As a modern elder myself, aging and how to do it in style is always on my mind. So it was very cool to meet Jen Marples, a bit of an expert, coach and ray of light on this topic, with a unique female focus.
What do you do?
I’m a self-proclaimed champion of midlife women and a cheerleader for all women. I run The Jen Marples Agency and host The Jen Marples Show podcast. My rallying cry for women is: You’re not too f***ing old to step into the spotlight!
Where do you live?
I live in Tiburon, around Del Mar School.
How long have you lived in Marin?
Thirteen years. And 11 in San Francisco before that.
Where can we find you when you’re not at work?
Hiking in Mill Valley; walking my dog along the Tiburon waterfront; enjoying restaurants like Playa, Watershed and Servino’s; doing tons of yoga at NOW Power Yoga and Hot Yoga Republic; and hanging out with my three teens who go to Redwood.
If you had to convince someone how awesome Marin is, where would you take them?
Hiking up Mount Tam, a drive to Stinson, a walk in Sausalito, sunset drinks at Sam’s and some live music in Fairfax from local favorites like Jon Chi & The Pacific Syndicate. Who’s in?
What’s one thing Marin is missing?
I know everyone says diversity, but it weighs on my mind.
What’s one bit of advice you’d share with your fellow Marinites?
I think we are in our prime in midlife, and it’s the perfect time to take on a passion project, start a business, find a new love—anything. All you need is courage to get going—you’ve got everything you need inside you!
If you could ask anyone to join you at dinner, who would you invite?
As a gatherer of women and host of events, I could never pick one person. Instead, I’d build a big table and invite every woman I know.
What’s some advice you wish you knew 20 years ago?
There’s no destination; enjoy the journey. Also, make decisions based on your intuition.
What’s something that 20 years from now will seem cringeworthy?
Our addiction to phones and being inauthentic for likes.
Big question. What’s one thing you’d do to change the world?
The Mill Valley Fall Festivalis back for its 67th annual celebration of local art, artists, and art appreciators. Guests can expect nothing less than the full spectrum of festival features, such as the exhibiting artists, live entertainment, the children’s grove, the special presentation (from Artists without Boundaries) and much more. This year’s Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival will continue its time-honored traditions, such as granting six scholarships to talented local students. But, in a recent event twist, tickets to the festival can now be used on both days, meaning twice the fun for everyone!. So, come on out and fall in love with Marin’s art scene for the 67th time.
Tickets to the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival are available at the gate and online at mvfaf.org. The festival will takes place from 10a.m. to 5p.m. on Sept. 14 and 15 in Old Mill Park, located at 64 Cascade Dr., Mill Valley.
As one of San Anselmo’s arts commissioners, it was only a matter of time before I ran into Sharon Virtue, a dynamo with a generous artistic spirit who loves making things happen.
What do you do?
I’m a painter and ceramic artist working in community arts. I’m a teacher, facilitator and lifelong student.
Where do you live?
In Fairfax. Before that, I was in Oakland and San Francisco. I’ve lived in the Bay for over 30 years now. Fairfax gets me deeper into nature and has a less hectic energy.
How long have you lived in Marin?
Three years.
Where can we find you when you’re not at work?
Hiking in the hills around my home or gardening. A lot of gardening!
If you had to convince someone how awesome Marin is, where would you take them?
Point Reyes is a power place of dynamic energy and beautiful nature. There’s some of the best beachcombing to be found. Natural gifts from the ocean, flotsam and jetsam.
What’s one thing Marin is missing?
I know everyone says diversity, but it really does take different strokes to make the world more interesting and purposeful.
What’s one bit of advice you’d share with your fellow Marinites?
Spend as much time in nature as you can—it calms you down and feels refreshing like nothing inside can.
If you could ask anyone to join you at dinner, who would you invite?
I would love to share a meal with the Dali Lama and talk about altered states of consciousness and world peace.
What’s some advice you wish you knew 20 years ago?
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
What’s something that 20 years from now will seem cringeworthy?
The amount of time I spent sweating all that small stuff.
Big question. What’s one thing you’d do to change the world?
Return to a state of respect and gratitude for all living things.
Keep up with Virtue at virtuevision.org and at @shabanackle on Instagram.
Nish Nadaraja collects Legos and original art, but not nearly enough flotsam and jetsam. At least not yet.
