Lime Ridge Hike
Lime Ridge Hiking
June 11, 2010
We ended up hiking to the ridge for a 800 ft gain with a wonderful shaded single track trail down from the ridge.
Carolyn, Sharon, Muff and Claudia
San Ramon Valley Newcomers Club
Hiking, Arts & Crafts, Wine Club, Book Club, Cooking, Golf, Poker, Bridge, Bunco, Luncheons
Bocce Ball Luncheon
LUNCH AMONG THE VINEYARDS AND A GAME OF BOCCE BALL
July 15, 2010
Join us for an outdoor luncheon, on the covered patio among the beautiful vineyards of Garre’ Winery, www.garrewinery.com , located in the heart of the Livermore Valley. Enjoy delicious Mediterranean inspired cuisine by award winning Executive Chef Ty Turner. After lunch, enjoy a game of Bocce Ball on the vineyard grounds or just relax on the patio. Our VP of Programs, Grace Ayers will be our Bocce Ball instructor! Casual attire and comfortable shoes are recommended.
There are three entrees to choose from. Smoked Salmon Alfredo Pasta-Crème, fresh herbs, white wine & parmesan cheese over penne pasta (This is a house specialty!) Prime Mover Sandwich-Thinly sliced prime rib simmered in au jus, mushrooms, onion and gorgonzola cheese on a french roll with tortellini pasta salad. Orange Chicken Salad-Citrus marinated chicken breast, spiced almonds, snap peas, orange segments with sesame ginger vinaigrette. All entrées include Coffee, Tea, Coke/Diet Coke, Foccacia bread and a Tiramisu flute for dessert!
Greystone Culinary Institute Tour & Lunch
Lunch @ the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant
WHEN: THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2010
WHERE: CULINARY INSTITUTE AT GREYSTONE
TIME: 10:00 SYCAMORE PARK AND RIDE
PRICE: $20.00
There will be a 30 minute guided tour of the Culinary Institute followed by a 20 minute presentation in the Flavor Bar and then lunch in the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant.
In the Flavor Bar, three rotating presentations use interactive tasting to focus on how flavor is perceived. “Taste like a chef” explores the relationship between sweet, sour, bitter and salty; “Chocolate tastings” offer delectable samples to instruct how geography and percentage of cacao affect flavor; and “Olioteca” presents the best global olive oils for taste comparisons.
Located in St. Helena, the 1889 building, once home to the Christian Brothers, was acquired by the Culinary Institute in 1993. A recent major remodel has resulted in a new glass-walled store, a climate-controlled chocolate lab and new Viking teaching kitchen and an interactive tasting Flavor Bar.
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED
FOR RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL EITHER BERNICE P. @ 365-1059 OR SANDRA M. @ 968-1201 BY JULY 15
Brooklyn – July Book Club
July’s Book Club will be reviewing “Brooklyn”
When: July 27 – Tuesday
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: Nairy C.
RSVP Nairy @ 552-7809 or ncolello {at} yahoo(.)com by Monday, July 26
Our book will be Brooklyn by Colm Toibin. This is a coming-of-age story set in the early 1950s in Brooklyn and Ireland. The library has many copies.
We welcome new members so think about attending one of our meetings. If you have any questions (except to RSVP), please call the Chairperson, Suzanne Ziarnik 830-8339.
Aug.: No Meeting
Sep.: The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama
Port Costa Hike Pictures
Photos from the Port Costa
Here are the photos from the port costa trip a couple of weeks ago. We ate at the Nantucket on the river.
Fran
Pleasanton Ridge Hike
Hiking the Pleasanton Ridge
Last week we hiked to the top of Plesanton Ridge, made a few loops and then down into the town of Sunol. Great views! Cheryl, Sharon, and Barbara joined me. We had lunch at the Jazz Cafe, good food but slow service since there was only one person making the sandwiches. The weather was nice and cool since most of these trails are treeless.
