Oaktoberfest 2012

It’s that time of the year in the Dimond District for OAKTOBERFEST!!!!! Yahoooo! Farmer Joe’s is one of the proud sponsors for this family friendly event. There’s something for everyone with food (and beer) galore, and a smorgasbord of kid’s activities and entertainment.
Date: Saturday October 6, 2012
Time: 11am – 6pm
More info here.

6th Anniversary Celebration

Oakland Indie Award 2012 Nominee

None other than our fabulous Farmer Joe’s. Woot! Woot! Woot!

Dimond Night Out, Tuesday June 5, 2012

Neighbors and visitors are invited to take a leisurely stroll around the Dimond Business District on Tuesday, June 5, from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. to taste their way through a selection of treats offered by participating restaurants and merchants. This is the first Dimond Night Out and promises to be a pleasant evening that will include tasty food samples, music, a jumpy-house for children, and even goody bags for pets.

A Dimond Night Out Passport can be purchased for $20 from Kelly’s Corner at 2029 MacArthur Boulevard, “bells & whistles” at 2011 MacArthur Boulevard, Paws & Claws at 3436 Dimond Avenue, and The Bay Leaf Restaurant, 2000 MacArthur Boulevard. Local organizations are also selling Passports including the Dimond Improvement Association board members, Fruitvale Presbyterian Senior Center, 22X NCPC Steering Committee, Dimond Park Rec Center, and Sequoia Dads’ Club. Your Dimond Night Out Passport is your evening’s guide, with a map of all participating merchants, and the ticket to the special treats each merchant is providing.

This event is co-sponsored by the Lions Club and the Dimond Business & Professional Association. Proceeds benefit local non-profit organizations and charities in Dimond including the Fruitvale Presbyterian Senior Center, Fred Finch Youth Center, and the Lincoln Child Care Center.

For more information, visit Shop Dimond.

Oaktoberfest 2011

Farmer Joe’s is a proud sponsor of Oaktoberfest 2011, October 1, 2011, 11am – 6pm, in the Dimond District of Oakland. For more info, go here.

5th Anniversary Celebration

Save the date for Farmer Joe’s Marketplace 5th Anniversary celebration Saturday, June 18, 2011, 1 – 4pm. Fun, Food, and just a rollicking good time.

Darling of the Neighborhood

I love this mural because it illustrates how two artists, Mandy Lockwood and Debra Koppman, can create not only a great sense of community, but a work of art inspired by the drawings and paintings of Sequoia school kids. All on the Fruitvale Avenue side of Farmer Joe’s building. You can see Mandy and Debra painting most days on the mural, which is entitled “Dimond’s Hidden Jewels.” One of the most striking features of their work, besides the excellent artwork, is the number of people who stop to talk to the two artists. Sometimes, I stand across the street and watch and wonder how the mural progresses because so many people stop to chat with the artists. Mandy and Debra remind us, in their art and their actions, what is so wonderful about the Dimond. They have become goodwill ambassadors for our little area.

The mural still has a bit more to go. Please donate, if you can, to help with completion. Checks can be made out and mailed to:
Sequoia Dad’s Club
3720 Lincoln Avenue
Oakland, CA 94602
Please specify on your check, the funds should be directed to the mural project.

Oaktoberfest 2010

Farmer Joe’s is a proud sponsor of this year’s Oaktoberfest in the Dimond District. For more information, click here.

Blessing of the Animals

Fruitvale Presbyterian Church
Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010 11am
2735 MacArthur Blvd.
510.530.0915
Join Fruitvale Presbyterian Church for a special Sunday morning worship, and blessing. Bring your leashed or crated pets with you to church. Worship will be on the patio. All are welcome for worship, a special blessing and liturgy, and to stay for coffee, treats, and fellowship afterward.

Dimond Picnic 2010

The Dimond picnic is TOMORROW!!!! Join your neighbors for fun and free food, Sunday, July 18, 2010, 11am – 3pm. Performances by Circus Bella.