Local columnist and cocktail expert Jeff Burkhart is on the precipice of what very well may be the coolest movie event happening in Marin: a screening of a James Bond feature film, plus a demo of what it means to drink like Bond…James Bond. The best part? Another screening of an award-winning short story adapted from Burkhart’s first book, a short film entitled Testing 1, 2, 3, is set to play on the silver screen just before the feature screening of Dr. No (i.e., the first Bond film). So, come on out to Tiburon to watch two films and see firsthand how an expert makes the two most iconic drinks in the James Bond universe: the medium dry vodka martini and the Vesper. And don’t worry—there’s a local twist to these classic cocktails. This two-for-one movie screening and drink demo event takes place from 6:30 to 10pm, Thursday, Sept. 12 at Cinelounge Tiburon, located at 40 Main St. Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com/e/shaken-not-stirred.
Mill Valley
Like Father, Like Daughter
Jeffrey Halford and the Healers is set to perform at the Sweetwater Music Hall later this month in a very special show that some may even say is sentimental. Halford is a legendary local musician in the North Bay, known for his country, blues and rock-style music. His three decades of riotous success in the Americana genre are culminating in a show right here in Marin’s Sweetwater Music Hall. This month, guests can come out to celebrate not only Halford’s send-off performance before his seventh tour across Europe but also to see his daughter, Hannah Halford, open the show with her own musical performance. Hannah Halford is a Marin local who attended Redwood High, where she won best vocalist in the county; alongside taking to the stage at home, she will be joining her father in his tour of Europe come October. Jeffrey Halford and the Healers will perform on Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Sweetwater Music Hall, located at 19 Corte Madera Ave. in Mill Valley. Doors open at 7pm, and the show begins at 8pm. Buy tickets at sweetwatermusichall.com.
Napa
Love Me a Love Triangle
Shakespeare Napa Valley is set to perform Twelfth Night, which can only mean one thing—it’s time to take in one of the Bard’s most beloved plays right here in the North Bay. Twelfth Night promises entertainment for audiences of all ages and demographics. After all, who doesn’t love watching the drama of a love triangle as it unfolds onstage? And Twelfth Night is such a juicy story, it’s managed to survive over 400 years of performances and relevance. Guests can look forward to watching Malvolio as played by Tim Kniffin, an award-winning actor from the Bay Area. Other local professionals include Matthew Cowell, Olivia Cowell, Rio Codda and apprentice actors from Napa Valley College. General admission costs $25, while admission for ages 5 to 17 costs $5. Members and Napa Valley College students and faculty may attend the performance for free. Shakespeare Summer Stroll’s performance of ‘Twelfth Night’ will take place Sept. 12 through 15 and again Sept. 19 through 22. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows begin at 6pm with doors opening at 5:30pm, while Sunday matinees are at 2pm. ‘Twelfth Night’ is showing at the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, located at 5200 Sonoma Hwy., Napa. For tickets or more info, visit shakespearenapavalley.org.
Santa Rosa
Paint Me Like One of Your SR Girls
The Santa Rosa arts scene is something else (in a good way, of course). But when is the best time to take in the sights and learn a little something about the city’s rich artistic culture? Well, that would probably be at the upcoming inaugural Santa Rosa Open Studios citywide event celebrating the city’s creativity and the creative citizens! This first-ever rendition of the soon-to-be annual Santa Rosa Open Studios will feature over 70 artists in a free-to-attend, self-guided tour of a whole lot of art studios located across the city. Come on out and satisfy that curiosity while supporting the local community, art and, naturally, the artist too. The Santa Rosa Open Studios initiative will take place between 10am and 5pm on the weekend of Sept. 14 and 15 and again on the weekend of Sept. 21 and 22. Visit sropenstudios.com to access info, descriptions and the map of participating artists.
Misinformation is hardly a new problem, but it often spikes around breaking news events. Racist narratives and conspiracy theories have rapidly escalated in recent years. Misinformation from across the political spectrum about almost any political topic is rampant.
The good news is that we know more about the solutions today than ever before. The missing piece is the scale of resources needed to respond to today’s challenges adequately. We now live in a world where people who believe in democracy must fight those who do not with our money.
Donors to democracy can address these challenges by combating misinformation and amplifying trustworthy information. Both actions are essential this election year and beyond to ensure communities have the necessary information to make decisions that impact their daily lives. It’s not too late to invest in this strategy.
