For the past few weeks, we’ve been spending our Saturday running around -amazing race style- doing inspection marathon. What a stressful activity! with all the adrenalin,finding the right address, got lost, got pissed, arguing about which way to go, catching another tram to the next house / flat..pheeww..! Each inspection only lasts 15 – 30 min, and if the property located in popular suburb and close to public transport, there always at least 10 people looking as well. I found that inspection is kinda funny in a way, you can see in people’s eyes, when they see another couple arrived at the property, they look slightly pissed. And they try to limit interaction with each other, I think, in their mind would be sort of like “hmmm, we’re competing for this house.., better avoid eye contact!” (or, maybe not, I probably just imagining it).

Last Saturday, we went out around 9am, fully charged with coffee, and half a croissant (we share 1 croissant, we’ve got nothing else at that time). About 3 hours, 3 properties and 2 blisters later, (I stupidly wear my new shoes – NEVER wear new pair of shoes for inspection marathon, stick to your havaianas) we were famished and cranky.

We decided to go to A1 bakery, because other breakfast places must be really busy at that time, and we didn’t have any energy left to wait longer. It was quite busy when we got there, but luckily, there were still some empty tables around. The scene was different form other cafes we usually go to, most of the customers are families, or locals. We ordered the same stuff, spinach and cheese pastry, $3.50 each (how uncreative, I know, but low blood sugar level shut down our creativity). while we’re waiting for our pastry reheated, we couldn’t resist to buy the baklavas ($1 each, but if I bought $5, I always get 1 extra ). I ended up eating the pastry, and saved the baklava for dessert. My hubby, has interesting way of eating them, he had 1 bite of pastry, and then 1 bite of his baklava, and his pastry again..weird! his tastebuds must be soooo confused..  The spinach and cheese pastry were really good, stuffed with generous salty chunks of feta, and fresh spinach, wrapped in crisp golden pastry. The spinach and cheese pastry was a huge triangle, sliced in three smaller triangles.The amount of cheese was just right, not overpowering the spinach, yet still satisfying.

The baklava – sheets of filo pastry, nuts, drizzle with syrup, and sprinkled with crushed pistachio. Very sweet, rich, and sticky (in a good way). I try to be good, and resisted the temptation to buy baklava to take home, because we still had some tiramisu left in the fridge. (I wil post the recipe later). On the way out, we saw a couple sharing a huge plate of pizza, automatically we exchanged glance, and telepathically said “we got to try that one!”

A1 Bakery – 645-645 Sydney Road, Brunswick, (9386 0440)

Now Brunswick has a statue of King Leonidas of Sparta in Sparta Place off Sydney Road. The statue has been the subject of local controversy,  it is disliked by the local traders, and created as part of the junket politics of sister cities.

Petros Georgariou - King Leonidas 2009

Greek artist Petros Georgariou sculpted the bust of King Leonidas, in a retrograde and conservative nationalist-realist style. The modeling of the bust is crude and stiff. The statute’s black marble plinth, a material alien to the local area, makes it look like a tomb. Not content to leave the 2005 remodelling of Sparta Place alone, the statue has been erected right in the middle of the mall. The placement of the plinth and style of the statue clashes with the existing contemporary style statue in the mall, New Order by Louise Lavarack. There are a lot of things wrong with the statue but not as many as the things wrong with the politicians who commission it.

Roberto Calasso in The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony argues that Sparta could not be understood before Stalin. “Lycurgus was the first to compose a world that excluded the world: Spartan society. He was the first person to conduct experiments on the body social, the true fore-father all modern rulers, even if they don’t have the impact of a Lenin or a Hitler, try to imitate.” Sparta always acted in their “national interest” and would kill and enslave to achieve this end.

Mayor Lambros Tapinos said the statue symbolized “the contribution of the Greek community and its vibrant history within our municipality”. Other local politicians, like Cr Ange Kenos, have also praised King Leonidas for his defense “of human rights.”  To dismiss these politicians as stupid and ignorant is to be generous or sympathetic to them, these are the kind of people who would help another Hitler and Stalin to power. I’m sure that as a politician Mayor Tapinos has learnt the highest rule of Sparta society: you can do anything; steal, rape and kill, just don’t get caught. Laconophilia may be popular but it is also amoral and delusional.