4th Anniversary Celebration

Concert on the Patio Returns

Magic Brook and his soulful acoustic guitar will be returning to Joe’s patio for another free concert. Join us on the patio. Cup of Joe’s coffee bar will be open extended hours for the event. Bring the whole family, relax, and enjoy the afternoon.
Saturday, December 19, 2009, 1 – 5pm

Dimond Winter Celebration

Music on the Patio

Jazz on the Patio, Sat. August 1, 2009

Farmer Joe’s Marketplace on Fruitvale Avenue is hosting another free live jazz event on their covered patio this Saturday, August 1, 2009 from 2:30 until 4:30pm. The guest artist will be award-winning jazz vocalist and Glenview resident, Adam Blankman. Adam will be accompanied by pianist extraordinaire Dan Zemelman. The performance is free and all ages are welcome. Bring the whole family and enjoy the afternoon.

Free Live Music on the Patio

3rd Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, June 20, 2009, 1 – 4pm
3424 Fruitvale Avenue Oakland California 94602
FREE FOOD ~ LIVE MUSIC ~ FREE RAFFLE
Raffle starts at 4pm. You must be present to win, and no purchase is necessary.

Diana and Joe would like to thank the wonderful community and their employees for another great year at Farmer Joe’s

Free Class on Pet Bonding

Beth Murray, CCH, RSHom (NA), and Homeopath at Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Center in Oakland will be offering a free class, “Animals and Us: The Bond is Deeper than We Think.”
Class Location: Paws & Claws 2023 Macarthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94602
Date: Sunday, Feb. 8 at 10:30 a.m.
For more info: (510)336-0105

Lion Dances

January 26, 2009 marks the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Ox. Dancers, drummers, and lion will herald in the New Year with a lion dances at both Farmer Joe’s stores. Don’t miss these dynamic celebrations. Join the lion at Farmer Joe’s!

Sunday, February 1, 2009
Ben Shaolin Kung Fu Lion Dancing Group
        Little Joe’s: 10:40 to 10:50am
        Fruitvale store: 11:00 to 11:20am
Please Note: Lion keeps appointments as best he can, but he is dancing many places on Sunday so times are approximate. Please arrive a few minutes early.

Saturday, February 7, 2009
Buk Sing Choy Lay Fut Lion Dancers
        Little Joe’s: between 10am and 12:00noon

Deepest Sympathy

My deepest sympathy and condolences goes out to the family of Oscar Grant, Joe and Diana Tam, all of Oscar’s friends at Farmer Joe’s, his co-workers, and his friends in the community. Oscar, I will miss your smiling face behind that meat counter at Joe’s. No words can express my sense of loss and outrage at what has happened. Things have happened that simply shouldn’t, and now you are gone.

Dimond Winter Festival

Shaan for All and All for Shaan

I popped in the open door of Shaan Indian Cuisine Restaurant on Fruitvale Avenue near Farmer Joe’s this week. The owner was there and said barring any imminent disasters or paperwork mishaps, he plans to open this week. The interior is gorgeous. I know I speak for the neighborhood when I say, “We can’t wait for naan.”

Wild Silver Brite Salmon SPECIAL

Farmer Joe’s is having a Customer Appreciation Special starting TODAY on their Alaskan Wild Silver Brite Salmon. Customers can get the fish whole or halved for $3.88/lb. or fillets at $5.99/lb. at both stores. Customers can buy any quantity of the fillets. Prices are secured through a special deal with the fishermen, and the Customer Appreciation Special will run until supplies are exhausted. Diana and Joe would like to tell the community, “This is our special way of saying thanks to our customers for their friendship and loyalty.”

Dimond Howl-o-ween

Pet Parade & Costume Party

Dogs, kids, and adults are invited to the 5th Annual Dimond Howl-o-ween Pet Parade and Costume Party. Meet in front of Paws & Claws at 6pm and parade through the Dimond District collecting treats from participating store vendors. Then return to Paws & Claws for an outdoor party behind the store with a campfire and spooky games for kids. Dress warmly!

$5 Donation benefits BadRap
(Bay Area Responsible About Pit Bulls)
Sign up for family portraits by Joyful Dog Designs.

