After much pleading and whining on my part, our beloved Bakesale Betty gave me her recipe for Roasted Vegetable Lasagna. This is the dish she prepared at the Farm to Table event on March 27, 2011. I have been inundated with requests for this so here it is.
Sadly, she will not be rejoining the farmers’ market, with two bakeries and 2.5 kids (yes, she is with child) she can’t come to markets anymore.
Without further ado……..

Bakesale Betty’s Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

12 oz. assorted mushrooms (portobello, shiitake, cremini)
1 bunch swiss chard
8 oz broccoli
1 yellow onion, peeled and halved
1 leek (white part), trimmed and washed
6 cloves garlic, peeled
few sprigs fresh thyme
few sprigs fresh sage
2 bay leaves
2 28 oz. cans whole peeled tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 qt milk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons flour
8 oz grated Parmesan
8 oz grated mozzarella
8 oz fresh or dried lasagna noodles
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Roasting the vegetables:

Wash the mushrooms and pat dry. Peel the portabellos and remove the stalks from all the mushrooms. Place in a baking dish and sprinkle generously with olive oil, salt, pepper fresh thyme, sage and bay leaf. Roast in a pre heated 350 degree oven until tender. Set aside to cool.
Wash and trim the Swiss chard, removing the stalk. Toss in olive oil and salt and place on a cookie sheet. Roast pre heated 350 degree oven for 15 mins until tender.
Wash and trim ends off the broccoli. Toss in olive oil and salt and roast 20 mins until tender.
Chop cooled roasted vegetables to bite size pieces. Set aside.
Cut the leeks and onions into a medium dice. Slice 3 cloves garlic thinly. Heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil in a sauté pan. Add the leeks , onions and a teaspoon of salt and cook over medium heat until soft, about 10 mins. Add the sliced garlic and cook another minute. Set aside.

Making the Tomato Sauce:

In a medium sauce pan gently heat 1/4 cup olive oil. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and cook without color for 1 minute, stirring.. Add tomatoes, 1 tablespoon salt and 2 teaspoons black pepper. Bring to the boil and lower to a simmer. Stir occasionally and continue to cook sauce until tomatoes break up and sauce thickens, approximately 30-40 mins. Finish with basil and adjust seasoning. Set aside to cool.

Making the Béchamel Sauce:

Heat the milk, set aside.
In a medium sauce pan melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until combined. Cook a few minutes without coloring. Add milk, 1 cup at a time. Whisking well between each addition. Add a bay leaf. Allow to come up to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, whisking well to prevent sticking. Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Cook lasagna noodles according to instructions on the package. Set aside.

To assemble lasagna:

In a medium baking dish ladle tomato sauce to cover the bottom in a thin layer. Add lasagna noodles on top to cover the base. Sprinkle all the chopped, roasted vegetables and sautéed vegetables to make the next layer. Sprinkle 2/3rds of the shredded mozzarella on top of the vegetables. Cover with more lasagna noodles. Ladle tomato sauce on top as the next layer. Cover with more lasagna noodles. Spread the Béchamel on top of the noodles and cover with more noodles. Finish with tomato sauce and remaining mozzarella.
Bake in a pre heated 350 deg ovens, covered in foil, for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake a further 10 minutes until golden on top. Remove from oven and allow to rest 20 minutes before cutting.
Can be baked a day in advance. The flavors develop and it becomes more delicious the next day!

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Listening to: Savoy Brown – Needle and Spoon

Listening to: Savoy Brown – She’s Got a Ring in His Nose and a Ring on Her Hand

Listening to: Fleetwood Mac – Oh Well

It has taken awhile but spring has finally arrived. Asparagus is in full swing, cherries and apricots are just around the corner. Then we dive into the season head  first and mouths open. With the copious rains this year, the stone fruits should be exquisite, Juicy, sweet and sumptuous.

Barring any further big storms this season we should see most crops on time or early and have a normal run, this according to the farmers I’ve talked to recently. They also mentioned you can never predict what Mother Nature has up her sleeve, just when the trees go into bloom, Blam, a hail storm. So if you’re a stone fruit fan like me, keep your fingers’ crossed.

