Great Western Power Company

The white building with the smoke stack was originally the Great Western Power Company, a steam generation plant in the 20s.  The operation shut down in the 30s and most recently has been converted into a huge gym.  Along with standard workouts they offer yoga and rock and rope climbing classes.  The smoke stack figures catch the eye for blocks around.  The cirrus clouds are common in the late afternoon.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

Southern Pacific station

You may or may not know that Oakland was the terminus for the transcontinental railroad after the gold spike was driven.  The Southern Pacific station in West Oakland is a Beaux Arts building constructed in 1912 and was part of an extended railway system that developed in Oakland after the Civil War.  It was closed in 1989 after being damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake.  The building was granted historical status amid plans and promises to renovate and repurpose it.  Almost 25 years later it remains closed, surrounded by a cyclone fence, and slowly disintegrating.  Such a pity.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Monday Mural: atlas unshrugged

Remember the octopus mural on the apartment building?  This one is around the corner.  Lots to look at here.  Sadly, I couldn't find a signature.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You get to decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week. 

steel flowers

Recently Oakland created a temporary sculpture display in the Uptown area.  This giant flower is by Karen Cusolito who runs the American Steel studios.  Her giant creations are often seen at Burning Man.  This piece is at least 10 feet tall and reaches to the blue skies that appear in the afternoon after the "marine layer" burns off.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

rocket man

The American Steel studios held an open house this past Saturday.  This little boy found a piece he could sit in and move some of the parts.  His papa was happily taking pictures of him so I did too.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

it came from outer space

This clever creatures is one of two that greet you as you enter the American Steel studios.  I am always amazed at the creative impulse that can see and execute something like this.

Monday Mural: American Steel

This is part of a mural sequence at the entrance to the American Steel artist collective in West Oakland.  They held an open house yesterday which was a good opportunity to see the wide variety of artistic projects housed in this former steel factory.  For the uninitiated this is a scene of a Bart train (our metro) flying off the tracks and becoming airborne.  I don't know what it means but it made me laugh.  And they're serious about No Smoking.  The warehouse is full of stuff that will go boom if exposed to a flame.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You get to decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week. 

yet another vintage sign

We seem to have lots of old vintage signs in Oakland.  This one is for a flower shop that has been in business in this location for more than 60 years just outside the gates of Mt. View Cemetery.  The sign looks in tact but I don't think I've ever seen it lighted up.  I've seen other flower shop signs in much the same style around town which makes me think it was a stock design.  The slightly murky sky is what we are experiencing these past few days after the heat wave broke.  It's overcast in the morning and sometimes the sun comes out in the afternoon, sometimes not.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

Monday Mural: People's Grocery

People's Grocery located in West Oakland is dedicated to bringing wholesome food to the local community where grocery stores are typically limited to corner stores.  They also grow some of the produce they sell.  This plot is next to their store on 7th Street.  I'm sorry that I don't know who did this entrancing mural that graces the side of the store.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You get to decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week. 

victorian on Ivy Hill

Oakland has a multitude of Victorian houses that survived the 1906 earthquake.  This lovely Queen Ann with fish scale shingles is on Ivy Hill.  You saw another shot of Ivy Hill last week.  Not only is the weather fair, and the skies clear, we've also been having a heat wave accompanied by warm easterly winds.  Not a good combination in fire season.  It's supposed to cool down tonight with a return to our typical, cool westerly winds.  Fingers crossed.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

Theme Day: creative artisan

The tools of a wood sculptor who was presenting a demonstration at the Oakland Museum.  Visit City Daily Photo's monthly theme day link to view interpretations of this theme from around the world.

colorful crosswalks

Sometime in the last couple of years or so, these colorful crosswalks have appeared in the Fruitvale district.  You can't mistake where you're supposed to cross the street.  These designs look Moorish too me, reminiscent of what can be found in Spain.

Monday Mural: bicycle built for two

This mural was commissioned by several businesses and is a collaboration between six street artists.  I'm not sure I get the connection between the various scenes, but I find it visually compelling and amusing.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You get to decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

swaying palms

This line of palm trees on Ivy Hill is all that remains of Arbor Villa, a mansion built in the 1890s by Francis Marion “Borax” Smith.  Smith mined borax and transported it from Death Valley to a nearby train station by 20 mule teams.  He used the mule teams to brand and advertise his product.  After amassing a fortune in mining, he later developed the extensive Key System transportation system connecting the East Bay cities and San Francisco.  The mansion was demolished after Smith's death in 1931.  Smith is buried on Millionaire's Row in Mt. View Cemetery.  Our afternoon skies remain clear and I'm linking to Skywatch Friday.

