marin living january/february 2023

A new energy for a new year

The Vitality Issue

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A Place for Rest and Renewal

While Kalae is informed by the natural beauty of the island, it is a world unto itself, designed to inspire and engage its residents.

INQUIRE welcometokalaewv.com | 808 376 1890 Offered by Ward Village Properties, LLC RB-21701

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WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA BOARD OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED OR QUALIFIED THIS OFFERING.

A Legacy of Building Relationships for Generations

@THEBOWMANGROUP MARIN MATTERS Providing Marin families more of what they want

“I have purchased many properties over the years and this has been the best experience I ever had. Jennifer and Elliott were always there to guide me and fix any problem that came up. Plus they are really nice people.”

- Michael Bozzuto

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

THE BEST EXPERIENCE

Healthstyle Events Healthstyle Events

we

CELEBRATED!

It was a fabulous evening to remember celebrating the collaboration of 9 CORNERS Med.Cryo.Spa with ProLon®, the global leader in Longevity Nutrition. Their mission is to promote longevity, weight loss, mentality and cellular rejuvenation powered by ProLon’s heavily researched fasting mimicking programs. Joseph Antoun M.D., Ph.D., ProLon CEO (and Buck Institute ex-adjunct prof), toasted their first venture — the launch of the ProLon Experience housed inside 9 CORNERS’ Luxe Health Galleria.

life in the

“

FAST

”

LANE

Millions have heard of ProLon’s 5 day fasting mimicking diet®, a celebrity favorite for weight loss, safe detoxing and metabolism boosts. The ProLon Experience is your one-stop shop: enjoy a personal consult, pick-up your ProLon fasting mimicking nutrition boxes, customize your fasting soups and get your bio code measurements to track progress. It gets even better! Keep your success going with cryo therapy, acupuncture, massage, infrared saunas, weight loss programs, nutraceuticals and Pagani stylized just for you. “This is a game changer. It’s a privilege to bring this important Prolon opportunity to Marin,” says Dr. Cat, owner of 9 CORNERS.

now it’s YOUR TURN

Make reservations now for our next 9 CORNERS/ProLon event on February 9. Experts will be ready to answer your questions. Bring friends and family to enjoy your fasting mimicking successes together. Visit the ProLon Experience at 9 CORNERS today. Or call to order your 5 day fasting mimicking nutrition boxes and have them delivered conveniently to your home. We all need a reset. 9 CORNERS and the ProLon Experience are the perfect place to start.

FEBRUARY EVENT RESERVATIONS & PROLON DISCOUNTS

Contact: info@9corners.com 208 Vintage Oaks, Novato 415.209.9600

Event Reservations and Purchases: info@9corners.com 9corners.com / 415. 209. 9600 ~ 208 Vintage Oaks, Novato CA 94945

Jessica Cline CEO

jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com  707.302.0850

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Advertising Director dina@marinlivingmagazine.com  707.238.2030

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Mailing Address

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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, David Sebo

Contributing Writers

Casey Hatfield-Chiotti, Nick Czap, Annie Geiser, Caroline Pacula

Contributing Photographer Caroline Pacula

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table of contents.

spotlight marin.

18 news.

Saving a spectacular Tiburon property; music in Mill Valley; FOG Fair returns and much more.

24 local splurges.

New year, new glow — here’s everything you need to look your best.

26 eat & drink.

Clearing up misconceptions about those green powder supplements you are seeing everywhere.

28 local getaways.

Guerneville, one of Sonoma’s best-kept secrets, is having a real moment (again).

10 january/february 2023 marin living.

32 take note.

Uncovering the magic that S.F.’s Exploratorium is creating around the globe.

34 game changers. Beat the work-from-home blues: a new social club concept gets started with Groundfloor.

going places.

80 land & sea.

Mercedes-Benz has just introduced a new EV and you won’t be able to take your eyes (or ears) off of it.

82 voyager. Get your wellness fix at this luxurious SoCal resort.

88 drawn together. How a fifth-generation Marinite started an organization that removes the world’s land mines one at a time. from the team.

14 from the ceo.

16 from the creative director.

Clockwise from top left: courtesy of MIJA; Kelly Puleio; Tanveer Badal

NOW OPEN The Village at Corte Madera, Marin — castjewelry.com

features.

36

Mind and Body

A new you: your 2023 vitality reset starts with these Marin-based experts.

42

Health Is Wealth

Whether you are looking to dip your toes in wellness for a day or throughout the year, we have found four ways to get you started.

50 The Magic of Marin

Photographer Caroline Pacula captures the ethereal beauty our county exudes.

On the Cover

Courtesy of Indian Springs

A morning swell in Bolinas; photo by Caroline Pacula

from the ceo.

Eternal Optimist

WHEN I READ MY JANUARY CEO NOTES from previous years, they always have the same hopeful tone, saying things like “this going to be the best year yet” — and I mean it. Even in 2020 I meant it and here’s the fun part: it’s true. Every year life throws some serious curveballs and somehow, I make it a year to remember. I’ll chalk it up to my endless optimism and ability to find humor in most things. But 2023, I have a really good feeling about you.

Our Vitality issue comes at the perfect time for me. I’ve been battling colds and the usual seasonal illnesses, so I’m slowing down and focusing on my health. One thing is for sure: I’ll be visiting and checking off each spa and wellness studio in our Mind and Body feature (p. 36). My girlfriends and I usually make spa visits a group activity, but this year I’ll be going solo, taking the much-needed time to reflect on my intentions for 2023. This year I’ll be focusing on friendships and family relationships and deepening our connections.

One of my favorite aspects of the work we are doing for our clients is getting to know them on a personal level and watching their businesses thrive. It is incredibly satisfying. Our brand studio enables us to understand the nuances of their visions and how they function within the community. Marin is special for a lot of reasons, but the passion radiating from small business owners inspires me greatly.

As small business owners ourselves, I have to say, we are so grateful for the support we’ve received, especially from our clients and partners, but also from the community at large. We work endlessly to cover the topics, personalities and issues that are important to you, and we will continue the hard work in 2023. We hope you enjoy our double-month issue; we’ll be using the extra “time off” to take a break and formulate our plans for the coming year.

Welcome to 2023 — it’s going to be the best year yet.

In gratitude,

Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder

14 january/february 2023 marin living.

Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Julio GM (below)

from hand to heart

What Does Vitality Mean to You?

HERE WE ARE: 2023 I love the start of a new year. It feels like a blank slate, full of possibility. I remember a time when the holiday season was full of indulgence, parties and late nights, but December has become a time of reflection for me. It’s the month sandwiched between my birthday and the year ahead, and I now revel in the opportunity to slow down, focus on self-care and manifest how I want the next 12 months to unfold. Of course, I can’t control everything, but I’ve learned that from stillness comes clarity — something that seems to spin out of control as we crash into the end of the year, pressuring ourselves to do all the things we think we should. It’s taken me years to detach from that mindset, and it has been really freeing.

I feel incredibly lucky that I am naturally inclined to eat well and exercise, but that means that I also have a tendency to take it for granted. I sometimes find myself robotically moving through a workout or adding the same supplements to my morning smoothie day after day without thinking. Part of my 2023 self-care practice is to be more present. Instead of forcing myself to go for a run because it is Monday, I have started listening more closely to my body and finding the right workout for my energy levels and state of mind. So far, this has meant that I actually have more energy and more determination, which is exactly what I was hoping for. But also, not beating myself up if a night of pizza and beer with friends means I only go for a walk next the morning (admittedly, giving myself a break can be hard — type A personalities, can I get an “amen”?). Spending time with people you care about, laughter and relaxation have serious benefits, too.

Vitality means being strong and active — and as another year gets underway, I hope that you take a moment for stillness, self-reflection and to tapping into the source of your energy. “Wellness practice” is probably one of the most overused phrases of the last decade, but if we take away the labels and dig into what it means in our day-to-day lives, it really is a powerful thing.

I also want to express my gratitude for my partners at the magazine, the editorial and sales teams, all the freelance writers, photographers and designers we work with, our clients and partners — 2022 was an incredibly successful year of growth for us, and 2023 is looking just as bright. We couldn’t have done any of this without all of you, so thank you. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings!

16 january/february 2023 marin living.

Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Caroline Pacula (above)

from the creative director.

A moment in Inverness captured by Caroline Pacula (see the rest of her images starting on p. 50)

Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder

spotlight marin.

Martha My Dear

A unanimous vote from the Tiburon Town Council has paved the way for the contribution of $1 million toward the preservation of the 110-acre Martha Co. property on the Tiburon Peninsula. Marin County needs $26.1 million to purchase the property from the Trust for Public Land and has voter-approved funds from Measure A tax revenue, left over bond measures and Measure M. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to save a truly beautiful and vital piece of Tiburon,” says Tiburon mayor Jon Welner.

The Martha Co. Property 18 january/february 2023 marin living.

Jocelyn Knight Photography

New Insight on Homelessness in Marin

The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services has learned that homelessness in Marin County grew by 8.5 percent in 2022

A key finding from the point-in-time count analysis also revealed that 78 percent of people experiencing homelessness locally were Marin residents before they lost housing. “Rising rents, a slow climb out of the pandemic, and growing demand for housing without adding to the supply combine to price people out of housing and into homelessness,” said board of supervisors president Katie Rice. To help address this issue, Marin officials are getting $5 million in state funds to provide services and housing, with the Richardson Bay Regional Agency receiving $3 million of those funds to house people illegally living on boats anchored near Sausalito.

Music in Mill Valley

Chamber Music Marin (www.chambermusicmarin. org), formerly Mill Valley Chamber Music Society, is celebrating its new name and the 50th season of its Chamber Music Concert Series. The nonprofit’s next concert features piano trio ensemble Trio con Brio Copenhagen. The performance takes place February 12 at Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church in Mill Valley.

