Author: montclairoak

Got Issues Or Concerns, Reach Jenny

If you have any issues or concerns related to the City of Oakland, then Jenny Feinberg’s your go-to person.

According to District 4 Rep Libby Schaaf, in her recent newsletter (subscribe here), the district staff of three has been divided by location.  Feinberg is fully devoted to Montclarions, as our new community liaison, and may be contacted at (510) 238-7273 or jfeinberg@oaklandnet.com.

Here’s the formal introduction to Council Aide Feinberg:

As Councilmember Schaaf’s recent Campaign Coordinator as well as the former Program Assistant at Emerge California, Jenny has dedicated her professional career to helping women run and win for public office. She first discovered her passion for public service and constituent services when she completed internships with former Senators Joseph Biden and Hillary Clinton in Washington, DC and New York City, respectively.

Jenny has also worked in consulting, strategic planning and organizational management with the Center for Applied Research (CFAR) in Philadelphia. Jenny studied Women’s Studies and Political Science at Brandeis University and earned highest honors for her thesis entitled “Fostering Women’s Political Ambition: Who Runs for Congress, Who Wins, and How to Expand the Pool.”

In addition, Rep Schaaf will meet with Montclarions on a regular basis.  She’s attending the Piedmont Pines’ Annual Meeting — this Monday at 6:30pm, at Chabot Space & Science Center (map).  She’s also holding monthly community office hours during the Montclair Farmer’s Market.  Her next date will be Sunday, February 27th, from 9 am to 12 noon.

February Update:  We seem to have another direct District 4 contact now. For all-things Montclair, Patricia Rose may be reached at 510-238-6822 or prose@oaklandnet.com. Jenny’s still around but taking on additional tasks for Council Rep Schaaf.

March Update:  Thanks, Libby.  Jenny is still our go-to girl for all-things Montclair.

Dreams Almost Fulfilled: Shepherd Canyon

As you know, Martin Luther King Day has become a day of service.  Why not come and volunteer at Shepherd Canyon Park, where dreams are almost fulfilled?  This place has come a long way, though a work crew’s needed tomorrow — just show up at Escher Gate, at 9am sharp.

Through dogged volunteerism, Shepherd Canyon has been transformed from a literal trash heap to a thing of beauty.  While the park is a respite for all visitors today, it used to be filled with cars, city-dumped debris and more. Here’s the damning, photographic proof from late 2001.

The Car Park: Let’s begin with this vintage vehicle, nestled below in the creek bed. There were other rusties in the park, and we can’t imagine the efforts taken to dump cars in this remote spot! It’s baffling they weren’t pulled out years before.

The Teenage Wasteland: Check out more “crime scene” evidence, where locals had their late-night parties. This teenage (sorry) wasteland is ridiculous, because all the drinking detritus could have been easily carried out.

The City Dump: Look at this debris deposited by the City of Oakland! Yes, this old concrete was something that (we believe) Public Works threw in the upper meadows, never envisioning the open space decades later. The place looked pretty depressing, right?

Thanks to Shepherd Canyon’s Homeowners Association’s (SCHA) website for recording the canyon history, including this dumping evidence and subsequent clean-up.  Since the SCHA’s initial clearing efforts, their Ecopullers continue to restore the area and trails.  If you live in a nearby canyon, it’s worth stopping by tomorrow — to check out the progress and work the land.

Happy New Year: No Auto Break-in

Many Montclarions have been investing in surveillance cameras, partly to catch prowlers as they check out autos which are parked outside homes or on local streets.  This past weekend, one neighbor shared a snapshot from a prowler who didn’t find anything of interest — and didn’t bother breaking into a car either.

The would-be thief arrived Saturday morning at 12:40 am, over on Merriewood Drive.  This area, right off Thornhill Drive, features many older, renovated homes which simply don’t have garages.  A couple autos have been hit up in the area, with windows smashed and valuable items gone by morning.

According to the homeowner’s report on Montclair SIC’s message board:

Our security camera captured someone walking out of our carport, presumably after attempting a car burglary.  Our doors were locked and they did not appear to be walking away with anything.  No windows were broken.

The image doesn’t show the person’s face, [and] they were wearing dark tennis shoes with white trim, blue jeans, black sweatshirt with hood and white logo on the back, and gloves.  Another reminder to lock your car doors.

We have heard, repeatedly, to lock up and make sure nothing of value is left in your car.  Even ID information like your registration and insurance should be removed, lest that tempt the fates.  Yet nothing happened here, at least this time.

How 2010 Fared For 94611

To celebrate the last day of 2010, we decided to peer over our shoulders.  Denizens of Montclair fared pretty well, because there were no major natural or man-made calamities.  After some intensive analysis, we noticed an even distribution of highs and lows worth recapping for you.

Was it the economy, stupid? The recession hit individuals differently and privately. The Village took hits more publicly, with longer vacancies. Eventually, a couple new eateries opened their doors to keep us local. Thefts in the hills became more creative, arriving in small and very concentrated waves.

In Village politics, non-canines ran but a dog won the mayoral race because we didn’t take risks. It was exciting to consider a rat or two, but the classic chocolate lab, Murphy, is now in charge.

Montclair was fairly quiet, except for the arts, family, food, and holiday street fests — and we still like this mellow place in the city.

Council Rep Schaaf Opens Shop Soon

In a year-end message, incoming District 4 Rep Libby Schaaf has invited everyone to the city-wide inauguration.  All the newly elected officials, including Schaaf, will be sworn in next Monday at 11am, at the Fox Theater.  The event is free and open to Oaklanders, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Meanwhile, the transition seems to be moving swimmingly.  Jean Quan is focused on staffing up the Oakland mayoral team over the holidays, effectively handing District 4 to Schaaf.  We have also seen Schaaf dipping her toes in the water, by addressing a safety matter or two on the local Montclair Safety & Improvement Council (MSIC) message board.

Starting January 3rd, Rep Schaaf will be located on the second floor at City Hall.  She’s available at lschaaf@oaklandnet.com or (510) 238-7004.  Her council aide, Jenny Feinberg, may be reached anytime at jfeinberg@oaklandnet.com.