marin living july 2023

The Outdoor Issue

If it wasn’t for the staff at Homeward Bound, I wouldn’t be here. I’m very indebted and humbled by the support that’s been given to me.

—

A VETERAN WHO RECENTLY FOUND AN AFFORDABLE APARTMENT WITH HELP FROM HOMEWARD BOUND OF MARIN.

Make history and bring our veterans home!

Nick Svenson proudly supports Homeward Bound of Marin’s project to create new housing to end veteran homelessness. We can make history as Marin County becomes the second in California to bring every veteran home!

The 24-unit veterans community expects a grand opening in Winter 2024.

“

STEPHEN,

Photo by Paige Green

With our pain management specialists, relief has never been

World-class care. Closer than you think.

MarinHealth pain experts use the latest pain management techniques and therapies to get you closer to your best health.

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

In April, 2021 we negotiated the purchase of this property at 7% below asking. Through diligence and perseverance, we insured the lot could be split into 2 legal lots and arranged creative financing options to close the purchase when a conventional loan fell through at the last minute. After two years and two weeks of lot splitting legalities, permitting and planning, design collaboration, supply chain challenges, atmospheric rivers, and utility delays, we sold the beautiful home our client built after only 6 days on market and for more than the asking price.

In April, 2021 we negotiated the purchase of this property at 7% below asking. Through diligence and perseverance, we insured the lot could be split into 2 legal lots and arranged creative financing options to close the purchase when a conventional loan fell through at the last minute. After two years and two weeks of lot splitting legalities, permitting and planning, design collaboration, supply chain challenges, atmospheric rivers, and utility delays, we sold the beautiful home our client built after only 6 days on market and for more than the asking price.

Now he is ready to use the proceeds from this sale to make his dream of building a home for his family on the remaining lot become a reality. As my grandmother always said, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” even in this tumultuous market.

Now he is ready to use the proceeds from this sale to make his dream of building a home for his family on the remaining lot become a reality. As my grandmother always said, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” even in this tumultuous market.

The value of our business is measured in the quality of the relationships we build.

The value of our business is measured in the quality of the relationships we build.

she is marin’s FRESH SPIRIT

she is marin’s FRESH SPIRIT

Written

Written by Tyco Montgomery. Photography by Pablo Villafane

Dr. Cat breezes in flashing a smile and tussling that hair. She’s played 6 games of beach volleyball since 6:30 a.m. and had whole body cryo before I’ve even had my first cup of coffee. Cat Gibson is a self-effacing force of nature.

Dr. Cat breezes in flashing a smile and tussling that hair. She’s played 6 games of beach volleyball since 6:30 a.m. and had whole body cryo before I’ve even had my first cup of coffee. Cat Gibson is a self-effacing force of nature.

Dr. Cat’s visionary thinking was fostered early in her career working as an advertising agency executive with Fortune 500 companies including Disney, Coors, Mattel, HP, Skky, and Fujitsu. This same keen forsight led her to deepen her knowledge by studying with the Dalai Lama and the teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Confucianism and earning her PhD. Dr. Cat wanted to combine these disciplines to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience to the Marin community. Partnering with her husband, Randy Gibson, LAc. the two opened 9 Corners, a pioneering clinic in the healthcare domain for 26 years, successfully delivering an impressive 250,000 treatments! Today, 9 Corners Med-Cryo-Spa continues to deliver acupuncture, massage, cryotherapies, infrared saunas, Pagani body sculpting, Lean & Clean weight loss, biocodes, facials and more.

Dr. Cat’s visionary thinking was fostered early in her career working as an advertising agency executive with Fortune 500 companies including Disney, Coors, Mattel, HP, Skky, and Fujitsu. This same keen forsight led her to deepen her knowledge by studying with the Dalai Lama and the teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Confucianism and earning her PhD. Dr. Cat wanted to combine these disciplines to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience to the Marin community. Partnering with her husband, Randy Gibson, LAc. the two opened 9 Corners, a pioneering clinic in the healthcare domain for 26 years, successfully delivering an impressive 250,000 treatments! Today, 9 Corners Med-Cryo-Spa continues to deliver acupuncture, massage, cryotherapies, infrared saunas, Pagani body sculpting, Lean & Clean weight loss, biocodes, facials and more.

With her insatiable desire to “progress things forward”, Dr. Cat passionately says, “There is more to do!” “As stewards of healthcare, we are leading its next elevation. A lot of time and money is spent on the body

With her insatiable desire to “progress things forward”, Dr. Cat passionately says, “There is more to do!” “As stewards of healthcare, we are leading its next elevation. A lot of time and money is spent on the body

and We Spirit and couches, “Our health, in days, It’s a CBS I sit to

by Tyco Montgomery. Photography by Pablo Villafane

SPIRIT

and while this is important, rising rates of depression and dis-ease (uneasiness) demonstrate this is not enough. We must follow nature’s law: The Spirit governs the mind and the mind governs the body. It’s time to ignite the Spirit and soothe the Soul.” This law clearly manifests inside 9 Corner’s new Healthstyle Galleria. The elegance and comfort tantalize the Spirit. Magnificant crystal chandeliers, oriental rugs, iceberg dining tables, leather couches, massage chairs, gift shop and wine tasting salon. You’re happily transformed every time you visit.

force with to Confucianexperience piotreatments! saunas,

and while this is important, rising rates of depression and dis-ease (uneasiness) demonstrate this is not enough. We must follow nature’s law: The Spirit governs the mind and the mind governs the body. It’s time to ignite the Spirit and soothe the Soul.” This law clearly manifests inside 9 Corner’s new Healthstyle Galleria. The elegance and comfort tantalize the Spirit. Magnificant crystal chandeliers, oriental rugs, iceberg dining tables, leather couches, massage chairs, gift shop and wine tasting salon. You’re happily transformed every time you visit.

and while this is important, rising rates of depression and dis-ease (uneasiness) demonstrate this is not enough. We must follow nature’s law: The Spirit governs the mind and the mind governs the body. It’s time to ignite the Spirit and soothe the Soul.” This law clearly manifests inside 9 Corner’s new Healthstyle Galleria. The elegance and comfort tantalize the Spirit. Magnificant crystal chandeliers, oriental rugs, iceberg dining tables, leather couches, massage chairs, gift shop and wine tasting salon. You’re happily transformed every time you visit.

volleyball since self-effacing force executive with forsight led her to Zen, Confucianone-of-a-kind experience Corners, a pio250,000 treatments! infrared saunas, more to do!” on the body

and while this is important, rising rates of depression and dis-ease (uneasiness) demonstrate this is not enough. We must follow nature’s law: The Spirit governs the mind and the mind governs the body. It’s time to ignite the Spirit and soothe the Soul.” This law clearly manifests inside 9 Corner’s new Healthstyle Galleria. The elegance and comfort tantalize the Spirit. Magnificant crystal chandeliers, oriental rugs, iceberg dining tables, leather couches, massage chairs, gift shop and wine tasting salon. You’re happily transformed every time you visit.

“Our Galleria is a fabulous place to gather. Humans are a hyper-social species and socializing is essential to health, healing, and longevity. So we created a social haven for people to come celebrate, laugh, and share stories combination with the health treatments they enjoy. Clients love it! They bring friends to the Galleria for spa days, private wine tastings, sunset soirees, cryo happy hours, and exclusive dinners. It’s heart-warming and fun.” In the midst of her musing, Dr. Cat is whisked away by CBS TV camera crew for her next interview.

“Our Galleria is a fabulous place to gather. Humans are a hyper-social species and socializing is essential to health, healing, and longevity. So we created a social haven for people to come celebrate, laugh, and share stories in combination with the health treatments they enjoy. Clients love it! They bring friends to the Galleria for spa days, private wine tastings, sunset soirees, cryo happy hours, and exclusive dinners. It’s heart-warming and fun.” In the midst of her musing, Dr. Cat is whisked away by a CBS TV camera crew for her next interview.

“Our Galleria is a fabulous place to gather. Humans are a hyper-social species and socializing is essential to health, healing, and longevity. So we created a social haven for people to come celebrate, laugh, and share stories in combination with the health treatments they enjoy. Clients love it! They bring friends to the Galleria for spa days, private wine tastings, sunset soirees, cryo happy hours, and exclusive dinners. It’s heart-warming and fun.” In the midst of her musing, Dr. Cat is whisked away by a CBS TV camera crew for her next interview.

“Our Galleria is a fabulous place to gather. Humans are a hyper-social species and socializing is essential to health, healing, and longevity. So we created a social haven for people to come celebrate, laugh, and share stories in combination with the health treatments they enjoy. Clients love it! They bring friends to the Galleria for spa days, private wine tastings, sunset soirees, cryo happy hours, and exclusive dinners. It’s heart-warming and fun.” In the midst of her musing, Dr. Cat is whisked away by a CBS TV camera crew for her next interview.

I sit in the Galleria taking it all in, feeling relaxed and inspired. I am so lucky to be part of this sacred and true place. Now I understand their brilliant success.

sit in the Galleria taking it all in, feeling relaxed and inspired. I am so lucky be part of this sacred and true place. Now I understand their brilliant success.

I sit in the Galleria taking it all in, feeling relaxed and inspired. I am so lucky to be part of this sacred and true place. Now I understand their brilliant success.

I sit in the Galleria taking it all in, feeling relaxed and inspired. I am so lucky to be part of this sacred and true place. Now I understand their brilliant success.

“As stewards of healthcare, we are leading its next elevation. Time to ignite the Spirit andsoothe the Soul!”

Dr . Cat

“As stewards of healthcare, we are leading its next elevation. Time to ignite the Spirit andsoothe the Soul!” Dr . Cat

marin’s

“As stewards of healthcare, we are leading its next elevation. Time to ignite the Spirit andsoothe the Soul!”

Dr . Cat

“As stewards of healthcare, we are leading its next elevation. Time to ignite the Spirit andsoothe the Soul!”

Dr . Cat

Copywriting Photography

Jessica Cline

CEO

jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com

707.302.0850

Dina Grant Advertising Director dina@marinlivingmagazine.com

707.238.2030

ADVERTISING

Wine Country Advertising Consultant Chet Klingensmith chet@marinlivingmagazine.com

707.216.1780

Hawaii Region Advertising Consultant

Meredith Low meredith@marinlivingmagazine.com

808.388.2644

Advertising Consultant

Kim McGinnis kim@marinlivingmagazine.com

415.640.4504

Advertising Consultant

Carrie Moler carrie@marinlivingmagazine.com

415.271.3080

Advertising Consultant Courtney Roberts courtney@marinlivingmagazine.com

415.720.3752

Casey Gillespie

Creative Director

casey@marinlivingmagazine.com

Daniel Jewett

Executive Editor

dan@marinlivingmagazine.com

EDITORIAL

Associate Editor

Caitlin Hamer

Contributing Designers

Roberto Avalos, Jamie Bankston, Madeleine Hannes, Kathryn Saffell

Contributing Writers

Casey Hatfield-Chiotti, Annie Geiser, Lorena Masso, Joseph Knelman, Amber Turpin

Copy Editor

Cynthia Rubin

Contributing Photographer

Lorena Masso

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Lauren Winsett lauren@marinlivingmagazine.com

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table

july/august 2023

spotlight marin.

20 news.

Cique du Soleil returns to the Bay Area; the Office of Education is suing social media companies; check out local art from the library; summer fun in Wine Country.

30 local splurges. Summer is here — time to stock up on SPF. Here are some of our faves.

32 eat & drink.

Meet two local wasabi farmers who just might change the way you look at your favorite green condiment.

36 local getaways.

Why Ocean Beach is your new favorite staycation destination.

40 take note.

Stern Grove is back and inviting you to experience the S.F. Symphony in a brand new way.

42 game changers. Lumo is revolutionizing how farmers conserve water.

going places.

94 land & sea.

Meet the community of enthusiasts interested in the ancient art of bonsai.

102 voyager.

Everyone is definitely talking about Portugal; here’s what all the fuss is about.

112 drawn together. Given the state’s water situation, is it time to leave California?

from the team.

16 from the ceo.

18 from the creative director.

Clockwise from top left: Bruno Carlos; Tung X. Dao; courtesy of Vacation

We are locals who cherish our community and the lifestyle in Marin. Our flavors are fresh and bold, drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean to Classic Americana. Our cooking is familiar, fun and approachable for the whole family.

features.

46

Marin Island Life

Get to know two of our Bay Area islands and what makes them so special.

50

Summer Days, Summer Nights

Dillon Beach Resort is growing, and just in time for your summer getaway.

56

Sun-Kissed Flavors

Finally, the season of alfresco entertaining is upon us. Here are a few recipes begging to take center stage at your next gathering.

Correction

In the “Mirror Has Two Faces” feature in last month’s issue, the Sullivan Rutherford Estate should have been described as being designed by Hans Baldauf FAIA, principal of BCV Architecture + Interiors, in collaboration with Orla Huq, Orla Studios.

