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Buy Freighter Series Beers + Save East Brother Lighthouse!

East Brother Beer Co. has pledged to donate 20% of the proceeds from the sales of their Freighter Series Beers to their namesake, East Brother Light Station. This is a series of beers inspired by the same ships that the light station guides.

“Way before we started making beer,” comments co-owner Rob Lichtner, “we had the difficult job of figuring out what we were going to call ourselves. While driving across the Richmond/San Rafael bridge one day, we noticed a building in the middle of the Bay: East Brother Light Station. Built in 1873, the light station has watched over the San Pablo/San Francisco Bays for over 140 years. We knew right then that East Brother was the name for us.”

On April 1, 2021, the Lighthouse’s only source of power, an underwater cable, stopped working, leaving the Bed & Breakfast on the Island inoperable. They are currently trying to raise $150,000 to help finance an alternative source of energy. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to help!” continues Rob. “And that’s right; we’re bringing back your favorite Ales for a good cause.”

They’ll have English Strong, Belgian Tripel, and Russian Imperial Stout available on tap. So, get on down to the taproom and enjoy a pint, or take a growler home. La Santa Torta is at the brewery daily.

Make a reservation or order to go online  https://www.eastbrotherbeer.com/sip-pickupanddelivery. (510)-230-4081

East Brother Beer Co. is located at 1001 Canal Blvd in Richmond.

By |2021-05-06T13:55:45-07:00May 6th, 2021|Tags: , , |0 Comments

A Big Shout-Out to East Bay Regional Park District!

What would we have done without all the hiking trails in our beautiful hills of the East Bay Regional Parks during the pandemic? We were able to move out of our home offices and soak up sunshine and fresh air and let our minds engage in our surroundings. “I felt alive again when I got to the trails in the park,” explains hiker and Oakland resident Julie Henshaw. “It helped me to forget for a brief respite that we were in the middle of the pandemic. And it reminded me that we live in one of the most beautiful places on earth.”

East Bay Regional Park District staff are happy to announce that once again their visitor centers are able to welcome the public for information, programs, and walk-throughs. The hours of operation and capacity are limited, and visitors must  make a reservation and follow all safety protocols as noted on their website. They will also continue opening up facilities in all the parks.

Did you know that the East Bay Regional Park District turned 85 in 2019 and to this day is the largest local park agency in the nation? Created in 1934, the Park District has preserved 125,000 acres of protected scenic lands and landscapes, including 55 miles of SF Bay Trail.  It’s a system of beautiful parklands and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties with over 1,250 miles of trails in 73 Parks.

“I was so glad to see so many individuals and families out enjoying themselves in nature,” continues Julie, “so  much that I became a member!” The Park District ensures preservation of the natural beauty that makes the Bay Area such a desirable place to live and provides habitat for wildlife, including many rare and endangered species. Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, picnicking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, golfing or just studying nature, there are many wonderful parks and trails to choose from.

Enjoy the parks and stay safe!

  • Photo/Vivian Aldridge, Poppies at Anthony Chabot Regional Park
  • Photo/ ML Thiercof,  Cloud Mirrors on Lake Chabot
  • Photo/ML Thiercof, Trail Through the Wildflowers

By |2021-04-28T13:54:40-07:00April 28th, 2021|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Oakland Zoo News: Gray Wolves are Growing Up!

What’s New at the Zoo?

Oakland Zoo is now selling beer and wine! Take the gondola up to the top and you land in California Trails where native California animals live in the natural habitat of the Oakland hills in live native plant and animal habitats.

Panoramic views overlooking the San Francisco Bay Area await you outside the Landing Café, where you can purchase chef-inspired cuisine and beer & wine to take with you as you visit the animals up there.

If you time it right, (about 3:30pm) you  can see the mountain lions up close. When it is feeding time, these sleek, confident big cats pounce out of hiding.

Moving down to the Gray Wolf Compound, the four young ones are now two years old. We missed them during the 2020 pandemic shutdown and seeing them now is amazing. They seem almost as big as their parents.

Parents Siskiyou and Sequoia arrived at Oakland Zoo in April of 2018 as part of a partnership with the Zoo and California Wolf Center, an organization dedicated to helping wild wolves return to California after being extirpated during government run anti-predator campaigns a century ago.

The Zoo hoped they would mate. Wolves  usually mate for life and take time to develop relationships. Upon their arrival, everyone (zookeepers, vets, docents, staff, visitors) made every effort to ensure the wolves had an ideal environment for their comfort and emotional well-being. And voila! Four pups arrived in 2019.

On this sunny day at the zoo, the docent was throwing fish down to the wolves. Sequoia let the pups eat first and then went into the bushes to find his own dinner. Visitors can’t help but stand there and watch these beauties for long periods of time. Take a look at this video of the gray wolves when they were babies all the way up to their first birthday.

The Oakland Zoo is dedicated to conservation worldwide and sustainability here at home. Find out more about their programs on their website. Oakland Zoo ia open on a limited basis at this point. You must make a reservation. Check their website for updates. Hours daily: 10am – 6pm with last entry at 4pm and last gondola ride up to California Trails at 5:15pm.

