Marin August 2021

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and this is my healing place.

An athletic mother of four, Brittany Kurtz was sidelined for seven months before a MarinHealth urologist diagnosed her with a grapefruit-sized cyst on her kidney. Robotic-assisted surgery got her back to her active lifestyle.

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Visit www.MyMarinHealth.org/healing to read Brittany’s full experience and other healing stories.

“MarinHealth ” and the MarinHealth logo are registered servicemarks of Marin General Hospital and used by its affiliates pursuant to licensing arrangements.

I’m Brittany,

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TO W N C E N T E R P O SH

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GEAR UP for school ace your back to school shopping and SUPPORT OUR MARIN MERCHANTS

CREATED WITH LIFE IN MIND shoptowncenter.com @SHOPtowncenter

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STAGING

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PROJECT ASSISTANCE

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INTERIOR DESIGN

REIMAGINING YOUR SPACE

~ ROBERT FEDERIGHI

415-884-9600 •

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INFO@ROBERTFEDERIGHI.COM

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WWW.ROBERTFEDERIGHI.COM

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Virtuo u so uo

You have big ambitions.

Choose a philanthropic partner who understands that.

Virtuoso at MCF. The modern alternative to a private foundation.

With Offices in Marin and San Francisco.

www.marincf.org | 415.464.2507

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Contents AU GUST 202 1

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Best of County 2021 You voted for your favorite Marin and Bay Area businesses, and now it's time to celebrate the winners!

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Survival Stories Our 2020 Best of the County winners share how they made it through the pandemic.

93 Savor Santa Barbara The American Riviera beckons with a revived 1930s-era resort, creative cuisine and activities aplenty.

EAT & DRINK

IN MARIN

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Currents This month we learn about a new partnership to protect a swath of Tomalas Bay ranchland, help you provision for your next camping trip; provide your Olympics watch-list; and suggest some go-to summer beverages.

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Shop Local Send the kids back to school (in person!) with Lotus' product picks.

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Author Talk: Facing the Physical Francine Falk-Allen talks about living with a disability and her new book, No Spring Chicken.

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What’s Hot: Dining Al Fresco Check out some local hot spots that boast great patios.

Dine Where to eat in Marin and San Francisco right now.

Biking along the Santa Barbara waterfront

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MARIN HOME

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Seeing the Light A gut renovation breathes new life into a 1950s ranch home in Kentfield.

COLUMNS

14 View From the Team 16 Letters 18 Connect With Us 20 New in Town 110 Bay Area's Better Makers 138 Reflections

FYI: Who Is Archie Williams?

Get to know the man whose name now graces a San Anselmo school.

Conversation: Planted in Place The authors of At Home in the Wine Country discuss place-based architecture, outdoor living and more.

WANT MORE? For more up-to-the-minute articles, tips, trends and things to do, subscribe to our Better Letter and follow us online at @marinmagazine and marinmagazine.com.

JESSY LYN PERKINS

FEATURES

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Quality in Life is Determined by the Choices You Make

Floortex Design is the Designer’s Choice for Flooring SAN FRANCISCO AUBURN

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VAC AV I L L E 415.687.0460

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MARINMAGAZINE.COM

FOUNDER & PUBLISHER MAKE IT BETTER MEDIA GROUP Susan B. Noyes

Editorial EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Patrick Regan EDITOR AT LARGE Mimi Towle DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR Brooke Geiger McDonald MANAGING EDITOR Lotus Abrams SENIOR CONTENT MANAGER & DIGITAL EDITOR Jessica Gliddon SPACES EDITOR IN CHIEF Liz Logan SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Caroline Hetzel DIGITAL MARKETING ASSISTANT Jessica Dlugosz DINING EDITOR Christina Mueller EDITORIAL INTERN Ian Larned CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Donna Berry Glass, Tate Gunnerson

Art GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lisa Hilgers PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Alex French CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Dyer

Administration CIVIC DEVELOPMENT Sharon Krone CONTROLLER Maeve Walsh TECHNICAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Jennifer Speaker

Volume 17, Issue 8. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Marin Magazine Inc. owned by Make It Better Media LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright©2020. Reproduction of Marin Magazine content is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Marin Magazine Inc. 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.

Marin (USPS 024-898) is published monthly by Marin Magazine Inc., 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.

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THE BEST? WE’LL TOAST TO THAT. ONA WON BEST OF THE COUNTY BY MARIN MAGAZINE

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MARINMAGAZINE.COM

Media ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Leah Bronson | lbronson@makeitbetter.com MEDIA DIRECTOR Lesley Cesare | lcesare@makeitbetter.com SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANT Sharon Coleman | scoleman@makeitbetter.com MEDIA CONSULTANT Jessica Hamilton | jhamilton@makeitbetter.com MEDIA CONSULTANT Julie Eldring | jeldring@makeitbetter.com STRATEGIC EVENTS AND MEDIA CONSULTANT Jennifer Woolford | jwoolford@ makeitbetter.com MARKETING MANAGER Natasha Romanoff | atasha@makeitbetter.com MEDIA ART MANAGER Alex French

Regional Sales Offices WINE COUNTRY Lesley Cesare | lcesare@makeitbetter.com

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / TAHOE Leah Bronson | lbronson@makeitbetter.com

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NEW YORK Karen Couture, Couture Marketing | 917.821.4429

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HAWAII Debbie Anderson, Destination Marketing | 808.739.2200

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Reader Services

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MAILING ADDRESS One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965 PHONE 415.332.4800 FAX 415.332.3048 INQUIRIES: editorial@marinmagazine.com subscriptions@marinmagazine.com | 818.286.3111 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Please send letters to editorial@marinmagazine.com. Include your full name, city, state and phone number. Marin Magazine reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length and style.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Rates are $12 for out-of-state subscriptions or free for California subscribers. To subscribe, manage your subscription or change your address visit marinmagazine.com/subscribe.

BULK ORDERS For information on bulk orders of Marin Magazine, please call 415.332.4800.

For more up-to-the-minute articles, tips, trends and things to do, subscribe to our Better Letter and follow us online at @marinmagazine and marinmagazine.com.

MAKE IT BETTER MEDIA GROUP INCLUDES

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View From the Team

Let's Get This Party Started!

Every year we look forward to recognizing stellar businesses in Marin County with our annual Best of the County awards — but this time, after surviving a Covid-19 year together, it feels even more joyous.

Not only that, but for the first time, we’re celebrating businesses in both Marin County and the Bay Area that have been selected entirely by you, our loyal readers. We’re thrilled to honor these hardworking local businesses — from restaurants and interior designers to fitness studios and fashion boutiques — that perfected the pandemic pivot to keep us sane while staying safe over the past year.

We tallied thousands of your votes, and we hope you enjoy seeing your top picks in our feature on page 36.

Here at the Marin Magazine office, the staff can’t stop talking about the fabulous party we threw to fete this outstanding new crop of Best of the County winners. We nibbled delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by All Seasons Catering, mixed and mingled, sipped sparkling wine, and raised our glasses to toast to a promising year ahead. It was such a pleasure to celebrate in person again, and the buzz and excitement in the room was impossible to miss. Check out a few of the photos from the event, here.

If you want to get in on celebrating our local businesses, too, join us on August 19 at 12:30 p.m. for a special webinar featuring entrepreneurs who are making a big impact in our community, along 1 some great live entertainment. You can with register now at marinmagazine.com/webinars.

We know we’re not the only ones who’ve been relishing a renewed sense of freedom this summer.

Thanks for tagging us @marinmagazine and sharing all of your summer memories with us, from the kids enjoying camp once again to dining out, socializing with friends and coworkers, and getting out of town. Check out our “Reflections” column on page 138 to see a few highlights. As always, you’ll find so much more on marinmagazine.com, our Better Letter email newsletters and our social network.

JB and Sean Kelly, Lamperti Contracting & Design

Claudia Coury, Coldwell Banker

The staff at Marin Magazine

Robert Green, Robert Green Fine Arts

Jeff Hadley, Hadley General Contractors, Inc.

Marin Magazine's Lesley Cesare with Frank Mardeusz

Susan B. Noyes Publisher & Chief Visionary Officer susan@makeitbetter.com Lotus Abrams Managing Editor, labrams@makeitbetter.com

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Monica Cruz-Hernandez and Alex Stolle, Casa Madrona

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2021 2021 PHILANTHROPY AWARDS

Help Philanthropy Thrive

Make It Better Media Group creates connections between our audience, business partners and communities.

More connections and ideas mean more money raised to benefit worthy causes, and better business for everyone. It’s a virtuous circle.

On behalf of the Make It Better Foundation, we're hosting the 2021 Philanthropy Awards Celebration event in November to honor the recipients — nonprofits that are making a difference and making the community better.

If you are a philanthropist, organization or business looking to celebrate social impact, we want you as a sponsor.

Contact advertising@makeitbetter.com to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, and visit foundation.makeitbetter.com for more information on the foundation, Philanthropy Awards competition and past sponsors of the Philanthropy Awards Celebration.

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In Marin / YOUR VOICES

EMAIL

perspectives were left out of the story is not balanced. We’d like to do a follow-up story that gives people with lived experience of homelessness an opportunity to speak candidly.”

—Robbie Powelson, Marin County Homeless Union

Environment in 2021.” According to Amy, ‘It’s not enough for us to just be better than the bad actors; the goal is to be a truly sustainable and regenerative business in all areas.’”

—Amy’s Kitchen (via LinkedIn)

SOCIAL MEDIA “Bridge the Gap College Prep Raises $600,000 to Support Marin City’s College Hopefuls,”

by Donna Berry Glass

“Get Inspired This Father’s Day — Meet 10 of Our Favorite Local Dads,” by Lotus Abrams

“I enjoyed the article featuring local dads. I want to thank you for featuring men of color, gay dads and dads of children with disabilities. A few years ago, I had stopped reading Marin Magazine, as it seemed to perpetuate a lack of diversity, but if you continue to promote diversity and refreshing new viewpoints, I will give it a read!”

—Elaine Blakeley, San Anselmo “Homelessness in a Pandemic: How Marin County Is Coping With a Growing Problem,”

by Kirsten Jones Neff

“Color and Light: The Life and Work of Bay Area Artist Sam Francis,” by Lotus Abrams

“I’m concerned your last article on homelessness in Marin did not include a single comment from a person experiencing homelessness. I think your magazine should follow up with a story from our perspective. Your reporters met many of our camp leaders. The fact that their “16 Impactful and Influential Eco-Warriors Making a Difference for the Environment in 2021,”

by Kirsten Jones Neff

“Very proud to see Amy, our co-owner and namesake, included in Marin Magazine's list of "Impactful and Influential EcoWarriors Making a Difference for the

“A gorgeous piece on Sam Francis and his current show up in Mill Valley in Marin Magazine by Lotus Abrams.

I'm quoted in it. Sam was a fabulist. The full story of his so-called ‘plane crash’ is revealed in my biography, Light on Fire: The Art and Life of Sam Francis. And yes, Sam and Dad are buried catty-corner from one another in the most charming graveyard in Olema.”

—Gabrielle Selz (via Facebook) “Celebrating the Bay Area’s Most Powerful and Influential Women,” by Donna Berry Glass

“This is probably as close as I would ever get to Madam Vice President Kamala Harris.

JACQUELYN WARNER (HOMELESS); SAM FRANCIS FOUNDATION (ARTWORK AND IN STUDIO)

Vern Glenn and his family

“Thank you for the amazing coverage, Marin Magazine. We are so grateful for the tremendous support from our community for our One Amazing Community virtual fundraiser. We raised $1.1 million for 10,000 Degrees students and programming!”

—Caroline Silverstein, Chief Development Officer at 10,000 Degrees (via LinkedIn)

16 AUGUST 2021 MARIN

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Thank you so much to @betterchicago and @marinmagazine for such kind consideration.

I’m so humbled to be considered remotely as close as the women on this list.”

—Nooshin Behroyan, Founder and CEO, Paxon Energy & Infrastructure Services (@nooshin_behroyan)

EDITOR’S NOTE

Celebrating Women 2021 She Builds She Designs She Gets It Done

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We found our May cover model! Or, rather, she found us. Melanie Kessler, owner of Smooth Operations in Corte Madera, walked into her physical therapist’s office and spotted the issue. Kessler says she was pleasantly surprised when she saw the photo of herself from over 20 years ago featured on our cover. She was modeling a signature red gown from Lily Samii’s 1999 Holiday/Resort collection. Find our May cover story, “How Couture Designer Lily Samii Built an International Fashion House From a Small Marin Boutique,” by Theresa Rodriguez, in print and online at marinmagazine.com. (We listed the location as Stinson Beach, but the photoshoot actually took place in Bodega Bay, according to Kessler.)

CONNECT! editorial@marinmagazine

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Connect With Us

marinmagazine.com

EXPLORE • FOOD & DRINK • HOMES • HEALTH • ARTS & EVENTS • STYLE • TRAVEL • COMMUNITY • GUIDES & DIRECTORIES

TOP 3 STORIES ONLINE 30 THINGS TO DO IN AUGUST

marinmagazine.com/things-to-do

BEST BURGER PLACES IN MARIN

marinmagazine.com/best-burgers

TOP GRAM “The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the greatest monuments of all time,” wrote Irving Morrow, architect of the iconic structure. “What has been thus played up in form should not be let down in color.” Ian Rizzari, a photographer from San Leandro, beautifully documented the form and color of the Golden Gate Bridge in our top Instagram post last month. He took the photo of the bridge in the Marin Headlands off of Conzelman Road. “I had just taken a few shots from on top of Hawk Hill and had found this composition a few weeks prior,” Rizzari says. “The clouds that day made me feel like it would create a great opportunity for a good shot.” You can find more of Rizzari’s work on Instagram @rizzvisuals. Want to see your photo in print? Tag us @marinmagazine with your best shot.

BEST TRAILS FOR VIEWS

Sign Up Don't miss all the beauty and fun online too. Subscribe to the Marin Magazine Better Letter email newsletter at marinmagazine.com/newsletters and follow us online. @marinmagazine

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WORDS OF WISDOM FROM WOMEN ON THE RISE

BY DONNA BERRY GLASS

AUGUST 2021

CAN’T MISS VIRTUAL EVENTS! BEST OF 2021 CELEBRATION

Join us in celebrating the local businesses that make Marin County so special. We will have live entertainment and feature local business owners who are making a big impact in our community.

August 19, 12:30 p.m.

Register now at marinmagazine.com/webinars

What’s on Replay THE MODERN ECO-WARRIOR: A conversation with Paul Nicklen, Cristina Mittermeier, Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra This esteemed panel takes to the Make It Better Media Group virtual stage to discuss intersectional environmentalism, myths of conservation, greenwashing, and the synergy of art and conservation.

Aging Well Learn what you can do to stay forever young by caring for your mind and body while also planning ahead for the future.

The Art of Living Outdoors SPACES brings together a panel of national design leaders, including Jesse Harrison of Harrison Design, to explore how outdoor living has changed and what’s on the horizon.

Moderated by SPACES Editor-in-Chief Liz Logan with panelist Jesse Harrison, Principal of Harrison Design and other leaders in design.

Several years ago, on International Women’s Day, former First Lady Michelle Obama famously said, “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” Indeed — and when women support each other as mentors, friends or simply as role models, they create paths for other women to follow. Make It Better Media Group founder Susan Noyes underscored that point when she recently led a Celebrating Women on the Rise panel discussion with a group of inspirational women, including a wealth advisor, an innovator in the cannabis space, a film festival founder, a creative branding guru, and a lawyer and wellness coach. The online event kicked off with some festive jokes by nationally recognized comedian Megan Gailey. Then, each panelist shared ideas on how women can be happier, healthier and more successful. Here are some important takeaways from the event.

Secure a Healthy Financial Life Kathy Roeser, Morgan Stanley Wealth Advisor “Knowledge is power,” says award-winning financial advisor Kathy Roeser, a wealth advisor with Morgan Stanley.

She points out that half of women age 65 will outlive their husbands by 15 years, but 75% of wealthy widows and divorcees say they don’t feel knowledgeable about investing. A financial advisor can help women manage their money wisely, Roeser says. The most important question women can ask a potential advisor: “Do I have a compelling reason to believe that if I work with you, I will have the future I want?” she says, underscoring that women shouldn’t be afraid to ask for what they want when it comes to money management.

Invest in Yourself Erin Clifford, Lawyer and Holistic Wellness Coach “Self-care is about setting your priorities and establishing boundaries based on what’s important to you,” says Erin Clifford, who is a successful lawyer and a wellness coach.

She offers three self-care steps to help women feel happier and more self-invested: 1) refrain from arguing about trivial things with your spouse and others; 2) practice mindfulness and gratitude; and 3) strive to get back to doing what you love, as doing what you love can be de-stressing and a mediation activity within itself. “Taking care of yourself is how you should approach your life every day,” she says.

Be a Door Opener for Other Women

Watch now at better.net/chicago/ bettertv.

Zoe Elton, Director of Programming, Mill Valley Film Festival About eight years ago, Zoe Elton, program director for the Mill Valley Film Festival, was part of a panel on how to elevate women within the film industry, during which the panel’s moderator shared that only 7% percent of film directors in the industry were women. That statistic was an impetus for Elton to create an initiative called Mind

the Gap, designed to elevate female film directors and give them an equal share of space in the Mill Valley Film Festival lineup. “One of the things that I’ve learned in the 40 years of being a film festival director is that you have to be a door opener,” says Elton.

Find Your Own Differentiator Cheryl Berman, Founder and CEO of Unbundled Creative “The future is female,” says Cheryl Berman, a creative branding guru and the Chief Creative Officer for the Make it Better Media Group.

“Not only do women drive 90% of all purchases, they’re also driving the trend toward cause-related purchases.” Berman says companies need to pay close attention to their female audiences, and make sure their brands are relevant, authentic and differentiated — as well as communicated in truthful and human ways, something she refers to as “digital humanity.” She urges women to “find that one thing that really sets you apart, and tell the world your story.”

Believe in Yourself and Don’t Give Up Nurit Raphael, Cannabis Entrepreneur, Ona.life Nurit Raphael realized the potential of cannabis after the state of Colorado legalized medical marijuana in 2014. Despite being warned by others that she would “ruin” her reputation, she advocated for three years to get approval for a medical cannabis license program in Marin, as well as change negative stigmas about the cannabis industry. Raphael was guided by a female mentor who encouraged her while building her cannabis courier service, Ona.life. “I’ve had a female mentor throughout my entire life, and there’s nothing better than having a woman behind you,” says Raphael, whose business is operated entirely by women, with the exception of her brother, who is her business partner.

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In Marin / NEW IN TOWN

Marin Sails Into Spirits

A French-inspired distillery in Novato is just one of the new businesses emerging from our Covid-19 year. Discover Alamere Spirits’ provenance, along with other new spots, including a Japanese market in San Rafael and the first food shop to arrive in the Presidio. BY CHRISTINA MUELLER EAT & DRINK

Alamere Spirits When business owners and long-time Mill Valley residents Susannah and Olivier Souvestre of Le Garage and Fast Food Français in Sausalito sought a different challenge, spirits made sense. Olivier grew up helping his grandfather distill apple brandy at his farm in France and has had a passion for spirits and distilling ever since. The Souvestres sought a location to open their latest venture and chose Novato for its business-friendly vibe and room to grow.

Alamere Spirits, says Susannah, is named after the beautiful tidefall in Marin County and happens to be an old French spelling for “to the sea.” Made in a traditional alembic still imported from Bordeaux, France, the production is small craft (artisanal, as it were) and churns out French-wheat vodka, London dry gin and gin made with makrut lime and lemongrass. At the recent 2021 SF World Spirits Competition, Alamere won gold medals for the vodka and London dry gin. Currently only available from the website with free shipping to California addresses, local distribution is expected soon. alamerespirits.com

Ayawaska Petaluma’s Peruvian wunderkind, Kevin Dagnino, opened an outpost in his hometown of Novato in the landmark space that once housed Hilltop 1892. A tight opening menu of regional classics includes lomo saltado and the country’s famous ceviches (try the a la Huancaina with the catch of the day) that will expand with the rollout of lunch service. Huge glass-paned doors in the front room slide open to reveal the view, and a beer garden out back is planned for later this summer.

850 Lamont Ave, Novato; 415.944.2066; ayawaskasf.com The Exchange at Presidio Social Club Exchange San Francisco’s Presidio welcomed its first food shop in June.

Situated at the front of the long-running restaurant, its picnic-ready eats and drinks includes an artisanal cheese box

or a charcuterie box with accoutrements.

Preorder sandwiches and seasonal salads like roasted beets with burrata or a French dip.

563 Ruger Street, San Francisco, 415.885.1888; presidiosocialclub.com

SHOP Perfect Provenance Belvedere’s Lisa Lori opened her second luxury lifestyle shop

in downtown Tiburon at the height of our pandemic summer. In May, Lori opened her third store, this time in downtown Napa, fulfilling a life-long dream to have a store in the Napa Valley. Look for globally sourced fine fragrances, men’s and women’s fashion, gifts, art and home decor with a modern edge.

1300 1st Street, Ste 352, Napa, 707.699.2932; theperfectprovenance.com

Michele Homes Studio

WANT MORE? Show your love for our local businesses. Check out new restaurants, shops and other openings at marinmagazine.com/new-in-town.

New in Town is an ongoing bulletin on new businesses throughout the Bay Area. Are you or someone you know opening a new business? We want to hear about it! Email christina@makeitbetter.com.

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Perfect Provenance

Alix and Co Known for master jeweler Janet Alix’s custom designs as much as for their so-called Sputnik bangles and immaculate repair work, the longrunning shop in downtown Mill Valley moved around the corner in early May. 18 East Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley, 415.380.0880; alixandcompany.com Kuma Market Freshly made sushi and bento boxes from Shiro Kuma are just part of the appeal of this Japanese market in downtown San Rafael, which quietly opened in May. Of course there are snacks from Hi Chew and Hello Kitty alongside drinks and culinary staples like tonkatsu sauce, seaweed and Calpico soda,

as well as household items from Daiso.

1417 4th Street, San Rafael, 415.295.7397; kumamarkets.com

PERSONAL CARE Michele Holmes Studio Known for their customized eyebrow services, as well as lash lifts, haircuts and color, this beauty and personal care shop expanded into a much bigger space just across the Corte Madera Town Square. That includes space for a retail store, which owner Michele Holmes affectionately named “The Studio Bazaar,” that carries bath and beauty products, wellness goodies and accessories.

25 1st Street, Corte Madera, 415.735.6920; micheleholmesstudio.com

Christina Mueller has been in food media for over 10 years. Her work has appeared in many print and online publications including Sunset magazine, Edible Communities and Eater, among others.

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TOGETHER AT LAST

GALA 2021 Save the Date • September 25

Live on the Great Lawn at Marin Humane 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm Behind-the-Scenes Shelter Stroll Silent Auction • Live Auction Well-behaved dogs welcome!

Email gala@marinhumane.org for early-bird specials and updates

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In Marin

CE L E B R AT I N G T H E PEO PL E , PL ACE S A N D C AU S E S O F T H I S U N I Q U E CO U N T Y

Taking the Long View The Marin Agricultural Land Trust and Hog Island Oyster Company are now partners in preserving 250 acres of historic Tomales Bay ranchland.

REMY HALE

BY LOTUS ABRAMS

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In Marin / CURRENTS

Protecting Local Agriculture

the cultivation of marine organisms. “This is the first agricultural conservation easement closed by MALT that includes a provision for a mariculture support area, connecting food production from Tomales Bay to the land nearby,” says Thane Kreiner, Ph.D., CEO of MALT. Founded in 1983 by two marine biologists, Hog Island optimizes each step of hatching, growing and harvesting oysters, which the company sells to restaurants and retail outlets and serves at its

own restaurants, including its newest location in Larkspur at Marin Country Mart. “We own and operate California’s first permitted oyster shellfish hatchery, which creates millions of sustainable seed oysters as well as sustainable, living-wage jobs and careers,” says John Finger, cofounder and CEO of

Hog Island Oyster Company. Hog Island had purchased the historic Leali Ranch property, adjacent to its Marshall headquarters, in 2017 from the Leali family, who had grazed beef cattle and dairy cows on the ranch for nearly a century. With the acquisition of Leali Ranch, Hog Island intended to build

REMY HALE (HARVESTING); JIM SULLIVAN (SHUCKING)

One of the things that makes West Marin so beloved by locals and visitors alike is its many bucolic swaths of undeveloped land. Now, thanks to a partnership between the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) and Hog Island Oyster Company, 250-acre Leali Ranch on Tomales Bay will remain this way in perpetuity. MALT recently purchased an agricultural conservation easement from Hog Island Oyster Company for $1.1 million that permanently protects the land for agriculture and mariculture,

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C O M E FO R

SUNSCREEN new facilities to support its core business while also growing row crops, planting lemon orchards and producing sea salt to diversify its operations. Those plans came to a grinding halt, however, as the pandemic hit last year.

“It was like going from 100 mph to 0 in seconds,” Finger recalls. “We furloughed 275 of our 300 employees within a week. We were a week away from opening our Marin Country Mart location, so we had just spent a lot of money, and now we had no income.”

Although Hog Island quickly pivoted to launch a mail-order business, took advantage of the U.S. Small Business Association’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and opened outdoor seating at its restaurants as soon as feasible, the company’s income remained depressed. “Overall, our revenue in 2020 was cut by more than half,” Finger says.

It was Hog Island’s precarious financial situation that prompted MALT to act. “Marin County benefits from the ecosystem services of agriculture practiced in harmony with nature: high-quality, local food; biodiversity; open spaces; and stewardship of the land and water,” Kreiner says. “The economic pressures of the pandemic on Hog Island’s business motivated us to move quickly as possible to ensure the land and the circular practices they’re pioneering remain part of our local food system.” The easement permits a mariculture zone, cattle grazing on open grasslands, row crops and other agricultural activities, and it protects creeks and riparian areas.

It also supplies Hog Island with much-needed funds to upgrade its operations. As part of the terms of the agreement, MALT will monitor and protect the agricultural use of the property in perpetuity.

“MALT’s mission is to permanently protect Marin’s agricultural land for agricultural use,” says Kreiner. “The historic Leali Ranch easement acquisition extends MALT-protected land to 10,726 contiguous acres on the east side of Tomales Bay, a truly unique place in Marin County — and in the world.”

GRAB SOME CAFFEINE

AL FRESCO SHOPPING & DINING

Costco, Starbucks, and over 50 other stores, restaurants and services Rowland Blvd Exit, Highway 101

ShopVintageOaks.com WANT MORE? Wondering how Hog Island got its name? Find out at marinmagazine.com/hog-island.

