Pacific Sun - December 28, 2016

YEAR 54, NO. 52 DEC. 28, 2016-JAN. 3, 2017

Guide to

NYE 2016

SERVING MARIN COUNTY

PACIFICSUN.COM

P15

Laughing Matters THE SECRETS OF HUMOR, AND WHY WE NEED IT P8

John Ash Bites p11 ‘Blue & Lonesome’ p13 Year’s Best Films p14

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CLASSES START

January 21

YOU

BELONG HERE

12 1200 Fifth Ave., Suite 200 San Rafael, CA 94901 Phone: 415.485.6700 Fax: 415.485.6266 E-Mail: letters@pacificsun.com

Jessica Palopoli

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Publisher Rosemary Olson x315

NEW YEARS EVE

B L AC K & W H I T E B A L L

EDITORIAL Editor Molly Oleson x316

CONTRIBUTORS Amy Alkon, Rob Brezsny, Charles Brousse, Tom Gogola, Maria Grusauskas, Tanya Henry, Howard Rachelson, Nikki Silverstein, Charlie Swanson, Richard von Busack

ADVERTISING Advertising Account Managers Danielle McCoy x311, Marianne Misz x336

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Movie Page Editor Matt Stafford Copy Editor Lily O’Brien

Classified and Legal Advertising x331 legals@pacificsun.com ART AND PRODUCTION Design Director Kara Brown Art Director Tabi Zarrinnaal Production Operations Manager Sean George Graphic Designers Jimmy Arceneaux Lorin Baeta Chelsea Dederick ADMINISTRATION Accounting and Operations Manager Cecily Josse x331 CEO/Executive Editor Dan Pulcrano PACIFIC SUN (USPS 454-630) Published weekly, on Wednesdays, by Metrosa Inc. Distributed free at more than 500 locations throughout Marin County. Adjudicated a newspaper of General Circulation. First class mailed delivery in Marin available by subscriptions (per year): Marin County $75; out-of-county $90, via credit card, cash or check.

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ON THE COVER Design by Tabi Zarrinnaal

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Letters

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Trivia/Hero & Zero

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Upfront

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Feature

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Food & Drink

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Theater

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Music

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Film/Movies

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Sundial

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Classifieds

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Astrology/Advice

2016 - 2017 CURBSIDE COLLECTION

Remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel and tree stands.

Marin Sanitary Service Customers: Larkspur, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Las Gallinas Valley, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Fairfax and Ross Valley (Sleepy Hollow and Oak Manor): trees will be collected at the curb on your regular yard waste pickup day through the month of January. If trees are greater than 6 feet in length, please cut them in half. Remove all metal stands, plastic tree bags, and ornaments. Flocked trees will not be accepted. Residential customers are encouraged to set trees out during the month of January on their regular service collection day.

Mill Valley Refuse Customers: Almonte, Alto, Belvedere, Corte Madera, Mill Valley, Homestead, Strawberry, & Tiburon: put trees out on the curb on any regular green-waste collection day, starting the week after Christmas. Trees taller than 5 feet in length must be cut in half. Remove metal stands (wooden stands are OK) and all tinsel and ornaments. Flocked trees will not be accepted.

All apartment building tenants should contact their manager. They will set up one day for all Christmas tree collection.

Novato Disposal Customers: During the week of January 2 – January 6 customers may place Christmas trees at the curb the night before their regular collection day. Additionally, trees may be cut in half to fit inside your yard waste container

for collection on your regular service day. Remove all lights, tinsel, ornaments and stands. Flocked trees will not be collected.

Redwood Empire Disposal: Bolinas, Forrest Knolls, Inverness, Marshall, Muir Beach, Nicasio, Olema, Point Reyes, Station, San Geronimo, Stinson Beach, West Marin and Woodacre: cut trees to fit inside your yard waste container.

Remove all lights, tinsel ornaments and stands. Flocked trees will not be collected.

Sausalito/ Marin City: Bay Cities Refuse customers in Sausalito and Marin City can place trees at the curb or in the green cart on your weekly green-waste pick up day. A debris box will be set out at MLK property until mid-January for tree drop off. No metal stands or flocked trees accepted and remove all ornaments.

Tamalpais CSD: Curbside pickup week of January 9th, $15 charge for pickup after the10th, residents can also bring their trees down to the Community Center parking lot and drop off next to the mulch piles. Please make sure to remove all tree stands (wood, metal, or plastic), tinsel, ornaments, etc. Trees can also be cut into pieces no longer than 2 feet long and placed in your green cart. The lid must be closed completely.

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

Remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel and tree stands.

Kentfield: January 2nd through 12th, Trees greater than 6’ in length must be cut in half. College of Marin, Parking Lot #12 (south of gym) Larkspur: January 2nd through 12th, Trees greater than 6’ in length must be cut in half. • Piper Park, 250 Doherty Dr. • Fire Station 16, 15 Barry Rd., Greenbrae / Niven Park, Drakes Landing Rd. Marinwood: January 2nd through 12th, Trees greater than 6’ in length must be cut in half. Flocked Trees and trees with wooden stands will not be accepted. • Marinwood Fire Station, 777 Miller Creek Rd. Point Reyes: December 26 -January 15 , 8:00am-5:00pm. Flocked Trees and trees with stands will not be accepted. • Point Reyes Fire Station; 4th & B Streets th

th

Ross: January 2nd through 12th, Trees greater than 6’ in length must be cut in half.

• Marin Art & Garden Center; 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (across from fire station) Please DO NOT drop trees at the Fire Station.

San Rafael: January 2rd through 12th. Trees greater than 6’ in length must be cut in half. • Fire Station 2: 210 3rd St. (3rd & Union) • Pickleweed Community

Center; 50 Canal St. • Fire Station 7: 3530 Civic Center Dr. (Civic Center) • Fire Station 5: 955 Point San Pedro Road (Glenwood/Peacock Gap Area) • Manuel T. Freitas Parkway & Del Ganado (Scotty’s Market Parking Lot) • Marin Resource Recovery Center, 565 Jacoby Street, during the month of January, trees accepted free of charge. (There will be a charge for flocked trees).

Stinson/Bolinas: M-Sa 9am-5pm. No flocked trees, tinsel, ornaments or stands will be accepted. • Bolinas-Stinson Recovery Park; 25 Olema Bolinas Rd. Tam Valley: Tamalpais Valley Community Center parking lot next to the mulch piles no later than January 30th.

Tomales: December 26th -January 15th, 8:00am-5:00pm. No Flocked trees or wooden stands. • Tomales Fire station; 599 Dillon Beach Rd. Woodacre: December 26th-January 15th, 8:00am-5:00pm. Flocked Trees and trees with wooden stands in place will not be accepted. • Woodacre Fire Station; 33 Castle Rock Rd

Go to ZeroWasteMarin.org for other recycling & disposal options

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CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING

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Dear readers: Our Best of Marin 2017 annual readers’ poll launches next week! From January 4 through February 28, you can go to pacificsun.com and vote for all of your favorite places in the county. And then on April 26, you can look forward to our Best of Marin issue. Happy voting!

Letters Well-done Impressed by this article in the November 30-Dec. 6 edition [‘Pipeline backers’]. Well-researched.

—Will Lana

With confidence I have a hard time visualizing Deportation Forces, decked out in their finest brown shirts, using military might to storm troop Sanctuary Cities, knocking down

doors, rounding up people and putting them into cattle cars if they cannot produce a valid driver’s license, with no resistance whatsoever from their “documented” friends, neighbors and local law enforcement officials. I don’t know about the Dixie States, Idaho, Wyoming, Texas, Utah or the other ultra-blue states, but I can say with confidence that this and any other form of alternative right philosophy will never take hold in California.

—Dennis Kostecki

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415-505-3986 LDA Reg. #21-016 Bond #62254850 | Exp. 1/14/17 Happy New Year! Be sure to check out our roundup on page 15 of fun New Year’s Eve events around Marin.

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By Howard Rachelson

Trivia Café Highlights of 2016, Part I: Well folks, we barely survived another year … below are some of the highlights of 2016. How much do you recall? Happy New Year!

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Trivia Café

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1 Pollsters and pundits were perplexed when British citizens voted on June 23 to do what?

2 After a five-year journey, on July 4 the spacecraft Juno reached what faraway destination?

4a

3 What animated summer movie grossed almost half a billion dollars in about six months, becoming this year’s top box-office success?

4a. In March, President Obama made headlines when he became the first president since Calvin Coolidge in 1928 to visit what controversial nation?

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b. In May, Obama became the first sitting president ever to visit what historically significant city and meet with survivors?

5 This year’s top-grossing app worldwide on Google

Play was what augmented reality game, released by Nintendo in July, that helped get gamers off the couch and into the great outdoors?

6 2016 was the year of drug price gougers. On August 29, pharma company Mylan controversially raised the price of what life-saving medical device?

7 During a music concert on December 3, at least 36 people died in a fire at an Oakland warehouse known by what two-word name?

8 In January, the DeLorean Motor Company announced that they will build about 300 replicas of its 1982 DMC-12, the model featured in what 1985 film?

9a. After a bruising presidential campaign season, Donald Trump won the election with how many electoral votes?

b. Hillary Clinton had about how many more popular votes than Trump?

10 One of the people on this year’s Time magazine Person of the Year shortlist, this singer-activist released a music album with a fruity title, considered by many music critics as best of the year. What singer and what album?

▲ Santa Claus flew into San Rafael last week and stopped to visit the fine folks in the memory care program at Drake Terrace, a senior living center. With his sack full of goodies for the residents, he joined them for an afternoon of nostalgia and cheer.

It was Janet Graham, of San Anselmo, who input Drake Terrace into St. Nick’s GPS and whispered in his ear that the seniors would benefit from some ho ho hos, merry holiday songs and luxurious slippers to warm their tootsies. Some say Graham is one of Santa’s elves and others think she may be an angel. We’re still researching those claims and can’t yet confirm, but we are sure of one thing: Janet Graham is our holiday hero.

Answers on page

»21

Zero

Hero

.b.Howard Rachelson invites you to our next live team trivia contest, Tuesday, January 10 at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael.

Free, with prizes; 6:30pm. Want more trivia? Contact Howard at howard1@triviacafe.com, and visit triviacafe.com for the web’s most interesting questions!

▼ When your dog looks like a cross between a Presa Canario and Satan, it’s understandable that he might make people a tad nervous.

Nevertheless, you were welcome to bring that well-behaved, 125-pound creature to the Sausalito Dog Park.

It was all good. Until it wasn’t. What possessed you to let your canine, which was bred for protection, loose in a dog park with his favorite squeaky toy? Did you think he was going to share nicely? At the point that you said your dog was angry and you couldn’t guarantee the safety of the other dogs trying to play with his toy, did you consider leaving? Nope. You watched the park empty out faster than you could say, “I’m an entitled zero with a dangerous dog.”

—Nikki Silverstein

Got a Hero or a Zero? Please send submissions to nikki_silverstein@yahoo.com.

Toss roses, hurl stones with more Heroes and Zeros at ›› pacificsun.com

A MARIN COUNTY TRADITION

Wishing You a Healthy, Happy 2017!

Join Us for New Year’s Eve! Call today for your reservation.

Bon Appetito!

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Upfront On Friday, December 23, Noam Chomsky issued a video message regarding immigration.

Pardon plea Noam Chomsky calls on Obama to issue mass pardons for undocumented immigrants

By Alexandra Rosenmann

R

etired MIT linguistics professor Noam Chomsky issued a video message on Friday, December 23 regarding the critical problem faced by undocumented immigrants on the verge of a Trump presidency.

“President Obama, to his credit, has issued personal pardons in deserving cases, but he should go far beyond,” Chomsky stated.

On Dec. 19, just weeks before leaving office, President Obama pardoned 78 people and shortened the sentences of 153 other prisoners.

The recipients were all non-violent, low-level drug offenders deserving of a second chance. In total, President Obama has pardoned 1,000 individuals since taking office; more than 50 times that of George W. Bush.

Chomsky then dared the president to set a new record.

“He should proceed to what is, in fact, an urgent necessity, to grant a general pardon to 11 million people who are living and working [in America], productive citizens … threatened with deportation by the incoming administration,” Chomsky insisted.

Donald Trump has promised to

immediately deport 2 to 3 million undocumented immigrants.

Meanwhile, the White House has shut down House Democrats’ request for Obama to pardon Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients through his executive power.”

“As we have repeatedly said for years, only Congress can create legal status for undocumented individuals,” a White House official told BuzzFeed.

President-elect Trump said in early December that he would “work something out” for the DACA Dreamers. But considering that Trump campaigned on the promise of deporting every single illegal immigrant, Chomsky isn’t too hopeful.

“This would be a horrible humanitarian tragedy,” Chomsky said of Trump’s deportation plan.

“And moral outrage can be averted by a general pardon for immigration infractions which the president could issue,” Chomsky said. According to Peter L. Markowitz, a professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, it’s possible.

“President Obama can still act to bring humanity and justice to an immigration system notoriously lacking in both. He can do so by using the power the Constitution grants him—and only him—to pardon individuals for “offenses against the United States,” Markowitz explained in July, just three weeks before Trump officially became the GOP nominee.

Markowitz then revealed that the president’s pardon power does not solely apply to criminal offenses, and can be used to grant a fairly wide range of amnesties.

“It’s a common assumption that pardons can be used only for criminal offenses, and it’s true that they have not been used before for civil immigration violations.

However, the Constitution extends the power to all ‘offenses against the United States,’ which can be interpreted more broadly than just criminal offenses,” Markowitz said, citing Jimmy Carter’s 1977 pardon to half a million draft violations.

Chomsky had a request for viewers as well.

“We should join to urge [President Obama] to carry out this necessary step without delay,” he added.Y

By Tom Gogola On the eve of Noam Chomsky’s call to Obama to pardon the undocumented, Maria de LosAngeles was one of about 30 artist-activists who participated in a march and protest on December 22 in Santa Rosa. The event was a so-called “suitcase action,” in which activists took to the streets to demand the city declare itself a sanctuary for the undocumented in light of recent suggestions from the incoming administration that the country is headed for a brutal round of roundups and deportations, and the end of the Obama-era DACA program.

De LosAngeles is a DACA Dreamer who now finds herself in the crosshairs of anti-immigration zealotry and xenophobia. She helped organize the event and march, and describes it as a success as she highlights that it “was not necessarily a protest,” but more of a gathering for performance artist-activists to push the city to declare itself a sanctuary city. The designation has no legal or official import and simply indicates that a city or town won’t participate or sanction federal raids against undocumented immigrants within their borders.

Before heading back to Brooklyn, where de LosAngeles works as a university professor, she says city leaders here have at least pledged to have a conversation about sanctuary status in Santa Rosa, and she notes that newcomer City Councilman Jack Tibbetts attended the rallyperformance on Thursday. Outgoing Mayor John Sawyer is still on the council (he was replaced by Chris Coursey by a vote of the council); right after the election, Sawyer issued a statement of support for undocumented immigrants, but, as the Press Democrat noted, stopped short of endorsing the call for Santa Rosa to join some 40 other cities around the country that have made the pledge to protect their most vulnerable citizens.

Now there’s a petition urging the city to join the movement. Local sanctuary cities include Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose.

The hot-button sanctuary issue has re-emerged across the country and across the state, the latter prompted in part through a bill recently introduced by state Senate Pro Tempore Kevin de León that would essentially render the entire state a sanctuary zone by telling

the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to stay the heck away.

That bill, SB 54, has been met with some pushback from the elected Marin County Sheriff, Robert Doyle, after the county’s Human Rights Commissioner recently called on the Marin County Board of Supervisors to pass their own anti-ICE resolution.

As they did in Santa Rosa, Marin officials set out to assuage the fears of the immigrant community immediately following the Trump election. A late-November report in the Marin Independent Journal (IJ) highlighted that local law enforcement officials were fanned out in Novato and San Rafael, the county’s two largest cities, meeting with immigrants.

