Marin Magazine October 2010

MARIN

The closet where a little girl once borrowed shoes to play dress-up and a young woman now borrows them for the dance where years melt away and Kim Daugs realizes her little girl isn’t so little anymore.

Schedule a complimentary in-home consultation today.

California Closet Company, Inc.

LIFE IS IN THE DETAILS. California Closets worked closely with the Daugs family to create storage solutions that fit their home and their life to a tee. Kim’s master closet includes a slide-out valet hook, display spaces for mementos, multiple hanging areas and in-drawer dividers to help keep everything organized.

Bay Area food-and-wine duos share their common vision.

story blair campbell photos tim porter

home The Poipu Go-To

Ross family enjoys Kaua‘i home away from home.

story p. j. bremier photos barbara ries, mariko reed

Easy living on a hotel barge in Burgundy.

story andy alpine

Departments

letters

Readers respond to Marin Magazine.

currents

Mill Valley Film Festival, Tiburon Mile and more. by somer flaherty

travel buzz

Sojourn news, tidbits and deals. by mimi towle

appellation

Wine country special events and taste treats. by mimi towle

home decor

Wine storage and carry cases. by somer flaherty

fashion trends

Travel trinkets and accessories. by somer flaherty

marinterview

Bill Palmini, aka Elvis the cop. by mimi towle

fyi

Food: Cooking with Dream Farm’s chef. by somer flaherty Green: The wheel deal. by jim wood

The Cover

Impass #1 by local artist Tom Gehrig. To see more of his work visit tomgehrig.com. He is also represented by ArtBrokers Inc in Sausalito (artbrokersinc.com). To purchase a print of the cover, go to marinmagazine.com/coverart.

Departments

first person

My drop dead life. by hyla molander

conversation

Multifaceted * Entrepreneurial * Visionary, John Battelle. by mimi towle

go

Wine country cooking schools. by somer flaherty and mimi towle

calendar

A roundup of what to do in Marin and beyond.

snapshots

Out and about in Marin and San Francisco.

flavor

Marvelous meringues by Tiburon’s Carolyn Wendler by mimi towle

dine out

An insider’s guide to Bay Area eateries.

microclimate

Strawberry: living happily off the radar. by daniel jewett

looking back

Pop quiz for history buffs. by jim wood

Columns

view from mount tam

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

pov

Smart meter matters. by jim wood

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nikki Wood ext 105 | nwood@marinmagazine.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jim Wood ext 106 | jwood@marinmagazine.com

SENIOR EDITOR Mimi Towle ext 101 | mtowle@marinmagazine.com

EDITOR-AT-LARGE Tim Porter tporter@marinmagazine.com

DEPARTMENTS EDITOR Somer Flaherty ext 103 | sflaherty@marinmagazine.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Daniel Jewett ext 116 | djewett@marinmagazine.com

COPY EDITOR/PROOFREADER Cynthia Rubin

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Andy Alpine, P. J. Bremier, Blair Campbell, Hyla Molander

EDITORIAL INTERNS Jamie Bogaards, Elle Link

ART

ART DIRECTOR Anne Walzer

PRODUCTION MANAGER Alex French ext 111 | production@marinmagazine.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Drew Altizer, Mariko Reed Barbara Ries, Nike van der Molen

ADMINISTRATION

CONTROLLER Maeve Walsh ext 104 | mwalsh@marinmagazine.com

OFFICE MANAGER Danielle Grant ext 100 | dgrant@marinmagazine.com

WEB

WEB EDITOR Daniel Jewett ext 116 | djewett@marinmagazine.com

Volume 6, Issue 10. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Marin Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright©2010. Reproduction of Marin Magazine content is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Marin Magazine LLC. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned. Marin Magazine reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertisement deemed detrimental to the best interests of the community or that is in questionable taste. Marin Magazine is mailed monthly to homes and businesses in Marin County. Subscription rates are $12 per year. Marin Magazine, One Harbor Drive, Sausalito, CA 94965. Phone 415.332.4800, fax 415.332.3048, e-mail editorial@ marinmagazine.com, website marinmagazine.com.

Gyorgy Pataki, MD Internal Medicine

Everybody’s a little different. You’re uniquely you. And you want a doctor who fits your life. That’s why we created the doctor for you.com/Marin. Now you can find a doctor in Marin using criteria that are important to you like location, specialty, gender, health plans accepted or even languages spoken. Our primary care doctors and specialists are accepting new patients. Call 1-888-699-DOCS (3627) to find a doctor for you. y lan octor arin. to thedoctor for you.com/Marin

ADVERTISING

PUBLISHER Lisa Shanower ext 107 | lshanower@marinmagazine.com

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Michele Geoffrion Johnson ext 110 | mjohnson@marinmagazine.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER Leah Bronson ext 109 | lbronson@marinmagazine.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER Stephanie Ericson ext 108 | sericson@marinmagazine.com

ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR Alex French ext 111 | production@marinmagazine.com

REGIONAL SALES OFFICES

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA carolyn ware & associates | Carolyn Ware 415.601.0192

WINE COUNTRY tognetti & associates | Wendy Tognetti 707.544.3643

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NEW YORK couture marketing | Karen Couture 917.821.4429

HAWAII destination marketing | Debbie Joseph 808.739.2200

THE MARIN STORE

CONTACT: CATALOG DIRECTOR Lora Dinga ext 120 | ldinga@themarinstore.com

MARIN CUSTOM MEDIA

CONTACT: PUBLISHER Lisa Shanower ext 107 | lshanower@marinmagazine.com member of the bpa

FRIDAY NIGHT FUSION CENTER COURT | 5:30-7:30PM

OCTOBER 1-22

Enjoy complimentary music from renowned local musicians every Friday night and start your weekend off right. Sonoma County Vintners will be presenting a special wine tasting each week for $15 per person which includes a local artisan cheese plate.

10/1 Liza Silva/Landmark Vineyards

10/8 Pulse Brasil/La Follette Wines

10/15 Masha Campagne/Acorn Winery

10/22 Sinister Dexter/Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery

MUST BE 21 AND OLDER TO CONSUME ALCOHOL. WINE AND CHEESE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT EVENT ONLY. LIMITED SEATING IS PROVIDED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS. OUTSIDE CHAIRS AND FOOD ARE WELCOME. A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE WINE AND CHEESE TASTING WILL BE DONATED TO IMAGE FOR SUCCESS WHICH IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING TWO-WEEK WARDROBES TO DISENFRANCHISED MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN MARIN COUNTY WHO ARE TRANSITIONING TOWARD SELF-RELIANCE.

FOOD & WINE IS LOCAL ARTISANS

AND PRODUCERS

The Yorba Collection YORBA WINES

$110

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Set of 2)

VELLUM WINE CRAFT

$99

LET THE EATING SEASON BEGIN! With summer behind us and fall arriving in full force, it’s time to embrace our gustatory passions with all the gusto this season of harvest deserves.

Blair Campbell leads the charge with a feature on food and wine people who complement each other like, well, good food and good wine. She profiles mother-andson combo Joyce and Evan Goldstein of San Francisco; husband-and-wife duo Doug and Janet Fletcher of Napa; and winemaker Sean Thackrey and restaurateur Christian Caiazzo of West Marin.

Fine wine can be pricey, but a great dinner doesn’t have to be—as Somer Flaherty proves in FYI Food when she shadows Dream Farm chef Beau Burroughs, who shops the Marin Civic Center farmers' market and cooks a threecourse meal for four in his San Anselmo kitchen for less than $75.

Finally, if you want to leave home but don’t want to leave the kitchen, then "Bon Voyage Appétit!" is a mustread for you. Somer Flaherty and Mimi Towle take a cu-

linary tour of wine country cooking classes, trying their hands (and their palates) at dishes and drinks that range from pan-seared Sonoma Liberty Farms duck breast (part of a menu arranged by Beautiful Places) to an apple-whiskey concoction at Spoonbar in Healdsburg.

Also in this issue, P . J. Bremier in Home explores a Ross couple’s home away from home in Kauai; Journey glides down the tranquil Canal du Bourgogne in France aboard a 126-foot hotel barge; Conversation talks with pioneering Internet entrepreneur John Battelle, one of the cofounders of Wired magazine; Marinterview questions Bill Palmini, aka Elvis the cop; and Microclimate visits the Strawberry side of Mill Valley.

As always, our wish is for your good reading. Enjoy Marin Magazine , as we continue to celebrate this extraordinary place!

Lisa Shanower, Publisher

Nikki Wood, Editorial Director

Jim Wood, Executive Editor

Readers respond

❯❯ Responses to 'Victim’s Dilemma'

Regarding POV “A Victim’s Dilemma” (Sept., 2010), I agree with Jim Wood’s point of view that it’s best to "drop the lawsuit." Unless there are expenses or financial losses that are known only to the Osheroff family, the best path now would be to start looking toward the future. The lawsuit will cause testimony to be given again and put more focus on the past. To let it go is the best course of action.

Mary Ann Sinkkonen, Mill Valley

It's too soon after the tragedy for the Osheroffs to consider forgiveness. He, Aaron Osheroff, seems to be a very kind, thoughtful and compassionate man and perhaps in time will be able to consider forgiveness. In the meantime, he has filed a wrongful death lawsuit and I can't criticize him for that. Forgiveness is something that is going to take a very long time.

Melinda Triplett, Tiburon

I found Jim Wood's POV about Aaron Osheroff deeply presumptuous and offensive. The Osheroffs have endured the biggest tragedy imaginable to most of us—the death of a child— and, in addition, Mr. Osheroff suffered a devastating physical injury in the same drunk driving accident. Who is Wood, or anyone else for that matter, to tell the Osheroffs what timetable they should be on to forgive the drunken driver? Further, Wood urges the Osheroffs to drop their lawsuit against the city of Novato and against the drunk driver’s mother and her business, without any exploration of the lawsuit’s merit. Wood's stament that Novato police and firemen could be laid off as the result of the lawsuit is pure speculation. Presumably, the city has insurance for such lawsuits. Wood writes that a legal battle "will only serve to prolong the agony

for everyone involved in this dreadful tragedy." I am sure for the Osheroffs, the agony of losing a child will endure forever. And if the driver's mother enabled her son to keep drinking and driving in a manner that she can be held legally accountable, why shouldn't the Osheroffs be able to explore that in a court of law? The fact that people other than the Osheroffs want to move on from this tragedy and not hear about it anymore is hardly the point.

Ruth Dell, Kentfield

With all due respect to Jim Wood and his POV “A Victim’s Dilemma,” I have but one question: Has Mr. Wood ever lost a child?

Gabriela Becker Chiapellone, San Rafael

As a resident of Marin, for many years I've observed people entering crosswalks without looking to see if anyone is coming down the street. I think the Osheroffs' terrible accident needs to be viewed as a wake-up call prompting people to have more awareness. When did people stop looking both ways before crossing the street? It's as if they believe the law has precedence over common sense. Even those who aren't drunk might be blinded by the sun, momentarily distracted or visually impaired at dusk or at night. In downtown Mill Valley I once had to slam on my brakes when a man holding the hand of a toddler walked out into a crosswalk without looking, from behind a parked car.

Patricia Blake, Sausalito

I read with interest “A Victim's Dilemma.” It is easy to be objective and reasonable and intellectualize—until it happens to you. Actually, if I lost a child, I don’t know how I would feel or what I would want done as far as justice is concerned. We are privileged to reason and think deeply on such issues. Those who struggle day to day just to survive do not have time to ponder such issues.

Jade Leong, San Anselmo

❯❯ Dubai’s other side

I’ve made four recent trips to Dubai and Jim and Nikki Wood’s impressions (“How High, Dubai?” Sept., 2010) of this small city-state reflect those I experienced each time I was there. One is stunned by the opulence. However, not as well known is Dubai’s recent commitment to education in all its schools and for all pupils whether they be Emirati citizens (about 20 percent of the population) or the children of guest workers, be they American, Arabic, British, Filipino, French, Indian, Japanese, Pakistani or Russian. As a member of a school inspection team, I spent several days in a variety of schools. Our mission was to attend classes; meet administrators, teachers, students and parents; and provide detailed evaluations regarding the quality of teaching and learning from preschool through grade 12. Depending on our findings, schools were praised for their vision and successes and/ or supported in addressing their shortcomings. The Emirates' approach to measuring and improving education might be a worthy model for some of our schools.

Nancy Forster, Tiburon

❯❯ Glamour Makes a Comeback

It was refreshing to see local boutiques and national designer names share the pages in your recent fall fashion shoot (Sept., 2010), and San Rafael's Dominican University provided a stunning backdrop! I had no idea the campus had such beautiful architecture and landscaped grounds. I also really enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes video of the shoot, it was nice to get the story behind how the editors chose the glamour theme.

Jane Hughes, Mill Valley

Letters to the editor may be edited for clarity and brevity. Send letters to Marin Magazine , One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965. Or e-mail jwood@marinmagazine.com.

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Smart Meters Matter

Do the controversial devices have a role in the future?

FIRST, THE EASY PART: PG&E wants to replace the aging mechanisms that measure electric and natural gas usage with SmartMeters. These digital devices will eliminate human meter readers by electronically transmitting power usage info to a nearby transmitter that, in turn, sends the data to a regional office.

SmartMeters—and similar devices being installed by utility companies throughout the U.S.—will eventually give utility companies and their customers an accurate way to analyze power usage, leading, ideally, to greater energy efficiency. “Within a decade, these devices will all be connected to a nationwide smart grid,” says PG&E spokesperson Katie Romans, “that will store and evenly distribute energy, including renewables and that will greatly reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. It’s very exciting.”

Now, the hard part: many people in Marin appear ready to take up arms to prevent PG&E from installing SmartMeters on or near their homes. “We need to stand up to PG&E,” declared Fairfax Mayor Lew Tremaine at a July meeting of the town council. “We need to say no, not here, we don’t want these

meters in our community.” Later, the council adopted a 12-month moratorium prohibiting PG&E installation of any SmartMeters or related equipment within Fairfax town limits.

The county Board of Supervisors, Marin Association of Realtors and several Marin cities have also asked PG&E to halt “deployment” of SmartMeters until further study is completed. The Wall Street Journal has published articles questioning the value of the concept; locally, the Marin I.J. has done likewise—both employing the headline, “Smart Meters, A Dumb Idea.”

Nevertheless, PG&E intends to install 9.3 million SmartMeters statewide at a cost of $2.2 billion. As of late August, approximately 20,000 digital meters had been affixed to Marin homes and businesses. “We still have 195,000 to go,” says Romans. She said the utility company has “adjusted installation schedules,” due to concerns expressed by many Marin residents.

So, what are the downsides of SmartMeters?

An early concern over accuracy—namely that power costs rise following installation— was recently laid to rest with release by the California Public Utilities Commission of a four-month independent study that concluded, “(SmartMeters) are consistent with industry standards and are performing accurately.”

A second concern is that the signal from the meter attached to a house or business to the nearby relay device could be “hacked" into and provide vital information to someone wanting to learn a ratepayer’s traveling, sleeping, even bathing habits. “I’m not at all concerned about that,” says Bruce Ackerman of Fairfax, an MIT-educated electrical engineer whose 30-year business career includes work with microwave power measurement and signal processing software. “The signal will be highly secure; each meter will have its own dual-key encryption code.”

BY JIM WOOD

A third worry about SmartMeters is health related. “This is the greatest threat ever to our existence on planet Earth,” said Santa Cruz filmmaker Taale Rosellina at a recent CPUC hearing in Sacramento where several Marin residents testified against the new devices. “It will multiply by 100 million times the world’s electromagnetic field.” Rosellina and others are concerned about the radio frequency waves, or EMF, given off by SmartMeters as they wirelessly transmit data to neighborhood relay devices. Microwave ovens, garage door openers and cell phones emit similar radio waves.

A CPUC analysis of SmartMeters concluded that timewise such transmissions will average, in total, no more than 45 seconds per day. “That would be the EMF equivalent of someone standing just outside your home and speaking on a cell phone for a total of 45 seconds over a 24-hour period,” says Ackerman.

Still, anti-SmartMeter activists maintain those 45 seconds of radio transmission, multiplied by tens of thousands of homes, constitute a health hazard resulting in such maladies as migraines, nausea, and tissue and bone degeneration. In May, after an extensive study regarding the effects of electromagnetic fields on humans, the World Health Organization concluded, “With 4.6 billion mobile phone users worldwide, to date, no adverse health effects have been established for their use.”

This is a major topic of discussion in cities across America, and nowhere, it appears, is the dialogue more intense than in Marin. At stake is the modernization of America’s electrical grid. Marin must enter this discussion with an open mind and listen to expert testimony with an eye toward creating an efficient and sustainable nationwide energy system. That’s my point of view. What's yours?

E-mail jwood@marinmagazine.com

Elaine

Owner, Book Passage

Ask Elaine why she likes Bank of Marin. She’ll tell you that our team of professional, friendly bankers helps keep her business thriving. We also take care of her personal finances and have a shared commitment to local non-profits. With our strength behind her, Elaine continues to be a best seller.

For more information call Dan Rheiner, Regional Manager, at (415) 785-1554.

Petrocelli,

Shop Till You Drop

Carolina Loiacono has transformed the women’s boutique Allie G into her new signature shopping destination, Carolina. Visit to find more great dresses like the one featured in our fall fashion shoot. 76 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley, 415.381.2554, carolinaboutique.com

OPENINGS

SkinSpirit Skincare Clinic & Spa is making Marin its newest medical spa destination. The Mill Valley spa offers nonsurgical cosmetic skin care treatments for the face and body, including massage therapy, laser hair removal, chemical peels, acupuncture and physiciandesigned facials. The Palo Alto location has already received “Best Of” awards from local media, and this month, the Marin site is opening with complimentary skin care consultations. 800 Redwood Hwy., Mill Valley. 866.323.0039, skinspirit.com

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

With National Breast Cancer Month upon us, locals are taking big steps to combat the disease. At the University of California, San Francisco, breast cancer surgeon scientist Laura Esserman, M.D., M.B.A. is leading the charge in the development of new studies and treatment options. Dr. Esserman is one of the forces behind BreastCancerTrials.org, which was founded by two of her breast cancer patients. The nonprofit website matches individuals with NCI-approved breast cancer clinical trials. Her latest effort is the Athena Network, a project that enrolls 150,000 California patients, care providers and scientists who will work together as a network to provide new information pertaining to breast cancer risk, prevention and treatment. The goal is to find more effective ways to screen and fight breast cancer, identify who is most at risk for specific types of breast cancer and discover what treatments work best for certain genetic and medical profiles. athenacarenetwork.org

Locals Show at MVFF

This year’s Mill Valley Film Festival, October 7–17, includes shorts, mid-lengths and feature films in a variety of categories. Don’t miss Greenbrae residents Nancy Kelly and Kenji Yamamoto, who screened their first film 25 years ago at the festival and are back with a new full-length documentary, Trust Kelly wrote, directed and produced the new film; Yamamoto produced and edited it. The documentary is about 18-yearold Marlin, a survivor of rape, who by participating in a neighborhood teen theater company is transformed through the power of art. This year’s film festival also marks the couple’s 25-year wedding anniversary. mvff.com

Jump In

This year’s RCP Tiburon Mile Open Water Swim is October 17. Jump in the chilly waters or keep a watch from shore as 600 participants, from Olympic-caliber athletes to local recreational swimmers, compete for a $10,000 first prize. The race begins at Angel Island and ends in Tiburon. rcptiburonmile.com

Tee Time

WANT TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL with the golf pros? The Frys.com Open, part of the PGA Tour’s fall series, has moved to California— CordeValle Resort in San Martin, to be exact. The four-day tournament (October 13–17) has a $5 million purse with a $900,000 payout to the winner. frysopengolf.com

Great Pumpkins

HALF MOON BAY’S October lineup of all things gourd-geous includes the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-off on October 11 and the 40th Annual Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival on October 16-17. halfmoonbaychamber.org or miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest

NEW ST. REGIS

AS BIG CITIES GO , Mexico City (pop. 20.5 million) is near the top of the “biggest” list— ranking behind only Tokyo and Seoul—and it’s just a four-hour flight from SFO. And now, with the new Cesar Pelli–designed St. Regis Mexico City, the where-to-stay issue just got easier. Centrally located next to the graceful Diana Fountain on historic Paseo de la Reforma, the Starwood-operated 189-room, 31-story hotel is near all the attractions, yet offers an oasis when an oasis is needed. Every imaginable amenity— Diana Restaurant, King Cole Bar, a 15th-floor spa with infinity pool—is effortlessly available thanks to a friendly yet professional staff. stregis.com/mexicocity

Going Ghostal

Headed for Monterey this month? Get in the Halloween spirit (so to speak) by visiting the region’s spookier spots. Bay Area author Jeff Dwyer has written seven books on tracking the paranormal; his latest, Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Monterey and California’s Central Coast, tells where to get the most boo for your buck. “In all my books, I emphasize ‘accessibility,’” he says, “I want my readers to be able to go to a haunted location and freely enter the place. I’ve had so many paranormal experiences in restaurants, bars, inns and hotels, (and) ghost hunting is a lot more fun when we can eat or sleep in a haunted place.” Is there a property he considers “most haunted”? Sure: the Monterey Hotel, built in 1904. “During my stays I recorded audio phenomena, witnessed bizarre manifestations in televisions, and watched as a cell phone screen filled with the digits 7 and 5 and a ghost whispered ‘seventy-five’ in my ear. I also interviewed many staff members and learned of apparitions that appear on the stairs and in mirrors, and unexplained movement of objects.” For other eerie attractions in the former capital of Alta California, visit toursmonterey.com

Family Programs

Family Sundays

Kids get in free!

First and third Sundays of each month

Explore art, create your own, travel to virtual worlds, get hands-on, discover special places, be inspired. Learn more at sfmoma.org/families

Rock on, vintner

GOTTA LOVE A VINEYARD dedicated to the rock-and-roll classics (non-musician-owned, no less). Cliff Lede of his namesake vineyard might play some mean air guitar, but he also makes award-winning wines from the 39 vineyard blocks, each named after a memorable hit, on his 60-acre Yountville spread. Grapes from the blocks called Dark Side of the Moon, Yesterday and When Doves Cry go into the cabernet sauvignon; Pinball Wizard’s fruit infuses the malbec; grapes from Stairway to Heaven will grace a cabernet franc. To celebrate harvest, Lede has opened his vineyards and tasting room for an interactive wine-and-tunes pairing event featuring the “Rock Block” series of estate wines. After a tour of the premises, guests return to the tasting room to sip wine, listen to songs and enjoy seasonal canapés. cliffedevineyards.com

Feast for Your Eyes and Belly

GET YOUR TICKETS SOON for this year’s Bracebridge Dinner at the Ahwhanee hotel, where Tiburon’s Holly Noble (pictured in purple) continues in her role as Lady Delfinium and once again San Anselmo’s Melissa Wortman has designed the costumes. Up to 300 guests enjoy a lavish seven-course meal prepared by executive chef Percy Whatley and presented as a Renaissance lord’s yuletide feast, with service choreographed as part of the show. The Ahwahnee dining room, with its 50-foot ceiling and massive log beams, becomes the Great Hall at Squire Bracebridge’s manor, festively adorned with holiday decorations, many of them restored originals from the first productions in the late 1920s. The play is based on a story from Washington Irving’s The Sketch Book (1819); famed photographer Ansel Adams, also an accomplished musician and pianist, directed and performed in the play for nearly 45 years. December 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 25 at 6 p.m; $1,718 (two-night package), $1,274 (one night); other park lodging available. yosemitepark.com/bracebridge

SALON BOMBAY

Taj Campton Place, San Francisco’s “Wine Scene” series combines wine appreciation with intimate dining. A formal tasting and presentation by guest winemakers begins at 7 p.m. in the Taj Campton Place Suite; guests then enjoy a special five-course dinner prepared by executive chef Sriijith Gopinthan in the Campton Place Restaurant. Upcoming dates are October 5, featuring ZD Wines of Napa Valley with founder Rosa Lee deLeuze ($130); October 12, Folio Fine Wine Partners with Michael Mondavi ($130); and October 26, Cakebread Napa Valley with Dennis Cakebread ($140). $150 for a deluxe guest room. camptonplacesf.com

HOUSE YOUR WINE IN STYLE

BY SOMER FLAHERTY

| Whether you’re an amateur bartender or just a hospitable host, stock your home with the ultimate in wine wear. We’ve found the perfect minibar for stashing your bottles and barware, a compact wine fridge to hold your favorite vintages and modern wine racks for keeping bottles ready to go and on hand.

