Marin Magazine August 2007 by 270 Media

MARI N E X T R A O R D I N A R Y

L I V I N G

AUGUST 2007

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415.456.4474

g aragesolutions.com

CONTENTS

Features 48 think

The Four R’s

Public education creates value in Marin real estate. story & photos tim porter

54 home design

Staging for Sale

Investing in decor can increase the bottom line. story p. j. bremier photos barbara ries

62 journey

Gliding on the Canadian Rails

Traveling from Prince Rupert to Edmonton in scenic splendor. story jim and nikki wood

68 life

High School Reunion

Thirty years later with many stories to tell. story kirk citron photos jock mcdonald

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

CONTENTS

Departments

letters Readers respond to Marin Magazine.

at a glance

snap

fashion trends

Hot tips day by day for the Bay Area.

Out and about, in and around Marin.

Summer beachwear. by somer ﬂaherty Kids suit up in sea-style. by somer ﬂaherty

life style

fyi

Matt Davis, Dominican’s Teacher of the Year.

Causes: Kiddo! makes a difference. by samantha bronson Business: Alternative car purchase through Cartelligent. by jim wood Education: Prepping kids for college. by samantha bronson Place: Labyrinths provide a spiritual path. by toni weingarten

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

for Comforters

for

for Pillows

BEVERLY HILLS

MARIN COUNTY

NEW YORK CITY

365 N. Beverly Drive Beverly Hills, CA 310.274.6925

Strawberry Village Mill Valley, CA 415.383.5811

29 Spring Street New York, NY 212.219.2271

nkah.com

for Life

76 CONTENTS

122

Departments 76

play

calendar

galleries

When nature beckons—camping in Marin. by melissa gebhardt

A roundup of performing arts, events, galleries and more.

The Box Show at Gallery Route One. by anne crump ray

flavor

Olema Inn & Restaurant. by erika lenkert Dine Out, an insider’s guide to Bay Area restaurants.

101 microclimate

Dominican in San Rafael. by jim wood

122 dialogue

Sausalito restaurateur Larry Mindel. by mimi towle

Columns The Cover Sausalito City Views, by

view from mount tam

pov

The creators of Marin Magazine welcome you to share their vision.

Marin artist Kay Carlson. Her work can be seen at kaycarlson.com 8

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

The controversy over herbicides. by jim wood

Welcome to

The World

Editorial editorial director Nikki Wood ext 105 nwood@marinmagazine.com

executive editor Jim Wood ext 106 jwood@marinmagazine.com

associate editor Mimi Towle ext 101 mtowle@marinmagazine.com

Milos Santorini Míkonos Skíathos Istanbul Vama Constanta Odessa Yalta Dikili Kos Rhodes Kusadasi

editor-at-large Tim Porter tporter@marinmagazine.com

departments editor Somer Flaherty ext 103 sflaherty@marinmagazine.com

copy editor/proofreader Cynthia Rubin

editorial contributors P. J. Bremier, Samantha Bronson,

Travel the world without leaving home

Kirk Citron, Melissa Gebhardt, Erika Lenkert, Anne Ray, Toni Weingarten

Art art director

As a successful and enterprising free spirit, you are determined to enjoy life, explore every corner of the globe but demanding of the highest standards as well as comfort, security and privacy.

The World. Sailing since 2002 www.aboardtheworld.com For purchase and rental information please contact Cruise Specialists: Ask for Lindsay Murphy - The World Specialist

Tel: (415)-895-3900 www.CruiseSpecialists.com 100 Rowland Way, Suite 210 Novato, CA 94945

production manager Alex French ext 111 production@marinmagazine.com

production artist Jonathan Byrd UBI 601123743 Carlson Travel Group, Inc. dba Cruise Specialists AD097 08/07

Life aboard The World is the life for you. A life which allows you to travel without leaving home – whether for a short stay, a lengthier sojourn or a lifetime. Join us aboard The World – live a life like no other.

Anne Walzer ext 112 awalzer@marinmagazine.com

contributing photographers Drew Altizer, Ben Davidson, Sasha Gulish, Jock McDonald, Sheri Montgomery, Barbara Ries

Administration controller Maeve Walsh ext 104 mwalsh@marinmagazine.com Marin Magazine, One Harbor Dr, Ste 208, Sausalito, CA 94965, phone: 415.332.4800, fax: 415.332.3048, web: marinmagazine.com, e-mail: editorial@marinmagazine.com

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

NEW OWNERSHIP Join us July 26th for a Grand Re-Opening Party! KlaasKids Foundation will be hosting a free child safety ﬁngerprinting event! Afternoon kid’s concert & face painting also - call us for details!

Advertising publisher Lisa Shanower 415.332.4800 ext 107 lshanower@marinmagazine.com

advertising director Courtney Q. Roberts ext 108 croberts@marinmagazine.com

account manager Michele Johnson ext 110 mjohnson@marinmagazine.com

account manager Genevieve Luckel ext 109 gluckel@marinmagazine.com

regional sales offices california media marin associates Lora Dinga 415.898.6400

robert kaufman associates Robert Kaufman 415.721.0558

new york couture marketing Karen Couture 917.821.4429

southeast tlc media Cindy Taylor 404.459.6578

hawaii destination marketing Debbie Joseph Shana Wong 808.739.2200

advertising art director Alex French ext 111 production@marinmagazine.com

Introducing new products - modern furniture, bedding and more!

415.945.0677 • www.goodnitemoon.com • 111 Corte Madera Town Center

Volume 3, Issue 8. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Marin Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright©2007. 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 $36 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. marin magazine is printed on 30% post consumer waste paper member of the bpa worldwide:

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

Lisa Maria Yogi Yoga Studio, Mill Valley

Coming Soon

V I E W F R O M M O U N T TA M

WE HAVE TWO IMPORTANT WORDS to greet

people and issues because so many of you

Other features include a look by P. J.

our core circulation audience—Marin County

are kind enough to tell us. So, please, help

Bremier at the art (and business) of staging

homeowners—with this issue: YES and FREE.

us continue bringing Marin to you for FREE

homes for sale. In Journey we ride the rails in western Canada.

YES. That’s what we need you to say if

(there’s that word again). JUST SAY YES!

you want to keep receiving Marin for FREE.

Fill out the card or the online form. And

Erika Lenkert finds lunch well worth the

Because of the rising costs of delivering

for readers outside of Marin Couny, we are

excursion to the Olema Inn; Somer Flaherty

Marin for FREE (did we already mention

continuing our newsstand distribution and

details trends in summer beachwear; Toni

that?) to your home, we must change our

subscription programs.

Weingarten shows use how to unwind in a

postal classification. In order to do that, we

In this issue (behind the cover by Marin

labyrinth; we profile Cartelligent, a unique

need you—our readers—to tell us you want to

artist Kay Carlson), education is a theme.

Sausalito car broker; and in Microclimate we

continue having Marin mailed to you.

Editor-at-large Tim Porter explains the con-

wander about the Dominican neighborhood of San Rafael.

Here are two simple ways you can JUST

nection between the quality of the three

SAY YES: Go to marinmagazine.com/yes and

R’s in our public schools and the cost of the

As always, our wish is for your good

fill out an online form, or fill out and mail

fourth R—real estate. Samantha Bronson has

reading. Enjoy Marin Magazine, as we

in the postage-paid card wrapped around

two stories—one on Kiddo!, the Mill Valley

continue to celebrate this extraordinary place!

this month’s cover. That’s it. No hassle.

school arts program foundation, and anoth-

No cost. Easy.

er about how to get kids ready to apply to

We love producing Marin Magazine for

college. And Kirk Citron links then and now

Lisa Shanower, Publisher

you each month, and we know you love the

with the story of a 30-year Novato’s San Marin

Nikki Wood, Editorial Director

stories and photographs about Marin life,

High School reunion.

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

Jim Wood, Executive Editor

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO: BARBARA RIES

YES and FREE

/PX ZPV DBO CVZ ZPVS XBZ JOUP )FBWFO

View from residences While the 323 Residences’ unobstructed views of Heavenly Valley and Lake Tahoe certainly qualify as a religious experience, the amenities were designed to accommodate more earthly pleasures. From the sublime bliss of a hot tub, a dry sauna, a steam room, and exercise facilities . . . to the divine decadence of having your own lounge, Concierge and on-call masseur . . . the lifestyle at 323 allows you and your loved ones to reconnect, refresh and recharge without guilt. They call it Heavenly for a reason. Come find out why! Model & Discovery Center Now Open in Heavenly Village! 49 Full Ownership Residences 49 Unobstructed Views Tax Advantages of Nevada Ownership “On Call” Concierge Lifestyle 2, 3 and 4 Bedrooms 1800 to 6100 square feet

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LE TTE R S

Readers respond I really enjoyed the article on St. Vincent’s—such a fabulous place! This piece will go a long way towards building awareness to ensure its future. Beth Moon, via email Tim Porter’s article about “Bambi” was absolutely stunning in its clarity of arguments about the exotic deer at Point Reyes National Seashore. It will stand me in good stead as I try to explain the pro- and con- arguments about the elimination of the deer. I fully expect an “adopt-a-deer” movement to arise in East

Enjoy the many offerings in your neighborhood at Marin’s only four-year university!

Marin to deter the coming elimination of the exotics. It is not a pretty story, but as Tim so eloquently stated, it’s either the native blacktailed deer or the introduced exotics. We have to choose.

Public lectures by distinguished speakers on politics, leadership, culture, and more

I have been studying the population explosions of these deer for many years. Every time the National Park sharpshooters come in

Concerts and recitals

and cull the herds, it looks better for the native deer. But the balance does not last long.

Film festivals, art exhibitions, and artist talks Aerobics, swimming, tennis, and yoga classes at the Conlan Recreation Center Youth summer camps Event and conference facilities with catering and lodging

Shortly, the population explodes and we are back to square one. Nancy M . Skinner, San Anselmo I always enjoy reading your beautiful magazine, but I have a small correction to a statement in “Bambi vs. Bambi,” “Nonnative species have brought us great benefit (horses and cattle in North America courtesy of European explorers)...” Yes indeed, great benefits—but the horse is in fact a native to North America. Thank you for ending this article with quotes from Joanne Stewart, my old friend. I quite agree with her viewpoint. Connie Berto, San Anselmo Letters to the editor may be edited for clarity and brevity. Send letters to Marin Magazine, One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965.

50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, California 94901 • 415-457-4440 • www.dominican.edu

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

Or e-mail jwood@marinmagazine.com.

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

“If you invest in beauty

“A house is not a home,

it will remain with you

you have to make it

all of your life.” Frank Loyd Wright

that way.” Alder

831 B Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 415-456-3939 • www.sunrisehome.com

S U N R I S E

H O M E

P OV

Invasive Plants are Taking Over Mount Tam Opposition prevents MMWD from using its most effective weapon

BY JIM WOOD

in order to preserve Mount Tam’s biodiversity

reevaluate solutions, including herbicides, and

and protect nearby homes from wildfires that

now Rothman, Eggers, and others are advocat-

use overgrown hillsides for fuel, I maintain that

ing not even studying the issue.

should be used.

Rothman says he does not think the water district should do a study because the EPA,

Sharing this position is Jake Sigg, former

which years ago approved glyphosate as an her-

president of the California Native Plant Society.

bicide, anticipates reopening its analysis of the

“People in Marin don’t realize the huge problem

chemical’s effect on humans. That process, says

existing on Mount Tamalpais,” he says, referring

Rothman, “won’t be completed until 2012, so

to the infestation of Scotch and French broom,

why have MMWD spend tens of thousands of

an invasive, nonnative plant that already domi-

dollars studying it now?” To me the answer is

nates hundreds of acres on Mount Tam. “With

obvious: Mount Tam’s native plants and critical

time, this watershed will become a monoculture

firebreaks are currently being overrun with non-

environment because broom, and other nonna-

native plants—and the longer we delay, the more

tives, not only choke out native plants but also

difficult it will be to erradicate the problem.

n a Friday in late June, the Marin

starve out native animal life.” Sigg, an avid hiker

Is glyphosate safe? As far as this layman is

Municipal Water District held an

who’s studied the issue for years, explains it this

concerned, the answer is yes. Properly applied,

emotional hearing on use of the

way: “Thousands of insects live on native plants;

it destroys the individual plant only, with little

herbicide glyphosate. One speaker argued the

birds and critters feed on those insects; and so

(and benign) impact on surrounding soils. The

chemical, most commonly known as Roundup,

forth on up the food chain.” In his view, “glypho-

National Audubon Society, whose mission is “to

is a cost-effective way of controlling the in-

sate is by far the most cost-effective way” of con-

conserve and restore natural ecosystems . . . for

vasive plants now threatening the biodiver-

trolling nonnative plants.

the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biologi-

sity—and maximizing fire danger—on Mount

The Marin Municipal Water District, which

cal diversity,” refers to glyphosate as a “strikingly

Tamalpais. Others claimed glyphosate is a car-

manages 22,000 acres of open space including

benign herbicide.” Furthermore, after reading

cinogen and urged the district not even even

the Mount Tam watershed, appears to agree

extensively on the subject, I found no credible

hire consultants to study the issue until the

with Sigg. A recent district study indicates spot

evidence that glyphosate is carcinogenic.

Environmental Protection Agency reevaluates

herbicide application (not spraying), kept dis-

Glyphosate is used to control invasive plants

its own opinion of the herbicide.

tant from reservoirs and streams, costs $2,825

by California’s Department of Parks, Caltrans,

These days, convincing anyone to use a

per acre while hand pulling, planned burns,

the city of San Francisco, Golden Gate National

chemical in order to benefit the environment is

propane flaming and goat grazing range from

Recreation Area, Point Reyes National Seashore,

a challenge. But, the more I study the subject,

$5,300 to nearly $10,000 per acre—and aren’t

Audubon Canyon Ranch, Marin County Open

the more I’m convinced it’s necessary.

as effective nor as safe.

Space District and most Marin cities.

First, chemicals are too widely cast as the

In fact, the district used herbicides on Mount

In addition, herbicides containing glypho-

boogeyman of environmentally conscious liv-

Tam until August 2005, when opposition from

sate, as in Roundup, are available at any local

ing. Let’s accept the reality that chemicals are

the Marin Safe Drinking Water Coalition (led by

garden store for public use. Why shouldn’t the

integral parts of our daily lives. There’s chlorine

Belvedere doctor William Rothman and former

MMWD have the same right to use it? I strongly

in our drinking water, for example, and sodium

Fairfax mayor Frank Egger) convinced the agen-

endorse the balanced useage of this herbicide.

in our food. Concurrently, we do not want any

cy’s board of directors to halt the practice. The

That’s my point of view. What’s yours?

more chemicals than what’s necessary. That said,

current board is about to hire a consultant to

Email jwood@marinmagazine.com

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO: BARBARA RIES

a judicious amount of the herbicide glyphosate

P OV

Invasive Plants are Taking Over Mount Tam Opposition prevents MMWD from using its most effective weapon

BY JIM WOOD

in order to preserve Mount Tam’s biodiversity

reevaluate solutions, including herbicides, and

and protect nearby homes from wildfires that

now Rothman, Eggers, and others are advocat-

use overgrown hillsides for fuel, I maintain that

ing not even studying the issue.

should be used.

Rothman says he does not think the water district should do a study because the EPA,

Sharing this position is Jake Sigg, former

which years ago approved glyphosate as an her-

president of the California Native Plant Society.

bicide, anticipates reopening its analysis of the

“People in Marin don’t realize the huge problem

chemical’s effect on humans. That process, says

existing on Mount Tamalpais,” he says, referring

Rothman, “won’t be completed until 2012, so

to the infestation of Scotch and French broom,

why have MMWD spend tens of thousands of

an invasive, nonnative plant that already domi-

dollars studying it now?” To me the answer is

nates hundreds of acres on Mount Tam. “With

obvious: Mount Tam’s native plants and critical

time, this watershed will become a monoculture

firebreaks are currently being overrun with non-

environment because broom, and other nonna-

native plants—and the longer we delay, the more

tives, not only choke out native plants but also

difficult it will be to erradicate the problem.

n a Friday in late June, the Marin

starve out native animal life.” Sigg, an avid hiker

Is glyphosate safe? As far as this layman is

Municipal Water District held an

who’s studied the issue for years, explains it this

concerned, the answer is yes. Properly applied,

emotional hearing on use of the

way: “Thousands of insects live on native plants;

it destroys the individual plant only, with little

herbicide glyphosate. One speaker argued the

birds and critters feed on those insects; and so

(and benign) impact on surrounding soils. The

chemical, most commonly known as Roundup,

forth on up the food chain.” In his view, “glypho-

National Audubon Society, whose mission is “to

is a cost-effective way of controlling the in-

sate is by far the most cost-effective way” of con-

conserve and restore natural ecosystems . . . for

vasive plants now threatening the biodiver-

trolling nonnative plants.

the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biologi-

sity—and maximizing fire danger—on Mount

The Marin Municipal Water District, which

cal diversity,” refers to glyphosate as a “strikingly

Tamalpais. Others claimed glyphosate is a

manages 22,000 acres of open space including

benign herbicide.” Furthermore, after reading

carcinogen and urged the district to not even

the Mount Tam watershed, appears to agree

extensively on the subject, I found no credible

hire consultants to study the issue until the

with Sigg. A recent district study indicates spot

evidence that glyphosate is carcinogenic.

Environmental Protection Agency reevaluates

herbicide application (not spraying), kept dis-

Glyphosate is used to control invasive plants

its own opinion of the herbicide.

tant from reservoirs and streams, costs $2,825

by California’s Department of Parks, Caltrans,

These days, convincing anyone to use a

per acre while hand pulling, planned burns,

the city of San Francisco, Golden Gate National

chemical in order to benefit the environment is

propane flaming and goat grazing range from

Recreation Area, Point Reyes National Seashore,

a challenge. But, the more I study the subject,

$5,300 to nearly $10,000 per acre—and aren’t

Audubon Canyon Ranch, Marin County Open

the more I’m convinced it’s necessary.

as effective nor as safe.

Space District and most Marin cities.

First, chemicals are too widely cast as the

In fact, the district used herbicides on Mount

In addition, herbicides containing glypho-

boogeyman of environmentally conscious liv-

Tam until August 2005, when opposition from

sate, as in Roundup, are available at any local

ing. Let’s accept the reality that chemicals are

the Marin Safe Drinking Water Coalition (led by

garden store for public use. Why shouldn’t the

integral parts of our daily lives. There’s chlorine

Belvedere doctor William Rothman and former

MMWD have the same right to use it? I strongly

in our drinking water, for example, and sodium

Fairfax mayor Frank Egger) convinced the agen-

endorse the balanced useage of this herbicide.

in our food. Concurrently, we do not want any

cy’s board of directors to halt the practice. The

That’s my point of view. What’s yours?

more chemicals than what’s necessary. That said,

current board is about to hire a consultant to

Email jwood@marinmagazine.com

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO: BARBARA RIES

a judicious amount of the herbicide glyphosate

Russ Colombo President & CEO, Bank of Marin

FRIENDLY. SMART. TRUSTED. AND NOW ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BRIDGE. With 32 years of experience in commercial lending, Bank of Marin President & CEO Russ Colombo knows San Francisco. After all, he spent many of those years building relationships with San Francisco businesses. Like Russ, our San Francisco office staff is capable in providing fast, flexible, and creative financing. So if you’re looking to work with Bank of Marin, look no further than downtown San Francisco. Commercial Banking Office Now Open: 235 Pine Street, San Francisco, (415) 403-5580

San Francisco

Sausalito

Mill Valley

Corte Madera

www.bankofmarin.com

San Rafael

Novato

Petaluma

AT A G LAN C E

AUGUST THRU AUGUST Pancake Breakfast Sundays

THRU AUGUST 17 Creekside Fridays Bring the family (including the dog) to this barbecue, which features different genres of music each week. Tennessee Valley Cabin (Mill Valley). 415.388.6393, ext. 10, tcsd.us

▼

After a long hike up Mount Tam, reward yourself with a feast of flapjacks at West Point Inn, a 103-year-old relic of the crooked-railroad days. (Mill Valley). 415.646.0702

Savor a flight from Rutherford winery Grgich Hills at Marin’s newly opened wine shop and bar. Tam Cellars (Larkspur Landing). 415.461.9463, tamcellars.com

▼

Every Friday night enjoy views of Angel Island and San Francisco as local musicians liven up the evening. Gabrielson Park (Sausalito). 415.289.4152, ci.sausalito.ca.us

AUGUST 4 Raise a Glass

▼

THRU AUGUST 24 Jazz and Blues by the Bay

AUGUST 4 Summer Gardening Fair Horticulturists will swoon

AUGUST 7— SEPTEMBER 2 Avenue Q

AUGUST 11 & 12 Headlands Hundred

over this festival. Purchase plants and have questions answered by the experts. San Francisco Botanical Garden (SF). 415.661.1316, ext. 354, sfbotanical.org

The Tony Award-winning musical recounts what life’s like when you’re trying to make it with big dreams and little money. Orpheum Theater (SF). 415.551.2000, shnsf.com ▼

Enjoy views of the coast while running this 50- or 100-mile endurance event that’s sure to test the most seasoned athletes. Rodeo Beach (Sausalito). pctrailruns.com

AUGUST 26 Taste of Marin

AUGUST 25 & 26 Tiburon Art Festival

Celebrate Marin’s agricultural bounty with world-renowned farmers, ranchers, vintners and celebrity chefs at this annual event. St. Vincent’s School for Boys (San Rafael). 415.663.9667, marinorganic.org

Ark Row will be free from cars during this celebration of Marin’s local talent. Artists will showcase sculptures, jewelry, paintings and more. 130 Main Street (Tiburon). 415.789.1794, tiburonartfestival.com

MARIN AUGUST 2007

AUGUST 25 Ready for the Fall Migration Learn why and where birds will be migrating this year and how weather patterns affect the flight. Point Reyes National Seashore (Point Reyes). 415.663.1200, ptreyes.org

▼

Stock up on flats and heels by fabulous designers at this twice-yearly sale. Item Shoes (Larkspur). 415.925.0109, item-shoes.com

▼

EVE NT S IN MA R IN & B EYO N D

AUGUST 22 Happy Feet

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

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Indulge your senses at the eagerly awaited Retreat at Carmel Valley Ranch. Set on 400 acres of rolling hills with breathtaking views of the Santa Lucia Mountains, it’s the only hotel-style, second home ownership opportunity in all of Carmel Valley. Soon we will proudly unveil the Carmel Valley Ranch Spa, a Golden Door Experience. You’ll also enjoy our 18-hole championship golf course, a 12-court tennis facility, fitness center, two pools and cuisine prepared by our Zagat-rated chef. Ready to be pampered? Then get set for special touches that take second-home living to a new level: evening turndown service, gourmet in-room dining, garment care, pre-arrival grocery shopping, and a dedicated VIP Concierge. And as an owner you can take advantage of our optional rental program. Here, we take care of every little thing, while you enjoy the unbelievable ease of owning a little corner of paradise.

