Get out and about for a great time this weekend in the Bay Area! Don’t miss out on these fun events happening near you.

Enjoy an evening of award-winning wine and culture this weekend in Livermore! Head over to Concannon Vineyard on Saturday at 7:30PM as the Livermore Shakes present Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Get more info here. 

Get ready to tap your feet and groove to the music this weekend in Livermore! “Times 4” is playing their unique blend of urban jazz at the Livermore Public Library on Sunday at 2PM. Learn more here. 

Summer is the perfect time for backpacking in Northern California! Come learn the backpacking basics including preparation of gear and how to select proper clothing at REI in Dublin on Saturday at 9AM. Register here. 

Pack a picnic and watch a Shakespearean masterpiece under the stars this weekend in Pleasanton! Shakespeare in the Park presents The Taming of the Shrew on Saturday at 7:30PM. Get the details here.

A well-beloved Broadway comedy is hitting the stage this weekend in San Jose! A Thousand Clowns by Herb Gardner is coming to the Montgomery Theater on Saturday at 8PM. Purchase your tickets here. 

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There’s nothing better than a tasty and mouthwatering side dish to go along with your Independence Day meal! Here’s an easy recipe to make that you should definitely add to your menu.

Grilled Corn with Mango-Habanero Butter

Ingredients

1 mango, peeled and coarsely chopped

¼ cup mango nectar

1 tablespoon honey

½ habanero chile, seeded

1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, softened

2 tablespoons packed cilantro leaves, chopped

½ teaspoon kosher salt

8 ears of corn

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, combine the chopped mango with the mango nectar, honey and habanero chile. Bring to a simmer and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the mango is very soft, about 10 minutes.

2. Transfer the mixture from the saucepan to a food processor and puree until smooth. Strain the mango puree into a small bowl and let cool, about 30 minutes.

3. Wipe out the food processor. Add the cooled mango puree along with the butter, cilantro leaves and salt and puree until smooth. Scrape the mango butter into a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.

4. Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Pull the corn husks down to the base of the stalks, leaving the husks attached. Discard the corn silk. Using butcher string, tie back the husks.

5. Fill a large bowl with cold, salted water and submerge the corn for 10 minutes.

6. Drain the corn but don’t pat dry. Grill the corn over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until tender and browned in spots, about 8 minutes. Transfer the corn to plates, spread with the mango-habanero butter and serve.

Happy Fourth of July!!

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We know your family loves fireworks – and we do too! Here are some Independence Day shows happening in the Bay Area this Fourth of July to help you start planning your big day ahead of time.

Get set for the July 4^th Fun Festival in San Jose! Come out with your little ones to Almaden Lake Park for live music, a parade, kids’ games and food truck eats starting at 11AM. Stay into the evening to enjoy the fireworks spectacular beginning at 9:15PM. For more info, click here.

Come watch a fantastic fireworks display with the Downtown Rotary Club in San Jose! The club is celebrating their centennial year and what better way to mark the occasion than with this Fourth of July tradition. The 20-minute show begins at 9:30PM at Discovery Meadow. Learn more here.

The City of Livermore is celebrating the Fourth of July with a 25-minute fireworks show that is sure to delight! Head over to Downtown Livermore to celebrate Independence Day with your family on Friday, July 4 at 9:30PM and take in this bright lights show. Get more info here.

There’s nothing better than a baseball game on the Fourth of July! Come watch the San Jose Giants hit the field against the Stockton Ports and stay for fireworks at San Jose Municipal Stadium on Friday, July 4 at 6:30PM. Get tickets here.

Happy Fourth of July from Ponderosa Homes!

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This recipe is definitely the perfect meal to celebrate dad this weekend. Enjoy!

Whiskey Glazed Flat Iron Steaks and Grilled Potatoes 

Ingredients

½ cup whiskey, such as Jack Daniels®

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup olive oil

4 cloves garlic, smashed

Four 8-ounce flat iron steaks or filet mignon steaks

1 ½ pounds Yukon gold potatoes

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

Directions

1. Preheat a grill on medium-high heat. Whisk together the whiskey, brown sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Stir in 2 Tablespoons of the oil and the garlic. Add the steaks, turn a few times to coat with the marinade and let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, quarter each potato lengthwise to form wedges and put in a medium pot. Cover with cold water to cover by 1 inch and add salt until the water tastes like sea water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until tender (but not falling apart), about 15 minutes. Drain well. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
3. Remove the steaks from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Pour the marinade into a small pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly reduced, making sure the sugar does not burn, to make a glaze and sauce for the steak.
4. Grill the steaks until an internal temperature on an instant-read thermometer reads about 130 degrees F, 3 to 4 minutes per side, brushing with the boiled marinade several times in the last few minutes of grilling time. (If you are cooking filet mignon steaks, you will need to increase this time to 8 to 10 minutes per side to account for the thicker cut). Transfer to a large plate to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. While the steaks grill, add the potatoes to the grill and grill until well-marked and crispy, turning to grill all sides, about 5 minutes total. Transfer the potato wedges to a bowl.
5. Toss the grilled potatoes with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, chives, vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Remove the garlic cloves from the remaining glaze and serve drizzled over the steaks with the potatoes on the side.

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Spring is almost over, so it’s time to pull out your maintenance checklist and prepare your home to transition summer.  Here are 6 tips to get you started to keep your home in tip-top shape this season.

1. Did you know that the U.S. Fire Administration reports over 15,000 dryer fires each year? Remember to give your dryer vent a thorough cleaning this summer using a vent-cleaning brush kit. It’s more effective than using your household vacuum cleaner.

