Chandler Ostrich Festival

Re-living the Chandler Ostrich Festival of 2006. OUR WORST EVENT EVER.

It's that time of year again when we (vendors, etc.) are all working on our schedules for next year and begin sending in our booth fees and applications, etc. I could never forget the last time we did the Chandler Ostrich Festival. There are a good number of us (vendors) that will never do this event again.....especially if you have to travel a great distance for it.

One of our worst, most disastrous weekends ever. We went a long ways for this one and this turned out to be one of the most stressful weekends we ever had to endure. 145 days of drought in the Phoenix area ended with 1 1/2 days of torrential downpours that turned the vendor area into a foot-deep lake and the parking lot into a mud bog where it was virtually impossible for vendors to get their vehicles out until the mud dried. It started raining on Friday evening. Throughout the night, we listened to the rain coming down on top of our motor home. Periodically, the rain would slow down, but would come down hard shortly after. Earlier on Friday, there were reports of possible rain. As I walked around the vendor area, located in a gully, I realized that if we were to get a large amount of rain, the area is going to flood. The ground was hard and it would take a long time for the water to seep through. Fortunately, when we closed up Friday evening, we removed most of our things from the ground.Upon awakening Saturday morning, it was still raining and we pretty much knew that the day was going to be a 'washout'. All day long the rains kept coming and coming.

As we sat in the motor home in the parking lot we saw it turning to mud, as some vehicles passed by. We began to wonder if we would be able to get our vehicle out of the parking lot as we saw many vehicles actually get stuck in the mud; tow trucks couldn't even get them out. Night-time came and it was still raining. It kept up until early Sunday morning. We finally went to our booth around 8:00AM and found the top sagging with water and a huge lake surrounding the booths located in the gully, What a bonehead idea to put vendors down in here.

We waited for several hours before they began pumping out the water. The rains ended around 5:00AM and they did not even begin pumping the water until after 11:00AM. The promoters claimed that since it was Sunday, they could not contact the workers. You know, you see the area turning into a lake on Saturday, but you don't think about making arrangements to pump the water out. I mean, like...uhhh... the water is just going to dissapear. Many people told me that the ground would just absorb the water and it would dissapear. People, the ground was rock solid and very little of it will seep inside. Am I missing something here?

They proceded to pump out the water. As the time approached 2:00PM, the water was just about gone and we were able to open up. We still had major problems with the parking lot because we weren't sure if we'd be able to get out of there. However, just after it became dark, I figured that the mud had dried enough to enable me to escape. Do you like nightmares? This was one hell of a nightmare and everything bad that could possibly happen, did occur.

You can read my complete story, TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN or NO SYMPATHY FROM THE DEVIL ....a true account of the Chandler Ostrich Festival and Brown Amusements on our website:

http://www.dandlcreations.com/chandler.htm

Santa's Helpers Art Craft and Gift Faire

Santa's Helpers Art Craft and Gift Faire at Napa Valley Expo Chardonnay Hall, 575 Third St.Napa, CA 94559

The 17th Annual Holiday Craft and Gift Fair on Saturday, December 13 from 10am to 5pm Sunday, December 14 from 11am to 4pm at the Napa Valley Expo Free parking and Admission
Price: Free

Novato Holiday Crafts Faire - Dec 6

Novato Holiday Crafts Faire
Saturday, Dec 6 10:00a
at Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Rd.Novato, CA 94947(415) 899-8290

Arts & Crafts Show. A holiday crafts faire to include: fresh greens, gifts, jewelry,ornaments, toys, bath & body products, hand crafted items, wreaths, specialty foods, ceramics, entertainment, quilt raffle, luncheon and baked goods, face painting, photos with Santa, and much more! Admission is free. Call the Margaret Todd Senior Center at 415-899-8290 for more information.

Another Pigfest

Here's another Pigfest that we created and we have placed it on Ebay. Click here to see the listing and to place a bid if you desire. We have another Pig Band a few entries lower. Scroll down. You will also see other products we have just created. Our website is: DandL CREATIONS

Bay Area Holiday Festivals and Craft Shows

Here's a listing of numerous events in the S.F. Bay Area.

Dec 6. Suisun City. Harbor Plaza Open Market. 2 PM to 8 PM at Main & Solano Streets. There are around 60 booths of vendors here and this show is combined with other events in the area with loads of activities for kids, adults. Caroling, Carriage Rides, Santa, Toy Drive, Bonfire (nice and warm), fireworks and a Lighted Boat Parade. If you wish to be a vendor, the listing is in Craftmasters. Or you may contact the promoter of the Market, Debbie Kiikvee, Phone#707 428-4970. Spaces are $75. This is a very nice community event and the people of Suisun come out for it. We were vendors for the past three years and will not be doing the event this year for health reasons. It can get a bit cool and quite windy during the latter part of the afternoon. If your booth is facing the wind, bring blankets.

