The Dixie Fire is Huge. News reports say this is the 2nd largest fire ever in California. Since its start, July 14th, it's consumed nearly 1,000,000 acres. I have no idea what 1,000,000 acres looks like. Google says Contra Costa County is 458,000 acres. That makes the Dixie fire twice as large as Contra Costa County. Now, that's a lot of ground.

Happiness is All-Around. There are many things, every day, to get our daubers down. Fortunately, there are more things that will make us happy if we look around. Help a friend, the laughter of a child, a flower in your hand can snap you out of a foul mood. Now, when you are feeling right, eat something tasty, wash it down with a cocktail, and then dance to some live music!

Olympic Spirit Always Brings Me Back. From the opening ceremony, I'm hooked. Countries I never heard of with three or four athletes parade around the track with their flags just like everyone else. How many medals the USA wins is not important to me as countries that win their first gold medal. Bermuda and the Philippines come to mind. What about the 17-year-old Alaskan girl that won gold in swimming and lives in a state with only one pool in it? Media hype, blood, and guts are not for me. I prefer the spirit of the Olympics and the stories that show our humanity and make us feel good about the world we live in anytime.

Restaurants are open, we have music in the park, we can shop without a mask. I'm feeling safe (I still wash my hands a lot). Now I hear things are spiking and hospitals are filling up. People are dying. It's people who have not been vaccinated. Isn't the fear of catching Covid, giving it to a friend, or a family member more important to you than your long-term fears or the inconvenience? Get vaccinated, do it for someone you love, please.

Lots of the fun things we missed last summer are back. Lots of dates are circled on my calendar. There are some really good bands playing at Todos Santos Plaza starting tonight. Car show and a band tonight in Pittsburg.

Oysters, Prawns & Mussels are on the Brunch Menu @ Lone Tree Golf & Event Center, Earth, Wine, & Fire @ Flemings Steakhouse, Walnut Creek, $5 Blackjack in Antioch, Sip Wine like They Do On The Mediterranean Sea, and the Mariachi's Are Back in Antioch!

Let's Play a Game

My friend Don Huntington and I went to the LONE TREE THAI restaurant recently for lunch. He tells me he always orders the same thing there. He's paying $10 cash to the 10th person who correctly guesses his favorite dish (he's already given me the cash so no wait for the winner HA!). Only one entry per person. I'll monitor the emails and if you are the winner I will ask you for a mailing address to send you the sawbuck. You have a 50/50 shot of being correct. Much better than the lottery. Good luck. BTW I ate the other dish and it was yummy.

Good Reason To Go Shopping

After 6 or 7 months of ordering home-delivery groceries, I did my own shopping this week. I used to love grocery shopping. I could spend two hours shopping every aisle looking for treats and bargains. After spending all that time shopping it would upset me to stand in line to pay for groceries. The longer I waited the more I wanted to remove items from my cart for making me wait. On my recent visit, I realized what a time-waster shopping is. I not only save "line-time aggravation" but I also save shopping time. I have made the change. The only reason to go grocery shopping now is to meet someone. "Excuse me, you look like a fine cook, have you ever cooked with this?"

Sunday is Father's Day and the Start of Summer

Uva Uvam Vivendo Varia Fit... It's Latin, it means "the changing vine becomes the living vine." It's from a scene in LONESOME DOVE a popular 1989 miniseries. It reminds us of an important truth. Changes are going to come whether we want them or not. Some can be especially difficult. That's when we have to adapt and do the best we can or it will eat us alive. I love this show and I appreciate the life lesson reminder.

Please don't buy fireworks. They are illegal in Contra Costa, they start fires, they bother dogs and neighbors, and dangerous. Too legal fireworks shows you can enjoy.

This Week! Memorial Day Fun. Mexican Food, Margaritas, and Motorcycle Racing with Family. Patio Dining with Friends.

This Weekend, Cherry Picking, Motorcycle Racing, Patio Music, Ferrari's, Farmers Markets, Art Show, & Artist Market.

As more people get vaccinated, and with the warmer weather, we see more options for venturing out. Please continue to do everything you can to stop the pandemic. Enjoy yourself and stay safe. We can do this.

Nourish Gala Tonight, $6 Margaritas, Clam Linguini, Young Gal Help Old Folks.

10 Mother's Day Breakfast, Brunch & Dinner Choices Mom Will Love! Looking for an ala carte breakfast, a special brunch menu, a dinner menu for dine-in, patio dining, pick up, or delivered meal for mom? These Contra Costa restaurants are making special plans for mom. With covid safety in mind, visit these websites for menus and serving availability. To assure proper service please call ahead for accommodations and a reservation.

Najee Harris, Antioch High School Football Player To Be Drafted Tonight!

There is a nice story on Antioch High School running back Najee Harris (written by Luke Johnson) in the Antioch Herald. I'm so grateful to Antioch High School principal Louie Rocha for the heads up he gave me on this athlete a few years ago. I saw most of Najee's games during his junior and senior high school years. It was a lot of fun to go to a packed event and see your alma mater have so much success. I also saw many Alabama games on TV. Najee and I spoke briefly at one of the 19th Hole Casino and Sports Bar Crab Feed fundraisers when Najee stopped serving us crab and graciously posed for a few photos for me. He's a fine young man. I wish him nothing but success!

The Weather Is Perfect For A Dine Out. It's been a good week, people are being vaccinated and restaurants are opening for inside dining. The weather is warming. For those of us who have learned to love patio dining, the weather is perfect and we can have live music! It's mostly afternoon and early evening time slots (perfect for this early to bed early to rise, guy). It's been a while since I did my last honky-tonk. Please, continue to get vaccinated, wear your masks and practice social distancing. We are on the right path.

It's been a good week, we're still in the orange tier, I received my first shot, and live music is returning. It's acoustic, and on patios, but it's still live music and I like it! Most of the music is at dinner time and in the afternoons so you can be home early. Please, continue to get vaccinated, wear your masks and practice social distancing. We are on the right path.

Social Distancing Is Way Better Than Closed. Orange tier today, yellow tier coming soon. As you can see in today's SPOTLIGHT we have more entertainment options available to us. Continue to get vaccinated, wear your masks and practice social distancing. We are on the right path.

Easter Dining Guide and Vaccine Finder and Fresh Asparagus are in!

Let live entertainment thrive all over Contra Costa this year. Another early bloomer this year is the Greenery in Walnut Creek. It's been quite a while since I've been here. Last time I visited they were wrapping up the remodel of this hidden gem down a quiet road off a busy road. Looking forward to visiting this place again soon now that Spring has sprung. Cheers!

Daylight savings time is here. Spring begins Saturday. Enjoyed a night out with friends this week at a local restaurant. Saw a baseball game. Restaurants have inside dining and entertainment. It's not normal but it's close it's the beginning of the new normal.

St. Patrick's Day Fun, Growlers Sold & Refilled, Porchetta, and a Beautiful Setting

Two Crab Feeds, Smoked Dinosaur Ribs, Ripe Organic Brentwood Passion Fruit, Live Music This Weekend, St Patty's Day Dinners To-Go

Blooming Trees Are A Good Sign, Poke Bowls, Burmese Wings, Seafood Risotto, The Perfect Start To Any Day, Are You Happy With Your Website?