City & Culture

Giving Back with Habitat for Humanity | Oakland, CA

Oakland is home to thousands of people experiencing homelessness, and thanks to the efforts of The Agency and a recent Build Day with Giveback Homes, two families have found places to call their own. Twenty-two staff and agents from our Northern California offices teamed up with Habitat for Humanity earlier this month to transform two neglected properties into affordable housing and help community members in need find stability and unlock their full potential through first-time homeownership.

A group of us at The Agency volunteered to make improvements, installing flooring, putting in a French drain, caulking windows and setting up an air purifiers. In the spirit of making the most of underutilized resources, we also repurposed bricks from a chimney to create a walkway. With a combined 176 hours of service, the team helped complete one of the two residences, where a couple plans to raise their 12-year-old son. Construction on the other home will wrap in August.

sean mauser
SEAL COVE INN | MOSS BEACH, CA

Deb surprised me with a birthday weekend trip to Moss Beach (which is north of Half Moon Bay). We stayed at a B&B called Seal Cove Inn and explored around the small beach town! The Inn is located in a hidden oasis with tons of greenery, and just a 5 minute walk to the beach and local distillery.

Walking into the inn, we could smell freshly baked cookies set on the lobby counter (I believe we inhaled about 3 cookies each). Upon checking in, we found that our patio door opens up to the backyard garden - home to many rabbits, quails, and squirrels. We later continued our walk to the connected trail to the beach, and then to the distillery.

Deb and I discovered that the Moss Beach Distillery is actually linked to the legend of The Blue Lady, a famous ghost and well known for the popular TV series Unsolved Mysteries.

“According to the ghostly Coastside legend, some 72 years ago a beautiful, young woman met by chance, a handsome dangerous man and fell in love with him. This sophisticated ladies' man was, say some, a piano player in the bar. The naive young woman, always dressed in blue was already married to another but her unsuspecting husband never knew of the illicit affair. She made many trips to the restaurant to be with her lover.

The beautiful lady in blue was reportedly killed while walking on the beach below the restaurant with her lover. He was assaulted, but survived. It is here at the Distillery you will find her searching for her lover.”

After reading this story, Deb went downstairs to the restroom so scared that she might run into the Blue Lady (haha!)

The food here is amazing, and the drinks STRONG. After finishing our dinner, we walked outside to the ocean view patio and sat by the fire pit, watching the sun set and birds migrating. Go visit Moss Beach for a fun, relaxing weekend! Who knows, you might even get to see the Blue Lady!





sean mauser
Smallcakes Cupcakes | Danville, CA

I made a visit to Smallcakes in downtown Danville, where they bake and frost 12 signature flavors each and every morning. They taste amazing! I'm all about promoting local businesses - feel free to reach out if you want to promote together. 

sean mauser
Tech Museum of Innovation | San Jose, CA

My family and I made a trip out to the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose to check out the Body Worlds Decoded exhibit. We made it a full day's trip and wanted to explore without feeling rushed to move our cars before the meter maids got to them. As we walked into the exhibit, we were greeted by displays of real human bodies (full-body plastinates) and specimens that helped us explore the smallest organs in a human body to the most complex systems - cardiovascular, reproductive, respiratory, and more. As I moved from one display to another, I was fascinated by the intricate functions of each organ and system, not to mention the consequences of unhealthy lifestyles on our bodies. Time flew by as we were all immersed in learning more about our bodies, and engaged in the high-tech visualization. 

After the Body World exhibit, we made our way to the IMAX movie "Dream Big" showing, and were blown away by the massive dome screen. "Dream Big" was narrated by one of my favorite actors, Jeff Bridges, and was really worth watching, especially on the dome screen. 

An amazing experience and worth visiting! 

sean mauser
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE | NEVADA, CA

Sometimes you need to get out of your space and surround yourself with nature to clear your mind, breathe, and recharge. We decided to take a spontaneous 2 hour drive up to Lake Tahoe on a Monday, and found out that most hotels have great deals on Mondays and Tuesdays (we stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino). I created a video of the trip to show our family how beautiful it was, and hopefully we go back soon! 

sean mauser
Friday Nights @ OMCA | Oakland, ca

Met some friends here on a random Friday night for some food truck grub and live music. Gallery admission is half-price and every Friday 5-9pm. Might have to sign Deb and I up for some salsa lessons! 

