Issuu

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

L I V I N G

OCT/NOV 2005

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CONTENTS

Features 86

home design Dream Kitchens A look at three Marin County kitchens with distinctive differences in style and

114

design. story pj bremier photos barbara ries

think Marin Civic Center Marin County’s prestigious architectural gem is sitting pretty in spite of its rocky beginnings. story jim wood photos barbara ries

102

play Marin’s Cycling Culture Is Marin County truly the epicenter of cycling in the nation? story jim wood & bill howard photos sean arbabi

108

journey Skiing the Rooftop of Europe The ultimate ski trip takes in two countries—France and Switzerland—with an option to visit a third: Italy. story & photos ben davidson

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life Carlos and Deborah Santana The Santanas share their love for music and Marin County. story terry brejla

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CONTENTS

Departments 28

letters

at-a-glance

snap

fashion

Readers respond to Marin Magazine.

Hot tips day by day around the Bay.

Out and about, in and around Marin. by mimi towle

Party Dresses by samantha schoech Life Style Sausalito photographer Dennis Kohn shares fashion insights.

fyi Performing Arts Marin Symphony’s Alasdair Neale Books The Prize Winner of Deﬁance, Ohio—by Terry Ryan Home A look at a new kitchen countertop choice Environment A visit with the Marine Mammal Center People BayWood Artists paint for a good cause Wine Country News Events and galas in our neighboring counties

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looking back

Explore Carmel Valley—the other wine country. by mimi towle

The genesis of the Mill Valley Film Festival. by jim wood

P HOTO ABOVE: C OU RTE SY OF D E YOU NG MUS EUM

Art The new de Young Museum opens with style

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125

CONTENTS

118

Departments 118

galleries

132

flavor

125

calendar

141

microclimate

154

dialogue

Three Bay Area galleries with new exhibits. by anne crump ray

A visit with three Marin County chefs. by rachel & david michael cane

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

San Rafael—Marin’s county seat and largest city. by jim wood

A talk with Marin County CEO Leslie Blodgett.

Columns

The Cover A Freshening Wind, acrylic on canvas,

view from mount tam

pov

rambling

135

family

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

Stressful times and how Marin copes. by jim wood

Hiking suggestions from the expert. by barry spitz

by Sausalito artist Jeff Faust. His work can be seen at Gallery Bergelli in Larkspur, or at www.gallerybergelli.com. 18

To TV or not to TV. by dr. denver coleman

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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STYLE • NEW DESIGN • INTIMATE • CAPTIVATING • PANORAMIC VIEWS • UNPARALLELED

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

principal/executive editor Jim Wood ext 106 jwood@marinmagazine.com

departments editor Mimi Towle ext 101 mtowle@marinmagazine.com

associate editor Samantha Schoech ext 116 sams@marinmagazine.com

editor-at-large

There are hundreds of hotels around the bay, but only one directly on it.

Tim Porter tim@timporter.com

calendar Michal Lev-Ram calendar@marinmagazine.com

contributing writers Terry Brejla, PJ Bremier Rachel & David Michael Cane Denver Coleman, Ph.D., Bill Howard Donata Maggipinto, Katherine Martin Anne Crump Ray, Barry Spitz

Art art director Trpti Todd ext 112 ttodd@marinmagazine.com

production manager Karyn Kraft ext 111 production@marinmagazine.com

production artist Juliana Loomer ext 111 production@marinmagazine.com

contributing photographers Ben Davidson Sheri Montgomery Barbara Ries Sean Arbabi Sasha Gulish

30 El Portal Sausalito, California 94965 Ph: 415.332.9535 Fax 415.332.6714 www.innabovetide.com

Marin Magazine One Harbor Dr, Ste 208 Sausalito, CA 94965 phone: 415.332.4800 fax: 415.332.3048 email: editorial@marinmagazine.com web address: www.marinmagazine.com

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Decidedly feminine, unmistakably Tank

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principal/publisher Lisa Shanower 415.332.4800 ext 107 lshanower@marinmagazine.com

Advertising advertising director Courtney Q. Roberts 415.332.4800 ext 108 croberts@marinmagazine.com

account manager Lisa Wolford 415.332.4800 ext 110 lwolford@marinmagazine.com

account executive Genevieve Luckel 415.332.4800 ext 109 gluckel@marinmagazine.com

regional sales offices california media marin associates Lora Dinga 415.898.6400

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advertising art director Karyn Kraft ext 111 production@marinmagazine.com

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Administration

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controller Jill Harmston ext 104 jharmston@marinmagazine.com

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Volume 1, Issue 4. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Marin Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright©2005. 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 bimonthly to homes and businesses in Marin County. Subscription rates are $24 per year. Marin Magazine, One Harbor Drive, Sausalito, CA 94965. Phone 415.332.4800, fax 415.332.3048, email editorial@marinmagazine.com, website www. marinmagazine.com.

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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

the Frank Lloyd Wright–designed Marin County Civic

this moment, we have stories assigned and advertis-

county proud (page 94). Anne Crump Ray covers the re-

ing contracts in place for well into next year. Even so,

opening of the incredible de Young Museum and how it

it’s difficult to believe the holiday season is once again

will be an international destination for art lovers (page

almost here. Days are getting shorter, trees are display-

57). Then, because cooking season is once again here,

ing their fall colors and, on the night before Halloween,

contributor PJ Bremier leads us on a tempting tour of

daylight saving time will end. Fall is about change and

three Marin County dream kitchens (page 86). Other

ultimately growth. It’s the season for getting cozy, cook-

features: Photojournalist Ben Davidson takes us on an

ing with a Crock-Pot, making sure there’s firewood, fol-

adventure-filled ski journey to the slopes of the French

lowing football, and . . . preparing for winter.

and Swiss Alps (page 108); the West Marin biking cul-

N THE MAGAZINE PUBLISHING business, we’re always ahead of ourselves in our concept of time. At

Center—an architectural gem that would make any

We are experiencing our own change and growth

ture is explored by cyclist and writer Bill Howard, with

this season. This issue marks the end of our bimonthly

stunning photography by Sean Arbabi (page 102); and

coverage and the beginning (in December) of publish-

finally, we gain insight from Marin’s Carlos and Deborah

ing on a monthly basis. Ramping up to “go monthly”

Santana as they speak with Marin contributor Terry

presents its own set of challenges: tighter scheduling,

Brejla (page 114). As always, our wish is for your good reading. Enjoy

are gearing up for these changes, a constant remains:

Marin Magazine, as we continue to celebrate this

We will continue with our editorial mission of creating

extraordinary place!

a magazine that makes you think about where you live, work, and play. Meanwhile, in this issue we explore the creative vision and political challenges involved in developing

Lisa Shanower, Publisher Nikki Wood, Editorial Director Jim Wood, Executive Editor

PH OTO: BAR BARA RIES

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LETTERS

Point of View in the recent Marin Magazine. He states fundamentalists will oppose a democracy to their dying days. But remember, the “fundamenPHOTOGRAPHY: BARTONE

talists” in Iraq are dead-ender Baathists and foreigners using religion for political purposes. Further, in the Muslim country of Turkey and in India, with its 150 Muslims, democracy is

Thanks

moving apace. Yes, we will eventually leave.

I want to thank Marin Magazine for Eve Pell’s

Yes, we will spend a lot of money pushing our

article about MALT, the Marin Agricultural

ideals of democracy. But Wood says we should

Land Trust, and also the Straus, Giacomini

“commit vast sums” to Iraq, while withdraw-

and Conley profiles. Both articles, along with

ing our troops. If democracy won’t work, why

their photos, were outstanding. We appreciate

does he advocate spending U.S. tax dollars?

your helping people understand what makes

Loren Picard, Sausalito

Marin such an extraordinary place. Keep up Regarding Jim Wood’s Point of View (POV)

the good work! Robert “Bob” Berner, executive director

on the war in Iraq: It was articulate, knowl-

Marin Agricultural Land Trust

edgeable, simple, and accurate. It should be on the front page of USA

Beautiful

Today, the Wall Street

I just have to tell Art

Journal, etc.

Director Trpti Todd it’s

Jim Findlay, via email

nice to behold such great design. The cover of the

I appreciate Jim Wood’s

recent issue of Marin

column on Iraq. Numerous

Magazine is especially mag-

citizens now feel we are

nificent. Great job!

doomed to spend bil-

Steve Kimball, via email

lions fighting a hopeless war that will result

AUG/SEPT 2005

Home improvement

in hatred for Americans FC_MM_0805.indd 1

and increased terrorism. Therefore, last May,

didn’t know where to turn for the 2,000

the Marin County Board of Supervisors unan-

square feet of fixtures, furniture, and de-

imously passed a resolution recommending

cor. Architectural Digest was too formal,

withdrawal of all U.S. troops. We did this to

Metropolitan Home was too bland. Surprise…

reallocate federal spending to domestic pro-

I can find anything I need in Marin Magazine,

grams including Homeland Security (to date,

from inspiration to local vendors. Thanks.

Marin taxpayers have spent over $200 million

Joseph Lillis, Sausalito Pedersen Associates Landscape Architects www.pedersenassociates.com 24 H Street San Rafael CA 94901 415 456 2070

7/12/05 2:47:27 PM

I recently bought a “fixer” in Sausalito and

on the Iraqi occupation). A concern was that our exit would re-

Iraq Attack

sult in catastrophic chaos. We therefore pro-

Jim Wood seems like a likeable guy, but I

posed our troops be replaced by a multina-

must contradict many positions he took in

tional force involving the United Nations, the

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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Arab League, Iraq’s new military, and those of nearby nations. It is likely this configuration would be better received than U.S. and British forces, and all have expressed a willingness to do so. As Mr. Wood concludes, I also hope our administration can admit to a “horrible mistake” and change its present strategy. Charles McGlashan, Supervisor District 3, Southern Marin, County of Marin

Jim Wood is correct in stating that the Project for the New American Century is why we’re in Iraq. But PNAC may have more to answer for than that. In a 2000 report, it lamented starting on world military domination “absent some catastrophic event—like a new Pearl Harbor.” Then in August, 2001, President Bush was handed intelligence warning, among other things, “Bin Laden determined to strike in U.S.” Those whom the president turned to for advice were the very ones seeking “a new Pearl Harbor.” Perhaps, therefore, it’s not surprising 1200 4th Street (corner of 4th and “B”), San Rafael (415) 453.3580

that when presented with clear warning of an attack, they did so little to prevent it. Bob Platt, San Rafael

Elegant and Timeless

No-No!

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Marin Magazine is the best! What wonderful

Quality is Handmade

taste. But please tell the designer/contractor featured in the “Book Taste” article that stripping books of their dust jackets is a definite no-no! I shudder to think of those first editions. Also, there’s value in book jackets. We must discourage those who are inclined to destroy them. Margery Nevers, Tiburon

Correction: The story “For the Love of Stinson,” in the August/September issue of Marin Magazine, erroneously stated that Stinson Beach has, among other things, “one stoplight.” For the record, Stinson Beach does not have a stoplight. Marin Magazine apologizes for this error.

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Letters to the editor may be edited for brevity and clarity. Send letters to Marin Magazine, One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965 or email to jwood@marinmagazine. com. Our website is marinmagazine.com.

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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I believe the forest knows more than I do. I believe in trusting my instincts. I believe that knowledge sets me free.

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AT A GLANCE OCTOBER

Events around Marin and beyond OCTOBER 6–8

OCTOBER 6–16

Full Moon Holiday

Contemporary Dance

Mill Valley Film Festival

Celebrate the eve of Jewish Rosh Hashanah; “the head of the year,” and the day before Muslim Ramadan’s month of fasting with the full illumination of the moon.

Make a night of it at the Cowell Theatre at Fort Mason Center (SF). 415.345.7575, printzdance.org

It’s that time of year again, buy your tickets ahead of time, they sell out quickly, venues include CinéArts, 142 Throckmorton Theatre, and Rafael Film Center. ▼

OCTOBER 9

OCTOBER 11

OCTOBER 13–16

Marin Maestro

Need Space?

Mmm Beer

Marin Symphony opens the season with a black tie gala, champagne and a fabulous buffet by McCall Catering. 415.479.8100, marinsymphony.org

California Closets is opening a 5,000 sq foot showroom on Dubois St. in San Rafael. 415.258.4440, californiaclosets.com

Celebrate German heritage at the annual Oktoberfest by the Bay. Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason (SF). 888.746.7522, oktoberfestbythebay. com

▼

OCTOBER 3

OCTOBER 15–16

OCT 19–NOV 6

Rally for a Cure

All Night Long

The Best of Jazz

Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin among others rally for the three day fundraising event at the Harbor Point Racquet & Beach Club (Mill Valley). 415.383.6785, womenstennisclassic.com

Celebrate the re-opening of the de Young: admission is free, and it’s open continuously from noon to 5:30 (SF). 415.863.3330, thinker.org

This year’s SF Jazz Festival includes Madeline Peyroux, Yusef Lateef, Ornette Coleman, and Toots Thielemans at various locations throughout the city (SF). 415.788.7353, sfjazz.org

▼

OCTOBER 14–16

OCTOBER 22–23

Peter Rocks!

Goblin Gamboree!

Frampton fans can relive the glory of the 70’s and his unforgettable classic rock at the Marin Center Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, frampton.com

Wear costumes and get into the Halloween spirit, enroll in witches school, ride a pony and enjoy lots of games and activities for the whole family (Sausalito). 415.339.3900, baykidsmuseum.org

▼

OCTOBER 22

OCTOBER 30

OCTOBER 31

Mask Party

Fall Back

Trick or Treat?

Enjoy art, cocktails, and dance—all in one evening at the Mystery Ball at the Headlands center for the arts (Sausalito). 415.331.2787, headlands.org

Daylight savings ends at 2am, so set your clocks back and get ready for winter.

Planning to take the kids trick-or-treating? According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac the sun sets at 5:12 tonight, so be prepared! ▲

▼

OCTOBER 29

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AT A GLANCE NOVEMBER

Events around Marin and beyond NOVEMBER 1

NOVEMBER 1 & 2

City Arts & Lectures

Move ‘n Groove

Día de los Muertos

Joan Didion, writer on a mission “to witness well,” is interviewed by Dave Eggers, author and co-founder of 826 Valencia at the Herbst Theatre (SF). 415.392.4400, cityarts.net

Enjoy tap mixed with classical and jazz music by renowned dancer Savion Glover (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marincenter.org

Honor those who have passed in this ancient Latin celebration of the continuation of life, check out venues around the bay area.

▼

NOVEMBER 1

NOVEMBER 11

NOVEMBER 12

Glide ‘n Style

Veteran’s Day

Autumn Leaves

The Kristy Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink at the Embarcadero Center opens today thru January 1. (SF). 800.733.6318, embarcaderocenter.com

Activities as the Marin Center kick off at 9:30 am with music, military exercises and more at the Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marincenter.org

Fall color tour in downtown San Rafael lead by a local, certified arborist who will discuss’ the phenomenon of leaf-color change (San Rafael). 415.721.4374, marinreleaf.org

▼

NOVEMBER 9

THRU DECEMBER

NOVEMBER 16

Get Psyched

Holiday Volunteers

Eastern Tango

Kick off the winter season with Warren Miller’s Higher Ground at the Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, warrenmiller.com

Inspired to help others? Contact the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit leadership for a variety of opportunities in Marin County (San Rafael). 415.479.5710, centerforleadershipmarin.org

Experience why the CSÁRDÁS, has been one of the most popular dances of Central Europe for two hundred years (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, csardas.org

▼

NOVEMBER 12

NOV 17

NOVEMBER 19

NOVEMBER 24

Nights in Paris

Hoot Hoot

Thanksgiving

Life is a cabaret at this monthly series of musique and poésie (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com

Bring the kids to Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma for Owl inspired fun and enjoy the final segment of their fortnightly children’s crafts series (Sonoma). 707.933.3010, cornerstonegardens.com

Keep your holidays healthy with the following food safety rules: to be safe, keep turkey and stuffing no longer than three days; two days for gravy.

▼

NOVEMBER 27

Suburban Myth

Urban Dance

This may not be the busiest shopping day of the year, but The Village is rennovated and full of inticing sales and treats (Corte Madera) 415.924.8588, villageatcortemadera.com

BREAK! premieres in Marin with creative hip-hop moves the whole family will enjoy. (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marincenter.org ▼

NOV 25

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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MARIN’S BEST CATERING MENU

Enjoy tastefully designed menus for office events, picnics, theme parties, holiday gatherings, cocktail hours, family dinners, and special occasions.

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POV

Marin’s Character Is Showing

Madera called Writers4Relief. It featured Marin authors

County. Unaware of the tragedy developing

among others. “We couldn’t squeeze in another body,” re-

along the Gulf Coast, I was attending a meeting at St.

called Director of Events Karen West. Upon entering, pa-

Andrew Presbyterian Church in Marin City. The purpose

trons were asked to make a contribution to Hurricane

was to increase awareness about Darfur, the region in

Katrina relief efforts. “The suggested amount was $20,”

Sudan where civil wars have killed 400,000 people and

said West, “but collectively, they each gave ten times that

displaced more than 2 million others.

amount.” West’s final tally showed nearly 200 in atten-

HE DAY NEW ORLEANS was inundated by floods said a lot about the character of Marin

Isabel Allende, Martin Cruz Smith, and Joyce Maynard,

The church was packed—250 people representing

“I can only imagine how much money has poured out of Marin to help those in New Orleans.” —Ross McGowan

And money wasn’t the only thing Marin provided. At

gious, and economic groups. Tiburon’s Gerri Miller, who

the onset of Hurricane Katrina a Mill Valley firefighter, a

organized the event, said that when she “fully learned

Tiburon anesthesiologist, and a Novato crane operator

what was happening in Darfur, I had no choice but to

all went to the Gulf Coast to provide emergency assis-

get involved.” Lynn Woolsey, Marin’s congressional rep-

tance. Dominican University in San Rafael waived tuition

resentative, said she was not surprised Marin County

for seven students from Louisiana and Mississippi. Marin

was so involved because “you are the most compassion-

City’s Cornerstone Church donated a truckload of cloth-

ate people in the country.” To the audience, involve-

ing and supplies. “We all just pitched in,” says parishioner

ment meant participating in Dear Sudan, Love Marin,

John Logan. “That’s our social responsibility.” By work-

a campaign dedicated to contacting national and world

ing a Saturday car wash, Marin Academy students raised

leaders and raising $40,000 within Marin to increase

an amazing $7,000 (donations included). Not to overlook

awareness and ease the suffering in Darfur.

four-legged hurricane victims, the Marin Humane Society

However, Hurricane Katrina soon crept into the

offered shelter to hundreds of dogs and cats.

evening’s conversation. When TV personality Ross

A telling final anecdote involves a small, family-

McGowan, who lives in Mill Valley, was introducing

owned store. The day after the Marin City gathering on

Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.), who has toured Darfur

Darfur, I visited Knight’s Hardware in Tiburon. On its

many times, he referred to Marin’s compassion. “I can

well-worn counter sat a makeshift collection box bearing

only imagine,” he said, “how much money has poured

a hand-lettered message: “CONTRIBUTE CHANGE FOR

out of Marin today to help those in New Orleans.”

VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA.” Through a jagged

Now, much of what McGowan’s imagined can be

opening, I saw coins, along with a healthy amount of pa-

quantified. One example involves the Marin Community

per money, even a few checks. Along the bottom of the

Foundation, a 19-year-old nonprofit that has raised and

box were scrawled the words: “KNIGHT’S HARDWARE

distributed hundreds of millions of dollars to local causes.

WILL MATCH WHATEVER AMOUNT IS COLLECTED.”

“When Hurricane Katrina struck, we knew we had to act

A week later, I was once again in Knight’s Hardware

and act fast,” says MCF President Thomas Peters. What the

and, not seeing the Hurricane Katrina box, asked Jeff

foundation did, in conjunction with the Marin Independent

Knight where it was. He answered somewhat sheepish-

Journal, was run ads titled “A Time to Help.” By mid-

ly: “After three days, I had to cut it off at $1,200, that’s

September, according to Peters, readers had contributed

a lot for a small business like mine to match.”

tions ranging from several dollars up to $50,000. Another indicator of Marin’s caring and generosity was a hastily assembled event at Book Passage in Corte

06_037_POV.indd 36

dance with contributions exceeding $43,000.

a beautiful blend of Marin’s generational, ethnic, reli-

over $250,000 to the Emergency Relief Fund, with dona-

BY JIM WOOD

In precarious times such as these, it’s good to live among people who care. That’s my point of view; what’s yours? E-mail jwood@marinmagazine.com.

PH OTO: BAR BARA RIES

Response to Katrina—and Darfur—speaks volumes

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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SNAP HAPPENINGS

Sausalito Art Festival This year’s gala, The Pop Art Hop, kicked off yet another successful Labor Day weekend of entertainment and eye candy at the Sausalito Art Festival. Sponsors including Mollie Stone’s, Bank of the West, Kitchen Works, Cintas, and the Mendocino Brewing Company, along with artists and art enthusiasts gathered for the black-tie-optional soiree. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous bevy of treats catered by McCall & Associates. While browsing the art booths, Joseph Lillis, Tracy Bell, Paul Anderson party-goers caught celebrity sightings such as Broadway star Linda Lavin (remember the sitcom Alice?), dipped into ﬂowing chocolate fountains, and took a trip down musical memory lane with the band WAR—who after nearly half a decade can still rock the house. An appropriate start to the entire weekend, assuring Sausalito Art Festival its number one place in outdoor ﬁne art festivals.

P HOTOS: SH ERI MONTG OM ERY, GARY FERBER

Alan Rappaport, Alison Bedard

Gail and Ron Stork, Mary Chase

Anna Boucher

Mark Trotter

Pop Hop

Linda Lavin, Steve Backunas

Kristen Calergari, Angelo Damante

Elaine Kramer

Ellyna Berglund

Dennis Scremin

Wendy Gruber

David Gackley

Dave Bennett

Mike Stone

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SNAP HAPPENINGS

Around Town Lark Theater Turns One! The house was packed with supporters decked out in deco style. The natty crowd came out to celebrate the first anniversary of the renovation of Lark Theater which was originally built in 1936 and recently turned into a stateof-the-art movie theater. “It was a fabulous event” says Executive Director, Bernice Baeza. Left Bank Restaurant created a tasty seafood/ oyster bar, and special thanks goes to See’s Lisa Graeber, Robert Wintrode Candies and Grove Street Winery.

Donna Huggins and Chuck Huggins

Bernice Baeza

Collette Sell

Carol Svetcov

Madeleine Ballard

Attention All Bookies

Pump House Pride!

Literary types gathered at RNM, author Robert Mailer Anderson’s restaurant in San Francisco, this summer to raise funds and awareness for Litquake an eight day event running October 7 thru the 15th. The event begins on an auspicious note with the festival’s grand opening—a ﬁftieth anniversary reading of Allen Ginsberg’s Howl at the Herbst Theater—to be followed by eight days of events including author/celebrity pairings of seminal Bay Area authors including Jack London, Mark Twain, Gertrude Stein, Dashiell Hammett, Jack Kerouac, Randy Shilts and others being read by the likes of Daniel Handler, Martin Cruz Smith, Cintra Wilson, Armistead Maupin, Peter Coyote and Barry Gifford and more. Go to litquake.org for speciﬁc times and dates. Cynthia Wood

Krystyna Sonnenberg Rick Hubbard

Robert Beadle

Ishmael Reed

Barbara Bersche

Adrienne Meyers, Gary Widman, Richard Torney

Richard Torney accepted this award on behalf of Marin Art and Garden Center from the California Heritage Council for preserving the original pump house. The building was originally built for the estate, called Sunnyside, owned by newlyweds George and Annie Ross Worn in 1863. It is now known as Moya Del Pino library is most commonly recognized by its unusual octagon shape.

