The Coachella Valley real estate market is having one of its best summer seasons ever as homebuyers move away from bustling cities for more space and communities that take life at a slower pace. With low interest rates and beautiful new homes to choose from, you can see why people are flocking to the desert.

Sage in Palm Desert is the oasis you’ve been searching for in these unprecedented times. These homes feature five inspired floor plans and come with buyer-owned photovoltaic solar. Plus, residents enjoy the great resort-style amenities, where they can break a sweat in the fitness center, escape the heat in the refreshing pool and much more.

The community is open, and you can get pre-qualified today. Make an appointment by contacting Casey Erickson at 760.984.9026 or [email protected].

Check out the full news story about Coachella Valley real estate 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.

Take dad out for Father’s Day Weekend in the Bay Area! Take a look at what’s going on near you.

Groove to some beats from the ‘60s to late ‘70s in Pleasanton this weekend! This is a fun way to celebrate Father’s Day on Saturday, June 18^th at 8PM or Sunday, June 19^th at 2PM as a Bee Gees tribute band hits the stage at the Firehouse Arts Center. Get tickets here.

Honor dad at the Annual Father’s Day Picnic at Retzlaff Winery and Estate Vineyards in Livermore on Sunday. Prepare a picnic for your family and come listen to music by Jeff Bordes and Burnt Ends from 11:30AM to 4:30PM. Make reservations NOW, as this event sells out every year. Learn more here.

A great gift for dad is a day at the fair and the Eric Burdon and The Animals concert happening on Father’s Day at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. The concert is FREE with fair admission. Click here for tickets.

Come out for a FREE event at Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 21^st! Evening on the Green is taking place from 6:45PM to 8:15PM with Deed I Do, Karen Marguth and Art & Intertwined. Get more info on this event 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 are some great events coming soon to the Bay Area. Experience music and movies in Northern California.

Save the date, movie lovers – a mix of science, technology and film are coming to Livermore next weekend! The Livermore Valley Film Festival “Where Science Meets Art” is headed to downtown Livermore with a three-day event offering workshops, screenings and panels on Friday, May 13^th through Sunday, May 15^th. Learn more here.

The force will be strong at Livermore Civic Center Library this weekend! The library is hosting their very own Star Wars Day tomorrow, Saturday, May 7^th from 1PM to 4PM with plenty of games and costumes. Click here for more info.

Get your tickets now for the first concert event of the season at Wente Vineyards in Livermore! Chicago, with special guest Rita Wilson, are hitting the stage on Tuesday, June 28^th at 8:15PM. If you can’t make this date, Diana Ross is coming to the winery on Thursday, July 7^th. Purchase tickets here.

Prep your picnic gear! Concerts in the Park in downtown Pleasanton returns next month – so make sure you mark your calendar with all of these dates. The concerts start on Friday, June 3^rd and run until August 26^th with music ranging from soul and rock to oldies and blues. Get more info 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 have a few new home neighborhoods joining our lineup in Northern California!

The exquisite new homes at Meridian at Ironwood will let you enjoy an elevated lifestyle in the city of Pleasanton! These two-story residences will feature captivating designs, impressive amenities and up to 2,682 sq. ft. of living space.

A new collection of 20 single-family homes is coming to Red Hawk in Danville. With classic allure and modern amenities, this new home neighborhood will bring you one-and two-story home designs with spacious floor plans that are ideal for your growing family.

The Vines in Livermore will present you with the perfect reflection of home. This new home community is being built in one of California’s oldest wine regions and will boast two-story residences with plenty of sought-after features and nearby amenities.

Big-city attitude with small–town charm is what you’ll find at Belmont in San Jose. These new two- and three-story residences will be classically designed with modern comforts and will offer a central location that allows for new possibilities to come to life.

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 going to be all about football this Sunday in the Bay Area, but there are some great events happening today and Saturday to help keep you busy all weekend long. Check it out.

A night of laughs is coming to Livermore this weekend! Comedian Tony T. Roberts is taking the stage at Los Positas Vineyards in Livermore today at 6:30PM. Get tickets here.

The Big Game is coming up on Sunday, and there’s a chance for your kids to get in on the fun! The football-themed Super Scavenger Hunt is happening this Saturday, February 6^th in downtown Pleasanton from 10AM to 12PM. Get more details here.

Play bocce ball this weekend in Livermore! The Dash for Cash Bocce Satellite Tournament Series is taking place this Saturday, February 6^th from 8AM to 4PM at Campo di Bocce. Learn more here.

