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

JULY 2008

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CONTENTS

Features 76

life Wish You Were Here Is Marin County a destination for tourists? story & photos tim porter

68 76 journey 84 life

home Pool House Perfection From simple to simply sublime hospitality. story p. j. bremier photos barbara ries

Manaslu and Beyond

Climbing in Nepal, where the scenery can come with a price. story & photos vassi koutsaftis

Second Home Options

Is it better to build or buy a home already constructed? story mandy behbehani photos tim porter

Marin (Volume 4, Issue 7) is published monthly by Marin Magazine, LLC, One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Rates is Pending at Sausalito, CA and at additional mailing ofﬁces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Marin Magazine, One Harbor Drive, Suite 208 Sausalito, CA 94965.

MARIN

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CONTENTS

Departments 20 letters

Readers respond to Marin Magazine.

24 at a glance

Hot tips day by day for the Bay Area.

30 snap

Out and about, in and around Marin.

38 trends

Bags and clutches. by somer ﬂaherty

42 life style

Mill Valley’s Angela Swanson discusses her personal style.

45 fyi

Environment: Audubon Canyon Ranch. Green: KINeSYS products earn high praise. Home: Luxe living in the outdoors. Second Homes: Active fractional market suits Marin families. Business: Fashion-forward Fleurville creates functional bags. Health: Summer sun protection.

MARIN

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CONTENTS

108

Departments 102 go

Ashland, Oregon—Shakespeare mecca. by kendra smith

108 play

Marin running groups bond on the trails. by somer ﬂaherty

112 books

Summer reading picks. by samantha berry

114 calendar

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

122 flavor

Local chefs share barbecue sauce secrets. Dine Out: An insider’s guide to Bay Area restaurants.

141 microclimate

Santa Venetia. by jim wood

162 dialogue

Poet extraordinaire Robert Hass. by mimi towle

Columns The Cover Sausalito Fireworks, by Marin photographer

view from mount tam

pov

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

Tim Porter. More of his work can be seen at timporter.com. Cover art can be purchased at marinmagazine.com/coverart.

MARIN

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Five places to take summer guests. by jim wood

SAVOR SUMMER IN STYLE Avignon™ Chaise—now $959, was $1,199—crafted from Premium Teak® (shown above).

Visit our Strawberry Village store to learn about our attractive ﬁnancing solutions. 800 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley, CA | 415.381.1800 SmithandHawken.com Sale on Avignon Chaise valid 07/03/08–07/24/08 on orders placed in store, via phone, or SmithandHawken.com. Sale price does not include cushion. Not combinable with other discounts and promotions; not valid for the purchase of Smith & Hawken products from Authorized Retailers. Smith & Hawken ﬁnancing options available for purchases made in store only. © 2008 Smith & Hawken, Ltd. All rights reserved. Novato, CA 94949

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

executive editor Jim Wood ext 106 jwood@marinmagazine.com

senior editor Mimi Towle ext 101 mtowle@marinmagazine.com

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

departments editor Somer Flaherty ext 103 sflaherty@marinmagazine.com

copy editor/proofreader Cynthia Rubin

editorial contributors Mandy Behbehani, Samantha Berry P. J. Bremier, Vassi Koutsaftis, Kendra Smith

Art art director Anne Walzer

production manager Alex French ext 111 production@marinmagazine.com

production artist Stephen Spoja

contributing photographers Drew Altizer, Vassi Koutsaftis, Sheri Montgomery, Barbara Ries, Nike Van der Molen

web master Nancy Williams

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

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Portrait of Prince Zhu Youyuan in the ceremonial uniform (detail), probably 1521. Anon. Ming artist. Hanging scroll, colors on silk. The Palace Museum, Beijing.

Advertising publisher Lisa Shanower 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

account manager Rebecca Novack ext 113 rnovack@marinmagazine.com

advertising sales coordinator Alexandria Reno ext 100 areno@marinmagazine.com

POW E R & GLO RY: C O U RT A RT S O F CH I NA’ S

regional sales offices southern california dorie leo and associates Dorie Leo 310.822.4938

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

JUNE 27–SEPT. 21, 2008

advertising art director

Why are Ming vases cherished as exquisite artworks of majestic perfection? Find out at this unique exhibition of treasures from China’s ﬁnest museums— including rare objects from the Forbidden City. From jades and porcelains to jewelry and paintings, the grandeur of the Ming court is yours to discover.

Volume 4, Issue 7. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Marin Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright©2008. Reproduction of Marin Magazine content is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Marin Magazine LLC. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned. Marin Magazine reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertisement deemed detrimental to the best interests of the community or that is in questionable taste. Marin Magazine is mailed monthly to homes and businesses in Marin County. Subscription rates are $12 per year. Marin Magazine, One Harbor Drive, Sausalito, CA 94965. Phone 415.332.4800, fax 415.332.3048, e-mail editorial@ marinmagazine.com, website marinmagazine.com.

LEAD SPONSOR MEDIA SPONSORS :

Alex French ext 111 production@marinmagazine.com

KQED Public Broadcasting, NBC11, CBS Outdoor, San Francisco magazine, KTSF 26, Sing Tao Daily, AsianWeek, World Journal and Where Magazine.

marin magazine is printed on 10% post-consumer waste paper This exhibition was developed by a grant from the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. Additional support provided by the Henry Luce Foundation, the Starr Foundation, the Bei Shan Tang Foundation, Sotheby’s MasterCard, United Airlines, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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MARIN

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

SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVING IS EASY in Marin—espe-

As we head out for the summer, thousands of tourists

cially if you have a pool. In Home, P. J. Bremier takes us

from the world over arrive in Marin. Tim Porter tags along

on a tour of pool houses, from one fit for a Hobbit to an-

with them and learns that not only do millions of people

other made for the good life under the Tuscan sun. Before

consider a trip to the Bay Area incomplete without a visit

you head poolside, though, read FYI Home for a guide to

to Muir Woods or elsewhere in Marin, but these eclectic

comfy outdoor living and FYI Green for the story of the

out-of-towners also leave behind millions of dollars for the

Marin couple who turned KINeSYS sunscreen into a must-

local economy.

have product for summer activity.

Marin, Flavor samples the best of local barbecue sauc-

at home, Mandy Behbehani tackles the buy vs. build sec-

es, Microclimate visits the Santa Venetia neighborhood,

ond-home question and finds a variety of answers—from

FYI Environment profiles Audubon Canyon Ranch on the

a lodge in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley to a restored apart-

Bolinas Lagoon and Dialogue engages with Inverness poet

ment across from Napoleon’s Tomb in Paris.

Robert Hass, winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for poetry.

Few people get away to the extreme that Mill Valley

As always, our wish is for your good reading. Enjoy

writer-photographer Vassi Koutsaftis does. In Journey, he

Marin Magazine, as we continue to celebrate this truly

takes us on a high-altitude—and harrowing—trek around

extraordinary place!

26,781-foot Mount Manaslu in Nepal. For a tamer va-

Lisa Shanower, Publisher

cation, follow Kendra Smith in GO to Ashland, Oregon,

Nikki Wood, Editorial Director

where Shakespeare provides most of the adventure.

MARIN

Also in this issue, Play reports on trail running in

For those who want to get away but still want to be

J U LY 2 0 0 8

Jim Wood, Executive Editor

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

paciﬁcfertilitycenter.com

LE TTE RS

THROW

Readers respond

YOUR KID AN O U T- O F THIS-WORLD B I R T H D AY PA R T Y.

thoughtful words and beautiful photos took “immigration” out of abstraction, and showed

❯❯ West Marin fan

readers the faces of immigration in our own

I was happy to read the April POV on a week-

community. In addition, Tim gave the chil-

end away in West Marin. After four years as

dren portrayed in the magazine a wonderful

innkeepers, we are surprised how many people

gift: sharing their dreams with the readers.

come from “over the hill.” Ours is a wonderful

The young people of the Canal Neighborhood

place to visit and less than a hour away. Also,

have dreams and terrific goals. Tim and Marin

your coverage of the “battle” between our two

Magazine provided unique insight into the

local newspapers was very insightful!

world of the Canal’s youth. Thank you, Marin

Patsy Faulkner, innkeeper

Magazine and Tim Porter. Please come back

Inverness Secret Garden Cottage

to the Canal neighborhood; many of Marin’s future leaders are here.

❯❯ Camp Everytown

Mara Perez, board president, Canal Alliance

I really enjoyed seeing the coverage of Camp Everytown at Tamalpais High School in your May issue. This is a unique program that de-

❯❯ Keep it green

pends on the generous funding of school and

In Jim Wood’s POV (“Green Option,” June)

community organizations to ensure that it re-

regarding Community Choice Aggregation, he

mains free of charge to all students. This past

stated that as much as 40 percent of the 240

fall we were fortunate to receive $15,000

megawatts Marin consumes could responsibly

from the Tam High Foundation, $10,000 from

be generated locally. Could he (or someone)

Marin Charitable, $3,000 from the Mill Valley

please tell me how this would be done? No

Rotary and $2,000 from the Sausalito Lions,

one ever talks about where this green energy

as well as numerous donations from parents

will come from. In order to make a respon-

and community members. Every donation

sible decision, I think everyone should know

made to these wonderful organizations al-

the source of this energy. Why is this not be-

lows them to continue their excellent work as

ing discussed publicly? Don Taylor, Novato

benefactors to the community at large. These “extracurricular” activities often are the most memorable and potentially life-changing for

Regarding the POV on the Green Option,

our students. Focusing our energies on cul-

Community Choice Aggregation, there are

tivating positive experiences for our youth

a number of factors to be considered before

—rather than punitive measures—will in the

citizens decide whether or not to join Marin

long run be our best investment. Thank you.

Clean Energy. I invite your readers to review

Eric Saibel, assistant principal

the much more detailed information on my

Sir Francis Drake High School

web site: greenmarin.org. Gene Dyer, San Rafael

❯❯ Kudos to Canal Niños

MARIN

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As Canal Alliance’s board president, I wish to

Letters to the editor may be edited for clarity and

thank Marin Magazine for its article, “Sueños

brevity. Send letters to Marin Magazine, One

de Niños,” in the May 2008 issue. It would

Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965.

have been valuable enough if Tim Porter’s

Or e-mail jwood@marinmagazine.com.

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

JUST YOUR AVE R AGE

F A M I LY O U T I N G .

E XPAN D YOU R U N IVE R S E Take a virtual tour at GoToChabot.org

POV

Summer Guests? Here are ﬁve Marin destinations to entertain visitors If you prefer saving bucks (Segways are $68 for a two-hour tour), try hiking the five

BY JIM WOOD

101, drive east for five miles and look for the China Camp Village sign.

miles around the island; the views of the city

The Vedanta Retreat is a real treat. Silence,

(panoramic, bridge to bridge) and from atop

peace and serenity are in store for those who

Mount Livermore (360-degree sweep of the

stop in at this retreat off Highway 1 in the West

Bay Area) are spectacular. Complete informa-

Marin hamlet of Olema. A spectacular euca-

tion, including ferry schedules and Segway

lyptus-lined entry and spacious lawn frame a

rates, is available at angelisland.org and

135-year-old two-story ranch house that’s a

angelisland.com.

place of meditation for women (there’s a sep-

The herons and egrets are mating at

arate retreat house for men). The surrounding

Audubon Canyon Ranch. Those spectacu-

fields and meadows have their own peaceful

lar wide-winged birds are at it again, nest-

feeling. The Vedanta Retreat, aligned with the

ing, incubating, hatching and raising their

Ramakrishna Order of India, is open daily and

chicks—but only through mid-July. ACR is

for group meditations; call 415.922.2323.

free-admission (donations accepted), open

Cavallo Point is Marin’s newest attraction.

othing controversial in this col-

daily and located just north of Stinson Beach

If you know your way to Fort Baker, just south

umn. Instead, let’s see if I can al-

on Highway 1. A short scenic hike takes your

of Sausalito at the foot of the Golden Gate

leviate the consternation that often

group up to the Henderson Overlook (elev.

Bridge, you can find Cavallo Point. A $100 mil-

hits when out-of-town friends and family come

200), where telescopes, binoculars and do-

lion restoration has created a lodge and spa

calling in Marin. Sure, you can take the tra-

cents are ready to show and tell you all that’s

with 142 guest rooms, many in the tasteful-

ditional tour through Muir Woods. Maybe

going on. See page 45 in this issue for more

ly renovated Colonial Revival red-roofed bar-

all could go wandering through downtown

details. After your visit, maybe drive over to

racks. Also creating buzz: Farley Bar (named

Sausalito. Or how about riding the ferry from

Bolinas and have a cold beer at the venerable

for the late Phil Frank’s comic strip character)

Tiburon to Fisherman’s Wharf and back?

Smiley’s Saloon.

and Murray Circle, a 90-seat restaurant on the

Am I hearing “been there, done that?”

China Camp Village is practically empty.

loop around the stately parade grounds. Check

Or “been here a while and did that several

Easily accessible China Camp State Park on

it all out—maybe time your visit for lunch or

times?” Here are five Marin destinations you

San Pablo Bay is often called the “most over-

dinner or simply walk upstairs above Murray

might not have visited, with or without East

looked park in the Bay Area,” and China Camp

Circle restaurant to see the large-scale photo

Coast relatives.

Village is its crown jewel. In the late 1800s it

images of elephants and pumas by Gregory

Have you been on Angel Island lately?

was home to about 500 villagers, most of them

Colbert, made famous in the Ashes and Snow

You can now rent Segways, those electric self-

from Canton (now Guangzhou), China, who

exhibits. A cold drink on the veranda might be

balancing devices that can glide you and your

shrimped the local waters. Today China Camp

in order. Call 415.339.4700.

visitors from Ayala Cove to the Civil War–era

Village is a self-guided but seldom-visited liv-

If I missed a favorite of yours, please e-

Camp Reynolds to the history-haunted brick

ing museum featuring all the accoutrements

mail me. There are ample adventures to be

buildings of Fort McDowell and on to the

of the shrimping trade, including nets, skiffs,

had here in Marin, and not all of them require

restoration work under way at the Chinese

shacks and a rickety-looking pier. Picnic tables

sturdy legs or a thick wallet. That’s my point of

Immigration Station, often called the “Ellis

abound and on weekends a tiny cafe is open.

view. What’s yours?

Island of the West.”

Take North San Pedro Road exit off Highway

MARIN

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E-mail jwood@marinmagazine.com.

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

D O W N T O

W M

Heidi Duckor Branch Manager Bank of Marin Downtown Mill Valley

She’ll look after you like a good neighbor would. Meet Mill Valley banker Heidi Duckor. She’s been a part of the local community for over 25 years. Now that she’s at Bank of Marin you can be sure she’ll personally take care of all your banking needs. She’ll take time to learn about your business or family’s financial goals and help find unique ways to achieve them. So stop by or give Heidi, your loyal neighbor, a call today at (415) 380-4665.

Committed to your business and our community Downtown Mill Valley Branch · 19 Sunnyside Avenue · Open Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm · www.bankofmarin.com

AT A GLAN C E

EVE NT S I N MAR IN & B EYO ND

JU LY JULY 2—6 County Fair

THRU JULY 27 Gallery Route One Anniversary

Don’t miss the fireworks and musical guests Joan Jett, WAR and Los Lobos at the 63rd edition of the fair. Marin County Fairgrounds (San Rafael). 415.499.6400, marinfair.org

The nonprofit gallery is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a group installation, with each member artist contributing a piece. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org

JULY 4 Independence Day

JULY 11 Beat the Heat

JULY 11—AUGUST 24 Marin Shakespeare Co.

Be there for the marching bands, floats and community groups in Sausalito’s annual parade, followed by the annual tug-of-war. The corner of Second and Main to Dunphy Park. ci.sausalito.ca.us

What’s better than a free, icy, refreshing drink? Today, head to one of Marin County’s ten 7-11 stores for a free Slurpee to celebrate 7-11 Day.

Amadeus is a tale of political intrigue, sexual betrayal and backstabbing between Antonio and his nemesis Wolfgang Amadeus. Dominican University (San Rafael). 415.499.4488, marinshakespeare.org

JULY 12 Looking Good

JULY 12 Microbrewery Festival

This year’s Hospice by the Bay Foundation’s fashion show, luncheon and hat contest includes designs by Lily Samii. Four Seasons (SF). 415.526.5500

Over 28 breweries are participating in this annual event to raise money for breast cancer awareness. The day also includes a raffle and live music. Marin Brewing Co. patio (Larkspur). 415.461.4677

JULY 14 Bastille Day

THRU JULY California Closets

THRU JULY In Season

If you can’t make it to the Eiffel Tower, take a shorter trip to Sausalito’s Schoonmaker Point Marina and enjoy French fare at Le Garage bistro.

Three Painters, Life in Color features the work of three award-winning Marin artists, including Marin Open Studios founder Kay Carlson. California Closets (San Rafael). 415.455.1200, calclosets.com

Head to the local farmers’ market and pick from this season’s bounty of fresh produce like heirloom tomatoes, peaches, cucumbers and melons.

JULY 20 Moon Walk It was on this day in 1969 that a human first set foot on the moon. NASA refers to the event as “the human race’s single greatest technological achievement of all time.”

MARIN

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JULY 20 Babes and Babies Event Hip moms and moms-to-be can shop for accessories, clothing and products for their trendy tots at this Appel and Frank event. JCC (SF). appelandfrank.com

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

My family has been in the investment business for the better part of the last century. My grandfather, Henri de la Chapelle, was an early partner at Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis. My grandfather, Rudolph Eichler, founded Bateman Eichler & Co. in 1929. My father, Peter Eichler Sr., became chief executive of Bateman Eichler in the 1970s. I worked on the floor of the NYSE, developed investment products for E.F. Hutton and launched a money management division for Bear Stearns. To say that I have worked in this business my entire life is not an overstatement. My forbears taught me that to be a successful investor one must be an independent thinker. At Aletheia, we have always done our own research. Another important family trait I have incorporated is common sense in terms of valuation, risk and return expectations. I also believe common sense guides the amount of effort needed to achieve superior results. It takes an incredible amount of time and effort to add value in today’s challenging financial markets. At Aletheia we have combined a rich heritage, creative thinking and a tireless work ethic. We look forward to hearing from you. Peter J. Eichler, Jr. Founder, Chairman, CEO

No taglines. No gimmicks. Just one thing: Performance. ALETHEIA: Performance, Excess Return and Alpha Rankings (Since Inception – period ended 12/31/06) Large Cap Growth Composite

Income Composite

Balanced Composite

Aletheia 100 Core Composite

Large Cap Value Composite

(NS

0 10 20

International Growth Composite

(NS

30 40 50 60 70 80 90

A l e t h e i a

™

R esea rc h a nd M a na gement

100

Gross Performance 330.60% Performance( Excess Return N Alpha S Inception Date

206.53%

251.75%

188.71%

196.04%

115.51%

1 1 1

1 2 2

1 1 1

17 17 18

1/1998

4/1999

9/1999

4/2000

7/2002

2008 YTD

Aletheia Growth Aletheia Value Aletheia Int’l Growth

4.57% 7.15% 5.77%

2007 17.18% 3.35% 27.10%

2006 20.11% 23.19% 24.60%

2005 30.39% 19.38% 17.72%

2004 17.18% 15.07% 7.73%

2003 62.16% 30.52% 45.61%

Since 12/31/97 391.78% 209.35%* 185.43%**

S&P 500‡

(-2.06%)

5.49%

15.80%

4.91%

10.88%

28.69%

73.90%

Aletheia Research and Management 100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1960, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310) 899-0800 aletheiaresearch.com Past performance is not indicative of future performance.*Value performance since 3/31/00. The S&P 500 performed 9.23% over the same period. **International Growth performance since 6/30/02. ‡ The S&P 500 performed 60.66% over the same period. S&P 500 performance includes reinvested dividends. 2008 returns net of fees estimated through 5/19/08. Performance results are net of management fees.

M A R I N ALBUM

A Diﬀerent Creature “The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.” — CA R L SA N DBURG

BY TIM PORTER

SANDBURG GOT THE FOG THING WRONG. Clearly, the venerated Chicago poet never

spent a summer in Marin. If he had, he would have seen that there’s nothing kitty-cat-like about the billowy mass that rises threateningly above the bay. Our fog, smothering the water, burying the 746-foot-high towers of the Golden Gate, occluding the Headlands, doesn’t purr. There’s no mewing. If our fog has a sound, it’s the assertive growl of the chill wind that haunts its leading edge—a brusque, brisk reminder that most summer nights our small corner of sunny California surrenders to a meteorological leviathan that rises, quite literally, from the ocean deep. Little cat feet? No, Mr. Sandburg. An unruly bestial stampede? Yes, that’s more like it. The spectacle fascinates us and fog-watching is a favorite pastime. The best vantage barriers of the hills and inﬁltrating the reaches of the East Bay. One such spot is Old St. Hilary’s Open Space Preserve above Tiburon. There the makings of man—beautiful homes, a yacht club and the entire city of Belvedere—wait in sunshine (on their silent haunches, perhaps) for the monstrous gray mass soon to overwhelm them.

MARIN

J U LY 2 0 0 8

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO: TIM PORTER

points provide context for the struggle—the fog forcing its way onshore, overcoming the

C U R R E NT S

Happy 25 Years! Gallery Route One— Point Reyes Station’s creative cornerstone BY J I M WO O D

s an art gallery run by 20 creative minds similar to a restaurant run by 20 temperamental chefs? “Actually, we get along quite well,” says Betty Woolfolk, executive director of the artist-operated Gallery Route One in Point Reyes Station. And no one knows better than she. “I was an original GRO member in 1983,” Woolfolk recalls. “We were

tired of working with gallery owners in the city; we wanted more ﬂexibility with our installations.” Back then, GRO consisted of 21 juried artists; now there are 20, seven of whom are founding members. To demonstrate the concept’s viability, during July GRO will feature a collaborative installation titled Feast of the Art Table, wherein each artist’s work includes a touch of silver, in commemoration of the nonproﬁt group’s 25th anniversary. “”GRO seems stronger and more vibrant every year,” says Mary Eubank, a cofounder of the group. “I’m very proud of our contribution to the community; the community, in turn, has been very generous in its support.” Gallery Route One, at 11101 Highway 1 in Point Reyes Station (415.663.1347; galleryrouteone.org), is open daily except Tuesday.

West Marin Review eter Matthiessen (The Snow Leopard)

small area like ours can publish a review

and George Plimpton (Paper Lion),

containing so much creativity has astound-

along with others, founded the Paris

ed tourists and visitors.” The first issue in-

Review in 1953. It featured “good writers

cludes works from Pulitzer Prize–winning

and poets, the non-drumbeaters—so long as

poet Robert Hass, authors Mark Dowie and

they’re good.” Now the Tomales Bay Library

Natalie Goldberg, and artists Inez Storer

Association and Point Reyes Books, along

and Andrew Romanoff; a photo essay by

with “friends and neighbors,” have published

area historian Dewey Livingston recount-

the West Marin Review. Its intent: “for shar-

ing the Depression-era experiences of M. B.

ing the history, experience and appreciation

Boissevain, Marin County’s ﬁrst farm advis-

of this coastal area.”

er; and Tea Time, a Vietnam wartime mem-

“It debuted at the Wallace Stegner:

P H OTO: TIM G RAVESON

Appreciating our county’s coastal area

oir by Michael Parmeley of Inverness.

Geography of Hope conference in early March,” says Steve Costa, co-owner of Point

The 124- page West Marin Review is avail-

Reyes Books, “and has received overwhelm-

able for $15 at most Marin bookstores, or e-

ing response locally.” And the idea “that a

mail books@ptreyesbooks.com.

MARIN

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—J.W.

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

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SNAP MARIN HORIZON SCHOOL

COMMONWEALTH CLUB

Peggy Knight, Barbara Treadwell Roz Hamar, Hillery Jaffe-Urell, Lois Kortum

PEGGY KNIGHT

Annie Leibovitz, Rev. David A. Dolan

MARY WELCH TRIBUTE

Around Town Recently, Marin Horizon School celebrated 30 years of academic excellence with a Sunday picnic at the Mill Valley Community Center. At the Harbor Point Racquet Club in Mill Valley, Peggy Knight, who owns her own hair replacement company, held an event to celebrate her appearance on the Tyra Banks Show and to raise money to send an alopeJan Wahl, Mary Welch

Keith Rutz, Cameron Duncan

cia sufferer and her mother to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation’s annual meeting in Kentucky. At Corte Madera’s Il Fornaio, over 100 guests and Jan Wahl led the grand salute to Marin/Scapes art show founder Mary Welch. More than $1 million has been raised since the ﬁrst show in 1988. At Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, photographer Annie Leibovitz delivered of the Rowell Award to author and photographer James Balog. Also in the city, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library hosted its annual literary gala, the Library Laureates dinner, toasting the best and the brightest Bay Area authors. Marin resident Kimberly Wright-Violich chaired the Planned Parenthood Golden Gate gala at the Ritz-Carlton, where Donna Brazile, chair of the

Peter Welch, Carole MacPhail, Tori Piluso

Democratic National Committee Voting Rights Institute, was the keynote speaker.

LIBRARY LAUREATES PLANNED PARENTHOOD

Nancy and Bob Farese, Donna and David Bero

M A R I N J U LY 2 0 0 8

Kimberly Wright-Violich, Donna Brazile, Courtney Rice, Dian Harrison

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PHOTO CREDIT: MARY WELCH TRIBUTE/AVINASH PANDEY; PLANNED PARENTHOOD GALA/CAROLINE KOPP

the featured speech at the Commonwealth Club’s presentation

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Enjoy the comforts and services of the first whole ownership hotel condominiums at Heavenly Village with effortless access to an onsite destination spa, the new South Lake Tahoe Conference and Event Center, the Heavenly Gondola, the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course and world class gaming & entertainment. This is the New Tahoe.

This is not intended to be an offering or solicitation for sale in any jurisdiction where the project is not registered in accordance with applicable law or where such offering or solicitation would otherwise be prohibited by law. Listed with S&P Destination Properties, Inc., a licensed California Broker. www.sprealestate.com. Renderings are artist’s conceptions for marketing purposes only.

