Make yourself a home. At Cokas Diko, you’ll discover sumptuous, one - of - a - kind tables, couches, chairs, lamps, rugs, drapes, mirrors, original art and other finds priced so that you can afford to redecorate your entire home. Choosy about fabrics? We offer custom upholstered furniture along with interior design services to help make your home the perfect place to live and love.
letters
Readers respond to Marin Magazine.
home decor
Fresh furnishings for outdoor living. by somer flaherty
what’s it like?
To teach young girls in Afghanistan. by camilla barry
currents
Art houses, award-winning coffee and Peter Pan.
fashion trends
Go bright for spring. by somer flaherty
travel buzz
Sojourn news, deals and tidbits. by mimi towle
marinterview
Murray Circle’s Joseph Humphrey shares his thoughts. by mimi towle
by somer flaherty
The Cover
Mount Tam Ridge by Marin photographer Della Huff. Find more of her work at dellahuffphotography.com, or to purchase a print go to marinmagazine.com/coverart.
18
conversation
Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey. by jim wood
go
Family reunion go-to spots. by m. l. lathan
snapshots
Out and about in Marin and San Francisco.
calendar
A roundup of what to do in Marin and beyond.
flavor
Tapas tips from Stacey Printz.
dine
Dine Out, an insider’s guide to Bay Area eateries.
microclimate
Corte Madera—the mountain, the bay, beautiful views. by daniel jewett
real estate pulse
Pass the aspirin. by ian charles
looking back
The Boyd Gate House in San Rafael. by jim wood
view from mount tam
The founders of Marin Magazine welcome you to share their vision.
pov
Looking to the Future, Marin-style. by jim wood
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nikki Wood ext 105 | nwood@marinmagazine.com
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jim Wood ext 106 | jwood@marinmagazine.com
SENIOR EDITOR Mimi Towle ext 101 | mtowle@marinmagazine.com
EDITOR-AT-LARGE Tim Porter tporter@marinmagazine.com
DEPARTMENTS EDITOR Somer Flaherty ext 103 | sflaherty@marinmagazine.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Daniel Jewett ext 116 | djewett@marinmagazine.com
COPY EDITOR/PROOFREADER Cynthia Rubin
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Camilla Barry, P. J. Bremier, Bob Cooper
EDITORIAL INTERN Elle Link ART
ART DIRECTOR Anne Walzer
PRODUCTION MANAGER Alex French ext 111 | production@marinmagazine.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Drew Altizer, Barbara Ries, Nike van der Molen
ADMINISTRATION
CONTROLLER Maeve Walsh ext 104 | mwalsh@marinmagazine.com
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WEB
WEB EDITOR Daniel Jewett ext 116 | djewett@marinmagazine.com
Volume 6, Issue 4. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Marin Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright©2010. Reproduction of Marin Magazine content is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Marin Magazine LLC. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned. Marin Magazine reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertisement deemed detrimental to the best interests of the community or that is in questionable taste. Marin Magazine is mailed monthly to homes and businesses in Marin County. Subscription rates are $12 per year. Marin Magazine, One Harbor Drive, Sausalito, CA 94965. Phone 415.332.4800, fax 415.332.3048, e-mail editorial@ marinmagazine.com, website marinmagazine.com.
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CONGRATULATIONS, YOU JUST MADE a lifelong commitment to something that requires constant attention, is guaranteed to have at least one crisis and, of course, takes a big bite out of your paycheck. No, you didn’t have a child—kids, after all, do grow up and move on. You bought a house—and that stays with you forever—if not the payments, then the maintenance.
Worry not. We can’t help with the mortgage, but we’ve got you covered on restoration, upkeep and decor. In Home, P . J. Bremier tells the story of the Shack, a 690-square-foot diamond in the rough in Ross whose San Francisco buyers converted it into a weekend getaway gem. Next, Mimi Towle answers every first-time home buyer’s big question —Now What?—with a decade-by-decade guide to home maintenance. Finally, Home Decor displays the freshest furnishings for outdoor living. And whether you just bought or are thinking of doing so, don’t miss Ian Charles’ analysis of the Marin housing market in Real Estate Pulse.
Housing and food are our greatest needs, and we’re not overlooking the latter. In FYI “Gypsy Kitchens,” Somer Flaherty checks out local pop-up restaurants, where innovative chefs serve up ad hoc menus in sundry locations like ranches and private homes in an exclusive atmosphere. In Marinterview, we corralled Joseph Humphrey, the Michelin -starred executive chef at Cavallo Point’s Murray Circle, as he was planning for a big event at the Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festival. Finally, Flavor interviews Marin’s Stacey Printz, author of a cookbook about sauces and tapenades.
Also in the issue, Journey wanders about the hills of Wales, Conversation talks with county Supervisor Steve Kinsey, and Microclimate explores Corte Madera.
As always, our wish is for your good reading. Enjoy Marin Magazine , as we continue to celebrate this extraordinary place!
Lisa Shanower, Publisher
Nikki Wood, Editorial Director
Jim Wood, Executive Editor
❯❯ More on Bags
REGARDING JIM WOOD’S POV “Bag the Bags” (February), here are two ideas for reducing the use of paper and plastic bags: 1.) The first item on your grocery list should be: Bring my reusable canvas bag. 2.) Similar to Whole Foods, all grocery stores should have a note to “Remember to use your reusable bag” on shopping carts. That’s my two cents’ worth.
Judy Barnett, Corte Madera
❯❯
THANK YOU FOR WRITING about the homeless problem we have in Marin (March). While reading the article, I could only reflect on a situation where over a decade we have made precious few strides toward solutions. I have advocated for affordable housing for 30 years and am still at it. Solutions are indeed in view. All it takes is a collaborative effort with all who work in this field. Currently, I am working on prospects in the Sausalito floating home community and in Marin City,
Theo Posthuma, Tam Valley
KUDOS TO MARIN MAGAZINE for the excellent article on homelessness as well as the POV piece on respecting others while enjoying our glorious open spaces (March). The two really go together. We in Marin are fortunate to have protected open space all around us, yet we can not forget that there is a responsibility that comes with that: the space we have developed must include a variety of people with different needs and financial capacities. We who live in Marin are blessed—and with that blessing comes an obligation to help others.
Joyce Kleiner, Mill
Valley
Letters to the editor may be edited for clarity and brevity. Send letters to Marin Magazine , One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965. Or e-mail jwood@marinmagazine.com.
Nestled in the rolling hills of beautiful San Geronimo Valley in west Marin, Spirit Rock offers a tranquil setting to calm the mind and rediscover our natural compassion and good will. We offer retreats, classes, one-day and evening programs rooted in the Buddhist Insight Meditation tradition. We actively celebrate diversity and welcome people from all traditions and backgrounds.
Spirit Rock invites you to engage in a growing community of people who appreciate the benefits of meditation and who wish to lead a more peaceful and happy life.
spiritrock.org
For more information on these and other Spirit Rock events, visit spiritrock.org and click on Calendar.
Women, Food & God: A Transformational Path
Geneen Roth Saturday, April 17, 11 am – 5 pm
Happiness & the Causes of Happiness
Tsoknyi Rinpoche & Sharon Salzberg Saturday, April 24, 9:30 am – 5 pm
When Death Comes: A Contemplative Approach to Compassionate Care
Joan Halifax Roshi & Frank Ostaseski Sunday, May 2, 10 am – 5 pm
Cultivating the Heart of Lovingkindness & Compassion (Two Half-Day Sessions)
Mark Coleman Saturday, May 8, 9 am - 12:30 pm; 2 – 5 pm
Sacred Sexuality as Spiritual Practice (for couples)
Debra Chamberlin-Taylor & George Taylor Sunday, May 30, 9:30 am – 5 pm
MY OLD HIGH SCHOOL HAD A SIGN that read “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” To me, this means that when times are difficult, strong people work harder to make things better.
These are tough times, indeed, and dedicated people all over Marin are “getting going,” taking on difficult matters some of us face now or will face in the not-too-distant future. Here I’ll describe three such efforts in Terra Linda, Larkspur Landing and Sausalito’s Cavallo Point.
In 1996, Shirley Fischer and several hundred Terra Linda neighbors set out to give their community a greater sense of place. “We needed more of a ‘there here,’” says Fischer, paraphrasing writer Gertrude Stein.
“The city of San Rafael, with its ‘Alive After Five’ campaign, had created a terrific vision for downtown along Fourth Street,” Fischer says. “We wanted to make the area around Northgate Mall, as it was called then, more of a vital town center.” The result was the Vision in Action Committee, or VIA, and the Vision Promenade Plan.
“Our promenade will be a landscaped bike and walking path starting at Scotty’s
Market, looping around Northgate, and continuing clear to the Marin Civic Center,” says Fischer. Note the “will be” in her statement. That’s because only half a mile of the promenade has been completed. Nevertheless, on Saturday, May 1, starting at 11 a.m., Terra Linda is staging a “Celebrate the Promenade” parade down that first stretch to Oaks Plaza, the community gathering place Northgate worked into its recent $75 million renovation. En route, participants will get a taste of the decorative lighting and signage, and the landscaping that someday soon will line the Promenade from, in Fischer’s words, “Scotty’s to the Civic Center.”
Have you noticed the vacancies at Larkspur Landing? Many say the 35-year-old retail and restaurant center has lost its luster. Not for long, though, once “the tough get going” efforts of Santa Monica–based Jim Rosenfield begin unfolding. Rosenfield purchased the center for $65 million in January 2009 and says he intends to create “a place that brings together the great food grown in Marin, with local boutiques and services like a barber shop, bookstore, toy store and post office.”
Rosenfield renamed the center Marin Country Mart, and hopes to recreate the success in Larkspur that he’s had with the popular Brentwood Country Mart in Southern California. Here are just a few of the reviewers comments on the Brentwood center from Yelp.com: “I can’t help loving the place,” “wonderful bakeries and food stands,” “a place where families can hang out,” and “definitely a destination lunch locale.”
Rosenfield is a Cal grad, got married in Bolinas, has family in Mill Valley and a home in Ross. “I love Marin,” he says. “There’s not a better place on earth.” Rosenfield will not be
JIM WOOD
building anything new in Larkspur. Instead, he’ll restore and revitalize existing structures and create an environment “where West Marin and the rest of Marin can come together to experience the best of Marin.” The permit process is already under way—expect to see major changes in about six months.
“I’m excited about the whole thing.” That’s what Institute at the Golden Gate Director Cleve Justis has to say about the “Turning the Tide, 2010,” an environmental summit April 14–16 at Cavallo Point in Sausalito. “We expect 450 environmentalists, entrepreneurs and activists from throughout the world,” says Justis. “The theme is to connect, collaborate, inspire and act.”
Presenters include Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Dean Ornish, Chez Panisse’s Alice Waters and Stanford history professor David Kennedy, as well as activist/actor Peter Coyote, Dr. Daphne Miller, author of The Jungle Effect, and Mark Buell, chair of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. “We’ll be showcasing the world to Marin,” says Justis, “and the best of Marin to the world.”
Justis is especially excited about seeing Mai Iskander and her documentary Garbage Dreams , which is about a dump in Egypt where impoverished people remove items, refurbish them and sell them locally. “The project won a Goldman Environmental Prize,” says Justis. The film will screen at 7:30 p.m. on April 14; admission is $15. For more information on the conference, visit instituteatgoldengate.org
There you have it: three examples of people and organizations who are getting going during these tough times to make things better. That’s my point of view. What’s yours?
E-mail jwood@marinmagazine.com
Leslie Murphy asked. Could we take care of both her personal and business banking? Not a problem. Now she can concentrate on running one of the largest woman owned businesses in the North Bay, and still cheer on her son at his lacrosse game. Leslie knows that Private Banking is her answer.
up your backyard for easy spring entertaining
SOMER FLAHERTY | No more excuses. Now is the time to enhance your outdoor living space because just one design-worthy addition is all you need. This spring, make a dedication to find an addition that is the perfect balance of structure and softness for your backyard—a piece that will lay the foundation to support your home for years to come.
1. Garbo Footrest and Relaxing Chair available at Marin Outdoor Living (Greenbrae). Starting at $1,200, 415.924.8811 2. Out-N-In’s Sea Urchins Pillow, $120 at The Marin Store. 888.408.2105, themarinstore.com 3. 1890 vintage Arras chairs, $1,200 each at Ma(i)sonry (Yountville). 707.944.0889, maisonry.com 4. Bulgarian Zinc Objêts, various prices at Restoration Hardware Garden (Corte Madera). 415.924.8919, restorationhardware.com
pacificfertilitycenter.com
The two-week session went very well; the girls asked— even begged—for homework.
CAMILLA BARRY, MILL VALLEY Since Afghanistan is halfway around the world, I was thrilled that Emirates flies direct to the Middle East, so when I got to Kabul I wasn’t so jet-lagged. Last summer was the eighth year I’ve spent two months in Afghanistan teaching students and giving teaching clinics. My specialty is science and math. From Kabul, I paid a driver to take me to Jalalabad, where I would teach a group of teenage girls. It was August, it was 90 degrees, and everything was shut down for the national elections and the beginning of Ramadan. This was good because fathers walked or drove their daughters to classes, bad because the Taliban announced they’d cut fingers off people who voted and kill any Americans involved in the elections. For some reason, I don’t scare easily. I actually asked to be driven to a polling place; seeing it was very moving. I wanted to snub my nose at the Taliban. Of course, I always wore a scarf. In my classes, the girls were very disciplined and focused; they also wore scarves along with long pants or skirts with blouses that came down over their hips. A 19-year-old was my interpreter; he had never been out of Jalalabad yet spoke fluent English and was passionate about teaching like I am. The girls already knew multiplication, ratios and percentages, so we used protractors to measure angles and went outside to figure the height of buildings and mountains. The two-week session went very well; the girls asked—even begged—for homework. The school is run by an NGO, International Orphan Care, based in Los Angeles. American groups like this one do a lot of good in Afghanistan and you never hear about them. I’ll be going back in early summer; meanwhile, I give talks locally to raise money for my trip. My website is classroomsacrosscultures.org.
"What's It Like?" is a collection of first-person accounts from local people doing extraordinary things. Submit your own personal story for consideration for a future issue. For guidelines, e-mail jwood@marinmagazine.com.
In a county full of artists here’s an artisan who has created a great tool: the Ric Easel. Billed as the world’s first rotating portable easel, Sausalito resident Richard Morton’s three-pound tabletop easel is made from sustainable hardwood and can turn from almost vertical to 25 degrees. Morton also teaches painting classes with a live model and furniture restoration classes. 415.331.1451, rickproductions.com
It’s been a good year for San Rafael’s Equator Estate Coffees. The all-women-run business just received Roast magazine’s 2010 Roaster of the Year award and is the newest addition to GoCoffeeGo, a site selling goods from artisan roasters across the country. gocoffeego.com
Ritter Center has launched a public art project to raise awareness about the challenges faced by homeless and low-income families in Marin. These objects of public art have been placed in communities all across the county so families can find them in a treasure-huntlike atmosphere. The houses (the one shown at right is by Mill Valley artist Eric Zener) will be auctioned off at a gala event on May 1, at the exclusive hilltop estate of the Santa family, owners of Woodlands Market, in the Kent Woodlands area of Ross. For tickets call 415.457.8182, ext.106, or visit rittercenter.org
After a 6,000-mile journey from London, the new staging of Peter Pan at Ferry Park on the Embarcadero in S.F. will take place in a one-of-a-kind 100-foot-tall 360-degree CGI theater tent April 27. Buy tickets early, as the Bay Area has the only West Coast engagement for the show. peterpantheshow.com
If your kids have been lucky enough to take part in Mill Valley resident Julie Hanft’s nature awareness afterschool program called GreenPlay, you know her Sustainable Summer Camp will fill up fast. The completely outdoor camp features restoration projects, recycled art projects and eco-minded guest speakers. Weeklong sessions start June 14. $200 for half day, $300 for full day per week; various locations in Marin. 415.264.2828, maringreenplay.com
At the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s annual Playdate Gala, May 8, Sausalito resident Chuck Slaughter will be awarded the first annual Discovery Prize for his support of the museum’s outreach program Connections. The Discovery Prize acknowledges those who have made a significant contribution to enrich the lives of children and families.
High-five to Marin Supervisor Charles McGlashan. The Southern Marin Fire Protection District is recognizing McGlashan for his leadership and support of the Southern Marin Fire District with the award of excellence at the fire department’s first fundraiser, Fire & Ice Ball, on April 3.
Fish2Fork, a website dedicated to rating restaurants based on their menu’s impact on marine life, launched its online seafood guide. Congrats to Larkspur local Yankee Pier for making the list of conscientious restaurants for its use of sustainable fish. fish2fork.com, yankeepier.com
Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet
Thursday, April 22, 2010, 7:00 p.m. Angelico Hall, Dominican Campus Free lecture and book signing
Preferred seating available with purchase of book from Book Passage.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 7:00 p.m. Angelico Hall, Dominican Campus Free lecture and book signing
Preferred seating available with purchase of book from Book Passage.
1. Boy Toy Bootie by Nanette Lepore, $375 at Neiman Marcus (SF). 415.362.3900, neimanmarcus.com
2. Limited Edition 2010 World Cup flip-flops by Havaianas, $24 at havaianasusa.com
3. Chooka Rain Boots, $60 at Nordstrom (Corte Madera). 415.927.1690, nordstrom.com
4. Center Hi PF Flyers, $50 at Bloomingdales (SF). 415.856.5300, bloomingdales.com
5. Gracelyn shoe by Klub Nico, $166 at The Marin Store. 888.408.2105, themarinstore.com
This season, your feet will do the talking.
If you want to make a statement this spring, start with your shoes. Designers are turning to the feet for a colorful foundation to rest their clothes on. To style with ease, pair the bright kicks with a neutral bag or muted accessories. For a bold choice, turn to the fundamentals of art school and couple with complementary colors: yellow heels sit nicely with a perfectly purple handbag. — SOMER FLAHERTY
Afew months back we asked for contributions to our new Travel with Purpose section on our website. The latest post is by Chantal and Mick Griffin, who visited an orphanage in Vietnam and Cambodia. Through a contact at their hotel, they were directed to a local town market to buy school supplies (pencils, markers, crayons, etc.) to give to the kids. The items most needed included 100 pounds of rice, 20 pounds of sugar, 20 pounds of salt, 10 liters of cooking oil, soy sauce, fish sauce and cleaning supplies. “It was very satisfying to know that 100 percent of our contribution went directly to the kids whom we met,” Chantal says. For more photos and information on their experience, go to marinmagazine.com/travel
Stop shaking your iPhone for your next meal option when visiting the islands. Use the new app What Chefs Eat Hawaii to learn where the celebrity chefs and farmers in this burgeoning foodie paradise eat when they’re not cooking. Chefs include Alan Wong of Alan Wong’s, Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s and D.K. Kodama of d.k Steak House. Best yet: if you tweet this to your peeps through the app, you can win a trip for two to the islands.
While visitors to Cabo San Lucas know they can visit Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo for great fish tacos, there’s a new Marinconnected venue to try. Hacienda Cocina y Cantina is a new indoor/outdoor Mexican restaurant owned by Marin-based Moana Group (Paragon, El Dorado Kitchen, REDD, Piatti). What does Hagar think? “I love new restaurants coming to Cabo, especially good ones,” he says. “It just adds to a better Cabo experience. As for it being competition, I don’t see it that way. Cabo Wabo is so much more than just a restaurant; it’s a complete experience. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary April 22, so bring it on!”
Take advantage of the off-season pricing offered by many of the area’s top spots. These specials start in May and run through September.
Scottsdale Resort and Athletic Club is offering a summer escape package consisting of a three-day, two-night getaway with accommodations, continental breakfast, $25 dining credit, one custom massage at Eurasia Spa plus 30 percent off additional services and free access to the private athletic club. Rates begin at $199 per night. scottsdaleresortclub.com
The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa This adults-only resort has plenty to offer those on a budget. Beginning June 14, enjoy rates of $119 per night. For a package involving the Golden Door Spa, the One for All special includes nightly accommodations, daily breakfast and lunch for two, unlimited daily tee times at the Boulders Golf Club, one 50-minute Golden Door Massage per night, unlimited use of the Golden Door Spa facilities and more. Package rates begin at $339 per night. theboulders.com
30 percent off y a of
ver consider learning how to fly-fish or just need to work on your casting skills?
The Clearwater Lodge on the Pitt River (fivehour drive northeast) is offering a course titled, “Mastering the Art of Fly-fishing.” The five-day program includes all meals, accommodations, instruction and use of key tackle for $1,395 per person. The Arts and Crafts lodge was built in 1921 and is set on 43 acres. clearwaterlodge.com
W Scottsdale Enjoy the vitamin D special this summer, which involves lounging poolside atop W Scottsdale’s WET oasis. Throughout the summer guests also receive a W beach tote and a pitcher of refreshing mojitos, served poolside. Rates start at $149. whotels.com/scottsdaleoffers
Fire Sky Resort Calling all mothers and daughters. Get out of town–or just get out of the house–and settle into Old Town Scottsdale for an all-girls escape. From $179 through May, from $89 June through September. fireskyresort.com
You only have a few weeks left to take advantage of the seasonal Couples Mustard Bath at Auberge du Soleil (a salute to the Mustard Festival). The 90-minute treatment starts with a mineral and essential oil exfoliation and ends with a couples outdoor treatment in a private heated mustard bath, through May. aubergedusoleil.com
RAIN CHECK Through the month of April, if it happens to rain during your stay at Meadowood Napa Valley, the resort will credit you a free night (must be redeemed by July) as a rain check.
Joseph Humphrey’s journey to his current position as executive chef at Cavallo Point’s Murray Circle — which earned a Michelin star in 2008 and 2009 — reads like a where’s where of celebrated cuisine. Starting off flipping burgers to earn money in college at Florida State University, Humphrey followed his passion for cooking to work at big-name restaurants in New Orleans, San Francisco, Vegas and came back to S.F. to open Fifth Floor, which became ranked among Wine Spectator’s “Top 20 Restaurants in the U.S.” This month he’ll be sharing his culinary talents at the Pebble Beach Food and Wine event, preparing a farm-to-table lunch paired with wines from Paso Robles as well as playing a little golf and partaking in the fun. —M.T.
How did you end up in San Rafael? I’ve lived in San Francisco and Napa Valley and once the position at Murray Circle became a reality I looked for a place that was near the city but not in the city.
Best part of opening Murray Circle? I wanted to be able to run a restaurant sustainably using fresh produce, meats and cheeses from the local farmers I’ve been friends with for years; and I wanted to do this on a large enough scale to make a difference. Ninety percent of what we serve is from farms here in Marin. I like knowing that we are writing the check right to the farmer.
Challenge of opening Murray Circle? Our biggest challenge is self-induced. Since we serve only what is in season and available locally we can’t put that tomato on a burger or offer strawberries in the winter. Some customers don’t care about the season; they want what they want. Most restaurants don’t run this way so we are constantly on our toes to be creative.
What to you cook for yourself? Cereal.
Do you have a favorite shortcut—pre-made pesto or frozen appetizer to serve when people come over? No.
Favorite takeout in San Rafael? Sol Food, hands down. I’ve got it timed so I call in my order when I leave work and it’s ready when I get there. I like the pork chops or the Cuban sandwich; I rotate these with the garlic plantains.
Whom do you love to cook for? Friends — people who appreciate the amount of work that goes into something that looks totally simple on a plate but is really a lot of work.
Do you have any culinary heroes? A ton, all for different reasons. George Morrone is the one I really learned to cook from while working at One Market and Fifth Floor. I met Jean-Louis Palladin; he was a phenomenal chef. Michael Mina taught me a lot about the business aspects of restaurants. Working with Julian Serrano taught me how to stay focused on the smallest details every single day.
Did you grow up wanting to be a celebrity chef? Not at all. It is bizarre because it’s starting to happen that people recognize me outside of the restaurant, and it’s a very strange thing. It’s certainly not why I got into the business; in fact I’m much more comfortable in the kitchen than in the dining room, and even this process of talking about myself is fairly strange, it’s just not really in my nature. But it is good that there is some exposure to the process so people start to understand the work and passion that go into what we do.
