Your Guide to Mother’s Day Events in the Tri-Valley

There's no need to travel far on Mother's Day. Our Tri-Valley offers plenty of ways to celebrate this weekend.

Still not sure what to do this Mother’s Day weekend? We’ve put together a roundup of special events taking place throughout the Tri-Valley to help celebrate mom’s special day. Start Mother’s Day early at the May Fair for Mother’s Day event at the Dublin Heritage Park & Museum. From 12 – 5 p.m. families can browse booths filled with antiques, arts and crafts, baked goods, flowers and other wares plus enjoy live music by Le Hot Jazz Trio. The event also features dancing around the Maypole, tractor wagon rides and wine tasting. Learn more in Patch’s May Fair for Mother’s Day at the Heritage Museum. San Ramon also celebrates Mother’s Day early with a special Saturday “Thinking of Mom” event at San Ramon’s Forest Home Farms. The celebration …

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The Winemaker's Pour House

5:08 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Winemaker's Pour House will be offering a Mother's Day menu and Live Music with Carl Tilchen from 12pm - 2pm. We will be open at 11:30am.   more ›

Easter in the Tri-Valley: Egg Hunts, Easter Bunny Visits, Brunch and More

Our holiday roundup highlights fun community Easter events taking place throughout the Tri-Valley all week long.

The Tri-Valley celebrates Easter and the beginning of spring with fun events ranging from community egg hunts, spring festivals, Easter Bunny visits and more. Just click the links below for full event details. Visits & Photos With the Easter Bunny The Easter Bunny visits with youngsters and poses for photos. Photo package prices vary. Now through Saturday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Blackhawk Plaza in Danville Easter Bunny Photos Kids can visit with "Mr. Bun E. Rabbit" during Easter Bunny photo hours at the mall. Photo package prices vary. Now through Saturday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton Easter Egg-Stravaganzas The 5th Annual Easter Egg-Stravaganzas features a glow in the dark egg hunt, food, and special visits from …

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Tanya Rose

5:42 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012

Hi Jo - I actually haven't been able to find any! If anyone knows of any happening in town, would love the info! - Tanya   more ›

Rain Forecast Won’t Stop St. Paddy’s Day Merriment

Dublin festivities will go forward as planned

Showers may be forecast for the weekend during the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day events, but it will not slow down the celebrations says Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti. “In Dublin, we go rain or shine,” he said. “It [the rain] may impact a few bands or vendors, but we hope it clears.” “We have had rain before,” he continued. “Our ‘Plan B’ is no ‘Plan B’. This is an event the whole community looks forward to." Dublin City Councilmember Eric Swalwell says the weather may keep some at home. “But with a little Irish rain comes a rainbow and I’m looking forward to another treasured St. Paddy’s Day weekend,” he said. Sbranti is hopeful it will not rain the entire weekend. “The locals still come out and obviously we hope everyone still comes,” he commented…

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Your Guide to St. Patrick's Day Events

From Dublin’s big weekend St. Patrick’s Day festival to smaller brew pub celebrations, the Tri-Valley celebrates all things Irish this weekend.

Put on your favorite leprechaun hat and get ready to be Irish for a day. This year St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday, so there’s plenty of celebrating planned in the Tri-Valley. We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorites taking place near you. Click on the event links for event details. St. Patrick’s Day Outings for Families 1) Start your St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebration by watching Dublin’s 29th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17 at 9:30 a.m. The annual event, hosted by the Dublin Lion’s Club, features more than 80 festive floats plus marching bands and equestrians. The parade starts at the corner by Safeway on Amador Plaza Road. Click here for the parade route. 2) Don’t miss the East Bay’s best and biggest St. Patrick’s Day …

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Wine Wednesdays

Love is in the Air at Les Chenes

A look into a local Valentine's Day getaway.

If a trip to the South of France tops your wish list for a romantic rendezvous but doesn't exactly match your budget don't fret. We are helping you get a taste of France in your own backyard. In this week's Wine Wednesday, Monique Soltani heads to Les Chênes Estate Vineyards for a sneak peak of their Valentine's Day extravaganza. Amor de Les Chenes 12 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 and Sunday, Feb. 12. Les Chenes Estate Vineyards 5562 Victoria Lane, Livermore, CA, 94550

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Your Guide to Valentine's Day Events

From Valentine craft events for kids to comedy bashes for adults, the Tri-Valley offers several Valentine-themed events this year.

Looking for a romantic outing with your sweetie? Or maybe you’re in the mood for an anti-Valentine’s Day comedy event? From Valentine crafts for kids to wine tasting for lovers, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate—or bash—Valentine’s day in the Tri-Valley. We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorites taking place in or near San Ramon, Danville, Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore all week long.

 Click on the links for event details. Valentine’s Day Fun for Families 1) Head to your local libraries for some free Valentine Day kid crafts: Pop into the Livermore Civic Center Library anytime between 12 - 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 to make a free Valentine craft for someone special. School-aged kids are invited to create a valentine during the Dublin …

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Wine Wednesdays

A Day Dedicated to Cabernet

Charles R Vineyards hosts a "Cab"ulous event.

This family run winery started making wine in 2004 and hasn't looked back since. With 100 percent of their grapes sourced from the Livermore Valley, Charles R Vineyards shows us why this soil is so special it should be celebrated. Monique Soltani shows us why one of the valley's greatest grapes gets its very own day. Upcoming Events: 3rd Annual "Cab-Stravaganza!" Date & Time: 12 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday Who: Charles R Vineyards Where: 8195 Crane Ridge Road, in Livermore Cost: $5 Join us for this red wine lover’s favorite event. What’s better in the middle of winter than a hearty glass of Cab? If you are a fan of this iconic grape, this is the event for you. We will feature lots of Cab-fun — special tastings, opportunities to purchase library …

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Wine Wednesdays

All Hail McGrail

Livermore winery takes home top honors at 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Add McGrail Vineyards & Winery's 2008 Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve to your wine collection if you haven't already done so. The Livermore-produced Cabernet Sauvignon was named top red wine in the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition — considered the largest competition of American wines. Monique Soltani in her Wine Oh.tv website interviewed Mark Clarin, winemaker at McGrail Vineyards & Winery. Here's his reaction to the good news: My first reaction is shock. I am humbled by the accolades. I am thankful to be a part of a great family striving to grow the best Cabernet Sauvignon. I am so pleased that a Livermore Valley wine has won for the red wine category. We have such a history with white wines. For more information…

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Wine Wednesdays

A Century of Chardonnay

This week's Wine Wednesdays segment features Karl Wente.

2012 marks a century since Wente brought Chardonnay to California. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani heads to Wente Family Estates and finds out how the grape ended up in the Golden State. 

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Wine Wednesdays

Local Winemaker Turns Passion into Profession

An inside look at John Christopher Cellars.

It was a love affair with the, Little Grape that Could, that started it all. Tom Doczy's passion for Petite Sirah was the inspiration behind his business. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani heads to John Christopher Cellars and shows us the secret to his success after more than three decades in the wine business. John Christopher Cellars Blacksmith Square, 25 S. Livermore Ave, Suite 103 Phone: 925-456-WINE (9463) Hours: Thursday, Friday: 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m. Recipe Recommended by JCC to pair with their Petite Sirah: Hearty Beef Stew Clove Scented Beef from Rome (Garofolato di Manzo alla Romana) Place a large Dutch oven over medium heat and film the bottom with olive oil. Add the pancetta and let it …

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Monique Soltani

8:04 am on Friday, December 23, 2011

I am so happy you liked the recipe and the story! Have a wonderful holiday! Monique:)   more ›