Global Winter Wonderland

Last night my son and I went to Global Winter Wonderland which is at Great America in Santa Clara, CA.  The best part of this festival is the Peking Opera which is playing "Monkey King," directly from P.R. China.  This Peking Opera is on a U.S. 2012 tour and is Presented by China Performing Arts Agency and International Culture Exchange Group, Performed by Peking Opera Theater of Hebei, China.  Also, there were 60 gorgeous, gigantic Chinese lanterns depicting both holiday traditions and global icons.

Fun facts about the Chinese lanterns at the Global Winter Wonderland, 2012:
-Millions of LED light bulbs
-100 tons of various steels
-10 CBM of wood
-85,302 of electrical cables
-200,000 feet of silk materials
-35,000 pieces of recycled small glass bottles
-2,000 pieces of ceramic dining ware

This festival is great for families, as children are enthralled by the lights!  My son did not go on a single ride, though you can purchase a ride ticket for $10.00.   I got him one toy bubble gun which entertained him for 2 hours!  When it broke, we went back to the stand and he was given another one with a smile!  My son and I both enjoyed the Peking opera.  We had a snack and water at Biryani Bowl.

Resources:

Global Winter Wonderland, 2012
www.GlobalWonderland.org
facebook.com/Global.Winter.Wonderland
twitter.com/globalwonderlnd

Dining
Biryani Bowl
www.Biryanibowl.com
510-453-1521

Monkey King - A Peking Opera
Location:  Great America Theatre
Monkey King is about Sunwukong, a magically powerful but extremely mischievous "superhero."  Peking Opera encapsulates Chinese culture, history, literature, music, dance, acrobatics, stage fighting, and acting with the specialty arts of face painting and elaborate costumery.
My four year old son and I both loved it.  The words were spoken in Mandarin with subtitles in English easily seen on the side.  My son enjoyed it without hearing the subtitles.  This also inspired my son to start taking Mandarin classes in the fall!

Bubble Gun
No.0319A
No.0319B
Made in China

Holiday Strawberry Smoothie - This Is Yummy!

We made this yummy smoothie this morning, here is the recipe!

2 cups of plain or vanilla organic yogurt
1 bag of cascadian farm organic strawberries (or any frozen strawberries)
2 Tablespoons of fresh orange juice
1 Tablespoon of agave nectar or honey (I used  cadia organic agave amber nectar)

1.  In blender, place all ingredients.  Cover; blend on medium speed until smooth.
2.  Pour into glasses, serve immediately

Resources:

Cascadian Farm Organic strawberries, 10 oz.
Cadia organic agave amber nectar
Straus Family Creamery European Style organic vanilla nonfat yogurt

Dreaming of Historic Hotels

I've spent weeks getting ready for the holidays, yet I'm still working to create that perfect setting.  While I drink my coffee I dream now of going and staying at a historic hotel!  I like the website www.historichotels.org (NOT .com), because they have some fun choices such as the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs (which I visited a few years ago) and the El Tovar at the Grand Canyon.  It also lists the Queen Mary, where I've never stayed but have visited -- including for a friend's wedding reception.  It was a gorgeous setting for a wedding!

I'm dreaming of sitting in front of a huge, stone, historic fireplace with a hot drink and a good book in my hand.

I grew up in the midwest so when I think of the holidays I can't help but want to see snow drifting outside the window.  When I looked at the historic hotel website this morning I dreamed of staying at the Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri near Branson, Missouri.  A few of the lodging choices there include a knotty pine cottage and a log cabin.



Resources:

www.historichotels.org

Big Cedar Lodge Hotel
Ridgedale, Missouri

Here's a picture from the Big Cedar Lodge website:

Gingerbread House Kits

A bit more advanced than the prepared ginger bread house cookie kit (Dancing Deer box shown here):

is the Superstone Gingerbread Mold from Sassafras:

The mold itself has been discontinued by Sassafras.  You can sometimes find them on eBay and via other online resale resources.

Rather than prepared cookies, it came with gingerbread cookie mix.  You make the mix and then put it into the mold:

We're looking forward to using the gingerbread house mold soon...

Trader Joe's Gingerbread House Kits

Trader Joe's Gingerbread Making Kit box kits have everything needed to make Gingerbread houses!  They were easy and fun (you can make the house easily with your loved one or with your little one)!

Here's our house:

Resources:

Trader Joe's Gingerbread Making Kit

Stained Glass and Other Classes at Studio One in Oakland

The Studio One Art Center 365 45th Street in Oakland, CA offers classes in vocational and expressive arts.  This is a city-run program dedicated to the studio arts instruction for people of all ages.  It provides high-quality and hands-on art experiences for both children and adults - could be a fun date!  This studio has been offering classes workshops and labs since 1948.  They also offer Family Days, open houses, and art receptions.

Classes offered include the following:

-Ceramics
-Flower Arts,
 Stained Glass
-Bead Making,
-Painting,
-Mixed Media,
-Sculpture
-Glass fusing
-Jewelry
-Cartooning
-Photography
-Dance
-Life Drawing
-Calligraphy

Resources:

Studio One Art Center
365 45th Street
Oakland, CA
www.studiooneartcenter.net
(510) 597-5027

Victorian Christmas in Nevada City, California

News Alert!  Nevada City's famed Victorian Christmas event is this coming Sunday, December 23rd from noon to 6:30pm.  Nevada City has hosted its Victorian Christmas since 1978.  The event includes shopping, singing, and feasting.

