Totally responsive upon initial request. Came and looked at job, very quick with quote. Very fair…read moreprice. Work is quite outstanding, down to minutest detail. Very agreeable to work with, had 5-6 exchanges of ideas, with John the customer is the driver, John delivers what he says he will in the time he says it will take. HIGHLY RECOMMEND for mural work, small scale (mine 250 sq ft), or large.

Very creative, professional, easy to work with, and the work is very widely appealing.read more

This place is a hidden gem in Palo Alto, in an industrial area surrounded by factories. It is a…read moremuseum of the work of Tony Foster, an artist from UK who paints beautiful watercolor landscapes. It's free, and a nice place to visit for an hour or so ... highly recommended.

What to do after brunch on Sunday in Palo Alto? Head to the Foster! Parking is a breeze, the…read moreadmission is free, and the experience works for all ages! As a dabbler in watercolors, I was transfixed--some of these paintings are huge--and he does not use photographs! As an educator, my mind was brimming with opportunities to integrate his work into humanities and human geography classes. The Foster website has excellent resources. This is a must see if you are in the area!

Recently had my daughters wedding reception here. The grounds are BEAUTIFUL but working with the…read moreclub manager Jim Gorman was a complete nightmare. They have very strict rules on the volume of the music which is fine, but instead of dealing with it in a professional manner he ran around during the reception making a HUGE scene. VERY VERY UNPROFESSIONAL! Being in the event world myself along with both my daughters in the event and hospitality professions, we have never seen someone act like this during a celebration. Also, be prepared that he will charge you to the MINUTE for anything over the EXACT time that he writes on the contract. We had a few guests go about 20 minutes early to make sure that the everything was set up and bring a few last minute things I needed to get there and he counted how many were there and charged me to the exact minute. After the reception, there was a limo timing miscommunication and the limo was late to pick up the wedding party so we stood outside to wait, again he went around and counted the number of people and charged me to the EXACT minute. Had I know this we would have stood across the street to wait for the limo If you are considering this place for any kind of party with music....think again. I would not recommend having a celebration at this place to anyone!

*Caveat: at the time of this review, Ladera Oaks is undergoing renovations, so the grounds may end…read moreup looking different than what we enjoyed at our June 2008 wedding. However, as long as the staff and ground rules don't change substantially, future couples should have just as nice an experience as we did, because the people (and their easy-going and can-do attitudes) were what helped make our event a success.* Our initial visits and phone consults were with Jim Gorman (manager) and various members of his club staff. Upon our first visit, we felt the location, settings and conditions of use all fit very well with our style - basically, no fuss, with a well-choreographed timeline and set-up taken care of by Jim who knows his venue inside and out. This was important, given Ladera Oaks functions primarily as a country club for residents of Portola Valley, so facilities are shared with people playing tennis, kids taking swimming lessons, etc. But the garden is quite clearly separated from the pool area, and for weddings the ballroom, bar/lounge and kitchen are off-limits to all except Ladera Oaks staff, the wedding vendors and guests. The garden is very well maintained, lush and colorful, with a fountain that Jim switches off during the ceremony. There is covered brick patio, and lots of floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors that allow guests to enjoy the garden view from the ballroom and bar area. We did our ceremony on the upper lawn, further away from the garden perimeter and the traffic noise on the other side of the fence. We had a total of 80 guests including about 10 kids, and everyone found a way to enjoy the late afternoon garden setting. The ballroom felt like it was just the right size with our 9 round tables, DJ setup in one corner and dance floor area up front. All in all, it's a really intimate and beautiful atmosphere, perfectly suited for a summer wedding. There is no dedicated bridal changing room, and we just ended up doing the dress changes and touch-ups in the small bathroom (3 stalls and a two-sink counter), sharing the space with guests and even a few club members. Brides who must have the private and classy dressing room experience replete with velvet curtains, loveseat and vanity set will not that find that here... unless this is included in Ladera Oaks' current renovation plans. As for storing wedding party accessories and my two additional dresses while they were not in use, we opted to make use of the ample closet space built into the back wall of the ballroom, which we could discreetly access while guests were up front on the dance floor. Finally, ground rules: this venue is about as relaxed as they come. The only issue on which they kept very close tabs was the sound level. This is due to the club's location - Portola Valley is a rather exclusive town, probably with a powerful and vocal neighborhood association, and these people LIKE their quiet and rural setting. So before sunset, only non-amplified, non-vocal music (think string quartets) are allowed outdoors. After sunset, all music moves into the ballroom, and any time someone tries to open the patio doors, a switch is tripped to immediately cut the power supplying the DJ's audio setup. Other than that, we thought the base rental cost was low ($2K for 8 hrs, with $50 here and there for overnight storage of reception items, use of a piano, etc.), there were no corkage or cake cutting fees, you can bring whatever alcohol you'd like and also choose your own vendors (caterers, musicians, etc.), although Jim does offer recommendations. Lucky for us, the excellent caterer we chose (Frank Schumann of Schumann's Four Seasons Catering) turned out to be a long-time partner with Ladera Oaks. Watching Jim and Frank converse and decide on the wedding day logistics in their own lingo was impressive, and put us totally at ease that here we have two highly competent vendors who actually work well together and like each other! I cannot over-emphasize how important this factor is to the success of your big day.

