X is for Xantrion

First I noticed the old, attractive building, then I noticed the business name starting with X.  And then I thought of ABC Wednesday.  Snap. 

farmer's markets

The season's bounty is evident at the local farmer's markets.  We're lucky enought to have several every week in Oakland.  It makes shopping a pleasure.

Monday Mural: East Oakland sadhu

 

This one is from the archives.  It's found in East Oakland and is, I think, a product of the Community Rejuvenation Project.  It's interesting that so many murals in town have references to Hindu culture and iconography.

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. 

W is for the Wobble

During last Fall's Black Cowboy Parade music came on and everyone jumped up to dance the Wobble.  This was new to me but not to dozens of cowgirls, teens, girl scouts, cheer leaders, and grandmas in the crowd.  Since then I've found a gazillion YouTube posts showing the line dance.  It's easy and mega fun like most line dancing.  You can tell everyone enjoyed themselves.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

los mariachis

Drat!  Missed the performance of this group during last Sunday's Love our Lake Day.  Bad timing on my part.  Love their charro outfits.

Monday Mural: one for all

This mural decorates the side of a barber shop on San Pablo Avenue in the Golden Gate district.  A cyclone fence made it hard to get a good picture.  From among a group of men conversing outside the shop, one brought me a chair to stand on.   Now I could get my lens over the top of the fence.  My favorite part of the mural is the hip little electric razor ready to go to work.

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.

gondola on Lake Merritt

No, your eyes are not deceiving you.  There is indeed a gondola for hire on the lake.  In fact, there are now two of them.  Business must be good.  The weather for Love our Lake Day was mild even if the sun kept darting behing clouds.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

bouncing on a tight rope

Here's another activity seen at Love our Lake Day.  I never learned what this activity is called.  Participants, usually young men, sit and bounce on a 2 1/2 to 3 inch wide woven cable that has been attached between two trees.  After bouncing high enough, they jump up and balance on the cable like a tight rope walker.  Then the tricks start.  Like jump rope, if you fail at a trick or don't get back to rope walking, you give up your turn to the next guy.  They had cables at different heights from three feet off the ground to only 4 inches for the beginners.

When I finally walked away I decided 20-somethings are fearless.

V is for vivacity

The first entertainment we ran into at the Love our Lake Day was this Afro-Puerto Rican dance troupe at the lake's pergola.  The dancers interact with the drummers and move based on the drums rhythms and accents.  All this while the drummers and other dancers chant a song.  It was fascinating.

For the "aww" factor we have the following shot:

She couldn't have been more than 5 years old.  Yet she knew what she was doing.  Like her mama, she made eye contact with the drummers and followed their lead in how and when she swirled or shook her skirts.  The crowd loved her.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

love our lake day

Sunday was Love Our Lake Day celebrating the (almost) completion of the renovation of the Lake Merritt area thanks to citizens' support of a bond issue several years ago.  The big deal is the reconfiguration of the the roadway west of the lake and the upgrading of the flow of water between the lake and the estuary.  There was entertainment around the 3 mile circumference of the lake, streets were closed to bring out bicycles, and a dedication ceremony.  Tons of people showed up.  More photos to follow.

Monday Mural: African dreams

This striking mural was painted on an African Caribbean food market in the downtown area.  The lettering spells the names of the artists:  Nerv, Acme, and Resek.  Not surprisingly, the mural calls a lot of attention to 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.

quirkiness is its own style

Spotted just off San Pablo Avenue in the Golden Gate district.

U is for ukulele

Meet Lenny San Jose who serenaded the crowds that showed up for the reopening of the Oakland Museum's Natural History gallery.  Sorry, it could be a better picture.   It doesn't convey the warmth and openness of his voice as the uke covered standards from 60s, 70s, and 80s.  Such a pleasure to hear him perform.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

lavender butterfly

On Friday the Oakland Museum reopened their newly designed natural history gallery.   As part of the celebration there were human butterflies fluttering about to greet the visitors.

I'll be away for a few days so auto-posting ensues.

Monday Mural: Mother Wright

Behind the California Hotel in West Oakland are portraits on a fence.  The fence itself protects a pop up community garden.  Mother Wright was a revered figure who clothed and fed the needy for many decades up until her death in 2009.

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.  

Theme Day: decay

All along the estuary you'll find remnants of docks and piers that have fallen into disuse.  Time and weather take their toll.  For more shots of this month's theme, visit City Daily Photo.  For the inspiration of this month's theme, visit JM who has published more than 80 photos on the theme of decay found in old Lisbon.

everyone's a critic

Spotted at a recent American Steel Studios open house.

T is for tomato

With the fair weather comes the impulse, desire, need to plant a vegetable garden.   High on everyone's list is tomatoes because home grown are manna from heaven.  Around here you can find dozens of varieties, especially if you go to the farmers markets.  These are only a handful of varieties offered by Kassenhoff Growers which are sold through garden centers and local farmers markets.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

a creek runs through it

A farmer's market opens every Sunday in the local DMV parking lot.  Much to my surprise, a creek flows through much of this property before it goes underground again.  I'm guessing it's Temescal Creek which gives its name to the neighborhood.  It's always a pleasure to see creeks surface in their run from hills to bay.

Monday Mural: vegan food at your service

This vegan restaurant on the Oakland-Emeryville border has this unusual mural as part of their advertising.  It always makes me think of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and pod people.  Probably not the association they were hoping for.  Haven't tried this place so can't comment on the food.  But I do see a lot of people sitting on the terrace at lunch time.

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. 

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 creature 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 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.