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Foodie Stocking Stuffers

Costco embraces the local with discounted gift cards to Bay Area eateries

By Julie Miller Dowling

Published:

Weaving through Costco’s maze of gift baskets and iTunes gift cards, it’s easy to miss a special holiday item with a local twist. But look carefully—it’s there.

Your neighborhood Costco now offers gift cards to East Bay restaurants such as Wente and Simply Fondue in Livermore, Fleming’s in Walnut Creek, and Patrick David’s and Bridges in Danville. Gift cards to Ozumo in Oakland and Palomino in San Francisco have also popped up in local Costcos.

Typically, you get two $50 cards for $79.99. The $20 savings makes fine dining a little more affordable. Although these cards are available year-round, you’ll find the largest selection during the holiday season, so be sure to grab some for yourself, too. 

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Faces

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Nourish Gala

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano hosted its biggest bash of the year at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo, where more than 200 guests gathered for cocktails and a silent auction before enjoying a three-course dinner with wine. The annual fundraiser supported the Community Produce Program, which provides about 250,000 pounds of produce each month to people in need.

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The 26th annual fundraiser for the Oakland Zoo drew 1,200 animal lovers, who explored the grounds while savoring delicious cuisine and drinks from more than 100 Bay Area restaurants, wineries, and breweries.

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During this special event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, New York Times food writer Kim Severson spoke with a trio of acclaimed female Bay Area chefs.

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Oakland Ballet Company’s Spring Gala fundraiser took place at the elegant Bellevue Club overlooking Lake Merritt.

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Alamo-based nonprofit Party In-Kindness (PIK) hosted its yearly fundraising event at 1515 Restaurant and Lounge in Walnut Creek, where attendees noshed on appetizers, listened to DJ beats, played games, and sipped cocktails and wine. A portion of the proceeds benefited Rooms of Hope, which creates dream spaces for children with life-threatening illnesses. Since its inception in 2014, PIK has raised $100,000 for numerous East Bay organizations.

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