Check out the great things happening in Pleasanton and Livermore on Saturday and Sunday.

Your little ones are sure to love this weekend event! Family Storytime is happening this Saturday, February 28 at the Civic Center Library in Livermore. Enjoy singing, dancing, reading and more at 10AM. To learn more, click here. 

Kids can become an inventor this weekend in Pleasanton! The Lawrence Hall of Science Inventor’s Workshop: Roller Coaster Engineer is taking place this Saturday, February 28 for children in first through fifth grade. They’ll custom design and make a table-top marble roller coaster and learn about physics while they’re at it. The fun starts at 1:30PM. Click here to register.

Friends of the Livermore Library are hosting their monthly sale this weekend! Come out for great deals on books on Sunday, March 1 from 12PM to 4PM at the outdoor plaza of the former library. For more info, go here.

Get ready to be taken to the opera this weekend in Pleasanton! The Livermore Valley Opera will perform arias and duets from Lucia di Lammermoor on Sunday, March 1 at the Pleasanton Library at 2PM. This one-hour performance also includes a question and answer session for the audience. Get more info, here.

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You’ll enjoy a wonderful weekend of artistic endeavors in the Bay Area!

Spend the afternoon learning about Dr. Seuss in Pleasanton this weekend! Children’s storyteller and magician Bob Kann will delight the audience with inspirational tales of the author and his play with language. The fun starts this Saturday, February 21^st at 2PM at the Pleasanton Public Library. To learn more, click here.

Explore classical ballet this weekend in Livermore! Ballet Basics, led by Vineyard Ballet Academy instructors, is a free interactive program for children in second to fifth grade. Your little ones will learn basic positions as well as the French terms for each step this Saturday, February 21^st at 2PM at the Civic Center Library. The event is part of Livermore Reads Together 2015. Click here to learn more. 

Visit the homes of artists Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh and more this weekend in Livermore! Carol Nelson, from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, presents a captivating slideshow and lecture at the Civic Center Library this Sunday, February 22^nd at 2PM. Click here for more info.

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Come out next Saturday, February 28th for the Phase 7 sales release at Cameron Place in Pleasanton. Potential purchasers must be pre-qualified by 4pm on February 27th, 2015 with one of Ponderosa Homes’ preferred lenders to participate!

This phase of homes will be sold by lottery on February 28th, with prices expected to start in the high $1,000,000s. Lottery and sales release guidelines are available upon request.
Things you need to know to purchase in Phase 7:

1. Preview the site map, floor plans and amenities online:
http://www.ponderosahomes.com/northern-california/cameron-place-in-pleasanton/.

2. Then contact one of Ponderosa’s preferred lenders to get
pre-qualified for financing or to have liquid cash assets verified for a
cash purchase. Pre-qualification letters from outside lenders will not be accepted. Contact them early; do not wait until the last minute.

Omni Mortgage: Charlene Low at 800-719-9898 Toll Free Voice

Wells Fargo: Devoreaha (Devora) Smith at 877-868-0295 or Email at [email protected]

3. Bring your pre-qualification letter to Cameron Place by Ponderosa Homes, located at 2157 Cameron Circle, Pleasanton, CA 94588, during business hours (Thurs – Sun, 10am – 5pm and Mon, 2 – 5pm) and you will be entered in the lottery for Phase 7. Registration for Phase 7 will end on Friday, February 27 at 4pm.

And don’t miss out on your opportunity to own our featured home: Homesite 18. This home boasts up to approximately 3,725 square feet of living space with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths plus study.

See you on February 28th!

Cameron Place

2157 Cameron Circle

Pleasanton, CA 94588

925.399.5798

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Treat your sweetheart to a scrumptious dish this Valentine’s Day.

Rack of Lamb with Mustard-Shallot Sauce

PREPARATION: 15 MIN

TOTAL TIME: 45 MIN

SERVINGS: 2

Ingredients:

3 teaspoons vegetable oil

2 1/2-pound frenched rack of lamb

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 medium shallots, thinly sliced

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth

1 tablespoon whole grain mustard

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons chopped thyme

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil until simmering. Season the lamb with salt and pepper. Add the lamb to the skillet, fat side down, and cook over moderately high heat until richly browned, about 3 minutes. Turn the lamb fat side up and cook for 2 minutes longer. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the rack for about 20 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the meat registers 125°F for medium-rare. Transfer the lamb to a carving board and let rest for 10 minutes.

2. Discard the fat in the skillet. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil and the shallots to the skillet and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add the stock and bring to a simmer. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the whole grain, Dijon mustard and the thyme. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.

3. Carve the lamb into chops and arrange on warmed plates. Spoon the sauce over the lamb and serve.

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Are you ready for some football? With the big game approaching – you’ll definitely want to have a delicious recipe to whip up for your party guests to enjoy.

One-Pot Sticky Chicken Wings

·         TOTAL TIME: 40 MIN

·         SERVINGS: 6

1.        3 pounds chicken wings, wing tips removed and wings cut into 2 pieces

2.       2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

3.       4 small dried red chiles

4.       2 whole-star anise

5.       1 3-inch cinnamon stick

6.       1/3 cup soy sauce

7.       1/3 cup sake

8.      3 tablespoons oyster sauce

9.      3 tablespoons mirin

10.    3 tablespoons sugar

11.    2 scallions, thinly sliced

1.       In a very large nonstick skillet (or in batches), cook the chicken wings over moderate heat, turning once, until golden, about 8 minutes. Add the ginger, chiles, star anise and cinnamon and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

2.      Add the soy sauce, sake, oyster sauce, mirin, sugar and 1/3 cup of water and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Uncover and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the wings are cooked through and the sauce has reduced to a thick glaze, about 8 minutes. Discard the chiles, star anise and cinnamon. Transfer the chicken wings to a platter, scatter the scallions on top and serve.

