Chef Silvana & Barrio Cafe

Barrio Cafe has closed their doors.  Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza held a closing celebration.  There was music, food and other artist booths.  Lots of people having a great time.

I became familiar  with her when I was looking into Latino artist and found out she exhibited local Latino artist in Barrio Cafe and also a small gallery next door.  I loved her activism and her generosity to her community.  I finally met her during Covid, I made and delivered masks to her for the employees.

 

I purchased her book and while I was there she was happy to sign my copy and also gifted me a copy of Sunset magazine she was featured in.  

Happily got a photo with her!

A couple of side stories.  I thanked her for helping me find my way to Pablo Luna.  I wrote about him in previous blog posts of August 11, 2021 and October 9, 2022.  Once I said that I knew she was grieving his loss so I gently moved on to another subject.  Asking her to sign my copy of her book.  Once we moved to the table where she was preparing to sign the book, she told me Pablo Luna's sister was standing behind her.  I was introduced to her and told her how I knew Pablo and gave my condolences.  His sister, (which I have forgotten her name) told me she recalls Pablo telling her about me and how he painted a mural on my office wall when he was in his early 20's.  I could tell her loss was still fresh.  She mention there is plans with a foundation in his name will be planning functions.  I'll make sure to follow up.

The second thing, I met an artist who had a booth with her laser cut items.  Very unique and pretty.  I was so overheated by the hot tempatures and needed water, which as a result I wasn't at my best and needed head to my car and AC.  I got her business card and I will write more about her an upcoming post.  Overall, a great day and felt such amazing energy all around.  Great day for my soul.

Another muralist

Meet Pablo, "Kaper".  Him and I crossed paths about 30 years ago.  He was an artist who loved to paint "tag" walls and one on occassion he tagged a wall that he didn't have permission to paint on and which lead to meeting me.  I loved his artist talent and he has some community service hours he needed to do so I got permission to have him paint a mural on my office wall.  It was beautiful, bright colors and the word PEACE.  I loved the mural and I can't believe I don't have a photo of it.  A number of coworkers thought it was a negtive message encouraging a "tagger" to paint.  Well fast forward 30 years and I came across  his instagram.  He is a fabulous muralist and artist.  I had the pleasure to met up with him.  Actually, I surprised him and he did remember me.  On this particular day he was painting a mural at the Barrio Cafe, downtown Phoenix.  It makes my soul happy to wittness the success story of Pablo the artist!

 

Another shop...

CHESTER'S ANTIQUES HOME & GARDEN 

LEXINGTON, NEBRASKA

We were told about this shop off the Lexington I-80 exit.  It's on the south side frontage road going heading east.  It was closed by the time we got there, so of course we had to return!  

Lots of cool things!

All kinds of outdoor rustic things

Mr Pin didn't come on this road trip but I found his cousin

Another Mr Pin cousin!

 Once again. if you find yourself traveling along I-80 and come near the Lexington, Nebraska  exit, take it and check out this cool shop.  I know you'll find some a ton of things you'd have to have!

On the road ..... another shop to check out

Nebraska Farmhouse Antiques & Coffee House - Arnold, NE

Last year we stumble in to this antique shop and have been back a number of times. 

It's full of many cool antiques and vintage things. In addition, there's coffee.  

Kimberly Beshaler, owner

Each time we go we find the coolest things.  This trip was all about jewelry pieces.  One regret was I didn't have any of my pieces to show her in person.  We checked out my Facebook JOBI page and she was interested in seeing more and maybe even selling some of my pieces in her shop.  

Again, if you're in the area you must stop in!

I love this shop!

Soulful Salvage   -   Grant, Nebraska

Lisa, me, Becky & Monica

Last year while traveling around with my sisters we stopped in a small town ...

Grant, Nebraska.  Here we found the coolest shop.  Four women friends who are all creative in their own way.  They began their adventure by hosting a open shop one weekend with all their collectables and creative items.  It was such a success they did it another weekend and another weekend and then decided to purchase the building.  Now you can check out their crazy fun and such cool thing shop.  I had so much fun seeing them.  I will be making a stop there every time I'm in the area. 

I found a perfect old ledger and vintage camera!  The ledger is from a local cattle sale barn...awesome!