REVIEWS of the Toyota Farm to Table Tour are still coming in and by all accounts it was a huge success. The levels of shoppers caught everyone off guard and I was expecting a big turn-out. The chefs were fantastic to work with and they loved every minute of the event. The few that I had time to talk to said the shoppers were fantastic and enthusiastic along with being very knowledgeable about their food. A few shoppers asked if we could do this weekly………dear lord, no. Although I would do it again in a second but an event of that size takes a lot of people and time to put together. Once a year would be fine with this market manager. We are still putting together all the pictures and videos, you can click here to see the first video. There are some pictures up on our Facebook page, click here. If you have some pictures, send them to me and I’ll post them on Facebook and give you credit, I don’t think it counts as being a “published photographer” but you can tell people anything you want………..

Listening to: The Tremeloes – Silence Is Golden

Listening to: The Yardbirds – Heart Full of Soul

Listening to: Cream – White Room

Listening to: Ronny & The Daytonas – G.T.O.

Where & When? The Walnut Creek Certified Farmers Market, Sunday March 27, 2011 9am-1pm

Rain Or Shine

SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2011 AT THE WALNUT CREEK FARMERS’ MARKET

Rain Or Shine 9 am – 1 pm

The Chefs have been chosen and it’s a real diverse line up.

Make Plans to see your new favorite chefs in action!

As always, line up is subject to change without notice

CHEFS

• Kevin Weinberg – Walnut Creek Yacht Club
• Alison Barakat-Camp – Bakesale Betty
• Francesco Torre and Pat English – Haute Stuff
• Daniel Clayton – Nibblers Eatery & Wine Bar
• Stewart Beatty – Postino Restaurant
• Sam Castro – Sasa
• John Marquez – Artisan Bistro
• Valentino Luchin – Ottavio Osteria
• Bahman Tehrani – Lettuce

TENT 1: Locust & Giammona

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m

Bahman Tehrani, Lettuce

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Francesco Torre and Pat English, Haute Stuff

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Stewart Beatty, Postino

TENT 2: Locust & Cole

9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

John Marquez, Artisan Bistro

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Sam Castro, Sasa

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Kevin Weinberg, Walnut Creek Yacht Club

TENT 3: Lacassie & Locust

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Alison Barakat-Camp, Bakesale Betty

10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Daniel Clayton, Nibblers Eatery & Wine Bar

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Valentino Luchin, Ottavio-Osteria

Third Annual Toyota Farm to Table Tour Visits Walnut Creek Farmers Market on Sunday, March 27

Seattle – March 8, 2011
– The Toyota Farm to Table Tour announced today that the Walnut Creek Farmers Market was chosen to be a part of the 2011 national tour that celebrates local cuisine across the country. The Tour will visit Walnut Creek Farmers Market on Sunday, March 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Now in its third year, the Toyota Farm to Table tour brings together notable local chefs and farmers to showcase the connection between farmers, chefs, farmers’ markets and the communities they serve. Throughout the event, celebrated local chefs will prepare thousands of complimentary bite-sized tastings that highlight fresh, local ingredients while providing guests a great opportunity to learn more about the market, the specialty farmers, the chefs, and ways to eat and shop locally.  In addition, market visitors will also have the opportunity to experience Toyota’s newest hybrid vehicles.

“Access to fresh, organic produce is very important to our community,” said Keith Farley, Market Manager at the Walnut Creek Farmers Market. “When Toyota contacted us about this event it seemed perfect. It fits right in with our mission of providing our community access to the freshest food and produce available.”

Some of San Francisco Bay Area’s top chefs participating in this year’s event at Walnut Creek Farmers Market include:

·         Kevin Weinberg - Walnut Creek Yacht Club

·         Alison Barakat-Camp - Bakesale Betty

·         Pat English – Haute Stuff

·         Daniel Clayton – Nibblers Eatery and Wine Bar

·         Stewart Beatty -  Postino Restaurant

“I started my business 8 years ago selling baked goods at the farmers’ market,” said Alison Barakat-Camp, better known as Bakesale Betty. “Getting to know the farmers and families that produce the wonderful bounty that is available at our markets was an inspiration that helped shaped my business.”