O is for O.T.I.G. Company

This building, with its ornate pediments, graces 15th Street in downtown Oakland.  Interestingly, I have not been able to discover what OTIG stands for.  Some theorize that it was an insurance company, but there's no ready proof of that in Google Land.  It is currently occupied by Lincoln University, a private college offering various degrees.   Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Ideal Cleaners

This vintage sign is on 14th Street.  Amazingly, Ideal is still in business at its original site.  The iron gate signifies "closed on Sunday."  One of these days I'll drive by at night to see if the neon works.

Out of town again for several days. 

Monday Mural: dark fantasy

Found off Mandela Parkway at about 26th Street, this new mural is a collaboration between Ernest Doty, Skinner, and Griffin One.  Doty's work has been posted before here and here.  Buchanan Auto Electric must have commissioned the mural and gave them the go ahead for dark and surreal images.  Pretty much over the top if you're not a fan of the ghoulish.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You get to decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week. Out of town again for several days.

letters in the sky

After a brief interlude of rain, we're back to sunny days with an occasional fluffy cloud.  We need the rain, so our fair weather is a guilty pleasure.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

Out of town again for several days. 

beware of dog

Spotted at an artists' enclave in West Oakland.  Made me laugh.

Out of town again for several days.

Monday Mural: three hands

I have no idea what this is about but I admire the graphic design.  It appears to be a collaboration between two artists (one maybe is Christopher Haag) but I found no signatures.  This is found downtown at the corner of 14th and Jackson Streets.  These large blank walls that face parking lots make great canvases and add visual interest to the streetscape regardless of how odd the image.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them all around.  Follow the Linky steps below.  Be sure to link back to this meme and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

community garden

Community gardens are found in many neighborhoods in Oakland.  This one is on the Oakland-Emeryville (think Pixar) border and features sculpture by a local artist.

I'll be out of town for a few days and won't have access to a computer to leave comments.

Qingming

The annual Qingming Festival was observed at Mt. View Cemetery this week.  In Chinese culture it is the day of remembrance of the ancestors.  The Chinese government has made it an official holiday.  Similar to Day of the Dead traditions, graves are swept, ritual foods are offered, incense is burned and prayers said.

I'll be out of town for a few days and won't have access to a computer to leave comments.

Monday Mural: Satchmo

Many of our schools have murals, typically painted by students.  This one adorns a wall of McClymonds High School in West Oakland.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them all around.  Follow the Linky steps below.  Be sure to link back to this meme and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

the poppies are back

We've had a dry winter but it hasn't stopped the wild flowers from blooming.  Golden poppies are the state flower and can be found the length and breadth of California.  They are always a cheerful and welcome sight.  After two days of rain we are back to blue skies.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

time machine

California redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) are some of the longest lived plants on the planet.  This tree fell in a local storm in the 1930s and the cross cut is displayed at Joaquin Miller Park in the Oakland hills.  The crack in the middle of this huge crosscut dates to 700 AD.  The tree rings show when the Norman invasion of England occurred, Columbus sailed to the New World, and the Pilgrims landed in what is now Cape Cod Massachusetts.  While almost all of the first-growth redwoods were chopped down for building projects in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Oakland still boasts the largest stand of second-growth redwoods in California.

Monday Mural: cultural pride

This mural is found at Foothill and 26th Avenue.  It was done by José Velásquez in 2001 and was sponsored by several community organizations.  The colors seem as fresh as if they were painted recently.  It's title is Roots, Spirit and Color of the American Dream.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them all around.  Follow the Linky steps below.  Be sure to link back to this meme and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

Theme Day: pedestrians

Today is also Theme Day in the CDP community.  Thought another shot from last week's running festival would fit the bill.  After all, they are on foot, just moving a little faster than most of us.  This part on the course is a mild uphill run on MacArthur Blvd. in East Oakland.  You can see the trees are starting their Spring bloom.  Linked to CDP.

along the marathon route

All along the Running Festival marathon route citizens were out to cheer on the runners.  As the course turned on to International Blvd. the runners were met by an Aztec dance group and noise making firefighters.

K is for Kwik Way

Kwik Way is an old-fashioned drive-thru burger joint near the Grand Lake Theater.  Last year new owners took it over and it's undergone some renovation.  The neon sign works great and you usually see lots of action here on weekend nights.  It represents nostalgia even for those who weren't around during its first cycle of life.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

marathon woman

Sunday was the 3rd annual Oakland Running Festival.  Over 10,000 people signed up for the various events that made up this year's festival.  Tutu Girl was smiling the entire time she was running.  And lest you think she was just in it for the fun, I'm happy to report that she was near the front of the pack at this point in the race.  Who says you can't be silly and serious at the same time?

