There’s plenty to do with your family this weekend in the Bay Area! Get ready for music, dance, artistry and more on Saturday and Sunday.

Puppet shows are always sure to delight! This Saturday at the Martin Luther King Library in San Jose, your little ones can experience “The North Pole Review” by Fratello Marionettes, featuring an ice skating snowman and a juggling penguin. The show starts at 3PM. For more info, click here.

Stride is the name of the game this weekend in San Jose! The Purple Stride Silicon Valley 2014 event is a timed 5K and untimed family-friendly walk taking place this Saturday to benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Registration begins at 9AM, with the run/walk beginning at 10:30AM. To register, go here. 

Take part in an artistic cultural experience this weekend in Livermore! Dancer and artist Patricia Bulitt presents A Gift Exchange of Dance: A California Dancer’s Exchange with the Eskimo in Alaska (1977 – 2013) at the Civic Center Library Storytime Room on Sunday at 2PM. This interpretive dance performance includes a slideshow of life in Hooper Bay, Alaska. Click here for more info.

This classic show will surely get you tapping your feet this weekend! Singin’ in the Rain is coming to the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton. The Pacific Coast Repertory Theater presents this lighthearted romantic comedy on Saturday at 8PM. For tickets, click here. 

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Get out and about in the Bay Area this weekend and enjoy the beginning of November with your family!

Experience the culture of the Pacific Islands this weekend in Pleasanton! Kuma Hula Association of Northern California presents la ‘Oe E Ka La Hula Festival at the Alameda County Fairgrounds on Saturday from 9AM to 6PM to celebrates Hawaiian culture and traditions through dance, arts and food. For tickets, click here. 

Get ready for Thanksgiving a few weeks early in San Jose!  Head over to Color Me Mine pottery studio for Family Gobble Platter Day on Saturday at 11AM to create your favorite holiday designs to display your recipes at the end of the month. For reservations, click here. 

Come grab the season’s freshest fruits and vegetables this weekend at the Pleasanton Farmers’ Market! Open rain or shine, this market features all California-grown produce sold directly by the farmers themselves from 9AM to 1PM on Saturday. For more info, go here.

Books, books, and morebooks this weekend in Livermore! The Friends of the Livermore Library are hosting their monthly book sale this Sunday from 12PM to 4PM at the outdoor plaza of the former library location. Click here for more info. 

Don’t forget to set your clocks back this weekend for Daylight Savings!

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This warm, gooey and yummy treat is sure to get everyone in your family excited about Halloween!

Vanilla Coffee Roasted Pumpkin Seed Snack Clusters…Dipped in Chocolate. 

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Total time: 1 hour

Yield: 25-35 pumpkin seed clusters

Ingredients

3 cups raw pumpkin seeds, rinsed and dried

1 cup raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds minus the shells)

1 cup pistachios

2 tablespoons ground or whole flax seeds

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2-4 tablespoons fresh coffee grounds

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon all-spice

6 ounces semi-sweet, or dark chocolate, melted (use milk chocolate if you prefer)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Spread the raw pumpkin seeds (not the pepitas) on a greased baking sheet. Roast the pumpkin seeds for 15 minutes to dry them out. Remove from the oven. Leave on            the pan.

3. To the pan with the pumpkin seeds, add the pepitas, pistachios, flax, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, coffee grounds (2 tablespoons), salt, cinnamon, nutmeg      and all-spice. Toss well, making sure all the seeds are evenly coated. Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring 2 or 3 times during cooking until the pumpkin seeds are golden          in color. Remove from the oven and using the back of a rubber spatula push the seeds into an even layer about 1/2 inch thick. Allow the seeds to cool completely. As           they cool they will harden. Break up into clusters.

4. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Melt the chocolate in the microwave or on the stove. Carefully dip the clusters into the melted chocolate. Place on the prepared              baking sheet and if desired sprinkle with coffee grounds and sea salt. Repeat with the remaining clusters.

5. Place the pan in the fridge for 10 minutes or until the chocolate is hardened. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, or in the fridge, for up to two weeks.

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It’s a weekend of wonders this Saturday and Sunday in the Bay Area! Have fun with your family enjoying nature, arts and more.

Discover the magic of music this weekend in San Jose! A classical and modern music concert comes to the Le Petit Trianon Theater this Saturday at 2PM. For tickets, click here. 

A fantastic afternoon of African happens in Livermore this weekend! Taste of Africa 2014 is at the Bothwell Arts Center on Sunday at 2:30PM. This year’s event features an African market, a children’s interactive room, musical performances, drumming, dance, face painting and more. For additional info, go here.

It’s an evening of hoots this weekend in Livermore! Come out for Owl Moon Walk on Saturday at Redwood Regional Park to hear stories and explore the moonlit trails with your family. Click here to learn more.

If you’re looking for fun and healthy alternatives for Halloween, this event is just for you! Come learn ideas for healthier treats for your little ones on Saturday from 4PM to 7PM at New Leaf Community Markets in Pleasanton. Find out more about the event, here.

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It’s time to enjoy this October weekend with your family! See what’s happening near you in the Bay Area on Saturday and Sunday.

Get ready for festivities this weekend in Dublin! The Easter Seals Bay Area Kaleidoscope Festival of Art & Sound is happening on Saturday at 12PM and features a youth art exhibit, food, live music, and children’s activities. The event benefits The Kaleidoscope Program – an after-school program that nurtures independence and socialization for youth living with disabilities. For tickets, click here. 

Take a stroll and shop for unique finds on Sunday in Pleasanton. The Pleasanton Antiques and Collectibles Fair is a twice-yearly event that features vintage treasures from over 200 vendors. It’s taking place on Sunday at 8AM. Click here to learn more.

It’s all about art this weekend in Livermore. The 13^th annual ArtWalk Livermore brings over 150 artists together for a festival of art, shopping and music on Saturday from 11AM to 5PM in downtown Livermore. Go here to learn more. 

Your kids will love the special outdoor event this weekend in San Jose! South Bay Fishing in The City teaches children to fish on their own, learn environmental awareness and appreciate nature this Saturday at 7AM at Lake Cunningham Park. For more info, click here.

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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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You’ll soon need to prepare for cooler weather in NorCal! Here are some fall maintenance tips to keep your home and garden in tip-top shape.

Get to work! Having clean gutters makes all the difference to ensure that water is diverted off of your home’s exterior and foundation walls. Clogged drainage systems can lead to major damage, so once the leaves start to fall, it’s time to call a landscaper – or grab the ladder and get to work.

Fall fire safety. It’s that time of year to replace batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Vacuum the systems with a soft brush to remove dust and press the test button to test the detectors. It’s also a great time to check for damage and replace fire extinguishers. Replace these units every six years, and keep one in the kitchen and on each floor of the home. Here’s how to check a fire extinguisher:

• Check that the indicator on the pressure gauge is charged
• Make sure the lock pin is intact
• Inspect the discharge nozzle for clogs

Staying dry. Remember to clean the space under and behind the dryer, where lint can build up. Also clean the vent and exhaust duct periodically to prevent fires and to keep your dryer running smoothly. It’s especially important to clean the lint trap after every load. Hopefully you’ll even find a lost sock or two!

Love your yard in fall. Don’t neglect your landscaping during fall. Fix dead patches in your lawn by laying sod and planting perennial flowers that will blossom in cold weather. You’ll need to adjust the height of your lawn mower to its normal height. Care for your patio by packing up and storing patio furniture as the weather cools down.

Stay warm and enjoy a fun-filled fall in the Bay Area!

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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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