Entries from March 2008 ↓

Color Vision

Sam asked me to post this for you:
Saw this in Wired, and it really hit me. Looks like it relates to
the Stroop effect, as well as other elements used in Seeing. Or
Mind, perhaps? Thought it might be of interest to the crew.
Fwd: Babies See Pure Color, but Adults Peer Through [...]

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Hang Up Your Ears

Hop(p)ing to replace your analog TV with a new hi-def one? - Even if you aren't, the Fed's phasing out traditional analog broadcasts (RIP, ol' Rabbit Ears) in favor of digital…

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Did Your Shopping List Kill a Songbird?

March 30, 2008 Op-Ed Contributor, New York Times
By BRIDGET STUTCHBURY Woodbridge , Ontario
THOUGH a consumer may not be able to tell the difference, a striking red and blue Thomas the Tank Engine made in Wisconsin is not the same as one manufactured in China — the paint on the Chinese twin may contain dangerous [...]

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Playdate Gala: Saturday, May 3

Our annual gala event, Playdate 2008, and fund-raiser will be held Saturday, May 3rd. In…

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Playdate 2008: An Evening by the Cove

Our annual gala event, Playdate 2008, and fund-raiser will be held Saturday, May 3rd. In…

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

I have been quiet for a while. And then I was quiet longer, in recovery from post traumatic stress disorder. I just completed a couple weeks ago an activity known simply as “The Process.” It was nine months long, painful,…

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Return from Mexico

Hello, babydolls! Alex and I got back from Tulum, Mexico last night, and it was amazing. White beaches, crystal clear water, snorkeling…now I understand why people take beachy vacations. Alex swam…

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Michelle Wie and Robin Lopez At Charity Auction [pic]

I am not normally one for celebrity gossip, but for some reason (I played basketball in college?) this story has my attention…

From Stanford Secrets (Wie-Lopez):
A guest contributer[sic] provided us with the following picture of Robin and Michelle canoodling at the Athlete Date Auction. We also heard that Michelle bought the men’s volleyball team without Robin’s [...]

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  • Michelle Wie and Robin Lopez At Charity Auction [pic] I am not normally one for celebrity gossip, but for some reason (I played basketball in college?) this story has my attention... From Stanford Secrets (Wie-Lopez): A guest contributer[sic] provided us with the following picture of Robin and Michelle canoodling at the Athlete Date Auction. We also heard that Michelle......

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The Omnipotent Blogger

Is it just me or does everyone else seem to have an extra 3 hours in their day? Everywhere I look lately, I see fellow mommy bloggers who seem to appear everywhere several times a day: daily (or almost daily)…

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Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreational Area

Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreational Area is located in: Pleasanton, CA
Phone: 1-888-EBParks
Park Hours:
Jan.: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Feb./Mar.: 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
April.: 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
May 1-Labor Day: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
post Labor Day-Sept.: 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
Oct.: 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Nov.: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dec.: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Parking Fee: $6 per vehicle. $4 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus.
Are Dogs Allowed? $2 per [...]

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  • Convict Lake, Convict Lake, CA Convict Lake is located in: Convict Lake, CA Phone: 760-934-3800 Lake History: This is a lake with a very rich history and after one visit, it's easy to see why it is so popular. We greatly enjoyed our time on this lake and look forward to going back soon. The......
  • Boat Camping At Lake Sonoma [pic] Lake Sonoma is a dammed reservoir in the heart of Sonoma count wine country.  For those in the know, the lake is actually off of dry creek road. Lake Sonoma is the #4 boat-in camping location in California according to Foghorn Outdoors California Recreational Lakes and Rivers: The Complete Guide to Boating, Fishing,......

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House of Cards

Several posts back I rounded up some craftastic ideas for playtime with paper. Only I somehow forgot to mention a huge hit in this family: The Eames House of Cards. I’d never seen these until my aunt sent them for…

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Dez Einswell at SURU, Los Angeles

The kids at SURU in Los Angeles have the very talented Dez Einswell in a solo show called Destination Unknown. Opening tomorrow, March 29th, Einswell will display works from his Doodlebarn series.Dez Einswell’s fascination with art began at an early …

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Sending Pokes and Tweets Your Way

So after much poking by a friend whose husband works at Facebook, I joined. On the same day I saw that my blogging pals were all on Twitter. I figured that I must be missing out on something. So I…

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Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline

Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shore is located in: Oakland, CA
Phone: 1-888-EBParks
Park Hours: 5am to 10pm - May change in some instances. Please contact park to double check these times before making your trip.
Parking Fee: Parking is free, unless the vehicle is parked there for a stadium event. In that case, parking ranges from $10 [...]