Pomegrante Lime Cooler photo by Lorena Masso. Find easy summer recipes by Masso on page 56.

SONOMA

SUSTAINABLE TROLLEY TOURS & TASTINGS | WINE & FOOD PAIRINGS

Beauty of Summer

TAKING A BREAK IN THE SUMMERTIME is important to me and the Marin Living team. The warm sun, clear skies and joyful vibes have always provided a sense of rejuvenation and relaxation. It is a season that invites us to slow down, breathe in the fresh air and appreciate the simple pleasures of life — and Marin is the perfect place to do just that.

Summer serves as a gentle reminder that it’s OK to step back and do less. It’s a time to escape the daily grind, to find solace in nature and to indulge in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment. Summer truly provides us with an opportunity to recharge our batteries and reconnect with ourselves.

When we allow ourselves to rest, we give our minds and bodies the chance to heal and replenish. Breaks enable us to sharpen our focus, tap into creativity and maximize productivity when we eventually return to our tasks. By taking the time to invest in ourselves, we foster self-discovery and personal development and are given the time to strengthen relationships, create lasting memories and share laughter with those we hold dear.

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have such amazing people surrounding me. Their love and care have enriched my life in immeasurable ways. They have taught me the true meaning of loyalty, compassion and the power of human

connection. Whether it is the good times shared with friends or the guidance of mentors, these relationships remind me of the beauty of human bonds. To my team, I am grateful beyond words. Your love, support and unwavering presence have made me a better person. Each one of you has left an indelible mark on my heart.

So, my friends, as summer unfolds its warm embrace, let us welcome the spirit of taking a pause. Let us seize the opportunity to stop and allow ourselves to bask in the sunshine and to relish the simple things. Have a beautiful and restorative summer.

Warmly,

Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder

Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; www.stock.adobe.com/Bela Labancz

Living near the water in Sausalito allows me to regularly reconnect with nature.

It’s Summer, Only Better

HELLO FRIENDS,and welcome to our summer issue! I’ve mentioned it before, but the reason we combine the July and August issues is so that the team can take a much-needed summer break, and honestly, we look forward to it like giddy schoolchildren all year long. But before we slide into our summer daze, a few thoughts to hold us all over until fall.

I read something recently that really resonated — this summer is last summer’s next summer. And doesn’t that just sum up our post-Covid life? Last summer we felt like we were nearing the endemic, but the confidence to just let go wasn’t quite there yet. “Next summer!” we said. And here we are with all those delayed travel plans and getting-togetherwith-friends plans finally coming to fruition — in the most carefree, joyous way possible. (I see you all on Instagram living your best lives!) I wasn’t able to imagine this being a reality in 2021 or 2022, and now that we are here it feels like it happened overnight. We’ve devoted a lot of this issue to the fun summer activities that we are used to. From Wine Country food-and-wine festivals to over-the-top music events; recipes for outdoor gatherings with all your friends (I encourage standing less than 6 feet apart and hugging until your heart is content) and travel — so much travel! The ever-charming Dillon Beach Resort is expanding and

ripe for a summer staycation. And if you haven’t been to Ocean Beach in S.F. in a while it is certainly time to plan a visit and play tourist for a day. If you think everyone is talking about going to Portugal, you are right. And for this issue, we went, too — it won’t be hard to understand why it is such a popular destination. And of course, there are lots of other nuggets in to be found, just waiting for you to uncover. I hope you find some time to unplug and take it all in.

As you read this, I will be on my much-anticipated summer holiday, either in Wales with family, lying in the sun in the South of France or catching up with friends in Barcelona. Regardless of my location, I will be drinking rosé — and toasting you and good times finally realized. Happy summer and see you on the other side.

Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder

Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Cascais Tourism

Cabo da Roca, Portugal

spotlight marin.

Amazing Aerials

This August sees the return of Cirque du Soleil (www.cirquedusoleil.com) to the Bay Area for the first time in three years. The group’s production of Corteo will be presented at San Jose’s SAP Center August 9 to 13, Oakland Arena August 17 to 20 and Chase Center August 23 to 27.

Corteo

is a proud sponsor of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and the presenting sponsor of the Larkspur Wine Stroll

News by Caitlin Hamer

Blue Note Napa

Mitchell Glotzer (above);

Apoev (below)

Wander Over to Wine Country

Blue Note Napa’s Summer Sessions (www. bluenotenapa.com) have moved to The Meritage Resort and Spa. The outdoor performances take place through July and August. Also at The Meritage is Taste of Napa on July 15 (www.festivalnapavalley. org). More than 70 wineries, breweries, restaurants and culinary artisans will participate in this epicurean event. On July 28 to 30, Silverado Resort is hosting the Blue Note Jazz Festival (www. bluenotejazzfestival.com) with Dave Chappelle emceeing the three-day series. Transcendence Theatre Company’s (www. transcendencetheatre.org) performances of The Full Monty are happening at Jack London State Historic Park July 28 to August 20. This is the company’s first fully staged musical since 2019. On August 12, the fourth annual Wine Country Distillery Festival returns (www.winecountrydistilleryfestival.com). The afternoon featuring craft spirits and artisanal food takes place in Santa Rosa.

Pedal to the Metal

Monterey Car Week (August 11–20) is getting a lot more impressive with the inaugural Monterey Motorsports Festival (www.montereymotorsportsfestival.com) adding to the enthusiastic atmosphere on August 19. Held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds and Event Center, the day of festivities will feature vehicle displays, workshops, a race car simulator, meet and greets and more.

David Ortega

Gigs in the Garden

Marin Art and Garden Center’s (www.maringarden.org) Summer Concerts in the Garden series returns for another year on July 6 with Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums. The concerts continue through the month, with Braulio Barrera & Con Kimba Quartet on July 13, Dgiin on July 20 and Jaleh featuring members of Royal Jelly Jive on July 27. Guests can purchase food and drinks or bring their own, and the youngest attendees can play in the KidZone.

Social Media Lawsuit

A lawsuit has been filed by the Marin County Office of Education against social media companies (www.marinschools.org). The suit alleges that social media platforms have a negative effect on children’s mental health and that they’ve also violated California laws for public nuisance, unfair competition, negligence and racketeering. “With increased accountability, our expectation is the platforms will be required to improve safeguards for youth to prevent future harm,” says John Carroll, Marin County superintendent of schools. “Tragically, some of the damage is permanent and cannot be undone financially. So the bottom line here is to get these companies to stop what they are doing.”

Courtesy of Rolly Jelly Jive and Marin Art and Garden Center (above);

(below)

Royal Jelly Jive

Aída Cuevas, who will be performing with the S.F. Symphony on July 15

Summer in San Francisco

The San Francisco Symphony (www.sfsymphony.org) kicks off its summer season on July 4 with the Fireworks Spectacular show at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. Summer performances run throughout July with the season wrapping up when the symphony takes the stage with Maxwell on August 4 and 5. ODC/Dance is hosting its annual Summer Sampler show July 20 to 22 at ODC Theater (www.odc.dance). The event includes premieres of works by guest choreographers. Outside Lands returns to Golden Gate Park to celebrate its 15th year August 11 to 13 (www.sfoutsidelands.com). This year’s headliners include Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters and Odesza.

Courtesy of Outside Lands (above); courtesy of the San Francisco Symphony (inset)

Thirsty Thursdays

Start your weekends early with Thirsty Third Thursdays at Bon Air in Greenbrae (www.bonair.com).

On July 20, Pond Farm Brewing provides the craft beer, while Hydra-matric Drive Bluegrass Band takes the stage. On August 17, enjoy Headlands

Brewing’s offerings and Festival Speed Bluegrass. The free, family-friendly evening benefits Bread & Roses Presents.

Water News

Thanks to the wet winter weather filling up reservoirs across the state, hydroelectricity generation from dams is expected to expand this summer. But despite the full reservoirs, some Marin residents will see their water bills increase for the next four years. Marin Municipal Water District (www.marinwater.org) is raising rates by about 20 percent per customer this summer to pay for projects and repairs and to recover financial reserves lost during the drought.

Thirsty Third Thursdays

Courtesy of Bon Air Center (above); www.stock.adobe.com/sveta;

LiliGraphie (opposite)

Art for All

This fall, a new program will allow card-carrying Marin County Free Library (MCFL, www. marinlibrary.org) patrons to check out art created by local artists. The program, called On the Wall, will start in a handful of branches but eventually expand to all 10. “We think this is an innovative and exciting new way to give library cards new power, expand access to art for Marin residents, and provide direct support for local artists by purchasing and exhibiting their work,” says MCFL Director Lana Adlawan.

Townhomes & Single-Family Homes Starting from the $1.3 Millions

With thoughtfully designed townhomes and spacious singlefamily residences, The Strand reflects the coastal essence of and blends seamlessly with Marin County’s natural beauty. Imagine waking up to breathtaking marina views and feeling the gentle sea breeze on your face—all from your front door. Visit

Sun’s Out

Applying sunscreen has never been so fun — and these nontoxic options are some of our favorites.

1. Get that enviable sheen with Vacation’s glistening Chardonnay Oil

— it is made from chardonnay grapeseed oil, is SPF 30 and is lightweight, hydrating and paraben free. This sunscreen seems naughty, but is oh so nice. Available at Proof Lab Surf Shop (244 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley) and www.vacation. inc, $22

2. Sausalito-based Botnia Skin Care has just launched Gentle Sun Cream With SPF 30 and it is just as fantastic as you are imagining. Rich in antioxidants, it not only protects your skin from the sun but heals past sun damage, too. It blends beautifully (no chalky cast) and is safe even for the most sensitive skin. Available at www. botniaskincare.com, $56

3. Solara Suncare’s Glow Getter Nutrient Boosted Daily Sunscreen is a mineral SPF 30 and antioxidant moisturizer with a hint of illuminator for that summer glow we all crave. Use it all year round to protect against blue light (digital) and environmental damage. Available at Beauty Heroes (817 Grant Avenue, Novato) or www.beauty-heroes. com, $32

4. When it comes to SPF, more really is more, which is why we love Supergoop’s SPF Bestsellers “Starter” Kit. It contains high-protection products for both face and body (the Glowscreen is a game changer!) and even comes with a convenient carrying case ideal for travel and beach days.

Available at Sephora (Corte Madera Town Center) or www. supergoop.com, $30

5. For the little ones — and sensitive skin that burns easily — San Rafael–based Olita’s Baby Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is the ticket. Quick absorbing, fragrancefree and nontoxic, it is good for your child and the planet. Bonus? It comes in a 3-ounce size so it is TSA-friendly, too. Available at www. olitashop.com, $18

All images courtesy of the brands

local

Fostering a culture of inclusion and collaboration since day one.

For nearly 40 years, Vanguard Properties has dedicated itself to creating a space in which communication and collaboration act as cornerstones to our business – providing our agents and clients alike with the most up-to-date and innovative luxury service.

Wild About Wasabi

Get to know this fiery Japanese condiment on a more intimate level.

By Caitlin Hamer

ANYONE WHO HAS EVER SET FOOT in a sushi restaurant knows what wasabi is. The vibrant green condiment is a necessity for some, while steadfastly avoided by the heat averse. But if the wasabi you’re being served is the fresh, real deal, there’s a surprisingly long journey it takes to get to the plate. Another unexpected factor: the fresh wasabi you’re enjoying in the Bay Area may be grown closer than you think.

Half Moon Bay’s foggy climate mirrors that of Japan’s enough to allow wasabi to grow and thrive here — under the right conditions. As Jeff Roller and Tim Hall, co-founders of Half Moon Bay Wasabi Company (hmbwasabi.com), discovered, there’s a steep learning curve involved in farming Japanese horseradish. The plant needs plenty of shade, very clean water and just the right temperature. But in the 10-plus years the two have been growing wasabi, they’ve refined their technique, learning how to master the process.

Their success is especially impressive when you consider that both Hall and Roller came to wasabi farming as electricians looking for a new venture. It took them some time to find land to lease, and once they did, they had, as Roller says, “all kinds of trouble.” Insects and disease came for the plants, and they ultimately lost an entire crop before starting over and implementing changes to get themselves to where they are today. They now have wasabi plants consistently growing year-round and they harvest every Monday.

“On average it takes anywhere from 18 months to two years before the plants are ready to harvest,” says Roller. “In and of itself, it’s a huge challenge because it’s such a long-term crop.”

For something that takes so long to grow, the shelf life is quite short in contrast. Most of us never see it in its original form, but fresh wasabi has a root-like appearance and is grated to create a paste. “After you grate it, you wait five minutes for the chemical reaction,” says Roller, referring to the process where wasabi’s flavors develop. “And you usually have to eat it within half an hour after you grate it

or the heat disappears.” That’s not always practical, so some chefs will pack it into a tight ball that can be used within a two-hour window. And it’s not only served with sushi; wasabi is a popular topping for yakitori skewers and steak, and Roller himself enjoys it on eggs.