I have written about Coburg’s multiple sister city junket politics before in regards to the use of the arts: see Man of the Valley and Cross Currents @ Moreland Civic Centre.  I have not been unimpressed with the artistic standard of these exchanges and I have seen no other evidence of any value to the City of Moreland’s three sister city relationships.

Congratulations to Sue Sass, the winner of our Frugal Find contest! Sue will be receiving $10 towards her favorite thrift store in Maine.

We were thrilled by the response to our contest, and even more excited by all of the great suggestions. Sue discovered a toddler-sized, L.L.Bean winter coat at Good Will in Falmouth for just $4.99. Winter coats like this one often sell for at least $50. Way to go Sue!

Cute Potato also learned that the Freeport Community Center Thrift Shop offers 2-1 sales on clothing most every Wednesday. And best of all, kids’ clothing is priced at $1.00-$2.00. All of the proceeds go to Freeport Community Services, which offers support to local people in need.

Other favorites included the popular Lots for Tots in Falmouth and Scarborough, which we featured in our last post, Bull Moose Music for used video games and movies, The Kids Room in Brunswick and Kids Unlimited in Portland.

Thanks to everyone for your ideas, and happy shopping!

Good Will: locations throughout Maine. Check site to search by zip code. http://www.goodwillnne.org/

Freeport Community Thrift Shop, 53 Depot Street, Freeport,
869-1007

Bull Moose Music: locations throughout Maine. Check site for details. http://www.bullmoose.com

Kids Unlimited, 352 Warren Avenue, Portland, 878-5028

The Kids Room, 149 Maine Street, Brunswick, 729-5437

This Thursday night you can catch Seagull supporting Francis Plagne at The Edinburgh Castle from 8:30pm, free entry!  This will be Seagull’s last show in Melbourne this year, before he gears up for the release of Carmel Di Mattia, his sophomore album next year!

Its raining again here. I had heard that this year Melbourne got some record breaking heat but so far I haven’t seen it.  The weather though colder than I thought, is better for a tourist so you aren’t in the humid stifling heat of Australia.

Our plan was to browse the suburban heaven of Melbourne. We started at the Sunday city market near Flinders Street station under the Yarra River bridge. Its an open street market and the cacophony of sounds is faimiliar from the sounds I heard as a girl growing up in India. Its got a life of its own. You can find anything from essential oils to beautiful paintings. Oh, its mostly a cash only market so you should carry some. It was raining hard by the time we finished browsing and I bought Melbourne paintings that will look great at home. 

Our next stop was St.Kilda which is an eclectic neighborhood with some rich mansions and backpackers. Its the only beach town within city limits of Melbourne. Parking is difficult to find and you might have to drive around to find one.

St.Kilda

 Since its been a rainy windy day, our walk on the  pier was cold and the wind could’ve blown me away like a kite! The waves crashing on the rocks misted us with some sea water that made us laugh and enjoy the ocean. The skyline was filled with colorful  parasails since all the windsurfers were out in hoardes. It was like watching a human kite festival. We saw some really accomplished windsurfers or atleast that’s what I thought.

After walking on the pier we went to Acland St. which is a popular street full of cafes, restaurants and shopping. The cafe shop windows were filled with scrumptious desserts of all kinds. Its dessert-heaven! Grab a slice of cake or whatever your dessert is at Monarch Cafe or Le Bon with a flat white (remember the coffee I talked earlier about?). Monarch has a library too and its got a family-run-business feel that I found more charming than Le Bon.

Brunswick St.

From St.Kilda we drove to Bridge road – popular for fashion and clothes, Fitzroy Road and our final stop was Brunswick St. Brunswick St. is what I call a neighborhood for ‘free spirits’ or ‘artsy kinds’. Its got some great bars, nighclubs and cafes. Its quirky and packed with personality. Goto  Django Djano for a beer and stop at Babkas for some fresh bread and desserts. Yes, in my family we love desserts . Brunswick St. is one I can see myself visiting many times just to hang out at. Its an experience like no other.

