Local Happenings Magazine

Time to catch up . . .

DeannaB — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:42:02 +0000

With the feeling of the holiday behind me, I am up bright
and early to jump ahead of my responsibilities for the day. This will be a
three county day for me, maybe more, and I still have a lot of computer work to
do. My focus will be strong since I am only working a half day on Friday. Yes,
I am going to take some much needed time off at the coast. Wait, not time off,
I am actually going to write an editorial for one of our new travel features
that will premier in our April/May edition. But, it will feel like time off and
hopefully this weather will continue!

Robert and Regina will join us for a real holiday feeling.
Ramon, Rory and Veronica will also be coming so we can have a “Local Happening”
experience. We’ll be letting you know what to do and where to go in Monterey
and Carmel in our June/July issue. Mendocino will be the topic for the
April/May issue and we are so excited to share these destinations with you!

But, not so fast, we still have to get through today! I have
many places to go and make sure “Local Happenings Magazine” is at the forefront
of peoples’ minds and making sure that copies are everywhere!

Watch out, you never know where I will pop up and snap a picture. . .

Meeting Roy Rogers after his show at the Empress Theatre

Holidays always screw things up . . .

DeannaB — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:07:48 +0000

Monday Holidays such as President’s Day always make me
behind in everything I do. For the rest of the week I will be looking for that
day I lost. I try to stay on top of work on Monday holidays, but sometimes I
fall short and this is just what happened yesterday. I had good intentions of
spending all day in front of the computer and then it was a beautifully sunny
day and I just couldn’t!

I took a very lazy drive to Sonoma up towards Santa Rosa
with no destination in mind and I had a great day. Came home and cooked dinner
and watched the Warriors. Life is pretty good, and it is these small moments when you have to take notice and realize that these are the moments that become tomorrow’s memories of yesterday.

Of course then I had to get up at 5:30 this morning in order
to try to catch up. Guess what, I didn’t! It is 6:00 pm and I am barely getting
these little notes posted. Hopefully tomorrow will be more productive and I
will be able to greet “the hump day” with a feeling of accomplishment.

The dog days of February . . .

What’s going on this weekend . . .

DeannaB — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:53:01 +0000

Friday is a great day to say this first thing in the
morning. Ponder it. Wonder about it. Swirl some ideas around with friends.
Consult the Local Happenings Magazine Calendar to make sure that you know of
every event in your neck of the woods. Then make a decision!

Based on the weather my weekend could start like this:

Friday Evening:

BBQ at neighbors!

Saturday:

Help set up Vallejo Executive Lions Crab Feed
Mow Lawns and rake Leaves
Attend Vallejo Executive Lions Crab Feed

Sunday:

Make it to Church
Work in the yard
Rest!

Remember, Monday is a Holiday! Yeah . . .

Mom, I don’t feel well . . .

DeannaB — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:35:28 +0000

Why is it that whenever you have a busy day that you wake up
not feeling good? I remember as a child whenever there was going to be
something big at school (and no, not a test!) like a fieldtrip, school project
day or book report day you would wake up with a sore throat and a headache.
Well, nothing has changed! Today I have a meeting that starts at 8:30 in
Danville so I need to be on the road no later than 7:30 to compensate for
traffic and I feel terrible.

So today I am back at my tri-county travels, I need to be in
Contra Costa, Solano and Napa today! A full schedule, and so many people to
see.

This morning I am attending a meeting in Danville to hear
about some of the things the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Danville and a group
called Sustainable Danville are working on in the community. I am pretty
excited to hear more details.

But first, take a shower, take dog out, feed dog, do
stretches, make my latte and get on the road!

I hope I make it since I am not feeling my best today – we shall
see! I want my Mommy . . .

Getting some rays outside Shirocos and Piccolos in downtown Benicia

Derrick Karimian from Krystle Property Management promoting the community!

Hump Day . . .

DeannaB — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:10:30 +0000

Put on a Happy Face!

It’s not an attractive saying but it’s true –
Wednesday is the day that everyone that works Monday-Friday looks forward to.
We then know that we have only a couple more days before the weekend, a party,
vacation or just a chance to rest. It’s best to wake up on this day, put on a happy face and get
going so you can get over the hump!

Today is like no other, get up, take dog out, feed dog, do stretches, take a shower, make my latte and get to work!

Today it begins like this:

Finish working on the cover and get feedback.
Finish making CDs for all winners of our Locals
Choice Awards.
Head to Pacific East Mall to deliver magazines
and say hi.
Go to Warriors basketball game in Oakland
tonight! That should be a hoot.
Hopefully be in bed to charge up for tomorrow by
10?

My Funny Valentine . . .

DeannaB — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:11:28 +0000

This can either be a great Hallmark Holiday or the worst. I
have experienced both but I have learned a long time ago that a glass of wine
is always half full. So if you think you do not have a Valentine this year,
look around. You do – a friend, a neighbor, your mom, your dad, a sister or
brother, a niece or nephew or that stranger that smiles at you today. Today is
about the heart and everyone has one, it just depends how you use it. Today,
smile at everyone you pass, say hello to those strangers, hug your family and
friends and at the end of the day see how great you feel.