As Half Moon Bay Wasabi Company started to thrive — it has six greenhouses now — the company expanded sales beyond the San Francisco restaurants they started with. They’ve sold wasabi to Sushi Ran in Sausalito and Morimoto Napa, but their customers can also be found in the kitchens of restaurants in Los Angeles and New York. And of course, there are the home chefs who are buying wasabi on the farm’s website to use for their own cooking.

“When you eat wasabi, it hits pretty hard,” says Roller. “But the heat dissipates pretty quickly and there’s a sweet aftertaste.” So, to those who are hesitant to partake of this particular offering next time they’re enjoying their nigiri, know that there’s more to wasabi than just heat. And considering how much goes into growing it and preparing it, it would be a shame not to savor it.

Jeff Roller

Wasabi plants

Homelessness has a cure...homes!

For 49 years, Homeward Bound of Marin has been a doorway to housing and health for families and adults in crisis. Our programs across Marin County last year served 634 individuals and 252 people in families as they moved from upheaval to stability to thriving. We also opened 50 new units of supportive housing to serve the most vulnerable people in our community.

You can help solve homelessness in Marin with a gift at hbofm.org/donate. Your support keeps these vital services strong to open new futures in the years to come!

Emergency Shelter

A ordable Housing

160 beds of emergency shelter in five programs for families and individuals

Employment Training

350+ beds in 15 supportive housing programs around Marin

50+ students yearly

Award-winning culinary training and supportive employment

hbofm.org/donate

Photo by Paige Green

A Day Out at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach

By Casey Gillespie

Sometimes we get so caught up in wanting to travel that we forget about the local gems located minutes from our front doors. Take Ocean Beach, for example — it is less than 30 minutes from central Marin and is a gorgeous, moody 3.5-mile stretch of uninterrupted beach with lots of eating and drinking options nearby. It’s a sublime place for a long, leisurely walk, with points of interest like the Sutro Baths and Lands End Lookout and easy access to Golden Gate Park at the northwest end (the kids will love the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden — it blooms in March, but still a lovely diversion — and the Dutch Windmill). Even though you are in San Francisco, you feel like you have been transported to a faraway beach town with quaint surfer-filled cafes, notable coffee shops and restaurants with nostalgic seafood offerings that will take you right back to your own childhood. So plan a beach walk, a visit to the zoo or a museum and enjoy life as a tourist right in your own backyard. What says summer more than that?

Beach Chalet

1000 GREAT HIGHWAY

www.beachchalet.com

Housed in a historical landmark that was once an Army headquarters, this eatery serves the type of beachy standbys we all love — clam chowder, crab, oysters and lobster rolls, plus handcrafted lagers and ales made in-house. Ask for a table upstairs for a sea view or downstairs at Park Chalet for a light-filled experience and the option of outdoor seating.

Black Bird Bookstore and Cafe

4541 IRVING STREET

www.blackbirdsf.com

This neighborhood bookstore has a thoughtfully curated selection of books and is the ideal place to stop for a coffee before heading out on a beach walk. Or if the little ones need a rest post-stroll, the charming outdoor area off the back offers a sweet respite.

General Store

4035 JUDAH STREET

www.shop-generalstore.com

A wonderfully chic find in this low-key neighborhood, the General Store stocks a high-end selection of apparel, jewelry, kids’ items and home goods. One visit to the store and you’ll be hooked (check out the online apparel offerings, too) — it’s the place to get that one item no one else has.

Hook Fish Co.

4542 IRVING STREET

www.hookfishco.com

Technically in the Outer Sunset neighborhood and minutes from Ocean Beach, this familiar favorite serves the same SoCal-inspired menu of fish tacos, chips and guac, and ceviche as the Mill Valley location. Equally as charming and equally as delicious.

Adrienne Moore

Ocean Beach

Black Bird Bookstore and Cafe

local getaways.

Legion of Honor

100 34TH AVENUE

www.famsf.org

We never need a reason to visit this iconic museum, and we have to admit, it pairs perfectly with a beach walk and seaside lunch. While there are a handful of ongoing exhibitions over the summer, The Tudors: Art and Majesty in Renaissance England and Botticelli  Drawings are two highlights.

Ocean Beach Cafe

734 LA PLAYA STREET

www.oceanbeachcafe.com

Whether or not you are a teetotaler, this nonalcoholic cafe, bar and bottle shop is a must-visit. Try the vegan avocado wrap, a cup of locally roasted coffee or one of the deliciously complex mocktails (the cafe also offers mixology classes). Top tip: inquire about the booze-free speakeasy in the cafe and you will likely get a tour. So fun!

Outerlands

4001 JUDAH STREET

www.outerlandssf.com

Open for brunch Friday to Sunday and dinner Wednesday to Sunday, the locally sourced, organic menu items are upscale comfort food at its best. We love the cozy dining room with its wood-paneled walls and inviting bar. Try the Elderflower Spritz and trout toast; you will not regret it.

San Francisco Zoo

SLOAT BOULEVARD

AT THE GREAT HIGHWAY

www.sfzoo.org

You can always find a good excuse to go to the zoo, but the Summer Wildlife Weekends are an excellent reason to make the trip right now. Starting this month, the zoo will host an outdoor music and bar event on Friday evenings — the ideal cap to a lazy day of wandering around the beach.

An alcohol-free libation at Ocean Beach Cafe

Stanley Lui

Film and Funk

The San Francisco Symphony promises a cinematic and danceable day of music as it returns to the Stern Grove Festival July 23.

By Daniel Jewett

SURE, PATTI SMITH, THE FLAMING LIPS, Buddy Guy and more make up one of the most dynamic lineups in recent memory for the Stern Grove Festival (www.sterngrove.org), but only one act can say they have played every festival since the tradition offically began in 1968.

And that “act” would of course be the San Francisco Symphony (www.sfsymphony.org), whose popular annual concerts in the eucalyptus-lined grove attract new fans to classical music and show off the versatility of the symphony musicians.

“We love playing for people. And to see 5,000 people out there, especially many of whom are discovering the symphony for the first time, is pretty amazing,” says conductor Edwin Outwater, who has worked with the organization since 2001 and is responsible for everything from collaborations with bands like Metallica to the world premiere of the Judy Garland Centennial concert Get Happy! “We know we’re reaching all these people and really connecting with our community. It’s just so important.”

Edwin Outwater conducting the S.F. Symphony

Outwater says that the event is a real highlight for the 80 to 100 musicians who play it. “Stern Grove is a unique venue, it’s a real magical place, I love it,” he says, adding that the stage is beautiful and the acoustics, while definitely different than in the concert hall, are actually pretty good. “It’s a wonderful perspective, looking out from the stage and seeing all these people up on the hill and just all over the place having the best time.”

The fact that this event does happen outside of the concert hall is an important feature, Outwater says. “I especially love watching the kids out there because you can see them dancing around and moving to the music in a way you might not see in the concert hall,” he says. “The cheering from the audience is really something; even the people way up on the hill, you can really feel it from them — it’s a big party and having a symphony be a part of that is just wonderful.”

As for the program, Outwater says it is going to be really fun. He’ll conduct the first half, which will feature well-known scores from films like Jaws, Psycho, Vertigo, Ben-Hur, The Magnificent Seven and others. The second half, conducted by Christopher Dragon, will include the funk band Lettuce.

“What’s wonderful about the film scores is that they include some of the most important music of our time and to see an orchestra playing them live and hearing how intricate and wonderful they are is pretty exciting for people,” Outwater says, adding that the second half will show a side of symphony musicians, especially the horn section, many people don’t often see. “The great thing about the San Francisco Symphony is it can play the most sublime classical music, but it can also lay down jazz and funk riffs with the best of them.”

But Outwater says the grove’s proximity to the ocean does bring up one challenge musicians don’t face in the concert hall. “Sometimes it can get a little cold and foggy,” he says with a laugh. “I have seen musicians break out the fingerless gloves.”

STERN GROVE: THE SUMMER SERIES

July 2: Santigold, Ogi

July 9: Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, Andrew St. James

July 16: Angelique Kidjo, Jupiter & Okwess

July 23: S.F. Symphony with special guest Lettuce

July 30: Bob Moses, Neil Frances

August 6: Buddy Guy Damn Right Farewell Tour, Eric Gales

August 13: Patti Smith, Bob Mould

August 20: The Big Picnic Featuring the Flaming Lips, Alan Palomo (Neon Indian DJ Set)

Water World

Lumo is revolutionizing water management and helping local farmers change the way they monitor use — and not a moment too soon.

By Annie Gieser

IT’S NOTHING NEW: California has a water problem. And although we’re the number one agricultural state in the country, this is not just a California problem, but an everyone problem. Yet, oddly enough, the ways we water our crops haven’t changed much in decades — until now.

“Climate change and population growth are forcing governments and farmers to adopt new water management technology,” says Devon Wright, CEO and founder of Lumo (www. lumo.ag). “Currently, the systems that farmers are using for managing and tracking irrigation are broken and wasteful.”

Lumo is here to change that. With an intuitive irrigation system, the company is taking on water waste in the agriculture industry — saving not just water, but also money, crops and time.

A few years back, Wright moved out of the city and began this venture after planting his first orchard on a property he bought in Occidental. Unaware of how much water he was wasting, he saw his well water ran dry during his first summer. He turned to his farming neighbors for a solution, asking, “Wasn’t there a technology that could automatically shut off your water, digitally display your water levels and allow you to adjust from an app?” None, zilch, nada.

This was certainly a problem that needed a solution: agriculture accounts for 70 percent of all of the world’s water use annually. Forty percent of that water is wasted each year, primarily due to poor irrigation systems and water management.

As a longtime tech-industry member (he founded Turnstyle Solutions and worked at Yelp for many years), Wright is a self-proclaimed tinkerer who knew he could build the right solution. Wright was the creator, but his neighboring farmers provided him with incomparable insight into what the product needed.

“In fact, there wouldn’t be a product without them,” says Wright, grateful for his neighbors’ willingness to collaborate. “The farming community is made up of an incredibly generous group of people who care deeply about what we give and take from the earth, so they’ll do whatever it takes to support entrepreneurs like myself to help address major issues like water scarcity.”

The result is a product years in the making that is currently rolling out to wineries (specialized just for grapes, for now) mostly in Northern California. Lumo is next-level irrigation with solar-powered wireless connection to its Smart Valve that provides flow monitoring to show when and how much water is flowing. The data reported back allows users to track water use and view it from anywhere using just a desktop or mobile phone.

The Lumo team is starting locally with North Bay farms so they can be nearby, should any issues arise with the still-new product. But they’ve already gotten interest from winery operators in far away places like New Zealand, France and Argentina — all eager to revolutionize how they water crops.

As the product becomes more widely available, Wright hopes Lumo has a ripple effect on climate change, bringing awareness to other ways we can live more sustainably. “Water gives us a chance to show people that we can make a positive impact in their community that they can see, touch and feel, and by doing so you can energize them to get really excited about sustainability in other areas.”

For now, it’s just the world in the North Bay that will change as farmers who utilize Lumo experience this dry season with more hope — and water — than ever before.

Jaclyn San Antonio, Free Funk Photography

Lumo’s Alex Johnson (left) and Josh Zoland (right) inspect a newly installed smart irrigation valve.

Marin Island Life

Coastal islands offer new perspectives on local history as well as wildlife.

By Joseph Knelman

The Bolinas Lagoon from the western edge of Kent Island Frederick Huxman

With a blast of its horn, a ferry pushes back from the Tiburon Ferry Terminal, cutting into the Raccoon Strait. From here it’s a quick jaunt to Angel Island’s Ayala Cove. Even the short boat ride is an impressive reminder of the area’s maritime geography: lagoons and coves carve out the coastline and islands bespeckle maps of Marin.

In their isolation, islands are a world apart from the everyday bustle of the mainland. For the likes of Homer and Shakespeare the mystery of islands made a perfect seabound stage for stories, and in Marin, islands present an equally intriguing mystique. Around the county, they contain unique natural and cultural histories and are bringing communities of people together to conserve and experience them.

“It’s amazing what an island does,” says Greg Reza, Marin County Parks volunteer coordinator, who leads conservation and restoration efforts on Kent Island in the Bolinas Lagoon. “There’s something mentally that happens when you get onto an island that makes you feel disconnected from the mainland, so people are much more open and free.”

On Kent Island, where Reza has worked for more than 10 years, a community of volunteers has emerged around the restoration work. For school groups and regulars, a day of

boating out to the island, removing invasive species and sharing a meal brings participants together. “They are now connected to that space,” Reza says of volunteers. “People from year to year have that sense of accomplishment and then they are motivated. You see what was once dominated by ice plant turn to red fescue grassland, salt grass, marsh rosemary, all these other native plants.”