Four ways that pro-democracy funders can act now are:
1. Fund the organizers and experts who are mobilizing against misinformation. They are working to disrupt bad actors, hold Big Tech accountable, and intervene against harmful and false information campaigns targeting voters, particularly communities of color.
2. Fund news operations that are sharing trustworthy information. Newsrooms have the ideas, strategies and motivation to meet this moment and are ready to move with more resources.
3. Protect the messengers vulnerable to physical, digital and legal threats. Small independent news services and freelancers are especially exposed, particularly those serving communities with high levels of political polarization and voter suppression.
4. Ensure news operations have the flexibility to adapt to an unpredictable political environment. They need the flexibility to plan, respond to challenges and maintain operations. Restricted funding can lead to short-term solutions at the expense of long-term organizational health. Our funding practices can evolve to better meet their needs by offering multi-year, general operating support whenever possible, extending the timeline of grants, or reducing reporting requirements.
The need for trusted information doesn’t end on Election Day. Fully funded democracy reporting would cover the decisions made about our voting system year-round by legislatures, courts and local officials and track voter suppression efforts. It would allow the space to build stronger relationships with the community and the expertise to explain how national patterns impact local events. This coverage requires donors to think of democracy and elections coverage not as a seasonal activity but as an ongoing process. The status quo is not an option and never was.
While I’m not exactly a fan of Mr. Don, I do take exception with Ms. Libby Hicks’ assessment of his circumstance (Sept. 4 Letters to the Editor). While he may end up back in office, I find it extremely hard to believe that she has some information that the rest of the world does not: a faked assassination attempt?
It seems fairly obvious to me that Ms. Hicks has never had gunfire directed towards her nor sustained any injury from it, no matter how insignificant she might think having one’s ear grazed by a bullet traveling around 2,000 feet per second might be. Sadly, while her points about what to expect may end up true, how she got there is as suspect as the man himself.
However, faulty reasoning is not acceptable or linear, no matter who the subject is. Truth requires rules; playing by them serves all.
Joseph Brooke
Point Reyes Station
Sun Fun
If our state politicians wanted to expand solar capacity to meet all our energy needs, they would reinstate the ability for homeowners to sell excess solar energy back to PG&E at the same rate they sell it. This would also solve distribution capacity problems.
Instead, Gov. Newsom caved to one of his biggest donors, rolled back this incentive and increased rates. His hand-picked public utilities commissioners do whatever Newsom demands, and Newsom does whatever PG&E demands. Follow the money.
In about 20 minutes, a wind-driven fire destroyed one structure while the building next door remained virtually unscathed. It all began with clumps of mulch catching fire in front of each structure.
A few mitigating measures could have left both standing.
The building devastated by fire conformed to typical California building standards, yet had no chance once wind-blown embers ignited a juniper bush next to it. The flames quickly reached the eaves and then engulfed the structure.
Why didn’t the fire spread to the adjacent building? It was built to science-based wildfire-prepared standards. It also had a five-foot buffer zone, free of the plants and wood fencing surrounding the burning structure.
Last weekend, Fire Safe Marin’s Ember Stomp, an event at the Marin County Fairgrounds, dramatically demonstrated a wildfire’s impact on these two structures. Thousands of residents attended to learn about wildfire preparedness, “home hardening” and resilient landscaping.
Most onlookers at the demonstration expressed surprise that the two buildings had such different fates. The structures looked similar and were close together.
A wildfire demonstration at Marin’s Ember Stomp destroys a structure built to typical California standards, while a wildfire-prepared building remains unscathed. Sept. 7, 2024. Photo by IBHS.
“It is amazing what five feet of non-combustibility can do for the risk at each individual home,”Anne Cope, Ph.D., said in an interview.
For the last 15 years, Cope, chief engineer at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), has studied the effects of wildfires and other catastrophic events on buildings. The science gleaned at the IBHS laboratory in South Carolina has been adopted into some material testing standards andbuilding codes.
Although a nonprofit organization, IBHS is supported by the insurance industry—the same companies that substantially raise rates for many California homeowners, cancel longtime customers or cease to write new policies in some areas. Cope said she understands the hardships consumers face.