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In Marin / CURRENTS

Camping Cuisine Essentials Easy and delicious provisions to elevate your road-tripping camp kitchen.

BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

Going camping is an activity the whole family can enjoy, but it can also be a lot of work — first, how are you going to fit both a full-size mattress and the dog in the car, and, most important, what are you going to eat?

Provisioning, at least, has become a whole lot easier and more fun, thanks to the West Coast’s many creative food-centric businesses that have upgraded both their sustainability practices and the quality of their products to satisfy an audience that expects both fresh, flavorful meals and convenience. Before you hit the road, get a head start on meal planning with some of our must-have camping and road-tripping foodie favorites.

Rossotti Ranch Grill Master Box When cooking over a wood fire calls for meat, Marin’s family-owned Rossotti answers. Portion-size cuts of veal, goat steaks and chops are vacuumsealed; can be ordered frozen or partially thawed; and are packaged in their own cooler bag, which can go straight from the front door to the car in a hot minute. rossottiranch.com

Perk up camp grub with these edible delights. Campfire cooking will never be the same.

Séka Hills Estate Arbequina A terrific olive oil adds zesty oomph to salads and makes a fine cooking oil, whether you’re serving dinner in the dining room or at a picnic table. Grown and produced by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, historical inhabitants of the Capay Valley northwest of Sacramento, it’s packaged in dark glass to block sunlight. sekahills.com

One Potato Meal Kits Organic, pre-prepped ingredients from a Los Angeles-based company make cooking fireside with kids a snap. There are vegan and meaty options a-plenty, and the packaging used for shipping is made from recycled content and is all recyclable.

Yes, even the foam liner is sustainable. onepotato.com

Mr. Espresso Steeped Single-Serve Coffee Bags Oakland’s own coffee roaster produces fair trade, organic coffee in individual sachets that are rightsized for your thermal camp coffee mug. Not only does it make a velvety cup of coffee, the sachet and package are compostable. mrespresso.com Flax4Life Granola The primary ingredients in the banana coconut granola from this Washington-based company are flaxseeds, oats and honey, providing a robust and balanced 5 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber to power up your day. flax4life.net

MEIKA EJIASI (TCHO SMORES)

AT CAMP

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Tcho Drinking Chocolate and Chocolate Bars If s’mores and hot cocoa are a part of your fireside plans, look to Berkeley’s Tcho. Their drinking chocolate is nearly fudgy yet not too sweet — a treat for adults and kids alike. And to upgrade s’mores, stay traditional with the classic milk chocolate bar, or go rogue with a milk chocolate toffee sea salt bar. tcho.com

ON THE ROAD

No one wants to start a road trip hangry. Sate your (and your family’s) hunger with these satisfying snacks.

Orga Foods Super Crisps Made with nutritious seeds and chickpea flour and without any added sugars, these crackers from a Los Angeles-based company are hearty and satisfying (6 grams of fiber and protein) and stand up well to a topper of cheese or veggie spread. Crushed crackers can be repurposed as a topping for salad or yogurt. orga-foods.com Liv Bar Wrappers made of compostable cellulose are just one part of the sustainability efforts from this Oregon-based company. The all-organic bars are available in a range of zippy and fruity flavors, including vegan ginger lemon turmeric and lemongrass cherry matcha. livbar.com

Baja Jerky The original road-trip staple, jerky has come a long way. Inspired by Baja California, Orange County’s Baja Jerky refreshed the category with flavors like street taco, churro and sweet orange. The beef is certified humane and antibiotic-free, too. bajajerky.com

@THEMEASUREOFUS (KID BAR)

Good Fish Upcycling salmon into snacks is the driving force behind L.A.’s Good Fish. The 100% sustainably caught wild Alaskan sockeye salmon “chips” are crisped salmon skins. Seasonings turn them into familiar chip flavors like sea salt, spicy barbecue and chili-lime. It’s a clean protein snack with no added sugar that reduces the more than 2 billion pounds of fish wasted in Alaskan processing every year. goodfish.com

WANT MORE? For more ideas on convenient ways to pack your camp snacks, check out our lunchbox guide: marinmagazine.com/lunchboxes.

Patagonia Provisions Apricot + Almond Bar Sweetened only with apple juice and baobab (the fruit of the baobab tree), organic fruit and nut bars from Sausalito’s Patagonia Provisions are naturally tangy and not too sweet. Their petite size is just right to curb hunger pangs between stops. patagoniaprovisions.com

CAMP PROVISIONING CHECKLIST Pack a sturdy bin with all of your camp cooking essentials. Here are a few items we can’t live without.

• Good knives and a cutting board for portioning everything from bread to onions • Extra containers to store leftovers • Aluminum foil, which can be fashioned into cookware and service pieces • Water — ditch the plastic bottles and look for companies like Boxed Water and Just Water that use renewable paper; or, buy a pump filter to use camp water • Quick breakfast options like oatmeal and hard-boiled eggs • Hard cheeses, crackers and cut vegetables for pick-me-up snacks when you get back from hiking or canoeing • Herbal tea for those nights when hot cocoa is just too much

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In Marin / CURRENTS

Who to Watch at the Summer Olympics

BY IAN LARNED

At last, the 2020 Summer Olympics are taking place in Tokyo beginning on July 23, and we can’t wait to watch all of our favorite competitions. Here, we’ve put together a list of athletes to look for.

SIMONE BILES

MEGAN RAPINOE

Simone Biles is looking to continue her Olympic dominance this year. She has the opportunity to be the first woman to win back-to-back all-around gymnastics titles since 1968. Biles could also become the first U.S. woman in any sport to win five gold medals at a single Olympic games.

U.S. Women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe is preparing to win her second Olympic gold medal with the U.S. team. Rapinoe was arguably the most important member of the U.S. team who won the Women’s World Cup in 2019. Rapinoe and the team are looking for a rebound after losing in the quarterfinal round in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

Gymnastics

Soccer

KATIE LEDECKY

SERENA WILLIAMS

Freestyle Swimming

Tennis

Katie Ledecky is another athlete to watch, as the women’s world record holder in 400-, 800- and 1,500-meter freestyle swimming attempts to win five gold medals. Ledecky won her first gold medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London at the age of 15. She followed this with four gold medals in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Like Biles, Ledecky is attempting to be the first female U.S. athlete to win five gold medals in the Olympics.

JOHN JOHN FLORENCE Surfing

John John Florence is one of the few U.S. surfers competing in this year’s Olympics. As the sport makes its Olympic debut, Florence is hoping for success after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in 2019. The 28-year old Hawaiian native beat out surf legend Kelly Slater to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Serena Williams will enter the 2021 Summer Olympics with the goal of passing her sister, Venus Williams for most Olympic titles won. Williams is also in pursuit of leading the world in Grand Slam titles.

While she has won 23, she needs one more to tie the current world record.

DONAVAN BRAZIER Running

Fresh off a gold medal in the 2019 Track and Field world championship, Donovan Brazier has emerged as the 800-meter gold medal favorite in the Tokyo Olympics. He’s the first American to win a world title for the event.

BRADY ELLISON Archery

WANT MORE? Learn out about the Bay Area’s Olympic history in our roundup of past atheletes who made it to the games marinmagazine.com/olympians.

Brady Ellison has been riding high as the number-one ranked archer in the world in 2019. The three-time Olympic medalist’s goal this year is to finally capture a gold medal. The last time an American won an Olympic gold in archery was in 1996.

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Summer Sippers

BY LOTUS ABRAMS

Poolside parties and summer evening soirees call for festive beverages that celebrate the season. We’ve got you covered with these new releases and seasonal specials — all by local makers — from sessionfriendly drinks to a party-ready cocktail.

Marin’s First Hard Kombucha Folksy, a brand-new line of low-sugar, low-alcohol (5% ABV) hard kombucha drinks, could easily become your go-to happy hour beverage this summer. Behind the launch is husband-andwife team Dylan and Anna Lundstrom, native Marin dwellers who enjoyed drinking nonalcoholic kombucha long before they decided to make their own boozy version. They’re not alone in their adoration: Fermented,

lightly fizzy kombucha, made from green or black tea, is not only flavorful, it’s also packed with probiotics that promote gut health. With the arrival of couple’s son, Iver, along with middle-of-thenight wake-ups, Anna soon discovered hard kombucha to be a welcome, lower-alcohol alternative to wine, as well. “I became a hard kombucha super-fan evangelist to friends, family and strangers alike, and then I realized this was something I wanted to make!”

With that, Dylan, an accomplished winemaker, and Anna, who has a background in marketing at Uber and Square, decided to brew their own hard kombucha — crafted from organic fruit juices, natural botanicals and green tea — at a space in Sebastopol.

“Dylan was drawn to the fact that he could produce hard kombucha from the initial ferment to can within weeks, compared to wine that can take years from grapes to bottle,” says Anna. Folksy’s first two flavors, grapefruit & ginger and sage, rosemary & mint are currently distributed through retail grocery stores, bars and restaurants throughout the North Bay, with plans to expand within the year. “We don’t have a tasting room yet, but maybe someday in the future!” says Anna. drinkfolksy.com

Backyard Brews East Brother Beer Co.’s limited-release brews are well worth waiting for every season. This summer, the pre-prohibition lager — inspired by pre-prohibition beer-making methods — makes a great day-drinking or session beer, with a low 5.5% ABV and a clean, crisp finish. Also on tap this summer: From the Freighter series, the seasonal double IPA pays homage to West Coast IPAs with tropical aromas; a malt-forward flavor; and a balanced, bitter finish — it’s an ideal fire pit companion. eastbrotherbeer.com

Cocktail Hour The latest limited-edition launch from family-owned Hanson of Sonoma Distillery is one of their mostrequested vodka infusions: pink grapefruit. Crafted with organic vodka and hand-peeled organic grapefruit, the infusion is tart and tangy with just a hint of sweetness. Try it in a grapefruit greyhound (recipe below), or opt for the pre-batched to bee or not to bee cocktail — Hanson organic pink grapefruit vodka, fresh-squeezed organic lemon and rosemary-infused orange blossom honey — mixed and ready to shake and serve over ice. hansonofsonoma.com

Grapefruit Greyhound Ingredients 1 1/2 ounces Hanson organic pink grapefruit vodka 2 ounces fresh-squeezed organic grapefruit juice 1 /2 ounce fresh-squeezed organic lemon juice 1 /2 ounce organic agave nectar Fresh grapefruit twist Instructions Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with Ice. Shake and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

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In Marin/SHOP LOCAL

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL

• Modern Metallics Metallic Colored Pencils; $10 5 Little Monkeys, Corte Madera and Novato; 5littlemonkeys.com Add artistic flair to school projects with this set of 12 soft metallic colored pencils that can be used alone or blended together.

Class is back in session — and back in person — and we couldn’t be happier to send our students out the door with new goods and gear.

BY LOTUS ABRAMS

• French Terry Blazer; $129 StereoType, San Francisco; stereotypekids.com Made from 100%-recycled yarn, this stylish blended-fashion (for guys and girls) blazer from new SF-based company StereoType is embellished with gold Lurex ribbon and two playful patches.

2

• Fitbit Ace 3; $80 Best Buy, San Rafael; bestbuy.com Keep the kids on the move with this swim-proof activity tracker that also tracks sleep and features a battery that lasts eight days before needing a charge.

• Fjallraven Kanken Backpack; $90 Poppy Store, Larkspur; poppystores.com This roomy backpack features a large opening for easier packing and side and front pockets, and is made of lightweight Vinylon F fabric that resists dirt and water.

WANT MORE? Learn all about blended fashion in our Q & A with StereoType founder Elizabeth Brunner at marinmagazine.com/blended-fashion.

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• Lunchskins Zippered Bag Set; $11 The Container Store, Corte Madera; containerstore.com Lighten the landfill load with this reusable zippered sandwich and snack bag set made from quickdrying, durable, lightweight, food-safe fabric.

Best yet, they’re dishwasher safe.

• Handlebar Bike Bag; $42 Ice Poppy, Mill Valley; etsy.com/shop/ icepoppy Stash stuff like snacks, bike locks, your phone and keys on the ride to school with this handmade, waterproof bike bag that attaches to any handlebar with Velcro straps.

• Linus Lil’ Dutchi 20”; $349 Mad Dogs & Englishmen, Mill Valley; maddogsenglishmen.com This single-speed, classically cool 20-inch kids bike boasts a streamlined profile, thinner and lighter tubing, and a kickstand.

• Klean Kanteen Kid’s Sport Bottle; $18 Good Earth Natural Foods, Fairfax and Mill Valley; genatural.com Kids are tough on water bottles, which is why we like this durable, 12-ounce stainless steel option that features a powder-coated finish. *check with stores for availability and pricing

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In Marin / AUTHOR TALK

Facing the Physical Local author Francine Falk-Allen talks about tackling the dual challenge of living with a disability and getting older.

BY JESSICA GLIDDON

Most of us at some point struggle to cope with what life throws at us, but few of us ever stop to imagine how much harder it must be for those with the added burden of disability.

Multiply these challenges with the complications caused by aging, and the only thing to really do is face things with exactly the kind of humor, insight and warmth that Francine Falk-Allen offers in her new book, No Spring Chicken: Stories and Advice From a Wild Handicapper on Aging and Disability.

Falk-Allen is a polio survivor who has made it her mission to share her life experiences with others and help open minds to what living with a disability is like. While her first book, Not a Poster Child, told the story of her journey with polio, No Spring Chicken aims to help those who are coping with physical setbacks. Falk-Allen is also the founder of the group Polio Survivors of Marin and an alternate member of the San Rafael City Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Committee. We caught up with Falk-Allen to find out more.

What inspired you to write this second book?

I have a wealth of experience in dealing with the vicissitudes of disability in an able-bodied world, having lived with a mostly paralyzed leg for 70 years. I felt that many of the things I’ve learned about travel, relationships with family and friends who are affected by physical limitations, and keeping healthy in spite of my disability, might be useful not only to people WANT MORE? For more interesting local reads on important issues check out marinmagazine.com/books.

a few that are specific to that condition. The majority of survivors had no residual paralysis, but at least 50–75% begin to experience fatigue and weakness and sometimes muscle and joint pain earlier than others. With polio, some motor neurons were actually killed off ith the virus; the extent of that nerve death determines the presence or degree of paralysis. So whereas osteoarthritis may hit some people in their early 60s, the wear and tear on joints from back and limbs working harder to compensate for weaker muscles may begin for polio survivors in their 50s, and the fatigue factor is really the most limiting disappointment.

who are already disabled but to anyone facing physical challenges as they age.

I wrote No Spring Chicken to encourage those with wonky body parts not to give up on themselves, to find ways to have a good time, and also to share approaches to achieving more satisfying relationships with families and friends.

How would you advise those who want to follow in your footsteps as a “wild handicapper”? The book covers how to plan travel so that it works for you, such as accepting invitations even though they may involve a lot of logistics. Travel of any kind broadens our perspective and understanding, and my bottom line advice is: Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

What are some of the unique challenges that come from facing both having a disability and dealing with aging that others might not understand? As a polio survivor, I’ll share

How important do you think it is for sufferers to be involved with support groups? If a person feels disappointed, upset, or disconcerted by something difficult that is happening to his or her body, it’s really helpful to link up with others who are having similar problems.

Through these groups, people learn tips about taking care of themselves. These aren’t pity parties. Laughter is usually part of the format!

LOOK OUT FOR

Francine Falk-Allen recently appeared at a Book Passage virtual event. Here are a few upcoming author conversations — visit bookpassage.com/events for more details: •

•

•

Maggie Smith, author of Goldenrod, August 4, 5:30 p.m.

Charlotte McConaghy, author of Once There Were Wolves, August 5, 5:30 p.m.

Michelle Gable, author of The Bookseller’s Secret: A Novel of Nancy Mitford and WWII, August 17, 5 p.m.

For information on Polio Survivors of Marin, email Falk-Allen at francineallen@comcast.net.

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Williams running the 400-meter dash at the 1936 Olympics This photo and below: Archie Williams working with students

Williams in his Tuskegee Airmen uniform

Who Is Archie Williams?

The new namesake for a San Anselmo high school may be someone unfamiliar to many, but his story reveals a man long overdue for recognition. BY DONNA BERRY GLASS

U

ntil a few months ago, most Marinites had never heard of Archie Williams. All of a sudden, Williams and his legacy were thrust into the local spotlight as the culmination of a yearlong effort to rename Drake High School in San Anselmo.

The name Archie Williams High School

seems like an unusual choice at first glance.

After all, schools are often named after people we’ve heard of, like U.S. presidents or wealthy philanthropists. But as it turns out, Williams is someone with an impressive and fascinating life who was also likely the most notable person to ever walk the school’s halls.

The name change of Sir Francis Drake

High School — or High School 1327 as it was known for over a year — has been brewing since late last summer, following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 that spurred a new civil rights movement. Discussions around removing Drake as the school’s namesake began soon after, driven by Drake’s association with slave trading in the 1500s.

The new name, Archie Williams High School, was formally voted on by the board of the Tamalpais Union High School District and announced on May 11, two weeks before the one-year anniversary of Floyd’s death.

The school name-change decision and the process leading up to it has not been without strife and controversy. Initially led by the Drake Leadership Council, consisting primarily of educators, parents, students and former students, the process behind the name change upset many in the community, including a number of former graduates of the school.

Dani Citti, who graduated from Drake in 1981, is part of a larger group of the school’s graduates who disagree with the rationale behind the name change, arguing that changing the school’s name alone does not go far enough to counteract racism at the school.

“I’m glad they went back to Archie Williams, because I didn’t like any of the other names, but they (referring to the Tamalpais Union High School Board) have a long way to go to combat racism,” she says. “They need to up their game with anti-racist policies.”

Liz Seabury, the school’s former principal who was recently assigned to the position of senior director of inclusion, instruction and intervention, maintains that the district held open listening sessions for the community and opened Drake Leadership Council sessions to the public. In the end, the school board made the final decision in keeping with district policy, she says. When students return to classrooms in August, Seabury says there are plans for a formal unveiling of the new name on the building, as well as a series of opening week activities to foster school spirit, build relationships and educate students on Williams and his impact on the school, including a talk presented by Carlos Williams, Williams’ youngest son.

Archie Williams High School will also do away with the longstanding Pirates mascot

WIKICOMMONS (OLYMPICS); WIKICOMMONS (AIR FORCE)

In Marin / FYI

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CARLOS WILLIAMS (ARCHIE AND VESTA)

5 p.m. daily to make himself accessible to associated with Drake. The new mascot — the students. He didn’t really like talking about Falcons — was chosen by the school comthe Olympics; he’d rather talk about school, munity and represents a peregrine falcon, a kids and aeronautics.” The younger Williams bird found commonly throughout California. recalls taking his father’s algebra class as Marin-based shops ROI-DNA and Market a sophomore. “I got a B in the class, and I Brand, both run by current parents of studeserved it,” he says with a chuckle. dents, are leading the rebranding and design Toni Frederickson Shroyer, a 1985 graduwork and offering their services pro-bono. ate and one of Williams’ computer science All of this leads us back to the question, students, describes Williams as extremely who was Archie Williams? Williams was born unpretentious, approachable, well-liked and in Oakland in 1915. As a young man, he was patient. “We all called him ‘Arch’ and would one of only a handful of African-American men from the U.S. to compete in the Olympics. wave to him in the hallways,” she says, adding that she wishes he had received more recogniWilliams competed in the 400-meter dash, tion back then because he was such a stand-out with Adolph Hitler watching from the grandteacher. “Few people have risen to his level of stands. It was a stunning, come-from-behind achievement, yet he hardly ever talked about his victory for Williams, earning him an Olympic accomplishments because he was so humble.” gold medal and national attention back home.

Ted Farnkopf, a San Anselmo resident who Hitler refused to acknowledge the win or graduated in 1976, credits Williams with keepshake Williams’ hand. ing him above water in his He was also a member math studies. “He spent of the famed Tuskegee more time dealing with Airmen during World the underdogs than the War II, the first black academically gifted,” he military aviators in the recalls. “I was fortunate U.S. Army Air Corps, enough to have his assisknown for their imprestance. Whomever hired sive flying and fighting To contribute to the Archie Williams him at the school was very performances, which also High School Renaming Project, smart, or very lucky.” served as a catalyst for the which will provide funds for Farnkopf has petiracial integration of the rebranding efforts, visit tioned the school district armed forces. givebutter.com/honor-archie-williams. for a number of years to Despite his accolades, properly honor Williams, however, it turns out that even proposing a structure called Archie’s Williams didn’t believe his finest achievement Archway at the school leading out to the track involved running or flying, but was centered field. “I watched the school’s track field memoon his work teaching young and impressionrialized for others,” he says. “I’m happy with able math and computer science students the name change, but would have liked to have at Drake High School from the mid 1960s to seen him recognized years ago.” the late ’80s. Williams taught at the school Vern Glenn, a sportscaster at KPIX-TV for 22 years, earning a reputation for being who has produced several news stories on approachable, dedicated and humble. He retired from teaching in 1987 and passed away Williams, has also felt for years that Williams is an unsung hero whose time was overdue. in 1993, at the age of 78.

Glenn prophetically remarked at the end of a “My dad was all about community, integvideo piece on Williams in 2017, “this push to rity and loving others more than he loved honor Williams… it’s not a matter of if, it’s a himself,” says Carlos. “He never missed matter of when it’s going to happen.” a single day in all of his years of teaching.

While it remains to be seen how much His classroom was open from 7:30 a.m. to WANT MORE? Learn about other Marinites who have defined our community at marinmagazine.com/local-leaders.

impact the new name will have, it appears that Archie Williams is the right choice for the high school. “People have told me for years that my dad was a living history lesson,” Carlos says. “Teaching was his greatest passion. He would be so pleased to be honored.”

Donna Berry Glass is a freelance lifestyle writer who lives in Marin with her family and avidly supports the California Academy of Sciences, a world-class science museum.

Williams was a much-loved teacher at Drake High School, which is being renamed in his honor.

Williams and his wife, Vesta

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In Marin / CONVERSATION

Planted in Place

A new book celebrates the architecture of wine country. BY LIZ LOGAN

I

f you’ve always dreamt of owning a home in Napa, Sonoma or nearby, At Home in the Wine Country (Gibbs Smith, August 24) deserves a place on your coffee table Authors Heather Sandy Hebert and Chase Reynolds Ewald, who both live in Marin, take readers inside 17 new, swoon-worthy wine country homes by elite architects and designers — and the photography is breathtaking. The design of the homes is deeply attuned to their environments, which range from sun-drenched vineyard valleys to forested hillsides with challenging rock formations.

SPACES editor Liz Logan sat down with the authors to discuss what makes the new architecture of wine country so special.

WANT MORE? See more photos from the book at marinmagazine.com/at-home-in-wine-country.

chateau style. More recently, it was confiden enough to strike out on its own.

CRE: And, California has led the way when it comes to indoor-outdoor living, going back to the 1950s, with the ranch homes, the kidney-shaped pools and all of the midcentury architects.

When you say the architecture is place-based, site-specific and having to do with microclimate, is there a specific example that springs to mind? CRE: Every well-crafted custom home in the wine country starts with place, and that includes views and buildable sites. Some are on ridges, some are down in the valley floor amon the vines, some have conifers around them,

This page: For a house on a ridge overlooking St. Helena, the architecture firm Zack/de Vito planned around existing rock formations, turning them into artistic features.

Opposite page, top: A sculptural steel half-moon, crafted by a local artist, holds back a hillside and creates a space for a fire pit. Opposite page, bottom: An updated arts-and-crafts bungalow is located in downtown Sonoma.

others have rolling hills and oaks. So, there are vagaries of climate: One hill has a different fo pattern than the hill next to it. A slightly different orientatio creates a different experience. The architect are looking carefully at all of those things.

HSH: A good example is from a project called the Winged Retreat. It’s got a roof that looks like a butterfly landed. It s in the Santa Lucia Highlands, in the Monterey wine country.

The architects were Joshua Aidlin and David Darling of the firm Aidlin Darling. They ta e

CESAR RUBIO (ABOVE)

What made you decide to write this book now?

CHASE REYNOLDS EWALD (CRE): For a really long time, California wine country architecture looked to Europe, and in the last two decades, roughly, things have changed and evolved. The style and design has come into its own and is very much place-based, with each home created for a specific site and the micro-climate. It s very exciting, and no one had covered this new California architecture comprehensively. Our book is a close look at the top talent in design architecture, construction and landscape architecture in the magical climate that is the California wine country.

HEATHER SANDY HEBERT (HSH): The Paris Wine Tasting, known as “The Judgment of Paris,” in 1976, put California’s wine country on the map; that’s when wines from this region won against wines from France. So, wine country came onto the world stage. It was competing against Europe, so naturally, it adopted the

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HSH: The fire dan er in the wine country is very real, especially on the hillsides. One good example of fire-proofing is a home called wntempo. The exterior is largely metal framing and shou sugi ban, which is a Japanese charred treatment that’s resistant to fire

What are the challenges that come with building in the wine country? CRE: With one home by the architecture firm Zack de Vito, the clients wanted to be right up on the edge of the ridge overlooking St. Helena, with this huge valley view across to the mountains on the other side. But they didn’t want to be “skylining” and creating light pollution for the people below, and they didn’t want to be terribly visible. So, they had to build the house into the hillside and low-profile, but there as this enormous boulder structure. They wanted to use it as sort-of a Zen garden-style artistic feature. So, it anchors one end of the house. The little lap pool is right next to that, and the master bedroom is next to the pool. You step out of the end of the house, and you’re right at these boulders. If you step out the other side of the same room, there’s the pool and the view beyond.

I noticed that not all the homes in the book are isolated, with tons of acreage. Can you talk about one of those homes? CRE: The family who own Hughes Family Vineyards lived on their winery property for a number of years.

They were tired of driving to town, and they’re very social, so they got the idea to live in downtown Sonoma. They bought a historic arts-andcrafts bungalow. It’s been beautifully updated.

You go through the historic part, and then you enter into a contemporary part at the back.

It’s spectacular. They have a beautiful outdoor space and an old barn. They’re just a few blocks from the main square in Sonoma.

MARION BRENNER (TOP RIGHT); PAUL DYER (BOTTOM LEFT)

camping gear and camp on each site for a full 24-hour or 48-hour cycle. They observe what the wind feels like, where the fog comes from, where the light comes from, the sounds and what birds you hear from different direction .

That informs everything that they do.

Obviously, spending time outdoors is a huge part of wine country living. How do you see people crafting the outdoor experience these days? CRE: Most of the homes have what we

call a “Nana door” — Nana is the brand of folding doors — i.e., an entire wall that opens up to the outside. There are year-round outdoor living rooms, with heaters and fire pit .

