Month: April 2012

One Burglary, One Witness and Many Cops

Yesterday in Montclair, some local burglars took computers and jewelry.  Ho-hum, nothing new.  Yet these criminals also tried to shoot a key witness during their getaway, and fortunately failed.  Oakland police were on the scene quickly as well.

One Montclarion spoke to neighbors and police yesterday, and shared a more complete picture this morning.  We thought it was worth passing along her Montclair Safety report, right here.

From my neighbor who came upon the police:

Three African American males, driving a Black Chevy Blazer, did a quick burglary of the house taking jewelry, iPOD, iPAD.  They were reported to OPD by a contractor who saw them running out of the house.  The contractor threw a rock at the Chevy Blazer so it now has a broken windshield. The burglars tried to shoot the contractor from their car, luckily they missed. Three OPD cars showed up at the house very soon after they were called.

From a policeman:

I spoke with one of the OPD officers as I happened to drive by there around 11 am.  He was wonderful and very informative and helpful.  Apparently this Blazer has been casing this area and they break into houses between 8am-5am. [sic]

From the neighbors who were robbed:

They were not there at the time.  One occupant left the house before 10 and the contractors saw the burglary in progress shortly after and threw the rock.  Then they were shot at. OPD identified the shot was fired at 10:17 and hit the contractors vehicle.  (I wonder if the bullet was found?)

This was not at at Thornhill near Moraga as mentioned in the article (this was 2 doors from me).  Folks suspect the Chevy Blazer was nearby and saw the occupant leave.  I heard this car was linked to other robberies (and it has a cracked windshield now!).  Not sure if there is a plate or not.

Eat Your Way Through The Village

Join the “Roman Feast” tomorrow night, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm in our faire village.  The Lions Club and Montclair Village Association are co-hosting their fourth annual Montclair Village Restaurant Walk, an altruistic opportunity to eat non-stop.  As a local fundraiser, you can consume with abandon right here.

Besides food tastings at 19 different locations (see ’em below), there will be entertainment from our kids.  Montara’s band will perform outside the Safeway, while a Skyline High string trio will serenade everyone at Italian Colors.  This Tuesday fundraiser will benefit charities including Oakland Fund for the Arts, Boy Scouts, music programs at Montera and Skyline, and many more.

Here are all 19 of the grazing spots, so you can plan your journey carefully:

Amba – Colonial Donuts – Crogan’s – El Agavero – Farmstead Cheese & Wine – Flipper’s Gourmet Burgers – Flavors India Bistro – Grille One Carvery – Italian Colors – Kakui Sushi – Montclair Baking – Montclair Bistro – Montclair Malt Shop – Noah’s New York Bagels – Oni Sushi – Pagarung Thai – Taqueria Las Comrades 2 – Yogafina – U.S. Bank

Tickets are selling out, but we hear you can stop by the U.S. Bank and buy a $25 passport.  Then you’ll be armed with coupons which can be redeemed at each participating restaurant.  And consider parking as an offset, since the La Salle garage will be open and free from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.

Enjoy the stroll, the tastings, the music and your neighbors.  Be there.

Skateboarding Dreams In Claremont Canyon

We have never witnessed skateboarders careening down Claremont Canyon, but some pretty amazing athletes have gone to the trouble of video-taping their dream runs.   It’s downright exhilarating in “Claremont,” especially when these guys start their journey around 2:30 minutes into the video.

Wow, how fast are these skateboarders moving?  Maybe up to 60 miles per hour?  We think they’re under control, while traveling faster than any cars, because they maneuver the curves quite well and they do know how to slow down.

Perhaps inspired by this epic video, other guys have recorded their journeys.  We discovered one skateboarder who filmed his entire run holding the camera boom himself, as well as two boarders who handed off their boom and filming en route.  In both videos, they started a bit lower in Claremont to avoid the more difficult and crazy curves.

It makes us wonder about the (unfilmed) skateboarders pursuing their dreams, and whether they have safely ridden down the canyon too.  Claremont neighbors often complain about drivers speeding down the canyon and nearly missing them!  When it comes to the boarders, so far..so good.