Pacific Sun 11.27.2009 - Section 1

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NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 3, 2009

MARiN’S BEST EVERY WEEK

Q U O T E

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O F

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…when Alexander Graham Bell uttered the historic words,“Watson, did you get my text?” [SEE PAGE 29]

”

Upfront: Mall we want for Christmas? 8 Film: Sign o’ the ‘Times’ 27 Music: About Schmitt 30

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NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2009 PACIFIC SUN 3

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Archaeology meets technology in this small-scale exhibition exploring the scientific examination

The Little Tramp’s final screen moment. Adios, amigo. Film, p. 27. 7 8 9 11 12 20 22 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 36 38 39

Letters Upfront Behind the Sun/Trivia CafĂŠ/ Heroes & Zeros Publisher’s Comment Going Green Style Open Homes Food Theater Film Movies That TV Guy/Single in the Suburbs Music Sundial ClassiďŹ eds Horoscope Advice Goddess

›› ON THE COVER Design Beth Allen

of mummies and providing new insights into the conditions under which the Egyptians lived. Included is the sarcophagus and mummy of Irethorrou, a priest from Egypt around 500 B.C. His mummy has undergone a CT-scan that allows a unique viewing experience of a three-dimensional “fly through� of the body and a forensic reconstruction of his head.

OCTOBER 31, 2009–AUGUST 15, 2010

Embarcadero Publishing Company. (USPS 454-630) Published weekly on Fridays. Distributed free at more than 400 locations throughout Marin County. Adjudicated a newspaper of General Circulation. Home delivery in Marin available by subscription: $5/month on your credit card or $60 for one year, cash or check. No person may, without the permission of the Pacific Sun, take more than one copy of each Pacific Sun weekly issue. Entire contents of this publication Copyright Š2009 Embarcadero Publishing Company ISSN; 0048-2641. All rights reserved. Unsolicited manuscripts must be submitted with a stamped self-addressed envelope.

›› STAFF PUBLISHER - Sam Chapman (x315) EDITORIAL Editor: Jason Walsh (x316); Reporter: Samantha Campos (x319); Movie Page Editor: Matt Stafford (x320); Copy Editor: Carol Inkellis (x317); Calendar Editor: Anne Schrager (x330) CONTRIBUTORS Lee Brady, Greg Cahill, Pat Fusco, Richard Gould, Marc Hershon, Richard P. Hinkle, Brooke Jackson, Brenda K. Kinsel, Jill Kramer (x322), Lois MacLean, Joel Orff, Rick Polito, Renata Polt, Peter Seidman, Nikki Silverstein, Annie Spiegelman, David Templeton, Barry Willis. Books Editor: Elizabeth Stewart (x326) ADVERTISING Advertising Director: Linda Black (x306) Senior Display Representative: Dianna Stone (x307) Display Sales: Ethan Simon (x311), Linda Curry (x309); Inside Sales: Helen Hammond (x303); Courier: Gillian Coder; Traffic Coordinator: Amanda Deely (x302) DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Art Director/Production Manager: Beth Allen (x335); Graphic Designers: Gwen Aguilar (x336), Michelle Palmer (x321); Missy Reynolds, Gabe Lieb, Brindl Markle (x308) ADMINISTRATION Business Administrator: Cynthia Nguyen (x331) Administrative Assistant: Elisa Keiper (x301) Circulation Manager: Bob Lampkin (x340) PRINTING: Paradise Post, Paradise, CA

Member of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies

SKINNER ORGAN CONCERTS Every Sat and Sun, 4pm Live performances of 19th- and early-20th-century favorites.

This exhibition is organized by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco with the cooperation of the Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium and the radiology department of the Stanford Medical School. Additional project assistance has been provided by the Stanford Division of Anatomy, eHuman Inc., and Fovia Inc. Generous support is provided by the William E. Winn, Jr., Living Trust and the Dorothy Tyler Living Trust. Thank you to Intel Corporation for their generous in-kind donation.

Lincoln Park 34th Avenue and Clement Street legionofhonor.org 415.750.3600

Images: Visualization of the mummy Irethorrou by Sarah Hegmann and Beverly Chiang of eHuman using Osirix and Amira Software. Mummy of Irethorrou in Coffin, Egyptian, Akhmim, ca. 500 B.C. Linen; wood with polychrome. Gift of First Federal Trust Company (from the Estate of Jeremiah Lynch).

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›› LETTERS Some people send ‘thank you’ notes for everything... I’d like to personally thank the Novato Police Department, the San Rafael Police Department and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office for traumatizing my wife and children the other night. On Wednesday, Nov. 18, as I was about to walk back up the hill to my house in the Olive School area after putting out my trash cans, a couple of SUVs full of men in ski masks came careening into my driveway. I thought for a moment it was a home invasion robbery or something. By the time I got halfway up the hill, there were police in Kevlar vests and windbreakers coming down the hill, telling me to stay where I was. I spent at least 45 minutes sitting on the curb, freezing my posterior off, getting ID’d by the police, being patted-down and being asked the same inane questions over and over again. “How do you know these people? How long have you lived here? Why are you living here? Who do you pay rent to?” My neighbors also happen to be my landlords, so the house is in their name. Apparently, someone told the cops that my neighbors were committing white-collar crimes. I don’t know the validity of the claim, and I personally don’t care. All I know is that my rights have been trampled. I didn’t think much of it until I was finally allowed to walk up the hill of my private driveway, into my own home, to find a police officer wearing a ski mask and stroking a military-style assault weapon. This 800-pound gorilla was in my living room, with my kids running around! It was like my house was full

of ninjas. As I discovered later, they BANGED on the door, yelling, “Police, search warrant!” over and over, and when my wife opened the door, she had semi-automatic handguns in her face. They made my disabled wife, my 7-year-old son and my 3-year-old daughter sit on the kitchen floor until they ID’d everyone and swept the house, all the while flashing military hardware. This was like something out of the Sopranos or Sons of Anarchy. They claimed they had a warrant, but they never produced it. I was in too much shock to think of asking for it. My wife has a doctor’s recommendation for medical cannabis, so the cops now have photos of my entire house, including her stash, a pipe, a couple of broken bongs and a vaporizer or two. They went through my dresser drawers. They went through my kids’ toys. And the worst thing is, when I talked by phone the next morning to the ACLU, I was informed that I might not have any legal recourse, due to...get this...the Patriot Act! Rupert C,Novato

All we are saying, is give ‘peaceful place to sleep’ a chance I left a neighborhood meeting at San Rafael First United Methodist Church in tears last week. Why? Tears of sorrow that our world is so divided and full of fear of the “other.” Tears that past experience with the homeless have left people with one stereotype of those who live without shelter. San Rafael First UMC is asking to open its doors and floor for 14 nights over a fourmonth period to shelter up to 20 screened and handpicked women each night. The question that has been ringing in my head all night is “How will this benefit us?” My analogy is that it’s like living next to a

›› TOWNSQUARE

TOP POSTINGS THIS WEEK

Open letter to the City of San Rafael This winter, a number of congregations have banded together to help the City of San Rafael mitigate a problem the City has failed to resolve. That problem is the number of peo... Upfront: Sustainability we can afford Creating affordable homes close to jobs is the true big-picture green path, say advocates of sustainability and affordable housing. Read the full story here ... Feature: Throck and awe It was a cold, damp Tuesday night and the boutiquelined streets of downtown Mill Valley were virtually deserted. And yet, on Nov. 17, inside the historic 142 Throckmorton Theatre, devoted droves filled the