“Mother Nature is everywhere,” she explained. “The number of billion-dollar disasters every year—the trend is an upward slope. With more damage and inflation, there are so many difficulties right now for American homeowners. Nowhere is that more evident, though, than in the state of California.”
Economists believe California’s homeowners insurance issue has reached a crisis level, driven by wildfire damage. The financial losses are staggering. From 2017-2021, CalFIRE estimated that wildfires were responsible for almost $50 billion in property damage (after adjusting for inflation). Meanwhile, California lawmakers are reviewing regulatory reforms for the insurance industry.
As a research engineer, Cope wants to help homeowners by educating them about damage mitigation. Adapting a home to withstand wildfire risk provides “a great talking point” when contacting insurance agents to shop for a homeowners policy.
While there are no guarantees, it could tip the scales. IBHS has even launched a two-tiered certification program for homeowners who meet strict standards to protect their homes and yards against wildfire.
Of course, shoring up a home doesn’t just help with insurance rates. Wildfires cause personal devastation—and it’s not all financial. There’s a 90% chance a home will be destroyed once it ignites, according to the IBHS.
Cope and her team have developed science-based home-hardening measures by studying wildfires post-event and lab research. The IBHS center uses full-scale homes to measure the effects of wind-driven disasters, including wildfires.
“We can recreate realistic winds in that facility and subject a two-story home to the types of things that will actually occur to it—hurricane-force winds, hailstorms, wind-blown embers,” Cope said. “There are some scientific things that just cannot be scaled down to the dollhouse size, like asphalt shingles, vinyl siding and an ember-resistant vent in the attic.”
Research has established that wind-blown embers from a wildfire create the most substantial risk to homes. Fortunately, a homeowner doesn’t need to tear down and rebuild to reduce their home’s chance of igniting from embers.
“There’s absolutely stuff that homeowners with existing homes can do—today,” Cope said. “The physical aspects of my building, what I can touch, typically comes to mind. But that’s the second thing. Thefirst and most critical wildfire preparedness that every homeowner can start in on right now is defensible space.”
Defensible space requires creating a five-foot buffer zone around a home by removing all combustible materials, including vegetation, trees, artificial turf, wood and vinyl fencing, outdoor furniture and even vehicles. Another component of an ignition-free area involves adding a hardscape, such as pavers, gravel, soil or a sidewalk.
While a barren buffer zone creates a different appearance for homes, Cope maintains that it’s still attractive. She points to the winning designs from a recent wildfire-resilient landscaping contest at UC Berkeley, with budgets ranging from low to high.
For do-it-yourselfers, she recommends moving all the bushes and other vegetation away from the house to a different part of the yard, keeping the greenery visible from the windows.
“You can have a home that has beautiful curb appeal and is wildfire-prepared,” Cope said.
Other mitigation methods involve improvements to the house. The size and cost of projects vary—anything from replacing the roof to simply buying metal mesh from the hardware store to cover vents.
Homeowners should ensure they have the highest-rated roof, Class A, which specifies materials that have survived a severe fire test. Most California homes have Class A roofs, Cope said. Interestingly, the structure destroyed by fire during the Ember Stomp demonstration had a Class A roof that held up well during the blaze.
Preventing wind-blown embers from entering a home through vents in the attic, roof and crawlspace is another important measure. Installing ember-resistant vents reduces this risk. Cost-conscious homeowners can cover existing vents with a non-combustible mesh wire screen, one-eighth of an inch or less.
Next, homeowners should address the base of the house. Cope explained that large embers will roll across the ground and end up next to a home. Installing six inches of vertical non-combustible material at the base of exterior walls and decks will guard against embers igniting those areas. The good news is that many homes already have this feature because typical building codes require it to prevent termites.
IBHS has an extensive checklist to guide homeowners through the necessary steps for a wildfire-prepared home. Some of the actions require retrofitting.
“To go to that higher level of protection, homes need non-combustible siding, dual pane, tempered glass windows and more,” Cope said.
Some of these measures require significant financial investments and will remain out of reach for homeowners on a budget. However, Cope emphasized that even if a home has vulnerabilities, like wood siding, adding five feet of defensible space makes a substantial difference.
“The real challenge to our suburbs is those thankfully rare events where the fire gets out of control,” Cope said. “Sadly, it comes storming towards the neighborhood with the wind-blown embers. If we can guard against those embers and prevent the suburb from catching fire, we can significantly decrease the impacts that wildland fires have on our communities.”