[Picture from the Nevada City Chamber website.]

Nevada City is a beautiful small town in Northern California Gold Country.  Here's a link to a site that provides a virtual tour of Nevada City.

Here's a link to the schedule for the Victorian Christmas event.

Highlights include music all day.  A strolling drama group from 2-3.  Three different dancing groups from 2-3 (The Highland Dancers; Thunderfoot Cloggers; and Desmond Irish Dancers).  A show by the Nevada County Magicians Guild from 3-4, and "Peter the Magician" from 5:30-6:30.  A "Locomotion Circus" from 7-8:30, and Desmond Irish Dancers again from 6-7.  Lots to do!

Ever dream of having a fairytale wedding?

Have you ever dreamed of having a fairytale wedding?  Consider the place that inspired Walt Disney to follow his dreams to create Disneyland!

-whimsical sets
-ten acres of beautifully tended gardens
-colored fairy lights
-a nighttime stroll in this urban oasis is magical


Resources:

Children's Fairyland
699 Bellevue Avenue
Oakland, CA  94610-5055
www.fairyland.org
Magique Events
Contact Midge Walterhouse 510-410-6002
www.magiqueevents.com

Hubba Hubba Review at the Uptown, Oakland, CA

Every Monday in Oakland, CA at the Uptown there is a burlesque Hubba Hubba Review.  On New Year's Eve there is a full review.  Sounds like fun!

ice skating at Embarcadero Center, San Francisco

The holiday ice center at the Embarcadero Center opened on November 7th and will be open until January 6th.

Resources:

Embarcadero Center, Holiday Ice Rink
Nov. 7th- Jan. 6th
San Francisco, CA

Hours-
10:00AM- 10:00PM Sun- Thurs.
10:00AM-11:30PM Friday and Saturday

Call (415) 837-1931 for more information

Lake Chalet Seafood Bar and Grill, Oakland, CA

The Lake Chalet Seafood Bar and Grill has a truly magical setting on Lake Merritt.  I love this place.  Also, it is home to Gondola Servizio so a gondola ride is a fun option too!

Resources:

Lake Chalet Seafood Bar and Grill

@ Lake Merritt Boat House

www.thelakechalet.com

1520 Lakeside Drive

Oakland, CA  94612

510-208-5253

Gondola rides on Lake Merritt

www.gondolaservizio.com/lakemerritt.htm

866-737-8494

866-SERVICIO

Haunted Hotels and Honeymoons

Years ago I was invited to a early Saturday wedding in Dorrington, CA.  My husband and I drove up the long, windy Highway 4 late Friday night.  We stayed at the Dorrington Hotel, not knowing that it is reputed to be haunted.  On Friday night we were the only people staying at the hotel, and I instantly felt scared when I went into the front door.  I just got an eery feeling.  The bathrooms are down the hall from the room so I was terrified every time I went to the bathroom.  There was a journal in the room for people to write about their experiences at the hotel, and of course there was writings about paranormal activities.  If you love haunted hotels I highly recommend that you go to this hotel!

In researching the Dorrington Hotel's ghost sightings I discovered a website called haunted honeymoon.com.  The website is filled with haunted weddings, receptions, honeymoons, and other haunted places!

[Picture from http://phcal.com/cases/dorrington/index.html, which includes a discussion about paranormal activities at the Inn.]

Resources:

The Dorrington Inn
3431 Highway 4
P.O. Box 4383
Dorrington, CA  95223
1-209-795-5800
1-209-795-1140

Resource for haunted weddings, receptions, honeymoon spots, and other haunted places:
www.hauntedhoneymoon.com/

Haunted House in San Leandro open until Nov. 1st!

The Scariest haunted house in California is open through November 1st!
Plus, a portion of all ticket sales will be donated to the breast cancer research foundation
for 2012!

Resources:

Fear Overload Haunted House
Bayfair Center
15555 East 14th Street
San Leandro, CA  94578

(not recommended for children under 14)

Gondola rides, Lake Merritt, Oakland,CA

I'd love to go on a gondola on Lake Merritt!

Resources:


Gondola Servicio
Lake Merritt
http://www.gondolaservizio.com/

Venetian gondola tours in the heart of Oakland

(510) 663-6603

Square Dancing in North Oakland

Square dancing is an American institution and is embedded in our history.  Every 1st and 3rd Fridays there is square dancing in North Oakland,

Resources:

Square Dancing
Music by The Squirrelly String Band
Calling by Jordan Ruyle (with occasional guest performers)
1st and 3rd Fridays each month
8-10 PM
All levels welcome, all dances taught on the spot
$5-$10. sliding scale donation
The Niebyl-Proctor Library
6501 Telegraph Avenue
Info:  http://squirrellystringband.com

Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa - Colorado

The Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa resort has 48 fireplaces to warm up on these cool fall days.  I would love to go to this place, it sounds gorgeous!  Hopefully, I will have a chance to visit in the next few years.  Why do I want to visit?  These are the reasons:

-There are 6,000 acres on the resort lands
-On this land, there is a herd of the following animals:  elk, horses, moose, and Wagyu cattle
-The fireplace in the restourant is three stories, and is made of hand-stacked stones  from a local rockslide
-I love rustic lodges!

