Please welcome guest blogger Grier Cooper. After reading Grier’s post below, I’m ready to head to Hayes Valley to do some exploring.

Hayes Valley in San Francisco has blossomed into a cultural oasis with a plethora of hip boutiques, upscale restaurants, and an edgy art scene. In a quick stroll around the neighborhood, you’ll feel as though you are exploring the side streets of Paris. Not so long ago, Hayes Valley was one of those sketchy, somewhat seedy neighborhoods where you wanted to watch your back when walking at night. Now, it is a place you won’t want to miss.

Speaking of an oasis, Arlequin restaurant, at 384 Hayes Street, is just such a place. As both a cafe and a wine bar, it also houses a secret garden, nestled behind the cafe. While diners enjoy salads, paninis, or the highly recommended Indian lamb burger, hummingbirds and sparrows flutter overhead.

Dinner ought to be followed by drinks, dessert, and a stroll, not necessarily in that order. However, Sugar, 377 Hayes Street, offers a variety of delectable, sugar-rimmed cocktails in its sultry lounge, and Cafe Altano, 620 Hayes Street, makes a mean crème brulee and tiramisu.

Window shop to your heart’s content, but be sure to swing by the African Outlet, 524 Octavia Street. It’s impossible to miss, with one of the most alluring windows in the city, with African art, artifacts and treasures from every country on the African continent. Sake fans won’t want to miss True Sake, at 560 Hayes Street, where you can taste and purchase from the most extensive collection in town.

Whether you drop by for an hour or two before the opera, or make a day of it, Hayes Valley will have you coming back for more.

Grier Cooper is a California based children’s writer, photographer, and dancer. She draws on over twenty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and performer to create both fiction and nonfiction that inspires, educates and enriches the hearts and minds of her readers. Visit her at www.griercooper.com.

You may wonder why it is called Sushi 69. (Get your mind out of the gutter!) It’s called Sushi 69 because their address is 69 Center Blvd, San Anselmo, CA.

This inaugural Giant Steps Charity Classic is a five-day horse show highlighting California’s finest professional and amateur equestrians who will compete in fantastic events to benefit Giant Step’s Therapeutic Equestrian Program. Sonoma Horse Park, a newly completed world-class facility located off Lakeville Hwy in Petaluma, will be the host. Ashley Griffin, owner of Sonoma Horse Park, says “Giant Steps greatly improves the lives of so many children and adults with disabilities who live here in our community. It is an honor to host these outstanding equestrians who come from all over California to compete in this thrilling Charity event.”  Giant Steps provides unique body/mind/heart-opening experiences to special needs children and adults. They are provided with a catalyst for life-changing opportunities that combines sensor motor integration with a deeply satisfying experience of accomplishment and social interaction.

Olympic Show jumper, Guy Thomas says, “I am both excited and proud to compete at the 2010 Giant Steps Charity Classic! I am looking forward to a very challenging course and great competition. It is an absolute honor to be able to compete at the highest level against some of California’s best riders and to benefit such an incredible charity.  I’m so excited about meeting Bridget and talking with her about the possibilities that lie ahead for her.”

“Pleasures of Petaluma” featured on Thursday during the Equitation Classic Competition, will highlight local artists and their work exhibited alongside local restaurants & wineries.  Friday afternoon will feature the Ultra Motor A2B Ride & Drive combining show jumping with a rowdy vehicle obstacle course. On Sunday afternoon professionals, amateurs and juniors will all compete for a large cash prize in a Hunter Derby.

On Saturday, the premier event of the week, the Grand Prix Gala (formerly Giant Steps Annual Steppin’ Out Charity Auction), will feature California’s finest horse and rider teams who will attempt 12-14 extravagant 5 feet jumps. “Saturday’s Grand Prix will be an evening of nail-biting, electrifying competition, followed by an amazing live auction, and gourmet dinner. This will be a celebration of the incredible sport of show jumping, and in tandem will allow Giant Steps to continue changing the lives of children and adults with disabilities,” says Ms. Griffin.