SNAP SHAMROCK OPEN HOUSE

Tracy Hogan, Eugene Ceccotti

Jane Richardson-Mack, Bill Currie

Jack Mosher, Carol Green

Gail and Wayne Aquilino

Out Among Locals In San Rafael, designers and homeowners mingled at Shamrock Materials, which held a “Design in Stone Open House” event showcasing the latest developments in natural stone. In Corte Madera, Bay Club Marin celebrated its ﬁfth anniversary with Bliss, a black-tie soiree complete with marTorild Roberts, Roger Zipkin, Alma Erkelens

Dean Seven

tini lounge, jazz music by Al Marshall Trio and dancing to the sounds of the band Notorious.

Victoria Keenan, Don Matthews, Barbara Tomber

Sandy and Claudine Murray

Jessica and Byron Aranda

Ron and Lisa Sutton, Rachel and Robert Janin

Jessica Frangione, Heather McKenzie

M A R I N J U LY 2 0 0 8

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PHOTO CREDIT: SHAMROCK OPEN HOUSE/SHERI MONTGOMERY; BAY CLUB MARIN/GARY FERBER

BAY CLUB MARIN

“The Fine Art of Fine Property” Tracy McLaughlin Named Marin’s top producing agent for 2007 with 100 million sold. Specializing in Marin County Properties since 1997.

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

SNAP GAIA

Michelle and Norman Louie

Bill Rankin, Amy Rankin-William

EDNA MAGUIRE SCHOOL

Doug and Suzanne Sands

Garden Party Local philanthropists headed to Ross for the Village by Village Garden Party for GAIA, the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance. Attendees included Maria Shriver and GAIA founder and president William Rankin. The event was sponsored by Corte Madera’s Paradise Foods Market. In Mill Valley, students, teachers and parents gathered at the all-organic Children’s Garden at Edna Maguire School to release thousands of aphid-eating ladybugs. Spearheaded by Lee Budish, this garden is not just used to teach the kids; the goods are sold at the San Rafael farmers’ market.

Sherri and McKenna Barr

Frankie Gerraty

Meera Dolasia, Anne Siskin

M A R I N J U LY 2 0 0 8

Jim Budish

Sheri Graham

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO CREDIT: GAIA/SHERI MONTGOMERY

Barbara Zamost, Lee Budish

Whether you’re headed to the warm sun or looking for a cool treat, you’ll find whatever suits your mood at one of Town Center’s 65 unique shops and restaurants. Over 65 unique stores and restaurants including: CIAO BELLA GELATO

* CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN * P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO A.G. FERRARI FOODS * BAJA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL * WORLD WRAPPS To wn C e n te r Gift C ar ds now available at the Town C enter Managem ent Offic e or online at www.shoptowncenter.com

We are located off the Tamalpais Drive exit. For more information, call 415-924-2961. Visit our 65 unique shops and restaurants including The Container Store, REI, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, west elm and more.

SNAP TOUCHING HOME

Jesse Hamlin, Pablo Hamlin, Cynthia Pepper

Melinda Darlington Bach, Ed Harris, Jeannette Ethredge

Noah and Logan Miller

Kristen Claxon, George Maguire, Richard Conti, Lynn Claxon

MARIN THEATRE COMPANY

Hollywood Glamour There was a full house as Marin Theatre Company held its annual fundraiser themed Casino Royale at Frantoio restaurant in Mill Valley. Attendees played blackjack and bid on wine and jewelry, which raised $68,000 for the company’s artistic and educational twins Logan and Noah Miller premiered their autobiographical and ﬁrst ﬁlm, Touching Home, which stars Ed Harris. Joy Greenlaw, Larry Ickes, Joan Watson, H. Hugh Vincent Russell Brent, Bobbie Chapman, Nick Hodges, Dave Chapman

Gary and Dana Shapiro, Ryan Rillette, Jasson Minadakis

M A R I N J U LY 2 0 0 8

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PHOTO CREDIT: TOUCHING HOME/C. HORNSTEIN; MARIN THEATRE COMPANY/JULIE KNIGHT

programs. At the San Francisco Film Festival, Marin natives and

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2 1

TOTE

nothing too big for the

With women carrying everything in their handbags it’s no surprise designers have unveiled a bevy of totes this season. Here are some of the top picks for packing your summer essentials. 1. Genevieve Triangle tote by Cole Haan, $495 at Cole Haan (SF). 415.391.1760, colehaan.com 2. Transitions Color Block Bag by Chloe, $3,575 at Neiman Marcus (SF). 415.362.3900, neimanmarcus.com 3. Devin bag by Kooba, $535 at Saks Fifth Avenue (SF). 415.986.4300, saksﬁfthavenue.com 4. Louis Vuitton Tahitienne PM, $1,040 at Louis Vuitton (SF). 415.904.9002, louisvuitton.com 5. Morgan bag by Botkier, $675 at M Clothing (Corte Madera). 415.924.8891, martymclothing.com 6. Tessuto Weave Tote by Prada, $995 at Neiman Marcus (SF). 415.362.3900, neimanmarcus.com — by somer flaherty

4 3

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FA S H I ON TRENDS

beautiful things in

small packages

Dedicated style mavens are hitting the town with the optimal date. Although the season’s chic options seem endless, the below designs combine eye-popping colors with a perfectly paired shape. Marin designer Neely Mack says the key to her clutches this season is that they are made with bright and one of a kind leathers. 1. Frame clutch by Kale Handbags, $365 at Nicolette (Larkspur). 415.927.0226 2. Clutch by JJ Winters, $295 at Pink Tangerine (Menlo Park). 650.327.7900, pinktangerine.com 3. Madison Foldover clutch by Coach, $258 at Coach (Corte Madera). 415.924.5046, coach.com 4. Pouchette blue alligator by Devi Kroell, $3,190. devikroell.com 5. Green Clutch by Neely Mack, $160 at neelymack.com 6. Ansel Clutch by 49 SQ MI, $250 at Sandbox (Greenbrae). 415.461.2133 7. Roxy Clutch by Roxy at Quiksilver Roxy Store (SF). 415.956.3713, roxy.com — by somer ﬂaherty

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FA S H I ON

lifestyle Name: Angela Swanson Home: Mill Valley Occupation: Full-time mom and singer/songwriter

Strawberry

Describe your personal style. I like

resident and

comfortable clothes but I always have that

mother of two

rock ’n’ roll flair, very sixties, seventies type

Angela Swanson has been singing

thing. I also love to dress up for special occasions and tend to be more conservative at those times.

for an audience since she was

What are you wearing? I am wearing a

nine. She has two

camisole and a shirt from Gap, my Buddha

CDs out and is

pants are from Culture Shock in Fairfax,

most fond of the

and my boots are Nine West. I purchased

second, Poemas en Barro, which takes her back

my belt years ago from the Rastro (flea market) in Madrid. My earrings are from Treasure Tibet in San Rafael, my necklace and rings are from Sun and

to her Spanish

Moon Jewelry Design, and my coconut

roots. As a recent

shell bracelet is from Monarch

addition to local

in Mill Valley.

band Key Lime Pie, she can be seen this summer at

Who are your fashion influences? I don’t really think I have any. I just like to mix and match and wear whatever feels right.

the Marin Brewing Co., the San

Where do you love to shop in Marin? I like

Rafael Farmers’

the Gap at the Village in Corte Madera,

Market on Fourth

because it’s the only place that has jeans

Street and the

that fit me well! I also love Culture Shock in

Festival. Check out keylimepiemusic. com for more

Fairfax to find that fun stuff to go out and sing in. What is always in your bag/pockets? My cell phone, gum, cough drops and Kleenex.

venues. What is your best cheapo secret? I love going to shop at consignment shops for rare stuff. 42

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P H OTO: BARBA RA R IE S

Gilroy Garlic

What’s your fashion pet peeve? Black socks with sandals. Actually, any socks with sandals! What is your view of Marin style? Casual and comfortable, yet trendy. Where do you love to eat in Marin? The Marin Brewing Co. in Larkspur, Piazza D’Angelo in Mill Valley and Guaymas in Tiburon. How do you spend your weekends? Playing and writing music, gardening with my husband and usually hosting playdates or chauffeuring my girls.

Discover M arin’s Most E xtraordinary M arket

Where do you go to pamper yourself? To rehearsal with my band Key Lime Pie, and my Buddhist meetings. How would your friends describe you? Sarcastic sense of humor about everything, glass-half-full kind of gal, very creative and sensitive, able to hang out with the guys, compassionate, romantic and at times moody. What was the last book you read and why? Learning from the Gosho: The Eternal Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin. A crucial part of my Buddhist practice is to study, and since I don’t get a lot of time to read, I take any possible chance I get to read about Buddhism in order to deepen my understanding and my faith. What was the last movie you saw? Juno. If your life were a movie, what would be your theme song? “Little Wonders” by Rob Thomas, because if there’s anything I have learned it’s that life moves fast, so I try to live in the moment, good or bad, because it’s gone with a blink of an eye. MARINMAGAZINE.COM

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION E N V I R O NME NT

A RT

Egrets nesting in trees at Audubon Canyon Ranch are an annual attraction.

Fowl Play It’s nesting season for herons and egrets at Audubon Canyon Ranch

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

by jim wood ❙ Q uick q uestion: How do herons and egrets differ? Both are big birds with long necks and skinny legs and both wade in tidal marshes and wetlands throughout the Bay Area. When they fly off, their wingspan can reach six feet. “Frankly, they’re very similar,” says Skip Schwartz, executive director of the 1,000-acre Audubon Canyon R anch on the Bolinas Lagoon, three miles north

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J U LY 2 0 0 8

of Stinson Beach along Highway 1. “But great

What we know about In Vitro Fertilization could change your life

blue herons are slightly larger and are also gray in color.Egrets are the white ones.” (Need a memory jogger? Think of the American author E. B. White—E(gret) B(ird) White.) Other than that, says Schwartz, these two members of the Ardeidae family are birds of a feather. “With both egrets and herons it’s nearly impossible to tell males from females,” he says. “Both mate in seconds. Their three, four or five eggs are hatched four weeks later. And both egret and heron males and females participate in the 28-day incubating process, which involves not only providing

It was the lasting impression these nesting birds made on a 13year-old Boy Scout from Oakland in 1933 that later led to creation of the preserve. He came upon dozens of herons and egrets feeding in the Bolinas Lagoon, and the experience never le him. warmth, but rotating the eggs to ensure that chicks don’t ‘flatten out’ against one side of the shell.” Once hatched, only two or three of the chicks survive even though an adult is

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always near the nest. After 10 to 12 weeks, the young egrets and herons are able to fly and fend for themselves. Interestingly, no one knows for sure where the birds go when their nesting season ends. During that nesting season, February through July, herons and egrets flock to Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, the region’s most important great egret and great blue heron nesting site. It was the lasting impression these nesting birds made on a 13-year-old Boy Scout from Oakland in 1933 that later led to creation of the preserve. He came upon dozens of herons and egrets feeding in the Bolinas Lagoon, and the experience never left him. In 1940, the Scout, Martin “Marty” Griffin, had grown into a Stanford premed student

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who revisited the area on an ornithology field trip. In that visit Griffin saw more than 100 pairs of herons and egrets nesting high up in a concentrated grove of redwoods overlooking the lagoon. The grove was located in that same dairy farm named Canyon R anch. “At the time,” says Griffin, now 87, retired and living in Belvedere, “little did I dream that saving those birds and their home would become the passionate goal of my life.” In the late 1950s, as a young internist practicing at the R oss family clinic, Griffin became incensed by county plans to build a freeway along Highway 1 between Stinson Beach and Bolinas and turn Bolinas Lagoon into an upscale yacht marina. “I knew one way to stop the freeway was to buy land in its path,” Griffin says, “and if that land held the heronry, so much the better.” Along with risking his life savings on

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a down payment, in 1961 Griffin and San Francisco businessman Stan Pitcher convinced several Bay Area Audubon chapters, including Marin’s, to acq uire 503 acres of the Canyon R anch for $ 335,000, or about $ 666 an acre. “Even for the times,” a smiling Griffin says, “the price, terms and conditions were very favorable.” The purchase not only helped stop the freeway and marina from being built, but it preserved the birds’ nesting place. ( An indepth account of this and other historic approaches to precluding development can be found in Saving the Marin-Sonoma Coast, L. Martin Griffin, M.D., 1998, Sweetwater Springs Press.) The herons and egrets will be nesting this year through mid-J uly. “It’s still q uite noisy and active up there,” says Canyon R anch’s Schwartz. At the preserve, located at 4900 Highway 1 just north of Stinson Beach, the mighty birds can be viewed after a short hike to Henderson Overlook ( elev. 200 feet) , which is eq uipped with telescopes and binoculars; well-informed docents are available on site to answer q uestions.

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visit egret.org.

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F Y I G RE E N

Sustainable Sun Protection Vetted (and recommended) by watchdog Group EWG.

BY MIMI TOWLE

hen Jeff Kletter of Tiburon heard that his company’s sunscreen KINeSYS had been praised by the Environmental Working Group on the CBS Early Show, he was ecstatic. Especially since he had no idea the stuff was being evaluated. “Out of 1,015 sunscreens, our spray was chosen to have the best

efﬁcacy regarding SPF factor, UVA coverage and ingredient stability,” he says. “They even pronounced it right, Ken E sees.” Accolades aside, Jeff and Josie (his wife and partner) Kletter have been committed to safeguarding the environment since the company’s inception in British Columbia in 1994. Creating their product to withstand the rigors of extreme sports, they were also determined to make it environmentally friendly. Instead of aerosol spray cans, they uct on animals; and their company is 100 percent carbon neutral. As for how these longtime Canadians ended up in Marin, it turns out the late Brian Maxwell of Ross, of PowerBar fame (and Kletter’s hero), invited the couple stateside for the weekend, to discuss business. They loved Marin County, moved their company and are now raising their family here. “We enjoy the active outdoor lifestyle in Marin; it’s a great place to raise our kids,” Jeff says. You can ﬁnd their products at Mollie Stone’s, Paradise Foods and Elephant pharmacy, among other local retailers.

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P H OTO: TIM P ORTER

use pharmaceutical-grade sprayers with 100 percent recyclable plastic bottles; they have never tested their prod-

Our covers. Your walls. Now you can buy Marin Magazine covers for your home or ofﬁce. Available in various sizes, framed or unframed, with or without the Marin Magazine logo, these professional quality prints are a beautiful addition to any wall. Visit marinmagazine.com/coverart today.

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

L I V I N G

JULY 2008

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JANUARY 2008

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AUGUST 2007

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MARCH 2008

APRIL 2008

FEBRUARY 2008 JUNE 2007

MAY 2007

MAY 2008

L I V I N G

F Y I H OM E DECO R

Luxe Living in the Outdoors This summer, turn your backyard into your own private luxury resort with stylish and weather-friendly furniture. 1. The Wing Collection by Richard Schultz, price upon request at Dunkirk (SF). 415.863.7183, dunkirk-sf.com 2. La Jolla all-weather collection, $1,185 at Restoration Hardware (Corte Madera). 415.924.8919, restorationhardware.com 3. Adjustable wood slat double lounger, $549 at West Elm (Corte3 Madera). 415.927.0202, westelm.com 4. Ventana trolley, $399 at Terra Teak and

Garden (Mill Valley). 415.331.1603, terrateakandgarden.com

5. Fun in the Sun Roll Up Chaise, $399 at Smith and Hawken (Mill Valley). 415.381.1800, smithandhawken.com – SF

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EMILY H

Teak Experience

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Amy Ferber, owner of San Rafael’s The Wooden Duck, gives expert advice on how to care for outdoor teak furniture.

www.mttamorthopedics.com

What type of sealant would you recommend to protect teak? An oil-based deck sealant, which can usually be found at your local hardware store, has the advantage of going on with the ease of oil but has the resistant properties of polyurethane (with a more matte finish). The brush on, wipe off type of product should last three to five years outside. And for those who don’t want to spend the time using a sealant? Just leave it alone, which is the easiest option. The natural oils in teak preserve the wood for years, even in the harshest weather conditions. If left unfinished, teak weathers to a beautiful silver-gray while remaining smooth to the touch. Small surface cracks may develop over time, which is normal and will not compromise the structure of the piece. Other options? While washing it is not necessary, teak can also be cleaned periodically with warm water, a mild detergent

Robert H. Byers, MD Jon Goff, MD David H. Goltz, MD John C. Keohane, MD Michael J. Oechsel, MD Ernest H. Sponzilli, MD Michael S. Stock, MD Charles A. Stuart, MD

and a stiff brush. This will maintain a silver instead of a gray color.

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

E M ILY HAGOPIAN

18 Bon Air Road, Larkspur 2 Bon Air Road, Suite 120, Larkspur • 415.927.5300

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F Y I TRAVEL

ALTERNATIVES TO THE FAMILY CABIN

A new-millennium approach to second and third homes BY M . L . L AT H A N

fractional real estate developers have set their

expectation of rental returns, appreciation or

sights on the aging affluent (high-liquid-assets)

other financial benefits. An exception is the

boomer with the desire for a luxurious second

very few destination clubs that are sold as in-

home but perhaps without time or inclination

vestments and registered or exempt from reg-

to use it every weekend. The developers just

istration under federal and state securities

need to figure out how to brand the concept.

laws.”

“Most potential second home buyers don’t even

Why not just stay in a nice hotel? “ Bottom

wenty-four-hour concierge service,

know this option exists,” says Halogen Guides

line: these properties and memberships deliver

groceries delivered on arrival and ac-

cofounder and chief analyst Jamie Cheng, but

the service you want at the place you want,” he

cess to world-class golf are just some of

“we believe more and more people will consid-

says. “While staying at a hotel is nice, their staff

the perks of buying into a residence club, frac-

er purchasing a fractional residence when con-

usually doesn’t buy your groceries, get your op-

tional resort real estate or equity resort owner-

sidering a second home.”

era tickets… This concept is all about minimiz-

ship—all different names for the same thing:

Is it comparable to a real estate invest-

ing the hassle and offering service.” Here are

sharing ownership on a deeded piece, of a por-

ment? Not really: “You should only purchase

perspectives from four Marin families who’ve

tion of a property. As reported by the luxury

your fractional or destination club membership

created their own alternative second home

purchasing advice website halogenguides.com,

for personal use,” says Cheng, “without any

experiences.

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PGA West “We are at the stage in life where we have more leisure time to travel and pursue our personal interests and passions. Being avid golfers, we knew we wanted to find a place where we could enjoy golf year-round and were considering purchasing a second home. The Residence Club at PGA West made sense to us from the moment we walked into the model. After looking at homes in the area, we really couldn’t justify the high real estate prices and costs associated with home ownership for a home we would only use a couple months a year. We also didn’t want the responsibility of maintenance and the other burdens of property ownership. We feel that owning at Residence Club gives us complete flexibility with our vacation time while removing all of the responsibilities associated with vacation home ownership. We also have access to many other amenities and activities at La Quinta Resort and PGA West, which makes owning a home at Residence Club a complete lifestyle experience. Given the accommodating and gracious staff, many added amenities and services, and a significant reduction of the financial burden through shared ownership, we can’t think of a better way to truly be both at home and on vacation at the same time.” —MARTY AND DEBRA O’DONOHUE, MILL VALLEY

Location: About eight hours’ drive from Marin, two hours from Los Angeles, and 20 minutes from the Palm Springs airport, the Residence Club at PGA West is at the entry to the famed golf community of PGA West, nestled at the base of Southern California’s Santa Rosa Mountains. Basics: Ownership includes privileges at PGA West and La Quinta Resort & Club as well as preferential tee times and pricing on five nearby championship courses. The central clubhouse includes lap pool, fitness center and gracious meeting spaces overlooking one of the three private putting greens. Details: Thirty-two three-bedroom (dual master suites and a casita suite) 1/9 shares. Each owner begins the year with four scheduled weeks and uses as much additional time as available and desired. $299,000 including $1,070 in annual maintenance fees. 888.650.9200, residenceclubpgawest.com

Squaw Creek “We love the exclusiveness of the resort. It’s elegant but not pretentious and it’s refined without being snobby. The views are spectacular from our lovely three-bedroom condo and it’s well- appointed, with beautiful furniture and great beds. We

PREVIOUS PAGE : UPPER : Calistoga Ranch exterior and interior. BOTTOM : Home at PGA

West; golﬁng at PGA West. THIS PAGE : TOP : Town near Misión La Serena. MIDDLE : Home at Misión La Serena. BOTTOM : Springtime at the Resort at Squaw Creek.

love the convenience of ski-in/ski-out and we love the pool. I look forward to not cooking and enjoying delicious meals at

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Six Peaks or through room service. And after a day of hiking, it’s heavenly to get a massage or a pedicure at the spa. When we’re not using the condo, it’s in the rental pool and we’ve

Friedman & Associates Winner of Charles Schwab Institutional’s Best-in-Tech IMPACT Award®

been pleased with the program. We’re very happy with our second home!” —DENISE AND ED MILLER, KENTFIELD

Location: Resort at Squaw Creek is at the base of Squaw Valley USA, five miles from the shores of Lake Tahoe, with an on-property chairlift serving Squaw Valley’s 4,000 acres of terrain. Basics: Resort at Squaw Creek has an Audubon certified championship golf course, the finest year-round pool complex of any U.S. mountain destination, tennis, mountain biking, guided hikes, a fly-fishing center (with stocked ponds), an ice rink, complete Nordic center, on-property dog sledding, ski-in/out access to Squaw Valley USA, a full-service spa, Mountain Buddies children’s program, an arcade, and on-premises family movies during holiday and peak times. Details: The resort offers full ownership only with 238 suites, varying from studios to three-bedrooms and penthouses. $299,000 to $3,000,000. Average annual maintenance fee is $21,000, which includes taxes and maintenance. squawcreekliving.com

Calistoga Ranch “My wife and I were looking for the perfect vacation spot with the maximum number of amenities and something that would be usable throughout the year. Calistoga Ranch turned

Caring for Your Wealth and Well-Being

out to be the ideal location. It offers complete privacy, spacious living quarters with daily housekeeping, delicious cuisine, exercise facilities, beautiful walking paths and wine lockers, conference rooms if needed, and many activities for those interested.

1744 Novato Blvd. #200 . Novato, CA 94947 (415) 493-5900 . www.friedmanassociates.com

The atmosphere is laid-back (dressy attire is always optional); management and staff are very attentive and courteous. The Napa scenery is incomparable and there are all those wineries and top-flight restaurants just miles away.

Friedman & Associates and its employees are independent of and are not employees or agents of Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. (“Schwab”). Schwab does not prepare, verify or endorse information distributed by Friedman & Associates. The IMPACT Award is not an endorsement, testimonial endorsement, recommendation or referral to Friedman & Associates with respect to its investment advisory and other services.

Need we say more?” —RICHARD RUBIN AND MARCIA SMOLENS, STRAWBERRY

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Location: Just off Silverado Trail in Napa Valley, the resort is located on a 157-acre site tucked into a private canyon with its own lake. Basics: Owners are automatically members of the Vintner Member Program, featuring both widely recognized and smaller awardwinning artisan winemakers. In addition to private tastings and dinners at Calistoga Ranch throughout the year, vintners host newrelease celebrations, harvest festivals, and wine blending and pairing classes. Other amenities include the Bathhouse spa and the Lakehouse Restaurant, on property. Details: Twenty-seven two- or three-bedroom owner lodges (46 total resort lodges), 1/10 shares at $475,000, including $12,600 annual fee. 800.411.1003, calistogaranchliving.com

Misión La Serena “We’ve had time shares in Mexico before, but Misión La Serena had everything we wanted already. They furnish it beautifully and there’s a great little soaking pool. There is maid service three times a week and the management will pick you up from the airport or arrange for a car. For people considering a second home in a foreign country, we do advise considering the cost of travel, time it takes to get there, language barriers and exchange fees. For us, we love the culture, the music and the weather, and you just can’t get those here.” —IGA AND CHARLES SHAFFER, MILL VALLEY

Location: A gated private residence club set in the 2,000-acre Puerto Los Cabos masterplanned community near San Jose del Cabo. Twenty minutes from the airport. Basics: Besides beachfront property with sweeping views of the Sea of Cortez, the resort includes a 400-slip marina, two golf courses, a spa, and sports club with fitness center. Homes have authentic Mexican decor, private infinity plunge pools, rooftop terraces and wireless Internet. Details: Seventy-five two- and three-bedroom residences on eight acres, 1/8 share (six weeks); prices range from $375,00 to 435,000, including $12,000/$15,000 annual fees. 866.341.1190, misionlaserena.com

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F Y I BUSINESS

FASHION-FORWARD FLEURVILLE Creative couple and sustainable practices make for a dynamic business model BY M I M I TOW L E

ot everyone gets stuck sitting next to a shoe-removing, snoring J ohn ( or J oan) Candy

when taking a flight. Ten years ago, Catherine, a native of Texas, and Steve, a native of Maryland, sat next to each other on a cross-country flight to San Francisco, struck

up a conversation and soon after married. The rest is maternity fashion history. Together they founded Fleurville, a fashion-forward-yet-functional diaper bag company based in San R afael, which sells their designs in more than 1,000 stores in the U nited States as well as Europe, J apan and Austria. The will soon add furniture to their roster in a partnership with Yves Behar of Fuse Project. Today they live in Forest K nolls with their two children and have just celebrated five years of being in business together. Here’s how they make it work.

Who’s the boss? We share responsibilities. Catherine is the design lead and runs production and finance. Steve leads branding, sales and marketing.

Could you give a few tips for other couples thinking about working together? Devote time to working on your communication skills. We can’t overemphasize enough the importance of developing these skills.

How did you meet up with Yves Behar? We have admired Yves’ work for a couple of years and approached Fuse Project when we had the idea for a groundbreaking high chair. It turns out that an old colleague of Steve’s was Yves’s business partner.

How did you choose to support the Canal Alliance’s Compañeras program as a benefactor? We feel that, locally, the Latino immigrant community is most visibly in need of support and resources. Being parents ourselves, we really empathized with the difficulty of rearing children without the support of extended fam-

What are your bags made of? Our bags are typically made of nylon, polyurethane and recycled plastic bottles. It’s important that we don’t use PV C. It was difficult and expensive to

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MARINMAGAZINE.COM

P H OTO: TIM P ORTER

ily and wanted to help these women in need.

develop Green-LAM™, our PVC-substitute laminate. We felt it was important enough to do it.

