San Ramon Valley Newcomers Club
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Archive for Gad-Abouts
November 1, 2012 at 7:20 am · Filed under Gad-Abouts
Walking down Memory Lane at the Oakland CA Museum
On October 25th, our GadAbout trip took us to the Oakland Museum of California to tour “The 1968 Exhibit”. What a walk down memory lane! The exhibit was organized by month, detailing events that took place during each month of 1968.
Exhibits included areas with furniture from the era (ala Mad Men), a Huey helicopter used during the Vietnam war, hippie clothing, vintage TV sets, transistor radios, tape recorders, electric hair rollers. There were multiple political memorabilia for the Nixon/Humphrey and Swartzenegger campaigns & film clips of the Democratic National Convention pandmonium. Film clips also included Martin Luther King’s & Bobby Kennedy’s speeches and their respective funerals. TV shows (Laugh In and The Smother’s Brothers) and many famous music albums/records were showcased. The December month exhibit included a mock-up of a space capsule representing the first moon photos that were sent back in December 1968.
After an enjoyable lunch at the Blue Oak Cafe inside the Museum, we had time to visit the “The Day of the Dead – Forgotten Stories” exhibit which showcased various Californians who have made an impact on our lives – from caretakers, to Black Panthers, to authors – each depicted in a unique artistic representation. This was a very enjoyable way to spend a sunny Thursday.

September 30, 2012 at 5:39 am · Filed under Gad-Abouts
San Ramon Newcomers’ excursion around Ruby Hill vineyards and winery facilities
This is a must do for only 25.00 and if you are a club member 15.00. Very generous with pours and food pairings. Everyone gave this 10 stars!
Our Gad ABOUTS group had a very intimate tour aboard The Mello Cielo tour bus at Ruby Hills Vineyard in Livermore. We boarded our decked out tour bus and sat on actual wine barrel seats, while the ride was bumpy, our guide Bill was full of adventure and jokes as we traveled the gorgeous vineyard grounds. We even saw some peacocks.
Our first stop was in the vineyard, sampling Cabernet grapes right off the vine. We toasted with a glass of Ruby Hill Cuvée, a light and crisp sparkling wine. We were off to the production facility which was in full swing this time of year. More sampling of wines right from the barrels.
We ended our tour in a gorgeous refurbished watershed where we were seated at a lovely table. We tasted some fabulous wines, all paired with various fruits, meats, cheese and nuts. Our afternoon ended with a chocolate cup filled with Port. We shopped and bought many items to take home. They have a large variety of dressings, sauces, cheeses, gifts and of course all their wines were 10% off for our group.
Our day would not be complete without a nice Italian lunch at Campo DI Bocce. This is definitely a must do event next year! Ciao!

September 19, 2012 at 10:05 am · Filed under Gad-Abouts
When: Thursday, October 25th – 10:15 am
Where: Tour the Oakland Museum to see
What: “The 1968 Exhibit: It’s Then – It’s Now – Dig It.”
Cost: $12 General Admission; $9 Seniors
RSVP: Jo J., by October 22nd
Experience one of the most powerful years in recent history in this unforgettable exhibition exploring the social, political, and economic events of 1968. If there is time, we can also visit the “Gallery of California History” exhibit.
Meet at Sycamore Park and Ride at 10am. Museum opens at 11 am. Lunch: 1:00 pm at the Blue Oak Café inside the Museum.
March 30, 2012 at 9:21 am · Filed under Gad-Abouts
Wine, Dine, Shop – Gad-About
Gad-Abouts day trip to St Helena was filled with great wine, delicious food and a little shopping! I think we laughed our hearts out.
Our day started with a scenic ride up Silverado Trail and arrived at Savour for some wine tasting. We enjoyed a flight of 4 reds or whites from local boutique wineries for $20.00 and the fee went towards the purchase of wine! Great bargain. Everyone took home some fabulous bottles.
We were eager to have lunch at Cindy’s Back Street Kitchen. We were not disappointed-a private room tucked away for our Newcomer Group.
All of us had built up a hearty appetite. For starters a warm crispy crusted bread with a very moist dough–yummy! Some of the favorites were the Alsatian Onion Tarte, Crispy Calmari, Oysters Bingo, Mussels Meunire, Grilled Cheese on Walnut Bread with Polenta Fries. Of course the good ole American burger was also popular. We savored each bite and shared with each other. A special treat was Cindy’s “Bubble Water” local spring/mineral water with sparkling bubbles.
We stopped at the Napa Soap Company and purchased some delightful hand crafted soaps that smelled lovely. So many fragrances to choose from.
Our day ended with a few separate stops. Everyone enjoyed each others company. Cit was a delight to spend some time with one of our new members, Julie. A special thanks to Marian for always making us laugh with her real life stories. Until next month….

