I still don't know what to be for Halloween. Simone, age 2, wants to be a pumpkin. Ellery wants to be a unicorn. She also wants "a real unicorn" for her birthday, now several weeks away. I can't fathom what I would have received from my parents for my fifth birthday. My older siblings would often make a big show of giving me their old toys back then, maybe a used basketball or, in a grand gesture, wrap their bike up with an absurd amount of newspaper and scotch tape, like little clumsy Christos. The time spent unwrapping often surpassed the duration of ownership, as they would quickly reclaim their gift following some expected argument.

My mother mostly did the shopping and always came through with great gifts. One year she was under the weather and let my father shop for my birthday. Dad was more direct and asked me for a list. When the big evening came, I unwrapped the mound of presents and was floored to find that he got me nearly everything on my list. But the list was pure lunacy, the unbridled vision of a 9 year old, indulgent and ridiculous. A variety pack of Pringles canisters. A tub of Red Vines. Jumbo packages of E.L. Fudge sandwich cookies and double-stuffed Oreos. A karate belt. A switchblade comb. Lottery scratchers. 

Mom gave him a look. I think that was the last time Dad was allowed to be in charge of that. But at the time I thought it was the best. I kept everything squirreled away under my bed and chomped away, eating like a king, beheading buttery Keebler elves at my will. Two days later I came home from school to find it all completely covered with crawling black ants, tiny little Christos in their own way too.

In less than one month, OAKLAND YARD turns 6!!! Far to much joy and excitement to keep under wraps. Please come and be a part of the celebration! Saturday NOVEMBER 12 from 12-5pm. We want all of our favorite people around us. There will be music and food and oysters and bubbles, raffles and prizes, and early holiday vibes. There will also be another fantastic collection of artists, curators, builders, and culinary delights... And lots and lots of wine! The 6 Year Anniversary Celebration and Artisan Market event is FREE! So spread the good word! Tasty treats from XULO & OKKON! Vendors and artists include The Plant Queen, Pablo Cristi, C.A. Vintage, Caviar&Cigarettes, Farah Trading Co., Alex Steele, Johanna Sprague, Leopard Lodge, Flower & Forage, WestWind Succulents, Pleinware Ceramics, Sam E., and vintage clothing form Homebody Vintage, Andy Shines, and others! There will be an outdoor beer and wine garden in the backlot too!
See you there!!!

But first...

TONIGHT 10/20: THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS! French whites and Italian reds
2020 Pepier Gras Moutins Muscadet
2020 Dom de la Verpaille Macon Village 
2021 Domaine la Cabotte Colline Cotes du Rhone BLANC
2021 Agostino Pavia & Figli Grignolino
2020 Elvio Tintero Langhe Nebbiolo
2020 La Stoppa Trebbiolo Rosso
Flights $15 from 5-9pm and wines by the glass until 9pm.

SATURDAY 10/22: ORANGE WINE... Skin Contact whites from around the globe! 
2021 Gulp Hablo ORANGE
2019 Bannister Skin Fermented Scheurebe 
2021 Field Recordings SKINS
2020 Ocho Mtsvane Do You Believe?
Flights $15 from 2-6pm and wines by the glass until 9pm.

Cheers,
Daniel