What’s your drink? Maker’s Mark bourbon and ginger ale. Although a frequent guest at Murray Circle found out I like bourbon and has been bringing me some really nice artisan varieties to try.
Inside scoop on attracting a Michelin star? They are very secretive about their criteria, and you never know when they are in the restaurant. We were honored to have gotten a star the first year and then again this last year. They say it’s only about the food — it could be served on a picnic bench with a newspaper—but they do seem to pick some pretty nice venues.
You’ve got a night off…where do you go? I like going to Sushi Ran because the fish is always fantastic, and Yoshi is always extremely generous in sharing some new sakes with me. Picco is great; I’ve spent some time at the bar. And I really need to visit the new Lark Tavern.
With the da Vinci ® Surgical System, surgeons make tiny incisions and operate with improved visualization, precision and control during a variety of procedures. These include hysterectomies and prostatectomies, procedures for uterine fibroids and problems with other pelvic organs, and procedures for reflux disease, hernia repair and colorectal problems. Most patients experience less pain and scarring, shorter hospital stays and a quicker return to activities. Surgeons who perform robotic-assisted surgery at our hospital include:
Richard Altieri-Perez, MD General Surgeon
Patrick Bennett, MD Urologist
Michael Bozuk, MD General Surgeon
John C. Chan, MD Gynecologist
David Galland, MD Gynecologist
Gary Grossfeld, MD Urologic Oncologist
Lizellen LaFollette, MD Gynecologist
K. Jennifer Voss, MD Gynecologist
Uzay Yasar, MD Urologic Oncologist
Marin General’s da Vinci ® Surgical System is one of only a few robotic-assisted surgery systems in the North Bay and one of just a few high-definition 3D systems in the Greater Bay Area.
learn more, call (415) 925-7570
To find out if you’re a candidate, talk with your doctor.
www.maringeneral.sutterhealth.org
BY SOMER FLAHERTY
It could be the best onenight stand you ever had. In today’s economy, enterprising chefs are reinventing the restaurant experience with out-of-the-box options for dining out. Some borrow the kitchens of established restaurants or private homes—or even bring the kitchen to local ranches, vineyards and farms—for a single evening of atmospheric cuisine. Called a pop-up restaurant, it’s part underground supper club and part gastronomical vagary, and it’s become the reservation to get.
The foodie cognoscenti are already avidly following the popup Phoenix Supper Club, a menu of movable feasts cooked up by 28-year-old San Francisco chef Tommy Halvorson (formerly of Gary Danko and Bix). The excompetitive skier isn’t just testing the waters with his roving restaurant concept; he’s quietly producing one of the Bay Area’s most exciting evenings out.
Perhaps best known of his gypsy dinners is the nine-course Loretto. The club’s most lavish offering at $200 a person including tax and gratuity, Loretto is held at a different unusual private residence each Saturday night. After securing a reservation, a guest is given directions to an initial meeting point. One recent evening the spot was J Lounge, the bar inside Traci Des Jardins’s California-French restaurant Jardinière. Patrons were greeted and served champagne, but still weren’t told that night’s dinner location. After small talk with fellow guests, they were whisked by limousine to one of San Francisco’s most storied private residences, the Westerfeld House.
The 28-room late-1800s mansion, referred to as a “freaking decayed giant” in Tom Wolfe’s Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test and formerly occupied by both a wealthy Czarist refugee from the Russian revolution and a member of the Manson family, isn’t open to the public. But on this night, one of the current housemates gave guests insightful tours (and told ghost stories)
as Halvorson overlooked the confines of the Gothic manse’s small kitchen to delicately plate a lobster and yuzu confit with melted baby leeks, braised pork chops with compressed heirloom apples and a cast-iron seared Kobe bavette with roasted black trumpet mushrooms. The unfamiliar space didn’t cramp the chef’s style; throughout the four-hour dinner, each orchestrated bite was better than the last.
Tommy Halvorson isn’t just testing the waters with his roving restaurant concept; he’s quietly producing one of the Bay Area’s most exciting evenings out.
“When the economy took a nosedive last year, I guess you could say it would be really hard to get funding for an actual restaurant,” Halvorson says. “Instead of waiting I thought, well, why don’t I adapt to the way things are, and try and make it happen.”
San Rafael chef Leslie Burnside already has a restaurant—which she now adapts to make others happen. The owner of the breakfast-andlunch spot Theresa and Johnny’s Comfort Food has started holding a rotating-
chef event called Night Kitchen at least once a month after her own restaurant closes for the day. “There should be something going on here at night,” she told herself. “I’m tired of (just) cooking breakfast food, so let’s try this.”
Each time, she has a different guest chef prepare a different type of cuisine, offering a menu of dishes under $12 on a first-comefirst-served basis (she’ll head up the kitchen if no one else is available). She donates the profits to a local charity or group; recipients have included Ritter House, Hospice by the Bay and Terra Linda High School. A recent Night Kitchen featured chef John Scopazzi, who turned out small plates of roasted salmon cakes with caramelized shallots ($10), veal saltimbocca with prosciutto and sage ($12) and a walnut tart with bitter chocolate ($6).
For Burnside, flexibility is the venture’s big attraction, along with having the chance to explore new dishes and give back to the community while doing what she loves. “I’ve been in this business a really long time,” she reflects. “I don’t get to stretch my cooking skills doing what I do. At Night Kitchen I try to do something I’ve never made. I’m crazy: I have 150 people in for dinner and I’ve never cooked any of it before.”
For diners, she says, the ritual is straightforward: “You sit down, here’s the menu, order. If you want to reorder, reorder. The dishes come out fast and in no particular order, the lights are low, the music is loud. There’s a whole lot of energy that goes into it. I push it as far as I can, being in the suburbs.”
Moving beyond the suburbs is par for the pop-up Outstanding in the Field. Founder and acclaimed artist Jim Denevan began staging his dinners at organic farms in 1999. The idea was simple: dine at the source, where the meal you’re eating began, with the people who grew and produced it—getting to know who’s behind what’s on your plate.
Denevan brings his bus, aptly named Outstanding, to fields, vineyards and ranches nationwide to reconnect diners with the roots of their food. He matches a top-flight chef with a farmer and a winemaker to create a onenight-only restaurant without walls. “We like putting the spotlight on the farmers as well as the star chefs,” says Denevan. “It’s not every day you get to enjoy a meal with the person who planted the beans, raised the lamb, and shaped the cheese on your plate.”
Local venues have included McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma, Devil’s Gulch Ranch in Nicasio, Star Route Farms in Bolinas and Green String Farm in Petaluma. For a recent Outstanding evening at Clark Summit Farm in Tomales, Melissa Perello of the Michael Bauer–lauded San Francisco restaurant Frances teamed with farm owners Liz Cunninghame and Dan Bagley to offer Hog Island oysters, an Alsatian-style onion tart with Marin Roots onions, and Clark Summit Farm pork-and-fennel sausage with steamed Hog Island manila clams—all paired with Paul Hobbs wines.
Each Outstanding outing has a utopian feel, starting with a leisurely tour of the hosting farm followed by a five-course farm-style feast at Denevan’s signature long table set in just the right scenic spot. Diners sit shoulder to shoulder with the food growers and producers, the winemaker and other artisans behind the meal. The $200 admission makes it possible to include all workers involved—giving everyone a seat at the table.
PHOENIX SUPPER CLUB: 415.971.1413, thephoenixsupperclub.com
NIGHT KITCHEN: 817 Fourth St., San Rafael, 415.259.0182, theresa-and-johnnys.com
OUTSTANDING IN THE FIELD: outstandinginthefield.com
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The Marin supervisor who represents two thirds of the county’s land. BY JIM WOOD
As a Marin County supervisor, Steve Kinsey makes just under $120,000 a year including benefits and allowances. At first glance, considering Marin has five supervisors and a little more than 250,000 residents, that’s hardly a taxing task. Do the math: that is around 50,000 people per supervisor. Can’t be too tough
However, let’s look closer. In addition to being on the Board of Supervisors, the 58-year-old Kinsey serves on—and must be conversant with the actions of—some 37 Marin commissions, committees and authorities. They include Marin’s Open Space District, Children’s Health Initiative Committee, Countywide Planning Agency, the Marin Housing Authority, Emergency Radio Authority, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust and the Marin/Sonoma Narrows Policy Advisory Committee. And the area he represents, District 4, stretches from West Marin to San Quentin and covers nearly two thirds of the county. On average, that’s eight times larger than the other supervisorial districts.
“It’s not a job,” Kinsey says of the seat he’s occupied since 1997 and will hold until at least 2012 when he’s up for reelection. “I call it a lifestyle because if you are not in a meeting or at an event or attending a hearing, you’re thinking about one of the many things that are constantly going on. There’s no such thing as a five-day workweek—there’s always something.”
As much as he now relishes his role in the county, Kinsey once went to extremes to not be considered a candidate for supervisor: “I wore a bushy ponytail so no one would ask me to run for office.” Further testifying to his independence, though Kinsey considers himself a staunch environmentalist, he has never had the support of the Sierra Club.
Regardless, his grassroots efforts to stifle a 1,600-acre West Marin development, pass a measure ensuring a conservation-oriented and economical water supply for Marin, and then successfully guiding design and funding for an elementary school in the San Geronimo Valley caught
the eyes of Marin’s power brokers. Long hair and all, they asked Kinsey to run for the seat opened by Gary Giacomini’s retirement after 24 years. “I wanted to give it a try, so off went my ponytail,” Kinsey says.
Kinsey, an architectural graduate of Arizona State University, and his partner, Jean, have lived in Forest Knolls for nearly 35 years. Their son, Breeze, with his girlfriend and her dad, recently opened the Golden Orb, which Kinsey describes as a “hole-inthe-wall piroshki restaurant on Fourth Street in San Rafael—and it’s really good.”
Many are concerned the county’s agricultural industry—centered in West Marin—is not doing well. What can improve this situation? What we want are prosperous families continuing the farming tradition. To do that we need to help our producers transition from an exclusive commodity business model—such as dairy or beef cattle raising—into one built upon valueadded, diversified use of their land. The epitome of this would be Bob Giacomini, who went from being exclusively dairy farmers to founding the Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, one of the most successful businesses of its kind west of the Mississippi. Another example is Sharon and Steve Doughty, who now have a vineyard and a bed and breakfast on their land in addition to their dairy.
Also, and little by little, we are becoming the cheese version of the Napa Valley’s wine country. We want to be the region where people recognize the special cheeses that are produced here. Diversifying also brings benefits to the environment because by incorporating extra value elements, ranchers can reduce their herd size which, in turn, makes for less impact on the land. This is an ecologically beneficial means of continuing our prosperous agricultural tradition.
When you say “we’ll get there” and “we’re working,” who is the “we”? “We” is an amazing dream team that includes Marin County’s Agricultural Commissioner; the UC Ag Extension, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT), Marin Organic and the Marin Agricultural Institute, more commonly called the Marin County Farmers Market. All of these organizations provide services to ranchers helping them to be viable and meet various environmental regulations. This collaborative approach helps our food get from farm to family in a way that the farmer is able to capture some of the retail value of his crops instead of just the wholesale value. In that same spirit, I’ve been working overtime to create a permanent farmers’ market here at the Marin County Civic Center grounds.
You voted against the county guaranteeing a $950,000 loan to get the Marin Energy Authority up and running. Why? There were two reasons for my no vote. First, if we have some eight Marin agencies—including seven cities—anxious to see Marin Clean Energy work, why is the county the only one being asked to put money at risk? Second, a PG&E-backed
constitutional amendment, Proposition 16, will be on the June ballot and if it wins, the change in law will virtually wipe out any cumulative benefit of Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), the statewide concept that the Marin Energy Authority is based on. The timing is such that MEA would then be left with only 20 percent of Marin’s potential market. That’s not enough to succeed.
You don’t sound optimistic that Marin Energy Authority will succeed. I don’t want to be a naysayer, but I believe MEA is up against enormous odds. PG&E is putting $30 million into passing Prop. 16 in an election cycle where conservative voters have a lot to look at in terms of a new governor while Democratic voters have little to draw them to the polls. If Prop. 16 passes, two thirds of the electorate majority will be needed to form additional energy authorities. Thus, the MEA business model will be completely castrated. Given those risks, I simply wasn’t willing to put more Marin County funds at risk when we are reducing services, laying off employees and facing even deeper cuts from the state of California.
Less is more with this Ross gem
BY P. J. BREMIER
Catherine Wagner and Loretta Gargan weren’t looking for a house to buy when they serendipitously followed a lead from a newspaper ad three years ago.
But as the San Francisco couple peeked through the fence at the diminutive Ross home they now call the Shack, they “knew it was something special,” Wagner says. “We could see the potential.”
Not everyone might have had the vision, but Wagner, a visual artist with pieces in several top American museums, and Gargan, principal of Loretta Gargan Landscape + Design, appreciated the site, the mountain views, the box canyon microclimate and the rare old-growth wood that clad the 690-square-foot home.
Originally an auxiliary dwelling for a now-divided larger property, the forlorn house had been rented out over the years and lost its charm. Whatever garden there once was had been buried in overgrowth.
“The ceiling was so low inside that you could touch it,” Wagner says, and as much as she and Gargan could see the home’s inner beauty, they kept uttering to each other, “It’s such a shack!”
Undaunted, they purchased it as a second home, and after stripping away the false ceiling and the cosmetic walls that made the space feel dark and cramped, they discovered a gem waiting to be rediscovered.
“Once we crawled into the attic and saw that the ceiling was oldgrowth vertical-grain Douglas fir, we realized that it needed to be the real roofline,” Wagner says. “And the exterior planks are old-growth redwood in 16-inch-wide by 30-foot lengths. You can’t buy wood like that anymore. We knew we were going to keep the envelope of the house as original as possible.”
Charmed by the original fireplace—handmade of Sonoma stone by one of the home’s previous occupants—they knew they had to keep that, too. “It’s idiosyncratic and there’s nothing symmetrical about it. It reminds me of a Philip Guston painting,” Wagner says.
The duo infused the interior with a minimalist aesthetic. The walls are gallery-white, the surfaces clean except for deliberate punches of art, the furnishings high-end but uncomplicated.
Friend and East Bay master builder Paul Discoe located local fallen trees and custom-milled wood for the home, creating the fireplace mantel out of a black acacia tree from Berkeley, the floors with elm trees from Tilden Park, and the bedroom door with a Monterey cypress from Golden Gate Park.
Gargan played with natural light in the bath, using a skylight and long frosted window. “I wanted to make the bathroom as luminous
OPPOSITE : The exterior plantings chosen by Loretta Gargan include native grasses. THIS PAGE FROM TOP : Catherine Wagner and Loretta Gargan; The Sonoma stone fireplace is prominent architectural element from exterior vantage point.
ARCHITECTURE | Feldman Architecture and Paul Discoe/Live Edge
CONSTRUCTION | Joe Doerr Construction
INTERIOR DESIGN | Loretta Gargan Landscape + Design
CABINETRY | Cracker Jack Arts
LIGHTING | H. E. Banks & Associates Lighting Design
LANDSCAPE DESIGN | Loretta Gargan Landscape + Design
LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION | Paul McGovern Landscapes and Groundbreaking Landscapes
as possible but still have privacy,” she says. The window transforms into a living mural during the day, when it filters in the soft blues and greens of the plants outside. She lined the bathroom walls with largescale matte Italian porcelain tile that reduced the number of grout lines. “I like the look,” Gargan says. “It’s calming.”
In the kitchen, she worked closely with San Rafael cabinetmaker Cracker Jack Arts to ensure that everything was as efficient as a ship’s galley. “I wanted ample storage and, because the kitchen is open to the living room, I didn’t want anything (stored) to be out in view.”
So every space, even the front of the bar, had to be functional. Clever Häfele hardware allows for a pull-out four-unit recycling center, an irregularly configured corner cabinet, and a drawer near the stove that converts into an extra counter for plating of food.
Design choices also had to complement the adjacent living room. The Liebherr refrigerator is tall, but not deep, so it’s flush with the rare Jaipur Dunes countertops and, like the Bosch dishwasher, is ultra-quiet and energy-effi cient, and its door could accept the wood paneling matching the cabinets for a seamless look. Onda stools by
Stua Studios provide extra seating. In the living room, a library table doubles as a dining table and seats 12 when guests come over in winter. Warm-weather dinner parties spill out into the garden, where outdoor tables and a barbecue await.
Entertaining here is surprisingly easy and guests often include artists and celebrated chefs such as Coi restaurateur Daniel Patterson, who cooked at the Shack last summer. “They don’t mind coming out (to Ross) at all,” Wagner adds, smiling. “The Shack is all about having friends and family and everyone feels welcome.”
The garden is part of that experience. The goal was to create areas of enjoyment—places to read, garden or entertain. “We get amazing sun in the garden,” Wagner says. “Often, in the winter, it feels like we’re in Palm Springs, and a little patio that looks (out) to Mount Baldy catches the last light of the day.”
Gargan chose native grasses and pollinator-attracting plants for this area, but also herbs, vegetables and potted citrus. The couple kept an antique olive tree being used as an arbor by climbing white roses, planted three blooming cherry trees and created a trio of terraces.
“We just feel so lucky that we found this place,” Wagner reflects. “It’s our little hideaway. We thought of it as a shack at first but as we worked on it, ‘the shack’ became a loving term. It’s such a warm and inviting home that, from the moment we park (the car), we relax.”
A beguiling land that’s proud of its wild side
BY BOB COOPER
DYLAN THOMAS WROTE POETRY in an 1845 house named Seaview for its perch above the estuary in Laugharne, Wales. Walking to the beach from the house—now a small inn—I could see why the celebrated Welsh poet chose to live here. As he wrote in Quite Early One Morning, three rivers and a “visiting sea” grace the “timeless, beguiling island of a town.”
For the rest of the week I spent in Wales with my wife last summer, driving and hiking its wriggling coastline and the stone-pocked mountains of Snowdonia, I would learn whether timeless and beguiling also described the rest of Wales. I already knew that less poetic adjectives like accessible and affordable fit. Wales is far less expensive to visit than London, yet only two hours away. It feels more foreign than anywhere in the British Isles, and it teems with scenic and historic sights in an area the size of New Jersey. They even speak English, except for the small minority who speak only Welsh.
narrow roads
COASTEERING is a Welsh invention that combines rock climbing, cliff jumping and ocean swimming in wetsuits and helmets. That was an early clue for understanding the Welsh personality.
Cardiff is a straight shot by highway from London. It’s Wales’s largest city (pop. 305,000), but small enough to be appreciated in a day. The magnet for visitors is Cardiff Castle, a Roman-era fortress so expansive that a village once flourished inside its walls, and with long, dark corridors that centuries later provided shelter from World War II air raids. From the castle keep we could see beyond the time-weathered pubs of the city to Cardiff Bay’s ultramodern Millennium Center, the country’s iconic opera house. If we wanted culture, however, we’d have stayed in London. In the morning we drove west into Pembrokeshire Coast National Park until the road ended at the village of St. David’s. Like the Marin Headlands, St. David’s Head meets the sea in dramatic fashion with soaring bluffs of
DYLAN THOMAS’ BOATHOUSE: Thomas was drinking and in debt most of the time he lived in Laugharne… no doubt he would have taken wry pleasure in the townsfolk’s eventual decision to honor him.
rock, soil and grass. The Coast Path, which clings to southwest Wales’s bluffs for 186 miles, zigged where I expected a zag, so our planned short hike became a long trek. Fortunately, we were fueled by fresh Welsh cakes, a cross between biscuits and shortbread cookies, that we’d purchased at a roadside store. While we hiked, weekenders flew kites from the sheep pastures above and “coasteered” from the cliffs below. Coasteering is a Welsh invention that combines rock climbing, cliff jumping and ocean swimming in wetsuits and helmets. That was an early clue for understanding the Welsh personality: they take pride in their quirks. As a waitress told us that night, after explaining that “jacket potatoes” is the Welsh term for unpeeled baked potatoes, “We like to be different.”
Dylan Thomas was certainly that, I learned the next morning after walking to the Dylan Thomas Boathouse, where the poet lived and wrote in his final years. Now a museum, it’s as understated and uncrowded as Laugharne’s nearby castle and beach. Thomas was drinking and in debt most of the time he lived in Laugharne, and accordingly scorned by most locals. No doubt he would have taken wry
pleasure in the townsfolk’s eventual decision to honor him, much as Salinas was slow to honor John Steinbeck.
It was time to venture inland for a midday chat with Gordon Green, 74, in the sheep country village of Llanwrtyd Wells, the world capital of weird sports. (It would be Llantweird Wells if vowels were more welcome in Welsh, a musical language to hear spoken or sung, but impossible for outsiders to pronounce.) In his hotel’s cozy pub we found Green, founder of the eponymously named Green Events, which include the Man vs. Horse Marathon (once won by Marin mountain bike pioneers Roy Rivers and Jacquie Phelan), a bog snorkeling race (snorkeling though four feet of mud), and a mountain-bike bog snorkeling race (mountain biking in six feet of mud). “Most involve some combination of athletics and drinking,” Green said with a chuckle, “and they’ve drawn thousands of people for 30 years.”
As we left the village, the hills grew higher and pasture yielded to forest. We stopped for a one-hour walk
WEIRD SPORTS: “Green Events” include a bog snorkeling race and a mountain-bike bog snorkeling race. “Most involve some combination of athletics and drinking,” says Gordon Green, 74.
OPPOSITE: Visitors can explore 641 castles and castle ruins in Wales.
ABOVE: Lakes, ponds and bogs are scattered throughout northern Wales.
beneath Devil’s Bridge (actually three bridges stacked atop one another above tiered waterfalls). We strolled the beach promenade in Aberystwyth between the town castle and a funicular railway that provides views all the way to Ireland. B&Bs advertised rates as low as $45, affirming Wales’s ranking as Western Europe’s fourth most affordable country for travel. At dusk we reached our inn in the coastal town of Aberdovey, where the slab of plaice (a North Sea fish) I ordered was so huge it drooped over both sides of the plate.
The next morning we toured the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth, Europe’s oldest and largest center for research on sustainability and climate change. A hydro-powered tram rises from the parking lot to the forested grounds, and visitors stay engaged with countless interactive displays. We saw a demonstration house insulated by sheep’s wool (purportedly the best of all insulating materials), learned how an electric car works and walked through an organic garden. The center also offers a three-day renewable energy course and accommodations in a cabin powered by on-site solar and wind energy.
Afterward, we pointed our VW Golf toward Snowdonia National Park. The park’s highest peak, Snowdon, rises to only 3,560 feet, but the steep, rocky slopes, mostly barren of trees, give these mountains a stark, ethereal beauty that
draws hikers from throughout Britain. Centuries-old slate walls built by shepherds, twig-like waterfalls and cliffclinging hiking trails cleave the slopes like the veins of leaves.
We spent our last day inside several castles on the country’s north coast. Some say that Caernarfon and Conwy castles, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are the world’s finest medieval castles. Both castles and the surrounding walled towns that share their names are in such good shape they might just last another millennium or two. Caernarfon was memorable for the many stone stairways and levels to explore, Conwy for its turret views of the bridges that cross the River Conwy. We even squeezed in a third castle that day—Penrhyn, a bizarre but opulent neo-Norman mock castle.
By the time we left Wales, timeless and beguiling for us only began to describe the place. Captivating may be the best adjective, because I resolved, as Dylan Thomas so famously wrote, to not “go gentle into that good night” before returning for another visit.
You’ve spent the money to put a roof over your head. Now how do you keep it from leaking? by mimi towle
The white picket fence, the persimmon-walled dining room, the tax write-off—the American dream realized. With the dive in home prices over the last two years, more and more firsttime home buyers are making that dream come true, many of them with entry-level residences.
