Monday Mural: words to contemplate

This mural is under the 580 freeway at the start of the Lakeshore District.

Weekend Reflection: the estuary at end of the day

The Oakland estuary at sunset.  San Francisco in the background.  Linked to Weekend Reflections, where other reflections can be viewed.

Grand Lake Theater

A grab shot through the window of my car.  Kids, don't try this at home.

ABC Wednesday: F is for Fenton's

Fenton's Creamery is an Oakland institution.  It opened as a dairy on Howe Street in 1894 and later opened a restaurant and ice cream parlor in 1922.  It claims to have invented Toasted Almond and Rocky Road ice cream flavors.  In 1961 it moved one block away to Piedmont Avenue.  There is always a line waiting to enter, regardless of the weather.  The restaurant is well known for its crab sandwiches and all manner of ice cream sundaes.  In the summer they open a special window for ice cream cones to go.  Make mine a Mocha Almond Fudge.  For more "F" photos, visit ABC Wednesday.

Trestle Glen

Here's a snippet of the Trestle Glen neighborhood south of Lakeshore Avenue.  The neighborhood is named after an elevated railroad that ran in the late 19th century.  These homes date from the 30s. 

Monday mural: pride and self-determination

Weekend Reflection: on the way to the estuary

This is part of the tidal channel that brings water to Lake Merritt from the estuary.  There's a nice little park with a couple of public sculptures along side the channel.  In the background is the Nimitz freeway that this channel runs under to reach the estuary.  Another view was posted a while back.  This was taken before the week of rains came.  For other reflections, visit James' meme, Weekend Reflections.

ABC Wednesday: E is for Ella Baker

Ella Baker was a seminal figure in the Civil Rights movement.  Among her many accomplishments was her role in founding the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) which organized the Freedom Summer drive in 1964 to register southern blacks to vote.  Her name graces the Ella Baker Center in Oakland which works for social justice issues and green jobs in the Bay Area.  For other E posts, visit ABC Wednesday.

Monday Mural: elements of power, visions of change

This mural was done in 1999 by students at Laney College.  Despite the words of hope, the surrounding community has not prospered.  A neighbor told me that this apartment building has been vacant for the past several months.  So far, no one is squatting in it.

Weekend Reflection: boat moored on the estuary

A sleepy scene on the estuary near the Fruitvale Bridge in East Oakland. We still are enjoying balmy days with cool nights.  But that's supposed to change next week.  For more reflections, visit James' meme. 

West Oakland church

Churches come in all sizes, types, and locations in Oakland.  This one in West Oakland looks like it used to be an apartment building.  I'm fascinated by the names they select.  Their commitment is heartfelt and they are often an anchor for those souls who are most adrift.

ABC Wednesday: D is for CL Dellums

C.L. Dellums' statue stands in front of the Amtrak Station in Jack London Square.  Dellums, a porter for the Pullman Company, is best known for helping found The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in the the 1920s. It was the first labor organization led by African-Americans to receive a charter in the American Federation of Labor (AFL).  Dellums was its vice president and its second president and was a leader in the civil rights movement.  He was also president of the local NAACP for many years.  Having moved from the South early in life, he lived in Oakland and died here in 1989.  He is also the uncle of Ron Dellums, our former long-time congressman and recent mayor.  Visit ABC Wednesday for more "D" post.

Monday mural: black history month

February is Black History Month.  This mural is at the Ella Baker Center on 40th Street.  Huey Newton and the Black Panthers are featured in this one.

Weekend Reflection: outdoors indoors at the columbarium

Seen recently at Mt. View Cemetery.  Feels peaceful to me.  For more reflections, visit James's meme.

Skywatch Friday: Mills College museum

This is one of a pair of foo dogs that are at the entrance of Mills College's art museum.  After heavy rain on Sunday morning, we once again enjoy sunny but cool-ish weather.  The plum blossoms are blooming as are daffodils and rhododendrons.  For more sky views, visit Skywatch Friday.

wood art

Spotted in West Oakland.

ABC Wednesday: C is for Cleveland Cascade

The Cleveland Cascade was developed in the 1920s and water ran from Cleveland St. down to Lake Merritt.

In the 1950s it fell into disrepair and the water was turned off.  Within a few years the cascade was filled in with plants and citizens forgot about the water feature.  In 2004 neighbors joined together to restore the cascade to its former glory.  Currently the plantings are kept trimmed and the stairs up to the streets above are maintained.  Hopefully, one day the water will run again.  For more "C" photos around the world, visit ABC Wednesday.

Theme Day: fountains

This month's CDP theme day is "fountains."  This water fountain is found at the Paramount Theater.  The style, of course, is deco.  Pretty cool, huh?  For more fountains Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.