Postcard Travelers 

Adventure Magazine

What you need to know, about the places you want to go. A Photographers Journey. ©

By Stacy Poulos ©2010 Playback.net 


 

PostcardTravelers.com A Photographer's Journey

A Photographic journal of Alameda Antiques Show 2011 Stacy Poulos Photography

A Photographic journal of Alameda Antiques Show 2011 Stacy Poulos Photography




I love the Alameda Point Antiques Faire! It makes me dizzy because there are so many cool things I want to take home!  1st Sunday, every Month
http://www.alamedapointantiquesfaire.com/

Alameda Point Antiques Faire
2900 Navy Way (at Main Street)
Alameda, CA 94501

Enjoy the video Stacy Poulos Photography
Music By Ronnda Cadle
http://ronndacadle.com
Produced by ©2011 www.playback.net

www.PostcardTravelers.com

©2011 www.playback.net

Miss Pearl’s Jam House Creole Gumbo And Jack London Square, Oakland Ca By Stacy Poulos





Miss Pearl’s Jam House Creole Gumbo And Jack London Square, Oakland Ca By Stacy Poulos

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I love a great discoveries! Today I toured the 'Jack London Square bay' taking photos on a Kayak with a friend. We went in the public entrance at Jack London Square, free to launch my own kayak, and my friend rented a paddle board $15.00 an hour at "California Canoe And Kayak" which was very helpful and lots of cool stuff to buy. We parked our car for $5.00 for 12 hours a block away takes cash and cards. 



After, my friend wanted to go a restaurant 'with a view of the water' and we were too dressed down from paddling to go in any of the fancy restaurants, so we poked around and found 'Miss Pearl’s Jam House' Cuisine Inspired by the Caribbean Islands. It looked fancy, but we asked if it was ok the way we were dressed, and they welcomed us with open arms. When I saw 'gumbo' on the menu I knew that's what I wanted. I am always excited and leery about restaurants that claim to make 'Gumbo' I've had the best 'Gumbo' in the center of New Orleans. And I haven't come close to what I've experience yet and that's always a disappointment when your pallets been so sophisticated. So I took a chance. I ordered the "Creole Gumbo" (Pulled chicken, Andouille sausage, Tasso ham, Gulf Prawns, and Okra, floating around a cup steamed rice) ($18.00). I'm not a huge fan of Okra, so I asked them to use a little less, and dice it. They were happy to accommodate me and my 'high maintenance'. It was soooo good, I am trying to figure out when I can come back again. I forgot to ask for extra sauce, as I do for everything I ever order, but it came plenty saucy already- woo hoo extra bonus! The meats were of high quality had a great texture and flavor.

My friend had just a few appetizers, very tasty 'Rosemary Polenta' ($4.00) and 'Seasonal vegetables' ($4.00) which happen to be 'Young Broccoli marinated in fresh (un-refrigerated, huge difference!) potent Garlic cooked absolutely perfect.

So as the sun fell on the water, we enjoyed a superb 2008 Petite Sirah; R&B Cellars Pizzicato, Napa Valley's; Rock Wall Wine Company ($9.00 glass). www.rbcellars.com From a very fun and knowledgeable waiter and staff that checked in often. They went as far as letting me in the kitchen to get a photo. If you didn't get the window view, the restaurant is uniquely designed with beautiful mosaic sea shell tiles on the wall. If you go into the bar, they have live music as well, and a nice atmosphere. I'm definitely coming back soon. Problem is, there looks like a lot of good stuff on the menu, but I think I'll have the gumbo again, and warm up to the chef for the recipe.

Caio’ for now.  -Stacy

Miss Pearl’s Jam House
Cuisine Inspired by the Caribbean Islands
One Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
Jack London Square
at the Water Front Hotel
Telephone: 510.444.7171
http://www.misspearlsjamhouse.com



California Canoe And Kayak
Oakland Retail Shop
409 Water Street
Jack London Square
Oakland, CA 94607
http://www.calkayak.com/store_oakland.cfm
510-893-7833

PS Make sure if you go on the estuary it's not too windy, paddling up wind is a lot of work.