The pride of home ownership begins when the escrow officer hands you that thick packet of closing documents, but the reality of owning a house often doesn’t sink in until a broken coil in that kitschy refrigerator you loved leaks water over your now-buckled FCS-certified Brazilian walnut floor.
As many of Marin’s newest home owners can attest, an entry-level home, despite its million-dollar price tag, can also mean creaky appliances, rotting decks and leaky roofs.
Bill McKeon, an agent with Alain Pinel and president of the Marin Association of Realtors, holds a monthly meeting with other brokers called “The Buy/Sell” that analyzes the market. He’s been doing this for 14 years. At a recent meeting he asked, “Are first-time buyers accounting for at least half of recent purchases?” The group’s consensus was yes—more than 50 percent of their clients were first-time buyers.
The next question: “Does the buyer of an entry-level home in Marin need to know his or her way around a toolbox?” The answer: that depends where the house is. In Novato, for instance, a buyer can get a turnkey three-bedroom, three-bath for $500,000. In southern Marin, though,
Houses
start
deteriorating the minute they’re built. Each
part of a house has a different average life span. The information in the chart (facing page) was compiled by the National Association of Home Builders and the Bank of America Home Equity Study of Life Expectancy of Housing Components. The time frames vary according to usage, installation and amount of maintenance.
a similar home priced at $700,000 will usually need some TLC.
Chelsea Hardesty, an agent with Frank Howard Allen, understands the responsibility of home ownership both personally and professionally. She was able to buy a house in Corte Madera when the market dipped. Once she moved in she immediately created a spreadsheet of home maintenance priorities. Going through that exercise has made her a better agent, Hardesty says.
“Being aware of the life span of a roof or appliance or even an electrical system can save home owners thousands of dollars in future unforeseen costs,” she says, “and the fact is here, in Marin County, since many of the homes on the
real estate offices armed with information they have found on their own or online.”
Megan and Todd Duplanty are good examples. While living in the Presidio in 2008, Todd landed a job in Novato just as their lease expired. Buying a home in Marin seemed a natural step. Friends referred them to Hardesty and in no time they were driving through various neighborhoods looking at houses.
“We wanted to find a centrally located neighborhood so we could walk or ride bikes to restaurants and shopping,” says Megan. “Also important was finding a place with a good yard for the king of our castle: Hutch (a chocolate Lab). Todd is from Hawaii and having an indoor/outdoor lifestyle is important to him.
Most agents recommend a one-year home warranty. Plans vary, but typically cover air conditioning, major appliances, ductwork, and electrical systems. They cost $240 to $450 a year and are not limited to new home owners.
Fidelity National Home Warranty: homewarranty.com
Choice Home Warranty: choicehomewarranty.com
American Home Shield: ahswarranty.com
market were built 30 or more years ago, buyers can often expect to pay for a certain amount of deferred maintenance with a new property.”
With so many older homes on the market in Marin, says McKeon, buyers and sellers are better prepped with information. “Typically sellers will have the property inspected prior to its listing,” he says, “while buyers walk into our
Beyond that, we were really looking for a house with the right feel: something warm and inviting with lots of sunshine, and we wanted space to entertain; all for under a million dollars.”
One rainy, soggy day, they found it.
“It was perfect,” says Megan. The home on San Anselmo Avenue is walking distance to both downtown San Anselmo and downtown
Fairfax. It has an open floor plan, a great room and high ceilings with tons of light for Todd’s plants. The French doors lead to a wraparound deck and a nice big grassy area in the front. “We were lucky to find a place with so many updates—granite countertops in the kitchen, natural stone in the bathrooms, stainless steel appliances,” she says. “The house was perfect for both indoor and outdoor entertaining and it was in our price range.”
Unfortunately, when they read the inspector’s report on the house, their excitement waned.
“The report was overwhelming, but we did not want to back out of the offer,” says Megan. “Chelsea eased our concerns regarding the run -of-the-mill issues (the deck and roof) and gave us plenty of referrals. She helped us get a credit for a drainage issue, as well as made sure the issue of a non-permitted bathroom was remedied prior to the close of escrow and then shared the advantage of purchasing a home warranty plan to cover any future surprises.”
Hardesty says the Duplantys were in a good position to negotiate these issues because the seller was cooperative and the market was slow.
“Their timing was good, as it would have been difficult to find a home in the milliondollar range because inventory was so low even a year earlier.”
Since purchasing their home, Megan and Todd have gotten engaged, then married in Mexico, added another dog to the yard and chipped away at their to-do list on the house—in the process refining their American dream little by little.
appliances: compactors, 6; dishwashers, 9; microwaves, 9; dryers and refrigerators, 13; gas ranges, 15.
Electrical and Lighting: electrical accessories and lighting controls, 10-plus.
Flooring: carpet, 10.
Decks: wood, 20.
Cabinetry and Storage: medicine cabinets, 20-plus.
Faucets and Fixtures: kitchen faucets, 15; shower doors, 20.
Footings and Foundations: termite proofing, 12 (if chemical barriers are left intact); waterproofing with bituminous coating, 10.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC): furnaces, 15-20; heat pumps, 16;
air conditioning units, 10-15; tankless water heaters, 20-plus; electric or gas water heaters, 10.
Home Technology: built-in audio systems, 20; security systems and heat/smoke detectors, 5-10.
Paint: both interior and exterior, 15-plus.
Garages: garage door openers, 10-15; light inserts, 20.
20–30
Countertops: cultured marble, 20.
Faucets and Fixtures: whirlpool tubs, 20 plus.
Framing, Structural Systems: softwood, hardboard, and plywood, 30.
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC): thermostats, 35.
Cabinetry and Storage: garage/laundry cabinets, 100-plus; closet shelves, a lifetime.
Concrete and Masonry: chimneys, fireplaces, brick veneers, brick walls, a lifetime.
Countertops: natural stone, a lifetime.
Doors: exterior fiberglass, steel and wood, a lifetime.
Electrical and Lighting: copper plated wiring, copper clad
Flooring: linoleum, 25.
Roofing: asphalt shingles, 20-plus; wood shakes, 30.
Cabinetry & Storage: kitchen cabinets, 50.
Doors: French doors, 30-50.
Roofing: slate, copper, clay, 50-plus.
aluminum, and bare copper wiring, a lifetime.
Faucets and Fixtures: kitchen sinks of modified acrylic, 50; showerheads, bath cabinets and toilets, a lifetime.
Flooring: natural wood, 100plus; marble, slate, and granite, 100; vinyl, 50.
Footings and Foundations: poured and concrete block footings and foundations, a
lifetime; concrete or castiron waste pipes, 100-plus.
Windows and skylights: aluminum, 20; wooden, 30.
Site and Landscaping: most landscaping elements, 15-25.
50–100
Framing, Structural Systems: poured-concrete, timber frames, structural insulated panels, wall panels, roof and floor trusses, a lifetime; OSB and particleboard, 60-plus.
Home Technology: wireless home networks and home automation systems, 50-plus.
Insulation and Infiltration Barriers: the cellulose, fiberglass, and foam used in insulation materials, a lifetime.
Molding and Millwork: custom millwork, circular, spiral, prebuilt and attic stairs, a lifetime.
Siding and Accessories: some outside materials (brick, stone, fiber cement) typically last a lifetime; exterior wood, 20, depending on weather; gutters, 50 (copper), 20 (aluminum).
Walls, ceilings: full life span of house.
furnishing a living room, remodeling a kitchen or constructing a new home, embarking on a home improvement project can enhance not only the value of your property but the quality of your life. Any successful project starts with a dream and is then carefully supported by a goal, a budget, solid research and good information. That’s where Marin Magazine’s second Home Renovation Guide can help. Here you’ll find a list of selected architects, contractors, interior designers, landscape and swimming pool professionals, plumbers and electricians, lumber and hardware stores and many others. And we’ve included a Resources section listing a number of organizations that can help and protect you through the design or building process. Remember to always check business licenses and bonding, save your documents and receipts, and make sure all agreements are in writing. Here’s to a beautiful and successful project!
Martin & Harris 2158 Fourth St., San Rafael ph: 415.454.2021 martin-n-harris.com
Purcell Murray 185 Park Ln., Brisbane ph: 800.892.4040 purcellmurray.com
Standards of Excellence
530 W. Francisco Blvd., San Rafael ph: 415.453.6070 standardsofexcellence.com
Tresch Galleria
7400 Redwood Blvd., Novato ph: 415.897.4608 treschgalleria.com
Chambers and Chambers 420 Miller Ave., Mill Valley ph: 415.381.8326 chambersandchambers.com
Christina D. Hansen Building Design and Consulting Tiburon ph: 415.272.7926 christinahansen.com
Chrome Architecture 905 Fourth Street, San Rafael ph: 415.435.0700 chromearchitecture.com
DHA/Danadjieva Hansen Architects Inc. Tiburon ph: 415.435.5757 hansenarchitects.com
Don Olsen and Associates 666 Bridgeway, Sausalito ph: 415.332.0297 dkoarchitects.com
Greg Dedona Mill Valley ph: 415.383.7107 dedonaarchitect.com
Greg Johnson Tiburon ph: 415.435.3965 gregjohnsonarch.com
Henderson Architects/ Fifth Resource Group 141 Stony Circle Santa Rosa ph: 707.237.5240 hendersonarchitects.com
Ludwig Design
411 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo ph: 415.945.9410 ludwigdesign.com
Mahoney Architects & Interiors
1058 Redwood Hwy., Mill Valley ph: 415.389.1058 mahoney-architects.com
Michael J. Harlock, AIA
533 Redwood Ave., Corte Madera ph: 415.924.5714 harlockarch.com
MP2a, Inc.
23 Ross Common, Ross ph: 415.464.1231 mp2ainc.com
Michael Rex Associates 1750 Bridgeway, B-211 Sausalito ph: 415.331.1400 rexassoc.com
Miles Berger 14 Raccoon Ln., Tiburon ph: 415.435.2337 mb-aia.com
Morgan Hall 55 Bolinas Rd., Fairfax ph: 415.455.8464 morganhallarchitect.com
Pfau Long Architecture 98 Jack London Alley San Francisco ph: 415.908.6408 pfaulong.com
Polsky Perlstein Architects 469 Magnolia Ave. Larkspur ph: 415.927.1158 polskyarchitects.com
Robert Nebolon Berkeley ph: 510.525.2725 rnarchitect.com
Sutton Suzuki Architects 39 Forrest St., Ste. 101 Mill Valley ph: 415.383.3139 suttonsuzukiarchitects.com
Tardy & Associates 85 Liberty Ship Way #112 Sausalito ph: 415.381.1183 tardy-associates.com
Five Senses Art Consultancy
93 Terrace Ave., San Rafael ph: 415.816. 5235 fivesensesart.com
Construction Audio Services
1925 E. Francisco Blvd, Ste. 11
San Rafael ph: 415.485.1222 casaudio.com
High Definition Home
4326 Redwood Hwy., #200
San Rafael ph: 415.499.1400 highdefinitionhome.com
Rolling Thunder
3241 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael ph: 415.456.1681 rtaudio.com
Summit Technology
2450C Bluebell Court
Santa Rosa ph: 707.542.4773
Al Villa Builder
27 Paul Dr., San Rafael ph: 415.479.7826
AMP Construction Inc
369 B Third St. #456, San Rafael ph: 415.459.8843 ampconstruction.com
Caletti Jungsten Construction
495 Miller Ave., Mill Valley ph: 415.381.3162 calettijungsten.com
Cove Construction
800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. San Anselmo ph: 415.453.0515 coveconstruction.com
Dan LeVine Mellion
4080 Paradise Dr., Tiburon ph: 415.531.2228
Eden Roc Company Corte Madera ph: 415.924.4531
Fusion Building Company West Marin ph: 415.868.0647 fusionbuildingcompany.com
Golden Restoration and Construction ph: 415.382.8648 goldenrandc.com
Green Builders of Marin
205 Montego Key, Novato ph: 415.884.0700 greenbuildersofmarin.com
Harbinson Construction, Inc. 1221 Andersen Dr., San Rafael ph: 415.738.2460 harbinsonconstruction.com
Ireland, Robinson and Hadley 85 Beach Rd., Belvedere ph: 415.383.0583 irhadley.com
Plath & Co. 1575 Francisco Blvd. E., San Rafael ph: 415.460.1575 plathco.com
Redhorse Constructors, Inc. 36 Professional Center Pkwy. San Rafael ph: 415.492.2020 redhorseconstructors.com
Richard Avelar & Son 159 E. Blithdale, Mill Valley ph: 415.544.9177 avelarandson.com
Sterling and Co.
378 Butterfield Rd., San Anselmo ph: 415.459.1511 sissco.com
Steve Rempe 1020 Railroad Ave., Ste. E, Novato ph: 415.897.9126 rempe.com
Stroub Construction 300 Main St., Sausalito ph: 415.331.0621 stroubconstruction.com
The Englander Building Co. Mill Valley ph: 415.383.4000 englanderbuilding.com
Tim Walsh Builders, Inc. 403 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley ph: 415.381.9806
Woodworking West, Inc. Stinson Beach ph: 415.868.2265 woodworkingwest.net
QD Construction ph: 775.353.7094 qdconstruction.com
City Stones 441 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa ph: 707.206.9900 citystones.net
Fox Marble & Ganite 1315 Armstrong Ave. San Francisco ph: 415.671.1149 fox-marble.com
Goodman Building Supply 775 Redwood Hwy., Mill Valley ph: 415.388.6233
Hearth & Home of Marin 902 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael ph: 415.479.2876 hearthandhomeofmarin.com
Jackson’s Hardware 435 DuBois St., San Rafael ph: 415.454.3740 jacksonhardware.com
Jim Corbet’s Ace Hardware 1155 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur ph: 415.461.5330 acehardware.com
Little House on the Trailer 1880 Petaluma Blvd. North Petaluma ph: 707.981.7703 littlehouseonthetrailer.com
McNear Brick & Block 1 McNear Brickyard Rd. San Rafael ph: 415.453.7702 mcnear.com
Mill Valley Lumber 129 Miller Ave., Mill Valley ph: 415.388.3532
Modern Cabana 602 Minnesota St. San Francisco ph: 415.206.9342 moderncabana.com
Novato Builders Supply
800 Sweetser Ave., Novato ph: 415.892.1651 novatobuilders.com
Novato Lumber & Fence Co.
7586 Redwood Blvd., Novato ph: 415.897.1166 novatolumberfence.com
Orchard Supply Hardware
1151 Andersen Dr., San Rafael ph: 415.453.7288 osh.com
Pacific Lumber and Hardware
4224 Redwood Hwy., San Rafael ph: 415.492.8816 truevalue.net
Pietra Fina, Inc.
23190 Connecticut St., Hayward ph: 510.670.1010 pietrafina.com
Pini Ace Hardware
1535 S. Novato Blvd. #A Novato ph: 415.892.1577 piniacehardware.com
Rafael Lumber & Building Supply
930 Andersen Dr., San Rafael ph: 415.453.3043
rafael-lumber.com
Shamrock Materials
548 DuBois St., San Rafael ph: 415.455.1575
shamrockmaterials.com
The Sliding Door Company
684 King St., San Francisco ph: 415.436.9737 sfslidingdoor.com
Bamboo Cabinets
Sausalito ph: 415.331.8342 bamboocabinets.com
Bauerware Cabinet Hardware
3886 17th St. San Francisco ph: 415.864.3886 bauerware.com
Cabinets & Design Studio
999 Andersen Dr., Ste 165 San Rafael ph: 415.459.8001 cabinetsanddesignstudio.com
Lamperti Contracting & Design
1241 Andersen Dr., San Rafael ph: 415.454.1623
lampertikitchens.com
Mitchel Berman Cabinetmakers
472 Primo Court, Cotati ph: 707.795.8495
mitchelbermancabinetmakers.com
Out of the Woods Custom Cabinetry
92 Louise St., San Rafael ph: 415.457.0647 outofthewoods.cc
Woodline Design
134 Paul Dr. #7, San Rafael ph: 415.479.5744 woodlinedesign.com
California Closets
610 Du Bois St., Ste. A, San Rafael 675 Townsend Street, San Francisco ph: 415.455.1200 californiaclosets.com
Closets and Kitchens Van Go 3095 Kerner Blvd., Ste. M San Rafael ph: 415.456.8264 closetsvango.com
The Container Store
219 Corte Madera Town Center Corte Madera ph: 415.945.9755 containerstore.com
Garage Solutions
1281 Andersen Dr., San Rafael ph: 415.456.4474 garagesolutions.com
Sonja Markreiter Petaluma ph: 707.775.4570 smcolordesign.com
Artistic Lighting & Electric
1945 E. Francisco Blvd., Ste. 28
San Rafael ph: 415.456.1656 artisticlightingcorp.com
BOS Electric
San Rafael ph: 415.457.5190 bos-electric.com
N. Bay Electric
5687 Marsh Hawk Dr., Santa Rosa ph: 707.538.8333 northbayelectric.net
Quinto and Young 200 Emerystone Terrace, San Rafael ph: 415.472.3804
Redwood Electric Co. 13 Washington St., Novato ph: 415.892.4900
Shanahan Electric 151 Holmes Ave., San Rafael ph: 415.479.1929
Strom Electric, Inc. Inverness ph: 415.669.1900
Summit Technology 2450C Bluebell Dr. Santa Rosa ph: 707.542.4773 summittechnologygrp.com
Bamboo & More 205 Miller Ave., Mill Valley ph: 415.383.8912 bambooandmoreonline.com
Broek Hardwood Floors Inc. ph: 415.381.2202, 415.868.1188 broekhardwoodfloors.blogspot.com
California Carpet 1197 Folsom St., San Francisco ph: 415.487. 3636 calfloor.com
City Carpets 555 Francisco Blvd. E. San Rafael ph: 415.454.4200 city-carpets.com
Claremont Rug Co. ph: 510.654.0816 claremontrug.com
Empire Floors 1411 Grant Ave., Novato ph: 415.899.1991
1735 Pine Rd., Santa Rosa ph: 707.525.1204 empirefloorsca.com
Endless Knot Rug Co.
2 Henry Adams St., Ste. 409 San Francisco ph: 415.934.9200 endlessknotrugs.com
Exquisite Surfaces
150 15th St., Ste. B, San Francisco ph: 415.431.7300 xsurfaces.com
Floorcoverings of Marin 1609 Fourth St., San Rafael ph: 415.453.4500 floorsofmarin.com
Floortex Design
5768 Paradise Dr., Corte Madera ph: 415.924.6545
Haute Textile Flooring 1058 Redwoond Hwy., Mill Valley ph: 415.388.8312
Just Remants
900 Andersen Dr., San Rafael ph: 415.455.8882 justremnants.com
Ken’s Carpets
1914 Fourth St., San Rafael ph: 415.454.5367 kenscarpets.com
Marin Hardwood Floors 911 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Kentfield ph: 415.456.1639
Marin Oriental Rug House 256 Shoreline Hwy., Mill Valley ph: 415.389.8400 therughouse.com
Mill Valley Bamboo Associates 14 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Larkspur ph: 415.925.1188 mvbamboo.com
Naturlich Flooring 7120 Keating Ave., Sebastopol ph: 707.829.3959 naturalfloors.net
Rafael Floors
822 Francisco Blvd. W., San Rafael ph: 415.456.3658 rafaelfloors.com
Stark Carpet
2 Henry Adams Street, #250 San Francisco ph: 415.861.0466 starkcarpet.com
Tamalpais Hardwood Floors
3095 Kerner Blvd., Ste. K San Rafael ph: 415.459.1800 tamalpaishardwoodfloors.com
The Floor Store
523 Francisco Blvd. E., San Rafael ph: 415.457.2011 floorstores.com
Arkitektura 560 Ninth St., San Francisco ph: 415.565.7200 arksf.com
Bluestone Main 120 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma ph: 707.765.2024 bluestonemain.com
Brownstone Furniture
78 Division St. San Francisco ph: 415.861.2426 brownstonefurniture.com
Cabana Home
238 E. Blithedale Ave., Mill Valley ph: 415.383.0201 cabanahome.com
Chajo Handcrafted Art Furnishings Napa ph: 707.257.3676 chajo.com
Cokas Diko Home Furnishings
529 Fourth St., Santa Rosa ph: 707.588.4044
9000 Windsor Rd., Windsor ph: 707.838.6555 cokasdiko.com
Custom Furniture Design
50 De Haro St., San Francisco ph: 415.431.1511 customfurnituredesign.com
Crate & Barrel
1320 Corte Madera Town Center Corte Madera ph: 415.924.5412 crateandbarrel.com
Design Within Reach
420 Miller Ave., Mill Valley ph: 415.384.0480 dwr.com
Goodnite Moon
111 Corte Madera Town Center Corte Madera ph: 415.945.0677 goodnitemoon.com
Heller’s for Children
541 Fourth St., San Rafael ph: 415.456.5533 hellersforchildren.com
Halloran & Sons Antiques
108 W. North St. Healdsburg ph: 707.431.7400
Maison Rêve
108 Throckmorton Ave. Mill Valley ph: 415.383.9700 maisonreve.com
Mill Valley Baby & Kids
12 Miller Ave., Mill Valley ph: 415.389.1312 babyandkidscompany.com
Pedersens Furniture
5th and D Streets, Santa Rosa ph: 707.542.1855
Roche Bobois
701 Eighth St. San Francisco ph: 415.626.8613 roche-bobois.com
Ruby Living Design 1 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley ph: 415.381.9095 rubyliving.com
Scandinavian Designs 1212 Fourth St., San Rafael ph: 415.457.5500 scandinaviandesigns.com
Summer House 21 and 57 Throckmorton Ave. Mill Valley ph: 415.383.6695
Sunrise Home 831 B St., San Rafael ph: 415.456.3939 sunrisehome.com
Terra Teak
258 Bolinas St., Mill Valley ph: 415.331.1603 terrateakandgarden.com
West Elm
435 Corte Madera Town Center Corte Madera ph: 415.927.0202 westelm.com
The Wooden Duck 1848 Fourth St., San Rafael ph: 415.453.0345 thewoodenduck.com
Via Diva Home Furnishings 516 Irwin St., San Rafael ph: 415.257.8881 viadiva.com
Black’s Farmwood 1595 Francisco Blvd. E., San Rafael ph: 415.454.8312 blacksfarmwood.com
Evan Shively/Arborica Marshall ph: 415.663.9126
Restoration Timber Showplace E. 111 Rhode Island St., Ste. F San Francisco ph: 888.563.9663 restorationtimber.com
Green By Design 1058 Redwood Hwy. Mill Valley ph: 415.381.6200 greenbydesign.us
The Green Home Center 1812 Polk St., San Francisco ph: 415.567.3700 thegreenhomecenter.com
Baron + Baron Design 3095 Kerner Blvd., Ste. Y San Rafael ph: 415.456.4890 baron2design.com
Beryn Hammil Designs ph: 415.924.5509 berynhammil.com
C. Wright Design Mill Valley ph: 415.388.1243 cwrightdesign.com
Candace Killman Interior Design 469 A Magnolia Ave., Larkspur ph: 415.927.0799 candacekillman.com
Christa Q Design ph: 415.309.6938 christaqdesign.com
Deborah Coburn
120 Terrace Ave., San Rafael ph: 415.258.0543 naturallyinspired.net
Five Senses Interiors
93 Terrace Ave., San Rafael ph: 415.816.5235 fivesensesinteriors.com
Hershon Hartley Design, Inc.
245 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. San Anselmo ph: 415.459.4004 hershonhartley.com
J. Livingston Home Decor
502 Irwin St., San Rafael ph: 415.453.5538 jlivingstonhomedecor.com
Jessica Hall Associates 1108 Magnolia Ave. Larkspur ph: 415.461.0588 jessicahallassociates.com
Kari Cusack Design
4 Cazadero Ln., Tiburon ph: 415.435.4230 karicusackdesign.com
Keatin Holly Greenbrae ph: 415.987.2685 keatinholly.com
Larette Design
14 Via Barranca, Greenbrae ph: 415.464.0664 larettedesign.com
Mooneshome
Mill Valley ph: 415.845.9746 mooneshome.com
Nancy Van Natta Associates 10 H St., San Rafael ph: 415.456.3078 van-natta.com
Robert Federighi Design Inc.
