One of the most difficult aspects of life in Marin County is that our core issues, widely dismissed as champagne problems, actually present us with dense thickets of ethical chaparral from which it is almost impossible to escape unscratched. That's where we come flying in, and lower a rope from our helicopter.
Marin Lately reader "L.L." asks:
"I have several friends in Marin who throw birthday parties, invite all their friends and ask for a $75 contribution – as if they are hosting a commercial event. But these are just house parties, maybe with a DJ and some food. Of course, 'no one is turned away for lack of funds.' Am I wrong for being turned off?"
Dear L.L. (Bean?)
No! Tempting as it is to add a cover charge to any get-together one hosts, it doesn't work; we learned this the hard way last year, when our $100-a-head Thanksgiving was a complete flop – despite us having booked several of Novato's top exotic dancers.
