Places Of Note

Farmers Stick Around Until 2pm

The Montclair Farmers’ Market is one of our success stories.  Farmers conduct business here every Sunday, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, and we’re faithful shoppers.

Tomorrow the farmers will test extended hours until 2:00 pm.  If we show up, they will be there permanently.  I think its a safe bet because many folks appear right before closing time.

We all seem to like this compact market, which requires one walking loop on LaSalle.  While I’m not a chef, it’s still nice to pick up fresh-picked fruit, veggies or nuts.  I typically buy a small sweet potato pie which seldom makes it home.  Sometimes I try a few oysters, because the shucker’s hard at work there.

The freebies are the real draw.  Most recently, the lush peaches have been sliced for sampling, much like a wine-tasting event.  How come this isn’t done at a standard supermarket, organic or otherwise?

Not For Tourists cynically called the weekly market “Rich People and Fresh Veggies,” but went on to explain that “It’s still pretty cool.  Every Sunday, the fresh veggie peddlers and the go-getting entrepreneurs with their recipes…do their thing.”

During market hours, you experience the small-town feel of Montclair Village.  There’s usually live music, mayoral dog campaigns, various fundraisers, political canvassers of all stripes, and our city rep, Jean Quan, holding court monthly.

It’s the only time when locals get out and actually commune with each other.  Maybe I’ll grab an Indian curry and hang out tomorrow, now that the hours are longer.

Uncommon Sign Of Liquors and Cleaners

We pass by the Crown business empire constantly – it’s right on Moraga (map) and you can’t miss it.  I always liked the juxtaposition of these two businesses, Crown Wine & Spirits and Crown Cleaners.  The free parking is a real draw, too.

However, I didn’t consider the place in artistic terms, until a Walnut Creeker named Kelly (aka WalledIn) snapped the sign when she passed through the Village recently.  “I’ve always been intrigued by the structures of days gone by,” she explained.

Given the push from this image, I decided the Crown business sign could be transformed rather easily into pop art.  It’s possible to invert this image into an Andy Warhol-like piece, pretty cool.  See the “before” and “after” images here.

Beyond the facade, what do Villagers think about the Crown businesses?

For the liquors, it’s a tough crowd especially with other outlets for wine.  Yelper Patricia still gave props: “Crown Liquors is our go-to store for wine and other libations… The guys who work there are great and always have a joke and a smile for their customers.  Factor in the parking lot, and you’ve got 5 stars!”

The cleaners seems to be doing well, lately.  Yelper Christophe P. explained: “This place seems to be under different ownership than in years past.  The owner and those who work for her are all very friendly… I like these people, they have always done a good job with our clothes, and they haven’t lost a piece of our clothing.”

So the Crown businesses are filling the everyday needs of Villagers.  Yet it’s nice when someone notices something uncommon about them – even if it’s simply the signage.

Honeymoons Remembered At Dunsmuir

Dunsmuir Estate is a great spot in the Oakland Hills, which the public may visit and enjoy on special occasions.  On Friday, there’s a Movie Night celebrating the estate’s star-crossed honeymoon history and So I Married An Axe Murderer will be shown.

Dunsmuir was built by a groom who died on his honeymoon and never moved in.  After his death, his widowed bride lived there until her untimely death two years later, in 1901.

Hollywood discovered this photogenic estate years later, including honeymoon scenes filmed for So I Married An Axe Murderer (see video trailer).  Starring Mike Myers and Nancy Travis, this 1993 summer flick is about a guy who definitely picks the wrong person to marry!

This outdoor screening of Axe Murderer sounds like a nice way to wind up the week.  Dunsmuir’s gate opens at 6pm for picnics, while the movie begins at dusk.  Admission costs only $5/person.  The estate is located at 2960 Peralta Oaks Court, off Highway 580 (directions).

Montclarions Settle In

Everyone agrees that Montclair is a stable burg, but why?  Sometimes this is hard to answer, so here’s more statistical proof.

Our Village is comprised of 80% homeowners versus 43% for Oakland overall.  Also the median time living here is 4.7 years versus 3.3 years for Oakland.  Yes, Montclarions settle in for a while.

We own homes as empty nesters or non-parents.  There’s an average of two people per household and just a quarter of homes with kids.

We don’t make much of a dent in the Oakland stats, because Montclair represents about one percent of Oakland by population size.   So you have to dig around to unearth our unique patterns.

This week, real estate site Redfin made these and other community stats available.  While the stats help buyers compare places to live, they also provide a window into what makes our Village tick.

Take An Oakland Port Cruise

To wrap up the summer, consider taking a free cruise through the Port of Oakland – the fourth busiest container port in the U.S.  This tour sounds like something fun to do with your kids, who should be thrilled to see the big cranes and container ships in our busy seaport.

The last summer cruise is scheduled for August 21st, from 10:30am-11:30am.  All passengers are asked to board the ferry boat a half-hour before departure from the Oakland Ferry Terminal, at Jack London Square (and Clay Street).

During the tour, there will be a guide who discusses Port operations and points out highlights.  The ferry sails around the Oakland estuary and harbor.

Unlike when you gaze from the Bay Bridge, this cruise allows you to view maritime activities from a very close vantage point.  It’s likely you will see ships unloading their cargo as well as other operations.

The boat also passes by the Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, an oasis that’s adjacent to the marine terminals.  When you’re back on land, it’s the prime spot to continue gawking at the big rigs.

Spots for this final summer tour may fill up fast!  Reservations can be made online or by calling the tour hot-line at (510) 627-1188.

If you miss out, there are fall cruises on September 18th and October 16th, at both 10:30am and 1:00pm.  These days won’t work for school kids – but you can take a reconnaissance tour.