24 Mark Dr., San Rafael ph: 415.479.4794 robertfederighi.com
Ruth Livingston Studio 74 Main St., Tiburon ph: 415.435.5264 ruthlivingston.com
SieMatic
235 First St., San Francisco ph: 415.442.0255
siematic-sanfrancisco.com
Spacial Design
524 San Anselmo Ave., Ste. 146 San Anselmo ph: 415.457.3195 spacialdesign.com
Stacey Lapuk Interior Design 519 Wisteria Way, San Rafael ph: 415.499.1228 staceylapukinteriors.com
Weaver Design Group
243 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. San Anselmo ph: 415.454.6600
amyweaverdesign.com
Clare Michael
425 Irwin St., San Rafael ph: 415.499.1692
claremichaeldesigns.com
Design Orendain Mill Valley ph: 415.381.5311
Lamperti Contracting and Design
1242 Andersen Dr. San Rafael ph: 415.454.1623 lampertikitchens.com
Kitchen Matrix San Francisco Design Center 101 Henry Adams St., Ste. 410 San Francisco ph: 415.934.1454
Kitchens & More 4178 Redwood Hwy., San Rafael ph: 415.479.1000 kitchensandmore.com
Kitchens Plus 901 A St., Ste. D., San Rafael ph: 415.453.9589 kitchensplusdesign.com
Marin Kitchen Works 285-B Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato ph: 415.883.8728 marinkitchenworks.com
Poggenpohl Kitchens 650 Townsend St., Ste. 90, San Francisco ph: 415.865.0443
Sandra Bird Designs
240 Magnolia Dr., Larkspur ph: 415.927.1171 sandrabird.com
SieMatic
235 First St., San Francisco ph: 415.442.0255 siematic-sanfrancisco.com
Studio Snaidero
835 Fifth Ave., Ste. B, San Rafael ph: 415.258.8222 snaidero-usa.com
The Bath & Beyond 77 Connecticut St., San Francisco ph: 415.552.5001 bathandbeyond.com
AvidGreen Landscaping 283 N. Almenar Dr., Greenbrae ph: 415.461.8477 avidgreen.com
Bio Friendly Gardens ph: 510.812.9873 biofriendlygardens.com
Bradanini & Associates 90 Throckmorton Ave. #16, Mill Valley ph: 415.383.9780 bradanini.com
Chandler and Chandler Napa ph: 707.253.8266 chandler2.com
Creative Environments Sonoma, Marin, Napa ph: 707.827.7980 creativeenvironments.biz
Derviss Design 1408 Park Ave., Novato ph: 415.892.3121 dervissdesign.com
Details Landscape Art ph: 707.769.1600 detailslandscapeart.com
Gardeners’ Guild Inc. 2780 Goodrick Ave., Richmond ph: 415.457.0400 gardenersguild.com
Geared for Growing ph: 707.473.4333 gearedforgrowing.com
Green Door Design
231A Flamingo Rd., Mill Valley ph: 415.381.1886 greendoordesign.net
Julianna Landscape 878 Estancia Way San Rafael ph: 415.479.9292
Living Green Plantscape
150 15th St., San Francisco ph: 415.864.2251 livinggreen.com
Michael A. Cook Landscape Architect ph: 707.545.5235 mac-la.net
Michael B. Yandle Landscape Architecture 13 Ross Common, Ross ph: 415.464.0763 mbyandle.com
Pedersen Associates 24 H St., San Rafael ph: 415.456.2070 pedersenassociates.com
Shepard Design Associates 805 Fourth St., Ste. 10, San Rafael ph: 415.378.7817 shepardandassociates.net
Simmonds & Associates
330 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ste. B San Anselmo ph: 415.460.0460 simmonds-associates.com
Stroudwater Landscape Arch. 312 Evergreen Ln., Mill Valley ph: 415.381.5395
Studio Green 232 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. San Anselmo ph: 415.721.0905 studiogreen.com
Suma Landscaping, Inc. Alameda ph: 510.261.3585 sumalandscaping.com
Summit Hill Builders San Anselmo ph: 415.419.5911
Suzman & Cole Design Associates
1265 Battery St., 5th Floor, San Francisco ph: 415.252.0111 suzmancole.com
Tischbern Design Studio
467-B Magnolia Ave. Larkspur ph: 415.924.7664 tischberndesignstudio.com
Urban Homestead
Point Reyes Station, Point Reyes ph: 415.235.3682 urban-homestead.com
American Soil & Stone
Products
565-A Jacoby St., San Rafael ph: 415.456.1381 americansoilandstone.com
Bayside Garden Center 1520 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon ph: 415.435.0341 baysidegardenmarin.com
Cottage Gardens of Petaluma 3995 Emerald Dr. Petaluma ph: 707.778.8025 cottagegardensofpet.com
Green Jeans Garden Supply
690 Redwood Hwy. Mill Valley ph: 415.389.8333
Mostly Natives
27235 Hwy. 1, Tomales ph: 707.878.2010
Nursery at Fairfax Lumber 109 Broadway, Fairfax ph: 415.453.4410 fairfaxlumber.com
Shamrock Materials
548 DuBois St., San Rafael ph: 415.455.1575 shamrockmaterials.com
Sonoma Horticultural Nursery
3970 Azalea Ave. Sebastopol ph: 707.823.6832 sonomahort.com
Sunnyside Nursery
130 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. San Anselmo ph: 415.453.2701 sunnysideofmarin.com
Wheeler Zamaroni
3500 Petaluma Hill Rd. Santa Rosa ph: 707.543.8400 wheelerzamaroni.com
Anna Kondolf Lighting Design ph: 415.456.5472 kondolf.com
Boyd Lighting
944 Folsom St., San Francisco ph: 415.778.4300 boydlighting.com
Eric Johnson Associates, Inc 1748 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael ph: 415.482.0923 ericjohnsonassociates.com
Light Express
838 Francisco Blvd. W., San Rafael ph: 415.459.1261 light-express.com
Lights of Rafael
4100 Redwood Hwy., San Rafael ph: 415.472.7292 lightsofrafael.com
Lunaria
1108 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur ph: 415.456.0588 lunaria.us
Nowell’s Antique Lighting
490 Gate Five Rd., Sausalito ph: 415.332.4933 nowellslighting.com
Randall Whitehead Lighting 1246 18th St., San Francisco ph: 415.626.1277 randallwhitehead.com
Vita Pehar Design 10005 Bodega Hwy., Sebastopol ph: 415.829.6363 vitapehardesign.com
Artefice by Deanda Sparks, Nevada ph: 775.355.9663 arteficebydeanda.com
Bay Heritage Painting ph: 415.609.2678 bayheritagepainting.com
Boeck & Associates
4328 Redwood Hwy., Ste. 200, San Rafael ph: 415.491.1702 boeckpaint.com
Danielle Hirsch Sausalito ph: 415.944.0070 daniellepainting.com
Hayes & Co. Mill Valley ph: 415.388.2087
Kerrigan Painting 874 Sweetwater, Novato ph: 415.898.4911
Kunst Bros Painting 76 Belvedere St., San Rafael ph: 415.456.4044 kunst-bros.com
Marin Color Service 770 Second St., San Rafael ph: 415.453.4065
Marin Wood Restoration & Painting Co. 246 Balclutha Dr., Corte Madera ph: 415.924.5005 marin-wood.com
Meyer Painting 757 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael ph: 415.459.3271
Ross Painting 4316 Redwood Hwy., San Rafael ph: 415.455.0766
San Francisco Decors 10 Liberty Ship Way, #202, Sausalito ph: 415.888.3269 sanfranciscodecors.com
Synco Painters Novato ph: 415.897.9912
Tamalpais Paint 30 Tamalpais Dr., Corte Madera ph: 415.924.7321 tamalpaispaint.com
PAINTING: FAUX AND TROMPE L’OEIL
Juvenile Hall Design ph: 415.608.8426 juvenilehalldesign.com
Ruby Newman ph: 707.765.6824 rubynewman.com
San Francisco Decors ph: 415.888.3269 sanfranciscodecors.com
Tricia George 4324 Redwood Hwy., Ste. 100A San Rafael ph: 415.577.5595 camurals.com
Burkell Plumbing 2000 Bridgeway, Sausalito ph: 415.332.3091 burkell.com
Gotelli Plumbing Company 21 Lovell Ave., San Rafael ph: 415.457.1145 gotelliplumbing.com
Sinclair Plumbing & Fire Protection Novato ph: 415.883.9400
Booth & Little Roofing Inc 2150 Redwood Hwy., Greenbrae ph: 415.924.2733 boothandlittle.com
Cascade Roofing 7586-A Redwood Blvd., Novato ph: 415.892.6039 cascaderoofing.com
De Mello Roofing 45 Jordan St. San Rafael ph: 415.456.0741 demelloroofing.com
Marin County Roofing Co. 250 Francisco Blvd. W., San Rafael ph: 415.453.3511 marinroofing.com
Modern Method Roofing ph: 707.255.8090 modernmethodroofing.com
Superior Roofing and Gutter 397 Smith Ranch Rd., San Rafael ph: 415.491.1144 roofingmarin.com
Wedge Roofing Novato ph: 415.897.6168 wedgeroofing.com
Real Goods Solar
27 Simms St., San Rafael ph: 415.456.2800 realgoodssolar.com
SPG Solar
20 Leveroni Court, Novato ph: 415.883.7657
spgsolar.com
Solarcraft
285 Bel Marin Keys Blvd. #D Novato ph: 415.382.7717
solarcraft.com
Sunfirst! Solar Energy Systems
3060 Kerner Blvd., Ste. W San Rafael ph: 415.458.5870
sunfirstsolar.com
Apache Pools
San Rafael ph: 415.492.3351
apachepools.com
Aquascape Custom
Crafted Pools
1120 Industrial Ave., Petaluma ph: 707.769.7212
Janssen Pool Construction ph: 415.488.4455 janssenpools.com
Riptide Construction
Santa Rosa ph: 707.577.0264
riptideconstruction.com
Appian Way Paverstones ph: 415.924.6763
appianwaypaverstones.com
Bay Area Bluestone
170 Gary Place, San Rafael ph: 415.453.2262
bayareabluestone.com
Blue Slide Art Tile Point Reyes Station blueslidetile.com
Ceramic Tile Design
846 Francisco Blvd., San Rafael ph: 415.485.5180 ceramictiledesign.net
Ceramic Tile World
10 Hamilton Dr., Novato ph: 415.883.8861 ctwdesigns.com
Daltile
2303 Merced St., San Leandro ph: 510.357.6197
daltileexoticslabs.com
Dennett Tile and Stone
3310 Industrial Dr., Santa Rosa ph: 707.566.9800
Heath Ceramics
400 Gate 5 Rd., Sausalito ph: 415.332.3732
heathceramics.com
Granite Transformations
3485 Airway Dr., Santa Rosa ph: 707.566.9800
Italics Tile Showroom
650 Irwin St., San Rafael ph: 415.451.6150 italics-stone.com
London Tile Co. Mill Valley ph: 415.389.0408 londontileco.com
Marin Stone Care
246 Balcutha Dr., Corte Madera ph: 415.924.5005 marin-wood.com
McNear Brick & Block
1 McNear Brickyard Rd. San Rafael ph: 415.454.6811 mcnear.com
Northcoast Tile and Stone
3854 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa ph: 707.586.2064 nctile.com
Shamrock Materials
548 DuBois St., San Rafael ph: 415.455.1575 shamrocknaturalstone.com
Sonoma Cast Stone
110 Skillman Lane, Petaluma ph: 877.939.9929 sonomastone.com
The Legacy Paver Group ph: 707.538.1071 legacypavers.com
Tile & Stone of Marin 1505 Francisco Blvd. E., San Rafael ph: 415.457.9422
Villa Terrazza
869 Broadway St., Sonoma ph: 707.933.8286 villa-terrazza.com
Bomarc 42 Greenfield Ave., San Anselmo bomarcdesign.com
Magnolia Lane Soft Home Furnishings
313 Corey Way South San Francisco ph: 650.624.0700 magnolialane.com
Sal Beressi Fabrics Co. 1504 Bryant St., 2nd Fl. San Francisco ph: 415.861.5004
Stoich Designs 274 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur ph: 415.927.2362
Blomberg Window Systems 1453 Blair Ave., Sacramento ph: 800.884.2456 arcat.com
Charles Windows and Doors 901 Francisco Blvd. E., San Rafael ph: 415.459.1600 charleswindows.com
Empire Shower Doors 1217 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma ph: 415.453.9236 empireshowerdoors.com
Glass Concepts 1709 Fourth St., San Rafael ph: 415.256.9766 glassconcepts.net
Mission Wood Products 27 Paul Dr., San Rafael ph: 415.472.2280 missionwood.com
NanaWall Systems 707 Redwood Hwy., Mill Valley ph: 415.383.3148 nanawall.com
Window Warehouse 5776 Paradise Dr., Corte Madera ph: 415.924.8300 windowwarehouse.net
Casper Screens Fairfax ph: 415.706.7510
casperscreens.com
The Roman Shade Co. San Francisco Design Center, 2 Henry Adams St. M-45 San Francisco ph: 415.621.2777 theromanshadecompany.com
Window Accents, Inc. 836 Francisco Blvd. W., San Rafael ph: 415.459.7838
Build-It Green 1434 University Ave., Berkeley ph: 510.845.0472 builditgreen.org
Contractor Manager, Inc. Corte Madera ph: 415.924.9031 contractormanager.com
Contractors State License Board 9821 Business Park Dr. Sacramento ph: 800.321.2752 cslb.ca.gov
Marin Builders Association 660 Las Gallinas Ave., San Rafael ph: 415.462.1220 marinba.org
National Association of Home Builders ph: 800.368.5242 nahb.org
National Association of the Remodeling Industry, NARI
or 35 years, Woodworking West has provided superior quality construction services for residential and commercial properties in Marin County and the greater Bay Area. We have worked successfully with homeowners and architects to create beautiful homes of lasting style and function. Whether we are renovating an existing home or building a new one from the ground up, we excel at finding innovative ways to improve design, save time, reduce costs and minimize our ecofootprint on all our projects.
Brian Lanigan, contractor and owner of Woodworking West, manages the business with a keen sense of design and handson approach to detail. His team of talented employees and subcontractors all share Brian’s commitment to high-quality craftsmanship and exacting standards.
A distinct advantage to our clients is our in-house cabinet shop. It allows our experienced and dedicated cabinet craftsmen to create beautiful custom cabinetry for our client’s unique specifications. Our clients can choose any style, size, or material and have control over cost and completion dates. This level of involvement assures our client that the finished product will fit perfectly into the new construction.
Our commitment to our clients and the focus and attention we apply to every detail has made repeat customers and referrals a large part of our business. We invite you to call us or visit our website to view our portfolio and learn more about our company.
blanigan@woodworkingwest.net
woodworkingwest.net
Stinson Beach, CA 415.868.2265
ROOMS THAT SPARK THE IMAGINATION.
Nurturing the dreams and passions of our kids, what a job! Ellen Mattesi has designed over 1200 children’s spaces throughout New York, Los Angeles, and now the Bay Area. Children grow and develop through creative play. With the right combination of artistry and skill, we can inspire the imaginations of our future visionaries.
ellen@juvenilehalldesign.com
415.608.8426
Mill Valley, CA juvenilehalldesign.com
BEAUTIFYING INTERIORS ONE BY ONE
Five Senses Interiors, fresh from London, brings European flair to Marin residential and hotel/hospitality projects. Our philosophy brings sensory enjoyment of the interior, using practical design solutions for how you live in your space. We focus on color, textures, antique and contemporary furnishings and dynamic artwork; even a customized home scent! We follow green sustainable guidelines and undertake outdoor landscaping projects.
3 Terrace Avenue
415.816.5235 San Rafael, CA fivesensesinteriors.com
Our 9,000 square foot warehouse showcases floor-to-ceiling upholstery, drapery, and bedding fabrics. We specialize in a myriad of velvets, mohair, linens, silk, tapestry, damask and vintage cotton prints and wools. Designer close-outs feature new looks for your home or office at great savings.
Our goal is to offer an eclectic, comprehensive selection of fabrics. The bolts on-site are discounted by 40% and in-stock variety of choices are endless. We also offer sample lines from thirty different vendors with discounts from 25-40%.
We make every effort to help our customers find that very special fabric. They bring paint chips, carpet samples, rugs, paintings, furniture pieces, pillows, vases and more to show us the color or pattern that they’re looking for. We enjoy being private detectives so the search is always on! 1504 Bryant Street, 2nd Floor 415.861.5004 San Francisco, CA Beressi.Fabrics@gmail.com
Artistic Lighting & Electric is one of the North Bay’s largest and most experienced, full service lighting and electrical contractors. Noted for their attention to detail, they remain on the leading edge of technologies and the latest exciting trends. They are proud of the quality of their crews, their professionalism and their courtesy. Artistic Lighting & Electric guarantees a brilliant completion of every project.
1945 E. Francisco Blvd., #28
415.456.1656 San Rafael, CA artisticlightingcorp.com
COMMITTED TO SERVICE
ovato Builders Supply, Inc. is not one of those “Big Box” stores where the staff is few and far between. When you walk through our door, our team of seasoned professionals is not only eager to serve you; they spend the time to make sure you are confident with your purchase. You can get in and out fast, or you can take your time and discuss in detail the specifics of your job over a cup of coffee.
Novato Builders Supply’s goal is very simple…to provide each customer the very best in service and building materials in the retail lumber industry.
Novato Builders Supply, Inc. has been keeping builders supplied and homeowners satisfied in the San Francisco Bay Area for almost 40 years. Enjoy the difference experience can make.
800 Sweetser Avenue
415.892.1651 Novato, CA novatobuilders.com
EDIBLE AND ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING
Urban Homestead uses ecological design principles to create beautiful, unique, and useful landscapes. Based in Marin County, we enjoy using native, drought tolerant, edible, and medicinal plants. Whether you envision a rustic, old-world garden with a mixture of vegetables, herbs and cut flowers, or a low-maintenance, minimal water-use landscape, we are here to help you create it and maintain it.
P.O. Box 1412
415.235.3682 Point Reyes Station, CA urban-homestead.com
CERTIFIED GREEN BUILDER
Caletti Jungsten is proud to be a leader of the construction industry in progressive and sustainable building and is one of Marin County’s first Green Certified Home Builders and Remodelers. We are a general contractor with nothing general about the services we offer. We embrace the uniqueness of each job and welcome the opportunity for our seasoned leadership to excel in managing your project. Our company culture is simple: Good Enough Isn’t.
495 Miller Ave
415.381.3162 Mill Valley, CA calettijungsten.com
CUSTOM CABINETRY & FURNITURE
Merging sophisticated design with state-of-the-art craftsmanship and technology, Marin resident Mitchel Berman, MFA, has been the Cabinetmaker of choice for the Bay Area’s finest homes and businesses since 1985. Whether you are looking for a custom Kitchen, Bath, Home Office, Library, Audio Visual Center or Fine Furniture and you seek design, quality and value contact Mitchel to discuss your upcoming projects.
472 Primero Court #C 415.925.9211 Cotati, CA bermancabinetmakers.com
ounded in 1990, the award-winning firm of Sutton Suzuki Architects specializes in custom residential design. A close client alliance leads to a creative exchange of ideas and an innovative and ecological approach to your design.
Environmentally sound design has long been a hallmark of the firm, commencing with thoughtful site planning for natural ventilation and passive solar gain, and further incorporating sustainable features throughout the project.
In addition to numerous projects in the greater Bay Area, the firm has also completed projects on the islands of Kauai and Hawaii, and designed homes in Jackson, Wyoming and Incline Village. For every location, the design of each home originates from the vision of the client and the spirit of the surrounding site.
39 Forrest Street, Ste 101 415.383.3139 Mill Valley, CA suttonsuzukiarchitects.com
DESIGN REMODEL STAGE
Sophisticated, Timeless, Contemporary and Effortless Design. These are customers’ descriptions of MOONEShome Designs. MOONES offers innovative, top quality, costefficient solutions. MOONES comprehensive services cover small to extensive improvement projects: reviving lighting and color choices, furnishing a favorite room, preparing for home sale, remodeling a kitchen, bathroom or complete renovation. Please view our online portfolio.
415.845.9746
Mill Valley, CA mooneshome.com
GERMAN KITCHENS; AMERICAN TRADITION
leader in fine European kitchen cabinetry in over 62 countries on five continents, SieMatic has an unyielding commitment to innovative engineering and manufacturing excellence. Whether transitional or contemporary, SieMatic kitchens are known for distinctive styles and elegant finishes. The new BeauxArts kitchen collection was designed expressly for the American market and complements both new and period homes. The interior also sets a SieMatic kitchen apart. Cabinets can be equipped with MultiMatic accessories, which include transparent canister drawers, silverware pull-outs and glass racks. The company philosophy of complementing a lifestyle, not just offering a product, makes it unique in the industry. From manufacturing plant to showroom floor, SieMatic’s commitment to providing its customers with “the premium lifestyle they deserve” makes the SieMatic brand name synonymous with unparalleled kitchen interior design.
235 First Street
415.442.0255 San Francisco, CA siematic-sanfrancisco.com
ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND INTERIOR DESIGN
Polsky Perlstein Architects specializes in fine custom homes and carefully crafted renovations. Our creative team employs a rich palette of artistic styles expressed in over 500 homes built throughout Northern California. This extensive portfolio displays a full spectrum of innovative solutions tailored to the clients’ dreams and aspirations, specific site opportunities and uniquely derived sets of architectural influences.
469B Magnolia Ave.
415.927.1156 Larkspur, CA 94939 polskyperlsteinarchitects.com
The Marin based firm of Greg Johnson Architect, Inc. has been practicing architecture in Marin and beyond for the past 15 years. Each design is approached with the sensitivity and care required to produce a home that is unique to the client and the site. With a rich understanding of traditional forms, our projects are unique and tell a wonderful story.
415.435.3965 gregjohnsonarch.com
CLEAN & GREEN ARTIFICIAL GRASS
GreenSpace Grass designs and installs synthetic turf for yards of any size or slope. Our next generation turf is nontoxic and lead free. It is perfect for pet runs, around pools, play areas, under trampolines, shaded areas, putting greens, any space you want to make more useful.
415.384.0180
Marin, SF & the North Bay greenspacegrass.com
RECLAIMED WOOD BEAMS, FLOORING & SIDING
For more than a decade, Black’s Farmwood has been a leading provider of reclaimed wide plank wood flooring, rustic paneling, weathered barn siding, antique wood beams and more. We care deeply for the environment and deal only with ecologically responsible sources. Our reclaimed and certified wood products are the finest available and are full of character, history and natural beauty. Our exquisite time crafted reclaimed woods are perfect for your one-of-a-kind remodel, new construction, green building project or historic restoration. We can accommodate designers and architects with detailed information on our products, so quality can be assured. All our wood is 100% reclaimed/recycled, and can be milled to our clients’ specifications. Whether you’re looking for wide plank flooring, exterior or interior siding, ceiling, decking, timbers, or cabinet material, Black’s Farmwood has it all.
San Rafael Showroom 415.454.8312 By Appointment blacksfarmwood.com
ENGLISH AND FRENCH FURNITURE
Opened in 1980, Halloran and Sons Antiques specializes in 17th through 18th Century English and French furnishings, garden antiques and elements. Proprietor Patricia Halloran Wheeler travels throughout Europe to discover beautiful items. The large stock of carefully chosen pieces are of the highest quality. If you are looking to fill your home with the rare and unusual look no farther than Halloran and Sons Antiques.
109 West North Street
707.431.7400
Healdsburg, CA halloranantiques.com
WHERE FORM MEETS FUNCTION
t California Closets we’ve mastered the art of spatial design, creating custom solutions for every room in the home, in a variety of configurations, colors and styles. And no project is finished until our customer is completely happy. That’s our promise. And that is what makes California Closets unlike all others.