ARIES (March 21-April 19): One of the longest bridges in the world is the 24-mile-long Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana. During one eight-mile stretch, as it crosses Lake Pontchartrain, travelers can’t see land. That freaks out some of them. You might be experiencing a metaphorically similar passage these days, Aries. As you journey from one mode to the next, you may lose sight of familiar terrain for a while. My advice: Have faith, gaze straight ahead and keep going.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): My horoscopes don’t necessarily answer questions that are foremost in your awareness. This might annoy you. But consider this: My horoscopes may nevertheless nudge you in unexpected directions that eventually lead you, in seemingly roundabout ways, to useful answers. The riddles I offer may stir you to gather novel experiences you didn’t realize you needed. Keep this in mind, Taurus, while reading the following: In the coming weeks, you can attract minor miracles and fun breakthroughs if you treat your life as an art project. I urge you to fully activate your imagination and ingenuity as you work on the creative masterpiece that is YOU.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The Gemini musician known as Prince got an early start on his vocation. At age 7, he wrote “Funk Machine,” his first song. Have you thought recently about how the passions of your adult life first appeared in childhood? Now is an excellent time to ruminate on this and related subjects. Why? Because you are primed to discover forgotten feelings and events that could inspire you going forward. To nurture the future, draw on the past.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): You are lucky to have an opposable thumb on each of your hands. You’re not as lucky as koala bears, however, which have two opposable thumbs on each hand. But in the coming weeks, you may sometimes feel like you have extra thumbs, at least metaphorically. I suspect you will be extra dexterous and nimble in every way, including mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You could accomplish wonders of agility. You and your sexy soul may be extra supple, lithe and flexible. These superpowers will serve you well if you decide to improvise and experiment, which I hope you will.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The internet is filled with wise quotes that are wrongly attributed. Among those frequently cited as saying words they didn’t actually say, Buddha is at the top of the list. There are so many fraudulent Buddha quotes in circulation that there’s a website devoted to tracking them down: fakebuddhaquotes.com. Here’s an example. The following statement was articulated not by Buddha but by English novelist William Makepeace Thackeray: “The world is a looking glass. It gives back to every man a true reflection of his own thoughts.” I bring these thoughts to your attention, Leo, because it’s a crucial time for you to be dedicated to truth and accuracy. You will gain power by uncovering deceptions, shams and misrepresentations. Be a beacon of authenticity!
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Peregrine falcons can move at a speed of 242 miles per hour. Mexican free-tailed bats reach 100 miles per hour, and black marlin fish go 80 mph. These animals are your spirit creatures in the coming weeks, Virgo. Although you can’t literally travel that fast—unless you’re on a jet—I am confident you can make metaphorical progress at a rapid rate. Your ability to transition into the next chapter of your life story will be at a peak. You will have a robust power to change, shift and develop.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Mythically speaking, I envision a death and rebirth in your future. The death won’t be literal; neither you nor anyone you love will travel to the other side of the veil. Rather, I foresee the demise of a hope, the finale of a storyline or the loss of a possibility. Feeling sad might temporarily be the right thing to do, but I want you to know that this ending will ultimately lead to a fresh beginning. In fact, the new blooms ahead wouldn’t be possible without the expiration of the old ways. The novel resources that arrive will come only because an old resource has faded.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Did you ever have roommates who stole your credit card and used it to buy gifts for themselves? Does your history include a friend or loved one who told you a lie that turned out to be hurtful? Did you ever get cheated on by a lover you trusted? If anything like this has happened to you, I suspect you will soon get a karmic recompense. An atonement will unfold. A reparation will come your way. A wrong will be righted. A loss will be indemnified. My advice is to welcome the redress graciously. Use it to dissolve your resentments and retire uncomfortable parts of your past.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): One of my oldest friends is Sagittarius-born Jeffrey Brown. We had rowdy fun together in our 20s. We were mad poets who loved to party. But while I went on to become an unruly rock-and-roll musician, experimental novelist and iconoclastic astrologer, Brown worked hard to become a highly respected, award-winning journalist for the PBS News Hour, a major American TV show. Among his many successes: He has brought in-depth coverage of poetry and art to mainstream TV. How did he manage to pull off such an unlikely coup? I think it’s because he channeled his wildness into disciplined expression; he converted his raw passions into practical power; he honed and refined his creativity so it wielded great clout. In the coming months, dear Sagittarius, I urge you to make him one of your inspirational role models.