In addition to the competition, this event will showcase all the culinary delights that Sonoma & Marin Counties’ have to offer including wine tasting and pairing and dishes prepared by celebrated chefs. Local restaurants, vendors, artists and farmers as well as the community are invited to participate.

Sponsorship opportunities are available and will provide an ideal venue for a captive audience to see your company name and logo. There are also volunteer opportunities for getting in on the ground floor of this historical event that will surely become an annual highlight on the Petaluma calendar. To sponsor this event or become a volunteer, please call Giant Steps at 707-769-8900.

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For more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with Executive Director/Founder, Robert Pope, please call Lissa Ferreira at 707-769-8900 ext. 13 or email Lissa at lissa@giantstepsriding.org

About Sonoma Horse Park
Sonoma Horse Park is Northern California’s newest horse show facility.  This world-class facility offers nine beautiful rings for the 2010 English horse show season.  Its goal is to offer superior shows that not only cater to the equestrian world, but also showcase all that Sonoma County has to offer.  It is inviting wineries, local vendors, artists, celebrated chefs, restaurants, and farmers to its various events.  Watching the shows are free and there are also VIP tables

Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center  is located on the same grounds as Sonoma Horse Park at Riverside Equestrian Center.  Giant Steps helps children and adults with physical, emotional, and developmental challenges, such as, ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy.

The upcoming event for Giant Steps will be held on Aug. 4-8.  It is a Charity Classic Horse Show and should be loads of fun for the whole family.  Guy Thomas, Olympic Show jumper, will be competing.  There will also be a gala on the Saturday of the event.

Upcoming horse shows at Sonoma Horse Park
Equestrian Challenge (C) May 19-28
June Classic (A) June 16-20
Equestrian Classic I (AA) July 27 – Aug. 1
August Classic (A)  Aug. 25-29
September Classic (A)   Sept. 8 – 12
Strides & Tides Sept.(A)  15-19

After my adjustment today I walked across the parking lot to a little deli called LJ’s Deli.  I would have never even known this deli existed if Maria had not told me about it. I’ve been there a few times already and every time I’ve had superb, friendly service and delicious food. Today I ordered a turkey sandwich on a sour dough bread with cranberry sauce. Yummy!

LJ’s Delis is located at:
4380 Redwood Hwy, Ste B15
San Rafael, CA 94903
415.479.8081

Merritt Chiropractic Center is across the parking lot at
La Plaza #C414
4340 Redwood Hwy
San Rafael, CA 94903
415.472.2232
www.merrittfamilychiropractic.com
Merritt Facebook Fan Page
Twitter @DrsMerritt

We ended up at Asqew Grill. I heard it was a great place and wanted to try it. Three of us went. We shared the Baby Back Ribs covered in BBQ sauce and served with delicious roasted garlic mashed potatoes and coleslaw. We also ordered the Blackened Prawns Skewer that included roma tomatoes, yellow squash, lemon beurre blanc red onions and coconut cilantro jasmine rice. We had Grilled Asparagus and Grilled Artichoke Halves as appetizers- Yummy!

This is the kind of place where you order your food at the counter and then go sit down. The staff was very friendly and attentive. They brought our plates right away and made sure we had everything we needed. We especially liked the waiter Ben who was friendly and gave us some good suggestions on what to order.

The food is served fast so if you don’t have a lot of time this is a great place to go for fast, good quality, tasty food.

Asqew Grill has 5 locations in the Bay Area. Three in San Francisco, one in Emeryville and one in Mill Valley.

Asqew Grill
Strawberry Village
Mill Valley, CA
www.asqewgrill.com

On a recent Sunday morning at 8:15am, I checked-out of my Union-Square-area hotel, and asked the desk clerk where to go to get a great local breakfast. The recommendation: Dottie’s — just a few blocks away. So I headed over that way, and just as I turned the corner, from O’Farrell onto Jones, I see this line of about 20 people waiting. Really?