Earlier in December, the IJ also reported on Doyle’s concern with the proposed resolution from Human Rights Commission member Christina Leimer. Doyle told reporter Richard Halstead that while he supported the general thrust of the effort, he took issue with the call to the supervisors to, as he said, “pass an ordinance prohibiting law enforcement from cooperating with ICE.” He went on to wonder to the IJ whether the state even had the authority to tell local law enforcement whether they could or couldn’t engage with ICE agents.

He opposed the Marin resolution, which essentially localized de León’s California Values Act. “I objected to that because I took an oath,” Doyle told the IJ. “People have to remember there are immigration laws, and there are ways to come into the country legally.”

There are, and there are also the so-called Dreamers, many of whose parents came to the country as undocumented immigrants and now face punishment for the actions of their parents.

“I am a dreamer,” says De LosAngeles. “I am concerned.” She says the only way for her to become a U.S. citizen in short order is to get married, and that’s not a priority for de LosAngeles.

Deportation would mean the loss of her university job, not to mention the loss of a community that has sustained her and other Dreamers.

“I grew up here undocumented, I’m undocumented and I have many friends, too, who are undocumented,” she says. “Local support for sanctuary cities is very important because nationally, everything is on the line.”Y

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the age of 30.

Unlike DNA, who began putting on comedy shows at the age of 5, I was born a melancholy child, and for those who can relate, it takes a concerted effort to take yourself (and life) a little less seriously. But if you were born without a funny bone, is it possible to implant one, later in life?

The short answer, according to most humorists, is yes.

“A sense of humor is an attitude in how you approach your work and life. It is a skill that can be developed,” says award-winning humorist Jeanne Robertson. It’s a heartening message, and one repeated by the comics I interviewed, who promised, “you can always get funnier.” Unfortunately, how to do such a thing is not so cut and dry. It involves trial and error, lots of stage time (if you’re a comedian) and being OK with the awkward silence of a joke missing its mark.

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Laughter of the apes

Funny bone

One writer’s quest to unlock the secrets of humor

By Maria Grusauskas

“A sense of humor is an attitude in how you approach your work and life,” says award-winning humorist Jeanne Robertson. “It is a skill that can be developed.”

I

t all began about six months ago in the San Francisco restaurant Fang, where I sat losing control of my bladder. The term “in stitches” fits best here, as I clung for dear life to the edge of the table—in a way I hadn’t done since my days at the kids’ table during family holidays— laughing in uncontrollable peals followed by noiseless, lung-flattening convulsions.

People looked up from their noodles to locate the source of this great, still-vivid laugh: My childhood friend, Emily, across the table from me, calmly reading the text

messages she had received earlier that day from her boss, who happened to have been trapped in an elevator at the time.

What was it about Emily’s story that made it so funny? Was it the story itself, with its tendrils of irony, which climaxed around the time the San Francisco Fire Department arrived with a ladder? Or her delivery: Straight-faced, sparsely monotone and perfectly timed? Or was it the fact that after three decades as best friends, I know Emily’s quirks and the intricacies of her mannerisms better than I know my own?

All of it, I’ve decided.

I can only think of a few things that feel as good as laughter, and ever since that cathartic dinner date, I’ve chased the feeling, like a lifeline tossed

from a best friend, and plunged into a daily, self-administered IV drip of podcast interviews (WTF with Marc Maron), books, YouTube clips (Maria Bamford and everyone else), Netflix specials (Ali Wong’s Baby Cobra) and stand-up comedy rooms on both coasts.

As roast comic Jeff Ross said in a recent NPR interview: “Life is tough.

And if we don’t laugh, our heads will explode.” So I began challenging myself to find something to laugh at every day. I’ll admit, it has taken the edge off the state of the world.

“My mother used to say, ‘If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry,’” says DNA, a comedian and comedy promoter whose ascent into stand-up comedy coincided with the loss of his parents, grandparents, brother and every single aunt and uncle except for one—his now-102-year-old Aunt Dot—before

Found throughout the mammal world, and well-documented in primates and rats, laughter is a behavior that’s intertwined with our evolution as a species. In mammals, it’s associated with tickling, play, and most relevantly, with interaction.

We are 30 times more likely to laugh when we are with other people, says Robert Provine, a neuroscientist and professor of psychology at the University of Maryland, who also found that couples who laugh together report higher levels of satisfaction in their relationships, and stay together longer.

“You laugh [with people] to show that you understand them, that you agree with them, that you like them, that you might actually love them,” says Sophie Scott, a British neuroscientist who explores the differences between posed social laughter and “helpless, involuntary laughter” in her TED Talk Why we laugh. When we laugh together, we are accessing “an ancient evolutionary system that mammals have evolved to make and maintain social bonds,” Scott says.

That’s a powerful notion, but even more so when it’s applied to an unlikely population—like the inmates at Brazos County Jail in Texas, who had to behave well for a month in order to gain entry into Jeff Ross’ comedy performance there. “The women had not been spoken to as women in a long time, is what the

jailers told me,” says Ross. “They’re spoken to as prisoners. We don’t humanize them. They don’t get to laugh like that, especially in a group. And I think it was cathartic for them, and that’s what they told me afterward, that the morale was really high.”

“I think that’s the release with comedy, that no matter what we’re talking about, you laugh communally as a group,” says DNA, who organizes comedy shows through standupsantacruz. com. “And you can have two different dominant world paradigms, but you can still share in laughter, it’s just like music, it brings people together.”

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Courtesy of ‘Why we laugh’ TED Talk with Sophie Scott.

Laughter has been referred to as a medicine, or a drug, and in terms of its immediate effects—it is both.

When we have a good laugh, our bodies respond in a most euphoric way: Endorphins are released, blood pressure drops, stressful emotions are diffused and our muscles relax for up to 45 minutes. It also causes the blood vessels in the heart to dilate—similar to what’s seen when we work out— which also reduces inflammation. In the long term, people with a strong sense of humor outlive those who don’t laugh as much, according to a study in Norway.

The list of positive effects of laughter continues, but I’ll end it here with the only effect I could find that comes remotely close to being negative: A good laugh interferes with talking and breathing. And yes, though it’s rare, death by laughter—usually resulting from asphyxiation or cardiac arrest—has been recorded, as in the case of fifth-century Greek painter Zeuxis, who is said to have died laughing at the way he painted Aphrodite, after the elderly woman who commissioned the piece insisted on modeling for it, too. (Personally, I can’t really think of a more joyful way to leave this world.)

One of my happiest childhood memories is of the kids’ table at family holidays. Not the table itself—a collapsible card-table addendum to the adult table, placed strategically close enough for intermittent disciplining and parental green bean countdowns, but not quite close enough to pop the magical bubble surrounding it—but what happened there. At the time, my older cousins were the

The muscles between our ribs move air in and out of the lungs—and during laughter forcefully contract in a way that pushes air out.

most hilarious people I had ever hung out with; endless dispensaries of well-timed one-liners, dares and an annual riffing on grandma’s jello and marshmallow dish that never seemed to get old. We laughed. A lot.

“Emotionally charged events like laughter trigger a dopamine release, which greatly aids memory and information processing,” writes biologist John Medina in his bestselling book Brain Rules. “You can think of it like a Post-it note that reads, ‘Remember this,’” writes David Nihill, in his book Do You Talk Funny?

It was at the kids’ table that I first experienced laughing so hard that milk spewed from my nostrils— something that not only ignited a high-decibel eruption of guffaws, but also a disapproving scowl from grandma. I’ll note here that it’s not really fair to scold children for laughing: Genuine laughter,

and any sort of bodily leakage that accompanies it, is completely involuntary.

“It’s almost like scaring somebody,” says Chad Opitz, a San Francisco-based comedian who got his start five years ago at the Blue Lagoon in Santa Cruz. “It’s also kind of based on surprise. It’s just an immediate response. If you tell a joke and no one laughs, it doesn’t work.”

It’s also contagious as hell—and Opitz describes audiences that he can tell just aren’t ready to laugh yet.

“People don’t want to be the first ones to laugh. But if other people are laughing, they’re just more comfortable with it,” he says.

Interestingly, our capacity to discern genuine laughter from socially posed laughter doesn’t reach its peak until our late 30s and early 40s, says Scott, who thinks that laughter is less contagious as we age

because we understand it better.

In the same way that laughter serves as a highlighter in our memories—including helping comics remember the bits that worked best on stage—it attracts us to others. Funny people are perceived to be more attractive.

It’s a common characteristic of managers and considered a competitive advantage in the professional world.

“All of the companies stuck in the old mindset that work is work and shouldn’t be fun are getting left in the dust by the companies who embrace a fundamental truth: Their employees are humans, and humans respond to humor,” says Andrew Tarvin, the humorist behind the company Humor That Works.

In a world where 83 percent of Americans say they feel stressed at work, 55 percent are »10 unsatisfied with their job

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Natural high

Funny Bone «9 and 47 percent say they struggle to stay happy, Tarvin not only concludes that we could all benefit from more humor, he also puts a number on our present humor deficit: Close to a trillion dollars in lost productivity and increased costs.

Harbingers of humor If laughter is a drug, then comedians are its prized dealers.

Stand-up comedy rooms are like social petri dishes teeming with clues to humor’s innerworkings.

Since at least 400 B.C, when cynics in Ancient Greece used the stage to tell the truth without censorship, comedians have risen to meet society’s craving for laughter—a job that even Will Ferrell has called “hard, lonely and vicious.”

So I visit them—Santa Cruz’s decade-old Thursday night comedy open mic at the Blue Lagoon; the knock-out Cheaper Than Therapy room in San Francisco and the tightly packed basement of New York’s Comedy Cellar, where a two-drink

“

“You’re presenting your brain to people, your perspective, your viewpoint and it’s no one else’s,” says Opitz. “That’s why I got into comedy, so I could just do my own thing and not have to listen to anybody else.”

What all successful comedians seem to have in common is an unapologetically strong sense of self.

“The first thing you need to do if you want to make yourself funnier,” says DNA, “is figure out what makes you laugh.”

Indeed, footage of Richard Pryor shows that he is constantly cracking himself up. But I’ve also seen a fiveminute set by a girl who laughed a fake, incessant laugh through her entire act—which made me wonder if she was on drugs or just really nervous, and she didn’t hold the audience for very long. Other comics stay deadpan serious, or, in the words of Stephen Colbert, “hide their erection” while the audience laughs. Because, let’s face it, the euphoria of laughter is a two-way street: It feels good for all parties involved.

“Write a list. And if everything on there is like, funerals and horrible accidents, then you’re a really

The first thing you need to do if you want to make yourself funnier is figure out what makes you laugh.

minimum is militantly enforced.

But aside from a few promising theories—like using self-deprecation to instantly get an audience on your side, or the ineffable variable of precise timing—I quickly realize there is no simple formula.

Sure, there are techniques passed around—words with ‘K’ are supposedly funnier, placing the money-word at the end of a joke packs a better punch and using callbacks keep the laugh going—but comedy is a space where the woosh of rules being thrown out the window is an exhilarating pastime.

Every comic, unless they’re a lowly “joke thief,” is a completely different animal, with their own affect, charm and set of talents. And that, really, is the beauty of it.

”

—DNA

dark weirdo person—but that’s OK because there’s a lot of dark weirdo comedians,” DNA says. “It’s Shakespearean, be true to yourself.”

It’s the same reason you’ll notice some comedians revealing their most intimate details— like personality virtuoso Maria Bamford’s material around mental illness and her time spent in a mental institution—while others are better at telling jokes about “toasters and blenders,” says DNA. It’s whatever works for you, whatever feels right.

But comics don’t know if what they’re thinking or writing works on stage until they go on stage and test it. In the same way, several months of my own attempts to make co-workers laugh amounted

Adam Freidin

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San Francisco-based comedian Chad Opitz admits that humor was a defense mechanism while growing up as “the chubby kid.”

to this rating by Jacob Pierce: “Yeah … I feel like you said something funny.” He’s a dry-humored guy, is what I like to think that means.

“It’s hard because you have ego dissolution,” DNA says. “Your entire sense of self collapses every night and you have to rebuild piece by piece—well, not every night, but every comedian has a bad night, even Will Ferrell.”

The only way to endure, it seems, is to maintain the ability to laugh at yourself.

“If you can’t take a joke then you shouldn’t even try comedy,” says DNA. That’s something that came naturally to Opitz, an undeniable talent with a brilliant imagination, a shaggy, bearded appearance and a long history of being the funny one.

“It was a defensive mechanism. I was the chubby kid,” he says of his childhood, spent constantly placing himself at the butt of jokes—an unbreakable persona he admits grew exhausting at times.

Keeping the frog alive In 1941, E.B. White wrote in “Some Remarks on Humor” a statement that has over the years been boiled down to: “Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it.” But my own quest to explain what makes funny funny has not been entirely futile. It’s revealed a few tricks, a deepened

awe for those who do it for a living and some fascinating insights into laughter’s important role as an antidote to the human condition.

Across the board, humor seems to be less about one-liners and telling jokes, and more about making the choice to see the world in a different light—about accepting things about yourself that can’t be changed, and finding humor in situations around you, says Jeanne Robertson.

“Things happen on a daily basis that are really funny, but often people let the funny stuff around them get away—either because they don’t notice stuff that’s funny, or they don’t make it a priority to look for it,” writes David Nihill in Do You Talk Funny?

Opitz and DNA, and surely all who devote their energies to bringing more laughter to the world, have made it a priority.

Advertising is a rich area, Opitz says.

But more often than not, it’s about finding levity in dark or difficult situations, often where people are angry—like traffic, says Opitz. Or a boss stuck in an elevator while a crowd of 300 shifts impatiently in their seats, waiting for her speech.

“Just try to smile at [those things].

There is so much you could get upset about,” Opitz says. “But I’m just going to chuckle at it.”

Through it all, the one thing I did not expect to find was this: There is no laugh like the one you have with (or at) someone you love. The ecstasy of such a laugh is, at least for me, impossible to recreate elsewhere.Y

Courtesy of John Ash

Celebrated chef John Ash has just released his latest cookbook, entitled ‘Cooking Wild: More than 150 Recipes for Eating Close to Nature.’

FOOD & DRINK

Chef evolution John Ash continues to change with the times

By Tanya Henry

W

nearby famous wine regions.

Even before his first cookbook was published (he has now authored five), the celebrated chef opened his eponymously named restaurant John Ash & Co. in Santa Rosa. Though Ash isn’t behind the stoves so much anymore, the restaurant continues to showcase the bounty of the region—which, for more than 25 years, has never steered off course.

Unsurprisingly, the James Beard Award-winning chef continues to evolve with the times and has just released his latest cookbook, entitled Cooking Wild: More than 150 Recipes for Eating Close to Nature that he co-wrote with James O. Fraioli.

Once again, Ash takes a visionary approach to the notion of foraging and wild foods and explains how “eating close to nature” can be attained by shopping at nearby supermarkets. The book helps readers navigate important issues including how food is packaged, produced and marketed.

Here is just a sampling of what’s in the cookbook: Warm Dandelion Salad, Grilled Trout with Herbs and Pancetta, Fried Wild Rice, Spatchcooked Pine Chicken and

For the prosciutto bacon: Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Set a rack on a rimmed baking sheet.

Lay prosciutto on rack and bake until crisp, about 8 minutes. Let cool then break into shards and chips. Y

Courtesy of John Ash

ith a new cookbook and thriving restaurant, chef/ restaurateur and educator John Ash—aka the “Father of Wine Country Cuisine”—shows no sign of retiring his chef jacket anytime soon.

I first had the opportunity to meet the celebrated chef in the mid-’90s when he was the culinary director at Fetzer Vineyards. He took a group of us out into the winery’s large organic garden. It was the first time I had ever met a chef so intimately connected to the source of his ingredients. He quite literally picked items from the garden and included them in our lunch that he prepared later that day. I was blown away. Of course, this is commonplace today, but at the time it seemed revolutionary.

In 1995, long before the phrase ‘farm to table’ became a household term, Ash wrote From the Earth to the Table: John Ash’s Wine Country Cuisine. The book celebrates Northern California and offers more than 400 pages of seasonally focused recipes, along with suggested wine pairings that also come from the

ARUGULA, ASIAN PEAR AND PROSCIUTTO SALAD (Serves 4) The Asian pear has been in America since the late 1800s, but it’s only in the last decade or two that enough trees were planted to provide for commercial production.