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We’re thrilled to announce our featured home at Cameron Place in Pleasanton! This Residence Three home offers a single-story plan with approximately 3,725 square feet of living space, 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths plus study. Priced at $1,818,900, this Craftsman home features a 4-car garage, top-of-the-line GE Monogram® kitchen appliances and Kohler® plumbing fixtures.

Don’t miss your chance to own this coveted home at Cameron Place in Pleasanton! Hurry as opportunities to customize this home will be limited after February 10.

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. 

Seasonal changes definitely take place in Northern California! And along with that comes certain maintenance chores that are specific to the weather. Here are some great tips to keep your living and outdoor space in tip-top shape all year long.

Get to mowing. Did you know that you should mow your leaves instead of raking them during the winter? The cut-up leaves will fall among your grass blades and help nourish the lawn during the cooler months.

Spring is the best time to fertilize your lawn so it keeps looking great throughout the summer months.

Keeping it clean. Remember to replace and clean filters in your home once a month!  You’ll also need to check and clean your dryer vent, air conditioner and ceiling fans.

Safety first. Change smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries twice a year (a good rule of thumb – replace the batteries when the time changes in the fall and the spring). Inspect your fire extinguisher at the same time to make sure it’s working properly.

Tree-trimming time. Late winter is the ideal time to prune your trees and shrubs. Your plants have lain dormant and prepared for spring growth. A trimming will encourage their bloom.

Flip the switch. Make sure your ceiling fan blades are reversed during the cold months to help circulate hot air into a room. And here’s more great news – you’ll save money with this helpful tip due to increased energy efficiency. Flip the switch back in the warmer months to ensure the circulation of cool air.

Chim – Chimney. Now’s the time to have a professional chimney sweep clean out your fireplace. Getting rid of soot buildup during the cold months is more than just a matter of cleanliness. A deep clean of the chimney might prevent fire.

No gutter trouble. Clean your gutters so that leaves and debris don’t result in a clog! You’ll also want to clean your drain pipes and position them to drain away from your home. Put this on your schedule every spring and fall.

Another purpose for curtains. They’re not just for shade! Layer your window décor to make your home even warmer during the winter. Cotton flannel or curtains made of insulation material will do the trick.

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There’s so much to do in the Bay Area this weekend! Check out all of the great events happening on Saturday and Sunday.

Experience art this weekend in San Jose! The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art is hosting the first Bay Area exhibition of Colombia-based artist Leyla Cardenas. See Scarcity, her city-specific works, this Saturday and Sunday. Click here to learn more.

Get ready to get connected and stay connected with Pleasanton this weekend! The Make a Difference for Pleasanton Festival invites you to explore the possibilities of community service near home. Come out to learn about volunteer opportunities this Saturday, January 17 from 10AM to 2PM. Learn more here.

Watch Les Miserables come to life this weekend in Livermore! Set in the 19^th century, this story by Victor Hugo hits the stage at the Bankhead Theater this Sunday, January 18 at 2PM. For tickets, click here. 

Wearable technology plus the health care industry equals Body Metrics! Come see Kaiser Permanente’s® cool exhibit this weekend at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose. 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. 

This weekend brings plenty to do in the Bay Area. See all that you can explore near home in the coming days.

It’s all about cars this weekend in San Jose! The Silicon Valley International Auto Show is happening this Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Click here to learn more.

It’s all about music this weekend in Pleasanton! The Vintage Brass Quintet brings masterful horn playing to the Pleasanton Public Library on Sunday, January 11 at 2PM. For more info, go here.

Volunteer at one of the biggest events of the year this weekend in San Jose! The annual pruning of the roses is taking place at the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to prune the 3,500 rose bushes, and everyone is invited to help! Come out this Saturday, January 10 from 8:30AM to 12PM. Learn more here.

The Kingston Trio is hitting the stage this weekend in Livermore! The American folk music ensemble’s tight harmonies, smooth vocals and classic sounds will have you singing along this Saturday, January 10 at the Bankhead Theater at 8PM. For tickets, click here.

It’s time to create this weekend in Pleasanton! The Lawrence Hall of Science Inventor’s Workshop: “Wobble Bots” is happening this Saturday, January 10 at 1:30PM. This workshop for grades 3-5 presents a hands-on experience in electrical engineering. Click here for more info. 

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What better way to welcome the new year than with a sweet recipe that everyone will love—and one that pairs well with champagne!

Rum Balls

Served chilled, these balls are formed when a batch of brownies is broken into bits, flavored with dark rum, and rolled.

YIELD: MAKES 4 DOZEN

INGREDIENTS

• Vegetable oil, cooking spray
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) of unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 6 ounces of semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup packed of light-brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of coarse salt
• 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of dark rum
• Coarse sanding sugar, for rolling

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Coat a 12-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray; set aside. Melt butter and chocolate in a small heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

2. Whisk together eggs, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in a large bowl. Stir in chocolate mixture and fold in flour. Pour batter into prepared baking sheet. Spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Bake about 10 minutes, until top is shiny and a cake tester, inserted into center, comes out with some crumbs attached. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

3. Break up brownie into small pieces; transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. With machine on low speed, pour in rum and mix until crumbs start to come together to form a ball.

4. Shape into 1-inch balls and roll in sanding sugar to coat. Transfer to a baking sheet. Refrigerate uncovered about 2 hours, until cold. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Have a happy New Year!

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