Archive for Events
Mountain Bike Events in Marin
Posted by: | CommentsMountain bike enthusiasts lots of fun activities coming up in June!
Saturday, June 5th – 8 a.m. – Mill Valley Bike Swap
Saturday, June 5th – 6pm – Women of Dirt: The Film
A great night of Film, Fashion, Food and Fun!
Access4bikes and Bicycle Trails Council of Marin Present:
Women of Dirt: The Celebration
Fairfax Women’s Club,
46 Park Rd., Fairfax, CA, 94930
Celebrating the mountain bike while celebrating the women who love them!
A special screening of Awesome Land: Women of Dirt. A Bicycle Fashion Show-featuring some of the best bike fashions in the west, by Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel, LUNA Sport clothing and My Alibi Clothing. Q & A with bike celebs, Marla Streb and Rachel Lloyd. Come on down and party, have a brew and wine, sponsored by Lagunitas and Peleton Cellars, and tasty food treats. Also, raffle-drawing and local live music!
A party and fundraiser for Access4Bikes, your local voice for trail access in Marin.
$20-donation advance tickets $25- donation at the door.
For more information visit http://access4bikes.com/events.htm
Sunday, June 6th – Tamarancho Dirt Classic
Wednesday, June 16th – Coed Special Downhill Clinic – Youth Only with Mountain Biking Marin
Saturday, June 26th – Coed Cross Country Clinic with Mountain Biking Marin
Marin Twitter Tribe at Pacific Catch
Posted by: | CommentsLast Wednesday we had our Marin Twitter Tribe lunch at Pacific Catch in Corte Madera.
I wanted to thank @PacificCatch for another awesome TweetUp! Pacfic Catch is by far the most generous and hip-to-social-media restaurant out there.
When we tell Pacific Catch we are coming for lunch they get excited, they reserve a table for us, they prepare us some appetizers, they are attentive and they join the party by sitting down and getting to know us. Pacific Catch we love you!
We all enjoyed some of Pacific Catch’s Fresh Hawaiian Poke (sushi-grade ahi tuna in a sesame-soy marinade with wonton crisps) along with some other wonderful treats. I was so busy socializing I forgot exactly what I was eating but I do remember it was tasty. I ordered the California Roll for my meal and had a refreshing juice blend called the POG to drink made of Pineapple, Orange and Guava. Perfect on a warm sunny day!
I also want to thank everyone that comes out for the Twitter Tribe lunches!
We had some special guests at this last TweetUp. @MelRovens brought some little tweeps of her own. She had recently rescued some baby birds and since they needed around the clock care she brought them to the TweetUp in a basket. They were SO tiny and cute. (Don’t worry, she knows what she is doing. She’s rescued birds before.)
Our next Marin Twitter Tribe lunch is at Toast Novato this Friday at 1pm. I hope you can join us. If you are on Twitter and in the area you are invited. I hope you can join us. Toast has some great salads!
Taste of Town Center – Corte Madera
Posted by: | CommentsTown Center restaurants and food merchants offer free samplings of some of their favorite delectables in the center courtyard
SATURDAY MAY 22nd, 11am – 2pm
Town Center Corte Madera’s center courtyard will be buzzing with satisfied sounds and enticing aromas as more than a dozen of the center’s food vendors and restaurants serve up complimentary samples of their most popular items – from sweet potato fries, to smoothies, to burritos, Hawaiian poke, pizza, shrimp rolls, BBQ and cupcakes. Taste of Town Center will take place outside in the center courtyard on Saturday, May 22nd from 11am to 2pm. Activities for children include free face painting and free balloons. This will be a perfect time to bring the whole family to sample the delicious offerings that are available at Town Center Corte Madera all year long, as well as a chance to visit their many unique shops.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to showcase the many terrific food merchants at Taste of Town Center,” said Stan Hoffman, General Manager of the Town Center Corte Madera. “We hope everyone will come bring the family and spend the day sampling some of the amazing food that we have here. We hope that Saturday May 22nd marks the start of a new culinary celebration to add to our community event calendar.”
Restaurants and food merchants participating in Taste of Town Center include A.G. Ferrari, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, Barnes & Noble Cafe, Bryan’s Fine Foods, California Pizza Kitchen, Champagne French Bakery and Cafe, The Counter Custom Burgers, Il Fornaio, La Maison de la Reine, Pacific Catch, PF Chang’s China Bistro, Sur La Table, Teacake Bake Shop, Tully’s Coffee and World Wrapps.
