Mill Valley Living : : : December 2021

DecEmBER 2021

CHANTELLE PA I G E - M U L L I G A N Photo by Cameron Cressman Photography

SEWING PATTERNS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

2 | MILL VALLEY LIVING | LOCAL CREATIVITY

Gift Ideas FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS

By Alexandra Fee

Sun Honeys: ALL NATURAL COMFORT YOGA, SWIM AND LOUNGE WEAR- INSPIRED FROM NATURE’S BOUNTY

Co-founded by two like-minded Marin County Heathers, Heather Piper of Mill Valley and Heather Barton of West Marin, Sun Honeys came together to honor their mutual appreciation for our natural world to create luscious, stretchy, comfy and cozy sustainable yoga, swim and loungewear.

Heather P.'s passion for garments stemmed from her background in professional figure skating and competitive swimming and diving.

She always felt confined to very tight materials and longed for a new clothing alternative for active movement. Meanwhile, Heather B. has been a life-long dyer of clothing, sheets and curtains so after regularly tye-dying for her friends over the years, a self-proclaimed “cleaner” who has not used paper towels for years, Heather B. instead opted to create her own brand of hand-dyed cotton rags—Sunshine and Honeys. Fast forward to Sun Honeys and you have the perfect collaboration of two genuine souls who draw powerful and thoughtful inspiration from their local natural environment while following the golden light of the sun.

Nature is an inexhaustible source of inspiration as we are constantly surrounded by the ever changing colors in nature. Nature-inspired colors are healing and create balance as they

From Chaos to Creativity: THE ART AND PRACTICE OF THE ENERGYWORKS METHOD

By Kim Bellisimo, MA Clear Your Energy and Discover the Creator Within When our energy is overtaken by the energy of others, our lives don’t work!

Instead of creating from the duality of the mind, we need to drop into the heart, where all creative potential energy exists.

Local resident, Kim Bellisimo’s unique life experiences have enabled her to witness the patterns of energy within and around her clients and work with them to transform their lives. Now, in From Chaos to Creativity, Bellisimo shows you how you can do the same by moving into a powerful and creative partnership with who you truly are.

Interwoven with stories and experiences from her own life that

continue to gain increasing importance in ecofashion—a respite to the chaos and digitally charged lifestyles we all experience in our everyday lives.

Using powder plant dyes, every color in the Sun Honey collection is unique. Each garment is hand dyed and brined in Himalayan sea salt and distilled vinegar, one at a time and out of respect for the environment and our precious resource, water, they are dried outside in the California sun. The vinegar and salt lock the colors in without having to use smelly chemicals. Made of 100 percent organic materials, sourced from Australia and New Zealand including elastane and spandex—Sun Honey’s distinctively ribbed garments are extremely lightweight, comfortably form fitting and flattering as they adhere to your body like a second skin.

From the serene sway of blue ocean waves to the lively warmth of vibrant bougainvillea, lilacs and daffodils to the grounding effect of earth tones to sapphire and emerald crystals, Sun Honey colors are inspired by the abundance of colors in our golden state. Sun Honey’s production quality and design create an undeniable sense of comfort supported by inclusive sizing that naturally flatters all body types.

Whether heading to a yoga class, jumping in a pool or the ocean, or simply hanging out, Sun Honey’s provide feel-good versatility, naturally.

MVL

illustrate the development of the EnergyWorks method of personal transformation, Bellisimo confidently guides the reader through a series of in-depth exercises that teach you how to clear the energy in your life by clearing the energy in your home, your personal objects, your place of work and your relationships, so that you can become the creator you were meant to be!

We are moving into a time of needing to know how to be in a real, meaningful relationship with everyone and everything around us in order to thrive. This book represents the next evolutionary jump.

Using EnergyWorks methods, you can break free from stagnation, reclaim your power, and create a life beyond imagination.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kim Bellisimo, MA is the creator of the EnergyWorks method, and teaches individuals, families and businesses how to create success in their work, relationships, finances, and lives. Born intuitive, Kim has always been able to see patterns of energy running through and between people. As an adult, her interest in personal transformation led her to study at the University of San Francisco, where she graduated with a Masters Degree in Life Transitions Counseling. Visit her at kimbellisimo.com. MVL

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4 | MILL VALLEY LIVING | LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear readers, After slamming the door on 2020 and bidding farewell to a year like no other, I think it’s safe to assume this year, we will let the door to 2021 simply close gently behind us, as we venture very cautiously into the new dawn of 2022.

