January 16, 2006

Has everyone kept all their New Years Resolutions just three weeks into the New Year? Well the most popular of resolutions is to get regular exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle. A very good way to achieve this would be to get out there and enjoy some fresh air at one of our nearby East Bay Regional parks.

Sunol Regional Park has several wonderful programs for all ages. This Saturday's nature program is called "Canyon Views and Cascades". You will be able to explore what the beautiful park has to offer during the winter when the creeks and waterfalls are overflowing and the hills are a bright, lush green. It's on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. No pre-registration is required and best of all, other than a small parking fee, this event is free.

"It's not easy Being Green" is the name of the nature program being held on the January 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This program is for the little ones from 3 to 5 years old and it's an exploration of the parks amphibian habitat. Be prepared to get wet!

My favorite nature program held each year during the winter is "Salamanders!" I just love those cute, little slimy creatures. The salamanders are on the move this time of year just looking for love. I couldn't tell you how many times I have stopped my car in the middle of the road just to help one of these slow moving amphibians cross. Held on January 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., this is a three mile moderately strenuous hike up to a newt pond in the High Valley. No pre-registration is required for this program and the fee again is free.

Please contact the park at 925-862-2601 for more information.

Sunol Glen School is still collecting box tops and Campbell's soup labels. Sunol Glen School parent Alyson Whitaker has done a wonderful job organizing this fundraiser and she has already collected over 1,300 box tops and almost 3,000 soup labels.

Box Tops for Education pays .10 cents for each box top and Campbell's offers points that can be redeemed for educational or athletic products.

You would be surprised at the hundreds of products offered by companies such as Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Ziploc and Nature Valley. Campbell's also offers labels that can be found on not only soup but Pepperidge Farms, Swanson, Franco-American, Prego and Pace products.

Collections boxes for the box tops and labels can be found in the schools main hallway and at the Sunol Post Office. The school is also collecting and recycling old cell phones and empty ink jet cartridges that can be delivered directly to the school's office.

Celebrate Valentines Day a little early this year on February 11 and take your loved one to Elliston Vineyards. Elliston presents "Love and Chocolate", A Chocolate and Wine Tasting Experience". It's a romantic night of hors d'oeuvres, dessert and wine tasting in their historic stone mansion. The cost is $35.00 per person and advance reservations are required. Please call 925-862-2377 for more information.

Get out those dancing shoes and head on down to Bosco's Bones and Brew. Playing in their old western themed lounge from 8:00 p.m. to midnight this Friday night is Just Truckin and on Saturday night Toucan Jam. These are both very talented and popular musical groups, so expect the place to be jumpin.