Author: montclairoak

The First Signs Of Rainy Season

After taking our weather for granted, this storm is a quick reminder of the rainy season ahead.  It’s admittedly beautiful in some ways, as we’re watching the fog pour through the hills.  The rains are not torrential yet.

Here’s a virtual tour of how a Montclair rainy day looks and feels, up in the parks.  We begin with a snapshot of a local chihuahua, who’s clearly stressed by the muddy trail walk.  He (or she) is properly pampered and protected from the raindrops, but that doesn’t seem to help much.

Next, the earthworms emerge from even the slightest rain showers.  (Personally I prefer the banana slugs, but they have not yet arrived on the scene.)  In this photo, a lone earthworm has surfaced on top of the rocky soil, and will likely be joined by others soon.  Of course, they have nowhere to go and may get trampled.

Finally here’s an peaceful image of a foggy and rainy day taken in Redwood Park, which should be familiar to Montclarions.  To me, the rainy days actually tamp down the noise levels in the parks.  It’s very comfortable walking among the trees.  For Hollywood mavens, we’re about to see something evil unfold – Blair Witch Trial, anyone?

We haven’t had any rain in so long, and are still suffering from drought conditions.  This weekend provides just a taste of the rainy season we desparately need.  Yet we have to whine a little – it’s sometimes difficult to stay upbeat with the doom and gloom surrounding Montclair.

Why Not Vote Early, This Weekend?

Here’s something to do while the storms rage outside:  vote early.

Alameda County Registrar Dave Macdonald announced new weekend hours today, due to the increasing demand over the past week.  When early voting opened last weekend, the registrar reported about 1,000 citizens showed up each day.  This increased to 1,400 on Thursday and 5,000 by Friday afternoon.

The Alameda County Registrar enables Oaklanders to vote early and avoid the Election Day throngs.  The Registrar will stay open every day through November 4th.  As noted above, you can vote on Saturday or Sunday, between 10:00am – 5:00pm.  The office will also be open on Monday from 8:30am – 5:00pm.

On Election Day, you may also drive down to their office between 7:00am – 8:00pm but it will be easier to stop by your local polling place instead.  If you want to confirm where to vote, then click here and enter your address.  I’m sure every neighborhood place will be jammed, so plan ahead to wait in line on the big day.

The Registrar has reported some impressive voter stats, and it will interesting to see how many residents ultimately cast their ballots next week.  For this election, there were 803,009 registered voters in Alameda County.  Some 370,000 vote-by-mail ballots have been distributed and 185,000 were returned as of today.

More info:   The Registrar’s Office is located at 1225 Fallon Street (map).  If you have questions, then please call (510) 272-6973.  Read more about California propositions and local measures here.

Fire Near Grizzly Peak, Just Reported

A fire near Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas was reported and snuffed out on Thursday.

Despite the clouds and  rain, the fire blackened over 10 acres beyond Tilden Regional Park.  Park workers were doing a prescribed burn to clear brush near the steam trains, and the fire spread too far.  Check out KTVU’s video of our smoking hills.

The Contra Costa Times shared that “firefighters from East Bay Regional Parks, Cal Fire, Orinda, Berkeley and Oakland responded to the scene, as well as one helicopter and two air tankers.”  In the photo below, you can see the ‘copter in action – dropping water on the hills.

Here’s the initial news blogged on Thursday afternoon, only an hour after the report was called into authorities.  The power of online news sharing in all its glory!

A fire near Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas was just reported.  We’re not able to check this out, can anyone confirm?  Of course, the rainstorms have arrived, so Mother Nature may be taking care of the matter soon.

Firefighters responding to controlled burn near Tilden Park
By Robert Salonga, Contra Costa Times – 10/30/2008 01:30:33 PM PDT

ORINDA — Firefighters are responding to reports this afternoon that a controlled burn near Tilden Park may have jumped fire lines, the East Bay Regional Parks District said.

The report was called in about 12:30 p.m. near Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas just outside the southeastern corner of the park. Further details were not immediately available.

Oakland Park Rangers Nearly Extinct

It’s true that the Oakland Park Rangers are on the endangered species list.  There are three rangers now, who can’t possibly roam around the 120+ parks and rec centers throughout the city.

Ranger Mark Oliver is one of the endangered rangers, who’s been keeping Oakland parks safe for the past 21 years.  “That’s our primary responsibility” explained Oliver, “so that moms, kids, daddies and senior citizens, when they go out to use the parks, they can feel safe.”

The park ranger unit was founded back in 1946, and staffed at least 20 rangers just seven years ago.  Most recently, the unit had eight ranger positions and one records specialist.  With the latest budget travails, there are now three lone rangers.

According to an e-mail sent to “supporters of safe parks” this afternoon, these rangers will do the best they can with their remaining 15 shifts.  They will be working weekdays but not on Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays or night-time shifts.  If rangers are sick or on vacation, there won’t be back-ups.

Last week, I took a quick hike at Joaquin Miller Park and visited the Ranger Station.  It’s like visiting a neglected attic there, with old exhibits about Miller, and a sign saying the ranger’s office is closed.  Very sad vibe, even though I understand that staffing field offices is a luxury.

At least for Joaquin Miller Park and other heavily-used destinations, I wonder if we should develop even stronger volunteer efforts.  The Ranger Unit says they are looking for volunteers for these duties:  Citizens on Patrol, Bicycle Patrol, Mounted Patrol, Field Office Representative, and Special Events.

Is there a ranger left to organize volunteer efforts?  Try visiting the Ranger Station (map) or else calling 510-482-7888 weekdays.  We often clean up parks but don’t think much about helping with safety matters.

Happy Halloween Means A Parade

2009 Parade Update:  This year’s Parade was a great success!  It took place on October 30th, through the streets of Montclair. Please see coverage, including snapshots, of the award-winners and VIP paraders.

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In Montclair Village, Halloween means it’s time for a parade plus a pumpkin or two.

Parade Details: Remember to dress up your kids and parade them through town on Friday, during the Lions Club event.  Paraders should meet at the Bank of America office, next to Lucky’s Market, at 3:30pm.

Unfortunately, there’s a 70% chance of rain.  So come prepared for the worst, because everyone will be lined up and waiting to see your cute kids.

Besides the parade itself, take time to stroll around downtown.  There will be balloons and treats everywhere.  A Great Good Place for Books (map) will host some characters and welcome trick-or-treaters.

Make sure to stop by Sarber’s Cameras (map) before the parade, too.  The proprietors take free professional pictures of your costumed kids, as part of their Halloween costume contest.  Who can resist this offer?

Pumpkins Proliferating: Of course, the pumpkins have arrived and been placed on many doorsteps.  For the first time, we’re seeing a few political pumpkins showing up.  Have you seen any “Yes We Carve” pumpkins around here?  How many gourds are appearing for Obama versus McCain?

Don’t fret, as it’s not too late for you to politicize your pumpkins.  Just download stencils for Obama, McCain, Biden or Palin at the Better Homes and Gardens site – and follow the instructions there.

Better Homes ran a pumpkin election which allowed visitors to vote for presidential and veep candidates equally.  As of Tuesday evening, Obama came in first and was closely followed by Palin and then McCain.  Biden was a distant fourth in the running.

Official Greetings: Finally, we cannot resist sharing this Happy Halloween sentiment from a holiday-laden rabbit.  The creature seems to be making the e-mail rounds, and I received him from a friend living outside California.

What a classic piece of kitsch, don’t you agree?  The rabbit provides enough good cheer, since he covers us through Halloween, T-Giving and X-Mas.  He doesn’t reflect every holiday, but will do the trick for now.