Commuting to San Francisco, chauffeuring the kids to games and practice sessions, trying to prepare daily organic meals from scratch, staying up to date on the latest in social media and technology…between real jobs and day jobs, families and social lives, folks in Marin are busy. Schedules and appointments fill iPhone and Blackberry calendars. Fortunately, when it’s time to unwind or just unplug, there are many options here in the North Bay.

For the ultimate in mindful living, there’s Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre. Tucked away on 400-acres in San Geronimo Valley, Spirit Rock is dedicated to the Buddha’s teachings in the vipassana tradition and programs range from individual classes to weeklong retreats. Renowned for its courses and programs, Spirit Rock has drawn the likes of the Dalai Lama, Alice Walker and Vietnamese leader Thich Nhat Hahn who have all taught or spoken there over the years. You may even run into Giants pitching ace Tim Lincecum.

Spirit Rock Meditation Center Photo by everydaybalance	Spirit Rock Meditation Hall Photo by everydaybalance

 If you’re interested in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition of Buddhism, there’s Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, located near Muir Beach. Green Gulch inhabits over one-hundred acres and offers meditation retreats and zen studies, as well as tea gatherings and classes on the Way of Tea in the Green Gulch tea house, built in the traditional Japanese style, and hands-on work experience and instruction in organic farming and gardening.

If you don’t have a full day or week to dedicate but still want to sneak away for an hour or so of inner-peace, Marin has several yoga studios. Some of our favorites include Yoga Toes in Pt. Reyes Station, Yoga Works in Larkspur and Mill Valley, The Yoga Garden in San Anselmo, and Yoga Center of Marin in Corte Madera.

After releasing toxins through yoga, you can further cleanse your body with tea. As taught at Green Gulch, tea offers many benefits in healing and spirituality; even the ceremony of preparing, serving and enjoying tea can have benefits. In addition to the many tea and coffee shops, we are actually home to local purveyors Mighty Leaf and Republic of Tea, as well as Tea Fountain in Mill Valley. Our picks: Mighty Leaf Vanilla Bean, Republic of Tea Mango Ceylon and Tea Fountain Coconut Cream. 

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center Photo by Günter Waibel

Not surprisingly, because this is Marin and we’re early adopters of social media, almost all of these tea and yoga businesses can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

If you prefer less structure and no fees, remember where you live: just head out the door and enjoy a secluded hike on Mt. Tam amongst the Redwoods, find a viewpoint on a bluff overlooking the ocean, relish the bay views from any bench in Tiburon or Sausalito, or simply let the sand massage your feet as you stroll on the beach. Breathe in the fresh air and relax.

Namasté.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Photo taken by Marilyn Maciel

In 1915, the Hub Theatre opened in Mill Valley and served as a cultural center for the growing small town by featuring silent movies and live vaudeville acts. Since then, the building has taken on a few different forms – including Saturday Nite Movies (the precursor to the Mill Valley Film Festival) – before a revitalization in the early 2000s that gave birth to the 142 Throckmorton Theatre. The nonprofit theater that exists today is beautiful and plays homage to its predecessor with the mission of creating a hub in the center of downtown Mill Valley that promotes the arts as well as a sense of community.

A cornerstone of the theatre for the past five years has been Tuesday Night Comedy: Mark Pitta and Friends. Since launching it has become a staple, drawing people into the historic and intimate theatre each week. The show is a true treat because you never know what you’re going to get. A showcase for up-and-coming comedians, as well as established headliners, the set list goes unannounced and the evening’s mixed bag entertainment can take the form of stand-up, Improv or even musical numbers. It’s a well-known fact that locals Robin Williams and Dana Carvey stop by from time to time – as well as other comedic luminaries such as Richard Lewis, Arj Barker, Hal Sparks, and Kevin Nealon. If you’ve never been, this local gem is worth checking out. In fact, you can stop by Tuesday Night Comedy tonight – doors open at 7:00PM – and you just may be greeted by a surprise guest.

Read what fellow GuideMeHome blogger Andy Gellepis had to say in his post Tuesday Night Comedy in Mill Valley

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

As we mentioned, San Francisco and all the cultural amenities it has to offer are just a quick trip across the bridge. The City offers everything you would expect to find in a leading metropolis. That said, you don’t really have to make the trip across the Bay to celebrate the arts: there are plenty of options right here in the North Bay that even draw folks from SF to our side of the bridge.

One such draw is the Marin Shakespeare Company, a local institution bringing the drama, poetry, tragedy and comedy of Shakespeare to Marin each summer through an enchanting festival under the stars. Three programs are on the schedule this summer. We can’t wait for The Taming of the Shrew which opens July 24 and is set to a Pirates of the Caribbean theme. Check out this sneak peak of the costumes and you’ll see why we’re excited.

The Marin Theatre Company (MTC), (the Bay Area’s “premiere mid-sized theater and the leading professional theater in the North Bay”), is doing something brand new this season: collaborating with Magic Theatre and American Conservatory Theatre for a Bay Area-wide production of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s trilogy, The Brother/Sister Plays. The first installment, In the Red and Brown Water, runs at MTC starting September 14 and opens their 2010-2011 season.

If your interest lies in the performing arts, both the Marin Center and the Marin JCC put on compelling programs featuring performers from all over the world. The upcoming lineup at the Marin Center in San Rafael includes the Peking Acrobats, Pilobolus Dance Company (remember their incredible shape-shifting interpretations of the top-nominated films at the 2007 Academy Awards?), the Russian National Ballet Theatre, and even Bill Cosby who will grace the stage this February. Over at the JCC, also in San Rafael, the performing arts program includes an amazing annual lineup of world-class musicians, actors, humorists, writers and more, with some events held outside under the stars. Performances range from classical and world music to cabaret and even author conversations.

Farther north, the non-profit Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is the Sonoma County destination for world-class performances in music, dance, theater, and comedy, with many shows geared for little ones.

With a variety of high quality performing arts programs and inviting and accessible venues, Marin and Sonoma County provide patrons of the arts an eclectic and thriving cultural scene.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Trail leading to the Tourist Club, photo taken by Jennifer Yin

Tucked away on Mt. Tam and overlooking Muir Woods is The Tourist Club, a beautiful Bavarian-style lodge and the perfect place to stop and relax during a long hike. Upon arriving at the club your senses are transformed and you can imagine yourself on a mountaintop in the Alps, stopping at the local inn, complete with lounge decks, picnic tables, a bar, board games, and stunning views. Of course, there is also a wonderful selection of Bavarian and Belgian brews to quench your thirst. You can grab a pint and take it out on the deck where you’ll be surrounded by amazing scenery and tranquility.

Several hiking trails lead to the club. Our favorite route is to start in downtown Mill Valley and take the Dipsea Trail to the Sun Trail. It’s about 45 minutes uphill, but you’ll be treated to beautiful vistas along the way and you can’t beat the fresh air. The Sun Trail then meanders along the hillside before arriving at the club.

