The Fairfaxian/Mike Ghiringhelli
The Holiday season is officially here, as families and friends gather to spend quality table time together, giving thanks, appreciating and recognizing all that we have to be grateful for.
It’s a great time to celebrate, to love, to laugh and smile, to be with each other.
Slowing down in our fast paced world has never been more important. It’s hard to imagine, to put our iPhones down, and exist without it. But Thanksgiving can be that day, that reason, to just slow down. ‘Tis the season of seasoning and stuffing.
In Fairfax, many neighborly people take the time to say hello , say good morning, or even smile and nod as they walk by each other.
Dogs, all sizes and shapes, happily leashed, or so it seems, tend to bring people together more than any one thing in this part of the world, when they are out and about with their pets.
If only we thought us ordinary people were as interesting as our furry four legged friends. It’s a real pooch love fest on the streets of Fairfax, as we entangle and untangle leashes and multiple dogs, usually the smaller ones from the larger ones, barking gleefully, apart from each other.
Makes you wonder who is in charge here. Man or dog? I’m betting on the clever canines.
NEXT UP
A small town community, which is exactly what Fairfax is and should remain, is an experience that not everybody in other towns and cities get to enjoy.
That’s why on this Thanksgiving week, including the famous Black Wednesday, I highly recommend spending it in town. Walk the town. Get to know it. Enjoy it in every way possible.
Become one with Fairfax.
Here’s some fun stuff to do:
SHOP AT SONAS
Gerry Kelly, is the downtown owner and operator of a cutting
edge, avant-garde men and women fashion boutique, named SONAS.
If you love Burning Man, in person or from afar, this clothing business was literally inspired by and created because of the famous iconic event, you’re going to fall in love with this store.
Gerry, no stranger to adventure or creativity, literally started his passion for designing clothes, at the epic Burning Man festival.
The rest, as they say, is herstory.
Gerry has been bringing his electric and vibrant clothing line to Fairfax for three years now. I thought it would be an awesomely inspired idea to get my four sons some cool clothes at SONAS.
The selection is incredible and extensive, so I decided to let the brothers pick out what they wanted. Admittedly I took the easy way out, the logical choice, the safe route, and I purchased four handsome gift certificates.
Gerry is also a great mind when it comes to promotion of his company, and the downtown shopping area of Fairfax. He literally talks to you in his promotional videos that he posts online and on Next Door.
SONAS is located at 3 Bolinas Rd, next door to the Coffee Roastery.
A VERY SPECIAL NIGHT
Come partake in the First Annual Fairfax Winter Market to be held on Friday Dec. 15, from 4-9 p.m., on Bolinas Road. Sponsored by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, and advertised as a Bolinas Holiday Block Party, all the downtown merchants will be open, including our wonderful merchants on Broadway and Sir Frances Drake Blvd.
It’s going to be a PARTY! Come on down to shop, eat, drink, and be merry. Let’s rock this town Fairfax!
DOWN ON THE CORNER
One of my favorite songs from Creedence Clearwater, (look them up on your magic phone), “Down on the Corner”, reminds me of swamp music, which reminds me of New Orleans, and that my dear friends, brings me straight to the Hummingbird Cafe, in beautiful downtown Fairfax, at 57 Broadway.
I have three letters for you – WOW. This was New Orleans food with a flair, at its finest. The flavors, the decor, the friendly service from our server Shawna, and of course the meals were Bayou all the way.
We had our breakfast on a slow Tuesday morning, (this place should be packed daily), and it was simply incredibly delightful.
Starting off with a magnificent cup of black Chicory coffee, in a mug three times bigger than any coffee cup i’ve had the pleasure of knowing, and their signature breakfast starter of warm, freshly made Beignets, which were doused perfectly with liberal amounts of powdered sugar, were enough to make a grown man cry with happiness. The Hummingbird is pure satisfaction.
The breakfast that followed was equally joyful. Simple eggs over easy, served with sausage and grits, were amazingly delicious.
I’ll be back for the many classic delicious items on the menu that I’ve enjoyed before, and once again will give them my undivided attention. Fried Chicken and Waffles, Shrimp and
Grits, and Gumbo are at the forefront of the Hummingbird legacy.
Owned and operated for thirteen years, by a New Orleans original, Michelle Elmore, the Hummingbird is your ticket to paradise.
Fairfax is so lucky to have this beautiful gem of a restaurant in the downtown district.
I would venture to say, with absolute confidence, that Fairfax has the best collection of independent restaurants and cafes in Marin, not to mention bars and nightclubs. All true.
RECAP
Let’s do a Thanksgiving recap shall we?
Stay in Fairfax and celebrate Black Wednesday and Fax Town, during the entire Holiday season.
Shop in town, support our talented independent shop owners, while staying away, far far away from malls and online shopping centers.
Enjoy our wonderful town for delicious food and beverages. The experience will satisfy your soul, and tantalize your taste buds.
Happy Thanksgiving my fellow Fairfaxians. Life is good, very good, in our beautiful, small town village. Until next time.
Stay safe!
(Mike Ghiringhelli writes a weekly column for the Ross Valley Reporter. He can be reached at mg@gfoods.net.)
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