A complete list of participating chefs will be released closer to the event date at www.farmtotabletour.com.

First look at the newest addition to the Prius family – The Prius v

The Farm to Table Tour will also give market visitors a fresh look at Toyota’s extensive line of fuel-efficient, hybrid vehicles, including the newest addition to the Prius family —the Prius v— which will go on sale later this year. Attendees looking for a vehicle that complements their lifestyle will be able to preview the all-new Prius v as well as test drive the 2011 Prius, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid, which are currently on sale at dealerships.  Those who take part in a test drive will take home a signature John Boos cutting board as a memento of the experience.

“For the third year in a row, the Toyota Farm to Table Tour is helping us connect with local communities while drawing attention to the importance of farmers’ markets and eating locally,” said Keith Dahl, Toyota National Manager of Engagement Marketing. “This tour lets us celebrate our customer’s passion for environmental stewardship and showcase our fuel-efficient, hybrid vehicles. Whether it’s young families looking to increase cargo space, or city drivers interested in the latest plug-in technology, there is a Prius for everyone and the Farm to Table Tour is giving farmers’ market shoppers the first chance to see our newest technology in action.”

In addition to the free tastings and test drives, visitors who participate in the day’s activities will also have the opportunity to select complimentary potted culinary herbs from the Toyota Mobile Garden.  A specialist will be on hand to individually pot the plants and answer general questions about gardening.  All herb plants are sourced from local vendors at the market.

In support of all of the benefits that farmers’ markets offer their communities, the Toyota Farm to Table Tour will also make a financial donation to the each participating market.  In addition, throughout the tour, eco-friendly materials will be used and carbon credits through TerraPass will be purchased to offset the impact of the tour’s carbon footprint.

To learn more about the Tour, visit www.farmtotabletour.com.

About the Walnut Creek Farmers Market

The Walnut Creek Farmers Market is part of Contra Costa Certified Farmers’ Markets which include three farmers markets through Contra Costa County. CCCFM works to support the development of local sustainable farming by cultivating vibrant farmer’s markets that serve as community gathering places celebrating local farmers, food producers and artisans. Visitors can purchase organic, fresh food while enjoying the sounds of a local community choir or musician. As a 501(c)4 not for profit organization the Walnut Creek Farmers Market and other CCCFM markets strive to improve access to quality food and enhance and promote the quality of a green lifestyle and healthy food choices.

For more information about the Walnut Creek Farmers Market and CCCFM visit http://www.cccfm.org.

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Now playing:

Johnny Cash – I Walk The Line

American – Horse With No Name

Pink Martini – Let’s Never Stop Falling In Love

Four Tops – Standing In the Shadows of Love

Aretha Franklin – Think

The Ventures – Pipeline

The Walnut Creek Farmers’ Market has been selected to host the 2011 Toyota Farms to Table tour. At every level, this is a different type of event. This event is an extension of our mission in the community, bringing good healthy food, grown locally & sustainably by small family farmers to your table. Local Chefs from area restaurants will be on hand manning 3 separate demonstration tents spread throughout the market preparing seasonal dishes with ingredients from our farmers and vendors. The roster of chefs is currently a secret and even I don’t know who they are yet. A formal announcement will be made through the media soon, so watch for that. I am excited about this……I know, but Keith you’re an excitable kind of guy. Well, yes, I am rather enthusiastic sometimes but this is different, Toyota’s main focus in this event is highlighting what we preach everyday……Eat Fresh Buy Local and learn to eat seasonally. They are going to great lengths to de-emphasize the car part of this event. Yes, you will be able to test drive a Prius if you like, but there will be NO sales people present and the test drive area will be off site. (Currently planned for Lacassie Ave.) There will be goodies for those of you who participate in the fun and have your Passports stamped at the chefs demo stations.

