Last minute gift idea
By · CommentsI just love this poem/story written by my favorite farmer Tara Smith from Tara Firma Farms.
Thanks Tara for your inspiring newsletter this week (and all that you do)!
Happy Holidays!
To all the Parents, Aunts, Uncles, Sisters and Brothers…What to get for Christmas…
Twas the night before Christmas
And all across the Farm
Not a creature was stirring
All quiet in the Barn
The children were nestled
Scattered about the house (four sons – 21, 22, 23, 14, a girl that is supposedly just a friend and another kid from who knows where)
My husband I were sleeping (hiding)
I awoke to a SNAP…one less mouse (peanut butter in the trap works really well)
Staring at the ceiling
Feeling the dread
Knowing I would soon
Be getting out of bed
Wrapping the presents
And filling the socks
Wondering if they would think it funny
If they were filled with Rocks
We don’t need any thing
We don’t need more stuff
We don’t need to waste
It’s all useless fluff
The packaging and paper
Our landfills are full
Our buying and buying
Needing more is just bull.
It’s never enough
All the junk, all the stuff
It doesn’t make us happy
Myself I rebuff
It’s not about stuff
It’s not about things
It’s not about toys or gas cards or rings
It’s not about spending
Time in the store
It’s not about giving out crap
Anymore.
It has to change
We have to wake up
We have to think long term
The “stuff” we have to give up
So I took out a pen
And paper to write
I made several renditions
Notes to my boys that night
I wrote of how proud
I am of them all
How we laugh together
They are really a ball
I wrote of their wins
And how they show character when they lose
I wrote of honesty
And lack of drug taking and little booze.
I tried to explain
How a mother does feel
To see her children
Engage in a way that is real.
In the wee morning hours
I drank coffee and cried
The paper was stained
And the tear stains shown as they dried.
With so little stuff
Under the tree
I worried they would wake
And be disappointed in me.
I watched as they gathered
Around the lit tree
Each taking out their letters
Reading silently.
I watched them tear up
As the heart embraces
The emotion it feels
It showed in their faces
The love of a parent
So simple to give
It lasts forever
Any stuff it will outlive.
It takes only time
And a paper and pen
Give them a gift
They will remember when…and always…
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Your Farmer, Tara Smith
P.S. If you add a little cash to the envelope they’re really like it. 
(added by @Sally_K) I want to be Tara when I grow up.
My-Face-Space-Book
By · CommentsMyFaceSpaceBook
Have you seen the new Facebook Timelines? I just took the plunge and switched over. I don’t know about you but it is reminding me a lot of MySpace. Because of this I signed on to my old MySpace account to compare and I found an old blog post I put on MySpace in December of 2007. It seems I could just switch around the words Facebook & MySpace and the post would not seem outdated.
December 6, 2007
Myspace is starting to look more like Facebook… hmmmm. They added the new Friends Update thing… I still have found no one that can explain to me why they like Facebook better. My daughter’s just keep insisting it is better. Maybe I’m just too old to understand.
But for a second there I thought I was signed in to Facebook when I saw the Friends Update. I was like wait… I thought I signed in to Myspace… oh I did.
The world is morphing into one big sameness… MyFaceSpaceBook and Starbucks.
Did I tell you in Thailand I saw a MacDonald’s with the Clown standing in the Namaste position? and in Cabo San Lucas it was hard to find good Mexican food… I did however find Pizza Hut…
Okay, I’m done. Just wondering if anyone else noticed?
What do you think of the new Facebook Timeline that your profile is automatically going to switch to on Christmas day. Here’s an article from PC World: Facebook Timeline: 9 Things You Need To Know
I’m not sure if they’re going to be changing the look of the “like” pages yet. Do you know?
While you are there checking out Facebook be sure to “like’ the Sally Around The Bay page. Thanks!
PS. I think I like the new layout. It’s fun to be able to easily go back and look at past posts and photos. Great for walking down memory lane.
Shop Local Bay Area
By · Comments
It is my belief that the best way to bring balance back in to the world is to support local, independently owned businesses. What better time to do it than Black Friday?! There are SO many reasons as to why it is better to shop local than big box / chain stores but I will spare you my ramble. ShopLocalSF lists some of the reasons here: www.shoplocalsf.org/org
Below is a list of local, independently owned Bay Area businesses, organized by area.
Last night I asked my Twitter, Facebook and Google+ friends to tell me their favorite places to shop in the Bay Area. The response from Twitter was overwhelming! Facebook friends offered a few tips and one Twitter friend responded on G+. Hmm what does that say about G+?
If your favorite independent locally owned shop is not on the list please leave a comment below and I will do my best to add it to the list.