 

Check out OMCA's website for more info! #community

http://museumca.org/friday-nights-omca

sean mauser
LAFAYETTE RESERVOIR | LAFAYETTE, CA

The Lafayette Reservoir is an "open-cut man-made terminal water storage reservoir" which was initially solely intended as water supply for the East Bay Municipal Utility District. Today, it is open to the public, where locals come to hike, jog, fish, and picnic at the reservoir. We made plans to visit the reservoir, but had trouble with directions (mostly me) because I thought the reservoir would be in the middle of nowhere. 30 minutes later, we found that its located just off of Route 24 and a mile from the Lafayette BART station.
Fun fact - the Lafayette Reservoir hold 1.4 billion gallons of water! 
We hiked for about 15 minutes, and found a nice spot to picnic for lunch. (There are plenty of picnic tables, and even a small playground for kids) Check it out! 

sean mauser
Parada Peruvian Kitchen | Walnut Creek, CA

Thanks to my clients, Hina and Janak, who I've come to call family over the years, Deb and I were able to experience an amazing, hearty dinner at a Peruvian kitchen called Parada in Walnut Creek. As soon as we walked in, we were greeting by friendly staff and a breathtakingly beautiful mural of the heart and culture of Peru on the walls. Deb spent a good portion of her time appreciating the mural during dinner. Hina and Janak recommended the "Pisco Sour" to us because they know we're both whiskey/brandy drinkers. It did not disappoint. Our server brought us another drink (on the house!) to try and I think it's safe to say all their drinks are really refreshing and tasty. We had the Tuna Tartare bruschetta, Lomo saltado, and Churrasco. So good! 

sean mauser
Teleferic Barcelona | Downtown Walnut Creek, CA

We fell in love with the ambience and layout of building at first sight. Covered by red brick, iron details, cozy landscaping, and warm light throughout the building, there's a very inviting/comfortable feeling you get walking in. To be honest, the main reason we decided to check out Teleferic was because of the location and decor of the whole building.

On the level floor, there's Slice House by Tony Gemignani, then Teleferic Barcelona(Spanish tapas & drinks) on the 2nd floor, and Rooftop which is on the last, 3rd floor.

The appetizer portions aren't for everyone, but perfect if you're in the mood for trying out different flavors paired with a beautiful specialty cocktail (their drinks are very aesthetically pleasing). 

Address: 1500 Mt Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Parking structure behind building, and lot next to building. 

sean mauser
Lighting of the Old Oak Tree | Danville, CA

The town of Danville gathers on the day after Thanksgiving in Downtown Danville for the holiday tradition of lighting the Old Oak Tree. Having only attended one year during my childhood, I wanted to go back to my 'roots' (pun intended) and show off how awesome Danville is to Deb. There were THOUSANDS of Danvillains (ha!) that showed up to watch the performances by ballet performers, the San Ramon Valley High School Chorus, Christmas carolers, The Salvation Army, and more. 

The lighting is officiated by Father Christmas and the Snow Angel around 6:15pm on Diablo Road. There are plenty of musical entertainment, shops, and restaurants open serving refreshments and dessert samples. Great for getting your kids, family amped up early for the Holiday spirit. 

DANVILLE Lighting of the Old Oak Tree 5:15-8:30 p.m.
(925) 837-4400
danvillechamber.com | danville.ca.gov

sean mauser
Broderick Roadhouse | Walnut Creek, CA

We were driving through Walnut Creek, hangry (hungry/angry) from forgetting to eat all day and found Broderick on yelp. The photos of the burgers are what really brought us in the first time. We were shocked at how big the portion sizes were. They have all different styles for fries - we tried the Garlic fries and Banh Mi Fries. Not to mention the burgers stuffed with all things amazing. Cool ambience, good food and drinks. Check them out! 

548 Bonanza Street, Bonanza St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

sean mauser
Moore's Pumpkin Patch | San Ramon, CA

This place is not your average pumpkin patch! In addition to all the pumpkins and 'fun facts' about farm animals displayed throughout, they've got kid-friendly slides, outdoor bouncers, and more.

We picked a couple pumpkins, and went back for more after realizing how quick and easy it was to paint instead of carve. 

Location: 19901 San Ramon Valley Blvd San Ramon, CA 94583

Note: Paint the pumpkins using acrylic paint to prevent any from washing off. The painted pumpkins will last for about two months when stored outdoors around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 

 

Volunteer | Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds

My heart goes out to all the individuals, families, and loved ones that lost so much due to the Northern California fires. I woke up to a text from family stating that they had safely evacuated and not to worry...I had no idea what was going on so I turned on the news only to see fire everywhere destroying homes, hospitals, and claiming lives. 

I came across a post two weeks later that called all able-bodied individuals to volunteer at Sonoma Marin Fairgrounds. Upon arrival, I was gut-struck by the amount of people present, from medical professionals triaging fire evacuees to people helping sort out clothes, books, and other supplies for those that lost everything in the fires. The parking lot was packed with cars and trucks waiting to drop off donations. Not only was I awed by the number of people at the fairgrounds, but by the look of dedication and sweat on the faces of volunteers there that day. There was a saying going around that resonated with me that day --"The love in the air is thicker than the smoke"

This is far from over. Any and all gestures are warmly welcomed. To volunteer, you can visit this website --> http://www.sonoma-marinfair.org/evacuee_information/

The Organic Coup | Pleasant Hill & Pleasanton, CA

By now, everyone at the office knows how much of a foodie I am. You guys probably do too at this point. So when my colleague Carolyn Davidson suggested I check out the Organic Coup, I made it a point to do just that. 

