Month: August 2008

Donate Work Duds To Job Seekers

Here’s a simple and practical way to help others:  donate your unused work duds to Oaklanders who need them for job interviews.

Just take a look in your closet for old work suits, shirts, skirts and office-appropriate accessories.  Clothes should be in relatively conservative styles, and in ready-to-wear condition.

It’s easy for Montclarions to help.  Wardrobe for Opportunity accepts clothing donations at Bank of the West (map):  Monday-Thursday from 9am-5pm; Friday from 9am-6pm; or Saturday from 9am-1pm.

Have a bit more time?

Wardrobe For Opportunity helps low-income people visiting their outlets in Oakland and Concord.  They welcome volunteers to assist these job seekers with personal shopping, as well as behind-the-scenes.

Another Oakland group, CEO Women, doesn’t need your clothing but would like volunteers too.  They help low-income, female immigrants set up their own businesses.

Founder Farhana Huq created CEO Women “to address the unique needs of immigrant and refugee women struggling to become self-sufficient, contributing members of society.”

Both Oakland non-profits are successful operations, and make a difference throught their grassroots efforts.  They welcome hands-on and financial assistance, so pay it forward.

Big Miss Tree Contest

Enter your favorite big tree in this beauty contest!  Oakland has begun a Big Tree Registry to honor the largest and oldest specimens in the City.  This is a celebration of more than our venerated Oak – any native or imported species can qualify for this registry.

Only one tree per species will be glorified and awarded protected status.  Currently there are seven trees which have made the grade.  They reside at Joaquin Miller Park, Dunsmuir, Oakland Zoo and outside a few private residences.

To add to the list or beat the ones there, take a look around for some contestants.  Now the fun begins because you will need to measure them, and here’s a little help.  You ultimately calculate “total points” by adding:  trunk circumference in inches + height in feet + 1/4 of the crown spread in feet.

All done?  Then take a picture of your favorite contestant and complete this application.  If you have any questions, contact Dan Gallagher (dgallagher-at-oaklandnet.com) in the Public Works department.

Take Five In Montclair

Did you know that jazz great Dave Brubeck used to live in Montclair?  Brubeck had been given a steep lot by his father, and built a cantilevered home.  Apparently there was a large boulder that held it all together.

Brubeck explained how the boulder became a linchpin for his home and career.  “The whole lot [was] suspended from the boulder, in an ‘L,’ with I-beams coming out which faced the Bay and the canyons.”  His young and growing family moved into the home by 1954, where he was inspired by this cool design.

“I had a nine-foot grand [Baldwin] piano right next to that rock, and many of the most famous things I’ve written were written there,” says Dave.  At that time, he had already formed the eponymous quartet and was quite prolific.

While we would have to confirm exactly which tunes emerged from the hills, I’m guessing Brubeck’s 1950s hits were among them – link and listen to Blue Rondo a la Turk, Strange Meadow Lark or Take Five.

Although Brubeck lives on the other coast now, he has not been forgotten by Golden Staters.  This past May, he was inducted into the California Hall of Fame by the Governator and First Lady Maria.

Dave is in his late 80s and continues to tour and perform nationwide.  He’ll give his next Bay Area performance at the San Francisco Jazz Festival on October 22nd, and tickets are still available.

Meet The Neighbors, Tuesday Evening

This evening, please meet the neighbors at a block party near you.  If you have not received an invitation or flier, then feel free to crash one of the Montclair parties that’s closest to your home.

I’m going to make the effort to show up at my block’s get-together.  My neighborly contacts are pathetically limited to some quick waves or chats with the daily dog walkers.  In fact, I know the coffee shop regulars a lot better than folks who live on my street.  It’s time to fix that.

“Everyone” is organizing these block parties as part of the official National Night Out.  There are already 400 parties scattered throughout Oakland alone, pretty impressive.

Check out the latest list of Montclair parties.  From what I have heard, many of these gatherings will feature a little pot-luck dinner – so it’s best to come with some contributions.

  • Ascot Homeowners/Piedmont Pines, 6035 Ascot near Morley Dr, 7-9 pm
  • Balboa at Colton, 5526 Balboa Dr, 7-9 pm
  • Beaconsfield Park at Keswick/ Friends of Sausal Creek, 7-9 pm
  • Carisbrook Cooperative, 2557 Carisbrook near Chelton, 5-9 pm
  • Chelsea Court, 20 Chelsea Ct, 7-9 pm
  • Cortereal Cul-de-sac, 1900 block of Cortereal, 7-8 pm
  • Fernwood Community Club, 1470 Mountain Blvd, 7-9 pm
  • Girvin Drive at Thackery, 6281 Girvin, 7-8:30 pm
  • Holyrood Neighborhood Group, 2975 Holyrood near Ascot, 7-8 pm
  • Liggett Neighbors, 6708 Liggett Drive, 7-9 pm
  • Mastlands/Larry Lane, 2101 Mastlands Drive, 6-8 pm
  • McAndrew Group/Estates Drive, 6:30-9 pm
  • Merriewood Neighbors, 5574 Merriewood Drive @ Valley View, 7-9 pm
  • Montclair Valle Vista, 6095 Mazuela Drive,  6-8:30 pm
  • Montclair West Neighborhood Association, Pershing Dr & Marsh Place, 7-9 pm
  • Moongate/Skyline Neighborhood near Totterdell, 9393 Skyline Blvd, 7-9 pm
  • Mountain Gate Ascot Neighbors, Ascot Place at Ascot Drive/Scout Rd, 6-8 pm
  • Pelham Place, 2340 Pelham near Girvin, 7:30-9 pm
  • Piedmont Pines, 6477 Melville at Ascot, 6-8 pm
  • Sims Drive near Estates Drive, 6784 Sims, 7-9 pm
  • Thornhill Creekside Neighbors & Friends, Alhambra Court off  Alhambra Lane, 6:30-8:30 pm
  • Trafalgar Place, 2173 Trafalgar near LaSalle Ave, 6:30-7:30 pm

There must be some Montclair block that calls you their own!  With the natural catastrophes that can happen here, it’s nice to know who lives around the corner and have a chance to schmooze with them – at least once a year.

Depressing Robbery On Piedmont Ave.

There’s a depressing, new-style robbery that seems to be sweeping up the hills.  Now the thieves hold up a restaurant or bar and all its patrons too.  After all, why not get as much money as possible to pay the bills?!

The Tribune reported armed bandits hitting the venerable Kerry House last night, located on Piedmont Avenue (map).  This robbery took place at 1:40am, when most businesses are closed – so it’s possible that quiet streets made these bandits more courageous.

Piedmont Avenue is a very popular and one-of-a-kind shopping district.  Oakland’s desperate thieves are starting to follow the money and are no dummies.  If they succeed, there will surely be copycat thefts elsewhere on Piedmont too.

The local police “on the beat” probably should be walking the streets while any restaurants or bars are open, including peak or wee hours.  Maybe that will be enough to avert a crime wave during the heat of summer.