Publication Team Publisher: Tami Larson Content Coordinator: Alexandra Fee Designer: Risa Auger Contributing Photographer: Cameron Cressman Photography ADVERTISING Contact: Tami Larson, publisher Email: tamilarson@bestversionmedia.com Phone: 415-322-3379 FEEDBACK/IDEAS/SUBMISSIONS: Have feedback, ideas or submissions?

We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 10th of each month.

Go to bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to: Tami Larson, tamilarson@ bestversionmedia.com.

IMPORTANT MILL VALLEY PHONE NUMBERS City Manager, Planning, Public Works:..........................................415.388.4033 Police Department:................................415.389.4100 Fire Department:................................... 415.389.4130 Library: ...................................................415.389.4292 Recreation:.............................................415.383.1370 CITYOFMILLVALLEY.ORG

Tami Larson, Publisher

I know that I for one am just grateful, that for the most part, the past 12 months provided the space to breathe deeply again, a much needed reprieve from the roller coaster of emotions, and still left enough time to reflect and to hope.

Like so many other suburbs around the world, Mill Valley has been no exception the past two years to providing a safe haven for the next generation of young adults who, once eager to venture fearlessly into a world of endless opportunities were shut down before many could even make it to their high school graduations, let alone to the next phase of life.

Instead, with dreams still intact, our youth were forced by an invisible virus to first see the world through the same lense most of us only do sometime in our twilight years, the one with the faded rose colored tint.

But fresh, new blood, fused with boundless creativity, energy and desire will only grow more powerful and ultimately, more resourceful, given ample time to question the current state of affairs and what got us here. I suppose it makes perfect sense then why so many of our newer Mill Valley residents including young adults like our feature resident Chantelle Paige-Mulligan, transitioned from the ashes of the pandemic with a more profound purpose. After all, they have a planet to save and it won’t happen without a collaborative focus on sustainability.

We’ve been paying close attention the past couple years while publishing this community magazine and let me tell you, if you aren’t already aware, the next generation of wizards you see suddenly buzzing around town just happen to be equipped with some pretty impressive skills and more than capable of carrying the torch for all the incredible, evolutionary minds who’ve come before them. They are discovering new ways to unite, inspire and evolve and maybe that’s because they actually figured out that wow, we really are all we’ve got!

I hope you will find this issue to be incredibly inspiring and hopefully as you read about what Chantelle and others in the next generation are doing with the lessons learned when given the opportunity to look inside themselves versus out...

Happy Holidays Mill Valley! May 2022 be a year of renewal and wonder. Regardless of age, let us take Chantelle’s lead and all start “sewing new patterns” to live by.

CONTENT SUBMISSION DEADLINES: Content Due Edition Date January 10.....................................................February February 10........................................................ March March 10...............................................................April April 10.................................................................. May May 10.................................................................. June June 10..................................................................July July 10............................................................... August August 10................................................... September September 10................................................. October October 10.................................................. November November 10.............................................. December December 10................................................... January

Tami

EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS | DECEMBER 2021 | 5

EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS MICHAEL A. BRISTOW, MANAGING PARTNER TAMALPAIS ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC

mike@tamalpaisam.com | 415.722.2188 | tamalpaisam.com

DENISE FORBES, JEWELRY DESIGNER CALIFORNIA GIRL JEWELRY

denise@cagirljewelry.com | 650.504.0646 | californiagirljewelry.com

STEPHANI CANNEL, BROKER FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP

stephanie@cannellinsurancegroup.com | 415.388.7979 | paamarts.com

JOHN CHRISTMAN, CHIROPRACTOR UPPER CERVICAL OF MARIN

john@uppercervicalmarin.com | 415.383.0904 | uppercervicalmarin.com

HAL ROSENBERG

MT TAM SPORT & SPINE solutions@mttamsportspine.com | 415.755.1255 | mttamsportspine.com

WHITNEY SCHRAUTH PRINCIPAL SA&C

whitney@saandc.com | 415.888.8604 | saandc.com

To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact BVM at tamilarson@bestversionmedia.com or 415-322-3379.

At MT TAM SPORT & SPINE we know our patients and athletes individually.

Your goals are our goals and we work with you to help you do the things you love.