Dec 5-6. 5TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY ART AND CRAFT SALE, Creekside Community Church, 951 MacArthur Blvd., San Leandro, CA
Get a jump on your holiday shopping with one of a kind art and craft pieces from over 35 vendors displaying all hand crafted items. Show hours are Friday, December 5th, 12:00 noon-7:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 6th, 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Lasagna dinner will be served on Friday evening beginning at 5:00 p.m Donate a full sized bottle of shampoo or conditioner and get a free raffle ticket for a chance to win pieces donated by our artists. Call Sharon for information at (510) 430-0607. www.creeksidecommunity.org

ASD/AMD Trade Shows - Las Vegas

The annual trade show will be held from March 15-18. two weeks later than the usual time. I was surprised to hear this because I thought it was always held during the first week of the month. Perhaps they are using the Sands Convention Center for another 'more profitable' event previous to that. The event has several venues:

Variety Merchandise Show
Sands Expo Center & Las Vegas Convention Center - The nation's largest merchandise show featuring products at all price points and categories. Our specialized floor sections will assist you in finding the products you need more quickly and easily. With so many new sources and products to choose from, you will easily navigate your way to the most profitable merchandise mix for your retail needs.

Gift Show
Sands Expo Center -- The ASD/AMD Las Vegas Gift Show is the largest national gift show in the West. As a component of the three-in-one ASD/AMD Trade Show Las Vegas, this show lets you source products in the powerfully competitive center--the price range that appeals to the largest number of number of consumers--from leading vendors offering great merchandise at unbeatable prices.

Jewelry Show
The ASD/AMD Las Vegas Jewelry Show at the Mirage Events Center & Grand Ballroom is known for its unique roster of exhibitors. Traditional jewelry show wholesalers and exclusive wholesalers and suppliers that only exhibit at ASD/AMD Las Vegas. More than 350 companies in 700 exhibits provide the broadest possible selection of wholesale fine and fashion jewelry at single show. Providing you even greater flexibility with the immediate delivery option on select items.

Military Tactical Outdoor Show
Las Vegas Convention Center* - Since 1961, the ASD/AMD Las Vegas Military Tactical Outdoor Show continues to be the pre-eminent showcase in this market. The show features the most innovative products for military, tactical, and outdoor providing for an unparalleled marketplace.

You will need to register to attend any of these shows, You can save time by clicking here and registering on their website.

Oyster Shell Candle Holder

How about this.... a candle holder/misc stuff holder made with oyster shells (from Johnson's Oysters over in Pt. Reyes.) Will have these in our website, Ebay and events.

Truly unique candle holder. You have never seen anything like this before. This was hand made using a variety of shells, semi-precious nuggets and OYSTER SHELLS. That's right, these oyster shells add immensely to the beauty of this luxurious candle holder. Also may be used for placement of potpouri, candy, etc. Great conversation piece. If you have a business, i.e. seafood, etc., you can use this for your tips (of the bill variety!). Stick a couple bucks in there ...some fives, ones, etc. and watch them multiply as people admire this great looking oyster shell candle holder and customers just toss their bills in there. . Wood base. Oyster shells are from Johnson's Oysters in Tomales Bay, California. Weighs 52oz. Total height 7in, Dimensions are 7x11". SHIPPING IS $9.00 Opening bid on Ebay is $39.95.

Miners in Geode/Cathedral

We have also created a number of mining scenes with amethyst geodes, etc. Beautiful. Will have these on our website, Ebay and at events shortly.

Unusual things - Pigfest

You can bid on this on EBay. Click here to view the auction.

We have created a number of these 'pigfests' and look really great. Will have them on Ebay, our websites and will be bringing these to events. Prices start at $125.00.

Amato's Philly Cheesesteaks

Amato's Philly Cheesteaks, 1162 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, CA ph.(408)-246-4007

This afternoon after visiting a friend in that area, I dropped by Amato's and ordered 2 Philly Cheesesteaks and one plain steak...all with the works.. peppers, onions, etc. $7.20 for a 7". I brought the sandwiches home to eat.

The roll was a bit soft, but maybe from the 40 minute drive home. I was disapointed in the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich and needless to say, I have tasted better at county fairs. I just can't understand what everybody is saying about this place (Yelp, etc.). I rate the sandwich between somewhat okay and good. Everything was 'slopped' together. I find that the very best cheesteaks made are those that cook the steak, put the cheese on top...but do not mix it in and then place the steak, etc., in the roll and pile on separately (cooked) peppers and onions, That way you preserve the individual taste of each item on the roll. The cheesesteaks at Cheesesteak Shops are better than the one's we had at Amato's today.