Town Center Corte Madera, located on the West side of Highway 101 at the Tamalpais Drive exit, has become known as the Marin location for delicious healthy food, specialty clothiers and stores boasting unique home furnishings and gift items. Throughout the year, the Town Center hosts a number of community-driven events like the annual Trick or Treat Day for kids, the world’s largest Thanksgiving turkey which collects donations for Marin Community Food Bank, and free Christmas holiday gift wrapping by volunteers from Hospice by the Bay. For information, call 415-924-2961 or visit the Town Center website at www.shoptowncenter.com.
California’s Elite Equestrians Flock to the North Bay
Posted by: | CommentsTo benefit Giant Steps rider’s with disabilities
Ten year-old Bridget was born with a brain lesion that has resulted in severe cognitive, developmental and physical delays. Her mom marvels that “riding horses at Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center has given Bridget a newfound confidence she never before dreamed possible.” During August 4-8, 2010 Bridget and her fellow students at Giant Steps will get a “leg up” from some elite equestrians who will come together to raise money for Giant Steps programs.
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 tablesGiant 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
Sunday’s are a Drag
Posted by: | CommentsSometimes Sunday’s are a drag but not this Sunday! Today our daughter turned 18 and we celebrated by taking her to brunch at Harry Denton’s Starlight Room located at the very top of the Sir Francis Drake hotel in San Francisco. This isn’t just any old Sunday brunch though, this is a drag show brunch!
We parked at the Sutter/Stockton Garage (great location) and walked to the beautiful entrance of the Sir Francis Drake. Before heading up to the 21st floor we took in the scenery for a bit. The Sir Francis Drake is decorated with beautiful old chandeliers.
At 11:00am, our assigned seating time all 8 of us filed in to the elevator and headed up, up, up. When we stepped out of the elevator on to the 21st floor we were greeted by a friendly host that showed us to our table (located directly in front of the stage!) Some of us (that were older than 21) started out with Bellini’s (sort of like a peach Mimosa), then we headed to the buffet. So many choices! We were having a hard time deciding if we were in breakfast mode or lunch mode so we did a little bit of everything. Fresh salad, deviled eggs, smoked salmon, bacon, sausage, French toast, omelets, fresh fruit and the best chocolate covered strawberries EVER! I think we had more than our fair share of chocolate covered strawberries. We were bringing plates full of strawberries back to the table.
The show started promptly at 12 noon with Donna Sachet as the hostess. My favorite act was the Cher, If I Could Bring Back Time. It was hilarious! I’m not going to share too many details because this is the kind of show you have to see yourself to appreciate but Cher came out with a glittery walker.
I’d describe Harry Denton’s Drag show as good, clean, old-fashioned drag – perfect for any 18 yr olds b-day. 
The iPhone camera did not do these beautiful Divas any justice.
After the show we walked the brunch off by heading to Union Square. It was a beautiful sunny day in San Francisco today so we sat in the sun for a bit in Union Square plaza and then headed to Chinatown for some people watching and shopping.
Sea Otter Classic 2010
Posted by: | CommentsEvery year in April thousands of bikers (road cyclists & mountain bikers of all types) descend upon Monterey for the Sea Otter Classic. I’ve attended many times as a spectator. (It’s hard work being a spectator!)
This year Brian Popplewell, the lead instructor for Mountain Biking Marin competed. Congratulations Brian! He did great and this shot is awesome!
Read more about Brian’s Sea Otter adventure here.
Marin Moms & Dads: If your sons or daughters are getting in to Mountain Biking you might want to check out Mountain Biking Marin. They offer individual and group bike skill training clinics where safety is emphasized.
Grand Opening Celebration of the Owning Pink Center
Posted by: | CommentsAs I mentioned in yesterday’s post, our lunch at Thai Smile was full of dynamic and amazing women. One of those super women: Lissa Rankin is celebrating the grand opening of The Owning Pink Center right here in Mill Valley this Saturday. Come out and get your Mojo back! My dream health center has arrived.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
600 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley
415.746.6140
Meet the practitioners, including an integrative gynecologist, a naturopathic doctor, a fertility specialist, a life coach, a Reiki master, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and others.
Get your MOJO back with chair massages, green juice samples, edibles, music, meditation, a blessings altar, and more.