Picture from http://www.devilsthumbranch.com/index.cfm/page/The-Lodge/pid/11171

Bonfire-to-go

I love bonfires!  In fact, I am taking a guitar class with the dream of sitting by a bonfire at a beach and playing my guitar!

I wanted to blog about this Bonfire-to-go product as the reality of having a bonfire is not always as romantic as the fantasy.  Why?  Well, it can be really cold by the ocean in Northern California and sometimes it is hard to actually start  a fire on a cold, windy night!  Well, this product, if it works, may just contribute to the ease of having a bonfire!   I have to admit I haven't tested it out yet, but I will order one today and then blog about it.

The ad in Sunset magazine reads like this, "Grab the rope and take this chemical-free birch stump anywhere, even to a firepit at the beach.  Light the wick in the kiln dried Light n' Go Bonfire Log for a slow burn- up to 2 1/2 hours.  From $9.29."

Resources

Light n' Go Bonfire Log
From $9.29
ecoforestfirewood.com

Fun, Pop Up Dining in SF Bay Area!

Life can be boring, same restaurants, same menus!  Why not try pop-up dining?  Even the name is fun!  I've found three pop-up dining establishments in the San Francisco Bay Area, and my prediction is that the trend will grow!

Food Lab
Market Street, near McAllister
San Francisco, CA
(415) 834-5348
www.sffoodlab.com
Lunch Monday-Friday, other hours vary

The Window
1599 Howard St. (at 12th Street)
San Francisco, CA
(415) 861-5438
Lunch Monday-Friday; other hours vary

Cameron's- The Guest Chef
5337 College Ave. (near Manila)
Oakland, CA
(510) 658-7378
www.theguestchef.net

(Dinner Tuesday through Sunday)
Since Cameron's Guest Chef opened, Guest Chef has featured chefs including Joseph Humphrey, the chef-owner of Dixie in San Francisco, to Eva Santillanes, a grandmother from Mexico who had cooked only for her family.  East guest chef gets two weeks, rent free, but Cameron and the other chef share the food profits at the end of the two weeks.

At this link, you can watch the chefs at work with the restaurant Kitchen Cam!
http://www.theguestchef.net/about/kitchen-cam

Dia De La Muerta - San Francisco

The San Francisco Day of the Dead Procession and Festival of the Altars is on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012. This is a fun, thoughtful, and meaningful event!  I loved it the last few times I attended.

Resources:

Dia De La Muerta
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
6-11 PM
Festival of Altars
Garfield Park
(26th and Harrison Streets)

Guests can make an altar for a loved one that has passed away.  Making a Day of the Dead altar is a way to honor the life of someone who  is no longer with us, and to remember our ancestors.

Picture from http://www.dayofthedeadsf.org/

Couples yoga and wine (childcare available)

The Bloom retreat in Walnut Creek offers Couples Yoga and Wine this Friday night from 6:30-8:30PM tonight.  They also offer childcare at a their playroom onsite!    I've never been to the couples yoga and wine, but have heard it is a really fun couples activity!

Resources:
Couples Yoga and Wine Retreat Wine
Bloom
Walnut Creek
6:30PM-8:30PM
www.bloomretreat.com

Street Circus in San Francisco

A street festival and a circus collide?  Sounds fun to me!

Acrobatic apes
riveting gypsies
poppin'mimes
Live music, dance, poetry, and more

Resources:

EMPOWER, October 27, 2012
Where Street and circus collide
Herbst Theater
401 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA

For all show tickets, information, and ticket sales, please visit:
www.Soulciety.org/Empower
soulciety.org

Oktoberfest East Bay, Oct. 27,2012, waterfront

When I was in Germany, I really enjoyed the Oktoberfest festival in October.  At the Craneway Pavilion, on the waterfront, everyone will be celebrating Munich's world famous fall festival with beer, games, and music.

Resources:

Oktoberfest East Bay
www.OktoberfestEastBay.com
12 noon to 8 PM at the Craneway Pavilion
www.craneway.com
1414 Harbour Way South
Marina District
Richmond, CA  94804

The Way We Were- classic love story DVD

The Way We Were featuring Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford is one of my favorite love stories.

As said on the DVD, I love......the music, the romance, and the memories.

Resources:

The Way We Were,  DVD
Columbia Pictures, 1999
Documentary written, produced and directed by Michael M. Arick
www.cthv.com
Approx.  118 minutes

Magic Lantern for adults, Children's Fairyland

This Friday, Oct. 12, 2012 from 7-10PM is the Magic Lantern at Children's Fairyland.  It will showcase some of the Bay Area's most innovative video and projection artists, presenting  site-specific artworks amongst Fairyland's fantastical architecture, sculptures, and amusement rides.

Resources:

Magic Lantern
Friday, Oct 12, 2012
7-10PM
Adults 21+
http://fairylandmagiclantern.bpt.me

Autumn Lights Festival, Lake Merritt, Oakland,CA

This Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 6-10 PM is the Autumn Lights Festival in The Gardens of Lake Merritt.  I've never gone to this event before, but I am going to check it out this year!  Looking at the brochure I picked up a cafe convinced me, "Imagine several acres of garden filled with lanterns, carved and lit gourds, ponds glowing from submerged bubbles, and electric fireflies flickering in the trees; all created by Bay Area artists."

There will also be fire art cars and live fire performances!

Resources:

The Gardens at Lake Merritt
Autumn Lights Festival
Saturday, October 13, 2012
6-10PM
666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland,CA

$25.00
www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/277296
or $35 @ the door
Tickets include one drink

Foodies unite- Rockridge festival is today!!!!!