Where: Paws & Claws, 2023 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland
When: Friday, October 31, 2008, 6pm – 9pm
More Info: (510) 336-0105

Blessing of the Animals

Saturday, October 18, 2008
Fruitvale Presbyterian Church
2735 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 530-0915

10:00am
Registration, Coffee, Introductions, & Information

10:30am
Blessings Begin
 
Bring the 2 legged, 4 legged, feather, hooved, and scaled members of your family for a free non-denominational blessing on the church patio! We all love our wonderful animal family members. Have them blessed by Monte McClain, preacher of the Fruitvale Presbyterian Church, for the upcoming year. For additional information and more pictures of last year’s blessings, bounce over to Monte’s blog. Blessing of the Animals is truly an extraordinary event for you and your pets.

Co-Sponsored by Paws & Claws
2023 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 336-0105

Great Pumpkin Contest

The Great Pumpkin Contest is going on now at Farmer Joe’s in the Dimond District. Guess the weight of the huge pumpkin. The person, who guesses closest to the actual weight, wins first prize of $50. The person guessing second closest, wins $25, and third closest guess, wins $10. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Winners revealed after Halloween, and winners need not be present to win. Happy Halloween from your friends at Farmer Joe’s!

Dimond Shopping District is Flourishing

You betcha. The Montclarion published a great article in their real estate section Friday, October 10, 2008. Unfortunately, The Montclarion does not always carry online what they do in print. So, I’m hyperlinking to the author’s web site. Wonderful article, Don. We feel the same way you do!

Oktoberfest in Oakland’s Dimond District

October 4, 2008, 11am until 6pm

Come and join us on MacArthur Boulevard at Fruitvale Avenue for our first annual Oktoberfest. We’re going to celebrate with beer gardens, German food and dance, history tours, food booths, local artisans, a kid’s carnival area, a Green Living and Wellness Expo area and so much more! Don’t miss this extraordinary event. For those interested in making it all happen, we are still looking for volunteers. Please contact Helen Wyman via email or Oakland Event’s web site. For more info on the Dimond District’s Oktoberfest, follow the link.

East Bay Aids Walk at Lake Merritt

Saturday, September 6th, 2008
Around Lake Merritt with registration starting at 9:00am
For more info visit the web site

Nama Sushi

NAMA IS OPEN!!! The sushi restaurant is located next to Farmer Joe’s at 3400 Fruitvale Avenue in Oakland’s Dimond District. The grand opening is tomorrow, but the place was packed tonight with neighbors and sushi aficionados at the pre-opening. We sat at a back table, waiting impatiently with our chopsticks for our Dragon, Dream Gina, and House Special rolls. They were DIVINE! Delicious. Superb. Okay, maybe I am going on a bit, but they were wonderfully tasty. Before we finished eating, a line formed out the door. I can see the place becoming a big draw. I can also see a lot of the neighbors inside. I can also see myself eating a lot more of that Dream Gina roll. For more information, roll yourself on over to Monte’s blog.

Laurel Street Festival

Saturday, August 9, 2008 1 – 6 pm
MacArthur Boulevard between 35th and 38th Avenue

Dimond Picnic

Summer, summer, summertime in the Dimond with the Dimond Picnic, where else but in Dimond Park THIS SUNDAY, July 27, 10am – 3pm. The festivities start at 10am sharp with Dennis Evanosky leading his historic tour of the district. This tour is truly amazing. Last year, Dennis presented old black and white photos, discussed such topics as our former beer gardens and turn-around cable cars. Don’t be late and don’t miss it this year. When the tour ends, the food begins. Our food sponsors are our wonderful Farmer Joe’s, Two Star Market, and Peet’s Coffee. It is a picnic with delicious delights for everyone. Dimond Merchants’ Association is sponsoring a raffle, and entertainment abounds. Crafts and games. BELLY DANCING. Need I say more? Woman’s Will is staging a new twist on a classic. Lion’s Pool is sponsoring a free swim. Come one. Come all. For Food. For Fun.

Estancia Grass-Fed Beef Tasting

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 12, 1 – 5 pm. Estancia is grilling their grass-fed beef at Farmer Joe’s Marketplace for a free public tasting. Estancia Beef has an exceptional taste, and for good reasons. Their cattle are 100% grass fed, and free range, wandering the pampas, eating lush grasses, never enclosed in fences or feedlots. Estancia beef is naturally exercised and naturally fed. No hormones or growth promoting antibiotics are ever added. For more information visit the Estancia Beef web site, and feel free to speak to their representatives on Saturday at Joe’s. Hope to see you there!