Don’t settle for being well.
Happy FourSquare Day
Posted by: | CommentsI have big plans to get my FourSquare swarm badge today! I’m going to my old neighborhood in San Francisco (yes I was a city girl at one point) to Pacific Catch on 9th Avenue.
This Pacific Catch is located right by Golden Gate Park. I plan to get there early and take a stroll through the park like I used to. I love Golden Gate Park! It has a little bit of everything: a museum, botanical gardens, the California Academy of Sciences, the Conservatory of Flowers, trails, soccer, frisbee & football fields, picnic areas, play structures, the Japanese Tea Garden, a lake with boat rentals, and so much more. On Sundays they even close the streets for pedestrians, bikes and roller blades. I used to love roller blading in the park! Wish I still had my roller blades.
I remember roller blading on a Sunday in 1995 when there was a memorial going on for Jerry Garcia. Right as the memorial was ending I skated by quietly. Since I was distracted looking at all the deadheads, I was not paying attention to the ground and rolled in to a pothole and did a face plant! Yep, there I was face first on the asphalt right in front of Jerry Garcia’s memorial. People looked at me and said, “dude face plant” but nobody asked if I was okay. 
Of course I was okay except a few scratches on my face and my very bruised ego.
I’m off to San Francisco now to get my FourSquare swarm badge! Hopefully I won’t do a face plant this time.
Photo taken by flickr user battyward
I wonder what Jerry Garcia would think of FourSquare?
Happy FourSquare Day!
Fun Event For FourSquare Fanatics
Posted by: | CommentsHi, my name is Sally and I have a new obsession. It’s called FourSquare, the newest kid on the block in the social media neighborhood. Okay, maybe not the newest but one of the newer kids. It’s already been around for a year.
Next Friday, April 16th Pacific Catch in San Francisco is having a FourSquare Swarm Party!
FIRST SOCIAL MEDIA HOLIDAY GOES GLOBAL
The Bay Area “checks-in” on Foursquare DaySAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 6, 2010, Pacific Catch announced that on April 16th, its 9th Avenue restaurant will host what will be the largest “Foursquare Day Swarm Badge” event in the Bay Area.
The Pacific Catch 9th Avenue location in the Inner Sunset, known for its fresh, cravable seafood, full bar and happy hour, will be the place for social media mavens and tipsters to “check-in” on April 16th to obtain the much coveted Foursquare “Swarm Badge.” Food and drink specials will take place from 4:00 pm till 7:00 pm with a live check in via Skype at 6:00 pm, with Foursquare Day creator, Nate Bonilla-Warford in Tampa.
What is Foursquare?
Foursquare is a mobile, location sharing, social media tool, in which users earn points as they check in at venues they visit during the day, with an option to broadcast their location to friends via Twitter, to let others join them there.Foursquare is half scavenger hunt, half flash mob, as users compete by earning points and badges depending on the frequency, the locations and the types of venues at which they check in. For example, the most frequent visitor to check in at any given venue is awarded the “mayor” badge of that location. The “Swarm Badge”, is awarded to a group when 50 people “check-in” at the same location within a three-hour time-frame.
How can you be a part of Foursquare Day?
RSVP here, tweet about it and bring your friends. It’s that easy!Check out other Foursquare Day events going on around the world.
Foursquare Day Facebook page:
Follow on Twitter: #4sqday
Connect with Pacific Catch on Foursquare, Twitter, Facebook and You Tube.
For more information, contact Chamin Mills at chamin@pacificcatch.com.
Some of the Marin TweetUp gang is thinking about carpooling in to the city for the event. If I can swing it I will be there too!
Calling All Artists – Tiburon Art Festival 2010
Posted by: | Comments
The Tiburon Art Festival 2010 is now accepting artists for this amazing juried art event-by-the-bay. They are looking for paintings, sculptures, glass, woodwork, jewelry, photography and mixed media. 64 juried artists will be selected to show their work on Historic Ark Row in downtown Tiburon, California.
Live music, family entertainment & activities, wine, beer & champagne, all steps away from the waterfront of the San Francisco Bay.
Application deadline June 14th. Judging weekend June 18 & 19. Art Festival August 28th & 29th.
Application info here: http://tiburonartfestival.homestead.com/webpages/application.html
The actual event is August 28 – 29. The Tiburon Art Festival
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