1. Wine Barrel Lazy Susan at Pottery Barn (Corte Madera). 415.924.1392, potterybarn.com

2. Adjustable wine rack, $140 at Design Within Reach (San Francisco). 415.567.1236, dwr.com

3. Swig minibar, $399 at CB2 (SF). 415.834.9370, cb2.com 4. Cuisinart 32-bottle wine cellar, $699 at Crate and Barrel (Corte Madera). 415.924.5412, crateandbarrel.com

5. The Totes by Elliott Grace six-bottle wine bag has a removable interior to transform the piece into a traditional tote, $155 at The Marin Store. 888.408.2105, themarinstore.com

get out of town

Say goodbye to velour sweat suits and staid black carry-on bags. This season is ushering in exciting travel finds for the excursionist, expeditionist and explorer in you.

1. Tiffany Airplane Charm in 18-karat yellow and white gold, at Tiffany and Co. (SF). 415.781.7000, tiffany.com 2. Petite Cherie candle by Annick Goutal, $57 at Neiman Marcus (SF). 415.362.3900, neimanmarcus.com 3. The Hourglass Cosmetics Prodigy lip gloss line comes in a flat package to fit discreetly in a clutch or back pocket, $26 at Sephora (Novato). 415.878.2004, sephora.com 4. Tower Bridge Boots, at Loro Piana (SF). 415.593.3303

5. Palace trunk by Goyard, price available upon request at Goyard (SF). 415.398.1110, goyard.com 6. The Pégase 45 rolling luggage in glossy Monogram Vernis Blue Nuit by Louis Vuitton, $2,520 at Louis Vuitton (SF). 415.391.6200, louisvuitton.com

For local healthcare to be truly effective, doctors and patients need access to high-quality resources—right in the communities where they live and work. That’s why we’re proud to announce Marin General Hospital’s partnership with the Marin IPA and Prima Medical Group physicians to form the Prima Medical Foundation.

Prima is a locally owned, nonprofit medical foundation that provides Marin and Sonoma residents access to experts in internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, pulmonary and critical care medicine, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, and dermatology. And we’re actively recruiting additional doctors based on the specific needs in each community.

What’s more, we’re making it easier for doctors to focus more on patient care and less on business. We’re providing them with tools to manage their practice, and helping them collaborate with each other through safe, secure electronic health records (EHRs).

We are committed to enhancing the quality and continuity of care throughout Marin County. With a strong commitment to community education and continuous improvement, we’re working toward making sure you’ll get the care and services you need, now and into the future

For more information, visit www.primamedgroup.com.

Bill Palmini

If you’ve lived in the Bay Area for more than a few decades, it’s likely you’ve seen the “King of Traffic Safety,” aka police officer Bill Palmini, on TV, on an S.F. Giants poster or perhaps in a live performance as Elvis the Cop. Palmini says that as far as he knows, he was the only Elvis impersonator ever paid by the feds to shake and shimmy. From the early ’90s, he and his team of musically minded law enforcers took their message of drugabuse awareness and traffic safety to young audiences in schools and community centers nationwide. These days he’s chief of public safety at Hastings Law School in San Francisco and is active in the Novato Elks club. And the Elvis act? The jumpsuit “comes out at least a dozen times a year for fundraisers, state fairs or parades,” he says.

How long have you lived in Marin? I’ve lived in Novato since 1972, and before that in Mill Valley.

Do you have a favorite doughnut shop? Yes, I do. Great Donuts, located next to the post office in downtown Novato. I go every Saturday after playing basketball.

In your act do you bring up the ironic fact that Elvis died of a drug overdose? We don’t mention it. I’ve been asked this question many times by the media and my response is that we have found Elvis crossed all cultural and demographic borders, so we have used his popularity to get our message out.

If you were going to start the program today, would you still use Absolutely; it’s what I know best and it’s been successful.

Your son does Elvis impressions. Will you be passing the baton on to him? He is a sergeant with the Pinole police and does a decent job singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” but I don’t see the baton being passed to him.

You coauthored Murder on the Rails, a true crime thriller. Any more books on the horizon? My coauthor Tanya Chalupa and I have two manuscripts awaiting a publisher: one on pedophiles, related to the Amber Swartz-Garcia case,

PHOTO: TIM PORTER

and another about a crime I worked on in Sausalito in the ’70s involving the Mafia (Jimmy “the Weasel” Frantianno ) and a heist at the Trident nightclub by boat. And I am currently doing research for a book on Marin in the Prohibition years that involves notorious bad guys like Baby Face Nelson.

Did anyone monitor the effectiveness of the Elvis outreach program? According to the CHP data, after three years in nine counties, we had a 32 percent reduction in teenage injuries/deaths that were alcohol related. Other counties in California experienced a 7 percent reduction during the same period. And we were the only show in town, no pun intended, so it’s easy to connect the decrease to our efforts. Personally, the letters I have received from students make it worth it; I’ve kept them all.

Were there any kids you connected with in particular? One of my favorites was a boy named Jermaine who had seen us perform at the Contra Costa Juvenile Hall. He then entered the cover contest (kids were asked to submit designs for our CD cover) and won, and he also recorded his own song. He ended up coming with me to the California Juvenile Conference and did a short presentation. Afterwards cops lined up to get his autograph. It was an emotional moment.

Any thoughts on reaching Marin’s youth? Here’s the deal: kids don’t want to be lectured to; you’ve got to earn their trust. Often they perceive police as (the ones) giving tickets, lecturing on safety, et cetera. They have to believe you are there for them. If you really want to make an impact you’ve got to put money and time into it and let them become ambassadors for traffic (safety) and learning; it has to be fun. In Marin there is too much talking and not enough doing. And now programs are getting cut. We cannot not invest in our youth—they are our future.

FARMERS’ MARKET DINNER

WE FOLLOW DREAM FARM CHEF BEAU BURROUGHS AS HE CREATES THE ULTIMATE SEASONAL MEAL

BY SOMER FLAHERTY

PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER

Each Thursday chefs from around the Bay Area head to the Marin Farmers’ Market looking for fresh ingredients they’ll serve that evening in their restaurants.

But these are the professionals, and as much as I love gathering at the market with friends, combing the stalls for fresh cheeses, fruits and vegetables I’ll include in my meals throughout the week, I always wondered how the real culinary creations are made—how a chef eyes just the right produce and plans a meal for that evening, right on the spot.

With the challenge of creating a three-course meal for four with a $75 budget, I am tagging along with Beau Burroughs, the talented 30-year-old chef at Dream Farm restaurant in San Anselmo. Burroughs is self-taught and quiet, perhaps preferring to let his meals be his message, but he lights up when eyeing prizes like Green Zebra heirloom tomatoes or just the right Mission figs.

“What are you thinking for the protein?” I ask him, trying to use the chef-speak I’ve picked up on various episodes of re-

Burroughs and I leave the farmers’ market at the same moment, but by the time I enter the restaurant, he already has water boiling on the stove, the potatoes sliced, seasoned and in the oven and is working on cutting the tomatoes...

ality cooking shows. “Duck,” he says. “I’ve been in the mood for duck.” And with that, we searched, and searched. Unfortunately, a farmers’ market is just that — a bounty of that day’s freshest and seasonal ingredients from local purveyors. And alas, we’d learn from another farmer that the duck booth wouldn’t be there until Sunday’s market.

With the lack of duck looming, Burroughs is silent. His height is an advantage here, as he peers up and down the booths. Without saying a word, he walks over to the Mission Fish booth. Spotting fresh tuna, salmon and halibut, he studies the prices before making a selection. In an industry where cooking has become a celebrity endeavor, the autodidact chef has the smallest ego of any I’ve met. He’s used to sticking to a budget—the menu at Dream Farm only includes items under $20—and he doesn’t (seem) to grow tired of some of the loquacious farmers excited to tell the chef about their prized produce and the virtues of their soil. After opening a zip-

locked bag with a halibut fillet inside and getting a waft of the freshness, Burroughs makes his decision. “We’ll have halibut fillets for the entrée; those figs I purchased for the duck breast will still work on the cheesecake dessert and I’ll pick up some corn and fava beans for the fish garnish.”

After picking up our final ingredients— honey from Marshall’s Farms, heirloom tomatoes from Balakian Farms, potatoes from Little Organic Farms, cheese from Spring Hill Jersey, basil from Arrowsmith Farms and avocados from Shoup Farms we headed to central Marin to test our meal in Dream Farm’s kitchen.

Burroughs and I leave the farmers’ market at the same moment, but by the time I enter the restaurant, he already has water boiling on the stove, the potatoes sliced, seasoned and in the oven and is working on cutting the tomatoes for the starter salad. The ease and speed with which he works in this intimate kitchen not only impresses me but gives me confidence to attempt these recipes in my own apartment’s meager space.

As Burroughs masterfully purees the Star Route Farms arugula and cashew pesto (even being so bold as to remove the blender’s top and add more greens mid-power-puree, which garners a look of awe from myself and our photographer) he talks about his future, which

Recently Funded First Mortgage Investment

As Burroughs finishes stacking the various varietals of heirloom tomatoes and plating the fish, we sit down to enjoy his hard work. The meal is remarkable and I can see why Dream Farm is becoming one of the most talked-about restaurants in Marin. With help from local farmers’ seasonal offerings Burroughs has produced what I call feel-good cuisine. He has that rare knack for creating a plate that will satisfy but won’t weigh down. And although I tell him I’m not sure I’ll be able to cook my halibut as perfectly as he has managed, or succeed in not burning the honey cookie in my ricotta cheesecake dessert, Burroughs just shakes his head. “There’s no secret; it’s just good, easy food.”

HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD

ingredients :

2 lbs. heirloom tomatoes, sliced (Green Zebras, Copias, Brandywines)

2 avocados, sliced

B⁄c cup basil leaves

1 shallot, minced

1 cup feta

Olive oil/sherry vinegar

directions:

Drizzle sliced tomatoes with olive oil and good sherry vinegar. Toss with basil, avocado slices, feta and shallot. Season with salt and pepper. doesn’t include visions of a restaurant empire, but rather of someday owning a farm.

SEARED ALASKAN HALIBUT WITH ARUGULA PESTO, CHARRED CORN AND FAVA BEANS, ROASTED POTATOES

ingredients :

4 six-ounce halibut fillets

2 lbs. La Ratte fingerling potatoes

4 ears of yellow corn

3 lbs. fava beans

(will come to about 1/2 cup after shucking, blanching and popping)

1 lb. arugula

2 lemons

1/4 cup cashews

2 cloves garlic

Dash of canola oil

directions:

Set the oven to 450 degrees. Remove interior beans from favas; drop in boiling salted water for 30 seconds. Drain and drop in ice water. Slice the skin of each inner bean and pop out the inside bean. Set aside. Char the ears of corn in a hot pan with a little oil and set aside to cool for a bit. When cool enough, cut the kernels from the cobs and toss with the juice of one lemon, some extra-virgin olive oil and the cup of shelled fava beans. Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise and toss with olive oil and salt and pepper. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.

Heat a nonstick pan or well-seasoned iron skillet over medium heat until just smoking. Pour in a dash of canola oil and sear the halibut until golden brown and easy to flip. Flip sides and cook until desired temperature. In a blender, puree the garlic, cashews, and zest and juice of the other lemon and a half cup of extravirgin olive oil. Then add the arugula and puree. Plate the potatoes, then the corn salad and halibut, and drizzle a little pesto over all.

The Wheel Deal

Bike Locally Challenge attracts all ages

BY JIM WOOD PHOTOS TIM PORTER

ABOVE : Peter Meringolo of Larkspur rides five miles three to four times a week. RIGHT : Novato’s Lea Snowden.

How many people resolved to ride their bikes more in 2010? Maybe do a bike-ferry-bike commute to work? Or pedal those four short blocks to get groceries? So far, how’s it going? Lousy, right? Me too.

Well, there are six who made the pledge and kept it. All these folks—ages 26 to 70—are first-time cyclists and live throughout Marin. They were chosen from 32 applicants to participate in the Marin County Bicycle Coalition’s “Bike Locally Challenge.”

The six-month campaign’s objective: “to encourage bicycle riding for local transportation.” Specialized Bicycle Components, along with the Dean Witter Foundation and the Clif Bar Family Foundation, funded the $15,000 project.

“Personally, I’ve gained confidence relying on a bike for trips to St. Anthony’s Church, doctor’s appointments and my weekly pedicure,” says Novato’s Lea Snowden. “It’s funny: I thought that new positive attitude was why everyone was smiling at me when I was getting my toes done recently. Then I realized I

“Fifteen years ago my wife gave me a mountain bike,” Meringolo says. “The only action it saw was being moved from garage to garage in the early years of our marriage.”

still had my helmet on.” Snowden, who never before rode a bike, has pedaled over 154 miles since the challenge began last May.

The six challenge participants are awarded points—one for every mile pedaled, five for taking another newcomer along, 10 for granting media interviews—and if they amass 500 points by November 15, they get to keep the bike provided to them at the outset. “Sure, I’ll make my 500 points,” Snowden says. “I love my French blue Globe Vienna ‘step-over’

IF

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FETCH IT.

James E. Demmert,

bike.” Incidentally, Snowden recently celebrated her 70th birthday by skydiving with her 17-year-old granddaughter.

Another Bike Locally rider is 40-year-old Peter Meringolo of Larkspur, an attorney with offi ces in San Francisco’s Financial District. “Fifteen years ago my wife gave me a mountain bike,” he says. “The only action it saw was being moved from garage to garage in the early years of our marriage.”

Now Meringolo is pumping five miles (round trip) three or four times a week from his Larkspur home to the Larkspur Landing ferry terminal. “When I’m feeling adventuresome, I’ll go to the Sausalito ferry terminal, which is nine miles round trip.” Once in the city, he walks the few blocks to his office. “Actually, I really enjoy it. It’s a real stress reliever.” Like Snowden, he’s confident he’ll pass the 500-point benchmark and keep his Globe commuter bike.

Challenge entrants also include Corte Madera’s Anjuli Elias, 28; Novato’s Jason Walsh, 38; Kentfield’s Nakiesha Koss, 30; and San Anselmo’s Delanie Kern, 30. Besides use of a new bike, each rider gets coaching from a mentor on the ways of cyclists. And one evening a month, they all gather and bike as a group to a community event such as the Novato farmers’ market.

Another Bike Locally goal is to spotlight new or upcoming bike-friendly construction like the Lincoln Hill pathway parallel to Highway 101, the bike/pedestrian pathway from Tam Junction to Tennessee Valley Road, and reopening of the Cal Park Hill Tunnel, says MCBC membership director Tom Boss:

“The tunnel opens in November. It will cut 15 minutes off the trip between the San Rafael Transportation Center and the Larkspur Landing Ferry Terminal.” For more about biking in Marin, call 415.456.3469 or visit marinbike.org.

Open House Marin Catholic Sunday,

October 24

74 % of our students are enrolled in visual

75 % of our students participate in athletics

100 % of our students are admitted to college

25 % of our students receive tuition assistance hours of Christian Service dedicated to the Bay Area by the graduating Class of 2010 and performing arts

23 is our average class size

Numbers. Statistics. New Math. Old Math. What is it that counts?

At Marin Catholic your child is more than just a number. With small class sizes, Honors and AP courses, and a dedicated faculty, we form lasting relationships with our students as they focus on a challenging education.

We also work alongside parents to help develop your sons or daughters as leaders in our community and beyond.

Numbers can tell part of a story, but at Marin Catholic, it is our students that count. Experience Marin Catholic.

29,314

OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, October 24th, 2-4:30 pm in FREITAS MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM

IN-SESSION SCHOOL DAY TOURS FOR STUDENTS: ADMISSIONS OFFICE (415) 464-3810

GUIDED PARENT CAMPUS TOURS: ADMISSIONS OFFICE (415) 464-3810

APPLY ONLINE: www.marincatholic.org

My Drop Dead Life

BY HYLA MOLANDER

Gusts of wind shout through the fog over Tennessee Valley, slapping my long brown hair in all directions. I hold my legs steady on the cliff side and watch the 10-foot Pacific waves devour bits of red earth three stories below. The bushes make a rustling sound, suddenly reminding me of the rumored mountain lion, but when I turn around, two deer spring down the hill instead.

This is where it all started—Tennessee Valley Beach. The day after Erik and I moved from Florida to California—both 21 at the time—we hiked two miles to reach this magnificent Northern California coastline, and I was immediately filled up with the power of a universal force I had never experienced before.

As I caught Erik smiling at us, I said, “Do you think about how lucky we are?”

“Yes,” Erik replied. “I think about it at least five times a day."

We had everything we had ever wanted.

After our casual Easter dinner, Erik got up to make the coffee, and Tatiana and I watched in horror as he slid down the kitchen counter.

“Erik, get up,” I said.

We fell in love with Tennessee Valley that day. Then, as we married and began building our family, we fell in love with our life in Marin County even more.

My children’s photography business quickly grew to include 2,000 Bay Area families and worldwide publications, while Erik climbed the management ranks at Industrial Light and Magic. We fought like most couples do, but we had finally reached the point in which the playful gesture of a middle finger could end most arguments.

Isn’t marriage about learning to see the perfection in each other’s imperfections?

On Easter Sunday, 2003, I reached over my seven-month-pregnant belly to help our one-year-old daughter, Tatiana, find colorful eggs in the backyard. Our girls would be 19 months apart.

Then I noticed the blood on the side of his mouth from where he’d bit his tongue on the way down to our white-tiled floor.

One minute he was laughing, and 35 minutes later he was pronounced dead.

Heart attack, at 29 years old.

Just like that.

I stood over his motionless body in that sterile hospital room, kissing his cold eyelids, as heaving sobs rolled through our unborn daughter. My mouth traced his lips, wishing, more than anything, that I could blow life back into him.

But Erik had taken his last breath. I wanted to lie on top of him and die. How can I do this without him? How can I tell Tatiana that her daddy is dead?

Do you have a story to tell? Submit your own First Person narrative for consideration in a future Marin Magazine issue. For word count and guidelines, e-mail nwood@marinmagazine.com

Care for another baby? How? Why?

The only way to get past this, I knew, was to walk straight into my pain. I vowed to take hold of my sadness, wrestling it like a wild rattlesnake, so that I could eventually be a good mother again.

I didn’t want my heart to be broken into pieces. I wanted to be broken open. I needed to find meaning in this tragedy.

After shutting down my photography business, I started every possible type of therapy: traditional grief counseling, massage, energy work, a spousal loss support group, hypnotherapy, Eye Movement

which finally read, in part: “There is a place where happiness overwhelms you, where you feel you might burst because it feels so good. I have been to that place. I have been there and tasted its richness and I know that I will return there once again. I have to believe that those capable of loving with such intensity, of living each moment completely, must deserve to love again.”

The next morning I had 10 e-mails. The men didn’t even seem to mind that I was a 30-year-old widow with two babies.

I started dating, but knew I wouldn’t settle for less than Erik would want for me,

The only way to get past this, I knew, was to walk straight into my pain. I vowed to take hold of my sadness, wrestling it like a wild rattlesnake, so that I could eventually be a good mother again.

Desensitization Reprocessing for PostTraumatic Stress Disorder, and vigorous exercise. All of it helped, but I continued to search for answers.

Words poured through my fingers, describing the hammering angst. Again and again, my mind replayed that Easter Sunday. I wrote about the blood, Tatiana’s screams, and then her frequent reenactment of her daddy’s death. Each excerpt peeled back another layer.

Six weeks after Keira’s birth, Erik’s mother said, “Sweetheart, you need to get back out there. Erik wants you to find love again.” She saw my loneliness. She knew I longed for what I’d had before.

So, even though I felt like damaged goods, I entered the world of online dating. I wrote and rewrote my Match.com profile,

for less than I wanted for myself. I couldn’t bring him back or replace him, but Erik had taught me how to love, and I knew I would recognize that feeling when I found it with someone else.

Time passed, and after a couple of sixmonth relationships, two years of workshopping sections of my writing, and the eventual resurrection of my photography business, along came the serendipitous e-mail through Match.com. Along came Evan.

When I introduced Tatiana and Keira to Evan and his eightyear-old son, Jason,

the connection was instant, and in less than two years, we were married. Soon after, at the courthouse where Evan legally adopted the girls, Tatiana, four years old at the time, said, “Mommy, do you think Daddy Erik sent Daddy to us?”

“Yes, my love,” I told her. “I think he did.”

Erik had always promised to take care of us, and I believe that he sent Evan to us so that he could keep his promise.

Only months after I met Evan, he’d said, “It’s all right if you never love me as much as you love Erik.”

But what I’ve discovered is that because of loving Erik, because of losing him without notice, I am able to love Evan even more. I’m able to love Tatiana, Keira, Jason, and our new baby, Julian, even more.

Now, on this Tennessee Valley cliff, where I scattered Erik’s ashes, I have found the meaning in my tragedy. Erik’s death has taught me to live life with twice the intensity. Through my memoir, Drop Dead Life: A Pregnant Widow’s Heartfelt and Often Comic Journey through Death, Birth, and Rebirth, I hope to remind others to do the same.

As I admire these undulating mountains, I realize that even behind the mysterious fog, there is always light.

JOHN BATTELLE

Multifaceted Entrepreneurial Visionary

TBY MIMI TOWLE

his month when we celebrate ghouls and goblins, Ross-based John Battelle, media innovator and father of three, battles his own specters. They come to him in the middle of the night not as ghosts from the past, but as ideas he has to work through for the future. His solution: he sleeps with a notepad by the bed. Such nocturnal stirrings might leave most of us groggy and unable to function by day, but they’ve clearly stirred Battelle in a successful direction.

His first entrepreneurial home run was the cofounding of Wired magazine, where he and staffers demystified the cultural importance of code and taught us Java wasn’t just for drinking. He then founded The Industry Standard, a seminal dot-com weekly and website, and is now founder, CEO and chairman of Federated Media Publishing, an Internet media company. This fall Battelle hosts his seventh annual Web 2.0 Summit, an industry insider conference in San Francisco, where the speaker lineup includes big hitters like Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, Evan Williams, CEO of Twitter, Mark Benioff, CEO of salesforce.com, and scores of others discussing the future of the web.

Tech topics aside, Battelle is perhaps best known as a writer and creative thinker on the role of media, communication and journalism in our lives. He taught the topic at alma mater UC Berkeley for three years as he wrote The Search: How Google and Its Rivals Rewrote the Rules of Business and Transformed Our Culture, an international best seller published in 26 languages. He continues to write about the ins and outs of technology on his blogs at battellemedia.com and federatedmedia.net/signal. “The process of writing is how I make sense of everything,” he says.

Locally, he’s served on the board of Marin Primary and Middle School, his children’s school for the past nine years; cofounded Marin Internet Entrepreneurs, a networking group of like-minded folks who meet every couple of months to discuss

cuss industry chatter; and can be found riding his bike on Mount Tam as often as work allows. The day we caught up with him, he had already practiced yoga in his own studio, run a few meetings, scheduled a bike ride and planned to go to San Francisco that evening with his wife, Michelle, to catch the Broken Bells concert at the Regency Ballroom. All on a typical Friday.

The theme of the upcoming Web 2.0 Summit is “The Battle for the Network Economy”. Why? Each year at the Web 2 Summit, Tim and I try to focus our program on an overarching theme that we believe best sums up the year ahead. This year I feel better than I ever have about our focus, because it’s a return to our roots, as it were. If you know my work, you know I’m fascinated by the interplay between the entrepreneurial culture of our industry and the giants that have emerged from within it — Google, Facebook, Microsoft, to name a few — as well as those who have joined it from other industries — Comcast, GE, and NewsCorp come to mind.

The

Where do you get your confidence as an entrepreneur? A lot of it comes from my wife, Michelle, who is my closest partner in work and in life. She’s my sounding board, my coach, and my reality check. She runs the family, and with three kids at three different schools, that’s not easy (not to mention she also goes to school herself). And wow, when she walks in a room, it just lights up. You have to have a lot of confidence to keep up with her! My parents have a lot to do with it too. They put me through Polytechnic, a private school in Pasadena, and they really stretched themselves to do it. My mom, an English literature teacher, worked at the school, so we got the family discount. The school had a huge impact on me. When you are in an environment with 60 super-smart high achievers, you have to find your own talent. I wasn’t the concert pianist, the math whiz or the science geek—I was the kind of kid who got along with everyone and understood how everyone got along. I found out that this was a talent that allowed me to lead through ideas.

