Welcome the start of October with some fun family events this weekend in the Bay Area.

Enjoy! Attention runners – this expo’s just for you! The Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon Expo is taking place this Saturday at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and features the latest in sports apparel, running gear and health information at 10AM. For more info, click here.

Fall brings Oktoberfest to San Jose this weekend! If you love craft beer and sausage, you’ll love this event that features complimentary tastings of local favorites. The party starts on Saturday at 1PM at New Leaf Community Markets. Click here to find out more. 

Autumn is all about acorns in NorCal! Head over to Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore this Saturday to harvest acorns with Living Arroyos, an organization dedicated to improving and restoring the miles of streams in the Tri-Valley. To learn more, go here. 

Come out for a theater production this weekend starring local youth! Dr. Doolittle Jr. – a story of a doctor who can talk to animals – is hitting the stage at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton on Sunday at 2PM. Purchase tickets here.

Spend your Saturday morning in Pleasanton learning fire safety. The Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association to present a free expo this weekend. Watch firefighter demonstrations, gain information and join other families for the pancake breakfast starting at 8AM. To learn more, click here. 

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Enjoy giving back to the community, culture and art this weekend in the Bay Area!

An afternoon of opera is coming to Livermore this weekend! During a one-hour program of arias and duets, the Livermore Valley Opera will preview Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Livermore Public Library on Sunday at 2PM. For more info, click here.

Help some paws in need this weekend in Livermore! Come out for the Paws & Outlaws Barbeque where you’ll enjoy delicious eats, dance to the music of Blues House band and have a chance to win raffle prizes on Saturday at 3PM. The barbeque benefits the Paws In Need Just Like New Fund and spay/neuter programs. Click here for tickets. 

It’s all about food, wine and creative culture this weekend in Dublin! The “splatter…not your ordinary food, wine & art festival” on Saturday from 12PM to 8PM, features a tasting pavilion, best in food truck eats, live entertainment and a marketplace – plus fireworks at dusk at Emerald Glen Park. Click here for more info. 

Do something good for the environment and beautify the area this weekend in San Jose! Help remove debris from the river channel at Guadalupe River Park & Gardens with local residents during the Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday at 9AM. To learn more, click here.

Celebrate art this weekend in San Jose! Come watch artists create live works at The Luna Park Chalk Art Festival, listen to music and indulge in delicious bites from a variety of food trucks on Saturday at 10AM at Backesto Park. To purchase tickets, go here. 

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There’s plenty of family fun happening in the Bay Area this weekend – so don’t miss out! Check out what’s going on in your neck of the woods on Saturday and Sunday.

Journey through the music of Motown this weekend in Pleasanton! Bay Area favorite Top Shelf is hitting the stage at the Firehouse Arts Center on Sunday at 3PM. Listen to the tunes from Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops and more during this high-energy performance. For tickets, click here.

Get ready to learn the best places to take a fall hike this weekend in Dublin! REI Dublin will help you learn the facts about trip planning, tell you what you’ll need for your hike and give safety tips this Saturday at 9AM. Click here to learn more.

Be a part of culture, tradition and community this weekend in San Jose! The 7^th American Indian Heritage Celebration is taking place at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds and features dance, a powwow and American Indian Market on Saturday from 12PM to 10PM. For more info, go here. 

Join aquarium experts and herpetologists to learn about local wildlife this weekend in San Jose! Frog and Lizard Night is happening this Saturday at Santa Teresa park’s Historic Bernal Ranch at 7:30PM. And don’t forget to stick around for movie fun after the program and watch campy horror flick Godzilla vs. Mothra. Learn more here. 

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Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean you need to stay indoors! Enjoy a beautiful weekend out and about in the Bay Area.

Experience an evening of music in San Jose this weekend! A Night of Classical Singing brings together classical and Broadway hits, East and West culture, and young and professional artists at the Le Petit Trianon Theatre on Sunday at 7PM. For tickets, click here.