How and when did you decide to be PVC-free? Many other companies use PVC because it’s cheap. It is the only major plastic that contains chlorine, so it is unique in the hazards it creates. PVC production fuses vinyl chloride molecules

The ﬁnest insurance policy in the world can’t help prevent a loss.

with toxic metals such as lead and cadmium, which are added as plasticizers and stabilizers. Because of the chemical properties of chlorine,

A GOOD INSURANCE AGENT CAN.

the by-products of PVC production tend to be far more toxic, more persistent in the environment, and more likely to build up in the food supply and the bodies of people than otherwise similar chemicals that do not contain chlorine. We wanted a fabric treatment that worked as well as PVC, without the drawbacks. It does cost more, but it is the correct thing to do. It took us almost two years to develop Green-LAM.

When did Green-LAM hit the market? About three years ago. Anytime you see clear treatment on a Fleurville fabric, it is Green-LAM. Green-LAM is an environmentally friendly laminate like no other on the market. Fleurville Green-LAM products are created with an innovative and earth-conscious polyurethane laminate application with superior benefits that include moisture repellency, UV resistance and

We are a national independent insurance agency specializing in property and casualty insurance for successful individuals and their families. Our philosophy is that insurance is the last piece of a well conceived risk management plan. We work with our primary carrier partners — AIG Private Client Group, Chubb, Fireman’s Fund and ACE Private Risk Services — to advise our clients on practical ways to reduce their exposure to a possible loss. And then we help them tailor an insurance portfolio that makes financial sense.

an unparalleled overall durability.

What is Re-Run™? Re-Run is a Fleurville fab-

Bill Van Ingen, Vice President CA LICENSE #0E55901

ric made out of recycled plastic bottles. Rather than throwing out bottles, the fabric mill melts

LANE MCVICKER INSURANCE SERVICES, LLC

them and extrudes the melted bottles into

ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111

thread. The thread is then woven into our Re-

415 781 7500 www.lanemcvicker.com

Run fabric. We make products out of the fabric.

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Every product in the collection keeps between three and 10 plastic bottles out of the landfill.

Do you have any hobbies to keep you sane? Catherine practices yoga and studies alternative medicine, while I surf.

“we have yet to meet a person who is insensitive to insurance pricing.” ™

Where do have lunch near your headquarters on Lindaro Street? We actually go one street

NEW YORK

MORRISTOWN

PHILADELPHIA

WASHINGTON DC

ATLANTA

BOCA RATON

CHICAGO

SAN FRANCISCO

west to B Street, to the Panama Hotel. The tortilla soup is world class!

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

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F Y I H EA LT H

Safe Summer Sun T

he headlines about skin cancer and depleting ozone are as relentless as the heat wave was last May. “Skin Cancer Epidemic Hasn’t Yet Peaked.” “Rising Skin Cancer Rates Are More Likely to Affect Wealthy People.” Or (on another

note): “Sunscreen Can Lead to MS, Cancer, and Arthritis.” Popular talking head Anderson Cooper even blogged about his own skin cancer scare last March. Such information, coupled with the EPA’s announcement that melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is one of the fastest-growing cancers in the United States, can leave one confused at best and alarmed for sure. But step into the shade, take a deep breath, and have a look at how some

Color Warning

How About a Nice Hawaiian… block

AS TIBURON SCIENCE TEACHER

EVER WONDER HOW PRO SURFERS WITHSTAND long hours

Patricia Swanson wandered

of exposure to intense tropical UV rays? A new product that’s

through a National Science Teacher

gained attention in our sundrenched 50th state is Vertra, cre-

Association convention a few years

ated by surf industry veterans (including Shane Dorian pictured

back, she came upon a booth

below). This nongreasy and very water- and sweat-resistant

displaying UV-detecting polymer

sunscreen face stick is foundation (yes, as in women’s makeup)

beads. “I was so fascinated by the

based and has been popular among this ultra-UV-exposed set for years. Why

way the intensity of the beads’

foundation? Well, anyone watching his or her girl-

color increases with the amount of

friend or wife literally scrub her makeup off with soap

UV exposure,” she recounts. “And

and/or cleansers knows of the strong staying power

when the beads (and whoever is

that makeup often has once on the skin. For extreme

wearing them) are out of the sun

conditions, where surf and sweat are prominent, the

and out of danger for UV exposure,

ability of the sunscreen to stay on is just as important

the beads will turn off-white.”

as the SPF level.

Not only might these make a fun

Tim Finley, longtime local surfer and alumnus of

teaching tool, she decided, but

Saint Pat’s in Larkspur, is Vertra’s Northern California

strung onto bracelets or sewn into

rep and offers a few tips on using sunscreen:

clothing, they’d have a useful wowfactor appeal—a colorful way to

✹ Reapply every two hours. To qualify for a “very

remind kids it’s time to reapply that

water resistant” rating, sunscreens must maintain

sunscreen. To learn more, visit:

their SPF after 80 minutes of water immersion.

uvsolbeads.com

So even the best stuff may begin to lose its full

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MARINMAGAZINE.COM

P H OTO C RED IT: SHANE D ORIAN/ TOM SERVAIS

smart people are busy making our UV-exposed world a safer place. —MIMI TOWLE

effectiveness in less than two hours. Waterproof sunscreen, a term that literally means that it will never come off, is nonexistent and such labeling gives the user a false sense of security.

✹ Apply lightly on top of the skin to coat the skin rather than rubbing it in so the sunscreen acts as a shield.

✹ Don’t be swayed by high SPF numbers. SPF 30 provides skin with 97 percent protection, whereas SPF 40 to 60 provides 98 to 98.6 percent protection. Not much of a difference.

✹ Look for products labeled “water resistant” (for the recreational outdoorsman) to “very water resistant” (for those who intend to spend long, rigorous hours in the sun). These terminologies are not marketing ploys but are the only two labeling criteria authorized by the FDA. Remember, a sunscreen with a 50 SPF rating that washes off quickly may leave you with an SPF protection level of next to nothing as the minutes go by.

✹ Look for sunscreens that include proven and effective physical blocks such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

SAN ANSELMO SCHOOL SHINES

hile most schools in Marin protect kids from harmful UV

rays with umbrellas at lunch tables and planted shade trees, Wade Thomas School in San Anselmo deserves a gold star. Concerned about the excessive sunshine on their campus, administrators sought and received an $8,000 grant (one of 37 nationwide) from the American Academy of Dermatology to provide permanent shade on their campus. Want to nominate your school for 2009? Check out: aad.org/public/sun/grants.html

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

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WISH YOU WERE HERE

FRANCE

LI F E

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Tourists by the millions love the magnificence of Marin — whether we want them to or not. STORY & PHOTOS TIM PORTER

here do we get tickets for the ferry?” asks the woman, one of three sisters visiting Sausalito from Arizona with their 80-year-old mother. Bill Patterson, manning the visitor kiosk at the ferry terminal, grins, points to a sign above his head. In big, all-cap letters it says: BUY FERRY TICKETS ON THE BOAT. “When’s the next ferry?” asks another.

Patterson grins again and points to two similar signs printed with ferry schedules. “We just missed one,” laments a sister. “Well,” says another, “let’s go shopping.” Patterson, not missing a beat, lobs in a well-practiced line. “Make sure you empty your wallets before you

get on the ferry,” he says, “because the first thing they do is they frisk you and if they find money they throw you overboard.” One of the sisters, late forties with a personality that matches her fiery jacket, counters, “I may have a little money left on me cause I’d like to try being frisked.” Ta-da. Rim shot. Score one for the visitors.

’TIS THE SEASON OF THE TOURISTS

hey’re here. Short-shivering, camera-carrying, bridge-biking, Euro-spending tourists. The season is upon us and

while some locals may fume about crowded ferries, fret about clogged country roads or smirk at bare-it-all beachwear more appropriate for Malibu than Muir (Woods or Beach), hundreds

ARIZONA

of Marin merchants and thousands of their employees welcome the summering horde and the millions of dollars they leave behind in restaurants, hotels and gift shops. In case you haven’t noticed all the snow globes, sweatshirts and celebrity art for sale along Bridgeway, tourism is big busi-

FRANCE

ness in Marin. Let’s do some numbers: • Nearly 13 million people visit Marin each year, 60 percent of them day-trippers, 40 percent overnighters. (San Francisco averages almost triple that total, Napa-Sonoma about 1.5 times the number.) • More than 80 percent of Marin visitors come from within 200 miles of here, about 10 percent are from out of state and, despite the Babylon of languages heard on Bridgeway, only about 5 percent are from outside the United States. • Tourists are mostly fair-weather friends, with 80 to 90 percent visiting during the April to October season. • Marin’s most popular destinations include Point Reyes National Seashore (2.5 million visitors), Muir Woods (1 million) and Sausalito (one in seven San Francisco tourists make the trans-bay trip.)

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BAY AREA

All that touring is good for local businesses. Out-of-towners spend about $650 million every year in our various towns.

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spend about $ 650 million every year in our various towns, an amount that rises about 5.6 percent a year, according to Dean R unyan Associates, an Oregon travel data firm. To put that figure in perspective, the county of Marin’s budget this year is $ 430 million. Those dollars put about 6,800 local people to work in the hospitality, food and retail industries and keep Marin’s 2,500 hotel rooms an average of about 80 percent full. JAVIER LOPEZ, AN ENGINEER, and J ohanna K reither, a cog-

nitive neuroscientist, are from Santiago, Chile. They take a weekend break from their work at U C Davis and end up in Sausalito by chance: after a train from Davis to Emeryville and a bus to San Francisco, they see the ferry to Sausalito and “decide to take it on the spur of the moment,” says Kr either. At first glance, Sausalito reminds them of a city in Chile, V iñ a del Mar. Then, to their surprise, they discover that the plaza with the ornate fountain across from the ferry terminal is named V iñ a del Mar after that very city. ( The two have been sister cities since 1971. V iñ a del Mar named a lagoon after Sausalito.)

TWO-WHEELED TOURISTS

hey’re everywhere in Marin these days —

tourists on

bikes. They come in all sizes and shapes ( with many

of the latter more suited for another meal at the Cheesecake Factory than pushing a heavy bike around Point Tiburon into a stiff headwind) . Armed with vacation-fueled bravado, thousands of tourists every week plunk down $ 28 or so in San Francisco and get a sturdy mountain bike and a colorful but nowhere-near-scale

NEW YORK AND TURKEY

map that makes the q uad-straining climb to Muir Woods look like it’s a 10-minute ride from the 2 A.M. Club. Blazing Saddles, which pioneered the pay-to-pedal business in San Francisco, rents to about 100,000 people a year, says owner J eff Sears, with 95 percent of them biking the bridge. About seven in 10 stop in Sausalito; the rest push on to Tiburon. Sears says the idea took off after the renovation of Crissy Field in 2001 connected a bike path directly to the Golden Gate Bridge. Business is growing. “There are several companies now promoting biking the bridge to Sausalito and taking the ferry to San Francisco,” says Sears.

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FINLAND

GERMANY

All that touring is good for local business. Out-of-towners

More than 80 percent of Marin tourists come from within 200 miles of here. Despite all the languages heard on Bridgeway, only 5 percent are from outside the United States.

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JEEVAN AND RANJEETHA PRAKUMAR are husband-wife

it seems Bridgeway should be renamed Bikeway. About

programmers from India living in Minnesota while on as-

10,000 bikes pass through town on a summer weekend,

signment for their company. They’re vacationing in the

says Adam Politzer, city manager.

Bay Area and drove over to Sausalito because they heard

Many are sedate tourists, but others are the fast-moving

MARIN

JAPAN

SAN JOSE

NEW ZEALAND

BAY AREA The result is evident in Sausalito, where some days

it was a “pretty city.”

groups of hard-core cyclists termed “Spandex warriors” by

After a waterfront walk, they’re heading “up the road to

local Councilman Paul Albritton for their colorful costumes,

Muir Woods” to see the “huge, dense trees.” (They are from

five-figure bikes and Tour de France attitudes. A recent po-

the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore, a city once called the

lice crackdown on crosswalk-jumping cyclists was aimed at

Garden City for its numerous trees. Most are gone now,

making city streets safer.

felled to make room for high-tech development.)

J U LY 2 0 0 8

INTO THE WOODS

very season is tourist season for Muir Woods. The national monu-

which was formed after the county identified tourism as an econom-

ment (celebrating its centennial this year) is one of the Bay Area’s

ic growth area. “We ran somewhat under the radar for years. We’re

most popular destinations, drawing almost 1 million visitors a year. “It’s a year-round thing,” says head ranger Mia Monroe, who’s been at the park for 27 years. “People come in the middle of the week and wonder why so many people are here.”

trying to do it in a positive manner, trying to expand on responsible tourism.” By responsible tourism Essman means the type of activity that brings in business but also meshes with local values that often favor

A third of the park’s visitors are from very near, the Bay Area, and

green living over greenbacks. “Marin has so many enviable and natural

about 20 percent are from very far, another country — with that num-

amenities that we have to be very sensitive to that,” he says. “I would

ber increasing.

rather have 38 come in one bus than 38 people come in 38 cars. We

“The big challenge is that it’s a small place,” says Monroe. “We want

have a responsibility to our natural wonders.”

as many kinds of people as possible to enjoy the park. One of our high-

Essman is well aware of the irony of encouraging visitors to travel

est callings is to be the first place where people learn about nature and

to an area that is attractive, in large part, because it doesn’t have many

fall in love with redwoods.” To keep the visitor experience special, she

people in it.

says, “we have probably the longest list of no’s in the National Park

“It’s a double-edged sword,” he says. “All the stats show that areas

Service — no camping, no skateboards, no picnics. That allows it all to

in West Marin remain incredibly popular. The tourists are coming re-

be lush and be the primeval forest.”

gardless of whether the people who live there want them or not. Our

The park has recently declared Cathedral Grove to be a “permanent place of peace and quiet”—no cell phones, no yelling, no public iPodding.

job is to ensure that they do come, they have a great time and they respect our boundaries.” One of Essman’s current projects is to come up with a “branding

Nearly 20 percent of the park’s visitors now arrive by Golden Gate

campaign” for Marin, part of which includes a slogan. San Francisco

Transit shuttle. The bus service, in its fourth year, has been “an amaz-

has “Only in San Francisco,” Sausalito has “Why the Bridge was Built,”

ingly successful experiment,” says Monroe.

but Marin as a whole is sloganless.

(This paragraph for locals only: To beat the Muir Woods crowd,

“We’re going to brand Marin for what Marin is. We’re going to

go early or go late. To beat the parking crunch, put your boots on the

take advantage of the unique quirky positive attributes that Marin

ground and hike in. “There’s nothing,” says Monroe, “like starting your

has,” he says.

day off right with a good breath of fresh, redwood air.”)

For example? “Outdoor activities, environmentally friendly type of settings, ecotourism, agritourism, aquatourism. The types of things that

FRANK DELVALLE, a volunteer firefighter from North Texas, has one of

offer tourists something they can’t get in other places.”

this year’s most sought-after tourist accessories — a big black digital camera like the pros have. He’s using it to take a picture of a pigeon on

CHERYLL AND KEN BOSLEM, New Zealanders, are parking a tandem

the breakwater in Sausalito.

Blazing Saddles bike near the ferry in Sausalito. They just cycled the

Delvalle and his wife, Marie, rode the Blue & Gold Ferry over from San Francisco thinking it might take them near the Golden Gate Bridge. It didn’t, but they’ve had a good time nonetheless walking “around town taking pictures of everything.” And, Sausalito, what does he think? “It’s really pretty, homey, quaint with a modern flair.”

bridge from the city, their first stop on a round-the-world trip celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. They decided to “go over the bridge to see what was on the other side,” says Cheryll. And do they like what they see? “Stunning, beautiful. Like being home. Reminds us of Wellington,” she says. So, will they be back? “Hell, yes,” said Ken.

TOMORROW, TOMORROW

ark Essman’s job is to get more tourists to come to Marin and

MEMO TO MARK ESSMAN

—this is the hard part—to keep all the locals happy about it.

We think we’ve found your slogan: Marin, Hell Yes!

“We still have a lot of room for growth in our industry,” says Essman, executive director of the four-year-old Marin County Visitors Bureau,

Bettina Nickerson contributed to this story.

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H OME

POOL HOUSE

PERFECTION

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For poolside living, a nearby structure can provide easy hospitality year-round. From simple to simply sublime, welldesigned pool houses offer carefree convenience, comfortable cover from the climate, sensible seating, effortless entertaining and even luxurious lodging. Here, several pool houses, each under 600 square feet, show how it can be done.

BY P. J . B R E M I ER P H OTO S BARBARA RIES

SCALE AND SYM M E T RY

“A

pool house is luxurious,” says architect Elida Doldan Schujman of Architecture Studio in Sausalito. “It’s one way of keeping wet

swimsuits from the inside of the house, but it can also make a home feel like a resort, like being on vacation at home.” Doldan Schujman kept both the practical and the idyllic in mind when she designed the twin cabanas that complement the 1906 Queen Anne Victorian mansion of one San Rafael client. Situated on almost four acres of land, the pool house unifies the main house and the carriage house by pulling elements from both: the large dormers and the eaves with dentil molding from the former and the cupola lanterns from the latter. By separating the two cabanas and placing them on a central axis with the mansion’s entry hall bay windows, the architect avoid-

ARCHITECT:

ed the potential bulkiness of a single larger

Architecture Studio

building and made the space pleasing to view

CONTRACTOR:

outdoor fireplace area between them, she

Versaggi Construction INTERIOR DESIGN:

Architecture Studio LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT:

Richard A. Vignolo

from the main house. By placing the latticed created a privacy screen shielding the space from the road beyond. One cabana evokes Victorian-era bathhouses, with curtained changing rooms, period-style sconces, paddled ceiling fans and, in the lounge area, an antique wicker chair and ottoman covered in waterproof fabric.

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tiles, old-fashioned support brackets and barstools covered in waterproof fabric. With food, convenient amenities and a place to relax, this spot makes a good case for pool houses. They’re “a lot of fun,” Doldan Schujman says, “and, if you have the space, even a small pool house is more practical than going back and forth to the main house.”

G R E AT S I G H T, TIGHT SITE

“T

he story of this pool house was one of serendipity and how good architecture comes by solving more than one problem at a

time,” says Tiburon architect Miles Berger. It began when a Tiburon homeowner asked Berger to design a guesthouse without “taking a square inch of her garden” or impeding any of the breathtaking views she enjoyed from her windows. That left only one space: a charmless and view-free site behind

MARIN

PREVIOUS PAGE: Elida

The tiles on the bathroom walls above the

Doldan Schujman of Architecture Studio in Sausalito designed two pool houses to create a resort-like ambience. THIS PAGE: Miles Berger-designed pool house created extended upper landscape area with San Francisco Bay views.

wainscoting echo the dazzling Bisazza aqua-

Berger proposed instead carving a modern-

blue glass tile under the pool coping, while

style guesthouse into the hill next to the pool

the faux painting of the bathroom door re-

terrace, located one level down from the main

peats the look of the dressing room draperies.

house, giving overnight guests a dead-on view

J U LY 2 0 0 8

The second cabana, done in shades of

the garage.

of the Golden Gate Bridge from their bed.

white and blue with accents of brass and

“If Bilbo Baggins of Lord of the Rings had

black, holds the indoor entertaining area.

been a modernist, this is what he would have

Here the emphasis is on a fun bar atmosphere

built,” Berger says. “Rather than add to the

rather than cooking, although there is a full

existing house or going up, which would

kitchen (supplemental to another one out-

have blocked neighbors’ views, we built at

side), with a refrigerator, cooktop, dishwash-

the existing lower pool level and expanded

er, sink and microwave. The bar, which subtly

the garden on top of the new pool house.”

conceals the kitchen counter, has an ebonite-

Inside, the pool house has a sleek bath-

and-tile countertop inset with mother-of-pearl

room, accessible to poolside guests or from

ARCHITECT:

Miles Berger, AIA CONTRACTOR:

Caletti Jungsten Construction FURNISHINGS:

Design Within Reach LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT:

Pedersen Associates LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR:

O’Connell Landscape ABOVE : Tiburon architect

Miles Berger carved into the hillside to create pool house. BELOW : Full bathroom makes pool house ideal for extra guest room.

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ABOVE AND OPPOSITE :

a private entrance off the bedroom. It’s out-

president of Caletti Jungsten Construction.

Landscape and stone pool house designed by Walter & Wager.

fitted with limestone floors, countertops

“We saw a site that was tight and didn’t have

and tile, a glass-enclosed shower and bath-

a lot of access, and meeting the original man-

tub, and gleaming fixtures from Dornbracht.

icured garden with the living roof seamless-

There’s a walk-in closet and a bedroom that

ly, with correct waterproofing and drainage,

can be converted into a lounge area, workout

was a specific challenge. But we love a good

room or office.

challenge and it was fun to solve.”

The interior and exterior walls were con-

Now, not only did the homeowner get a

structed using green components, including

guesthouse with a view, she has a beautiful

sustainably grown teak and stone native to

pool house that has green features, required

the site. The stone, which matches the gar-

no variances, doesn’t exceed the original foot-

den walls, was a surprise discovery during

print or block neighbors’ views, reduces the

excavation and saved for construction.

need to climb the stairs to the main house

This pool house “was a little challenging to build,” says contractor Jeff Jungsten, vice

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J U LY 2 0 0 8

from the pool, and actually expands her precious garden space.

AWAY F R OM THE

TUSCAN SUN

ausalito architect Ronald Wager can list some marvelous reasons to build a pool house: it’s an alternate location for entertaining and

relaxing, a practical place for changing rooms and toilets, and an area for adults to relax or work while keeping an eye on the children. On a more basic level, though, a pool house can be appreciated for the cool shade and wind protection it offers on exposed sites far removed from a sheltered patio. The lovely stone-veneer pool house he designed for an active Ross family “offers all of the above advantages,” he says, “and yet its visual impact on the landscape was artfully minimized by setting it into the hillside and keeping the shapes and materials simple in order to complement the [Tuscan villa-style] main house.” With a large main room, a bar alcove, a bathroom dressed in tumbled travertine

ARCHITECT:

Walter & Wager CONTRACTOR:

Caletti Jungsten Construction LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT:

Michael B. Yandle Landscape Architecture

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Trusses create shady area for guests to gather in Walter & Wager designed pool house.

surfaces and access from both indoors and outdoors, the interior works well for casual entertaining. Guests can gather under the exposed wood trusses of the roof, gaze out onto the pool and the views from the operable radius-top cedar windows and never know the

PAV I L I O N STYLE

pool eq uipment is concealed in its own separate room nearby.

scape architect who designed the estate’s ex-

J essica Hall Associates, who collaborated on

Across from it is the kitchen, with coun-

pansive gardens.

a stylish pavilion-style pool house in Tiburon

tertops of a vibrant Blue Luise Extra granite,

using four movable walls fabricated from all-

a rotisserie oven, dishwasher, full and mini-

weather Sunbrella fabric.

refrigerators, twin sinks and a microwave.

Two pairs of French doors open onto the pool and garden, providing a graceful access to the outdoor fireplace and seating area, an idea suggested by Michael Yandle, the land-

And contractor J eff J ungsten, who was instrumental in the siting, layout and many

ho says a pool house must

set with blue limestone pavers and a perim-

have four solid walls?

eter of limestone mosaic. Inside, a cast stone

Not designers Alia Meyer

wood-burning fireplace with gas jet offers a

and Nicolas Sauzier of

warm place to visit or read.

exterior details and site services, set up the

“There’s something very magical about

pool house to easily accommodate future de-

outdoor draperies,” Meyer says. “They give

velopment— which will save the owners time

a room more flexibility and they’re strong

A fun mix of colorful Donghia outdoor

and money should they want to add other

enough to act as barriers, but they blow in

fabrics is splashed across the furnishings,

amenities later on.

the wind and can add softness to a space

with the lounge chairs and stool cushions

that uses a lot of stone.”

piped in an orange leatherlike vinyl. K ane

“From a construction standpoint, the

There’s also a bathroom and storage room for convenience.

builder has the ability to plan ahead for fu-

Tied back, these elegantly striped drap-

ture needs like extra drainage, irrigation

eries allow full visual and physical access to

lines, power conduits, and pool or lighting

the pool; partially closed, they provide shelter

“K ids can be swimming in the pool while

control locations, which might be hampered

from the sun or wind. And pulled shut, they

couples are having snacks in the pool house

by construction already in place,” J ungsten

provide a cozy ambience for an intimate par-

and still be able to watch their children while

says. “These items cost very little at the time

ty. The draperies envelop a series of classical

they have adult conversations,” Meyer says.

and can provide a huge benefit later.”

columns on a raised limestone platform, in-

“It’s the outdoor version of a family room.”

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Shrader fixtures light the space and overhead heat lamps offer additional warmth.

Pavilion-style pool house in Tiburon was created by Winder Liebes Architects and Jessica Hall Associates.

ARCHITECT:

Winder Liebes Architects CONTRACTOR:

Hughes General Contractor, Inc. INTERIOR DESIGNER:

Jessica Hall Associates with homeowner Carolyn Cohan LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT:

Magrane & Associates LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR:

Stonetree Landscape Construction

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MAP C REATED BY TIM REED

J O U R NEY

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HIGH-ALTITUDE TREKKING IN NEPAL, WHERE THE SCENERY COMES WITH A PRICE STORY & PHOTOS BY

PH OTO: ZAC H ARY C OFF MAN

VASSI KOUTSAFTIS

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“Vassi, dig, dig, dig!” My Mill Valley neighbor and friend David Fairbrother is yelling at me as I slide down a steep, icy slope toward a pile of rocks hundreds of feet below. A few moments before, I was leading my favorite Nepalese trek—an arduous three-week jaunt around Manaslu, at 26,781 feet the eighth highest mountain in the world. We were hours into a long, hard climb that started before dawn and were descending from Rupina-La when a member of our team went off the trail and off the fixed rope. I followed to help him, but he did not listen to my instructions and now here I am—in a near free fall on a pitched sheet of ice three miles above sea level.