Imagine a closet designed for efficiency. An office designed for productivity. A garage designed for utility. Or a room designed for whatever you love the most. Imagine an investment that pays for itself both today and tomorrow. A perfectly organized space will do all of this and more.
Visit California Closets and imagine no more. Call us, stop by our showroom in San Rafael or log on to schedule your complimentary in-home design consultation.
610A DuBois Street 415.455.1200 San Rafael, CA californiaclosetssf.com
Stroub Construction is a builder of exceptional and unique residences that require in-depth attention to architecture, design and details. The combination of exceptional workmanship and professionalism offered at a fair price is what company president Stephen Stroub attributes to his success. The company has steadily grown since its inception in 1983 into one of the most respected firms in the bay area.
300 Main Street 415.331.0621 Sausalito, CA stroubconstruction.com
DESIGNS, BUILDS & MAINTAINS GARDENS
Enhance your garden with organic, sustainable, ecofriendly and water-wise landscaping. We listen carefully to help enhance your garden to be the cherished refuge you always wanted. Plan colors to evolve seasonally. Attract wildlife to birdbaths and fountains. Grow lemons and limes, apples, pomegranates, plums, blueberries, tomatoes, grapes, vegetables, and herbs. Use indigenous plants to feed native birds, bees, and butterflies.
415.461.8477 avidgreen.com scott@avidgreen.com
ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK
Artéfice by Dianda is an architectural millwork company located in Sparks, NV. Artefice has been in business since 1978 and operates a 42,000 square foot facility, including a dry kiln. Artefice has over 100 years of combined experience on staff. We offer fine craftsmanship, detailed shop drawings, solutions to the most challenging of situations and quick turn around times.
1050 Linda Way
775.355.9663 Sparks, NV arteficebydianda.com
HOME FURNISHINGS, INTERIOR DESIGN
unrise Home, a full service Interior Design firm and Home furnishings store has been helping to create lovely homes for 33 years. Meandering through the thirty thousand square feet of creative displays will definitely inspire you. They are voted as the BEST PLACE TO SHOP for home furnishings in Marin and Sonoma year after year. Staffed entirely by professional Interior Designers, they believe the furnishings in your home, the art on your walls, the carpets on your floor, all should portray your distinct personality. They understand that purchasing fine furniture is a long term investment and commitment and they will help you make educated and tasteful decisions. Along with the furnishings they deliver comes their absolute promise to stand behind their pieces, guaranteeing your complete satisfaction. It’s your home and they want you to LOVE it!
S831 B Street
415.456.3939 San Rafael, CA sunrisehome.com
The Feathered Nest offers an array of new and vintage home furnishings with an emphasis on Contemporary Country decor. Our design philosophy is to create spaces that comfort and inspire while reflecting one’s individual style. From bedding to butter dishes, couches to candles, we are able to help you create your unique space. For many, we are their “go to” place for gifts!
830 Grant Avenue
415.892.4314 Novato, CA thefeatherednesthome.com
AWAKEN TO LIFE’S HIGHER
A new definition of happiness: always finding exactly what you need. In the garage, this means beautiful wood, steal and aluminum cabinetry, infinitely adjustable wall storage and striking floor finishes. When you eliminate chaos you quickly find two important things in your life: your gear and your sanity.
San Rafael, CA
415.448.7596
San Jose, CA garagesolutions.com
PAINTING • COLOR • FINISHES
Danielle Hirsch has been HGTV’s leading paint and color expert for the past 6 years as the co-host of Design Remix and Color Splash. Danielle along with her team of experienced painters and artists guides their clients to achieve more comfortable spaces through the use of color. Danielle Hirsch Painting offers interior, exterior, decorative finishes and color consultation for both residential and commercial projects.
Serving the Greater Bay Area
415.944.0070 License #888796 daniellepainting.com
Marin Stone Care offers natural stone care services for Granite, Marble, Limestone, Travertine, Slate, Sandstone, Terrazzo, and Concrete-interior/exterior surfaces. We offer maintenance cleaning and sealing to re-grinding, honing, and polishing dull, scratched and unsightly stone surfaces. Includes floors, walls, vanity tops, table tops, tub surrounds, fireplace surrounds, shower stalls, kitchen counter tops, and all exterior natural and manmade concrete stone surfaces.
415.924.5005 marinstonecare.com
BY M. L. LATHAN
Family reunions are much more than matching T-shirts and getting that third cousin’s name off the tip of your tongue. Meeting up with seldom-seen relatives is a great time to sit with an elder and ask about his/her life as a kid or learn about the ambitions of a great nephew; time together is what it’s all about. This month, in honor of the upcoming summer family reunion season, we wanted to share a few venue options. Did we miss your favorite? Please let us know.
eneral manager Richard Hill credits the resort's open and relaxed environment for its family-friendly appeal. “Families may spend a leisurely afternoon together at our designated family pool, enjoy a round of friendly competition at our bocce courts or organize a group biking activity using our complimentary cruiser bicycles. There’s something for everyone.” Besides bocce or shuffleboard, Solage Calistoga also offers a range of fitness activities geared to all ages and fitness levels. And if your family includes canine companions, they are welcome too—their own comfy doggie beds and tasty biscuits supplied. Be sure to request the
cottages that can be connected to form your own family compound.
STATS: The resort has 89 freestanding studios ranging from 400 to 700 square feet and three swimming pools, including a family and a spa pool. Kids can play hopscotch while the older generations congregate at the shuffleboard and bocce areas.
FAMILY PLAN: Hold the reunion during the summer for added family-ready activities like movie nights, kids' swim lessons and group yoga classes. The resort can even arrange for a family picnic complete with touch football and potato sack races. The separate children’s pool and family cabana are a welcome way to enjoy to the wine country’s balmy climate.
ROOMS start at $375. 866.942.7442, solagecalistoga.com
Aluxe O.C. location touted for its manicured grounds and uniquely private beach club (complete with beach butlers), the St. Regis Monarch Bay has been earning major travel magazine awards since opening in 2001. “There are many reasons families enjoy the St. Regis Monarch Bay,” explains Micheal Mustafa, marketing director of the resort. “From spending a day on the golf course together to lounging by the pool or creating memories on our private beach in a reserved cabana, there is something for everyone.” Marin’s Michael Mina has a restaurant here too: the Stonehill Tavern is ideal for that family celebratory meal.
The alternative to the traditional Maui resort vacation has even more to love.
A brand new resort on Kaanapali North Beach. Featuring spacious 1, 2, and 3-bedroom suites. Perfect for people who love being together.
Family activity pool with water slide, and Duke’s Beach House oceanfront restaurant now open.
For reservations call (888) 718-5789, or visit us at www.honuakaimaui.com
STATS: 400 guest rooms and suites on a 400-acre (including golf course) property. 18hole Monarch Beach Golf Links, three heated pools, private poolside cabanas featuring flatscreen televisions, telephones, fax machines, high-speed Internet access, mini-bars, private safes, tennis, private beach and beach club.
FAMILY PLAN: “Family Traditions” includes a discounted nightly rate of $425; guests re-
ceive $100 daily resort credit, complimentary dinner and drinks for children 5 and under at Motif, an indoor/outdoor restaurant; 50 percent off concessions for children ages 6–12 at Motif; complimentary drinks for children at the pool bar and grill and a complimentary crib or rollaway.
ROOMS start at $505. 949.234.3200, stregismonarchbeach.com
When the economy got a bit shaky for Hawai‘i’s tourism in 2008, General Manager Ian Pullan of the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island created a win-win situation with family value. He realized that many of the guests who might have come for their corporate incentive program (formerly the resort’s main revenue) were coming back with their families. “The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i is perfect for value-seeking families,” says Pullan. “From our family-friendly Hale Kai Restaurant, which offers ‘ohana (family) plates to our family package that includes guaranteed connecting rooms, to our 20thanniversary package, which offers 20 percent
off food and beverage, spa and recreation charges as well as 20 percent off our best available rate in the ocean view category and higher. Since keiki (children) under 5 dine for free
and children under 12 dine for half off, the Fairmont Orchid is a natural fit.”
STATS: 540 guest rooms and suites; 10,000-square-foot swimming pool; white sand lagoon fronting the hotel; 10 tennis courts including an exhibition court, seven lit for evening play; award-winning Francis H. I‘i Brown 36-hole championship golf courses; on-site spa.
FAMILY PLAN: Book two rooms at the best available rate and receive full breakfast for four and guaranteed connecting rooms (up to two rooms) and two full-day Keiki Aloha programs. ROOMS start at $339. 808.885.2000, fairmont.com/orchid
When you’re on an island surrounded by natural wonders, the rest comes easily. Kayak down the serene Wailua River, experience the beautiful Napali Coast, or soak up the sun as you relax on a white sand beach. Get away and discover what you’ve been missing on the island of Kaua‘i. For more information or for a free travel planner, visit our website at kauaidiscovery.com or call 1-800-262-1400. www.kauaidiscovery.com
The Riviera Resort & Spa has just completed a $70 million renovation and is ready to provide big family fun. “The intimate gardens, fire pits and other gathering places around the resort, combined with our multiple guest room configurations to meet the needs of a variety of large families, help to make Riviera Resort & Spa an ideal spot for re-
unions.” says Ty Brassie, a resort director. “In addition, we are located just a mile from downtown Palm Springs—a hub for many family activities—and can provide transportation to and from the resort.” Keep in mind this would be an ideal non-summer destination unless everyone in the family likes it hot.
STATS: 406 newly remodeled luxurious guest rooms including 97 double-bed rooms and 45 spacious suites; SpaTerre, an 11,000-square-foot retreat;
two saline swimming pools surrounded by 12 cabanas; a 19,670-square-foot Grand Ballroom for the big dinner.
FAMILY PLAN: The Riviera Family Package includes passes for either the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway or Knott's Soak City, pizza and movie (large pizza, soft drinks and in-room movie of choice), daily breakfast, children 12 and under eat free.
RATES: Start at $189 per night, psriviera.com Awaken your senses and recharge your spirit. Lose yourself in the endless comforts and luxuries of Westin Hotels & Resorts in Hawai‘i. Welcome to a place of discovery and relaxation. Where you can be at your best and experience a unique transformation.
Sunsational Savings*
• 3rd night free
• Free daily breakfast for two
• Complimentary upgrade
KAUA‘I: The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
MAUI: The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas
O‘AHU: Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa
Families have been coming in droves to the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe ever since the property (formerly the King’s Castle) was purchased from the Western Teamster Fund back in the late ’70s. “We sell picnic baskets at our general store with blankets, amd 18 kinds of s’more kits as well as wine and chocolates,” says Nate Hardesty, a director of the resort. “Another option we have during the summer is use of one of our 10 private beach cabanas where families can get food throughout the day as they relax on the beach and take in the lake views.”
The semiprivate Eagle’s Nest in the lakeside Lone Eagle Grill, which holds up to 40
people, is a popular dining room to rent; if videos and slide shows are involved, lakeside banquet rooms are available.
STATS: 422 guest rooms and 61 suites, including 24 Lakeside Cottages, are set on the 24-acre property. The expansive swim in/ out pool is popular regardless of the season and is surrounded by a shallow children’s
pool and two outdoor hot tubs. Stillwater Spa, 24-hour casino.
FAMILY PLAN: Throughout summer, the property is offering a "Third Night Free" package. Book two nights and receive the third night free.
RATES: Start at $249 in summer, 775.832.1234, laketahoe.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels
Shoes gives back. Item Shoes and Accessories teamed up with Merrill Lynch and Homeward Bound–Fresh Starts for an evening of giving back. Shoppers enjoyed food prepared by Fresh Starts Catering while a percentage of their purchases was given back to the program. Fresh Starts is a culinary academy training program for formerly homeless individuals. Top left, Cosima Crane, Joy Goldberg, Jeanette Thorson; top right, Jennifer Fish, Paul Fordham; above left, Kate and Candice Wiegand; above right, Nicole Preovolos, Douglas Fish, Fannie Fish.
Marin County Bicycle Coalition , Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Next Generation, MarinLink, COM Students for Social Responsibility, and Hannah Doress Events present
Join the fun at a free, family-oriented celebration!
Great music, luscious food, exhibitors, speakers, and loads of useful information for greener living
Saturday, April 24th, 11 am – 6 pm College of Marin, Kentfield campus
LISTEN
Members of Hot Buttered Rum, New Monsoon, Zero, Joy of Cooking. Green songs contest, inspiring speakers
TASTE
Flavors—Local & Luscious, Chefs’ Choices, Kid-friendly
SEE Leading exhibitors, Environmental animation, Leo the Litter Lion & Puppets Galore DO Bike A Smoothie, Eco-Aerobics, Easy ways to make a difference. Join group bike rides to the event
Visit the website at www.EarthDayMarin.com for full list of scheduled events
Ongoing Wicked The cultural phenomenon that got its start in San Francisco is back for an extended stay. There is still time to see the untold story of the witches of Oz. Orpheum Theatre (SF). 415.512.7770, shnsf.com
Thru April 11 And Jesus Moonwalks the Mississippi The new play from Marcus Gardley is the second in the 10th anniversary season of the Cutting Ball Theater, operated by Marin-based Rob Melrose and Paige Rogers. Cutting Ball Theater (SF). 800.838.3006, cuttingball.com
Thru April 18 The Boys Next Door Four mentally-challenged men learn how to make their own way as they share an apartment. Barn Theatre (Ross). 415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.com
Thru April 18 Vigil Olympia Dukakis and Marco Barricelli star in this dark comedy about a bachelor who arrives to care for his aunt, and their evolving relationship. American Conservatory Theater (SF). 415.749.2228, act-sf.org
Thru April 18 Othello The AfricanAmerican Shakespeare Company closes its 15th season with an interpretation of Othello. African American Art and Culture Complex (SF). 800.838.3006, african-americanshakes.org
Thru April 25 Lady Be Good The Ira Gershwin celebration kicks off with one of his earliest hits. The musical about a brother and sister debuted on Broadway in 1924. Eureka Theatre (SF). 415.255.8207, 42ndstmoon.org
Thru April 25 Equivocation King James gives William Shakespeare the job of writing about a thwarted assassination attempt. Learn the story of the creation of Macbeth and King Lear. Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5208, marintheatre.org
16 Sicilian Puppet Theatre Experience the magic as three-foot-high wooden puppets take the stage direct from Italy to tell two tales of the knight Orlando. Showcase Theater (San Rafael). 415.499.6400, marincenter.org
Alasdair Neale, Music Director
The classical mix of Haydn, Brahms, Mozart, et al, the romance of the opera, the sizzle of pop and jazz, the lure of the dance, and the special artistry of the piano, viola, cello and voice all come together at the Marin Symphony.
27–August 29 Peter Pan This stateof-the-art production experience brings J. M. Barrie’s classic story to life. The show was a huge hit in London. Ferry Park (SF). 888.772.6849, peterpantheshow.com
Tuesdays Mark Pitta and Friends The comic hosts an evening for up-and-comers and established headliners to work on new material. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com
Mondays Boomercize Classes This lowimpact fitness program features dance steps and music from the American Bandstand hit parade. Marcie Judelson leads the one-hour workout. Presidio Dance Theater (SF). 415.608.4503, boomercize.com
8-21 SF Ballet Program Six features three ballets danced to the music of Mozart, Schoenberg and Desyatnikov. War Memorial Opera House (SF). 415.865.2000, sfballet.org
THE MILL VALLEY CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY presents this San Francisco quartet known for technical precision and imaginative song selection. The quartet features Cecily Ward and Tom Stone on violin, Ethan Filner on viola and Jennifer Kloetzel on cello and performs more than 90 concerts each year at venues including the Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress.
The quartet takes its name from the set of 12 love songs for string quartet, The Cypresses, by Antonin Dvorak. Also impressive is the list of instruments the members play on, including violins by Antonio Stradivarius (1681) and Carlos Bergonzi (1733), a viola by Vittorio Bellarosa (1947) and a cello by Hieronymus Amati II (1701).
Mount Tamalpais United Methodist Church (Mill Valley). 800.838.3006, chambermusicmillvalley.org
Tuesdays Swing Fever The band pays tribute to jazz artists and composers, playing selections from its roster of over 1,000 tunes. Panama Hotel (San Rafael). 415.457.3993, panamahotel.com
Thru June 12 S.F. Jazz Spring Season
Bobby McFerrin, Booker T. and the Count Basie Orchestra are just a few of the many acts scheduled to play during the fivemonth-long concert series. 415.398.5655, sfjazz.org
3 The Great Jazz Singers Master jazz film archivist Mark Cantor discusses vocalists such as Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole and more. Jewish Community Center (SF). 415.292.1233, jccsf.org
7–10 SF Symphony The Grammy Award–winning artist Duncan Sheik debuts a suite of songs with the S.F. Symphony from the upcoming musical Whisper House. Davies Symphony Hall (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org
9 Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas Enjoy an evening of Scottish fiddle and cello
music. Dance Palace (Point Reyes Station). 415.663.1075, dancepalace.org
11 Sexy Sunday A musicians’ showcase featuring female artists who rock. Peri’s Silver Dollar (Fairfax). 415.459.9910, krickie.com
11, 13 Marin Symphony World-renowned soprano Christine Brewer performs the Magnum Opus world premiere of David Carlson’s The Promise of Time as well as a piece from Tristan and Isolde. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.499.6400, marinsymphony.org
17 Public Image Ltd. PIL is back for the first time in 17 years. Regency Ballroom (SF). 800.745.3000, theregencyballroom.com
23-24 Dark Star Orchestra A tribute to the Grateful Dead featuring a performance of an entire historic set list. The Regency Ballroom (SF). 800.745.3000, theregencyballroom.com
24-25 Dr. Dog The Philadelphia-based psychedelic rockers take the stage. Great American Music Hall (SF). 888.233.0449, gamh.com
25 Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway This acclaimed musical revue features bits
from Broadway’s most celebrated shows. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.499.6400, neilberg.com
25 Banana Slug String Band The Slugs bring a message of conservation and earth stewardship to kids of all ages. Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (SF). 415.292.1233, jccsf.org
30 Anna Maria Mendieta The popular harpist presents Tango del Cielo, a fresh presentation of the Argentine tango featuring violin, cello, and percussion as well as tango and flamenco dancing. Old St. Hilary’s (Tiburon). 415.435.1853, landmarks-society.org
MARIN
Acacia Gallery Work from Kathleen Lipinsky, Steve Emory, Lenona Winter and Laura Culver. 4162 Redwood Hwy, San Rafael. 415.479.3238, acaciagallery.net
Art Abloom Studio and Gallery Artwork on display and classes. 1527 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo. 415.256.1112, artabloom.com
Art at the Cheese Factory Journeys Work from local artists on the subject of travel, thru May 31. 7500 Red Hill Road, Petaluma. artatthecheesefactory.org
Art Bar—Molinar Gallery Ongoing work. 46 Main St, Tiburon. 415.435.5999, theartbar.us
Art Works Downtown Second Fridays art walk, April 9. 1337 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.451.8119, artworksdowntown.org
Claudia Chapline Gallery Ongoing work. 3445 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach. 415.868.2308, cchapline.com
Community Congregational Church Eric Hoffman shows work of brushed aluminum and ink, thru April 22. 145 Rock Hill Dr, Tiburon. 415.435.9108, ccctiburon.org
Donna Seager Gallery Friends, Family and Other Misfits Work from Devorah Jacoby, thru April 15. 851 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.454.4229, donnaseagergallery.com
240 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur CA • 415.927.1171 • www.SandraBird.com •
Five Senses Art Consultancy New work from artists Takming Chuang and Tom McKinley and never-before-seen ceramics from Vivienne Foley, April 2. 93 Terrace Ave, San Rafael. 415.816.5235, fivesensesart.com
Gallery 34 Collective of Bay Area artists’ work featuring jewelry, glass and paintings. 34 Main St, Tiburon. 415.435.3999, gallery34.com
Gallery Bergelli Work from James Leonard. 483 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.945.9454, bergelli.com
Gallery Route One Transitions Works of magic and surprise from local artist Paula Fava, thru May 9. 11101 Hwy One, Point Reyes Station. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org
Marin Society of Artists New work from local high school students. Experience the creative talents of young local artists. 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross. 415.454.9561, marinsocietyofartists.org
Call the Shot has a simple premise: Tell us what this is a picture of and win a gift certificate for dining at a local restaurant.
To win, you must be specific. Sure, it’s a statue, but where is it located, and what establishment does it stand in front of?
Here’s how to play: Go to marinmagazine.com/shot, agree to the rules and submit your answer. Simple. We’ll choose the winner randomly from all the correct answers. Good luck!
And the winner is: Alex Leason of Mill Valley, won February’s Call the Shot by identifying the spire at the Marin Civic Center.
