Dinosaurs, whales, dolphins, a sunbathing “sandman,” Cinderella’s coach. It’s not often one encounters all these in one place, unless you’ve found yourself at the Drakes Beach Sand Sculpture Contest. Held annually the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, the contest is one of the most popular family-friendly events in the North Bay.

The activity starts at 9:00, with people of all ages – some solo, some in groups of two or three families – setting up camp and staking out the best spot for their canvas. In the good years, the sun is already shining and the water of Drakes Bay shimmers a turquoise blue. The tall white cliffs of the beach provide welcome shelter from the north winds and keep the temperature pleasant for the artists and early spectators.

		Photo Credit: Vicens Vilà

At mid-day, picnics are released from their baskets and crowds start to gather at the more elaborate endeavors – the Bay Bridge, the head of Ganesh (we are in the Bay Area, don’t forget), an enormous dragon. Some folks venture into the ocean to body surf, ride body boards or just enjoy an invigorating dip. If the day did start with fog, the sun has usually burned its way through at this point and the rolling green hills of Point Reyes make their grand appearance.

At 3:00, with the last shells, rocks and bits of seaweed and drift wood in place, the sculptures are completed and the judges make their rounds. The spectators follow, as if part of a parade, and discuss their own favorites. Artists stand by, eager for questions and admiration. The whole beach is bustling.

The day winds down with foot showers, a snack at Drake’s Beach Café, and well-earned naps on the scenic ride home.

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

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

The spectacular natural beauty of the North Bay offers artists endless opportunities for inspiration. It’s no wonder, then, that we are home to so many wonderful art festivals, and this time of year brings about three of our favorites: the Tiburon Art Festival, the Sausalito Art Festival and the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival. These three southern Marin events are close in proximity, but each offers its own unique take on the art festival scene.

The Tiburon Art Festival occurs first in the lineup and takes place this weekend, August 28 and 29. Located right in downtown Tiburon on Historic Ark Row, it features jury-selected artists in categories from painting, sculpture and glass to photography and mixed media. In fact, our own Tom Benoit from the San Rafael office is a past exhibitor and is featured in the 2010 event. Downtown Tiburon’s charm, classic wooden buildings and straight-on San Francisco and Bay views add to the appeal. View images from the 2009 Festival here.

In Marin County, Labor Day is synonymous with Sausalito thanks to the Sausalito Art Festival, a perennial event for 58 years. Now the event attracts fine artists from all over the US and abroad and features over 20,000 museum-quality original works. But there’s no need to tiptoe around this museum: in fact, the festival is as much about the art as it is the entertainment, and a large pavilion hosts acts from longstanding favorites. The 2010 performers include Jefferson Starship, the Bangles and Modern English. Read why fellow blogger Rick Smith prefers to stay in town for this Labor Day weekend event.

Like the Sausalito Art Festival, the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, September 25 and 26, has been around for over 50 years and finishes off a spectacular festival season in Marin. A very family-friendly event, the Fall Arts Festival takes place in Historic Old Mill Park under the shade of the Redwood Trees and also includes entertainment by Bay Area performers and even an area for craft activities.

These three festivals, with their unique flavors, are such wonderful ways to experience and appreciate the rich, vibrant artistic community that has long made its home in the North Bay.

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

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

I love living in Marin and taking advantage of the warm Ross Valley sun and enjoying all the festivals that summer brings to our beautiful county.

I enjoy each and every festival, as each offers a different special venue and flavor to the county, but my favorite remains Labor Day weekend’s Sausalito Art Festival, as it combines the best and widest art offerings with live music, marking the near end of the summer.

Photo taken by Lloyd Doppler

The Sausalito Art Festival runs Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 4, through Monday, September 6, from10am – 6:00pm (5:00pm on Monday). General admission is $20.00 a day, or $30.00 for all three days of the venue. There are discounted tickets for Seniors and Juniors available as well, and children under 6 are free. Music plays almost all day on three different stages and the seats at the “main stage” fill up early for the big name artists. If you want to see the most popular bands, you may want to do the art walk early in the day and then claim your favorite spot for the balance of the day.

Last year there were over 1,200 artists from around the country competing in 270 exibition spots, in all types of categories. You will see booths for watercolors, oil, sculptures, jewelry, metalwork, stained glass, oils and just about anything else you can dream of. Prices of the art range from just a few dollars to thousands of dollars for paintings from top artists. The variety and the talent are amazing!

The Music Venue on the Stella Artois Main Stage:

Saturday

12:15 – 1:45 pm Modern English kicks off the lineup. You may remember one of their top singles I Melt With You “(Let’s stop the world) I’ll stop the world and melt with you.”