Kent Island and its lagoon are a rare phenomenon on the coast. Typically, such lagoons become filled with sediment over time, but due to its location around the San Andreas Fault, the body of water has deepened, maintaining the ecosystem and island. Kent Island provides important habitat in the tidal zone due to the ongoing project to restore it from being overrun by invasive species. The restoration project has facilitated the return of native plants and nature all the way up the food chain to egrets, herons and cormorants that now raise their young there.

Red fescue

Southeast of Kent Island, the largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay is home to not only plants and animals but also a small group of human residents. Casey Dexter-Lee, state park interpreter at Angel Island State Park, is one inhabitant who experiences island life in the midst of a vibrant metropolis: “I have access to the benefits of living in an urban area — like better food — but I also have the benefits of living in a rural area where it’s quiet,” she says.

As an island, the place has lent itself to a long history of unique-use cases. Subsequent to its first Miwok residents, Angel Island was a center of immigration and military activity, which Dexter-Lee and the state park team describe to visitors today, including its unfortunate use as an immigration detention center in the early 1900s and for Japanese internment in World War II. In addition to the good and bad cultural histories, the island also contains distinguished biodiversity, as represented by the Angel Island mole, which has become something of a mascot for the place. With thousands of years’ separation from the mainland, the Angel Island mole has genetically evolved into a subspecies that is slightly larger and darker than its mainland broad-footed mole counterpart. “That is something that happens with island ecology: small animals get bigger and big animals get smaller over time,” Dexter-Lee says. In addition, some animals common on the mainland are absent on the island, such as squirrels, skunks, opossums and rabbits, while birds and seals and even deer and raccoons (both excellent swimmers) have made the crossing.

On some scale, a visit to islands around Marin provides a portal to a different world, one that has evolved and unfolded apart from our mainland home. “There’s that boat ride that mentally prepares people for an adventure,” says Reza. After traversing the sea, visitors to spots such as Kent and Angel Islands get a wholly new perspective, even when looking back on very familiar places.

Stinson Beach and Bolinas Lagoon Angel Island

“That is something that happens with island ecology: small animals get bigger and big animals get smaller over time.”

© 2023 California State Parks

Summer Days, Summer Nights

Dillon Beach Resort — situated on the Marin-Sonoma County line, between the mouth of Tomales Bay and the entrance to Bodega Bay, on 55 coastal acres — just doubled its room offering and just in time, because it is the getaway you need this summer.

By Amber Turpin

Courtesy of Dillon Beach Resort

Surfers at Dillon Beach

to Dillon Beach, on the very Northern edge of Marin County, you will immediately begin to unplug. Rolling green hills covered with puffballs of sheep, cows of all spots and stripes, and farm stands dotting the narrow road all display the wonders of this fertile agrarian landscape. And then you hit the ocean, where more goodness lies, this time from the water in the form of crab and oysters and breaking surf as far as the eye can see.

So by the time you stumble onto your destination, Dillon Beach Resort (www. dillonbeachresort.com), your meandering views of windswept cypress trees, tractors and bucolic ranches could have you expecting a rustic cabin stay. However, this is not what you’ll find.

The historic property, which opened in the 1800s, just doubled in size, adding 13 brand-new and renovated cottages to its existing 15. On a site that’s only changed hands three times over the past 130 years, the current owners, a small group of Marin County families who took over in 2018, are very excited to unveil the tiny homes in this new lineup.

Created in partnership with the Eugene, Oregon–based Tru Form Tiny (www. truformtiny.com), longtime builders of small-scale lodging, the new spaces stay true to the style of the resort’s existing structures, all perched on a bluff with

panoramic views of the Pacific coastline, but also amp up the modern amenities and design features within each one.

Owner and Petaluma restaurateur Mike Goebel says the families did extensive research to choose which builder to work with, visiting companies from California to Washington to Wyoming. Ultimately, he says, “We settled on Tru Form Tiny, as their quality of craftsmanship was far superior to other builders’ and they were all around great people.”

But outsourcing the manufacturing was a move that in no way diminished the hands-on approach of the Dillon Beach team, who had a lot of involvement in the design and concept of each new space. “We designed the interior and exterior of every unit, with collaboration from Tru Form as well, of course. We had very specific guidelines we wanted to follow in terms of the different size of the units, loft locations and window placement. We were very conscious about preserving and enhancing the views of the ocean, as well as ensuring each unit had privacy from the next,” Goebel says. “We also designed the layout and finishes of every unit, making sure that they fit our coastal-boutique vibe.” To that end, he says, that’s why they chose key elements like white shiplap walls and vintage appliances, ensuring the units were fun and approachable.

Dillon Beach

Courtesy of Dillon Beach Resort

Summer

Chances are, you will be tempted to stay put at Dillon Beach once you get there, but there are also a bunch of fun things to do, eat and drink within 10 minutes of the property. Here are some of our favorites:

In Tomales:

K&A Take Away A tiny deli shop with a single takeout window featuring homemade bratwurst, sandwiches and a salad of the day

Route One Bakery & Kitchen Legit bakery cranking out sourdough breads, pizzas and baked goods plus local wine and beer selection and an outdoor corner seating area

Tomales General Store Diverse selection of anything and everything, from motor oil and kids’ games to local beer and hip trucker hats

AppleGarden Farm & Cottages Stop by to pick up some cider or apples when in season. The hard cider is also served at Route One Bakery.

In Valley F d:

Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery Picnic fare, sandwiches, and of course, cheese Estero Cafe Breakfast and lunch with focus on local products

Dinucci’sItalian Dinners Old-school, family-style Italian restaurant

Valley Ford Hotel w/ Rocker Oysterfellers Fun saloon vibe with lengthy menu and cocktails

Northern Lights Surf Shop An O.G. surf shop, providing gear and apparel since the late 1980s

The new accommodations

Courtesy of Dillon Beach Resort (this page and opposite)

Those special touches stand out in each unit, regardless of size. Each tiny home comes equipped with Crow Canyon enamelware, kitchenettes, modern retro Big Chill appliances and hip, functional design features with a focus on bringing the outdoors in. The individual units range from accommodating two to five guests, from the new Osprey 150-square-foot “babies,” three sweet miniature glass walled units that make you feel like you are outside while you brew your Equator pour-over in the foggy morning, to the 360-square-foot Coho cottages, where you can sit in the picture-windowed living room watching the windsurfers a stone’s throw away, all the while sipping on the County Line North Coast Pinot Noir made exclusively for Dillon Beach Resort.

If you need more provisions, the on-site general store is stocked with everything

you might need and many things you don’t but will buy anyway — like scented candles, cozy blankets and salted caramel soft serve from nearby Double 8 Dairy. Or just pop into the on-site restaurant, Coastal Kitchen, for an elevated beachside menu of shrimp tacos, perfectly dressed seasonal salads, crisp fries and clam chowder with house-made focaccia. Both spots feature astounding baked goods by in-house pastry chef Tara Saldana that will sustain you for hours despite that whipping wind down on the beach below.

To feel on the edge of nowhere, but satisfyingly far from desolate: this is a special property. The 55 coastal acres and mile of private beach at the mouth of Tomales Bay are the crown jewel amenity here, which the owners work hard to preserve and protect. Goebel says, “I love feeling like I am in a faraway land but it only took me an hour to get here.”

Dillon Beach

Sun-KissedFlavors

Photographs and Words

by Lorena Masso

Herby Pasta

This easy-to-prepare dish is both gluten-free and dairy-free — and utterly delicious.

MAKES 4 TO 6 PORTIONS, PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES, COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES + COOKING PASTA TIME 10 MINUTES

8 ounces gluten-free pasta of your choice

¼ cup fresh dill, chopped ¼ cup cilantro, chopped ¼ cup green onion, chopped ¼ cup basil, chopped ¼ cup parsley, chopped zest of 1 lemon juice of 2 lemons ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook the gluten-free pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped dill, cilantro, onion, basil, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, extravirgin olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Mix well to combine.

3. Add the cooked gluten-free pasta to the herb and lemon mixture. Toss gently until the pasta is evenly coated.

4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.

5. Let the pasta sit for a few minutes to give the flavors time to meld. This will also allow the pasta to absorb some of the dressing. Serve at room temperature.

Mediterranean-inspired recipes for all your summer alfresco gatherings.

Summer-Ready Lemon Trifle

A trifle that makes a beautiful and delectable dessert for any occasion.

MAKES 10 SERVINGS

1. Prepare the homemade madeleines, lemon curd and pastry cream according to the recipes below.

2. In your trifle dish, start by layering madeleines, then spoon a layer of pastry cream over the madeleine layer, followed by a layer of lemon curd.

3. Repeat the layers until you reach the top of the dish. Finish with a layer of pastry cream and some lemon curd.

4. Garnish with fresh berries, such as blueberries, raspberries or strawberries, and add dollops of whipped cream to finish.

Madeleines

These delicate and buttery madeleines are best enjoyed on the day they are baked. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.

MAKES 24, PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES, COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES

3 large eggs

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled zest of 1 lemon (optional)

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two madeleine pans, each with 12 cavities.

2. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt together until well combined and slightly thickened.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually add the dry mixture to the egg mixture, stirring gently until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as it can make the madeleines dense.

4. Slowly pour the melted butter and lemon zest (if using) into the batter. Gently fold the ingredients together until the batter is smooth and the mixture well incorporated.

5. Spoon the batter into each cavity of the prepared madeleine pans, filling them about three-quarters full. Smooth the tops with the back of a spoon or spatula.

6. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10–12 minutes, or until the edges of the madeleines are golden brown and the centers spring back when lightly pressed.

7. Remove the pans from the oven and let the madeleines cool in the pans for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Classic Pastry Cream

MAKES 3 CUPS, PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES, COOK TIME: AROUND 7 MINUTES + COOLING TIME

2½ cups whole milk

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup cornstarch

4 large egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla extract pinch of salt

1. In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, vanilla extract and salt until well combined and smooth.

3. Gradually pour about half of the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking continuously. This process, known as tempering, helps bring the eggs to a temperature similar to the hot milk’s without scrambling them.

4. Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk, whisking constantly to combine.

5. Return the saucepan to the stove and cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or whisk, until it thickens, about 5–7 minutes. Be sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan to prevent scorching.

6. Once the pastry cream has thickened to a pudding-like consistency, remove the saucepan from the heat.

7. Strain the pastry cream through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.

8. Transfer the pastry cream to a clean bowl and cover it with plastic wrap, ensuring the plastic wrap is in direct contact with the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming.

9. Let the pastry cream cool to room temperature, then refrigerate it for at least 2 hours.

10. Once chilled, give the pastry cream a good whisk to smooth out any remaining lumps before using.

Lemon Curd

MAKES 3 CUPS, PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES, COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES

1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6–8 lemons) zest of 3 lemons

1½ cups granulated sugar

1 cup unsalted butter, cubed

6 large eggs pinch of salt

1. In a saucepan, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar and butter. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and salt until well beaten.

3. Slowly pour a small amount of the hot lemon mixture into the eggs while whisking continuously. This will temper the eggs and prevent them from curdling when added to the hot mixture.

4. Gradually add the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining lemon mixture, whisking constantly to combine.

5. Cook the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk, until it thickens and coats the back of the spoon, about 8–10 minutes. Be careful not to let it boil.

6. Once the lemon curd has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat.

7. Strain the lemon curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any bits of cooked egg or zest. This step helps ensure a smooth and silky texture.

8. Allow the lemon curd to cool for a few minutes, then transfer it into clean, sterilized jars or containers. Seal the jars with lids and let them cool to room temperature.

9. Once cooled, refrigerate the lemon curd for at least 2–3 hours or overnight to thicken further.

Pomegranate Lime Cooler

Perfect for summer, a fruity, refreshing cocktail. If you prefer a nonalcoholic version, omit the vodka and replace it with an equal amount of sparkling water or lemon-lime soda for a delightful mocktail.

MAKES 6 DRINKS, PREP TIME: 10–15 MINUTES

4 cups pomegranate juice

2 limes, sliced

2 oranges, sliced

1 cup vodka (adjust according to preference) ice cubes

fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional) simple syrup (see recipe) sparkling water

1. In a large pitcher, pour the pomegranate juice and add the sliced limes and oranges.

2. Add the vodka and simple syrup and stir gently to combine all the ingredients.

3. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to chill.

4. When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice cubes.

5. Stir the chilled mixture once more and pour it over the ice, ensuring some lime and orange slices make it into each glass. Top with a splash of sparkling water and garnish with mint leaves. Serve immediately.

Simple Syrup

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

1. In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water.

2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the mixture until the sugar has completely dissolved. Avoid boiling.

3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the simple syrup cool to room temperature.