Fran
Napa River Cruise in June
Join Us for a Napa River Cruise
WHEN: THURSDAY, JUNE 24TH 2010
WHERE: NAPA, NAPA RIVER CRUISE
TIME: 8:30 SYCAMORE PARK AND RIDE
PRICE: $40:00
Capt. Kevin Trzcinski gives an incredibly in-depth, insider tour of the Napa River and everything that is connected to it. All cruises are aboard an ElectraCraft electric boat, which comfortably seats up to 11 passengers. Seating is limousine-style and the wrap-around windows provide panoramic views from every seat. Guests are encouraged to bring beverages and snacks to enjoy during their cruise. ElectraCraft® electric-motor launches are both quiet and environmentally friendly. They are surrounded by 4″ high windows that open and close at the passenger’s leisure. Guides are experienced and knowledgeable about the current issues surrounding the Napa River. Sweet Edith is a 21″ foot, 11 passenger beauty with a table in the middle for beverages. Sweet Edith is equipped with a sound system as well as a small refrigerator.
The Napa River Adventures cruise begins with a narrative of the Napa River and the impact it has had on the local community. As it heads North along the Napa River passing through the recently restored wetlands and head towards historic downtown Napa, you will be able to see remnants of our past and understand how present changes will affect the future of Napa. The many species of birds provide topics of interest and are beautiful elements in the sweeping vistas of the valley. You will note the change in the temperature, wind along our cruise – and understand the unique micro-climates that enable Napa Valley to produce exceptional wines. Tides and times permitting, we will also pass Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food and Art, and the Napa Yacht Club.
Reservations are required and gratuities are welcome.
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED
FOR RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL BERNICE @ 365-1059 BY JUNE 12TH.
AFTER JUNE 12TH, PLEASE CALL SANDRA @ 968-1201 BY JUNE 17TH .
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED
FOR RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL BERNICE @ 365-1059 BY JUNE 12TH.
AFTER JUNE 12TH, PLEASE CALL SANDRA @ 968-1201 BY JUNE 17TH .
Hope for Hospice Hike
Alameda Creek Hike for Hospice
Today, Saturday May 1st, we did a special hike for Hope Hospice. We was the first Hike for Hope and a beautiful, sunny, warm spring day. Each of us wore a lanyard with photo of someone dear to us who had passed away–fathers, mothers, and friends were mentioned as we gathered to tell each other who we were remembering today.
We had 13 hikers including both members of the Friday Newcomer Hikers and guests. Today’s hikers were Cheryl D., Rose T., Tina D., Aleta S., Marilyn H., Sharon M., Shanna, (Sharon M’s daughter), Gale P., Bobbi J., Fran M., Esther G., Joan D., and Sharon K.
We all hiked along the Ohlone Rd next to Alameda Creek to Yosemite Falls enjoying a man playing the flute and birds singing, water rushing over rocks, and wildflowers blooming. Some of the hikers hiked the longer hike through the hills. For all it was a memorable day.
Thank you everyone who supported us. Our group raised over $400 for Hope Hospice.
Sharon Kovar
Bernal Park Hike — Pleasanton CA
Hiking in Bernal Park – Pleasanton, California
A photo of our great hike at Bernal Park. We actually hiked 5 miles and made it to the ridge that connects this park to Plesanton Ridge East Bay park where we have hiked before. It seemed like we all needed a very good workout with out fast pace and did it in 2 hours! I took one view looking down into the valley. Bobbie, Barbara, Rose, Aleta, Cheryl, Sharon and Claudia joined me for the hike. Wild flowers, views and beautiful ridge top – a must repeat hike!
Trekking the Wilds
Fran
Port of Oakland Hike
Middle Harbor Shoreline Park
We spent a wonderful morning doing a brisk walk from one end to the other end of the lovely Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, located in the middle of the Port of Oakland. This park is a delightful waterfront area that celebrates the long maritime and Naval history of this harbor basin and also is an ongoing project to restore natural habitats and create a refuge for shorebirds.
The views of San Francisco, the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge are spectacular…and today the conditions were perfect! Seeing the container seaport and cargo ships up-close was great fun. With the help of informational boards, we were able to ID some of the birds we saw. Some were year round residents, some Summer visitors and others were Winter visitors.
It is a stellar birding area (bring binoculars). There are lots of places to sit and observe nature and the seaport, and lots of nice picnic tables and open grassy fields for running around and kite-flying. Lots of easy parking and it’s free! This is a great destination for visiting grandkids
Directions from East Bay: 24 to 980 west, towards Oakland; Exit at 11th/12th St. off ramp; Continue straight and turn right at 7th St.; Continue on 7th past Maritime St. to the stoplight at Middle Harbor Rd.; Proceed through the intersection and take the first right turn into the Middle Harbor Shoreline Park parking lot.