Courtesy of Chamber Music Marin (top);

News by Caitlin Hamer

Trio con Brio Copenhagen

Fine Dining for a Cause

Ravi Kapur and his team from the newly renovated Liholiho Yacht Club in San Francisco are participating in the James Beard Foundation’s 2022–2023 Taste America culinary series on January 22. Chef Kapur is collaborating with 2014 James Beard Foundation Rising Chef of the Year semifinalist Andrew Le. Guests can expect a three-course meal with beverage pairings. Proceeds from ticket sales go to Liholiho Yacht Club, Chef Le’s restaurants in Hawaii and the James Beard Foundation’s national programming that is rooted in racial equity, women’s leadership, advocacy and sustainability for the culinary industry.

High Hopes for Marin City Funding

New investments are being made in Marin City. Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a budget trailer bill that will allocate $3 million to the Marin City Community Services District to remodel its community center. The district has long hoped for funding to build a swimming pool and to revitalize the community center to host programming and services. An additional $10 million included in a separate budget trailer bill will address the community’s flooding issues.

Microbusinesses

Liholiho Yacht Club

Rasami Storm (top);

FOG Fair Returns

FOG Design+Art (www.fogfair.com) returns with the ninth edition of its fair January 19 to 22 at the Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture in San Francisco. This year’s event boasts 45 booths featuring 48 galleries from cities such as New York, Milan and Mexico City. In addition to the exhibitions on view, musician Linda Ronstadt will be honored at the Innovators Luncheon on January 19, an annual event that celebrates those who have made a transformative contribution to their field. This year’s fair also sees the return of the programming series FOG Talks as well as Stanlee Gatti’s installation 21POP.

marin living.

Courtesy of Jessica Silverman

Gallerist Jessica Silverman’s display ofJudy Chicago’s, “Rearrangeable Rainbow Blocks,” 1965/2022

Wellness at Dr. Wilkinson’s

Trevor Logan, creative director of House of Better, is leading a series of free wellness and cooking classes at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs (www.drwilkinson.com). The “Better You!” series continues in 2023, with nutritionist Mary Sheila Gonnella, founder of Occidental Nutrition, kicking off the year with nutrition-based classes. Explore micro- and macronutrients at “Eating for Health Overview” on January 12, and on February 16 the “Fermentation + Gut Health” class covers digestive support.

San Rafael Cannabis Delivery Relief

The San Rafael City Council has approved a tax cut for cannabis delivery operators. Through December 2024, cannabis delivery businesses in the city will pay a 2 percent special business tax, a reduction from 4 percent. “Here in San Rafael, the cannabis delivery services have seen some early success, but with increased regulation and taxation at the state level, it is becoming more challenging,” says San Rafael mayor Kate Colin of the council’s decision.

Emma K. Morris (above); www.stock.adobe.com/Redshinestudio

RESERVATIONS

RSVP for Ross Valley Players

The Ross Valley Players (www.rossvalleyplayers. com) are starting 2023 with a new Ross Alternative Works production. Michael R. Cohen will be directing Reservations, a play by Joe Barison, which tells the tale of two strangers who are mistakenly booked in the same hotel room. Performances run from January 27 to February 12 at the Barn Theater on the grounds of the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross.

WORLD-CLASS TENNIS IN THE HEART OF NAPA

Immerse yourself in a playground for contemporary sport at Silverado Resort and Spa. Experience an award-winning tennis program designed to please both rookies and connoisseurs.

Backhands, Vines, and Volleys Adult Tennis Camps

An energetic three-day experience of meaningful and memorable professional instruction. Enjoy friends, fitness, and bubbly in the heart of wine country.

Tennis Beginner Bootcamps

All beginner levels are welcome in this three-day comprehensive bootcamp.

January 23-25 February 8-10 April 24-26 May 18-20 June 22-24 October 5-7 October 19-21 October 26-28

January 30 – February 1 April 13-15 May 10-12 August 14-16

1600 Atlas Peak Road, Napa, CA | SilveradoResort.com | 855-794-6677

TICKETS RossValleyPlayers.com | 415-456-9555

The Barn Theater at Marin Art & Garden Center Sir Francis Drake Blvd. at Lagunitas, Ross

A new play by Joe Barison

DIRECTED BY MICHAEL R COHEN January 27 –February 12, 2023

Reservations

artwork by Mark Shepard

Fresh Faced

Whether you are looking to brighten up dull winter skin or traveling and need a little TLC, these products will do the trick.

By Casey Gillespie

1. Everyone knows Michele Holmes Studio is the go-to for gorgeous brows and now you can get some of that magic at home with her Rye Beauty Brow Grooming Serum. Nourish brows and encourage healthy growth while keeping them in place throughout the day. Available at Michele Holmes Studio (25 First Street, Corte Madera) and www.michele holmesstudio.com , $42

2.

IMAGE Skincare’s

3. The colder months can leave your face looking dull and dry, but fear not: with Orgaid’s Youth Serum — rich in brightening vitamin C and ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid — your skin will be able to weather any winter storm. We love that it is organic and nontoxic, too. Available at Botanicalife (545 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur) or www.orgaid.com, $64

5. Say goodbye to waking up with puffy eyes — Arcona’s Peptide Eye Serum is rich in skin-rebuilding peptides and puff-eliminating caffeine, and it leaves skin hydrated and smooth. Exactly what you want in an eye cream. Available at International Orange (Marin Country Mart) or www.arcona.com, $54

VITAL

C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum is the new year, new you product you’ve been looking for. The award-winning serum is hydrating, brightening and protective against environmental damage — plus it smells divine. Available at Skin by Lisa (633 Battery Street, Ste. 117, San Francisco) or www.imageskincare. com, $79

4. Get the magic of red-light therapy and microcurrent at home with SolaWave’s Advanced Skincare Wand. Not only does it offer a spa-like LED treatment, the warm massaging motion of the wand is the daily dose of self-care you need. Perfect for travel, too! Available at www.solawave.co, $149

6. Tackle beauty from the inside out with Moon Juice’s SuperBeauty. The supplement offers a potent mixture of antioxidants to fight the signs of aging, adaptogens for elasticity, and silica for collagen and elastin production — and pairs flawlessly with the rest of your skin care routine. Available at Beauty Heroes (817 Grant Avenue, Novato) or www.beautyheroes.com, $60

All images courtesy of the brands

local splurges.

MCCALL QUEEN OF THE LAKE

A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN AND DEVELOP A LAKEFRONT ESTATE ON PAYETTE LAKE

Spectacular opportunity to own and enjoy a home on the secluded waters of Harris Cove while developing additional lots. This offering features approximately 3 acres with 213.75 feet of private shoreline. Included in the sale are four parcels and the fully remodeled estate home. Three of the parcels are buildable. In addition, a full set of building plans for the second lakefront lot can also be supplied.

The existing home was fully remodeled in 2020 and situated perfectly in this exclusive lake community. Capture incredible sunsets and enjoy exquisitely detailed craftsmanship throughout. From the grand entrance you are greeted with unobstructed lake views and timeless details such as hand-hewed wood logs and beams, reclaimed wood floors, and authentic elk chandeliers. This spacious layout features panoramic views of the lake or mountains from every room, and offers amenities such as a gourmet chefs’ kitchen with fireplace, 1100-bottle mahogany wine cellar, oversized stone masonry fireplaces, a great room with classic bar, an indoor/outdoor living room, a heated 3-car garage and much more. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to build a legacy for generations to come.

2183 East Side Drive, McCall ID 83638

4 Beds | 3 Baths | 4,186 sq. ft. | Offered at $14,850,000 Parcel 5 & 6: 1.726 acres - Parcel 7: 0.577 acres - Parcel 8: 0.582 acres

Getting the Green Light

There has been some controversy recently about supplementing using green powders and whether they are doing more harm than good. San Francisco–based dietitian and MIJA co-founder Sarah Koszyk explains why and how supplements can help, and the best ways to get the most out of your healthy diet in the new year.

By Casey Gillespie

What are the benefits of adding a green powder supplement to your diet?

Most Americans are deficient in their average micronutrient intake. Micronutrients are important since our diets tend to be comprised of a large amount of calorie-rich, nutrient-poor foods, and many of us are not getting the required nutrition that our bodies need. I work with a lot of people in the Bay Area where we have good access to local, fresh food, but they are still unable to get their recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. And for the few that do get them in, other factors can take a toll on one’s health such as high stress and lack of sleep. Adding a green powder to one’s diet can boost the availability of these nutrients in a quick and concentrated format and give people that extra dose they need to reach daily micronutrient goals.

Are three to five servings of vegetables a day really enough?

This is the minimum daily recommendation, and only one out of 10 adults are actually reaching this low bar, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Considering how beneficial vegetables are and how they positively affect our health and prevent diseases, we should be focusing on getting vegetables in as often as possible. We also need to consider not just the amount, but variety, and include multiple colors of the rainbow because the different colors indicate different nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants.

What should we look for in a green powder?

Green powders can be very different, so it’s important to see what yours claims to do to make sure it’s aligned with your expectations. Some are only about alkalizing the body while others may focus on energy. We prefer for our green powder [Superstar] to work more like a modern multivitamin and that’s why MIJA is made from superfoods that are considered nature’s multivitamin. Other than that, it’s important to consider safety. The best way to check is making sure your green powder is third-party tested. This is that extra step to make sure that all the ingredients listed are correct and none contain hidden toxins, chemicals or heavy metals.

Should we be worried about heavy metal content?

Yes, contaminants like heavy metals that may be present in pesticides, soil or even as residue on contaminated ingredients can exist in powdered supplements. And due to the concentration, it can be really dangerous. The scary part is there is no clear oversight on this from the Food and Drug Administration, so brands may unknowingly be using ingredients with toxins, chemicals and other nasty things because of the lack of regulation. It is extremely important to look for supplements that are properly sourced and tested.

Why did you create MIJA?

My co-founder and I started MIJA precisely because there was so little oversight on responsible, scientifically backed supplements. As a former chair of the National Dietetics Group, which is associated with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, I was often consulted or asked to review supplements that were missing the mark. Most nutritionists agree that the majority of commonplace supplements don’t provide significant long-term benefits and that getting nutrients from food sources is optimal. We started from a place of vetting these supplements on the market, as experts, and then developed MIJA as a solution to what was missing — safe, yet meaningful nutrition.

Why is your green powder different?