These pears, sometimes referred to as oriental pears, Chinese pears or Japanese pears, are considerably different from the better-known regular pear varieties like Bartlett, Bosc and Anjou.

Asian pears have a distinct but pear-like taste and a crisp texture, much like a good apple. Many Asian pear varieties also have an applelike shape, and this combination of taste, texture and shape causes many people to refer to them as “apple pears.” They are sometimes also called “salad pears” or “sand pears.”

Their flesh is crisp, sometimes pleasantly gritty and always sweet.

They do not have the buttery flesh of ripe European pears.

I love them in salads, and here is one of my favorite recipes. If Asian pears aren’t available, use tart-sweet apples, regular pears, mangoes or whatever else is best in the market.

—John Ash

11 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon finely chopped shallots Drops of honey to taste Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 4 cups gently packed baby arugula 1 medium ripe Asian pear, cored, peeled and thinly sliced 4 ripe figs cut into fans 2 ounces shaved Parmigiano Reggiano 4 slices thin (2 ounces) prosciutto “bacon” (method follows) In a large salad bowl, whisk the lemon juice, olive oil, shallots, honey and salt and pepper together. Gently toss the arugula to coat it with the dressing. Add the pears and toss them with the arugula once or twice.

Arrange attractively on plates with the figs and top with the cheese and the prosciutto.

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Rhubarb Galette. If you would like to taste some of the recipes for yourself, you’re in luck! Ash will be at Left Bank in Larkspur for Book Passage’s Cooks with Books series on Thursday, January 19 at 6:30pm. The cost for dinner and a signed book is $115. Learn more or register at bookpassage.com/ cooks-with-books.Y

Thanks to John Ash, you now know how to make your very own arugula, Asian pear and prosciutto salad.

Jessica Palopoli

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The “irresistibly charming musical,” ‘She Loves Me,’ No. 1 in our 2016 roundup, is still on stage at the San Francisco Playhouse.

THEATER

Theater roundup The best productions of 2016

By Charles Brousse

H

ere we go again. Time for the year’s “Top 10” list.

Why 10? I don’t have the slightest idea, except that it’s a nice round number that somebody, somewhere, chose and eventually the herd followed.

Anyway, concerns over turning an art form into a horse race have led me to resist, even though various editors have given what at times were strong hints that they would be mighty pleased if I joined the crowd. “People like lists” is the reason usually given.

Faced with that incontrovertible assertion, after much soul searching and without any pressure from my current editor, I’ve decided to capitulate. Forthwith, in reverse order, are my 2016 Top 10. All but one (Bad Jews, No. 5, a beautiful production that was outside my usual beat) were reviewed in the Pacific Sun.

10. You Never Can Tell, by George Bernard Shaw; produced

by Orinda’s California Shakespeare Theater (Sun review, Aug. 17): One of Shaw’s lesser-known comedies, this was an enormous crowdpleaser. Cal Shakes provided wonderful costumes, sets, music and a cast who seemed to be having as much fun pleasing us as we were in watching them.

9. Our Enemies, by Yussef El Guindi; produced by San Francisco’s Golden Thread Productions (Sun review, Nov. 9): Explored the problem of self-identity: If you’re a hyphenated American (in this case, a Muslim Arab-American), who are you? And who will you allow to speak in your name? It’s provocative material, skillfully handled.

8. Pride and Prejudice—the Musical, score and lyrics by Rita Abrams, book by Josie Brown; produced by Independent Actors

of Marin (Sun review, Oct. 5): Jane Austen’s classic novel, adapted for musical theater, comes out with a fresh luster that clings close to the original, but adds the pleasure of Abrams’ catchy songs and a dance or two.

7. City of Angels, score by Cy Coleman, lyrics by David Zippel, book by Larry Gelbart; produced

by San Francisco Playhouse (Sun review, July 27). A sophisticated script, superb cast, a great band and inspired production values made this a rare treat. There were also some serious issues buried inside what was essentially an entertaining noir.

6. Master Harold … and the Boys, by Athol Fugard; produced

by Berkeley’s Aurora Theatre Company (Sun review, June 29).

Fugard brought South Africa’s apartheid policies to the world stage, and I think this is the finest

example of his work. Aurora’s production, sensitively directed by Timothy Near, gave us an insider’s view of race relations in the regime’s final days.

5. Bad Jews, by Joshua Harmon; produced by Santa Rosa’s ambitious Left Edge Theatre: A “comedy” that raised family dysfunction, Jewish style, into the realm of high art. Wonderfully staged and acted, the sold-out opening night audience sat transfixed for a full hour and 40 minutes before leaping to its feet to cheer and applaud—a response that I heard was repeated throughout the run.

4. West Side Story, score by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents; produced by the Mountain Play Association in Sidney B. Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre (Sun review, May 25).

Whatever the weather, afternoons were never brighter on Mt. Tam than they were for this year’s Mountain Play. Everything came together, from performances to sound quality—a positive omen for the event’s future.

3. Gem of the Ocean, by August Wilson; produced by the Marin Theatre Company (Sun review, Jan. 27). A play of ideas and atmosphere, the production was distinguished by the magnificent performance of Margo Hall as the matriarch in a house full of unforgettable characters. Lovingly staged by Daniel Alexander Jones.

2. August: Osage County, by Tracy Letts; produced by the Marin Theatre Company (Sun review, Sept. 21). It’s becoming clear that Letts’ play is becoming an American classic. Tightly directed by Jasson Minadakis, the MTC production’s only fault was a multi-level girdered set that would have been fine if the actors were monkeys.

1. She Loves Me, score by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, book by Joe Masteroff; produced by the San Francisco Playhouse (Sun review, Dec. 14).

This irresistibly charming musical by a team (sans Masteroff ) that also gave us Fiddler on the Roof is the only pick of the Top 10 still running. Playhouse co-founders Susi Damilano and Bill English went all out to make it a joyous holiday show, and they succeeded.

So there you have it. Happy New Year!Y

MUSIC

U.S. blues Rolling Stones offer potent reminder of why black lives have always mattered

By Tom Gogola

The electors have spoken, the nuclear hothead is glowing, and it’s all over now, baby-blue state.

It’s bad news to end a bad year with very little in the way of good news—unless you’re an angry cracker bent on vengeance against Barack Obama and every last black thing that he stood for. If you’re not, then the best news of 2016 is Blue & Lonesome, the stunning and stinging hark-back album from the Rolling Stones.

Blue & Lonesome is an important record, even if it’s not popping up on many best albums of 2016 lists—or especially because it didn’t make anyone’s list. It’s a blues sleeper cell, and it has just been activated. It’s dangerous.

As the country faces a promised return to a kind of mythic and perversely anhedonic America of the 1950s, complete with 21st-century racial covenants and “Operation Wetback” redux, Blue & Lonesome emerges as a critical line of resistance at the American crossroads. The

Stones offer a dozen blues covers so full of biting licks and crunchy harmonica squawks that the album actually raises the souls of the African-American diaspora for any and all to appreciate. Blue & Lonesome is an ode to the Chicago swinging style and the great postwar African-American migration, offering implied atonements for Jim Crow in what amounts to a full reset and return to the Stones’ primal-ass blues beginnings, circa 1963.

If the Stones’ 30th studio album turns out to be their last, it will be a fittingly ferocious bookend for a band that has redeemed itself in the ears and eyes of many fans who have long wondered when they were going to get back to basics and when they were going to put out a great record on the order of a Some Girls. It’s amazing that the band is still around at the crackling cultural edge, with this thing in their dirty back pocket all along.

The Stones emerged in a highly tumultuous era characterized by

presidential assassinations and lunch-counter sit-ins and racist cops of the KKK persuasion beating blacks half to death or lynching them outright for expressing their rights of free speech and assembly, and the basic freedom to express that, then as now, black lives matter.

Howlin’ Wolf ’s life mattered.

Little Walter’s life mattered and Willie Dixon’s—their lives all mattered, and how. Track by track, Blue & Lonesome features those titans and others and offers joyful solace and solidarity in a vernacular that, to say the least, has been appropriated by white culture all the way from Elvis Presley to Kanye West's Prussia-blue eyes, right down to Ted Nugent.

Ah, the Nuge. When Nugent offers his hateful words and music against Barack Obama, he is doing so from a blues tradition that gave rise to all rock music. He is delivering the Obama hate on the backs of dead slaves and prisoners who worked the fields and the chain

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The Stones didn’t seek to make an anti-Trump record, but the band’s covers of Howlin’ Wolf and other blues greats of the Civil Rights era is just the right music at just the (alt-) right time.

gangs and sang the songs as a matter of survival—literal and spiritual.

At press time, Nuge the Repulsive was the highest-profile performer who would possibly play the inauguration next month, though god only knows why the Beach Boys are considering an invitation to play. Why is everyone else staying away? It’s not just because “Hollywood liberals” find Trump to be a sickening piece of racist garbage that they want nothing to do with, which is partially true. It’s because the alt-right is soulless.

On his great latter-day track “Not Dark Yet,” Bob Dylan sings that “behind every beautiful thing, there’s been some kind of pain.” And that’s the problem right there with hateright appropriations of black music: There is no beauty, but there is a lot of promised pain. What does it say about a “movement” when its cultural vanguard includes crank-haters like Nugent, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine, and the laid-back stylings and stealings of Trump puppet Kid Rock?

They’ve all stood up for Trump in varying degrees of racist posturing—a classic 2011 tweet from Mustaine reads, “Trump’s my hero!

He’s investigating Barry Soetoro aka Obama’s suspicious birth & school records”—and they all have black culture to thank for ever being in a position in the first place where anyone would give a damn what they think about Obama.

And yet “appropriation” is another one of those words that the alt-right has, ironically enough, tried to reappropriate as the latest expression of the white man’s burden. That burden lately includes a black Santa Claus being hired at the Mall of America, and met with outrage from the thin-skinned snowflakes of our time: Santa is white!

This debased discourse over “appropriation” is exactly why Blue & Lonesome is an important record and an album that doesn’t need an overt call to political action to make its point. The fact of the album is itself a political gesture and an announcement that the blues has arrived right on time.

Blue & Lonesome is ultimately a record about resiliency—a celebration of resiliency. It isn’t good news in a year of bad news—it’s excellent news, delivered tight and raw and with the Stones deep in the hoodoo-land of their youth, playing the working man’s music, where the boards are busting and the people are sweating and shaking and shouting and celebrating and suffering.Y

Movies

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By Matthew Stafford

Friday, December 30– Thursday, January 5

‘Moonlight,’ “perhaps the best film of the year,” is the story of a young man’s struggle to find himself.

FILM

Top 10 The best films of 2016

By Richard von Busack Captain America: Civil War Fences The Handmaiden Hell or High Water Hunt for the Wilderpeople Loving Moonlight OJ: Made in America Häxan Zootopia The problem with looking backwards at the year in film is that it involves looking backwards at the year 2016—and who wants to do that?

Captain America: Civil War is possibly an unnecessary sequel with one fight scene too many. But the directors, the Russo Brothers, caught the national sense of division, and of blowback begetting blowback. If only butthurt liberal snowflakes are threatening to get out of the U.S. now, what does it say that even the captain decided to head for the hills?

Strange that with all of the efforts to retrieve the magic of the studio-era film, in La La Land, Rules Don’t Apply, Café Society and Hail Caesar, that the most original pastiche was in a silent film—the Danish classic Häxan aka Witchcraft Through the Ages. Witchcraft’s de La Tour lighting and the ingenious payoff worked its magic.

Made for TV it might have been, but the eight-hour OJ: Made in America took a long look at this hero’s plummet, and the way he allowed himself to be used as a palliative against America’s racism during the white backlash of the 1960s.

Zootopia, Loving and Moonlight— the last and perhaps the best film of the year—did justice to our reeling times in three different approaches to the subject of dangerous liaisons.

Fences is a haunting film about how post-traumatic slave syndrome destroys a tough, ingenious man.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople seems like a movie that’ll find its niche during repeated viewings; it remains as the one film you can recommend to anyone, even during times of schism.

The kinky and beautifully framed The Handmaiden describes the cost of snobbery. And Hell or High Water’s splashy, sagebrush rebellion populism is less key to its quality than the way it treats—with wit and fierce excitement—the lives of outlaws.

As for the worst of the year … why search for a more dispiriting movie than Alice Through the Looking Glass? It cost a fortune. It rubbished a great book. And it had the last of Alan Rickman in it, as if to remind us of one more loss in a year of heavy losses.Y

Arrival (1:56) Sci-fi for grownups as Amy Adams grapples with humanity, existence and other cosmic issues after mysterious spacecraft pay Earth a visit.

Assassin’s Creed (1:45) Michael Fassbender experiences the exploits of a medieval knight/ ancestor through “genetic memory” and uses his new knowledge to take on some 21st century baddies.

Chicago (1:54) The Kander-Ebb-Fosse musical milestone goes deliriously cinematic with Renee Zellweger as a murderous Jazz Age chorus girl and Catherine Zeta-Jones as her partner-in-crime.

Collateral Beauty (1:37) Ad exec Will Smith grapples with tragedy by writing letters to love, time and death and is understandably taken aback when they write back.

Dangal (2:30) Hindi drama about an exwrestler who transfers his dreams of glory to his two rambunctious daughters.

The Eagle Huntress (1:27) Eye-filling documentary about a 13-year-old Mongolian girl and her quest to become her family’s first female eagle hunter in 12 generations.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2:12) J.K. Rowling’s new cinematic franchise takes place among New York’s secret coven of witches and wizards circa WWII. Fences (2:19) Filmization of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play stars Denzel Washington as a father struggling to raise his family in racially explosive 1950s Pittsburgh; Washington directs as well.

Jackie (1:35) Pablo Larrain’s psychological biopic of the elegant, mysterious first lady focuses on the tumultuous week following her husband’s assassination; Natalie Portman stars.

La La Land (2:08) Bold, brilliant Hollywood musical circles around the bittersweet romance between a struggling jazz musician and an aspiring actress; Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling star.

Lion (2:09) Two-hour commercial for Google Earth in which an Indian orphan searches the globe for home and family.

Loving (2:03) True story of Mildred and Richard Loving, the courageous interracial couple who faced harassment and worse in the

American South of the 1950s.

Manchester by the Sea (2:15) Poignant, bittersweet tale of a Boston janitor who returns to his seaside home town to raise his newly orphaned nephew; Casey Affleck stars.

Moana (1:43) Disney musical about a Polynesian girl’s epic ocean voyage across the wide Pacific; songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

National Theatre London: No Man’s Land (3:00) Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart star in Harold Pinter’s comic tale of two writers and their game of increasingly inebriated one-upmanship.

Office Christmas Party (1:45) A spiraling cubicle company tries to impress a last-ditch client with an end-all be-all Xmas bash rife with crude sexual content, drug use and graphic nudity; Jennifer Aniston stars.

Passengers (1:56) When the hibernating passengers on a spaceship to another planet wake up 90 years into their 120-year journey, it’s up to Jennifer Lawrence to change the spark plugs.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2:13) Disney and Lucasfilm cook up a standalone Star Wars flick about a scheme to swipe the plans to the Death Star; Mads Mikkelsen stars.

Seasons (1:37) Dazzling cinematic essay focuses on our planet’s wildlife and how it’s evolved from the ice age to today; Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud (Winged Migration) direct.

Sing (1:48) Animated musical about a koala impresario’s all-star singing competition features vocals from Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane and Scarlett Johansson.

Tampopo (1:55) Newly restored Japanese cult comedy classic about (among other things) a modern urban cowboy, the proprietress of a noodle shop and a food-obsessed gangster.

Things to Come (1:43) Isabelle Huppert stars as a philosophy professor whose crumbling personal life liberates her to explore the next chapter of her existence.

Why Him? (1:51) Overprotective dad Bryan Cranston is understandably appalled when he meets his daughter’s boyfriend, doofus tech zillionaire James Franco.