Your soapbox is waiting at ›› pacificsun.com gym. You see all these sweaty people pass by, hear the’80s music they blast during spin class and feel annoyed by the activity. But the fact that you live there does not mean that you will get fit. You have to enter the building to gain any benefit. So, I would like to extend an invitation to you. Enter the building. Come and see the ministry. Ask to share dinner one evening and get to know these women, not just as “the homeless women” but as Tracy and Elizabeth and Sally. Be humbled by the depth of gratitude they have for a safe, dry, peaceful place to sleep. Allow yourself to see the benefit of this program firsthand. Allow the fears and stereotypes to fall away as you see the individuals. And after you have had the experience, share how it benefits you. Alison Hendley,San Rafael

Novato can’t even get folks to express their disinterest properly I’m writing in regard to Nikki Silverstein’s recent Single in the Suburbs column [“A The current debate over the usage of Town With- ‘disinterested’ in regard to Novato is out Pity,” the most exciting thing to happen to Oct. 30]. Ms. the town in years. Silverstein wrote that “as soon as women found out he lived in a condo in Novato, they became disinterested.” But “disinterested” means impartial, neutral, unbiased—and Silverstein’s essay makes clear that these women were anything but. I think she meant to tell us that when learning the location of Patrick’s domicile the women lost interest. You may think that “disinterested” is an elegant synonym for “uninterested.” It’s not. Here it’s simply wrong. Occasionally a new dictionary will actually list “uninterested” as a remote alternative definition of “disinterested.” But dictionaries are merely duty bound to denote current usage, not correct usage. These dictionaries also have listings for “ain’t” and “n----r.” Don’t think you’d want to use either of these words either. Martin Blinder,the Grammar Police,San Anselmo

Shout to the rafters Last week, a failed vice-presidential candidate claimed that animals belong right next to the mashed potatoes. This week, our president is pardoning two turkeys. Each of us has the presidential power to pardon a turkey this holiday season. It shows our compassion for an innocent animal and is a most fitting way to give thanks for our own life, health and happiness. The 270 million turkeys abused and slaughtered in the U.S. each year have nothing to give thanks for. They breathe toxic fumes in crowded sheds. Their beaks and toes are severed. At the slaughterhouse, workers cut their throats, and dump them into boiling water, sometimes while still conscious. Consumers too pay a heavy price. Turkey flesh is laced with cholesterol and saturated fats that elevate the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer. A visit to my local supermarket or health food store and an Internet search on vegan Thanksgiving provided me more recipes and delicious turkey alternatives than I can possibly use. MorganVrooman,MillValley

From what we’ve seen, everything in Belvedere is quite dear... I’m writing in regard to the town of Belvedere’s seven-month-long deliberation about what to do about the island’s growing deer population. The only solution I see for getting rid of the deer in Belvedere is for the residents to jump in their This little critter has stricken Hummers and fear into the hearts of the Beemers and run citizenry, according to Belthem over. It’s legal, vedere city manager George the insurance com- Rodericks. pany will pay for vehicle damages and Kaiser will put the drivers back together if they hurt themselves. The deer will just have to be sorry they ever dared eat a flower in Belvedere... Marcia Blackman,San Rafael

Put your stamp on the letters to the editor at ›› pacificsun.com NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2009 PACIFIC SUN 7

SAMANTHA CAMPOS

›› UPFRONT

Northgate has undergone several transformations since opening in 1965 as an outdoor mall.

Deck the mall New Northgate opens with boughs and holly—more fa la la to come

›› NEWSGRAMS

A

later, community leaders, developers and retailers gathered on Nov. 13 to unveil Marin County’s largest enclosed mall in all its redesigned glory. The aesthetic changes to the mall’s interior are dramatic. Huge, oversized glass doors and rolling walls of windows open to lush courtyards, a design element that Macerich says will “blur the boundaries between the indoors and the outdoors.” Native Northern California plants in mammoth-sized pots decorate the center promenade. A triangulated skylight spans the length of the ceiling, bringing in an abundance of natural light, with rows of windows along each wall below that open to allow fresh air to circulate within 10 > the mall. A new outdoor gathering

Golden Gate Bridge seeking firm This week Golden Gate Bridge officials announced a plan to develop interactive visitor programs that could help alleviate the district’s impending $132 million deficit. The district is currently seeking a firm for collaboration, with talks of a museum and 50,000-square-foot visitor center as part of the project. Talks of possible programs include allowing visitors in normally off-limits areas, like walking on catwalks beneath the bridge or climbing up cables. A new $3 million interactive science and engineering exhibit is set to open near the bridge in 2012. Future plans also include eliminating bridge toll takers and increasing the toll by $1 in 2013. Homeless shelter winter rotation begins A countywide plan to rotate temporary emergency homeless shelters at churches this winter is set to begin Dec. 1 and run through March. However, San Rafael city officials have rejected Marin Interfaith Council requests for a provisional permit to operate temporary women’s homeless shelters in four churches sooner than Dec. 8. Meanwhile, the town of San Anselmo has agreed to shelter 30 homeless men for three nights a week at its First Presbyterian Church, with help from members of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ross.

SAMANTHA CAMPOS

s the story goes, it was the end of Christmas season 2006. San Rafael City Manager Ken Nordhoff walked into Mayor Al Boro’s office for a quick chat. “Been to the mall lately, Al?” The mayor nodded, knowingly, and sighed. “Not good, is it?” he replied. At the time, Terra Linda’s 40-year-old Northgate shopping center was looking rather neglected, garnering a reputation as the lowly stepsister to the livelier, more modern Village at Corte Madera and the Town Center Corte Madera. A revamped alliance with Northgate owner Macerich—the Santa Monica-based company that also owns and operates the Village at Corte Madera—and a major renovation project ensued. And 18 months

Samantha Campos

by S am ant ha Camp os

Tiburon cameras approved Tiburon officials last week unanimously approved the implementation of surveillance cameras to record the license plates of all vehicles that enter and exit the town. Police say the primary purpose of the plan, which authorizes up to $197,000 for six cameras to be installed at Tiburon’s two entry points, is to help that department’s investigation of crimes. Photographs of rear license plates could be used to gather names and check criminal records in the event of a theft or other crime—as well as notify police immediately if stolen or crime-involved cars enter the area. The controversial cameras have met opposition from some who say they are an infringement on rights to privacy and are unnecessary in a town of relatively low crime. While maintenance may reach up to $15,000 a year for the non-traffic cameras, the county sheriff’s department is planning to contribute funding for the project.

Tiburon auto surveillance officially got the green light.

Shorts... Thanks to a $389,000 grant from the Federal Lands Enhancement and Recreation Act, some services at three of Marin’s state parks—Mount Tamalpais, Tomales Bay and Samuel P. Taylor—have been restored, including weekday hours at Mt. Tam and Tomales Bay parks...Marin County Department of Health and Human Services has received another 1,700 doses of H1N1 nasal vaccine. The next free vaccine clinic for highrisk individuals will be held Dec. 5 at Novato Community Hospital.—Samantha Campos EXTRA! EXTRA! Post your Marin news at ›› pacificsun.com Despite many of its retail spaces still shuttered, the mall opened earlier this month to take advantage of the holiday shopping season. 8 PACIFIC SUN NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 3, 2009

From the Sun vaults, November 30 -December 6, 1964

Absence of malaprops Fledgling weekly recommends nomadic attire, ornithologist stalking... by Jason Wals h