Great work- talented artist and super hard working. Pleasure to work with…read more Looking forward to much more work ahead. Happy to talk if need be for recommendations

"In working with Morgan, there is nothing that didn't go the way that I thought it would. I…read moreappreciated is how efficient she is - she guided me through the process pretty quickly, and all our communication was spot on. It was such a great connection, so natural. Everything about it was easy, and the whole team was amazing. I start every morning by looking at the murals. I take a breath, look at it for 5 minutes, and then I can go into my office and work. The kids are still hanging out by them at every recess, they enjoy them as a part of their life every day. I didn't expect that parents would walk up to me constantly to thank me. That was a great surprise. One lady cried in my office, 'it is so beautiful!' The school just became instantly better! I would recommend Morgan for every reason -- for the process, experience, the result. She goes above and beyond."

When it comes to your education, or your future, you need serious judgement to make the best choice…read morefor yourself! I am so happy that I have a place to call home for the next two years. Palo Alto University is a boutique private, accredited university, without the expensive tuition and games most schools play with their students (ie, Argosy). The counseling program is best in class. As a student, I feel confident to have competent faculty who are honest and well-seasoned in their field. In the cohorts, you'll find colleagues who mutually care about advancement/growth and it's collaborative! Technology is used in all our classes which makes this a 21st century educational institution (it makes our lives easier). I encourage anyone who wants to enter the helping professions, to consider PAU!

