Diana came over and provided one on one serger lesson for me. She was really patient and showed me…read morethe very basics of getting going with my serger - how to thread, some interesting tools and tricks specific to my machine - things I need to know to even begin to play around with this complicated AF machine. Full confession: this is a second review, the first one was immediately after taking a class and I was extremely disappointed - I felt like the class wasn't organized or efficient with time and I left not knowing anything more than when I started. But Diana reached out to me directly and came to my house and provided 1.5hr personal lesson, which I tremendously appreciated. After talking with her, it sounds like that class was really challenging for many reasons and I respect that there are situations out of your control, like the class dynamic and when people show up with weird machines you're not familiar with. I greatly appreciated her reaching out to me - I'm so used to getting burnt by things like that, that it didn't even occur to me to reach out about the negative experience! At the end of the day, all I wanted was to be able to load the d*mn machine and to serge a corner. That being said, I realized that moving forward, spending the extra $$ for a one on one might be a better choice for me in the future - with a baby, a full-time job and often very specific needs/questions re: sewing/serging, this hour+ together was way more helpful and manageable than a class. Ultimately, I found Diana to be very approachable, easy to work with, and very patient.

Took the 3 hour Intro to the Machine class and it was awesome. I was nervous & knew basically…read morenothing about seeing. Diana was so patient, warm & her teaching style is very accessible. I learned all about my machine and don't feel intimidated by it anymore. Highly recommend her classes!

I found out about and registered for the class super last minute by calling Cecilia the day before…read morethe start date and she was able to fit me in. Cecilia is pleasant and the class I am in consists of 8 women, all 30-40 age range. The class that I am taking is called Beginning Sewing I : From the Start. This is a 5 classes series that consists of a weekly 3 hour class from 6pm - 9pm. The class in 5 parts costs $175 (not including materials, which you would have to purchase yourself) consists of: Class 1: Sewing and general concepts Class 2: How to read pattern, marking and cutting patterns, and custom fitting. Class 3: Sewing machine, sewing seams, finishing seams. Class 4: Pressing techniques and pressing tools Class 5: Finish sewing project The series consists of making of a garment from patterns, and we are not expected to touch a sewing machine until the 3rd class. There is a lot of learning -- about fabrics, patterns, and cuts. Thus far what I find the most interesting thing I have learned is why clothes don't fit and how to make adjustments. It is an eye-opening experience for me to take this class. Cecilia is very organized and knowledgeable -- you will learn things in her class that won't be found in your regular beginning sewing book. As for the store, you won't find fabrics or patterns here. The small store offers a good selection of notions (Cecilia has mentioned that she's picky about the quality of what she puts in her store), some books, sewing machines, and sewing furniture (which needs to be ordered and then delivered). There are other classes available but schedules are still being worked out. Beginning Sewing seems to be the most popular regular class.

3 words for $28 seems like a lot but I'm not keen on how much these things are supposed to cost…read more Brought in an apron on Wednesday to have 3 words embroidered (not more than an inch in size) and was told it would be ready by Saturday. The only really frustrating thing about the experience was trying to get an estimated time frame of when the apron would be done. When I asked when I could expect it, the lady sternly told me she had a lot of orders but it would be ready by Saturday. I probably should have been more direct about when exactly I needed it but I just figured they close at 6pm so it would have to be done before then... I called around 3pm and was told it would be ready by 4:30. Luckily I was able to get it wrapped and ready for a bday dinner...but it was definitely cutting it close. I'd recommend bringing in your items way in advance just in case they are backed up and can't turn an order over quickly.

I got a few healing stones, a bracelet and a reading from Omi. This space is so welcoming,…read morebeautiful, and healing, especially for Black and Indigenous folx

From the owner: Temple of Earth Apothecary is a Black led herb shop, multi-generational freedom school and…read morecommunity healing space, selling locally grown bulk herbs, house-made herbal preparations and metaphysical, ritual goods. Individual healing consults, readings and bodywork are available at the Temple, as well as classes, workshops on herbal medicine and the healing arts through the Freedom School of Black & Indigenous Mystery and Ancestral Herbal Medicine works.

Great program for the community to engage people into the construction industry. Teaching life…read moreskills and a pre-apprenticeship program to help individuals get a foot in the door for a career.

