools have helped MSA teachers feel the pulse of the room, Cortez says, but it has required learning how to use a brand-new resource. “I really respect teachers right now,” says Larkspur’s John Glenn, who left his computer consulting business to parent his third and sixth grader full-time. “The problem is that teachers are really struggling just like we are.” Glenn and his wife, Kate Aiken, chose to keep their sons, both enrolled in the Larkspur–Corte Madera School District, at home for the remainder of 2020 when given the choice to return this fall. “We just thought, ‘I don’t even know if I can get my kid to keep on their mask for an hour, let alone four, let alone six,’ ” says Aiken. “Plus, honestly, having to show up to this alien environment of a school that they love but that’s going to feel completely different.” Distance learning has come relatively easy to their boys, but it’s not lost on both parents that they have more advantages in being able to stay home than most. “When I talk to two working parents who are on conference calls full-time, I don’t even know how they could possibly do it,” says Glenn. “I find myself busy, just all day long, supporting my kids.”
The issue of equity is something Marin schools, like many across the country, are grappling with, especially as parents with means have raced to form pandemic pods with private teachers while many low-income children continue to struggle at home without reliable internet. Throughout Marin, says Cortez, schools are starting small hubs that are specially designed for populations of students who are often marginalized. “At Novato High School, we have a small EL (English Learners) hub where on a daily basis we have a controlled cohort of kids who come in and get the support they need,” she says. “They’re still in Zoom classes with their teachers, but they have stable internet. They have any of the resources that they need to do their science experiments, math, readings.” The special education department continues to provide personnel for kids with special needs too, albeit from a distance. Novato Unified School District as well as other schools in Marin County transitioned to a four-by-four schedule, which means kids take up to four classes per semester, but the remote schedule is modified to two Zoom sessions of 90 to 100 minutes each day of synchronous instruction. “That choice was made because of research about how exhausting it is to be on Zoom, so we didn’t want kids to take more than two classes a day of live instruction,” says Cortez.
“I mean, there’s all these added benefits that none of us expected because we’re all just in survival mode, that are actually just so nourishing and feeling very wholesome.”
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The Emotional Element But even with three or four classes a semester, if kids are not staying on top of their independent work they can easily get lost and distracted. “When kids are not understanding the instructions, they start to withdraw because developmentally that’s just what teenagers do,” says Cortez. Mill Valley–based family therapist Marianne Shine works with local teens to help manage their heightened anxiety at this time using a form of drama therapy. “What I’m noticing is that there is a real sense of an existential crisis happening among young people much earlier now than ever before,” she says. Adding to the strain are an unstable political climate, the effects of climate change, and the inevitable anxiety that comes from scrolling the news and social media. “And then when it comes down to doing their math homework at night, they’re like, ‘What’s the point of this?’ ” says Shine. Cortez agrees there’s a huge wellness component that wasn’t as intense in the past. “It’s really reaching out to students to give them the tools that they need to mitigate the loneliness and the isolation that they’re feeling.” That can include encouraging kids to step away from technology to take care of their mental health. MSA students have posted to a school Wellness Log with photos of them baking, painting, biking and reading an actual book. “So it’s really about engagement, engagement, engagement,” says Cortez.
Abby Shewmaker, a junior at Redwood High School, says her lack of motivation was more acute in the spring than it is now that her grades could make a difference in college admissions. But the isolation that stems from sheltering at home has affected her. “I do think that there is a social aspect of high school that I’m definitely missing out on, but I was more bummed about that when this started,” she says. “The crazy thing is, I feel like I’m starting to forget what life was like before the pandemic.”
Close Quarters For many Marin families, home life has taken a bittersweet turn. Shewmaker admits that it has been nice to be home with her family and there’s no rush to return to the social pressures of school. “But sometimes my mom will walk in and say, ‘Oh, I got this thing from the grocery store.’ I’ll be like, ‘Mom, I’m taking a test!’ ” As the work-at-home parent, Aiken sees both sides of the distance learning coin: “You get exposed to all the gnarliness of moment-by-moment kid management,” she says. “I feel like every time I walk out of this room, I’m at risk of being pulled into mom mode when it’s not really what I can afford to do in my workday.” 58 november/december 2020 marin living.
Being a full-time parent right now, says Glenn, is like returning to the days of having toddlers, where there is a constant demand of answering kids’ needs and keeping them out of trouble with little opportunity for a break. “My wife can get out and walk for an hour to take a work call. But if I left for an hour to go for a walk, somebody would be in the hospital.”