WE ARE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF MILL VALLEY AT:

600 Miller Avenue (415) 755-1255 | MtTamSportSpine.com

6 | MILL VALLEY LIVING | HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

No More Toys Please:

THIS MOM’S HONEST OPINION ON MATERIAL GIFTS

By Melissa Magliocco

After all the holiday presents have been unwrapped and scattered throughout the house, we find ourselves drowning in a sea of toys. A week or so later, those new toys find homes in the basement or someone’s bedroom. Few are seen again (until we clean out the following year).

When it comes to holiday (and birthday) presents, our family has a rule: if new toys come into our home, the same number of old toys need to be donated. As our children sort through the toys, they find many they never had much interest in.

Often, toys from the previous Christmas find their way into the donation bin, barely played with!

Children tend to enjoy opening these gifts. It brings them momentary excitement, but the sheer volume soon becomes overwhelming. That’s why

our family takes a different approach to holiday gifts. Grandparents are notorious for gifting an abundance of toys, so we (as parents) don’t give them any! Instead, each child receives three types of gifts from us: something they want, something they need, and something to read. In addition to the three-gift tradition, we also send our children together on a scavenger hunt throughout the house to find clues about our upcoming annual family vacation. They love guessing where we’re going! Finally, regarding grandparents, aunts, and uncles, we always suggest the following alternative gift ideas. While they haven’t completely jumped on the “no toy” train yet, it has definitely helped to scale back the number of toys our children receive each year. Good luck!

10 Non-Toy Gifts ❶ Gift of money to save for college ❷ Registration fee for seasonal sport or activity ❸ Rec classes ❹ Music lessons ❺ Memberships to museums or zoos ❻ State park pass ❼ Monthly subscription boxes ❽ Educational magazine subscriptions ❾ Donation to a charity of the child’s choice ❿ One-on-one outings together

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FEATURED RESIDENTS | DECEMBER 2021 | 7

Photo by Cameron Cressman Photography

CHANTELLE PAIGE-MULLIGAN

Sewing Pat terns

FOR THE NEXT GENER ATION

by Alexandra Fee Photo by Cameron Cressman Photography

When Mill Valley Living met up with Chantelle Paige-Mulligan at one of her favorite local Mill Valley eateries, Le Marais Bakery, we had no idea we would be getting to know such a multifaceted and accomplished young woman. Her list of achievements range from singersongwriting, acting and modeling, to a thriving influencer/content creator career, a devoted mother and now, an entrepreneur just having launched her clothing line, Senna Case. No doubt her charisma, infectious warmth, sparkling eyes and bubbly personality quickly captivated us, but it was after learning more about Chantelle’s conviction and love of Mill Valley that we concluded she clearly represents the youthful influx of creativity and entrepreneurship

Photo by Breana Janay

weaving its way into the fabric of our community. In introducing you to Chantelle, her family and her latest venture, we think you’ll equally enjoy learning more about yet another one of our inventive and visionary residents.

So what exactly is an Influencer/Content Creator? Influencers and content creators are social media personalities with loyal audiences they earn by sharing content that inspires, entertains, informs and connects with their followers. This direct line of communication empowers influencers and content creators to generate social conversations, drive engagement, and ultimately set trends amongst receptive and socially savvy audiences to form personalized connections between consumers and products. As a highly successful influencer and content creator, Chantelle recently launched her own brand, Senna Case on

8 | MILL VALLEY LIVING | FEATURED RESIDENTS October 6 2021, a groundbreaking line of gender neutral kids and adult apparel.

Chantelle grew up in San Jose, home-schooled until attending Bret Harte Middle School and Valley Christian High School, and she spent much of her childhood dancing, modeling, and acting. But it was music that always reigned supreme for her. At just 17, a track she posted on the original social media platform, MySpace, became an overnight sensation with thousands of listeners bolstered by an instantaneous base of eager new fans.

CHANTELLE AND HER As a result, Chantelle FAMILY REPRESENT THE graduated high

NEWEST GENERATION OF MILL VALLEY CREATIVITY.

the primary song for the EA Sports video game, NBA Live 09. Despite Chantelle’s stellar academic record in high school, she made the bold decision to bypass college to go on tour with Flipsyde, which proved to be an enriching and worldly experience, garnering real life experiences while most of her peers were in college—definitely an education in its own right. Chantelle traveled the world and shared the stage with international recording stars, Akon, Ciara, N.E.R.D., Kevin Rudolf, T.I. and Ludacris!

