Treated myself to attend another Wagashi class in February 2020. The typical classes are consisted…read moreof demonstration of one recipe, and hands-on of another. This time, we had TWO hands-on recipes!! One of them "Uguisu-mochi" were so tasty, and so easy to recreate at home. I've made twice at home since. The tasting of the Wagashi just made and a cup of Matcha in the Japanese room nicely decorated with seasonal flower and Kakejiku is so enjoyable every time!! Highly recommended for anyone who's interested in Japanese culture, especially the Japanese traditional sweets making.

I had the pleasure of attending Kimika Soko Takechi and Larry Sokyo Tiscornia's Kaiseki Workshop…read moreyesterday. These lovely folks teach Chanoyu - the art of tea ceremony - in addition to giving workshops in Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet-making), and Kaiseki, the wonderful several course meal that can accompany tea-ceremonies. Note - this particular Kaiseki is not the elaborate and uber-extravagant 7-12 course feast; rather, it's cha-kaiseki, and we learned its basic components of "one soup, 3 dishes." I found out about the workshop through the Japanese Cultural and Community Center's newsletter and signed up by calling the JCCCNC directly, where you'll be able to pay via credit card. The 2.5-hour class is held in the kitchens of the JCCCNC - mostly demonstration with fantastic narration on the cultural context as well as useful cooking techniques in preparation of the 4-course Kaiseki. The Senseis made: Ebishinjo - steamed prawn dumplings served in dashi - they have a *fantastic* recipe for making dashi stock, and the proper way/ proportions to make it. Kaibashira no Kobujime - kelp-marinated scallops TatakiGobo (pounded burdock root with gomae - sesame dressing) Susbasu - Vinegared lotus root Sekihan - "red rice," or rice with adzuki beans Larry-san and Kimika-san trained in Kyoto at the Urasenke School of Tea for 6 years and are treasure troves of knowledge and experience - giving tips on where to source good products in San Francisco (Trader Joe's has beautiful flash-frozen scallops with no additives, straight from Japan; Rainbow has powdered pure wasabi powder that is real wasabi and not just horseradish and green food colouring). Towards the end of the class, students are able to help plate the numerous bowls for the different courses, and partake of a wonderful, authentic and super-oishi cha-kaiseki. Anyone who loves Japanese food (no, this is not sushi, but there could be a raw fish course), is interested in Japanese culture and cooking techniques, will adore this class, as I do. I'll be signing up again and again, as the dishes will change with the seasons.

Grand opening of a pottery/ceramic studio in Nob Hill (SF) across from the Cable Car Museum on…read moreMason. Great place to learn pottery making. Use of the hands helps keep the muscles toned and strong when shaping the clay. Samantha Is the instructor/teacher. She has the patience of Job when it comes to teaching. It's 2 levels with the kiln downstairs. Monthly membership is available to those who want to spend more time creating and making their pottery. Love it.

Came across this beautiful little pottery store/ studio while getting coffee down the street. Very…read morefriendly service and great quality; I love my wall flower holder. I also perched some Palo Santo and gave some to my friends that I visited. Lovely store

Leslie is masterful at drawing out others' nascent creativity. She is respectful to every person's…read morecontributions, whatever their level of involvement in the craft of writing. And she has a way of getting strangers to encourage each other. I highly recommend her classes.

Leslie is amazing. She brought me to a whole new level in my writing. I left the class being…read moreamazing on what I was able to learn and accomplish in a day. Her home is warm and welcoming, so it was a pleasure to be there in person. I'll certainly be taking more classes! Thanks, Leslie.

I attended Celebrate Life a few months ago for the first time, and that day I was moved to tears!…read moreRev. Drew Vogt is a truly gifted medium, full of love and a desire to connect people with their true selves. I have only attended their group meetings so far, but I have friends who go to their other events and rave about them. From what I can speak of, I know the heart and soul of Celebrate Life is one of gold - and would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a loving and welcoming community! Thank you Drew for all your love and enthusiasm!

Woooo hooo! This REALLY is as good as it gets!…read more This is a place that I hold dear to my heart. Rev. Drew Vogt is absolutely amazing and his smile is contagious. He truly will light up your life and your spirit! Celebrate Life offers an array of weekly workshops, events, and celebrations that will feed your soul. When you walk in you will feel the abundance of love that radiates from the center and from the members inside. It's easily something to get addicted to. If you are searching for greater meaning in your life or to get in tune with your soul, this is a great place to learn how. At Celebrate Life, God is the source of all love and power in the universe...and we are an emanation of that, which is so amazing!

This place use to bring the Arab community together, these days it is a joke…read more They need to do more for the Arab community especially during these difficult times.

