THE
sip & savor
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artisans, winemakers, brewers, distillers, bakers, growers and purveyors galore.
A Local Expert with Global Reach
© 2021 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. The Sotheby’s International Realty trademark is licensed and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. The Sotheby’s International Realty network fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty. *Ranking source: BrokerMetrics via BAREIS, #1 individual agent based on total number of Marin County transactions, 1/1/2018-12/31/2020. Sales volume figures via BAREIS MLS.| Nicholas Svenson DRE: 01918616
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Make five19 | brandstudio your in-house marketing department Creating 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 Us We are a group of talented creative and marketing professionals who have turned decades of experience into a new Marin County media company. five19 publishing includes Marin Living magazine and five19 brandstudio. Contact Jessica Cline at 707.302.0850 or jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com to get started.
M O U N TA I N S TO M A R I N A S , MARIN IS OUR HOME
BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP is comprised of professionals specializing in negotiation, marketing, construction, design, law, and hospitality. Our diverse backgrounds enable us to focus on each aspect of the process, creating a detailoriented experience for our clients. Negotiation is the most valuable tool we bring to the table. Ever y aspect of our process has been tailored to provide our clients the best possible price and terms for their sale or purchase.
B O W M A N R E A L E S TAT E G R O U P. C O M
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MARIN MATTERS
Providing Marin families more of what they want
S P R E A D O U T I N TA M VA L L E Y
9 2 7
V E N T U R A
W A Y
M I L L V A L L E Y | 927VENTURA.COM Imagine yourself living and working in this beautiful, bright 4 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom Tam Valley gem on a large corner lot. Over 2,600 sf of indoor space, multiple decks to enjoy the outdoors, soaring ceilings, tree top views, expansive principal bedroom suite with fireplace, tray ceilings, separate soaking tub and shower, and a huge walk-in closet. Enjoy cooking in the custom kitchen with a Wolf cook top, Miele oven, and Bosch microwave. The laundry room is immense, the three additional bedrooms are generously sized, and the 2-car garage is large enough to be comfortably functional.
BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP | 415.755.1040 BowmanGroup@VanguardProperties.com DRE# 01933147
PROMOTION
Homes Built for the Future Find community and a sustainable and attainable lifestyle in the heart of wine country. Round Barn by City Ventures, a new community of solar-powered townhomes for sale in Santa Rosa’s desirable Fountaingrove neighborhood, is surrounded by natural beauty. Combining farmhouse architecture with modern amenities, Round Barn plants homeowners in serene Sonoma County next to many places of employment, verdant vineyards and rolling hills, but with convenient access to downtown Santa Rosa.
Attainable
Unlike its pricey metropolitan neighbors, the Santa Rosa area is an affordable place to live. At communities like Round Barn by City Ventures, home buyers can find four-bedroom townhomes with amenities like a pool, trails, great schools and views of the surrounding hills for prices from the low $600,000s, making living here a very attractive alternative for young people, retirees and even those wanting a second home in wine country.
Sustainable
City Ventures Green homes are some of the most energy efficient on the market, and there is no extra fee to achieve low energy use. Round Barn townhomes have NEST Thermostats, ENERGY STAR Appliances and are pre-plumbed for ALL-ELECTRIC car charging. Residents with a green thumb will have access to a garden area. These homes are built for the future.
Communal
Round Barn is not just a home base, it’s a vibrant community with an outdoor space for guests to relax and spend time with friends. Nearby downtown Santa Rosa is undergoing a renaissance with the galleries and shops on Fourth Street, the coffeehouses and art galleries of South of A Street (SOFA) district and the antique shops and historic buildings of Old Town. Surround yourself with natural beauty and a communal feel in Santa Rosa.
www.LoveLiveSantaRosa.com | 707.657.3353
PROMOTION
Jessica Cline
Casey Gillespie
CEO jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.302.0850
Creative Director casey@marinlivingmagazine.com
Dina Grant
Daniel Jewett
Advertising Director dina@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.238.2030
ADVERTISING
Wine Country Advertising Consultant Chet Klingensmith chet@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.216.1780 Hawaii Region Advertising Consultant Meredith Low meredith@marinlivingmagazine.com 808.388.2644
Executive Editor dan@marinlivingmagazine.com
EDITORIAL
Contributing Designers Kelly Badal, Zoe Ekonomou, David Sebo, Maggie Walkoff, Sarah Weisman Contributing Writers Wendy Bowman, Keri Bridgwater, Christian Douglas Contributing Photographers Justin Buell, Brent Ferguson, Reny Huelskamp, Nick Katkov
Advertising Consultant Kim McGinnis kim@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.559.8598
Contributing Illustrator Tiffany Dang
Advertising Consultant Courtney Roberts courtney@marinlivingmagazine.com 415.297.4507
Interns Julia Apffel, Natalie Baron, Brent Ferguson, Sydney Segal Copy Editor Cynthia Rubin
Client Services Manager Casey Hatfield-Chiotti chatfield@marinlivingmagazine.com 415.569.7240
Subscriptions Customer Service 818.287.2940 mlmcs@magserv.com To subscribe, manage your subscription or change your address: marinlivingmagazine.com/subscriptions
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Editorial or Press Inquiries casey@marinlivingmagazine.com, dan@marinlivingmagazine.com
Volume 2, Issue 2. Marin Living magazine is published in Marin County by Five19Publishing Inc., Mill Valley, CA 94941. All rights reserved. Copyright ©2021. Reproduction of Marin Living is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Five19Publishing Inc. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned. Marin Living is mailed 10 times a year to homes and businesses in Marin County and San Francisco. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Marin Living magazine, PO Box 16895, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6895.
www.marinlivingmagazine.com
table of contents. march 2021
68 spotlight marin. 18 news.
Big waves and little bees, restored marshes and wine adventures, safety apps and more.
24 local splurges.
Local products that your best furry friends will love.
26 eat & drink.
How the Agricultural Institute of Marin supports a healthy and thriving county. 10 march 2021 marin living.
going places. 68 voyager.
Life on the farm at Sonoma’s SingleThread Inn and Restaurant.
74 land & sea. 32 beauty.
How you can incorporate the benefits of CBD into your daily routine.
34 local getaways.
Take the ferry to Alameda for a day of finely-crafted spirits, wine and beer.
38 take note.
See the art of Vincent Van Gogh like you never have before at this new San Francisco experience.
A Marin musician makes the ultimate pandemic pivot.
76 new digs.
Now is the time to plant perennials for your next edible harvest.
80 drawn together.
Meet the dynamic Kate Colin, San Rafael’s first female mayor.
from the team.
14 from the ceo. 16 from the creative director.
Clockwise from left: Jamie L. Luoto; courtesy of Hangar 1 Distillery; SingleThread. Opposite: Nick Katkov
34
24
Flooring Design Center • Carpet | Area Rugs | Hardwood | Laminate 555 E. Francisco Blvd, San Rafael • www.city-carpets.com • 415-454-4200 •
CSL #746886
features.
40
Uncorked How the wine industry is using scholarships, mentorships and education programs to become more inclusive.
44
Pioneering Women Meet three local female entrepreneurs who have not just broken through the glass ceiling, they’ve smashed it.
48
For the Love of Food The bakers, artisans, purveyors and producers who make Marin and the rest of the Bay Area a foodie destination.
On the Cover and Left San Anselmo’s own Baked Blooms’ cupcakes photographed by Nick Katkov.
12 march 2021 marin living.
Private bath with spa shower High-tech, adjustable birthing bed
Foldout couch for partner/coach and seating area for visitors
Warming table
We dreamed of the perfect maternity suite — and we delivered. NOW OPEN! As Marin’s only hospital-based labor and delivery program, we are thrilled to be welcoming parents-to-be in our luxurious maternity suites in the new Oak Pavilion at MarinHealth Medical Center. Our 15 spacious labor, ®
delivery, recovery, and postpartum (LDRP) rooms are well appointed and comfortable for your entire stay. In addition to the special features above, each room has a labor tub, refrigerator, TV, and rocking chair. Our nurses are experts in all stages of birth, and each delivery is attended by a highly trained NICU nurse who can assess your baby and help provide intervention if needed. While our cesarean rate is exceptionally low, our unit has two dedicated operating rooms with surgical teams always at the
State-of-the-art, 7-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
ready. Our new NICU has six private rooms, plus one room for twins. Each features the most advanced technologies, and UCSF Health neonatal experts are available 24/7. So if you’re expecting, you can count on the care and comfort you deserve at the North Bay’s Healing Place.
Take a virtual tour at www.MyMarinHealth.org/Maternity “MarinHealth ” and the MarinHealth logo are registered servicemarks of Marin General Hospital and used by its affiliates pursuant to licensing arrangements. ®
®
Connect with us
©2020 Tim Griffith. All rights reserved.
Huge windows provide natural light
WE’VE BEEN BUSY AT FIVE19 | PUBLISHING: we’ve added seasoned sales consultants, a brilliant client services manager, several talented designers, more witty writers, launched our five19 | brandstudio, and drum roll please ... we are now publishing Marin Living monthly. Our business is going strong and growing every day. Our brand studio has been a part of our vision from the very beginning. Our collective skill sets and our talents are perfectly aligned to help business owners articulate their brand identities. five19 | publishing is a culmination of many years of working in media and marketing and learning what works and what doesn’t. We have a unique approach to our business because we are genuinely passionate about how our clients’ brands resonate with readers. We don’t just design and sell advertising space, we create campaigns that include creative and marketing strategies that are thoughtfully mapped out. Entrepreneur Richard Branson said, “Every
One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again. – Abraham Maslow 14 march 2021 marin living.
successstory is a tale of constant adaptation, revision and change.” In this era of uncertainty, it’s important to retool, rework and update your current brand strategy. We can help. As many of us are still living and working at home, and with spring upon us, it’s the perfect time to think about a refresh of your indoor-outdoor space. Working in an actual office seems like a thing of the past. Creating an environment for living and working at home takes some serious planning andeffort. Explore our Inside and Out advertorial feature on page 56 and gather inspiration from local experts who offer you creative solutions in architecture, home design and decor, photography and indoor-outdoor furniture. The world is starting to awaken from a long winter slumber. I’m deeply inspired by the ladies in our “Pioneering Women” feature this month who arechanging the game in coffee, water and cooking — check out their stories on page 44. Marinites are more ready than ever to discover new looks, experiences, and beginnings, and so are we. We are deeply committed to showcasing the people and businesses that make Marin the most beautiful and interesting place in the Bay Area. As for me, I’m really looking forward to cocktails at the Silver Peso, join me?
Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder
Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Sushiman/adobe.stock.com
from the ceo.
Real Estate Done Differently Aviva Kamler’s deep Bay Area roots and extensive reach equals homeowner happiness.
AVIVA KAMLER www.avivakamler.com Aviva.Kamler@sothebys.realty 415.717.1056 DRE#: 02076186
Q avkamler
from the creative director.
Folktable’s executive sous chef and Wine Unify scholarship recipient Melanie Wilkerson
Long before I moved to Marin, I knew I wanted to live in
Over the last year, we have all become home chefs and how spoiled we are to have so many delicious, local ingredients to choose from. This issue is all about celebrating the people who put their hearts and souls into producing these products. I don’t know about you, but I am finally starting to feel optimistic about restaurants and cafes reopening and the prospect of having a glass of rosé outdoors with friends this summer. But one thing is for sure — all these brands I have discovered during the pandemic are becoming pantry (and gifting) mainstays. We have found so much joy in getting to know the people behind these food and drink companies, and not least of all the three female founders and CEOs in our “Pioneering Women” feature. They truly are an inspiration. As is Kate Colin, the newly elected — and first female — mayor of San Rafael. We photographed her on inauguration day and the significance of her being the first woman to hold this position while our very first female vice president was being sworn into office was something special. So much goes into putting an issue together, but finally getting out and meeting a few of the people we are featuring feels so good. At the end of January, on a very rainy day, I drove to Sonoma to meet and photograph Melanie Wilkerson, the recipient of a Wine Unify scholarship and executive sous 16 march 2021 marin living.
chef at Folktable in Sonoma. She shed so much light on the fight for equality in not only the wine industry but in the pursuit of education. When I asked how she thinks we can move forward as a society and become more inclusive, she said that it all starts with having conversations like this. It was such a beautiful moment, and one I won’t soon forget. Read all about Wilkerson and the positive steps the wine industry is taking in “Uncorked.” A magazine should be a collaboration of creativity and talents, a reflection of not just our ideas and words, but our ideas enhanced by teaming up with others and creating something bigger and better. And this issue reflects that. We have grown so much since our last issue and it’s just a preview of things to come, that I promise. Warmly,
Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder
Justin Buell (top); Becca Teal Batista (bottom)
the Bay Area. There has always been a magnetic draw to living in a place where farms and farmers markets are abundant; where there are so many artisans and purveyors close by that enjoying locally grown and produced food and wine is a given. What I didn’t know back then was that there was going to be such an abundance of companies offering everything from the best cheeses in the country to delicious fermented foods to distilleries, and literally everything in between.
