Berkeley Repertory Theater

If you're interested in catching some live theater while you're in town, check out the Fall lineup at the Berkeley Repetory Theater, located at 2025 Addison Street (at Milvia St & Shattuck Ave) in downtown Berkeley. They always pick cutting-edge and smart plays, and the casting is stellar. Not to mention they're in a great spot smack in the middle of downtown Berkeley. BONUS: Folks under 30 can also get discount tickets.

You don't have to take my word for it. Check out the Rep's reviews at Yelp.

Crixa Cakes in Berkeley

For some wonderful sweet treats, try Crixa Cakes Bakery & Cafe, located on 2748 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703. It's right around the corner from the famous Berkeley Bowl (largest produce section in California). Crixa is a Hungarian Bakery that offers some of the most well-balanced, exquisite desserts on the West Coast. Cakes, pies, cookies, tarts, fruit folds-- you name it, they do it best. They also have a fine selection of well-crafted teas, so order a pot of the Queen Mary with your Chocolate Orange Mousse Cake (shown above). For reals, it's two layers of chocolate sponge cake soaked with fragrant orange liqueur and two layers of bittersweet chocolate mousse.

Crixa Cakes is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 AM to 6 PM and Friday and Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM.

Ewok Family Portrait

Photoshoot

Last weekend we hiked up to Tilden Park and had some amazing photos taken by our good friend (and best man) Paul Schiek, shown here styling Ben. Many thanks to Paul for his talent and amazing ability to keep shouting "Hawkeye! Hawkeye!" every 2 secs to get our pup to look at the camera. Also thanks to the lovely Mariah, assistant and location scout. Will post more photos of our fun day soon.

In the meantime, check out Paul's photo blog at http://www.holesandhalos.blogspot.com/