As we wander along the shops on Throckmorton on our way to or , we've all noticed the stairs leading up from the street. But has anyone ever dared to take them? And what goes on up there anyway?
Diana Parker is one of the small business owners who rents space up on the second floor for her small public relations and documentary film production company, Spoken Media. Originally from Iowa, Diana has lived in Mill Valley on and off since 1993 and has worked up those stairs since 2008. She currently lives in the Middle Ridge neighborhood with her two elementary-school sons and a "super sweet" husband.
Mill Valley Patch: So what goes on up those stairs?
Diana: Up the stairs at 78 Throckmorton? I'm amazed by what people are doing up those stairs -- from planning rock concerts to launching ad agencies and tech start-ups to placing corporate lawyers and prepping for lawsuits. We're a serious bunch of type A's masking as mellow types.
MVP: Do you like working downtown?
Diana: Love it.
MVP: Are there some people who stay at Peet's or on Peet's Island all day?
Diana: Yes. Who are they? I'm fascinated and even though I'm there every day, it feels like high school. They're the seniors and I'm the frosh so I have no idea who they are.
MVP: That's how I feel about those stairs. How does one get to go up there? Is there a password or a secret handshake?
Diana: Hardly. Come on up and say hello. I'm working on a film about ultra runners so if anyone out there has any interest or is an ultra runner, I'd love to meet you.
MVP: Is it hard to get any work done? I would just sit at the window and people-watch all day long.
Diana: Not really. I think working moms learn how to be really efficient so I don't waste a minute when I'm at work. Although on those days when the work is just not flowing, Mill Valley is a great diversion.
MVP: Do you have any local clients?
Diana: Most of my projects are local. I've worked with CorStone in Sausalito and Heritage Salvage in Petaluma. I spent the summer working with the Sausalito Film Festival. I also collaborate with a lot of Bay Area filmmakers – including Mill Valley filmmaker Peter Sorcher, who is releasing his film Eat The Sun soon. That's the best part of my work – I meet so many interesting people from this area I might not otherwise have a chance to know.
MVP: What do you like about your neighborhood?
Dina: I love being in the redwood trees and having access to the trails on Mt. Tam. And the community back in these canyons is fantastic.
MVP: What's different about Mill Valley since you moved here?
Diana: The mix of people has changed, of course. But regardless, I think it still draws an interesting, thoughtful and fun group of people. There are so many creative, talented people in Mill Valley who keep such a low profile.
MVP: What's your favorite thing about Mill Valley?
Diana: Access. Access to ideas, the coast, San Francisco, micro-climates (especially the warm sunny one over my house), diverse offering of arts, music and food events. I sort of blindly landed on this nirvana nearly 20 years ago. Now raising my kids here, I wonder what their perspective will be.
MVP: What are some downtown secrets we should know?
Diana: Can't tell. They're secrets!
