michaelD: the bay area buzz report

ZuiTube - A must for all parents!

Came across this through one the many emails I receive. Comes with an iPhone app too. This maybe my best Christmas present! No replacement for Mommy/Daddy interaction of course, but for those moments when YOU need 10 - 20 minutes of break time. Find a video and let them watch. :)

ZuiTube is like a kid-friendly version of YouTube with more than 60,000 videos that have been pre-approved by parents and teachers. There are many different channels available that appeal to kids of all ages and contain videos in categories including Hannah Montana, National Geographic, animals, sports, and many more. It’s great for keeping the kids entertained in a G-rated way.

KidZui is a free Web browser, search engine and online playground for kids 3-12. Kids have the freedom to learn, play, search and discover over 2 million games, websites, videos and photos on their own. KidZui has the largest number of games, websites, videos and photos reviewed by parents and teachers anywhere. Kids can find what they need to help with schoolwork, by themselves.

Kids safely express themselves, with their Zui, backgrounds, tags and online status.

KidZui eliminates the need for parents to constantly watch over their kids' shoulder, when they are online.

Parents know what their kids are doing online and they can connect by sharing content. KidZui sends a weekly email that tells you what your kids are doing online. The KidZui parent account lets you share content and set limits.

KidZui is free to all families but also offers paid Membership for extra benefits.

Holiday Lights, Skating and Parades

There's not a whole lot more than lights and ice that signify Christmas. And it's happening all over the Bay Area.

What's the rush? (Thanksgiving 2009)

I was thinking about the upcoming holidays, and then realized that I was beginning to make the same mistake that I made last year, and the year before, and the year before that...skipping over Thanksgiving.  I did a little better this year, and organized a volunteer effort among friends. Four years ago I wrote the following article a few days before Thanksgiving. It still applies...

**********************************

I was excited when I learned that the Embarcadero Center Holiday Lights Celebration was scheduled for this past Sunday.  Those of you that know me, know that Christmas is my favorite time of year (except for the short days…if Christmas had the long summer days I would be in heaven). Corny as it may sound, I love the decorations, the music…and the spirit. During the holidays people tend to act a little nicer, and just a little friendlier, even if only for one month out of the year. The Lighting ceremony would be my first official dose of holiday spirit, although I was sneaking it in before Thanksgiving.

Being the Christmas nut that I am, I had been thinking about the Lights Celebration all day, and around 3:00pm I started “to get ready.” It sounded like my kind event, what a great way to ring  in the holidays. I grabbed my camera (so I could share this momentous occasion with you), and headed out. Should I drive the bridge or take BART, BART or bridge? I always like to have my car, but then with all the masses of people, will I be able to find parking?  BART lets me off right there at Embarcadero, but I won’t be able to use my cell phone on the way over. Okay, I’ll survive - BART wins.

What's so hot about The Republic?

Either The Republic has a great PR department, or it's one of the best things to hit SF in a while. Everyone's talking about it. The last time in recent months there was this much hype, people were talking about Ironside. So, I guess we have to put this one on the list for at least a drive-by.

************************************************************

Take a look around the Marina's latest, The Republic
Here we have a stroll around The Republic, the follow-up effort to Bin38 by the foursome of Don Davis (Uncorked Events), Peter Scully (Apartment 24), and Shaw Amirghassemkhany and David Sheridan. Still only a few days old, The Republic already been generating plenty of buzz amongst young Marina things. Set in the old Jones space, Jim Maxwell of Architects II is responsible for the swanky facelift that sees flatscreen televisions literally everywhere (in nooks, behind sliding doors), something that probably should play well in the middle of football season. NB: Brunch service is due in December. More... [eater sf]

Open to the Republic: Your New Craft Beer Sports Bar
Allow us to present The Republic, a new classed-up sports bar and grill from the team behind Bin 38, pouring the city's largest domestic craft beer list seven days a week, opening today.

