Ponderosa...At Home

A Musical August

August 7, 2015

There are a lot of musical events happening in the Bay Area this weekend. Check it out!

We love summer nights in the Bay Area! Sizzling Saturdays is happening tomorrow night in downtown Pleasanton. Enjoy live music, entertainment and special offers from local businesses and restaurants from 6PM to 9PM. Click here for more info.

Let your feet tap to the beat this weekend in Livermore! The Jazz All Star Quintet with legendary pianist Dick Hyman is hitting the stage on Sunday, August 9th at 3PM at the Bankhead Theater. Get tickets here.

Celebrate the lives and work of women songwriters this weekend in Pleasanton! Pamela Rose presents Wild Women of Song this Sunday, August 9th at the Firehouse Arts Center at 2PM. Buy tickets here. 

Save the date! Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers are filling the air with tunes this month in Livermore! As part of the summer concert series, the musicians are performing on Wednesday, August 19th at 8:15PM at Wente Vineyards. Ponderosa Homes is a proud sponsor of the event, so don’t miss out! Tickets available 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.

The Arts in August

July 31, 2015

It’s all about the arts in Livermore and Pleasanton this weekend. Take a look!

A FREE music event is happening at the Pleasanton Library this weekend! The Noel Cantura Band is peforming their jazz, blues and funk sounds on Sunday, August 2nd at 2PM. Learn more here.

A sneak peek into the Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre’s upcoming season is happening this weekend in Pleasanton! Enjoy a fantastic performance, appetizers and drinks at their Gala Fundraiser on Sunday, August 2nd at 4PM. Click here to learn more.

Enjoy the visual arts this weekend in Livermore! The Livermore Cultural Arts Council Art Exhibit opens at the library this Saturday, August 1st. Click here for more info.

Ponderosa Homes is proud to sponsor the summer concert series at Wente Vineyards in Livermore! Grammy award-winning artist Sheryl Crow is taking the stage this Monday, August 3rd at 8PM. Buy 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.

A July to Remember

July 24, 2015

July is almost over – so make sure it continues to be a memorable month! Take a look at these fun events that are happening in the Bay Area.

There’s plenty of laughs to be had this weekend in Pleasanton! Stop by the Firehouse Arts Center tomorrow night at 8PM for Summer Comedy Night 2015 featuring Joe Klocek. For tickets, click here.

Soulful tunes will fill your ears this weekend in Livermore! Local San Francisco jazz and blues vocalist Pamela Rose is coming to the Livermore Civic Center Library this Sunday, July 26th at 2PM. Click here for more info.

Another legendary concert is happening at the Wente Vineyards in Livermore next week – and Ponderosa Homes is a proud sponsor! Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo celebrate their 35th anniversary tour with special guest John Waite on Tuesday, July 28th at 8PM. Go here for tickets.

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.

Some great musical tunes will fill your ears in Livermore and Pleasanton this weekend! Enjoy!

A little rock music is coming to Pleasanton tonight! The Pleasanton Downtown Association’s Concert in the Park presents West Grand Boulevard from 7PM to 8:30PM at Lions Wayside Park. Learn more here.

A hilarious theatrical production is hitting the stage in Livermore this weekend! Girl’s Night: The Musical is coming to the Bankhead Theater this Saturday, July 11th at 8PM. Get tickets here.

An all-star jazz ensemble is heading to Livermore! Jazz Caliente is performing their Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms at the Livermore Library this Sunday, July 12th at 2PM. For more info, click here.

A free family event is happening in Pleasanton! The internationally award-winning Cantabella Children’s Choir brings beautiful sounds to the Pleasanton Public Library this Sunday, July 12th at 2PM. To find out more, go here.

Don’t miss out on this summer concert series that Ponderosa Homes is proud to sponsor! Head over to Wente Vineyards in Livermore next Wednesday, July 15th for Third Eye Blind and Dashboard Confessional at 8:15PM. This show is almost sold out, so get your tickets today! The concert series doesn’t end here – Lyle Lovett, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Christina Perri and Colbie Caillat are all coming to the vineyard amphitheater. Click here for tickets.

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.

 

 

Celebrate our nation’s independence with a fun fireworks spectacular and try out this recipe your family will love. Enjoy!

There will be fireworks galore in downtown Livermore this weekend! Come out to enjoy delicious eats, live music and more starting at 6PM. To learn more, click here.

Honor the red, white and blue with a red and blue berry lemonade slush for your 4th of July BBQ.

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. + freezing
MAKES: 8 servings

Ingredients

2 cups lemon juice
1 and 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
1 and 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
1 to 1 and 1/4 cups sugar
3 cups cold water

Directions
In batches, place lemon juice, raspberries, blueberries and sugar in a blender; cover and process until blended. Strain and discard seeds.