4. Once cooled, transfer the simple syrup to a clean, airtight container or glass bottle for storage. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Antipasto Bites

A great savory option for an appetizer or cocktail party finger food.

MAKES 14–16 SKEWERS, PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES, MARINADE

TIME: 1–8 HOURS, ASSEMBLING SKEWERS: 15 MINUTES

To assemble the bites you will need:

¼ pound spicy coppa (an Italian cut from the pork shoulder with an intense red color and added spices)

roughly 16 cherry tomatoes

¼ pound prosciutto

marinated olives and artichoke hearts (see recipe)

basil leaves

4-inch wooden toothpicks

Marinated Olives and Artichoke Hearts

2 cups mixed olives (such as kalamata, green and black olives)

1 cup artichoke hearts (canned is fine)

zest of 2 lemons

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

½ teaspoon dried oregano

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil salt and pepper to taste

1. Drain and rinse the olives and artichoke hearts under cold water to remove any excess brine or packing liquid. Place in a bowl and set aside.

2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the lemon zest, minced garlic, lime juice, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt and pepper. Mix well to combine the flavors.

3. Drizzle the olive oil over the olives and artichoke hearts, followed by the lemon-zest mixture. Ensure everything is well coated.

4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. For best results, marinate the olive-artichoke mixture overnight.

5. Before serving, take the olives and artichoke hearts out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature.

To assemble the skewers, thread one of each of the ingredients on a 4-inch wooden toothpick and arrange on a serving plate. You can also serve the marinated olives and artichoke hearts in a bowl as an addition to a charcuterie board for meatless bites.

Where to Grab Ingredients

Driver’s Market 200 Caledonia Street, Sausalito

Rocky’s Quality Meats 71 San Pablo Avenue, San Rafael

The Epicurean Market San Francisco Ferry Building

Andy’s Market 195 Tamal Vista Boulevard, Corte Madera

Woodlands Market 1550 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon

Community Minded

Your Marin Lifestyle and Real Estate Specialists

As a true Marin native, Realtor Jennifer Bowman has decided to showcase the unique attributes of each of the areas in Marin with a national television audience as a host of The American Dream Selling Bay Area. Every 60 days she will film a segment featuring the positive people, places and activities that make Marin a great place to call home. If you would like to be featured or know someone who represents what you feel makes Marin special, please reach out.

Bowman Real Estate Group

www.bowmanrealestategroupcom

jennifer@bowmanrealestategroup.com

1118 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939 415.755.1040

Holistic Spa Treatments to Heal Your Skin, Body and Soul

Moonstone Skin & Body Care is an award-winning spa specializing in facials, peels, body treatments and organic skin care to bring balance, calming and natural healing to your skin, body and soul. We offer a unique approach to holistic skin care that uses the latest technologies to provide healing and real results for aging skin. Our expert estheticians combine advanced techniques with natural and organic products to create customized treatments that address skin concerns while promoting mental and emotional balance. Our goal is to help all of our clients relax, de-stress and achieve healthy skin from the inside out.

Moonstone Skin & Body Care | 415.898.0426

1129 First Street, Novato, CA 94945

www.moonstoneskincare.com

Families First, Community Minded

Locally owned, Valley Memorial Park Cemetery & Funeral Home has served the community for over 60 years. When you have lost a loved one, your family comes first and the staff resonds with compassionate, dignified and affordable care. We take pride in our responsibility to lighten your burden as you take the first steps toward healing. As a full-service facility, we can help with all your needs at one location. Funeral, on-site crematory, chapel, reception center and cemetery. We are also a part of the community and help to promote healthy and happy living by sponsoring and volunteering with many nonprofits.

Valley Memorial Park

650 Bugeia Lane, Novato, CA 94945 | 415.897.9609

www.valleymemorialpark.com

FD #2295 and COA #377

Laura Reoch September Days

celebrating visionaries

Marin Living is thrilled to feature the Bay Area’s most influential leaders and businesses. These people and companies epitomize what being a Visionary means in their respective fields. This advertorial feature showcases our partners and their businesses and how they set themselves apart as true leaders and innovators in their industries.

The Golden Gate Group

The

What makes your team visionaries?

A visionary realtor prioritizes their client’s needs above all else. We build strong personal relationships and focus on understanding our client’s long-term objectives and use a systematic approach to achieve them. Our deep understanding of market dynamics, coupled with a keen eye for innovation, allows us to anticipate shifts in consumer preferences and adapt strategies accordingly.

How are you disrupting your industry?

We are redefining what it means to be a real estate agent. Embracing technology and leveraging our power with local vendors and service providers, we streamline processes, implement enhanced systems and offer a seamless

experience for our clients from start to finish. As a strong team of five individuals with storied real estate backgrounds, we disrupt the industry with our innovative approach and commitment to unparalleled service for our clients.

Why do clients choose to work with you?

Clients choose to work with us for our negotiating experience, in-depth market knowledge, strong network, integrity and professionalism. With hundreds of positive client testimonials, our family of clients continues to grow. While many choose to work with us because of our ability to procure the highest ROI on their real estate investments, our effective communication style and personal compatibility play a crucial role.

C.J. Nakagawa + Susan Hewitt

client is the most important part of every transaction completed by this No. 1 team.

celebrating visionaries

Cassie Zampa Keim

Innovative Match

This matchmaker is constantly breaking new ground in herindustry.

How are you disrupting your industry?

I’ve always believed it’s important to keep my finger on the pulse of changes and trends in the dating industry, which is why I’m still here after more than 30years in the business. I coach my clients by showing them how to break down the obstacles they face, even those in their minds, so that they can move forward in a new relationship, including marriage.

What separates you from the pack? Time. I have been in this industry full time for over three decades. I’m also not a nine-to-five dating expert because dating isn’t a nine-to-five prospect. I understand my clients may need me for last-minute advice. I’m the office, and I’m always open.

What’s the most interesting new innovation you have come up with?

The pandemic was instrumental in opening up a new world of singles who lived farther away. My message: Don’t be fixated on proximity.

Why is living and working in the Bay Area so special?

Singles in the Bay Area are among the luckiest in my opinion because of how many great dating options they have. From hiking to city dining to walks along the beach at sunset, the places to go for a date are endless.

Innovative Match | Ross | 415.259.8714

www.innovative-match.com

Bronwyn Wrobel LMFT

Wize Therapy

Learn how to connect with knowledge and discover your unstoppable self.

What makes you a visionary in your field?

The pursuit of wizdom has shown me that we cannot heal any one part of our lives in a vacuum. I am a healer who sees all of you. I see your heart and it’s hurt; I see your mind and it’s maze of thoughts; I see your spirit and it’s search for meaning. Together we weave a tapestry of meaning, purpose, presence and love into your life.

What new innovation do you offer?

My style is both modern and ancient, calling upon the deepest wellspring of wizdom inside you. When you trust your intuition alongside your critical thinking skills, you bring yourself into alignment with your greatest potential. When you love and accept yourself as you are, you are unstoppable.

How does your vision manifest itself in your practice?

I show you how to access the knowing that wizdom brings. I teach you how to connect with knowledge in an embodied, felt sense.

How are you thinking outside the box?

As a Transpersonal Psychotherapist, I offer support mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, creatively, intellectually and spiritually.

Wize Therapy

510.301.7655

healing@wizetherapy.com

www.wizetherapy.com

/@modernmyztic

Lic. #CA83314

celebrating visionaries

Ken Walpole

Ken’s Carpets & Flooring

Visit the showroom to see and feel your next flooring solution.

What new service do you offer?

Amid a commodity industry, I created Ken’s Carpets and Flooring because flooring is tactile, visual and evokes an emotional response. In this internet age of virtual access, my showroom’s an oasis where you’ll see, touch and experience the selection that’ll live in your home for years to come. Ken’s Carpets is spacious with products that you won’t find anywhere else. I am continually bringing in new styles that can suit those seeking the latest trends.

How does your team’s strategy manifest itself in your business practice? When you enter Ken’s Carpets, we begin by listening. While we are flooring experts, our clients are experts as to their lifestyle. It’s this partnership that makes every client’s choice optimal.

How are you thinking outside the box?

One of the most unexpected experiences that several clients have encountered is when I have provided a recommendation that doesn’t include a purchase. How’s this possible? I believe that when I define an optimal solution that meets their needs, clients will come back to me in the future. I have an eye for color, style and quality which makes for a great partnership with the client in the creative process.

Do you have a unique or notable history in the Bay Area?

With more than 30 years of flooring experience, I often identify key considerations before a selection has been made. For example, the more expensive carpet may not be the best choice for every situation. I live my motto every day, ”expert advice, exceptional service”.

Ken’s Carpets & Flooring

1914 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 415.454.5367

www.kenscarpets.com

KC Pedersen Clipper Yacht Harbor

Realizing a vision for an ever-improving yacht harbor.

Why is it important to have a clear vision for your business?

We realize that if you remain stagnant, you are going to fall behind. This is why a clear vision is so important. We first imagine where we want to be 1,5, 10years in the future. Only then can we determine what it takes to get there. Making improvements and changes without a vision for the future is inefficient.

How does your team’s vision manifest itself in your business practice?

You can see all throughout the property our visions coming to life. We do our best to create an environment where everyone on our team is heard. We succeed having a team with shared goals willing to hold each other accountable to make things happen.

Does your business have a unique history in the Bay Area?

The Pedersen family has been working around the bay for almost 100 years, after immigrating from Norway. Cliff Pedersen started as a ferry boat captain before the Golden Gate Bridge was built and opened Clipper Yacht Harbor right after World War II.

What services do you offer?

We pride ourselves as being a one-stop shop. On site we have over 600 wet and dry berths, a boat yard, marine mechanics, rigging shop, fuel dock, bait shop, yacht sales, boating school, fishing charters, divers, boat cleaners, a restaurant, and the list keeps going.

Clipper Yacht Harbor

310 Harbor Drive, Sausalito, CA 94965 415.332.3500 | info@clipperyacht.com www.clipperyacht.com

Kelsay Elizabeth Myers

DialogicalPersona Healing Arts

For bold hearts on the road to transformation, embodiment and self-expression.

What makes you a visionary in your field?

We need new visions that speak to our humanity, authentic expression and personal power right now. In order to do that, we need visionary people who feel alive, vibrant and full of purpose rather than those who are robotic or simply going through the motions of life. As a Transformative Coach and Expressive Arts Practitioner, I understand people’s desires and can guide them in how to create meaning and reshape the fragmented pieces of their life for new visions of what’s possible.

Whatseparates you fromthepack?

Unlike other coaches and practitioners in personal development, I don’t follow a script written by some renowned figure of what’s been done before and force you to follow someone else’s steps to transformation. Those transformations won’t last.

How doesyourvisionmanifestitselfin yourbusinesspractice?

In a society that tries to tear down what is most precious about you through trauma, loss, neglect, disconnection or whatever experiences you encounter that take you away from your own sense of self, I use cutting-edge somatic and soul-based practices to help restore you in mind, body, heart and spirit.

DialogicalPersonaHealing Arts kelsay@dialogicalpersona.com www.dialogicalpersona.com

/@dialogicalpersona

/dialogicalpersona

celebrating visionaries

Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority

Preventing and preparing for wildfires is a team effort.

What is it about your organization that makes it a visionary in your field?

MWPA is the first and only public agency of its kind in California pioneering a new approach to wildfire prevention and preparedness. Wildfires have no boundaries and we need to work across various jurisdictions within Marin County to address our risks. The MWPA requires the commitment, collaboration and financial support of our 17 member cities and towns and all their residents.

What is unique about your approach to serving your community?

MWPA provides coordination, expertise and funds to ensure that fire prevention and preparedness work is done effectively, efficiently and based on the best available fire science. Every member of the communities MWPA serves has a role to play in fire preparedness and risk reduction. We partner directly with residents on home and defensible space assessments, grant programs and fire education. MWPA is a steward of the environment.

What new technology do you specialize in?

MWPA is guided by the best available science. To prioritize our fire prevention projects, we use data and predictive modeling to transition Marin into a fire-adapted community. We have unique access to new technologies to predict wildfire behavior that informs all our planning efforts and response coordination.

Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority

1600 Los Gamos Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903 415.539.6972 | www.marinwildfire.org

info@marinwildfire.org

What makes your team visionaries in your field?

When I started Alfresco Heating there was no business like this, nor a model for it. I had to blaze my own trail. I’ve since grown Alfresco Heating from a primarily one-person business in 2003 to a competently staffed, high-service national patio-heating specialty company. We advise customers, provide outdoor heaters, install and service locally, and offer support through the life of the product.

How does your team’s strategy manifest itself in your business practice?

We prioritize our customer relationships. We vet all of the products we carry, and reject products that are poorly made and unreliable. We help our clients find the ideal permanent outdoor heaters and advise on optimal heater placements for customers’ different outdoor spaces. If it’s outdoors, we would love to help heat it.

