View from Marin

WITH FALL WELL under way, we kick off features with another story by food writer and photographer Lynda Balslev. If you’ve fallen in love with her work and recipes as we have, you won’t want to miss the selection of fall party appetizers Balslev has created — and the step-by-step instructions that will help you make the treats yourself.

We continue with a look at medical marijuana in Marin. Writer Nate Seltenrich asks why the medicine is so hard to locate in one of the Bay Area’s most liberal counties and finds out what the future holds. Next, we lighten things up a bit and take a look at second homes. Writer Ann Wycoff meets some Northern California residents who have carved out their own alternate version of paradise.

Finally, if you have plans to attend films and events at the 37th Mill Valley Film Festival October 2–12 or just want to learn more about Marin’s silver-screen history, you’ll want to check out our first-ever festival guide. You’ll find it inserted in the middle of the magazine — pull it out and take it with you — and it will be available at the festival.

"If you’ve fallen in love with her work and recipes as we have, you won’t want to miss the selection of fall party appetizers Balslev has created."

Up front we’ve got a look at healthy Halloween treats and a peek at a new book by rock photographer Bob Minkin. We also invite you to meet filmmaker John Korty (yes, the father of the younger John Korty we introduced you to in July), the founders of Della Terra Oils and newly elected supervisor Damon Connolly.

In Destinations, it’s all about food and wine — a theme hinted at on our cover by Caldwell Snyder’s own Matt Rogers. We invite you to check out the abundance of new and exciting eats, drinks and experiences in wine country (yes, post-quake Napa is back up and running), introduce you to some new wines to look out for and invite you along to experience the food revolution in Baja.

So enjoy the issue, maybe in your favorite reading chair as the weather begins to call for more indoor activities. And if you are at the film festival, say hi; we’ll be out and about at the numerous events and screenings.