Overlook Deck at the Tourist Club, photo taken by Jennifer Yin

Now, before you throw on your hiking shoes and run out the door, you should know that the Tourist Club is actually a members-only club and the San Francisco branch of the worldwide Nature Friends organization. Founded in 1912 by German and Austrian immigrants, the Tourist Club was built by the founders themselves in the style of the old country and is the result of their desire to create a retreat outside of the City where they could enjoy and appreciate nature. The club still enjoys a communal culture and current members volunteer to staff it and participate in work days to maintain the facilities.

Though it is private, the club is open to the public during certain weekend hours (check their calendar before venturing out), as well as during three special Fests held in May (Maifest), July (Sommerfest) and October (Kinderfest). These Fests honor the clubs Alpine heritage and feature authentic German music, food, beer and dancing. Space is limited, so be sure to arrive early to get tickets, as they are only sold at the door.

The US doesn’t have a backpacking culture the way other parts of the world do, but if it did, the Tourist Club would personify that culture. It’s also just great fun to have a little piece of Bavaria right here on our own mountaintop.

Fest time at the Tourist Club, photo taken by Matthew Hickey	Tourist Club,  photo taken by Peter Butler

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

One of the many benefits of living in the North Bay is our close proximity to San Francisco: just a quick car, bike or ferry ride leads us to a world-class cultural center with a multitude of first-rate theatres, performing arts centers, and museums. The museums in particular boast amazing line-ups: you can soak up Impressionist masterpieces on loan from the Musée d’Orsay at the DeYoung, try your hand at Haitian tooled metal sculpture, fly through our solar system, journey via art from India to Japan, navigate through a rain forest, sculpt and film your own clay animation and marvel at the works of Paul Klee.

Not only are our museums diverse, but so are the ways in which to experience them. For example, who has ever heard of a museum willing to host a sleepover? That’s exactly what the California Academy of Sciences does. Or you can turn a normal museum visit into a special date night or outing with friends by taking advantage of NightLife at the Academy of Sciences or Friday Night Soirées at the de Young, complete with DJ booths, live music, specialty drinks and entertainment.

Photo taken by Kevin Krejci

Photo taken by Chris Willis

In addition to special events, many SF museums offer discount pricing, such as half-price admission Thursday evenings, free admission the first Tuesday of each month at SFMOMA, and Free First Sundays at the Asian Art museum. As a special treat, this weekend you can visit six of San Francisco’s best museums for free as part of Target Arts & Wonder Free Family Event, July 16-18. Participating museums include: the de Young, the Asian Art Museum, SFMOMA, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the Museum of the Africa Diaspora, Zeum and the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.   

San Francisco’s rich arts and culture scene is one more reason why we love calling this area home.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Good people, good food …. in a community market place. This is just sooo family … my sister ran a food cooperative in San Francisco …. in the late ’70s … my cousin Albert Stauss of Marshall.

(remember the Poet’s Loft … my favorite house ever … designed by Igor Sazevich, built for Mark Linenthal and Frances Jaffer … you probably know someone who visited and stayed the night with us … remember the oyster nets I had hanging, filled with Hog Island oysters, ready for any late night visitor who brought a chilled Chablis or Chardonay … remember the drunken herring fisherman who rammed the house with his boat … ah, the memories)

Albert has one of the pre-eminent dairies on the west coast …

and NOW …. local gals make good (and who knows guys maybe more in the mix as we go along) … in the shire of San Anselmo …. high quality, organic, local food … a Marin Organic member … The company is called Pomegranate … their byline … Making Organic Affordable their website www.pommarket.com.

Come on, y’all, let’s go organic and easy. Check out their catalog of products and join. You’ll be glad you did. And if you need a home near-by, I’m easy as well …. contact me!

Posted by:  Tom Verkozen

Please humor us: with the Tour de France now taking place and the local cycling events coming up, we couldn’t pass up this second post on cycling. As we mentioned, cycling is a large part of the culture in Marin County and the North Bay. West Marin, in particular, offers cyclists unlimited trails and routes to enjoy. Whether a leisurely ride or something more ambitious, there’s a trail for everyone. One of our favorite routes is to take off from Fairfax and head to Pt. Reyes via Nicasio. You’ll get to take in rolling hills, fresh air and a variety of wildlife along the way. And if you need more of an incentive, go early and hit Bovine Bakery in time for their freshly baked morning buns, a deliciously decadent sticky bun. Their chocolate croissants are also to die for. A favorite hangout amongst cyclists, you’ll have to arrive early to enjoy your treat. And if you’d like a longer ride back to work off your sweets, from Pt. Reyes Station head out along Tomales Bay towards Marshall Wall before circling back home.

What’s your favorite spot for a mid- or post-ride treat? And do you have a favorite route or trail?

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Photo taken by Shayne Kaye

Marin County, arguably the birthplace of mountain biking, is a cyclist’s paradise. Whether climbing up Mt. Tam, weaving through the winding roads of West Marin, or cruising down one of the many bike paths, there are many ways for bikers of all ages and skill levels to enjoy the beautiful terrain.

The ideal geography for cycling – both road and mountain biking – and the scenic beauty has given rise to a niche group of passionate cyclists in Marin. On any given day you can spot riders huddled at coffee shops clad head-to-toe in full colorful regalia, swapping stories about their morning journey.

Not surprisingly, there are several organizations that promote the sport in a variety of ways, such as the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) which works tirelessly to promote safe bicycling for transportation and recreation. You’ll often find the MCBC at many public events providing free bicycle parking. If you have an old bike to get rid of or need some new parts, you can visit one of the local bike swaps or many bike shops.

12th Annual San Rafael Twilight Criterium

This biking culture makes Marin a prime location for events such as this Saturday’s 12th Annual San Rafael Twilight Criterium. Approximately 700 cyclists will participate as fans gather along the streets of downtown San Rafael to witness this unique style of crit racing: short, fast-paced and exhilarating. The races, including a kids’ race, run from 2:30 until 9:15 pm, with the pro races taking place as dusk envelopes the city, adding to the excitement. The event will also feature an Expo and Pro Athlete Village where you can listen to live music while learning about the latest and greatest in cycling.

For those who want to take part in the action, the Marin Century is coming up later this summer on August 7. Unlike the Twilight Criterium, the Century is an endurance race taking you through 100 miles of Marin’s finest scenery. Put on by the MCBC, this event also offers other shorter, albeit still lengthy, endurance races.

These are just some of our favorite reasons to live – and ride – in Marin. What are yours?

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Photo taken by Näystin

Given the very long list of accolades the Bay Area Discovery Museum has received, it’s a safe bet that many of you are already familiar with this amazing indoor/outdoor children’s museum located in Sausalito, just near the north base of the Golden Gate Bridge. The only children’s museum in the U.S. to be located in a national park, the Bay Area Discovery Museum allows children from 6 months to 8 years to explore, pretend, create, learn, and experiment – while climbing, banging, pounding, fishing, digging, and splashing. And when everyone is ready for a rest, there are performances to enjoy and cultural festivals to experience. So the Discovery Museum is another reason we love living in the North Bay. Heck, where else can you learn how an astronaut goes potty in space?

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

As American as the Fourth of July, Jazz is close to the hearts of many in the Bay Area, and thanks to the number of local venues and festivals that feature the eclectic genre, one never has to go hungry.

