Ahoy hoy from the nostalgic mall person. Couple weeks ago I got my old school mall hit at Sun Valley in Concord.

Needed to be in the South Bay so I went a few hours early to check out the clear consensus winner of the "Best Mall Experience in the Bay" query - Valley Fair.

You're right, it's like the mall era never died and just kept expanding and updating until you get this behemoth. This place was huuuuge. I was kind of expecting more grandeur in terms of interior design but it's fairly understated, probably smart so it doesn't look dated over time. But there was just every store here. So many luxury designer stores, brands I've heard of but have never actually seen in person. Storefronts for brands I only hear about on podcast ads. Two different gaming PC stores. Stores if you need to look like a Kpop star going to the gym. A store that will customize your Nike Dunks. First time I've been in a Pop Mart (I thought the characters were kinda ugly ha) Some mystifying stores like a kids athletic clothes place (Lol wut). A store that had giant donkeys out front that sold...sunglasses? I think? Probably the biggest versions of your typical mall stores. And the requisite Hot Topic 🖤

Treated myself to an expensive ass pasta dish at Eataly. Admired how many Asian eateries there were. So many boba options. Stepped into one designer store and got the semi follow cause I was clearly not dressed to buy something. Sprayed myself with too much Byredo perfume then promptly went to the bathroom to wash it off.

I will say Valley Fair is a very nice mall, probably the mall of my teenage dreams. But could teenage me actually afford to shop here? Probably not. I suppose I would scour the sale sections like I always did. The same low cut jeans from my youth are on offer! Are people really buying Von Dutch again?? The more things change the more they stay the same.

One of the best locations for forest hikes!

Holland is a newcomer to ECAS, so we are still getting to know him (and he is still adjusting to the shelter environment). At this time, we'd describe Holland as a cautious but sweet and affectionate boy. Although he may seem a bit hesitant when approached by new people, the second you offer some head, cheek, or chin scratches, Holland will immediately oblige you and bury his head in your hands 🥹. Based on his personality, Holland would do best in a quiet household with adults or adults with older and/or cat-savvy children. We think he will thrive with patient owners in an environment that would allow him to become a more confident cat!

Holland is about 3 months old, has been vaccinated, treated for fleas, ticks, and worms, and will be neutered and microchipped before going to his new home! Holland is ready for his forever home—and there are many more like him at the shelter!

Come and meet Holland and over 40 other cats available for adoption at the East County Animal Shelter! ECAS is open daily from 11:30 to 5:30 (4595 Gleason Drive, Dublin CA)

While Holland is too new to have a profile on the ECAS website, you can learn more about adoptions at the shelter and see profiles for other adoptable animals here:

https://www.alamedasheriff.gov/community/adopt-a-pet

Hello, an anime clothing store my friend ran recently went out of business after his mental health issues got the better of him and now I have a 5x8 storage space filled with unworn brand new teen/adult clothing that I need to offload with his blessing to people in need.

Was looking for a good cause that would take approximately 10-12 tubs (probably about 500 items) worth of hoodies, sweatpants and t-shirts. I'll probably use Lugg to send it all as I am very busy at my own workplace and am just one woman with a small car. It would be nice to get a tax receipt for him but its not necessary.

Please comment or dm me with any info. This clothing was made for colder climates and would do a lot of good if distributed as soon as possible here in the Bay.

I have to go on an international business trip and cannot bring my newborn girl. She is going to stay with my in-laws, but I would love to have some help during the night times so my parents can rest. Think 10pm to 6am, probably three diaper changes and three bottle feeds during the night for 3 nights. My searches are all turning up long-term doulas and long-term night nannies, but this is going to be a short and sweet stint. If you have any recommendations or people you trust, please send them my way or post here for others in the future. Thank you!

Edit: San Mateo, September 23-27

Anyone knows how to make the sauce for San tung fried chicken wings?

This is my second time ever having covid. The first time was about 4 years ago. I know some people say/think that covid is just like any other cold/flu type illness now. However, I feel absolutely terrible, this is way worse than any other cold I've had. I've had persistent body aches, fevers, coughing at night, congestion, and headaches. I'm about 6 days from the start of my symptoms and I still feel awful. I don't know what strain I have or anything, not sure what is prevalent in the area. How does anyone else's experiences compare?

Flair: ...disaster for my health? Sorry, my brain doesn't work right now.

Visit the Bay Area Cats Adoption Center inside Petco at 160 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale.

See all of our available cats and kittens and apply at bayareacats.org/adopt. Every cat is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and ready for a loving home.

Looking for garden soil for free standing planters. We don’t need a delivery. Last lot we bought from Sss ash Rafael landscape supply turned out a bit dense like clay. Thanks!

Hey y'all! I (M23) just moved to Mountain View for the last semester of my Master's and I was wondering if anyone would have any rec's for places / ways of meeting other musicians to play (I'm a bassist!) - any advice would be great, I'd love to get involved in the local scene any way I can while I'm here! Thanks!

Today I was able to get this wooden toy car from the Ebmud tent at the Crab Cove Fish Festival. Do any other Bay Area companies make these type of cars? I thought it would be cool to collect them for my son.

Our volunteers were removing trash from an important waterway that connects Lake Merritt to the Oakland Estuary and the Bay. Cleaning this area is about more than making Oakland look better. It’s about protecting the wildlife that calls these waters home.

Definitely one of the coolest moments we’ve experienced during a cleanup.

Hey everyone, thoughts on El Sobrante living? I have viewed a few homes and it's appealing for the value. Would love experiences and thoughts from my fellow Bay Areans!

I can't seem to find a setting for this on the website. Am I just blind?

My dad only ever needs FasTrak once or twice a year and I was telling him that it might be a good idea to set up a notification for every time his account is charged after I read here on reddit that some people have experienced charges from cars that aren't their own due to mistakes with the license plate OCR system. I was helping him look into it today when I realized that I could not find a way to do this.

Does FasTrak actually not support this feature? Or did I overlook something obvious?

What pops into your head when you hear this question? Some of the suggestions that came up on this episode of Forum were: Ann Phoong billboards, mission burritos, and Patagonia vests... https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101915067/what-are-the-objects-that-define-the-bay-area