Mona Lease Gallery Contemporary, representational and abstract painting. 39 Greenbrae Boardwalk, Greenbrae. 415.461.3718, monalease.net
Northbay ArtWorks Rotating exhibits and classes. 7049 Redwood Blvd, Ste 208, Novato. 415.892.8188, northbayartworks.com
O’Hanlon Center for the Arts Recycled and Environmental Art A juried show of environmental art. 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.4331, ohanloncenter.org
Robert Allen Fine Art Works on Paper New work from Sharron Bliss, Chad Buck, Larry Gray, John Maxon, Richard Saba, Connie Smith Siegel and Kazuko Watanabe. 301 Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.2800, robertallenfineart.com
Robert Beck Gallery Early California and contemporary plein air paintings are always on display at this gallery. 222 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.456.7898, beckgallery.org
Robert Green Fine Arts Paintings and original print from Sam Francis, thru May 14. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.8776, rgfinearts.com
Sam the Butcher Work from 10 Bridgeway Artists including Carol Jacobsen, Joanne Harwood, Thomas Ludlam and more. 19 Ross Common, Ross. 415.902.1019, samthebutcherart.org
Smith Andersen North Vintage black and white photography. 2240 A Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.455.9733, smithandersennorth.com
Studio 333 Josef and friends every Wednesday. 333A Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.8272, studio333.info
Studio 4 Art Work by local artists at this brand-new gallery and workshop offering materials and classes. 1133 Grant Ave, Novato. 415.596.5546, studio4art.net
The Image Flow Roman Ruins Work by Henrik Kam, thru June 1. 401 Miller Ave, Suite F, Mill Valley. 415.388.3569, theimageflow.com
Tomales Fine Art Featuring paintings by new artists Anne Blair Brown and Debra Huse. 27050 Maine St, Tomales. 707.878.2525, tomalesfineart.com
ArtHaus On the Surface Work by Carolyn Meyer. 411 Brannan St, 415.977.0223, arthaus-sf.com
Berggruen Gallery Work from abstract expressionist Helen Frankenthaler, thru May 22. 228 Grant Ave, 415.781.4629, berggruen.com
Cain Schulte Gallery Inaugural group show for the new gallery location. 251 Post St, 415.543.1550, cainschulte.com
Caldwell Snyder Gallery Mixed-media painting by James Wolanin. 341 Sutter St, 415.296.7896, caldwellsnyder.com
Elins Eagles-Smith Gallery New paintings John McCormick, thru April 10. 49 Geary St, 415.981.1080, eesgallery.com
George Krevsky Gallery Paintings, sculpture and works on paper by Gordon Cook, thru May 1. 77 Geary St, 415.397.9748, georgekrevskygallery.com
Gregory Lind Gallery Work from painter, sculptor, photographer and filmmaker Thomas Campbell, thru May 15. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, gregorylindgallery.com
Josh Hardy Galleries Early California and American fine art. 3350 Sacramento St, 415.345.1832, hardygalleries.com
Meyerovich Gallery Motherwell and Rauschenberg A collection of works from the ’70s and ’80s. 251 Post St, 415.421.7171, meyerovich.com
Paul Mahder Gallery Group show. 3378 Sacramento St, 415.474.7707, paulmahdergallery.com
Rena Bransten Gallery Work by Candida Höfer, thru April 10. 77 Geary St, 415.982.3292, renabranstengallery.com
Weinstein Gallery Works on Paper Work from nonobjective master Rudolf Bauer, thru April 20. 301 Geary St, 415.362.8151, weinstein.com
MARIN
Bay Area Discovery Museum Clap, jump, wiggle and sing along with Miss Kitty every Wednesday and Thursday (Sausalito). 415.339.3958, baykidsmuseum.org
Bolinas Museum Ranching on the Point Reyes Peninsula Stories from historian Dewey Livingston about the dairy and beef ranches of the Point Reyes National Seashore, thru April 13 (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org
Falkirk Cultural Center The historic Queen Anne Victorian located in the heart of San Rafael is open to the public (San Rafael). 415.485.3438, falkirkculturalcenter.org
Marin History Museum The exhibit Growing the Future: Farming Families of Marin tells the history of farming in Marin, thru October. Also on display is the new
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exhibit, Ranching and Rockin’ at Olompali, thru December (Boyd Gate House). 415.454.8538, marinhistory.org
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art Emerging artists exhibition, thru April 18 (Novato). 415.506.0137, marinmoca.com
Marin Museum of the American Indian The Hoopa Valley Tribe: People, Place and Culture, 1930-1960 This exhibit features photography by Hoopa Valley Tribe member Ernest Marshall, thru September (Novato). 415.897.4064, marinindian.com
Asian Art Museum Shanghai The exhibit features more than 130 oil paintings, Shanghai deco furniture and rugs, revolutionary posters, works of fashion, movie clips, and contemporary installations that tell the tale and history of one of Asia’s most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities, thru September 5 (SF). 415.581.3500, asianart.org
California Academy of Sciences What Is Missing? A new sculpture by renowned artist
Maya Lin touches on themes of biodiversity and habitat loss and is part of the artist’s last memorial (SF). 415.379.8000, calacademy.org
Conservatory of Flowers The alwayspopular Golden Gate Express Garden Railway features model trains, miniature gardens and scaled-down models of San Francisco landmarks, thru April 18 (SF). 415.831.2090, conservatoryofflowers.org
Contemporary Jewish Museum “Our Struggle”: Responding to Mein Kampf Members of the public and artists answer artist Linda Ellia’s call to respond to Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf by altering one of the book’s 600 pages, thru June 15 (SF). 415.655.7800, thecjm.org
de Young Amish Abstractions: Quilts from the Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown The exhibit includes more than 40 colorful and abstract full-size and crib quilts made by Amish girls and women of various Amish communities in Pennsylvania and the Midwest from the 1880s to the 1940s, thru June 6 (SF). 415.750.3600, thinker.org
di Rosa Preserve A Salute to Bay Area
Emerging Artists The exhibition showcases the work of eight Bay Area artists who recently obtained their MFA degrees at Bay Area schools, thru June 5 (Napa). 707.226.5991, dirosapreserve.org
Exploratorium Reading Sea and Sky
Understand how Polynesians navigated the seas thousands of years ago without the use of modern technology, thru May 9 (SF). 415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu
Legion of Honor Very Postmortem: Mummies and Medicine Irethorrou, the Fine Arts Museums’ mummy who has been on loan since 1944, returns for this exhibit taking a modern and scientific look at mummies, thru July 4 (SF). 415.750.3600, legionofhonor.org
San Francisco Museum of Craft and Folk Art Rhythm and Hues: Cloth and Culture of Mali The West African nation of Mali is home to more fiber artists and designers than most other countries. See examples of the bright colors and complex graphics in the textiles from this region, thru May 2 (SF). 415.227.4888, mocfa.org
SFMOMA The Anniversary Show More than 400 permanent collection works, including painting, sculpture, media arts, photography, architecture and design, as well as interpretive and archival materials will be on display in celebration of the museum’s 75th anniversary thru January 16, 2011 (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Renée Green: Endless Dreams and Time-Based Streams The largest United States exhibit from internationally known artist Renée Green, thru June 20 (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org
3 Firefighters Association Enjoy a party benefiting the Southern Marin Firefighters Association. IDESST Hall (Sausalito). 415.380.7929
5, 8 Ted Koppel The Emmy Award–winning newsman spent 43 years at ABC-TV and is now an analyst for NPR and BBC America. Koppel will offer his insight into the news and culture of today. Veterans’ Memorial
Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.499.6400, marincenter.org
7 Live at the Met Hamlet This new production features an extended mad scene—one of the most dramatic in opera. Lark Theater (Larkspur). 415.924.5111, larktheater.net
9–11 Fairfax Documentary Film Festival View quality documentary films produced locally by Northern California filmmakers. 415.460.9760, Fairfax Theater (Fairfax). fairfaxdocfest.org
10 Rock Out with the Mill Valley Philharmonic Benefit the Mill Valley Philharmonic and sing along with music provided by the members of the philharmonic and local band the Answers. 19 Broadway (Fairfax). 415.383.8013, millvalleyphilharmonic.org
11 Funding the Beat Enjoy a musical performance and movie screening benefiting the new film Keeper of the Beat about Mill Valley drummer Barbara Borden. Golf Course Club House (Mill Valley). 415.388.8890, keeperofthebeatmovie.com
14–16 Turning the Tide Some of the world’s foremost experts on global sustainability join with business leaders, philanthropists, environmentalists and youth activists to discuss solutions for the future. Institute at the Golden Gate (Sausalito). 415.561.3560, instituteatgoldengate.org
15 Greg Mortenson The author of Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time shares his message of hope. Join the author in the green room before the event and benefit the Marin County Free Library Foundation. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.499.6400, marincenter.org
17 Earth Day Restoration Celebrate Earth Day with a morning of restoration and cleanup. Richardson Bay Audubon Center (Tiburon). 415.388.2524, richardsonbay.audubon.org
20 Conversations with Eco-innovators Extinctions have struck the planet five times in earth’s history and, most recently, brought an end to the dinosaurs. Thomas Brooks discusses the possibility of a sixth mass ex-
Marin Advocates for Children’s First Annual Virtual Blue Ribbon Ball
Benefiting MAC’s programs: Marin Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Marin Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC)
No fancy clothes or babysitters needed! Buy or join a table, bid on exciting auction items and meet our celebrities.
Learn more at www.BlueRibbonBall.org
tinction and what we can do to prevent it. Cavallo Point (Sausalito). 415.561.3560, instituteatgoldengate.org
20–24 Bouquets to Art Now in its 26th year, the annual flower festival pairs flower arrangements designed and inspired by works of art. This year it will examine French Impressionism, celebrating the exhibition from the Musée d’Orsay that will be on display after the close of the flower festival. de Young (SF). 415.750.3600, deyoungmuseum.org
21 Annual Floral Fling Floral artist Elizabeth Bailey sets the tone for an annual event featuring floral vendors and artists. Meadow Club (Fairfax). 415.383.5220, marincharitable.org
Marin Advocates for Children www.marinadvocates.org
415.507.9016
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21 American Red Cross Heroes Marin County residents who have made a difference this year will be honored at this breakfast event. Four Points by Sheraton Hotel (San Rafael). 415.427.8086, heroesredcrossbayarea.org
22 Dominican Leadership Spring Lecture Author, educator and environmentalist Bill McKibben speaks about his new book Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet. Dominican University (San Rafael). 415.458.3202, dominican.edu
24 Great Chefs of Marin Dance, eat and drink at this special event benefiting Lifehouse. Fireman’s Fund Insurance (Novato). 415.472.2373, greatchefsofmarin.org
24 Floating Art Galleries More than 20 resident artists offer their wares at this annual sale. Issaquah Dock (Sausalito). artistsofissaquah.com
24 Earth Day Marin 2010 This familyoriented celebration features great music, food, exhibitors and speakers all dedicated to finding a way to live greener. Visit the website for a complete list of events. College of Marin (Kentfield). 415.450.0110, earthdaymarin.com
25 Marin County Marathon Lace up your favorite pair of running shoes for this annual Marin County race. McNear’s Beach Park (San Rafael). 415.479.1013, marinmarathon.com
25 Youth Film Festival See films from tomorrow’s filmmakers today at this annual event. Lark Theater (Larkspur). 415.924.5111, larktheater.net
27 Blueprints & Blue Jeans Enjoy dinner and an inspirational program benefiting Habitat for Humanity. Westin St. Francis (SF). 415.625.1015, habitatsf.org
28 Tam Valley Speaker Series Author
David Ward discusses the infamous criminals who passed through Alcatraz penitentiary from 1934 to 1948, the subject of his book Alcatraz: The Gangster Years Tam Valley Community Center (Mill Valley). 415.388.6393, tcsd.us
28 Ballet Fashion Show Designer Michael Kors will show his 2010 fall collection at this 29th annual San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary fashion show also featuring cocktails and an auction. Westin St. Francis Hotel (SF). 415.865.6766, sfballet.org
28 One Book One Marin The 2010 program concludes with a special program featuring a personal appearance by author Michael Chabon. Dominican University (San Rafael). onebookonemarin.org
29 Scholarship Night Enjoy cocktails, dinner and live entertainment benefiting the Marin Education Fund, which collects funds to help Marin students to attend college. Civic Center (San Rafael). 415.459.4240, marineducationfund.org
29 Marin Green Business Forum
Assemblymember Jared Huffman and Supervisor Charles McGlashan are the featured speakers at this fourth annual forum. Community Center (Mill Valley). maringreenbusinessforum.org
29 Taste of the Nation Sample the best from local chefs, sommeliers and mixologists at this event benefiting Share Our Strength. Help end childhood hunger in America. AT&T Ballpark (SF). 877-268.2783, tasteofthenation.org
29 Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner
Brad Bird, George Shultz, Charlotte Mailliard Shultz, Jack O’Neill and Bill Rutter are the featured honorees. Palace Hotel (SF). commonwealthclub.org
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BY JIM WOOD
A Course in Happiness:
Mastering the 3 Levels of SelfUnderstanding That Lead to True and Lasting Contentment by Mardi Horowitz, M.D., Tarcher, $23.95. This book by Mill Valley professor of psychiatry (UCSF) has been reviewed as being an “insightful, well written, and practical book with the tools readers need to change their lives.”
Lighthouses of the Pacific Coast: Your Guide to the Lighthouses of California, Oregon and Washington by Randy Leffingwell and Pamela Welty, Voyageur Press, $19.99 (softcover). Excellent photos covering locations and histories of 47 lighthouses and stations including Alcatraz, Angel Island, Point Reyes and Point Bonita.
Golden Bears: The History of Football at UC Berkeley by Ron Fimrite, MacAdam/ Cage, $32. Over 500 pages of Cal football lore—from before Jackie Jensen to beyond Chuck Muncie—by the former Chronicle and Sports Illustrated writer who still uses his 1949 Royal typewriter. Includes interesting snippets of Bay Area history.
The Mapping of Love and Death: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear, Harpers, $25.99. The latest in the New York Times best-selling series spans from 1914 to 1932, from California’s Santa Ynez Valley to London, England, and includes World War II, a death, an affair and a murder. The author lives in Marin.
30 Blue Ribbon Ball Join the Marin Advocates for Children for a virtual gala. 415.507.9016, blueribbonball.org
Ongoing Sonoma History Local actor George Webber morphs into Mariano G. Vallejo as he retells the history of Sonoma (Sonoma). 707.694.5097, georgewebber.com
3 WildCare Family Adventures Learn about the inhabitants of an ancient forest on this Muir Woods hike. Enter Roy’s Redwoods on Nicasio Valley Road (San Geronimo). 415.453.1000, wildcarebayarea.org
3, 17 Sunset Hike and Dine Join this local club for a monthly two-hour hike on moderate to steep trails on Mount Tam with a midhike wine and cheese break. Reservations required. Meet other avid Marin hikers. Mountain Home Inn (Mill Valley). 415.331.0100, meetup.com/sunsethike
17, 24 Master Gardner Classes Learn how to compost or plant your own vegetable
garden from master gardner Joan Irwin. Tam Valley Community Center (Mill Valley). 415.388.6393
21 Marin Scuba Club Journalist Lindsey Hoshaw discusses the North Pacific garbage patch. The Flatiron Saloon (San Rafael). 415.453.9556, marinscuba.org
27 Moonlight Hike Meet up with the Marin Moonshiners for a monthly three-mile hike to experience the sunset, moonrise and a picnic. Reservations required. Get to know other people interested in the great outdoors. Pelican Inn Pub (Muir Beach). 415.331.0100, meetup.com/moonshinershike
Bel Marin Keys Spring Warehouse & Studio Sale Artists, designers, manufacturers and importers open their doors to the public for a studio and warehouse sale. Products include jewelry, handbags, garden art, giftware, glass, adult and children’s clothing, handmade art, wine and more. Bel Marin
Keys (Novato). 415.883.3072, belmarinkeysale.com
Kate Spade The store has been totally remodeled and has a whole new look. Come by and check out the new digs and celebrate with a party featuring Tim Gunn from Project Runway. The party goes from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Gunn will offer styling tips from 2 p.m.–4 p.m., April 24. 1814 Redwood Hwy (the Village at Corte Madera). 415.927.7398, katespade.com
Liquid Marin Liquid Events has moved to a new location in San Rafael and changed its name to Liquid Marin. Stop by for men’s, women’s and children’s apparel as well as gifts and home accessories. 863 Francisco Blvd (San Rafael). 415.258.9320, liquideventsales.com
Paper Source A new branch of the national retailer known for fine and artisanal papers, stationery, invitations, gift wrap, greeting cards, custom envelopes and quirky gifts is now at Town Center. Town Center (Corte Madera). 888.727.3711, paper-source.com
tacey Printz grew up here in Marin sampling recipes with her mom, an inspired cook as well as contributor to the San Francisco Encore cookbook series. “Here in Marin we have access to fresh, organic ingredients,” says Printz. “We are spoiled year round with local produce.” Much of which is highlighted throughout her recipes. Besides dreaming up new ideas for cookbooks such as Pestos, Tapenades & Spreads, published by Chronicle Books in 2009, Printz teaches dance and is the director/choreographer of a professional contemporary dance company, Printz Dance Project. “Both food and dance are such a huge part of my life,” she says. “Both are a wonderful way to connect with people.” Marin Magazine recently connected with her to get some tips on making tasty spreads and pestos. — MT
How does a pesto differ from a spread? Pestos are an emulsified mixture that involves fresh herbs and/or nuts. Spreads are a creamier consistency with base ingredients such as beans, cheeses or avocado.
What are the basic ingredients one should always have in the kitchen/pantry/fridge? I vote for good olive oil, lemons, balsamic vinegar, garlic, Dijon mustard and Parmesan cheese.
What is the shelf life of most of your recipes?
Most last for a few weeks in the refrigerator and have multiple uses. For example, in about five minutes, you can make the Green Pea Pesto as an appetizer over crostini for a Friday night impromptu cocktail party, and the following Tuesday use the rest of it over ravioli or grilled fish for a family dinner.
Three recipes ideal for the beginning of spring:
beautiful beet tapenade
1 B/c cups chopped beets (about 8 ounces), roasted, steamed or boiled (not canned)
B/c cup chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
B/c teaspoon salt, plus more as needed
Freshly ground pepper
Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and blend to a coarse but spreadable paste. Season with more salt and pepper as desired. Makes 1 B/d cups. Serving suggestions: Spread over crostini along with soft goat cheese. Dollop over spinach salad with goat cheese, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Spread on a roasted vegetable or turkey sandwich.
spinach pesto
This is a great variation on the original basil pesto. So good it made the book cover!
3 cups packed fresh spinach leaves
B/e cup pine nuts
B/d cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
B/e teaspoon salt
B/d cup olive oil
Freshly ground pepper
Place spinach, nuts, cheese, garlic and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until a coarse mixture forms. With the machine running, gradually stream in the olive oil and blend until the pesto emulsifies. Season with pepper. Makes about 1 cup.
Serving suggestions: Serve on lightly sautéed chicken breasts along with shredded mozzarella cheese and place in the oven until cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through. Serve as a sauce over your favorite hot pasta. Pour over halved cherry tomatoes and diced mozzarella cheese. Or top crostini with pesto, shaved Parmesan and grape tomatoes.
avocado-chèvre spread
Printz loves guacamole, but wanted to come up with an alternative recipe for creamy avocados. She says this spread is a snap to make and adds lively flavor to simple meals. When zesting lemons, make sure to zest just the yellow part, as the white pith will add unwanted bitterness.
2 medium avocados, split, flesh scooped out
One 5-ounce package of chèvre
3 teaspoons lemon zest
4 to 5 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
B e teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
Place the avocado, chèvre, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, and salt in the bowl of a food processor blend until smooth. Season with pepper. Makes about 1 B e cups
Serving Suggestions Serve on crostini with fresh cracked pepper or cayenne pepper and shaved Parmesan cheese. Or spread over sautéed or grilled ahi tuna or salmon. Add to a vegetarian or tuna sandwich. Or serve as a dip for chips or veggies. Whichever option you choose, dust with cayenne pepper and serve with lemon wedges.