Anniversary Celebration

Let the good times roll. Farmer Joe’s Marketplace is having a repeat performance of their anniversary celebration. It’s their second year, and Farmer Joe’s is inviting the whole neighborhood, their friends, loyal customers, and employees to a free barbeque with live music and a free raffle. Please come join Farmer Joe’s in their celebration as they thank the community and their employees. I got a sneak peak at some of the raffle prizes today. In all honesty I can’t say what is the grand prize. On Saturday, Joe’s will be raffling off a bicycle, an MP3 player, a set of golf clubs, Joe’s gift certificates, and an All-in-One – a printer, copier, scanner. WOW! I also heard some whispering about a 5 star wine tour. Remember, all raffle tickets are FREE. The raffles start at 5pm, and you must be present to win. Don’t miss out on the food and fun this Saturday at Joe’s Marketplace.

Where: Farmer Joe’s Marketplace at 3426 Fruitvale Avenue
When: Saturday, June 21, 2008, 2 – 5pm

Art Up

This is the new mural at Farmer Joe’s. I love it. The colors are so vibrant and the subject is our beloved Dimond District. It’s painted on the outside of the store on the patio, along with the other must-see murals.

Around the corner, at the Dimond Café, Rita Sklar’s watercolors are on exhibit. Stop, have a cup of jo, and enjoy the free Wifi. It’s turned on and ready for surfing.

Further down the street at Paws and Claws, the front window has been painted by our local artist Amy Jo Karn. The window has a cat, dog, and rabbit frolicking in the spring grass. For those of you with pets, don’t forget this coming Sunday’s free class at Paws & Claws, Dealing with End of Life Issues. The class will be guided by Dr. Gary Richter, DVM, MS. Follow the hyperlink for details.

Buzz in the Burg, Dimond District Style

There’s so much buzz going on in the Dimond District of Oakland these days, I hardly know where to start. New stores are opening.

Arabella and Company, at 2006 MacArthur Boulevard, had their grand opening on Friday. It’s a great place to buy unique furnishings and pieces for your home and garden for yourself or as gifts.

A couple of doors down, New to You, children’s boutique opened at 2010 MacArthur Boulevard. They offer new and gently used children’s clothes, toys, accessories, and furniture.

Further up the street near Coolidge Avenue at 2710 MacArthur Boulevard, Lipstick had a hopping red carpet opening from 7 – 11pm Friday night. It was an extravaganza. Lipstick carries hip fashions for the ladies.

The next new store is technically in the Laurel District, but I’m claiming them because they’re so cool. It’s the Oakland Acupuncture Project at 3576 Laurel Avenue. They offer acupuncture at a very reasonable rated sliding scale.

I’m putting Dimond Café in the new store section because they have literally reinvented themselves. Located at 3430 Fruitvale Avenue, they used to sell primarily donuts and coffee. They now offer coffee, pasties, a café atmosphere, and WiFi.

I’ve also heard another location to get WiFi in the burg is at the Dimond Library located at 3565 Fruitvale Avenue. My sources tell me you can hook onto their WiFi for free.

Besides all these actual openings, a rumor is floating that our beloved Los Comales might be opening up a second Mexican restaurant in the Laurel District. YEAH! There ain’t no better carne asada quesadilla anywhere, than there. Keep your fingers crossed on that one.

New stores aren’t the only happenings in the Dimond. New classes!

Our pals at Paws & Claws are offering a class Sunday, March 30, 2008 5 – 6:15pm on Dealing with End of Life Issues. This free class is offered at Paws & Claws, 2023 MacArthur Boulevard. The speaker is Dr. Gary Richter, D.V.M., M.S. For those of us with pets, this is an important class to attend. We all want to recognize and do what’s best for our four legged friends at the appropriate time. Dr. Richter is going to talk about these delicate issues during this important class.

