Happy 4th of July Weekend tomatoes! If you are hanging around town this weekend, and have some time on your hands before the sparkling displays on Monday night, I have a few ideas for you! Break out your dancing shoes and head to Golden Gate Park on Sunday for free outdoor swing dancing. If you have never been to Treasure Island, head over the bridge and see what nuggets of fun await. Retail therapy needed? Luisa Spagnoli, renowned Italian knitwear house lands at Stanford Shopping Center for its first US location. GORGEOUS styles for Tomatoes.  May your Independence Day sparkle!

Lindy in the Park

This is SO much fun. Every Sunday (weather permitting) you can find all ages participating in this free swing dance event. Tomatoes grab your comfy shoes, swirly skirt and a partner and head to JFK Dr. between 8^th and 10^th Avenue 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Free beginner lesson at noon.

The volunteer DJ’s spin a huge variety of tunes, all danceable swing of course, and even the most reticent end up on their feet. A great way to enjoy sunshine, fresh air and mix and mingle with locals and tourists. Get your swing on.

Treasure Island 

I recently discovered this “treasure” of an island while visiting a friend who works there. First of all, the view of SF from this former naval station is spectacular.  Built in 1936 for the Golden Gate International Exposition, Treasure Island is gradually experiencing a rebirth. You’ve probably heard of the flea market and music festival, but there are actually things tomatoes will enjoy!

Aracely is a delightful spot for lunch or brunch with a sunny outdoor patio. Yummy smoked salmon with brocollini pancakes and tart lemon sauce pleases my palate.

Craving wine tasting, no need to head to Napa as 8 wineries call Treasure Island home. VIE and SOL ROUGE are right next door to each other making it easy to taste your way through French wines. Sip and play bocce on their sun-soaked bocce ball court with a bay view.

Then go down to SOTTOMARINO (Submarine in Italian). And when I say down, I mean you can taste wine in a submarine training vessel named the USS Buttercup.

Another favorite is FAT GRAPE WINERY. This one offers free wine tasting and the best part is that their wines are sulfite free. That means no headache if you overindulge!

If you want to explore the Island and get a bit more exercise you can rent a beach cruiser at Trans Bike Shop. No hills to navigate unlike the city by the bay, so you can explore, go wine tasting, have lunch – all without breaking a sweat.

Lastly head to Treasure Island Sailing Center and rent a kayak or paddleboard. Calm waters in the cove, but they also offer sailing lessons of all kinds for all ages.

Luisa Spagnoli

Elegant, playful, exquisite. These are my own words for the fashions at Luisa Spagnoli now open at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto.  It is often difficult (ahem, ahem) for tomatoes over a certain age, to find fashions that fit, are affordable and that emanate style. Luisa Spagnoli, an Italian knitwear house was founded in 1928 and the first US store is right here just waiting for us to come and play dress up.

The colors, the versatility, the modernity will keep you coming back. Silicon Valley Mother Daughter Duo, Irene Oykhman and Julia Schloss opened the store after 4 years of negotiations. Mom found the store in Venice, brought back a dress for daughter and the buzz created around their fab fashions led them to bring this line to the US. You will definitely leave with a shopping bag of delight. Browse the collection.