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A Superb Stake & The Maltese Falcon At John's Grill In San Francisco



A Superb Stake & The Maltese Falcon At John's Grill In San Francisco
-By Stacy Poulos

John's Grill
63 Ellis St., San Francisco, CA 94102
(between 4th St & Market St)
Neighborhood: Union Square
(415) 986-0069
www.johnsgrill.com

When you've been around since 1908 you know someone has carried on the torch. After spending 3 day's at a MacWorld convention I thought I'd treat myself to a great meal. As I walked down Powell Street I passed by an officer and said "I know you must know where a good place to eat a reasonably priced steak is around here". He pointed right up the street to 120 Powell at 'Tad's Steak Restaurant' and said you can get a good steak for around 15 buck's (almost with a New York accent). So I went in that direction, before crossing Ellis St, being a good citizen looking both ways before I crossed the street, to my right 'John's Grill since 1908' caught my eye. It rang a bell for me, so I thought I'd peek in and it was the home of the movie 'The Maltese Falcon'. It's a little more spendi for my budget. But as a filmmaker, I couldn't help but want to sit in a room where Sam spade from the movie sat and be inspired by History. Why not spoil myself once in a while.

I will say, as frugal as I am, I have a very sophisticated pallet for a great quality steak. My mom spoiled us with her restaurant sized indoor grill and teated us to a good T-bone or New York steak once in a while. Not to mention, we got our meat from cows my step dad's family had raised in Portland Oregon. So trust me, I know a good quality steak. I start out on a steak adventure very skeptical, that it will be near as good as what I have grown up to know. A great steak needs just salt and pepper. Sometimes a hint of butter and garlic.

Going in a fancy restaurant as a single female alone, isn't always a nice greeting. I was pleasantly surprised all the way around. The first thing I thought about when they sat me down and brought me bread and butter, was the great tasting San Francisco sourdough bread (my best friend in Alabama makes me bring her a loaf when I visit). Most restaurants have this chewy bread. Even if it's freshly made nothing compares to a SF sourdough bread crust. It has its own taste and texture. Even though there's a "Sam Spade’s Chops (Broiled lamb chops)" on the menu, I had myself a nice Medium rare New York USDA Prime or Certified Black Angus, the finest available. Corn-fed in the Midwest, it is specially selected for the highest quality and naturally aged for maximum flavor and tenderness steak.  Yummy! Perfect flame broiled on the outside and rare on the inside. The flavor of the meat was superb, As I enjoyed live jazz filling the air.

33 bucks for the steak includes seasonal vegie, a baked potato and roaming around the unofficial museum of San Francisco's rich History. On the walls are many famous people who have visited including the late Jack Lalanne who said my newest favorite quote "The worst thing you can do to your body is not use it". I sat across from the 1984 Olympic Torch. You know they have to know someone to have that. It's a different experience than going to a museum and observing, than actually sitting where films have inspired a part of your career. Before I left, I got my photo taken next to the Maltese Falcon and Emmy Award to inspire my next generation of filmmaking with a great meal underneath my belt and new technology to expand my horizon.

A Superb Stake & The Maltese Falcon At John's Grill In San Francisco
-By Stacy Poulos www.PostcardTravelers.com


Determination




Determination is like spilled water flowing on a mission, it doesn't stop until it reaches its goal. It doesn't always know its being pulled by an invisible force manifested by gravitation,the human spirit. The direction isn't always as relevant as its missions journey that survives obstacles, because of the compelling pull of gravitation to its destiny. A journey that has no end because it resides in the heart and soul. -Stacy Poulos

Photo "My Favorite Perspective" City Of Refuge, HI

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Oakland Greek Festival Is Off The Hook, Travel To Greece in Oakland




 


