A gondola in Oakland? Oaktown? Oaksterdam?

Yes. And here's proof.




You can catch one at The Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill right on the shores of Lake Merritt.


(Okay, maybe I overplayed it saying "the shores of Lake Merritt" as if it were Chicago and Lake Michigan. But I do *love* Lake Merritt.)

Mini review of The Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill: The food is quite good. Service excellent. The environment is very special.

[Disclaimer: Ms. Manitoba is not affiliated in any way with this restaurant. I don't know anyone who works there or owns the place. Ms. Manitoba just likes to get around town and try restaurants. And give kudos where appropriate.]

Oakland Museum of California Opens After Major Renovation

all photographs (c) 2010 K. Smokey Cormier

Last night I went to the grand opening of the Oakland Museum of California. It was exciting and the museum, which has undergone major renovation, is gorgeous. A delicious orange color pulls the museum’s ensemble together beautifully. It starts with the exterior signs -- beautiful against the sky.

The art gallery is so much bigger. It feels good walking through. I realize now how pinched I felt in the old, much smaller gallery.

Don't lick the paintings

The California History exhibit spreads out now too and the museum can show off their collection. The gardens are open and have tables so you can sit out there. (It was a bit too cool to sit there last night but I look forward to those warm Oakland days.)

The museum's store has been enlarged too and it dazzles. Make sure to stop by and say hello to all the friendly and helpful clerks.

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Disclosure: A dear friend works there. But I loved the Oakland Museum before he started working there so I feel perfectly comfortable singing its praises. And another thing, I love Oakland and will always point out something wonderful here.
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I love bringing my daughters to this museum. It makes us all feel good -- there's something about the architecture here and the natural light as you travel through the levels. I love the way the walk-through is a series of broad steps up and then a series of steps down. However, don’t fear -- the museum is wheel chair accessible too.

You can read more about the design and read more information about the museum here.

Why is this museum and its renovation important for the residents of Oakland? We are inundated with depressing stories about Oakland too often. To me, the museum is like the Oakland Rose Garden (also called Morcom Park) -- it is a treasure, someplace to visit that makes you feel good. And I love art. I find the Oakland Museum so accessible. It’s so easy to go there. Since I’ve lived here in Oakland, I have always wanted to support the institutions that uplift our spirits. Plus, did you know that lots of community events happen at the Oakland Museum? Yep. They’ve got lots of spaces.

I love all the nooks and crannies at the museum. I can sit and relax for a moment before I go on to the next activity.

I took lots of photos ... so keep scrolling and you’ll get a little taste of the museum’s new look. And, if you have time tomorrow or Sunday (1 May 2010 and 2 May 2010), go and visit. The Oakland Museum of California will be open from 11:00 am Saturday until 6:00 pm Sunday. Yes, that’s right -- it will be open all through the night! It's free to get in during that entire period.

I’m sorry I didn’t get the names of the pieces or the artist ... I had limited time there last night. I’m going back tomorrow night.

This is one of the gardens. You can see the Alameda Country Superior Court just beyond.

Tortilla Art - this guy was doing silk screens on tortillas -- and they were edible!

Note: The new cafe won't be ready until July.

Art: American Prayer Flags

Copyright April McDonald

Oakland artist April McDonald has kindly allowed this blog to post a virtual exhibit of her found art. It's not everybody who can turn out something so beautiful, political, powerful, and communicative with bits and pieces rescued from those who don't possess the wherewithal to see art in everyday things.

Copyright April McDonald

So much for Gertrude Stein's message about Oakland. There is a there there.

Copyright April McDonald

Armed with the everyday household implements of glue, stamps, scissors, thread, needle, and a few other materials, including rolls of felt of different colours, Ms. McDonald has found a way to create powerful images with a message:

Copyright April McDonald

Is there a gallery out there that will host these prayer flags?

Copyright April McDonald

Some of the messages are downright subversive:

Copyright April McDonald

If you know of a gallery that is looking for local artists' exhibits of their work, please let us know.



We will be posting more from this artist soon:

Copyright April McDonald

All images in this post are the property of April and Ian McDonald. Please respect their copyright, and do not reproduce these images without the express permission of the artists. Photos by Ian McDonald. Copyright April and Ian McDonald.

EAT REAL in Oakland, CA

The Eat Real Food Festival is happening in Oakland this weekend. For those of you who live close by, I hope you go. There's some really good food there and other good stuff.

Here are some photos from the festival ...

All photos (c) 2009 K. Smokey Cormier

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with any of the businesses or with Eat Real Food Festival. I'm just a loyal citizen in Oakland.

The folks at California Canoe and Kayak are really nice. I've rented a kayak from them a couple of times and went out with my daughters -- great fun!

Oakland's Morcom Rose Garden - Mother's Day 2009

(c) 2009 K. Smokey Cormier (all photos)

I blogged last week about my visit to the Morcom Rose Garden. That day was cold, wet, and foggy. I went back today and it was warm and very sunny.



I went for a walk with my friend, Pat. Mother's Day. The two of us mothers. The two of us friends for a long time. We walked around leisurely and talked. Yes, often about our kids. But we also looked at the beautiful roses. There were many more people there today ... but it was not in the least crowded. This really is such a wonderful garden to visit when you feel contemplative ... or you just want to go somewhere with glorious color and quiet.



Those tightly closed roses last week are open now. All over.







We strolled down the Mother of the Year Walk, looking at names and dates.



There was no name filled in for this year. When does the name get applied? And who picks the Mother of the Year anyway?

Last week I didn't have much time to walk around. Today we walked all around. There were beautiful views everywhere! This really is such a gem of a park.









THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!! What a great job you've done.

After the garden we went to La Taza de Café around the corner on Grand Ave. Now, folks, neither of us knows anyone who has anything to do with this restaurant so this recommendation comes from honesty. It was scruptious! Nice ending to our visit to the garden.