Our lead article in April is by Anita Venezia on The Crucible – is a non-profit arts education center in West Oakland that fosters a collaboration of arts, industry and community. Michael Copeland wants to know “What Does Going Green Mean?”. And Tina Swerdlow advises us to “Disengage From Passive-Aggressive Communications: Flex Your Assertiveness Muscles.” …

Luxury cars used to mean conservative exterior styling and plush interiors with lots of wood trim. The new demographics of luxury ownership demands a new set of rules. Square and boxy doesn’t play anymore. Exterior styling must reflect the image of wealth; good taste and a youthful life in the form of sculptured lines, a …

A Lot to Say, Inc. was founded by two sisters. They grew up locally and both are California at Berkeley graduates. Having successful first careers, they wanted to do something outside of their primary businesses; something that they could not only do together, but something that was fresh and timely that would inspire them, as …

In this world, there’s ‘nice to know’ and ‘need to know’ and right now you need to know that the arts are doing well at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, but we, along with many others, have our budget challenges. The one thing we can all count on is that the …

Who needs April in Paris when you live in Danville? Spring is officially here, and every shower validates the promise of beautiful days to come. The farmers’ market is coming into bloom as well, with towering displays of plump artichokes, field-grown asparagus, sweet little beets, crunchy peas, carrots, radishes, turnips, and tender young spinach. After …

Q. I’m not going to be able to plant my tomatoes this year until late May early June. What varieties are best for planting at this time or is it too late to plant? I’d especially like the slicing varieties like Beefsteak. A. May is an ideal time to plant tomatoes and many other summer …

Meryl Streep has never been one of my favorites. This isn’t because she can’t act, quite the contrary, she’s amazing. It’s because for so many years every Streep movie I watched was a ‘downer’ with a capital D. I still remember the love/hate relationship I had with Out of Africa. In many ways, I’m a …

When a friend, co-worker or business associate invites you to play in a scramble golf tournament, what is your answer? “I’ve never played before,” or “I’ve only played a few times, and that was just to the driving range to hit a bucket of balls.” Sound like a recipe for disaster with a great chance …

Nude means anything from a dusty pink to dark camel and what ever falls in between. At the Golden Globes, all the celebs were rocking this color. Chloe Sevigny owned it in a flowing Valentino number and in the most bittersweet moment of the night winning an award for her performance on Big Love and …

If you like to play golf, hang out with former major league baseball players and support a local organization that gives end-stage cancer patients hope and another chance, then there is an event next month that might be for you. On May 16 and 17 members of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) …