Rediscover El Cerrito - Stockton Avenue

I spend most of my free time hanging out in Berkeley for its large selection of bakeries, coffee shops, and restaurants. A few years ago, I noticed a few shops popping up on Stockton Avenue in El Cerrito. I didn't think they would last.  I thought there simply wouldn't be enough foot traffic to support the business. A few days ago I got a coupon for a small cup of coffee at Well Grounded Tea & Coffee Bar on Stockton Avenue, one of the shops that I saw a few years ago. I normally walk Kelsey just a block short from Stockton, so I thought I'd walk over and check out the shop while getting a free small cup of coffee.

This morning I went in the small coffee shop for the first time at 8:30 a.m.  To my surprise, it was full of patrons, and there were 3 friendly staff behind the counter taking people's orders. The coffee was surprisingly good and strong.  The customers were all friendly and asked me about the very well behaved dog, Kelsey, who was tied to a tree outside of the shop.

While I enjoyed my coffee, I walked across the street to check out other shops. They are Hibiscus Boutique Spa and The Glenn Custom Framing among a few others. Outside of the framing shop, there is a little cute free library full of books.  I couldn't resist not to take The Dog Park Club by Cynthia Robinson. I read its introduction, and the story takes place in Berkeley. I can't wait to read a mystery novel that's about a dog park and takes place right in my neighborhood!

Wild Turkeys of El Cerrito

I spotted 3 turkeys on October 24th last year. I had wondered whether they were someone's pets or Thanksgiving dinner. Today I went down to El Cerrito Library on Stockton Ave. On my way back, I saw turkeys and a group of people standing on the corner of Elm and Stockton. I pulled over and ran back with my camera. There were about ten turkeys altogether leisurely walking around on both sides of the Elm Street. They seemed to really like the front yard of one house on the corner. The resident of the house stood on the front steps talking to all the people in front of his yard. It felt like a community event. I thought maybe he owned the turkeys.

He told us those are wild turkeys that come down from the hill occasionally, and that his 3 Malteses would go nuts barking at the birds. I could see the cute white dogs in the window. One of them had a pink sweater on. It appears these turkeys have become more comfortable with human interaction. I was able to get a lot closer this time. Someone even threw some bread pieces at them. Many people stopped by to take pictures of them. Some of them also saw the turkeys around Thanksgiving near the BART Station. I only saw 3 last time, and these time, there were about 10. I wonder if the turkey gang is going to get even bigger next time I see them.

Note the turkeys behind the trees!