Oakland Greek Festival is my favorite of all Festivals.  Always the 3rd weekend in May, like a lot of events, but I always find room for it. I have been to Greece and I am Greek. My Grandfather or Papo Achellies Poulos played the Oud (Greek guitar) and was best friends and played with Marko Melkon in the 1950's. When my Grand Mother, or Yaya, Maria Stevens, or Stavos, herd my grandfather was coming to America she went down to the ship yard and woo'ed him over to marriage. Maria was coined the Grandmother of Greek cabaret in the 1950's 'Variety Magazine ' and started Belly dancing in the United States. She entertained thousands, including Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis. I have a tambourine (pictured below photo by Lynette; gildedserpent.com) made by Greek prisoners, signed by famous Belly dancers in the 1950's. I also have an original menu from one of her restaurants. I have a very rich and interesting heritage, including my Yaya got arrested during prohibition for serving alcohol. Go Grandma!




The marriage wasn't a match made in heaven but lasted long enough to bare 3 children my dad; John Poulos (A Bay Area Bartender and President of Entertainment East Magazine pictured below), twin brother Alex Stevens (President of East Coast Stuntmen's Association. People are most are impressed when I tell them he was the stuntman for Frank Sinatra (pictured below), when I was a kid I was enthralled by the fact that he was the Ware Wolf on 'Dark Shadows' (pictured below). How cool is it to say your uncle's a Ware wolf? I was young enough at the time to believe he really was one. They also had another daughter... my Aunt Ann Poulos, who I never got a chance to meet. There is a lot of rich Greek/American culture running around the festival behind the scenes that makes me feel at home. Some familiar with my Papo and my Yaya. As for my Uncle, he always says he's "Practically Famous".







The food is the best! Gyros in Greece are much different, they don't have ground meat, but they are excellent just the same. They serve; Gyros; ground meat, tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce -yogurt, sour cream, garlic & cucumber, served with pita bread), Spanakopita; Spinach & feta pie in phyllo, Tyropitakia; Feta Cheese Pie Triangles in phyllo, Loukaniko; Greek Sausage; Cooked on grill with oregano and lemon), this year they added a treat; Avgolemono Soup; Greek Lemon Chicken Soup. All of which I eat on my first day! I'm still full. It's not everyday you get this quality of Greek food in one location. These are not trained professionals in the kitchen, they are authentic Greek grandmothers showing off their talents (maybe with a little grandma to grandma, or yaya to yaya competition) in the kitchen handing down there skills and tradition to the next generation.

 

There is also Souvlakin; marinated chunks of meat on little skewers Chicken and beef, Greek Halloumi; cheese grilled, topped with capers salad dressing, Dolmathes; stuffed Grape leaves, Greek salad; lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, feta cheese, vinaigrette, and to my surprise they had a Greek salad in a pita with my favorite salad dressing 'Greco Fusion' from Elio's Family Restaurant (The Eliopoulos's) they now bottle and sell. Ironically they had an AD at the Gyro booth for the dressings that I made (Photos, layout and printing). They happen to be a customer of mine, I made the restaurant and the dressings website eliosfoods.com and eliosdining.com





I'm not even going to start with desserts, but mention my favorite; Baklava; flaky fillo filled with ground walnuts & cinnamon, topped with homemade honey sauce. Yummy! Maybe on Sunday.  You might even run into Dee Andronico volunteering, she is one of the founders of Andronico's markets; also another client of mine. A few years ago I was honored to make a video of their 75th year History, played at the prestigious Paramount theater (Pictured standing with Bill Andronico President of Andronico's on stage), my first video on the silver screen.





If you end the day with a Greek espresso be prepared to have something that resembles mud in the bottom of your cup, Greek style they don't filter out the grounds. When you go to a Greek festival be prepared to do as the Greeks do. What I love about the Oakland Greek Festival is the atmosphere, they import a Mykonos type windmill as you walk through the front door, the center piece is the beautiful Greek Temple, with rows of pillars, Greek blue windows. Inside the temple is one large room where a wispier will echo throughout the temple, religious icons painted on a copper sealing. Not many know but the rocks are also imported from Greece.