A classic tale with a few fun twists is coming to the Bankhead Theater in Livermore this weekend. The Livermore School of Dance Ballet and Jazz Division presents Into the Woods and Out of a Storybook on Saturday, February 6^th at 7PM. 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.

Billboard recording artist and songwriter, Spencer Day is hitting the stage in Pleasanton tomorrow! The Bay Area favorite is bringing his signature sound to the Firehouse Arts Center at 8PM. For tickets, go here.

The Pleasanton Farmers’ Market offers the season’s freshest, California-grown produce every Saturday (rain or shine) in downtown Pleasanton. Come down to the market this Saturday, September 12^th from 9AM to 1PM at West Angela Street and Main Street. Go here for more info.

Enjoy an afternoon of art at Wente Vineyards in Livermore this weekend! A reception showcasing Oils by Jordi Camps will be on display this Sunday, September 13^th from 1PM to 3PM. The artwork will be shown through the end of September in the Estate Winery & Tasting Room. For more info, click here.

High-flying, award-winning performers are sure to delight you this weekend in Livermore! The National Circus and Acrobats of China will be taking the stage at the Bankhead Theater this Sunday, September 13^th at 2PM. 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.

Put your feet to the pedals this weekend in Pleasanton! If you’re cycling to the farmers’ market this Saturday, you won’t worry about where to park your bike. Free bicycle parking is being provided – and you’ll receive a $1 in carrot cash to use on your fresh finds and other market purchases. The market runs from 9AM to 1PM. For more info, click here.

Listen to tunes from the “Green Isle” this weekend in Pleasanton! Famed member of The Irish Tenors Anthony Kearns is coming to the Firehouse Arts Center this Sunday at 3PM. Get tickets here.

And, since it’s Mother’s Day weekend, here’s a yummy recipe that your mom will love!

Crepes with Peanut Butter and Jam 

Total Time: 35 min
Prep: 25 min
Cook:10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Level: Easy
Ingredients
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 10 cubes
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup strawberry or raspberry jam
1/2 cup (2 ounces) fresh blueberries
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Directions
In a blender, combine the eggs, milk, flour, sugar and salt. Blend until the mixture forms a smooth batter.

Heat a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Melt 1 cube of butter in the pan. Add 1/4 cup of batter and quickly tilt the pan to form an even coating of batter on the bottom of the pan. Cook for 1 minute, until set and slightly browned. Using a heat-resistant spatula, carefully loosen the sides and gently flip the crepe over. Cook for 1 minute. Repeat with the remaining batter and butter, stacking the crepes on top of each other on a plate as they are ready. You should have 8 or 9 crepes total.

Add 1 tablespoon of peanut butter to each crepe and, using the back of a spoon, spread evenly over the crepes, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Spread 2 teaspoons of jam over the peanut butter. Line 5 to 6 blueberries along the center of each crepe. Fold the crepe in half over the blueberries. Fold the two ends inward and continue to roll into a tube shape. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Cut each crepe in half horizontally and arrange on a platter. Dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Happy Mother’s Day from Ponderosa Homes!

The holiday season is officially here, NorCal! Come out for these festive events happening on Saturday and Sunday in the Bay Area.

See downtown San Jose turned into a whimsical holiday fantasy this weekend! Christmas in the Park at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez is an annual event featuring glittering lights, a 60-foot-tall Community Giving Tree, musical and animated exhibits, winter wonderland of lights and entertainment – now through January 1, 2015. For more info, click here. 

Lights, lights and more lights this weekend in San Jose! Festival of Lights is happening this Saturday, December 6 at Evergreen Village Square from 2PM to 5PM. Head over for holiday entertainment, cultural performances, photos with Santa and face painting. Click here to learn more. 

Sip, sip, hooray! Enjoy an assortment of tea, delectable treats and Santa this weekend in Dublin! Holiday Tea is taking place this Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 at the Sunday School Barn. Seating is available between 11AM and 2PM. Make reservations here.

A snow day is coming to downtown Livermore this weekend! The Lizzie Fountain will be transformed into a snowy winter wonderland for your little ones during Home for the Holidays, this Saturday from 10AM to 4PM. Get the details here.

Parades are definitely one of the best parts of the holiday season. Come out for the annual Hometown Holiday Parade in Pleasanton this weekend! Be a part of this festive community-based event this Saturday, December 6, starting at 5PM. Get more info 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. 