BENISSIMO Italian Benissimo means “really really good” in Italian. From margherita pizza to veal parmigiana to mocha mud pie, Benissimo serves a taste of Italy in a casual neighborhood venue. 18 Tamalpais Dr, 415.927.2316, benissimos.com
CHAMPAGNE BAKERY French This casual bakery displays fresh-made pastries, croissants, tarts, cookies and cakes, to be enjoyed indoors or out on the patio. Brioche French toast and the French dip sandwich with Swiss cheese are among the many menu options. Catering is also available. 103 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.5470, champagnebakery.com
IL FORNAIO Italian Sausalito’s Larry Mindel hit a home run with this upscale Italian 23-restaurant franchise. Besides the award-winning breads, pizzas and pastas, the menu boasts a variety of salads and noncarb entrées. 223 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.4400, ilfornaio.com
IZZY’S STEAKS & CHOP HOUSE American The legendary San Francisco steak house has moved north. Known for great steaks and seafood as well as its fine wine selection, this is a great spot for a group or intimate dinner for two. 55 Tamal Vista, 415.924.3366, izzysrestaurant.com
MARIN JOE’S Italian Pasta and other Italian dishes have been served here for over 50 years. Pick from soup, salad, seafood mesquite-grilled or sautéed meats and over 10 pasta options guaranteed to satisfy. Have a drink and hear local musicians at the well-known piano bar. 1585 Casa Buena Dr, 415.924.2081, marinjoesrestaurant.com
PACIFIC CATCH Pan-Asian This well-priced fresh grill eatery offers a bounty of Pacific Rim —inspired small or main plates, like the generously portioned wasabi bowls filled with rice (white or brown), veggies and your choice of cooked or raw fish, chicken or beef. Modeled after the Paia Fish House on Maui down to the chalk board menu and Hawaiian music. 223 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.3474, pacificcatch.com
P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO Chinese The combination of an attentive staff, lively atmosphere and consistently delicious meals makes for a solid dining experience. Items like the lettuce wraps and Mongolian beef keep the customers loyal. 301 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.413.9890, pfchangs.com
RICK’S WINE CELLAR California This one-room bar and wine shop is located in the same spot where Marin’s first wine bar opened back in 1988. Now it’s owned and operated by Marin natives
Rick and Candy Mendell, whose customers call it the “Cheers of Corte Madera.” Offerings include a glass, a flight or a bottle, all of which pair nicely with the cheeses, salami and hot paninis. 207 Corte Madera Ave, 415.927.9466, rickswinecellar.com
FRADELIZIO’S Italian Home-style comfort food, fresh fish, and good wine add up to an excellent place for a family night out. 35 Broadway Blvd, 415.459.1618, fradelizios.com
IRON SPRINGS PUB & BREWERY American Grab a beer and a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich—which one Chronicle reviewer calls “the best mushroom dish I have ever tasted”—at the former Ross Valley Brewing Company. 765-A Center Blvd, 415.485.1005, ironspringspub.com
PANCHO VILLA’S Mexican A Fairfax favorite for over 30 years. Since 1976, head chef Francisco has been turning out treats like chile relleno stuffed with jack cheese, cilantro and onion and crab enchiladas topped with a mild tomatillo sauce and sour cream. 1625 Sir Frances Drake Blvd, 415.456.4331, panchovillasresturant.com
SORELLA CAFFÉ Italian Open for over six years, and run by sisters Sonia and Soyara, Sorella, which means ‘sisters’ serves up fresh Italian food with a Northern influence. Customer favorites include ciopino, butternut ravioli, and eggplant parmesan. Another highlight is the giant wheel of Grana Padana cheese, which is passed around the tables.Easy place to bring the kids. 107 Bolinas Rd, 415.258.4520, sorellacaffe.com
JASON’S Italian The restaurant’s Greenbrae location (it was formerly on Andersen Drive in San Rafael) fills the space that was formerly Giorgio’s. A crowd of regulars enjoys creative seafood dishes with Italian flair. Enjoy the ceviche, crab cakes or blackened salmon on the large outdoor covered patio. 300 Drakes Landing Rd, 415.925.0808, jasonsrestaurant.com
WIPEOUT BAR & GRILL American Who says you can’t go back to being a carefree teenager for a night? This family-friendly hot spot has surfboards hanging from the ceiling, fun-in-the-sun music, a full bar and large televisions displaying surfers riding waves. The only thing missing is the sand at this surf-style, upbeat eatery. 302 Bon Air Center, 415.461.7400, wipeoutbarandgrill.com
HALF DAY CAFE American A tucked-away setting of intertwining ivy and large open windows makes the perfect breakfast nook. Serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, the setting is casual and can get crowded on the weekends. The menu includes lattes, exceptional pastries and much more. Dine on the outdoor patio or inside. 848 College Ave, 415.459.0291, halfdaycafe.com
CJ CHINESE CUISINE Chinese A great place to satisfy a craving for wonton soup before catching a show at the Lark Theater. Lunch and takeout are popular too, but the outdoor patio steals the show. 435 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.0717
E & 0 TRADING COMPANY Southeast Asian New chef Arnold Eric Wong is keeping the restaurant’s innovative plates as tasty as ever. Without reservations, try a spot at the large communal table. 2231 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.925.0303, eotrading.com
EMPORIO RULLI Italian Pastry chef Gary Rulli is renowned for his Northern Italian specialties and treats. The Larkspur location (there are three others) is a popular spot for lunch as well as coffee and a sweet. 464 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7478, rulli.com
LEFT BANK RESTAURANT French Known for award-winning French cuisine and its lively brasserie ambience, this corner spot has rated high with locals for well over a decade. Those with a petite appetite/budget can opt for happy hour (4–6:30 M–F) and enjoy appetizers, all priced under three dollars. 507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331, leftbank.com
MARIN BREWING CO American Grab a cold beer made right on site and pair it with fish and chips—fresh cod dipped in Mt. Tam pale ale batter, served with steak fries and homemade tartar sauce. 1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.4677, marinbrewing.com
PICCO California Chef and celebrated restaurateur Bruce Hill deserves the accolades he has received for this eclectic shared-plate heaven. Dishes like mini-burgers and seasonally driven menu items, along with risotto made every half hour, keep people coming back. The Picco Pizzeria and Wine Bar next door is cozy (not many seats) but already famous for its wood-fired pizzas, great wine selection and soft-serve Straus Family Creamery ice cream. 320 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.0300, restaurantpicco.com
RUSTIC BAKERY California Organic mouthwatering pastries, breads, and sandwiches are on the menu here including Meyer lemon mascarpone danishes and bacon, avocado and heirloom tomato sandwich with mesclun. 1139 Magnolia Ave, 415.925.1556, rusticbakery.com
TABLE CAFÉ Indian/American Indian-inspired cafe offers a unique menu featuring entirely organic ingredients. Dishes include seasonal salads, incredible soups and fresh juices. The specialty of the house is dosa, filled with a variety of ingredients and served with savory homemade chutneys. You can also take home a choice of three or four gourmet dinners freshly packed daily. 1167 Magnolia Ave, 415.461.6787
TAM CELLARS Wine bar This wine shop includes an elegant bar with seating for up to 36 people, 30 wines by the glass and tasting flights. Tam Cellars specializes in hard-to-find wines and small-
production wineries. Enjoy a glass or bottle to pair with the selection of appetizers. Live music on Thursdays. 1803 Larkspur Landing, 415.461.9463, tamcellars.com
TAVERN AT LARK CREEK American The next chapter in the 1888 Victorian Murphy House is being written by chef Randy Lewis and culinary director Adrian Hoffman. 234 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7766, tavernatlarkcreek.com
THE MELTING POT French Just across the street from the Larkspur Ferry terminal is a round red-brick haven for fondue fans. Share the “Big Night Out” feast featuring chef’s specialties, or design your own spread with cheese fondue, salad, choice of meat entrée and chocolate fondue dessert. 125 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.461.6358, themeltingpot.com
YANKEE PIER American This family-friendly casual clam shack is harbored in a quaint house built in 1924 as a private residence. Though known for beer-battered fish’n’ chips, clam chowder and tasty salads, Yankee Pier serves fresh seafood delivered daily from both coasts with special dishes by chef Chris Ball. 286 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7676, yankeepier.com
AVATAR’S PUNJABI BURRITOS Indian A small and friendly place with only a few tables but myriad Indian-inspired burrito dishes to choose from. Cash only, but worth the trip to the ATM. 15 Madrona St, 415.381.8293
BALBOA CAFE MILL VALLEY California The San Francisco institution has already become a place to see and be seen in Mill Valley, especially after the 142 Throckmorton Comedy nights. Come for the pan-roasted Alaskan halibut or risotto but stay for the amazing burgers. 38 Miller Ave, 415.381.7321, balboacafe.com
BUCKEYE ROADHOUSE American Oysters Bingo, baby back ribs and chili-lime “brick” chicken are a few of the satisfying, comfort-food-type menu items that have made this classic roadhouse a favorite since the ’30s. The warm dark-wooded bar with red leather booths is a popular spot for cocktails, conversations or a light meal. 15 Shoreline Hwy, 415.331.2600, buckeyeroadhouse.com
BUNGALOW 44 American Much like sister restaurant Buckeye Roadhouse, Bungalow 44 offers a mean dose of homey carbo- and lipidladen dishes, such as the burger, fried chicken and truffle fries, as well as a few lighter items. The bar is a neighborhood favorite, known for tasty spirits and eye candy. 44 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500, bungalow44.com
CAFE DEL SOUL California Beware of addiction. Once you stop in for the deliciously fresh Hummus Yummus wrap, you’ll have to come back to sample the chipotle Sunrise Rice Bowl; then it will be the Thai It Up wrap with peanut sauce washed down with ginger limeade that brings you back, and so on. Casual lunch spot, great for takeout. 247 Shoreline Hwy, 415.388.1852, cafedelsoul.net
CHAMPAGNE French Enjoy a croque monsieur alfresco, linger over a flaky, buttery croissant with a cappuccino, or pick up chocolate-dipped strawberries for your next dinner party. All that and more at this French bakery cafe. 41 Throckmorton Avenue, 415.380.0410, millvalley. champagnebakery.com
DIPSEA CAFE Comfort One word: biscuits. This longtime breakfast spot has been serving up tasty pancakes and egg dishes with homemade biscuits since 1986. Try a biscuit with a poached egg, a biscuit with sausage—or just plain butter. Lunch specialties include BLTs and tuna melts and generous Cobb salads. Now serving dinner. 200 Shoreline Hwy, 415.381.0298, dipseacafe.com
FRANTOIO RISTORANTE ITALIANO Italian
Known for its in-house olive press, superior olive oil and excellent Italian cuisine, this is a great location for an intimate dinner, large groups and anything in between. Happy hour starts at 4:30 in the sizable, comfortable bar area, where you can snack on antipasti or order your whole meal. Owned by Roberto Zecca and Chef Duilio Valenti, both from Milano; the kitchen uses local and organic ingredients—it’s the Italian way. For special occasions and private parties, reserve the olive-press room. 152 Shoreline Hwy, 415.289.5777, frantoio.com
INDIA PALACE Indian Known as “that great restaurant in the Travelodge,” India Palace is a favorite among the takeout crowd; however, eating on site is a treat too. 707 Redwood Hwy, 415.388.3350
HARMONY Chinese Dishes here are an infusion of many flavors. The barbecue pork bun is filled with house-made roasted meat in a savory sauce; fresh mussels are accented with red chili and Thai basil. Pair your pick with wine, beer or tea. Strawberry Village, 415.381.5300, harmonyrestaurantgroup.com
JOE’S TACO LOUNGE Mexican A longtime local favorite, Joe’s serves up regular fare such as tasty fish tacos, burritos and enchiladas as well as more unusual items like Mexican pizza, tofu salad, and crab tostados. Colorful interior and (usually) quick service makes this a fun, easy stop. And if there are too many unsupervised kids for a peaceful meal, takeout is easy too. Alone? Grab a magazine and seat at the counter and enjoy the action. 382 Miller, 415.383.8164
LA BOULANGE BAKERY Take your pastries and coffee in a bowl and lounge on the patio for a relaxing morning as you’re practically transported to Paris at this adorable bakery. The staff is professional and friendly. Be sure to try their outstanding breads, as they’ll put your standard sandwich bread to shame. 800 Redwood Hwy, 415.381.1260, baybread.com
LA GINESTRA Italian A favorite family spot for over 30 years; getting a table or booth can take a while. While this old-school Italian eatery is known for traditional pastas, veal dishes, pizzas and dry martinis, the familiar wait staff is also part of the attraction. 127 Throckmorton Ave, 415.388.0224
LUCINDA’S MEXICAN FOOD Mexican This closet-sized eatery off the highway is treasured by regulars for its friendly service and authentic Mexican food. Ingredients are fresh and burritos are highly recommended. Dining space itself is tiny, so call ahead to bypass the line and bring your mouth-watering meal back to the office. 930 Redwood Hwy, 415.3880754
MAMA’S ROYAL CAFE American Old-timers love this fabulous kitsch-decorated breakfast spot. The menu offers crepes, brioche French toast and other a.m. specialties served all day; stay awhile and try the sandwiches for lunch. 387 Miller Ave, 415.388.3261
MARIA MARIA Mexican The menu at Maria Maria draws from diverse regional cuisines of Mexico, including slow-braised duck tacos, guacamole prepared tableside and Guajillo marinated red snapper filet. 651 E. Blithedale, 415.381.1070. mariamariarestaurants.com
PEARL’S PHAT BURGERS American Deemed by the New York Times, as a silver-spoon alternative to a greasy spoon diner, Pearl’s “hipster denizen” (another NYT phrasing) are loyal to the these big juicy -all natural patties (vegetarian, turkey, beef, buffalo or grilled chicken) served up with tasty sides such as garlic, or sweet potato fries, shakes and seasonal fruit whirls (smoothies). Eatin if you can get a seat, or better yet be a hero and take it home for dinner. 8 East Blithedale Ave. 415.381.6010
PIAZZA D’ANGELO Italian It’s always a party at this long-standing hot spot. A great place to meet up with friends for a fresh plate of pasta, zuppa di pesce or pollo novello, or make some new friends at the bar. 22 Miller Ave, 415.388.2000, piazzadangelo.com
PIATTI RISTORANTE AND BAR Italian The staff prides itself on capturing the warm and welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria. Try for a table at the window for a truly exceptional view right on the water. Take a peek at the impressive collection of Italian wines to go with your rustic seasonal Italian meal. 625 Redwood Hwy, 415.380.2525, piatti.com
ROBATA GRILL AND SUSHI Japanese Robata translates as “by the fireside”; fittingly, food here can be cooked on an open fire and served in appetizer-size portions to pass around the table. Or simply order your own sushi or entree from the menu. 591 Redwood Hwy, 415.381.8400, robatagrill.com
SMALL SHED FLATBREADS California As a slow food chef, Ged Robertson uses only local, mostly organic ingredients. Crowd favorites include the mt. tamal-pie, a delicious fresh salad atop a flatbread. 17 Madrona St, 415.383.4200, smallshed.com
THEP LELA Thai This jewel is tucked away in the back of the new Strawberry Village. Diners come for the tasty kee mao noodles, pad thai, fresh rolls and extensive bar menu. It’s also a great place for lunch. 615 Strawberry Village, 415.383.3444, theplela.com
TOAST American Take the kids for an omelet or pancake breakfast at this cozy venue; lunch and dinner, too. 31 Sunnyside Ave, 415.388.2500, toastmillvalley.com
TONY TUTTO PIZZA Italian Tony has been pouring his passion for pizza into his cooking for two decades and is now sharing his family recipes: “It’s all about excellence in pizza, sprinkled with musical flavors and kissed with colorful passion. We feature creative artisan-style pizza using the best imported, natural and local organic ingredients.” Mostly outdoor seating, so dress accordingly. Stop by or take out. 246 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.383.8646, tonytuttopizza.com
TSUKIJI SUSHI Japanese Named for the largest fish market in world, Tsukiji is owned by Roy and Chanel Liu. The couple earned their sushi stripes operating Morpho in San Francisco and Akira in San Rafael. Helping then behind the sushi bar is former Sushi Ran head sushi chef, Haruo Komatsu. The Tokyo Tsukiji fish market is where all the fish is sourced. 24 Sunnyside Ave. 415.383.1382
VASCO Italian Whether you’re at a table, the bar or the back counter, you can expect an intimate and tasty dining experience at this one-room trattoria. Try one of the restaurant’s pasta dishes or thincrust pizzas. 106 Throckmorton Ave, 415.381.3343
BOCA STEAK & SEAFOOD South American Bring a date or celebrate a special event at this
classic steakhouse, which celebrates chef George Morrone’s (Aqua, Fifth Floor) Argentinean heritage. The grass- and grain- fed steaks are cooked over oak and almond. Head to the restaurant early for a three-course prix-fixe dinner. 340 Ignacio Blvd, 415.883.0901, bocasteak.com
CACTI GRILL American Grill A former bell tower church, the family-friendly restaurant now boasts a covered patio and serves a 21-day dry-aged steak and filet mignon enchiladas. 1200 Grant Ave, 415.898.2234, cactigrill.com
EN CANTO Mexican Barbed wire orbs, lights, festive music, and an addictive bean dip sets this family-friendly restaurant apart from the plethora of others in Marin. The sting of waiting for a table can be relieved by the En Canto House Margarita on the patio. 940 Seventh St, 415.892.1471, encantorestaurant.com
GRAZIE Italian Locals love this family-owned and -run Grant Avenue restaurant for delicious paninis, salads and the unbeatable homemade cookies. Enjoy good weather on the outside patio or people watch in this always-bustling restaurant. 823 Grant Ave, Ste E, 415.878.0202
SONOMA LATINA GRILL Mexican As if Novato didn’t already have some great taquerias, the owners of La Tortilla Factory in Sonoma have brought us Sonoma Latina Grill. The menu includes standbys like tacos, burritos and enchiladas made with fresh, local and organic ingredients, plus a list of favorites from the Sonoma location. In keeping with the fresh/non-processed theme, the tortillas are made by hand with natural and organic whole grains. 5800 Nave Dr, 415.883.2662, sonomalatinagrill.com
TOAST American Sister to the popular Mill Valley location, Toast Novato features outdoor dining and architecture by Stanley Saitowitz and still has the great dishes by executive chef Michael Garcia that have made the southern Marin spot a not-tobe-missed destination. 5800 Nave Dr, 415.382.1144, toastnovato.com
TUSCANY COUNTRY GRILL Italian The Chicken Pesto Panini and Eggplant Parmagina are among many of the favorites at this charming and spacious Italian eatery. The menu is eclectic, prices are fair and the portions are enormous, so be prepared for leftovers throughout the week. It brings in a bit of traffic during lunchtime so make reservations or arrive early. 1516 Grant Ave, 998.2800
CAFE MARMALADE French A quaint one-room coffeehouse centrally situated near Ross Common. Get there early for the full selection of pastries to enjoy with fresh-squeezed orange juice. 22 Ross Common, 415.461.2205
MARCHÉ AUX FLEURS French This gem of a restaurant serves up locally farmed produce, wild and fresh seafood and free-range meats prepared with an artisan’s touch. The wine and beer list is extensive. 23 Ross Common, 415.925.9200, marcheauxfleursrestaurant.com
TRATTORIA FRESCO Italian Every neighborhood deserves a one-room trattoria like this one. The service is friendly and the farmers’-market-fresh food is fabulous—especially the gnocchi. 13 Ross Common, 415.464.0915, frescotrattoria.com
AVA California Chef Dan Baker, of Marché aux Fleurs in Ross, has another winner with AVA, which features a California-only wine list and a menu where nearly all the ingredients come from within 100 miles—if not the Marin County Farmers’ Market. The small menu includes seasonal flatbreads, pasta and six seasonal main dishes. 636 San Anselmo Ave, 415.453.3407, avamarin.com
BUBBA’S DINER American Kids will be begging for seconds and so will adults at this hopping local hangout. Burgers, shakes and fries and homemade apple pie. 566 San Anselmo Ave, 415.459.6862, bubbas-diner.net
COMFORTS Cafe This cozy spot features local ingredients and serves breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. Be sure to try the Philly cheesesteak and Chinese chicken salad, both classics. 335 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.9840, comfortscafe.com
CUCINA RESTAURANT AND WINE BAR Italian Proprietor Jack Krietzman (of Pacific Heights’ Jackson Fillmore) has brought Milan to Marin with his 42-seat family restaurant. Relax with a glass of wine and have a slice from the to-die-for thin pizzas, topped with items like truffle oil and fontina cheese. 510 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.2942, cucinarestaurantandwinebar.com
DREAM FARM California As the website claims, a taste of rural Marin in downtown San Anselmo, showcasing the bounty of our area’s awardwinning farms, dairies, and fisheries. Best yet is the price point: dishes range from under $6 to nothing over $20. 198 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.453.9898, dreamfarmmarin.com
INSALATA’S Mediterranean Award-winning chef Heidi Insalata Krahling offers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes prepared with local organic produce and artisan meats. 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.457.7700, insalatas.com
LOCOCO’S PIZZERIA Italian Worth driving to from all over Marin, and it’s an easy place to meet up with friends. The pizza crust is divine as is the house salad. Good spot to come with the entire family. Closed Mondays. 638 San Anselmo Ave, 415.453.1238, lococossananselmo.com
MARINITAS Mexican The sister restaurant of Insalata’s, Marinitas continues to flourish as it brings Latin flair home to Marin. It may not be as cheap as most Mexican restaurants in the area, but this is not your typical south-of-the-border spot. The festive atmosphere and funky decor complement the excellent food for a classy, lively experience. Finish strong with the rich Tres Leches Cake. This place gets packed, so make reservations. 218 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.454.8900, marinitas.net
ORCHID THAI Thai Owners Peggy and Tom Thongnopneua create an inviting atmosphere with their warm smiles and helpful menu suggestions. The fare here has won “Best of Marin” awards many times over. 726 San Anselmo Ave, 415.457.9470, orchidthairestaurant.com
TACO JANE’S Mexican Named after the owner’s mother, this colorful place welcomes the whole family. Don’t miss out on Jane’s handmade agave margarita or griddled plantains with Jane’s crema. 21 Tamalpais Ave, 415.454.6562, tacojanes.com
RED TAIL BAR & GRILL California The beautiful views overlooking the San Geronimo Valley redwoods and wildlife will captivate you while you indulge in the new menu featuring West Marin meats, cheeses and produce. 5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.488.4030
TWO BIRD CAFÉ California This roadside cafe has it all, including fresh fish and goodies from the garden. These guys were doing local and sustainable even before it was so popular. 625 San Geronimo Valley Dr, 415.488.0105, twobirdcafe.com
CALGANG KITCHEN Owned and operated by the family that used to run Jhan Thong if Northgate food court fame, Calgang Kitchen recently made its debut in the new Northgate shopping center in Terra Linda much to the joy of its devoted regulars. Now a sit down restaurant that includes a bar serving organic beers and wines, you can stay and enjoy the stylish décor or step right up to their steam table for delicious take out orders in their eco-friendly containers. 194 Northgate One 415.499.3501
MIKADO SUSHI This beautifully decorated, family owned Sushi spot has been open for about two years in its Terra Linda location. Serving both raw and cooked dishes, and 20 different choices of Sake. Dine in or stay home and get it delivered. 248 Northgate One, 415.446.5543
MULBERRY STREET PIZZERIA Italian Chef Ted Rowe won first place in the Food Network Television Pizza Challenge with his Mushroom Lover’s Pizza—sautéed mushrooms in a creamy garlic sauce atop a fresh pizza crust. Located across from the Smith Ranch Road movie theaters, it’s a great place to grab dinner and a movie. 101 Smith Ranch Rd, 415.472.7272, mulberry-streetpizzeria.com
NAPOLI Italian Napoli Italian is a family owned and run restaurant with a unique craft-beer program. “Our wine list is not priced like the usual restaurant wine list, but at about store retail pricing,” says David Amet, son-in-law of the owner, and wine director, “wine was meant to be enjoyed, shared and consumed, not just praised in the bottle on the wall like a trophy.” So, they keep the prices down and the libations flowing. About 45 wines and 25 beers (including some from Marin)
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are on the list at any given time. The food (Pizza and Pasta) is the result of taking East Coast style Italian fair and merging it with Marin and the bay area. 869 4th St, 415.459.3315
SABOR OF SPAIN Spanish Named Best Tapas/ Small Dishes restaurant in Marin by the Pacific Sun in 2006, this Spanish wine bar is a great place for a date or a big party. The gazpacho is world class here and a must-try. 1301 Fourth St, 415.457.8466, saborofspain.com
SAN RAFAEL JOE’S Italian Guido and Theresa Farina are now running this Marin institution, which has been famous for serving up sophisticated yet casual Italian fare since 1947. Great for large parties, the dining room holds 240. The Pacific red snapper meuniére and roast sirloin of beef are standouts. 931 Fourth St, 415.456.2425, srjoes.com
SOL FOOD Puerto Rican With south-of-theborder treats like yellow rice, beans, plantains and authentic Puerto Rican dishes, this tiny oneroom eatery on Fourth Street just off Highway 101 can be hard to get into, but worth the wait. 732 Fourth St, and 901 Lincoln Ave, 415.451.4765, solfoodrestaurant.com
THERESA & JOHNNY’S COMFORT FOOD
American Cooking like Mom used to make. Drop by for eggs Benedict, tuna melts, coffee and some of the best milk shakes around. 817 Fourth St, 415.259.0182, theresa-and-johnnys.com
ANGELINO RESTAURANT Italian Father-andson chefs Pasquale and Alfredo Ancona offer handmade pastas and seasonal antipasti at this authentic Italian restaurant, which has been serving food from the Campania region for the past 24 years. 621 Bridgeway, 415.331.5225, angelinorestaurant.com
AVATAR’S Indian Looking for “the best meal of your life”? Let owner Ashok Kumar order for you. One-room casual dining for lunch and dinner. 2656 Bridgeway, 415.332.8083, eatavatar.com
CIBO Cafe Husband and wife team Alfredo and Tera Ancona, offer a menu filled with tarts, croissants, cookies, paninis and soups. Every dish is made from scratch with local and seasonal products. And now Marinites no longer have to drive over the bridge to get famous Blue Bottle coffee, or opt for homemade organic dark hot chocolate. Located in the historic brick building at 1201 Bridgeway, 415.331.CIBO. cibosausalito.com
FENG NIAN Chinese Busy at lunch and dinner, this spacious hangout has been a popular spot for wonton soup, potstickers and daily specials for nearly two decades. For an indulgent treat order the Szechwan crispy calamari or honey-glazed walnut prawn. Free delivery. 2650 Bridgeway, 415.331.5300, fengnian.com
HORIZONS Seafood/American There isn’t a better place for waterfront deck dining with stunning views of Angel Island, Alcatraz and the San Francisco skyline. Horizons is a favorite with locals and visitors. Enjoy lunch, dinner and brunch daily, featuring fresh seafood, salads, sandwiches, pasta and steak. Deck dining, valet parking and docking facilities available. A full bar serves draft beers and specialty cocktails and has an extensive wine selection. 558 Bridgeway, 415.331.3232, horizonssausalito.com
LE GARAGE French Escape the touristy Sausalito spots and grab brunch right on the water at this cherished site. The atmosphere is animated with light French music playing in the background (think Amélie). The Kobe Burger, though not as Parisian as the other menu items, is to die for. Also consider the much-adored croque-monsieur for under $10. Opt for indoor or outdoor seating. 85 Liberty Ship Way, 415.332.5625, legaragebistrosausalito.com
MURRAY CIRCLE American Enjoy the sun on the deck of this Cavallo Point restaurant. Locals say they come back for the fresh seasonal ingredients like wild sturgeon and Wolfe Ranch quail that chef Joseph Humphrey cooks up. 601 Murray Circle, 415.339.4750, cavallopoint.com
PARADISE BAY American Enjoy the sun or dine under the stars at this waterfront restaurant. Patrons’ favorites are the organic beef sandwiches and fresh Maine lobster clubs. 1200 Bridgeway, 415.331.3226, paradisebaysausalito.com
PICCOLO TEATRO Italian Translating into “Little Theater” in Italian, Piccolo Teatro used to be a theater before it became the exquisite restaurant it is today. Executive Chef Travis Flood spends weeks mastering each dish. Customers seem unanimous in finding the food quality, service, and ambience phenomenal. 739 Bridgeway Blvd. 415.332.0739, piccoloteatrodisausalito.com
POGGIO Italian A great place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a night out. Executive chef Peter McNee cooks up delicious Northern Italian cuisine using fresh and local ingredients, including produce from the nearby Poggio chef garden. 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771, poggiotratoria.com
SAYLOR’S RESTAURANT AND BAR California/ Mexican Marin’s first tequila bar offers over 100 tequila options. Nightly meal specials include chicken pot pie, roasted salmon, baby back ribs, and traditional meatloaf. If you’re in for a wild night of entertainment there are frequent events like margarita night and flight night tequilatasting parties. The private dining room is perfect for large parties. 2009 Bridgeway, 415.332.1512, saylorsrestaurantandbar.com
SPINNAKER Seafood Chef Phil Collins excels at preparing seafood, and it shows in the beautiful plate presentations. Set right on the water, this romantic spot is great for an evening occasion. 100 Spinnaker Dr, 415.332.1500, thespinnaker.com
SUSHI RAN Japanese Fresh, innovative small plates are just big enough to share, the traditional sushi is melt-in-your-mouth good and the wine, cocktail and sake lists keep the pickiest barfly well satisfied. Even the prices don’t deter the herd of sushi enthusiasts, who line up nightly to partake; reservations required in main room. 107 Caledonia St, 415.332.3620, sushiran.com
WINSHIPS RESTAURANT American The morethan-four-decades-old nautical-themed restaurant is luring locals and tourists with hearty breakfasts and lunch options like tender fried calamari, clam strips, mussels and a giant prawn cocktail. 670 Bridgeway, 415.332.1454, winships.com
COTTAGE EATERY California Foodies rejoice. Executive chef Edward Carew doesn’t disappoint with his creative and thoughtful menu full of locally sourced foods. The restaurant itself is familyfriendly and has a homey, bed-and-breakfast
feel. The baby octopus and the meatballs are consistently raved about. Closed Mondays. 114 Main St, 415.789.5636, thecottageeatery.com
GINZA Japanese Whether you go for the volcano roll or indulge in the eight-course Omakase meal, the fresh ingredients coupled with the tremendous view of San Francisco keep this place busy, so make reservations or get there early. 41 Main St, 415.789.5123, ginzasushi-tiburon.com
ROONEY’S CAFÉ & GRILL American If you’re old enough to remember Cheers on prime time, here is your dinner spot. There’s not a long bar, nor a bartender named Sam (he’s across the street); however, there is an undeniable neighborhood feeling in this one-room cottage dining room. 38 Main St, 415.435.1911
SAM’S ANCHOR CAFE American Everyone knows Sam’s deck is the prime spot for brunch on a lazy sunny Sunday, and its bar is the town’s historic watering hole, but Sam’s is also a great place for lunch or dinner. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527, samscafe.com
SERVINO RISTORANTE Italian With people like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates raving about his pizza, Angelo Servino is doing something right. Some people come for the spacious bar; some people for the great food and friendly service; the titans of industry, it seems, opt for the pepperoni. Spacious bar, and weekend music is also a big draw. 9 Main St, 415.435.2676, servino.com
TIBURON GRILL California The atmosphere here is truly enchanting with two outdoor patios, two indoor fireplaces, and candlelit tables during the evening. No item is more than $20, including the steak, with entrées falling in the $14 to $18 range. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. 1651 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.5996, thelodgeattiburon.com
NICK’S COVE American Large windows open the 130-seat eatery to the picturesque Tomales Bay and Hog Island. Menu consists of the freshest available local seafood, oysters and bounty from nearby West Marin farms. (Marshall). 23240 Hwy 1, 415.663.1033, nickscove.com
OLEMA INN California One of the most charming settings around, this inn and restaurant is a great destination lunch spot for a Sunday drive, or dinner every night. The menu includes imaginative combinations using regional and organic greens while the bar features a full wine list (Olema). 10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.663.9559, theolemainn.com
OSTERIO STELLINA California Osterio Stellina accommodates any occasion. The menu is Italianinspired using organic, local ingredients. If you’re looking for something unusual try the goat shoulder, a favorite of locals and tourists alike. Don’t leave without indulging in the standout lemon ice cream sandwich (Point Reyes). 11285 Hwy 1, 415.663.9988, steriastellina.com
“Join
Martha Logan-Pearl Alpha Dog, Mill Valley
Alpha dog is a cageless dog boarding and day care facility with grooming and training available. “We are committed to offering a loving environment in which your pet can play, eat and sleep free of stress,” says Alpha Dog partner Martha Logan-Pearl. “Our facility incorporates grass made especially for canines for a healthy and clean play environment. We are proud to be a certified green business as well as a member of Climate Smart.”