•New Movies This Week Chicago (PG-13) The Eagle Huntress (Not Rated) Loving (PG-13) National Theatre London: No Man’s Land (Not Rated) Seasons (PG) Tampopo (Not Rated) Things to Come (Not Rated)

Lark: Sat 8 (New Year’s Eve celebration with champagne and chocolates reception, Jazz Age costume contest and broadcast of fireworks live from the Windy City) Rafael: Fri, Mon 12, 2, 4, 6, 8; Sat 12, 2, 4, 6; Sun 4, 6, 8; Tue-Thu 6, 8 Rafael: Fri, Sat, Mon 3, 5:30; Sun, Tue-Thu 5:30 Lark: Fri-Sat 1 Rafael: Sat, Mon 1:30 Rafael: Fri, Mon 12:30, 8:15; Sat 12:30; Sun, Tue-Thu 8:15 Rafael: Fri, Sun, Mon 3:45, 6:15, 8:30; Sat 3:45, 6:15; Tue-Thu 6:15, 8:30

Showtimes for the Cinema, Fairfax, Lark, Larkspur Landing, Northgate, Playhouse, Regency, Rowland and Sequoia were not available as we went to press. Please call theaters or visit fandango.com for schedule updates. We regret the inconvenience.

Showtimes can change after we go to press. Please call theater to confirm.

CinéArts at Sequoia 25 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley, 415-388-1190 Cinema 41 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, 415-924-6506 Fairfax 9 Broadway, Fairfax, 415-453-5444 Lark 549 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur, 415-924-5111 Larkspur Landing 500 Larkspur Landing Cir., Larkspur, 415461-4849 Northgate 7000 Northgate Dr., San Rafael, 415-491-1314 Playhouse 40 Main St., Tiburon, 415-435-1234 Rafael Film Center 1118 Fourth St., San Rafael, 415-454-1222 Regency 280 Smith Ranch Rd., Terra Linda, 415-479-6496 Rowland 44 Rowland Way, Novato, 415-898-3385

Welcome, 2017!

Where to kiss 2016 goodbye this New Year’s Eve New Year’s Eve Spectacular!

(Throckmorton Theatre) Come in costume to the Throckmorton’s last bash of the year that includes dancing to Danny Click & the Hell Yeahs!, Tibetan bell ringing, small bites and a champagne toast at midnight; 7:30pm; $65; 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley; 415/383.9600; throckmortontheatre.org.

The 7th Annual Other Café NEW YEAR’S EVE Stand-Up Comedy Showcase (Osher Marin Jewish Community Center) Laugh your way into the new year with five headlining comedians. No-host bar and food available for purchase. 9pm; reserved seating: $34.50-$69.50. Preshow cocktail party at 7:30pm and an after-party with a midnight champagne toast; 200 N San Pedro Road, San Rafael; 415/444.8000; marinjcc.org.

Let Go, Start Over, Let Go: A New Year’s Meditation, Emancipation & Celebration (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Spend New Year’s Eve in a day of contemplation that includes guided meditation, movement exercise, poetry and chanting; 9:30am to 4:30pm; $45$200; 5000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Woodacre; 415/488-0164; spiritrock.org.

New Year’s Eve with Petty Theft (HopMonk Tavern) Dance the night away to this rockin’ Tom Petty tribute band; 9pm; $50; 224 Vintage Way, Novato; 415/892-6200; hopmonk. com/Novato.

13th Annual New Year’s Eve Party!!

(Rancho Nicasio) Ring in the new year on the dance floor with the French Creole beat of the Zydeco Flames; 9pm; $35-$45; 415/662.2219; ranchonicasio.com.

New Year’s Eve Celebration with Chris Robinson Brotherhood (Terrapin Crossroads) Psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll seekers will not

be disappointed if they make this their end of the year destination; 9pm; $75; 100 Yacht Club Dr., San Rafael; 415/524/2773; terrapincrossroads.net.

LoneStar Retrobates NYE with Sylvia Herold (The Presidio Yacht Club) If West Coast Swing is your thing, then there’s no better place to celebrate the last night of 2016; 9pm; $35; Travis Marina Bar, 1679 Sommerville Rd., Sausalito; 415/332.2319; presidioyachtclub.org.

New Year’s Eve Celebration (Harmonia) Join Mademoiselle Kiki’s European Cabaret for an evening of dancing, an aerial show, burlesque dancers, live music and DJ Dragonfly; 7-8pm VIP pre-party; $45; Moulin Rouge Cabaret and afterparty; 8pm, $30; 2200 Marinship Way, Sausalito; 415/332-1432; harmoniamarin. com.

Drum in the New Year (Unity in Marin) Join Steve Listug and Lisa Starbird in an early evening of drumming—a powerful way to send out the old year and bring in the new one, ending with a champagne toast; 7:15pm; by donation; 600 Palm Dr., Novato; 415-475-5000; unityinmarin.org.

Opera Night and James Henry Trio (Servino Ristorante) Enjoy dinner and then indulge yourself with opera at 6:30pm in the Bellavista Room and the lively James Henry trio in the cocktail lounge at 9:30pm; 9 Main St., Tiburon, 415/435.2676; servino.com.

Chuchito Valdes New Year’s Eve (Osteria Divino) Grab an Italian dinner and then give your New Year’s a Cuban twist with the music of Chuchito Valdes and vocalist Sulkary Valverde; 8:30pm-12:30pm; $35; midnight champagne toast and party favors; 37 Caledonia St., Sausalito; 415/331-9355; osteriadivino.com.

NYE with the Marinfidels and the Cole Tate Band (Sausalito Seahorse) Enjoy a five-course dinner and then dance to two great bands with champagne at midnight; Dinner: $45; Music: 8pmmidnight; $20; 305 Harbor Dr., Sausalito; 415/331.2899; sausalitoseahorse.com.

Rast-Inity with Junior Toots and I-Trinity (George’s Nightclub) Ring in the new year with a Rasta beat and champagne toast at midnight; $30; 9pm; 842 Fourth St., San Rafael; 415/342.5815; georgesnightclub.com.

—Lily O'Brien

CALENDAR

Concerts

Clubs & Venues

MARIN

MARIN

Chris Robinson Brotherhood Popular band performs two nights of psychedelic rock 'n' roll, including a New Year’s Eve extravaganza. Dec 30-31. $40/$75.

Terrapin Crossroads, 100 Yacht Club Dr, San Rafael, 415.524.2773.

The Belrose Thurs, open mic night. 1415 Fifth Ave, San Rafael, 415.454.6422.

Mademoiselle Kiki’s European Cabaret A Parisian-style night of arial shows, burlesque dancers, live music and DJ Dragonfly. Dec 31, 8pm. $30 and up.

Harmonia, 2200 Marinship Way, Sausalito, 415.332.1432.

New Year's Eve Party with the Zydeco Flames Annual year-end party in Nicasio features the swinging sounds of Northern California’s premiere zydeco band. Dec 31, 9pm. $35-$45.

Rancho Nicasio, 1 Old Rancheria Rd, Nicasio, 415.662.2219.

SONOMA Bubble Ball New Year’s Eve gala features Wonderbread 5, Kingsborough and the Pat Jordan Band, with local food, wine, beer and Champagne on hand. Dec 31, 8pm. $95. Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa, 707.546.3600.

NYE with Soul Fuse and the Rhythm Rangers Close out 2016 with an eclectic night of music that also includes Sarah Baker, Buzzy Martin, Levi Lloyd and others. Dec 31, 8pm. $18-$25. Sebastopol Community Center, 390 Morris St, Sebastopol, 707.823.1511.

Rivertown Ball The folks behind Petaluma’s annual Rivertown Revival host their inaugural NYE ball with Bay Area favorites Monophonics, El Radio Fantastique and Oddjob Ensemble performing. Dec 31, 9pm. $70. Petaluma Veterans Memorial Hall, 1094 Petaluma Blvd S, Petaluma.

NAPA Brian Culbertson The award-winning multi-instrumentalist jazz performer and founder of Napa Valley Jazz Getaway rings in the New Year with four shows over two nights. Dec 30-31. $55 and up. Blue Note Napa, 1030 Main St, Napa, 707.603.1258.

Benissimo Ristorante & Bar Thurs, Fri, live music. 18 Tamalpais Dr, Corte Madera, 415.927.2316.

Fenix Dec 28, Pro Blues Jam with Roharpo the Bluesman. Dec 29, Kalimba, the Spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire. Dec 30, Reed Fromer Band. Dec 31, NYE with Howard Hewett.

Jan 4, Pro Blues Jam with the Bobby Young Project. 919 Fourth St, San Rafael, 415.813.5600.

George’s Nightclub Dec 30, pre NYE party. Dec 31, Rasta-Inity NYE with Junior Toots and I-Trinity. 842 Fourth St, San Rafael, 415.226.0262.

Ghiringhelli Pizzeria Grill & Bar First Sunday of every month, 5pm, Erika Alstrom with Dale Alstrom’s Jazz Society. 1535 South Novato Blvd, Novato, 415.878.4977.

Grazie Restaurant Dec 31, Kurt Huget and Craig Bartock. 823 Grant Ave, Novato, 415.897.5181.

HopMonk Novato Dec 30, IrieFuse with Dollar Short. Dec 31, NYE with Petty Theft. 224 Vintage Way, Novato, 415.892.6200.

INCAVO Wine Tasting & Collective Tues, 7pm, Open Mic Night with Simon Costa. 1099 Fourth St, Ste F, San Rafael, 415.259.4939.

Iron Springs Pub & Brewery Dec 28, Lorin Rowan’s Rattlebox with Barry Sless and Doug Harman. Jan 4, Giggle Sticks.

765 Center Blvd, Fairfax, 415.485.1005.

Marin Country Mart Dec 30, 5:30pm, Friday Night Jazz with Miles Ahead Group. 2257 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur.

19 Broadway Club Dec 28, Overbite. Dec 29, West Armoury Blues Band. Dec 30, Alien Family. Dec 31, Soul Ska with Jethro Jeremiah. 17 Broadway Blvd, Fairfax, 415.459.1091.

No Name Bar Dec 28, the Whole Catastrophe. Dec 29, the Humdinger Band. Dec 30, Michael Aragon Quartet. Dec 31, Joe Tate & the Hippie Voices.

757 Bridgeway, Sausalito, 415.332.1392.

Osteria Divino Dec 28, Jay Sanders Trio. Dec 29, Yacht Club

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of Paris. Dec 30, Joe Warner Trio. Dec 31, Chuchito Valdes. 37 Caledonia St, Sausalito, 415.331.9355.

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Panama Hotel Restaurant Dec 28, Martha Crawford and friends. Dec 29, C-JAM with Connie Ducey. Jan 3, Swing Fever. Jan 4, John Hoy. 4 Bayview St, San Rafael, 415.457.3993.

Papermill Creek Saloon Dec 31, NYE with Ned Endless & the Allnighters. 1 Castro, Forest Knolls, 415.488.9235.

Peri’s Silver Dollar Dec 28, the New Sneakers. Dec 29, Liquid Green. Dec 30, Miles Schon and friends.

Dec 31, NYE with Tommy Odetto and House of Mary. Jan 1, Matt Bolton. Jan 2, Billy D’s open mic. Jan 3, the Good Guys.

Jan 4, the Weissmen. 29 Broadway, Fairfax, 415.459.9910.

Rancho Nicasio Dec 30, the Sun Kings. 1 Old Rancheria Rd, Nicasio, 415.662.2219.

Sausalito Seahorse Wed, Milonga with Marcelo Puig and Seth Asarnow. Dec 29, Countdown with Fred Ross. Dec 30, DJ Jose Ruiz. Dec 31, NYE with the Marinfidels and Cole Tate Band.

Jan 1, 5pm, Julio Bravo. Jan 3, Noel Jewkes and friends. 305 Harbor View Dr, Sausalito, 415.331.2899.

Servino Ristorante Dec 30, James Henry Trio. Dec 31, 6:30pm, New Year’s Opera Night. 9 Main St, Tiburon, 415.435.2676.

Smiley’s Schooner Saloon Dec 30-31, Hibbity Dibbity and friends.

Jan 1, Liam Kyle Cahill. Jan 2, Epicenter Soundsystem reggae. 41 Wharf Rd, Bolinas, 415.868.1311.

Spitfire Lounge Last Thursday of every month, the North Bass DJ night. 848 B St, San Rafael, 415.454.5551.

Sweetwater Music Hall Dec 29, Zero. Sold-out. Dec 30-31, Steve Kimock and friends NYE celebration. Soldout. Jan 2, open mic with Austin DeLone. 19 Corte Madera Ave, Mill Valley, 415.388.3850.

Taste of Rome Dec 30, the Jazz Roots Band. 1000 Bridgeway, Sausalito, 415.332.7660.

Terrapin Crossroads Dec 28, the Incubators. Dec 29, Mark Karan & the Terrapin Allstars. Dec 30, Top 40 Friday dance party. Dec 31, NYE with San Geronimo. 100 Yacht Club Dr, San Rafael, 415.524.2773.

Throckmorton Theatre Dec 31, NYE with Danny Click & the Hell Yeahs. 142 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, 415.383.9600.

Ca’ Momi Osteria Dec 30, Roem Baur. Dec 31, Latin Nights NYE with DJ Jose Miguel. 1141 First St, Napa, 707.224.6664.

Corkscrew Wine Bar Dec 30, Obstinate Ostinato. Jan 3, the Rivertown Trio. 100 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma, 707.789.0505.

Downtown Joe’s Brewery & Restaurant Dec 30, Captain Paisley. 902 Main St, Napa, 707.258.2337.

Dry Creek Kitchen Jan 2, 6pm, Christian Foley-Beining and Tom Shader Duo. Jan 3, 6pm, Carlos Henrique Pereira and Tyler Harlow Duo. 317 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, 707.431.0330.

Hydro Grill Dec 31, NYE with the “Elvis Outta Rehab” Show. 1403 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, 707.942.9777.

Molinari Caffe Thurs, Open Mic. 828 Brown St, Napa, 707.927.3623.

Napa Valley Roasting Company Fri, jammin’ and java with Jeffrey McFarland Johnson. 948 Main St, Napa, 707.224.2233.

RaeSet Dec 29, jazz lab with Jeff Johnson. Dec 30, Victor the Box Car Figaro. Dec 31, NYE with Brian Coutch and Zak Fennie. 3150 B Jefferson St, Napa, 707.666.9028.

Silo’s Wed, 5pm, Mike Greensill’s evening jazz. Dec 28, Cari Q. Dec 29, Taylor Scott and Mike Campbell. Dec 30, Soul Kat. Dec 31, Rockin’ Country NYE with the Cripple Creek Band. 530 Main St, Napa, 707.251.5833.

Uncorked at Oxbow Thurs-Sat, live music. 605 First St, Napa, 707.927.5864.

Uva Trattoria Dec 28, Tom Duarte. Dec 29, Dan and Margarita. Dec 30, Gentlemen of Jazz. Dec 31, Bernard Anderson & the Old School Band. 1040 Clinton St, Napa, 707.255.6646.

SONOMA A’Roma Roasters Dec 30, Now & Zen. 95 Fifth St, Santa Rosa, 707.576.7765.

Aqus Cafe Dec 28, bluegrass and old time music jam.

Dec 30, Robbie Elfman. 189 H St, Petaluma, 707.778.6060.

Arlene Francis Center Tues, Open Didgeridoo Clinic. Wed, Open Mic. 99 Sixth St, Santa Rosa, 707.528.3009.

Barley & Hops Tavern Dec 30, the Front. 3688 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, 707.874.9037.

The Big Easy Dec 28, Wednesday Night Big Band. Dec 29, French Oak. Dec 30, the Incubators and Bohemian Highway. Dec 31, NYE with Sol Horizon and Willow & Hounds. Jan 4, Buckley. 128 American Alley, Petaluma, 707.776.4631.

Unity in Marin Dec 31, 7:30pm, Drum in the New Year. 600 Palm Dr, Novato, 415.475.5000.

Blue Heron Restaurant & Tavern Jan 3, 6pm, Michael Hantman. 25300 Steelhead Blvd, Duncans Mills, 707.865.2261.