The houses and architecture at Camberwell, Hawthorn, St. Kilda are very English like. No cookie-cutter houses here. Each house has a personality with intricate detailing. I walked around many neighborhoods and wished we had such variety of architecture in Denver. Melbourne has old houses but they are unique – each one of those.

We ended the night with some Indian lamb curry and veggies that I treated Vakul and Nell too for taking me around with a smile. They are amazing and I’m so thankful to them. When you are in Melbourne, you must do this tour of suburbia as you will see melbourne like no tour bus can show you.

January 1 – February 29, 2010 – Join the hunt for Island Treasures on Jekyll Island. Comb 10-miles of the white sand beach for wonderful art glass fishnet floats, glass starfish and sand dollars. All art glass is handcrafted, stamped with the year, numbered and signed by the artists. Once you find this one-of-a-kind treasure, take it to the Jekyll Island Welcome Center to be registered and receive a Gift Pack, complete with two tickets to the Island Treasures Finder’s Keepers Gala and Certificate of Authenticity. Just a hint … all art pieces will be placed above the high-tide water line and not in the sand dunes. For more information please visit the Embassy Suites Brunswick Guide

Blog nun endlich eingerichtet. Die Namen, die ich wollte, waren leider schon vergeben, wenn auch so gut wie ohne Inhalte. Schade immer, wenn Blogs einfach nur brach liegen und nicht mal gelöscht werden. So würden die Adressen für andere frei.
Der Illusion, daß jemand solch einen Blog bzw. Adresse kauft, braucht sich keiner hinzugeben. Ich beobachte Blogs schon jahrelang und spreche daher aus Erfahrung. So etwas gelingt bestenfalls Leuten, Vielbloggern wohlgemerkt, die das hauptberuflich machen, wie Mr. BasicThinking, der sein Blog versteigerte.
Wenn man seine Arbeitszeit und -aufwand gegenrechnet, war es ein  Fulltimejob für ihn mit einem halbwegs akzeptablen Stundenlohn.
Man soll das nicht unterschätzen, wie unglaublich viel Arbeit in solch einem Langzeitblogprojekt drin steckt. Das kann einem niemand in Wirklichkeit bezahlen!

Nun hab’ ich diese Adresse -  nun, sie ist nicht die schlechteste … und vor allem war sie noch frei

Let’s blogging …..

Menu

Omelets made to order

Carving station – Ham

Scrambled eggs

Home fries

Corn beef hash

Mac and cheese

Bacon

Sausage

Waffles

Pancakes

Shrimp

New burg

Soups

Salad

Turkey pot pie

Lasagna

Cheese and crackers

Beans

Beef tips

Fresh fruit

Muffins

Cereals

Hot oatmeal

Fruit sauces

Blueberry Cake

Coffee Cake

Cost:

Adults $15.95

Children under 12 $7.95

Children under 5 FREE

]]> http://exitcoast.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/new-residential-search-page/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:40:20 +0000 exitcoast http://exitcoast.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/new-residential-search-page/

We have a new Residential search page! Search for Homes, Land, and Rentals. Check it out!
http://www.exitcoast.net/Search-Residential

It’s all about seafood – the freshest and finest available – at the Georgia Sea Grill, 310-B Mallery Street in the St. Simons Island Village. The Georgia Sea Grill serves fresh local seafood, shrimp, scallops, pasta, steaks, and evening specials, in a friendly, casual and intimate atmosphere. The restaurant is non-smoking and serves cocktails, wine, and beer. Reservations are suggested. For more information or reservations, please call 912-638-1197 and please check the destination guide of Brunswick and the Golden Isles

The fourth annual Festival of Trees will take place Dec. 4-5, at the Elizabeth Correll Teen Center in Brunswick. This gala series of events is a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia. Friday, Dec. 5, enjoy a gala Holiday Party featuring live music, Christmas movies, ornament making and more from 7:00 to 11:00 pm. The public is invited to enjoy a spectacular display of professionally decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and garland, created by local designers, Saturday Dec. 5 from 10 am to 3 pm. For more information, please check the destination guide of Brunswick and the Golden Isles