I came across the 3/50 project which I think is a fabulous idea! They’re asking that we spend at least $50 a month at 3 different locally owned independent businesses. Read more about it here: www.the350project.net Their Twitter hashtag is #350proj You can follow @cindabaxter, the founder of The 3/50 Project on Twitter. If Twitter is not your thing you can also “like” them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/The350Project
Thank you for checking out my Shop Local list! I’m currently offering special (a.k.a. affordable) prices to local, independently owned businesses for sponsorships on my blog. If you’d like to place an ad like the ones you see to the right of this post please contact me for pricing. —–>
Another suggestion I got was to shop at your local Farmer’s Market – great crafts and food gifts often available.
For that special holiday outfit you might only wear once try local consignment and thrift shops. You might just find the perfect outfit!
I’ve also included a few coffee shops and restaurants on this list because we need to eat, right?!
Please join me in taking the pledge to shop local as much as possible. #shoplocal
North Bay / Marin
Corte Madera
A Childs Delight (Toys)
Meadowlark Gallery
Mimi The Sardine (eco-coated products for kids)
Rick’s Wine Cellar (stop in and have a glass or pick up a bottle for a gift)
The Book Passage
Tiller Diggs (home & garden, jewelry & clothing)
Fairfax
Good Earth Natural Foods (healthy holiday meals & gifts)
Iron Springs (brewery & restaurant)
Revolution 9
Sherman’s General Store
The Hummingbird Restaurant
Various & Sundries
Larkspur
Coquelicot (antiques, home & garden, jewelry)
Lark Shoes
Marin Brew Co. (brewery & restaurant)
Modern Cookie Co. (opening Dec. 5)
Rustic Bakery
What Poppy Wants (boutique & vintage consignment shop)
Mill Valley
At The Top Salon (gift certificate or jewelry)
Dan’s Liquor (for your holiday wine or bubbly)
F. Joseph Smiths (massage, ask for Jessica B)
Mill Valley Market (for you holiday groceries)
Moss & Moss
Mountain Biking Marin (bike tours and clinics)
Pharmaca (not totally local but great alternative to the big box drug stores & wonderful products)
Red Dragon Yoga (clothing, gift cards, yoga classes to destress)
Tea Fountain
Title 9
The Book Depot
Two Neat (gifts)
Vintage Wines
Woodland’s Pet
Muir Beach
The Pelican Inn (restaurant)
Napa
Peju Winery (this is where you take your out of town guest – fun!)
Rancho Gordo (heirloom beans) <– now that is original!
Novato
Dr. Insomnias (coffee shop)
Class Cycle (bike shop)
Grazie Cafe Italiano (restaurant)
Moylan’s (brewery & restaurant)
Studio 4 Art (make stuff)
Marin Humane Society (adopt a pet, pet store)
Rustic Bakery
Petaluma
Copperfield Books
Della Fattoria (restaurant)
iLeoni (kitchen & gifts)
Knitterly
Mrs. Grossman’s Stickers (great field trip for young children)
Nan Winters (clothing)
Shop Paper White
Tara Firma Farms (for your healthy holiday meal or a fun activity for the family)
McEvoy Ranch (body care products, olive oil, more)
Robindira Unsworth (jewelry, clothing, accessories)
Sorella (hair studio, fashion boutique)
Tuscan Gardens (home & garden)
Pt.Reyes
Zuma (arts and crafts)
Pt. Reyes Open Studio
San Anselmo
3 Ring Cycles (bike store)
Gathering Thyme (herbs & health care products)
Gioia’s Boutique (Clothing)
Great Acorn Co. (gifts)
Holiday Pop Up Shop (Dec. 3 Only)
Marin Coffee Roasters
Pure Joy Body work
Sidekicks (clothing)
Susan’s Store Room
Fig Garden (gifts)
San Rafael
A Childs Delight (Toys)
Andy’s Market (great wine & chocolate selection)
Art Works Downtown
Bananas At Large (musical instruments & pro audio equipment)
Beads of Marin
Bedrock Music & Video
California Bike N Bean (bike store)
Celebracion Bridal (pretty dresses, tux rentals & tiaras!)
Clogs Unlimited
Dharma Trading Co. (fiber art supplies & clothing blanks)
Friends Books (used books, 100% proceeds support San Rafael Public Library)
Elegant Images Fine Art Photography
Gamescape (non-electronic games)
Jan Orcutt, Accupunture (remember to take care of yourself)
Marin Jewelers Guild
Merritt Chiropractic Center (might need this after all the shopping)
Pin Up Hair Emporium & Unique Boutique
Ponsford’s Place (Bakery)
Red Dragon Yoga
T & B Sports
The Magic Flute
Toni Tierney Baby Clothes (she often has great sales right out of her headquarters)
Via Diva (furniture)
Viva Diva (clothing)
Youth in Arts – Retail shop
Sausalito
Mollie Stones (groceries, gifts)
Sweet Ginger (Sushi restaurant, gift card!)
