Month: June 2009

Soccer Celebrates Forty Years In Montclair

Over the years, the Montclair Soccer Club has provided a great haven for girls and boys.  Kids can join the club as little tikes (age five) and many stick to it for years and years.  Real-life soccer moms and dads are devoted too, with more than 900 families and 1,300 players now participating in club activities.

On Saturday, local soccer devotees are invited to celebrate 40 years in Montclair Village. The first youth team was started back in 1969, and this Shepherd Canyon celebration will be fully retro with hot dogs at 1969 prices (that would be 25 cents) plus fun stuff for kids like a slide and jumpy house.  There’s a raffle for the adults as well.

Tiffeny Milbrett - Soccer Star

The celebration features Tiffeny Milbrett, who will make an appearance at our field. Tiffeny’s a World Cup Champion and two-time Olympic Medalist, currently playing professional league soccer with the FC Gold Pride.  She plans to sign autographs and take photos with aspiring girls (and boys), who have seen her play in Santa Clara.

“Our first choice was Tiffeny Milbrett,” explained Montclarion Kimberly Guillen.  “Tiffeny’s story, from youth player to world class athlete, is one of resilience and triumph.  From a family with a hardworking single mom, Tiffeny had to make her own luck.”

As icing on the celebration cake, the Montclair Soccer Club will dedicate their new Shepherd Canyon parking lot.  Montclair Soccer has worked for eight years (!) to expand this lot for park users, in conjunction with other local groups and the City of Oakland.  The lot was constructed last fall – and has greatly improved the safety of park users and drivers since then.

More info: The Montclair Soccer Club celebration takes place on Saturday, June 13th, from noon to 1:30pm, at Shepherd Canyon Park.  Tiffeny Mibrett will appear at 12:30pm.  Given the expected crowd, please take the upper road and park at Escher.  To learn more, visit the Montclair Soccer Club for upcoming activities and season plans.

Teens Could Volunteer This Summer

Call this a rant, but it’s slim pickings for high schoolers this summer break.  Forget the typical seasonal jobs, because college kids will likely beat ’em out.  With your Montclarion kids at home, you’re probably scratching your head about what they will do over this recessionary summer.

Teen Texting

Some Volunteering Ideas: As a work alternative, teens could be encouraged to volunteer near home – and here are a few ideas to get them going.

  • Helping The Elderly – Teens might help the elderly complete tasks around their homes, such as cooking, cleaning and gardening.  It’s usually not easy for some seniors to ask for help, and teens would feel good about pitching in.
  • Electronics For Dummies – Many locals don’t have technically-literate kids at their beck and call.  Teens could get the word out on their blocks, and offer in-home visits to set up or teach computer, camera or phone applications.
  • Library Work – Why not head to the library?  Usually librarians welcome teens to shelve books, read to kids, help with tutoring, or other activities.  Our Montclair branch re-opens on July 5th for business and needs volunteers then.
  • Ecosystems 101 – While back-breaking work, teens might clear invasive brush for a green experience.  Volunteers are needed on Saturdays, for projects shown on the Friends of Sausal Creek calendar.  The Oakland Zoo also asks for help clearing Arroyo Viejo Creek once/month.

Other Fun Ideas: Local teens could also be persuaded to try new activities with friends.  Here are some suggestions they might accept, especially if presented by a cool adult.

  • Sound Of Music – It’s no surprise that music is central to teenager existence.  A talented teen might join forces with their more musical buddies in jam sessions – and make recordings suitable for MySpace or other venues.
  • Steven Spielbergs – Along the same lines, teens could be encouraged to create short documentaries or movies about virtually anything that catches their fancies.  Assuming they already have the gear, it would be great to unleash kids this way.
  • The Biggest Health Nut – Enterprising teens could use Facebook to announce a local  contest, complete with Montclair Park or Redwood Regional Park training meet-ups.  The winners would be crowned as most fit, zen, organic, or hopeless.
  • Journalism Chops – Teens might actively blog about a specific subject or hobby they do in real life  – it’s fun to have a following online beyond social nets.  (Or apply for a coveted full-year spot at Inside Bay Area’s education blog – by emailing kmurphy@bayareanewsgroup.com.)

Maybe these are pipe dreams, though.  I haven’t met a teenager yet who isn’t happy sleeping until noon, wiling away the hours with friends, or just…texting away.

Keep Compliant With Fire Code

Every fire season, inspectors prowl around our hills and make sure that property owners aren’t lax about maintaining defensible space between vegetation and homes.  It’s easy to violate codes with such verdant growth here.

We live within the Oakland Wildfire Prevention District, which is classified as a very high hazard severity zone.  The big hills fires appear like clockwork, and the last one happened 18 years ago.  That means we (well, you) need to keep the potential tinder at bay.