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  • Coyote Point -- Marina, Fuel Dock, and Boat Ramp Coyote Point (website) is a County Recreation Area of San Mateo County. $5 entrance fee after 8am.  (Free prior to 8am). Marina Phone Number -- (650) 573-2594 Advice from the harbormaster -- don't go south out of the marina until you get to the channel (very shallow). 580 boat marina. Fuel......
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shore is located in: Oakland, CA Phone: 1-888-EBParks Park Hours: 5am to 10pm - May change in some instances. Please contact park to double check these times before making your trip. Parking Fee: Parking is free, unless the vehicle is parked there for a stadium......

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Guest Blogger Chelsea: Church and State

Church and State describes their clothing as “charming, pretty and wearable.” As one of the most talked-about clothing lines in Portland, Church and State produces some of my favorite pieces each…

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Lake Shasta

Lake Shasta is located in Shasta Lake, CA
Marinas:
There are numerous marinas located all around the lake.
Shasta Marina Resort (530) 238-2284 or 1-800-959-3359
Packers Bay Marina (530) 275-5570 or 1-800-331-3137
Holiday Harbor (530) 238-2383 or 1-800-776-2628
Silverthorn Resort (530) 275-1571 or 1-800-332-3044
Bridge Bay Resort (530) 275-3021 or 1-800-752-9669
Digger Bay Marina (530) 275-3072 or 1-800-752-9669
Jones Valley Resort (530) 275-7950 or [...]

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  • Marin County Marinas Part 3 Richardson Bay Marina 100 Gate Six Road Sausalito, California 94965 Phone: 415.332.5510 Average water depth? 9 feet, but this may change. It's a good idea to contact the harbor ahead of time. Is there a marine stand by channel? No, at this time there is no way to contact the......
  • Sea World Marina, San Diego, CA Phone: 619.226.3915 Average Water Depth: 9 feet is the average at this marina, but it is always a good idea to check ahead before you arrive. Marine Standby Channel: The marina monitors Channel 16, but you can always reach them by phone if you have difficulty getting through. Is......

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Alternative Exposure: A Grant Program by Southern Exposure Information Session, Oakland, CA

Southern Exposure will host an Alternative Exposure Grant Program information session:Date: April 02, 2008Location:BlankSpace6608 San Pablo AvenueOakland, CA 94608www.blankspacegallery.com.This session will cover questions of eligibility, how to comple…

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Join The Art Scene

JOIN THE ART SCENE JOIN THE ART SCENE Blogmarksdel.icio.usDigg itredditSquidooCreate Social Bookmark Linkshttp://visionplusvisuals.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

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Artist(s) Call for Union Square Retail Store - San Francisco

Werkstatte (formerly known as Redtorpedo Media & Promotions andVision+Visuals) is now the art department of modAgency.We are looking for visual artists in the following categories:Abstract, Pop Art, Sculptures and Graffiti - to show at a prime Unio…

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  • Gothic Art Antiques -> Decorative-Arts Gothic art refers to any art, whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, or some other medium, created from about the mid-12th century through the end of the 14th century. Art was still created over the next century that’s often called International Gothic, but this type of art......

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Win a copy of The Toddler Cafe!

 
 
How many times have parents worked hard to make a new dish for their toddler only to have them throw it on the ground or refuse to eat it? Every mom has been there, and they all want to know how to get their kids to develop into healthy eaters that actually enjoy their time [...]

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  • Myrtle Creek Golf Course, Myrtle Creek, OR Myrtle Creek Golf Course is located in: Myrtle Creek, OR Phone: 888-T-MYRTLE Website: http://www.myrtlecreekgolf.com/ Course History: This is a terrific course that offers a wonderful traditional experience with just the right mix of challenge and fun. The course was first opened with 9 holes in 1997, and the back nine......
  • Eagle Valley Golf Course, Carson City, NV Eagle Valley Golf Course is located in: Carson City, NV Phone: 775-887-2380 Website: http://www.eaglevalleygolf.com Course History: This is a truly great course that is actually two courses in one. You'll have your pick of two, and the West Course is by far the most challenging. We'll be focusing on this......

