If you have lived in Marin over the past 18 years, you might have noticed a variety of window stickers proudly declaring that the business you are about to walk into has been deemed worthy by a Marin Magazine’s Best of the County window cling or certificate. Notably, the Pacific Sun and the Marin Independent Journal are also in the game, and hats off to these publications for maintaining consistent branding. Back in 2008 when we first launched our “best ofs” lists, we could have definitely used a marketing mind to create one recognizable Marin Magazine logo. No regrets, we’ve had some fun designs over the years, and perhaps our brand strategy is keeping readers guessing about what’s happening next.
Through it all, I really do prefer our latest iteration of “Best of the County.” In the past, the edit team would select a few businesses to highlight, but as humans with limitations, we would miss some great options. Hence, a few years back we compiled a list we felt good about and opened up the decisions to our readers. The result? A robust list of 104 categories that you’ll see in this issue (and more importantly online), with more than 820 small local businesses representing the “Best of Marin” in categories: Arts and Entertainment, Beauty, Dining, Fitness, Home & Design, Philanthropy, Services and Shopping. To make it onto these prestigious lists, a business must receive at least 10 votes. And to stay on this list, a business needs to get at least 10 votes, and the businesses with the most votes are deemed “Readers’ Choice.” In many cases, readers’ votes were very close and the runners up, “Rest of the Best” list is lengthy.
Shifting gears, we are proud to share Yalda Moaiery’s inspiring photo essay which sheds a light on Iranian women who have been imprisoned for their support of the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran. Her images were on display last month at the Sausalito Center for the Arts. The story came to us through Marin native and Marin Academy graduate, Jason Rezaian, who is a good friend of Yalda’s, and has written an intro to the photo essay. We’ll be hearing more about Jason’s experience of being convicted of espionage in a closed-door trial in Iran in 2015. Spoiler alert: He’s now back in the U.S., and working at the Washington Post. We look forward to sharing his courageous story soon.
Back in the bubble of Marin County, we celebrate the return of Sausalito’s beloved Sea Lion Statue. I showed up at 6:30 a.m. on July 3rd just as the statue was being replaced. It was a banner Sausalito morning with a crowd of locals there to celebrate, including former Sausalito mayor Melissa Blaustien bobbing in the bay for the occasion, which is appropriate, considering she raised $10,000 last year by swimming from Angel Island to Sausalito to contribute towards the repairs.
Heads up on naming the sea lion, I mistakenly referred to the statue as Sammy and was kindly corrected by current Sausalito mayor, Ian Sobieski, who let me know that people get upset if it’s called Sammy or referred to as a seal instead of a sea lion. This hubbub to me indicates that we should just come up with a name, something like the adored Li’l Sebastian on the television show, “Parks and Recreation”.
Back to “Best of the County,” if we have missed your favorite business, don’t worry — we will be voting again next year. Don’t hesitate to let us know. As always we love feedback, please send your thoughts to [email protected] or find us on the socials.
