The Voice of East Bay Living

Nestled in the Richmond hills across the street from normal homes, you will be surprised to find a beautiful meditation center on nearly three acres of land and nearly 8,000 sq ft of living space including meditation room, kitchen, community room and separate house.  Purchased in 2013 by the Guyto Foundation, it is one of the northern California centers used by the students of the Dali Lama. For more information including classes and programs, go to their website . Visit  GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine@grubbco.com

Did you know about this new regulation in Piedmont? There is now a new requirement in the city of Piedmont that all moving trucks within the city limits require a permit. The process to get a permit requires the signatures of neighbors, fees, and for the application to be submitted ten days prior to the moving truck is parked in front of a residence. Visit  GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine@grubbco.com

Did you know that the new    Exploratorium  in San Francisco is considered the most important science museum since the mid-twentieth century? It is described as a scientific fun house and an experimental laboratory rolled into one. At a recent visit with three young girls - ages six, ten and twelve - they were fascinated with the dissection  and lecture of a cow's eye. Yes, a real cow's eye.  I chose to check my emails on my iPhone at this point. They loved every minute, including the very hip Seaglass restaurant located on the first floor of the museum with stunning  views of the bay and multi-cultural menu served cafeteria style. It is worth a visit for all age groups.  Visit  GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine@grubbco.com

Have you seen those beautiful gondolas gliding across Lake Merritt like swans? Last week I took a ride in one of them.  Fashioned after the original 1800 century gondola and complete  with crew singing Italian songs, it is a magical experience. Setting sail from the dock at Lake Chalet and cruising around for an hour while sipping lovely beverages is once again another magical  amenity of the Uptown Oakland scene.  Here's a sneak peek at what next week will bring: Visit  GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine@grubbco.com

Do you want to avoid the crowds at San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf. Why not go to Jack London Square, on the water in Uptown Oakland.    My favorite restaurant is Scott's - a fresh seafood restaurant that has been in business for over 30 years. With views from your table of the yachts sailing in and out, it is a most relaxing atmosphere any time of the year.  From Scott's you can walk over the the ferry building and catch a quick 30 minute sea ride to The Ferry Building in San Francisco.  This is a very fun event for people of all ages. Visit  GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine@grubbco.com

Summer means travel  and sometimes greeting people from other countries.    I have just spent the last two days hosting two lovely ladies from Paris.    One of the young ladies is sixteen - she had  her first breakfast in bed at the Sonoma Mission Inn and her first manicure at Galaxy Nails.   Her observations about America were delightful:   "Everything is big in America- cars, freeways, houses, food served in restaurants and the people-as in overweight..." "Americans are very friendly-they say hello to everyone and they smile a lot.  However, they are not very polite when driving on the freeways."   "In France, everything is narrow..the country, the thinking, people are not friendly but they are much more polite to one another when driving on freeways. In France, the young people love American music and fashion. I will try and smile more when I return to France."   Paula, this sixteen year old is as they say in French "ador

  We are seeing a rise in the use of succulent plants, especially in California where everyone is being very conscious of the drought.  Succulents  are not a new plant.  From the early days of the Egyptian tombs, cave paintings, and fossils to the present day, they have long been considered as objects d"art.   Succulents are famous for their sturdiness.  They can survive in very arid desert climates as well as the cold Alpine regions of Europe where they adapted to the rocky soil and strong winds.    For more information go to the East Bay Nursery website .