Flipsyde later disbanded at which point Chantelle chose to go at it alone by moving to Music City, USA—Nashville—where she fell in love with its

Album Cover, Photo from Cantelle-Pa

Chantelle and her sister, Savannah Rose Labrant Photo by Chloe Enos

Photo by Breana Janay

school a semester early to pursue a career in music which led her to joining the band, Flipsyde, composed of three talented male musicians with Chantelle on lead vocals. Signed to Interscope Records, they collaborated on their Top 40 Pop album with RedOne and Akon, culminating on tour overseas in Europe, highlighted by their hit single, When It was Good. In Sweden, they ended up headlining a major concert, NRJ! A track from their State of Survival album, Champion, was selected as a theme song for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China as well as becoming

flourishing music scene and small town feel.

Chanteel and KK Cressman Meanwhile, her younger sister, Savannah Rose Photo by Breana Janay Labrant, a renowned and incredibly popular influencer now most commonly known for her family’s Youtube channel, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Everleigh Rose. Chantelle felt an undeniable calling to be present in her new niece’s life so she moved back to California, landing in Los Angeles to be close to them. Following some songwriting collaborations and K-Pop (Korean Popular Music) stints in Korea, Chantelle made a new life for herself in Los Angeles by waiting tables, being a singer/songwriter, and working for an event company as she contemplated her next moves post her musical career.

FEATURED RESIDENTS | DECEMBER 2021 | 9 As fate would have it, an impromptu reach out text to her former high school sweetheart, Coulter Mulligan resulted in them reuniting.

Coulter, a University of San Diego graduate where he played on the football team, proved to be the love of Chantelle’s life. They eventually married and settled in San Francisco, thinking, like many of us do, that they would never leave the city—but like many young families in San Francisco, Chantelle and her’s relocated to Marin along with many

coffee shops and hip restaurants. And it sure makes life even more fun with their two children, daughter, Senna, now two and a half and son, Case, 15 months, never short of playdates, always surrounded by many of their friends' kids along with beloved pets, Smooch, their deaf cavalier King Charles dog and their pig, Prosciutto!

Senna Case, Chantelle’s latest venture, affectionately named after her two children, is her latest passion project. As a full time content creator on Instagram and TikTok for various brands ranging from Fisher Price to Portal by Facebook, she’s immersed in the world of social media posts. Her Instagram followers have grown exponentially through experiences and promotional opportunities, including Musical.ly, a music app and precursor to Tik Tok, from 10,000 during her music career to a whopping one million at any given time! The opportunity to leverage her base of followers by exposing them to her new clothing brand focused on comfort, unisex fit, and color is a dream come true for

o from Cantelle-Paige Mulligan

ressman anay

Chantelle and her sister, Savannah Rose Labrant and their children. Photo by Chloe Enos

SENNA CASE GARMENTS ARE ALL HANDMADE, SUSTAINABLY AND ETHICALLY SOURCED WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO DURABILITY. of their friends, cementing their collective next chapter in Mill Valley together, with a built in, close knit friend group. Chantelle revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic likely motivated the mass migration of her friends to Marin even earlier than expected. She went on to reflect on how Mill Valley and its sense of community reminds her so much of Nashville, a far cry from LA. She loves the small community feeling of running into neighbors on a daily basis, whether on the trails, the Boyle Park tennis courts, or our quaint

Chantelle. She explained to us how her career in content creation helped enable her to launch a brand—her own line—where she could channel her passion for clothing into a viable brand fueled by our society's evolving norms. She abandoned traditional sizes by instead, choosing to identify sizes with names based on some of her favorite destinations to promote a body positive mindset for the adult line. “You are buying the product that fits you best as opposed to the size of the label that you want to see everyday

