PHS/SPCA, a private non-profit guided by the humane ethic, builds healthy relationships between people and animals. As an ethical choice, we accept all animals in need of care and often provide a second chance to the neediest animals: those who would otherwise be turned away at so-called “no kill” agencies that accept only highly adoptable animals. We also serve as our County’s provider of animal rescue and control services and, as such, have no control over the number of incoming animals. Our record is outstanding.

Since 2003, we have adopted 100% of healthy, adoptable dogs and cats. Our definition of “healthy” is based on the State’s definition: dogs and cats without medical or behavioral issues, those that are fully weaned and social. It excludes obviously unhealthy animals (those with injuries and illnesses or those behaviorally scarred from past treatment and mistreatment) as well as unweaned kittens and feral cats.  Still, donations to our Hope Program allow us to make well, then place into new homes approx. 170 animals every month.

In February 2008, the Society celebrated accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) following a comprehensive review of the shelter’s veterinary program. Community education and outreach, partnerships, and a dedicated volunteer group greatly extend our mission and work.

To learn more about the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA, please visit: http://shfb.org

And could you ask for nicer weather for tonight’s Beer Friday?!  CLICK HERE for the details if you aren’t on the mailing list:

On February 10, 2012, over 50 Northern California breweries will converge on the Concourse in San Francisco for the Opening Celebration of SF Beer Week, which kicks off a nine day marathon of beer tastings, small festivals and food pairing dinners across the Bay Area. From 6-10pm, beer lovers will discover newly minted nanobrewers pouring alongside legendary craft brewing pioneers.

This year the Opening Celebration has moved to a larger venue in San Francisco’s SOMA district. The Concourse pavilion will provide a more spacious experience, easier access to the breweries and more food options will be available. Artisan producers from around the Bay will serve up a range of delicious choices for purchase, while live music fills the air.

If you haven’t been to a Beer Friday in a while, the December Hootenanny is typically less crowded and with 4 “Mostly Acoustic” bands it’s a great Beer Friday to bring first-timers to.

We are family friendly and you are welcome to bring your kids but please keep an eye on the little ones!

See you at 6pm on Friday! Be sure to follow us on FaceBook or our Mailing List to find out about other specials and events.

Don’t worry; there will be no poison oak areas!

What better way to spend a Saturday morning than to help complete Belmont’s own Water Dog Lake Loop Trail. This is a little gem of a park that many people don’t know about. It has about 10 miles of trail, much of which is single-track designed and built by mountain bikers but great for hiking as well.

Yes, get your hands dirty and sweat a little for your community park. But we’ll tell you what – you pack your lunch, we’ll provide the beer.

Look at this beautiful, glorious hand built trail! Soon, to be finished- with your help!

Master trail builder Kevin Sullivan will be on hand to give us proper guidance, tools, and general know how.

Email CommunityOutreach@DevilsCanyon.com to RSVP sooner rather than later so we can plan accordingly what we will strive to accomplish etc.

We are looking forward to building a part of our community with you! 

This month’s donations will be going to The Shelter Network. Through collaborative partnerships, resourcefulness, and dedication to best practices, Shelter Network is committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness for thousands of men, women, and children every year.

Established in 1987, Shelter Network has evolved to become one of the largest and most effective human service agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area, operating six facilities, which includes four family facilities and two for single adults. The organization also offers support to prevent homelessness, along with a broad range of supportive services that help families and individuals overcome homelessness and return to ongoing self-sufficiency. In the past year, they responded effectively to over 1,500 calls per week and provided shelter and support to 4,658 people, which included 923 families and over 1,600 children.

To learn more about Shelter Network and the people that they serve, please visit: www.shelternetwork.org

Raise a pint with us – and Cheers! for Charity

Sigona’s is the only retail location to offer Devil’s Canyon root beer on tap, and so we’re even more proud to give you the root beer for FREE! Purchase an empty growler (64 oz. jug) for $5 and the first fill is free. We also have frequent buyer cards available where after 10 fills, the 11^th is free! Refills are $6.99.

Bonus read: Do you know why they call the jug a growler?

Devil’s Canyon Draught Root Beer is handcrafted in small batches using all-natural and organic ingredients. It’s sweetened with organic cane sugar, agave nectar and local honey sourced from a farmer in Belmont, California.

What’s more is this root beer contains zero refined sugars and no corn syrup. It’s also caffeine and, of course, is alcohol free.

From customers and our crew alike, we’ve heard, “this is the best root beer I’ve ever tasted” again and again.

“If I were around in the early 1900s, I bet this is what good, homemade root beer would have tasted like,” said John Nava, Sigona’s specialty foods buyer.” I like to tell customers, ‘this IS your grandpa’s root beer!”

