I grew up in a 1200 sq ft house, sharing one bathroom with my six siblings. There were nine of us Schmidts in total under one roof on Berkeley Dr, a narrow winding street on a crowded hillside in south Glendale. I wrote about some of those memories here before. But for now, the size of my family and the location of that home is the only detail you need. 

This is another story that occurs many years later. Someone else’s beginning perhaps. The scene is a restaurant on an island in Hawaii. Our close family friends, the Gleasons, are trying to get a table for two and the only seats available require them to share a table with an older couple dining there. Everyone agrees and they end up chatting over dinner. The older couple share that their son is stationed in Hawaii, but is moving very soon to Southern California where he and his wife have bought their first home. The Gleasons ask the whereabouts and they find out the house they just bought is in Glendale. That’s crazy, small world!... we’re from Glendale too!  But the small world will get even smaller. The older couple continues: Our son and his wife just bought the place in this hilly little neighborhood – a little starter home - though apparently there was a family of NINE living there before, can you believe it?? Actually, the Gleason's can - and can't - believe it - and they take a shot in the dark – do you know the name of the street by chance? (followed by Hmmm, let me see, I remember all the streets are named after colleges...) Then the Gleasons ask, directly: Is it Berkeley Dr?  And (of course) it's confirmed.Yes! Yes that's definitely it!...

And it was crazy but true. Of all the tables in all the restaurants on all the islands in the world, the universe connects these two couples, and part of a family that will (also) call my first home home. 

This morning I'm thinking of all the past and present (and future) stewards of the happy home we call OAKLAND YARD. Thank you for all the stories, all the joy, for all the vibrant energy you bring through the door. Here's to the magical story that you are a part of here. Here's to neighbors and friends and family that gather under this roof. Here's to connection, to sharing tables with strangers, to finding ways to make it work, together. Even with one bathroom.

THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS: Italian reds and whites...
2023 Alois Caiati Pallagrello Bianco
2023 Schiopetto Ribolla Gialla
2023 La Biancara Angiolino Maule Masieri Bianco
2023 La Sibilla Campi Flegrei Piedirosso
2023 La Stoppa Trebbiolo Rosso
2021 Terra d'Aligi Tatone Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Flights $15 from 5-9 and wines by the glass until 9pm

SATURDAY 8/2: OREGON wine flights
2024 Liska Wine Company Holmes Hill Vineyard Gewurztraminer
2023 Johan Vineyards Maceration White
2024 Breanne Day Lemonade Rosé  
2022 Twill Cellars Willamette Valley Syrah
Flights $18 from 2-6 and wines by the glass from around the globe until 9


Cheers,

Daniel