11.30.07
Posted in News, Events, Jingletown at 5:27 am by OaklandGoods
This year’s official Shop Oakland bags have been released to merchants, and with them the city resumes free weekend holiday parking at several of its garages. (I’d tell you which ones if the Shop Oakland Web page was up - I’m told it will relaunch Monday, Dec.3.)
Along with the bags, you can pick up a “Passport” at many local merchants. It’s full of coupons and info about neighborhoods and shopping districts you may have overlooked. Pick up a stamp from each area and send your Passport to the city for a chance to win prizes. The grand prize includes hotel reservations, cash, and a gondola ride on Lake Merritt. It’s a great excuse to explore while you do your holiday shopping.
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This weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m., Lost Canyon Winery is hosting a holiday open house. Tickets are available through their Web site and the cost is $25 or $10 for members of the wine club. Wine and food will be served, and prizes will be raffled off. Let’s hope some of the giveaways are in bottles!
lost canyon winery
2102 dennison st. ste. a
510.524.9314
www.lostcanyonwinery.com
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11.29.07
Posted in News at 7:03 pm by OaklandGoods
Hi friends,
Thanks so much to those of you who have taken my little survey. I really appreciate the positive responses and I am taking your suggestions to heart! It has also been great to hear how much you’re enjoying the blog.
For those who haven’t been surveyed, click here. It’s only seven questions and your answers will help me build OaklandGoods. The survey closes next week, so now’s your chance!
Thanks again!
Jessica
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Posted in GoodEats, The Dimond at 1:02 pm by OaklandGoods
As I nibbled my spicy iced lemon oatmeal cookie, I debated saving this post until tomorrow, but I could not. La Farine, the venerable French bakery, has opened a new spot in the Dimond, two doors down from Peet’s.
In the former home of a Payless Shoes, the sleek bakery is churning out crusty baguettes, seasonal breads, the aforementioned cookies, and an awesome array of tarts and cakes.
It’s a big change for what is shaping up to be a gourmet block. What’s next for the neighborhood? I’m told a sushi bar is in the works and talks with the owners of Lanesplitters could bring another location of the pizza and pub joint next year.
la farine
3411 fruitvale ave
510.531.7750
www.lafarine.com
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Posted in OaklandGoods at 6:05 am by OaklandGoods
Mariposa Baby, which I first found at the Oakland Indie Awards, is offering free shipping for the holidays. The company sells only to small, independent businesses, at trunk shows, and online. Orders through the Web site will be shipped at no cost until December 16, so you’ll save on sweet sleepsacks and snuggly onesies. All Mariposa Baby items come packaged in a signature box for easy gifting.
sleepsack image from mariposababy.com
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11.28.07
Posted in Piedmont Ave., News at 12:19 pm by OaklandGoods
There’s a reason to celebrate Thursday evenings! Philippa Roberts of the eponymous home, gift, and jewelry shop, is holding special events every Thursday night in December. Wine, cheese, and holiday treats will be on offer to shoppers from 4-7 p.m. Roberts’ jewelry will also be on sale throughout the month at a discount of 15%.
philippa roberts
4176 piedmont ave
510.655.0656
images from www.PhilippaRoberts.com
On a different note, the Oakland Merchants Leadership Forum kicks off their Shopping Local for the Holidays campaign tonight, but when I went to the Shop Oakland Web site, the server was down! Try them later for details? The new “Passport” coupon book will be unveiled along with the latest Shop Local shopping bags for city merchants.
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11.20.07
Posted in GoodEats, Gold Coast at 1:51 pm by OaklandGoods
random internet image
The bad news first: I had a long post all planned, but an icky flu is keeping me from going out for photos.
The Good News Cafe: Yesterday, while wandering near the lake, I came across the Good News Cafe in the Gold Coast neighborhood. It’s a sweet neighborhood coffee joint, around for just over a year, that’s so tiny it seats just four inside and four outside. But what they lack in size is made up for in charm. The little spot serves espresso, teas, bagel sandwiches, smoothies, and cocoa. Wi-Fi is available and the pro-neighborhood vibe is in effect.
Turn the corner next time you pass The Essex on a walk around the lake - you can’t miss it.
good news cafe
155 17th street at madison
510.834.0616
6:30 am - 7:30 pm
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11.18.07
Posted in GoodEats, Montclair, News at 6:43 pm by OaklandGoods
Jeff, co-owner of Farmstead with his wife, wrote in to tell OaklandGoods that they plan to have the shop up and running just after the first of the year. They are also the team behind Alameda’s Farmstead Cheeses and Wines in the Alameda Marketplace, and after four years of going strong, they decided to expand their business into their Oakland neighborhood.
That’s the update! If you have storefront or other Oakland events and business news, pass it along to editor@oaklandgoods.com.
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11.17.07
Posted in News at 5:03 pm by OaklandGoods
Dear friends,
In order to better serve you, I’m interested in knowing what you’d like to see more of on OaklandGoods. What works? What do you want to read about? Please take my short (7 questions) survey so I know what you want from OaklandGoods.
Thanks!
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11.16.07
Posted in OaklandGoods, Downtown at 10:22 am by OaklandGoods
It’s rare that I steal an idea from another publication, so I want to give a shout out to Oakland Magazine for featuring these cool Fwraps, made right in downtown Oakland. Sized to hold cd’s, books, and dvd’s, the fabric wrappings are both earth-friendly and save time. There’s no lengthy wrapping process, presents are gorgeous, and there’s no stress about how to fit all that crumpled giftwrap into the recycling bin. Plus, the Fwrap itself becomes a kind of bonus gift to the recipient. Fwraps start at just $8, and come in a variety of bold colors or traditional holiday red and green.
Fwraps are available online at www.Fwraps.com.
Looking for something to put inside the Fwrap? Try the murder mystery Woman of Ill Fame or another novel by Oakland author Erika Mailman, who has written several guides to local history.
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11.14.07
Posted in Piedmont Ave., Events at 8:33 pm by OaklandGoods
You know what they say in journalism - two of anything makes a trend. Thus, I announce the Piedmont Avenue Needlecraft Trend! Well, maybe that’s a bit overstated, but two new crafty shops have opened within a block of each other.
Five weeks ago, Lan Nguyen launched Piedmont Fabric, aiming to fill the void left by the closure of Poppy earlier this year. They’re still stocking up and classes won’t start until December, but the shop provides an array of sewing materials that would make any quilter proud. There’s a great selection of vintage buttons and trendy prints, as well as more specialized goods like embroidered ultrasuede and beaded lace. Most of the staff comes from Poppy, too, so expect expert service and advice.
Piedmont Fabric’s grand opening celebration is this Saturday, so it’s a perfect time to stop by.
piedmont fabric
3858 piedmont ave
510.655.1213
www.piedmontfabric.com
Then three weeks age, Brente Petersen opened Piedmont Yarn & Apparel. The store carries a wide array of knitting supplies and accessories with a focus on organic and locally made yarns. Bamboo, silk, and organic cotton materials are available, as are yarns made by do-good companies including Mango Moon and locally spun fiber from Napa’s Goat Hill Farm (don’t they make yogurt, too?).
For those planning to be regulars, the free Fiber Artisans Club gets you the e-mail newsletter, discounts on come classes, and access to the knitting needle library.
piedmont yarn & apparel
3966 piedmont ave. ste. 1
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