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Let’s hypothesize that you will be alive, alert and active on your 100th birthday. If that joyous event comes to pass, you may have strong ideas about why you have achieved such marvelous longevity. I invite you to imagine what you will tell people on that momentous occasion. Which practices, feelings and attitudes will have turned you into such a vigorous example of a strong human life? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to meditate on these matters. It will also be a favorable phase to explore new practices, feelings and attitudes that will prolong your satisfying time here on planet Earth.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Few Americans are more famous than George Washington. He was a top military leader in the Revolutionary War before he became the country’s first president. George had a half-brother named Lawrence, who was 16 years older. Virtually no one knows about him now, but during his life, he was a renowned landowner, soldier and politician. Historians say that his political influence was crucial in George’s rise to power. Is there anyone remotely comparable to Lawrence Washington in your life, Aquarius? Someone who is your advocate? Who works behind the scenes on your behalf? If not, go searching for them. The astrological omens say your chances are better than usual of finding such champions. If there are people like that, ask them for a special favor.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Over 15 centuries ago, Christian monks decided Fridays were unlucky. Why? Because they were the special day of the pagan Goddess Freya. Friday the 13th was extra afflicted, they believed, because it combined a supposedly evil number with the inauspicious day. And how did they get their opinion that 13 was malevolent? Because it was the holy number of the Goddess and her 13-month lunar calendar. I mention this because a Friday the 13th is now upon us. If you are afraid of the things Christian monks once feared, this could be a difficult time. But if you celebrate radical empathy, ingenious intimacy, playful eros and fertile intuition, you will be awash in good fortune. That’s what the astrological omens tell me.
Tickets are now on sale for the 2nd Annual Bolinas Film Festival.
The fest unspools its wares from Sept. 19 to 22 in the woodsy West Marin enclave of its name.
Its opening night gala will feature filmmakers Nadia and Dominic Gil on hand with their 30-minute documentary, PLANETWALKER. The documentary follows Point Reyes local Dr. John Francis, who, following a 1971 oil spill in San Francisco, began a 22-year-long walk—17 years of which were taken in a vow of silence. A Fork Full of Earth will cater the event, and Piro Patton will perform live jazz with…wait for it… an entirely different Jon Francis.
Also on the docket is Giants Rising, a journey into the heart of America’s most iconic forests—coastal redwoods—where the trees are among the tallest and oldest living beings on Earth. The festival offers a variety of fun, “only in Marin” experiences—Forest Bathing, anyone?—that underscore the themes of its films and add an experiential element available nowhere else.
To learn more or purchase a pass to one or all of the days, visit bolinasfilmfestival.com. The second annual Bolinas Film Festival is set to show Sept. 19 through 22 at The Starlight Theater, 5 Brighton Ave.
Usually, when one experiences the chill of ice in a cinema, it’s due to having spilled a soft drink. Cinelounge Tiburon has a decidedly more invigorating take—an evening of Ice Plunge & Breathwork Meditation at 6:30 on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Dive into the icy waters for a rush of adrenaline and renewal, followed by guided breathwork designed to sharpen focus and deepen relaxation—at a movie theater. Because—why not?
This transformative practice, led by certified Wim Hof instructor Joel Threet, combines cold immersion with the Wim Hof Method’s renowned breathing techniques designed to boost circulation, enhance immunity and increase mental clarity.
Meanwhile, at The Lark, National Theatre Live continues with Prima Facie, by playwright Suzie Miller and starring Jodie Comer (who played the villainous “Villanelle” in Netflix’s Killing Eve). This solo tour de force finds “Tessa,” a young, brilliant barrister confronting the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge.
The play takes its title from the legal term prima facie, which literally means “at first sight” or “on the face of it,” and describes evidence that seems sufficient to prove a case… unless it’s contradicted by additional evidence. One can see where this is going, right? Captured live from the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End, the show is playing at The Lark Sept. 12-Oct. 3.
For tickets, visit bit.ly/lark-prima. The Lark is located at 549 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur.
Summertime is almost over here in Marin, which can only mean one thing—beach bodies are out, and eating for the holidays is in!