Superstar is singular because it really delivers a more purposeful, result-oriented experience. Many green powder formulas are put together through marketing, placing “buzzy” herbs in concentrations that are unproven, or worse, unsafe. Or the green powders are loaded with an everything-under-the-kitchen-sink list of ingredients, with the adage that “more is better.” This is not the case. When we were formulating Superstar, we made sure that every ingredient was chosen purposefully, giving the greatest benefits in a streamlined, clinical formula that effectively targets micronutrient deficiencies while promoting optimal gut health and better response to modern-day stressors — meeting the core needs for functional wellness.

What is your favorite way to drink Superstar?

I love the versatility because it can be enjoyed on an empty stomach first thing in the morning or with a meal. Hot or cold. A simple yet delicious favorite is adding it to warm water with honey and lemon. I’ll drink it while taking a few moments to relax, reflect and get charged up for the day.

For more ways to enjoy Superstar, visit www.mijanaturals.com or follow MIJA on Instagram (@mijanaturals).

marin living.

Sarah Koszyk

A Day Out in Guerneville

By Casey Gillespie

If Guerneville was a cat, surely it would be approaching at least its fifth life by now. Originally a logging town back in the 1800s, it then welcomed San Franciscans who wanted to summer by the river in the 1950s. The hippies joyfully took up residence in the ’70s and the LGBTQ+ community turned it into a party hot spot in the ’80s (the fabulousness remains). When the market crashed in 2008, chef and hotelier Crista Luedtke (yes, of Food Network fame) moved from San Francisco to Guerneville and started to breathe new life into the town (she currently owns Boon Hotel + Spa, Boon Eat + Drink, and Brot, and is a co-owner at The Highlands). S.F. foodies soon followed and the rest is Wine Country history. Since the pandemic, a number of other S.F. transplants have migrated north and are not only calling Guerneville home, but setting up must-visit hotels, bars and shops as well. Now is the time to visit, before the secret gets out!

Aubrie Pick

The Stavrand

13555 HIGHWAY 116 www.thestavrand.com

Hotelier Emily Glick purchased what was an aging boutique property, located minutes off of Main Street, at the beginning of the pandemic. After a year spent meticulously upgrading rooms and beautifying common spaces, the result is accessible luxury at its finest. Peacefully nestled in the redwoods, the guest rooms are all unique, nine with fireplaces, and all are decked out with many luxe amenities that only add to the charm factor. The nightly dinner service is only open to guests and highly recommended. Young, inventive and extremely talented is the best way to describe the culinary team. Only a tasting menu is offered, so come hungry.

Boon Eat + Drink

16248 MAIN STREET www.eatatboon.com

Chef Crista is passionate about cooking seasonally and so you can expect to experience the best of Wine Country regardless of when you visit. If you love California cuisine, you will love this eatery. The vegetarian and vegan dishes are so delicious even carnivores won’t be able to resist.

Big Bottom Market

16228 MAIN STREET www.bigbottommarket.com

Originally part of Luedtke’s culinary empire, Big Bottom Market is probably best known for its biscuits (the tasty treats were even named one of Oprah’s favorite things in 2016), but the sandwiches are worth a lunchtime visit. Grab a glass of wine, snag one of the sidewalk tables and watch the world go by.

marin living.

Kelly Puleio

The Stavrand

Boon

local getaways.

Brot

16218 MAIN STREET www.brotguerneville.com

The winter months are the perfect time to indulge in Bavarian cuisine and Brot is our first choice. Schnitzel, spatzle, wursts and, of course, those deliciously sinful pretzels pair perfectly with the curated list of German beers.

El Barrio

16230 MAIN STREET www.elbarriobar.com

This upscale Mexican cocktail lounge has city vibes for days — and the expert mixologists to match. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming and the snacks are an elevated take on authentic favorites. This is a spot you’ll want to return to over and over again.

Equality Vines

16215 MAIN STREET www.equalityvines.com

Founded by Matt Grove and Jim Obergefell (the lead plaintiff in the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in the U.S.), this quaint tasting room serves up limited-release wines that are not only delicious, but a portion of the proceeds support various human rights organizations. Be sure and ask about the stories behind the labels.

Porter-Bass Vineyard & Winery

11750 MAYS CANYON ROAD www.porter-bass.com

A visit to Guerneville’s most beloved vineyard is a must. Tastings take place under an ancient walnut tree with wine bottles set up on a plank of wood that rests on two barrels. Luke Bass, the winemaker, is one of the area’s winemaking pioneers and specializes in organic and biodynamic pinots, chardonnays and zinfandels. Reservations are required.

Saucy Mama’s Jook Joint

16632 HIGHWAY 116 www.saucymamasjookjoint.com

Owner and barbecue wizard Yvette Bidegain was heralded for her local pop-ups, but she has recently moved into a permanent brick-and-mortar and locals could not be more thrilled. Down-home cooking, warm hospitality and live music if you’re lucky to turn up on the right night. Open Tuesday through Sunday 4 to 9 p.m.

january/february 2023 marin living.

Kelly Puleio (top); courtesy of Equality Vines (bottom)

local getaways.

Equality Vines

El Barrio

A World of Possibilities

San Francisco’s Exploratorium is bringing a sense of wonder to museums around the world through its Global Collaborations partnerships.

By Caitlin Hamer

SINCE IT FIRST OPENED IN 1969, San Francisco’s Exploratorium (www.exploratorium.edu) has been a famed destination for children and lifelong learners alike. A museum unlike most others, it’s where science and art intertwine to inspire curiosity and understanding through hundreds of interactive, explore-for-yourself exhibits. And since its mission is to “create inquiry-based experiences that transform learning worldwide,” it should come as no surprise that there’s a special team at the Exploratorium that’s sharing the museum’s knowledge and experience around the world.

The Exploratorium has provided exhibits to museums and institutions for years, even collaborating on some local projects in San Francisco, but when it launched Global Collaborations in 2012, it expanded the museum’s reach to engage a variety of partners in planning, design and development. Since then, it’s had more than 50 national and worldwide partners, ranging from museums and libraries to hospitals and universities. Some of the team’s most recent and notable partnerships include the Scientific Center of Kuwait, SESI Lab in Brazil, Kiewit Luminarium in Omaha,

courtesy of Exploratorium

SESI Lab, Brazil

Oakland’s Chabot Space & Science Center, the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and the Science Centre Singapore.

“It’s exciting to be working in close partnership with people all over the world,” says Anne Richardson, senior director of Global Collaborations. “It keeps us connected to communities in other places and we learn a lot through these relationships.”

Fittingly, many of Global Collaborations’ partnerships were inspired by visits to the Exploratorium, with the museum’s interactive learning approach encouraging future partners to reach out so they could bring that experience to their own communities.

“Our exhibits offer direct experiences with phenomena of the world,” explains Richardson. “Visitors try things, ask questions and build their own understanding of how the world works. Our partners are seeking that, and that’s something that resonates with them.”

In some cases, Global Collaborations is brought in to help create new exhibits for already established organizations, but sometimes this can include partnering with an organization for a project from the ground up, from conceptual planning and design to the opening and beyond. It can mean thinking about the content of the galleries and exhibits, but also considering the structure of a visitor’s experience and developing educational programs. It’s also vital to the Global

Collaborations team that each partnership is grounded in the local community. And they achieve that by collaborating with these communities, embarking on an inclusive development process and bringing together diverse voices to build a place and culture that feels relevant and meaningful. A prime example of this can be seen in the partnership with SESI to develop SESI Lab, Brazil’s new center of learning, which opened in Brasília in late 2022.

“We worked very closely with SESI’s educational team to co-develop the learning goals and programs for SESI Lab,” says Richardson. “Another interesting thing we did was collaborate with a lot of local Brazilian artists to bring artwork into the space. We were interested in the integration of science, art and technology.”

The Exploratorium’s dedication to curiosity, inclusion and lifelong learning are an integral part of how Global Collaborations approaches each new project, but the team also hopes it’s a key outcome of every interaction with an exhibit. “The idea that people can explore the world around them and learn about it and understand it is something that is relevant to any place in the world,” says Richardson. “And to strengthen their own identities as learners and feel confident about their ability to learn about the world around them, especially right now, is deeply needed.”

marin living.

A rendering of Kuwait, Earth, Universe

A Friendly Idea

Groundfloor is not your grandpa’s social club and it’s certainly not the next WeWork — it is something new entirely.

By Annie Gieser

, Groundfloor co-founder Jamie Snedden continued to work from home, and many of us still find a corner of our homes to clock in and out of each day. But when your only in-office co-worker is a golden doodle, a longing for human interaction takes hold. Unsurprisingly in 2021, 61 percent of young adults in America reported feeling serious loneliness.

YEAR TWO OF THE

“One of the things I learned is that 75 percent of meaningful friendships or long-term relationships in people’s lives start — or started pre-Covid — in a physical workspace,” says Snedden, who began spending days at WeWork offices or coffee shops in an effort to curb the loneliness of staring at a screen alone all day. He called up a friend, other co-founder Jermaine Ijieh, with an idea — to create a space specifically designed for building meaningful friendships.

Groundfloor (www.groundfloorclub.com) launched its first location in March of 2022 in San Francisco’s Mission District — in a stunning (surely a nod to Snedden’s background in architecture) 4,000-square-foot storefront space equipped with a lounge and partial kitchen area, library, wellness studio and outdoor terrace gym. Inside you’ll find people who represent the city they live in, building friendships, joining “sub clubs” (member-run clubs for activities like sailing, trying new foods or playing board games), hosting events, working their day jobs, practicing yoga or just hanging out.

“I think we’ve built something that people are really passionate about and they love,” says Snedden, who mentions that diversity is a top priority (membership is 42 percent people of color and 65 percent female), but in all sorts of different ways. This being a San Francisco social club, you might expect techies to have taken over, but Snedden emphasizes that only 30 percent of the members

work in tech; the other 70 percent is artists, lawyers, dancers, teachers and other professions. “We’re seeing real friendships forming, connections that would never happen otherwise.”

Social clubs of the past were the epitome of exclusion — you had to look a certain way or make a certain amount to even be considered. But that’s not how Groundfloor operates. Here’s how it works: the application takes roughly three minutes to complete and costs $20, which is refundable should you change your mind and is put toward the first month’s membership should you join.