PH OTOS: L ARK THEATER: TERRY PEC K

Sandy Svetcov

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SNAP HAPPENINGS

Charitable Choices Looking Good

Betsy Vobach

Melissa Prandi

Tracey Warson

Tracy Tuens-Way

Becky Pringle

Victoria Silverman

The ladies looked fabulous in the Carlisle collection this summer at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon to benefit Hospice of Marin. Wells Fargo, Frank Howard Allen, and Mercer Human Resources presented this year’s event. It included a luncheon, and an informative talk by Dr. Desiree Backman, nutritionist for the State of California, as well as an informal fashion show previewing this season’s finery from New York– based Carlisle. Committee members included Nancee Rubinstein, Victoria Heiges, Becky Pringle, and Betsy Little.

Sandra Farris, Lynn Lubbock

Spotlight on a Cure Sausalito-based Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recently brought the wine country to the Presidio in San Francisco with “Spotlight on a Cure”, a wine, beer, and gourmet food tasting that encouraged guests to sip, savor, and sway to live music. This year’s event was chaired by Jill Charley, Alison Bailey Ve r c r u y s s e , J e n n i f e r Paulson, Amanda Carlson, Julie Plunkett, and Louise $10,000 for an excellent cause —to find a cure for cystic ﬁbrosis and improve the lives of those currentAlexandra Montana on Manheim

N.V. Classic

ly living with this devastating disease. Craig Vercruysse, Tyler Bennett

Movers, shakers and jumpElizabeth Kilham on Romalenka

ers from around the Bay Area came together in July

for the Napa Valley Classic, an equestrian event which raises money for the Classic’s Youth Grant Council as well as the Arts Council of Napa Valley which beneﬁts county youth.

Jill Charley, Alison Baily Vercruysse

Amanda Carlson, Julie Plunkett

Chip Bailey

PH OTOS: N.V. CL AS SIC : M ARG OT D UANE/ LOOKING: CRAIG H OLT

Andrews and raised over Jennifer and Joe Montana

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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SNAP BUSINESS

News Worthy

Peter Kelly, Eric Strecker, Keith Shea, Charlie Gilbride

Jadora–ble

Kimberley Guilfoyle Newsom, Melissa Brown John Gulick, Alison Legge

Bay Area Bliss

Terry Nelson, Toni Knorr, Diane Nelson

Apparently Bay Area beauties bought so many Bliss products, the company decided to open a Bliss Spa here at the swanky W Hotel in San Francisco. Watch Sex in the City as you get a manicure/pedicure, or choose from the long list of spa therapies. It’s not necessary to stay at the hotel after a day of pampering. . . but why not?

Sausalito resident Alison Legge has opened her new Jadora Showroom on Union Street featuring furniture and home furnishings made in Vietnam using American wood, Spanish ﬁnishes, German hardware, Thai silk, and Italian textiles.

Designer, Erin Mahoney

Designer, Moira Rebe

Berina Sehovic

SF Fashion Week

Adam Kamlet, Lissa Lowe

Fussy Ts Marin moms crossed the bridge to celebrate the launch of Lissa and Adam’s new line of clothes for tots—Fuss.

Fashionistas and celebrities from the Bay Area gathered again this year at the Palace of Fine Arts to celebrate the wealth of talented emerging and established local fashion designers. The week consisted of runway shows, music, art, and parties including the Sweatfree Campaign by Global Exchange to celebrate San Francisco’s passage of the strongest sweatshop-free legislation in the country. Sarah Buder, Don Buder

Designer, Samuel Taylor

PH OTOS: FASH IO N: SHERI MONTG OMERY / BLIS S : D REW ALTIZER

What a Week

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SNAP COMMUNITY

Celebrate art and music Art of Music

Peg Copple, Giulina Pinto

Kay Carlson

Leonard Kaprielian

Dennis Scremin

names tk tk tk Georgette Osserman

Frederick Warhaneck

Ann Arnott

PH OTOS: S HE RI MONTG OM ERY / OPPOS ITE PAG E: SA M ANTH A TOFF OLI

Jett Walker

Joseph Lillis

The Sausalito Art Festival kicked off its season with the Art of Music Exhibition at the Bay Model in Sausalito. The event celebrated art that reflects music and included work from festival artists. Over 150 community members and artists gathered to witness grants being presented to emerging artists.

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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Shared Path

Trail Mix The State Park Service, Marin Horse Council, Mount Tam Interpretive Association, and the Alpine Club among other groups came together to celebrate the opening of the new Coast View Trail. This 2.2-mile route will replace the Coastal Laura Wong, Joe Humphrey Fire Road, and, as its name states, promises sweeping coastal views—on a sunny day.

Jim Jacobsen, Dave Boyd

PH OTOS: SH ERI MONTG OME RY / O PPOS ITE PAGE: SA M ANTH A TOF FOLI

Connie Berto, Martin Unversaw

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FASHION

Party Girls

HOLIDAY DRESSES THAT DAZZLE

Black silk chiffon skirt and black silk cut velvet top by Lea Ditson, $350 and $300 at Lea Designs (Ross) 415.461.4804. Silk georgette and chiffon dress by Lea Ditson, $800 at Lea Designs. “Y” necklace with pave diamonds and garnet, $3,400. Silk wrap dress by BCBG Max Azria, $280 at Viva Diva (San Rafael) 415.256.8380. Pavé drop silver and diamond earrings, $1280. Silver & gold smokey quartz and diamond ring, $1,400. All jewelry by David Yurman at Shreve & Co. (San Francisco), 415.421.2600.

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FASHION

ADD A LITTLE SPARKLE TO THE SEASON WITH PARTY DRESSES FOR GROWN-UPS

he season to shimmer, sparkle, and swing is now upon us. We are fortunate to have two extremely talented designers in our midst. Lea Ditson of Lea Designs works with each client to create dresses that fit her personality as well as her body. Catherine Jane manages to be both hip to fashion trends and completely unique. Her designs are sexy, sophisticated and always a little surprising.

Clockwise from upper left: White chiffon dress by Alexander McQueen at Nordstrom (San Francisco) 415.243.8500. Black velvet and peau de soie cocktail dress by Tadashi, $308 at www.tadashicollection.com. Pleated taffeta dress by Banana Republic, $168 at Banana Republic (Corte Madera) 415.924.3330. Dove gray camisole and charcoal sequined ﬂared skirt, both by Douglas Hannant, $1320 and $1935 at Saks Fifth Avenue (San Francisco) 415.986.4300. Tulle party dress by Banana Republic, $168 at Banana Republic. Bronze lamé cocktail dress by Carolina Herrera, $3590 at Neiman Marcus (San Francisco) 415.362.3900. Wool jersey dress with bronze lace by Catherine Jane, $325 at Catherine Jane (Mill Valley) 415.381.1255. LuLu shoes in bronze by Jean Michel Cazabat, $489 at Item (Larkspur) 415.925.0109. Printed lace dress by Catherine Jane, $475 at Catherine Jane.

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FASHION

life style Name Dennis Kohn Home Sausalito Occupation Travel Photographer/Artist What are you wearing? An Armani ribbed T-shirt, Hugo Boss silk and cotton slacks, and a Zegna linen shirt. I probably got them all somewhere in New York. The silk vest is from Zimmerman, an L.A. designer. Zegna belt from Wilkes, Kenneth Cole shoes. The ring and pin are by Isabelle Posillico, a jeweler in Santa Rosa. Where would you wear this outfit? Perhaps to a chic local event like the recent launch party for the wonderful new Marin Mag or to dinner in the city. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? Fifteen to 20 minutes depending on beard trim and shave. Describe your personal style. I don’t like anything ﬂashy. To me style is simple, casual, and above all, comfortable. Who are your fashion influences? No particular inﬂuence. Just particular looks that resonate with me. Favorite designers? I tend to be drawn to designers whose style is more casual and understated. Helmut Lang or Zegna would be favorites. Where do you love to shop in Marin? Unlike women, men do not really have any wonderful boutique shops in Marin except, 52

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perhaps, Wilkes. So I shop in the city or in other countries while traveling. What is always in your bag? My camera bag always has a Hasselblad camera, a cell phone, and a PDA. What is the single most essential piece in your wardrobe? A black linen shirt that I can throw on last minute and go anywhere in. What would you never be caught dead in? Big-print, Hawaiian-style shirts. What do you splurge on? I probably have more eyeglasses than any person I know. I am wearing Gold & Wood frames made in Paris that are actually made of a two-tone wood. I have others by Alain Mikli, Oliver Peoples, and Theo. I also have two pairs of hand-carved horn frames that I believe are from Germany. What is your best cheapo secret? Gold Toe socks. What’s your fashion pet peeve? Adults who try to dress like children. What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought? Many years ago I purchased a beautiful light blue Italian linen Canali suit for a wedding I was attending in Laguna Beach. I think I wore it three times, making it the most expensive purchase per usage. Did it make you happy? No. It was really out of my price range at the time and I felt like the suit was wearing me instead of me wearing the suit. If your life had a sound track, what would it be? I would probably go with Chariots of Fire. If the question asked for the song of my life I would probably go with The Long and Winding Road by the Beatles. MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005 GreenApple_1005_v3.indd 1

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FYI PERFORMING ARTS

Let the Season Begin! Marin Symphony’s Alasdair Neale shares his vision for 2005-06

BY TERRY BREJLA

“I love the audiences in Marin,” Neale says. “They are a bright group that is very demanding. I like that. It makes us play better. I have also enjoyed the opportunity to get to know and explore much of Marin. It’s a wonderful place.” Neale also is music director of the Sun Valley Summer Symphony in Idaho and performs as guest conductor for symphonies in Seattle, San Antonio, and elsewhere. The Marin Symphony, consisting of about 80 professional and amateur musicians, many of whom also play for the San Francisco Ballet and San Francisco Opera orchestras or sub for the San Francisco Symphony, makes its home at the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium by the Civic Center. Unlike its larger San Francisco counterpart, which has a 35-week season, the Marin Symphony presents six programs a season, each performed twice, on Sunday and Tuesday evenings. “It’s a challenge to program a short season,” Neale says. “We want to make sure we combine the familiar with repertoire that challenges the audience.” The 2005-06 season kicks off October

A native of Scotland and now a resident

playing Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F

Gershwin’s Piano Concerto

of San Francisco, Neale builds on his dozen

Major. Kahane is the outgoing music direc-

in F Major sound to open

years of experience as associate conductor

tor of the Santa Rosa Symphony. “Jeff and

the Marin Symphony’s 53rd season this

of the San Francisco Symphony and mae-

I have been friends for many years,” says

fall, they will also mark the beginning of

stro of the San Francisco Youth Orchestra

Neale. “This will be the first time we have

Alasdair Neale’s ﬁfth season as the group’s

to bring Marin County an engaging annual

had an opportunity to appear together.”

music director.

repertoire of classical music.

Also on the program are works by deFalla, Ravel, and Debussy.

Marin’s Violins Support Youth Programs Look for Marin’s Violins, displayed at the concert on opening night. Hand-painted violins by local celebrities and artists will be auctioned off and sold through rafﬂe tickets to beneﬁt Marin Symphony and Marin Symphony youth programs. To learn more and view violins online, go to www.marinsymphony.org and click on Opening Night Gala.

On November 13 and 15, the symphony features Axel Strauss, the ﬁrst German artist to win the coveted Naumburg Violin Award. He will perform Brahms’s passionate Violin Concerto in a program that also includes works by Elgar and Mozart.

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PH OTOS COURTESY OF M ARIN SYMP H ONY

9 and 11 with guest soloist Jeffrey Kahane HEN THE FIRST notes of

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“Strauss is an exceptional talent,” says Neale. “I am so glad we are able to bring him to Marin.” The January 22 and 24 program features the Marin Symphony timpanist Tyler Mack performing Kraft’s dynamic Timpani Concerto No. 1. “Tyler Mack does things with the timpani you never thought were possible,” says Neale. “This is a program that I especially am looking forward to bringing to our audience.” Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 and “Carnival” round out the program. On March 5 and 7, the symphony features violinist Leila Josefowicz performing Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in a program that also includes a new Magnum Opus commission and the popular “Scheherazade” by Rimsky-Korsakov. The next program of the season, April 2 and 4, features Ravel’s Minuet from Piano Sonatine orchestrated by Neale. Pianist Melvin Chen will play Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major. “I have wanted to work with

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Melvin Chen for years,” says Neale. “He’s the real deal and a good reason to come and enjoy this program.” The program concludes with Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.

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“We certainly are not trying to discourage Marin residents from going over the Golden Gate Bridge to enjoy good music,” Neale says. “We want them to know that the Marin Symphony is playing at the top of its game and that they have excellent symphonic music right in their own back yard.” For more detailed information, go to

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9/9/05 5:16:52 PM

Deborah Hoke Smith Wealth Management Services Bank of Marin

She managed millions for a Fortune 500 company. Now she’s ready to do the same for her neighbors. Meet Deborah Hoke Smith. She’s been helping savvy investors grow their money for over 25 years. But now she’s at Bank of Marin doing something she’s always wanted to do: “work closely and in-depth with people in my community.” Lucky you. To learn how Deborah can provide you a personalized approach to financial planning and investment management, call her at our Wealth Management Services department at 415-927-8900. For more information visit www.bankofmarin.com

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FYI ARTS

Headline Here Deck Goes here

A Phoenix Rises in Golden Gate Park The new de Young makes a triumphant debut

BY ANNE CRUMP RAY

FTER 10 YEARS, two failed bond

The building is clad in perforated cop-

“We wanted to make a visual connection to

measures, a Sisyphean capital

per that both ﬁlters and reﬂects light and

the park.”

campaign, and countless other

whose color will change over time to earthy

Plans for the new building provoked

bumps in the road, the de Young Museum in

shades of cinnamon and green. Located

substantial debate. Critics saw the contem-

Golden Gate Park reopens October 15 in a

near the Japanese Tea Garden and the

porary geometric design as a hulking metal

dazzling new skin. The former in-

PH OTOS: COU RTESY OF TH E D E YOUNG MUSEUM

carnation of the de Young had be-

box that detracted

“This design is more open than the old de Young. We wanted to make a visual connection to the park.” —Pierre de Meuron, architect

come a crumbling

from Golden Gate Park’s natural beauty, and they challenged the plans

historical curiosity by the time it closed in

California Academy of Sciences (currently

for its development. But the persistence

December 2000. The rebuilt 293,000-

undergoing its own revamping and slated

of the museum’s leadership—notably that

square-foot museum contains twice the ex-

for a 2008 reopen), the museum also incor-

of Dede Wilsey, president of the board

hibition space of its predecessor in a foot-

porates the landscape into its design with a

of trustees for the Fine Arts Museums of

print that is 37 percent smaller.

series of courtyards, conceived by Oakland

San Francisco, which encompasses the de

landscape architect Walter Hood, that con-

Young and the Legion of Honor—paid off,

nect the building’s interior to the park.

and the result is a facility that looks every

Its bold design, by the renowned Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, is certain to make the de Young one of the

“This design is more open than the old

Bay Area’s preeminent cultural landmarks.

de Young,” says architect Pierre de Meuron.

bit as impressive as its $202 million price tag suggests.

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When voters twice rejected bond measures to finance reconstruction of the de Young, Wilsey made it her mission to collect $188 million from private donors. In addition to Pritzker Prize–winning architects, that money funded a nine-story education tower offering views of Golden Gate Park and the surrounding city, floors made of Italian porphyry stone and sustainably farmed eucalyptus, handblown glass light fixtures for the museum’s café, a two-level retail store, and site-specific commissions by four celebrated contemporary artists. The commissions—a stone “fault line” by Andy Goldsworthy, a hanging installation by Kiki Smith, a large-scale mural by Gerhard Richter, and an outdoor “skyspace” by James Turrell—contribute to the museum’s holdings of contemporary art and emphasize the overall diversity of its collection. “We have a great variety of art,” says

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and South America, Africa, and Oceania; and textiles from around the world. The de Young traces its beginnings to 1895, when the building designed to showcase fine art at the California Midwinter International Exposition was named a memorial museum for the city of San Francisco. Its initial holdings were artifacts from the exposition. In the decades that followed, the museum underwent a series of expansions and renovations under the direction of Michael H. de Young, cofounder of the San Francisco Chronicle and chair of the 1894 exposition. The museum’s collection continued to grow through most of the 20th century until the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake dealt a nearcatastrophic blow. By 1997 the building was no longer deemed safe for exhibitions, leading the Fine Arts Museums board to initiate a rebuilding plan. The new de Young includes more than 84,000 square feet of gallery space to dis58

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play objects from its permanent collection as well as host fine art photography and special exhibitions. The exhibitions scheduled for the museum’s opening reflect the breadth of its scope: Hatshepsut: From Queen to Pharaoh, containing almost 300 objects dating from 1473 to 1458 B.C., which next will travel to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; Catherine Wagner, the Bay Area artist’s contemporary photographic work presented in dialogue with the museum’s permanent collection; Masterworks of American Photography, a selection of significant pictures from the de Young’s collection appearing alongside works from the Prentice and Paul Sack Photographic Trust; Jasper Johns: 45 Years of Master Prints, a survey of Johns’s print output; and Elder Arts 2005, 100 works by participants in art programs administered by Eldergivers, a community organization serving Bay Area nursing facilities. Admission to the galleries ranges from $6 to $10, but there is no charge to enter the education tower (which includes conservation, research, and education facilities, as well as the observation deck), the Piazzoni Mural Room (which houses Gottardo Piazzoni’s 10 large-scale murals of the California landscape, created in 1931–32 for San Francisco’s old Main Library), the Koret Auditorium, the café, the museum store, the central Wilsey Court, and the children’s gallery. The museum’s outdoor spaces—whose highlights include the Barbro Osher Sculpture Garden, the children’s sculpture garden, and such fixtures from the original de Young as the Pool of Enchantment, the sphinx sculptures, and the 100-year-old palm trees—are also accessible without charge. The de Young, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 415.863.3330 (24 hours) or 415.750.3600, thinker.org; 9:30–5:15 Tue–Sun, 9:30–8:45 Fri, closed Mon; $10 adults, $7 seniors, $6 ages 13–17 and students with ID, free for museum members and ages 12 and under; $2 discount for Muni Fast Pass or transfer holders; free the first Tue of each month. MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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FYI BOOKS

Winner Takes All Author Terry Ryan’s best-selling memoir about her contesting mother wins big on the silver screen BY SAMANTHA SCHOECH

HEN EVELYN RYAN died in

How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words

by entering contests—writing poetry, prose,

1998 her ten adult children were

or Less, Terry Ryan’s memoir about her moth-

and jingles to win thousands of dollars, doz-

so grief-stricken they decided

er, a book she says she wrote because she

ens of appliances, food, luggage, and trips.

“just couldn’t live without her.”

In the process she deﬁes her alcoholic hus-

to bring her back to life. It fell to Terry “Tuffy” Ryan, the writer of the group, to do the major

At its heart the book, which spent two

band, their relentless money troubles, and

resurrecting, but all the siblings helped out

months on the New York Times best-seller

the stereotypes about homemakers to be-

by providing memories and anecdotes. The

list, is a celebration of Evelyn, a 1950s house-

come more than a woman struggling for her

result is The Prize Winner of Deﬁance, Ohio:

wife who kept her considerable family aﬂoat

family. She becomes a symbol of love, re-

AU THOR PHOTO: PATR IC IA HOLT

Booksellers Recommend their favorite armchair travelogues The Flower Shop by Leonard Koren (Stonebridge, $20)

Catﬁsh and Mandala by Andrew Pham (Picador, $14)

Sun After Dark: Flights into the Foreign by Pico Iyer (Vintage, $13)

“San Francisco author and artist Ko-

“The story of Pham’s solo bicycle

“Iyer’s travels take him (and us) on

Without Reservations: Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach (Random House, $15)

ren spent a year in a Viennese ﬂower

odyssey to Vietnam, the country of his

adventures all around the globe, from

“Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist

shop he describes as a place of inspi-

birth. A poignant, often funny, adven-

Bali to Bolivia to southern Yemen. All

Steinbach decides to take a sabbatical

ration, refuge, and virtue. The book

turous, and eye-opening exploration of

the while he contemplates what it

to refresh her sense of self. She travels

has lots of wonderful photographs

a young man’s search for his cultural

means to live in a time when traveling

alone to Paris, Oxford, and Milan. You

and it’s really enlightening for anyone

identity. It combines all the elements

is so remarkably easy and quick. A

feel like you’re really on a trip with her.

involved in art and commerce.”

of my favorite travel writers: Theroux,

wonderful book.”

It’s both a travelogue and a book about

—STEVE COSTA

Steinbeck, Twain.”

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self-discovery—a good read.”

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sourcefulness, and the beneﬁts of what she

her magnum opus until she was 54 (Ryan is

morning when she was still too ill to make a

calls her “winning attitude.” She is the picture

the author of two earlier books of poetry,

television appearance, her sibs came to the

of inspiration wrapped in a Playtex Mold ’n

from Druid Heights Press). “It changed my

rescue once more. “They’re ecstatic,” she says

Hold girdle. As Jennifer Foote Sweeney wrote

life in every possible way,” she says from her

of their reaction to the book’s success.

in an early review on Salon, “I (have) accept-

home in San Francisco.

ed Evelyn Ryan as my personal savior.”

The family is about to reunite again. In

During ﬁlming outside Toronto, in a land-

October they will all attend the opening of

Now this unassuming midwestern house-

scape that resembles the Defiance of the

the movie in Deﬁance, where the townspeo-

wife who excelled at writing and struggled

1950s and ’60s, Terry acted as a consultant.

ple, delighted with their moment of fame,

with housekeeping is being played on the

At one point her entire family was invited to

are throwing a party.

big screen by Julianne Moore. The movie version of The Prize Winner of Deﬁance, Ohio opens nationwide on October 7 and

The breathtaking debut

“She is the picture of inspiration wrapped in a Playtex Mold ’n Hold girdle.” —Jennifer Foote Sweeney

also stars Woody Harrelson

of Prize Winner is a success story worthy of Evelyn Ryan, who was once accused by her husband of being “too

as Ryan’s father and Laura Dern as Evelyn’s

the shoot, and all ten Ryan siblings got to be

damned happy.” But while the success is a

best friend and fellow “contester.”

in the movie, playing themselves.

very pleasant surprise, Terry says, it is not

The journey from Ohio übermom to

But the book has been a family affair since

the point: “I’ve read a lot of books that say

Hollywood screen character started in 2001

the beginning. During her publicity tour a few

all you have to do is believe in something

when Robert Zemeckis of DreamWorks read

years ago Ryan was accompanied by some

and it will happen. Well, I was so believing. I

the book, fell in love, and bought the film

of her siblings. When they were in Cincinnati,

knew I had to write this book. Its success did

rights. This was a whirlwind dream come true

she came down with the flu and was too

not matter, only that I accomplished it and

for the daughter who had “wanted to be a

sick to do a reading scheduled for the eve-

brought Mom back to life. And so I guess we

writer since grade school” but didn’t publish

ning. Her siblings stepped in for her. The next

did that. And I’m so thrilled.”