The Out and About Festival is today, Sunday, October 7th, 2012!  There will be music, picnic foods, and even a Chef's stage!

Resources:

Rockridgeoutandabout.com

Chef's Stage information- www.RockridgeMarketHall.com

Favorite Baguettes/Croissants in Rockridge, CA

If you can't afford a plane ticket to Paris, why not go to La Farine Boulangerie Patisserie.  They have the best croissants and baguettes in the bay area according to my opinion (and my son's who loves the chocolate croissants.)  They have a huge table where you can hang out, chat, read the newspaper while looking out on College Ave.   I love this place!

Best coffee in Rockridge- cole coffee!

     I went to Cole coffee this morning for coffee and then to the back store for coffee beans.  I personally think that Cole Coffee has the best tasting coffee in Oakland!  It is a small coffee, not very roomy.  Yet, they brew each coffee separately and it really makes a difference.  Also, the decaff is water decaffeinated, so it is healthier for you.  I love this place!

Resources:

Cole Coffee
www.colecoffee.com
6255 College Ave.
Oakland, CA  94618

phone:  1-510-653-5458

Mac and Cheese Restaurant, Oakland, CA

I took my four year old son to Homeroom Mac and Cheese Restaurant today in the Temescal area of Oakland, CA.  They had an amazing variety of mac and cheese, most of them more adult than child friendly.  In fact, when I was there it was all adults and no families.

There are even a few brunch items, and they have mimosas for brunch.

Resources:

Homeroom Restaurant
Oakland, CA
400 40th Street
510-597-0400
(Beware:  closed Mondays!)

Wedding Cake, Oakland, CA: Sugar Mill Cakes

I tasted pie and cupcakes from the owner of Sugar Mill Cake Company in Oakland,CA at a party.  Wow, her desserts are delicious!  If I was having an event or wedding I would hire her!

Resources:

Sugar Mill Cake Company
Cakes and Cupcakes for any occasion
Jessica Ahlstrand, owner
sugarmillcakes@yahoo.com
www.sugarmillcakes.com
(510) 610-8616

Wedding Site at Chileno Valley Ranch, Petaluma

Today my son and I went apple picking at the Chileno Valley Ranch in Petaluma.  We went in their barn to pay for our apples -- and my jaw practically dropped when I noticed it would be a gorgeous place for a wedding reception!

A limited number of weddings are held at the ranch during the summer months.

Call Mike or Sally at 707-765-6664 for more information.

Resources:

Chileno Valley Ranch

www.chilenobnb.com/weddings.html

5105 Chileno Valley Rd.
Petaluma, CA
94952

Bouchon Bakery by Keller and Rouxel

The new Bouchon Bakery cookbook will be released on October 23, 2012.

Resources:

Bouchon Bakery
by Thomas Keller and Sebastian Rouxel
hardcover, $31.50

Yoshi's, Oakland and San Franciscc

Yoshi's is a jazz club and japanese restaurant.  They also do private events, by contacting yoshissfevents@yoshis.com or Yoshi's Oakland at hal@yoshis.com.

Resources:

Yoshi's jazz club and japanese restaurant
yoshis.com
(Yoshi's has 50% discounts for students at yoshis.com/discounts.)

510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA  1510-238-9200

1330 Filmore St. SF, CA  1-415-655-5600

John Townsend

Back in July, John Townsend, a Christian psychologist was doing a talk entitled, "Men & Women, What They Really Want- It's just Not That Complicated."  Neither my husband or I actually went to the workshop, I had another workshop I had already signed up for, and my husband wasn't interested in going.   As I was cleaning up my summer notes area near the calender, getting ready for fall, I found the handout.  I wish we'd been able to go the workshop as one thing I do believe is that relationships and partnerships take work.

Resources:

John Townsend
author of, How to Be a Best Friend Forever

www.drtownsend.com
www.cloudtownsend.com

icupid- it worked for a neighbor's daughter!

I went to neighborhood BBQ today and talked to a neighbor's grown daughter and new boyfriend.  They met on icupid (which I'd never even heard of until today).  They seem really compatible and are even moving in together soon!  They are such nice people, I'm so happy they found each other!

Resources:

www.icupid.info

Sound Waves-live music in Oakland, CA

Fall is officially here, but there is still outdoor concerts available at Jack London Square.  For a few more Thursdays, from 5:30PM to 7:30PM, there is live, local music at Jack London Square.  This is the line up:

September 27th- Joe Bagale (R&B/soul)

October 4th- African Showboyz (West African percussion ensemble)

October 11th- Gaucho (Gypsy jazz)

Resources:

www.jacklondonsquare.com

Oaktoberfest, Dancing in the Dimond, Oakland

On October 6th from 11AM-7PM in te Dimond district in Oakland, CA there will be an Oaktoberfest with live DJ's, Live Art, and Dance Performances.  This is a non-profit event for community development in Oakland's Dimond district.

