Monday Mural: Gertrude and Alice

This is a detail from a huge mural downtown on Franklin Street.  Gertrude Stein has famously been quoted as saying about Oakland that "There is no there there."  The quote actually pertains to a visit to her childhood home, which had been torn down.  Still feeling the sting of this presumed put down, the city sometimes flies a flag at the top of the Tribune Building that says "There."

Still out of town and using autopost.

decorative tiles

This tiled "fountain" is in the entryway of a Spanish style building near Lake Merritt.  The building was closed when I walked by and I had to stick my camera through the wrought iron gate to get this shot.  I love the old tiles that decorate so many of our buildings.

Skywatch Friday: market garland

Swan's was built in 1917 in the historic business area now called Old Oakland.  It is covered in white tile and has these wonderful garlands and majolica style plaques.  It contains Housewives Market which is composed of multiple food shops.  Old Oakland has beautiful Victorian building blocks and a number of popular restaurants, yet often feels empty.  For some reason it lacks the pedestrian traffic that gives a neighborhood its lively quality.  The sliver of sky shows that after recent rain we are again enjoying fair weather.  For more sky shots, visit Skywatch Friday.

Still autoposting.

ABC Wednesday: L is for Luka's

Luka's Taproom and Lounge, a popular restaurant in the Uptown area, was instrumental in the growth of this area.  Their parking lot is at the base of the Great Wall featured a week ago.  If suds are your preferred libation, this is your place.  They serve over 30 different beers, including local and imported brews.  While you're contemplating your choices, visit ABC Wednesday for more takes on "L".

I'll be out of town for a week so have turned to autoposting.

a shark out of water

Spotted at the Project Bandaloop performance a couple of weeks ago.  They looked like they're having fun.  Linked to  Photo Roma's Night Shot Monday.

I'll be out of town for a week so autoposting ensues.

Monday Mural: Mike Dream

Here is another panel from Oakland's Wall of Fame.  It references Mike "Dream" Francisco, a seminal figure in graffiti art who died in 2000.  He is famous in the hip hop community and even has a dedicated page on a website in Djibouti.

I'll be out of town for a week.  Onward with autoposting.

SOOC: parklet on Piedmont Avenue

A couple of weeks ago Oakland participated in International Park(ing) Day.  The movement aims to make cities more liveable by adding more outdoor seating on streets.  Several businesses set up "parklets" in parking spaces in front of their stores.  This spot was in front of Shimizu, a Japanese restaurant on Piedmont Avenue.  The latest news is that the city has decided to permit 8(!!) longer term parklets around town as an experiment.  This shot is unedited and submitted to SOOC Sunday.

Theme Day: mystery object

Here's my theme day entry.  Can you guess what it is?  Unfortunately, I don't have a long distance shot to show you.  It is a large piece of public sculpture on the Mills College Campus.  Spiders have added an extra layer of weirdness to this piece.  Click here to view thumbnails for all participants in this month's City Daily Photo Theme Day.

Skywatch Friday: style layers

Downtown Oakland has a wonderful melange of old buildings, and some not so great new ones.  See what I mean?  The clouds indicate that into each of our lives some rain must fall, maybe over the weekend.  For more sky clues, check Skywatch Friday.

ABC Wednesday: K is for kayak

One of the cool things you can do at Jack London Square is rent a kayak for paddling the estuary.  Unless that's too slow for you.  In which case there's always jet skis.  For more "K" photos visit the ever entertaining ABC Wednesday.

out for a walk

The weekend was cold and dreary and it even rained.  Today started clear and turned quite warm.  Everyone was out for a walk.  Spotted at Jack London Square.

Monday Mural: Oakland Riviera

The artists in Jingletown have designed a wall of murals in an area they've dubbed the Oakland Riviera.  Tongue in cheek of course.  One of the murals contains portraits of their beloved critters who are walked on what has been renamed the "rue de merde."  Looks like they clean up after their dogs too.  This is around the corner from the lizard/iguana posted earlier.