2. It’s time to clean the exterior glass of your home! Wash your windows this summer so you can enjoy crystal clear views all year long.

3. You’re going to want to spend plenty of time in your backyard – so help promote healthy lawn and garden growth by planning a watering schedule.

4. Grab a ladder because it’s time to clean your gutters! Prevent water damage to your home by washing out the built-up debris that can collect during the cooler months.

5. Just like resetting your clocks for daylight saving time, you’ll want to reverse the direction of your ceiling fan blades for the summer to circulate cooler air and save money this season.

6. You’ll have plenty of outdoor gatherings to prepare for – so don’t forget to give your grill a deep cleaning.

Happy summer!

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The Bay Area has plenty of family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy this weekend! Take a look at what’s happening on Saturday and Sunday near you.

Learn all about the natural splendor of the High Sierra tomorrow in Dublin! Naturalist Stew Winchester will educate hiking enthusiasts on exploring the trails and help plan your trip to this gorgeous area of the Golden State at 9AM. Click here for more info. 

If you love Western tunes and the rodeo, then you’ll love this event happening in Livermore on Sunday! Come hear the Western swing flavor of The Stardust Cowboys at the Livermore Public Library at 2PM. Learn more here.

Get ready to celebrate Broadway composers this weekend in Pleasanton! Mads Tolling and Wesla Whitfield present Mads About Broadway, featuring the music of George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and others on Sunday at 2PM at the Firehouse Arts Center. Get tickets here.

Travel down the yellow brick road tomorrow in Livermore! The Wizard of Oz Sing-A-Long is happening at the Vine Cinema and Ale House at 11AM. Don’t forget to come dressed up as your favorite character from the classic film to enter to win the costume contest. For tickets, click here. 

Your little ones’ favorite characters from the famous street in New York are coming to San Jose this weekend! Sesame Street Live: Make A New Friend is hitting the stage at the City National Civic at 5:30PM. Purchase tickets here.

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Summer is almost here and what better way to celebrate than with some great events happening near you in the Bay Area!

Kick start the season with your family this weekend in Pleasanton! The Goodguys 21^st Summer Get-Together is happening on Saturday and Sunday at the Alameda County Fairgrounds and features a showcase of American-made cars, trucks and specialty exhibits at 8AM. Get more info here. 

Take part in an activity your whole family will enjoy this weekend! Explore ancient Egypt and join in on a museum scavenger hunt at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium on Saturday at 12:30PM. Get the details here. 

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds this weekend at the Fifth Chili Shooters Stampede in downtown Livermore! Sample chili with an ethnic and culinary spin starting on Sunday at 10AM. Find out more here.

Enjoy an evening of fun by the campfire this weekend! Pull up a chair and listen to stories from around the world under the night sky at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore on Saturday at 8PM. Learn more here. 

Wine, cheese and chocolate! Oh, my! Come relax at a fun-filled pairing event happening this weekend in San Jose. The J. Lohr Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting with The Chocolate Garage starts on Saturday at 7PM. Get your tickets here. 

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Create the perfect Memorial Day lunch with this mouthwatering recipe. Enjoy!

Deluxe Lobster and Potato Chip Rolls 

Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 celery rib, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 ½ teaspoons Tabasco
• 2 tablespoons snipped chives, plus more for garnish
• Kosher salt
• Three 1 ¼-pound live lobsters or 1 ¼ pounds cooked lobster meat
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 brioche hot dog buns
• One 4-ounce bag potato chips

Directions

1. In a bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, celery, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire, Tabasco and the 2 tablespoons of chives; season with salt. Refrigerate until chilled.

2. Bring a very large pot of water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water. Add the lobsters to the boiling water, head first. Cover and cook until they’re bright red, about 8 minutes. Transfer the lobsters to the ice water to stop the cooking. Drain the lobsters.

3. Twist off the lobster claws, knuckles and tails. Crack the claws and knuckles and remove the meat. Using kitchen scissors, cut along the underside of the tail shells and remove the meat. Discard the dark vein running lengthwise down each tail. Chop the lobster meat into ½-inch pieces and fold them into the dressing. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

4. Meanwhile, melt the butter on a large griddle or in a large skillet. Add the closed buns and toast the outsides over high heat, turning frequently, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer the buns to a platter, split the tops and fill with the lobster salad. Tuck the potato chips into the rolls, garnish with chives and serve.

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Here’s some of the fun to expect in the Bay Area this weekend! Make your spring weekend brighter with these unique and exciting events.

Art lovers unite! The Livermore Art Association presents their annual Spring Art Show this Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 5PM at The Barn. This is the biggest exhibition for the art association and drawing artists from all over the Bay Area. To learn more, click here.

Come out for side-splitting comedy this weekend in Livermore! Canadian duo Jean Saucier and Patrick Côté bring Circo Comedia alive at the Bankhead Theater this Sunday at 2PM. Get tickets here.

Have a fun, foolish and fabulous time this weekend in Pleasanton – and it’s all for a great cause! The Axis April Fools 5K Walk/Run is happening this Sunday at 8:45AM. Proceeds from the race will help raise funds for medical care for low-income and uninsured residents of the Tri-Valley region. Click here to register.

American Idol finalist Bo Bice is coming to Pleasanton! The country star brings his chart-topping music to the Firehouse Arts Center this Saturday at 8PM. Get your tickets here.

Come watch the San Jose Sharks hit the ice against the Nashville Predators this weekend! Your hometown team is playing at the SAP Center on Saturday at 7:30PM. To reserve your seats, click here.

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