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FYI HOME

Counter Choices New products like lava stone are brightening up kitchens across the country

BY MIMI TOWLE

Granny Smith Vulcanite tiles installed

HILE KITCHENS HAVE become

stone,” she continues, “is a wonderful prod-

Another option for lava stone is a 3-by

the centerpiece of today’s ﬂoor

uct. It does not stain and comes in a won-

2-foot tile called Vulcanite, produced by

plan, countertops are the pièce

derful variety of colors. You can also use the

San Jose–based Fireclay Tile. Founder Paul

de résistance when it comes to defining a

same edge details as with marble and gran-

Burns explains its success: “Vulcanite was

certain style. Carrera marble translates to

ite.” Another designer, Sue Fisher King of

developed for people who love the beauty

timeless elegance; granite, durable beauty;

San Francisco, liked the look of lava stone so

and durability of ceramic tile, but hate the

and concrete, cool contemporary. Not only

much she refurbished her entire Sacramento

grout [the large tile size reduces the amount

do these potentially pricey slabs have to

Street store with it. “What’s not to like? It’s

of grout by 95 percent]. Glaze colors from

look fabulous, but they also need to resist

practical and beautiful,” she says. “Many of

white to golden yellow to royal blue are

stains and scorching heat in order to com-

my clients have had granite, marble, and

available that you can’t get in granite.”

pete. Fortunately, more and more products

concrete, and now they want a little color.”

And, he adds, “it’s less expensive than other

are meeting these criteria, creating a variety

She also sells ready-made tables in a rain-

lava stones, because it’s not imported (most

of options for the consumer.

bow of colors made from the same type of

brands are) and its smaller size makes it

“People are becoming a little more daring

lava stone imported from France. The tables

easier to ship.” Best of all, it can even be in-

by using more interesting materials such as

range from $2,000 for a 20-inch round ta-

stalled over an existing countertop as in the

lava stone, stainless steel, zinc, and quartz-

ble to $15,000 for a large rectangle. “They

photo above. Go ahead—choose lemon yel-

ite,” says Diane Einstein, a designer in Marin

are virtually indestructible, whether they are

low, sky blue, magenta, or whatever color

and San Francisco for over 20 years. “Lava

indoors or outside,” says King.

suits your own personal style.

054-069_FYI.indd 64

PH OTOS: PAUL BURNS

directly over existing formica.

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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MARBLE, LIMESTONE, & TRAVERTINE Worst Offenders: Almost everything—especially acidic foods like lemon and vinegar. Solution: A neutral (7pH) cleaner like StoneTech Professional Revitalizer should be used as a daily cleaner. Clean up any spills immediately.

GRANITE Worst Offenders: Oil, if left overnight. Solution: Wipe up excess oil along grout or edges as soon as possible; otherwise, use a neutral (7pH) cleaner when necessary.

CONCRETE Worst Offenders: Acidic liquids, citric juices, wine vinegar, and alcohol can etch into the surface. Oil can soak into the ﬁnish. Solution: Avoid abrasive soaps or cleansers; have a diluted bottle of Simple Green or Dr. Bonner’s natural soap on hand for quick cleanups.

STAINLESS STEEL Worst Offenders: Scratches from knives, or steel wool rubbed against the grain. Solution: Become zen and accept the change that time and usage will leave on the surface. For small messes and fingerprints, don’t use water and a sponge—get a stainless-steel-speciﬁc or glass cleaner.

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FYI ENVIRONMENT

Big plans for the pennipeds Marine Mammal Center breaks ground for a major renovation this fall mals, which can affect entire populations and even humans,” says Dr. Frances Gulland, the Center’s director of veterinary science. For instance, last year California sea lions were suffering an outbreak of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can infect many mammals (including people), causing seizure and kidney failure. Staff scientists were able to determine how the bacteria had adapted to sea lions and how the infection spread. With further study they hope not only to cure the patients but also to prevent another outbreak. Because of its expertise in marine mammal health, the Center received a grant of over $500,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to study toxins like domoic acid and other ongoing threats to seafaring populations. As much larger, wetter versions of the proverbial canary in the coal mine, marine mamAbove: Pia, a California sea lion rescuee.

mals are considered

Right: Volunteers rescue an injured adult male

sentinels of the sea

California sea lion in Monterey.

as they share habitat and prey with

HIS MONTH THE MARINE Mammal

A major aspect

Center will begin its long-awaited

of the Center’s suc-

$18 million site renovation, and that’s

cess is the pool of

great news for our community as well as for

800 volunteers

the future generations of sea lions, seals,

who work two dif-

elephant seals, otters, and porpoises along

ferent shifts, seven

the coast. Despite the Center’s worldwide

in 1975. Last year alone, they brought in just

days a week, covering 24 hours. “Being in-

reputation as a research facility and as an

over 700 animals and released close to 350

volved with these animals gives me a chance

educational resource for the 40,000 school-

back into the wild. Headquartered in the

to make a difference with something close

children who visit every year, most locals

Marin Headlands, the organization covers

to my heart,” says Barrie Gross, who volun-

know it as the place to call when they ﬁnd a

600 miles of coast from Mendocino to San

teers on the Wednesday crew. “I am hon-

distressed seal pup. This is understandable,

Luis Obispo, with three satellite locations in

ored to have the opportunity to get so close

considering the staff of volunteers and sci-

Morro Bay, Monterey, and Anchor Bay.

to nature,” says volunteer-turned-staffer Jim

entists has rescued more than 10,000 ma-

“We are the front line of defense when it

Oswald. “Our group became like a family,

rine mammals since the Center’s inception

comes to monitoring disease in these mam-

and our duties gave us an amazing opportu-

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PH OTOS: U PPER, KELLY HUNTINGTON. LOWER, STAN J ENS EN

human beings.

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

9/13/05 11:36:37 AM

nity to learn so much about these animals,”

vide them with their own pens; eventually,

search on the diet and health of sea lions’

he adds. “When we recently heard that a

thanks to donations from individuals such as

counterparts in the wild.

Steller sea lion named Artemis, treated back

Sara Hart Kimball, Geoffrey C. Hughes, and

While overall operations are running

in 1999, was photographed on Año Nuevo

Carol Ann Read, a state-of-the-art surgery

smoothly, the time has come to modernize

Island with her newborn pup, I really felt a

center and hospital was built.

the 12,000-square-foot facility. “Not only will

sense of pride and purpose.” It’s the ﬁrst time

Educational grants are another incremen-

this renovation provide a richer education

a Steller sea lion birth has been recorded in

tal income source, funding such efforts as

and interpretive experience for the public,”

two decades at that wellknown Great White all-youcan-eat buffet; it’s also important because they are a threatened species, and

Executive Director B.J. Grifﬁn

“Our group became like a family, and our duties gave us an amazing opportunity to learn so much about these animals.” —Jim Oswald

Artemis is one of seven ever to be released by the Center.

explains, but “the new layout will benefit our patients by consolidating rooms for diagnosis and treatment and provide a better water fil-

grad student Joelle Sweeney’s study of how

tration system for even better care.” Ground

Over the years, other funds have been

adult California sea lions digest food. With

breaking is scheduled for October and com-

donated as needed. For instance, in 1998 re-

a grant from the National Marine Fisheries

pletion is expected by spring 2007. For more

searchers realized that harbor seal pups are

Service, the Center built a 6,800-gallon

information or to ask about volunteering,

especially vulnerable to diseases from other

tank endearingly dubbed the “poop palace”;

projects, or donations, contact the Marine

animals, so the Center raised money to pro-

Sweeney’s ﬁndings will help further other re-

Mammal Center at 415.246.7325. —M.T.

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9/13/05 11:36:57 AM

FYI PEOPLE

The BayWood Artists A merry band of painters, out to make a difference.

BayWood Artists, standing from left: Christin Coy, Ben Farnham, Zee Zee Mott, Tom Soltesz, Sherrill Miller, Lissa Nicolaus. Kneeling from left: Chris Newhard, Tom Wood, Randy Sexton.

cal press, when they raised money for open space from a group show called Historic California Wineries Past and Present. And the folks who enjoy the expansive vistas of the ridgetop trails can thank the BayWood Artists for their part in saving this pristine coastal access from development. “Now,” says Zee, Zee, with a sun hat tied under her chin, “we are doing an event to support the educational programs run by the Bay Model.” Last April the group joined the Bay Model Association in Sausalito on its research vessel BayQuest for Opening Day on the Bay—and had such a good time they decided to dedicate their next event to Bay Model educaawareness of these issues. Banding together

BayQuest, and JASON Expedition (led by

with a love for the landscape and the abil-

the National Geographic Society). “The

ity to interpret their vision onto a canvas, the

BayWood Artists have been holding sever-

BayWood Artists have been tackling environ-

al shows here through the years,” explains

mental issues one brush stroke at a time.

Alix Spivak, executive director of the Bay

After the success of raising funds to help

Model Association, “and we were thrilled

IF YOU CAN’T FIX IT, PAINT IT. At least

preserve land in Tennessee Valley, the larg-

to hear that they are doing a show to ben-

that is what Zenaida (Zee Zee) Mott of Ross

est untouched woodland of coast live oak

eﬁt our educational programs, which serve

and the rest of her painterly friends have

and California bay trees in the GGNRA,

about 8,000 kids around the Bay Area.”

been doing for the past decade in donating

which is threatened by the nonnative blue

The BayWood Artists Paint the Bay will be

a percentage of their earnings from paint-

gum eucalyptus, they decided to take on

shown in Sausalito at the Bay Model build-

ing sales to speciﬁc nonproﬁt environmental

more issues. Another effort earned them

ing on October 14 at 6 p.m. and is open to

groups and, at the same time, raising public

the headline “Vintner’s Van Goghs” by lo-

the public. —M.T.

054-069_FYI.indd 68

PH OTOS: BA RBA RA RIES

tional programs, including

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

9/13/05 11:37:14 AM

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WINE COUNTRY

BY KATHERINE MARTIN

A Fall Affair AUTUMN IN WINE COUNTRY is a cher-

and the merlot, wine auction galas cannot

FESTIVALS

ished time for locals throughout the region;

be beat. It’s one of the only times in which

Fall is also the time of the festival in wine

tourist hordes have subsided, the weather

you might find a Coppola or a Mondavi tip-

country, and these festivals are, in my opinion,

is ideal, gardens are bursting with bounty,

pling with you at your table, and even the

the best setting in which to discover up-and-

and the frenetic fl ush of harvest reveals a

smallest wine country auctions offer wines

coming wineries that you might not have been

wine industry hard at work and eager to

that are incredibly rare. The Support Our

exposed to elsewhere. The Healdsburg Crush

play. For visitors, the fall and early winter

Canine Heroes Wine Gala (October 1;

Festival (October 8; www.crushfestival.org)

months in wine country offer a social calen-

www.guidedogs.com), a fund-raising event

showcases more than 40 wineries and 15 res-

dar packed with everything from gala auc-

supporting veterinary care for 3,200 guide

taurants from one of the hottest new regions

tions to classical music concerts at the foot

dogs throughout Napa Valley, always attracts

in American food and wine. On November 5

of the vines.

a lively, kindhearted crowd, while Windsor’s

and 6, the Alexander, Russian River, and Dry

Vines & Wines Gala (October 15; www.

Creek Valleys, all at the top of their game in

GALAS

vinesandwines.org) is an elegant black-tie af-

the gourmet world, are joining forces for A

For wine enthusiasts eager to rub elbows with

fair offering an impressive roster of Sonoma

Wine & Food Affair (www.wineroad.com),

the men and women behind the Marsanne

County wine lots.

a drive-around event with 57 winery partici-

PH OTO: BRAD PERKS

WINE COUNTRY COMES ALIVE IN AUTUMN

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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pants that includes food pairings and a cookbook. Neither should be missed and both are an excellent place to pick up those rare pinots and zinfandels for which the area is known. Pinot on the River in Guerneville (October

Winter in the Wine Country~ Napa Valley

28–30; www.pinotfestival.com) is also well worth the drive.

CONCERTS Outdoor living—an essential element in wine country culture—is still in swing during the October and November months, when the brutal heat of summer gives way to a more moderate climate. Outdoor concerts are a wonderful way to experience the season and surround-

Receive $50 off each night this Winter!

ings. Pack a picnic and join Rodney Strong

November 2005 ~ March 2006

Vineyards in Healdsburg for a jazz concert with international acts Euge Groove and Jesse

Be sure to mention Marin Magazine when making your reservation to receive your $50 savings.*

Cook (October 15; www.rodneystrong.com) on the winery lawn, or visit the opulent 19thcentury Napa landmark Churchill Manor for a string trio concert (November 13; www. churchillmanor.com). Both events capture the essence of wine country and are sure to attract

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* Hotel reservations are limited and restrictions may apply.

an equal blend of visitors and locals.

CUISINE The cooling weather brings to mind tables laden with hearty regional cuisine, and there are myriad food events taking place during the fall season. Bartholomew Park Winery in Sonoma hosts a connoisseurs’ class on local artisan and farmstead cheeses with noted cheese expert Sheana Davis, all paired with BP wines (October 1; www.bartholomewparkwinery.com). For the adventurous, Hurley’s Restaurant in Yountville (www.hurleysrestaurant.com) is once again offering its autumnal menu of wild game dishes from November 7 to 12, including seared peppered venison, braised wild boar, and sautéed ostrich medallions. (Make reservations—it’s a popular event.) Autumn in wine country is both lively and

leisurely—a perfect time to both relax and gear up for the holidays ahead. Whether your tastes run toward the beauty of changing rusO O:

set-colored vines or to kicking back on a lawn with a glass of cabernet, you’re sure to find

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153 Ethel Ave., Mill Valley

$ 2,322,500 seller

541 Oak Ave., San Anselmo

$ 3,500,000 buyer

Please call for a private consultation.

Anna K. Pennington-Boucher Luxury Home Specialist anna@worldclassproperties.com 415.860.1399 www.worldclassproperties.com

AnnaBoucher_1005_v3.indd 1

9/7/05 4:40:40 PM

Carmel Valley P HOTO: C OURTE SY O F MONTERRA

Escape to the “other” wine country for your next weekend getaway BY MIMI TOWLE

social events such as the internation-

and recharge, we chose a

ly’s Double H Ranch or soirees at the

years on various occasions, staying at

weekend in Carmel Valley. For decades

Vanderbilts’ summer home. Driving

cozy inns as well as five-star resorts,

this eclectic community has been a

through the valley, one can imagine

and always come back for the plenti-

playground for well-heeled travelers

those days gone by and appreciate the

ful sunshine, fine restaurants, and ru-

seeking warm weather or attending

efforts of those who have worked to

ral landscape.

ECENTLY, WHEN MY husband

preserve the integrity of the valley en-

and I needed to slow down

al polo matches at the Crocker fami-

vironment. We’ve visited the valley for

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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Monterra Build it and they will come

This time, traveling without kids, we opted for the intimate luxury of Bernardus Lodge. Upon arrival we rolled down our windows and breathed in the warm, lavender-infused air just as a helpful valet signaled us to the curb. A bellhop greeted us on the front steps; no checking in at the reception desk, no waiting, and no tipping—it’s all taken care of with a daily gratuity charge. Once we entered our room, I noticed a plate of artisan cheeses atop the shiny copper bar and looked at my husband: Had he ordered this? Seeing my befuddlement, the bellhop smiled. “Chef Cal always welcomes guests on their arrival

“My brother and I created Monterra

walked out the door. The room defined lux-

makes quite

because we love this area and want to

ury with its king-size bed, sitting area with

a n i m p re s s i o n

make it available to others who appre-

fireplace, and granite bathroom with walk-in

when he’s leading

ciate what we have up here,” says Mills.

shower and large soaking tub. Within min-

visitors around

What they have are 168 home sites

utes, I was on the patio taking in the sun and

his brand new

spread out over 1,700 acres (70 home

the views of the Santa Lucia Mountains as an

10,000-square-

sites already sold, with 15 homes built

intense bocce ball game ensued on the large

foot dream home on lot 33 in Monterra,

and 20 under development), panoramic

communal lawn in front of our room.

the private community he created with

views of Monterey Bay, the Santa Lucia

Before dinner we strolled around Carmel

his brother Basil. At ﬁrst blush, this sev-

Mountains, and the Salinas Valley, and

Valley Village, browsing art galleries, coveting

enty-something produce farmer who

283 days of sun a year. The price tag

garden sculptures, and eventually stopping

came from a modest Midwest back-

ranges from $1.5 to $3 million per 2- to

for a glass of wine at the Bernardus Winery

ground personiﬁes old-school charm—he

5-acre lot. If you want a home here, all

tasting room. We were hoping to return to our

is kind, humble, and wildly successful.

plans must meet architectural guidelines

favorite family-owned Italian restaurant, but

He takes the teasing about his home’s

that include a 3,500-square-foot mini-

it had changed hands and become Brunello

excess like a pro. “Well, ya never know

mum. The neighboring development,

Ristorante. After mulling over other choices,

when you’re going to need one,” is his

Tehama, owned by Clint Eastwood, has

including Thai, Mexican, and California cui-

droll defense regarding comments on

90 home sites, with lots from 4 to 17

sine, we decided to go with our original crav-

the 10 bathrooms. “I just don’t like mix-

acres as well as a private golf course

ing for gnocchi and clam linguine at Brunello,

ing the vegetables with meats, and you

and we were not disappointed.

need a separate sink for hand washing,”

sports and fitness facilities, clubhouse,

The next day we woke up to sunshine and

he says with a smile as shows off five

and a bar (shared by both communi-

the New York Times delivered to our room,

stainless-steel Franke sinks in his kitchen.

ties). To ensure sustainability, the Mills

with nothing but spa treatments planned for

Is he moving in? “Sometime soon,” is his

brothers built a state-of-the-art osmosis

the afternoon. However, there is plenty to do

standard response. Actually, word has it

water ﬁltration system and established

in the valley. Golfers can enjoy one of three

he’ll most likely stay in his cozy home in

stringent rules regarding cutting down

championship courses; most resorts have ten-

downtown Salinas, where he can walk to

trees. “We want to preserve the integ-

nis courts on their property; and hikers can

work at Mills Family Farms—one of the

rity of the landscape for the generations

meander for hours along the miles of scenic

largest lettuce producers in the country.

to come,” Mills explains. His wish had

trails of Garland Regional Park. The latest ad-

This new home will continue to be used

already come true as of last summer,

dition to the “things to do” is the Land Rover

(as it has throughout construction) as a

when his seven grandchildren moved in

driving school (the only one on the West

venue for fund-raising events for local

just down the street into their own home

Coast) at the Quail Lodge. Hiking and explor-

organizations and charities.

in Monterra. —M.T.

ing new terrain is our recreation of choice, so we opted for a strenuous hike and then re-

073-076_Go.indd 74

PH OTO: COU RTE SY OF MONTERRA

with a treat from the kitchen,” he said as he

oger Mills

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

9/9/05 2:33:13 PM

The morning sun rises over the vineyard at the entrance to Berndardus Lodge, marked by a Carmel stone wall.

accolades in the past few years for their red varietals. We followed up on suggestions from friends and stopped in at Chateau Julien Wine Estate, famous for its 100 percent merlot varietals; Heller Estate, an awardwinning 100 percent organic vineyard; and Parsonage Village Vineyards, a quaint winery that prides itself on its “intimate yet robust” wine production. After a full day, we returned to Bernardus to visit the spa, read by the pool, and nap. By warded ourselves with a tasty lunch at the

of greens, reds, oranges, and purples at the

the time our dinner reservations rolled around

Earthbound Farm Stand’s Organic Kitchen.

stand was all the enticement we needed to

we were ready to experience Marinus restau-

We were impressed to learn that Earthbound

share a vegetarian sandwich in the garden as

rant, which Zagat dubbed the “best restaurant

Farms, a label we were familiar with at home,

we enjoyed the warmth of the valley sun. On

in the Bay Area for 2005” and Wine Spectator

had started back in the ’80s as a two-and-

the way back to Bernardus we took a mini-

named “best in the world for wine lovers”

a-half-acre raspberry farm and is now the

wine-tasting tour.

twice in a row. Chef Cal Stamenov has earned

largest grower and shipper of organic pro-

Carmel Valley and neighboring Santa

his international reputation with dishes cre-

duce in North America. The delectable array

Lucia Highlands have both earned plenty of

ated from local organic produce from his on-

Go2Marin.com For all your Real Estate Needs…

PH OTO: CO URTESY OF BERNA RD U S LO D GE

O O: C O U

NO. 1 MARIN COUNTY REALTOR 2004 FOR 70 CLOSED TRANSACTIONS ALL COMPANIES – ALL AGENTS

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FHA_Shana_1005_v1.indd 1

073-076_Go.indd 75

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005 75 9/5/05 5:06:40 PM

9/9/05 2:33:29 PM

Other places to stay in Carmel Valley:

site gardens, artisan meats and cheeses, and

CARMEL VALLEY RANCH: This 400-acre

STONEPINE INN: A collection of homes on

sustainable fresh seafood. Our server started

luxury resort and destination spa has re-

330 acres of private land. The main estate,

us off with portobello soup with goat cheese

cently been renovated and has 144 guest

Chateau Noel (once known as the Double H

and white truffle oil, followed by delicious red

suites. Kids stay free. Amenities include in-

Ranch), still has award-winning gardens, and

abalone. We then had seafood saffron risotto

room spa services, yoga and Pilates, a fit-

other artifacts from the original Crocker fam-

and grilled lamb with fava bean–English pea

ness club, golf, indoor and outdoor pools,

ily owners. Amenities include an equestrian

ragout, bacon, and garlic-thyme jus. Preceding

and tennis courts.

center, swimming pools, tennis, a soccer ﬁeld,

Contact: 831.625.9500, wyndham.com

an archery range, a health facility, a four-hole executive golf course, miles of trails for riding,

CARMEL VALLEY LODGE: This dog-friend-

hiking, and mountain biking, and picnic areas.

ly lodge has 31 units, including garden patio

Contact: 831.659.2245, stonepinecalifornia.com

dessert, we were taken on a global cheese-tasting tour as our server explained the origin of each slice he put in front of us. We barely had room for the melt-in-your-mouth beignets and moist chocolate cake.

rooms and one- and two-bedroom cottages with kitchens. Amenities include swimming

QUAIL LODGE: This 850-acre resort, with

On the way back to the room, we stopped

pool, spa, sauna, workout room, game area,

97 luxurious guest rooms including poolside

for a few minutes to bask in the light of the

and tennis courts.

and lakeside lodges, recently underwent a

roaring outdoor fireplace and the warm after-

Contact: 800.641.4646 , valleylodge.com

$25 million renovation. Amenities include

glow of our weekend and our meal. Both had

new Land Rover driving school, golf, a com-

been extraordinary.

GARDINER’S RESORT: The private 25 acres

plete wellness center and spa, whirlpool,

include seven guest rooms and ﬁve two-bed-

swimming pools, and yoga.

room guest homes. Amenities include ﬁtness

Contact: 888.828.8787, quaillodge.com

club, tennis courts, swimming pools, whirlpool, and sauna.

For more lodging and activity information,

Contact: 800.453.6225, gardiners-resort.com

go to carmelvalleychamber.com.

Bernardus Lodge is located 9.5 miles east of Highway 1. Room rates range from $275 for a garden room to $1,870 for a two-bedroom suite, with many options in between. For more information, call 831.658.3400 or visit online at bernardus.com.

