Skip to main content

Marin Magazine October 2012

Page 1


Marin Farallon Tragedy

40 Eight Souls A board Part I of the story behind one of yachting’s worst tragedies.

48 On Home Turf Four locals are helping to put Marin on the winemaking map.

54 Life in Kodachrome Marin’s Suki Hill shares some of her most iconic rock ‘n’ roll images.

In Marin

23 Currents The 35th annual Mill Valley Film Festival, Halloween treats, a film on the Village Music store and browsing in downtown Sausalito.

30 Q&A Filmmaker and Fairfax resident Jamie Redford.

34 Conversation Marin’s renaissance man, Mark Buell, is anything but retired.

Destinations

61 Go Going underground to sample some of the best in local wine.

64 Travel Buzz Pumpkin patches and floating homes.

Out & About

67 Calendar A roundup of what to do in Marin and beyond.

76 Dine An insider’s guide to restaurants and food in the Bay Area.

Marin Home

99 Backstory A city couple finds modern living in a San Rafael grande dame.

Editorial

EDITORIAL D IR E CTOR Nikki Wood

EXE CUTIV E EDITOR Mimi Towle

M ANAGING EDITOR Daniel Jewett

SE NIOR WRIT ER Jim Wood

EDITOR- AT- L ARG E Tim Porter

C OPY EDITOR Cynthia Rubin

EDITORIAL A SSISTANTS

Melissa Gardner White, Sophie Shulman

CONTRIBUTING WRIT E RS

Somer Flaherty, Stephanie Martin, Jennie Nunn, Jennifer Woodlief

I NT E RNS

Lena Felton, Jillian Rodrigo

C ONTACT editorial@marinmagazine.com

Art

A RT D IR E CTOR Veronica Sooley

P RODUCTION M ANAG ER Alex French ext 111 | production@marinmagazine.com

C ONTRIBUTING P HOTOGRAPH E RS Claire Bloomberg, Mo DeLong, Suki Hill, Barbara Ries, Nike van der Molen

Administration

C ONTROLL ER Maeve Walsh ext 104 | mwalsh@marinmagazine.com

O FFIC EM ANAG ER Sophie Shulman ext 100 | sshulman@marinmagazine.com

Web

WE B/ IT M ANAG ER Peter Thomas ext 120 | pthomas@marinmagazine.com

Volume 8, Issue 10. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Open Sky Media. All rights reserved. Copyright©2012. Reproduction of Marin Magazine content is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Open Sky Media. 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. phone 415.332.4800, fax 415.332.3048, email editorial@marinmagazine.com, website marinmagazine.com.

Marin (USPS 024-898) is published monthly by Open Sky Media, One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sausalito, CA, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Marin Magazine, One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965.

PUBLISHER Stephanie Ericson ext 108 | sericson@marinmagazine.com

A DVERTISING D IRECTOR Michele Geo rion Johnson ext 110 | mjohnson@marinmagazine.com

SENIOR A CCOUNT M ANAGER Leah Bronson ext 109 | lbronson@marinmagazine.com

A CCOUNT M ANAGER Dana Horner ext 107 | dhorner@marinmagazine.com

A DVERTISING A RT D IRECTOR Alex French ext 111 | afrench@marinmagazine.com

Dine Out / OptLOCAL

A CCOUNT M ANAGER Matt Cli ord ext 113 | mcli ord@marinmagazine.com 415.370.9464

Regional Sales O ces WINE C OUNTRY Tognetti & Associates | Wendy Tognetti 707.544.3643

S OUTHERN C ALIFORNIA Leah Bronson ext 109 | lbronson@marinmagazine.com NEWYORK Couture Marketing | Karen Couture 917.821.4429

HAWAII Destination Marketing | Debbie Anderson 808.739.2200

Marin Magazine

P RESIDENT/COFOUNDER Nikki Wood ext 105 | nwood@marinmagazine.com

M ARIN M AGAZINE  One Harbor Dr, Suite 208, Sausalito, California 94965 PH  415.332.4800 FAX  415.332.3048 W EB  marinmagazine.com EMAIL  advertising@marinmagazine.com TO SUBSCRIBE  marinmagazine.com/subscribe

OF THE B PA WORLDWIDE

WE START OFF this month with an absolutely gripping true tale in two parts written by investigative journalist Jennifer Woodlief, author of two books including A Wall of White: The True Story of Heroism and Survival in the Face of a Deadly Avalanche. In Part I (Part II runs next month), Woodlief introduces us to the individuals and circumstances behind the wreck of the Low Speed Chase near the Farallon Islands earlier this year. It’s a story you won’t want to miss.

Next we introduce you to four local winemakers who have put Marin on the map. T hey have managed to create successful businesses doing what they love all while building a long list of fans who can’t get enough of their uniquely Marin creations.

F inally, we round out our Features section with the 1960s-era rock ‘n’ roll images of Suki Hill. She was there to capture Bob Dylan at the Berkeley Community Center, the Beatles’ final performance and much more. If you like what you see in our pages, find more of her work at sukihillphotos.com.

Up front we have coverage of the 35th Mill Valley F ilm Festival, including a look at a documentary chronicling the last days of Village Music and a Q& A with Jamie R edford whose latest film The Big Picture — which investigates the stumbling blocks faced by those with dyslexia — will be shown in schools this month.

In Go, our former departments editor, Somer F laherty, takes a few trips underground to check out local wine caves that offer tours, tastings and more. How did F laherty become such an expert? She was recently proposed to in a wine cave. And finally, T ravel Buzz reveals the locations of the Bay A rea’s best pumpkin patches.

So now that fall is upon us, we invite you to read on and enjoy this issue and all that Marin County has to offer.

Marin Magazine Staff Editors

She was there to capture Bob Dylan at the Berkeley Community Center, the Beatles’ final performance and much more.

MEET OUR COVER ARTIST

Our October cover artist got inspired to paint landscapes while growing up on a 15,000-acre coastal cattle ranch near Santa Barbara. Now the artist — who is being shown this month at Gallery Bergelli in Larkspur — uses photographs, field notes and thumbnail sketches to create the both real and surreal “reconceived” landscapes like the one gracing our cover.

BARBARA
Above, from left: Dan Jewett, Nikki Wood, Mimi Towle

Award No. 1

Our president Greg Friedman’s previous rm — Friedman & Associates — won the Schwab IMPACT® Award for Best-In-Tech in 2007, just before the rm became part of Private Ocean. The award recognized the rm’s innovative use of technology to enhance both its operations and its client experience.

What this means for you

We believe these, and other awards we’ve won, are indicative of the caliber of people and experience that await you at Private Ocean: Our exhaustive approach to personal nancial planning. Our academic-based investment discipline. Our commitment to active client education and communication. And, underlying it all, our ethics.

Learn more at www.privateocean.com

Award No. 2

Last November, Richard Stone, Private Ocean’s CEO, was honored with the Schwab IMPACT® Leadership Award. The award is given to “trail-blazing leaders with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity” in the eld of independent investment advice.

It

Getting the Job Done

will take volunteer efforts to clean up Marin’s roadside blight. BY

II realized it would never look any better unless we, my neighbors and I, did something about it.

N JULY’ S POV, I wrote that Marin’s highways were lined with weeds and litter and that many roadsides look worse than those of a third-world country. Several readers responded with letters agreeing with me and suggesting programs and promotions that others should do to resolve the issue of unsightly roadsides.

That wasn’t what I was hoping for. I wanted to stir up indignation leading to an influx of volunteers who would tackle this problem, as it’s now obvious Caltrans or Marin County haven’t the economic wherewithal to undertake what some call “cosmetic makeovers.” So let me try a more positive approach and highlight what Andrew Perry and 50 volunteers, encompassing 14 di erent homeowner associations, have done to beautify one Marin County road.

Five years ago, Perry, a software sales executive, became disgusted with the appearance of the medians along Point San Pedro Road. “They were full of weeds, litter and dead bushes,” he recalls, and, after a few phone calls to city and county o cials, “I realized it would never look any better unless we, my neighbors and I, did something about it.”

Keep in mind that Perry wasn’t talking about a weekend “let’s get out with rakes and brooms” volunteer project. Point San Pedro Road is a major arterial running almost from Highway 101 clear out to China Camp State Park. Also involved were City of San Rafael and Marin

County jurisdictions tackling 4.5 miles of medians that hadn’t been tended to for more than 35 years. Despite the obstacles, Perry and crew simply went out and got the job done.

A first step was to gather a neighborhood steering committee. “From there we formed a Benefit Assessment District encompassing nearly 2,700 homes that would provide the funds for beautification and require a special election,” Perry says modestly, “and it took three years, to get our assessment district on a ballot.” According to Perry, campaigning for the measure was intense but not acrimonious. The tagline for those favoring the assessment was: Creating a Garden Passage Through Our Community.

The June 2011 election required a majority of those voting to agree to taxing themselves $75 a year for the next 30 years in order to professionally design, landscape and maintain the Point San Pedro Road medians. In the end, 60 percent favored the assessment. “Soon,” concludes Perry, “every time we drive down Point San Pedro Road we’ll see where our money is going.”

The $75 residents will pay each year for beautifully landscaped medians will create a palpable sense of community pride — and add at least $75,000 to the value of each of their homes. Sometimes the best way to get something done is to take the matter into your own hands. That’s my point of view. What’s yours?

Email pov@marinmagazine.com.

Thestringentrequirementssetby theForestryStewardshipCouncil (FSC)underscoresourdedication totheenvironmentand exemplaryconductatalllevels ofthemanufacturingprocess.

Bay Area events you’ll want to attend

MARIN SY M PHONY’ S CARNIVAL I TALIAN

October 28, 5:30 p.m.

Osher Marin JCC, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael

Immediately following the season-opening “Viva Italia!” concert on Sunday, the Marin Symphony celebrates its 60th season with an exciting and elegant gala. Share the afterglow at this Italy-inspired event featuring fine wines, dinner and entertainment. Proceeds benefit Marin Symphony’s programs, community and youth outreach work.

$175 per person

415.479.8100; marinsymphony.org

Friend us to share and view RSVP Hot Ticket photos at facebook.com/marinmagazine

Want to see all the images from our RSVP Hot Ticket events?

marinmagazine.com/hotticket

Your Letters

Cleaning Up the Streets

Great solutions were presented by Stephen Fein and Maren Kinscher (“Your Letters,” September 2012) for controlling the litter in Marin. I also think people need to be educated on how to reduce the garbage in the fi rst place. In one week in Mill Valley, I witnessed three people unconsciously littering. The fi rst was a teenager who left the Rite Aid store with some makeup, opened up the package and threw the trash into the parking lot — less than 10 feet from the can. I picked it up and gave it back to her. The second was a man in the Strawberry Safeway parking lot who threw his lit cigarette out of his car window and then threw the empty cigarette package on the ground as well. When he went into the store, I returned them through his

opened car window (after putting the cigarette out, of course). The third was also at the Strawberry Center, in front of In-N-Out Burger. A couple fi nished their lunch and threw all their garbage — wrappers, cups, napkins and bags — into the parking lot (fi ve feet from the can). I left a note with their license plate number on it. It takes a village to keep our county clean. LYNN MARTIN, MILL

VALLEY

The Future is Now

Thank you. Thank you Blair Campbell and Marin Magazine for the excellent and informative article on Marin libraries (“Libraries of the Future,” September 2012) and information services. The personalities and issues highlighted in the piece convey a marvelous

ONLINE, WE ASKED YOU
Where is your favorite place to go in the wine country?

“Peju winery. Fun place.”

Sally Around the Bay

“Stagecoach Vineyards. Best kept secret of the valley.”

Ashley Panian Hurd, San Rafael

“Healdsburg.”

Marty Murphy, Larkspur

“di Rosa Preserve.”

Pamela Coddington

“Gunlach Bundschu, Matanzas Creek Winery and VML Winery.”

Shamini Dhana, Mill Valley

Designed for Marin moms-to-be, UCSF’s newest Prenatal Diagnostic Center offers the most technologically advanced screening and diagnostic tests to determine the risk for birth defects or genetic disorders, many with same-day results. Our genetic experts provide compassionate counseling to help guide you and your doctor through your options.

To make an appointment, talk to your doctor or call (415) 476-4080.

UCSF Prenatal Diagnostic Center 1300 S. Eliseo Drive, Suite 200 • Greenbrae www.ucsfhealth.org/pdc

perspective on the creativity and adaptation required to serve the information needs of a changing society. To be sure, technology is changing our world, libraries and access to information. I’d like to underscore three points. First, too many people in Marin and elsewhere view libraries as a collection of books and magazines, with a few other ancillary services. Second, the big publishers are reluctant when it comes to giving intellectual access to information. And finally, writers are starting to embrace the e-book and should consider libraries a wonderful platform from which to interact with library clients and share their ideas.

HARO, PH .D., CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB, L ARKS P UR

Hoop It Up

Congratulations to Alexander Hagen of Tiburon who shows o his basketball hoop and his moves in response to “A Slam Dunk” (September 2012, page 112–113). The photo was taken by his sister Ava.

No More Hoops

What a lovely cover (September 2012). It isn’t often you see high fashion in Marin — the spread was gorgeous. However, I was horrified to see your section, “A Slam Dunk.” Why in the world would a classy, sophisticated magazine glorify these hideous monstrosities? Basketball hoops are an eyesore and a disgrace. It is disrespectful to make your neighbors look at them and listen to the noise they create. Why can’t we have designated basketball courts in each neighborhood where it can all be contained? You could do a spread on the Richmond basketball hoops, it wouldn’t look much di erent. Come on Marin, show some class! LUCY RI CH AR DSON, M ILL VALLEY

A New Image?

Marin

Congratulations on your glamorous September cover. After 30-plus years of Birkenstocks, Marin deserves this new image. I have to listen to the guys every morning at Starbucks say, “A good-looking well-dressed female, she must either be from out of town or international.” MARGARET, SAUSALITO

Special Needs

We were pleased to see a brief section about students with special needs in September’s Bay Area Private School Guide. Parents of children with special needs often feel alone and in the dark about how to fi nd the right educational setting for their kids. The parent advisors at Matrix Parent Network & Resource Center, a Novato-based nonprofit, are a great resource for parents with these kinds of questions and more. NORA THOMPSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MATRIX PARENT NETWORK & RESOURCE CENTER

More Talk on Trash

I enjoyed your POV article (July 2012). We go to Arizona to see our daughter and grandkids and are always amazed at how great the roadways are — everything is so immaculate so when we get back to California it really looks terrible. How hard would it be to get rid of Caltrans and replace them with a private fi rm? Personally I think California government should also be replaced with a private organization — all those millions going to waste makes me so mad. BRONWYN POWER, VIA EMAIL

What happened to work furlough programs at the county jail? The persons in orange jumpsuits would be noticed and appreciated beautifying Marin’s highways. Let’s give these guys something constructive to do and also learn the landscaping business for when they get released. That goes for the San Quentin prison inmates also. Well-behaved, volunteer prisoners would appreciate the fresh air and hard work while learning a

Fall Into Fashion

The Marin Magazine stylists logged one really long day along with the makeup and hair artist and our model to produce the stunning golds, blacks and greens you saw in our September Fall Fashion issue. Watch the video to see how it was done. marinmagazine.com/videos

Need a Cup?

Want a break from the commercial coffee franchises? Marin has a bevy of independently owned shops — from the century-old blacksmith’s shop of Dr. Insomnia’s in Novato to the urbanchic Cibo in Sausalito. Check out our list before you grab your next cup. marinmagazine.com/coffee

Connect With optLOCAL

OptLOCAL is all about doing business with our neighbors and supporting our local economy. Join today to receive special mobile offers and updates and for your chance to win prizes. marinmagazine.com/optlocal or text optlocal to 90947.

Mill Valley Film Festival

Join us in supporting the 35th showing of the Mill Valley Film Festival. This is the place to see some of the year’s best films and meet the filmmakers. It’s 11 days of cinema, panels, workshops, concerts, spotlights and tributes — all right here in Marin, October 4–14. Action! mvff.com

popular trade. I don’t mind the “chain gang” being brought back for good reasons. JANIS H.,

S AN A NSELMO

Jim Wood, I agree 100 percent with everything you say in the article (POV, July 2012). Another really bad area is the Richardson Bay Bridge. Heck, it’s all a mess! I hope this article serves as momentum to move a dialogue forward with the powers that be. By the way, I have been very instrumental in a major cleanup and e ective long-term plan for keeping Belloch Lagoon free of litter. I’m happy to say we’ve made great progress — and it involved the local businesses (7-Eleven and McDonald’s) stepping up to take responsibility. As you mention in the article, trying to unravel the boundaries, bureaucracy and the legal tangle is downright scary. Thanks for all you do to put a focus on local issues.

VICKY DE H NERT, V IA EMAIL

I just read your POV (July 2012) on trash along Highway 101. I decided to dig a little deeper into the subject and spent the morning on the phone and online doing research into the various Adopt A Highway programs o ered by Caltrans and private companies allowed to contract with Caltrans. What about the possibility of Marin Magazine doing a full story on this issue, complete with a map of 101 in Marin County and the stretches of highway available to adopt, listing all of the information and websites. KRISTIN

C LARK, S AN R AFAEL

Clarification

I’m grateful for the lovely article (“Lost and Found,” September 2012) about my experiences in Hawaii. I would like to clarify that although I am a former foreign correspondent for The Wall Street Journal and a longtime contributing writer at the paper, I am no longer a sta reporter. Mahalo nui loa — or thank you very much in Hawaiian. JULIA

F LYNN S ILER, R OSS

LETTERS TO THE ED ITOR Your comments may be edited for clarity and brevity. Send letters to Marin Magazine , One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965, or email us at letters@marinmagazine com . Please include the town where you live and a daytime phone number.

Robert H. Byers, MD

Lisa M. Elvin, NP

Jon R. Goff, MD

David H. Goltz, MD

John C. Keohane, MD

Edward S. Moon, MD

Michael J. Oechsel, MD

Ernest H. Sponzilli, MD

Michael S. Stock, MD

Charles A. Stuart, MD

Brian W. Su, MD

Mt. Tam Orthopedics is proud to welcome Dr. Edward Moon, MD to our community.

Dr. Moon received his orthopedic surgical training at the renowned University of Washington/Harborview Hospital, and has just completed a fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery at the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery, Cornell University in New York City.

Dr. Moon is available for consultations this October.

Introducing Rose Lane, the first new community in Larkspur in over 10 years.

Larkspur is the small town in Marin County where everybody knows your name. It is one of those special places so perfectly at peace with itself that it is very careful about how it changes. That is why The New Home Company worked so thoughtfully to plan the new neighborhood of Rose Lane in Larkspur. Here, in a garden-like setting, Rose Lane offers the rare opportunity to live the classic Marin lifestyle in architecturally up-to-date designs. Those designs – including charming, singlefamily residences as well as condominiums for 55-and-over – are expected to be finalized in the coming months. At that time, new architectural renderings for Rose Lane will be

made available to the community. As of now, grading on the site has begun and the neighborhood will begin to take shape soon. Among the first buildings to be visible will be the model homes, expected to start construction this winter. The Rose Lane models will appear in summer 2013, to coincide with the opening of sales.

In the meantime, The New Home Company – the developer and designer of Rose Lane who has been working closely with the city – was excited to sponsor the Rose Bowl Centennial Celebration, Dance Under the Stars, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Larkspur’s historic outdoor venue.