This gave me the courage to work with start-ups. I’ve had a couple jobs, with the Los Angeles Times and a short stint in the U.S. Navy, for example, but those didn’t work. I think I might mellow into working for a big company in the future…if it were on my terms. Of course, I’m not sure a large company would want me on my terms!

Do you use your anthropology degree in business? Yes, directly. In fact, I’m afraid at some point the people who run the academic circles of anthropology are going to send me a letter stating that I am misrepresenting myself as an anthropologist, because I only have an undergraduate degree. Anthropology translates to the work I get to do right now with brands. Marketers are in this amazing cultural transition right now, where their customers can talk back to them in real time—it’s changing everything. From an anthropological point of view we can look at it in terms of how society is engaging with itself using new digital tools. What does this shift mean for a business? This is where the theories of anthropology can be put into practice.

stuff we are trying to re-create online with social media is very similar to what we already do when we interact with each other. However, what we haven’t figured out is how to read the nuance of electronic interactions.

How do you handle social media with your kids? Talk with them about it and, with Facebook, insist on full access. But don’t abuse that access. At the end of the day the stuff we are trying to re-create online with social media is very similar to the stuff that we already do when we interact with each other. However, what we haven’t figured out is how to read the nuance of electronic interactions. In a face-to-face situation, if we feel like we can’t figure someone out, or they are trying to pull the wool over our eyes, we can sense it, and then we don’t trust them. I often say in speeches that there are millions and millions of years of biological and cultural intertwined evolution that have gotten us to the point where we can have social interaction. We have this very nuanced ability to read a social situation. Some people are better at it than others, but everyone has a certain competence or we would just fail (collectively) as humans. So in regards to a young developing brain, and improper or inappropriate things being shown

online, say, between girls and boys, this can get confusing. Specifically, it’s very hard for an 11-year-old girl to understand what it means if a boy sends an e-mail with “cc.” At 11, does she understand the nuance that we do, as professionals, of the “cc” vs. “directly to”? Was the person thinking of her when he sent it, or of the entire group of friends? This makes a difference, right?

Contrary to the fears adults have about kids overexposing themselves, I believe they do know how to monitor their privacy. Perhaps I’m an optimist. I posted on my Signal (Federated Media) blog a while back, “Oh hey, guess what: kids really do care about their privacy.” I was referring to a new Pew study that shows that kids are very aware of this stuff and constantly manicuring their online image, and considering the impacts of their actions. I think that that is not just a good sign, but what I would totally expect as we all learn to live online. It’s evolution.

Do you and Michelle have technology or television rules? We do, but they are a bit more draconian, I suppose. No TV on the weekdays, unless it’s baseball or something Michelle wants the kids to see and discuss (a piece on 60 Minutes she’s Tivo’ed, or Planet Earth). As for tech, that’s very complicated, with three kids at three stages of development.

Do you think there is a certain personality type that points toward success as a blogger? For some people blogging is an acquired taste and for others (it feels) completely inherent. I am in the acquired taste camp. I don’t naturally want to be the person who is always living publicly. When I post or tweet (@johnbattelle on Twitter), I craft what I write very deliberately to be public. But I don’t post on everything in my life. Then there are people who just want to be public and take it to the extremes, and some are well-liked personalities and that works for them. I started blogging back in 2002 because I wanted to connect to a community to support me in something I had never done before, which was to write a book. I found that with my opening up and being a little vulnerable, people responded with positive feedback and encouragement.

Why Federated Media? I started Federated Media to solve a problem I and many others in my field had—large audiences for our sites, but no business model. It’s evolved from essentially “a record label for bloggers” to a full-ser-

vice media company with an emphasis on weaving together the best of the independent web, including platforms like Twitter and Facebook, with the best in brand marketing. I’m very proud of our investors, of how it’s grown—we have 125 employees across four offices in two countries—and that it’s profitable in a tough market.

Journalism is evolving daily, it seems. Would you change anything you taught to your students back in 2004? The fundamentals haven’t changed. I would still emphasize three key points. One, if you are going to be a journalist you have to understand the media business, because journalism must live inside that business, which is changing radically. If you understand the business you will be way ahead of the others.

Two, you need to have a point of view. Traditional journalism programs try to drill into you the concept of objectivity. Understanding and respecting objectivity is important, but the ability to have a point of view is something you build on after you understand objectivity (not before). In order to establish yourself, you have to come from somewhere, and having a point of view means that you are a leader. For instance, the point of view of Marin Magazine is that Marin f–ing rocks—it doesn’t have to be complex. But it has to be compelling.

And three, you have to have a conversation with your readers. Treat your readers as your sources, because you have amazing conversations with your sources. Early on at Wired, the editors resisted engaging with readers. Their approach was, “My job is to write stuff; they should be lucky that we’ve deigned to write a piece for them to read.” Thankfully, that attitude has changed.

Describe Marin’s version of the entrepreneur. There is a lot of passion here. In the Silicon Valley, one of the venture guys I know has a quote about mercenaries versus missionaries. Meaning there are people who start companies because they see a rich opportunity and just drive at it like a mercenary. They are really good at making money and making their investors money, but could care less about what they are creating. Missionaries, on the other hand, are passionate about what they make because they believe in it from their core. Money, while important, is secondary. I’ve never been a mercenary, and I think entrepreneurs in Marin are definitely more the missionary type.

Pairings, Personified

Do food and wine people complement each other, like the best of food and wine pairings? Or not so much? We talked to three food-and-wine pairs — the human kind — to find out.

BY BLAIR CAMPBELL

“Do you have any idea how boring wine writers are?” My heart sank a little when I read that line in Ruth Reichl’s delicious second memoir, Comfort Me with Apples. The speaker is Reichl’s younger self—a fledgling food writer living in Berkeley in the late 1970s, just as Alice Waters and Chez Panisse were putting the Bay Area and California on the world’s culinary map.

I was new to wine writing when I read Reichl’s words, living happily under the illusion that foodies and wine folk all amicably occupied the same epicurean universe. But Reichl’s dismissive comment made me wonder about the differences between the two. Is one essentially an artist, the other more of an academic? Are chefs the true epicures, with wine representing a more scholarly, scientific pursuit? Or do food and wine people simply complement each other, like the best of food and wine pairings?

Like most things food and wine oriented, it depends on whom you ask. We asked three food-andwine pairs, personified—a couple, a mother and son, two friends—who read like a cast of characters from, well, a Ruth Reichl memoir. Their answers will tantalize your palate—whichever way it leans.

1 THE COUPLE

“Wine is part of the table.”

Doug Fletcher, vice president of wine making for the Terlato Wine Group and Janet Fletcher, food writer for the San Francisco Chronicle and author or coauthor of 18 books on food and wine

TWENTY-SOME YEARS AGO, a young winemaker named Doug Fletcher decided to celebrate his 30th birthday with a tasting of white Burgundies at the home of a friend. “I didn’t get the chance to taste white Burgundies very often, so I was paying attention to what they were like,” recalls Doug. “They were expensive, and I needed to have a taste memory for them.”

Janet, who was then Janet Kessel and had met Doug only recently, attended that white Burgundy tasting— and she has her own very distinct taste memory of those French wines.

“I thought they all smelled like rotting cheese!” she says with a laugh. “Everyone else was enthusing about these wines. So I was certainly not very wine-knowledgeable when I first met Doug.”

Janet Fletcher knows from cheese. For eight years a staff food writer and the author of the San Francisco Chronicle’s Cheese Course column, she trained at the Culinary Institute of America, and her résumé includes a stint as a cook at Chez Panisse. Her writing for the Chronicle has earned her three James Beard Awards; her extensive author and coauthor credits include The Niman Ranch Cookbook and The Cheese Course

On wine-related knowledge, Doug proved a willing tutor. He’s made wine at Napa’s Chimney Rock Winery since 1987 and was named vice president of winemaking for the Terlato Wine Group, Chimney Rock’s parent company, in 2006. The couple’s official first date was, fittingly, another tasting—of Burgundies from France and pinot noirs from Oregon and California at David Bruce Winery in Los Gatos.

Janet says that thanks to Doug she’s come a long way from turning up her nose at expensive white Burgundies.

“After Doug came along, there I was talking about wine with a winemaker every night,” she says, “and 30 years of that has really expanded my wine knowledge.”

Her culinary focus has had a comparable influence on Doug. “Janet’s food aesthetic has changed—or tempered maybe—my approach to wine making,” he says. “Wine is part of the table, and it needs to be made in a way that fits in. Over the last 30 years, I think most evenings (there’s been) some talk about how wine works with food. Our evening entertainment is to cook and have wine together.”

In addition to her culinary expertise, Janet is a certified master gardener, and dinner at the Fletchers’ Napa Valley home often features something from her expansive garden. “We eat simply, but we take a lot of time,” says Janet, who usually prepares the evening meal and lets Doug pick the wine. “We’re at the table for a long time. We share a bottle of wine every night, and it just is part of the glue that’s kept our marriage together. To have that quiet couple of hours at the end of the day.”

WHAT'S ON THE MENU?

h

A simple weekday supper:

A salad or cooked chard or kale from the garden, a simple pasta with another fresh vegetable or a little sausage and tomato sauce (both homemade).

Wine pairing:

Chimney Rock rosé (in the summer) or cabernet sauvignon h

WHAT'S ON THE MENU?

h

A simple weekday supper: At Evan’s house, roasted chicken, rice or couscous and vegetables on the side; at Joyce’s, a pasta, risotto or farro served with a salad. And no meal at either home is complete without a cheese plate, either for dessert or as an intermezzo before dessert.

Wine pairing: the best of whatever Evan’s had to open for work that day

h

2THE MOTHER AND SON

“Food and wine was our house.”

Joyce Goldstein, food consultant and author or coauthor of 26 books on food and wine; and Evan Goldstein, master sommelier and president and chief education officer of Full Circle Wine Solutions

FRANCE VERSUS ITALY. No, it’s not a World Cup match; it’s an ongoing debate between Joyce and Evan Goldstein—usually unspoken but revealed through carefully made choices about everything from professional projects to what’s for dinner. For Joyce, who won the 1994 James Beard Award for best chef in California while presiding over San Francisco’s fondly remembered Square One restaurant, Italy represents both comfort and passion. It’s where she lived during her formative years of learning to cook, and its cuisine and culture are what she found herself researching while creating menus for Square One. “I do Moroccan cooking, Greek cooking, Turkish cooking, Spanish, Portuguese…we did Provence—we did a lot of stuff from Southern France. But when push comes to shove, what’s my comfort food? Of course it’s Italian,” she says.

“The same emotional attachment that she has to Italy? I have to France,” says Evan, who opened Square One with his mother in 1984, developed the restaurant’s award-winning wine list and became its

sommelier. Evan lived in Paris for a time during his late teens and early 20s, and he believes his affinity for things French is closely related to his choice of profession. “It’s (rooted?) more in the sense that with a few notable exceptions of grape varieties—Nebbiolo in Italy, Tempranillo in Spain, et cetera—most of the world’s benchmarks for wine are all French.”

France may deserve partial credit for Evan’s ample professional success—in addition to his master sommelier status and wine consulting business, he has authored several books on food and wine, both on his own and with his mom. Still, Joyce has had a little something to do with it, too, seeing as how she started bringing Evan to wine tastings when he was 12. Ask about the role food and wine played in the house where Evan grew up, and the answer is emphatic.

“Food and wine was our house!” says Joyce. She taught cooking classes out of their kitchen and later their basement and has maintained a wine cellar since 1966.

Evan thinks this childhood immersion and early career in the food world make him better at his job today. “We have an old adage in the business that most wine people know a lot about wine and very little about food, and most food people know a ton about food and very little about wine. So if you’re ‘bilingual,’ if you will, within the two, it gives you a tremendous advantage.”

It also makes for some pretty enviable celebrations. For Joyce’s recent birthday, the family went to San Francisco’s Aziza— bringing along a 1986 Clos du Pape that Evan chose from Joyce’s cellar because he knew it would pair well with executive chef Mourad Lahlou’s menu. “It was delicious,” says Joyce, noting that Evan brought a 1944 Port from his own cellar. Instantly, she’s caught in a reverie—already planning the family’s next celebratory meal. “We have to do the ’34 Port,” she says with a sigh. “Next time.”

3 THE FRIENDS

“Fully committed to the people around us.”

Christian

Caiazzo, chef/owner, Osteria Stellina, Point Reyes Station; Sean Thackrey, winemaker/owner, Sean Thackrey Wines

WHEN CHEF CHRISTIAN CAIAZZO BEGAN HATCHING PLANS to open a locavore Italian eatery in Point Reyes, putting Sean Thackrey’s wines on the wine list was a no-brainer. A Bolinas resident and former art dealer whose first winery release was the 1981 vintage blend Aquila, Thackrey can now count über-critic Robert Parker as a devotee (he called the 2007 vintage of Thackrey’s Orion red blend “spectacular”), and Caiazzo had served Thackrey’s much-praised Pleiades red blend at his wedding in 2002.

After Osteria Stellina’s 2008 opening, Thackrey’s wine sold itself—the restaurant easily went through six cases of Pleiades a week in the summer of 2009. Meanwhile Caiazzo, a veteran of San Francisco’s Postrio and New York’s Union Square Cafe, drew raves from food critics, locals and tourists alike—and this year Stellina won a spot on the San Francisco Chronicle’s top 100 restaurants list.

If Thackrey and Caiazzo’s West Marin successes put them on each other’s radar, a recent fundraising dinner for Marin Academy gave the two men a chance to reconnect and share ideas. The meal took place at Devil’s Gulch Ranch in Nicasio and featured Devil’s Gulch venison and pork, as well as vegetables from Jesse Kuhn of Marin Roots Farm. Caiazzo cooked, and Thackrey provided the wine: Andromeda, a pinot noir made with grapes grown at Devil’s Gulch. The menu was an apt metaphor for the dedication to community the two men share.

“We’re both fully committed to the people around us,” says Caiazzo. “We give our donations [of food and wine] to the local people; we take care of the people who come in and are dedicated customers. So if somebody comes in and they expect all these beautiful displays on the plate instead of simple Heathware with some meat and some sauce and some vegetables, I’m sorry, but—”

“That’s not what we do here,” interjects Thackrey.

“Yeah, what we do is what my neighbor wants, you know? That’s what my kids’ friends’ parents want.”

Although they hail from different generations and opposite coasts—Caiazzo is 41 and was raised in Connecticut, Thackrey is 68 and from Los Angeles—they are iconoclasts cut from the same cloth, with the same irreverent attitude toward the traditions and rules of their chosen fields. And while their talents play off each other admirably, neither has much patience for what Thackrey calls the food-and-wine pairing “dogma.”

“If you follow the rules all the time, you’re never going to really expand your horizons to push the envelope or find out something that you may not have known before,” Caiazzo says.

“I’m really simple-minded about this,” Thackrey adds. “All I’m trying to do is make the most delicious wine I can possibly make from whatever the hell is right in front of me. You don’t make wine from preconceptions; you make it from grapes.”

WHAT'S ON THE MENU?

A simple weekday supper: Black cod or rock cod caught by Bolinas fisherman Rob Knowles in Bodega Bay.

Wine pairing: 2008 Coenobium, an Italian white made by the Cistercian Trappist sisters (advised by Umbrian winemaker Giampiero Bea).

the POIPU GO-TO

BY P. J.

BREMIER MARIN PHOTOS BARBARA RIES

KAUA‘I PHOTOS MARIKO REED

A Kaua‘i home away from home

Bruce and Bonnie Potter’s vacation home, near Poipu Beach on Kaua‘i’s sunny south shore, is near one of the hottest surf spots on the island, but surfing wasn’t the reason they chose to build there: he wanted to be close to a golf course and she wanted the beauty of the shore. They both lucked out. The beautiful new Tom Weiskopf–designed golf course at Kukui‘ula is just across the street from their home and the ocean seawall is only 40 feet beyond their garden.

The longtime Ross residents purchased the site several years ago and asked Ron Sutton of Sutton Suzuki Architects in Mill Valley to design the residence in a sophisticated homage to the bustling sugar mill that once operated down the road.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE : Bonnie Potter decorated the interior choosing a light wall color to offset the rich ipi flooring; building codes require dwellings to be set on piers nearly five feet off the ground, which also enhances views from the lanai and interior rooms; the open floor plan creates a casual environment for dining and living areas; exterior details reflect Ron Sutton's knowledge of historical Hawaiian architecture and design.

“There was sugarcane everywhere on this island,” Bonnie Potter recalls happily. “All those years, big trucks would lumber down the street with things falling off, covering our car in dust and leaving behind this wonderful sugary smell.”

It’s a fond memory of the nearly 40 years of Kaua‘i vacations spent with her husband and their children, son Whitney Potter, now a realtor with Pacific Union in Larkspur, and daughter Tracy Potter Gomez, a senior account director with Cinch PR & Branding Group in San Francisco.

CAPTURING KAUA‘I

“Our kids love going there,” she says. “For us, it’s a tradition like the Hamptons or Nantucket is for families on the East Coast. We just keep going back each year.”

Kaua‘i, she points out, “is the most low-key” of all the touristed islands, “with a flavor of old

Hawai‘i. It got its first big shopping center in the last 15 years, but before that, there was no supermarket so we’d bring everything over on the plane with us.”

It’s a different lifestyle, she observes. “You don’t get dressed up”—she wears shorts and tank tops and her husband has a closetful of Hawaiian shirts—“and there aren’t a lot of possibilities for fine dining or going to events. You get into books, make friends with neighbors and catch up with other friends on the computer.”

Or they come stay awhile. “We built a spacious house so we could have our children or friends visit,” Bonnie says. “There’s room for three couples and when they’re here, they can play bocce ball on the lawn, golf, swim or hike. It’s about being on vacation and not about sightseeing.”

She and her husband walk Chloe, their Labrador retriever, to the harbor to buy local fish for dinner, browse the farmers’ market for fresh produce or hike into the neighboring hills. And when he wants to hit a few balls, Bruce Potter just

From almost any perspective, the Potters can watch surfers, seals and whales drift by or glimpse sea turtles bobbing in the swells. When the doors are open, ocean breezes cool the house naturally and carry the sounds of crashing waves inside.

The Potters weren’t aware that Ron Sutton had been a student of Hawai‘i’s historical styles; they were already admirers from the work he had done on their 100-yearold Ross cottage. Beautifully transforming their kitchen, Sutton infused it with natural light and seamlessly integrated it with the adjacent family room.

pops on his motor scooter, golf clubs strapped in the back, and heads to the practice range.

When the Potters commissioned Sutton Suzuki to build their Hawai‘i home, they weren’t aware that Ron Sutton had been a student of Hawai‘i’s historical styles when he launched his architectural career on the Big Island 30 years earlier. They were already admirers from the work he had done on their 100-year-old shingled cottage in Ross years before.

Not only had he beautifully transformed their kitchen and infused it with natural light, Bonnie says, he also seamlessly integrated it with the adjacent family room using a subtle repetition of similar yet refreshed motifs.

He also designed the garage and guest quarters, creating a courtyard that makes a smooth transition between the new and existing structures. “It was a tight space and

because it could be seen from the kitchen, I wanted the new building to flow well and look like it had been there as long as the house,” Sutton recalls.

Naturally, “there wasn’t any way we wouldn’t have used him for our Hawai‘i house,” Bonnie says, “and we love what he designed for us there. He captured everything we wanted.”

TWO HOUSES IN ONE

His clients’ Kaua‘i home is “not a typical house,” Sutton says. “It’s really two houses in one.” Yet since each wing is separate, owners or guests can live independently of each other and use only the space they need.

The couple had hoped to build the dwelling on grade (molded into the ground), but building codes required that it be set on concrete piers nearly five feet off the ground, so that in a hurricane, for instance, waves would

go under the house, not through it. “At first, they were dismayed,” Sutton recalls, “but older Hawaiian-style homes were actually built that way for better ventilation.” Besides, it meant stellar views, even from the master suite, where “they can watch the waves do wonderful things with the spray down the coastline.”

On the main level, he framed captivating views of surf, sunsets and sea life with convenient wide glass doors that slide into wall pockets, along with disappearing screens and louvers. From almost any perspective, the Potters can watch surfers, seals and whales drift by or glimpse sea turtles bobbing in the swells at sunset. And when the doors are open, ocean breezes cool the house naturally and carry the sounds of crashing waves inside.

The feeling is not much different inside than on the lanai, the covered patio facing the ocean, where recently 50 guests dined

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE : The 100-year-old Ross home features a spacious backyard with a swimming pool and lush planting and is a popular gathering place for family and friends; the living room fireplace was redesigned by Ron Sutton and is the focal point for the formal living room in the Ross house.

in celebration of the October wedding of daughter Tracy to Felipe Gomez. The lanai also discreetly unites the main house with the guesthouse to suggest a single home. In all there’s a formal foyer, kitchen, living and dining spaces, office, master suite and powder room on one side, and on the other, a family room, smaller kitchen and three en suite bedrooms.

The exterior is trimmed in wood and clad in sand-colored stucco and coral stone, mined in the Philippines but also indigenous to Kaua‘i. In the ceiling of the great room, large beams, reclaimed from a warehouse on the mainland, are a nuanced nod to the sugar mill.

Bonnie decorated the interior, creating a restful backdrop of white walls and dark woods with a simple palette of green, white and brown. She chose ipe for the flooring, mahogany for the windows, louvers and cabinetry, and marble and limestone for the countertops, selecting furnishings from her favorite San Francisco Design Center showrooms: Kneedler-Fauchere, McGuire Furniture and Sloan Miyasato. For three years, she picked up art and accessories on trips abroad, at local auction houses and in nearby stores, including Zaragoza in San Anselmo.

She wanted the simple serenity she created inside to extend to the grounds. The large lawn, dotted with graceful coconut palms, gently sweeps down to the beach, and restrained plantings—plumeria, hibiscus and gardenias along the house and by the pool— are kept to colors of salmon or white.

“It’s a family house,” she reflects. “Everybody loves to come here, especially our kids and granddaughter, Cassidy. She makes plumeria leis, plays make-believe with stones and flowers, and catches little fish and puts them in a bowl for a day before putting them back into the sea to catch them another year.”

A FLOATING FEAST

Easy living on a hotel barge in Burgundy BY ANDY ALPINE

@I dreamed

of floating above a green carpet of vineyards

interspersed with trays of fine poultry and meats, with clouds made of Roquefort and Brie. Then I awoke and I was on a barge on the Canal du Bourgogne in France.

My dream and my waking reality were not that much at odds. I was spending a week on L’ Impressionniste, a 126-foot-long hotel barge cruising the Burgundy region. It was late summer, and the vines were full of their famous fruit. All they needed were a few days of rain and a week or so of warm weather, and the harvest could begin.

I had been to France many times and even skippered my own small self-drive barge on several of the picturesque

canals. I knew about the slow pace of canal life — cruising at under five miles an hour, the mirror-like reflections on the still water, the photogenic flower-laden locks and their lockkeepers right out of central casting. I did not know that this time I’d be treated to all that plus a movable feast.

I had heard guests were wined and dined aboard L’ Impressionniste. I had read the brochure and the website of GoBarging /European Waterways, owners and operators of the barge. But even being from Northern California and well-acquainted with the bounty of the Napa Valley, I was not prepared for such a gourmet experience.

Dinners for eight

Unlike sea cruises or even river cruises, the hotel barge trip is an intimate experience. We were four couples—all Americans this week— with a crew of five (L’ Impressionniste can accommodate up to 13). Our captain, James, was an expert navigator and tour guide; all needs were attentively met. Someone happened to notice we all preferred our white wine a bit more chilled than “suggested” temperature, and from that first meal on, the white wine was served to our taste. With each meal we were offered both white wine and red. Lunches were often served buffet style with fashionable salads, pâtés and cold meats. The potato salad had homemade mayonnaise. Everything was farmers’ market fresh—our chef, Marie, was off to the local towns almost daily to gather the region’s best produce. A few afternoons we had a luscious soup or a warm dish like saffron vegetable risotto with prawns cooked in a persillade.

Dinners were the anticipated event of the day. Marie would come out of the kitchen as soon as we were seated and, with understated flair, present the meal. To say the meals were fine Parisian restaurant quality would not be doing them justice. The thought and creativity going into each dish were evident from the first night’s chilled tomato soup with goat cheese toast followed by succulent confit of duck. Sauces were light and healthy, showcasing the integrity of each ingredient. Presentations begged to be photographed. Menus often stressed the cuisine of the region with Marie’s particular twist—from fillet of lamb with red wine and rosemary reduction to supreme of guinea fowl with a tarragon and raisin sauce.

