Splash Pad Fountain

I'm very happy to report that the fountain is not only up and running, but, in several respects, it is now in better mechanical condition than it was when the park opened. The recent improvements have been due largely to the diligence and expertise of a long-time Public Works employee named Jaime Salazar. Jaime has added a ventilation system to the vault that houses the pump and chlorination equipment eliminating the corrosive effects of what was previously an extremely damp environment. He's also replaced the filter with a newer, more efficient model and is awaiting delivery of a new solenoid and sensors to more effectively regulate PH levels.

On several occasions in the past, I've written about how fortunate we are to have City Gardener, Roger Helm assigned to Splash Pad Park. Jaime seems equally committed to providing quality services and I'm awarding him a gold star in recognition of his efforts. Kudos also to Shelley Fuller, another Public Works employee, who replaced the pump that failed last year and then initiated research into maintenance problems and design flaws. The fire she lit eventually led to the improvements recently made. Thanks also are due to Jerry West, the Public Works Supervisor who juggled schedules to permit Jaime and Shelley to undertake these repairs.

Those of you who are new to the neighborhood may not be aware that the community raised the funds to include the fountain in the park design and acknowledged those contributions with a plaque on the fountain wall and in the Names in Lights panels that Walter Hood designed. You'd probably be even more surprised to find that the fountain was not actually intended as a wading pool. When dozens of little ones hit the water on Dedication Day, it became immediately apparent that modifications were required and within a week or two, the six-inch long brass spigots were trimmed to short stubs.

Since the fountain was not designed for wading, it is incumbent on all parents to provide close supervision and do please remember that the water is chlorinated and constantly recirculated. It is not safe for drinking nor should it be used to wash fruit and vegetables. On a related matter, we really need assistance in minimizing repairs and maintenance to the fountain. Any foreign substances including leaves and twigs (particularly those stuffed into the spigots) will clog the filter basket and conceivably lead to pump failure. Please help keep the water clean and the fountain operating.

Farmers Market Report

This Saturday, look for a Chef Demonstration in the main plaza beginning at 11:00 as Guy Birenbaum prepares the Brioche's and Galletes he's been offering as a long-time vendor at the Grand Lake Market. The main event begins at 11:30. Grand Lake Market vendor, Adriana Silva from Tomatero Organic Growers will team up with Chef Tory Hayes from Cafe Di Bartolo to make Dungeness Crab Cakes with a mango chipolte salsa and a Heirloom tomato, watermelon, and rocket salad with a Balsamic and Pancetta vinaigrette.

Plans currently are to schedule similar chef demos on a quarterly basis. Stay tuned for future dates.

Grand Lake Merchants

There's lots of exciting new developments here in the Grand Lake commercial district:

1. Flavors of India has recently opened at 3276 Lakeshore with excellent reviews. Judging by the lines out the door, they're doing very well.

2. Further down Lakeshore at 3227A, Cafe Cote D'Or specializes in California wines and French cuisine and on Friday nights from 7-10 pm, the Vijay Anderson Trio performs. Beginning on the 22nd of this month, they will also be featuring jazz performances on Sunday's from 6-9 pm.

3. Day of the Dead Coffee, which just opened on Grand two doors up from the Grand Lake Theatre, wins the prize for whimsy and eye-popping decor. The murals which encircle the room were all done by the very talented Peter Lee. Also, be sure to check out the window displays and the stunning, fabric-draped ceilings. Make a point of introducing yourself to owner Smoky Rosier, who insisted (tongue in cheek) that I describe him as "handsome". He is that, but more importantly he's extremely charming. I predict the ambience will be the perfect match for a menu that features coffee, hot dogs and sandwiches. Within a couple of weeks, watch for their formal Grand Opening and for the debut of their Day of the Dead Band.

4. Just around the corner on Lake Park Avenue, (next to KFC), Gelato Firenze is also looking forward to their own Grand Opening. This afternoon, I introduced myself to Ashley Young, the owner and took a quick tour. Ashley's done a great job on the interior with patinated plaster which she says will be decorated with memorabilia from Florence. Ashley is planning to offer 40 flavors of Gelato and Sorbet including some that are soy-based for those of us who are lactose-intolerant. All will be made on the premises. Gelato Firenze will be open seven days a week. Hours are basically Noon to 10:00 pm, but they'll open at 10:00 am on Saturday's and close one hour later on Friday's and Saturday's.

5. Although, the L'Amyx Tea Bar at the corner of Lakeshore and Mandana has been open for quite some time, they earned special notice in this space for a couple of reasons. In the first place, owner Marcia Lam contacted me this afternoon and offered us on a weekly basis a substantial quantity of tea leaf compost that is destined for Splash Pad's Native Plant Garden. If on future visits, you notice the landscaping is looking far healthier and smelling especially fragrant, please credit the tea. The more important reason for including L'Amyx is to note that they are open late--as are all the ventures listed above. As a long-time neighborhood resident, I'm really pleased to see so many establishments open into the late evening hours. It makes for a far more vibrant and safer neighborhood.

Geese Management at Lake Merritt Meeting July 26

Councilmembers Pat Kernighan and Nancy Nadel are hosting a meeting at the Lake Merrit Garden Center (just down the street from Fairyland) to discuss possible solutions to the impact the geese are having on the park. If you're interested in this subject, I'd encourage you to take a look at the article I wrote for the first edition of the Grand Lake Guardian last August and also be sure to attend the meeting on the 26th which begins at 7:00 pm. I promise you, feathers will fly!

Recommendations

Whatever your age, if you haven't already seen the Prescott School Clowns, you really owe it to yourself to do so. This is a program that has been ongoing for some twenty-five years that gives kids from some of Oakland's most disadvantaged neighborhoods poise, confidence, discipline and pride in what they are able to accomplish. It is a truly fun and heart-warming experience and best of all--it's free! There are a total of four shows on July 18 and 19 at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts on Alice Street. For more information including show times and reservation information, please visit the Prescott School Clowns website.

While ticket prices are a bit steep, it's a lot cheaper and easier than a trip to Burning Man and I'd very highly recommend the Crucible's annual Fire Arts Festival which began Wednesday and runs through Saturday. There is something quite primal about fire that strikes our most basic senses but what you'll see has little kinship with a flickering flame in your fireplace. Think more in terms of fire-belching dragons. I kid you not. This is mind-bending fun.

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