You can dance to several bands, watch period dressed Greek dancers, while you sip on a Imported Greek wine or American/Greek wine made in California; Lolonis, they even have Retsina - defiantly an an acquired taste. Or if you prefer there is micro brew, and Mythos; a Imported Greek logger.  And of course, there are plenty of non-alcoholic beverages including a Iced Frappé coffee. Lots of vendors selling Greek Imports, cloths, jewelry, religious icons, paintings, photography, tee shirts, music, etc. There are also cooking demonstrations, if you want to try your hand in cooking Greek style.



The people are fun to work with, they are all members, or friends of the church and volunteer (Like I do). I always volunteer to bartend, proceeds go to build their church, it's a great cause, and event, usually packed out.





The Oakland Greek Festival is as close to Greece you will get in America.  You can get discount coupons from there website www.oaklandgreekfestival.com/  Elio's, and Luke's Grill in San Leandro www.yelp.com/biz/lukes-grill-san-leandro havesome Greek dishes for those of you who crave Greek food in betweenGreek Festivals.  Or you don't have a Yaya to whip up something for you. The next festival up, local to me is the Castro Valley usally inOctober. The Festival's sometimes hosted in Hayward at the Centennial Hall. I prefer when it's out doors in Castro Valley at their church,but with the weather so unpredictable it's a safer bet for them inside.It's another place to enjoy great Greek food, family and entertainment.I typically bartend there too. Hey, it's easier than working the salad bar like I did one year. www.cvresurrection.org

By Stacy Poulos
http://www.PostcardTravelers.com

You too can make your own blog at  www.SuperGeniusWebsites.com a Product of http://www.Playback.net © 2010

Duplicity, Starring hot Clive Owen, and hotter Julia Roberts with a great twisted plot to boot



Duplicity, Starring hot Clive Owen, and hotter Julia Roberts with a great twisted plot to boot! By Stacy Poulos  
PostcardTravelers Movie reviews

Duplicity (2009) PG 13
4 stars!

Cleverly written and directed by Tony Gilroy. This romantic comedy spy-thriller Stars hot Clive Owen, and hotter Julia Roberts, to name a few. A pair of corporate spies who share a steamy relationship.

I love watching movies where they take you places I've been, or want to go. Duplicity starts out in Dubai, other scenes in Rome, Zürich;Switzerland, New York City and other places. Nothing like bring you back to a moment in time. One of the scenes takes place in Rome or as they say their "Roma"  and depicts the quaint and rustic feeling ofRoma I miss.

This is a great twisted plot of corporate spy's. As a writer and filmmaker I love the twisted story. As a World Traveler I love the scenes. As a business owner I love the inside scoop of what goes on in the Corporate world. As a fan of hustler movies like, my all-time favorite hustlers; Whoopi Goldberg as in Burglar 1987 and Ghost 1990,and Chevy Chase in "Fletch" to name a few.

I'm not going to ruin the movie it by telling you what goes on, just make it a night you pay full attention. The move jumps around in time and can get a little confusing. I like it so much I'm going to buy it.

Read more at: www.netflix.com/

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Lee's Hoagie House: Highly Recommended! Norristown, PA

Lee's Hoagie House:  Highly Recommended!
2896 Dekalb Pike
Norristown, PA 19401


(610) 279-0800

www.leeshoagiehouse.com




I've never been to PA (Pennsylvania) and was looking forward to
going, a friend of Local Pages Publishing  (a local
phone book) recommended I try 'Lee's Hoagie House' for a Pennsylvania
style Hoalgie while I was in the Norristown Area.

