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Greetings!
It's May and, for some, time to start planning vacation. For those who live for summer adventures, travel, and discovering new things, let this month's Buy Local Berkeley newsletter be your guide!
You deserve a Staycation. This month, pamper yourself with an exotic vacation -- right here in the East Bay!
Traveling can awaken our awareness of the mundane ("What beautiful doorknobs they have here!"). It can also introduce you to new people ("Folks here are so interesting!"). And you can enjoy new experiences ("Who knew I'd enjoy sautéed snails?").
What if traveling were nothing but a state of mind? What if we brought that same openness to the new -- the same wonder at the mundane -- the same curiosity and sense of adventure to our own home town? In technical parlance, answering that question is called a "Staycation."
We put the question to our members: What would make for terrific adventures right here at home. Read on to learn just some of their ideas! And, we look forward to hearing how you enjoyed your summer Staycation! |
| The Nature Lover's Package |
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Berkeley is home to gorgeous natural attractions. This summer give yourself some special time to properly enjoy them. Here are some ideas for when you head out ...
Go on a water adventure with Cal Sailing Club. They provide low cost sailing and windsurfing lessons. The mission of this all volunteer organization is to share the joys of sailing, so, they have patient, wonderful teachers.
 Take a Hidden Paths of Berkeley Tour put on by the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association. They host various sorts of walks: Themed Walks which focus on local history or environment; Friendly Walks which are casual strolls without narration; and Power Walks which are about exercise (fast paced and commentary-free).  While, it's not really the great outdoors, the East Bay Vivarium, can help you commune with nature -- of the reptile variety. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but they have an extensive collection of animals that rivals any reptile attraction in the Bay Area. Or, if you venture out of the East Bay on a camping trip, be sure you outfit yourself at the incomparable Wilderness Exchange Store. Their prices are great and the staff are friendly and helpful. |
| The West Berkeley Tour |
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West Berkeley's post industrial landscape is a beautiful, haunting reminder of a time when we made things in America. To see what still gets made here take a tour of this ecclectic area.
 Photolab Gallery is the only all-photography art gallery in town. They have new exhibits every six weeks. The current exhibit is 5 Takes, showing the works of local photographers with some artists taking East Bay locales as their subjects.
 Make something yourself! Take glassblowing lessons at Photosynthesis. Or, if you are only up for a party, attend a monthly studio shindig. With a classy bar in their beautiful studio, you will have the chance to meet terrific people surrounded by colorful blown glass. June 6th is their next event. Contact Lee for more info.
 Mary Law's Pottery Studio is open to the public every Saturday from 10 to 5. A master potter, Mary has been throwing clay for over three decades. In her studio, you can watch her create elegant hand crafted pots, vases, plates and other vessels for home use. The studio is at 1421 Fifth Street. For children there is Kids N Clay also in West Berkeley. They offer affordable classes for kids from age 3 to 18. Students get personal attention and help with their projects. Plus, they have the chance to get covered with clay while creating art!
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| The Book Tour |
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A bookstore for every taste ...
Who says you need to be a published author to go on a book tour? Why not book your own tour of Berkeley's best booksellers and give yourself the gift of endless browsing at places you don't normally have the time to explore. Here are some ideas of where to start.
 The Musical Offering and Café combines delicious food and drink in a bright, airy setting and Berkeley's only CD store specializing in classical music. Combine a leisurely brunch with a "listening tour" of your own.
 University Press Books specializes in hard-to-find scholarly books, with a selection of lighter fare including fiction, children's books, locally made greeting cards and fun oddities. The store is a larger than it looks with a comfortable reading room in the back and a sunny patio. Upstairs is Handsome Books, a collection of 19th- and early-20th-century books with beautiful, decorative bindings.
 Blink and you might just miss Analog Books on Euclid Ave. just north of campus. But don't let their size fool you. They pack a lot of flavor in one little store. They carry new books, zines, international newspapers, graphic novels, magazines and other gift worthy merchandise.
 Rebecca's Books on Adeline in South Berkeley is a new addition to the family independent booksellers in Berkeley. This cozy spot specializes in ethnic poetry and hosts reading events on the the 4th and 2nd Sundays of the month at 3:30 p.m. Called the Music of the Word/La Palabra Musical, the events are led by Avotcja and include open mike and featured poets from around the Bay. For more information contact Rebecca's Books. |
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Hope to see you enjoying your exotic vacation right here at home!
Locally Yours,
The Buy Local Berkeley Gang |
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