Resources:
Oaktoberfest, Dancing in the Dimond
Saturday, October 6th, 2012
11AM-7PM
www.oaktoberfest.org

Moraga Country Club home and kitchen tour-Oct.4,

The Moraga Country Club home and kitchen tour is coming up on October 4, 2012.  This event will feature wine and appetizers while touring 4 new kitchens in the area.  All proceeds benefit the Moraga Education Foundation

Resources:

Moraga Country Club Home and kitchen tour
Date:  October 4, 2012
time:  5-7 PM
Price:  $20.00 per person
website:  www.mcchometour.com/

Rockridge Out & About Festival, October 7, 2012

The  Rockridge Out and About Festival is Sunday, October 7, 2012.  This is festival showcasing the local businesses in the area and is perfect for self proclaimed foodies!   College Avenue between Alcatraz and Manila will be closed off, so it will be a fun picnic in the street with some music, dancing and shopping thrown in.  Some of the best organic strawberries I've ever had were purchased recently at Market Hall.  Also, the Nicasio Valley organic Foggy Morning (with basil and garlic) is the yummiest cheese ever, and I got that at Market Hall too!

Resources:

Rockridge Out & About Festival
Sunday, October 7, 2012
12-6 PM
www.rockridgeoutandabout.com

Nov. 2nd, lecture, Chabot space and Science

Ray Jayawardhana, author of Strange New Worlds, brings news from the front lines of the epic quest to find planets- and alien life- beyond our solar system. 

Resources:  

Future Fridays lecture, November 2nd, 6PM-7:30PM.

Chabot Space and Science Center

www.chabotspace.org

To register:  510-336-7373

Oliveto cafe, Rockridge, CA

I love the Oliveto Cafe in Rockridge.   The upstairs restaurant on the corner of Keith and College is super popular but it is more formal than the downstairs cafe.  The downstairs cafe is a great place to meet informally, and just walk in without a reservation.  In the morning they have a breakfast pizza with has real eggs on top, and in the evening they have soups, pizzas, salads, and daily specials.  They mostly have Italian wines, but also have lattes, espresso, mochas, etc.  The place is dominated by a huge wood fired oven for the pizzas, and the place has a cozy, protected feeling.  It is also a great place to meet a friend for a drink and appetizer.

Relationship advice from waitress

Recently I was at a cafe in LA and started talking to the waitress who was serving me breakfast.  She seemed really wise and shared she'd been married for 35 years.  Her relationship/marriage advice was how important respect, love, and communication is.  I'll be writing more about my recent research of talking to people about what makes relationships work.  All I know is that it is hard work, and not for the faint of heart!  Humorously, she also said that she feeds her beast with yummy food that she makes for him, sounds like old fashioned advice since many of my friends don't even cook- their husbands and partners do all the cooking, and that works for them.

Natural Soaps for Men

I love the smell of soaps using pure essential oils.  They smell so much better than a guy's soap such as Irish Spring.  A few of my bar soap favorites for guys are Siskiyou Cedar wild harvested organic soap.  I like the Juniper Ridge - fresh from the mountains- scent, and the Soap of the Lodge at Bonny Doon Farm.  Both smell natural and attractive.  They can be purchased at health food stores, pharmaca, or Whole Foods market.

Art and Soul Festival, Oakland, CA Aug. 5th

This weekend is Oakland's art and soul festival.  Pick up the festival program in the August 1st issue of the East Bay Express at newstands.  Today, the festival will be from 12:00 to 6:00PM.  The entrance gates are at 14th Street and Broadway as well as 16th street and San Pablo Promenade beside City Center West garage.

music + art +dance + food + fun

Resources:

Art and Soul Festival
www.artandsoulfestival.com/lineup.htm
Sun. Aug. 5th 12:00-6:00PM

Oakland Art Murmer and Saturday Stroll

Oakland, CA is buzzing with energy on the first Friday evening of the month!  I know because I've spent Friday evening walking the gallery district in Oakland with a huge smile on my face!  My favorite street is all the galleries on 25th street, there is something so warm and inviting about the galleries on each side of this street!  If you missed first Friday this month, then there is always the Saturday stroll which is every Saturday afternoon from 1-5PM.  On the third Saturday of the month there is a district walking tour.
For a dinner before first Friday, I recommend Pican on Broadway, which has upscale southern cuisine.  I love the fried chicken!  Pican also serves yummy lunch fare if you go to the Saturday stroll.  There are also opportunities for some tasty street fare on Broadway, Telegraph or smaller streets such as 25th.  My recommendation is to leave your fancy clothes, jewelry, and car at home.  When I go to first Friday I dress casual, and take bart and get off at 19th street station; that way there are no worries about parking.  Also, think about bringing some cash for some art you want to take home, not all the artists are equipped to take credit cards.  

Resources:

Oakland Art Murmer
OAKLANDARTMURMER.ORG

First Fridays- First Friday of the month the galleries are open, and lots of people are wondering around, eating, drinking, and viewing art which is tons of fun!

Saturday Stroll-  Every Saturday from 1-5 PM, such as August 4th, August 11th, August 18th, and August 25th.

 Some Gallery Walking Tours upcoming 3rd Saturday dates-  August 18th, September 15th, October 20th, and November 7th.

Caffe 817, Old Oakland

I love Caffe 817!  They offer a wonderful breakfast/ brunch for either a leisurely weekend date or a quick breakfast together before work.  I especially love their lattes and mochas which are served in oversized mugs perfect to warm hands on a cool morning on  a foggy summer day.  On a warm sunny day plan to sit outside to enjoy your breakfast!

Disneyland for couples

Disneyland is a romantic spot, and I recommend booking a room at the Grand Californian if you want to make a great date also an overnight adventure!  The pool is gorgeous, food yummy, and the Grand Californian has wonderful arts and crafts architecture that makes you feel a thousand miles away!  For those couples who haven't had children yet, take advantage of time now to go on the "adult rides" together for once you have children it will be hard for awhile to go on rides such as the Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Space Mountain.

