Just The News

Montclair Farmers Market and Mayoral Politics

This morning, various political causes were in full view at the Montclair Farmers Market.  It was the first time we saw a public display declaring “Jean Quan for Oakland Mayor 2010” on the street.  There was a volunteer at the adjacent table, and the all-important cinnamon loaves were luring us nearby.

Both Jean Quan and Don Perata have declared their mayoral candidacies online and you can keep up virtually for now.  They each have base camps:

  • Candidate Perata’s website is called “Believe in Oakland, Perata For Mayor 2010.”   Perata has posted his appearances, including the Laurel on February 27th.  The site also has a donations section, of course.  Over on Facebook you may join his group, which has 512 members, or friend him along with 254 others.
  • Candidate Quan’s website has been live for a while, and serves as a fund-raising channel.  You may also fan her through Facebook, which she seems to use actively – by posting appearances, messages, images and more.  Oh, and there are 254 fans as of this minute too.

We wonder how these online efforts will influence voters during 2010, who knows?  As the real campaigns get underway later this year, however, we suspect there will be evidence of live humans ready for their meet ‘n greets.

Surreal Look At Local Car Crash

Tonight we experienced a bad rush hour, complete with a near-stoppage around 6 pm.  As we headed southbound on Highway 13, shy of the Moraga-Thornhill exit, a local car crash came into view.  Just awful!

We first noticed a fire truck on the northbound side, and then the evidence right outside our window.  It was tempting to stop, snap and gawk, but impossible with a single lane of traffic open.  So here’s a surreal and blurry image, and you’ll have to use your imagination.

Only the smashed-up car remained, awaiting a tow.  The driver and/or passengers had already left the scene, likely getting some medical attention at a nearby hospital.

After we exited the highway, CBS Radio began blaring the stoppage news in their traffic update.  And now you have the rest of the story from Montclair Central, over and out.

When Three Cops Hang Out

Not much of a headline here, but there was something very comforting about seeing three local cops hanging out at our coffee place last night.  Yet they weren’t chilling with their dinner salads.

Instead this trio was deep in discussion, much like any work colleagues getting together.  While I wanted to overhear them, I failed miserably in my attempts to play undercover agent.

Every so often, a word or two floated over to my side of the coffee shop.  My sense is these police were chatting about subjects like performance tracking.  They were definitely in lean-forward mode – and trying to figure out how to get some stuff done.

I admit to feeling a little glow of security, with all the officers nearby.  On reflection, I also felt empathy for what they needed to accomplish.  How can any cops really be effective with the continued, steady beat of crimes around here?

On that note, some Montclarions are having a rough time lately.  There’s a new wave of car windows broken, things stolen from cars and even stolen cars.  One neighbor mentioned running after someone who was aiming to steal more the other night, but the potential perp sprinted away.

It’s a big deal when you have been violated, regardless of the overall stats and response rates.  There’s not much you can do without garages to hide your cars.  While we assume all this activity has already been reported to the police, it dampens the spirits far more than the rains.

Still there’s no question that our cops seemed to care, as I watched them huddle last night.

Take A Number, Climb Half Dome

Starting this summer season, hiking on Half Dome will feel like visiting Merritt Bakery:  take a number.  Crowd control is an real issue on the upper cables, so Yosemite brass will now offer permits on a first-come, first-served basis.

What’s different?  You’ll need to plan in advance for ascents on busy Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting May 21st.  You’ll also need to shell out $1.50 for each ticket to the top – and that’s a small price to pay for improved safety.

It’s about time!  Half Dome is an iconic symbol of Yosemite, and everyone’s welcome to hike around it.  However far too many people attempt to reach the summit, topping out at 1,200 per day last season.  The U.S. Park Service will sell 400 permits per day, a volume that still seems rather high but makes good sense.

During my last Dome hike, hundreds of people waited, waited and waited some more to use the cables.  While on the sub-dome, I moved like molasses.  To my eyes, at least half the visitors appeared scared, weak or generally ill-prepared – and it was plainly risky under these conditions.

I have been fortunate to climb the Dome off season, when the approach hike was snowy and the cables were down.  This meant the stanchions were removed, and the cables hung right on the rock face.  It felt like a serious alpine ascent to me, even using the cables as a secured back-up.  On that early May day, there were few people in sight and the whole ascent seemed safer.

If you have been around Half Dome during the ‘aughts, then you know that something needed to be done.  Your National Park Service, acting in loco parentis, decided to give permitting a try the next two years – and we should all support ’em.

More info:  Half Dome’s permit sales begin on March 1st.  You may nab up to four daily permits per person, by calling (877) 444-6777 or registering online.  Read more about today’s permit news.

No Attacks Overhead, No Worries

No, we’re not going to witness any warfare or attacks in the Oakland Hills this Friday and Saturday.  However, some military aircraft will be operating around Oakland International Airport.

An all-points-bulletin is making the rounds, so that Oaklanders aren’t shocked by the noise.

We understand a T-38A jet aircraft, operated by the United States Air Force, is scheduled to land Friday at noon.  It will depart sometime the next morning.

This is one of those major flying machines piloted for years by our top guns.  It takes off with some intense afterburners that make everyone within earshot jump.

Oakland International will let us complain.  If you want to share “aircraft noise concerns” with them, then call this hotline:  510-563-6463.  But we think this rare T-38A sighting is worth relishing instead.