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$BMM VT BU PS WJTJU XXX DBSNFMWBMMFZSBODI DPN

F Y I R E A L E S TAT E

$3,104,299,994 Total real estate sales in 2006

1750 Number of Realtors® in Marin County

$65 million ▼

Highest priced home for sale: Blanding Estate, Belvedere, CA,

Marin County Real Estate by the Numbers

AVERAGE SALES PRICE MAY 2007

Year

Units Sold

Avg Sales Price

2006

2844

$1,091,526

2005

3407

$1,078,819

2004

3764

$929,103

2003

3600

$817,961

2002

3421

$782,829

2001

2676

$757,523

2000

3305

$722,780

$3,489,218

1999

3622

$590,821

Ross

$3,460,500

1998

3433

$495,093

Belvedere

$3,090,916

1997

3453

$443,135

1996

2807

$417,324

1995

2277

$397,069

RECENT SALES AVERAGES Kentﬁeld

$1,233,945 Residential average list price

$1,218,506 Residential average sale price

60 Average days on market HIGHEST SALE PRICE MAY 2007

$7,950,000 521 Days on market

MARIN COUNTY SALES AVERAGES SINCE 1965

Tiburon

$1,895,916

Larkspur

$1,464,181

1994

2772

$382,817

Mill Valley

$1,407,758

1993

2690

$378,097

Corte Madera

$1,143,984

1992

2663

$369,669

Greenbrae

$1,051,300

1991

2562

$374,980

1990

2488

$379,581

1989

3191

$339,168

1988

3629

$282,431

3356

$240,875

Sausalito

$1,030,107

San Anselmo

$1,006,233

San Rafael

$867,987

1987

Fairfax

$858,491

1986

3500

$216,741

Novato

$763,639

1985

2874

$200,557

1975

3127

$64,215

1965

1807

$30,710

SOURCE: BAY AREA REAL ESTATE INFORMATION SERVICES, INC., THREE MONTH AVERAGES CALCULATED FOR MONTHS OF

SOURCE: BAY AREA REAL ESTATE INFORMATION SERVICES, INC.

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

MARCH, APRIL AND MAY 2007

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

P H OTO: C OURTESY OF D E CKER BULLOC K SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIO NAL REAL E STATE , SAN F RA N CI S CO F I N E H O M E S .CO M

The Marin County median price for a single family home reached a record high of $1,010,000 in April and decreased to $925,000 in May. DataQuick analyst John Karavol recently spoke with Marin Magazine regarding median price fluctuation: “These numbers bounce around. The longer-term trend in Marin, though, is up on a month-to-month basis. Marin sales are pretty stable, and overall sales in more expensive markets like Marin (the most expensive in the state) are doing better than in less expensive markets.”

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S NA P MARIN ART SALON

Rowan Gabriel, Anakela Carmassi

Pamela Minton, Nicole Peters

Eber and Betsy Jaques, Bill and Lucrecia Coomber Kara and Cory Lilledahl

Around Town Crowds gathered at San Rafael’s California Closets, a 5,000square-foot showroom, for the annual Marin Art Salon. The event draws talent from the local art, music and fashion scene with

Melissa Woodburn

help from About Records and Artsfest. All Seasons Catering was on hand to indulge guests with delectable hors d’oeuvres and Northern California wineries Imagery and Lapis Luna offered tastings of their ﬁnest wines. In Larkspur, longtime Folio owner Judy Sobel and new partner Alex Beritzhoff hosted a trunk show to present jewelry by Martha England, handbags by Sobella, home decor by Michael Aram, bath products by Elizabeth W and a selection of custom wedding invitations. Larkspur Landing’s Barbara Boungard, Danielle Schubert

Heidi Darling, Greg Martin

newest addition is the Tam Cellars wine bar, which holds meetthe-winemaker events featuring gems like Ridge Vineyards, a large selection of bottles for sale and gourmet cheeses and chocolates to whet the palate. In San Anselmo there was the grand opening of Green Fusion Design Center’s new gallery space on Greenfield Avenue; the center offers high-end eco-friendly options for a healthy home.

June Rago, Doc Kraft

Linda Saytes

GREEN FUSION

TAM CELLARS

Greg Snowden, Sophia Balestreri Eric Baugher

Susan Bierzychudek, Bill Rehﬁeld

Peter Lea, Laurie Cummings Jamie Cole, Florence Schneider, Koorosh Ostowari

SHERI MONTGOMERY

FOLIO TRUNK SHOW

Alex, Christian and Kenny Antonini

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Martha England, Brooke Sobel, Judy Domenici

Chris Avant Hed Alexander, Tamara Schatz MARIN AUGUST 2007

SNAP TSE IN TIBURON

Ryoko Bivens, Todd Martens, Paola Segatto, Patti Spencer

Alexis Robbins, Ginna Milan Amy Cooper

That Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi TSE and Marin Magazine teamed up for a morning of socializing and shopping at Heather Cooper’s Tiburon home to Lida Soofer

benefit the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Guests were treated to a sneak preview of the TSE fall collection, which proved the line is more than just luxe sweaters. In Mill Valley the Chamber of Commerce held a grand opening mixer for Cabana Home. The highend home fittings store offers design con-

Pam Robertson, Kim Koen, Stephanie Pratt

sultations and furniture for indoors and out. Across the bridge, Neiman Marcus hosted a luncheon for Carolina Herrera. The designer showcased her fall 2007 ready-to-wear collection for the Bay Area crowd.

CAROLINA HERRERA

Heather Cooper, Michael Born

IIdiko Pataki

Leisa and Michael Synder

Elena Jungsten, Robin Hauser Reynolds

Andra Nirenberski

CABANA HOME

Peter Englander Steve and Caroline Thompson

Carolina Herrera

Lauren Maita

MARIN AUGUST 2007

Vanessa Kane, Stephanie Cannell

Nancy Farese

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CAROLINA HERRERA/DREW ALTIZER, TSE/SHERI MONTGOMERY

John Capizzi Barbara Brown

“The Fine Art of Fine Property” Tracy McLaughlin Specializing in Marin County Properties since 1997

Tracy McLaughlin 415/464-8686 www.marinfinehomes.com tracy@marinfinehomes.com

SNAP A.C.T.

Todd Werby, Nonie Green

Anika Nonie Rose, Elizabeth Banks

Denise Thompson, Darren Gregory

Greg McCormack

What a Night

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In San Francisco, Will and Grace star Eric McCormack headlined A.C.T.’s Ruby Jubilee fundraiser at the Four Seasons Hotel. The event celebrates A.C.T.’s 40th anniversary and raises funds for the conservatory’s training programs. In Sausalito, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong took a break from a busy day of meetings to tour Marin’s waterfront and host a private party at Gaylord restaurant. In Mill Valley the Redwoods retirement center transported residents to Lee Hsien Loong, Kishore Kripalani

the tropics for the annual Senior Prom with this year’s theme, Lovely Hula Hands. Hawaiian shirts, leis and grass skirts were fair game for the seniors and media personalities Ross McGowan of KTVU and KGO’s

SENIOR PROM

Joanie Greggains, Faye Marshall, Kevin Casey

Joanie Greggains, who united to cohost the evening. Local favorites Swing Fever belted out big-band numbers while dance pro Cynthia Glinka shared her signature moves with attendees. Prom King Charles Popell, 100, and Queen Alice De Weese, 101, were crowned at the event. Cathy and Dave Dow ACT/DERW ALTIZER, SENIOR PROM/SUKI HILL

Marjorie Conover, Joan Tollefson

Cynthia Glinka, Charles Popell

MARIN AUGUST 2007

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FASHION

Beachwear Makes a Splash With the summer heat still unrelenting, lounge poolside or bask at Stinson with a tropical-inspired suit and get back to basics with a simple cover-up, because you deserve fun in the sun.

BY SOMER FLAHERTY PHOTOS SASHA GULISH

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

Opposite page Sunglasses by John Varvatos, $290 at Marin Optometry (Mill Valley) 415.388.8262. Bathing suit by Ondademar, $169 at Waterlilies (Mill Valley) 415.383.2782. This page, top: Long sleeve cover-up by Rebecca Taylor, $298 at Allie*g (Mill Valley) 415.381.2554. Dress by Ziroco, $269 at Bettina (Sausalito) 415.331.3389. Tunic by Calypso, $165 at Green Apples (Sausalito) 415.331.8227. Dress by Trina Turk, $237 at Green Apples (Sausalito). Cover-up by Indigenous, $118 at Tela d (Fairfax) 415.455.9410. Bottom row, left: Dress by Akiko, $117 at Betty Ann (Novato) 415.892.2255. Bottom row, middle: Sandals by Reef, $40 at Proof Lab (Mill Valley) 415.380.8900. Sunglasses by John Varvatos, $325 at Marin Optometry (Mill Valley). Trunks by Vilebrequin, $150 at Wilkes Sport (Mill Valley) 415.381.5183. Bottow row, top right: Dress byTrina Turk, $237 at Green Apples (Sausalito). Dress by Ziroco, $269 at Bettina (Sausalito). Bottow row, bottom right: Sandals, $154 at Green Apples (Sausalito). Sunglasses by John Varvatos, $265 to $315 at Marin Optometry (Mill Valley).

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

FA S H I O N TRENDS

kids suit up in Kaleidoscopic hues take center stage for playful summer threads. Remember to choose kid friendly fabrics that will stand up to the surf and sun for those unbeatable dog days of Marin’s Indian Summer. 1. The Mermaid Let the kids play dress-up with this two-tone towel by Chasing Fireflies, $40. 888.700.9474, chasing-fireflies.com

2. The Swimmer TYR—a brand known for its roster of Olympic athletes

3. The Bathing Beauty The Byzantine Beauty suit by San Francisco-based Tea clothing line is inspired by cultures around the world. $40 at Giggle (SF). 415.440.1884, egiggle.com by somer flaherty

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO CREDIT: MERMAID TOWELS/DENIS HORAN

also makes suits for future champions who still sport ﬂoaties. $26 by order at Fleet Feet Sports (San Anselmo). 415.258.8190, ﬂeetfeet.com

Kids Take Spotlight at New Boutiques After years working for Gap and Old Navy Alanna Klein set out to open Pumpkin in San Francisco’s Presidio Heights neighborhood. The success of the store and the demand for a line for the tween market got the 15-year industry veteran thinking. “As I saw the kids I was working with at Pumpkin grow up I knew I needed my business to grow with them,” says Klein. With a large number of customers already traveling across the Golden Gate, the obvious choice was to open shop in Marin. Her new Mill Valley store Honeys and Heroes at 23 Sunnyside Avenue carries lines that parents would be thrilled to wear:

Ella Moss, Splendid and True Religion but in sizes for a younger audience. Klein’s approach is to let kids

develop their own style. “It’s so much

sea-style

fun to work with kids, I’ll ask them what their favorite color is, what they like to wear and really let them drive the process.”

4. The Freestyle Confident kids will love this

Kristin Douglas, owner of the new shop Grommets at

bright gold foil tankini in a timeless horizontal print. $17.50 at Old Navy (Novato). 415.892.8766, oldnavy.com

401 Miller Avenue in Mill Valley, share’s Klein’s outlook. Douglas stocks items by skate and surf

5. The Wader The friendly wading flamingos on this Banana

brands Hurley, Roxy and DC in sizes seven to

Cabana swimsuit are the perfect print for splashing at Stinson. $44 at Neiman Marcus (SF). 415.362.3900, neimanmarcus.com

20. “My entire life I’ve wanted to open a store

6. The Sailor The checkered print and nautical inspired hues complement this tankini by SeaFolly. $62 at Mill Valley Baby and Kids Company (Mill Valley). 415.381.8639, mvbabyandkids.com

where kids can feel comfortable expressing themselves and don’t have to feel intimidated,”

says Douglas. In San Anselmo fashionable baby items are big business for new boutique Dixie Park at 718 San

7. The Lifeguard Cover them up with sun protection swimwear by Mill Valley-based Sunbusters. The line provides an ultra violet protection factor of 50. $39 at Heller’s for Children (San Rafael). 415.456.5533, hellersforchildren.com

Anselmo Avenue. Camela McLanahan and Elizabeth Freskos (formerly of Fairfax’s Bugaboo) carry a selection of maternity wear and clothing for ages newborn to six-years-old that can’t be found at big retailers.

8. The Surfer Kids can hit the waves (or hang in the

McLanahan says supporting local companies

break) with the aloha print board short from Dogwood clothing. $28 to $32 at Mill Valley Mercantile (Mill Valley). 415.388.9588

like San Rafael’s Fleurville is important to her— she’ll even take a chance on an unknown designer if the product is stylish, well made and suits her bottle sipping

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

clientele.

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

FA S H I O N

lifestyle Name Matt Davis Home San Francisco Occupation university professor What are you wearing? My shirt is Alfani from Macy’s; I liked it so much I got two. The Jerry Garcia collection tie was a gift given to me by a former student. Pants are from JCPenney; shoes are Rockports. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? From the time the alarm clock goes off to out the door is usually 30 minutes. Describe your personal style. Indiana Jones without the fedora. I like to be casual and comfortable and I love bright colors, especially orange. I guess it reminds me of things I love: California poppies, Italian buildings…or lava? Who are your fashion inﬂuences? I always wanted to look like Harrison Ford or George Clooney, but with my red hair I was always being compared to Richie Cunningham or Ralph Malph from Happy Days. Sigh. Favorite designers? While I’ve always admired the classic lines of Halston and I love what new designers like Suzanne M. Connelly have done with the Izod label, the prêt-à-porter style of Patrick Robinson or Mossimo Giannulli’s recent Target lines are great. Where do you love to shop in Marin? Unfortunately, the Tie Rack on Third Street is gone; that was my favorite. Otherwise, I 34

MARIN AUGUST 2007

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P H OTO: BARBA RA R IE S

Having earned the moniker “Disasterman” from his international research on how people perceive risk and prepare for natural disasters, Davis has been featured in a Discovery Channel documentary, on radio and in local newspapers. In 2007, he was named Dominican University of California’s Teacher of the Year.

might ﬁnd something that suits me at REI or Macy’s in Corte Madera. What is always in your pocket? My wallet, my huge key chain and sometimes a plastic comb.

La Sede Bella European Fabrics, English & French Countr y Furniture

What is the single most essential piece in your wardrobe? I own close to 100 ties. When I go to Italy or Paris, I usually come home with a new one, and I get them as gifts from colleagues and students. My prized tie has a map of the San Andreas Fault; it goes with the whole disaster theme. What would you never be caught dead in? Anything pink; doesn’t work with my coloring. Where do you like to eat in Marin? The Buckeye Roadhouse; I like the entire menu. And I love the pumpkin curry and deep-fried sweet potato appetizer at My Thai on Fourth Street in San Rafael. What was the last book you read? America Alone by Marc Steyn. What do you splurge on? Travel. I need a 12-step program for my travel addiction. What’s your fashion pet peeve? Shorts with calf-length white socks. What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought? Besides my trip to Bora Bora, or my orange Honda Element, clothingwise I bought a shiny black Hugo Boss shirt for the new millennium. Did the shirt make you happy? It did, and when it ﬁts, I still like to wear it. If your life were a movie, what would be your theme song? “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac, and not just

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because of the title. MARINMAGAZINE.COM

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F Y I CAUS E S

Making a Difference Kiddo! enriches students’ lives

“

BY SAMANTHA BRONSON

Art is important for art’s sake, but it is also important to other areas of learning. It really is part of a well-rounded education.

”

— TRISHA GARLOCK

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

Kiddo! headquarters in Mill Valley.

roposition 1 3

was barely four

years old in 1 9 8 2 , but schools were already feeling the financial pinch of the notorious property-

tax-cutting initiative. Anything beyond the basics, including arts education, was in jeopardy. Traditional money-raising tactics like P TA bake sales couldn’t suffice: the funding gap was too wide for cookies and cupcakes to fill. In Mill V alley, two mothers with P TA and arts-funding know-how formed an organiz ation they saw as a stopgap solution to help keep school arts programs alive. Twenty-five years later, that nonprofit, now known as K iddo! , is one of Marin’s most successful school funding foundations. Each year more than 7 0 percent of Mill V alley School D istrict parents contribute to K iddo! (as do substantial numbers of people without school-age children), and the organiz ation has raised $14

million since it began.

“When we started our goal was to be out of business in five years,” says Trisha G arlock,

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

Kiddo!’s executive director and cofounder (with neighbor Penny Weiss). “Every year, we realize we’re needed more and more.” Indeed, it is difficult to imagine Mill Valley’s schools without Kiddo!, which pays for all the art, music, drama, dance and poetry programs in the K-8 district. Because of Kiddo!, students can discover their inner artist through classes in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, crafts and photography. They learn the five elements of music— pitch, rhythm, expression, form and texture —in voice and instrument classes. Chorus, orchestra, band and jazz band provide performance opportunities. Kindergartners learn about movement and other cultures through “Dances Near and Far” and “American Traditions” programs. Fifthgraders learn about U.S. dance history—and history in general—in “Dance through the Decades,” which embraces everything from the Charleston to disco. Kiddo!’s drama classes include projects like a seventh-grade production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In grades one, three, four and five, professional poets teach students not only to appreciate poetry, but also to express themselves through it. “Art is important for art’s sake, but it is also important to other areas of learning,” says Garlock. “It really is part of a well-rounded education.” Indeed, numerous studies show studying the arts helps students do better in all subjects. Their language skills improve, their test scores are higher and their self-esteem rises. Arts education also teaches students how to think critically and how to creatively solve problems. Jackie La Lanne, who coordinates the district’s art classes, easily recalls specific students whose academic lives were transformed because they became passionate about an art form. There was the elementary school boy, for example, who didn’t enjoy going to school

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

until he was given a digital camera. He returned to class with incredible images, La Lanne says, and was so excited about the pictures and the recognition he received that his attitude toward school in general improved dramatically. “A lot of the teachers come into art [classes] with the kids and notice that some of the kids who don’t have success in their classes excel in here,” La Lanne says. “They’re very focused where they’re not very focused in other classes.” As successful as it is, Kiddo! does have its challenges. Among them is the need to continually communicate to new parents the importance of the arts and of Kiddo! as a means for

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arts education to survive. Thankfully, Garlock says, most parents quickly understand the value of both the moment they visit an arts class and see the joy on students’ faces.

Noel M., client San Rafael

With district enrollment (about 2,300) gradually increasing, Kiddo! now seeks to provide more arts programs, which requires more fundraising. This coming school year, Kiddo! will pay for $1.4 million of the district’s arts and technology programs. Annual donations meet about 90 percent of that amount, with the rest coming from the organization’s endowment. The longterm goal is make the endowment substantial enough to underwrite the arts programs in perpetuity. That shift, says Garlock, would guarantee arts education for generations of Mill Valley children to come. Money aside, Kiddo!’s legacy is carried forward by the more than 10,000 students whose lives it has influenced. Some have become artists; many others have benefited from the overall intangible enrichment that arts programs help provide. “The fact that these programs have grown and thrived and made such a difference in children’s lives, that’s our biggest success,”

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MARIN

AUGUST 2007

F Y I BUSINESS

ALTERNATIVE BUYING

hese days much is written about alter-

since it opened in 2000: in ’04, sales were

So what exactly is Cartelligent?

native lifestyles, alternative medicine,

$1.3 million, in ’05 $1.8 million, and last year

First, meet David Shapiro. Growing up in

and even alternative jazz. So, why not

they topped $2.5 million. Now Shapiro is

Tiburon, while others his age were flipping

contemplating boosting sales staff from 25 to

burgers or lifeguarding for summer jobs, he

alternative car buying? “Actually, Cartelligent doesn’t sell cars,” in-

40 and adding two new Bay Area locations.

was working at auto dealerships washing cars,

sists president and CEO David Shapiro, already

“This business has tremendous potential,” he

delivering paperwork and learning, as he puts

an experienced Sausalito businessman at age

says. “Who wouldn’t want to buy a new car

it, “the good, the bad and the ugly” of the busi-

31. “We sell a service that provides a better

at the lowest possible price, get exactly what

ness. “On one hand, I loved it,” he recalls. “But

car-buying experience.”

you want when you want it, and with every-

I also felt there must be a better way.”

Apparently he’s onto something. Cartelligent’s sales have increased each year

MARIN AUGUST 2007

thing done in a straightforward way with no haggling or hassles?”

And so, after graduating from Redwood High and UC Santa Barbara, he launched

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

P H OTO: TIM P ORTER

Sausalito’s Cartelligent offers another method to purchase cars BY JIM WOOD

“

Who wouldn’t want to

buy a new car at the lowest possible price, get exactly what you want when you want it, and with everything done in a straightforward way with no haggling or hassles?

”

— DAV I D S H A P I RO

Cartelligent, a one-stop business that, in addition to helping customers buy or lease cars, ar-

“One of the most exciting restaurants in Marin.” –The Marin Independent Journal

ranges financing and insurance. Here’s how the purchasing part works: first you consult ads, the Internet or any other resources you need to “build” the car you want—make, color, model, accessories—and decide what price you’re willing to pay. Next you convey this data to a Cartelligent staffer and pay a service fee, ranging from $ 3 0 0 to $ 1 ,0 0 0 depending on how esoteric a set of wheels you’re looking for (the average is $ 5 0 0 ). Then you stand by for a phone call saying your car is ready to buy. To find that car, the Cartelligent staffer will contact no less than five dealers who handle the ride you’re looking for and negotiate your price. “Though your car will be delivered by us in Sausalito, you actually buy it from the dealer,” Shapiro explains. “And if a customer isn’t satisfied we got the best possible price for the exact car he wanted, we will refund the entire service fee.” That’s only been necessary, he adds, for less than 2 percent of the 6 ,0 0 0 -plus cars sold over the past seven years. Meanwhile, temporary paper license plates

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reading “Cartelligent: the smarter way to buy a new car” keep appearing on all types of cars throughout Marin—an “alternative” proof of

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415.381.7500

the company’s success.