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Knut - How One Little Polar Bear Captivated The World

At our local elementary school, we recently began a program called Cancel-A-Car that encourages families to take action at home to offset carbon emissions from cars. After the school-wide launch assembly, where a mama polar bear and her cub discover that their home is melting, the kids were excited to learn what they could to [...]

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60 Minutes in Heaven

Is 7 minutes in the dark long enough? - Only if you're an awkward, slobbery teenager. Otherwise, turn the lights off for a full hour tomorrow starting at 8 p.m. your time, and you'll join…

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Poetry Friday: Motherbridge of Love

Today’s Poetry Friday selection is a book called Motherbridge of Love. The text of this book is a poem that was anonymously written by an adoptive mother and donated to an organization called Mother Bridge of Love. This organization aims to reach out t…

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Lake Merritt

Lake Merritt can be found in: Oakland, CA
Phone: (510) 238-2196
About the Lake: Lake Merritt is one of the largest man-made salt water tidal pools in the world. They are located right on the Pacific Flyway and offer opportunities for nature lovers of all kinds. Boating is what they do best though and the amount of [...]

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  • Lake Merritt Lake Merritt can be found in: Oakland, CA Phone: (510) 238-2196 About the Lake: Lake Merritt is one of the largest man-made salt water tidal pools in the world. They are located right on the Pacific Flyway and offer opportunities for nature lovers of all kinds. Boating is what they......

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Wild Animal Park-Welk Resort Vacation Package

Summer vacation season is just around the corner and now is the time to book your holiday getaway. If you plan on visiting the San Diego area of Southern California the Welk Resort San Diego is defiantly worth taking a look at. The resort s located jus…

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  • California Hatchery Salmon Truck Delivered To San Pablo Bay In an unprecedented step in an attempt to revive the wild California King Salmon population the nonprofit Fishery Foundation of California trucked all all hatchery raised King Salmon to the top of the San Pablo Bay. The effort took 2.5 months an involved some 20 million fish. The step was......
  • Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort & Spa, Rancho Bernardo, California Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort & Spa is located in: Rancho Bernardo, California, United States Phone: (877) 517 9340 Website - http://www.ranchobernardoinn.com/ About the Course - The Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort & Spa is one of the premier golf resorts in San Diego, pressed right up against all of......

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Guest Blogger Chelsea: Granny Vintage Fashion Inspiration

Have you ever noticed the similarities between your grandmother’s photo album and your latest Anthropologie catalog? Loads of modern-day fashion inspirations can be found in these snapshots. Every…

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Complexion Countdown

T-minus what to sunburn protection? - 45…30…15… Our SPF countdown to summer is on. But even when it's overcast, the sun still wreaks havoc on your face. Count on eco-facial…

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Del Valle Regional Park

Del Valle Regional Park is Located in: Livermore, CA
Phone: 1-888-EBParks
Park Hours: 6am to 9pm
Parking Fee: $6 per vehicle per day, extra $4 for trailered vehicles. If parked at the Arroyo station, fee drops to $3 per vehicle per day.
Dogs Allowed? Yes, there is a $2 per dog fee
Boat Launch Fee: $4 for trailered boats, $2 [...]

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  • Lake Berryessa Berryessa Lake is located in: Napa, CA Phone: (707) 966-2111 This picture is the entry point into the Lake Berryessa Dam's Hydroelectric system (or maybe the spillover?). Below is a Google maps satellite picture of the same location. View Larger Map About the Lake: One of the most interesting facts......
  • Lake Almanor  Lake Almanor is located in Chester, CA Phone: (800) 624-8087 About the Lake: This is one of the largest man made lakes in California. It was constructed in 1914 and is an incredible place to fish for trout. Please keep in mind that due to its high elevation, this lake......

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Silicon Valley: How Are You Spending Spring Break?