And let’s give a big “Hooray” for Loka Yoga located at 2701 MacArthur Boulevard. Wonderful Alice has added a children’s yoga class, ages 6 – 9, Wednesdays 4 – 5pm. She has also changed the time of one class and added another to accommodate our 9 to 5ers. She now offers a Tuesday night class levels 1 – 3, from 7:30 – 9:00pm. She added another level 1 – 3 class, Thursday nights from 7:30 – 9:00pm. Her Yoga Sutras class has been moved to the last Friday of the month with an hour of open practice starting at 6pm.

The next class I’m mentioning is not new, nor is it in the Dimond, but I’m claiming this one too because it’s so much fun. It’s the Aqua Maids, water aerobics class in the outdoor pool at Mills College. The class is most Sundays at 9am.

If you’re not into an organized water class, don’t forget you can swim laps throughout the year at the Dimond Park’s heated pool. The pool is located at 3860 Hanly Road.

New stores, new classes – what more could you ask for? More events!

During the month of April, Rita Sklar’s original paintings, entitled “Diversity in Play,” can be seen at the Dimond Library, La Farine (3411 Fruitvale Avenue), Café Diem, and Dimond Café (3430 Fruitvale Avenue). Two receptions will be held to meet the artist. The first will be at Café Diem, Friday, April 18th from 3 – 6:00pm. The second will be at Dimond Café, Wednesday, April 23 from 4 – 6:00pm.

And last but not least, we might be getting an Oktoberfest in the Dimond. YAH!! I can only wish. The rumor mill says some streets will be closed for beer, schnitzel, sauerkraut, and lederhosen. Wooo Hoooo. Polka, baby. It’ll be a huge undertaking, but the rumor mill also says Helen Wyman is thinking about tackling the project. I have my fingers doublely crossed. Helen heads up the Laurel World Music Festival and the Montclair Jazz and Wine Festival every year. She’s the right man, er woman, for the job.

The Intraweb

I like Chip Johnson, and there’s a reason for that. He doesn’t kowtow to anyone, including Oakland’s politicians. He says it like it is, whether it’s the popular opinion or not. Today, I enjoyed his column about bloggers. I bounced over to the blog Chip identified as one of Oakland’s best. It’s called “A Better Oakland.” The blog’s author, VSmoothe, writes, “Blogs like this will always be supplementary sources for a small, self-selecting audience that desires far more detail that the average person.” I like VSmoothe. I’ve added her to the links on the right over there. Chip likes her too. He says she “has flair, style and consistency, and that draws steady traffic to the site.”

Speaking of sites, Farmer Joe’s online has been updated. Check it out. I could brag on it, but you might as well click on over and get the full effect.

If you’re still in a surfing mood, Oakland Magazine has posted their monthly online copy. Their hardcopies have not quite hit the stands. March’s issue has an article entitled “Oakland’s All-New SuperMarkets.” It’s a good read and the concluding quotes are from our Diana Tam, Mrs. Farmer Joe.

Lion Dance

The lion danced at both stores today. Gongs and a brilliant golden drum resonated throughout Farmer Joe’s, accompanying his performance. The beautiful creature paraded through the stores, heralding in the Chinese New Year.

He promised to bring luck to the community while warding off evil spirits. He took a brief turn toward the beautiful cakes. I was worried for a split second he was going to munch on them, but he headed out the door and snacked on some lettuce swinging from the entrance. Organic, no doubt.

Attention Animal Lovers

Dimond’s beloved pet store, Paws & Claws is hosting a fabulous free class on Homeopathy for Animal Emergencies, Saturday, January 19, 2008 4 – 5:15pm at their store. Beth Murray will teach the class. Beth, CCH, RSHom (NA), is certified in classical homeopathy and a registered member of the North American Society of Homeopaths. She consults at Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Clinic, the Oakland Zoo, and Back to Life Wellness Center in Alameda for the human population. For more information, please click through to the hyperlinks provided. For all us animal lovers, this class is a must, and it’s FREE, provided in joint partnership by Paws & Claws and Beth.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

There’s still some great looking Evergreens at Farmer Joe’s for all you Christmas minded folks. We got a small one today for about $15. We put the twinkly lights on it and some silvery icicles. I hope Santa can squeak some gifts under it.