WARNING! This review is biased since I'm one of the BAD paddlers…read more How do you know if a team is awesome? Is it the team chemistry? Is it the level of dedication that's shown by its team members? Or is it merely the medal counts? There are probably multiple answers to this question. For me, I love this team because of its inclusiveness. Let's face it: Not all of us are born with an athletic talent. For someone like me, I've always been on the sideline of any sports event as a spectator rather than a participant. And as a true foodie, your chances of finding me at a buffet is about 1000x higher than watching me compete in any non-food related races. So, for a person like me to even have a spot on a team at all is something to marvel at. Not only did BAD take me in with open arms, it's given me the opportunity to continually learn about sportsmanship, camaraderie, and workout discipline. I find it amazing that my teammates are from a diversity of backgrounds and ages. It's humbling to have a chance to practice with and learn from those who are at the master level (40 years old+), some of whom have even competed at the international races. Members on this team range in age from as young as 18 year old to the hush ages that I have yet to discover. In my opinion, that's a very positive aspect since it gives everyone an equal opportunity to participate. One of the other main reasons why I love my team so much is that BAD is just as food-motivated as I am. After most practices and races I've gone to, there's yet to be a time when food isn't somehow involved. I mean, what could be more amazing for a foodie like me than to be a part of a team that's after my own heart? In fact, I love it so much that I'm willing to endure the traffic-up-the-heezy drive all the way from East Bay to Foster City multiple times a month just to attend the practices. So, do you want to be part of this awesomeness? Come and check us out at one of the 10:30AM practices on Saturday and see it for yourself. And, as a disclaimer, this isn't a team where we train actual dragons or anything remotely close to Dungeons and Dragons, so set your expectations accordingly.

With time, all teams evolve and the bridges burned are repaired in good faith for the benefit of…read morethe sport and community. As the founding team of dragon boating in the Bay Area, it's hard to stay away from the roots of this team. Even rival teams are joining forces with BAD to do good/well at races around the world. One of the strengths of this team is how it spans the age ranges to bridge the gaps with a camaraderie to support each other and help grow the sport for the good of the community. Even a part of me misses the chant, "Girls gone BAD!" So, check out this team for yourself to see how BAD it truly is in the best sense of the word =b

***3.5 stars*** this…read moreis an annual race that takes place on or around halloween (depending on which day of the week it falls upon). this year, it happened to be the day after halloween, so costumes were still fresh for race day! for this event, participants had 3 distances to choose from: full marathon (26.2 miles) half marathon (13.1 miles) 5M i chose the 5 mile distance since this course had the fewest number of inclines and hills. the pros: +TINY event, with just over 200 participants between the 3 distances +FAIR REGISTRATION PRICES only $40 for the 5M, $45 for the half, and $60 for the full when registering in advance. $5 less if you skip the race shirt. +FREE PARKING just outside vasona lake county park. most of the side streets were empty on saturday morning, so it was easy to find parking. +BIB AND TSHIRT pickup the morning of the race, with only a few minutes wait +CHALLENGING COURSE in my opinion, since all distances had rolling hills and inclines, the half and full climbing all the way up to the lexington reservoir/st. joe's hill! +LOTS of AID STATIONS throughout the course, all stocked with water, electrolyte drink, and salty snacks +VARIETY OF POST-RACE REFRESHMENTS, which included fresh fruit, clif bars, salted tortilla chips, graham crackers, trail mix, peanut butter filled pretzels, muffins, and candy. since it's that time of year, they also had pumpkin pie! yum! +CUPS for the water and electrolyte drink jugs at the finish. props to the organizers for not giving out bottled water and using recyclable paper cups! +LOTS OF FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS assisting with bib pickup and registration pre-race, manning the aid stations on the course, handing out medals at the finish line, and preparing/re-stocking the food at the finisher's area. +COSTUME CONTEST post-race, which featured many very creative costumes worn by children and adults. +CUSTOMISED FINISHERS' MEDAL for all runners who cross the finish line. i liked the purple and green logo, very fitting for the day after halloween! +AGE GROUP FINISHERS' MEDALS for the top 3 men and women per age group, per distance. i finished 2nd female, and 2nd in my age group, so i walked away with an extra medal. the cons: -paying $6 for parking inside vasona lake county park, if you could not find parking outside the park gates -confusion on the course. i expect a 5M race to be exactly 5 miles, but the official results posted the course at 4.8 miles, and yet, i got 4.93 on my garmin, so i'm a bit unsure that the pre-planned distance was supposed to be. -9am was the start time for all 3 distances. given the narrowness of the trail, it was difficult to start at the very front and not lose any time since this event was gun-timed. would suggest staggering the start times going forward. -few restrooms. i saw only 1 proper restroom structure with 3 stalls (for the ladies) and 2 porta-potties. before the race, i had to use the restroom twice, and each time, ended up waiting a while until it was my turn. would suggest more porta-potties next year. -no mile marker signage. although the turnaround for the 5M was clear, with a volunteer ensuring that runners turned around, i never knew what mile i was on, unless i looked at my garmin. -wrong year on the finishers' medal! when i asked the race organizer, i was told that there was a printing problem, and everyone ended up with a 2013 medal instead of a 2014 medal. whoops! while not my favourite zoom event, the organizers still did a pretty good job, and i applaud all the volunteers for coming out early on a cold, rainy, saturday morning to set up the aid stations and everything else so that we runners could have a good experience.

