ALMA HEIGHTS
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
FLEA MARKET
October 9, 2010

LEFT HOME AROUND 5:50AM and headed across the San Mateo Bridge in the direction of Pacifica.  Connected to '101' and then over to '380' and '280.'  Realized that I was low on gas, I decided to exit onto Hickey Blvd. and gas up at Chevron and then head on up Hickey and down into Pacifica instead of backtracking a block and getting back on the Highway to head over to '1.'  It was still dark but daybreak was coming soon.  I knew this area (top of the hill (Hickey)) because I had lived there ages ago back in the early 80's.  Actually lived on Sunshine Drive for seven months and it was foggy the entire time there.  Only had five days of sunshine.  Wicked.

I DROVE DOWN HICKEY and then over to Monterey Rd. and crossed over the highway.  Was tempted to stop by the donut shop there but continued on over to Highway One and proceeded to drive some 3-4 miles to Linda Mar, where I turned left.  Kind of hard to see the street sign but I recalled the area from last year.  I then drove perhaps a mile and a half down to Alma Heights Christian Academy and turned into the parking lot.

THEY HAD A TABLE SET UP to check in along with several individuals who were taking care of the vendors.  They politely greeted me and made me feel appreciated and told me to wait for one of the youngsters to escort me to my space on his bicycle.  It was still dark outside and I followed him over to my space.  There were a couple dozen vendors set up which brought to my mind our day at the Niles Flea Market in August, where people were setting up at 3:00am.  No thank you.

JUST TAKING A GUESTIMATE, I'd say maybe around 150 vendors out there selling all kinds of stuff.  Not really too many with canopies set up and many of the vendors were selling from tables.  Saw quite a bit of clothing there but not really a lot of people buying it.

WE WERE STILL SETTING UP when I heard a lady tell the vendor next door "I should have brought more quarters."  I really thought I was in trouble when I heard that.

THEY HAD A NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER'S here walking around selling food and pastries.  We had two of their $3.00 meal deals which consisted of a dog, chips and a cola.  With our van parked in our selling space, we were unable to drive out and pick up food anyplace.  No problem though.

BOOTH FEE WAS ONLY $35, but I suppose that a huge number of these people were satisfied with small sales numbers.  Cleaned out their closets and garages and sold their things.  Did see a number of sellers that obviously were regular vendors at Flea Markets.  Not too many people selling new items, such as myself.

HAD ONE LADY THAT WAS INTERESTED in my shoulder bags.  Told her the price ($10) and she told my wife that 'this is a flea market.'  Yes, it is.  Ten Dollars, please.  I don't do too many flea markets but I was told that this was one of the better one's.  These past two years, I have had no other shows on this weekend, so I have been here.  Not much as to the choice of shows for this weekend.  Wouldn't be able to get into the San Carlos A&W festival and there is little money at the Rio Vista Bass Festival.

I DO EXPECT TO RETURN HERE next year.  Very well organized and nice people.  Crowd is well mannered and you can not compare them to Jerry Springer regulars that we continually see from week to week.  Kids mostly well-mannered but we did encounter a number of beligerant mama's that must have crossed the bridge.