Then there’s an interview process in which Snedden says they never ask potential members what they do for work: “That’s pretty easy information for us to find out. We concentrate on what are you looking to get out of this? We find out almost every person truly wants a sense of friendship rather than access to a beautiful space to work or the gym.”

Once accepted, members pay a monthly $200 fee, which is month to month and can also be discounted dependent on income. As a new member, you’re given a buddy and a lunch cohort, ensuring no one feels intimidated or alone in the space designed to be the opposite.

Nevertheless, Groundfloor isn’t taking in just any applicant. The Mission location is officially at max capacity, only accepting new members on a one-in, one-out basis, which is causing Snedden and Ijieh to look beyond S.F. New and just-as-gorgeous locations in Oakland and Marin County are set to launch in 2023, aimed at communities in desperate need of a place like this. As Groundfloor expands, members will be welcome in any of the locations, any time.

More locations, more members, more friends. Ultimately, Groundfloor is designed to be a place where meaningful friendships bloom like flowers, from the ground up.

DURING

PANDEMIC

Dakota Seidenspinner, Jamie Snedden, Itzel Percival and Jermaine Ijieh

MindBodyand

If you’re looking for a wellness reset in 2023 but don’t know where to start, consider these healing activities and centers to find something that’s right for you.

By Caitlin Hamer

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9 Corners Med-Cryo-Spa

The perfect New Year’s boost: longevity and vitality. At 9 Corners Med-Cryo-Spa, science, technology and lifestyle are blended together and used to assess your unique cellular and molecular bio codes before development of customized treatment programs using restorative services like acupuncture, body sculpting and cryotherapy. 100 Vintage Way, Ste. K-29, Novato, www.club9cryo.com

Bahmani Pilates

If you need a little guidance on your fitness journey, certified Pilates instructor Cynthia Bahmani can help. Take a session with her (she specializes in CoreAlign and the Konnector Method) or use her concierge services to find a studio or instructor near you. 508 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo,415.519.5926

Botanicalife

The healing vibes are abundant at this shop. Its teas, tinctures and skin care products are inspired by the magic of plants, while items like crystals and candles can help keep you grounded in your daily rituals as you set your new year goals. 545 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, www.botanicalife.com

Citrine

Both a holistic lifestyle boutique and a wellness studio, Citrine regularly hosts events like tarot readings, sound baths and qigong workshops to help you tap into your spiritual side. They’re also home to Marin’s first salt sanctuary; a session there offers multiple restorative benefits. 489-D Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, www.citrineca.com

Dialogical Persona Healing Arts

Through custom coaching programs and transformational online courses, Kelsay Myers give direction for discovering and reclaiming your creative flow while also addressing your inner wounds. Activities like writing, drawing and movement will help you release and grow for ultimate healing and wholeness. www.dialogicalpersona.com

Dr. Stephanie’s Wellness Center in Marin

Show up to take care of your pain but stay for the transformational healing journey. As a chiropractic doctor, Dr. Stephanie Bridwell works with each individual’s spine to improve their connections with their bodies and emotions. Keep an eye out for her retreats. 412 Red Hill Avenue, Ste. 12, San Anselmo, www.drstephaniebridwell.com

Floramye

This shop carries its own line of thoughtfully and sustainably crafted CBD products for self-care, but it also offers bespoke services. Facial acupuncture, ear seeding and reiki-infused bodywork are just a few ways to pamper yourself while you’re here. 270 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, www.floramye.com

Karyn Forsyth Duggan

After some holiday overindulging, a functional nutritionist and natural chef may be what you need to get back to a healthier you. Karyn Forsyth Duggan can help implement personalized and effective diet and lifestyle changes to address blood sugar, inflammation and gastrointestinal health. www.karynforsythduggan.com

LARASAH

It’s possible to be successful without burning out, and LARASAH is helping companies, teams and professionals meet their goals with less stress. Its Five to Align journal method is the cornerstone of its success, inspiring leaders to achieve their mission with calm confidence. www.larasah.com

Marin Hearing Center

Leave your struggles with hearing loss in the past and start working with an audiologist at Marin Hearing Center. The center’s compassionate team and cutting-edge technology bring personalized solutions to each patient, providing a chance to regain hearing and communication skills. 45 San Clemente Drive, Ste. D140, Corte Madera, www.marinhearingcenter.com

Mindful Nature Practice

Licensed psychotherapist Dr. Denise Belanger knows that being outdoors and practicing mindfulness are vital to our well-being, which is why she’s combined the two for a unique therapy practice. She offers individual or group sessions throughout Marin at locations that fit your needs. www.mindfulnaturepractice.com

Reiki of Marin

Both a school and a healing center, Reiki of Marin offers classes for all levels of experience as well as healing sessions. This Japanese energy-healing modality can aid in regulating stress hormones and improving coping strategies so you can be the best version of yourself. 300 Valley Street, Ste. 202, Sausalito, www.reikimarin.com

Resonance Marin

If post-holiday fatigue is slowing you down, Resonance can point the way toward some healing from the inside out. Restore your skin with a facial, sweat out your toxins in the infrared sauna or achieve true bliss through an ayurveda body treatment with topical CBD remedies. 26 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, www.resonancemarin.com

marin

Some Like It Hot Yoga

Shake off that winter chill with a hot yoga session. A blend of heat and humidity plus the yoga itself will warm your muscles and help energize and detoxify your body and mind. Walk away with more strength, more flexibility and glowing skin. 408 Ignacio Boulevard, Novato, www.somelikeithotyoga.com

The Soul’s Adventure

For business-focused folks in need of some guidance: Scott Bowman of The Soul’s Adventure is ready to be your coach. He offers professional and leadership development and transformation for executives and entrepreneurs looking to learn and grow alongside the opportunities surrounding them. www.thesoulsadventure.com

The Studio Yoga + Wellness Yoga practitioners of all abilities can expect challenging-yet-nurturing sessions at The Studio, as well as teacher training and workshops for those ready to take it to the next level. For extra self-care, check out the wellness talks, infrared saunas and sound healing sessions. 650 East Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, www.thestudiomillvalley.com

Transformational Soul Work Certified intuitive life and grief coach Angela DeSalvo helps clients change their lives life from the inside out. Through her Soul Work method, you can move forward through your life with clarity, understanding, peace, authentic joy and grace. www.angeladesalvo.net

X-CORE Studio

If your idea of self-care is an intense but efficient workout, then X-CORE is your ticket. The Marin location offers the signature xBURN classes, which are high-intensity, low-impact modern Pilates sessions using XFormer machines. A bonus: classes are under an hour. 835 Fourth Street, San Rafael, www.xcorestudio.com

Refuge Marin

Reclaim your personal power through Refuge Marin’s traditional and spiritual healing modalities such as traditional Daoist acupuncture, reiki, writing practices and more. For a unique experience, try a Family Constellation group healing session, which can reveal and resolve unrecognized dynamics that span generations. 247 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, San Anselmo, www.refugemarin.com

Be Well Natural Medicine

Rather than just treating symptoms, Be Well Natural Medicine utilizes naturopathic medicine to create healthy lifelong habits. Personalized treatment plans can include microneedling and IV nutrient therapy, but the practice also specializes in naturopathic gynecology, offering fertility enhancement and hormonal support. 655 Redwood Highway, Ste. 200, Mill Valley, www.bewellnaturalmedicine.net

Health Is Wealth

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to begin a wellness journey — and whether you have a day, a weekend, a week or an entire year to commit to better health, we have found four ways you can get started right now.

By Marin Living Editors

Courtesy of Indian Springs marin

Indian Springs, Calistoga

For the Ultimate Day Getaway

The ideal Japanese-inspired wellness escape is in the heart of the city.

Opened in 1968, Kabuki Springs & Spa (www.kabukisprings.com) offers a true sento, or public bathhouse, experience right in San Francisco’s Japantown. Although you can participate in the experience however you want, the “right way” is to remove your clothing (and your phone) and start with a pre-bath in the sit-down shower, then about 10 minutes in the hot pool followed by another 10 minutes in the steam room scrubbing with exfoliating sea salts; then it’s a quick plunge in the cold pool, heat the body up again in the sauna, and finally cycle through the cold-hot-cold baths. Finish by grabbing a cool face towel and cucumbers for your eyes as you relax on the loungers. “On a physical level, heat and sweating boost the immune system. Much like a fever, the blood thins, and a small amount of toxins are released through the sweat,” says Kabuki consultant Kathy Nelsen. “Sweating releases endorphins, the feel-good hormone. The blood vessels dilate and circulation is increased, giving that healthy glow.” Kabuki also offers Asianinspired treatments and massages, and in 2023 look for the new Nano Infusion Facial.

For a Weekend Retreat

A short drive will bring you to a wellness experience created millions of years ago.

Long touted for its healing waters and mud baths, Calistoga is the perfect destination for a wellness escape. Located just 90 minutes from central Marin, Indian Springs (www.indianspringscalistoga.com) is home to thermal geysers that were created millions of years ago. These healing waters feed directly into the resort’s mineral pools and steam rooms. Volcanic ash, which also runs abundantly through the property, is one of the main ingredients in the resort’s famed mud baths. Since the 19th century, people have traveled far and wide to reap the benefits of these thermal waters. While a weekend spent relaxing at the resort does wonders for frazzled nerves, health benefits include improved circulation, reduced inflammation, improved quality of sleep and more. And if you are questioning whether you actually need an entire weekend, Chris Costas, Indian Springs’ managing director, says, “The pool is open until midnight and I believe the night swim is the best experience. Also, in the wintertime when the weather is cold, the pool is incredible.” New additions for 2023 include a hike and bike program on Saturdays, a salt/halotherapy room and a HydraFacial.

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Frankie Frankeny

Kabuki Springs & Spa, San Francisco

Canyon Ranch, Woodside

46 january/february 2023 marin living.

Courtesy of Canyon Ranch

"A visit to Canyon Ranch is completely unique for each guest — the experience is built from a selection of more than 1,500 services drawing from ancient wisdom and modern technology."

