Blogs - Today in Montclair, 94611

The "S" Curve Problem

The Bay Bridge "S" curve into Yerba Buena Island doesn't register too deeply as we drive across the bridge. However when you are manning a big rig, the risk factor rises. Here's raw footage of last night's smash.

(… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on November 9, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

U.S. House Just Voted "Yea" On Health Care

Around 8:07pm, there were 218 yea votes recorded on the House's health care vote. This vote gives the overhaul much more momentum. The House bill translates into...a public insurance option and no more pre-existing conditions that block insurance. Actually this health care overhaul is only partly done now. We have to wait on a Senate's bill, and then whatever the House and Senate get to the U.S. President's desk later. Still it's interesting to see this pass...as a true squeaker. The vote was… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on November 7, 2009 at 9:00pm — No Comments

facebook Members: Keep the A's in OAKLAND

Help spread the word and join our Facebook group to keep the A's in Oakland where they belong. We are now at over 10,000 members and counting!! http://www.facebook.com/letsgooakland?ref=ts Please don't forget to click on the link to sign the petition at either the FB page or the link provided below and remember to PASS IT ON by clicking the "Suggest to Friends" link at left, and invite everyone you know to join us. Help u… Continue

Added by Kyu Chai on November 6, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Long Beach Cop Says We Have True Ally

We received an interesting comment from a Long Beacher who used to work for Chief Batts. "JB" was responding to Our Take On Incoming Chief Batts. Please read what "JB" sent us on Nov 4th..... Having worked for Chief Batts, I can say that if anyone is interested in being an… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on November 5, 2009 at 2:30am — No Comments

Dellums, Clean As A Whistle

We don't expect our City Fathers (or Mothers) to have zero problems, but today's news about Mayor Ron Dellums and his unpaid income taxes is disheartening. Liens have always been something you could discover in the public records - even in the old, pre-internet days. What really matters is disclosure, rather than surprises. We think the mayor of any major city needs to be transparent, or at least upfront with their problems. Maybe Ron and Cynthia believed they could pay or settle prior to this… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on November 3, 2009 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Pacific National Becomes US Bank

On Friday night, the bank holding company which owned Pacific National Bank failed. Based in San Francisco, the 18-branch PNC bank had been founded in 1887 and held some $1.9 billion in assets. Locally, the bank operated through the nice, rock-faced PNC branch on Mountain and Medau. While PNC is no more, its branches will now operate as U.S. Bank locations. Here's the announcement PNC posted to customers: On Friday, October 30, 2009, Pacific National Bank, San Francisco, CA was closed by t… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on November 1, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

Bay Bridge Gargoyle Keeps Us Safe

Until today, we didn't know about this 18-inch sculpture welded to the Oakland Bay Bridge. It was designed and placed on the bridge after the 1989 quake, and has managed to keep people safe since then.

According to the… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 29, 2009 at 12:00pm — 1 Comment

Sideshows: Batts Looked Non-Plussed Today

Did you see the little press event today, featuring Mayor Ron Dellums and Police Chief Tony Batts? It was a face-saving affair between these two guys, on the subject of sideshows.

[ Click here to see sideshow video ] Sideshows ar… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 28, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

That Darn Bay Bridge: Shut At 8pm

At 8pm tonight, the Oakland Bay Bridge is going to shut down completely. We don't know how long it will stay closed. Remember over Labor Day Weekend, when there was a I-Bar repair? Yup, there's fallout tonight...quite literally. Some giant metal cable and bracket snapped and fell down, in the fix area. At about 5:40pm, this cable whipped down and struck a westbound truck windshield. No one was hurt, but three vehicles were involved in the accident according to Trent Cross, California Highway P… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 27, 2009 at 6:30pm — No Comments

City Committee Openings For You

Want to participate more actively in Oakland policy-making and oversight, as Joe or Joanne citizen? There are several volunteer opportunities on boards and commissions, with vacancies available for anyone living in District 4. In Council Rep Jean Quan's weekly newsletter, she seeks nominees now. If you want to throw your hat in the ring, then email your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest to Ellen Dillard: edillard@oaklandnet.com. Children's Fund Planning and Oversight Com… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 25, 2009 at 8:30pm — No Comments

Pretty Cute: Teens Promote Bus Use

We just saw and have to share The Perfect Solution, which local teens made to promote AC Transit bus use in Oakland. It's pretty cute!

