#13 Rhythmix Sci Fi Three Ring Bingo

Rhythmix Three Ring Bingo

#27 Cleaning Out The Closet

With Christmas over, I’m having a hard time finding room for the new. It’s definitely time to pass along some of the old.

Second Home Consignment on Santa Clara is a great place to take your formerly prized possessions. They will give you a fair price and sell the item for you giving you 60% of the sale. What more can you ask for? If you can’t bring an item to them they will pick it up from you and resale it for a 50% split. A great way to let others enjoy what you have enjoyed and keep good quality items out of the landfill!

Second Home is located at 2524 Santa Clara Avenue in Alameda (510) 523-6642

#26 An Evening of Wine Tasting

A Perfect Finish – An Evening of Wine Tasting
Wednesday, December 29th – 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Are you looking for a way to keep the holiday cheer going?  I know I am, and I have the perfect place to treat yourself to a leisurely evening of wine tasting and engaging conversation. You can enjoy samples of gourmet cheeses and decadent chocolates, all while listening to live music, as you enjoy tastings from a variety of local wineries. Representatives from participating wineries will discuss the wine-making process, and offer recommendation and pairing advice. The tasting tent is located at the corner of Webster and Pacific next to Otaez Restaurant.

Cost: $20 in advance or at the door. Space is limited.

Special Offer: Bring a receipt from any retail store or restaurant in Alameda and get 50% off tickets for up to two people. Receipt must be dated the same day as the event.

#25 Post Holiday Stress Relief

As our quiet week continues, today is a chance to unwind and take a little R&R for myself. To recover from the holiday aches and pains,  Body Techniques is the place to go for a wonderfully relaxing Swedish massage (or whatever style I happen to crave at the moment).

One of the many things I love about Body Techniques is that they are open 7 days a week and can usually get me in quickly. They offer a wide range of services from the basic Swedish to Thai massage and even acupuncture; and their knowledgeable staff can help you figure out what is best for you. Their staff is friendly, experienced and helpful as well as skilled in the art of making your muscles relax.

Here’s to taking a “me” day…

website

#24 Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden

It’s one of my favorite weeks of the year. That between Christmas and New Year’s. The kids are out of school and home for the most part. Work has slowed down in anticipation of the rush that occurs after the first of the year. It’s mostly about tidying up last minute year end items and just enjoying friends and family, and just plain taking a breather now that the end of another year is fast approaching.

A wonderful place to do that is on the back patio of Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden. I just love the private garden atmosphere tucked away off the hustle and bustle of Park Street. After a morning appointment or two, to be able to pick up a small pot of tea, some to nibble on, carry it to the back patio, and relax in their garden, is a wonderful respite.

If you haven’t been there yet, Julie’s is located at 1223 Park Street in Alameda.

website

#23 Pagano’s Hardware and Encinal Hardware

Here’s something you can do in town and accomplish many of your household chores as well. Just take a stroll through either Pagano’s Hardware or Encinal Hardware, both for things you really need, but also just to have funseeing what household gadgets they’ve picked up.

Both of these Alameda institutions are my go to place to get me through the holidays. My two reasons this week were to take care of the Alameda annual holiday ant invasions, yes plural;  and second, to rescue an earring that went down the bathroom sink.

Being technically challenged when it comes to repairs around the house I need a resource to go to with my sophmoric questions. Both local hardware stores can answer most of my inane questions and get me on my way. They never make me feel like a fish out of water, and have always followed up with me the next time I come in to make sure the problem was solved.

I highly value both of these local resources!

#22 Free Christmas Dinner

On Dec. 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Angela’s Bistro will be open and serving turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, vegetables and cranberry sauce—free of charge.

Tuckers Ice Cream will be serving desert and Alameda Theater will be giving tickets to a show, limited quantities.

“Anybody who comes is welcome,” said chef Saboor Zafari. We will be cooking 100 Turkeys and plan on serving up to 1200 people. The community has been very supportive of us and we want to give back to the community said Saboor.

Angela’s Bistro is located at 2301 Central ave, the corner of Oak and Central next to the Alameda Theater. Call 510-522-5822

Happy Holidays

#21 Sometimes It’s Better To Enjoy Things Upside Down

Apple Walnut Pie that is!

If you have never tried it, you are in for a treat! This is Debbie Shahvar’s signature desert, a cross between Apple pie and Tarte Tatin, featured at both Buttercup Grill in Oakland’s Jack London Square and at Buttercup Grill and Bar in Oakland just over the Park Street Bridge, adjacent to the freeway, on Cotton Street. And it is incredible!

I decided to feature this one on Christmas Eve, as so often during the holidays we are rushing to and fro, preparing large, lavish meals at home, or bringing dishes to friends and relatives, it is so easy sometimes to just pop in and pick up a pie to go. While their Upside Down Apple Walnut Pie is my favorite, they have so many to choose from.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and enjoys the time with friends and family!

Buttercup Grill is located at 229 Broadway in Oakland (510) 444-2976
Buttercup Grill and Bar is located at 1000 Cotton Street in Oakland (510) 535-1640

My recommendation is to call ahead to make sure they have the pie available.

website

#20 An Independent Bookstore For All Ages

 

Books Inc is where serious readers go to shop!

What a great store!

I can’t say enough about Books Inc. The independent bookseller, located at 1344 Park St., takes the cake as my favorite bookstore in the East Bay. It’s open and airy, and a great place just to browse the best in new books and periodicals.  It has a  great section just for kids with choices for all levels of reading. Whether you want fiction, history, travel books, cookbooks, memoir or something juicy to read on the airplane, Books Inc. has the right stuff. Who says nobody reads anymore?

website

#19 A Room With A View

Beautiful Marina On One Side San Francisco On The Other

One of my favorite spots in Alameda to linger over a meal is Pier 29. With wonderful marina views on one side and mind-blowing San Francisco skyline views on the other, no other restaurant in Alameda (nor most of the East Bay for that matter) has a better view of the Bay and San Francisco.

A wonderful escape for my husband and I is to order a bucket of steamed clams and a bottle of our favorite Chardonnay. What a wonderful way to enjoy a kid-free evening out! Throw in an incredible sunset and it just doesn’t get better!

Pier 29 is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Sun-Thur: 9 A.M. – 10 P.M. Fri & Sat: 9 A.M. – 11 P.M.

1148 Ballena Blvd, Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 865-5088

website