NAPA VALLEY’S PREMIER SPA AND FITNESS CENTER

Relaxing indoor and outdoor massages Indulging body treatments Beautifying facials Spa treatments using Health Spa Napa Valley’s natural products

1030 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574 Phone 707 967 8800 napavalleyspa.com • hsnv.com relax@napavalleyspa.com

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005 HealthSpaNapa_half_v2.indd 1

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9/9/05 2:33:42 PM

Certificate Of Authority #082

Full_pg_ad_template.indd 1

9/8/05 10:51:03 AM

LOOKIN

G BACK

Good Only Got Better BY JIM WOOD

Clips from the 1980 Mill Valley Film Festival:

“I REMEMBER THAT first night,” says Mark

ferent directors highlighting the life of the pho-

actor/director Tony Bill (standing behind him is a

Fishkin, founder and executive director of the

tographer Imogen Cunningham, who was 92

young Vanessa Topper, daughter of current MVFF

Mill Valley Film Festival. “The Oddfellows Hall

years old at the time.” Other films shown at

board member Evelyn Topper) and in frame two,

could only hold 200 people, and outside there

the 1978 MVFF—accompanied by their direc-

founder/director Mark Fishkin, then 30 years old.

were probably another 200 waving money

tors, who lived in Mill Valley then—included

and yelling, ‘Let me in, let me in.’ ”

Woodstock, The Candidate, and Who Are The

From the 1982 festival: Grateful Dead guitarist Bobby Weir, Fishkin’s wife, Lorrie (frame three),

Twenty-seven years later, Fishkin trea-

Debolts?, which won that year’s Oscar for Best

and Mark Fishkin (frame four).

sures the memory. “We screened Francis Ford

Documentary. Not bad for a new film festival.

Coppola’s The Rain People, George Lucas’s

“I’m proud of that first year,” Fishkin says.

companion piece on the making of The Rain

Fishkin had arrived in Mill Valley two years

People, and three documentaries by three dif-

earlier as an artistically inclined 26-year-old with one thought in mind: to someday stage

PRESENTING, THE 28TH ANNUAL MILL VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL

a film festival. “I’d been a potter in the Rocky Mountain town of Ouray and was tremendous-

Beginning October 6 and running through the 16th, the 28th

ly impressed with the Telluride Film Festival,”

Mill Valley Film Festival will feature 150 of the best international

he says. “There was no reason it couldn’t be

as well as domestic feature films, documentaries, videos, and

done here, not only because of people living

shorts. “We are proud to once again present the ﬁnest in world

nearby like Coppola and Lucas, but also film-

cinema,” says Founder/Director Mark Fishkin. MVFF’s three

makers like James Broughton, Phil Kaufman,

venues are CineArts @ Sequoia, 142 Throckmorton Theatre

Saul Zaentz, and John Korty. Mill Valley was a

in Mill Valley, and the Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael.

perfect place to celebrate film.”

Schedules and ticket purchasing information is available at www.mvff.com or by calling 925.866.9559.

After 18 months of peripheral work and six more months of intense preparation, with a staff of three, along with a dozen volun-

P HOTOS: C OURTESY OF THE MI LL VAL LEY F IL M FESTIVAL

27 years ago, the Mill Valley Film Festival debut was a success

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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teers—plus $11,000 of his personal savings—

screens at Mill Valley’s Sequoia Theater, each

tival honorees include Jane Fonda, Roberto

Fishkin launched the Mill Valley Film Festival

with 320 seats, and San Rafael’s Christopher

Benigni, Jim Jarmusch, Robert Altman, and

on Friday, August 11, 1978. “We set up folding

B. Smith Rafael Theater with three screening

Ang Lee.

chairs in Oddfellows Hall, which is now 142

rooms able to accommodate 80, 130, and 350

In 1987, the film festival marked a mile-

Throckmorton Theatre, for films that start-

film fans. “This year, we’ll sell over 40,000 in-

stone in independent filmmaking with the pre-

ed at nine o’clock that night,” he says. “Then

dividual tickets,” says Fishkin.

miere of Walking on Water, starring Edward

we followed with a midnight showing at the

That’s understandable, given the festival’s

James Olmos. Fishkin recalls the scene: “After

Sequoia. The next afternoon there were work-

impressive credentials. Past MVFFs have wit-

the showing, agents were so anxious to reach

shops, seminars, and kids’ programs at the old Mill Valley Center for the Performing Arts, which was two rooms at the public golf course.”

their studios—this was pre-cell-phone

“This year, we’ll sell over 40,000 individual tickets.” —Mark Fishkin

The first MVFF was spread over

days—they were scuffling in the lobby to get to the Sequoia’s one pay phone.” Warner Bros. purchased the film and retitled it Stand and Deliver,

three days, had a one-page program (printed

nessed the premieres of box office hits Genghis

which became a smash hit and earned an

on both sides, no ads), and attracted nearly

Blues, Cinema Paradiso, and My Left Foot.

Oscar nomination for Olmos.

2,500 attendees. The 2005 festival will en-

Other debuts have included The Ice Storm,

“For me,” Frishkin says, “it’s an unparal-

compass 11 days (see box) have a glossy 172-

Shine, The Piano, Farewell My Concubine,

leled thrill to walk into a documentary filmed

page program laced with numerous four-color

and On Golden Pond. The festival has paid

by some unknown 22-year-old and come out

ads, and is expected to attract up to 20,000

tribute to actors Tony Bill, Jeanne Moreau,

60 minutes later realizing you’ve just seen the

film buffs. In addition to a small theater at

James Woods, Robin Williams, Joan Allen,

work of a genius.” And that’s happened sev-

142 Throckmorton, 2005’s venues include two

Laura Linney, and Gena Rowlands. Other fes-

eral times. “I’ve been blessed.”

P HOTOS: C OURTESY OF THE M ILL VA LLEY F ILM F ESTIVAL

1/2 HORIZONAL

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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9/12/05 4:22:35 PM

Now In Marin Call today for a free estimate. 415.566.6800 (800.GoCerta) www.cer tapro.com

CentraPro_1005.indd 1

9/7/05 4:48:08 PM

RAMBLING

What Could Have Been

BY BARRY SPITZ

PHOTO: BARBARA RIES

Hiking the Gerbode Valley stirs memories of Marincello A CLASSIC MARIN

turn back; it doesn’t get easier. In early summer,

County hike is a chal-

the grassy hillside is ablaze with wildflowers;

lenging yet enjoyable

later in the year, brilliant native growth lines

circling of pristine

Miwok Trail as you approach the ridge. This is

Gerbode Valley in the

also one of the likelier (although rare) places to

Marin Headlands. In

spot a bobcat or a coyote, possibly a mountain

the 1960s, this valley

lion. There are no intersections for 1.4 miles,

came ever so close to changing from a scene

and then Wolf Ridge Trail enters from the left,

of pastoral beauty to a dense suburb. A com-

which leads, by way of the Coastal Trail, to the

munity of 20,000 residents on 2,138 acres of

surreal Cold War–era Nike base atop Hill 88. If

former dairy land, to be called Marincello, was

you have time, it’s an intriguing side trip.

advanced by the development arm of Gulf Oil,

The Miwok Trail will crest a ridge and open

and the plan was actually approved by the

up to vistas of Mount Tamalpais. Now comes

Marin County Board of Supervisors.

the steepest section yet; it will be a test for

News of this prospect galvanized an emerg-

hikers of every caliber, with rewards of ever-

ing environmental movement and, after a

expanding views. Two quick junctions soon

long battle, Gulf sold the land to the Nature

appear. First, Miwok Trail exits north, drop-

Conservancy. Then in 1972, the conservancy

ping down to the Tennessee Valley parking lot;

deeded the valley, named for conservationist

you are now technically on Bobcat Trail, al-

Martha Gerbode, to the Golden Gate National

though there is no specific demarcation. Then

Recreation Area.

Marincello Trail (another fire road) also departs

Best to enter the Marin Headlands via the

for Tennessee Valley. Take in the awe-inspiring

last exit off Highway 101 prior to the Golden

view of Richardson Bay, its northern end bisect-

Gate Bridge. Double back under the freeway

ed by Strawberry Peninsula. The route—this is

and take the first left, Bunker Road; one and a

still Bobcat Trail—is now mostly downhill. To

quarter miles after you emerge from the famous

the right, a path leads to Hawk Camp, a re-

one-lane tunnel, the Gerbode Valley will be on

mote spot (few amenities, beyond tranquility)

your right. Park in the large, grassy area also

to spend a night. Before long come two miles of

on your right. At the sign reading “Rodeo Valley

perfectly graded descent.

Trail,” cross a wooden bridge, walk a few yards

Near the end, stands of Monterey cypress-

to Rodeo Valley Trail, and follow it to Bobcat

es appear—the first trees you’ll come across in

Trail (first) or Miwok Trail (second). Actually,

the entire hike. Even lower, a row of eucalyp-

both are smooth fire roads, and they reconnect

tus trees mark where a ranch house stood dur-

at the valley’s opposite end, atop the ridge.

ing the valley’s farming days. Soon you’re back

I recommend taking the steeper Miwok Trail

at the Miwok Trail, having completed the six-

up and around the Gerbode Valley, then coast-

mile loop. Depending on your pace, number of

ing back down on the gentle Bobcat Trail. All

breaks, and side trips taken, I estimate it will

told, you’re looking at a six-mile trek.

take you a little less than three hours.

After a level walk to warm up, climbing begins in earnest. Warning: If it feels too tough,

Barry Spitz is the author of numerous Marin County hiking guides.

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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All Seasons

A C AT E R I N G C O M PA N Y

allseasonscatering.com

201 Seminary Drive Mill Valley, CA 415.383.9355 Full_pg_ad_template.indd 1

PHOTOS BY: GLENN JAY

9/15/05 5:35:33 PM

LIFE

Easy Does It A local entertaining expert hosts a holiday open house using local food and decorative sources BY DONATA MAGGIPINTO PHOTOS BARBARA RIES

ASY ENTERTAINING might sound like

ganic and sustainable growing methods and

Offerings also include handmade wreaths and

a contradiction in terms. Try squeezing

the use of natural ingredients.

loose flower bouquets.

“holiday” between those two words

Best of all for holiday entertaining, these

Mill Valley Candleworks handcrafts love-

and contradiction quickly morphs into connip-

brilliant sources offer their wares ready to

ly candles with high-grade food-quality wax-

tion. But does hosting a celebration for family

serve. All you need to do is complement with

es, essential oils, and botanical essences. The

and friends have to be stressful?

condiments where needed and enhance the

candles are not over-fragranced, a key consid-

presentation.

eration for entertaining since fragrance can

Not if you live in a region populated with talented food purveyors and gifted artisans

Our region is also rife with artisans whose

clash with food aromas and flavors. Warm

who, by their sheer existence, lift the burdens

clever hands craft enrichments for enter-

scents such as ginger spice, Polynesian va-

of cooking and decorating from our shoulders

taining. The invitations painstakingly letter-

nilla, and pomelo complement the mood of

and let us enjoy the festivities with our guests.

pressed by Dauphine Press in Petaluma are

the season. The flame casts a wonderful glow, creating a beautiful ambience for a party.

Lucky us. Marin, Napa, and Sonoma are

charming enough to be framed. Sebastopol’s

home to producers of some of the nation’s

Soule Studio’s pottery, in luminous shades

So when your holiday spirit is longing to

leading specialty foods, including Cowgirl

of chalk, peat, and pool, or brie and Nile, or

entertain but the body simply can’t do the

Creamery artisanal cheeses, Straus Family

terre, mango, and sand, make unexpected

work, take a breath, give yourself a break,

Creamery’s organic dairy products, Willie Bird

color riffs on the traditional colors of the sea-

and be thankful we live in a region where

fresh organic turkeys, Niman Ranch natural

son. Among the serving pieces available from

these wonderful businesses thrive.

meats, Olivier dipping oils and tapenades,

Soule are plates, platters, bowls, a cake plate,

An open house is the perfect venue for

Tulocay’s Made in Napa Valley’s savory and

and a bread plate. They’ll bring an uncom-

assembling a festive feast in a beautiful set-

sweet sauces and condiments, Upper Crust

mon dimension to your event.

ting and, to my mind, the least stressful way

Pies, and Divine Delights petits fours and

Organic Bouquet, based in Mill Valley, is

to entertain during the busy holiday season.

confections, among others. Beacons of qual-

an online source of organic flower arrange-

By nature, an open house is informal, fes-

ity and craftsmanship, many of our local food

ments—recognized, in fact, as having es-

tive, and inclusive, as pleasurable for children

providers are also leaders in the return to or-

tablished the organic floral category itself.

as it is for adults. It’s the type of gathering

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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that works with a small or a large group—

of mustards. A variety of crostini topped with

family, friends, neighbors. We host ours on a

tapenades including artichoke–white truffle,

Sunday afternoon in December. Some guests

artichoke–parmesan Reggiano, and kalama-

stop by only briefly for a jovial greeting and

ta–sun-dried tomato. Mushrooms stuffed with

a quick drink. Others settle in for the after-

portobello–roasted shallot duxelles. Risotto

noon, heads bent in relaxed conversation

paella cakes. A showcase cheese board featur-

interspersed with jolts of laughter. Kids and

ing local cheeses, dried and fresh fruits, and

dogs are constantly underfoot.

wildflower honey.

The festivities begin in the foyer. Guests

And that’s just the savories. Sweets in-

are greeted with a cup of warm spiced egg-

clude tropical fruit skewers with chocolate

nog or a chilled champagne cocktail. Adults

fudge and vanilla caramel dipping sauces. A

congregate to converse; children gravitate to

selection of holiday petits fours. An assort-

the crafts table, where they busy themselves

ment of Italian cookies. And one, two, or

making gumdrop garlands—and eating the

three holiday pies.

materials, too.

Filled with foods that can be eaten out of

I offer a light buffet on the table in the

but earned the title nonetheless, having saved

hand, the buffet presentation looks festive with-

dining room. All of the food has been pre-

me so deliciously from my holiday Sturm und

out being too overly glammed-up or glib. This

pared ahead of time and holds up beautifully.

Drang. And need I remind you, I cooked none

year, I’m going with a gentle palette of cream

This is key since it allows me to spend time

of it. Not one thing.

and soft green with small bursts of red. I’ve tak-

with my guests with only a casual eye toward

Here’s the menu: A trio of meats includ-

en my antique French linen laundry bags—off-

replenishing buffet platters. The menu is, of

ing smoked turkey, smoked duck, and apple-

white with red stripes—and laid them down the

course, courtesy of my aforementioned food

wood–smoked ham, with condiments like fig

center of my table as a runner. Bowls of lem-

friends, who strictly speaking are not friends

compote, mango chutney, and an assortment

ons and oranges, along with small red flower

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arrangements in varying heights that do not inhibit guests’ movement, ring the table. The stack of plates stands ready at the beginning of the buffet and bundles of napkinwrapped utensils, tied with velvet ribbon— you can never go wrong with velvet—wait at the opposite end. That way guests won’t be encumbered with too many things to hold

www.kitchensplusdesign.com 901 A Street Suite D San Rafael CA 94901 Telephone: 415/453-9589 Fax: 415/257-4332

when they’re serving themselves. The kitchen table becomes the impromptu serve-yourself bar. Laid with a vintage holiday tablecloth and adorned with a pot of rose-

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mary trimmed with tiny silver balls, the table holds an enameled bucket of ice filled with wine and beer. A pitcher of red paisleys—this year’s signature drink, a refreshing concoction of Campari, pink grapefruit juice, and lime juice—stands by, too. Throughout the house, small edible surprises, like bowls of gold-wrapped chocolate coins, ribbon candy, and fragrant clementines, await those intrepid souls who happen upon them. I like to provide inedible surprises too: a wreath hung on the back of the door in the powder room; a sprig of mistletoe dangling in front of a mirror (everybody looks in the mirror!); and a punch bowl full of Christmas “crackers” waiting to be snapped. The day winds down. As guests wrap themselves in their coats to go home, it’s time for party favors: Homemade marshmallows tucked into cellophane bags trimmed with ribbon and a charm. They acknowledge a memorable day and offer a wish for a happy holiday.

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HOME DESIGN

Dream Kitchens Gifted chefs know the power of presentation. With their creative and skillful hands, they intuitively balance form, color, and texture to turn simple ingredients into culinary creations. The same can be said of the talented architects and designers who blend practical functionality with timeless beauty in the space where meals are prepared, the kitchen. Here, three design ﬁrms take the same basic“ingredients” of space, appliances, cabinetry, and surfaces and prepare them in distinctly different styles sure to inspire any home cook. STORY PJ BREMIER PHOTOS BARBARA RIES

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Catering to tradition TRADITIONAL STYLE and respect for histor-

Keaton movie Something’s Gotta Give. “Wendy

The counterpoint comes from the Absolute

ical authenticity are a trademark of projects

was very taken with the movie, particular-

Black granite countertops echoing the fire-

by San Anselmo architecture and design firm

ly the scenes in the kitchen,” Adam says. To

place surround in the adjacent great room;

Wendy Posard & Associates and custom-home

achieve the chic and comfortable look, they

the black-walnut-stained wide oak plank

developer Red House.

paid special attention “to the style of cabi-

flooring; the 12-foot solid-slab mahogany-

netry, the relationship between hard stone,

topped island; and the dark pendants of the

painted wood, and natural stained wood.”

Anne Morris lighting overhead.

Adam Posard, Red House co-owner and Wendy’s husband, didn’t have to look far for inspiration for the house they built on a sun-

The drama of this kitchen is in its clean

The kitchen, which has views extending

ny, flat lot in an established neighborhood

white simplicity. Large furniture-style cabinetry,

into the formal dining room, dining nook,

near downtown Larkspur. “We really iden-

supported by carved legs and corbels, scales

and great room, ells around to a slate-floored

tified with the Lark Creek Inn,” says Adam.

the 10-foot-high walls, which are trimmed with

mudroom. With the exception of the dining

“The shingle style, the steep roof, the covered

wide crown molding. The crisp white is picked

room, all rooms can take advantage of views

porches, and even the yellow exterior all pay

up in the nickel-and-porcelain Barbara Wilson

of the garden, easily accessible via either the

homage to the inn.”

faucetry, a generous-size Shaw’s Original farm

mudroom’s Dutch door or the dining nook’s

sink, and the neat symmetry of subway-tiled

French doors. This generous use of glass im-

backsplashes.

bues the space with light.

For the 250-square-foot kitchen, they took a cue from the recent Jack Nicholson–Diane

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These design elements all came together beautifully for the owners, who bought the house while it was still being framed and before it even reached the market. They were drawn to the traditional architecture and now, with two young children, especially appreciate the floor plan. The new owner said he wanted a kitchen “that drew me in and would bring out my creativity, a kitchen that inspired and demanded to be used, something that was traditional but not gaudy, classic but not dated.” For his wife, “the most important thing was that it opened into the family space where we do most of our work so that we can watch the kids.” But, she adds, “we love that everyone—our daughter or friends coming over for dinner—can get involved in the cooking in this kitchen. There is so much counter space with the island. We have storage space that we don’t even use.” The mudroom has turned out to be a happy surprise. “We really do use it as a mudroom,” she says. “When we are coming in from a trail run or a messy outing at the park, we drop off our shoes here first. It’s an all-purpose room— it has my office, a closet for recycling, storage for kids’ arts and crafts, a drawer for tools, a changing table for the baby, drawers for extra clothes for the kids, a bulletin board, a cookbook shelf, a mail drop-off spot...it’s the place we put all our junk!”

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Modern on the menu IN TAPPING THE PRESTIGIOUS New York firm

In fact, the dining nook was built with a

A pair of pocket doors that flank one side

of Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects

nautical concept. The owner, who uses the

of the kitchen, separating it from the adjacent

to design his spectacular 8,000-square-foot

kitchen primarily for catered entertaining,

dining room, repeats the etched glass motif in

home, the owner of a cliffside Belvedere lot

says, “This is the one space in the kitchen

the living room. This “sense of being part of

added singular beauty to a landscape already

where I did inject a little input. I wanted the

a larger living/dining room while maintain-

dotted with impressive homes.

feeling of a boat, so I asked them to do wood

ing the ability to visually separate the kitch-

paneling on the sides and on the ceiling.”

en when necessary” is what pleases Gendreau

The nearly 600-square-foot kitchen balances warmth and intimacy with under-

The main ceiling is vaulted, with soaring,

stated sophistication, avoiding the slightest

fabric-clad acoustical panels that give “the

Soft natural light gently washes the space,

whisper of pretension. Its cool, restrained

feeling of one, big loftlike space” while also

entering through frosted-glass blocks just un-

look respects both the steeliness of the bay

“concealing the audiovisual system and ab-

der the ceiling along the back wall. When

water below and the sleekness of a sailing

sorbing noise and clatter,” says project archi-

additional lighting is needed, an electronic

yacht gliding by.

tect Gerald Gendreau.

touch pad can uplight the ceiling, downlight

most, he says.

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The space juts out ever so slightly from the house just as a ship’s prow might. The lowered ceiling draws the eye through the window to the view beyond. From a side window, a gently curved teak deck trimmed with stainless steel reinforces the nautical feel. On the floor, sealed and flamed French Buxy limestone, set on the diagonal, echoes the lines of exterior paving. Buxy limestone was also used for the countertops, honed to impart a slightly different color and dimension. Anyone would concur that this space has far exceeded the simple mission of creating, in Gendreau’s words, “an open, efficiently planned, warm and comfortable kitchen with great views.”

the island, and illuminate the storage space and countertops. Warmth comes from the beautifully finished, select vertical-grain maple cabinetry and the 8-foot-long maple butcher-block island that separates two perimeter workstations with almost symmetrical outlines. Hidden behind the cabinetry’s clean lines are two Sub-Zero refrigerators, two Miele dishwashers, a trash compactor, an ice maker, and a wall of storage. Wood also trims the windows, which reveal a panoramic view of Sausalito, the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco skyline, and the Bay Bridge, forming a backdrop to the built-in banquette of maple and plaited distressed cowhide from Ashbury Hides.

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French toast WHEN THE OWNER of a remodeled 1920s

prepare vegetables and a salad in the kitch-

Applewhite anchored the kitchen palette

persimmon-colored Mediterranean-style home

en and grill on the patio and eat out there

with black—an antique distressed-onyx mar-

in Belvedere steps into his kitchen, from one

with the beautiful view.” Integration of in-

ble top for the island and a custom-made

window he can see boats motoring in the pro-

door and outdoor living spaces is a hallmark

French stove by Lacanche. The stove, an al-

tected harbor below and, from another, a daz-

of Applewhite’s work, which is shown regu-

ternative to the Le Cornue originally consid-

zling garden beckoning with colorful blos-

larly on the HGTV shows Curb Appeal and

ered (and half the price, to the owner’s pleas-

soms just a few feet away.

Sensible Chic.

ant surprise), has six burners, grill space, two

The sun-drenched patio holds pots and

Warm, golden tones bathe the kitchen.

ovens, two warming drawers, and a warming

beds bursting with citrus, lavender, vegeta-

They emanate from the creaminess of the

tray. The hood, also custom made, is finished

bles, and bougainvillea and overlooks three

Siena limestone countertops, the faux-finished

in Venetian plaster. A pair of hand-painted

terraces of fragrant Just Joey roses, an ideal

soft terra-cotta-colored walls and handmade

fleurs-de-lis adorns the tiled backsplash un-

setting for alfresco dining.

tile backsplash, and the ocher-hued concrete

derneath.