The New Home Company, in concert with the City of Larkspur, looks forward to sharing news about Rose Lane as it evolves.

CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND CAUSES OF THIS UNIQUE COUNTY

In Marin LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION — THE MILL VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL TURNS 35

Clockwise from top left: Carlos Santana, Robert M . Young and Edward James Olmos; Michelle Shocked, Todd Rundgren, Hal Wilner, M arianne Faithful and Don Novello; Mark Fishkin and Jeff Daniels; Johnathan Winters and Robin Williams; Robin Wright and Forest Whitaker; Barbara Boxer and G eorge Lucas; Matthew Broderick; Robert Altman.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Hip, understated and still packed with Hollywood A-listers (actor/director Ben A eck is among those confirmed on this year’s guest list), the vanguard of American film festivals celebrates a big birthday this month as it debuts some of the best 120 independent films of 2012.

T he Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF), October 4 to 14, has the proud distinction of having premiered three of the last four Academy Award–winning Best Picture films ( Slumdog Millionaire , The King’s Speech and The Artist). E xecutive director and festival founder Mark Fishkin expects big Oscar buzz once again from this year’s MVFF Bay Area premieres. At the top of the list are three dramas: On the Road , directed by Walter S alles and based on the 1957 novel by Jack Kerouac; Argo, directed by and starring Ben Affleck; and The Session , directed by Ben Lewis and starring Helen Hunt and William H. Macy. “We’re proud that what we do so well here in Marin has become a launching pad for the annual awards season, including the Oscars,” Fishkin says.

Known as a filmmakers’ festival and produced by the California Film Institute, MVFF o ers a prestigious but noncompetitive environment (there are no awards). Film writers, educators and artists assist the festival’s programming department with weeding through hundreds of submissions of both short and feature-length films and videos in the following categories: narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, children’s films and youth-produced. For those lucky enough to be accepted, there can be immediate connections with distributors and sales agents who can take a film to the next level. “I wish I could say it was a science, but it’s not,” says Fishkin. “It’s just a feeling you know when a film is going to resonate with a lot of people.” As an example, Fishkin points to the screening of The Artist last year. “We all felt that no matter what, we needed to support that film and exhibit it.” T he film went on to earn 10 Academy Award nominations with five wins including Best Picture.

Always embracing its local origins, there is a greatly anticipated lineup of Marin documentaries including Village Music: The

Last of the Great Records Stores, directed by Gillian Grisman (see page 28), who lives in Novato and grew up in Mill Valley; Rebels With a Cause, directed by Greenbrae residents Nancy Kelly and Kenji Yamamoto; and Without A Net, directed by San Rafael’s Kelly J. R ichardson. In honor of one of Marin’s most acclaimed directors, George Lucas, who on May 25, 1977 introduced the mystical force known as Star Wars, the MVFF is presenting a 35th anniversary commemorative one-time screening of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Also included in the lineup is Fairfax resident Jamie Redford’s The Big Picture (see page 30).

While the hairdos and clothing styles have changed throughout the years, Fishkin says the noncompetitive focus on quality independent films from around the world has remained the same. He attributes part of the festival’s success and appeal to the natural beauty of the place in which it was born and the people who reside here. “When I came to Marin 35 years ago, I was stunned by the number of artists who make this place their home,” he says. “We look for films that have something to say and I think the people in this county appreciate and support that.” mv .com m

» CinéArts Sequoia Theater in Mill Valley and The Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael are the primary screening venues for the films in the 2012 MVFF.
Nicoletta Braschi, Jim Jarmusch and Fishkin
Mark Fishkin and Dakota Fanning
Tim Robbins and Ben Fong-Torres
Kenneth Branagh, Robin Williams and Derek Jacobi
Fishkin, Sydney Pollack and Bob Zagone

Interior Objects.

Sumptious Seating. Art, Accessories, Lighting and Area Rugs. Interior Design. Our design team has been welcoming you home since 1977.

MarinMagazine’s READERS’CHOICE

In

WAIT, THERE’S MORE As if the Mill Valley Film Festival wasn’t enough, Mill Valley’s Sweetwater Music Hall is also hosting a film festival this month. Lovers of the sea will want to check out the first-ever Mill Valley Surf Film Festival, October 20, featuring five films as well as ocean-related art and music. millvalleysurf filmfestival.com MIMI TO WL E

BATTLE OF THE BAY Stand-up paddleboarders all over the state are gearing up for the second annual Battle of the Bay sponsored by Bluerush Boardsports, October 13–14. Anyone can participate in the McNears Beach Park competition — register online at battleofthebay.com. Going to compete? Read racing tips from “What-SUP” team rider Jen Fuller online at marinmagazine.com/suptips.

HEIDI WILSON

A GREEN HALLOWEEN

Here’s a spooky thought: More than 35 billion pounds of candy corn will be consumed this Halloween season. A happy thought: Marin citizens can find a variety of organic, Fair Trade and non-GMO options (see right) available right here in our community stores. “Halloween can be used as a gateway to healthy living without compromising the fun for our little ghosts and goblins,” states EcoMom Alliance founder Kimberly Danek Pinkson of San Anselmo, who has helped develop a Green Halloween program that kicks o with a costume swap from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. October 6 at Marin Country Mart. M.G.W.

CANDY MADE WITH CARE

1 SPOOKY SPIDER S FRUIT GUMMY CHEWS by Surf Sweets. Available at Whole Foods. (A percentage of profits go to support EcoMom Alliance “No Waste Classroom Party Kits” for schools across the country.)

An active, yet relaxed lifestyle permeates through every Member and aspect of Marin Country Club. Located in the tranquil Ignacio Valley, the illustrious clubhouse sets the scene for an impeccably groomed 18-hole championship golf course. Collaborating with the challenging course to enhance the lifestyle, recreational facilities include: four lit, plexi-cushion tennis courts; a fully equipped fitness center; and a family focused aquatic facility–with programs for children and adults alike. Enjoy numerous, year-round social activities for the opportunity to create lasting family memories and lifelong friendships. Contact the Membership Director at 415.382.6712 for information on our New Membership Programs.

2 ORGANIC CHOCOLATE BUG BITES Individually wrapped milk and dark chocolates and Chocolate Sweet & Salty Bars, dark chocolate hazelnut toffee pieces, by Endangered Species. Available at Whole Foods and Good Earth. 3 R AW C HOCOLATE H EART S Vegan and individually wrapped assorted chocolate flavors by Novato-based Sacred Chocolate. Available at Good Earth, Mill Valley Market, Woodlands Market and Mollie Stones.

4 PEANUT BUTTER BITE S Dark chocolate with peanut butter and Orange Bites, dark chocolate with creamy orange, by Petaluma-based Sjaaks Chocolates. Available at Good Earth, Whole Foods and United Markets.

415.382.6712 WWW.MARINCOUNTRYCLUB.COM

Lifestyle

Marin Country Club is proudly managed by Troon Privé.

Rooms that ROCK It Takes a Village

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. But for local botanical artist Nancy Ballard, supporting those with breast and other cancers is a yearround passion. With her nonprofit, Rooms That Rock 4 Chemo, she collaborates with interior designers and local vendors to transform unimaginative and often sterile chemotherapy rooms into tranquil and nurturing environments. In September, Marin designers volunteered their time and resources to “rock” seven chemotherapy rooms that support 4,000 patient visits per year at Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae. Earlier this year, designers revamped another two rooms at Marin Specialty Care in Greenbrae, improving 1,500 more chemotherapy patient visits each year. Ballard says soothing paint colors, custom-made drapery, comfortable furniture and botanical photos all go into creating a physical environment that can help lift the fragile spirits of cancer patients and their families. roomsthatrock 4chemo.us M .G.W.

returned to Mill Valley in 2007 for a family visit, she was shocked to read the note on her dad’s living room table.

The note was from Village Music’s John Goddard, owner of the town’s famous record store, informing loyal customers that the shop would be closing its doors for good on September 30. “My brother Monroe and I grew up in that store, he worked there,” Gillian said. “Our musical childhood was at Village Music.”

Gillian and Monroe — the children of well-known mandolinist David Grisman — immediately sprang into action. Gillian dropped all the film projects she was working on in New York and made plans to come back to Marin. The siblings assembled a talented crew and started raising funds and filming simultaneously.

Ry Cooder was coming in one week and Elvis Costello the next, so the Grismans had just six months to capture the story of one of America’s most influential record stores and its shepherd, musical historian Goddard, who not only ran it for some 40 years but also managed to inspire the musical tastes of its customers, including B.B. King, Bonnie R aitt, Sammy Hagar, Jerry Garcia, Huey Lewis and more. He even revived music careers for Bettye LaVette and “L ittle” Jimmy S cott.

After filming was complete, the project languished until news of the reopening of the Sweetwater Music Hall came in 2011 — coincidently, the old Sweetwater closed on the same day as the record store, driving a temporary death nail into the Mill Valley Music scene — and breathed new life into the film. The Grismans launched a successful K ickstarter campaign in December, raising more than $50,000, and were able to bring the film to the almost-done stage — they say they will be editing up until the last minute.

And that minute is almost upon them. The film, Village Music: Last of the Great Music Stores, makes its debut at the Mill Valley Film Festival this month, showing just blocks away from the shop that inspired it and the Sweetwater. According to the filmmaker, the movie features narrative and performances that will make you applaud after each song.

“The making of Village Music was a labor of love for Monroe and me, it had to be done,” Gillian says. “We did it to honor this man and this store that was such a huge part of our lives.” World premiere: 6:30 p.m., October 5, CinéArts Sequoia, Mill Valley, followed by a live show at the Sweetwater Music Hall DANI EL JEWETT

IN MEMORY OF On October 18, WildCare will pay homage to the late county supervisor Charles M cGlashan with the 2012 Terwilliger Environmental Award. “Supervisor M cGlashan was an incredible friend to us,” said Karen Wilson, executive director of the San Rafael–based animal care center. “Because of all the support he directed to WildCare and our mission, we wanted to take this opportunity to publicly honor his memory.” wildcarebayarea.org L.F.

WHEN FILMMAKER GILLIAN GRISMAN
Monroe, John Goddard and Gillian

12 QUESTIONS FOR

Jamie Redford

When he came into photographer Tim Porter’s studio, Jamie Redford, 50, quickly flipped over the cushions on any piece of upholstered furniture. Deep into research on his ninth film, a look at the toxic flame-retardants in furniture, he’s become obsessed with labels. While he did follow his famous father’s footsteps into the film industry, Redford has found a comfortable place behind the camera celebrating the human experience. His first film, The Kindness of Strangers made in 1999, was inspired by his own experience with having two liver transplants in 1993, while his latest film, The Big Picture which airs on HBO October 29, delves into the topic of dyslexia. When Redford is not working on a film or playing with his band, Olive and the Dirty Martinis, he can be found enjoying time with his family — wife Kyle, son Dylan and daughter Lena — hiking the Marin hills or surfing in Bolinas. MIMI TOWLE

1

Why Marin? I was born and raised in Manhattan with summers in Utah and I loved them both. The Bay Area offers unparalleled access to both nature and culture.

2

If you hadn’t become a filmmaker, what would you have done? I would have liked to become a doctor. Why the body does what it does holds an endless fascination for me.

3

Did you try acting? Yes! But when my wig fell off — I was playing a woman in The Canterbury Tales — at 8, I turned to my guitar.

4

What was the biggest perk of being Robert Redford’s son — beyond the fact that he’s a great father and an inspiration? Aside from psychos threatening to kill our family throughout the ’60s and ’70s because they wanted to have my dad for themselves, I did get to meet Cheryl Tiegs.

5 What advice have you taken from your dad? Not to take advice.

6 What/who inspired The Big Picture? My son Dylan, who has dyslexia. Watching him be misunderstood by so many was the height of frustration.

7

Film Festival or Cineplex? Film fest with a weakness for Marvel Comics movies.

8 You met your wife in college when she was there visiting her sister, how did you get her attention? It wasn’t hard, she came up to me at a sorority party to tell me that her family thought I was a loser (long story). It was love at first sight on my part.

9

Perfect date in Marin? Hike O lema Ridge then dinner at our Fairfax treasure, 123 Bolinas.

10 If your neighbor reads this, is there anything you’d like to say? In case you were wondering, Mike, that was indeed a tree saw that I was using to fix my front door.

11

Say you’re at the DMV and you notice someone thinking about adding the pink organ donation sticker, what would you say to that person? One donor can save up to seven lives.

12

How often does your band play, and which instrument do you play? I play the electric guitar, and we play M arin clubs once a month, but we will do weddings, auctions, retirements. I keep thinking someone’s going to throw a rockin’ funeral party. I know I will, but hopefully not too soon. m

Visit marinmagazine.com/ videos to see a video of this interview.

Dynamic Energy Crystals

Husband and wife owners Seann Xenja, a feng shui consultant, and Luz Elena Castro, a photographer, run this magical shop of exotic crystals, healing stones and sculptures, all of it a visual adventure. 21 Princess Street, dynamicenergy crystals.com

Eyetalia

O wner Susan Naythons uses her eye for quality and beauty to curate an I talian collection of table linens, vintage paper products, fragrances from Acqua di Bolgheri, books (travel and table) and much, much more. 52 Princess Sreet, eyeitalia.com

Gene Hiller M enswear

When it’s time to ditch the flip-flops, cargo shorts and Dogtown T-shirts and slip into something more stylish, here’s your store. You’ll feel better dressed just walking in the door and seeing the racks of Italian suits, shoes and sportswear. Upscaling Marin men and visitors from around the world since 1953. 729 Bridgeway, genehiller.com

Downtown Sausalito

Downtown Sausalito is often awash with tourists, but we locals should thank them. It’s their hectic activity — and free-spending ways — that keep alive the eclectic mix of shops that line Bridgeway and its curvy offshoot, Princess Street.

WANDERINGS

The Holiday Shoppe

I t’s Christmas in July, August and every other month here for the last 25 years with thousands of ornaments, many hand-painted by local artists, others bearing the labels of popular designers such as Christopher Radko and M ark R oberts. 660 Bridgeway, theholiday shoppe.com

Sausalito Jewelers

Open since 1997 under owner/designer Sam Jabbar, it’s a glittering gem of a store with pieces

from international award winners and local artists such as Abraham Chado, a mix that’s earned the business a Top 10 spot for three years running in the industry’s leading trade publication. 4 Princess Street, sausalito jewelers.com

N ana’s Treasures

Named in honor of owner Riza Bennon’s grandmother, this is a store for lovers of old furs (all recycled), even older books and new versions of vintage dresses. A browser’s delight. 585 Bridgeway, 415.339.8989

Hanson Gallery

Fine Art

Sausalito’s oldest art gallery features the work of marquee names (Picasso, Calder), newer local artists and the eyegrabbing assemblages of owner Scott Hanson, who with wife Judy, has run the place for 30 years. 669 Bridgeway, hansongalleryfineart.com

Sausalito Shirt Company

Even locals need hats and hoodies, and when you want to represent Sausalito — or need to take your hypothermic out-of-town

visitors someplace to buy warmer touristware — this is the place to go. 676 Bridgeway, 415.332.5357 m

Dynamic Energy Crystals
Nana’s Treasures
Hanson Gallery Fine Art
Sausalito Jewelers
Gene Hiller Menswear
The Holiday Shoppe

Diagnosis. Surgery. Chemo. Radiation.

BREAST CANCER PATIENTS HAVE A LOT OF BRIDGES TO CROSS.

Breast Health Forum –Register Now!

Join us for our third annual Breast Health Forum, Breast Cancer: The Myths and Facts. Tuesday, October 9 5 – 8 pm Mill Valley Community Center

This event is FREE and includes lectures, Q&A, giveaways, and more. Register today by calling 1-888-996-9644.

Visit www.maringeneral.org/cancer for more information.

WE MAKE SURE THE GOLDEN GATE ISN’T ONE OF THEM.

arin eneral ospital is on the frontline of reast cancer care s the only ationally ccredited reast enter in arin our early detection rates are on par with those of the finest teachin hospitals and our sur i al rates surpass oth the state and national a era es

e offer state of the art dia nostics and treat ent includin edical and radiation oncolo y nd our sur eons are fellowship trained and perfor inno ati e techni ues li e oncoplastics reconstruction durin lu pecto y and s in and nipple sparin procedures hese are ust so e e a ples of how local control ena les us to rin world class treat ent to our patients

arin eneral ospital has the area s full ser ice cancer care pro ra which is nationally reco ni ed with sur i al rates that e ceed the ational ancer ata ase rates for reast prostate and colorectal cancers

oin are onnection to et ad ance notice on all arin eneral ospital e ents at www arin eneral or

Mark Buell

DMarin’s renaissance man breaks bread with organizations all across the bay. BY

ESPITE BEING ABLE to o cially claim the moniker of “retired,” part-time Bolinas resident Mark Buell is anything but. A nd he doesn’t appear to be letting up. After a successful 35-year career working in both public and private real estate development, this dynamic 69-year-old turned to public service, bringing his time and talents to some of the Bay Area’s most impactful organizations. He’s a decorated Vietnam veteran with two Bronze Stars who served as San Francisco’s first Director of Economic Development and later helped found CALED,

This page: M ark Buell at his B O Mesa; the peace sign on the barn is O view of the property.

the California Association for Local Economic Development. Buell is a dedicated public servant, in the truest sense of the term.

He currently helms the ship of both the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Commission and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, bringing legendary fundraising skills to the table to ensure Bay Area parkland remains accessible to the public and protected for future generations to enjoy. Projects championed by Buell include the $35 million restoration of Crissy Field and the development of Cavallo Point. His latest civic act?

Helping to bring the world’s most prestigious yacht race — and with it, the economic benefit that comes with thousands of additional tourists — to the Bay Area.

We caught up with Buell as the America’s Cup teams were prepping for their second San Francisco stop in the America’s Cup World Series (October 2–7), where they will be competing amidst another one of the Bay Area’s great civic events, San Francisco’s Fleet Week.

How did you get involved in community service work? I retired at 52 but kept my hand in building houses until I was 58. I enjoy my downtime, but I’ve always been very involved

Perfect Wedding

Just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, Cavallo Point Lodge provides an idyllic backdrop paired with breathtaking views. Perfect for wedding celebrations, the lodge offers stunning indoor and outdoor event spaces, including the historic Mission Blue chapel. Wedding menus highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients from local providers – enhanced by a stellar wine list. Book your 2013 wedding now.

Photos, clockwise from top: Sabine Scherer, Meg Smith, Chung Li, Kodiak Greenwood
“ O ur clients leverage our in-depth wealth planning to alleviate concerns about growing and preserving their family’s assets for their lifetime and for future generations. This work has provided clients with predictability and peace of mind so they can enjoy the things they value most in life.
”Tamra A. Stern JD CFP ® , Partner

in the community. My whole life, I’ve had this vivid memory of my father Roy (who was general manager for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company) being civically engaged. He served on many civic boards and commissions, such as the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and Redevelopment A gency Commission, as well as the C onvention and Visitors Bureau (now called SF Travel). I just naturally followed in his footsteps. A nd I’m passionate about work.