Explore the beautiful tidal creeks and marshes of Glynn in a comfortable pontoon boat. Interpretive tour includes sightseeing, ecology, history, and birding. Tours can be customized for home school curriculum compliance or Scout badge fulfillment. Tours are offered year-round with USCG licensed captains to make your trip a safe and unforgettable experience. You may take your own private tour at any time. We will fit into your schedule. We have no set departure times, although we can recommend a time of the tide according to what you want to see or do. Low tide is best to see birds and oysters, while high tide is best to have a view across the marsh. For more information please visit the Embassy Suites Brunswick Guide

Cute Potato is headed to the great city of Brunswick twice this week for music and books—two of our family’s favorite things. First up: Songs & Stories from Around the World at Frontier Café on Thursday, 11/12
at 10 a.m. If you haven’t been to Frontier, the space alone is a treat. The café, cinema and gallery is housed in Fort Andross Mill and it’s spacious enough for the kids to run amok. The pastries and coffee are yummy, too. Portland Stage Company veteran, Janice O’Rourke, will be there to entertain the audience with cultural music and stories.

A favorite in the Cute Potato household

On Saturday, The Curtis Memorial Library is hosting its annual Children’s Book Sale. We’re excited to find some new books on the cheap, but we’re especially thrilled about meeting Brunswick children’s book author and illustrator, Charlotte Agell. Cute Potato #2 is a huge fan of her book, Dancing Feet, for its simple rhymes and beautiful illustrations. And Agell will be available to draw quick (and free) portraits of kids attending the event. We’re psyched, to say the least. And all the proceeds for the book sale benefit youth programs at the library. See you there!

Songs & Stories from Around the World
Frontier, 14 Maine St., Brunswick
Mill 3, Fort Andross, 725-5222
Thursday, 11/12 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, 12/17 at 10 a.m.

Children’s Book Sale
Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick
725-5242
Sat., Nov. 14^th, 9:30 to noon in the Morrell Meeting Room

I’ll start out with some pictures of us passing under the Lanier bridge on our approach to Brunswick.

Approaching the Lanier bridge

Lanier bridge

We’re staying at the Brunswick Landing marina until tropical storm Ida passes through.  The weather was so beautiful, we didn’t expect to encounter a late season hurricane.  In fact, we got a rider from our insurance company so we could continue past Savannah before Nov 15th.  So here we were, sitting in Brunswick Georgia with no insurance–great!  Luckily, the remnants of the storm passed over today and all predictions of high winds didn’t come through.

The marina is very nice and so is the town.  It’s a huge marina with sturdy floating docks, clean showers and free (can you say FREE) laundry.  We’re tied up at the 1st dock which is mainly for transients and can fuel up from our slip.  On Sunday, we hung around the docks, did boat chores and laundry.  Yesterday (Monday), we went out for breakfast and walked around town.  It’s basically 2 main roads with businesses and restaurants.  We found the library and hardware store.  There’s a really nice bookstore called Hattie’s where we were greeted by Mr. Wiggles, the resident schnauzer.  We also bought 2 lbs. of shrimp (for $8) from one of the the shrimp boats tied up alongside the nearby dock.  We had dinner last night at Arte Pizza–a woodfire grill restaurant where we chatted with a couple from a sport fisher that fueled up earlier.   They kept their boat in Ocean City MD, hon!

Mr Wiggles

Shrimp boat dawg

Last night we were glued to the weather channel watching the approach of hurricane Ida.  I’m so glad that it turned out to be a non-event for us.  We had some bands of rain and wind today but nothing too bad.  I’m also glad that we came into Brunswick instead of Jekyll Island as the docks are very secure here, it’s protected from wind and current and we can walk to restaurants and stores close by.

Shrimp boats

We visited the farmer’s market this morning and bought fresh vegetables.  I looked online for recipe ideas and made shrimp and okra tonight (first time cooking okra for me!)   We took Bailey for a long walk to the boater’s lounge at the other end of the marina to check out the book exchange.  Many marinas have book exchanges where you can leave and take books.   Every once in a while, I find something I want to read (but not today.)  