NAPA

B&V Whiskey Bar & Grille Dec 31, NYE Bash with DJ Cal. 400 First St E, Sonoma, 707.938.7110.

Billco’s Billiards Thurs, live music. 1234 Third St, Napa, 707.226.7506.

Blue Note Napa Jan 4, 6:30 and 9pm, Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers. 1030 Main St, Napa, 707.603.1258.

Coffee Catz Tues, 12pm, Jerry Green’s Peaceful Piano Hour. 6761 Sebastopol Ave, Sebastopol, 707.829.6600.

Flamingo Lounge Dec 30, the Igniters. Dec 31, Black & White NYE Ball with Crossfire and DJ Refugee.

2777 Fourth St, Santa Rosa, 707.545.8530.

HopMonk Sebastopol Dec 30, the Dogon Lights with Sirens of Soul. Dec 31, NYE with Hot Buttered Rum. Jan 2, winter coat drive with Casa Rasta.

Tues, open mic night. 230 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol, 707.829.7300.

HopMonk Sonoma Dec 30, Nate Lopez. Dec 31, Dirty Cello. 691 Broadway, Sonoma, 707.935.9100.

Jamison’s Roaring Donkey Wed, open mic night. Dec 31, NYE with the Grain and Saffell. 146 Kentucky St, Petaluma, 707.772.5478.

Lagunitas Tap Room Dec 28, Danny Montana. Dec 29, Charles Wheal Band. Dec 30, the Gypsy Trio. Dec 31, 2pm, Los High Tops. Jan 1, New Skye.

Jan 4, Little Jonny and Aki Kumar. 1280 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, 707.778.8776.

Luther Burbank Center for the Arts Dec 29, the Brian Setzer Orchestra’s ‘Christmas Rocks!’ Tour. 50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa, 707.546.3600.

Main Street Bistro Dec 29, Sam Peoples and Lynne Billig. Dec 30, Levi Lloyd & the 501 Blues Band. Dec 31, NYE with Frankye Kelly. 16280 Main St, Guerneville, 707.869.0501.

Many Rivers Books & Tea Dec 29, Final Beginning with Eki Shola. 130 S Main St, Sebastopol, 707.829.8871.

Mc T’s Bullpen Dec 30, DJ MGB. Dec 31, George Heagerty.

Jan 1, 4pm, Barbara Olney and friends. Jan 1, 9pm, DJ MGB. 16246 First St, Guerneville, 707.869.3377.

Monroe Dance Hall Dec 30, 6:30pm, DJ Steve Luther. 1400 W College Ave, Santa Rosa, 707.529.5450.

Murphy’s Irish Pub Dec 30, Tony & Dawn. Dec 31, 3pm, Dublin NYE with the Gentlemen Soldiers. Dec 31, 9pm, Cynthia Carr & the Carrtunes. 464 First St E, Sonoma, 707.935.0660.

Mystic Theatre Dec 29-30, Jackie Greene. Dec 31, NYE with Foreverland. 23 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma, 707.765.2121.

Petaluma Historical Library & Museum Dec 31, 6pm, NYE Gala with members of the San Francisco Symphony. 20 Fourth St, Petaluma, 707.778.4398.

Pongo’s Kitchen & Tap Dec 29, 6:30pm, Lisa Stano. 701 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy, Petaluma, 707.774.5226.

Quincy’s Dec 30, David M’ore Band. 6590 Commerce Blvd, Rohnert Park, 707.585.1079.

Redwood Cafe Dec 29, Buck Thrifty. Dec 30, Foxes in the Henhouse. Dec 31, NYE with the Pulsators.

Jan 3, Eye for I and Predatory. 8240 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati, 707.795.7868.

Rio Nido Roadhouse Dec 31, NYE with Chris Rovetti and the Cowboy. 14540 Canyon 2 Rd, Rio Nido, 707.869.0821.

Sonoma Speakeasy Dec 28, Toby Germano and friends. Dec 29, Adam Traum and friends. Dec 30, Rubber Soul. Dec 31, Three on a Match. 452 First St E, Ste G, Sonoma, 707.996.1364.

Spancky’s Bar Thurs, 7pm, Thursday Night Blues Jam. 8201 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati, 707.664.0169.

Spoonbar Wed, 6pm, Michael Hantman. 219 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, 707.433.7222.

Toad in the Hole Pub Sun, live music. 116 Fifth St, Santa Rosa, 707.544.8623.

Twin Oaks Roadhouse Dec 30, Midtown Social. Dec 31, Highway Poets and Marshall House Project. Jan 1, 5pm, David Thom Invitational Bluegrass Jam. Jan 2, the Blues Defenders pro jam. Jan 3, open mic with RoJo. 5745 Old Redwood Hwy, Penngrove, 707.795.5118.

Whiskey Tip Dec 30, DJ Crisp and guests. Dec 31, Mischief Masquerade with North Bay Cabaret. 1910 Sebastopol Rd, Santa Rosa, 707.843.5535.

Wild Flowers Saloon Dec 31, Ricky Ray Band. 9 Mitchell Lane, Healdsburg, 707.433.4500.

Art OPENING MARIN O’Hanlon Center for the Arts Jan 4-26, “Annual O’Hanlon Members’ Show,” Reception, Jan 10 at 6pm. 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. Tues-Sat, 10 to 2; also by appointment. 415.388.4331.

Throckmorton Theatre Jan 4-31, Mary Black & Millicent Tomkins,” the two artists share wall space and present their latest abstract encaustics and magical realism works of art. Reception, Jan 10 at 5pm. 142 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley.

415.383.9600.

CONTINUING THIS WEEK MARIN Art Works Downtown Through Jan 7, “AWD Members Exhibition,” showcasing the many talented artists who are members of the Art Works Downtown community. Through Dec 31, “Small Works Exhibition,” a wonderful opportunity to find affordable, quality artwork for the holiday gift-giving season. 1337 Fourth St, San Rafael. Tues-Sat, 10 to 5. 415.451.8119.

The Artist’s Collective Through Jan 1, “Dreamers,” opening show at a new art gallery in San Rafael’s West End Village. 1560 Fourth St, San Rafael.

Robert Allen Fine Art Through Jan 27, “Abstract Works on Canvas,” group exhibition features Beatrice Findlay, Jeffrey Long, Michael Moon, Richard Saba and Geoffrey Williams. 301 Caledonia St, Sausalito. Mon-Fri, 10 to 5.

415.331.2800.

Rustic Bakery Through Jan 31, “California Colors,” plein air oil paintings by Laura Culver boast vibrant colors and light. 2017 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larksput. 415.461.9900.

Throckmorton Theatre Through Dec 31, “Throckmorton’s December Art Show,” featuring works by Stanley Goldstein and Liana Steinmetz.

142 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley.

415.383.9600.

ARTrageous Gallery Ongoing, inaugural exhibit featuring Roberta Ahrens, Harriet Burge and others.

857 Grant Ave, Novato. Tues-Sat, 11 to 6, Sun 11 to 4, Thurs 11 to 8. 415.897.8444.

Baobab Gallery Ongoing, Shona sculptures, watercolors, jewelry, baskets, handmade-paper items and handmade fabrics. 556 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. Tues-Sat, 11 to 5. 415.924.8007.

Dance Palace Ongoing, 503 B St, Pt Reyes Station.

415.663.1075.

Depot Bookstore & Cafe Ongoing, 87 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley.

415.383.2665.

Courtesy of O'Hanlon

This painting by Brett Hopper represents the O'Hanlon Center for the Arts Annual Members' Show, taking place January 3-26.

Bay Model Visitor Center Through Jan 7, “A Touch of Blue,” a show of new, and some old, quilts using mainly blue or just a bit of blue. 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.332.3871.

Bolinas Museum Through Dec 31, “Bounty,” exhibit looks at fine food production in coastal Marin, from 1834 to today. 48 Wharf Rd, Bolinas. Fri, 1 to 5; Sat-Sun, noon to 5; and by appointment.

415.868.0330.

Corte Madera Library Through Jan 5, “Global Wand’ring … Bali and Back,” photos by Terry Peck brings the world to you. 707 Meadowsweet Dr, Corte Madera. 707.924.6444.

Desta Art & Tea Gallery Through Jan 15, “Reality, Memory & Fiction,” exhibit of paintings by Stephen Namara features people, objects and landscapes seen as snapshots of his life. 417 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo. Mon-Sat, 10 to 6 415.524.8932.

Gallery Route One Through Jan 22, “Tell Tales,” Madeline Nieto Hope’s repurposed art shows in

the Center Gallery, while “The Inverness Almanac: Collective Retrospective” shows in the project space and Isis Hockenos’ “She Said She Said” shows in the annex. 11101 Hwy 1, Pt Reyes Station. Wed-Mon, 11 to 5.

415.663.1347.

Marin Community Foundation Through Jan 13, “Om Prakash: Intuitive Nature,” renowned Indian artist’s abstract paintings display. 5 Hamilton Landing, Ste 200, Novato. Open Mon-Fri, 9 to 5.

MarinMOCA Through Jan 8, “Sandi Miot: The Medium Is the Muse,” retrospective exhibit of the Marin-based artist is a visual look at her journey through wax and encaustic works.

500 Palm Dr, Novato. Wed-Fri, 11 to 4; SatSun, 11 to 5. 415.506.0137.

Marty Knapp Photo Gallery Through Jan 16, “The Night Sky,” Knapp shows new photographs of the starry skies above the Point Reyes coast and the deserts of Southern California. 11245 Shoreline Hwy, Point Reyes Station. Fri-Sun, 11 to 5.

415.663.8670.

Gallery O Ongoing, still lifes and abstract landscapes

by Tim Schaible, and glasswork by Colleen Cotten. Highway 1 and Dillon Beach Road, Tomales. Thurs-Sun, noon to 5, and by appointment. 707.878.2898.

Garzoli Gallery Ongoing, work from contemporary artist Laurie Curran and recent gallery acquisitions on view. 930 B St, San Rafael.

415.459.4321.

Liberty Ship Gallery Ongoing, artist cooperative gallery with works by Eulah Capron, Katheryn Holt, Barbara Jackson, Darcy J Sears and Scott Gordon Woodhouse. 10 Liberty Ship Way, Bay 2, Ste 210, Sausalito. Sat, 11 to 5; also by appointment. 415.289.0705.

Margaret Muldoon’s Artistic Furniture Ongoing, hand-painted furniture, plus “UnStill Photography” by Alan Babbitt. 411 San Anselmo Ave, Fairfax.

Marin History Museum Wednesdays-Saturdays, “Faces of Marin History,” special exhibit features rarely seen original portraits, photos and stories of Marin County’s founders and notable residents past and present. Ongoing, “Treasures from the Vault,” local artifacts; also, “Ranching and Rockin’ at Olompali” features history of State Park; also, “Growing the Future: Farming Families of Marin.” Boyd Gate House, 1125 B St, San Rafael. Tues-Fri, plus second and third Sat monthly, 11 to 4. 415.454.8538.

Marin Society of Artists Ongoing, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross. Mon-Thurs, 11 to 4; Sat-Sun, 12 to 4.

415.454.9561.

MINE Art Gallery Ongoing, 1820 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax.

Museum of the American Indian Ongoing, “Jewelry of California and the Southwest.” 2200 Novato Blvd, Novato. Tues-Fri, 10 to 3; Sat-Sun, 12 to 4.

415.897.4064.

Pine Street Museum Ongoing, Opening exhibit features interactive display of scrolls, ceramics and special barcodes to explain them. 124 Pine St, San Anselmo. 415.485.0484.

Robert Beck Fine Art Ongoing, California landscape painters including Maynard Dixon. 222 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. Wed-Sun, noon to 5:30. 415.456.7898.

Rustic Bakery Through Jan 31, “California Colors,” plein air oil paintings by Laura Culver boast vibrant colors and light. 2017 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larksput. 415.461.9900.

San Geronimo Valley Community Center Ongoing, 6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Geronimo. 415.488.8888.

Studio 333 Ongoing, 45 local artists on display. 333 Caledonia St, Sausalito. Mon-Sat, 11-5.

415.331.8272.

Tomales Gallery Ongoing, paintings by Jonnie Baldwin, Denise Champion, Timothy David Dixon, Clark Mitchell and others. 3985 TomalesPetaluma Rd, Tomales. Fri-Sun, 12:30 to 5; also by appointment. 707.878.2680.

Wilderness Collections Gallery Ongoing, photographs by Rodney Lough Jr. 8 Princess St, Sausalito. Daily, 10 to 6.

866.432.9453.

Comedy Best of the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition See the best standups from the worldacclaimed event and ring in the New Year with lots of laughs. Dec 31, 9pm. $40. Marin Center’s Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, 415.473.6800.

The Big Fat Year-End Kiss Off Comedy Show Standup stars Will Durst, Johnny Steele and others perform. Jan 1, 7:30pm. $21-$36.

Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, 415.383.9600. Jan 2, 7pm. $20. Sebastiani Theatre, 476 First St E, Sonoma, 707.996.9756.

Laughing Tomato Comedy Showcase Local and Bay Area comics, hosted by Tony Sparks. First Tues of every month, 8pm.

Free. Sally Tomatoes, 1100 Valley House Dr, Rohnert Park, 707.665.0260.

Mort Sahl Sahl takes the stage every week to deliver his legendary, take-no-prisoners wit.

Thurs, 7pm. $20. Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, 415.383.9600.

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O’Hanlon Center for the Arts Through Dec 29, “Art of the Spirit,” 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. Tues-Sat, 10 to 2; also by appointment. 415.388.4331.

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18 AT THE OSHER MARIN JCC

The Other Cafe Comedy Showcase’s

NEW YEAR’S EVE

7th

Annual

Stand-Up Comedy Show 5 Headline Comedians

SATURDAY DEC 31 @ 9PM

DANCE PARTIES SAT JANUARY 28

West African Highlife Band SAT FEBRUARY 4

Bollywood Dance Party Colors of India SAT FEBRUARY 11

Andre Thierry & His Zydeco Band MARINJCC.ORG/ARTS

200 N. SAN PEDRO RD. SAN RAFAEL, CA

New Year’s Eve Stand-Up Comedy Show & After Party Annual comedy show features top touring comedians Jason Love, Lamont Ferguson and others, with plenty of bubbly for the big countdown. Dec 31, 7:30pm. $40 and up.

Osher Marin JCC, 200 N San Pedro Rd, San Rafael, 415.444.8000.

conjunction with the San Francisco Waltzing Society, features dressy attire, fine food and lively entertainment. $150, 707.583.3340. Mondays, 7pm through May 1, International Folk Dance Class, learn dances from Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, Turkey and more. $7/$65, 415.663.9512. 860 Western Ave, Petaluma.

Last Sat of every month, 9am. $45. Family Service Agency, 555 Northgate Dr, San Rafael, 415.492.9444.

NYE Comedy Spectacular An allstar lineup of comedians closes out 2016. Dec 31, 8pm. $55. Fogbelt Brewing, 1305 Cleveland Ave, Santa Rosa, 707.978.3400.

Mill Valley Community Center Mondays, 6pm, Swing Dance Lessons.

925.267.2200. 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley.

Entrepreneurs’ Happy Hour Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres while socializing with local innovators, service providers and investors. First Tues of every month, 5pm. Free. Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster, 1300 Valley House Dr, Ste 100, Rohnert Park, 707.794.1240.

Trivia & Standup Night Trivia contest is followed by a headlining standup set from popular comedian Steven Pearl. Jan 3, 8pm. 19 Broadway Club, 17 Broadway Blvd, Fairfax, 415.459.1091.

Tuesday Night Live Featuring comedians at the top of their game, both rising stars and names known worldwide. Tues, 8pm. $17-$27.

Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, 415.383.9600.

Dance Alma del Tango Studio Ongoing, Swing Dance Classes. Learn East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop with instructor Jasmine Worrell. Four-week sessions begin the first of every month. First Wednesday of every month, 7pm, Introduction to Argentine Tango, learn to dance like they do in Buenos Aires, no experience necessary. $18. 167 Tunstead Ave, San Anselmo 415.459.8966.

