Month: September 2008

Sibley’s For The Bovines

Because Sibley Volcanic Preserve is just up the road, it’s easy to take human visitors to see the unusual volcanic remains and stellar natural views.

What about celebrating its bovine visitors?  While Bessie and her cousins are grazing there, they make a walk more special any day.

Let’s see how the cows appear as you head up the hills.  Depending on your hiking approach, you may first see the fencing which alerts to the fact that cattle are nearby… but where?

After reading the warning, you enter and close the gate carefully behind you.  There’s no sign of the beasts yet, but you may be lucky enough to run into our iconic California poppies.

Without much fanfare, a single cow or two will finally emerge.  Here’s a snapshot of Bessie, who’s clearly “on watch” and surveying walkers coming up the trail.  Other cows are quietly grazing after you crest the hill.

So while we typically appreciate Sibley’s great natural and Bay Area vistas, we should celebrate the local cows too.  The last time I took a walk, the bovines didn’t greet me – but I expect them to return soon.

Speak Up About Montclair’s Public Spaces

Streetscape planning for Montclair Village takes another step forward on Thursday evening at 6:30pm, when Montclarions are invited to share their opinions about beautification efforts.  Maybe more than a few benches, like those outside Starbucks?

The meeting takes place on Thursday, from 6:30pm – 8:30pm, down at the Zion Lutheran Church, 5201 Park Blvd (map).  You’ll have an opportunity to learn about and discuss public spaces in the Village.

Last June, the first public meeting was held to set priorities for a landscape architect creating the master plan.  At that time, dining, crosswalks, benches, public art, furniture and safety were identified as priorities.

Since then, architect Leslie Brown has developed plans at the behest of the Montclair Village Association and Montclair Safety & Improvement Council.  When these are finalized, the next step will be to obtain necessary approvals and funding as well.

As the process lumbers on, Villagers are asked to contribute to the plans – so speak up now.

Oakland vs. San Francisco Crime Showdown

When looking through the newly-released FBI crime stats for last year, the geographic results were clearly out in the open.  There’s no question that Oakland experienced a higher level of crime than San Francisco, in a true apples-to-apples comparison.

Oakland recorded 119% more violent crimes per capita than San Francisco, and 27% more property crimes. Every type of crime was higher except for larceny theft, which was 29% lower than San Francisco.

Here’s the overall lineup, with highest to lowest differences: 343% for Rape; 212% for Motor Vehicle Theft; 184% for Aggravated Assault; 122% for Murder; 73% for Burglary; 70% for Robbery; and -29% for Larceny Theft.

The Oakland Tribune looked at Oakland’s track record alone, reporting a 2% decline between 2006 and 2007.  Overall declines continued this year, with the Oakland Police reporting 10% or more reductions in rapes, burglaries and auto thefts year-to-date.  Robberies were about even, down 1% this year.  Murders were up slightly, from 99 to 101 murders this year.

Maybe we’re shrinking some of those per capita gaps with San Francisco.  Does anyone have their stats handy, so we can compare trends versus our urban sibling?

Famous Giraffe Artist Gets 15 Minutes

Oakland Zoo’s artist-in-residence, Benghazi, will finally get his 15 minutes of fame.  He painted this modern masterpiece, which will be auctioned tomorrow.

Benghazi painted the abstract work while at the zoo earlier this year, by holding paintbrushes in his mouth.  Too bad we can’t hear what inspired the artist, but these images evoke the Oakland sky and hills in the springtime.

The auction is sponsored by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), so the Oakland giraffe’s work will be featured nationally.  This commission will be auctioned along with 60 other animal artworks – and we’re so proud.

The live bidding starts promptly at 2pm PST, with previews an hour earlier.  If you are not available, then it’s possible to browse the art and place a proxy bid beforehand.

New Cop Assigned To Montclair

In Montclair, Maureen Vergara broke our glass ceiling as the first female Problem Solving Officer (PSO) assigned to the Village.  She’ll be a presence in the community, as the “go-to” contact for Montclair and North Hills residents.

PSO Vergara is pictured above, along with Montclair Safety’s Nick Vigilante, Jim Dexter and Jean Quan staffer Sue Piper.  Welcome her to the neighborhood – without any interrogation about her family, hairstyle or choice of eyewear!

Along with Vergara, the other two Oakland Police assigned to our 13Y/13Z beats are Sgt. Bernard Ortiz and traffic contact Jason Scott.  We met the other officers during early July, where they shared safety priorities.  They can all be reached via email, including Vergara at mvergara-at-oaklandnet.com.

For actual emergencies:

Calling “911” works best from your land-line.  However this number connects you to Highway Patrol, when called from your cell phone.

Here are direct telephone numbers for emergencies: Oakland Police dispatch at 510-777-3211; Fire Department and Medical dispatch at 510-444-1616; and Drug Activities at 510-238-DRUG (3784).

Since it will be virtually impossible to recall these numbers right when you need them, just take a minute to save them in your cell phones.

Corrections:  Please click on comments above.  Jim Dexter, Vice-Chair of North Hills NCPC (Beat 13Y) provides full corrections about past and current officers assigned to Montclair-related beats.  Thanks, Jim.