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Never Enough Baby Clothes

Montclarion Lisa Klein has been busy the past few years, organizing and distributing 10,000 pounds (!) of baby clothing and blankets to new mothers.  While that seems like a substantial accomplishment, she’s only getting started.

The premise is simple but requires time, energy and money.  Klein prepares and donates “boy” and “girl” boxes to local hospitals, so underprivileged mothers can take care of their newborns with fewer worries.

Today, Klein’s Loved Twice non-profit group gets its day in the sun.  We wanted to pile onto the publicity bandwagon from Comcast Channel One and the Oakland Tribune.  After all, Lisa is a Montclair mother and hometown hero who has done more than her share of good works.

To help the cause locally, you may donate financially or drop off clothing at Cool Tops Cuts for Kids (in Oakland or Lafayette).  While Klein has been able to help 1,000 mothers in Oakland, Berkeley, Hayward, and even New Orleans, she continues to need donations and assistance.

Loved Twice has been organized with a larger mission.  By sharing details about conducting clothing drives, Klein would like to encourage other good samaritans to pick up the mantel in their cities too.

Oakland vs. San Francisco Crime Showdown

When looking through the newly-released FBI crime stats for last year, the geographic results were clearly out in the open.  There’s no question that Oakland experienced a higher level of crime than San Francisco, in a true apples-to-apples comparison.

Oakland recorded 119% more violent crimes per capita than San Francisco, and 27% more property crimes. Every type of crime was higher except for larceny theft, which was 29% lower than San Francisco.

Here’s the overall lineup, with highest to lowest differences: 343% for Rape; 212% for Motor Vehicle Theft; 184% for Aggravated Assault; 122% for Murder; 73% for Burglary; 70% for Robbery; and -29% for Larceny Theft.

The Oakland Tribune looked at Oakland’s track record alone, reporting a 2% decline between 2006 and 2007.  Overall declines continued this year, with the Oakland Police reporting 10% or more reductions in rapes, burglaries and auto thefts year-to-date.  Robberies were about even, down 1% this year.  Murders were up slightly, from 99 to 101 murders this year.

Maybe we’re shrinking some of those per capita gaps with San Francisco.  Does anyone have their stats handy, so we can compare trends versus our urban sibling?

The FCC Digital Demo Fizzled In Oakland

As part of the FCC’s grand tour, FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein stopped by Oakland this evening to explain next February’s transition from analog to digital TV.

Of course, technology will always glitch during demos and tonight was no exception.  “God darn it – it keeps pixelating,” muttered Adelstein as he tried to demo a new digital channel.

Outside the Oakland Asian Cultural Center (map), where the tour made a pit stop, it’s possible to tune channels 9, 11, 14 and 54 successfully.  Inside this concrete building, only channels 14 and 54 worked but there were a few problems.

As the FCC Commissioner explained the transition, his digital demo fizzled.  Adelstein noted the pixelated channel with blocky images, and shifted over to the channel that worked better.  He also mentioned that each current analog channel will be able to deliver four digital channels in its place.

Because the FCC is requiring this transition, it impacts everybody who still relies on broadcast TV without cable or satellite service.  They will need to attach a digital converter box to each TV, as the cheapest option.  This still presents a hurdle, especially for the elderly and low-income Oaklanders.

Thus the Media Alliance sponsored this event, to “get all the facts on the upcoming transition and learn how to help the elderly, disabled or english-limited members of your community” with the transition next February.

Depressing Robbery On Piedmont Ave.

There’s a depressing, new-style robbery that seems to be sweeping up the hills.  Now the thieves hold up a restaurant or bar and all its patrons too.  After all, why not get as much money as possible to pay the bills?!

The Tribune reported armed bandits hitting the venerable Kerry House last night, located on Piedmont Avenue (map).  This robbery took place at 1:40am, when most businesses are closed – so it’s possible that quiet streets made these bandits more courageous.

Piedmont Avenue is a very popular and one-of-a-kind shopping district.  Oakland’s desperate thieves are starting to follow the money and are no dummies.  If they succeed, there will surely be copycat thefts elsewhere on Piedmont too.

The local police “on the beat” probably should be walking the streets while any restaurants or bars are open, including peak or wee hours.  Maybe that will be enough to avert a crime wave during the heat of summer.

Flavors India Bistro Arrives In Style

Time to celebrate!  An Indian restaurant has finally opened in the Village, and it’s really good food.

Flavors India Bistro has taken up residence in the Montclair Plaza building (map), where the old Village Dog used to be.  It took the new occupants a while to renovate, and I think it was worth their effort.

Yesterday, I ordered a late lunch at Flavors.  The service was very nice and sufficiently fast, and I hung out for a while with my mushroom mattar curry and rice.  I ordered this as medium spicy and there was a nice kick.

Flavors is a full-service restaurant with the expected variety, from naan to kheer.  All the veggie, tandoor, chicken, lamb, seafood and tandoori bread options will require repeat visits.  Since the prices aren’t too high, I’ll be adding this to my repertoire for sure.

Have you tried Flavors elsewhere?  There are two other outlets which are well-reviewed on Yelp.  The Rockridge spot has 72 reviews and garners 4/5 stars, while the newer Lakeshore location registers 88 reviews and 3.5/5 stars.  This is a place that appeals to a wide variety of palates.

The Montclair Flavors is opened from 11:30am – 9:30pm (and closed Tuesdays).  Since there are only a few tables, I would arrive before or after typical lunch-dinner hours.  Otherwise, call 510-338-0553 to place take-out orders.  Parking is conveniently located in the metered lot, right by the entrance.