For a Weeklong Reset

Customize your wellness getaway with an itinerary that meets your individual needs.

For someone looking for a deep dive into wellness, Canyon Ranch delivers. The company is renowned for its luxury wellness retreats and the Woodside property (www. canyonranch.com/woodside) is only about 40 miles from Marin. We love that the Canyon Ranch experience is completely customizable and unique to your goals. A seven-day stay could include a weight-loss plan, mental and physical exercises for building resilience, a lifestyle reset or a focus on optimizing your performance in a particular sport. Guests work with a dedicated Wellness Guide to set physical, mental and spiritual goals during their stay, undertaking two to three services a day, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the lavish spa, beautiful grounds, gourmet food, and seemingly endless roster of activities and classes also offered daily. “A visit to Canyon Ranch is completely unique for each guest — the experience is built from a selection of more than 1,500 services drawing from ancient wisdom and modern technology, and is designed to meet their personal wellness intention," says Rona Kay, Canyon Ranch Woodside’s general manager.

For a Year-Round Commitment to Wellness

A relaxed social club–like environment means you’ll love where you work out.

If this is the year you finally up your wellness and physical training goals, Mill Valley’s Club Evexia (www.clubevexia.com) could be a big reason why. Opened last year, this owner-operated club set out to be different from the beginning. The club offers beautiful views from its 20,000-square-foot Shoreline Center facility, softer, natural colors and materials, a social atmosphere, highly experienced personal training and fitness experts, educational events and, of course, the latest fitness technology (including Atlantic, Hoist and Matrix, and Assault equipment). “What many people might underestimate is the mental benefits of fitness training. Even on your first day getting back to exercising, you can feel a measurable shift in your mood from the endorphins that are released,” says co-founder Scott Raymond. And about those views: “They create an absolutely stunning and inspirational physical environment where you have golden sunrises over the pristine calm waters of Richardson Bay.”

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Club Evexia, Mill Valley

Courtesy of Club Evexia

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Tiburon

The Magic of Marin

Words and Photos by Caroline Pacula

As a self-taught artist, I’m passionate about photography for many reasons, but especially because it captures and transcends a beautiful moment in time. I love that photography is a language that can create emotion and tell a story across cultures, without any barriers.

Living in multiple countries and having so many diverse experiences led to a continual sense of wanderlust that inspired me to become a photographer.

I’ve lived in San Francisco for the last 25 years, but my family and I recently decided to move to Marin for a slower pace of life.

marin living.

Muir Woods

With the new year upon us, it’s time for reflection and a reset. These days I am letting the practice of gratitude guide me and I’m learning to let go of expectations and things I can’t control. I am more mindful than ever of the importance of surrounding myself with people who inspire me and help me also feel a mutual sharing of positive energy and growth. I’m striving to live a life of authenticity and vitality with more intention, purpose and meaning — savoring the simple moments of everyday life.

marin living.

Rodeo Beach at Fort Cronkhite

With a clean slate, make your list, build your intentions and map out the progress you want to create for yourself in the new year.

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Point Reyes’ cypress tree tunnel

Bolinas

Sunset is my favorite moment in the day, especially golden hour.

When the magic happens, I’m in a complete state of “flow” and committed to the moment. I’m moving about making sure all my settings are correct while feeling a natural high and taking in the scenery around me one snap at a time.

Annie Leibovitz said it perfectly: “The camera makes you forget you’re there. It’s not like you are hiding but you forget, you are just looking so much.”

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Caroline Pacula’s photography can be found at Serena and Lily, Pure Salt Interiors and has been featured in the Associated Press and the Decorator Showcase Aspire Show House. You can purchase her artwork at www.carolinepaculaprints.com.

Ring Mountain, Corte Madera

trendsetters

You know these people — they are the individuals, business owners and teams who are always pushing the envelope and making clients’ lives better. Nothing changes without trendsetters. As we kick off the new year and embrace 2023, we honor the individuals and businesses who color outside the lines and lead the way in making the new year a truly special one.

Susan Hewitt & C.J. Nakagawa

What is it about your team that makes it a trendsetter?

We are the No. 1 team in Marin County by number of transactions and No. 2 team in San Francisco by sales volume at Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty. Our colleagues and clients alike look to us for market guidance and best practices. We ranked in the Top 100 agents and teams worldwide at Sotheby’s this year.

What sets your approach apart? We believe in honesty and developing deep relationships with our clientele. Our clients understand that we put their needs before the transaction. Our clients become close friends for life and we love what we do.

How do you address your clients’ needs in today’s real estate market?

For the past 30 years, we’ve specialized in helping people move from San Francisco and Marin or back again, which is a unique niche. We understand how to maximize our client’s return on investment in each market and have a strong team available to execute the property preparation. We have deep relationships with our peers in both markets and have great success in unearthing off-market properties. Our clients benefit from this in-depth knowledge.

Cassie ZampaKeim

Innovative Match

Let this experienced matchmaker find you love in 2023.

How are you thinking outside the

box?

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 30 years in the business. I am continually creating strategies for my clients to meet new people and innovative ideas about how to keep the relationship they started interesting. The successes are evident; I have numerous clients in flourishing relationships and a few weddings on the calendar for 2023.

What separates you from the pack?

I’m not a nine-to-five dating expert because, guess what? Dating isn’t a nine-to-five endeavor. I understand my

clients may need me for last-minute advice, whether about what they’re wearing, how to say goodnight after a first date or what to text after a date. Other times, my clients may need reassurance and a friendly ear. I’m here for them whenever they need me.

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

My dating profiles are not the typical ones you’d find online. I speak to my clients personally, in addition to them completing an in-depth profile assessment. They tell me about themselves, which I then curate into a one-of-a-kind profile that reads like a story instead of a cliché personals ad.

Innovative Match | Ross | 415.259.8714 | www.innovative-match.com

trendsetters

Melinda Starr

Starr Horse Retreats and Arenas

At this three-night retreat participants will receive meals, lodging and tremendously powerful healing modalities.

What is it about your business that makes you a trendsetter?

Starr Horse Retreats and Arenas (SHRA) is offering monthly Shamanic Horse Healing Retreats in Minden, Nevada, 30 minutes east of Lake Tahoe in the verdant Carson Valley. This retreat is one of a kind. Our herd of shaman horses will open your mind, body and spirit as you journey into the realm of horse spirit medicine. We invite participants to tap into the innate healing abilities of the horses and honor them as shamans in their role of awakening our consciousness.

How are you thinking outside the box?

At SHRA we throw traditional horse

dogma out the window. The first thing I tell visitors is that we break every rule about horses — but we do it safely. And the reason is that the traditional methods of training horses to be slaves, or for sport, are often cruel, surely outdated, and unnecessary. Horses are healers, and they have been waiting for this medicine to permeate the human consciousness.

What’s the most interesting new innovation you have come up with? We also offer Positive Reinforcement (R+) horse training certifications. This certification is the first hands-on, positive reinforcement training certification program in the world.

Starr Horse Retreats and Arenas | starrhorseretreats@gmail.com www.starrhorseretreats.com | 415.370.7092

trendsetters

Cheri Reeves Engel & Völkers McCall

An agent with international experience in a world-class town.

Having lived all over the world, what stood out about McCall, Idaho?

McCall is a picturesque mountain town with two ski resorts, on a beautiful lake with activities year-round for outdoor enthusiasts or those seeking a luxurious spa getaway. It’s also known for some of the finest ski and snowmobile terrain in the world. This hidden gem has tremendous growth opportunities, while remaining free from the traffic and crowds of other mountain towns — “It’s Lake Tahoe 75 years ago.”

Professionally speaking, what excites you about McCall?

McCall has real estate for everyone — modern private residences, luxurious condos and buildable lots to construct your dream home on. Elizabeth Hart, Marin resident, CEO and developer of River Ranch McCall tells it best: “River Ranch was an authentic ranch in my family for many years, blessed by incredible views along 2.5 miles of private Payette River frontage and within walking distance to the storybook town of McCall,” says Hart. “We restored lakes, planted trees and sculpted the land, returning River Ranch to a picturesque preserve. Our homesites offer large acreages with majestic mountain, lake or river views in a private, gated community.”

Cheri Reeves, The Reeves Group Engel & Völkers McCall

208.630.4469 | ID Lic. #DB53710 cheri.reeves@evrealestate.com www.reevesgroup.evrealestate.com

Eric McFarland & Brad Krefman

What makes you two trendsetters?

EM/BK: With our decades of combined experience we know houses and we know Marin. We understand the power of living in a well-designed interior and that no two people are the same. Our no-ego, hands-on approach is geared to foster intimate relationships with our clients. We are trendsetters in our shared passion for all things housing.

What makes your business different?

BK: Our interior design practice is multifaceted. No two projects are alike and our design and services truly cater to each client’s needs. From largescale ground-up construction and gut remodels, to furnishings and decorating

projects, our team is capable of tackling projects of varying scope and scale.

What sets you apart in your industry?

EM: I know my stuff. Whether it is current market data, contract strategy, negotiating, agent relationships or vendor resources, my knowledge benefits my clients.

What do you want people to know about you or your business?

BK: Not only do we know how to make homes beautiful, we also know how to make them livable. We seek to demystify the design process to create a fun and engaging relationship that best suit our clients’ lifestyles.

Brad Krefman: BK Interior Design | 150 Gate 5 Road, Sausalito, CA 94965 | 415.384.4209 | www.bkinteriordesign.com | /@bradkrefman

Eric McFarland: Vanguard Properties | 352 Miller Ave., Mill Valley, CA 94941 | 917.685.8369 | www.eric-mcfarland.com | /@ericmatthewmcfarland | DRE #01897874

trendsetters

Beth McDougall, M.D. Jyzen and CLEAR Center at Jyzen

Live a vital life, no matter what your age.

What does vitality mean to you?

To me, feeling vital means having abundant energy, clarity of thought and feeling inspired about life. My vitality is supported by eating high life-force quotient foods, getting the right amount of exercise, time in nature, exposure to sunlight, and enjoying family and friends. Vitality means different things for everyone, but I see a common thread among our patients and clients. The most vital are those who have done personal

growth work on their past traumas and limiting familial conditioning, and have developed lifestyle practices to care for themselves. More than anything, vital individuals reject the societal programming that suggests you are supposed to lose function, energy and vitality with age.

