Long before the internet, Redwood Roller Rink was exporting artistic roller skating to the rest of the world. How a Redwood City icon became the home of world champions. by Kali Shiloh (Photos by Philip Wartena and Kali Shiloh) Competitive skater Ashley Clifford has traveled abroad six times for world championships. Here in the U.S., the college student has won 29 national championships. In the heart of the high-tech capital of the world stands a vault ...
Read MoreGeek out, drink up and flex those Chicken Dancing muscles—it’s time for Oktoberfest on the SF Peninsula. Ein, zwei, trinken, baby. First up is the Redwood City Oktoberfest, Sept. 21–24. Photo by Joel Wade Photography. News flash: Oktoberfest is not always in October! In fact, the big Oktoberfest in Munich started last weekend, and Peninsula revelers are following suit. Don’t be caught unawares. It’s bad luck to go all fall without at ...
Read MoreSV Beer Week will be in full swing starting July 21, with tap takeovers happening all over the Peninsula. It’s an exciting time for Silicon Valley craft brewers: Our nano-breweries are growing in reputation, mainstays like Freewheel Brewing are expanding their repertoire and the whole brewing community is exchanging ideas, recipes and marketing know-how. The brewers we talked to about Beer Week were most excited for the (sold out, sorry) San ...
Read MorePeninsula by the pint: Summer 2017 craft beer highlights in Silicon Valley On the eve of Silicon Valley Beer Week, we checked in with a few of our favorite local breweries to see what’s in store for the second half of summer 2017. Hang on to your pint glasses! These brewers have big plans. Freewheel Brewing This Redwood City brew company was established in 2012 to brew top-notch traditional English cask-conditioned ales (read our profile ...
Read MoreEvery Independence Day brings innumerable prospects for capturing that artsy Insta posts — and many Peninsula netizens haven’t failed to deliver. We scoured Instagram, sifting through countless long-exposure firework shots, pics of flags flapping in the wind, and endearing family iPhone snaps. Redwood City’s parade was a clear favorite destination, as was Palo Alto’s Chili Cook-Off and Shoreline’s annual SF Symphony performance. Here are some of our favorite shots from various festivities. No ...
Read MoreIt’s the train’s time again in Silicon Valley. Caltrain electrification. High speed rail. Renewed interest in the dormant Dumbarton rail corridor. Railroads are more than transportation: they’re a visceral, ground-shaking, ear-splitting, whoop-whooping link to what brought people out West in the first place. All you need to see is the look on a kid’s face when one whooshes by to know why railroads still inspire bold ideas and big hopes in all ...
Read MoreMemorial Day is upon us. Don’t already have every moment booked up? Then go get tickets to Pear Slices at Mountain View’s Pear Theatre and see this challenging and insightful show before it closes with Sunday night’s final performance. Even if you’re not into theater, you’ll be glad you did. Sorry for the late notice, of course. But hear us out. Pear Slices is a series of short skits showcasing local playwrights and with ...
Read MoreWritten by Anna Medina Half Moon Bay State Beach (photo by lily_leivers) The city of Half Moon Bay is hardly undiscovered country. That evocative name. The big-wave surfing at Maverick’s. The dramatic setting scrunched between the moody Pacific and the hills of the mid-Peninsula. It all means that the roads in and out are slammed on weekend afternoons. But for a quick getaway within the Bay Area, we’ll argue that HMB is hard ...
Read MoreSous-vide steak seared with a blow torch. Techniques via Bold Food. Photo courtesy of Michelle Le. Being a Renaissance woman/man ain’t easy. One must always be acquiring new skills. Lucky for you, we did a bit of asking around. From cooking to golfing to shooting a gun, we found the top instructors and programs in the 650 for you to pick up a new skill or two. 1. Break 100 Feeling left out of those corporate ...
Read MorePhoto courtesy of Clara Morgan. “Don’t worry about my pet martian,” I said. “It’s potty-trained.” “From the looks of it, you certainly aren’t,” my scene partner responded. If standing on stage to deliver jokes like this off the cuff sounds like a horrifying experience, then consider improv. Get outside your comfort zone, say whatever comes to mind and meet new friends in the process. You’re guaranteed to make a fool of yourself and remember ...
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