Ok. So I get in line. A long 60 minutes later, I advance to about 8th in line. This is crazy. But I’m thinking this place must certainly be worth waiting for. Then, out of nowhere, this guy comes out and says, “I’ve got 1 available at the counter.” And I’m the first single in the line.

The moment I walked in I knew this was something special. The layout: 4 stools at the counter (all in front of the busy grill), 4 4-tops, and about 4 2-tops. Small, cozy, and rockin’. There is a chalkboard with the days specials — about 10 or so — as well as a huge menu of incredible breakfast comfort goodness.

Wanting to keep it simple, I ordered some combo that came with juice, coffee, scrambled eggs, toast, and thick-sliced bacon. Never really thought much about toast. This was thick-sliced from a dense homemade loaf, buttered, and toasted. That was probably the BEST toast I’ve ever had! Everything on the plate was fantastic. Simple, but outstanding. The (regular) customer next to me recommended the homemade cinnamon roll. Couldn’t do it. But it looked incredible! I had confidence that ANY item on the menu would have been fantastic.

If you go there on a Sunday morning, go early, or be prepared to wait. I would totally recommend Dottie’s as one of the best breakfast joints I’ve ever been to. – Neil Simon, solidcode.com

Dottie’s True Blue Cafe
522 Jones St. (between Geary St & O’Farrell St)
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 885-2767

Thanks Neil!

May 10, 2009 – Mother’s Day
Free Museum Admissions on Mother’s Day – all around the bay!

May 14, 2009
Bike to Work Day – Marin County

May 16, 2009
Marin Women’s Dance, Greenbrae, CA
www.marinwomensdance.com

May 17, 2009
Bay To Breakers – The San Francisco annual footrace.
History of the Bay to Breakers

May 17, 2009
Mountain Bike Film Festival, San Rafael, CA
www.access4bikes.com

May 21, 2009
LGBT-Friendly Business Networking Event – Mill Valley, CA
A great networking opportunity for entrepreneurs and people looking to learn about LGBT-friendly businesses in Marin.
www.spectrumlgbtcenter.org

May 30, 2009
WordCamp San Francisco

All of May
Marin Local Music – lots of music events happening in Marin and around the bay in May.  Event Calendar: www.marinlocalmusic.com/calendar

Spectrum LGBT Center Hosts Free Networking Event

Mixer at Integrated Design Studio in Mill Valley offers a unique meet-up opportunity for business and community members

Spectrum Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Center invites you to an evening of networking for businesses and community members at Integrated Design Studio (IDS), 219 Shoreline Drive, Mill Valley on Thursday, May 21, 6-8 PM.

Everyone is invited; there is no charge to participate. Food, wine, and a raffle will round out the festivities at IDS, which boasts a lovely outdoor garden patio perfectly suited for social events and special occasions.

“During these uncertain economic times, networking is important not just for businesses, but for the entire community,” says Paula Pilecki, Executive Director of Spectrum, the North Bay’s nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting equality and justice for LGBT people. “Spectrum has contact with a particular market niche – LGBT people and the supportive community surrounding them – that makes this kind of networking event attractive to local business.”

Marketing surveys conducted over the past few years indicate that LGBT people prefer to do business with companies and brands that demonstrate support for the gay community. A 2007 survey conducted by market research firms Harris Interactive and Witeck-Combs Communications revealed that two-thirds of LGBT adults would be very or somewhat likely to remain loyal to a brand they believed to be very friendly and supportive to the gay community – even when less friendly companies may offer lower prices or be more convenient.

The 2007 survey concludes that LGBT people “remain loyal to companies that support causes that are important to them, and are highly motivated to learn about corporate social responsibility in all its forms. They are among consumers most motivated to vote with their dollars.” (HarrisInteractive.com)

Sponsored by Bank of Marin and Integrated Design Studio, the networking mixer will showcase at least two dozen businesses representing a diverse offering of services, from insurance to real estate to landscape design and improvement.