HSH: I’ve noticed a total integration of the disciplines: architecture, interior design and landscape architecture. In one home, the “Black Box House,” you come up to the front door, and you can see all the way through to the back of the house and the view. The architect frames it, the interior designer does what’s in-between, and then the landscape architect handles the outside. It all blends seamlessly.

CRE: And with the outdoor spaces, there are lots of vegetable gardens, which the homeowners are going to use. Everything is about drought tolerance, native species and blending into the surrounding landscape. These are disciplined interventions with a naturalistic approach.

How are people incorporating art into their home in wine country? HSH: A lot of the artwork in wine country is outdoor sculptures, and some of the outdoor art isn’t even recognizable as art, per se. At one home, there’s a sculptural steel half-moon crafted by a local artist that holds back the hillside and forms a space for a fire pit.

CRE: It’s a restrained approach, because the views are such a huge part of the experience.

Liz Logan is the editor in chief of SPACES. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, ARTnews and O, The Oprah Magazine, among other publications.

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✶ 2021 BEST OF THE COUNTY ✶

The Dailey Method

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STEPHANIE RUSSO (KITCHEN)

best 2021 MELISSSA MCARDLE (THE DAILEY METHOE)

Gott's

STEPHANIE RUSSO (KITCHEN)

MELISSSA MCARDLE (THE DAILEY METHOE)

Sushi Ran

HSH Interiors

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We asked, and thousands of you voted: Now it’s time to reveal our 2021 Best of County winners!

This year, we’re recognizing businesses in more categories than ever before, located in both Marin County and the greater Bay Area.

Thanks to these hard-working businesses, we’ve made it through the worst of the pandemic together, and now it’s time to celebrate.

The Current

Marinitas

7/13/21 10:42 AM

✶ 2021 BEST OF THE COUNTY ✶

A New Approach Yields New Finds

W

ell, we did it Marin! Masks are off, the pandemic has subsided and spirits are soaring — it’s time to showcase our annual Best of the County issue.

For the past 15 years, Marin Magazine has been shining a light on businesses throughout the county that the editors think make this place extra special.

This year for the first time, we left it up to you, our readers, to select the awardees.

For the most part, businesses have (thankfully) survived and, in some cases, thrived during the pandemic — ahem, real estate. Besides home sales, furniture and construction, some restaurants, and recreation (bike and surf) businesses are booming. Realistically though, this last year wasn’t rosy for small businesses.

According to the North Bay Business Times, over half of Marin County businesses have dipped into personal savings, accrued credit card debt or turned to family for a loan to make ends meet. We applaud the pivots and sacrifices businesses in the county have made to endure this last year. It’s been a rough one, and we owe Victoria Cressman (right), our local businesses a big thank you for keeping us fed, with Alex Fee, celebrated her birthday at Watershed clothed, exercised and more. I’m sure I’m not alone just as Marin started to with these sentiments — this year every business truly reopen. deserves a trophy.

Our dining editor, Christina Mueller, has written this article celebrating all of the winners in every category, however perusing the list, I wanted to highlight a few personal favorites among the food and drink winners. There are some longtime favorites here, such as the venues owned and run by restaurateur Ged Robertson, who gets a standing ovation for his two nods: best breakfast, Shoreline Coffee Shop, and best

al fresco dining, Watershed, both in Mill Valley. As soon as the county shut down, Roberston and his crew created Feed the Front Lines, making it easy for their customers to buy meals for those risking their lives — sort of like what Toms does with shoes, but with food, instead. On a personal note, Watershed was the location of the first non-pod birthday party I attended a couple months ago. It felt so good to be out with friends and strangers, all enjoying a warm Mill Valley evening. It was then that I was introduced to some new menu items, including the Smoky Word cocktail, yum!

Other old favorites that made the list again this year included Buckeye Roadhouse, Pig in a Pickle, Harmony, Sushi Ran and Equator. I was also happy to see people vote for the William Tell House for the best burger. I’ve had so many good burgers in Marin that it’s hard to boil it down to just one, but I do love what Ted Wilson, Austin Perkins and the team at the William Tell House have done to freshen up the circa 1877 restaurant and inn at 29655 Highway 1 in Tomales. I’ve been lucky to stay the night there (they have really nice rooms!) and to have shut down the awesome historical bar with some colorful locals. It’s definitely worth a trip, and if you spend the night, the Tomales Bakery right across the street has you covered for tasty pastries and coffee.

If we’ve missed your favorite, remember to vote next year, and of course let us know via our social networks @marinmagazine or editorial@marinmagazine.com.

Mimi Towle, Editor at Large

The Best of the Best In case you’re new to town, or not sure what to

order from the 2021 Best of the County’s top picks, here are a few of my personal foodie favorites.

Bookjack Wood Fired Order: Any loaf of bread to go, and an avocado on levain on-site Buckeye Roadhouse Order: Oysters bingo, wedge salad and a martini (or

Buckeye Manhattan) Pig in a Pickle Order: Three meats and three sides, shared with a friend and a cold draft beer Shoreline Coffee Shop Order: Tennessee Valley Toast!

Pond Farm Order: Forget making decisions — get the beer flight and

check the daily changing food menu.

William Tell House Order: Tell burger, draft beer and goat cheese cake Harmony Order: Sweet rice dumplings, Chinese chicken salad, signature beef, veggie chow fun Equator Order: Iced latte

with almond milk and an extra shot of espresso

Marinitas Order: Margarita, fish tacos, margarita

Swirl Order: Per the name, mix your favorite flavors.

Creekside Order: Wings over Creekside, heart of Marin pizza and a draft beer

Good Earth Order: Hot glutenfree mushroom pizza to go Poggio Order: Pappardelle pasta, Negroni

Bruno's Deli Order: Il Padrino (order with an accent).

Fish Order: Crab Louis

and guacamole and chips Sushi Ran Order: Salmon citrus, crunch roll and cold sake Cafe del Soul Get: Curry soul good (three-fourths spinach to rice) Ludwig's Order: Owner’s picks

CAMERON CRESSMAN

Watershed Order: Thick-cut fries, Little Gem lettuce salad, smoky word cocktail

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Dining Best Al Fresco Marin

Watershed, Mill Valley The entire front wall of windows opens onto the

Lumberyard’s quaint charm, and the setting is matched by chef Kyle Swain’s contemporary Californian cuisine. watershedmv.com

Bay Area

Hook Fish Co, Mill Valley and San Francisco hookfishco.com

Runners Up Bungalow 44, Mill Valley bungalow44.com Waterbar, San Francisco waterbarsf.com

Runners Up Rustic Bakery, Larkspur rusticbakery.com b. Patisserie, San Francisco bpatisserie.com

Best Bakeries

After a pandemic-era pivot meant a return to a cafe and bakery for the petite former restaurant, lines up the street and sold-out loaves from the built-in oven are the new normal. bootjackwoodfired.com

Marin

Bay Area

Tartine,

Buckeye Roadhouse,

San Francisco

Mill Valley

tartinebakery.com

The smoker out back of

Bootjack Wood Fired, Mill Valley

Best Bar & Grill Marin

Buckeye Roadhouse

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Dining this legendary Mill Valley establishment turns out exceptional wings and brisket, but fans turn up for the Buckeye Manhattan and Napa Negroni in equal measure. buckeyeroadhouse.com

Bay Area

Balboa Cafe, San Francisco balboacafesf.com Runners Up Perry’s on Magnolia, Larkspur perryssf.com Cotogna, San Francisco cotognasf.com

Best Barbecue Marin

Pig in a Pickle, Corte Madera The brisket and baby back ribs get plenty of attention, but it’s the white cheddar mac ’n’ cheese and range of sauces that please Texans, Californians and everyone in between. piginapickle.com

Bay Area

Horn Barbecue, Oakland hornbarbecue.com Runners Up Jerry’s Downtown BBQ, Novato

jd-bbq.com 4505, San Francisco 4505burgersandbbq.com

Best Breakfast/ Brunch Marin

Shoreline Coffee Shop, Mill Valley Our voters love the oldschool vibe, fabulous ingredients and inspired blend of Mexican and American comfort foods. shorelinecoffeeshop.com

Bay Area

Rose’s Café, San Francisco rosescafesf.com

Runners Up Half Day Cafe, Greenbrae halfdaycafe.net Hummingbird, Fairfax the-hummingbird. business.site

Best Breweries Marin

Pond Farm Brewing, San Rafael Fresh beer, not found in a grocery store, is the hallmark of this brewery in the West End — it has pivoted to takeout growlers and cans during our pandemic year. pondfarmbrewing.com

Bay Area

East Brother Beer Co., Richmond eastbrotherbeer.com Runners Up Marin Brewing Company, Larkspur marinbrewing.com Anchor Brewing Company, San Francisco anchorbrewing.com

Best Burger Marin

William Tell House, Tomales

Creekside

The namesake Tell Burger, with its initials burned right into the bun, is made from nearby

Stemple Creek beef, the ends crispy and the middle pink — and the fresh veggie toppings deliver a home run every time. williamtellhouse.com

Best Coffee Shop

Bay Area

A spot at one of the outdoor tables is coveted for the people-watching, but many voters cast their ballot for the gluten-free waffles and shakeratos, the cafe’s signature drink. equatorcoffees.com

GOTT’S, multiple locations gotts.com Runners Up Watershed, Mill Valley watershedmv.com Super Duper Burgers, multiple locations superduperburgers.com

Marin

Equator, Mill Valley downtown location

Bay Area

Blue Bottle, San Francisco bluebottlecoffee.com

Best Chinese Marin

Harmony, Mill Valley Dim sum every day and a menu of updated Chinese and American favorites, like roasted Peking duck salad and salmon filet with lemongrass sauce, helped propel Harmony to the top of our voters’ list yet again. harmonyrestaurant group.com

Bay Area

Henry’s Hunan, San Francisco hhunan.com Runners Up DJ’S, Larkspur djchinesecuisine.com Shanghai Dumpling King, San Francisco shanghaidumpling king-sf.co

Runners Up Coyote Coffee, Mill Valley 415.326.5009 Philz, multiple locations philzcoffee.com

Best Farmers’ Market Marin

Sunday Marin Civic Center Farmers Market, San Rafael The breadth of Marin’s food shed is on display weekly, but the benefits of purchasing local food from this and other markets managed by the Agricultural Institute of Marin are boundless. agriculturalinstitute.org

Bay Area

Ferry Plaza Farmers’

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Market, San Francisco

pandemic year. millvalleyswirl.com

ferrybuildingmarket place.com

Bay Area

Runners Up Marin Country Mart Farmers’ Market, Larkspur marincountrymart.com Clement Street Farmers’ Market, San Francisco agriculturalinstitute.org

Salt & Straw,

return of bulk bin shopping. genatural.com

Bay Area

multiple locations

Berkeley Bowl

saltandstraw.com

berkeleybowl.com

Runners Up Fairfax Scoop, Fairfax 415.453.3130 Smitten Ice Cream, San Francisco smittenicecream.com

Runners Up Nugget Market, Corte Madera, Novato and Tiburon nuggetmarket.com Real Good Greens realgoodgreens.com

Best Italian Restaurants Marin

Poggio, Sausalito Executive chef Benjamin Balesteri and the team earn raves for their long-standing commitment to the community and excellence in service and cuisine. poggiotrattoria.com

Bay Area

Flour + Water,

Watershed

San Francisco flourandwater.com

Best Frozen Yogurt/Ice Cream/Gelato

Best Grocery Store

Marin

Good Earth,

Swirl,

Marin

Mill Valley

Fairfax and Mill Valley

Parents in town relied on this guaranteed-toplease ice cream shop to get their kids out of the house for at least a few hours during our

This independent grocery store’s two locations in Marin are a celebration of organic activism, but fans are also delighted at the

Runners Up Sorella Caffe, Fairfax sorellacaffe.com Acquerello, San Francisco acquerellosf.com

Sushi Ran

A menu of traditional favorites (enchiladas, carnitas, frijoles) is balanced with seasonal entrees (grilled salmon with tamarind-chayote salad) that works for groups of all sizes. marinitas.net

veg portioned for little appetites wins over the wee ones, while adults love the signature pies and 40-plus taps. creeksidesa.com

the list for its elegantly designed sandwiches held together by ciabatta that is soft with just the right amount of chew. brunositaliandeli.com

Bay Area

Bay Area

Bay Area

Berkeley

San Francisco

cheeseboardcollective.coop

luccadeli.com

Runners Up Tamalpie, Mill Valley tamalpieonthefly.com Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco tonyspizzanapoletana.com

Runners Up Michael’s Sourdough Sandwiches, Novato michaelssourdough.com Molinari Deli, San Francisco molinaridelisf.com

Mi Pueblo,

The Cheese Board,

multiple locations eatmipueblo.com Runners Up Playa, Mill Valley playamv.com Comal Next Door, Berkeley comalnextdoor.com

Best Pizza

Best Sandwiches

Best Mexican

Marin

Marin

Marin

San Anselmo

San Rafael

A menu of small bites, pasta, salad and roasted

A newcomer to the North Bay food scene landed on

Marinitas, San Anselmo

Lucca Delicatessen,

Creekside,

Bruno’s Deli,

Best Seafood Restaurant Marin

Fish,

Sausalito The OG on sustainable and transparent fish seafood sourcing

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Dining is a perennial favorite with our voters, but we’re guessing they’re also here because of the huge patio facing Richardson Bay. 331fish.com

mignon, but the Brandt ribeye is paired with an herbed garlic butter sauce so decadent, you will want to take a bath in it. buckeyeroadhouse.com

the standard for impeccably sourced, seasonal ingredients (including seafood) for more than 35 years. sushiran.com

Bay Area

Bay Area

San Francisco

Hog Island Oyster Co., multiple locations

Ruth’s Chris,

Bay Area

Kusakabe, kusakabe-sf.com

Walnut Creek ruthschris.com

hogislandoysters.com

Bruno's Deli

Runners Up Sushi 69, San Anselmo shallwego69.com Wako Japanese Restaurant, San Francisco sushiwakosf.com

Best Vegan/ Vegetarian Marin

Gott's

Cafe del Soul, Mill Valley and San Rafael Voters love the quinoa bowls (they can be topped with "tofu or chicken), but the wraps, salads and smoothies practically sing of their healthfulness and well-being. cafedelsoul.net

Runners Up The Trident, Sausalito thetrident.net Hook Fish Co, San Francisco and Mill Valley hookfishco.com

Runners Up Marin Joe’s, Corte Madera marinjoesrestaurant.com Izzy’s, Steakhouse, multiple locations izzyssteaks.com

Best Steakhouse

Best Sushi

Bay Area

Marin

Marin

Sushi Ran,

San Francisco

Buckeye Roadhouse, Mill Valley A turn in the smoker adds intriguing depth of flavor to the baconwrapped petit filet

Green’s,

greensrestaurant.com

Sausalito Regularly recognized as one of the top Japanese restaurants in the U.S., Sushi Ran’s innovative and classic sushi and Pacific cuisine has set

Runners Up Veggie Grill, Corte Madera veggiegrill.com Golden Era Vegan Restaurant,

San Francisco goldeneravegan.com

Best Wine Store Marin

Bay Area

K&L Wine Merchants, Redwood City and San Francisco klwines.com

Runners Up Jillie’s, San Anselmo jillieswine.com West Coast Wine, Mill Valley and San Francisco westcoastsf.com

Ludwig’s Fine Wine, San Anselmo A deep list of tequila, mezcal, whiskey and amaro; a huge humidor; and librarian-like knowledge by the staff of the world of liquor and wine turns a quick stop for tonight’s bottle into an opportunity to hang out for a while. ludwigsfinewine.com

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Philanthropy Best Charity Marin

Lifehouse Agency, San Rafael Meeting the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families is the life’s work for everyone involved — their dedication is life-changing. lifehouseagency.org

Runner Up 10,000 Degrees, San Rafael 10000degrees.org

Best Fundraiser Marin

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area, San Francisco and American Canyon

gala, but also events that get kids involved — Bowl for Kids’ Sake and Golf for Kids’ Sake — make raising funds more inclusive and sporty. bbbsba.org

Bay Area

Cabernet for Connoisseurs by Family House, San Francisco

This is not just an annual

With Debbie Zachareas, owner of Ferry Plaza Wine Merchants, and

San Rafael

Bay Area

Bring on the buzz cut or let the curls loose at this salon that cuts hair for men, women and kids. theshopcali.com

Danville, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Walnut Creek

Mourad Lahlou, owner and chef at Mourad, on the event committee, the fall fundraising event for Family House goes all-in on gourmet. familyhouseinc.org Runners Up Halleck Creek Ranch, Nicasio halleckcreekranch.org Day In the Park, Livermore ttff.org/day-in-the-park

Best Family Give-Back Opportunity Marin

Adopt a Family, San Rafael Protecting struggling families in our community from homelessness is more important now than ever before. adoptafamily.org

Adopt a Family

Runner Up Health Hubs marincommunityclinics.org

Kids Best Clothing Marin

SeeSaw Children’s Consignment Shop,

Prep,

prepcuts.com

Runners Up Panda Room, Corte Madera thepandaroom.com Snippety Crickets, Berkeley snippety-crickets.edan.io

San Anselmo Nothing makes a parent happier than a store that sells used snow boots, ski clothes and dress clothes, all in great condition. seesaw4kids.com

Best Kids/Family Photographer Marin

Torrey Fox Photography, Mill Valley

Runner Up Sprout, Mill Valley sproutsanfrancisco.com

TORREY FOX

Best Kids Haircut Marin

The Shop,

Torrey Fox Photography

Though Fox lives in Mill Valley, she travels the Bay Area for her shoots, capturing just the right light and moment for babies, families and events of all kinds for memories that last a lifetime. torreyfox.com

Bay Area

Jamie Diger jamiediger.com

Best Swim School Marin

Runner Up Marinwood Community Center, San Rafael marinwood.org

Best Toy Store

Nancy’s Mommy Marin Toy Crazy, and Me Swim Larkspur School, San Rafael With 50-plus years under her belt as “Mermaid Nancy,” this swim instructor utilizes her backyard pool to teach the wonders — and needed safety tools — to anyone who does not know how to swim. facebook.com/ nancysmommyand meswimschool

Owner Melissa Moore sources toys with high marks for safety and for sparking the imagination. gotoycrazy.com Runner Up 5 Little Monkeys, Corte Madera and Novato 5littlemonkeys.com

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Services Best Florist Marin

Green Door Design, Mill Valley This local shop’s longlasting arrangements, many of which feature orchids, succulents and tillandsia air plants (which are reminiscent of vintage troll dolls), earned kudos from our voters. greendoordesign.net

Bay Area

Farmgirl Flowers,

Watsonville farmgirlflowers.com Runners Up The Little Flower Shop, San Anselmo thelittleflowershop.co Hoogasian Flowers, San Francisco hoogasian.com

Best Jewelry Repair Marin

Gold Rush,

Bay Area

Watson & Son, Sausalito and San Francisco watsonandson.com

Valley Memorial Park Cemetery & Funeral Home

Runners Up Julianna’s Fine Jewelry, Corte Madera juliannasfinejewelry.com Appelblom Jewelry, San Mateo appelblom.com

valleymemorialpark.com

Best Movers Marin

Birch Circle Movers, San Rafael Respectful and personable toward the client, on time arrivals and smooth communications are just a few of the accolades that rain down on these pros. alwaysonthemove.net

Bay Area

Celtic Moving & Storage, San Francisco celticmovers.com Runners Up Movers of Marin, Mill Valley moversofmarin.com Cunningham Moving & Storage, San Francisco cunninghamfamily moving.com

Novato Fast service comes with an unhurried demeanor and no pressure to purchase at this favorite local jeweler. goldrushjewelers.com

SERVICES CATEGORY SPONSOR

Best Pet Grooming Marin

Doggie Styles, Mill Valley With over 25 years of experience snipping doggie locks into ownerapproved shapes, this crew knows a thing or

two about doggie ’dos.

415.381.1777

Bay Area

Wags,

Novato and San Francisco

Runners Up All Seasons Catering, Mill Valley allseasonscatering.com A Black Tie Affair, South San Francisco ablacktieaffairinc.com

sfwags.com Runners Up All Aboard Dog Grooming, Novato allaboarddog grooming.com Ziggy’s Pet Grooming 415.485.1745

Best Caterer Marin

Stacy Scott Located in the Whistlestop building, this boutique catering business supports Marin nonprofits, including Vivalon, WildCare, Marin Community Clinics and others. stacyscottcatering.com

Bay Area

Big City Catering, San Francisco

Best Photographer Marin

Amy Perl Photography, Mill Valley We don’t know how she does it, but Perl seems able to capture each child’s inner essence in every photograph. amyperl.com

Bay Area

Jan Lundberg, A-List Photos, San Francisco alistphotos.com Runners Up Buoncristiani Photography, Novato buonphoto.com September Days Photography september-days.com

PANDEMIC PIVOT “During Covid-19, sadly we saw more families than past years, and our full-service funeral home and crematory was there to provide a much-needed service. Valley Memorial Park met with families in person, on video chat and over the phone. We kept our staff safe and made sure to follow all safety guidelines.

While restrictions were in place we held small funeral services outside, and later in our chapel.

Now that many restrictions have been lifted our bookings are increasing and families are finally able to have a celebration of life that is a part of the grieving process.” — Sherri L. Jacobs, Accounting/Marketing Manager, FD#2295 Sherri's top services picks Rob Martel Photography Rob knows how to capture the feelings and visions of the moment. robmartelphotography.com San Marin Flowers This great local company is a mom-and-pop shop that’s been around for many years. sanmarinflowers.com Morning Glory This florist is also great to work with and can produce arrangements on a short notice for families in need. morninggloryflorist.com Debbie Ghiringhelli Catering Guests always rave about how wonderful the food is, and the Ghiringhelli Team does an amazing job at set up, decor, serving and clean up. debbieghiringhellicatering.com Classic Culinaire This equally wonderful catering company shifted their business during Covid to add CC Café To-Go, providing restaurant-quality meals that are oven-ready and affordable. They also donate to extrafood.org. classicculinaire.com

bigcitysf.com

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Beauty Best Spa Marin

Turning Point, Mill Valley Laurence McKee runs a French-inflected spa with a gentle touch and a holistic approach, thanks to her experience with Ayurvedic treatments. turningpointspa.com

Medicine, Mill Valley Dr. Faye Jamali’s injectable techniques enhance your natural assets, and the salon vibe provides a boost of well-being wrapped in a cocoon of welcoming beauty. bellemarin.com

Bay Area

Osmosis,

Plastic Surgery Specialists,

Freestone

multiple locations

osmosis.com

psspecialists.com

Bay Area

Best Women’s Haircut/Salon Services

Best Men’s Haircut/Salon Services

Marin

Marin

San Anselmo

San Anselmo

Co-owners Stephanie Fimbres and Jenna Thomas have a knack for delivering just what Marin women and girls want from their cut, color and blonding services. thecurrentmarin.com

Though the team mostly cuts and styles hair for women, their enthusiasm for their craft carries over to men, as evidenced by the many votes they received for cutting men’s hair. thecurrentmarin.com

The Current,

The Current,

Bay Area

Barber Lane, Larkspur and San Francisco barberlane.com Runners Up Xclusive Club Barbershop, San Rafael thexclusiveclub.com Fahrenheit Salon, San Francisco fahrenheitsf.com

Body, Novato envieskinandbody.com Runners Up EVO Spa, Mill Valley evo-spa.com Skin Spirit, multiple locations skinspirit.com

Best Massage Marin

Bodywise Massage, San Rafael Offering indoor and outdoor massage with an intuitive touch from all practitioners, in addition to massage at home — these are just a few of their updated services. bodywisemassageinc.com

Bay Area

Watercourse Way Bathhouse Spa, Palo Alto watercourseway.com

Best Facial Turning Point

Runners Up International Orange, Larkspur internationalorange.com Indian Springs, Calistoga indianspringscalistoga.com

Best Med Spa

Runners Up Marin Medical Aesthetics, San Rafael marinmedical aesthetics.com Morpheus Med Spa, Larkspur and Santa Rosa morpheusmedspa.com

Marin

Belle Marin Aesthetic

Bay Area

Sugar,

Petaluma sugarpetaluma.com Runners Up AP Luxe Salon, Mill Valley apluxesalon.com John Velasquez Salon, San Francisco johnvelasquezsalon.com

Marin

Eva Claiborne Beauty & Wellness, Tiburon Master aesthetician Claiborne runs an eponymous institute teaching Hungarian skin care techniques and is well-regarded for her pre- and post-operative skincare services. tiburonskincare.com

Bay Area

Envie Skin &

Runners Up Resonance Spa, Corte Madera resonancemarin.com Elements Massage, multiple locations elementsmassage.com

Best Nail Salon Marin

Annie’s Nails, San Rafael With a staff that understands how chatty (or not) you are, hygienic tools and attention to

detail, this salon in a quiet part of the West End is a reader favorite.