Though the coming Independence holiday may not make one think of Afro-Cuban rhythms, gospel, or classical jazz standards, thanks to the Fillmore Jazz Festival in San Francisco, it does. The Fillmore Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast and draws over 90,000 people over the Independence Day weekend to Fillmore Street in San Francisco, making it as much a part of the Fourth of July the past twenty-five years as fireworks over Crissy Field. Though the festival began in the mid-80s, the history of jazz in the area dates back to the World War II era when jazz clubs along Fillmore Street played host to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holliday. The festival pays tribute to its roots and history and has become one of the most anticipated festivals in San Francisco each year. We also love this year’s poster art which was created by local favorite Michael Schawb out of San Anselmo.

If the new toll has you hesitant to travel across the bridge, then just head to the Marin County Fair where the famed Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs twice on the Fourth. For another option for listening to jazz this weekend, and every Friday through August 27, check out Jazz and Blues By The Bay at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito. Also, many restaurants, including the Sand Dollar in Stinson Beach, offer nightly jazz.  

Do you have a favorite spot to listen to jazz in Marin?

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

The natural beauty in Marin is undeniable – and a huge part of why we love living here. So it’s no wonder Marin is home to so many talented artists – in fact, West Marin and towns such as Bolinas, Mill Valley, Fairfax and Sausalito are known for their thriving artist communities. Art stores, first-class galleries and shows such as the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, Sausalito Arts Festival and the Marin Art Festival are popular annual showcases. Throughout the year, many towns, including Mill Valley and San Rafael, host Art Walks where businesses, stores and galleries open their doors to display local art. Whatever your medium, Marin County offers plenty of inspiration, from the bay vistas to the towering redwoods to the eclectic townsfolk.

One special event that showcases the beauty of Marin above all is Marin/Scapes, which kicks off Thursday with an Opening Night Gala. This fine art show brings together the work of over 60 artists at a charming winery in the heart of Marin. Always held at the beginning of July at the Escalle Winery in Larkspur, the Marin/Scapes show and sale benefits Buckelew programs that provide assistance to individuals with mental illness to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. This year’s exhibit runs Friday – Sunday, July 2, 3, 4, from Noon – 6:00 pm. For more info, click here.

Are you an artist? Where do you like to find inspiration?

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Most tourists and residents alike enjoy going to Pier 39 to see the California see lions sunbathe and bark – so much so that it has become one of San Francisco’s most popular attractions. Native to the California coast, the sea lions are a fixture in our waters. One fun way to learn more about them – and other marine mammals such as harbor seals and fur seals, is to visit The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC). This unique rescue/research facility is located at Fort Cronkhite and is open to visitors daily. At TMMC, you can take a guided tour and visit their facility to get up close and learn firsthand about marine life. You can also watch volunteers and staff in action by dropping into the veterinary research hospital. This time of year, June to October, you will mostly see California sea lions with some northern elephant seals.  

Current events in the Gulf have reminded us just how precious our wildlife is; this is a valuable organization that we’re proud to have nestled here in the Marin Headlands.

TMMC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1566829010
TMMC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TMMC 

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

This past weekend marked the grand finale of the 2010 Mountain Play, a wonderful local tradition that brings world-class theatre to the top of Mt. Tam each year. With the venue perched high on a mountain, this is a great way to experience theatre and is unlike anything else around. Ride the bus up, enjoy a homemade picnic and then hike back to downtown Mill Valley for the ultimate experience. You can read about one writer’s experience in this great San Francisco Chronicle piece. Established nearly 100 years ago, this is a can’t-miss event each summer. We’re already impatient to learn what next year’s production will be.

Here’s what fellow blogger Andy Gellepis had to say about the Mountain Play:
http://www.guidemehome2marinluxury.com/2010/5/23/the-mountain-play-starts-this-weekend

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Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

As part of our centennial celebration, we’re launching a campaign called 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live. Taking inspiration from our tagline, we saw this as a perfect opportunity for all of us to share with one another the multitude of reasons why we think Marin and Sonoma are such special places to live.

Each day throughout the summer (June 21 to September 22), we will publish at least one reason on our blog sites: GuideMeHome2Marin.com and GuideMeHome2Sonoma.com. We will then share them via Facebook, Twitter and our fhallen.com homepage, so no matter how you follow us, you’ll have access to our latest reason and will have the opportunity to tell us about your own experiences. (We all appreciate things differently, so it will be great to hear different perspectives.)

And now we present Reason #1: A full moon paddle on Richardson Bay

Often compared to a huge playground, Marin offers a variety of different ways to view, enjoy and experience its natural beauty. One of the more unique options is to set out on a full moon paddle on Richardson Bay. Imagine floating past harbor seals and colorful houseboats with the silhouette of Mt. Tamalpais as the backdrop. Add to that the twinkling lights of the City and the full moon lighting your way for the makings of an evening not soon forgotten. 

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

How often do we hear this phrase? But really, how lucky are we to live in such a wonderful community where we can explore so much open space? If you are looking for something to do outside this summer with your family, friends or sweetie, Summer Newsletter from the Marin County Department of Parks and Open Space has some great programs planned. Oh and what’s even better? Many of them are FREE!

In perusing the Summer Newsletter, I am amazed at all of the beautiful and wonderful walks, hikes, sites and things to do in our area. What little boy or girl could pass up the opportunity to view:

Butterflies in Cascade Canyon in Fairfax, June 9 from 10am – 2pm
or
Blooms and Birds at Deer Park, June 30 from 9am – 2 pm

And check out these really cool “Ranger Events”

Beach BBQ & Kayak Event at Paradise Beach Park, Tiburon
Full Moon Stroll at Stafford Lake Park, Novato
Dog Day at the Park, McInnis Park, San Rafael
A Horseback Ride on Horse Hill in Mill Valley

Again, check the attached guide for dates, times and details and enjoy your summer!

What area attraction are you looking most forward to this summer?

Posted by:  Adrienne Murphy

Having lived in Kentfield for almost 15 years, we normally go out of town on vacation for the Memorial Day holiday in search of a beautiful place to visit and relax. This year, however, we decided to stay home and forget all the traffic jams and instead enjoy Marin County. Sometimes, when you have lived in one place for a long time, you forget the splendor and beauty of what is in your own backyard.

We decided to spend one day this weekend at Muir Woods to hike, lunch and enjoy the beauty of Marin. The majestic Redwood trees that have been there hundreds of years will probably outlive us all in this protected National Park.

For our hike we decided to trek on the Mt. Tamalpais, taking you along wooden bridges across little creeks and waterfalls. The trailside is graced with white and blue irises and hundreds of ferns. The weather is generally on the cool side throughout most of the year, but this day we didn’t need a jacket to make the climb to the top.

It’s great place to bring a backpack and a picnic lunch to stop and drink in all of the amazing beauty that God has put forth on this land. The hike through the redwoods will rejuvenate your soul and mind, as you take time to understand what nature is all about. This day, we didn’t bring a picnic lunch, but instead were rewarded with lunch at one of my favorite spots, The Mountain Home Inn.

