Local Events

Skulls And Altars Today

Who needs to travel to Mexico?  There’s a huge Day of the Dead celebration today in Fruitvale, from 10am-5pm.  Founded in 1996, this annual event runs down International Blvd, between 33-39th Avenues (festival map).

At Dia de los Muertos, you will be able to check out more than 20 different altars to the dead.  These altars are filled with interesting Mexican folk art and ofrendas, or offerings for the departed.  Typically there are flowers, special sugar or paper-mache skulls, breads baked for the dead, and other artistic flourishes.

Besides the altars, there are arts & crafts, three stages with entertainment, a kids section and, of course, all kinds of great Mexican food.  This is no ordinary street festival, as it represents a long-standing tradition where Mexicans honor their dead.

The Unity Council, which supports many different community services, is hosting the event.  While not verified, our Fruitvale Day of the Dead celebration is one of the largest nationally – it will be packed but worth battling the crowds.

More info:  Dia de los Muertos Site – Day of Dead Blog – Wikipedia – Fruitvale Overview – Fruitvale Glossary of Terms – Corrazon del Pueblo Store

Pulled Asunder By Community Meetings

It’s a tough decision.  We’re pulled asunder by the two community meetings tomorrow, and frankly wondering which one to attend.

Option One:  Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee Meeting

Hear from Jeff Israel, who serves as Deputy Chief of the Oakland Police department (OPD).  He will address Oaklanders who are active with community safety groups, and provide guidance about recent burglaries and crime.

According to Montclair’s Nick Vigilante, the deputy will cover “how OPD is responding to the increases via investigation, patrol, outreach, and enforcement activities; how Neighborhood Watch and NCPC Groups can help OPD; and what you and your neighbors can do to make your neighborhoods safer from such crimes.”

Details:  Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 pm – City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, in Hearing Room 4 – Validated parking at Clay Street Garage (14th/Clay) – You’ll need to RSVP to Felicia Verdin at fverdin-at-oaklandnet.com or 510-238-3128.

Option Two:  Neighbor-to-Neighbor Community Town Hall Meeting

See Vice Mayor Larry Reid and special guest Mayor Ron Dellums in action, in a town-hall meeting tomorrow.  This event is open to all, and is interesting timing after the Oakland budget meeting today.

The invitation says it’s “your opportunity to share issues you care about.  Join your neighbors in an informal and insightful exchange of ideas,” with focus on the budget, economic development, public safety, etc.

Details:  Wednesday, 6:00-8:00 pm – Castlemont Community of Small Schools cafeteria – 8601 Macarthur Blvd – Any questions, please call 510-444-CITY.

Even if you aren’t able to make these events, I’m sure there will be plenty of reports and opinions – and we’ll pass them along if interesting for Montclarions.

Your Hills Budget Meeting, Monday at 7pm

Before the City of Oakland makes its final budget cuts, there’s one opportunity for you to participate in the discussion.  Our city rep, Jean Quan, organized a meeting for District 4 constituents tonight at 7pm, in the Redwood Heights Recreation Center (map).

Given the Oakland budget gap, this is an important opportunity to discuss where the cuts should be and should not be made.  Among other city services, our well-loved parks and libraries are at risk – and we must provide guidance in these areas.

To understand the current budget, this chart (above) shows how funds are distributed to each department.  There’s not much to work with, with some 64% that gets directed to the police and fire departments.

Late last month, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums issued a full report covering the budget and where the city recommends cutbacks.  According to the report, Dellums and his team explain that “having only $110 million in discretionary budget leaves little flexibility when attempting to eliminate a $37.4 million shortfall.”

Just like private industry, the recommendations to freeze hiring, lay off current staff, minimize salary increases, and shorten the work weeks are appropriate – if painful – steps to close the gap.

Mark Zinns, who supervises Montclair Park, confirms the cuts:  “Yes it’s true that Montclair Recreation Center and Park is facing some serious cut-backs because of the city’s financial crisis.”  He expects to shutter the Rec Center every Friday, and make cuts/layoffs to maintenance, gardening and recreation staff.

