Carol C.
Yelp
Date: 9/19/2015 Time: 12:30 PM 73° Sunny & warm
Husband and I are walking on Water Street on our way to the Eat Real Festival when we see the three framed storefront windows have Go Raiders Nation etched on it. On the yelp site, it shows the place is closed for today.
I thought the business sold Raiders memorabilias until I walked in and noticed an assortment of tour leaflets and books about Oakland - This is Oakland, A Guide to the City's Most Interesting Places by Melissa Davis; Brown Sugar Kitchen by Tanya Holland with Jan Newberry; and Oakland, CA Home Field Advantage, The City that Changed the Face of Sports by Paul Brekke-Miesner. The visitor's bureau was probably opened because of the Eat Real Festival and most likely there were out-of-town visitors in the area.
I already have two of the books from two other local businesses - Urban Indigo and Oakland Supply Company - in my collection. Inasmuch as I love sports (baseball, basketball and football), I just could not walk out without purchasing Home Field Advantage for $27.00, a recommended reading for people who are interested in memories of some of the talented sports figures coming out of Oakland and the surrounding areas.
The gentleman assisting me was friendly, helpful and personable. Thank you, Kenneth Brown, CO'70 BHS Yellowjackets (school colors - red & gold) alumni, for sharing the sports memories of certain ballplayers and coaches from back in the days, Mosswood Park, its basketball courts and legends, etc.
Even though I am a native of Oakland (born and raised), I will return to browse over the various leaflets regarding points of interest to visit in Oakland, admire the wall mural and share more memories with Kenneth. I feel very fortunate to enjoy the best of three cities - Oakland, Alameda and San Francisco - for all they have to offer in arts, culture, dining, entertainment, shopping, the sports teams and the weather.