2:30 – 3:45 pm The Fixx. A couple of my favorites are One Thing Leads to Another and Saved by Zero.

4:30 – 6:00 pm The Bangles wind up the afternoon with two of my favorites, Manic Monday and Walk like an Egyptian.

Sunday

Noon – 1:30 pm Pablo Cruise. A favorite San Francisco based band with the hit Whatcha Gonna Do – “Whatcha gonna do when she says goodbye?”

2:15 – 3:45 pm The Tubes. Playing their hits including, Talk to You Later.

4:40 – 6:00 pm Dave Mason. The legendary guitarist and vocalist who has appeared with such greats such as Traffic, Jimi Hendrix, and the Rolling Stones.

Monday

Noon – 1:00pm Sons of Champlin

1:45 – 3:15 pm Mavis Staples

3:45 – 5:00pm The Jefferson Starship

Who else to wind up such a terrific festival than the legendary Jefferson Starship, whose roots go back with Paul Kanter and Grace Slick of the Jefferson Airplane.

If that’s not enough, there is also the “Artist Stage,” which will be offering non stop live local bands and entertainment as well.

What’s great is if you are visiting from San Francisco, you can use the Blue and Gold ferry from Fisherman’s wharf directly to the Art Festival.

The food pavilion, although County Fair style food, has a menu for everyone. And if you want fine dining, you can always walk through Sausalito to find a multitude of awesome restaurants and wine. Bikes get free valet parking at the Festival, but parking for cars ranges from $20 on site to $10 if you want to take one of the air-conditioned shuttle buses from downtown Sausalito. Of course you can always enjoy one of the great hotels in Sausalito and enjoy all three days!

So why go out of town and hassle with all the heavy holiday traffic when the best place to be is in your own back yard – Marin County!

Posted by:  Rick Smith

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?

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

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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?

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

Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Photo taken by Ingrid Taylor

When you see the Giant Wheel spring up along Highway 101 it can only mean one thing – it’s time for the Marin County Fair, now in its 65th year. Marin is not your average county, so fittingly, this is not your average county fair. Yes, there are the traditional fair classics we all know and love – pig races, petting zoo, carnival rides, ring-toss games, and baking competitions. However, only here will you also find a solar powered carousel, Storm Troopers escorting R2D2, Holistic Hooping, a “geocaching” high-tech treasure hunt and a globalicious garden. The Fair outdoes itself each year, but our favorite attraction is still the Giant Wheel. The pace is fairly slow and it takes you nearly 100 ft. up for an aerial view of the entire Fair, Civic Center lagoon and San Rafael Hills – making for one Marin tradition that can’t be missed. 

The fair runs July 1-5, from 11 am to 11 pm with fireworks nightly at 9:30. (Note: On Thursday, July 1, Kids 12 and under are free; for $2 off coupon on opening day, click here). 

With so much to do at the Fair – and so many new attractions this year – what are you most excited for?

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

Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

The most noteworthy fair of the Bay Area is coming soon: The 65th edition of the Marin County Fair will celebrate the theme Going Global: Connecting Cultures complete with rides, exhibits, contests, fireworks, and concerts starting on Thursday, July 1, through Monday, July 5 in San Rafael. This year’s edition celebrates Marin County and the Bay Area’s global cultures, bringing our varied backgrounds of life and vitality to Marin.

The concert lineup starts on July 1 at 7:30 with Wilson Phillips, daughters of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas. You may remember a few of their hits “Hold On,” “Impulsive,” and “Release Me,” that were really terrific hits in the 80s. On Friday July 2, you have an opportunity to see two concerts for the price of one when The Wailers from Jamaica’s reggae tradition play at 5:00 and Ramblin’ Jack Elliot plays at 7:30. The Wailers played alongside Bob Marley back in the 70s and Jack Elliot is a spiritual heir to Woodie Guthrie’s and Bob Dylan’s fledgling folk style. 

Saturday, July 3, you have another double treat with Tea Leaf Green at 3:00 and Little Feat at 7:30. Tea Leaf Green conjures up the spirit of bands like Tom Petty and the Grateful Dead, taking classic sounds and giving them a present day feeling. Little Feat has been billed as one of the best live rock n’ roll bands ever, and has collaborated with such bands as Brian Wilson, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Plant and John Lee Hooker. Hopefully soon Little Feat will get their proper recognition and be in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of fame. Sunday’s ticket will include a double-double feature as The Del McCoury Band and Preservation Hall Jazz Band play at both 2:00 and 4:00, and the Masters of Hawaiian Music: George Kahumoku Jr., Dennis Kamakahi, Uncle Richard Ho’opi’i and Bobby Black bring their special style of Hawaiian music back at 6:00 and 8:00. Having another home on the island of Kauai, this brings a special flavor of slack key and down home Hawaiian music to Marin that I love and adore.