It Takes a Village Cheryl Contee, a single parent based in Sausalito, has found parenting during the pandemic especially hard without drop-in child care at her community center and the closure of Marin playgrounds. “I think the failure of the government to really figure out how to provide safe, affordable child care options is real,” says Contee. “And the slow reopening of playgrounds and kid-friendly outdoor spaces is really making a tough situation even tougher.” Women — especially mothers, women with seniority in their business and Black women — have faced distinct challenges as a result of Covid, according to a 2020 McKinsey report. In fact, one in four women are considering downshifting their careers or
leaving the workforce due to Covid-19, and that could have lasting effects on gender and racial diversity in corporate America. But Contee sees a silver lining, having the resources to afford full-time child care while she runs her own business as founder and CTO of Do Big Things, a creative digital agency focused on diversity and social justice causes. “I’m more fortunate than most in that I have a caretaker, so I have a level of control and flexibility that most don’t have. “But how do you explain to a 4-year-old, and for that matter any kid, when their world suddenly turns upside down?” she asks. Contee’s extroverted son was in preschool when it abruptly shut down in March. “He really grieved losing preschool, losing his friends, losing the playground. He’s gone through his own cycle of grief and really regressed, which I heard from a lot of parents in our cohort.” Wrobel, who had to settle for online learning despite the move to Marin, says her daughter gets irritated having to do school in front of a screen. “She’ll look at me and roll her eyes. She’s used to, in the Montessori style, doing her own thing, being in control of her own pace, her own work.” There have been inexplicable meltdowns too. “We’re not able to identify a trigger, like what happened? What started this?”
says Wrobel, a psychotherapist, who was already working from home before the pandemic hit. “Then we have to stop and go, ‘Oh, it’s just everything. She feels our stress. She feels our tension. She feels our fear.’ ” But communal living, six weeks in, has had its benefits, says Wrobel. Everybody pitches in on the yardwork, housework, child care, shopping and cooking, as in a true commune. “I mean, there’s all these added benefits that none of us expected because we’re all just in survival mode, that are actually just so nourishing and feeling very wholesome.” The need for community and connection, when one is deprived of it, can only intensify as families continue to keep their distance. “Human beings were traditionally sort of in a culture of the circle, so you’d have the whole community raise the young people and the whole community would help with the elderly,” says Shine. “And it would just be this feedback loop where people were constantly helping each other.” The proverbial village may look more like a pod, but from a distance, teachers, administrators, essential workers and fellow families are coming together to make the best of a surreal situation, and there is something comforting in that. “Even though our world became smaller,” says Contee, “that world is pretty cozy.” marin living.
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Meet the people and businesses that have made a significant impact in the Bay Area through the state-of-the-art practices and products they offer the community — these are the foremost pioneers in their respective fields. These innovators are truly leading the charge in medical and health innovation.
v_l/Adobe Stock
Medical & Health Innovators
PROMOTION
MEDICAL & HEALTH INNOVATORS
Dr. Chris Bacchi Marin Medical Aesthetics is the first in Northern California to offer the world’s most powerful IPL skin treatments using broad band light in a professional medical spa–like setting. I am the first physician in Northern California to offer treatments using the unique BBL HERO (High Energy Rapid Output) system. I am excited to offer this revolutionary treatment that sets new standards in treating skin conditions associated with aging and solar damage. It is perfect for those enjoying outdoor activities like tennis, golf and swimming/ boating, but have skin conditions from being out in the sun. Why should customers or clients consider you for their next procedure or visit? We are a healthy hybrid between a medical spa and a medical office offering the latest
advances in both body sculpting and skin care. We are known for our warm and friendly staff along with being a stateof-the-art office. An experience with us makes you feel good while helping you to look good. What are you doing to stay connected to the local community? I give back to the community by being a volunteer physician offering medical care through the Rotary Club in San Rafael. What is your unique approach to health that sets you apart in the industry? Our team is comprised of 100 percent
licensed professionals. We pride ourselves on treating each patient from a holistic point-of-view, which allows us to create a highly individualized treatment plan. What do you want people to know about you and/or your business? We think many are surprised to learn what can be done, how affordable it can be, and how fast you’ll see results with little to no downtime. Being a leader in the industry, we have the most advanced devices. For example, who knew you could fix urinary leakage and build your pelvic muscles simply by sitting on our Emsella chair?
Dr. Chris Bacchi | Marin Medical Aesthetics | 807 D Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 415.785.4604 | www.marinmedicalaesthetics.com
PROMOTION
MEDICAL & HEALTH INNOVATORS
Karen Horton, M.D. and Emily Sespaniak, N.P. San Francisco Plastic Surgery offers the highest standards with stunning results. What is it about you and your business that makes you a medical or health expert? I am a board-certified plastic surgeon with four years of undergraduate life sciences education, two years of master of science research, four years of medical school, five years of plastic surgery residency training and a final fellowship year in reconstructive microsurgery. What is your unique approach to health that sets you apart in the industry? A unique all-woman plastic surgery office, we offer the full spectrum of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic treatments to women and men. We employ a holistic approach when getting to know our patients, and we encourage them to be in a healthy place before undergoing any plastic surgery procedure.