“I know I need to dig, Dave,” I mutter to myself, “but

PREVIOUS SPREAD :

Summit of Manaslu. ABOVE : Sherpa on top of Rupina-La. RIGHT : the massif of Manaslu from the village of Lho.

first I must turn so I am heading down feetfirst instead of headfirst!” I kick, grab with my stick and manage to get my feet pointing downslope. Now I need to self-arrest, so I claw at the ice with my hands until I finally come to a stop. All right, I think, enough adrenaline for today. A second later, though, gravity grabs me and I am off again, sliding even faster because it is steeper here. Below, I see a snow ramp and beyond that a number of big rocks.

so hard in the ice, but nothing broken. My camera is still

to be moving in slow motion. I whiz past two porters, who

around my neck. It survived and, unlike me, won’t be sore

stare at me like I’m some sort of carnival act. Unless I stop

for the next week.

very soon I will hit the ramp, be catapulted into the air and land, most unfortunately, on the rocks.

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damage check—skin ripped off two fingers from digging

Even though I am speeding downhill, everything seems

I give Dave the thumbs-up and slowly work my way up to the trail, thinking about the capriciousness of life in

In what seems an eternity, but is in fact just seconds, I

these wild mountains. Just 20 minutes ago I was at the

grind to a halt. I lie motionless, catching my breath, col-

top, at 16,500 feet, taking photos with friends, laughing

lecting my wits and trying to be sure I’m secure. I do a

and enjoying the spectacular Himalayan scenery. Seconds

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later, I was well on my way to being just another foreigner

them. The total elevation gain and loss on the trek is near-

buried in a grave marked by prayer stones and flags.

ly 53,000 feet. Geographic Expeditions is the only company that offers treks on this route, and this time out— my

Around Manaslu, the Hard Way

fifth— we were a big group: 13 Westerners, 10 Sherpa staff

Circumnavigating Manaslu is one of the five best treks in

and about 75 porters.

the world. It is a challenging route even for experienced

This trek starts at Gorkha— home of the legendary sol-

trekkers: 23 days on the ground, 150 to 200 miles de-

diers the British call Gurkha. Then after 10 days we enter

pending on detours, two high passes, R upina-La and then

an area much like Tibet with gompas ( fortified monaster-

even higher Larkya-La, with 10 days’ hard walk between

ies) , chortens ( Buddhist architectural structures represent-

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ing the various elements) and prayer wheels. A few days later we edge along the Tibetan plateau and border, where caravans still come through, and here we are back in Nepali villages and culture. The area had been basically off limits to outsiders for 10 years due to the Maoist insurgency, but now things have settled down a bit, although not completely. At one point on the trek, we come around a bend in the trail and are greeted by a big red sign reading “Welcome foreigners to our area.” I think to myself, Here we go. We’ve arrived at a Maoist “donation station.” A number of people are clustered about a small desk set in the middle of the trail. An old woman who appears to be the boss asks me to sign a form and give a donation. I have been traveling so long in these parts of the world that I know “the people” will never see a penny of this so-called charity. The whole thing is a scam, but we have to pay or we’ll surely CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE : Chorten at Samdo; outside Gorkha,

a villager collects hay; prayer stones and ﬂags along the trail; porters keeping warm in the early morning chill; the valley below Rupina-La.

face trouble farther down the trail. The only question is how much. The woman and I discuss the matter heatedly. She wants a $700 fee from us for entering the area. I say we’ve already paid a fee in Kathmandu to enter the restricted area around Manaslu plus another fee to enter the Annapurna conservation area. This is an additional fee for “the people,”

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she says. After half an hour and quite a bit of shouting, I am able to reduce the “donation” by half and we are on our way. Our parting words are under our teeth: I say something in Greek about her family and she tells me something in her dialect about mine.

Happy Birthday Before the Storm The three days after my slip-and-slide descent from Rupina-La are spectacularly beautiful. The going is tough, the days long and the scenery like the Swiss Alps, only here the elevation is above 14,000 feet. We see no one on the trail except for an old shepherd carrying an aging musket, trying to find three lost goats. We connect to a more common Manaslu route by taking a steep, narrow trail down to 7,000 feet, where the weather is warm and humid. Here, we will follow the Buri Gandaki River for five days before we start our climb again, this time to 17,400-foot Larkya-La. One of our group, Michelle, is celebrating her birthday and what the cook prepares that night amazes even a veteran trekker like me—salad, pizza, pasta and a delicious chocolate cake, which in this remote area tastes as good as a slice from my favorite Marin bakery, Sweet Things in Tiburon. CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE :

Pilgrim in Kathmandu’s Swambunath temple; monk at the Gompa at Samdo reading the sacred prayers; Gompa at the crossroads at the small village of Nyak; Buddhist painting inside a chorten at Samagaon

We are a day short of the Larkya-La when the storm hits. The footing has already been dangerously dicey, the result of a heavier-than-normal monsoon earlier in the year that left in its wake a spate of active avalanche areas, washouts and steep, loose, wet trails that get your heart going, not because of the effort but because of the peril. One missed step and you’re definitely gone, down to the rough river, wherein the next stop will be a few days later in the flatlands of Nepal. On my previous Manaslu trek, we got hit by the biggest storm of the decade and snow so deep the yaks could not break trail. It forced us back from the pass. I have visions of encountering the same, so we stay put in a small village at 15,000 feet called Samdo and wait. Two days later the weather clears and we set out in earnest for the pass. After spending a night at the extremely cold base camp, we start at three in the morning for a 14-hour up-and-over trek, some of it through deep snow. We arrive at the other side exhausted, but happy and ready to clear the teahouse of all its beer.

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The next few days of the trek the going is much smoother because we are now on the Annapurna trail with many trekkers and teahouses, where beer and chocolate are readily available. Everyone is dreaming about K athmandu, the legendary Yak and Yeti hotel, a shower, a soft bed, and a restaurant in Thamel. As much as I long at this point to get back to civilization, I know the reentry will be difficult. After a long trek, life in the city pales by comparison and I will yearn for the trail, where the day-to-day routine and worries of home are so far way. All adventures must end, though, and on my flight over the Pacific to San Francisco I gaze out the window in the darkness. My mind wanders back to the trail, the pleasure, the pain and, most especially, the people I met along the way. From experience I know that friendships made on a hard trek in the mountains last a lifetime.

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LI F E

Resolving the perennial second-home dilemma BY M A N DY B EH B EH A N I

BUILD? W

hen it comes to owning a second home, some people like to build from scratch, some like to renovate and some would rather be boiled in oil than go through major construction. Marin

residents with second homes have done it all and learned good lessons worth sharing. Here are a few of their stories.

Building in the Bitterroot “We really built our dream house,” says Holly Green of the lodge-like home she and her husband, Bill, built in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley one hour south of Missoula. “It’s not a large one, but it’s right on a beautiful rocky creek. We feel a lot of our life came together there.” The Greens, who live in Kentfield, built their 4,500-square-foot home alongside an old log cabin already on the land and next to sparkling Lost Horse Creek. It was completed in 2002 on the morning of their daughter’s wedding.

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OR BUY? “We had been looking for a property for 20 years,” says Green. “The most important thing was to find a good property on the water.” The home features river rock and brick walls, milled wood siding, wood-beamed ceilings, wood and stone floors, and chandeliers made from elk antlers. It takes in the natural beauty of the surrounding national forest with a 25-foot-ceilinged great room, which, like the bedrooms, has sliding doors opening out to the creek. Each bedroom has a theme, from moose to cowboys to fishing. A pine bunkroom has six Pullman berth–like beds where the grandkids sleep. The house features whimsical details like a bear’s claw carved into the front door and colorful ceramic bathroom sinks adorned with fish and moose motifs. In the octagonal kitchen, a three-dimensional hand-tossed ceramic tile backsplash displays a nature scene with eagles, ducks, moose and bears. An 11-inch-high tile trout stream scene runs below the windows on three walls. Owning a second home that is not within driving distance has its challenges—and its rewards, says Green. “You would probably use the house more if it’s closer, but if you really want to escape then you need to be farther away. Once we’re really away, Bill cannot be called back to work.” Building long distance can pose problems. “We had a wonderful builder who oversaw everything. But you have to be there a lot. We were there the entire summer living in an RV on the

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property. I was there to catch any errors. One day I real-

Today, they split their time between Sausalito and

ized if I sat down in the study I couldn’t see the creek.

Hopland, 90 minutes up Highway 101. There, with the

But since all that was up at the time was framing, all we

help of Oakland architect Michelle Wempe, Rock and

had to do was a little reframing and order larger windows.

Fetzer gutted the pedestrian-looking 1960s ranch house.

Your presence is essential.”

A Second Home, But Close to Home

my husband wanted to see them from every window in

Patty Rock believes a second home should be within

the house. Also, we renovated instead of built for practical

striking distance of home base. That is why she and her

reasons: the pool and a guesthouse were already there.”

husband, John Fetzer, a second-generation winemaker,

The project, done while the couple occupied the house,

renovated the house that sat amid 600 acres of Fetzer

took five years and produced an elegant but country-

family ranchland and vineyards in Mendocino County. It

flavored retreat that balances high style with a rural feel.

was also where, in 2001, she and her husband built their

The house is awash in glass and has French limestone and

boutique winery, Saracina, whose wines are served at Gary

Australian boxwood floors, oak fireplaces and landscaping

Danko, the French Laundry and other top restaurants.

that balances bamboo with hundred-year-old olive trees.

Married since 1998, Rock and Fetzer had long considered a second home.

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“We kept the same footprint because the siting was so nice,” says Rock. “It looked out onto the vineyards and

It’s exactly because construction needs supervision that a second home should be easily accessible, Rock adds. “I

“When we were visiting Connecticut we dreamed of

remember walking into the guest bathroom one day and

Connecticut, and when we were in Italy, we dreamed about

the tile installer had used the wrong color grout and it

having a second home in Italy, but both those places were

was all custom-cut marble. We had to rip it all out, reor-

too far away,” says Rock, who works with her husband at

der the marble and have it all custom-cut all over again. If

Saracina. “The reality was we would not use it and in our

you’re not close enough to catch those things, it can be a

case it became a place where we work as well.”

real nightmare. Contractors don’t catch everything.”

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PHOTO: TIM PORTER

ABOVE LEFT : Holly and Bill Green enjoy living part time in Montana. RIGHT : Tim and Katrina Harmon spend time in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Sun Valley, Idaho’s activities include skiing in the winter and biking in the summer.

and objectives. I travel a lot for work and am constantly in hotels. I wanted a place to spend time with my family. Think seriously about building, because it’s a big commitment. Most people experience a lot of cost overruns. If you have the time, that’s great, but if you don’t, you’re better off buying.” The Harmons purposely bought a house far from home. “Sun Valley is very special,” Harmon says. “It’s not really near to any major metropolitan area so when we go, we really feel like we are getting away.” The Harmons recommend getting a holiday home that can be used year round. “We can ski in the winter and hike and swim in the summer,” says Katrina. “Ketchum is a wonderful community and we’ve met so many nice people there. Sun Valley is Aspen without the glitz and pretension.”

A Turnkey Getaway in Sun Valley To avoid those type of problems, many people prefer second

Vive la Rénovation!

homes that are move-in ready. Tim Harmon, CEO of Solage,

Some people want to live where it’s not possible to buy land

the newest brand of hotels from Auberge Resorts, bought a

and build, so they buy and renovate from scratch. That’s

four-bedroom house last year in Idaho’s Sun Valley.

what Susan and Sidney Goodwill of Tiburon did. The

“We found exactly what we had been looking for,” says

Goodwills, who sold their Bullock & Jones menswear store

Harmon, who lives in Ross with his wife, Katrina, and their

on Post Street in 1998, have a house in the Tiburon hills

two young children. “We just love our Lincoln log cabin on

with dazzling bay views. In April 2006, the self-described ad-

Warm Springs Creek at the base of the mountain.”

venturers bought a 2,000-square-foot flat in a 1930s build-

The Harmons, who met and fell in love on the ski slopes at Squaw and Sun Valley, did nothing more than

ing in Paris overlooking the golden dome of Les Invalides, in whose grounds Napoleon Bonaparte is interred.

put in rustic barnlike hardwood floors and new bath-

Location was the most important draw. “Where are

rooms. “We’ve used it a lot,” Harmon says. “The kids play

you going to get land and build in Paris?” says Sidney. “We

in the creek. My six-year-old daughter, Giselle, said, ‘My

don’t want to be out in Neuilly or the Bois de Boulogne.

eyes don’t hurt from the chlorine.’”

We wanted to be right in the heart of the city, to be able to

Harmon says his decision to buy is linked in part to his line of work. “My job is building new resorts, so the

walk everywhere. We did this because it was a dream of ours to have somewhere in Paris.”

excitement of building your own house might not be as

They hired noted French architecte d’intérieur Bruno

evident for me. You really need to think out your goals

Moinard, whose design plan called for coved ceilings to al-

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Spanish-style in Santa Barbara

ABOVE : Paris is the

second home choice location for Susan and Sidney Goodwill; they renovated their apartment and moved in December 2007. RIGHT : View of golf course in Rancho Mirage from Michele and Glenn Larsen’s second home.

Sharon Bradford also found it was not feasible to buy land and build. Growing up in Los Angeles, she started visiting Montecito, a tony enclave adjacent to Santa Barbara, in the 1970s when her parents moved there. In 1996, when she low for top-down lighting, silver oak and plaster walls, sil-

married David, a former U CSF chief of orthopedics, they de-

ver oak floors and gracious French doors along the front of

cided they wanted a second home there as well. Two years

the apartment. Demolition began in September 2006 and

later, they found a small 10-year-old Spanish-style bunga-

the couple moved in just before Christmas 2007.

low with colorful tile and mountain views and have been

The apartment had not been touched in 30 years, so

moving between that and their Sausalito home ever since.

the Goodwills scooped everything out from the front door

“We wanted to build but we found it takes three to

in. Two bedrooms and the salon were stationed along four

four years to build there,” Bradford says. “They are very

large windows on the front with the dome of Les Invalides

tough there with permits. We gave up on that.”

just ahead. Susan also req uested a laundry room. “The French have never heard of that!” she says, laughing. During the process, the Goodwills made at least 20 trips to Paris to oversee the work.

The Bradfords have done some minor remodeling such as putting in a new walnut floor and skylights and adding a master bedroom. They also painted and landscaped. The choice to buy rather than build depends in part on

They specifically wanted a second home far from their

how much money people want to spend on making an old

primary domicile. “We wanted two different worlds, two

house new, Bradford adds. “Do you want it to have a fam-

different cultures,” says Sidney. “If you have a house in

ily room? Because old houses don’t have them. I like the

the wine country here, you go up there and see the same

romantic essence of an old house, but I appreciate at the

friends you see down here.”

same time having everything work.”

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From Renter to Owner

easy. And of course, things went wrong, like a huge wa-

Sometimes neither building nor renovating is neces-

ter leak that forced them to rip out the wall of the master

sary. In 1996, Suzanne Tucker, anointed by Architectural

bathroom while they were there for Christmas.

Digest as one of the nation’s top 100 interior designers

“Sometimes when I couldn’t sleep because I was so

and architects, bought a two-bedroom, California bunga-

worried about that leak,” says Susan, “I would find myself

low– style house with a garden, lap pool and views of the

up at 3 a.m. And I would go sit in the salon and look at

mountains, also in Montecito, where she grew up. But she

that dome and say, ‘ OK , this is going to be all right.’”

had been renting the place— the former carriage house on

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GOODWIL L’S PHOTO: TIM PORTER

R enovating abroad can be tricky. Sidney speaks French but Susan does not, and dealing with French law was not

But once she and her husband started spending time in the desert, they fell in love with the place. Soon, Larsen’s mother bought her own house in the Springs. “Then we realized that our house didn’t have a view except from a bedroom we never used,” says Larsen. “We couldn’t build because we wanted to stay close to my mother, so when an-

LEFT : Villas Del Mar was the choice for Kathy Jolson; she worked with the development’s designers and created her dream home.

other house came up nearby, and it had a pool on the 18th hole and a lovely view, we jumped on it.” The Larsens gutted the run-down 3,000-square-foot house, installed cool travertine floors and anagris cabinets, raised the ceilings and put in skylights and more windows. Even though Larsen went down to oversee the project every two or three weeks, she still didn’t get everything she wanted. “You really have to look at the plans carefully. Every detail you don’t figure out in the beginning adds to an orange orchard—from the well-known Los Angeles de-

the original contract price.”

signer Jim Northcutt for four years prior to that. “I did very little renovation,” says Tucker, whose Tucker

Buy Location and Get a Builder, Too

& Marks interior design business boasts a blue-chip list of

There is a happy medium in the buy-versus-build ques-

clients that includes Gary and O. J. Shansby (she designed

tion, and Nicasio resident Kathy Jolson found it. Eight

their gorgeous Sonoma retreat). “Jim had bought the orig-

years ago, she bought a home in the Villas Del Mar, a

inal property and remodeled the house very simply and

gated group of multimillion-dollar hacienda-style homes

comfortably, and because I had rented it, I already knew I

that front dramatic white sand beaches and the Sea of

liked everything about it. I was fortunate. Apart from fresh-

Cortez adjacent to the luxurious Palmilla resort. The de-

ening things up, my husband, Tim Marks, and I didn’t have

velopment’s amenities include a five-star hotel, access to

to do a lot, which is rather a change for me! That little spot

Palmilla’s 27-hole golf course, restaurants and spa, and

of paradise is where I feel the most peaceful.”

butler, chef, concierge and maid services.

Proximity to her Sausalito base was an important fac-

Jolson originally wanted to buy land and build in Cabo.

tor in picking a spot for her home-away. “The Caribbean

“But after visiting some friends in Villas Del Mar, and seeing

or Hawaii sound great, but people should consider how

how spectacular the homes were, we decided to buy one

they want to use it. If it’s really for weekends, then it does

there,” she says. “But they had sold out of what they had al-

need to be within driving distance.”

ready built. So we put an X on a piece of land there.” Choosing between four architectural models, Jolson

Small Steps Lead to Big Moves

was able to modify the floor plans. “We flipped the mas-

Convenience was the main motivator when Michele and

ter bedroom and the kitchen around and made the wash-

Glenn Larsen of Belvedere bought a 3,000-square-foot

room tiny. We sat down with their designers and designed

house with pool in Rancho Mirage for Michele’s elder-

what we wanted. If we had bought the lot independently

ly mother four years ago. Michele’s sister was living in

and got our own builder, we’d have had to be flying down

Palm Springs and her mother liked the desert weather.

there all the time to supervise.”

The Larsens chose an established development called the

The property management is first rate, she adds: “They

Springs Country Club, 20 minutes’ drive from Michele’s

check our house and e-mail us saying, ‘This is broken,’ and

sister’s, across the street from the Eisenhower Hospital

we say, ‘OK, fix it.’ We walk out of the front door and won’t

and sited around a golf course. “We thought this was a

think about it until next time. When we arrive, our beds are

very well-done club,” says Michele. “People were kind to

made, the lights are on, the outdoor furniture is out. They

my mother. We also felt it was a reasonable investment

will shop for you for the fridge, pick you up. They will do

and that we could just use it and see how it goes.”

anything you want. It’s a hassle-free way to go.”

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SP ECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

KE KAILANI The place where the ocean meets the heavens. here is an essential difference in the resort community of Ke Kailani, and it is easy to spot. From the moment you drive into the lovely Kipuka entryway, you are transported into a sanctuary with all the beauty of Hawaii in a relaxed, elegant oceanfront setting. Ke Kailani was purposely developed as a community that values open space. Located on over 65 acres in the worldrenowned Mauna Lani Resort on the Kohala Coast, Ke Kailani is the last undeveloped oceanfront community in Mauna Lani with only 55 homeowners. This ultra low density community captures the essence of the Big Island and the Kohala Coast. Combined with first class amenities on over 10 acres of open space you have the Luxury of Space: a generous, well-planned community created with privacy in mind. Ke Kailani offers a unique opportunity to share in its special lifestyle through a variety of living experiences. Residents have the freedom to create the custom home of their dreams on a selection of large lots or purchase one of Ke Kailani’s extraordinary Villas, all inspired by the natural beauty of the Big Island. Ke Kailani has created a collection of elegant, exclusive residential neighborhoods with spectacular results:

a vibrant community nestled among luxurious amenities and peaceful open spaces. Ke Kailani is comprised of five distinctive neighborhoods, each with its own special charm. Oceanfront enclave, kamaaina estate lots with ocean views, golf course lake lots, and tranquil park lots – each in a private exclusive setting with an abundance of space. In addition, spacious two-story Villas offers the privacy of a single-family residence with the ease of condominium ownership. Each of these neighborhoods share Ke Kailani’s luxurious amenities and privileged access to Mauna Lani Resort. Community amenities include Kaiola Oceanfront Grotto with spectacular views from its infinity pool and thatched hales (cottages) viewing platform for whale watching. Also, towards the mountains, is the 5.5 acre Hana Pono Park, the perfect place to gather with family and friends. Other amenities include the adult and keiki (child) pool, large spa, gathering hale (pavilion) with residential concierge, fitness hale, tennis court, half-court basketball, hula mound and sand volleyball court. For further information, call 808-886-2000 or e-mail info@ kekailani.com.

YO U R

O W N

P R I VA C Y

S TAT E M E N T.

Your lifestyle says a lot about you. But if you think it sometimes says a bit too much, then you’re ready for Ke Kailani. We’ve created the most exclusive new residential enclave on the Kohala Coast with expansive estate lots, luxurious Villas and acres of open space. All this with first-class amenities and privileged access to world-renown Mauna Lani Resort. So when the only statement you want to make to the world is “see you later,” come see our world. For further information, please contact Ke Kailani Realty at 808-886-2000 or visit kekailani.com WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFED THIS OFFERING. This is not intended to be an offering or solicitation of sale in any jurisdiction where the project is not registered in accordance with applicable law or where such offering or solicitation would otherwise be prohibited by law. The developer reserves the right to modify the floor plans and architectural features and finishes without notice. All renderings, maps, site plans, floor plans and other images are provided to assist purchasers in visualizing the Project and may not accurately represent the final product.

SP ECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

MAYACAMA Introducing the best ways to enjoy Wine Country living. ayacama is an exclusive Club that sits pristinely in the heart of Sonoma County. When complete, fewer than 65 residences will grace the 675-acre property. The words privilege, serenity, and service define what Members experience. One of the most notable aspects of Mayacama is the unique Vintner Program. Members enjoy reserve offerings, private tastings, winemaker dinners, and special opportunities provided by 30 of Napa and Sonoma’s premier vintners—also Mayacama Members. Other amenities include a walking-only Nicklaus Signature Golf Course with caddies and 40,000-square-foot Clubhouse with spa and wellness services, gourmet dining, and private wine cellar with Member lockers. “We wanted to create a lifestyle that combines the best of second-home living and 5-star hotel luxury for a fraction of the price,” said Jonathan Wilhelm, Managing Partner of Mayacama. “Our offerings are designed specifically to accommodate the needs of our Members by providing exceptional access and flexibility.”

Mayacama’s Lodging Membership Program includes 28-night packages in the Club’s collection of Villas and Casitas. The Residences come fully furnished and with a wide array of amenities. Members may stay for a night or up to two weeks at a time and may invite family, friends, or co-workers as unaccompanied guests. Prices start at $225,000. Mayacama’s Hillside Homes offer a more traditional second-home experience and the ultimate in luxury, convenience, and accessibility. Each boasts 3,600 square feet of indoor/outdoor living space and sits on one-plus acres. From the Venetian plastered walls and rich woodwork to the gourmet kitchens and natural stone countertops, the attention to detail is meticulous. Deeded, quarter shares start at $1.425 million. The final Golf and Social Memberships at Mayacama are reserved for Lodging Members and Hillside Home owners. With only 10 homesites and 31 Lodging Residences, time is of the essence. For more information, visit us at www.mayacama.com or call Residence Membership Sales at 707-569-2950.

SP ECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

MONTRÊUX GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB The beauty of tax advantages. ath – it might not be everyone’s favorite subject, but residents in California who take the time to crunch the numbers are seeing life-changing results. It’s a simple equation people are using to make their taxes work for them – and the solution lies nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Montrêux Golf and Country Club is an upscale golf community just minutes from Lake Tahoe, and California residents are cashing in with the money they are saving from Nevada’s tax advantages. John and Susan Barber are one of many couples who have made their home in Montrêux’s scenic community. Moving back to the United States from Japan where John worked as an executive for a tech company, the Barbers had 50 states from which to choose. But it was Nevada’s non-existent income tax combined with the friendly spirit of Montrêux that led them to where they are today. “After visiting Montrêux, we knew this was where we wanted to live. It offers a Tahoe lifestyle without the harsh

winters and the high income taxes found in California,” John said. “And with all the money we save in taxes, the house practically pays for itself and allows for other things, such as traveling.” Montrêux’s strong sense of community was another incentive for the Barbers. They describe the neighborly camaraderie felt throughout the community as a genuine desire to help and watch out for each other. Residents also have an assortment of clubs and activities at their disposal, providing an easy outlet for people to socialize with others who share the same interests. And despite the slowing real estate market, Montrêux continues to thrive with the construction of new homes and the welcoming of new neighbors. “It seems like people can’t stay away from the lifestyle Montrêux offers,” Susan said. “And who can blame them – Montrêux is doing everything right.” For more information about Montrêux please call 775.849.9444 or log on to www.montreuxnv.com.

Amidst the natural wonder of Lake Tahoe is a new collection of impeccably

the most prestigious private venues in North Lake Tahoe. From championship

cra ed ski in/ski out residences. Northstar™ Lodge~Hyatt® Residence Club

golf on award-winning courses, to private dinning on the lake and on Northstar®

holds the promise of sophisticated privilages, enriching mountain adventures,

Mountain, to the exclusive enjoyment of swim, tennis and spa facilities, member-

as well as a new breed of luxury ownership that transcends the inconveniences

ship deﬁnitely has its privileges.

of maintaining a second home. Owners are welcomed by the gracious hospitality of Hyatt, a name synonyMingling with ponderosa pines in a coveted slopeside location at the base of

mous with warm service and memorable experiences for nearly half a century.