10 | MILL VALLEY LIVING | FEATURED RESIDENTS line, all of the material for the Senna Case line is sourced in Los Angeles, including “dead stock” fabric, remnant rolls of leftover fabric that would have otherwise gone unused and wasted. As KK told us, “Chantelle was eager to manufacture domestically and I was excited to watch her turn her dream into a reality. I knew the perfect partners for her. We needed high quality, speed and vendors we could In creating a gender neutral kids clothing line work with to improve with adult matching pieces, Chantelle carefully sustainability in the championed specific parameters to build the line. fashion industry. I loved Many influencers simply pick from a menu of patterns Photo by Cameron Cressman Photography watching Chantelle get presented to them to develop their specific lines. dirty and truly be hands However, Chantelle’s determination to fully design on with all pieces of the development and production process. It and manufacture here in California versus outsourcing overseas was amazing to watch through her eyes all the areas the garment adds to Senna Case’s allure and thoughtful intentions. With the industry creates waste in. This upset Chantelle and spurred her on help of her good friend and fellow local Mill Valley resident, KK to effect change so she chose to keep that remnant 20% of fabric Cressman, founder of Dawne Florine, a sustainable swimwear when you're putting your garment on,” Chantelle told us. For the kids line, rather than fill the kids’ closets with the typical, unisex earth tone neutral colors—the greys and tans of the world—the Senna Case line is fueled with a colorful line of cozy kids wear in vibrant greens, bright purples and glowing oranges. Breaking out of the more traditional unisex, gender neutral palettes sets Senna Case apart as a unique brand that makes it really easy to pass down from sibling to sibling with the use of these bright, fun colors. “Boys can wear purple, too, and girls can wear blue! Just because your clothing is gender neutral doesn't mean it has to be colorless. Your clothes should be vivid, like the memories you make with your children.”

Chantelle lit up even further as she revealed Senna Case’s upcoming plans for a new floral print for both boys and girls for Spring 2022.

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FEATURED RESIDENTS | DECEMBER 2021 | 11 to turn those scraps into something cool.” Senna Case garments are all handmade, sustainably and ethically sourced with special attention to durability. “Kids grow too fast, so I wanted to make clothes that were purposely oversized and designed to last longer” Chantelle reiterated. KK also reminded us. “No founder has to do this, the margin is little to nothing, yet Chantelle can see the bigger picture and deeply cares about leaving the world a better place.”

The recent launch of Senna Case is intentionally geared direct to consumer, allowing the brand to reach consumers first hand. Chantelle now gifts other influencers with pieces from the line to help spread the gender neutral/unisex clothing movement. The reception to Senna Case has been overwhelmingly positive but her original dream to see her line in the likes of Nordstrom a year or two from now has changed— her focus steadfastly remaining on the importance of delivering product directly to the consumer. In fact, after consulting with other retail company founders, she learned their biggest regrets revolved around making the predictable switch to wholesaling.

Instead, Senna Case’s goal to secure

a brick and mortar location, ideally hoping to in Mill Valley, to complement its online presence further solidifies its commitment to fostering the brand’s relationship to its customers. This relationship extends beyond the brand’s loyal customer following to a philanthropic cause close to Chantelle’s heart—Marin Foster Care Association—through donations to help aid in turning periods of profound crisis in children’s lives into a time of security and healing. Meticulously and consciously curated every step of the way, Mill Valley based Senna Case is poised for booming growth, Chantelle and her family represent the newest generation of Mill Valley creativity, poised to carry the torch of so many others who came before and surely continue to be an inspiration. We are so proud to call her one of our residents. Be sure to keep an eye out around town for babies, toddlers, kids, and adults alike sporting radiantly colored Senna Case sweatshirts and joggers.

MVL

Photo by Cameron Cressman Photography

12 | MILL VALLEY LIVING | RECIPE CORNER

Let Us Do The Shopping For You From organic produce and local dairy products to pantry staples and supplements, you’ll find all of your favorites from Good Earth Natural Foods in our online store.

Contactless curbside pick up available, as well as delivery in select areas.

To get started, visit us at shop.genatural.com MILL VALLEY

FAIRFAX

MAY YOUR HOLIDAYS BE

merry and bright !

MAKE HER FEEL OH-SO-SPECIAL Lagoon Blue Tourmaline & Diamond Ring JEWELRY MADE BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN California Girl Jewelry, Fine Jewelry Boutique Strawberry Village Shopping Center, Mill Valley CALIFORNIAGIRLJEWELRY.COM

RECIPE CORNER | DECEMBER 2021 | 13

R AW VEGAN

Strawberry Cheesecake

By Good Earth Natural Foods Team, Courtesy of Nikki Manduca Serves: 6-8 | Prep time: 30 mins | Total time: 3 hours This recipe can be used as a healthy, clean, alternative to the normal full fat cream cheesecake. You won’t even be able to tell the difference from the original, dairy version. The main ingredients are nuts, dates, coconut oil, agave and lemon. A slice of absolute heaven as it’s nutrient dense, satisfying, nourishing and extremely tasty.

