VALENTINE’S DAY CLASSIC SUGAR COOKIES

Ingredients

Cookies

• 1 1/2cups powdered sugar

• 1cup butter, softened

• 1teaspoon vanilla

• 1/2teaspoon almond extract

• 1egg

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1teaspoon baking soda

• 1teaspoon cream of tartar

Frosting

• 3 c powdered sugar

• 3 - 5 tablespoons milk

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla Red Food coloring

Preparation

In large bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, softened butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, almond ext, & egg with electric mixer on med speed, or with spoon, until well blended. Stir in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Divide dough in half; shape dough into 2 disks, and wrap in plastic wrap. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

When ready. Heat oven to 375°F.

Roll each disk on lightly floured flat surface until 1/4 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters into heart shapes. On ungreased cookie sheets, place cutouts 2 inches apart.

Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

In medium bowl, beat 3 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla with spoon until smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too stiff to spread, add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time. Tint with the food coloring. Spread frosting on cooled cookies. Decorate as desired.

FEBRUARY 1-28: BOOK SALE AT THE RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY

10am-6pm. The Friends of the Richmond Public Library Monthly

Sale offering gently used books for $0.30, CDs & DVDs for $0.25, and BluRay discs for $1 with special box sets and books for $1$15! Books are sold daily at the Main, Bayview, and West Side libraries for $0.50 - $1 during regular library hours. We accept donations every Wednesday from at the Richmond Main Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. 510-20-6561. Funds raised support library programs for all ages.

FEBRUARY 9: EL CERRITO ART ASSOCIATION MEETING

6:30 - 8:30 pm General meeting and Program TBA, El Cerrito Community Center Garden Room. 7007 Moeser Ln, El Cerrito Free and open to the public, www.elcerritoart.org.

FEBRUARY 9: SUNRISE NETWORKING

8:30am - 9:45am. Hosted by: Bay Front, Crockett & El Sobrante Chambers, This BNI style event gives you the opportunity to meet other members of the business community on a more personal level. Have your two-minute elevator speech ready as everyone is given the opportunity to introduce themselves. Hosted by: Bay Front, Crockett & El Sobrante Chambers FREE Event. All members of the business community are welcome! Hercules Library, 109 Civic Dr., Hercules.

FEBRUARY 14: PINOLE GARDEN CLUB MEETING

Tech Career Fair focus on helping companies achieve their diversity and inclusivity initiative with more diverse non-traditional candidates. www.eventbrite.com/e/career-fair-exclusive-techhiring-event-new-tickets-available-tickets-63049080497?aff=ebds sbcitybrowse

“We have had a great experience at St Joseph. I am very grateful that we found it, and my children have thrived here thanks to the warm and supportive community.”

“We have had a great experience at St Joseph. I am very grateful that we found it, and my children have thrived here thanks to the warm and supportive community.”

“We’ve always had good experiences with our children’s teachers. They clearly work really hard, take pride in what they do, and care a lot about the kids’ success.”

“We’ve always had good experiences with our children’s teachers. They clearly work really hard, take pride in what they do, and care a lot about the kids’ success.”

by Michael R. Nelson