Rotary Fish is an event that is over 15 years old and provides an opportunity for about 200 3rd graders from local elementary schools to learn the basics of fishing and conservation and to participate in a Saturday outing with their family. Many of these kids are from lower income families, and this outing is [...]
Portland, OR has long been a site of underground food buzz. Lately, it has gained national attention with its burgeoning food cart culture, a movement that has seen a reemergence of street food valor and small business clout. Southerly winds have brought the trend south to the bay area and, thanks to our diverse population, [...]
On Wednesday March 24 th I get a email from a long time client Rhonda. She works for the Flint Center at DeAnza College and writes, Help! Please, will you be my saving grace? I need someone to cater backstage for Jerry Seinfeld on Friday night! We already have 3 events booked for Friday night and [...]
The temperature has dropped considerably since this weekend, and in a once cloudless sky loom shadows of that notorious Bay Area fog. Though the weather disappoints, we have linens in Indian turquoise and mandarin orange covering cocktail tables for color, and Pimm’s (no. 1) cups with savory garnishes for warmth. Debbie is hosting a Stella [...]
Since when did we start buying produce in packages? When we pick out parsley, do we now trust plastic over our own sense of smell to determine freshness? We can’t grasp packaged peaches but we think, as long as they have a protective plastic case they will surely be clean/undamaged/ripe. Luckily, the rising trend in [...]
When I first got the call about a remote bell ringing ceremony to be held at San Jose’s Rotunda at City Hall I had visions of Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw running down New ork city’s sidewalks in her Manolo Blahnik’s, hopping in and out of taxis because she had been chosen to ring [...]
The Valley Medical Center Foundation Gala is one of our favorite events each year. It’s put on to raise money and awareness for our Valley’s only public hospital, and draws crowds of about 500 high profile attendees from, doctors to health care officials to corporate sponsors and philanthropists. I work closely with Judy Cosgrove, Major [...]
When you think of waffles do you think of your grandfather, your mother or your aunt? Christmas breakfast or New Years’? Do you think fluffy or chewy? For me, that bready, slightly sour smell calls to mind my two grandfathers, my mother and my aunt Debbie. I think of family, I think of holidays, and [...]
Judging by the momentum of our trip thus far today is bound to be long and full. A little tired from yesterday’s privileges, but not in the least discouraged, we board the escalators of El Corté Ingles to enjoy some final croissants and cortados with Barcelona’s horizon at eye-level. The panorama is humbling. We eat [...]
Excitement builds as our train from Tordera slows into a Barcelona station. We are four, emerging from the underground into the noisy humidity that hangs on Barcelona’s architectural triumphs and sculptural landmarks. A taxi takes us to Josep Soler’s apartment, yet another close family friend and contact for our trip. The apartment is cool with [...]