I think it is time I wrote a review of my experience at PAU. While my experience does not represent…read moreeveryone's experience in the Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, I have no doubt that it resonates with many students who currently attend or have graduated from this program. I chose PAU because it was an accredited program that offered a hybrid format with a cohort model. Unfortunately, for the high tuition it charges, PAU fell short in many important areas, particularly administrative, professor quality, advisor guidance, practicum and internship support, and post-graduate services. It has been a year since I graduated, and I am still angry and deeply disappointed by the treatment I experienced from my advisor, as well as my negative experiences with my practicum instructor and internship site. I left feeling traumatized--not only by my own experiences but also by hearing what many other students had gone through. I had a handful of instructors whom I genuinely believe were strong counseling educators. However, the majority were not supportive, lacked organization, and often brought their own unresolved trauma and countertransference into the classroom. The administrative side of the program was equally frustrating. I found the workload to be unreasonable, and the lack of coordination only made it more difficult. Because the department heads created the syllabus for each course, instructors had little or no authority to modify it. Unfortunately, there were times when the syllabus contained errors, yet neither the instructors nor the department made any effort to notify students or correct them. For example, in one of our group counseling classes, we were assigned a group presentation. The syllabus stated that the presentation should be approximately 80 minutes long. However, on the day the first group was scheduled to present, the instructor informed the class that the presentations were actually supposed to be only 40 minutes. The first group had no opportunity to adjust, despite having followed the written requirements. Even more frustrating, the following quarter the syllabus still listed the same incorrect 80-minute requirement. This type of disorganization occurred repeatedly throughout the program. At the same time, students were constantly reminded of the importance of being accurate, organized, punctual, and accountable in our work. It was difficult not to see the irony. Near the end of the program, one of the things that concerned me most about PAU was what I perceived to be a lack of integrity. One of the reasons I chose the program was its tuition guarantee, which promised that a student's tuition rate would remain the same throughout the program. At one point, however, PAU attempted to increase tuition despite that guarantee. An entire cohort challenged the decision. It was not until students organized, sought legal counsel, and raised concerns about the potential implications for PAU's CACREP accreditation that the university ultimately reversed its decision. For me, this experience reinforced the impression that protecting the school's image and financial interests took priority over honoring its commitments to students. It significantly eroded my trust in the institution and left me questioning its commitment to the ethical values it teaches future mental health professionals. Overall, I believe the foundation of the program needs to be reassessed. There seems to be a great deal of politics at play, and when students raise legitimate concerns, the responsibility often gets shifted back onto them rather than being addressed by the school. Ultimately, I found the program to lack the student-centered approach I was looking for--something I believe every mental health training program should naturally embody. If you are considering a master's program, I strongly encourage you to choose a school that prioritizes its character over its image. Look for a truly student-centered program--one that genuinely cares about its students and is invested in their success. Make sure the professors and advisors have a thorough understanding of California licensing requirements and clinical practice. When faculty and advisors are based in other states, as was the case in my program, they may not be familiar with California laws and regulations, which can lead to inaccurate or misleading guidance. Finally, make sure the program has a competent, supportive, and resourceful career services department that continues to support students after graduation. In my experience, the director of career services always appeared overwhelmed & frazzled. And once I graduated, there was essentially no meaningful career support. I was simply directed to an alumni Facebook group that had very little activity or value. I share this not out of bitterness, but in the hope that prospective students will ask the right questions before investing significant time, money, and energy into a graduate program.

Easy booking, great communication and wonderful host. Would absolutely recommend for a party or…read moreevent.

I used Paint the Town for my daughter's 8th birthday. Most of these kids were 7 and have a lot of…read moreenergy. They were all totally engaged for an entire hour, really concentrating on their paintings. Prabin was great. The kids had fun. It was really easy to schedule and I didn't do anything but set up some small snacks and tables in the backyard. The price is similar or even cheaper to a lot of kid bday party events. All the parents raved about it. No goodie bags needed. Every kid took home a masterpiece. A very successful kid party!!

This review is for the dining areas at Rosewood Sand Hill, including Madera Restaurant, Madera Bar,…read moreand Bici Coffee. The hotel is located right by SLAC, tucked into a hillside setting in Menlo Park. The property feels peaceful, elegant, and very well maintained. Madera Restaurant offers a full upscale dining menu and is a great choice for lunch, dinner, a business meal, date night, or a special occasion. Madera Bar is perfect for cocktails, wine, and light bites in a more relaxed but still refined atmosphere. Bici Coffee is a nice option for coffee, pastries, or a casual stop for bikers if you do not want a full sit-down meal. Rosewood Sand Hill is also a nice place for a tea party or an afternoon gathering with friends. One of the best parts is the view from the hill. I like how you can partially see the highway from the restaurant, but you cannot really hear it, so the setting feels very calm and secluded. Occasionally, you can see some movement in the distance, but if you were not looking in that direction, you probably would not even notice it. Because of that, the whole place feels very private and relaxing. Visiting Rosewood Sand Hill feels like you have been transported somewhere away from Silicon Valley, even though you are actually right in the middle of it, just a walking distance from SLAC, the particle accelerator, and Zoox's autonomous vehicles. That contrast makes the experience even more interesting: you are surrounded by the Silicon Valley's technology and innovation, but the atmosphere feels secluded, quiet, luxurious, and almost like a retreat.