How to Take the Leap to Love Innovative Match founder Cassie Zampa-Keim says it’s time to commit to a new dating approach this spring.
How can your clients implement smart dating? To “date smart” you need to be an active participant in your own dating life from day one. It means putting in the effort to complete your dating profile when you register with my agency, which clarifies to me who and what you’re looking for in a partner. More important, it helps you clarify this for yourself. You also need to be open to meeting someone and, when there’s a spark, see it through by staying engaged with texts, calls, Zoom and in-person dates.
How can you help clients create the perfect dating profile? The best dating profiles come about when my clients provide me with lots of details about their life and goals, even if they think they sound boring. Trust me, they will care! I take those details and weave together a unique dating profile that tells a story — your story. By their nature, my dating profiles are self-selecting. In other words, they draw in only the most compatible dating prospects who want to meet the specific person in the profile (you), not just another match who likes nice walks along the beach at sunset.
Why is it important to envision what you want before you start? The world has a lot of people in it. Not everyone has the same values, beliefs, relationship goals or habits, some of which can become deal breakers. It’s why I tell my clients to think about what and who (in an abstract way) they would want in their lives and for what purpose. Casual dating? A life partner? Marriage? And then who they wouldn’t. Next, I tell them to keep an open mind about everyone they meet in between. Those are the real prospects.
Why is it important for clients to let go of past relationships? When you date, you should have a clear head. If you’re busy thinking about an ex (good or bad), you won’t be open to the person in front of you or be able to spot the positives and negatives about them.
Innovative Match, Ross I 415.259.8714 I www.innovative -match .com
“There was a moment when I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m making this wave.’ I kind of knew at that point — hey this is it; this is what I’ve been waiting for my whole 30 years of surfing out here. It was a very pinnacle moment.”
Photograph by Audrey Lambidakis 18 march 2021 marin living.
art credit
—PETER MEL
art credit
spotlight marin.
marin living.
march 2021 19
news.
Birds & the Bees
WHILE THE MAVERICKS competition is a thing of the past, that doesn’t mean that big wave surfers don’t still go out to Pillar Point near Half Moon Bay every winter to try their luck riding some of the biggest and most dangerous waves in the world. And January, with an amazing two-week stretch of big waves being produced every day, was no exception. “This year was exceptional, pretty much the best year we’ve ever seen,” says 51-year-old surfer and Santa Cruz surf shop owner Peter Mel, who many say caught the wave of the decade on January 8 when he paddled under his own power into a monster with a 45- to 50-foot drop, found the perfect position and made it out the other side. “The elation comes at the end, the act is kind of a blur in a way, the reality is I’m so hyper focused on riding a wave that I don’t have any feeling, it all comes in a flush at the end when you either make it or you don’t.” —Daniel Jewett
20 march 2021 marin living.
Alyssa Mulligan (left); Leandro Fregoni (right)
Surf’s Way Up
Great news for the less-traditional-pet owners out there: Novato is ready to lift its ban on backyard beekeeping and chicken raising. The city council plans to conduct a community survey first and consider various regulatory options but aims, above all, to keep the new rules simple. Rather than requiring permits, the council has expressed its desire to regulate chickens and hives based on standards like property size. To avoid hiring a full-time inspector, enforcement will likely be based on response to complaints. We couldn’t bee happier. —Sydney Segal
news.
Wine and Then Some
Courtesy of: Obsidian Wine Co.; Zonehaven
Spring is finally here, and it’s the perfect time to add a little adventure to your wine tasting. Sonoma-based Obsidian Wine Co. (www.obsidianwineco.com) is kicking off its new outdoor Adventures on March 17 with an Oyster Harvest experience. Obsidian has long partnered with Hog Island Oyster Co. and on this outing participants will explore how the two beloved local companies found common ground (wine and oysters are a match made in heaven, after all) as well as the sustainability and ecological impact both purveyors have. Other upcoming adventures include Hike a Volcano (May), Summer Harvest (July), Schooner Sail on the Bay (July) and more. Prices start at $125 per person, check website for more details. —Casey Gillespie
In the Zone Charlie Crocker, CEO of Zonehaven Inc. (www.zonehaven. com), explains how a new emergency evacuation app will integrate into Marin’s emergency alert systems and give locals a more accurate picture of potential dangers. —C.G.
How is Zonehaven different than the emergency systems we have been using in Marin? Zonehaven is the first omni-hazard public safety platform focused on evacuation management, from start to finish. The platform will integrate with existing notification and incident command tools. Zonehaven provides the connective tissue between agencies and the community. We are becoming the regional evacuation management platform for the Bay Area, providing first responders with a consistent approach to evacuation planning and management. Additionally, Marin has had evacuation zones established for wildfires and flooding, but the zones do not cover the entire county. The county’s existing system is static and does not maintain any preestablished traffic management plans. Zonehaven is dynamic and will better meet the planning and live incident needs for actual evacuations.
What are some of the new benefits that we will experience with this technology? Marin will have a single, authoritative source for evacuation information and notifications. In addition, public safety agencies and residents will be able to respond more quickly to evacuation orders. Disasters do not follow jurisdictional boundaries, so having a common regional approach will reduce miscommunication and provide for intelligent mutual aid. How can residents find out more about Zonehaven as we get closer to fire season? The county is finalizing the evacuation zones and hyper-local evacuation plans. Once this is complete, Zonehaven will provide support for a countywide “Know Your Zone” campaign. We want to drive awareness of the project and get the community to find their zone, understand their unique situation and build a personal plan. marin living.
march 2021 21
news.
Restored Marshland A RECENT MARSHLAND RESTORATION PROJECT located just north of The Village at Corte Madera shopping mall revived four acres of tidal marsh, with an additional 10 acres being seeded with native vegetation. The project, completed by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District as a mitigation measure for the dredging of the Larkspur Ferry Terminal in the late 1980s and for running high-speed ferry boats beginning in 1996, included the planting of 17,000 plants and the installation of 25-foot-wide, quarter-mile-long public pathway, benches, trash receptacles and signage (interpretive signs will also eventually be added). The Marin Audubon Society (www.marinaudubon.org), which finished a similar project to the north about three years ago, is happy to see additional restoration of these historic marshland areas, many of which were devastated in the mid-19th century. “These marshlands are habitat for wildlife, like the endangered Ridgeway’s rail, they stabilize shorelines, which is really important these days with sea level rise, and the plants absorb pollutants and release clean air,” says society president Barbara Salzman. “They do a lot of beneficial things for everybody.” —Daniel Jewett 22 march 2021 marin living.
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect children across the county, but perhaps none so much as local foster youth. Imagine being pulled out of your home and sent to a new county, a new school, even a new area of the state. That’s the reality that about 40 percent of Marin’s foster kids — there are usually about 80 kids in care — face now. The pandemic has exacerbated an already difficult situation, according to Bree Marchman, division director of Marin County Children and Family Services (www.foster. marinhhs.org). Reduced interest in taking in foster youth has enlarged the deficit of available homes, forcing social workers to place kids outside the county. The most pressing need is for “resource families” able to take foster youth into their homes. And before you count yourself out of consideration, know that the foster program is interested in all kinds of people: single, married, straight, queer, first-time parents, families with kids, homeowners and renters. “We have resource families of every type and shape and size,” Marchman explains. Coaching, supplies and community support are all available when you volunteer. —Julia Apffel
Casey Gillespie
Foster Youth Need You
news.
Courtsy of NewTree Ranch
Let’s Get Growing
If you are planning a visit to Healdsburg’s NewTree Ranch (www.newtreeranch.com), you won’t want to miss its Immersive Plantbased Cooking School. By taking part in the cooking class, guests staying at the luxury retreat can learn more about Chef Matteo Silverman’s seed-to-table philosophy and learn firsthand from the farming team about growing, harvesting and cooking with plants as well as garnering an appreciation for the relationship between biodynamic farming, sustainability and health. And, of course, you’ll pick up a few new cooking skills along the way. Sounds like a perfect date night if you ask us. —Casey Gillespie marin living.
march 2021 23
local splurges.
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The Pet Set Spoil your BFFs (best furry friends) with items you both will love. By Casey Gillespie 1. Whether your pup has digestion issues or you want to ensure he stays in tip-top health, a daily probiotic is likely just what the veterinarian ordered. JustFoodForDogs’ Probiotic Live is a favorite of pet owners (it has countless fivestar reviews online). 139 Corte Madera Avenue, Town Center, www.justfoodfordogs. com, 60-capsule supply, $39.95
24 march 2021 marin living.
2. The perfect combination of function and style — Max Bone’s Curly Knit Jumper will be a fashionable new favorite with both you and your pooch. Made out of supersoft and durable acrylic yarn, it is machine washable and a musthave for those cooler spring walks. www. maxbone.com, $65
3. Pay homage to your furry family member with a commissioned portrait. Healdsburg-based Jamie L. Luoto specializes in creating unique pet paintings, but if you have fallen in love with an existing work, she also sells prints and other works. www. jamieluoto.com, commissions begin at $3,750 (plus tax) for a 14-by-11-inch portrait
4. Specially formulated for cats and dogs, KAMU’s PET CBD formulation relieves anxiety, decreases inflammation and helps to maintain healthy joints while the omega-3s work wonders for your fur baby’s skin and coat. And with natural bacon flavor — what’s not to love? www.kamulabs.com, $34.95
5. Stocked with plenty of fashionable buys, Tiburon’s Main St. Mercantile is also one of the few places in the Bay Area that carries beloved pet brand The Foggy Dog. This Marine Rope Dog Leash, available in Dove or Onyx, is a canine must-have. 16 Main Street, Tiburon, www. mainstmerchantile. com, $69
Courtesy of JustFoodForDogs; Max Bone; Jamie L. Luoto, Freddie, gouache on paper, 24 x 20 inches, 2016; Kamu; The Foggy Dog
5
Spring Into Ageless Radiance Make your mark this season with the most personalized, state-of-the-art aesthetic care in the Bay Area. Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine is devoted to revealing your personal best, fueled by an uncompromising standard for excellence and a uniquely artistic vision.
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BelleMarin.com | 415.481.3010 | 250 E. Blithedale Ave. Suite B, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Andy Naja-Riese
Feeding the Soul The Agricultural Institute of Marin uses farmers markets and various innovative programs to give back to the community in a multitude of ways. By Daniel Jewett
26 march 2021 marin living.
AT THEIR HEART, farmers markets are about community. And for the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM), which runs eight local markets including two at the Marin Civic Center, that means much more than just hosting a shopping area — it includes supporting the 350-plus farmers who sell at the markets, championing the restaurants that buy the produce and making sure healthy, nutritious food gets from local farms to members of the community no matter what their economic, mobility and health limitations might be. “One of the biggest barriers to eating a healthy diet is transportation and mobility, and we know that despite the popularity of farmers markets there are folks, particularly older folks, who might not be able to visit the market,” says AIM CEO Andy Naja-Riese. “In response we created a mobile market.” This successful program, called Rollin’ Root, brings fresh organic food from AIM farmers to senior housing and community sites around the county in a mobile refrigerated truck. AIM just won an Excellence in Innovation Award at the 28th annual Heart of Marin event for the program, which often offers produce at discounts or for free through CalFresh/ EBT and AIM’s Senior Bonus Bucks. “This model is really important for us because we want to make sure our small to midsize farmers that are struggling during Covid can survive,” Naja-Riese says, pointing out that when the shelter-in-place orders took effect, many small farmers lost as much of 90 percent of their restaurant sales. “We want to bring the farmers market experience to people throughout Marin County who may lack access to healthy foods and provide incentives to make those healthy food products more affordable.” Naja-Riese says that while farmers markets have always been popular, as the pandemic rages on he has seen more individuals and households turning to the markets as their source of groceries and nutrition — healthy food that is as important as ever for immune health during a pandemic. “Even though farmers markets are essential services, they are open, outdoors, have a short supply chain with the fewest number of hands as possible touching the food,” he adds. “We knew that when Covid started
Jordan Wise/Courtesy of AIM
eat & drink.
