Three stunning works of art grace our cover this month as a result of our Get Covered! art contest, which attracted hundreds of entrants. We thank them all and congratulate the winners: Gale McKee (painter), Drew Altizer (photographer), and Greg Martin (illustrator). These artists will be presenting their work at the Marin Art Salon events held at the California Closets showroom in San Rafael. This series of events celebrates Marin County art, including visual, literary and musical works, starting Wednesday
evening, May 9, and continuing every Wednesday in May after that. We are proud to present this year’s contest winners and salute the continuation of the Marin Art Salons as they align with an important Marin Magazine value—promoting art and creating community in Marin. For more details check out marinmagazine.com/events.
With Marin abloom in the glory of late spring, tours in Mill Valley and Ross offer entertaining strolls through inspiring gardens as described this month by P. J. Bremier. Heading north, Lucas Davidson takes us inside the Napa Valley Reserve, a private cabernet country club in St. Helena where members stake claim to part of the vineyard (literally) and enjoy the resulting vintages amid surroundings of quiet luxury.
The Coast Live Oak, the craggy, evocative tree that is so much a part of Marin’s natural beauty, is gravely endangered. Sudden Oak Death syndrome has already killed tens of thousands of oaks in Marin and neighboring counties. As Peter Fimrite reports in this issue, the spreading epidemic raises fire danger, costs homeowners in property value and tree removal, and frustrates scientists, who have no effective treatment in sight.
May means moms, and we pay homage to the mothers of Marin with a guide to mothers’ groups, from a fitness-geared Baby Boot Camp in Tiburon to the Writing Mamas Salon at Book Passage in Corte Madera. We also discover what local moms do on Mother’s Day—they get wined, dined, scrubbed and soaked (on the Santa Cruz boardwalk Log Ride!)
In Journey, Barbara Ries take us to Dubai, the booming Arabian Peninsula emirate that has morphed from dusty Bedouin port to the fastest-growing metropolis in the world. Ben Davidson takes his kayak paddle, golf clubs and, of course, camera to Tahoe, where he finds recreation begins at dawn and lasts until dusk.
As always, our wish is for your good reading. Enjoy Marin Magazine, as we continue to celebrate this
extraordinary place!
Lisa Shanower, Publisher
Nikki Wood, Editorial Director
Jim Wood, Executive Editor