SOOC: Colton family tomb

This is the Colton family tomb in Mt. View Cemetery.  David Colton died in 1878 and was known in his time as a railroad magnate and land owner.  His wife may also be buried here but there is no information on her dates on this planet.  Just like Nellie, her history was given short shrift.  The cemetery is full of large tombs like these, many of which seem no longer to be connected to succeeding generations.  Kind of sad.  This photo was taken late one afternoon and is straight out of the camera.  For more SOOC photos, visit SOOC Sunday.

Skywatch Friday: new condos downtown

Our former mayor and now governor promoted the building of new residential housing downtown.  Here's an example.  Warm days and clear skies have been here for about two weeks.  September typically has our warmest weather and we're glad it's here.  For additional sky views, visit Skywatch Friday.

ABC Wednesday: J is for jeté

This weekend the dance company Project Bandaloop performed on the Great Wall of Oakland (previously featured here).  Twenty years ago the troupe's director was inspired by her rock climbing experiences to combine the rigging technology with dance to defy gravity while making art.  The performance premiered a new piece, Bound(less), with original music by trombonist Dana Leong.  The entire experience was exciting, moving, and completely unique.  It was thrilling to watch the dancers, especially when they leapt away from the wall with grace and precision.  Grand jetés are hard enough to do on a horizontal surface, let alone on a 10-story wall.  I'm guessing at least a 1000 people were at Saturday's performance, bringing their own chairs, blankets, and food as they waited for the performance.  Checkout the Bandaloop website video to get a taste of their performance style.  And check out ABC Wednesday for more takes on "J".

Monday Mural: people forest

Spotted awhile ago in West Oakland.  The other side of the warehouse was shown previously.

Skywatch Friday: slivers of glass and sky

Downtown near City Center.  Visit Skywatch Friday for more sky shot entries.

garden gate

A lovely garden gate off Broadway Terrace.  Love the Mediterranean blue color.

ABC Wednesday: I is for Idora Park

Once thought to have been part of Idora Park, this windmill was a lemonade stand that stood outside of the park.  It is now the last remnant of what had been a 17 acre amusement park that bordered Telegraph Avenue.  Way back in the day, Idora Park was a destination visited by such luminaries as Jack London, Charlie Chaplin, and Buster Keaton.

According to Wikipedia it was especially known for its Opera House, scenic railway, rollercoasters, and vaudeville shows.  Built in 1904, it closed in 1929.  Click here for more old photos of Idora.  Visit ABC Wednesday for more takes on the letter I.

night scene in Jack London Square

On a recent warm evening, I took this shot after visiting Dancing Under the Stars in Jack London Square.  Linking to Night Shot Monday.

Monday Mural: clinica de la raza

This mural decorates the Clinica de la Raza medical clinic in the Fruitvale.  It was the first clinic in Oakland designed to serve Spanish-speaking clients.  Its many services have grown over the years and it now serves much of East Oakland.

in rememberance

 Linked to SOOC Sunday.

ABC Wednesday: H is for Hi Hat Cleaners

This vintage neon sign advertises a business that has continued in the same spot for decades.  Surprisingly, despite its worn appearance, the sign continues to work too.  The owner says they turn it on winter evenings during operating hours.  During short winter days, it probably serves as a beacon to front door.  He also hopes to get it restored, although I imagine that is a costly process.  The sign and business anchor the corner of MacArthur and Maple St. in the Laurel District.  Visit ABC Wednesday for other takes on this week's letter.

Monday Mural: new mural

This mural was done this year by Chase and Bui.  It's near Jack London Square at 3rd and Broadway on the side of a vegan restaurant.  It's vibrant colors and cartoon design really catch your eye.  Don't know if the speech balloons are supposed to be sincere or ironic.  Maybe the cartoon characters have a specific reference.  It's hard keeping up with pop culture to know for sure.

parking shadows

Spotted downtown late one afternoon.  Submitted to Shadow Shot Sunday.