What separates your business from the pack?

We knowledgeably advise customers on the strengths and weaknesses of any of the patio heaters we sell. There is no other company in the San Francisco Bay Area that can offer the same full service consultative sales-installation-repair service package that Alfresco Heating does.

Alfresco Heating

Outdoor Warmth, All Year Round

30 Pamaron Way, Ste. A, Novato CA 94949 415.884.2880 | glow@alfresco-heating.com www.alfresco-heating.com

/@alfrescoheating

Lic #870395

celebrating visionaries

Eric Kahn Alfresco Heating

● Recentlycompleted 24-gas-patio-heater installation for Lagunitas’BreweryinPetaluma

Supplyandinstalllow-profileoutdoorheaters for homeowners, suchastheseInfratechceiling-recessedunits.

celebrating visionaries

Dr. Faye Jamali

Belle

AestheticMedicine

How does your team’s vision manifest itself in your business practice?

Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine is led by Dr. Faye Jamali, who envisioned a concierge medspa offering today’s leading services. The end result of her vision is Belle Marin — an elegant space complete with state-of-the-art aesthetic care. Belle Marin offers the newest noninvasive technologies to create a customized plan for each patient.

What separates your business fromthepack?

We are a medical practice that focuses solely on noninvasive medical aesthetic treatments. Dr. Jamali performs all our treatments herself to ensure the highest quality in patient care. We offer consultations with Dr. Jamali so that our patients have the opportunity to be an active participant in designing their care plan and be well-informed about the services we provide. Dr. Jamali is realistic about patient outcomes, and we are never pushy.

What new product do you offer?

We were the first provider in the Northbay to bring on AviClear. AviClear is the first FDA-cleared energy device for the treatment of mild, moderate and severe acne making it a great alternative to Accutaine.

Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine

250 E Blithedale Avenue, Ste. B

Mill Valley, CA 94941

415.887.8718

hello@bellemarin.com

/@bellemarinca

Marin

Aesthetic medicine that willhave you feeling like yourbest self.

Christophe Testi — Creative Shot

celebrating visionaries

Jane Hedreen

Flora and Henri — Concept Shop, Marin

A breathtaking collection of exquisite designs for the whole family. Shop the hand-picked selection of gorgeous, artful and artisanal gifts for women, children, men and home.

What is your vision behind the Flora and Henri concept shop at the Marin Country Mart?

I saw the possibility of a second shop in Marin as an opportunity to spread our wings and share our carefully curated and intentionally sourced Nordic sensibility with a wider audience. I wanted a location that would be expanding yet “on brand” for me; somewhere that still felt connected to my Northwest roots, yet offered more light, brightness and broader views both literally and figuratively. My goal is that our shop feels approachable, forward-looking and lends inspiration to anyone who happens upon us.

Why does your vision include more brick and mortar during the internet era? The internet era has taken away the intimacy of the retail experience that I so value. The ability to touch, smell, see and experience our shop in three dimensions is what makes Flora and Henri a special place. We work to make this experience translate to our online platform, but encourage our customers to come in, explore and interact with us in person. Brick and mortar retail is getting back to what we love to do — offering personalized, boutique interactions and an absolute anti–big box experience.

Flora and Henri — Concept Shop, Marin

2229 Larkspur Landing Circle

Larkspur, CA 94939

628.240.3601 | liveandlove@florahenri.com

www.florahenri.com

/@flora_henri /florahenri

The Laser Center of Marin

Patient-focused, leading-edge aesthetic medicine.

What makes your team visionaries in your field?

We were one of the first-of-our-kind aesthetic medical practices in Marin and now have over 20 years of knowledge and skills focused on medical aesthetics. This is the core of our practice — it is not a side business that we got into because everyone else was. Our nurses and nurse practitioners, under the supervision of plastic surgeon Dr. Bradley Greene, are dedicated to aesthetic medicine. We understand one size does not fit all, so we have always offered a comprehensive solution to our patients’ needs with a broad array of aesthetic services and technologies.

How does your team’s strategy manifest itself in your business practice? The patient is everything. Every member of our team comes to work every day making our patients their priority. It’s such a common saying to treat others the way you wish to be treated, but it is truly our mantra.

Why is it important to have a clear vision for your business?

There are so many “new” technologies coming to market in this space it is easy to fall prey to the marketing hype only to find it is not “all that.” Fortunately, we have been successful in choosing the right technologies and services that have given our patients what they are looking for — real results.

The Laser Center of Marin Medical Group, Inc.

770 Tamalpais Drive, Ste. 301 Corte Madera, CA 94925

415.945.9314 | info@marinlaser.com www.marinlaser.com

/@lasercenterofmarin /marinlaser

Bradley Greene, M.D., FACS Laser Center of Marin Medical Group, Inc.

Kevin Jones, Founder Laser Center of Marin, Inc.

Jennifer Bowman and Elliott Fink

Bowman Real Estate Group

A team whose primary focus is the client relationship.

How does your team’s vision manifest itself in your business practice?

Our vision is to build a community of clients and service providers to not only negotiate home sales and purchases for our clients, but to be a part of their home ownership path forever. Our client relationship does not end with the transaction. We have a vast network of service providers in varied industries including contractors, tile setters, gardeners, designers, financial planners, CPAs, audio visual technicians and many more we are happy to connect our clients with.

Why is it important to have a clear vision for your business?

Having a clear vision for your business is crucial because it provides a sense of direction and purpose. It helps you define your goals and objectives, guiding decision-making and strategic planning. A clear vision inspires and motivates clients and team members, aligning everyone towards a common goal and increasing the chances of long-term success.

How are you thinking outside the box?

We are hyper-focused on our relationships with our clients. We host monthly salons on a wide variety of topics for our clients focusing on lifestyle elements outside of real estate allowing us to further understand our clients’ interests.

Bowman Real Estate Group

Vanguard Properties

1118 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur 415.755.1040

team@bowmanrealestategroup.com www.bowmanrealestategroup.com

/@bowmangroupmarin

/thebowmangroup | DRE #01933147

celebrating visionaries

Ken Dara and Jennifer Ames

Dara + Ames, Engel & Volkers

A real estate team with vast knowledge, a trusted network and worldly experience.

How does your team’s vision manifest itself in your business practice?

Our team’s vision and model of providing exemplary VIP service to entire families, often spanning generations, allows us to be known as “their family’s Realtors.” Helping clients through successful transactions inspires them to happily refer their friends and family members, blessing us with treasured repeat and referral business.

How do you support clients through various life stages?

We have a trusted team of professionals who we work closely with to readily handle the delicate details to help make sometimes challenging experiences as painless as possible.

How are you disrupting your industry?

Ken is a silent powerhouse, and considered one of the most well-connected real estate Advisors.

What separates your business from the pack?

We have both lived in Europe and have an affinity for travel. As global citizens, we have spent over 20-plus years honing a high level network of agents to help our clients through the power of the Engel & Volkers network.

Ken Dara | DRE #01331869

ken.dara@evrealestate.com

kendara@evrealestate.com

415.425.3626 | /@coffeewithkendara

Jennifer Ames | DRE #01408907

j.ames@evrealestate.com

ames@evrealestate.com

415.264.4760 | /@jennifer.ames.marin

celebrating visionaries

What makes your team visionaries in your field?

Perspective and experience. These are two of the critical focal points that have led us to where we are today. We started Morley Fredericks Property Management with the idea that we should “put our money where our mouth is” and stand behind the investing recommendations we’re sharing with our clients.

How does your team’s vision manifest itself in your business practice?

Happy tenants make good tenants and good tenants make happy owners. That’s the circle of life for a successful property management business. Over

the past few years, we have modernized many of our property management practices by using as much technology that owners/investors will tolerate. We have also automated reporting processes, banking, vendor management, resident intake, data collection, rental payments and service requests, which allows us to be more accessible to our clients.

What separates your business from the pack?

We’ve built our service menu, pricing and fee structure around principles that encourage our clients to view us as their partner and not a vendor always looking for ways to profit from the relationship.

Steve Crane

Morley Fredericks Real Estate Inc.

Property management focused on the client and their success.

celebrating visionaries

Charlie Clifford

Tri Counties Bank Commercial Lending Regional Manager

A wealth of experience to help business owners succeed.

What makes you a visionary?

I have worked with businesses throughout the Bay Area for many years and in the commercial banking space for over 25 years. Through various economic cycles — both good and bad — I have been able to help business owners implement successful financial strategies. With Tri Counties Bank, we have the capacity to provide customized commercial loans, financial products and services.

How does your vision manifest itself in your business practice?

Our vision is simple: to help businesses grow and thrive through innovative financial products and services, combined with exceptional service. I have extensive experience in the local market that I can pass along to my customers to help them succeed.

What separates Tri Counties Bank from other banks?

Tri Counties Bank’s top values include integrity and responsiveness. We’re big enough to provide products and services that Bay Area businesses need, but we’re small enough to offer exceptional service.

What products and services does Tri Counties Bank offer?

We offer commercial lending and industrial lending, commercial real estate loans, equipment financing, treasury management solutions and merchant services.

Tri Counties Bank

1000 Fourth Street, Ste. 775 San Rafael, CA 94901

415.287.8888 | charlieclifford@tcbk.com

Locations throughout Northern California

Visit www.tricountiesbank.com

Member FDIC

Kristin Claxon Stars, The Agency

a full-service agency for actors, voice over talent, models, athletes, influencers, photographers and artists.

What makes your team visionaries in your field?

We are passionate and driven in finding unique opportunities for the talent we represent while servicing our clients’ needs.We never say no. If a client has a need, we find it for them. There is a wealth of talent in the Bay Area. Our vision is to make that known while bringing a human touchand building personal connections with our talent and clients.

How does your team’s vision manifest itself in your business practice?

For 37 years we have been successfullybuilding personal connections with our talent and clients. We aim to be a one stop shop for whatever you need from actors, athletes, models, influencers or photographers.As an agency, we are not defined by our physical location. We source talent world-wide and our clients don’t need to go anywhere else.

How are you thinking outside the box?

We have always been leaders in tech in our Industry and have created a proprietary audition delivery system for our clients and added client suite with real time communication. We aim to deliver first and make our clients job that much easier.

Stars

23 Grant Avenue, Fourth Floor San Francisco, CA 94108

S.F. 415.421.6272, ext. 126

L.A. 323.962.1800

kristin@starsagency.com

www.starsagency.com

Chris and Kim Clarke

Celebrations of Marin

This experienced and innovative team has all it takes to make your event a success.

Why is it important to have a clear vision for your business?

Having a clear vision is important for our business because it brings clarity to everyone involved, from our clients to our employees. We have been working on redefining our brand and business after undergoing many pivots during the pandemic. We’ve improved operating procedures to align with our vision and we’ve received great feedback from our customers on how streamlined the process has become.

What separates your business from the pack?

Our combined 21-years of experience in the rental industry paired with our dedication to customer service is what sets us apart in our niche. Chris worked as a high-level national account manager at the world’s largest construction equipment rental company for many years and has seen what it takes to run operations for an $11 billon a year company. That knowledge is being woven into the fabric of this family operation and will inevitably result in a top-tier party equipment rental experience.

What new products do you offer?

Our latest line of ghost chairs, ghost stools and ghost kids’ chairs are highly desirable in the events space right now, and we’re Marin’s sole provider of these rental items. Their sleek minimalist effect makes them the perfect modern chair for this moment. These acrylic chairs elevate any type of event including social gatherings, weddings and corporate events.

Celebrations of Marin

8 Commercial Boulevard, Ste. D, Novato CA 94949 | 415.261.7346

info@celebrationsofmarin.com

www.celebrationsofmarin.com

/@celebrationsofmarin

celebrating visionaries

What are buyers looking for?

Your home’s got its glam on, looking top-notch from the fresh paint on the walls to the shiny new appliances in the kitchen. It’s as if your house just had a makeover on a home improvement show. Why? Because you’ve understood the golden rule of real estate: buyers love homes that shout “Move right in!”

How can your team offer a bettervision?

No one wants a fixer-upper project disguised as a new home. They’re looking for a ready-made paradise

where they can kick back and enjoy life, not spend their time hunting down contractors or drowning in remodel chaos. With my fantastic team and trustworthy vendors, we’re like fairy godparents to houses in need. We can turn a pumpkin of a property into a glittering carriage that’s ready for the ball, sometimes adding up to $500K to the final sale price.

But what if the seller can’t afford theupgrades?

And here’s the cherry on top: my company, Compass, provides a magical solution for upfront improvement costs.

celebrating visionaries

The view of this home at 38 Mohawk in Corte Madera shows what Team Brody can do. This home now has serious curb appeal.

celebrating visionaries

Brenda Way and Kimi Okada

A Company, School, Theater and Health Clinic that is open to dancers and movers of all ages and levels.

What makes your team visionaries in your field?