Why should customers or clients consider you for their next procedure or visit? We are passionate about delivering beautiful, natural looking results, and our entire team is dedicated to the common goal of creating a top of the line patient experience from start to finish. Why is looking your best so important? It is not selfish or vain to want to look and feel your best. Particularly this year, with all the stressors that have been thrown at us. Are there any new procedures that clients should be aware of? We’re currently excited about jawline slimming and treatment of teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism) with Botox. We’ve observed a recent uptick in the popularity of this treatment with the stress of this year.
Why is now the best time to get that procedure done? Our practice has definitely seen a recent rise in the number of people booking for both surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. Many are now working from home, which provides the perfect opportunity to lay low and recover. What are you doing to stay connected with the local community? I have always volunteered with and supported local nonprofits including the Sparkle Foundation based in Novato, several Bay Area and national breast cancer organizations, and my daughters’ school, acting as the social media coordinator for its annual fundraiser. Emily stays active with the Bay Area Chapter of the California Association for Nurse Practitioners.
Karen Horton, M.D. and Emily Sespaniak, N.P. | San Francisco Plastic Surgery | 2100 Webster Street, Suite 506, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.923.3067 | info@drkarenhorton.com | www.drkarenhorton.com | @drkarenhorton | @bayareainjector
PROMOTION
MEDICAL & HEALTH INNOVATORS
Dr. Faye Jamali Invest in yourself, feel like a VIP and look better than ever with noninvasive medical aesthetic treatments. What is your unique approach to health that sets you apart in the industry? At Belle Marin, unlike at other medical aesthetic practices, every medical procedure is performed by me, the lead doctor/ owner. This ensures the highest level of precision and skill, as well as continuity of care for our clients. With a boutique setting, no waiting times, and many amenities, we always make our clients feel as though they are true VIPs. Why is looking your best so important? Helping you age gracefully and joyfully is our passion and privilege at Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine. You deserve to look and feel your absolute best at every stage of life, and we believe your life shouldn’t
have to stop for aesthetic treatments. Our noninvasive technologies provide maximum results with little-to-no downtime.
face that they would like help improving. We offer many treatments with minimal downtime.
Are there any new procedures that clients should be aware of? We offer the newest skin rejuvenation system on the market called BBL Hero by Sciton. This is the biggest breakthrough in laser and light-based technology in 20 years. Hero results in your skin cells looking and behaving like those of a younger person.
What new services and products do you specialize in that address our current times? Covid-19 has definitely changed all of our lives. We want our clients to know that it is okay to invest in themselves. This investment can be in CoolSculpting, CoolTone and Cellfina to help contour the body, or it can be in skin rejuvenation.
Why is now the best time to get that procedure done? Many of our clients are now on Zoom calls all day and are noticing areas on their
What are your hobbies and interests outside of your business? My hobbies and interests include art and design, painting, hiking, meditation and all things French.
Dr. Faye Jamali | Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine | 250 E. Blithedale Avenue, Suite B, Mill Valley, CA 94941 | 415.887.8718 | www.bellemarin.com
PROMOTION
MEDICAL & HEALTH INNOVATORS
Howard Kornfeld, M.D. and Associates Recovery Without Walls is focusing on our patients’ relationship to alcohol during Covid-19. What is it about you and your business that makes you a medical expert? I am board certified in three specialties with decades of experience in the treatment of alcohol problems, addictions and pain conditions. The phrase “recovery without walls” describe a philosophy unencumbered by either reductionist thinking or the need for the walls of a residential facility. We have maintained this open mind toward alcohol issues, treat most patients privately in our office, and utilize the best “rehab” when needed. What is your emphasis with problem drinking and overall health? During shelter in place, problem drinking has increased, more so in women. Targeted medication, psychotherapy, and peer support are often essential to restore balance and reduce the physical and emotional distress associated with withdrawal, anxiety, insomnia, compulsive behaviors and depression. We are on the cutting edge of introducing medication strategies years ahead of other practices in the region. Our team of seasoned psychotherapists is unrivaled in the field. Privacy and confidentiality are stringently maintained. I encourage my patients toward mindfulness-based exercise, self-care, sleep restoration, yoga and non-inflammatory dietary and supplement choices. What is your approach to community and global health? I have worked locally to end the practice of capital punishment. The 20th century systems theorist, Gregory Bateson, taught me that addressing addictions and the threat of nuclear war and climate catastrophe were interconnected and the deepest priority for humanity to address. I teach and lecture at UCSF and local hospitals. I established and directed a low-income pain clinic at Highland Hospital in Oakland for many years. This year, along with frontline critical care experts, I helped introduce the MATH+ protocol for the hospital treatment of COVID-19 (updates: flccc.net).