Top 1%
Marin is filled with Realtors. I spent quite a bit of time researching top Realtors before choosing McCarthy + Moe team. The team includes several design and operational experts to make the process seamless and easy. I would not consider any other team to sell my next home. - Robert M., San Rafael
$100M+ in Sales
The McCarthy + Moe team helped me get the perfect property in a challenging market. They expertly guided me through the pricing and negotiating process so I was able to get the house that I wanted at a competitive price. After our offer was accepted, the team guided me through closing, finding contractors, working with the neighbors, etc. They have a deep and extensive knowledge of real estate, coupled with a dedication to her client's goals and patience with the bumpy journey of getting there. - Gail G., Mill Valley
The team has been amazing. I wanted to move quickly the McCarthy + Moe team were ready to move just as fast as I was. - Alison G., San Rafael
61 Client s Help ed
WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS
2020 STATS
Liz McCarthy + Shenna Moe 415.250.4929 Team@McCarthyMoe.com McCarthyMoe.com DRE 01421997 Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition,sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
there were older adults and other high-risk people who might not be comfortable going out in public.” The answer to that problem was another innovative AIM program created in April called the Bounty Box — people can pre-order a box of freshly selected fruits and vegetables that they can pick up curbside. “We created all these programs to help more people in our community experience the benefits of locally grown produce.” Soon, AIM formed a collaborative with nine other Bay Area nonprofits and applied to the USDA for Farmers to Families funding to provide Bounty Boxes to local community groups for free. “Using the funding we were able to pay farmers market rate and then donate bounty boxes to communities in need — we were able to donate hundreds of boxes every week,” NajaRiese says, adding that Marin’s food insecurity rate has doubled to 12.2 percent since the pandemic started. “It was such a lifeline because it helped farmers earn income and also helped to feed people with dignity.” After the U.S. Department of Agriculture changed the program last August and no longer prioritized local and regional food, instead turning to large-scale industrial agriculture to get out as many boxes as possible, AIM was forced to adjust. Naja-Riese called the move “very disappointing,” but was able to find more funding to keep the program going, and then in January announced a new collaboration with Growing the Table, Performing Stars and ExtraFood for a 10-week pilot program delivering boxes and feeding thousands of under-resourced families. “In partnership with 10 farmers — most of whom are BIPOC, women and immigrants and who use climate-smart practices — we will be curating a total of 250 Bounty Boxes a week over the next 10 weeks,” he says. As for what the future holds for AIM, Naja-Riese says the Center for Food and Agriculture at the Civic Center, to be implemented in phases starting in 2023, will feature a worldclass farmers market, experiential learning and training, solar panels on a permanent structure, trees for shade, cold storage, a teaching kitchen, demonstration gardens and community gathering spaces. 28 march 2021 marin living.
Brent Ferguson
eat & drink.
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Jewel Zimmer
Health & Happiness Incorporating the benefits of CBD into your daily routine just got so much easier thanks to Juna’s Jewel Zimmer.
“AS A MOTHER AND entrepreneur trying to juggle everything, I was feeling overwhelmed on a daily basis,” says Jewel Zimmer, founder of Juna (www. juna-world.com), a Bay Area–based line of CBD products. “I was looking for relief, but wasn’t interested in a pharmaceutical option that would potentially leave me with unwanted or long-term side effects. I was introduced to CBD in late 2015 as a plant-powered solution to stress and never looked back.” Zimmer, a sommelier and finedining pastry chef, launched her first business, {cocoa} absolute, at Barneys New York in 2009 and gained international success almost immediately. 32 march 2021 marin living.
That’s when she realized she had hit the sweet spot by combining food with botanicals and, so, a few years later, her foray into CBD was a logical next step. The popularity of CBD has been on the rise since it was first introduced to the market, but now brands are going the extra mile teaching curious consumers how to creatively incorporate it into their lives. (CBD is short for cannabidiol, a chemical in the cannabis plant that does not give a high.) And with the substance known to help with a wide range of ailments that many of us suffer from, it makes sense that the herbal remedy is becoming our overthe-counter treatment of choice.
“The magic behind CBD is that its entire job is to restore balance so that the body can perform as optimally as possible. It activates our body’s own endocannabinoid system (ECS),” Zimmer says, adding that the ECS is a network of receptors throughout the body and brain that are known to regulate key functions such as pain, memory, mood, appetite, stress, sleep, metabolism, immunity and reproductive function. “By incorporating CBD into our body daily, we supercharge our own naturally producing ECS and are able to restore and maintain balance in the areas that need it most. For so many of us this includes reducing
Courtesy of Juna
By Casey Gillespie
beauty.
inflammation (think brain fog), stress, sleep and hormones.” While CBD comes in a couple of different forms — balm, drops and capsules are among the most popular — Zimmer prefers to work with drops when she is crafting food and drink recipes. There really is no wrong way to experiment but Zimmer does have a few pointers: “I either look to enhance the herbal, floral or citrus flavors that come from our tinctures or I try and blend them in. I love warm turmeric apple cider with our Ease drops, which blend in perfectly and mask the CBD flavor altogether. I keep my Balance drops next to my Chemex coffeemaker and it’s become habitual to drop them into my coffee every morning. It sets the tone and eliminates caffeine jitters. I also regularly add to salad dressings, green juice and my kids’ smoothies,” she says. Wondering where to start? This recipe should do the trick.
Benefits • STRAWBERRIES one of the richest sources of vitamin C, which supports healthy immune function and helps reverse cell damage from sun exposure. • CITRUS rich in vitamin C and flavonoid polyphenols, which scavenge free radicals, improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, suppress inflammation and have antiaging properties. • MINT stimulates the production of enzymes that quicken digestion and the production of the relaxing, antidepressive compound linalool. • TEQUILA rich in probiotics and a sugar called agavin that lowers blood sugar rather than spiking it. • BALANCE CBD provides an Courtesy of Juna
optimal ratio of bioavailable cannabinoids, antioxidants, and terpenes, all of which enhance relaxation and cancel-out alcohol-induced
Citrus Strawberry Mint CBD Margarita This is the consummate spring cocktail. Enjoy it during your next Taco Tuesday or socially distanced happy hour, especially at this time of year when citrus is juicy and strawberries are at their best. Mood: Lifted, excited, enhanced social curiosity Serves 2
Ingredients 12 strawberries, green tops removed 6 mint leaves juice of 2 lemons and of 1 blood orange 3 tablespoons agave nectar 2 droppers full of Juna Balance 4 ounces silver tequila or 6-ounce Topo Chico (for a nonalcoholic option) sugar salt To Make 1. Combine strawberries and 4 mint leaves in a blender. Blend until smooth. 2. Pour into a cocktail shaker. Add lemon, blood orange, agave, Balance CBD drops, tequila or Topo and ice. Shake for 60 seconds. 3. Divide into two glasses, rimmed with equal parts sugar and salt. Garnish with remaining mint leaves. Enjoy!
inflammation. marin living.
march 2021 33
A Day Out at Alameda’s Spirits Alley By Casey Gillespie
Spirits Alley, a collection of craft breweries, wine tasting rooms and artisan distilleries, is situated in what used to be Alameda Naval Air Station. The industrial airplane hangars, dry goods warehouses and massive parking lots sit on the edge of the island and make for an exciting and historical setting with incredible views of San Francisco and the bay, an ideal place to while away a sunny spring afternoon with friends new and old. Enjoy the local offerings alongside an array of food and dining options, including the collection of food trucks that park in close proximity and serve tasty eats all day. Skip the drive and catch the ferry to the San Francisco Ferry Building, then head to Gate E and a 20-minute ride later you’ll arrive at Alameda Main Street Terminal: Spirits Alley is a short walk or bike ride from there.
Courtesy of Hangar 1 Distillery
Sunset over Spirts Alley
local getaways.
St. George’s Spirits’ master distiller Lance Winters
Admiral Maltings + The Rake 651 WEST TOWER AVENUE
www.admiralmaltings.com This producer prides itself on using the age-old art of traditional floor malting, turning sustainable California-grown grain into quality malt favored by a long list of local brewers. Grab a pint at The Rake, the pub located inside Admiral Maltings, alongside its casual, chefdriven food and enjoy sunshine in the outdoor beer garden.
Almanac Beer Co.
651 WEST TOWER AVENUE
www.almanacbeer.com While you’ll love this brewery’s dedication to making bold, sustainably sourced beers, you’ll be wowed by the impressive airplane hangar location with 37-foot ceilings, exposed redwood beams and countless oak barrels and massive foudres. Enjoy a cold one in the beer garden or try out the new web store and have Almanac delivered directly to your door.
Dashe Cellars
1951 MONARCH STREET, HANGAR 25
www.dashecellars.com This urban winery was founded in 1996 by husband-and-wife team Michael and Anne Dashe. They introduced their first vintage of Dry Creek Zinfandel the same year and haven’t looked back since. Book a table on their outdoor patio Friday through Sunday and take in the stunning views of San Francisco.
Faction Brewing
2501 MONARCH STREET
Laurel Dailey
www.factionbrewing.com Craft beer connoisseurs will be spoiled for choice at this brewery with an impressive city view. The selection includes lagers, stouts, Belgian-style and barrel-aged beers and sours alongside the hoppier pale ales and IPAs Faction is known for. You won’t want to miss the murals that adorn the brewery’s walls; they are almost as interesting as the brews. marin living.
march 2021 35
local getaways.
Hangar 1 Vodka
2505 MONARCH STREET
www.hangarone.com Learn all about the distillation process and botanicals sourced from local farmers when you book a tour that culminates in not only a tasting, but also a better understanding of the love that goes into the making of smallbatch spirits. A great way to start or finish a day in Spirits Alley.
Rock Wall Wine Company 2301 MONARCH STREET
www.rockwallwines.com A nod to its location’s history, the winery is named after the defensive wall built around San Francisco Bay to protect the base from Japanese
torpedoes during World War II. Shauna Rosenblum, a second-generation winemaker (her father Kent, “the King of Zin,” founded Rosenblum Cellars), has turned the process into an art form, with many wines from the collection garnering 90-plus points from critics.
St. George Spirits
2601 MONARCH STREET
www.stgeorgespirits.com Offering a remarkable range of spirts — think gins, vodkas, single-malt whiskeys, absinthe, brandies, liqueurs — this distillery has been creating artisan spirits since 1982 (the company sold its Hangar 1 vodka brand in 2010). The 65,000-square-foot space provides an up-close look at the lab and distillation process, and a chance to really see what goes into making your favorite spirits.
Urban Legend Cellars 1951 MONARCH STREET, BUILDING 25
www.ulcellars.com For the wine lover who prefers having a choice of bottlings, this spot serves a diverse selection of Alameda-made whites, reds, rosés and dessert wines at walletfriendly prices. Enjoy complimentary corkage for consumption on site and don’t miss the food truck stationed nearby that has partnered with the winery. *With Covid restrictions constantly fluctuating, please refer to the individual opening times and offerings on companies’ websites as well as current California Covid-19 rules.
Mariko Reed
Almanac Brewing Co.
36 march 2021 marin living.