Brenda: We imagined a permanent home for contemporary dance. One that was welcoming to all, professionals, aspiring professionals, youth, seniors and movers of all ages and inclinations. One that did not silo professionals from amateurs as was the dominant tradition years ago. We set out to create an environment of creativity, rigor and joy.

Kimi: The breadth of ODC’s cultural programming has been key to its unique identity for decades. The art that ODC creates, nurtures and supports, challenges and expands upon the classical traditions of the dance form. Experimentation and exploration are key to ODC’s institutional ethos. ODC School honors and respects multiple dance genres in a noncompetitive and body positive environment that is welcoming to all ages and levels.

ODC | 351 Shotwell Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 415.549.8519 | frontdesk@odc.dance | www.odc.dance | @ODCsf

Kevin O’Keefe and Briana Dolan

Reno Tahoe International Art Show

The RTIA Show returns this September 14–17 with double the footprint.

What is it about your business that makes it visionary?

In developing a successful fine art fair in Reno Tahoe, our aim is to position the region as a nationally recognized destination for art and culture.

What is unique about the RTIA Show?

The show is a weekend-long celebration of fine art, design and film with ongoing live performances by regional musicians and local hospitalities. With the new Art City Invitationals, the First Nations pavilion and expanded Sculpture Walk, including dynamic Burning Man 2023 artworks, attendees will find art from the most celebrated artists, galleries and sculpture from major art cities.

Reno Tahoe International Art Show | www.rtiashow.com Convention Center, 4590 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502

celebrating visionaries

Michael LeBlanc

Ace & Vine and The Lincoln

A vision for developing premier entertainment destinations in Napa Valley.

What makes you a visionary in your field?

With my history as a poker player, I’m able to read people and situations quickly and accurately. I also am very aggressive in my business style with a stomach for high risk. This means I’m always looking for less obvious opportunities and am bold about bringing these ideas to life. I’m also focused on bringing strong teams together to execute.

How does your team’s strategy manifest itself in your business practice?

After assessing situations, I am very effective at delegating and believe that plays a critical role in success. I expect and trust that those I empower can “do their jobs,” and I do not micromanage. This energizes the team and galvanizes them around our goals, which synergistically makes us great.

Archive Modern Homes

Dream it, this design team can build it.

What makes your team visionaries in your field?

The industry must shift to an integrated design approach, instead of the old design-bid-build. That’s what we do, and it works. Design-build is an organic process that allows us to co-create beauty that is inherent to function, environment and desires.

What keeps your team ahead of the pack?

I am a graduate of SCIArc and have been designing for 20 years. Todd has been building for 30 years in a variety of environments. I understand the business, the design, the details. Todd executes in the field with our experienced crew. We know we can take on any cool project.

Neil Henk and Todd Fischer

celebrating visionaries

Meghan Evans

Buttercup Home

These local women-owned shops focus on quality and sustainability.

What makes your team visionaries in your field?

My team at Buttercup Home is creative, unique and fun-loving. This team of women, of all ages, come from a variety of backgrounds, professions, schooling and services. We believe in connection, quality and sustainability. We value intentional design and authentic expression.

What separates you or your business from the pack?

We have strong roots in our local community and love supporting authors, local vendors, artisans and smallbatch operations. We favor products made in the USA when possible and seek partners that uphold the highest standards around craftsmanship and sustainability.

Moonstone Skin & Body Care

Innovative and natural spatreatments.

Why is it important to have a clear vision for your business?

Having a clear vision for our spa is about understanding our team’s purpose. It helps us know why we go to work, why we do what we do, why it’s important to our clients and what value we bring to our community

How are you thinking outside the box?

At Moonstone Skin & Body Care, we seek to go deeper than skin-level by supporting the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of our clients. We prepare a relaxing treatment environment with aromatherapy for calming, weighted blankets for grounding, and crystals and stones for cleansing energy. We then combine innovative techniques with natural and organic products to create customized treatments that address skin concerns while promoting mental and emotional balance.

Janie Escamilla | Moonstone Skin & Body Care

1129 First Street, Novato, CA 94945 415.898.0426 | www.moonstoneskincare.com

Janie Escamilla

Angela DeSalvo

Transformational Soul Work

Gain and understanding of yourself and your vision in life.

What innovative service do you offer?

I offer people a closer look at themselves, to gain a new perspective. To be able to see what the thread is that carries them through life — what are they drawn to that feeds them and what is the thread that causes angst, regardless of its appearance.

Why is it important to have a clear vision for your life?

When you understand yourself, you have an easier time aligning to your vision in life. When you’re not sure who you’re dealing with there seems to be a sense of uncertainty at every corner and the tendency is to go through life on autopilot and then wonder why it’s so hard when things don’t go your way.

Do you have a notable history in the Bay Area?

I am a third generation Marinite.

Joy Chopra

Dinewithjoy

Never miss out on discovering that hot new restaurant or bar.

What separates you from the pack?

Before I go to a new restaurant, bar or hotel, I research the food and beverage menu and evaluate the website. Once I’m at the business, I post pictures of the cocktails, entrees, desserts and the ambiance live, so my followers feel they are present with me. I build rapport with the staff to form a lasting bond.

Do you have a notable history in the Bay Area?

I am a Bay Area native, and I regularly try to discover a new restaurant, bar or hotel. I feature these businesses in a creative way on my foodie-themed Instagram page to promote them as a trendy hotspots.

Dinewithjoy | 500 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 408.306.4056 | joypchopra@gmail.com | /@dinewithjoy /@joychopra | / joypujachopra12

Tell Your Story

September 2023 — Beautiful Living

In Marin Living’s September “Style & Swagger” issue, we will honor the local experts who define Beautiful Living. Whether it’s personal beauty, beautifying your home, or maybe it’s a brand new abode, this advertorial feature will provide readers with an inside look at the experts, services and products that contribute to living a beautiful life. How these professionals conduct business exemplifies their passion, commitment and love for what they do. We will tell their stories and showcase their teams, products and the unique business approaches that set them apart.

Marin Living will provide a marketing support campaign with a sponsored article on our website for one year, newsletter-sponsored promotion to 15,000 opted-in subscribers and social media posts. Contact

jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com

follow us on social @marinlivingmag + subscribe to our newsletter at www.marinlivingmagazine.com/newsletter

www.marinlivingmagazine.com

going places.

Far & Away

Discovering the wonders of Portugal; a deeper dive into the ancient art of bonsai; an insightful new book on the future of California’s water supply.

Boat on the Douro River, Portugal

Living Art

The Marin Bonsai Club proves resilient, even after setbacks caused by the pandemic.

By Caitlin Hamer

FOR THOSE WITH GREEN THUMBS, there’s nothing more satisfying than tending plants, perhaps especially the ones that exist primarily for decorative purposes. Among the most famous of aesthetically pleasing plants are bonsai trees. The love for cultivating these tiny trees has spread around the world from Japan, and dedicated groups of enthusiasts are clustered into clubs throughout the Bay Area. It’s no surprise, given that the local climate is so bonsai friendly, allowing Japanese tree species like maple, black pine and juniper to do well here.

While Tung X. Dao, president of the Marin Bonsai Club (www.marinbonsai.org), succinctly describes bonsai as the art of growing miniature trees in pots, he admits it can actually be a little more complicated than that: “When we say mini trees, they can range in size,” he says. “The pots can be as small as something you pick up with two fingers or something that requires being transported by a van and four people to lift it.”

For novices and experts alike, there seems to be a deep love of artistry when it comes to bonsai, and learning

Jay McDonald’s home

techniques to influence the shape and size of the trees is a key component. “I like the challenge, and watching the trees go through their cycles of growth and trying my hand at guiding them in the way I desire,” says Candace Key, a past president of Marin Bonsai Club. Dao adds, “Once you get into bonsai you realize there’s a choreographed communication, a dialogue between the tree and the artist.”

But that particular dialogue isn’t the only communication happening in the bonsai community; the ability to engage with like-minded hobbyists to seek advice and trade tips is why this club has been going strong ever since it was founded in 1958. Though the pandemic halted its regular activities, the club has mostly returned to normal, although member numbers have dwindled in recent years. But the enthusiasm among the members remains the same, and the knowledge that local bonsai devotees have now surpasses what they had in the past. Club meetings often feature demonstrations on specific topics that can range from automated watering systems to how to prepare a tree for a show, but there are also workshops that allow members to perfect their skills and gather knowledge from senior members like Jay McDonald.

“I’ve studied with three of the top six guys in Japan,” says McDonald. Among the numerous trees he maintains, some of them don’t even belong to him; he’s knowledgeable enough that members of the local bonsai community can entrust their trees to him as needed. But he loves it enough that a few extra trees are a blessing rather than a hassle.

“They’re visual jewels,” he says, but he connects to them on a much deeper level, as well. “We owe trees about as much as anything on the planet — for oxygen, shade, wood, beauty.”

Though bonsai trees can require plenty of time and dedication, the club strives to keep the hobby accessible for whoever is drawn to it. The skills can be learned, but passion seems to be the biggest requirement. “What I love about bonsai is that there is always something to learn, always room for improvement, endless skills to perfect,” says Key. “A bonsai tree is never done, unless it is dead.”

Marin Bonsai Club is holding its annual August sale on August 5 at the Terra Linda Community Center in San Rafael, where members will be selling trees and materials for working on bonsai. Beginners’ workshops will be held July 18 and 25 and an open workshop will be held on August 15.

Jay McDonald pruning a bonsai tree

rooted in novato

Sunny Novato is the neighbor to the north and the gateway to Sonoma County and Wine Country. The city has the second biggest population in Marin County and the largest total area. It is well known for its open spaces, idyllic climate and vibrant business districts. Indeed, Novato’s more than 52,000 residents and numerous local businesses, particularly along the charming Grant Avenue, find it the ideal place to live and do business.

The legendary creativity of Northern California art and artists thrives at MarinMOCA.

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rooted in novato.

Meet the Mayor

Susan Wernick shares her favorite things about the city that she and her family call home.

Susan Wernick, who has lived in Novato for 41 years and raised two sons there, became interested in government while working on the 2010 Novato Housing Element Update and later while serving on the planning commission. She was first elected to the Novato city council in 2019, acted as mayor pro tem in 2022, and was appointed to serve a one-year term as mayor in December of 2022. She loves serving and volunteering in her community and is a founding member of the San Marin Compatible Housing Coalition and Novato Forward.

Why is Novato a great place to raise a family and to live?

I always say Novato is a very big “small town.” Novato has all the conveniences and access of a larger city, but feels like a small town when you run into neighbors at dinner or the farmers market. Our events are perfectly sized for connection of all ages, and I regularly see grandparents, kids and grandchildren enjoying our Concerts on the Green. Every weekend there is a family-friendly thing to do in town and it makes for a rich sense of community and connection for our city.

Mantra Wines Tasting Room and Lounge

Award-winning

Hand-crafted wines presented by Novato residents and vintners Mike and Dez Kuimelis in the beautiful setting of a 1950s historic bank. Tastefully transformed into an award-winning wine tasting destination, Mantra offers its fine wines, live music, a rotating art gallery and a popular wine club. Join us!

Why is Novato a great place for small business?

Aside from more affordable commercial and industrial rents as compared to San Francisco and the greater Bay Area, Novato also offers a supportive business community. From our Downtown Novato Business Association to the Chamber of Commerce, Novato’s love of small and unique businesses is unparalleled. Add to that a suite of support from the city, like our Shop Local program which encourages Novatans to keep our dollars local, it’s easy to see that Novato is for businesses.

Are there any new businesses in town?

We’re excited to see HenHouse establish in our downtown later this year and appreciate that restaurants like Ayawaska, Blue Barn and Perry’s have opened new locations here. Novatans also hold traditions dear, so mainstays like Creekside Bakery and Pini Hardware are convenient, comfortable and well-loved businesses.

What are Novato’s challenges as it heads into the future?

One thing Novato will need to grapple with in the next year is how to address our structural budget deficit. The community may be contacted as we launch a survey to likely voters in July about how Novato is doing on a variety of community concerns. It’s been several years since we launched a full community satisfaction survey, and I’m interested as mayor in hearing from people we don’t typically hear from on several issues.

By the Numbers

52,184 total population

49% female population

2,809 number of veterans

$839,700 median value of owner-occupied housing units

46.5% those with a bachelors’ degree or greater

31.6

minutes mean travel time to work

$107,975

median household income

*source United States Census Bureau (as of July 2022)

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Mount Tamalpais Watershed overlook from Bon Tempe

Portugal’s Golden Age

It’s time to explore Portugal’s cities, landscapes and surprisingly affordable culinary attractions.

By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti

Lisbon’s Remodelado tram

DO YOU HAVE aEurope-loving friend heading to Portugal this summer?