Arts and crafts are calling your name this weekend in Pleasanton! The Harvest Festival Original Art and Craft Show features jewelry, clothing, specialty foods and more – plus plenty of entertainment on the outdoor stage on Saturday from 10AM to 6PM. To learn more, click here.

Gather fresh produce this weekend in San Jose! The Evergreen Farmers’ Market is taking place on Sunday from 9AM to 1PM at Evergreen Village Square. Spend the morning with family and friends while shopping for the best in California-grown fruits and vegetables. Click here for more info.

The untold story of the Witches of Oz is coming to San Jose this weekend! Wicked, winner of three Tony Awards® is coming to the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts this Saturday at 2PM. To purchase tickets, click here.

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Flank Steak with Balsamic BBQ Sauce 

Your Labor Day event is sure to be a hit with this delicious and mouth-watering recipe that your guests will love! Enjoy!

Ingredients
For the sauce and steak:
1 1/2 cups balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 small onion, coarsely chopped
1 large clove garlic, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 small chipotle chili in adobo sauce, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons packed dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons molasses
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 pounds flank steak

For the cheesy bread:
1 French baguette, halved lengthwise and cut into 4-inch pieces
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup grated Monterey jack cheese
Sliced scallions, for serving

Directions
Make the sauce: Bring the balsamic vinegar to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until reduced by about half, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil over medium-high heat in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan. Add the onion and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the ketchup and 3 tablespoons water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook 5 minutes. Add the reduced balsamic vinegar, the chili powder, paprika, mustard, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chipotle chili, brown sugar, honey and molasses. Simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce into a bowl and let cool to room temperature. (The sauce will keep for 1 week refrigerated in a sealed container. If it gets too thick, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons water.)

Grilling the steak: Let the steak sit 30 minutes at room temperature before grilling. Meanwhile, preheat a grill to high. Brush the steak with the remaining 1 tablespoon canola oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. Grill over direct heat until browned on one side, about 3 minutes, then turn over and grill until the other side is browned, about 3 more minutes. Move to a cooler part of the grill, away from direct heat. Baste with the sauce and continue grilling, turning several more times, until medium rare, about 5 more minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and loosely tent with foil. Let rest 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the cheesy bread: Brush the cut side of each piece of bread with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill on both sides. Remove from the grill and top each piece with a mound of grated Monterey jack cheese. Put the bread on a piece of aluminum foil and return to the grill to melt the cheese. Transfer to a serving platter.

Thinly slice the steak against the grain. Arrange the steak slices on the bread and garnish with sliced scallions.

Total time:
1 hour and 30 minutes
Prep: 40 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Serves 4.

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Have a great Saturday and Sunday in the Bay Area doing what you love with your family! Enjoy!

Get ready for one of the most popular comic operas this weekend in Livermore! Pirates of Penzance, presented by Lamplighters Theatre, is coming to the Bankhead Theater on Saturday at 2PM. For tickets, click here. 

Come watch a fun family flick this weekend in San Jose! The Lego Movie is hitting the big screen at Almaden Lake Park as part of the Outdoor Movies Series on Saturday at 8:30PM. Get more info here. 

Pick up the season’s freshest fruits and vegetables this weekend in Pleasanton! The Pleasanton Farmers’ Market offers the best in California-grown produce on Saturday from 9AM to 1PM – rain or shine. For more info, click here. 

Experience an abundance of culture this weekend in San Jose! The San Jose Italian Family Festa is coming to Guadalupe River Park and Gardens this Sunday at 10AM and features authentic Italian eats, entertainment, arts and crafts and even a grape-stomping and Tarantella contest. To learn more, go here.

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Get ready for a weekend of comedy, wine and more this Saturday and Sunday in the Bay Area!

Enjoy a night of comedy and wine this weekend in Livermore! Comedy Uncorked 2014 brings three Bay Area comedy geniuses to Retzlaff Vineyards for an evening of laughs. Benefiting the Open Heart Kitchen, an organization that feeds the hungry of the Tri-Valley, this event will take place on Saturday starting at 7:30PM. To purchase tickets, click here. 