Once you reach the parking lot at the top of the trail, you will find the Mountain Home Inn across the street, which is a small hotel and restaurant. Sometimes there can be a wait, but this day we were greeted promptly and taken to our table on the outside patio, which overlooks the other side of the mountain. Here you can savor sweeping views of Mill Valley, Sausalito, Angel Island, and the skyline of San Francisco. It’s always incredible to think that on one side of the mountain you have majestic views of open space and redwoods, giving you the feeling you are a thousand miles away from civilization, and on the other side you can see the sprawling city by the Bay, where hundreds of thousands of people live and work.

Lunch was outstanding. I had a terrific piece of salmon with a fennel salad and potato cake, all for only $18. Savor this with your favorite libation, and you have a perfect reward to a hike into the wilderness.

Take the time to explore the grounds of the Mountain Home Inn to enjoy the serenity of the scenery down below before returning to your easy trek back down to the parking lot.

Sometimes we forget that we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world: most people are envious and dream of living in such a glorious place as Marin. You just have to wake up and smell the roses, or in this case the redwoods, to remember to celebrate and enjoy your own back yard.

There’s no place like home, there’s no place like Marin County.

Posted by:  Rick Smith

Whew! It feels like Marin Monsoon Season is almost behind us and that can only mean one thing as we approach summer: It’s Festival Season!

Summer in Marin is one of the most beautiful seasons on earth with our warm days and cool nights, and the protection our hills provide from that cold fog that San Francisco receives. It’s a great time to get outside and enjoy the great weather and beautiful surroundings that Marin has to offer.

Some of my favorite local festivals include the Caledonia Street Spring Faire in Sausalito on May 27. It’s just fun to stroll around artsy Sausalito and check out all the street vendors. There will be over 120 vendors this year, so aside from people watching, there should be something for everyone.

I’ve always enjoyed the Larkspur Flower and Food Festival, May 30. Maybe it’s because they block off Magnolia Avenue and set up tables to enjoy the downtown area of “Mayberry USA” like an old-fashioned picnic. They also have very good jazz, blues, and swing sounds for dancing, and if you get bored with that, you can always check out the Silver Peso for more entertaining ideas.

The Fairfax Festival, June 11-13, is always a fun psychedelic sort of time. When you want to know where all the hippies from the 60s went, look no further than Fairfax. They have two great stages with local music, arts, crafts and a flea market, so bring a blanket to spread on the ground and enjoy the sounds.

For art lovers and children alike, the Italian Street Painting Festival, June 12-13, is always a great time. For 17 years running, they have been painting the streets of San Rafael, and you will see some of the best street art in the country all benefiting Youth in Arts. Grab your hat and come on down.

The highlight of the entire summer is the Marin County Fair. For five fabulous days, July 1-5, you’ll not only be able to view great exhibits, shows and enjoy the rides on the midway, but you’ll be entertained this year by Wilson Phillips, The Wailers, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Four Tops and The Temptations. All for one low admission price, a good time is had by all, and you get fireworks every night for a grand finale!

San Anselmo always puts on a great festival, the San Anselmo Art & Wine Festival, July 17-18, right on San Anselmo Avenue. Besides the 225 artisans, they always have two Rockin’ stages from light classics to rock n’ roll…and check out the barbecue, it’s some of the best I’ve tasted in Marin.

My favorite festival that sort of says farewell to summer is the Sausalito Art Festival, held over Labor Day Weekend, September 3-6. This festival began in 1952 and always offers the best art and sculptures for sale for the serious art lover. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate a three-day weekend, with fine food, wine, and great entertainment.

These are just a few of my favorites, but there is much, much more to choose from, no matter your taste in art and entertainment.

The summer festivals are just another great reason for living in this awesome, beautiful county of ours, and that’s why I always call it Magical Marin!

Posted by:  Rick Smith

Did you know that there is one spot in Marin that has everything?

Well, maybe not the kitchen sink, but at this magical location you can:
-  Watch (or play) a cricket game
-  Attend a movie
-  Listen to bagpipes
-  Walk to a dock
-  Hold and attend birthday parties (both indoors and out)
-  Enjoy a playground for kids
-  Play: tennis, soccer, horseshoes, softball, baseball and even volleyball

Where is this amazing multi-functional location??? Piper Park in Larkspur!

A few weekends ago my family attended a softball opening-day ceremony at Piper Park. After watching the ceremony and enjoying all the girls’ enthusiasm and energy, I reflected on how many cool things we have done at Piper Park.

I started going there with my kids for the playground and found there is so much to do. We have enjoyed many fun times at Piper Park. We have held outdoor birthday parties there in September and indoor parties in the Rec Room in November – it is a great place to have a party with plenty of parking and fun to be had. In addition to the playground and birthday parties, we have attended several great movies in the park. Each summer, Piper Park screens three free movies and the first one of summer 2010 will be My Dog Skip on June 20. At the last one we attended this past summer, there was even a double rainbow over the park before the movie began.

In addition to the fun activities, there are plenty of options for enjoying field and court sports, with softball and soccer fields, volleyball and tennis courts, and even horseshoe pits. (Personally, I have missed the ball many times on the tennis courts.) A few years ago we discovered an added bonus: While out enjoying a Sunday walk (and after stopping by Baskin Robbins, which is within walking distance of the park) – we found that cricket was being played at the park. This isn’t a very common game here in the Bay Area, so it was fun to sit and watch while enjoying our ice cream, before heading over to see the water and views at the dock.

As for the bagpipes, several visits to the park have elicited “where’s that music coming” from comments. Turns out, the sound is bagpipes and in researching this post I have discovered that bagpipe competitions take place at the aptly named Piper Park – and the next one is coming up on June 12.

To get there: Piper Park is located in Larkspur along Doherty Drive, just past Redwood High School.

With everything it has to offer, Piper Park is my family’s favorite park in Marin. What’s yours?

Posted by:  Jen Masterson

When we think of ‘downtown’ many of us instinctively think of San Francisco with its exciting music and theater venues, restaurants and shopping. However, there is a vibrant downtown right here in Marin and that is San Rafael’s Fourth Street. This downtown area has undergone a transformation over the past few years and now offers many diverse restaurants, coffee houses, boutiques, shops and the popular Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center.

During the year many activities take place along Fourth Street. Now that spring has arrived the Downtown San Rafael Farmer’s Market is held on Thursday evenings, featuring five entertainment stages and over 200 vendors. This event is fun for all ages with its entertainment, music, crafts and wonderful, fresh produce and flowers and runs April through September. So treat yourself to an evening in downtown San Rafael. You’ll be glad you did!


Upcoming Downtown San Rafael Events:

May 8: May Madness Classic Car Parade
The longest running street rod show and parade in Northern California.

June 12-13: Youth in Arts Italian Street Painting Festival
A celebration of art, music and cuisine.

July 10: San Rafael Twilight Criterium
Professional cycling event featuring short, fast-paced American brand of cycling with an Expo, Pro Athlete Village and Kids Race.

August 14: San Rafael Food & Wine Festival
Held at the Falkirk Center, enjoy food from area restaurants and sample wines from 25 of the region’s outstanding boutique wineries.

September 11: Great American Blues & BBQ
Blues performances by local and national blues artists are featured on multiple stages with barbeque food concessions and competitions.