Think about becoming a member.  There are lots of benefits. And the Oakland Zoo is offering a membership discount! The great thing about being an Oakland Zoo member is that you have free admission so you can just go to the zoo for an hour or so whenever you want to play hooky. Or you can make an afternoon of it. Join by May 31 and receive 15% off the membership price with code: ZOOMEM. Help them save our animals!

Photo of Siskiyou & her four pups/Steven Gotz

Other photos: ML Thiercof,  SF on the Bay

Video courtesy of Oakland Zoo

Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Road
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 632-9525

By |2021-04-28T13:45:22-07:00April 27th, 2021|Tags: , , |0 Comments

36th America’s Cup Challenger Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Faces Defender Emirates Team New Zealand March 10th!

It’s been on and off again due to increased incidents of Covid-19. Racing is set to start on Wednesday, March 10th under Covid-19 Level 2

The highly anticipated Race 1 of the 36th America’s Cup Match will start shortly after 4 pm (NZT) on Wednesday March 10th. The Government announced a reduction in alert levels March 5th.

Under COVID-19 Alert level 2 or 1, the race schedule will remain as planned with 2 races per day – Wednesday 10th, Friday 12th, Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th, Monday 15th and each day after that. The current schedule has racing every day until either the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand or the Challenger Luna Rossa reaches 7 wins.

Racing Under Level 2 

Racing under Level 2 will be restricted to only be sailed on either Race Course A or E. If Auckland moves to Level 1, all courses will become options for the Regatta Director again.

Every race of the 36th America’s Cup presented by Prada will be streamed online on YouTube, Facebook and americascup.com in almost every country in the world

Watch the America’s Cup match at americascup.com. If it’s a race day, the RACING will go LIVE at 16:00 NZT / 03:00 UTC (08:00PT Tuesday, March 9) on the America’s Cup website. Or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo15ZYO_XDRU9LI30OPtxAg.

The Italians are passionate about sailing. And design. Check out Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli's insights into their design and how they fly.

By |2021-03-08T09:13:16-08:00March 8th, 2021|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Save The Animals + Save The Arts! It’s All Happening in Alameda!

Frank Bette Center for the Arts & Friends of Alameda Animal Shelter Host Paw Prints Fundraiser!

What: Paw Prints Online Art Fundraiser
When: March 4-14, 2021
Where:  Online auction              Art items for sale              Make a donation

Love animals and Alameda scenery? You can liven up  a blank wall or two  in your home or office over the next ten days and at the same time help the Friends of Alameda Animal Center and the Frank Bette Center for the Arts. It’s a win- win. Artwork is donated mostly by members of the Alameda and surrounding art community. Auction items include art experiences, art supplies and art for sale. Just browsing all the auction items feels like a cultural experience!

Featured artwork

Soul – Snowy egret photographed in swan-like image in an East Bay lagoon. Kanji symbol for Soul marks the unusual moment. Photography by Gerry Traucht https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100019466299227

Kanji Dog – Shawnee running at the beach. The kanji means dog. Created for the Chinese New Year, Year of the Dog, 2018. Painting by Ellie Fidler

Harley Cap Pop Art – Buddy in a Harley cap. Pop Art, Warhol style. Also by Ellie Fidler https://www.facebook.com/EllieFidlerDesigns/

How to Join the Auction

  • It’s easy, you click on this link https://fbca.betterworld.org/auctions/paw-prints-3 and go to Log In and create an account to buy or bid on auction items.
  • Browse the auction items and click to get more details or place your bid.
  • This is a fundraiser so all sales will be final. No refunds will be given.
  • Starting March 6, you will be able see many of the auction items in person at the Frank Bette Center, 1601 Paru Street (at Lincoln) from 11 am to 5pm on Saturday & Sunday.
  • Items purchased at the online auction will be available for pick-up at the Frank Bette Center starting Thursday March 18th through Sunday March 21 from 11-5pm.

Here is a fun gallery of Pet Portraits. https://www.frankbettecenter.org/special-events.html  Enjoy!  And thank you to all the artists!

About The Frank Bette Center for the Arts & Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter

Many nonprofit organizations suffered great losses during the pandemic. The purpose of this fundraiser is to help support the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) and the Frank Bette Center for the Arts (FBCA). Both organizations have a number of things in common: They are totally run by volunteers, they exist to serve their community, and are valued as sources of civic pride in the city of Alameda. FAAS rescues and cares for animals that are lost or abandoned and finds them new homes. The Frank Bette Center offers a home for community artists to express their artistic vision. The center holds exhibits, offers art classes, and partners with visionary people and community organizations as a catalyst for creative energy. In difficult times, animals can be a source of caring and warmth and art that reflects that bond is a lasting source of comfort.

Frank Bette Center for the Arts

1601 Paru Street
Alameda, CA 94501
510-523-6957

Friends of Alameda Animal Shelter

590 Fortmann Way
Alameda, CA 94501
510-337-8565

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