Get your first fill free! Limited time offer. Come by today!

Tree Media Foundation’s

A Field of Dreams Farm is an outdoor classroom where High School students learn the sustainable practices of planting, composting and water conservation to grow food with the highest organic nutritional value. Each school will experience the growth cycle of Seed to Harvest to Table. Students will take the message home that growing your own food is a simple and vital process.

Central Elementary School in Belmont has been nominated for a “Field of Dreams”.

More details at: Urban Roots America

Raise a pint with us – and Cheers! for Charity

Dr. Bamforth’s talks are always lively, informative and entertaining. Whether you are a beer newbie or a seasoned veteran, you’re sure to learn something new and laugh at least a dozen times.

Recorded at the San Jose BioCenter on October 19th, 2011- Listen for free and share with a friend who appreciates craft beer!

[wpaudio url="/CharlieBamforthLecture.mp3" text="The Science of Beer - Dr. Charles Bamforth"]

“A delightful book that not only reaches the soul of brewing but also tells us much about the soul and humanity of the author. Bamforth skillfully weaves a holistic and philosophical story about our complex society and the positive role that beer has, does, and will play in it. It is a joy to read and will leave the reader refreshed in mind and soul.”

–Simon Jackson, Executive Director, Institute of Brewing and Distilling, London, England

“A heartfelt account of beer that reads as though I’m sitting at a pub table across from the ‘Beer Professor’ himself as he reveals personal tales and experiences over many pints of beer. A concise snapshot of the world of beer–past, present, and future. Remarkable insight into the behind-the-scenes world of beer.”

–Charlie Papazian, Author of Complete Joy of Homebrewing; National Beer Examiner, http://Examiner.com/beer; President, Brewers Association (USA); and Founder, Great American Beer Festival

Just because you may enjoy it on weekends doesn’t mean there isn’t some serious science behind it. San Jose BioCenter presents The Science of Beer featuring Dr. Charlie Bamforth, Former Dept Chair, Food Science & Technology, UC Davis and current Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Brewing Science.  Dr.  Bamforth’s talk will ‘tap’ into the art and the science of the brewing process as he highlights the health and nutrition of beer.  Charlie will have us all believing that “Beer is proof that God loves us”.  All attendees will receive 1 ticket to the Beer Tasting after Dr. Bamforth’s presentation.

Mingle and network before the presentation with hors d’oeuvres and a Biotech Vendor Showcase before the presentation to find out how you can get more beer tasting tickets & enter in our Raffle!

Dr. Charlie Bamforth is Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting & Brewing Sciences at UC Davis. He has been part of the brewing industry for some 33 years. He is formerly Deputy Director-General of Brewing Research International and Research Manager and Quality Assurance Manager of Bass Brewers. He is a Special Professor in the School of Biosciences at the University of Nottingham, England and was previously Visiting Professor of Brewing at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. Charlie is a Fellow of the Institute of Brewing & Distilling, Fellow of the Society of Biology and Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology. Bamforth is Editor in Chief of the Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists, is on the editorial boards of several other journals and has published innumerable papers, articles and books on beer and brewing – and also written prolifically on soccer.

His latest contributions have been The Brewmaster’s Art (A 7-CD recording in The Modern Scholar series) and Beer is Proof God Loves Us: Reaching for the Soul of Beer and Brewing (FT Press). In October 2010 he was on The Honor Roll as one of the 20 professors who are changing the classroom in the US (Playboy magazine). Charlie has been featured extensively in the media, including by the BBC, Discovery Channel, NPR’s Science Friday, PBS, New Scientist, Popular Mechanics, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Popular Science and many more. In 2011 Charlie was honored by the Award of Distinction of the American Society of Brewing Chemists for “exceptional contributions and long diligent service to brewing science and the brewing industry”.

San Jose BioCenter
5941 Optical Court
San Jose, CA 95138

Remember to use this link to get 50% off the posted price. See you in San Jose!

The second annual Peninsula Oktoberfest is taking place on Saturday, October 15, 2011!

Calling all Beer Lovers! Join us in downtown for a day filled with great craft beer, food and music. Centrally located in City of Redwood City, and adjacent to public transportation, Courthouse Square is easily accessible to everyone from San Francisco, San Jose, the East Bay area and everywhere in between.

A portion of the proceeds from this event to a local charitable organization.

The Redwood City Education Foundation (RCEF) is an all volunteer, community-based foundation. They are the only organization raising funds district-wide to support education programs for the students in the Redwood City School District. They work closely with the district to ensure that the programs they support meet the needs of the children and will better prepare them for high school, college, the work force and life. The RCEF is a 501(c) nonprofit organization (Tax ID# 94-2903141).

Regular updates about this event are available at PeninsulaOktoberfest.com.