September 22: A Taste of Downtown San Rafael
Tasting event and outdoor movie screening

October 7-17: Mill Valley Film Festival
The San Rafael Film Center serves as one of the venues for this renowned Festival.

October 30: Trick or Treat
A free and safe Trick or Treating experience for kids along Fourth Street.

November 26-27: Parade of Lights & Winter Wonderland
Holiday Marketplace with arts and crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, free snow sledding, and one of the largest Holiday Parades in the Bay Area.

Posted by: Alva Falla and Associates

Having lived in Kentfield for almost 15 years, it’s great to know you can get a great education for free in Marin County, and specifically Kentfield.

Here is a recent article in the Marin IJ that talks about our most recent school awards in Marin.

Both of my daughters have grown up going to Kentfield schools, having started at Bacich Elementary and moving on through both Kent Middle School and Redwood High School (located in Larkspur). I am proud to say the Kentfield schools are not only free, but the school system will actually save me $25,000 next year.

How can a school district save you $25,000, you say?

My daughter Lindsay graduated from Redwood with honors and took a multitude of college-level Advanced Placement (AP) courses during her Junior and Senior years in high school. As a result, not only was she ready for college, she started out at the University of California with almost enough credits to make her a sophomore! I am proud to say Lindsay is graduating this spring in only three years, enough to save me $25,000 over the course of a college year!

This is just another reason to encourage your friends and family to move to magical Marin County, where not only do we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, but we also have one of the finest school systems in the country!

Posted by:Rick E. Smith

It’s coming, yes, it is: Spring Break for school-age kids. The question is what to do? Some folks will travel, but many of us will take some time off just for a “mini-stay-cation.” The good news is, there are tons of fun things to do right here in our backyard.

Marin County
Play and Learn at the Bay Area Discovery Museum
Build and create with Legos at Play-Well
Go Bowling
Check out a local hobby shop
Satisfy your sweet tooth
Got a skateboard? Enjoy one of our Skate parks
Enjoy a round of Mini-Golf
Walk, bike, hike Marin
Find a playground
Take a cruise to an island

Bay Area
Go to a museum, a few of my personal favorites: CA Academy of Sciences, The Exploratorium, Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Take the Ferry into San Francisco and have a day of play there – Saturdays are particularly fun as it’s the Farmer’s Market at the Ferry Building.
Or have a touristy day in San Francisco: Try Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square or even the Rainforest Café.
Take a delicious tour of the Jelly Belly Factory.
Try some amusement on for size at Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo and Great America in the South Bay.

And of course there are always the old stand-bys:
Check out a book
Go to a Movie
Play a board game

You can also head north to Sonoma County – Check out our GuideMeHome2Sonoma Spring Break post for ideas.

Posted by:Jennifer Masterson

A few Saturdays ago our family unit decided to take the 13-mile drive from our house to San Francisco to go see “a 3,000 year old dead guy’s stuff” (aka the King Tut Exhibit) at the De Young Museum. Unfortunately, as we walked in the museum we discovered the exhibit was already sold out. Note to self: purchase tickets online in advance. Luckily, Golden Gate Park is not lacking for cool things to do, so we walked across the way to the California Academy of Sciences. First off, as a tech geek, I love the ticket kiosks. Touch the screen, choose your tickets, swipe your card, they print, and off you go. Awesome!

Ah, but there were far more goodies inside. The first thing we saw was a huge glass dome that is in fact a four-story rainforest habitat. We waited in line for about 15 minutes to get into the exhibit; the whole time taking in the wonders of it from the outside. Then as we passed through the entryway our environment transformed into a warm and humid rainforest. From the Macaws, to the fish, to the beautiful plants and the butterflies there was always something interesting to observe. A bit of a warning though, for those who like me are a tad scared of snakes, there are several terrariums with our scaly friends, which I was able to easily avoid.

One of the funniest parts of the day was when we watched a large butterfly fly straight into the glass, bounce off and fly on his merry way. He (or she) didn’t seem to mind at all. It was also fun to see, at the end of the exhibit, a setup of large mirrors and a guide – the intention of all this: to check for possible butterfly stowaways. From the elevator we walked under the rainforest aquarium through a glass tunnel with a better view of the fish.

I will say, once we reached the Steinhart Aquarium, which had several tanks and hands-on exhibits (hands-on is a key part of the whole experience), I thought we were safe from snakes. But no, it turns out there was one, very, very large snake in there. I maintain it was as big across as my fridge; those visiting the Academy with me say it was far smaller…  After checking out the aquarium, as we were leaving that area, we found the albino alligator – a very chilled out dude that was interesting to watch even if he didn’t move around a whole bunch. 

We then came across a fascinating pendulum clock, which the younger members of our family unit were quite taken with. But, we couldn’t stay there all day literally watching time fly, so we continued on. For those with kids, they have an interactive game where bugs are projected on the floor – this rated very highly.

From there we moseyed over to the African Hall for a mini-safari where we spotted penguins, lions, zebras and baboons. I have to say that except for the penguins, they didn’t move around a whole lot. We thought about checking out the Planetarium but it was fully booked.  Next time for sure. Our last bit of fun was the Living Roof, where we sat and enjoyed some fabulous views.

As for the 3,000 year old dead guy, we’re going back to see his stuff right before it moves on to another city. But that will be another story.

Interested in checking out the Academy of Sciences? There is a “Grown up night” and even a Free day, every Third Wednesday of the month. And their Rainforest Blog is really pretty cool and informative. You can also follow the Academy on Facebook and Twitter, where they share lots of fun material.

Have you been to the Academy of Sciences since it reopened?  If so, what’s your favorite exhibit?

Posted by:Jennifer Masterson

I have a confession. I love to read. I don’t like to read a lot of heavy stuff. I like the lighter fare: books by Grisham, Lescroart, Cornwall, Parker, etc. You get the picture. Sometimes I find myself perusing the book table at the Novato Costco searching for my next thriller. Then there are days when I’ll spend hours wandering the aisles at Borders in San Rafael on a quest for my next novel. Once I’ve read them, I take the books to our family home in Tahoe and put them on the shelves there so others can enjoy them. I don’t think many get read. Last time I looked, there were hundreds! What a waste of money and space. So I got to thinking…

When was the last time you went to the library?  Last month, I applied for and received a new library card. “Woohoo,” you might say.  But “Woohoo” is right!  I get to read the current offerings of my favorite authors and also investigate new authors without having to invest any money. If I don’t like the book, I simply return it. Libraries also offer a big selection of books on tape, music CDs, and movie DVDs. If you haven’t been to the public library since you were in 5th grade, now is the time!