Sure, it may only be September, but fall and winter are creeping up closer on that calendar than anyone would expect. So, why wait for Thanksgiving when the best time to enjoy local food and those who make it is in the here and now?
With the fast-approaching chilly days of autumn just ahead, the only thing on this foodie’s mind is sweater weather and tucking into a big bowl of chili or clam chowder with a slice of bread.
Oh, and maybe adding a nice bottle of wine on the side wouldn’t hurt. Something bold and red with some spiced notes at the end. Or a crisp honey mead bursting with floral flavors reflecting last season’s flowers? It sounds like the bee’s knees, especially when paired with local, creamy brie cheese. And, as food writer M.F.K. Fisher said, one should consider the oyster…more like a dozen Tomales Bay oysters served on the half shell with a nice shallot vinaigrette.
But there’s no reason to stop there, especially when Marin County is chock full of locally farmed, fermented, baked, butchered, cooked and otherwise delicious bites and sips to savor throughout the season ahead.
Here are some hidden gems and obvious choices listed together to make eating well and locally a piece of cake.
Restaurants
Il Davide will carry locals through the fall and winter with the best selection of Italian food one could hope to find (unless one has connections to an Italian grandmother). But if there’s no nonna at home making ravioli from scratch with her house-grown and made San Marzano sauce…well, it may be best to make a reservation at Il Davide. For pasta and more, visit ildavide.net or 901 A St. in San Rafael.
Hog Island Oyster Co. is the place to go for all those who wish to get mighty selfish with local, delicious shellfish. Whether one wants to eat oysters out on the bay or take them home, Hog Island has it covered. Visit hogislandoysters.com or come visit in person any day of the week at 20215 Shoreline Hwy. in Marshall.
The Marshall Store’s waterfront view of Tomales Bay and their selection of oysters, raw and cooked, are almost too good for words. Add in the garlic bread and beverage selection, and it’s surprising that guests don’t have to be pried off their chairs like mussels are pulled off rocks. To grab a seat before others get the chance, visit themarshallstore.com or 19225 CA-1 in Marshall.
Sushi Ran is considered among the OG great eateries here in Marin. Though most locals know well the deliciousness served up at this establishment, so much so that including it feels redundant, leaving it off this list would be wrong. So, you know where to go: sushiran.com or straight out to 107 Caledonia St. in Sausalito.
Corner Bar in Mill Valley is a relatively new inclusion to the restaurant scene here in Marin, and it has some stellar bites. Those who suffer from seasonal depression and are seeking something to brighten up the months ahead, look no further than Corner Bar’s deep-fried duck wings for a guaranteed dopamine fix. For information on Corner Bar’s duck wings (and the rest of the menu, including drinks), visit cornerbarmv.com or 106 Throckmorton Ave. in Mill Valley.
Menya Shono has all the authentic, hot bowls of ramen one needs to get through the biting cold of coastal Marin’s fall and winter months. If noodles, broth and flavor sound appealing, this place won’t disappoint. For those who have never been to Menya Shono…oh no…fix this terrible mistake by visiting 908 4th St. in San Rafael.
Beverages
California Gold Bar in San Rafael provides impeccable cocktails, service, ambiance and some truly unique craft beers, and good all-around vibes and cheer. There’s even a fantastic non-alcoholic cocktail menu that’ll knock one’s sober socks off! Visit californiagoldbar.com or try a cocktail in person any day of the week at 848 B St., San Rafael.
Heidrun is a honey meadery out in Point Reyes that is abuzz with visitors every season of the year. With a rotating selection of wines based on seasonality (and the whims of the bees, probably), visiting Heidrun often is a good idea. After all, this fall, they could carry one’s new favorite bubbly. Visit heidrunmeadery.com or 11925 CA-1 in Point Reyes Station.
Mantra Wines caters to those who like live music, lively company, or just the ambiance and space to sit alone and muse to themselves. Whether those musings are existential or pleasant (or pleasantly existential), Mantra welcomes it all. And the assyrtiko pairs very well with both birthdays and identity crises! Visit mantrawines.com or come to 881 Grant Ave. and enjoy some wine in downtown Novato’s own Mantra.
Marin Kombucha is a local organic company with some genuinely great-tasting fermented craft tea. The pinot sage-flavored kombucha is something special, though the original oak and blood orange cardamom ones are just as good. Visit the website at marinkombucha.com or, for non-squeamish and curious readers, just look up the word “scoby.”
