The federal government has accused a Kentfield couple of dodging nearly $2 million in income taxes.Its plan to recoup the money: Seize the couple’s retreat center in Nicasio, which is enshrouded in layers of what the prosecution considers fraudulent business entities.Federal prosecutors filed a civil action on July 25 against David Raynal, a real estate businessman, and Maryanne Comaroto, a motivational speaker, relationship coach and radio personality who has authored books such as “Hindsight: What You Need to Know Before You Drop Your Drawers.”Comaroto and Raynal own a property dubbed...…The federal government has accused a Kentfield couple of dodging nearly $2 million in income taxes.Its plan to recoup the money: Seize the couple’s retreat center in Nicasio, which is enshrouded in layers of what the prosecution considers fraudulent business entities.Federal prosecutors filed a civil action on July 25 against David Raynal, a real estate businessman, and Maryanne Comaroto, a motivational speaker, relationship coach and radio personality who has authored books such as “Hindsight: What You Need to Know Before You Drop Your Drawers.”Comaroto and Raynal own a property dubbed...WW…

By | | By Cade Metz/The New York TimesWilliam English, the engineer and researcher who helped build the first computer mouse and, in 1968, orchestrated an elaborate demonstration of the technology that foretold the computers, tablets and smartphones of today, died on July 26 in San Rafael. He was 91.His death, at a medical facility, was confirmed by his wife, Roberta English, who said the cause was respiratory failure.In the late 1950s, after leaving a career in the Navy, English joined a Northern California research lab called the Stanford Research Institute, or SRI (now known as SRI...…By | | By Cade Metz/The New York TimesWilliam English, the engineer and researcher who helped build the first computer mouse and, in 1968, orchestrated an elaborate demonstration of the technology that foretold the computers, tablets and smartphones of today, died on July 26 in San Rafael. He was 91.His death, at a medical facility, was confirmed by his wife, Roberta English, who said the cause was respiratory failure.In the late 1950s, after leaving a career in the Navy, English joined a Northern California research lab called the Stanford Research Institute, or SRI (now known as SRI...WW…

Violators of Larkspur’s ban on short-term rentals will soon face fines ranging from $1,500 to $5,000, the maximum penalties allowed under state law. However, the enhanced penalty scheme approved Wednesday does not close the door on vacation rental operations in the city entirely, said Elise Semonian, the city’s planning director. The city staff is still researching options and costs associated with permitting short-term rentals with monitoring and enforcement. Short-term rentals are defined as homes rented for 30 days or fewer. “Staff is recommending adopting higher fines for violations to...…Violators of Larkspur’s ban on short-term rentals will soon face fines ranging from $1,500 to $5,000, the maximum penalties allowed under state law. However, the enhanced penalty scheme approved Wednesday does not close the door on vacation rental operations in the city entirely, said Elise Semonian, the city’s planning director. The city staff is still researching options and costs associated with permitting short-term rentals with monitoring and enforcement. Short-term rentals are defined as homes rented for 30 days or fewer. “Staff is recommending adopting higher fines for violations to...WW…

When Nathan Grebil pops in at Rian Lynam’s seventh-grade math class at Del Mar Middle School in Tiburon, it’s no accident. Grebil, hired this year by Reed Union School District trustees as a teacher on special assignment in math, is a man on a mission. His charge: monitor and encourage progress in district math classes — including a newly accelerated seventh-grade math program that will allow more interested students to take algebra I in eighth grade. “RUSD has a large population of students who are ready for algebra I and we offer access to this option with teachers who are well-equipped...…When Nathan Grebil pops in at Rian Lynam’s seventh-grade math class at Del Mar Middle School in Tiburon, it’s no accident. Grebil, hired this year by Reed Union School District trustees as a teacher on special assignment in math, is a man on a mission. His charge: monitor and encourage progress in district math classes — including a newly accelerated seventh-grade math program that will allow more interested students to take algebra I in eighth grade. “RUSD has a large population of students who are ready for algebra I and we offer access to this option with teachers who are well-equipped...WW…

After an impassioned two-hour public hearing, the Kentfield Planning Advisory Board advanced a proposal for field lights at Marin Catholic High School. The board voted 4-0 to recommend that the Marin County Planning Commission accept the application for review, with conditions. The application seeks four 80-foot-high field lights at one of the school’s two athletic fields. If approved, the lighting would be allowed from 5 to 7 p.m. weekdays during waning daylight in the fall and winter. The lights would also be allowed until 9:30 p.m. Fridays for a small number of varsity football games.In...…After an impassioned two-hour public hearing, the Kentfield Planning Advisory Board advanced a proposal for field lights at Marin Catholic High School. The board voted 4-0 to recommend that the Marin County Planning Commission accept the application for review, with conditions. The application seeks four 80-foot-high field lights at one of the school’s two athletic fields. If approved, the lighting would be allowed from 5 to 7 p.m. weekdays during waning daylight in the fall and winter. The lights would also be allowed until 9:30 p.m. Fridays for a small number of varsity football games.In...WW…