Each main course was followed by a cheese course, making the on-board bicycles a necessity. (To delight in the cheeses of France, one has to put aside any guilt. For me, promising myself I’d

PREVIOUS PAGE : L’Impressionniste cruising the tree-lined Canal du Bourgogne with the towpath for walking and bicycling. OPPOSITE : The sunny main salon and dining area. LOWER : The wine for the meal presented by Chamonix, the server.

The ornate multicolored roof tile of the Hospices de Beaune, one of the finest examples of French 15th-century architecture. OPPOSITE : The vineyards at Château du Clos de Vougeot, site of the mammoth 13th-century wine presses installed by the Cistercian monks. The vineyard was founded in 1098.

spend at least an hour each day bicycling or walking the canal’s towpaths did the trick.)

My favorite was a goat cheese covered in liquor-soaked raisins, aptly named Regal de Bourgogne aux Raisins. Combined with a walnut and caraway seed bread, it was a treat to remember. Desserts were equally unforgettable —strawberry tiramisu, vanilla crème brûlée, crêpes Suzette, chocolate fondant with vanilla custard—served at just the right temperature. The on-board “wine cellar” included some of Burgundy’s finest pinot noir and chardonnay. A Chambolle-Musigny premier cru, a Chassagne-Montrachet premier cru and a Corton-Rognet Grand Cru 1992 were highlights; the captain’s farewell dinner featured a standout Michel Lenique champagne.

Daily activities were often food related as well. After our first day of cruising from the Port of Dijon and traveling past grazing white Charolais cattle, we returned by van to oldtown Dijon for the Tuesday flower and produce market. Besides edibles, this sprawling extravaganza in the city’s historical center yielded great bargains in antiques, jewelry and clothing, including a wonderful straw sun hat from Madagascar.

Historic visits

Land excursions also included visits to several time-honored châteaux, notably the moat-encircled 13th-century Château de Commarin and the castle of Châteauneuf-enAuxois. In most cases it had been arranged for us to have the place to ourselves. Without the distraction of other tourists and guides, the sense of history and grandeur of these places vividly came through. At the Château de Commarin we met a current member of the de Vogue family, whose ownership of Commarin went back 26 generations. She rode over the moat by bicycle, a far cry from the bejeweled horse-drawn carriages of yore, but a majestic entrance nonetheless.

A visit to Burgundy is not complete without an afternoon in its capital, Beaune. Dating back nearly two millennia, it served as a focal point for the Gauls and later the Romans, and was the seat for the dukes of Burgundy

during the medieval years. Its most famous structure, the 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu (aka Hospices de Beaune), is resplendent with an ornate multicolored tile roof. I saw similar roofs throughout the region on a smaller scale, but this one is truly a work of art.

In Beaune we had a private wine tasting at the city’s oldest winery, Maison Champy. Founded in 1720, it’s set amid the kilometers of caves cut into the limestone beneath the city. Strolling through the subterranean aisles stacked high with famous vintages was like passing through a fine art treasury with a bit of a Halloween feel. Aboveground we were treated to a 2006 Clos-Vougeot Grand Cru and “Old Vintage” 1994 Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru in an elegant dining room among oak barrels and antique maps. The charming wine hostess discussed the subtleties of each wine, suggesting food pairings for each.

Our floating feast, sadly, had to end. On a Friday evening we reached the canal’s summit, 1,250 feet above sea level at the town of Escomme. Not quite ready to abandon ship, we fantasized about what it would be like to proceed through the Pouilly tunnel and descend to the Loire Valley—a treat not available to hotel barges as of yet. Alas!!

After a week of gourmet greatness, it took a while to come back down to earth. But we each took away fond memories imprinted on our taste buds, along with new friendships and broadened sensory horizons.

IF YOU GO...

. erally war rmest months,

| | The weather in southern Burgundy is generally warm. June, July and August are usually the warmest months, with little rain.

| Bring comfortable shoes for biking and for walking on the towpaths.

| Unlike on cruise ships, dress on the hotel barge is casual. For the captain’s farewell dinner, casual elegance works best.

| A smattering of French goes a long way when you’re chatting with the lockkeepers and the locals you meet along the towpaths and in the small towns on the canal.

For more information on L’Impressionniste and hotel barging on the canals of France as well as England, contact European Waterways: 800.394.8630 or 011.44.1784.482439; fax 011.44.178.483072; sales@GoBarging.com, GoBarging.com

Bon Voyage/Appétit!

Wine country cooking classes give you take-home kitchen skills

Maria Vieages has a laugh that’s captivating and a smile that puts novice chefs at ease. True to her Southern hospitality roots, the first thing she does when meeting a visitor is offer a treat—in this case a small espresso cupful of chicory-enhanced New Orleans coffee. “It’s bitter, but you’ll get used to it,” she says. It is and you do, but the mental stimulant should also prove useful, because in the next three hours there’s lots to learn.

Vieages is just one of the chefs working with Beautiful Places, a Sonoma-based concierge “epicurean travel” service. The itinerary: private cooking classes in your very own (for the night) wine country villa. Our venue is Casa Cavalli, a gated three-story home on two tranquil acres with views of Sonoma’s western hills. The expansive four-bedroom, three-bath place can handle as many as eight, but for this class the two of us have it to ourselves. Vieages has designed our “lesson plan” around an alfresco wine country lunch, but Beautiful Places customizes classes for any size group or culinary taste. “I’m really easygoing; I’ve changed menus on the spot to accommodate the students,” Vieages says. When a recent class was intrigued to hear of her famous gumbo, she instantly switched game plans to run out and gather the ingredients at Sonoma Market.

Maria Vieages with her wine country beignets.

BY SOMER FLAHERTY AND MIMI TOWLE

Vieages, who left New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina with “not a dollar, but a passion for cooking” thinks making house calls to teach kitchen wizardry is a great idea. “It’s perfect: (people) can learn to create a new dish, enjoy as much wine as they want and don’t have to drive anywhere.”

Our location for the day Casa Cavalli, has an open kitchen, a built-in wine fridge, topof-the-line appliances and a chef’s table; the room opens into a solarium with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking vineyards in the distance. Groups who like the finer touches can feast post-lesson in the villa’s formal dining room, complete with baby grand piano and views of the area’s oak and redwood trees.

Our menu for the day: stacked napoleons with avocado and Dungeness crab sourced

from Bodega Bay’s Tides Wharf Fish Market; a pan-seared Sonoma Liberty Farms duck breast topped with farmers’ market fruit coulis; and dessert beignets. Vieages instructs us not to be intimidated by duck’s fine-dining rap; “it’s just like chicken,” she says, slicing away a thin layer of fat she’ll later explain how to render into savory cracklings.

Squelching any hope of one’s pants actually fitting the next day, the meal ends with what could be this chef’s pièce de résistance. These are beignets with a decidedly wine country spin: fresh puréed local blackberries infused with pasilla pepper and lime juice drizzled on top. The chef says it’ll be no problem re-creating this at home, but it’s hard to believe anyone could ever duplicate such a perfect wine country day.

Beautiful Places features cooking classes at this Sonoma estate.

Skillet Seminars

From cocktails to canapés, the wine country abounds with hands-on culinary classes; here are a few favorites.

PHILO APPLE FARM

This rustic yet luxe farmhouse/cooking school has been a popular weekend destination for over 15 years. Teaching is offered at two speeds: serious and relaxed. In both cases the tuition (not including lodging) covers meals, recipes, instruction and wine for the class. For the serious, the teaching format includes Friday and Saturday dinners, Saturday lunch and Sunday brunch; $625 per person. The Relaxed Farm weekend includes a Friday and Saturday night stay, a farm tour, and cooking instruction with Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch only;

$225 per person. A two-night stay in an on-site guest cottage costs $500. philoapplefarm.com/ classes.html

RELISH CULINARY ADVENTURES

This “roving” roster of chef-led adventures was created by foodie/entrepreneur Donna Del Rey to showcase Sonoma County food and wine. Most classes happen at the Relish Culinary Center on Matheson Street in Healdsburg, though they’re also offered countywide. Two to look for: the hands-on “Chef’s Market” sausage-making course October 16 and the

“Thanksgiving sides” show November 13. In the former, Italian chef and charcuterie artist Franco Dunn shows how to make Calabrese sausage (spicy pork with fennel, chilies and garlic) and Luganega (coiled pork sausage with Parmigiano, provolone and spices in a lamb casing). “Participants will make the sausage from scratch, grinding the pork, learning about and kneading in the spices, and learning how to fill natural casings,” says Del Rey; in the process they’ll also learn “a wide variety of cooking techniques, including old world Italian methods.” For the November class, Jimtown Store proprietor Carrie Brown (also a vendor at the Healdsburg Farmer’s Market) and chef Peter Brown (no relation) will lead a tour of the Farmers’ Market in search of “everything but the turkey.” relishculinary.com

Marin Civic Center (Sun & Thurs, 8-1, ALL YEAR)

Marin City (sat, 9-1, June-September)

Novato (Tues, 4-8, May-september)

Fairfax (Wed, 4-8, May-september)

stonestown — San Francisco (Sun, 9-1, ALL YEAR)

Newark (Sun, 9-1, ALL YEAR)

Grand Lake — OAKLAND (Sat, 9-2, ALL YEAR)

Hayward (Sat, 9-1, ALL YEAR)

Try an apple that’s not suffering from jet lag.

Why eat an ordinary apple, when you can eat — sorry, we can’t resist — one Hale of an apple? Because produce is fresher and tastier when it comes from this end of the planet. In addition to enjoying the most flavorful foods of the season, you’ll also be supporting your community of local family farms. It’s a win-win relationship for the farmers and the eaters at the farmers market. Join us at an Ag Institute farmers market this week and get to know your neighbors, like farmer Dave Hale of Sebastopol. You’ll see that people come from far and wide to buy produce that doesn’t.

Dave Hale’s Sebastopol farm has been in his family since 1883. For the full interview with Dave, visit agriculturalinstitute.org.

Photo by Curtis Myers

VINEYARD 29

If getting your hands on some of the hardestto-get bottles from Philippe Melka’s Vineyard 29 isn’t reason enough to visit the St. Helena winery, the new half-day cooking classes led by chef and director of hospitality Austin Gallion should suffice. Gallion brings the freshest inseason items from local farmers’ markets to the Vineyard’s kitchen and, after your in-depth tour of the winery (glass of vino in hand), shows how to prepare a wine country three-course meal. $500 per person, vineyard29.com

SPOONBAR

Mixologist Scott Beattie’s concoctions have been called “drinkable art”; the author of Artisanal Cocktails uses fresh herbs and local farmers’ market fruits and vegetables to cre-

ate his unique drinks. These days his work can be savored at Spoonbar, the hip restaurant inside H2 Hotel. But folks wishing to mimic his handiwork at home can take one of the small classes he holds at the hotel. An “Apple Season” seminar shows how to craft a whiskey drink made with apple juice and garnished with a Thai coconut apple foam and dehydrated apple chips. October 23, $50, class size limited to 30. h2hotel.com

CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

Classes at CIA Greystone range from a fivehour “Taste of CIA Cookbooks” to a two-hour ”Samplings and Wine Explorations.” The setup for each is the same: a hands-on team approach alongside a professional chef. Demos start at $15 a person. ciachef.edu

Call 888-730-5416 or visit us at KenwoodEscape.com for full details.

A student chops garlic at the Philo Apple Farm.

Calistoga Ranch

Casual perfection in the Napa Valley

BY JIM AND NIKKI WOOD

LATE THIS SUMMER, while the rest of the staff researched cooking schools, we were finally able to experience Calistoga Ranch, a property we’ve been told, defines the wine country’s notion of casual perfection. Another reason we were curious about the 157-acre property: it's owned and operated by Marin’s Auberge resorts, based in Mill Valley, which has three Napa Valley properties. Calistoga Ranch, with rates for the lodges starting at $650, is priced between Solage Calistoga, with rates that start at $400 and the iconic Auberge du Soleil, with rooms starting at $875. While all three resorts vary in price point and style, we were intrigued by the rumors of the luxe indooroutdoor style of living epitomized by private outdoor showers with nothing but the blue sky (or twinkling stars) for a roof, as well as a scheduled visit to Gargiulo Vineyards in close-by Oakville, one of the property’s vintner partners.

A simple blue sign on the Silverado Trail marks the road that leads to an oak-studded yet sunny canyon fronting Calistoga Ranch. As it celebrates its ninth year in business, the buildings and landscaping feel fresh and new and at the same time confident and established. In all, there are 48 guest lodges (plus 23 owner lodges); the Lakehouse, a private restaurant overlooking scenic Lake Lommel; the Bathhouse, an outstanding spa and sauna facility; and a sun-splashed swimming pool adjacent to the resort’s own vineyard.

ABOVE : Lodges are nestled into oak-studded landscape, RIGHT : Outdoor spa and lounges for relazation; Calistoga Ranch swimming pool for guests and owners.

Completing the ambience are a hillside yoga space, two bocce ball courts and a secluded yet spacious wine cave.

However, should one, heaven forbid, become “over-relaxed” at Calistoga Ranch, a rather stimulating diversion is available—one that provides personal insight into the intriguing wine country way of life. The resort’s Vintner Program allows resort guests to enjoy exclusive lunches, tastings, tours and dinners at 48 well-known and boutique—and in many instances private—nearby Napa Valley wineries. Participants include Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard, possibly Napa Valley’s oldest (1890) and highest (2,121 feet) winery; Rombauer Vineyards, located atop an oldgrowth forested knoll above St. Helena and producing 20,000 cases annually; and William Cole Vineyards, where the valley’s first stone cellar was built in 1876 and a fine cabernet sauvignon is now created.

Our recent stay at Calistoga Ranch included a festive lunch at Gargiulo Vineyards. A long harvest table was colorfully set on a rise overlooking acres of vines. The guests were both amiable and knowledgeable about wines and Jeff Gargiulo himself barbecued the lamb while keeping the cabernet flowing at a respectable pace.

If that weren’t enough, we later joined Gargiulo in his water-tower office, where he showed us his coveted collection of acoustical guitars and was persuaded to serenade us with a song he wrote for his daughter’s wedding. As expected, the women went teary while the guys were envious.

Upon our return to the ranch the afternoon sun beckoned, calling for a swim and a relaxing read. Later, as the sun dipped below the Mayacamas, we enjoyed a delicious dinner paired with a Calistoga Ranch chardonnay on the deck of the Lakehouse restaurant. What time was it? We hadn’t a clue. There wasn’t a place on earth we’d have rather been.

OCTOBER ARTS & EVENTS GUIDE

THEATER

Thru October 3 In The Red and Brown Water The story of a young girl forced to choose between dreams of escape and helping her dying mother. This is part one of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s The Brother/Sister Plays trilogy. Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5208, marintheatre.org

Thru October 3 Philadelphia Story

Philip Barry’s comic tale of love comes to the Novato stage directed by Buzz Halsing. Company Playhouse (Novato). 415.883.4498, novatotheatercompany.org

Thru October 17 Scapin Two-time Tony Award winner Bill Irwin returns to the Bay Area in a lively comedy about mayhem, mischief and love. American Conservatory Theater (SF). 415.749.2228, act-sf.org

Thru October 17 November This play by David Mamet tells the tale of a U.S. president who wants a second term and finds allies in strange places. Barn Theatre (Ross). 415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.com

6–24 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Situations from the Roman playwright Plautus are combined with the energy of vaudeville in this classic comedy. Eureka Theatre (SF). 415.255.8207, 42ndstmoon.org

7 Not A Genuine Black Man San Francisco’s longest-running solo show comes to Marin with a special benefit for Fair Housing of Marin. Showcase Theater (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, fairhousingmarin.com

14–November 7 9 Circles The story of a young American soldier on trial for his life is based on true events. Directed by Equivocation playwright Bill Cain. Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5208, marintheatre.org

16–November 14 Banana Shpeel Slapstick comedy, eclectic dance and unique acrobatics combine in a new production and a twist on vaudeville from Cirque du Soleil. Golden Gate Theatre (SF). 888.746.1799, cirquedusoleil.com

27–November 28 West Side Story A new production of the classic musical directed by its legendary librettist, Tony Award winner Arthur Laurents. Orpheum Theatre (SF). 888.746.1799, shnsf.com

The Modern Century exhibition by photojournalist and quintessential world traveler Henri Cartier-Bresson, at SFMOMA

PHOTO:

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COMEDY

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

DANCE

Saturdays Boomercize Classes This lowimpact fitness program features dance steps and music from the American Bandstand hit parade. Marcie Judelson leads the onehour workout. Presidio Dance Theater (SF). 415.608.4503, boomercize.com

9 Pilobolus Dance Company This nontraditional dance troupe celebrates its 40th year. Veterans Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, pilobolus.com

14 Alonzo King Lines Ballet Enjoy an evening of music, arts and fine cuisine, all

benefiting the ballet company’s programs. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF). 415.863.3040, linesballet.org

MUSIC

Mondays Open Mic with Austin de Lone The popular singer/songwriter hosts; public address system and piano are provided. Masonic Lodge (Mill Valley). 415.389.6637, woodsmv.com

Tuesdays Swing Fever The band pays tribute to jazz artists and composers, playing selections from its roster of over 1,000 tunes. Panama Hotel (San Rafael). 415.457.3993, panamahotel.com

Fridays Friday Night Fusion Enjoy free music paired with wine from Sonoma County vintners. The Village (Corte Madera). 415.924.8557, villageatcortemadera.com

Thru December 5 Aida For the first time in nearly a decade this bitter tale of love during wartime returns to San Francisco as the S.F. Opera kicks off its 2010-–2011

season. War Memorial Opera House (SF). 415.864.3330, sfopera.com

1–3 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass T Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Patti Smith, Indigo Girls and Jonathan Richman are just a few of the many acts playing this annual free concert. Speedway Meadow (SF). strictlybluegrass.com

2 The English Beat The heroes of British ska are back for a night of music in Mill Valley. 142 Throckmorton (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmortontheatre.com

3, 5 Marin Symphony Alasdair Neale conducts Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and world-renowned pianist Joyce Yang performs Rachmaninoff as the Marin Symphony kicks off the new season. Begin and end the evening on October 3 with cocktails, dinner and dessert in the Crescendo Lounge in the big white tent behind the Marin Center. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.479.8100, marinsymphony.org

5 Guided by Voices The Ohio-based indie rock band takes the stage in this Noise

Mario Gomez

October 22 - November 25, 2010

Opening: October 22, 6pm-8pm

Mario Gomez, El Acierto Permanante, oil on canvas, 38x51 inches, 2010

Pop performance. The Warfield (SF). 415.345.0900, thewarfieldtheatre.com

8 Drumline Live This marching band combines hip-hop with Duke Ellington to produce an upbeat and energetic show. Veterans Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, drumline.com

8–10 Beatles Fest West Top Beatles tribute acts from around the world come together to celebrate John Lennon’s 70th birthday. On Saturday, The The Plastic Fauxno Band will present “Love Is the Answer—The Concert for John Lennon” to honor the singer. Scottish Rite Masonic Center (SF). beatlesfestwest.com

10 Sexy Sunday A musicians’ showcase featuring female artists who rock. Peri’s Silver Dollar (Fairfax). 415.459.9910, krickie.com

10 Takács Quartet Experience the drama, warmth and humor of this exciting ensemble. Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church (Mill Valley). 415.381.4453, chambermusicmillvalley.org

11 James The Manchester indie rock band is back. The Regency Ballroom (SF). 800.745.3000, theregencyballroom.com

14 AlmaNova An eclectic program of chamber music from this guitar/flute duo. Old St. Hilary’s (Tiburon). 415.435.1853, landmarks-society.org

15 The Hollyhocks The Bay Area indie-pop band is back with new songs. Billy and Dolly open the show. The Make-Out Room (SF). 415.647.2888, makeoutroom.com

16-17 Treasure Island Music Festival LCD

Soundsystem and Belle and Sebastian headline this two-day music festival in the heart of the San Francisco Bay. Also on the bill is The National, Broken Social Scene and She & Him. Treasure Island (SF). treasureislandfestival.com

17 Guest Concert Series The series kicks off with the Ariel Ensemble, a resident ensemble of the Chamber Music Society of Sacramento. Dominican University of California (San Rafael). 415.257.0128, dominican.edu

21–24 SF Symphony Joshua Bell plays Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1. Justin Davies Symphony Hall (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org

22 Bob Weir This benefit for the Marin Symphony performance and education programs features the legendary singer/songwriter/guitarist joined by the symphony to reinvent Grateful Dead hits. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.479.8100, marinsymphony.org

29, 31 Hansel and Gretel A classic tale is set to the music of Engelbert Humperdinck in this Golden Gate Opera Production. Showcase Hall (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, goldengateopera.org

GALLERIES MARIN

Art Abloom Studio and Gallery Artwork on display and classes. 1527 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo. 415.256.1112, artabloom.com

Art Bar Molinar Work from artists based in California, New York and Italy. 34 Main St, Tiburon. 415.435.5999, theartbar.us

Art Works Downtown New Avenues Work by artists embracing digital technology, thru November 12. 1337 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.451.8119, artworksdowntown.org

Barefoot Art Gallery Works by Roy Gover and iconic landscapes by Peter Lee Brownlee, thru October. 20 Sunnyside Ave, Mill Valley. 415.384.0104, barefootartgallery.com

Bay Model BayWood Artists Paint Marin A benefit for the Open Space District and Trust, October 22–November 20. 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.332.3870, baywoodartists.com

Claudia Chapline Gallery Contemporary art from Northern California. 3445 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach. 415.868.2308, cchapline.com

Donna Seager Gallery Paintings from Helen Stanley, October 15–November 20. 851 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.454.4229, donnaseagergallery.com

Gallery 111 Work from members of a large, vibrant and diverse community of artists. 480 Gate Five Road (Sausalito). 415.331.2222, icbartists.com

Gallery at Cavallo Point From Kehoe to Cavallo—the Mystery in the Mess A suite of archival pigment prints by Judith Selby Lang and Richard Lang, thru October 22. Cavallo Point Lodge (Sausalito). 415.339.4741

Gallery Bergelli Memories of the Infinite Solo exhibition by artist Mario Gomez, October 22–November 25. 483 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.945.9454, bergelli.com

Gallery Route One Work from Zea Morvitz, Madeline Nieto Hope, Anne-Katrin Spiess and Vickisa, thru October 24. 11101 Hwy One, Point Reyes Station. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org

Marin Society of Artists Fine arts show from this nonprofit association with over 450 members, thru November 14. 30 Sir

Francis Drake Blvd, Ross. 415.454.9561, marinsocietyofartists.org

Mona Lease Gallery Fall Fashionings Fine art from multiple artists, thru December 23. 39 Greenbrae Boardwalk, Greenbrae. 415.461.3718, monalease.net

Northbay ArtWorks Rotating exhibits and classes. 7049 Redwood Blvd, Ste 208, Novato. 415.892.8188, northbayartworks. com

O’Hanlon Center for the Arts A juried show featuring art quilts and work from Kris Gordon, thru October. 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.4331, ohanloncenter.org

Robert Allen Fine Art Abstract Works on Canvas and Paper A group show featuring 11 artists, thru November 30. 301 Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.2800, robertallenfineart.com

Robert Beck Gallery Early California and contemporary plein air paintings on display. 222 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.456.7898, beckgallery.org

Robert Green Fine Arts New paintings by Charlotte Bernström, thru November 7. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.8776, rgfinearts.com

Rock Hill Gallery Watercolors by the Marin County Watercolor Society, thru October 13. 145 Rock Hill Dr, Tiburon. 415.383.9018, ccctiburon.org

Sam the Butcher Paintings and mixed media from Georgette Osserman, whose work is often on the cusp between the figurative and the abstract. 19 Ross Common, Ross. 415.902.1019, samthebutcherart.org

Smith Andersen North Vintage black-andwhite photography, thru October 15. 20 Greenfield Ave, San Anselmo. 415.455.9733, smithandersennorth.com

Studio 333 “Why There Are Words,” literary series on the second Thursday of the month; “Sunset Poetry by the Bay” every third Wednesday. 333A Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.8272, studio333.info

DAZZLING VIRTUOSO!*

*One with astounding skills!

. . . ”a luminous solo performer” Marin Symphony’s principal violist performs one of the most difficult works in the repertoire, William Walton’s Viola Concerto – brimming with emotional depth, lyrical melancholy and poetic longing.