Just Sold in Central Marin
37 Birch Avenue, Corte Madera Represented seller
16 South Green Court, Larkspur Represented seller
273 Summit Drive, Corte Madera
202 Foster Avenue, Kentfield
Nick Svenson #1 Agent in Marin County by Transactions, 2019 GGSIR 415.505.7674 I nick@marinsfhomes.com www.marinsfhomes.com I BRE #019118616
457 Redwood Avenue, Corte Madera
When Art Comes to Life A one-of-a-kind immersive experience is bringing the art of Van Gogh to San Francisco in a way it’s never been seen before.
Courtesy of Immersive Van Gogh
By Daniel Jewett
38 march 2021 marin living.
art credit
take note.
WHEN TORONTO PRODUCER COREY ROSS, whose companies have brought shows like Potted Potter, Evil Dead The Musical and Champions of Magic to the U.S., began looking for a place to stage his new venture, Immersive Van Gogh (www.vangoghsf. com), he knew finding the right venue would be key. In this case, having access to the ballroom of the former Fillmore West made bringing the show to San Francisco a no-brainer. “I’m a geek of producers and promoters and I’m a big Bill Graham fan, and this room is a sacred space musically from the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin, but also in terms of the combination of music and projection,” Ross says. “We brought this combination of music and projection back to one of the first places where these kinds of things were experimented with.” With Immersive Van Gogh millions of pixels and 300,000 cubic feet of projection will fill every corner of the massive ballroom with Van Gogh’s art, including the hall’s arches, pillars, floor and roof structure. More than 400 of the famed Dutch painter’s creations were licensed from museums around the world and then deconstructed by the show’s creator and creative director, Italian film producer Massimiliano Siccardi, and reassembled in a looped animation that is projected in the space. All this is choregraphed to mood-setting music by Italian multimedia composer Luca Longobardi. “It sits somewhere between an exhibition of art, an experiential show and film,” Ross says, adding that Siccardi’s concept is to imagine what Van Gogh would have seen flash before his eyes the moment before he died. “The first thing I was struck by when I saw Massimiliano’s work in Paris is that this could be the future of movies. Here the pieces are massive, projected on a 50-foot wall, and you are inside the art so you see technique in a way that you’ve never seen it before, the way the brush strokes are, layers of paint. Stars twinkle, clouds float by and sunflowers sway in the breeze — it’s really quite moving.” After seeing Massimiliano Siccardi’s similar Van Gogh show in Paris, where some 2 million people experienced it, Ross signed a deal to bring updated versions of the show to Toronto, San Francisco and, later, to Chicago. Of course, Covid hit right in the middle of the Toronto production, which led to safety measures being implemented that will apply in San Francisco when the show opens March 18 (it will run through September 6). Along with the art projections, circles are also projected and when vistors enter, they choose a circle to stand in. As the show unfolds attendees stand in their circle and start looking above, below, behind and in front to take it all in from their current perspective. When ready, guests move to a new socially distanced circle and continue the journey from a different angle. Once in the space attendees are free to spend as much time as they would like inside — most spend about 50 minutes (there is a second show called Route 66: The Trip included). “It’s an exciting way to see the art and an interesting experience that I think is what everyone needs these days because we have been so deprived,” Ross adds. “People walk out just amazed.” As for why Van Gogh is a good subject for the show, Ross says it has to do with Siccardi’s love of the artist’s work, but adds that the choice seems particularly relevant in today’s times. “I think people can relate to the struggles that Van Gogh had,” Ross says. “He spent a lot of his time in isolation, which speaks to the times we are in. And yet here we are 150 years later loving and enjoying his art that’s become world renowned.” Tickets are $39.99 ($24.99 for children 16 and younger). marin living.
march 2021 39
U N CO R K E D
The wine industry’s past could be considered stuffy and at times even elitist, but that is changing — a growing number of organizations are hard at work creating a more inclusive future for the next generation of BIPOC wine industry professionals.
By Keri Bridgwater
art credit
Photograph by Justin Buell
B Melanie Wilkerson EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF AT FOLKTABLE
www.folktable.com
lack winegrowers and vintners have been around for decades (Napa’s Brown Estate started growing grapes in 1980, officially launching its own Brown label in 1996), but they are still woefully underrepresented. When the Black Lives Matter movement gained traction last year, it spotlighted racial inequalities among industries across the board — the wine industry being no exception. While many initiatives were already in the works, pointing to on the powerful change they could bring to the industry’s existing structure, several key players have since responded by joining forces to develop and award scholarships, provide mentorship opportunities and partner on tangible education programs for underrepresented minorities. Melanie Wilkerson, the executive sous chef at Folktable in Sonoma (www.folktable.com), was the recipient of one such award. Wilkerson, who grew up watching her grandfather make wine in North Carolina, says a lack of interest among peers at culinary school prevented her from pursuing things further when it came to learning more about wine. “I had a great teacher, but didn’t have access to information the way other people would. It wasn’t until last year that I happened to catch a post on Instagram, and I was like, this is it, this is where I can formalize this kind of education.” Wilkerson’s real aha moment came when she received a Welcome Award from from DLynn Proctor’s Napa-based nonprofit, Wine Unify (www.wineunify.org). A notable industry figure and director of Fantesca Estate & Winery (www.fantesca.com), Proctor cofounded the platform to champion diversity and help foster change by breaking down a common barrier to entry into the world of wine: education. marin living.
march 2021 41
Ayele Solomon
“We wanted to welcome those individuals who have
OWNER/WINEMAKER AT BEE D’VINE WINES
www.beedvine.com
maybe been bussing tables or working as a line cook and give them this hope and this inspiration that they could pursue a professional career in the industry.” —DLynn Proctor, director at Fantesca Estate & Winery
While the organization officially launched last June, Proctor reveals that the idea had been in the works since 2017. “As a Black man who has been in this business for more than 20 years, I understand that it isn’t easy. We always saw and felt minorities were being misrepresented or not given the same opportunities. We wanted to welcome those individuals who have maybe been bussing tables or working as a line cook and give them this hope and this inspiration that they could pursue a professional career in the wine, beverage or hospitality industry.” Thanks to Proctor and his team, the inaugural Welcome Award sponsored 20 recipients (including Wilkerson) to take the Level 1 Award in Wine through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET, www.wsetglobal.clom) class, among other benefits, last year. “Wine Unify paid for the four-week course, offered mentorships and outreach opportunities; basically any support that was needed they took care of it for us,” Wilkerson says. “It’s been fantastic. I cannot say enough about what they have put together. Everyone’s just excited we finally have the opportunity to access the resources that everyone else does.” Creating a more diverse industry has always been important, but according to Phil Long, president of the African American Association of Vintners (AAAV, www. aaavintners.org) and owner of Longevity Wines (www.long evitywines.com), what’s crucial is informing the next generation they can have a career in wine. “One thing we’re talking about right now is how to start the education process at an 42 march 2021 marin living.
earlier age,” he says, adding neither he nor anyone at partner Constellation Brands knew in high school or even college that the wine industry could offer a potential career path. To champion this goal, AAAV is focused on long-term partnerships, working closely with the United Negro College Fund (www.uncf.org) to assist with scholarships at the Sonoma State School of Business and Economics and for Certified Specialists of Wine students at the Napa Valley Wine Academy. Another important AAAV collaboration has been with Urban Connoisseurs on the Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund (www.urbanconnoisseurs.com). Founded in 2012 by Marcia Jones, Urban Connoisseurs is a Seattle-based wine consultancy firm whose mission is to increase the number of American winemakers of African descent in the U.S. and create opportunities for the next generation to pursue careers in the industry. “We started talking to AAAV in 2019 and right when we were about to launch last March, Covid hit,” says Jones of the scholarship. “The two recipients that we’re announcing in March will each receive $5,000. The next round will open in the fall and run annually from there on out. I consider this such a blessing and hopefully, as the fund grows, we can allocate more [funds] in the future.” While the fund serves to provide financial assistance to African American students pursuing careers in the wine industry, it also aims to bring awareness to present-day Black winemakers and producers. That’s something V. Sheree Williams, owner and editor-in-chief of Cuisine Noir magazine (www.cuisine
V. Sheree Williams
V. Sheree Williams (top left); James Knox (top right)
OWNER AND
noirmag.com), says is timely. After taking over the publication and reframing its focus to preserve and share stories of people of African descent across food, drink and travel, Williams put together the first list of Black-owned wineries in 2010. “Back then, there were around 40; today it’s well over 100,” she says. “Black winemakers and Black-owned wineries have been around for years — like Mac McDonald’s Vision Cellars and Maison Noir by André Hueston Mack — so, it’s not new, but conversations around it are, thankfully, becoming more prominent.” Williams is excited to see more effort toward diversity and notes that while celebrity endorsements, like John Legend’s LVE Collection (www.lvewines.com), help raise awareness, she would still like to see more conversations between BIPOC and white producers. “It’s timely to see organizations making sure diversity is front and center. All of the scholarships that have been launched are great, and I’m excited to see this young generation coming up, but I would love to see more Blackowned wines in supermarkets and wine shops.” While the wine industry works toward building a more diverse future and welcoming people of color, Wilkerson believes opening doors, having discussions and fostering education are the most significant steps in moving forward. “All of this is still pretty new, but I think the industry is heading in the right direction. Where I come from, education is something to be passed on to help the community. A big part of being a chef and being in the wine industry for me is about being able to give back myself someday, too.”
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF
CUISINE NOIR MAGAZINE
www.cuisinenoirmag.com
who s e l ema han f e c re t fier o f ave m o h h o i c y r e t a t e so mu g — the e e o th n n M t i l o i g d e c bin m i have e glass l them c f , o t i one k th rough n a e on. d r o n h b s t a lds, hed ping cras their fie of stop of sign y top n a show
g n i r e e n o i p n e m o w Joanne Weir CHEF, COOKBOOK AUTHOR, INTERNATIONAL
an owm dy B n e By W 44 march 2021 marin living.
COPITA TEQUILERIA Y COMIDA
art credit
COOKING TEACHER AND CO-OWNER OF
Courtesy of Copita; Melissa McArdle (opposite)
A FOURTH-GENERATION professional chef, Joanne Weir was introduced to the wonderful world of food at a young age. One of her favorite memories is of her great grandfather’s dairy farm (named Bryant Farm, for poet William Cullen Bryant, who gifted him the property) in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, where he would make fabulous meals for summertime visitors from New York. Think farm-raised chicken, rolls from scratch and hand-churned maple-walnut ice cream. “That’s where it all started,” says Weir. “My mother was a professional cook at a private school and made beautiful homemade food, and my great grandmother was a cook at Pilgrim’s Pantry restaurant in Boston. I have three siblings and all of us studied cooking, but I’m the only one who pursued it. There’s a love of food in my family; we all have super palates.”
Weir went on to earn a fine arts degree and teach high school art before studying (and receiving a Master Chef diploma) with cookbook author and teacher extraordinaire Madeleine Kamman in France, and then working at Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse in Berkeley for five years. Fast-forward to today, and her lengthy list of achievements includes nearly 20 cookbooks (her first, From Tapas to Meze, was nominated for a James Beard Award in 1994 and recognized by none other than Julia Child as one of her favorites); culinary tours around the Mediterranean; a nationally televised PBS cooking show; and the modern Mexican eatery Copita (www.copitarestaurant.com), which she opened with restaurant industry guru Larry Mindel in Sausalito in 2012. A trio of strong female mentors helped Weir get to where is now. “My
mom being one of them, in that she was a professional cook, but also a great listener who gave great advice and encouraged me,” she says. “The second is Madeleine Kamman, who was brilliant, difficult and demanding all at the same time, but saw my potential and really pushed me, and the third is Alice Waters at Chez Panisse, which was an extraordinary experience for me.” Weir’s advice for others interested in pursuing a career in the food industry? “You have to work really hard, and there are things you’re going to have to give up,” she says. “I’ve given up so many things when traveling and teaching around the U.S. (she once visited 70 cities in a single year), but passion and hard work keeps me realizing my possibilities. I have an insatiate drive to do more and see more … I’m definitely not a person who likes to stay put.” marin living.
march 2021 45
46 march 2021 marin living.
they knew that they were taking a big risk — as women business owners and romantic partners — but they jumped in headfirst. Today, Equator has seven cafes in the Bay Area, as well as a robust wholesale and online business with its award-winning beans culled from all over the world, along with its very own Gesha coffee from the Panama coffee farm Finca Sophia that the company co-owns with Willem and Catherine Boot of Boot Coffee. One of the company’s biggest successes to date was being the first certified LGBTQowned business to win the U.S. Small Business Administration’s “National Small Business of the Year” award in
Cafes are such incredible community hubs, and we were drawn to the atmosphere almost as much as to the product.