What makes your work worthwhile?
The dogs! My staff and I have created a great place where dogs can play freely all day in a safe and secure environment. The dogs benefit from the exercise and they learn how to socialize with lots of other dogs. This makes them happy and making dogs happy makes my work very worthwhile!
What is your competitive edge?
Our killer location, our hours, our prices, and our people! We’re open 365 days a year, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Puppy training classes are also offered weekly.
Briefly describe your business philosophy. The Alpha Dog philosophy is to treat each dog like it’s our own. Believe me, sleeping on a cot with three dogs all night, you’ve got to feel like they’re your babies!
What part of your business drives you crazy?
The dog poop!
Martha Logan-Pearl, Alpha Dog, 254 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley, 415.383.2111, alphadog.com
Peggy Knight
Peggy Knight Solutions, Sausalito
“Peggy Knight Solutions strives to better the lives of adults and children with medical hair loss by providing the finest custom-made hair prostheses, paired with an unmatched level of customer service,” says owner Peggy Knight. This mission is derived from Knight’s personal experience with hair loss. “We’re compassionate and passionate about how we help our clients in need. We’re the leading provider of hair prostheses for medical hair loss.”
What inspired you to start your business?
At the age of 14 I was wearing wigs to cover up bald patches. As the hair loss progressed so did my desire for a more natural-looking hairpiece option.
What makes your business unique?
Hair loss can be devastating and we strive to help people get their life back through our unique gifting program. “Get Your Life Back” lets you and your friends contribute toward the cost of any of our hairpieces for someone you love. Peggy Knight Solutions will match your gift up to 10 percent of the total cost of the hair prosthesis for anyone enrolled in this great program.
What is your competitive edge?
Our competitive edge is our quality, firsthand knowledge, and premier customer service. I love coming to work each morning knowing that we will change a life each day.
Peggy Knight, Peggy Knight Solutions, 1750 Bridgeway, Suite B103, Sausalito, 415.289.1777, peggyknight.com
Linda Nave and Rachel Finlay Ginis
Sandra Bird Designs, Larkspur
Sandra Bird Designs has been a design-build firm in Larkspur for over 30 years. During that time, Linda Nave and Rachel Ginis have been with the company 12 and 8 years respectively. It has been a time of growth not only for the business but also for them as they have expanded their knowledge of design, construction and the environment. Both are LEED APs and graduates of the Environmental Forum of Marin. Rachel is a CGBP and a Green Point Rater with Build It Green. Each has actively campaigned on behalf of environmental issues at the federal, state and local level.
What makes your work worthwhile?
What we find particularly exciting is that we are helping Marin County conserve water and energy by specifying green solutions. Designing a green project does not need to be obvious. It is possible to build a beautiful home that functions both aesthetically and environmentally.
What inspires you?
Our boss. Our friendships. Our work. Our families. The pure enjoyment of facing new challenges and continually educating ourselves each day inspires us.
Any exciting events in the future?
Come visit us at the Marin Designers Showcase House in San Rafael, May 13 to June 3. mds2010ticketsales.eventbrite.com
Linda Nave and Rachel Ginis, Sandra Bird Designs, 240 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, 415.927.1171, sandrabird.com
Summit Hill Builders is proud to announce EcoScapes! We care about our planet and are excited to expand our exterior building expertise of decks, fences, artisan gates and other outdoor accessories with our distributorship of the “next generation” of artificial turf and putting surfaces. Summit Hill Builders is a friend of the environment and helps homeowners do their part by reusing materials whenever possible. For a building or artificial turf consultation, please contact Chance Portillo at 415-729-4456 | summithill@me.com | www.summithillbuilders.com CA Lic. #939456
The mountain, the bay, the beautiful place between
BY DANIEL JEWETT PHOTOS TIM PORTER
PREVIOUS PAGE : A bike path off Tamal Vista Boulevard. THIS PAGE : Book Passage, Piccolo Pavilion in Old Corte Madera Square and homes in Madera del Presidio. NEXT PAGE : A moss covered stairway leads to a home on Christmas Tree Hill.
BAYSIDE HOUSES, A CHARMING DOWNTOWN built around a square, overlooked by homes nestled into the hillside of Mount Tam— pretty, peaceful Corte Madera could have looked quite a bit different if not for the early efforts of active citizens.
“In the early ’70s we were faced with huge development proposals for both the hillside and marshland,” says longtime resident and former town council member Jana Haehl, author of a book on Corte Madera history.
“We could have seen marshland filled in and eight times the homes on the bayside; shopping centers could have been three times the size and the population would be triple the size, just with what was on the table.”
The friction between developers and citizens came to a head when the development-friendly mayor and two council members were recalled by election in 1972 and Haehl and others involved in the recall effort were put in their place.
“We implemented a new general plan and zoning laws and succeeded in preserving nearly all of the open land,” says Haehl, who also served for many years as a district press secretary for Barbara Boxer. “We preserved ridge land, grassland, wetlands and wooded hillside and kept the marshlands pristine.”
Haehl is aware that many in Marin see Corte Madera—home to both Town Center and the Village at Corte Madera—as the area with “two big malls where the freeway traffic always slows down,” but says there’s much more than just good shopping once you dig a little deeper.
“Unlike some other Marin communities, we have incredible civic organizing,” she points out, with a multitude of groups still busy protecting, preserving and beautifying Corte Madera, including an active town band. “There is a satisfaction when you do something in your own town that you see every day.”
Mayor Carla Condon couldn’t agree more. She points to contributions from the public on projects like the recreation center refurbishment, the new dock at Higgins Landing, the design of the town logo (which features an egret in front of Mount Tamalpais—a nod to both sides of the town separated by Highway 101) and the flower baskets that hang all around.
“The spirit of volunteering is what makes Corte Madera so unique; it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.”
Condon moved to Corte Madera in 1996 and joined the planning commission in 1999 after undergoing a frustrating run-in with the approval process during a major home remodel. “I felt the process was way too cumbersome and not the most efficient and decided to spare others.”
Later, litigation over an affordable housing question led her to offer a “fresh perspective” in a 2001 run for city council, where she has served since. Here she helped craft a plan identifying new sites for affordable housing that would satisfy state requirements, which won federal recognition for its innovative and creative approach.
But for future planning, Corte Madera now confronts a challenge faced by all Marin cities and towns: doing more with less. “We have incredible resources in our midst,” Condon says, both in terms of public support for projects and the efforts of town staff. The latter in particular “have been able to understand and confront the financial difficulties we face and maximize the resources we have.”
Well-known Morgan Lane real estate agent and Corte Madera specialist Jimmy “Marin” Wanninger says the reason people choose to live in the town he also calls home is obvious. “People come here because you are close to everything—San Francisco, malls, town parks, the ferry—and we are north of the fog line,” he points out. “And we have the best Fourth of July parade in the county by far.”
Wanninger is heartened by the direction the housing market in Corte Madera is moving in compared to last year, but believes the bottom won’t be seen until late fall or next spring. Last year 49 homes were sold in Corte Madera under $1 million, 16 between $1 and $2 million and two over $2 million; 18 condos were sold. That’s a big drop in higher-priced homes sold compared to the peak in 2006 and a rise in the number sold for under $1 million. The good news seems to be all the new activity in the $1-million-and-above market countywide already in 2010. “It gives you an optimistic feeling,” he says.
CORTE MADERA, ONE OF MARIN’S PREMIER LOCATIONS, boasts some of the finest hiking and biking trails, boutique shops, restaurants, schools, and awe-inspring views of Mt. Tam.
Whether you are buying or selling a home here, JimmyMarin is your 24/7 real estate connection.
RANKED THE HIGHEST PRODUCING AGENT in Corte Madera and Larkspur for the last four years, JimmyMarin has sold over $90,000,000 in real estate throughout all of California since 2006.
“ Jimmy did a tremendous job selling our newly built home at 459 Redwood in Corte Madera. Prior to even listing the home he was there to help with specific construction and finish ideas which helped make the decision to hire him that much easier. Although the market slowed a bit during our initial listing months, Jimmy stayed in contact and stayed positive throughout the process. The home sold with a quick close and we owe a tremendous amount of thanks to Jimmy for doing an excellent job. I consider him a friend and would recommend him to others with full confidence. ”
—Mark A. Samuel, Bridgeline Capitol Group, Inc.
www.501Sausalito.com – Sausalito
With its dramatic corner of glass and aluminum of thirty linear feet and two stories of height, the interior appears suspended, overlooking the valley to Sausalito and the incredible vistas of the San Francisco Bay and perfect classic views of the City, this contemporary home of approximately 2600 square feet is spliced into three levels to accommodate the natural downward slope of the terrain and is situated at the end of a private cul de sac. The open kitchen, dining and living space forms a large informal entertaining area with a linear stainless gas fireplace, skylight and fourteen foot sloped ceilings all surrounded by nature and the sky.
$2,295,000
www.20Juno.com – Tiburon
The recently rebuilt, modern 4 bedroom home features high end finishes, refined with great taste, a contemporary flair, and fine linear craftsmanship. Centrally positioned between all Tiburon schools and markets, this home lies in Tiburon’s best, flat, child-friendly neighborhood. The living room shows Italian Beech wood floors by Margaritelli, Listone Giordano, 14-foot ceilings, and custom Loewen windows, The kitchen features 10-foot ceilings sculpted concrete counters with embedded ammonite fossils, and limestone floors, high-end stainless steel appliances by Miele & Fisher Pa ykel, and seamless Anigre wood cabinetry. This home is perfect for a young family with modern tastes, and was built using as many green building practices as possible.
$1,595,000
I specialize in Exclusive Luxury Properties not listed on the Multiple Listing Service and that are discreetly offered for
Detailed property descriptions, market information, and featured listings may be viewed at
For a private showing please contact me as all of the Sellers on this page
±.5
Breathtaking views spanning SF & 4 bridges, eleg contemporary architectdesigned home, stun. great room, circular glazed galleria, 4 bd, 3.5 ba… $3,950,000
1-story condo, 6-unit complex, beaut remod w/ views of Mt Tam/GGB/SF skyline, study with fireplace, large master with sitting area, 2 bd, 2 ba . . . $1,595,000 West Shore waterfront, panoramic views from Golden Gate Bridge to Mt Tam, ±4000 sf, huge master, decks, dock, 4 bd, 4.5 ba… $2,995,000
One of the best and largest custom homes on the Belvedere Lagoon, completely remodeled in 2006 with 4,112 sf of luxury contemporary design. Kitchen designed by Johnny Grey with honed Zimbabwe granite counters, warming and cooling drawers, artisan glass, exotic wood and imported marble/stone flooring and counters. Home has Limestone and Cumaru hardwood flooring throughout, large entertaining lagoon-side Ironwood deck with hot tub, skylights, radiant heating, great open floor plan with wide halls and doors, built with design and understated presence in mind, beautiful lagoon views, and an Au Pair unit. Upstairs master suite with Mt. Tamalpais and lagoon views. Five bedrooms and four full baths… $4,395,000
You've never seen a Cay house like this - it's stunning! Sunny and bright with an extra wide gallery entry, gorgeous birch floors, beautiful new baths in all bedrooms, dazzling new kitchen/family room, large new master bedroom and bath, huge new kubaru wood deck and dock, sheltered pool and lavish finishes – Viking, Bosch, Fisher & Paykel appliances, soffit lighting, rich moldings and casings and beautiful stone counters. Exquisite indoor-outdoor, onelevel living. Four bedrooms, four and one-half baths… $3,150,000
Originally the Blanding Estate Carriage House, now beautifully transformed into one of Belvedere’s most prominent view-oriented residences. Gracious entry with Golden Gate Bridge view, Kitchen/family area and adjacent terrace with SF skyline view, and formal living & dining rooms and adjacent terrace with views from the Bay Bridge through Mt. Tam. Downstairs level includes 1400± sf master with water-side terrace, marble bath, walk-in closet & second full bath. A third level with separate entrance comprises a living area, 2 bedrooms & 1 bath. Five bedrooms (4 en suite), five and one-half baths, including the master with his & her baths… $8,950,000
Private bay-front retreat with over 7 acres of beautiful grounds and sunny tidelands, sparkling pool and level lawn. Approx. 3,800 square foot country cottage-style home with large living and dining areas, relaxing family room with fireplace and adjacent waterside deck, and upper-level master suite with beautifully paneled library with fireplace and long screened-in porch overlooking the bay and tidewater. Boat dock with two lifts, boat garage and ramp, separate guest quarters and office suite with half-bath. A total of four bedrooms and six and one-half baths, and the reminiscence of the old fishing camp and brick plant days on the bay… $8,450,000
Originally built circa 1902, now elegantly & superbly renovated & enlarged to create a family compound of over 10,000 sf of exquisitely designed & appointed living space, with state-of-the-art communications & entertainment technology, & situated on appx. 2 level acres of secured privacy in Ross’ premier location. Features a stunning, appx. 2,500 sf, 3-room master suite, the children’s wing with study & 2 bedrooms, each with full bath. Private guest room, a separate, appx. 800 sf studio, & a 2-story, three-room guest house. Seven bedrooms, eight full and three half baths…
$14,850,000
The last and only level, private, multi-acre parcel on Tiburon Peninsula, with sandy beach, fully entitled & approved for development. Approx. 7.5 level acres, with its tidelands, grassy meadows, & 300 linear feet of sandy beach waterfront. Potential for gated estate with 8,750 sq. ft. residence, including 3+ car garage, with au pair, pier & boat dock. Not for generations has this rare opportunity been available to acquire a property of this stature on the Tiburon waterfront, with its unique site & development entitlements. Truly last-in-a-lifetime opportunity… $14,700,000
Blazing sunrises, golden su nsets & perfect moonrises reflecting on the Bay waters, the calls of the seals and sea gulls, and the ever-changing living-mural of sea life for your living room, this stunning contemporary, designed by award-winning architects generations apart, embodies everything you imagined about waterfront living. 1.2 acres, nearly 8,000 sf, over 200 water-level frontage feet. The main residence comprises five large bedrooms and five and one-half baths, & the separate guest house offers an additional two bedrooms & one bath. Once this lifetime… $28,850,000
On the Island’s west side, with its dazzling views and stunning sunsets. Two separate parcels totaling approximately one acre, mostly level and at water’s edge, with existing boat house & dock, and water-level views from Mt Tam through the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco financial district. Rare potential for grand, gated bayfront estate, entirely private and secluded, and accessed by water or land. Magical place, captivating views, irresistible possibilities… $14,850,000
the
give a tree house feeling.
at the end of a cul-de-sac this 2,500 sq. ft., 2-story, 3-bedroom (plus – home theatre room could be 4th), plus private view office which overlooks a wooded area (it also has an entry door that is cleverly disguised as a swing-away bookcase), 4-bath modern-style home has many wonderful green features. Please see our websites for more in-depth description and photos of this fabulous home. Completed in 2008 $1,895,000
40 Mesa Rd, Bolinas • $2,650,000
This contemporary retreat has sweeping views of the Bolinas Lagoon and Bolinas Ridge in the distance. Set on five private acres, the home was designed as a sculptural presence to harmonize with the surrounding natural landscape and is ideal for extensive gardens, vineyards or entertaining. A separate one bedroom guest house and infinity pool complement the three bedroom/two bath residence.
BolinasContemporary.com
jlemarr@fhallen.com
283 Summit Avenue, San Rafael • $3,950,000
As you turn up this cypress-lined drive, be prepared to feel the allure of Tuscany. You will not be disappointed when you reach the gated entry and first view this elegantly designed European-style home. Wonderful space, volume and light await you through the front door.
283Summit.com
Bubble of the past leaves us with a reality check BY IAN CHARLES
What’s clear to see in today’s Marin real estate market is the overhang of reality. Perhaps the term “hangover” is more appropriate, given the wreckage left from yesterday’s easy money theme party. Sure, while the economy was humming and interest-only adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) were flowing, it was the real estate party of the century. But the intoxication of low payments and rising equity values has given way to the bright light of today’s reality of rising payments, falling values and hard-to-find financing.
By definition, bubbles burst and they should, because at the end of the day, they do more harm than good for the markets they affect. Is Marin real estate different or isolated from the boom-and-bust dynamic? No, this is just a great place to live that comes with a cost. As long as buyers are willing to pay a price for the Marin lifestyle, our market will be exposed to ups and downs of real estate.
Jeff Moseley of Anchor Realty, who specializes in Paradise Cay real estate, says “there has never been a better time to buy in terms of value, but the foreclosed REO listings represent the true market price.”
So what will real estate do in 2010? My prediction is, not much. The reality is that the key drivers in our market, the job market and personal income growth, are still on life support. And while housing is arguably more affordable today due to the decline in values, inventory levels are still high and lenders are not swinging for the fences again anytime soon. Just take a look at the number of price reductions on current listings and you’ll quickly get the sense that a qualified buyer is difficult to come by. And let’s not lose sight of the other two important elements that are having a profound effect on today’s real estate sales: foreclosures and adjustable-rate mortgage rate resets.
Websites like Zillow.com, Trulia.com and RealtyTrac. com list properties in the “foreclosure process.” That could mean a recent default on a mortgage payment or a bank-owned property that is up for sale. Either way, the relatively high number of properties listed under foreclosure in posh towns such as Tiburon, Mill Valley and Kentfield doesn’t help the true seller who is forced to reduce a listing price to meet the market. In fact, the number of mortgages in default between 30 and 90 days as of today has never been higher. Tiburon currently has 42 properties in foreclosure and Mill Valley has 65.
Unfortunately, the $1.5 million listing in Paradise Cay has to compete with the bank-owned listing two doors down for $1.1 million. Jeff Moseley of Anchor Realty, who specializes in Paradise Cay real estate, says “there has never been a better time to buy in terms of value, but the foreclosed bank owned listings represent the true market price.” He adds that the “realignment of value won’t last for long once the credit markets loosen up.” However, if you’re an owner who purchased a home in Paradise Cay in 2003, it’s almost like the last seven years never happened in terms of appreciation.
While many pundits point to the foreclosures that have worked their way through the system as a sign of recovery, they are focusing on the obvious and early casualties of the recent financial crisis. The next wave of “well-heeled” defaults and foreclosures is coming in 2010. The interest rate resets on the large number of ARMs that helped drive the hyper-growth in values during 2003-2007 will keep inventory levels high and values under pressure. The homeowner with a $750,000 ARM at 4.25 percent that is about to reset to 5.25 percent is looking at a 25 percent increase in mortgage payment. That’s an extra $650 a month that could put a large number of households under financial pressure.
The takeaway is a hangover that will take some time to wear off. Home buyers with cash and credit are definitely in a position of strength, but the market doesn’t appear ready to run away in 2010. While this gives buyers reason to take their time, sellers must face the prospect of selling at 2003-2004 prices or holding on until the music starts again. Hangovers are painful but in time we all come back for more. In the meantime, pass the aspirin.
On a coveted cul-de-sac, this immaculate, gated estate provides the best of the Woodlands lifestyle. The almost one acre lot features a large level lawn and gorgeous views of the hills and valley. Recently renovated to impeccable standards, this 5bd/4ba home has all the bells and whistles for today’s most discerning buyers:
■ Stunning entryway with wall of windows
■ Cathedral-ceilinged great room with fireplace
■ 4 main level bedrooms, 1 suite downstairs
■ Family/media room opens to the lawn, patio and Tahoe-blue pool for easy entertaining
■ Custom mahogany cabinetry and Santos mahogany flooring
■ Gourmet kitchen with Ann Sacks glass tiles, granite counters, Subzero, Thermador and Bosch appliances, wine refrigerator. . . a chef’s dream!
■ Limestone master bath with Jacuzzi tub and private deck
■ Pool house with kitchenette and sauna
■ Whole house A/V system, wine cellar, bonus room, laundry room, and more. www.95Westwood.com
Price Upon Request
This architectural masterpiece is sited on a very private 2.2+/-acres in Corte Madera, CA. Set behind a custom gate this home commands amazing views of open sky and natural landscape. The home showcases 4bd/4ba, 2 kitchens, 2 fireplaces, library, media room and au-pair quarters. The dramatic master suite features a fireplace, luxurious spa, sitting room and impressive dressing room. The architecturally stunning design offers a Lutron lighting, security alarm, heating and air conditioning and top-of-the-line double Wolf Range. Beautiful full grown bamboos and extensive Japanese gardens make this property a true masterpiece to live in. Not on MLS. Offered at $3,699,000
Valerie Castellana
415.496.2955
Stunning views from this absolute jewel located in one of Tiburon’s best streets. Perfect for move-down or second home. This pied-a-terre offers full water views of the bay, Kyle Cove and Angel Island. Property comprised of 1bd/1ba main house with office and legal, separate guest cottage. www.2387MarEast.com
Offered at $1,485,000
Gated with a private driveway, this is a rare gem built with quality materials & craftsmanship. 4bd/3.5ba (2 master suites). Kitchen with Viking cook top, subzero refrigerator and all stainless steel appliances. Grand living room with open beamed ceilings. Pool area with lush mature plants and trees. www.160FairwaySanRafael.com Offered at $2,395,000
Built
in 1879,
the Boyd Gate House has been home to the Marin History Museum since 1959.
BY JIM WOOD
THE NAME BOYD GATE HOUSE MEANS JUST THAT. It was built in 1879 to be a gate (and guest) house for the nearby Boyd mansion, which is now occupied by the Elks Club of San Rafael. Actually, the Boyd mansion was home to the Boyd and Cook families, who were joined by a business relationship and, in 1883, a marriage. In 1905, after suffering the deaths of their two young sons, the Boyd family donated the gatehouse and surrounding gardens to the City of San Rafael in memory of the two boys. In subsequent years, their only daughter, Louise Arner Boyd, inherited the remaining estate and used much of her fortune to explore and do research in Greenland. Since 1959, the Marin History Museum has occupied the Boyd Gate House. Though most would describe the building as a “classic” Victorian, the descriptive architectural term is Gothic Revival. The museum is located at the corner of Mission and B Streets in San Rafael and open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and the second and third Saturdays of the month. 415.454.8538, marinhistory.org.
