I have been going here for over a year and it is a great place to rent an instrument, as well as to…read morehave my daughter take instrument lessons. The staff and owners are super nice and knowledgable. Also, my dad took his vintage clarinet to another shop for a tune up. After less than a year, pads were falling off, and it didn't sound great. He brought it here, and after they found and repaired a crack that the other place missed and did their own tune up, he says it sounds like it is brand new!

We used this spot to rent an instrument for middle school. They are super helpful and very…read moreknowledgeable. They have very fair rates too. Will use again in the future.

I had the privilege of seeing Amma on her tour in 2018. My son really likes hugs and when I heard…read moreabout Amma--who is known for many things, including having hugged more people than anyone else in the world--I figured it would be a good cultural experience. My husband, son and I went and it was a wonderful experience. She hugged us: first son, then son +husbnad, then son+ husband+me. I didn't know what to expect but it was quite moving. If you visit when Amma is here, you get an intro video that explains her work (impressive), some meditation (nice). Newbies are invited to sit at the front and you get hugged early on. After that, you can shop the visiting vendors and buy some yummy food they set up outside. The grounds are beautiful too. Try to arrive early. Identify yourself to the greeters as a first-time visitor. Amma's volunteers do lots of interesting things on site when she isn't here: gardening, making food for those in need, recycling projects. They also COOK FOOD AND DELIVER IT EVERY SATURDAY. This can be combined with delivery of fresh fruits harvested from the Amma center. Check out the Food From Home Yelp review for more information on that.

Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandaymayi Devi) is a God-Realized being who has nothing to gain from us, or…read moreanyone. She is the spiritual mother to millions traveling the world to give solace, advice and comfort to those that seek it. She is only here on this earth plane to uplift all of humanity, and does so through a simple glance, Her embrace, Her very breath. One is not required to follow the religion of Her birthplace which is called in the west "Hinduism", but in reality is Sanatana Dharma -- eternal wisdom -- a philosophy that welcomes all regardless of their spiritual path or religious orientation. Amma's religion is Love. Amma owns nothing and every cent donated goes towards supporting Embracing the World -- all of the charities and initiatives created by Amma. Donations are strictly voluntary. Amma never asks anyone for money. The majority of the staffing is also voluntary, with no salaries in most areas. Amma Herself monitors how every penny is spent and every resource is utilized and emphasizes the importance of minimizing waste.

"World's Cutest and Largest Little Free Library."…read more You won't believe this Little Free Library. It's in a converted bus stop, which was built decades ago. It's pretty close to the base of Mount Diablo. It's actually like a real library, in that the shelves are well organized by subject. Not only that, members of the community post book reviews and give their suggestions on a whiteboard nearby. I found a Lisa Gardner book for my wife, and a John Grisham book for me. Believe it or not, I always carry a few good books in my car so I can donate them. Today, I deposited 2 business books. I hope another customer likes them If you wish to donate books, you can shelve them yourself, or deposit in a book donation bin in the shelter. There are 2 places to sit. One for adults, one for kids. Parking is tight, so be careful to not block traffic. If you're in the town of Diablo, you've got to come see this. I don't know who put this thing together, but they did a great job

This "Take a BooK! Leave a Book!" Little library is in front of the restrooms. This is a collab…read morewith Dublin library. These 2 books, written by Dominican Americans, are about Families & their girls. "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros: *lst book about Dominicans in U.S.? -how an Dominican family of 6 with poor English skills survived in Chicago, slowly getting better jobs with increased English proficiency. -family constantly moving to better houses to avoid crime, bad schools, bad neighbors, abusive 'hoods. -though written for teens, adult level misbehavior isn't glossed over, it's mentioned casually without comment. "How the Garcia Girls lost Their Accents" by Julia Alavarez. Based on Author's experience. -story told thru voices of the 4 girls: Carla, Yolanda, Sandra, Sofir.. with recurring themes around N.J. -catholic girls do have fun -"4 girls, no sons". "Good Bulls sire cows" -family didn't have financial issues. Father has a business. Politics an issue as parents fled Dominican Republic to avoid killers sent by Pres. Rafael Trujillo. -girls made friends with the right kind of Americans: Hoover, Hanes, Scott, Reese. They let the Americans believe they were connected to riche$. -the girls seldom socialized with other Dom-Am's, only related family members. -mom always relies on quotes to relay her thought: "Necessity is the Daughter of Invention". *both books humanizes the immigrant experience that all Americans have endured. Hispanic Heritage Month: 9/15-10/15.