“Civically engaged” seems to mean many different things to you. What are some of the hats you’re wearing today? I chair the board of the Golden Gate National Parks C onservancy and I ’ve been the president of the R ecreation and Parks C ommission for the past two years. We’ve partnered these organizations together, and done a number of things to enhance the visitor experience, including building visitor centers at Crissy Field and Muir Woods. We’ve created what I believe is the gold standard in park partnerships, so I ’m proud to be going to New York C ity to help build a similar partnership. I also serve as chair of the E dible Schoolyard Project, formerly the C hez Panisse

Foundation, for more than 10 years, where we teach sustainable gardening, harvesting and cooking. One of my favorite programs is our Edible Schoolyard Academy each

We’ve created what I believe is the gold standard in park partnerships, so I’m proud to be going to New York City to help build a similar partnership.

summer, in which teachers from around the country can come and learn about edible education in a real hands-on way.

And we hear that you are a pretty good auctioneer. Being an auctioneer enables me to help more organizations I like to support. I think I do more than 10 auctions a year. Some of the groups I’ve done recently include Human Rights Watch, Trout Unlimited, National Resources Defense Council, Oxbow Schools, Gladstone Institute, North Beach Neighbors and the Bolinas Art Museum. I don’t do the fast-speaking bit or anything like that. I prefer to engage the crowd and focus in on the individuals. It’s pretty fun stu .

It’s time to trump Mother Nature. Say goodbye to muffin tops and hello to sexy curves. This revolutionary new body contouring treatment precisely targets the stubborn fat you want to lose. It’s never been easier to sculpt the body you want – naturally, safely and without surgery or downtime. CoolSculpting® is FDA-cleared with undeniable results in as little as one treatment. Get the skinny at get.coolsculpting.com

Some weathered chairs on the property.

At Financial Connections

Our financial plans acknowledge your uniqueness.

Since 1994, Financial Connections has been providing investment management and financial planning attuned to each client’s needs. As fee-only financial advisors, we serve as fiduciaries. We receive no commissions.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

•Individuals, couples and trusts

•Investment management*

•401(k) plans for small business

•Retirement strategies

•Individualized financial plan (no minimum)

•Same-gender couples

•Socially conscious investing

•Second opinions

* minimum $750,000

FINANCIAL CONNECT ONS

GR OUP I NCO R PO RATED

21 Tamal Vista Boulevard, Suite 105, Corte Madera 415.924.1091 www.FinancialConnections.com

Your latest captain’s hat comes in the form of the America’s Cup Organizing Committee. What do you think the Cup will do for the region? I think the Cup is going to be more exciting than people believe it will be. Picture 13-story buildings moving across the bay at almost 50 miles per hour. But more importantly, I think the 2013 events will really build up the Cup’s brand and it will be even bigger next time. All of this excitement is going to do good things for the city.

You’re a San Francisco native, but have a home in Bolinas. How do you split your time? I’m a fourth-generation San Franciscan, but my wife Susie and I live part-time in Marin

My favorite time is just being at home, surrounded by our grandkids, our two Jack Russells and our chickens.

and are increasingly spending more time there. I must say that waking up and looking out across the national park and the lagoon puts me in a damn good mood.

What does downtime look like to you? I really enjoy golf and fly-fishing, and also the fabulous beaches in West Marin. We live in paradise. But my favorite time is just being at home, surrounded by our grandkids, our two Jack Russells and our chickens. I have a wood-fired oven where I will happily spend the weekend cooking up these great local vegetables and meats. Bolinas has these

wonderful farm stands so we don’t ever feel like we have to go out to get a great meal. My favorite way to relax is baking with the grandkids at home. I’ll take a whole day and bake a dozen or so loaves of bread. I bake so much bread we have to give it away.

What’s a perfect Marin day trip for Cup fans looking for a little getaway? Start with a hike along the coast of West Marin — all of the hikes are just gorgeous — and then head up to Point Reyes. First stop is this great independent bookstore, Point Reyes Books, where you can still get The New York Times. Then it’s o to Cowgirl Creamery. I love their Mt. Tam cheese.

What’s your advice for those looking to get civically engaged? Look for work that makes a local impact. If you want to change the world, start local and change the world that is right around you. We’re very involved in Bolinas and try to help out with as much as we can. There is so much to be done right in your own backyard. Marin Community Foundation is a great example. I sit on their advisory board on housing. Tom Peters and his team are doing really great work, making a real di erence, right here in our community. m

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation doctors offer personal primary and specialty care in more than 50 neighborhood locations. And, as part of the Sutter Health network, you’ll have convenient online access to view medical records, renew prescriptions, check lab results, e-mail your doctor and book appointments – even same day visits. To experience health care on your terms, find a Sutter Pacific doctor near you by calling 1-888-699-DOCS (3627) or visit sutterpacific.org.

Opposite page: Buell with his Jack Russells. This page: Buell walking to the bottom of his property, which fronts the Bolinas Lagoon.

ABOARD SOULS EIGHT

PART 1 OF 2

The story behind the loss and survival of local sailors involved in one of yachting’s worst tragedies.

“Nice

start, losers.”

[Text from Berkeley Riley from the deck of the St. Francis Yacht Club to Alexis Busch on board the Low Speed Chase ]

ONE

FACT SHOULD be made clear up front — the crew of the Low Speed Chase had lost the race before they even began. A fter spending nearly a full hour backpedaling and fumbling about just trying to clear the starting buoy for the April 14 Full Crew Farallones Race, the eight sailors knew they never had a chance. They weren’t cutting too close to the islands or putting themselves in jeopardy to win a race they were keenly aware they could not win. T he sailors were, on the contrary, simply reveling in a pristine day on the open ocean — moments before a seemingly infinite wave engulfed their boat and swept them into the water.

THE LAY OF T HE LAND O fficially part of the city and county of S an F rancisco, the Farallones are a desolate and eerie series of islands 27 miles o the coast, populated only by a handful of researchers, seabirds and seals, and ringed by a teaming mass of great white sharks. Visible from the mainland on a clear day, the islands string northwestward from Southeast Farallon Island, the largest and only inhabited island, for five miles, with a total land area of 0.16 square miles. A national wildlife refuge, the islands are closed to the public. T he Farallones are primitive, volcanic islands, so rather than being encircled by beaches, they are bordered by craggy, rocky and unforgiving shores.

T he conditions in the open water around the Farallones are infamously challenging for sailors, with erratic winds, perilous currents and shallow reefs that can produce waves which materialize without warning and crest dozens of feet in the air almost instantaneously. Still, the daylong Full Crew Farallones Race had been run since 1907 without a single fatality — until this spring, when five sailors were swallowed by Pacific Ocean swells.

T he race is sponsored by the O ffshore Yacht Racing

A ssociation (OYR A ), while the S an F rancisco Yacht Club, known as the SF YC, located in Belvedere, annually provides race management. O cean racing is almost a di erent sport from sailing in the bay, and certainly more of a commitment in terms of time and stamina. T he races are longer, the conditions are harsher, the physical work on the boat is more strenuous, and most of all, since o shore races are inherently unpredictable, they require sailors to have an incredible level of trust in the boat, the other crew members and the captain.

While not an exceptionally prestigious race within the yachting community, with many of the boats tending to be older, heavier and considerably less valuable than the hot, sleek sailboats entering other ocean races, the F ull Crew Farallones Race nonetheless draws some of the most skilled and experienced sailors in the Bay A rea and beyond. The regatta is a century-old tradition, almost an iconic event — it is to the local sailing community what the annual Dipsea Race is to area runners.

A lthough the SF YC manages the race, the regatta actually begins and ends at the St. Francis Yacht Club just o the Marina Green in San Francisco, as that club’s deck space more easily allows race personnel to stagger the starts and clock the boats in as they return. The racecourse winds upwind to the Golden Gate Bridge, past the headlands, and out into the ocean toward Southeast Farallon Island. Once the racers sail around the island, the midpoint of the race, they head back downwind to S an  F rancisco. T he F ull C rew Farallones is a bit unusual in terms of an ocean race in that it starts in the same place it finishes (most ocean races in the Pacific involve a somewhat less convenient sail one-way down the coast), which adds to its popularity among many local sailors.

T he fastest boats finish the race in just over six hours, but the race is measured in terms of corrected, or handicapped, time which adjusts for various boat speeds. This year the winner was Double Trouble out of the C orinthian Yacht C lub in Belvedere, with an elapsed time of 6:11 and a corrected time of 7:28.

The competition is the only ocean race for which the SF YC offers race management services. Known as the “premier yacht club on the West C oast” as well as the “oldest yacht club west of the Mississippi in North A merica,” the SF YC was originally founded in 1869 in S an F rancisco’s C hina Basin. T he club moved to S ausalito, then relocated to its current location on Beach Road in Belvedere in 1937. While there have been some close calls in its history, prior to April 14, no member of the SF YC had ever died in a sailing race.

THE CAP TAIN AND CREW T he SF YC was homeport to the Low Speed Chase as well as three other boats in the Farallones race. T he eight crew members aboard the yacht were all expert, veteran sailors and were well-known fixtures on the waters o the Marin C ounty coast. In a part of the world swarming with people who view sailing as a way of life — many sailors come from around the world to Marin, and the Tiburon Peninsula in particular, for access to some of the world’s best sailing — the Low Speed Chase crew was comprised of some of the best, most intuitive sailors on the bay.

S ince 2006, the sailboat — a high-end 38-foot yacht of Australian design that, after recent renovations, was one of the fastest, largest and more expensive boats in the race — had been owned and meticulously maintained by Jay Bradford, a

Opening spread: The Low Speed Chase stranded on Maintop Island. This page: The boat at Point Bonita a few hours before the accident with (left to right) Marc, Elmer, Alexis, Jordan, Jay and Bryan (trimming the main).

41-year-old scion of a family who made their mark in the brokerage world. Jay, who splits his time between Nashville and San Francisco, is described by friends as a bit of an eccentric who “knows what he doesn’t know” in terms of sailing and is comfortable in the role of funding the fun. For the Farallones race, he hired Alan Cahill, 36, a professional sailor and boat craftsman, to captain the $250,000 yacht for him. Alan, Jay’s friend, had sailed Low Speed Chase in the past for free, but for this race Jay wanted to legitimize the arrangement by paying Alan to be on board to o cially o er expertise and make tactical decisions behind the wheel.

Having grown up in Ireland and moved to the United States about a decade ago, Alan was known as “Irish Alan” around the SFYC, where he was caretaker to close to 40 boats and made his living as a freelance boat mechanic and paid sailboat captain. In his free time, when not on the water, Alan, a licensed pilot, took to the sky. A father of two, Alan had been married to his wife Shannon for more than a year and the couple made their home in Tiburon.

With the exception of Bryan Chong and Elmer Morrissey, the crew on board the Low Speed Chase on April 14 had sailed together on the boat in ocean regattas multiple times, and most of them had crewed this particular race in the past. Bryan, 38, a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club who had raced in several daylong ocean races to Monterey and Half Moon Bay, was new to Jay’s boat and competing in the Farallones race for the first time.

Bryan met Irish Alan about nine years ago at Sam’s Anchor Cafe in Tiburon, and the two men forged such a close friendship that Alan was the best man in Bryan’s wedding in 2009. Having sailed and boated dozens of times together in the past — they also had a habit of leaving Belvedere Cove around midnight in a runabout to grab a drink at Smitty’s in Sausalito — Alan convinced Bryan that this was the year for him to compete in the race to the Farallones, an event that Bryan had long wanted to crew. A couple of other regular crew members on the Low Speed Chase were unable to participate, including Berkeley

Bryan Chong at the San Francisco Yacht Club.

Riley, who only made the decision on the Wednesday before the race that an arm injury would sideline him. As a result, the preliminary crew list that Alan submitted didn’t list Bryan as a crew member. After agreeing to join the race just two days beforehand, Bryan’s name only appeared on the revised crew list.

A Citadel graduate originally from Columbia, S.C., Bryan relocated west with AT&T in the late 1990s. A vice president of sales for a tech company and a member of the Tiburon Design Review Board, Bryan managed to carve out time to become quite the gym rat as well as pursue a huge variety of sports — his garage is packed with various equipment required for mountain biking, scuba diving, running marathons, skiing and snowboarding. The Saturday morning of the Farallones race, Bryan left River, his 7-week-old son, at home with his wife in Tiburon and headed o to the SFYC.

Alexis Busch, 26, a Marin native who worked at the Bay Club in Ross Valley, was also on board, along with her longtime boyfriend, Nick Vos, 26, who worked in sales for the Corte Madera Bay Club. Alex and Nick had sailed together since meeting at Redwood High School a decade ago, and lived together in Larkspur. At one point they spent a year in Australia, where Alex competed in a women’s baseball league. She was also a semipro catcher in the California Women’s Baseball League and founded an organization based in Marin County called Lady Baseball, whose motto is “Throw Like a Girl!,” to promote women’s hardball. Growing up as the only girl to play on her Ross Valley Little League teams, Alex went on to become the first bat girl for the San Francisco Giants. In 2001, at 15, she sprung from the dugout to o er Barry Bonds a fist bump at home plate when he hit his 500th home run. Just over 11 years later, Bonds would pay tribute to Alex at her memorial service at AT&T Park.

Also crewing on the Low Speed Chase was Alan Cahill’s fellow countryman Elmer Morrissey, 32, a postdoctoral fellow at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Elmer grew up in Glounthaune, Ireland, graduated from University College Cork with a Ph.D. in energy engineering, and moved to Berkeley last year to develop software to help architects and engineers design more energy-e cient buildings. While the Farallones regatta was Elmer’s first ocean race, sailing was merely one of his interests — he was also a skydiver, played rugby and hockey, was highly proficient at both the violin and ukulele, and practiced meditation to allow him, according to friends, to always live in the present.

THE FINAL TWO The final crew members were two local residents that quite literally grew up at the SFYC, around boats and on the water. Both of them sailed or raced nearly every weekend in the season, and they frequently competed together, both on Low Speed Chase and in the Farallones race. Yet despite the fact that they were separated by more than two decades, Jordan Fromm, 25, and Marc Kasanin, 46, ultimately had much more in common than simply a passion for sailing.

Both men were artistic — Marc as a painter and Jordan as a designer of boats. Jordan, just about to graduate from college, and Marc, more than 20 years farther along in his life, shared similar lifestyles. Neither man was cut out for working in an o ce, and each of them knew themselves well enough not to even attempt that path. Both men had an unshakable love for Marin. They were each remarkably social across a diverse range of groups, as well as exceedingly loyal to their friends. Both men were looking forward to settling down and starting families, but not just yet.

Moveover, both Jordan and Marc had exceptionally devoted and tender relationships with their mothers. An only child, Jordan had an apartment near his parents’ house in Kentfield and dropped in to visit frequently. “Not a day went by that I did not talk to Jordan,” Lori Fromm says. Marc lived a two-minute walk away from his mother’s house and saw her nearly every day as well.

The Farallones are primitive, volcanic islands, so rather than being encircled by beaches, they are bordered by craggy, rocky and unforgiving shores.

In 1963, Anne Kasanin and her husband Mark moved into a stunning brown-shingled home atop Corinthian Island, overlooking the SFYC. After attending Sweet Briar College, Anne came out to California from Virginia to teach high school Latin, and met Mark, a maritime attorney in San Francisco. The couple couldn’t afford the house at first, so they leased it for two years, then bought it in 1965. Their first son Marc (named after his dad’s uncle, hence the different spelling) was born shortly thereafter. Marc’s father, an avid sailor and racer, took Marc sailing when he was just 5 years old. By the time Marc was 7, he was participating in the junior sailing program at the SFYC all summer, five days a week, morning and afternoon. While Marc’s younger brother Jamie was encouraged by his mother to go through the sailing program, Marc sailed because, as Anne says, he “adored it, just loved it.” He stayed with it every summer through his teenage years, eventually becoming a sailing counselor to younger kids in the program.

Marc went back east for college — attending Cornell University and graduating from Tufts University with a degree in art — but his heart was in Marin. He returned in

his 20s and remained here — in Mill Valley, Tiburon and Belvedere — ever since. There are three small cottages in a row on Corinthian Island known as the mushrooms, and around the time his dad died in 2007, Marc moved into the middle mushroom, just a few blocks away from the house he grew up in. With his brother Jamie living in New York, Marc was a constant source of support for his mom. He helped her with her computer and her garden, and accompanied her to the opera, the movies, restaurants and museums.

During this experience, my mind was in a state of complete tranquility. The clouds cleared and a gentle beam of sun shined down on me.

beautifully, especially fish, and he thrived on entertaining and hanging out with his friends, who readily forgave him his casual relationship with punctuality. While most only experienced the more gentle aspects of Marc’s personality, he did have a fiercely competitive streak as well, once chasing a buddy around the tennis court when he thought his friend had cheated.

A true lover of nature, Marc painted bold, colorful landscapes and sea scenes in acrylic. While he sometimes created portraits, his strength was in painting water, and he took commissions — usually views of, or from, homes in the community. Marc showed his art both locally — at the Tiburon library and city hall — as well as internationally, traveling to Croatia to paint landscapes for rental properties there.

Unequivocally kind and utterly easygoing, Marc was a man with no enemies and the nickname of Blaster because his friends considered him to be “such a blast.” He could barbecue

Marc also possessed a strong resolve to stay connected and maintain friendships, even those from his childhood. When Jamie spoke at Marc’s memorial service, he described his brother as collecting friends the way other people collect money, as using his friends as currency because that is what he valued most.

Like Marc, Jordan Fromm also came from a sailing family that had long been members of the SFYC. Even though his parents had belonged to the club for decades, Jordan, at just age 25, was already making such a name for himself in the sailing world that his parents were sometimes asked if they were related to him. Described by his mom Lori as a kinesthetic student, Jordan’s style of learning was by participating in a physical activity rather than by observing. At age 6 he announced that he was done listening to the instructor at ski school and demanded to be taken to the top of the mountain to ski down on his own. Comfortable on sailboats since he was a toddler, Jordan enrolled in the SFYC’s sailing program at age 8 and never looked back.

Growing up, Jordan spent almost every weekend sailing with his parents and many nights sleeping on the family boat. As a teenager Jordan taught other kids to sail, quickly gaining a reputation as an especially patient mentor. He also started maintaining Fast Friends, a boat owned by former SFYC Commodore Bill Smith, then began crewing for Bill. His strength and eagerness made him an excellent addition to the crew, but his real talent lay in his ability to calmly solve issues on a boat even while people were yelling all around him. As appreciative as Jordan was for the chance to sail club races on Fast Friends, he eventually sought a greater challenge and began crewing for Low Speed Chase in ocean competitions.

Expanding the scope of his desire to work with boats, Jordan had recently completed restoration on a J-24 boat with a design of his own, modifying it, painting it Ferrari red, installing asymmetric speakers and a high-end stereo system. When his father accused him of spending too much time on the rail chatting with other sailors rather than focusing on his studies, Jordan’s response was “Dad, I’m networking.” Jordan was determined to make his living in a field involving sailboats, likely either

maintaining or restoring them, and he was set to graduate from Dominican University in San Rafael last spring (he had, in fact, already purchased his cap and gown) with a business degree to help him reach his goal.

The essays Jordan wrote in college reflected his love of Marin County — a place he vowed to never leave — as well as his lifelong fascination with sailing. In one writing assignment, Jordan drafted an enraptured account of sailing offshore, surrounded by dolphins and whales, stating, “During this experience, my mind was in a state of complete tranquility. The clouds cleared and a gentle beam of sun shined down on me.”

