Grand Lake Merchant News
Big news in the commercial district was the recent (and long anticipated) opening of "Camino". I went there last week with a group of twelve, including Mary Ellen Navas who got the ball rolling more than a year ago when she called the owner of the vacant Country Home Furniture Store and suggested that they look for a quality restaurant. And by any measure, that's exactly what we got. The food and atmosphere were awesome. However, if you haven't yet been there, be prepared. This is not your ordinary restaurant. Tables consist of four very long slabs of a fallen Redwood with seating on what turned out to be quite comfortable, English church chairs. The bulk of the cooking is done over the big open fireplace and choice of entrees is limited--typically to three or four items--one of which is vegetarian. The limited menu is, I would think, the only practical way for Russell Moore to maintain Camino's commitment to serving only the freshest, locally produced vegetables, fruits and meats. It's a concept that works well judging by the "oohs and aahs" emanating from all twelve members of our dinner party--not to mention, the crowds that are filling the restaurant nightly.
Farmers Market News
La Taza de Cafe which is Camino's next door neighbor is making plans to open a booth at the Saturday Farmers Market--filling the space that had been vacated by Uhuru House. During the summer season when Uhuru has booths at street festivals, they will be at the market intermittently. I just received the following message from Uhuru:
We are back on Saturday, June 21st at the Grand Lake Farmers Market kicking off the summer season! Come out to experience our delicious omelette and scrambled egg platters served with home fried potatoes and vegan cornbread and our always popular breakfast wraps. Enjoy a sunflower seed burger with green salad from the market. All proceeds benefit the Uhuru House Development Fund and the campaign for red, black and green, sustainability for Africa and African People!
Also in the Plaza Food Court, barbecue will be back--possibly as soon as tomorrow! The market management has approved an application from Oakland-based, "Phat Matt Barbecue". Their menu will include pulled pork, ribs, brisket, tri-tip and barbecued chicken with all the fixings.
Kassenhoff plant nursery has done their last farmers market for the season, but Helen and Peggy still have quantities of vegetables and ornamentals that are being sold this Sunday at reduced prices at their location in Alameda on the old Navy Base. Their email announcement with directions and other details is posted on our Splash Pad website.
Speaking of the Splash Pad website, it's been sadly neglected for the last couple of years. I've occasionally put out requests for photos that I could add to the site--but those have mostly fallen on deaf ears. I finally took the matter into my own hands after my son, Adam, bought a new camera and gave me the "old". It's a travel-scarred, Nikon D70 with features that are totally beyond my comprehension and it replaces my nine year-old Sony Mavica which qualifies as an historic relic. What's important is that it takes (I think) really nice photos. There is, however, a learning curve involved and for the last three Saturdays, I've shown up at the market with camera in hand and taken photos--most of which quickly ended up in the trash bin. It became something of a running joke with the very nice lady at Ridgecut Gristmills where the lighting was particularly problematic. Every Saturday morning for three weeks, I asked her to smile and she gladly accommodated me. Although the third time's the charm, I think I'll try once more after I've furthered honed my skills. Meanwhile, please check out the collection of photos I've uploaded in two batches. One consists of photos of vendors. The other batch consists of photos of customers, veggies and entertainers. In the vendor photos, look for the one with Billal from East West Foods handing a sample to my wife as they stand behind a newspaper clipping showing Bilall handlng a sample to a potential customer at another of their markets. Also, check out the one of Javier looking quite rakish in his summer straw hat. In amongst the other batch of photos, please look for the one of a group of folks posing on the plaza wall just behind a cart overflowing with purchases. If you look closely, you'll note the Cocker Spaniel equally enjoying the market atmosphere.
As you probably are aware, all dogs (even well-mannered Spaniels) are barred from the market due to Health Department regulations. This is a subject that was again discussed at the most recent meeting of the Splash Pad/Farmers Market Advisory Group. We have agreed to look into an offer made by a local dog-walking service to provide free dog-sitting adjacent to the market. This would, however, require approval of the City Park's Commission and ultimately the City Council. We appreciate feedback from dog owners who shop at the market. Is this a service you'd welcome and use on a fairly regular basis?
Entertainment this weekend will be provided by The Pine Needleswhom Jim Fenton described as a really good Blue Grass band. Also, appearing tomorrow is Ike Cosse, the one-man band. On the 14th, look forFred McCarty and for Suzanne Holland who has been periodically performing at this market beginning with the old (but not so good) days under the freeway. I do have the entertainment schedule through mid-July, but unfortunately no time right now to post it. Please look for an updated entertainment calendar sometime soon.
Other Entertainment Venues
Marcia Lam from L'Amyx just sent me an update. Tomorrow, Lakeshore resident, Richard Young and his sixteen year-old daughterAriannewill be performing beginning at 8:00 pm. We were there a couple of months ago for what turned out to be the debut of her CD and she's just fabulous + her dad can more than hold his own.
The following Saturday, June 14,Marquis Melody will be at L'Amyx. Marquis and his Reggae group were featured at the Farmers Market last weekend.
On the jazz front: Jim Grantham has a group performing Thursday, June 19 at Anna's Jazz Island from 8 to 11 pm. Club is located 2120 Allston Way in Berkeley. This is, in addition, to his regular gig at the Coffee Mill on Sundays.
Splash Pad Newsletter Subscriptions
I you have friends, relatives, neighbors or co-workers who may be interested in becoming subscribers, please cut, paste and send this link http://www.splashpad.org/newsletter.html to the Splash Pad website. If they choose to do so, they can then subscribe by sending an email to info@splashpad.org.