Food Events - East Bay

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Apr 18, 2007

- Downtown Pleasanton's First Wednesday street parties start again from 6 to 9 p.m. May 2 with a Cinco de Mayo theme. Main Street offers just what you expect -- booths featuring quick dinner options and community information, boutique shopping, a variety of white- tablecloth restaurants and a beer-wine garden in Round Table Pizza's parking lot. Enjoy microbrews and Livermore Valley wines while you listen to live salsa music by La Ventana. Main Street is closed to traffic from 5 to 10 p.m. Parking is available on surrounding streets. Visit http://www.pleasantondowntown.net.

- Annual Tri-Valley Youth Food Drive begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. Volunteers visit homes to collect non-perishable foods for local pantries. Donate items such as pasta, dried fruit, soup and drink mixes, coffee, nuts, beans, flour and peanut butter. Please do not donate foods that need refrigeration. PW Markets in Livermore supplies grocery bags for this event.

In addition, foods may be donated at collection sites such as Tri- Valley Haven in Livermore, Showers of Blessings Church in Dublin, San Ramon United Methodist Church in Alamo and Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in Pleasanton. Details at (925) 998- 6513.

- Dining Out for Life is April 26 in the Bay Area. This annual, national event raises funds for local nonprofit organizations fighting HIV/AIDS. When you enjoy a meal at a participating restaurant, a portion of your bill is donated to the cause. Check out http://www.diningoutforlife.org for a list of restaurants and reservation numbers.

- Sunday Champagne Buffet Brunch is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekly. Take time out to enjoy an elegant meal in one of Pleasanton's historic buildings. Buffet includes items such as shrimp, Dungeness crab legs, smoked salmon, vegetable salads, roast beef, fresh fruit, pastries, eggs Benedict and Florentine, omelets made to order, Belgian waffles and pasta. Cost is $28.95 adults and $12.95 children ages 5-11. 855 Main St., Pleasanton. Reservations at (925) 846-8106. Menu is online at http://www.pleasantonhotel.com.

- Celebrate National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day with a free lunch entree and beverage for kids accompanied by parents April 26. Offer is good at Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto in Berkeley and McCormick and Kuleto's Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco. Call Spenger's for reservations at (510) 845-7771 and McCormick and Kuleto's at (415) 929-1730.

- Five Star Night fundraiser with Narsai David is at 6:30 p.m. May 4. Event includes a Champagne reception, gala dinner, silent and live auctions and live music by the Cruise Tones. Participants include Bay Wolf, Citron, Wente Vineyards Restaurant and Lalime's. Tickets are $300 per person and proceeds benefit Alameda County Meals on Wheels, which provides healthy meals for seniors. Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. Call (510) 577-3581 or visit http://www.feedingseniors.org for tickets.

- Whole Foods Market celebrates Earth Day with these events:

Kids' Club Table is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Children plant vegetable and wildflower seeds in recyclable pots, then take them home. Green Mission follows from 1 to 3 p.m. Learn about healthy earth practices such as composting and recycling. Whole Foods Market, 100 Sunset Drive, San Ramon. Details at (925) 355-9000.

A Taste of Spring fundraiser is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. April 26. Sample specialty foods from Whole Foods, plus organic wines and local cheeses. Tickets are $65 advance, $75 door and proceeds benefit Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation for the improvement of local parks. Oakland Rotunda Building, 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. Visit http://www.oaklandparks.org for tickets.

E-Waste Recycling Day is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28. Bring your old electronics to Whole Foods Market, 3000 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley for responsible recycling. Call (510) 649-1333.

Whole Earth Festival is from noon to 5 p.m. April 29. Improve your recycling and composting knowledge at the Green Team booth, taste samples from local vendors, listen to live music by Mo' Live Steel Drum Ensemble, exchange light bulbs and learn lots more about healthy earth practices. Event includes fun kids' activities. Whole Foods Market, 3000 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. Details at (925) 274- 9700.

- There's No Place Like Home fundraiser is from 6:30 to 10 p.m. April 27. Enjoy an elegant meal accompanied by live jazz, plus silent and live auctions. Tickets are $100 per person and proceeds benefit First Place for Youth, an organization that helps former foster youths transition to independent living. Rotunda Building, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. Call (510) 272-0979, ext. 227 for tickets or visit http://www.firstplacefund.org.

- Greek Cooking Class with Pleasanton Hotel general manager, George Mihailidis is at 5 p.m. Monday. Hands-on menu includes lamb kebabs, spanikopita, dolmas and baklava. Cost is $85 per person and includes dinner with wine. Students' guests may arrive for dinner at 7 p.m.; cost is $35 per person. Pleasanton Hotel, 855 Main St., Pleasanton. Reservations at (925) 846-8106.