Holiday Happenings: East Bay

I love living in San Francisco, but I have to say that Oakland has always held a special place in my heart. When my Grandmother first arrived from Portugal in 1920 she would take the streetcar from Jingletown (East Tenth Street) to Housewive’s Market to buy a bucket of fish heads for 50 cents. This is what she did in the Depression to feed her four children. Life improved and by the 1940’s, dressed in hat and gloves, she was taking the same streetcar downtown to shop at great stores like Capwell’s, I. Magnin’s and the Gray Shop.

My memories of Oakland all center around downtown and Lake Merritt. Trips to Fairyland, breakfast at Kirby’s, fancy dinners at The Elegant Farmer in Jack London Square. I worked at the Oakland Tribune all through college. My junior high school class was one of the first to have a field trip at the brand new Oakland Museum. I could go on and on.

Here are a couple events (one is tomorrow) in Oakland that will get you into the holiday mood.

Free Holiday Concert
The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir is giving a free concert at Oakland City Center. I attended last year and it was a great way to put me in the holiday mood.
Wednesday, November 28, noon to 1pm.

First Fridays After Five at the Oakland Museum:
Our friend, Chef Tanya Holland, will be giving a soul-food cooking demo starting at 6:30. We look forward to her new restaurant, Brown Sugar Kitchen, which will be opening soon in West Oakland.
Also at the event will be recording artist Lawrence Beamen with gospel and holiday music.
Friday, December 7, 5-10pm
Admission: $8 adults
More info at: Oakland Museum of California