Downtown Sausalito is full of lots of wonderful little shops.
Sonoma
Bram Cookware
The Girl & The Fig (restaurant)
Santa Rosa
T & B Sports
Tomales
Fallon Hills Ranch (to buy your ranch raised grass fed holiday meal)
Online
Cowboy’s Fuzzy Duds
Bean Up The Nose Art
The Marin Store (Marin Magazine)
East Bay
Albany
Five Little Monkeys (Toy shop)
Berkeley
Berkeley Bowl (groceries)
Gather Berkeley (restaurant, gift certificate)
Kermit Lynch (wine importer on the larger side)
Tail of the Yak (gifts)
Fourth Street in Berkeley has lots of great shops
Hayward
Hayward Book Shop
Oakland
Calm, A Salon
Cole Coffee (local roasted coffee)
Glamour Paws
Laurel Book Store
Oakland Dish
Oakollectiv (local hand painted t-shirts, local designs)
Paws and Claws (pet shop)
Relish Catering (for your holiday parties)
Someone’s In The Kitchen
The Crucible (gift & art sale 12/10 – 12/11)
The Oakland Chocolate Factory (you can get my gift here)
The Wine Mine
Tootsies (shoe boutique, pedicures)
Walden Pond Books
Walnut Creek
Five Little Monkeys (Toy shop)
Walnut Creek Yacht Club (restaurant)
South Bay
Palo Alto
Books, Inc
San Francisco
A Childs Delight (Toys)
Cheekbob (pet store)
Christopher’s Books (Potrero Hill)
Cowgirl Creamer
Create More (Apple supplies, support & more!)
Farmers Market
Ferry Building San Francisco (lots of independent shops here)
Flax Art & Design
Green Apple Books – Inner Richmond. Clement at 6th.
Her Majesty’s Secret Beekeeper (honey!)
MSR museum (best #sf place for small children. Small place, lots to do & see, parents just relax @ entrance & watch them run. @thecara)
Pacific Catch (restaurant, gift certificate)
Palio Paninoteca
Prints, Etc (vintage art, framing, concert posters, antique stock certificates, maps, curiosities, collectibles, etc)
Rancho Gordo Beans (SF Ferry Plaza Farmers Market)
Recchuti (Did someone say chocolate?)
Streetcar Museum
The Book Passage (ferry building)
San Jose
Hicklebees Books (mostly kids)
Streetlight Records
Thank you to everyone who sent suggestions!
Happy Holidays!
#ShopLocal
Please leave a comment and let us know what you got at your local independently owned store!
If you live in another area please make your own list and share it with your readers!
If your appliances break during the holiday season… don’t fret! Call Appliance Techs of Marin!
According to this video you might even get a date if you shop local.
*disclaimer I have not been to many of these businesses they are suggestion I crowd-sourced from my social networks. If there are any corrections that need to be made please leave a comment below.
**This is an evolving/growing list. I plan to add links to all the businesses and to keep adding more local, independently owned businesses. However, if I continue working on this tonight I may find myself disowned by my family. Thanks for shopping local.
PS. Please feel free to copy/use this list and pass it on to others. I’d appreciate a link back to the original list. Here is the link: http://sallyaroundthebay.com/2011/11/shop-local-bay-area/ Thank you!
Thank you for shopping local!
Friendship Appreciation Day
By · CommentsToday’s photo is in memory of Gary Gieseke, 11.22.87
This post was originally written on 11.22.06
This morning, while making my coffee I started flipping through my organizer to review my notes for the presentation I am giving next week. The first thing I saw though was today’s date and that hit me like a brick and a wave of emotions poured over me. Nineteen years ago today my friend Gary Gieseke took his own life. Losing Gary and being forced to deal with death and suicide at such a young age had a profound impact on my life. It inspired me to go to college and major in Psychology… I dealt with the grief and guilt through academics… somehow I managed to write every single paper in college about suicide, death and the survivors… more than once my professors pulled me aside to make sure I wasn’t suicidal. I was driven to do something about teen suicide and I did, I worked in a youth shelter for awhile with runaway youth, I volunteered on a suicide hotline and then yes life got in the way and took me in a different direction.
