Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival

Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival, Memorial Park, Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA (just across from DeAnza College). Sat/Sun April 25-26.

The city of Cupertino will be hosting it's annual Cherry Blossom Festival on April 25-26 at Memorial Park. This event draws large crowds and is promoted by Festival Productions We have particpated in the event for many years.

People come to hear and see them play the large drums, which is one of the highlights of this event.Majority of the food booths are volunteers and serve up various Japanese foods, in line with the theme of the festival.

Last year, there was a smoothie booth there and their drinks were sensational. I had a pina colada smoothie and I wish I would have brought a small bottle of rum with me. Very refreshing. I've seen quite a number of refreshment booths and this one is excellent.

Be sure to stroll on over to our booth (#1 in the far corner by the parking lot) and see what we are selling. The name of our business is DanL CREATIONS and this is our 16th year in business. We sell shell necklaces, shell creations, shoulder sling bags, fannypacks, wrap around skirts, sarongs and a whole lot more. Come on down. Be glad to see ya. Mention this blog and I'll give you 10 percent off your purchase.

The Search for the Great California Philly Cheesesteak

STEVEN'S PHILLY CHEESESTEAK, Sunnyvale, CA. Stopped by there on my way home and picked up 3 of them. A small line, but it only took about 3 minutes to place my order. I waited for them and then drove 40 minutes back home. They were only $6.75 and are a little small for a hungry appetite. Okay for the price, though.

I love my cheesesteaks with the onions and peppers cooked separately and slopped on top. However, they mixed all the ingredients together...steak, cheese, onion, peppers, etc. and I will deduct 3 points right off the top for that. I can get cheesesteaks like that at any festival. The rolls were somewhat okay and the meat definitely was not rib eye or round. The sandwich had it's own distinctive taste to it and I just thought it was okay. I am very fussy with my cheesesteak's and I take them seriously.

If I rated my last one at Amato's as a 5.5, then I will give this one a 4.75, but let's give them another .5 because they are priced accordingly. Overall score: 5.25. They had drinks available, but you had to purchase in the can from the fridge. Credit cards not accepted, but they have a separate ATM machine beside the counter. I have a couple more places in mind in the San Jose area and I will try another one in May sometime as I search for the Great California Philly Cheesesteak.

Let's hear your comments on Steven's and other Philly cheesesteak shops in California.

Beware of Scams

Just received my daily dose of spams in my email. I get dozens each day. Here's the latest:

This is to officially inform you that we have verified your contract file presently on my desk, and I found out that you have not received your payment.due to necessary Verifications & Procedures. After the board meeting held at our headquarters, we have resolved in finding a solution to the issue, and as you may know, we have arranged your payment through our SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTER in Europe, America,Africa and Asia Pacific, etc.

Decided to do a search on spams and came up with a terrific website devoted to phony scams, etc. Please click here to read more info. They explain what is happening and how they are trying to con you along with samples of emails. Interesting. They look really familiar.

American Idol

It just dawned on me that Adam is not going to win. Just keep in mind that the person with the most votes at the end may or may not win the finale. I strongly think that it is actually up to the producers to determine the 'most marketable' and 'versatile' performer and that may not be him. It's all about money. Just about everybody thinks that Adam will win. Great singer. Fantastic performer and very charismatic. He makes sure to give kudos to somebody involved with the show each weekend. However, he will not win. Just about every week, he rolls over everybody and to continue the spirit of 'competition' while keeping viewers watching you must throw in the unexpected. You must show the other competitors that there is always hope, no matter how good the performer is and to keep their hopes alive. You need to create controversy. THIS IS ENTERTAINMENT. Your winner? Adam and Danny are top 3 finalists, for sure. Watch out for that third person, who will probably finish number 2. It's all about entertainment, making money, keeping the viewer$ and $ponsor$ in the game. Maybe I am wrong. All said, Adam is truly the best.

Street Fairs, Events, Festivals

Hi People. How about letting me know how you did at your events (vendors). I'd really like to hear from you and you can email me at starvingvendors@aol.com. My website is http://www.starvingvendors.com/ and I have many reviews of events to read.

There are many shows each weekend and I'd like you to share that information with me on how you did, problems, the good things, the nightmares, etc.

I just heard from a lady that did the Central Valley Pizza Festival (Lemoore) and she hit the hammer right on the nail. Some of her comments were: we did it for the first and last time!!! There was only four to six "crafter's" there...... the rest was resale and food. Weather was HOT and as another vendor said people were walking around like they were in a daze...... I will give the award for the rudest kids to this street fair...... As a matter of fact, rude is too nice of a word to use. This is the first place I have ever had to ask anyone to leave my space...... There was a guy walking around with the huge snake wrapped around his neck. I saw one girl who was trying to get away fall over a bike..... also saw a vendor fall and they had no way to get an emergency vehicle in there.... but they did walk in to help him.... Also, porta potties were about half way back in the parking lot... and by noon they were filthy.... two porta potties at the end of the street I was on (the carnival end)... Was told they were too expensive to have any more than the two. BTW, I look at your site daily and love it!!

