Bakesale Betty in Oakland

Here's another local sandwich place that we tried after so many times passing by, saw a long line of people waiting in the front and wondered what was all the fuss about? I tried in vain to find its name on the building, but did not see any, which was unusual. I asked an acquaintance if he knows why there is such a long line there and he said: "Oh, it's a sandwich place that sells only one kind of sandwich, and it's very good, you should try it." Alright! after years of passing by, we finally did drop in.



It is right at the busy corners of Telegraph Avenue and 51st Street in Oakland.



It was a little after 11 o'clock in the morning, but the line for lunch was already forming.



And more and more people were coming to join the line.



Another unusual thing about this place is that they use ironing boards as tables that are placed right on the sidewalk.







While waiting in line we were treated with some freshly baked cookies. They were very good.



Inside the place rolling pins decorated the walls all around.




We asked the man in front of us for the sign and name of the place and he said: "There is no sign, but it's called Bakesale Betty. There is only a small hand written menu on the front door. The owner came from Australia and she used to work for Chez Panisse. She now has her own place and sells some baked goods and fried chicken sandwiches."

Bakesale Betty opens from 7 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon, and they sell over 500 sandwiches daily. Wow! that's a lot of sandwiches.



Two hand written menus of the day on the left of the picture. I was inside looking out.





Here are some oatmeal cookies and baked goods.





We finally got our orders of fried chicken sandwiches, oatmeal cookies and lemonades.





Each sandwich cost $7.50 and it was alright, "not out of this world" kind that deserves all the "Wows!" and the "Yum-mys!". Perhaps because I am not a big fan of chicken breasts, but it was just something different to try. On the other hand, I liked her baking and will definitely come back and try other baked goodies.

The Cheese Steak in Berkeley

"Do what the locals do! " (or go where the locals go) Anthony Bourdain would say. Here's one popular sandwich joint that we, the locals of the city of Berkeley like to go when we want a decent and mouthwatering good sandwich in a reasonable price.



I've been living in Berkeley since the 80s and this Cheese Steak Shop was already here. It locates on University Avenue in between San Pablo and Tenth streets.



Why the yellow bell logo? you may ask? I have no idea.



Signs on the front door.



Behind the counter is where they do the cooking - right under the big yellow menu.



A 7 inch sandwich is about 5 dollars.



We came in around noon and all the seats and tables were occupied, except one right in the front near the entrance.



Our food was ready in about 10 minutes after ordering.




A barbecue cheese sandwich with three kinds of chili peppers.



And this is a bacon cheese sandwich.



And a large order of french fries. Everything was deliciously good. They even gave us a business- size card with 15 squares on it - each sandwich is worth one yellow bell stamp and when you get all 15 bells stamped you'll then get a free 10 inch sandwich of your choice. Sweet!

Visiting the Capitol of California - Sacramento, Part II

Downtown Sacramento is just about 15 minute's walk from the Old Sacramento. It was around 11 o'clock so the heat wasn't that intense yet.





After going through the tunnel, we encountered the Westfield Shopping Center.



The end of the shopping center is the Hard Rock Cafe with an enormous guitar that turns round placed in the front. Very imposing and eye-catching indeed.





On our way toward downtown, I saw this mom-and-pop grocery store with an interesting wall painting depicting the sidewalk scene in the good-old-days.



I spotted this cockroach sun-bathing on the sidewalk and called the kids over to see and take it picture. I haven't seen a cockroach this big since saying good bye to Sai Gon, Viet Nam. When was that? In 1975. What the hell! Cockroaches usually come out at night not in board day light. This is either a very brave or very nutty cockroach. We decided to leave it alone to soak up more vitamin D and perhaps we would find a very toasty and well-done cockroach on our way back.





There are many statues around the in the Capitol's surrounding and buildings.



Anh-Vu inherits my "sense of humor", I think - (He made faces at the buffalo in part I, and is now touching the statue's stone-cold titties.) Watch out Anh-Vu! Some passerby might call the police and report a sexual harassment case in front of one of the Capitol's buildings.









This is the Capitol Building of California, where governor Arnold Schwarzenegger works.



After passing through the metal detector gate, we were allowed inside.







The lobby.



The walls in the hallway displays all counties of California.



The governor's meeting room.



The Bear represents California. Go Bear!



This is the governor's office. It was "uncle Arnold" day off. Too bad!



A stairway to the Assembly Hall with pictures of the governors in the past. A modern day painting of governor Edmund G. Brown was a mistaken choice compare to the rest of the traditional paintings of others. In this painting Brown looked painfully depressed and worried.



An Assembly room.





From the Capitol's steps looking out.



We walked back to the Old Sacramento to eat lunch before catching the train back to Berkeley. With plenty of time left before the train arrives, we visited this Historic Schoolhouse.



Inside the class room.


Boys' hat rack on the left.


Girls' bonnet rack is on the right.



A teacher board the front of the school. I took home a few copies of some really tough and ridiculous Rules for Teachers and Students in 1915. Below are the rules for teachers:

1. You will not marry during the term of your contract.
2. You are not to keep company with men.
3. You must be home between the hours of 8pm and 6am unless attending a school function.
4. You may not loiter downtown in ice cream stores.
5. You may not travel beyond the city limits unless you have the permission of the chairman of the board.
6. You may not ride in a carriage or automobile with any man unless he is your father or brother.
7. You may not smoke cigarettes.
8. You may not dress in bright colors.
9. You may under no circumstances dye your hair.
10. You must war at least two petticoats.
11. Your dresses must not be any shorter than two inches above the ankle.
12. To keep the school room neat and clean, you must: Sweep the floor at least once daily, scrub the floor at least once a week with hot, soapy water, clean the blackboards at least once a day, and start the fire at 7am so the room will be warm by 8am.

And here are some punishments for the students:

1. Boys and girls playing together, 4 lashes.
2. Fighting at school, 5 lashes.
3. Quarreling at school, 5 lashes.
6. Telling lies, 7 lashes.
8. Swearing at school, 8 lashes.
9. Misbehaving to girls, 10 lashes.

And many many more darn tough rules, but I got tired of typing. Hope you'll get the idea.