Helen Russell CO-FOUNDER AND CEO EQUATOR COFFEES LLC
2016. “It was an incredible honor to represent LGBTQ-certified businesses,” says Russell. “We’ve won many awards over the years focused on coffee quality (the Good Food Awards and Best of Panama, to name a few), but to be honored for our contribution to the economy by the SBA was amazing. We are a Certified B Corporation [meaning Equator uses its business as a force for good in the world]. We not only showed how important small women-owned businesses are, but we’re proving every day we can make an impact by having a positive triple bottom line.”
Portrait by Richard Wheeler; Jordan Rosen Photography
IT ALL STARTED in 1993 with two coffee carts serving up dark roasts and large sweet espresso-based drinks; quickly grew to a roasting and wholesale operation in a Marin County garage in 1995; and has since become a world-class coffee business run by Helen Russell, Brooke McDonnell and their first employee, Maureen McHugh, who is now the executive vice president. “Brooke and I were flipping houses in the Northwest and decided we wanted to get into the business of crafting something,” says Russell. “She has an incredible and worldly palate, and I knew I could sell anything she created. We thought briefly about starting a chocolate company, but found we were having these life conversations at our favorite cafes. Cafes are such incredible community hubs, and we were drawn to the atmosphere almost as much as to the product. So, we drove back to the Bay Area with a small business plan and opened two coffee carts, one in San Francisco and one in Oakland.” The pair soon became disenchanted with the coffee they were able to source from their roaster (who wouldn’t tell them anything about the origin of the blends they were buying), and that’s when they formed their own high-impact wholesale coffee roasting company focused on quality, sustainability and social responsibility. Both in their early 30s when they started Equator (www.equatorcoffees.com),
After faithfully counting calories and checking ingredients, she Kara Goldin FOUNDER AND CEO
Chris Anore
HINT WATER
IN LATE 2020, Kara Goldin released her first book. Titled Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters, it’s the story of how she entered a field she had no experience in and wound up creating a highly successful beverage business. “When you don’t have industry experience, people count you out and think you’re not going to be able to accomplish anything. It ends up, you might be the one who has the idea to change the industry for the better,” says Goldin, who worked in media (at Time and CNN) and tech (for a Steve Jobs–idea startup and then AOL via an acquisition) before taking time off to figure out what she really was meant to do. Then, 16 years ago, the Ross resident had an epiphany. “I felt unhealthy, had gained a bunch of weight, had no energy and developed adult acne,” she says. “That’s when I decided to pay attention to the labels on what I was eating and drinking.” After faithfully counting calories and checking ingredients, she swapped out her Diet Coke for plain water, which led to a 24-pound weight loss, more energy and clear skin. “Once I figured out the diet sweeteners were wreaking havoc on my system, the lightbulb went on,” says Goldin, admitting she never drank water before because it was, well, just boring. She began putting sliced fruit in her water for taste, and then the idea to help improve health in others arose. “If an option for people like me who were bored with water was available, it could help people get healthy and change their lives,” she says. “It wasn’t just about
swapped out her Diet Coke for plain water, which led to a 24-pound weight loss, more energy and clear skin. launching a product or a company, but we launched a new category — unsweetened flavored water.” Today, San Francisco–based Hint Water (www.drinkhint.com), founded in 2005, is the largest nonalcoholic private beverage company in the U.S., bringing in more than $150 million annually. While the main product is still water, each infused with one of 26 different fruit essences, Hint also sells carbonated and caffeinated versions, as well as other better-for-you products, which range from sunscreen to aluminum-free deodorant, and the company even introduced hand sanitizer during the pandemic. In her spare time? In addition to being an author, she interviews other “disruptors” about their journey to success via her “The Kara Goldin Show” podcast. “At the end of the day, I clearly saw a problem, came up with a solution and kept moving forward,” she says. “Like many entrepreneurs, I had no idea what I was doing when I started, but I was curious and willing to try. People often say to me, ‘You took so many risks and you are so resilient,’ but more than anything I just tried, saw a way to change an industry for the better and I insist on living undaunted.”
FOR THE LOVE OF
FOOD Meet the bakers, artisans, purveyors and producers who make Marin and the rest of the Bay Area the foodie destination that it is. By Julia Apffel, Casey Gillespie, Daniel Jewett and Sydney Segal
48 march 2021 marin living.
Nick Katkov
Baked Blooms
You might recognize Sarah Thongnopneua, owner of Baked Blooms, from her 2019 appearance on the Food Network show Cupcake Championship, and if you have tasted one of her creations you will understand why she walked away with first place. While she hasn’t had any formal training, Thongnopneua took a class when she was visiting family in the U.K. in 2016 and since has made countless bouquets for people in Marin. “There are endless possibilities with the design and they are so versatile and perfect for every occasion,” she says. Working out of her own kitchen (she is licensed to do so) and baking when her three kids and husband are asleep, she is a one-woman show. So where does she go when she wants a sweet treat? “I like Johnny Doughnuts as an occasional breakfast treat and Rustic Bakery for pastries,” she admits. www.bakedblooms.com
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Andytown Coffee Roasters
Farmhouse Lab
Local Spicery
Board at Home
Hog Island Oyster Co.
Love + Chew
Johnny Doughnuts
Marin French Cheese Company
Founded in 2014 by a pair of passionate baristas, Andytown is now touted as having some of the best coffee in the Bay Area. Hours may be limited at the roaster’s Outer Sunset locations, but you can get your fix online. Check back frequently for its holiday (big and small) offerings. San Francisco, www.andytownsf.com
What is better than having cheese delivered straight to your door? Board at Home curates local, artisanal cheese boards complete with charcuterie and accompaniments, all available for next-day delivery. Five percent of proceeds go to the Lee Initiative to provide emergency assistance to independent restaurants and their workers. www.boardathome.org
Che Fico
One part tavern, one part rustic market, Che Fico does more than live up to its name (“that’s so cool!” in Italian). The eatery, owned by a hospitality expert and a world-traveling chef, has a line of sauces and spreads that allows you to bring the restaurant experience home. While you anxiously await the return of the brunch menu, order pickup or delivery from the website. 838 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, www.chefico.com
Farmhouse Lab’s salad dressings don’t just add flavor to your favorite greens, they are also leading the way in the plant-based revolution. With five vibrant flavors, one of which is designed to help children try new foods, it won’t be long before the whole family will want a subscription. www.farmhouselab.com
Oysters grown in Marin and shipped directly to your door? Sign us up! Hog Island prides itself on its sustainable aquaculture practices, so ordering its oysters feels as good as it tastes. The grilled cheese and signature Bloody Mary aren’t so bad either. Larkspur, Marshall, Napa and San Francisco, www.hogislandoysters.com
You can’t really go wrong with a classic doughnut or fresh cinnamon roll, can you? Not only are these mouthwatering treats made on site throughout the Bay Area, but Johnny Doughnuts also has a food truck and delivery service to test your staying (away from sugar) power. Marin Country Mart, San Rafael and San Francisco, www.johnnydoughnuts.com
When it comes to buying teas and spices, flavor is oh-so important — as is knowing where it came from. At Local Spicery, spices are milled just a short trip away in Gold Country for maximum freshness. Stop in the Victorian-themed shop or pick among 250-plus items online. 80 Main Street, Suite F, Tiburon, www.localspicery.com
Love + Chew has made the seemingly impossible possible, developing plantbased protein cookies that are as chewy and delicious as your grandma’s baked goods. Reward your body with what it deserves, and feel good about it — a portion of the proceeds go to local organizations like Oasis for Girls in S.F. www.loveandchew.com
This is the longest-operating cheese company in the United States, and we get to call it our own. Marin French Cheese’s store and beautiful grounds, complete with a pond and grassy meadows to picnic on, have even remained open amid Covid. 7510 Point Reyes - Petaluma Road, Petaluma, www.marinfrenchcheese.com
Redwood Hill Farm “In 2005, we became the first Certified Humane goat dairy in the country, which underscores our commitment to animal welfare. The creamery runs 100 percent on renewable energy, mainly through two acres of solar panels on the roof and through geothermal and wind technology,” says Seair Lorentz, Redwood Hill Farm’s brand manager. While the Sebastopol-based farm is known for its goat’s milk, cheese, yogurt and kefir, it is also home to olive and fruit orchards, a hop yard, vegetable and flower gardens, beehives and a chicken flock, all of which contribute to an enriched ecosystem and biodiverse farmland. Products are stocked in supermarkets all over the Bay Area, but nothing beats a farm tour and introduction to the happy herd. www.redwoodhillfarm.org 50 march 2021 marin living.
Mr. Espresso
Since 1978, Mr. Espresso has been doing good. Support a local business and its philanthropic efforts against Covid, racism and poverty by sipping on irresistible authentic Italian espresso. 696 Third Street, Oakland, www.mrespresso.com
Clockwise from top left: courtesy of Becca Petites; Hardy Wilson; Hanson of Sonoma Distillery; Redwood Hill Farm; Dana Gutt; PRMRY
Becca’s Petites
What started out as a gift to a sick friend has become a whole lot more. Dubbed Bouchées, the nutty snack mixes come in four different flavors, each deliciously nutritious and allergenconscious. 8 Nightingale Lane, San Rafael, www.beccaspetites.com
PRMRY As certified extra-virgin olive oil sommeliers, Janell Pekkain and Erin Ridley were bound to take it to the next level. And after they met in San Francisco and became friends, 2020 was the year they finally did it. www.helloprmry.com
Hanson Organic Vodka
Hanson vodka is the first of its kind — organic and non-GMO and grapebased. The family-owned company will even deliver prebatched cocktails or do-it-yourself kits so that you can enjoy your favorite tipple from the comfort of your own home. 22985 Burndale Road, Sonoma, www.hansonofsonoma.com
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Cowgirl Creamery
Courtesy of Cowgirl Creamery
With locations in both Point Reyes and S.F., Cowgirl Creamery is the favorite stop for a quick bite or to stock up on its famous cheeses. Grab the bestselling Mt. Tam, whose name pays homage to the rocky peaks of our county’s iconic landmark, or join the monthly club for more variety and home delivery. Point Reyes Station and San Francisco, www.cowgirlcreamery.com
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The Marshall Store
While the Marshall Store prides itself on its oysters, it stocks so much more — meats, veggies and gelato — so even non-seafood lovers can enjoy a visit to the property in Tomales Bay. The variety, great service and waterfront view make the hour drive from Central Marin well worth it. 19225 Highway 1, Marshall, www.themarshallstore.com
M.H. Bread and Butter
The key to staying happy and sane during the shelter-in-place order was knowing where to go for comfort food, and M.H. Bread and Butter was on the top of our list. From its Breads & Butters assortment to baked eggs and seasonal soups, this artisan bakery and cafe does it all. 101 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, www.mhbreadandbutter.com
Marin Kombucha
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Founded in 2015 by the Igersheim brothers, Marin Kombucha is known for small-batch fermented teas, Marin-inspired flavors and locally sourced ingredients. Find its kombucha at retail locations across the Bay Area — or, better yet, order a couple of cases from the website and never go without. www.marinkombucha.com
Navitas Organics
One Ocean Seafood
Nicasio Valley Cheese Company
Patagonia Provisions
Whether or not you are a superfood addict, Navitas’ collection of healthy snacks and recipes makes it impossible not to find something you’ll love. Even better, each powder or latte mix is made in Marin and supports small family farmers around the globe. www.navitasorganics.com
There’s nothing quite like a family business and award-winning cheese. For three generations, the Swiss Lafranchi family has perfected the art of making cheeses with 100 percent organic cow’s milk. Order an individual cheese or sample several with a gift box — you can’t go wrong either way. 5300 Nicasio Valley Road, Nicasio, www.nicasiocheese.com
Oaktown Spice Shop
Oaktown Spice Shop owners John Beaver and Erica Perez opened in 2009 after noticing that foodie friends were buying produce at the farmers market and meat at the butcher shop, but not putting much thought into where they got the spices they were seasoning their food with. Oaktown knew it could change that for the better and did. 546 Grand Avenue, Oakland; also Albany and Castro Valley, www.oaktownspiceshop.com
In 2012, Patrick Guyer had the idea to deliver the freshest top-quality seafood to homes in the Bay Area. Most of the fish, which is sold in San Francisco, Oakland and the North Bay, is caught locally and filleted that same day. Have it delivered or pick it up at Pier 45 in San Francisco. www.shop.oneoceanseafood.com
Patagonia clothing company founder Yvon Chouinard was alarmed when the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reported that if the world continues to degrade its soil at the current rate, it only has about 60 harvests left. He decided to sell Patagonia-branded food, which uses only regenerative organic farming practices to yield large crops while building healthier soil. A must-try for your next camping trip. www.patagoniaprovisions.com
Ponsford’s Place Bakery & Innovation Center
This German-influenced organic neighborhood bakery operated by Craig Ponsford and Hanna Noel runs kind of like a pop-up (subscribe to the mailing list online for menu and schedule info) with pre-orders. The menu features bread, savory and sweet items, but favorites include a cream-cheese filled pretzel, pizza and croissants. 117 Shaver Street, San Rafael, www.ponsfordsplace. shopsettings.com
Addictive Coffee Roasters “I’ve always had an addictive personality, which is where the name comes from,” says Mike Ralls, CEO and founder of Addictive Coffee Roasters. After moving from Colorado to the Bay Area and working for a number of tech firms, he decided that he wanted to get back into all the outdoor activities that he cherished. “I started drinking coffee, loved the ritual and saw how it could power all of these positive, healthy obsessions,” he says. The company started with Ralls roasting beans out of his garage in Marin; these days the brand is stocked and brewed at many spots around the county. The age-old question remains: how do you brew the perfect cup of coffee? “It’s not just about the quality of the coffee,” says Ralls. “You need to pay attention to water temperature and quality, grind size, freshness and brew method — all of which are subjective based on your personal taste.” www.addictivecoffee.com marin living.