You know what? I believe her because we were vendors last year at this event and I had many of the similar occurences. Click here to read my review of the Pizza Festival Seems like they have to get a whole new bunch of vendors every year.

I would love to hear from other people. Let's hear about the Chandler Ostrich Festival in Arizona. Anybody else do Manteca? Clovis?

Starving Vendors website

Hi. I have a website called Starving Vendors and it contains a lot of information for vendors who sell at shows and festivals in California, Arizona and Oregon. However, one of the best features of this website is Your Daily Dose, which contains various tidbits of interesting information along with links to more information.

Some of this week's recent stories and newsclips, etc.

BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT producer Simon Cowell is trying to bring together the winner of their 2007 contest.

ASTRONAUT EDGAR MITCHELL: UFOs ARE REAL

PEREZ HILTON. He proceeded to inquire about her views on same-sex marriage. He blasted runner-up MISS USA contestant (Carrie Prejean) for her answer.

RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR. Oh gosh. SF mayor Gavin Newsome

BRIDGE PRICES GOING UP. Prices to cross our Bay Area

MELISSA HUCKABY. CBS News reported Wednesday that Huckaby had been hospitalized

ASTEROID HEADING OUR WAY AGAIN.

Head on over to Starving Vendors 'Your Daily Dose' to read more on this headliners. Check it out.

Carrie Prejean vs Perez Hilton

Miss USA pageant held this past weekend.

I guess that you now have to support gay marriages in order to win beauty contests. Judge Perez Hilton proceeded to inquire about her views on same-sex marriage. He blasted runner-up MISS USA contestant (Carrie Prejean) for her response. She answered that it was "great" that the option is available in some states, but that "in my country and in my family, I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman -- no offense to anyone out there."

According to Shanna Moakler "she lost the crown because she wasn't able to convey compassion for ALL the people that as MISS USA she would be representing. and if YOU like it or not, gays and lesbians make up this country as well. THIS is why we have judges so they can find the RIGHT woman who obtains these qualities. I think that the judge who posed the question to her wanted to put her on the spot and not have her win.

Miss California answered the question and the way I look at it this it was a 'no win' situation and the question should not have been asked. If she said that she supported gay marriages, then she would have been desecrated by many more for those beliefs. You put her on a spot. And now, Hilton is capitalizing on this by making a big deal over this issue in interviews and on his blog.

I consider my marriage to be sacred. You have to refer to these bonds between gay men or women as something other than 'marriage.' Sorry. I really do not have any hatred or anything toward gays and I think that most of them are quite nice. I don't care what they do, just don't call it marriage, please. Show me that respect. You know, whatever side you take on this issue, it controversial.

Los Banos Street Faire - April 18, 2009

We arrived at our space and set up. It was 7:00 and it was already getting warm. Crowds were late and very light throughout the day, as compared to other year's here. There were way too many booths for the amount of people attending and the people around here do not have much money. Sales were down this year for us, but we didn't do 'terrible' like some of the other vendors.

I can't understand why you have 4 blocks of vendors, etc. and you are only providing 6 porta-potties. Three on a side street in the middle of the show and another 3 at the far end (our end, luckily) at a car show across the street. Still a long walk. To read my review of this event and many others please click here.

BOOTH FEES: $50 for one space; $80 for two. Anything goes. Excellent. When people are buying, the 'value' of the show is $80-$100. Note: This event is held in mid-April, right on the outer fringes of our rainy season and weather could be a problem. Thus, perhaps the reason for low booth fees.

PROMOTERS: They handle the show pretty good and there is a good police presence throughout the event. Very nice. However, they do not send confirmation of acceptance and need to work on the porta-pottie solutionn.

THE GOOD: Cheap. Spaces are 15 feet wide. Great for us and others who need to display ln side of canopy. Parking not a problem, at least on the far end. They had people sit in for vendors leaving for toilet and food breaks.

THE BAD: Porta potties. Car show in separate area across the street. Food booths spaced amongst vendors. Might be better to put them all in a separate area. There were a number of non-profit hot dogs, etc. I don't know if they would do any good if they were together with other food vendors.

Nikki Amber CD

Check out this 14-year old up and coming Filipina solo artist from the Bay Area. Nicole Amber Lansang picked up her first microphone at the age of 3 and sang her very first song; Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” Realizing at that tender age that Nikki had an incredible voice, Nikki‘s parents began her vocal training with renowned singer and voice coach Margo Leduc. Now at age 14, Nikki Amber is unstoppable! Since age 10, Nikki Amber has sung at local restaurants and was asked to perform as a special guest at the Margo Leduc Foundation’s annual toy drive. Nikki was showcased at the 2007 and 2008 Adobo Festival, which features the best of the best Filipino singers. click here to read more

Please click here to see and hear her video - 'When I Look in Your Eyes'

Casa de Fruta A&C Show - April 11-12

Casa de Fruta Arts and Crafts Show. Easter Weekend. Hollister, CA

We will be at this show over the weekend. Come on down and check out the vendors and spend part of this lovely weekend with us. Our business is DandL CREATIONS and we sell shell necklaces, lovely shell creations, shoulder bags and a lot more.