Favorite Places

The pursuit of well-being encompasses much more than our physical health. We must have fun. We must partake of good food and good company. Our cars must get us where we want to go to have fun. We need little getaways from time to time. With all this in mind, here are some of my favorite places.

FOR FUN

The Magic Paintbrush – Sharon Fredrickson, Owner
943 Marina Village Parkway, Alameda, CA 94501

510-523-6244 www.themagicpaintbrushceramics.com 

So much more than your everyday ceramics painting place…Sharon offers glass fusing. I’d never done this before. And, oh my! It is so cool! I now have several projects on my drawing board. A visit to The Magic Paintbrush is a superb way to embrace your creative side or host an evening with friends or bring your children for a special party. Here’s one the pieces I’ve recently finished.

FOR EATS – CLEARLY I HAVE A HANKERING FOR ASIAN FARE!

Zen Fusion
2315 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501

510-521-7070

The spicy, sexy interior is just one of Zen Fusion’s draws. A truly unique take on tapas with an Asian flare, they also offer a sophisticated selection of exotic cocktails (some of which can be made alcohol- free.) Many of my clients find that an intimate repast at Zen is the perfect post-massage treat.

Kamakura
2549 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501

510-521-9121 www.kamakurarestaurant.com 

If you live in Alameda you know about Kamakura and about the proprietor, Faith. A meal at Kamakura is like being embraced in Japanese hospitality. Oh! And the food is yummy and delectable. If you are over 21, it’s likely you will be treated to a wonderful little liquid taste-treat at the completion of your dinner.

Burma Superstar
1345 Park Street, Alameda, CA 94501

510-522-6200

One of Alameda’s most outstanding, epicurean experiences, lunch or dinner at Burma Superstar indulges you in the aromas and flavors of the Burmese Asian sub-culture. Aptly named, Burma Superstar shines. This is the kind of comfort food I grew up with!


FOR YOUR CAR

It’s not unusual that some of my clients find their way to my door because of a car accident. In those unfortunate instances and to take a little of the hurt out of the whole ordeal, the following two businesses is where I would direct them next.

EMOS Automotive Repair and Machine Shop
Emo and Sandie Schuitema, Owners
1912 Everett Street, Alameda, CA 94501

510-521-5302 Sandie@EmosAutorepair.com  www.emosautorepair.com

You don’t feel like you need a course in Auto Repair for Dummies when you take your car to EMOS. In business for over 30 years, this “husband and wife” team runs the cleanest automotive shop in the universe, at least in my humble opinion. Hopefully they won’t have to, but if they did, either one of them have the skills and the talent to rebuild your engine or perform any other necessary repairs returning it to that purring, performing vehicle it was when you bought it.

Uptown Body and Fender – Giovanna Tanzillo and Lisandro Allende, Owners
401 – 26th Street, Oakland, CA 94612

510-521-8009 uptown@uptownbody.com  www.uptownbody.com 

Who would think that having auto body work done would be a cultural experience? Giovanna, at Uptown Body and Fender, has catapulted auto body work into a true art form. Trust me, you have never seen a bodyshop like this. If all the businesses on the planet operated like Uptown, our’s would truly be a better world.

A FEW DAYS OUT OF TOWN IS A GREAT WAY TO BOOST YOUR WELL-BEING

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
18220 North Highway One
Fort Bragg, CA 94537

707-964-4352 info@gardenbythesea.org  www.gardenbythesea.org

Take a few hours to drive up the coast to visit these wonderful gardens that spread all the way to the coast line. With the varying gardens blooming in accordance to the seasons, you may find yourself meandering through the colorful and fragrant foliage for hours.

And if you choose to spend the night, avoid Mendocino’s crowds and take in the wonderful Weller House Inn in north Fort Bragg.

WHERE TO STAY

The Weller House Inn
54 Stewart Street
Fort Bragg, California 95437

877-893-5537 innkeeper@wellerhouse.com  www.wellerhouse.com 

Innkeepers, Jack Moore and Vivien LaMothe, host a quiet, gracious stay. If you are up to a little adventure join Vivien in an evening of Tango. She invites both locals and visitors to join in her dance classes held in the amazing studio on the third floor of Weller House. I spent several days here in August and came home relaxed and refreshed and with a car load of new plants for my backyard that I had picked up at several of the outstanding specialty nurseries in Fort Bragg.