Northstar-at-Tahoe™ Ski Resort, this exceptional residence club is mere steps

Exclusive services and programs rendered by an attentive staﬀ—such as

from e Village at Northstar™, a vibrant array of specialty boutiques,

concierge services, housekeeping and valet parking—ensure that one’s time

restaurants, cafés, and art galleries all encircling an open-air skating rink.

in-residence requires not a care in the world.

Honoring the architectural heritage of Lake Tahoe, Northstar™ Lodge~Hyatt®

Northstar™ Lodge~Hyatt® Residence Club represents a joint partnership

Residence Club is a private retreat of comfort and authentic style. Native

between East West Partners and Hyatt Vacation Club, and is being created

materials grace the exteriors for a naturally weathered appearance, while

with a commitment to achieving the highest standards of ecological and social

luxury appointments set the mood within. High ceilings and open ﬂoorplans

responsibility. In fact, the residences employ environmentally conscious

enhance the spacious feel, creating a dramatic, high-alpine sensibility.

practices rarely applied on such a comprehensive basis in real estate development. is philosophy, which focuses on innovative ways to restore, reduce

Discriminating owners, however, are destined to spend most of their four

and recycle resources and material, permeates every aspcet of the residence

seasons out of doors. While in residence, owners receive an automatic member-

club’s development and operation. Visit us at www.hyattnorthstar.com or call

ship in Tahoe Moutain Club for unrestricted access and prioriry treatment at

1-888-NL-HYATT (65-49288).

193 Square miles of pri ine waters for you to explore

welcome to your new backyard Amidst the natural wonder of Lake Tahoe is a collection of impeccably cra ed ski-in/ski-out residences. Imagine sophisticated privileges, enriching experiences, and the coveted standards and services of Hyatt.

WelcomeToYourNewBackyard.com 888 - NL - HYATT (65-49288)

SP ECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

THE RITZCARLTON CLUB On-Mountain Luxury he Ritz-Carlton Club®, Lake Tahoe is a completely new way to experience Lake Tahoe. Adding the five star services of the Ritz-Carlton® to the North Lake Tahoe area will provide an unforgettable experience that can only be found in a handful of ski-in/ski-out properties in the world. Situated in the on-mountain Northstar™ Highlands community and just a gondola ride away from the vibrant Village at Northstar™, the enjoyment of your precious free time will be elevated to a level unmatched by any other second home. “The Ritz-Carlton Club, Lake Tahoe is an exciting fractional ownership opportunity designed to provide the right blend of assured access during peak demand periods and flexibility throughout the year for a leisurely vacation or a quick escape,” said Project Director Eric Moulton. “This property will bring mountain living to new heights. The spectacular location and exquisite beauty of the Lake Tahoe area, coupled with the luxuries associated with The Ritz-Carlton brand, will make this a truly unforgettable property.”

Adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton® Highlands, Lake Tahoe, you will enjoy access to the neighboring resort’s facilities including a 21,500 square foot lavishly-appointed spa, restaurants and the legendary, personalized services and amenities of The Ritz-Carlton® Hotel Company. Your well appointed mountain Second Home will include all the privileges of The Ritz-Carlton living, plus the charming delights that are found nearby. A dedicated gondola ride will connect you to the Village at Northstar™ – a world-class alpine village that features live music, special events, an outdoor ice skating rink, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Historic downtown Truckee also offers you outstanding dining and recreational activities just six miles away. The 78 two-, three- and four-bedroom residences will range from approximately 1,423 to 2,434 square feet and boast mountain and valley views of the Sierra Nevada. Opening is scheduled for late in 2009. For an in-depth discussion, please visit our Membership Gallery in the Village at Northstar™ call 877.637.5253 or learn more online at www.rcc-laketahoe.com.

Uninhibited fun. L e t t h e m e x p e r i e n c e i t d a i l y.

From championship golf and incredible skiing to ﬁve-star

ASPEN HIGHLANDS

dining and a world-class spa, The Ritz-Carlton Club , Lake Tahoe will play host to a stunning assortment of recreational activities. All of which will be available right outside of

BACHELOR GULCH

JUPITER

your mid-mountain Club Residence on the slopes of Northstar ® Resort. Your story begins here. Our Fractional Ownership opportunities range from $225,000 to more than

KAPALUA BAY 2

LAKE TAHOE 2

Developer’s conceptual rendering. Features and amenities are proposed and subject to change.

$500,000 . Club Members have exclusive reciprocal

Welcome to your Second Home at Northstar Highlands,

privileges at participating Club locations*. For an in-depth

Lake Tahoe. A place to build lifelong family traditions in the

discussion, please visit our new Membership Gallery in the

grandeur of paradise. Where you can plunge into any

Village at Northstar™, call 877.637.5253 or learn more

mountain adventure or simply enjoy traditional excursions.

online at www.rcc-laketahoe.com.

SAN FRANCISCO

SOUTH BEACH 2

7/08-RT-08-011l

*A fact sheet on facilities including association assessments is available upon request. Project is under construction and the proposed completion date is late 2009. Reciprocal privileges at participating Club locations are subject to the Reservation Procedures for The Ritz-Carlton Club. Local Members (as such term is defined in the Membership Program Documents) have no reciprocal exchange privileges. 1Prices are subject to change. 2Planned Future Locations. This advertising material is being used for the purpose of soliciting the sale of timeshare periods in the state of California.

ST. THOMAS

SP ECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

TETHEROW RESORT Great Scott — A New Golf Course with Highland Heritage s of July 26th, Golf enthusiasts seeking the definitive links challenge won’t need to look any further than Tetherow. That’s when the much anticipated, 700-acre Scottish links styled golf course in Central Oregon, is slated to open. Built among the pine trees and lava flows just outside of Bend, Oregon, Tetherow empowers its residents to live the high desert lifestyle, all the while enjoying their favorite pastime. And all a five minute drive -- or a ten minute bike-ride –to the art galleries and bistros of downtown Bend.

“The striking design that David McLay Kidd created, combined with the stunning scenery and exceptional agronomic standards creates one of the most unique, memorable and golf experiences in the region.”

Soon to be recognized as one of the region’s most unique golf experiences, Tetherow Golf Course boasts a brilliant layout by David McLay Kidd – the award-winning architect of the new St. Andrews’ Castle Course in Scotland. The course features imaginative routing that flows magnificently with the natural terrain. The links styled course offers a diverse mix of holes framed by ragged bunkers, knobs and knolls that encourage golfers to play their absolute best.

Whether golfing, fly-fishing, hiking, or kayaking, it is all cradled within the snowcapped peaks of Oregon’s Cascade Range.

“As we get closer to the opening of Tetherow the excitement both locally and throughout the country continues to grow,” said Martin Chuck, Director of Golf at Tetherow.

For more information on making Tetherow your new home, call 866.234.4848 or visit www.Golfweek.com/ ReaderService.

Rarely do Bend residents and visitors find themselves out of activities. First, there’s the 25,000 vertical feet expanse on Mount Bachelor. The Bachelor ski lifts are a 20 minute drive from Tetherow. Then, there are the endless fly fishing spots along the rushing Deschutes River or the crystal clear lava lakes within an hour’s drive.

This stunning terrain boasts homesites from mid-$300s to mid-$700s, ranging from a third of an acre to more than a full acre. As a testament to the rich quality of life in Central Oregon, Kidd himself bought the very first homesite and is moving his DMK Design operation to Bend.

BEND OREGON

DOES THE THOUGHT OF ST. ANDREWS REMIND YOU OF HOME? IT WILL NOW.

DAVID McL AY KIDD, COURSE ARCHITECT & RESIDENT

When your home course shares the same architect as the famous links of Scotland and heathland-style fairways line your neighborhood, you’re home in Tetherow. This spectacular 700acre golf resort community features the latest design of legendary golf architect, David McLay Kidd – renowned from St. Andrews to Bandon Dunes. Just four miles from beautiful downtown Bend, Oregon, enjoy exceptional resort living on your own custom home site.

H O M E S I T E S N O W AVA I L A B L E V I S I T T E T H E R O W. C O M

541.318.1234

WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THIS OFFERING. No Federal THE GOLF COURSE AT TETHEROW HAS ENROLLED IN THE AUDUBON SIGNATURE PROGRAM.

agency has judged the merits of value, if any, of this property. Access to amenities may be subject to payment EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY of fees, membership requirements and other restrictions.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a popular attraction for Ashland visitors. OPPOSITE UPPER : Lithia Park has 93 acres of lush playground for locals and visitors to explore. LOWER : Downtown Ashland.

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Ashland, as we like it

“

ad, when are we going to get there?” says my teenage stepson Garret from the backseat of our Toyota hybrid. He and his older brother Grant, both more than six feet tall, have been sandwiched there for much of our five-plus-hour drive to Ashland, Oregon. Ah, for the proper riposte; after all, we’re on our annual Shakespeare pilgrimage. No doubt the Bard would not come up empty. Falling short in the repartee department, I’m con-

BY K EN D R A S M I T H

tent to let the miles slip past as they may. As far as I’m concerned, the trip is quite pleasant. Despite my nickname “the wee one,” I am afforded the privilege of the front seat. And while I-5 can certainly be tedious, Northern California definitely has its moments—the granite spires of Castle Crags and snowcapped Mount Shasta among them. Just north of the California border, we drop into the wide Rogue Valley and turn west off Interstate 5. The road eventually narrows into Ashland’s Main Street, tree-lined and packed with local businesses. At the end of the road is a plaza that opens onto a park and a set of stairs leading up to the theaters of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Around here, of course, the plays are the thing. OSF has been putting on the Bard’s classics and other works in Ashland for more than 70 years. The season lasts for eight and a half months and includes 11 plays staged in three different theaters. And though we’re tired from our drive, we have tickets for The Taming of the Shrew tonight and need to get physically and nutritionally prepared.

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The search for food is continual when you’re traveling with three big guys, so soon we’re taking our seats on the outdoor patio of Pasta Piatti, an enticing Italian place with a menu offering plenty of vari-

so far north I don’t know what constellations I’m seeing, but it’s magical nonetheless. When it comes to choosing productions, we steer clear of the

ations on the boys’ favorite en-

tragedies, with one exception: last

trée—pasta—and a nice wine

year’s Romeo and Juliet. It is about

list. Over calamaretti fritti and a glass of prosecco, I soak in the warmth of the evening and admire Ashland’s charming downtown. After dinner the boys order espresso dessert drinks with us–Garret’s first taste of coffee. We all need a little something to keep us perky. We’ve made this trip ev-

OSF’s outdoor Elizabethan Stage, modeled on Shakespeare’s Fortune Theatre, is open to the sky. If the centuries-old prose doesn’t captivate, the brilliant sky and cool evening breeze will.

ery summer for the last few

teenage love, and Baz Luhrmann’s mod 1996 movie version of the tale, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, has reached mythic status with the boys’ generation. The staging there inspired a spirited discussion post-play over ice cream at Zoey’s Cafe. We were collectively blown away by the company’s decision to place the teenage characters in contemporary costumes and keep the adults in

years, and we now know teens

Elizabethan dress. I enjoyed the lively

and tweens can survive Shakespeare’s comedies, even sans caf-

conversation as much as the Northwest-made Cascade Mountain

feine. Perhaps one reason people stay tuned in is how the works

blackberry ice cream.

are often served up: OSF’s outdoor Elizabethan Stage, modeled on

Daytime for us in Ashland can be defined as lazy. Among our fa-

Shakespeare’s Fortune Theatre, is open to the sky. If the centuries-

vorite stops are Brothers’ Restaurant for a late breakfast (omelets and

old prose doesn’t captivate, the brilliant sky and cool evening breeze

bagels with lox for the guys, organic granola for me) and hang time

will. When I get lost in the poetry, I like to look up at the stars. We’re

in Lithia Park, a lush 93-acre playground on the National Register of

77 Connecticut Street, San Francisco t. 415.552.5001 f. 415.552.0714 www.bathandbeyond.com

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Historic Places. Younger kids watch the ducks in the pond with their families; the guys go for Frisbee. This trip I discover my new favorite shop, Emz Blendz Soap Co.,

if you go

a natural bath-and-body store. The boys find me there on their way to their top spot, the Music Coop, which has to be one of the last

Ashland Springs Hotel

Brothers’ Restaurant

independent record stores on the West Coast. I wonder what CD

212 E. Main St.

95 N. Main St.

they’ll come back with for us to wear out on the drive home.

888.795.4545

541.482.9671

ashlandspringshotel.com

brothersrestaurant.net

adults are set on a trip to Emigrant Lake, a nearby reservoir with

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Emz Blendz Soap Co.

waterslides and a roped-off area for swimming. The slides don’t lead

15 S. Pioneer St.

93 Oak St.

right into the lake, as they did in my wildest summer dreams, but

800.219.8161

866.676.2726

it’s exhilarating anyway to bump and slip down the turns into the

osfashland.org

emzblendzsoap.com

Before we leave, there’s one more play to see and, fortunately, time for some adventure. The boys lobby for river rafting, but we

small pool at the end. Then Garret, a high school water polo player, decides to take on

Pasta Piatti

Music Coop

the reservoir. In no time, he’s made his way past kids in their float-

358 E. Main St.

181 A St.

ies and wading, chatting moms to the distant swim area boundary.

541.488.5493

541.482.3115

I follow, figuring a stepmom ought to be game, and my husband

pastapiatti.com

musiccooponline.com

Emigrant Lake

believe we’re already leaving tomorrow!” I say. And what would our

Zoey’s Cafe & All Natural Ice Cream

literary legend say to that?

199 E. Main St.

jacksoncountyparks.com

soon joins us. Eventually, we’re all treading water together under the bright blue sky, as ski boats pass in the main channel. “I can’t

Oh yes: “Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.”

5505 Hwy. 66

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PLAY TOP LEFT : Jamie Berns, winner of the 2007 Dipsea and a Tamalpa Runners Club Saturday morning run regular, runs the Sunnyside Trail along Bon Tempe Lake at the base of Mount Tamalpais.

Off on the

RIGHT FOOT Marin’s thriving trail running clubs leave no runner behind BY S O M ER F L A H ERT Y WITH HUNDREDS OF MILES OF TRAILS

crisscrossing Marin, it’s no wonder the county has become a refuge for weekend warriors esscape people travel the globe to find, and it’s right in our backyard. Of course, couch potatoes who like to look at the mountain, not climb it, may have trouble imagining what drives runners to hit the hills before the coffee shops are even open. Perhaps that’s why local trail running groups have caught on. Not only is the camaraderie a boost, but the groups serve as a runner’s own personal cheering section for what’s usually a solo endeavor. The goal of the 225-member all-female Team Luna Chix is to support women’s efforts to learn a new sport, train and gain confidence. The Marin trail-running team holds events ABOVE : Members of

Team Lola, led by coach Kim Juarez, hit the trails with their parents.

to raise funds for breast cancer research and monthly clinics and runs where participants get tips on stretching, nutrition and trail safety. San Rafael resident and captain Laurel Kato, who started trail running about 10 years ago, says she joined the team because she was always looking for someone to run with. At the group’s next run on July 12 starting in Old Mill Park in Mill Valley, runners of all abilities are welcome; the team “leaves no woman behind.”

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PHOTOS: LUNA CHIX/TIM PORTER; TAMALPA RUNNER/ROY RIVERS; TEAM LOLA/KIM JUAREZ

caping urban pavement. It’s the type of land-

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

The all-women Team Luna Chix enjoys a practice run on the Sun Trail on Mount Tamalpais.

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Over 30 years ago the coed group Tamalpa Runners was formed; ever since, it’s been dedicated to the proposition that “not all runners are created equal, but everyone in the club can have a great time running.” The 700-plus members sponsor competitive racing teams and group fun runs; their collective

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

successes range from world age-group record holder to Olympic Trial competitors to Dipsea champions—in fact, they’ve won that team title 25 years in a row. Greenbrae resident Jen

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Erickson got involved with Tamalpa five years ago when she started helping out at races as a way to meet people. “From there, I was smitten with this large yet very personal club.” Each Saturday members and others interested in joining meet for a morning run; it starts at Mountain Home Inn at 9 a.m. and covers seven to 10 miles of Mount Tam terrain, from the fire lookout atop East Peak to the base in Muir Woods National Park.

(415) 892-2255 bettyann869@aol.com 869 Grant Avenue, Novato

High obesity rates in children prompted triathlete and personal trainer Kim Juarez to start Team Lola in 2006. Instead of lecturing kids about exercise and nutrition, she want-

“The kids get to see how different each trail can be: fire roads, single track, rocks, dirt, big hills.” ed to get them moving with a fitness goal in mind. The eight- to 12-week program, which originally started out just for girls, include weekly nutrition lessons coupled with training runs, and at the end of each program, participants race in a local 5K to half-marathon race. Juarez, being a longtime trail runner, added a trail running program to her offerings last year: Team Lola’s seven-week Trail Mix program takes girls ages 10 to 14 out on Facials • Massage • Body Polishes & Wraps • Waxing

a new trail in southern Marin each week to

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

practice and learn new running techniques.

Acupuncture • THERMOGRAPHY • SPA BOUTIQUE • GIFT CARDS

“The girls get out there and mix it up on the

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trails,” Juarez says. “The kids also get to see

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how different each trail can be: fire roads,

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

single track, rocks, dirt, big hills.” Trail Mix has proved so popular she now plans to offer

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versions for boys and women as well. “Besides being beautiful, running on the trails is so much gentler on our bodies, which is important to teach people of all ages,” she asserts. “Get off the pavement and enjoy the mountain!” Tamalpa Runners 415.721.3791, tamalparunners.org Team Lola 415.515.7497, teamlola.com Team Luna Chix 415.306.2654

MARIN TRIATHLON Leaving a light footprint

thletic events are not generally known for their light ecologi-

cal footprint. But the folks behind this October’s inaugural Marin County Triathlon are stepping up to make a change. “As we started planning, it became clear that everything we do to produce the event can be done in a sustainable way, “ says the Olympic distance event’s founder and executive director, Mark Liebert. “Like generating all the power from solar energy, not using the typical plastic water bottles but going with compostable paper and stainless steel instead; ﬁnding race goodie bags made from yesterday’s yogurt containers; having all the awards, trophies and ﬁnishing medals made from recycled materials; using live plants and rope instead of the traditional barricades; offering only organic food and beverages; shuttle buses using biodeisel and on and on.” Enrollment is low impact, too: there is space for only 1,000 participants. All event proceeds will go to three charities: Lupus Foundation of Northern California, Girls on the Run, and Jenny’s Light (a foundation to support women with postpartum depression). The course—a 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run along San Pablo Bay—will start at McNears Beach

www.tischberndesignstudio.com 415.924.7664 • LARKSPUR, CA

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B O O KS

Summer Reading There’s a slew of good books out this summer. Here are our picks for the best of the bunch with a little something for everyone, from political junkies to bookworms. Break out the hammocks. BY SAMANTHA BERRY

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When You Are Engulfed in Flames

Snuff

BY DAVID SEDARIS ($26, Little, Brown & Co.)

BY CHUCK PALAHNIUK ($25, Doubleday)

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

The master of hilarious self-deprecation does it

The San Francisco Chronicle called Palahniuk

BY HARUKI MURAKAMI ($21, Knopf)

again. In this new collection of essays Sedaris

“the likeliest inheritor of Vonnegut’s place

Who says the life of the mind and the life of the

delves into the bizarre conundrums of dai-

in American writing.” And it is true that the

body are mutually exclusive? In this engaging,

ly life, taking us from the seemingly bucolic

author of the novels Fight Club, Choke and

playful and philosophical memoir, Murakami

French countryside to a memory of buying

Survivor does not shy away from the absurd,

examines the trajectory of his running life: tak-

drugs in a mobile home in South Carolina. If

the violent and the provocative. His new novel

ing it up as a hobby to stay fit, training for the

you weren’t already convinced, this sixth col-

features Cassie Wright, an aging porn star who

New York city marathon, completing triathlons

lection will convert you to the cult of Sedaris,

wants to make her career go out with a bang

and watching as young women outpace him

the reigning master of contemporary American

(so to speak) by having sex with 600 men on

in Boston. The book is a reflection on aging,

humor writing.

the same day. Despite the premise, the book

making life choices, and Murakami’s own deci-

is not prurient. It reads more like a series of

sion to devote himself to writing.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution—and How It Can Renew America

character studies drawn in Palahniuk’s signature careening style.

Know Your Power: A Message to America’s Daughters

BY THOMAS FRIEDMAN ($24, FSG)

The Enchantress of Florence

BY NANCY PELOSI ($24, Doubleday)

Ok, so it’s not exactly a beach read, but the

BY SALMAN RUSHDIE ($26, Random House)

It’s not exactly a thriller, but it is a big book with

new book from the man who helped us un-

A new novel from the author of Midnight’s

a capital B. Speaker of the House and Marin

derstand globalization with The World Is Flat

Children and The Satanic Verses is always cause

resident Pelosi brings us a “you go girl” cry for

has focused his considerable intellect on global

for commotion. In The Enchantress of Florence,

women’s rights. As she said after being sworn

warming, and it’s worth paying attention. In

Rushdie, widely considered one of our great-

in as speaker: “Never losing faith, we waited

this new book, Friedman shows that the much-

est living writers, takes us to the hedonistic

through the many years of struggle to achieve

touted “green revolution” has hardly begun

Mughal Empire capital and the equally sensual

our rights. But women weren’t just waiting;

and proposes that an ambitious national strat-

High Renaissance Florence in a tale that is at

women were working. Never losing faith, we

egy, which he calls “Geo-Greenism,” is not only

once bawdy, irreverent and deeply human. It’s

worked to redeem the promise of America—

what we need to save the planet from over-

the story of a mysterious and beguiling wom-

that all men and women are created equal…For

heating, but what we need to make America

an who’s forging her own path in a decidedly

our daughters and our granddaughters now the

healthier, richer, more innovative, more pro-

male world.

sky is the limit.”

The Garden of Lost Days

ductive and more secure.

America America

BY ANDRE DUBUS III ($25, W. W. Norton)

BY ETHAN CANIN ($27, Random House)

Lovers of House of Sand and Fog, rejoice! Andre

The new book by San Francisco native Canin

Dubus III delivers another gripping, painful

The Political Mind: Why You Can’t Understand 21st-Century American Politics with an 18th-Century Brain

is a truly American novel about the interplay

and powerful novel that explores the margins

BY GEORGE LAKOFF ($26, Viking)

of class, love, politics and fate in a young

of American society. The relentless page-turn-

The UC Berkeley linguist and author of Don’t

man’s life. Set both in the Nixon-era ’70s and

er story of sex, parenthood, honor and mascu-

Think of an Elephant takes up where Thomas

the present, America America tells of a work-

linity is set in motion when a young mother’s

Frank left off in What’s the Matter with Kansas?,

ing-class boy who becomes employed by the

usual babysitter can’t make it and she decides

helping us understand why so many Americans

wealthy and well-known Metarey family and

to bring her three-year-old daughter to work

vote against their own interests. In doing so, he

finds himself on a path utterly foreign to his

with her at a strip club in southern Florida. As

explains why progressives lose elections and

own family—boarding school, an internship

always, Dubus manages to be sympathetic to

how they could start winning them. It’s a fasci-

with a powerful senator—and in a relationship

all his characters, rendering even the bad guys

nating book for anyone interested in the work-

with one of the Metarey daughters.

as humans deserving of our sympathy.

ings of the mind, body and American politics.

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

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CAL E N DA R

JULY ARTS & EVENTS GUIDE THEATER Thru 6 ’Tis Pity She’s a Whore This rarely staged tragedy is the tale of shocking sexual taboos and a corrupt church and state. American Conservatory Theater (SF). 415.749.2228, act-sf.org Thru 12 Under Milk Wood Randall Stuart directs this production about villagers in a seaside town. The cast portrays more than 30 characters. Redwood Amphitheatre (Ross). 415.251.1027, porchlight.net Thru September 21 Hail Caesar! Teatro ZinZanni brings back one of its most popular shows, which is set in an imaginary Valley of the Kings. The show stars Frank Ferrante and Debbie de Coudreaux. Pier 29 (SF). 415.438.2668, zinzanni.org

11—August 17 Driving Miss Daisy The smash hit that won an Academy Award and Pulitzer Prize comes to Marin. Ross Valley Players Barn Theatre (Marin Art and Garden Center). 415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.com

12—August 24 Amadeus William Elsman stars as Salieri in this tale of political intrigue, sexual betrayal and backstabbing. Forest Meadows amphitheatre (San Rafael). 415.499.4488, marinshakespeare.org

22—August 17 The Drowsy Chaperone The tale of a musical theater addict who plays his favorite record, The Drowsy Chaperone, to cheer up. Orpheum Theater (SF). 415.551.2020, shnsf.com

COMEDY Tuesdays Mark Pitta and Friends The

Hail Caesar! at the Teatro ZinZanni, through September 21.