Marin County Libraries:

Marin County Free Library‎ – more info »
3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA‎ – (415) 499-6056‎

Sausalito Library‎ – more info »
420 Litho Street, Sausalito, CA‎ – (415) 289-4121‎

Marin City Library‎ – more info »
164 Donahue Street, Sausalito, CA‎ – (415) 332-6159‎

Belvedere-Tiburon Library‎ – more info »
1501 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon, CA‎ – (415) 789-2665‎

Mill Valley Public Library – more info »
375 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley – (415) 389-4292

Corte Madera Library‎ – more info »
707 Meadowsweet Drive, Corte Madera, CA‎ – (415) 924-4844‎

Larkspur Library‎ – more info »
400 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA‎ – (415) 927-5005‎

San Anselmo Library‎ – more info »
110 Tunstead Avenue, San Anselmo, CA‎ – (415) 258-4656‎

Fairfax Library‎ – more info »
2097 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Fairfax, CA‎ – (415) 453-8092‎

San Rafael Library‎ – more info »
1100 E Street, San Rafael, CA‎ – (415) 485-3323‎

Novato Library‎ – more info »
1720 Novato Boulevard, Novato, CA‎ – (415) 898-4623‎

South Novato Library – more info »
6 Hamilton Landing, Novato, CA‎ – (415) 506-3164‎

Inverness Library‎ – more info »
15 Park Avenue, Inverness, CA‎ – (415) 669-1288‎

Point Reyes Station Branch‎ – more info »
11431 State Route 1, Point Reyes Sta, CA‎ – (415) 663-8375‎

Stinson Beach Library‎ – more info »
3521 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA‎ – (415) 868-0252‎

 

Posted by:Mark Machado

My favorite beach in Marin: Fort Cronkhite

Lots of folks forget this spot but it’s quick to get to, provides nice hiking, and is breathtakingly beautiful.

From Marin you drive South on 101 until the very last exit before the Golden Gate. My favorite way to go is through the “5 Minute Tunnel.” One Saturday, I took my Mom and forgot to mention that the five minutes refers to the wait, as it’s a one-way tunnel and traffic lights are used to let cars through in each direction. We got there just as our light was turning green – when we passed through the tunnel 60 seconds later, she breathed a sigh of relief (a little claustrophobic as she is…) and wondered at how that was 5 minutes.

Driving through the Marin Headlands to get to Fort Cronkhite provides amazing natural views. More than once we have seen coyotes on the hills – and one time a smirking coyote (no really he was smirking) leisurely crossed the street after stopping traffic in both directions. He was no more than three feet from my car door. Of course, the Park Service does have posted signs throughout warning not to feed or pet the coyotes. Seeing them from my car – cool. Closer than that – not so cool.

Once you arrive at Fort Cronkhite there is plenty of parking and even convenient restrooms. For me, the first thing I do is walk over the bridge over part of the Lagoon and sit down. Just sitting and watching the waves is peaceful and Zen like; even better to dig your hands into the dark sand – I swear you can see tiny stones of every color. Once, while sitting on the beach watching the waves, I could have sworn it was the past and present merging in front of me as I saw: cargo ship, sail boat, cargo ship, sail boat…

I started doing quick trips to Fort Cronkhite when I moved to Marin in 1999 and I probably go 10-15 times a year. I find it such a great place to sit and think – just watching the waves here has helped me work through all sorts of things. But in addition to waves, the cliffs, the occasional cargo ships, and the cute surfers, there is so much more.

When I go with my kids they love digging in the sand, making tunnels, playing with whatever friendly dogs are hanging out that day, and, when it’s warm enough, playing in the water.

There is a fantastic walk around Rodeo Lagoon – here is a picture we took last weekend from the far end of the Lagoon looking out to the ocean.

There are some great, somewhat short but steep hikes from both sides of the beach –a good way to sneak in a little exercise.

And if that’s not enough, there is also the Marine Mammal Center, along with their visitor’s center. A couple years back my daughter had her 3rd grade report on the Marine Mammal Center which was being renovated. We went to the visitor’s center and learned all about Pinnipeds.

Even better, the Marin Headlands offers lots of other walks and hikes, bunkers, and incredible views, but that’s a blog for another day.

In the meantime, I am thankful that the memories are bountiful and I truly feel blessed to have this wonder in my backyard.

I created a photo gallery that contains some of my favorite images that I’ve taken from around Fort Cronkhite. I hope you enjoy it!

Posted by:Jennifer Masterson

Over the Christmas Holiday I was able to take my family on a ski vacation. My wife’s family owns a home in Tahoe Donner, usually a 3 1/2 hour ride from Marin. We left on December 28th in the afternoon and arrived by 9 p.m. that evening. It was a bit of a schlep as rain, wind and snow pelted us on the way up and Cal Trans required chains on all vehicles traveling over the pass. When rides get long and arduous, I sometimes question myself for making the trip. When we arrived, the house thermostat read 35 degrees! I built a fire, turned on the water (we shut it down when we leave so that the pipes don’t freeze) and soon we were asleep.

We awoke the next day to overcast but clear skies and an exterior temperature of 28 degrees. As this was the first day of our trip we decided to ski at the Tahoe Donner ski area. It’s small, just 3 lifts, a few runs, very inexpensive and nothing too difficult. It was nice to get our ski legs under us before we hit something meatier. All in all, it was a great day. A very cold but great day!

On Wednesday morning, it was storming. The snow was heavy, the temperature was cold (good) but it was windy. As we made our way onto Highway 89, what usually is a 25 minute ride to Alpine Meadows took over an hour. During our first ride up the chair, my 10-year-old son, Daniel, looked at me and said, “It sure is cold and windy!” I thought that this was not going to be a pleasant day. But then, it stopped. All the weather just stopped. The snow stopped; the wind stopped. All of a sudden, the conditions were perfect. Alpine Meadows is the perfect resort as well. With their 12+ chairs and numerous beginner, intermediate and expert runs, it has something for the whole family. For the next two days we had perfect conditions at Alpine Meadows. Alpine is not as large as Squaw Valley (just next door) but the same mountain with the same degree of variety and challenge.

What a great trip! Unfortunately, we were rained out on New Year’s Day but that was okay with us. We packed up, closed the house down and made the 3 1/2 hour trip back to Marin. I’m glad we made the trip. It was some of the best skiing I’ve done in 30 years!

Posted by:Mark Machado

It feels like the perfect storm is still upon us this fall: an economy in crisis, high unemployment, record home foreclosures. The result: hundreds of local community members are in need of even the basics. Additionally, many Marinites who regularly contribute to local non-profits that provide assistance now find themselves on limited budgets of their own. With a greater need, and fewer resources, it’s so important that we pitch in and help our fellow community members.

The annual Frank Howard Allen Warm Coat & Food Drive is one way to lend a hand – and it doesn’t take deep pockets. Simply clear out your closets of no-longer-needed clean, reusable coats and jackets, as well as any extra canned goods that may be in your pantry, and drop them off at any one of several office locations between November 6 and 13.

Last year we exceeded our expectations by collecting over 1,500 coats. We hope to support even more community members this year, during a time when donations matter more than ever. Two of the organizations we are supporting shared their needs with us: Homeward Bound has seen a 50% increase in demand since last year for their emergency shelter services, and they have 25 families on a waiting list for their family shelter rooms. Meanwhile Marin Food Bank is in need of 2-3 times more food donations this year than last to meet Marin County’s rising need for food assistance.

Please drop off donations at the following Frank Howard Allen office locations. We thank you in advance for any donations you can spare.

