ca: Stockton, CA - Oak Park Ice Arena, $5 Ice Skating (Winter Wonderland) - 12/21/09 11:38 AM
Stockton, CA - Oak Park Ice Arena, $5 Ice Skating (Winter Wonderland)
Today through Wednesday (December 21-22-23, 2009), Stockton's Oak Park Ice Arena is offering public ice skating sessions for $5, including skate rental.
Here are the details from OakParkIceArena.com:
Winter Wonderland - Public Ice Skating Dec 21, 2009 (Mon) 1:00 PM Stockton Arena Public Ice Skating 1:00 PM to 9:00 PMSessions are 50 minutes long and start on the hour with limited space available. Skate sizes are limited and are distributed on a first come first serve basis. Session 1 - 1:00pm to 1:50pmSession 2 - 2:00pm to 2:50pmSession 4 … (2 comments)

ca: Bijan Restaurant - Fremont, CA (Alameda County, California) - 11/15/09 03:50 PM
Bijan Restaurant - Fremont, CA (Alameda County, California)
Bijan Restaurant is located a couple miles west of I-680 on Mission Blvd. in Fremont. It's in the Lucky Shopping Center behind the ARCO gas station and you need to make a u-turn at the next light if you're coming from the 680 freeway. Bijan Restaurant has belly dancing on Friday nights and it's pretty cool when the belly dancer balances a sword on top of her head while she's dancing!

If you feel like eating Persian food in Fremont, I recommend going to Bijan Restaurant...they have good food, good service and a … (0 comments)

ca: Homes of Simpson Ranch Estates in Wilton, CA (Sacramento County, California) - 11/15/09 03:46 PM
Homes of Simpson Ranch Estates in Wilton, CA (Sacramento County, California)

Thanks for watching my gallery of homes at Simpson Ranch Estates in Wilton, CA! Wilton is an equestrian town located in Sacramento county, California. Simpson Ranch Estates is a 15-lot community in the northeastern part of Wilton, near Sloughhouse and Hwy 16 / Jackson Highway.
There are currently 5 vacant lots for sale and 1 pending home sale in Simpson Ranch Estates. Each lot is approximately 19-20 acres and the features of some lots include majestic oak trees, a pond or local views. Most of the lots have a … (0 comments)

ca: Speechless Sunday - Baby Owl...A Day Owl? - 11/15/09 03:20 PM
Speechless Sunday - Baby Owl...A Day Owl?
I took this photo today in Wilton, CA (Sacramento County, California):

… (13 comments)

ca: Vinoteca - Danville, CA (Contra Costa County, California) - 11/15/09 03:05 PM
Vinoteca - Danville, CA (Contra Costa County, California)
Vinoteca is located in downtown Danville on Prospect Avenue, just around the corner from Starbucks Coffee on Hartz Avenue. Vinoteca features live music several days a week and they have a romantic "wine bar" type atmosphere...a perfect fit for charming downtown Danville.

Vinoteca offers "small plates...big tastes...great wine!" During our first visit to Vinoteca, we decided to try their "swimmer of the day" fish called "Walu" in Hawaii and Fiji, otherwise known as escolar or butterfish...or super white tuna when served raw as sushi or sashimi. The side dishes we sampled were: … (4 comments)

ca: Market Report: Lots / Land For Sale In Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates - Livermore, CA (Alameda County, California) - 11/14/09 11:59 AM
Market Report: Lots / Land For Sale In Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates - Livermore, CA (Alameda County, California)
There are a total of 30 parcels within the Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates community in Livermore, CA that are a part of the Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates HOA. There are 14 Ruby Hill Vineyard Estate Lots and 16 Ruby Hill Vineyard Estate Homes. As of today, November 14, 2009, there are 2 lots for sale, 0 pending sales and 5 closed sales on the MLS.

The information below was obtained via the Bay East Association of Realtors MLS and public records:
ACTIVE … (2 comments)

ca: Market Report: Homes For Sale In Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates - Livermore, CA (Alameda County, California) - 11/12/09 11:28 AM
Market Report: Homes For Sale In Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates - Livermore, CA (Alameda County, California)
There are a total of 30 parcels within the Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates community in Livermore, CA that are a part of the Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates HOA. There are 16 Ruby Hill Vineyard Estate Homes and 14 Ruby Hill Vineyard Estate Lots. As of today, November 12, 2009, there are 5 homes for sale, 1 pending sale, 1 closed sale and 1 expired listing.