Transfer to a 2and 1/2-qt. freezer container; stir in water. Freeze for 8 hours or overnight.
Just before serving, remove from freezer and let stand 45 minutes or until slushy. Yield: 8 servings.

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We’re celebrating dad this weekend, and what better way to say I love you then with a delicious meal he’ll love.

Goat Cheese Steak with Balsamic Glaze 

Yield: 4 SERVINGS

Cook time: 26 MINUTES

Total time: 30 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:

1 and 1/2 cups balsamic vinegar

4 (5-7 ounce) steaks, such as filet mignon, rib eye, etc.

salt and pepper

4 ounces goat cheese

1 pound cherry tomatoes

chopped parsley, to garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Turn your grill on to high heat.

In a saucepan, bring the balsamic vinegar to a boil. Stir occasionally for 15-20 minutes, until the vinegar has reduced by about 1/3 and is syrupy. Don’t let it burn! Babysit it. Once syrupy, turn the heat to low and leave it on the stove.

Generously salt and pepper both sides of each steak.

Get the full recipe 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.

 

 

Summer Is Upon Us

June 12, 2015

We love Bay Area weekends! See what’s happening in Pleasanton and Livermore this Saturday and Sunday.

Adventure, mystery, classic music and contemporary ballet will fill the stage this weekend in Livermore! Alice in Wonderland is coming to the Bankhead Theater tomorrow, June 13th at 7PM and Sunday, June 14th at 2PM. For tickets, click here. 

Head back to the time of swing this weekend in Pleasanton as What’s Up Big Band will have you tapping your feet and humming along to the music of the era. The band is coming to the Pleasanton Library this Sunday, June 14th at 2PM. For more info, go here.

Take a journey through reading this summer! The Pleasanton Library is offering great prizes based on how many books you read and library programs you attend. How fun is that? The voyage begins tomorrow, June 13th and lasts until August 2nd. Click here to learn more. 

Save the date for the 4th of July Red, White and Boom Fireworks and Block party in Livermore! The event is happening in downtown Livermore at 6PM, and fireworks start at 9:30PM. Get more details 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.

 

A great June weekend is ahead in the Bay Area! Take a look.

The Livermore Public Library annual Summer Reading Program starts tomorrow! Enjoy fun, family-friendly activities including crafts, story time, animal shows, music and dance – and get the chance to win prizes until August 15th for completion of the program. Learn more here.

You’ll love this event tomorrow in Livermore! Skating and Tasting at Tri Valley Ice features the best in wine and food from nearby restaurants and wineries, plus ice skating, games and music from 6PM to 10PM. Get more info here.

A free music concert is happening this Sunday in Pleasanton! Presented by the Friends of the Pleasanton Library, baritone Richard Keys is performing at 2PM. Find out more here. 

Harp music is happening tomorrow in Pleasanton! Don’t miss out on a lovely concert featuring the winners of the 2015 Yvonne La Mothe Schwager Harp Competition. Click here for tickets.

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 are plenty of great events happening this weekend in Pleasanton and Livermore! Take a look.

Get ready to hop on your bike – a family-friendly event is coming this weekend to Pleasanton! The Community Bike Ride will take you through the streets of Pleasanton and Dublin this Sunday, May 31st at 9:30AM. To learn more, click here.

A night of dance is heading to Livermore! Valley Dance Theatre presents their spring showing at the Bankhead Theater tomorrow, May 30th at 7PM. For tickets, click here. 

A high-energy tribute show is coming to Pleasanton this weekend! The Super Diamond First-Class Tribute to Neil Diamond will perform at the Firehouse Arts Center tomorrow, May 30th at 8PM. Click here for tickets.

Kick off the summer with some great reads on Sunday in Livermore! Learn about current bestsellers and upcoming titles with Judy Wheeler, owner of Pleasanton’s Towne Center Books at the Civic Center Library this Sunday, May 31st at 2PM. For more info, go 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.

It’s Memorial Day weekend! What better way to kick off the summer season than with a delicious recipe that’s sure to be a big hit at your holiday gathering.

Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

3 hours

Total time

3 hours 20 mins

Author: AfricanBites

Recipe type: Main

Cuisine: Caribbean

Serves: 5-6

Ingredients

  • 1 lime or lemon
  • 6-7chicken thighs or 3 -3½ pound chicken cut up
  • 2 teaspoons creole seasoning (replace with salt and pepper or chicken spice)
  • 1 or more Scotch Bonnet Pepper (Habaneros)
  • 6 garlic cloves, chopped
  • ½ tablespoon cinnamon powder
  • ½ tablespoon allspice coarsely ground
  • ½ teaspoon coarsely ground white pepper
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
  • 3 medium scallions, chopped
  • 1 sprig of fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ½ cup pineapple juice or pineapple

 

For the rest of the recipe, 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.