Think Chick-fil-A without all the additives and preservatives (USDA organic certified). It's perfect for when you're on the go and need a place that doesn't have 500 items on the menu to choose from. 

It's Simple. Easy. Tasty. 
www.theorganiccoup.com
 

 

 

Raiderrrrrrrrr Nation | Oakland, CA

THANK YOU little brother Cameron for the awesome seats to the Oakland Raiders game. 

We left from Dublin BART and got off at Oakland Coliseum (20-25min). You only have a few years left to catch a Raiders game before they move to Las Vegas. 

Two important things: 
1. They stop serving alcohol at half-time
2. Make sure your bag/purse/murse (male-purse) is SMALL or see-through

More info on bag dimensions (http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Coming-to-the-Game-Brush-Up-on-the-NFL-Clear-Bag-Policy/8b128901-1429-4592-9786-59f0ec3a574b) 

We had to check our bag in at the Oracle Arena and of course, they charge for that. Besides the bag drama, we had a great time at the game. 
Also - If you're taking Bart, I recommend leaving 5-10 minutes before the game ends just so you get a head start. 

 

True Food | Walnut Creek, CA

When I used to live in Santa Monica, True Food was my go-to lunch/dinner spot. I've been waiting and waiting for them to open a location in the Bay Area...and I'm SO EXCITED that they have one in Walnut Creek now. 

One thing special about True Food is that they're health-driven, with seasonal fusion dishes that taste amazing at the same time. 


The "Spicy Panang Curry" is my all time fave, and I order it every single time. My fiance Deb likes to try different plates so I'll steal some of her food. 

Some of our top picks:
Medicine Man drink
Edamame dumplings
Red Chili noodles
SPICY PANANG CURRY

Located at Broadway Plaza, 120 Broadway Ln Building 4, #1044, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
www.truefoodkitchen.com/walnutcreek
 

Cars & Coffee | Danville, CA

We made it out to the last Cars & Coffee event of the 2017 year. The event is hosted by The Blackhawk Museum, located in the Blackhawk Plaza in Danville. There were all kinds of cars - from old school classic cars to brand new Lamborghini's. 

Cars & Coffee will start again in March 4th of 2018, Sunday (every first Sunday of the month) People start showing up around 7am and leave around 10:30/11:00AM. I highly recommend marking your calendars and taking a drive out! 

Address: 4175 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, CA 94506
 

Lindsay Wildlife Experience | Walnut Creek, CA

This museum and wildlife rehabilitation center is a gem in Walnut Creek, CA. We brought my niece here for an afternoon filled with pet education, art exhibits, discovery rooms for children, and wildlife animals. Let me just say I probably had as much fun as my 3-year-old niece (if not more) walking through the museum and visiting each discovery room section. Awesome opportunity to learn more about wildlife and spend time with family/friends! 

I highly recommend paying a visit to Lindsay Wildlife Experience! 
More info on their website: https://lindsaywildlife.org/

Toll Brothers New MODELS | San Ramon, CA

 I'm sure you have heard about the residential home builders - the Toll Brothers. Toll Brothers is an American real estate company based in Pennsylvania, and they have thousands of homes built in Contra Costa County. There are detailed videos and pictures on their websites and tour sites. I visited the model homes at Gale Ranch in San Ramon, CA to take a tour of the Carmela and Alita community for myself. Each community offers 3 home designs. 

"Carmela" is the new community in Gale Ranch where homes are 5000+ sq ft with 5-7 bedrooms priced from $1,841,995. Below are some cool features I noticed while touring the Carmela homes. 
 

"Alita" is the new community in Gale Ranch where homes are 3000+ sq ft with 4 bedrooms and 4-5 bathrooms, priced from $1,438,995. 

sean mauser
"Baagan" for you health nuts out there (like me) | San Ramon

This restaurant is my all time favorite restaurants in the East Bay. They're foods are "vegan, gluten-free, GMO free, locally sourced", and most important part is that they're also DELICIOUS. Oh and all the food items are free of dairy, lactose, casein, refined sugar, and artificial colors/flavors. To be honest, I was spoiled while living in Los Angeles for a handful of years because there is such a wide variety of healthy foods in L.A. All I'm going to say is, Baagan's 'Roasted Chipotle Chickpea Tacos' and 'Garden Wrap' never disappoint. 

 

 

sean mauserBagaan