Bay Area

Polish Nail and Beauty Spa, San Francisco polishnailandbeauty spa.com Runners Up NJ Nails Spa, Novato njnailspa.com Cuticles Nail Spa, Oakland cuticlesnailspa.com

Best Cosmetic Dermatologist Marin

Mill Valley Dermatology, Dr. Haydee Knott, Mill Valley Driven by putting relationships over production, this dermatologist leans into personal care for all of your skin’s needs. millvalleydermatology.com

Bay Area

Kathy Fields, MD, San Francisco sutterhealth.com Runners Up Laub Dermatology & Aesthetics Dr. Laub, Mill Valley laubdermatology.com Dermatology medical group, Dr. Megin Scully, San Francisco dermsf.com

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✶ 2021 BEST OF THE COUNTY ✶

Arts & Entertainment Best Live Music Venue Marin

Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley A who’s who of rock and roots stars have and continue to play in Mill Valley’s most intimate music space; plus the patio is an awesome place to sit and enjoy brunch. sweetwatermusichall.com

Bay Area

The Fillmore, San Francisco thefillmore.com Runners Up Terrapin Crossroads, San Rafael terrapincrossroads.net

Hearst Greek Theatre, Berkeley thegreektheatre berkeley.com

Best Live Theater Marin

Marin Theatre Company,

Repertory Theater, Berkeley berkeleyrep.org Runners Up AlterTheater, San Rafael altertheater.org American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), San Francisco act-sf.org

Bay Area

Berkeley

Bay Area

Best Children’s Theater

Sonoma Children’s Creative & Performing Arts,

Marin

createperforsonoma.com

Mill Valley Committed to producing theater that creates a communitywide dialogue, Mill Valley’s progressive theater supports American playwrights and focuses on equity, diversity and inclusion. marintheatre.org

community-focused educational programming that helps build the skills of aspiring thespians with workshops, actors’ studios, and live performances for children and teens. throckmortontheatre.org

Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley Though perhaps best known as the theater that launched Robin Williams’ career, the Throck is beloved for its

Sonoma

Runners Up Marin Art and Garden Center, Ross maringarden.org Marin Theatre Company,

Mill Valley marintheatre.org

Best Museum Marin

Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (MarinMOCA), Novato

Accessible contemporary art from Bay Area artists and educational programs for art lovers of all ages is at the heart of the program — most exhibits are free to the public. marinmoca.org

Bay Area

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), San Francisco A recent expansion means 45,000 square feet of modern and contemporary art from American and global masters is available to all. sfmoma.org Runners Up Discovery Museum, Sausalito bayareadiscovery museum.org de Young Museum, San Francisco deyoung.famsf.org

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Best Children’s Museum Marin

Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito One part play space, one part imaginarium with daily programming to stimulate the senses of children aged 6 months to 10 years means an immersive experience for families and friends and no shortage of fun. bayareadiscovery museum.org

Bay Area

Exploratorium, San Francisco exploratorium.edu Runner Up Bolinas Museum, Bolinas bolinas-museum.org Academy of Science, San Francisco calacademy.org

Best Band Marin

Huey Lewis, Bolinas and Kentfield Marin is no stranger to hosting the homes of rockers, and Bolinas’ own Huey Lewis regularly pulls down a top rating with our readers. hueylewisandthenews.com

Bay Area

Santana santana.com

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Studio for Art

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

Soleil, Napa Valley aubergeresorts.com/ aubergedusoleil

Runners Up Vinyl facebook.com/ sfvinylgroove Train savemesanfrancisco.com

Best Art Gallery Marin

Robert Green Fine Arts, Mill Valley

Best Comedy Venue Marin

Throckmorton Theatre Mill Valley Comedy is given its due at the Throck; the calendar is regularly filled with standup nights, open mic nights and performances by famous comics. throckmortontheatre.org

Bay Area

Cobb’s Comedy Club, San Francisco cobbscomedy.com Runners Up Marin Center, San Rafael marincenter.org Punchline, San Francisco punchlinecomedyclub.com

A fixture in the Bay Area art scene for more than 50 years, the gallery known for representing Sam Francis and Ed Moses promotes abstract expressionism. rgfinearts.com

Bay Area

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco

San Francisco Bay as for its exceptional restaurant and bar, the comfortable rooms in a former U.S. Army base are both historic and contemporary. cavallopoint.com

Bay Area

Auberge de Soleil, Napa Valley aubergeresorts.com/ aubergedusoleil Runners Up Casa Madrona, Sausalito casamadrona.com Indian Springs, Calistoga indianspringscalistoga.com

ybca.org Runners Up Art Works Downtown, San Rafael artworksdowntown.org Altman Siegel, San Francisco altmansiegel.com

Best Hotel Marin

Cavallo Point, Sausalito Recognized as much for its prime location at the base of the Marin Headlands overlooking

Best Staycation Marin

Runners Up Tiburon Lodge, Tiburon lodgeattiburon.com Fairmont, San Francisco fairmont.com/ san-francisco

Best Northern California Destination

Mendocino Marin’s rugged coastline, organic eats and commitment to sustainability has a worthy rival two county lines to the north. Mendo is also the home of Sea Ranch and wonderous redwood groves. visitmendocino.com

Best Northern California Family Destination

Water’s Edge,

Santa Cruz

Tiburon

Perhaps no region of California is more dedicated to surf culture and preserving beaches than Santa Cruz. And then there’s that famous boardwalk and rollercoaster. santacruz.org

The fireplaces and large soaking tubs in each room set a relaxing tone; the grand views over San Francisco Bay and breakfast delivered to your room each morning make a stay here extra cushy. watersedge hotel.com

Bay Area

Auberge de

Runners Up Point Reyes visitmarin.org Tahoe visitinglaketahoe.com

Loretta Gargan Landscape + Design lorettagargan.com

PANDEMIC PIVOT "As the pandemic necessitated social isolation, our awareness of the importance of nature took center stage. Plants, birds and animals offered a valuable antidote to the stresses we were feeling." — Loretta Gargan, founder Loretta's top arts & entertainment picks

Artist Within – A Cedars Gallery The gallery features original weavings, paintings, jewelry and crafts created by Cedars artists. Cedars has supported individuals with developmental disabilities since 1919. cedarslife.org/artistwithin Headlands Center for the Arts Set amidst a beautiful wild landscape first inhabited by the Coastal Miwok; Headlands Center for the Arts offers artists residencies.

Check out their open studios. headlands.org Marin Art and Garden Center This hidden gem in Ross celebrating its 75th anniversary offers lovely gardens, a theater, gallery, musical events, lectures and more. maringarden.org Wildcare An amazing organization run with the help of dedicated volunteers who rehabilitate injured wild animals. Go meet their wildlife ambassadors. discoverwildcare.org Gospel Flat Farm Stand & Gallery Who wouldn’t love a roadside stand offering the best just-picked organic vegetables and an art gallery that is open 24/7? facebook.com/ Gospel-Flat-Farm-102851829813480

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✶ 2021 BEST OF COUNTY ✶ THE COUNTY ✶

Health & Fitness

Athleta

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Best Chiropractor Marin

Best Equipment/ Athletic-Wear Store

Dr. Chappy Wood, D.C.,

Marin

Corte Madera

Corte Madera

Hands-on techniques are just part of wellness, and Chappy, as he's known, utlizes technology, exercise and nutrition to enhance wellbeing. marinspineandwellness.com

The well-designed, sporty athleisure clothes,workout gear and supportive sports bras have won many fans. athleta.gap.com

Best Gym

Bay Area

Runner Up Rina Tinozzi, Corte Madera tinozzichiropractic.com

Sports Basement,

Small but well-equipped, the gym also offers complimentary training sessions to help you optimize your workout. fivepointsfitness.net

Athleta,

Novato and San Francisco sportsbasement.com

Best CrossTraining Class Marin

TJ’s Gym, Mill Valley and Corte Madera Owned by a fitness professional and a licensed psychologist, this gym is a haven for those needing just the right physical or mental push to achieve fitness goals. tjsgym.com

Bay Area

F45,

multiple locations f45training.com LEFT: COURTESY OF ATHLETA (YOGA)

Runners Up Get Fit Marin getfitmarin.com Barry’s Bootcamp barrysbootcamp.com

Runners Up Novato CrossFit crossfitnovato.com San Francisco CrossFit sanfranciscocrossfit.com

Runners Up T&B Sports, San Rafael tandbsports.com Lululemon lululemon.com

Best Fitness Class Marin

The Dailey Method, Corte Madera Affectionately known as TDM, classes combine Pilates, yoga, and ballet barre training for a workout that makes you sweat — and look — like you never have before. thedaileymethod.com

Bay Area

Orange Theory, Greenbrae, Novato and Mill Valley orangetheoryfitness.com

Marin

Five Points Fitness, Corte Madera and Novato

Bay Area

Bay Club, multiple locations bayclubs.com Runners Up The Club at Harbor Point harbor-point.com Fitness SF fitnesssf.com

Studio Thirty

Best Personal Trainer

Bay Area

Marin

Novato

Jake and JT Peterson, Studio Thirty, Mill Valley Brothers who encourage each other to be better, safer athletes share their knowledge and expertise to help you achieve your cardio-strength goals Now while having a good time Yoga doing it. studiothirty.com

Toby Wilson, Sonoma Fit, sofitnovato.com Runners Up Sarah Hester, The Studio Pilates Marin, San Rafael thestudiopilatesmarin.com Christine Waldron, Mill Valley facebook.com/ PT2TRAINING

Best Pilates Studio

Larkspur

Marin

Runners Up Novato Pilates, Novato novatopilates.com Sanchez Street Studios, San Francisco sanchezstreetstudios.com

Body Kinetics, Mill Valley, Novato and San Rafael Often at the top of “best of” lists, this family-run business believes in an integrative approach to fitness that includes wellbeing. bodykinetics.com

Bay Area

Mighty Pilates,

mightypilates.com

Best Spin Studio Marin

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✶ 2021 BEST OF THE COUNTY ✶

Health & Fitness The comfy cycle seats are a marvel for regulars, and the instructors make sure your posture is aligned to prevent problems later. pelofitness.com

Bay Area

Jewish Community Center of San Francisco jccsf.org Runners Up CycleBar, Novato cyclebar.com SoulCycle, multiple locations soul-cycle.com

Best Health & Wellness Coach Marin

Susan Hauser, Corte Madera The founder of NOW Power Yoga uses the healing power of this ancient movement practice to enable a clear mind as a tool to manifest the life you want. nowpower.yoga

Bay Area

Saskia Kleinert, Integrative Health and

Nutrition, Emeryville integrativehealth nutrition.com Runners Up Thought Partners (formerly known as Marin Psychotherapy for Women), Kentfield mythoughtpartners.com Clara Gray, Novato fitnessflowmarin. blogspot.com

Best Yoga Marin

Metta Yoga, San Rafael

This newcomer to the yoga scene gets voters’ love for their pandemicera virtual classes and true spirit of metta, or "loving kindness," in-studio. mettayogastudio.com

Bay Area

The Pad Studios, San Francisco thepadstudios.com Runners Up Now Power Yoga, Corte Madera nowpower.yoga Love Story Yoga, San Francisco lovestoryyoga.com

HEALTH & FITNESS SPONSOR

Getfitmarin getfitmarin.com

PANDEMIC PIVOT “When Covid shut down gyms, we moved outside. Even with masks and social distancing, training continued. Medical devices were allowed, so I focused on bioDensity and Power Plate training and expanded the studio with a Power Plate pop-up in Larkspur, and I added outdoor boxing, affording clients the opportunity to punch out their anxiety. Despite Covid, I was determined to help people get strong, get healthy and get fit!” — Nadia Tarlow, Founder Nadia’s top health & wellness picks Dr. Susan Fox, Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Integrative Medicine The pandemic stressed me out! A client introduced me to Susan, and her heart-warming approach to acupuncture has helped me immensely with pain and stress. drsusanfox.com Healus Center As a busy entrepreneur, I have little time to fit in cardio. I highly recommend the Vasper training program at the Healus Center for the efficiency of the 30 minute cooling, compression and HITS interval workout. healus.com Katja Tapia, Papillion Fitness Pole and Dance I added pole fitness and dance to my workout regimen to build strength and creativity. Katja is so patient and encouraging, and I appreciate the focus it takes to pole, I can’t think about anything else when I’m climbing! 415.524.8039 Oliveyah Fisch, Health and Empowerment Coach Oliveyah has helped me turn my pain into my power, take action and awaken to live my best life. oliveyahfisch.com

TJ's Gym

Sheela Joshi, Licensed Clinical Social Worker We can’t ignore the mental side of health and wellness — it’s equally important to the physical. Sheela works with individuals and couples combining her expertise with compassion. sheelajoshi.com

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Education Best Preschool Marin

Marin Horizon School, Mill Valley Though the school runs from the toddler years through eighth grade, many students begin at the beginning to fully experience the immersive indoor-outdoor program with STEM and SEL built in from the start. marinhorizon.org

Marin School

Best Bay Area University/ College

University of California, Berkeley The history, the rigorous academics, the annual

Bay Area Cal-Stanford game — there are so many things to love about this standout school. berkeley.edu

The Little School,

Runner Up University of California Santa Cruz ucsc.edu

Runners Up Belvedere Hawthorne Nursery Schools, Belvedere

San Francisco thelittleschool.org

belvedere-hawthorne.com Cow Hollow School, San Francisco cowhollowschool.org

Best Private School Marin

Mount Tamalpais School, Mill Valley Tucked into the Almonte neighborhood, this school turns out students versed in Latin and comfortable with advanced technologies. mttam.org

Bay Area

Runners Up Marin Catholic marincatholic.org Lick Wilmerding lwhs.org

Best Public School Marin

education program. headlandsprep.com Runner Up Bridge the Gap, Sausalito btgcollegeprep.org

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley San Anselmo’s Sleepy Hollow neighborhood boasts a Marin favorite: this elementary school where academic rigor is balanced with social-emotional well-being. rossvalleyschools.org

College Preparatory School,

Bay Area

Oakland

San Francisco

college-prep.org

sfusd.edu

Lowell High School,

Runners Up Bacich Anthony Elementary School kentfieldschools.org Redwood High School tamdistrict.org

Best Tutor Marin

Headlands Preparatory School,

Best Art Instruction Marin

Studio4Art, San Rafael and Novato Boredom busters, pottery painting, art camp and birthday parties are just a few of the hands-on imaginationexpanding programs available in person or virtually from this favorite with young children. studio4art.net

Sausalito

Mount Tamalpais School

A full-time high school, Headlands Prep is wellknown for its separate, open-to-all tutoring and test-prep programs that offer the same support and skill development as their full-time

Runner Up Marin School of the Arts marinschoolofthearts.org

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✶ 2021 BEST OF THE COUNTY ✶

Home & Design Best Architect Marin

Crome Architecture, San Rafael Though the team does residential projects, they are perhaps best known for their restaurant and retail work, with clients such as Pottery Barn Kids, Williams-Sonoma and Blue Bottle Coffee. cromearchitecture.com

Bay Area

Sutton Suzuki Architects suttonsuzuki.com Runners Up Chambers & Chambers, Mill Valley

chambersand chambers.com Wade Design Architects wade-design.com

Best Builder Marin

Lamperti Contracting & Design, San Rafael This business that beganby recognizing the kitchen as a home’s heart (and making cabinets to suit) now takes on complex projects, including bathroom retreats and home renovations. lampertikitchens.com

Bay Area

Hadley General Contractors, Inc. hadleyconstruction.com Runners Up Diego Brothers, San Rafael diegobrosinc.com Jeff King & Company, San Francisco jeffkingandco.com

Best Painter Marin

Ross Painting, San Rafael Contractors who leave a site tidy when they depart are a joy — add in plentiful compliments from voters about their

thoroughness and professionalism and that lands you at the top of our heap. rosspainting.com

Bay Area

Flying Colors, San Francisco flyingcolors.com

San Rafael Carpets, area rugs and a huge range of wood flooring make this business foundational to our voters. adccarpets.com

Bay Area

Carpet Connection, San Francisco

Runners Up Bob Kunst Painting, San Rafael bobkunstpainting.com Karoll Julian karolljulian.com

Best Flooring Marin

Architectural Design Carpets, Henrybuilt

carpetconnectionsf.com Runners Up City Carpets, San Rafael citycarpetscarpetone sanrafael.com Chacon Flooring, San Francisco chaconflooring.com

Best Interior Design Marin

Sandra Bird Designs, Kentfield An eye attuned to the unique visual styling of Marin and the Bay Area and your own personal style blended into a harmonized whole earned a win for this long-time designer. sandrabird.com

Bay Area

HSH Interiors, San Francisco hsh-interiors.com Runners Up Robert Federighi Design, Novato robertfederighi.com Sunrise Home sunrisehome.com

Best Kitchen Design Marin

Kress Jack at Home, Mill Valley Known for their eye for color and custom furniture, this design studio earns a nod for its immaculate and modern kitchen design. kressjackathome.com

Bay Area

Henrybuilt henrybuilt.com Runners Up Yami Arvelo of Moones Home, Novato mooneshome.com MAS Design, multiple locations masinteriordesign.com

Best Landscaping Company Marin

Yardzen, Sausalito Providing a simplified approach to landscape project planning using online tools, this familyrun business also offers flat-rate packages designed to streamline pricing. yardzen.com

Bay Area

Zeterre Landscape Architecture zeterre.com

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HOME & DESIGN CATEGORY SPONSOR

Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty goldengatesir.com PANDEMIC PIVOT “Leading our industry was critical, from health and safety to innovation to virtual solutions.

Ours is a relationship business. We focused on serving our clients and supporting our agents through dynamic times.”

— Kevin Daniel Dwyer, Chief Marketing Officer

Kevin Daniel Dwyer top home & design picks Yardzen

Runners Up Integrated Design Studio, Mill Valley integrateddesign studio.com J. Kearney Gardens, San Francisco jkearneygardens.com

Best Real Estate Company Marin

Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty, Greenbrae It’s all about location, location, location — and the team understands the value of your property. goldengatesir.com

Best Home Organization Company Marin

Changing Places, San Rafael

Organizers, San Rafael caspaceorganizers.com Diane Woodall, Marin County woodallorganizing.com

Best Outdoor/ Patio Designer Marin

Dig-It Landscape Design,

with historic properties and rooftop gardens will. sllasf.com

Runners Up MAS Design, Tiburon masinteriordesign.com Patio World, multiple locations patioworld.net

Best Sustainable Landscaping

Sausalito

From concierge services to helping you move and organizing your home or business, Changing Places is a one-stop shop for life’s transitions. changing-places.com

Principal Kellee Adams is a former organic farmer whose The Wave Garden was archived into the Smithsonian Institute’s library of noted landscapes. dig-it-landscape.com

Bay Area

Bay Area

Coldwell Banker,

The Balanced Abode,

Greenbrae

San Francisco

Scott Lewis Landscape Architecture,

coldwellbanker.com

thebalancedabode.org

San Francisco

Runners Up Engel & Völkers,

Runners Up California Space

If the stack of awards isn’t enough to convince you, perhaps their work

Bay Area STEPHANIE RUSSO

Sausalito marincounty. evrealestate.com Compass Realty, San Francisco compass.com

Marin

Dig-It Landscape Design, Sausalito A deep knowledge of the needs of Mediterranean plants, soils and climate helps Adams create sustainable, low-water and low-maintenance gardens that instill beauty and joy. dig-it-landscape.com

Studio Collins Weir An interior design firm in Sausalito that is behind many of the sleek and sophisticated interiors of our favorite homes. studiocollinsweir.com Coquelicot Larkspur’s long-standing go-to for Frenchcountry home goods that bring the best of Provence to any table. coquelicotfromprovence.com Tivoli A boutique vintage and modern treasure chest of furniture, artwork, textiles and more located in a quaint old garage shop on Caledonia Street in Sausalito. tivolidecor.com Green 17 Landscape Architects and Design Simple, elegant and balanced landscape designs perfect for Marin’s climate and lifestyle. green17design.com Green Jeans Garden Supply Exotic plants, natives and endless varieties of flora displayed impeccably by its very cool owners and down-to-earth team. greenjeansgardensupply.com

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✶ 2021 BEST OF THE COUNTY ✶

Shopping bathing suits — and speaks to men of all ages. theperfectprovenance.com

Bay Area

Mr Lin,

San Francisco mrlin.com Runners Up Nordstrom, Corte Madera nordstrom.com Rag & Bone, San Francisco rag-bone.com

Best Eyewear Marin Marin Country Mart

Best Book Store Marin

Book Passage, Corte Madera Book nerds came together to place a long-running shop that pivoted to outdoor service and digital events during Covid on the top shelf. bookpassage.com

Bay Area

Green Apple Books, San Francisco greenapplebooks.com Runners Up Copperfield’s, Larkspur and San Rafael copperfieldsbooks.com

Books, Inc., San Francisco booksinc.net

Best Women's Clothing Marin

Viva Diva Boutique, San Rafael On-trend tanks, rompers and jeans from popular brands paired with high-touch, one-on-one service earned a shower of love from voters. vivadivaboutique.com

Bay Area

Margaret O’Leary, multiple locations margaretoleary.com

Runners Up The Store, Mill Valley thestoremillvalley.com Betty Lin, San Francisco shopbettylin.com

Best Consignment/ Thrift Marin

Swan Dive, Corte Madera Located on an easy-tomiss corner of Menke Park, this shop is a perpetual winner for its efforts to source only high-quality designer items and give fair prices to consignees. swandivestyle.com

Bay Area

Cris,

San Francisco crisconsignment.com Runners Up Stella’s Fine Consignments, San Anselmo stellasfine consignments.com ReLove, San Francisco shoprelove.com

Best Men’s Clothing Marin

The Perfect Provenance, Tiburon The refined California style is evident from shoes and shorts to

Wink Optics, Mill Valley and San Anselmo Our voters love the personal, dare we say old-fashioned, service and right-sized selection of on-brand glasses and sunglasses. winkoptics.com

Bay Area

Rims & Goggles,

Mill Valley Curator Bonnie Powers and goldsmith Jeffrey Levin enjoy hanging out at the shop with friends new and old, but it’s the custom jewelry and contemporary artwork that tipped this atelier into the winner’s circle. poetandthebench.com

Bay Area

Maker’s Market, multiple locations makersmarket.us Runners Up Chase Ace Hardware Garden and Gift Emporium, San Rafael chaseacehardware.com Rare Device, San Francisco raredevice.net

Best Home Furnishing/ Home Accessories Marin

mulitple locations

Sunrise Home,

rimsandgoggles.com

San Rafael

Runners Up Marin Optometry, Mill Valley marinoptometry.com 20/20 OPTICAL 2020opticalinc.com

Over 30,000 square feet of showroom space provides ample opportunity to experience a range of furniture in different finishes and fabrics for nearly every room in the house. sunrisehome.com

Best Gifts

Bay Area

Marin

multiple locations

Poet & the Bench,

RH,

rh.com

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Runners Up SummerHouse, Mill Valley summerhouse57mill valley.com Hudson Grace, multiple locations hudsongracesf.com

kittens playing in the window? woodlandspet.com

Best Bridal Shop

Bay Area

Lea Couture,

Pet Food Express, San Francisco petfood.express

Best Jewelry Marin

Sofia Jewelry, Mill Valley Multiple generations of the Priolo family are on-hand to help customers through the sometimes fraught decision of buying jewelry, a nice touch for what can be a once-in-alifetime purchase. sofiajewelry.com

Bay Area

D&H Jewelers, San Francisco dandhjewelers.com Runners Up California Girl Jewelry, Mill Valley californiagirljewelry.com Gallery of Jewels, San Francisco galleryofjewels.com

Best Pet Store Marin

Woodlands Pet, Mill Valley The shop’s assortment of leashes, collars and other goodies for pets is great but really, isn’t it all about the

Runners Up Pet Club, Corte Madera petclubstores.com George, San Francisco georgesf.com

Best Shopping Center/Mall Marin

The Village at Corte Madera

Marin

San Anselmo Call Lea for an appointment; bring your ideas for the ideal wedding dress, mother of the bride or wardrobe items; and she will realize them for you as if out of thin air. leacouture.com

Bay Area

Emerald City Gowns, Berkeley emeraldcitygowns.com Runner Up Bliss Bridal & Black Tie,

Petaluma blissbridalwear.com

Best Home & Garden Marin

Ground, Belvedere-Tiburon Realizing that Marinites live life indoors and out, a new store serves up plants, tableware, baskets, teas and much more. groundgoods.com

Bay Area

Sloat Garden Center, multiple locations sloatgardens.com

Runners Up Green Jeans Garden Supply, Mill Valley greenjeansgarden supply.com Flora Grubb Gardens, San Francisco floragrubb.com

Best Cannabis Delivery Marin

Ona.Life, San Rafael Delivery that works around your schedule, an in-depth cannabis education program, and a commitment to the community and giving back are pillars of this

women-owned business. ona.life Runners Up Nice Guys niceguysdelivery.com Moonflower, San Rafael moonflowerdelivery.com

Best Cannabis Dispensary Bay Area

The Apothecarium Dispensary, San Francisco apothecarium.com

OK, OK, it’s all about the Apple store, but voters also like the children’s play area, plentiful eating options, fountains and majestic flower baskets at this shopping center. villageatcortemadera.com

Bay Area

Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto simon.com/mall/ stanford-shopping-center Runners Up Marin Country Mart marincountrymart.com Fourth Street, Berkeley fourthstreetberkeley.com Poet & the Bench

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✶ 2021 BEST OF COUNTY ✶

The Power With Grace

Survival Stories

BY LOTUS ABRAMS

Our 2020 Best of the County winners share the challenges their businesses faced during the pandemic, and how they got through it.

The last 18 months took a heavy toll on small businesses around the country — and here in Marin County — but finally, the worst of the pandemic appears to be behind us, and it’s time to celebrate just how far we’ve come. As we recognize our 2021 Best of County winners (page 34), we thought we’d also check in with last year’s honorees to see how they fared during Covid-19. We’re happy to report that when faced with adversity, these businesses managed to perfect the art of the pivot, coming up with creative ways to preserve their businesses, safely serve their customers and give back to the community. We hope you’ll find their stories as inspiring as we do.

THE POWER WITH GRACE; STOP DROP AND DANCE San Rafael My business was able to survive during the pandemic, thanks to a loving and loyal community of students who gave me permission to fumble, experiment, fail and try creative solutions. I invested in my own equipment and created a new membership website that allowed students to take my dance, fitness and yoga classes three ways: live on Zoom from home, in-person and masked on my deck (and eventually in outdoor parking lots), or on-demand at their convenience. As hard as it was to keep my business afloat this past year, staying connected with my students and seeing their faces (even on a tiny Zoom square) was physically and mentally healing for us all. — Grace Yu, owner VINTNER’S DAUGHTER San Francisco The strategy that served us best over the last year has been leaning into our core mission, which is to make a positive impact on the skin and lives of our customers. We became carbon-neutral and green-business certified, and are on our way to becoming a B Corporation, all of which strengthens our commitment to sustainability and improving the world we live in. Every day we work to add joy, gratitude and confid nce to our customers’

Vintner's Daughter

WANT MORE? Read even more 2020 Best of the County-winner pandemic survival stories on marinmagazine.com.

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just to check on us, the community motivated us to press on. — Tyler Higgins, owner/ general manager

lives. Feeling like you’re making a difference makes the hard days worth it. — April Gargiulo, founder and CEO LEFT BANK BRASSERIE Larkspur During the pandemic, and despite the challenges, Left Bank Larkspur launched several virtual concepts (sold exclusively for pickup and delivery) using our existing Left Bank kitchen to create additional menu items. With our virtual concepts — Mac’n Cheese Shop, Lito’s Cocina Hispana and our LB Cru Wine Club — we’re able to bring our guests a variety of tastes and cuisines all in one place. We also built our beautiful new parklet adjacent to the restaurant to accommodate additional outdoor seating, and worked with community school organizations, such as SPARK and Kentfield Invests in Kids (KIK), to provide weekly family meals for pickup to give back to the community in need. — Frank Caiazzo, general manager FLOODWATER Mill Valley The most impactful Miracle Mile Café move we made to make it through this pandemic was resurrecting chef Michael Siegel’s old menu Floodwater from his place in San Francisco, Shorty Goldstein’s. During a time when most restaurants were downsizing their staff, menu and expenses, we decided to counter that movement by opening a pop-up restaurant. Quick research informed us there were few, if any, options for anyone desiring Jewish deli favorites. Our famous Reuben sandwich was joined by house-smoked pastrami Rachel and fresh ovenroasted turkey sandwiches, latkes, knish, chopped liver and a spread of house-made pickles. Due to the success of Shorty’s, we started preparing take-home meals for all Jewish holidays, and from there, national holidays. Our success is attributed to thinking outside the box, repurposing assets and products and retaining motivation. It’s also important to recognize how the community helped Floodwater stay afloat during this pandemic. From Jim Welte and the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce battling for small business to local residents who frequented us more than before

Left Bank Brasserie

Pink Owl Coffee

MIRACLE MILE CAFÉ San Rafael The pandemic hit our business hard. To survive, we needed to let most of our crew go in a blink of eye.