A very unpretentious, God-focused church. The pastor brings an incredible depth of biblical…read moreknowledge and insight to every sermon. You know those bible stories you've heard a million times? He explains them in ways you've never heard. How what seem to be innocuous details actually have incredible meaning. His plain spoken sermons are refreshingly un-PC without being needlessly confrontational. They have both a traditional and contemporary service but the contemporary service is still bible-based and reverent (you won't feel like you stumbled into a Van Halen concert and church broke out.) If you're looking for a church home where you feel afterward like you actually attended church and worshipped God without being bored to death or patronized, checkout St. Phillips.

A welcoming place to belong! The people of St. Philip are a caring community and very open to new…read morepeople visiting. There is a warm family atmosphere with activities and groups for people of all ages. They also reach out into the neighborhood and beyond with service. All because He first loved us.

This review has been long overdue. I'm truly grateful we found this daycare. As a parent, leaving…read moreyour kids with someone else is never easy, but the owners have always treated my children like their own, and that means so much to me. We've known and used this daycare since my son was in Kindergarten, he's a little older now and sees this place as his second family. The owners are consistently kind, caring, and genuinely invested in the well-being of the kids. You can tell they truly care about the families who trust them with their children. I don't have family nearby, and even if I did, this place feels more like family. Knowing that my kids are cared for by people who truly look out for them brings me so much comfort. I'm deeply thankful for the love and support they've shown to my family.

Everything was good. My son told me he had a good time, but he also told me about a rude adult in…read morecharge that would speak to the kids with inappropriate words. Otherwise, it was fine.

Always a pleasant experience. Staff and manager are always helpful and friendly…read more Stock is neatly arranged and buyable. Not only is Shepard's Gate worth a visit, but they support our community.

This review is written as an observer at a distance given lack of access during the recovery…read moreprocess. Most info gained through family members who have had direct contact and my own research. This program and organization is unlike any other I've seen or heard of. While being very structured in many ways such as lack of outside communication for most of 11 months, this allows the individual to step out from under the burden upon them, long enough to make the personal changes needed. The facilities are excellent, and the needs of the participants are well met. Religion may not be your thing, but if accepting God into your life helps reduce the anxiety, or other inhibiting factors, why not? If participants learn to think about their actions prior to acting, they learn to avoid problems, and get help when they recognize it on the horizon. Those are much needed skills today. The support shepherds gate receives from all the churches in the tri-valley area is nothing short of amazing! It is evident by the volunteer support the organization receives. This program has attendees learning coping skills necessary to live functionally in today's world. They help them develop computer skills. They help them interview for and get employment. They have access to every resource from sponsors to doctors and therapists. Attendees of the program seem very positive. Some refuse to play by the rules and are removed from the program. In the end this is a free 11 month program. Not because insurance is covering it, they don't charge. Yes that's written correctly. This is a program that gives the time needed to move to a new lifestyle, and have stabilization. I can't imagine what this would cost otherwise. When it seems like everyone's got an angle to rob you blind, here is the purest form of love and support. I had my reservations given its structure. But the feedback is outstanding.

This was actually my FIRST time at Pleasanton's farmers market. When I tell you, I'll be back every…read moreweekend! I came around 1220 (they close at 1) and fully regret that. Next time I'll be there when they open. There were still a good amount of vendors and music out at that time. But a lot of them were closing up and had all the samples gone. I got the juiciest Cara Cara oranges, fresh flowers, and a crotchet kit for my daughter from Saltwater Books & Gifts. The walking space is a little narrow and it was annoying (on my part) to drag my wagon through the aisle. So if you plan on bringing that, or a stroller, just be prepared. I truly can't wait to go back.

Ok, I really wanted to like this Farmer's market but I was a bit disappointed. It's quite small,…read morestopped to buy an empanada, looked at a couple stands, and we were done in about 15 minutes. We also went about 12:20pm and they close at 1p but that still wouldn't have changed how many vendors there were. I did like that the marching band was there and they ended at 12:30p so we caught the last couple songs :( I don't know how often the band is there, but I'd go back just for the band, I love marching band music.