How does Jyzen approach the concept of vitality?

During my 20-plus years as a doctor, I have identified three key areas that present challenges as people age: they face biological decline; they are challenged by structural imbalances and dysfunction; they struggle with cognitive decline or limitations. At Jyzen, we have combined Integrative medicine with an unparalleled array of fitness and longevity technologies and a data-driven approach to help our clients reach their unique vision of wellness. Our IV lounge offers a selection of IV and peptide therapies

that support improved metabolic function, immune function, memory, sports performance and recovery to name just a few. Our Adaptive Performance Center showcases the most advanced training systems like Vasper, ARX and Peak Oxygen Training to allow people to optimize fitness, mobility and performance at all levels, regardless of age. Our Integrative Bodywork Center offers a variety of modalities like NMR, structural integration, deep tissue work and physical therapy to optimize your physical structure and function. And our NeuroFit Center uses QEEG brain mapping to understand your neurological state and then designs custom brain training programs through neuromodulation and feedback to allow for improved cognitive function. At Jyzen we believe everyone can live a beautiful, vital life, regardless of their age.

Jyzen and CLEAR Center at Jyzen | 100 Shoreline Highway, Building A, Ste. 210, Mill Valley, CA 94941 www.jyzen.com | www.bethmcdougallmd.com | /@jyzenlabs | /bethmcdougallmd

trendsetters

+ Design

This architecture and design firm enjoys collaboration while creating extraordinary homes.

What makes you a trendsetter?

Marin is a dynamic area. At Hubbell Daily Architecture + Design, we bring that dynamism to our projects through innovative, clean and unique design solutions that surprise and surpass our clients’ needs and desires.

What sets you apart in your industry?

When Hubbell Daily Architecture + Design starts a project, rather than diving right into design, we take an initial exploratory action to evaluate the property. Architecture is not only the building. The site and our clients inform our design decisions at Hubbell Daily. Every project begins with an interview with our clients and a thorough assessment of their site.

What makes your business unique?

Hubbell Daily follows what we call the Three-C’s: Collaboration, Communication and Creativity. These elements support us in our design and project management from start to finish; from our measurements of the existing home to the point when our clients move in.

What do you want people to know about your business?

At Hubbell Daily Architecture + Design, we are ultimately energized by the team approach while we create homes that respond to the site as well as our clients’ wishes, needs and aspirations.

Hubbell Daily Architecture + Design 7 Ross Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94960 415.383.4311 | Lic. #C-28014 brad@hubbelldaily.com www.hubbelldaily.com

Brad Hubbell + Suzanne Daily Hubbell Daily Architecture

trendsetters

Valerie Harbidge

FITLAB

An inclusive gym that is geared to help you achieve all your fitness goals.

What makes you a trendsetter?

I took all the things we know and love about the gym and boutique fitness and turned it into an all-inclusive boutique.

What sets you apart in your industry?

Boutique facilities are great, and we love being in those settings, but everything’s just done better at FITLAB. The problem with boutiques is that they are a one-trick pony and you have to round out your fitness routine by purchasing multiple memberships at multiple locations. We have solved this problem by bringing it all together under one roof.

How are you disrupting your industry?

We are challenging the one-modality boutiques by highlighting the importance of a balanced fitness routine. We have coaches all over our floor to educate our members and empower them toward self-efficacy in a gym setting, and we are quite literally training newcomers on how to program their workouts.

What separates your business from the pack?

Our facility is rooted in a passion for inclusivity at the gym and empowerment. The fact is that 85 percent of Americans don’t work out regularly and the number one reason is because they feel they don’t belong at the gym.

FITLAB val@fitlabstrong.com www.fitlabstrong.com 711 Center Boulevard, Fairfax, CA 94930 415.785.3026 | /@fitlabstrong

trendsetters

Falla Associates

Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty

Put our knowledge, experience and results to work for you.

What is it about your business that makes it a trendsetter?

We are a consistent top producing, multigenerational team consisting of four women with deep ties to the Marin Community for 50-plus years.

What sets you apart in your industry?

Our in-depth knowledge of the Marin market since 1977 spans many sale cycles. We have seen every type of market and can prepare for all eventualities. We participate in several networking groups to remain on top of local real estate trends as well as to stay connected with current inventory.

What separates you or your business from the pack?

We have a budget conscience, roll up your sleeves approach to sales preparation. This approach has helped our clients get top dollar for their homes and includes the use of many different service providers and vendors to help get the job done in a timely and economical manner

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

We were one of the very first to realize the need for assistants and the team approach. Real estate is a multifaceted, fast-paced industry. We pride ourselves on superior service for all of our clients and the team approach allows us to be accessible and focus on all of our clients’ needs.

Falla Associates

Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty

902 Irwin Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 415.602.5768

j.firkins@ggsir.com fallaassociates@ggsir.com

Two Rivers Soccer Camp

High-level coaching combined with traditional camp activities in an incomparable setting. This sets this camp apart from all others.

What is it about your business that makes you

a trendsetter?

At Two Rivers Soccer Camp we are committed to a well-balanced, athletic away-from-home camp experience. We provide our campers with a traditional camp atmosphere and a high-level coaching experience on the field. We believe in healthy, challenging experiences both on and off the field and recognize the importance of social growth and athletic development

What sets you apart in your industry?

Two Rivers Soccer Camp invites you to come to camp this summer. Learn new soccer skills, enjoy the outdoors, experience personal growth and make new friends. Two Rivers offers a truly unique experience for the soccer enthusiast. Our camp, featuring European and American soccer coaches, creates an authentic soccer atmosphere. The camp, located in Graeagle, California, is nestled in the majestic Sierras with two rushing streams bordering the 40-acre site.

What can clients expect?

Over the last 50-plus years thousands of soccer players (ages 7 to 17) from the U.S. and around the world have come to Two Rivers with a purpose — to improve their soccer skills and to have a great time. Many campers return to Two Rivers year after year.

Two Rivers Soccer Camp www.tworiverssoccer.com info@tworiverssoccer.com PO Box 266, Saratoga, CA 95071 415.928.6902

trendsetters

Bowman and Elliott Fink

Bowman Real Estate Group

Technology and a team approach set this group apart.

What is it about your team that makes them a trendsetter in your industry?

Our clients get much more than a real estate agent. We have built a team of highly specialized individuals who have vast experience with real estate transactions and services.

Our combined backgrounds in marketing, design, construction, project management, law, hospitality, development, psychology and competitive sports sets us apart.

How are you thinking outside the box?

Bowman Real Estate Group has designed a team-support approach by combining all of the necessary elements of the real estate process, which covers listing, marketing, photography, design and staging. We utilize the most advanced technology for both buyers and sellers along with having our own in-house transaction coordinator.

How do you address your clients’ needs in today’s real estate market?

We take a strong personal interest in each client beginning with a comprehensive interview to discover authentic wants and needs to develop a personalized grand tour of neighborhoods to identify where the focus of our clients’ home search should be.

Bowman Real Estate Group

VANGUARD PROPERTIES

1118 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939 415.755.1040

team@bowmanrealestategroup.com www.bowmanrealestategroup.com /@bowmangroupmarin /thebowmangroup | DRE #01933147

Jennifer

Sally and Andrew Bowman Sunrise Home

What makes your team Trendsetters?

We’re celebrating our 46th year! Our family business has been happily ensconced in our downtown San Rafael showroom since 1977. From our inception we have championed smaller, family-owned factories offering collections made in America. This bond with our vendors allows us to stand behind our offerings as well as enabling us to create special and unique pieces not found in chain or import stores.

How can you help people create a beautiful and functional home?

Sunrise Home offers the ability to sit in, touch and feel furniture options, eliminating the guess work, which is comforting. Our designers are incredibly well educated and experienced, as well as passionate about interiors. We offer 30,000 square feet of bedroom, dining room, living room and home office collections as well as area rugs and window coverings.

How do you stay ahead of the pack?

Fortunately, we are able to source new and unique pieces from large and small makers and craftspeople constantly staying abreast of new trends, colors and styles. Our showroom is completely reset once a year so as to always have inspiring and fresh displays and vignettes to enjoy.

Sunrise Home 831 B Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 415.456.3939 www.sunrisehome.com

trendsetters

This family-owned business has been helping people create beautiful homes for 46 years.

trendsetters

Amy Greywitt, Temple Schauble & Carla Herzenberg

Metta Yoga

A boutique, community-focused yoga studio.

What makes your team trendsetters?

We are a locally-owned, women-owned business and are excited to announce a third studio, Cloudbreak Yoga Studio in Sausalito, along with Corte Madera and San Rafael. Dynamic and creative while still deeply rooted in yoga tradition, we offer Fiery and Steady flow classes, Yin and Restorative and a range of workshops and special events.

What sets you apart in your industry?

We have the most diverse and creative offerings, including livestream options, excellent teachers and tri-studio membership and class pack access. Join us with our introductory offer of two-weeks unlimited for $30.

Metta Yoga, 8 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, CA 94925 Metta Yoga, 835 Fourth Street, Suite B, San Rafael, CA 94901 Cloudbreak by Metta Yoga, 1621 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965 415.868.3569 | hello@mettayogastudio.com

Amy Thompson

Amy Thompson Photography

This photographer will elevate you and your brand.

What makes you a trendsetter?

I specialize in brand photography, which is a powerful way to communicate who you are and what you do. I give busy entrepreneurs a variety of soulful images that can be used on their website, social media and more.

What is unique about your business that sets you apart from others?

What I do goes far beyond a simple headshot. Lifestyle photos, action shots — these work together to tell the story of you and your brand. I also love to use different scenes and wardrobes to let your personality shine. On photo day, I’ll lead you through scenes and poses designed to make you feel relaxed and confident.

Amy Thompson Photography | amy@amythompsonphotography.com www.amythompsonbrandphotography.com /@amythompsonphotography

Emilie Bers

Ellie Fritz

Ellie Fritz Studio

This artist loves to spark dialog around her work.