On another note, this is not a knee jerk reaction by Toyota with regards to the recall issues; this event is 3 years old and by all accounts a huge success across the country. So all my favorite cynics can relax, take a deep breath and enjoy the food.

Who

Beloved farmers markets across the country

Farmers and artisans

World-class chefs

Toyota Prius

what -Toyota created the Toyota Farm to Table Tour to highlight farmers markets and the benefits they offer their communities, and to celebrate the food produced by each market’s farmers and vendors.

Each event will partner 9-12 renowned chefs from the host city with an equal number of farmers and artisans from the participating market.

At three to four 10′x10′ booths set up around the market, chefs will prepare special tastings utilizing their partner farmer’s fresh products. Chefs will share the food samples with the crowd.

Visitors to the market will receive a passport to track every tasting they sample.

Visitors will then redeem their passports at the Toyota Main Tent (20′ x 40′) in order to receive a complimentary potted culinary herb as a thank you for participating.

At the event, visitors will also have the opportunity to test drive a Prius. The test drive area will be set-up adjacent to the market, and not directly onsite. Visitors that participate will receive a complimentary Boos Block cutting board.

When

The Toyota Farm to Table Tour will take place on March 27, 2011, 9 am- 1 pm.

Where

At the Sunday Walnut Creek Farmers Market on N. Locust
Now playing: Tim Hardin – Don’t Make Promises

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Now playing: Fiona Apple – Criminal

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Now playing: Johnnie Allan & The Krazy Kats – Promised Land

The Lafayette farmers market is going to shut down the end of this month, Sept. 30 is the last market day.  Make sure to get out and visit so you can support your local farmer and produce. The Orinda market runs until Thanksgiving.  The Martinez market will not be open on the 26 th due to a special event in downtown Martinez.

We said adios to our dear friend, Ulisses last night with a fun and LOUD dinner. As you may know Ulisses has been with the market organization since he was 14 and now we bid him fair winds and following seas as he departs for UC Santa Cruz and serious studies. (Yeah, right) He’ll do well where ever he goes and we (I) were lucky to have him. Good Luck Ulisses, the Odyssey begins. (Sorry had to throw that one in)

Now the movie part.  If you know me, you know I love movies especially the 40′s and 50′s.  I am not sure how this one slipped by me but recently I watched the 1946 British movie “A Matter Of Life and Death” on TCM, released in the U.S. as “Stairway to Heaven”.  A very young David Niven, Kim Hunter and  Richard Attenborough in what must have been one of his first credited film parts.  I am not going to ruin it with a plot description or a review, trust me when I say this movie was ahead of its’ time and its’ message still rings true.  It is available on Netflix.  A truly memorable film.  See it and let me know what you thought.

The Walnut Creek Farmers’ Market is partnering with the Northern California Ford Dealers Association to help feed the hungry. Here’s the deal, On Sunday September 19th, they, the Ford Motor Company, are going to bring a new Ford F-150 pick-up and ask you to buy a little something extra and put it in the back of the F-150 and at the end of the day all that food and donations will be taken to the Food Bank. Okay before all you Cynics out there start in on me…..yes; they are trying to sell cars. That is what they do. However, anyone familiar with the FoMoCo will no doubt know they are VERY involved in the greater community. I am a member of the De Young and Legion of Honor Museums and the free days at the museums are underwritten by you guessed it…..Ford. They do this with little fanfare. You’ll see the Ford name under a lot of charitable endeavors. So this isn’t a “shameless promotion”, it is a sincere effort to give back and pay it forward.

For those who don’t’ know, Walnut Creek Ford on North Main st. is an “in-kind” sponsor of the WC farmers’ market and has been since we moved to the Locust st. location. I thank them every week for making my life easier and saving us a ton of money.

Here is Fords’ Idea

“”The Northern California Ford dealers have started a campaign called “The Right Choice”, dedicating themselves to giving people the ability to help their communities. Our goal is to gather all of the good will of Northern Californians and pay it forward to those who need it most.