Came here for a birthday party and for 2 hours, my kid was literally jumping up and down, doing…read moreobstacles, games and then got to enjoy drinks, snacks and cake on the upper level (for parents!) I would definitely recommend this spot for active kiddos that enjoy getting their energy out. I have lived in RWC for a few years and had never been but it really is a great spot. I'd go back for sure and will look into glasses for my little one!

We decided to host my daughter's 5th birthday here, and while the birthday party was great and the…read morekids had a lot of fun, they seemed to be done with us after the party ended. We followed up on the group photo that was part of the package we paid for several times over several months and we are now almost a year later and nothing. They mentioned one of the coach's had it on their phone and it seemed so impossible to contact them or for them to just send it and I still don't understand why. If I had known we wouldn't be receiving the photo, I would've just taken it myself. My daughter has no group photo with all her friends on her 5th birthday. I also had inquired about the gift they mentioned in their package that the celebrant receives and the lady over the phone had no idea about it and dismissed it as if it wasn't a deliverable and we're just supposed to shrug it off. It's a shame the party was spoiled by the customer service.

Where on earth have I been ?! How did I not know about this event?! Unbelievable value for your…read moretime...it's free .99! I believe it was put together by a different set of churches and volunteers. It was an interactive walk through mimicking the the town of Bethlehem on the night of the First Christmas. Costumes, dancing, a bazaar, animals to pet, bread making and even pottery just like it was done in the old days. Sad to know 2022 was the last one held! Details: http://www.bethlehemad.com/BethlehemA.D./Home.html Visit the town of Bethlehem on the night of the First Christmas. 1300 Middlefield Road, Redwood City December 21, 22 & 23 6:00pm - 9:30pm A 20 minute walk-through experience... Rain or Shine FREE ADMISSION

Please bring this back, it's best thing of the yr. I came here every year. I love the Angels and…read morethe animals. I love all the joy this brought to Redwood.

My kids go to Rally's newest San Carlos location on Laurel Street. SO LUCKY…read more It's a whole vibe at Rally, building confidence and character, beyond the usual flips and tumbles. The coaches here are into child development and so good at balancing fun and discipline. They know when to laugh with the kids and when to be like, "Alright, time to nail those flamingo trots on that beam." The atmosphere is warm and supportive. They make the kids feel good about progress. My kid didn't stick the cartwheel at first, but they were so hyped about his progress it got him trying unfazed. Coach Lisa, the owner, is amazing with my younger one. She keeps him pumped, challenged, and giggling. Plus, the place is surprisingly clean for a kids gym. We love our experience at Rally, knowing our kids are always having a blast and developing real skills that go beyond the mat.

We hosted my daughter's birthday party here, and it will be hard to ever top the experience…read more Everything is included, and I mean everything. My daughter and her friends had a great time tumbling, climbing, swinging, and eating cupcakes and pizza. The best part was that I didn't have to do anything and was able to watch the fun and socialize with the other parents. Thank you Coach Lisa and Coach Russell!! My daughter also takes classes here. Lisa and her team are very thoughtful and intentional with how they teach and program, giving the kids such a positive and enriching experience.

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is one of our preferred charities. Lets face it, there were people…read morealready hurting before COVID hit and now that's all the more exacerbated. When it comes to food security or a lack thereof, you need a charity that literally helps put food on peoples table. They provide food for those that would otherwise have to do without. They also take fruits and vegetables (You must call ahead and set it up) along with the more typical donations. In addition you can also volunteer to help sort and setup. They have a website to help direct you. However, it is very popular and sometimes days are already filled up. As with all charities they need our help. How can you help? 1) Food donations. Every bit helps 2) Volunteer to help out 3) Cash is king. Consider a cash donation so they can pay for operations and buy essential items that they don't get donated. I mean how many cans of pumpkin filling can you make someone eat right?

