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By Laura Stec
E-mail Laura Stec
About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and en...
(More)About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and environment pioneer, macrobiotic, Master Cleanser, ayurvedic, and officially-designated health-nut or party-girl (depending on the year). Professionally, I've worn many industry hats including: line cook, corporate chef, Food Coach, caterer, product developer, restaurant reviewer, culinary school teacher, corporate wellness educator, food co-op clerk, author, and even Cirque-du-Soleil lead popcorn concessioner! For years I managed an outdoor kitchen, deep in the bear-infested woods of Tahoe, and also for hospitals (the most unhealthy kitchen I ever worked in?), Singapore high-rises, mule-pack trips, Canadian catholic rectories, and more events than I could ever recall. Yet I still keep discovering. Actually, I adapt everyday by new lessons learned from teachers, customers and students. However there is one food truth I now hold sacrosanct: Eaters are motivated by pleasure. So no matter what we discuss here - recipes or restaurants, food politics or pairings, local events, food as art, or even as God, I will always come from a high-vibe, party perspective. Oh I do still long to change the world with great tasting food, but know in my heart, "If it ain't fun, it don't get done!" So - wanna come to the Food Party? By the way - it's a potluck.
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Third Thursday…a Musilicious Night on Cal Ave
Uploaded: May 14, 2023
“I made up a silly word,” says Carol Garsten, event producer of Palo Alto’s newest outdoor experience. Hot off an amazing 10-year run as co-chair of Los Altos oh-so-popular First Friday, Garsten is onto a new adventure with the City of Palo Alto. “Musilicious – it’s the combination of great food and live music.”
Why does Friday get all the attention, and only the first one to boot? Third Thursday catapults another day of the week into shindig service with a new monthly music festival focused on gathering community together through the joy of live music.
The inaugural event kicks off Thursday, May 18 with the theme
Peace, Love, Community
Enjoy dinner at one of California Avenues 20 + restaurants, then wander the wide-open streets (closed to cars since Covid) listening to the sounds of 6 different bands. Make sure to vote for your favorite artwork from the Peace, Love Community Student Art Contest, posted at shops and eateries. Participating restaurants and businesses will offer Third Thursday specials that evening;
learn more on the website.
Bringing the entire community into the planning process, especially youth, was a goal throughout the planning process. Third Thursday logo was designed by Justen Cho, a Gunn high senior who was awarded $500 for his effort from the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce. Elizabeth Soedarmono, a 7th grader from JLS,
designed the organizations website.
Before focusing her attention on Palo Alto, Carol Garsten owned the Nature Gallery, in Los Altos, a unique home furnishing and design store. She recently closed the doors after 35 successful years. “In Los Altos, First Friday is hands down the busiest night of the month for all the downtown restaurants because of the vibe that the live music creates.” Garten expects the same to be true for Cal Ave.
Fans will see a return of favorite groups from Los Altos First Friday, including funky, bluesy Tebo’s Experience, and classic rock band The Wandering Acoustics. “Be sure to let the bands know you’re loving their music, by dancing, singing along or tossing a few bucks in the tip jar,” says Tom DuBois, Third Thursday committee member.
Click here for information about the bands here.
Attendees are encouraged to take photos of the fun and email them for possible posting on the website to
[email protected]
Third Thursday team members Garsten with Maico Campilonga, owner of Italico and Ternun, restaurants on California Ave.
Third Thursday
6 pm – 9pm
Monthly
California Avenue, Palo Alto
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