Howard Kornfeld, M.D. | Recovery Without Walls | 3 Madrona Street, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.383.2949 | office@recoveryww.com | www.recoveryww.com
PROMOTION
MEDICAL & HEALTH INNOVATORS
Dr. Karron L. Power If you want to look and feel your best, trust doctors who know treatments are more than skin deep. Why is looking your best so important? Beauty comes in many different forms. What I find beautiful is the outward projection of a confident, kind, healthy and happy inner self. I find that people do not feel beautiful if their face is not a reflection of how they feel inside. For example, frown lines bother people because they indicate a deeper worry or irritation that isn’t truly there. However, sometimes it’s necessary to improve a patient’s underlying mood and health so their inner beauty can shine through. Are there any new procedures that clients should be aware of? We are seeing some real breakthroughs in the field of tissue engineering where we harness the body’s ability to heal itself. I often remind patients that if a salamander can grow a whole new leg, we should be able to grow new skin. The key is to use a multilayered approach. We create a stimulus (a laser procedure or injection), provide a scaffold structure (fibrin mesh or extracellular matrix), and enhance the cellular signals (growth factors from platelets and peptides) that trigger stem cells and fibroblasts to make brand new skin. We now treat the undereye area almost exclusively with this regenerative technology, and the results are impressive. The best part of it is it’s 100 percent natural. What is unique about your approach to serving your customers? How you look is often an external manifestation of how you feel. A patient will tell me “I want to look less tired,” but I may ask “How can I help you feel less tired as well?” because treating a person from the inside out will better address a cosmetic concern. Additionally, we focus on the underlying causes of aging and enhance the body’s inherent regenerative capability. Supporting the body’s natural healing process allows us to decrease recovery time while increasing the effectiveness of the end result.
Dr. Karron L. Power, MPH | POWER MD | 206 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae, CA 94904 | 415.785.7995 | www.powermd.com
PROMOTION
MEDICAL & HEALTH INNOVATORS
Dr. Payam Behradnia EZ Smile Family Dental Group is the North Bay leader in high-quality, affordable dental care. What is your unique approach to health that sets you apart in the industry? This family-owned dental group has five convenient locations and a group of experienced general and specialist dentists all under one roof. Who can come to your office? We accept all PPO and HMO dental insurances and for the first time in the North Bay, EZ Smile Dental Group started an in-house dental plan so that those without insurance can get high quality dental care for only $25 per month. Are there any new procedures that clients should be aware of? All our dental offices are state-of-the-art, use highend technology and all services are metal-free. We provide environmental-friendly services like Green Digital X-ray and LASER Technology.
EZ Smile Family Dental Group | San Rafael 415.456.3273 San Francisco 415.584.2537 | Santa Rosa 707.575.9595 | Napa 707.255.7711 www.ezsmilefamily.com
Thank You!
To All of Our Partners And Their Innovative Ideas Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine 250 E. Blithedale Avenue, Suite B, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.887.8718 www.bellemarin.com
Dr. Chris Bacchi Marin Medical Aesthetics 807 D Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 415.785.4604 www.marinmedicalaesthetics.com
Karen Horton, M.D. and Emily Sespaniak, N.P. San Francisco Plastic Surgery 2100 Webster Street, Suite 506, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.923.3067 www.drkarenhorton.com
EZ Smile Family Dental Group San Rafael: 415.456.3273 www.ezsmilefamily.com
Dr. Karron L. Power MPH, POWER MD 206 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae, CA 94904 415.785.7995 www.powermd.com
Howard Kornfeld, M.D. Recovery Without Walls 3 Madrona Street, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.383.2949 www.recoveryww.com
marin trendsetters.
You know who you are — you’re the business owner or community member who is always pushing the envelope to make your life and those of your friends and customers better. Nothing changes without trendsetters. As we kickoff the new year and embrace 2021, placing your profile in this special section will allow you to tell our readers what makes you and your business special, how you color outside the lines and how you plan to lead the way in making the new year a truly special one. Nothing changes without you. For more information, contact Dina Grant, advertising director, at dina@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.238.2030.
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PROMOTION
Community Minded
Look for Love During the Holidays Cassie Zampa-Keim, owner of Innovative Match, has this recommendation: “Holiday gatherings may not happen in person at all, which can be to your advantage. If you’re not clicking with the group on one particular Zoom holiday cocktail hour or party, feel free to leave after about 20 minutes. Just make sure you’ve given it the old college try before saying your goodbyes.” Innovative Match, Ross 415.259.8714 | www.innovative-match.com
Conscious Everyday Luxury, Artisan Crafted and Dyed to Order At Bella Notte, we are committed to creating fewer, better home textiles. In an age of far-flung supply chains and mechanized perfection, we’re proud to make one-of-a-kind linens: designed at our Novato headquarters, exquisitely crafted by master sewers and dyed to order in small batches in our unique, hand-mixed palette. Inspired by the relaxed, natural beauty of the Bay Area, all of our linens are made with intention and care, to be lived in and loved for years. www.bellanottelinens.com customercare@bellanotte.com 60 Galli Drive, Suite 2, Novato CA 94949 415.883.3434
Get to Know MOS Design (My Own Story) Peter Gilbert of MOS Design (My Own Story) is a master creative and space whisperer. Stop by his brand-new brick-and-mortar space in a historic San Anselmo building for some creative inspiration. All design and decor products and collectibles are available for purchase. Peter Gilbert MOS Design (My Own Story) 400 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo 94960 415.521.8151 | peter.mosdesign@gmail.com
Courtesy of Olema House
going places.