Finally, on Monday, July 5, you can enjoy a triple feature of concerts with Tiempo Libre at 1:00 and 3:00, The Four Tops at 6:00, and the fabulous Temptations at 8:00. Tiempo Libre’s seven-piece band brings a special tempo of Cuban and salsa, with a lot of jazz. The Four Tops have been dazzling their audiences with fabulous favorites such as “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Reach Out,” and “Standing in the Shadow of Love” for decades. Then get ready to spend an evening with The Temptations as they bring on their classic Motown hits like “My Girl,” “Papa was a Rolling Stone” and “Just My Imagination” to the stage.

This concert lineup is only part of the action as The Marin County Fair will also have the Kenya Safari Acrobats, which will perform each day at 3:00 and 5:00. You will also have one of the leading stereoscopic photographers, Robert Bloomberg, bring a selection of his most stunning and acclaimed 3-D shows to the Fair. Featured programs are The Day of the Dead, Portrait of Tuscany, The Lost Temples of Angkor, and Wish You Were Here: 3-D Postcards From Somewhere Else.

What would the Fair be without all the great menu items from throughout the world? Fare includes the new Niman Ranch Grill offering Guatemalan Mixta, Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad, Hong Kong Grilled Chicken Skewers, Texas Frito Pies, and Italian Spicy Sausage Baguettes. All the meats from the grill are gourmet, natural meats from Niman Ranch.

Finally, each night is capped off with a nightly Fireworks show. I am told that this will be the biggest, most elaborate fireworks spectacular ever staged over the lagoon. Using the clear Marin skies as its canvas, this truly impressive experience will be one not to miss as it fills the skies every night of the Fair at 9:30.

Whew! With all this happening, I think I’ll need to take a vacation from all the excitement of this truly spectacular Marin County Fair.

Posted by:  Rick Smith

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

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

Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Our dear friend Carola Detrick, the executive director and chief bottle washer of Meals of Marin, an organization that for the past seventeen years has served meals to homeless people with life-threatening disease, is requesting our help.

Meals of Marin needs help from you and me, who hopefully have homes and who hopefully aren’t suffering AIDS, breast cancer or other malaise of the BIG threat ‘end-of-life’ variety.

What Carola has cut:

· nearly half of their income
· days of kitchen time from 7 to 3
· Meals of Marin still provides 7 days of meals per week per person.

Please open your heart and wallet to this great organization … please.

Meals of Marin
3095 Kerner, Suite Q
San Rafael, CA 94901
http://mealsofmarin.net 

Posted by:  Tom Verkozen

Many Southern Marin Mother’s Club (SMCC) directors and members got together over the last couple of weeks for a donation drive to help newborns in our community. We asked our members to drop off new or gently used clothing for 0 to 12 month olds at a several Marin locations (Frank Howard Allen – Mill Valley being one of them). On Earth Day, we collected all of the clothing and brought them to the Bay Club of Marin to sort the clothing and make boxes for baby girls and boys. We made 48 boxes! Each box contained clothing items for the first year of a baby’s life. Once we assembled the boxes, SMMC members delivered them to local Marin charities including Canal Alliance, Marin Abused Women’s Services and Family Services Agency of Marin.

Sure, I had other things I needed to do that day. I had an escrow that was going sideways and wasn’t in the best of moods. One of the other volunteer’s father was at Marin General because he had just had a mild heart attack (is there such a thing?). But we all dropped what we were doing and forgot about our lives to help others in our community and we had a great time doing it. Even better, a lot of the members’ children helped to participate in sorting the clothes and making the boxes!

SMMC offers many services to its own members, which is fabulous. But what was so great about this event, is that SMMC offered a way for our members to get together to give back…and not only that, but have fun while doing it. We were helping our community but also creating community at the same time.

Are you new to Marin or new to motherhood? Contact me or leave a comment below if you’d like more info about the great events and services the Southern Marin Mother’s Club has to offer!

Posted by:  Adrienne Murphy

Whether you are a San Rafael native or new to the area, there is always something to learn about the city. Now there is a community events online newsletter which provides information about local resources, events and news all in one convenient place.

Whether you are looking for a toddler story-time group, a volunteer organization or a restaurant guide, this handy site can help you in your search. And if you have an event to promote, it offers a great forum. The site provides free promotion for community organizations.

