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. 

There are music, theater and food events in Northern California taking place this weekend and early next month. Take a look!

A Shakespeare-themed beer fest is coming to Livermore this weekend! The Livermore Shakes present Shakesbeer at the Eight Bridges Brewing Company this Saturday, April 23^rd from 12PM to 7PM. The adults can indulge in local brews, and there’s plenty of fun for the kids too. Some of the sales proceeds will benefit the Livermore Shakespeare Festival’s education program in Livermore public schools. Learn more here.

The music of the Scottish highlands is coming to Livermore on Sunday! The San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers are making their way to the Bankhead Theater stage at 5PM. Get tickets here.

We love the events that take place at Wente Vineyard in Livermore! Mark your calendar for Garden Tour and Luncheon Series with Master Gardener Diane Dovholuk. The once-a-month series starts on Tuesday, May 10^th and continues until Tuesday, October 11^th, offering a tour of The Restaurants 1/2-acre production garden and lunch featuring ingredients pulled from the garden. Learn more here.

Save the date for this Off-Broadway hit next month! Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus is a one-man theatrical production at Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton running Thursday, May 12^th through Sunday, May 14. Learn more about show times and purchase 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. 

We’re glad it’s April in Northern California because that means plenty of fun events coming your way! Take a look.

Hear some great musical hits in Livermore tomorrow night! Waterloo: The ABBA Concert Experience features tunes from the iconic band at 8PM. This family-friendly event will have you singing along to songs like Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All and many more. Click here to purchase tickets.

Raise money for Pleasanton schools this weekend! The 4^th annual Pleasanton Run for Education is happening this Sunday, April 17^th at the Alameda County Fairgrounds and includes a 15K, 10K, 5K and kids run. Get more info about the race here.

A new musical is hitting the stage at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton next weekend. Enchanted April, based on a novel by Elizabeth von Armin, is playing Saturday, April 23^rd through Sunday, May 8^th. Get tickets here.

Save the date for this Wente Vineyards event! Dog Day Afternoon is taking place on Saturday, April 30^th from 12PM to 5PM in Livermore with wine and fun for your furry friends. Plus, there will be vendors selling pet supplies and you can enjoy complimentary wine with a donation of dog accessories and food. You may even find a new family member that day through the Valley Humane Society. Learn more 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. 

Welcome to new Northern California homes that are smart, elegant and distinctive! Coming soon from Ponderosa and located in established NorCal communities, these family-friendly, single-family neighborhoods feature everything you’re looking for on your hunt for a new home.

You’ll soon have the chance to purchase a one-, two- or three-story residence at Red Hawk in Danville, Meridian at Ironwood in Pleasanton, The Vines in Livermore and Belmont in San Jose.

With up to 4,520 sq. ft. of living space, these homes will inspire you to experience the lifestyle you love in Northern California.

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.

Happy spring, Northern California! We’re looking forward to longer days and great weather! It’s important to keep your home running smoothly this season, so here are some spring maintenance tips to help you out.

It’s that time of the year to get all of your heavy cleaning out of the way, including dusting ceiling fans, vacuuming upholstery, washing cabinets and walls, flipping and cleaning mattresses and shampooing carpets.

Don’t forget to change your batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A great way to remember is to do so when the time changes twice a year. 

Having good indoor air quality flowing throughout your home is really important – and spring is the perfect time to improve your indoor space. By changing your air conditioning and air purifier filters, you can help create a healthier breathing environment for your family. 

Get your outdoor furniture ready for the spring and summertime parties you’re going to have with your family, friends and neighbors. Clean cushions with a mild detergent and hose down tables.This is also a great time to perform any maintenance on your grill and remove any grease residue that may be lingering.

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.

Don’t you just love getting out on the town in the Bay Area? There’s so much to do! Here’s a peek at some events around Livermore and Pleasanton.

Beloved musical, Guys and Dolls is coming to Pleasanton this weekend! Amador Valley and Foothill high schools’ spring production takes place this Friday, March 18^th and Saturday, March 19^th at 7:30PM and Sunday, March 20^th at 2PM. Buy tickets here.

Another fantastic wine event is coming to Livermore this weekend! The Livermore Valley 8^th annual Barrel Tasting Weekend is this Saturday, March 19^th and Sunday, March 20^th from 12PM to 4:30PM at participating wineries in the valley. Click here for tickets.

