Mid-November Moments & Local Highlights Across Marin

🎭 Cool Events This Week

🧙 Mark Day School Presents: The Witch’s Princess, By Don Zolidis (San Rafael)

🗓️ Thur–Sun, Nov 13–16, 2025 | Times: Thu 5:30 pm; Fri & Sat 6:30 pm; Sun 2:00 pm

📍 Showcase Theater (Marin Civic Center), 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, CA

Showcase Theater (Marin Civic Center), 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, CA
Bring the family to a fun, fairy-tale adventure on stage. The Witch’s Princess is a youth theater production from Mark Day School that turns the classic “heroic quest” on its head. Princess Alessandra refuses to be a damsel in distress – instead of waiting for a knight, she sneaks out to defeat the evil bog witch herself, assembling a ragtag crew of mythical monsters to help. Along the way, nothing is what it first appears: the monsters have hearts, the witch hides secrets, and even the kingdom’s curse isn’t what you’d expect. It’s a rollicking all-ages story full of magic, laughs, and a little lesson about seeing past appearances.

🎟️ Admission $20 (general admission).

👉 Pro tip Seating is open – get there when doors open for your pick of spots. The Sunday matinee at 2 pm is a great option for younger kids or anyone who prefers an earlier show. And heads up: the Showcase Theater is intimate, so every seat feels close to the action (which means kids might even get a high-five from a “monster” during curtain call!).

County of Marin Website→ 🎟️ Get Tickets

🛍️ Consignment Store Sale at Fine Estate Inc. (San Rafael)

🗓️ Fri–Sun, Nov 14–16 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

📍 Fine Estate Inc., 502 Irwin St, San Rafael, CA

Explore Fine Estate Inc.’s 6,000 sq ft showroom packed with rotating estate finds. Expect a wide mix of vintage pieces, antiques, mid-century furniture, artwork, collectibles, jewelry, toys, coins and unique one-off items curated from estates across the Bay Area. New inventory is added daily and the full photo preview will be posted online by Wednesday, Nov 13 at 5 pm so shoppers can plan their picks.

🎟️ Admission Free.

👉 Pro tip Check the preview photos on Thursday night to mark your must-grab items. Parking on Irwin Street is limited, so arriving closer to opening makes things easier. Bring a tote or box for small items since the best pieces tend to go early.

Fine Estate Inc. Website→ More Info

🎁 Annual Holiday Market & Greek Cuisine (Novato)

🗓️ Saturday, Nov 15, 2025 | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

📍 Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, 1110 Highland Dr., Novato, CA

Kick off the holiday season with a lively market full of local makers and artisans paired with irresistible Greek food. The Holiday Market features a mix of handmade gifts, decor, jewelry and art from across the North Bay, plus the church’s signature lunch plates with gyros, spanakopita and baklava. On the side, check out YiaYia’s Attic—a vintage and gently used sale (in the same hall) with bargains that support charity.

🎟️ Admission Free.

👉 Pro tip Come hungry and early – the food line picks up by noon. Parking at the church lot fills fast, so arrive around 9:45 am if possible. Bring a tote bag or flat box if you spot larger items.

Nativity of Christ Website→ More Info

🎄 Holiday Celebration & Shopping Event (Ross)

🗓️ Saturday, Nov 15 | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

📍 Ross Common, Ross, CA, 94957

Enjoy a festive afternoon in the heart of Ross as local shops and merchants open their doors for a seasonal stroll through town. The event features unique holiday vendors, a small petting zoo, kids’ activities, art gallery open houses, live music and plenty of food and wine to sample along the way. It’s an easy, family-friendly way to ease into the holiday spirit while supporting Ross businesses.

🎟️ Admission Free.

👉 Pro tip Parking around Ross Common fills quickly. Arrive a bit before three to avoid circling and start your loop from the center of town for the smoothest flow through all the activities.

Ross Property Owners Website→ More Info

🎤 Lydia Pense & Cold Blood (Nicasio)

🗓️ Saturday, Nov 15, 2025 | Music at 7:30 pm (dinner seating from 6:00 pm)

📍 Rancho Nicasio, 1 Old Rancheria Rd, Nicasio, CA

Get your groove on with a Bay Area musical legend in a rustic roadhouse setting. Lydia Pense – often called the Queen of Bay Area R&B – still sings her heart out with the same fiery, spine-tingling soul that put her on the map in the late ’60s. Backed by her band Cold Blood, she’ll deliver a powerhouse set of funk-infused blues and classic East Bay Grease rhythms that will have you dancing in your seat (or up front by the stage). This “Dinner and a Show” event means you can savor Rancho Nicasio’s BBQ and comfort food before and during the concert, making it a full night out in the Marin countryside. Expect a mix of old-school R&B jams and soulful ballads – all given that unmistakable Lydia Pense powerhouse touch.

🎟️ Admission ~$35 (concert ticket only). Dinner sold separately – reserve a table if dining.

👉 Pro tip Definitely call ahead for a dinner reservation if you want to eat; tables book up and dinner isn’t included with the ticket. Leave time for the drive – Nicasio is beautifully remote, and the last few miles are on narrow roads (take it slow and enjoy the scenery). After the show, you’ll be headed home under a blanket of stars – a perfect Marin night cap to an evening of great music.

Rancho Nicasio Website→ 🎟️ Get Tickets

❤️ Local Favorite

🍽️ Guesthouse (Kentfield)

🕒 Daily, 11:30 am – 9:00 pm

📍 850 College Ave, Kentfield, CA

Guesthouse is one of those rare neighborhood restaurants that feels instantly familiar. Warm lighting, friendly staff and a menu full of elevated comfort food make it a go-to for Marin locals who want something reliable and delicious without traveling far. The kitchen focuses on simple, thoughtful cooking: crisp fried chicken, a standout smash burger, fresh salads and seasonal vegetables. It’s relaxed, welcoming and always hits the spot.

Why locals love it:

Guesthouse has the kind of energy that keeps regulars coming back week after week. The service is easygoing, the portions are generous and the room has a comfortable hum that makes you want to linger. It’s where families gather after soccer games, couples slide into a booth for date night and longtime regulars chat with the staff like old friends.

💡 Insider tip: The fried chicken is the must-order. If you’re going on a weekend, book ahead. After dinner, take a short walk along College Avenue for a quiet, tree-lined night stroll.

Guesthouse Website→ More Info

📢 Local Buzz

🚦 Marin County’s Return-to-Office Plan Sparks Debate

A new Marin IJ report revealed that the county is moving employees back to the office at least three days a week, starting with the tech department. Workers pushed back at a recent supervisors meeting, calling the mandate unnecessary, stressful and likely to worsen traffic. Some pointed out that a few staff have even been allowed to work temporarily from out of state, which set Reddit buzzing.

Supporters say in-person work improves collaboration and note that many Bay Area agencies are already back 3–4 days a week. Critics argue remote workers are just as productive and that the county’s recent $8.4 million office purchase makes the timing look questionable.

👉 The takeaway Expect heavier commutes and a louder debate. Marin locals have strong feelings about where work should happen.

Reddit Website→ Read the post

🏘️ “Be Honest, Marin” — Housing Debate

A fiery Reddit thread called out Marin’s reputation for opposing new housing, and locals had a lot to say. Many argued Marin desperately needs more homes near jobs, pointing to places like Northgate, downtown San Rafael and parts of Novato where density could help reduce long commutes. Others pushed back, saying infrastructure is already maxed out and that narrow roads, wildfire risk and limited evacuation routes make big growth unrealistic.

The conversation split into two camps: those ready for smarter, transit-friendly development and those who want to protect Marin’s small-town feel and open space. A common theme emerged across comments: people agree the status quo isn’t working, but no one can agree on what “responsible growth” should look like.

👉 The takeaway The thread makes one thing clear: everyone sees the problem, but no one agrees on the path forward.

Reddit Website→ Read the post

🎗️ Which Marin businesses actually give back?

A Reddit thread asked which local spots truly invest in the community, and the answers poured in. Lotus in San Rafael rose to the top, with multiple locals sharing stories of the owners feeding unhoused neighbors and offering free Thanksgiving meals. Tommy’s Salsa in Novato was praised for feeding kids during SNAP cuts, while Equator was recognized for giving complimentary pastries and milk to families who need it. Commenters also highlighted Insalata’s, Mill Valley Pasta, Barber’s Garage, Creekside in San Anselmo, and longtime neighborhood anchors like Scotty’s Market for their steady school support and involvement in local events.

Bank of Marin earned a surprising amount of respect for consistent charitable donations, and several parents pointed out that Good Earth, Mill Valley Market, and many small shops quietly support school fundraisers, youth sports and music nights all year long.

👉 The takeaway The vibe across the comments was clear: people notice when a business shows up without fanfare. Marin has plenty of places that give back in real, practical ways, and locals want to see more of that kind of grounded generosity—not performative charity.

Reddit Website→ Read the post

💎 Hidden Gem

🍗 Fried Chicken Sunday Pickup at Farmshop (Larkspur)

🗓️ Sunday, Nov 16 | 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm

📍 Farmshop Marin, Larkspur Landing

💵 $48 per whole bird

If you know, you know. Farmshop’s legendary fried chicken is one of Marin’s most quietly beloved weekend rituals. Every Sunday, the kitchen batches a limited run of whole birds — ten crispy, golden pieces per order — and they sell out fast. The chicken is gluten free, perfectly seasoned and packed hot for pickup so you can bring a little Farmshop magic home without the dinner crowds.

👉 Pro tip Pre-order early in the day. Once they hit the limit, that’s it. Pair it with a simple salad or biscuits at home and you’ve got one of the best low-effort Sunday meals in Marin.

Farm Shop (Fried Chicken Sunday Pickup Order) Website→ More Info

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