General

Wouldn’t it be terrific if Vallejo had a hometown symphony?  Someone said that 90 years ago and here we are.  Several of us from Hiddenbrooke enjoyed the closing concert of the Vallejo Symphony’s 90th season at the Empress Theatre in downtown Vallejo on Sunday, May 21.  It was a dynamic performance with musical selections from …

Who knew olive oil is a beverage? OK, not exactly, but I was receptive to participating in my first olive oil tasting with food pairings because I knew how fun and instructive wine tastings are. IL Fiorello Olive Oil Company is a family-owned company dedicated to growing and milling the finest quality artisan olive oil. …

Tracy Lovelis’ luxury dog bathing mobile spa named Tracy’s K9 Suds on the Run is a stress free environment that comes right to your home. You can’t miss the attractive van when it’s parked around our neighborhood. The van is always shiny and clean. Just like the dogs after Tracy scrubs them. She will be …

Paul Tucker is ashamed of other plumbers who seem to drive into Hiddenbrooke, look around at the nice houses, and increase their prices. “I had someone tell me they were quoted $3,200 for a common water heater replacement that I charged $1,300 to do for them,” said Paul in a recent interview with me. Paul …

UPDATE on May 10, 2023: Thanks for all the neighbors who came out to cheer me on. Here are some video highlights from the show: ———————————————– I’ve been a theater geek since elementary school when I was cast as Snoopy in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” My favorite role is “audience member” and there …

UPDATE on May 14, 2023: Jason Mills at Savage and Cooke, who we all met at our Meet-up there, asked us to pass along that they have begun featuring entertainment on Thursday eveninds.  This Thursday, May 18 from 4-7 pm they will feature the “contemportary jazz groove” of Mr. Quiet Trio.  No cover and no …

We first fell in love with Suisun Valley on a weekend day trip from our previous home in Berkeley.  We followed signs to Winterhawk Winery that was serving local wine, a funky blues band, and pizzas made fresh by Tony, Jr. of Napoli’s Pizza Vallejo in an oven fired with discarded barrel staves. Sadly, that …

Any search for Vallejo’s favorite pizza will lead to Napoli’s Pizza at 124 Tennessee Street in Vallejo.  That’s where you’re likely to be greeted by the owner himself, Tony, as he kneads his house-made dough and toppings in front of the large pizza oven.  He makes the sauce and ravioli himself as well, but when …

I traveled to New Orleans 4 times to enjoy JazzFest but I’m embarrassed to say I hadn’t participated in BottleRock right here in Napa until last year.  Given my love of far-away music festivals, I thought it would be fun to volunteer backstage at BottleRock.  But they don’t take volunteers.  So instead they hired me …

I enjoyed my time as a volunteer at last year’s Sonoma International Film Festival.  The annual Festival features more than 100 films, representing 29 countries, screening at various venues throughout Sonoma, plus two culinary showcase events, and themed parties, panels and more.  This year, the 26th annual event will be March 22-26. As a venue …