Sunday, November 14 and Tuesday, November 16 at 7:30 pm

Alasdair Neale conducts the acclaimed orchestra. Concert also features a Magnum Opus World Premiere by Avner Dorman, inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s story “The Shadow,”plus Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4

FREE pre-concert talk at 6:30 pm features Maestro Neale with Ms. Douglass.

YOU CAN STILL SUBSCRIBE TO A 4-CONCERT SEASON

SAVE 20% AND CHOOSE THE BEST SEATS! CALL TODAY 415.479-8100 OR ONLINE AT www.marinsymphony.org

MSMarin Symphony

Alasdair

Neale, Music Director

Marin Center, San Rafael

The historic landmark designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright Single Tickets at 415.499.6800

Concerts made possible by Montecito Shopping Plaza and Kaiser Permanente

Jenny Douglass

Studio 4 Art Work by local artists at this gallery and workshop offering materials and classes. 1133 Grant Ave, Novato. 415.596.5546, studio4art.net

Sujaro: Gallery of African Art A large collection of antique and ancient artifacts. 11 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.362.6601, sujaro.com

The Image Flow Photography by local artists. 401 Miller Ave, Ste F, Mill Valley. 415.388.3569, theimageflow.com

Tomales Fine Art Contemporary art including landscapes, classic still lifes and figurative work. 27050 Maine St, Tomales. 707.878.2525, tomalesfineart.com

SAN FRANCISCO

ArtHaus The Painter Work from Franc d’Ambrosio, the actor who served as the longest-running lead in Phantom of the Opera, thru December 23. 411 Brannan St, 415.977.0223, arthaus-sf.com

Berggruen Gallery Contemporary painting from Chris Brown. 228 Grant Ave, 415.781.4629, berggruen.com

Cain Schulte Gallery Pattern and Repetition Work from Mason Eubanks and Indira Martina Morre, thru November 6. 251 Post St, 415.543.1550, cainschulte.com

Caldwell Snyder Gallery Work from abstract realist Melissa Chandon, thru October 15. 341 Sutter St, 415.296.7896, caldwellsnyder.com

Elins Eagles-Smith Gallery Work from Gary Komarin. 49 Geary St, 415.981.1080, eesgallery.com

George Krevsky Gallery Itinerant Regionalist Work from Helen Berggruen, thru November 20. 77 Geary St, 415.397.9748, georgekrevskygallery.com

Gregory Lind Gallery Der Glasraum Paintings and drawings by Eamon O’Kane, thru October 16. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, gregorylindgallery.com

Josh Hardy Galleries Early California and American fine art on display. 3350

Sacramento St, 415.345.1832, hardygalleries.com

Meyerovich Gallery Classic Symbols: Hearts, Robes & Venuses Work by Jim Dine, thru November 27. 251 Post St, 415.421.7171, meyerovich.com

Officers’ Club Intersections 5: Colors, Concepts, Contours More than 35 artists are represented at this biennial show presented by fiber/DIMENSIONS, October 13–December 19. Presidio of S.F. Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Ave, 415.499.1655, fiberdimensions.com

Paul Mahder Gallery Window to My Dreams Work by Nikolai Atanassov, thru November 6. 3378 Sacramento St, 415.474.7707, paulmahdergallery.com

Rena Bransten Gallery Reconstructed photographs by Vik Muniz, thru October 23. 77 Geary St, 415.982.3292, renabranstengallery.com

Weinstein Gallery Abstract paintings from contemporary artists and modern masters. 301 Geary St, 415.362.8151, weinstein.com

MUSEUMS

MARIN

Bay Area Discovery Museum Enjoy a free day at the Sausalito museum designed specifically to encourage young children’s creativity, October 6 (Sausalito). 415.339.3958, baykidsmuseum.org

Bolinas Museum A retrospective from the Bolinas artist in the main gallery, thru November 14 (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org

Falkirk Cultural Center See examples of painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, ceramics and mixed media at the first Falkirk juried exhibition, thru November 20 (San Rafael). 415.485.3438, falkirkculturalcenter.org

Marin History Museum Currently on display is the new exhibit Ranching and Rockin’ at Olompali, thru December (Boyd Gate House). 415.454.8538, marinhistory.org

412 Corte Madera Town Center

Meadowlark Gallery

FALL READING

BY JIM WOOD

Wired For Joy: A Revolutionary Method for Creating Happiness From Within by Laurel Mellin, Hay House, Inc., $16.95. The San Anselmo author, an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco, discusses the brain’s five emotional states and how to “retrain” them to put more joy in your life. For info, go to EBT. org, a Marin nonprofit.

Perfect Alibi: A Mike Daley Mystery by Sheldon Siegel, McAdam/Cage, $26. Set in San Francisco and involving two teenagers, a Superior Court judge’s murder and a related sex scandal, this is the Greenbrae author’s (a practicing attorney) seventh in a critically acclaimed series involving attorneys Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez.

Marin Museum of Contemporary Art Legends of the Bay Area Work by William Wiley, Richard Shaw and Cornelia Schulz, October 9–November 21 (Novato). 415.506.0137, marinmoca.com

Marin Museum of the American Indian Hupa People 1950s Photography from Ernest Marshall capturing the Hupa people of Northern California, thru December (Novato). 415.897.4064, marinindian.com

BAY AREA

Asian Art Museum Beyond Golden Clouds: Five Centuries of Japanese Screens Considered high art in Japan, Japanese folding screens have inspired generations of artists to create some of their best work. See 41 large-scale examples from the Art Institute of Chicago and St. Louis Art Museum, thru January 16, 2011 (SF). 415.581.3500, asianart.org

California Academy of Sciences Sanctuary in the Sea: A Gulf of the Farallones

Autumn Romance: Stories and Portraits of Love Over 50 by Carol Denker and Michael Ellis, A-Shirley Publishing, $29.95. This intriguing coffee-table book offers numerous photos (attractive by themselves) and stories of couples who found true love (and, in many instances, great sex) in the second half of their lives. Carol Denker lives in Marin.

Experience Discover the beauty of this haven for seabirds, seals and white sharks located just 28 miles off the coast of San Francisco, opens October 16 (SF). 415.379.8000, calacademy.org

Conservatory of Flowers Chomp 2 Enter a garden of deadly delights with the return of the hit exhibition of carnivorous plants, thru October 31 (SF). 415.831.2090, conservatoryofflowers.org

Contemporary Jewish Museum Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World) Enjoy nearly 30 years’ worth of original paintings, drawings, notebooks and sketchbooks from the popular humorist and miniaturist, thru October 26 (SF). 415.655.7800, thecjm.org

de Young Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne and Beyond: Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay Cézanne, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh, Monet and Renoir are among the artists featured in the second part of the Musée d’Orsay exhibit,

Me, Frida by Amy Novesky; illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner David Diaz, Abrams, $16.95. The Marin author’s colorful children’s book tells of Frida (sometimes spelled Frieda) Kahlo, who in 1930 came to San Francisco and Marin with her then more famous husband, the artist Diego Rivera. The words and illustrations are inspirational.

thru January 18, 2011 (SF). 415.750.3600, thinker.org

di Rosa Preserve A sampling of work by Bay Area artists including David Best, Joan Brown, Deborah Butterfield, Viola Frey, Robert Hudson, Manuel Neri, Richard Shaw, William Wiley and more (Napa). 707.226.5991, dirosapreserve.org

Exploratorium Learn about science and how the world works with hands-on exhibits and demonstrations (SF). 415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu

Legion of Honor Very Postmortem: Mummies and Medicine Irethorrou, the Fine Arts Museums’ mummy who has been on loan since 1944, returns for this exhibit taking a modern and scientific look at mummies, thru October 31 (SF). 415.750.3600, legionofhonor.org

San Francisco Museum of Craft and Folk Art Volver: Mexican Folk Art into Play Works from Adrian Esparza, Maximo Gonzalez,

Armando Miguelez, Favianna Rodriguez, Eduardo Sarabia and more, thru January 16, 2011 (SF). 415.227.4888, mocfa.org

SFMOMA The Modern Century An innovative artist, trailblazing photojournalist and quintessential world traveler, Henri CartierBresson and his photographic work helped defined the century, October 30–January 30, 2011 (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts TechnoCRAFT This new exhibit, curated by designer Yves Behar, explores how the boundary between the role of the designer and the consumer is disappearing, thru Oct. 3 (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org

EVENTS

Saturdays Italian Film Festival The best of Italian cinema every Saturday though November 13. Showcase Theater (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, italianfilm.com

Sundays Knitting Group Join the Mill Valley Unity (EweKnitty) group and learn knitting tips and tricks. Meet others with a passion for knitting. Starbucks on Camino Alto (Mill Valley). ravelry.com

1 Lifehouse Awards Banquet A evening of music and delicious food honoring those who serve individuals with developmental disabilities. Embassy Suites Hotel (San Rafael). 415.472.2373, lifehouseagency.org

1–3 Pacific Pinball Exposition Are you a pinball wizard? Alameda’s Pacific Pinball Museum is joined by Novato’s Pinball Revival Company for the fourth annual Pacific Pinball Exposition. Exhibition Hall (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, pacificpinball.org

1–3 Sonoma County Harvest Fair

Celebrate the harvest with three days of wine tasting, wine sales, chef demonstrations, microbrew tasting (Saturday only) as well as farm and harvest agricultural activities for children and adults. Fairgrounds (Santa Rosa). 707.545.4200, harvestfair.org

2 Benefit Concert Debra Schleicher, Robert Stafford and the string students of San Domenico are directed by Lenore Alford at this concert benefiting St. John’s Children’s

Choir School Program. St. John’s Episcopal Church (Ross). 415.456.1102, stjohnsross.org

2 Dipsea Hike/Run Lite 2010 This event honors Annie Fox and benefits Zero Breast Cancer. Old Mill Park (Mill Valley). 415.507.1949, zerobreastcancer.org

2-3 Leukemia Cup Regatta Bay Area sailors compete and help raise funds to fight blood cancer. San Francisco Yacht Club (Belvedere). 415.625.1132, leukemiacup.org

3 Eat, Pray, Love and Yoga Enjoy a yoga and live music event benefiting the Faith and Love Orphanage in Haiti. Reservations required. (Kentfield). 415.613.6510, yogaventures.org

7–17 Mill Valley Film Festival The internationally acclaimed festival is often considered the launching pad for upcoming Academy Awards campaigns. Come see the best in new films. Various locations. 415.383.5256, cafilm.org

8 Fabulous ’50s A night of classic cars, dinner and sock-hopping all benefiting the

Marin Charitable Association. Checker’s Museum (San Rafael). 415.461.0725, marincharitable.org

9 Oktoberfest The event features live music, beer tasting, bratwurst, potato salad, ice cream, root beer floats and music from the Town Band. Historic square (Corte Madera). 415.924.0441, cortemadera.org

9 Canine Heroes Wine Auction Stock up on wine and benefit Guide Dogs for the Blind. Black Stallion Winery (Napa). 800.295.4050, guidedogs.com

9-10 Live from the Met See works from the Metropolitan Opera House live in high definition. This month see Wagner’s Das Rheingold Lark Theater (Larkspur). 415.924.5111, larktheater.net

10 Discovery Day This open house provides the perfect chance to get a behind-thescenes look at and talk to the scientists of the scientific research of the only academic marine lab on San Francisco Bay. Romberg Tiburon Center (Tiburon). 415.338.3757, rtc.sfsu.edu

12 Celebrity Pool Toss Local celebrities, business and political leaders get dunked to help raise money for Tenderloin children and families. Phoenix Hotel (SF). 415.358.3944, tndc.org

12 Speak to Me Enjoy food and wine tastings while listening to the thoughts of successful Bay Area women. Community Center (Mill Valley). 415.888.2329, speaktomeevents.com

14 NT Live The second season of live broadcasts from the National Theatre kicks off with A Disappearing Number. Lark Theater (Larkspur). 415.924.5111, larktheater.net

15–17 Bioneers Conference This cuttingedge conference offers a look at the future, today and features speakers such as Jane Goodall. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, bioneers.org

16 Biketoberfest Enjoy a bike expo, vintage bike show, children’s activities, live music and a beer fest at this celebration of the bicycle. FairAnselm Plaza (Fairfax). 415.456.3469, biketoberfestmarin.com

16-17 RCP Tiburon Mile Take part in clinics, a 50-yard freestyle swim and a one-mile open swim featuring the best of local, worldclass and Olympic swimmers. The event is considered one of the most competitive in the world and offers a $10,000 prize. 415.721.9990, rcptiburonmile.com

16-17 Art and Pumpkin Festival Visit the pumpkin capital of the bay at this 40th annual celebration in Half Moon Bay. 650.726.9652, miramarevents.com

20 Senior Information Fair Jan Wahl emcees a free day of fun, entertainment and information for seniors that also features free health screenings, flu shots and fitness classes. Exhibit Hall (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marinseniorinformationfair.org

22 Sam’s Sparkler Enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and an oyster bar, all benefiting Sunny Hills Services which serves vulnerable youth and their families. Sam’s Anchor Cafe (Tiburon). 415.457.3200, sunnyhillsserices.org

24 Art on the Farm Help support Marin Organic and pick up some great local art at

the same time. Point Reyes Vineyard (Point Reyes Station). artonthefarm.org

24 Open House Learn about academic programs, student leadership opportunities, campus ministry, the arts and athletics. Marin Catholic High School (Kentfield). 415.464.3810, marincatholic.org

27 Tam Valley Speaker Series Nick Kanas discusses and shows some of the images from his book Star Maps: History, Artistry and Cartography. This book traces the history of celestial cartography and its impact on society. Tam Valley Community Center (Mill Valley). 415.388.6393, tcsd.us

30 Farmers Market A new farmers market occurring every Saturday. Marin Country Mart (Larkspur). 415.461.5700, marincountrymart.com

30-31 Marin County Triathlon This Olympic distance event benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and features a children’s triathlon as well. McNear’s Beach (San Rafael). 415.479.1013, marintriathlon.com

NATURE WALKS/TALKS

2, 16 Sunset Hike and Dine Join this local club for a monthly two-hour hike on moderate to steep trails on Mount Tamalpais with a mid-hike wine and cheese break. Reservations required. Mountain Home Inn (Mill Valley). 415.331.0100, meetup.com/sunsethike

20 Marin Scuba Club Jenny Collister discusses a divers’ bucket list. The Flatiron Saloon (San Rafael). 415.453.9556, marinscuba.org

23 WildCare Family Adventures Learn about owl pellets and the stories they tell. Miwok Meadows Campground (San Rafael). 415.453.1000, wildcarebayarea.org

RETAIL THERAPY

Neneshoes Find great deals at this special fall/holiday trunk show featuring Busy Bees clothing for children, October 21. 518 San Anselmo Ave (San Anselmo). 415.464.9102, neneshoes.com

“It’s

ATRIA TAMALPAIS CREEK

– Joseph and Julia Talar, Atria residents

Around Town

The opening-night gala for the Marin/Scapes Art Exhibit was held at Escalle Winery in Larkspur, where guests dined under the stars with a Tuscan theme. The exhibit featured works rendering Marin’s landscapes by more than 60 artists. Left, Laurie Thompson, Sherrill Miller, Marilyn L. Geary; above, Bruce and Rebecca Petersen; below, Steve Emery, Kathleen Lipinski, Fabia Butler.

Marin Magazine, Main Street Research and Saks Fifth Avenue teamed up for a private screening of The Tillman Story and a cocktail party at the second annual Sausalito Film Festival. The event, held at Cavallo Point, also celebrated the launch of The Marin Store’s wine club. Top left, Tonya and David Goltz; bottom left, Elizabeth Bussing, Rick Borden, Carol Bussing; above, Elizabeth Baldesari, Mimi Rohr; right, Elizabeth Thierot, Robert Eves, Cheryl Fordham.

San Rafael’s ArtWorks Downtown held the opening reception of artists Phyllis Thelen’s and Barbara AndinoStevenson’s collaborative exhibit, Realm of Dreams. Right, Terry Garthwaite, Phyllis Thelen, Barbara AndinoStevenson, Carol Durham.

Guide Dogs for the Blind held its annual fun day, which celebrates the hundreds of volunteers who help raise guide dog puppies in preparation for their formal guide work training. Volunteers, staff and 500 dogs and puppies attended the event on the nonprofit campus. Right, Evelyn Hoffman, Ross the dog.

Cin Cin to Italian wine. Tiburon Italian wine bar, Prima Palate, recently hosted its Mysterious Wines of Italy event. Five wines from Allegrini were the spotlight, while mezzo-soprano singer, Meghan Schielbel entertained with five arias. Left, Cate Hughes, Brooke Tognazzini.

Professional stylist Stephanie Lange appeared at San Anselmo’s new home and garden store Studiolo, for an event meant to empower women to look and feel their best. Taking inspiration from the unique Studiolo products, the event focused on helping women develop their own personal style.

Left, Stephanie Lange, Rhonda Shipley; middle, Darice O’Neill, Linda Nave; above, Suzane Roger.

The Dipsea Race Foundation honored the 100th running of the famed Dipsea Race with a dinner program attended by a number of dignitaries at the Mill Valley Community Center. The Dipsea Trail was recently listed in the National Register of Historic Places in August. Left, Julie Hauke, Sallie Huntting, Susan Hogland; below left, Spencer Hall, Lily Spitz, Jamie Kent, Reed Bumnell, Max Perrey, Vincent Fausone; below center, Philip Smith, Merv Regan, Leon Huntting; below right, Steve Kinsey, Charles McGlashan.

Enjoy local restaurants and save 30 percent on meals. Check out the participating restaurants in our “Deals on Meals” section and experience big savings. Spend only $35 for a dining certificate worth $50. Simply go to marinmagazine.com/dineout to purchase a dining certificate from a restaurant in this section and we will mail it to you. Try a new restaurant or purchase a certificate for an old favorite. A perfect gift for any occasion. Limited supply each month. Dine local — save

New from the oven…soon to become a Rulli classic. Panettone Autunnale available starting October 15 for Fall Season only. Autumn spices in Rulli’s traditional panettone made with olive oil, dried cranberries, pistachios, dried apricots, walnuts & pumpkin seeds with baked walnut almond paste glaze | one size (900g) $37.

Tra Vigne is a quintessential wine country experience. From its classic neo-Italian dining room highlighting the old world bar to the magnificent shade-covered Tuscan courtyard, you could be anywhere in Italy. This cooking is the heart and hand of Italy, an amazing compliment to the beautiful Napa Valley.

Frantoio tantalizes your taste buds with it’s authentic Italian cuisine. Serving locally produced fruit, vegetables, seafoods and meats the restaurant supports the local economy wherever possible whilst remaining loyal to its Tuscan roots. Enjoy fantastic salads, pasta, pizza and entrees in an elegant yet relaxed setting.

Frantoio Ristorante

152ShorelineHighway

Serving a fusion of modern and traditional French cuisine since 1987, Champagne French Bakery Café emulates the authentic, yet cozy feeling of true café dining in France. With multiple cafes in California, including two in Marin County, we offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and catering!

415.289.5777

MillValley,CA frantoio.com

Il Fornaio offers an authentic Italian dining experience Specialties include artisan cocktails, an award-winning wine list, housemade pastas, fresh salads and soups, a wide variety of desserts, and fresh baked bread. Each month, a special regional dinner menu is featured. Groups of all sizes are welcome!

Il Fornaio

223CorteMaderaTownCtr

415.927.4400

CorteMadera,CA ilfornaio.com

Family owned since 1987. Serving authentic Italian Cuisine.

The historic Cliff House offers awesome views from every angle

one of nature’s best shows

Dine

Bistro

Amici’s offers a taste of the Northeast’s distinctive Italian fare, including authentic thin-crust pizzas, and freshly made pastas and salads. Amici’s offers dine-in and takeout as well as delivery of their entire menu to local homes and businesses. A Gluten Free menu is also available at the San Rafael location.

Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria 1242FourthStreet

Located on Tiburon’s charming waterfront, Servino Ristorante has delighted locals and visitors for over 30 years. Come enjoy wonderful views of the San Francisco Bay and experience “la dolce vita”! Visit us online for the weekly live music schedule and information about our Banquet Room.

415.455.9777 SanRafael,CA amicis.com

The Club Restaurant offers fine dining in an atmosphere of casual elegance and friendly hospitality. Enjoy light fare, full course lunches and dinners, with brunch served on weekends, in our spacious dining room or garden terrace. Our 4 star cuisine is expertly orchestrated by executive chef Tim Harmon.

The Club Restaurant 350SmithRanchRoad

Servino Ristorante 9MainStreet

415.435.2676 Tiburon,CA servino.com

A fun, vibrant neighborhood restaurant featuring delicious tapas, sangria and reasonably priced organic specials. The California-Caribbean cuisine blends local farm fresh ingredients with Latin flavors. Open for lunch and dinner, great for parties, catering and carryout. Enjoy the back patio - it’s a tropical oasis!

415.491.5990 SanRafael,CA mcinnisparkgolfcenter.com

Visit the Seafood Peddler for the freshest seafood Marin has to offer, shipped in daily from the east and west coast! Dine indoors or enjoy our beautiful waterfront patio. Catch live music in our Palm Ballroom! Book one of our banquet rooms for a private party, perfect for any occasion.

Seafood Peddler 100YachtClubDrive

415.460.6669 SanRafael,CA seafoodpeddler.com

Whipper Snapper 16134thSt(at“F”&“G”)

415.256.1818 SanRafael,CA whipsnap.biz

Cibo = Food We are open breakfast, lunch and dinner serving seasonally inspired food sourced locally from farmers and purveyors whom dedicate themselves to their products’ quality. Cibo serves Blue bottle coffee, house made Panini, Savories, Pastries and Desserts in a

spend only $35 for a $50 dining certificate from participating restaurants

PHOTO:

LISA FARRER PHOTOGRAPHY

This locally-owned bar and grill features Niman Ranch burgers, hand tossed pizzas, salads and sandwiches. Dine on the outdoor patio, enjoy drinks from the full bar and watch sporting events on numerous giant screens. Live music every Friday. Wipeout is family friendly and supports the local community.

Wipeout Bar & Grill

302BonAirCenter

415.461.7400 Greenbrae,CA wipeoutbarandgrill.com

Founded in 1991 by Goetz Boje , the principle owner of Harris’ Restaurant in San Francisco, Novato’s Cacti Restaurant features traditional American cuisine, offering quality steaks, seafood, and a variety of California wines.

Cacti Restaurant 1200GrantAve

415.898.2234 Novato,CA CactiRestaurant.com

Cucina Restaurant & Wine Bar specializes in Roman and Southern Italian cuisine, relying heavily on seasonal produce, fresh herbs, and olive oil. We have a wood-burning pizza oven in our front dining room, and a small wine bar in back. Outside tables are available in the Summer.

Cucina 510SanAnselmoAve

415.454.2942 SanAnselmo,CA cucinarestaurantandwinebar.com

Come visit us at Comforts Cafe where we serve breakfast and lunch daily. Menus change weekly, featuring only the finest and freshest from local and organic farms. Homemade pastries and granola, Pecan-crusted Challah French Toast, Huevos Rancheros, and Chinese Chicken Salad are among our delicious specialties. Comforts Cafe & Take-out

MARIN ADVERTISERS SPEAK UP

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Lili Shahabi

Lili S. Salon, Sausalito

Lili S. Salon is a high-fashion hair and skin care salon, offering cuts, color, makeup applications and makeovers. “We are known as stylists that work with every part of you,” says owner Lili Shahabi. “Your face is as important as your hair; and your eyebrows are the frame of your eyes.” Lili has years of experience in creating looks

Mike Pile

GreenSpace Grass, Mill Valley

GreenSpace Grass designs and installs artificial grass for homes, businesses and recreational facilities. “Perfect applications include putting greens, dog runs, play areas, shady areas, wet areas, spots where grass simply won’t thrive, front yards, back yards, side yards, over old patios, around pools or any place that see lots of use especially with kids or dogs,” says owner Mike Pile.

Briefly describe your business philosophy.

for fashion and hair shows and specializes in creating a complete makeup and hair look for a wedding. She is also a master colorist and stylist.

What is your business philosophy?

My work has to be perfect and of high quality. My philosophy is, if you look good, you feel good.

What is your competitive edge?

Quality of our work, customer service and skill level.

Describe your dream client.

My dream client is one who trusts my taste, design and experience and is willing to consider new ideas.