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MARIN AUGUST 2007

F Y I E D UCAT I O N

HIGHER

EDUCATION Marin college prep experts give advice

STOCK PHOTO: STA NFORD UNIVERSIT Y CAM PUS

BY SAMANTHA BRONSON

MARIN AUGUST 2007

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

etting into college these days is

tougher than ever. Because standards are higher and competition is

fierce, a child’s preparation for the college admissions game must begin at an early age. How do parents ensure their kids are making the most of their educational opportunities? How can students raise their chances of getting into the college they want—or even college at all? Are good grades and test scores enough? What else matters? Three Marin college prep experts provide some answers.

Start early Thinking about college should begin well before students reach high school, but that doesn’t mean parents should rush out and hire tutors for their kindergartners. It does mean they should work with their children to develop habits and qualities vital to academic (and lifelong) success—things like hard work, discipline and the ability to work well with others. “No amount of outside help late in the game is as good as having had these critical personal lessons taught and consistently reinforced from at early age at home,” says Chris Borland, an academic coach who runs Borland Educational in Sausalito. It’s also important that parents make learning something that kids intrinsically value, that they maintain high academic expectations (appropriate for each age, of course) and that they focus on the contextual aspects of learning—the “why” in addition to the “what” of the content that’s being taught. It is also vital, says Borland, that children have a well-equipped, distraction-free area at home for schoolwork and that they stick to a regular daily study schedule. By starting early, parents instill a love of learning and a pride in reaching one’s full potential, both of which help children as they get closer to college application age. Just as important, however, is giving children the chance to just be kids. They need the downtime to recharge so they can consistently perform at their best in school, Borland says.

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MARIN AUGUST 2007

Find a passion Academics are only one part of the equation. Extracurricular activities—from sports to arts to volunteerism—have become a key factor in the admissions decision. If students can’t find something they’re passionate about, they should strive at least for commitment to a particular interest, says Jock Christie, who runs Tamalpais Tutoring of Kentfield. “My sense is that most admissions offices would prefer to see someone with a little passion and dedication as opposed to someone who’s just going to throw free time at the cause of the week once they’re enrolled,” he says. Of course, a passionate commitment to a subject or activity also makes for a well-rounded life,

“Is it just a coincidence that the planks of my Walnut Herringbone floor point the way to my personal oasis? Hardly.”

which helps children get more out of their education as well, says David Denman, a Sausalito educational consultant. Youth—adolescence in particular—is the perfect age to pursue different interests, he adds. “It is a time for [kids] to explore, to test themselves, to find out what they are good at, where they fit in. It is a time for activities that will help them make internal sense of a confusing external world and develop character traits that will be life-defining.”

Get help when needed Children are immersed in demanding academics at ever-earlier ages, and to meet that challenge, at times they may need a little extra help. Many resources are available, but the key is to recognize the need for assistance as soon as possible. “Asking for help early is important,” says Christie. “It’s about planning ahead and understanding your weaknesses.” Both parents and children should be aware of slipping grades and of difficult subjects, he says. Some students come to him six months before starting a parTM

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ticular class they know will be hard for them; receiving personalized attention and putting in extra preparation time can build up their knowledge of the subject and boost confidence. Yes, private tutors can help in this regard, but Christie also encourages parents to be aware of free resources—including tutoring programs—that might be available at a child’s

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school. Taking advantage of such offerings early on may resolve a problem with a tricky

MARIN AUGUST 2007

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

subject before it can significantly hamper a child’s grades or long-term academic prospects. “Extra time with teachers, teachers’ aides or private specialists can be enormously helpful and productive in nipping academic problems in

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the bud, when they are easiest and least painful to correct,” Borland confirms.

Develop a plan The college prep and admissions process can be intimidating and stressful, even for the most organized of students. There are tests to take, colleges to research and visit, essays to write and applications to submit. A detailed plan helps make the process flow more smoothly. Christie recommends that sophomores and their parents visit two local colleges. He suggests Dominican University and the University of California at Berkeley because of their representative differences in size, scope and setting. Even if there are no plans to apply at either place, they provide insight into how colleges of similar scale work, what questions to ask and what type of college environment might suit a particular student best. As high school juniors, students should visit colleges they’re interested in and begin preparing for entrance exams. Christie encourages taking both the SAT and ACT at least once during the latter half of the junior year. Though not as well-known in California as the SAT, the ACT is accepted by most universities, and Christie believes it is a more “reasonable” exam. During the summer before their senior year, students should prepare to take one of the tests a second time in the fall. Then it’s time to actually apply. What’s not productive, says Denman, is worrying about whether students will get into the “right” school. In fact, he often helps parents rethink that “right” college concept. What is best for one student isn’t necessarily the best choice for another—no matter what the level of prestige. Instead, “the relevant term is ‘appropriate,’” Denman insists. “Those who understand that feel less anxious.” As Borland explains, “Ultimately, it’s not the university that matters, anyway. It’s [kids’] conviction that they are loved and respected and

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talented and strong that will matter most.”

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

MARIN AUGUST 2007

F Y I PL ACE

A Spiritual Path Walking the labyrinth proves to be an insightful journey BY TONI WEINGARTEN rebuilt the stone circle a few weeks later; the issue remained unresolved at deadline.) Some people connect best with their inner yearnings when they move. Whether it’s a walk in the woods, a run on the beach, or a private dance, they find that being in motion bypasses the critical intellect and frees the spirit. Ancient religions gave birth to avenues for contemplative movement. The earliest surviving labyrinth is in Sardinia and dates to roughly 2500 B.C. Roman labyrinths were built of mosaic tiles; those in England, Scandinavia and Germany were made of sod and grass. People in the Middle Ages used Sacred Geometry to construct their cathedrals, integrating the spiritual into architectural space; Chartres Cathedral in France is a supreme example of this style. Labyrinth use declined with the rise of the Age of Reason in the 18th century. Today labyrinths are being revived, in large part thanks to Rev. Lauren Artress of San certitude of the path—knowing all decisions

Francisco’s Grace Cathedral. “Based on the cir-

ers and there are, it is said, many

about direction have been made—frees them

cle, the universal symbol for unity and whole-

paths to enlightenment. One of

to focus on contemplation instead of naviga-

ness… the labyrinth is a spiritual tool meant to

these in particular goes only in circles and

tion. Some call this prayer; others, deep re-

awaken us to the deep rhythm that unites us

ends exactly where it starts. But the followers

flection. Whatever the name, the practice

to ourselves,” she writes in Walking a Sacred

of this path don’t mind. In fact, they eagerly

nourishes the soul.

Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual

repeat the circuitous course, swearing the jour-

In Marin, labyrinths are located indoors and

ney yields profound personal insights and en-

out, drawn on pavement or planted from grass-

ables transcendent forms of communication.

es and herbs. Some are large, some small; some

As for how to embark, “there are as many

The path? The labyrinth.

are enclosed within a patio, others rest on a

ways to walk the labyrinth as there are people

Tool. “In surrendering to the winding path, the soul finds healing and wholeness.”

A labyrinth is not a maze. There is no get-

knoll with a magnificent view. There is a site to

on the planet,” Artress adds. The key to elevat-

ting lost in one. Rather, a labyrinth is a non-

suit all moods, seasons and weather. (One Marin

ing a labyrinth from an everyday amble to a

linear path that weaves back and forth, in and

labyrinth is the center of an ongoing dispute:

sacred path is preparation.

out, until it ends in a central circular area.

in April the county Open Space District had a

Before you begin, pause and reflect on

Here, walkers pause to reflect before departing

stone labyrinth removed from the Loma Alta

where you are in your life, she suggests. Quiet

as they came, carrying back wisdom gained on

Open Space Preserve near Fairfax. Supporters

the mind. Perhaps formulate a question to hold

the inbound journey. Labyrinth walkers say the

of the labyrinth, constructed by local residents,

in your heart while walking. Some people soft-

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

P H OTO: TIM P ORTER

arin attracts many spiritual seek-

ly or silently repeat a phrase or word as they walk. Others recite scripture or pray. And some just leave their heart open, ready to experience whatever the walk brings. Walk at your own pace, whatever speed that is. Find what works for you and don’t speed up or slow down to match anyone else walking nearby. At the center of the circle, pause to reflect on what you might have learned. On the way out, think about how you

welcome . enjoy . indulge ﬁne women’s clothing & accessories

might incorporate that wisdom into your life. People often feel more peaceful after completing the labyrinth walk—reason enough for doing it.

FIND A LABYRINTH San Francisco Theological Seminary (San Anselmo) Two labyrinths on the campus—one etched into the pavement outside Geneva Hall with a view of Mount Tamalpais and the Ross Valley, another in a grassy ﬁeld. Details at the school’s website (search for “labyrinth”); sfts.edu

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Community Congregational Church (Tiburon) Large, secluded labyrinth on a knoll with a view of San Francisco Bay and Sausalito. The church also has a canvas labyrinth indoors; uccspiritalive.org/labyrinthministry.html Fairfax Community Church (Fairfax) Canvas labyrinth used for special occasions; saradrums@aol.com Unity in Marin (Novato) Canvas labyrinth used several times during the year; carolyn@unitymarin.org Church of Our Saviour (Mill Valley) Small labyrinth on pavement in an enclosed courtyard; katpir@aol.com Grace Cathedral (San Francisco, photo at left) The crown jewel of local labyrinths is inside; there is another outside the front door. A labyrinth walk is held the second Friday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m.; gracecathedral.org/labyrinth World-Wide Labyrinth Locator Search for a labyrinth anywhere in the world; wwll.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

THINK

The four READING, ’RITING, ’RITHMETIC & REAL ESTATE

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AUGUST 2007

’s

BY TIM PORTER

s we all know, owning a small slice of the American dream in Marin requires an amount of money many people consider either shocking (if they’re trying to buy here) or laughable (if they’re loving their three-figure mortgage payment elsewhere in flyover country). Chalk up much of that monster monthly bite to the cost of California living. The Golden State demands a premium for its attractions and we pay it. The price of admission for many cities in Marin, though, is even higher. Beyond the obvious reasons for this extra tariff—easy commute,

great scenery and the general joie-de-vivre zeitgeist that permeates the Marin mindset—one factor stands out: The public schools in places like Mill Valley, Tiburon, Kentfield and Ross are great, as good as much ritzier private schools. More simply, these local schools have the magnetism to entice an increasing number of families into buying some of Marin’s priciest real estate so they can gain access to an excellent—and free—public school education.

A million here, a million there Not so long ago, seven digits to the right of a dollar sign meant real money. Having a “million bucks” meant being set for life. Millionaires were the richest of the rich. Today, $1,000,000 is the new $1,000. Millionaires don’t rate on the Forbes 400 Richest Americans list. They’re all billionaires. Game shows give away millions like ATMs spit out twenties. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? the TV show asks. The answer is everyone—especially anyone intent on living in parts of Marin. How much house does a million dollars get you here? Here’s a recent example from the multiple listings on Ricardo Road in Strawberry priced at $1,195,000: “Experience outdoor, resort style living at its best! Sunny, charming 3 bedroom 2.5 bath two-story home featuring hardwood floors. French doors from the living and dining room open on to the enticing patio, pool and fully fenced yard…Award winning Mill Valley schools and easy commute.” Nice house, right? Sunny, a pool, add-ons—all good. But let’s face it: at 1,900 square feet with three bedrooms it’s a pretty standard suburban home not unlike this one advertised on Sereno Way in Novato: “Great San Marin opportunity adjacent to Mt. Burdell on oversized corner lot! This home includes an updated kitchen, updated second story baths, newer roof, all new doors, fireplace in living room, solar heated swimming pool…and a great location next to open space!!!” Same number of bedrooms and baths, same size and even more exclamation points. This house was selling for $825,000. Why is Mill Valley worth $370,000 more than Novato? Two things—both noted in the first ad: “Award winning schools and easy commute.”

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AUGUST 2007

Well, of course, you say, it’s that real-estate location thing. And indeed that’s some of it. That’s why San Francisco workers will pay more for the shorter commute from Sausalito than for the longer one from Novato. (Highway 101 from Highway 37 to the Richmond Bridge exit is rated the fourth worst Bay Area commute.)

they want to be. Then they get married and they’re looking at children coming up.” That’s when they become frustrated, either with San Francisco’s school lottery system or the city’s lack of kid-friendly housing. “Say you have two kids of school age and you’re in the city,” says

But there are plenty of close-in suburbs where houses are much cheap-

Dreyer. “Your options there are grim because of the school lottery.

er. From Mill Valley, where the median home price is about $1 million, it’s

It would cost about $44,000 to keep them in private schools in San

15 miles to San Francisco’s Financial District. From Millbrae, where the

Francisco. That’s a sound argument to bite the bullet and pay more

median home price is $750,000, it’s only a mile farther. The difference in

than you would in other communities for the better school district.”

value doesn’t take place on the freeway, but in the classroom.

Sometimes, says Dreyer, he’ll see “a dozen or more of these young

Millbrae’s public schools test significantly lower than Mill Valley’s,

couples” at open houses, especially in places such as Sycamore Park

which, like those in Tiburon, Ross and Kentfield, are among the highest

in Mill Valley, Belveron in Tiburon and McAlister Avenue in Kentfield.

rated in the Bay Area. Therein lies the trade-off for families in Marin—

Beyond the good schools, these neighborhoods meet the family check-

pay more now for a house, but save big money in the long run by not

list: flat streets (for strollers), big backyards (not vertigo-inducing

writing checks for private school tuition.

decks) and walk-to parks (for playdates).

Private schools run from the merely expensive to better-have-a-

Payton Stiewe, an agent with Sotheby’s International Real Estate

money-manager-in-the-family. Elementary schools range from $7,900 for

in San Francisco, sees a direct link between the city’s school lottery

St. Hilary’s in Tiburon to $12,000 for Montessori de Terra Linda School

and demand for Marin housing. “In March,” he says, “when the letters

in San Rafael to $22,900 for Marin Country Day in Corte Madera. High

were mailed out to the parents in San Francisco about the school they

school is even more—from $13,600 at Marin Catholic in Kentfield to

applied to—whether they got accepted or not—that weekend we got a

$29,000 at Branson in Ross or at Marin Academy in San Rafael.

huge spike in people looking in Marin for houses.”

A 13-year private school education—let’s say nine years at St. Hilary’s

Moreover, says Stiewe, who lives in Mill Valley, family buyers just

and four at Marin Academy—would set a family back $191,000 in today’s

can’t find what they need in San Francisco. On the lower end, he says,

dollars. Multiply by two or three or four children and for many families

“for a million you don’t get anything anymore in the city that is decent.”

public school starts to look like the better, or perhaps the only, option.

On the higher end, “it’s really, really hard to find a home in San Francisco

The financial gain of not paying that tuition can be substantial, even

that can accommodate three kids, having four bedrooms on one level.”

by the standards of well-off Marin, where the median family income is

Molly Williams once covered Silicon Valley for the Wall Street

$99,713, almost twice the national average. That cash can be leveraged into

Journal and now is a full-time Mill Valley mom of four. She and her

a bigger house or more expensive neighborhood with better public schools.

husband, Steve Sell, a health care executive who also sits on the Mill

Rob Lee, executive vice president of California Mortgage Advisors

Valley school board, are poster parents for the San-Francisco-in-my-

in San Rafael, crunches the numbers: a family who spends $20,000 a

rearview movement.

year on private school tuition could use that $1,600 a month to finance

“We were living in the city in ’98 and ’99 and started looking at

an additional $240,000 home loan. At $30,000 in tuition, the mort-

the financials of buying a house,” says Williams. “The question was, if

gage capacity grows by $400,000. That’s a lot more house—and a great

you buy a house in the city are you going to pay for private schools vs.

investment considering that a Mill Valley home bought in 1996 for the

going to a better school district where you pay a premium?”

median price of $425,000 has appreciated 158 percent, an average annual return of 13 percent.

Sell, who ran unopposed for his four-year, unpaid school board position in 2005, picks up the story: “We were a pretty typical case study. Our daughter was two. We were pregnant with our first son (two

From San Francisco, with love (and money)

acing this kind of math, an increasing number

more followed). Mill Valley had this great combination of proximity to the city and strong, local neighborhood schools. It really has this smalltown community feeling.”

of families with school-age children are moving to

Katheryn Baldwin made a similar journey, although entirely with-

southern Marin, pushing up kindergarten enrollment

in Marin County. In 2002, Baldwin and her husband, who runs a me-

in several high-scoring school districts. Many of these

dia production services company, were living in Novato with their two

new Marinites are former San Franciscans.

children. They wanted to move south and school quality was critical.

Tom Dreyer, an agent in Pacific Union’s Greenbrae

office, describes the demographic transition. “There’s a stream of young

Their son was attending preschool at Marin Primary in Larkspur, where annual tuition hovers around $20,000.

graduates coming out of local universities,” he says. “They end up

Baldwin first looked at test scores, then houses. She found a place she

living in the Marina or maybe Cole Valley, depending on how bohemian

loved in San Rafael. “The house was larger, new, had a pool and all sorts

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AUGUST 2007

THE FAMILIES: GOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS DRAW FAMILIES

CHRIS CARTER

TO SOUTHERN MARIN. KATHERYN BALDWIN MOVED TO GREENBRAE FROM NOVATO; MOLLY WILLIAMS CROSSED THE BRIDGE FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO MILL VALLEY; AND ROSEANN FRANK MOVED NORTH FROM MANHATTAN BEACH TO MILL VALLEY. THE SUPERINTENDENT: CHRIS CARTER OF REED UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS THAT “FOR MANY FAMILIES, EDUCATION IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER. THEY WANT THE BEST.”

PHOTOS: TIM PORTER

KATHERYN BALDWIN & FAMILY

MOLLY WILLIAMS & FAMILY

ROSEANN FRANK & FAMILY

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AUGUST 2007

of great things,” she says. She thought the address was in “a decent school

Manhattan Beach — that focus almost exclusively on testing. When she

district—not the top but they do pretty well.” But, says Baldwin, “when I

moved to Marin four years ago, she says, “I called the school district

found it was in a different district, I dumped the house immediately.”

and I liked the foundation’s focus on the arts. I did want good test

Baldwin finally settled in Greenbrae, about two blocks from the

scores because I am academically oriented, but I love the arts. Mill

Kentfield border, close enough for her son and daughter to attend

Valley is more well-rounded. I have two kids who are kind of different

Bacich Elementary School in the highly rated Kentfield district.

and they needed both.”

Coincidentally, Baldwin ended up working for the district. As director

Mimi Ogden, the outgoing PTA president at the Reed Union School

of development she helps the all-volunteer Kentfield Schools Foundation

District in Tiburon and Belvedere, says that when she, her husband and

raise money to plug gaps in school funding. Last year, the foundation

their two children moved to Marin in 1998 from Chicago, they “specifi-

contributed more than $1 million, 10 percent of the budget.

cally purchased in Tiburon for the schools.” Besides high test scores she was also drawn to the cultural and Spanish language classes in Reed

What makes local schools so good

Union’s three schools, supported by the Foundation for Reed Schools. “All schools should have art and music and PE and all those things that

hen parents and administrators ex-

were taken away,” Ogden says. “Unfortunately, they don’t. It was really

plain why the schools in Kentfield,

important to my husband and me that our children were in a school that

Tiburon, Mill Valley and similar towns

had those. We figured that depending on where we moved, we could ei-

are so good, almost uniformly their top

ther pay for it in the house or we could pay for it in private schooling.”

two reasons are parental involvement and community financial support.

Parents are a prime source of funding for the foundations, although donations are not mandatory. The Foundation for Reed Schools tells

The latter is exhibited in the millions of dollars given each year by

parents it provides $1,100 worth of additional education per child and

parents and nonparents alike to the many nonprofit Marin school foun-

“suggests” a contribution of that amount. Kiddo! asks for $600 per stu-

dations formed in the wake of the 1978 property-tax-slashing initiative

dent; the Kentfield Schools Foundation seeks $825. All are a bargain

Proposition 13, which gutted public school funding. This money pays

compared to private school tuition.

for arts, music and other nonacademic education that administrators say would likely not be possible without it.

Broader community support for local schools is evident on every Marin County property tax bill. Voters from Nicasio to Mill Valley have

Perhaps the best known of these foundations is Kiddo!, made

approved more than half a billion dollars in education bonds since 1994

famous as much by its seemingly ubiquitous bright red exclamation

(plus $250 million more for the College of Marin). In addition, nearly

point as its funding for 100 percent of the arts programs in Mill Valley’s

every local city has a flat parcel tax targeted for schools. This means, for

six public schools (see story, page 36).

example, that the owner of the median-priced $1 million home in Mill

RoseAnn Frank, a former Wall Street vice president who now lives in Strawberry, with one son at Tam High and another at Mill Valley Middle School, cochairs Kiddo!’s annual fundraising campaign. Frank says the money from Kiddo! makes the Mill Valley schools less one-dimensional than schools—like the one her sons attended in

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AUGUST 2007

Valley pays at least $1,200 more a year in taxes dedicated to schools. That type of self-taxation indicates a high level of grassroots support for schools, says Ogden. “That doesn’t happen everywhere,” she adds. “It’s a critical part of a successful community and this community understands that.”

increase. In three years, enrollment will have grown about 10 percent, a “double-edged sword,” says Benny, that on one side signifies achievement and on the other points to, as he noted in his annual message to parents, “a $500,000 operating deficit.” Reed Union’s kindergarten enrollment is also growing, says Carter, and the district expects to add another class. Carter has a theory to explain the expanding numbers: the Internet. “People are searching for the best school districts, people Kiddo! arts program is funded by Mill Valley parents.

who have the resources to live wherever they want to live,” she says. “For many families, education is the great equalizer. They want

The local schools would not be the same without this money, says Chris Carter, superintendent of Reed Union.

An online search for test scores often leads to Great Schools, a

“We have funding to run our schools because we have a parcel tax

San Francisco company that compiles test results, funding figures and

and we have a foundation,” Carter says. “We have small class sizes

other educational data such as how many first-year (meaning inexpe-

because of that parcel tax. And with the foundation monies we can do

rienced) teachers work at a school.

all of things that every child deserves, which is the arts, the music, the

Linda Strean, managing editor of Great Schools, says parents usu-

physical education and our technology programs (which provides a lap-

ally look for a new school because they are moving. “We get a lot of our

top for all middle-schoolers).”

visitors because they simply type the name of the school and Google it,”

Carter, who has overseen a voter-funded, five-year modernization of Reed’s facilities, says community funding helps the district attract experienced, high-quality teachers.

she says. Parents can then compare schools or entire districts. The most commonly cited score—online or off—is the Academic Performance Index, or API, a figure created by the state of California to

“We have great teachers. And we pay for that,” she says. The aver-

make the confusing myriad of test scores more understandable to par-

age teacher earns $72,000 at Reed compared to the California average

ents. The index runs from 200 to 1,000, with 800 being the state’s low-

of about $58,000. Reed pays teachers for up to 15 years of experience,

est acceptable performance level. Nearly all Marin schools rate above

double the norm, which means good teachers can go there and get

800, with most in the better schools districts higher than 900.

a raise. “If you work in another district and you’re excelling at what you’re doing, we say we want you in our district,” Carter says.