45

‘There can be no higher law in journalism than to tell the truth and shame the devil.’—American journalist Walter Lippmann

by Howard Rachelson

1a. In what year did the Spanish first colonize California? 1b. When did California become part of Mexico? 1c. In what year was California “annexed” by the United States? Four years later it became a state... 2. What colorful name is given to the first shopping day of the Christmas season? 3. In 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen beat the British explorer Robert Scott in a race to become the first person to reach what landmark? 4. What world currency, only 10 years old, is the second-most-traded currency in the world? 5. Name at least six items eaten at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. 6. See picture at right: 6a. What color is Marge #6 Simpson’s hair? 6b. What American cartoonist and screenwriter created The Simpsons? 6b. The Simpsons cartoon first appeared in 1985 on what quirky TV variety series hosted by a talented Englishwoman? 7a. Perhaps the most important legal document in the history of democracy, a bill of rights for the common people, was written in Latin in 1215, and is known as what? 7b. What English king was forced to sign this document respecting basic human rights? 8. There are more species of insects than all other animals, but the most common species of insects—almost 50 percent—is what? 9a. Which U.S. president declared Thanksgiving a national holiday: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln or Teddy Roosevelt? 9b. About how many turkeys are eaten at Thanksgiving each year: 15 million, 30 million or 45 million? 10. The era of modern technology was launched in the early 1940s when the first electronic computer, weighing 30 tons and using 17,000 vacuum tubes, was built at the University of Pennsylvania. What was the five letter name of this technological forerunner? BONUS QUESTION: Late CBS newsman Charles Kuralt once commented,“Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing...“ what? Howard Rachelson, Marin’s Master of Trivia, invites you to a live team trivia contest at 7:30pm every Wednesday at the Broken Drum on Fourth Street in San Rafael. Join the quiz—send your Marin factoids to howard1@triviacafe.com.

V Recently, 80-year-old Patsy White was at Costco, struggling with a 40-pound package of bird seed when a woman came by and asked if she could help, and then did so by putting the burdensome bag in Patsy’s cart. As the woman left she told Patsy she’d also help put it in the car if she saw Patsy in the parking lot. After getting some other items, Patsy went to her car and the woman was right there, amazingly enough, and hefted the bird seed into the trunk, along with the rest of her purchases, “even though none of them were so heavy.” Says a grateful Patsy: “It was a wonderful encounter and a great help to me. I hope she sees this if you print it so that I can thank her more publicly.”

Answers on page 36

▼ A Mill Valley reader reported on

ZERO

ic death of 19-year-old Fairfax resident Charles Zimmerman who crashed his Honda on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. The farcical is-he-or-isn’t-he dead “misyears ago understanding” occurred after Fairfax Police reported the accident as a fatality, Journalism was quite the shameful little seemingly unaware that the Fairfax Fire devil, 45 years ago this week. Department’s “resuscitator squad” had Newspapers weren’t merely trying to upgraded Zimmerman’s condition to reinvent their identity in the autumn of alive-but-serious. “Zimmerman was then 1964—a time when television threatened cited by the CHP,” reported the Sun, “for to supplant the scandal sheet as Ameri- turning without signaling.” cans’ primary medium of philosophical Other stories that failed to lend credibilthought and intelity to the fledgling lectual discourse. Stinson BeachThey were trying based weekly varied to survive in an from the mundane age when the very (“New Fire Horn”) idea that someto the unintentionone was reading ally illicit (“Kindera newspaper was garten Scotched by headline-worthy Bolinas Board”) to news in itself. the mathematically Case in point, challenged (“Nathe Pacific Sun’s tional Thrift Week lead item from October 19-31”). the final week of The Fairfax ‘resuscitator squad’ yuks it up while valiantly But if the plucky November 1964 reviving a victim, 1964. paper hadn’t carried the incencemented itself as diary headline, “Newspaper Story Read,” the Gray Lady of the West just yet, what it and involved the unheard-of occurrence lacked in front-page scoops it made up for of a Tamalpais High School principal re- with out-and-out gall. citing a Pac Sun article at a student-body Despite its own taste for Dogberryisms, assembly. “As he started to read,” reported the Sun bestowed its worst-headline-ofthe Sun, “student giggling and tittering the-year award to the San Rafael Indepenwas heard throughout the auditorium.” dent Journal (today’s IJ)—the very same If the baby boom generation found issue it featured such whoppers of its the Fourth Estate so bemusing, perhaps own as “Bloody Hatchet Tells Story” and it wasn’t the messenger that alarmed “Crisis Year Was Good.” them—but the message. And who could “Our first impulse was to honor one blame them, with such eyebrow-raising of our own worst goofs, of which there stories that week as “Dress Your Children have been an altogether adequate supply,” as Shepherds” and “Cemetery Poll Taken.” conceded Sun editors. “But we must, alas, And like any suburban community, abandon such a plan in favor of a marvelthe people of Marin were looking to their ous example by the San Rafael daily.” hometown newspaper for guidance about Sun editors were referring to a recent what to do for excitement. To that end IJ story reprinting excerpts from Fulton they were no doubt disappointed by the Oursler’s The Greatest Story Ever Told, page 1, top-of-the-fold feature, “Watch which was then the subject of a muchthe Bird Watchers Watch Birds,” which hyped United Artists’ film production. kicked off with the redundantly rhetoriThe headline read: “Mary With Child; cal question, “Do you want to watch bird Fears Reaction From Joseph.” watchers watching birds?” Few outside And while we admit that’s a good one, the Marin Watch Paint Dry Society reour vote would’ve gone to the Sun headsponded affirmatively. line directly below: “Wanted: Attractive But, more importantly, the reputation Swimsuit Gals.” of Marin’s alternative newspaper would While it certainly didn’t shame the be defined by the accuracy of its reportdevil, a greater truth was never written. < ing. And to that end the Sun was taking Share your favorite headlines with Jason at jwalsh@pacificsun.com. a few lumps with the story “Fatality That Wasn’t, Still Quite Serious.” It seems the Blast into Marin’s past with more Sun failed to tie up all the loose ends to Behind the Sun at ›› pacificsun.com the previous week’s reporting on the trag-

›› TRiViA CAFÉ

HERO

›› BEHiND THE SUN

“a grandmother who left the little one (between 1 and 2)” in her car outside a grocery store “so she could run in and get a bottle of water.” The reader said, “I had another mom run in and page her while my son and I kept a watch on the car.” The window was wide open, said the reader, and “anyone could have reached in, unlatched the car seat and taken that child.” The grandmother’s comment of “different people do things different ways” didn’t sit well with our reader. “It’s unsafe for the child and against the law.” We’ve seen too many over-alarmed Samaritans in our time to judge Grandma too harshly here, so we’ll just advise guardians to keep an extraclose eye on the kiddies this holiday season and leave it at that.—Samantha Campos

Got a Hero or a Zero? Please send submissions to scampos@pacificsun.com. Toss roses, hurl stones with more Heroes and Zeros at ›› pacificsun.com NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 3, 2009 PACIFIC SUN 9