If you are a car enthusiast, you’ll love this event! The Goodguys 34^th annual All-American Get-Together is this weekend, March 19^th from 8AM to 5PM and March 20^th from 8AM to 4PM at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Experience autocross, a model car show and free kids’ entertainment with your family on Saturday and Sunday. Get more details here.

Celebrate your friendship next weekend in Livermore! Friends Night Out is happening at Wente Vineyards on Friday, March 25^th with great food, wine and vendors selling beauty and health products, jewelry and more. For more info on the event, 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.

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, and we’re seeing green in the Bay Area! Check out the events that are happening this weekend and next.

Jewels everywhere! Gem Faire is coming to the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton this weekend. Large selections of gems, beads, minerals, pearls and more will be available for purchase from importers and wholesalers. Learn more here.

The work of William Shakespeare is coming to life on stage this weekend in Pleasanton! A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Civic Arts Stage Company is coming to the Firehouse Arts Center starting today, March 11^th. Get the performance schedule and purchase tickets here.

Get ready to run! The Badger Cove Half Marathon 10K & 5K is taking place this Saturday, March 12^th at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore. Be there bright and early to participate in this St. Patrick’s Day-themed race. Get more info here.

Save the date for the St. Patrick’s Day Brew Crawl in Downtown Pleasanton! Sample craft beers from the Bay Area on Saturday, March 19^th from 5PM to 8PM. Get 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.

It’s almost spring in the Bay Area, and that means lots of events coming our way! Take a look.

The Easter Bunny is hopping into town! Bring your kids to Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton tomorrow, March 5^th from 8:30AM to 12PM. The event also includes a scavenger hunt, petting zoo, crafts and breakfast snacks. Get more details here.

Yum! We’ll definitely be at this food- and spirit-pairing event this weekend. Head over to Cedar Mountain Winery in Livermore for Port and Girl Scout Cookies tomorrow, Saturday, March 5^th from 12PM to 4PM. Learn more here.

March brings Wine Month to The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards! Explore wines from Livermore Valley as well as other locations in California, Oregon and Washington. You’ll receive 50% off bottle purchases when you dine at The Restaurant between March 1^st and March 31^st. Make reservations here.

The City of Livermore is calling on artists to assist with the downtown outdoor sculpture project! Submit applications online by March 15^th for consideration. Learn more about this great art opportunity 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 love the great events that happen in Livermore and Pleasanton! Take a look.

Get ready to have your funny bone tickled tomorrow night! Comedian Bryan Kellen is coming to Las Positas Vineyards in Livermore and performing from 6:30PM to 8PM. Get tickets here.

Kids love robots! The Civic Center Library is hosting their Maker Program for Kids tomorrow, Saturday, February 20^th at 1PM, with a chance to create a recycled robot. Get more info here.

A Vince Guaraldi tribute is headed to the stage at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton this weekend! San Francisco-based jazz musician and composer Larry Vuckovich brings the sounds of the artist to you with his tribute quintet on Sunday, February 21^st at 2PM. Get tickets here.

Monday, February 22nd is the first day to register your kids for the Lawrence Hall of Science Inventor’s Workshop: Fun with Physics. The workshop is for children grades 2 – 5 and is scheduled for Saturday, March 19^th from 2PM to 3:30PM. Call the Children’s Desk at (925) 931-3400, ext. 3 to register.

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.

Happy Valentine’s Day! This recipe is sure to delight – so get ready to fill the heart and stomach of your special someone this weekend. Enjoy!

Coq au Riesling

Ingredients

8 ounces of sliced bacon, sliced crosswise into 1-inch pieces

3 medium onions, peeled and roughly chopped

10 chicken thighs, with skin and bone

8 ounces of button mushrooms, halved

2 or 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

¼ cup chopped Italian parsley

3 tablespoons of chopped tarragon

1 bottle of dry or off-dry Riesling wine (750 ml)

Preparation

Step 1) Place large flameproof casserole or other heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until most of the fat has been rendered. Add onions and sauté until softened, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mixture to plate, leaving behind as much liquid fat as possible.

Step 2) Place pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches (do not overcrowd pan),you should brown chicken pieces on both sides, transferring them to a plate after they are browned.

Get this delicious recipe in its entirety 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.