The Arab Cultural and Community Center is staffed by a devoted and energetic corps of people who…read moreprovide cultural and educational programming about Arab and Arab-American culture and experience, as well as providing social services to the Arab-American communities of the Bay area. Their showcase event each year is the Arab Cultural Festival, traditionally held in Golden Gate Park in August or September, and featuring poets, singers, comedians, dancers, and foods of the Arab world, as well as exhibits and displays by a variety of related organizations. It's a great opportunity to learn about the culture of the Arab Middle East and see real, live, local people who proudly and exuberantly claim the culture as their own. The ACCC also offers Arabic classes for children and adults and sometimes offers courses in Arabic music, calligraphy, or drumming. Their online calendar at http://arabculturalcenter.org/calendar is the best source of information about any upcoming classes, movies, lectures, or other events. The Arab Cultural and Community Center is easily accessible by MUNI, as it is only a short walk from the Forest Hill MUNI station. To get there from Forest Hill, exit the station and turn left. The first street you cross is Plaza Street. The ACCC is housed in a large, off-white house with many windows on the corner of Plaza and Laguna Honda. Parking in the hilly residential neighborhood around the center is difficult but not impossible; curb your wheels though, it's steep! Most events at this non-profit cultural center are funded by donations or small entrance fees; discounts are available to those who join as members.

Project Commotion is a therapy-based movement and gym class that teaches kids how to understand the…read moreconnection between their emotions and their bodies. What is that? I'll try to explain: At Project Commotion, kids learn how to channel frustrations (from schoolwork, bullying, interacting with peers), expend excess energy, gain better focus and mindfulness skills that translate into happier little kids who can cope better in the world. (And as your kids get older and they're out in the world without you hovering over and constantly protecting them, learning how to cope with life's stressors is important). Here, Project Commotion teaches useful ways to deal with stress, be it tumbling, doing cartwheels, stretching and breathing- or doing handstands to re-focus (something about getting their head below their heart while in the handstand position brings them back in a calm, centered space). Chagua who leads the Monday and Friday classes is a lovingly stern taskmaster. She'll call out and take aside a child and explain to them why their behavior isn't appropriate or talk to them about an issue they had at school (one parent complained her child was calling another student names at school after he was teased by a classmate, she's pulled my child aside for not listening and following directions- and why it's important). And if your child takes the special 90-minute Friday class, the mommies can join in (at no extra charge) for what I promise will be an ass-kicking cardio/stretching class that will nearly make you cry it's so hard. That I finished two or three 90 minute classes made me very proud. I was pouring down sweat; super-fit teachers Chloe and Chagua, not at all! They have a sliding scale for class fees (which are actually very reasonable) and tuition assistance. Kids classes are divided into age groups and the first class to try out and get observation and feedback from Chagua is free. Project Commotion has a great summer program if you're looking for something more than your average summer camp. Here, your kids can acquire skills before they move up a grade - and get physically fit. I recommend this program, good for any child.

Best little place for kids in town...my son loves going to Capoeira class there and it's near…read moreGus's! Panda is such a nice teacher and he really enjoys his class. It'll be sad to say good bye soon - such a good experience.

My family has a history here…read more My siblings and I attended the St. Mary's Chinese Day School when it was located at its original campus at 902 Stockton Street. Due to required seismic work on the building, the archdiocese sold that building and moved the school's campus for both schools here in conjunction with CCDC raising this building. The school recently celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023 where a variety of teachers and alumni shared memories and a great time together. The school is currently headed by Deacon Simon Tsui, the principal and his wife Katherina. After a difficult period battling the obstacles from March 2020 worldwide, the school found its footing in continuing with its curriculum on a remote basis. The school is back to an in-person classroom environment and the student body size continues to grow as the word gets out about the quality of learning here. Besides learning either or both Cantonese and Mandarin, their school, funded and supported by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, encourages a Catholic background in teaching language and social skills as well and traditional cultural and art skills such as calligraphy and abacus and mental math. The classroom sizes are smaller which gives the instructors and students a greater opportunity of providing one-to-one learning. Though the Fall semester has started, registration is open for the 2025 semester (1/4/25 to 6/7/25).

A wonderful educational institution with a long history of providing quality Chinese language…read moreeducation to generations of students in the San Francisco community. I attended St. Mary's Chinese Language School many years ago when the school was serving students five days a week. I received an excellent education and am grateful that what I learned allowed me to use my language skills to work with primarily monolingual Chinese-speaking individuals in my career.

I did the online private class with Guro Ferlie. I knew I was ready for something beyond a beginner…read moreclass but didn't feel like I was ready for something very advanced. The class was great to brush up on grammar rules and practice my speaking. Guro Ferlie was very attentive and affirming, cheering me on when I spoke well. She also used different materials (movies, songs, stories, and exercises) that helped me practice my reading, speaking, and writing. Would recommend if you're looking for something in between intermediate and advanced or looking to improve your understanding your grammar as a native speaker!

I appreciated this class to get just a start on learning Tagalog. You definitely have to do your…read morehomework! But I loved Guro Ferlie and the community of our class, meeting others who want to learn Tagalog too. Would recommend if you're interested in getting started.