No Place Like Home
Most of us are keeping close to home this holiday season, so it’s the perfect excuse to plan a Marin staycation, take in some of the festive celebrations and design your spring garden. marin living. november/december 2020 69
voyager.
70 november/december 2020 marin living.
voyager.
The Great Staycation Show Marin hotels and inns (and yourself) some love with a winter stay. By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti With large gatherings off the table and many states enforcing travel restrictions, it’s not going to be the same holiday routine this year. If you are sticking closer to home, that doesn’t mean you still can’t do something festive. Marin County’s hotels and vacation rentals, located in the county’s most stunning natural settings, have reopened and are welcoming visitors with new safety protocols in place, but with the same warmth and hospitality as before. Whether you need a romantic staycation on the water or a large, homey house for relatives, here are some options.
Olema House Fresh off of a modern makeover, Point Reyes’ lauded Olema House (from $275, www.olemahouse.com) has a new lease on life. The renovation mixed contemporary elements and natural materials: an oversize starburst chandelier now dangles from the lobby’s lofty pitched ceiling, while a new gas fireplace in the lounge sports Heron Blue tiles from Heath Ceramics. Accommodations, including loft-style apartments and private cottages, have been outfitted with reclaimed wood furnishings and heated floors. Surrounded by national forest; hiking, biking, birding and kayaking are in easy reach.
Courtesy of Olema House
The Inn Above Tide
Olema House
There isn’t a bad room at Sausalito’s luxurious Inn Above Tide (from $425, www. innabovetide.com). All 33 rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors leading to furnished private decks with panoramic views of the city skyline and Angel Island. If you splurge for the 800-square-foot penthouse, which has a freestanding spa bathtub with bay views and a sitting area with a woodburning fireplace, you may want to move in permanently. If you decide to venture out, it’s just a quick stroll to the art galleries and restaurants in town. marin living.
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let’s get social! Draft 3
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The Gift of Good Food
Brighten up your holiday meals with Farmhouse Lab’s certified-organic, vegan, real food dressings.
Give the gift of healthy eating and bring culinary joy and beauty into your home or the homes of family and friends with “Local Holidays” themed gift boxes curated by Farmhouse Lab. And what better way to do it than ordering from a women-owned, eco-friendly, Marin-based business. Shop online for single bottles, 2- and 4-packs and gift boxes, all of which can be shipped nationwide. www.farmhouselab.com @farmhouse_lab www.facebook.com/farmhouselab
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voyager.
Waters Edge Located in Tiburon, and the only hotel in the area that sits directly on the San Francisco Bay, Waters Edge (from $237, www.watersedgehotel.com) has scenery in spades and a central location in the middle of the walkable downtown. The 23 guest rooms have nautical-patterned pillows and crisp white bedding, and each has a fireplace and soaking tub. The hotel provides plenty of personal touches: breakfast delivered to guest rooms each morning and freshly baked cookies each night. But the complimentary wine offered each evening near a firepit on the Grand View deck is staycation perfection. On a sunny winter day, pick up picnic provisions at Rustic Bakery and Woodlands Market to take to Angel Island State Park. The ferry to the island leaves from the dock behind the hotel.
Mountain Home Inn
Straus Home Ranch
Straus Home Ranch
John Bosley
This bucolic vacation rental near Marshall includes a 150-year-old farmhouse and 166 acres of organic farmland; heifers graze in the fields behind the elegant white house (from $995, www.straus homeranch.com) with room to sleep 10. The Straus family, who also own Straus Family Creamery, has been farming the land since 1941. Guests have various activities at their fingertips: walking to a small beach for tide-pooling and kayaking or hiking the Tomales Point trail across the bay. But the well-equipped house, with its open kitchen, garden patio with barbecue, and a Steinway from 1910, has plenty of features to entertain you.
William Tell House Originally a 19th-century saloon, this Tomales landmark opened as a small inn
and restaurant in 2018 (from $275, www. williamtellhouse.com). Owner Ted Wilson, who offered shelter to evacuees during the recent fires, ripped up carpets to reveal Douglas fir plank floors from the ’20s and added four guest rooms — including a large family suite — furnished with wrought iron beds, leather lounge chairs and vintage light fixtures. Restaurant and bar service has been moved to the patio for the time being, but the satisfying cuisine, courtesy of chef Austin Perkins, who formerly cooked at Nick’s Cove, remains top-notch. After exploring local creameries, hidden beaches and oyster farms, guests can tuck into a hearty meal like a bread bowl filled with seafood chowder. During the holidays, William Tell House will also be taking pickup orders for Thanksgiving smoked turkey ($125) and Christmas prime rib or rack of lamb ($160) that serve four to six people.