Monday Mural: mutant bees

This mural is on a corrugated metal partition recently put up while a house is being renovated.  The mural has been in place less than two months.  The last time I was on this block in West Oakland, I showed you this mural.   This weekend I found this addition.  I think the artist's name is encrypted in the eyebrow of the figure at the end of the fence.

What do you think?

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them all around.  Follow the Linky steps below.  Be sure to link back to this meme and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

grill-ah

Spotted at a recycle center on Peralta St. in West Oakland.  Some people are just so clever.

J is for Jack London's house

Jack London's Oakland roots run deep.  His boyhood home on Foothill Blvd. continues to exist and is still someone's home.  Getting a good image is difficult due to the large oak tree in the front yard that casts long shadows most of the day.  It's easy to imagine young Jack sitting in the tree reading an adventure story.  Except this tree, though large, can't be that old.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Addendum:  Gene of Our Oakland provided me a link indicating Jack lived in this house with his mother after returning from the Klondike.  It is here he dedicated himself to writing and had his first piece published.  As a young boy his family moved frequently and I could find no source for any other address than this one.

Monday Mural: A Fist

This simple mural is found in West Oakland along Mandela Parkway.  I imagine it is meant to be educational to the younger generations that were not around during the 1968 Olympics.  The Wiki article about this event taught me several things I didn't know, including that the silver medalist on the podium with Smith and Carlos supported their actions and ultimately lost an earned position on his country's 1972 Olympic team.  I imagine even now this image has the power to generate a certain amount of controversy.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them all around.  Follow the Linky steps below.  Be sure to link back to this meme and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

house in the woods

This Tudor style sits in a small glen where Temescal Creek runs above ground before it runs into Temescal Lake.  The house was built in the 20s or 30s, long before the Warren Freeway landed at its doorstep.  And before people cared that they were building on an earthquake fault line.  Being below the freeway and in a densely wooded area helps mitigate the sound of traffic.  But still, it can't be as calming as when families first moved into the area.  Progress.

steel and lace

I thought this was an incredible paint job on this vintage car.  It reminds me of Chantilly lace.  Spotted at the car show during Art Murmur.

Monday Mural: frog in love

This is the other half of the fence mural posted last week.  More humor and nostalgia from Bode and Deb.  I think the mini skirt and go-go boots are trippy.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them all around.  Follow the Linky steps below.  Be sure to link back to this meme and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

wise guy

This is a flashy looking ride.  Right after I took this picture, the owner got on and rumbled away.  Spied at Fruitvale and E. 12th St.

Monday Mural: girl with parasol

This charming mural is in West Oakland off of Mandela Parkway.  It was done by Bode who brought you the wonderful mermaid featured a long while ago.  It is on a rather long fence, the other half of which will be featured next week.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them all around.  Follow the Linky steps below.  Be sure to link back to this meme and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.  

purple house

This is the nicest purple paint job I've seen and I'm not a fan of purple, especially not on a house.  All that lush foliage tones it down a bit.  Makes me think of Easter eggs.  Found just of Telegraph Avenue.

Avondale Hotel

This apartment building off Telegraph Avenue still carries a sign of it's earlier incarnation.   Its subsequent owners must have wanted to preserve something of its history.  Amazing artifact of a previous age.

G is for gazebo

This lovely gazebo is found on the grounds of the Dunsmuir House featured a few weeks ago.  The pleasant grounds are another reason Dunsmuir House is a favorite spot for weddings.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

twin Victorians

Around the corner from yesterday's mural are these two Victorian houses.  Although they are now duplexes, they retain their classical features and elegant lines.  They both need refurbishing but are still beautiful pieces of turn of the century architecture.  Oakland continues to have a huge number of Victorian-era houses still in use.

Monday Mural: Chinatown dragon

This very cool three story mural is found on 10th Street in Chinatown.  I really like the composition.   Unfortunately, I couldn't find a title or signature.

Addendum:  Thanks to Gene of Our Oakland,  here's the story behind the mural.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them all around.  Follow the Linky steps below.  Be sure to link back to this meme and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.  

playground in Chinatown

While out and about I watched kids play at a playground in Chinatown.  It wasn't until I really looked at the play structure that I realized it's design is based on a Chinese junk ship.  Duh.  Except for a day of rain on Tuesday, we've had mostly clear skies since Christmas.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

pounding mochi

The Oakland Museum presented a multi-faceted celebration for the Lunar New Year.  There were many activities for children, Chinese dances, calligraphy and ichibana demonstrations, taiko drummers, and this mochi pounding ceremony.  Happy Lunar New Year to all.

F is for Financial Center Building

The Financial Center building is downtown at 14th St. and Franklin.  It was built in 1929 and is considered to be an example of Art Deco.  It was previously featured here.  Here's a closer look: 

Linked to ABC Wednesday.