The Belrose Sundays, 4pm, Argentine Dance. 1415 Fifth Ave, San Rafael 415.454.6422.

Club 101 Wednesdays, 8:20pm, salsa dancing with lessons. 815 W Francisco Blvd, San Rafael 415.460.0101.

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NOTORIOUS

Book your next event with us. Up to 150ppl.

Email kim@hopmonk.com

HOPMONK.COM | 415 892 6200

The Club at Harbor Point Dec 30, 8pm, Pre-New Year's Eve Singles Dance, enjoy your favorite hits and ring in the New Year with other singles ready to mingle. $20. 475 E Strawberry Dr, Mill Valley.

Dance Palace Sundays, 10am, Ecstatic Dance Point Reyes, explore different rhythms with no experience necessary. Wednesdays, 6pm, Women’s Collaborative Dance. $5-$15 per month. 503 B St, Pt Reyes Station 415.663.1075.

Ellington Hall Fridays, Friday Night Swing. 3535 Industrial Dr, Santa Rosa 707.545.6150.

Finnish American Home Association Wednesdays, 5:30pm, African dance and drum workshop, all ages and skill levels are welcome to move and groove with Sandor Diabankouezi, world-class Congolese master drummer. $15. 191 W Verano Ave, Sonoma.

Flamingo Lounge Sundays, 7pm, Sensual Salchata Nights, dress to impress with salsa and bachata dance lessons followed by open dancing. $10. Tuesdays, swing dancing with lessons.

2777 Fourth St, Santa Rosa 707.545.8530.

Hermann Sons Hall Dec 31, 8:30pm, A Night in Vienna, New Year’s Eve ball, presented in

Monroe Dance Hall Sundays, Country-Western dancing and lessons. Mondays, Scottish Country Dancing. Tuesdays, Razzmataz folk dance club. Wednesdays, Singles and Pairs Square Dance Club. Thursdays, Circles ‘n Squares Dance Club. Dec 31, 8pm, North Bay Country Dance Society New Year’s Eve Party. 1400 W College Ave, Santa Rosa 707.529.5450.

Sausalito Seahorse Sundays, 4pm, Salsa class. Free. 305 Harbor View Dr, Sausalito 415.331.2899.

Sebastopol Senior Center Dec 30, 6:30pm, Nearly New Year’s Winter Ball, LGBTQI and friends dance is open to all. $10. 167 High St, Sebastopol 707.829.2440.

Sol Studios Fairfax Thursdays, 10:45am, Flamenco Dance Class, bring a shawl and join in the barefoot class. $9. 12 School St #12e, Fairfax 415.785.4861.

Songbird Community Healing Center Wednesdays, Biodanza. 8297 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati 707.795.2398.

Wischemann Hall Sundays, 10am, Soul Motion, open movement practice. Mondays, 5:30 and 7pm, Redwood Rainbows Mainstream and Basic Class. 707.478.6409. 465 Morris St, Sebastopol.

Events Calistoga Art Walk Follow the signs and view art with strolling tour of shops and galleries. First Wed-Thurs of every month, 5pm. Free. Downtown Calistoga, Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, 707.225.1003.

Community Meditation Practice Sitting and walking meditation with free instruction. Followed by tea and snacks.

Sun, 9:30am. Free. Santa Rosa Shambhala Meditation Center, 855 Seventh St, Santa Rosa, 707.545.4907.

Critique Night Artists are invited to bring work in for feedback, critique or processing among other artists in a friendly communal atmosphere. First Wed of every month, 6pm. Free. Prince Gallery, 122 American Alley, Petaluma, 707.889.0371.

The Director’s Tour Get a guided tour of the art currently on display with director Paul Mahder. Learn about specific art pieces, personal stories about the artists and more. First Wed of every month, 1pm. Free. Paul Mahder Gallery, 222 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, 707.473.9150.

Divorce Options Workshop Volunteer group of attorneys, financial specialists and mental-health professionals offer four-hour workshops on divorce.

The Draped Figure Draw or paint from live models in a variety of costumes and settings. Tues, 10am. $15. MarinMOCA, 500 Palm Dr, Novato, 415.506.0137.

Fiber Arts Forum Informal gathering of fiber artists for idea sharing. All disciplines and experience levels, ages 15 and up. Last Fri each month, 1 to 3. $5 donation. Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S High St, Sebastopol, 707.829.4797.

Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!

Ring in the New Year with hands-on crafts for kids, Baby Balloon drops at noon and root beer toasts at noon and 3pm Dec 31, 10am. $5-$12. Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, 707.579.4452.

Heirloom Craft Hub Each evening includes instruction for a specific craft. Last Thurs of every month. $5.

Marin History Museum, Boyd Gate House, 1125 B St, San Rafael, 415.454.8538.

Lyme Support Group First Tues of every month, 1:30pm. Lydia’s Sunflower Center, 1435 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, 707.792.5300.

Monday Painting Group An open space to paint with fellow artists. Space is limited. Mon-noon. $10.

MarinMOCA, 500 Palm Dr, Novato, 415.506.0137.

A Night in Paris The wine train hosts a New Year’s Eve Parisian journey with an elegant reception, sparkling wine and a decadent four-course meal on board the vintage train followed by a dance party. Dec 31, 5pm. Napa Valley Wine Train, 1275 McKinstry St, Napa, 800.427.4124.

NYE Denim & Diamonds Party An elegantly boot-stomping good time featuring the Cripple Creek Band at Silo’s nightclub celebrates the big ball drop with two shows, one for each coast. Dec 31, 7pm and 10pm. Napa River Inn, 500 Main St, Napa, 707.251.8500.

NYE Red Tie Affair Dress in your red tie best for dinner at La Toque and dancing at Bank Cafe. Dec 31, 7:30pm. Westin Verasa Napa, 1314 McKinstry Street, Napa, (707) 257-1800.

Pathway to Your Natural Knowing Inner Guidance Foundation hosts a monthly integrated spiritual experience.

First Mon of every month, 7pm.

415.858.9900. St Vincent’s School, 1 St Vincent Dr, San Rafael.

Peace in Process Relax deeply within a gentle immersion into ancient modalities to help realign with balance and strength. First Sun of every month, 10:30am by donation. Arlene Francis Center, 99 Sixth St, Santa Rosa, 707.528.3009.

diversity of plant life. Wed. Free. Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, 15290 Coleman Valley Rd, Occidental, 707.874.1557.

Santa Rosa Stamp Club Open to all stamp collectors and anyone interested in collecting stamps. First Tues of every month, 7pm. Free. Steele Lane Community Center, 415 Steele Ln, Santa Rosa, 707.543.3282.

Glen Ellen Green Tour In cooperation with Quarryhill Botanical Gardens and Benziger Winery, the park offers a daylong tour of all three properties with food and wine tastings included.

Reservations required two weeks in advance. Ongoing. $59. Jack London State Park, 2400 London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen, 707.938.5216.

Sausalito Gingerbread House Tour & Competition Stroll the shops around Sausalito and view elaborate, festively decorated gingerbread houses galore. Through Dec 30. Downtown Sausalito, Caledonia Street, Sausalito.

Social Sunday Ongoing community event gives you something to interact with related to the gallery’s current artist, with demos and entertainment. Sun, 11am. Free. Hopscotch Gifts & Gallery, 14301 Arnold Dr, #2A, Glen Ellen, 707.343.1931.

Teen Health Clinic Thurs, 3:30pm. Phoenix Theater, 201 Washington St, Petaluma, 707.762.3565.

Toastmaster’s Open House Group invites the public to join them in unlocking communication skills. Express yourself, find your voice and shape your words. Thurs-noon. Falkirk Cultural Center, 1408 Mission Ave, San Rafael, 415.485.3438.

Field Trips Afternoon Community Service Participate in center restoration projects.

First Wed of every month. Richardson Bay Audubon Center, 376 Greenwood Beach Rd, Tiburon, 415.388.2524.

Christmas Bird Count Madrone Audubon Society hosts its 50th annual count, open to bird lovers of all skill levels, followed by a catered dinner. Jan 1. $5.

Sebastopol Community Center, 390 Morris St, Sebastopol, madroneaudubon.org.

Coho Salmon Creek Walk Tour Explore the Lagunitas Creek watershed and learn about the ecology of the endangered native population of coho salmon. Sat, Dec 31, 12:30pm. $35. Samuel P Taylor State Park, Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Lagunitas, catie@tirn.net.

First Day Hike Start the new year in the outdoors and take part in several hiking options. Jan 1. Jack London State Park, 2400 London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen, 707.938.5216.

First Day Hike at Armstrong Start the new year with a walk in the redwoods. Jan 1. Free. Armstrong Woods State Reserve, Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville.

First Day Hike at Sugarloaf Start the new year on the right foot, with a refreshing walk in the park. Jan 1, 10am.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd, Kenwood, 707.833.5712.

First Day Hike at the Coast Family-friendly hikes are led by docents. Jan 1, 1pm. Sonoma Coast State Beach, Highway One, Bodega, 707-494-1628.

Garden Volunteer Day Sink your hands into the beautiful, rich soil at the OAEC’s garden and learn from the

Nature for Kids Bring the kids for a winter walk that looks at the changing seasons and habitats for Marin County critters. Dec 29, 10am. Free.

Indian Tree Preserve, Vineyard Rd, Novato, marincountyparks.org.

Hall Winery, 401 St Helena Hwy S, St Helena, 707.967.2620.

Farmers' Market at Long Meadow Ranch Fri, 9am and Sat-Sun, 11am. Long Meadow Ranch Winery, 738 Main St, St Helena, 707.963.4555.

Friday Night Live Enjoy delicious themed buffet dinners with live music on hand. Fri. $7-$14. San Geronimo Golf Course, 5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Geronimo, 415.488.4030.

Girl’s Night Out Happy hour lasts all night long, even for the guys. Thurs. Bootlegger’s Lodge, 367 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax, 415.450.7186.

Plant Nursery Work Day Volunteer at the Sonoma Garden Park.

Thurs, 9am. Sonoma Ecology Center, 20 E Spain St, Sonoma, 707.996.0712.

Harvest Market Selling local and seasonal fruit, flowers, vegetables and eggs. Sat, 9am. Harvest Market, 19996 Seventh St E, Sonoma, 707.996.0712.

Stewardship Workday Lend a hand, learn new things and feel good about helping nature. RSVP required. Wed, Dec 28, 9am. Healdsburg Ridge, Arabian Way, Healdsburg, landpaths.org.

Holiday Dinner Enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal from a special seasonal menu of delights. Sat, Dec 31. $60-$65. The Spinster Sisters Restaurant, 401 South A St, Santa Rosa, 707.528.7100.

Sunset Hike & Dine Meet at parking area across from inn for two-hour hike on moderate-to-steep trails with midhike wine and cheese overlooking Pacific Ocean. Last Sat of every month. $15.

Mountain Home Inn, 810 Panoramic Dr, Mill Valley, RSVP, 415.331.0100.

Indian Valley Farm Stand Organic farm and garden produce stand where you bring your own bag. Sat, 10am.

College of Marin, Indian Valley Campus, 1800 Ignacio Blvd, Novato, 415.454.4554.

Winter Day Camp Get the kids out of the house for a day of fun, learning and outdoor activity. Dec 28, 9am. $35. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd, Kenwood, 707.833.5712.

Film CULT Film Series It’s a countdown to horror as “Terror Train” and “New Year’s Evil” screen back to back. Dec 29, 7pm. $10. Roxy Stadium 14 Cinemas, 85 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, 707.525.8909.

New Year’s Eve at the Lark Watch a star-studded concert from Munich live on screen, with chocolates and Champagne. Dec 31, 8pm. $20. Lark Theater, 549 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, 415.924.5111.

Food & Drink Calistoga Farmers' Market Sat, 9am. Sharpsteen Museum Plaza, 1235 Washington St, Calistoga.

Calistoga's Winter in the Wineries Purchase a passport to tour, taste wine and meet winemakers at several heralded wineries, both large and small, in and around the town at the top of Napa Valley.

Through Feb 5, 2017. $50. Calistoga wineries, various locations, Calistoga, visitcalistoga. com.

Corte Madera Farmers' Market Wed-noon. Town Center Corte Madera, 100 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, 415.382.7846.

Demystifying Wine & Food Interactive discussions on pairings with delectable demonstrations. Sat-noon. $75.

Locals Night Special menu items, musical performances and activities. Tues, 5pm. Free. Oxbow Public Market, 610 First St, Napa.

Marin Country Mart Farmers' Market Sat, 9am. Marin Country Mart, 2257 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, 415.461.5715.

Marinwood Farmers' Market Sat, 9am. Marinwood Plaza, Marinwood Avenue and Miller Creek Road, San Rafael, 415.999.5635.

Mill Valley Farmers' Market Fri, 9:30am. CVS parking lot, 759 E Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley, 415.382.7846.

New Year’s Eve at Northwood Live music accompanies special dinner service, with champagne included. Dec 31, 5 and 8pm. Northwood Restaurant, 19400 Hwy 116, Monte Rio, 707.865.2454.

New Year’s Eve Celebration at Left Bank Brasserie Regular à la carte dinner menu plus a four-course prix fixe menu with choices.

Guests for the evening’s last seating receive a complimentary sparkling wine toast and party favors at midnight. Dec 31. Left Bank Brasserie, 507 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, 415.927.3331.

your socks off. Dec 31. Free admission.

Bergamot Alley, 328-A Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, 707.433.8720.

NYE at Barndiva An elegant meal in the restaurant or a casual meal in the bistro make for a delicious end to the year. Dec 31. Barndiva, 231 Center St, Healdsburg, 707.431.0100.

Oakmont Certified Farmers' Market Sat, 9am. Berger Center, 6575 Oakmont Dr, Santa Rosa, 707.538.7023.

Petaluma East Side Certified Farmers' Market Tues, 10am. Petaluma Community Center, 320 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, 415.999.5635.

Redwood Empire Farmers' Market Sat, 8:30am and Wed, 8:30am. Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa.

Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers' Market Sat, 9am and Wed, 9am. Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa, 707.522.8629.

Sebastopol Certified Farmers' Market Sun, 10am. Sebastopol Plaza, Weeks Way, Sebastopol, 707.522.9305.

Sonoma Mountain Marketplace Certified Farmers' Market Sat-Sun, 10am. SOMO Village Event Center, 1100 Valley House Dr, Rohnert Park, 707.588.9388.

Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers' Market Fri, 9am. Arnold Field parking lot, 241 First St W, Sonoma, 707.538.7023.

Sunday San Rafael Farmers' Market Sun, 8am. Marin Farmers' Market, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, 415.472.6100.

Sunday Supper New weekly dinner series and etiquette class celebrates classic French cuisine that reflects the season. Sun, 4pm. $30-$45. Left Bank Brasserie, 507 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, 415.927.3331.

Thursday San Rafael Farmers' Market Thurs, 8am. Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, 415.472.6100.

Vintner Vinyl Tastings and tunes come together in the tap bar and restaurant. Mon, 6:30pm.

City Winery Napa, 1030 Main St, Napa, 707.260.1600.

West End Wednesdays West End merchants offer wine, coffee and food tastings. Wed, 5pm. Free. Downtown Napa, First Street and Town Center, Napa.

New Year’s Eve Dinner at Dry Creek Kitchen The decadent tasting menu uses the best local ingredients prepared by Chef Scott Romano for a one-night only event. Dec 31, 5pm. $145 and up. Dry Creek Kitchen, 317 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, 707.431.0330.

Wine Down Fridays & Wine Up Saturdays Award-winning wines and delicious artisanal food are a perfect combination for relaxing after the work week. Fri-Sat. Stephen & Walker Trust Winery Tasting Room, 243 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg.

New Year’s Eve Dinner at Spoonbar A multi-course menu featuring luxury ingredients followed by DJs and dancing to ring in the New Year. Dec 31, 6pm. $55-$125.

Spoonbar, 219 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, 707.433.7222.

Wine Wednesdays Wines by local vineyards, brews on tap, delicious bites and sweet treats. Wed, 4:30pm. $15. Molinari Caffe, 828 Brown St, Napa, 707.927.3623.