ORGANIC INGREDIENTS: Base layer: 1.5 cup Good Earth Pitted Dates (soaked) 1/3 cup Good Earth Macadamia Nuts 2/3 cup Good Earth Cashew Nuts 1/2 cup Good Earth Desiccated Coconut Pinch of Good Earth Himalayan Salt

Strawberry layer: 1 tsp Allos Organic Agave Syrup 8 Good Earth Pitted Dates (soaked) 1/4 cup Water (optional) 200g Fresh Strawberries 1/4 cup Good Earth Coconut Flakes 1 Tbsp Good Earth Chia Seeds

Cream layer: 2 cups Good Earth Cashews (soaked) 3/4 cup Merito Organic Coconut Oil (melted) 2/3 cup Allos Organic Agave Syrup Lemon juice from 2 lemons 2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract Optional: water as/if needed

INSTRUCTIONS: For the base layer—In a food processor, add all of the ingredients and pulse until a sticky balls forms. Transfer into a cake tin with some parchment paper and press down to form a crust. Put in the freezer to let it set.

118 Throckmorton Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-326-5015 | IG @shopfez

Place all of the ingredients into the food processor except the water and blend to a

a curated selection of found pieces, from around the world

creamy smooth consistency. Add water only if necessary to make it creamier and blend better. Place over the ready made crust and put back in the freezer for a couple of hours.

Once the first 2 layers are set and ready you can finally make the last layer. Simply add all of the ingredients except the chia, 50g of strawberries and coconut shreds to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add the water if needed to help become smooth. Once done, simply add to the top of the cake, sprinkle coconut shreds, chia seeds and halved strawberries to top and let it sit for another 30 mins in the fridge and enjoy!

E

W

Y E A R ’S

EV

~

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14 | MILL VALLEY LIVING | CALENDAR OF EVENTS

ONE SHOW TWO DINNER SEATINGS 6pm or 8pm doors: 8pm

With

2021

12/31 Dinner & Show ~ $150 Show Only ~ $95

Includes: midnight countdown with champagne toast & late night bar bites on the patio

SHARE YOUR STORY Share your child’s first basket, their first catch, their first smile playing the sport they love!

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menu, tickets and additional info at sweetwatermusichall.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS | DECEMBER 2021 | 15

Sweetwater Is Finding Its Groove

UPCOMING SHOWS TELL THE STORY

By Dennis Strazulo | Sponsored by Sweetwater Music Hall

THERE WILL BE NO SHORTAGE OF EXCEPTIONAL LIVE MUSIC AT SWEETWATER MUSIC HALL AS 2021 COMES TO A CLOSE AND THE BEAT WILL CONTINUE AT THE NIGHTCLUB WITH OUTSTANDING ACTS APPEARING FROM THE GET-GO IN 2022.

Multi-talented, Americana singer-songwriter, Jackie Greene will warm up the mid-December calendar with his soulful vocals and bluesy guitar riffs for five sold-out shows during his “residency” at Sweetwater December 16-19. The fun continues on December 22 for the not-to-be-missed seasonal convergence the Christmas Jug Band, made up of San Francisco Bay Area luminaries, including Gregory Leroy Dewey (Mad River, Country Joe & the Fish, Marty Balin’s Bodacious DF), Austin de Lone (Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe), Tim Eschliman (Etta James, Rhythmtown-Jive, Commander Cody), Ken “Snakebite” Jacobs (Kinky Friedman, New Orleans Nightcrawlers, Rhythmtown-Jive) and Blake Richardson (Bobby Hebb, Hot House).

Born in Mill LIVE MUSIC IS Valley in 1977 with a BACK AND THRIVING debut at the then Old Mill IN DOWNTOWN Tavern and MILL VALLEY! featuring the late Dan Hicks, this eclectic group of musicians will wow you with their acoustic folk-skiffle-swing holiday hijinks!

with their trademark sound and a healthy dose of new and warm textures that will saturate Sweetwater’s speakers.

