Archive for the ‘Things to do in Marin’ Category
It is not often you get to peek into some of the nation’s most beautiful (and expensive!) gardens. The residents of the Town of Ross will open its arms and gardens next weekend to benefit the Ross School.
Highlights of the tour include:
- a remarkable and resplendent rose garden with over 400 rose bushes
- a European inspired villa with an unparalleled bird’s eye view of the heart of Ross
- a timeless garden that harkens back to an era of elegant garden parties
- a romantic Victorian estate that is steeped in tradition yet updated with chic and sublime garden design.
This is one of my favorite local tours. It is fun to be a voyeur for the day and look into the backyards of stunning Ross residences. The gardens are always splendid and the weather is usually typical Marin bliss. Make it a day and enjoy an alfresco lunch (available from 11am-2:30 pm, order ahead to guarantee availability and afternoon tea from 3-5pm.
An all new Marketplace will be featured this year with vendors and educators coming together to create a delightful outdoor destination. The Marketplace is open from 9am-5pm.
- What: Ross Garden Tour
- When: Saturday, May 8, 2010, 9:00-3:00 pm
- Where: Shuttle service begins at the Marin Art and Garden Center
- FAQs
- Purchase Tickets
- Benefits the Fine Arts Program at Ross School
- More Info
~Ginger
Exploring by the Bay
Next stop: Fun events with kids!
The Bay is brimming with fun events for kids this weekend. Here are just a few. Feel free to add additional events in the comments!
San Francisco
The 19th Annual Union Street Spring Celebration & Easter Parade takes place on Sunday April 4, 2010 from 10:00am – 5:00pm on Union Street between Gough & Steiner. The event is a fun and eclectic San Francisco tradition. The promo even mentioned roller blading cows!! The celebration features some of Union Street’s best restaurants serving attendees in an outdoor bistro setting along with a variety of activities including large inflatable bounces, kids’ rides and games, a climbing wall, a hands-on children’s activities area, costumed characters, a petting zoo, a pony ride and musical entertainment.Spring Eggstravaganza takes place on Sunday, April 4, 2010 from 11 am – 3 pm at Stern Grove. San Francisco throws a giant Easter celebration that’s kid-friendly but open to all ages. Egg hunts, carnival rides, arts and crafts, entertainment, food and giant inflatables will keep you busy. At Stern Grove, 19th Ave. and Sloat Blvd. $5 admission. For tickets or more information, call (415) 831-2700 during business hours.
Big Bunny’s Spring Fling at the San Francisco Zoo takes place every day from now until April 4th from 11am to 3pm. All activities are free with paid Zoo admission and include live entertainment, bunnies to see and learn about from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (weather permitting), photo opportunities with a costumed bunny, crafts, and games to play. Additionally, the Zoo will offer one FREE child’s admission with one paid adult for kids ages 4 to 14 who bring along their favorite plush bunny.
Marin
Belvedere- Join the Easter bunny at the Belvedere Community Center’s Easter Bunny Brunch on Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 10 am-noon. The event includes brunch, crafts, face painting, music and of course, an Easter egg hunt! To purchase tickets, call the recreation office at (415) 435-4355 or visit the Belvedere Community Center website.
Corte Madera- The Corte Madera Parks & Recreation will be hosting a Children’s Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 3, 2010 at the Corte Madera Town Park. The hunt starts at 10am. For more info, call (415) 927-5073.
Fairfax- Fairfax hosts it’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at Bolinas Park Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 10:00 am-12:00. Call 415-456-5652 for more information.
Mill Valley- The Strawberry Recreation District will be holding their Spring Faire on Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 11:30am to 4pm at the Strawberry Recreation Center at 118 E. Strawberry Drive. The event features activities for children ages 1 to 8 and will include carnival games, prizes and an egg hunt. $5 admission per child. Call 383-6494 for more information.
Sausalito hosts their 30th Annual Easter Parade and Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4, 2010 from 10am -2pm at Dunphy Park located on Caledonia Street and Bridgeway. The schedule of events includes:
- 10:00am – Parade led by the Easter bunny!
- 10:15am – Egg Hunt
- 10:30am – Live Music
- 11am – Easter Bonnet Contest- bring your craziest, creative and beautiful Easter bonnets.
San Anselmo- The San Anselmo Parks and Recreation holds an egg hunt on Friday, April 2 from 7:50 pm (don’t be late) for kids ages 8 and older at Memorial Park in San Anselmo. For kids under 7, check out the Children’s Egg Hunt at 11am on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at Memorial Park in San Anselmo. Call (415) 258-4640 for more information.
Santa Cruz Area
Time for a Sunday drive? Consider heading down to Felton in the Santa Cruz Mountains for the Eggstraordinary Egg Hunt III on Sunday April 4, 2010 at 2:00pm at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton. Kids take the steam train to Bear Mountain to hunt for thousands of chocolate candy eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny in a redwood forest and win prizes. Special Easter crafts and games for families and kids. Sounds like a blast!