I have incurable cancer. I have been through chemo and have lingering serious side effects so…read moregetting to a food pantry is hard not to mention. I don't have a car. I found Second Harvest Food Bank delivers food to the door. So I applied and they have been delivering to my door when they don't send lazy delivery drivers that leave my food outside my apartment building for everyone to get, or in the lobby or in the mail room to leave my food to rot. Even if I could go to the lobby or mail room, I can't lift my box and bring it up five floors. Not to mention, I don't get notification that the food box has even been delivered so I don't know if it's been delivered to the lobby, mail room, or left outside. I have called several times explaining I am not getting my food boxes, even though they send out another food box 5 days later, I shouldn't have to wait five extra days for food. Not to mention 7 out of 10 times I get my box it's loaded with rotten fruit and vegetables full of mold. To which by the way I am highly allergic to food mold. I have called. I have spoke to supervisors. I have spoken to several different people at Second Harvest Food Bank. They apologize. Which I appreciate, but that doesn't help me with my food. They said if you don't want to receive moldy fruit and vegetables come and pick up the box yourself. Nice I would if I could. I'm sure others with my health issues and my age would attest to the fact that we would do a lot of things if we were physically capable of doing it. So apologies fall on deaf ears because I still don't receive my food boxes when I should and like I said half the time the food is rotten full of mold. Shaking my head because I see the commercials and I see people donating to which I appreciate. I see people in their cars in line getting all this beautiful fresh fruit and vegetables not to mention holiday boxes to which I don't receive a holiday box I don't get anything to celebrate Easter, Thanksgiving no turkey, no Christmas box just beans and rice is what people who get their food delivered get along with moldy fruit and vegetables. I guess that is Second Harvest Food Bank's way of saying happy holidays. You don't get a holiday box you don't need to celebrate a holiday.

As a wedding planner, I had an event at Redwood City Elks Lodge in May 2023. The mother of the…read morebride is a member which led us to the venue. Venue: - The space is extremely flexible and easy to dress up or down! - There are a lot of additions that were great for a party: including a stage, twinkle lights on the windows, and a disco ball. - The main ballroom is split in half with hardwood and carpet. This was extremely helpful as it was a built-in dance floor so that we didn't need to source one. - It was a bit chilly so that the patio overlooking the pool wasn't used much, but in the daytime and evening, it provided a great view! - It's always great to have tables and chairs on-hand. Their contract mentioned particular numbers of tables and chairs, though their inventory is larger than what was written in. During a previous site visit, they had 2 types of chairs that were mis-matched, though by the time the event came, they had replaced these with all matching ones. - The ceremony arch is leaning backwards a bit, but nothing that some linens and flowers can't fix! Having a ceremony arch included with the venue already is a huge plus. - There are a few ground squirrel holes in the ceremony site that could be difficult to walk on - this was easily avoidable by letting all our guests know to either wear flat shoes or chunky heels and to watch where they step. - The ceremony site is a bit of a walk from the reception, though golf carts were readily available for mobility-impaired guests. - The driveway or main entrance can be a bit tricky to find for those unfamiliar. It is set back between two residential houses, so if there are cars parked street side, the sign can be easily missed. Venue staff: - During our planning, we worked with Jared in the pre-planning and Staci on the event day. - Both venue coordinators were extremely helpful and friendly! They were both quick to respond to emails and provide information. If they did not know the answer, they were courteous and professional in getting a firm answer within just a few days. - I would note that there were some miscommunication issues earlier in planning with the board. Jared and Staci were both new to their positions at the time that they had began working with us so they weren't quite familiar with the nuances of the venue yet. They were both great in finding the answers we needed and being the middleman between my clients/myself and the board members at the lodge. - My site visit with Jared was extremely helpful with his knowledge and what is or is not permitted. Event execution: - The bar was provided by the venue. The bartenders were great and helped batch signature cocktails at the beginning. They handled large volumes very well! - The bar was split into two parts: one for "members only" and another for general guests. Considering our event had used the entire main ballroom and bar area, I felt that the bar should have been closed for public access or both lines should have been made available for the event guests. - The kitchen space is perfect for any caterer - there is adequate space for both preparations and bussing. In addition, it's always helpful to have on-site industrial kitchen appliances, a walk-in refrigerator, and an ice machine ready to go. - Catering was able to park on a patio area which doubled as a loading zone. This allowed easy entry into the kitchen and back areas without too much movement. - Restrooms: all restrooms were clean and maintained well. For 120 guests, the number of stalls available was perfect so that there was never a line. - Staci helped tremendously with set-up and helping guests who required the golf-cart. Despite only stepping into the role, she was a huge help with her knowledge of the venue! - There was plenty of parking available for active golfers, event staff/vendors, and all our guests. - The ceremony site is a distance from power, so if you are planning any music out there, I would strongly recommend a portable generator as a bluetooth speaker may not be loud enough in the open space. Overall, I would definitely recommend Redwood City Elks Lodge as a venue for all event types. In addition to the main ballroom and ceremony site, they also have a picnic area with a pit barbecue that would be great for a summer party. There is also a small stadium that would be great for performances or even something like a cornhole championship. It seems like you will need to know a member or apply for membership to host an event here, though if you're someone who is always looking to celebrate and lives in the area, Redwood City Elks Lodge is a great go-to spot!