While he was not averse to occasionally flashing the stubborn side of his personality — on display, for example, the time his mom bought him a sports jacket that he flat-out refused to wear — Jordan was overwhelmingly grateful for his opportunities and profoundly aware of what a blessed life he had. The night before the Farallones race, his parents ran into him while they were having dinner at the SFYC, and they have clung to the image of him exhilarated with race preparations: “Tall, strong, smiling, looking like he was getting what he wanted for Christmas,” Lori says. She remembers thinking at the time, “I’m so glad Jordan has this.”

SETTING SAIL

On the morning of April 14, Jordan, Marc and five other members of the Low Speed Chase crew left the SFYC around 8:30 a.m. to pick up Jay, the boat’s owner, from the dock of the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco. The yacht then motored to the start line at the St. Francis Yacht Club. In his Irish accent, Alan announced their arrival as follows: “Farallon Race Committee, Sydney 38 Low Speed Chase 38009. Checking in. Eight souls aboard.”

The weather forecast that day was for seas running 11 to 13 feet high at 14-second intervals, and as it turned out, the prediction was accurate. The weather was generally clear, with good visibility and no fog. The conditions that morning were choppy but not unusual for the area. Other sailors in the race described the setting as “not unmanageable, not extreme,” and the wind and the water had unquestionably been far worse during races in past years. Two-thirds of the 50 boats that started the race that day would ultimately make it around the Farallones and back to the St. Francis (in an ocean race, due to factors such as equipment malfunction or seasickness, typically about a third of the boats record a “DNF” or “Did Not Finish”).

At about 9:50 a.m., the Low Speed Chase crew raised the sails and lined up awaiting the bang of the starting gun. Anticipating high winds, Nick climbed up 5 feet to tie on the reef line for the main sail. As he descended the boom, Alex put her hand on his foot to help him down. The crew also checked the yacht’s safety equipment. All of the race boats were required to carry radios and “adequate personal

buoyancy” equipment. According to Coast Guard rules, life jackets were mandatory, tethers were not.

At the blast of the starting gun, the crew realized that they had drifted slightly outside the starting box, requiring them to backtrack. The wind had almost completely died down at that point, and the boat began floating toward the bridge. To avoid further backward progress, Jordan threw the anchor overboard. As other boats sailed past them, the crews yelled out good-natured taunts about the predicament of the Low Speed Chase. From the race deck where he was helping out, Berkeley Riley began a spirited text exchange with Alex. When he teased her that he should aim the starting gun in the direction of the Low Speed Chase, she responded, “Please do at this rate.” He then asked her to let him know when they were coming in, to which she replied, “Well, we would if we could get there.”

Eventually the wind began to fill in behind the sailboat, Marc winched the anchor up, and after 52 minutes, the Low Speed Chase crew finally made it across the start line. As Bryan described the crew’s collective mindset, at that point the only victory they were hoping for was to “avoid the notorious DFL.” They had no conception, yet, of the destruction and loss of life that would unfurl in a few hours in the waters they were sailing toward.

PLEASE SEE OUR U P COMING N OVEMBER ISSUE TO READ PART 2, THE CONCLUSION OF THIS STORY.

Victims Jordan Fromm (opposite) and Marc Kasanin (above) in calmer seas.

On Home Turf

Four locals are helping to put Marin on the winemaking map.

PHOTOS BY CLAIRE B LOOMBERG

It’s not exactly easy to be a winemaker in Marin.

Long hours, hard work, expensive lot costs, naysayers and competition from nearby Napa are but a few reasons. For vintners Mary Stubbs, Herb Rowland and Jonathan and Susan Pey, however, the path to success comes down to three key elements: luck, timing and chemistry.

Mary Stubbs of Stubbs Vineyard in West Marin says wine drinkers are becoming more knowledgeable about Marin. “It’s the perfect climate for it, and not to knock Napa, but they can’t do a pinot like we do,” she says “Marin wines are in a class of their own, and because there are so few of us, we really stand out.”

“Marin County’s reputation for quality wines will continue to grow,” adds Jonathan Pey, who with wife Susan, runs Pey-Marin Vineyards. “There is a lot of expertise being brought to bear that was not as prevalent here 15 years ago.” Pey says that expertise makes for better farming practices and even better wines. “The Marin winemakers are understanding their vineyards better, knowing that the vineyards that are younger will mature and begin to show o their stu ,” he says.

As it turns out, the county is no stranger to vineyards and traces its rich wine history back to 1817 with the arrival of the San Rafael Mission and the imported vitis vinifera grapes. Marin’s rolling hills, ample rainfall and warm microclimates make it an ideal spot for pinot noir, chardonnay, Riesling — even cabernet sauvignon. Here, we take a look at local residents with successful winemaking operations, and ask them what it takes to make their products in the county and what is coming next.

The Pey’s three daughters were the inspiration for the name given to the winery’s 2009 pinot noir.

WHO Mary Stubbs, Stubbs Vineyard, Petaluma WHAT Pinot, merlot, chardonnay WHERE El Paseo, Cavallo Point, Picco, Quince, La Folie stubbsvineyard.com

Not to knock Napa, but they can’t do a pinot like we do.

FOR MARY STUBB S , the transition from a corporate day job in sales and marketing to a career in winemaking came in 1992. “I didn’t want to go into the office and put on nylons again,” says Stubbs, who went back to school to study viticulture and planted 11 acres with her husband, Tom, on their estate in Petaluma four years later. “Luckily, we bought the land in 1982 when you could buy property for practically nothing.”

At the time the land had been used for cattle ranching, so bringing a vineyard in to the area was unusual. “It wasn’t really frowned upon, but it was just kind of new,” Stubbs says. “All the viticulturists were very enthusiastic about it and thought it was a perfect location, climate and everything else for the varieties we had planned.” Enlisting the help of winemaker Dan Goldfield, Stubbs first planted 6.4 acres of pinot noir and 4.6 acres of chardonnay. By 2002, she had 140 cases of pinot and used her background in marketing to get the word out to stores such as Whole Foods and her favorite restaurants including Chez Panisse, Sociale and Buckeye Roadhouse (who all still carry her wines).

“It was a really lucky chance that I had the right place for winemaking and the right people for it, and it all worked out beautifully.” A nd, since day one, Stubbs’ three children have all worked in the vineyard. “I always tell the principal that they are skipping school for two days every year during harvest.”

Without a doubt, Stubbs found her calling in the fields and away from the o ce. “I’m doing it because I love it, but it’s definitely not the way to get rich,” Stubbs says with a smile. “However, people love my wine and I always sell out.”

Above: Mary Stubbs left the office for more inspiring work in the field. Right: A view of the vineyard buildings.

WHO Jonathan and Susan Pey, Pey-Marin WHAT Riesling, pinot noir, syrah, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon WHERE Woodlands Market, Cowgirl Creamery marinwines.com

YWhy don’t we try to be a pioneer here in Marin and really try to make top, top quality pinot and Riesling?

OU MIGHT CALL Jonathan and Susan Pey modern day milkmen. But, instead of delivering 2 percent milk, they are hand-distributing bottles of pinot noir and Riesling produced in their vineyard.

“We have had a lot of nice conversations in driveways,” laughs Jonathan Pey, who makes up one half of the PeyMarin Vineyards company with his wife, Susan. “T here’s a connection, and I think folks enjoy that,” he says about the couple’s sometimes informal distribution methods. “It’s like, ‘the winemaker himself is here talking to me.’ ” It’s exactly this personal connection — as well as a little bit of winemaking talent — that has led to the Peys’ 13-yearlong-and-counting run in the wine industry. “When we first started, we were challenged by our colleagues in Napa,” Pey recalls, “with questions like, ‘why don’t you just make a Napa Valley wine?’ But a lot of people do that, and we thought, why don’t we try to be a pioneer here in Marin and really try to make top, top quality pinot and Riesling ?” Jonathan, who grew up and studied in Bordeaux and

Paris and worked at vineyards in Burgundy and Australia, and Susan, who studied in Florence and also works as a consulting wine director for the Il Fornaio restaurant group, are the first to admit things are very di erent now than when they first started. “Grape growing has gotten a lot better since 1999, and farming has improved since the 1960s,” he says. “But, it’s still very expensive to develop a new vineyard, it takes several years to farm it before you see a dollar back.” The Peys both farm and purchase local grapes in order to obtain fruit with di erent flavor “footprints” for blending. “We were the first ones who brought Riesling to Marin County and put it in the ground,” Pey adds.

He and Susan and their three daughters (they’ve named their 2009 pinot noir “Trois Fellis” after them) get a lot of satisfaction out of the family business. “Marin is a neat place and we love making wine here,” says Pey. “The seasons change, o ering new challenges every month and year.” But in the end, he says, it all comes down to the many great people who rave about the wines. “It makes the long hours and hard work really worth it.”

Jonathan and Susan Pey inspect the grapes to make wine like the vintage seen in the glass below.

WHO Herb Rowland, Pacheco Ranch Winery, Novato WHAT Cabernet sauvignon WHERE Rafael Joe’s, Harvest Market, Nick’s Cove pachecoranchwinery.com

We’re

a closeknit group here in Marin, and we’re more friends than adversaries.

IN 1969, WHEN Herb Rowland and his father, Herb Rowland Sr., first cleared the 5-acre lot in front of their house on Pacheco Ranch (it’s been in the family since 1840) to make way for cabernet sauvignon vines, there were a lot of mixed reviews from the neighbors. “ We were told we should be planting Christmas trees,” says Rowland. “Apparently, it’s a pretty good cash crop, but my father killed that idea before I could and said, ‘You can’t drink Christmas trees.’ ”

Ignoring the advice of their neighbors and instead trusting the wisdom of those who had gone before, including Louis Martini, Rodney Strong (who initially sold them their first grapes) and Dick Steltzner, the father/son duo successfully planted their first crop in 1973, later launching a wine club and landing in stores such as Rafael Joe’s. “We’ve been lucky, believe me, and you have to be or you don’t stay in business,” says the younger Rowland, who also works as a civil lawyer in San Rafael. “That’s not to say we haven’t made every mistake you can make, but you only make it once.” And the opportunity for mistakes goes up if you decide, as the Rowland family did, to do everything themselves — except for the pruning. “I think that approach is di erent, but it’s also really limiting,” he says. “It’s important for us, though, and we want to see it go from the ground to the table.”

Rowland also believes the DIY approach is crucial to insuring winemaking remains a family business. “My son and daughter have grown up in it and around it, and I fully expect them to take over,” he says with a laugh. “Hopefully, sooner rather than later.” And he’s equally optimistic about what’s ahead for Marin wines. “We’re a close-knit group here in Marin, and we’re more friends than adversaries,” Rowland notes. “I think the future is in West Marin, and I hope it expands.” Rowland adds that the future of Marin winemaking depends on those who are doing it now showing others that it can be a success and in finding people who have the right amount of passion. “You’ve got to love making wine.” m

Left: A view of Pacheco Ranch. Below: Herb Rowland Sr. followed his instincts and planted grapes instead of Christmas trees.

Kodachrome LIFE IN

Marin’s Suki Hill shares some of her most iconic images from the Bay Area rock ‘n’ roll scene of the 1960s.

HERE IN MARIN we have our fair share of legendary rock stars and celebrities, and we also have an abundance of talented photographers whose skilled eyes and quick shutters have captured classic moments now frozen in time. Suki Hill falls into the latter category, starting her rock icon collection by shooting Bob Dylan at the Berkeley Community Center in 1965 with her trusty Nikon F. Here is a look at the images from that day and many others.

KFRC Sidney B. Cushing Memorial Amphitheater, 1967

The summer of love kicked off June 10 and 11 in 1967 as some 36,000 attendees gathered at the 4,000-seat Sidney B. Cushing Memorial Amphitheater on the south face of Mount Tamalpais for a KFRC music festival. The station’s program director, Bill Drake, was able to pull in some top talent for the Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival including The Doors, who played their new hit Light My Fire. The $2 admission price benefited the Hunters Point Child Care Center.

BOB DYLAN

Berkeley Community Theater, 1965

“We were ardent fans of Dylan from the very beginning of his career. I met him briefly in the summer of 1964 in Carmel when he was with Joan Baez,” she recalls. “I was too awestruck to take any pictures of Dylan and Joan. Wish I had! Here, he is playing with Robbie Robertson, and had just gone ‘electronic,’ much to the consternation of his devoted followers.”

BILL GRAHAM – FILLMORE FIRST ANNIVERSARY

The Fillmore, January 1966

“Bill threw a party for his loyal patrons — and we were appreciative patrons — to celebrate the first year of operation. The Grateful Dead were there.“

(Below) “This was taken at the first anniversary of the Fillmore. Notice Phil Lesh in the lower part of the picture, eating a magic mushroom.”

BOB WEIR AND JERRY GARCIA

San Francisco, 1968

“This is an interesting shot of Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, because it looks like they are performing in Yosemite. They are actually in front of a large Ansel Adams photograph of Yosemite in a newly opened North Beach store, the original North Face. Doug and Susie Tompkins hired the Grateful Dead to perform at its opening, and the Hell’s Angels were the bouncers.”

THE BEATLES

Candlestick Park, 1966

“This was the last concert they did on tour. The crowd was so impossible: screaming, climbing on stage and completely drowning out the music. They finally gave up after three or four songs.”

JIMI HENDRIX

Monterey Pop Festival, 1967

“This was Jimi’s first major American appearance. He created a sensation in his final song, “Wild Thing,” by pouring lighter fluid on his guitar and setting it on fire. I was actually on the stage, having been hoisted up by a fellow photographer in the press box because I was too short to see everything. In these early days, the music was wild, crazy and wonderful, and there was freedom from the managers, security monitoring and all the elements that now seem so constricting for musicians.”

GRACE SLICK Monterey Pop Festival, 1967
“I first met Gracie when she and Jerry Slick were married and living in North Beach. She was such a great performer, and so pretty and smart — probably still is.”

Destinations

THE LATEST LOCAL TRAVEL DEALS AND GETAWAYS PLUS JOURNEYS AROUND THE GLOBE

COOL CAVES

To find the best places to sample wines, sometimes you have to go underground.

The Cade Estate Winery cave features a grand table.

YO U CAN’T BEAT Napa’s seemingly endless vistas of rolling hills and vineyards, but to get a di erent perspective, head underground for unique experiences in architecturally stunning sometimes-historic wine caves, where the cooler temperatures and humidity o er the perfect conditions for aging wine. Here is a list of our eight favorite caves that also provide visitor tours.

Arkenstone

High atop Howell Mountain, proprietors Ron and Susan Krausz’s A rkenstone Vineyards has a 26,000-square-foot cave that isn’t just for show. The underground space is a working facility and includes three barrel-storage rooms and two fermentation halls all resting two levels beneath a crush pad that sends grapes to tanks using only gravity. The cave design and construction process was four years in the making and helped along by Magorian Mine Services, which convinced the couple to move the design of much of the above-ground facility to the underground caves while leaving enough height to move the fruit to tanks by way of gravity. Tours and tastings are all appointment only, $30 per guest, waived with wine purchase. arkenstone.com

Cade

The Juancarlos Fernandez–designed and L EED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold–certified Cade Estate Winery features a 14,500-square-foot network of wine caves built into the hillside. Although the caves are used primarily for wine storage and barreling, they can be toured when visiting the winery. If you’re lucky enough, you may even get invited to a private chef’s dinner and tasting at the cave’s visual focal point, a gathering table made from material procured from a World War II submarine. Tours by appointment only, tasting and cave tour $35 per guest. cadewinery.com

Calistoga Ranch

Only the lucky ones invited to a private dinner, wine tasting or intimate wedding will set eyes on Calistoga Ranch’s private wine cave.

Set in the bedrock of a hillside running along Lake Lommel, the hidden space boasts iron chandeliers, stone walls and private lockers for storing the vacation home owners’ personal collections. No fee, but cave visitors must be a guest of the resort or attending a private event held there. calistogaranch.com

Castello di Amorosa

Owner Dario Sattui, who grew up in Fairfax and is a Drake High School and College of Marin alum, employed medieval designs and construction methods to create his 13th century–inspired, 107-room Tuscan-style “Castle of Love” complete with drawbridge, torture chamber and secret passageways. Set aside enough time for this almost twohour tasting and tour of the property and

caves. The eight-level castle (four-levels are underground), was built by workers from six countries, and one of its most impressive designs is the labyrinth of cave cellars that house thousands of bottles and barrels. Tasting and tour $33 per guest. castellodiamorosa.com

Cliff Lede

In 2002, Canadian businessman Cli Lede purchased the S. Anderson Vineyard sparkling wine property in the Stags Leap District and revitalized it with a focus on Bordeaux varieties, a new name — Cli Lede (pronounced “lady”) Vineyards — and the construction of a 25,000-square-foot cave system that houses the red wines and is an ideal spot for the bottle-aging process. Call ahead to book the appointment-only Estate Tasting Tour, which

includes a guided swing around the property’s vineyards and caves, along with canapé and wine pairings; tour available Tuesday through Saturday, $75 per guest. cli edevineyards.com

Palmaz Vineyards

Located near downtown Napa Valley, Palmaz Vineyards is literally housed inside a mountain — Mount George to be exact. Visitors enter the winery on the fourth level (inside the mountain) to tour a series of caves connected via tunnels that make the space look like a giant underground wagon wheel. The cave houses its own water treatment plant and fermentation tanks are rotated using a custombuilt carousel. The cave also boasts a gigantic fermentation dome that the vineyard proprietors say is the world’s largest underground

reinforced structure. Cave tours by appointment only, $60 per guest. palmazvineyards.com

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

Inside the entrance to the caves are dramatic spaces including the Great Room, which glows with hammered copper sconces and shimmering quartzite floors, and the Round Room, which rests 100 feet underground. Once inside, guests can enjoy a private viewing of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ estate wines aging in barrels and see a rare Foucault Pendulum, a device that demonstrates the rotation of the earth and, according to winery sta , is only one of 50 in the world. Beyond the architecture and science, the winery is also a showcase for artisans and art, including 17th-century original paintings of celestial

maps. Make an appointment for the one-hour estate and wine cave tour, $40 per guest. cask23.com

Vineyard 29

The Jon Lail–designed Vineyard 29 winery includes 13,000 square feet of caves and three distinct tunnels reaching 125 feet back into the Mayacamas Mountains, all serving as both a subterranean showplace for a wine library and a way to precisely regulate the temperature and humidity for aging each barrel and bottle. The facility also produces all of its own energy by way of microturbines that help to chill and heat the winery’s water and the cave interior. Tours by appointment only, includes food and wine pairing, $60 per guest. vineyard29.com m

Clockwise from far left: Calistoga Ranch; Stag’s Leap; Cliff Lede; Arkenstone; Castello di Amorosa.

A NEW LOOK Hyatt

Lake Tahoe is o ering special pricing to celebrate the completion of a $20 million renovation, which includes redesigned guest rooms and a new look for the Sierra Cafe and Spa Terrace Conference Center. Save 15 percent o the daily rate, 15 percent o Camp Hyatt children’s programs and 15 percent o any treatment at Stillwater Spa. To take advantage of this deal, book now for travel through December 20. laketahoe.hyatt. com SO PH IE SH ULMAN

Pick Your Patch

Where will you get your pumpkin this Halloween? Here are five patches offering pumpkins, mazes and more. S.S.