Looking to get a sneak a peak at some of Belvedere and Tiburon’s finest kitchen? Don’t miss the annual Belvedere-Hawthorne Nursery Schools Kitchen Tour coming up next week. The tour generally features five to six kitchens, often with gourmet treat along the way. I am very sad that I will be flying on a plane to Wichita, Kansaas, so I will miss it for the first time in years. In addition to the tour, there is always a great boutique and a lunch option at the San Francisco Yacht Club. Transportation is provided between each of the homes.
- What: Belvedere-Hawthorne Nursery Schools Kitchen Tour
- When: Tuesday, February 9 , 9:30am – 2pm
- Tour Tickets: $40 in advance, $45 at the door.
- Raffle Tickets: $5 each, 6 for $25. Luncheon: $30.
- More information: www.belvedere-hawthorne.com or (415) 721-3204.
Please go and tell me all about it!
One of my favorite annual events is back and I almost missed it! The Children’s Theatre Association of San Francisco (CTSA) brings Beauty and the Beast to life for bay area children this month and next. CTSA is a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers who dedicate their time to bring live performances to school age children. During the month of December, CTSA performs for school children, many who would not otherwise have the opportunity to see live theater. The funds raised from the Saturday paid performances in January and February are used to offset production costs.
- What: The Tale of the Beauty and the Beast performed by the Children’s Theatre Association of San Francisco.
- When: Saturdays at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm. The final performance will be on February 13th.
- Where: California Palace of the Legion of Honor
- Tickets: Tickets are $12.00 + $1.80 processing fee for online & telephone orders. Click here for more information about buying tickets.
This has been an annual tradition that I started with my children. The actresses are adult volunteers. Don’t be surprised- the program doesn’t have children in it! The volunteers make the costumes and the set. It is definitely “home grown” in a delightful way. The performance are always very sweet and tailored specifically for elementary aged children. I hope you enjoy it!
The Mill Valley Film Festival is back for it’s 32nd year October 8–18, 2009. The internationally acclaimed Mill Valley Film Festival celebrates the best of independent and world cinema with 143 films from 41 countries. The event is greatly anticipated by cinema fans and film industry veterans and is considered by many to be a launching pad for the Oscar campaign. The 11-day Festival sells over 40,000 tickets and welcomes more than 200 filmmakers from around the world. Festival sections include: Active Cinema, World Cinema, US Cinema, Valley of the Docs, Children’s FilmFest, and 5@5 (daily shorts programs).
Opening Night debuts with two feature films – The Boys Are Back, directed by Scott Hicks at CinéArts at Sequoia in downtown Mill Valley on Thursday, October 8 at 7:00 pm and 7:15 pm. Director Scott Hicks and actor Clive Owen will be in
attendance. Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire, from director Lee Daniels (Shadowboxer) will be shown at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in downtown San Rafael on Thursday, October 8 at 7:00 pm. Director Lee Daniels and actresses Gabourey Sibide and Paula Patton are expected to attend. After the screenings the Opening Night Gala will be held at the Mill Valley Community Center starting at 9:30 pm.
Tickets:
$12.50 General Admission
$11 Seniors (65+)
$10 Children’s FilmFest (kids and adults)
$10 Members
$5 5@5 Programs
Purchase Tickets
It is that time of year again- The Junior League of San Francisco Home Tour! I look forward to this event all year long. I might be slighly biased- I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to chair the event in 2006 (The Give My Regards to Broadway Tour) but if you haven’t been, you shouldn’t miss this tour. Think stunning homes, great architecture and fabulous interior design. The tour is features private San Francisco residences most people never have the opportunity to explore.
Now celebrating its 15th year, the Tour has been recognized by national media such as the Wall Street Journal as one of the nation’s premiere residential tours. This year the event will take place on October 2 and 3 in the Gold Coast of Pacific Heights – an exclusive section of Pacific Avenue between Divisadero and Lyon.
I have put together a slide show with a sneak peak at some of the homes’ interiors. I can’t show you the exteriors because the addresses are not able to be released until you arrive at the tour, but let’s just say- this tour is off the charts!
Photos courtesy of Kira Stackhouse of Nuena Photography. Video features sound. If you are unable to see this video in your reader, click here
The Evening Home Tour + Preview Party takes place on Friday, October 2 at the Hamlin School from 5:30 – 10:00 pm. This event provides an intimate setting in which guests can view the homes before they open to the public, with door-to-door service and an exclusive cocktail reception. Tickets are $165/person.
The Home Tour takes place on Saturday, October 3 takes place from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and enables members of the public to walk through some of San Francisco’s most architecturally distinct residences. VIP tickets are $115 and include door-to-door service, viewing of a museum-quality art collection, and tasting of culinary delicacies from Bay Area restaurant chefs. General admission tickets are $65.
Highlights include:
* A 5,000 square foot home built in 1918 with some innovative “green” elements – such as a sustainable garden that naturally recycles water via a hydroponic system to a koi pond, and a garage partly made of recycled milk gallon containers.
* A former three-unit apartment complex built in 1936 that has been transformed into a spectacular, brand new home with 10,000 square feet on four levels, plus a 2,500 square foot roof terrace with city and bay views.