So take a look and discover all that San Rafael has to offer: www.americantowns.com/ca/sanrafael

Posted by:  Alva Falla and Associates

The 2010 Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance, Sunday, May 16, brings 200 classic and special interest cars to the Marin Civic Center. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a history buff or just appreciate fine design, this is a great event to attend. And this year there are two cars that hold a special place in Marin history.

Porsche is the featured marque, and iconic singer Janis Joplin’s 1965 Porsche will be on display. Originally oyster white, Janis had the car custom-painted with a psychedelic design that includes a tribute to Mt. Tam, a callout to the time she spent in Marin and living in Larkspur. The Porsche is on loan from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and you can read more about its story in the Marin IJ and view photos from its recent visit to the Grammy Museum.

A 1904 Oldsmobile is another car with Marin ties that will be on display. Used as a delivery vehicle for the Marin IJ, The Olds was the first commercial vehicle in Marin.

Of course there will be hundreds of cars on display along the Civic Center lagoon, so there’s something for everyone, including what aims to be a ‘classic’ car of the future, the Lexus LFA Supercar. (Base MSRP of $375,000, or a small condo here in Marin). There is currently only one in the US and it will be here on Sunday.

The Concours d’Elegance runs from 9 am to 4 pm and benefits Hospice By the Bay, an organization that Frank Howard Allen avidly supports.

For more information, visit: http://www.marinsonomaconcours.org/index.html

With all the classes (American Sports Cars, Import Cars, Vintage Race Cars, Historic Hot Rods, Woodies…) which types of cars are you most excited to see?

Posted by:  Noreen Smith

If you’re looking for something to do in Marin this weekend, there are three exciting tours taking place. Each with its own focus on design, architecture and gardening, these three distinct tours should offer even the novice homeowner plenty of inspiration for sprucing up their pad.

Marin Designers Showcase
Friday, May 14 – Saturday, June 5
Open Tuesday – Sunday, from 11 AM-4 PM: Open until 8PM on Thursdays and Closed Mondays (Open Memorial Day)

On hiatus for the past two years, this popular event returns to Marin. Thirty Bay Area designers showcase their talents and visions, while staying true to the original character of this 1929 8,000-square-foot Georgian Colonial, “Rosegarden Estate,” located in San Rafael.
More info

Fourth Annual Eco Garden Tour: Taking a Bay-Friendly Approach
Saturday, May 15, from 10 AM to 4 PM

Novato-based Bay Institute, which works to preserve San Francisco Bay and its watershed, hosts this self-guided tour of more than 30 sustainably-built gardens between Novato and Tiburon. Learn about using eco-friendly practices in gardening, such as native and drought-tolerant plantings, rainwater catchment, erosion control measures and utilizing mulch and compost.
More Info

Marin Living: Home Tours
Saturday May 15, from 10 AM to 4 PM

Presented by the American Institute of Architects, this tour promotes a wide variety of architectural styles – all from the architect’s point of view. Each of the five homes presented on this tour embrace the beautiful surroundings offered in Marin and demonstrate how architecture and landscape can live harmoniously.
More info

Posted by:  Noreen 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

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

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

The days are getting longer, sidewalk cafes and restaurants are beckoning, and school will be out in a just a couple of weeks. It all means summer is around the corner and with it the joy of seasonal festivals, fairs and events. To find out what’s already on the calendar, check out the Marin IJ’s guide to summer events

Be sure to note the traditional favorites:

The Italian Street Painting Festival, June 13-14, 2009,

The Marin County Fair, July 1-5,

The new Music in the Plaza in San Rafael, 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday.

Posted by:Noreen Smith

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

One of the reasons we at Frank Howard Allen Realtors love where we live is the great variety of activities and events the area offers. This Memorial Day weekend in Marin County there are a number of fun options. For example:

The Salmon Kiss and Release in Tiburon:

The Mountain Play, which kicks off its 29th year, is presenting “Man of La Mancha” at 1 p.m. Sunday at Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre on Mount Tamalpais.
For more events, check out this article on the MarinIJ.com or the calendar on the Marin magazine site.

Posted by:Noreen Smith

We’re pleased to announce that Frank Howard Allen is a proud sponsor of the Marin-Sonoma Concours d’Elegance, a classic car show taking place this Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm at the Marin Civic Center Fairgrounds.

The Concours will be a celebration of the artistic design and elegant engineering of the automobile from the past to the future. Many unique vintage and classic cars will be on display and competing for Best in Show at this first annual event.

Proceeds will benefit Hospice By The Bay, a non-profit, community-based hospice and palliative care provider serving Marin, San Francisco, Northern San Mateo, and Sonoma counties. As the second oldest hospice in the U.S., they understand the medical, practical, emotional and spiritual care patients and their families need.