< 8 Deck the mall space called “Oak Plazaâ€? has been created for community events, a sort of minipark adorned with lots of oak trees and benches. Recycling bins adjacent to trash cans pepper the area. Macerich is even pursuing LEED certiďŹ cation by the U.S. Green Building Council in its redevelopment of the mall—a rarity among shopping centers. But while Northgate’s design has been modernized, much of the retail space awaits occupants—which is odd, considering recent weekend reports of packed parking lots. Possibly shoppers are Macerich, a Santa Monica-based company, has owned Northgate since 1985. Its portfolio includes more than 70 shopping centers, including the Village. swarming to the mall’s department store anchors—Macy’s, Sears and the newly The retailers currently open include as Northgate Jewelers and Verizon Wireless yogurt shop opens in late winter/early opened Kohl’s (in the former Mervyn’s Tilly’s, Brow Art II, Children’s Place, by the end of the month. In late winter/ spring 2010, along with the pizza, pasta location). Perhaps the mobs of Twi-fans Claire’s, GameStop, Gap, babyGap & early spring 2010, expect the young-andand salads of Tomatina, as well as Great are ďŹ ling in for the latest vamp saga, New GapKids, GNC, Gymboree, LensCrafters, trendy fashions of Forever 21 and Buckle, Steak & Potato Co., Peet’s Coffee, Roadside Moon, at Century Theatres. Whatever the Northgate Beauty, PacSun, Radio Shack, along with sporty Foot Locker, affordable BBQ and Shogun Fresh Japanese Grill. case may be, let’s Regis Salon, Sheikh Payless Shoe Source and kids’ shoe shop, As Macerich’s vice president of develophope the packed lots Shoes, Sole Desire, Stride Rite. ment, Chuck Davis, said on Northgate’s are a good sign that Perhaps the mobs of Twi-fans are Sunglass Hut, TOn the mall’s dining front, BJ’s Resgrand opening day, “Thanks for being ďŹ ling in for the latest vamp saga, Mobile, Proactive Northgate could taurant & Brewhouse opened earlier this patient. It only gets better from here.â€? < become a “premier (a kiosk), US Bank, month, joining Applebee’s Neighborhood Northgate, located at Los Ranchitos Road and Las Gallinas New Moon, at Century Theatres. Avenue, is open from 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday, destinationâ€? for the Vans, Dazzle WireGrill and Bar, Chipotle Mexican Grill, 10am to 9pm Friday and Saturday, and 11am to 6pm Sunday. upcoming shopping less Metro PCS, Gloria Jean’s Coffees, See’s Candies, and Extended holiday hours may vary; check www.shopatnorthgate. season—or as Boro joked at the grand Visionary Opticians and Hot Topic. in the food court, pizza chain Sbarro, com for details. opening, increased sales-tax revenue. Then everybody’s favorite Swedish sandwich giant Subway and Chinese fast Granted, there are a few retailers and clothing chain, H&M, will be opening in food Combo King. Bakery-cafe Panera It’s your county, speak up at restaurants in place now, along with many early December; followed by the nail salon, Bread opens mid-December, followed by ›› paciďŹ csun.com planning to open soon. Fingers and Toes/Faces and Places, as well Wetzel’s Pretzels; Berry Twist ice cream/

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new, enhanced online version of the PaciďŹ c Sun is now available on our Web site, PaciďŹ csun.com. The new “virtual editionâ€? enables users to ip through the paper electronically, turning pages and zooming in on speciďŹ c stories or ads, and to print out pages of interest. The edition is similar to a PDF (which is also available to online visitors), but doesn’t take as long to load on a computer screen and offers intuitive tools and features that closely resemble the process of reading a physical newspaper. In addition to current and past issues of the Sun, special publications such as “Neighborhoods,â€? “Beauty, Health and Fitnessâ€? and our comprehensive dining guide, “Menus of Marin,â€? are also available in the new format (click on Recent Edition in the left nav bar). The “virtual editionâ€? can be accessed from the Sun’s home page or by clicking on “Recent Editionâ€? in the left-hand navigation bar on the site. It is also available by clicking on “Virtual Editionâ€? under the Sun cover images on the bottom right-

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O come all ye environmental Green ways to put the sanity back in Santa by Car o l I nke llis

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reened out? Overwhelmed by the greenwashing onslaught? Ready “to wash that green right out of your hair”? Fear not, for we have gone beyond most of the “green hype” and discovered some great gift ideas to honor those near and dear to you, maintaining the spirit of the season without generating a lot of waste. We’ll start with the Better World Shopping Guide by Ellis Jones, the ideal reference for both the most and least ecoconscious on your list. Based on Jones’ belief that through our purchases we choose the kind of world we want to inhabit, the book, iPod app and Web site (www.better. worldshopper.com provide a comprehensive and reliable ranking of the social and environmental responsibility of more than 1,000 companies worldwide, with ratings of a multitude of services and products. Less comprehensive, but more accessible and quite informative, is Josh Dorfman’s The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget. Recognizing that people buy stuff, Dorfman reports on products and services that are not only eco-friendly, but also meet standards for price, quality and style. His goal is for real-world innovation that makes it attractive for individuals and companies to embrace environmental change. Check the Web site, www. lazyenvironmentalist.com, for articles, a blog and an assortment of interesting and enlightening links. Admittedly, these books may seem a bit too preachy and might not be received in the spirit in which they’re given. Not to worry: It is pretty easy to gift green-ly. Whether your giftees are already living eco-sustainably or are new to saving the environment, the brand-new Veggie Bed (www.theveggiebed.com) is a terrific present. Marin native and Bay Area resident Andrea Vincent’s effort to do away with the millions of plastic bags used for produce and bulk foods resulted in this polypropylene divided tote with two smaller removable “pj bags.” Handy for grocery shopping and the farmers market, it can be used for toting many other items as well. And the price is right: $3.99; additional two-packs of “pj bags” for $1.99. It’s currently available only at Mollie Stone’s 12 PACIFIC SUN NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 3, 2009

grocery stores—but, according to the company, the Veggie Bed will be coming to a store near you soon. It’s estimated that more than 1,000 plastic produce bags will be replaced by each Veggie Bed. Bay Area-based flip & tumble (www. flipandtumble.com) carries reusable produce bag sets (five for $11). These multiuse bags, constructed of polyester and machine washable, measuring 12-by-14 inches, are a perfect antidote to the ubiquitous plastic bag. The company’s brightly colored roomy nylon shopping bag, which easily folds into itself to become a small ball about 3 inches in diameter, was designed to hold a whole lot of purchases— or anything else for that matter. Unlike canvas bags, this one won’t rip—and it looks a lot better on your shoulder, too. Speaking of the farmers market, it’s also a good spot for picking up gifts. In

addition to the olive oils, spices, jams, essential oils and other gourmet goods to choose from, a whole section is devoted to artisans selling their handmade wares. Among the most unusual is artist Briana Kaufmann, whose recycled kitchen implements take on a new life as whimsical art objects, charms and pins. Other items fashioned from recycled materials can be found as well, along with hand-dyed silk, organic wool knits, ceramics and much more. Besides acquiring individually crafted gifts, these purchases support the local economy. Wrap these gifts in fabric or reusable bags. The Japanese have been doing it for centuries and it is considered to be an art by many. In keeping with the “reduce, reuse, recycle” theme are meaningful gifts that don’t require more “stuff.” Although many here and worldwide are in need of everyday essentials to get by, most of us have too much. Tickets to a play, concert, dance performance—even movie tickets—are thoughtful, especially to those whose budget doesn’t allow

for much in the way of entertainment, or for those who could use some diversion, but wouldn’t do it for themselves. There’s certainly no shortage of events in the Bay Area to satisfy anyone’s taste—check the Sundial section, or the more comprehensive calendar online at www.pacificsun. com for upcoming shows. Make this gift more special by accompanying the giftee(s) as well. Museum memberships are valuable gifts that last all year, providing opportunities for learning and reflection—and they don’t add to the landfill. Plus, members get to walk right in without having to wait in line. The Bay Area is home to a diverse array of art, science and children’s museums—far too many to list here. Memberships to museums, zoos, etc., in other parts of the country (and world, for that matter) are easy to obtain for those who live far away. For film lovers, the California Film Institute, www.cafilm.org is a great deal—free passes, reduced-price tickets all year and discounts for the Mill Valley Film Festival. Worried about the effect of Nature Deficit Disorder on nieces, nephews, children or family friends? A pass to the California State Parks (parks.ca.gov)—boy, can they use the money—is good for all parks

‘Thus every beast by some good spell, in the stable dark was glad to tell—of the gift he gave Emmanuel’— ’The Friendly Beasts’

