Lesbian-owned Cock-A-Doodle Cafe is now open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings with Oakland’s only patio with mojito bar and evening menu offered up to the sounds of upbeat Latin music from 5pm until 10pm. After three years serving up brunch, breakfast, and lunch, chef/owner Blanca Arechiga with partner and co-owner Ana Trujillo decided to expand operations into dinner hours. They were encouraged to do so by growing customer demand and the continued success of revitalization efforts in Old Oakland. Patrons can now enjoy a blackberry, hibiscus, tamarind, or traditional mojito in their patio garden with heating lamps to stay comfortable on cooler evenings. The bar also has many wine options, red and white sangria, and imported beer. The menu lists such diverse choices as Belizean rice and beans with chicken adobo, Cuban pork sandwiches, ropa vieja (shredded flank steak with gallo pinto and sweet plantains), fried yucca, shrimp empanadas, Guatemalan tostadas, pupusas, ceviche, and other options. For those with a sweet tooth, the kitchen has homemade flan, panna cotta, or sweet plantains with coconut ice cream. The restaurant’s movement into evening business is the first of a series of planned additions. The owners are looking ahead to hosting a fundraiser for a local non-profit, expanding the size of their patio to include a staging area, and launching regular events with professional DJs and live music. For further information please contact: Blanca Arechiga Chef/Owner Cock-A-Doodle Caf

Hi Pam,
I would like to join this group and what better to start by meeting everyone at the dinner.Please let me know what is the procedure and how I can join this group and be a part of it. Looking forward to hear from you.

July 18-20 Girlsplash Weekend: Animal, Drag Kings, Nancy Vogl, Polkanomics!
For the first time ever, we’re planning a prime-time event weekend for women at the Russian River called “GIRLSPLASH WEEKEND”. Hosted by the Triple R in Guerneville, this weekend at the Russian River Resort shou;d attract hundreds of women from all over the Bay Area. They’ll have top notch entertainment including:
ANIMAL PRUFROCK Friday at 9 pm - a percussionist, singer, composer, keyboard-playin’ freak who gained fame as “Animal” of Bitch & Animal, now in Guerneville makinga new album.. Animal has been opening on tour for Ani DiFranco.
ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT DRAG KINGS a fierce Drag King Show on Saturday at 9 pm. Send a reply if you’re interested in being in the contest. Shack Shackwell and James Edward Almost will be guest MCs!
DJ JFX will be poolside all day Saturday Noon to 5pm and Sunday Noon - 4 pm. Saturday will feature a HAWAIIAN LUAU with roast pig, pineapple chicken, salads, veggies, breads and dessert all for only $13 per person.
And on Sunday there will be a CD Release Party for NANCY VOGL and a performance by Tex-Mex, 1950?s groove band POLKANOMICS starting at 4:30 pm
So if you’re looking for something fun to do, want to escape the city or the heat, come to the river and get your party on! We’ll be there splashing around in the pool and enjoying tasty drink specials all weekend!
Email rrwomensweekend@yahoo.com, for more info, and info@russianriverresort.com for lodging (five rooms were open as of today). More info is available online at http://www.russianriverwomensweekend.org and http://www.myspace.com/russianriverresort and www.myspace.com/russianriverwomensweekend Hope to see you there!