Sibley Volcanic Preserve Is Art

Today, I decided to display some Sibley Volcanic Preserve imagery.  Sibley is sui generis in the East Bay Parks – and a convenient volcano right in our neighborhood.

Normally I think of Sibley basking in its East Bay glory.  I expect to see amber waves of grain, the volcano and its cool labyrinth, or else the typical views to San Francisco.  We always take visitors to Sibley and hear the oohs and aahs about how lucky we are to live here.

Sibley also inspires photographers to create art.  These images are taken at special moments, such as the spring when the grass is green or on days with amazing sunrises.  Have you ever seen Sibley looking so lovely?

Saving Beaconsfield Canyon From Ourselves

We just learned that some irresponsible folks left kerosene-filled torches in Beaconsfield Canyon, a brilliant move.  CBS5 Anchor and fellow Montclarion Wendy Tokuda discovered these torches and saved the day!

Beaconsfield Canyon is a small, five-acre preserve near Ascot Drive, which is managed by the City of Oakland.  It’s pretty much left alone by the City, but needs restoration work.

The Friends of Sausal Creek organize monthly work parties, where volunteers devote time to clearing the brush.  Their efforts prevent fires and encourage biodiversity.

CBS5 Anchor Tokuda joined the clean-up crew last weekend.  She fixed the immediate problem, and then reported the news to the Montclair Watchdogs:

This last Saturday when we were working in Beaconsfield, we found 3 torches on long bamboo poles, used to provide light…They had kerosene in them and there was evidence at least one had been used. I took them to the Shepard’s Canyon fire station and asked if they might post a no-fires sign down there.

This Canyon is small but valuable to the Sausal Creek ecosystem.  I’m fascinated by Sausal Creek’s history, including the impacts by natives, farmers, landed gentry and 20th century developers.  Now we are trying to return to the past, slowly but surely.

So fair warning to these (or any) folks who decide to “hang out” in the woods:  please think before you leave fire-starters and other detritus behind.

Want Asian Food, Won’t Travel

We would like to report on Montclarions and their dining preferences.  Are you habitual, returning to the same places over and over?  How often do you dine locally versus beyond the Village gates?

To find out, we’re conducting a short survey (now closed) about your Asian dining choices.  It’s time to see what you are really doing, when you crave Chinese, Thai or Sushi meals.

Villagers seem to embrace the polyglot, yet only have four (!) Asian options in town.  These stalwarts have been around for years:

  • Pagarung Thai: Good curry, destination – Yelp – 6200 Antioch Ct. – 510-339-0566
  • Silver Palace: Chinese from the 70s – Yelp – 6515 Moraga Ave. – 510-339-9380
  • Thai Bai: Family cooking, takeout – Yelp – 5736 Thornhill Dr. – 510-339-8030
  • Toshi Sushi: Traditional options – Yelp – 6100 La Salle Ave. – 510-339-1995

These are local spots, not Bay Area destinations.  Everyone has grown dependent on them, like old family or friends.  But a little excitement might be nice, too.

So please share your opinions now – and we’ll report back in a few days.

Meet The Cops – Tues at 6:30pm

Meet Montclair’s Finest this Tuesday evening, from 6:30-8:30pm at the Montclair Library (map).

Officer Melvin Burmudez serves as our main Problem Solving Officer (PSO), while Jason Scott helps with traffic matters in the Village.  In addition, outgoing Sgt. Brad Young will be there along with his replacement Bernard Ortiz.

We mostly suffer from thefts and robberies in Montclair, usually a handful or two monthly.  You may look up exact locations via the Oakland Crimewatch site.

Our Montclair and North Hills watchdog groups jointly organized the meeting, since they focus on all neighborhoods located in Beat 13Z (south of Thornhill), and Beat 13Y (north of Thornhill) respectively.

Everyone is invited to meet the officers, and put faces to these names.  Find out what they do, learn how to help them, and ask any questions in this forum.

How Many Oakland Fires?

The correct answer would be thirteen fires, including the recent Hiller flare-up.

Montclarions and nearby Hills inhabitants have lived through some amazing fires. Yet homes have covered up the 1991 destruction, and newcomers arrive without memories.

Lest we forget, the Diablo Winds sparked some devastating fires in 1923, 1931, 1933, 1937, 1946, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 1991, 1995 and 2002.

Some fires were worse than others. The 1,000+ acre fires happened in 1931, 1933, 1946, 1960 and 1991. Of course, the ones wiping out the most homes took place in 1923 and 1991.

The fires will appear again – and maybe we are a bit smarter about controlling brush and trying to defend our homes against them.

The pleasures of Montclair living, right? We like our trees and beautiful vegetation, but it comes with some risk.

More info:  Compliance standards – Hills fire history – Oakland fire dept