STEPHANIE ORMA :: travel, arts, & design writer

Wrangling a sea-worthy vessel of your own may be a pipe dream, but anchoring yourself in one of Casa Madrona’s hilltop, oceanfront bungalows for the weekend is sure to keep those dry-dock feelings at bay. Nestled in the heart of Sausalito, this historic hotel not only boasts insanely awesome bay vistas — its recent multi-million-dollar seafaring overhaul will make you feel like you’re first mate aboard a luxe, modern yacht.

Read my full article on 7×7.com

Image Courtesy Casa Madrona

One of my favorite design obsessions is classic cars – which I owe in main part to my Dad for passing down his love for the vintage beauts. This past Saturday, June 18th marked the 10th anniversary of the Tiburon Classic Car Show, and seriously – it just keeps getting better every year. From the sleek lines and sexy curves, to the details, craftsmanship, and old fashioned typographic touches–they just don’t make ‘em like they used to. These crave-worthy cruisers are works of design genius and some of the best at that. Here are some of my favorites…but be forewarned: uncontrollable drooling may occur.

Orma Design & Communications recently helped Tiburon, California kick-off the Shop Local campaign, ShopTiburon. Via branding, blog design and PR, we’re spreading the word that Tiburon is the BEST little town on the San Francisco Bay.

With charm reminiscent of quaint New England fishing villages and world-class views rivaling the most scenic European vistas, Tiburon is an oft-overlooked travel destination. Why visit? The rich, green rolling hills, the deep blues of the SF Bay, the breathtaking million dollar homes – all coupled with unparalleled views of the Golden Gate Bridge, city skyline and Angel Island.

But don’t take it from us, follow ShopTiburon for the most buzz-worthy news, events, and happenings in town. Or better yet, come visit and see for yourself!

Orma Design & Communications was thrilled to promote the annual Tiburon Classic Car Show this year. Held on Saturday June 19, 2010, the cars were beyond amazing (LOVED the Packards and Jaguars!), the crowd was huge, and the town was hopping! A huge thank you to all the fantastic media that helped make the event such a great success: Pacific Sun, Bay Area on the Cheap, Blue and Gold Fleet, The San Francisco Chronicle, Marin Magazine, Marin Independent Journal, Tiburon Ark, Fun Cheap SF and more!

photo courtesy Tiburon Classic Car Show

photo courtesy Tiburon Classic Car Show

photo courtesy Tiburon Classic Car Show

Besides drooling over beautiful typefaces, amazing graphic designers, and the creative work featured in Communication Arts Magazine, I LOVE classic cars. The design, innovation, history, craftsmanship – I’m fascinated by all of it thanks to my awesome Dad who introduced me to their timeless beauty as a young girl. So I couldn’t be more flippin’ excited to announce the annual Tiburon Classic Car Show on Saturday, June 19th, 2010!

For the price of…well, nothing…Dad’s get to drool over the most rare and beautiful classic cars ever built while taking in the beauty of the most picturesque waterfront community on the San Francisco Bay. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Tiburon Waterfront Park (with amazing views of San Francisco and Angel Island), the Tiburon Classic Car Show is a BEST BET for a fun, family-friendly way to celebrate Dad’s Day weekend.

After the daytime Tiburon Classic Car Show festivities, evening celebrations abound as the event moves a selection of their stellar cars to downtown Main Street. All attendees will receive fabulous budget-worthy coupons from local merchants (that will last throughout the night and into the following week!) Drink, eat, shop, celebrate, and ogle over the last remaining 1950’s factory team XK D race car – one of the most rare and extraordinary Jaguars ever built. Sure beats getting Dad a lame tie again, don’t you think? Oh, and did I mention – it’s totally FREE.

Details, Details:
Neighborhood: Tiburon, CA
Ticket Price: FREE!
Event Date: 6/19/10
Time: 11am-9pm
Street address: Shoreline Park/Tiburon Waterfront Park, Tiburon, CA (Paradise Drive – near ferry landing)
Phone number: 415-297-2615
Email: tomaoneill@comcast.net
Website: http://www.tiburonclassiccarshow.org

(originally appeared in SF Examiner 04/27/10)

The Tiburon Art Festival 2010 (Aug 28th & 29th) is now accepting artists for this fabulous art event-by-the-bay. Seeking painting, sculpture, glass, woodwork, jewelry, photography and mixed media. 64 juried artists will be selected to show their work on Historic Ark Row in downtown Tiburon, California. Live music, family entertainment and activities, wine, beer and champagne, all steps away from the waterfront of the San Francisco Bay. Application deadline June 14th. Judging weekend June 18 & 19

This years judges are Philip E. Linhares, Chief Curator of Art, Oakland Museum of California and Carrie Lederer, Curator of Exhibitions and Programs, Bedford Gallery, Lesher Center for the Arts.

FOR MORE INFO & TO APPLY:  http://tiburonartfestival.homestead.com

Because of the PR buzz Orma Design created for the Tiburon Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 “A Storybook Holiday Festival,” (as seen in: 7×7 SF,Bay Area on the Cheap, NBC Bay Area, InsideBayArea.com, Marin Magazine, SF Gate,SF City Dish, The Squid List, Fun Cheap SF, SF Station, Marin Mommies, Pacific Sun, MoreMarin,San Jose Mercury News, and more!) it has caught national attention – NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC that is.


Interested in capturing the colour and life of San Francisco Bay Area’s holiday festivities, a smallAustralian Film Crew from National Geographic is tentatively set to record highlights from tonight’s celebration: classic holiday caroling by Oakland’sYoung Performers International Chorus, christmas tree lighting, costumed characters strolling along magical Main Street, yummy gingerbread house making, tasty treats and more!

As typical of most small town holiday celebrations, past PR for Tiburon’s local events included banner’s placed around town and mentions in the local newspaper, the Tiburon Ark.Although, hesitant at first to spend the marketing dollars on PR in an economy struggling to gain momentum, the Chamber is definitely seeing the benefits.

With breathtaking views of the city skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and Angel Island, Tiburon CA is by far one the most under-rated, must-see small town’s in the Bay Area.  So come join in the festivites this evening from 5:30pm to a “twinkling hour” and experience the town’s eclectic shops and tasty restaurants (who will be offering budget-worthy discounts, btw!)

OR make a weekend trip of it! This Saturday the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society’s will be holding it’s annual Holiday Crafts Fair on Dec 5th from 10am-4pm at The Cottage at the Art and Garden Center, 841 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon, CA 94920. The Holiday Crafts Fair will feature fabulous indie goodies from Bay Area artisans. You don’t want to miss this!
(originally appeared in SF Examiner  12/04/09)