 Tomorrow we might walk to the grocery store.  We’ll check the weather to see when we can leave.  Our next stop is Cumberland Island and hope to anchor out for a few days under calm conditions.

Thanks to all of you who came by to doo some early chrissy shopping at the Teeny Tiny Sisters Market yesterday. It was a great day, and I think my decision to only go through the rest of the market twice means I may have even retained some of my profits! Scored some great clothes for chuckles from our neighbour, Knuffle Kid. So lovely, she’ll be the funkiest kid on the block with her new rags.

Grnadma Chuckles received an overwhelmingly good response to her new clothing range and we promise to have more sizes and patterns ready for the upcoming Kris Kringle Markets, and the next Northside Makers Market.

Now, I really should stop procrastinating. In 17 days, we start our crazy cluster of six markets in three weeks. I have to churn out two monkeys a day to make sure you can all get your favourite sock creatures in time for Santa’s big run. See you all then…

Looking for a weekend filler??? Get out in the Melbourne sunshine and visit Chuckles at the Teeny Tiny Sisters Market at Brunswick Town Hall, Sydney Rd, Brunswick. 10am-4pm. We’re out the front this time so come and say hi to us and check out the other fantastic locally made goodies at this wonderful market.

I ain’t afraid of no ghost. Speaking of which, do they still make Boo Berry cereal? If so, give me some.

Hi everyone, I was going to hold off publishing the new stock so I was ready to go at the markets but many of you have been asking about new monkeys and our soon to be launched clothing range. So I have posted new sock toys in the ’sock toys’ section in the right hand menu. Here is a sneak peek of Grandma Chuckles new clothing for littlies…

See you all at the Teeny Tiny Sisters Market this saturday, Brunswick Town Hall.

Source: http://capefearbusiness.com

Ocean Isle Beach, NC  –  The 29th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival was held October 17 & 18, 2009 on Ocean Isle Beach.  The event boosted a total of 35,000 festival attendees over the 2 day event.  The NC Oyster Festival, a 2 day festival which included over 120 authentic arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, roasted oysters, local nonprofits, a children’s area, live entertainment, Oyster Stew Cook-Off, NC Oyster Shucking Championships, Road Race, and new to 2009 – a Shag Dancing Contest!  “There was something for everyone at this year’s event!” said Megan Masser, Events Director. 

The event is kicked off with a 5K, 10K, and 1 Mile Fun Run starting at the OIB Community Center.  1st Place overall winner of the 5K race was Connor Flater of High Point, NC and 1st Place in the 10K was Wylie Penegar of Lancaster, SC.  Top winners received prizes from Try Sports of Wilmington.  Saturday evening the exciting North Carolina Oyster Shucking Championships was held!  The winner of the Professional Division will attend the 2010 National Oyster Shucking Championship held in Maryland.  This year’s professional division included seven of the area’s best oyster shuckers, the overall champion was Lisa Bellamy.  In the amateur division, five people competed and the winner was Barry Ervin.

READ MORE

To learn more about the book, visit: InSearchofMayberry.com!  

 Stay Connected!

 

View a scale model of a Liberty Ship, similar to those built in Brunswick’s shipyards during World War II, in Mary L. Ross Waterfront Park. Other attractions include an outdoor musical playscape, staged pavilion, farmers market and amphitheater, as well as an enticing sunset view across the marshes. Brunswick’s picturesque shrimp fleet and huge, ocean-going freighters from around the world may be viewed from Bay Street between Gloucester and Prince Streets. Make sure you experience the Liberty ship audio display which features a brief history of the heritage. Today, Brunswick’s original Liberty ships are all gone– but those famed ships, the people who built them, and their significant contribution to America’s wartime effort during World War II, are not forgotten! For more information please visit the Embassy Suites Brunswick Guide

“This nugget is a symbol of the dream common to all those who travelled along Sydney Road on their way to the Victorian gold fields.” The bronze plaque reads; unfortunately the bronze plaque look more golden than the pathetic green bronze lump bolted near the entrance to a carpark near Albion Street. The idea of casting a giant ‘nugget of gold’ in bronze is stupid and pointless as this public memorial that is almost hidden from view.