Ingredients, Bites & Misc.
Mill Valley Pasta Co. understands that pasta is a universal language of love. This is especially true of local, organic, small-batch artisanal pasta with all the sauces and accouterments. To learn more and order enough pasta for the cold months ahead, visit the Mill Valley Pasta Co. website at millvalleypasta.com.
Rustic Bakery has bread, which is reason enough to frequent this eatery throughout the cold months. If, for some reason, bread isn’t enough, Rustic Bakery also offers coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches and all sorts of tasty delights. To view the selection and many local Rustic Bakery locations, visit rusticbakery.com.
The Marin French Cheese Co. is a well-aged institution here in Marin that has been slinging cheese since the 1860s. It may be cheesy to say, but don’t say “goudabye” to the fall without taking a trip out to 7510 Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Rd. in Novato.
Wild West Ferments (and The Culture Shop, by extension) is the best place to pick up various specialty fermented items. Whether one needs a jar of perfectly crunchy sauerkraut for a schnitzel dish, cured meats, cheese or even some hot chili sauce to adorn that cup of ramen, Wild West Ferments has it covered. Learn more by visiting wildwestferments.com or 80 4th St. in Point Reyes.
As a modern elder myself, aging and how to do it in style is always on my mind. So it was very cool to meet Jen Marples, a bit of an expert, coach and ray of light on this topic, with a unique female focus.
What do you do?
I’m a self-proclaimed champion of midlife women and a cheerleader for...
The Mill Valley Fall Festival is back for its 67th annual celebration of local art, artists, and art appreciators. Guests can expect nothing less than the full spectrum of festival features, such as the exhibiting artists, live entertainment, the children’s grove, the special presentation (from Artists without Boundaries) and much more. This year’s Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival will...
As one of San Anselmo’s arts commissioners, it was only a matter of time before I ran into Sharon Virtue, a dynamo with a generous artistic spirit who loves making things happen.
What do you do?
I’m a painter and ceramic artist working in community arts. I’m a teacher, facilitator and lifelong student.
Where do you live?
In Fairfax. Before that,...
...In Tiburon
Local columnist and cocktail expert Jeff Burkhart is on the precipice of what very well may be the coolest movie event happening in Marin: a screening of a James Bond feature film, plus a demo of what it means to drink like Bond…James Bond. The best part? Another screening of an award-winning short story adapted from Burkhart’s first...
Fund ‘democracy coverage’
Misinformation is hardly a new problem, but it often spikes around breaking news events. Racist narratives and conspiracy theories have rapidly escalated in recent years. Misinformation from across the political spectrum about almost any political topic is rampant.
The good news is that we know more about the solutions today than ever before. The missing piece is the...
Info Wars
While I’m not exactly a fan of Mr. Don, I do take exception with Ms. Libby Hicks’ assessment of his circumstance (Sept. 4 Letters to the Editor). While he may end up back in office, I find it extremely hard to believe that she has some information that the rest of the world does not: a faked assassination...
In about 20 minutes, a wind-driven fire destroyed one structure while the building next door remained virtually unscathed. It all began with clumps of mulch catching fire in front of each structure.
A few mitigating measures could have left both standing.
The building devastated by fire conformed to typical California building standards, yet had no chance once wind-blown embers ignited a...
ARIES (March 21-April 19): One of the longest bridges in the world is the 24-mile-long Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana. During one eight-mile stretch, as it crosses Lake Pontchartrain, travelers can’t see land. That freaks out some of them. You might be experiencing a metaphorically similar passage these days, Aries. As you journey from one mode to the next, you...
Tickets are now on sale for the 2nd Annual Bolinas Film Festival.
The fest unspools its wares from Sept. 19 to 22 in the woodsy West Marin enclave of its name.
Its opening night gala will feature filmmakers Nadia and Dominic Gil on hand with their 30-minute documentary, PLANETWALKER. The documentary follows Point Reyes local Dr. John Francis, who, following a...
Our subjective menu meditation
Summertime is almost over here in Marin, which can only mean one thing—beach bodies are out, and eating for the holidays is in!
Sure, it may only be September, but fall and winter are creeping up closer on that calendar than anyone would expect. So, why wait for Thanksgiving when the best time to enjoy local food...