December 6, 2011 at 2:13 pm · Filed under Gad-Abouts
Holiday Shopping at Fioli Mansion in Woodside
To kick off the holiday season, Gadabouts spent the day shopping in the gorgeous Filoli Mansion in Woodside. We were in awe by all the glitter and all those wise old owls—which symbolizes protection, wisdom and intuition.
Each room of the mansion was decorated for the season and filled with boutique items-clothing, holiday décor, wreaths, ornaments, homemade chocolate, jams, jellies just to name a few. Everyone found several gifts and loved the concept of one stop shopping in such a beautiful environment and knowing that all our purchases were going to a charity. Everyone shopped until they dropped and we certainly built up an appetite.
Our lunch was at the Village Pub in Woodside! Kudos to Sondra’s husband Tom for recommending the Pub. Each dish was presented so beautifully and was delicious, none were disappointed. The service was impeccable and the conversation at lunch was so warm and welcoming. We were so interested in seeing everyone’s order and shared our plates! Until next year….

September 28, 2011 at 12:29 pm · Filed under Gad-Abouts
Date: Thursday, October 27th
Where: Conservatory of Flowers, 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, SF
Cost: Adults $7, Seniors $5 (paid at entrance)
Time: 9:30 am at Sycamore Park & Ride – lunch in SF at 11:30am. We are carpooling to SF & need drivers.
Time to get a little creepy, in the spirit of Halloween! We will visit the “Wicked Plants: Botanical Rogues and Assassins” Exhibition. There will be all kinds of killer plants – the plant that poisoned Socrates, the root that fooled Romeo and the weed that killed Lincoln’s mother.
Lunch: 11:30 am at Mandalay, 4348 California St.
This Restaurant serves Burmese & Mandarin cuisine and has a fabulous Jasmine flower tea (the flower opens in the glass as you drink the tea).
RSVP by October 20th to Sondra M., labelssf {at} comcast(.)net
August 17, 2011 at 5:26 am · Filed under Gad-Abouts
Join Professor Vine for a Walking Wine Tour in Napa
Date: September, 22nd
Where: Napa Walking Tour with Professor Vine
Time: 9:15 am at Sycamore Park & Ride – leave at 9:30.
We are carpooling to NAPA & need drivers.
Time for the Harvest and a trip to Napa for some fun!
Lunch @ Angel Restaurant, 540 Main St., which overlooks the Napa River.
Afterwards, Professor Vine will take us on a Grand Tour. Check it out on napawalkingtour.com
The Napa Walking tour fee is $30.
The tour is 3 hours with several stops and sitting.
There is great shopping in Napa, and of course, the Napa Premium Outlet will be the last stop.
Check the weather, wear layered clothing, hats, sun block, comfortable shoes, etc.
RSVP by September 16th to Sondra M.
December 15, 2010 at 7:30 am · Filed under Gad-Abouts
San Francisco MOMA & Cafe Claude
WHEN: Thursday, January 27, 2011
WHERE: The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 151 Third Street, SF
TIME: 9:00 at Sycamore Park and Ride
PRICE: Adults $18. or Seniors (62 and older) $9
We will meet at Sycamore Park and Ride and car pool to Walnut Creek BART Station
First we will have lunch at “Café Claude” in San Francisco and then a tour of the “Henri Cartier-Bresson” art exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). The tour is from 1:30-2:30. After the tour, you are free to either do some shopping in the City or return home on BART.
Henri Cartier-Bresson ranks among the most accomplished and original figures in the history of photography. His inventive images of the early 1930s helped define the creative potential of the medium, and his uncanny ability to capture life on the run made his work synonymous with the “decisive moment”. This major retrospective offers a fresh look at cartier-bresson’s entire career, revealing him as one of the greatest portraitists of the 20th century and one of its keener observers of the global theater of human affairs
See the newsletter for details and reservations.
July 25, 2010 at 1:06 pm · Filed under Gad-Abouts
Gad-Abouts in Pleasanton California

In July, the Gad Abouts toured a sculpture display in downtown Pleasanton. Pictured L-R – Barbara, Jan, Pat, Dee, Sondra, Pam, Terry, Bernice and Marion.
July 14, 2010 at 3:38 am · Filed under Gad-Abouts
WHEN: THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2010
WHERE: THE OUTLETS IN VACAVILLE
TIME: 9:30 SYCAMORE PARK AND RIDE
PRICE: NO COST
WE WILL MEET AT THE SYCAMORE PARK AND RIDE AND CAR POOL TO THE VACAVILLE OUTLETS FOR A DAY OF SHOPPING AND LUNCH.
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED
FOR RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL EITHER BERNICE P 365-1059, bernice.pelicas {at} comcast(.)net OR SONDRA M 968-1201 labelssf {at} comcast(.)net
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