I've been watching the new season of Stranger Things, the dark sci-fi series soaked in 80s nostalgia. The last episode featured a town fair and it brought back the memory of the annual carnival that would pop up at my elementary school. At that age it was always surreal to me - the way our kickball 'fields' and basketball and handball courts - ultimately just a sprawling neighborhood block of asphalt - could transform into something so magical, so animated and wild. A full day of trucks and noise - classroom windows rattling and redirecting the pings of metal poles and the endless hammering. And then, seemingly in a blink, a small spinning steel city suddenly erected. The evening would descend and everything would glow, my whole little world all bells and lights and music and mischief. An irresistible mix of romance and danger in the air. Everyone laughing and hollering, and holding on to each other.

This SATURDAY, July 20th, from 11-5pm... two long blocks of 40th St. stretching from Webster to Opal (or from Broken Guitars to Hog's Apothecary) will transform into a pedestrian paradise of food trucks, an outdoor beer and wine garden, artisan vendors, and live music galore! No Ferris wheels or carnival chaos, but there will be activities for kids of all ages and special musical guests! A certain famous neighbor of ours, we'll call him Billie Joe A. (wait thats too obvious... let's just say B.J. Armstrong) and his friends will be headlining on the main stage and playing a set of covers sure to get things rocking into the evening. Mark your calendars and roll on down. The 40th St Block Party is FREE!!! OAKLAND YARD will have a booth in the center of it all, and the shop and our (air-conditioned:) indoor bar will be OPEN normal hours all day from 11-9pm with bottles to go and wines by the glass, as always!

But first TONIGHT: Thursday Night Flights! We'll be pouring Italian Whites and French Reds this evening. Flights $12 from 5-9 and wines by the glass until 9pm.

SUNDAY: ROSÉ Tasting Flights from around the globe.
2018 Von Winning Rosé (Germany)
2018 Bisson Ciliegiolo Rosato (Italy)
2018 Yves Cuilleron 'Sybel' Rosé (France)
2018 SKY Vineyards Rosé (Napa Valley)
Flights $15 from 2-6 pm and wines by the glass until 8pm!


Hope to see you all there,

Daniel