A few year's ago I had a Philly Cheesesteak from Pudge's Steaks in Blue Bell, PA and that was totally delicious. You can read what I have to say about this place. Best I ever had. Check out Yelp's reviews on this place and many people will swear that is the best they ever had also. Many years ago, there was a sandwich shop at the Farmer's Market in L.A. that served up cheesesteaks similar to Pudge's, but they moved out many years ago. Whenever I was in the L.A. area, we would detour over there for their Philly Cheesesteaks. Read more about Philly Cheesesteaks

We do a lot of festivals and fairs that serve Philly Cheesesteaks and the best one I ever had at an event had to be at the Coos County Fair in Myrtle Point. We've been vendors at that event for 5 years now and every year there, I get 2 or 3 of them and I tell them that their cheesesteaks are the best I ever had at an event. They are pretty decent.

Gas Prices

Gas at COSTCO in San Leandro is holding steady at $1.84 and other stations are closing the gap. Chevron down under $2.00 in many locations and other brands in the $1.80's and $1.90's.

Lowest prices in the nation? How a Valero Station on Indendence Avenue in Independence, MO. They have gas going for the bargain basement price of $1.29 per gallon. I hope the rest of the nation follows suit.

If you want to search for gas prices, go to google and do a search on the city or state you want to check. For instance, gas prices New Jersey and you will see the link: New Jersey Gas Prices - Find Cheap Gas Prices in New Jersey You hit enter, of course and there you have it. You can get prices for just about any city or state that way. One of my favorite websites,

My 10 Favorite Shows

The following is a listing of our favorite shows to do. There may be some that we do not do anymore because of high expenses (designated by *) and there are one's included that are great locations, etc. This is just a listing and is in no preferential order.

Morro Bay Harbor Festival* Did this for years, but with the slow economy, income is small. Great scenery. Good Food. Did not do this event this year because of high expenses.

Cambria A&C Shows, Cambria, CA. 20 miles north of Morro Bay. Nice area on the Central Coast. Good Food. Relaxing atmosphere. Great getaway. Sales have been slow here and the weather could cloudy and cool. Always windy. Will be there in September 2009

Ceres Street Fair, Ceres, CA located 70 miles from Hayward. Decent event for us, been doing it for about 16 years now. Same space every year...shaded, etc. They treat you very nice at this event and make that extra effort to get you to your space for set up. Promoter's... grab your clipboards and take notes. They know how to do things. Also, hats off to the Manteca Street Faire because they are great at getting you to your space. Very organized also.

Monterey Custom House Plaza, Monterey. We do shows such as the Seafood Festival, etc. here and have participated in about 15 events over the years. Great location for an event. However, sales have dwindled for mostly all shows and we are all struggling. The Columbus Day event was not good. Promoters did their job, but people just did not come out and the ones that came out, did not buy.

Tyson Wells Sell-a-Rama. Every year in mid-January we go here to sell our goods. Around 900 vendors at this event and mostly RVers shop here and also attend other events. Many other rock, gem, mineral shows going on and the place is packed in January. We like to park overnights with our motor home in the BLM land during this event and it is relaxing, quiet, etc. When we set up here, we take our time..maybe 8 hours and we are here for 11 days before taking down. We're going to be there also for the Arts and Crafts Show which follows, but we have to move to another location.

Coos County Fair, Myrtle Point, OR. We do their county fair every July. A small event, but people are friendly. Nice to see the same people year after year and catch up on things. Good Philly Cheesesteaks, delicious Pizza and super Smoothies by Michelle and her family. My favorite county fair to do.

Fall Festival, Castro Valley, CA Been doing this event for the past 8 years or so. Very well run and organized. Kind of slow this year due to the economy, but it's been a great show for a number of years. Close to home, less than 10 minutes away.

Lake Tahoe events. This year we did the Miller's Y over Memorial Day Weekend and the weather was the worst we ever heard. However, I love doing shows up there since it is a beautiful relaxing area. We did several shows a number years ago at Commons Beach and they were nice. We'll return once or twice this coming year, but that weather strikes fear in my heart. In all my visits to Lake Tahoe, I never encountered something as unexpected as that weather. I usually stay away if I know weather is going to be bad.

Hayward Zucchini Festival. Only 2 miles from home and right now, that might be the only reason we do the event. A tradition? This is not a good money making event and it is not enjoyable as it once was. Much more riff-raff strolling around and a lot fewer booths, as other vendors have departed for better events, Many things wrong with this show, which includes forcing vendors to pull down and load up in the dark. They want the music to go until 7:00 and then have us wait longer. The promoters will not listen vendors cries over this, They might when they are down to 10 vendors. They had 22,000 this year and they used to draw more than double that. Need better music. Zucchini bread is terrific. A large drinking crowd.