Donation Drop-Off Locations:
Greenbrae: 511 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
Mill Valley, Downtown: 25 East Blithedale Avenue
Mill Valley, Strawberry: 1204 Strawberry Village
Novato: 915 Diablo Avenue
Petaluma: 905 E. Washington Street, Suite 109
San Rafael: 700 Fifth Avenue
Santa Rosa: 460 Mission Boulevard
Sausalito*: 215 Second Street
Tiburon: 1660 Tiburon Boulevard

*Independently owned and operated brokerage

Donations to benefit the following organizations:
Homeward Bound of Marin and Marin Food Bank (Greenbrae, Mill Valley, San Rafael and Tiburon offices); New Beginnings Center and Marin Food Bank (Novato office); Petaluma People Services (Petaluma office); Redwood Gospel Mission (Santa Rosa office).

Posted by:Noreen Smith

This upcoming weekend is huge in terms of events around the Bay Area. If you’re looking for something to do, boy, have you got options. Whether you want to head across the bridge into SF, venture north or stay closer to home, there’s something for everyone.

Fleet Week
Every October, around Columbus Day, nearly one million people gather atop San Francisco’s rooftops and along our shorelines and hillsides to catch a glimpse of the Blue Angels as part of the annual Fleet Week festivities. Survey flights and practices – which you may have heard flying overhead – began Thursday with the official shows on Saturday and Sunday from 3-4 PM. The complete Fleet Week schedule, including the Blue Angels, air shows, exhibits, tours, performances, and concerts, can be viewed here, and California Beat offers a great guide on the Best places to watch the Blue Angels. Large crowds are expected, and viewing options are slightly different this year due to an ongoing restoration project and renovations inside the Presidio and near Aquatic Park. ABC 7 offers some great advice for how best to navigate it all.

Presidents Cup
The 2009 Presidents Cup is currently taking place at Harding Park in San Francisco, drawing the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy and Vijay Singh. The 6-day event began on Tuesday and runs through October 11. Tickets are mostly sold out, but we hear you may be able to find some deals on Craigslist. If you’re not planning on attending the event, The Presidents Cup will air live on the Golf Channel on Friday, with coverage continuing on NBC Saturday and Sunday.

Our own Judy LeMarr, Mill Valley office, put together a great blog post about this event for our Guide Me Home 2 Marin Luxury blog.

San Francisco Jazz Festival
Presented by SFJAZZ, the 27th Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival presents a variety of jazz concerts at venues throughout the Bay Area. The festival runs from October 10 until November 21, and starts with Eric Reed on Saturday at the War Memorial Green Room. Visit the site for a full calendar of events and ticket information.

Italian Heritage Columbus Day Parade
San Francisco’s 141st Annual Italian Heritage Parade will take place on Sunday, October 11. The Parade begins at 12:30 PM at the intersection of Jefferson and Stockton Streets in Fisherman’s Warf and proceeds to Washington Square in front of Sts. Peter and Paul Church. In addition to the parade, festivities in North Beach include live entertainment, food booths serving up Italian delicacies, children’s activities, wine tasting, and a Ferrari Car Show.

If you don’t want to battle the crowds in San Francisco, then check out this weekend guide for events happening in Marin and the North Bay. We’ve got The Tolay Fall Festival, Biketoberfest, Slide Ranch Harvest Celebration and the ever-popular…

Mill Valley Film Festival
The 32nd Annual Mill Valley Film Festival runs October 8 through October 18. Each year, the 11-day festival sells over 40,000 tickets and draws filmmakers, film enthusiasts and celebrities to Marin County. Expected at the event this year are Clive Owen, Uma Thurman, Jason Reitman, Woody Harrelson and Emily Blunt. Tickets are currently for sale and films run daily at theatres throughout Marin. You can visit the MVFF website to Browse Films and Purchase Tickets.

Also, check out this blog post by Andy Gellepis, Mill Valley office, from our Guide Me Home 2 Marin Luxury blog.

No matter what you decide to do, have a wonderful weekend!

Posted by:Noreen Smith

Yes it is that time of year again Ghouls, Goblins, Witch’s and Ghosts with Jack O Lanterns Glowing in the Night and Children Dressed in costumes. There are many traditions during Halloween and I thought I would Help with information that was provided by Frank Howard Allen Realtors. You can enjoy different Pumpkin patches throughout Marin and Sonoma. Remember to Have FUN and Be Safe.

Marin County

Mill Valley

Kevin’s Strawberry Villa Pumpkin Patch
100 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley
Open daily from 9 am – 9 pm

Ian’s Lazy Days Pumpkin Patch
690 Redwood Highway (along Hwy 101), Mill Valley
Open daily from 9 am – 9 pm

Greenbrae

Ian’s Pumpkin Patch at Bon Air Center
Bon Air Shopping Center, Sir Francis Drake Blvd

Marinwood

Godmothers of Timothy Murphy School Pumpkin Patch
St. Vincent’s Field, at the Marinwood/St. Vincent’s exit off Hwy 101
Marinwood; (415) 785-3264
Open daily in October, 10 am – 5:30 pm

Nicasio

Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch
(Lafranchi Pumpkin Patch)
5300 Nicasio Valley Rd (1/4 mile north of Nicasio square)
Nicasio; (415) 662-9100
Open daily Oct. 3-31,10 am-6 pm

Sonoma County

Petaluma

Adobe Pumpkin Farm
2478 East Washington St, Petaluma
(707) 763-6416
www.adobepumpkinfarm.com
Open daily Sept. 26 through Oct. 31, 10 am-dusk

Peterson’s Farm
636 Gossage Ave (off Petaluma Blvd N), Petaluma
(707) 765-4582
www.petersonsfarm.com
Open daily in October, 10 am-6 pm

Peter Pumpkin Patch
Spring Hill Jersey Farm
4235 Spring Hill Rd (off Bodega Ave), Petaluma
(707) 762-3446
www.springhillcheese.com
Open daily in October, 9 am-dusk

Ryan O’Shannan Farms Certified Organic Pumpkin Patch & Farm Days
5360 Bodega Ave, Petaluma
(707) 695-7805
Open Sept. 26 through Oct. 31, Thursday-Sunday, 9:30 am-6 pm

Petaluma Pumpkin Patch and Amazing Corn Maze
550 Stony Point Rd, Petaluma
www.petalumapumpkinpatch.com
Opens September 25
Sunday-Thursday, 10 am-6 pm
Friday and Saturday, 10 am-10 pm
Closes one hour earlier after end of daylight savings time.

Sebastopol

Fisher Farm
2870 Canfield Rd, Sebastopol
(707) 823-4817
Weekends, 9 am to dark

Sonoma

Field of Greens Pumpkin Patch
1777 West Watmaugh Rd, Sonoma
(707) 939-3648
Open daily 10 am-7 pm

Posted by:Peter Schardt

As an entrepreneur, my first thought out of bed should be, “Where is my next deal coming from?” Or, “Which deal is closing today?” Unfortunately, usually my first thought is, “When am I going to get my workout in today?” Is it the wrong thing to ask? For me and for many, the answer is, “No.”