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'/).' '2%%. still open in the state. Nature lovers and outdoorsy types all over the country could get a lot of use from a National Parks pass (nps.gov); locally, that means free entrance to Muir Woods. Marin Municipal Water District (marinwater.org) also sells annual passes to the Mt. Tamalpais watershed, which covers 130 miles of trails and provides picnic tables and peaceful surroundings. Donating to a cause that your giftee supports or is involved in is a respectful, in some cases reverent, way to recognize someone. Even if you aren’t aware of any particular group or cause, you should know enough about this person—or family or group of people—to choose a local, national or international group. (If you don’t, you might want to rethink the gift-giving.) The American Red Cross offers a holiday “catalogâ€? of gifts, which makes a donation more tangible because your gift recipient knows where his or her gift is going. For example, $25 will vaccinate 25 children against measles. Find out more at http:// american.redcross.org/site/ PageS er ver? pagename=gen _store_main. Animal lovers—and who doesn’t have several on their list?—would appreciate helping out any number of animal-protection groups and causes, from our own WildCare (wildcarebayarea.org) in San Rafael to global organizations. WildCare treats more than 3,000 sick, injured and orphaned wild animals every year, with the goal of returning them to their natural habitat; it also sponsors nature education activities. There’s also SPAWN, the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (spawnusa.org), which, in addition to its work to protect native ďŹ sh and ďŹ sh habitat, also sponsors a number of events. Thinking globally, there’s Heifer International (www.heifer.org), whose mission is to help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant. Or, an endangered sea turtle can be adopted through Caribbean Conservation Corporation (cccturtle.org).

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Numerous organizations that work to improve the lives of animals— and the world—exist, and with a little work online, or the help of a reference librarian, you can ďŹ nd a good match. Talk about a green gift—cards from the Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org/shopping/ giveatree/giveatree. cfm) help America’s national forests by planting a tree in honor of the recipient. And it is a gift that lasts a lifetime. Cooking a meal, grocery shopping, providing transportation, caregiving, etc., may be the most valuable gift of all for someone in need. It sounds hokey, but it can make an enormous difference in someone’s life. If you don’t want to make your own “gift certiďŹ cates,â€? download them from regiftable. com/DontWantToRegift/Default.aspx. Then there’s regifting—which deďŹ nitely ďŹ ts in with the eco-mantra reduce, reuse, recycle. Though widely practiced, especially at this time of year, it is frowned upon. But it is an environmentally friendly concept. Of course, most of us save those weird and inappropriate items for the company party’s gift exchange. As the old saying goes, one’s man’s trash is another man’s treasure. < Gift Carol with your ideas at cinkellis@paciďŹ csun.com

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'/).' '2%%. The kindest cut of all Make sure your holiday sapling isn’t sapping the environment by Samant ha Campos

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How are thy leaves so verdant! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Much pleasure doth thou bring me! —adapted from the traditional German carol, “O Tannenbaum”

E

ven the most curmudgeonly among us cannot deny the pleasurable scent of a fresh Christmas tree. Speckled with silver tinsel and strings of lights or bedecked in popcorn garlands and heirloom ornaments, our decorated tree sets the ambiance for a whole season of festivities. Even the very act of decorating seems to bring the household together in the spirit of the holidays. But as “verdant” as “thy leaves” might be, how environmentally green are our beloved Christmas trees, really? Chopping down a tree after Thanksgiv-

ing just to throw it out by the new year doesn’t initially sound so very green. A common alternative to the cut pine—sans abstinence, of course—is the altogether less-fresh but annually reusable plastic tree. But is a fake Christmas tree more environmentally friendly than the real thing? Apparently not, considering that the majority of artificial trees are produced outside of the U.S. and are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)—the most toxic of all plastics, possibly one of the most hazardous consumer products ever made—and is not recyclable. And if it’s been around for a while, your plastic tree is likely to contain lead (which, as you know, is not so great for the kids). So OK—just say no to faux. There are other options, like buying a live tree and planting it—but

Local Tree Farms McGovern Christmas Tree Farm, 563 McClay Road, Novato A 31-year-running family operation, with plantation-grown Noble firs shipped in from Salem, Oregon, and an on-site, licensed “flockologist.” Little Hills Christmas Tree Farm, 961 Chapman Lane, Petaluma Choose and cut your own pines, Leyland cypress and Sierra redwood. Ready-cut Noble, Douglas and Turkish fir trees are also available. www. littlehillschristmastree.com. Larsen’s Christmas Tree Farm, 391 Marshall Ave., Petaluma Choose and cut your own Monterey pine, Leyland cypress, Sierra redwood and Scotch pines (saws, carts and assistants available). Readycut Noble, Douglas and Turkish fir, as well as wreaths and garlands are also available. The Liberty Christmas Tree Farm, 241 Liberty Road, Petaluma Cut and choose from Douglas fir, Monterey pine and Sierra redwood; with freshly cut Noble, Douglas and Turkish fir available. <

you’ll likely be planting a non-native tree in an inappropriate landscape if you don’t know what you’re doing (contact your local nursery, to be sure). You could decorate a living tree in your backyard or hang a sequined bulb on a houseplant you already have— but then your ornamentation outside may get damaged and your decorated fern may look a little like Charlie Brown’s sad little Tannenbaum. There’s always the option of making a “crafts tree” out of found objects— which would, unfortunately, require no small amount of effort and creativity. If you live or spend your holidays in Los Angeles, you could rent a living tree through the Living Christmas Company (http://livingchristmas.com) and have a live, potted tree delivered to your door—but then you’d have to be in, ugh, L.A. Our neighbors in San Francisco can order living, potted Christmas trees for a limited time through Friends of the Urban Forest and S.F. Environment (www.sfenvironment.org/greenchristmas), which then retrieves the trees after the holidays and plants them on S.F. city streets. Ah, but the parking! Well, anyway, according to the online environmental sites Grist (www.grist.org) and TreeHugger (www.treehugger.com), the best Christmas tree option in this county does indeed seem to be the “good oldfashioned wooden kind” that you’d get from a farm—although when selecting your tree, keep in mind the usual eco-tips. Try to find trees grown organically versus ones grown with pesticides or herbicides, local farms are best and stick with family operations instead of large-scale producers. In general, Christmas tree farms operate on sustainability; when you cart yours away, they’ll plant a new seedling replacement (usually two to three) that’ll be ripe for another cozy holiday home in a few years, all whilst doing its splendorous tree thing—turning carbon dioxide into oxygen and providing habitats for wildlife. Eco-experts say that just 1

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acre of Christmas trees produces the daily oxygen requirement for 18 people; the trees typically require no irrigation water, are raised in their natural region and stabilize soil. Christmas trees are recyclable (call Marin Sanitary Service at 415/456-2601) and biodegradable. And actually, what you do with your tree after you’ve enjoyed it is just as important as deciding which kind and where to get it. Instead of simply throwing your tree in the trash and contributing to our overflowing landfills, consider converting it to mulch or compost. Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree— Forever true your colour! < Share your Douglas fir stories with Samantha at scampos@pacificsun.com Check out past Going Green stories at

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When I ¿rst came into see Dr. Cantor three and a half years ago I was very skeptical about chiropractic, but after my list of problems had gotten too long to list (including ¿bromyalgia) and I had seen all of the SPECIALISTS, I decided to give chiropractic a chance. After three weeks of complaining of my symptoms, I noticed that each one started to disappear one by one! Now I come in for preventative maintenance with my daughter (whose allergies and asthma cleared up) and live a happier life with less suffering!! Thanks, Dr. Cantor, for all your help! —Jen S. (Novato)

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Buy one facial service at the regular price get 1/2 off the second one. Offer expires DEC 31st 2009

Adam H. Cantor D.C

456-7111 73 Red Hill Ave. San Anselmo

Cantor Chiropractic Center 754 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Suite 2, San Anselmo

{x{Â‡Â™ĂˆääĂŠUĂŠwww.cantorcc.com NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2009 PACIFIC SUN 15

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If the Three Wise Men had given high-energy axseed bars on the Big Day, who knows how history would’ve turned out.