What were you going to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be involved in fashion or in the hair and makeup industry. I come from a family full of artists in many different fields. Working in a creative field is my passion, not just my job.

Which product or service (that you offer) is your favorite?

I love training my clients on how to take care of their total look including their hair and makeup; if they look good I look good.

LILI SHAHABI, LILI S. SALON, 219 CALEDONIA ST., SAUSALITO, 415.332.8700, LILISSALON.COM

1/2 HORIZONAL

ADVERTISER

I want my customer to be delighted when they walk barefoot across their new grass. I can say with assurance that every one of my clients has said in one form or another, “We just love our new yard!”

What is your competitive edge?

I have a unique business model that allows me to provide superior products and superior services at significantly better pricing for my client.

Which product or service that you offer is your favorite?

GreenSpace Grass offers a branded product called Harriet that is the softest, plushest and most realistic looking grass I have ever seen. It feels just wonderful to the hand and soft underfoot.

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

Water shortages will become an even greater concern. The price of water will rise to more accurately reflect its real costs. Energy, of which a lot is required to pump water, will continue to be an issue. And pollution from fertilizers, pesticides and lawn mowers will be even more closely regulated. I believe as more and more consumers recognize the environmental and financial benefits of artificial grass, our industry will continue to grow.

MIKE PILE, GREENSPACE GRASS, 817 RIDGEVIEW, NUMBER 200, MILL VALLEY, 415.272.9655, GREENSPACEGRASS.COM

Benefiting Enterprise for High School Students

October 28 - 31, 2010

Thursday - Saturday, 10:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. • Sunday, 12 noon - 5 p.m.

Admission $15, includes catalogue

PREVIEW PARTY

Wednesday, October 27 • 7 - 9 pm

Sponsors:Boucheron•Sotheby'sInternationalRealty EXHIBITION

CHINOISERIE RococotoEco

Sponsors:ChubbPersonalInsuranceLaneMcVickerInsuranceServices,LLC LawrenceFineArtServicesMacCorkleInsuranceServicePaigeGlassCompany

LECTURE SERIES

CHINOISERIE CHIC

Sponsor:Sotheby's

AdditionalSponsors:Aedicule•P.A.Bet•BlackbirdVineyards•BlueAngelVodka Bonhams&Butterfields•Burns&Associates•CaliforniaHomes•CapitalDynamics Garibaldis•deGournay•Gump's•KorbelCaliforniaChampagne MandarinOriental,SanFrancisco•OneKingsLane•PeninsulaCustomHomes ShirleyRobinsonPaintedFinishes•AndrewSkurmanArchitects•Tesla•TuronTravel

MediaSponsors:artnetLuxeInteriors+DesignTheMagazineAntiques NobHillGazetteVeranda FOR INFORMATION THE SAN FRANCISCO FALL ANTIQUES SHOW (415) 989-9019 www.sffas.org

Antiques

Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge Inc.

Winsor Antiques

Marvelous Meringues

From banker to baker, a sweet tale

In summer of 2009, when Carolyn Wendler of Tiburon was planning a Fourth of July party, she decided to add a patriotic twist to the table. “I took my mother’s recipe for green mint meringues and decided to make them red, white and blue.” Not only did they look great, they were the hit of the party. Not long afterward, she realized meringues’ flavor could be played around with as well. “From there I began having some fun in the kitchen, thought about my longtime desire to be an entrepreneur and decided it’s now or never!” Look for her offering samples of MeringeOs this holiday season at a grocery store near you.

How long have you lived in Marin? I was transferred to San Francisco by Citibank from New York in 1991. After living in the city for two years, I moved to Marin in 1993 and never looked back.

How long were you a banker? I have 30 years’ experience in the corporate world, having worked for an airline, a computer company and New York money-center banks. Most recently I spent 17 years at Citi, both in New York and San Francisco.

Have you always liked to bake? No, and that is the funny part. I have never been super-handy in the kitchen. As a student I was much more interested in science. So I decided to rename our kitchen “the lab,” at

which point I became fascinated with food chemistry. Now I find it more fun and challenging than ever.

What made you decide to transition from banker to baker? A long time ago I sat down and listed all the things I wanted to do in my life. One of them was to be an entrepreneur. As is usually the case, the first step was the hardest, but once I got serious it all seemed so natural. My corporate experience taught me how to make decisions and build and run a business, so I don’t want to diminish its importance. But it really is wonderful not having to write executive memos!

What has been the hardest part about starting the business? I knew I had a delicious product but for me the biggest challenge was figuring out how I was going to stand out from the sea of tasty items that are brought to market regularly. Getting professional help on packaging, branding and my website have made a big difference.

What has the response been so far? I love doing store demos and watching and listening to consumer reactions. The feedback on the product, the packaging and the branding has been beyond my wildest expectations. But, also in response to feedback from consumers and retailers, I am revising the line to make it “all natural.” You will see some all-natural versions in stores immediately, with more to follow over the next several months.

Any insider tips for making meringues? Don’t even think about making meringue on rainy days! Moisture in the air or humidity makes them go flat.

How long do they last? Meringues have quite a good shelf life. Like everything that comes out of the oven, they are best fresh, but they will be delicious for weeks if you keep the container lid closed or put them in an airtight tin. They freeze beautifully too.

Do you have a favorite flavor? Chocolate mint is the best seller but I’m partial to the lemon. I don’t limit myself to just eating them as cookies; I also like to break them up into tiny pieces and serve them over ice cream or gelato as they do in Europe.

HOLIDAY MERINGUES

These cookies can be frozen, so you can make them well in advance of an event.

2 egg whites

B/c teaspoon cream of tartar

D/e cup sugar

B/c teaspoon vanilla

1 B/c cup mint chocolate chips

Green or red food coloring

Preheat oven to 375° for at least 15 minutes. Beat egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar and beat until stiff. Add sugar one tablespoon at a time, beating constantly.

Beat until glossy. Add the balance of ingredients.

Drop on a greased cookie sheet. Place in the oven, turn off heat, and leave cookies inside (without peeking) for at least 5 hours.

For another holiday accent, replace the chocolate chips with colorful M&M’s.

Tip: Bring egg whites to room temperature, and beat them in a metal bowl.

DINE OUT

CORTE MADERA

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN Cal/Eclectic

Be prepared for chaos. Easy place to meet with kids; Mom/Dad can enjoy a tasty Thai crunch salad and decent glass of wine while the little ones feast on basic kid-size portions of pasta and pizza. 347 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.945.0401, cpk.com

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

BRICK & BOTTLE California Sourcing local and artisan ingredients, executive chef Scott Howard brings simple California cuisine to Corte Madera’s Brick & Bottle, opened May 2010. With a cheerful vibe that resonates in the restaurant’s comfortable design, Brick & Bottle features a large bar area, beautiful outdoor patio and family-friendly dining. 55 Tamal Vista Blvd, 415.924.3366, brickandbottle.com

CHAMPAGNE BAKERY French This casual bakery displays fresh-made pastries, croissants, tarts, cookies and cakes, to be enjoyed indoors or out on the patio. Brioche French toast and the French dip sandwich with Swiss cheese are among the many menu options. Catering is also available. 103 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.5470, champagnebakery.com

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

LA MAISON DE LA REINE Vietnamese A refreshing change amid the plethora of Italian, Mexican and Chinese options. The crunchy cabbage chicken salad with peanuts, fresh spring rolls, and combinations of pho are delicious. 346 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.0288, lm-vietnamesecuisine.com

MARIN JOE’S Italian Pasta and other Italian dishes have been served here for over 50 years. Pick from soup, salad, seafood mesquite-grilled or sautéed meats and over 10 pasta options guaranteed to satisfy. Have a drink and hear local musicians at the well-known piano bar. 1585 Casa Buena Dr, 415.924.2081, marinjoesrestaurant.com

MAX’S CAFE American Located across from Town Ctr, Max’s is known for casual ambience and large portions. The menu changes with the season but features year-round favorites like

matzo ball soup and BLTs. Besides decadent portions or comfort food and desserts, the menu also offers seasonable local produce and healthy items too. 60 Madera Blvd, 415.924.6297, maxsworld.com

PACIFIC CATCH Pan-Asian This well-priced fresh grill eatery offers a bounty of Pacific Rim —inspired small or main plates, like the generously portioned wasabi bowls filled with rice (white or brown), veggies and your choice of cooked or raw fish, chicken or beef. Modeled after the Paia Fish House on Maui down to the chalk board menu and Hawaiian music. 223 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.3474, pacificcatch.com

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

FAIRFAX

CHAD’S GARDEN & GRILL CAFE Italian Pop in for a fennel-apple-and-walnut salad on the deck or one of the savory paninis or wraps. Menu includes lots of healthy vegetarian selections. 85 Bolinas Rd, 415.454.7864, chadscafe.com

DEER PARK VILLA Italian This “best place for a party” (Pacific Sun) sits on four garden acres; the Ghiringhelli family has been turning out Italian favorites here since 1937. Come for the famous veal parmesan—or your next big celebration, easy place to bring kids. 367 Bolinas Rd, 415.456.8084, deerparkvilla.com

FRADELIZIO’S Italian Home-style comfort food, fresh fish, and good wine add up to an excellent place for a family night out. 35 Broadway Blvd, 415.459.1618, fradelizios.com

IRON SPRINGS PUB & BREWERY American Grab a beer and a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich—which one Chronicle reviewer calls “the best mushroom dish I have ever tasted” —at the former Ross Valley Brewing Company. 765-A Center Blvd, 415.485.1005, ironspringspub.com

PANCHO VILLA’S Mexican A Fairfax favorite for over 30 years. Since 1976, head chef Francisco has been turning out treats like chile relleno stuffed with jack cheese, cilantro and onion and crab enchiladas topped with a mild tomatillo sauce and sour cream. 1625 Sir Frances Drake Blvd, 415.456.4331, panchovillasresturant.com

SORELLA CAFFÉ Italian Open for over six years, and run by sisters Sonia and Soyara, Sorella, which means “sisters” serves up fresh Italian food with a northern influence. Customer favorites include cioppino, butternut ravioli, and eggplant parmesan. Another highlight is the giant wheel of Grana Padana cheese, which is passed around the tables. Easy place to bring the kids. 107 Bolinas Rd, 415.258.4520, sorellacaffe.com

GREENBRAE

JASON’S Italian The restaurant’s Greenbrae location (it was formerly on Andersen Drive in San Rafael) fills the space that was formerly Giorgio’s. A crowd of regulars enjoys creative seafood dishes with Italian flair. Enjoy the ceviche, crab cakes or blackened salmon on the large outdoor covered patio. 300 Drakes Landing Rd, 415.925.0808, jasonsrestaurant.com

WIPEOUT BAR & GRILL American Who says you can’t go back to being a carefree teenager for a night? This family-friendly hot spot has surfboards hanging from the ceiling, fun-in-the-sun music, a full bar and large televisions displaying surfers riding waves. The only thing missing is the sand at this surf-style, upbeat eatery. 302 Bon Air Center, 415.461.7400, wipeoutbarandgrill.com

KENTFIELD

HALF DAY CAFE American A tucked-away setting of intertwining ivy and large open windows makes the perfect breakfast nook. Serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, the setting is casual and can get crowded on the weekends. The menu includes lattes, exceptional pastries and much more. Dine on the outdoor patio or inside. 848 College Ave, 415.459.0291, halfdaycafe.com

LARKSPUR

DJ CHINESE CUISINE Chinese A great place to satisfy a craving for wonton soup before catching a show at the Lark Theater. Lunch and takeout are popular too, but the outdoor patio steals the show. 435 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.0717

EMPORIO RULLI Italian Pastry chef Gary Rulli is renowned for his Northern Italian specialties and treats. The Larkspur location (there are three others) is a popular spot for lunch as well as coffee and a sweet. 464 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7478, rulli.com

FABRIZIO RISTORANTE Italian Traditional Italian dishes with an extensive wine list from

regions all over Italy; outside seating makes the experience even more special. 455 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.3332, fabriziorestaurant.com

LEFT BANK RESTAURANT French Known for award-winning French cuisine and its lively brasserie ambience, this corner spot has rated high with locals for well over a decade. Those with a petite appetite/budget can opt for happy hour (4–6:30 M–F) and enjoy appetizers, all priced under three dollars. 507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331, leftbank.com

MARIN BREWING CO American Grab a cold beer made right on site and pair it with fish and chips—fresh cod dipped in Mt. Tam pale ale batter, served with steak fries and homemade tartar sauce. 1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.4677, marinbrewing.com

PICCO California This has been a popular spot ever since opening in 2005. Locals flock here for the scene, friendly staff and dishes like miniburgers and seasonally driven menu items, along with risotto made every half hour, keep people coming back. The Picco Pizzeria and Wine Bar next door is cozy (not many seats) but already famous for its wood-fired pizzas, great wine selection and soft-serve Straus Family Creamery ice cream. 320 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.0300, restaurantpicco.com

RUSTIC BAKERY California Organic mouth watering pastries, breads, and sandwiches are on the menu here including Meyer lemon mascarpone danishes and bacon, avocado and heirloom tomato sandwich with mesclun. 1139 Magnolia Ave, 415.925.1556, rusticbakery.com

TABLE CAFÉ Indian/American Indian-inspired cafe offers a unique menu featuring entirely organic ingredients. Dishes include seasonal salads, incredible soups and fresh juices. The specialty of the house is dosa, filled with a variety of ingredients and served with savory homemade chutneys. You can also take home a choice of three or four gourmet dinners freshly packed daily. 1167 Magnolia Ave, 415.461.6787

TAVERN AT LARK CREEK American The next chapter in the 1888 Victorian Murphy House is being written by chef Randy Lewis and culinary director Adrian Hoffman. 234 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7766, tavernatlarkcreek.com

THE MELTING POT French Just across the street from the Larkspur Ferry terminal is a round red-brick haven for fondue fans. Share the “Big Night Out” feast featuring chef’s specialties, or design your own spread with cheese fondue, salad, meat entrée and chocolate fondue dessert. 125 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.461.6358, themeltingpot.com

YANKEE PIER American This family-friendly casual clam shack is harbored in a quaint house built in 1924 as a private residence. Though known for beer-battered fish ‘n’ chips, clam chowder and tasty salads, Yankee Pier serves fresh seafood delivered daily from both coasts. Great for families. 286 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7676, yankeepier.com

Oct.

You, Younger for Fall

Brow: smooth away frown lines

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Lips: plump lips, corners & lines

Legs: fade away unsightly veins

Unwanted Hair: laser it away shine beam glow scintillate call. 99 9 415.945. 9555

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The Bay Area’s premier cosmetic medical clinic specializes in correcting age & sun-damaged skin: Botox, Dysport, dermal fillers, laser resurfacing, IPL & more. New location: 350 Bon Air Rd, Suite 300, Greenbrae. www.newskinclinic.com

MILL VALLEY

AVATAR’S PUNJABI BURRITOS Indian A small and friendly place with only a few tables but myriad Indian-inspired burrito dishes to choose from. Try the curry chicken or Jamaican jerk wrapped in warm naan. Cash only, but worth the trip to the ATM. 15 Madrona St, 415.381.8293

BALBOA CAFE MILL VALLEY California The San Francisco institution has already become a place to see and be seen in Mill Valley, especially after the 142 Throckmorton Comedy nights. Come for the pan-roasted Alaskan halibut or risotto but stay for the amazing burgers. 38 Miller Ave, 415.381.7321, balboacafe.com

BEERWORKS BREWERY AND BEER CAFE

American Fast becoming a hang out in downtown Mill Valley with a beverage menu of handcrafted beers made on site, imported and local microbrews and housemade kombucha and root beer, this Mill Valley brewery is set to keep the local palate satiated. Don’t miss the small beer hall selection of pretzels, salumis and cheeses. 173 Throckmorton Ave, 415.336.3596, millvalleybeerworks.com

Luxury Retirement Living in Marin County

In the natural splendor of Marin County there is a 30-acre community for people of independent minds who require homes reflecting their own expressed wishes and active lifestyles. Where distinctive quality, attention to detail, access to health care providers and the abundance of services provide a truly remarkable value.

Call for your private preview! Smith Ranch Marketing Associates 415-491-4918 • www.smithranchhomes.com

BUCKEYE ROADHOUSE American Oysters

Bingo, baby back ribs and chili-lime “brick” chicken are a few of the satisfying, comfortfood-type menu items that have made this classic roadhouse a favorite since the ’30s. The warm dark-wooded bar with red leather booths is a popular spot for cocktails, conversations or a light meal. 15 Shoreline Hwy, 415.331.2600, buckeyeroadhouse.com

BUNGALOW 44 American Much like sister restaurant Buckeye Roadhouse, Bungalow 44 offers a mean dose of homey carbo- and lipidladen dishes, such as the burger, fried chicken and truffle fries, as well as a few lighter items. The bar is a neighborhood favorite, known for tasty spirits and eye candy. 44 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500, bungalow44.com

CACTUS CAFE AND TAQUERIA Mexican

Tucked in a little nook across from Whole Foods, this is the perfect spot to sit down with the family or grab burritos to go. The burritos themselves are enormous and the tacos are out of this world. Their signature creamy Diablo sauce has a spicy kick to it and is favored by the locals. 393 Miller Ave, 415.388.8226

CAFE DEL SOUL California Beware of addiction. Once you stop in for the deliciously fresh Hummus Yummus wrap, you’ll have to come back to sample the chipotle Sunrise Rice Bowl; then it will be the Thai It Up wrap with peanut sauce washed down with ginger limeade that brings you back, and so on. Casual lunch spot, great for takeout. 247 Shoreline Hwy, 415.388.1852, cafedelsoul.net

CHAMPAGNE French Enjoy a croque monsieur alfresco, linger over a flaky, buttery croissant with a cappuccino, or pick up chocolate-dipped strawberries for your dinner party. All that and more at this French bakery cafe. 41 Throckmorton Ave, 415.380.0410, millvalley. champagnebakery.com

DIPSEA CAFE Comfort One word: biscuits. This longtime breakfast spot has been serving up tasty pancakes and egg dishes with homemade biscuits since 1986. Try a biscuit with a poached egg, a biscuit with sausage—or just plain butter. Lunch specialties include BLTs and tuna melts and generous Cobb salads. Now serving dinner. 200 Shoreline Hwy, 415.381.0298, dipseacafe.com

DISH California Sit inside or out at this hip casual eatery on Miller Avenue. The result of a vision of Mill Valley locals including Peter Schumacher and Mike House, DISH was created as an all-day gathering spot serving healthy, organic food and drinks. Start the morning with a cappuccino, or stop in after midday yoga for a salad or sandwich and end the day with a glass of wine (free corkage) on the outdoor patio watching the sunset behind Mount Tamalpais. 507 Miller, 415.388.3013, dishmillvalley.com

FRANTOIO RISTORANTE ITALIANO Italian

Known for its in-house olive press, superior olive oil and excellent Italian cuisine, this is a great location for an intimate dinner, large groups and anything in between. Happy hour starts at 4:30 in the sizable, comfortable bar area, where you can snack on antipasti or order your whole meal. Owned by Roberto Zecca and Chef Duilio Valenti, both from Milano; the kitchen uses local and organic ingredients—it’s the Italian way. For special occasions and private parties, reserve the olive-press room. 152 Shoreline Hwy, 415.289.5777, frantoio.com

INDIA PALACE Indian Known as “that great restaurant in the Travelodge,” India Palace is a favorite among the takeout crowd; however, eating on site is a treat too. 707 Redwood Hwy, 415.388.3350

HARMONY Chinese Dishes here are an infusion of many flavors. The barbecue pork bun is filled with house-made roasted meat in a savory sauce; fresh mussels are accented with red chili and Thai basil. Pair your pick with wine, beer or tea. Strawberry Village, 415.381.5300, harmonyrestaurantgroup.com

JOE’S TACO LOUNGE Mexican A longtime local favorite, Joe’s serves up regular fare such as tasty fish tacos, burritos and enchiladas as well as more unusual items like Mexican pizza, tofu salad, and crab tostados. Colorful interior and (usually) quick service makes this a fun, easy stop. And if there are too many unsupervised kids for a peaceful meal, takeout is easy too. Alone? Grab a magazine and seat at the counter and enjoy the action. 382 Miller, 415.383.8164

LA BOULANGE BAKERY French Take your pastries and coffee in a bowl and lounge on the patio for a relaxing morning as you’re practically transported to Paris at this adorable bakery. The staff is professional and friendly. Be sure to try their outstanding breads, as they’ll put your standard sandwich bread to shame. 800 Redwood Hwy, 415.381.1260, baybread.com

LA GINESTRA Italian A favorite family spot for over 30 years; getting a table or booth can take a while. While this old-school Italian eatery is

“Gripper”

• Choose from 9 radiant colors. • Highest quality European hair.

known for traditional pastas, veal dishes, pizzas and dry martinis, the familiar wait staff is also part of the attraction. 127 Throckmorton Ave, 415.388.0224

LUCINDA’S MEXICAN FOOD Mexican This closet-sized eatery off the highway is treasured by regulars for its friendly service and authentic Mexican food. Ingredients are fresh and burritos are highly recommended. Dining space itself is tiny, so call ahead to bypass the line and bring your mouth-watering meal back to the office. 930 Redwood Hwy, 415.388.0754

MAMA’S ROYAL CAFE American Old-timers love this fabulous kitsch-decorated breakfast spot. The menu offers crepes, brioche French toast and other a.m. specialties served all day; stay awhile and try the sandwiches for lunch. 87 Miller Ave, 415.388.3261

MILL VALLEY COFFEE SHOP American Sure, it could use a steam clean, but the regulars keep coming back for the pancakes and eggs. Great place to bring the kids. 4 Locust Ave, 415.388.6958

PEARL’S PHAT BURGERS American Deemed by the New York Times, as a silver-spoon alternative to a greasy spoon diner, Pearl’s “hipster denizen” (another NYT phrasing) are loyal to the these big juicy -all natural patties (vegetarian, turkey, beef, buffalo or grilled chicken) served up with tasty sides such as garlic, or sweet potato fries, shakes and seasonal fruit whirls (smoothies). Eat-in if you

can get a seat, or better yet be a hero and take it home for dinner. 8 East Blithedale Ave, 415.381.6010

PIAZZA D’ANGELO Italian It’s always a party at this long-standing hot spot. A great place to meet up with friends for a fresh plate of pasta, zuppa di pesce or pollo novello, or make some new friends at the bar. 22 Miller Ave, 415.388.2000, piazzadangelo.com

PIATTI RISTORANTE AND BAR Italian The staff prides itself on capturing the warm and welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria. New chef Todd Shoberg (formerly from Town Hall in SF) has created a farmers’ marketinspired menu. Try for a table at the window for a truly exceptional view right on the water. Take a peek at the impressive collection of Italian wines to go with your rustic seasonal Italian meal. 625 Redwood Hwy, 415.380.2525, piatti.com

PIZZA ANTICA Italian Although a recent Yelp reviewer called it, “by far the best thin crust pizzas in Marin,” this Mill Valley spot also serves up antipasti selections and hearty salads. Wine is served by the glass, half carafe or bottle. 800 Redwood Hwy, 415.383.0600, pizzaantica.com

ROBATA GRILL AND SUSHI Japanese Robata translates as “by the fireside”; fittingly, food here can be cooked on an open fire and served in appetizer-size portions to pass around the table. Or simply order your own sushi or entree from the menu. 591 Redwood Hwy, 415.381.8400, robatagrill.com

SMALL SHED FLATBREADS California As a slow food chef, Ged Robertson uses only local, mostly organic ingredients. A popular spot for lunch and/ or dinner. Crowd favorites include the mt. tamalpie, a delicious fresh salad atop a flatbread. Take out options are popular here too.17 Madrona St, 415.383.4200, smallshed.com

THEP LELA Thai This jewel is tucked away in the back of the new Strawberry Village. Diners come for the tasty kee mao noodles, pad thai, fresh rolls and extensive bar menu. It’s also a great place for lunch. 615 Strawberry Village, 415.383.3444, theplela.com

TOAST American Take the kids for an omelet or pancake breakfast at this cozy venue; lunch and dinner, too. 31 Sunnyside Ave, 415.388.2500, toastmillvalley.com

TONY TUTTO PIZZA Italian Tony has been pouring his passion for pizza into his cooking for two decades and is now sharing his family recipes: “It’s all about excellence in pizza, sprinkled with musical flavors and kissed with colorful passion. We feature creative artisan-style pizza using the best imported, natural and local organic ingredients.” Mostly outdoor seating, so dress accordingly. Stop by or take out. 246 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.383.8646, tonytuttopizza.com

TSUKIJI SUSHI Japanese Named for the largest fish market in world, Tsukiji is owned by Roy and Chanel Liu. The couple earned their sushi stripes operating Morpho in San Francisco and Akira in San Rafael. Helping them behind the sushi bar is former Sushi Ran head sushi chef Haruo Komatsu. 24 Sunnyside Ave., 415.383.1382.