I always feel better when I’ve gotten to exercise in the morning. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I’m into the YMCA in Terra Linda at 5:30 a.m. On those days, I will ride the Lifecycle for 30 minutes and lift for 30 minutes. On Tuesdays mornings, I will generally do a one hour run, starting from my home in San Rafael, up the Sun Valley hill and along the divide between San Anselmo and Terra Linda. On Thursday mornings, I hit the College of Marin track for a workout with the Tamalpa Runners. A sample of this work out consists of a two mile warm-up, 6×100 yard stride-outs, 2×150 yards stride-outs and 8×600 yard timed runs.

On Saturday, I might do a long run on Mount Tamalpais or if it’s soccer season, I will play in the Over 40 men’s division of the Marin Soccer League. On Sunday, I might get a lift and swim in at the Rafael Racquet Club in San Rafael. Friday is my only day off and that is because I have a 7 a.m. business network meeting. On that day, I might take my 10 year old on a bike ride after school.

In Marin, there are so many things to do to stay fit. Run up Mt. Tam, cycle out to Stinson Beach, mountain bike through and up China Camp, row with the Marin Rowing Club, hike Muir Woods or swim in the San Francisco Bay. The Bay Area has the perfect climate for all that fitness fanatics enjoy.

Come join us and sample all we have to offer!

Posted by:Mark Machado

Four agents cornered me on the southern Marin brokers’ tour. We shook our heads in amazement that 21 Calle del Pinos hasn’t sold. A vacation cottage 20 minutes and ½ gallon of gas from Mill Valley by Prius, this property is a dream!

‘I’d buy it myself if I didn’t already have the beach front condo in Monterey. I share my condo with two friends – it’s mindlessly inexpensive and a real getaway at the same time. I love the beach, Monterey and getting away!’ said Patti Cohn, in her usual breathless, buoyant manner … on the day before she zipped out of town ‘on a mini-vacation’ with two girlfriends. Now, Patti, sell it now!

‘I’ve looked at it on-line two or three times,’ added Scott Cherry, who owns a vacation getaway on Kauai. ‘Fascinating property, amazing that it hasn’t sold.’ Think, Scott, think. Who?

‘Larry and Brennie Brackett should buy it and use it as a vacation retreat for stressed agents,’ said an agent who was me.

‘Maybe I should buy it with one of my clients who has always wanted to have a place at the beach,’ said Arne Glasgow, gears visibly churning. ‘’Then when I sell my home on the hill in Stinson I’ll still own a piece of the beach. Oh, I have just the right client to purchase it with me!’ We’ll soon know if Arne comes to the plate swinging!

With many thanks to owner/best-selling author Terry Pearce (‘Leading Out Loud’ and ‘Clicks and Mortar’) I head out Friday afternoon to spend a day writing, sunset watching and beach walking at his writer’s retreat. (I’ll be working on a rewrite of ‘Men In Their Prime’ a novel I’m co-writing with award-winning author Marianne Rogoff. The manuscript just arrived back in my lap after an edit by Alan Rinzler).

There’s more: I’m holding an open house at #21 on Saturday from 1 to 4 and plan to sell the property because its time has come. Come, see and fall in love.

And there’s even more: ‘A beach cottage in the $400’s, unbelievable,’ said Eckhart Nowack.‘I heard of a great source for TIC loans. David Park at Integrated Mortgage, I’ll get you his contact information.’ True to form, Eckhart got me the information and loans are now available!

Posted by:Tom Verkozen

Another year has passed and so has our annual Bunny Hop event. As a board member of the Southern Marin Mothers Club, I enjoy being a member of our Events Team. I share this responsibility with two additional moms and we always have a great time planning and carrying out our events. I will admit that the preparation and execution is not stress free, but in the end, we love that we are able to provide a family friendly event that is free to all of our members. We also rely on our members to volunteer to help us set-up before, work during and clean-up after the event. Of the four large annual events that our team hosts, this event is the diciest in regards to weather. We generally host approximately 250 adults and maybe 100 babies & toddlers. So suffice it to say, we are very concerned about weather since this event is outside. All week, we were checking out the weather forecast, which was consistently predicting rain. In fact, it was raining 20 minutes before the event started. Yet at 20 till 10:00 am the rain stopped and the sun came out. While the wind was quite amazing at times, one of my event co-chairs was worried the jumpy might fly away, all went well. The petting zoo came on time. The kids loved the egg hunt. The Easter Bunny showed up for photo opps and many local vendors delivered & donated cupcakes and cookies as scheduled!

We also always host a fundraising drive and I am happy to say that we raised many much needed items for the Family Service Agency of Marin. This is an organization that helps Marin families in need. I feel that this, more than providing a fun filled day for our members, is our biggest reward. I am so grateful that our members always remember to bring a donation to help whatever organization we have chosen to help out for that event.

Perhaps this is the best reward for being a Realtor^®. You are able to live in, work in & give back to the community in which you live.

Posted by:Adrienne Murphy

This Saturday April 11, Novato will host the Spring Celebration which will run from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Beginning at 11:00 am, there will be an Easter egg hunt on Sherman Avenue for all children to enjoy (and you adults who feel like children). Also there will be a free face painting booth at Sherman Avenue with an opportunity to take pictures with the Easter Bunny. Local race car driver Todd Schneider will be attending this event… so you may even get a chance to sit inside a real NASCAR stock car!

There will also be other activities for the whole family to enjoy, so come out and take pleasure in the beautiful downtown area and visit one of the many restaurants and boutique stores located on Grant Avenue.

If you are a new visitor to Novato, California or long time resident as I am, and would like more information about the community or real estate please visit my website at www.peterschardt.com or call me at 415-328-2637.

Posted By: Peter Schardt

Hard to believe that Marin County’s best kept golf secret just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Yep, Marin Country Club, off Ignacio Blvd in southern Novato, just turned 50 amid much fanfare. It’s taken 50 years, but the secret is finally getting out. Thanks to the gorgeously redesigned and renovated golf course and its state of the art clubhouse, MCC is becoming the private club of choice for Marin County’s discerning golfers.

Golf course architect John Harbottle, a Pete Dye protégé and current business partner of Johnny Miller, re-created a golfing masterpiece out of what was once the secret playground of the neighbors in Novato’s majestic Ignacio Valley. The course features gently sloping fairways with panoramic vistas and natural water features running through 10 of its 18 holes. The club boasts a spectacular clubhouse, driving range, four tennis courts (2 lighted), work out facility, 3 swimming pools (adult, general use, and wading) and houses Novato’s best restaurant.

The club has recently implemented a membership drive that includes a limited number of specially priced social memberships as well as intermediate memberships for the under 35 crowd. Membership is by invitation only. Call me at 415-258-4146 or e-mail me at gleograndis@fhallen.com and I would be happy to introduce you to the club.

If you are interested in learning more about the real estate surrounding this beautiful property (including its spectacular micro-climate) then you need to call me now! There has never been a better blend of luxury and value then what we are seeing now in the Pointe Marin neighborhood adjacent to MCC. Marin Country Club Estates also offers tremendous value for those wanting to live even closer to the club and/or have interest in redesigning their own masterpiece.

Call me at 415-258-4146 to see what’s currently available and/or to better understand the market in this area.

Living and playing in the Marin Country Club area has never been better. Looks like the secret’s finally out – shhh, don’t tell anyone!

Posted By: Greg Leograndis