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comic hosts an evening for up-and-comers and established headliners to work on new material. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com MARINMAGAZINE.COM

MUSIC Tuesdays Open Mic Night Erin Hines hosts an evening of beat boxers, accordions, blues players and more. Sweetwater Station (Larkspur). 415.706.1164 Tuesdays Swing Fever The band pays tribute to jazz artists and composers, playing selections from its roster of over 1,000 tunes. Panama Hotel (San Rafael). 415.457.3993, panamahotel.com 1 & 6 Opera Widely acclaimed as a masterpiece containing some of Gandel’s most emotionally expressive arias, Ariodante is the tale of a Scottish prince who is betrayed by a deceitful duke. War Memorial Opera House (SF). 415.864.3330, sfopera.com 10 Symphony In Orchestral Fantasy, audiences are treated to Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, arranged for orchestra by conductor Leopold Stokowski, Ravel’s Technicolor orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and music from young violinist Stefan Jackiw. Davies Symphony Hall (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org

Art, Gifts & Accessories Mon. - Sat. 10:30 am - 6:00 pm

47 C Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera (415) 945-8863 • Across from Book Passage

11 Wood Dragon Tour An evening of virtuoso guitar featuring Jeff Titus, Michael Manring and vocalist Drew Youngs. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com 12 Tito Y Su Son de Cuba This 11-piece band is headed by Cuban-born Tito. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org

19 Sambaguru with Katia Moraes This highenergy duo’s music is rooted in traditional Brazilian rhythms. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org

25 Pierre Bensusan A night of music by this internationally known artist. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com 26 Brass Menazeri This Bay Area powerhouse brass band includes music from Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and more. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org MARINMAGAZINE.COM

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MARIN BEAUTIFUL Dr. David W. Kim and the Division of Facial Plastic Surgery at UCSF are pleased to announce the opening of our Marin office beginning January, 2008. We hope to bring the quality for which UCSF is known to your backyard in Marin. Please call for a consultation or visit online at www.dkimmd.com.

nouncing Our New Office 1300 South Eliseo Drive, Suite 204 Greenbrae, CA 94904 (415) 885-7700 Mention this ad to receive special pricing on in-office procedures. (Valid Until May 1, 2008)

DavidKIMMD F a c i a l

A e s t h e t i c s

UCSF Facial Plastic Surgery Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 2330 Post Street, 5th Floor San Francisco, CA 94115 (415) 885-7700 www.dkimmd.com

Laser Hair Removal

Skin Care David W. Kim, MD

MARIN

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Art League of Northern California Paperworks A national juried exhibition showcasing the use of paper in art, thru July 13. 781 Hamilton Pkwy, Novato. 415.246.2541, artleagueofnortherncalifornia.org Art Works Downtown Thinking Green A juried exhibition by members of the Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California, thru July 25. 1337 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.451.8119, artworksdowntown.org Claudia Chapline Gallery Waves Work by Michael Knowlton and Nancy Stein, July 6— September 2. 3445 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach. 415.868.2308, cchapline.com

Marin Society of Artists Panarama of Patterns Work by gallery artists, thru July 13. 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross. 415.454.9561, marinsocietyofartists.org O’Hanlon Center for the Arts Art Quilts Original works by local artists, juried by Sydne Bortel, thru July. 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.4331, ohanloncenter.org

Wrinkle and Fold Fillers

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Artisan Art Gallery Absolutely Abstract This open regional juried show encompasses some of the best of the Bay Area’s abstract artists, July 29—August 30. 853 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.460.5208

Gallery Route One Members are celebrating their 25-year anniversary with an exhibit, June 20 thru July 27. 11101 Hwy One, Point Reyes Station. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org

Rhinoplasty

Intense Pulse Light

MARIN

Gallery Bergelli Work by James Leonard, thru July. 483 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.945.9454, gallerybergelli.com

Facial Cosmetic Surgery

Botox

GALLERIES

Robert Allen Fine Art In Good Time New mixed media works on paper and panel by American Aleah Koury, thru July 25. 301 Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.2800, robertallenﬁneart.com MARINMAGAZINE.COM

Robert Beck Gallery Ongoing work. 222 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.456.7898 Robert Green Fine Arts Ongoing work. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.8776, rgﬁnearts.com Sam the Butcher Photography by Marin resident Anne Rosenfeld, thru August 23. 19 Ross Common, Ross. 415.902.1019 Studio 333 Ongoing work. 333A Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.8272, studio333.info The Art Bar Full scale art consulting services and rotating exhibits. 34 Main St, Tiburon. 415.435.3999, theartbar.us

SAN FRANCISCO ArtHaus Ongoing work. 411 Brannan St, 415.977.0223, arthaus-sf.com Berggruen Gallery Summer group show, thru July. 228 Grant Ave, 415.781.4629, berggruen.com

55 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley 415-380-0880 www.alixandcompany.com

Caldwell Snyder Gallery Ongoing work. 341 Sutter St, 415.296.7896, caldwellsnyder.com Elins Eagles-Smith Gallery Ongoing work. 49 Geary St, 415.981.1080, eesgallery.com George Krevsky Gallery Work by Glenna Putt, July 24—August 30. 77 Geary St, 415.397.9748, georgekrevskygallery.com

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Gregory Lind Gallery Ongoing work. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, gregorylindgallery.com

JULY 11 - SEPTEMBER 28 Forest Meadows Amphitheater, Dominican University of California

Hackett-Freedman Gallery Work by Jeffrey Ripple, July 10—August 30. 250 Sutter St, 415.362.7152, hackettfreedman.com

For tickets call 415-499-4488 or visit www.marinshakespeare.org

Meyerovich Gallery Ongoing work. 251 Post St, 415.421.7171, meyerovich.com MM Galleries Translucent: Contemporary Works in Wax The galleries second collaboration with the International Encaustic Artists Association, July 11—August 16. 101 Townsend St, 415.543.1550, mmgalleries.com MARINMAGAZINE.COM

William Elsman as Salieri in Amadeus.

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MUSEUMS MARIN Bay Area Discovery Museum Tales from the Land of Gullah Design a quilt, make music, create and act in your own story and ﬁnd you “Gullah nickname” in this exhibit, thru September 14 (Sausalito). 415.339.3958, baykidsmuseum.org Bolinas Museum Artist as Living Sculpture: Sha Sha Higby in the Courtyard, July 6. Work by Lois Lancaster, July 20—August 17 (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org Falkirk Cultural Center The Parlor of Earthly Delights Woodturners, metal artists, ceramic sculptures and furniture mak-

James Leonard New Paintings

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ers come together to create unique hybrid art objects, thru August 16 (San Rafael). 415.485.3438, falkirkculturalcenter.org

BAY AREA Asian Art Museum Later Chinese Jades: Ming Dynasty to Early 20th Century View 73 examples of later Chinese jades that are presented in a special installation to coincide with the publication of a major catalog documenting the collection (SF). 415.581.3500, asianart.org de Young For Tent or Trade: Masterpieces of Turkmen Weaving Over 40 examples are on view in the Textile Gallery. The pieces were almost all given to the museum by four donors, thru September 7 (SF). 415.863.3330, thinker.org di Rosa Preserve Lewis deSoto: Tales of Power Recent work from notable artists in the di Rosa collection, thru July 19 (Napa). 707.226.5991, dirosapreserve.org

Exploratorium Superstition Obstacle Course Special interactive exhibits test your reactions to superstitions from around the world. Break mirrors, walk under ladders and spill salt in this exhibit that investigates your ideas on risk, reason and fear, thru September 1 (SF). Exploratorium (SF). 415.561.0377, exploratorium.edu Legion of Honor Highlights from the Israel Antiquities Authority: The Dead Sea Scrolls and 5,000 Years of Treasures One of the greatest archaeological discoveries in history, the Dead Sea Scrolls were uncovered by Bedouin herders and excavated by archaeologists in caves along the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea; fragments of the scrolls were pieced together to form more than 800 documents, many of them Biblical and apocryphal manuscripts. Most of the documents on view have never been seen outside of Israel, thru August 10 (SF). 415.863.3330, legionofhonor.org SFMOMA Half Life of a Dream: Contemporary Chinese Art from the Logan

James C. Leonard Clouds on Sunday 54 x 54 inches Acrylic on Canvas

Rena Bransten Gallery Works on paper by Chris Hellman and Jennie Smith, thru July 5. 77 Geary St, 415.982.3292, renabranstengallery.com

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

Collection Almost 50 works by Chinese artists including masks, costumes and more on display, July 10—October 5 (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org

EVENTS Thru July Replace Our Chairs Campaign For a donation of $1,500, any individual, group or business can purchase and name a brand new chair for 142 Throckmorton Theatre in this special fundraising campaign. 415.383.9611, throckmortontheatre.org

2—6 Marin County Fair This summer the fair showcases Marin’s eco-friendly efforts with the Going Green theme. Marin County Fairgrounds (San Rafael). marinfair.org 7—August 15 Chabot Summer Camp Young adventurers can attend half-day or full-day sessions where they’ll enjoy hands on activities based on science. Campers will receive a 10 percent discount for the Starry Nights gift shop and a limited edi-

tion Chabot camp shirt. Chabot Space and Science Center (Oakland). 510.336.7300, chabotspace.org

12 Fermenting Change Festival Join Marin Brewing Co. and over 28 other microbreweries as they gather in hopes of raising money for breast cancer awareness. The event includes live music, a rafﬂe and more. Marin Brewing Co. Patio (Larkspur Landing). 415.461.4677, marinbrewing.com

20 Cause for the Paws Don’t miss live music by City Lights, food and wine tastings and the mobile Napa Humane adoption unit at this beneﬁt to help companion animals. The Grove at Silverado Resort (Napa). 707.255.8118, napahumane.org

NATURE WALKS/TALKS Ongoing Sonoma History Local ac-

12 Looking Good Beneﬁt Hospice by the Bay Foundation’s sixth annual fashion show and luncheon features designs by Lily Samii, Blue Ice vodka martinis and the annual hat contest judged by Jan Wahl and Mark Danon. Four Seasons (SF). 415.526.5500

19—November 16 Bay Area Now Five A series of exhibitions. Films, performances and more to showcase the local arts. The aim is to create a dialogue around different themes. Curated by Kate Eilertsen and Berin Golonu. YBCA Galleries (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org

tor George Webber morphs into Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, as he retells the history of Sonoma (Sonoma). 707.694.5097, georgewebber.com

17 Amphibians and Reptiles Learn the behavior and how to indentify different species (Point Reyes). 415.663.1200, ptreyes.org 27 Family Hike Experience the redwood-laced trails near Chabot and the shady paths of the Redwood Regional Park. Chabot Space and Science Center (Oakland). 510.336.7373, chabotspace.org

The Latest Addition In The Great Contributor Series ZWTbW\U bVS Vc[O\ a^W`Wb bV`]cUV aQcZ^bc`S

Abraham Lincoln bronze

Visit www.garyleeprice.com or at New Masters Gallery in Carmel

I created the towering 6’4” Lincoln in repose, enjoying a few minutes of reﬂection as he is about to address the nation with 272 of the most memorable, powerful words ever uttered; the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln not only helped dedicate a National Cemetery, he rallied our young nation to “a new birth of freedom and that our government of the people, by the people, and for the people should not perish from the earth.” Lincoln’s high hat was necessary for his frequent journeys. It served him as a desk and he was often seen jotting down ideas and placing his notes inside the lining. From the beginning his insatiable thirst for knowledge served him well. Books meant everything to Lincoln and at one time he even was quoted as saying, “My best friend is the man who’ll get me a book I aint read.” I portrayed Abe with an inviting smilecontrary to most solemn photographs. He loved to tell jokes and was known for his hearty laugh. He loved people and would often greet them with a “howdy, howdy”, followed by a two handed clasp of friendship. I invite you to sit with and get to know even better this amazingly simple and yet complex man that was our 16th president.

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WINE COUNTRY

in any of the four restaurants or in the spa. Package starts at $265 for a deluxe room. 951.784.0300, missioninn.com

5 Rodney Stong Summer Concert Live music by Bob James, Larry Carlton, Nathan East and Harvery Mason. 11455 Old Redwood Hwy (Healdsburg). 707.869.1595

11 Oasis Cheetah Fundraiser This educational evening includes special guest lecturer Vanessa Bouwer of DeWildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust, who will discuss the work being done at the foundation to save cheetahs, wild dogs, vultures and more. Safari West (Santa Rosa). 707.579.2551 12—20 Festival del Sole This year’s events include a performance by the Napa Valley Symphony, a ﬁreworks display, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and gourmet dinners and ﬁne wine. Various locations (Napa). 707.226.8742, festivaldelsole.com

TRAVEL BUZZ Hotel Angeleno Located on Sunset Boulevard, this Los Angeles hotel has a Brad N’ Angeleno Package with one night’s accommodation, DVD selections of ﬁlms starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, celebrity magazines, a Los Angeles Homes of the Stars map, late night dinner and drinks at West Restaurant and Lounge and a hangover kit complete with aspirin, sunglasses and eye concealer. The package starts at $349. 310.476.6411, hotelangeleno.com La Quinta Resort and Club The Best of the West package at this Palm Springs hotel includes an overnight stay, unlimited golf on all ﬁve championship courses and a $50 dining credit. Rates start from $179 through September. 760.564.4111, laquintaresort.com Mission Inn and Spa With the Get Out of Town Package at Riverside’s Historic Mission Inn & Spa you can escape to Southern California and receive a $50 Chevron gas card. The package also includes deluxe accommodations for one night, champagne and chocolatecovered strawberries delivered to your room upon your arrival, valet parking and a $75 resort gift card, which can be used 120

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Montage Laguna Beach Join Executive Chef James Boyce for an exclusive fresh-fromthe-farm culinary experience with the From Market to Plate with Chef Boyce Package. First, meet with him to discuss your favorite summer dishes. Next, shop with him for the freshest ingredients at a local farmers’ market and get his personal tips. Then, take part in a hands-on session in the Studio restaurant kitchen as you prepare lunch sideby-side with chef Boyce. The package also includes one night in a luxurious ocean-view room, custom chef coats for two and valet parking. Price starts at $2,000 for two. Contact room reservations for more information and to reserve, 949.715.8950, montagelagunabeach.com Monterey Plaza Hotel Leland Raymond has been appointed the hotel’s Vista Blue Spa director. Raymond previously worked as spa guest services manager at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. Vista Blue’s 11,000square-foot facility features more than 40 treatments including seaweed wraps and vinotherapy. 831.646.1700, montereyplazahotel.com Old Greenwood and Cedar House Sport Hotel The two-day Learn and Groove School in Truckee is a refresher for a game going in the wrong direction or a timely tuneup before the club championship. Guests receive in-depth instruction on all areas of the game and two nights’ accommodation in a standard room. Package starts at $1,050. 530.550.7010, oldgreenwood.com Omni San Diego The Homerun Package includes one night in a deluxe room, two general admission tickets to a Padres game, breakfast for two, valet parking and peanuts and crackerjacks. Package starts at just $299. 619.231.6664, omnihotels.com Trisara Thailand The Indulgence Package at this Phuket resort includes champagne breakfast, a three-hour spa treatment and discounts on future treatments, a platter of homemade trufﬂes, cookies and ice cream, a chef-prepared barbecue, airport transfers and three nights’ accommodation. Package starts at $815. 66.76.310.100, trisara.com MARINMAGAZINE.COM

ADVE RT IS IN G P R OMOT ION

adl i b

MARIN ADVERTISERS SPEAK UP

Gary Lee Price

Linda Hensley

Maika Llorens

Gary Lee Price Studios, Utah

Sabor of Spain, San Rafael

“I have been sculpting professionally for over 30

Encore Upscale Consignment Boutique, San Rafael

years,” says owner Gary Lee Price, who has a fine

“Encore has been an upscale consignment boutique

sine, Spanish wine bar and gourmet food and

art sculpture studio, that specializes in representational bronze sculpture. Price offers a wide range of subject matter from whimsical to historical figures and commissions are accepted.

Brieﬂy describe your business philosophy. My goal is to lift the human spirit through sculpture. I hope I can assist the world in visualizing a place where fences and boundaries, both real and imagined, are nonexistent.

What is the funniest thing that’s recently happened in your business? My sculptures of Mark Twain and Einstein were mistaken for each other for the 100th time!

From a business standpoint who is your inspiration? Any small business person that is a success after 10 years—I know firsthand the tremendous effort that it takes to start and keep a business growing. My hat’s off to the people who make theirs work.

Which product is your favorite? The Circle of Peace sculpture. It symbolizes and represents children from all walks of life playing with and enjoying each other. The circle that the children form represents the continuum of huPHOTOS: SHERI MONTGOMERY

manity.

for over 26 years,” says owner Linda Hensley. “It’s an exciting place where savvy shoppers can hunt for designer labels at more reasonable prices.” On any given day at Encore you can find labels like Chanel, Prada, Marni, Manolo Blahnik and more. “It is truly a hidden Marin treasure.”

Describe your business philosophy. We strive to be as professional and accountable to consigners and shoppers as we can. We want to treat our clients as if they are shopping at Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus. We have singers, actress-

Sabor of Spain is a combination of high-end cuiwine retail shop as well as a cultural destination for music and events. “Our recent awards include San Rafael Small Business of the Year, Best Wine Shop, Best New Restaurant and a San Rafael Best Customer Service award,” says owner Maika Llorens, who moved to the United States from Madrid, Spain in 1996.

What is your competitive edge? We offer wines from Spain, which brings an international and cosmopolitan vision to Marin. People thought that we were crazy launching a Spanish-

es, models and women of all ages shopping here.

only concept, but it gives us an edge. Our wine list

What is your competitive edge?

terly wine club.

includes over 100 bottles and we also have a quar-

We are very particular about what items we take in. We are able to get designer labels that are very current. Fashionistas who buy designer labels at original prices and only wear them for a season can recoup some cash. Encore has boxes of items sent from all over the world, from clients who have moved and can’t find a shop up to par in their area. Sometimes personal shoppers and assistants of famous women will bring racks of clothing, purses

Which product is your favorite? The events we have that feature our excellent selection of wine and food. We have wine tastings on the third Wednesday of every month, flamenco shows on the last Sunday and scheduled wine dinners, flamenco guitarists and more, which all helps to enhance the dining experience. Our comment cards are full of the phrase “a

and more. Plus our client base is very diverse.

fabulous and unique experience in San Rafael.”

Which product that you offer is your favorite?

the city or even a plane ticket and trip to Spain!

Our customers joke that we save them a trip to

I love to see a savvy shopper looking for a party

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Your thoughts regarding working with a spouse or family member?

dress or gown. It is so exciting because these dress-

When I was growing up as a little girl in Spain, I

es are living the good life. They go to the Academy

wanted to be independent, a doctor and live in a

I wouldn’t be where I am without them. They have

Awards, Paris, or a tango party on a cruise.

house with a big backyard and have four dogs.

Linda Hensley, Encore Upscale Consignment Bou-

Maika Llorens, Sabor of Spain, 1303 Fourth St, San

tique, 11 Mary St, San Rafael, 415.456.7309,

Rafael, 415.457.8466, saborofspain.com

been the wind in my sails for 27 years. Gary Lee Price Studios, 38 West 200 South, Springville, Utah, 877.457.7423, garyleeprice.com

encoreconsignment.com

F LAVO R

Mario Gongora Executive Chef Marin Brewing Co. Larkspur Landing “Our barbecue sauce is one of the most popular sauces we make at Marin Brewing Company. We slowly reduce the base ingredients with a combination of cayenne pepper, red wine and molasses. These ingredients give the sauce a special spicy sweetness that pairs perfectly with Marin Brewing Co. beers.”

Ma Ra ery Chef Sam’s Anchor Cafe Tiburon “Although there can be numerous ingredients, I think in order to make a great barbecue sauce you have to start with a great paprika. We use bittersweet Spanish smoked paprika (pimentón agridulce). It has just the right kick to it and provides that distinctive underlying smokiness. The other key is to really brown the onions when you first start to make the sauce. But brown

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Whether you prefer it smoky, sweet, spicy or tangy, barbecue sauce is the fait accompli for every grillmaster. For those who don’t have their own signature sauce, these local chefs share their top-secret recipes for making a lip-smacking BBQ sauce of your own. — S.F.

Add an unusual ingredient like crushed

John Sarran Owner Bubba’s Diner, San Anselmo “The most important thing to remember is to ask yourself, what will

pineapple, bourbon,

your sauce be coating? You want to taste your

chutney, hoisin sauce,

barbecue, be it salmon, quail or pork. Our

❉

gumdrops, celery y sseed or black coffee..

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you deglaze with your wet ingredients.”

sauce at Bubba’s is a house recipe designed to complement meat. It’s an amalgam of a mustardy Carolina, vinegary mop and sweet Texan sauces with a hint of smoke. These key ingredients bring out the product’s natural flavor.”

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

C H EF PHOTOS : NIKE VA N D ER MOLEN

Tips to Create Your Best BBQ Sauce

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INSIDER’S GUIDE

DINE OUT CORTE MADERA BENISSIMO Italian Benissimo means “really really good” in Italian. From margherita pizza to veal parmagiana to mocha mud pie, Benissimo serves a taste of Italy in a casual neighborhood venue. 18 Tamalpais Dr, 415.927.2316 benissimos.com 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

LA MAISON DE LA REINE Vietnamese A refreshing change amid the plethora of Italian, Mexican and Chinese options. The crunchy cabbage chicken salad with peanuts, fresh spring rolls, and combinations of pho are delicious. 346 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.0288 MARIN JOE’S Italian Pasta and other Italian dishes have been served up here for over 50 years. Pick from soup, salad, seafood mesquitegrilled or sautéed meats and over 10 pasta options guaranteed to satisfy. Have a drink and hear local musicians at the well-known piano bar. 1585 Casa Buena Dr, 415.924.2081, marinjoesrestaurant.com MAX’S CAFE American Located across from Town Center, Max’s is renowned for casual ambience and large portions. The menu changes with the season but features year-round favorites like matzo ball soup and BLTs. Besides decadent portions or comfort food and desserts, the menu also offers seasonable local produce and healthy items too. 60 Madera Blvd, 415.924.6297, maxsworld.com

IL FORNAIO Italian Sausalito’s Larry Mindel hit a home run with this upscale Italian 23-restaurant franchise. Besides the award-winning breads, pizzas and pastas, the menu boasts a variety of salads and noncarb entrées. 223 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.4400, ilfornaio.com

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

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

P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO Chinese As of 2008, Marin diners don’t have to travel in order to enjoy the famed orange chicken, salt-and-pepper calamari or Mongolian beef. The restaurant serves lunch, dinner and takeout. 301 Corte Madera Town Center (Corte Madera). 415.413.9890. pfchangs.com

RICK’S WINE CELLAR California This bar and wine shop is located at the same spot as Marin’s first wine bar, which opened back in 1988 in Corte Madera’s old town square. Now owned and operated by Marin natives Rick and Candy Mendell whose customers call this the “Cheers of Corte Madera.” Offerings include a glass, a ﬂight, or a bottle—all of which pair nicely with the cheeses, salami and hot paninis. 207 Corte Madera Ave, 415.927.9466 rickswinecellar.com

FAIRFAX CAFE 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 DEER PARK VILLA Italian This “best place for a party” (Paciﬁc Sun) sits on four garden acres; the Ghiringhelli family has been turning out Italian favorites here since 1937. Come for the famous veal parmesan—or your next big celebration. 367 Bolinas Rd, 415.456.8084, deerparkvilla.com IRON SPRINGS PUB & BREWERY American Grab a beer and a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich—which one Chronicle reviewer calls “the best mushroom dish I have ever tasted”—at the former Ross Valley Brewing Company. 765-A Center Blvd, 415.485.1005, ironspringspub.com PANCHO VILLA’S Mexican A Fairfax favorite for over 30 years. Since 1976, head chef Francisco has been turning out treats like chile relleno stuffed with jack cheese, cilantro and onion and crab enchiladas topped with a mild tomatillo sauce and sour cream. 1625 Sir Frances Drake Blvd, 415.456.4331, panchosfairfax.com SORELLA CAFÉ Italian Not only is the food satisfying and tasty; the service is friendly and the ambience is warm and inviting. 107 Bolinas Rd, 415.258.4520

GREENBRAE CAFE Z American A pleasant surprise in the Bon Air shopping mall. Dishes like grilled chicken pesto pianni and savory crepes have quickly made this intimate spot a local favorite, and inventive meals keep people coming back for more. 282 Bon Air Center, 415.461.9444, cafez.com JASON’S Italian It’s expected that the new Greenbrae location of Jason Lee’s signature restaurant will have the same loyal following it enjoyed in San Rafael with items liked smoked tomato seafood cioppino and ﬂourless chocolate cake. 300 Drake’s Landing Rd, 415.925.0808, jasonsrestaurant.com

Interior of Bubba’s Diner in San Anselmo.

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WIPEOUT CAFE American Belvedere residents Nancy and Scooter Simmons , known for the popular Chevy’s chain , have brought their San Francisco location of the surf-themed Wipeout Bar and Grill to the Bon Air Center. The MARINMAGAZINE.COM

restaurant features a full bar, outdoor patio and family-friendly items like sandwiches, salads and pizzas in a T-shirt-and-sandals atmosphere. 302 Bon Air Center (Greenbrae). 415.461.7400, wipeoutbarandgrill.com

KENTFIELD HALF DAY CAFE American A tucked-away setting of intertwining ivy and great white windows makes the perfect breakfast nook. The setting is casual but elegant; the menu includes lattes, exceptional pastries and much more. Dine on the outdoor patio or inside where the view is just as divine. 848 College Ave, 415.459.0291

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LARKSPUR CJ CHINESE CUISINE Chinese Great spot to satisfy a craving for wonton soup before catching a show at the Lark Theater; lunch and takeout are popular too. 435 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.0717 E & 0 TRADING COMPANY Southeast Asian Chef Edwin Cabriloa-Torres is keeping the restaurant’s innovative plates like 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 EMPORIO RULLI Italian Pastry chef Gary Rulli is renowned for his Northern Italian specialties and treats. The Larkspur location (there are three others) is a popular spot for lunch as well as coffee and a sweet. 464 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7478, rulli.com

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WILLIE’S CAFE American Stop here for down-toearth atmosphere and reasonable prices. This cozy spot offers breakfast, lunch and dinner; favorites include corn pancakes and veggie frittata. 799 College Ave, 415.455.9455

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Escape. Explore. Experience.

FABRIZIO RISTORANTE Italian Traditional Italian dishes with an extensive wine list from regions all over Italy; outside seating makes the experience even more special. 455 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.3332 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 rated high with local 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 MARIN BREWING CO. American Grab a cold beer made right on site and pair it with ﬁsh and MARINMAGAZINE.COM

Discover our collection of Joie de Vivre boutique hotels across the Golden Gate Bridge. Receive a 20% discount when you conÄrm your reservation by August 31, 2008. Book online at marinhotels.com using promo code: marinmag Acqua Hotel • 555 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley, CA 94941 • 415.380.0400 Mill Valley Inn • 165 Throckmorton Avenue • Mill Valley, CA 94941 • 415.389.6608 Waters Edge Hotel • 25 Main Street, Tiburon, CA 94920 • 415.789.5999 Receive 20% off the Best Available Rate at time of booking. Sunday-Thursday night only. Rate subject to availability and blackout dates may apply. Must book by August 31, 2008. Not valid on existing reservations, preferred corporate rates or group blocks.