VASCO Italian Whether you’re at a table, the bar or the back counter, you can expect an intimate and tasty dining experience at this oneroom trattoria. Try one of the restaurant’s pasta dishes or thin-crust pizzas. 106 Throckmorton Ave, 415.381.3343

NOVATO

BOCA STEAK & SEAFOOD South American

Bring a date or celebrate a special event at this classic steak house, which celebrates chef George Morrone’s (Aqua, Fifth Floor) Argentinean heritage. The grass- and grain- fed steaks are cooked over oak and almond. Head to the restaurant early for a three-course prix-fixe dinner. 340 Ignacio Blvd, 415.883.0901, bocasteak.com

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

EL ENCANTO Mexican Barbed wire orbs, lights, festive music, and an addictive bean dip sets this family-friendly restaurant apart from the plethora of others in Marin. The sting of waiting for a table can be relieved by the En Canto House Margarita on the patio. 940 Seventh St, 415.892.1471, encantorestaurant.com

Covered patio at Il Fornaio in Corte Madera’s Town Center

EXTREME PIZZA American Pizza by the slice or pie. Come up with your own creation or choose one of the restaurant’s favorites like the Mr. Pestato Head: homemade pesto sauce, potatoes, red onions, feta, fresh basil and mozzarella. 104 Vintage Way, 415.898.6575, extremepizza.com

FINNEGAN’S MARIN American This pub-style restaurant features tasty appetizers, grilled flatbread pizzas and entrées, including New York steak, garlic herb chicken and a braised beef and pork ragu that will really stick to your ribs. Wine, beer and cocktails are available. 877 Grant Ave, 415.899.1516, finnegansmarin.com

GRAZIE Italian Locals love this family-owned and -run Grant Avenue restaurant for delicious paninis, salads and the unbeatable homemade cookies. Enjoy good weather on the outside patio or people-watch in this always-bustling restaurant. 823 Grant Ave, Ste E, 415.878.0202

JENNIE LOW’S CHINESE CUISINE Chinese

Traditional dishes including Cantonese, Mandarin, Szechuan and Hunan delicacies. Check out the menu’s new Light Creations section for lower-fat recipe modifications of the restaurant’s popular items. If you don’t see your favorite dish, let the restaurant know; whenever possible, they’re happy to try and prepare new items not on the menu. 120 Vintage Way, 415.892.8838, jennielow.com

PORTELLI ROSSI Italian This casual cafe offers huge portions (most priced under $20), a garden patio and a family-friendly environment. Stop in

on Saturday and Sunday nights for the live jazz band on the patio. The early-bird special includes a three-course meal for only $12 every night if you’re seated before 6 p.m. Closed Mondays. 868 Grant Ave, 415.892.6100, portellirossi.com

SONOMA LATINA GRILL Mexican As if Novato didn’t already have some great taquerias, the owners of La Tortilla Factory in Sonoma have brought us Sonoma Latina Grill. The menu includes standbys like tacos, burritos and enchiladas made with fresh, local and organic ingredients, plus a list of favorites from the Sonoma location. In keeping with the fresh/nonprocessed theme, the tortillas are made by hand with natural and organic whole grains. 5800 Nave Dr, 415.883.2662, sonomalatinagrill.com

TOAST American Sister to the popular Mill Valley location, Toast Novato features outdoor dining and architecture by Stanley Saitowitz and still has the great dishes by executive chef Michael Garcia that have made the southern Marin spot a not-to-be-missed destination. 5800 Nave Dr, 415.382.1144, toastnovato.com

TUSCANY COUNTRY GRILL Italian The Chicken Pesto Panini and Eggplant Parmigiano are among many of the favorites at this charming and spacious Italian eatery. The menu is eclectic, prices are fair and the portions are enormous, so be prepared for leftovers throughout the week. It brings in a bit of traffic during lunchtime so make reservations or arrive early. 1516 Grant Ave, 415.998.2800

WILDFOX American Perched on the hillside off Highway 101, this rustic mesquite grill offers a menu full of comfort food and drinks, like the smooth cosmos, and seafood risotto, with bits of butternut squash. In the mood for a cigar? The restaurant has an extensive list. 225 Alameda del Prado, 415.883.9125, wildfoxrestaurant.com

ROSS

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

MARCHÉ AUX FLEURS French This gem of a restaurant serves up locally farmed produce, wild and fresh seafood and free-range meats prepared with an artisan’s touch. The wine and beer list is extensive. 23 Ross Common, 415.925.9200, marcheauxfleursrestaurant.com

TRATTORIA FRESCO Italian Every neighborhood deserves a one-room trattoria like this one. The service is friendly and the farmers’-market-fresh food is fabulous—especially the gnocchi. 13 Ross Common, 415.464.0915, frescotrattoria.com

SAN ANSELMO

BUBBA’S DINER American Kids will be begging for seconds and so will adults at this hopping

local hangout. Burgers, shakes and fries and homemade apple pie. 566 San Anselmo Ave, 415.459.6862, bubbas-diner.net

COMFORTS Cafe This cozy spot serves breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. Be sure to try the Philly cheesesteak and Chinese chicken salad, both classics. 335 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.9840, comfortscafe.com

CUCINA RESTAURANT AND WINE BAR Italian Proprietors Donna and Jack Krietzman (of Pacific Heights’ Jackson Fillmore) has brought Milan to Marin with his 42-seat family restaurant. Relax with a glass of wine and have a slice from the to-die-for thin pizzas, topped with items like truffle oil and fontina cheese. 510 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.2942, cucinarestaurantandwinebar.com

DREAM FARM California As the website claims, a taste of rural Marin in downtown San Anselmo, showcasing the bounty of our area’s awardwinning farms, dairies, and fisheries. Best yet is the price point: dishes range from under $6 to nothing over $20. 198 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.453.9898, dreamfarmmarin.com

INSALATA’S Mediterranean Award-winning chef Heidi Insalata Krahling offers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes prepared with local organic produce and artisan meats. 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.457.7700, insalatas.com

L’APPART RESTO French It’s the second (and highly anticipated) Marin restaurant for the team behind Le Garage Bistro. In the former AVA spot, owners Bruno Denis and Olivier Souvestre have

created a menu most Francophiles would be proud of, complete with items like smoked herring, bone marrow and cassoulet de legumes. 636 San Anselmo Ave, 415.256.9884, lappartresto.com

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

MARINITAS Mexican The sister restaurant of Insalata’s, Marinitas continues to flourish as it brings Latin flair home to Marin. It may not be as cheap as most Mexican restaurants in the area, but this is not your typical south-of-theborder spot. The festive atmosphere and funky decor complement the excellent food for a classy, lively experience. Finish strong with the rich Tres Leches Cake. This place gets packed, so make reservations. 218 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.454.8900, marinitas.net

ORCHID THAI Thai Owners Peggy and Tom Thongnopneua create an inviting atmosphere with their warm smiles and helpful menu suggestions. The fare here has won “Best of Marin” awards many times over. 726 San Anselmo Ave, 415.457.9470, orchidthairestaurant.com

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

SAN GERONIMO

RED TAIL BAR & GRILL California The beautiful views overlooking the San Geronimo Valley redwoods and wildlife will captivate you while you indulge in the new menu featuring West Marin meats, cheeses and produce. 5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.488.4030

TWO BIRD CAFÉ California This roadside cafe has it all, including fresh fish and goodies from the garden. These guys were doing local and sustainable even before it was so popular. 625 San Geronimo Valley Dr, 415.488.0105, twobirdcafe.com

SAN RAFAEL

AMICI’S EAST COAST PIZZERIA California

With a bevy of pizza options including gluten-free crust and the new Siciliano, an enticing mix of mozzarella, slow-roasted garlic, sausage, broccoli and crushed red pepper flakes sans the tomato sauce. 1242 Fourth St, 415.455.9777, amicis.com

BOMBAY GARDEN Indian The restaurant offers a large menu of richly flavored Northern and Southern Indian Cuisine. There are often Bollywood movies or videos playing on a flatscreen TV to add a little entertainment to the meal. 909 Fourth St, 415.459.9555, dinebombaygarden.com

CALGANG KITCHEN Thai Owned and operated by the family that used to run Jhan Thong of Northgate food court fame, Calgang Kitchen recently made its debut in the new Northgate shopping center in Terra Linda, much to the joy of its devoted regulars. Now a sit-down restaurant that includes a bar serving organic beers and wines, it’s a place where you can stay and enjoy the stylish décor or step right up to the steam table for delicious take-out in eco-friendly containers. 194 Northgate One 415.499.3501

CAFE GRATITUDE Raw The waiters might push the affirmations theme a bit too much, but the tasty (and healthy) food is worth it. Besides the knowledge you’re supporting local farmers and sustainable agriculture, the raw food and vegan samosas are hard to resist. Best to bring a group and sample lots of items on the menu. Back to the affirmations; —they are actually pretty cool if you take the time to think about them. 2200 Fourth St, 415.824.4652, withthecurrent.com

CHALET BASQUE French This family-style restaurant serves dishes inspired by the Basque regions of France and Spain, including frog legs in a garlic butter and lemon sauce, a veal calf liver sauté and rack of lamb. On warm Marin night enjoy alfresco dining on the outdoor patio. 405 North San Pedro Rd, 415.479.1070, chaletbasquemarin.com

CREPEVINE American Bistro/Creperie Casual dining, outdoor seating and a diverse menu of savory crepes (such as the Italian crepe filled with roasted peppers, eggplant, onions, artichoke hearts, tomato sauce and mozzarella). Sweet and savory crepes are available all day long, as is breakfast. 908 Fourth St, 415.257.8822, crepevine.com

Waldorf Salad from California Pizza Kitchen

IL DAVIDE Italian A large selection of both Italian and Californian wines by the glass along with the dolci menu’s tiramisu have kept locals coming back for years. Don’t leave without sampling the limoncello. 901 A St, 415.454.8080, ildavide.net

LOTUS RESTAURANT American Bistro/Creperie

Lotus Restaurant has earned Hall of Fame kudos from Pacific Sun readers for nearly a decade. Family owned and operated, it serves up North Indian cuisine with vegan and vegetarian options in a casual pink-tablecloth setting. 704 Fourth St, 415.456.5808, lotusrestaurant.com

MCINNIS PARK GOLF CLUB RESTAURANT

American Chef Tim Harmon has created an eclectic menu for brunch, lunch and dinner. Outdoor seating is popular, as well as the full bar with a selection of premium Scotches, small batch bourbons and over 50 wines from California’s finest vineyards. McInnis Park, 415.491.5990, mcinnisparkgolfcenter.com/restaurant.html

MULBERRY STREET PIZZERIA Italian Chef

Ted Rowe won first place in the Food Network Television Pizza Challenge with his Mushroom Lover’s Pizza—sautéed mushrooms in a creamy garlic sauce atop a fresh pizza crust. Located across from the Smith Ranch Road movie theaters, it’s a great place to grab dinner and a movie. 101 Smith Ranch Rd, 415.472.7272, mulberrystreet-pizzeria.com

NAPOLI Italian Napoli Italian is a family owned and run restaurant with a unique craft-beer program. “Our wine list is not priced like the usual restaurant wine list, but at about store retail pricing,” says David Amet, son-in-law of the owner, and wine director, “wine was meant to be enjoyed, shared and consumed, not just praised in the bottle on the wall like a trophy.” So, they keep the prices down and the libations flowing. About 45 wines and 25 beers (including some from Marin) are on the list at any given time. 869 4th St, 415.459.3315

PANAMA HOTEL RESTAURANT American

The tropical garden is a must-dine-at location for people-watching and for taking advantage of San Rafael’s warm weather. Live music is offered here all year round. The Sunday brunch menu is a hit with kids, who can’t get enough of the Panama Waffle served with bananas, warm chocolate sauce and whipped cream. 4 Bayview St, 415.457.3993, panamahotel.com

SABOR OF SPAIN Spanish Named Best Tapas/ Small Dishes restaurant in Marin by the Pacific Sun in 2006, this Spanish wine bar is a great place for a date or a big party. The gazpacho is world class here and a must-try. 1301 Fourth St, 415.457.8466, saborofspain.com

SAN RAFAEL JOE’S Italian Guido and Theresa Farina are now running this Marin institution, which has been famous for serving up sophisticated yet casual Italian fare since 1947. Great for large parties, the dining room holds 240. The Pacific red snapper meunière and roast sirloin of beef are standouts. 931 Fourth St, 415.456.2425, srjoes.com

S ANDRA B IRD D ESIGNS

A D

ESIGN

/B UILD F IRM

SEAFOOD PEDDLER Seafood A great place to seek out fresh seafood in a warm and inviting environment. Varieties of East and West Coast fish flown in daily. Dine indoors or out, or better yet, rent out the banquet room for a party. 100 Yacht Club Dr, 415.460.6669, seafoodpeddler.com

SOL FOOD Puerto Rican With south-of-theborder treats like yellow rice, beans, plantains and authentic Puerto Rican dishes, this tiny oneroom eatery on Fourth Street just off Highway 101 can be hard to get into, but worth the wait. 732 Fourth St, and 901 Lincoln Ave, 415.451.4765, solfoodrestaurant.com

THERESA & JOHNNY’S COMFORT FOOD

American Cooking like Mom used to make. Drop by for eggs Benedict, tuna melts, coffee and some of the best milk shakes around. 817 Fourth St, 415.259.0182, theresa-and-johnnys.com

WHIPPER SNAPPER RESTAURANT California/ Caribbean Owner and chef Bill Higgins serves reasonably priced and delicious tapas. Save room for delicious fish tacos and yummy chocolate bread pudding. On Sundays they offer $3 glasses of sangria. 1613 Fourth St, 415.256.1818, whipsnap.biz

YET WAH Chinese Named after the founder’s wife (Yet refers to the moon, Wah to brightness), this beloved mainstay offers dim sum daily along with the traditional Chinese menu. Groove to live music in the Kung Fu Lounge 1238 Fourth St, 415.460.9883, yetwahsanrafael.com

SAUSALITO

ANGELINO RESTAURANT Italian Father-andson chefs Pasquale and Alfredo Ancona offer handmade pastas and seasonal antipasti at this authentic Italian restaurant, which has been serving food from the Campania region for

the past 24 years. 621 Bridgeway, 415.331.5225, angelinorestaurant.com

ARAWAN THAI RESTAURANT Thai Known for its consistently tasty Thai food and efficient, gracious service. For light fare try the imperial or Siamese rolls (vegetarian), or dig into the delicious pad thai noodles or garlic and pepper prawns. Arawan Thai has been a local favorite for over nine years. 47 Caledonia St, 415.332.0882, arawan.com

AVATAR’S Indian Looking for “the best meal of your life”? Let owner Ashok Kumar order for you. One-room casual dining for lunch and dinner. 2656 Bridgeway, 415.332.8083, eatavatar.com

CAFFÉ DIVINO Tuscan Locals come for the tasty pastas and salads, as well as coffee drinks, in a funky one-room setting. Free delivery in Sausalito. 37 Caledonia St, 415.331.9355, caffedivinosausalito.com

CIBO Cafe Husband-and-wife team Alfredo and Tera Ancona offer a menu filled with tarts, croissants, cookies, paninis and soups. Every dish is made from scratch with local and seasonal products. And now Marinites no longer have to drive over the bridge to get famous Blue Bottle coffee. Or opt for homemade organic dark hot chocolate. Located in the historic brick building at 1201 Bridgeway, 415.331.CIBO, cibosausalito.com

FENG NIAN Chinese Busy at lunch and dinner, this spacious hangout has been a popular spot for wonton soup, potstickers and daily specials for nearly two decades. For an indulgent treat order the Szechwan crispy calamari or honey-glazed walnut prawn. Free delivery. 2650 Bridgeway, 415.331.5300, fengnian.com

FISH Seafood It is all about the fresh fish here. You can dine at one of the picnic tables or purchase fresh fish to cook at home. Casual

and bring cash (and lots of it!). 350 Harbor Dr, 415.331.3474, 331fish.com

HORIZONS Seafood/American There isn’t a better place for waterfront deck dining with stunning views of Angel Island, Alcatraz and the San Francisco skyline. Horizons is a favorite with locals and visitors. Enjoy lunch, dinner and brunch daily, featuring fresh seafood, salads, sandwiches, pasta and steak. Deck dining, valet parking and docking facilities available. A full bar serves draft beers and specialty cocktails and has an extensive wine selection. 558 Bridgeway, 415.331.3232, horizonssausalito.com

LE GARAGE French Escape the touristy Sausalito spots and grab brunch right on the water at this cherished site. The atmosphere is animated with light French music playing in the background (think Amélie). The Kobe Burger, though not as Parisian as the other menu items, is to die for. Also consider the much-adored croque-monsieur for under $10. Opt for indoor or outdoor seating. 85 Liberty Ship Way, 415.332.5625, legaragebistrosausalito.com

LIGHTHOUSE American Blueberry pancakes, omelets and Danish-influenced dishes are the draw here. It’s a small space, so be prepared to wait. 1311 Bridgeway, 415.331.3034

MURRAY CIRCLE American Enjoy the sun on the deck of this Cavallo Point restaurant. Locals say they come back for the fresh seasonal ingredients like wild sturgeon and Wolfe Ranch quail that chef Joseph Humphrey cooks up. 601 Murray Circle, 415.339.4750, cavallopoint.com

PARADISE BAY American Enjoy the sun or dine under the stars at this waterfront restaurant. Patrons’ favorites are the organic beef sandwiches and fresh Maine lobster clubs. 1200 Bridgeway, 415.331.3226, paradisebaysausalito.com

PICCOLO TEATRO Italian Translating into “Little Theater” in Italian, Piccolo Teatro used to be a theater before it became the exquisite restaurant it is today. Executive Chef Travis Flood spends weeks mastering each dish. Customers seem unanimous in finding the food quality, service, and ambience phenomenal. 739 Bridgeway, 415.332.0739, piccoloteatrodisausalito.com

POGGIO Italian A great place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a night out. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menu offers Northern Italian cuisine using fresh and local ingredients, including produce from the nearby Poggio chef garden. 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771, poggiotratoria.com

SAYLOR’S RESTAURANT AND BAR California/ Mexican Marin’s first tequila bar offers over 100 tequila options. Nightly meal specials include chicken pot pie, roasted salmon, baby back ribs, and traditional meatloaf. If you’re in for a wild night of entertainment there are frequent events like margarita night and flight night tequilatasting parties. The private dining room is perfect for large parties. 2009 Bridgeway, 415.332.1512, saylorsrestaurantandbar.com

Spaghetti Polpette from Pasta Pomodoro

SCOMA’S Seafood Whether it’s for the view of San Francisco and the bay including Angel Island or the historical background, visitors flock to this location and its romantic setting. The array of fresh seafood and meat dishes are as appetizing as the Italian pasta dishes. 588 Bridgeway, 415.332.9551, scomassausalito.com

SPINNAKER Seafood Chef Phil Collins excels at preparing seafood, and it shows in the beautiful plate presentations. Set right on the water, this romantic spot is great for an evening occasion. 100 Spinnaker Dr, 415.332.1500, thespinnaker.com

SUSHI RAN Japanese Fresh, innovative small plates are just big enough to share, the traditional sushi is melt-in-your-mouth good and the wine, cocktail and sake lists keep the pickiest barfly well satisfied. Even the prices don’t deter the herd of sushi enthusiasts, who line up nightly to partake; reservations required in main room. 107 Caledonia St, 415.332.3620, sushiran.com

TASTE OF ROME Italian This local landmark has evolved from a cafe into a full-service restaurant offering pasta, pizza, sandwiches and salad in an authentic Italian ambience. Find the green, white and red awning and you’re there. 1000 Bridgeway, 415.332.7660, taste-of-rome.com

TOMMY’S WOK Chinese Scrupulously fresh ingredients and free-range chicken make the yellow coconut milk curry here divine. Nice atmosphere and good takeout. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.332.5818, tommyswok.com

WELLINGTON’S California British transport Jeremy John and his wife Jill have created an expansive (2,400-square-foot) wine bar with a homey feel, board games, views of the bay and a worldly cellar featuring affordable bottles and special reserves. The menu offers wines by the glass for $5 to $20 and tasting flights of any three wines for $12. 300 Turney St, 415.331.9463, wellingtonswine.com

WINSHIPS RESTAURANT American The morethan-four-decades-old nautical-themed restaurant is luring locals and tourists with hearty breakfasts and lunch options like tender fried calamari, clam strips, mussels and a giant prawn cocktail. 670 Bridgeway, 415.332.1454, winships.com

TIBURON

CAPRICE California Book the private party room for large groups or just relax in what one Yelp reviewer called, “the perfect romantic dinner spot.” Midweek take advantage of the restaurant’s well-priced three-course dinners for less than $25. 2000 Paradise Dr, 415.435.3400, thecaprice.com

DYNASTY CHINESE Chinese Mu shu pork and pot stickers are among the menu choices; located near the point of Tiburon. 1801 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.6766, tiburondynasty.com

GINZA Japanese Whether you simply go for the volcano roll or indulge in the eight-course Omakase meal, the fresh ingredients coupled with

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the view of San Francisco keep this place busy, so make reservations or get there early. 41 Main St, 415.789.5123, ginzasushi-tiburon.com

GUAYMAS Mexican Situated right next to the Tiburon ferry terminal on the waterfront. The touch-it-you’re-so-close city views and outdoor seating make it a great place to bring visitors on a warm summer night. Happy hour is 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Menu includes specialties like puerco macho—pork loin chop with grilled plantain, topped with an ancho chile, garlic and onion sauce. 5 Main St, 415.435.6300, guaymasrestaurant.com

MILANO Italian Located in the Cove Shopping Center, this family-owned neighborhood spot is known for its pasta and friendly service. A good place to take the kids—or catering option for your next birthday party. 1 Blackfield Dr, 415.388.9100

MING’S Chinese Hospitable service and large portions are just two of the reasons this familyrun business is a favorite. Try the sautéed mango chicken with rice and don’t miss the lunch specials. 1550 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.4312

NEW MORNING CAFE American Sit outside or indoors at this casual cafe. On a sunny morning, tables will be filled with locals enjoying the sun and extensive breakfast menu; lunch served as well. 1696 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.4315

SAM’S ANCHOR CAFE American Everyone knows Sam’s deck is the prime spot for brunch on a lazy sunny Sunday, and its bar is the town’s historic watering hole, but Sam’s is also a great place for lunch or dinner. Enjoy trans-fat-free calamari, fresh fish, seasonal salads and pastas. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527, samscafe.com

SERVINO RISTORANTE Italian With people like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates raving about his pizza, Angelo Servino is doing something right. Some people come for the spacious and popular bar; some people come for the great food and friendly service; the titans of industry, it seems, opt for the pepperoni. Spacious bar, and weekend music is also a big draw. 9 Main St, 415.435.2676, servino.com

TIBURON GRILL California The atmosphere here is truly enchanting with two outdoor patios, two indoor fireplaces, and candlelit tables during the evening. No item is more than $20, including the steak, with entrées falling in the $14 to $18 range. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. 1651 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.5996, thelodgeattiburon.com

WEST MARIN

BLUE HERON INN Local A daily changing chalkboard menu features the fresh seasonal bounty of nearby organic farms. An outstanding staff creates a friendly and comfortable atmosphere, right by the wharf. 11 Wharf Rd, 415.868.1102

DRAKES BEACH CAFE American If you’re OK with the long drive, you can’t beat the view and

Robert Byers,

Ernest Sponzilli, MD

Lisa Elvin, NP

Brian Su, MD

the fresh local ingredients used to make the burgers, salads and soups at this casual spot (Inverness). Walk on the beach after lunch. 1 Drakes Beach Rd, 415.669.1297, drakesbeachcafe.com

NICK’S COVE American This collaboration of famed restaurateurs Pat Kuleto and Mark Franz has attracted visitors (and accolades) nationwide. Large windows open the 130-seat eatery to the picturesque Tomales Bay and Hog Island. Menu consists of the freshest available local seafood, oysters and bounty from nearby West Marin farms including Bodega Bay Dungeness crab cake and Tomales Bay clam chowder (Marshall). 23240 Hwy 1, 415.663.1033, nickscove.com

OLEMA INN California One of the most charming settings around, this inn and restaurant is a great destination lunch spot for a Sunday drive, or dinner every night. The menu includes imaginative combinations using regional and organic greens while the bar features a full wine list (Olema). 10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.663.9559, theolemainn.com

OSTERIO STELLINA California Whether strolling in from a day of hiking or celebrating a romantic anniversary, Osterio Stellina accommodates any occasion. The menu is Italianinspired using organic, local ingredients. If you’re looking for something unusual try the goat shoulder, a favorite of locals and tourists alike. Don’t leave without indulging in the standout lemon ice cream sandwich (Point Reyes). 11285 Hwy 1, 415.663.9988, osteriastellina.com

PARKSIDE CAFE American Most people know it as the ultimate breakfast spot (think Guatemalan scramble or waffle with blood orange–strawberry compote and whipped cream, alfresco) but lunch and dinners are great here too. Choose from an array of organic locally grown produce and artisan meats and wild seafood. The grilled quail, the Hawaiian butterfish and the rib-eye steak are standouts (Stinson). Also a great spot to just grab coffee and a pastry. 43 Arenal Ave, 415.868.1272, parksidecafe.com

PINE CONE DINER American Just off the main road, Joannie Kwit has recreated the ultimate neighborhood diner. Vintage china and homemade curtains complement the eclectic but homey menu featuring local fare. A favorite for locals as well as tourists, bicyclists and motorcyclists (Point Reyes Station). 60 Fourth St, 415.663.1536, thepineconediner.com

SAND DOLLAR American Originally built from three barges in Tiburon in 1921, the Sand Dollar Restaurant was floated to Stinson that same year and still exists today. Enjoy live music along with local barbecued oysters and New England clam chowder. Sunny deck is great in the afternoon (Stinson). 3458 Shoreline Hwy, 415.868.0434, stinsonbeachrestaurant.com

STATION HOUSE CAFE American Fresh local homegrown foods, served as available, are showcased on the chef’s menu. Stop in on weekends for the live music and enticing wine and beer lists. 11180 State Route One, 415.663.1515, stationhousecafe.com

Fall for Spots

BY: GEE WAWA

—Chris Fitzsimmons, Sonoma Academy Class of 2009

JOIN US FOR OPEN HOUSE ACTIVITIES

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Meals of Marin invites you to join in Merriment, Minstrels and Magic Saturday, Oct 9, 2010 1–5pm at the splendid

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A delicious family-style Tuscan feast by Food Impresario Stacie Scott Music by our Court Minstrel Jimmy Dillon with his Troubadours Dancers, jugglers, soothsayers, storytellers and artisans... Live and silent auction

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STRAWBERRY

A fruitful life in a Mill Valley enclave

BY DANIEL JEWETT PHOTOS TIM PORTER

Even though the area was considered a possible location for the United Nations after World War II, Strawberry has become a comfortable and family-oriented community far from the spotlight.