Tassajara Zen Mountain Center

How about stepping away from the pressures of your life for a few days?  One place on my bucket list to visit is the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.  The guest season for 2012 goes from May 4th through September 10th.

Guest accommodations consist of private cabins and dorms.  Rates are all-inclusive, with three meals daily and use of all facilities.

Romantically, there is no electricity in the guest rooms.  Kerosine lamps are used for light. You can bring your own wine or champagne.

Keep your iPads and cell phones at home -- there is no cell service.

Resources:
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center
39171 Tassajara Road
Carmel Valley, CA 93924

Guest Season 2012:  May 4-September 10
888-743-9262
General information:  415-865-1895
Day guest reservations:  831-659-2229 (no more than two weeks in advance)
tassreservations@sfzc.org

And here's a link to the Tassajara SF Zen Center cookbook:

San Francisco Zen Center & Green's Restaurant

Green's is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the country.  Chef Annie Somerville has a daily menu.  The restaurant itself is a beautiful space.  It has floor to ceiling windows looking out to views of the Marina, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin Headlands.

Greens opened in 1979 under the auspices of the San Francisco Zen Center.  The Zen Center was established in 1962 by Sheenryu Suzuki Roshi.  The Zen Center has three residences:  the Zen Center in San Francisco, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in the Ventana Wilderness inland from Big Sur, and Green Gulch Farm in Marin County.

Resources:
www.greensrestaurant.com
415-771-6222
Greens To Go:  415-771-6330
Fort Mason, Building A
San Francisco, California

You can also check out the "Fields of Greens" Cookbook:

Wine Country -- Cooking Resources

We recommend a few books about cooking Keller-Wine Country style.

These are, at least, fantastic coffee table books (and good ideas if you're rushing around thinking of a good Mother's or Father's Day gift).  For those who are more adventurous, trying to make the dishes described in these books can be quite an experience.

First, the classic:  Thomas Keller's The French Laundry Cookbook.

Next, the more recent Complete Keller:

And there's Ad Hoc at Home, which has some recipes and ideas that might be just slightly easier than the other books above.

Wine Country

Thomas Keller's restaurant, The French Laundry, is beyond amazing.  My husband and I went there once several years ago, and I ordered the vegitarian prixe fixe menu.  The restaurant, as I remember it, was clean and crisp; it was the most perfect restaurant I'd ever gone to.  It is definitely for special occasions.  Reservations are absolutely necessary; there are legends about trying to get one.  You basically need to call the restaurant first thing in the morning two months before you want to visit.

Keller's Bouchon is nowadays getting rave reviews.  It is purposefully intended to be more casual than The French Laundry.  It is a casual place, a social place, a place where people come to relax, talk, and eat.  As Keller describes it, Bouchon is "a kind of home."

As we all know, a home is never perfect!  My friends celebrated a birthday there, and absolutely loved it.  I want to go soon!

Resources:
www.bouchonbistro.com
Bouchon
6534 Washington Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Price - $31-50
Reservations:  (707) 944-8037
There are also locations in Las Vegas and Beverly Hills

www.frenchlaundry.com
French Laundry
Reservations:  (707) 944-2380 or online through opentable.com
Jackets required for both lunch and dinner service.
No jeans, shorts, or tennis shoes

Rockridge Jazz and Wine Stroll

On May 11, the beautiful Rockridge neighborhood (in Oakland, California along College Avenue about a mile or two south of the UC Berkeley campus) will play host to its Jazz and Wine Stroll.  Starting around 4:30pm, Rockridge neighborhood restaurants and shops will have live jazz, serve wine, and have a great time.  

For example, Diesel Bookstore will host the Fineberg-Seeling Quintet.   

Market Hall will serve street fare.    

A great time for couples!

Fox Theater

The Fox Theater is having its "A Taste of the Fox" event tonight at 6:00PM, April 30th.  It is at the Fox Theater on Telegraph avenue in Oakland.  The event is a benefit for the "Friends of the Oakland Fox Theater," and features Livermore Valley wineries and food from restaurants in uptown Oakland.  The event will be located in the Mezzanine inside the historic Fox Theater.  This will be the first event to be held  in the Mezzanine since the theater reopened. 

.  

Historical Perspective (including from the Fox site):

The Fox first opened its doors in October 1928.  At the time, the San Francisco Chronicle even called it, "different, novel, and mystic."

For more than three decades, the Fox theater was a first-run movie house, and the area around it was a bustling entertainment and movie district.  

The Fox Theater closed its doors in 1966.  The downtown lost its theaters, its department stores, and (some would say) its vitality.

The Fox survived an arson fire in 1973, and its increasing shabby condition let it to be derided as "the largest outdoor urinal in the world."  The theater avoided an attempt to destroy it to create a parking lot in 1975, and was finally named a city landmark in 1978.  Here's a photo circa 2002 (from Wikipedia):

In 1996, the Oakland native Phil Tagami, whose parents had their first date at the Fox theater, first approached the city officials about restoring the theater, but as he said, "I felt laughed at."  Tagami, 42, was a high school drop out who cut his teeth working as a laborer in the construction business before starting to buy and fix up old buildings, mostly in Oakland, California.  