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After falling in love with Sonoma in 2008, husband-and-wife team Fred and Amy Groth eventually relocated from Colorado and started making their award-winning Limoncello di Sonoma. They now have 30 different products, including gins, brandies and rums. Their daughter Isabella even got in on the act, making olive oils and balsamics. 23592 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, www.prohibition-spirits.com
Rustic Bakery
The ever-popular Rustic Bakery grew from a modest sourdough cracker producer into the Marin institution we know and love today. Stop by one of the four cafe locations for breakfast or lunch, and don’t forget to try the seasonal offerings. Larkspur, Novato and Tiburon, www.rusticbakery.com
Sonoma County Bee Company
Get on the waitlist for Sonoma County Bee Company’s ethically harvested local honey or schedule a virtual honey tasting to enjoy four different wildflower honeys from the comfort of home. The honey comes from responsibly managed apiaries and is available when beehive surpluses allow. www.sonomacountybeecompany.com
Tamalpais Beverage Company This Marin-based business launched in 2019 after its founders took organic super-fruit juices, full-spectrum hemp and adaptogens such as turmeric, ginger and L-theanine into a test kitchen and, after several iterations, realized they had created something special. The five different flavors they make incorporate natural ingredients to boost mood, body and function. www.drinktam.com
Tomales Bay Oyster Company
TBOC is California’s oldest continually run oyster farm, having gotten its start in 1909. The low water levels in Tomales Bay make it ideal for oyster cultivation, as anyone who has sampled these bivalve delights knows. There is no picnicking allowed at TBOC, but grab your cooler and fill it up with oysters to enjoy at any of the nearby beaches or parks. 15479 Highway 1, Marshall, www.tomalesbayoystercompany.com
Ugly Pickle Co.
When food justice worker Kayla Abe and chef David Murphy met at San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza farmers market, they decided that they had to do something about food waste — namely, the food that gets discarded because it doesn’t look perfect. They decided to rescue “cosmetically challenged” produce and make it into pickles, which you can now find at local markets. Beautiful! www.eatuglypickle.com
Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery
A true family affair, Valley Ford is run by Karen Bianchi-Moreda and her son Joe Moreda Jr. In 2008, Karen built a cheesemaking facility on their property, where she eventually created the famous Estero Gold cheese. Try it and more at their charming Sonoma store. 14390 Valley Ford Road, Valley Ford, www.valleyfordcheese.com
Vella Cheese Company
Vella Cheese started in 1931 when a group of Sonoma dairymen asked Gaetano (Tom) Vella if he would use his cheesemaking talent to product cheese from the high-quality milk they provided. Success soon followed and, in 1981, Tom turned the operation over to his son Ignazio “Ig” Vella, who now heads the family-run business. www.vellacheese.com
Wild West Ferments
Maggie Levinger and Luke Regalbuto started Wild West Ferments to promote farmers and the health of the local community. They use wild indigenous yeasts and bacteria to create gut-friendly foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and chile paste. The company ferments in ceramic crocks (never in plastic), which is one more thing to love. www.wildwestferments.com
FloraLuna Apothecary & Trading Co. The idea for Petaluma-based FloraLuna Apothecary came about the way many great ideas do — over a cocktail. It was the summer of 2015 when owner and founder Phaedra Achor threw a cocktail soiree, had a serendipitous run in with a friend of friend who suggested she should start selling her homemade bitters, and the rest, as they say, is history. While her main focus is the wildly creative bitters and syrups she makes herself, her store is a “true apothecary” offering bulk herbs, natural beauty products and botanical teas. If you are new to adding bitters to your cocktails, she recommends “starting with five to eight drops and then increase or decrease until you find your bitters sweet spot.” 122 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, www.floralunaapothecary.com 54 march 2021 marin living.
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Prohibition Spirits Distillery
Spice Tribe
Some of founder Trent Blodgett’s favorite childhood memories were of cooking with his dad and family trips to little-known restaurants and markets in Mexico. His goal is to share the best spices from around the world and make sure the farmers are fairly paid. The company also gives back by cooking 600 meals a month for those in need through The City Eats. www.spicetribe.com
Clockwise from top left: Christopher Tonry; courtesy of Spice Tribe; Four Star Seafood & Provisions; Ashley Wright; Miyoko’s Creamery
Breakaway Matcha
After 16 years living and working in Japan, Eric Gower went in search of the country’s best matcha producers. San Anselmo– based Breakaway Matcha is the result. We love the 18 matcha blends and the perfect matchamaking accessories. www.breakawaymatcha.com
Miyoko’s Creamery
Miyoko Schinner’s love of animals led her to veganism and a career as a chef before founding Miyoko’s Creamery, now beloved by vegans and omnivores alike for its array of plant-based cheeses and melt-in-your-mouth butters. www.miyokos.com
Four Star Seafood & Provisions
Since March, co-founders and chefs Adrian Hoffman and Ismael Macias have been offering their seafood, meal kits and more for delivery in Marin or pickup in S.F. The way we see it, Four Star deserves five stars. 1315 Egbert Avenue, San Francisco, www.fourstarseafood.com
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inside & out marin. Many of us are still spending more time than ever at home, often running a virtual office or two and maybe even
a school-from-home station on top of that. March is the time to start thinking about sprucing the place up a bit or even considering a move to a new one. These local professionals are here to help you with that — they are some of the best in their industries and are on top of the latest trends. We invite you to get to know them in the following special section.
PROMOTION
MARIN INSIDE TRENDSETTERS & OUT MARIN
Steven Keihner Terra Outdoor Living can help make your outdoor space the family’s favorite place to hang out. What is it about you or your business that makes you a great choice for clients? We
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direct-to-consumer value. We have a selection of classic and modern pieces that work well in most spaces and mix into most style aesthetics. What sets you apart in outdoor furniture design? We partner with European designers and work directly with our manufacturers to customize each collection. How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? We are focused on building a better business, balancing purpose and profit. We are committed to values such as achieving fair wages, gender equity and a culture of caring in the communities we serve and throughout our supply chain. Do you or your business have a unique or notable history in the Bay Area? Fifteen years ago, I bought a small outdoor shop at the side of the 101 freeway in Mill Valley. I have grown it slowly, one collection at a time, serving the Marin community then expanding to cover most of the Bay Area with eight showrooms. What’s the most interesting new product that you offer? We are loving our all-weather rope styles, and our new warm light-gray shade we are calling quartz gray. People are stuck at home, how can your business help clients love their space now more than ever? We are passionate about living life outside and helping you utilizing your space to the fullest. We have associates at every showroom that can offer design assistance and help with layout and product choices to fulfill your space and your family’s needs.
Terra Outdoor Living | 258 Bolinas Street, Mill Valley, CA 94941 | 415.331.1603 | contactus@terraoutdoor.com | www.terraoutdoor.com
PROMOTION
INSIDE & OUT MARIN
Gail Bravos Design Within Reach Larkspur provides authentic modern design — iconic as well as newly inspired, to refresh your space. What sets you apart in home design and home furnishings? DWR represents over 178 designers, some iconic, some in the iconic trajectory. We do modern, coastal modern, Nordic minimalism, Bauhaus industrial, Italian contemporary, and yes, even postmodern. Our collections are authentic and heirloom. What separates you or your design business from the pack? We love fostering our trade clients, designers and architects. We have a cross-pollination collection of cards from businesses that may be able to benefit our clients when their need is outside of our wheelhouse. It’s a lovely way to keep our biome healthy.
People are stuck at home. How can your business help clients love their space now more than ever? Getting an idea of the space virtually allows us to create a digital mock-up that we can then share and refine.
Do you or your business have a unique or notable history in the Bay Area? Design Within Reach was conceived in 1998 in San Francisco as a start-up by serial entrepreneur Rob Forbes. At that time the Eames Lounge & Ottoman were only available to the trade. Forbes saw an opportunity to bridge that design gap by creating a space where modern design would be within reach to all.
Why is living and working in the Bay Area so special? The jaw-dropping beauty aside, the pure openness to new thought compounds revelations that propagate growth.
How can you help people with home offices and/or children schooling at home to be more comfortable and productive? One of the benefits of our relationship with Herman Miller is the range of home and office design solutions that can be space specific or flexible and adaptable. We have a knowledgeable staff experienced in guiding a client through the ergonomic and aesthetic requirements of their home office space.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of your business? I love the exchange gleaned at the Commonwealth Club and also enjoy opera, books, film, hiking and whitewater rafting.
Design Within Reach Larkspur | 2801 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, CA 94939 628.212.1003 | gbravos@dwr.com
PROMOTION
INSIDE & OUT MARIN
Peter Gilbert Let the “space whisperer” use his keen eye and experience to optimize your space.
Carina Herrera (portrait)
What is it about you or your business that makes you a great choice for clients? My output of product is fair, consistent and of the highest quality to meet each customer’s distinct needs. What sets you apart in home design, home furnishings and landscape architecture? While most designers specialize, I have experience in all aspects of design and can help a client create a unified theme across every aspect of a project. How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? My use of 3D Matterport technology allows for virtual engagement of open houses that completely changes the first impression of a customer. I am confident
that this service will shape the future of the industry. Do you or your business have a unique or notable history in the Bay Area? I have had the opportunity to work on some of the most iconic Bay Area projects. This includes the preservation and restoration of the Shel Silverstein houseboat; I was one of the lead brand directors who redesigned LVMH’s Sephora brand concept and then built a flagship store in the heart of San Francisco as a prototype, paving the way all future stores that are built; most recently, I revitalized the historic Wells Fargo building in downtown San Anselmo, one of Marin’s oldest buildings, to make it my personal office and a retail and innovation design studio (open by appointment).
People are stuck at home, how can your business help clients love their space now more than ever? Marin Living has coined the phrase “the space whisperer” to describe me. I can use my keen eye for space and function to help you to edit your family’s space. We can create a home that you love spending time in and meets the needs of the moment. How can you help people with home offices and/or children schooling at home to be more comfortable and productive? I explore how the space is currently being used and look for opportunities to reconfigure existing furniture to carve out a place that functions with operational excellence.