“My client prepares very simple meals in

farm sink. The kitchen, like the rest of the

The irregularly shaped island holds a ham-

the kitchen,” says Sausalito designer Linda

home, reflects the owner’s French ancestry in

mered-bronze cutting sink with rubbed bronze

Applewhite, “and whenever possible he’ll

its liberal use of the fleur-de-lis motif.

Rohl faucetry, a microwave, toaster, and cook-

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book shelves; two recycling bins and a trash

in a rusted finish, much of it in a fleur-de-lis

with their host as an evening meal is being

receptacle are hidden behind false drawers.

pattern, completes the look.

prepared.

Overhead, surrounded by faux-finished fir beams, hangs a vintage French chandelier.

Twin Fisher & Paykel dishwasher draw-

During the design process, the owner

ers border either side of the sink and two 27-

made a special request for a raised fireplace.

“I wanted the kitchen, as much as pos-

inch-wide Sub-Zeros were paired to essen-

To give it added presence, Applewhite cre-

sible, not to look like a kitchen, so the built-

tially create one appliance, housed in a faux

ated a ceiling-high surround by laying large

ins look more like furniture than cabinetry,”

armoire. One side is a full freezer with two

concrete tiles impressed with an antique

the owner explains. All the pieces in the

lower drawers, the other a full-size refrigera-

French mold and specially surfaced to sug-

kitchen are made with with different doors,

tor with its own set of lower drawers.

gest a patina of age. It’s interrupted only by

finishes, and top treatments: The pantry

The library, like the patio, is considered

resembles a large French armoire with a

an extension of the kitchen—a place where

curved bonnet and carving. Two cabinets

the owner can enjoy a cup of morning cof-

What makes him the happiest, says the

fl anking an arched pocket door leading to

fee with the paper or where guests can re-

owner, “is when I entertain and people see

the dining room are glass-fronted and dra-

lax by a fire, listen to the trickle of water in

the kitchen. I enjoy their positive reactions

matically lit for display. European hardware

the wall fountain just outside, and converse

and their being so comfortable in the space.”

a faux-fi nished redwood mantel supported by two concrete corbels.

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THINK

WRIGHT IN MARIN

FROM AN EMBATTLED CONCEPTION TO SERENE MIDDLE AGE, THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT–DESIGNED MARIN COUNTY CIVIC CENTER HAS BEEN MARIN’S LEADING ARCHITECTURAL ASSET

STORY JIM WOOD PHOTOS BARBARA RIES NLIKE SUCH LOCAL landmarks as the

and had built. By the same token, the people of Marin

Golden Gate Bridge, which official-

County, along with millions more, came close to never

ly opened on May 25, 1937, the Marin

having a civic center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

County Civic Center is impossible to

Several times during its gestation it came within a vote,

tag with a precise age. Different seg-

a few steps, or a sudden tirade of not being built. But

ments were built at different times. The Administrative

for the leadership of a few farsighted men and (mostly)

Building (the wing on the right, viewed from Highway

women—along with the spontaneous and overwhelm-

101) was completed in 1962; that includes the 172-foot

ing encouragement of the people of Marin—the low-

golden spire, the 80-foot dome, and the 102,000-vol-

profiled blue-roofed building would not be hugging the

ume Civic Center Library beneath it. The Hall of Justice,

hills of north San Rafael today.

or northernmost wing, was started in 1963 and not

Stories about what happened those 40-plus years

completed until 1969. One could extrapolate that the

ago are as varied as the folks who’ve repeated them. A

Civic Center is now 40 years old. Architectural enthusi-

consensus version begins with then-54-year-old Marin

asts will say it’s ageless.

County Supervisor Vera Schultz thumbing through her latest issue of House Beautiful. It was December 31,

IN THE BEGINNING

1956, and the previous April, following considerable

Frank Lloyd Wright was 90 when he completed his first

debate, county supervisors had purchased the 140-acre

sketches of the proposed building in 1957. Wright died

Scettrini Ranch with the intent of building a centralized

two years later without having seen even the framework

county civic center. But Schultz, Marin’s first female

of the first government building he had ever designed

supervisor and the only college graduate on the five-

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Wright in San Francisco. Other architects want-

STORM CLOUDS GATHER

that came in from 26 competing architects.

ed to either fill in the building site’s marshland

The naysayer was Supervisor William

They were “uninspired,” she would later say.

or level its rolling hills, but when Wright first

Fusselman, who was appropriately named for

On the cover and throughout that issue of

saw the land in July 1957 he exclaimed, “I’ll

the fuss he was about to spur. Fusselman was

bridge these hills with graceful arches.”

an archconservative candy maker from San

member board, wasn’t excited by proposals

House Beautiful, Schultz saw photographs of the works of the internationally famous archi-

In March 1958, Wright presented his pre-

Anselmo who appears to have had two dislikes

tect Frank Lloyd Wright. Then and there she re-

liminary plans to the Board of Supervisors

in life: 1) any proposal made by Vera Schultz,

solved that, as far as she was concerned, Wright

and a day later showed them to 700 Marin

and 2) any building designed by Frank Lloyd

would design the Marin County Civic Center.

residents who came to San Rafael High

Wright. Among his band of supporters was a

At first, all went smoothly.

School to see what he had in mind for their

contingent of American Legionnaires who, like

In April 1957, four of the county’s five

county’s seat of government. A month later

Fusselman, believed Wright was a Communist.

supervisors and a citizens’ Civic Center

the board approved Wright’s plan, with one

Committee met with the somewhat eccentric

dissenting vote.

KEEPING WRIGHT RIGHT

Attorney George Gnoss of Belvedere, whose uncle was a Marin County supervisor at the time, one who supported Wright, recalls hearing firsthand of a Fusselman-in-

To maintain design integrity at the Marin County Civic Center, the Board

spired incident that nearly ended Marin’s re-

of Supervisors in 1980 created the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy

lationship with world-class architecture. The

Board. Composed of architects, designers, historians, and interested citizens, it was established to review changes—inside and out, desired and required—being proposed for the Frank Lloyd Wright– designed structure. “We make our opinions known to the Board of Supervisors,” states current Conservancy Chairman Annette Rose, known for her passionate resolve to protect the landmark, “and traditionally, our advice is listened to very closely.”

Gnoss family version is as follows: “My uncle Bill Gnoss was at a meeting where Wright, wearing his customary cape and broad-rimmed hat, was subjected to Fusselman’s pointed inquiry about his ‘Communist leanings,’ ” says Gnoss. After a few minutes, Wright, according to all ac-

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counts, shouted, “I’m a loyal American; I don’t

“could never stay within a budget.” (The legis-

a result, Fusselman finally had an anti-Wright

have to answer any of this.” And with that,

lator’s hometown newspaper soon labeled him

majority to work with, and in January 1961

says Gnoss, “he stormed out of the room.

a “carpetbagger compelled to fighting the great

the Board of Supervisors voted 3 to 2 to halt

“Then, after a moment of stunned silence,”

architect,” defusing that accusation.) A hastily

work on the partially completed center.

Gnoss says, “my uncle and Supervisor Walt

formed Marin County Taxpayers Association

A kerfuffle of major proportions then de-

Castro raced out the door after him.” They

organized a petition drive to halt construc-

veloped. Supervisors discussed converting

caught the fleeing architect in the parking lot and, after apologizing for Fusselman’s impertinence, went to lunch with Wright at the Meadow

the project into a hospital.

“I’m proud of my Uncle Bill. Who knows, without him there may not be a great-looking Marin County Civic Center.” —George Gnoss

C l u b . Fo l l o w i n g a m p l e

The pro-Wright Citizens’ Committee for a County Center redoubled its efforts. Meanwhile, the Marin Independent Journal sur-

amounts of food and drink, Wright wound up

tion before it even started. That effort was re-

veyed readers about the volatile issue. And

playing the piano and agreeing to return and

pulsed by an equally fast-formed group called

nearly 9,400 people responded. Of them,

explain the design work he’d completed to

Citizens’ Committee for the County Center.

8,152—87 percent—wanted a Frank Lloyd

date. “I’m proud of my Uncle Bill,” says Gnoss.

In 1960, with Wright dead and ground

Wright civic center built. Fusselman and his

“Who knows, without him there may not be a

already broken, an unforeseeable chain of

friends felt the political winds blowing against

great-looking Marin County Civic Center.”

events actually did stop construction and

them; a week later construction resumed.

There were plenty of other, equally contentious incidents. A Republican legislator

came close to ending the dream of an archi-

UPON COMPLETION

tecturally significant civic center.

from Wisconsin, for example, traveled across

Schultz and another pro-Wright supervisor

True to his caped form, Wright had a flair for

the country to declare emphatically on the ra-

were defeated in midyear elections for rea-

the dramatic, and stories flourished that the

dio (with Fusselman at his side) that Wright

sons unrelated to the civic center project. As

architect paid scant attention to construction

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CIVIC CENTER TRIVIA

Originally, Wright designated the roof to be gold, a match for Marin’s summertime hills. Builders, however, couldn’t ﬁnd any coating that wouldn’t turn into a dirty yellow over time, so Wright’s widow, Olgivanna Wright, speciﬁed the soft blue to match the Marin sky (the gold spire is anodized aluminum). The dramatic 172-foot golden spire was intended to offset the horizontal lines of the structure (which it does) and someday house radio/TV antennae (which it never did). It does, however, house an exhaust flue for the heating and air-conditioning equipment located below it. Wright’s original plans called for open atriums—in other words, no roofs. But prior to construction, more practical minds prevailed, and curved Plexiglas panels were installed that, because of poor technology, leaked during every rainy season. Eventually, leakproof panels were developed.

The civic center completed a seismic retrofitting in 2002; the cost was $21 million. This amount equaled the 1960s approximate cost of original construction. Frank Lloyd Wright stood 5 feet 7 inches in dress shoes. Hence, many of the custom-designed circular benches in the Civic Center best accommodate those of short stature. An NBA center would sit down and ﬁnd his knees touching his cheeks. Most of the Civic Center’s wooden ofﬁce furniture, and much of its paneling and cabinetry work, was built (but not installed) by inmates at nearby San Quentin State Prison.

costs, seismic endurance, or the size of his

4 5

fees. Historical evidence tells another story. In An Architecture for Democracy, the definitive book covering Wright’s time in Marin, project associate architect Aaron G. Green tells of using extensive “precast and prestressed concrete elements.” As a result, writes Green, “the Administrative Building cost $22.87 per square foot, about a dollar less than the county’s last major construction, the Courthouse Annex in San Rafael, a prosaic stereotyped building erected in 1959.” Green also debunked concerns about the ability of Wright’s buildings to survive earthquakes. He pointed out that “Mr. Wright’s Imperial Hotel was the only building in Tokyo to

Docent-led tours (about 60 to 90 min-

resist the 8.3-magnitude earthquake of 1923.”

utes) of the Civic Center are held every

As for staying on budget, the standard

Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. beginning at

architect fee at the time was 10 percent of

the Frank Lloyd Wright gift shop. Cost: $5

the cost of construction—which Wright had

per person. Appointments can be made

agreed to. A last-minute challenge arose

for groups of 10 or more; 415.499.3237.

when architect Richard Neutra, famous for his modernistic buildings, offered to design

100

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PH OTO OF VERA SC H ULTZ: THE LUC RE TIA LI TTLE H ISTO RY RO OM, M ILL VALLEY PUBLIC L I B RA RY

VOICES FROM THE PAST the center for 8 percent. Marin supervisors

In the middle of that library today sits an in-

weren’t impressed by a 2 percent difference.

nocuous guest book. Inside, in the handwriting

In The Bridge and the Building, author Evelyn

of countless visitors from around the world, is ir-

Radford quotes Caroline Livermore, a re-

refutable evidence that Wright indeed achieved

spected Marin civic leader at the time: “This

the architecture for democracy he sought.

county is made of cultural people. They want

“Our family came all the way from Costa

something beautiful. And if you want some-

Rica, and seeing this building has been a great

thing beautiful you have to pay for it.”

experience,” reads an entry made by Ray Padilla

While planning the civic center, Wright of-

five years ago. In May 2001, a woman from

ten referred to “organic architecture,” which

Santa Rosa wrote, “WOW! Wonderful; very im-

he defined as “architecture (that) seeks a su-

pressive; a great space; so beautiful; so inspir-

perior sense of use and a finer sense of com-

ing and uplifting; so Wright.” Three months

fort.” A less ethereal definition comes from

later, a man from Bradenton, Florida, added,

Mill Valley’s Avery Goldman, a docent who’s

“Congratulations on having the courage to at-

led civic center tours for four years: “Organic

tempt this marvelous architectural masterpiece.”

architecture means incorporating the beauty of

And just this July, two visiting parties vied to of-

nature into the structure.” Wright also talked

fer top accolades: “We came a long way (from

about creating an “architecture for democra-

London) and we’ll come back again,” one entry

cy.” As Goldman explains, “Frank Lloyd Wright

reads. A week later that declaration was one-

wanted government buildings to serve every-

upped: “We came a longer way (from Rome) to

one, not just government workers. Quite pos-

admire this hidden marvel.”

sibly that’s why he insisted on placing a public library in the middle of the complex.”

A marvel indeed. Frank Lloyd Wright has

With two clicks of a mouse you can hear Frank Lloyd Wright talking about his 1957 plans for the Marin County Civic Center. Also available: the voices of Vera Schultz, (above) Aaron Green, and others discussing the creation of Marin’s landmark building. This website includes a chronology of development, historical photographs, and opportunities to ask questions. The recordings are from the Anne T. Kent California Room of the Marin County Free Library located in the Marin County Civic Center. To access, go to www.co.marin. ca.us/library/crm/kentmain.html and click on Frank Lloyd Wright.

reason to be proud. So, too, does Marin. MM

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CYCLING CENTRAL Is Marin County the epicenter of U.S. road cycling? STORY BILL HOWARD & JIM WOOD PHOTOS SEAN ARBABI

PHOTOS

A two-by-two formatted paceline rides past Nicasio Reservoir in West Marin

102

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P L AY

ON ANY GIVEN SATURDAY morning, hun-

dreds of lean, mean bike-riding machines gather in the parking lot surrounding the Java Hut in Fairfax. Most are from Marin, but cyclists from all over the Bay Area cross the Golden Gate and make the two-wheel trek to this town. Coffee is brewing, dampness is in the air, drowsy cyclists are stretching, and thin-tired wheels are starting to turn. “One morning, between six and eleven-thirty,” says Java Hut owner Rick Carson, himself a cyclist, “I counted almost 800 bikes before giving up.” On many of those Saturday mornings, especially in winter and early spring, Carson’s countings will include names and faces known to weekend riders and daily sports page readers alike. In 2002 and 2003, for example, Lance Armstrong and the U.S. Postal Service Team (now the Discovery Channel Team) did practice runs in the area. Every recent training season has seen the likes of pro riders Levi Leipheimer, a Santa Rosa transplant who ranks among the word’s top 20 cyclists, and Dave Zabriskie, a Berkeley resident who wore the yellow jersey for four stages in this year’s Tour de France. A professional of a different kind, actor Robin Williams is also a dedicated West Marin rider. Most serious cyclists prefer traveling in groups ranging from five to as many as 75 or 80. Whatever the size, the group’s main pack of riders is called the peloton, a French word that means ball. A typical Saturday morning group ride leaves Fairfax and starts with a grueling two-mile climb up White’s Hill, a real leg warmer and heart pumper. A right turn at the San

PHOTOS:

Geronimo Golf Course leads to a half-mile push up gently curving Nicasio Hill, followed by a long straightaway, and here’s where the fun—make that competition—kicks in.

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Former U.S. Postal

A Saturday morning

rider and Lance Armstrong

pre-ride gathering spot,

teammate Damon Kluck

the Java Hut in Fairfax

Stretching—and catching

Speeding (over 25 mph)

up on bike chatter—are

on the way to Point Reyes

requisite pre-ride rituals

Station from Nicasio

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Lombardi Sports Team Cycling riders Dean Laberge, Robbie Brennan, and Bill Howard

Conditions couldn’t be better. The morn-

unofficial sprint (a.k.a. finish) line. The tac-

with confidence, I call West Marin the best

ing sun is well into a clear blue sky, 10 or 11

tics and speed needed to get there first put

cycling spot on the planet.”

yellow-clad riders comprise a tight peloton

everyone in a racing mode.

West Marin’s attractions to cyclists are

making at least 25 miles an hour, and there’s

How does West Marin compare with oth-

many: varied topography with numerous el-

not a car in sight. Only the steeple of the

er U.S. cycling hot spots such as Seattle,

evation changes, good-quality road surfac-

Catholic church indicating that Nicasio is fast

Milwaukee, or Boulder? Few are in a bet-

es, a relative lack of auto traffic, moderate

approaching.

ter position to answer that than investment

winter weather so you can ride year-round,

“Usually, someone will attack, or speed up,” says Darin Divine, 29, of Mill Valley, “and a group within the peloton will surge with him, trying to create dis-

and, of course, incred-

“I’ve had the opportunity to ride all over the world, and I call West Marin the best cycling spot on the planet.” —Thom Weisel

tance between themselves

ible scenery—oak-studded hills, small towns, large reservoirs, and frequent glimpses of the blue Pacific. “I honestly believe,” says Fairfax’s

and the other cyclists.” And the race is on,

banker Thom Weisel of Ross. Weisel is not

Chick Campbell, 51, a waiter at Mill Valley’s

heading straight for the challenging chicane

only an avid cyclist (the website of his firm,

Buckeye Roadhouse and a veteran cyclist,

(a zigzagging course change) that’s created by

Thomas Weisel Partners, features a photo

“West Marin is bicycle heaven.”

Nicasio’s village square. “There’s two turns, a

of four riders); he also owns the Discovery

left and a right, one right after another,” says

Channel Team that accompanied Lance

Paul Sumner, 38, a San Rafael software pro-

Armstrong for his seventh Tour de France

• With fewer than 250,000 residents, Marin

grammer and rider with the Lombardi Sports

win this year. “I’ve had the opportunity to

County has 18 to 20 shops catering primarily to

Cycling Team. Then, about 500 meters ahead,

ride all over the world,” says Weisel, “and,

die-hard cyclists. And business is good. “So far

in front of Nicasio School, comes West Marin’s

whether it’s individually or team related,

in 2005, our San Rafael and Sausalito stores

That’s quite a celestial claim, but there’s plenty of earthly evidence to support it.

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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Contributing writer Bill Howard and San Rafael’s Rob Roden lead the group out of San Geronimo

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alone are selling 25 bikes a month that cost be-

everything from local training rides to bike

and along the Southern California coast, fin-

tween $2,500 and $7,000,” says Ken Martin,

tours of Europe.”

ishing in San Diego.

owner of the Bay Area chain Mike’s Bikes.

As many as five professional cycling

For the West Marin stage, Tour organizers

• The Marin County Bicycle Coalition has

groups—including the Discovery Channel

might consider the beautiful yet brutal route of-

an annual budget of $500,000 and a mem-

Team—use West Marin as a training venue.

ten taken by Buckeye waiter Campbell. “I leave

bership of 1,100, ranging from road cyclists

It will be given national exposure—not that it

town (Fairfax) and head out Sir Francis Drake

to mountain bikers to the training wheel set.

needs it—as a cycling destination in February

to Olema,” he says with a laugh in his voice.

“I’m not positive,” says Executive Director Kim

2006 when the first Tour de California pass-

“That’s about 18 miles.” Then he pedals nine

Baenisch, “but for an area the size of Marin,

es through. “Our first stage, from Napa Valley

miles south on Highway 1 and turns inland on

those numbers have to be among the highest in the country.” • Marin is home to five professional training orga-

the Fairfax-Bolinas Road,

“Currently, we’re helping about 100 clients prepare for everything from local training rides to bike tours of Europe.” —Clark Natwick

nizations that help dedi-

where a winding 13-mile route back to Fairfax begins. Round trip, it’s about 40 miles. What Campbell fails to mention in his description

cated athletes, especially cyclists, improve

over the Golden Gate to San Francisco, will

of the ride is that the twisting climb leaving

endurance. In San Anselmo, Whole Athlete

definitely include West Marin,” a race offi-

Highway 1 on the Fairfax-Bolinas Road gains

Performance Center offers testing and train-

cial said this summer. Projected to rival the

2,200 vertical feet in its first 8.5 miles, putting

ing development, nutritional and sports-psy-

Tour de France in overall appeal, the Tour de

it on par with the mountain stages in the Tour

chological analysis, and personalized bike fit-

California is to be televised on ESPN2 and the

de France. How does he do it? “Cycling is my

ting. At a similar firm, Endurance Mill Valley,

Outdoor Living Network (which carried the

life sport,” he says. “I do it to the max.”

training coach Clark Natwick says, “Currently,

Tour de France coverage) and will include

we’re helping about 100 clients prepare for

stretches in Yosemite Valley, in Death Valley,

Ride with Tyler Hamilton

For more information about cycling in West Marin, go online to marinbike.org. MM

Cycling for Dollars

Gold medalist to lead group On Saturday, Oct-

Helmet—$100-$150

Basic bike—$800-$7,000

ober 15, and Sunday the 16th, Bay Area

Glasses—$100-$120

cyclists can ride over

Seat—$80-$120

the Golden Gate Bridge and through

Tire—$40-$50

the back roads of West Marin—receiving Olympic-caliTube—$5

ber advice along the way—with gold medalist and Tour de France team member Tyler Hamilton. Participation involves raising money to help the Tyler Hamilton Foundation ﬁght multhe Golden Gate, the weekend involves a fully supported route, barbecue dinner, bunking at Walker Creek Ranch, and a “fireside chat with Tyler.” For details, including range of donations and registration fees, go to tylerhamiltonfoundation.org or call 303.443.8843.

Jersey—$80-$110 S OU RCES: LOM BARD I S PORTS , M IK E’S BIKES

tiple sclerosis. In addition to crossing

Pants—$120-$135

Shoes—$150-$200 Pedals—$60-$200

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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SKIING THE ROOFTOP OF EUROPE STORY & PHOTOS BEN DAVIDSON

Frosty fun: A telemark skier takes a glacier run amid the cragged peaks of Chamonix.

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JOURNEY

The Run of a Lifetime One of the greatest ski runs in the world starts high above Chamonix, the famed ski village nestled deep in the French Alps. The Alps have the most vaunted and varied ski terrain in the world, and this 13-mile adventure through a glaciated valley known as the Vallée Blanche is the descent of a lifetime. A 60-passenger téléphérique, the highest gondola in Europe, brings you in two stages to the summit of the needlelike Aiguille du Midi, a granite spire soaring some 12,605 feet above sea level. The scenery on the ride up is breathtaking—impossibly steep cliffs, frozen waterfalls, massive granite peaks—but for the skiers on board, the dramatic views are just the beginning of an unforgettable backcountry ride. Exiting the cramped gondola into the thin, cold air at the summit, our group of three, accompanied by our mustachioed guide, Denis Etienne of Chamonix’s esteemed Compagnie des Guides, quickly stowed our gear in a protected tunnel and took a quick elevator ride to the station’s observatory. The top of the Aiguille serves up stunning views of three countries—France, Italy, and Switzerland—and the glacier-wrapped king of Alpine peaks, Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe at 15,750 feet.

