Cork’s Wine Night

March 30, 2007 at 5:37 pm · Filed under Wine Club

On Sunday, March 25th the Wine Club met at Cork’s in Danville to sample wines from the Livermore Valley. Steve Barth, proprietor of Cork’s, provided the local lore and wine comments.

Check out the short video of the festivities.

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Hiking: Las Trampas

March 18, 2007 at 8:25 am · Filed under Hiking Club

We had a wonderful hike at Las Trampas. We climbed Chamise and were surrounded by white, flowering buck brush. We hiked an hour out and a little less than a hour back. The skies were clear and Mt. Diablo was framed beautifully by the buck brush. We stopped a few times up to catch our breath and shed layers. Afterwards we hiked along the stream next to the start of Elderberry trail where we saw the mating newts in twos, threes, and maybe more-they were so entwined and going at it, it was hard to tell. We also observed them tending their egg sacks under the edge of the creek bank. It was along this creek bank that we also saw the beautiful red trillium blooming. We also saw a few other wildflowers blooming along our hike, such as fiddle neck, buttercups, and saxifrage along the ridge.

SRVNC Hiking activity is a fitness-hiking group for people of all levels of hiking skills. We do though highly recommend that if you are overweight, have high blood pressure, have any health problem/concern, or haven’t been exercising in awhile that you see your doctor before beginning this or any other exercise program. The group meets on Friday mornings at 8:30 a.m. at various regional parks no more than 30 minutes from San Ramon. Each Thursday evening directions will be emailed to those currently in the hiking group or new people who have called to express interest. We will hike 1 hour in and 1 hour out. Everyone will hike at their own pace for half of the allotted time along a marked trail and return along same trail. Some will be faster and some slower but everyone should be able to increase their fitness level over time. We will all end our hike at the same time. You will need to wear breathable clothing, bring a bottle (at least) of water in a fanny pack, and wear either hiking boots or hiking “sneakers” with a good tread. If you are interested please Email Sharon Kovar. Questions? Sharon @735-8960. If you are interested in taking hikes at a more leisurely pace, please let Sharon know as some hikes are more suitable than others

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Hike to Mitchell Canyon

March 17, 2007 at 9:25 am · Filed under Hiking Club

Recap of Newcomer Hike to Mitchell Canyon Feb 16, 07

Hikers April R., Rose T., Shirley A., Floy H., Cecilia M. and Sharon K. hiked along Mitchell Canyon Rd on the north side of Mt. Diablo. It was instantly apparent the recent rains had greened up the area. The miners lettuce was vivid green along with the ferns that covered the hills.

The butterflies were abundant but elusive. Several stopped to warm themselves on the trail but the moment I got near enough for a close up they flew away. The one photo is taken with a zoom lens and later zoomed in and cropped with my photo program. The Mission blue butterflies were happy to rest awhile on the dung they found on the trail but I was less tempted to take that photo!

The weather was perfect for hiking–in the upper 60’s today. The stream was flowing clean and swiftly but no newts were seen. Few wild flowers were seen except for the buttercups and milkmaids. We hiked an hour in and an hour out with a small portion at the end of the first hour pushing our heart rates up.

I will be out of town next week but look for an e-mail from one of our regular hikers who will be leading next weeks hike. I will see you the following week. Until then. Happy Trails, Sharon

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Book Club

March 17, 2007 at 8:07 am · Filed under Book Club

When: April 24 - Tuesday

Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Where: Floy Harman’s - 678 El Cerro Blvd., Danville (From 680; exit El Cerro and go east on El Cerro)

RSVP: Floy @ 855-9220 by Monday, April. 23

Our book will be The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason. This novel is the story of a London piano tuner who is asked by the government to travel to Burma in order to tune the piano of a brilliant eccentric doctor who is undertaking diplomacy for the British government. The story evolves as the piano tuner becomes more immersed in the atmosphere of Burma and his strange mission.

We welcome new members so think about attending one of our meetings. If you have any questions (except to RSVP), please call one of the Chairpersons, Floy Harman or Suzanne Ziarnik.

May Book - Too Close to the Falls by Catherine Guildiner

June Book - Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

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