07.15.08
Posted in OaklandGoods, GoodLife, Grand Lake, The Temescal, Downtown, News, Old Oakland, Events at 9:47 pm by OaklandGoods
Dear friends,
Has it really been two weeks since I last posted..? Ah, well. It’s symptomatic of my hectic life. I’ve got a new job with a crazy commute, which leaves me a lot less time for exploring the newest, best bits of Oakland.
To that end, are there any fellow bloggers out there who would like to contribute to OaklandGoods on a semi-regular basis? I’d love to have a collaborator and to make this a site that’s consistently being updated. If you’re interested, please email me at jessica@oaklandgoods.com with a link to your blog or writing.
For example, I’ve been meaning to write about the Thursday Night Live concerts from the awesome Oakland Events, Marc 49 wine bar, and the current Bastille Day sale that’s on at Mignonne.
The new Marc 49 Wine Bar in Temescal
I also got an appeal for letters of support for Neldam’s. The owner’s taking them to a meeting with the mayor. If you love coconut cake, speak up!
Finally, I just bought a gorgeous shirt from Oaklandish. The signature tree image is great, but there are some really great designs available right now, so check out what’s for sale at their online store (free shipping!) or at the Grand Lake Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.
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06.26.08
Posted in The Temescal, Events at 1:22 pm by OaklandGoods
Temescal Street Cenema tonight is showing the documentary Girls Rock! about Girls Rock Camp, where tweens learn to jam. Bring a chair and tuck in for free popcorn and a screening. 8:30 p.m. at the Bank of the West building, 49th and Telegraph. The free showings will continue on Thursdays through July 17 at the same time. Bike and art events precede almost every screening. Check the movie schedule for more.
Also on that corner, there’s news that wine bar Marc 49 opens tonight at 6:30. If you pass by and see something cool, take a picture and send it over.
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06.25.08
Posted in GoodEats, GoodLife, The Temescal, Downtown, News, Old Oakland, Events at 10:46 am by OaklandGoods
Good news: Some Oakland businesses are thriving: I popped into now-veteran Tamarindo the other evening for drinks with a friend and ended up weaving through waiting people to stumble out full of poblano chiles and handmade corn tortillas. The new Mixing Bowl, which took the place of the Temescal Cafe, seems to be going gangbusters, too.
Bad News: DeLauer’s is closing. After a hundred and one years, the 24-hour newsstand at Broadway and 13th will close its doors because of flagging business. This comes immediately on the heels of the Cody’s closure yesterday in Berkeley, which just makes me sad. Anyone have news of the current status of Neldams?
Party News: In comparison to the city’s venerable businesses, Mignonne is a relative newbie. It’s celebrating its second birthday Thursday from 5-9 p.m. with a d.j., a raffle, and a huge sale. 1000 Jefferson St. BART: 12th St Oakland.
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06.20.08
Posted in GoodEats, GoodLife, The Temescal, Downtown, Jack London Square at 3:52 pm by OaklandGoods
No, it’s not ice cream. It’s not even gelato. Scream is the East Bay’s latest frozen delight - and it’s sorbet. Before I go into the delicious, bursting-with-fruit flavors, I need to acknowledge that Scream isn’t technically made in Oakland. However, it’s made on Oakland’s edge, and it’s carried at our farmers markets. On a hot day like today, that’s good enough for me! In fact, Scream’s sorbet makers Nate and Ari buy their fruit and other ingredients at local farmers markets, then process it into the yummy sorbets they bring back to the markets to sell. It’s full circle.
Last weekend I had the good fortune to sample, um, all of Scream’s weekly flavors (they have six each time). I was bowled over by how real they tasted. There’s some indication in the deep colors of the sorbet, but you really have to try it to understand just how much taste can be packed into each tiny spoonful. My favorite was the cherry lime, which was pleasantly tart. I also enjoyed the novelty of the carrot-ginger flavor, which is made without water, so it’s very dense.
Vegans and the lactose averse will love the nut-based flavors, which are rich and fulfilling. In fact, most of the flavors are vegan. Beth, part of the Scream crew, told me that there will be more nut flavors as summer ebbs. For now, grab some strawberry-rhubarb and eat it before it melts!
Find Scream this at Friday’s Old Oakland farmers market or Sunday’s Jack London or Temescal farmers markets.
photos snagged with Beth’s permission from Scream’s flickr stream
http://www.screamsorbet.com
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01.23.08
Posted in The Temescal, OaklandArts at 6:49 pm by OaklandGoods
It’s a sign. It means you’ve reached the Rowan Morrison Gallery and artist’s bookstore. Owners and Oakland artists Pete and Narangkar Glover feature six shows a year. They also sell a variety of cool imported books, sketch books, ‘zines, illustrated items, and other art-related reading material both in the gallery and online. Their awesome blog chronicles cool art book finds.
The current show features artist Misty Avila Ovalles, and the next show goes up February 6. This month’s First Friday will feature a closing reception for Ovalles.
rowan morrison
330 40th st.