The information below was obtained via the Bay East Association of Realtors MLS and public records:
ACTIVE LISTINGS
$3,998,000 … (4 comments)

ca: Chevys Fresh Mex Happy Hour - Livermore, CA (Alameda County, California) - 11/11/09 08:06 PM
Chevys Fresh Mex Happy Hour - Livermore, CA (Alameda County, California)
Chevys Fresh Mex in Livermore, CA is located at 4685 First Street, next to IHOP and just a stone's throw off I-580 at the First Street exit. We just went to the Pleasanton Chevys a couple of days ago (for the first time in months) and I think I caught Margarita Madness...so this afternoon, we went to the Livermore Chevys for Happy Hour! We enjoyed complimentary chips and salsa and I had three magnificent mango margaritas!

Chevys Happy Hour, Monday - Friday from 3pm to 7pm (in the cantina … (2 comments)

ca: Wordless Wednesday - Sunset at Sunrise & Folsom in Rancho Cordova, CA (Sacramento County, California) - 11/10/09 04:29 PM
Wordless Wednesday - Sunset at Sunrise & Folsom in Rancho Cordova, CA (Sacramento County, California)
These pics were taken with my iPhone from a moving vehicle! :)


… (12 comments)

ca: Chevys Fresh Mex Happy Hour - Pleasanton, CA (Alameda County, California) - 11/10/09 10:41 AM
Chevys Fresh Mex Happy Hour - Pleasanton, CA (Alameda County, California)
Chevys Fresh Mex in Pleasanton is located off Hopyard and I-580, next door to Mercedes-Benz of Pleasanton. Chevys Happy Hour is Monday to Friday between 3-7pm in the cantina (bar) and they offer half-price appetizers and $3 drink specials. Chevys during Happy Hour is a perfect place to come for your Tex-Mex and margarita cravings on a budget!

Chevys Happy Hour, Monday - Friday from 3pm to 7pm (in the cantina only)
$3 Drink Menu
Original Frozen Margaritas Domestic Draft Beers House Wines Well Drinks Seasonal Fresh Fruit Margaritas … (8 comments)

ca: Costco Holiday Hours - Livermore, CA (Alameda County, California) - 11/10/09 10:00 AM
Costco Holiday Hours - Livermore, CA (Alameda County, California)
The Costco warehouse in Livermore, CA is located at 2800 Independence Drive at the Airway Blvd. exit off the I-580 freeway. The Livermore Costco's official opening date was November 17, 1993 so they're coming up on their 16th anniversary! Between November 7th and December 19th, Costco has extended holiday hours as shown below:

This Costco also has a gas station with regular and premium gas prices that are the lowest prices in the area. The Costco Food Court is located inside and offers the typical selection of food items at very … (7 comments)

ca: Speechless Sunday - The iPhone Display at the Apple Store in Palo Alto, CA - 11/08/09 02:12 PM
Speechless Sunday - The iPhone Display at the Apple Store in Palo Alto, CA


… (17 comments)

ca: Leo's Chinese Restaurant - Danville, CA (Contra Costa County, California) - 11/07/09 09:48 AM
Leo's Chinese Restaurant - Danville, CA (Contra Costa County, California)

Leo's Chinese Restaurant is located in Danville, California and it's my favorite Chinese restaurant in all of Contra Costa county! The previous restaurant in this location was called DeMing's Asian Restaurant. Their dining room is decorated in the traditional upscale Chinese restaurant decor with "good luck" bamboo and a soothing water fountain at the entry. Service is excellent and their food is yummylicious!
My two favorite dishes at Leo's Chinese Restaurant are their Tangerine Beef and Seafood Combination. If you're ever in the Danville area and craving Chinese food...I highly recommend Leo's Chinese Restaurant!
… (3 comments)

ca: Doce Lunas Restaurant - Kenwood, CA (Sonoma County, California) - 11/07/09 07:48 AM
Doce Lunas Restaurant - Kenwood, CA (Sonoma County, California)

Doce Lunas Restaurant is the perfect place to stop for brunch before a day of wine tasting in Kenwood and/or Glen Ellen. It's located in Kenwood Village (where you will also find the Kenwood Market and the Kenwood Post Office) in Sonoma County, California amidst many of the wineries and tasting rooms.
Doce Lunas Restaurant makes an excellent traditional eggs benedict as well as a hot links eggs benedict, both served with home fries. They have an outdoor dining area if you prefer dining al fresco. Service is very friendly and attentive, so I look forward to our next visit to Doce Lunas Restaurant...before an afternoon of wine tasting, of course!

