Hike To See The Monarch Butterflies!

Today we trekked all the way out to natural Bridges State Reserve to see the Monarch Butterflies. They commuted all the way down from Canada to keep warm throughout the winter. Our cameras were on super zoom in order to capture them hanging out (no pun intended) atop the tall Eucalyptus trees. Although the hike was a short walk - we got to be surrounded by these lovely creatures hovering and zooming around us in a beautiful dance. The weather was warm and it was time to fly!

Events and Adventures San Francisco

Waking up at 2AM? Only for a Good Cause.

A group of E&A’ers made a commitment to wake up early to help support our community this last Wednesday. It was a feat, just getting out of bed but it was worth it! We heading out to the Habitat for Humanity Restore in San Carlos, where we moved furniture, cleaned & priced donations, and put in a solid 5 hour shift. The Restore is kind of like a Goodwill, except all profits go into helping to build homes. About 3 homes a year are built just by the profits that come from the Restore! We put on a apron, and got to work! From 5AM-10AM we worked… Lot’s of coffee from McDonald’s and good friends made the morning fun and enjoyable. What was even cooler was that CBS did a story about Singles Awareness Week & us volunteering in the community! We all got the chance to be on TV! Roberta Gonzales did the interview and was so nice! It was wonderful meeting her and the film crew from CBS. Who would have thought you could have that much fun on a Wednesday at the crack of dawn!

Events and Adventures San Francisco

Santa Clara Ice Bucket Challenge!

When I first heard of the ALS challenge I had no idea what the heck it was all about. Suddenly it was all over the place.  Then I saw a video of Mark Owen the E&A founder (kind of liked seeing that!) taking the challenge and had been told that the Santa Clara Club had been challenged by the Seattle club. Always being a good sport or naïve, depending upon your point of view, I showed up to participate in the challenge.  We did this at our Volley ball event for that week we managed to get 8 braves souls to take the challenge and 8 not so brave ones to do the fun part of actually dumping the ice buckets. I would like to point out that I understand now all the screaming in the other Ice Bucket Challenge videos.  When that cold, cold water hits, your body feels the shock and you are amazed at the temperature.  I noticed that we had filled up extra buckets and so said what the heck and asked for more and got it. I can tell you that the second bucket is as cold as the first. I lost the capability to speak for a few seconds! All in all it was a lot of fun and I’m glad so many decided to take the challenge.  It was great way to raise money for charity and many of us took the challenge and donated money! I then made a video to challenge the rest of the Santa Clara club!

George J. Kahwaty – Host extraordinaire Santa Clara club.

We Love Karaoke

I went from never having tried it before to being known as the Karaoke king in Santa Clara.   So when it comes up on the calendar, I’m stoked and ready to go.  The most recent time was at one of our favorite places the 7 Stars Bar and grill. This place is star wars themed, has pictures of the characters, murals of space scenes on the walls, many of the Acton figures on display and a giant Jabba the Hutt on display.  With karaoke and dance music played through the night, it has something for everyone. The most recent visit was once again a great success. In karaoke, you normally get 3 songs to sing. I was able to get in an extra song or too because they started early for us and they also extend happy hour for us.  We have a number of truly good singers in the club. We also met some possible recruits who were attracted by how well the group got along and ended up wanting to sit with us. One of them had even tried out for American idol.  The other wanted to do a duet or two and E and A stepped up to the request. This event is truly one that our group enjoys and we always look forward to it. Everyone had a great time and as usual we closed the place down.  I can’t wait for the next time so I can do it “My Way”.

Written by George, a member in Santa Clara
Events and Adventures San Francisco

Playing Monopoly in the Park!

This weekend, thanks to Event and Adventures, a group of us had an awesome time playing giant Monopoly.  It is called “Monopoly in the Park” and has the record for the biggest Monopoly board.  The dice are huge, and two people have to throw the “dice” so they bounce off each other.  This brings a whole new level to the board game we all grew up on and loved.  When you pass Go, you actually ring a bell before collecting that $200.   All the tokens are custom made, and you trade and negotiate to gain the “monopoly” and  build your houses and hotels.   The announcers are excellent in bringing you the history of the board, as well as playing referee for the game to keep everyone on track (they dress up in Monopoly referee shirts).  It was so much fun, and everyone had a fantastic time trying to win. 

Events and Adventures San Francisco

Free Outdoor Performance By The San Jose Opera

Santana Row is a beautiful place on a summer afternoon. It’s especially beautiful while sitting on the grass listening to beautiful live opera! San Jose Opera came to The Row to give a free outdoor performance. We had a great group of people who brought blankets and snacks to hang out and have an opera picnic. The performers were amazing, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I only wished I would understand what they were saying! However, at one point the song “If I were a rich man” from Fiddler on the Roof came on as an example of America Musical Theater & I LOVED it. The audience really got into it! Our group started clapping along and singing the words! Afterwards we headed to the quaint little wine bar and got to know each other. The best part was at the wine bar where we discussed all the places we would like to travel and some of the weird paranormal places you could go… There are so many cool places to travel to! Events and Adventures San Francisco

One Of The Most Incredible Days I Have Spent With E&A....

One of the most incredible days I have spent with E&A was last Saturday at the White Water River Rafting, Ropes course and camping trip. We started with the ropes course. I didn't mind climbing up a tree 40 feet and jumping to a trapeze with no net (yes, I was attached to a rope and harness), but for others it was a test in courage and one that placed huge smiles and wide eyes on their faces.  

The Center where we stayed also cooked a delicious lunch, all included in our special price. Grilled and marinated chicken, Pulled Pork, fresh veggies and hummus and we all fought over the extra grilled cheese with tomato and basil left for the vegetarians.  We were full but the best part of the day was still ahead: river rafting.

We had an incredible guides and two boats just for us on our 10 mile journey down the American River. The rapids got increasingly more fierce but no one fell out of the boat and we all took time to swim and do some cliff jumping too. By the time we got back we were all exhausted and ready for dinner.  Some stayed for a night of camping while others made the trek back home.  A perfect day and one I hope we will do again soon. Events and Adventures San Francisco