M ARIN COUNTY Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch

This certified-organic pumpkin patch features hay rides, straw bale mazes, a jumpy house, inflatable slide, farm animals, barbecue and a farm stand that o ers gourds, squashes, apples, organic vegetables, drinks and snacks. There is also live music on weekends. September 29–October 31, 5300 Nicasio Valley Road, Nicasio

NAPA COUNTY Pick of the Patch Pumpkins

A family-owned-and-operated business for more than 30 years, Pick of the Patch Pumpkins is a big Halloween playground, with haunted houses, fun houses, bounce houses, giant slides, obstacle courses, pumpkins, retail stores, snacks, beverages and more. October 1–31, 4225 Broadway, American Canyon

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY The Great Pumpkin Patch

Wind your way through the field to choose your pumpkin and then check out the haunted house, hay maze, bouncy castle and slide. A lso, take photos with wacky cutout figures. October 6–31, 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco

SAN M ATEO COUNTY Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival

The festival includes pie-eating contests, a haunted barn, costume contest, food, arts and crafts and multiple pumpkin patches, featuring the winner of the world championship pumpkin weigh-o held on October 8. October 13−14, Main Street, Half Moon Bay

SONOMA COUNTY Petaluma Pumpkin Patch and A’Mazing Corn Maze

This patch contains more than 50 varieties of pumpkins — including giant pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns — a straw mountain for climbing, farm animal petting zoo, kid’s maze and a covered snack area. Explore the 4-acre corn maze made with more than 10-foot-tall corn stalks — the course takes about 45 minutes to complete. Weekend activities include pony rides, face painting and interactive inflatable characters. October 1–31, 550 Stony Point Road, Petaluma

OFF TO HAWAII

Nationally renowned chef Peter Pahk, whom we interviewed in September 2010, has moved from Napa Valley to Hawaii. He will now serve as the executive chef at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Pahk says, “My goal at The Mauna Kea is to bring my culinary expertise in diverse cultural and regional cuisines such as classic French, Italian, Californian, southern regional, Pacific Rim and macrobiotic and give them a Hawaiian twist.” princeresortshawaii.com/ mauna-kea-beach-hotel S.S.

The World is Your Home

Wish you could travel the world from the comfort of your own home? Now you can. The World is the only private residential community at sea, complete with a gourmet deli, library, spa, cinema and sports center. The ship’s captains and residents, whose average stay on board is four months per year, craft the itinerary. Travel includes custom tours, cultural events, guest speakers and local dancers. Average occupancy is 150–200 residents and guests. aboardtheworld.com S. S.

2012-2013Season MarinCenterPresents

ShaolinWarriors

TheShaolinWarriorstroupefeaturemorethan20kungfumasterswhohave eachperfectedtheartofhand-to-handandweaponscombat.Withthe precisionofOlympicgymnasts,thegraceofballetdancersandthemagicof CirqueduSoleil,theShaolinWarriorsdemonstratetheirsacredanddeadlyart forminadazzlingkungfutheatricaldisplay.

Saturday,October13,8pm

$50,$35,$25,Students20andUnder-$20, BargainSeats(Row31–34)-$20

BalletFolklóricodeMéxicoisastunningperformance thatcelebratestherichtraditionandfolkloreofMexico.

Friday,November9,8pm.

$45,$35,$25,PremiumSeats-$65

Students20andUnder-$20

BargainSeats(Rows31–34)-$20

DirectfromEastAfrica,oneofthegreatestpercussionensemblesintheworld, theRoyalDrummersandDancersofBurundihaveperformedinthesameway forcenturies,passingdowntraditionsandtechniquesfromfathertoson.

Sunday,November18,3pm

$40,$35,$25, Students20andUnder-$20, BargainSeats(Row25–34)-$20

Out & About

CALENDAR / O N THE SCENE / DINE

Robert Green
Phenomena Measure of Royal Violet by Paul Jenkins

Calendar

THEA T ER / COMEDY / M USI C / GALLERIES / M USEUMS / E VEN T S / F ILM EDITEDB Y S

MUSIC

OCT 5–7 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

A free concert by acclaimed bluegrass musicians. Golden Gate Park (SF). strictlybluegrass.com

THEATER

THRU OCT 7 Chinglish

The West Coast premiere of the Broadway comedy. Roda Theatre (Berkeley). 510.647.2949, berkeleyrep.org

THRU OCT 16 Don’t

Dress for Dinner A classical farce with mistaken identities, secrets and infidelity. Barn Theatre (Ross). 415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.com

THRU OCT 21 Topdog/ U nderdog The Pulitzer Prize–winning drama about brothers Lincoln and Booth. Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5208, marintheatre.org

THRU OCT 28 The Vagina M onologues

A show highlighting the humor, power and excitement of womanhood. Lark Theater (Larkspur). cabaretsf. wordpress.com

OCT 3–21 Of Thee I Sing

A musical farce that targets Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court, the presidency and the democratic process. Eureka Theatre (SF). 415.255.8207, 42ndstmoon.org

OCT 12–N OV 11 An I liad An ancient tale filled with wit and wisdom, adapted from Homer. Thrust Stage (Berkeley). 510.647.2949, berkeleyrep.org

OCT 18–N OV 11

N unsense A musical comedy about a convent cook accidentally poisoning several little sisters of Hoboken. Novato Theater Company Playhouse (Novato). novato theatercompany.org

OCT 23–N OV 18 Diner

The musical adaptation of the film about six high school friends who reunite at a diner, written by Academy Award–winning screenwriter Barry Levinson. Curran Theatre (SF). shnsf.com

DANCE

OCT 5–14 Smuin

Ballet Fall Season

Premiere Performances of Cold Virtues by Adam Hougland and Starshadows, Homeless, No Vivire and Obrigado, Brazil by Michael Smuin. Palace of Fine Arts Theatre (SF). 415.912.1899, smuinballet.org

COM EDY

TUE SDAYS Mark Pitta and Friends A favorite comedy event. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmorton theatre.com

MUSIC

THRU OCT 19 The Capulets and the M ontagues A spin on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, sung in Italian with English supertitles. War Memorial Opera House (SF). 415.864.3330, sfopera.com

TUE SDAYS Swing Fever

The band pays tribute to jazz artists and composers with selections from its roster of more than 1,000 tunes, every first and third Tuesday. Panama Hotel (San Rafael). 415.457.3993, panamahotel.com

OCT 1 Portraits in Sound The Left Coast Chamber Ensemble’s 20th anniversary season opener features an interplay of music and visual arts. San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SF). 415.617.5223, leftcoastensemble.org

OCT 6 Justin Bieber

The teen pop musician makes a stop in Northern California on his “Believe Tour.” Oracle Arena (Oakland). 510.638.4900, coliseum.com

David Rawlings and Gillian Welch at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2011

OCT 6–7 M adonna The pop icon takes the stage. HP Pavilion (San Jose). hppavilion.com

OCT 12 Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy Performances of songs from their new albums. The Warfield Theatre (SF). thewarfieldtheatre.com

OCT 13 –14 Treasure

Island M usic Festival

Performances by Girl Talk, The XX, Imperial Teen, Public Enemy and more. Treasure Island (SF). treasureisland festival.com

OCT 17 Cubano Be, Cubano Bop: The Latin Big Band Craze A combination of jazz and Cuban music. Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (SF). 866.920.5299, s azz.org

OCT 19 33rd Season

Gala An evening featuring jazz vocalist Paula West and benefitting music education and outreach programs. The City Club (SF). 415.677.0326, performances.org

OCT 25 Pacific

Guitar Ensemble An eight-member group of guitarists playing original music and contemporary arrangements of great composers from Bach to Brahms. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 412.383.9600, 142throckmorton theatre.com

OCT 28 Marin Symphony’s Carnival I talian Enjoy the 60th season opening concert followed by an elegant gala. Marin Civic and Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.479.8100, marinsymphony.org

GALLERIES

MARIN

Art A bloom Studio and Gallery Oil paintings by Gabriella Spina Drake and classes for artists. 751 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.256.1112, artabloom.com

The Leapfrog Effect by David Maxim at Marin MOC A

Bay M odel Gallery

Baywood artists

celebrate the 50th anniversary of Point Reyes

National Seashore with a sale of paintings to benefit the park, through October 27. 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.332.3871, ptreyes.org

Claudia Chapline

Gallery A Collection of Faces Art by Claudia Chapline and Harold Schwarm. 3445 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach. 415.868.2308, cchapline.com

Falkirk Cultural Center

Biannual juried exhibition of Marin and Bay Area artists. 1408 Mission Ave, San Rafael. 415.485.3436, falkirkculturalcenter.org

Fine Art Etc. Featuring sculptures and paintings by artists from Northern California and around the world. 686 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.332.1107, fineartetc.com

Gallery Bergelli Fall Group Show New work by gallery artists, through October 17. 483 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.945.9454, bergelli.com

Gallery Route One Duality Art by Zea Morvitz and Tim Graveson. 11101 Hwy One, Point Reyes Station. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org

Marin Society of A rtists 85 Years A nonjuried member show celebrating the MSA’s 85th anniversary, through December 10. 3501 Civic Center Dr, San Rafael. 415.454.9561, marinsocietyofartists.org

M ona Lease Gallery

Sculpture by Deborah Childress and art by gallery artists, through December. 39 Greenbrae Boardwalk, Greenbrae. 415.461.3718, monalease.net

O’Hanlon Center for the A rts Paintings by Marge Rector. 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.4331, ohanloncenter.org

Robert Allen Fine A rt Transitional Landscapes

A group exhibition of works on canvas and paper. 301 Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.2800, robertallenfineart.com

Robert Green Fine Arts Group exhibition of major American painters. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.8776, rgfinearts.com

Rock Hill Gallery

Scenes Near and Far

A landscape-themed show presented by the Marin County Watercolor Society, through November 28. 145 Rockhill Dr, Tiburon. 415.435.9108, ccctiburon.net

Smith A ndersen N orth Vintage photographs of Chinatown in the 1950s and 1960s by artists Charles Wong and Irene Andersen. 20 Greenfield Ave, San Anselmo. 415.455.9733, smith andersennorth.com

Studio 333 Ongoing exhibition featuring more than 40 Bay Area

OCT 13 Shaolin Warriors

More than 20 kung fu masters demonstrate their skills in a theatrical display. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.473.6800, marincenter.org

through November 29. 251 Post St, 415.421.7171, meyerovich.com

M ishin Fine Arts Gallery Celebrating Women in Art Featuring works from six artists from around the world, October 18 through November 24. 445A Sutter St, 415.391.6100, mishingallery.com

Rena Bransten Gallery Photographs from pictures of magazines by Vik Muniz, through November 10. 77 Geary St, 415.982.3292, rena branstengallery.com

artists’ works in different mediums. 333A Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.8272, studio333.info

Studio 4 A rt Work by local artists; classes and workshops with materials included. 1133 Grant Ave, Novato. 415.596.5546, studio4art.net

Thistledew A rtist’s

Exhibition Enjoy live music, art by Angela Gri ths, Jake Juan, and Lisa Jones as well as hors d'oeuvres by Chianti Restaurant and wine from Delgado Family Vineyard, October 13. RSVP to thistledew@gmail. com. 500 McClay Road, Novato, 415.726.6000.

SAN FRANCISCO

A rtHaus Candid Moments New encaustic paintings by Jhina Alvarado, October 6 through December 22. 411 Brannan St, 415.977.0223, arthaus-sf.com

Berggruen Gallery Group show of sculptures, works

on paper and paintings. 228 Grant Ave, 415.781.4629, berggruen.com

Caldwell Snyder Art by Jupp Linssen. 341 Sutter St, 415.392.2299, caldwellsnyder.com

Gregory Lind Gallery

Art by Don Voisine, through October 20. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, gregorylindgallery.com

I nternational Orange

An interactive multimedia presentation of artists’ interpretations of the Golden Gate Bridge, through October 28. Fort Point, 415.556.1693, inter national-orange.org

Katz Snyder Gallery La Habana A photographic exhibit representing the architecture, people and details of Jewish life in modern Cuba, through November 17. 3200 California St, 415.292.1200, jccsf.org

M eyerovich I Am Not Done with My Changes

Art by Matt Phillips in celebration of his 85th birthday,

MUSEUMS

M ARIN

Bolinas M useum

Reflections from “The Lake” Art by Morris Graves and Kay Russel (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org

Marin History M useum Justice and Judgment Three-part exhibition about Marin’s law enforcement and judicial system, through June 2013 (San Rafael). 415.454.8538, marinhistory.org

Marin Museum of the A merican I ndian Explore Native American history, languages, art and traditions (Novato). 415.897.4064, marinindian.com

Marin Museum of Contemporary A rt Legends of the Bay Area Art by David Maxim, October 6 through November 18 (Novato). 415.506.0137, marinmoca.org

BAY AR EA

California Academy of Sciences Nightlife Enjoy music, creatures and cocktails for adults

only and take some time to explore the exhibits and aquarium displays every Thursday night (SF). 415.379.8000, calacademy.org

Chinese Historical Society of A merica

Remnants: Artists

Respond to the Chinese American Experience Works from five artists that highlight personal narrative, memory and family, through December 15 (SF). 415.391.1188, chsa.org

Conservatory of Flowers Plantosaurus Rex: Prehistoric Plants at the Conservatory of Flowers Exhibit featuring plants from the days of the dinosaurs, through October 12 (SF). 415.831.2090, conservatoryof flowers.org

Contemporary Jewish M useum California

Dreaming The history of the Bay Area’s Jewish community

with a documentary video and photographs, through October 16 (SF). 415.655.7800, thecjm.org

de Young The William S. Paley Collection: A Taste for Modernism Paintings, sculpture and drawings from the late 19th century through the early 1970s, through December 30 (SF). 415.750.3600, deyoung.famsf.org

Exploratorium Ongoing interactive exhibits exploring science, art and human perception (SF). 415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu

Legion of Honor Gifts from the Gods: Art and the Olympic Ideal Featuring ancient Greek and Roman coinage, sculptures, antiques and textiles, reflecting the 2012

OCTOBER 28 SUN @ 3:00 PM OCTOBER 30 TUES @ 7:30 PM

Experience a spirited musical conversation between Quartet San Francisco and the Marin Symphony.

OPENING NIGHT GALA

CARNIVALE ITALIAN

OCTOBER 28

SUN @ 5:30 PM

SUBSCRIPTIONS & GALA TICKETS marinsymphony.org

415.479.8100

Our opening salute to Italy features Mendelssohn’s joyful, sunny, and festive scenes, as well as the majesty and grandeur of Rome’s pine forests in Respighi’s sonic blockbuster Pines of Rome. Quartet San Francisco kicks off our 60th Season— returning with their signature blend of virtuosity and cool sophistication to rock the house—presenting an Italian-inspired world premiere by first violinist Jeremy Cohen.

Rossini Overture to The Barber of Seville Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 in A Major, “Italian” Cohen Concerto Grosso for String Quartet and Orchestra Respighi Pines of Rome

Concert sponsors: Bank of America, Bon Air Shopping Center, Marin Magazine, KDFC Guest artist sponsors: Frank and Lois Noonan

CONCERT TICKETS 415.499.6800

Painting by Greg Ragland at Gallery Bergelli

Summer Olympic Games, through January 27, 2013 (SF). 415.750.3600, legiono onor.org

San Francisco Museum of Craft and Folk Art Fiber Futures: Japan’s Textile Pioneers Featuring art melding Japanese artisanal and industrial textile-making, through October 6 (SF). 415.227.4888, mocfa.org

SFMOMA Six Lines of Flight: Shifting Geographies in Contemporary Art An exhibit by artists from six cities around the world, through December 31 (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org

EVENTS

THRU OCT 28 Before the Bridge: Sight and Sound at the Golden Gate Immerse yourself in a visual and auditory history of life in the Presidio before the Golden Gate Bridge. Presidio (SF). 415.561.5418, presidio.gov

Oakland Museum of California Ken and Melanie Light: Valley

Museum of the African Diaspora Exhibitions that blend art and innovative technology with the African tradition of storytelling are the focus at this unique museum (SF). 415.358.7200, moadsf.org

of Shadows and Dreams Black and white photographs of California’s Central Valley, through December 31 (Oakland). 510.318.8400, museumca.org

Yerba Buena Center for the A rts Occupy Bay Area Art supporting economic equality and reform, through October 14 (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org

OCT 4 The French M arket The outdoor antiques market features a wide selection of fine art, vintage jewelry, Asian art, watches and clocks, books, photographs, postcards, posters and prints. Exhibit Hall (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, marincenter.org

Leukemia Cup at San Francisco Yacht Club in Belvedere

OCT 5–7 Sonoma County Harvest Fair

Wine tasting, live jazz music, an art show and sale, farm animals and the largest regional wine competition in the United States. Sonoma County Fairgrounds (Santa Rosa). 707.545.4203, harvestfair.org

OCT 6 Ross Valley Women’s League Gala Suspense and surprise to benefit Adopt A Family of Marin. Private Home (Ross). rvwl.org

OCT 6 Canine Heroes

Wine Auction Stock up on wine and benefit Guide Dogs for the Blind. The Meritage Resort and Spa (Napa). 800.295.4050, guidedogs.com

OCT 10 Celebrity Pool

Toss The Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation celebrates 20 years with appearances from numerous celebrities, including MC Hammer and ABC Channel 7 anchor Cheryl Jennings. Phoenix Hotel (San Francisco). 415.358.3906

OCT 11 Union Street

Wine Walk Enjoy wine and food samples from local restaurants and merchants. Union Street (SF). 800.310.6563, SRESproductions.com

OCT 12 Angles by the Bay Enjoy views of the city and food and

wine at this benefit for the Marin Center for Independent Living. Corinthian Yacht Club (Tiburon). 415.459.6245, marincil.org

OCT 12 An Enchanted

Evening The San Francisco Ronald McDonald House’s annual gala. Four Seasons Hotel (SF). sfgala.com

OCT 13 The Harvest Festival Organic local cuisine, guided hikes, face painting, goat milking and more. Slide Ranch (Muir Beach). 415.381.6155, slideranch.org

OCT 13 M ad Marin

Benefit A silent auction, 1960s-inspired seated dinner, cigar and cocktail lounges, music and dancing to support youth with limited opportunities in Marin County. IDESST Portuguese Hall (Sausalito). marincharitable.org

OCT 13 Home Front

Festival by the Bay Celebrating the workers in Richmond who supported World War II’s industrial e orts. Craneway Pavilion (Richmond). rcvb-ca.com

OCT 13 Biketoberfest

Enjoy a bike expo, vintage bike show, children’s activities, live music and beer at this celebration of the

The Photographer by Jhina Alvarado at ArtHaus, S.F.

bicycle. FairAnselm Plaza (Fairfax). 415.456.3469, biketoberfestmarin.com

OCT 13 –14 Art and Pumpkin Festival

Visit the pumpkin capital of the bay at this 39th annual celebration in Half

Moon Bay. (Half Moon Bay). 650.726.9652, miramarevents.com

OCT 13 –N OV 4 SF

Open Studios E xplore

studios all over the city and see work from more than 900 artists. Various locations (SF). 415.861.9838, artspan.org

OCT 14 Heavenly Pancakes Above the Clouds on Mount Tam Enjoy a pancake breakfast at the West Point Inn, a nationally registered historic site overlooking Marin. Proceeds help workers preserve and operate the inn. West Point Inn (Mill Valley). 415.388.9955, westpointinn.org