I tried there special an "Italian Hoalgie", and I loved
it. I loved it so much I wanted to go back for dinner but they were
closed. Hungry for that experience again, I tried another place nearly across the street, and it
ruined my experience. Just cuz there in Pennsylvania doesn't mean
everyone who claims to make a good one, does. It actually bothered me
me so much, I went back the first opportunity I had to have another
one. The freshness in the bread took it over the top and the dressing
gave it a nice kick. The other place was like eating a dry sponge. My
guest let me try her stake Hoalgie with mushrooms, and that was good
to. I can go to Pennsylvania and be happy just eating the Hoalgies.
Next time I'll just get a stake with mushroom. The atmosphere was a
deli / sports appeal. I don't like sports but I love the charm and
love the food. It's a good get-it-and-go. It's located in a
not-so-fancy strip mall. But the quality of food is outstanding. Just a few
doors down from a fish store, you have to see
Nemos Aquarium... I don't know if you can bring in your lunch
and hang out but I promise you will want to see there shark tank and
100's of different fish, most of all, the amazing live coral.  I
have never seen before and I'm a diver.

By Stacy Poulos  
http://www.PostcardTravelers.com

You too can make your own blog at  www.SuperGeniusWebsites.com a Product of http://www.Playback.net © 2010



As you can see it is a little messy with dressing dripping, that dressing and the peppers gives it a unique kick.
The bread has that fresh chewy texture while the inner bread is soft pillow of freshness.





This is what I'm coming back for next.



Catalina Island Sunrise On Avalon,

Category: Catalina Island,

Sunrise On Avalon 360




By Stacy Poulos  
http://www.PostcardTravelers.com

You too can make your own blog at  www.SuperGeniusWebsites.com a Product of http://www.Playback.net © 2010

Catalina Island Life In A Nutshell; Flying Fishes

Category: Catalina Island, Life In A Nut Shell

Greeting from Catalina Island this photo was taking this morning in the City of Avalon.
There will be much to tell about Catalina I was conceived here along with my two brothers. This is a story about how my parents met on the island. Right now I'm interviewing my mom about how she moved here when she 19 years old.





From the book "Life In A Nut Shell" ...



Flying Fishes
By Stacy Poulos 1996

One of my favorite memorable childhood adventures was when I was 12 years old. It was a life-changing year for me. My mom and I  went to Catalina Island for the summer. It wasn't the first time I had been there. I was actually conceived there, conceived in love. My mom met my very handsome dad and fell in love. They both lived on the island for a few years but chose to live and raise their children on the mainland. Whether or not the marriage lasted through my first birthday, I was still conceived in love, conceived in the American dream of white picket fences and having a dream life with children. I consider Catalina my birthplace because of it, even though I popped out of my mother's womb on another island 400 miles away up North in Alameda. Catalina is where my seed was planted. It is where my heart lies. 

 

I had been to Catalina many times since  the age of twelve. It has always been a faint memory to me where fish really did fly. And the first time I flew in an airplane and it landed on the water, I thought that was normal. Even though the memories of my biological dad were just visits because they divorced when I was one year old. I cherished every picture of my parents together in Catalina. I was blessed by their divorced and by my mom marrying my step dad, who was the calm in my life. Not that my biological dad was a bad man, he just never wanted to grow up and that is still true today. My mom liked to say he was a beach comber. That was OK too because we were blessed with my step dad who took the torch when I was five and raised us as though we were his own. We were lucky. 
 When I think about it, it was really important to go to Catalina alone with my mom, to bond with her without competing with my two brothers. I felt a sense of maturity and specialness. There is no doubt my mom favors her first born, which isn't me. Me and my younger brother laugh about it sometimes. But 1976 was my year. My brothers and step dad were scheduled to come when we found a place to stay for all of us. In the meantime me and my mom stayed at the Glenmore Hotel. I remember it as if it was yesterday. At night before we would go to sleep in the tiny bedroom with the shared bathroom down the hall, my mom would instruct me to go to the adjoining restaurant down stairs and have them fill up her thermos with a pot of coffee. I didn't mind at all. That made me independent and on my own on the big island before she would wake in the early afternoon. She would give me extra money to buy a hot chocolate while I waited for the coffee to brew. I can still hear the sound of the chocolate whipping around in the brewing machine. I remember the super thick white mugs and the canned whip cream on top. No, I did not mind a tall. Many of the old timers knew my mom. When you live on the Island most everyone has two or three jobs, if not more. My mom was a beautician and worked for Lolo's, which is a barbershop next to the bus depot.