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Above: Descending the knife-edge ridge from

From the top we also got a preview of our

Gathering our gear (and steadying our

the Aiguille du Midi to the head of the Vallée

next stage in the adventure: a steep arête—

nerves), we roped together for safety and

Blanche run. Above right: When ski legs feel like

a narrow ridgeline of snow and ice, and the

started our own descent along the arête, fol-

logs—pausing for a much-needed rest at an Alpine

only way to access the Vallée Blanche run. We

lowing some of the hundreds of skiers who

hut. Above lower right: Say cheese—a Savoyarde

watched a silhouetted line of skiers—skis, snow-

take on the Vallée Blanche, good weather or

tartiﬂette. Opposite page: The glacier tunnel on

boards, and poles slung to their shoulders—

bad, each day. Carefully picking our way down

the Vallée Blanche run.

slowly making their way down the ridge, back-

a series of well-trodden steps carved in the

dropped by the vast panorama of the snowy

snow, we reached the start of our 9,200-foot

Alps. On one side of the ridge, the face plunged

vertical ski run back to Chamonix.

110

nearly vertically for thousands of feet to the val-

Skiers can choose from a number of estab-

ley floor; on the other side, a massive snow-

lished routes down the valley; we opted for the

field covered the glaciers of the Vallée Blanche,

standard path across the ice-jumbled Glacier du

spreading out like a giant white fan held in the

Tacul, which merges with the mighty Mer de

palm of a massive rock hand.

Glace, France’s largest glacier. Dangers abound

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Above: Zermatt and the Matterhorn by twilight.

(which is why hiring a guide is highly recom-

track to a narrow opening in the glacier. “We’re

Above right: The rail ride to Zermatt’s Gorner-

mended). Massive rockfalls, avalanche chutes,

going in there,” he said with a smirk. Not sure

grat. Above lower: Lunchtime at an on-slope hut

and seemingly bottomless crevasses menace the

exactly where he was leading us, but game

on Zermatt’s Klein Matterhorn. Opposite page:

route. At one point, we negotiated a steep jum-

for more adventure, we followed him into the

Alpine dining high above the Chamonix valley.

ble of car-size ice blocks known as the Séracs

ice, hands slipping along a tunnel made of

de Géants, a difficult maze known to stymie

porcelain-blue ice walls. As we went deeper

the most experienced skiers.

into the glacier, the sun disappeared and we

112

Denis, our guide, took it all in stride—

slid along the narrow track in near darkness.

another day in his beautiful office. At one point,

Exiting the ice tunnel, we were exhilarated

before the séracs and a traditional Savoyarde

at being thoroughly immersed in Chamonix’s

lunch at the charming Refuge du Requin moun-

magical world of rock, ice, and snow. As prom-

tain hut below them, he brought us off the main

ised, it was a thrill that will last a lifetime.

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Little Big Matterhorn

Klein Matterhorn, or “little” Matterhorn, at

Not far, as the crow flies, from Chamonix is

12,800 feet, where a ski run across the border

another legendary Alpine ski destination: the

to the Italian resort of Cervinia is possible.

Matterhorn. This 14,692-foot hook-shaped

We arrived in Zermatt with no agenda

crag casts a mystical presence over the story-

other than ski, ski, and ski some more (al-

book (and car-free!) Swiss village of Zermatt,

though bratwurst, beer, and raclette at dozens

which lies at its base. The skiing here is as

of on-slope eateries were always beckoning

dreamy as it gets.

us to pause). We had a healthy 313 kilome-

Located in the southernmost edge of

ters of marked pistes (ski runs) and 74 lifts in

Switzerland on the Italian border, Zermatt

three separate areas to choose from—enough

sits at the end of a long mountain valley at

for days of thrills. Everywhere the Matterhorn

an elevation of 5,310 feet. The town is sur-

dominates the skyline.

rounded on three sides by forests, steep rock

We started with runs in the Sunnegga-

faces, and, higher up, massive glaciers and a

Blauherd-Rothorn (7,513 feet), which is

circle of 13,000-foot peaks, more peaks than

served by an underground cable railway. Ski

anywhere else in the Alps. The highest lift-

lifts here reach the Unterothorn at 10,170

accessed skiing in Europe is found at Zermatt’s

feet. Fast cruising descents down wide pistes provided hours of entertainment before we headed on to the more wide-open spaces of the Gornergrat-Hohtälli-Stockhorn area, which is served by a cog railway. Hands down, the highlight of our Zermatt skiing experience was the Klein Matterhorn, which is reached by a series of cable cars. In clear weather, you exit a tunnel carved in the rock, then climb a set of metal stairs to a platform for views that are among the most breathtaking of any resort in the world. Also worth seeing at the summit is an unusual “ice palace” carved into the glacier, where rooms of glowing ice and ice sculpture are a uniquely curious sight. From here, it’s an easy glacier run to Cervinia and Italy—really a must, if simply to experience a cross-border ski run (and, not to mention, the fantastic food found on the Italian side of the mountain!).

Going there Ski conditions in Chamonix and Zermatt are typically best from February through April. For further information on Chamonix and Zermatt, see www.chamonix.com and www.zermatt.ch. For guide information in Chamonix, see www.cieguides-chamonix.com.

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LIFE

Headline Here

PH OTOS OF CARLOS SA NTA NA C OURTESY OF EXTRA NET

Deck goes here

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OYE COMO VA

MARIN CARLOS AND DEBORAH SANTANA — IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR STORY TERRY BREJLA

FEW SOUNDS IN MODERN American music

ary rock impresario and Santana’s longtime

are as distinctive as the writhing rhythms of

manager Bill Graham.

a Carlos Santana guitar solo. Santana’s inimi-

Santana has just ordered out for Mexican

table blend of blues and jazz woven onto a

food when we begin our conversation, first

world beat background is recognizable only a

about life in Marin.

few notes into a riff.

“I have traveled all over the world,”

Perhaps it is because he speaks so powerful-

Santana says. “I have been to Paris, London,

ly with his guitar that he is so reticent to speak

Madrid, and just about every place you can

in person. Santana grants interviews about as

imagine. They are all beautiful places but

often as he appears in public without his trade-

don’t compare with what we have here in

mark hat, but not long ago he talked with

Marin County. This is the very best!”

Marin Magazine about life north of the Golden Gate, his new CD, and an unfulfilled wish.

Deborah Santana agrees. “My special place is Mount Tam,” she says.

Santana Management, the company that

“This is the place I go when I need peace; its

oversees the creative, charitable, and busi-

beauty never fails to take my breath away. We

ness world of Carlos Santana, is located in a

could live anywhere, but I could never think

nondescript industrial building, one of dozens

of leaving Marin. It’s been good for Carlos,

of similar structures that fill the streets west

myself, and our children.”

of Highway 101 near central San Rafael. The

Carlos and Deborah Santana have a son

space houses a vast rehearsal hall and offic-

(Salvador) and two daughters (Stella and

es for Santana and his wife, Deborah, who

Angelica) and have been married for 32 years.

is also his manager, a role she took on more

They were brought together by a search for

than a decade ago after the death of legend-

spirituality, a quest that led them to a lifetime of

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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love. In her new book, Space Between the Stars,

Children of the sixties, Carlos and

Deborah writes of their marriage and her own

Deborah are gentle people who still believe

experiences of growing up as a San Francisco

in making the world a better place. “The chal-

He is releasing a new CD in November, All

baby boomer in a biracial household. Her moth-

lenge is to get people to listen to us,” says

That I Am. It is a studio collaboration with oth-

er was white; her father was African American

Carlos. “We know what we’re talking about.”

er artists, including Los Lonely Boys, Mary J.

rhythm-and-blues pioneer Saunders King.

chance I can,” he says. “If I can find a place to play with one of my friends, all the better.”

The Santanas’ other charitable interests in-

Blige, and Big Boi. “We’re really happy with

On her website, Deborah comments on

clude Doctors Without Borders, United Farm

this one,” he says. “The whole concept of col-

the parallels between her father and Carlos.

Workers, Save the Children, Child Reach,

laborating with other artists is so wonderful. It

“That’s woven all through my book,” she says,

Rainforest Action Network, and Greenpeace.

makes us play even better. Even at this stage of

“the connectedness of life. I heard my father

When we spoke Carlos was preparing to

my career I get excited when a new CD comes

play the guitar every single day of my life

leave on the next leg of his “Embrace Your

out. This one is something special.”

when I was growing up.

Rock and Roll Hall of

When I met Carlos, that

Fame, 10 Grammys, phi-

mal, to see him playing.

“The challenge is to get people to listen to us. We know what we’re talking about.” —Carlos Santana

I was never infatuated

lanthropist, loving husband and father—what else is there for Carlos

with or enamored of who he was musically,

Light” tour, first to Japan and then back to the

Santana to do? As always, he is thinking big.

because, of course, my father was that too.”

West Coast. Salvador Santana plays keyboards

“I would like to have my own channel on the

Carlos and son Salvador composed the

in his father’s band and sometimes opens for

radio, just like Jimmy Buffett on Sirius, reach-

music that comes with the audiobook edition

Santana with his own band. “I knew from the

ing people all over the world,” he says, a huge

of Space Between the Stars.

time he was a very young child that he would

smile spreading across his face. “Here’s how

be a musician,” says Carlos. “He’s got a special

it would work. First they would play some

gift and someday will be even better than I.”

Santana music and then we’d break for some

Spirituality continues to be an important component of Carlos and Deborah Santana’s lives. In 1998, they founded the Milagro

Santana himself is the son of a mariachi

Foundation—milagro is Spanish for miracle—

musician and began playing the violin in his

to support young people in areas of health, ed-

native Jalisco, Mexico, at age 5. After five de-

Carlos and Salvador Santana will perform

ucation, and the arts. The foundation has giv-

cades, his passion for music remains as strong

at a fund-raiser for the Milagro Foundation on

en almost $2 million to charities and agencies,

as ever. Whenever one of his friends is ap-

October 16 at the Chronicle Pavilion in Concord.

mostly in grants of a few thousand dollars.

pearing in the area he and his guitar seem

For more information, go online to santana.com

Deborah is vice president of the foundation.

to always turn up. “I just like to play every

and milagrofoundation.org.

116

prayer and then maybe we’d play some Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk.”

PH OTO OF D EBORA H SANTANA BY M IC H AEL C OL LO PY

was just something nor-

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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9/9/05 4:30:30 PM

Gifts, Home Furnishings, Kashmir Pashmina Shawls & Other handmade clothes

Paul Sroa, owner and host of Lotus cuisine, continues to bring you the culture of his native India.

854 Fourth Street San Rafael 415.258.9178 www.lotushome.us Lotus_1005_v4.indd 1

114-117_Santana.indd 117

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005 117 9/7/05 10:18:25 AM

9/8/05 8:49:30 AM

GALLERIES

The Colors of Fall Local galleries showcase new works and familiar faces

BY ANNE CRUMP RAY

he paintings of Kathleen Dunne brighten the walls at Tiburon Fine Art throughout October and November,

ﬁlling the gallery with a warm luminescence complemented by the arrival of Indian summer along the bay. Dunne is known for her abstracted architectural landscapes, painted using a wet-onwet technique—wet paint over wet varnish— that creates an unusual internal glow. “People immediately notice the originality and the light,” says gallery owner and director Deborah Molinar, who cites Dunne’s love of shape, color, and shadow as part of the paintings’ allure. Long represented by the now-shuttered Vorpal Gallery in San Francisco, Dunne today exhibits on the West Coast exclusively at Tiburon Fine Art, which has access to former Vorpal owner Michael Elder’s entire Dunne collection. The paintings on view at Tiburon include some of Dunne’s older works as well as new pieces created by the septuagenarian at her studios in Europe. A California native, Dunne now divides her time between Italy and Greece, and her paintings reveal the influence of her

Kathleen Dunne, Rome II, (oil on canvas; 72 x 60 inches), Tiburon Fine Art

adopted homelands. Rome, Tuscany, and hrough October 29, Modernism in

tations with stylized, exaggerated depictions

downtown San Francisco presents a

of landscapes, objects, and ﬁgures. His fond-

selection of paintings that celebrate

ness for incorporating colored planes and

the inventiveness of modern art from the

splitting his canvases into fragments paved

Following their presentation in Tiburon,

early years to today, with the double bill

the way for his emergence among cubism’s

Dunne’s paintings will travel to Los Angeles

Henri Hayden and Friends: Cubist Paintings

greatest practitioners in the years 1915 to

for a large-scale exhibition of her work.

from the 1910s and 1920s and Charles

1920. His 1919 painting Still Life with Green

Arnoldi: New Works.

Ace of Clubs and Chess Pieces, a prime exam-

Santorini figure prominently in her canvases, represented in quiet, unpopulated scenes of buildings, trees, winding roads, and cultivated ﬁelds.

Tiburon Fine Art, 84 Main St., Tiburon, 415.435.5999, tiburonfineart.com; 11–5 Wed–Mon, or by appointment; closed Tue 118

After moving to Paris in 1907, Warsaw-

ple from this period, is a highlight of the ex-

born Hayden began in earnest his experimen-

hibition, which also includes works by Albert

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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9/13/05 2:37:03 PM

F R E D E R I C K H A RT (1943 – 1999)

An important exhibition featuring bronze castings of Ex Nihilo figures and fragments from the full-scale plaster for the final stone sculptures at Washington National Cathedral.

October 15 – November 30, 2005 H A N S O N G A L L E RY – S AU S A L I TO 669 Bridgeway Sausalito, CA 94965 tel 415.332.1815 toll-free 866.744.1815 www.hansongallerysausalito.com

H A N S O N G A L L E RY – S A N F R A N C I S C O AT T H E R I T Z - C A R LTO N 600 Stockton San Francisco, CA 94108 tel 415.421.5435 toll-free 866.744.1815 www.hansongallerysf.com

October 15, 6-9 P M

Opening reception

with the artist’s wife Lindy Hart at the Sausalito Gallery.

In November, 2004 the National Medal of Arts was awarded posthumously to Frederick Hart by the President of the United States “for his important body of work - including the Washington National Cathedral’s Creation Sculptures and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial’s Three Soldiers which heralded a new age for contemporary public art.”

118-123_Galleries.indd 119

9/8/05 9:47:45 AM

Left: Henri Hayden, Still Life With Ace of Clubs and Chess Pieces, 1919 (oil on canvas; 19 x 25 1/2 inches ), Modernism. Below: Isca GreenﬁeldSanders, Alice and the Sailboat, 2005 (oil on canvas; 56 x 56 inches) John Berggruen Gallery

blages of hewn beams, Shapiro’s works convey an improbable balletic lightness, often seeming to defy gravity. Upstairs, during the same period, the gallery exhibits paintings by the celebrated young New York artist Isca GreenfieldSanders. A 2000 graduate of Brown University with a double major in mathematics and visual art, Greenfield-Sanders creates large-scale, gridded paintings in a timeintensive process that incorporates watercolors, oil painting, printmaking, and comGleizes, Louis Marcoussis,

puter technology.

and Georges Valmier.

From November 3 through December 3,

New paintings by

the gallery will feature recent works by Bay

Charles Arnoldi offer a

Area artist Christopher Brown and sculp-

contemporary counter-

tures and works on paper by Kiki Smith.

point to the cubist selec-

Brown is known for often dreamlike com-

tion. Since arriving in Los

positions that incorporate recognizable ob-

Angeles in the mid-1960s,

jects—horses, trains, buildings, people—in

Arnoldi has challenged

fanciful, colorful arrangements. He mines

himself to constantly re-

photographs, films, and art history for vi-

new his relationship

sual cues but paints without referencing his

with art-making—shifting

source materials so that memory becomes

from painting to sculp-

both a tool for making his art and an idea

ture back to painting,

central to its unfolding. Brown’s images tend

and from spare, line-driv-

to dissolve into abstract shapes and colors

en abstractions to colorful, organic shapes.

matter. Helwein’s paintings will remain on

on the canvas, echoing the indistinct visions

His ever-evolving aesthetic is testament to

view through December 23.

of both memories and dreams.

his fearlessness and love of experimenta-

Modernism, 685 Market St., San Francisco,

New York–based Smith uses a variety of

tion. Modernism showcases new large-scale

415.541.0461, modernisminc.com; 10–5:30

media to explore themes that include the

paintings that continue his exploration of

Tue–Sat; closed Sun–Mon

body, femininity, the environment, and the

serendipitous expression anchored by for-

cycles of life. Lately she has surfaced in the oel Shapiro’s sculptures have ap-

local news for her site-speciﬁc installation at

peared in the Whitney Museum

the new de Young Museum in Golden Gate

of American Art’s Biennial in New

Park (opening October 15) and an upcoming

York City, Germany’s Documenta, and the

exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of

spans a broad spectrum of media, Helnwein

Venice Biennale, as well as in public and pri-

Modern Art (on view November 19 through

was strongly inﬂuenced by the dark, devas-

vate collections worldwide. September 15

January 29). Berggruen presents a sampling

tated world he perceived as a child in post–

through October 29 Shapiro returns to John

of her work from its holdings.

World War II Europe. His imagery is haunting

Berggruen Gallery with a presentation of

John Berggruen Gallery, 228 Grant Ave.,

and his draftsmanship impeccable, inviting a

his most recent bronze sculptures. Blocky,

San Francisco, 415.781.4629, berggruen.com;

closer look in spite of often chilling subject

geometric structures that resemble assem-

9:30–5:30 Mon–Fri, 10:30–5 Sat; closed Sun.

mal precision. Beginning November 3 the gallery showcases recent paintings by Gottfried Helnwein. A Swiss-born artist whose work

120

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9/12/05 2:37:42 PM

jeffrey palladini

botanical, 2005, oil & charcoal on wood, 49x49 inches.

Represented by

The Lowe Gallery Santa Monica, CA • Atlanta, GA www.lowegallery.com

jpalladini@comcast.net • www.lowegallery.com/artists.html

Ezra Katz Gallery North

Palladini_1005.indd 1

9/5/05 5:40:29 PM

Featuring Painter s a n d Sc u l p t o r s f r o m a c r o s s t h e West Currently representing the works of Award Winning Artists: Nancy MacDonald Greg Carter Matt Tasley Davis Perkins Hector Flores Barbara Sticker Rod Zullo 415.454.9000 635 San Anselmo Ave San Anselmo CA 94960 Visit us in Todos Santos, BCS Eli Alexander Fine Art • Juarez Street Tam Thru The Grove 30 x 40 Oil on Canvas

Ezra Katz_1005.indd 1

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MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005 121 9/7/05 11:03:36 AM

9/13/05 10:59:55 AM

FINGERHUT GALLERY Our Grand Old Gallery offers the best selection of new works by:

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Picasso, Zjawinska, Miro, Brewitz, Vanderveen, Wilkinson, Matisse, Jiang, Rembrandt, & more.

Picart Smirnov Chagall

Hunt Montesinos

800-700-1842

690 BRIDGEWAY

www.fingerhutart.com/sausalito.htm

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E-mail: fgsa1@aol.com

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ARTFUL LIVING

Kimberly Howland

Architectural Color • Design • Staging Feng Shui • Art Broker

View more images at www.keatinholly.com

KEATIN HOLLY

Originals & Limited Editions 415.464.9947 • www.keatinholly.com

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www.aikomorioka.com (415) 867-5033 Represented by:

Desert Art Collection Gallery Palm Desert, CA

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SAUSALITO ART COLLECTION

GAIL MORRIS TERESA DONG

LINDA SAYTES RAY CARPENTER

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CALENDAR

November 9–27

OCT NOV 2005

Fidelio Beethoven’s only opera is the story of Leonore, a courageous woman who disguises herself as a man and infiltrates a prison in a search of her husband. San Francisco Opera (SF). 415.864.3330, sfopera.com

■

November 10–December 11 Splittin’ the Raft This new take on Mark Twain’s The Adventure’s of Huckleberry Finn tells the classic story from the perspective of Frederick Douglass—one of America’s greatest voices for freedom. Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5200, marintheatre.org

November 17 An Evening of French Cabaret Grab your passport and let yourself be transported to Paris for an Evening of French Cabaret. This monthly series runs through December. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com

COMEDY French cabaret series at 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley runs through December.