Here's a great photo (taken by "vision63" and reposted under creative commons):

Finally, after 40 silent years, the Fox Theater is open again.  I began thinking more about the return of the Fox Theater when my nephew, who was visiting from out of state, recently went to a show there.  He told me it was packed!    My husband gave him advice on taking BART there from San Francisco, and we were both proud of this Oakland landmark being reborn!  You can never underestimate the power of a woman to reinvent herself, even if she is a building!

The first Friday of the month is so much fun in downtown Oakland now.  The restaurants, bars, and galleries are open, and we once again have a burgeoning arts district.

Resources:

Fox Oakland

www.thefoxoakland.com

April 30, "A Taste of the Fox"

6:00PM, Fox Theater

$75.  General Admission

$100.  Tasting package, plus includes Friend of the Oakland Fox Membership.  

*proceeds benefit the friends of the Oakland Fox theater, a 501c3 public charitable non-profit corporation.

Oakland first Fridays-  www.OaklandfirstFridays.com

Livermore wineries- www.lvwine.org

Fireside Lodge B & B (www.tahoefiresidelodge.com) A high Sierra treat!

I heard about this B & B from a friend and wanted to share the place, especially since this weekend is the last weekend for Heavenly ski area (their last day of winter operations is April 29th, though my understanding is that the B&B is open year-round).

This is a log cabin style lodge.  Check out the Fireside Lodge website for photos.

They offer complimentary bikes, are newly remodeled, and are dog and pet friendly.  They have a complimentary breakfast from 8-11:00AM.  

I personally love a complimentary breakfast as that means I can relax a bit more without worrying where to get coffee.  There is also a complimentary wine and cheese tasting from 5-7PM.  Then, to top it all off there is complimentary marshmallow roasting dusk till 9:00PM.  Whenever I have the opportunity to do marshmallow roasting, it is a special night!

Their website includes the quote,  "A guest the first time, A friend for a lifetime."  Looking forward to checking them out ourselves soon.

Many of the rooms have a river rock fireplace so you can extend the enjoyment of hanging out by a toasty fire. For those interested, there is also a tree trunk fireplace in the lobby/lounge area.


--COTC

Spring Skiing

The weather is warming up, but there are still opportunities for spring skiing!  

Mammoth Mountain

www.mammothmountain.com

Open until Memorial Day.

"Memorial Day madness at Mammoth": They are bringing a beach party to the snow on May 26 and 27th.  There will be food and drink specials, apres parties, contests, snow volleyball and more!

You can stay at Mammoth Mountain Inn, for $103.00 queen and $152.10 queen.

Kirkwood

www.kirkwood.com

Kirkwood will be open 7 days through Sunday, April 22nd, 2012, then weekends (Friday- Sunday) after that until snow melts.  Next year around the holidays I want to go on snow cat tour at Kirkwood.  We had a complimentary snow cat ride at Heavenly and it was a blast, our son loved it (we'll post some pictures soon).

Heavenly

www.skiheavenly.com

Sunday, April 15th was the final day of nearly full operations.  Heavenly will be closed Monday through Thursday and will reopen for one more weekend.  Their last day is April 29th (this coming Sunday).

Alpine Meadows (www.skialpine.com) and Squaw Valley (www.squaw.com) are open daily through April 29th  Alpine Meadows will stay open Friday through Sunday through May 13th.

--COTC

Time to Go to the Snow!

Last year, we went to North Shore, Lake Tahoe and stayed at the Resort at Squaw Creek.  We have been waiting all season to go and now it is spring and time is running out!  We are leaving Sunday and are looking at three properties:

Embassy Suites, Stateline, 1-877-497-8483

My good friend has stayed here several times.  The advantages is that it is walking distance to gambling as well as skiing.  Plus, there is a pool, free breakfast, as well as happy hour.

Aston Lakeland Village, We are looking at a 2 bedroom, 2 bath.  It has an expanded continental breakfast, and there is a free shuttle to gambling and skiing.  It is not walking distance to skiing as it is about a mile away.

Marriott properties - There are several properties.  (More on that on Saturday)

Miami Beach

We now take our blog to Miami Beach.  Home of art deco buildings with colors that you see nowhere else in the United States.  The city with perhaps the most crazy, amazing, over-the-top nightlife in the world. 

Getting off the plane in Miami, you're immediately struck by the heat and humidity.  Palm trees are everywhere; probably way more prevalent than in California since even I would've otherwise thought I'd be accustomed to them. 

Miami Beach itself is on a long, somewhat narrow island just off Miami.  Crossing over the bridge to South Beach, the deep blue ocean water is vastly different from the waters of the Pacific that I'm used to.  Immediately, you're surrounded by art deco.  And the art deco buildings use pastel colors that convey vibrance. 

Cars and people everywhere.  The closer you get to Ocean Boulevard, the more expensive the cars seem to get. 

Crossing over the bridge/causeway to Mid-Beach, the feeling is a bit different.  This part of Miami Beach is still vacation-central.  But, it is a bit further away from ground zero of Miami Beach nightlife.  It is more city-like, and some parts are a bit more gritty.  The area maintains that sort of character as you drive northward.

Coming in future posts: 
*  The Fontanebleu
*  Nightlife
*  The Delano
*  What to do with kids
*  Couples vs. Singles

And more!

Breakfast at Fisherman's Wharf

I recommend two places for breakfast around the San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf area.  If you also want an Irish coffee with your brunch, then you must not miss the Buena Vista, where the Irish coffee was invented (or at least popularized).  

