Things to Do in Newark

Saltwater runs through the veins of the passionate instructors at Spinnaker Sailing. Attuned to the winds and waves of the San Francisco Bay, they've taught aspiring sailors how to navigate the waters with lessons that emphasize both skill and safety. The team also maintains an affiliation with the American Sailing Association, upholding high training standards as they show all levels of sailors, including kids, how to captain watercraft from keelboats to coastal cruisers.

In addition to helping sailors obtain ASA certifications, Spinnaker Sailing oversees a sailing club, as well as coordinate local charters, skippered cruises, and sailing vacations to storied destinations such as Tahiti and Valhalla. The fleet, which includes 22- to 40-foot yachts, launches into the waters of San Francisco bay from Redwood City Marina.

Parents relaxing in front of the television are the last thing people expect to see at a child’s birthday party. However, Games2U’s coaches not only bring the fun to residences, they supervise it as well, letting parents dive into the activities themselves or catch up on episodes of Blue's Clues. High-octane competition livens up the bash when the backyard is turned into a temporary laser-tag arena, and gravity-testers crawl into the depths of a giant inflatable hamster ball. In Booger Wars, another interactive game, teams compete in pulling beanbag “boogers” from giant noses before tossing them at their opponents in a spin on dodgeball.

The centerpiece of Games2U’s offerings is the video-game theater, housed in the back of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, where serious gamers ensconce themselves in strobe-lit depths to compete at games such as Halo and Modern Warfare on Xbox. Alternatively, game play moves outside for interactive Wii games. The offerings include the likes of Just Dance and Mario Sports Mix, whose accessibility often brings together multiple family generations, much like chasing down a headless horseman together before dinner.

420 pounds of butter. 900 eggplants. 210 gallons of honey. This isn’t a recipe for a record-breaking dish, but rather, a portion of the ingredients that go into making this festival delicious. A crew of chefs and bakers spend the three-day event whipping these products and more into Greek dishes and pastries, employing the same recipes and culinary techniques that their forefathers used. This celebration of cultural history and traditions is the foundation on which the Belmont Greek Festival is built.

Hellenic enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds descend upon the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross to enjoy food and festivities. A calendar of engaging events includes cooking demonstrations, performances by folk-dancing groups, and tours of the church’s Byzantine-style interior. The outdoor amphitheater hosts live plays, evoking the feel of an ancient theatre thanks to its open-air design and centaur ushers. Kids can take to the Fun Zone for games, rides, and bouncy castles, and shoppers visit the agora flea market to find Mediterranean books, artwork, jewelry, and clothing. The Church of the Holy Cross spreads cheer after the weekend is done by donating part of the festival’s proceeds to local charities, which in the past have included the Children’s Advocacy Council and Samaritan House.