New Year's Eve Party at Bergamot Alley Welcome in 2017 with a party that’ll knock

19 PA CI FI C S U N | D ECEM B ER 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 - JA NU ARY 3, 2017 | PACI FI CSUN.CO M

Radiant Presence With Peter Brown. Every other Tues. Open Secret, 923 C St, San Rafael, 415.457.4191.

PACI FI C SUN | DE CE MB E R 28, 2 016- JA NU A RY 3 , 2 0 1 7 | PA CI FI CS U N. COM

20

Lunch & Dinner Sat & Sun Brunch

Fireside Dining 7 Days a Week

Din ner & A Show

Fri

Dec 30

It’s a Faux New Year’s Eve!

The Sun Kings

Party Favors, Champagne Toast 8:00 13th Annual New Year’s Eve Party!!

31 Dec The Zydeco Flames 9:00 Fri Marin’s Troubadour Jan 6 Jerry Hannan 8:00 / No Cover Sat

Jan 13 The Rivertown Trio Fri

featuring Julie Bernard

Sat

Jan 14

Fabulous Harmonies 8:00 / No Cover Dance Party!

Buck Nickels and Loose Change

Soulful, Original, Country 8:30

Boogie Woogie Queen Jan 15 Wendy DeWitt’s Sun

Piano Party with

Sat

Jan 21 Sun

Jan 27

Kathey Tejcka 4:00 / No Cover International Dance Party

Freddy Clarke and Wobbly World 8:30 “West Marinicana”

Lowatters

High lonesome twang to Low down dirty roots 8:00 / No Cover Sat “Supper Club” with 28 Jan Steve Lucky &

The Rhumba Bums Featuring Miss Carmen Getit 8:30 Reservations Advised

415.662.2219

On the Town Square, Nicasio www.ranchonicasio.com

For Kids American Canyon Library Preschool storytime. Tues, 10:30am.

Free. American Canyon Library, 3421 Broadway (Highway 29), American Canyon, 707.644.1136.

Bay Area Discovery Museum Ongoing, “Animal Secrets.” Hands-on art, science and theater camps, art studio, tot spot and lookout cove adventure area. WedThurs at 10 and 11, music with Miss Kitty. $5-$6. Fri at 11, aquarium feeding. Ongoing.

Admission, $8-$10. Bay Area Discovery Museum, Fort Baker, 557 McReynolds Rd., Sausalito., 415.339.3900.

Belvedere-Tiburon Library Mon at 10:30 and 11, songs and fingerplays for kids under two. Wed at 11, toddler storytime; at 4, read-along program for ages seven and up. Mon. Belvedere-Tiburon Library, 1501 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon, 415.789.2665.

Breakfast with Enzo Bring clapping hands, singing voices, dancing feet and breakfast for weekly family music show. Sun at 10 and 11. Mill Valley Golf Clubhouse, 267 Buena Vista, Mill Valley, 415.652.2474.

Children’s Storytime Dec 29, 10:30am. Diesel Bookstore, 2419 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, 415.785.8177.

Corte Madera Library Preschool storytime. Wed, 11am. Corte Madera Library, 707 Meadowsweet Dr, Corte Madera, 707.924.6444.

Fairfax Library Tues at Sat at 11, storytime for ages three and up. Tues-Sat, 11am. Fairfax Library, 2097 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, 415.453.8092.

Wed 12/28 • Doors 6:30pm • FREE

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AW(.+''"+(:&'+#www.sweetwatermusichall.com 19 Corte Madera Ave, Mill Valley Café 388-1700 | Box Office 388-3850

Rincon Valley Library Wed at 10:30, storytime for toddlers; at 11:30, for preschoolers. Wed, 10:30am. Free.

Rincon Valley Library, 6959 Montecito Blvd, Santa Rosa, 707.537.0162.

Rohnert Park-Cotati Library Toddler storytime, Tues at 10 and 11; preschool storytime, Wed at 10:30. TuesWed. Free. Rohnert Park-Cotati Library, 6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park, 707.584.9121.

St Helena Library Free film series, story and craft time. TuesWed-Fri. St Helena Library, 1492 Library Lane, St Helena, 707.963.5244.

Teen Double Feature “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “Mean Girls” screen together, with a pizza break in between. Dec 29, 4pm. Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd, Novato, 415.898.4623.

Teen End of 2016 Party An afternoon of cookies, cake, tea and games celebrates the year’s highlights. Sign up required. Dec 30, 1pm. Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd, Novato, 415.898.4623.

Windsor Library Preschool storytime and storytime for babies and toddlers. Tues-Wed. Free.

Windsor Library, 9291 Old Redwood Hwy, Windsor, 707.838.1020.

Winter Classes for Kids Spend your holidays making memories and a variety of hands-on projects covering art, cartooning, cooking, and holiday fun throughout the winter break. Through Jan 6, 2017. $25-$32. Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, 707.579.4452.

Yountville Library Storytime with “Library Grandparent,” Tues, 3pm. Free. Yountville Library, 6548 Yount St, Yountville, 707.944.1888.

Lectures Adults Abused as Children Anonymous A safe and confidential place for healing in a nonsectarian setting. Thurs, 6:15pm.

Free. First United Methodist Church, 1551 Montgomery Dr, Santa Rosa.

Art Rising Workshop Local artists Gayle Madison and Lorrie Ragozzino lead. Thurs, 4pm. Phoenix Theater, 201 Washington St, Petaluma, 707.762.3565.

Bike Skills Class & Beginner’s Ride Workshops for beginning cyclists and those who want to hone their skills is followed by ride on trails around town. Registration required. Fri-noon. Sebastopol Bike Center, 6731 Sebastopol Ave, Sebastopol, 707.829.2688.

CityZen Evening of sitting meditation, tea and dharma talk. All are welcome. Mon, 7pm.

Free. Glaser Center, 547 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, 707.568.5381.

Dharma Study & Discussion The Rev Ron Kobata leads a discussion class on a variety of Buddhist topics. Dec 29, 7:30pm. Free. Buddhist Temple of Marin, 390 Miller Ave, Mill Valley.

E-Book Help Get one-on-one help in downloading library e-Books to the Kindle, iPad and other devices. Call ahead to reserve a session.

Thurs, 10am. Civic Center Library, 3501 Civic Center Dr, San Rafael, 415.473.6058.

Family Button Crafting Learn how to make a mini-button person out of buttons and wire at this family crafts event. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. Dec 30, 10am. Civic Center Library, 3501 Civic Center Dr, San Rafael, 415.473.6058.

The Last Words Steve Costa and Kate Levinson talk about their 14 years as the owners of Point Reyes Books in their last event before the store’s new owners take over Jan 1. Reservations required. Dec 28, 7pm. Free. Dance Palace, 503 B St, Pt Reyes Station, 415.663.1075.

The Marin Referral Network Join other professionals and entrepreneurs to share success stories and challenges, and brainstorm how to grow our businesses through referrals and leads. Thurs, 8am.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 240 Channing Way, San Rafael, 949.680.6153.

The Mystical Seeker Series Monthly lecture series covers mystical topics like reincarnation, kabbalah, alchemy, astrology, meditation and more. First Tues of every month, 8pm. through Apr 4. Free.

Scottish Rite Center, 600 Acacia Ln, Santa Rosa, 707.782.0592.

O’Hanlon Roundtable Continuing parade of experienced artists share thoughts on creative process. All artists welcome. First Tues each month, (except January), 4 to 6. O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, 415.388.4331.

Spanish Conversation Club Spanish language facilitators Carol Costa and Joe Cillo host a mix of beginning and intermediate conversational Spanish. Mon, 1pm. San Rafael Library, 1100 E St, San Rafael, 415.485.3323.

Storyboarding for Animation Join cartoonist and storyboard artist Gavin Freitas for a presentation and hands-on workshop in creating storyboards for animated movies. Dec 30, 1pm. Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, 707.579.4452.

Readings Aqus Cafe Dec 29, 7pm, Petaluma Poetry Slam. Jan 2, 6pm, Rivertown Poets, MJ Arcangelini and Crystal Ockenfuss read, followed by open mic. 189 H St, Petaluma 707.778.6060.

HopMonk Sebastopol First Sunday of every month, 8:30pm, North Bay Poetry Slam. Free. 230 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol 707.829.7300.

Redwood Cafe Dec 28, 6pm, Hanukkah Jewish Story Slam, share your Hanukkah stories and enjoy latkes. First Sunday of every month, 5pm, Cotati Poetry Series. Free. 8240 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati 707.795.7868.

The Western Gate Teahouse Fridays, 6pm, Candlelight poetry and tea session with Scott Traffas. 7282 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Lagunitas 4157858309.

Theater The Lover The intriguing one-act play by Harold Pinter that examines the private intricacies of modern marriage gets a limited run from the Valley Players. Jan 3-5. Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, 100 California Dr, Yountville, 707.944.9900.

The Magic Circle Cycle The newest piece in development by the Imaginists is in collaboration with musician and composer Kalei Yamanoha. Through Jan 1, 2017. The Imaginists, 461 Sebastopol Ave, Santa Rosa, 707.528.7554.

Murder at Joe’s Speakeasy Get a Clue Productions presents a special NYE performance of their interactive murder-mystery dinner theater show set in the Roaring Twenties. Dec 31, 8pm. $80.

Charlie’s Restaurant, Windsor Golf Club, 1320 19th Hole Dr, Windsor.

Red Hot Mama The acclaimed one-woman musical biography of entertainment legend Sophie Tucker comes alive with the sights and sounds of Broadway, vaudeville and Las Vegas nightclubs. Dec 31-Jan 29. $25-$40.

Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma, 707.763.8920.

Got a listing for our Sundial section?

Send it to calendar@pacificsun.com.

Seminars&Workshops To include your seminar or workshop, call 415/485-6700.

VOTE!

SINGLES WANTED! Single & Dissatisfied? Tired of spending holidays and weekends alone?

Join with other singles to explore what’s blocking you from fulfillment in your relationships. Stimulating, growthful & fun. Nine-week coed Single’s Group starts week of Jan 2 (advance sign-up required). Space limited. Also, starting week of 1/02: ongoing, coed (emotional) INTIMACY GROUPS (partnered or single), WOMEN’S GROUP and INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY & COUPLES THERAPY. Central San Rafael. Possible financial assistance (health/flex savings accounts or insurance). Call (415) 453-8117 for more information. Renée Owen, LMFT#35255. https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/183422

JAN 4 -FEB 28

Community Spanish Language Learning Center In Downtown San Rafael www.spanishindowntown sanrafael.com

Mind&Body HYPNOTHERAPY Thea Donnelly, M.A. Hypnosis, Counseling, All Issues. 25 yrs. experience.

415-459-0449.

Gina Vance, CCHT Move Forward Quickly Overcome & Resolve MindBodyJourneys.com 415-275-4221

Coming soon!

ISSUE DATE: APRIL 26

Home Services CLEANING SERVICES ADVANCED HOUSE CLEANING Licensed. Bonded. Insured.

Will do windows.

Call Pat 415-310-8784

GARDENING/LANDSCAPING GARDEN MAINTENANCE OSCAR - 415-505-3606

YARDWORK LANDSCAPING

❖ General Yard & Firebreak Clean Up ❖ Complete Landscaping ❖ Irrigation Systems ❖ Commercial & Residential Maintenance ❖ Patios, Retaining Walls, Fences For Free Estimate Call Titus

415-380-8362

or visit our website www.yardworklandscaping.com

www.temple415.com•BBB A+

Trivia Café Highlights of 2016, Part I: Well folks, we barely survived another year … below are some of the highlights of 2016. How much do you recall? Happy New Year!

By Howard Rachelson

ISSUE: APRIL 26 2

2017

1 Pollsters and pundits were perplexed when British citizens voted on June 23 to do what?

pacificsun.com 2 After a five-year journey, on July 4 the spacecraft Juno reached what faraway destination?

4a 3 What animated summer movie grossed almost half a billion dollars in about six months, becoming this year’s top box-office success?

4a. In March, President Obama made headlines when

he became the first president since Calvin Coolidge in 1928 to visit what controversial nation?

Catch the Buzz!

b. In May, Obama became the first sitting president ever to visit what historically significant city and meet with survivors?

5 This year’s top-grossing app worldwide on Google

Play was what augmented reality game, released by Nintendo in July, that helped get gamers off the couch and into the great outdoors?

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Trivia answers «5 1 Leave the European Union (Brexit)

5 Pokémon Go 6 The EpiPen allergy-reaction

is expected to orbit more than 30 times in the next two years, collecting scientific data

7 Ghost Ship 8 Back to the Future 9a. 306 Electoral College votes,

2 The planet Jupiter, which Juno 3 Finding Dory 4a. Cuba; relations between the

two countries have thawed after a 56-year trade embargo

8

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b. Hiroshima, Japan, on which the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb in August, 1945

injector

compared to 232 for Clinton

b. At least 2 million more votes (48.2 percent vs. 46.5 percent)

17

20 by Beyoncé 10 Lemonade,

PACI FI C SUN | DE CE MB E R 28, 2 016- JA NU A RY 3 , 2 0 1 7 | PA CI FI CS U N. COM

22

PublicNotices FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT— File No: 2016-141082 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: SHEAR JOY BY SANDRA GUTIERREZ, 633 DEL GANADO ROAD, SUITE 2, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903: SANDRA LIZETH GUTIERREZ ZETINO, 95 PROFESSIONAL CENTER PKWY, APT 206, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903. The business is being conducted

by AN INDIVIDUAL Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Nov 23, 2016 (Publication Dates: Dec 7, 14, 21, 28 of 2016)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141118 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: FREEDOM FOUNDATION, 2955 KERNER BLVD, STE F, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901: FREEDOM FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL , 2955 KERNER BLVD, STE F, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901. The business is being conducted by A CORPORATION. Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of Marin County on Nov 30, 2016 (Publication Dates: Dec 7, 14, 21, 28 of 2016)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141105 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: VIDEO WEST AND PIZZA TOO, 6825 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD, FOREST KNOLLS, CA 94933: ROBERT JOHN FOTI, TTEE, HARRY GARDINO TRUST, 6700 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD, FOREST KNOLLS, CA 94933. The business is being conducted

by AN INDIVIDUAL. Registration expired more than 40 days ago and is renewing filing with changes under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Nov 29, 2016 (Publication Dates: Dec 7, 14, 21, 28 of 2016)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141103 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: RED HILL HOLIDAY CLEANERS, 912 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD, SAN ANSELMO, CA 94960: SAAMAN SAMI, #21 EDGEWATER CT, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903. The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL. Registration expired more than 40 days ago and is renewing under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Nov 29, 2016 (Publication Dates: Dec 7, 14, 21, 28 of 2016)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT— File No: 2016-141054 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: TRUE YOGA GOODS, 828 AUTUMN LN, MILL VALLEY, CA 94941: ERIK ANDERSON, 828 AUTUMN LN, MILL VALLEY, CA 94941. The business is being conducted

by AN INDIVIDUAL. Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Nov 21, 2016 (Publication Dates: Dec 7, 14, 21, 28 of 2016)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141097 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: LEXNET, 508 HEATHER WAY, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903: STEPHEN CHIPMAN, 508 HEATHER WAY, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903. The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL. Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Nov 28, 2016 (Publication Dates: Dec 7, 14, 21, 28 of 2016)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141122 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: MARIN SUPER TAXI, 237 PICNIC AVE, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901: ILHAN AHMED, 237 PICNIC AVE, APT 40, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901.

The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL. Registration expired more than 40 days ago and is renewing under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Dec 2, 2016 (Publication Dates: Dec 7, 14, 21, 28 of 2016)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141119 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: AMERICA LATINA SERVICES, 528 4TH STREET, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901: GERALDO JOSE SILVA NETO, 475 SAN MARIN DR, NOVATO, CA 94945. The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL. Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein.. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of Marin County on Dec 1, 2016 (Publication Dates: Dec 7, 14, 21, 28 of 2016)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141124 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: AMBPICTURES. 422 DONAHUE STREET, SAUSALITO, CA 94965: ANTHONY J BUTT, 422 DONAHUE STREET, SAUSALITO, CA 94965. The business is being conducted

by AN INDIVIDUAL. Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein.