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16 PACIFIC SUN NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2009

Uriel Barron, CertiďŹ ed Arborist 1328

t one end of the seasonal-affect spectrum we have the sensation that “Christmas is at our throat.â€? The immortal Noel Coward lived way out there, along with a couple of New Yorker cartoonists. At the other end: hyper-excited merrymakers of every age, some of whom actually squirrel away presents beginning in February, guided by an inner database that keeps track of everyone’s likes and dislikes, clothing size, etc. Such people are selectively deaf to the words “no giftsâ€?; they make the rest of us look like slackers. Assuming you have not withdrawn from the holiday spree with a curmudgeonly sniff, or burnt out from the shopocalypse, think about what’s really important—family, friends and food. Plus that most precious gift of all: enough time to enjoy the season. How to get the time? Don’t spend the entire season shopping. This ethos is best exempliďŹ ed by Reverend Billy and his Stop Shopping Choir (www.revbilly.com/aboutus), whose gospel asks the listener to simply back away from the shelf. Can’t go cold turkey? Try sustainable shopping and doing-it-yourself. DIY is a soothing method to get me through the lastminute Christmas gift panic. A few caveats: O Gift must take up very little space. O It must cost less than $50, bonus points if it costs nothing. Recycling is fair game. O It should be local and healthful.

Tips to pass as one of the Perpetually Prepared Rufty tufty outdoors types often lose their stuff, owing to a fascinating double shot of genes governing novelty-seeking (which got them on mountain bikes in the ďŹ rst place): impulsivity and ADHD. Which is why they don’t remember to zip shut the bag they just grabbed something out of...gloves, ashlights, mini toolkits for bicycles leap out onto the road or the trail to be found (by others) at trailheads. Gloves are sadly the most-often lost ďŹ tness necessity. Once off, one or both gloves can hitch a ride via the wonders of Velcro, on someone else’s laundry pile, your own trouser leg, a park bench if you don’t pay full attention in both the putting down and the taking up...sneaky! Why not do yourself and your pedalhead friends a favor and suggest writing their names and e-mail addresses on the inside of the gloves with a laundry pen. And, make a tiny-font label to tape on the ashlight, camera and helmet of your loved ones (and yourself). You’d be surprised how things come back when the ďŹ nder is given a chance to return them. All my jackets, glasses and sunglasses feature indelible markings. After all, not needing to replace things is a reasonably green alternative to having multiples of everything in case of loss. Trips for Kids Re-Cyclery (610 18 >

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Shop & Dine then join us for an Old-Fashioned Holiday Event...

G Opening ceremonies with Cub Scout Pack 50 reciting the Pledge of Allegiance

G FREE photo with Santa and holiday gift G Complimentary refreshments G Holiday Entertainment Marin Girls Chorus G C ole Canine, grandson of Mayor Peter Breen, will ip the switch lighting the Town for the holiday season

BUNK BEDS! Just in time for Christmas! Shop early for best selection! Now on Sale at Marin’s Largest Kids’ & Teens’ Showroom!

Locally Owned & Operated

115 BELLAM BLVD., SAN RAFAEL (at East Francisco)

457-9900

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2009 New Year’s Resolution #1: Get the Honey-Do List done by 2010! Since 1983, Mill Valley Builders has served Marin with ďŹ ne building & honest workmanship. We’ve never forgotten you might need smaller service like leak repairs or window replacement.

We’re here to help!

$50/hr Handyman Service

G The 17th Annual Holiday Window

Decorating Contest for San Anselmo Businesses will be announced. Sponsored by the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce

Sponsored By: San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce, State Farm Insurance, Ross Valley Fire Department, Seawood Photo, San Anselmo Coffee Roasters, Salvation Army, United Markets,Town of San Anselmo, San Anselmo Recreation Department

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For Information call San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce 415.454.2510 www.sananselmochamber.org

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54 Years of Building the Community 2EDWOOD (WY s -ILL 6ALLEY 3EMINARY %XIT OFF s WWW GOODMANSBUILDINGSUPPLY COM NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2009 PACIFIC SUN 17

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Celebrating 77 Years in 2009!

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Marin: (415) 454-7400

Everything a grooming shop offers, right in your driveway in our state-ofthe-art mobile grooming van. We bring water, soap, fuel and foo-foo with us, and take the hair, fur, gunk and grime away when we leave!

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Serve in the Peace Corps! 74 Countries. No Age Limit! Information Session: Monday, Dec. 7, 6:30PM San Rafael Public Library

Fourth Street, San Rafael) has almost everything a cyclist could need, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the ďŹ rst charity to put at-risk kids astride mountain bikes. Check the hours atwww.tripsforkids.org/ marin/recyclery.htm or 415/458-2986. It is important to have illumination after dusk. Flashlights are perfect when you didn’t outďŹ t the bike with a light. Just clench it in your ďŹ st while riding innocently past OfďŹ cer O’Callousman. Every bike shop has an array of stocking-stuffer size multi-tools...those compact kits that enable even a non-tool user to get back on the bike (assuming a helpful person cruises past). The most recent bicycle shop to open—the nonproďŹ t Bicycle Works, 1117 San Anselmo Ave. at Yolanda Station—will show your gift recipient how to use that new tool. Healthy holidays My favorite bar: BumbleBar, a vegan delight rich in fresh sesame and ax seeds and boosted with organic brown rice syrup. It costs more than the usual ďŹ tness bar, but it’s the most delicious one I’ve ever had in over 30 years of chewing extruded goo. The only trouble is, the two-bar-aday habit has become a line item on my own household budget. Another gourmet bar of note is the charmingly named 18 Rabbits bar, confected in San Francisco by dedicated athlete/chefs. Look for it in health food stores. If you can get your riding buddy addicted, you can cadge one off

of her later on out on the trails. In the healthful department, consider spending a couple of hours at the Marin Cancer Center (1350 S. Eliseo Drive Greenbrae) on Thursday, Dec. 3, between 5 and 8pm, fabricating greeting cards with collage artist Jane Kraft. Each card you create (for the Cancer Center) raises $5 at the gift shop in Marin General Hospital. Samples of the Valentines Day card-making event are at www.ickr.com/photos/ wombatbiker/3275158619/in/photostream. No experience is necessary, materials are supplied and you come away with glitter- and glue-stuck ďŹ ngers and a satisfying feeling of having contributed to cancer programs beneďŹ ting women in Marin. Final ourish My presents, new and recycled, come with a handmade card or decorated note. Why not “self-publishâ€? a wordy tome 4 inches tall (see photo, and instructions: http://weefolkart.com/?q=node/376)? I’ve made a dozen unique books from a single folded page this way, and the recipient has always been charmed. Don’t forget to reserve the front page for the title and back page for copyright symbol and the date, plus your made-up name for a “press.â€? With the six remaining sides I get to express how much I love that person. < Jacquie Phelan is a member of the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame and Mountain Biking Hall of Fame. Cycle to more stories at

›› PACIlCSUN COM

Contact: 800.424.8580 sfevents@peacecorps.gov

www.peacecorps.gov GRAND RE-OPENING

ZEBA HOME MARIN One of a kind home furnishing & antique furniture store in the North Bay.

25% -70% Discount on select merchandise for the holiday season.