OCT 15 Venetia Valley School Carnival and Supply Drive This philanthropic event features children’s

activities, food, live entertainment and the opportunity to win prizes. Venetia Valley School (San Rafael). 800.310.6563, sresproductions.com

OCT 18 Fair Housing of Marin A nniversary Celebration An evening to support the organization, with dinner, a ra e and a screening of the 2012 Oscar Nominated Civil R ights documentary, The Barber of Birmingham Unity C enter ( Novato). 415.457.5025, fairhousingmarin.com

OCT 19–21 Bioneers Conference Find solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. Marin

Center (San Rafael). 415.499.6800, bioneers.org

OCT 20–21 Leukemia Cup Regatta A VIP reception, auction and bay boat race to fight blood cancer. San Francisco Yacht Club (Belvedere). 415.625.1132, leukemiacup.org

OCT 21 Tomales Farm and Flea M arket Join with neighbors, businesses and community groups for a day of selling the old and browsing for the new. Includes live music, food and refreshments. First and John streets (Tomales). 707.878.2431

OCT 24 Senior I nformation Day A day full of helpful

Distored room at the Exploratoium, S.F.

information, tips and health screenings for seniors. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.456.3247, marin seniorinformation fair.org

FILM

THRU N OV 10

I talian Film Festival Popular films depicting Italian culture. Marin Center (San Rafael). 415.473.6800, marincenter.org

OCT 5–6 Film Night in the Park The outdoor film series celebrates its 21st year, showing The Hunger Games and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory San Anselmo Creek Park (San Anselmo). 415.272.2756, filmnight.org

NATURE WALKS & TALKS

ON GO IN G Sausalito Walking Tours Take a one-hour walk through Old Town and learn about its history. Vina del Mar Plaza (Sausalito). 415.331.3791, travelswithteri.com

THRU OCT 29 Golden Gate Bridge Tour Day and evening tours of the bridge; proceeds benefit Golden Gate National Parks. Golden Gate Bridge (SF). 415.561.3000, golden gatebridgetour.com

OCT 4–24 M ill Valley Film Festival A showcase of international features, documentaries, shorts and

children’s films. Various locations (Marin). mv .com

OCT 6 Orchard Walk and M ill Tour Explore horticulture, harvest techniques and organic practices, followed by olive oil tasting. McEvoy Ranch (Petaluma). 866.617.6779, mcevoyranch.com

OCT 8 Lisa Ling The field correspondent for The Oprah Winfrey Show discusses women’s issues and personal experiences as part of the Marin Speaker Series. Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael). 415.473.6800, marincenter.org

OCT 8 An Evening with Deepak Chopra The best-selling author and physician discusses his latest book, God: A Story of Revelation. Palace of Fine Arts Theatre (SF). 415.392.4400, ciis.edu

OCT 23 Speak to Me John Gray, Ph.D., best-selling author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, discusses relationships. Community Center (Mill Valley). 415.888.2329, speaktomeevents.com

OCT 27 WildCare Family Adventures

Halloween at Deer Park Explore signs of autumn on a short hike through the park. Deer Park (Fairfax). 415.453.1000, wildcarebayarea.org

Lisa Ling at Marin Speaker Series in San Rafael

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE

ARIZMENDI BAKERY California

A worker-owned bakery, Arzimendi prides itself on using the freshest, most local ingredients available. Known for the famous wolverines and cheese rolls, it also cooks up an assortment of muffins, pastries and sourdough bread pizzas . 1002 Fourth St, 415. 456.4093, arizmendibakery.org

CORTE MADERA

BENISSIMO Italian

“Benissimo” means “really really good” in Italian. Besides the daily 4-to-7 happy hour when drinks are $3 to $5 and small plates $5 to $7, specials include happy hour all day on Monday, free corkage on Tuesday, martini night on Wednesday,

and live jazz on Thursday. 18 Tamalpais Dr, 415.927.2316, benissimos.com

BOCA PIZZERIA

Owners Shah Bahreyni and Sam Ramadan’s 142-seat eatery features Neapolitan-style pizza topped with imported San Marzano tomatoes and fresh house-made mozzarella. 1544 Redwood Hwy, 415.924.3021, bocapizzeria.com

BRICK & BOTTLE

California Sourcing local and artisanal ingredients, executive chef Scott Howard brings simple California cuisine to Corte Madera’s Brick & Bottle. The restaurant features a large bar area, an outdoor patio and family-friendly dining. 55 Tamal Vista Blvd, 415.924.3366, brickandbottle.com

C HAM PAGNE BAKERY

French This casual bakery displays freshly made pastries, croissants, tarts, cookies and cakes, to be enjoyed indoors or out on the patio. Brioche French toast and 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 restaurant franchise. Besides the award-winning breads, pizzas and pastas, the menu o ers a variety of salads and noncarb entrées. 223 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.4400, ilfornaio.com

M ARIN JOE’S Italian

Authentic Italian dishes have been served here for over 50 years. Pick from soup, salad, seafood, mesquite-grilled or sautéed meats and more than 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

PACI FIC C ATCH Pan-

A sian The well-priced menu here o ers a bounty of fresh-grilled items and Pacific Rim—inspired small or main plates, including generously portioned wasabi bowls filled with rice (white or brown), veggies and your choice of chicken, beef and cooked or raw fish. It’s modeled after the Paia Fish House on Maui, down to the chalkboard menu and Hawaiian music. 133 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.3474, pacificcatch.com

RICK’S WINE C ELLAR

California This oneroom bar and wine shop is owned and operated by Marin natives Rick and Candy Mendell.

Pizza at Arizmendi Bakery in San Rafael

You can order by the glass, flight or bottle, all of which pair nicely with the cheeses, salami and hot paninis. 207 Corte Madera Ave, 415.927.9466, rickswinecellar.com

SE A THAI BI ST RO

Asian SEA stands for Southeast Asian, and co-owner and executive chef Tony Ounpamornchai infuses his cooking with Thai and other Asian flavors to create innovative dishes. The menu features sustainable and local ingredients when possible and includes an extensive wine list. 60 Corte Madera Ave, 415.927.8333, seathaibistro.com

TH E COUNTE R California/American

The folks at the Counter have taken the “have it your way” motto to a new level. Mostly known for all-natural Angus beef, turkey, chicken or veggie burgers, the restaurant also o ers options like a bowl (all the ingredients without the bun) or salads. And if you want a martini with your burger, no problem; there’s a full bar. 201 Corte Madera Town Center 415.924.7000, thecounterburger.com

FAIRFA

X

123 BOLINAS California

Known for farm-fresh, organic cuisine, 123 Bolinas was created by four friends who aimed to showcase seasonal fare in a relaxing, intimate environment. Enjoy locally brewed beer and small-production wines as you take in the view of Bolinas Park through the floorto-ceiling windows.

123 Bolinas St, 415.488.5123, 123bolinas.com

I RON SPRING SPUB & BR EWE RY American

Grab a beer and a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich — which one Chronicle reviewer calls “the best mushroom dish I have ever tasted.” 765 Center Blvd, 415.485.1005, ironspringspub.com

PAN C HO VILLA’ S

Mexican A Fairfax favorite for over 30 years. Since 1976, head chef Francisco has been turning out treats like chile relleno stu ed with jack cheese, cilantro and onion and crab enchiladas topped with a mild tomatillo sauce and sour cream. 1625 Sir Frances Drake Blvd, 415.459.0975, panchosfairfax.com

SOR ELLA CAFFE I talian

Run by sisters Sonia and Soyara, Sorella, which means “sisters,” serves up fresh Italian food with a northern influence. Customer favorites include cioppino, butternut squash 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, sorellaca e.com

STE AKHOU SE GRILL & BAR American

Celebrating its 90 year anniversary, this steakhouse at Deer Park Villa is more than just a restaurant serving signature Angus steaks and prime rib. It is a gathering place with daily happy hour, live entertainment and a large heated deck. Events include

DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA

Institute for Leadership Studies and Book Passage Present

Ina Garten in conversation with Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo Barefoot Contessa Foolproof:

Recipes You Can Trust

Wednesday, November 14, 2012 • 7:00 p.m. Angelico Hall, Dominican Campus in San Rafael $45 ticket includes a signed copy of the book, Barefoot Contessa Foolproof

To purchase tickets, call (415) 927-0960, ext. 1 or visit www.bookpassage.com/ina-garten

Ladies’ Night, Prime Rib Weekend and the Redwood Music Series. 367 Bolinas Rd, 415.456.8084, deerparksteakhousegrill.com

GREENBRAE

BISTRO VIS À VIS

California This Bon Air Shopping Center eatery features the cooking of Michelinstar-rated chef Mike Fredsall. 282 Bon air Ctr, 415.925.4370, bistrovisavis.com

JASON’S California

The menu includes seafood dishes with an Asian and Italian flair. Try the ceviche or blackened salmon. 300 Drakes Landing Rd, 415.925.0808, jasonsrestaurant.com

WIPEOUT BAR &

GRILL A merican The family-friendly hot spot has sur oards hanging from the ceiling, fun-in-the-sun music, a full bar and large televisions displaying surfers riding waves. Menu includes fish tacos, salads and burgers.The only thing missing is the sand at this surf-style, upbeat eatery. Kids eat free on Tuesdays with each purchase of an adult entrée. 302 Bon Air Ctr, 415.461.7400, wipeoutbarandgrill.com

KENTFIELD

PACIFIC C AFE Seafood

For 37 years, customers have been coming to this 115-seat casual restaurant for the fresh seafood and superior

fresco and two toppings of your choice, you get a true taste of a homemade Mexican meal. 1803 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.925.1403, huaracheloco.com

EMPORIO R ULLI

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

LEFT BANK

R ESTAURANT French

Known for awardwinning French cuisine and a lively brasserie ambience, this corner spot on Magnolia Avenue has rated high with locals for well over a decade. 507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331, leftbank.com

M ARIN BRE WIN GCO

customer service. The owner is friendly and welcoming; as a Yelp reviewer commented, “It felt like we were having dinner at a friend’s house.” Another perk is the complimentary glass of wine while you wait for a table. Halfbottles of wine available for $8. 850 College Ave, 415.456.3898

L ARKSPUR

E L HUARAC HE LOCO

Mexican Bringing authentic Mexico City dishes to Marin, chef Veronica Salazar’s menu has gained quite a following. From mini huaraches (filled corn masa cakes) to the footlong huarache with two salsas, crema, queso

including Meyer lemon mascarpone danishes and a bacon, avocado and heirloom tomato sandwich with mesclun. 1139 Magnolia Ave, 415.925.1556, rusticbakery.com

TH E TAVERN AT LARK

C REEK A merican

The next chapter in the 1888 Victorian Murphy House, formerly known as Lark Creek Inn, is being written by chef Aaron Wright. 234 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7766, tavernatlarkcreek.com

YANKEE PIER A merican

made on site, imported and local microbrews and house-made kombucha and root beer, this Mill Valley brewery is set to keep the local palate pleased. Don’t miss the small beer hall selection of pretzels, salumis and cheeses. 173 Throckmorton Ave, 415.888.8218, millvalleybeerworks.com

BOO KOO Asian Finally

A merican 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 place ever since opening in 2005 . Dishes like miniburgers and seasonally driven menu items, along with risotto made every half hour, have kept people coming back. 320 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.0300, restaurantpicco.com

RUSTIC BAKERY

California Organic mouthwatering pastries, breads and sandwiches are on the menu here,

This family-friendly casual clam shack is harbored in a quaint house built in 1924 as a private residence. Though known for beerbattered fish ’n’ chips, clam chowder and tasty salads, Yankee Pier serves fresh seafood delivered daily from both coasts with special dishes by chef August Schuchman. 286 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7676, yankeepier.com

MILL VALLEY

BALB OA CAFE M ILL 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. Menu items include pan-roasted Alaskan halibut and risotto and burgers. Now o ering a prix fixe menu every monday. 38 Miller Ave, 415.381.7321, balboacafe.com

BEERWORKS

BRE WERY AND BEER

C AFE A merican With a beverage menu of handcrafted beers

Mill Valley has an Asian street food restaurant and best of all, dishes are $10 and less. The menu o ers something for every eater — vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, carnivore. Menu items include chicken pho, vegan summer rolls, pad thai and fivespice pork satay — all made with organic, locally produced veggies and proteins from vegetarian-fed, sustainably raised sources. 25 Miller Ave, 415.888.8303, eatbookoo.com

BUN G ALOW 44

A merican Much like sister restaurant Buckeye Roadhouse, Bungalow 44 o ers a mean dose of homey carbo- and lipid-laden dishes, such as the burger, fried chicken and tru e 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

C ACTUS CAFE AND TAQUERIA Mexican

Tucked in a little nook across from Whole Foods, this is an easy spot to sit down with the family or grab burritos to go. The burritos themselves are enormous as are the taco plates; don’t miss the signature creamy

Chicken Pot Pie at Toast in Mill Valley and Novato

Diablo sauce. 393 Miller Ave, 415.388.8226

CHAMPAGNE

French Enjoy a croque-monsieur alfresco, linger over a flaky, buttery croissant with a cappuccino, or pick up chocolatedipped strawberries for your dinner party. 41 Throckmorton Ave, 415.380.0410, millvalley.champagne bakery.com

DIPSEA CAFE Comfort

This longtime breakfast spot has been serving up tasty pancakes and egg dishes with homemade biscuits since 1986. 200 Shoreline Hwy, 415.381.0298, dipseacafe.com

EL PASEO HOUSE OF CHOPS American The award-winning dining destination has been purchased and revamped (with House of Chops added to its name) by Mill Valley musician/restaurateur Sammy Hagar and SF Chronicle’s 2012 Rising Star Chef Preston Clark. Definitely making a splash in the local restaurant scene; reservations required. 17 Throckmorton Ave, 415.388.0741, elpaseomillvalley.com

FRANTOIO

R ISTORANTE

ITALIANO Italian

Known for its in-house olive press, superior olive oil and excellent Italian cuisine, this spot is a great location for an intimate dinner, large groups and anything in between. Owned by Roberto Zecca and chef Duilio Valenti, both from Milano, the kitchen uses local and organic ingredients. For special occasions and private parties, reserve the olive-press

room. The popular happy hour starts at 4:30. 152 Shoreline Hwy, 415.289.5777, frantoio.com

H AWK’S TAVERN

American Pop into this country-style tavern for a quick snack —a fresh-baked pretzel or sautéed red kale — or settle down for a farmto-table meal. The 18 dishes on the menu include bangers and mash (here done with organic pork sausage and buttermilk mashed potatoes) and Scottish salmon with black-eyed peas and garlic aioli. A private dining room is available for parties of 12. 507 Miller Ave, 415.388.3474, hawkstavern.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, india palacemillvalley.com

G RILLY’S

R ESTAURANT Mexican

Both the Mill Valley and Fairfax locations o er “healthy Mexican food” like grilled chicken, steak or veggie-filled burritos with glutenfree and vegetarian options. 493 Miller Ave, 415.381.3278, grillys.com

H ARMONY 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 basil. Strawberry Village, 415.381.5300, harmonyrestaurant group.com

BLUESTONE MAIN

LUCINDA’S MEXICAN FOOD Mexican This closet-size eatery o the highway is treasured by regulars for its friendly service and authentic Mexican food. Ingredients are fresh and burritos are highly recommended. The dining space itself is tiny, so call ahead to bypass the line. 930 Redwood Hwy, 415.388.0754

PEAR L’S PHAT BURGERS American

Dubbed a silver-spoon alternative to a greasy spoon diner by The New York Times, Pearl’s has a loyal following for the big juicy all-natural patties (vegetarian, turkey, beef, bu alo or grilled chicken) served up with tasty sides such as garlic or sweet potato fries, shakes and seasonal smoothies. Eat in if you can get a seat, or take out. 8 East Blithedale Ave, 415.381.6010, pearlsdeluxe.com

PIATTI R ISTORANTE AND BAR Italian The sta prides itself on capturing the warm and welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria. Try for a table at the window for a truly exceptional view right on the water. Take a peek at the impressive collection of Italian wines to go with your rustic seasonal Italian meal. 625 Redwood Hwy, 415.380.2525, piatti.com

PIZZA A NTICA Italian

Although a recent Yelp reviewer praised it for having “by far the best thin-crust pizzas in Marin,” this Strawberry shopping center spot also o ers antipasti and hearty salads. Wine is served by the glass, half carafe or bottle. 800 Redwood Hwy, 415.383.0600, pizzaantica.com

ROBATA G RI LL AND S USHI Japanese Robata translates as “by the fireside”; fittingly, food here can be cooked on

Peanut butter pie at Sweetwater Cafe in M ill Valley

an open fire and served in appetizer-size portions to pass around the table. Or simply order your own sushi or entrée from the menu. 591 Redwood Hwy, 415.381.8400, robatagrill.com

SWEETWATER MUSIC

HALL CAFE American

Located at the entrance of Sweetwater Music Hall, the cafe is a small oasis of calm dedicated to the F.L.O.S.S. philosophy: Fresh, Local, Organic, Seasonal and Sustainable. O ering breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, the menu includes brown-butter scrambled eggs on avocado toast, crispy chicken sliders with gingery cabbage slaw and vegan Thai spring rolls with sweet and sour sauce. 19 Corte Madera Ave, 415.388.3850, sweet watermusichall.com

TOA ST American

Take the kids out for an omelet or pancake breakfast at this cozy

venue; lunch and dinner are served, too. 31 Sunnyside Ave, 415.388.2500, toastmillvalley.com

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

NOVATO

CH IANTI CUCINA

Italian “This cozy eatery features an array of Italian and American choices, including a penne pesto described by one Yelp contributor as a “hot creamy bowl of heaven.” Another standout menu item is the house-made ravioli cooked up by chef Edgar DeLon. 7416 Redwood Hwy, 415.878.0314, chiantinovato.com

FLIPPING THE ODDS

We live in a country where all people are created equal, but, statistically, a student from a low-income household faces less than a 24% chance of earning a college degree.

Join with us: Become a mentor, become a donor. Help us flip the odds. With our one-two punch of college prep and financial support, 84% of our students earn their baccalaureate degrees.

