Hi Friends, hope this week 9 (I think) has found you engaged in more ways, or relaxed or ready to enjoy the hot weather approaching. This Memorial Day weekend will be slightly different than anticipated. No trips to Tahoe or Santa Cruz, but we must remain positive and stay home for the good of all. To that end, in case you are maybe tired of cooking for the last 9 weeks (who me?), a few places have upscale barbecue for you to pick up. Menlo Park’s favorite Independent Bookseller continues to wow with great online offerings. The Walt Disney Museum in the Presidio has some interesting guests on their Happily Ever After Hours and Stern Grove goes virtual. There are a few more spots open in my virtual class Learn to Ignite YOUR Spark. And we have another Happy Hour Podcast you’re going want to listen to. Until next week, when more things may be open, stay safe!

Ignite Your Spark

There are still spaces left in 4-week online class via our favorite new platform, ZOOM.  For those tomatoes who may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, don’t know what to do next, or want to access your inner joy?  You are invited to this play date for the soul. Through empowering experiences and exercises you will have the opportunity to step our of your comfort zone and into your inner light. And it will be fun. Begins May 27^th 12 noon Pacific, $87. Email for more info: Kimduffselby@gmail.com  www.kim-selby.com

“Alexa, play The Three Tomatoes Happy Hour”

Did you know that one in five people live with a mental health condition, but stigma and misinformation keep many from seeking help and finding support? In this episode we talk with two mental health advocates to help us understand the issues facing millions of Americans and the obstacles that stand in the way of recovery. Madlyn Epstein Steinhart is the author of a book of poetry called, Put Your Boots on and Dance in the Rain, and Dior Vargas is on the staff of Bring Change to Mind, founded by actress Glenn Close.

Barbecue To Go

Sure you can grill your own, but wouldn’t it be great to have a little Memorial Day treat to pick up or get delivered? Michael Mina’s has a sumptuous barbecue to go, but order immediately. Everything you and your family and friends need for a long weekend of barbecuing, eating, drinking, and sheltering-in-place. 

Enjoy a mix of ready-made items along with items for your grill. Ready made consists of Smoked ribs, pulled pork and grill your own packs include Bbq chicken legs or burgers and yummy sides. Don’t forget the adult beverages. How about a grown up capri sun – rum punch pouches! Michaelmina.net

Bird Dog – Palo Alto

They have a a family recipe menu created by their Director of Operations who based it on his wife’s Korean family and their memorial day.

It consists of Smoked (falling off the) Bone-In Pork Shoulder “bo-ssam style,” crab sauce, lettuce cups, crispy rice cakes, spicy Korean cole slaw, roasted potato salad, Hawaiian Nori Rolls and Strawberry Nantucket Pie. A little different than hot dogs on the grill. Birddogpa.com

Alexander’s Steakhouse – Backyard BBQ Package

Available through May 25. Featuring a hamachi shot kit, ribeye, sausage links and more. Also a burger kit, yakitori kit, meal kits and butcher shop available. https://www.foodbooking.com/

3 Pigs BBQ in San Carlos, San Mateo and Half Moon Bay

Theyhave BBQ year-round. Order a family meal of ribs or chicken or a combo and they even have Vegetarian BBQ for those who prefer it. Get the menu.

Kepler’s

Get ready for an online visit with two absolute literary treasures on June 8^th. DanielMason, bestselling author, recent winner of the prestigious Joyce Carol Oates prize, shares a new short story collection. Leave your armchair far behind and fall into the life of a hot air balloonist, a telegraph operator in the Amazon, a doctor in a medical muddle, and even a Regency-era bare-knuckle fighter.

Each riveting account opens a world readers might not have considered, and a gift we all need:a sense of epiphany and delight amidst the strange human struggle for survival. Joining Daniel to discuss A Registry of My Passage Upon The Earth is another Bay Area literary giant, Andrew Sean Greer. The witty and delightful Pulitzer winning author of Less and The Confessions of Max Tivoli has long loved Mason’s writing. Now, they meet to discuss Mason’s newest literary offering face to face (or rather, screen to screen). www.keplers.com

Walt Disney Family Museum

Happily Ever After Hours is the name of the Walt Disney Family Museum’s new online offerings. Always positive in the face of whatever is going on, the Museum brings us conversations with some of the greatest creators and minds that influence the Disney brand. Here are a few coming up.

MAY 27^th 5:30 –p.m. join Disney animator, director, and producer Bruce W. Smith for behind-the-scenes stories from his work at Walt Disney Animation Studios on Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Tarzan, The Emperor’s New Groove, The Princess and the Frog and Winnie the as well as his work at Walt Disney Television Animation on the beloved series The Proud Family 

Muppet Designer Bonnie Erickson brings us behind-the-scenes stories from her work on The Muppets, Friday June 5^th.  Webinar registration required.  Waltdisney.org

Stern Grove

For the first time in its history, the Stern Grove festival is cancelled, and in place of the performances scheduled this year, the Festival is creating Best of the Fest, a virtual video series featuring highlights from the Festival’s vast library of concert footage from the past 13 years.

Hosted by TV and radio personality and seasoned emcee Liam Mayclem. Sheila E. (2012), Pink Martini (2013), The Doobie Brothers (2015), and George Clinton (2016) are among the musicians to be included in the weekly concerts. Beginning Sunday, May 31, visit sterngrove.org for each Sunday’s lineup.