Happy Birthday from Hana Japan at the Berkeley Marina

Hana Japan at the Berkeley Marina is a fun Teppanyaki restaurant.  The chefs are like entertainers, performing tricks as they cook in front of you.  Among other things, they create a volcano/explosion using a stack of onions, which is great fun.  They also have a birthday special where you eat basically for free on your birthday. For the birthday special, there needs to be 4 people including the birthday boy or girl.   The location, at the Berkeley Marina, is scenic - great place to walk after you eat!

Henry David Thoreau's last and longest journey- spring of 1861, he even visited Mackinaw Island

I discovered a book, Westward I Go Free:  Tracing Thoreau's Last Journey by Corinne Hosfeld Smith (1957)  about Thoreau's last and longest journey.  He even stopped in Mackinaw Island for a few days, one of my favorite places in Michigan.

Loyal Pet Shop- New dog store on College Avenue in Rockridge district of Oakland, CA- very friendly!

Today I went in and visited the new pet store in Rockridge, Loyal Pet Shop.  The folks at this shop are super friendly and they sell high quality food and treats, only ones they'd be willing to feed their pooch.

Mention Old Bungalow Blog and receive a free dog treat and samples!

Resources:

Loyal Pet Shop
5332  College Avenue
Oakland, CA  94618

"Man is the sacrificer of his own happiness." Henry David Thoreau

"Man is the sacrificer of his own happiness."

The Journal of Henry D. Thoreau

http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/6157981

Tour of Blake Gardens in Kensington, CA today at 2:00PM, meet at event lawn! GORGEOUS!

Today, as part of Cal Day, there is a tour of Blake Gardens and there is an open house from 9:00AM to 4:00PM.  The Blake Gardens is magical!!!!

Resources:

Blake Gardens
70 Rincon Rd.
Kensington, CA  94707
(510) 524-2449

TOUR OF BLAKE GARDENS at 2:00PM, meet at event lawn

John Muir House Birthday and Earth Day Celebration! Today, April 18, 2015

Today, at the John Muir House in Martinez, CA there will be an Earth Day and birthday celebration!  The main parking lot will be saved for handicapped parking, but there will be free parking at the Alhambra High School with a shuttle available.

Meet John Muir and the sequoia he planted over 130 years ago!

Resources:

John Muir House
www.nps.gov/jomu/
4202 Alhambra Ave.
Martinez, CA  94553
(925) 228-8860

Recommended local eateries:

Breakfast and lunch, American fare:
Copper Skillet
811 Ferry Street
Martinez, CA
(925) 228-3457

La Primavera Taqueria
Martinez, CA
(I haven't been there, but they are supposed to have amazing handmade tortillas!

Visit the Sound Room in downtown Oakland for a fun night listening to jazz!

I finally visited the Sound Room in downtown Oakland for a night of listening to jazz with friends this weekend!  They hired a sound engineer to create the type of sound environment they wanted, and this creates a night of listening pleasure!  They sell wine and light appetizers when you walk in,  and the atmosphere is not overly crowded.  The sound room is the home of the Bay Area Jazz and Arts Inc. (BAJA.)  Baja is a nonprofit organization that nurtures music, art, and creative ventures through live performances and educational programs.  Dowtown Oakland, CA is becoming filled with night life!

Resources:

The Sound Room
www.soundroom.org/
2147 Broadway
Oakland, CA
(510) 496-4180

Today, Sunday, April 12, 2015 is the Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show at Jack London Square, Oakland, CA

Today is the Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show!  Sailboats of every size and budget will fill the grounds of Jack London Square, both in and out of the water, including sleek racers, family cruisers, and luxury yachts!  There are also interactive activities for young, aspiring sailors.  We ended up not going to this event this year, but have gone before and loved it!

Resources:

Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show
Sunday, April 12, 2015
(The show has been going on all weekend!)
10:00AM to 5:00PM)
www.strictlysailpacific.com
(401) 289-2540

Rockridge, CA Restaurants - Beef and Bourbon on College Avenue - Yum!

We recently went to Beef and Bourbon on College Avenue.  This place is fantastic!  I love the red leather seats, long bar, varied menu, yummy food, and helpful waiters and staff!  I have been walking by this place for the past year, waiting for the right time to visit.  I'm so glad I finally tried it out.

I had the trout and it was delicious!

Happy Easter!

This year, it felt like Easter came so early!  The following traditions are ones we have been holding onto.

1.  We usually go to church on Easter.  My son loves the music and  Easter egg hunt after the service.  Last Sunday the children dyed the eggs and this week they were hid in the church.  He loved it!

2.  The Easter bunny comes and visits the house either the night before Easter or the night of Easter.  Though my son doesn't allow the Tooth Fairy to come in the house, he doesn't mind the Easter bunny visiting.

3.  We have an Easter egg hunt with friends, and in those eggs we put coins!  Even adults love this Easter egg hunt!

4.  We dye eggs!

5.  We visit the Easter bunny at the mall.

6.  We have an early dinner with family.

7,  Here's our Easter table/display:

Some new ideas for traditions we may want to start....

Go on the Easter Egg Express in Woodland, CA.  There was an Easter egg express on April 5th, at 2PM.  (http://www.sacramentorivertrain.com)