Oakland Tribune Outtakes

An Oakland Citizen  blog has does some analyses about crime in Oakland that seem to tread beyond the normal rankings.

What better place to blog from than the blog-fest party at Ave — formerly known as Ave, I should say. They want to change the name to 2022, which is the street number on Telegraph.

Free Outdoor Classes from May 1 to July so you can Dance the Night Away on Oakland’s Waterfront. On Friday nights this Spring and Summer, Jack London Square will see sizzling salsa, tight turns, and elegant waltzes. But on this dance floor, there will be no judges and no one will be voted out. Read the rest of this entry »

Starting Friday, May 1 and continuing through late June, parking along the west side of Lakeshore Avenue at Lake Merritt will be severely restricted while the contractor demolishes the sidewalk and replaces it with a new multipurpose pathway.

It’s one of many improvements to the lake that Oakland voters were promised when in 2002 they approved Measure DD, the $198 million Trust for Clean Water and Safe Parks bond. 

The sidewalk work will be done in stages from E. 18th to El Embarcadero. By Wednesday, May 6, the entire length should fenced off and no parking will be allowed on the west side of the street.

The good news? Joggers and walkers will be able to use the new shoreline path, although access points will be limited the Pergola and the E. 18th Pier and a couple of other spots. Also, the city is suspending street cleaning on the east side of the street during the construction.

For more information, contact Lyle Oehler, the city’s capital improvement project coordinator at 238-3389.

Check out Waterfront Action or the city of Oakland website for project descriptions and updates

On Thursday evening May 7th from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. the Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation will be hosting their sixth annual Taste of Spring Fundraising event at the Rotunda Building at 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza.  The event will feature hors d’ouerves, wine, an auction and special entertainment.  All proceeds will go to benefit the friendly organization. 
Tickets are $45 in advance or $65 at the door for members; $65 in advance or $75 at the door for others.  Auction Items include: A luxury stay at Tuscan Villa in Italy Read the rest of this entry »

This is from supporters:
On Monday night, May 4, the El Cerrito City Council will be asked to decide: What is the future of the Cerrito Theater?

Everyone who loves the theater should come to this meeting to show their support for its continued operation.

 The meeting is at City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave. at 7:30 p.m. The item is expected to come up around 8:30 p.m. Members of the public can speak during public comments at the start of the meeting, or when the item comes up. It is not necessary to speak. Supporters of the theater will be asked to stand at one point to show their support. It is not necessary to live in El Cerrito to attend or to speak. This will be the council’s first public meeting on the theater since it was revealed that the current operators have fallen behind on rent. The discussion will be entirely open to the public. Read the rest of this entry »

So, I was driving down Seventh Street in WO the other day, past the future home of the Mandela Foods Cooperative, and the window sign was down and I admit I thought the worst. But after poking my head inside I was happy to see that the interior is almost completely finished! The sinks and stove, bathrooms, display cases, etc… are all in and the painters were busy with finishing touches. 

Painters put finishing touches inside Mandela Foods Cooperative

The city’s Cinco de Mayo festival was moved from May 3 to May 12 in honor of Mexican Independence Day. But It’s Fiesta time Saturday, May 2 and every Saturday thereafter with a new brunch menu and drink specials at La Borinquena: breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros or chorizo & egg plate along with some savory botanas (tasty little snacks) as well as our full regular menu. Drink specials include: sparkling mimosas, full bodied sangria and ice cold cerveza for $4 each. Vegetarian and non-alcoholic options available. Family friendly event.

Safeway Corp to present the company’s latest plans for the 50,000-square-foot College Avenue store (plus small shops) 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at the Claremont Resort.