Places Of Note

Let’s Try Some Yarn Graffiti

Here’s a new kind of urban folk art that we could embrace.  Imagine if Oakland’s chain-link fences were decorated with yarn graffiti, displaying colorful patterns “painted” by aspiring artists.

We recently discovered some yarn graffiti in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh (PA), where three dream-catchers were woven into a bridge overpass.

Yarn Graffiti

What’s amusing is the initial response from a Pittsburgh councilman, who wasn’t quite sure what to say about this yarn-art when it mysteriously appeared on the Schenley bridge.  According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Before his chief of staff tracked down the source of the creations, city Councilman Doug Shields had fun with the idea that it might have been a bit of unsanctioned expression, saying, ‘This is yet another example of the worsening economy’ — graffiti by yarn instead of paint, ‘although this seems to be more pleasing to the eye and is far easier to remove.’

Just like our nice wall murals, this yarn graffiti seems like another way to dress up Oakland.  I’m wondering how you would feel if yarn designs starting running amuck around the city.

Curing Poor Cell Phone Coverage

“My cell phone coverage stinks!” is a common cry from Montclarions.  When you drive around the village, it’s a hit-or-miss proposition.  Carrier signals vary from one neighbor to the next, in a seemingly random fashion.

“The Hills are probably the worst area to service from a cell phone provider’s standpoint,” explained Soren Jensen, who lives in the Village. “The geography combined with the need for line of sight and limited range requires you to be able to ‘see’ a cell tower in order to get reliable service.”

Ancient Phone Switch

Before you give up and simply rely on old wire lines, consider these tricks while at home.  Props to Paul Lindner, who shared some ways to fix your limited or non-existent cell phone reception:

  • Try a cell phone repeater: Amplify the signal with a device like zBoost.  This might work if you get some reception on your roof already, but not indoors.
  • Use a special cell phone: Buy a special, unlicensed mobile access (UMA) cell phone, and then rely on your WiFi/Internet service to make calls.
  • Look into a femtocell: Ask your carrier (i.e. Sprint or Verizon) for this device, so you can make Internet calls from any cell phone model.

It seems like you have nothing to lose by trying out some of these in-home solutions.  If you can freely use your cell at home, then lucky you!

P.S.  Thanks to everyone complaining about their cell phone carriers and coverage tonight, on the Montclair SIC message board…such inspiration.

Research Your Roots, Without Leaving Oakland

You don’t have to leave Oakland city limits to find out about your roots.  These days anyone can visit genealogy sites, like Ancestry.com, and start digging into their past through vital records.  But we’re talking about flesh-and-blood help in conducting research, which comes in handy when you’re not an expert sleuth.

St. John's Elderberries

California Roots:  California Genealogical Society (CGS)

This statewide treasure trove is located at 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2 (map), where you can begin searching for kin.  There are records at state, county and local levels, dating back to pioneers from the 1800s.  Fortunately, the CGS has taken the time to identify and access these disparate sources.

The Elderberries, who attend St. John’s Church in Montclair, recently paid a visit to the CGS library.  However you can go it alone, and attend the next Genealogy for Beginners class on April 4th, from 11:00am – 12:30pm.  To sign up, call 510-663-1358 or email cgslevents-at-gmail.com.

CGS library hours are Thurs-Fri (from 9am – 4pm) and Sat (from 10am – 4pm), and it costs $5/day.  For those who want to know their roots but can’t stomach the work, CGS librarians will provide quick look-ups or conduct extended research at low cost.

Scattered Roots:  Oakland Regional Family History Center (ORFHC)

This worldwide treasure trove is located right in the Oakland LDS Temple’s visitor center, at 4766 Lincoln Ave. (map).  Especially when you don’t know much about your roots, these resources aid the hunt for forefathers and mothers.

The LDS have excellent genealogy databases, available through their Family Search tools.  Staff suggests that you come prepared with any family names and even a disk (or flash drive) to save data for later use.  If you have questions, then please call 510-531-3905 or email fhcoakland-at-yahoo.com.

ORFHC hours are Tues-Wed (from 10am – 9pm) and Thurs-Sat (from 10am – 4pm), without entry fees.  There are also frequent classes and you are asked to register beforehand.

Can’t Decide:  Learn From Both Camps

Oakland-based genealogists are combining their efforts next month!  These alphabet soup groups (CGS and ORFHC) are co-hosting their Beginning Genealogy Seminar on April 18th, from 9am – 4pm at the California Genealogical Society (map).

To attend the newbie seminar,  just send this form and the $15 registration fee to the Family History Center.  You’ll need to sign up quickly because there are only 30 spots available for this session.

Admittedly I have never really researched my roots, except when visiting Ellis Island over a decade ago.  I like all the offerings from local groups, but this all-day event seems like the best way to learn – in one fell-swoop.

Montclair Elementary’s Budding Artists Here

In the old days, you could find local children’s artwork by walking around their schools, visiting family homes or seeing special exhibits around town.  Flash forward, and the budding artists are displayed online now.

Ruth Teitelbaum, Montclair Elementary’s art teacher, has shared many creations.  We selected a few works, to show you how much things have changed – and because this art is really impressive.

Montclair Elementary Pastel

This first pastel was created by a third-grader and looks a bit like something Pablo Picasso might whip up.  Seriously, look at this angular head and bifurcated face more closely.  Would you have considered drawing this in grade school?

Montclair Elementary Splatter

This second work reflected what students had learned about Jackson Pollock.  A bunch of second through fourth-graders were able to splatter tempera paints together, joyfully producing this Pollock-inspired action painting.

Montclair Elementary Print

Next we have a nice print created by a fifth grader, which strikes me as folk art.  There’s a fish that might be disguising a devil (note the tail), trying to swim upstream.  We’re wondering about that symbolism, hhmm.

Montclair Elementary Painting

Last, here is a colorful painting of a deer foraging in the woods.  Like any budding artist, this fourth grader was inspired by local surroundings.  We like the classics sometimes, plus this deer came out very well.

Anyway, all this art makes me happy about what kids are learning in school.  Art class should be about exploring and expanding horizons – and that’s different than what (latter-day) boomers experienced in the 1960s and 1970s.

Fix Rockridge BART Traffic Snarl

When you are standing on the Rockridge BART platform, all is well and good.   You can peer at beautiful San Francisco views day and night, while waiting for your train.  It’s a different story below the tracks, where all heck is breaking loose from the retrofit project.

Rockridge BART

Over a month ago, BART began their seismic retrofit for the Rockridge station and there have been complaints about traffic problems since then.  Part of south-bound College Avenue has been closed off, and making a left from College Avenue to Keith Avenue is rather difficult.  If there are four cars waiting, then all south-bound traffic is tied up.

One Montclarion suggested quick changes to the traffic light, by providing a longer left turn arrow.  Another idea would be to work on the retrofit after regular work or commute hours instead.  We vote for the traffic light timing change.

BART officials responded and said they were trying to work with the City of Oakland to resolve the issue – because Oakland controls the signal.  With this simple fix, a lot of people will be less angst-ridden!

It always seems to take a while for traffic lights to get adjusted or turned on.  Is anyone from the City listening out there?