Grand Lake Merchant News

To paraphrase Ed Sullivan, we have really big news. Monkey Forest Road, which I've been talking about for a full year (beginning with the December 2, 2010 newsletter) is tentatively opening this coming Monday, December 5.

The sign is up and the landscaping is in--complemented by a bas relief stone carving at the base of the rear retaining wall.

For the record, owners Chris and Arnel Cooper invited me to take photos of the interior but when I peeked inside on Monday, lots of folks were busy with last-minute details and I didn't want to be in the way. More importantly, I feared my photos wouldn't be able to do this project adequate justice. Instead, you'll have to go see for yourself. Before you do, tuck this "before photo" into your memory bank and be prepared to be astounded by the transformation.

Meanwhile, the first incarnation of the Monkey Forest Road web site features a sampling of their merchandise including exquisite furnishings, paintings and jewelry. For additional information including details about their coffee bar and pastries, please visit their Facebook page.

Monkey Forest Road is the latest in an ongoing procession of improvements that have contributed to Grand Avenue's renaissance over the past several years. The other, most obvious examples I've mentioned repeatedly--namely, Boot and Shoe Service, Ikaros and Grand Tavern. But I could also cite the repaving of the parking lots belonging to Milano Ristorante and the one next to Grand Oaks restaurant that is owned by the Piedmont Executive Office Center. I could also point to the 2-story house next door to Milano that was abandoned and literally falling down. It was purchased by Tania Leullieux who has restored the interior and exterior and added an attractive, fenced yard.

There are also a number of new businesses that have opened during the interim that are contributing immensely to an improved ambience. The most sophisticated of these is McMullen a women's fashion boutique at 1235 Grand (next to Ace Hardware) that opened in April, 2010. Owner Sherri McMullen began her career with Neiman Marcus and is now capitalizing on her years of experience in the fashion industry with her own shop which offers a wide selection of designer clothing, accessories and shoes that are stylish, yet versatile.

Currently, McMullen is having a special sale with up to 40% off on Fall merchandise. Kathy Kamei, a designer of fine jewelry hand-crafted in Bali will make a personal appearance in the shop on December 16 from 2:00 to 7:00 P.M. for a Kathy Kamei trunk show. Discounts will be offered along with champagne and pie from pieTisserie.

Also fairly new to Grand Avenue is the Interior Design Salon which opened at 3711 Grand several months back. Owner Deborah Carson boasts 28 years of experience as an interior designer.

I have to confess that when I'm inside boutiques and interior design studios such as the above, I feel (and look) like a fish out of water which is not at all the case with Rebooty--another more recent addition to the avenue. They're located at 3654 Grand Ave which old-timers (like me) will remember as the long-time home of Time Was Antiques.

Rebooty is owned and operated by a husband and wife team, Jesse and Kathy Jensen. They specialize in art and furnishings made from recycled or repurposed materials--much of which has been diverted from landfills. Kathy is a contributing artist in her own right and they also have on consignment, the works of half a dozen other artists--several of whom are represented in this photo of a chest that Kathy laboriously hand-painted. By the way, at $120, the chest is a big-time bargain.

An even more recent addition to the avenue is Tuina Massage Alternative Therapy at 3221 Grand. They offer a variety of massage techniques including Acupressure, Hot Stone, Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Sport, Swedish and Foot Reflexology.

This photo shows the exterior of Tuina and Newfangles, their next-door neighbor. The former has new paint and a new awning while Newfangles boasts a new sign and an updated, distinctive paint job. If you're not familiar with Newfangles, owner Alyce Preston tells me she's had a shop in the immediate neighborhood since1986. Although the location has moved three times that I'm aware of, the focus has remained constant--specializing in everything from jeans to cocktail dresses for tall women.

While I'm encouraged by all the progress that's been made thus far on Grand, I do have to note that there's still roughly half a dozen storefronts that desperately need cleaning and upgrading. In addition, the sidewalks, gutters and landscaping need ongoing maintenance. Eric Hughes, as an individual and, more recently, with the formal assistance of his Grand Lake Improvement Committee has been doing graffiti removal and litter pick-up for well over twenty years.

In addition, a gentleman named Michael Harris has been sweeping the gutters and the sidewalks on upper Grand on his own initiative for the past year. Apparently, some of the business owners help him out with cash donations. When you see him working on Grand, at the very least, extend your thanks and let him know how much his work is appreciated.

For me, the most encouraging sign for Grand's long-term future is that the GABA meeting that Chiropractor, Robert Townsend initiated to discuss cleaning up the avenue was attended by fifteen people who ended up scheduling a volunteer work day for this Sunday, December 4 from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. If you'd like to pitch in, you're asked to bring gloves, hats and tools--although, at least some of the latter will be available. Plans are to sweep the sidewalks and gutters; prune trees; weed tree wells and planters; and pick up litter. Volunteers are going to assemble initially in front of the Grand Lake Theatre but if you arrive later, just look for groups working up and down Grand--as well as in the Walker Avenue parking lot.

As I reported last month, Wingstop owners La Donna and Emon Tolliver have applied for a Conditional Use Permit and a Variance that would allow on-site sale of beer and wine. The hearing date for their application has been scheduled for December 14. If you have questions, phone City Planner, Aubrey Rose at 238-2071. Comments can be emailed to arose@oaklandnet.com. You can also address the Planning Commission directly at their meeting on December 14.