Located on the Mount Tamalpais ridgeline and surrounded by old-growth redwood forests and mountain peaks, Mountain Home Inn (from $179, www.mtnhomeinn. com) is one of Marin’s most romantic hotels and a hiker’s paradise; Muir Woods National Monument, which has six miles of trails, borders the hotel. The inn was built by a Swiss-German couple in 1912 who were homesick for the Alps. The grand lobby inspired by National Park hotels of the 1930s was added in the ’90s. The inn, which has 10 rustic guest rooms, some with four-poster beds and vaulted wood ceilings, is known for its hearty breakfast fare like buttermilk pancakes and ham and onion hash.
Sandpiper Lodging at the Beach This motel on Highway 1 (from $185, www.sandpiperstinsonbeach.com), with 100-year-old redwood cabins and guest rooms with kitchenettes, gas fireplaces and queen beds with warm duvets, is a cozy place to hunker down during a winter storm. When the weather’s fine, there’s also a private garden, barbecue and picnic areas. The hotel is just a few minutes away from Stinson Beach, a gently curved swath that stretches for three miles. Muir Woods, Bolinas, Mill Valley and Point Reyes National Seashore are all a short drive away. marin living.
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Light Up the Night Marin’s annual floating holiday parade is back with more boats than ever and endless places to watch in Sausalito. By Daniel Jewett With Covid-19 restrictions still in effect, many holiday events are being canceled all over Marin. But one end-of-year celebration promises to bring a little light to the evening sky over Richardson Bay and some firework oohs and aahs to boot. Climb aboard your boat or claim a spot on the shoreline, because the community favorite Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade (www.winterfestsausalito.com) is back for its 33rd outing on December 12. “We just came to that decision last week,” says Captain Lisa Scopazzi, who 74 november/december 2020 marin living.
runs and organizes the parade and is also the co-owner of the 75-foot Five Stars yacht. “We are going to go ahead and go for it because we feel we all just need the joy and cheer that it brings to so many. Our little community down here really depends on it.” Scopazzi says organizers are making a few tweaks to the event this year, which should bring in more than the usual 30 boats and offer more ways to watch, including a planned live feed to be broadcast online and on cable TV. She also
says that due to Covid safety concerns, the usual after-party and the next day’s Jingle Bell 5K run are canceled. Fans of the event can watch from almost anywhere in Sausalito or from their homes in the hills and, for the first time, enjoy bites from food trucks sprinkled along the shoreline. “I think we are going to have more boats than ever this year,” Scopazzi says. “People are so tired of being cooped up and want to get out and do something fun, where they can be socially distant.” The event covers the entire Sausalito waterfront, starting north near the Bay Model and moving along the waterfront, past Bridgeway, all the way to Travis Marina near the Golden Gate Bridge. The boats move in a parade-like fashion with Bay Area icon and Sausalito resident James Gabbert (former owner and manager of KOFY-TV and numerous Bay Area FM and AM radio stations) leading the way and setting the pace. Vessels include everything from kayaks to boats as long as 100 feet. Judges at the Sausalito Yacht Club evaluate the boats and issue awards in various categories. “Some boats just go nuts with lights and decorations — the more lights the merrier,” Scopazzi says. “People love themes; if it is clear and can be seen from land, people love that. Some boats even have music and sync it to the lights.” The only downside this year is that in years past, the event helped pack Sausalito’s many waterside restaurants, and that won’t happen in the same way this year. “We are trying to encourage the restaurants to get some more outdoor seating,” she says. Getting her boat ready for the judges brings out the competitive spirit in Scopazzi. “We are proud winners eight years in a row. I always like to win,” she says. “It’s so fun, and it’s become our personal family holiday tradition. We don’t really decorate our house, but we go completely crazy with the boat.”
Gary Ferber
land & sea.
Holiday Delights A curated collection of unique gifts for the home and garden.
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HOLIDAY STYLINGS
Discover fine, handcrafted leather bags by Copia and exquisite feather jewelry by Las Aves Jewelry curated and captured by photographer Cameron Cressman at The Mill Valley Studio.
er circle.
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The Lumber Yard, Suite 601, Mill Valley, CA 94941 www.lasavesjewelry.com | www.copiabags.com www.cameroncressmanphoto.com
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new digs.
Take steps now to ensure your garden looks like this come spring.
Garden Secrets Just because the colder, wetter months are upon us doesn’t mean that you should neglect your garden — quite the opposite. Summer gardens are made in the winter.
W
By Christian Douglas and The Backyard Farm Company
Adam Potts
INTER IS almost here and with the chilly weather comes rain and frost. Not ideal for planting, but should you ignore your garden entirely until February? Absolutely not. In fact, November and December are the best times to prepare for spring, and there are several steps you can take that will enhance your garden come March. From cleanup to compost, here are four things you can do this winter to ensure a plentiful spring garden.