No one travels along Sydney Rd. to the Victorian gold fields now; the highway is a more direct route and the gold rush is history. Sydney Rd. is now a very long shopping strip from Brunswick to Coburg with cafes and restaurants serving food from around the world.

Each year the Moreland City Council and the local traders association has as community art exhibitions in the shop windows. This year it is called Window/Art. I have been in a few of the past exhibitions and seen others because I live in the area. They never really work either as community art exhibitions or as attractions for Sydney Rd shops. The problem is that Sydney Rd. is too long and the shops exhibiting work are spaced too far apart. The general amateur standard of art on exhibition does not attract much of an audience. There is nothing wrong with community art exhibitions but the amateur art on exhibition would be better in a local gallery rather than in a shop window amongst their window display. The gold ribbon frames taped to the shop windows did make the art more clearly identifiable but did look tacky and didn’t always frame the work.

I did not meticulously survey the first part of Window/Art between Victoria St. and Moreland Rd. but have seen it in parts as I went past in the tram or walking along a particular block while shopping. I had my lunch at Tabet’s Bakery for Lebanese pizzas: oregano, sesame seeds and fresh tomatoes and capsicum – a very tasty.

Robert Waghorn - It Ain't Heavy

There are a few stand out pieces on exhibition, including: Ben Howe (who was highly commended in the Emerging Artist Award at Melbourne Stencil Festival), Rachael Miller (another artist who exhibited at the stencil festival), and Robert Waghorn, (whose sculpture I wrote about in Victoria St Mall Coburg) who is exhibiting two painted wooden sculptures in the window of the Edinburgh Castle Hotel. And at Gowns Evening Wear Ri Van Veen raku clay works are certainly in good taste; her “That’s a Wrap” is simple, elegant and effective. Gowns Evening Wear was involved in past window exhibitions and generally makes a good selection. (You would hope that the manager of a shop selling evening wear would have good taste in art, as well as, fashion).

Ri Van Veen - That's a Wrap

However, the quality and quantity of street art along the Upfield railway line and bike path, that runs parallel to Sydney Rd., makes that my preferred local community visual art experience. But that is another story.

“Life at Bates is pretty fresh, sweet, and chockful of sugary (and nutty, in a good sense) moments that caramelize in and permanently stick to your memory . We’ve got not just one, no, but mountain loads of cherries on top. As our school is notorious for sustainability in its maintaining local resources  (read more here for what a Batesie did with our yogurt cup lids: http://www.bates.edu/x202873.xml), it’s crucial that we  actively collaborate with our community in Lewiston. And so- this just in- GELATO IS NOW IN STORE. As if that weren’t enough in addition to our unlimited options of food. Through partnership with local Brunswick company “The Gelato Fiasco”, gelato flavors are now available at Milts to be sold and sampled.” Read more.

Life at Bates is pretty fresh, sweet, and chockful of sugary (and nutty, in a good sense) moments that caramelize in and permanently stick to your memory . We’ve got not just one, no, but mountain loads of cherries on top. As our school is notorious for sustainability in its maintaining local resources  (read more here for what a Batesie did with our yogurt cup lids: http://www.bates.edu/x202873.xml), it’s crucial that we  actively collaborate with our community in Lewiston.

And so- this just in- GELATO IS NOW IN STORE. As if that weren’t enough in addition to our unlimited options of food. Through partnership with local Brunswick company “The Gelato Fiasco”, gelato flavors are now available at Milts to be sold and sampled. This brand’s gelato is not only produced organically:

“made with natural Maine milk and cane sugar; no corn syrup” (http://www.gelatofiasco.com/about-our-gelato/)

As Maine is not only known for spectacular lobster and natural scenery, its blueberries are a decadent reward to all senses.

Fresh fruits are also thrown in as a kick for flavor into the gelato.

For more information, visit: http://www.gelatofiasco.com/locations/bates/

The website of “The Gelato Fiasco”  beckons:

“Hey Batesies. Life just got a little more delicious.”

In addition to the already scrumptious Bobcat-flavored experience, sprinkled with delectable courses, students, and events? Deliciously gross understatement.