The Society of
Belvedere-Tiburon, California

It's about the People

Ark Row is more than its history and its landscape. The people here are amazing. Eccentric, animated and often with a story to tell, Belvedere-Tiburon's people are really the most exciting and engaging dimension of what's going on here on Main Street.

There's a new group of people who are coming together in Belvedere-Tiburon these days. The new feeling that's pervading Main Street is like old friends who are coming together again after a long, long separation. They're forming a kind of coalition.

If I had to define it, I would say my sense is that the community forming here is coming together around a core of excellence. I can say this with confidence and authentic joy. The people here take the time and make it a priority to cultivate excellence in their lives.

Generations of Excellence

There are many generations of people here in Belvedere-Tiburon with a long history of excellence. You may know some of them.

The Pomo and Those Who Followed Them

The Tiburon Peninsula was first inhabited and influenced by a group of native people. They were (and continue to be) the Pomo, who enjoyed this place for tens of thousands of years. The Pomo kept the San Francisco Bay a pristine natural wonderland for all that time. That's excellence. Their understanding of the workings of life here must have been beyond anything we can imagine.

Even though we may not know much of what the original Pomo world was like, I believe their influence remains. I can feel them here in quiet moments. Maybe you can, too. They're down by the water, on Angel Island and at Ring Mountain. Maybe they're guiding us in ways we don't understand. I like to think so.

With the end of the Pomo way of life came another group. These people were extreme, hardscrabble individuals who somehow had the vision and fortitude to create a new world that was better than the one they left behind. It would be hard to deny that it took excellence to make that happen.

Following them were the characters that formed Belvedere- Tiburon into what it is today. They were strong in their own ways. They had the vision, intelligence and foresight to protect the Tiburon Peninsula from too much growth. They also regulated the growth they permitted by channeling it into two very specific areas:

1) They protected the landscape.

2) They kept their focus on keeping the quality of life here as high as possible.

They did their best to refine Belvedere-Tiburon into an excellent place to live. It worked.

There aren't many of these characters who are still around. But there are people here who knew them once upon a time. Their memories live on through the senior community here in Belvedere- Tiburon and with handful of others.

Belvedere-Tiburon Seniors, Techies and Beyond

Our senior community is formed of people who shaped not just the Tiburon Peninsula, but major parts of the world as we know it today. In their time they were movers and shakers. They were people of great vision who had the grounded ability to turn their dreams into reality and benefit the world. They have amazing insight, wisdom and long-term personal histories of excellence.

Following in their footsteps are the current generation, who are becoming vital elements of the tech world. They hold excellence as an ideal. They're creating excellence in their own ways. Big ways.

There's also a new group of people coming to Belvedere-Tiburon. They have a new vision. It ties together the best of all the old visions and gives it that spark of aliveness that takes the whole community in a new direction. It's a scene. It's respectful, it's cool, but it's not about fashion. It's about substance and depth.

It's difficult to describe who these people are as a group. They're arriving here independently, as if called by some inner voice. They're healers, artists and people who are involved in the green revolution. They're helping the new vision to take root here and become real. Each of them is a master in their field. They're here to help us cultivate and fully enjoy excellence.

Masters Among Us

I believe we need to create a container for all this experience and excellence. That way we can receive it, work with it, learn from it and use it to improve our lives and the lives of generations to come. This is the main reason I created Elixir , The Belvedere-Tiburon Long Now Group and the other special feng shui events we're enjoying here at Elixir.

I also believe it's very important to support the masters in our community however we can. Here are some of the masters I've met in Belvedere-Tiburon. I want to tell you about them. Your life will be richer if you bring them into your world.

First and foremost, Servino's restaurant on Ark Row is something you really don't want to miss. Fresh menus as seasons and availability change, Servino's will seriously raise the bar for your understanding and appreciation of real Italian food, friendly people and excellent atmospheres- there are three distinct and beautiful dining areas...

Eric Shoenberg is a fine guitar craftsman and musician. My patients call his store The Minstrel Shoppe, which gives you an idea of the tone of the place. Visit Eric's shop if you haven't already. It's amazing. The more you know about music and stringed instruments, the more amazed you'll be.

Do you want to put off becoming neurologically challenged for as long as possible? Then buy a guitar and take some lessons with any of the fine teachers at Eric's. I'll listen to how you're doing from my patio at Elixir.

Christopher does hair. He's really into it. I consider him a master artist at what he does. Christopher is an adept at looking into your personality, body movements and soul. Then he somehow sculpts it all together to help the real you shine. For real.

If you want your life and your presentation of self to become a work of art, Christopher is the person to visit. He's also one of the most animated, intelligent and insightful people on Ark Row. I’ve been going to see him since I’ve come to Ark Row. So if you have anything to say about my hair, you’ll have to answer to Christopher.

OK. So you’re richer than God, but what really rings your bell is getting a deal. So you hang out at the

Tiburon Thrift Shop and occasionally make a kill.

But what you bought just doesn’t fit right, and you’re concerned someone may suspect what you’re up to.

Never fear. Jenny at Twins Alternations will save you. Jenny is from Guan Dong province in China. She works at Twins to support her beautiful twin daughters. Her work is really good and she’s a grand repository of traditional Chinese culture and wisdom.

Every time I change the feng shui window display at Elixir I see Jenny at the window taking it all in within 24 hours. This woman really knows her stuff and lives it. I respect and admire her.

It’s easy to miss Jenny’s shop at 118-A Main Street unless you know it’s there. Now you know it’s there, so you can do things like spruce up that pair of Armani pants you got for $6 up the street like I did.

You can always call Jenny at 415 435 1337.

There are many more masters among us here in Belvedere- Tiburon. Please tell me about the masters you know here on the Tiburon Peninsula. Together, we can support them, learn from them and bring Belvedere-Tiburon and our community to an even higher level than it is today.

John Mini, M.S.C.M./ L.Ac.