I was 8 when The Goonies was released, and like most kids then, I became obsessed with secret underbellies and buried treasures and I longed for adventure. My neighborhood seemed ripe for one, with hills all about and old little homes like crowded teeth rooted along the narrow, winding streets. I'd tag along with my older brothers, riding our bikes past various plots rich with mythology passed down from the eldest and other neighborhood oddballs and weirdos.

One summer day, having found nothing in Ms. Scarvacci's backyard and too afraid to explore the vacant garage of the supposedly haunted house on the next ridge, I begged my older brother, Stephen, to draw a treasure map for me. An hour or so later, to my extreme delight, he handed me the map- a strange and complex (and certainly not-to-scale) illustration of our home and the surrounding properties. A pointed peppering of identifiable landmarks here and there, and (of course)... the most palpitation-inducing detail: a large X in the upper left corner. I snatched it from his hand and sprinted out, with a warm feeling swelling in my chest. 

I was too stubborn to ask for hints, and spent hours in the sun digging countless holes in the rock hard, barren plot that I was certain was the spot. Until finally, with weary body and weary spirit I collapsed to reason and returned to the source.

Life lesson in disappointment. Turns out Stephen never buried any treasure, or anything at all. He was actually surprised to see me, caked in in dirt, and was more indifferent than amused. 

"You just asked for a treasure map", he said. 


This SATURDAY, June 2nd: Enter through OAKLAND YARD. The big X will be in the lot behind the shop, and happily for you, you get more than just the map . The 420 FLEA will be an outdoor artisan market, with vendors, artists, and culinary delights from 11-4pm. There will be a beer and wine garden and abundant treasures from Owl & Wood, Pacific Wonderland, Miwak Junior,Charlotte Stone Shoes, Pablo Cristi, Westwind Succulents, Flower & Forage, Lucas Ahlstrand, Gold & Rust Finds. Bites from NOKNI Oakland, and MK Gold Bakery. Tea from Steep Tea Co. And... Wine Flights inside from local winemakers and shining stars, Trail Marker Wine Co.

And first... TONIGHT: THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS! Italian Whites and Spanish Reds. Your choice of 3 wines from 4-8. Adventure awaits...

SUNDAY, June 3rd: ROSÉ FLIGHTS. Dry and delightful pink flights from around the world - and OAKLAND YARD Wine Club Pick Up Party! Flights $15 from, 2-6pm. Wines by the glass all day until 8pm. 


Get on down here and be a part of this. Don't take Troy's bucket. 


See you all soon!

Daniel