The Best Beer in America Can Be Made at Home

Exciting news: Bell’s Two Hearted Ale beat out Pliny the Elder, the Russian River Brewing Company’s much heralded brew, as the nation’s best commercial beer surveyed in the 18th Annual Best Beers in America. No matter where you travel, people love to drink beer. There is something refreshing and invigorating in holding the cold slinky can of beer! (of course, not if you are in Europe, where they drink warm beer… really? seriously? bbrr..) If you are interested in trying the Two Hearted Ale, Bell’s now offers a clone recipe and kit for the beer aficionados like you and me to brew our own original and cheers-ful beer right at home. The kit comes with the Centennial hops that the brewers say gives Two Hearted its notes of pine resin and grapefruit. Try your own brew at home and invite me for a tasting. Need help in naming your original brew? Let’s have a contest.

Information
Order your kit online for $35
bellsbeer.com

Photo courtesy of Bells Beer

A Paris Love Story with Hershey Felder as Claude Debussy
Live stream November 22 at 5 p.m.
Full Viewing Period: November 22-29

Live from Florence, Italy Hershey Felder charms us with an impressive and stunning performance based on his book about the life of Claude Debussy and adapted from the stage play directed by Trevor Hay. Written and performed by piano virtuoso Hershey Felder, who shattered box office records at TheatreWorks Productions at the Center for the Performing Arts in Mountain View with his acclaimed portrayals of Irving Berlin, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky, now captures the life and music of Impressionist composer Claude Debussy, a visionary who proclaimed nature his religion, creating music of ravishing beauty, color, and compassion, from the sweeping “La mer” to the evocative “Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune” and the mystical “Clair de lune.” Intertwined with Debussy’s story, Felder shares his own deeply personal connection to the City of Light while live-streaming this magical story from the city of Florence.

Information
$55 per household
eventbrite.com/e/hershey-felder-as-claude-debussy-in-a-paris-love-story-tickets
Purchase includes the live stream and an additional week of “on demand” viewing access

Photo courtesy of Hershey Felder Productions

San Francisco Opera at the Fort Mason Drive-In
La Boheme – November 20 at 5p.m. and 8:30p.m.; November 22 at 5p.m. and 8:30p.m.
Tosca – December 11 at 5p.m. and 8:30p.m.; December 12 at 6p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Two marvelous productions by San Francisco Opera return to the Fort Mason drive-in. Enjoy bayside views and delicious snacks from Off the Grid food trucks as you and your car-companions are transported into the world of Puccini, with showtimes for La Bohème in November and Tosca in December. Who would have thought you can watch and listen to the most spectacular opera productions while sitting comfortably in your car, wearing your sweatsuit and slippers? No need for babysitters: bring your kids with you and introduce them to the beauty and magic of the opera at an early age. Bring pillows and blankets just in case. Your favorite well-behaved pooches are welcome. Reserve your parking space today as inventory is limited!

Information
Tickets are $49 per car (plus a $5 handling fee) and are available for purchase online or over the phone
415-864-3330
Parking lot opens one hour prior to the performance

Photo courtesy of SF Opera

Six Weeks of Holiday Fun in Yountville
November 22 through January 1

Enjoy a calendar full of virtual events, such as craft classes, cooking classes, virtual tastings and more! Looking for a new holiday dish? Order the Yountville Community Cookbook, which is full of recipes from famous wineries, restaurants, employees and residents. Do all of your holiday shopping with the Holiday Gift Guide featuring gift packages from all over Napa Valley. Yountville is still ready to welcome you in person for the holidays! Spend the weekend exploring the town and don’t forget to stop at Santa’s Village at the Yountville Community Center to take pictures and drop a letter to Santa. Not ready to visit in person? Don’t worry! The town’s Chamber of Commerce is presenting a Virtual Town & Tree Lighting on Sunday, November 22 at 6 p.m. In addition, enjoy the release of a virtual Yountville holiday light tour on Friday, November 27! Lots of activities and lots of fun for the entire family. Don’t forget to invite your grandparents to join you for the virtual tour of Napa Valley. Remember: your grandparents love buying gifts!

Information
yountville.com
Yountville Chamber of Commerce

Photos courtesy of Yountville Chamber of Commerce

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England, she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, with no borsch or piroshky on her home cooking menu. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out, mostly sushi.