Grand Lake Merchant News

ViNE has just installed decorative metal work and signage on their Lakeshore facade. Look for them to open on or about the 18th of December.

Just down the street, next to the newly opened "Too Good Gourmet", Marie Renfro has re-opened (for the duration of the holiday shopping season) "Turning Heads"--the specialty women's wear store that she operated for twenty-five years next to "Silver Lining".

Brent's Christmas Tree Lot Now Open

Brent's Christmas Tree Lot received its first trees on Wednesday and they'll remain open daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. This is Brent Hennefer's 30th Anniversary at the Splash Pad location. They offer nine different varieties of Firs, Cedars and Pines plus a small selection of Colorado Blue Spruce. All are grown in Shingletown near Mt. Lassen with new shipments delivered every five days. They also have a good selection of garlands, wreaths, lights and Mistletoe. Look for discount coupons for Brent's trees in the mailings from "Coupon Country" and "ValPak".

Also, in the spirit of Christmas giving, Brent's will be hitting up their customers for cash donations in support of Lakeview School. As I've noted previously, Lakeview is unfortunately lacking in the additional resources and parental involvement that can make such a big difference in a child's educational experience.

A couple of years ago, Kim Cardoso was one of a group of neighbors who initiated an effort to remedy this disparity. Kim came up with the idea of selling Grand Lake Farmers Market shopping bags as a fundraiser for the school. They had them manufactured locally using heavy canvas that was decorated with artwork done by a Lakeview student. Kim says that there are only about fifty left from an initial run of five hundred and the net proceeds to Lakeview have been in excess of $2000. The remaining bags, which would make marvelous Christmas or Channukah presents, will be available at the Farmers Market's information booth. They are $10 each or $12 or $15 if you're feeling generous.

Grand Lake District Entertainment Calendar

We've just updated the Grand Lake Entertainment Calendar through December. The Farmers Market will be featuring two artists I somehow missed when they performed previously. I'm really looking forward to hearing the Quake City Jug Band on the 15th. Their web site describes their forte as "1920's and 1930's swing and jazz, feather boas, tap dancing and musical mayhem". On the following Saturday, I'm hoping to hang out and listen at length to Em K, once lead guitarist in a successful rock group who now plays classical guitar with a rock bent.

L'AMYX Tea Shop itself has a very full schedule for Saturday nights in December with five different performers. While you're there, please do check out the display of wonderful art work done by children at the Lincoln Child Center which was founded as an orphanage in 1883. Tim Haggerty, the L'Amyx co-owner, just sent the following message describing the services Lincoln provides and what L"Amyx is doing to assist their efforts:

L'Amyx is working with a local non-profit organization that provides mental health services for children and their families living in Oakland and the Bay Area. Lincoln Child Center (LCC) enables vulnerable and emotionally troubled children to lead independent and fulfilling lives. One of the programs offered at LCC is therapeutic art where the children can express their emotions and hopefully experience some healing.

L'Amyx is very proud to exhibit the paintings of the children from LCC at our Lakeshore store until the end of December. All works are available for sale/bidding and we've already sold 8. L'Amyx will donate 100% of the proceeds to LCC to help purchase art supplies to keep this important program going.

I hope you will stop by to see the artwork, read some of the quotes from the children, perhaps bid or even purchase some art for yourself or holiday gifts. We also have a boxed card sets of the original artwork for $10.00, all going to LCC.

Farmers Market News

Those of us who experienced Farmers Market withdrawal symptoms in past years when Christmas and New Years fell on weekends can breathe a big sigh of relief. The market will be open on both the 22nd and the 29th. Jim Fenton, the Market Manager, is hoping to make some last-minute arrangements with the local merchants to fly-in Santa or otherwise observe the holidays. Please stay tuned for details.

Neighborhood Artists Included in The Missing Peace Show

Ordinarily, we wouldn't report on happenings in San Francisco. But for the Missing Peace Show honoring the Dalai Lama, we'll make an exception--particularly since one of the eighty-eight pieces in this prestigious show came from the Magnolia Edition studios of Donald and Era Farnsworth who are long-time Splash Pad supporters and Farmers Market customers. Show is at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts from December 1 through March 16.

The Succulents are Coming!

Hayden's Foell's campaign to transform the Lakeshore Avenue freeway off ramp under the auspices of the Grand Lake Grime Busters got off to a rousing start on November 18. A very large section of steep hillside at the base of the off ramp was cleared of ivy and other debris. The next work day is tentatively set for Sunday, December 16 with the intention of removing additional ivy further up the ramp. By early next year, Hayden hopes to begin planting succulents and California Natives in stages. For more information or to volunteer or donate plants, please contact Hayden at hayden@haydenfoell.com.

Meeting December 5 to Discuss Lakeshore Traffic and Parking Issues

On December 5, Pat Kernighan will be hosting a community meeting from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, at the Lakeshore Baptist Church's Barnett Hall, 3534 Lakeshore Avenue to discuss parking, traffic and other neighborhood issues that relate to the opening of the new Trader Joe's and Walgreen's stores as well as other new developments in the Lakeshore Avenue business district.

Jerry Cauthen's Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee will also have an opportunity to make a brief presentation regarding their proposals to facilitate traffic flow and improve pedestrian safety--particularly with regard to the corner where Lakeshore, Lake Park and the freeway off ramp intersect.

Police Services in the Grand Lake Neighborhood

Officer Ken Kim is no longer serving as the Walking Beat Officer for the Grand and Lakeshore commercial districts. Word is his replacement should be named sometime in December. We've also just heard that Hoang Banh, our Neighborhood Services Coordinator for just over a year is about to be transferred. Hoang has done an absolutely fabulous job helping to transform our local Crime Prevention Council and establish truly effective Neighborhood Watch Groups. Unfortunately, her transfer would come at a critical juncture and much of the slowly-building momentum is likely to be lost. The subject of Hoang's transfer and the naming of a new Walking Beat Officer are both likely to be on the agenda of the next meeting of the Grand Lake Community Council at the Neighborhood Center, 530 Lake Park on Thursday, December 6 beginning at 7:00pm.

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