Antiques fair in Tracy; lace sale in Sunnyvale
Many formerly quiet East Bay suburbs have drawn lots of new residents the past few years because of wellpriced housing. One growing city, Tracy, boasts a vibrant downtown loaded with exciting shops, eateries — and a Vintage and Antique Street Faire held twice a year. The fall version of the show will happen Oct. 7.
Patrons will find about 30 antiques, collectible and craft vendors at the event, along with food trucks and a farmers market loaded with Central Valley produce, candy sellers and baked goods. And the first-ever Blues, Brews and BBQ, a music and food festival, will take place the same day from noon to 6 p.m.
While in Tracy, check out the Grand Theater at 715 N. Central Ave. The building opened in 1923 for vaudeville performances and had its heyday in the 1940s as a movie palace. It closed in the 1970s but reopened in 2007 as the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts.
The antiques fair takes place at 10th and A streets. Hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission and parking free. Details: 209-8300796, or see its Facebook page. The popular show is organized by Owl Box Antiques and the Tracy City Center Association.
A BENEFIT >> Look for laceedged bedspreads, table runners, napkins, handkerchiefs, needlepoint, vintage jewelry and more when the nonprofit Lace Museum holds its semiannual sale Sept. 22-23. And don’t forget to peek at the current show of 1940s to 1960s pieces in the display titled “Grandma’s Lace.”
The museum is at 552 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. Members-only presale: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 21. Sale hours: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 22-23. Free parking. Details: 408-7304695, or www.thelacemuseum.org.
DANVILLE DISPLAY >> An exhibit honoring the great playwright Eugene O’Neill is at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley until Sept. 30. See a selection of playbills and information about O’Neill’s deep Irish roots.
The museum, a former Southern Pacific railroad depot, is at 205 Railroad Ave., Danville. Admission: adults $5; seniors, students and children, $3; members, free. Hours variable Tuesday-Sunday. Details: 925837-3750, or www.museumsrv.org.
GOURDS APLENTY >> The 15th Magical Glass Pumpkin Patch is set for Sept. 23-24, with viewing hours Sept. 22. The sale was founded in 2002 by Gigi Erickson, Shelly Monfort, Ken Mollenauer and the late great wizard of glass, Tom Stanton. Proceeds support Los Gatos High School art programs.
A record number of colorful orbs — more than 3,500 — in many new designs will be available. Hours: 5-7 p.m. Sept. 22 (you may look only!) then sale hours of 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 23 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 24. Details: www. magicalglasspumpkinpatch.com. IT’S MORE THAN A SIGN >> The Preservation Action Council of San Jose has released a second printing of its “The San Jose Signs Project: A Guide to the Vintage Signage of San Jose.” This slim paperback ($10) is a journey down Memory Lane that will surely appeal to all South Bay natives and anyone enamored with old advertising.
Shown are 25 notable gems, mostly photographed by area historian Heather David. You’ll get the history on the eyecatching symbols of Western Appliance, Wing’s Chinese restaurant, the Cambrian Park Plaza Carousel, Century Theatres and City Center Motel. A centerfold map locates each sign. Two pages of “lost but not forgotten” examples count Valley Fair, Alma Bowl and Spivey’s Drive-In among them.
Get a copy at the Antiques Colony, 1881 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, or History San Jose, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose. Proceeds aid The San Jose Signs Project.
TRAVEL TIP >> Angel’s Flight, the historic funicular climbing Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles (it has been shown in countless films) recently resumed operations since closing in 2013. When it first opened on New Year’s Eve in 1901, the cost of a ride was a penny. It’s now $1 for a one-way trip. I’d suggest adding a journey to your bucket list.