If so, you’re not alone. Travelers to popular destinations like France, Spain and Italy have learned that Portugal is the continent’s best-kept secret and the natural next step for those looking for great food, wine, access to the outdoors and reasonable prices. Portugal, once one of the world’s most powerful countries because of its maritime influence, is also one of Western Europe’s least expensive destinations. Despite its small size — Portugal is less than a quarter the size of California — the country has diverse landscapes, including cliff-lined beaches and verdant river valleys. Visitors will encounter unpretentious locals while exploring everything from sophisticated cities to windswept coastal villages.

FOR CITY LOVERS: Lisbon

Portugal’s coastal capital city, Lisbon, has seven hills and suspension bridge views and is a nice alternative to other European centers of culture.

What to Do

An earthquake, fire and tsunami in 1755 leveled much of Lisbon, but the neighborhood of Alfama near the Tagus River escaped with minor damage. Travelers can ride the retro yellow Remodelado trams to the picturesque district and admire the pastel-colored and tiled buildings.

Visitors can also tour Belém Tower, a UNESCO-protected landmark just west of the city center. Nearby, Pastéis de Belém (www.pasteisdebelem. pt) has been serving pastéis de nata, Lisbon’s beloved cinnamon-dusted custard pastry, since 1837.

If you like palaces, the royal sanctuary of Sintra is a must-visit. The resort town in Sintra-Cascais Natural

Park, about 40 minutes by train from Lisbon, has sea cliffs, pine forests and many villas and palaces, including the whimsical Palace of Pena (www.parquesdesintra.pt) built for King Ferdinand in the mid-1800s.

Where to Eat

Ten-table Belcanto (www.belcanto. pt) in Chiado is one of only a handful of Portuguese restaurants honored with two Michelin stars; dishes are inspired by Portuguese culture and history. Try the Classics tasting menu for a snapshot of the restaurant’s most emblematic dishes like carrot with pine nut milk and a liquified olive and suckling pig with peppercorn sauce and orange puree.

Palace of Pena in Sintra

The nose-to-tail restaurant Prado (www.pradorestaurante.com) serves shareable plates like bluefin tuna belly with tomato and acorn-fed Alentejano pork with turnips in a buzzy industrial space with greenery dripping from the soaring ceiling.

At Tasca Da Esquina (www.tasca daesquina.com), chef Vitor Sobral reinvents and elevates petiscos (Portuguese tapas) like octopus salad with sweet potato and coriander.

Where to Stay

Named for a famous 19th-century Portuguese explorer, The Ivens, Autograph Collection (from $467 per night; www.marriott.com), pays tribute to the spirit of Lisbon during the 1800s. The building was the city’s first warehouse for luxury goods. Spanish interior designer Lazaro Rosa-Violán added flamboyant touches (dark wood parquet floors, floral chairs) to public spaces, while the 87 guest rooms are more understated.

The modern Memmo Alfama (from $201 per night; www.memmohotels. com) hotel contrasts with the neighborhood’s historic buildings like the medieval Sao Jorge Castle and the 12th-century Lisbon Cathedral. The hotel has minimalist guest rooms, a wine bar and a rooftop pool and terrace with views of the sea and the red tile roofs of Alfama.

Once the home of a wealthy Lisboa family, the Palácio Príncipe Real (from $422 per night; www.palacioprincipe real.com) is an oasis in the center of the city. It has just 28 rooms, a large garden, a heated swimming pool and a dedicated wellness area.

FOR WINE CONNOISSEURS: Porto and the Douro Valley

Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, is worth a stop for its walkable downtown, excellent cuisine and port wine–tasting rooms along the river. The UNESCOprotected Douro River Valley, an hour-and-a-half drive east, is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.

What to Do

Visit the neo-Gothic Livraria Lello & Irmão (www.livrarialello. pt) bookstore in Porto. Author J.K. Rowling frequented the shop when she lived in Porto in the ’90s, and the hourglass-shaped staircase may have inspired the shifting stairs in the fictional Hogwarts Castle.

Wine tasting in the Douro Valley is an adventure, and this is one of the few places where it’s easier to go by boat or train. Terraced vineyards cascade down steep hillsides on either side of the Douro River. The roads are so wind-y that driving from winery to winery can

take hours. Winery staff are usually happy to pick up guests from the boat and train stops along the river.

Family-owned Quinta do Crasto (www.quintadocrasto.pt) is one of the more well-known names in Portuguese wine for a reason. The winery’s sloping vineyards produce excellent old vine red, white and port wines. Winery visits are appointment only but can include a guided tour, tasting of five wines, and lunch. Quinta do Bomfim (www.symington.com) and 300-year-old Quinta do Vallado (www.quintadovallado.com) are also reliable places to taste.

Courtesy of Grupo José Avillez (top left)

The “bacon from heaven” and earth dessert at Belcanto

Where to Eat

Stylish locals like to meet up at industrial Cantina 32 (www.cantina32. com) on Rua das Flores, one of Porto’s trendiest streets, for a lively lunch of quail egg croquettes, steak in garlic and white wine sauce, and spritzy port and tonics.

Ode Porto Wine House (www. instagram.com/odewinehouse), in a character-filled space with stone walls and wood-beamed ceilings near the river, serves aged steaks, oysters, fluffy cheese tarts and one of the best selections of Portuguese wines and aged ports in town.

In the Douro, make reservations at DOC (www.docrestaurante.pt) in Folgosa for chef Rui Paula’s refined take on regional cuisine. If the weather is warm, try to get a seat on the terrace.

Long lunches are practically a religion in the Douro Valley. At the pop-up

restaurant Casa dos Ecos (open for lunch Friday to Sunday through October 2023; www.casa-dos-ecos. com) at Quinta do Bomfim winery, wine lovers can take their time as they enjoy pork ribs with crushed corn and cold oxheart tomato soup.

Where to Stay

In a city known for colorful tiled buildings and opulent Baroque architecture, the stately 16th-century facade of Porto’s new Casa da Companhia, Vignette Collection (from $237 per night; www.ihg.com), feels unassuming. Inside, the posh getaway spoils guests with a courtyard, an indoor pool and a spa with Turkish baths and saunas.

The upscale Six Senses Douro Valley (from $1,239 per night; www. sixsenses.com), surrounded by old-growth forests and vineyards,

has a design that includes a 19thcentury manor and contemporary architecture. In the stunning spa, where treatment rooms have garden views, guests can book vinotherapy, craniotherapy treatments and more. Accommodations include bedrooms with panoramic river views, spacious suites with private balconies and new one- or two-bedroom villas with private swimming pools.

Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, known for interesting wines like the Burgundy-style white Mirabilis, is one of the oldest wineries in the Douro wine region. Its small Relais & Châteaux boutique hotel, Quinta Nova Winery House (from $279 per night; www.quintanova.com), feels like a Portuguese family home. Guest rooms have views of terraced vineyards, cypress trees and a centuries-old chapel.

Exterior of Six Senses Douro Valley near the Douro River

FOR SUN SEEKERS: The Algarve

Portugal’s sunny southern coast has whitewashed fishing villages and sandy coves. The area between Lagos and Faro is lined with hotels, villas, bars and restaurants and can be crowded in the summer. Travelers who go inland or to the Western Atlantic Coast will find more solitude.

What to Do

Surfers should check out Sagres at the far western edge of the Algarve. The laid-back town has a long golden beach called Praia da Mareta, a 15th-century fortress and a working harbor.

Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (www.visitalgarve.pt) from Praia da Marinha to Praia de Vale Centeanes to see the Algarve’s most beautiful coastal views. Never dull, the three-hour walk takes you through Aleppo pine forests, up and down ravines, and past delicate arches and bright blue inlets.

Tavira has an intriguing mix of Moorish and Christian architecture; the spires of 37 churches punctuate the city’s skyline. It also has beautiful beaches and is near Ria Formosa Natural Park, where visitors can spot birds like flamingos, waders and other wildlife.

Where to Eat

Travelers to the Algarve should enjoy meals with a salty breeze and a sea view. The seafood restaurant Rei das Praias (www.restaurantereidaspraias. com) is on a beach with bright blue water and sculpted sandstone cliffs. Diners can dress fresh Atlantic fish with the bottles of zippy local olive oil on the table.

At Villa Joya Sea (www.instagram. com/vilajoyasea) at the upscale Vila Joya hotel, guests in linen shirts and flowy dresses dine on sea bass nigiri and sip mojitos beneath wicker lamps and coir-rope blinds.

Where to Stay

Hoteliers in the Algarve have perfected the art of the bohemian farmhouse hotel. Octant Vila Monte (from $409 per night; www.vilamonte. octanthotels.com) is an idyllic retreat in the hills about 10 minutes from Fuseta. The buildings are inspired by traditional Algarve architecture and contemporary lines. Interiors incorporate decorative pieces made of traditional fabrics and mat grasses by local artisans. The Garden of Eden–like grounds are planted with fragrant citrus trees, pink bougainvillea and olive trees.

On the Algarve’s Vicentine Coast near Aljezur, Praia do Canal (from $327 per night; www.praiadocanal.pt) doesn’t look like a typical family-friendly resort, with its minimalist architecture and sleek infinity pool. But families love the activities from hiking to horseback riding, surfing to sunset hot air balloon rides, and Praia do Canal’s sunny two-bedroom Family Suites can sleep up to six people.

Benagil Beach

Octant Vila Monte Farmhouse Courtesy of Octant Vila Monte Farmhouse (above); Carlos Duarte-Algarve Promotion Bureau (this page)

Treasures

Water Woes

What is the future of water supply and demand in California?

By Daniel Jewett

WHEN UC BERKELEY PROFESSOR,researcher and author David Sedlak gave a TEDxMarin talk last year he led with an intriguing question: “Is it time to leave California?”

“At the TEDxMarin event I tried to provide some insights for California, and maybe also a little bit of a hopeful vision about how we can get to a place where we live within our means and still have enough water for all the things that we greatly value,” says Sedlak (sedlakgroup.berkeley.edu), who had been interested in studying water for most of his life but noticed a change in focus when he came to Berkeley in 1994.

“It was the first time I’d ever been in a place where it wasn’t all about water quality, it was often about water quantity,” he says. “I’ve just continued to get more fascinated by all of the creative ways that people look at obtaining water in California and the Southwest and other parts of the world where demand exceeds supply.”

Sedlak says that because the water that falls on the state gets allocated in one way or another, it’s either going to go to cities and towns, or it’s going to go to farms to grow food, or it’s going to be left it in the environment to protect water-dependent ecosystems. “It’s been pretty obvious over the past decade or so that something’s up with our climate and not only are we having these periods of more intense droughts, but it’s warmer,” he says. “We’re facing a situation in California and the Southwestern United States that’s been referred to as aridification or basically this idea that it’s just going to become a hotter and drier climate in the future. And that has large implications for us.”

When it comes to farms, Sedlak says we may need to retire some agricultural land, but more palatable ideas include getting more water underground, especially in wet years like we had this season, and also implementing the innovative concept of desalinating existing brackish groundwater — a potentially large untapped water resource across the state.

“The idea of flood managed aquifer recharge is essentially doing something that farmers have been taught not to do, which is allow water to flood their fields and have their plants sit in waterlogged conditions,” Sedlak says. “If you have the right geology and the right level of soil permeability, it’s

possible to route some of those floodwaters on to the fields. Let the water percolate to the soil. And then in the summertime, you have more groundwater to use.”

Beyond the successful conservation efforts cities have invested in (low-flow toilets, removing turf lawns, planting more foliage), many of the ideas to capture more water there are similar to those in agriculture but adapted to urban life, Sedlak says. For example, Los Angeles uses “rain wells” that are essentially massive holes that direct the rainwater back into the ground; recycling of wastewater is popular in Orange County, where almost all of the treated wastewater gets returned to the drinking water supply (San Jose and the Livermore Valley are looking into similar projects); and investing in desalination projects has had success outside of San Diego and in Santa Barbara and Antioch (this is an idea Marin officials have also considered).

But some water conservation projects are right in front of us. “If you look at the Salesforce tower, most people don’t recognize that it has a miniature sewage treatment plant in its basement,” Sedlak says. “They treat the water that’s used in the building and it gets recycled — that’s the water that’s used to flush the toilets and cool the towers.”

David Sedlak plans to release his second book this November entitled Water for All: Global Solutions for a Changing Climate (Yale University Press), in which he will explore six different water crises that the world is facing and creative ways that they can be addressed.

Elena Zhukova

David Sedlak

Than Gngoc Dinh, Winn Slavin

Nolan Preece, Stremmel Gallery

Wes Hempel, George Billis Gallery

Nancy Good, Core Contemporary

Steven Whyte

GROWN WITH GRIT crafted with grace

A visit to Patz & Hall is more than a wine tasting.

It’s a journey through California’s top family-owned vineyards. The grit of our grower partners, plus our winemaker’s graceful influence, is evident in each sip. Join us in Sonoma among the vines and explore our range of single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.