signs of the times

Spotted in East Oakland, these signs indicate an interesting mix of neighbors.

running the lake

Yet another shot of Lake Merritt.  In the background you can see the Tribune Tower, City Hall, and the pyramid capped Federal Building.  At the top of the photo is part of the Necklace of Lights that circles the lake.  The path around the lake is a smidge over 3 miles and is popular with runners, walkers, and bird watchers.

farms in Oakland?

An interesting tableau spotted at Ghost Town Farm, an urban farm in West Oakland.  This half acre or so is located on a decidedly urban corner in a sketchy neighborhood.  The owner is recognized as a leading voice in the national urban farm movement.  She grows vegetables, raises goats and bees, and occasionally has a pop-up market where she sells surplus veggies.  And now she's the center of a surprise controversy related to some obscure and ambiguous regulation about farming within the city limits.  How dispiriting.

Monday Mural: history at a glance

This wonderful mural is found at an alternator shop in East Oakland.  The mural highlights important events or people in Mexican history.  Not surprisingly, East Oakland has a large Latino population.  They also have a nifty mural inside the entrance which I'll post later.

Skywatch Friday: East Oakland church

One of many small churches that line International Blvd. in East Oakland.  I've always been fascinated by these humble expressions of faith.  For Skywatch Friday you can see we have cloudy skies but little rain.   The sun is expected to shine brightly this afternoon.

Monday Mural: deep space at the Rockridge BART

This mural was created in 1980 by students from Laney College. It adorns the parking area at the Rockridge BART which is

under the 24 freeway.

music along the marathon course

Oaklanders show their love for the Running Festival:

A little cool jazz by the lake

Some blues and rock at the Crucible in West Oakland.

I'm out of town for a few days and will be limited in my ability to post comments.  Sorry about that.

ABC Wednesday: M is for marathoner

One of the many participants in the Oakland Running Festival.  Taken after he rolled through the Arch of Fire in front of the Crucible in West Oakland.  For other "M" photos, visit ABC Wednesday.

I'm out of town for a few days and will have difficulty leaving comments.

Monday Mural: let us forgive

Spotted this mural on 8th and Union in West Oakland on the day of the Running Festival.  Couldn't find any information about it.

Out of town for a few days, so won't be able to post many comments.

Weekend Reflection: after the marathon

After an exhausting marathon in the Oakland Running Festival, all runners were wrapped in these "space blankets."  The shiny surface made for some interesting reflective patterns.  For other reflections, visit James' meme.

Skywatch Friday: Triple Rock

This building may be advertising a Berkeley brewery, but this building is in Oakland.  You can see it from the Highway 24 freeway.  Looks ol' timey, but it is a relatively recent ad.  The rain is returning and it actually snowed in Fairfield, which is about 40 minutes northeast of Oakland on the way to Sacramento.  Snow in Fairfield?!!  For more sky views, Visit Skywatch Friday.

Lakeshore apartments

Typical of 1920s and 30s California architecture are white stucco, the terra cotta tile roofs, wooden balconies, and arched windows.  Definitely has a Mediterranean feel.  These graceful apartment buildings are on Haddon Hill just across from Lake Merritt.  Too bad the balconies now face a freeway on-ramp.

ABC Wednesday: L is for Lakeshore Avenue

Lakeshore Avenue is a shopping district east of Lake Merritt.  In just a three blocks it offers a wide variety of restaurants, businesses, and architectural styles.  You can see from this sampling that it's been around for quite a while.  At least by California standards.  For lots more L photos, visit ABC Wednesday.

church door

This church---The First Church of Christ, Scientist at 17th and Franklin---sits on a corner and muscles right up to the sidewalk.  I've always admired the door.  Only recently did I realize that the iron strapping includes initials.  Duh.  Not very observant of me.   This church was constructed in the early 20th century but I haven't been able to find the name of the architect.  I do know it has an original Tiffany window that was restored a few years ago.  I hope to get inside one day to photograph it.

Monday Mural: Oaksterdam

This mural-in-progress is kicking up some controversy.  Oaksterdam "University" is the group that wrote the decriminalization of marijuana proposition that lost in the last election.  Their headquarters are in this Uptown building near a few medical marijuana clinics.  Many citizens feel this large mural is trying to rename this part of Uptown and gives the impression that the group uses the entire building rather than just one suite.  The mural features several iconic Oakland sights, most of which are not in the Uptown area.  We'll see how it plays out.

Weekend Reflection: Venice in the courtyard

The owner of a local apartment building has covered the side of his building and the back courtyard with a Venice mural.  There is no attribution to the artist.  Or the motorcycle.  But there is a reflection in there somewhere.  Be sure to visit James' meme for other reflections.

Skywatch Friday: family crypt

Found at Mt. View Cemetery.  This is the second pyramid tomb I've spotted.  I'm going to guess this family was associated with a fraternal order such as the Masons or the Rosicrucians.  As you can see the skies are blue.  After all that rain we're now having a mini heat wave with local temperatures in the low 80s.  Won't last long.  Visit Skywatch Friday for more sky views.  Also submitted to CDP's Theme Day "Edges."  Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.