MOS Design (MY Own Story) | 404 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94960 | 415.521.8151 | peter.mosdesign@gmail.com
PROMOTION
INSIDE TRENDSETTERS & OUT MARIN MARIN
Cecilia Quezada and Julia Campbell Whether big or small, Quezada Architecture wants to help you realize your design vision. What is it about you or your business that makes you a great choice for clients? We believe the journey to your dream home should be just as enjoyable as the finished product. Woman- and minority-owned, we care deeply about representing exactly who you are: your lifestyle, culture, values and the surrounding environment. What sets you apart in interior design and architecture? We take the ego out of architecture and interior design. We understand that working with an architect can be a little intimidating, so we focus on making it a fun and seamless experience. We’re passionate about transforming our clients’ lives through warm and thoughtful design.
What separates you or your design business from the pack? Because we work in the hospitality, wellness and commercial sectors as well as residential, we find that many of our clients are asking to blur the lines between project types. Our goal is to bring a boutique design experience and a broad design perspective to every project to make each unique to the clients’ needs.
Quezada Architecture | 639 Front Street, First Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111 | 415.331.5133 | info@qa-us.com
Virginia Mae Rollison
How are you disrupting your industry and thinking outside the box? In every project, we find that one moment to take a risk and propose the unexpected. Whether it’s a custom concrete wall texture or staircase that leads up through a glass roof, we love to highlight the natural materials that bring a home together.
PROMOTION
INSIDE & OUT MARIN
Meghan Evans Buttercup Home Styling’s Design Studio and Shoppe offer clients a one-of-a-kind experience. What is it about you or your business that makes you a great choice for clients? What sets us apart in the design industry is, I believe, the willingness to listen. My goal is to make every home exactly what the client will love. What sets you apart in home and design? My company has established a Design Studio and Shoppe. This offers us the ability to offer furnishings and products from trusted vendors, while giving our clients a place to shop and meet with us to actually see furnishings in person.
Buttercup Home Styling 366 Ignacio Boulevard, Novato, CA, 94949 | 415.506.4444 mevans@buttercupbend.com
Steven J. Magner This photographer wants to tell your story as he transforms real estate imagery into true art What is it about you or your business that makes you a great choice for clients? I am influenced by the work of others but I believe I have set myself apart by including that human element that many people are subconsciously craving, a trend that I have seen surge since my work began gaining notoriety. My main goal is to capture the essence of the atmosphere within the spaces that I shoot. By offering both photography and videography as dual forms of interaction for my clients I have built a business around storytelling.
Marin County Photo | Steven J. Magner | 310.499.8075 steven@marincountyphoto.com | www.marincountyphoto.com Q @marincountyphoto
PROMOTION
INSIDE & OUT MARIN
Leeta Steenwyk Bella Notte offers inspired, comfortable and washable linens that are the star of any house. What sets you apart in home and design? Our alluring designs incorporate couture details balanced with functionality. All of our fabrics are machine-washable which means you’ll get stunning ensembles that you can enjoy every day. From our signature linens to silk charmeuse, our textiles become softer with each sleep and every wash. With 20 collections and 17 handmixed colors, we offer endless possibilities to inspire all of your living spaces. Bella Notte creates washable artisan linens for any space where inspired elegance and comfort are desired.
Bella Notte Linens | Novato, CA www.bellanottelinens.com | customercare@bellanotte.com
Thank You! To All of Our Partners
Bella Notte Linen
Marin County Photo | Steven Magner
Terra Outdoor Living
Novato, CA 415.349.0733 www.marincountyphoto.com
4258 Bolinas Street, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.331.1603 www.terraoutdoor.com
Buttercup Home
MOS Design | Peter Gilbert
Quezada Architecture
366 Ignacio Boulevard, Novato, CA, 94949 415.506.4444 www.buttercuphomestyling.com
404 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94960 415.521.8151 peter.mosdesign@gmail.com
639 Front Street, 1st Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111 415.331.5133 www.qa-us.com
60 Galli Drive | Suite 2, Novato, CA 94949 customercare@bellanotte.com www.bellanottelinens.com
Design Within Reach Larkspur 2801 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, CA 94939 628.212.1003 www.dwr.com
groundbreaking women. Marin Living magazine is honored to feature the most influential women and women-owned businesses in our April Groundbreaking Women advertorial feature. These outstanding women have proven to be a forces of nature in their respective industries. They break through boundaries and provide dynamic services, products and community connections that sets them apart in their fields. The Groundbreaking Women advertorial feature will include a Q&A profile and imagery that showcases the women and/or their products or services. Let us spotlight what makes you and your business stand apart from the crowd. Contact Dina Grant at dina@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.238.2030.
www.marinlivingmagazine.com
PROMOTION
Community Minded Great Design in Real Estate Is A Collaborative Process Outpost Real Estate is the first to recognize that transforming a house into a design showcase is a group effort. We are indebted to the talented community of vendors that we collaborate with to make our listings shine. From designers and architects to contractors and landscapers, to painters and flooring specialists and stagers and photographers, we have assembled the best team in the industry to deliver that signature look that commands top dollar. The Outpost style of presenting a home is all about the preparation and the right ideas, materials and finishes to fully capture the audience’s imagination. @outpost.homes | outpostrealestate.com team@outpostrealestate.com | 415.879.8311 Serving Marin County + San Francisco
The Story of Great Design You’ve found your dream home, but you don’t know how to express your personality in your new environment. Peter Gilbert of MOS Design (My Own Story) is a master creative and space whisperer with the ability to take a vision, create a concept and manage the project through fruition. MOS Design | Peter Gilbert 404 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94960 415.521.8151 | peter.mosdesign@gmail.com
What Matters Most in Real Estate The nuances of real estate are numerous and knowing each one is what sets a great agent apart from the rest. Nick Svenson brings his intimate knowledge of the buyer pool, timing, design, marketable characteristics and pricing to the table in a way that is easy to understand and act on. By leaving no stone unturned, buyers and sellers are sure to be very well positioned in the market. Nick Svenson has used this approach to become a top producer in the business and is currently one of the top 15 agents in Marin County. Nick Svenson | nick@marinsfhomes.com marinsfhomes.com | 415.505.7674
going places. Birds of a Feather
John Trox/courtesy of SingleThread
Edible gardens, a rock star–hosted fishing camp for kids and a Japanese-inspired restaurant, inn and working farm — foraging for your food just took on a whole new meaning.
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voyager.
Kyle and Katina Connaughton
A Green Star recognition and burgeoning farm operation are helping Sonoma’s acclaimed SingleThread Inn and Restaurant move forward during a tumultuous year. By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti
68 march 2021 marin living.
Courtesy of SingleThread; John Trox (opposite)
Living with the Land
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SingleThread’s rustic accommodations
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WHEN KYLE AND KATINA Connaughton, owners of the luxury inn and three-Michelin-star restaurant SingleThread (from $665, www.singlethreadfarms.com) in Sonoma, moved to Japan in their late 20s, they did it with intention. “It wasn’t so much like ‘oh, this is a random job, let’s move to Japan.’ It was a planned thing where we really wanted to go out there and learn about agriculture, cooking, ingredients,” recalls Kyle, who had gotten a job working for French culinary genius Michel Bras there. He and his wife learned the art of omotenashi, which is basically a heightened sense of hospitality where one anticipates guests’ needs, while living in a remote village on Hokkaido, an island known for its off-piste terrain and abundant powder snow. Katina was seduced by sustainable farming. The life-altering experience charted the course for what SingleThread would later become. “I learned the reverence for seasonality, to watch and listen to the subtle nuances of nature, and a deep-seated appreciation for the land,” says Katina. The restaurant and inn, which has five guest rooms with features like vaulted redwood ceilings, Japanese Toto toilets and minibars stocked with matcha makers and homemade ice cream, opened in 2016 on a corner in Healdsburg’s historic downtown. A vital component has been a five-acre Alexander Valley farm, which has produced about 70 percent of the SingleThread kitchen ingredients. After years of leasing there, the Connaughtons partnered with Price Family Vineyards & Estates to purchase their forever farm on Dry Creek Road last October. The 24-acre parcel, once a garden and retail plot, will allow them to expand their farm operations and create an agrarian utopia of sorts with a floral design studio, mushroom production, a truffle grove and fields growing everything from negi onions to Shishigatani pumpkins. SingleThread
Kasie Borrenson
voyager.
Michelin-starred dining at SingleThread
The Connaughtons have a larger mission — to bring greater biodiversity to a grape-focused
Courtesy of SingleThread (top); Garrett Rowland (bottom)
area to support wildlife and enhance ecosystems.
guests and members of the public will be able to visit and participate in workshops with farmers and chefs, hopefully by this summer. A collaboration with Bay Area company Botnia Skincare to grow and produce a line of botanicals and extracts for SingleThread is also in the works. “People ask, ‘Are you trying to move from producing 70 percent [of ingredients used in the restaurant] to 100 percent?’ and that’s not the case. We want to expand and grow more varieties of things but still support other farms in the area too,” says Kyle. The Connaughtons have a larger mission — to bring greater biodiversity to a grape-focused area to support wildlife and enhance ecosystems. The Michelin Guide awarded SingleThread
Exterior of the inn
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a Green Star in October in recognition of its commitment to preserving resources, embracing biodiversity and reducing food waste. Last year was the first year Michelin awarded U.S. restaurants for their sustainability efforts, and SingleThread was one of only five restaurants in the Bay Area to earn the distinction. The awards were announced at a socially distanced gala on SingleThread’s rooftop. “It all begins on the farm for us, and to have had the spotlight shifted from the restaurant property to the field was deeply appreciated by myself and the farm team,” says Katina. Dining at SingleThread, which, despite its caliber, feels more like a dinner party than a stuffy formal affair (guests can usually walk in and out of the kitchen whenever they like, and dishes are often shared), has been a very different experience since last March. The restaurant offered some outdoor dining on a vineyard in 2020. To give guests a transportive experience during the winter months, the 72 march 2021 marin living.
Connaughtons opened a heated tent next to the inn, designed by notable Bay Area architect Ken Fulk, to resemble a Japanese forest. Nine-course dinners were designed to celebrate the bounty of the Hokkaido coastline (think slightly sweet uni and crab, creamy scallops and plump salmon roe culminating in a hot pot: roasted Duclair duck nabe or Hokkaido Wagyu beef shabu shabu). The pop-up, dubbed Usu-Zan for the small active volcano in the village where the Connaughtons lived, had to shut down in December the day after it opened because of lockdown measures. “It’s obviously been really challenging like it is for everyone. We’ve been fortunate that we’ve had opportunities to make the most of personal and professional growth,” says Kyle. SingleThread chefs are staying busy producing 1,000 donation meals a week for Sonoma Family Meal, a collaboration between nearly 30 area restaurants that provide nutritious meals to locals in need, and they’re also making takeaway dinners like they did
at the beginning of the pandemic. Their team, composed of chefs from all over the world, are taking turns coming up with creative menus inspired by places like the Philippines and Oaxaca. Still, Kyle says he longs for the day when he can see people enjoying the dishes he’s prepared (each a snapshot of time because of the peak season ingredients used) and interact with guests. “That is the luxury for people: the time, freedom, ability and permission to switch off. We run our inn not like a hotel, but like a home. I think it’s most authentic when it’s in the way it was intended,” says Kyle. The Connaughtons, who have been a couple since they were teenagers and who raised two daughters together, have built a partnership based on friendship, trust and shared ethos. When they do reopen the 55-seat restaurant with dark-woodpaneled walls and low-slung gray banquettes for indoor dining, they know there will be plenty who will want a seat at the table.
John Trox
A Japanese breakfast at SingleThread
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land & sea.
A Fish Story Marin musician Jonathan Korty performed one of the more unlikely pandemic pivots last year when he traded in keyboard hooks for fish hooks.
