until suburbia!

Be a Love Detective for Beethoven

September 9, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Well I guess Beethoven knew who he was writing to in his letter to the immortal beloved.

For researchers and everyone else this is still a mystery. In the exhibit: Beethoven in Love, from the Beethoven Center at San José University, you can educate yourself about all the people that played a significant role in Beethoven’s life. If you come to a conclusion about who was the immortal beloved you can also vote – voting booth and exhibit is open until December 17th, 2016.

But the Beethoven Center also has the largest collection on Beethoven memorabilia and books outside of Germany. I admit I came for the hair, a lock that has been tested, and is currently undergoing DNA testing, to uncover more mysteries about Beethoven’s life.

Our docent, Adriana was very knowledgeable about Beethoven and everything concerning him. We had a great time and as a special treat she also played on various instruments explaining the particularities about the instruments.

Do you have a favorite composer?

Pick Some Flower Power, Pescadero Flowery’s U-Pick

September 2, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Last weekend we went to Pescadero, a quaint little town near the ocean.

While we were having lunch a band was playing outside. All in all it was a very relaxing Sunday.

After lunch we strolled down one of their art rows, little showrooms for local artists, and at the end there is a place to pick dahlias.

The Pescadero Flowery’s U-Pick is open from June till October. Their dahlias come in two different price categories, $2 for small, $4 for the large. You’ll get a bucket, a pair of scissors and some quick instructions and off you go!

These flowers are truly natural art! You wander in the field and pick the most beautiful creations to take home. My 11 year old enjoyed choosing and picking the flowers and I believe we got a ravishing flower arrangement.

What do you think of our bouquet?
Do you have a favorite place to pick flowers?

Presidential Digs, Hoover Tower

August 26, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Stanford’s most iconic structure is the Hoover tower. The observation platform on the 14th floor is a nice place to comfortably see the whole campus and beyond, even for someone who is afraid of heights.

The entrance hall showcases the careers of Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the US, on one side, and his wife, Lou Henry Hoover, on the other. Both were alumni of Stanford. The entrance fee is $3. For more information you can visit the Stanford site: http://visit.stanford.edu/plan/guides/hoover.html

Another presidential dig is a bit harder to spot since it is a floating fully functional ship. The Potomac used to be called the floating White House for President Roosevelt. He apparently hated flying and used this accommodation quite often. Like I mentioned it is still in service, you can rent it or take a cruise, so it wasn’t available on my recent visit to Oakland. To check availability, visit their website: http://www.usspotomac.org

Do you know of other presidential digs in the Bay Area?

Pop into a Park, Pop-Up Park in Los Altos

August 19, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

I have heard about pop-up stores before. Some fun way to test run your retail ideas.

When I came across a pop-up park I was naturally intrigued.

On Third Street between State Street and the North Parking Plaza in Los Altos you can experience a pop-up park for the month of August. They rolled out the turf, put up some comfy lawn chairs, lots of kids toys, and a ping pong table!

They also offer teen nights, movies, and live music, and more. For a full schedule of events visit their calendar at thirdstreetgreen.com

Even when there is no program the park it is well received. Especially for the little ones, this is a great hangout spot.

Have you ever been to a pop-up park?

Discover the Sound of Joy, Musical Swing

August 12, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Can you remember the last time you were on a swing? The tickle you felt going up into the sky?

Now imagine a swing that makes a pleasant sound, different by how fast you go. But it gets even better, it’s a collaborative tool to show that you can make great music working together.

In San José, at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, a new installation provides exactly this experience.

Ten seats, four instruments (piano, harp, guitar and vibraphone) and fun for all ages provided by the Musical Swing:

http://www.musicalswings.com/

A project from Daily tous les jours, an interaction design studio bringing us collective experiences in public spaces. San José is the last stop in this traveling exhibit, ending October 2, 2016.

Mixed in with airplanes and construction noise, I felt happy.

Swing on by!

When was the last time you were on a swing?

Sunnyvale Orchard Treasure Hunt

August 6, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Before Silicon Valley this area was mostly orchards. There are still some places where you be reminded of this. I made a treasure hunt taking you to some of these places. Enjoy!

You can do this alone or in a group, or even with competing teams. I attached the questions as a pdf, so you can print them out and off you go!