As an aside, I regret to say that the Tolivers have apparently rejected the recommendations for aesthetic improvements to the facade made by neighborhood architect Jeffrey Feldman. In all fairness, they've already budgeted $200,000 for the restaurant make-over and the thought of spending more is understandably daunting. Nevertheless, their lease is for twenty years and their neighbors (including adjacent merchants) are going to be stuck looking at a largely blank, stucco facade that could have been vastly improved at relatively little cost.

Namaste Yoga is offering two special classes on New Year's Day with all proceeds going to the Alameda County Food Bank. They've also initiated a Community Acupuncture Clinic "where participants can experience the benefits of acupuncture in a restful, community environment". This service is available on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month from 12:00-1:30pm.

One quick note regarding Izek Day Spa Salon: they're participating in a Vine Ministry program that will provide new coats and new toys to children in West Oakland's Lafayette School. Details are on this flyer. Unwrapped donations should be brought to Izek during their regular business hours no later than December 18.

Another quick note regarding Trader Joe's hours: they've applied for modification of their Conditional Use Permit in order to operate an additional two hours--opening at 8:00 A.M. and closing at 10:00 P.M. Their application is currently in the hands of the Zoning Manager. Once a decision is rendered, appeals can be filed.

With the sun setting so early in the evening, I find that I'm far more aware of the lighting and window displays in neighborhood shops--particularly since many of them boast holiday themes. Earlier this week, I posted half a dozen early-evening photos on Flickr. My favorites are this photo of Arizmendi and this photo of Lin Jia.

Farmers Market

I don't have much to share regarding the farmers market. Market Manager, Chris Blackburn returns from his vacation this weekend. By all accounts, vendors and market patrons easily adapted to the changes in the configuration of the market to accommodate Brett's Christmas Tree lot. The weather last Saturday was unusually mild for late November and the long-range forecast (for whatever, it's worth) calls for dry weather for the next two Saturdays. Best news for Grand Lake Farmers Market addicts: no need to go cold turkey on the 24th or cold duck on New Year's Eve. The market will be open both days.

Entertainment for December includes the following:

December 3: Susan Holland
December 10: The Harkenbacks
December 17: Anderson-gram + Jimbo Trout
December 24: BRIAN BERGERON
December 31: Susan Holland

Events Calendar

December 4: Volunteer work day on Grand Avenue beginning at 9:00 A.M. in front of the Grand Lake Theatre.

December 10: The Oakland Urban Path group is sponsoring their second annual, Walk and Shop tour beginning at 10:00 A.M. from the corner of Lakeshore and Prince. They will "explore the neighborhoods and stores of Crocker Highlands, Grand Lake, Piedmont Avenue, Adams Point and others via the historic stairways and pathways that once served the Key Route Street Car". To whet your appetite, here's a photo I took on last year's inaugural walk.

December 16-17: The annual holiday celebration on Lakeshore Avenue will feature free carriage rides, face-painting and visits from Santa. Also, be on the look-out for merchant specials and an appearance by the LABC carolers on Saturday from 4:00-5:00 P.M. For more details including specific time frames, please visit the Lakeshore Avenue BID website.

Odd and Ends

Our proposal for a parklet on Lakeshore has been submitted to the city and we're awaiting confirmation that we're one of up to eight groups that have approval to submit detailed plans prior to starting construction. Here's Jeffrey Lim's conceptual drawing for the Arizmendi half of the parklet and for the other half in front of Footlocker. If you'd like additional information, you may want to read the Parklet Narrative that accompanied the application.

At this point, there's a lot of energy involved in this project but what we very much need are some individuals who have contracting, architectural and/or engineering expertise who can sit down with us and help delineate the nuts and bolts construction details. If you're one of those individuals, please send an email to info@splashpad.org and I'll share it with the other members of the steering committee.

Two years ago, I took this photo as Oakland artist, Inka Pullen put the finishing touches on a mural for Taste of Joy chef/owner Brian Hill who is a member of her extended family. This week, I learned that the US State Department has selected it as one of nineteen images that will be used to depict the varied faces of US culture and sports. All 19 photos will be incorporated into portable display panels that will be sent to thirty US embassies worldwide where they will be incorporated into presentations for students considering advanced degrees here in the states.

I'm very honored to be a part of this but the overwhelming majority of the credit goes to the artist who so ably depicted this New Orleans street scene and also to jazz itself--an art form that long ago proved its worth as one of our most effective good-will ambassadors.

Speaking of murals, I've long wanted to publicly call attention to my inclusion in Peter Lee's mural in the Trader Joe's parking lot. I'd like to claim that Peter honored me for my contributions to the Splash Pad Park project but, in all honesty, I extorted this tribute in exchange for my loan of a ladder that allowed Peter to reach the uppermost corner. As you'll discover in viewing this photo, his tribute is roughly equivalent to the deed that prompted it. I'm about half the size of the bird in flight; absolutely dwarfed by the squirrel and infinitely smaller than "Miles", Nancy Strange's dog which is depicted larger than life and in a far more prominent location. I remain forever humbled.

If you'd like to comment on any of the above news, please do so on the Grand Lake Neighbors website

If you have friends or neighbors who may be interested in receiving this newsletter, please forward this link: www.splashpad.org/mostrecent.html and invite them to subscribe by sending an email to info@splashpad.org.