Grand Lake Merchant News

In the January 29 Newsletter, I wrote about the closure of the KidsGap and gave a plug for an article about retail vacancies in the Grand Lake Guardian. That article now includes a host of comments representing diverse perspectives. It is complemented by the results of a preliminary survey posted by Pamela Drake as well as some commentary from Pat Kernighan disclosing that "Out of the Closet" is now out of the picture. More importantly, Pat has announced that she will be hosting a community meeting on Sunday, March 2 that she is billing, "Attracting Retail to Neighborhood Commercial Areas: The Community's Role ". The meeting is intended as an opportunity to develop a formal process that would allow us to play a more active role in determining what kinds of retail goods and services are most needed and to play a more proactive role in luring them to the Grand Lake Commercial District. I hope to see a very big turnout for what could be a major influence shaping the future complexion of the Grand Lake commercial district for years to come.

When we reported on See's closing, we noted two other neighborhood options for your chocolate fix: Michael Mischer Chocolates on Grand Avenue and Barnavetto Chocolates at the Saturday Farmers Market. Thanks to a very complimentary article in the Oakland Tribune, we can happily add to that list a selection of exotic truffles with a Vietnamese accent that are available at Gaina Lieu's Daily Delectables at 3249 Grand. Fillings include Vietnamese Coffee Expresso, Guiness Stout, Green Tea and Bacon. All are the original creations of Gaina's younger sisters--Wendy and Susan and are sold under their Socola Chocolates label.

Just a year ago, the Grand Lake Guardian reported on a new merchants' directory published by the Grand Avenue Business Association. If you haven't already picked up a copy, it is still available as a PDF file as part of the Guardian article. We've also just discovered online a Lakeshore Avenue Directory posted by John Fabela's Fabmation Design studio.

Over the weekend, I stopped by Ford's Fine Furniture at 3258 Grand Avenue to say "hello" to Corella Ford who has been at the same location for some seventeen years. I hadn't been there for a while and was pleasantly surprised by the transformation that has occurred since my last visit. Although her focus was previously on clothes consignments, her shop is now 100% fine furniture and sophisticated accessories at reasonable prices. They also provide interior design services and help organizing your storage.

Proposal for Lakeshore Avenue Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Improvements

The last previous newsletter also mentioned proposals that had been generated by the Grand Lake Traffic Calming Committee, chaired by Jerry Cauthen. Their preliminary plans are now available in an article in the Grand Lake Guardian that has received some fifteen, largely supportive comments. Some of that input has already been incorporated into the proposal and any additional comments are encouraged. In addition, a few GLTCC members have just participated in a workshop with engineers from the Public Works Department and the latter are in basic agreement with the overall concept. Next step is for Public Works to prepare what they call a "basic plan"--after which we will be looking into specific components in far more depth.

Farmers Market News

One of the immediate action steps recommended by the Splash Pad Park/Farmers Market Advisory Group required the market to close promptly at 2 PM and to have all vendors off the site by 4. This action is being taken in order to lessen any negative impact the Grand Lake Market is having on parking for the surrounding commercial district. As a Farmers Market customer, you can help greatly by shopping earlier. If you wait until just about 2, you will find that the majority of the vendors are already in the process of packing. As added motivation, please note that closing earlier is also a huge boon for the vendors--many of whom hit the road at 4 or 5 AM and after they are finished packing here, still face a two-hour drive home.

The Narcissus bulb I purchased from Doris Yong's From My Garden did, in fact, bloom on Chinese New Year. Congratulations! Since I purchased and nurtured it as a surrogate for all our Newsletter readers, you're guaranteed a year of good luck.

As mentioned previously, the Farmers Market will begin instituting a Food Stamp program called Electronic Benefit Services (EBS). Jim Fenton, the market manager is looking for neighbors who would be willing to help staff the booth where the electronic tokens will be issued. If you'd like to assist or get more information, call Jim at (800)897-FARM or email him at Jim@marinfarmersmarket.org.

Splash Pad/Farmers Market Advisory Group

The Promotions Subcommittee will be meeting Wednesday, February 27 at 7:00PM here at my home. Agenda will include a discussion on how the park and the Grand Lake Market can complement a Lakeshore street festival planned for this coming August. One possibility is that the park could provide an additional venue for entertainment on the second day of the festival. Agenda will also include tentative plans for the Market to provide a booth occupied on a rotating basis by area merchants--particularly restaurants. Please contact Pamela Drake at pamelad205@sbcglobal.net if you need more info. For directions to the meeting, please phone me at 451-6537.

Grand Lake District Entertainment

The Grand-Lake, online entertainment calendar for March has not yet been updated. I can, however, report that next Saturday, March 1, L'Amyx, will again be featuring Richard Young and his sixteen year-old daughter, Ariane playing acoustic blues. I can also report that Jim Fenton has been working overtime booking many of the talented musicians who have played at the Market previously and is also scheduling many new musicians. March will be top-heavy with jazz including the Golden Gate Jazz Trio on March 8; Brass Hopper on the 15th; and Band of Angels on the 22nd. Other acts performing for the first time this month include Indiana-based Kate Lamont on March 29. Returning for repeat performances, look for Fog City Brass on March 1; Jimbo Trout on the same date; Paulette Rene on the 15th; Asheba on the 22nd and the Mad Maggies on the 29th. Also on the local music scene, long-time neighbor Eric Hughes sent us an email announcing the release of the Foggy Gulch Band's first CD. FGB specializes in Folk and Bluegrass and judging by the samples available online, it's a very talented group.

Crime Watch

Crime continues to be high on the list of Oakland concerns--particularly since Mayor Dellums has recently called for a $7 million investment to recruit additional police officers before the end of the year. To address some of those concerns in District 2, Pat Kernighan has scheduled a community meeting for Wednesday, March 5 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Edna Brewer's Panther Theater. Brewer is located at 3748 13th Avenue. The announcement from Pat's office said: "This meeting will give audience members an opportunity to hear directly from Oakland Police commanders about public safety efforts in District 2 and the rest of Oakland. Q & A with your Councilmember and OPD to follow."

Stop-Waste.org Free, Bay-Friendly Garden Tour

The annual Bay-Friendly Garden Tour is scheduled for April 15. It will include over 30 gardens that feature drought tolerant plants, composting, efficient water use and recycling. I've taken advantage of these free tours for the last several years and each seems to be better than the last. I recommend them highly.

Free Plant Exchange March 29

Odette Pollar has just announced another free plant exchange for Saturday, March 29 to be held in the driveway of her Lakeshore home. The first such event last year was a huge success and this year's version promises to be even more so. The flyer has all the pertinent details. Please feel free to print copies and distribute them to friends and neighbors. Also, if you choose to participate, please print copies of the plant identification forms and attach them to any plants or cuttings that you end up donating.

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.