Here’s a cute and crafty way to get your kids involved with your Thanksgiving festivities!

Turkey Bowl 

Age: preschool and up

Time: 3 hours, plus overnight

Type of activity: holiday arts and crafts

This turkey will look great as a centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table! Fill it with fruit, napkins or other items for your guests.

Materials:

·         Plastic bowl

·         Mixing bowl

·         Vaseline® or petroleum jelly

·         Lots of Newspaper

·         Scissors

·         Brown tempera paint

·         Paintbrush

·         Orange, yellow, red, black and brown construction paper

Directions:

First you’re going to make the papier-mâché bowl.

1.       This project is messy, so place newspaper over your entire work area.

2.       Cut more newspaper into 1-inch wide strips. You’ll need at least 50 strips for this project.

3.       To make the paste, combine an even amount of flour and water in the mixing bowl until it becomes the consistency of pancake batter. Start with one cup of each and add more if necessary.

4.       Cover the outside of the plastic bowl with Vaseline®. This will make it easier to remove the mold from the bowl.

5.       One at a time, dip a strip of newspaper into the mixture and lay it smoothly over the bowl. Keep adding strips until the bowl is completely covered with one layer of newspaper. To give the bowl more strength, add the first layer in a horizontal pattern, then add a second layer in a vertical pattern. Add a third layer of newspaper strips in a horizontal pattern.

6.       Place the bowl on top of a layer of newspaper in a cool, dry place. Let the bowl sit for several hours. You may even want to let it sit it overnight.

7.       When the bowl is completely dry, gently pull the newspaper mold away from the bowl.

Now it’s time to make the turkey.

8.       Paint the bowl brown and set it aside to dry.

9.       Draw and cut out all the shapes you’ll need from the construction paper.

·         1 brown circle 4 inches in diameter for the turkey’s head

·         10 rocket-shaped tail feathers about 8″ x 1″ in yellow, red and orange paper

·         1 small yellow triangle for the beak

·         2 tiny black circles for eyes

10.   Now, you’ll make the turkey’s wings. To do this, trace your child’s hands on a sheet of brown construction paper and cut out the shapes.

11.   Make sure the bowl is dry before you glue the construction paper parts to the turkey’s base. First, glue the tail feathers in a fan shape along the inside edge of the back of the bowl (the feathers should be pointing up).

12.   Next, glue one of your child’s handprints to each side of the turkey to make its wings.

13.   Glue the turkey’s beak and eyes in place on its head.

14.   Glue the turkey’s head to the top edge of the front of the bowl.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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.

If you’ve always wanted try something new on Thanksgiving day, here’s a delicious recipe that will have your guests raving for more!

Rosemary-Pepper Beef Rib Roast with Porcini Jus

• ACTIVE: 30 MIN
• TOTAL TIME: 4 HRS PLUS OVERNIGHT MARINATING
• SERVINGS: 12 TO 14

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh rosemary

2. 3 tablespoons fresh coarsely ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning

3. 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

4. One 6-rib standing beef rib roast (14 to 15 pounds), 1/2-inch fat on the meat

5. Salt to taste

6. 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

7. 1 medium shallot, very finely chopped

8. 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced

9. 1/4 cup dry red wine

10. 1 quart beef stock

11. 1/4 cup sherry vinegar

12. 4 thyme sprigs

13. 1 ounce dried porcini, ground to a powder in a spice grinder or blender (makes 1 cup)

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the rosemary with the 3 tablespoons of black pepper and the vegetable oil, and rub all over the roast. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

2. Put a large roasting pan in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375°. Let the rib roast stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

3. Season the roast with salt and put it in the hot roasting pan, fat side down. Roast for 30 minutes. Turn the roast over and cook at 350° for about 3 hours, rotating the pan 2 or 3 times. Insert an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. When the thermometer reaches 130°, the roast is done. Transfer the roast to a carving board to rest for at least 20 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt the butter. Add the shallot and garlic and cook over moderate heat until lightly browned, 5 minutes. Add the wine and boil for 2 minutes. Add the stock, vinegar and thyme and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat until reduced to 2 1/2 cups, about 20 minutes. Strain the sauce and return it to the saucepan. Whisk in the porcini powder and simmer for 1 minute. Cover, remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Carve the roast and serve with the porcini jus.

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy! 

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.