* An Edwardian residence designed in 1910 which has recently undergone a significant renovation, taking great care to keep the integrity of the original home while adding in modern inconveniences.
I have seen a LOT of home tours. The Junior League of San Francisco’s is NOT to be missed.
About The Junior League of San Francisco
The Junior League of San Francisco, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Since its inception in 1911, the Junior League of San Francisco, Inc. (JLSF) has provided the community with an estimated 6 million volunteer hours and more than $22 million through direct community grants, advocacy, and membership training and development.
As a problem surfaces within the community, the JLSF is frequently the first organization to recognize and address the issue, providing volunteer energy, financial assistance and public support. Often in collaboration with other community groups and/or the public sector, the JLSF designs and launches a program, then works to achieve community impact and measurable results. For the period 2007-2012, the JLSF focus area is to Support and Strengthen Families in Need. This focus is defined as supporting Bay Area families in need via direct service, advocacy and grantmaking. Volunteers participate in programs that promote comprehensive services focused on meeting life’s basic needs and strengthening all generations within the community with community partners such as:
- Compass Community Services – JLSF Signature Program
- International Rescue Committee
- San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center
- Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
Looking for sweet weekend plans? How about the Ghiradelli Square Chocolate Festival? I am totally bummed I will miss this yet another year. This chocolate lover has never had the opportunity to go, but you should!
The event features chocolate delicacies, wine tastings & family activities. Proceeds benefit Project Open Hand. Since 1985, Project Open Hand has been providing “meals with love” to people living with serious illnesses and to seniors in San Francisco and Alameda County and has served as a model for over 100 organizations all over the world.
Chocolate, wine, and a great cause?? The chocolate tea party sounds fabulous (advance reservations required for the tea party)
- What: 14th Annual Ghiradelli Square Chocolate Festival
- When: September 12 & 13th, 2009
- Where: Ghiradelli Square!
- Benefits: Project Open Hand
- Tickets: Purchase tickets
- More Details
Enjoy!
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The 2009 Eichler Home Tour, Open Hearts, Open Homes is almost here! Take a self-guided tour of approximately 10 Eichler homes in the Lucas Valley area of San Rafael in Marin County, California on Saturday, September 19th. The Home Tour benefits Hospice by the Bay. Reservation deadline for tickets is September 10. Remaining tickets will be available at the door.
Eichler homes were designed in California Modern style by Joseph Eichler, famous for his modern architecture and open floorplans.
According to Wikipedia,
One of Eichler’s signature concepts was to “Bring the Outside In,” achieved via skylights and floor-to-ceiling glass windows looking out on protected gardens, patios, and pools. The homes had numerous unorthodox features, including post-and-beam construction, concrete slab floors with integral radiant heating, sliding doors and cabinets, and a standard second bathroom. Later models introduced the famous Eichler atriums, an entrance foyer designed to further advance the Eichler concept of integrating outdoor and indoor spaces.
Open Hearts, Open Home Marin Eicheler Home Tour Details:
- When: Saturday, September 19th, 11-4pm
- Where: Lucas Valley, San Rafael, CA. Registration at 1201 Idylberry Road, San Rafael
- Tickets: $50 each, includes tour, book signing and entertainment. Luncheon Buffet $25
- Benefits: Hospice by the Bay. Hospice By The Bay provides hospice and palliative care services for patients and their caregivers needing care and support during the final stages of life. Our team of compassionate and expertly trained professionals is dedicated to promoting wellness at the end of life, as well as preventing and treating distressing symptoms or conditions that might otherwise threaten the quality of life for patients and families
- More Information
It is back again- the Belvedere-Tiburon Kitchen Tour benefiting the Belvedere-Hawthorne Nursery School takes place this week. This year, six kitchens are featured on the tour.
- What: 31st Annual Belvedere Hawthorne Kitchen Tour
- When: February 3, 2008, 9:30am -3:30pm. Lunch available from 11am-3pm.
- Where: Starts at San Francisco Yacht Club, 98 Beach Road in Belvedere
- How Much: $40 in advance, $45 at the door. Lunch is available for $25. Info: www.belvedere-hawthorne.com
- Benefits: Belvedere Hawthorne Nursery School
Bring your checkbook -they have a great marketplace with jewelry, purses, children’s things and more. You can also buy raffle tickets ($5 each or $25 for six) for some great prizes including a Dacor kitchen, and some great trips.
With fabulous weather expected and six gorgeous Marin luxury homes, the Belvedere-Tiburon kitchen tour is definitely not to be missed!
Mill Valley Film Festival Underway!
The Mill Valley Film Festival features independent films from San Francisco Bay Area filmmakers and filmmakers around the world. One of my co-worker’s high school aged children is fortunate to have his film featured! The festival takes place in downtown Mill Valley and other theaters around Marin County until October 12th.
Looking for a great deal? Try the 5 for $5- five films for five dollars at 5:00 pm on weekdays. The Mill Valley Film Festival is non-competitive and features shorts, children’s films, documentaries, and international features.
If you are a movie buff, Mill Valley is the place to be this next week!