TL;DR Peaceful atmosphere, great food, and exceptional…read moreservice. A true 5-star experience. All the deets: We started our stay with complimentary EV charging and a golf cart ride to our cottage. From the moment we arrived, the service felt effortless and welcoming. No snobby or stuffiness. The room had an epon feel with high ceilings, a large walk-in closet, a spacious bathroom, and a balcony overlooking the lawn and fountain. It was the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast and if you get lucky maybe see some of the bunnies that run around the property. Next stop: the pool. Swim, eat, repeat. The staff regularly came around with complimentary tastings from the menu, and more than once we ended up ordering the item they brought - spicy tuna tostadas at the top of the list! The saltwater pool was fantastic, although I was glad I packed goggles(your eyes may not appreciate salty water it as much as the rest of you). The pool menu is relatively small but thoughtfully curated, with every item we tried delivering on quality and flavor. In the evening, we got ready and walked over to dinner at Madera. A separate review is coming, but dining on the deck while watching the sunset was a highlight of the stay. The halibut seemed to be the popular choice around us and looked incredible. Fork ordered the ribeye steak, while Spoon went with the mushroom ragù. Both dishes were excellent and a perfect end to the day. Final verdict: Rosewood Sand Hill delivers luxury without feeling stuffy. Between the beautiful grounds, attentive service, excellent food, and relaxing atmosphere, it's an easy recommendation for a staycation or special occasion.

My husband and I grew up as alt, pop punk kids, and knew we wanted to bring that energy into a dive…read morebar celebration of us getting married. Not only are The Last Decade extremely talented musicians, but they know how to work a crowd, cultivate the best party vibes, and generally facilitate the best time. Their set was hands down one of the best things about our special day, and the day after, they were all anyone could talk about. Seriously, thank you all for the best time.

The band played at my birthday in our front yard and it was amazing. Great vocals, killer band, and…read moreawesome vibe. The 90s and early 2000s alternative play list brought us all back. Even the kids were rocking out. Highly recommend if you want a live band to bring some energy and great music to your gathering.

Huge shout out to the Palo Alto Container Store and to closet designer Mariah. I downsized and…read moreMariah helped me create elegant closet designs that are efficient and really fit my needs. The showcase is an entry way closet that now works triple time as a kitchen pantry, coat closet, and utility closet. She helped me coordinate everything with The Container Store and was available and responsive to trouble shoot a minor issue that came up during installation. I'm super happy with the result and so is my handyperson who did the install

The container store did a great job in adding organization to 3 of our closets, and 2 restrooms…read morewith Preston. We are also getting our Garage organized with their Elfa collection. I'll add more pictures. Truly, I'm so happy with the end result. It took 4 days of construction and one day for delivery of items. They did forget to order the shelves for the Elfa portion of our order so that is why the garage is not done yet. I also ordered and paid for jewelry storage that came in the wrong size so that is something that was delayed. We original had some work for our laundry room but they would have had to move our washer and dryer and that would have been too troublesome. Overall, I liked the result. I love all the organization especially to my main closet.

Lots of details about this interesting corner of the Bay Area provided by our guide Dan G. He was a…read morewealth of information, pretty funny and as a local was able to share a lot of perspective on the islands changes. Great day trip and I wish we had more time to poke around.

Wonderful tour led by Jim. History + nature! A great morning spent on the island…read more For people who are looking to visit the Naval Museum on the island, it is no longer open, but this tour is operative and you get to see the naval chapel and walk around the area. I was originally looking for information about the museum and arrived at this page: https://www.mihpf.org/tours. I hope this will help you find their tour options and dates! All digitalized, no fuss. And it turns out I was the only who signed up for today's tour, and they did not cancel on me because of that. I really really appreciated it. One last thing, the money you spend on the tour goes into helping this foundation : ) Yay!