However, I did learn a few lessons; I learned not to take people or life for granted because they may not be there tomorrow. Every single time I am in a fight with someone the memory of Gary pops back into my head and I think “what if they die tonight? will I regret this stupid argument?” and then I try to fix it. In honor of Gary I have designated this day to appreciate all of my friends. November 22nd is my unofficial Friendship Appreciation Day.
I love you all! Thank you for being my friend!
Gary Gieseke
11.22.87
Suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-273-TALK
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.thetrevorproject.org
It was this song Somebody by Depeche Mode that set me off down this nostalgic path.
The last note I ever got from Gary was the lyrics to this song.
Mill Valley Mobile Vet
By · CommentsThis is my dog Poncho and his new Vet Dr. Cynthia Steele, whom we both love.
He’s getting old.
He has lumps and bumps and not as much energy as he used to have. Recently he has developed a strange problem with his eye. I hadn’t been happy with my current vet and I needed to find a new one. I was not looking forward to taking my 11 year old dog to a new Veterinarian office. I was afraid they were going to over prescribe treatment for him. Also, Poncho is not a big fan of going to the vet, he gets very stressed & doesn’t like to sit still. It usually takes 2 or 3 of us to hold him in place for an exam.
Someone suggested we try a mobile vet. I had no idea mobile vets existed. A mobile vet is a doctor who does house calls. They come to your house to examine your dog. Way less stressful for you and your dog.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the mobile vet I called but what I got was an awesome vet! Cynthia and Maureen (nurse) showed up at my door and greeted me with a hug. Poncho instantly loved them. He thought friends came to visit just him. They spent a whole hour examining Poncho and talking with us about his health. The cost of the visit was only slightly more than a trip to the vet but the quality and care was 100 times better.
If you have an older dog or would rather have your vet come to your house instead of sitting in a stressful waiting room with a bunch of other sick pets I highly recommend calling Mill Valley Mobile Vet. Since she is mobile you don’t have to live in Mill Valley to use her services. She goes all over Marin and I think even to the city sometimes.
www.MVmobileVet.com
Cynthia Steele, D.V.M.
415-272-8558
Vocabulary Lesson for Men
By · Comments11/21/11 – Update
I’m updating this post to tell you this letter should have been addressed to Men & Women! I’ve had many people tell me they’ve also heard women use the word rape to describe things that are not rape. Men please accept my apology for generalizing & women, What is up with that?!
—–
Dear Men (and Women),
Please do not use the word rape to describe anything other than a rape. When you use the word rape to describe being ripped off or taken advantage of it makes me think you do not comprehend just how serious a rape is. A rape is not being ripped off at the gas station. It is not paying too much in taxes and it is not what a used car salesman does when selling you a car. A rape is a horrible, atrocious offense against another human being. When you use it to describe these minor offenses it makes me think you don’t realize how terrible a rape is which makes me wonder if that is the reason rape is so prevalent in our society.
Thank you,
The women in your life
It’s a Small World
By · CommentsI had to go all the way to LA to meet a super cool woman from Marin.
MoreMarin
This last weekend I was down in LA with Celia who was presenting at AEA (American Evaluation Association). Celia put together a rock star team for the presentation & I was lucky enough to be included in the after conference dinner. I got to sit next to the fabulous Felecia Gaston (from Performing Stars of Marin AND The Phoenix Project) who told me about an event she was organizing for Veterens Day in Marin City.
Performing Stars of Marin’s Annual
Veterans Day Parade
11-11-11
Honoring the Bay Area Tuskegee Airmen
Parade starts at 11am at the Manzanita Recreation Center.
630 Drake Avenue
Marin City, CA
Going to Level with You
By · Comments
I have been seeing this image circulating around the social networks and it has really stuck with me. I’ve always been a supporter of local, independent businesses but when things get busy and life gets stressful sometimes it’s easier to just go to the nearest Starbucks instead of seeking out an independent, locally owned cafe.
Working in downtown San Francisco you can spin in circles, walk any direction and in less than a block you will most likely find a Starbucks.
I wanted something different. I wanted to get my coffee at an independently owned place but I didn’t know where to go. Until… I opened my eyes and realized there is an Italian style cafe located near my office called Palio Paninoteca. Actually I didn’t open my eyes and look around, I looked down at my iPhone where I was trying out a new program called LevelUp. It’s a program that lets you pay with your smart phone. I’ve been wanting to try one of those programs for awhile and for some reason this one called my attention enough for me to download the app and try it.
While searching the current locations accepting LevelUp I discovered this cafe just down the street. When I signed up for LevelUp I got $5 credit and noticed Palio Paninoteca offered $2 credit so I decided to head over to Palio Paninoteca to check it out and enjoy my complimentary lunch. I didn’t realize they served lunch in addition to coffee and gelato. Yes I said gelato!