Sample Sale Shopping: Furniture & Clothing

DECORATE
Designer Furniture Sample Sale
What: Top local designers, including Kendall Wilkinson Design & Home, Rue de Grenelle, Martha Angus Inc., and Antique & Art Exchange, offer furniture and accessories at up to 70 percent off.
Why: Deck your walls (and floors).
When: Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: San Francisco Design Center, 101 Henry Adams St., at Alameda St., atrium of the Galleria bldg. (415-409-2299).

STYLIZE
Fabulous Fashionista Sample Sale
What: More than 2,000 dresses, tops, and more at up to 70 percent off from BCBG and Ella Moss.
Why: Stand under my Ella, Ella, Ella.
When: Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Fort Mason Center, Marina Blvd., at Buchanan St., bldg. d, Fleet rm. (415-345-7500).

Source: Daily Candy

Turkey Time: Thanksgiving '09

If you're dining out on Thanksgiving, hopefully it's by choice, and either way, check out the list Zagat put together for "the big bird" in San Francisco...
-----------------------------------------------------

Photo: Ion Sokhos

A Thanksgiving dinner where you don't have to clean up afterward is truly something to be thankful about. The following restaurants are offering meals for gobbling on November 26.

Ame
689 Mission St.; 415-284-4040

Let Hiro be your hero this Thanksgiving day, when in addition to his regular menu, chef Sone offers a special five-course tasting menu at his SoMa spot in the St. Regis. The menu is still being finalized, but options being mulled include tuna tartare, roasted squash soup, seared Hokkaido scallops and the pièce de résistance , a turkey “porchetta” (4–8 PM; $85 per person; wine pairings cost an additional $65).

More...

Serving Others This Holiday Season!

Received this from the Stanford Alumni association. Sounds like a great way to help someone else over the holidays.
----------------------------------------------

What: First Place for Youth: Thanksgiving Celebration & Graduation
When: Friday, November 20 from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Where: 1601 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA.
 
It is the mission of First Place to support foster youth in their transition to successful adulthood by promoting choices and strengthening individual and community resources. 
 
The Thanksgiving celebration is a community dinner for the youth at First Place for Youth.  Volunteers are needed to donate, cook and serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal including turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and desserts. 

If you are unable to attend, you are also encouraged to consider donating a food item, beverages or other donation.  Please contact Lois Corrin (c/o '75) at lois.corrin@stanfordalumni.org to participate or if you would like to make a contribution.

For more information about First Place for Youth, please click here.

Night Writer: Playdate is fun for grown-ups

So tell me, have you tried this playdate stuff?
-----------------------------------------------
This particular playground is Jillians, the sports bar inside downtown San Francisco's Metreon, where dozens of tables are covered with pristine white tablecloths and games such as chess,  Uno, Connect Four, and Operation. Football is on the big screen for those interested in that kind of game. And cocktail waitresses breeze by if you need a drink because someone sank your battleship. Previous Playdates have taken place at hotels, including the Oakland Marriott, which drew 800 people in August.

More...

Turkey tops Bocanova's ambitious offerings

It's a space that seems designed for a younger crowd, but the comfortable chairs and refined styling help broaden its appeal, bringing together locals, tourists and people who are increasingly moving into the high-rises that surround the waterfront. You can also hop on a ferry from San Francisco's Ferry Building and head to Bocanova, a 25-minute trip.

In the past few years, development around Jack London Square has exploded. It will soon house a huge indoor market like its sister city across the bay. The benefits of the area are becoming apparent to well-known chefs, including Daniel Patterson, who is opening Bracina in a few months. It's fortuitous that the ferry links these two Bay Area food sites. [source: sf chronicle]

More...

The KBLX Live Sunday Brunch at Hotel Nikko—with Ashford and Simpson!

Folks, look who dropped in on Nikki Thomas at Sunday's brunch! I bet now you'll drop by more often, eh?
-----------------------------------------------------

Yep! The fabulous Ashford and Simpson came thru the brunch today! We had such a wonderful time–packed house, great food, and a VIP surprise! Don’t miss out next week–415-394-1100 for reservations!

By Nikki Thomas, KBLX

Want more of Nikki? Check out her blog, The Nikki Thomas Network