Remove Summer Remnants The first step in transitioning to winter is to clear out all the tired summer plants from your garden beds and compost them. This isn’t just for looks, although that’s definitely
a perk; cleaning up old plants is crucial because it helps prevent fungal and bacterial disease and it will stop aphids and other critter infestations. If your summer garden suffered from severe fungal diseases, we recommend you dispose of infected plants in your green bin rather than a home composting system where the fungi might find its way back into your garden when you use the compost.
as berries, grapes and other vines need pruning too, each in their own particular way. Roses and other edible flowers should be deadheaded and pruned back, which will encourage vigorous new growth and blooms in the spring. If you’re not sure how or what needs to be pruned, it’s safe to start with what farmers call the three Ds of pruning: remove any branches that are dead, diseased or damaged.
Prune the Perennials Be sure to finish up pruning projects before February when things begin to bud again. Fruit trees should be first. And while you don’t have to hire a professional to prune, it’s worth the cost to insure strong form and prolific fruiting. Edible perennials such
Test the Soil This may sound daunting, but it’s well worth the effort and doesn’t need to be done often. Garden soil is a living thing that requires air and water, and is full of beneficial microorganisms, worms, minerals and decomposing organic matter. It’s helpful marin living.
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Bring Some Soul to Your Holiday Table What are you doing for your holiday dinner? Dee Coleman, of Marin-based Dee’s Organic Catering, is standing by to be your personal chef for daily or weekly meals or that special holiday gathering. “I love designing menus for my clients that will provide a delicious meal or gracefully complete an event,” Dee says. “I want you to always remember the food.” A Black-owned family business, Dee wants to bring her family traditions to your table. www.deesorganic.com | 415.312.0790 #Deesorganicmarin
Housekeepers of Marin has been providing Marin residents with high quality cleaning services since 1985. We use PPE to assure the safety of our clients and staff. Photographer and Marin resident, Reny Jane, specializes in personal portraiture, corporate headshots, and commercial lifestyle photography.
415.898.8388 | www.housekeepersofmarin.com
For inquires, please visit www.renyjane.com
new digs.
What To Plant Right Now It’s not too late to plant lettuce, salad mix, arugula, radishes and other fast-growing veggies in your garden over the next few months. All of these can be easily grown from seed with the same simple steps: 1. Create a shallow furrow in your garden bed with a trowel or your finger, ideally along your drip irrigation line.
The winter months are the perfect time to test your garden’s soil.
Lettuces and other fast-growing vegetables are ideal for planting right now.
2. Sprinkle in a few seeds, roughly 15–20 per foot. The closer together the seeds, the more crowded the plants will be. For full size radishes, you may have to thin them to a fingers-width between plants.
Top to bottom: Christian Douglas, Kodiak Drewry; Christian DougalDouglas portrait by Sasha Guilish
3. Cover lightly with just about a quarter-inch of soil. You don’t want to bury them too deep or else they might not have the energy to reach the surface, but you also don’t want to leave them exposed. 4. Water carefully and consistently each morning for the next few weeks while you watch the seedlings sprout.
to think of yourself not only as a gardener, but also a soil steward. When analyzing soil, it’s important to consider its structure (how clumpy or loose it is), its pH, and its nutritional makeup to be sure plants will have everything they need to grow. We reach our daily vitamin intake by eating vegetables, while the vegetables absorb their vitamins directly from the soil. While at-home soil tests are widely available, they are only mildly accurate at best — for detailed results it’s necessary to send a soil sample into a lab for testing. We use A&L Western Laboratories (www. al-labs-west.com) in Modesto, California; they’re fast and affordable. Add Compost Only a soil test will be able to determine exactly what nutrients and pH adjustments
your garden soil needs, but there are some general additions you can make before spring planting. The most important is adding a nitrogen-rich compost mix, which will replenish the nutrients used up by the summer crops. Compost and organic material are also wonderful for improving soil structure and drainage. In most cases it’s also a good idea to add a balanced blend of other essential nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium and calcium. To accomplish this, I recommend a few cups of E.B. Stone Organics All Purpose Plant Food, a local Suisun City product that is sold in nurseries and hardware stores throughout the Bay Area. Be sure to mix compost and amendments into the top 8 to 10 inches of soil until well incorporated, which also helps aerate the soil and makes it easier for roots to stretch out to their full potential.
Christian Douglas, of Marinbased Christian Douglas Design, is an award-winning landscape designer known for his attention to detail and affinity for edible habitats. To complement his landscapes and ensure the growth of sustainable food production practices, he founded The Backyard Farm Co., a progressive urban farming company made up of passionate farmers and designers on a mission to make growing food at home possible and rewarding for everyone.
marin living.
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drawn together.
Center Stage
The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir joins other music industry professionals in supporting the federal Save Our Stages Act — offering a much-needed lifeline to an industry on the verge of collapse.