Of course there are many Local Happenings Magazine
advertisers that would love to see you today:

Zio Fraedo’s restaurant on the water in Vallejo
will have a special menu.
Miguelena in Benicia will have that perfect
Valentine gift for your wife or girlfriend.
Studio 41 in Benicia has the perfect gift for
everyone
DeBartolo Jewelers in Vacaville has that unique
piece of jewelry that makes a statement
Shirocos and Piccolos in Benicia have home, art
and clothing covered
TEAM Superstores has the perfect red vehicle so
you can surprise your love

The possibilities are endless!

I might see you out and about today – yesterday I covered
two counties and today I will cover two more! But, most important I have to do
something special with my main guy: Ben. The fabulous constant companion, who
always loves me and stays by my side and worries, laughs and cries with me.
Keep your eyes open for us!

My Sweet Valentine!

Monday, Monday . . .

DeannaB — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:31:11 +0000

So, when you wake up to rain and a headache on a Monday is that a hint to go back
to bed? Unfortunately not, since I have a weekly 9 am meeting on Monday. This
weekend took a little out of me – way too much personal time. Sometimes it’s
best to keep working, or maybe not. I was able to see a much talked about movie,
The Descendants. This movie was very sad and dark, but still good. Does that
make sense? See it on a sunny afternoon so you can come out and still be happy.
(Just a suggestion.)

Saturday night I was lucky enough to go to a fabulous
Valentine Dinner at O’Brien Estate Winery in Napa and just had the best time.
Great music, food, company and of course wine! Wine, wine and more wine. Maybe
that’s why I am still running a little slow today! Oh well, had a great time!

Onward and upward, today it begins like this:

Leave house at 9:00 am and have my meeting with
Robert.
Work on blog and figure out how to put in more
pictures. SOOOOO frustrating for someone who is used to working in a page
layout program and not a word based program. UGGHHH!
Continue work on next issues cover.
Play with George and Lori’s dog and take for a
walk.
Be in bed to charge up for tomorrow by 10? NO,
maybe 8!

: Wine dinner at O’Brien Estates Winery

Friday! Ahhhhhh . . .

DeannaB — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:59:20 +0000

Sometimes this does not mean anything since I work on the weekends.
(When you own your business, especially since 1986, you rarely take any days
off. But, right after I go to press and
take care of all of the deliveries I take a couple of weekends where I do just
what I want. Usually that means walking with the dog, having coffee with
friends and special time with family and friends. Backup, I did say it was
Friday, right? OK, OK Up at 6 am, take dog out. Strip the sheets on the bed.
(Friday ritual!) On the floor to do my stretches. Start the latte machine. Take
a shower. Feed the dog. Make my latte. Ready to head out the door.

Today it begins like this:

Leave house at 9:30 am and make sure I have
answered all emails and returned phone calls.
Deliver latest edition of Local Happenings
Magazine to winners of Local Happenings Local’s Choice Awards.
Continue work on next issues cover.
Play with George and Lori’s dog and take for a
walk.
Dinner and a movie later – personal time!
Be in bed to charge up for tomorrow by 10? NO!

John Ross from Uncorked loves his Local Happenings Magazine!

Visitors from Florida love Local Happenings Magazine!

Pete and Patty Friesen at OxBow Market eating ice cream and reading their Local Happenings Magazine

Tourism, Mixers and More . . .

DeannaB — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:46:40 +0000

Up at 6 am, take dog out. Go back to bed for a minute . . .
On the floor to do my stretches. Start the latte machine. Take a shower. Feed
the dog. Make my latte. Ready to head out the door.

Today it begins like this:

Leave house at 8:20 am for Benicia Tourism
Meeting
Finish delivering latest edition of Local
Happenings Magazine in American Canyon.
Have lunch with TEAM Superstores.
Work on next issues cover
Feed neighbors dog
Attend Business Mixer in Danville at Green Leaf
Partners.
Attend Trunk Show at Piccolo in Benicia

Be in bed to charge up for tomorrow by 10?
Questionable!

Always mugging for the camera!

Kinders provided great food for the Danville Mixer

A Great Trunk Show at Piccolo in Benicia

Lions, Pedicures and Sunsets . . .

DeannaB — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:56:23 +0000

How can a city exist without any welcome signs?? Where are
the signs in Vallejo , CA that say Welcome to Vallejo and what the population
is?? My fellow Lions, John Howland and Gary Truelsen are equally amazed that
there are no signs stating that we are entering the city of Vallejo at any of
the entrances. Not on I-80, not on Hwy 29 not on 780! Amazing. Vallejo
Executive Lion Club is going to spearhead this and hopefully we can be
successful. John Howland will be the point person and go tackle the city. Good
luck with that!

I am now hungry so we head to a local diner and have
sandwiches and beer because it is so HOT! Can this really be February?

No rest for the wicked – off to finish delivering magazines.
Everywhere I go people are excited to see the new issue and are very friendly.
I love what I do!

After a hard day, it’s pedicure time – my feet are so
thankful! Red for Valentine’s Day of course.

Now I am going to chillax and head over to Dead Fish in
Crockett so I can sit outside and see the sunset. Ahhhh . . .Everything else
off the record.