The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Dec 2, 2016 (Publication Dates: Dec 7, 14, 21, 28 of 2016)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141000 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: LUX BLOW DRY & BEAUTY BAR, 902 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD, SAN ANSELMO, CA 94960: DIANA GLASCO, 316 A AUBURN ST, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901.

The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL. Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Nov 10, 2016 (Publication Dates: Dec 7, 14, 21, 28 of 2016)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141106 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: DAISY’S DELI & PIZZA, 1500 LUCAS VALLEY RD, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903: DAICY CASTILLO VEGA, 234

TETON CT, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903.

The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL. Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Nov 29, 2016 (Publication Dates: Dec 7, 14, 21, 28 of 2016)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141143 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: JIM HAUSHERR DBA GOOSEHEAD INSURANCE, 3030 BRIDGEWAY , SUITE 240, SAUSALITO, CA 94965: JAMES HAUSHERR, 200 JOHNSON STREET, SLIP 1, SAUSALITO, CA 94965. The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Dec 6, 2016. (Publication Dates: Dec 14, 21, 28 of 2016 and Jan 04 of 2017)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141170 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: 1) BARTON CO 2)BARTON DESIGNS, 359 TENNESSEE AVE, MILL VALLEY, CA 94941: BARTON ZACHOFSKY, 359 TENNESSEE AVE, MILL VALLEY, CA 94941. The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Dec 9, 2016. (Publication Dates: Dec 14, 21, 28 of 2016 and Jan 04 of 2017)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141188 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: SOUL BEAUTY BY MELISSA, 905 A IRWIN STREET, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94941: MELISSA K WITTMAN, 403 MAPLE STREET # 5, MILL VALLEY, CA 94941. The business is being conducted

by AN INDIVIDUAL Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Dec 12, 2016. (Publication Dates: Dec 14, 21, 28 of 2016 and Jan 04 of 2017)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141197 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: ICY BAY PRESS, 383 PINEHILL RD, APT D, MILL VALLEY, CA 94941: RICHARD C. HOLMES, 775 E. BLITHEDALE STE 400, MILL VALLEY, CA 94941. The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of Marin County on Dec 13, 2016. (Publication Dates: Dec 14, 21, 28 of 2016 and Jan 04 of 2017)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141196 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: INTEGRATIVE ATHLETICS, 712 D STREET, SUITE E, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901: ZACHARY SCHLEH, 139 ½ LAUREL AVE, SAN ANSELMO, CA 94960. The business is being conducted

by AN INDIVIDUAL Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein.

This statement was filed with the

County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Dec 13, 2016. (Publication Dates: Dec 21, 28 of 2016 and Jan 04, Jan 11 of 2017)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT— File No: 2016-141223 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: PRIM’D MARKETING, 5 SAN PABLO COURT, NOVATO, CA 94949: PRIMD LLC, 5 SAN PABLO COURT, NOVATO, CA 94949. The business is being conducted by A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Dec 16, 2016. (Publication Dates: Dec 21, 28 of 2016 and Jan 04, Jan 11 of 2017)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141093 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: CHRKOL, 133 TAMAL VISTA DR, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901: IVY XY YE, 133 TAMAL VISTA DR, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901. The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL. Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Marin County on Nov 28, 2016. (Publication Dates: Dec 21, 28 of 2016 and Jan 04, Jan 11 of 2017)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141244.

The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: SAN ANDREAS SHELLFISH, 4250 DILLON BEACH RD, DILLON BEACH, CA 94929: ROBERT S BRODSKY, 4250 DILLON BEACH RD, DILLON BEACH, CA 94929. The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL. Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of Marin County on Dec 21, 2016. (Publication Dates: Dec 28 of 2016 and Jan 04, Jan 11, Jan 18 of 2017)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT—File No: 2016-141250.

The following individual(s) is (are) doing business: ANGELICA’S BOTIQUE, 76 BELVEDERE STREET, STE C, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901: GUADALUPE MORALES, 35 SAN CLEMENTE DRIVE # 103, CORTE MADERA, CA 94925.

The business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL. Registrant will begin transacting business under the fictitious

business name(s) listed herein. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of Marin County on Dec 21, 2016. (Publication Dates: Dec 28 of 2016 and Jan 04, Jan 11, Jan 18 of 2017)

OTHER NOTICES NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: MICHAEL G. MULLIGA; Case No. PR-1604559 filed on Dec 20, 2016. To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of MICHAEL G. MULLIGAN. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate.

The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by court. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed in the Superior Court of California, County of MARIN. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that BERNADETTE MULLIGAN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action). The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: JAN 27, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in Dept. M, Superior Court of California, Marin County, located at Superior Court of California, County of Marin, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room # 113, San Rafael, CA, 94903. IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or A CONTINGENT CREDITOR OF THE DECEDENT, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative , as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to

you of a notice under Section 9052 of the California Probate Code. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

ATTORNEY OR PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY: JAMES A. ZAKASKY Esq. sbn 256971, LAW OFFICES OF JAMES A. ZAKASKY, 50 OLD COURTHOUSE SQUARE, SUITE 605, SANTA ROSA, CA 95404. Telephone: 707-595-1148. FAX: 707-595-1149 (Publication Dates: Dec 28 of 2016 and Jan 04, Jan 11, of 2017)

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF MARIN. No: CIV 1604458. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner YANGCHEN LHAMO CHANGBHAR filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: YANGCHEN LHAMO CHANGBHAR to YANGCHEN LHAMO CHANGRA. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: 02/08/2017 AT 08:30 AM, DEPT B, ROOM: B, Superior Court of California, County of Marin, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94913. A copy of this ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Marin: PACIFIC SUN. Date of filing: Dec 13, 2016 (Publication Dates: Dec 28 of 2016 and Jan 04, Jan 11, Jan 18 of 2017)

Publish your Legal Ad • Fictitious Business Name Statement • Abandonment of Business Name Statement • Change of Name • Family Summons • General Summons • Petition to Administer Estate • Withdrawal of Partnership • Trustee Sale For more information call 415/485.6700 ext 331 or email legals@pacificsun.com

Q:

By Amy Alkon

Goddess

I’m a 32-year-old guy, and I want a real relationship. I am good-looking and charming and can get girls into bed pretty early on, but I’m beginning to wonder whether that’s hurting me. I think I end up starting relationships based on sex instead of common interests, personality, etc. Does it pay to hold off on sex, and if so, how long?—Wanting It Real

A:

There are some wonderful committed relationships that started off with, “I want to spend the rest of my boner with you!”

The reality is, those lovebirds probably got lucky (in getting it on with someone they happened to be compatible with). When you have sex right away, you’re prone to getting into a hormone haze—a sort of sex fog—that ends up blurring just about everything but the bed (and maybe the kitchen table, three or four times).

Though people are increasingly getting into relationships through hookups (“sex first/date later”), relationship researcher Dean Busby and his colleagues find that waiting to have sex seems to keep “feels so right!” from killing your ability to see whether it actually is. In their research, dating for at least a month before having sex was associated with higher relationship stability and satisfaction, better sex and better communication.

Again, this isn’t to say that people who have sex on—or even before—the first date won’t have satisfying relationships. But as the researchers put it, “the rewards of sexual involvement early on may undermine other aspects of relationship development and evaluation”—for example, keeping partners from putting as much energy into “crucial couple processes” like hammering out communication. It can also prolong relationships that ultimately don’t work when both people are dressed and standing up.

You don’t have to set your sex clock according to the research: “Oh, look at the time—week four and a half; better get it on!” The point is to wait until you see whether you really like a person and click with them in all the essential ways. Six months into a relationship, if you grab your partner and kiss them as if the world were ending, it should be because you love them that deeply, not because it’s the best way to get them to shut up that doesn’t involve jail time.

Q:

I’m a man in my 50s. I recently started seeing this fantastic lady. She’s my ideal woman except for one small thing: There is no sexual chemistry. However, I don’t plan on having more kids. Also, my body’s slowing down, and sex just isn’t at the top of my list anymore. I’m looking for my true best friend and partner. Still, without any real chemistry, is this relationship doomed?—Seeking

A:

OK, so you feel sex isn’t all that important to you now. Good to know … but not quite the same as donating a treasured artifact to the natural history museum—with a plaque: “Harpoon for display purposes only.”

Your best friend whom you aren’t attracted to and don’t have sex with is—wait for it—your best friend. Sure, a relationship is a best friendship, but it’s more. The sexual part of it—sharing your body—makes for a deeper level of intimacy than, say, “Want a bite of my Reuben?”

Unlike checkers or “Words with Friends,” sex isn’t just an activity. It’s an activity that causes biochemical reactions—like a surge of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin. Though the research on these is in its infancy in humans, they seem to act as a form of emotional glue in some mammals that have been studied—in the wake of sex, causing little rodent-y things called prairie voles to velcro themselves to that special someone.

As for this woman you’ve been seeing, think about how it must feel, right from the start, to have you about as sexually interested in her as you are in one of her end tables. Also consider that being in what sociologist Denise Donnelly calls an “involuntarily celibate relationship”—wanting to have “shared erotic pleasure” (of some kind) but having a partner who refuses—is extremely corrosive. Beyond leading to affairs in 26 percent of those surveyed, it led (predictably!) to sexual frustration (79 percent), feelings of rejection (23 percent) and depression (34 percent). But, whatever, right? I mean, BFFs forever!

The thing is (assuming she isn’t madly in love with you), if you two admit that the spark simply isn’t there, you can still spend your lives together—just not in the same bed. Better to celebrate your best-friendiversary than mourn on your anniversary— that you still want your partner just as much as you used to, which is to say not in the slightest.Y Worship the goddess—or sacrifice her at the altar at adviceamy@aol.com.

For the week of December 28

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Donatello was

a renowned Italian sculptor. His favorite piece was “Lo Zuccone,” a marble statue of the Biblical prophet Habakkuk. As Donatello carved his workin-progress, he addressed it. “Speak, damn you! Talk to me,” he was heard to say on more than a few occasions. Did the stone respond? Judging from the beauty of the final product, I’d have to say yes. One art critic testified that “Lo Zuccone” is a “sublimely harrowing” tour de force, a triumph of “forceful expression,” and “one of the most important marble sculptures of the 15th century.” I suspect that you will have Donatello-like powers of conversation in 2017, Aries. If anyone can communicate creatively with stones—and rivers and trees and animals and spirits and complicated humans, for that matter— it’ll be you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): According to

Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, “A certain type of perfection can only be realized through a limitless accumulation of the imperfect.” Let’s amend that thought so it’s exactly suitable for your use in 2017.

Here's the new, Taurus-specific version: “A messy, practical, beautiful type of perfection can be realized through a patient, faithful, dogged accumulation of the imperfect.” To live up to the promise of this motto, make damn good use of every partial success.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini gymnast Marisa Dick has created a signature move that has never been used by any other gymnast. To start her routine, she leaps up off a springboard and lands on the balance beam doing a full split. The technical term for this bold maneuver is “a change-leg leap to free-cross split sit,” although its informal name is “The Dick Move.” The International Federation of Gymnastics has certified it in its Code of Points, so it’s official. During the coming months, I expect that you will also produce one-of-a-kind innovations in your own sphere.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I hope you will be as well-grounded in 2017 as you have ever been—maybe even since your past life as a farmer.

I trust you will go a long way toward mastering the arts of being earthy, practical and stable. To do this right, however, you should also work on a seemingly paradoxical task: Cultivating a vigorous and daring imagination—as perhaps you did in one of your other past lives as an artist. In other words, your ability to succeed in the material world will thrive as you nurture your relationship with fantasy realms— and vice versa. If you want to be the boss of reality, dream big and wild—and vice versa.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Even if you don’t think

of yourself as an artist, you are always working on a major art project: Yourself. You may underestimate the creativity you call on as you shape the raw material of your experience into an epic story.

Luckily, I’m here to impress upon you the power and the glory of this heroic effort. Is there anything more important? Not for you Leos. And I trust that in 2017 you will take your craftsmanship to the highest level ever. Keep this advice from author Nathan W. Morris in mind: “Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It’s your masterpiece, after all.”

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): French painter Henri Matisse (1869-1954) turned out to be one of the supremely influential artists of the 20th century.

But he was still struggling to make a living well into his 30s. The public’s apathy toward his work demoralized him. At one point, he visited his dealer to reclaim one of his unsold paintings. It was time to give up on it, he felt, to take it off the market. But when he arrived at the gallery, his dealer informed him that it had finally been bought—and not by just any art collector, either. Its new owner was Pablo Picasso, an artist whom Matisse revered. I think it’s quite possible that you will have comparable experiences in 2017, Virgo. Therefore: Don’t give up on yourself !

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “The self in exile remains the self, as a bell unstruck for years is still

By Rob Brezsny

a bell,” writes poet Jane Hirshfield. I suspect that these words are important for you to hear as you prepare for 2017. My sense is that in the past few months, your true self has been making its way back to the heart of life after a time of wandering on the outskirts. Any day now, a long-silent bell will start ringing to herald your full return. Welcome home!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In accordance

with your astrological omens for 2017, I’ve taken a poem that Shel Silverstein wrote for kids and made it into your horoscope. It’ll serve as a light-hearted emblem of a challenging but fun task that you should attend to in the coming months. Here it is: “I’ve never washed my shadow out in all the time I’ve had it. It was absolutely filthy I supposed, so I peeled it off the wall where it was leaning and stuck it in the washtub with the clothes. I put in soap and bleach and stuff. I let it soak for hours. I wrung it out and hung it out to dry. And whoever would have thunk that it would have gone and shrunk, for now it’s so much littler than I.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Walk your wisdom walk in 2017, Sagittarius. Excite us with your wisdom songs and gaze out at our broken reality with your wisdom eyes. Play your wisdom tricks and crack your wisdom jokes and erupt with your wisdom cures. The world needs you to be a radiant swarm of lovable, unpredictable wisdom!

Your future needs you to conjure up a steady stream of wisdom dreams and wisdom exploits! And please note: You don’t have to wait until the wisdom is perfect. You shouldn’t worry about whether it’s supremely practical. Your job is to trust your wisdom gut, to unleash your wisdom cry, to revel in your wisdom magic.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): As I was ruminating on your astrological omens for 2017, I came across a wildly relevant passage written by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. It conveys a message that I encourage you to memorize and repeat at least once a day for the next 365 days. Here it is: “Nothing can hold you back—not your childhood, not the history of a lifetime, not even the very last moment before now. In a moment you can abandon your past. And once abandoned, you can redefine it. If the past was a ring of futility, let it become a wheel of yearning that drives you forward. If the past was a brick wall, let it become a dam to unleash your power.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Naturalist John Muir regarded nature as his church. For weeks at a time he lived outdoors, communing with the wilderness. Of course he noticed that not many others shared his passion. “Most people are on the world, not in it,” he wrote, “having no conscious sympathy or relationship to anything about them— undiffused, separate and rigidly alone like marbles of polished stone, touching but separate.” Is there anything about you that even partially fits that description, Aquarius? If so, I’m pleased to inform you that 2017 will be an excellent year to address the problem. You will have immense potential to become more intimate and tender with all of the component parts of the Great Mystery. What’s the opposite of loneliness?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Seven Chilean poets were frustrated by their fellow citizens’ apathy toward the art of poetry. They sarcastically dramatized their chagrin by doing a performance for baboons. Authorities at the Santiago Zoo arranged for the poets’ safety, enclosing them in a protective cage within the baboons’ habitat. The audience seemed to be entertained, at times listening in rapt silence and at other times shrieking raucously.

I’m sure you can empathize with the poets’ drastic action, Pisces. How many times have you felt that you don’t get the appreciation you deserve? But I bet that will change in 2017. You won’t have to resort to performing for baboons.Y Homework: If you’d like to enjoy my books, music and videos without spending any money, go to bit.ly/ LiberatedGifts.

23 PA CI FI C S U N | D ECEM B ER 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 - JA NU ARY 3, 2017 | PACI FI CSUN.CO M

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