Palio Paninoteca’s lunch consists of soups, salads and sandwiches (paninis) prepared in advance (kind of like going to the counter at Whole Foods). So far I’ve tried 2 of their salads and they are delicious! Today I had the spinach, avocado, mango salad. Yum!
While trying out my LevelUp for the first time I happened to meet the owner of the cafe. She showed me how to pay with my phone. We got to chatting and that is when I learned that Palio Paninoteca is an independent, local, woman owned business. They’re also green and serve your food in reusable ceramic dishes. Bettie Scodel is a single mom and the owner of both Palio Paninotecas. She’s also a very hard worker. She gets up at 3:30am every day to be ready to serve breakfast to the hungry masses passing through. She proudly told me of her two children in college. She’s the perfect candidate to help me keep up with my Miss Representation pledge of featuring women doing cool things around the Bay Area.
Two thumbs up to Palio Paninoteca and to LevelUp. I had a great experience with both. I’m looking forward to enjoying many more coffee and meals using my LevelUp at Palio Paninoteca.
If you find yourself in downtown San Francisco around breakfast or lunch time give this place a try.
Oh, one more thing! I emailed LevelUp yesterday to see when there were going to be more locations in San Francisco and they said they are adding more everyday! I also told them I would be mentioning them in my blog and they offered my readers a special code! If you want to try LevelUp (it doesn’t cost anything) they will put $10 credit in to your account if you use the code SALLY when registering. When registering be sure to click on the blue link that says: Have a promotion or friend referral code? to get your $10 credit! So go sign up for then let me know and maybe we can meet for a coffee at Palio Paninoteca.
Palio Paninoteca is located on the corner of Montgomery and Clay St in the financial district of San Francisco. They also have a location near UCSF. More info here: www.paliopaninoteca.com
Hey Girlfriend – Interview with Shasta Nelson
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A few weeks ago, thanks to Twitter, A Band of Wives and a hamburger joint, I met an amazing woman named Shasta Nelson.
Shasta Nelson, MDiv (@girlfrndcircles) is a relationship strategist, life coach, and founder of GirlFriendCircles.com, a womens friendship matching site in 35 cities across the U.S. She blogs weekly at Shasta’s Friendship Blog and for the Huffington Post.
In an effort to keep up with my Miss Representation pledge I’m going to be featuring local Bay Area women doing cool things. I’m starting with Shasta Nelson who agreed to be interviewed and share her favorite things to do around the Bay Area.
Please tell us a little bit about Girl Friend Circles. What exactly is it? Who is it for? GirlFriendCircles.com is a womens friendship matching site. We match women up in small groups in local cafes and wine bars to meet other women their age (from 21-65) who are interested in investing in new friendships. Often it’s because we’ve just moved or gone through some other major life change, but research shows every 7 years the average woman replaces half her friends so it’s a pretty normal need. We’re in 35 cities across the U.S. including Marin, San Francisco, and the East Bay!
What do you love most about the Bay Area?
The culture. It’s hard to describe but I love the open-mindedness, the diversity, and the overall sense of support that there is for all kinds of people, ideas, and ways of life.
Where is your favorite place to hike/bike?
Living in the City, I love heading to Lands End (there is the most beautiful labyrinth on the edge of the cliff!), walking along Crissy Field, and city hiking up all the hills on long evening walks!
Favorite place to eat? Best romantic date restaurant?
I love Saha’s (Arabic Fusion) for a special dinner out, Helmand’s Palace (Afghan) for their vegetarian special plate, B Star (Burmese Fusion) for their drinks and fun flavors, and Top of the Mark for romantic views and martinis.
Favorite place to meet up with girl friends for coffee/tea/Happy Hour?
I’d love any cafe that had my friends– I’m not picky at all! We sometimes meet at Cafe Divine in North Beach for their indoor/outdoor seating and easy menu, but our favorite places are just hanging out in each other’s living rooms. Being in a home feels more special than a restaurant these days!
If you had an out of town guest visiting for a day who wanted to see the Bay Area what would you show them?
I tend to think the most special experience of San Francisco is a day spent as much like a local as possible: breakfast at a neighborhood cafe, long walk along the water toward the bridge, lunch in some awesome ethnic restaurant, then cater to their need for tourism by seeing how many landmarks we can take their picture in front of (sea lions at the Pier, the Painted Sisters homes, Ferry Building), drive through Golden Gate Park on our way to watch the sunset at the beach and then end with an evening at Yoshi’s Jazz Club.
You can get to know Shasta a little better by visiting her YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ShasGFC
Girl Friend Circles is also on Facebook.