510.384.5344
www.rowanmorrison.com
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01.15.08
Posted in DoGooder, OaklandGoods, The Temescal, OaklandArts at 2:09 pm by OaklandGoods
When I lived in Berkeley, I used to ride my bike to the East Bay Center for Creative Reuse almost weekly, so it’s a little embarassing that I’m just getting around to posting about it now. The depot relocated last May to the Temescal, occupying a corner right near the Lanesplitter. It took a while for them to get their signage up, but it’s now very findable.
A heaven for teachers, artists, crafty folks, and anyone who enjoys sorting through cast-off stuff for gems, the depot has bins full of art supplies, furnishings, jewelry, and loads of old junk from the U.C. I was intrigued by the boxes of magazine microfilm from the university library (see above) and by a bin of hockey pucks (see below). What will you find?
In addition to shopping, you can donate your stuff (in good condition) for a tax deduction. It’s best to call ahead to get your donation pre-approved. For hours and the list of acceptable items, check the Web site. And since the depot is a non-profit, you can also donate your time.
*
east bay depot for creative reuse
4695 telegraph ave
510.547.6470
www.east-bay-depot.org
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12.20.07
Posted in GoodEats, The Temescal at 5:03 am by OaklandGoods
Alas, there’s no photographic proof of my delicious dinner at Pizzaiolo, only my happy belly and a food-coma smile. And yes, I know the restaurant is not new, but it hasn’t been around that long, just long enough for the line to have died down enough that you can walk right in at 6:30 on a Wednesday and be seated immediately.
First, I wish their bread had been less good. I like places with slightly stale bread, because I’m not compelled to eat it. Pizzaiolo’s bread was moist and sour with a crispy crust and creamery butter. Yum.
My friend and I shared the squid, which was tender and flavorful. There are a lot of ways squid can go wrong, and all pitfalls were avoided. We followed that with a wood-fired pizza topped with black trumpet mushrooms and a side of sage-flecked butternut squash. The pizza was a little crispy for my dining companion, but I thought the thin crust was perfectly done, crisp around the edges and hearty enough to feel like a meal.
From the squash, I learned a couple of things: 1. I don’t use enough butter at Thanksgiving, and 2. I don’t use enough salt at Thanksgiving. Slather on these ingredients and the butternut sings. The sage and brown butter added enough to make half a bowl of what is basically baby food remain interesting throughout.
The one miss was the panna cotta. The panna cotta itself was sweet, but not that interesting, and it was topped with a spoonful of marmalade, which was tart and not that interesting. It was tasty, but definitely the least noteworthy part of the meal.
Overall, I loved the warm, inviting atmosphere. The bar was full of diners and everyone seemed happy. The staff was polite and attentive, and I left feeling like I would return very soon. Here’s hoping!
Oh, and I also had a yummy Scoff Law cocktail. I can’t remember the ingredients, something with rye..?
pizzaiolo
5008 telegraph
510.652.4888
www.pizzaoilooakland.com
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11.05.07
Posted in The Temescal at 2:46 am by OaklandGoods
Dia de los Muertos altar from the hallway next to Dona Tomas
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06.18.07
Posted in The Temescal, Downtown at 4:41 am by OaklandGoods
No doom and gloom here - by last chance I mean that this is the last session of classes at the Alice Arts Center, because Studio One is going home this fall! After way longer than the year it was supposed to be camping out on the corner of 14th St., Studio One will finally be moving home to its original building next to Oakland Tech and the Temescal Pool. The bond-funded retrofit will be complete, and arts-and-crafters will hopefully not have to worry about the safety of their unreinforced masonry building.
Originally built in 1894 as a Children’s Home, Studio One was converted to a city recreation center in the late 1940’s. It has served as a home to community theater, art classes, yoga classes, dances, summer camp, and all kinds of other activities since. Frankly, I can’t wait to get back in there.
But in the interim, the Malonga Casquelord Center for the Arts is a pretty cool space too, so find yourself a fun class and sign up to do something crafty one night a week. It’s like camp for grown-ups. Classes start June 25.
(We’ll be back here soon!)
studio one at malonga casquelourd center for the arts
1428 alice st.
510.597.5027
http://www.oaklandnet.com/parks/facilities/rc_studioone.asp
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03.30.07
Posted in OaklandGoods, The Temescal at 6:21 pm by OaklandGoods
When Richard and Charlotte Oelerich decided to skip the pond from London to California, they weren’t sure of their ultimate destination, but a coastal road trip sealed the deal - Oakland would be their new home. In finding a location for their bike store, they were looking for foot and bike traffic, an area without a bike shop, and a strong community.
What better place to dismount than across the street from the Lanesplitter pub?
The shop has only been open two weeks and already cyclists with squeaky brakes and flat tires are popping in to consult. In addition to fixing bikes, they sell a wide variety of cycles, locks, and helmets, as well as a selection of riding togs by Fox and Specialized.
The Grand Opening is scheduled for Friday, April 6, to coincide with the April First Friday art walk, and prizes and refreshments will be on offer. “My favorite things are combinations of four letter words,” Richard says, “free beer, free food, free hats…” Expect those things and more when you stop by Tip Top next week.
tip top bike shop
4800 A telegraph ave.
510.444.4148
thursdays through mondays, with late hours on thursdays
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