General admission is $15. Senior tickets are $10; Children 16 and under are free and must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets may be purchased from a ticket booth at the field on the day of the event. Parking is Free for all spectators.

Check out these links for more details.

Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Hospice By The Bay

Marin-Sonoma Concours d’Elegance

Posted by:Noreen Smith

Whether you’re on the fence about buying, are considering investing in a condo for your kids to share after college, or are actively searching for a new home, don’t miss our Open House Extravaganza this Sunday. There will be over 170 homes in Marin alone available to tour. From houseboats in Sausalito to an estate in Nicasio, there’s a variety of properties in all shapes, sizes and price points.

You’re also welcome to stop by our offices. Our agents will be available to answer questions about where the values are, what neighborhoods to consider if schools are of utmost importance, and what properties make sense for your lifestyle and budget. Our in-house financing experts from Residential Pacific Mortgage will also be available to explain financing options, the first-time buyer credits, and more.

For the locations of Open Homes, click the “Open Houses” button on the homepage of our award-winning site http://fhallen.com or check the real estate section of this Sunday’s Marin Independent Journal or the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Posted By: Noreen Smith

For many years, 15 – 20 guests would descend upon my home on Easter Sunday for a great family gathering. Although a wonderful occasion, it was always work to put it on (cleaning), work to pull it off (cooking and entertaining), and work to finish it off (more cleaning). Five years ago, we received an invitation from Cecile, the mother of a large Italian San Rafael family. We are fortunate to be part of her extended clan. She invited us to play Bocce Ball at the Albert’s Park courts next to the B Street Community Center in San Rafael. The invitation asked for each family to bring a side dish and beverages; everything else would be handled.

You guessed it! For the past 5 years we’ve been part of Cecile’s party and Bocce tournament. There are generally upwards of 50 – 60 guests (kids and adults). Joe, Cecile’s son, barbeques the hot dogs and hamburgers. This year, in addition to the burgers, dogs and appetizers, the buffet included smoked salmon, pasta di pesto, taco salad, shrimp dip, chicken chow mein, Chinese chicken salad, deviled eggs (3 platters), Caesar salad and assorted cookies, cakes, desserts and chocolate. There were plenty of beverages including beer and Italian wine.

4 courts are going at once and Cecile makes it her business to get everyone playing and understanding the rules. I played with and against my family much of the time but in years past I’ve played with folks I didn’t know until that day. Things get quite competitive after a few beers and everybody gets the Bocce hand signals down. We all think we know what we’re doing. Then we play one of the regulars and they put us in our place!

Do what the Italians do. Take time out and have some fun! Play Bocce Ball, it does a body and soul, good!

Posted By: Mark Machado

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

My son, Charlie, decided to run track this year for San Rafael High School. Charlie is a sophomore. The team’s main fundraising event is hosting “The San Rafael Twilight Relays.” This wonderful event took place on Saturday, March 14th. This meet, involving 30 high school teams, brings elite and not so elite runners together “under the lights.”

When we arrived (with my wife Linda and young son Daniel) the parking lot was packed. There was no space on the street so we snuck into the mall lot across San Pedro Road. As we entered Miller Field, there was a sea of humanity; runners warming up on the infield and friends, families, students and fans crunched shoulder to shoulder in the stands . The temperature dropped as the almost full moon rose. The stadium lights brightened the night and the atmosphere was electric.

The boys’ sprint relay was 2×100m, 1×200m and 1×400m. There were 10 – 12 heats. The first heats were the slower teams but they got faster and faster as time wore on. Charlie’s team ran somewhere in the middle and he ran the first leg. Sitting with the team in the stands I could hear the kids screaming, “Go SR!” or “Go Dawgs!” Charlie and his three teammates, all with buzzed haircuts, identical white compression shorts that peaked out below their maroon shorts and the same white and red Nike track spikes, came walking onto the track with seven other teams. No, these weren’t the elite teams but you would never have guessed it as the crowd roared when the anchors received the baton and finished the race. SR placed second in their heat and 25th of 64 teams. Not bad for the new kids!

The experience of hearing and seeing the best athletes yelling encouragement and cheering for newer, younger athletes was awesome. Eric Olson of Novato ran a 4:19 for 1600 meters and Petaluma HS set a meet record in the coed 4 z 800m relay (Marin IJ 3/15/2009). All of this was topped off with a guest appearance of 400m world record holder and former Olympian Michael Johnson.

We left the stands at 9 p.m. and went to dinner at Bahia Taqueria on B Street. I’ll save that story for another time!

Posted By: Mark Machado