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Call the Shot! Call the Shot has a simple premise: Tell us what this is a picture of and win a $100 gift certiﬁcate for E & O Trading in Larkspur Landing. To win, your answer must be speciﬁc. Sure, it’s a painting, but what city is it in and what building is it on? Bonus points for naming the painter. Here’s how to play: Go to marinmagazine.com, agree to the rules and submit your answer. Simple. We’ll choose the winner randomly from all the correct answers. Good luck! And the winner is: Toby Zorensky of Ross won April’s Call the Shot by correctly identifying Beniamino Bufano’s bear statute in Ross.

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chips—fresh cod dipped in Mt. Tam pale ale batter, served with steak fries and homemade tartar sauce. 1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.4677, marinbrewing.com PICCO California Chef and celebrated restaurateur Bruce Hill deserves the accolades he has received for this eclectic shared-plate heaven. Dishes like mini-burgers and seasonally driven menu items, along with risotto made every half hour, keep people coming back. The Picco Pizzeria and Wine Bar next door is cozy (not many seats) but already famous for its wood-ﬁred pizzas, great wine selection and soft-serve Straus Family Creamery ice cream. 320 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.0300, restaurantpicco.com RUSTIC BAKERY California Organic mouthwatering pastries, breads, and sandwiches are on the menu here. The Meyer lemon mascarpone danish and the bacon, avocado and heirloom tomato sandwich with mesclun are perennial temptations. 1139 Magnolia Ave, 415.925.1556, rusticbakery.com TABLE CAFÉ Indian/American Indian-inspired cafe offers a unique menu featuring entirely organic ingredients. Dishes include seasonal salads, incredible soups and fresh juices. The specialty of the house is dosia, ﬁlled with a variety of ingredients and served with savory homemade chutneys. You can also take home a choice of three or four gourmet dinners freshly packed daily. 1167 Magnolia Ave 415.461.6787 THE MELTING POT French Just across the street from the Larkspur Ferry terminal is a round red-brick haven for fondue fans. Share the “Big Night Out” feast featuring chef’s specialties, or design your own spread with cheese fondue, salad, choice of meat entrée and chocolate fondue dessert. 125 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.461.6358, themeltingpot.com YANKEE PIER American This family-friendly casual clam shack is harbored in a quaint house 126

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built in 1924 as a private residence. Though known for beer-battered ﬁsh’n’ chips, clam chowder and tasty salads, Yankee Pier serves fresh seafood delivered daily from both coasts with special dishes by renowned chef Anthony Bowman. 286 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7676, yankeepier.com

MILL VALLEY BUCKEYE ROADHOUSE American Oysters Bingo, baby back ribs and chili-lime “brick” chicken are a few of the satisfying, comfortfood-type menu items that have made this classic roadhouse a favorite since the ’30s. The warm dark-wooded bar with red leather booths is a popular spot for cocktails, conversations or a light meal. 15 Shoreline Hwy, 415.331.2600, buckeyeroadhouse.com BUNGALOW 44 American Much like sister restaurant Buckeye Roadhouse, Bungalow 44 offers a mean dose of homey carbo- and lipidladen dishes, such as the burger, fried chicken and trufﬂe fries, as well as a few lighter items. The bar is a neighborhood favorite, serving up tasty spirits and eye candy. 44 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500, bungalow44.com CACTUS CAFE AND TAQUERIA Mexican Recently under new management; the food is better than ever. They still offer the lunchtime bargain burrito, as well as ﬁsh tacos and Caesar salads with grilled chicken or shrimp. Be sure to opt for the diablo sauce on enchiladas and burritos. 393 Miller Ave, 415.388.8226 CAFE DEL SOUL California Beware of addiction. Once you stop in for the deliciously fresh Hummus Yummus wrap, you’ll have to come back to sample the chipotle Sunrise Rice Bowl; then it will be the Thai It Up wrap with peanut sauce washed down with ginger limeade that brings you back, and so on. Casual lunch spot, great for takeout. 247 Shoreline Hwy, 415.388.1852, cafedelsoul.net

DIPSEA CAFE Comfort One word: biscuits. This longtime breakfast spot has been serving up tasty pancakes and egg dishes with homemade biscuits since 1986. Try a biscuit with a poached egg, a biscuit with sausage –or just plain butter. Lunch specialties include BLTs and tuna melts and generous Cobb salads. Now serving dinner. 200 Shoreline Hway. 415.381.0298, dipseacafe.com EL PASEO French Keiko Takahashi, a prominent Tokyo chef known for her modern French cuisine, transports her flair to Mill Valley. With a cottagelike feeling, this fine dining restaurant serves meals that are nothing less than exquisite. Reservations recommended. 17 Throckmorton Ave, 415.388.0741, elpaseorestaurant.com FRANTOIO RISTORANTE ITALIANO Italian Known for its in-house olive press, superior olive oil and excellent Italian cuisine, this is a great location for large groups. Ask to sit in the press room for private parties. 152 Shoreline Hwy, 415.289.5777, frantoio.com INDIA PALACE Indian Known as “that great restaurant in the Travelodge,” India Palace is a favorite among the takeout crowd; however, eating on site is a treat too. 707 Redwood Hwy, 415.388.3350 JOE’S TACO LOUNGE Mexican A longtime local favorite, Joe’s serves up regular fare such as tasty fish tacos, burritos and enchiladas as well as more unusual items like Mexican pizza, tofu salad, and crab tostados. Colorful interior and (usually) quick service makes this a fun, easy stop. And if there are too many unsupervised kids for a peaceful meal, takeout is easy too. 382 Miller Ave, 415.383.8164 LA GINESTRA Italian A favorite family spot for over 30 years; getting a table or booth can take a while. While this old-school Italian eatery is known for traditional pastas, veal dishes, pizzas and dry martinis, the familiar wait staff is also part of the attraction. 127 Throckmorton Ave, 415.388.0224 LUCINDA’S MEXICAN FOOD Mexico Singled out for “best burrito” by the Pacific Sun in 2005, this is a prime place to grab lunch and head back to the office. 930 Redwood Hwy, 415.388.0754 MAMA’S ROYAL CAFE American No one should miss this fabulous kitsch-decorated spot. Appetizing crepes, brioche French toast and other breakfast treats are served all day; stay a while and try the sandwiches for lunch. 387 Miller Ave, 415.388.3261 PIAZZA D’ANGELO Italian It’s always a party at this long-standing hot spot. A great place to meet up with friends or bring the family to enjoy a fresh plate of pasta, zuppa di pesce, a selection of salads, pollo novello, or make some new friends at the fully stocked bar. 22 Miller Ave, 415.388.2000, piazzadangelo.com PIATTI RISTORANTE AND BAR Italian Reopened, after an extensive remodel, with chef Chris Fernandez on board, leading the kitchen with a menu featuring seasonal food from local producers. The crudo and pizza is not to be missed. 625 Redwood Hwy, 415.380.2525, piatti.com

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RAIN TREE CAFÉ American/Homestyle In the newly remodeled Strawberry Village shopping center, wonderful American fare: soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and gourmet crepes. Savor the Mill Valley Crepe: smoked salmon, capers, spinach, and Dijon in a fresh warm wrap. Breakfast is served all day. 610 Strawberry Village, 415.380.8886, caferaintree.com

(grass- and grain-fed) steaks. 340 Ignacio Blvd, 415.883.0901, bocasteak.com

are extensive. 23 Ross Common, 415.925.9200, marcheauxﬂeursrestaurant.com

CACTI GRILL American Grill A former bell tower church, the family-friendly restaurant now boasts a covered patio and serves a 21-day dry-aged steak and ﬁlet mignon enchiladas. 1200 Grant Ave, 415.898.2234, cactigrill.com

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

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

CHRISTOPHER’S Italian/American Worth the effort to ﬁnd in Bel Marin Keys. Christopher, the owner, offers a casual menu of innovative Italiantype fare. 8 Commercial Blvd, 415.382.8488

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. Don’t miss trying one of the restaurant’s pasta dishes or thin crust pizzas. 106 Throckmorton Ave, 415.381.3343

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. In the mood for a cigar? The restaurant has an extensive list. 225 Alameda del Prado, 415.883.9125, wildfoxrestaurant.com

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CAFE MARMALADE French This quaint oneroom coffeehouse is centrally situated near Ross Common. Get there early for the full selection of pastries to enjoy with fresh-squeezed orange juice. 22 Ross Common, 415.461.2205

BOCA STEAK & SEAFOOD South American An Argentinean-inspired menu in Novato, with much ado. House specialties include provolenta, gambas al ajillo, and empanadas, as well as hand-cut

MARCHÉ AUX FLEURS French This gem of a restaurant serves up locally farmed produce, wild and fresh seafood and free-range meats prepared with an artisan’s touch. The wine and beer list

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SAN ANSELMO AVA California Chef Dan Baker, of Aprilé aux Fleurs in Ross, has another winner with AVA, which features a California-only wine list and a menu where nearly all the ingredients come from within 100 miles—if not the Marin County Farmers’ Market. The small menu includes seasonal flatbreads, pasta and six seasonal main dishes. 636 San Anselmo Ave, 415.453.3407 CUCINA RESTAURANT AND WINE BAR Italian Proprietor Jack Krietzman (of Pacific Heights’ Jackson Fillmore) has brought Milan to Marin with his 42-seat family restaurant. Relax with a glass of wine and have a slice from the to-die-for thin pizzas, topped with items like truffle oil and fontina cheese. 510 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.2942 FORK California This intimate spot was awarded “Top Food in the Bay Area” by Zagat for 2007. Opt for the five-course tasting menu or seasonal à la carte options. The three-course special for $20 is available during the first seating. 198 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.453.9898, marinfork.com

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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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TACO JANE’S Mexican Named after the owner’s mother, this casual but colorful place welcomes the whole family. Don’t miss out on Jane’s handmade agave margarita or griddled plantains with Jane’s crema. 21 Tamalpais Ave, 415.454.6562, tacojanes.com

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TEAPOD Tea Bar Enjoy free wi-fi at this new tea bar, which serves fresh steeped teas and modern infusions made from loose teas, puriﬁed water and organic ingredients. Indulge in boba tapioca pearl shakes and a special Himalayan goji berry elixir or choose to have your traditional loose tea hot or over ice. 701 San Anselmo Ave, 415.785.8537, teapod.biz

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CAFE GRATITUDE Raw The waiters might push the affirmations theme a bit too much, but the tasty (and healthy) food is worth it. Besides the knowledge you’re 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 LE CHALET BASQUE Basque It won’t take long to realize owner and chef Roger Minhondo is from the Basque region of France. Specialties include lamb shank with white beans, garlic frog legs, tripe and a juicy sirloin steak. A full and friendly bar, patio dining and a loyal following make the drive to Santa Venetia worth it. 405 N. San Pedro Rd, 415.479.1070 MULBERRY STREET PIZZERIA Italian Chef Ted Rowe won first place in the Food Network Television Pizza Challenge with his Mushroom Lover’s Pizza—sautéed mushrooms in a creamy garlic sauce atop a fresh pizza crust. Located across from the Smith Ranch Road movie theaters, it’s a great place to grab dinner before or after a movie. 101 Smith Ranch Rd, 415.472.7272, mulberry-street-pizzeria.com SABOR OF SPAIN Spanish Named Best Tapas/ Small Dishes restaurant in Marin by the Paciﬁc Sun in 2006, this Spanish wine bar is a great place for a date or a big party. 1301 Fourth St, 415.457.8466, saborofspain.com

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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 MARINMAGAZINE.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

SAUSALITO ANGELINO RESTAURANT Italian Father-andson chefs Pasquale and Alfredo Ancona offer handmade pastas and seasonal antipasti at this authentic Italian restaurant. 621 Bridgeway, 415.331.5225, angelinorestaurant.com CAFFÉ DIVINO Tuscan Locals come for the tasty pastas and salads, as well as coffee drinks in a funky one-room setting. Free delivery in Sausalito. 37 Caledonia St, 415.331.9355, caffedivinosausalito.com FENG NIAN Chinese Busy at lunch and dinner, this spacious hangout has been a popular spot for wonton soup, potstickers and daily specials for nearly two decades. For an indulgent treat order the Szechwan crispy calamari or honey-glazed walnut prawn. 2650 Bridgeway, 415.331.5300, fengnian.com

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GAYLORD INDIA Indian Rated a “Restaurant of Excellence” by Zagat, Gaylord’s new location in Sausalito also features million-dollar views of San Francisco and the bay. All the dishes including samosas, curries and tandoori are made with fresh local produce, seafood and artisan meats. 201 Bridgeway, 415.339.0172, gaylord.com

415.453.8899 • 1015 B Street, San Rafael • Monday - Saturday 9am - 6pm

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. Popular with the lunch and take-out dinner crowd. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.331.0390 PARADISE BAY American Enjoy the sun or dine under the stars at this waterfront restaurant. Locals say they come back for the organic beef sandwiches and fresh Maine lobster clubs. 1200 Bridgeway, 415.331.3226, paradisebaysausalito.com POGGIO Italian A great place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a night out. Executive chef Peter McNee cooks up delicious Northern Italian cuisine using fresh and local ingredients, including produce from the nearby Poggio chef garden. 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771, poggiotratoria.com SAYLOR’S RESTAURANT AND BAR California/ Mexican Owner and chef Sean Saylor has created a new menu, keeping some traditional favorites and has moved the restaurant to a new location. The large menu is impressive but the bar’s selection of over 100 tequilas is hard to beat. 2009 Bridgeway, 415.332.1512, saylorsrestaurantandbar.com SCOMA’S Seafood Whether it’s for the view of San Francisco or the historical background, visitors ﬂock to this location for a romantic setting. The array of fresh seafood and meat dishes MARINMAGAZINE.COM

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We Irish gave you the potato peeler. By Bryan Flannery

This, however, is not a potato peeler. No, these are tongs, invented by our good friends and island neighbors, the Tongans. I dunno… I think they win. Why? Because tongs, unlike a potato peeler, can grab and flip pretty much everything in my store except maybe Rudy. This makes tongs especially useful this time of year with grills hot and people itching to grab and flip something… anything… even Rudy. It could be exotic ocean fresh fish.

are appetizing as the Italian pasta dishes. 588 Bridgeway, 415.332.9551, scomassausalito.com

and onion sauce. 5 Main St, 415.435.6300, guaymasrestaurant.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

MILANO Italian Located in the Cove Shopping Center, this family-owned neighborhood spot is known for its pasta and friendly service. A good place to take the kids—or catering option for your next birthday party. Locals say the gorgonzola penne is not to be missed. 1 Blackfield Dr, 415.388.9100

WELLINGTON’S California British transport Jeremy John and his wife, Jill, have created an expansive (2,400-square-foot) space wine bar with a homey feel, board games, views of the bay and a worldly cellar featuring affordable bottles and special reserves. The menu features wines by the glass for $5 to $20 and tasting ﬂights of any three wines for $12. 300 Turney St, 415.331.9463, wellingtonswine.com WINSHIPS RESTAURANT American The morethan-four-decades-old nautical-themed restaurant is luring locals and tourists with hearty breakfasts and lunch options like tender fried calamari, clam strips, mussels and a giant prawn cocktail. 670 Bridgeway, 415.332.1454, winships.com

TIBURON THE CAPRICE California Expansive Angel Island and San Francisco skyline views and an intimate atmosphere make this waterfront restaurant a top pick for romance. Beyond these attractions, locals come for the food including a three-to-ﬁve-course menu created by executive chef Gregg Sessler, who according to Michael Bauer “has crafted a menu that can stand up to the big boys.” 2000 Paradise Dr., 415.435.3400, thecaprice.com

Well aged, prime Nebraska beef. Tender lamb or pork. Or plump, free-range chicken. Whichever you choose, I think you will like it way more than anything you might do with a peeled potato. In fact, shortly after you ﬂip it over (no thanks to we Irish), you will ﬂip over it. Come buy some.

Bryan’s Fine Foods Corte Madera Town Center

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COTTAGE EATERY California This one-room recently remodeled, eatery is the latest restaurant addition to Tiburon’s Ark Row. Having their place opened to rave reviews, owners Edward Carew and Jennifer Rebman, both formerly of New York (each with stints cooking at Gramercy Tavern) are attracting regulars with seasonal entrees like grilled branzino served with boulanger potatoes, watercress and a taggiasca olive vinaigrette and crispy suckling pig with Umbrian lentils, braised romaine, tomato and saba. 114 Main St, 415.789.5636, thecottageeatery.com GINZA Japanese The old Tiburon Tommie’s space on Main Street has been buffed and polished and reopened as a sleek, upscale sushi spot with the famous waterfront San Francisco views. This intimate setting offers menu items like sliced yellowtail, avocado, radish sprout, tobiko and spicy ponzu sauce as well as a variety of tempura and terriyaki dishes. 41 Main St, 415.789.5123, ginzasushi-tiburon.com GUAYMAS Mexican Situated right next to the Tiburon ferry terminal on the waterfront. The touch-it-you’re-so-close city views and outdoor seating makes it a great place to bring visitors on a warm summer night. Menu includes specialties like puerco macho—pork loin chop with grilled plantain, topped with an ancho chile, garlic

ROONEY’S CAFÉ & GRILL American If you’re old enough to remember Cheers on prime time, 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. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527, samscafe.com SERVINO RISTORANTE Italian With people like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates raving about his pizza, Angelo Servino is doing something right. Some people come for the spacious and popular bar; some people come for the great food and friendly service; the titans of industry, it seems, opt for the pepperoni. Spacious bar, and weekend music is also a big draw. 9 Main St, 415.435.2676, servino.com SWEDEN HOUSE BAKERY Swedish A cozy spot and local favorite, the blue storefront opens into bay front windows with sweeping views of Racoon Straits and Angel Island. The menu is straight from Stockholm with Swedish and Danish pastries in the morning and open-faced sandwiches, Swedish meatloaf and light salads for lunch. 35 Main St, 415.435.9767 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 seasonal 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). Walk on the beach after lunch. 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 imaginative combinations using regional and organic greens (Olema). 10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.663.9559, theolemainn.com MARINMAGAZINE.COM

PARKSIDE CAFE American Most people know it as the ultimate breakfast spot (think Guatemalan scramble or wafﬂe with blood orange-strawberry compote and whipped cream, alfresco) but lunch and dinners are great here too. Choose from an array of organic locally grown produce and artisan meats and wild seafood (Stinson). 43 Arenal Ave, 415.868.1272, parksidecafe.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 SAND DOLLAR American Originally built from three barges in Tiburon in 1921, the Sand Dollar Restaurant was ﬂoated to Stinson that same year and still exists today. Enjoy live music along with local barbecued oysters and New England clam chowder. Sunny deck for afternoon enjoyment (Stinson). 3458 Shoreline Hwy, 415.868.0434, stinsonbeachrestaurant.com

HANE Y

O R T H O D O N T I C S

We would like to invite you to become a patient in our family orthodontics practice. We welcome new patients of all ages, and look forward to caring for you and your family. Specializing in both braces and Invisalign®

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 steel elements such as a giant bong su (plumeria), and ﬂoating orchids in towering glass vases. Recently voted one of Esquire magazine’s top 20 in 2006. 311 Third St, 415.536.5800, bongsu.com

1600 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. San Anselmo, CA 94960 www.haneyorthodontics.com

(415) 453-7880 p (415) 453-0602 f info@haneyorthodontics.com

Firm thighs. Lifted seats. Flat abs.

HARRIS’ RESTAURANT Steak house A San Francisco institution 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, harrisrestaurant.com MAMACITA Mexican In the former Cafe Marimba space, chef Sam Josi has made Mamacita a dining destination, drawing in locals with authentic Mexican cuisine and 100 percent pure agave tequila margaritas. Save room for the churro dessert, served with a cup of Mexican hot chocolate. 2317 Chestnut St, 415.376.1629, mamacitasf.com PERBACCO Italian The seasonal Italian menu focuses on the northern Piemontese region, featuring handcrafted charcuterie, homemade pastas and regional dishes such as quail with persimmon and apple salad. 230 California St, 415.955.0663, perbaccosf.com YOSHI’S Japanese The 28,000-square foot restaurant and jazz club features robata and shabu shabu cooking by executive chef Shotaro Kamio and private dining rooms. 1330 Fillmore St, 415.655.5600, yoshis.com MARINMAGAZINE.COM

“The best workout for a lean dancer’s body!” (as seen in Glamour Magazine, Yoga Journal and on Extra)

Childcare Available 208 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae (behind Mollie Stone’s) (415) 461-4461 www.barmethod.com MARIN

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G I V I N G BACK

volunteermatch.org

Volunteers at the Marine Mammal Center tend to injured seals. Volunteers feed a seal at the Marine Mammal Center.

Halleck Creek 4-H Riding Club

Conservation Corps as they attempt

MARIN MAGAZINE has recently

This Nicasio club brings together disabled

to gain proﬁciency in English and ob-

developed a partnership with

children and adults, retired riding and work

tain their high school diploma. Contact

volunteermatch.org to bring

horses with volunteers for a fun-ﬁlled day of

415.454.4554, marincc.org

awareness of the numerous local

horseback riding. Contact Molly Scannell,

volunteer opportunities to our readers.

415.662.2488, halleckcreekranch.org

Marine Mammal Center The center is seeking animal care crews

To start giving back, ﬁnd a complete list

Marin Child care Council

to assist with pen cleaning, laundry, dish-

A committed volunteer with strong organi-

es, weighing animals, maintaining animal

zational skills is needed to help with admin-

charts, food preparation, assisting with

istrative duties one speciﬁc day each month.

medical procedures and feeding the ani-

Extra Hands for ALS

The council’s mission is to improve the avail-

mals. Contact Kathleen, 415.289.7374,

Student volunteers are needed to provide

ability of affordable child care. Contact

marinemammalcenter.org

basic services to ALS patients, like

Cathy, 415.472.1092, mc3.org

at marinmagazine.com/volunteer.

yard work, housecleaning, opening and

Marin Headlands Visitor Center

reading mail, using the computer or

Marin Conservation Corps

The visitor center is seeking a volunteer

providing companionship. Contact Linda

A charter school academic mentor is

to provide information about the area

Allen, 908.208.3674, extrahands.org

needed to educate members of the Marin

and assist in the day-to-day operation

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of the center. Contact Terry Kreidler, 415.561.4755, nps.gov

Marin Literacy Program The program provides Marin County adults with free, student-centered instruc-

Champagne Salon

& Day Spa

tion in reading, writing and speaking. Volunteers are needed for tutoring at various sites throughout the county and in the jail and state prison. Contact Susan Charlton, 415.485.3318, marinliteracy.org

Marin’s Premier Full Service Luxury Day Spa Hair • Nails • Facials Skin Rejuvenation • Massage • Wax & Tint

Marin Municipal Water District Help protect the foothill yellow-legged frog by volunteering to educate the public about this federally listed species of special concern. There are also many other volunteer opportunities from building bridges to restoring habitat available to match your skills, interests and time commitment. Contact Janet Klein, 415.945.1169; marinwater.org

(415) 380-9111 • 1 Blackﬁeld Dr., Tiburon (Cove Shopping Center) UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP ~ NOW OPEN MONDAYS!

San Francisco Maritime San Francisco Bay welcomes tall ships from around the world as they sail under the Golden Gate Bridge in a festival during July. The vessels will also be docked for public view. Volunteers are needed to assist in developing captain’s manuals and to act as ship liaisons. For more information email info@festivalofsail.org.

SingersMarin This nonproﬁt arts organization is seeking a volunteer to help with general administrative tasks. They could use help on weekday

In 2007, why did over 400 guests book their Canada & New England cruise with ONE AGENCY? Making Memories That Will Last A Lifetime… Find out for yourself what these discerning travelers already know! Cruise Specialists brings you the perfect getaway, the spectacular fall foliage of Canada & New England aboard the brand-new ms Eurodam.

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Call for an exclusive discount!

mornings; volunteers can sign up for as little

Trips for Kids The San Rafael group is seeking volunteers to teach environmental education in a fun, exciting way to kids on mountain bike rides and at the group’s after-school earna-bike program. Contact Marilyn Price, 415.458.2986, tripsforkids.org MARINMAGAZINE.COM

Exclusive Onboard Amenities: •Escort •Cocktail Party •Special Gift •Complimentary shore event

Call Cruise Specialists | 415-895-3900

100 Rowland Way, Suite 210, Novato, CA 94945 www.CruiseSpecialists.com | mail@CruiseSpecialists.com Fare is in US dollars, per person based on double occupancy for minimum inside category J. Non-discountable fees of $270 are included. Taxes, fees and a fuel surcharge are additional We reserve the right to correct errors. UBI 601123743 ProQuest Travel Group, LLC. dba Cruise Specialists AD133 nlf 7/08

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Thank you Marin! Successful since 1989! Visit Our Showroom Choose from a wide selection of styles & designs

Custom Configurations, Fabrication and Installation Available

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GO SOLAR! Save Money. Save the Planet. • Rebates are dropping and Federal tax credits end this year – act now! • Protect against electrical rate increases • Provide clean energy for future generations • Local experts – serving the North Bay since 1984 • Start Generating Your Own Power!

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Information on GreatHomes.org is provided by the 10,000 Real Estate Professionals of Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc.

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COUNTRY GARDENS GIFT SHOPPE Now Celebrating 27 Years in Marin . . . Always Providing Excellent Service.

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wide plank flooring, siding and beams www.blacksfarmwood.com San Rafael Showroom By Appointment 415.454.8312

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Encore

Marin’s Finest Consignment Shop Manolo Blanik Jimmy Choo Prada Chanel Gucci Hermes St. John …and more

Where honeymoons are the perfect gift! No more toasters! HoneyLuna’s honeymoon registry service provides online wedding registries for honeymoon travel.

