tiger on the prowl

Spotted in Jingletown.

ABC Wednesday: K is for kinetic steam works

Kinetic Steam Works is a collective located in West Oakland dedicated to steam powered kinetic art.  I was wandering around the neighborhood taking pictures when I heard a train horn.  I could see steam (steam?) in the distance but couldn't figure out what the heck was happening.  I walked toward the sound and Pappy appeared out of a cloud of steam.  The self-described steam dorks who renovated and modified this steam engine were taking it out for a spin.  As this was late December, Santa was sitting on the back with an ax in his hands.  Of course.  Check out their website for more information and learn a little about the steampunk movement.  Who knew?  Also check out ABC Wednesday for more K photos.

arch of fire

This weekend was the 2nd annual Oakland Running Festival with 7500 runners participating in a variety of events.  The full marathon course showcases the diversity of Oakland's neighborhoods and natural beauty from the estuary to the hills.  In West Oakland, The Crucible created a metal arch with live flames that participants ran through.  Along with the cheering, clanging cow bells, and live music, each runner got slapped with an "I ran through fire" sticker after running under the arch.  I'll post a few more photos in the coming days.

Monday Mural: work in progress

A new mural is being created on 52nd St. near Shattuck Avenue.  Ama and Leon think it will take about 5 months to complete.  After all, there are several support pillars and retaining walls providing the canvas.  It will be fun watching their work progress.

Skywatch Friday: car rental

This is a car rental agency at 46th St. and Telegraph.  We enjoyed a break from the rain until late this afternoon.

vintage Chevy

Spotted the other day at about 55th St. and Shattuck Avenue in North Oakland.  I know it's a Chevy but couldn't tell you what year.  I bet «Louis» will tell us.

ABC Wednesday: J is for Jack London Square Amtrak station

The Amtrak station at Jack London Square on the estuary.

Monday Mural: garage door art

This mural is on a garage door at 57th St. and Shattuck Avenue in North Oakland.  There is a companion piece on the other half of this duplex.  I think this guy means it when he says no parking in the driveway.

calm before the storm

Taken at Mt. View Cemetery just before the rains came.  We are now into day three of what is predicted to be a week long storm.

ABC Wednesday: I is for iguana

This glass mosaic is in Jingletown in East Oakland.  It's recently been added to since I last photographed it.  Last year I called it a lizard.  That was before I needed an "I" photo for today's ABC Wednesday.

enjoying the sun

When the sun comes out, people pop up like mushrooms.  A busy scene on Lakeshore Avenue a little over a week ago when the sun was still shining.

Monday Mural: warehouse in west Oakland

Just a couple of blocks off of Mandela Parkway in West Oakland.

Weekend Reflection: evening at Lake Merritt

Another evening view of Lake Merritt.  For more reflection shots, visit James' meme.

Skywatch Friday: Rossi's flower shop

An institution on Fruitvale Avenue in East Oakland.  The business opened in 1910 and has been in this building since the 30s.  The deco sign is what gets my attention.  The most recent rain storm has passed and fair weather is expected for the next few days.  For more sky photos, visit Skywatch Friday.

ABC Wednesday: H is for Hooper's Chocolates

Hooper's was established in 1939 and sold by the family in 1990.  For the next 20 years various groups owned this business with varied success until the doors finally closed for good in 2010.  The retail shop was located in a pink Cape Cod house on Telegraph Avenue, the original Hooper home.  Generations of school children visited the factory and got to take home free samples at the end of the tour.  Along with Mother's Cookies and Granny Goose, those days are now only a memory.  All that remains are the house and the original neon sign.  For more "H" photos, visit Mrs. Nesbitt's meme.

drive thru espresso

At an on ramp to the 580 freeway in the Temescal-Telegraph neighborhood.

Monday Mural: welcome to Oakland

This mural is found near the border of Oakland and San Leandro on Bancroft Avenue.  If you can read the writing below "Welcome to Oakland," let me know.  The silhouette of the port cranes is pretty iconic for Oakland.  Note the Bay Bridge tower on the left.  It's soon to be replaced by a new and taller tower.

Weekend Reflection: shop reflection

This East Oakland shop was on the shady side of the street and the reflection (a former movie theater turned into a grocery store) was in the sun.  What I like best about this building is the decorative tile.  Lots of buildings around town, especially those from the 20s to 40s have this kind of decoration.  I'm collecting as many examples as possible.  For more reflections, visit James' meme.

Skywatch Friday: looking east

The last rain storm has passed.  The next one is due on Sunday.  This is taken on Lakeshore Avenue along side Lake Merritt.  The Oakland hills are in the background.  For more Friday skies, visit Skywatch Friday.

BART tracks

These are the elevated BART tracks on ML King Jr. Way in North Oakland where so many stencil art pieces are found.  The tracks go underground in Berkeley.

ABC Wednesday: G is for Get Up

Get Up is a graffiti artist whose work has popped up in public spaces over the past year.  This piece is among several that are on support pillars of the BART tracks in North Oakland.  While it is apparent that his works are stenciled, what I discovered while photographing them, is that they are printed on paper and posted with glue.  Over time they will deteriorate and disappear.  I find them to be decorative and humorous.  For more G photos, visit ABC Wednesday.