After that we did all the marketing possible, and we offered free delivery to anywhere in Marin! Every morning was a new challenge.

There were many days that being open wasn’t worth it, but there were always some days where our sales had just $1 more than the previous day, and that dollar keep us going until we were able to open again and bring all our crew back. Thank you for your support, Marin!

— Karen Garcia, manager

PINK OWL COFFEE Petaluma, San Rafael We opened our doors in San Rafael on February 6, 2020, and had the best community support any new business could ask for at our grand opening. We built our coffee shop to provide a space for our community to enjoy the coffee we roast. Covid-19 changed that in some ways, but not for forever. We did everything we could to keep the business going with a very small staff — ust two people and us, the owners. We went on every ordering platform to get our products to our customers. Now, Pink Owl Coffee has 13 employees and two coffee shops, and we're growing our business. Our products are in other small restaurants and grocery stores near and far. Our strategy is to never let something like this pandemic stop our dreams. Coffee is a passion for us, and we’re happy to serve that passion to others.

— Saandra Bowlus and Joe Carlo, cofounders and co-owners Lotus Abrams is the managing editor at Marin Magazine. She lives with her husband and daughters in San Mateo, where they enjoy hiking the area’s many open spaces protected by her favorite local nonprofit, the Peninsula Open Space Trust.

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PROMOTION

BEST of 2021 Winners Spotlight

Best Family Give-Back Opportunity - Marin

Best Facial - Marin EVA CLAIBORNE BEAUTY & WELLNESS Master Aesthetician, Eva of Eva Claiborne Beauty & Wellness has been providing the highest level of skin care, spa therapies and perioperative aesthetic services for over 35+ years. “As someone passionate about skincare, it fills my heart to be recognized as the premier provider of facials in Marin County. Thank you Marin Magazine readers for your votes!”

86 B Main Street, Historic Ark Row, Tiburon, CA 415.435.4326 tiburonskincare.com

ADOPT A FAMILY Adopt A Family works to prevent homelessness in Marin by providing support for families in crisis and pathways to regain economic security.

We work to deliver stability for families through relationships, resources and short term financial assistance.

35 Mitchell Blvd, Suite 16, San Rafael, CA 415.456.7805 adoptafamily.org

Best Pilates Studio - Marin BODY KINETICS HEALTH CLUB Body Kinetics has been the leader in Pilates training for over 30 years! We even have our own Pilates Teacher Training program through Body Kinetics Academy.

Small group apparatus classes are offered in all three of our studios located in Mill Valley, San Rafael, and Novato.

639 E. Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley, CA bodykinetics.com Mill Valley 415.380.8787, San Rafael 415.457.2639, Novato 415.895.5965

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Best Sandwich - Marin BRUNO’S DELI, MARKET, CAFE FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS. Bruno’s Italian Deli, Market, Cafe offers high quality food and coffee products with an Italian heritage, flare and styling. The best ingredients are used, and quality comes through in the first bite. This is how we’ve always handled it in our family, and how we offer it to you, our extended family.

1304 2nd Street, San Rafael, CA 415.785.7487 BrunosItalianDeli.com

7/13/21 9:05 AM

PROMOTION

BEST of 2021 Winners Spotlight

Best Flooring - Marin

ADC CARPETS Architectural Design Carpets has been a leader in the floor covering industry since 1990.

Women-run and womanowned, we work closely with interior designers, architects, and anyone who would like to start their home beautification process. Come visit our showroom and we’ll show you our favorite broadloom carpets, rugs, hardwood.

Best Hotel - Marin CAVALLO POINT - THE LODGE AT THE GOLDEN GATE Nestled at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, just minutes from San Francisco and downtown Sausalito, Cavallo Point is the Bay Area’s one-of-a-kind basecamp with sustainable luxury accommodations, award-winning food and wine, rejuvenating spa experiences and unparalleled outdoor adventures for the whole family!

1111 Francisco Blvd E, San Rafael CA 415.458.1717 adccarpets.com

601 Murray Circle, Sausalito, CA 415.339.4700 cavallopoint.com

Best Pizza - Marin

Best Architect - Bay Area SUTTON SUZUKI ARCHITECTS Sutton Suzuki Architects is a firm committed to quality, environmentally sound design and sustainable values. Innovative, meticulous and prepared to take on a diverse array of projects, the team thrives on the synergy between the homeowners’ vision and the spirit of the location.

39 Forrest Street, #101, Mill Valley, CA 415.383.3139 suttonsuzuki.com

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CREEKSIDE PIZZA & TAPROOM Creekside Pizza & Taproom is honored to again win Best Pizza in Marin. Thank You to our loyal fans, friends, community and to our tireless staff this past year. If you haven’t tried Creekside, we invite you to come dine and shop in San Anselmo.

638 San Anselmo Ave, Downtown San Anselmo, CA 415.785.4450 CreeksideSA.com

7/13/21 9:06 AM

PROMOTION

BEST of 2021 Winners Spotlight

Best Med Spa - Marin

Best Home Organization Company - Bay Area

BELLE MARIN AESTHETIC MEDICINE

THE BALANCED ABODE

Thank you for entrusting us with your care! We are privileged to serve you and proud to provide best-in-class treatments for revealing your absolute best at every stage of life! CoolSculpting®, BBL HERO™, Halo™, PDO Thread Lift, PRP Skin Treatments & So Much More!

The Balanced Abode Team to the rescue! Our Relocation Management Team specializes in White Glove Unpacking and Organizing Services while handling all aspects of your Relocation upon request. You and your family will be settled in your new home in the blink of an eye!

250 E. Blithedale Ave, Suite B, Mill Valley, CA 415.887.8718 Hello@BelleMarin.com

Marin & San Francisco, CA 415.505.9372 TheBalancedAbode.org I thebalancedabodesf@gmail.com

Best Brewery - Bay Area

Best Architect - Marin CROME ARCHITECTURE

EAST BROTHER BEER

Crome Architecture was born and raised in Marin County. Since 2001 we have served our clients with a commitment to quality design and personal service. We love to guide you through the process of turning your ideas into reality.

East Brother Beer Co is an award-winning brewery based out of Richmond, CA. We focus on brewing clean, easy-drinking beers; the kind that you inevitably reach for again and again. Visit our taproom, just minutes from Larkspur Landing, or grab a cold one at your favorite retailer.

905 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 415.453.0700 cromearchitecture.com

1001 Canal Blvd, Richmond, CA 510.230.4081 eastbrotherbeer.com

PROMOTION

BEST of 2021 Winners Spotlight

Best Bar & Grill, Best Steakhouse

Best Builders - Bay Area HADLEY GENERAL CONTRACTORS, INC.

BUCKEYE ROADHOUSE Thank you for helping us make it through the hardest 18 months in our restaurant’s history. Now, enjoy the BEST steaks at the Buckeye Roadhouse. Our fantastic bar is wide open and packed again as well as our gorgeous heated and tented patio.

Cheers from the entire staff at the Buckeye Roadhouse.

15 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 415.331.2600 buckeyeroadhouse.com

President Larry Hadley with his nephew, General Manager Jeff Hadley. Just named

by Marin Magazine readers as Best Bay Area Builder, Hadley has served the community since 1950. Three generations and 70 years later, their commitment is unchanged. And their gratitude: “Thank you for putting your trust in us!”

85 Beach Road, Belvedere Tiburon, CA Lic. #702420 415.383.0583 hadleyconstruction.com

Best Outdoor/Patio Designer - Marin

Best Preschool - Marin MARIN HORIZON SCHOOL

Creating sustainable landscape solutions for our California climate.

Marin Horizon is a Toddler-8th grade, independent, co-ed school in Mill Valley.

Our small size, low student-teacher ratio, abundant outdoor learning spaces, and advanced technology integration allow for a flexible and nimble instruction model differentiated by student need and circumstances. Contact us to learn more!

480 Gate 5 Road, Studio 200, Sausalito, CA ka@dig-it-landscape.com dig-it-landscape.com

350 Montford Ave, Mill Valley, CA 415.388.8408 marinhorizon.org

DIG-IT LANDSCAPE DESIGN, LLC

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PROMOTION

BEST of 2021 Winners Spotlight

Best Women’s Clothing - Bay Area

Best Charity - Marin

LIFEHOUSE AGENCY

Since 1954, Lifehouse has provided essential services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In a year of great challenges, we are filled with much gratitude for this incredible community. Your continued support ensures that the individuals we serve have the opportunity to lead full lives!

18 Professional Center Parkway, San Rafael, CA 415.526.5300 lifehouseagency.org

MARGARET O’LEARY Margaret who is Irish born and a Mill Valley resident loves fashion and is always working on creating the newest collection of knits and clothing for her clients. These pieces of hers are wardrobe favorites in many Marin wardrobes. See for yourself!

14 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, CA 415.388.2390 margaretoleary.com

Best Public School - Marin

Best Jewelry - Marin SOFIA JEWELRY “From our family to yours, Thank you for voting us Best Jewelry Store in Marin! We are so grateful for your loyalty and support, and we are honored to be your local, full service, jewelry store for 27 years and counting.” ~ Sophie Priolo, Lucas Priolo 80 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, CA 415.388-8776 sofiajewelry.com

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HIDDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL We are honored to receive this recognition and it is no surprise that people who know our little learning community feel this way. What makes our school really special? Relationships. Hidden Valley is a school where we build connections with one another, subject matter, and the greater community, and discover how each student learns best to create learning that is joyful, inspiring, and challenging.

Thank you Marin!

46 Green Valley Court, San Anselmo, CA 415.454.7409 rossvalleyschools.org/hiddenvalley

7/13/21 9:06 AM

PROMOTION

BEST of 2021 Winners Spotlight

Best Florist - Marin

GREEN DOOR DESIGN Green Door Design, a premier living-plant Florist and local retail store, specializing in orchids, plants and succulents, has been proudly serving Marin county for 15 years.

Thank you clients and Marin Magazine readers for acknowledging our passion and voting Green Door Design Best Florist in Marin!

219 Flamingo Road, Mill Valley, CA 415.381.1886 greendoordesign.net

Best Real Estate Company - Marin GOLDEN GATE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY Whether maximizing the value of your home or finding the home of your dreams, our agents provide incomparable service at all price points. We’re locally rooted, globally connected, and leading our industry. Nothing Compares.

100 Tiburon Blvd, Mill Valley, CA GoldenGateSIR.com

Best Burger - Marin

WILLIAM TELL HOUSE

Best Med Spa - Bay Area PLASTIC SURGERY SPECIALISTS We are honored and thrilled our world-class MedSpa has won “Best of Marin.”

We’ve managed to get through this challenging time because of our patients’ loyalty, and continue to grow. Our nurses and staff make PSS the special place it is because of their dedication-together we look toward 2021 and beyond.

350 Bon Air Road, Suite 300, Greenbrae, CA 415.925.2880 psspecialists.com

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The William Tell House, a fresh take on an Old California institution originally established in 1877. Marin County’s Oldest Saloon and Inn is nestled in the town of Tomales. The Tell is surrounded by California’s best ranches, farms, and dairies, all which play a vital role in the daily offering.

26955 CA-1, Tomales, CA 707.879.2002 williamtellhouse.com

7/13/21 9:06 AM

PROMOTION

BEST of 2021 Winners Spotlight

Best Chinese Restaurant - Marin

Best Interior Designer - Bay Area HSH INTERIORS Our HSH Interiors team is so proud to have been voted Marin Magazine’s Best Bay Area Interior Designer for 2021. Here, every project begins with the client’s vision —and we believe that sophisticated interiors should be as unique as the people who live in them.

HARMONY RESTAURANT

7 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 415.702.6460 hsh-interiors.com

Strawberry Village, 800 Redwood Highway, Suite 401, Mill Valley, CA 415.381.5300 harmonyrestaurantgroup.com

Thank you to the Marin Magazine readers for voting us the Best Chinese Restaurant in Marin. It’s a pleasure to serve you!

Best Jewelry Repair - Marin GOLD RUSH JEWELERS For over 40 years, we have delivered excellent customer service and quality products at reasonable prices. Best of all, our entire team of experienced jewelers can complete repairs while you wait or create a special piece just for you.

831 4th Street, San Rafael, CA 415.457.2101 926 Diablo Blvd, Novato, CA 415.892.2100 goldrushjewelers.com

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Best Spa - Marin TURNING POINT SPA With over 35 years of experience, Laurence McKee was professionally trained in Paris, France and San Francisco, California. Her professional journey with skin care began at the age of 17 with her family business, Institut de Beaute, an upscale spa in the center of Paris.

Shelter Bay Complex, 655 Redwood Highway #275, Mill Valley, CA 415.902.0197 turningpointspa.com

7/13/21 9:07 AM

PROMOTION

BEST of 2021

Winners Spotlight - Runners Up

Best Home Furnishings & Home Accessories - Marin

SUNRISE HOME Sunrise Home specializes in worry free family friendly furnishings. Our favorite sectional is fade resistant, stain resistant and wildly comfortable as well. It’s also available in a variety of sofas with or without slipcovers. Designed as part of our exclusive Annie B collection it arrives with a lifetime warranty on the frame. Worry less and enjoy your furnishings more!

831 B St, San Rafael, CA 415.456.3939 sunrisehome.com

Best Med Spa - Marin, Runner up

Best Al Fresco - Marin, Runner up BUNGALOW 44 Is this Tavern on the Green in Central Park? No, it’s Bungalow 44’s west coast version. Come to downtown MV and experience $1 Oyster hour Monday to Thursday from 5 to 6 pm. Enjoy our incredible Hamachi Poppers, and the best Kickin’ Fried Chicken. Check out our new Heirloom Tomato Flatbread, Beet Hummus and other summer dishes! Reservations recommended at Bungalow44.com

MARIN MEDICAL AESTHETICS Ready to revitalize? Come get some TLC at Marin Medical Aesthetics! Our expansive skincare and body sculpting menu can tighten, lighten, and contour you into your best self.

807 D Street, San Rafael CA 415.785.4604 marinmedicalaesthetics.com

44 E. Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley, CA 415.381.2500 bungalow44.com

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PROMOTION

BEST of 2021

Winners Spotlight - Runners Up Best Jewelry - Marin, Runner up

Best Mexican - Marin, Runner up CALIFORNIA GIRL JEWELRY California Girl Jewelry expresses its appreciation for voting us a top jeweler after only 4 months at our new store in Strawberry Village. We are proud of the recognition for our creativity and commitment to customer service. We are grateful to the public we serve!

Strawberry Village, 800 Redwood Highway, Suite 124, Mill Valley, CA 650.504.0646 californiagirljewelry.com

PLAYA MILL VALLEY We’re thrilled to have you back in our restaurant for indoor and outdoor dining!

Come enjoy the freshest flavors of Mexico and our exceptional, mouthwatering Margaritas. Thank you for voting for us.

41 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, CA 415.384.8871 playamv.com

Best Pizza - Marin, Runner up

Best Architect - Marin, Runner up

TAMALPIE PIZZA At the end of the day, it’s all about having our guests spend time with their loved ones, while enjoying our amazing pizzas! We’re honored Marin feels the same way. With love, the team at Tamalpie.

477 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, CA 415.388.7437 tamalpiepizza.com

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CHAMBERS + CHAMBERS ARCHITECTS Established in 1996, Chambers + Chambers is a boutique architectural practice focused on custom residential and interior design services. Elegance, luxury, classical detailing, and symmetry are signature elements of our award-winning designs.

420 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, CA 415.381.8326 chambersandchambers.com @chambersandchambers

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It’s not what you know, but who you know.

FACES OF

SUCCESS 2021

WELCOME TO THE SIXTH ANNUAL FACES OF MARIN. When you think about it, every business is a people business. And it’s not just clients and customers; there are important personalities driving the success of every endeavor. The people who make these businesses live and grow are also the ones you’ll see behind the counter, at a desk or on your doorstep. So take a moment to come face to face with these important Marin personalities.

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FACES OF

PROMOTION

SUCCESS 2021

FACE OF THE NEXT GENERATION IN REAL ESTATE Dietrich Krous, Vanguard Properties

I AM DIETRICH KROUS, a real estate agent dedicated to excelling in client services. I am from a “real estate family” and am steeped in the culture of client care and understanding the importance of integrating best practices into everything I undertake. I began my career at 19 and have been committed since. I worked alongside the top team in Napa and Solano county, which allowed me to familiarize myself with every facet of this complex business, building on my prior knowledge. I love meeting new faces and helping my clients with their real estate needs.

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I am passionate, proficient, productive, driven, and incorporate all my energy into what I do. I am very relatable, especially to clients who are new to the selling or buying process because of my endless energy to guide you through your transactions and will proactively provide you with the information you need to successfully navigate your sale or purchase. My technology skills, among other talents, set me apart from the rest.

San Francisco, Marin, Solano, CA 707.567.8279 l dietrich@vanguardmarin.com

7/13/21 11:52 AM

FACES OF

PROMOTION

SUCCESS 2021

FACES OF COMPASSION

Top row left to right: Raye Estes, Lauren Elkin, Jesus Santana; Bottom row: George Estes, Mark Mulholland, Sherri Jacobs, Jaguar Rude WHEN FACED WITH AN END OF LIFE EVENT FOR A LOVED ONE, IT IS ALWAYS COMFORTING TO SEE A FAMILIAR FACE. When you have suffered the loss of a loved one, you can trust that the caring staff at Valley Memorial Park Cemetery & Funeral Home will provide your family with compassionate, dignified, affordable, highest quality of care during your time of need. We take pride in our responsibility to lighten your burden as you take the first steps toward healing.

By being full-service facility, we are able to handle all your needs in one location. Funeral services held in our Chapel or your house of

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worship, Cremations done on-site, Cemetery Property for Traditional or Natural Green Burial including a Reception Center. From the first hour to Funeral, Burial and Celebration of life we will be there for you and your family. Locally Owned serving the community for over 60 years.

Valley Memorial Park Cemetery and Funeral Home 650 Bugeia Lane, Novato, CA l info@valleymemorialpark.com COA#377, FD#2295 l 415.897-9609 l valleymemorialpark.com

7/13/21 9:13 AM

FACES OF

PROMOTION

SUCCESS 2021

FACES OF ELECTRIC BICYCLES

Brett Thurber, Karen Wiener Co-founders and Jelani Bertoni Store Manager, The New Wheel Electric Bikes WITH DEEP ROOTS IN MARIN, THESE YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS ARE CHANGING THE TRANSPORTATION LANDSCAPE IN THE BAY AREA. Hailing from San Francisco and Marshall, Brett Thurber and Karen Wiener started The New Wheel in 2010 with a vision of transforming transportation and working to fight climate change. They opened their flagship store in San Francisco in 2011 and in Larkspur in 2016.

Today they live with their daughter Ida in Sausalito, leading a team of more than 30 professionals who help thousands of Bay Area ebike riders find the perfect bike and service it over time.

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Jelani Bertoni grew up in Marin and was an early promoter of electric bikes, running a beloved community bike shop in San Anselmo. Jelani obtained his MBA from Dominican University, then joined The New Wheel to lead their successful Larkspur store. He lives in Point Reyes with his family.

Every mile ridden on an ebike instead of driven reduces pollution in the air, saves pounds of carbon emissions, and brings joy, health, and happiness.

14 E Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Larkspur, CA 415.524.7362 l newwheel.net

7/13/21 9:13 AM

FACES OF

PROMOTION

SUCCESS 2021

FACE OF CHAMPAGNE WISHES AND CAVIAR DREAMS

Petra Bergstein Higby, President and Founder, The Caviar Co. SINCE 2015, PETRA BERGSTEIN HIGBY’S COMPANY has quickly become one of San Francisco’s top trusted sources for high quality caviar and roe.

Higby’s experience with caviar first began in the luxury food and hospitality industry, which led to working with a caviar wholesaler in the Bay Area and then a Sacramento farm. After gaining an admiration for a more diverse range and variety of sturgeon species, she founded The Caviar Co. with sister, Saskia.

The company, which sells top-quality caviar and roe throughout the US, aims to achieve quality, integrity and sustainability, with a mission of making caviar more approachable. Higby also hopes to provide transparency and education to her customers, with immersive tasting experiences, both in person and virtually.

In addition to partnering with top chefs and restaurants nationwide, The Caviar Co. has a San Francisco storefront on Union Street and a newly opened Caviar and Champagne Tasting Room in Tiburon.

46A Main Street, Tiburon, CA 415.580.7986 thecaviarco.com

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FACES OF

PROMOTION

SUCCESS 2021

FACES OF TILE AND STONE FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION Martha Bodell, Scarlett and Caity, North Coast Tile & Stone NORTH COAST TILE & STONE has been helping people navigate thru heartache due to the fires over the past 3 years. Now we face another challenging time with Covid19. NCT continues to be a company that cares, helps, contributes and is dedicated to keeping you in your home and working for you in a way that is mindful as well as detail orientated.

Martha leads the North Coast Tile and Showroom team in working with designers, contractors, architects and homeowners with a confident, thoughtful and professional attitude.

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NCT is a one stop shop which of fers stone slabs, a beautif ul tile selection, design services and installation of both stone and tile.

One client says, “Being in Martha’s showroom is like being in her living room. The care that was taken with the selection, design and installation of our slabs and tile made us feel like family”.

We are f ully open and ask that if you are not vaccinated wear a mask…and you are always welcome to call and make an appointment although not necessary.

3854 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 707.586.2064 l nctile.com

7/13/21 9:14 AM

FACES OF

PROMOTION

SUCCESS 2021

FACE OF FITNESS

Nadia Tarlow, Founder, Get Fit Marin NADIA TARLOW HAS BEEN IN THE FITNESS BUSINESS FOR OVER TEN YEARS. She founded Get Fit Marin, Elite Personal Training Studio as an Ohana, or family, where skilled trainers using state-ofthe-art equipment help clients achieve their full fitness potential.

GFM welcomes young people, athletes, adults of all ages and couples.

Nadia specializes in working with women. “I love how strength training makes them stronger,” she explains, “and gives them the self-confidence to do anything they want.”

Get Fit Ma rin is unique, w ith a n Inf ra red Sauna a nd the only bioDensity device (a proven method to reduce osteoporosis) in Marin.

Power Plate sessions are also offered, affording whole body vibration to keep muscles and joints strong, for better performance and faster recovery.

To Nadia and everyone at the Studio, Get Fit Marin is more than a name, it’s a mission.

5768 Paradise Drive, Suite J, Corte Madera, CA 415.945.9778 l getfitmarin.com

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FACES OF

PROMOTION

SUCCESS 2021

FACES OF WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Peg Pike, Steve Janachowski, Rita Lee and Christian Thwaites, Brouwer & Janachowski FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, Brouwer & Janachowski has designed and managed customized investment portfolios.

We believe our strength lies in our deep understanding that no two of our clients are the same and each one requires personally crafted f inancia l solutions to match their f inancia l goa ls. We ta ke the time and attention to seek to fully understand you, your goals and concerns and we use our knowledge and experience to help meet your requirements.

Our expertise is in understanding your world and how you need your finances to perform to make your goals a reality. As with every success, smart planning is always the most important first step. Our team has access to institutional-grade investments for private clients and are 100% independent and objective top to bottom. We never take a commission and our independent ownership model and tenure in investment management gives us a strong and durable foundation.

100 Shoreline Highway, Suite B-101, Mill Valley, CA 415.435.8330 I bandjadvisors.com

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FACES OF

PROMOTION

SUCCESS 2021

FACE OF ELEVATED DESIGN

Matthew Simon, Owner, SIMON DESIGNS MATTHEW SIMON, A MARIN COUNTY NATIVE, is the owner of SIMON DESIGNS, a San Francisco based interior design firm specializing in remodels and furniture installations.

“I want to look at classical design aesthetics and push their boundaries to reflect the personal style of my clients, while still maintaining a comfortable livability. Being able to trust the process revolves around having a team of craftsman and experts in their field to execute projects that surpass expectations.”

His goal is to take an idea presented by a client, and to push them enough out of their comfort zone that they feel their space has been elevated beyond their own imagination, but still feels like home.

Matthew says he is inspired by his northern California upbringing, with a focus on bringing elements of nature into every space.

“Starting a project from the ground up requires a focus and layering of ideas that is synonomous with SIMON DESIGNS. My clients’ happiness is my number one priority from the first consultation to the last minute styling.”

San Francisco, CA 415.939.4001 I simondesignssf.com

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7/13/21 9:15 AM

FACES OF

PROMOTION

SUCCESS 2021

FACES OF PLASTIC SURGERY AND MED SPA

Stanley G. Poulos, M.D., Trent D. Douglas, M.D., Yngvar Hvistendahl, M.D., Plastic Surgery Specialists PLASTIC SURGERY SPECIALISTS (PSS) is well k now n as a top aesthetic practice in the Bay Area, and we continue to innovate and elevate our services and procedures. Our three board-certified plastic surgeons have over 75 years of combined surgical experience, and are supported by a team of 25 experienced aesthetic specialists. Our unique ability to use a two-surgeon team for larger cases shortens anesthesia for the comfort and safety of our patients. We’ve also instituted a post operative support program that follows our patients well into recovery.

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We won Best MedSpa in Marin, and are both thankf ul for those votes and excited to share news of the 8-room expansion of our MedSpa space. The “Best of Marin” title for our world class MedSpa reflects the dedication of our nurses and staff and the number of toptechnology choices we offer to our patients. Whether you need a touch of Botox, or a Mommy Makeover, PSS is the place to be. We thank our patients again for so many years of support.

350 Bon Air Road, Suite 300, Greenbrae, CA 415.925.2880 l psspecialists.com

7/13/21 11:52 AM

FACES OF

PROMOTION

SUCCESS 2021

FACES OF MEDICAL AESTHETICS

Vicki Schmitt, NP, RN and Dr. Marisha Chilcott, Morpheus Medical Aesthetics THERE’S NO “I” IN TEAM But there is in “Vicki!” Meet Vicki Schmitt, NP, RN. A San Francisco native and esteemed professional with a gentle touch, Vicki’s warmth and unmatched skills are a breath of fresh air to everyone who enters Morpheus’ doors. After a successful career in nursing and taking time to raise her kids right here in Marin County, Vicki returned to the medical world via the former Simple Radiance in Larkspur. “I loved my time at Simple Radiance but was thrilled when Dr. Marisha Chilcott took over as Medical Director.

