Know Your Farmers' Market: Tuesdays in Old L.A.

Tuesday afternoons from 3 p.m. until dusk Avenue 58 at Marmion Way--right where the Metro Gold Line's Highland Park stop is--fills up with the sights, sounds, and smells of a festive, family-oriented farmers' market. Called the "Old L.A. Certified Farmers' Market" this weekly gathering is small, but draws one of the most diverse clientele of the many markets that set up all over town. Teenaged couples pausing to cuddle, families with children of all ages, senior citizens, skateboarders, homeboys, hipsters, re-usable bag-toters--people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors mingle among the modest stalls of farm-fresh produce, baked goods, and other edibles.

A mural depicting religious iconography brightens a wall, while a placard advertising psychic services sits in the road a stone's throw from where a duo of women singing folksy renditions of rock classics stand on the sidewalk. At the other end, a bouncy-house draws squeals of glee from jumping youngsters, while vendors sell seafood, bags of spicy nuts, giant candied apples, and, further down, soaps, clothing, jewelry, and other non-food items.