Every Tuesday

PERFORMING ARTS October–November Wait Until Dark A suspenseful story set in a Greenwich Village apartment about a seemingly innocent doll, thru Oct. 23. On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson opens Nov 11. The Barn Theatre (Ross). 415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.org

Thru October 23 The Tempest Magic collides with humanity in this romantic version of classic Shakespeare, presented by the California Shakespeare Theater. Bruns Amphitheater (Orinda). 510.548.9666, calshakes.org

October 1–22 Doctor Atomic The history and moral crisis surrounding the creation of the first atomic bomb meets opera. San Francisco Opera (SF). 415.864.3330, sfopera.com

October 14–30 A Thousand Clowns A bachelor uncle endeavors to rear his nephew as he solves the problems of two social workers. Belrose Theatre (San Rafael). 415.721.4410, MCTheatre.com

Mark Pitta and Friends A bit of extra publicity hasn’t stopped local favorite Pitta from his Tuesday night commitments. Catch his popular act as he emcees a night of comics—ranging from newcomers to professionals—honing their skills. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com

October 21–30 October 7–8 & 14–15

Immortal Heart Amy Tan’s riveting tale of two dovetailing histories explores the strict tenets of women’s roles in early 20th century China. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com

Shopping as a Spiritual Path Bay Area inspirational humorist Terri Tate’s hilarious take on life’s challenges ranging from sex education to divorce. Show includes dinner. Larkspur Café Theatre (Larkspur). 415.924.6107, murphyproductions.com

November 5 & 6 The Teahouse Beijing People’s Art Theatre—the first Chinese drama company to tour internationally—tells the story of a traditional teahouse and its owner and customers against a backdrop of modern Chinese history. Presented by Cal Performances at Zellerbach Hall “A” (Berkeley). 510.642.9988, calperfs.berkeley.edu

November 29–December 17 700 Sundays An autobiographical journey created and performed by Tony Award–winning funnyman Billy Crystal. Golden Gate Theatre (SF). 415.551.2050, shnsf.com

MUSIC

November 9–13 October 13–November 13 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Tennessee William’s compelling Pulitzer Prize–winning play about a volatile Southern family in crisis. Performed by A.C.T., Geary Theater (SF). 415.749.2228, act-sf.org

The Winter’s Tale The all-male Propeller company from Great Britain makes its Bay Area debut with a haunting new production of Shakespeare’s timeless tale. Presented by Cal Performances at Zellerbach Playhouse (Berkeley). 510.642.9988, calperfs.berkeley.edu

October 7 Too Beautiful for Words Experience the art of the ballad, featuring renowned vocalist Jamie Davis with jazz trio (San Rafael). 415.485.3436, falkirkculturalcenter.org

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October 9 & 11

October 30

October 12—16

Jeffrey Kahane Enjoy an evening of Gershwin, Debussy, and Ravel with the renowned guest pianist, presented by the Marin Symphony. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.479.8100, marinsymphony.org

Arlo Guthrie Join the activist/musician in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the infamous album Alice’s Restaurant. Presented by Cal Performances at Zellerbach Hall “B” (Berkeley). 510.642.9988, calperfs.berkeley.edu

Kirov Ballet & Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre The acclaimed company of 220 presents The Sleeping Beauty, one of the crown jewels of Russian Ballet. Presented by Cal Performances at Zellerbach Hall A (Berkeley). 510.642.9988, calperfs.berkeley.edu

October 16

October 31

The Bay City Stompers Marin resident Leon Oakley and Jim Cullum lead an eight-piece jazz band in a performance honoring jazz legend Turk Murphy. Bimbo’s (SF). 415.392.4400, cityboxoffice.com

Pilar in Concert Pilar’s musical style reveals R&B, jazz, pop, and Latin influences. The Larkspur Café Theatre (Larkspur). 415.924.6107, murphyproductions.com

October 22 & 23 Compagnie Marie Chouinard Viseral primal movement is set to the music of Chopin in her Bay Area debut. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF). 415.392.2545, performances.org

November 6 October 19—22 Jean-Yves Thibaudet plays Gershwin’s piano concerto, a perfect fusion of blues and classical grandeur. SF Symphony (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org

A Woman’s Heart Mary Black, Maura O’Connell, Sharon Shannon, and Cara Dillon. Four of the best female vocalists from Ireland take the stage at Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.499.6400, marincenter.org

October 20

November 13 & 15

The Left Coast Chamber Ensemble Twelve versatile musicians present chamber music new and old, including Aaron Copland, Igor Stravinsky, and Donald Erb. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com

Axel Strauss The first German ever to win the Naumburg Violin Award, Strauss will perform Brahms’s Violin Concerto in this new program at the Marin Symphony. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.479.8100, marinsymphony.org

November 1 Savion Glover The charismatic tap dancer, Tony Award–winner, and series regular on Sesame Street performs an entirely new show set to classical and jazz music. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marincenter.org

November 27 Break! The Urban Funk Spectacular dubbed the new “STOMP,” this energetic production traces the history of hip–hop dancing over the last 30 years. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.499.6400, marincenter.org

November 25 October 22 Peter Frampton Take a ride down memory lane with this legendary musician, who recorded his popular Frampton Comes Alive album in San Francisco and Marin almost three decades ago. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.499.6400, marincenter.org

Kundalini Boombox Embark on a pan-cultural musical journey, mixed with a little electronica, at the Larkspur Café Theatre (Larkspur). 415.924.6107, murphyproductions.com

MARIN

Art Works Downtown

DANCE

October 22

October 6–8

Vienna Choir Boys One of the oldest performance groups—in existence for nearly 500 years—continues to delight listeners. San Francisco Symphony (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org

Printz Dance Project An evening of highly charged, musically driven contemporary dance, including one work by guest choreographer Brook Notary. Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center (SF). 415.927.3253, printzdance.org

spotlight on lines For over two decades. Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet has been making its mark on the dance world with innovative musical collaborations: One year it partnered with legendary jazz saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, the next with India’s tabla master Zakir Hussain. This fall, the San Francisco–based company is back with another unlikely combination: ballet and traditional Moroccan music. Provisionally titled The Moroccan Project, this new partnership between Artistic Director King and seven North African musicians and vocalists will feature originally composed music, traditional Sufi instrumentation and Moroccan percussive instruments such as goatskin hand drums and qarqabas, the ancestors of castanets. The world premiere of The Moroccan Project will run at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Nov 4–6 and 9–13, but if you want to catch a sneak peek at King’s classically trained and abnormally flexible dancers, they’ll also be making a brief appearance at the October 15 opening of the de Young Museum. For tickets to The Moroccan Project call 415.978.ARTS or log on to the website: ybca.org

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GALLERIES

Strong Ties: Diverse Connections Marin artists showcase a variety of media, sculpture, fiber drawing, and painting, on display thru Nov 18. Handkerchiefs with Attitudes, Nov 26–Jan 5, 2006. 1337 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.451.8119, artworksdowntown.org

Claudia Chapline Gallery Coming Home Baulines Crafts Guild, thru Oct 23. group exhibition of limited edition prints, Nov 6–Dec 18. 3445 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach. 415.868.2308, cchapline.com Contemporary Fine Arts (CFA) Greenfield Ave, San Anselmo. 415.457.8847, cfagallery.com

Edith Caldwell Gallery Still-life paintings by Robert Jackson. Realist drawings by Don Williams, Susan Manchester, Steven Graber, and Ronald Sherr. New contemporary tapestries by Alan Magee and Era and Donald Farnsworth. 819 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.331.5003, edithcaldwell.com

Gallery Bergelli Love, Memory, and Nostalgia Paintings by Bay Area artist and musician Sanjay Vora. 483 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.945.9454, gallerybergelli.com

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Gallery Route One Arthur Comings sculptures on display thru Oct 16; Betty Woofolk and photographs by students of Luz Elena Castro, Oct 21–Nov 27. 11101 Hwy One, Point Reyes Station. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org

Garzoli Recent Early California Aquisitions, including works by Edwin Deakin, Grace Hudson, William Keith, and more. 930 B St, San Rafael. 415.459.4321, garzoligallery.com

Hanson Gallery Fredrick Heart Figurative sculptures on display Oct 15–Nov 15. 669 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.332.1815, hansongallerysa.com

artist’s life, on display thru Oct 29. The photography of Adam Fuss, Nov 3–Dec 30. 49 Geary St, 415.981.2661, fraenkelgallery.com

Marin Images

Gallery Paule Anglim Louise Bourgeois Drawings, hand-colored prints, artist’s books, and works printed on cloth, thru Oct 15. 14 Geary St, 415.433.2710, gallerypauleanglim.com

Fine Art Photography of Marin for Home and Ofﬁce

George Krevsky Gallery East Coast/West Coast Four Modernist Women: Theresa Bernstein, Ruth Gikow, Dorothy Winslade, and Helen Ludwig, thru Oct 29. 77 Geary St, 415.397.9748, georgekrevsky gallery.com

Gregory Lind Gallery Marin Society of Artists Annual Membership Show, Oct 2–23. WabiSabi: The Japanese tradition of celebrating the beauty in what is flawed or worn, Oct 30–Nov 20. Carousel of Color opens Nov 27. Marin Art and Garden Center (Ross). 415.454.9561, marinsocietyofartists.org

Around the Corner Crocheted sculptures by Seth Koen, thru Oct 22; Phase Shift Sofi Zezmer’s sculptures made from synthetic materials, Oct 26–Nov 30. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, gregorylindgallery.com

Hackett-Freedman

Arts Quilts A new collection of quilts—from the abstract to the representational and the traditional to modern; Oct 4–29. Public artists talk about the process of quilting Oct 8. 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.4331, ohanloncenter.org

The Poetics of Painting Monotypes, mixedmedia collages, and paintings by Gustavo Ramos Rivera, thru Oct 29. Pairings II: Discovered Dialogues in Postwar Abstractions, featuring abstract paintings and works on paper by postwar-era artists from both coasts, Nov 3–Dec 31. 250 Sutter St, 415.362.7152, hackettfreedman.com

Robert Green Fine Arts

Hang Art and Hang Art Annex

Abstract expressionism, works on canvas by Ed Moses, on display thru Oct; Jim Shay’s recent paintings, opens Nov 1. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.8776, rgfinearts.com

Old Family Name Lush abstract paintings by Fain Hancock, Oct 3– 31, and Katherine Valentine New Works, Nov 2–29, at Hang Art. Kyros Jylian Gustlin’s vibrant figurative and abstract paintings, Oct 3–31, and Triptych A group show of paintings, Nov 2–29, at Hang Art Annex. 556 & 567, Sutter St, 415.434.4264, hangart.com

O’Hanlon Center for the Arts

Spin Gallery Modern Men II Large format abstract paintings and whimsical three-dimensional work, on display thru Oct 14. Smith Ranch Studios Resident Artists Exhibition, Dec 2–11. 7 Mark Dr, San Rafael. 415.499.7640, spingallery.net

William Lester Gallery Connie Kirk Works on display thru Oct; Lindy Duncan opens Nov 1. 11101 Shoreline Hwy, Point Reyes St. 415.663.9365, williamlestergallery.com

SAN FRANCISCO

Caldwell Snyder Gallery Popliteo Bronze sculptures on display thru Nov 15; Paintings by Cole Morgan opens Nov 19. 341 Sutter St, 415.296.7896, caldwellsnyder.com

Fraenkel Gallery Robert Adams Circa 1970 Photographs from an especially productive period of the young

“Surreal Sunset”

“Emergence”

Framed ﬁne art prints of Point Reyes, Mount Tam, the Headlands and more. Individual prints or in sets.

John Berggruen Gallery Sculptures by Joel Shapiro and paintings by Isca Greenfield-Sanders, thru Oct 29; Kiki Smith’s sculptures, on display in Nov. 228 Grant Ave, 415.781.4629, berggruen.com

Home • Ofﬁce • Gift

Meyerovich Gallery Modern European masters including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, and Joan Miro. Robert Rauschenberg: in celebration of his 80th birthday, thru Nov. 25. 1 Post St, 415.421.7171, meyerovich.com

Paul Thiebaud Twenty-Five Treasures An eclectic group show of paintings, sculptures, and cultural objects, on display thru Oct 29. 718 Columbus Ave, 415.434.3055, paulthiebaudgallery.com

“California Poppy”

by local artist Steve Lefkovits

www.marinimages.com (510) 903-1867

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Rena Bransten Gallery Doug Hall Paintings on display thru Oct 8; Hung Liu’s paintings about a Chinese immigrant woman in the Wild West, Oct 13–Nov 26. 77 Geary St, 415.982.3292, renabranstengallery.com

ects, including complete books, covers, and pages of prints and drawings, thru Nov (SF). 415.863.3330, legionofhonor.org

SFMOMA

MARIN

The Art of Richard Tuttle, on display thru Oct 16; Double Feature: Steve McQueen and Peter Sarkisian Both artists’ works address the notion of the real and the mediated, opens Nov 10 (SF), 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org

Bolinas Museum

Sonoma Valley Museum

Focus Chuck Eckart, The Creative and Inquisitive Eye, on display thru Nov 13. Seventeenth Annual Mini Show opens Nov 19 (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org

Two large-scale sculptures by Mark di Suvero, on display thru Oct 16; Edwin Hamilton Sculptures opens Nov 7 (Sonoma). 707.939.7862, svma.org

MUSEUMS

October 30 FROGZ Populated with escaped penguins, silent sloths, and finicky frogs, Imago Theatre’s popular family entertainment show makes its Marin Center debut (San Rafael). 415.499.6400, marincenter.org

B AY A R E A

October 1 & 15, November 5 & 19 Fortnightly Children’s Crafts Wine country kids enjoy printmaking, collage, and other crafts at the Cornerstone Festival of Gardens (Sonoma). 707.933.3010, cornerstonegardens.com

Thru October 9 Holes Based on the book and Disney film, this play is presented by FamilyStage, a new theater series. Orpheum Theatre (SF). 415.551.2050, bestofbroadway-sf.com

Falkirk Cultural Center Sixty Years of Fire, Form, and Function Ceramics and Glass, opens Oct 28. (San Rafael). 415.485.3328, falkirkculturalcenter.org

Thru October 30 Museum of the American Indian On the Red Road A pictorial essay of Plains Indians, Oct 1–May 31. Miwok Park (Novato). 415.897.4064, marinindian.com.

Science Under Sail Head out for a day of science on a 65-foot sailboat designed for ocean research, weekends thru Oct 30 (Monterey). 831.648.4800, mbayaq.org

B AY A R E A

October 9 Target Music for Families Introduce children to the wonders of a symphony concert. Recommended for ages seven and up. SF Symphony (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org

Asian Art Museum Fang Zhaoling A Life in Painting, The Hong Kong artist is recognized for her “naive” style and direct approach to Chinese painting, as well as for her politically charged subjects, Oct 1–Nov 13. (SF) 415.581.3500, asianart.org

California Academy of Sciences

October 16 On October 15, the Bay Area celebrates the opening of the new de Young Museum—a world–class art destination—in San Francisco (see story, page 57).

HOTSPOT California on the Edge, explore California’s rich diversity of people, plants and animal species. Opens Nov 19. (SF) 415.321.8000, calacademy.org.

FAMILIES/KIDS MARIN

COPIA Ever-ready Working Woman Harriete Estel Berman’s Family of Appliances, thru Jan 23, 2006. Canstruction: We CAN Build a Solution to Hunger, an inventive display of sculptures built from canned food—which will later be donated to local food banks, opens Oct 21. (Napa). 888.512.6742, copia.org

October–January

The Contemporary Jewish Museum

Thru October 8

Reading the Space An art exhibition by three women from three cultures, each using abstractions of religious text and language both as theme and medium in her work—culminating in a joint length of cloth; opens Oct 20. (SF) 415.344.8800, jmsf.org

Film Night in the Park Films for and about the family. Venues are outdoors in San Francisco and Marin. 415.453.4333, filmnight.org

Berenstain Bears Discover life with Papa, Mama, Brother, and Sister Bear in interactive, three-dimensional environments based on the classic storybook’s illustrations. Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito). 415.339.3900, baykidsmuseum.org

The Family Studio SFMOMA presents an afternoon of hands-on art for the whole family, directed by guest artists. SFMOMA (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org

November 21–23 Meet the Penguins Get up close and personal with an African black-footed penguin at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey). 831.648.4800, mbayaq.org

November 26—27 Dan Zanes & Friends Family Matinee, music that families can enjoy together. Herbst Theatre (SF) 415.392.2545, performances.org

November 24–January 1

Legion of Honor Manuel Neri Collaboration/Making Artists’ Books, featuring 19 objects from Neri’s proj-

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Reindeer Romp! Kids of all ages can encounter four reindeer that will migrate and land at the SF Zoo in time for Thanksgiving and stay until New Year’s Day (SF). 415.753.7073, sfzoo.org

October 29 Halloween Howl Animal Stories of old. Forget trick-or-treating—enjoy an evening of storytelling in the great outdoors on this hallowed night (Point Reyes National Seashore). 415.663.1200, ptreyes.org

EVENTS October 1 Sunny Hills Grape Festival Embrace the fall season at this annual event, featuring

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gourmet food, wines, live entertainment, and arts and crafts. Larkspur Landing (Larkspur). 415.256.1580, shcg.org

October 1 & 2 Marin County Fall Antique Collectors’ Show Find all sorts of treasures—china, jewelry, and fine art—at this annual event. Civic Center Exhibit Hall (San Rafael). 415.383.2252, goldengateshows.com

You’re in for a few surprises.

October 2 Vincenzo, Wine & Food Festival. Sample and savor local treats and raise funds for St. Vincent’s School for Boys (San Rafael). 415.972.1239, vincenzo.org

A regional orchestra with a world-class conductor, Alasdair Neale. Innovative programming and impeccable performance. From Brahms to John Adams, Mozart to Rimsky-Korsakov, piano concertos to timpani concertos, a riveting season awaits.

October 2 Annual Sausalito Classic Car Show An international selection of fine collector automobiles, plus food, drinks, and live music performed all day. Anchor St (Sausalito). 415.289.4152, xprss. com/carshow/

Tickets at $24, $44 and $57. Discounted, flexible subscriptions available. Click www.marinsymphony.org or call 415.479.8100 for full program listings and to purchase tickets. Or call the Marin Center Box Office at 415.499.6800.

October 4 Annual Shuck & Swallow Challenge Watch teams from various Bay Area restaurants compete to shuck and eat as many oysters as possible in 10 minutes—the current record is just under 200. McCormick & Kuleto’s at Ghirardelli Square (SF). 415.929.1730

October 6–16 28th Mill Valley Film Festival With more than 150 independent and international features and hard-hitting documentaries to choose from, there’s something for everyone at this annual cinematic event. Films will be shown at CineArts and 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley), and the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center (San Rafael). 925.866.9559, mvff.com

October 7–15 Litquake With 17 events and over 200 participating authors, this literary festival will give anyone who reads a reason to put down their book and get out of the house (SF). litquake.org

October 9 Sausalito Floating Homes Tour Get an inside peek at 15 colorful, floating waterfront homes. Docents will be on board to describe the unique abodes and answer questions (Sausalito). 415.332.1916, floatinghomes.org

October 9 Tenth Annual Harvest Day at the Farm. Bring the whole family and celebrate the bounty of Marin’s farms. Select a pumpkin, take a hayride, and enjoy locally grown food. Nicasio Valley Farms (Nicasio). 415.663.1158, malt.org

Come to a concert. You’ll stay for a season. Violin painted by Grace Slick available at auction. Ten additional hand-painted violins available via individual raffles. Look for displays of Marin’s Violins throughout Marin County until March, 2006. Marin’s Violins generously sponsored by Marin Magazine.

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October 9

October 28

Opening Night Gala at the Marin Symphony. Kick off the season in high style by attending the pre-concert black-tie extravaganza under the white tent. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.479.8100, marinsymphony.org

Opening Reception Sixty years of fire, form, and function. Enjoy an evening of art at the elegant and historic Falkirk Cultural Center (San Rafael). 415.485.3328, falkirkculturalcenter.org

October 29 October 13–16 Oktoberfest-by-the-Bay This annual celebration of German heritage features food, arts and crafts, and music for the whole family to enjoy. Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason (SF). 888.746.7522, oktoberfestbythebay.com

Healdsburg Farmer’s Market Pumpkin Festival Enjoy the fall season by entering the pumpkin car races; take a stab at pumpkin carving; and enter the scarecrow contest. North and Vine Streets (Healdsburg). 707.431.1956, healdsburgfarmersmarket.org

October 14–16

October 29

Women’s Tennis Classic If you’ve ever wanted to hit some balls with tennis legend Martina Navratilova, here’s your chance—a three-day fund-raiser at Harbor Point Racquet & Beach Club (Mill Valley). 415.383.3448, womenstennisclassic.org

Doghouse HOWL-O-WEEN Dog Parade. Celebrate Halloween with your pooch at this benefit for the Healdsburg Animal Shelter. Healdsburg Doghouse (Healdsburg). 707.431.1044

October 29 October 15 Grand Opening at the de Young Museum. The landmark art museum reopens in a new, stateof-the-art facility in Golden Gate Park (SF). 415.863.3330, thinker.com/deyoung

Mystery Ball Dress up in your favorite costume and enjoy food, cocktails, music, and more at this annual fund-raiser for the Sausalito-based. Headlands Center for the Arts (Sausalito). 415.331.2787, headlands.org

October 19–November 6

October 29

SF Jazz Festival Take your pick from three full weeks of globally diverse jazz music throughout various local venues. Featured musicians include Madeleine Peyroux, Yusef Lateef, and Toots Thielemans (SF). 415.788.7353, sfjazz.org

Trick-or-Treat Bring the whole family down for traditional Halloween fun and candy. The festivities begin at Fourth St (San Rafael). 415.720.5591, downtownsanrafael.org

October 20, November 17 Tiburon International Film Festival The best of independent film from around the world. American Bellydancer plays Oct 20; Blue Horizon plays Nov 17. Bay Club Marin (Corte Madera). 415.945.3000, bayclubmarin.com

October 22 Planting for Marin An Earth-Friendly Gardening Fair. Grab your shovel and check out plants for sale, expert lectures, and panel discussions with specialty nurseries and conservation organizations. Marin Art and Garden Center (Ross). 415.455.5260, maagc.org

October 22 Mount Tam Swing is back. Dance the night away with a West Coast swing lesson and following dance party at the Mount Tam Racquet Club (Larkspur). 415.924.6226

November 9 Musical Tales of Tam, Legends of Tamalpais. A benefit for the Gravity Car Barn & Railroad Museum put on by the Mount Tamalpais Interpretive Association. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.479.3317

November 9 Shop`n Skate The Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink is now open through January 1st at the Embarcadero Center. Bring your camera and an extra pair of socks. (SF) 800.733.6318, embarcaderocenter.com

November 25 Ghirardelli Square Tree Lighting Ceremony Get into the holiday spirit with an evening of free, live entertainment culminating in the lighting of the holiday tree in West Plaza. Ghirardelli Square (SF). 415.775.5500, ghirardellisq.com

November 25–26 October 22–23 Goblin Gamboree Test out your costumes and get ready for Halloween with fun games and activities for the whole family (Sausalito). 415.339.3900, baykidsmuseum.org

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Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland Start off the holiday season in downtown San Rafael and get into the festive spirit. Fourth St, A St, and downtown plaza (San Rafael). 415.720.5591, downtownsanrafael.org

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November 26–27 Annual Holiday Open Studios Visit and talk to artists at the site where their work is created. Lucas Valley (between San Rafael and Novato). 415.499.1655

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS October–November Classes in Newborn Care and Feeding for Parents-to-Be Learn the basics of parenting, cuddling, CPR, and bathing in small, intimate classes. Heller’s for Children (San Rafael). 415.608.8308, marinbirthingandparenting.com

Marin’s most honored restaurant since 1989. LUNCH, DINNER, SUNDAY BRUNCH PRIVATE PARTIES

October 10 Andy Goldsworthy The internationally famous environmental sculptor is interviewed at Herbst Theatre (SF). 415.321.8000, calacademy.org

October 22

RESERVATIONS: 415-924-7766 OR WWW.LARKCREEK .COM

The Craft of Nonfiction Philip Fradkin teaches the process of writing nonfiction—from the dawning of an idea to the period of post-publication. Book Passage (Corte Madera). (800) 999-7909, bookpassage.com

234 MAGNOLIA AVENUE LARKSPUR

November 1 City Arts & Lectures Dave Eggers, author and cofounder of 826 Valencia, interviews Joan Didion at the Herbst Theatre (SF). 415.392.4400 cityarts.net

November 17

Marin’s Finest Collection of Boutique Hotels 1

Marin Poetry Center presents a reading by Amber Thomas, author of Eye of Water, at the Falkirk Cultural Center (San Rafael). 415.485.3328, falkirkculturalcenter.org

NATURE WALKS/TALKS October 2 California’s Birds of Prey Study the identification and life histories of various raptors, then put your new skills to the test in the field (Point Reyes National Seashore). 415.663.1200, ptreyes.org

October 29 Sunset Hike Connect with nature and get your exercise (Point Reyes National Seashore). 415.663.1200, ptreyes.org

Acqua Hotel 555 Redwood Highway Mill Valley CA 94941 415.380.0400

Mill Valley Inn 165 Throckmorton Ave. Mill Valley CA 94941 415.389.6608

Waters Edge Hotel 25 Main Street Tiburon CA 94920 415.789.5999

Thru December

Pacific Rim stylings on the Bay in Mill Valley

European-style hotel amidst historic mill town charm

A serene escape on the Bay next to the ferry landing

Browse and Appreciate San Francisco Botanical Gardens Society presents A Plantsman’s Art Collection featuring selected prints and paintings from the Estate of Wayne Roderick on display and for sale (SF). 415.661.1316, sfbotanicalgarden.org

www.marinhotels.com These hotels are managed by Joie de Vivre Hospitality. www.jdvhospitality.com Photos: Mark Darley, Cesar Rubio

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FLAVOR

his daughter’s fast-pitch team, meanwhile teaching the kids to enjoy good food—grilling beef, fish, and corn at a local weekend game, or introducing the concept of salads or fruit as snacks. Marrone’s mission is to change the palates of kids, one plate at a time.

CHEF ROLAND Passot hails from the French culinary center of Lyon, but he is well rooted in Marin. His temple of by rachel & david michael cane

haute cuisine, La Folie in San Francisco, show-

What’s Cooking?

cases the experience of a slow-paced, formal meal service; in contrast, Left Bank, his popular Larkspur destination, is a place to relax. For

HEFS ARE CELEBRITIES most all

and place, and create dishes that have a harmo-

Passot, it’s simplicity that makes a great recipe.

want to know more about when

ny of flavors.” After the success of recent themed

Some of his menu inspiration comes from the

they step out from behind their

menus, as in “Heirloom Tomato Week” and “Fig

serenity of listening to the waves while sailing

stoves. So, we followed a few of our local cu-

Week,” (see photo above) the restaurant’s up-

on San Francisco Bay. He shares his vast store

linary stars to see what else, besides tempting

coming “Cheek Week” will feature halibut, pork,

of knowledge with his restaurants’ chefs and

meals, they are cooking up.

and beef cheek dishes. Look for Krahling’s new

through instructional videos, available online

cookbook, celebrating Insalata’s tenth anniver-

(to view some simple lessons, go to www.lafo-

sary next fall.

lie.com). Can a television series be far behind?