With this change came a whole new level of cutting-edge f iller techniques, brand new lasers, hair restoration, the use of plateletrich plasma for healing, and so much more. I was so excited to be able to take my skills to the next level and have access to the wonderful things she has added to our beautifying arsenal.”

5 Bon Air Road. Ste. 107, Larkspur, CA 415.924.1330 I morpheusmedspa.com

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7/13/21 11:52 AM

FACES OF

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SUCCESS 2021

FACE OF YOUTH SERVICES IN MARIN AND BEYOND Side by Side

AT SIDE BY SIDE, we walk with young people impacted by adversity on their journeys to heal from trauma, restore resilience, and embrace their potentia l. We prov ide comprehensive essentia l ser v ices that honor our clients’ unique needs and strengths to prevent the escalation of dangerous conditions and behaviors and set them on a positive path. And as our world opens back up again, our behavioral and mental health services are needed now more than ever to support youth and families still reeling from the effects of the pandemic.

youth, Side by Side provides the safe space most have missed in their lives. W hen they feel seen for who they are today, we believe the young people we serve can move with confidence toward a future with meaning and connection.

From special education and early intervention in school to counseling services, LGBTQIA+ support and transitional housing for foster

300 Sunny Hills Drive, Bldg. #5, San Anselmo, CA 415.457.3200 l SidebySideYouth.org

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For over 125 years, Side by Side has been at the forefront of best practices in child welfare. Today, Side by Side operates in four counties – Marin, Alameda, Sonoma, and Napa – each year reaching nearly 2,000 young people ages 5-26 and family members.

7/13/21 9:15 AM

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FACE OF FINANCIAL SECURITY

Helen Abe, Senior Vice President Financial Advisor HELEN ABE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SAN FRANCISCO. Her immigrant parents worked hard and sacrificed to raise a large family. They taught their children the importance of living within your means. “ My mot her litera l ly saved pen n ies a nd proved that it’s not what you earn, but what you save that matters”. Helen said.

With strong values, Helen set out to achieve her financial objectives while helping others to achieve their financial dreams. She makes it a point to listen and to acknowledge each person’s concerns and circumstances. Her approach is to keep it simple, understandable and tailored to each individual.

Some people are comfortable working with a woman; although less than 20% of financial advisors are women. Many widows, needing help understanding their own finances; have engaged Helen for help after their husbands had passed away.

Helen believes in helping others to live a life that makes them happy. She believes that we should focus on what we want out of life instead of being fearful.

RBC Wealth Management 300B Drakes Landing Road, Ste 155, Greenbrae, CA 415.445.8468 us.rbcwealthmanagement.com/helen.abe A division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.

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SUCCESS 2021

FACE OF CONCIERGE DATING Cassie-Zampa-Keim, Innovative Match

DATING STRATEGIST AND CONSULTANT CASSIE-ZAMPA-KEIM HAS HER CLIENTS’ BACKS. After more than three decades in the dating industry, Cassie Zampa-Keim knows a thing or two about making long-lasting matches. And that is to be part of a healthy relationship you have first to be a good dater. As a dating strategist and consultant, Cassie offers invaluable advice and proven dating tips which enable her clients to discern what and who they’re looking for in a relationship. She writes her clients one-of-a-kind dating profiles, teaches them how to interact before a date, what to do on dates, and how to feel more confident.

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Cassie offers her clients peace of mind because her unique conciergestyle service allows her clients to access her day or night, whether they have questions, need advice, or want to talk. Clients come to Cassie during all stages of life, often when they could benefit most from a warm ear. They take comfort knowing Cassie has their best interests at heart and is the wall potential suitors must climb to win theirs.

Ross, CA 415.259.8714 I innovative-match.com

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FACES OF LUXURY KITCHENS AND BATHS

Michael Kelly, Project Foreman and Sean Kelly, Owner/CEO, Lamperti Contracting and Design “REDEFINING HOME…ONE CUSTOMER AT A TIME” is a standard we truly live by. When Sean Kelly, owner of Lamperti Contracting and Design founded the company in 2005, the opportunity to elevate the design/build experience in Marin County came into clear focus. The family-owned operation places their client’s needs first and quality without compromise pave the way to a superior client experience.

With a full-service design team, we will help you envision creative and functional ideas to incorporate into your dream home. Lamperti Contracting and Design takes pride in knowing each project reflects our standards of excellence.

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We invite you to visit our all-inclusive kitchen and bath showroom featuring the finest custom cabinetry, and our new Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove appliance salon – showcasing the latest innovations and trends in cabinetry, appliances, and home renovations.

1241 Andersen Drive, San Rafael, CA 415.454.1623 l lampertikitchens.com

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SUCCESS 2021

FACES OF MARIN REAL ESTATE: TRACI AND BETH Traci Thiercof and Beth Sasan, Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty WHEN IT COMES TO REAL ESTATE, Traci Thiercof and Beth Sasan thrive on experiences and connections. Both third-generation Marin natives, Traci and Beth help buyers and sellers through the home buying process with a mission to make the journey enjoyable.

The dynamic duo has become one of Marin County’s top producing teams since joining forces and was recently ranked in the top 1% of realtor teams in California by Real Trend’s prestigious “America’s Best” list. A deep connection to their community, as well as strong partnerships with architects, developers, contractors, stagers, and mortgage bankers allow Traci and Beth to deliver unparalleled service for their clients.

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The team has built a reputation for their keen eye for finding hidden gems and their collaborative approach to real estate. When they’re not helping their clients, you can find Traci and Beth spending quality time with their families and hiking the trails of Marin with their beloved dogs.

500 Drakes Landing Road, Greenbrae, CA Traci: 415.793.0111 l Lic.# 01817886 l t.thiercof@ggsir.com Beth: 415.990.7186 l Lic.# 01433542 l b.sasan@ggsir.com

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SUCCESS 2021

FACES OF THE BEST BUILDERS IN THE BAY AREA President Larry Hadley with his nephew General Manager Jeff Hadley

HADLEY GENERAL CONTRACTORS, INC. WAS VOTED MARIN MAGAZINE’S BEST BAY AREA BUILDER, 2021.

“Over the years our name has come to signify a quality of construction that is second to none and client-oriented customer service that creates lasting relationships.

Our focus on our clients’ best interest, unchanged for 70 years, is the reason we are the premier homebuilder in Marin County.

We will always stand by our work and take on any project, big or small. And we will always give back to the place that has given so much to us.” ~ Jeff Hadley 85 Beach Road, Belvedere, CA l Lic#702420 415.383.0583 l hadleyconstruction.com

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SUCCESS 2021

FACE OF CONTEMPORARY CANNABIS Tracey Mason, Co-Founder and CEO of House of Saka Infused Luxury INSPIRED BY THE LEGEND OF THE SAKA; an ancient group of fierce female warriors for whom wine infused with the sacred cannabis plant was at the center of their rites of passage, wine industry veteran Tracey Mason joined forces with cannabis entrepreneur Cynthia Salarizadeh to form House of Saka and bring this ancient tradition into the modern age.

Today, House of Saka is known for its award-winning, alcoholremoved, cannabis-infused wines from Napa Valley - the first and only infused beverages to lay claim to this extraordinary provenance. Saka’s popular PINK is made from 100% Rose, their

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delectable WHITE is made from 100% Chardonnay while their delicious new single-serve offering, Saka SPARK MIMOSA, is made from sparkling Chardonnay bolstered Mimosa Strain-Specific Live Resin and natural essence of orange blossom and nectarine.

These low calorie, hangover-free alternatives to alcohol are the first high-end cannabis products to effectively bridge the gap between cannabis and the mainstream and have definitely found a niche with the women of Marin.

Napa Valley, CA l houseofsaka.com

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SUCCESS 2021

FACES OF LUXURY HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES Sarah and Mike Neil, The Cooperative Cleaning Company OWNED BY SARAH NEIL, THE COOPERATIVE CLEANING COMPANY (CCC) is the oldest housekeeping company in the Bay Area. Our goal is to deliver exceptional service using “Certified Green” products, and provide our people the respect, compensation and benefits that exceeds that which can be found anywhere else in the industry.

A native of France, Sarah holds an MA in Anthropology from the Sorbonne in Paris and speaks eight languages. Mike Neil spent 40 years in accounting and enterprise software management before “retiring” to help Sarah with the business.

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CCC ranks among the top housekeeping companies in the Bay Area according to a well-known consumer rating agency and benefits from a strong and loyal base of over 220 clients, some of whom have with us since we opened our doors in 1987.

And finally, we are a “living wage” employer, offering our employees (not 1099 contractors) compensation well in excess of minimum wage, “platinum” Kaiser, Delta Dental and VSP health benefits, paid holidays and paid vacations.

510.845.0003 CoopCleaning@gmail.com l CooperativeCleaning.com

7/13/21 9:19 AM

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SUCCESS 2021

FACE OF MARIN HOME LOANS

Marney Solle, Loan Officer and Branch Manager, CrossCountry Mortgage MARIN MOTHER AND BUSINESSWOMAN, Marney Solle closed more than 300 home loans in 2020. Her extraordinary production places her among the top home loan experts in Marin and top 1% nationwide.

Marney is also the Manager of Marin’s three new CrossCountry Mortgage branch offices.

“I have lived in Marin and worked in Marin Real Estate Lending for almost 30 years. I feel blessed. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Working with home buyers and Realtors is an honor and genuine pleasure. And nothing makes me happier than running into a former client who is now a Marin neighbor.”

CrossCountry is a direct lender specializing in jumbo purchase and refinance mortgages, including jumbo cash-out refinance loans.

CrossCountry offers industry leading closing times and unique loan programs designed with Marin Homebuyers in mind.

Whether you are considering buying, selling, or refinancing a home, the journey begins with Marney and CrossCountry Mortgage.

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Marin Home Loan Center (opening Fall 2021): 1177 Magnolia Street, Larkspur, CA I NMLS 286003 Equal Housing Lender I MarneySolle.com | 415.454.8881

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FACE OF FLOORING DESIGN Rudy Hassid, CEO, Floortex Design

RUDY HASSID, CEO OF FLOORTEX DESIGN, has been in the home improvement industry for 35 years. After exploring all areas of home improvement, he narrowed his focus to one area – flooring.

Through his passion for woodworking, he developed a keen eye for craftsmanship and attention to detail. His experience and skill led to the honor of being certified as a flooring inspector by the National Wood Flooring Association. Flooring inspectors examine failed flooring installations and determine what went wrong.

Rudy brings his eye for detail to every job he does, solving flooring problems before they happen. And he transfers his knowledge and experience to his staff. Floortex employees go beyond the creative side of flooring, bringing technical expertise to every project. That’s why interior designers love working with Floortex Design.

They have you covered with eight locations in the Bay Area, and their designer partnerships are a great place to start for inspiration: floortexdesign.com/ designers-corner Marin and San Francisco 415.785.4614 floortexdesign.com

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SUCCESS 2021

FACE OF PAYROLL WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Leslie Ruhland, Accuchex Payroll & Insurance Services PAYROLL PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE FOR EVERY BUSINESS. Since 1990, Accuchex has been privileged with the responsibility of paying people correctly, and on-time, every pay cycle. Leslie Ruhland is a Marin County native and is the EVP of Accuchex Corp. Headquartered in Novato for 30 years, Accuchex is the largest independent payroll company in the Bay Area. “One of my favorite things”, says Ruhland, “about working with companies’ payroll is that no matter the size or industry, our friendly and knowledgeable staff adds value, and in doing so, we become part of our clients’ adventure.” Accuchex provides innovative workforce solutions with web-based Time2Pay,

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blending “Hi-Tech with Hi-Touch”. Accuchex supports employers with one to thousands of employees nationwide. Accuchex appreciates that Payroll remains at the center of our daily lives and the fabric of our communities. During this challenging business environment, we are glad to be a resource to our clients as they navigate the fall out and recovery of Covid 19. Supporting employer clients with the reports and data for PPP loans, remote workforce management and returning employees with worksite safety compliance posters.

365 Bel Marin Keys Blvd, Novato, CA 415.883.7733, ext 110 l leslie.ruhland@accuchex.com

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FACES OF ALLERGY AND ASTHMA CARE IN MARIN COUNTY

Dr. Maria Petrick, FACAAI, FAAAAI and Dr. Juline Caraballo, FACAAI, FamilyCare Allergy and Asthma OPENED LAST FALL, THE SAN RAFAEL/MARIN OFFICE clinical team from FamilyCare Allergy and Asthma consists of board-certified allergists Dr. Maria M. Petrick, MD, FACAAI-FAAAAI, and Dr. Juline Caraballo, MD, FACAAI, each of whom specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, food allergy diagnosis and treatment, asthma, and immunologic disorders. While new to Marin, the FamilyCare clinical team has been serving patients throughout the North Bay since 1979, with a dedication to providing every patient with leading edge, personalized, precision care.

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FamilyCare Allergy and Asthma treats patients of all ages, so if you or your loved ones are experiencing chronic sinus issues, coughing, wheezing, or any of these often frustrating symptoms, a variety of effective treatments are available that can put you back in control.

Life-Breathe it in!

4000 Civic Center Drive, Suite 300, San Rafael, CA Offices also in Petaluma and Santa Rosa 415.847.4022 I 707.525.0211 I familycareallergy.com

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FACES OF VITALITY AND LONGEVITY Dr Cat and Randy Gibson LAc, Medical Director, 9 Corners Med-Cryo-Spa WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING PEOPLE ACHIEVE VITALITY AND LONGEVITY, Dr. Cat and Randy Gibson lead the way. They masterfully blend hi-touch, hi-tech healthcare with gracious hospitality.

“Next generation healthcare goes beyond momentary treatment and dives into the essence of living health; health is more than something you tend to, it is a keystone of who you are.”

Walk through the doors at 9 Corners and their acumen unfolds with stylish delight. The Summer Room houses private IR saunas ideal for post cryo therapy and acupuncture. In the Cupola you can securely nap or read on comf y loungers after a facial or massage.

Enjoy customized consults at the glass dining table, situated in the

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Grand Hall. Shop the Noble House for curated items ranging from nutraceuticals to luxury robes, and hand woven African baskets.

Relax on the Veranda and watch the sunset over Big Rock Ridge. Spend an hour or the day. Create your own experience.

Enjoy high-level treatments in combination with architecture and design that create a captivating, sensorial experience never before seen in healthcare. It enwraps you. It’s a re-igniting of your spirit, your body, your grace.

Vintage Oaks Plaza by Costco, Novato, CA 415.209.2600 I 9corners.com I Established 1999

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7/1/21 11:28 AM

Destinations T H E B E ST LO C A L G E TAWAYS PLU S J O U R N E YS A RO U N D T H E G LO B E

SAVOR SANTA BARBARA Last minute summer road trip?

Destination: the American Riviera.

Mar Monte Hotel

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Destinations / GO

Thanks to its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, rich heritage, world-renowned food and wine scene, stunning natural beauty and near-perfect weather, Santa Barbara is known as the “American Riviera.” The moniker is actually trademarked, so it’s got to be true. “It’s actually a lot like Marin,” explains Marin native Karna Hughes, who handles public relations for Visit Santa Barbara.

F

amously home to celebrities, such as Ty Warner (“the Beanie Baby Baron”), Oprah Winfrey and the newest member of the royal family, this slice of the California coast has long been lauded as an ultra-luxe destination. Even the mission in Santa Barbara is said to be the most beautiful — and it is.

But despite having an unfortunate reputation (much like Marin’s) as being home to only one-percenters, the American Riviera sees a bit more diversity, says Hughes. “While some people may consider Santa Barbara a luxury destination, especially because of the luxurious look and feel

of the town and some of our famous residents, there are a wide range of household incomes here, as well as different price points for visi ors, whether accommodations, dining or activities. Once visitors get here, so many of the attractions are affordable or free, from museum , parks and gardens to beaches and activities like kayaking, hiking and riding bikes.

And wine-tasting fees are significantly less than counterparts in ther cities." Speaking of wine tasting, Santa Barbara has more than three dozen wineries, with more than 20 represented in an area called the Funk Zone at the south end of State Street, near the beach.

BLAKE BRONSTAD, COURTESY OF VISIT SANTA BARBARA

The Santa Barbara coastline

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BLAKE BRONSTAD, COURTESY OF VISIT SANTA BARBARA (STATE STREET)

State Street

“In the earliest days of tourism — that’s to say, the 1880s — Santa Barbara was a high-end destination because wealthy East Coast families would take the train and spend their winters here, since they saw this area as a health retreat,” says Hughes. The coastal air was thought to be good for their constitutions. But back then, any form of travel in California or the U.S. was pricey; social historians would tell you that leisure itself was a rare commodity. Now, during summer weekends, hotel rates run higher, especially at luxury resorts. But there are other options, from roadside inns to short-term rentals, where visitors can find value.

Nearby Goleta, as well as upper State Street and the area between Goleta and Santa Barbara (which locals call “Noleta”), are under-the-radar places to seek out good rates. Mid-week stays, as well as fall through early spring visits, yield the best deals.

High-end properties like The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, and the now-shuttered Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara reinforce the town’s uber-luxe reputation, however, it should be noted the original Motel 6 was founded in Santa Barbara, just steps away from the beach, back in 1962. The motel, which charged just $6 per night, aimed to make travel accessible, and it worked. This original location on the corner of Corona Del Mar and Milpas Street was just remodeled and is still a deal with rates starting at $189 per night. Hughes seconds the range of affor able options: “When I fir t came here in the 1990s, I stayed at Refugio State Beach campground and then at the Super 8 near the Santa Barbara Airport — both inexpensive options that operate even today.”

However, for those looking for a taste of that old timey elegance, the Mar Monte Hotel across the street from East Beach and pavilion has opened its doors as a reincarnation of the historic 1930s Vista Mar Monte, which inhabited these 3 acres for many years before it became

a hospital during the war, and eventually was simply known as What’s Happening: the Hyatt. Still part of the hospitality company, it’s now part of From August 4–8, Old their Unbound Collection. The Spanish Days Fiesta returns 200-room property boasts Spanin a hybrid format, with inish style, a pool, comfortable person events in Santa Barlobby areas and two ballrooms. bara and Goleta that celebrate Costa Kitchen & Bar, the the region’s heritage with live onsite restaurant with indoor music and dance performancand outdoor ocean views, has es. Art lovers will enjoy the opened with executive chef Santa Barbara Studio Artists’ Nathan Lingle at the helm, and Open Studios Tour running is set to become stiff competiSeptember 4–6. The season tion along the culinary hot spot of shows and concerts at the of Cabrillo Boulevard, includSanta Barbara Bowl, an iconic ing Poggio and Copita’s sister outdoor amphitheater, kicks restaurant Convivo, Oku and off with comedian Chelsea Flor de Maiz. In fact, one of the Handler August 21. biggest decisions you’ll have to make during your vacation is where to eat. Easy: The Lark for an unforgettable meal under the stars; Secret Bao, just off State Street (which just started taking reservations) for creative Asian cuisine; and East Beach Tacos, oddly located next to a batting range.

Mimi Towle is the Editor at Large of Marin Magazine. She's also started a new venture focusing on travel content for both Hawaii and California. In her spare time, she can be found on the trails, in the ocean or typing “sushi near me” into her phone.

Mar Monte Hotel

WANT MORE? For more amazing nearby destinations to explore now that travel is on again, visit marinmagazine.com/local-getaways.

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Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting this event and the advancment of healthcare in the North Bay.

Saturday September 18 A tented venue in Sausalito

A Black Tie Gala Benefiting Nuclear Medicine at MarinHealth,® through the purchase of the SPECT/CT Scanner.

E V E N T S P O N S O R S H I P*

Lead Benefactor

Harold J. & Reta Haynes Family Foundation Shimmering

Heffernan Family Foundation

Susan & Dennis Gilardi

Mike & Sharon Stone

Luminous

Neil & Kathy Hennessy

Barbara McCullough

Stephanie & Mark Robinson

Radiant

Marie Boylan & Jeffrey Freedman

Doug Dossey & Kathrin Dellago

Nancy & John Neerhout, Jr.

The Schultz Foundation

Bruce Braden & Cindy Mercer Braden

Jeri Dexter

Heather Lupa & Karen Pell

Magda Wesslund & Eric Schwartz

Chris & Bob Feibusch

Nancy P. & Richard K. Robbins Family Foundation

Jeanne Sciutti Capurro & Family

Nancy & Skip Kniesche

Ann E. Crump

Betsy & Ed McDermott

Dr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Dietz

Beverage Sponsors

A.J. & Melissa Rohde

Media Sponsor

Michael & Susan Schwartz Vituity Emergency Physicians at MarinHealth Dennis Whipp

Standby Ambulance Sponsor

*This listing reflects lead sponsor support as of June 18.

“MarinHealth ” and the MarinHealth logo are registered servicemarks of Marin General Hospital and used with permission. ®

®

For event information visit www.MyMarinHealth.org/Gala or call 1-415-925-7770

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Out & About DIANA MARKOSIAN, THE ARRIVAL, FROM SANTA BARBARA, 2019; SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, ACCESSIONS COMMITTEE FUND PURCHASE; © DIANA MARKOSIAN

A R O U N D U P O F T H E H O T T E S T L O C A L E V E N T S , S O C I A L G AT H E R I N G S A N D P L A C E S T O E AT

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

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HOT OFF THE PRESS Innovators Steps, Lanes & Paths CommUnity Cup Must Haves Bandwidth Mill Valley Recipes Drought-Resistant Gardening Tips Events Calendar and more!

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Eat & Drink A N I N S I D E R ’ S G U I D E T O R E S TA U R A N T S A N D G O O D F O O D I N T H E B AY A R E A

EDITED BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

Sam’s Anchor Cafe seafood platter

Tam Commons With no outdoor space available when Covid hit, the Commons crew got to work, building a sweet streetside patio with the same comfortable, traditional pub-like feel as the interior. Known for their 34 beer taps, a new cocktail menu includes a classic mai tai and craftier takes like the Japanese oak with whiskey and tamarind. Get your bacon fix with the chef’s cobb salad or the mission dog — it’s wrapped in a porcine blanket.

1300 Fourth Street, San Rafael; 415.521.5770; tamcommons.com

What’s Hot

Dining Al Fresco Marin restaurants boast some of the best patios and decks in the Bay Area, outdoor spaces beloved for their views, great lighting or unique charm. Check out a few of our favorites here — and visit marinmagazine.com for even more.

Valenti & Co The back patio, shaded by Japanese maples and bright red umbrellas during the day, feels downright Medierranean at night when strings of Edison bulbs bathe the space in a warm glow. Best of all, the entire menu, especially the free-range veal with gremolata and risotto with housemade sausage, tastes even better in Marin’s fresh air.

337 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo; 415.454.7800; valentico.com

BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

Sam’s Anchor Cafe After an extensive remodel in 2019 reimagining everything from the bar to the umbrellas that shade the expansive patio, Tiburon’s popular bayfront spot still reigns as Marin’s best patio. You still cannot make a reservation, and the line can snake down Main Street, but the uncertainty is worth the wait for the panoramic Angel-Island-to-city views, tower of fresh fish and seafood, and drink b wls. There’s even a hamburger and Champagne special.

27 Main Street, Tiburon; 415.435.4527; samscafe.com

Range Cafe at Peacock Gap Golf Club Chef Stephen Simmons, who served 15 years as food-service director at Skywalker Ranch, reworked the menu to feature classics like a club sandwich and Chinese chicken salad with updated options including chico tacos with handmade tortillas and Cal ahi poke with sea salt wontons. Most visitors come for the view from every seat, which extends over the manicured driving range to China Camp State Park and San Pablo Bay. 333 Biscayne Drive, San Rafael; 415.454.6450; rangecafe.net

WANT MORE? Find the hottest new places to eat, drink and brunch at marinmagazine.com/food-drink.

Rustic Bakery’s strawberry shortcake kit

Christina Mueller is Marin Magazine’s dining editor.

Her work has appeared in Sunset magazine, Edible Communities, Eater and others. She volunteers with California State Parks and at her childrens’ schools.

ALBERT LAW (SAM’S CAFE SEAFOOD PLATTER); MATT ALBIANI (STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE KIT)

Rustic Bakery Admit it: You’ve ordered the Asian chicken salad at one of Marin’s homegrown Rustic Bakery locations more than once, or their Marin melt, a grilled cheese sandwich that nods to the region’s history as a milk shed. But the patio at Larkspur’s Marin Country Mart, with its many shaded picnic tables, deserves its own award for keeping locals in socially distanced touch with one another during our Covid year.

2017 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur; 415.461.9900; rusticbakery.com

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Dine

A N I N S I D E R ’ S G U I D E TO R E S TAU R A N T S I N M A R I N

EDITED BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

THOUGH WE MOURN THE RESTAUR ANTS WE LOST IN 2020, NEW RESTAUR ANTS AND COUNTLESS PIVOTS BY OLD FAVORITES ME AN “LIVELINESS” IS THE OPER ATIVE WORD FOR THE MARIN DINING SCENE . STAFFING AND HOUR S REMAIN IN FLUX , SO PLE ASE CONTACT E ACH RESTAUR ANT TO CONFIRM THEIR L ATEST OFFERINGS AND AVAIL ABILIT Y.

CORTE MADER A Cafe Verde Californian This revamped cafe offers Neapolitan pizza, pasta, risotto and salads nearly all day long. Enjoy any of these items inside or out on the patio along with local and international wines and beers.

502 Tamalpais Drive, 415.927.1060

Fieldwork Brewing Pizza The outpost of the original Berkeley draft house features pizzas, salads and shareable bites (think crispy Brussels sprouts and meatballs) to round out the day’s list of fresh IPAs, pilsners and more.

107 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.891.8273 Flores Mexican With an emphasis on regional Mexican dishes and flavors sourced from

family recipes, the menu is based on California seasonality and revolves around gluten-free masa. The daily-made tortillas are featured in dishes such as duck confit enchiladas, Dungeness crab tostadas and chilibraised beef short ribs.

There’s a full bar to boot and everything is easily enjoyed on their large, heated patio. 301 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.500.5145

Marin Joe’s Italian A Marin mainstay for over 50 years, with a menu of soups, salads, seafood, mesquite-grilled or sautéed meats and a plethora of pasta options. To add to your dining experience, order the table-side prepared Caesar salad.