 I remember when I was three years old, she brought over two mean baby-sitters to watch us. My youngest brother had just had his first birthday, so he doesn't remember, but they talked pig Latin so we wouldn't understand them. I specifically remember holding onto my mom's leg crying because I didn't want her to leave for work, ass he walked down the steep hills trying to brush me off so she wouldn't be late. Normally, me and my older brother Steve would fight.He hated it when I was born because I got all the attention. In fact, you can find 20-30 pictures of him as an infant but only one of me and my face was scribbled on. It cost my mom $150.00 to reconstruct my picture so I had at least one. Once the scribble was off I could see why my brother was so jealous. Even my first picture with Santa Claus had scribbles on my face. But this trip we stuck together in fear of the baby sitters.

  If you hold a seashell up to your ear you can hear the sounds of the ocean captured in the spiral of it's shell. When I think of Catalina, I hear distinctive sounds, see images, and smells. There is this beach on the Island called "Lover's Cove" and it's made of millions of small stones. It's loud because as the water crashes up against the stones, it has a unique crashing sound. As the water seeps back out to the ocean, the stones tumble over each other. It creates a mixture of sounds, like the sound of rain mixed with a gigantic cold Coke-a-Cola being poured into a glass of ice in a hollow echo chamber. If you're brave enough to get in the water after painfully walking on the rounded rocks, you will be greeted with schools of fish waiting to be fed. If you bring food to feed them they will eat right out of your hand. Lots of them. Enough to scare you,especially since you're in the middle of them and they're nibbling at your feet. It's always fun to snorkel there and watch the tourists freak out when they think they are being attacked by schools of fish. One time I met this cute tough guy named Vinnie, from Brooklyn of all places. He wanted to go snorkeling. I had taken snorkeling lessons and desired to dive someday. I started collecting used scuba equipment at flea markets. I told him he could go with meat the dive park on the outskirts of the Casino. There you will find less fish and more seaweed. Tall forests of seaweed 30 feet high where the tops rest on the top of the water. A little more scary than being attacked by fishes I might ad. We went together. He was so scared he was hyperventilating in the middle of the park and I didn't have a lot of sympathy. I was gagging on salt water from laughing so hard. He decided to get out and snorkel another day at the kiddies pool at 'Lover's Cove.' Casino snorkeling was for the big girls.

  I remember the beauty and the smell of the ocean at Catalina.Mostly from the walkway to the casino. (In Spanish, casino means gathering place). What makes it so special is the walkway to the Casino is romantically lit in the evening. On one side of the stone paved walkway is a small cliff, and on the other side is the harbor with boats and docks that line the harbor before it reaches out to open ocean. At the end of this setting is this huge round building eloquently lit and characteristically balanced with palm trees to accent the ocean. Since there are limited cars on the island, you periodically hear a scooter or a golf cart drive by. Or a small boat(called dingies) cruising around the harbor in the night to get to their Yacht or sailboat. Every once in a while, a water taxi will bring the boat owners home or to the dock for a night on the town.It's a mesmerizing experience and if you're with someone with the potential for romance, you get the feeling that it was meant to be.Sometimes it's just a good place to be in your skin and think about your future, which I did often. It's a scene you want to see nightly when you have the chance.





  There are so many stories to tell about Catalina, from my adolescence to my youth, when I decided how I was going to start my own business. The unique thing about being there was I always felt present and clear in my life with what I wanted to do. The friends I made with the islanders, even the ones that got away. But most of all it was the only time I really spent that special time alone with my mom.     © 1996 

By Stacy Poulos  
http://www.PostcardTravelers.com

You too can make your own blog at  www.SuperGeniusWebsites.com a Product of http://www.Playback.net © 2010


     


 

 

 

Respect



Respect is a unwritten contract. Love is unconditional, even through
time. Self-respect is laying down the boundaries. And it doesn't
always come cushioned in cotton candy. -Stacy Poulos




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