The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving. - Albert Einstein

During this time of year, we often find ourselves so rushed with holiday parties and Christmas shopping that we forget what is really important.  If you were to ask me what gifts I got for Christmas last year or the year before that, it would take me a couple of minutes to think back of what I got.  But what I do remember is the many memories created during Christmas with my family.  That to me is what Christmas is all about -- being with the ones you love and creating moments in time.  I am very fortunate that I get to spend the holidays with my family.  To me, that is the best gift I receive every year.  

But I also can't forget that not everyone is as lucky as I am.  Forget about gifts, there are people that won't have food for their Christmas dinner.  With the unemployment rate in San Francisco at 10.6%, you can be sure that there will be a lot of families during this time of year that will be needing help.  In the past, I have had the honor of volunteering for the Marin County Food Bank and it's been a great experience.  I know that times are tough so if you can't donate money or canned goods, I urge you to volunteer your time to sort out food or to distribute it among those in need.  Different food banks have different programs which you can be involved in. The feeling you get when you help others who are less fortunate than you is priceless. 

Here is a list of the local food banks where you can reach out to and see how you can make a difference.  

San Francisco Food Bank 

San Mateo Food Bank

Marin County Food Bank

Alameda County Food Bank

Last weekend, I had an opportunity to meet up with fellow Gals Guide Leslie who resides in Chicago.  She was in town that weekend for a work conference and hit me up on Twitter to see if we wanted to meet up.  Some of our conversations on Twitter are about our adoration for nail polish so she suggested we get manicures together and then go our for dinner.  I had heard about Za Za Nail Spa through a Groupon email I had received and wanted to try it.  

 The location is very clean and the comfy leather recliners made me feel relaxed even before my manicure even began.  When I called to make reservations, I booked a Za Za Mani for each of us.  What makes this manicure extra special is that after shaping our nails and cuticles, they exfoliate your hands with a mango scrub and then massage your hands with a delicious smelling lotion from LaLiicious.  Before and after the scrub, they wrap your arms in these warm towels which felt so good.  They have a large selection of nail polishes which mostly include O.P.I & Essie.  Besides manicures and pedicures, they also offer waxing, threading and massage services.  

Za Za Nail Spa is located on 543 Second Street in San Francisco.  I suggest you make a reservation however they do take walk-ins.  Street parking is very accessible and they are open 7 days a week.  This will probably become a monthly treat for me now that I discovered this nail spa.  After our manis, Leslie and I headed to the Haight for some wonderful Cuban cuisine at Cha Cha Cha.  We had a great night and I was very glad to meet another Gals Guide. 

Leslie & I at Cha Cha Cha

I enjoy spending time in Union Square but I especially enjoy it during the holidays because of all the lights and decorations put on by the different stores.  Another reason is to people watch and starting this week, you can watch or be watched at the Union Square Ice Rink.  It's opening on Wednesday, November 11 through Monday, January 18, 2010.  The hours of operation are 10AM to 10PM except on Friday & Saturday when it is opened until 11:30 PM.  Click here for information on rates and where to purchase tickets.  

With the opening of the ice rink, I feel as though the holiday season has officially begun in SF!

Picture via About.com

Wanted to give you a heads up about an upcoming event.  Back in September, I attended a Speed Friending event at ROE Restaurant & Lounge.   What is Speed Friending?  It’s is an organized evening where women will participate in a guided process of fun and meaningful sharing in multiple small groups to introduce women to potential new friends.  This event is put on by Girlfriendcircles.  

The event will take this Thursday (11/12) from 7 to 9 PM.  It is a great opportunity to meet new people.  The cost to attend is $18 which includes one beverage.  If you want more information, click here.  

I recommend this event to anyone who has recently moved to the area and is looking to meet new people or simply want to expand their circle of friends.  

One of the ways I use Twitter is to be informed on all the happenings in San Francisco.  (If you are unfamiliar with how Twitter works, click here).  I find it easier for me to keep track of events and happenings that are going throughout the city using Twitter than subscribing through a blog.   For example, just early this week SF had a bit of a flood situation in downtown SF.  I was able to avoid that area during my commute home. Very helpful!

I wanted to share with you some of the people I follow and hope that they are of help to you. 

• SFAllShookDown - News and reviews from the SF Weekly music blog, All Shook Down, via music editor Jennifer Maerz.
• viewfromthebay - A local entertainment show exploring the great food, wine and activities in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• CRAVEsf - The ultimate guide to the places women CRAVE in the SF bay area, including more than 100 women you need to know.
• MichelinGuideSF - Follow our famously anonymous Michelin Inspectors as they eat their way around every nook and cranny of town.
• 94110now - What's happening in the Mission and Castro now?
• grouponsf - Cool stuff to do in San Francisco at unbeatable prices.
• LiveNationSF - Free tickets + Presale passwords + Concert Breaking News and Announcements = Happy Fun Times.
• Emergency_In_SF - Follow some of the larger emergencies in San Francisco as they happen.
• Karascupcakes - If you are a cupcake lover, this is a must.  They will let you know where the Kara-Van will be throughout the Bay Area if you can't go to any of their locations in SF.  
• 7x7Magazine - 7x7 is San Francisco's premier resource for Food, Fashion, Culture, Music, Nightlife, Parties and more.
• CitysearchSF - Citysearch San Francisco's editorial team.
• SFtonight - Curated events, dining, and shopping info for San Francisco.
• bayareatreks - The online guide - offering ideas for things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
• onlyinsf - Offical visitor information for San Francisco. How may we help you enjoy your stay?
• GoldenGatePark - Up-To-Date Events and News on Golden Gate Park.
• BayAreaCheap - Things to see & do on the cheap in the (not so cheap) San Francisco Bay Area, including Wine Country and the Coastside.
• abc7newsBayArea - News and notes directly from the ABC7 newsroom in San Francisco.
• GavinNewsom - Mayor of San Francisco, Candidate for Governor of California.  And yes, the mayor himself does tweet from time to time.

If you are on Twitter, are there any other Bay Area people that we should follow?  And remember, you can always follow the SF Gals' Guide gals on Twitter -- Marisol, Meghan & Amber