SAVE THE DATE: LEARN MORE:

November 18 screening, First Generation, at the Rafael. 10000degrees.org/first-gen | (415) 451-4010

San Domenico School

HILLTOP 1892

California Situated in an historic estate in Novato, with sweeping views, Hilltop 1892 o ers traditional favorites with a California flair. Open from breakfast through dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. 850 Lamont Ave, 415.893.1892, hilltop1892.com

M USCIO’S Italian

Inspired by the tradition of family dinners, Muscio’s is a new restaurant serving traditional Italian food. Meals include Mom’s Fettuccine with Prawns (gluten-free rigatoni available), My Sister’s Minestrone Soup and Pesto Chicken Pizza. The kid’s menu encourages the whole family to spend an evening at Muscio’s. 1200 Grant Ave, 415.898.2234, muscios.com

RICKEY’S RESTAURANT & BAR

American Besides a full service restaurant and bar (with banquet/ meeting rooms) this comfort food classic o ers poolside dining and a garden patio overlooking green lawns. During the summer, dine while listening to jazz by the pool from 6:30–9:30 p.m. 250 Entrada Drive, 415.883.9477. rickeysrestaurant.com

RUSTIC BAKERY

California Organic mouthwatering pastries, breads and sandwiches are on the menu here, including Meyer lemon mascarpone danishes and a bacon, avocado and heirloom tomato sandwich with mesclun. 1407 Grant Avenue, 415.878-4952, rusticbakery.com

TAVOLA ITALIAN

K ITC H EN Italian A neighborhood gathering place for friends and family, Tavloa O ers locally sourced and sustainable produce, meats and decor. Traditional favorites like heirloom tomato and zucchini Panini and minestrone soup pay homage to its Italian roots. Open for Sunday brunch. 5800 Nave Dr, 415.883.6686, tavolaitalian kitchen.com

TOAST American

Sister to the popular Mill Valley location, Toast Novato features outdoor dining and architecture by Stanley Saitowitz as well as great dishes by executive chef Michael Garcia. 5800 Nave Dr, 415.382.1144, toastnovato.com

T USCANY COUNTRY

GRILL Italian The chicken pesto panini and eggplant parmigiano are among the favorites at this spacious Italian eatery. The menu is eclectic, prices are fair and the portions are enormous, so be prepared for leftovers throughout the week. There’s a bit of a rush at lunch, so make reservations or arrive early. 1516 Grant Ave, 415.898.2800, tuscany-countrygrill.com

WILDFOX American

Perched on the hillside o Highway 101, this rustic mesquite grill features smooth cosmos and other beverages and a menu full of comfort dishes like seafood risotto with bits of butternut squash. In the mood for a cigar? The restaurant has a lengthy list of options. 225 Alameda del Prado, 415.883.9125, wildfoxrestaurant.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

COM FOR TS CAFE

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

CUCINA R ESTAURANT AND WINE BAR Italian

Relax with a glass of wine and have a slice from the to-die-for thin pizzas, topped with items like tru e oil and fontina cheese. 510 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.2942,

cucinarestaurantand winebar.com

I NSALATA’S

M editerranean Awardwinning chef Heidi Insalata Krahling o ers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes prepared with local organic produce and artisan meats. 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.457.7700, insalatas.com

L’A PPAR TR ESTO

French It’s the second Marin restaurant for the team behind Le Garage Bistro in Sausalito. Owners Bruno Denis and Olivier Souvestre are o ering 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

Veggie Burger at The Depot in M ill Valley

Out & About / DINE

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

M ARINITAS Mexican

The sister restaurant of Insalata’s, Marinitas continues to flourish as a bastion of creative Latin cuisine in Marin. It may not be as low-priced as most Mexican restaurants in the area, but this is not your typical southof-the-border spot. 218 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.454.8900, marinitas.net

ORCHID T HAI 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, orchidthai restaurant.com

SWEET LIFE BAKERY AND CAFE American

With an emphasis on simplicity and tradition, the menu here includes fresh-baked pastries, sandwiches, salads and pizza. Swing by in the morning for a breakfast pizza topped with bacon, potato, chives, egg and a thymeinfused white sauce, lunchtime for a tea sandwich, in the evening for a glass of wine. 101 San Anselmo Ave, 415.456.4580, sweet lifebakeryandcafe.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 RAFAEL

A MICI’S EAST COAST

PIZZERIA California

The array of pizzas includes gluten-free crust options and the new Siciliano, an enticing mix of mozzarella, slow-roasted garlic, sausage, broccoli and crushed red pepper flakes, sans tomato sauce. 1242 Fourth St, 415.455.9777, amicis.com

BROKEN DRUM

BREWERY & WOOD

GRI LL American

O ering a wide array of eats, handcrafted and local beers and live music in one place, the Broken Drum is a hot spot for Rafael Theater Patrons (10 percent o entire bill with your ticket stub), passersby and regulars. You’ll find live music Friday and Saturday nights, tacos on Tuesdays and Bloody Marys all day on Sundays. 1132 Fourth St, 415.456.4677, brokendrum.com

C HA LET BASQUE

French This familystyle 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. 405 North San Pedro Rd, 415.479.1070, chaletbasquemarin.com

C RE PEVINE 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

IL DAVIDE Italian A large selection of both Italian and California 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 R ESTAURANT

Indian 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

M IKEY’S Cuban New chef Freddy Caamel has added a Cuban menu to the mix in this casual restaurant. Try “Mikey’s special” for breakfast, nachos for lunch, or the ropa vieja from the new Cuban menu for dinner. 783 Anderson Dr, 415.454.6453, eatatmikeys.com

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

PIZZA ORGASMICA

American Eat in or order a half-baked pizza to cook and enjoy at home. Visit the website for information about monthly specials such as Orgasmica Madness (tomato sauce, light mozzarella, roasted diced beets, caramelized onion, goat cheese,

bacon, sausage and basil) and Patty’s Hot Mama (includes jalapeño ranch sauce and cauliflower). 812 Fourth St, 415.457.2337, pizzaorgasmica.com

SABOR OF SPAIN

Spanish Opened in 2003, this tapas and wine bar is a great place for a romantic date or a big party (catering available). Old-world values and a healthy olive oil–based Mediterranean diet have preserved the authentic flavors found throughout Spain’s history. Enjoy wine tasting, eating and shopping for fine wines all under one roof. 1301 Fourth St, 415.457.8466, saborofspain.com

SAN R AFAE L JOE’S

Italian Guido and Theresa Farina run this Marin institution, which has been famous for 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

TAJ OF M ARIN Indian

Delicious North and South Indian cuisine, from the $8.95 lunch special to dinners that include goat curry, spinach, lentils and tandoori. Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options available. 909 4th Street, 415.459.9555, tajofmarin.com

THERESA & JOHNNY’S COMFORT FOOD

American Cooking like Mom used to make. Drop by for eggs Benedict, tuna melts, co ee and some of the best milk shakes around. 817 Fourth

Seared Tuna Salad at Wipeout Bar & Grill in Greenbrae

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, try the $3 glasses of sangria. 1613 Fourth St, 415.256.1818, whipsnap.biz

SAUSALITO

CIBO Cafe Husbandand-wife team Alfredo and Tera Ancona o er a menu of 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 co ee. Located in the historic brick building at 1201 Bridgeway. 415.331.2426, cibosausalito.com

FENG N IAN Chinese

Busy at lunch and dinner, this spacious hangout has been a popular spot for wonton soup, pot stickers 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

KITTI’ SPLACE T hai/ California Known for the tasty Chinese chicken salad and spring rolls. Owner Kitti Suthipipiat was the cook at Comforts in San Anselmo for many years. Try weekly specials like the Thai Toast: crispy sliced baguette topped with shrimp and chicken. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.331.0390, kittisplace.com

LE G ARAGE French Escape the touristy Sausalito spots and grab brunch right on

Mexicano G rilled Cheese at Shoreline Cafe in M ill Valley

Out & About / DINE

the water. The atmosphere is animated with light French music (think Amélie). The Kobe Burger, though not as Parisian as the other menu items, is to die for. And the much-adored croquemonsieur is under $10. Opt for indoor or outdoor seating. 85 Liberty Ship Way, 415.332.5625, legaragebistro sausalito.com

NAPA VALLEY BURGER COMPANY American

Serving local all natural and organic meats, produce and wines, this burger joint o ers classic burgers (glutenfree buns available), fries, salads, tacos and root beer floats. With outdoor and indoor tables, the space can accommodate up to 100 people. 670 Bridgeway, 415.332.1454, napavalleyburgercompany.com

PIZZERIA ROSSETTI

Italian Traditional Italian fare made with locally-sourced organic ingredients, including organic San Marzano tomatoes and Giusto flour. With a small o ering of appetizers and salads, Pizzeria Rossetti has a wide pizza menu with options like the traditional Margherita and the burrata pizza. 45 Caledonia St, 415.887.9526, pizzeriarossetti.com

P OGGIO Italian A great place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a night out.

Executive chef Peter McNee cooks up delicious Northern Italian cuisine using fresh and local ingredients, including produce from the nearby Poggio chef garden. 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771, poggiotratoria.com

SALITO’S Seafood In a well-known location on Richardson Bay that was most recently home to Paradise Bay, Salito’s features a new look and casual ambience. Enjoy a Nick and Nora’s Cocktail Special or a signature dish, including whole roasted Dungeness crab, housemade kettle bread served with Straus butter and sizzling iron-skillets of mussels. 1200 Bridgeway, 415.331.3226, salitoscrabhouse.com

SAYLOR’S RESTAURANT AND BAR California/ Mexican Marin’s first tequila bar o ers over 100 tequila options. Nightly meal specials include chicken potpie, roasted salmon, baby back ribs and traditional meat loaf. If you’re up for wilder 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, saylorsrestaurantand bar.com

SWEET G INGER

Japanese Owner and chef Edna and Wayne Chiang know their way around good sushi. Try fresh sashimi, the classic Dragon Roll, 49er’s Roll or Rock ’N Roll, or be adventurous and have Wayne whip you up something o the menu. Good sake and a comfortable setting round out the reasonably priced meal. 400 Caledonia St, 415.332.1683, sweet gingersausalito.com

TIBURON

CAPRI CE 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 wellpriced three-course dinners for less than $25. 2000 Paradise Dr, 415.435.3400, thecaprice.com

SALT & PEPPER

American This sun-filled, hardwoodfloored one room restaurant with bluecheckered tablecloths is a local favorite. Popular items on chef Abraham Monterroso’s menu include scallops, rib-eye steak, a beef burger and traditional crab cakes with jalapeno dipping sauce. 38 Main Street, 415.435.3594

SAM’S ANC HOR CAFE

American E veryone 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 transfat-free calamari, fresh fish, seasonal salads and pastas. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527, samscafe.com

S ERVINO R ISTORANTE

Italian Executive Chef Massimo Covello comes to the kitchen via Frantoio and Piazza D’Angelo, where he cooks up an array of rustic Italian dishes, including house-made pastas, wood oven pizzas and seasonal specialties. A member of Marin Organic and one of Marin’s first eateries to become certified as a green business, Servino uses fresh, local and organic ingredients whenever possible. Check the website for the live music schedule. 9 Main St, 415.435.2676, servino.com

TIBURON TAV ERN

California The atmosphere here is truly

enchanting, with two outdoor patios, two indoor fireplaces and candlelit tables at dinner. 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, tiburontavern.com

WE ST MARIN

DRAKES BEACH CAFE

American If you’re OK with the long drive, you can’t beat the view and the fresh local ingredients used to make the burgers, salads and soups at this casual spot (Inverness). Walk on the beach after lunch. 1 Drakes Beach Rd, 415.669.1297, drakescafe.com

NICK’S COVE American

Large windows open the 130-seat eatery to the picturesque Tomales Bay and Hog Island. Menu consists of the freshest available local seafood,

oysters and bounty from nearby West Marin farms, including Bodega Bay D ungeness crab cake and Tomales Bay clam chowder (Marshall). 23240 Hwy 1, 415.663.1033, nickscove.com

R AN CHO NICASIO

American Known for live music and an extensive menu featuring everything from dungeness crab burgers to walnut-crusted goat cheese, Rancho Nicasio is open seven days a week. 1 Old Rancheria (Nicasio) Rd, 415.662.2219, ranchonicasio.com

SAND D OLLAR

American Originally built from three barges in Tiburon in 1921, the Sand Dollar Restaurant was floated to Stinson that same year and it’s still there today. Enjoy live music along with local barbecued oysters and New England clam chowder. (Stinson). 3458 Shoreline Hwy, 415.868.0434, stinson beachrestaurant.com

Pasta alla Norma at Servino Ristorante in Tiburon

CHOOSE LOCAL FIRST

TEXT “FAMOUS4” TO 90947

TEXT “HEARTH” TO 90947

TEXT “MALUGANI” TO 90947

“ROOMSERVICE ” TO 90947 TEXT “VASCO” TO 90947

WITH

Marin businesses on this page have exclusive offers just for you. Get them now by texting OptLocal to 90947.

information from each of these businesses or customize the information you receive by visiting marinmagazine.com/optlocal.

your support for Marin’s economy. . . join today!

DEALS ON MEALS

Deals on Meals

Enjoy local restaurants and save 30 percent on meals.Check out the participating restaurantsin 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 big time!

Sausalito, CA napavalleyburgercompany.com

Pearls
The Napa Valley Burger Company brings a taste of Napa Valley to Sausalito. We offer fine wines, fresh gourmet burgers and gluten free options in one of Sausalito’s oldest brick buildings. Come down, grab a bite and compete in our Name that Burger Contest!
The Napa Valley Wine Train is one of Napa’s most distinctive restaurants. Enjoy gourmet dining, exclusive Napa Valley winery tours,

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

1242 Fourth Street

Consistently rated “Best of Marin,” Comforts offers fine city and home-style food. Our menus change daily to reflect what is fresh and in season, using only the best, quality ingredients. Enjoy breakfast or lunch in our café, or choose from a wide range of take-out items. Catering also available. Open 7 days.

415.455.9777 San Rafael, CA amicis.com

Come celebrate Deer Park Villa’s 90th year at our new Steakhouse Grill & Bar. Marin’s most tender certified Angus steaks & prime rib, 150+ wines, artisan cocktails, outdoor dining and entertainment in our historic redwoods - have a deliciously good time. Real Food. Real Friends. Real Marin.

Steakhouse Grill & Bar

367 Bolinas Road

415.456.8084

Fairfax, CA deerparksteakhousegrill.com

Comforts Cafe 335 San Anselmo Avenue

415.454.9840 San Anselmo, CA comfortscafe.com

for over 25

food and friendly

decor, and easy parking. Also offer delivery to Southern Marin, and private parties for any occasion.

Feng Nian 2650 Bridgeway

415.331.5300 Sausalito, CA fengnian.com

Dining in? Try one of the great recipes in Organic Marin. Produced by Marin Magazine, this seasonal cookbook celebrates the organic farmers of Marin County and over 40 delicious recipes from local restaurants. 35% off with the code DINEIN. Go to themarinstore.com/organicmarin Specialties include mesquite-grilled

Serving Marin
years with delicious Szechwan, Mandarin cuisine. Always fresh
service, nice
PHOTO: LEE RUE, INTELITE-DESIGN.COM

On the Scene

SNAPSHOTS FROM SPECIAL EVENTS IN MARIN AND SAN FRANCISCO EDITED BY D ANIEL JEWETT

MARIN CATHOLIC FAS HION SHOW/FUNDRAISER

The annual event raised more than $320,000 for Marin Catholic on March 17 and included live and silent auctions, wine, a marketplace and 275 student models.

FRENCH A MERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

The school celebrated its 50th anniversary February 11 at the French Consular residence in San Francisco with a gala event featuring an evening of lively conversation and provocative ideas focusing on the topic of innovation in the 21st Century.

PUBLIC POLICY LEADER S HIP AWARD Rep. Mike Thompson, the lead Democratic sponsor of the HELP Hospice Act (H.R. 3506), received the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s public policy leadership award July 22.

Guerrino De Luca, Jane Camblin, Harriet Heyman and Michael Moritz
Nathaniel Stookey
Kathleen Woodcock, B eth Walker, Tim Navone, Kathy Ryan and Mary Beth Sinnott
Jonathan Keyserling, Rep. M ike Thompson and Sandra Lew

SAN FRANCISCO CONS ERVATORY OF MUSIC GALA

Colin Murdoch of Novato celebrated his 20th year as school president at an April 24 gala featuring live music and food and drinks. More than $260,000 was raised for a new chamber music scholarship named after Murdoch and his wife.

PRIVATE OCEAN COMMUNITY SERVICE E VENT

On August 10, employees of the wealth management firm spent the day building garden beds, planting and tending to the compost for the nonprofit Indian Valley Colleges Organic Garden in Novato.

FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMAL S GALA

More than 300 guests enjoyed live music and dance, a puppy kissing booth and a runway show featuring adoption animals accompanied by models outfitted by Famous4 Clothing. The April 14 event in Mill Valley helped raise more than $95,000 for the Marin Humane Society.

MARIN COUNTY PARK S SUMMER OF CELEBRATION

The Marin Brewing Company created T-shirts and a special Preservation Ale to benefit Marin County Parks and celebrate the organization’s 40th year of working to preserve and protect Marin’s public open spaces.

Charlie Schonwasser and K atherine Jones
Justin Hult, Tamela Smith, Sarah Wotherspoon, Greg Friedman, Tim Curley, Liberty Laureta, Tim Talbott and Susan Dickson
Tim Foo, Sam and Colin Murdoch
John Reese and Larry Lautzker

www.saraslist.com

Partial, Integration, & Full Cranial Systems

We provide beautiful, natural, comfortable hair replacement units for all degrees of hair loss. Only the very finest quality of human hair is used and we custom design each unit according to the type of hair loss you are experiencing.

Please visit our website at charle.com, to view our photo gallery and read client testimonials.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at: 1(888) 680.4247 -or- chdewitt@aol.com

ad lib marin advertisers

speak up

pat schumacher, resident at Villa marin

Villa Marin is a retirement community located on a beautiful hilltop in San Rafael. Not only do residents have a great view of Marin, they own their home (100% equity) and have access to 5-star Medicare skilled nursing, social activities if desired and resident self-government to build a sense of independence.

What do you like most about being a resident at Villa Marin?

There are so many things to do, but nothing to worry about. It is easy to make friends and I even met my late husband here.

How would you describe its social atmosphere?

Informal, warm and comfortable — it is a great place to live. One can have a full social life without much effort and remain private when one wants to be.

What is your confidence level in its health center?

It is absolutely top-notch, as is confirmed by the high marks it receives on outside evaluations and inspections. Every time I have gone there it has been a good experience.

W.

co-owner of the Club at Harbor point, LLC and the restaurant, nourish

The Club at Harbor Point is a private fitness, tennis and swim club dedicated to providing sport and fitness training in a waterfront setting. The restaurant, Nourish, is open to the public and serves farm-to-table California cuisine from its location overlooking Strawberry Lagoon.

What is your competitive edge?

Location, location, location! Plus we have the newest first-class fitness center in Marin, which includes Gyrotonic of Marin and a friendly, professional staff.

Are you active in Villa Marin’s self-government?

Yes. I have been president of the board of directors, which runs Villa Marin, and secretary of the finance committee, which sets the budget. I am now on three committees.

Many people say “I’m not ready yet.” How did you know you were ready?

I didn’t want to make two moves, gardening was getting hard to do and when I visited my mother in a retirement community I discovered that older people can be a lot of fun!

VILLA MARIN RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, 100 THORNDALE AVENUE, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903, 415.492.2408, VILLA-MARIN.COM

What is your business philosophy?

We can stay connected to our residents, members and guests and respond to their needs. We invest in our property so that we can provide the most visually pleasing and modern environment and remain a top Marin health and fitness center.

What’s it like working with family?

My brother runs our charitable foundation and participates in all major decisions around the property and Club. Bob’s wife, Linda, is our overall property manager. Our cousin-in-law is the accountant. My son is director of operations for the Club. My wife has done a lot of the interior colors and design for the restaurant and fitness center and her son has done marketing design and implementation. My sister is an active partner from her residence in Utah. Our 98-year-old father built the company and stays “in the loop” as we modernize and upgrade his original creation. At times this can be quite a dance, but love for each other and the family is paramount.

What part of your business drives you crazy?

Operating Nourish at Harbor Point is our biggest challenge because the restaurant business is complex, especially for a public restaurant located inside a private club. Hiring the right staff for Nourish has taken a year, but we are finally there.