1585 Casa Buena Drive, 415.924.2081 RH Marin American Ride up the golden-hued elevator to the top floor

to a restaurant bedecked in RH style and linger over a shaved vegetable salad, a truffled grilled cheese sandwich on Panorama Bakery sourdough or a namesake RH Burger. This rooftop sunroom and outdoor lounge boasts glass ceilings and walls for an epic view of Mt. Tam and a feeling of floating above it all. 1750 Redwood Highway at The Village, 628.266.2040

Veggie Grill Vegan/ Vegetarian A fastcasual restaurant chain that celebrates all things veg by offering a variety of hot sandwiches and burgers, entree salads, bowls, home-style plates, shareable sides, organic teas and housemade desserts prepared only with vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts.

147 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.945.8954

NOW OPEN INTRODUCING E L E G A N C E H A M I LT O N H I L L Iconic Hamilton Hospital has been stylishly reimagined into an assisted living and memory support community. With its Spanish Colonial architecture thoughtfully preserved, the landmark now features boutique amenities including a rooftop lounge with 270 degree views of San Pablo Bay. Discover a lifestyle of connection and relaxed luxury – with the discreet support that makes it easier. Call 415.766.0569 to schedule a personal tour.

One Hamilton Hill Drive l Novato, CA 94949 l 415.766.0569 EleganceHamiltonHill.com Licensure #: 216803951

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Out & About / DINE L ARK SPUR Emporio Rulli Italian Renowned for its Northern Italian specialties and treats, the Larkspur location (there are four others in the Bay Area) is a favored spot for lunch as well as coffee and a sweet treat. 464 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7478 Hog Island Oyster Co. Seafood The full-service Marin Country Mart location features a full bar with seasonal cocktails, beer and wine and the same bay-to-bar philosophy as the Tomales Bay original. Sit inside or at one of the picnic tables facing the Bay before satiating that oyster craving; then, check the day’s menu to see what was most recently pulled from Marin’s waters before deciding what else to eat. 2401 Larkspur Landing Circle, 628.253.5905 Left Bank Restaurant French This authentically classic brasserie has been serving the Larkspur community for more than two decades.

Whether on the patio, at the European-style bar or in the casually elegant main dining room with a huge fireplace, it’s a fun and French downtown experience.

The restaurant is also hosting two "virtual" restaurant concepts for takeout and delivery only, Kebabery by Meso (Mediterranean) and Lito's Cocina Hispana (Spanish/Mexican).

507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331 Perry's American Perry's on Magnolia has the quintessentially American fare, bustling bar and warm personality the San Francisco original has always been

famous for. Along with three separate dining rooms in a historic building, there’s outdoor dining under the twinkling lights on the patio and in the redwood grove. 234 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.1877 Pizzeria Picco Pizza This family-friendly parlor next door to Picco in downtown Larkspur offers Californiainfluenced Neapolitan pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven.

Fresh mozzarella is pulled in-house and the menu also features organic salads, antipasti and Straus Dairy softserve ice cream. Heated outdoor seating is available. 316 Magnolia Ave, 415.945.8900 Rustic Bakery Californian The Maringrown bakery is known and loved the world over: Pope Francis famously requested Rustic Bakery flatbread and crostini when he visited the U.S. in 2015.

Organic bread, croissants and pastries baked fresh each morning and salads, sandwiches, and soups for lunch make Rustic a local staple.

Marin Country Mart, 2017 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.9900

MILL VALLEY Bootjack Wood Fired Californian A transition back to a bakery means hearth-style breads (apple walnut), breakfast sandwiches and pastries (cinnamon buns) from baker Cameron Esaryk are pulled daily from the built-in Alan Scott bread oven. Pair with barista drinks from Four Barrel Coffee and focaccia-style pizzas at lunch with the same Central Milling grains

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and organic approach as before. 17 Madrona St, 415.383.4200 Buckeye Roadhouse American Oysters bingo, baby back ribs and chili-lime “brick” chicken are a few of the satisfying comfortfood menu items that have made this classic roadhouse a favorite since the ’30s. The warm, dark-wood bar with red leather booths is a popular spot for cocktails, conversations or a light meal. Heated patio seating offers a moment’s respite with a fresh espresso and breakfast burrito from the weekday Buckeye Joe Coffee Kiosk out front. 15 Shoreline Hwy, 415.331.2600 Bungalow 44 American The normally bustling bar is one of Mill Valley’s hot spots, ideal for savoring a seasonal cocktail or an order for their famous kickin' fried chicken. The $1 happy hour oyster program still operates from 5-6 p.m., Monday–Thursday and the heated outdoor patio remains a town hot spot. 44 E Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500 Flour Craft Bakery American The brainchild of pastry chef Heather Hardcastle, this second location (the first location is in San Anselmo) in the Lumber Yard offers not only glutenfree baked goods but fancy toast, seasonal salads, coffee and takeout to be enjoyed at one of the shaded picnic tables. 129 Miller Ave, 415.384.8244 Harmony Chinese Enjoy a lighter, fresher take on Chinese at this restaurant in Strawberry Village. The barbecue pork bun is filled with

house-made roasted meat in a savory sauce and signature prawns are wok-seared with scallions. Pair your pick with wine, beer or tea and be sure to check out the weekday takeout lunch special. Both the regular and to-go menus are available for takeout.

401 Strawberry Village, 415.381.5300 Joe’s Taco Lounge Mexican Joe’s serves up fish tacos (which it can never take off the menu), burritos and enchiladas as well as more unusual items like Mexican pizza and tofu tostada.

A colorful interior and quick service make this a fun, easy stop. If you stay, grab a few of the hundreds of hot sauce bottles from the wall and find your perfect match.

Cup of Joe's coffee cart, out front every morning, serves lattes, Mexican hot chocolate and burritos to go. 382 Miller Ave, 415.383.8164 La Ginestra Italian House made Neapolitan cuisine, a familiar wait staff, and warm hospitality have made this restaurant a family favorite since 1964.

While this old-school eatery is known for traditional pastas and pizzas, a daily menu of seasonal favorites attracts a hip crowd.

The adjourning Sorrento Bar serves up cocktails, amari, and a selection of fine Italian wines.

127 Throckmorton Ave, 415.388.0224 Playa Mexican With a chef from Mexico City, Playa's food offers traditional dishes with modern flavors and presentations. A little gem salad sparkles with tomatillo dressing and enchiladas shine from a glossy coating of house

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Out & About / DINE made black mole and micro greens. The bar highlights exceptional tequilas and mezcals but the “el slushie” and house margarita have legions of fans and are perfect for sipping on the large, heated back patio. Weekend lunch is available. 41 Throckmorton Ave, 415.384.8871

the roto–soft eggs and house-made chorizo with French fries — or a classic diner dish, two eggs your way. You can get gluten-free bread from Green Gulch, too. 221 Shoreline Hwy, 415.388.9085

Shoreline Coffee Shop American Hidden behind Good Earth in a parking lot at Tam Junction, this coffee shop is a vintage diner with a small-town feel.

Featuring a mix of Mexican and traditional breakfast fare hits, the comfort food spot is gussied up with organic and local goodies like eggs from Tennessee Valley neighbor Woolley Egg Ranch. Try them in

Tamalpie Italian With views of Mt. Tamalpais from the covered, heated patio, this Cal-Italian spot known for its local sourcing also features two fireplaces and a full bar serving craft cocktails, wine and beer. The difference is in the pizza dough — small batch, house-made gluten-free and 48-hour Neapolitan — plus large salads, pastas, and vegan and vegetarian items. The Brussels sprouts are super-crispy and not to be missed. 477 Miller Ave, 415.388.7437

Vasco Italian Whether at a table, the bar or the back counter, you can expect an intimate dining experience in this one-room trattoria facing Depot Plaza. Try one of the pasta dishes or thin-crust wood-fired pizzas. 106 Throckmorton Ave, 415.381.3343

NOVATO Beso Bistro and Wine Bar Californian This Hamilton Field bistro highlights locally sourced organic produce, fresh sustainable seafood, and pastureraised and free-range meat. Wine lovers can embrace their inner Dionysus — more than 20 selections by the glass and more than 50 by the bottle are available. The patio is naturally shaded by local

oaks. 502 S Palm Drive, 415.883.6700 Ghiringhelli’s Novato Vino American The Ghiringhelli family, lifelong Marin residents who own Trattoria Ghiringhelli in Novato, FairFix Cafe, Ghiringhelli Pizzeria and Deer Park Villa in Fairfax, added a new wine shop and tasting room adjacent to their Novato restaurant. Unique and hard-to-find wines by the bottle or taste, light bites of cheese boards and flatbreads and indepth dinner menus are available to go or enjoy onsite. 1535 South Novato Blvd, 415.878.4915 Michael’s Sourdough American The bread is made on site and is said to have magical qualities. It better, as it

is the only holder for the overstuffed wonders served at this Best of the County 2019 winner.

Fans return over and over to the San Rafael and Novato locations for their faves, ordered by number, then swoon over the huge sandos piled with meat, cheese and enough shredded lettuce to ooze out the sides and onto your lap.

999 Andersen Drive, Suite 165, 415.485.0964

SAN ANSELMO AND ROSS Comforts Cafe American Established in 1986, Comforts has a cozy sit-down patio and serves breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch.

A large takeout section offers a wide selection of house-made bakery items, seasonal salads,

soups, sandwiches and entrees for dinner at home. Besides the famous Chinese chicken salad, other winners are the stuffed pecancrusted French toast, chicken okasan (nicknamed “Crack Chicken” by fans) and roast chicken enchiladas. 335 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.454.9840 Creekside Pizza & Tap Room American Under the direction of chef Janet Abrahamson, American-style artisan pizza (vegan and glutenfree options available) and organic salads, along with an extensive selection of craft beer on tap and California wines are available for savoring in front of the big-screen TV. 638 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.785.4450

Bella Boutique California Girl Jewelry ALOH-O Poke & Tea Noble Cow Creamery California Closets

strawberryvillage.com Redwood Hwy Frontage Rd. Exit Hwy 101 at Tiburon Blvd./E. Blithedale

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Cucina sa Italian Open for lunch Wednesday– Saturday and six nights a week for dinner, takeout or delivery. Homemade pastas, seasonal salads and wood-fired pizzas strike a balance between southern Italy and northern California.

Full bar and cocktails are available to go or enjoy a tipple on premise inside or at the new heated parklet. 510 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.454.2942 Jillie’s Wine Bar Californian A rotating list of more than 20 globally sourced and Californian wines and a few beers are on tap at owner Jill CordovaHolt’s eponymously named bar and retail shop in the Red Hill Shopping Center. Savor small bites like a cheese

and charcuterie board or black truffle potato chips while sipping at one of the outdoor tables. 906 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, 415.521.5500 Valenti & Co. Italian The bright yet cozy indoor space and warmly lit back patio are ideal environments for authentic Italian dishes made with local ingredients. The menu changes daily but look for the carpaccio of beef, the pan-seared Pekin duck and chef Valenti's famous tower of triple chocolate love at dessert. A seat at the chef’s table gives a prime view of the open kitchen. 337 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.454.7800

SAN R AFAEL Bruno’s Italian One part market, two parts deli and cafe just off the downtown strip features all things Italian.

Sandwiches, salads and entrees–Il Padrino (aka The Godfather), Mamma's Meatballs– and a range of imported Italian packaged goods, wines and coffee/ espresso are available.

1304 Second St, San Rafael; 415.785.7487 Caribbean Spices Caribbean Jerk chicken with just the right amount of heat is a menu highlight at this brick-and-mortar San Rafael extension of chefowner Frantz Felix’s food truck of the same name.

Go for the Caribbean sangria and Haitian

specialties like griot or goat curry and African American–inspired versions of creole snapper and seafood gumbo, then savor your meal at a sidewalk table. 819 Fourth St, 415.299.2680 Lou’s Takeaway American Bicyclists returning from a ride along San Rafael’s Lucas Valley Road are in on the not-so-secret eats from Anthony (Lou) Rizzi’s petite restaurant. Though the menu changes frequently, look for favorites like chilled chicken noodles with roasted peanuts and pickled long beans, spicy honey-glazed fried chicken, and pork belly with black vinegar caramel sauce. 621A Del Ganado Rd, San Rafael; 415.226.7994

McInnis Park Golf Club Restaurant American Grab a meal prepared by chef Chris Harman before or after hitting the driving range (or even without picking up a club). Outdoor seating is popular, as is the full bar, with a selection of premium Scotches, small-batch bourbons and more than 50 wines from California vineyards. McInnis Park, 415.491.5959 Michael’s Sourdough American The bread is made on site and is said to have magical qualities. It better, as it is the only holder for the overstuffed wonders served at this Best of the County winner.

Fans return over and over to the San Rafael and Novato locations for their faves, ordered

by number, then swoon over the huge sandos piled with meat, cheese and enough shredded lettuce to ooze out the sides and onto your lap.

999 Andersen Drive, Suite 165, 415.485.0964 Monk’s Kettle American Like the original in San Francisco, Christian Albertson’s restaurant in the shopping center kitty-corner from the Terra Linda Pool serves quaffable beers (like Pliny the Elder on tap), burgers, and pub grub to match the suds. The Mission Fried Chicken has an ardent following but there are plenty of vegforward offerings, too.

655 Del Ganado Rd, San Rafael; monkskettle.com

It’s time to celebrate again. Plan your upcoming holiday party at The Clubhouse at Peacock Gap. Let our full-service team amaze your guests and ensure that your event is festive and memorable.

333 Biscayne Drive • San Rafael, CA 94901-1599 415.453.4910 • peacockgapclubhouse.com

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Out & About / DINE RangeCafe American The cuisine from chef Stephen Simmons is local; seasonal; made with naturally raised ingredients; and served in a casual, comfortable and refined setting, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grand Peacock Gap lawns. An inviting cafe at lunch with ice-cold lemonade and refreshing chardonnay makes a great dinner spot once the sun sets. 333 Biscayne Drive, 415.454.6450

celebrate Your picture-perfect celebration awaits at Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa

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Vivalon's Jackson Cafe American The menu changes weekly to reflect the seasons, so today’s panko crusted crab cake with potato salad and coleslaw will give way to tomorrow’s bacon and tomato mac ’n’ cheese with Caesar salad at this spot near the San Rafael Transit Center. Daily soup and sandwich choices and the hamburger are also available. 930 Tamalpais Ave, 415.456.9062

FRANCESLANE.COM

CAITLIN OREILLY PHOTOGRAPHY

SAUSALITO Copita Mexican Co-owner Joanne Weir and chef Daniel Tellez present fresh Mexican fare in the heart of downtown Sausalito.

The ever-changing menu is 100 percent glutenfree, masa is prepared and pressed in house for each and every tortilla, and the in-house tequila bar serves more than 100 varieties, ideal for crafting your own margarita. Dine at the bar (when it is permitted again) or on the outdoor patio for great people watching. 739 Bridgeway, 415.331.7400 Murray Circle American Cavallo Point’s acclaimed restaurant features local, seasonal fare from chef Mike

Garcia at lunch and dinner (grilled sumac salmon BLT, roasted chicken with lemon confit and sour cream potato puree). An extensive wine program means global offerings by the bottle or glass.

Stop by Farley Bar for cocktails with a view and the same locally focused ethos. 601 Murray Circle, 415.339.4750 Poggio Italian Vitello sliced excruciatingly thin and topped with lemon and tonnato sauce is a singular dish in the hands of executive chef Benjamin Balesteri, who creates Northern Italian fare using local and Italian ingredients.

The bar may be the most hopping in town and is recognized for its killer Negroni. Private dining rooms above the restaurant can accommodate larger parties (10 to 150 guests). 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771 Saylor’s Restaurant and Bar Mexican Chef/ owner Sean Saylor uses fresh local ingredients and seafood to create a distinctively Cabo combination of Californian and Mexican cuisine.

That means polenta with green chili and mozzarella or a Caesar salad with ancho chili croutons and queso fresco. Choose from more than 200 varieties of tequilas that are even better when enjoyed in the private Cabo Wabo room, named for (and approved by) Mill Valley's own tequila master, Sammy Hagar.

Sip and savor on the heated Agave Terrace out back where the vibe is as festive as inside. 2009 Bridgeway, 415.332.1512

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Spinnaker Seafood Chef Phil Collins excels at preparing seafood, and it shows in the beautifully plated presentations.

Set right on the water with sweeping views of San Francisco, this romantic spot is great for an evening occasion. 100 Spinnaker Dr, 415.332.1500 The Trident Seafood Set in a turn-of-the-century building constructed for the San Francisco Yacht Club, this waterfront restaurant is a shooin for date night. The restaurant, a famous 1970s hangout, is now known for supporting local farmers, fishers and organic food producers in everything from its well-regarded cioppino to a Louie salad with crab or prawns and beer-battered fish and

chips. 558 Bridgeway, 415.331.3232

TIBURON Sam’s Anchor Cafe American Reopened after an extensive remodel, Sam's boathouse feel and boat tie-ups remain intact, and spiffy white umbrellas and deck chairs line the expansive waterfront patio. All-day cocktails remain a fixture as does the signature cioppino, while offerings like crab toast, a roaming oyster cart and a raw bar reflect the menu's enduring seafood focus. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527 The Caviar Co. American Strawberry resident Petra Bergstein expanded her San Francisco-based business with a downtown

shop and restaurant dedicated to the briny delicacy. Caviar flights, along with Champagne by the glass or bottle and small plates like grilled cheese with truffles, are available to enjoy in their tasting room or to take home. 46A Main Street, 415.889.5168

WEST MARIN Dillon Beach Coastal Kitchen Californian Inspired by Marin’s foodshed, Dillon Beach Resort’s eatery, located west of Tomales, offers seasonal coastal cuisine like local line-caught fish and chips, classic clam chowder and Stemple Creek burger. The accompanying Dillon Beach General Store also features Double 8 Dairy soft serve ice

cream and a local selection of wines and beers.

1 Beach Ave, Dillon Beach, 707.878.3030 Nick’s Cove American This escape along Tomales Bay is famous for barbecued local oysters, Dungeness crab mac ’n’ cheese and cocktails incorporating homegrown ingredients.

Large windows in the 120-seat restaurant provide picturesque views of Tomales Bay, or enjoy a seat outside along the pier or in the waterfront lounge. The cozy bar and fireplace in the main dining room makes the most of fog-whipped and rainy days. 23240 Highway 1, Marshall, 415.663.1033

Smiley's Saloon American The self-proclaimed oldest saloon on the West Coast and best party in town reopened in 2020 after a lengthy remodel to improve everything from the deck to the sewer system. The new menu at Smiley’s Cantina leans Mexican-American with dishes like local catch mezcal ceviche, vegan tortilla soup and a rotating menu of familystyle plates and a kids' menu. Yes, the house margaritas are still here.

41 Wharf Rd, Bolinas, 415.663.0303

William Tell House American The oldest continuously operating saloon in Marin makes a mean apple brandy cocktail aptly named for the Swiss folk hero, William Tell (who famously shot an arrow off his son’s head), but the revamped restaurant strives to make its name around food with a seafood chowder made with local cod, a Cobb salad with applewood bacon, and a butcher’s cut of the day sourced from nearby Stemple Creek Ranch and grilled to order. 26955 Highway 1, Tomales, 707.879.2002

For more comprehensive restaurant listings, visit us online at marinmagazine.com/food-drink

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theperfectprovenance.com 30 Main St. Tiburon 1300 First St, Suite 352 Napa

Cucina sa is happy to announce that we are open for lunch and dinner 6 days a week! Tuesday through Sunday- lunch is 11:30-3:00 pm, with dinner going from 5:00pm- 8:30pm. Outside dining on our bridge and newly constructed parklet, and also indoor dining at 50% capacity per Marin County regulations. Hope that you can join us soon! Please call for larger parties or special requests.

CUCINA SA 510 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, CA 415.454.2942 cucina-sa.com

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Calendar EDITED BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

art post-2000 reflect the multifaceted and complex reality of the movement in Art and Feminisms in the 21stcentury. bampfa.org

COMEDY Last Supper in Pompei, Legion of Honor

ARTS & LECTURES

artist during a year-plus of isolation and discord. cedarslife.org

THROUGH AUG 27 Cedars Harmony Presented jointly with the San Anselmo Arts Commission, Cedars’ show displays works that embody a sense of what harmony meant to each

AUG 4 Maggie Smith The author of Good Bones, which captured the nation with its meditations on hope and kindness in the wake of the Orlando nightclub shootings, returns to

celebrate the beauty and messiness of life with Goldenrod: Poems in an online event. bookpassage.org AUG 6–29 Road Trip Continuing its tradition of summer performances in the open air, Transcendence Theatre Company takes the show

to their home theater, Glen Ellen’s Jack London State Historic Park, for an epic musical tour and Broadway sing-along. bestnightever.org AUG 28–JAN 30 New Time A major survey of values, strategies and ways of life in feminist

AUG 4 Zeitgeist The Mission’s most notorious bar and beer garden hosts Bay Area standup comedians as guests enjoy drinks and dinner while seated at tables. zeitgeistsf.com AUG 22 Open Mic Hosted by Jefferso Mars and John Lehre, a stand-up-focused evening dedicated to the art of aspiring comedians

is back in Sebastopol at HopMonk Tavern. hopmonk.com AUG 28 Live Comedy The San Francisco Athletic Club bar in San Francisco’s Pacifi Heights neighborhood hosts comedians featured on “Conan,” “The Late Show With James Corden,” SF Sketchfest and Comedy Central’s “Clusterfest” in their tented, heated patio. thesfac.com

FILM AUG 6 Jurassic Park Let your heart fill with gratitude that humans have not (yet) figured out how to transform dinosaurs’

GARY SEXTON (LAST SUPPER IN POMPEI, LEGION OF HONOR)

T H E AT E R / CO M E DY / M U S I C / M U S E U M S / E V E N T S / F I L M / TA L K S

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ancient genetics into modern-day marvels, as you watch them eclipse every unsuccessful effor to contain them. williamtellhouse.com AUG 13 Through the Stage Door Conceived and directed for film by David Paul, a showcase of Merola Opera’s 2021 emerging singers, pianists and directors reflects a new approach to the digital demands of opera as the art form navigates post-Covid performance. merola.org Novato’s own Nikola Printz at Merola Opera

MUSIC AUG 5 Dick Conte The Bay Area jazz musician brings his sound to Murphy’s Irish Pub in Sonoma. sonomapub.com AUG 20 Jacob Joliff Band The mandonlinist and former member of Yonder Mountain String Band fronts a next-generation bluegrass band at a seated show. throckmortontheatre.org

AUG 21 Not Your First Goat Rodeo After an extended year of no live performances, Yo-Yo Ma rejoins the musicians of the original Goat Rodeo Sessions after a decade’s absence to create a uniquely American sound that joins classical, folk and bluegrass. calperformances.org AUG 29 Tower of Power In a change, advance reservations are required for events at Stern Grove’s free summer concert series, including the season finale Big Picnic, featuring Oakland’s legendary soul-funk-R&B group. sterngrove.org

MUSEUMS

GEORGE FOK (GEORGE FOK); DIANA MARKOSIAN (THE DISAPPOINTMENT, SF MOMA)

THROUGH AUG 29 Last Supper in Pompeii Focused exclusively on what its citizens were eating and drinking when the volcanic ash began to rain down on them in A.D. 79, this exhibition presents evidence from recent excavations that shed light on the gustatory delights of ordinary people. legionofhono .famsf.org

THROUGH OCT 19 A Delicate Balance In collaboration with the City of Sonoma, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art opened a public art installation at the Sonoma Plaza with eight large-scale sculptures from Bruce Beasley, Catherine Daley, Peter Hassen and Jun Kaneko that explore the balance between nature and technology. svma.org THROUGH NOV 7 Santa Barbara In collaboration with a scriptwriter, a casting director, and a group of actors from the 1980s soap opera of the same name, Moscowborn artist Diane Markosian weaves together the family’s final days in Russia with an idealized California experience and the reality of her immigrant experience. sfmoma.org THROUGH JAN 2, 2022 Golden Gate In a sitespecific exhibition, artist Hung Liu, who grew up under China’s Maoist regime, explores and celebrates international and domestic narratives of migration through a very personal lens.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

deyoung.famsf.org THROUGH JAN 10, 2022 The Walt Disney Studios and World War II The studio’s contributions to the Allied effor are documented through art work, film clips, literature and more. waltdisney.org THROUGH JAN 23, 2022 Sharks Sink your teeth into a recently opened exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences dedicated to a creature that has existed on planet earth for 370 million years. calacademy.org AUG 5–JAN 2, 2022 George Fok Commissioned as part of the large-scale touring exhibition Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything, Fok’s Passing Through pays tribute to Cohen’s fi edecade career in an immersive video work that includes concert footage and many memories. thecjm.org REOPENED

Exploratorium

George Fok

The very hands-on museum reopened July 1 after a 15-month closure with timed entries and the chance to let your imagination take you wherever it wants to go. exploratorium.edu

EVENTS JULY 23–25; JULY 30– AUG 1 Gilroy Garlic Festival Allium lovers rejoice: The festival is back, creatively reimagined with farm-to-table dinners, a drive-through Gourmet Alley and a golf tournament. gilroygarlicfestivalassociation.com AUG 8 French Antiques Fair Also known as the French Market, an outdoor shopping experience at the Marin Center showcases furniture, toys and bric-a-brac with a francophone lilt. thefrenchmarketmarin.com AUG 14 GLIDE Legacy Gala A blend of in-person and virtual events, including live music and a Q&A panel, as well as fundraising, invites the Bay Area community to reconnect and recommit to creating positive change. glide.org AUG 21 Outstanding in the Field Break bread and breathe deep as part of a meal served outdoors at Petaluma’s McEvoy Ranch. Seasonal dinners honor where food comes from by eating it where it’s grown. outstandinginthe field com

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Bay Area’s Better Makers O U R COM M U N IT Y COM I N G TO G E T H E R I N 202 1

EDITED BY DONNA BERRY GLASS

• LIFEHOUSE AGENCY’S GREAT CHEFS AND WINERIES VIRTUAL AUCTION AND COOKBOOK RAISES $300,000 TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES For 67 years, this Marin-based agency has offered programs and services throughout the Bay Area Since 1954, Lifehouse Agency has been supporting people with developmental disabilities throughout the Bay Area. Lifehouse improves these individuals’ quality of life by providing a lifetime of compassionate support in an atmosphere of respect, inspiration and purpose.

Lifehouse’s Great Chef and Wineries event is considered one of the premier black-tie food and wine fundraisers in Marin. This year, Great Chefs and Wineries was held virtually from April 3 to 17 with an online auction featuring an extensive selection of fine wine , oneof-a-kind local dining experiences, and collections of art and jewelry from local artisans. Lifehouse donors IMPACT: Funds raised will support could also secure a new exclusive cookbook featuring Lifehouse’s programs, including some of the best restaurants in the region.