Our first mission is the F-150 Food Revolution. Within this, we’re on a mission to feed 150 Northern California families in need . We’ll be visiting the Walnut Creek Farmers Market to help accomplish this goal on Sunday, September, 19th from 8:00 am-1:00 pm.  We encourage people to purchase extra produce and goods to put in the back of our F-150! At the end of the event, we will take the food and deliver it to a local food bank on behalf of California Ford Dealers, Walnut Creek Ford and the Walnut Creek Farmer’s Market.

We’ll also be taking pictures of  individuals and donors,  then uploading them to Facebook, where they will tag themselves for a chance to win $500 to give to a Northern California Food Bank of their choice!”"

So what do you say? You in? Let’s make this an event, let’s see if we can’t overwhelm them with donations, the Walnut Creek market shoppers are after all the most generous folks around, you’ve proved that many times. Grab a few friends and lets’ have some fun with this. Sunday, 19 Sept. 8 am to 1 pm.

Did you know you can follow the adventures of the Walnut Creek Farmers’ Market on Twitter now? Facebook too? I can hear the groans already, “social networking is going to be the downfall of western civilization” and other pearls of Ludditeisms. It is the way the modern world is getting the word out these days. Its’ effective and powerful, but you need to play along. How you ask? Join Facebook and Twitter, the nice thing is it can be a one way and you can only receive but its’ most effective when you pass the info along.

Here are the links to the thingy’s,

Facebook
Twitter Its’ all free and you will get the most up to date information on promotions and changes in the market.

The seasonal markets are winding down but are still very much open and waiting for you. Lafayette will wrap on Sept 30. Tice Valley, the end of Oct. Orinda, the end of Nov. and Martinez, the end of Oct. Get out and visit the Tice Valley market in particular. Fridays 8 am – 1 pm

See you at the market!

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Listening to: Pink Martini – Brazil

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Listening to: Flatt & Scruggs – Polka on a Banjo

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Listening to: Da Vinci’s Notebook – The Gates

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Listening to: The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps

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Listening to: Aretha Franklin – Think

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Listening to: Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble – Pride and Joy

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Listening to: The Doors – People Are Strange

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Listening to: Black Sabbath – Jack the Stripper/Fairies Wear Boots

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Listening to: Tom Jones – Help Yourself

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Listening to: The Ventures – Walk Don’t Run

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Listening to: Jim Reeves – Blue Side of Lonesome

Lots of things have been happening and both personally and at the market not to mention an old fashioned case of writers block.

CCCFM has partnered with the Contra Costa Jewish Community center, or JCC, to have a Friday morning farmers’ market in their parking lot. It is currently running every Friday from 9 am until 1 pm through October. The market has been well received by both the Rossmoor community and the Tice Valley and south Walnut Creek area. Attendance has been a little slow to start off but it is building each week. The setting is very nice in the JCC parking lot, trees, shade and friendly folks to talk to. It located on Tice Valley Rd at the JCC which is next to Tice Valley Gym. Stop in and say Hi to our newest manager, Staci. She is a fireball and a joy to be around, you’ll love her.

The Walnut Creek Market is partnering with the Northern California Ford Dealers Association to help feed the hungry. Here’s the deal, On Sunday September 19th, they, the Ford Motor Company, are going to bring a new Ford F-150 pick-up and ask you to buy a little something extra and put it in the back of the F-150 and at the end of the day all that food and donations will be taken to the Food Bank. Okay before all you Cynics out there start in on me…..yes, they are trying to sell cars. That is what they do. However, anyone familiar with the FoMoCo will no doubt know they are VERY involved in the greater community. I am a member of the Deyoung and Legion of Honor Museums and the free days at the museums are underwritten by you guessed it…..Ford. They do this with little fanfare. You’ll see the Ford name under a lot of charitable endeavors. So this isn’t a “shameless promotion”, it is a sincere effort to give back and pay it forward.

For those who don’t’ know, Walnut Creek Ford on North Main st. is an “in-kind” sponsor of the WC farmers’ market and has been since we moved to the Locust st. location. I thank them every week for making my life easier and saving us a ton of money.