While scores are a key indicator, Strean urges parents to go beyond the numbers. “Some people think that’s the only thing they should

The Mill Valley School District also pays teachers better than aver-

look at,” she says. “We really try to say that that’s just one aspect of a

age, hiring typically at $62,000. Superintendent Ken Benny believes

school.” Equally key are “the kind of things you can only really look at

that if you “put a good teacher in a classroom teaching kids you’re

by visiting the school,” like classroom atmosphere, playground quality

about 80 percent of the way there.”

and behavior of other students.

Money does matter, says Benny. Without Kiddo!, for example, “we

“It’s really important to not just be wowed by the reputation of the

would be hard-pressed to offer an arts program regardless of how afflu-

school,” says Strean. “It’s a lot about how your child is going to feel in that

ent Marin is or is perceived to be.”

school environment and unless you visit you’re not going to know that.”

But the root of Mill Valley’s success is deeper, he says. “In this com-

Benny, too, says test scores, while valid indicators, don’t by them-

munity, there is a real culture of support for children in general—and I

selves provide a true measure of a school’s worth. That parents know this

don’t just mean through the school district. The community is very fam-

becomes clear when they call him to check out the Mill Valley schools.

ily friendly and very child friendly. That’s an important factor that we sometimes take for granted.” PHOTOS: TIM PORTER

the best. They get on the Internet and search.”

Mill Valley and Reed Union schools are facing a challenge brought on by their academic records and the “family friendly” nature of their cities—climbing enrollment. In Mill Valley, the number of students will rise by about 100 next year to more than 2,400, with new kindergartners comprising half the

“Many will call at first because they have read about the test scores,” says Benny. “But the conversation quickly gets much broader and deeper and turns to ‘tell me about your music, tell me about your art program, tell me about what kinds of advance courses you offer.’” Rigorous individual standards are necessary, says Benny, but “my ultimate measurement for a K-12 school system is what a kid knows and is able to do when he or she leaves 12th grade.”

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AUGUST 2007

STAGING FOR SALE

INVESTING IN HOME DECOR CAN INCREASE THE BOTTOM LINE BY P. J. BREMIER PHOTOS BARBARA RIES

taging a home for sale is like putting on its “evening makeup,” says Landes Good, a partner with Lynn Scott in Good-Scott Home Staging. “You want the house to be approachable, but you want to make it more dramatic, make it ‘pop.’” Isn’t that what anyone trying to attract

the right suitor might do? Particularly during a soft market, when a house can sit for months without getting a “second date,” a makeover can mean all the difference between waiting for the phone to ring and wearing one, so to speak. Judy LeMarr of Frank Howard Allen

Realtors knows that firsthand. She recently sold a Headlands condominium in Marin City that “was on the market forever,” she says. She couldn’t convince the owners to stage it, and so there it sat, even after a price reduction. “Once they decided to stage it, though, it sold within a couple of weeks,” she says.

“I will always use that condo as an example. If the owners had staged it right away, they would have sold it earlier and gotten more money.”

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AUGUST 2007

For LeMarr, it always makes sense to stage because “it defines a space and shows how much room there really is. Prospective buyers don’t always have that vision. When you look at an empty space, it’s cold and you see the flaws, but you can’t see how you can live in it. “ On the other hand, house-hunters don’t want to see how the owner lives in it, either. “People feel awkward walking into someone else’s home and looking around,” says Good. “A stager helps a buyer bond with the home, linger and picture himself there. We’re selling a newer and better lifestyle, the idea that the buyer will have time to relax and enjoy life, so we make sure there’s no visual noise of clutter, bills or toys.” Like other stagers, Good takes her cue from the home, not the home owners. “We aren’t staging their dream home,” she says. “We’re making their home appeal to as many people as possible through straight-out good design.” Interior designer and stager Ruth Livingston, who owns Ruth Livingston Studio on Tiburon’s historic Ark Row, would agree. “To me, it’s about the lifestyle. You want prospective buyers to visualize themselves and their family in the space and, depending on the environment, you want to create as much excitement, coziness, tranquility, or glamour as you can. “If you’re talking about a Cape Cod or cottage-style house in Kentfield or Ross, I would probably do a shabby chic interior with antiques, sisal rugs, and canvas-slipcovered furniture,” she says. “If it was a sophisticated, contemporary house in Tiburon, I would use beautiful works of art, handwoven silk rugs, unique handmade furniture and decorative objects from the collection at my store.” Livingston prefers to keep her presentation

“IF YOU LOOK AT IT AS AN EXPENSE AND NOT AS AN INVESTMENT, YOU’RE

simple and striking, with “special touches that glamorize the experience, like beautiful towels, soaps, lotions and candles in the bathroom, professional cookware in the kitchen, and a mirror, towels and sports water in a mini-gym.”

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AUGUST 2007

LOOKING AT IT THE WRONG WAY.” —WA N D E R LE Y

AFTER

BEFORE

Lynn Scott and Landes Good (pictured above) create a warm and comfortable environment in a vacant house for sale.

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AUGUST 2007

BEFORE AFTER

A recent Wanderley staging project.

Beauty and the Bottom Line

Depending on their skills, stagers can handle a range of redesign

All this beauty comes at a price. Generally, stagers charge home own-

decisions, from simple accessorizing to staging just the front entrance

ers a monthly fee, based on the size of the project, with a two-month

and common rooms to fully re-outfitting the entire home, complete

minimum. After two months, the monthly fee is based on a percentage

with paint, lighting and landscaping changes.

of the initial quote, which includes use of the furniture, its delivery and

Some even oversee large construction projects. When Jimmy “Marin”

removal, and the stager’s design services. While most good stagers use

Wanninger of Frank Howard Allen Realtors wanted to put his Corte

pieces from their own warehouse inventory as opposed to rental furni-

Madera investment home on the market, he asked San Rafael stager

ture, they will also edit a home owner’s existing furnishings and acces-

Robert Federighi to direct a half-million-dollar renovation of the place.

sories, putting the unused items in an off-site storage facility.

Before the project was completed, Wanninger had received an offer.

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AUGUST 2007

AFTER BEFORE Robert Federighi (right) takes time out after staging a home for sale in San Rafael.

“Bob is a designer who’s not afraid to express his opinion, and

way he does when he stages one, and he’s got enough furniture to

he’s also very decisive about where to spend money and where not

stage more than 40 houses at the same time,” Wanninger says. “If you

to. If you can get away with not painting a room, he’ll tell you,”

stage with the world’s greatest furniture, you’re selling a house that

Wanninger says.

looks as good as it could ever possibly look.”

Federighi, who caters to Marin’s youthful home buyers with hip col-

When negotiations with a prospective buyer stalled on the Corte

ors and a Ralph Lauren–like flair, often tells clients, “I’m not just fur-

Madera house, Federighi staged the entire house for an additional five

nishing a house. I want the buyer to walk in and get the feeling that

figures, and Wanninger planned to put it on the market. The night before

they just have to have it.” They may feel that way about the furniture,

that was supposed to happen, he invited the customer over for one last

too. “Most home owners can’t even afford to furnish their homes the

look. The house sold that night.

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AUGUST 2007

STAGING SERVICES Robert Federighi Design, Construction and Staging 415.479.4794 robertfederighi.com

Good-Scott Home Staging 415.717.3558 good-scott.net

J. Livingston Home Decor 415.453.5538 jlivingstonhomedecor.com “Ideally, you want to create a house so that more than one person

Ruth Livingston Interior Design

really wants it,” Wanninger allows. “Some people will choose to sit and

415.435.5264

wait for the price to drop, but you want to create a sense of urgency.

ruthlivingston.com

Good staging might not get you two offers, but it will get you a better offer sooner.” Can a house sell in today’s market without being staged? “Sure,”

Wanderley Home Renewal & Staging

says Wanninger, “but as a rule, not as quickly or for as much money. In

415.720.3831

this county, more often than not, the higher the price of the house, the

wanderleystaging.com

more likely that it’s been professionally staged.”

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AUGUST 2007

BEFORE Ruth Livingston (pictured at far left) used a combination of the client’s furniture and her own collection in recent Tiburon project.

Kitchen colors evolved after consideration of the decorative tiles the owners purchased while on a trip to the East Coast. OPPOSITE PAGE: Heidi Kertel and Sandra Bird.

She pulls furnishings from her warehoused inventory and, like many stagers, opts to purchase new pieces rather than renting them and sacrificing on style. “I like to keep things casual, clean and livable with white slipcovered sofas, custom pillows, a fresh color palette and antiques for warmth. It’s really important to make it neutral and inviting so that people can see themselves living there.” On the other hand, the Brazilian-born first-name-only Wanderley, of his eponymous staging firm, likes to infuse a space with color. “If you put a house on the market, it has to have a message,” he says. “You want people to leave thinking, ‘That was a beautiful house,’ not just a white house. It’s more exciting. An all-white house is boring and

AFTER

doesn’t make sense.” His inventory of high-end classic-style furnishings, including several baby grand pianos and a pool table, is used purposefully. “People often think of staging as just putting in furnishings to give scale to a room, but the right way is to make the house comfortable and make the buyer feel like staying. A stager goes into the parts of a house that are difficult to understand and shows how they can be used.”

Style Secrets

And the staging should more than pay for itself, he adds. “If you have a $2 million home and spend $20,000 staging it, you should be

For Jennifer Livingston of J. Livingston Home Decor, putting a home’s

able to sell it for $2.1 million,” he says. One client, told by a realtor that

best foot forward is essential in today’s market of savvy young buyers

he could get $3 million for his Broadway apartment in San Francisco,

with money. “If you are selling your house,” she says, “it’s important to

decided to have Wanderley remodel it first for $500,000. He sold it

respect your property and yourself and put the best product out there

within a week for more than $5 million.

that you can.”

“You do recoup your money,” Wanderley says. “I don’t know any-

That means a home needs to “sparkle inside and out” and is often

thing on the real estate market that is as profitable as staging; you can

helped by an exterior pressure-washing, pristine floors and fresh paint.

double your money in 60 days. If you look at it as an expense and not

“Buyers should think that they’d be able to move in ‘as-is’ instead of ask-

as an investment, you’re looking at it the wrong way. It’s a home im-

ing themselves, ‘What do I have to do to live here in six months?’”

provement and it’s tax free.”

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AUGUST 2007

J O U R NEY

GLIDING ON THE CANADIAN RAILS Traveling from Prince Rupert to Edmonton surrounded by scenic splendor

BY JIM AND NIKKI WOOD

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AUGUST 2007

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P H OTO ON PREVIOUS PAG E: STEVEN J. BR OW N

ABOVE Canada’s VIA Railways transits from Prince Rupert to Edmonton. BELOW FROM LEFT Signage in Prince Rupert Airport; biking in Jasper National Park; golf course at Fairmont’s Jasper Park Lodge.

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AUGUST 2007

When you think of train travel, you think of noise —the constant “clackety-clack, clackety-clack” of metal wheel on steel rail. To train buffs, it’s music. But to vacationers intent on a restful interlude, this quaint reminder of days of yore can quickly wear thin. In Canada, where civil behavior is the national pastime, it seems fitting that the nation’s trains are equally restrained. “This is ‘continuous weld’ track,” said conductor Ronald Altman, explaining the absence of clack as we pulled quietly out of Prince Rupert. “Instead of short pieces of rail butted up to one another, Canada’s national railroads have long lengths welded smoothly together so the wheels don’t make that constant clatter.” Thus began our four-day, 1,020-mile journey—including two nights at the famed Jasper Park Lodge—eastward via rail from the coastal city of Prince Rupert (its slogan, “Where Canada’s Wilderness Begins”) over the Canadian Rockies and down to the Great Plains metropolis of Edmonton (“Cultural Capital of Canada”). En route, we glided through spectacular scenery— pointed peaks cresting in blankets of white; ribbons of white foam gushing down craggy passes; meadows glowing in a greenness as bright as the midday sun. We traveled in early June as winter’s snows were waning, spring’s vibrancy was in full rage and the first sunshine of summer warmed and brightened the days.

Getting there was half the fun It is somewhat ironic that to ride a train, you must first take a plane. Air Canada and United Airlines fly from the Bay Area to Vancouver, with connecting flights leaving for Prince Rupert in the morning and evening. We missed the last connection, however, thanks to a four-hour delay on our United flight from SFO. The upside was an overnight stay in Vancouver, giving us the chance to glimpse the city’s gleaming skyline, overlook expansive Stanley Park (the third-largest city park in North America) and chat with locals about the surprisingly warm weather (“80s in summer isn’t rare”) and the 2010 Winter Olympics. We grabbed the early flight the next day and landed 500 miles later in Prince Rupert, just 40 miles south of the Alaskan Panhandle. Port city, rail terminus and mill town, Port Rupert is as downscale as sophisticated Vancouver is up. It’s lucky to muster 13,000 individuals at the height of summer tourist season. “Ten years ago, before the pulp mill closed, our population was pushing 25,000,” Bruce Wishart, the town’s head cheerleader and historian, told us in the Rain Dining Lounge. These days, the buzz is about container shipping because a new port facility is under construction near downtown. “Because of Prince Rupert’s more westerly location, we can move goods from China to Chicago, by rail, two days faster than from Vancouver and four days faster than from the Port of Oakland,” Wishart says. And if you’re not in the shipping business, what does Prince Rupert offer? “We have cruises to

PH OTO ABOV E: MATTH EW G . W H EELER

Queen Charlotte Islands,” says Wishart, “grizzly bear tours, whale watching and float plane adventures, and thanks to our abundance of sea life and fresh vegetables, almost every place to eat in town is a good one.”

On to Prince George We left Prince Rupert the next day bound for Prince George aboard VIA Rail Canada’s Skeena, comfortably ensconced in an air-conditioned panorama car whose glass dome roof descends to armrest level. Conductor Altman

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AUGUST 2007

provided running commentary. “Those aren’t golf balls you see in that tall pine tree,” he announced during one stretch. “They’re bald eagles. Like elk, moose, and grizzly bears, they’re indigenous to northern British Columbia.” The 435-mile trip took all day—and three meals, which we ate before an ever-changing backdrop as we whizzed along (and sometimes over) the mighty Skeena River, across flowering meadows and through dark passages of dense pine forest. The Skeena follows a route forged by the historic Grand Trunk Pacific Railway in 1914. Rail Canada is subsidized, so we stopped here and there to deliver the mail in logging towns like Terrace, Smithers, and New Hazelton (“the Telephone Pole Capital of the World”). Each was a good opportunity to stretch our legs and trade smiles with Canadians. Two of our train mates were Dave and Kathy Kalister, retired California educators now living outside McCall, Idaho. “I’m an incurable train nut who had to cross this scenic route off my to-do list,” Dave Kalister said. When we made a mail stop in New Hazelton, he

Similar to the classic lodges at Banff and Lake Louise, the original

described the workings of the 225-ton, diesel-electric engine that was

1929 Jasper Park Lodge was built to attract Canada rail passengers. A

pulling our eight-car passenger train.

fire damaged much of the original structure in the early 1950s and it

Around 8:30 we pulled into Prince George (the “Gateway to the

was replaced by a larger 442-room property—now the Fairmont Jasper

North”) and checked into the Coast Inn of the North. We had little time

Park Lodge—that provides 21st-century guests modern comfort imbued

to explore this 80,000-person town, but it’s a popular destination for

with classic ambience. Our cabin overlooked a blue lake with rugged

outdoor adventures and golf. With the northern latitude, darkness was

Whistlers Mountain rising 7,496 feet in the distance.

still two hours away, so we headed to the inn’s lively lounge, retiring

As time allowed, we rafted the Athabasca River, rode the sensation-

at 11 so we could get up early for the train. We awoke, a bit short on

al Jasper Tramway to snowcapped Whistlers Summit, and cruised amid

sleep but with the northern British Columbia sun already fully ablaze,

the glaciers on Maligne Lake. There is also a golf course, rated one of

thanks to the 4:30 a.m. summer sunrise.

Canada’s best for its scenery and challenging layout. Meals ran the gamut from burgers and fries at the Dead Dog Saloon,

Next up: Jasper National Park Several bridges marked the 375-mile run to Jasper National Park.

where rabid fans were watching the Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, to cocktails and an elegant candlelit dinner in the lodge’s Rainbow Lounge.

One of them, over the Raush River, made a graceful left turn, allowing

The final run into Edmonton

to the industrial bulk of the yellow, silver and black engine up front.

Our final leg, now aboard the Canadian, a transcontinental train

The scene was a poster for rail travel—and we were in it! We traveled

connecting Vancouver and Toronto, took us 220 miles from Jasper to

through numerous tunnels and made two mail stops where we found

Edmonton, where more than a million people enjoy a thriving economy

a depot, post office, general store and not much more. In Dunster, the

based on oil, timber, agriculture and tourism. Past Jasper the landscape

1913 train station, well-preserved, served as combination of all three.

leveled. We sped by towns named Bickerdike, Entwistle and Stony

Throughout the day, the landscape was rich with water. Lakes reach-

Plain, interspersed with wetlands and wheat fields. Farther east, indus-

ing into the horizon, swollen streams, gushing waterfalls and roaring

trial parks and Arlo Guthrie-esque “graveyards full of rusted automo-

rivers appeared one after another—an all-you-can-view buffet of na-

biles” announced the proximity of Edmonton. We used the time to read

ture’s aqueous bounty. “Notice that now the water flows eastward,”

the books that had been our close companions throughout the trip (we

conductor Altman announced before lunch, “emptying into either

each finished three).

Hudson Bay or the Arctic Ocean.” With the Continental Divide behind

Our last night in Canada we stayed in downtown Edmonton at the

us, by early afternoon the Canadian Rockies were in sight and we left

Union Bank Inn, a handsome three-story building constructed in 1911

British Columbia for the province of Alberta.

for the Union Bank of Canada and now refashioned into a 34-room

We pulled into Jasper and its recently restored train station in the

luxury boutique hotel. We dined at the hotel’s Madison’s Grill on

late afternoon. Our two-night stop here was the highlight of our trip—

grilled Alberta beef tenderloin and slept soundly in a room dubbed the

not just for the beauty of the park but for the opportunity to hike, raft

Sheridan with walls and linens of deep bronze and gold.

and, for a change, eat at a table that wasn’t moving.

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AUGUST 2007

All in all, a fitting end to an idyllic railroad jouney.

P H OTO: C OURTESY OF U NION BANK INN

us to see the length of the train, from our perch in the panorama car

OPPOSITE PAGE: Union Bank Inn guest

room. THIS PAGE UPPER: Jasper Park Lodge as viewed from lake. LOWER: A canoe glides on Lac Beauvert.

If you go VIA Rail System: viarail.ca/en Tourism Prince Rupert: PH OTOS: C OURTESY OF JASPER PARK LOD G E

tourismprincerupert.com Coast Inn of the North in Prince George: coasthotels.com Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge: fairmont.com/jasper Union Bank Inn in Edmonton: unionbankinn.com

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AUGUST 2007

LI F E

TO GO

OR NOT TO GO? TO GO OR NOT TO GO? TO

STORY KIRK CITRON PHOTOS JOCK M C DONALD

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AUGUST 2007

TO GO OR NOT TO GO? TO GO OR NOT TO GO?

30th High School Reunion… WILL YOU SHOW UP AT YOURS?

READ ON AND DECIDE.

Tightwad. Bolch. Red Meat. Vickers. Witness. One Punch. And then there’s Guinea Pig. “Don’t call me that,” Liz Fountain Swett says, punching Barry Leslie in the arm, and right away you can see the third grader she used to be, still humiliated by a nickname she never wanted. The way she remembers it, it was because she brought a guinea pig to show-and-tell. But Barry remembers their third grade teacher asking for volunteers, and only one hand going up — Liz’s. Then the class cutup called out, “Oh, a guinea pig!” And 39 years later, that’s how she’s remembered. They’ve known each other a long time, this group. Many of them were together back in elementary school, and last August about 70 of the 300 in Novato’s San Marin High School graduating class of 1976 gathered at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park to reminisce, have a few laughs, and size each other up. To attend this 30th reunion, they’ve come from Seattle, Atlanta, even Hawaii and Australia. “Amazing you could find 70 people who cared enough,” Barry says. “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything,” Liz replies.

GO OR NOT TO GO? TO GO OR NOT TO GO? TO GO OR NOT TO

THEY WENT: H AIR STY L IST J I LL McGIL L IS STIL L CU TS M E R C E DE S S H I NO H ARA’S H AIR . THEY ’ VE BEEN F RIE N DS SIN C E F IFTH GRADE .

TO GO OR NOT TO GO? TO GO OR NOT TO GO? TO GO OR NOT TO GO? TO GO OR NOT TO GO? TO GO OR

T H E Y B O OGI E D : K A R E N TAYLO R VO LLB R EC H T A N D DA N SC H U LZ W E N T TO T H E PR OM TOG E T H E R . A PPA R E N T LY H E H A S N ’ T LOST H I S G R E AT DA N C E MOV E S .

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THEY... MAT U R E D IF YO U OVER LO O K THE TATTOOS A N D T H E BA LD N E S S , GR EG “ THE GR EL B ER” GER RAR D A N D M I K E N A S H LOO K AR GUAB LY S IM IL AR TO THE I R YE A R B OO K PH OTOS .