The elevated quality of music at Sweetwater will carry over into 2022 when one of America’s finest instrumental guitarists, Johnny A, makes a very special appearance on January 9. The Grammy Nominated, Boston Music Hall of Fame Inductee will perform in a completely “solo'' intimate atmosphere at the cozy venue. Guitar aficionados will surely be delighted by the show which is being dubbed as a “living room experience” and will demonstrate why both Gibson and Epiphone guitars have honored this brilliant artist with three signature model guitars designed to his specifications.

The ultimate strumming experience continues at Sweetwater just a few days later on January 12 when Andy McKee, recognized as among the world’s finest acoustic guitarists, brings his energy to Mill Valley for yet another incredible show. McKee, a fingerstyle virtuoso who hails from Topeka, Kansas, became an internet sensation when three of his videos were concurrently the most

The year will not go out quietly at Sweetwater with The Pimps of Joytime hitting the stage for two funkified nights on December 28 and 29, bringing their soul sound and dance music to Mill Valley just in time for the release of their just announced new album, Reachin’ Up. Two chances to experience the band’s blending New Orleans and Bay Area funk elements with Brooklyn’s DIY music scene…while dancing the year away. The dance "The Monophonics" performing New Years Eve 2021 party continues December 30 with Hot Buttered Rum, a souped-up string band of five uniquely watched on YouTube. Since then he has toured internationally gifted musicians who weave their love of bluegrass, folk, jazz and performing over 200 live shows a year, and now it will be soul into a riveting strain of Americana. Known also for their riveting Sweetwater's turn to play host. Yasmine Williams, another acoustic appearances at music festivals around the country, where they fingerstyle guitarist and budding star out of New York University, have found their way into the hearts, minds and bodies of fans with her own modern style of playing of imaginative music, will also nationwide, experiencing the band within Sweetwater’s intimate appear on January 12. environment is sure to be a treat as they warm up the stage for a New Year’s Eve celebration with local favorites, Monophonics. Fresh off their multi-city national tour, the psychedelic soul stalwarts are home for the new year where they will lead their homies into 2022

Live music is back and thriving in downtown Mill Valley. Expect it to continue in full force in 2022. Watch this space for more! MVL

16 | MILL VALLEY LIVING | WISDOM CORNER

SENIORS CAN SAFELY

Enjoy the Holidays

By Hunter Moore Sponsored by The Redwoods A Community of Seniors Many seniors have gone a long time without seeing loved ones, but this holiday season there are ways everyone can have a good, safe time together. It helps to have a plan when deciding how you and your family will interact. The following are a few key elements to consider.

Consider COVID testing prior to your gathering.

There are many places in Marin County to get a free COVID-19 test (like your local pharmacy, grocery store or a clinic). The “PCR” tests are the most reliable, but you would need to take it at least a day or two before your get-together because the results usually take 24-48 hours. Of course another option is a “Rapid” test. Those can generally be purchased from the same providers and also on websites like Amazon. While not quite as accurate, they generally are easy to self-administer and give results in about 15

Season’s Greetings

WISDOM CORNER | DECEMBER 2021 | 17

minutes. Both options are a great way to feel relatively secure that your family and friends are COVID-free especially if any guest is unvaccinated, has travelled from riskier areas, or has been in large groups.

Before attending or hosting a holiday event, consider the COVID-19 situation in the area.

Fortunately, Marin County is leading the nation in vaccination rates and cases are low, so the risk is lower if everyone is from the area. Other portions of the state and country have higher number of cases and going to them, or getting together with people from those areas increase your risk. So you might want to make other plans and/or be extra careful about wearing a mask, keeping some distance and washing your hands frequently.

It makes a big difference where people will be gathering.

There’s one thing everyone agrees on, and that is that gettogethers are less risky outdoors and fortunately we are blessed with often fine outdoor weather in Mill Valley. If the plan is to spend a significant amount of time indoors, you should consider/ suggest good ventilation, such as open windows or doors.

but some community COVID-19 guidelines allow much fewer people to gather in one place.

Encourage family, friends and guests to follow safe practices.

While there is no way to be 100% safe, you can significantly reduce your risks. Since the start of the pandemic, the key recommendations have been to: wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose; try to stay six feet apart as much as possible; and wash your hands frequently. Asking others to do so may be a little uncomfortable, but those that love you will understand. If they do not, or will not, the risks are higher and you will need to decide what is best for you.

