Good Morning Tri-Valley! The next 5 days are Action Packed with SO much to do! Let’s get started!

SmokeFest is THIS Sunday in downtown Pleasanton at SideTrack Bar & Grill!

BBQ, Wine, and Beer will be the focus in downtown Pleasanton on Sunday 10/19 as SideTrack Bar + Grill presents SmokeFest, a day-long celebration of BBQ starting at noon. Born out of SideTrack’s popular SideTrack Smoke menu, which features a limited run of BBQ fare on Thursdays and Fridays, SmokeFest invites guests to enjoy a full day, country western-inspired celebration! Enjoy live entertainment from Maddy Hudson, The Bell Brothers, wine tasting from Livermore’s Cuda Ridge, Mitchell Katz and Steven Kent wineries, country music-inspired Singo (singing bingo) and line dancing throughout the day. 

SmokeFest is free to attend with food and drink tickets available at the door; a cover charge of $5 applies after 4pm.  RSVPs are encouraged here but not required. Check the website for the schedule of events and entertainment. Click HERE for Complete details

Interested in featuring your business in an upcoming ad? ⬆️ Fill out THIS FORM or email me at [email protected]

Del Cielo Brewery may be new to Livermore, but husband & wife owners Luis Castro and Cielomar Cuevas are no strangers to craft beer. They’ve spent the last seven years building a loyal following at their award-winning brewery and restaurant in Martinez, and when the opportunity came to expand, they knew Livermore was the perfect fit. “Livermore has such a vibrant beer, food, and wine scene — and we love the vibe,” Cielomar told me.

Located in the former Shadow Puppet Brewing space, the new Del Cielo feels like a fresh start — a little more modern, a little more colorful, and now complete with a full kitchen. I stopped by with my husband for an evening of food and beer tasting, and we had an amazing time. As a Latina myself, I was so excited to see how they’ve woven their Puerto Rican and Colombian roots into both the food and it totally shines through!

Their lineup is a dream for beer lovers. If you’re into IPAs, you’ll be right at home — but there’s so much more to explore. My husband loved the Patria, a hazy IPA brewed in collaboration with Latino-owned breweries from around the country. I fell for the Every Day is Wednesday, a bright and juicy blackberry-currant sour that’s as pretty as it is delicious. The crisp Órale Mexican-style lager is perfect for a sunny afternoon, while the Smooth Ride — with hints of chocolate, coffee, and a touch of smokiness — is basically winter in a glass.

And the food… don’t skip the food. The Yuca Fries are golden and crispy, the Soft Pretzel with Beer Cheese is giant and addictive, and the Del Cielo Burger is pure comfort. But the standout for us was the Criollo Bowl — a Puerto Rican-inspired dish with pork, rice & beans, avocado, plantains, and a burst of flavor in every bite.

Bottom line: Del Cielo Brewery is a fantastic new addition to Livermore’s beer scene — warm, inviting, and full of heart. Stop by, grab a flight, and experience a taste of Latin inspiration right here in the Tri-Valley. Cheers! 🍺

The Town of Danville is bringing The Very Hungry Caterpillar to life with a vibrant new book bench art installation on the Town Green, right outside the Danville Library. Bay Area artists ages 16 and older are invited to submit original designs for this fiberglass bench by October 17. The selected artist will transform the bench into a colorful celebration of Eric Carle’s beloved classic, blending the joy of reading with the power of visual art. The winning book was chosen through a community vote. For submission details, visit danville.ca.gov/arts or contact [email protected]

Another cool event to check out this weekend! Held in downtown Livermore this will be a super fun car & truck show with a ton of vendors, food, and more. Grab your tickets here!

Have you heard about Oktoberfest at Naschmarkt Pleasanton This Thursday? 🍻 Pretzels, sausages, schnitzel, and strudel—yes, please! They’ll be raising their steins with authentic beers from Paulaner, Hofbräu, and Erdinger, surrounded by music, laughter, and that cozy Bavarian cheer. Gather your friends and join the fun—this is Oktoberfest, Austrian-style, and it’s going to be so good! 🎶🥨🍺

Heads up, Tri-Valley Kaiser members — a five-day Kaiser Permanente strike will begin October 14 @ 7am and could shake up your week a bit.

While hospitals and medical offices will stay open, some non-urgent appointments or elective surgeries may be rescheduled and certain pharmacies may close temporarily (though online delivery is available). You might also see a switch from in-person visits to virtual appointments during this time.

Here’s what to know:

If you have an appointment this week, call your Kaiser location directly to confirm. A little planning now can help avoid surprises later.