THE CLUB AT HARBOR POINT, 475 EAST STRAWBERRY DRIVE, MILL VALLEY, CA 94941, 415.389.7266, RAYW@HARBOR-POINT.COM, HARBOR-POINT.COM, EATATNOURISH.COM

raymond
kaliski,

Marin Home

FROM TOURS AND MAKEOVERS TO DECORATIVE DETAILS AND REALTOR INSIGHTS

The front facade of the San Rafael Queen Anne Victorian.

AN URBAN LIFESTYLE suited

Matt Ryder-Smith, an environmental engineer, and his wife, Lee Kuhn, just fine when they were first married. They enjoyed exploring their Portrero Hill neighborhood in San Francisco, walking the hills and popping into local shops and eateries.

T hings changed, though, when their daughter, Violet, now 22 months old, was born and they found themselves pushing a stroller up steep city streets.

“We liked the area a lot but we wanted a flat location where we could walk to stores and restaurants more easily and have a backyard where our baby could play and our dog, Maggie, and our foster dogs, could run,” says Kuhn, founder of Ryder Smith Legal Search and director of the Marin chapter of C opper’s Dream Animal Rescue.

Initially, they figured they would “end up in a modern, urban-style place, something like we had in the city,” Kuhn admits. But when she spotted an online photo of an 1895 threestory Queen Anne Victorian home on a quiet tree-lined street in the Forbes area of San Rafael, she had to check it out. “It reminded me so much of the Maryland home I grew up in. We stopped in to see it on a whim and it just felt like home to me.”

Her husband agrees. “It was the first place that we looked at that I thought, wow, we could live here, but it was very di erent than the type of house we thought we would be living in.”

Originally built for Thomas Hansen, a lumber company owner, the house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, a finished attic and a guesthouse. The residence’s exterior features a stately facade, varying rooflines and old-fashioned covered porches and balconies.

Inside, the home retains its high-ceilinged voluminous rooms, big bay windows and detailed moldings, but was meticulously refurbished with high-end appliances, contemporary carpets, eco-friendly insulation, refinished hardwood floors and a modern color palette.

“It’s a great mix,” Kuhn says. “It still has the old-house feel but, at the same time, it’s very modern, clean and bright.”

Realtor Kim Corbett-Morgan believes the house is a perfect match for her clients. “It’s a very rare opportunity to own a historical home within a few blocks of town and this Queen Anne was restored to perfection,” she explains. “They knew they were home the moment they walked in.”

A nd, the urban lifestyle they enjoy is outside their front door. “We walk somewhere everyday,” Kuhn says. “It’s di erent than the city, but still vibrant and interesting, just more relaxed.” m

Clockwise from top left: A rear view of the home with deck and porch; the kitchen table with red baby seat; front door knocker.

It reminded me so much of the Maryland home I grew up in. We stopped in to see it on a whim and it just felt like home to me.

THE DETAILS

WHERE THEY PURCHASED Forbes neighborhood, San Rafael

WHAT THEY BOUGHT An 1895 Queen Anne Victorian with a guesthouse

LISTING AGENT Paula Fracchia and Gina Enriquez, Keynote Properties

SE LLING AGENT Kim Corbett-Morgan, Frank Howard Allen Realtors

STATS Average cost per square foot for homes in neighborhood: $507

Clockwise from top left: The dining and living rooms are decorated with furnishings from Sunrise Home; an upstairs balcony; a quiet place to sit; the living room; Lee and Matt with daughter Violet.

Golden Gate Avenue, Belvedere

From the estate of the inventor of the first automatic swimming pool cleaner, Andrew L. Pansini. See the sun rise and set from this magnificent, 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 5200+/-sf property.

200GoldenGate.com

$9,000,000 The Stewarts 415.898.1244

RECOGNIZED LOCAL LEADER

Alain Pinel Realtors is an established market leader and has a reputation for expertise in representing some of the finest homes in the Bay Area. Due to our powerful local brand, we were selected to be a founding member of Luxury Portfolio InternationalTM, the luxury face of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® – the largest global network of premier companies, dominated by many of the world’s most powerful independent luxury brokerages.

Our affiliation with this influential organization allows us to market your unique property to nearly 200 well respected firms in 45 states and 27 countries. This relationship gives our properties additional domestic and global exposure, and has proven to be the most effective luxury real estate marketing system in the world.

Laurel Grove Avenue, Ross

5bd/6.5ba plus guest house. One of the finest homes in desirable Ross. South facing with Mt. Tam views. Exquisitely updated, old world craftsmanship, gracefully proportioned rooms, stunning grounds.

117LaurelGrove.com

$8,950,000 Donna Goldman 415.509.2427

Mariposa Court, Tiburon

Elegant European home with light, space and world class views designed for indoor/ outdoor entertaining. Custom built home with many architectural features. Four bedrooms, six baths, over 5200sf.

7Mariposa.com

$3,900,000

Toni Abruzzo-Ramirez 415.827.8280

Evergreen Drive, Kentfield Coveted flats of Kent Woodlands. Custom, 6bd/4ba, 3800+/-sf home just completed with high-end finishes. Ideal floor plan with kitchen/family room opening to lawns. Minutes to Kentfield schools.

27EvergreenDrive.com

$3,195,000

Stephanie Lamarre

415.806.3176

Vista Grande, Greenbrae 5bd/3ba, mid-century modern home with views forever plus lovely, open and usable indoor and outdoor space. Bright and open with walls of windows, decks and a large level lawn/patio area.

360VistaGrande.com

$1,695,000

Susan Van Liere 415.302.7173

Inverness Drive, San Rafael Resort living in Loch Lomond. 4bd/3.5ba, great room off kitchen, lower level office, upper level wood floors, fireplace, laundry room, flagstone decking, 2-car garage and fabulous water views.

$2,500,000

Vineyard Avenue, San Anselmo Gracious Craftsman with true vintage flair. Inviting living room with French doors, spacious dining room, guest bedroom, master suite with remodeled bath, oversized family room, Mt Baldy and Mt Tam views.

26Vineyard.com

$2,295,000

Marti Grossman 415.250.3446

Paradise Drive, Tiburon

Well maintained, 2bd/2ba, ground level unit offers stunning Bay and San Francisco views. Large view patio, bayside pool and spa with Golden Gate Bridge views, and close to restaurants, shops and galleries.

119Paradise.com

$1,688,000 Sherri Belluomini

415.497.2884

Monte Cimas Avenue, Mill Valley

Beautifully remodeled, this light-filled home features stunning views, elegant, high ceilinged living spaces, income unit, darling studio/cottage and a chef’s kitchen which opens to a flat yard. Easy drive.

14MonteCimas.com

NEW CONSTRUCTIONON BELVEDERE ISLAND | 14 PELICAN POINT ROAD, BELVEDERE, CA

� �edrooms� �.� �aths � �ri�e to �e �etermined

�his e�traordinary �odern sty�e home is �o�ated on �ust under an a�re of �and with s��endid �ri�a�y on west side of the �s�and. �he home is ��anned for o�er �2�� s�. ft. of �i�in� s�a�e with � �edrooms and �.� �aths with awe�ins�irin� �ast water �iews en�om�assin� �an �ran�is�o� the �o�den �ate and �ausa�ito around to �t. �am. �ome �om��etion e��e�ted end of 2�12.

BEST VALUEIN TIBURON | 3491 PARADISE DRIVE, TIBURON, CA

��� �edrooms� �.� �aths � �edu�ed to �1��������

�e��uded� �ri�ate� yet ��ose to town. �he home was �ui�t in 1��� and sits on �ust under .� an a�re with � �edrooms and �.� �aths. �he s��endid marine �iews are into�i�atin� and the mature �ardens are �reathta�in� and offer tran�ui�ity and �ri�a�y. �he remode�ed �it�hen is a �hef�s u�timate dream with hi�h�end a���ian�es and �a�inetry.

RALSTON AVENUE, MILL VALLEY | MIDDLE RIDGE 4+ bedrooms, 4.5 baths | $2,995,000

Located in one of Mill Valley’s most desirable areas, this stunning home is situated on a level site with privacy and San Francisco Views. The “Village”, hiking and biking trails are just minutes away. There are 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, kitchen/family room, formal dining and living rooms and 2 fabulous brick fireplaces in the main house. The attached guest house has a bedroom, 2 baths, recreation room or 2nd bedroom, family room, exercising room, and a wine cellar. This home exudes a classical design that is timeless in quality, while blending the old with the new, and symbolizing the very best in modern day living. For additional pictures and virtual tour go to: www.35Ralston.com

Beautifully Remodeled Mill Valley Home

Tastefully remodeled home with a modern touch in one of Mill Valley’s sunniest neighborhoods. Great room style with gourmet kitchen, living and dining directly off the bluestone entertaining patio for indoor/outdoor ease. A family room downstairs offers an additional media option with privacy. 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths including master suite with luxurious en-suite bath in limestone and glass tile. A terraced garden provides many inspirations for a gardener’s dream including a level lawn with playhouse, veggie garden and fruit trees. Two-car attached garage with interior access. 2+ blocks to Mill Valley’s popular Hauke Park, MV Rec Center, the bike path and schools. Ideal San Francisco commute location, just minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge.

“The

julie.casady@sothebysrealty.com

Why We Love Marin:

• Exceptional Public School System.

• Vast Public Open Spaces.

• Diverse Real Estate Market to Suit Everyone’s Budget.

• Fantastic Waterfront Living.

• Breathtaking Bay & Mountain Vistas.

• Easy Access to San Francisco.

• Fabulous Outdoor Lifestyle.

We can’t guarantee you a seat at Farley Bar. Then again, you might not need it.

Only locals know the statistical improbability of getting into Farley Bar on Saturday. And only locals fully understand what it takes to sell a luxury home in Marin. Frank Howard Allen has been selling them for more than 100 years, which has earned us unmatched experience, global presence, and inside knowledge that can’t be learned overnight. As they say, practice makes perfect. And we know you’re not interested in anything less.

SM

5 oc e ane, ill alle • $ , 5,000 5 oc e ane.com Prepare to be amazed in Sycamore Park. Light-filled home with big open kitchen, breakfast area, dining room, family room, fi ve bedrooms & three and one half baths. Pristine condition with open and relaxing floor plan, garden, level yard. Wonderful proximity to schools, Community Center, parks, shopping.

Judy LeMarr 2012 Secretary, Marin Association of REALTORS 415.793.5030 • udy@marindreamhome.com MarinDreamHome.com • DRE #1242589

Atherton Area, Novato • $1,489,000

Toni Shroyer tshroyer@fhallen.com

415.640.2754

DRE: 01876201

Comfortable elegance abounds in this 4 bedroom, three-andone-half bath home of +/- 4,300 s.f. situated on a level acre. Chef’s kitchen; huge family room with fireplace. Frank Howard Allen Realtors congratulates

Andy Gellepis agellepis@fhallen.com 415.260.4951 on his expanded role as Southern Marin manager, leading our teams of top agents in Mill Valley-Strawberry, Mill Valley-Downtown and Tiburon.

Stunning Coastal Retreat in Bolinas • Offered at $4,500,000

bgbates.com

A rare opportunity to own an exceptional country residence in an extremely private setting. Located on 13.25+/- acres, this property opens to sweeping views of West Marin’s coastline, the Pacific,the rolling hills of Mt. Tamalpais, San Francisco and beyond. This once-in-a-lifetime property has everything: a beautiful home, barn, guest quarters, and extensive grounds that include woodlands, meadows, a pond, orchards, a vegetable garden, and a play structure. It is designed to be a special retreat for family and friends. Hidden in a corner of Bolinas known as Dogtown, this extraordinary estate is surrounded by some of the most magnificentcoast and parkland anywhere. San Francisco, whose nighttime lights twinkle in the distance, is less than an hour’s drive away. It’s waiting for someone to walk in and fall in love.

Discover Your Dream

We believe that finding a home is more than just searching houses. It’s about discovering an area, learning a neighborhood, and adopting a community. McGuire.com provides tools that allow you to go beyond the search, without leaving the search. And now, that search can deliver the roadmap that takes you home.

You might not know what you’re looking for, but now you know where to find it, mcguire.com

We are innovative. We are McGuire.

Tiburon 5-Bedroom Home

O ered at $1,825,000

Prime location on a sunny, quiet cul-de-sac in one of Tiburon’s most loved neighborhoods. 5 bedrooms, excellent oor plan, and an awesome backyard. Nice views of the bay.

Sunny, Sausalito Hideaway

O ered at $1,695,000

A retreat to nourish the soul. Beautifully upgraded vintage 4 bedroom with extensive gardens, delightful ambience & views. Gated, fenced, private. 2-car garage.

www.southernmarinhomes.com

29 Mercury, Tiburon

Sold at $1,325,000

Buyer-representation. Prevailed in multiple o ers on this very sought after, environmentally e cient, green showplace home. Sharon Faccinto

Bennett Valley, Sonoma County

In the heart of historic Bennett Valley, just 47 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, sits one of Sonoma County’s nest private estates, Villa Bella Vista. Located up a private gated road, this graceful and level knoll-top retreat, situated on 5+ acres, o ers breathtaking panoramic views of the nearby mountains and vineyards. To the east, Villa Bella Vista is bordered by ancient moss-covered stonewalls and the serene open spaces of Annadel State Park. e property features include a 7500 +/- sq. ft. 4 bedroom home, pool and pool house, 4-car garage, separate guest house, and 1000 +/- Syrah vines. O ered at $7,995,000 www.5355-57bennettvalleyroad.com

40

Tamalpais Ave, Mill Valley

COMING SOON! ! WOW! TOTALLY UNIQUE! MAGNIFICENT MODERN HOME! CLOSE TO CENTER OF TOWN. 5 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, including separate studio

00499901

171 Cazneau , Sausalito

Spectacular, Dramatic, Modern Architecture with Million Dollar Views! Watch the mega Yachts below from your balconies! Truly a Show Place to Entertain in Style from your fancy curved decks, oor to ceiling picture windows! Sleek and Stunning! Quick and Easy 1015 minutes to the City! 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, elevator, 2 car garage area, media room area 3500 sq. ft* per tax records. Contact Dianne Andrews 415.389.5602 or Roland Jadryev 415.351.4615

rjadryev@mcguire.com DRE# 01145960

MARIN | SAN FRANCI S CO
PENIN S ULA
EAS T BAY
S ONO MA

SIXTY- NINE LAUREL GROVE

ROSS, CALIFORNIA

Privacy, Tranquility, & Panoramic Views - A Hilltop Masterpiece

Positioned on a glorious hilltop just minutes to town, this home is a masterful expression of California estate living designed for those who cherish their privacy and appreciate a truly sylvan setting. Architecture by the renowned rm of Charlie Barnett & Associates of San Francisco, was commissioned in 2002 to create a sumptuous living environment inside and out while maintaining the home’s original circa 1934 aesthetics. e result is a magni cent, fully renovated home that takes complete advantage of sweeping views across the San Francisco skyline, Mount Tamalpais, and Marin hills. At every turn, towering windows and clerestories are integrated into the design, culminating on the upper level where, from certain vantage points, the views extend north, south, east, and west.

Whether accommodating intimate gatherings or grand celebrations with hundreds of guests, the home is arranged for every lifestyle need. Chefs will revel in the gourmet kitchen that seamlessly extends to the family room, movie a cionados will appreciate the home theatre amenities, and two tness centers provide for a healthy lifestyle. Four personal retreats, each with en suite bathroom, are positioned upstairs for the utmost in privacy and luxury with a tremendous master suite that spans an entire wing of the home. Adding to the accommodations is a separate three-bedroom home – by legendary architect Joseph Esherick – that is ideal for guests, sta , or extended family needs.

Price Available Upon Request

Joseph Gartland Moore

415.351.4681

415.309.5908

jmoore@mcguire.com

DRE# 00987189

Sarah Kowalczyk

Top Producer ∙ McGuire Partner™

415.464.7484

skowalczyk@mcguire.com

DRE# 01742287

Lotte Moore

Top Producer ∙ McGuire Partner™

415.412.7471

lmoore@mcguire.com

DRE# 01744042

Anchor Realty Featured Property

Stunning views and classic Cape Cod charm will have you feeling like you’re on top of the world from this beautiful Tiburon home. This is Tiburon at its best with a breathtaking view that spans from the Bay Bridge through the Golden Gate. 4

Terra Mortgage Banking

Nancy Go , Novato (415) 897-2826

Terra Mortgage Banking

Larkspur Headquarters (415) 925-9900 FHA lender

Super-Jumbo Loans to $5 Million TerraMortgageBanking.com

In only three short years, Terra Mortgage Banking has grown to be the largest independent residential lender in Marin County. How? By taking a local approach to real estate lending.

That’s Nancy Go in the picture above. Nancy is a Marin native and the newest addition to our team of Mortgage Advisors.

Nancy joined Terra because she believes local borrowers should have access to a local direct lender. Terra works with local appraisers, o ers genuine loan approvals and quick closing times, and our rates meet or beat those of the national mega-lenders.

Our ve Marin branch o ces are sta ed with experienced, nationally accredited Mortgage Advisors who live in Marin and understand the local market. Like Nancy.

If you are purchasing a new home, or re nancing your present one, we invite you to contact us today to discover the advantages of a local approach to lending.

A Quintessential Queen Anne

until Captain Robert Dollar bought the property in 1906 and named it Falkirk after his birthplace in Scotland. Twenty years later he began renovation, replacing the exotic Victorian garden with brick front steps, a pond and rolling lawns to adhere to a more contemporary design.

In the 1970s, a historic mansion was almost lost to Marin. BY SOPHIE

N 1888, ELLA Nichols Park hired acclaimed architect Clinton Day to build the Queen Anne mansion that now stands as Falkirk Cultural Center. Driving along Mission Avenue in San Rafael, it’s di cult to imagine the absence of the classic Victorian with its colorful panels, sloping rooftops and pointed towers. But the beauty of the home and grounds belies a tumultuous history that almost saw the mansion lost.

Park purchased the property from Sydney V. Smith and tore down the original structure to replace it with the Queen Anne mansion we see today. She remained there

In February 1972, the Dollar family considered selling the property to condo developers. But locals formed the San Rafael Historic Preservation Commission to save it from demolition, eventually placing the building on the National Register of Historic Places and introducing a 4-cent city tax for maintenance and eventual purchase of the estate. Two years later, it was acquired by the City of San Rafael for $250,000.

Today, many of Falkirk’s original features remain, including two-story-tall stained-glass windows and fireplaces. The property is a favorite spot for weddings and cultural events, and it plays host to three contemporary art galleries showcasing the work of Marin artists. It’s also the location of the popular San Rafael Food and Wine Festival.

But the Falkirk center hasn’t left all of its troubled history behind. It is said that widow Ella Nichols Park’s ghost remains at Falkirk, appearing at the window and moaning, “till death do you part” during couples’ wedding vows. m

CIRCA 1906

Mortgages aren’t a

Over the years the mortgage decision has been trivialized. Yet your mortgage is one of the most important financial decisions you make with the potential to dramatically shift your financial situation now and into the future. At Opes Advisors, we have the experience and expertise to help you make an effective decision about your mortgage and how it fits into your entire financial

(BACK ROW from left to right: Melanie Victor-Smith and Jeffrey Smith Branch Manager. FRONT ROW: Marian Jung, Judy Stern and Karen Burrous.)

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook