; ;

LED lights at green hotel, Inn Marin in NovatoThe tide is turning.

Incandescent and even fluorescent lights are becoming a thing of the past. I have used the same Par 38 flood light in my public space for the last 7 years. It is a warm inviting light that is dimmable and really creates a wonderful atmosphere. I called my supplier to order some replacement bulbs and he said NO they are no longer making them and they have none in stock. He suggested a new LED dimmable light that is 3000k (this means warm light) so I tried it out. WOW, I was surprised how much it looks like an incandescent light!

So it is time to start thinking and changing to LED and what a cost savings. My par 38 was 65 Watts, now the new LED is only 13 Watts. There all different kinds of LED lights out there so check them out and save more energy.
According to this article in the Wall Street Journal all light bulbs will be mandated to be LEDs by the year 2020.

Robert Marshall, Green Guru of Inn Marin

Robert Marshall, Green Guru of Inn Marin

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Bicyclette, A California PatisserieBicyclette is a sweet special events catering company in the Dogpatch of San Francisco that serves the greater Bay Area. Their work takes root in classical French technique, is lightened by clean and contemporary design, and made sustainable through the use of locally-sourced and organic products. Their passion for quality ingredients means weddings cakes that taste just as good as they look.

 

The Chefs
Katie Markstein and Christina Aguiar met while studying pastry arts at the Culinary Institute of America. After working in some of San Francisco, Napa, and Marin’s finest restaurants, the two collaborated to create a patisserie that reflected the innovation, seasonality, and flavor drive once found on their dessert menus.

Bicyclette, A California Patisserie

For information call 415-379-0823 or visit Bicyclette at their website, bicyclettesf.com

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Green MeetingsEarlier this month I had the pleasure of attending the Green Meetings Industry Council’s Sustainable Meetings Conference in Chicago. Attendees at this conference come from all over the world to learn ways in which we can make the meetings, hospitality and tradeshow industry’s more sustainable. This conference featured a lot of great information which I will share in future columns, but one very simple concept really resonated with me, and is something that we can all apply to make our own lives and businesses more sustainable. This came from our keynote speaker Eric Ryan of Method, a San Francisco based company which makes green cleaning products for home and personal care.

This concept is, don’t let perfection get in the way of progress. Get started, maybe you can’t do everything you would like to do to live a more sustainable life or run your business sustainably, but get started. Don’t let the fact that you can’t do everything become an excuse to do nothing. As our own Green Guru Robert Marshall says Green is not a destination but a journey. When the Inn Marin first opened its doors we began our journey to sustainability. We began with things like compact fluorescent light bulbs and a linen reuse program, since then we have continued to add sustainable products and operational practices every year. We have been certified and re-certified at the highest level by the State of California’s Green Lodging program and it all began with a few baby steps. We did not let the quest for perfection stop us from making progress. Each year, as part of our goal setting program we pick a few sustainable products/practices to institute.

Inn Marin director of sales, Kris Hillard

Kris Hillard, director of sales at Inn Marin

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Mother's Day brunch at Rickey's in NovatoRickey’s celebrates Mothers with a very special Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 12th from 10am to 2pm. Prices are $39.95 for adults, $33.95 for seniors (65+), $19.95 for children (6-12) and those five or younger are free. We have 8 stations packed with delicious selections prepared by Executive Chef Ken and crew. Kid’s activities include a potted plant and card making station for children to create a gift for mom. Live music from Brad Bann.

Rickey’s Mother’s Day Brunch Menu (pdf)

Call us for reservations and information; let us know whether you prefer inside or outside seating and booster or highchairs for the little ones.

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Rickey's wine pairing dinner with Cline wine in NovatoWe are so excited to be partnering with Cline Cellars for our next wine dinner on Wednesday April 17th!

Chef Ken has sampled the awesome wines of Cline (Marsanne, Mourvedre Syrah etc…) and has put the finishing touches on the Four Course Wine Pairing Menu for April 17th at 6:30pm. This great wine pairing dinner features select local and Green String Process produce supplied by Green String Farm in Petaluma, CA.

We expect a sold out night so call Rickey’s now for reservations. 415-883-9477

Rickey’s Wine Pairing Dinner with Cline Wine menu .pdf

First Course

Mixed Chicory Salad
Verona, Escarole, Curly Endive & Spring Mix Tossed with a Meyer Lemon & Marsanne Roussane Vinaigrette Garnished with Humboldt Fog Cheese & Sliced Oranges
Cline 2011 Marsanne Roussane

Second Course

Pan Seared Breast of Duck
Citrus Marinated Duck Breast Served Over Red Risotto & Topped with Shiitake Mushroom “Bacon”
Cline 2011 Cool Climate Pinot Noir

Rickey's wine pairning dinner with Cline featuring local produce from Green String FarmIntermezzo

Blood Orange Sorbet with Mint

Fourth Course

Oak Smoked Beef Tenderloin
Dry Rubbed, Oak Smoked and Slow Roasted Tenderloin of Beef Served with Turnip, Rutabaga & Celery Root Puree & Syrah Demi Glace, Topped with Fried Leeks
Cline 2010 Cool Climate Syrah

Desserts

Berry Tart du Soleil
A Blend of Sweet and Tart: Blueberries, Red Currant, Black Currant, Blackberry, Frangipane Filling, Pate Sucre Shell & Apricot Glaze, Topped with a Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Quenelle
Cline 2011 Late Harvest Mourvedre

$85 per person includes dinner, wine pairings, sales tax & gratuity.
There will be an opportunity to purchase Cline Wines at near wholesale prices!

Reservations Required 415-883-9477

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Mar 182013

Spring has sprung!

As we move from winter into spring and summer we need to think about managing our water irrigation. I have met with a company who has combined technology with irrigation to create the perfect system to manage your water usage and have the best landscaping. ET Water has developed and specializes in water management systems that take all the elements into account. Their computer based system checks the weather forecast to determine how much to water you need or if you need to water at all. Hot summer days it will increase watering whereas cooler cloudy days it will automatically reduce the watering. They also provide great landscape management tools.

Inn Marin, a green hotel in Novato, CA

ET Water Headquarters
384 Bel Marin Keys Blvd. Suite 145
Novato, CA 94949
415-945-9383
Etwater.com

Inn Marin, a green hotel in Novato, CA

Robert Marshall, Green Guru of Inn Marin

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Easter events in Marin CountyRickey’s gets into the mood this year with an expanded Easter Brunch, complete with eight food stations!

In addition to the culinary attractions, families will enjoy special activities for kids, including face painting & a craft station for kids.
Brunch will be served on Sunday, March 31st from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Easter Bunny arrives at 11:00 am, with 4 egg hunts at 11am, 12pm, 1pm & 2pm.

Prices include a glass of champagne and are $37.95 for adults, $32.95 for seniors (65+), $19.95 for children (6-12) and those under six are free.

Menu (Easter Brunch (.pdf))

Reservations Recommended 415-883-9477

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On February 1, 2013, I attended my Rotary Club lunch as I normally do on Fridays.

We had a speaker by the name of Jim Phelps. His presentation made my head spin! He spoke on the newest scam in the Green Industry. They are called REC’s (Renewable Energy Certificates). Basically it is like buying carbon offsets. In other words, you pay for a piece of paper that says you support green energy. I did some research and looked up REC’s and essentially they say that green energy was produced and went into the grid but who knows where it went or who used the energy. So the energy can be produced in Oregon and the REC’s can be sold in California and the Brown energy can be produced somewhere else and you buy the Brown energy as Green energy, because they bought REC’s to make the Brown energy GREEN.

Wow my head is spinning just trying to explain this. I have enclosed a link to Jim Phelps presentation that I found on the internet. It is the same presentation he gave at my Rotary club. Check it out and see if your head spins. Then check with your Green energy supplier and see if they buy REC’s.

http://millvalley.patch.com/blog_posts/marin-energy-authority-same-power-just-greener

Robert Marshall, Green Guru of Inn Marin

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Join us for Valentine’s Day, Thursday, February 14, 2013
between 5:00 & 9:00pm!

Special dinner menus by our Executive Chef, Kenneth Drew!
We’ll also have live music by Lady D from 6:00 to 9:00pm

Rickey’s Valentine’s Day dinner menu(.pdf)
(our full menu will also be served)

Starters

  • Lobster Bisque
    With Vanilla Crème Fraiche $8.50 bowl / $4.50 cup

Or

  • Cheese Platter for Two
    San Joaquin Gold Fiscalini, Redwood Hill Camellia & Bellwether Farms San Andreas with Fig Paste, Strawberries & Sliced Baguette $8.50 per person

Salad

  • Butter Lettuce Salad
    Tender Butter Lettuce Wedge with Fresh Raspberries, Candied Pecans, Humboldt Fog Cheese & Raspberry Vinaigrette $7.00

Entrees

  • Wagyu Beef and Black Truffle Ravioli
    Golden Pasta Filled with Wagyu Beef, Truffles, Porcini and Portobello Mushrooms Served with a Tomato Cream Sauce & Topped with Fresh Herbs & Parmesan Cheese $23.95 – ($13.95 for Kids 12 or under)

Or

  • Grilled Mahi Mahi
    Served with Coconut Cream Sauce, Pineapple Salsa, Jasmine Rice & Asparagus $23.95 – ($13.95 for Kids 12 or under)

Dessert

  • Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Two
    $6.50 per person

Three Course Dinner Includes:

Starter, Entrée and Dessert- $37.95
Or
Salad, Entrée and Dessert- $36.50

Reservations Recommended
415-883-9477

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What is your green initiative for 2013? Are you going to conserve more energy, use less water, compost, trade in your gas guzzler for a hybrid or an electric car, install solar panels?

It really doesn’t matter what you do as long as you do something. Maybe you have been doing something at work that you aren’t doing at home? That’s what happens to me! For some reason I do more at work or I do it first at work then incorporate it at a later date at home. Maybe your initiative will be truing up both environments so you are doing the same thing in both places.

What can you do this year that will make a bigger difference in reducing, reusing or not using at all?

“Go For It!” I DARE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy New Year!

Robert Marhsall, Green Guru of Inn Marin

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