To some extent high school in Marin in the 1970s matched the clichés. “It was sex, drugs, and rock and roll,” says Mercedes Shinohara (she was Mary in high school, but renamed herself at 21). Nixon was out of office, the Vietnam War was over, and the first Earth Day had been celebrated. As Richard Delamater says, “Hippie power seemed to be changing the world.” Mickey Hart owned a barn across from school where the Grateful Dead rehearsed. “During school you’d hear this magical music,” Richard recalls. “So we’d cut class to hide in the woods, smoke a doobie, and just listen.” In the mid-’70s, Novato was a small town. “There wasn’t a lot to do,” Doreen Drake says. “We spent time just driving around.” There were only two gas stations, so during the gas crisis they’d wait in line for an hour to fill up at 35 cents a gallon. They raced their cars up Novato Boulevard or at the quarter mile out by Stafford Lake. They drove dune buggies. Hung out at the drive-in. Fixed up their cars. “One of our friends had a key that fit another guy’s Chevrolet,” Mike Nash, who flew in from Minneapolis, remembers. “We’d leave right before lunch, drive his car down to Taco Bell, and return it before he got out of class. The poor guy tore the gas tank apart, replaced all the filters—he just about went crazy trying to figure out why he was getting such bad gas mileage.” It was four months before the Chevrolet’s owner came out of class one day to see his own car cruising up the school driveway. The group swaps other memories. The Kentucky Fried Chicken incident: a bunch of the guys stole a statue of Colonel Sanders, put a beer in one hand, a cigarette in the other, and a bucket on his head, and left it on the roof of the school.

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AUGUST 2007

MAR K B RYANT AND LAU R IE RAFFERTY LO EFFL ER DATED FO R A Y EAR AND A HAL F I N HIGH SC HO O L— B U T DO N’ T T EL L HIS W IFE . HE’S NEVER MENTIO NED IT.

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AUGUST 2007

TO GO OR NOT TO GO? TO GO OR NOT TO GO? TO GO OR NOT TO GO? TO GO OR NOT TO GO? TO GO OR NOT TO GO?

S S S S HHHHHH:

A A AW W W W W: BAC K I N N I N TH GRADE , JA N I S T H OM PSON H O L M WAS R I C H A R D D E LA M ATE R’S FIR ST G I R LF R I E N D : “ S H E WAS MY FIR ST K I S S —T H E F I RST TIM E I GOT TO FIRST BASE .”

Then there were the Chiclets that turned out to be Ex-Lax. Or the ninth grader who went up to the most developed girl in the class and begged, “Can I touch them?” What was the most embarrassing thing about high school? “Every single moment,” says Valerie May. Doreen adds, “I was a cheerleader, and when I look at pictures of how short my skirt was I want to die.” The radio back then was playing Paul

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David Bowie’s “Golden Years.” “It’s like being in high school all over again,” Barry says. Mercedes agrees: “We’re picking up where we left off like it was only

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a year ago, not 30.” Yet there is a difference: at the ten-year reunion people hung out in the same old cliques—the stoners, the jocks and cheerleaders, the drama kids, the band. Tonight, at the 30th, everybody mixes. There’s less posturing about who has accumulated the most or who has had the shiniest career. Instead, they’re here to have a good time and to share life stories—although Jill McGillis, unsure what to wear, did pack four outfits and five purses. In a short speech, Janis Thompson Holm notes that the class is the same age their parents were when they graduated. Many have their own kids at San Marin High and they notice the differences. The school is a lot stricter than in their day. “When boys would get in fights at lunch, the teachers would just pull them apart,” Monique Couacaud recalls. “Now they get suspended immediately.” The girls no longer smoke in the bathroom. Kids don’t worry about dates for the prom; they go in groups. The girls play sports instead of just watching from the sidelines. Many more of the kids go on to college.

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AUGUST 2007

And there’s one other difference. “We got lucky—Vietnam ended before our guys would have gone,” Doreen says. “Now, my daughter’s friends are in Iraq.” There are other shadows. Not everyone’s life has gone according to plan. For some, it wasn’t easy to come up with the $75 price of the reunion dinner dance. “I was surprised how many divorces, multiple spouses, broken homes I saw among my classmates,” Mike says. There are mentions of AA meetings, and one woman notes, “I’m thankful for my daughter’s sobriety.” The class observes a moment of silence for 11 classmates who have died.

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about high school? Every single moment.” They talk of career disappointments. Mercedes got a degree in homeopathy but now works in a cubicle, something she swore she’d never do. Richard is still working at the job he got as a junior in high school, bagging groceries at the Strawberry Safeway. His band, These Four Walls, got some radio play in the ’80s, but dreams of rock stardom never panned out. Still, he can retire in two

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years, at 50, and having watched friends go through the dot-com crash, he says, “I thank God for a stable job.” There are the usual signs of aging. “All the guys wish they had more hair; the women all wish they weighed less,” Monique says. So do the men: Aaron Kondrasky says he’s put Visit Marin’s premier ﬂoor covering showroom. Discriminating tastes from around the world. Newly remodeled showroom, under new ownership. 5768 Paradise Drive • Corte Madera, CA 94925 • 415.924.6545

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on ten pounds every ten years. A lot of his classmates need reading glasses. Marin has changed too, they agree. It’s bigger; there’s

more traffic. “I don’t venture down to San Rafael in the afternoon because I’ll never get home,” Monique says. And it used to feel safer. “I’m filling out school forms for my kid and they ask for five names of emergency contacts,” Mercedes says. “In my old neighborhood, the houses seem worn down; there are weeds in the sidewalk,” Mike says. And Valerie notes, “Even the climate has changed. Novato used to get a lot of tule fog, frost, ice over the puddles.” But the biggest change is what they call the snootiness factor. “There was a time when it seemed Marin was very avant-garde,” Mercedes says. “Hot tubs, peacock feathers, everybody doing their own thing. Now it seems a lot more conservative.” Richard concurs: “There’s been an awful influx of snob-

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and works as a service adviser at an auto dealership up in Healdsburg. “I wanted to get out of Marin because of the fast pace,” he says. “People in Healdsburg are so much more relaxed and outgoing. They treat each other better; it’s not all push-push-push to get ahead.” But Mercedes, who spent 14 years in London, eventually came back. “Marin is a lot like the nicer places in Europe—Spain, Italy. And the Bay Area is such an island of sanity compared to the rest of the country.” The morning after the reunion, Richard Delamater returned to the hotel to see if he could reconnect with any classmates who’d been staying there. But they were all gone. “In the ballroom, the floor was covered with name badges and glitter. I replayed the event in my mind. It was so melancholy—like Brigadoon, the town had vanished. I walked around looking at the ghosts. Hell, I was thinking, I’ve been smoking for 30 years. This might be the last time I see these people.” At least, until the 40th reunion. Tightwad, Red Meat, and Guinea Pig will be waiting.

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AUGUST 2007

PLAY

When Nature Beckons

Watch the fog roll in or the glimmering city lights from the Perimeter Road on Angel Island near campsites 4, 5 and 6.

arin is not a typical county, and neither is the camping. Here you don’t get your basic flat, nondescript campground with some trees and visits from an occasional deer or skunk. This

is camping with an edge, or even on the edge. Marin camping means you can be perched on a cliff listening to crashing waves, on an island admiring twinkling city lights, or among refreshing redwoods and lush ferns. There are adventures for all tastes and levels right in your own backyard. 76

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AUGUST 2007

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

P H OTO: LY NN EIC HINGE R AT THE ANG EL IS LAND AS SOC IATION

CAMPING IN MARIN BY MELISSA GEBHARDT

Angel Island

2. HAYPRESS

for bikers and hikers alike, this campground

415.435.5390 | angelisland.org

5 sites, max. 4 people/site

has something for everyone in the family. Keep

11 sites (including one for kayaks, one

In Tennessee Valley, this is a family-friendly site

cool under the coastal redwoods, picnic in the

disability accessible), max. 8 people/site

featuring a nice sheltered spot for a group and

grasslands of Devil’s Gulch or ascend Mount

Hop aboard the Angel Island ferry at Tiburon and

a large pasture for the kids to run in.

Barnaby for some bird-watching. Happy camper

spend the day hiking the many trails that traverse

ACCESS Walk-in .75 mile FACILITIES Portable

tip: the gentle, paved bike path, which follows an

the island. Start with the Perimeter Road for the

toilets, picnic tables, food lockers WATER No

old train route, is great for the kids.

overview, then go up to Mount Livermore for the

PETS No FIRES No COST Free RESERVATIONS

ACCESS Drive-in, RVs ok FACILITIES Flushing

panorama. After the day-trippers go home, you’ll

415.331.1540, Marin Headlands Visitor Center

toilets, showers, picnic tables, BBQ, food lockers WATER Yes FIRES Yes PETS Yes on

feel like you own your own island, complete with commanding city views (San Francisco and East

3. KIRBY COVE

leash, no on fire trails COST $25/night in-

Bay), serenades by foghorns and whispers of

4 sites, max. 10 people/site, max. 3 cars/site

cludes 1 vehicle, $6 for extra car Reservations

ships passing in the night. Happy camper tip:

Nestled in a grove of eucalyptus and cypress

800.444.7275 or reserveamerica.com.

the ridge sites are the most sheltered and have

trees, this site is barely half a mile west of the

Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Lagunitas

the best views.

Golden Gate Bridge and one of the most pop-

ACCESS Arrive by ferry (angelislandferry.com)

ular, given the unique view under the bridge.

China Camp

or kayak/boat, hike 2 miles to campsites.

The foghorn can blow you out of your sleep-

415.456.0766 | parks.ca.gov

FACILITIES Pit toilets, BBQ (charcoal), picnic

ing bag, but the view and easy beach access

30 campsites, max. 8 people/site

tables, food lockers WATER Yes FIRES No

are worth it. Happy camper tip: sites are avail-

Located on the site of a historic Chinese fish-

PETS No COST $20/night plus ferry

able to book 90 days in advance and fill up very

ing village, China Camp provides access to gen-

RESERVATIONS reserveamerica.com or

quickly, so book right away.

tle bay waters bordered by oak woodlands, all

800.444.7275

ACCESS Walk-in approx. 100 yards FACILITIES

within a stone’s throw of civilization. Weather

Pit toilets, picnic tables, food lockers WATER

is dependably warm. Miles of trails and extra

Marin Headlands

No FIRES Yes (in ring, bring wood) PETS No

amenities like a snack bar, a nice beach, a mu-

415.331.1540 | nps.gov.goga

COST $25/night RESERVATIONS 877.444.6777

seum and showers make it a great place for

There are not many major cities where you

or recreation.gov

those who like to camp in relative comfort. Happy camper tip: you can fish off the pier

can hike to the ocean’s edge and hear the sea lions, climb mountains for sweeping vistas,

4. BICENTENNIAL

without a license.

descend into flower-filled valleys and still get

3 sites, 2 people/site

ACCESS Walk or bike-in, 50 to 300 yards

back in time to go to the city for dinner. Part

A lesser-known campsite in the GGNRA, this

FACILITIES Flushing toilets, showers, picnic

of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

one is perched on the cliffs near the Point

tables, BBQ pit, food locker, snack bar, beach,

(GGNRA), the Marin Headlands are an oa-

Bonita Lighthouse and has beautiful views

fishing WATER Yes FIRES Yes, in rings PETS

sis from the hustle and bustle of the city they

of the Farallons and city on clear days. Visit

Yes, only in developed areas COST $25/night

overlook. There are four campgrounds in the

the lighthouse (open Sat, Sun, Mon 12:30–

Headlands that each offer a distinctive escape:

3:30 p.m.) and test your acrophobia on the suspension bridge.

1. HAWKCAMP

ACCESS Walk-in 100 yards FACILITIES Pit toi-

3 sites, max. 4 people/site

lets, food locker, BBQ nearby WATER Yes, 1 mile

Located above the Gerbode Valley, this is the

FIRES No PETS No COST Free RESERVATIONS

most remote site of the GGNRA campgrounds

415.331.1540, Marin Headlands Visitor Center

and therefore for the more serious hiker/camper. Hike through valleys full of wildflowers and

Samuel P. Taylor State Park

possibly spot a bobcat or roaming deer.

415.488.9897 | parks.ca.gov

ACCESS 3.5 miles from Tennessee Valley, 4-

60 campsites, max. 8 people/site

mile hike from Marin Headlands Visitor Center

Samuel P. Taylor came to California during the

FACILITIES Portable toilets, picnic tables, food

Gold Rush and struck it rich. He built a paper

lockers WATER No PETS No FIRES No

mill along the creek here and later opened one

COST Free RESERVATIONS 415.331.1540,

of the first campsites in the United States at

Marin Headlands Visitor Center

this site in the late 1800s. Now a great place

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

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AUGUST 2007

RESERVATIONS 8 0 0 .4 4 4 .7 2 7 5 or

reserveamerica.com, 4 miles east of San R afael on North San P edro R oad.

Mount Tam 4 1 5 .3 8 8 .2 0 7 0 | parks.ca.gov The unofficial symbol of Marin County, “Mount Tam” has over 6 0 miles of trails to challenge any level of hiker, camper and biker. These connect to additional trails contained within adjacent public lands such as the Marin watershed and the G G NR A. Terrain ranges from the 2 ,5 7 1 -foot peak with sweeping views to the rocky marine coast to the damp redwood forest to sparkling lakes and open oak woodlands. Mount Tamalpais State P ark, P anoramic Including such fine cabinetry as:

Highway, Mill V alley. F or special events, check mttam.net. The following camping spots are the most popular:

1. PANTOLL 415.456.7100 • redwoodkitchenandbath.com 625 Du Bois Street, Suite C • San Rafael, CA

Showroom hours: Mon - Fri: 8am-5pm, Sat: 10am-4pm

THE BAY AREA’S PREMIER SOURCE FOR DECORATIVE KITCHEN & BATH SUPPLIES

16 sites, max. 8 people/site At the intersection of nine trailheads, P antoll is an ideal central spot to branch out and enjoy many of the trails and sights of Mount Tam. Sites are bookable only in person, so arrive early to claim your spot. Happy camper tip:this camp is Wi-Fi enabled for those who can’t bear to leave the laptop at home. ACCESS Walk-in 1 0 0 yards FACILITIES F lush

toilets, picnic tables, BBQ , food locker WATER Y es FIRES Y es, wood available at site

($ 5 ) PETS Y es COST $ 1 5 / night RESERVATIONS In person, at P antoll ranger station

2. STEEP RAVINE 1 mile south of Stinson Beach, 10 cabins, 7 tent sites, max. 5 people/site O riginally built in the 1 9 3 0 s as a getaway for the family of local congressman and landowner William K ent, these spartan cabins are perched on a cliff overlooking the P acific. The Facials • Massage • Body Polishes & Wraps • Waxing

quintessential “room with a view,” each cabin

Natural Face-Lifting • Detox/Wellness Programs • Airbrush Tanning

has a small woodstove and sleeping platform.

Acupuncture • THERMOGRAPHY • SPA BOUTIQUE • GIFT CARDS

Happy camper tip: cabins are in high demand

216 Strawberry Village, Mill Valley, CA 94941 • www.evo-spa.com

and open up seven months in advance for book-

Call for Reservations 415.383.3223

ing. Be persistent and keep checking for openings.

Monday – Saturday 9am – 9pm • Sunday 10am – 7pm

ACCESS Walk-in 1 0 0 yards FACILITIES

O uthouse toilets, picnic tables, BBQ , fire pit,

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AUGUST 2007

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food locker WATER Y es, nearby FIRES Y es, wood available at site ($ 5 ) PETS No COST $ 7 5 / night for cabins, $ 1 5 / tent RESERVATIONS 8 0 0 .4 4 4 .7 2 7 5 or reserveamerica.com

Point Reyes National Seashore P ristine coastline punctuated by a dramatic lighthouse and flanked by historic working ranches, oak woodlands and open grasslands will keep you occupied for days. The 1 4 0 miles Diplomate: American Board of Plastic Surgery American Board of Surgery

of trails will also help you escape civiliz ation. O btain your camping permit at the Bear V alley

American College of Surgeons, Fellow

V isitor Center in O lema and find out the day’s

Harvard College, A.B., 1961, cum laude

events, pick up maps and familiariz e yourself

Harvard Medical School, 1965, cum laude

with the park’s history. F or all campgrounds below the following applies: ACCESS Hike or boat in, varying distances FACILITIES P it toilets, water, picnic tables,

food locker, charcoal grill WATER Y es FIRES No (except at beaches with permit) PETS No COST $ 1 5 / night for up to 6 people, call for

AESTHETIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE PLASTIC SURGERY

Massachusetts General Hospital Internship and Residency in General Surgery The Johns Hopkins Hospital Chief Residency in Plastic Surgery United States Air Force Regional Hospital Chief of Surgery Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons, Past President Mt. Tam Laser and Skin Care, Kentﬁeld Medical Director

larger groups RESERVATIONS 4 1 5 .6 6 3 .8 0 5 4 , Bear V alley V isitor Center, 4 1 5 .4 6 4 .5 1 0 0

1. COAST CAMP 12 individual sites, 2 group sites (2.7-mile hike in) This camp is located in a small grassy valley with easy beach access.

2. GLEN CAMP 12 individual sites (4.6-mile hike in) O ne of the more protected camps in a wooded valley, farther (2 .5 miles) from the beach.

3. SKY CAMP 11 individual sites and 1 group site (1.4-mile hike in) O ver 1 ,0 0 0 feet up on the side of a mountain, this camp has views of D rakes Bay and the coastline.

4. WILDCAT CAMP 5 sites (3 that allow only 4 people max.) and 3 group sites. Situated on a coastal bluff, this camp is one of the most popular in the area because of the short walk to the beach.

Hearth & Home of Marin Marin County’s premier fireplace showroom offers a wide array of beautiful, energy efficient, environmentally-friendly fireplaces, inserts and free-standing stoves. We offer full installation, including gas lines, by our licensed company owner.

5. TOMALES BAY

902 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael • (415) 479-2876 • www.hearthandhomeofmarin.com

20 permits issued/day

Lic #847647

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

CA LE N DAR

AUGUST ARTS & EVENTS GUIDE

Mucho Axe at Marin Brewing Company, August 4.

THEATER

COMEDY

MUSIC

Thru 19 Fully Committed The drama

Tuesdays Mark Pitta & Friends You’ll

takes place in the basement of Manhattan’s trendiest new restaurant, where the phone is ringing off the hook, leaving the host to juggle his duties. Ross Valley Players (Ross). 415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.org

have to see the show to ﬁnd out who’s performing but it’s worth getting a chance to watch big-name headliners and upand-coming comics work on new material. Pitta has appeared on the Tonight Show, with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com

Thru September 9 Summer Music Series An eclectic selection of music from jazz to swing, folk and Latin will take stage and enhance the shopping experience in Marin. Town Center (Corte Madera). 415.924.2961, shoptowncenter.com

7—September 2 Avenue Q The Tony award–winning musical about trying to make it in New York with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Orpheum Theatre (SF). 415.512.7770, shnsf.com

17 Henry IV, Part I and II This Marin Shakespeare Company outdoor production is directed by Robert Currier and Rob Clare and features Stephen Reynolds as Falstaff. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre (San Rafael). 415.499.4488, marinshakespeare.org 80

MARIN AUGUST 2007

9—11 Duck’s Breath Mystery Theatre The San Francisco comedy troupe starts the evening with a rapid-ﬁre series of short sketches, contorting themselves into famous works of art from The Birth of Venus to Nude Descending A Staircase and performing an opera as used car salesmen. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com

Thru 24 Jazz and Blues by the Bay Every Friday night enjoy views of Angel Island and San Francisco as local musicians liven up the evening. Gabrielson Park (Sausalito). 415.289.4152, ci.sausalito.ca.us 4 Summer Music Series Mucho Axe will show off its South American world grooves including a range of genres including tango, samba and bossa nova. Marin Brewing Company (Larkspur Landing). 415.461.4677, marinbrewingcompany.com MARINMAGAZINE.COM

9 Jerry Hannan and the Brigades Don’t miss the San Rafael—based singer-songwriter as he sings about everyday life. Sweetwater Saloon (Mill Valley). 415.388.2820, sweetwatersaloon.com

19 Opera in Stern Grove San Francisco Opera takes the stage for the ﬁnal concert of Stern Grove Festival’s 70th season. This year’s performance will include classic arias and operatic highlights. San Francisco Opera (SF). 415.864.3330, sfopera.com 25 Johnny Smith Group Enjoy a beer out back while listening to the rock and roll sounds of the group also known as Alias Smith. Marin Brewing Company (Larkspur Landing). 415.461.4677, marinbrewingcompany.com

Falkirk Cultural Center Patterns of Intention Richly colored oil paintings and monotypes by Holly Blake, Jennifer Kelley and Katherine Warinner, thru August. 1408 Mission Ave, San Rafael. 415.485.3438, falkirkculturalcenter.org

Aperture f64 Gallery Ongoing work. 635 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo. 415.482.0480 Art Abloom A showing of Gabriella Spina Drake’s recent oil on canvas and driftwood, thru August. 735 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.256.1112, artabloom.com Art Works Downtown Allegory A group show of paintings and sculptures by eight Bay Area artists working with allegorical themes, thru August 3. 1337 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.451.8119, artworksdowntown.org Claudia Chapline Gallery Bay Area Painters and Sculptors Work by Marianna Goodheart, Pamela Blotner and others in a space that includes skylit galleries and a sculpture garden, thru September 3. 3445 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach. 415.868.2308, cchapline.com Donna Seager Gallery Fresh Paint New work by gallery artists, thru August. 851 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.454.4229, donnaseagergallery.com Edith Caldwell Gallery Ongoing Work. 819 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.331.5003, edithcaldwell.com MARINMAGAZINE.COM

Gallery Route One by Anne Crump Ray

Gallery Bergelli Ongoing work. 483 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.945.9454, gallerybergelli.com Gallery Route One Box Show Par Excellence Singles Night Meet other singles who share a love of art at the annual Box Show, August 18. GRO is a nonproﬁt, artist-run gallery, which sponsors art shows related to the environment and has an Artists in the Schools program. The Box Show exhibit runs thru September 9. Gallery Route One, 11101 Highway One, Point Reyes Station. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org

GALLERIES MARIN

Box Show at

Marin Society of Artists Ongoing work. 30 Sir Francis Drake, Ross. 415.454.9561, marinsocietyofartists.org Novato Art Center Figure Interpretations: 11 Bay Area Artists Work by Larry Bencich, Harriet Burge, Gioia Hansbury, Diane Hull and others, thru August 19. 500 Palm Dr, Novato. 415.506.0137, artleagueofnortherncalifornia.org O’Hanlon Center for the Arts Process and Perception A group multimedia show, August 7–August 31. Only on Saturdays: Art by the Saturday Morning Workshop Work by this weekly group on display with a special reception on August 7. 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.4331, ohanloncenter.org Robert Beck Gallery Contemporary and early California plein-air works of art on display, thru August. 222 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.456.7898 Robert Green Fine Arts Works on paper by Karel Appel and Sam Francis, thru August. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.8776, rgﬁnearts.com Rock Hill Gallery The watercolor paintings of Corte Madera resident Robert Carleton on display, thru August 9. 145 Rock Hill Dr, Tiburon. 415.435.9108, ccctiburon.org

ach year for nearly a decade, Gallery Route One in Point Reyes Station has invited artists to think outside, inside and beyond the box to create works for its premier fundraiser. The aptly named Box Show assembles 150 original pieces by Bay Area artists, each based on a simply constructed, unfinished pine box. The finished products reveal little of their common bond, however, reflecting the divergent visions and imaginative approaches of their creators.

TOD

“Our only rules are no live animals and no toxic, smelly materials,” says GRO Executive Director Betty Woolfolk, who notes that the constructions also must adhere to a 30-inch width limit, though height is constrained only by the gallery’s ceiling. A combination exhibition and auction, The Box Show runs from July 27 through September 9, kicking off with an opening reception from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 29. Each work is accompanied by a bid sheet, allowing gallery visitors to participate in a silent auction that spans the duration of the exhibition. Bidding concludes at the closing party September 9, which features a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. and live auctioning of the artworks beginning at four. This year’s festivities also include a singles night from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 19. All events are free and open to the public. Proceeds from the sale of artworks beneﬁt Gallery Route One, a nonproﬁt, artist-run organization. Gallery Route One, 11101 Highway One, Suite 101, Point Reyes Station, 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org; 11–5 Wed–Mon, closed Tues

MARIN AUGUST 2007

Sam the Butcher Southern Accents watercolor paintings by Belvedere artists Dani Roach, 19 Ross Common, Ross. 415.902.1019

Berggruen Gallery Summer Selections Work by various artists, thru August. 228 Grant Ave, 415.781.4629, berggruen.com

Studio 333 Affordable studio space for local artists where they can display their talents. Art lessons also available. 333A Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.8272, studio333.info

Caldwell Snyder Gallery Work by Alejandro Corral, starts August 2. 341 Sutter St, 415.296.7896, caldwellsnyder.com

The Painters Place Summer Art Exhibit Figurative works by Marin artist Kathleen Lack, thru August. 1139 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.461.0351, thepaintersplace.com William Lester Gallery Summer workshops with artist Jeanette Le Grue, August 18 & 19. 11101 Shoreline Hwy, Point Reyes Station. 415.663.9365, williamlestergallery.com

SAN FRANCISCO ArtHaus The Jazz Collection Paintings and drawings inspired by music. Work by Serena Bocchino, thru September 29. 411 Brannan St, 415.977.0223, arthaus-sf.com

MARIN AUGUST 2007

Elins Eagles Smith Gallery A group show from the roster of gallery artists, thru August. 49 Geary St, Ste 520, 415.981.1080, eesgallery.com Fraenkel Gallery Several Exceptionally Good Recently Acquired Pictures, thru August 11. 3049 Geary St, 415.981.2661, fraenkelgallery.com Frey Norris Gallery Work by gallery artists, thru August. 456 Geary St, 415.346.7812, freynorris.com Gallery Paule Anglim Work by Ala Ebtekar and Bull Miletic, thru Septemer 1. 14 Geary St, 415.433.2710, gallerypauleanglim.com

George Krevsky Gallery Ruth Gikow: About People This is the second solo exhibition of artworks by Ruth Gikow and includes paintings from the estate, that have never been exhibited, August 2—September 15. 77 Geary St, (San Francisco). 415.397.9748, georgekrevskygallery.com Gregory Lind Gallery A Serious Paradise Work by Jane Callister, Yuko Murata, Jason Middlebrook and Claire Sherman, thru August 18. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, gregorylindgallery.com Hackett-Freedman Gallery Passionate Gesture Work by Cavallon, Ferber, Goldberg, Hoffman, Lobdell, Mitchell and others; on display thru August. 250 Sutter St, 415.362.7152, hackettfreedman.com Hang Art and Hang Art Annex Jenny Balisle at Hang Art, thru August. Eric Jacobson and Nicole Hayden at Hang Art Annex, thru August. 556 & 567 Sutter St, 415.434.4264, hangart.com

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Newmark Gallery Summer in the City This third anniversary exhibit features a variety of gallery artists, thru August 25. 251 Post St, Ste 412, 415.392.3692, newmarkgallery.com Paul Thiebaud Wayne Thiebaud: Hand Colored Prints and Monotypes A presentation of Thiebaud’s best known genres: cityscapes, ﬁgures, riverscapes and still lifes, thru August 18. 718 Columbus Ave, 415.434.3055, paulthiebaudgallery.com

Jack Hanley Gallery Gallery artist Simon Evans, Learn to Read, works on paper thru September 2. 395/389 Valencia St, 415.522.1623, jackhanley.com John Pence Gallery Summer in San Francisco A group exhibit featuring contemporary American realism, August 2— September 1. 750 Post St, 415.441.1138, johnpence.com

Rena Bransten Gallery Photo-based and sculptural work by John Waters, thru August 19. 77 Geary St, 415.982.3292, renabranstengallery.com

Linda Saytes Ongoing work. Hunters Point Shipyard Bldg 101 Studio 2120, 415.824.5756, saytesart.com

MUSEUMS MARIN

Meyerovich Gallery Robert Motherwell: Works from the Artist’s Estate Works on paper, including collage, aquatints and more, thru August 15. 251 Post St, 415.421.7171, meyerovich.com

Bolinas Museum The Art of the Psychedelic Dance Hall Posters: San Francisco 1965—1967 Local works from the ’60s. Jan Gauthier in the Photography Gallery, Rob Setrakian

in the Coastal Marin Artist Gallery, thru August 12 (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org Marin History Museum Time to Play Toys from years past are on display in this new exhibit, thru August 3 (San Rafael). 415.454.8538, marinhistory.org Marin Museum of the American Indian Sacred Rock Art of California: A Spectacular Diversity California has some of the world’s most diverse rock art. Pigments will be on display with photographs of work believed to be over 8,000 years old, thru October (Novato). 415.897.4064, marinindian.com

B AY A R E A Asian Art Museum Yoshitoshi’s Strange Tales: Woodblock Prints from Edo to Meiji One hundred prints by Taiso Yoshitoshi are featured in this two-series exhibit. The two are stylistically so unlike that they could be by different artists, thru September 2 (SF). 415.581.3500, asianart.org

Jeff Faust Cloud Bowl I Acrylic on Canvas 48 by 36 inches

Images of the North Celebrating a Proud Heritage Sculptures by Alaskan Inupiat artists Kipo Tetpon and John Tetpon are on display, thru September 15. 2036 Union St, 415.673.1273, imagesnorth.com

Contemporary, Original Paintings and Sculptures

483 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939 (415) 945-9454 www.gallerybergelli.com

Open Daily 10 - 4

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MARIN AUGUST 2007

de Young Hiroshi Sugimoto The extraordinary 30-year career of photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto is celebrated in this amazing retrospective of 120 luminous photographs, made from 1976 to the present. As one of Japan’s most important contemporary artists, Sugimoto is known for his ongoing multiple series of hauntingly beautiful black-and-white photographs. The photographs explore the themes of time, memory, dreams and natural histories, thru September 23 (SF). 415.863.3330, thinker.org

Barocci, George Stubbs, John Constable, Paul Gauguin, Giorgio Morandi, Pablo Picasso, and Gerhard Richter, thru August 7 (SF). 415.863.3330, legionofhonor.org Museum of Craft & Folk Art Evolution of the Ukulele: The story of Hawaii’s Jumping Flea Explore the history of this popular instrument and see what are considered some of the ﬁnest ukuleles ever crafted on display, August 2—October 21 (SF). 415.227.4888, mocfa.org

Exploratorium Untitled No. 128 Scottish artist Aeneas Wilder, known for transient artworks that are architectural-like structures, will create Untitled No. 128 out of wood in a live building performance (SF). 415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu

SFMOMA Martin Munkacsi: Think While You Shoot The artist’s photographs represent the speed and energy of modern life. His pictures have inspired some of the best photographers in history, including Richard Avedon and Henri Cartier-Bresson, thru September 16 (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org

Legion of Honor Rembrandt to Thiebaud: A Decade of Collecting Works on Paper Shown for the ﬁrst time will be drawings by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Anthonie Waterloo, Giacomo Balla, Edward Hopper, Hans Arp, Andy Warhol, and Wayne Thiebaud, along with prints by Federico

YBCA Joachim Schmid: Photoworks This Berlin-based artist has scoured the streets around photo booths and webcam sites for the raw materials he uses in his craft. He invites us to question the nature of authorship and the role of photography, thru October 14 (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org

FAMILIES/KIDS MARIN Thru 24 Summer Camp Sign up for a different Discovery Camp each week and enjoy guided exploration and open-ended play (Sausalito). 415.339.3900, baykidsmuseum.org Thru September 9 Joshua’s Journey: A Black Cowboy Rides the Chisholm Trail Attendees will be introduced to life during the trail drive era as seen through the eyes of a 16-year-old boy. Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito). 415.339.3900, baykidsmuseum.org B AY A R E A Thru 26 Oops! A Make-Break Fest E

MARIN AUGUST 2007

Come to the Exploratorium to experience the challenge of trying to make your own homemade scientiﬁc toys, including rewiring a lamp and ﬁxing a broken toaster. And browse the store for fun gift ideas. Exploratorium (SF). 415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

4—26 The Crissy Field Mystery Trail Challenge Grab a magnifying glass and get down to the Warming Hut, near the fishing pier and Golden Gate Bridge at the western end of Crissy Field. There, you’ll find a booklet that describes your mission and directs you down the mystery trail in search of the first clue. This challenge is open to anyone and all ages are welcome. Prize awaits the winner. Crissy Field Center, (San Francisco). 415.561.7752, crissyfield.org/center 11 Build Your Own Bag Design and create your own eco-friendly bag and carry lightweight items in style. Repurpose old newspaper, netting, duct tape, slide protectors, banners, and other unexpected items into your one-of-a-kind bag. Exploratorium (SF). 415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu

19 Cardboard Automata Learn about simple machines and mechanical tools by creating working automata out of simple parts, hot glue and a creative mind. Toy automata are wind-up or hand-cranked machines that were used before electronic toys. Exploratorium (SF). 415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu

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EVENTS Tuesdays and Thursdays Doodlebug Knitting Night Learn the basics of crocheting or felting, expand basic knowledge and try something new with fellow enthusiasts. Doodlebug (San Anselmo). 415.456.5989, doodlebugmarin.com Thru August Pancake Breakfast Sundays After a long hike up Mt. Tam reward yourself with a feast on ﬂapjacks, sausage and fresh fruit at a 103-year-old survivor of the crooked-railroad days. West Point Inn (Mill Valley). 415.646.0702, westpointinn.com Thru 17 Creekside Fridays Bring the entire family (including the dog) to this event, which features different musicians and genres of music each week. Bring your own picnic or feast on a barbecue of hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs. Tennessee Valley Cabin (Mill Valley). 415.388.6393, ext. 10, tcsd.us Thru 17 Marin Charitable The association supports programs that proactively address the needs of middle- and high-school-age

youth at risk. The grants committee is now accepting applications. Marin Charitable (Ross). 415.297.6540, marincharitable.org

Thru October 6 Film Night in the Park The annual cinematic event is back. Catch a flick outdoors at a community park in Marin or San Francisco on the new wide screen. This month a special feature will include a tribute to Paul Newman with screenings of The Sting and The Hustler. Other screenings include digitally animated feature films created by Marin residents including Happy Feet and Open Season. Various parks (SF/ Marin). 415.453.4333, filmnight.org

Thru November 4 Chomp! San Francisco’s Conservatory of Flowers becomes a Little Shop of Horticultural Horrors with an exhibition of carnivorous plants. Conservatory of Flowers (SF). 415.666.7001, conservatoryofﬂowers.org 4 Summer Gardening Fair Horticulturists will swoon over this festival of gardens and plants of all types. San Francisco Botanical Garden (SF). 415.661.1316, ext. 354, sfbotanical.org

MARIN AUGUST 2007

4 Wine Tasting Enjoy a flight from Napa Valley’s Grgich Hills Winery. Winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich first gained recognition at the famed Paris Tasting of 1976. There, in a now-historic blind tasting, a panel of French judges chose his 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay as their recommendation for the finest white wine in the world. The results earned Grgich a reputation as one of the greatest winemakers in the world. Tam Cellars (Larkspur). 415.461.9463, tamcellars.com 7 Marin Bonsai Club The annual auction features bonsai trees, pots, tools and books that will be auctioned off along with members’ personal collections. Marin Art and Garden Center (Ross). 415.491.1989, marinbonsai.org 11 & 12 Headlands Hundred Enjoy views of the coast while running this 50- or 100-mile endurance event. Rodeo Beach (Sausalito). pctrailruns.com

15 Scuba Club Join other divers for this monthly informational club meeting. All skill levels are welcome. This month’s topic will be sharks, and the ﬁlm Sharks: Stewards of the Reef will be shown. Seafood Peddler (San Rafael). 415.453.9556.

16 Heirloom Tomatoes Head to Simmer restaurant to experience the culinary talents of new executive chef Thomas Horton at this monthly dinner club. Simmer Restaurant (Corte Madera). 415.927.2332, simmerrestaurantmarin.com

22—26 San Francisco Fashion Week Established and up-and-coming local fashion designers hit the runway for this yearly fest. The week also includes industry workshops and a boutique featuring a range of work. Various locations (SF). fashionweek-sf.com 25 & 26 Tiburon Art Festival Ark Row will be closed to vehicles during this weekend celebration of Marin’s local creative talent. Over 50 artists will showcase sculptures, jewelry, paintings and more. 130 Main Street (Tiburon). 415.789.1794, tiburonartfestival.com 26 Taste of Marin Celebrate Marin’s agricultural bounty with world-renowned farmers, ranchers, vintners and celebrity chefs at this annual event. St. Vincent’s School for Boys (San Rafael). 415.663.9667, marinorganic.org

28 Marin Moonshiners Hike Eat and toast the sunset and full moon rise during this monthly three-mile hike from Four Corners to the Pelican Inn. Bring a ﬂashlight, and plan on refreshing ale or pilsner post-hike. Pelican Inn (Muir Beach). 415.331.0100

Marin Senior Service is a scenic tour that travels rural back roads where few cars interfere with pastoral views of rolling hills, grazing cattle and wildlife. After the race, reap the rewards of a delicious homemade lunch. Tomales High School (Tomales). 415.663.8148, wmss.org/holstein 86

MARIN AUGUST 2007

22 Astrology & Wellness: How Your Moon Sign Affects Your Health Utilizing the tools of astrology and ﬂower essences, this presentation will show you how to identify and work with the emotional triggers that affect your health and well-being and discover your personal moon sign. Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, 7514 Redwood Blvd, (Novato). 415.892.3700, pharmaca.com 26 Writing Mamas Salon Guest speakers Amy Nobile and Trisha Ashworth speak about their new book, I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids, which recounts their own motherhood experiences and includes interviews with other moms. Book Passage (Corte Madera). 415.927.0960, bookpassage.com

NATURE WALKS/TALKS wildlife, wild waters and wild beauty of West Marin are portrayed by Bay Area artists in this biannual beneﬁt show for the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin. Red Barn (Olema).

Ongoing Sonoma History Local ac-

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

18 Introduction to Dragonﬂies During a

4 Fifty Years by the Bay: The San Francisco Giants 1958-2007 Author Chuck Nan speaks about his new book that covers our local professional baseball team. Book Passage (Corte Madera). 415.927.0960, bookpassage.com

8 Men, Women, Love and Chaos Authors 18 Holstein 100 This beneﬁt ride for West

Boucher and the San Rafael Standards of Excellence Appliances and Decorative Plumbing Showroom are hosting an educational cooking demonstration featuring the latest appliances. Standards Showroom (San Rafael). 415.453.6070, standardsofexcellence.com

31 Preview Party West Marin Wild The

18 Baby Shower Day Whether your bundle of joy has just arrived, or it’s on the way, join Pharmaca to ﬁnd out more about wellness for pregnancy, babies and families. Featured activities include screenings, demos and free samples. Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy (Novato). 415.892.3700, pharmaca.com

21 Food For Thought Chef Rachelle

John Gray (Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus) and Warren Farrell (Why Men Are the Way They Are) dig beneath the surface of the two different cultures of men and women to ﬁnd out why the sexes are the way they are. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com

tor George Webber morphs into Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, as he retells the history of Sonoma through Twain’s eyes; speciﬁc dates on website (Sonoma). 707.694.5097, georgewebber.com

short slide show learn to identify many of the local Odonata and talk about basic anatomy. Later, take newly acquired skills to the ﬁeld and seek and ﬁnd several species to identify and watch through binoculars and spotting scopes (Point Reyes). 415.663.1200, ptreyes.org

RETAIL THERAPY 4 Launch Party Sip champagne, nibble appetizers and hang with local celebrities, including Survivor alumna and Ross resident Sylvia Kwan, at the grand opening of NH2, a hair salon and beauty education center. NH2 Hair Salon (Novato). 415.897.8777 MARINMAGAZINE.COM

WINE COUNTRY

Tiburon Art Festival First Annual

22 Shoe Sale Stock up on ﬂats and heels by fabulous designers such as Donald Pliner, Tony Burch, Michael Kors, London Sole and Sigerson Morrison at this twice-yearly sale. Item Shoes (Larkspur). 415.925.0109, item-shoes.com

Thru September 3 Summer of Love Celebrate the 40th anniversary with a return-to-the-’60s spa package, which includes a patchouli oil bath, strawberry oil massage, and a tie-dye linen wrap. Garden Spa at MacArthur Place (Sonoma). 707.938.2929, macarthurplace.com

Paintings, photography, art glass, jewelry, woodwork & sculpture for sale. Music, entertainment & food to enjoy.

3—5 Salute to the Arts This 22nd annual showcase of culinary, winemaking, visual, performing and literary arts raises funds for the Sonoma Valley nonproﬁt arts and cultural organizations. Various locations (Sonoma). 707.938.1133

4 Rick Springﬁeld Hear Jessie’s Girl and Don’t Talk to Strangers as this superstar takes the stage. Wells Fargo Center (Santa Rosa). 707.546.3600, wellsfargocenterarts.com 7 Winemakers Dinner Sea Ranch Lodge Executive chef James Romeo creates a multicourse dinner to highlight premium wines handpicked by Jack and Dolores Cakebread. Sea Ranch Lodge (Sea Ranch). 707.785.2371, searanchlodge.com

Aug 25 11am-7pm & Aug 26 10am-6pm ~ www.tiburonartfestival.com ~ 415.789.1794

FINGERHUT GALLERY

OF SAUSALITO

800-700-1842

Also featuring works by: Picasso, Miro, Smirnov, Montesinos, Vanderveen, Matisse, Jiang, Picart, Snowden, Chagall, Rembrandt, Wilkinson, Dr. Seuss™

18 & 19 SolFest 2007 One of the nation’s largest renewable energy demonstration festivals is back and features green businesses, inspirational workshops and exhibits. Solar Living Center (Hopland). 707.744.2017, solarliving.org

25 & 26 Bodega Art and Wine Festival A selection of seafood, juried art and crafts, entertainment on three stages and a wine and microbrew tasting tent come together in one festival. Watts Ranch (Bodega). 707.824.8717, winecountryfestivals.com MARINMAGAZINE.COM

Giverny Vines, Original oil

8—12 Napa Town and Country Fair Enjoy the thrills of an old-time carnival with three entertainment stages, food, wine tasting and a demolition derby. Napa Valley Expo (Napa). 707.253.4900, napavalleyexpo.com

Henrietta Milan - creating wonder with her palette knife. 690 BRIDGEWAY

www.fingerhutart.com/gallery/sausalito.html

E-mail: sausalito@fingerhutart.com

MARIN AUGUST 2007

F LAVO R

OLEMA INN & RESTAURANT

den patio—bordered by towering eucalyptus

The Lyonnaise salad includes a laundry list

and a manicured lawn (popular for weddings)

of riches like duck confit, pine nuts, caramel-

—is a perfect spot to rejuvenate. With good

ized onions and poached egg, with a handful

company, a wholesome meal and a chilled bot-

of frisée and cherries for a little (though not

Delightful outdoor dining in West Marin

tle of California wine, you’ve got all the mak-

much) palate relief.

ings of a restorative afternoon.

More balanced decadence came with the

Marin menus today increasingly showcase

local wild king salmon graced by grilled fen-

sustainable, local, organic ingredients. But this

nel, peas, morels, lobster, fava beans and

BY ERIKA LENKERT

is not a new trend for the inn, which affirms its

Dungeness beurre blanc. The bread pudding

PHOTOS TIM PORTER

longtime commitment to such fare in mentions

would have benefited from a longer soak

on the menu and signage on the wall outside.

in its egg-batter bath, but the strawberry,

t’s hard to imagine a restaurant as a get-

rhubarb and apple crisp made a perfect coun-

away destination, but that’s exactly what

Chef de cuisine Ed Vigil, who remains at the

try-style finale.

The cuisine itself is a challenge to summarize.

a meal at the Olema Inn is about. Just

helm after an ownership change (retired aero-

Another sweet element was the earnest

driving to this 1876 country inn, nestled in a

space engineer John Wiltshire and wife Carole

young wait staff, whose clear desire to pro-

quaint blip of a town in pristine West Marin,

recently bought the place), continues to push

vide a good experience made up for occasion-

makes a tranquil escape; for a nonlocal, trav-

the culinary envelope with unusual combina-

al lack of expedience. The delays were yet

eling the rural roads, with open space in ev-

tions. At lunch you’ll find sure things like a burg-

another chance to pause, take a breath, and

ery direction, is a welcome way to unwind and

er and pulled pork and roast beef sandwiches,

savor the fact that such a delectably peaceful

leave the everyday hustle behind.

but also adventurous choices like the Marconi

oasis exists a mere 30-minute drive west of

In the inn’s tree-shaded dirt parking lot, the

Cove oysters list, including raw or cooked op-

Highway 101.

scent of eucalyptus is free aromatherapy; in-

tions with four variations of each. My favorite

side, dual dining rooms have a heavenly glow

raw bites were piled high with a mélange of sal-

Olema Inn & Restaurant, 10000 Sir

thanks to high ceilings, eggshell walls, and

sa verde, onions, cilantro, parsley and lime zest;

Francis Drake Blvd., Olema, 415.663.9559;

giant paneled windows with garden views.

the roasted mollusk of choice was blanketed

theolemainn.com. Dinner Wed–Mon, entrées

During prime outdoor dining season, the gar-

with garlic, spinach and white wine.

$26–$30; lunch Sat–Sun, entrées $16–$20.

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

INSIDER’S GUIDE

DINE OUT CORTE MADERA CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN Cal/Eclectic Be prepared for chaos. Easy place to meet with kids; Mom/Dad can enjoy a tasty Thai crunch salad and decent glass of wine while the little ones feast on basic kid-size portions of pasta and pizza. 347 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.945.0401

E YOUR WAN ERLUS žű ƀŹŴźŹ žżƀŬŽŰ

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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, izzyssteaksandchops.com LA MAISON DE LA REINE Vietnamese A refreshing change amid the plethora of Italian, Mexican and Chinese options in town. The crunchy cabbage chicken salad with peanuts, fresh spring rolls, and combinations of pho are delicious and healthy. 346 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.0288 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 fresh or raw fish, chicken or beef. 223 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.3474, pacificcatch.com

FAIRFAX CAFÉ AMSTERDAM American-European The former Broadway Video store is now a cozy spot to enjoy live music, a weekend brunch, dining on the heated patio and a large selection of local beers on tap. 23 Broadway, 415.256.8020, cafeamsterdamlive.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 SORELLA CAFÉ Italian Not only is the food satisfying and tasty; the service is friendly and the ambience is warm and inviting. A plate of olives is presented before the meal and a colorful bowl of Gummi Bears is brought out once your dinner plates are cleared—nice touch. 107 Bolinas Rd, 415.258.4520 MARINMAGAZINE.COM

ŐŚşŝŌŏŔřŒ ŎŚŘ

Tiburon’s first and only luxury full service lodge and high tech meeting center offering 4,000-square-feet of flexible conference and event space.

1651 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon • thelodgeattiburon.com, 415.435.3133

Join us Seven Days a Week for Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Farmer’s Market inspired, fresh, seasonal cooking.

1651 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon • threedegreesrestaurant.com, 415.435.5996

MARIN AUGUST 2007

MILL VALLEY 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. 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, serving up tasty spirits and eye candy. 44 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500, bungalow44.com

Olema Inn’s selection of raw oysters

LARKSPUR E & 0 TRADING COMPANY Southeast Asian Chef Edwin Cabriloa-Torres is keeping the the restaurant’s innovative plates like the Indonesian corn fritters and Thai seafood clay pot as tasty as ever. Without reservations, try a spot at the large communal table. 2231 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.925.0303, eotrading.com LARK CREEK INN American This ﬂagship eatery for the Lark Creek Restaurant Group opened back in 1989 and was hailed by the New York Times as having “the best home cooking you can imagine.” It remains a perennial special occasion spot and is still known for inventive country cooking—as well as a cozy bar scene. 234 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7766, larkcreek.com LEFT BANK RESTAURANT French Known for award-winning French cuisine and its lively brasserie ambience, this corner spot has held court with the locals for well over a decade. Those with a petite appetite/budget can opt for happy hour (4-6 M-F) and enjoy appetizers, all priced under three dollars. 507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331, leftbank.com P I CCO 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 YANKEE PIER American This family-friendly casual clam shack is harbored in a quaint house built in 1924 as a private residence. Yankee Pier serves fresh seafood delivered daily from both coasts for dishes by renowned chef Anthony Bowman. 286 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7676, yankeepier.com 90

MARIN AUGUST 2007

CAFE DEL SOL 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 Highway, 415.388.1852, cafedelsoul.net FRANTOIO RISTORANTE ITALIANO Italian Known for its in-house olive press, superior olive oil and excellent Italian cuisine, this is a great location for large groups. Ask to sit in the press room for private parties. 152 Shoreline Hwy, 414.289.5777, frantoio.com INDIA PALACE Indian Known as “that great restaurant in the Travelodge,” India Palace is a favorite among the takeout crowd; however, eating veggie samosas, shahi khorma, or bhindi special (okra) on site is a treat too. 707 Redwood Hwy, 415.388.3350 LA GINESTRA Italian A favorite family spot for over 30 years; getting a table or comfortable 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 ORA Pan-Asian An inventive small and large plate menu mixed with an impressive wine list and original bar menu, including sake flights. Some favorites include Belgian endive cups, green papaya salad, and anything on the sushi list. It’s an easy place to pop in for a drink and bite to eat, but call ahead for large groups. 24 Sunnyside Ave, 415.381.7500. oramv.com 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 PIZZA ANTICA Cal/Italian Light and delicious thincrust pizza with toppings like fennel, spicy sausage, bacon, pesto and goat cheese, as well as a variety of fresh green salads and entrées. Acoustics are an issue; otherwise, a great meeting spot. Strawberry Village, 415.383.0600

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 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. 106 Throckmorton Ave, 415.381.3343

NOVATO BOCA STEAK & SEAFOOD South American George Morrone, of Aqua and Fifth Floor fame, has been serving up an Argentinean-inspired menu in Novato with much ado. House specialties include provolenta, gambas al ajillo, and empanadas, as well as hand-cut (grass- and grain-fed) steaks. 340 Ignacio Blvd, 415.883.0901, bocasteak.com CACTI GRILL Southwestern 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 KITCHEN American Restaurateur Henry Hautau has succeeded in creating an intimate 45-seat restaurant in downtown Novato. Executive chef Jason S. Hoffman, who has worked at Insalatas, Azie and Waterfront, offers items like orange-and-spice scented house-brined pork chop and star-anisebraised short ribs. 868 Grant Ave, 415.892.6100, kitchen868.com WILDFOX American Perched on the hillside off Highway 101, this rustic mesquite grill offers a menu full of comfort food and drinks, like the smooth cosmos, and seafood risotto, with bits of butternut squash. 225 Alameda del Prado, 415.883.9125, wildfoxrestaurant.com

ROSS 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. 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

SAN ANSELMO AVA California Chef Dan Baker, of Marché aux Fleurs in Ross, has another winner with AVA, which MARINMAGAZINE.COM

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 CUCINA RESTAURANT AND WINE BAR Italian Proprietor Jack Krietzman (also of Pacific Heights’ Jackson Fillmore) has successfully brought Milan to Marin with his 42-seat family restaurant. Relax with a glass of wine and have a slice from the todie-for thin pizzas, which are topped with items like truffle oil and fontina cheese. 510 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.2942 FORK California This intimate spot was awarded a “Top Food in the Bay Area” designation by Zagat for 2007. Opt for the five-course tasting menu or seasonal à la carte options. Dining early? The three course special for $20 is available during the first seating. 198 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.453.9898, marinfork.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

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LOCOCO’S PIZZERIA Italian Worth driving to from all over Marin, and it’s an easy place to meet with friends and family. The pizza crust is divine as is the house salad. Closed Mondays. 638 San Anselmo Ave, 415.453.1238

www.freshstartprivate.com

SAUSALITO

Retirement Living At Its Finest!

ANGELINO RESTAURANT Italian Father and son 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 St, 415.331.5225, angelinorestaurant.com

Villa Marin

CAFFÉ DIVINO Tuscan Sure, you’ll find great coffee drinks in a funky one-room setting, but locals also come for the tasty pastas and salads cooked by Tuscan-born chef Elana Fabbri. Free delivery in Sausalito. 37 Caledonia St, 415.331.9355, caffedivinosausalito.com GAYLORD INDIA Indian Rated as a “Restaurant of Excellence” by Zagat, Gaylord’s new location in Sausalito also features million-dollar views of San Francisco and the bay. All of the dishes including samosas, curries and tandoori are made with fresh local produce, seafood and artisan meats. 201 Bridgeway, 415.339.0172, gaylord.com KITTI’S PLACE Pan-Asian Watch out Comforts (aka the best chicken salad in town), Kitty’s serves up a delicious crunchy fresh chicken salad, as well as light tasty spring rolls too. Everything on the menu, from the pad thai to the BLAT made with thick bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado, is excellent, which is why this little oneroom spot is always bustling. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.331.0390 MARINMAGAZINE.COM

Villa Marin is designed for comfort, security and the enjoyment of leisure. • Purchase your condominium with 100% equity, from $260K to $1.5M. Governed 100% by homeowners’ association.

• Physician and rehab services in our clinic. Skilled nursing and personal care onsite.

• Activities, excursions, lectures and entertainment. • Exercise classes, indoor pool, hot tub and more!

• A perfect place for active seniors to have fun, share intellectual pursuits and make new friends.

Contact Bobbie O. Heldt for a personal tour at (415) 492-2408 www.villa-marin.com Cal. Lic. # 210108102 CCRC Lic. # 158 MARIN AUGUST 2007

Hasta la vista, baby. (Spanish for “good-bye”)

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 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

Hi, Bryan here to say good-bye. I will be leaving soon so it would be great if you bought everything before I left. This would make it easier to retire with my family to the little rental house on the Russian River where I sit on my extremo* and do squat† for a full week each summer – all so I can return nearly as perky and fresh as my free-range Chicken Breasts with rosemary and garlic, my juicy Iowa-bred, thick-cut Pork Chops and ocean-fresh Halibut only hours out of the briny deep. Well, not quite that fresh (or perky, come to think of it), but close. Anyway, if you can’t buy everything, I understand. That would be a lot to buy. But, what the heck, come buy something. So long.$ $

(Irish for “so long”)

*(Spanish for “bottom”) †( English for “very little”)

SAN RAFAEL CAFE GRATITUDE Raw The waiters might push the afﬁrmations theme a bit too much, but the tasty (and healthy) food is worth it. Besides supporting local farmers and sustainable agriculture, the raw food and vegan samosas are hard to resist. Best to bring a group and sample lots of items on the menu. 2200 Fourth St, 415.824.4652, withthecurrent.com SABOR OF SPAIN Spanish Named as Best Tapas/ Small Dishes restaurant in Marin by the Paciﬁc Sun in 2006, this bustling corner hot spot with a Spanish-only wine bar is a great place for a date or a big party. 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. 931 Fourth St, 415.456.2425, srjoes.com SEAFOOD PEDDLER Seafood A great place to seek out fresh seafood in a warm and inviting environment. Varieties of East and West Coast fish flown in daily. Dine indoors or out, or better yet, rent out the banquet room for a party. 100 Yacht Club Dr, 415.460.6669, seafoodpeddler.com SOL FOOD Puerto Rican With south-of-theborder treats like yellow rice, beans, plantains and authentic Puerto Rican dishes, this tiny one-room 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 SUSHI TO DAI FOR Japanese Snagging a seat in this popular sushi spot can be a challenge, but patience will be rewarded with tasty and fresh sashimi, unique sushi rolls and great prices. 869 Fourth St, 415.721.0392

TIBURON

Bryan’s Fine Foods Corte Madera Town Center

927.4488 www.bryansfinefoods.com

GINZA Japanese The old Tiburon Tommie’s space is now the spot to find great sushi in downtown Tiburon. The double hamachi roll is not to be missed. 41 Main St, 415.789.5123 ROONEY’S CAFÉ & GRILL American If you’re old enough to remember Cheers on prime time,

MARIN AUGUST 2007

this 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. Enjoy trans-fat-free calamari, fresh ﬁsh, seasonal salads and pastas. Check out comedy night every Thursday. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527, samscafe.com SERVINO RISTORANTE Italian With people like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates raving about his pizza, Angelina Servino is doing something right. Some people come for the spacious and popular bar; some people come for the great food and friendly service; the titans of industry, it seems, opt for the pepperoni. 9 Main St, 415.435.2676, servino. com THREE DEGREES California Opt for the outside patio, white tablecloths in the dining room, or the swank modern setting of the bar, and enjoy the local, seasonal menu options like grilled Niman Ranch New York “cowboy” strip steak or Dungeness crab risotto. 1651 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.5996, threedegreesrestaurant.com

WEST MARIN DRAKES BEACH CAFE Local If you’re OK with the long drive, you can’t beat the view and the fresh local ingredients used to make the burgers, salads and soups at this casual spot (Inverness). 1 Drakes Beach Rd, 415.669.1297, drakesbeachcafe.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 Wednesday through Sunday. The menu includes tasty and imaginative combinations using regional and organic greens and artisan meats (Olema). 10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.663.9559, theolemainn.com PINE CONE DINER American Just off the main road, Joannie Kwit has re-created the ultimate neighborhood diner. Vintage china and homemade curtains complement the eclectic but homey menu featuring local fare (Point Reyes Station). 60 Fourth St, 415.663.1536, pineconediner.com

SAN FRANCISCO AME Pan-Asian On the ground ﬂoor of the St. Regis Hotel, Ame Restaurant was designated “Best New Restaurant in 2007” by the Zagat guide. Known for raw treatments such as sashimi, crudo, tartare and carpaccio. Dinner only, reservations recommended. 689 Mission St, 415.284.4040, amerestaurant.com BONG SU Vietnamese Brainchild of Tammy Huynh, executive chef and co-owner of the popular Tamarine in Palo Alto. The interior is a mix of the modern and traditional silk, wood and MARINMAGAZINE.COM

steel elements such as a giant bong su (plumeria), floating orchids in towering glass vases…and possibly the most talked-about design feature, the barely there hostess uniforms. The restaurant was voted one of Esquire magazine’s top 20 in 2006. 311 Third St, 415.536.5800, bongsu.com

DISAPPEARING SCREENS FOR DOORS & WINDOWS

CANTEEN Cali/French It’s not easy to get a seat in this nationally noted California-French restaurant, partly because of its reputation and partly because there aren’t many. Ever since the former Rubicon chef Dennis Leary turned a run-down downtown coffee shop into one of the best spots in the city, people have been lining up to sample the goods. 817 Sutter St, 415.928.8870 HAR R I S’ R E STAU R ANT Steak house This San Francisco institution has hosted local and international luminaries for nearly a century. Wine Spectator ranked Harris’ as one of the nation’s top ten steak houses. 2100 Van Ness Ave, 415.673.1888 MAMACITA Mexican Known for its authentic Mexican cuisine and 100 percent pure agave tequila margaritas, this Marina restaurant has quickly become a local favorite. 2317 Chestnut St, 415.376.1629, mamacitasf.com MYTH Cali/French Innovative cuisine by chef Sean O’Brian, formerly of Gary Danko, has made this one of the most popular spots in town. 470 Paciﬁc Ave, 415.677.8986, mythsf.com PERBACCO Italian The seasonal Italian menu focuses on the northern Piemontese region, featuring crudo handcrafted charcuterie, homemade stuffed pastas and classic regional dishes such as Wolfe Ranch quail with persimmon and apple salad. 230 California St, 415.955.0663, perbaccosf.com P R E S A V I I n t e r n a t i o n a l /S m a l l p l a t e s Known for a wine list that’s sure to please any oenophile, including a large selection of flights and by-the-glass choices to pair with chef Kelly Degala’s shared small plates menu. One Letterman Dr, Building D, Ste 150, 415.409.3000, presavi.com

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Retractable Screens for: Front Doors, French Doors, Sliding Doors, Garage Doors, Windows & Shades (415) 706-7510 l www.reelscreens.com l San Rafael, CA

Craving Asian?

PRESIDIO SOCIAL CLUB California Originally serving as barracks for enlisted men, the menu features steaks, pork chops and fresh oysters. Throwing a party? Try the private room, which can accommodate 30 people. 563 Ruger St, 415.885.1888, presidosocialclub.com QUINCE California Book a reservation at least a month in advance to get a seat at one of the 15 tables in this tiny restaurant. The farmers’ market creations by chef Michael Tusk, formerly of Chez Panisse and Oliveto, are sure to please. 1701 Octavia St, 415.775.8500, quincerestaurant.com SCOTT HOWARD American The former chef/ owner of Fork in San Anselmo, Scott Howard packed up his talent and moved it to the big city, in the former location of the Cypress Club on Jackson Street. 500 Jackson St, 415.956.7040, scotthowardsf.com MARINMAGAZINE.COM

SEARCH BY TOWN OR CUISINE AT MARINMAGAZINE.COM MARIN AUGUST 2007

adl i b

MARIN ADVERTISERS SPEAK UP

Pete Pedersen

Merle Jacobson

Melanie Kessler

Pedersen Associates, San Rafael

Sandbox, Greenbrae

Smooth Operations, San Rafael

Founder and principal Pete Pedersen and his tal-

For the past 22 years Merle Jacobson has made

Melanie Kessler’s inspiration for opening

ented design team have provided land planning

Sandbox a place that is fun, fashionable and

Smooth Operations was the lack of inter-

and design services for estate-residential, commer-

friendly while showcasing the newest trends in

est others had in making waxing an industry.

cial and the public sector since 1983. “We blend

clothing, shoes and accessories. With the help of

Kessler provides clients with individualized

clients’ aesthetic tastes and their site’s unique

her stylish and talented staff, Jacobson strives for

treatments at affordable prices in a comfortable

character to create timeless, environmentally sen-

continued success at her Greenbrae boutique.

atmosphere. She hopes to open studios in the future in San Francisco and the East Bay.

sitive designs with a natural flow between indoor and outdoor living areas,” says Pedersen.

Describe your business philosophy. To create an atmosphere where shopping is fun!

Brieﬂy describe your business philosophy. Provide it and they will come.

Which product or service is your favorite? The most exciting part is at the beginning of

What is your competitive edge?

the design process, working with other team

One-stop shopping, helpful and knowledgeable sales

What is your competitive edge?

members to express my views about site-driven,

associates and a wide variety of merchandise.

As of now, I am the only waxing studio in Marin! Waxing has always been an add-on service.

sustainable design.

Describe your dream client.

I’m proud to say that I can devote all my time,

What makes you excel at what you do?

Someone with an open mind and willing to try

energy and finances to building a high-end retreat

Our passion for design and heartfelt desire to do

something new.

with the best waxes, the best equipment and the best technique.

the best work we can. It permeates our work, workspace and employees. This enthusiasm lights

What were you going to be when you grew up?

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A fashion designer.

Which product or service that you offer is your favorite?

Five years from now, what changes will your business experience?

What makes you excel at what you do?

I just love eyebrows. They frame the face. Having

I’m always looking for interesting new lines in

eyebrows done properly can take years off your

Green technologies will be the norm rather than

order to keep the mix fresh and exciting. Sandbox

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is a fun place to shop for women who want

of landscape and architectural design and have

something a little bit edgy and sophisticated at

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embraced green roof design and on-site storm

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What service that you offer is your favorite?

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened recently in your business?

Knowing that with each project, each garden, and

Personal and professional service with a smile.

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Satisfied and repeat customers.

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Saint Vincent’s, San Rafael 4-11 pm Come celebrate Marin’s local food system and dine with the farmers, ranchers and food artisans who produce some of the Ànest food - all prepared by renowned local chefs. Dance the night away to Maria Muldaur’s Classic American Roots music. $150 per person BeneÀting Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Marin Farmers Market, & Marin Organic For tickets & more information, please visit tasteofmarin.org or 415.663.9667

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LIFESTYLE AND INCOME OPPORTUNITY. Located up above the Silverado Trail in the eastern hills of Napa, directly above the Stags Leap Appellation, this special property is a wonderful combination of vineyard and retreat. The vineyard consists of approximately 48 acres, 18 acres of which are planted with Cabernet grapes, and a small amount with Syrah grapes. It produces excellent mountain Cabernet grapes (deemed “ultra premium”), which are currently under contract with Silver Oak Winery. Perfect for entertaining, wine tasting, and enjoying the magical surroundings, the home is unique, stylish, and inviting. Features include a cook’s kitchen with eat-in area and Rumford fireplace, a dramatic living room and dining area, and a romantic master suite. A recently installed swimming pool and spa frame sweeping views of the lush valley. Peaceful, serene, and beautiful.

Offered at $3,495,000

For more information and photographs, please visit: www.MarilynRich.com. Marilyn Rich

415.464.3741 www.MarilynRich.com

M ICROCL I M ATE

DOMINICAN Many say it’s East Coast on the West Coast. BY JIM WOOD PHOTOS TIM PORTER

THE GAME IS TRIVIA AND THE QUESTION IS, What leafy Marin community

was once named Magnolia Valley? The answer: Dominican. In 1871, William T. Coleman purchased 1,100 acres in San Rafael; intending to develop it, he planted trees throughout the property. Several were magnolias—hence, Magnolia Valley. Six years later, in 1888, Mr. Coleman sold 10 acres in Magnolia Valley to the Dominican Sisters, who wanted to build a school on the property. To help out, Mr. Coleman donated half his $20,000 selling price back to the sisters. The rest is history. In 1889, a four-story boarding school was completed. Soon, prominent families, among them the founders of the San Francisco Chronicle, were buying homesites from Coleman and sending their daughters to the nuns for primary and secondary education. In 1917, the school added a four-year institution and named it Dominican College. Over time the name Magnolia Valley moniker faded away and “Dominican” took hold. Now, in 2007, three enticements to living in Dominican are 1) the trees Coleman planted over 130 years ago; 2) Coleman Elementary, an awardwinning school named in his honor; and 3) that prestigious institution the nuns started in 1889, now called Dominican University of California.

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

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PREVIOUS PAGE: An elegant

home on Olive Avenue across from the university. CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: a statue on the campus; Meadowlands Hall, once the summer home of the Michael de Young family and now a dormitory; the classic dining room at Meadowlands.

block of each other on or near the university campus. The university itself, the only four-year college in Marin, now enrolls just 2,000 graduate and undergraduate students, according to its president, Dr. Joseph Fink; nearly 80 percent are on some sort of grant or scholarship. “Our most recent news is the opening this fall of a $20 million, 35,000-square-foot Science Center,” he says. There’s also the Conlan Recreation Center—an on-campus pool, gymnasium, and four tennis courts—completed in 2000 and open to all Dominican residents for a nominal yearly fee. “If there’s a prettier neighborhood than this one, I can’t imagine where it is,” he adds. Having lived in Dominican since 1976, Lindy Emrich has a good To reach Dominican, take the main San Rafael exit off Highway 101;

grasp of the local housing market. “A nice three- or four-bedroom

go four blocks to Mission Avenue; turn right and go two blocks, then

can be bought for between $1 and $2 million,” says the Pacific Union

left on Grand Avenue, which soon becomes the scenic heart of the com-

Greenbrae realtor, who has 30 years of experience. “With older homes

munity. “Dominican is truly a walking community,” says Suzie Pollak,

on estate-size lots, prices zoom into the millions very fast.” A gated

who has lived at the corner of Grand and Watt (Robert Watt, a Gold

property on Mountain View Avenue, with an acre of level land and a

Rush mining engineer who introduced cable cars to San Francisco, was

Tudor-style home in need of updating, recently sold for $4.75 million,

an early resident) for 35 years. “People stroll with their dogs through

she reports, “and the [new] owners plan to put in a million or more

the campus both morning and evening; it’s how we meet and find out

in improvements.

what’s going on.” Pollak and her late husband were drawn to Dominican by the “slightly urban feel of the community, namely the college and all it had

“I listed a three-bedroom, two-bath Dominican home at $925,000 and felt it was well priced,” she adds. “But within a week we had nine offers and it sold for $1,054,000.”

to offer. Being from the Midwest,” she adds, “we also liked the trees:

More typical of the market, she says, is a “darling, absolutely dar-

cedars, oaks, sweet gums, redwoods, and magnolias.” Fellow tree fans

ling” remodeled four-bedroom, three-bath on an 8,000-square-foot lot

are architect Carolyn Davis and her husband Jim, who teaches econom-

that’s listed at $1,087,000. “I can’t believe it hasn’t sold.” The married

ics at Dominican; they moved to the area in 1988. “The trees are mag-

mother of three (all raised in Dominican) can’t say enough good about

nificent, especially in the fall when they change color,” Davis attests.

the community.

“But to us, another bonus to living in Dominican are the hiking trails in

“Besides all the wonderful people and the university, there’s a vol-

Barbier Park; we’re up there with our dog almost every morning—we’re

untary community association that arranges social events for adults and

always running into neighbors.”

kids and deals with neighborhood issues,” she says. “However, what I

Institutional Dominican neighbors include Marin Ballet Center, Marin Tennis Club and the Marin Shakespeare Company, all within a

102

MARIN

AUGUST 2007

really love about Dominican is in the winter you can walk up Mountain View and, with just a short hike, see a great waterfall.”

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

ROMANTIC TUSCAN VILLA, KENTFIELD This magniﬁcent estate home exudes classic old world Italian charm and sophistication. Situated on more than an acre of award-winning grounds in prestigious Del Mesa, this expansive and opulent villa offers a combination of seclusion and privacy amid a setting of resort-style living. The spacious outdoor loggia with full kitchen invites alfresco dining and sunset cocktails with a commanding view of Mt Tamalpais. A stunning property that offers a luxurious lifestyle. • 4 or 5 bedrooms/6.5 baths • Home theater • Intimate master suite with verandah • Art studio • Gourmet chef’s kitchen • Wine cellar with tasting room • Library and ofﬁce • Separate guest cottage • Billiards room • 5 car garage

For a complete property proﬁle go to www.tuscanvillamarin.com

Lei Ann Werner Residential Marketing Specialist (415) 710-0117 LWerner@pacunion.com www.pacunion.com

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plete with swimming pool and offers all day sun amidst total privacy. Inside this spacious ﬁve bedroom, three bathroom home are all of the features one would expect; from exotic uses of stone and marble, to quarter sawn oak hardwood flooring and custom cabinetry—this home has it all! Grace Court is conveniently located within the desirable Chapman Park area of Corte Madera, just minutes from some of the best shopping in Marin County, San Francisco and the wine country!

View all of Jimmy’s current listings at www.JimmyMarin.com

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U NMATCHED RESOURCES . I MPECCABLE CLIENT SERVICE . A TRACK RECORD OF DISTINCTION .

Coldwell Banker Previews International¤ has an impeccable track record that includes more than $153 million in luxury home sales* handled every day. For the experience, the knowledge and the resources that make a difference, call us today and join real estate s most discerning list of clients.

YO U R P R E V I E W S P R O P E RT Y S P E C I A L I S T S

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$ATA¬BASED¬ON¬CLOSED¬AND¬RECORDED¬TRANSACTION¬SIDES¬OF¬HOMES¬SOLD¬FOR¬ONE¬MILLION¬DOLLARS¬OR¬MORE¬AS¬REPORTED¬BY¬AFFILIATES¬IN¬THE¬#OLDWELL¬"ANKER ¬FRANCHISE¬SYSTEM¬FOR¬THE¬CALENDAR¬YEAR¬ ¥ ¬#OLDWELL¬"ANKER¬2EAL¬%STATE¬#ORPORATION ¬!LL¬2IGHTS¬2ESERVED ¬#OLDWELL¬"ANKER ¬0REVIEWS ¬AND¬#OLDWELL¬"ANKER¬0REVIEWS¬)NTERNATIONAL ¬!RE¬2EGISTERED¬4RADEMARKS¬,ICENSED¬4O¬#OLDWELL¬"ANKER¬2EAL¬%STATE¬#ORPORATION !N¬%QUAL¬/PPORTUNITY¬#OMPANY ¬%QUAL¬(OUSING¬/PPORTUNITY ¬%ACH¬/FFICE¬)S¬)NDEPENDENTLY¬/WNED¬!ND¬/PERATED¬%XCEPT¬/FFICES¬/WNED¬!ND¬/PERATED¬"Y¬.24¬)NCORPORATED

Sold in 6 Days Mill Valley

List price $3,950,000

It’s All Ab o u t S OL D ! S OL D !

• People are talking: “Stephanie came so highly recommended that I just assumed my friends had added significant hyperbole to their praise. After working with Stephanie on the sale of my Mill Valley home, I realize that their comments weren’t flattering enough! Her impeccable knowledge of the market and solid contacts throughout the industry, community, and her team were a joy to work with; They went above and beyond the call of duty at every step. She absolutely cares about her clients. I cannot recommend Stephanie highly enough ... too much praise and others would think I’m throwing in the extra hype as well -- but it’s true!” - A.S.

SOLD!

S O LD !

S OL D !

• Why do 20% of agents do 80% of the business? Top producing, seasoned agents know what is important to sell a home. They get results. Top agents will get you more money, in a shorter period of time with less stress.

• Marin-Hawaii Connection: I lived in Hawaii, Maui and Oahu for 13 years. I developed strong ties to the islands. I have owned an oceanfront condo on Maui for 6 years. Best investment I have ever made. Call me about Hawaii! Stephanie Witt Southern Marin Specialist since 1989 415.380.6136 Stephanie.Witt@pacunion.com www.SwittMarinHomes.com

Ross

21 UPPER ROAD WEST

his is Marin living at its best. Midcentury design on 2.1 acres with forever views of Ross Valley, Mt. Tam and the Bay. This gated, private estate has 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, large family room plus library and wine cellar, extensive gardens, oak trees and walking paths. The pool, spa, patios and decks are perfect for entertaining and for taking in the panoramic views. This amazing property sits just a stone’s throw away from Mt. Baldy, so hiking and biking trails are at your back door. Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of Ross’ finest homes! Offered at $4,500,000

Kent Woodlands 7 RIDGECREST ROAD

ith near complete privacy and full sun, this is one level living on over an acre. On one wing is a gorgeous living room, a formal dining room, the kitchen with adjacent office/pantry and family room. On the other wing is the spacious master suite plus three additional bedrooms and bathroom. In the rear, the pool with changing room/cabana and hot tub area with forever views make for great entertaining. There is also an ample storage area with the potential for expansion. A fabulous opportunity in the excellent Kentfield School District! Offered at $2,295,000

Offered exclusively by

For additional information, please call:

Susan Bowman Morgan Lane Marin

The Fine Art of Fine Property

415/448-1111 www.morganlane.com sbowman@morganlane.com

Kent Woodlands 4 ROCK ROAD

r . , s , , g . s d t ’

ocated in Kent Woodlands is this six year old Mediterranean beauty built by one of Marin’s best known contractors. It is a private paradise lush with patios, porches and flower gardens. One feels like being on vacation with the sun drenched pool, sauna, privacy, built-in barbeque and deadon views of Mt. Tamalpais. Approximately 5,000 sq. ft. of living space includes 4 bedrooms plus a potential 5th bedroom or office and 4 1/2 baths. Its proximity to the Marin hiking and biking trails and the wine country make this centrally located property ideal for any lifestyle. Offered at $4,500,000

Ross

40 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BOULEVARD

l . , h . r s h b t e . t

his is the first time this custom designed home has come on the market. A gracious entry hall leads to the living room with fireplace and French doors leading to the pool area and gardens. The main level also has a formal dining room with bay windows, a beautiful kitchen with adjacent family room and a separate laundry room. On the upper level you will find the master suite plus three additional bedrooms and bathroom. The private backyard with lush foliage, pool and patios makes for great entertaining. Amazingly quiet! Offered at $2,295,000

0 Offered exclusively by

For additional information, please call:

Susan Bowman Morgan Lane Marin

The Fine Art of Fine Property

415/448-1111 www.morganlane.com sbowman@morganlane.com

Experience the Difference Meet Charlie Moore McGuire's President Your grandfather started McGuire Real Estate in the early 1900's, why is this longevity important to your clients? Since 1919, we've no w served three generations of San Francisco B ay Area families and these families have become part of our McGuire family. We believe, as our core philosophy, that our customers deserve superior service and results. Our longevity better enables us to deliver unparalleled opportunities, ones that can only be gained through consistent, long-term successes. The result of this is that our sales associates have the benefit of this long standing reputation and an incredible pool of knowledge which adds value to our customer experience.

helps make the move for our McGuire clients an easier one. Y ou might say our family of customers has an ‘ inside track’ to our local knowledge and expertise.

What else does McGuire do to create value for its clients? At McGuire we focus on those things that enable our sales associates to fully serve our customers. We strive to be the best at providing personal service, cutting-edge technology, international affiliations, in-house legal counsel, broad web exposure for all of our customers’ properties, and ensuring that all of our sales associates are up-to-date with the latest knowledge. We achieve this through absolute dedication and by implementing a high touch philosophy.

McGuire's five offices are located throughout the Bay Area (San Francisco, Marin and Burlingame). How do you see the real estate market in each of these areas? Does this regional exposure benefit your clients? The B ay Area market fundamentals are very strong: dem and for housing remains high, interest rates remain low, the j ob market is healthy as people are working and wages are up. These favorable trends, along with the area’s God given beauty, infl uence our B ay Area real estate market—people are buying homes. Our real estate market is in a word B RISK ! A nd moving forward I see the market’s future as very strong indeed. As to the benefit of McGuire Real E state’s regional exposure, it is our family of customers who enj oy our network of knowledge when moving from San Francisco to Marin or B urlingame and vice versa. Y ou see, at McGuire, our Sales Associates are the trusted counselors who have the knowledge of McGuire’s network of offices. McGuire’s strong presence and reputation in the San Francisco B ay Area

"The Bay Area market fundamentals are very strong: demand for housing remains high, interest rates remain low"

Research has shown that 80 percent of potential buyers visit the Internet when they first begin browsing, but are not yet ready to begin with the buying process. At McGuire, we have addressed this by developing a destination web site, www. mcguire.com, which allows the buyers to begin their research phase. We build our relationships slowly, at your pace, when you’re ready. In the meantime, www. mcguire.com provides our visitors with property information for the entire B ay Area without asking questions until, as a buyer, you’re ready. When you initiate the questions, we’ll happily reply with

For more information about McGuire, contact: Charles Moore, President (415) 929-1500 • cmoore@mcguire.com

helpful information through our customer care representatives. Then when you feel like you’re ready for the next step in the process we’ll work with you to find the very best fit. That’s our promise and that’s our McGuire difference. Through this process our knowledgeable, highly-skilled sales associates know more about what you want, when you want it, and how you want it. This match making approach has led to direct results for our entire family of sellers, buyers, and sales associates.

You moved your family to Mill Valley last year. You could live anywhere. Why Marin? Talk about a “ WOW experience” Marin is it! My wife, three children, and I are very active and Marin offers all we need and more. Our 15 year old son j ust completed his freshman year at Redwood H igh. Not only do we love the public schools in Marin, our children have the comfort and freedom of the outdoors. All of us ride our bikes, kayak in Richardson B ay, and hike in the Marin H eadlands. It’s j ust a spectacular place to live. I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the special qualities of Marin folks themselves. Their spirit is unique: they care, they think, they shop, love coffee breaks, and have fun. They are outdoors people who seem to fully appreciate the beauty of our wonderful area. Marin is as close to “ H eavenly” as it gets!

www.mcguire.com Marina • Downtown • Noe Valley Marin • Peninsula

Experience the Difference Meet Heidi Pay, MBA McGuire's Vice President, Sales & Marin Manager benefit to McGuire. We know that Marin residents are a sophisticated group who appreciate the value of personalized service that comes from working with a locally-owned, boutique agency.

"Service. Service. Service. Our company is based How is the real estate market? That seems to be the first question everyone asks. In Marin, the market is unlike other parts of California so you cannot rely on the general California market reports. Marin’s median price for single family homes continues to lead the state while demonstrating a considerable resilience to the interest rate pressures. For upper-end homes, those over $3 million, Marin County had 53 sales yearto-date, compared to 30 the previous year during the same time frame—an increase of 76 percent. And from a more personal perspective, McGuire is having an outstanding year; sales are up 89 percent, the average sales price up 34 percent, and we have seen a 41 percent increase in the number of transactions. The market continues to be very strong.

How have the recent changes in the real estate industry affected Marin? Recently there have been significant changes in the Marin and San Francisco real estate market among brokerage firms. Small independent brokerages are being consumed by franchises; and a corporate business model has been overlaid with varying degrees of success. National companies have tried to penetrate the Marin market and have had to close their doors. Top agents in the industry have made noticeable changes in their affiliations. I feel these changes are a

on a Nordstrom model, a high-quality, serviceoriented focus."

What is your business philosophy? Service. Service. Service. Our company is based on a Nordstrom model, a highquality, service-oriented focus. While a Costco business model has its place for some types of consumer items, a home sale or purchase is typically one of the largest and most important financial decisions people make and we believe that selecting an agent and company that can guide you through that process safely, is essential. McGuire is focused on providing the highest quality of service to its agents by professionally assisting them with nearly every aspect of the business behind the scenes. This allows McGuire’s agents to spend more time directly helping their clients.

How is the role of the agent changing? Today most homeowners use the internet for research. Frequently they have already previewed the homes through online photos, video, and virtual tours. Agents no long play the role of personal shopper. Our agents now fill the more important role of trusted advisor, assisting

For more information about joining McGuire, contact: Heidi Pay, MBA, Vice President, Sales & Marin Manager (415) 389-5601 • hpay@mcguire.com

clients with handling the hundreds of pages of documents that are typical in a real estate transaction today and offering current market knowledge and information about the neighborhood that cannot be gleaned from online data.

There has been a lot of coverage of commission fees in the press lately, what are your thoughts about this? As I mentioned earlier, a Costco business model has its place for some types of consumer items, however when dealing with the sale or purchase of a home, the value a skilled agent provides easily exceeds the difference in commission costs. Clients benefit from agent’s knowledge about the local property values, their ability to market the property to buyers, and their careful assistance navigating the complex legal documentation process, which if not skillfully handled, can potentially lead to thousands of dollars in litigation. Additionally, many homeowners are not aware that reductions in the cooperating brokerage fee can result in fewer overall showings of a home, which limits the number of potential buyers viewing the property.

Are you currently accepting agents at McGuire? Well, I interview many, but hire a few. I am extremely selective as McGuire has exceptionally high standards for incoming agents. We make a substantial investment in the development of our agents, both financially and personal time. I spend a great deal of one-on-one time consulting with my agents and assisting them with business planning and marketing. I can only bring in agents who I feel can meet our standards, those who are highly professional and can provide our clients with the quality service we demand.

www.mcguire.com Marina • Downtown • Noe Valley Marin • Peninsula

“DWELL”- LIKE MILL VALLEY HOME

366 Lovell Avenue MILL VALLEY, CA

FEATURES: • New Construction: 5 Bedrooms / 4.5 Baths • Stunning canyon and Mt. Tam views • Open floor plan incorporating light and views • Eat-in gourmet kitchen with Thermador appliances • Large Family / Media Room

P R E S E NTE D BY

• Surrounded by gardens and lawn areas on 1/3 acre • 2 car side by side garage plus driveway parking A CREATIVE APPROACH TO REAL ESTATE

• Close to Downtown Mill Valley & hiking trails • Offered at $4,395,000

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415_401_9966 Payton@PaytonsList.com www.PaytonsList.com

Photos at www.PaytonsList.com

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Lindy Makes Dreams come true in the Dominican…

…and all through Marin County

Lindy represents these ﬁne homes and other properties throughout Marin. Please visit her website at http://LindyEmrich.com or call her at 415.464.3744 and see how she can make your dreams come true too!

Lindy Emrich (415) 464-3744 lemrich@pacunion.com

MARIN METROPOLITAN PRESENTS AN EXTRAORDINARY BAUHAUS INSPIRED HOME

City, bay and mountain views • Formal dining room • Formal living room • Expansive chef’s kitchen • 5 bedrooms • 4 new bathrooms • Family room • Laundry room • Au pair’s kitchen and laundry • 2 car garage + additional parking • Flat yard • Great central Mill Valley location

Craig Swanson (415) 717-0607 cswanson@pacunion.com www.marinmetropolitan.com

A Very Competitive Mortgage Tailored To Your Needs Rely on the security of home financing with one of the nation’s leading retail mortgage lenders. Whether you’re purchasing or refinancing, you’ll benefit from: • A wide selection of conventional loan products • FHA and VA loans • New construction and renovation financing • Up to 100% financing available for qualified buyers • First time homebuyer programs • Responsive service and professional expertise

Call today for more information! Mia Kelsey Home Mortgage Consultant 300 Drakes Landing Road, Suite 150 Greenbrae, CA 94904 415-789-5441 Tiburon Branch 415-380-5506 Strawberry Village Branch Email: mia.kelsey@wellsfargo.com Website: www.wfhm.com/wfhm/mia-kelsey

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J ENNIFER L IVINGSTON COMPLETE HOME STAGING DESIGN (415) 453-5538 P HONE

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(415) 453-5537 FAX

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JEN N IFER @ JLIV IN G STO N H O M EDECOR . COM

OPES/opés/ • n./latin for wealth

Jeffrey T. Smith Melanie Victor-Smith 101 Larkspur Landing Circle Larkspur, CA 94939

(415) 464-9500 Palo Alto • Marin • San Mateo Real Estate Broker – CA Dept. of Real Estate License # 01458652

opesadvisors.com

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Your home & mortgage - two of the largest numbers on your balance sheet - do you know how to think about this? We can help. Refinance

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Purchase

Mortgages

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Just a few minutes north of the Golden Gate, yet a million miles away, is Seadrift at Stinson Beach. For over 30 years, Seadrift Company has been the expert in Real Estate sales and premium vacation rentals in Stinson Beach and the private gated community of Seadrift. Call us today to reserve your beach house... for a week, a summer or a lifetime.

VIEW OUR PROPERTIES ONLINE AT WWW . SEADRIFTREALTY . COM AND CALL US AT 415.868.1791

President Elect, Marin Women’s Council of Realtors

Judy LeMarr 415-380-4642 jlemarr@fhallen.com www.marindreamhome.com

FRANK HOWARD ALLEN REALTORS Marin’s oldest real estate ﬁrm

Some of the Marin Views Sold in 2007

Service Experience 736 Sequoia Valley Rd, Mill Valley

5 Starbuck Drive, Muir Beach

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D I A LO GUE

LARRY MINDEL

BY MIMI TOWLE

You could live anywhere. Why Marin? Like many people, no matter where I have been, when I step off the plane and know that I will be in Marin shortly, I feel a smile come to my face. We are blessed by fabulous weather, great views, clean air, varied topography and the San Francisco Bay. The people who inhabit this county are individualistic, politically active, thoughtful and interesting and make our community exciting and yet comfortable. What makes you happy in Marin? Being here makes me happy. Being around intelligent people who are inquisitive makes living here pretty stimulating. There’s so much to like about Marin and all of it, and I mean all of it, makes me happy. What bothers you here? Trafﬁc. What do you value every day? How very, very lucky I am.

iven his origins in Toledo, Ohio, it’s a wonder that restaurateur Laurence “Larry” Mindel of Sausalito was the ﬁrst

What is your personal idea of luxury? A sweater from Loro Piana.

American to win the coveted Caterina de Medici medal

for preservation of Italian heritage and culture outside Italy. When

What person has inﬂuenced you the most? My father.

he was a boy, his culinary experience topped out at brisket and caramel cake; a noodle was something found in chicken soup.

What has been the most fulﬁlling moment in your work? Being

Fortunately, for those of us who love Italian food, Mindel was des-

awarded the Caterina de Medici medal by the Italian government

tined for the restaurant business. Like Starbucks bringing the latte to

in the ancient City Hall of Florence with my parents and family in

Peoria, he and his partners introduced dishes like risotto con funghi

attendance. I was the ﬁrst American and the only recipient of non-

to California. Following his ﬁrst major success, Chianti in Los Angeles,

Italian descent to be awarded this prestigious medal.

he launched such Bay Area dining destinations as Ciao, MacArthur Park, Guaymas and Prego, one of the ﬁrst U.S. restaurants to feature

What’s your desert-island favorite book or album? Either Soldiers

exhibition pizza ovens. Walking past the sidewalk tables of the Union

of a Different War or The Great Gatsby.

Street eatery, people were lured in by the heady aroma of baking bread. Soon after Mindel was making dough of a different sort from

What do you like best about yourself? My good fortune to be able

a small group of bakeries that became the Il Fornaio empire, generat-

to work with great people in the restaurant business.

ing more than $150 million a year. Along with exploring the towns of Italy, Mindel is most happy

What’s your favorite place to unwind? Our boat.

Reed School in Tiburon. Another source of happiness is Sausalito’s

Do you have a favorite Marin view? From the east-facing balcony of

Poggio, his latest restaurant, a place “as close as I can get to the very

our home in Sausalito.

heart of what Italian cooking and hospitality are about,” he attests. We caught up with him there one sunny afternoon to learn why he’s

How do you want to be remembered? As an inspirational father,

called Marin home for over three decades.

caring husband and thoughtful leader.

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AUGUST 2007

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PHOTO: BARBARA RIES

spending time with his five children and wife Debby, a teacher at

Representing and Marketing the Most Extraordinary Properties in Marin Current Listings Mill Valley San Rafael 33 Rose Avenue 23 Leona Drive 33RoseAvenue.com 23LeonaDrive.com Price Reduction! • $2,495,000 • $2,595,000 Sausalito - 4 Units 507 Easterby Price Reduction! • $1,395,000

If you are considering buying or selling a home, please call me for a private consultation.

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Design&Style Visit us online or at a store near you to view our great collection of home and office furniture. We are open 7 days a week, call for store hours.

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