The City also plans to eliminate the remaining handful of park rangers, who specialize in park safety.  This past weekend, for example, Joaquin Miller was closed due to high winds and fire danger.  Are the replacement beat cops, who earn more than the rangers, ready to handle new assignments?

Finally, local libraries are under examination – and Montclair’s hours and programs are at risk too.  No one needs to argue about the educational resources available both online and on the shelves.  Our storybook library has been a source of pride for years, and it should stay opened six days/week.

Cutting back on parks and libraries doesn’t solve the bigger budget gap, because their numbers are quite small.  As you can see, only six percent of the budget is spent on them.  While there’s no question that some minor reductions could be made, we have to make sure that these civic resources don’t get decimated.

We live in interesting times.  Keep in mind that the WPA was busy building up these neighborhood gems during the Great Depression, and now we are thinking they are places not worthy of sufficient resources with this economic downturn.

Quake Epicenter Visits Montclair

It’s time to celebrate our Hayward Fault legacy, which delivered the Big Quake some 140 years ago.  That Hayward shaker’s considered one of the three majors, along with the 1906 and 1989 quakes.

We began the commemoration with a light jolt.  Last Friday afternoon, a magnitude 3.1 earthquake shook Montclair.  This quake is worth mentioning because the epicenter was near Mountain Avenue – right under our feet.

You just have to be philosophical, while living on the fault-line.  The last big quake occurred on October 21st, 1868 and the U.S. Geological Survey scientists “describe this fault as a tectonic time bomb.”

The U.S. Geological Survey says we’re due right now, while the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory declares a 27 percent chance of delivering a 6.4+ quake in the next 30 years.

To honor the past destructive forces, there are all kind of earthquake commemorations and activities:

  • Lawrence Hall of Science – Ride the earthquake simulator in the museum’s outside park.  Also attend their family-friendly show about Quakes & Shakes – Sundays, Oct 12th and 19th, at 12:30pm and 2:00pm – U.C. Berkeley Campus (map)
  • U.S. Geological Survey – Visit the USGS to see a special photo exhibit of the Hayward Fault damage back in 1868, and how these spots look today – Monday-Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm – USGS Building 3, Menlo Park (map)
  • The Great Quake Lecture – Listen to Timothy Swenson, local author and historian, discuss the 1868 earthquake – Tuesday, Oct 14th, at 7:00pm – Fremont Main Library (map)
  • Mission San Jose Commemoration – Attend the official 140th anniversary, which will be held at the exact quake time – Tuesday, October 21st, at 7:55am – 8:30am – Mission San Jose (map)

More info:   Oaklander Andrew Alden shares more about Montclair itself.  There are also interesting virtual sites covering the Fault, including the USGS Field Tour, Cal Berkeley Tour, and Cal State Hayward Tour.

Meet Your Cops, Tues evening

Come meet your cops!  They will be on hand this Tuesday evening, from 6:30-8:30pm, at the Montclair Public Library (map).
Nick Vigilante, who leads the safety team for Montclair SIC, announced that our local problem solving officers “will be our special guests at the upcoming MSIC Crime Prevention, Traffic, and Pedestrian Safety Team Meeting.”
Sgt. Bernard Ortiz will be there, who oversees ten beats including Montclair.  Officer Maureen Vergara, who’s responsible for Montclair’s Beat 13Z, will attend as well.  Rounding out the list is Anna Chang-Lai, our neighborhood services coordinator.
It’s nice to have a chance to meet the cops this way, and learn what they really do.  They plan to discuss how two-way communications helps them do their jobs, and are ready to listen to specific beat priorities.  There will also be time for questions.
Some of the officers conducted an open meeting with Montclarions in early July, and their practical advice was welcomed.  With the spate of new break-ins, particularly when residents aren’t home, it’s about time for a refresher on how to prevent or respond to crimes here.
More info: The patchwork of police beats known as “Beat 13”  can get a little confusing. As mentioned, Maureen Vergara is the officer responsible for Beat 13Z, south of Thornhill.  In addition, Officer Mark Contreras covers Beat 13Y, the area north of Thornhill.  Beyond Montclair, Officer Randall Chew handles Beat 13X in Upper Rockridge.