Sometimes, though, you just want a simple waffle or omlette to start the day.  If that's the case, then check out Joanie's Happy Days Diner at 1329 Columbus in San Francisco.  We'll post some pictures in a later post.  

Children are welcome at both places.

Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco

Visit the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco for a romantic walk and tea.  The garden is in the heart of Golden Gate Park.  It is the oldest public Japanese garden in the U.S.  Or, you can join them for a Japanese tea ceremony every Wednesday by appointment. 

Ice skating at Union Square in San Francisco

Today, January 16th,  is the last day to ice skate at Union Square.  The hours today were 10:00AM to 11:30PM (so there are still a few hours to skate)!  The website is unionsquareicerink.com.  Ninety minute sessions start every even hour.

We went ice skating there today.  Lots of couples were skating -- but of course ice skating is only a romantic activity if both parties know how to skate!  This is especially a great place to visit during the holiday season.  Though I have to say visiting today, a few weeks after the holidays, was nice; not quite as packed with people.

Union Square is a great place to shop, eat, and stay!  Here are a few of my top ten favorites besides ice skating.  I'll write about some of these in more detail in future posts.

* Lunch at the Rotunda in Neiman Marcus, visit opentable.com for reservations

* Stay at the Westin St. Francis

* Visit the Clock Bar (in the St. Francis) for cocktails  (very modern; adults only)

* Have a adult dinner at the Bourbon Steak restaurant (Michael Mina's new restaurant) (not child friendly, very dark as well as quiet)

* Visit the Oak Restaurant for dinner (including with children).  They have yummy mac and cheese, french onion soup, awesome crab chowder, as well as cheese cake.

* Children love riding the elevator to the 32nd floor.  Could be romantic for a couple too (though you wouldn't ride it up and down three times like a 3-year-old might).

* Shopping at Victoria Secret inside the St. Francis.

* Visit the annual tree trimming after Thanksgiving.

* Visit cafe inside Union Square for a rich hot chocolate.

* Shop at Tiffany's.

* Dancing at the Starlite Room at the top of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel.

P.S.  If you want some romantic ideas of things to do in San Francisco, watch The Bachelor episode for tonight, January 16th.  They are in San Francisco and staying in one of my favorite hotels, The Fairmont.
You can watch this episode on Hulu.com starting tomorrow.  Last Monday, they visited Sonoma in the wine country.

Note - my husband and I agree that climbing to the top of the Bay Bridge is NOT a romantic idea.  That was a Bachelor FAIL!  Fun to watch...

San Francisco's North Beach

Tourists visiting San Francisco tend to gravitate toward three areas for hotel accommodations:

(1) Union Square;

(2) Nob Hill;

(3) Fisherman's Wharf.

We suggest an alternative -- especially for young couples who want to really experience San Francisco:  try North Beach!

North Beach is one of the most exciting neighborhoods in San Francisco.  It was once a primarily Italian neighborhood, and it still has a "Little Italy" sort of flavor -- lots of Italian restaurants and Italian cafes.  Tour buses pass through North Beach constantly.  But, it seems like few tourists take the time to really stop and walk around.  And they just don't typically stay there because the neighborhood doesn't have large hotels.

But, North Beach DOES have hotels.  We recommend the Hotel Boheme.  The hotel is at 444 Columbus Avenue, which is right in the heart of North Beach.

The small entrance looks like a door to an apartment.  The neighborhood has an amazing night-life, people are walking around constantly, and so they keep the door locked 24/7 for security.  You seriously would not even know it was a door to a hotel unless you were looking for it.  The entrance is literally right next to Calzone, an Italian restaurant with a big neon sign and tables on the street (decent food; really more about atmosphere though).  Steps lead up to a 2nd floor landing, where the hotel makes complimentary drinks (think sherry or port) available for guests.  The front desk is down a short hall.

Rooms are on the 2nd and 3rd floor.  You can ask for a quiet room, which face inward; the interior rooms are built close together around an outdoor shaft that gives daylight to the rooms (can't call it a courtyard because it is too small).  Or, you can get a room that faces right out onto busy Columbus Avenue and get the full North Beach experience; people-watching, night-life -- you are right in the very thick of everything here.

The clean rooms themselves are pretty small.  They include queen-size beds.  They have a small television.  They are decorated with pictures from the Beat era -- North Beach is where Beat was born.

The small size of the rooms doesn't matter.  You are NOT staying in North Beach to stay in your room.  You're staying in North Beach to be a part of the City.  Take part in the nightlife.  Visit some of the epic night-spots in the neighborhood.  Visit Cafe Trieste, which is probably the best cafe in San Francisco.  Head down to the birthplace of Beat -- City Lights Bookstore.  Beat authors used to stay at the hotel in the 50s, when it was more of a boarding house.  The Hotel Boheme is right in the middle of everything.     

Here's a view of the Hotel Boheme from across the street.  You can see the name at the top of the building.  If you're walking past the hotel, you probably wouldn't notice that it was a hotel at all:

 Photo of Alan Ginsberg, Neal Cassady, and others, hanging in the bathroom of our room:

Lampshade by the bed:

Hallway leading to the front desk:

Stairs leading to 3rd floor (we stayed over New Year's Eve, explaining the balloons):

Happy New Year!

We wish you all a happy and healthy 2012!