Grand Lake Merchant News

Big news in the commercial district this week is this Saturday's "Third Annual Proud Parents Grand Stroll" sponsored by the Grand Avenue Business Association. This event coincides with the Mother's Day weekend, but actually honors nontraditional family units as well. Festivities begin at 10 am at the Grand Lake Theatre with a round-trip parade up Grand to Safeway accompanied by a jazz marching band. Participants are encouraged to dress in costume and decorate strollers, wagons or similar conveyances. A large number of prizes have been donated by local merchants including a $100 gift certificate from Galleria Scola and two $50 gift certificates from La Taza de Cafe. Complete information is available in GABA's press release.

Speaking of La Taza, that stretch of upper Grand has the makings of our very own mini "Gourmet Ghetto" as Camino finally appears to be nearing an opening date. I peeked inside and noted that tables and chairs are in place as well as an expresso machine. The long delay can be blamed on PG & E as the biggest construction hurdle for Russell Moore and Allison Hopelain turned out to be the new gas hook-up.

Things are fairly quiet on Lakeshore. From what I understand, a number of potential tenants have looked at the closed Gap space--but no contracts have been signed. If a decision is ultimately made to divide the space into two storefronts, neither is likely to be occupied any time soon. The "Good Gourmet" cookie shop has closed, but they have been looking at other potential locations on Lakeshore.

The very best rumor of the year came from a usually reliable source. He told me somewhat breathlessly that he'd heard that "Bakesale Betty's" was coming to Lakeshore. As it turns out, they're actually opening a new location at the mixed-use development on Grand at Broadway. Close, but no cigar!

If mention of Bakesale Betty's got you salivating and thinking about what else you'd like to see in our commercial district, start making yourself a list. The new community-based, Retail Advisory Group is about to begin formulating a community survey and will be looking for input sometime in the next couple of months. If you wish to get involved in these efforts, next meeting is Monday night at 7:00 pm. Email us for details.

Farmers Market News

Since my youngest "child" is 35 and my grand-daughter is in San Diego, it's not too likely you'll see me in the "Proud Parents Stroll". I will, however, find some solace in the fact that cherries are at long last in season and I'll be at the market buying my fill. Not only are they delicious, but to me they symbolize winter's formal conclusion. Unfortunately, this being the Bay Area it's a bit too early to permanently shelf the winter coat and break out my shorts.

We're sorry to report that Yank Francis, the Grand Lake Market's Equipment Manager, was struck by a trailer while setting up the market last Saturday. He sustained a mild concussion and needed a number of stitches, but Market Manager Jim Fenton said he should be at work on Saturday. When you see him, please give him a big welcome. He's a good guy and hard worker who always has a smile.

Peggy Kass and Helen Krayenhoff, the dynamic duo who operate the Kassenhoff plant nursery, are once again distributing a limited number of free copies of the quarterly "Edible East Bay" magazine. It's a great publication with wonderful articles on growing, purchasing and preparing organic produce. This Spring issue includes a nice plug for one of our long-time vendors, Phoenix Pastificio. They were honored with a "Readers' Choice Local Hero Award" as the "Food Artisan" of the year.

I found one article in this edition of "Edible East Bay" of particular interest. Entitled "Be a Basket Case: Shop by Bike", author Timothy Bustos laid out a number of available options for transporting groceries and other goods by two-wheeled transport. This is a subject I've written about in the past due in large measure to the Saturday parking crunch and its negative impact on neighboring merchants. Please take a look at Bustos' article and, if it's at all practical, consider walking or biking to the market.

Speaking of biking, this coming Thursday, May 15 Oakland celebrates its 15th Annual Bike to Work Day. Main festivities are at City Hall Plaza, but there are also 11 "Energizer Stations" scattered throughout the city including ones at Brewer Middle School and Kaiser Medical Center. For more information on bike related activities this month, look for the pull-out center section of this week's East Bay Express.

Entertainment this weekend will be provided by Damond Moodie and Jim Stienke. On the 17th, look for the very popular, Quake City Jug Band and appearing for the first time, Rene de la Prada. Jim Fenton says Prada's quite animated and plays pop songs and French folk music on the accordion. On the 24th, Jaren Feeley, the fourteen year-old pianist will be performing on the lawn area. Keenan Webster and the Afro-roots music group Talking Wood will be featured on the Plaza. The 31st will be a big day for music with Fog City Brass and the reggae sounds of Marquis Melody on tap.

Other Entertainment Venues

W've just received some entertainment updates from two neighboring merchants. Maurice Darwish, the owner of Mezze reminded us that the Terrence Brewer Jazz Trio plays at Mezze every Sunday beginning at 6:30 pm with no cover charge. He noted that Brewer recently played to a sell-out crowd at Yoshi's and Maurice also shared a link to an article about his music in the March 12 edition of the East Bay Express.

Marcia Lam from L'Amyx also emailed an update. This Saturday, May 10, vocalist and guitarist Linh Nguyen will be performing accompanied by bassist, Ralph Manak. All Saturday performances begin at 8:00 pm.

More on the jazz front: Jim Grantham has a rotating group of musicians who perform at the Coffee Mill every Sunday from 3-6:00 pm.

Other Happenings

Several weeks ago I was at Kaiser Hospital during their Friday Farmers Market Day and saw a gentleman standing adjacent to a vendor's booth with a small group of people clustered around him. I correctly surmised that it was Dr. Preston Maring, the long-time Oakland Kaiser physician who in 2003 came up with the idea for a farmers market operated in association with Oakland Kaiser as a way to encourage people to adopt healthy eating habits. I spoke with him briefly and was amazed to discover that in five years, his experiment now encompasses more than 30 Kaiser clinics up and down the west coast as well as Georgia, Colorado and Hawaii. As it turns out, Dr. Maring was outside preparing to host field trips for first and third graders plus 33 students from Oakland High. Dr. Maring's article about that day's experience "Three Helpings, I Don't Eat Salad Caesar" is a good read. I'd also highly recommend that you bookmark his website as it's filled with great recipes utilizing locally grown, organic produce.

Iwas one of about 120 volunteers who worked at the Morcom Rose Garden on Earth Day. It was really gratifying to see so many neighbors actively involved in beautifying one of Oakland's most historic gardens. I was particularly pleased to be working alongside Tora Rocha, who has fairly recently been re-assigned to this location. Long-time Splash Pad supporters will remember Tora as the City of Oakland gardener who used to maintain the park and helped coordinate the planting of the California Native plant bed as well as the Grime Buster's landscaping of the Grand Avenue freeway off ramp. Tora is doing a terrific job at the Rose Garden. If you haven't visited recently, stop by and take a leisurely look.

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