My City By The Bay

Walking through the Botanical Gardens and finding a bench to rest the weary feet is like walking in your living room and plopping down on your favorite easy chair.  The only difference?  You are out in nature breathing in the fresh air and relaxing among the trees, the birds and the sun’s warmth.

There are many benches and rest stops within the botanical gardens in San Francisco.  Many of the benches have been donated in memory of loved ones.  The photo above is one of my favorite stops.  If you come across this spot at the right time of day, the reflection of the sun is just gorgeous.  I can sit there for hours and just write or think.

I also love foot bridges.  There are a few nestled within the green foliage at the gardens.  I am curious at heart so whenever I see a bridge of any kind I have to cross it and see what is on the other side.  The gardens are filled with pathways and nooks and crannies.  It’s also full of squirrels and these little creatures have become very friendly of late.

You can never get lost at the Botanical Gardens.  There are always garden keepers in the area and no matter how far you journey, you always end up back where you started.  It is a maze of natural beauty and a great spot to stop and have a picnic or just enjoy the wonders of nature.  You’ll also find many people playing musical instruments, practicing Tai Chi or just wandering about enjoying the scenery.

I have to get back there again soon for more photos.  I’m running out.  With the weather we have been having, I’ll have to visit dodging raindrops.

More soon.

Democrat assemblyman Tom Ammiano has introduced legislation that would legalize marijuana in California. If it is approved it would become legal and taxable and work much like the laws for alcohol.  Approved merchants would sell it only to persons of 21 years and over.  If caught driving under the influence the same laws would apply as those drinking and driving.

This was basically introduced due to the financial problems that California is currently experiencing.  Revenues from taxes on the sales would produce l.3 billion for California.

Personally I am in favor.  Not because I smoke pot, which I do not but because I think not only will it produce much needed revenue but it will also curb the violence and drug dealings that go hand in hand will illegal drugs.  If it is controlled and you could buy your pot in your local Walgreens it would drastically affect the drug dealers out there who are now peddling the weed on the streets.

I think it’s a great idea.  Your thoughts?

Free Wine Seminars at Cellar360

Flower Power: An introduction to Aromatic White Wines
Saturday 2pm

Springtime Reds
Sunday 2pm

RSVP retail@cellar360.com

Enter to win a $100 gift card and a one night stay at:
Fairmont Heritage Place - See concierge for details.

Receive a 10% discount at your favorite stores.

Just this weekend there is a flat rate $8.00 parking in the Ghirardelli
Square garage.  Enter either on Larkin or Beach Streets.

Visit Richter’s Collectibles on the lower level Rose Court
and receive a 20% discount storewide - Mention Joanne

Customer Appreciation Weekend Feb. 28th Through March lst

Visit Ghirardelli Square Website

Greetings.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to those who came out to the show at the Osher Marin JCC!
Sony and the band had a great time that evening.

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW for Sony’s show at the Rrazz Room April 8-11. If you haven’t had the opportunity of seeing a show there here’s your chance. The
Rrazz Room is in the Nikko Hotel on the main level. The sound system is so
clear you can hear every word.  Sony and the band have a brand new show for
you too. It’s a nice place to come with your sweetheart or a group of good
friends. Please see Her website for ticket information:
http://sonyholland.com/sony_holland_002.htm

AND, Sony will be part of the Rrazz Room’s first year Anniversary GALA on
Tuesday, March 17th. The star studded cast includes Rita Moreno, Petula
Clark, Paul Williams, Stefanie Powers, Sally Kellerman, Paula West, Freda
Payne and many more! Jan Wahl will be the hostess. Ticket information for
that program is also on her website. Proceeds from the show go to St. Jude
Children’s Hospital.

Here are Sony’s “duo” gigs for March:
Plus, new video of her duo performing MY ROMANCE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPhjIu5lkSY

CAFÉ DIVINE , 1600 Stockton Street @ Union, San Francisco: 415-986-3414
Sunday: March 1, 7p-9p
Sunday, March 8, 7p-9p
Sunday, March 15, 7p-9p

ENRICO’S , 504 Broadway, San Francisco: 415-982-6223
Tuesday, 3/10, 7p-10p
Thursday, 3/26, 7p-10p

SAM’S, 4210 Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay, CA: 650-712-0245
Friday, March 13: 7p-10p

CAFÉ ROYALE, 800 Post Street, San Francisco: 415-441-4099
Sunday, March 22: 6p-8p

We hope to see you soon!
Sony http://www.sonyholland.com

P.S. 48 HOUR SALE @ CD BABY!
Sony has recently made improvements to her CDs.
For the next 48 hours they will be on sale at CD Baby for $11.00 each.
To purchase, click the links below the titles.

ON A SAN FRANCISCO HIGH:
All new vocals, new photos & eco-packaging!
http://cdbaby.com/cd/sonyholland8

OUT OF THIS WORLD 2009:
All new vocals & new eco-packaging!
http://cdbaby.com/cd/sonyholland6

SWING, BOSSAS, BALLADS & BLUES:
New photos & eco-packaging!
http://cdbaby.com/cd/sonyholland7

For downloads the ‘new and improved’ CDs are also available @
http://www.iTunes.com/sonyholland

Photo courtesy of www.myhipline.com

ADDRESS: 3105 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94705
DATE / TIME: March 15, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
WHAT: A night of dazzling Belly Dance and live Arabic music, under Lebanese-American Director, Samar Nassar. Showcasing Belly Dance styles from around the world, and performed by our talented and award winning Bay Area Belly Dancers.
COST: $18 adv / $20 door

Check out My Hipline for more information.

