To all of you Moms, Mothers, Grandmas, Mums, and anyone who has raised a child or has a Mom, happy day celebrating. A lot of mothering has been going on these days so make sure to take care of the one who takes care of or has taken care of you. We have a few ideas for take-out food, you know Mom does not want to cook – again – on Sunday, so either have your kidlets /spouse create the meals or gently suggest something “fancy”! The Drive-in’s have returned, isn’t that a great idea?  And you can live stream the SF Ballet now – pirouetting with joy. The Assembly in SF has a digital membership with lots of great offerings. And listen in to my podcast this week with Bay Area chef and restauranteur Jesse Cool.

Meet Organic Chef and Restaurateur Jesse Cool

In 1976 Jesse Cool opened the first organic restaurant in the country and currently operates Flea Street Café a local favorite in Menlo Park. In these days of sheltering we want our restaurants to survive. Listen in to my podcast interview with local Bay Area Restaurateur and chef Jesse Cool as they discuss the future of the restaurant industry, the creative ways Chefs and owners are making do and how important it is to give back at this time. Jesse has authored seven cookbooks, teaches, talks and shares her passion about healthy organic cooking – she is an original farm to table advocate! Listen in.

Our Virtual Renewal Summit goes live at the end of May. Check out the speaker and panel line up here.

Meals for Mom

Fancify your Mother’s Day feast but order quickly! Whether she’s (you) a French pastry-loving lady or more of a fried chicken and bubbly kind of gal, Bay Area restaurants have special offerings for takeout this weekend that guarantee a good time.

Let’s get that breakfast in bed going!

Gap Year at Nico is putting together lavish brunch spread options to celebrate. Dishes include baked egg with smoked salmon and cauliflower a crêpe kit with batter, fresh strawberries, strawberry preserve, Chantilly, and almonds a chocolate sourdough babka pâté en croûte with fermented carrots and mustard, and even caviar service with blini batter and traditional accouterments. Need something to drink? Their French 75 cocktail kit has you covered.  Pre-order via Tock. Pick-up 4pm to 7pm on Saturday May 9^th. gapyear@nico.com

Fete Maman in Française style…

…with a delightful lunch from downtown SF’s Gallic ONE65.  The four-course Mother’s Day lunch menu includes a crispy onion tart, seafood salad, beef tenderloin, and raspberry cake—plus a box of chocolates. Or indulge with a special package that includes a six-inch cake, a bottle of Champagne, and chocolates. Pre-order by tomorrow for pick-up or delivery on Sunday. Order here.

City Arts and Lectures

City Arts and Lectures, have it going on again with a webcast that seem curated just for tomatoes. Rebecca Solnit will be in conversation with Brit Marling on the City Arts YouTube channel.  Rebecca has published more than twenty books and speaks on topics including feminism, the environment, western history to social change.

Her memoir, Recollections of My Nonexistence looks back on the people, places and experiences that provided her with a sense of self and the voicelessness that was and still is the ordinary condition of women. Brit Marling was the first female at the Sundance Film Festival to have two films premiere side by side, both of which she co-created and starred in. She currently stars in “The OA” on Netflix. http://www.cityarts.net

The Assembly Offers Digital Fitness and Wellness

The Assembly has a physical location in SF but is currently closed. If you have heard about their plethora of fitness classes and health and wellness summits and workshops, you can now join them for a reduced monthly fee. Touted as The Assembly Anywhere, it is a one-stop wellness destination.

They have more than 30 live fitness classes – (I don’t know about you, but I need the live version to keep me motivated!) More than 5 weekly workshops with curated practitioners, healers and makers, access to small group creative courses and a team that cares about you. Plus, they are partnering with SF New Deal to support the local hospitality industry. For every new member they are gifting a membership to someone who lost their job due to Covid. http://www.theassembly.com

SF BALLET Now streaming

Ballet lovers, if you have not already discovered the SF Ballet online, leap to it. They have a free weekly stream that features commissioned works from the 2018 Unbound festival and other notable ballets from their repertory.

Every Friday head to FB, IGTV, YouTube or their website and relish the joy of dance while sheltering in place. Share the viewing with a friend across the world. Today Helgi Tomasson’s full-length production of Romeo & Juliet (2015) brings the tragic tale to life with her own fresh and sublime choreography.  http://www.sfballet.org

Drive-In’s

Grab your own popcorn, junior mints and beverages and head back to the 1950’s at the Drive-In. Longing to get out of the house (um yes) but still social distance, as we must -here you go. Two recently reopened drive-in theaters in Concord and San Jose are ready for you.

Strict rules must be adhered to, you may not leave your car except to use the bathroom, you must wear a face covering if you leave your car and you must park 10 feet away from other vehicles. A tip is to bring a portable radio to save your car battery! http://www.westwinddi.com