716 4th St. San Rafael 415-259-6197 Store Hours: Mon - Sat 10am - 7pm Closed Sundays

www.zebamarin.com 18 PACIFIC SUN NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2009

Go till it on the mountain Help Marin stay green with the Marin Municipal Water District... -T 4AMALPAIS 4RAIL #REW s 3ATURDAY $EC AM TO PM Sky Oaks Trail improvement. Rain or shine! Come help maintain and dress up the trail before its dedication as the Alex Forman Trail. Meet at the Lagunitas Picnic Area at the end of Sky Oaks Road, off Bolinas Road, in Fairfax. -T 4AMALPAIS (ABITAT 2ESTORATION FOR "ICYCLISTS 3ATURDAY $EC AM TO NOON Invasive species removal on Hidden Meadow Trail. Bike to the trailhead or hike in from Natalie CofďŹ n Greene Park or Lake Lagunitas Picnic Area. -T 4AMALPAIS (ABITAT 2ESTORATION s 3ATURDAY $EC AM TO NOON Invasive species removal at Pine Point on the northern lakeshore of Bon Tempe. Invasive vegetation includes French broom, pampas grass, Douglas ďŹ r seedlings, pine seedlings and cotoneaster. Meet at the Lagunitas Picnic Area at the end of Sky Oaks Road, off Bolinas Road, in Fairfax. -T 4AMALPAIS (ABITAT 2ESTORATION FOR 3TUDENTS s 3ATURDAY $EC AM TO NOON Earn three hours of service credit helping to remove invasive French broom at Pine Point on the northern lakeshore of Bon Tempe. This project is just for high school and college students. Come with friends, classmates or your school club. Students under 18 will need to bring a copy of a MMWD permission form signed by a parent or guardian. Call 415/945-1128 or e-mail volunteerprogram@marinwater.org for a form. Meet at the Lagunitas Picnic Area at the end of Sky Oaks Road in Fairfax. Events are subject to cancellation due to heavy rain. Call 415/945-1128 the morning of the event. It could be raining on Mt. Tam, but sunny 10 miles away or vice versa!—JP

KEN PIEKNY

1100 E St., San Rafael, CA 94901

Come Feel the Spirit of

Fairfax’s Holiday Open House Downtown Holiday Party!

UÊ ÝÌi `i`Ê- « Hours UÊ-Ì ÀiÜ `iÊ-> ià UÊ ÞÊ-ÜiiÌÊ/Ài>ÌÃÊ & Merriment Pssst! Santa Stopover!

December 5th & 6th

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NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2009 PACIFIC SUN 19

›› STYLE Now featuring the work of local artists:

Peta Sanderson Mary Blake

2004-0 9

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A Graduate Degree…Your Path to Success

You are Invited to an Information Session!

Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. Guzman Hall, Dominican campus Graduate degrees: MBA Green® MBA Global Management MBA Strategic Leadership MA Humanities, MS Biological Sciences MS Nursing, MS Counseling Psychology MS Occupational Therapy MS Education and Teaching Credential programs RSVP: 415-485-3280 graduateprograms@dominican.edu

Marie S. MS Occupational Therapy

50 Acacia Avenue San Rafael, California 94901 www.dominican.edu

20 PACIFIC SUN NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2009

very year it seems like Christmas is pampered. I often notice that men will use coming earlier than the year before. things in “make due” fashion. Well I think When I was picking up Halloween it’s time we break that cycle by providing candy at my local drugstore they were ala touch of luxury, even if it’s just doing ready rolling out the tinsel, bulbs and jolly away with plastic bags to cover shoes while Santas. Well folks, that was traveling and getting them into the $13.95 weeks ago. Reality may have Gentlemen’s Traveling Shoe Bag from www. blurred for you, too, but thespoonsisters.com. These hip and modern let me be the one to shoe bags will protect their clothing from break it to you: The getting dirty and their shoes from getting holidays are before us, scuffed. They are fun, masculine and will for real this time. last forever—and they also offer a cool Are you prepared? Of golf shoe bag. course not! Neither For those who are always am I. But I have a fussing with their collar, or dream. When I who always seem to get think of holiday gift their shirt adjusted by giving, I always imagtheir significant other, ine this lovely bundle the solution is the of items so thoughtfully Magnetic Collar assembled. And often, by Stay found on Dec. 31, I’m still thinking it was www.uncoma good idea and, well, maybe next mongoods.com. The above-mentioned year. Could I get closer to changing These magnets will ‘hip’ shoe bag… that fantasy into a reality if I help you help keep your collar do it first? I’m going to try. Follow me. I looking straight and neat have provided some gift-giving without having to constantly ideas that could be bundled toadjust. Two sets for $30. gether if you so choose, or will Let’s move to accesat least work for the person sories for men. Men whose name you picked in tend to wear fewer your Secret Santa drawing. accessories than we Do these gifts have a fashwomen, but here is ion flare? Of course! one that most men A lot of the items will say yes to. For that I found this year the everyday man are online through there is the Magwear: Giving outunique Web sites such Handyman’s Helper blanket is of-town guests a hig also a poli h -e as ww.thespoonsisters. they Magnetic Wristn d tr av te way to fi ’re leaving nd out wh el . com and www.wishingband. This wristband en fish.com. has a powerful magLet’s start with the men. No more socks, netic bowl that holds onto underwear or tools for Christmas. Let’s give hardware, small tools and other metallic the men in our life things that make their objects. No longer will your man have to lives easier or make them feel just a bit more go up and down the ladder to grab more

nails, or wander around to find the screws he just set down. They can all fit onto this magnetic bowl while he works. (www. thespoonsisters.com, $19.95) Traveling can sometimes be a nightmare and you never know when you’re going to have to deal with a layover, a dispute over luggage size or overstressed passengers. Luckily, travel products seem to be getting more and more inventive and useful. Some of my new favorites are the Lug Nap Sac Travel Blanket and Inflatable Pillow. This 2-in-1 compact set comes in a supersoft material that will keep you cozy and comfortable on your long travels. It even has a pouch to store your iPod or phone, and comes in 11 colors, from $25 at www. amazon.com. As we have all witnessed within the past year, traveling has become more expensive due to the new luggage fees. Everyone is trying to jam a weeklong wardrobe into a carry-on to avoid those fees. A great product to help make use of every spare inch is the Eagle Creek Pack It Compressor. The lightweight bags help you compress your clothing by up to 80 percent with their patented one-way pressure valves that release air. Now those bulky winter sweaters won’t take up so

much room. Set of two is $20 at REI. The other thing we’ll be worrying about this season is the flu that’s going around. There are plenty of hand sanitizers out there, but Jao products are a touch above the rest with added essential oils. Now you can get rid of the germs and be relaxed by the scent of lavender; 2-ounce travel size $7.25 (www. runninggiraffe.com). Can you say Who wants plain slippers—when you can have Sock Monkey Slippers?