Here is Fords’ Idea

“”The Northern California Ford dealers have started a campaign called “The Right Choice”, dedicating themselves to giving people the ability to help their communities. Our goal is to gather all of the good will of Northern Californians and pay it forward to those who need it most.

Our first mission is the  F-150 Food Revolution. Within this, we’re on a mission to feed 150 Northern California families in need . We’ll be visiting the Walnut Creek Farmers Market to help accomplish this goal on Sunday, September, 19th from 8:00am-1:00pm.  We encourage people to purchase extra produce and goods to put in the back of our F-150! At the end of the event, we will take the food and deliver it to a local food bank on behalf of California Ford Dealers, Walnut Creek Ford and the Walnut Creek Farmer’s Market.

We’ll also be taking pictures of  individuals and donors,  then uploading them to Facebook, where they will tag themselves for a chance to win $500 to give to a Northern California Food Bank of their choice!”"

So what do you say? You in? Let’s make this an event, see if we can’t overwhelm them with donations, the Walnut Creek market shoppers are after all the most generous folks around, you’ve proved that many times. Grab a few friends and lets’ have some fun with this. Sunday, 19 Sept. 8 am to 1 pm

In other Market news, the Lafayette Farmers Market is winding down and is currently scheduled to close on the 30th. If you haven’ had a chance to get out to it, get to it. It is a charming market with lush green area to sit and listen to music and have a snack. A terrific selection of vendors and everything else you’ve come to expect from a CCCFM market. Make the effort and go, you won’t regret it.

Follow the market at

www.twitter.com/wcmarket

www.facebook.com

www.cccfm.org

Until next time, see you at the market!

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Listening to: Urge Overkill – Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon

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Listening to: The Centurions – Bullwinkle Part II

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Listening to: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – I Hate Myself for Loving You

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Listening to: Robin Trower – Bridge of Sighs

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Listening to: Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble – Texas Flood

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Listening to: The Box Tops – The Letter

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Listening to: Russian State Symphony Orchestra – O Fortuna from Carmina Burana (The Omen)

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Listening to: Robin Trower – Day of the Eagle

Summer is finally upon us and the market is starting to reflect it. Cherries, Apricots, early Peaches & Nectarines. Asparagus is winding down, only a few more weeks of that. Have you tried some of the newer or recently returned vendors? Kashawase Organic Fruit has returned. Rhythm & Blueberries? Swank Farms? Massa Organics? I talk to a lot of people who have specific vendors they patronize exclusively and by-pass the newer farms or vendors. Is that you? Try some new vendors, you may find a new variety of fruit or a better price or maybe just make a new friend.

Now for something completely different.

What have you done to prepare for the next disaster? Cheery subject I know, but one that we cannot ignore. As the local saying goes, “It’s not if, but when”. We live in an area that is prone to one type of emergency or another. Wildfire, landslide, or the ever popular earthquake. Any of these could isolate you or your family from assistance for many hours or even days, without power, cell phone and land lines may by inoperable. Worst case scenario, food and water may be in short supply or you or a family member may be injured.

There are many ways to prepare, have an emergency plan that includes ways of communicating with family members, emergency kit with first aid, shelter (tent), food and water for 72 hours and clothes. Sounds like a lot but it really isn’t’. A kit takes up very little room and could be stored in the garage or an out building where it could be easily accessed when needed. Can you turn your gas off, water or electricity? You may need to.

There is a program called C.E.R.T that stands for Community Emergency Response Teams. The training is currently free and teaches you how to help yourself and your neighbors to cope with a disaster. Contact your local Police dept. for more info. Its’ fun, informative and might save your life. About C.E.R.T June 27th, the is currently a plan for the Walnut Creek C.E.R.T Emcom team to be at the W.C. market for a demonstration of emergency communications and have info about C.E.R.T. This coincides with the national “Field Day” for amateur radio operators (HAMS). This the one day a year where HAM operators around the world practice emergency communications for disaster preparedness. On the 27th, stop by the C.E.R.T tent and say Hi, get some info.

I am a member of C.E.R.T and a Ham Radio operator.