Ponderosa...At Home

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 13th 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.

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page.

October Is Here!

October 3, 2014

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. 

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page.

We Love Weekends in NorCal

September 12, 2014

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 7th 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. 

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page.

Labor Day Eats!

August 29, 2014

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.

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page.

While temperatures are high in Northern California, there are some great ways to beat the heat this summer. Here are five simple tips to help you keep cool and enjoy the rest of this warm season.

  • Get fit! Exercise in the early morning or early evening to prevent heat-related illnesses.
  • Be cool as a cucumber. Stick a hot-water bottle in the freezer to create an ice pack that will keep you from overheating while sleeping.
  • Ease up on the hot water. Take showers with cool or tepid water temperature.
  • Turn down the lights in your home. Not only will dimming your lights help to save on your electric bill, it will also keep indoor temps cooler.
  • Stay refreshed! Keep a spray bottle in the refrigerator to mist your face after spending time outdoors.

 

We hope you are enjoying your summer and find these cooling tips to be useful!

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page. 

Get out and about for a great time this weekend in the Bay Area! Don’t miss out on these fun events happening near you.

Enjoy an evening of award-winning wine and culture this weekend in Livermore! Head over to Concannon Vineyard on Saturday at 7:30PM as the Livermore Shakes present Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Get more info here. 

Get ready to tap your feet and groove to the music this weekend in Livermore! “Times 4” is playing their unique blend of urban jazz at the Livermore Public Library on Sunday at 2PM. Learn more here

Summer is the perfect time for backpacking in Northern California! Come learn the backpacking basics including preparation of gear and how to select proper clothing at REI in Dublin on Saturday at 9AM. Register here. 

Pack a picnic and watch a Shakespearean masterpiece under the stars this weekend in Pleasanton! Shakespeare in the Park presents The Taming of the Shrew on Saturday at 7:30PM. Get the details here.

A well-beloved Broadway comedy is hitting the stage this weekend in San Jose! A Thousand Clowns by Herb Gardner is coming to the Montgomery Theater on Saturday at 8PM. Purchase your tickets here. 

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page. 

There’s nothing better than a tasty and mouthwatering side dish to go along with your Independence Day meal! Here’s an easy recipe to make that you should definitely add to your menu.

Grilled Corn with Mango-Habanero Butter

Ingredients

1 mango, peeled and coarsely chopped

¼ cup mango nectar

1 tablespoon honey

½ habanero chile, seeded

1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, softened

2 tablespoons packed cilantro leaves, chopped

½ teaspoon kosher salt

8 ears of corn

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, combine the chopped mango with the mango nectar, honey and habanero chile. Bring to a simmer and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the mango is very soft, about 10 minutes.

2. Transfer the mixture from the saucepan to a food processor and puree until smooth. Strain the mango puree into a small bowl and let cool, about 30 minutes.

3. Wipe out the food processor. Add the cooled mango puree along with the butter, cilantro leaves and salt and puree until smooth. Scrape the mango butter into a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.

4. Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Pull the corn husks down to the base of the stalks, leaving the husks attached. Discard the corn silk. Using butcher string, tie back the husks.

5. Fill a large bowl with cold, salted water and submerge the corn for 10 minutes.

6. Drain the corn but don’t pat dry. Grill the corn over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until tender and browned in spots, about 8 minutes. Transfer the corn to plates, spread with the mango-habanero butter and serve.

Happy Fourth of July!!

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page. 

Summer is almost here and what better way to celebrate than with some great events happening near you in the Bay Area!

Kick start the season with your family this weekend in Pleasanton! The Goodguys 21st Summer Get-Together is happening on Saturday and Sunday at the Alameda County Fairgrounds and features a showcase of American-made cars, trucks and specialty exhibits at 8AM. Get more info here. 

Take part in an activity your whole family will enjoy this weekend! Explore ancient Egypt and join in on a museum scavenger hunt at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium on Saturday at 12:30PM. Get the details here. 

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds this weekend at the Fifth Chili Shooters Stampede in downtown Livermore! Sample chili with an ethnic and culinary spin starting on Sunday at 10AM. Find out more here.

Enjoy an evening of fun by the campfire this weekend! Pull up a chair and listen to stories from around the world under the night sky at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore on Saturday at 8PM. Learn more here. 

Wine, cheese and chocolate! Oh, my! Come relax at a fun-filled pairing event happening this weekend in San Jose. The J. Lohr Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting with The Chocolate Garage starts on Saturday at 7PM. Get your tickets here. 

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page. 

 

We love Bay Area weekends in the spring – and we know you do too! Check out these fun events that will get you out and about on Saturday and Sunday.

Put on your sneakers and get ready to run this weekend – for a great cause! The Pleasanton Run for Education Half Marathon and 5K is happening this Sunday at 7:30AM. The event benefits Pleasanton Partners in Education (PPIE). To register, click here. 

Firehouse Arts Center is where you’ll want to be this weekend for an improvised musical comedy! This spontaneous evening of music, humor and laugher is taking place on Saturday at 8PM in Pleasanton. Get tickets here.

Get ready to learn the basics of camping this weekend in Dublin! Head over to REI on Saturday at 9AM to learn how to be comfortable while camping, learn about the proper gear and equipment you’ll need and pick up some fun activities for the family. Register here. 

You’ll love this mixed-up twist on a classic musical happening this weekend in San Jose! Twister, a Wizard of Oz parody, will have you tapping your feet and laughing all of the way down the yellow brick road. The show starts at 2PM on Saturday. Click here for tickets. 

Discover the unique environment and explore the bounty of wildflowers this weekend at the Calero County Park & Reservoir in San Jose! Power to the Petal is a 4-mile guided hike this Saturday at 11AM. Learn more here.

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page.