While I have been working at the Diabetes Society on the top floor of the Garden Theater building in Willow Glen, I have also been waiting for the new Top Nosh Cafe on the ground floor.  Today it opened!  I was on my way across the street to Peet’s for some morning coffee when someone said that Top Nosh is now open and selling Espresso drinks for half off! The Peet’s on Lincoln Avenue usually has an all-day crowd inside and in front, complete with dogs and bikes. I have loved Peet’s coffee ever since I was at U.C. Berkeley, near where Peet’s was born.

Nonetheless, I went inside to see Willow Glen’s newest restaurant. The brown paper is indeed off the windows at last and Top Nosh is open.  I was delighted to find a friend behind the counter.  Yasmin Tyebjee is the CEO and Owner of the Top Nosh Cafe and a very good cook.  She is also the Mom of one of my daughter’s Middle School classmates.  Top Nosh serves breakfast and lunch and take out dinners.  Check it out!

Images 2010 Copyright Katy Dickinson

The Humane Society Silicon Valley will open the doors to its new Animal Community Center in Milpitas this Saturday with a special open house event.

The 48,000 square foot facility offers cage-less animal care, the animal habitats for dogs, cats, and rabbits simulate home environments with home-like enclosures for dogs; condos, complete with climbing trees for cats; and a “rabbitat” designed to reflect the warrens rabbits naturally inhabit.

The new Animal Community Center includes an Adoption Galleria; a Medical Center offering affordable spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchipping and testing services; Veterinary Hospital; Doggie Daycare, Grooming and Boarding; Community Dog Park and Training Center; along with an Education Center featuring programs for children, teens and families; also, a pet store and a pet-friendly café.

The center is an environmentally friendly “Green” facility that allows the Humane Society Silicon Valley to spend less on operational costs and more on the animals.

The $25 million Animal Community Center, funded through public donations, has raised approximately $20.6 million and contributions at all levels are still needed.

The Open House Event this Saturday, March 28, is from 10:00 am through 6:00 pm and features a number of activities and a chance to check out the new facility.

For the kids there will be animal balloon making, coloring, scavenger hunt, face painting and other arts and crafts.

There will be booths with information about the environmentally friendly “green” animal center along with various other information including volunteering, services available, and a campaign booth with how you can make a gift to help the center.

You can make a video statement with your pledge to help animals in your community that will be viewable on their website and You Tube.

Humane Society Silicon Valley Animal Community Center
901 Ames Avenue, Milpitas, 95035

Open House Event
Saturday, March 28
10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Free

Bark in the Park is a fundraising event with more dogs than you could shake a tail at. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Humane Society Silicon Valley and San Jose Animal Care Center.

Ongoing throughout the day: Dancing Dogs, Dog Water Park, Free Dog Agility Course, Flyball Canine Relay, Performing Dogs, Grooming, Training Tips and Herding Demonstrations. Yes, Duck Herding Demonstrations!

Special Event Highlights: Dog Costume Contest, 11:00 am, Silly Dog Tricks, 12:00 pm and Pet/Owner Look Alike Contest 1:00 pm.

In addition, 99 cent Rabies Vaccinations, Low Cost Microchipping, Dog Related Vendors. Moreover, what would an event be without Kid’s Activities?

There will be Live Music along with Food and Beverages.

Bark in the Park is the biggest dog festival in the US.

Important: All pets must be on a leash. Pick up after your dog.

Bark in the Park 2008
William Street Park, San Jose
Corner of William and S. Sixteenth Streets

Saturday, September 20
10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Admission: Free – $5 donation per dog is encouraged

Parking: Attendees may park in the Naglee Park neighborhood, please do not block the driveways. There will be a drop-off location at the park and directions to nearby parking areas.

408-793-5125

Animals! Pythons, vultures, kinkajous, Frisbee dogs, your dog, bugs, butterflies, ants, and much more will be featured at Animal Planet Expo at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds this weekend.

There will be something for everyone, including the family pet (dog), to explore and celebrate the important role animals play on this planet. Visit the Bug House to see some of the aforementioned bugs; Animal House (no, not…) where animal experts introduce exotic species from around the world; Kids’ Zone: wildlife face painting, obstacle course, “King Croc”, an inflatable crocodile slide that is over 30 feet long; also, Spider Mountain – a 20-foot high climbing attraction.

Pet Den will provide pet adoption opportunities and helpful information on how to find the perfect pet for your family. Pet Den will host “Ask the Vet” sessions, where pet owners can meet one-on-one with a local veterinarian.

Dog Park will have activities for your dog; also, your pet can quench their thirst at the Pet Misters and Watering Holes.

Wildlife explorer Jeff Corwin will be available for autograph signing from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Frisbee dog show times are 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm.

Live exotic animal presentations on the R.O.A.R. (Reach Out, Act, and Respond) Stage, including those pythons, vultures, and kinkajous at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm.

Slap on some sunscreen (where applicable), grab the kids, grab the dog, and head on over for a fun day at the Fairgrounds. It’s free!

More information, including photos from previous Expos here.

Animal Planet Expo
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
344 Tully Road, San Jose

Saturday & Sunday, July 26 Ð 27
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Admission: Free