Your Guide to Valentine's Day Events

From Valentine craft events for kids to comedy bashes for adults, the Tri-Valley offers several Valentine-themed events this year.

Looking for a romantic outing with your sweetie? Or maybe you’re in the mood for an anti-Valentine’s Day comedy event? From Valentine crafts for kids to wine tasting for lovers, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate—or bash—Valentine’s day in the Tri-Valley. We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorites taking place in or near San Ramon, Danville, Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore all week long.

 Click on the links for event details. Valentine’s Day Fun for Families 1) Head to your local libraries for some free Valentine Day kid crafts: Pop into the Livermore Civic Center Library anytime between 12 - 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 to make a free Valentine craft for someone special. School-aged kids are invited to create a valentine during the Dublin …

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Wine Wednesdays

A Day Dedicated to Cabernet

Charles R Vineyards hosts a "Cab"ulous event.

This family run winery started making wine in 2004 and hasn't looked back since. With 100 percent of their grapes sourced from the Livermore Valley, Charles R Vineyards shows us why this soil is so special it should be celebrated. Monique Soltani shows us why one of the valley's greatest grapes gets its very own day. Upcoming Events: 3rd Annual "Cab-Stravaganza!" Date & Time: 12 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday Who: Charles R Vineyards Where: 8195 Crane Ridge Road, in Livermore Cost: $5 Join us for this red wine lover’s favorite event. What’s better in the middle of winter than a hearty glass of Cab? If you are a fan of this iconic grape, this is the event for you. We will feature lots of Cab-fun — special tastings, opportunities to purchase library …

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Stars to the Rescue For ARF

Animal foundation benefits from comedy, variety and Tony LaRussa power Jan. 6-8.

It's a three-night extravaganza of variety show entertainment to benefit Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation Friday through Sunday, Jan. 6 to Jan. 8, at the Lesher Center for the Arts. For openers, it's Comedy Night on Friday with television stars George Lopez and Dana Carvey and national headliner Mark Pitta. On Saturday is the 21st edition of  "Stars to the Rescue" with performances by country music star Wynonna, George Lopez, vocalist Jeff Scott Solo and the San Francisco Dance Company, RicaSalsa. The capper is "World Series 2011 — A Champ's Perspective," with Tony LaRussa, the headliner of the Walnut Creek ARF and the manager of the unlikely baseball champions, the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals.

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Wine Wednesdays

A Century of Chardonnay

This week's Wine Wednesdays segment features Karl Wente.

2012 marks a century since Wente brought Chardonnay to California. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani heads to Wente Family Estates and finds out how the grape ended up in the Golden State. 

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Wine Wednesdays

Local Winemaker Turns Passion into Profession

An inside look at John Christopher Cellars.

It was a love affair with the, Little Grape that Could, that started it all. Tom Doczy's passion for Petite Sirah was the inspiration behind his business. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani heads to John Christopher Cellars and shows us the secret to his success after more than three decades in the wine business. John Christopher Cellars Blacksmith Square, 25 S. Livermore Ave, Suite 103 Phone: 925-456-WINE (9463) Hours: Thursday, Friday: 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m. Recipe Recommended by JCC to pair with their Petite Sirah: Hearty Beef Stew Clove Scented Beef from Rome (Garofolato di Manzo alla Romana) Place a large Dutch oven over medium heat and film the bottom with olive oil. Add the pancetta and let it …

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Monique Soltani

8:04 am on Friday, December 23, 2011

I am so happy you liked the recipe and the story! Have a wonderful holiday! Monique:)   more ›

Wine Wednesdays

In the Wine Country Kitchen

Cedar Mountain Winery shares and pairs a special recipe found in Livermore Wine Country's cookbook.

Livermore Wine Country has its very own cookbook. Fifteen years ago local vintners got together to dish the secrets to their culinary creations — and today they are sharing them with you! In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani heads to Cedar Mountain Winery and shows us what's cooking in wine country. The Cooking a Honker cookbook is available at local Livermore wineries as well as on Amazon.com.

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Fun Holiday Activities — For Free!

There's absolutely no reason why you and your family can't enjoy the Holiday season and still save money.

Looking for some fun, free, family activities to do over the next few weeks? Look no further, as you will find some exciting family events and activities that won’t cost a dime! On Saturday, Dec. 17, head to Lakeshore Learning Store in Walnut Creek from 11 am. to 3 p.m. for a free holiday craft. The kids are expected to make a penguin puppet on Saturday. Also, on Christmas Eve day, your child can make free holiday ornaments to trim the tree. Also on Satuday, bring music into your day at the San Ramon Community Chorus Holiday Sing-Along, a San Ramon tradition for many years. Santa will make a visit as children and their families sing-along to holiday favorites. The community concert will take place at the San Ramon Community Center at …

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Wine Wednesdays

Jim Concannon Gives History Behind Honker Cookbook

Monique Soltani sits down with local wine legend for a trip back in time.

Call it a blast from Livermore Wine Country's past: Cooking a Honker, was published in 1996 and it's coming back to life just in time for the holiday shopping season. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani chats with wine legend Jim Concannon and finds this cookbook does more than just dish out recipes, it takes you on a trip back in time. Honkin’ Holiday Food Fest: 12 to 5 p.m., Sunday Les Chenes: Sugar-Browned Potatoes with 2010 Estate Rose of Mourvedre Longevity: Tomato Basil soup paired with 2009 Tempranillo from Frydendal Vineyards in Livermore McGrail Vineyards: Turkey and Black Bean Chili, paired with 2007 McGrail Vineyards Patriot Cabernet Sauvignon Nottingham Cellars: Zesty Pumpkin Soup paired with 2009 Chardonnay …

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Monique Soltani

2:32 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Thank you all SOOO much for taking the time to comment! The book is for sale at the local wineries as well as Amazon.com! Monique:)))))   more ›

Wine Wednesdays

Donate a Toy, Sip on Wine and Toast to the Holidays!

Local wineries to celebrate holiday season by helping bring gifts to needy children.

Livermore Valley Wine Country is toasting to an annual tradition festive enough to make even the greenest Grinch change his tune from Bah, humbug to Ho Ho Ho! In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani shows us how Holidays in the Vineyards has Santa Claus coming to town...literally!  Holidays in the Vineyards Date: Saturday, December 3 & Sunday, December 4 Time: 12 to 5 p.m. Cost: Tasting fee varies by winery Location: Participating Livermore Valley Winery tasting rooms Participating wineries include: Bent Creek Winery, Big White House, Bodegas Aguirre Winery, Cedar Mountain Winery, Charles R Vineyards, Chouinard Vineyards, Concannon Vineyard, Crooked Vine Winery, Cuda Ridge Wines, Darcie Kent Vineyards, Eagle Ridge Vineyard, el Sol…

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Wine Wednesdays

Thanksgiving Dinner and Livermore Wine Pairing

How to please any palate this holiday season.

Nothing makes a Thanksgiving meal better than a bottle or two of Livermore's finest wine. If you're still stuck on what to sink your teeth into this Turkey Day you're in luck. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani heads to Zephyr Grill & Bar for a non-traditional take on Thanksgiving!

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