Monday Mural: completed project

This mural by Thomas Christopher Haag is on the side of Rare Bird on Piedmont Avenue.  His work in progress, also on the Avenue, was featured last Monday.  Rare Bird sells clothing, home decor, and art from local artists.

ABC Wednesday: R is for Rio Motel

This cool neon sign looks to be in perfect shape despite it's age.  I really like it's 1930s sensibility, although I doubt the sign is that old.  The Rio now seems to be a residence motel and from the outside appears to be well kept.  It's located on West MacArthur Blvd., formerly a major thoroughfare through town, and now a down and out strip.  The Sage Motel is located on the same street but on the other end of town.  Mac Arthur Blvd. basically runs north-south and is the unofficial dividing line between the haves and have-nots.  But like everything else in Oakland, there are many exceptions to this "rule."  For other R photos be sure to visit ABC Wednesday this week.

the Print Shop

When I saw this sign I thought I had fallen into a time warp.  Doesn't this shout 1960s to you?  The amazing thing is that the business is still there.  This sign is located on San Pablo Avenue and about 27th Street.  I worked very near here for years and never saw it before.  As the razor wire indicates, this an edgy neighborhood, especially at night.  Like most of the city, it is also home to families, churches, schools, and businesses that want the best for each other.