… (0 comments)

ca: Silent Saturday - I Love This Sign! - 11/06/09 06:46 PM
Silent Saturday - I Love This Sign!
I took this photo at El Sol Winery in Livermore Wine Country, CA:

… (23 comments)

ca: Ning Appathon [Open Social] Competition, Ning Developer Network - Ning, Inc. - Palo Alto, CA - 11/06/09 08:05 AM
Ning Appathon [Open Social] competition, Ning Developer Network - Ning, Inc. - Palo Alto, CA
Ning, Inc. (a social network platform developer) hosted a Ning Appathon kickoff event on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 6:00pm at their offices in downtown Palo Alto, California. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Ning, their platform allows people to create their own social networks for free in exchange for advertising and branding by Ning (most of which can be removed by paying a monthly fee). My first Ning social network can be found at CaneCorso.com.
From the Ning Developer Network:
What: The Ning Appathon is a … (4 comments)

ca: California Congressional District 10 Special General Election Results - 11/03/09 06:20 PM
California Congressional District 10 Special General Election Results

SEMI-OFFICIAL RESULTS
Congressional District 10
100.00% (264 of 264) precincts partially or fully reporting as of Nov 4, 2009, 12:13 a.m.
Candidate / Votes / Percent
David Harmer (Rep) / 53,441 / 42.69%
Jeremy Cloward (Grn) / 2,314 / 1.85%
Jerome "Jerry" Denham (AI) / 1,435 / 1.15%
John Garamendi (Dem) / 66,311 / 52.98%
Mary C. McIlroy (P&F) / 1,672 / 1.34%
 
Well...at least in my county (Alameda)...David Harmer got the majority vote. These are the Semi-Official Results:
 
Alameda County - Congressional District 10
100.00% (34 of 34) precincts … (2 comments)

ca: Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger - Book Signing @ Costco In Danville, CA (Contra Costa County, California) - 10/23/09 03:09 PM
Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger - Book Signing @ Costco In Danville, CA (Contra Costa County, California)
Who: Danville's pilot and hero Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger
What: Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters
When: Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 1:30pm
Where: Costco Warehouse, 3150 Fostoria Way, Danville, CA, 94526
 
From Wikipedia:
"Chesley Burnett 'Sully' Sullenberger III (born January 23, 1951) is an American airline transport pilot (ATP), safety expert, and accident investigator from Danville, California, who successfully carried out the emergency ditching of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River, offshore from Manhattan, New York City, on January … (2 comments)

ca: Starmont Winery (Merryvale) - Napa / Carneros, CA - 10/22/09 06:39 PM
Starmont Winery (Merryvale) - Napa / Carneros, CA
Starmont Winery (although not open to the public) was open to Carneros Harvest Passport Experience ticket holders last Saturday (10/17/2009) and that was where we started our Carneros region winery tour. Starmont Winery is located on Stanly Lane, right off the Carneros Hwy at Highway 29 in Napa. Starmont and Merryvale wines were being poured at the Carneros location by Starmont Winery's Vineyard Manager, Remi Cohen.

Starmont Winery in the Carneros region of Napa had a cheese platter, figs, strawberries and goodies from Whole Foods Market for us...yummy! We tasted five different … (0 comments)

ca: Catta Verdera Country Club - Lincoln, California (Placer County, CA) - 10/18/09 04:10 PM
Catta Verdera Country Club - Lincoln, California (Placer County, CA)
Catta Verdera Country Club is a gated golf course community in the city of Lincoln, located in Placer county, California. There are actually three different gated areas all within the Catta Verdera Country Club:
1. Custom homes & lots - Camino Verdera, Paseo Tranquilo, Senda Roble, Via Vistoso, Rua Esperanza, Prado Vista, Corte Sendero, Corte Ocaso, Vista de Madera. Verdera by JTS Communities and Campagna by Richmond American Homes - Monteverde Drive, Monteverde Lane, Feliz Way, Estrella Court, Estrella Place, Bella Circle, Cresta Court, Fuente Way.
2. Monticello by Centex Homes … (2 comments)