INSALATA’S, the namesake of spirited chef/

Besides the Larkspur location, other Left Banks

owner Heidi Insalata

GEORGE MARRONE

are in Pleasant Hill, Menlo Park, San Mateo, and

Krahling, sounds like

takes it from raw to

San Jose. We even heard that one escaped all

fresh greens with dress-

rare at Boca, infusing

the way to Southern California.

ing, but her Italian

the menu at his Novato

background was the guiding inspiration behind

steakhouse with sim-

Rachel and David Michael Cane—winners

her Mediterranean-influenced San Anselmo res-

ple fare reflecting his

of the coveted James Beard Foundation Award

taurant. Celebrity sightings—Huey Lewis, Sean

Argentine heritage, using no more than three

for Excellence—host A Matter of Taste, Sundays

Penn, Robert Redford, Bonnie Rait, Barbara

ingredients for each dish. In his free time, he’s

from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Talk 910, KNEW—

Boxer, and Carlos Santana, to name a few—are

a softball dad. He can often be found coaching

AM, San Francisco; www.amatteroftaste.com.

not uncommon in this innovative eatery, which

dishes. Krahling, known as the “Lambassador” among food circles, won $10,000 in a contest for her lamb stew recipe. Since then she has become a recipe contest junkie and won an honorable mention in a “Taste of Spain” competition—open to all at www.recipecontest.com. As for what makes a great recipe, “it’s balance,” she asserts. “Respect tradition, be aware of a sense of history

132

TIDBITS The raw-and-rare concept bit the dust with the closing of Roxanne’s in Larkspur. An occasional piece of sushi or carpaccio is one thing, but our money is on dishes prepared with heat when needed, such as most meats, all poultry, and the majority of ﬁsh from the world’s waters. While the spirit of Roxanne has departed, the body (320 Magnolia) has been reincarnated into Picco and Picco Pizzeria. More on that at a later date. On a sweet note, Patti Posner’s Chocolat in San Anselmo has set up a second location in the now-defunct Cannery Gourmet and Wine Cellar in San Francisco. So when you’re headed back to Marin, you can scratch that sweet-tooth itch for the ride home. —R.C.

PH OTO COU RTE SY O F INS ALATA’S

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Our mission is to provide a collaborative learning environment that inspires creativity, integrity and academic excellence.

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Dermatology 239 Miller Avenue, Suite 8 Mill Valley, (415) 388-0660 Julie Anne Winfield, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, offers her patients state-of-the-art medical care with an “old fashioned” approach to the practice of medicine. Dr. Winfield’s practice philosophy is simple: She takes the best possible care of her patients by carefully listening to each person’s concerns, allowing plenty of time for office visits, and recognizing the importance of individualizing patient care. She enjoys treating entire families and offers a full range of dermatological services, including acne, skin cancer treatments, and the latest cosmetic procedures.

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FA M I LY

The Upside of the Downside of TV

BY DENVER COLEMAN, PH.D.

At their worst, the characters TV brings into your living room are terrible role models. Kids take it all in, learn from it. Some copy what they see and end up worse off for it. But if you’re there, sitting beside your kids, you can coach them to better understand what they’re watching. Your kids want to stay connected with you, and talking with them about something they’re interested in does just that. Your comments and questions about the programs validate them and what they know to be right. This confirmation is important to them in two ways. They feel more secure, and with security comes the confidence that allows them to make wise decisions and go on to pursue their dreams. So, here’s the upside. Watching TV with “DINNERRR!” NO RESPONSE, not even a

are fatter. And, three, the September 1999

your kids gives them an opportunity to learn

peep. “Do you want milk?” All’s quiet. I find

Pediatrics cautions parents that television

more about your thoughts and values, which

my little ones kicked back, legs intertwined,

watching before bed may contribute to sleep

helps them solidify their own.

sitting on the couch, eyes unblinking—trans-

disturbances.

Dr. Denver suggests: ■

fixed by TV. At first glance, they look like

The researchers publishing in the July

poster children for the three studies that ap-

Archives compiled their data after following

sitter while fixing dinner, make sure

peared in July’s Archives of Pediatrics and

more than 980 New Zealand kids over a 26-

the programming fits your child’s age.

Adolescent Medicine, which advised, even

year period. Results showed that the more

Educational shows like Sesame Street,

warned, of the dangers of children watching

television these children watched the less

Blue’s Clues, Animal Planet, and Dora the

television.

likely they were to succeed educationally,

Explorer teach young children how to play

limiting their socioeconomic future.

with others, to count, and to read, which

“Hey guys—DINNER!” Gets their atten-

If you use TV as a momentary baby-

tion—and off goes the TV. The research that

Further, the February 2001 Pediatrics warns

links watching TV with obesity, poor academ-

us of potential “negative health effects” of TV

ic performance, physical violence, and a host

viewing—specifying that kids younger than two

on it puts the emphasis on quality. Give

of other problems is compelling. Could we be

should not watch it at all. (Very young children

your children the responsibility of turning

making a mistake by letting our kids watch

cannot separate fiction from reality.) The litera-

TV, even if only on the weekends? Maybe.

ture is full of cautionary advice. But before

Let’s look at the data.

we throw the set away, let’s look outside the

olence,” “television benefits,” or “televi-

“box” to see the picture in a different light.

sion obesity.” What do your children think

Do your kids watch television in their bed-

helps prepare them for school. ■

Use television as a reward. Placing limits

off the set when time’s up. ■

Sit down together and Google “media vi-

rooms? If so, consider the following three

Many agree, an adolescent with your

reports: One, in the July Archives, studied

car keys is pretty much an accident waiting

about the studies?

386 third-graders and found those with TVs

to happen—yet if you’re sitting next to him,

or connectforkids.org for ways to help im-

in their rooms scored significantly lower on

coaching him, he probably won’t have an ac-

prove TV programming.

standardized tests than children who didn’t

cident. This kind of mentoring can be applied

Denver Coleman, Ph.D.’s practice is based in

have TVs. Two, a study in the June 2002

as you watch television with your children

Mill Valley. For questions or comments: email

Pediatrics suggests kids with bedroom sets

and discuss with them as you watch.

DrDenver@marinmagazine.com.

■

Check aap.org, commonsensemedia.org,

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MICROCLIMATE

SAN RAFAEL MARIN’S BIGGEST Diversity and a university are hallmarks of the Marin County seat BY JIM WOOD PHOTOS BARBARA RIES

ORKING ON HIS SECOND mug of morning coffee, city councilman Cyr Miller turns philosophical.

“Why do I like San Rafael?” he muses aloud. “Actually, I don’t like San Rafael,” he answers. “I love San Rafael.” Judging from the buzz heard at San Rafael’s active B Street Community Center, along downtown’s Fourth Street, and amid Victorian rooms of the Falkirk Cultural Center, Miller is not alone. Ordinary citizens might not confess to loving San Rafael, but a good percentage of them, when asked how they feel about their hometown, reply, “I really like the place.”

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Clockwise from above: Fourth Street cafe seating; Farmer’s Market shopping; the Falkirk Cultural Center; Eye Street walkway; the Smith Rafael Film Center

There’s a lot to like about San Rafael. It

other improvements, a shuttered movie house

is Marin County’s oldest city (incorporated in

was reopened as the community-based Rafael

1874), its largest (approximately 57,000 resi-

Film Center, a closed Macy’s became San Rafael

dents), and its most diverse (33 percent minor-

Town Center and City Plaza, and 448 housing

ity vs. Marin County’s 18 percent). San Rafael

units were constructed near the center of town.

is also the county’s seat of government (see re-

“We’re like a mall or shopping center, only laid

Now an estimated 50 restaurants are clustered

lated article, page 94), location of the 1,400-

out along ‘Main Street.’ ”

downtown, on summertime Thursday evenings

student Dominican University, and home to the

It wasn’t always this way. In 1991, faced

a farmers’ market fills up Fourth Street, and the

Mission San Rafael Arcangel, first constructed

with a deteriorating central core, the City of

term “Alive After Five” is no longer a planners’

in 1817. Arguably, it’s Marin County’s leading

San Rafael began a “visioning” process aimed

mantra, but a nightly reality.

city—its governmental, commercial, and cul-

at creating a downtown that was “the social

However, San Rafael is more than its down-

tural center—with much of the action lying

and economic center of our community.” The

town. Shana Rohde-Lynch, a Realtor with

along four blocks of Fourth Street. That’s where

city council, the chamber of commerce, 33 civ-

Frank Howard Allen, says the city has four dif-

you’ll find Courthouse Square, the Smith Rafael

ic groups, and more than 600 residents were

ferent—and distinct—residential areas:

Film Center, six banks, restaurants and outdoor

involved in the three-year project. The effort

cafes featuring every nationality of cuisine, a

was spearheaded by current Mayor Al Boro,

gallery of 30 artists’ studios, and clever shops

frequently called, “The man who saved San

because of good schools, newer homes, and

and boutiques. As one merchant describes it,

Rafael.” And guess what? It worked. Among

the Northgate Shopping Center.

142

Northern: This includes Terra Linda and Los Ranchitos. It is popular with families

MARIN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

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Specializing in selling your home

Robert D. Young, J.D. First Marin Realty 415.407.7775

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Eastern: Recent sales here have topped $5

you’re never more than minutes from any

However, within such vast community

million, although the average is consider-

convenience, whether it’s a dry cleaner or

services possibly also lay the seeds of the

ably less. There are newer homes on large lots

your favorite restaurant. Also, the climate:

city’s most dire problem. “We looking at a

near water or golf course. This area includes

it’s almost always warm with seldom any

$3.7 million budget deficit,” says Councilman

Dominican, Peacock Gap, and Loch Lomand.

coastal fog.”

Miller. “Severe Financial Choices Are Ahead,”

South: This area includes Baypoint

Another San Rafael attribute, one rather

was a recent headline in San Rafael Focus

Lagoons and Spinnaker Point, where new-

hidden, is the abundance of parks and open

Magazine, a city publication. Not only does

er homes approach $900,000 in value. It also includes the Canal Communities, where town homes

San Rafael provide a

“You’re never more than minutes from any convenience, whether it’s a dry cleaner or your favorite restaurant. Also, the climate: it’s almost always warm.” — Realtor Shana Rohde-Lynch

can be bought for as

healthy range of civic services but also, according to Focus, the state is taking a bigger cut of prop-

low as $250,000. A 20-acre lagoon and nature

space. It’s nearly 30 percent of the city’s

erty tax, sales tax revenues have leveled

preserve is nearby.

land area, according to a chamber of com-

off, and operating costs have increased. “So

Central: Basically, this is Sun Valley,

we’re putting a half-cent sales tax increase

merce pamphlet. Facilities range from grassy

Gerstle Park, and Forbes. It’s an area of

Pickleweed Park in the Canal Communities,

on the November ballot,” says Miller, “and

older homes (several Victorians) in tree-lined

where an $8.4 million recreation center is

hoping to high heaven, along with working

neighborhoods favored by people leaving city

under construction, to the well-established

like dogs, to see that it passes.”

life. There are many charming areas close to

Community Center on B Street, home of the

Don’t underestimate San Rafael; it’s a big

downtown.

San Rafael Goldenaires (50 and over) and

town with a small-town spirit. And its resi-

where seminars feature topics like “Calming

dents do seem to love, or at least “really like,”

the Storms of Menopause.”

where they live.

“Two factors make all of San Rafael really appealing,” says Rohde-Lynch. “First,

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Real Estate

Knowledge

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Jimmy Knows Marin

Check out the new Mt. Tam Cam at jimmymarin.com

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The Enclave of Tranquility t.

157 Windwalker Way, Novato As its name implies, Tranquility is a peaceful enclave of luxury homes located in a setting of enduring natural beauty. Rolling hills, towering oaks, permanent open space, pristine marshlands and sweeping views of the countryside surround this quiet neighborhood of 21 upscale homes situated on over 18 acres. 157 Windwalker Way is located on arguably the best lot in all of Tranquility. It’s south facing orientation directly faces Deer Island and unobstructed views of the countryside.

• Master suite with jacuzzi tub, stall shower, dual sinks and walk-in closets. • Three additional bedrooms each with en-suite baths. • Eat-in kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances. • Great room with media center and speakers throughout home

• 1,000 bottle climate controlled wine cellar • .41 acre lot with fenced flat back yard with large lawn • Four-pool 33’ cataract waterfall • Pergola-covered patio • Plantation entry porch • Master bedroom patio • Southwest side terrace • Front patio and covered loggia

Price available upon request. Additional photos at jimmymarin.com

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Grand San Rafael Estate

Forbes Victorian

Spacious, custom home with architectural elegance and generous space (approx 5000 sq ft*) in desirable Peacock Estates. On over 4/10th acre* level lot, the recently installed resort style backyard includes: a large salt water pool, cabana and outdoor ﬁreplace.

Nearly new Victorian in desirable Forbes area. Level lawns and English gardens are set behind the proverbial white picket fence and archway entry. Enjoy the outdoors in this excellent weather neighborhood.

• 4 Bedrooms / 4.5 Baths • Expansive front porch • 3-car garage

• Family room & home oﬃce • Pool, spa & cabana

• 4+ bedrooms/2.5 baths • Family room with 2nd ﬁreplace • Approx. 3900 sqft

• Gourmet kitchen w/island • Master bath w/pedestal sinks • 2 car garage

Oﬀered for $2,795,000

Oﬀered for $1,895,000

Elegant Waterfront Home

Peace & Serenity in Sleepy Hollow

Spectacular location with south-western views of Mt.Tam, Marin hills, and bird sanctuary on a warm water lagoon with SF Bay access, perfect for water-skiing, sailing, kayaking and swimming.

Nearly 4/10th of an Acre* with mature landscaping & lush lawns. Flexibility of floorplan and two family rooms is ideal for in-laws, guests, & home office(s). This quality remodel on a lush, level, private lot is one of Sleepy Hollow’s finest.

• 4 bedroom/3 full baths • Redwood deck, spa and lawns • Formal dining and family rooms • 3 car garage • Beautiful cherrywood built-in oﬃce • Boat dock

Oﬀered for $1,250,000

• 4 bedrooms/2.5 baths • State-of-the-art chef’s kitchen • Oversized, open dining room

• 2 Family rooms (1 with atrium) • Master suite with vaulted ceiling

Oﬀered for $1,849,000

Jeﬀ Sterley 464-3760 * Source: Tax records not veriﬁed by agent.

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2 De Silva Island Court, Mill Valley A connoisseur’s dream on the waterfront! The San Francisco skyline and the Sausalito harbor invite you to enjoy the continuous pleasures of an ever-changing tableau. Award-winning design, unbelievable convenience. An exterior and interior masterpiece with extensive use of French limestone and mahogany, stainless steel and warm woods, dramatic water features & hot tub, amazing kitchen, attention to all details. Minutes to the Golden Gate Bridge ~ Staging by Robert Federighi Design Offered at $3,900,000

For more information and photographs, please visit my website: www.MarilynRich.com.

Marilyn Rich Pacific Union

415.464.3741 Direct www.pacunion.com

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9/13/05 11:28:44 AM

TEAM EFFORT Providing Service Before, During & After Your Real Estate Transaction

PATRICIA OXMAN Frank Howard Allen

415-461-4100 1. Michael Anderson, Painter; 2. Chris Lasley, Handyman; 3. Michele Cuneo, Marketing; 4. Sue Hayes, Gardener; 5. Meriam Arenas, Housekeeper; 6. Myra Engelkes, Escrow Oﬃcer; 7. Patricia Oxman, RE Broker; 8. Roberto Castillo, Hardwood Floors; 9. Eric Lee, Home Inspector; 10. Donna Firenzi, RE Assistant; 11. Adam Wise, Lender

www.RealEstateInMarin.com

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9/7/05 11:47:11 AM

Theresa Coleman

PRESIDENTS GOLD AWARD OF DISTINCTION • TOP PRODUCER – SECOND QUARTER – TIBURON/BELVEDERE OFFICE UNIT SALES & DOLLAR VOLUME

303 Palm Avenue, Kentfield Gracious 5-bedroom, 4.5 bath home on FLAT 1/3+ acre in sought-after Del Mesa. This classic one-level 3,565’ home has been lovingly maintained and expanded. Embraced by magnificent gardens, this home boasts garden views from every room. Features include a delightful pool off a large family room, lawn area, pond, waterfall, formal living room with high-beamed ceiling, formal dining room, bedroom wing and 5th bedroom with a separate entrance. Priory Tennis and Swim Club. Ross School District. Offered at $2,759,000

415.609.4532 TheresaColeman@comcast.com www.buymarinrealestate.com

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c a l i f o r n i a

Photos by Vince Valdes • 415.381.2811

t i b u r o n ,

Special Amenities Nestled in a grove of stately Monterey pine and native oak trees sits an exceptional home that combines the Craftsman-style aesthetic with understated elegance and contemporary sophistication. Built to the standards of a by-gone era, this 8000+/- square foot jewel box was impeccably designed and constructed with the finest materials and craftsmanship. The estate is on approximately 1.5 acres and enjoys sweeping and unobstructed views of San Francisco, Angel Island, Belvedere and the Golden Gate Bridge. This architecturally unique residence blends naturally into its hillside environment and presents a rare opportunity to live in one of Tiburon’s most prestigious neighborhoods. A truly magnificent property that exudes warmth and tranquility, it is extremely private in its handsomely landscaped and terraced setting. Offered at: $11,880,000

• Tennis Court • Infinity Edge Pool and Spa • Level Lawn Area • 2000 Sq. Ft. View Roof Deck • Built-In Outdoor Barbecue Area • Temperature-Controlled Greenhouse • Breezeaire-Cooled Wine Cellar • Interior and Exterior Waterfall Elements • Six fireplaces • Whole-House Audio-Video System • Dramatic Architectural Lighting Inside and Out • Four-Line Telephone System • Cat 5 Wiring

Carol L.Spence 415.388.9516 ext. 207 The above information is deemed reliable but has not been verified by listing broker and is not guaranteed.

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9/7/05 1:15:20 PM

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9/8/05 1:25:22 PM

Marin’s First TOUR de FORCE

Anna Boucher

Kevin Christy

Dane Faber

Sherrie Faber

Linda Hammond

Kathy Luhrs

Carolyn Roskowski

Mark Trotter

Over 50+ years combined experience with over $250 million sales volume For an appointment or complimentary market evaluation of your home…. Call 415.331.6100

2320 Marinship Way. Suite 100. Sausalito, CA 94965

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9/15/05 5:42:55 PM

DIALOGUE

Leslie Blodgett LESLIE BLODGETT JUST WANTS women to feel pretty. As CEO of Bare Escentuals cosmetics she focuses not on the Halle Berrys and Gwyneth Paltrows of the world, but on “real women,” those of us whose photos are not professionally retouched. Blodgett is a veteran of the cosmetics industry, having worked for everyone from Halston to Max Factor to Neutrogena. She’s been at the helm of Bare Escentuals since it merged with MD Formulations in 2001 and she is one of the most visible and approachable CEOs in the country. The true face of the company, she appears regularly on QVC to talk about products and chat with customers. She’s been on a cruise with some of her loyal fans and her email (leslie@bareescentuals.com) allows customers to contact her directly (okay, there are assistants helping out, but Blodgett has been known to call customers back to get their feedback). Unlike some business people, who could just as easily sell one widget as another, Blodgett has an enthusiasm for her products that’s palpable.

BY SAMANTHA SCHOECH

You could live anywhere. Why Marin? Very few people, lots of open space. What makes you happy in Marin? Trail running. Seeing lots of dogs—we’re getting our new puppy next week. What gets on your nerves here? Paradise Foods is closed on Sundays. I have weekends off and I like to roam around and relax at the supermarket. What’s your personal idea of luxury? Shopping at Canvas in Mill Valley. My whole style has changed since I started shopping there. What do you value every day? Motherhood. What person has influenced you the most? My mother. She’s dynamic. She’s creative. She’s highly energetic—she makes me look lazy. As a single mom she really pushed me. What’s been the most fulfilling moment in your work? Hearing women tell me they love their skin again. I get emails all the time thanking me and the products. What’s a Marin stereotype that fits?

When she’s not traveling around

That the women of Marin are naturally beautiful.

the world making women feel

What stereotype doesn’t fit? That everyone owns a Lab.

beautiful, she is at home in Tiburon raising her 13-year-old son with her husband, a stayat-home dad. We caught up with her on a foggy summer morning when she took time out of her extremely kinetic schedule to answer the Marin Questionnaire.

What food makes your skin crawl? Fast food. McDonald’s was my ﬁrst job. I’ve read Fast Food Nation and now I just can’t stand it. All fast food is bad, but McDonald’s is the worst. What food do you love? Sushi and Indian. My favorite meal of all time is Thanksgiving dinner, but there’s no food I’ve ever turned down (except fast food). What’s your favorite place to unwind? In front of the refrigerator. Do you have a favorite Marin view? Out of my bedroom window. We see Mount Tam to the left and the Bay and the Richmond Bridge to the right. What do you like about yourself? That I don’t take myself too seriously. I can do something really stupid but then I forgive myself and get over it. How do you want to be remembered? I want to be cremated and sprinkled. No tombstone. No marker. This is going to sound weird, but I don’t want people to remember me. I want to make room for the next generation—move on to the living.

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Standards

Of Excellence

Appliances and Decorative Plumbing

San Rafael Showroom 530 W. Francisco Blvd. San Rafael, CA 94901 Tel: 415-453-6070 Fax: 415-453-8234 Rohnert Park Showroom 476 Rohnert Park Expwy. Rohnert Park, CA 94928 Tel: 707-588-3200 Fax: 707-586-0499

Performance made easy: The MasterChef Series Miele appliances are engineered to provide superior results coupled with ease of use and flexibility. A perfect marriage of form and function, the legendary “Miele Difference” is built-in to each and every sleek, European-designed frame. The MasterChef Collection means powerful performance with an inspired design that allows you to choose the right look for your kitchen.

Concord Showroom 2260 Commerce Ave., Ste. B Concord, CA 94520 Tel: 925-459-5300 Fax: 925-459-5320 Reno Showroom 7525 Colbert Drive, #108 Reno, NV 89511 Tel: 775-852-5600 Fax: 775-852-5650

Ovens, cooktops and hoods. Great cooking begins with Miele.

Sacramento Showroom 1200 Del Paso Road Sacramento, CA 95834 Tel: 916-515-0525 Fax: 916-515-2450

Visit any Standards Of Excellence showroom to see the full line of Miele appliances.

www.standardsofexcellence.com

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San Jose Showroom 1720 Ringwood Ave. San Jose, CA 95131 Tel: 408-907-3800 Fax: 408-907-3801

9/8/05 1:42:26 PM

oyster perpetual day-date and lady-datejust

OFFICIAL ROLEX JEWELER ROLEX

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OYSTER PERPETUAL, DAY-DATE AND DATEJUST ARE TRADEMARKS.

9/8/05 1:52:26 PM