This Place is a F#@% Joke! It's so sad that the Black community can't have anything that can help…read moreour young men of color progress... My son was so excited to be in this program. He purchased the $20 cap and shirts to comply with the dress code. It was going well for about two weeks... Week three my son was so disappointed by this program, it crushed him! So when I see apprenticeships make mention of this program I cringe! The Cypress Mandela Program failed my son and is failing their community!! Such a letdown and very disappointing! I bet Concord, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek and Palo Alto and other predominantly white communities Apprenticeship Programs make sure the young men in their community/program are well-trained and not allow the people who are NOT serious about learning interfere with those who want to learn, but since this is what the instructors allow, The Cypress Mandela Program is a F*&@% Joke! And it hurts my heart to have to say this especially with the iconic name "Mandela" as the program's name. We HAVE TO DO BETTER Truthfully, Yolanda D.

Enjoyed program! Would recommend…read more Did 5 week EMT course. Well paced, I thought this was the perfect porridge btwn the 2 wk and the 8 wk. Fav instructors include Yas Michelle Jeff, honorable mention to Tyler Matt & JT who were also great. Good amount of fake blood squirting :). Instructors seem genuinely interested in the material, fellow students and instructors were down to coordinate some outside of class reviewing before test days which was nice. Good vibes, we had fun in the class! Very hands on style- good for fairly tactile learners. Do it!

I did a BLS course around 4 hours long with instructor Kaz. They were extremely engaging and their…read moreteaching style made it really easy to remember what they were teaching and actually make it stick. You could tell they were very accommodating, and did a good job keeping the class fun. At the end of the class you take a quiz which goes over everything they went over in class, which was relatively simple. I would recommend everyone take their in-person classes.

This a great local resource for woodworkers. The Mt. Diablo Adult Education program offers may…read moreadult woodworking classes for beginners to advances woodworkers, along with open shop classes. The woodworking 1 class is a great introduction to all the equipment through the process of building a beautiful step stool. The day and night classes include men and women of all ages. The fees are very reasonable to get access to great equipment. The teachers are knowledgeable and very willing to help. For more info: https://mdae.mdusd.org/

I'm taking a woodworking class here, and I'm thoroughly satisfied with the level and quality of…read moreinstruction. The tools in the wood shop are great, and the instructors really know their stuff. What's more, those guys sure know how to keep a sharp edge on their equipment. Tuition is, in my opinion, up to what one would expect to pay in today's economy, especially considering that everyone is scrambling for cash to stay afloat, even the local government and its affiliated programs. The registration process on the archaic website is a touch on the byzantine side, though. It looks a lot like the very first website I ever coded when I was 16 years old. Uhh, now that I think about it, it looks like the website I designed a few years ago. But I'm no web designer, so hah! Point being, you're gonna have to dig around a little bit to find what you're looking for, but once you've found it, the actual act of registering for a class is pretty straightforward. Now, back to the woodworking instructors: Between the Bill and Dave, they've got about 70 years experience, 20 fingers, 20 toes, and 8 eyes (they both wear glasses). So I trust them to teach me the ways. I don't know if I'll ever be able to snatch the pebble from their hands, but I'm confident that they're showing me how to keep all my phalanges and body parts so that I could snatch that pebble, even if only in theory. I plan on taking many more courses here, especially in the "Working with Wood" category of classes. Now go forth and learn something new!

One of the best cups of cold brew I've ever had. My only frustration with this place was the fact…read morethat it didn't open until 9 AM. Thankfully they were open when it came time for my second caffeine fix of the day. The space is also absolutely gorgeous and they appear to host lots of educational / experiential events for coffee lovers. Highly recommend!

May 2026 Give this place a crown!…read more Very cool and unique coffee shop that roasts it's own coffee, has community events, and is welcoming! I was torn between the coffeeflights and their speciality drinks. Got their "Hey Mambo!" Which has housemade raspberry amaretto Italian soda with espresso and milk of your choice. It was definitely unique. It was well made an exactly like they said it was, but it just wasn't something I'd order again. Next time I'd get the coffee flight. Nice and kind service with clean seats and clean restrooms.

What a great group. Supportive, fun, creative people who are all on the same journey to be better…read morecommunicators and public speakers. Super helpful not just with work but outside work too in terms of building relationships and making friends.

My first visit was around February of 2013. I was nervous. Nervous to be there and worried that I…read morewould have to speak. The group was warm and inviting. I did not have to speak on my first visit, other that to introduce myself. Over the following months, I got my courage up. I have completed many short speeches, and my nervousness has gone from a earth shaking roar to a manageable occasional rumble. And it is fun! Not only has my ability to speak in public improved dramatically, but I have learned to be a better listener, I have met new friends, and I have found a creative outlet for writing and storytelling, Meetings are in an art studio in Oakland's Warehouse District, know for its eclectic art studios and nightlife - Only blocks from downtown Oakland with plenty of free parking. I highly recommend that you visit Warehouse Toastmastes. You will be glad you did!