Great place to golf. You don't need to be a member but if you become one you have use of the gym…read moreand pool. And we have a members bar to watch sports with our tasty beverages. Pool tables, shuffleboard, darts and ping pong.

What a perfect day for the Mermaid Run, especially when its the day before Mother's day and my mini…read moreme wants to join me in her first run. You know what they say right? like mother like daughter, just getting her started early!! Since it was my daughters first run, I decided to register both of us for the 5k. Mermaid Run offers an 18m, half marathon, 10k, 5k, and a mini run for the kiddos 1.5miles. Located at Quarry Lakes park in Fremont. The Park surrounds a barrier of water just like Lake Merced & Lake Merritt. The 5k started at 900a and the heat risen to 80degree, (FUEGO) the trail goes around the lake on gravel. Lots of moms ran with their children and plenty of women supported the run. At the end we were rewarded a charm and post race food ie.bagels, bananas, strawberries, grapes, candy? water and orange juice. I seen plenty of booths that included Zico coconut water, Luna bars, massage tables, photo booths and apparel shopping. My only complaints were to let the little kids run first, I almost trampled over them a couple of times. Other than that, we had a great first run together.

Half Marathon Time: 1:37:21 1st in Age group (by 12…read moreminutes!) 3rd overall (Men and Women) Thank you Yelp for the free entry!! This event was kinda big for me after Surgery 2 weeks before and what an event to be my first real workout after somewhat recovering. I found the event well organized and bib pick up on the morning of the event a huge bonus. There were a few vendors still setting up and offering free samples - Luna Bars, Sanbazon Acai drinks and little samples of Acai Bowls. The run itself started on time with each distance starting 30 minutes apart. The 18 miler started first followed by the Half Marathon then the 10k then 5k. This meant that everyone was coming across the finish line at roughly the same time. The course itself was nice - some gravel and some pavement and for the first few miles well marked out but after about mile 6 is saw very few signs for the Half Marathon and was questioning whether or not I was still on the right course and not Running the 18 miler. It probably didn't help that I was front of the pack of runners and when I got to mile 6 saw volunteers still setting up signs..this is mind I think more signage for future years is s must. I was so glad to see the volunteers at 8.5mi and ask ''Is this the turnaround for the Half''.Thank goodness they knew where I was supposed to be going! Post Race was a little chaotic with medals and necklaces being given out and a huge line for the fenced off food area. Food was basic - Bagels, Banana's, Orange and Juice. Awards were given for overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each distance as well as age group awards which took place around 10:15am which was quite some wait after many of the winners finished. For 3rd overall Half I was awarded a plaque and a box of Luna bars with age group win being a hat. Nice awards but kind of wish there were extra medals because it's all about the bling. Every finishers also got a medal which was the same for every distance. Doing this event there is one thing I must stress to other Runners - Please be more courteous to other Runners. There was a part of the course with a turn around and runners to be coming along both directions of the course.. after the turnaround I was keeping as far left as possible but oncoming runners either thought the ''keep left'' rules didn't apply to them or were completely oblivious and were running head on into me. Then some Runners getting made at ME when I shouted to ''please keep left''. Also when someone calls ''On your Left'' it means they are coming up behind you and would like to pass (ever seen Captain America?) so please move over. Basic Runner etiquette. Overall pretty good event and I'll probably do it again next year.