The United Nations would eventually settle on New York as the location for its headquarters, leaving Strawberry to quietly undergo development starting in 1947. The unincorporated area—defined by Highway 101 to the west and Tiburon Boulevard to the north—has about 5,300 residents who have created their own community while maintaining ties to both Mill Valley (of which Strawberry is part) and

Tiburon. But geographic boundaries have served to keep the community off the radar of most Marinites.

Jennifer Klopfer still remembers the day she first discovered Strawberry. “We came kayaking from the water side and arrived at the spit at Strawberry,” she says, referring to the area that was once a major gathering point for harbor seals. “We said, ‘What is this place?’”

It wasn’t long after that that Klopfer and her husband moved to Strawberry for the views, community, outdoor activities and access to quality Mill Valley schools and schools closer to home like the Strawberry

Point School, which reopened in 2000. “It’s such a nice waterfront community with quick access to the city,” Klopfer says. “It is a fabulous place to walk around with amazing views of the city or Mount Tam. It’s so convenient and yet it is like you are a world away.”

One issue Klopfer is very passionate about is rehabbing and rethinking the community center and related facilities served by the Strawberry Recreation District. She joined the all-volunteer district board four years ago and became president in December. “I felt like the center was a sleeping beauty,” Klopfer says of the aging facilities. “It

is serving a community that is changing, that is younger. New families move here and they have expectations.”

The facilities include meeting rooms, a basketball court, two baseball fields, a soccer field, four tennis courts, a pool, wading pool and sauna, a small park and picnic areas. Hopes are that these assets can be maintained and upgraded and that more youth programming can be added, especially with the addition of Leanne Kreuzer—who specialized in youth programs when she worked at the Mill Valley Community Center—as a paid manager for the district.

“We want to create a community-based service that everyone can use,” Klopfer adds. “The sky is the limit.”

Another resident who moved to Strawberry came to serve the residents in a different way. “It seemed like a great location with easy access right off the freeway and it was a very community-oriented mall,” says Gail Ann, who moved her spa business to Strawberry Village in 1988 and renamed it Evo Spa in 2004. “It seemed like a great place to be to serve a community.”

Indeed, 17-year Strawberry resident and Pacific Union Realtor Joan Kermath says that the mall, the schools, the short drive to the freeway, the views and the community all come together to make Strawberry an attractive buy for those in the market. “It’s the best-kept secret: great weather and knock-your-socks-off city views,” she says. “There is a great mix of people here.”

Kermath says the original owners are selling many homes currently on the market, and those buying them are younger couples. “Many are coming from the city and either have families or a baby on the way,” she says.

As far as the current state of the market, Kermath is seeing a lot more listings and what appears to be a “renewed interest” in Strawberry homes. At press time there were 25 active listings, including seven condos or town homes. So far this year, 20 properties have sold, with a high of just over $4 million and some foreclosures forming a low of $650,000. Town homes in Strawberry can be purchased for even less, averaging around $500,000. If your budget is a little more generous, there is a home on the market for $6.875 million.

Whether you mean to visit or to stay, it seems Strawberry is a place worth discovering.

Ann has seen her business grow, with a very loyal clientele and more than 30 employees. She says the mall renovation, which began in 2004, has really helped to change the feel of Strawberry Village, which now boasts more than 50 shops, restaurants, banks and real estate offices. “It has really turned out great, with all the outdoor seating and new shops; it really works.”

New Real Estate Search App

THIS NEWER KENTFIELD HOME is privately situated on over 3/4 of an acre on a coveted cul de sac in the lower Woodlands. Featuring an impressive gated driveway leading to a dramatic entrance, this 3,615 square foot home has 5 bedrooms all with full private baths, 7 baths total. One bedroom has separate entrance with kitchenette – ideal for in-law or au pair. Living room with vaulted ceiling, gourmet kitchen with two sinks, wine refrigerator, eat-in area/island, adjacent family room, formal dining room, laundry room, storage room, and 3 car garage. Sunny, views, lawn areas, limestone baths, sound and security system, and mature garden areas. Bike to schools.

$2,850,000 www.33acorn.com

Mark Millstein 415.601.9240

mark.millstein@sothebysrealty.com www.marinpremierhomes.com

CHARMING BELVEDERE HOME with three bedrooms, three full baths and open floor plan. Gourmet kitchen with Australian marble countertops, wine cooler and center island. SubZero, Miele and Wolf appliances. Kitchen and living room open to large deck, perfect for entertaining, with stunning views from Angel Island to Mt. Tam. Loft-like master suite has wonderful views, en-suite bath, sitting area and private deck. Lower level room with separate entrance could be utilized as artist studio, office, au pair unit or exercise room. This gracious home offers easy access to Tiburon and ferry to San Francisco.

$2,395,000

Annette Pocica 415.450.0518 a.pocica@deckerbullocksir.com

STUNNING TIBURON ESTATE

A mere 15 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, your resort in paradise awaits you. Completed in 2007 and built green, this one-level gated Tuscan inspired Tiburon estate is perfectly sited on a 1.6 acre private knoll that enjoys all day sun. Complete with a swimming pool, level yard, separate pool house with guest quarters, three car garage and magnificently landscaped gardens. This residence offers approximately 6000 square feet of living space and includes 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, home office/library, grand scale great room, gourmet kitchen, formal dining room and living room. This home boasts great light with high ceilings and large, gracious rooms with a multitude of outdoor liv ing spaces and an amazing indoor/outdoor connection. The lush landscaping features an organic vegetable garden and orchard which includes more than 25 fruit-bearing trees and 30 olive trees. $6,500,000

415.596.6231

a.fagersten@deckerbullocksir.com www.teamalix.com

Chic California Contemporary KENTFIELD

Located in the highly-desired fl ats of Kent field, this very special four bedroom, two and one-half bath home offers a lifestyle of elegance and ease. Walk to award winning Bacich Elementary School and the idyllic Priory Tennis Club. This professionally landscaped, fully fenced, private property boasts all day sun, large pool, hot tub, fl agstone patios, and beautiful gardens. Dramatic interiors have been remodeled with an artist’s eye and attention to detail. Cathedral ceilings, walls of windows, and lavish use of of marble, granite and limestone in living room, of fice, bathrooms and the state-of-the art kitchen create a grand sense of scale, beauty, and warmth. Eat-in kitchen, family media room and the open plan living and dining rooms enjoy an easy connection to the outdoors. Bonus studio and large garage with storage complete the offering.

Offered at $2,195,000 www.9MannDrive.com

Classic Craftsman ROSS

Sunny and spacious, this four bedroom, two and one half bath home has been artfully renovated by the current architect-owners to preserve its classic details while adding numerous contemporary conveniences. High, beamed ceilings with crown molding add elegance to the living room and formal dining room. Wonderfully updated eat-in kitchen with walls of windows opens to a private, fully fenced and landscaped yard that includes a masonry fireplace, hot tub and level lawn. Located moments away from the highly acclaimed Ross School, the Town Commons, and miles of open space trails, the home is sited above the fl ood plain and enjoys a generous setback.

Offered at $1,250,000 www.16SFD.com

Sophisticated Tiburon Estate

Understated elegance and timeless design combined with world class views define this unique property. Bordered by open space, this large, 7,000± square foot, private estate is situated on one of the most desirable view streets in Tiburon. An entertainer’s dream, the home features a custom gourmet kitchen, elegant dining room, refined living spaces and a handsome executive office. The expansive master suite boasts a spaworthy bath and serene views of the bay and beyond. With five bedrooms, five full and two half baths, even the most discerning buyer would agree this is a rare find. The views, decks and beautiful gardens create an outdoor living experience like none other. Privacy, views, location… this is Tiburon at its best!

Offered at $4,485,000 www.152Hacienda.com

Mill Valley Refined

Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath Craftsman located on nearly one-third acre in a coveted walk-totown location. This serene Mill Valley home is encircled by lush landscaping, mature trees and fragrant roses. The luxurious master suite, elegant living room with wood-burning fireplace, and large kitchen with breakfast room share quaint views of the valley and hills beyond. Quality construction by renowned builder Terry White, impeccably maintained and a rare find. Comfort and elegance define this idyllic Mill Valley home. Offered at $1,485,000

Stunning, newly completed contemporary with riveting views spanning the San Francisco skyline, bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Gated, level lawns, private terraces, indoor/outdoor living, smart and green home integration, whole-home automation. Formal living and dining rooms and wonderful kitchen designed for the serious home chef, with Wolf, Miele, Abbaka, SubZero and Franke fixtures, large center isle with breakfast bar, and adjacent family area with fireplace, media center, temp controlled 800-bottle wine room and view-side terrace. Three bedrooms, two and one-half baths…

$7,500,000

Striking, Southwest-inspired, completed 2006 and with the ultimate great room with combined living room with fireplace and pool access, kitchen with Wolf, Miele, SubZero, Blanco fixtures and huge island with Italian marble counter, adjacent family room with fireplace and intimate patio and dining room with San Francisco Bay views. Private, solar-heated salt water pool with spa, fireplace and bay view. Top floor master with bayside terrace, fireplace and beautiful marble bath with separate shower and jetted tub. Nearby access to bike path and then to beach for windsurfing and kayaking. Beautiful rose garden, producing lemon and plum trees, 3-car garage, pavers and tile roof. Four/ five bedrooms, three and one-half baths…

$2,995,000

Gracious, Mediterranean-style 4BR/4.5BA home located on a waterfront, level lot. French doors open to indoor/outdoor living. In Escrow

Mill Valley • $1,895,000 10Egret.com

Judy LeMarr 415.793.5030

jlemarr@fhallen.com MarinDreamHome.com

As a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio Fine Property Collection, Frank Howard Allen offers the most powerful international marketing program to date. We reach the right audience.

When you’re ready, contact us. We’ll apply 100 years of service and the power of our entire team to make your experience a rewarding one.

Learn more at: fhallen.com/luxury

260 Bayview Avenue, Belvedere • $3,900,000 History, Warmth and Charm

This classic 5 bedroom, 5 bath home is available for the first time in more than 35 years. Built in approximately 1898, gracious architectural details of the era are featured throughout with a floor plan that provides a perfect setting for formal occasions or a comfortable day-to-day lifestyle. Incredible views of the bay are the focus of most rooms providing an ever-changing vista of activity. The kitchen/family room is a wonderful gathering spot which opens to a spacious deck and lovingly-maintained gardens. Guests will be enticed to linger in the separate guest cottage.

PICTURED

Olivia Hsu

415.435.1600

Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Janet Williamson

415.309.6223

JWilliamson@FHAllen.com

Alva Falla

415.518.1930

AFalla@FHAllen.com

Britt A. Engel

415.601.0077

Britt@FirstMarin.com

Maryann Pearson

415.310.1143

MaryannPearson@Remax.Net

Susan Bowman

415.710.0208

Susan.Bowman@PacUnion.com

Danielle Chavanon

415.706.5804

Danielle.Chavanon@sothebyshomes.com

Nan Allen

415.828.1500

NAllen@PacUnion.com

Lornaa Pickrell

415.310.0501

Lornaa@LornaaPickrell.com

Marti Grossman

415.250.3446

MGrossman@apr.com

Marilyn Rich

415.516.5300

Marilyn@FineLivingMarin.com

Lindy Emrich

415.717.4005

Lindy@apr.com

Marcine Engel

415.902.9438

Marcine@FirstMarin.com

Suzanne Shelhart 415.613.0100

13 Britton Avenue, Belvedere

Coveted location. Elegantly appointed, 4+bd/3.5ba Nantucket style home with private level yard, lagoon & bay views. Gourmet kitchen, family room, gracious living room, sunny view decks. Rare offering! www.13Britton.com

Shelhart@microweb.com

Offered at $3,695,000

45 Verissimo Drive, Novato

Your own private paradise. Unbelievable yard with custom formed, rock pool complete with waterfall, spa & hidden grotto.

Circular fire pit & fabulous, 1bd/1ba pool house. Gorgeous 4bd/3ba main residence. www.45verissimo.com

Offered at $1,545,000

17 Hill Street, Mill Valley

Close to downtown, this 2+bd, 2.5ba plus den home boasts magical and inviting gardens. Kitchen with office or eating area, laundry room, 2-car garage. Living room with vaulted ceiling, skylight and fireplace. www.17HillStreet.com Price Upon Request

9 Mary Jane Lane, Novato

3bd/2ba, single-level custom home in a storybook setting on nearly one quarter acre of lushly landscaped grounds. Elegantly designed throughout with a spacious backyard, this is a uniquely charming property. www.9MaryJaneLane.com Offered at $800,000

JimmyMarin has been ranked the #1 Producing Agent in Corte Madera and Larkspur since 2006 .

375 REDWOOD | CORTE MADERA

Ideally situated in coveted Christmas Tree Hill, this architecturally striking property has been thoughtfully remodeled inside and out. From a dramatic vaulted ceiling to beautiful hardwood floors—every detail top to bottom—has been carefully considered and finished with premium materials, and craftsmanship. Built to be energy efficient and using green-minded materials and building practices, this must-see view property includes a spacious and enclosed level lawn, separate Studio, and one-car garage.

375 REDWOOD, | CORTE MADERA

375 REDWOOD, | CORTE MADERA

IN TODAY’S MARKET, being an expert realtor and market advisor is as much about understanding lifestyle as it is location. For almost a decade now, JimmyMarin has helped clients find the best of California living.

Marin

San Francisco

Napa + Sonoma

Lake Tahoe

Los Angeles

San Diego

Whether buying or selling throughout California, JimmyMarin and his team of “best in class” professionals will offer thoughtful, personal attention throughout every stage of your transaction.

To receive free statistical updates about recent transactions in your area, go to: www.JimmyMarin.com

PHOTO:

PHOTO: JOE BURULL

PHOTO: JOE BURULL

Marin View Avenue, Mill Valley

Ross Avenue, San Anselmo

La Franchi, Nicasio

Richardson, Mill Valley

N. Knoll, Mill Valley

Gregory Drive, Fairfax

Laverne Avenue, Mill Valley 406 Ridge Road, Novato

Carnoustie Heights, Novato

Oak Knoll, San Anselmo

9 Rodger Avenue, San Anselmo

El Camino Avenue, San Rafael

G Street, San Rafael

Summit Avenue, Mill Valley

4 Harris Hill, Novato

Cascade Drive, Fairfax

2150 Elderberry Lane, San Rafael 950 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo

Bayview Road, Kentfield

Pastori, Fairfax

On the edge of the civilization, but just 20 minutes to San Francisco and 10 minutes to downtown Mill Valley, this uniquely designed and extraordinarily sited home provides the ultimate modern sanctuary. Designed by Lorcan O’Herlihy and recipient of the 2007 A.I.A Award, this spectacular home features 4+ Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths and commanding views of the Pacific Ocean, the Bay, and Muir Woods National Monument. Soaring spaces, large expanses of windows and a wealth of wood, this warm and contemporary home is elegantly comfortable with a dramatic great room featuring the dining/living area and a custom designed Italian kitchen by Poliform. This unique home is not just a rare offering - it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity! To view more photos, visit www.55RidgeAve.com

60

Mount Tiburon Road, Tiburon

Incomparable World-Class views set the stage for this private, gated, six bedroom, seven & one-half bath preeminent Mount Tiburon estate property. www.MountTiburon.com

Exclusively Offered at $8,799,000

305

Oak Avenue, San Anselmo

The ultimate in modern architecture. Brilliantly designed four bedroom, four & one-half bath home on 2+ acres beautifully integrates nature & design. www.305Oak.com

Exclusively Offered at $3,350,000

Impeccable, custom designed four bedroom, three & one-half bath English Georgian Colonial home in a stunning setting in one of Tiburon's premier locations. www.143Gilmartin.com

Exclusively Offered at $4,495,000

Quality, custom-built five bedroom, two & one-half bath home in a fabulous Tiburon location with dramatic views of Mt. Tam & Richardson Bay. www.144AvenidaMiraflores.com Exclusively Offered at $1,895,000

Architecturally dramatic, bright and open four bedroom, three & one-half bath craftsman-style home on a street-to-street lot with lovely views. www.30VistaRealMV.com

Exclusively Offered at $1,795,000

21 Vista Del Sol, Mill Valley - New Listing Coveted Strawberry Vista 5BR/4BA, located just minutes from the GG Bridge features gourmet kitchen opening to family room, dramatic living room with high ceilings, formal dining room with deck , master suite with spa deck, and children’s play area with flat grassy lawn. For the discriminating buyer looking for an alternative to the City, award-winning schools & friendly neighborhood. www.21VistaDelSol.com • Offered at $1,795,000

LindaTullRealtor

Joan L.Kermath

276 Ricardo Road • Mill Valley NEW LISTING! Charming and traditional 3BD/2BA Strawberry Ranch with oak floors. Beautifully updated eat-in kitchen and expansive family room in single level living. French doors open on to a gardeners paradise featuring a vegetable garden, greenhouse and lot with expansion potential. Ideally located near Strawberry Point Rec. Center, Elementary School and Shopping Center. Offered at $1,075,000 • www.276ricardo.com

305 Ricardo Road • Mill Valley REDUCED! Classically expanded in 2005, 4BD/3BA home. Prestigious Strawberry location features bamboo floors, expansive kitchen/family room, two master suites, skylights, and fully fenced rear level yard and gardens. Kayakers delight one block from Richardson Bay. Ideally located near Strawberry Point Rec. Center, Shopping Center, Elementary School, close in SF commute! Offered at $1,195,000 • www.305ricardo.com

• DRE #01308538

3 Greenwood Court • Tiburon Classically renovated 4BD/4.5BA home with sweeping San Francisco and bay views on a quiet cul-de-sac. The “tri-level” configuration feels like single level living. Walk or ride to Blackie’s Pasture, Ring Mountain open space and the Cove Shopping Center. Easy commute to San Francisco and award-winning Tiburon schools. Offered at $2,250,000 • www.3greenwood.com

JKermath@PacUnion.com • 60 Belvedere Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Frase

Larkspur Marina • Larkspur

Come and enjoy the Larkspur Marina at this “BEST of CLASS” location with views east west and north acrossthe lagoon

panoramic views east, west and north across the lagoon. Experience indoor and outdoor living in this 3BR, 2.5BA home, of approximately 2868 sq. ft., as though they were one. Additional features include a formal living room with vaulted ceilings, formal dining room, family room, expanded kitchen, and a separate laundry room. There is a full-length deck and yard area, at waters edge, and your own private boat launch for those special days of sailing or kayaking on the lagoon. Additional details at www.ExclusiveLarkspurMarinaListing.com. Price upon request.

Fraser presents

r presents

2305 Paradise Drive • Tiburon

You just won't believe the views! One of the best locations in Old Town

Tiburon, with panoramic views from the Golden Gate Bridge to the East Bay. Close proximity to downtown and the Tiburon Ferry, as well as minutes away from walking trails and open space. Add to this a spacious house with five bedrooms and four full baths, plus an expansive outdoor space for entertaining and fun. Level yard area, complete with a play structure. Multiple parking areas and a private lane way entrance (gated) to the rear of the house. Tiburon schools too! Additional details at www.2305ParadiseDrive.com. Price upon request.

PROPERTY SPECIALIST www.MarinIsMyHome.com

JimFraser@MarinIsMyHome.com • 60 Belvedere Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941

MARIN HISTORY BUFF QUIZ

Can you pinpoint this location? See below.

BY JIM WOOD

CLUES: Today, thousands of Marinites make this drive daily—however, 80 years ago the route traveled was considerably different. Back then, Avila’s Richfield Gasoline, the Ruth Court Motel and Wilkins’ Dairy Farm occupied the west side of this corner. The photo was taken June 6, 1931, and five months later, a roadway completion changed everything. Final clue: Tiburon, Mill Valley, Strawberry, Tam Junction and Sausalito are involved.

ANSWER: The camera is facing due south on what is now Highway 101. Turn right, or west, as Highway 101 did back then, and you will eventually reach San Francisco via today’s Blithedale Avenue and Camino Alto in Mill Valley, through Tam Junction and into Sausalito. Turn left, and you’re on today’s Tiburon Boulevard as it transits Strawberry. Wilkins’ Dairy Farm is the location of today’s Arco station and Goodman Building Supply. The opening of the Richardson Bay Bridge in November 1930 made for a more direct Highway 101. Marin historians Dave Gotz and Barry Spitz contributed to this Looking Back. An enlargement of the above photo hangs in the dining room of the Tiburon Grill in Tiburon.

Who’s your fiduciary?

IT’S GETTING A LOT MORE DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHO’S ON YOUR SIDE.

A lot of people want to help plan and execute your investments. These people have different levels of experience and expertise. Different licenses and accreditations. And fundamentally different ways of being compensated for their services. Once you understand the distinctions, you’re going to find it a lot easier to interview firms and find yourself one you can trust.

At the root of this discussion is the concept of “fiduciary.” There are various definitions out there. But the basic idea is this: a fiduciary is someone who has the highest possible ethical obligation to offer financial advice that is in your best interest. Your best interest trumps every other consideration.

To help shed a light on this topic, we’ve prepared an “executive brief” on the fiduciary relationship. It breaks down in practical terms who’s a fiduciary, who isn’t, why it’s so important, and why a lot of people would prefer the definition of fiduciary remain loose rather than precise.

You’ll find it at www.privateocean.com/fiduciary

Private Ocean co-founder and CEO Richard Stone was co-author of the financial planning industry’s first code of ethics in 1974. He is a recognized expert on fiduciary responsibility.