Confirmed businesses to date include: AAA – Larkspur; Anspach Financial Group; B2B Incentivz/ Ohmy Advisors; Balance & Zumba Marin; Bank of Marin; Bay Area Community Resources, The Business Writing Company; Don Kline Financial & Insurance Services; Finch’s Flowers; The Girls in the Vineyard; IHOP – San Rafael; Indulge Caterers; Integrated Design Studio; Irwin-Wells Associates; Jen Pennington, Pacific Union; Katherine Holland, Coldwell Banker; London Productions; Marin Country Day School; Marti Guerra, Alain Pinel Realtors; Marin Local Music; Mountain Biking Marin; Mountain Play Association; PG&E PrideNetwork; Paula Helene Beard Tax Practice; Robert Wintrode, Northwestern Mutual; Shepard Design Associates; Toyota Marin/Scion Marin; Virtual Simplicity; and The Yardsquad.

To participate in Spectrum’s networking event, contact Andre Morand at (415) 381-9500 or by email: andre@spectrumLGBTcenter.org.

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ABOUT SPECTRUM: Founded in 1982, Spectrum LGBT Center promotes acceptance, understanding, safety, and full inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. For more information, visit www.spectrumLGBTcenter.org.

FOR CALENDAR EDITORS:

WHAT: Spectrum’s Business and Community Networking Night

WHEN: Thursday, May 21, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

WHERE: Integrated Design Studio, 219 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley

COST: Free

RSVP to Andre Morand, andre@spectrumLGBTcenter.org or (415) 381-9500.

MORE INFO: www.spectrumLGBTcenter.org

Spectrum Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Center invites you to an evening of business and community networking at Integrated Design Studio (IDS), 219 Shoreline Drive, Mill Valley on Thursday, May 21, 6-8 PM. This is a free event open to the entire community. Food, wine, and a raffle will round out the festivities at IDS, which boasts a lovely outdoor garden patio perfectly suited for social events and special occasions. The networking event is sponsored by Bank of Marin and Integrated Design Studio. RSVP and more info: Andre Morand, (415) 381-9500; andre@spectrumLGBTcenter.org.

(Please re-post and invite your friends. I hope to see you there!~Sally)

I did a google search and found the Silver Peak Brewery in Reno (less than 3 miles from my hotel). Woohoo! Score! There are two Silver Peak Brewery’s in the area, we went to the one located at 124 Wonder Street. I was happy to hear they had a 5-barrel brewhouse with both ales and lagers. We went with 4 other volleyball parents and had a great time. We ordered a beer sampler. I sampled a Chocolate beer, Dunkelweizen, XXX Blonde, a few others and settled on ordering a Baileywheat Hefeweizen. The food was awesome, it’s not your typical brewery food. They had a range of choices from Grilled Salmon with mango ginger glaze and coconut rice, T-Bone Steak with rosemary garlic butter and roasted asparagus, Grilled Lamb burger with kalamata olives and goat cheese to a 5-Cheese grilled cheese sandwich and salads. We all agreed if we are in Reno again we would definitely go to the Silver Peak brewery again.

I found out Toronado regulars know about the sausage place next door. You can order a sausage and bring it to the bar to eat. Rosamunde Sausage Grill has everything from Bratwurst to Lamb to Duck to Vegan sausages and they are probably the best sausages I’ve ever had (and I’m not a big sausage fan) but these were tasty. And the sausage is served in an incredible tasting bun.

More information than you probably wanted to know:

The Bratwurst reminded me of the time I worked at the Orange County fair when I was 16 years old at the Bratwurst stand. I had to wear a little t-shirt with a big Bratwurst across my chest. Totally humiliating, yet memorable summer job. Yep that is me (the dork) with the big Bratwurst. —->