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

Although much of my work is created on canvas, over the past decades I have perfected the difficult process of adhering works on paper to wood panels. This enables people to experience new dimensions of works on paper that are more commonly hung behind expensive glass.

What are you doing to stay connected with the local community?

In 2019 I completed a year-long stint as the Artist in Residence at the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (Marin MOCA). Beyond creating work at the MOCA, I worked with local Novato elementary school students while also teaching family programs on weekends for people of all ages.

Ellie Fritz Studio (represented by K. Imperial Fine Art, San Francisco) 415.596.3292 | elliefritz@yahoo.com | www.elliefritz.com www.kimperialfineart.com | /@elliefritzstudio

Catherine Peters

What makes you a trendsetter?

I keep current. I design what looks best, works best and feels best for every client individually. I create. I serve. I love making women beautiful and happy.

What makes you different?

I have always loved style and fashion and never want my clients to get bored or feel dated with their hair. I want each client to know they can always have a new look, try a new color or be more edgy and updated.

What new products do you specialize in that serve our current times?

We partner with brands that are sustainable, plantbased and make smart environmental choices. These products utilize the power of nature to create beauty and they work wonderfully with all hair textures.

Catherine Peters Salon: The Art of Hair | 877 Fourth Street San Rafael, CA 94901 | www.catherinepeterssalon.com

Catherine Peters Salon: The Art of Hair Hair design with an artistic touch.

trendsetters

David Peters

Angela DeSalvo Transformational Soul Work

Leave unconscious behavior and habitual anxiety behind in 2023.

How are you disrupting your industry?

I view myself as a disruptor of unconscious behavior and habitual anxiety rather than a disruptor of the industry. I disrupt conditioned ways of thinking and the familiar, false stories that people tell themselves. I disrupt a person’s limiting beliefs, learned behaviors and coping mechanisms. I offer a perspective that disrupts survival mode and I create opportunities for a person to find themself anew.

How do you connect with your clientele?

As an Intuitive Life Coach, I work with people who struggle to put themselves first and accomplish what it is that makes them feel proud of themselves.

Transformational Soul Work | angela@angeladesalvo.net www.angeladesalvo.net | /@angelacdesalvo /transformationalsoulwork

Janie Escamilla

Moonstone Skin & Body Care

A natural and organic approach to skin care.

What is it about you that makes you a trendsetter?

Initially, I introduced Novato to organic skin care and facial treatments. As time progressed, clients kept coming back asking for alternative ways to age gracefully without the use of harsh chemicals and were looking for an alternative to Botox, facial fillers and cosmetic surgery. During the pandemic closure of my business, I took advanced esthetics classes and learned the benefits of microcurrent and nanofusion technology to help my clients age gracefully using an organic holistic approach.

What sets you apart in your industry?

I offer an advanced holistic approach to skin care using traditional modalities like gua sha and kansa as well as integrating microcurrent and nanofusion skin care to help your body boost its own natural rebuilding of collagen and elastin within the skin.

Moonstone Skin & Body Care | janie@moonstoneskincare.com www.moonstoneskincare.com | 1129 First Street, Novato, CA 94945 /@moonstoneskincare | 415.898.0426

trendsetters

Dolores “Dee” Coleman

Dee’s Organic

Eat healthy and well with this organic food provider.

What sets your approach to clients apart?

We are fortunate enough to have a wide age range of clients, from our school lunch recipients to guest of our larger catered events. We always strive for the best and locally sourced ingredients. The same is true for our youngest clients — theirs is a farm-to–lunch-box approach. By sourcing from our local collegiate organic garden, we are able to pick the best and freshest ingredients, at the best times.

What are you doing to stay connected to the community?

Outside of using our local collegiate organic farm, we serve a large portion of several districts’ school lunches. We learn the most from our younger clients, and they truly keep us connected to the community.

Dee’s Organic | 1800 Ignacio Boulevard, Bldg. 18, Novato, CA 94949 415.312.0790 | info@deesorganic.com | www.deesorganic.com

/@deesorganics | /deesorganiccateringllc

Doug Coomer

North Bay Candleworks

Unique candles for Marin County and beyond.

What makes you or your team trendsetters?

Our team is innovative and always looking for new and better ways to improve our products. We immerse ourselves and get constant feedback through artisan craft fairs and farmers markets, which can lead to new products.

Describe how you use innovation to stay ahead of the pack. What sets us apart from the pack I believe is our outstanding customer service and individual product development. We stay connected with the local community through attending farmers markets and local artisan fairs.

What new product or gift sets you apart?

We are now incorporating custom engraving into some of our candle vessels, some which allow the light to pass through.

North Bay Candleworks | 757 Lincoln Avenue, Ste. 19, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 615.540.9331 | www.northbaycandleworks.com /@northbay_candleworks

trendsetters

and defining your identity is our passion. What your business needs is an aggressive marketing plan to separate you from the competition. Now is the time to put your plan in place. We can help. Communicating and delivering your strategic message is the difference between winking in the dark and actively wooing customers to your business. Let us develop a full creative and marketing strategy for your business.

About

going places.

Full Speed Ahead

A game-changing new Mercedes EV, a must-visit wellness retreat in SoCal and a Mill Valley resident making a difference on a global scale.

Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC

Live

Courtesy

Sounds of Silence

This all-electric Mercedes-Benz puts road and car noise in the rearview mirror.

By Nick Czap

WHEN IT COMES TO AUTOMOBILES, there’s a place for sound and fury, from the pulse-quickening cry of a Porsche flat six to the mad harmonics of a Ferrari V12. But silence has its delights as well. For sometimes one needs a respite and few automobiles deliver a flavor of silence as delectable as that of the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC.

The EQS’s whisper-quiet ride derives in large part from its all-electric drivetrain and also from an incredibly sleek, aerodynamic body that virtually eliminates wind noise, as well as strategically situated acoustic foam and optional acoustic glass that dramatically reduce the racket from the road and the surrounding environment. The EQS’s ride is not just silent, but seductively smooth, thanks to a standard AIRMATIC air suspension whose adaptive dampers ensure that even if a single tire encounters a bump, the vibration is not transmitted to the interior.

But what will you make of all this tranquility? Do you prefer the quiet company of your own thoughts? Or with a quick “Hey, Mercedes,” will you summon one of the EQS’s Energizing Nature sound schemes, whether Summer Rain, Forest Glade or Sounds of the Sea, all created in collaboration with the acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton? Or might you dial up your favorite satellite station on the Burmester surround sound system whose sparkling treble, bold midrange and luscious bass rival those of the highest-end home hi-fi?

While you’re cruising in auditory bliss, wrapped in the embrace of a Nappa leather-clad multicontour seat, which of the 10 massage programs might you dial up? Deep Waves, perhaps, in which wavelike movements in the cushion promote blood flow and metabolic processes in the lower back and legs? Or Hot Relaxing Back, a program based on the hot stone principle, which massages the back while applying heat to a series of pressure points? Or Mobilizing Massage, whose upward-moving waves improve the supply of oxygen to your cells by promoting deep, slow breathing?

With every breath, keep in mind that the air in the EQS’s cabin is scrupulously pure, scrubbed free of fine dust, microparticles, pollen, viruses and bacteria by Energizing Air Control Plus, a filtration system so sophisticated that it achieves a level of pollutant reduction comparable to that of clean rooms and operating rooms.

Or if olfactory ambiance is your thing, simply activate the EQS’s fragrance function with a few taps of the MBUX Hyperscreen — a stunning expanse of aluminum silicate glass that stretches from A-pillar to A-pillar — and an atomizer concealed in the glove box perfumes the cabin with a fragrance called No.6 MOOD Linen, a bespoke blend of floral, citric and musky notes around a heart of fig and linen. The effect is at once calming and revivifying, much like that of the EQS itself, a uniquely forward-looking automobile designed as much for the journey from here to there as it is for the journey within.

80 january/february 2023 marin living.

Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Interior of the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC

A Guide to Growth

An innovative wellness brand’s one-of-a-kind desert retreat helps guests make meaningful change.

By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti

82 january/february 2023 marin living.

voyager.

Chris Simpson

AS I PASSED THROUGH THE TALL WOODEN GATE of Sensei Porcupine Creek (from $1,415 per night single occupancy with a two-night minimum, www.sensei.com), a new wellness retreat at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains in Rancho Mirage near Palm Springs, a man waiting at the entryway encouraged me to roll down my window and “breathe in the sights and sounds” as I made my way up to the resort’s Estate House. The babbling sound of water, the fresh plumeria-perfumed air and lush green landscape — an emerald green golf course peeked out from behind 40-foot-tall date palms and floss silk trees with hibiscus-like pink flowers — immediately put me at ease.

I had come to Sensei Porcupine Creek in search of a more mindful health and fitness routine. My busy life had made workouts sporadic, and I yearned to be active like I once was. Sensei seemed like the right place to begin making changes. It was created by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and Dr. David Agus, a leading physician and scientist who makes frequent appearances as a contributor on CBS News. The loss of a close friend brought the two men together on a path to form an evidence-based wellness brand that might truly help people live longer and healthier lives. Sensei Porcupine Creek general manager Julie Oliff, who worked for several luxury hospitality companies before Sensei, confessed to me that she pursued the brand persistently before getting hired. “I was looking for something with a higher calling. That’s what we do, ‘luxury with a mission,’ ” she says.

Sensei Porcupine Creek opened on Ellison’s former private estate, a 230-acre property with an almost mythical reputation, in November. Hikers could see what certainly appeared to be a mirage planted with more than 4,000 palm trees from the popular Santa Rosa Mountain trails above, but never enter. It was inviteonly, and tennis players like Rafael Nadal have played on the clay and hard courts built to match nearby Indian Wells Tennis Garden’s professional courts, and presidents have reportedly played on the stunning 18-hole golf course. Palm trees — there are more than 30 varieties at Porcupine Creek

— that are past their prime are simply moved but never discarded, and the golf course has more blades of grass per square inch then Augusta. “I went to University of St Andrew’s in Scotland, and that’s the holy grail of golf, but this golf course has a soul,” says Oliff.