Spring break week has almost ended here in the Hornik house. I was actually dreading the more than a week home with the kids without a big trip planned. Now I can not believe that tomorrow is the last day…

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Guest Blogger Chelsea: Maira Kalman

I found Maira Kalman via my sister Lizzy (a freelance writer) and her five-foot stacks of The New Yorker. Maira has illustrated lots of great covers. Another find from Lizzy’s bookshelf: The Elements…

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Introducing: Guest Blogger Chelsea!

For the next three days, Chelsea from the gorgeous Frolic will be guest blogging. Here’s a bit about her…

Can you tell us about yourself?
I just turned 30 (I’ve wanted to be 30 my whole life and…

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DNA Twins

I’ve been having some great conversations with other explainers and visitors while initially just compiling a list of questions (without worrying about the answers) at the DNA demonstrations. Its a nice technique to get the conversation started and cultivate a more two-way street at the demo stations. Today a visitor shared reading this article in [...]

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The Fizz Biz

What's more profitable than selling soda? - Not much. Soft drink markups are so high that if we didn't loathe disposable containers so much, we'd probably have a go at creating the…

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Can we leave technology at home during a couples-only weekend away?

My husband and I are headed to Tahoe this weekend BY OURSELVES! We haven’t gone away for a weekend - or even a night - in almost 5 years now….well, I take that back. We did go away for a…

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Craft Project: Spring Flowers

Since Palo Alto students are having their Spring Break this week, and since the weather is beautiful, I thought I’d share with you an art project I found at FamilyFun.com. This project is especially great if you have some empty egg cartons leftover fro…

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  • The joys of spring I love spring. I was out bike riding with two of my girls today and thought about how much I love spring -- and so, not in any particular order, here are 10 reasons: 1. The temperatures -- so much of the year it is terribly hot here. It's a......
  • Faberge Egg Collectables -> Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles Almost everyone has heard some reference to a Faberge egg, though many people simply think it's some sort of fancy, jeweled egg, without realizing the history behind it or its true value. Carl Faberge designed the first of these eggs in 1885, for......

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Contra Loma Park

Contra Loma Park at Contra Loma Reservoir is located in Antioch, CA
Park Phone Number: 1-888-EBPark
Park Hours: 5am to 10pm - please note that this is subject to change, please check ahead before making the trip.
Parking Fee: $5 per vehicle, $4 extra for vehicles with trailers. Buses are $25
Dogs Allowed? Yes, but there is a $2 fee [...]

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  • Contra Loma Park Contra Loma Park at Contra Loma Reservoir is located in Antioch, CA Park Phone Number: 1-888-EBPark Park Hours: 5am to 10pm - please note that this is subject to change, please check ahead before making the trip. Parking Fee: $5 per vehicle, $4 extra for vehicles with trailers. Buses are $25......
  • San Pablo Lake   San Pablo Lake   San Pablo Lake is located in: El Sobrante, CA Phone: 510-223-1661 About the Lake: San Pablo Lake is a terrific place to relax on your boat and enjoy some great fishing. Although swimming is not allowed, this is considered a great destination for picnicking and......

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California Rockets into Space Tourism

Los Angeles, March 26, 2008 – A small California aerospace company today unveiled a new suborbital spaceship that will provide affordable front-seat rides to the edge of space for the millions of people who want to buy a ticket.The company, XCOR Aero…

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Guest Blogger Paige: Six Degrees Of Useless Pop Culture Trivia

If you were to talk to my friends about me, they would probably tell you that I have the uncanny (yet involuntary) ability to remember the most useless information. An entire lobe of my brain is…

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Rude mommy: Multimedia Mom

“Would a young mother describe twenty or thirty cunning tricks and sayings of the baby to a bachelor who has been helplessly put beside her at dinner [...]?” Emily Post So opens a post on mommy email etiquette, brought to…

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A Field Guide to the Post-Industrial Landscape

5 Mined Fields Studio presents A Field Guide to the Post-Industrial Landscape, new work by Mark Baugh Sasaki Opening Reception …

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Turn Off Your Lights and Make A Difference

My friend at Crunchy Domestic Goddess turned me on to the Earth Hour 2008.  If everyone turned off their lights, even for one hour, that we could reduce greenhouse gases and raise awareness about global warming.  So simple.  So obvious.  Time to mark your calendar:  Sunday, March 29, 2008 is Earth Hour 2008.
During Earth Hour [...]