It is no secret that independent venues like Sweetwater Music Hall and Terrapin Crossroads, and the people who work at them, are hurting as the venues are forced to remain closed during the pandemic. In September, Marin’s Bob Weir joined bandmate Don Was, congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) and other industry professionals at a virtual press conference to rally support for the $10 billion bipartisan Save Our Stages Act, which would provide cash grants offering payroll and rent relief to independent venues, promoters and festivals around the country. “I have something of a cushion to fall back on, but I’m speaking for the folks who are trying to do well or haven’t done well yet — the roadies, venues, agents, songwriters, ticket takers — it’s just endless the number of people who are involved in this industry,” Weir said at the event. “The quality of all our lives depends on what they provide to our culture and our society.” In Marin, where venues have been closed since March, the problem is a very real concern. “Most staff members have worked here for more than five years; we have very little turnover,” says Madison Flach, special events coordinator and general manager at Mill Valley’s Sweetwater Music Hall, where about 75 staff members are not working. “It’s a family that has been laid off, for sure.” According to Flach, one of the hardest parts of weathering the closures is not knowing when and if help is coming, when the venue might reopen and not being able to answer the queries from her employees. 80 november/december 2020 marin living.
As she points out, music venues were the first to close and will be the last to reopen. Weir echoes that point. “I employ a lot of people full time and I feel their angst. I’m there for them, but not everybody can be,” said the musician, who tours with acts like the Wolf Bros and Dead and Company, the latter often traveling with as many as 92 employees. “We need help from the government — music crosses party lines here; everybody needs music.” “In the Napa Valley, in the heart of my district, music and the local performance venues are important for our community and they’ve long been a critical part of our tourism economy as well,” congressman Thompson, who is sponsoring the Save Our Stages Act and the Restart Act (which would start a small business loan program), said at the event. The bills are unlikely to be passed as stand-alone measures, but there is support to include them in a larger Covid-19 relief bill. “The coronavirus has
not been kind to the music industry and it is dealing a crushing financial blow.” “If the government is going to bail out the airlines and all these other corporate industries, I think they should certainly consider looking at the entertainment industry, which has probably been hit the hardest,” Flach says. “It feels like we’ve been neglected.” At San Rafael’s Terrapin Crossroads, which laid off about 100 people soon after it closed in March, the current situation is much the same. “I miss everything about Terrapin — I miss the staff, customers, music, food,” says Nica Orlick-Roy, Terrapin’s director of operations and special events. “Marin’s local venues make up so much of the culture in this area. Terrapin Crossroads has become such a vital part of the community for all ages — children, grandparents, parents. We want to get past this as soon as possible so we can bring music back to the community.”
Jay Blakesberg
By Daniel Jewett
A Sanctuary in the Heart of it All 1019 Melaleuca Lane, Mill Valley
See this enchanting midcentury modern home situated on a sprawling .6-acre lot. The serene property offers privacy in a beautiful setting with numerous decks and outdoor spaces that are ideal for entertaining, relaxing and gardening. Soaring ceilings complement an unbeatable layout including an open-concept kitchen and a dining room and living room, each full of natural light and style. The first floor has space for an office or studio while upstairs has three more bedrooms and a lofted second office area. Below the main level is
a newly updated one-bedroom/one-bathroom apartment with a separate entrance. Set on a cul-de-sac and down a long private driveway, this home offers a unique opportunity to be centrally located yet away from it all. It provides easy freeway access and is close to Good Earth Natural Foods, Hook Fish Co., Red Whale Coffee and much more. Also, the home is just minutes away from the national treasures of Muir Beach, Muir Woods, Mount Tamalpais and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Nick Svenson 415.505.7674 | nick@marinsfhomes.com www.marinsfhomes.com | DRE #01918616 #1 Agent in Marin County by Transactions, 2019 GGSIR #1 Agent in Marin County by Transactions, 2018 GGSIR © Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.
A partnership to provide masks for the community and local income where it is most needed. Donate now!
Our Mission
Our Masks
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Produce two-ply, comfortable cotton masks needed during the pandemic. Provide income to the people of the Canal District in San Rafael where unemployment has skyrocketed due to Covid-19. Donate masks for distribution to Marin’s essential workers.
Our masks are two-ply quality cotton construction with wire at bridge of nose and comfortable elastic straps for close fit; washable and reusable, sewn from overstock fabric; worn solo or over N95s, masks help slow the spread of Covid-19 and generate local income where it's most needed.
MarinTogether is a partnership between EQUIPE, Kaiser Permanente, the County of Marin, City of San Rafael, the Canal Alliance and Marin Health and Human Services to raise funds to produce and distribute, for free, 10,000-plus masks to Marin’s essential workers.
Learn More $20 = 3 masks sewn and donated. Custom and private label order pricing upon request, contact info@EQUIPE.design. DONATE AT: www.equipe.design/marin-together