Fire Code - Out Of Compliance

Starting June 15th, the inspectors begin checking our compliance with California Fire Codes.  There are full-timers assigned to homes within Montclair, and they visit properties unannounced all summer.  They are looking for “bad” vegetation growth and more, as depicted in this video.

So it’s time to get your property cleared out!  Otherwise, the City of Oakland will charge $275 if you don’t meet codes and require a re-inspection.

Compliance Requirements

Here are the official things you need to do:

  1. Maintain a 30-foot fuel reduction zone around all buildings/structures; more may be required. Cut grass to 6 inches or less. Shrubs need to be maintained.
  2. If property is greater than 1/2 acre, maintain a 100 ft.  defensible space/fuel reduction zone from all buildings and neighboring structures; more may be required.
  3. Maintain a 10-foot minimum clearance next to the roadside; more may be required.
  4. Remove all portions of trees within 10 feet of chimney and/or stovepipe outlets.
  5. Maintain a 10 feet minimum horizontal clearance of tree crowns from any structure.
  6. Maintain the roof of any structure free of leaves, needles or other dead/dying vegetation.
  7. Maintain trees adjacent to structures free of dead/dying vegetation.  Remove dead/dying vegetation from property.
  8. Remove all tree limbs within 6 feet of the ground.
  9. Wood chips must not be deeper than 6 inches (no piles).
  10. Provide Street address numbers that are clearly visible from the roadside: minimum height 4 inches, in a contrasting color.
  11. Storage of firewood shall be located a minimum of 20 feet from structures and separated from the crown of trees by a minimum horizontal distance of 15 feet.

Hauling The Debris

All this compliance translates into a lot of yard debris.  Of course, trimmings should be placed in your green cart for weekly pick-up.

Extra trimmings will get picked up, at no extra charge, if you place them in your own container (under 35 gallons) or deposit them in a brown paper bag next to your cart.  You can also bundle a few branches no larger than 4′ long for pick-up.  Nothing in plastic bags here!

To handle seasonal efforts, you may take advantage of a free curbside tree and brush chipping service.  You need to leave branches no greater than 4” in diameter, stack them in piles no greater than 4’ by 4’ long, and have no more than two stacks per pick-up.  Please call the chipping crew in advance, at 510-238-7388.

If you are dumping more debris regularly, then it’s possible to pay $7.59 monthly for a second green cart.  For those who do clean up in one fell swoop, you may want to arrange a one-time bulky pickup.  For any additional services, call Waste Management at 510-613-8710.

More info:   Oakland Wildfire Prevention District – Prevention Video – Clean-up Services – Homeowner Flyer – Oakland Recycles

Camp in Joaquin Miller Park, A Rare Occasion

2010 Update:   Camp in Joaquin Miller Park this year, on June 26-27th!  Please call Stephanie Benavidez at 510-238-3739 to sign-up.  It costs just $8 per person, and remember to bring your own camp gear.

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If you have kids, then why not take them camping?  You probably have many excuses wrapped around the logistical maneuvers and long drives.  Save the hassles by participating in the Great American Backyard Campout – right here at Joaquin Miller Park.

Great American Backyard Campout

Once a year, you and your family can easily camp under the stars.  Oakland Parks and Recreation runs this great event at Joaquin Miller Park (map) – starting at 2pm on June 27th and breaking camp by noon on June 28th.

This camping staycation costs only $9/resident or $11/non-resident, which includes dinner, camp snacks, and a continental breakfast.  You do have to bring your own camping gear, though.

The main catch is signing up for a few coveted slots in advance.  Please sign up here or else call Stephanie Benavidez at 510-867-0669.

Mayor’s Race Begins In Montclair

Eight candidates have made it through the primary season, without too much fur flying.  Now it’s time to decide which beast will represent your interests in the Village.  Voting booths are officially open, and we encourage you to cast a ballot (or two) for Montclair’s next mayor.

Pet Mayor Contest 2009

What’s interesting is that two incumbents are on the ballot this year.  Current Mayor Gracie is running again as top dog.  Bella, a past mayor who’s now serving as canine commissioner, is also seeking to reclaim her spot.  They are well-known and often shake hands around the village.

Since there are eight candidates, they all deserve equal shakes.  Start by studying the candidate photos and their campaign promises here.  The other fresh and furry faces include Alice, Little Bear, Molly, Nitro and Rico.  Plus a turtle named Alex is making a slow and steady run.

It’s hard to pick from this august group, but no worries!  Each vote costs a buck, and there’s no limit to how many times you vote or who you vote for.  All proceeds go to the Pet & Wildlife Fund, which raised $15k last year to support injured wildlife.  The Montclair Veterinary Hospital fundraisers are hoping for a similar voter turnout this year.

Montclarions may either vote online or cast ballots at the Sunday Farmers’ Market voting booth – and maybe get a chance to meet the candidates in person.