Month: July 2009

Checking In: Montclair Social Site

We’re checking in with you about Today in Montclair’s social site this morning.  As you may know, this is an adjunct resource to enable anyone to connect, discuss, post or promote things with neighbors.  It’s become a way to keep up with local events or news lately.

These social capabilities are supplied by a company called “Ning,” and we were pleasantly surprised when they highlighted us recently.  They described how we connected between the social site (pictured below) and the blog site (you are here).

Today in Montclair - Social Site

Maybe these social capabilities could be put to even better use.  Feel free to join and post/request any info about lost pets, where to find local items or services, etc.  You may also request baby, dog or house sitters here, promote your yard sales, or anything else.  There used to be a Yahoo Board for these purposes, but it’s defunct now.

Who will see your posts and requests?  They are already available on this blog, just scroll the right hand column and orange buttons.  You can find them on the social site as well.  More importantly, we have noticed that anyone googling will see these links too.

So we welcome all your mundane, everyday contributions.

Nearby Celebrations For The Fourth

It’s Independence Day and you are home.   Before the fireworks tonight, there are almost too many things to do – and we think it boils down to whether you demand a parade, music or a place to relax.

Alameda Fourth

The past week, we have been rounding up activities on the Montclair social network.  It’s a bit hard to explore options online because you have to know beforehand that you are looking for, say, the Oakland Municipal Band or Piedmont Parade.  But here are the core options:

  • Alameda Parade – 10:00 am – it’s not too late to battle the 20,000 people along this grand, 3.3 mile-long parade route – starts down Park Street, check route here – Free
  • Piedmont Parade – 11:00 am – check out the westies, scotties and the usual small-town fanfare – starts at Highland Avenue and Park Way, ends at Piedmont Park – Free
  • Barbecue and Stars – 12:00 pm – get your grills at Chabot Space Center – through 6:00 pm – 10000 Skyline Drive – costs $10/adult, $8/member, $7/kid
  • Blues All Day – 12:00 pm –  watch eight acts from the Bay Area Blues Society – through 8:00 pm – Alameda County Fair – Rt 680, Pleasanton – costs $10/adult, $8/senior (62+), $6/kid (6+), free/tike as well as $8/parking
  • Teddy Bear Parade – 1:00 pm –  parade and play games at Dunsmuir House – through 6:00 pm – 2960 Peralta Oaks Court – costs $12/family (2 adults, 2 kids), $5/adult, $2/kid (5+), free/tike
  • Oakland Municipal Band – 1:00 pm –  celebrate and picnic alongside this brass concert – through 3:00 pm – Edoff Memorial bandstand, Lake Merritt – Grand & Bellevue Avenues – Free

Or you can just chill with family and friends, which is fine by us.  Sometimes when there’s folks around and you need to entertain them, it’s good to leave the house for a few hours too.  Cheers and Happy Fourth!

Fireworks Redux: Richmond and Oakland

We like our fireworks displays, with or without the fog.  Last year, we braved the fog and cold but the Oakland display was still worth checking out live.  This year, we are thinking about adding to our agenda.

Port Of Oakland Fireworks

Fireworks Oakland: We’ll head to Jack London Square on July 4th, and watch the Oakland fireworks from the estuary.  The sparks fly at 9:15 pm and continue for about twenty minutes.  Live music begins earlier at 7:00pm,  and features the Ben Oni Orchestra and the BluesBurners.  (Details here.)

Fireworks Richmond: This year, we’re considering hopping in the car and heading to Richmond’s Crainway Pavilion on July 3rd.  We like hearing a full symphony orchestra, and the Oakland East Bay Symphony will be doing their thing at 8:00 pm, and playing Souza with the fireworks at 9:30 pm.  (Details here.)

Either way, promise us you will get off your duffs too.  Don’t just watch the TV program at the National Mall in DC, or crane your heads from your hillside decks.  This is all about sharing some civic pride for a few hours, and it’s fun to ooh and aah with a live crowd.

No Firecrackers, No Fires

Come the end of July Fourth weekend, we hope there will be no fires.  It’s a bit more futile to expect zero firecrackers around the city streets, but we can hope for the best.  Keep in mind that fireworks are illegal, and Oakland’s Finest are trying hard to make this very clear.

Both cops and firefighters are relying on citizen scoops to make neighborhoods safe over the the next few days.  If you see anyone with the contraband, then call this anonymous fireworks hotline:  (510) 238-2373.

Fireworks Hotline

Right now it’s Christmas in July for the illegal fireworks sellers, and Oakland cops are already hard at work.  Gabriel Bueno Sr. was busted earlier this week, with over a ton of this contraband “believed to be the largest cache of fireworks ever seized in Oakland.”

On July 4th itself, the City of Oakland will activate their Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES).  In a recent call for HAM radio operators and supporters, Montclarion Doug Mosher said volunteers provide additional eyes and ears about “illegal fireworks activities and potential or actual wildfire situations.”

While not quite vigilantism, anyone living around Joaquin Miller Park is also encouraged to keep a watchful eye for cars parked at the perimeter after hours.  Please call the cops if you see anything that’s out of line.  Apparently local kids like to hang out and build bonfires all summer long, which is incredibly dumb.

Beyond Joaquin Miller, things have been fairly quiet in the Oakland Hills like last summer – so keep your fingers crossed for a repeat performance.

Alameda County Fair Kicks Off

Our local nostalgia trip, the Alameda County Fair, kicks off today with a full roster of entertainment, animals, food and special events for the next month.  There are headliner concerts nearly every night, and some piqued our interest like Charlie Daniels, Solange Knowles and B.J. Thomas!  Raindrops will not be falling on your head, though.

Alameda County Fair

The fair is a throw-back to simpler times, in some ways.  You can get your caricature drawn, participate in a hypnotist’s show, and cheer at the racing dogs or pigs.  You are welcome to participate in various contests, watch some horse racing, jump onto nearly 40 carnival rides, or simply soak in the vibe.

The AgVenture Park sounds ideal for kids, with an abundance of barnyard and smaller animals on hand.  If you’re organized, then show up early on July 12th to watch local 4-H kids auction their prized animals to the highest bidders.  If not, then you can always wander from the animals over to kiddie rides, storytime theater, karaoke, art projects and the ubiquitous face painting.

July 4th weekend will be filled to the brim, starting with July 3rd fireworks at 9:30 pm.  On the Fourth itself, there will be a cake-walk contest at noon followed by the intense hot-dog eating event at 2pm.  Country star-in-the-making Miko Marks sings at 4:30pm, while eight cool blues bands and players are scheduled all day long.

We’re betting you have never gone to the fair before, so why not check it out this year?

More info:   The County Fair takes place in Pleasanton (click here)  from July 1-19th, closed Mondays.  Hours are 10am-10pm weekends (Fri-Sun), and 11am-10pm weekdays (Tues-Thurs).  Plot your course with this fairgrounds map.  Avoid lines by buying tickets online.  Admission runs $10/adult, $8/senior (62+), $6/kid (6+), and free/tike. Unlimited ride passes are $25-$28 each.  Once there, parking costs $8 to $25.