Sensei Porcupine Creek offers retreat packages ranging from two-night stays to longer five-night Optimal Wellbeing Retreats and 30-day long sabbaticals. More in-depth experiences begin with a My Intention session where a Sensei Guide discusses a guest’s well-being goals and collects baseline markers like blood pressure and body composition and does a functional movement screen. My guide, Nick, an upbeat physical therapist certified in strength training and conditioning whose smile seemed to begin at the corners of his eyes, explained the Sensei philosophy of Move, Nourish and Rest are the three key pathways to establishing a healthy lifestyle. With a large graphic showcasing the paths on a screen, he described how one can have a “domino effect” on the others in both good and bad ways. He asked if there was one that was more of a catalyst for me, and I struggled to answer. I landed on “Rest” as being the most important, explaining that if I didn’t get enough sleep, I could be more sluggish and prone to eating poorly and skipping workouts.

While I’m not a morning person, I woke up the next morning at 6 to join Nick for a hike. We started by doing some basic movement like flexing and circling ankles, a step I nearly always skip. We trekked up a steep trail to a

marin living.

Sensei Porcupine Creek’s inviting pool

lookout point where we could take in views of the Coachella Valley before heading back down. I felt energized at breakfast; the smooth cup of coffee and bright avocado toast with fluffy egg whites sprinkled with za’atar seemed a worthy reward for my early morning efforts. In the afternoon I did a rigorous vinyasa flow class in a light-filled yoga pavilion next to the swimming pool, but the yoga instructor told me even short yoga and meditation sessions several times a week would help me establish a meaningful practice. After an omakasestyle dinner at the Sushi Bar — Sensei’s menus are a collaboration between Dr. Agus and chef Nobu Matsuhisa, whose celebrity-beloved brand is known for blending Japanese and Peruvian cuisine — my eyes fluttered into sleep around 9 p.m., and I slept soundly and deeply.

The next day I had a VO2 Max assessment with Nick to evaluate my heart rate baseline and maximum, which I hoped would help me understand my fitness level and ways to improve. I wore a heart rate monitor and breathing apparatus hooked up to a high-tech Cardio Coach device and ran on a treadmill until I reached

84 january/february 2023 marin living.

my anaerobic threshold — the highest sustained intensity of exercise for which oxygen uptake accounts for the entire energy requirement. I went from a brisk walk to sprinting and was breathing heavily when I reach my threshold at around six minutes. My results showed that my body used oxygen efficiently and was able to quickly recover. Nick explained, “Once your body has been there, it doesn’t have to work so hard to get back.”

Sensei Porcupine Creek is the first retreat to be fully operated by Sensei. It’s more intimate than Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, Agus and Ellison’s first retreat, which opened on the Hawaiian island in 2019 with just 22 accommodations including guest rooms, casitas and villas. Low-slung buildings feel vaguely Tuscan on the exterior (terra-cotta tile roofs and stone walls), but more contemporary in the interior with high ceilings, hardwood floors and neutral cream and ivory textiles and furnishings.

While the Sensei Way is effective, it isn’t extreme or trendy. There is no green juice on the menu (Sensei experts say research shows juicing strips out

vital fruit and vegetable fibers). Menus can be customized but there isn’t a strict detoxing focus. “Everything in moderation” seems to be the Sensei motto and its superpower.

During my retreat there were many opportunities for nourishment, from the light-yet-flavorful meals (melt-inyour-mouth toro carpaccio with capers and rib-eye sliders with Maui onions and honey truffle aioli were a few highlights) as well as mindfulness sessions like a sunset open-air meditation and rejuvenating spa treatments. During a gua sha facial a therapist rhythmically massaged my face with a cool rose quartz tool used to drain my lymphatic system and lift skin. The sublime Calming Body Cocoon began with dry brushing. Then my therapist massaged sweet and earthy scented melted sandalwood wax into my skin. While wrapped in blankets and towels with a soft heating pad on my stomach, I slipped into a deep state of relaxation. The thought-provoking art on the property also feeds the soul, including Robert Indiana’s “ONE through ZERO,” composed of 10 brightly colored six-foot-tall numbers representing the stages of life — the work’s intent is to encourage guests to ponder and enjoy every stage.

During my final session, Nick asked me if I had a better sense for which pathway was my first domino and I said without hesitating, “Move.” It was clear that movement was essential in helping me establish healthier habits in all areas. It helped me sleep and eat better. The retreat had helped change my perception of what a workout could look like, and I realized more consistent but moderate movement — stretching for 10 minutes in the morning or a 30-minute jog at a moderate pace — were healthy and attainable goals for me to set.

When I got home, I enjoyed the weekend with my family, but also made an appointment to do a Sunday morning Pilates class, something I would have easily put off in the past. After class my mind felt clearer and my mood was elevated. I knew I had what I needed to tackle the busy day ahead.

Noah Webb (this page); Chris Simpson (opposite)

One of the resort’s villas

art credit

An aerial view of the property

Fri 1/20

Thu 1/12

Fri 1/27

Mines to Vines

San Rafael’s Heidi Kuhn has deep roots in Marin County and is now celebrating her 25th year as the founder and CEO of Roots of Peace, an organization dedicated to removing the world’s land mines one at a time.

By Daniel Jewett

HEIDI KUHN, DONNING A HELMET and flak jacket, was standing in the once prolific vineyards of Azerbaijan, a part of the former Soviet Union, when she pushed the button and watched the dynamite destroy a land mine 100 yards away.

“It’s such a bittersweet moment when you hear that boom because you’re elated that you got one out and then, after your heart settles from the pounding, you realize there’s hundreds of thousands more,” Kuhn says.

So how did a Marin mom find herself on a mission to destroy as many of the world’s 60 million land mines as she could? It started in 1868 when her great-great-grandfather, Capt. John Augustus McNear (the namesake of McNears Beach), purchased 2,500 acres of land in San Rafael and later invited persecuted Chinese families to live on part of it now known as China Camp.

“The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 became law and they were really sending the people back to China in a very aggressive way. Capt. McNear stood strong and stood by the Chinese,” Kuhn says, adding that the people of the camp dried locally caught shrimp and exported some 3 million of them back to China annually. “And that message of respecting the land and its people was really always passed down through the generations in my family.”

When Kuhn and her soon-to-be husband, Gary, met at UC Berkeley in the 1970s and heard about land mines, they saw them as a violation of the earth and decided to do something about it. “So I set out on a quest 25 years ago to turn mines to vines, replacing the scourge of land mines with bountiful vineyards and orchards worldwide,” she says of the organization she started in her basement.

Since then, Roots of Peace (www.rootsofpeace.org) has grown to more than 500 employees and has removed hundreds of thousands of land mines in countries like Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Croatia, Iraq, Israel, Palestine and Vietnam and replaced them with crops that have generated some $350 million in exported produce that directly benefit the more than 1 million families and farmers who live in those countries.

88 january/february 2023 marin living.

“We are healing the wounds of war by planting the roots of peace on earth and once the land mines are out, we’re empowering farmers on former war-torn lands,” Kuhn says. “We train them to grow high-value crops.”

The effects of these programs have been especially felt in Afghanistan, where the population is 80 percent dependent on agriculture but the land has more mines that anywhere else in the world. Over the last 20 years, Roots of Peace has planted more than 6 million fruit trees in all of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces and been a driving force in Afghanistan’s increase in agricultural exports in the last decade — from $250 million in 2014 to over $1.4 billion in 2020.

Before the Taliban takeover of the country in 2021, there were 250 organizations working in Afghanistan; now only 10 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) remain, and Roots of Peace is one of them. The importance of her work was once again evident when Taliban representatives approached her and her husband in Turkey and said they wanted to speak to the leader of this woman-run organization.

“We had a sick feeling in the pit of our stomach, not knowing whether they would attack,” Kuhn says. “They looked me in the eye and said, ‘Mrs. Kuhn we don’t look at you as a woman. We look at you as a mother who’s feeding our children, and you have full permission to work in our country.’ ”

Courtesy of Heidi Kuhn

drawn together.

Heidi Kuhn

JANUARY 19-22, 2023

FORT MASON CENTER fogfair.com

January 18, 2023

Preview Gala Benefiting the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Altman Siegel, San Francisco, CA

Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York, NY /

Casemore Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Anthony Meier, Mill Valley, CA

Berggruen Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Crown Point Press, San Francisco, CA

David Zwirner, New York, NY

Demisch Danant, New York, NY

Fergus McCa rey, New York, NY

Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Galerie Chantal Crousel, Paris, France Gallery FUMI, London, UK

Gladstone Gallery, New York, NY

Haines Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Hauser & Wirth, Los Angeles, CA

Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Hostler Burrows, New York, NY

James Cohan, New York, NY

Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Jessica Silverman, San Francisco, CA

KARMA, New York, NY

kurimanzutto, Mexico City, Mexico

Lebreton, Monte Carlo, MC

Lehmann Maupin, New York, NY

Luhring Augustine, New York, NY

Magen H Gallery, New York, NY

Marc Selwyn Fine Art, Los Angeles, CA / gió Marconi gallery, Milan, Italy

Marian Goodman Gallery, New York, NY

Matthew Marks Gallery, New York, NY

Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, New York, NY

Micki Meng, San Francisco, CA

Modern Art, London, UK

Nathalie Karg Gallery, New York, NY

Night Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

Nilufar Gallery, Milan, Italy

Pace Gallery, New York, NY

pt.2 Gallery, Oakland, CA

R & Company, New York, NY

Ratio 3, San Francisco, CA /

Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles, CA

Rebecca Camacho Presents, San Francisco, CA

Salon 94 Design, New York, NY

Sarah Myerscough Gallery, London, UK

Sprüth Magers, New York, NY

Talwar Gallery, New York, NY

Tina Kim Gallery, New York, NY

Volume Gallery, Chicago, IL

BE A WINEMAKER FOR A DAY

The Barrel Blending Experience ® at Conn Creek is an opportunity to explore, taste, and blend Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy a guided tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon from distinctly different areas of this famed wine region. After learning blending techniques and strategies, you’ll experience what it’s like to be a winemaker and craft your own custom blend to bottle and take home.

Reservations are available Thursday through Monday at 10:30am and 2:00pm