Best Tinseled Two-Steppers: The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees


For the Alameda Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, Christmas comes a lot more than once a year. Holiday cheer sprouts early with rehearsals for the 30-odd leafy dancers and then snowballs into 40 yuletide performances. These fleet-footed Douglas firs, ranging from a 16-year-old sapling to full-grown (55-plus) foliage, tap at seasonal tree lighting ceremonies, private parties and holiday parades. It's hard work, but the tireless trees have swiveled and ball-changed their way into two Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades and a Coca-Cola commercial. The hardest working trees in the business-commuting (roped to the top of minivans, of course) from as far as Marin County-practice at Pamm Drake's Dance/10 Studios. Only a few performances happen in Alameda, but these shining Christmas stars cruise meet-and-greets to branch out to fans across the Bay Area. The group's main goal, dancer Ryan Justus says, is just to "keep it upbeat, so everybody wants to dance with us." Dance/10 Studios, 900 Santa Clara Ave., (510) 339-3345, www.dance10.org.
-Christopher Danzig

 

Best Way to Invent a New You: Harbor Bay Club


Every January, we make the pledge to get up, get out and lose the winter weight in time for bathing suit season. Getting fit and fabulous is no easy task, but Habor Bay Club makes keeping that New Year's resolution a little easier with a luxurious athletic facility that includes a full gym, 19 tennis courts, a 25-meter pool and loads of aerobic and fitness classes. Whether it's yoga, Pilates, cycling, swimming or just some good old-fashioned cardio that you're craving, Harbor Bay has the ticket to a healthier you. The club also has the perfect reward for all your hard work-a facial, massage or body treatment at the swank day spa. Getting in shape has never been easier! 200 Packet Landing Road, (510) 521-5414, www.harborbayclub.com
-Amanda Cherrin

 

Best Place to Dine with Your Darlin': Pappo Restaurant


Romantic Valentine's Day dining, take your sweetie to Pappo, Alameda's favorite new restaurant, for an intimate candlelit feast. Chef/owner John Thiel, an Alamedan and Bay Wolf alum, set up shop on Central Avenue in fall 2005 after growing tired of leaving the Island in search of five-star food and wine. Since then, Pappo has quickly become the go-to Island eatery, luring local diners with classic California and Mediterranean cuisine and a homey yet elegant atmosphere. "We hear from a lot of customers, 'We love your restaurant; thank you for being here-don't leave,' " says Thiel. Now that's amore!" 2320 Central Ave., (510) 337-9100, www.papporestaurant.com.
-A.C.