New Local Businesses
Strawberry Village’s newest edible edition is Chocolatier Blue. The artisan chocolate shop uses organic ingredients and no artificial flavors, with sweets crafted by Chris Blue, who formerly worked with Healdsburg’s Charlie Trotter. The selections change with the season but espresso, chili and apple cider have been recent popular options, 415.380.5000, chocolatierblue.com. ■ U.S. Open, Olympic gold medal and Wimbledon title winner Ken Flach is now living in Mill Valley. The doubles specialist is coaching future Olympic hopefuls at the recently opened Ken Flach Academy at Rolling Hills Tennis Club, rollinghillsclubmarin.com. ■ Marin’s Tinsley Hutson-Wiley has opened a new home store in downtown Ross called Tinsley Home. The interior designer offers lines such as Dayna Decker candles, Sarah Paloma Pottery, Yosh fragrance and jewelry from Mill Valley’s Sally Baker, 415.464.1300. ■ In San Francisco the Gucci Kids collection was launched with a $1 million donation to UNICEF.
Local Read
Seamstress and local blogger Erin McKean has turned her daily musings on vintage fashion on her A Dress a Day blog into the new tome The Secret Lives of Dresses, which tells the story of a young college student who comes home to take care of her ailing grandmother and her vintage dress store. dressaday.com
Congrats
Nancy McKenney, the former CEO of the Humane Society for Seattle and King County, is now the new chief executive officer for the Marin Humane Society. McKenney, who has over 25 years of experience in animal welfare, is joining the society as it celebrates its 104th year.
Gone Green
This year’s spring antiques show at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall, March 12 and 13, focuses on all things green, including recycled furniture, jewelry and fashion. For vintage finds stop by Katherine Manzini’s Trappings of Time booth, which is often stocked with clothing from period shows like Mad Men. goldengateshows.com
Glory Days
Do you happen to remember contemplating the lyrics to, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison, or popping that Styx cassette in your brand new Sony Walkman to listen to “Renegade” before hitting the par course? If these memories conjure a smile, head over the bridge to catch the five-time Tony-nominated musical Rock of Ages, playing through April 8 at the Curran Theatre. Former Marin resident (now Tennessee transplant), Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain wonders if this show might have been the pre-Glee (and post-Sopranos) bump for the huge resurgence in popularity of the song “Don’t Stop Believin’.” “I wouldn’t be surprised if the producers of Sopranos or Glee happened to be in the L.A. audience for Rock of Ages and got the idea to use it for their show,” says Cain. “This song belongs to young people; we were all thrilled it was included in the musical.” What he likes best about the production is of course, the music. “It’s great to see such a great compilation of songs from this era saluted—they ‘rock’ the stage.” shnsf.com