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BRAND NEW ON THE MARKET! The answer to a breathable vacuum hairpiece, worn by our client pictured below. Designed by Charle to look as natural as a vacuum piece with the benefit of being cooler and more comfortable. Sensitive solutions for hair loss due to: Alopecia Areata/female hereditary thinning/Chemotherapy/radiation treatments/Trichotillomania Offering human hairpieces for women, men and children Toll Free: (888) 680-HAIR (4247) (Northern CA) San Rafael

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MARINMAGAZINE.COM

2008 N OR T H BAY S HAKESPEARE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FOREST STAYS IN THE FOREST

A MIDSUMMER NI G HT ’ S D R E AM By William Shakespeare Directed by Hector Correa

Aug. 8 – Oct. 5 Fridays 7:00 pm, Sat. & Sun. 6:00 pm

Hamilton Amphitheater Park 601 Hamilton Parkway, Novato 94949

Tickets $14 – $32 Box Office 415-381-1115

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Autodesk, Inc. • City of Novato, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department • Supervisor Judy Arnold • CBS Outdoor • The County of Marin Cox, Wootton, Grifﬁn, Hansen & Poulos LLP Creative:Mint • Grosvenor International • Hellman Family Foundation • Kurt Orban Partners Lagunitas Brewing Co. • Malugani Tire Center Marin Independent Journal • Marin Magazine Novato Advance • Peets Coffee & Tea • Rafael Floors

nbshakes.org nbshakes@hotmail.com

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T HE O PPORTUNITY TO C HANGE THE W ORLD IS R IGHT ON O UR P LATE . Initiative #2: The Marin Organic School Lunch & Gleaning Program, bringing fresh, safe, local and organic food to over 12,000 children in Marin, every week. Please become a partner in our work!

4 1 5 . 6 6 3 . 9 6 6 7 W W W . M A R I N O R G A N I C . O R G

M I CR O C LIM AT E

SANTA VENETIA Italy it’s not, but you’ll fi nd a continental touch or two BY JIM WOOD

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTOS TIM PORTER

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SANTA VENETIA! SANTA VENETIA! (PRONOUNCED VE-NEESH-IA.) When you hear about this unincorpo-

rated San Rafael community just east of the Marin Civic Center, does Venice, Italy, come to mind? It should. In November of 1914, developer Mabry McMahan proposed a luxury subdivision named Santa Venetia modeled after the famed Italian city of canals. Nearly 3,000 potential buyers came to take a look. As a sales brochure states, McMahan’s plan was for “wide canals, concrete seawalls, imported gondolas and a pier on the bay where boats could drop off San Francisco’s workers—taking them from office doorstep to home doorstep.” There was even a grand hotel planned for nearby Santa Margarita Island. And it was McMahan’s dream that led to Santa Venetia’s streets being named Vendola Drive, Galleria Way and Gallinas Road. But along came World War I and then the Great Depression, and it wasn’t until after World War II that development of Santa Venetia really took hold. By then, Venetian-style luxury homes with red tile roofs no longer fit the bill; shingled two-bedroom one-bath bungalows with FHA or VA financing were what buyers wanted. Today, east from the Frank Lloyd Wright–designed Civic Center on North San Pedro Road, landmarks include the 2,700-member Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, with two large pools, a marvelous family fitness center and musical and educational events, all for a low monthly membership fee. Across from the JCC, the well-regarded Venetia Valley School serves grades K through eight; from there kids go to San Rafael High School. Still on North San Pedro Road on the right heading east is the massive San Pedro Mountain Open Space, with its network of hiking and running trails; on the left, at the end of Meadow Drive, you can circle Santa Margarita Island for an easy afternoon walk, and nearby Santa Venetia Marsh Preserve, bordering the south fork of Gallinas Creek, is ideal dog-

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One walking destination many adults favor is Le Chalet Basque, a gem of an indoor-outdoor restaurant. “I’m all by myself out here in Santa Venetia,” says owner Roger Minhondo, “so I’m the anchor of the community.” Some 40 years ago, Minhondo came to Marin straight from France’s Basque region and has never looked back. Most lunch hours find him greeting regulars on his sunny patio bordered with tulip trees and rose vines; evenings he holds court in his well-stocked cozy, friendly bar area while son Patrick tends to tables. Lamb shank, frog legs and French onion soup are all excellent; if a European vacation appeals but current prices and exchange rates don’t, this place may provide the right fix. Santa Venetia housing prices are also cost-efficient, compared to most of Marin. “There are probably 1,000 homes in Santa Venetia and around 4,200 residents,” says Arun Burrell of Frank Howard Allen’s San Rafael office. “And in the past six months, 16 properties have come on the market and seven have sold.” Most sales have been in the high $400,000 to high walking turf. From there, back on North San Pedro Road to the east, vistas

$600,000 range. “The lowest price was $479,000 for a three-bedroom, two

truly open up once you reach the 1,512 acres of China Camp State Park.

bath. The highest was $699,000 for a four-bedroom, two-bath property.

“The friendly and open neighbors are what I really like about living

Both homes were on 7,000-square-foot lots, common in Santa Venetia.”

in Santa Venetia,” says longtime resident Ali Liprot. “It isn’t unusual to

Burrell’s records show the highest price ever paid for a Santa Venetia

come home and see a bag of peaches or pears or string beans sitting on

home was $779,000. “That was18 months ago. And the buyers got a

my front porch.” The neighborhood is a “walking community,” she adds;

nice two-bedroom, two-bath home on a 10,000-square-foot lot that

the flat streets make it easy for kids to learn to ride bikes and for parents

backed to the waters of Gallinas Creek.” Not exactly Venetian canals, but

to enjoy evening strolls.

a flickering reminder of this community’s origins.

Your Napa Valley Specialists! In a changing market, it’s experience that counts. For over 30 years we have been representing and locating special properties that compliment the personal tastes of our clients. Terry & Lynn are your: • TRUSTED COUNSELORS • SKILLED NEGOTIATORS • EXPERT FACILITATORS

Contact Terry & Lynn today!

Terry Wunderlich, CRS, SRES 707-967-1349 terry@napawunder.com www.napawunder.com

Lynn Moore, SRES, e-PRO 707-967-1350 lmoore@pacunion.com

MARINMAGAZINE.COM

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World-Class View Lots

Sausalito An amaz ing opportunity to build awaits you at this top of the world location. These properties offer views of the San Francisco skyline, the G olden G ate B ridge, the Pacific O cean, and are adj acent to approximately 130,000 acres of preserved land— beauty, privacy and grandeur as far as the eye can see. The mesmeriz ing views are never the same and always extraordinary. Must be seen and felt to be believed. Wolfback Ridge is a natural penthouse, hilltop promenade located on a private road behind two gates in an exclusive community. L ocated a stones throw from the G olden G ate B ridge, your home would be a 10-20 minute drive from anywhere in San Francisco and 5-10 minutes to all Southern Marin parks, schools and towns. Preliminarily plans are available for 5,000+ - sq uare foot homes. Lot 9 is .57 acres Offered at $1,750,000 Lot 8 is .66 acres Offered at $1,250,000

V isit www.WolfbackRidge.com www.TheD uPontG roup.net

THE DUPONT GROUP JAIME DUPONT 415.846.0306

DAVE DUPONT 415.867.6611

Sausalito New Home Honored in “Architectural Digest”

94 Cloudview Road in Sausalito is the only California property to be featured in the June issue of Architectural Digest in the feature “Editors Select Properties Around the World”. Sutton Cunningham is the local architect and landscape designer that created 94 Cloudview Road. It began as a renovation and addition to a 1,100 square foot cottage that, over time, evolved into a newly constructed 4-bedroom (plus separate office), 4-bath, 4,481 square foot (per tax records) contemporary masterpiece. The contemporary design with multiple levels was created in order to take full advantage of the unique site and its 300-degree views of the Bay, including Mt. Tamalpais and the San Francisco skyline. The exterior design is reminiscent of the prevailing barrel-vaulted structures on the Sausalito waterfront. Radiant floor heating was incorporated along with concrete slab floors for thermal mass. Green design concepts were incorporated throughout the house including, but not limited to, spray foam insulation, American Cherry hardwood floors and engineered lumber. Contemporary design features are evident with the use of concrete, glass railings, steel frame doors/windows, barrel vault ceiling, soapstone counter tops, glass tiles, no-trim casing, eye-shaped outdoor spa and fire pit. Offered at $3,899,000

ALIX FAGERSTEN 415.596.6231 a.fagersten@deckerbullocksir.com

Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to announce that Penny WrightMulligan has joined our office. She specializes in fine waterfront homes and luxury properties. Penny Wright-Mulligan Marin Resident for over 25 Years 415.601.8191 • p.mulligan@deckerbullocksir.com www.pennywrightmulligan.com

Sold Waterfront home in 30 days, with 100ft boat dock. Represented the Sellers. Sold for $2,550,000

Leased Waterfront home with pool and dock in less than 2 days. Represented both owners and tenants. Leased for Full Price

Leased Water view condo. Represented both owners and tenants. Leased for Full Price

Coming Soon Waterfront fixer with great views! Fabulous location within boating community. Turn this one into your dream home! Call for Details

New Lease Coming Fabulous waterfront home with dock! Three bedroom, 2 baths. Flat neighborhood. Available on July 1st. Call for Details

PE Waterfront ±2.1 acres, pool/spa, boat hse, built ca. 2001, ±5,100 sf, gardens, 5 bd, 4.5 ba…

$4,750,000

I ND

Rare gated family compound with Currently under construction, ±5,000 sf, 2 sep homes, ±10,000 sf, huge SF & GG Bridge vws, discount for early purchase, 5 bd, 4.5 ba… $7,495,000 patio & 60' lap pool, 10 bd, 13.5 ba… $19,500,000

Stunning SF & GG Bridge vws, kit/fam rm, frml LR & DR, mstr w/sitting rm & his/hers baths, 6 bd, 5.5 ba… $7,250,000

±9,000 sf, ±2.2 acres, stunning pool/ guest hse/office complex, SF & GGB vws, 6 bd, 5.5 ba… $13,900,000

6 separate waterfront lots, west side, Mt Tam through San Francisco

$4,500,000 - $6,500,000

World-class contemp w/ riveting views of entire San Francisco Bay area, gated, pool, 4 bd, 5.5 ba… $10,750,000

Beaut remod, private 1-story, level lawns, 6,500+ sf of dramatic interior, gorgeous huge deck w/ vws of Mt Tam thru SF skyline, kit/fam, library, level lawn, 3-car gar, 6 large mstr & great room, 4 bd, 2.5 ba… $3,500,000 en suite bd, 6.5 ba… $6,495,000

±7900 sf, gated, private, 1 ac, remodel, lvl lawn, SF & GGB vws, 5 ensuite bd, 7.5 ba + 1 bd, 1 ba aupair… $10,299,000

Sec luded, gated, pr ivate , contemp, 1.7 acres plus open space, 4 bd, 3.5 ba…

$4,495,000

Expanded and remodeled, wndrfl new kit/fam, top-flr mster, gated, private, pool, 6 bd, 4.5 ba… $3,998,000 skyline views...

For more information, visit globalestates.com

LYDIA SARKISSIAN (415) 258-8381

1-stry condo, 6-un complex, beaut remod w/ vws fr Mt Tam, GGB & SF skyline, kit/fam rm, study w/ fpl, lg mstr w/ sit & beaut ba, 2 bd, 2 ba… $1,995,000

BILL BULLOCK (415) 258-2400

Resort-like waterfront villa, courtyard pool, top-flr mstr, huge waterfront deck & dock, 3 bd, 4.5 ba… $7,495,000

It’s All About Lifestyle… Do you love to entertain and want the space in which to do so both lavishly and casually? Is your worst nightmare the thought of having to own a lawnmower and yet you want enough space around you to insure your privacy? Do you love to travel and come home to a place that makes you feel as if you are still on vacation? If your answer to these questions is “yes” then this stunning home situated in one of Marin’s most desirable neighborhoods is for you! Out your front door you will find miles of hiking trails dotted with view- oriented picnic spots. Close to the village of Tiburon and all it has to offer. Open the front door and know you have arrived! 90 Gilmartin Drive, Tiburon • $4,295,000

Karen Z. Hardesty • Broker Associate / Principal 415.265.3344 • kzhardesty@visionrealtors.com

Responding to the Real Estate needs of Marin County since 1982. Karen provides Competence You Can Count On! Marin

Sonoma

San Francisco

www.visionrealtors.com

It’s All About Lifestyle… This terrific one-level home in Larkspur’s desirable Hillview neighborhood is the one you have been waiting for! The open and inviting floor plan is conducive to indoor/outdoor living and provides the perfect setting for a casual California lifestyle. The kitchen has been remodeled recently and opens to a spacious dining area, living room and family room accented by sliding doors leading to a large, flat lawn with beautifully landscaped gardens. Out the back gate you will discover a path leading to trails and the village of Larkspur with its wonderful restaurants and boutiques. A magnificent view of Mt. Tamalpais greets you as you walk out your front door. 138 Harvard Drive, Larkspur

Chelsea E. Hardesty • Realtor / Principal 415.300.6881 • chardesty@visionrealtors.com www.ChelseaEHardesty.com

Redefining Service in Real Estate Marin

Sonoma

San Francisco

www.visionrealtors.com

Ron Parks & Vision Real Estate Present

277 Cascade Drive, Mill Valley Sunny Cascade Canyon Estate Mill Valley Craftsman Estate on a sunny lot in beautiful Cascade Canyon, exemplifying the classic Mill Valley lifestyle while providing all the modern amenities one could wish for. With 2+ acres (per tax records), this fully remodeled estate boasts a large main house, separate cottage and lush grounds with multiple level areas, private creek and countless redwood trees, offering the ultimate in privacy, while only a stone’s throw from downtown Mill Valley. At the heart of the main house is the huge chef’s kitchen which opens to the family room, dining room and oversized living room; all with access to private decks with canyon views. The separate cottage has two levels, with a built-in library, skylights and vaulted ceilings on the upper level as well as a full bathroom, full kitchen and sitting decks. Price Upon Request

Ron Parks • Broker/Founder/CPA 415.297.9000 • rparks@visionrealtors.com

We know your neighborhood and the market Marin

Sonoma

San Francisco

www.visionrealtors.com

Kent Woodlands 4 WOODLAND PLACE

legant Mediterranean with ultimate privacy on 4+ acres. This four bedroom, 3.5 bath property consists of a lavish entryway, formal living and dining rooms, open-plan kitchen with walkin pantry and family room opening to sunny terraces. Master suite opens to the pool, lush gardens and custom designed waterfalls. Guest suite plus two additional bedrooms and bath, three car garage and ample storage. Expansive patio with pool, spa and entertaining area from which to enjoy the amazing views of the East Bay and beyond! Offered at $3,095,000

Winship Park – San Anselmo 161 PROSPECT AVENUE

rivate and serene property featuring stunning architecture with a gracious entry, fabulous living room with high beamed ceiling and fireplace, formal dining room, kitchen with garden views and center island, powder room, master bedroom and bath with deck and patio on main level, three bedrooms, one bath and laundry room on upper level, pool, spa and lush gardens with outstanding Mt. Tamalpais views. This is a very special property! Offered at $2,495,000

Kent Woodlands 223 EVERGREEN DRIVE

ated, sunny, level entry with expansive deck, pool, outdoor BBQ, rose gardens, grassy areas and lush landscaping. Magnificent views looking east to the Bay and beyond. On the main level, formal living room, formal dining room with wine cooler, kitchen with adjacent laundry area, master bedroom and bath plus three additional bedrooms and one bath. Additionally, a large family room with full bath. Exquisite guests quarters on the 2nd level with view deck and powder room. Offered at $2,595,000

Offered exclusively by

For additional information, please call:

Susan Bowman Morgan Lane Marin

The Fine Art of Fine Property

415/448-1111 www.morganlanemarin.com sbowman@morganlane.com All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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2008 SALES & LISTINGS FOR JIMMY WANNINGER SOLD $3,850,000 305 Highland Avenue, San Rafael SOLD $2,775,000 125 Marion Avenue, Mill Valley SOLD $2,299,000 459 Redwood Avenue, Corte Madera ACTIVE $1,999,000 15 Euterpe Street, Mill Valley SOLD $1,998,000 97 Del Casa, Mill Valley SOLD $1,750,000 11 Madrono Avenue, Corte Madera SOLD $1,450,000 11 Fairview Avenue, Corte Madera SOLD $1,212,500 146 Granada Drive, Corte Madera SOLD $975,000 32 Staghound Passage, Corte Madera ACTIVE $899,000 305 Marion Avenue, Mill Valley ACTIVE $769,000

Go to www.JimmyMarin.com CURRENT LISTINGS Check out Jimmy’s site daily for his latest

257 Glen Park Avenue, San Rafael

listings and for free access to Clean Offer and its MLS search.

COMING SOON

NEWSLETTER Be sure to keep up-to-date and informed by

MILL VALLEY $1,900,000 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Pool MILL VALLEY $1,499,000 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2nd unit, Sycamore Park TIBURON $1,399,000 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Bel Aire SAUSALITO $1,199,000 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2nd unit CORTE MADERA $999,000 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Christmas Tree Hill SAN RAFAEL $749,000 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Outer Dominican

reading Jimmy’s newsletter, filled with current information and statistics on the real estate market. TAM CAM Get breathtaking views LIVE from our exclusive Tam Cam. See the Bay Bridge, San Francisco, Pacific Heights, Sausalito, Mill Valley, and a straight-on shot of Mt. Tam with Corte Madera’s Christmas Tree Hill in the foreground.

Jimmy Wanninger | TEL 415.990.8990 24/7 | www.JimmyMarin.com

TURKS AND CAICOS The LUSSO Collection

Introducing LUSSO. The New Way to Say Luxury LUSSO (pronounced loo-so) is the Italian word for

transferability of your Membership—are just a few of the

luxury. It is also the name of the preeminent, luxury desti-

amenities we offer. Most importantly, at LUSSO you will

nation club created by and for discerning travelers.

find a team focused and dedicated to exceeding your

With LUSSO, you will enjoy access to a stunning collection of lavish residences located in the world’s most exclusive vacation destinations, all with five-star amenities. But that is just the start. LUSSO redefines the category of luxury destination

expectations, time and time again. LUSSO opens doors to unexpected pleasures. We work hard to ensure your long-term happiness. What truly distinguishes LUSSO from any other private residence club is that here . . . It’s all about you.

clubs. Nowhere else will you find the full extent of benefits associated with a LUSSO Membership—unlimited access to properties, sharing potential appreciation, and

For more information about the LUSSO way, contact Jimmy Wanninger at 415.990.8990.

Jimmy Wanninger | TEL 415.990.8990 24/7 | www.JimmyMarin.com

OLD TOWN TIBURON MASTERPIECE - World class modern design, one half block from the Bay, with stunning Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, and Angel Island views. This 4 BR plus office, 5.5 BA home is an integral blend of open, yet intimate and warm spaces with natural stone, stainless steel, and glass. A two story steel fireplace is central to the home’s dramatic design. Main level master and office with three bedroom suites on the lower level. Elegant living room with GG Bridge and S.F. views, formal view dining room, gourmet kitchen, huge family/game room, and a lushly landscaped outdoor living area. Features include: Four wood burning fireplaces, extensive use of Italian limestone inside and out, and view patios and decks. Perfect for commuting to San Francisco by ferry, this gorgeous home is located in an area that reminds us of a beach community lifestyle, very close to the water and minutes from the town, yacht harbor, shopping, and biking.

Offered for $6,995,000

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

415.464.3741

www.SouthernMarinHomes.com

The Hear t of Ross Elegantly remodeled, very charming Victorian in the heart of Ross. So private it’s hard to believe you’re just steps from the cafes and shops of Ross Common. Lovely setting surrounded by mature landscaping on a sunny, street-to-street lot. A large lawn and patio make this a great house to entertain friends and family! High ceilings and vintage details throughout. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home includes a beautifully updated gourmet kitchen, an elegant master suite, a sun/playroom, and a 1-car garage. Offered at $1,579,000

Tr a n q u i l H o m e A b o v e M a d r o n e C a n y o n A polished, 3 bedroom, 2 bath harmonious home in a peaceful setting surrounded by greenery. High ceilings, abundant natural light through the multiple French doors and windows. All on one level, with a large sun porch off the dining area, ideal for indoor-outdoor living. Beautiful natural scenery combined with convenience: just a few minutes drive to quaint downtown Larkspur, the Bay Club, 101 and Corte Madera shopping centers, yet there are spectacular nature trails just steps from the front door. 2-car garage, upgraded kitchen with limestone counters and stainless appliances. Award-winning Larkspur schools. Offered at $1,095,000

Sharon Faccinto () - sharon.faccinto@pacunion.com

Chris DeNike () - cdenike@pacunion.com

P R I VAT E M O R TG A G E B A N K I N G

Focused expertise. Insightful service. When you work with Wells Fargo Private Mortgage Banker Steve Vella, you have the added confidence that only comes from working with a local professional and a well-capitalized, diversified financial services company. Steve has the knowledge and resources to lend in all 50 states and provide costeffective financing for your purchase or refinance needs regarding a: QPrimary residence, second home vacation retreat or investment property QWealth-management strategy for a complex income and asset profile Experience a solutions-driven difference with a professional.

Steve Vella • Private Mortgage Banker 770 Tamalpais Dr, Suite 220 • Corte Madera, CA 94925

415-945-2322 Direct • 866-493-7603 eFax Steven.vella@wellsfargo.com

President, Marin Women’s Council of Realtors

Judy LeMarr FRANK HOWARD ALLEN REALTORS 415-380-4642 judy@MarinDreamHome.com www.MarinDreamHome.com

Service Experience

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276 Seadrift Road in Stinson Beach: unobstructed views of the Pacific

Ocean and San Francisco await the owner of this home in exclusive Seadrift. Four bedrooms with three and a half baths complement the vast living spaces with a wall of glass overlooking the beach. Freshly refurbished kitchen with all new high-end appliances works well for preparing a simple snack or an elegant dinner for 20. Extra-large two car garage for all the beach toys. Offered at $6,985,000

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D I A LO GUE (Tomales and San Francisco) make me happy. The bookstores, especially Point Reyes Books and Book Passage, make me happy. The smell of coffeeberry on the trail between Heart’s Desire Beach and Indian Beach. Memories of the shrimp fishery at China Camp. Memories of my childhood baseball coach, Charlie Pinza, and my childhood basketball coach, Lou Freitas. A couple of restaurants. A marsh hawk skimming over Abbotts Lagoon when the lupine is flowering. A couple of restaurants. Fishing at the breakwater on Point Cavallo. Steep Ravine Trail. Bovine Bakery. Fog, sometimes, and the smell of laurel. My wife. What bothers you here? At the moment what bothers me is the incivility in the infighting going on about protecting the environment. What do you value every day? Waking up. What is your personal idea of luxury? Free time. My wife. A very good chardonnay. What person has influenced you the most? Impossible to say. What has been the most fulfilling moment in your work? Doing it. The time to do deep, absorbing work, and the doing of it is a great gift. What’s your desert-island favorite book or album? Book would probably be Shakespeare’s plays, because I wouldn’t get bored.

ROBERT HASS BY MI MI TOW L E

Robert Hass (pronounced “has”) of Inverness has

Harder to imagine a single album, no matter how great, that wouldn’t drive me crazy after a while. What’s your favorite place to unwind? At home.

had quite a year. Besides contributing to the West Marin Review as described on page 28, this former U.S. poet laureate (1995-97)

Do you have a favorite Marin view? Many. The view from Hawk

was awarded a Pulitzer for his latest collection of poetry, Time

Hill is certainly one. The view from the top of the hill on Angel

and Materials (Ecco, 2007). Now a professor at UC Berkeley, he is

Island, looking west, is another. The moment on the Matt Davis

married to poet Brenda Hillman, who is a professor at his under-

Trail when you turn a corner in the trail and the whole coast

graduate alma mater St. Mary’s. In the presence of such an incom-

heaves into view. The view from Chimney Rock in the spring

parable wordsmith, we’ll dispense with any more of our words to

when the wildflowers are thick on the hillsides.

leave more room for his. What do you like about yourself? Breathing. and lived in New York for a while, dreaming of being home and

How do you want to be remembered? I would like my beloveds

walking on the Matt Davis Trail.

to remember me in whatever way best serves flourishing in their own lives. It would be nice if some lines from my poems stuck in

What makes you happy in Marin? Different things in different

someone’s head the way that some lines of poetry, very much

parts of Marin. The mountain makes me happy and the bays

alive, stay in mine.

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PHOTO: BARBA RA RIES

You could live anywhere. Why Marin? I grew up in San Rafael

Luxu r y E sta t e s a nd Pr o p e rt ies f r om $ 2 Mi l l i o n All property descriptions can be viewed on www.worldclassproperties.com.

Sage Creek, St. Helena $17 million (approx. 530 acres) or

$28.5 million (approx. 950 acres)

Novato

Mill Valley

$2,350,000

Larkspur

$2,595,000

S i n g l e S t o r y Fr e n c h C o u n t r y S t yle H o m e w i t h Le v e l La w n s i n c o v eted H o m e s t e a d Va l l e y

$2,400,000

Rena is s a nc e a t S t o net r e e G o l f C l u b

S u n n y p a r t o f M a d r o n e C a n y o n, Le v e l Ya r d w i t h Po o l & Wa t e r f all

I specialize in Exclusive Luxur y Properties not listed on the Multiple Listing Ser vice and that are discreetly offered for sale. ◊ ◊ ◊

Ross $14.25 M illio n

◊

Sonoma $6. 5 millio n

◊

Ca l is t oga $5 millio n

◊

Beautiful Estate Grounds & Mt. Tam View New 7,000 sf home on approx 2 acres Approx. 11 acres, farmhouse, cabins, restaurant

S a u s a l i to $ 4 . 2 m i l lio n

Approx 3,700 sf with SF Views

Ti b u r o n $ 6 . 4 M i l l i on

Views of Sausalito & Golden Gate Bridge

S a n Ra fa el $ 1 . 4 6 5 millio n

Gated with Water Views

For up-to-date market information and new listings for luxury properties in your area visit my website: www.worldclassproperties.com.

Anna K. Pennington-Boucher Luxury Home Specialist

41 5 . 8 6 0 .13 9 9

anna@worldclassproperties.com www.worldclassproperties.com

Become a member today at calacademy.org

It’s when the reef shark glides by. Or when you fly past Jupiter. Or when the saffron finch tilts its head to get a better look at you. It’s impossible to predict the exact moment it hits you. And you feel small. Or connected. Or a part of something that’s functioning just as it’s designed to. But hit you it will, just as it has hit us. And even though it’s only a moment, it can last a lifetime.