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Rain Checklist

Wish the rain, rain would go away? - Too bad it doesn't work that way. Prep for April showers by stocking up on eco-raingear, since in our experience, the weather gods are pretty stingy…

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Marinas in Contra Costa County

Martinez Marina
7 North Court Street
Martinez, California  94553
Phone: 925.313.0942
Home of the Martinez Yacht Club
Average depth: 6 feet
Marine stand by channel? Yes, they can be reached at VHF Channel 16.
Services available: Restrooms are provided, a boat ramp is available in Marina. However, there are no showers or Laundromats at this marina.
Is there a fuel dock? Yes, a [...]

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  • Martinez Marina, Martinez, CA Martinez Marina is located in: Martinez, CA Phone: 925.313.0942 Average water depth: The average depth at this marina is 6 feet. However, this can change. We recommend contacting the marina ahead of time before you arrive. Is there a marine standby channel? Yes, the marina monitors Channel 16 and you......
  • Digger Bay Marine, Lake Shasta Digger Bay Marina is located on Lake Shasta. Phone: 530.275.3021 Average Water Depth: This varies according to the seasons. Please contact the harbor for lake levels before you arrive. Is there a marine standby channel? No, not at this time. Is there a pumpout station? Yes, the marina provides this......

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Now this is going waaay too far!

First off, a disclaimer: I work in the game industry. I keep tabs on what’s going on in the game market to see who the competitors are, how the sales numbers look, etc. Also means I see what will come…

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Dublin Ranch Golf Course

Dublin Ranch Golf Course is located in: Dublin, CA
Phone: 925-556-7040
Website: http://www.dublinranchgolf.com/
Course History:
This course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr and offers panoramic views of the surrounding breathtaking scenery. You’ll be able to spot Mount Diablo and numerous other landmarks as you complete your round.
The Par 63 course is challenging but still suitable for all [...]

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  • Dublin Ranch Golf Course Dublin Ranch Golf Course is located in: Dublin, CA Phone: 925-556-7040 Website: http://www.dublinranchgolf.com/ Course History: This course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr and offers panoramic views of the surrounding breathtaking scenery. You'll be able to spot Mount Diablo and numerous other landmarks as you complete your round. The......

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Afterschool Special: Fly Like an Eagle

Come one, come all to the Children’s Library tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday, March 26) at 3:30 to enjoy a program highlighting things that fly. First we’ll be hearing stories about flight, and then we’ll be making paper airplanes. We’ll take the airplan…

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  • Speaking of libraries Generally speaking, I don't buy books, as I absolutely have no place to put even one more -- which doesn't stop me on occasion. I tend to go to the library and have them order a book for me, even if it is outside our library system. When we first......

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Guest Blogger Paige: Our Storybook Wedding…Literally

Being in love with a designer has its perks–one being that when you get married, your wedding invitations are sure to be totally original and completely personalized. Doug and I got engaged this…

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San Francisco Marina Yacht Harbor

The San Francisco Bay Marina is located in San Francisco, CA
Phone: 415.292.2013
 
Website: http://www.parks.sfgov.org/site/recpark_page.asp?id=18028
Slips: 700
About the Marina:
The marina is actually divided into two separate locations, the West and East Basin. If you are looking for their gas dock, you’ll find it located in the East Basin. The West Basin is home to several yacht clubs including [...]

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  • Captain Perry's Halibut Catch, Berkeley Flats Captain Perry says, "I remember that the weather was perfect that morning. We were up at the Berkeley Flats and in addition to these two beauties, we caught several good size fish and a bunch of 'shakers.' We couldn't get our bait in the water fast enough. Can't beat......
  • San Francisco Bay Halibut And Leopard Shark [pic] Captain Perry and the Sea Turtle is back with a picture of his deck hand (Larry Rivera) and an unnamed favorite customer.  The customer is an avid sportsman, knows how to catch fish, and loves to hunt waterfowl.  These fish were caught during the summer live bait drifting the Berkley flats.  — Join......

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Egg-sploratorium

The easter-eggs that we colored on friday are starting to smell a little funky, but I can’t bear to just throw them out without sharing them with the world. So here are our attempts to create colored eggs that no child could ever duplicate!

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