Please don’t google the questions – where is the fun in that?!

Duration: about 1 to 2 hours

Distance: about 2 miles

Starting point: 490 W California Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (please obey parking restrictions)

What is the Historical Landmark at your starting point?
How old is the current structure?
The neighborhood between Matilda, Maude, Bayshore Freeway and Fair Oaks Ave is named after a garden pest. What is it?
Continue south towards El Camino. On the corner is a shopping center. What is the name?
Write down the year C.J. Olson opened.
Who is quoted saying the following: “My parents moved from San Francisco to Mountain View when I was five… Silicon Valley for the most part at that time was still orchards — apricot orchards and prune orchards — and it was really paradise.”
Find the Heritage Museum of Sunnyvale. What trees are preserved in the Heritage Park?
Make a picture of you / your group as a tree.

Send the answers to untilsuburbia AT gmail.com

Here is thePDF: sunnyvale orchard

I’d love your comments if you did this treasure hunt. Thanks!

Support your independent coffee shop

July 29, 2016April 15, 2022Silvia

I have to admit it: I am a coffee snob. I remember when we drove across the country (east to west) in the late ‘90s it was hard to find a good coffee place. The free refill came as a light brown water that did not serve its purpose of waking one up.

But I also snub the coffee chains, mainly because they took away business from beloved independent cafes.

But in a place that runs on coffee, where a programming language got named after this invigorating drink, it makes utter sense for me to promote some independent coffee places here in Silicon Valley.

The best coffee is served in a runners store called zombie runner, in Palo Alto

For this quirky location alone you should check it out!

Red Rock Coffee is a great community place. They hold various events like coffee tastings , occasional Sunday Moto Club rides, and Open Mic every Monday. During the week it looks like 50 one-man offices. Find this place right on Castro St. in Mountain View.

Clocktower, also in Mountain View, roasts their own. This is usually one of my go-to gifts for coaches or teachers (they need coffee too!)

What is your favorite independent coffee place?

(I am not affiliated with any of these places unless otherwise noted.)

Mural, Mural on the Wall, Murals in Palo Alto

July 22, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Palo Alto might not be the first city you think of when murals are mentioned. On a closer look, the city is quite devoted to the wall paintings.

Greg Brown created magic for Palo Alto and the town put out a walking tour for his works:

www.paloaltohistory.org/the-greg-brown-murals.php

My exploration for public art in Palo Alto started at Jerry Boden Park. If you go under the train tracks there is my favorite mural of the ocean and the creatures it might have.

From here, walking on California Ave towards El Camino Real there are multiple murals on the buildings in the side streets. It was really fascinating to me that there were so many just on this little stretch.

Have you noticed any of the murals in Palo Alto?

Give the Founding Father the Finger, Junipero Serra Sculpture

July 16, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

By now you might know I have a thing for giant sculptures. This figure of Junipero Serra is something between landmark and kitsch and can be seen from the 280 going north right after the 92. If you feel ready for a close up, get off the visitor center exit at Hillsborough. Here right of the restrooms is a small path going up to the pointing monk.

But watch out for snakes! While we were walking up to the padre we saw a snake and a few lizards.

Junipero established nine missions in (Alta) California. In spite of protests that he mistreated the native Indians, he became a saint in 2015.

More information on Junipero Serra:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jun%C3%ADpero_Serra

www.californiafrontier.net/who-was-junipero-serra/

www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/23/pope-francis-junipero-serra-sainthood-washington-california

What is your relationship with the founding father?

Vive la France

July 9, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

France these days has plenty of reasons to celebrate.

They will on Sunday fight for the European soccer title against Portugal. Since they are the host country of this event their chances of winning are really high.

July 14th is Bastille day, the French independence day. If you want to read up on it on Wikipedia (Bastille Day) it reads like the final episode of Game of Thrones without the zombies and dragons.

If you are just looking for an excuse to eat French pastries you might want to go to Voyageur du Temps in Los Altos.

Now with plenty of time to plan ahead you can also bake your own croissants. Grab a bag from the Milk Pail and let them rise overnight. These are the real deal.

Or if you prefer a crepe with a bowl of café au lait I recommend Bistro Maxine in Palo Alto.

Vive!
Are you celebrating Bastille Day?