Find out if anyone attending has symptoms or has been recently exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

If the answer to either is yes (meaning they have a temperature, cough, aches, loss of sense of smell or taste or have been exposed), that doesn’t mean you cannot see them, but it would be better to wait about 10 days before getting too close.

Thinking about the items listed above will help you develop a plan to protect yourself, other seniors and loved ones of all ages. Here’s wishing you the best this holiday season. We hope this helps you keep safe and have fun! MVL

Think about how many people will be there and how long.

Often, the more people the better, but this season smaller gatherings mean less risk for seniors. The same is true of the length of time everyone is together. Sometimes it is great to just sit back, relax and watch the action, but this year you might want to skip the games or encourage several shorter visits. Our area is doing well so limits on the number of people are not stringent,

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18 | MILL VALLEY LIVING | CHARITY SPOTLIGHT

MARIN Foster Care ASSOCIATION

By Tami Larson | Sponsored by Marin Home Team Marin Foster Care Association (MFCA) has been a registered 501(c)3 non-profit since October 2015.

Originally founded in 2003 as a chapter of the California State Foster Parent Association, they moved toward independency as a non-profit and expanded their mission and services in response to the Resource Family Approval Act (RFA) January 2017. RFA re-defined “foster parents” to include traditional foster families, foster-to-adopt families, relative and non-relative care providers – Resource Families. They address the well-being of ALL children within the dependency system (including foster and fost-adopt children, in home and non-minor dependents), and serve the full constituency of caregivers for that population.

As the county’s primary provider of foster care support services, MFCA focuses on turning a period of profound crisis in a child’s life into a time of security and healing.

For more information visit marinfostercare.org MVL

Marin Home Team Your Mill Valley Experts Despite low inventory and consistently facing multiple offers we were able to help these three buyers, plus five others, get into contract so far this Fall!

Mary Thomson Sarah Wagner Rayburn Michelle Reynolds Diane Wagner Tara Patton

415.846.7530 415.819.6463 650.380.5999 415.819.8067 415.595.8780

marinhome.team | team@marinhome.team DRE 01387083

34 Circle Ave. Mill Valley 3BD | 2BA | 2009SF $3.3M

917 Ventura Way Mill Valley 4BD | 4BA | 2,781SF $2.475M

150 Morning Sun Ave. Mill Valley 3BD | 3BA | 1,788SF $1.755M Compass is the brand name used for services provided by one or more of the Compass group of subsidiary companies. Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01866771. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.

2020 Year in Review Be engaged Be inspired Be connected

$115M The Redwoods offers; independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation and hospice care.

We are a creative, affordable community that promotes good health, well-being and security for a diverse group of seniors.

Enjoy 10 beautiful, walkable acres in Mill Valley. Join friends in our dining room, fitness center, pool, library, or enjoy a quiet moment with your very own tomato plant or favorite flower in one of our many gardens.

Call now for a tour: (415) 383-2741 www.theredwoods.org

Enjoying 49 years

TOTAL SALES VOLUME

42

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1%

TOP REALTORS

5

TOP 5 AGENTS IN MARIN COUNTY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT | DECEMBER 2021 | 19

NEW BUSINESS IN MILL VALLEY:

Club Evexia

by Tami Larson

CLUB EVEXIA IS SOUTHERN MARIN'S NEWEST ONE-OF-A-KIND FITNESS AND WELLNESS CENTER POISED FOR A GRAND OPENING, JANUARY 2022.

Mission statement: To help our members achieve the optimal balance of fitness and wellness, while being part of a welcoming, health conscious community.

EVEXIA [evex-i-a] From the Greek word meaning “Wellness”

With a premier location on the water in Mill Valley and over 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, CLUB Evexia co-owned by Scott Raymond and Warren Gendel, is a full service gym complete with state-of-the-art fitness equipment offering cycling, pilates, yoga, TRX, kettlebells, HIIT, circuit training, small group fitness, personal training, meditation & breathwork, group and corporate retreats, co-working space and member lounges, and much more in one of the most amazing locations in Marin. A variety of classes will be offered indoor as well as outside on the deck overlooking Richardson Bay along with special on-going pop-up events held outside in the front parking lot with featuring special guests, food trucks and entertainment.

Don’t miss the limited “Founding Members” presale memberships available now. Visit clubevexia.com. MVL

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(IN THE LUMBERYARD)

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THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR PLAYERS AND FAMILIES FOR AN AMAZING 2021!

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