Jennifer C.

Codornices Veterinary Clinic

I've been taking my anima-nagerie to the folks at Codornices for over 10 years. The owner of the practice is Dr. Hack. He's a gem. He definitely has never acted like he knew what was best and he seems genuinely open to alternative treatments, if he thinks they have validity (hence, he didn't support my plan to waive a chicken over my head to heal a kitty). The ONLY reason I gave them a 4-star instead of a 5-star rating is that lately, over the past two years or so, they've had a couple complete changes of the vets assisting in the practice so it's hard to form relationships with them. When we're discussing sending one of my beloved buds over the "rainbow bridge" (I hate that allusion), I want a relationship. At one point, we had to put my oldest lady, a 10-year-old Springer Spaniel to sleep because she had cancer throughout her body. Dr. Farrell actually cried with us while we held her. And the office manager, Carol carried our infant son around the office while we said goodbye. Now THAT'S a veterinary practice!

PROS: Awesome Dr. Hack, good equipment, excellent referral opps
CONS: Sometimes they get too busy...hard to get appt. Also, staff turnover?

Dandelion Cooperative Nursery School

Preschool...everyone knows kids do better when they have it but how do you find one that will love your baby like you do, that will challenge her, develop his inner artist, call her out of her shell and help her be less afraid of new situations? Well, for one thing, you call Dandelion Cooperative. It has all the best elements of cooperative schools: strong parental involvement, innovative collaborative approaches, lots of possibilities for service. It also has a personal feel and encourages your child to develop his own set of friends and his own dreams for success. The school focuses less on "teaching" in the traditional sense and more on "reaching" as in: for new ideas and skills, for friends, for more self-management skills.

The staff is small (as is the school) and they know each and every child by name. They are eager to collaborate with parents to help their children overcome any social or educational challenges and they care about each one of their students. It's also wonderful that your child gets to see you at school every now and then...AND see you interacting with other kids while your baby goes off and explores on his/her own.

They still need you , but in different ways. This preschool has a huge family of ex-students who now send THEIR kids to Dandelion. And when you have that kind of trust, it's hard to argue.

PROS: Initmate environment, caring professionals who don't warehouse the kids!
CONS: Because it's small, admission can sometimes be dicey. Get your app in early

Honda of el Cerrito

Most car repair places seem to be somewhat ethically challenged. I have never driven away from one in my bright, shiny newly repaired car feeling like I got the car I wanted at a price I expected. That is, until I found these guys. If there is such a thing, they are almost TOO attentive! They have a shuttle to take you wherever you need to go, within reason. I tried Paris France but they advised me that the corporate jet was unavailable. So, I settled for a nearby shopping plaza.

They actually ASK you what is wrong (if anything) with your car, as opposed to checking your bank balance and then TELLING you what is wrong. They have very professional staff that is efficient and speedy, without sacrificing integrity. I don't think they actually know who I am but each time I take our late-model Honda into the shop for regular servicing, I get the sense they are on my speed-dial.

Then, they call you about a week after your servicing to make sure everything is good and you still love your vehicle. It is, I do and I love these guys too!

PROS: Large facility, quick appts., lots of support service, doughnuts!
CONS: Except for the fact that they do charge you actual coin of the realm, none!

Sculpting Friendships

Cindy Wilson is like a "hair yenta!" I've been going to her for about 5 years and I've never been disappointed. She's the kind of hair artist who would laugh if you called her a "hair artist" but more than once, she's brought my inner "hair diva" out. She is easy to talk to, will listen to what you are looking for and will absolutely tell you if "looking like Cher" is a realistic outcome or just a pipe dream (pipe nightmare?). She does the "big hair for a party" thing but her specialty is great looking hair, that you can actually repeat by yourself. She recently relocated to a new salon but she's the same great Cindy. Her new address is conveniently located on Solano Avenue, about three stores up from San Pablo Ave and has easy access to the buses, freeway and other fossil fuel propelled devices (tho' street parking is a challenge sometimes).

PROS: She listens, she asks questions, she suggests alternatives
CONS: She works mostly Wednesday all day, Thur & Fri afternoons, all day Sat.