Based in Marin County just north of San Francisco, Donna is a freelance writer who writes about food, wellness, travel and happenings throughout the Bay Area.
The California Film Institute (CFI), a presenter of the Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF), uses films and filmmaking to educate kids from Marin and the greater Bay Area about issues such as environmental preservation and activism. We spoke with Director of Education Joanne Parsont
Here are some of the coolest camps around, where not only will your kiddo have so much fun there will hardly be time for homesickness, but they just might return home a little further along their way to becoming smart, responsible, adventurous and knowledgeable adults.
When former President Barack Obama rolled into San Francisco in 2016, he went to dinner with Silicon Valley moguls at 25 Lusk in San Francisco, where he dined on a double dose of a yellowtail sashimi appetizer for dinner.
With Spring finally here, there's no better time to treat yourself to brunch, preferably al fresco to partake in the natural beauty of Marin. Located in charming downtown Sausalito with views of the harbor, Poggio is serving up Easter specials such as Liege-style waffles with fresh berries, seasonally-inspired frittatas and asparagus Milanese featuring fresh asparagus and prosciutto topped with a fried egg.
Once a year, Dr. Evan Ransom, a Mill Valley-based surgeon who specializes in reconstructive and plastic surgery, packs his bags and heads to Peru. It's not a vacation; Dr. Ransom and fellow surgeons conduct yearly missions to provide pro-bono surgical services to children from impoverished families all over Peru who have little to no means to afford it.
Safari West in Sonoma County is a true gem, and not to sound overly dramatic, it is also a miracle. Last October, Safari West came perilously close to being destroyed, or at least deeply impacted, by the fires - specifically the Tubbs fire, which burned more than 36,000 acres and is now on record as the most destructive wildfire in California history.
If you frequently drive the downtown streets of San Rafael, chances are you've seen them as you go whizzing by: trainers from Guide Dogs for the Blind, out with their trainee dogs showing them how to stop, walk and keep their future sight-impaired owners out of harm's way.
What's not to love about the number five? Five gold rings, The Jackson Five, five little monkeys jumping on the bed - and of course the fifth day of May, known as Cinco de Mayo, commemorating the Mexican army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.
When most people plan a trip to Ireland, they put Dublin, Cork and perhaps Galway on the list. While these places offer plenty to see and do, going deep into the Irish countryside is the way to really get the feel of this old-world country.
School is back in session, but with festivals in almost every corner of the county, the world’s largest bouncy house, fishing galore and eclectic music, there’s plenty to do and see this month in Marin.