[ Click vide… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 23, 2009 at 12:30am — No Comments

Handy List of Oakland WiFi Spots

Here's a handy list of Oakland WiFi spots, courtesy of Bay Area On The Cheap. We copied the spots in Oakland below, published as of today: October 22, 2009. While it's a nice "root list," there are no guarantees here because we don't know when it was compiled. We still like the list as a starting point, and would add all the Oakland City public libraries which offer free online access too. Also the big coff… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 22, 2009 at 3:00pm — No Comments

Must Read: About Property Tax Increases

Have you heard about increases in ad valorem property taxes from 1.33% to 1.41% now? Here's what the East Bay Conservative recently reported: "That means that if you buy a house in Oakland, you’re stuck paying an extra $150 per ye… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 20, 2009 at 2:00pm — No Comments

Let Books Go Free, In The Wild

Have you ever heard of Bookcrossing? Apparently this phenomenon is worldwide and the idea is to share your books: you let books go free, in the wild. Only in the internet age. You first have to put in a sticker in the book, so that the recipient who chooses to care-take or read it knows what bookcrossing is about - and gets back to you about that specific tome online. When someone finds a book and communicates back to you, it's like the… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 19, 2009 at 10:00am — No Comments

New Chief Batts, In New Bay-Area Edition of NY Times

The New York Times has decided to create a couple of regional editions, and started this effort in the Bay Area because so many folks buy the paper here and because they have ten reporters on the ground. To our surprise, the Grey Lady published a full article about Oakland (!) and our incoming Oakland Police Chief Tony Bat… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 16, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

Peregrine Falcons Decide To Move Here

Very cool news from Friends of Sausal Creek, which did their quarterly bird survey last weekend. Read the announcement, below, that a pair of Peregrine Falcons liked our real-estate and decided to move to Fruitvale Bridge!

[Fosc] Peregrines and Plants From: Mark Rauzon Monday, October 12, 2009 9:09 P… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 13, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Halloween Pumpkins At Coaches Playfield

Hey, Coaches Playfield isn't only the place to buy your Christmas trees and wreaths every year. Right now, the Wildwood Dads Club runs a Halloween Pumpkin Patch. It's open through Halloween: - Coaches Playfield, 951 Moraga Ave, Piedmont - Hours are 10am - 6pm weekends, and 4pm - 6pm weekdays Come get your pumpkins, gourds and fall decorations. Guess the weight of the "Giant Jack," the incredibly enormous pumpkin that's taken up residence there for the next couple weeks too. Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 12, 2009 at 4:09pm — No Comments

Commemorate The Quake, Everywhere

Where to commemorate the Loma Prieta...? There are so many events to mark two decades since the earthquake struck on October 17th.

In Oakland, there are three main events. - The first event on Saturday takes place at the Oakland Library, and looks interesting because it's about people telli… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 12, 2009 at 12:30am — No Comments

Downtown is looking up!

Some very good news for downtown Oakland in today's papers. The San Francisco Business Times reveals that the contract to demolish and reconstruct the 12th St Dam, also known as The World's Shortest Freeway, will be advertised today, with bids opening in November. The $45m project will replace a 12-lane viaduct with a six-lane road that includes sidewalks, bike lanes and landscaping. Lake Merritt will become more visible and accessible as it becomes the Channel, and bicyclist and pedestrian saf… Continue

Added by Kyu Chai on October 9, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

Hamburger Made From Pumpkin

Welcome to October, where my thoughts turn to pumpkins. I just discovered this giant burger with a pumpkin bun and fries. Apparently real burgers and cheese were used for the filling, though. Take a look here:

(link source: h… Continue

Added by Deborah Richman on October 7, 2009 at 9:30pm — No Comments

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