The fundraiser wrapped up April 17 with a virtual living programs, a technology center, toast with top sponsors, including Stuart Bryan of specialized autism services and Pride Mountain Vineyards, longtime supporter and musician Huey Lewis, and other Lifehouse Agency the Great Expectations inclusive board members and community partners. preschool. lifehouseagency.org

SPONSORS: Brayton Purcell LLP, Thirty-Seven Wines, Doug Clough and Erin Uesugi, Better Bay Area and Marin Magazine

WANT MORE? For more inspiring success stories, matching grant opportunities, deserving nonprofits to support, and easy ways you can help those in need right now, visit marinmagazine.com/philanthropy.

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• FOOD FOR THOUGHT RAISES MORE THAN $106,000 TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY AND SUPPORT ILLNESS-PRONE INDIVIDUALS IN SONOMA COUNTY Organization has seen unprecedented spike in demand during the pandemic

The King Street Giants

Food for Thought, a Sonoma County nonprofit that pr vides healing nutrition to individuals, held its virtual fundraiser Our Virtual Table on June 13. It serves low-income clients who are affected y a wide range of serious illnesses and those who are at risk for malnutrition.

Misti Woods, a Food for Thought board member who serves as Community Engagement Liaison for the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, emceed the ent; Food for Thought’s Executive Director Ron Karp served as event host. State Senator Mike McGuire and Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins welcomed all guests by video.

Local band The King Street Giants played New Orleans jazz during the evening. Guests could order a gourmet meal by Park Avenue Catering. Russian River Vineyards offered Jim Memorial selection of wines for purchase.

Demand for Food for Thought’s services escalated dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic. The organization went from serving approximately 850 clients per year to serving more than 4,000 clients annually. fft oodbank.org

IMPACT: Money raised will support Food for Thought’s services, including healthy groceries, prepared meals, vitamins, supplements and nutrition counseling.

BTGCP Seniors

SPONSORS: Snoopy’s Home Ice, Exchange Bank, Kaiser Permanente and Willow Creek Wealth Management

• RED CROSS HONORS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR JANET ROGOFF OF MILL VALLEY Honoree has been instrumental in revitalizing volunteer engagement in Marin On May 26, the American Red Cross of the North Bay gathered virtually to celebrate the extensive contributions of volunteers who live in Marin County and their work to support the community through training and preparedness, disaster relief, service to the armed forces, blood services and international services.

This year’s Volunteer of the Year award went to Janet Rogoff of Mill Valley, a Red Cross volunteer since 2007. “Janet is the embodiment of compassion turned to action,” said Eva Marquez, volunteer and Youth Services Engagement Manager for the county.

Other Marin residents honored at the event included Kay Tsenin, Anna Lane, Alisa Zhou, Steve Tulsky, Michelle Roberts, Mitch Ablove and Matt Elkins.

The Red Cross also presented the Good Neighbor and Partnership Award to Marin Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

Volunteers constitute about 90% of the total Red Cross workforce — consisting of 500 individuals in Marin — needed to carry out its humanitarian work. redcross.org

Jane Rogoff

IMPACT: Approximately 500 Red Cross volunteers in the North Bay meet the needs of those affected by disasters, such as fires, floods and earthquakes.

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Marin Home FRO M TO U R S A N D M A K EOV E R S TO D ECO R AT IV E D E TA I L S A N D R E A LTO R I N S I G H T S

SEEING THE LIGHT Enamored with what was intended to be their starter home, a Kentfield couple embarked on a massive renovation with the help of Marin design firm Lark + Palm.

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Marin Home / BACKSTORY Previous page: An oversized chandelier illuminates the open dining area. A built-in banquette and wood chairs from Noir Furniture surround a table by Four Hands.

A daybed covered with cushions in Christopher Farr fabric and a side table from Noir Furniture create a stylish space for the couple’s 6-year-old daughter. The art is from Lost Art Salon.

African juju hats add a bold textural statement to the enlarged master bedroom.

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It’s all about blue in the powder room, which sports a graphic wallcovering

by Holland & Sherry and a custom vanity painted in Inchyra Blue

by Farrow & Ball.

modest 1950s-era Kentfield ranch — not far from the waterfront and abutting a lush, protected estuary — seemed like a great investment for a young couple looking to start a life in Marin. They planned to upgrade to a larger abode a few years later, but they quickly found themselves smitten with their charming block, where neighbors talk over the fence and kids play outside until sundown.

Realizing there’s no place they would rather be, they decided to lean in, commissioning interior designers Ansley Majit and Stephanie Waskins, cofounders of the Sausalito-based design firm Lark + Palm, to reimagine the house. “Our clients really responded to a light, casual, California vibe,” Majit says.

Achieving that goal meant starting from scratch. After the family moved to temporary digs, the designers gutted the space, raising the ceiling height throughout by 2 feet and eliminating several walls. “We WANT MORE? For more home decor and design inspiration, expert advice from industry leaders, and stunning pieces by local artists, visit spacesmag.com.

wanted to take advantage of the views of the estuary and flood the space with natural light,” Waskins explains.

Formerly small, dated and closed off, the kitchen is now open to the living and dining areas. The designers integrated the upper cabinets with the wood-paneled hood, so they almost go unnoticed. “It’s a cool design choice that emphasizes the organic, modern vibe while still providing storage,” Waskins says, noting that the refrigerator is also concealed in a furniture-like cabinet.

Adding a pop of pattern and interest, the front of the island is clad in a hand-painted terracotta tile from Tabarka Studio that plays off he CONNECT WITH US ONLINE! spacesmag.com/subscribe

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Accented by the custom wood cabinetry, a handpainted terracotta tile from Tabarka Studio adds a moment of drama to the island in the open kitchen. The lights are

by Marian Jamieson.

quartzite countertops and backsplash from Fire Clay Tile. Barrel-back Lucite stools with textural fur throws offer seating without obscuring the graphic tile. “The layers make it dynamic,” Majit says.

Steps away, an oversized contemporary chandelier moodily illuminates a walnut dining table from Four Hands surrounded by wood chairs with woven seats from Noir Furniture and a built-in banquette.

The light palette and textural accents also define the master bedroom, where a set of African juju hats play off he simple linen headboard, which is flanked by custom wood side tables with white table lamps. A vintage coverlet and artwork by Lost Art Salon add subtle pops of color inspired by the estuary just outside.

In the ensuite bathroom, a vinyl grasscloth wallcovering by Christopher Farr perfectly complements the white oak cabinetry, which is stained in a custom Lark + Palm shade that closely coordinates with the hexagon tile flooring and bespoke vanity countertop. “The idea was to use the same tones with textural changes,” Majit says. “It creates a feeling of spaciousness.”

The natural palette flows throughout the home. The daybed in the

6-year-old daughter’s bedroom, for instance, is punctuated with colorful, patterned pillows covered in fabric by Christopher Farr. Stylish, whimsical pieces, such as a surfboard and a white table from Noir Furniture, further enliven the space. “The family didn’t subscribe to the idea of designing for the age of the child,” Waskins says. “They wanted something she would love that would blend seamlessly with the rest of the house.”

The same goes for the daughter’s bathroom; the designers spent an entire day laying out the pattern for the large-scale, multicolor hexagon tile by Clé for the floor and shower, accenting its soothing hues with light blue walls and cabinetry. “We wanted to create something playful but not too young,” Waskins says. “This space will grow with the kids.”

Now happily settled in their new abode, the family is loving their renovated house’s open and airy vibes. Majit says, “When they walk in, they feel entirely at home, and that was our goal.”

Tate Gunnerson is a Chicago-based freelance journalist with an equal appreciation for natural beauty and good design.

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Tiburon

Beautiful Tiburon View Home Sweeping, world class views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Richardson Bay, and Mount Tamalpais. This truly elegant home is sited on a mostly level 3/4± acre, professionally landscaped, fully fenced lot. Bursting with blooming seasonal flowers, mature fruit trees, and a large grape-producing pergola/ dining area. Several large seating spaces and patios are ideal for outdoor entertaining. The walk-in level has the living room plus an additional family room, dining room, kitchen, and breakfast area, master bedroom suite, a second bedroom, and full bath—all with panoramic views. Fabulous, open concept flow, and cathedral ceilings for volume and added spaciousness. A huge new deck wraps the kitchen and dining areas. All of the rooms on the downstairs walkout level have patios and gorgeous views of the gardens and beyond. The kitchen is newly remodeled in 2019 with a top of the line Wolf range, Sub-Zero refrigerator, beautiful white granite counter tops, and custom cabinetry. Located mid-way on the Tiburon peninsula, affording easy access to Marin and San Francisco. Award-winning schools.

Jennifer Dunbar 415.272.4635

Top Producer 2020 Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty Top Agent Network Member

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jen@jendunbar.com JenDunbar.com Lic.# 01251221

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The Sherfey Group Now Serving Mill Valley

Coming Soon 12 St. Jude Road, Mill Valley 3 bed | 3.5 bath | office + wine cellar | half-acre± lot | views

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Recent Sales 116 Seadrift Road, Stinson Beach List Price $8,100,000 | Sold Off-Market 231 Seadrift Road, Stinson Beach List Price $4,300,000 | Represented Buyer 7 Sonoma Patio, Stinson Beach List Price $3,650,000 | Sold Off-Market Photo by Colette Peri

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The Sherfey Group Barbara Sherfey Mitchell Cell | 415.203.2648

Sara Sherfey Gemma Cell | 415.302.9408 sherfeygroup@ggsir.com TheSherfeyGroup.com Lic.# 01963881 | Lic.# 01422254

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GGSIR-Oliv

EX PER IENCE M AT TER S. LET OLI V I A’S EX PERTISE WOR K FOR YOU. Olivia Hsu Decker has been the leading luxury home specialist for over 40 years with over $3 billion in sales. She is co-owner of Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty with 25 offices serving the San Francisco Bay Area. She provides comprehensive local, national and international marketing, renovation concierge services and free staging.

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SANFRANCISCOSHOWCASE2008.COM

1283 GREENWICH ST, SAN FRANCISCO

BELVEDERESHORES.COM/43CLIFF

REPRESENTING BUYER I $26,500,000

2820 SCOTT ST, SAN FRANCISCO | $21,000,000

REPRESENTED BUYER | $18,000,000

43 CLIFF RD, BELVEDERE | $9,000,000

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39 WEST SHORE RD, BELVEDERE

12 CREST RD, BELVEDERE

35BELLEVUE.COM | $8,396,000

6CLIFFBELVEDERE.COM | $8,175,000

39WESTSHORE.COM | $8,100,000

12CRESTRD.DREAMHM.COM | $7,100,000

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2614 JACKSON ST, SAN FRANCISCO

11 ACELA DR, TIBURON

217 GOLDEN GATE AVE, BELVEDERE

11 BELVEDERE AVE, BELVEDERE | $6,950,000

REPRESENTED BUYER | $6,495,000

11ACELA.COM | $6,488,800

REPRESENTED BUYER | $6,200,000

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REPRESENTED 2019 SELLER & 2020 BUYER

408 GOLDEN GATE AVE, BELVEDERE

105GOLDENGATE.COM | $6,100,000

10 VENADO, TIBURON | $5,995,000

BELVEDEREVISTA.COM | $5,495,000

REPRESENTED BUYER | $5,495,000

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4 ROLLING HILLS RD, TIBURON REPRESENTED BUYER | $4,950,000

3150 BUCHANAN, SAN FRANCISCO

75 MARGARITA DR, SAN RAFAEL

3150BUCHANAN.COM | $4,500,000

75MARGARITA.COM | $3,450,000

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915

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Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

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Lic.# 00712080

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“Megan exceeded all expectations! She went above and beyond in the purchase of a new home for my parents and the sale of their previous home. We did all of this in a matter of a couple months and it was seamless. During this crazy hot market, Megan pulled together her go-to crew to prep the house for sale - from paint to staging - it was ready to hit the market within a couple of weeks. And it looked amazing! Megan has extensive experience as a realtor and understands the nuances of strategy, presentation, timing and communication - which equates to maximizing your potential on the purchase and sale of your home.”

J UST SO L D

-Seller 1298 Parkwood Drive, Novato

Megan Pomponio 415.827.9229 meganpomponio@gmail.com megansellsmarin.com DRE 01884035 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.

Glorious Bolinas 3 Parcels | 1± Acre | $1,800,000 GloriousBolinas.com

Three glorious parcels with a highly coveted water meter perched safely above Agate Beach. A shimmering view of the ocean and a tabula rasa over land tended lovingly by farmers and scientists since the 1980’s.

Contact for more information.

415.710.1048 | c.digrazia@ggsir.com cristinadigrazia.com | Lic.# 01269252

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Cover Represented by DARLENE HANLEY & SUE PENCE The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

Kathleen

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SAN RAFAEL | $3,495,000 Spectacular 5br/3.5ba home located in a private cul-de-sac of coveted Chapel Cove community in Peacock Gap area. Resort-style living w/pool and spa.

Sairan Stanley 415.990.5368 sairan.stanley@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01235510

NOVATO | $3,149,000 Relish in the Marin CC lifestyle of this gated custom estate w/5 beds, 3.5 baths, offering dramatic views of the golf course and Valley.

Amadeo Arnal 415.531.2599 amadeo.arnal@cbrealty.com CalRE #01756869

PENNGROVE | $3,100,000 This elegant 4br/3.5ba single-level Mediterranean estate features an expansive pool and spa, two solar systems and a ADU with a covered porch.

Nicole Marzo 707.217.1386 Nicole.Marzo@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01996831

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FOREST KNOLLS | $1,099,000 Incredible 2br/2ba San Geronimo Valley property offering expansive West Marin ridge line views with beautiful yard, patios and mature gardens.

Michael Cusick 415.279.8054 mcusick@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01260333

NOVATO | $1,079,000 Paradise found in Novato! Nestled at the end of a peaceful, centrally located cul-de-sac in San Marin, this is a beautiful oasis of a home.

Marie Borders 415.601.1715 marie.borders@cbrealty.com CalRE #01256719

NOVATO | $979,000 Gorgeous 4br/2.5ba Spanish style villa with breathtaking vistas tucked away on a cul-de-sac and perched just above Pleasant Valley!

Marie Borders 415.601.1715 marie.borders@cbrealty.com CalRE #01256719

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SAN RAFAEL | $825,000 You will delight in this open, light and bright townhome offering a great floorplan with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Jennifer A. Palacio 415.601.3130 jennifer.palacio@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01208501

FOREST KNOLLS | $775,000 Forest Knolls 2br/1.5ba property on a cul-de-sec knoll with southwesterly exposure. Enjoy guest studio w/full kitchen, views, deck & porch.

Michael Cusick 415.279.8054 mcusick@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01260333

NOVATO | $739,000 Charming 1br/1ba home on about 1/3-acre w/abundant windows & vaulted ceilings. Features include bright & airy kitchen, living room fireplace.

Lynnette Kling 415.847.2576 LK@FindaMarinHome.com CalRE #01318366

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COVER PROPERTY

TIBURON | $28,000,000 Paradise Found. 8.5 acre +/- waterfront oasis.

Gated grounds.

Darlene Hanley 415.717.7531 Sue Pence 415.269.0417 CalRE #00945576 | CalRE #01745825

SAN FRANCISCO | $3,195,000 3br/3ba Bungalow Style Marina home w/garden.

Michelle Steinhart 415.531.1384 michelle.steinhart@cbnorcal.com CalRE #00957034

SAN ANSELMO | $2,850,000 Updated with custom finishes throughout.

MILL VALLEY | $2,695,000 Stunning, sunny 4br/2.5ba home in a private setting w/a deck.

Keith Hennessey 415.450.0260 keith.hennessey@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01952073

Ralph Gimpel 415.516.3308 RalphGimpel@gmail.com CalRE #01025435

HEALDSBURG | $2,600,000 Gorgeous 4br/3ba Italian inspired custom home w/vineyard views.

SAN RAFAEL | $2,495,000 6br/4ba grand Mediterranean home.

Colleen Cornell 415.215.6346 colleen.cornell@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01489999

Kathleen Daly 415.519.6074 Lisa Lange 415.847.7770 CalRE #00871543 | CalRE #01228043

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OLYMPIC VALLEY | $2,488,000 Luxurious estate in private gated community.

SAN ANSELMO | $2,297,000 5br/3ba Hawthorne Hills home w/Mt. Tam views & outdoor firepit.

John Biebl & Anna McGee 530.523.4028 Team@Truckee-Tahoe.com CalRE #01220758 | CalRE #01947697

Jeanette Cling 415.706.2430 jcling@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01484036

SAN RAFAEL | $2,200,000 Pristine 4br/3.5ba home in a great location w/exceptional views.

LARKSPUR | $1,995,000 Ideally located 3br/2ba home with open floor plan on large lot.

Rose Capurro 415.690.6762 rose.capurro@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01911774

Denise Montalvo 415.640.1850 info@denisemontalvo.com CalRE #01780793

MILL VALLEY | $1,995,000 Mill Valley 3br/2ba brown-shingle charmer.

SAN ANSELMO | $1,975,000 High-end residence and ADU. Large flat lot in convenient East SA.

Glen Barras 415.846.4186 glen.barras@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01136772

Wes Mayne 415.464.3353 wmayne59@hotmail.com CalRE #00870083

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SAN ANSELMO | $1,895,000 4br/3ba Craftsman style home with natural light throughout.

NOVATO | $1,795,000 Magnificent updated 4br/4ba home w/chef's kitchen & in-law unit!

Carol Ann E Case 415.860.3572 ccase@cbnorcal.com CalRE #00708767

Toni Shroyer 415.640.2754 tonishroyer@hotmail.com CalRE #01876201

TRUCKEE | $1,595,000 Beautiful 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bath, meticulously maintained home.

NOVATO | Price Upon Request Dramatic 3br/2.5ba custom home, open floorplan & dreamy kitchen.

Talya Martin 530.448.1101 talya@talyamartin.com CalRE #01748247

Shari Wilkins 415.328.2323 shari@nbayhomes.com CalRE #01194450

SAN RAFAEL | $1,249,000 Recently remodeled 3br/2ba single-level home w/a sparkling pool.

NOVATO | $1,095,000 Beautiful 3br/2ba charming home in country-like setting.

Andy Falk 415.250.8025 andy.falk@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01459954

Toni Shroyer 415.640.2754 tonishroyer@hotmail.com CalRE #01876201

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SAN ANSELMO | $1,000,000 Quintessential 1925 2br/1ba bungalow w/sunroom & updated kitchen.

NOVATO | $995,000 Single level charmer with move-in ready appeal!

Denise Montalvo 415.640.1850 info@denisemontalvo.com CalRE #01780793

Abby Tanem 415.497.9542 atanem@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01301798

NOVATO | $989,000 Upside potential with this home! Great backyard w/boat dock!

NOVATO | $975,000 Happy San Marin 4br/3ba home w/private landscaped backyard.

Toni Shroyer 415.640.2754 tonishroyer@hotmail.com CalRE #01876201

Toni Shroyer 415.640.2754 tonishroyer@hotmail.com CalRE #01876201

MILL VALLEY | $895,000 Updated 2br/1.5ba sun-drenched end unit w/decks and views.

FAIRFAX | $875,000 Welcome to your tranquil 2br/1.5ba Fairfax oasis!

Shari Wilkins 415.328.2323 shari@nbayhomes.com CalRE #01194450

Abby Tanem 415.497.9542 ATanem@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01301798

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guiding you home since 1906

NOVATO | $685,000 Spacious 3br/2.5ba property w/deck and community pool.

NOVATO | $515,000 Updated two-story 2br/1ba home with views and community pool.

John Hammer 415.971.4769 jhammer@cbnorcal.com CalRE #00975220

Colleen Cornell 415.215.6346 colleen.cornell@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01489999

GREENBRAE | $1,999,000 Single-level 3br/2ba home w/deck & view.

SAUSALITO | $1,800,000 Stunning 2br/2ba home w/extensive views.

NOVATO | $1,690,000 Marin Country Club Estate home.

TIBURON | $1,499,000 2bed/2bath Condo in world-class location.

Kim Piro-Guerrero 415.699.3866 Jerry Piro 415.515.3927 CalRE #01410251 | CalRE #00521674

Kim Piro-Guerrero 415.699.3866 Elizabeth Young 415.823.6472 CalRE #01410251 | CalRE #01374948

Martin Pang 707.548.9683 martin.pang@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01955718

Susan Coleman 415.378.2350 coleman.susan@comcast.net CalRE #01336715

TRUCKEE | $1,399,000 Beautifully updated golf course home!

NOVATO | $1,299,000 4br/2.5ba home w/loft on pie-shaped lot.

SAN RAFAEL | $1,275,000 Spacious 4br/3ba home w/rear patio.

NOVATO | $1,195,000 Lovely 3br/3ba home w/unbelievable views.

John Biebl & Anna McGee 530.523.4028 Team@Truckee-Tahoe.com CalRE #01220758 | CalRE #01947697

John Griffin 415.948.7913 john.griffin@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01367584

Brent Mosbacher 415.895.0232 brent.mosbacher@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01978651

Maria Silver 415.203.3994 msilver@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01029552

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NOVATO | $1,095,000 Unique 4br/2.5ba home w/pool & sunroom.

NOVATO | $1,035,000 Wonderful 3br/2ba home w/pool and patio.

TRUCKEE | $1,029,000 Immaculate 4br/3ba mountain home!

NOVATO | $997,000 Ideal 4br/2ba home w/garden & patio.

Lloyd Pittman 415.246.2983 lloyd4re@gmail.com CalRE #00916601

Johnson Team 707.795.1700 britt.johnson@cbnorcal.com CalRE #00985355 | CalRE #01993957

John Biebl & Anna McGee 530.523.4028 Team@Truckee-Tahoe.com CalRE #01220758 | CalRE #01947697

Maria Silver 415.203.3994 Kenneth Licht 415.302.7421 CalRE #01029552 | CalRE #00957928

SAN RAFAEL | $929,000 Roomy 3br/1ba w/separate guest studio.

ROSEVILLE | $795,000 Fabulous 4br/3.5ba home w/a pool.

FAIRFAX | $795,000 Cozy hideaway in the Fairfax Hills.

EL DORADO HILLS | $739,900 4 bd Blackstone El Dorado Hills w/solar.

Darlene Hanley 415.717.7531 darlene.hanley@cbnorcal.com CalRE #00945576

Barbara Silva 916.718.6244 barbsilva@comcast.net CalRE #00986087

Keith Offord 415.342.4839 keith.offord@cbnorcal.com CalRE #02063934

Barbara Silva 916.718.6244 barbsilva@comcast.net CalRE #00986087

SAN RAFAEL | $734,900 Easy living in large 2br/2.5ba townhome.

SAN RAFAEL | $725,000 2br/2ba home w/views in gated community.

TRUCKEE | $719,000 Gorgeous Mountain Getaway!

PETALUMA | $635,000 Welcome to this updated townhome.

Susan Coleman 415.378.2350 coleman.susan@comcast.net CalRE #01336715

Susan Coleman 415.378.2350 coleman.susan@comcast.net CalRE #01336715

John Biebl & Anna McGee 530.523.4028 Team@Truckee-Tahoe.com CalRE #01220758 | CalRE #01947697

Brent Mosbacher 415.895.0232 brent.mosbacher@cbnorcal.com CalRE #01978651

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REUNITED, AND IT FEELS SO GOOD!

Photos by Kathleen Harrison Photography

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After over a year of hard work, social distancing, and zooming, we finally got our crew together. What was immediately recognizable was how special our Vanguard family is.

Warm, collaborative, welcoming and energetic. We are proud to call this locally-owned, independent brokerage our home.

VA N G U A R D P R O P E RT I E S .C O M

DRE# 01486075

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All Together Now After a long pandemic year spent predominantly isolated and at home, it sure feels good to get out and about again this summer, especially now that the state of California has reopened. We know you’ve been enjoying reconnecting in person with friends, family, coworkers and the community as much as we have, as well as heading out for adventures in Marin County and beyond. We love seeing what you’re up to, so thank you for tagging us @marinmagazine on Instagram with all of your fantastic summer memories. Keep ’em coming! LOTUS ABRAMS WANT MORE? See more great photographs highlighted on our Instagram at @marinmagazine.

TOP ROW: @THESTUDIOMILLVALLEY, @ADELEGILANI, AND @BANDSBSANRAFAELCA. MIDDLE ROW: @RANCHOCOMPASSION, @IVEGOTNISSUES, AND @FIELDWORKBREWING_CORTEMADERA. BOTTOM ROW: @DESTAGALLERY, @ DANAWCOLE, AND @FULLMETALCYCLES

Reflections

138 AUGUST 2021 MARIN

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PRIVACY THE

2 0 0 0

AND

HALLMARKS

B A Y H I L L S

OF

SERENITY RAVEN

D R I V E

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RIDGE

S A N

R A F A E L

3 B E D R O O M S | 3 B AT H R O O M S | 9 . 2 A C R E S | O F F E R E D AT $ 2 , 9 9 5 , 0 0 0 This private mountain sanctuary offers sublime solitude surrounded by incredible natural beauty.

Named for its unparalleled bird life, Raven Ridge nestles on a majestic, forested ridge with expansive open sky views to spectacular sunsets in the west. The custom handcrafted home is bathed in sunlight filtered through the graceful leaves of Japanese maples and the magic of moonlight shining through ancient oaks. Raven Ridge offers unrivaled access to the best of Marin living.

BAYHILLSDRIVE.COM Contact agents for more information

Garrett W. Burdick 415.602.2282 garrett@vanguardproperties.com garrettburdick.realtor DRE# 02074170

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Christine Christiansen, MBA 415. 259-7133 christine@vanguardmarin.com christinechristiansen.com

VA N G U A R D P R O P E RT I E S .C O M

DRE#01393098

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PAUL JENKINS 1923 - 2012

“Phenomena Leaf Torn” 1969 Acrylic on canvas 24x29 inches

Paul Jenkins is known for pouring paint onto canvas and creating veils of translucent and luminous color which have characterized his work since the 1950s. The paintings of Jenkins have come to represent the spirit, vitality, and invention of post World War II American abstraction. Over more than seven decades, Jenkins’ paintings have been widely exhibited around the world. He has had seven major retrospectives at American and European museums.

“Beyond right and wrong there is a garden. I’ll meet you there.” Rumi

Robert Green Fine Arts, established 1969, exhibits primarily painterly, abstract expressive work by painters that thoroughly take advantage of the sensually evocative nature of color and form.

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