Market this afternoon to look around. What an active place. There was a new taco stand and all four of us had lunch for $12. The $1 tamales are an incredible value. I have a $5 burrito that is too big for me to finish, which is saying a lot. We purchase some fresh berries that are just amazing--strawberries, raspberries and boysenberries along with some of the sweetest cherry tomatoes I have ever tasted. And that's just in the afternoon. In the evening there is a whole different vibe going on. Wednesday Wines is pouring for the After Market event which starts at 6:00 and goes until 10:00. Tonight the music is being provided by Dana Libonati the vocal music jazz instructor at McMinnville High School. It's a great touch. Dana starts off on a mock 70's montage, then slides into a 60's version, when someone yells out, "how about the 50's" without missing a beat Dana starts playing a three chord progression. "Every song from the 50's fits into this progression" he states. I laugh out loud, and Dana says he wants my laugh for a ring tone. Mike and Kathy are pouring wine and beer for us. The beer is from Heater Allen and looks great. I have a glass of Chianti which is just perfect on this beautifully warm night.
I'm just amazed at how quickly this event has come together. It seems to have flown out of Shannon Thorson's mind and into reality in one week. I just love watching Shannon work. When we are setting up the After Market celebration she is hauling out a bunch of shade umbrellas she has found somewhere in town for a ridiculously low price. She directing someone I don't know on where to drill the holes in the massive counter tops that stay on sight. Then she runs by us and notices that our signs are blowing away. "Want me to attach those to the wall?" She asks as she goes by. She is back in a flash with a screw gun and a screw. Then she's off to move the fire pit and rearrange the chairs to that they can see the stage (which she built the week before from old doors and a barn light.) She seems perfectly suited to this wonderfully assembled community.
A friend of mine was sharing a story about her husband. He was saying that they should have two farmer's markets in town with one on the weekend. (The Thursday farmer's market is right outside Wednesday Wines.) Well there is a second market. It's in the Granary District. There is wonderful pizza available, pulled pork, very good and inexpensive Mexican food, fresh fruit and vegetables and wonderful craft pieces. Swing on down next Saturday and check it out.