Champagne Brunch Cruise of San Francisco Bay
Hornblower Cruises and Events (San Francisco, CA)
Sunday, Mar. 1 @ 11:30am
Sunday, Mar. 8 @ 11:30am
and 3 more dates.
Full Price: $75.15    Our Price: $37.87

There’s no better way to spend a beautiful Sunday morning/afternoon than cruising the picturesque SF Bay! Hornblower Cruises presents a wonderful 2-hour cruise, featuring a delicious brunch and champagne. Learn More

Photo courtesy of www.sonyholland.com

My Romance, the classic by Rodgers and Hart is a timeless standard from the great American songbook.  Both born in New York City, Hart began writing plays at a young age while Rodgers, a self taught pianist began composing as a young boy.  Their repertoire includes the song My Romance which was written in 1935, My Funny Valentine and Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered just to name a few.  They are favorites of musicians, singers and cabaret artists.

Vocalist Sony Holland with guitarist Jerry Holland travel the Bay Area performing many of these classics by Rodgers and Hart along with favorites by various composers to include entertaining originals by Jerry Holland.  The duo is hip, witty, chic, eloquent and always top notch performers.  Whether it be an outdoor jazz festival or a grand concert hall this duo delivers with passion and professionalism.  

The vocals are smooth and enticing with an acoustic guitar blend that perfectly suits the vocals. They deliver a musical explosion of passion and grace.  It is a truly unique sound.  A sound of their own that dazzles audiences around the Bay Area and beyond.  This is a musical duet that lives their passion for music.  This passion ignites each and every song and performance making for a memorable concert experience.

To see them live and in person you can visit the website of vocalist Sony Holland for upcoming performance dates, discography, news, video links and much more.  Until then, the video below highlights this great duo performing My Romance.

Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of www.allrecipes.com

(415) 479-9188

I am the type of person when going out to eat I want the food to speak for itself.  I enjoy down home cooking in a casual setting.  When I look at my plate I don’t want to see art.  I like seeing food on the plate.

This past Saturday evening some friends and I went out for a bite to eat before a jazz concert to see Sony Holland at the Osher Marin JCC  in San Rafael.  I had already eaten a couple of hours before arriving but thought I’d grab a small bite  to keep me satisfied until the champagne and truffle after party.

We drove to the Northgate mall and decided to check out Roast Haus Hof Brau.  As I walked in I could smell that familiar home cooked scent that just made my mouth water.  The hof brau is a cafeteria style eatery which hosts tables and booths for large parties.  It was clean, well maintained and well lit.

I was surprised at the extensive menu.  There were various varieties of sandwiches which looked scrumptious, a host of side dishes, salads and beverages.  I was in hof brau heaven.  Since I had already eaten I just wanted something small to fill in the void until later on in the evening.

I ordered a three bean salad in a bowl and a diet coke.  Now I know that doesn’t sound like much but what was wonderful about this dish is that it was prepared the same way I prepare it at home - garbanzo’s, kidneys, greens, onion, oil and just the perfect amount of vinegar and spice.  It was ample for a quick bite and I loved it.  My friends had sandwiches which looked and smelled delectable.  All in all great food, filling, accommodating and very comfy.  Good prices for being located in Marin County.  I’d love to check it out again when I’m completely hungry and desiring a nice big meaty sandwich.  If you are ever in the area, try it.

Thanks Gary & Trish.

As you are probably all aware by now, I am a chocoholic.  I’ve tasted, savored and obsessively “pigged out” on all the brands out there.  My favorite and not just because I live here is Ghirardelli chocolate by far above and beyond the rest.

Why?  It’s rich sweetness.  There just isn’t any brand out there that compares.  When Ghirardelli Square was my “home away from home” I lived on their chocolates and hot chocolate beverages.  When you visit Ghirardelli’s main chocolate shop by the entrance plaza you will be handed a free chocolate square sample.  Needless to say my hips have Ghirardelli written all over them.

Seriously though, this chocolate square combo features their top sellers to include chocolate caramel, dark chocolate essence and the raspberry chocolate square which is one of my favorites.  It is smooth, rich and decadent.  Just the way I like my chocolate.

As I mentioned in an earlier post there is nothing like making some hot chocolate and letting a chocolate square melt in your beverage.  It’s beyond delicious.  They make great party tidbits as well.  If you are having a special event, they can be wrapped up and used as favors.  I used them at a CD release party and wrapped a ribbon around the square with a San Francisco magnet and gave them out to our guests.  It was a big hit.

These chocolate square boxes make great gifts as well because there is a rich assortment of flavors to go around.  Keep if for yourself or send it as a gift.  Ghirardelli chocolate truly is a timeless treasure.  I can attest to that.

February 19 - March 1
San Francisco Crab Week
Participating restaurants will don a crab-clad menu at the end of February to support the celebration.
www.sfchefsfoodwine.com

February 28
Crab Cracking Contest
7th Annual Crab Cracking Contest pairs Union Square chefs with San Francisco 49ers and local celebrities.For more information call 415.781.7880 or click here

February 28
SF Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting
This public tasting is a great opportunity for wine lovers to taste thousands of award-winning varietals and compare their favorite to judge’s top picks. $60 advanced purchase
$80 at the door.
Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion
888.695.0888 www.winejudging.com