Good Morning Tri-Valley! It’s starting to feel like Fall!

• Get Your Tickets to the Halloween Party of the Year! 🎃

• Crab Legs, Garlic Fries & Cajun Heat in Dublin 🦀

• Haunted Mazes, Crazy Rides, Big Fun 🎡

• Did You Book Your Holiday Party Yet?

• Pleasanton’s 7 Year Old Chess Prodigy!

• Pet of the Week! 🐶

Get Your Tickets Now for the Biggest Halloween Party in the Valley!

Friki Tiki at Vasco Row - A Halloween Party You Won’t Forget!

✨ Tickets are going fast for the 3rd Annual R.I.S.E. Industry Night! This unforgettable evening celebrates the Tri-Valley’s vibrant hospitality scene — and everyone’s invited.

This isn’t just a night for those in the industry, it’s a chance for the whole community to come together. Mix, mingle, and dance alongside the incredible people who make the wine, craft the cocktails, brew the beer, and serve up the food that makes the Tri-Valley so special.

📍 On October 28th, Wood Family Vineyards and Sidewinder Spirits’ Vasco Row campus will transform into a tropical-disco paradise. Expect bold tiki cocktails, a sizzling culinary showcase from On the Vine Catering, and a full tropical build-out by Tangerine Prop Shop.

✨ Want the ultimate experience? VIP tickets mean early entry, exclusive lounge vibes, and special pours + bites created just for our premier guests.

This isn’t just another party — it’s a full-on celebration of hospitality, flavor, and flair. Pull out the sequins, slip into bell-bottoms, and hit the floor for a night of funk, food, and nonstop dancing.

⚡ Don’t wait — VIP always goes first. Grab your tickets today before they’re gone!

Click here for VIP Tickets

Click here for General Admission Tickets

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

Crab Legs, Garlic Fries, & Cajun Heat in Dublin!

I’ve been driving by the Bag O’ Crab in Dublin for the past year, noticing how busy it was and been wondering if it lived up to the buzz. A couple weeks ago I finally grabbed the fam and dove in for a Cajun-style seafood adventure. Bibs on, hands messy—it was time to crack, dip, and dig in.

Ambience & Service: You know It’s going to be fun and casual when upon being seated, they hand you a bib and gloves! Super friendly staff and answered all our questions as we though my husband and I had been to a similar style restaurant in the past, our kids were complete noobs!

Drinks: Modest selection of beer, wine, and soda as to be expected when you’re elbows deep in seafood with crabby gloves.

Food: We went family-style so we could try as much as we could! Let’s dig in:

• Garlic Noodles:  Simple, tasty, garlicky, and a crowd pleaser!

• Onion Rings: Crispy and perfectly fried.

• Garlic Bread: Tasty and even better when dipped in the seafood boil sauce (see below).

• Garlic Fries: Sensing a garlic trend? Highly recommend the garlic fries…and also pouring some of the cajun sauce on them.

• Fried Calamari: Not bad, but preferred the other appetizers above.

• Chicken Tenders: Super juicy and tasty.

• The MAIN EVENT: King Crab Legs, Mussels, & Shrimp with Atomic Sauce – which is a mix of 4 sauces: Louisiana, Cajun, Lemon Pepper, and Garlic Butter. We also added potatoes and Louisiana sausage to the bag. Flavor explosion – a good amount of heat and the seafood was delicious. Pro tip – order garlic bread and dip it in the sauce that is the bag…and pour that sauce over your fries. Ask for extra napkins!

• Dessert – Beignets were a hit with us all…though we were so stuffed already. But somehow, teens always save room for dessert.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly fun night out and getting your hands dirty, Bag O’ Crab is your spot. We’ll be back for sure!

Haunted Mazes, Crazy Rides, Big Fun at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom! 🎡

Six Flags - It’s Been Too Long!

Ten years ago, when my kids were little, we were Six Flags Discovery Kingdom season pass holders. Back then, our visits were all about gentle rides and animal shows—definitely no roller coasters. Fast forward to today, with teens in tow, and coming back felt like a brand-new experience—and we loved every minute of it. Click here for my full Discovery Kingdom review with tons of photos!

I was invited to their media day and got to explore Oktoberfest, Tricks & Treats, and Fright Night. My “baby” and her bestie joined me, and together we rode coasters, ate our way through seasonal treats, and braved haunted mazes until closing time.

🎢 The Rides: Medusa (we rode it four times!), The Joker, Superman, and Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth were absolute highlights. Pro tip: skip the Fast Pass—arrive at opening and hit the big rides before 3 p.m.

🍔 The Food: Oktoberfest favorites like German fries and meatballs with spaetzle hit the spot, while Halloween-themed eats like Candy Curse Bacon and Creepy Crawler Funnel Cake kept things fun (and messy).

👻 Fright Night: Once darkness falls, the park transforms. Five haunted houses and scare zones deliver spine-tingling thrills—our favorites were Hotel Hellview 666 and Club Fear.

For me, this visit felt like rediscovering a place I thought I knew—only this time, it came with bigger thrills, spookier nights, and memories we won’t forget. We’ll definitely be back. CLICK Here to read the full review with tons of photos!

Plan Your Holiday Party at Pasta’s Trattoria!

Family, Flavor, and 25+ Years of Italian Comfort at Pasta’s

No holiday celebration is too big—or too small—for Pasta’s Trattoria! Chef Jose and the team are experts at creating unforgettable gatherings, from intimate dinners to grand holiday parties. Just need catering? They’ve got you covered there too!

Since 1998, Pasta’s Trattoria has been serving up Italian comfort with a fresh twist right in the heart of Pleasanton. Chef Jose Garcia has been at the helm for over 20 years (so you know every plate is made with experience and love).

Have questions or want to learn more about Pasta’s Holiday Party options? Email [email protected]

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

Pleasanton’s 7 Year Old Chess Prodigy!

Pleasanton’s Varun Karthik Turaga is turning heads in the chess world at just seven years old. Ranked #2 in the United States for his age group, he has earned the incredible opportunity to represent Team USA at the Under-8 World Chess Championship in Europe next summer. Varun began playing chess at age three, won his first tournament that same year, and is now a two-time California State Champion with nearly 50 tournaments behind him. To support his journey, a GoFundMe page has been launched to help with travel, training, and competition expenses. Good luck, Varun!

Pet of the Week!

🐶 Meet Cody 🐶
Cody moved to the Tri-Valley from Washington state, where his human parents adopted him so he didn’t have to live in the rainy weather of the Pacific Northwest! He’s a great dog and loves going to the park!

Want to see your pet in the spotlight?
👉 Submit your Pet of the Week entry here! Dogs, Cats, Reptiles or another pet you call part of your family is welcome!

****Please note the submission form only works with gmail addresses. If you don’t have a gmail address, just email me with a photo, your pet’s name, your name, and a sentence or two about your pet! [email protected]