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, Fairfax musician Jonathan Korty was a busy guy. You might have seen him play at numerous local venues in bands like Soul Ska, Koolerator or Vinyl, or maybe you performed at one of his open mics or played a club he was booking. Or maybe you saw him in Les Claypool’s (Primus) Electric Apricot movie. Indeed, the affable Korty was a Marin staple who seemed to be everywhere. But that all changed overnight when music venues were forced to close in March. So Korty did something unexpected and used his love of fishing, which he developed as a child when he and his brother spent all their off time angling in Marin, to found the wildly successful Korty’s Fish Camp (www.kortysfish camp.com). “This comes at a perfect time for me as a parent with three kids to find a different way to make some money,” Korty says. “I know that Covid has been hard on a lot of people and they had to get real creative. I just have to count my lucky stars that I came up with this idea and that it worked.” The concept came when Korty started taking his kids out fishing to instill a love of the outdoors and, before long,
other kids started to join, much to the delight of their moms and dads. “Parents loved it when I took their kids fishing and would say ‘This is such a cool thing to teach them, thank you, this is something that we wouldn’t have been able to show them because we aren’t from Marin and didn’t know there were lakes on Mount Tam,’ ” Korty says. “Then Covid hit and all my gigs dried up and I decided to do something to make money that I enjoyed doing. And I also thought, What can I do to help get some of these kids out who are sitting inside staring at screens all day long?” Korty started the camp and began loading children into his minivan (seven seems to be the perfect number), providing all the necessary poles, equipment and bait and taking the crew to spots where he was confident they could catch fish. The next thing he knew, his weeklong camps that run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June through August were sold out, the parents were grateful and the kids were pumped up. “You know that look on a kid’s face when they catch that first fish, it’s that smile that’s so amazing,” Korty says, adding that participants have caught leopard sharks, striped bass, surf-
art credit
By Daniel Jewett Illustration by Tiffany Dang
Fish Camp logo by Peter Nevins
perch, halibut and bat rays at various lake and ocean sites. “The stories started piling up, week after week; we had kids who were catching halibut and I would fillet the fish up and send them home with dinner. We had kids catching giant bat rays and fighting them for 45 minutes on the beach.” For San Anselmo mom Kate Danziger, who lost her husband unexpectedly in April, the camp has been invaluable for her son Aidan, who loves to fish and has been hit hard by the loss of his dad. “Jonathan has helped to bring little moments of joy back to Aidan’s life,” she says. “From a parent’s point of view, Jonathan makes it special because he is steady, patient, knowledgeable and kind, which is just what these kids need right now.” “It truly was a pivot for me because everyone knows me as a musician,” Korty says. “And now I have this huge demographic of kids who have never seen me play music and all they know is that I am John the fisher guy.” When Korty tramps down the trail and arrives at a fishing site with seven young people in tow, he definitely gets attention from locals and fishermen. “I’ve found a lot of support
from people who come up and ask me what I’m doing and say ‘That is so cool,’ ” he says. “They’ll give me tips about what’s biting, where there is a good tide, what locations to fish at.” Back when Korty, 52, started the camp, he didn’t know if it would be too much for him or if it would be too stressful and exhausting, but he found the opposite to be true. “I discovered that I am really well suited to it,” he says, describing days of teaching kids how to take care of and carry their own gear, tie knots, fix their own tangles and rig up their own poles. “It was invigorating and exactly in my wheelhouse.” And about his other life as a musician, Korty thinks his new venture may be the perfect complement. “I’m looking forward to the day when I can do both these things,” he says. “I can fish all day with these kids, be done by 4:30 so I can make it to a load-in, sound check and play a gig that night.” Prices are $500 for the week or $15 an hour outside of scheduled camp sessions. Age ranges are from 6 to 18 and Covid-19 precautions are in place. marin living.
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new digs.
A beautiful residential creation by Christian Douglas and team
Think Outside the Planter Box Food-forward landscape designer Christian Douglas shares tips for planting long-lasting edibles.
IT’S NOT EVEN SPRING YET, and we’re already daydreaming about juicy tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers. It’s hard to be patient when you’ve already bought seeds and planned out your most successful garden yet. But instead of subjecting your favorite veggies to the frosty cold this winter, use this time to plant perennials that will soak up the wet weather. Types of Perennials Perennials are plants whose life cycles continue for multiple
years (trees and bushes, flowers like roses and herbs like thyme). These plants grow continuously, as opposed to peppers, which must be planted anew each spring, radishes that only grow for a month or even wildflowers that scatter their own seeds. More likely than not, the majority of your landscaping is made up of perennials, which add greenery without needing much upkeep. You can keep these plants in border spaces around the yard; those spots are the ideal places to incorporate edible perennials without taking up
Adam Potts
By Christian Douglas
valuable planter box real estate, and this is one of the key tenets I follow when creating edible landscapes. You can think of perennials in a few categories: large fruit trees, including apples, persimmons, fig and avocado (depending on the climate and space); midsize plants such as blueberry bushes, raspberries, artichokes and grapes; and smaller options like strawberries, hardy herbs and flowers. Layer all these categories together for a lush landscape that mimics nature. Pro tip: Consider including non-edible perennials with bright blooms to attract bees and other insects that are needed to pollinate your vegetable crops.
Christiana Paoletti; portrait courtesy of Christian Douglas
When and Where to Get Them Fortunately, now is the perfect time to get your perennials. It’s too early to shop for tomato transplants, but any nursery should be well stocked with slower-growing plants. There are ample sourcing options in Marin — Sloat nurseries (www. sloatgardens.com), West End Nursery (www.westendnursery), California Native Landscapes (www.cnlnatives.com), Green Jeans (www.greenjeansgardensupply.com) and even some of the local hardware stores. Be sure to choose healthy, robust-looking specimens that don’t seem to be struggling in pots that are too small. Read up on the varietals or ask at the nursery to be sure you’re choosing a plant that will succeed in your growing location, since some require more sun than others. It’s ideal to plant fruits, berries and bushes during the rainy spring season so that they can benefit from the free irrigation. Larger plants need generous amounts of water while they are establishing their extensive root system, and the damp ground will be easier for them to spread out in and gather strength before the dry season. The softer soil also makes the digging and planting process easier for you, so planting these before summer is going to save you time and energy.
guavas grown as a hedgerow, or even artichokes as silvery statement pieces. Strawberries, herbs and pollinator flowers can be incorporated into any garden, no matter how small. Strawberries look great atop rock walls or around the base of larger plants. Herbs like oregano, thyme, cooking sage and rosemary can grow in pots or between stepping-stones. Perennial flowers such as catmint, salvia, lavender and yarrow are the showstoppers that truly take your space from a lawn to a living habitat.
How to Add Them to Your Landscape Adding fruits, berries and the like to your yard requires a bit of forethought since you’re choosing a permanent location for them to grow into. Don’t forget to plan for their future fullgrown size, with trees especially, but even the mid- and smallsize options should be planted with buffer space to grow into. If you are lucky enough to have unused sunny areas in your landscape, go big with your favorite fruits. But if you’re trying to fit edibles in where you can, espalier-trained apple trees along a fence line might be the best option, or pineapple
Perennial Palettes for Any Style Some partnerships are just meant to be. Use these pairings to plant your landscape like a pro.
Neat Modern Olives, citrus, blueberries, lavender, lemongrass, aloe. For maximum modern appeal, emphasize negative space and stick to a limited palette.
Wild Cottage Apple, artichoke, rambling rose, raspberries, strawberries, hyssop. To achieve a natural whimsical look, plant closer together in bold drifts with more informal edges.
Christian Douglas, of Marinbased Christian Douglas Design (www.christian-douglas.com), is an award-winning landscape designer known for his attention to detail and affinity for edible habitats. He also founded The Backyard Farm Co. (www. thebackyardfarmcompany.com), a progressive urban farming company on a mission to make growing food at home possible and rewarding for everyone.
Coastal California Fig, huckleberries, pineapple, grapes, grasses, salvia, yarrow. Silvery foliage and golden grasses easily come together to create the relaxed West Coast vibe.
Formal English Espalier apple, quince, bay leaf, rosemary, catmint, thyme. For a more structured, elegant feel, plant in geometric lines and repeating patterns.
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Are you ready to embrace spring’s bright, fresh flavors? Dee Coleman, owner of Marinbased Dee’s Organic Catering, is standing by to be your personal chef for daily or weekly meals. “We serve the freshest, local and organic ingredients. I love designing menus for my clients that will provide a delicious meal or gracefully complete an event,” Dee says. “I want you to always remember the food.” A Black-owned family business, Dee wants to bring her elevated dishes to your table. www.deesorganic.com | 415.312.0790 #Deesorganicmarin
You Are Not Alone
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Savor Spring
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Listen in at RealEstateInMarin.com Patricia Oxman
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There is help out there. Here are some local mental health resources. I In Local Suicide Prevention Hotline 415.499.1100 MarinHealth Behavioral Health (www.mymarinhealth.org) or 415.925.8808 County of Marin Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (www.marinhhs.org) Access and Assessment Line 888.818.1115 Crisis Stabilization Unit 415.473.6666 Mobile Crisis Response Team 415.473.6392 National Suicide Prevention Line (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org) or 800.273.8255
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drawn together.
A New Era For the first time in San Rafael’s 147-year history the city will be led mostly by women, including its first female mayor, Kate Colin.
IN AN OCTOBER ENDORSEMENT, the Marin Independent Journal wrote that Kate Colin, who has lived in San Rafael’s Sun Valley neighborhood since 1996 and served on the planning commission for seven years before joining city council in 2013, “is poised to step into the mayor’s job. We wholeheartedly recommend her in this historic election for San Rafael.” The editorial board wasn’t alone in that thought; the 55-year-old ended up receiving just over 86 percent of the vote replacing retiring mayor Gary Phillips, who served for nearly a decade, and made history as the first women elected mayor of San Rafael. But the history making didn’t stop there. Colin was sworn in in December with two new women councilmembers, Maika Llorens Gulati (also the city’s first Hispanic councilmember) and Rachel Kertz, who joined a third to make the five-person council majority female. Only three women had ever served on the city council before Colin was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2013. “After I won, I can’t tell you the number of women who had young daughters that made a point of reaching out to me and saying, ‘I have to tell you my daughter is so excited,’ and then they would say, ‘I’m excited, too,’ ” Colin recollects. “I get so focused on just doing my job that I hadn’t taken the moment to reflect that it can be inspiring and that it was on the radars of younger women in our community. That feels great.” Colin has four key policy “buckets” she wants to work on with the council during her term: social justice and racial equity; homelessness and housing; climate change and the related issues of sea level rise and wildfires; and economic recovery. In terms of housing, Colin says San Rafael is in a good position to meet the requirements that are coming down from the state. The city, as Colin knows from her time on the planning commission, has always been pro-housing and the mayor hopes to keep it that way for all economic levels. “I want housing in the right places in San Rafael,” she says. “It brings life and activity and people shopping, people working. There is always something going on; I want to be in a city where there is something going on.” To help achieve equity and make sure everyone is represented as the city moves forward, Colin says it is important to
I hadn’t taken the moment to reflect that it can be inspiring and that it was on the radars of younger women in our comunity. 80 march 2021 marin living.
work with community-based organizations like Canal Alliance and other trusted messengers in the Latinx and Vietnamese communities that call San Rafael home. “We have to have trust and relationships with the people with whom we are trying to connect,” Colin says. “How do we get people on our boards and our commissions — like new councilwoman Maika Llorens Gulati — that are bilingual and bicultural? Our work on this will never be done, we can always do better.” Due to the effects of Covid-19 restrictions on local businesses and restaurants, Colin says the economic recovery piece may be one of the most important priorities out of the gate. “I started, along with mayor Brian Colbert of San Anselmo, a cross-jurisdictional group comprised of an elected official from every city and town in Marin County,” she says, highlighting San Rafael’s Dining Under the Lights as an example of a successful economic stimulus program shared with the group. “We started to meet virtually and compare notes on what was working.” For now, local business owners may have seen the mayor on “Mayor Kate’s Walkabout” last month, walking up and down Fourth Street, talking with business owners and listening to what they have to say. “It’s all about building relationships, building trust and building connections,” she says. “I can’t do that from behind my computer.”
Reny Huelskamp
By Daniel Jewett
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