“stocking stuffer”? What to get the woman who has everything? Most women have a closet full of clothing. What they might not have is a problemBeat the swine flu— solving kit to make it and smell great— all fit properly. One with essential-oil of my favorite new hand sanitizers. products out there is the Instant Button for Jeans, set of two for $15 at www.wishingfish. com. No matter how hard you try to stick to

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your holiday diet, these will help adjust the waistline of your jeans just in case you have a hard time resisting the Christmas cookies. And for those who have a hard time keeping the inside of their purse organized

(don’t we all), the problem is solved with the Purseket. No more shuffling through your purse. This mini handbag organizer works perfectly in small purses, has expandable pockets to hold all your necessities and comes in panther or polka dot; $18 at www.spoonsisters.com. One thing that can never get old is Hollywood Fashion Tape. This double-sided tape will save you from all sorts of fashion disasters. Whether your straps keep falling down, or your shirt keeps showing more skin than you planned, this tape will keep

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everything right where you want it; $8.99 for 36 double-stick strips, www.Hollywoodfashiontape.com. Do you see a holiday bundle theme here? Here are some ideas for great gifts that will encourage creativity and imagination for the children on your list. The T-Shirt Graffiti Pens are a fun way to create your own clothing. These fabric markers work great on cotton and will last through several washes. You can decorate on anything from shoes to shirts and caps; $9.95 at www. thespoonsisters.com. These super-cute kids’ Sock Monkey Slippers will keep the young ones’ little toes warm during the cold winter. The slippers are playful and fun, and you can also get the matching Big Sock Monkey Doll. Slippers are $22 and monkey doll is $18 at www.uncommongoods.com. An easy way to present your gifts is to choose the ones you want to group, get some tissue paper in colors and a few gift bags. Wrap the gifts loosely in the tissue and plop them in the gift bag. Write names on tags, attach and that’s it! P.S. It’s OK to put your own name on the list, as well. I know you’re lusting after that Instant Button... < Brenda Kinsel is a fashion and image consultant based in Marin. Check out her Web site at www.brendakinsel.com.

Offer some helpful fashion advice on TownSquare at ›› pacificsun.com

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d i P i e t r o To d d S a l o n 250 Camino Alto Mill Valley 415.388.0250 www.diPietroTodd.com NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2009 PACIFIC SUN 21

M A R i N

R E A L

E S TAT E

PACIFIC SUN OPEN HOMES

Attention realtors: To submit your free open home listing for this page and for our online listing map go to ›› pacificsun.com, click on Real Estate on the left navigation bar, then scroll to the bottom of our new Real Estate page and click on the open home submission link. Please note that times and dates often change for listed Open Homes. Call the phone number shown on the properties you wish to visit to check for changes prior to visiting the home.

BOLINAS

INVERNESS

5 BEDROOMS

100 Brighton Sun 12-4 Frank Howard Allen

$3,900,000 384-0667

11 Redwood Sun 2-4 Bradley Real Estate

CORTE MADERA

$829,490 455-1140

61 Bayview Sun 2-4 McGuire Real Estate

$1,150,000 383-8500

14 Laurel Sun 1-4 11 Fern Sun 2-4

4 BEDROOMS

5124 Paradise Sun 2-4 Frank Howard Allen

$1,895,000 461-3000

First Marin Realty, Inc Alain Pinel Realtors

3 BEDROOMS

$1,225,000 383-9393 $1,695,500 755-1111

MARSHALL 19815 State Route 1 $619,000 Sat 12-3 Coastal Marin Real Estate 633-1104 19825 State Route 1 $839,000 Sat 12-3 Coastal Marin Real Estate 633-1104 22825 State Route 1 $1,150,000 Sat 12-3 Coastal Marin Real Estate 633-1104

2 BEDROOMS

$449,000 847-2670

Mark “Jake” Baker

1530 Armstrong/MOBILE Sun 2-4 Marin Realty Group

$89,000 927-4443

271 Santa Rosa Sun 1-4 McGuire Real Estate 25 Santa Rosa Sun 1-4 McGuire Real Estate 70 Monte Mar Sun 1-4 McGuire Real Estate

$1,175,000 383-8500 $2,674,000 927-1492 $2,000,000 383-8500

STINSON BEACH 3 BEDROOMS

ROSS

141 Seadrift Sun 11-2 Seadrift Realty, Inc

4 BEDROOMS

2 BEDROOMS

GREENBRAE

3 BEDROOMS

$839,000 383-8500

NOVATO

4 BEDROOMS

14 Arrowhead Sun 2-4 McGuire Real Estate

SAUSALITO

2 BEDROOMS

KENTFIELD

3 BEDROOMS

655 Eliseo Sun 1:30-4

MILL VALLEY

2 BEDROOMS

60 Baywood Sun 2-4 McGuire Real Estate

$1,845,000 383-8500

SAN ANSELMO RE/MAX

4 BEDROOMS

356 Seadrift Sun 11-2 Seadrift Realty, Inc

$5,300,000 868-1791

TIBURON

2 BEDROOMS

576 Scenic Sun 1-2:30

$2,595,000 868-1791

$719,000 381-1500

3 BEDROOMS

2387 Mar East Sun 2-4 Alain Pinel Realtors

$1,689,000 755-1111

6 BEDROOMS

7 Seafirth Sun 2-4

›› HOME SALES

$3,995,000 381-1500

RE/MAX

DOM* = Days on Market

Recent sales in Marin County include:

Address

BELVEDERE

40 BAYVIEW

CORTE MADERA 610 CHAPMAN 16 WILDFLOWER 24 SUMMIT 8 TRADEWIND 660 REDWOOD

GREENBRAE

43 PASEO 36 CORTE MORADA 4/3 337 BRETANO 126 LA CUESTA

INVERNESS

12765 SFD 60 CROMARY 66 DRAKES SUMMIT

KENTFIELD 12 LAUREL 8 LIVE OAK

Selling $

DOM* List/Sell% Address

Br/Ba

Asking $

3/3

$2,350,000

$1,980,000

3/2 3/3 2/3 3/2 3/3

$1,050,000 $998,000 $1,025,000 $899,000 $960,000

$990,000 $990,000 $955,000 $899,000 $750,000

44 47 70 38 126

94.3% 99.2% 93.2% 100.0% 78.1%

6/4

$1,410,000 $1,400,000 $1,335,000 $1,231,725

106 29 175 88

88.1% 98.2% 85.6% 95.1%

ROSS

3/3 4/3

$1,600,000 $1,425,000 $1,559,000 $1,295,000

1/1 2/1 1/1

$849,000 $725,000 $679,000

$836,000 $660,000 $650,000

100 40 128

98.5% 91.0% 95.7%

TIBURON

5/4 4/6

$3,650,000 $3,995,000

$4,500,000 $3,450,000

22 137

123.3% 86.4%

234

84.3%

19 MANOR 38 BERENS 11 HOTALING

MILL VALLEY

52 CYPRESS 1 COACH 307 CHERRY BLOSSOM 187 ELM 313 BELL 311 DEERTRAIL 11 FERNHILL 189 LAGUNITAS 59 WINSHIP 86 GLENWOOD 32 MEADOW HILL 1915 STRAITS VIEW 2960 PARADISE 2060 CENTRO EAST 531 SILVERADO 28 MARINERO

Br/Ba

Asking $

Selling $

DOM* List/Sell%

5/5 3/2 4/4

$2,750,000 $1,319,000 $1,650,000

$2,350,000 $1,270,000 $1,190,000

153 94 217

85.5% 96.3% 72.1%

4/4 4/3 3/3 4/2 5/3 4/3

$1,850,000 $1,599,000 $1,425,000 $1,529,000 $1,089,000 $1,149,000

$1,855,000 $1,540,000 $1,410,000 $1,220,000 $1,022,000 $975,000

16 33 103 127 62 164

100.3% 96.3% 98.9% 79.8% 93.8% 84.9%

6/6 5/5 4/2 3/2

$4,595,000 $5,495,000 $1,840,000 $995,000

$5,000,000 $4,075,000 $1,785,000 $1,100,000

21 119 64 7

108.8% 74.2% 97.0% 110.6%

5/8 5/5 3/5 3/4 3/2 2/2

$8,800,000 $3,800,000 $3,995,000 $2,295,000 $1,250,000 $769,000

$5,880,000 $3,650,000 $1,945,000 $1,900,000 $1,170,000 $600,000

406 78 501 215 71 292

66.8% 96.1% 48.7% 82.8% 93.6% 78.0%

›› pacificsun.com 22 PACIFIC SUN NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2009

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