Take in an afternoon of Shakespeare this weekend in San Jose! The laughter and romance of A Midnight Summer’s Dream will be presented by San Jose Youth Shakespeare at the Historic Hoover Theater on Sunday at 2PM. For tickets, click here. 

Come out for an afternoon of the tunes from folk singer-songwriter Carl Tilchen this weekend in Livermore. Join other music enthusiasts for jazz, blues and original songs on Sunday at 2PM at the Livermore Public Library. For more info, click here. 

Join lululemon athletica for a workout session this weekend! The Summer Free Yoga Series is taking place at Santana Row in San Jose on Saturday starting at 8:30AM. For more info, go here. 

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This weekend is sure to be a hit in the Bay Area! Check out the great events happening near you on Saturday and Sunday.

Check out a magic show like no other this weekend in Livermore! NewMagic with Alex Ramon adds a new style and flair to incredible marvels and feats this Sunday at the Bankhead Theater at 3PM. Purchase tickets, here. 

Run for a great cause – and get blasted with some color – this weekend in Pleasanton! The Color in Motion 5K is happening this Saturday at the Alameda County Fairgrounds and benefits the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. To register, click here.

Come listen to an original repertoire of tunes this weekend in Livermore! Americana Quintet, Houston Jones is performing songs ranging from bluegrass to gospel at the Livermore Public Library this Sunday at 2PM. Get more info, here.

Learn bike maintenance tips this weekend in Dublin! REI is hosting a workshop to help you get to know the basics this Saturday from 9AM to 10:30AM. Click here to register.

Jazz is calling your name this weekend in San Jose! The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest is taking place this Saturday in the downtown area of the city. Listen to the sweet sounds of local and regional artists starting at 10AM. Find out more, here. 

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Summer continues to bring plenty of fun to the Bay Area! Check out what’s happening near you this weekend.

Stroll the streets of Livermore this Saturday from 12PM to 5PM! Taste of Downtown features delicious eats from talented local chefs, along with the chance to sip award-winning wines from Livermore Valley vineyards, enjoy live entertainment and shopping specials. Get more info here.

Travel back in time this weekend at the 4^th annual San Jose Renaissance Faire. This cultural eventbrings magic and merriment, entertainment, music, dancing and action-packed shows to you this Saturday at 10AM. Purchase tickets here. 

It’s books galore this weekend in Livermore! Get ready for a monthly book sale presented by the Friends of the Livermore Library on Sunday, August 3 from 12PM to 4PM. These books are priced well below their retail value. There will even be a table of free books, so don’t miss out! Get the details here. 

Get ready for the beauty of family and traditions at the San Jose Tamale Festival this weekend! This multicultural event showcases the best in family tamale recipes, music and live performances this Sunday at 10AM at Emma Prusch Park. Buy your tickets here. 

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It’s going to be a weekend to sing about in the Bay Area! Check out some of the many things to do this Saturday and Sunday.

Have an ogre of a time this weekend in Livermore! Shrek the Musical is hitting the stage at the Bankhead Theater, where laughter and songs await you on Saturday at 8PM. Reserve your seats here. 

It’s all about winemaking this weekend in Livermore! From Vine to Glass: Through the Eyes of the Winemaker is happening this Sunday at McGrail Vineyards and Winery. Sip on award-winning wine and learn how fine wines are created from 11AM to 1PM. Order your tickets here.

Come experience the classics of composer Stephen Sondheim this weekend in Pleasanton! Sing along to tunes from West Side Story, Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods this Sunday at 2PM at Firehouse Arts Center. Purchase tickets here.

Everyone loves a good picnic, so head over to San Jose this weekend and have one with your family! Presented by New Leaf Community Markets, Picnic-in-the-Lot: BBQ Chicken and Beer Tasting is happening this Saturday at 1PM. Get more info here.

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