Skywatch Friday: Tuiaki he Lotu

The Free Church of Tonga is located on Fruitvale Avenue.  Most of the Tongans I know are Mormons.  This free church is an off-shoot from the Methodist church.  This church looks like a quiet oasis on a busy street.   This shot shows you more blue skies after the fog burns off.  The weatherman says we're in for a warming trend and no fog at night.  Yippee. For more of today's sky views, visit Skywatch Friday.

Theme Day: Perspective

Sometimes heights are scary, sometimes fun.  It's all a matter of perspective.  Spotted at the recent Temescal Street Fair.  Submitted to CDP's monthly theme day.  Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

ABC Wednesday: G is for Greyhound

The Greyhound bus service was founded in 1914 and appears to be going strong with 25 million passengers a year.  The Oakland terminal was built in the 30s but doesn't have many deco features except maybe the sign.  This is an iconic image that has survived the decades.  For other "G" images, visit ABC Wednesday for visual treats from around the world.  Also linked to Leslie's Signs Signs.

Monday Mural: Cakeland

This mural is painted by Scott Hove on the side of his business called Cakeland at Shattuck Avenue and 56th St.  Silly me, I thought it was a bakery.  So wrong.  It's a gallery and workshop for art installations using fantasy cakes that cannot be eaten but you can "have" for as long as you desire.  The mural hints at the themes within.  At first glance it looks whimsical and cheerful.  If you look longer you'll start to see troubling or incongruent images and components that seem a little menacing.  That's what you get with the cake installations, and then some.  Peruse the link and you'll see what I mean.

surf's up

Spotted on Telegraph Avenue during the recent Temescal Street Fair.  The Avenue is a local bar that attracts a diverse crowd including zombie skateboarders.  Linked to both SOOC Sunday and Shadow Shot Sunday.

Skywatch Friday: shoreline grass

Today was a typical summer day in Oakland.  The fog burned off by late morning, the sun shined in a cloudless sky for most of the day, and then the fog returned before sunset.  The shoreline grass along the estuary has turned a wonderful golden color, which seems that much richer against the blue sky.  The sunlight made the water sparkle.  In short, it was a beautiful day.  For views of other skies around the world, visit Skywatch Friday.

ABC Wednesday: F is for ferry landing

The Oakland ferry to San Francisco is at the foot of Broadway at Jack London Square.  It runs hourly and the trip takes about 30 minutes.  Lots of folks commute to their SF jobs by ferry.  There also are ferries to AT&T Park during baseball season and summer ferries to Angel Island.  Before the bridges were built ferries were the only way to get to SF from the East and North bay.  As our car culture grew, the ferries more or less became novelties and often faced extinction.  After the big earthquake in 1989, the Oakland Bay Bridge was out of commission for a number of months and the use of ferries became essential and once again valued.  Be sure to visit ABC Wednesday for more "F" photos from around the globe.

Monday mural: frutas y verduras

Los Hermanos is located on Fruitvale Avenue in the the Fruitvale District.  Officially, it is called a fruteria y carniceria, but their mural focuses on fruit and vegetables.  It is a bright colored wall that draws attention as you drive up the avenue.  The produce (see the nopales?) and the business's name tell you that this is primarily a latino neighborhood.  It is a vibrant area full of products and services for the people who live here.  The most authentic Mexican and Central American food and cooking ingredients can be found in the Fruitvale.

Weekend Reflection: evening in Uptown

This building's facade looked like a flag waving in the breeze.  And the sky came closer to earth in its reflection.  Visit James's meme Weekend Reflections for interesting takes on the theme.

I'll be out of town for a week so probably won't be able to leave comments on your blogs.   These photos are brought to you courtesy of autoposting.

Skywatch Friday: Stork Club

The Stork Club is a gathering place for local hipsters, especially during Art Murmur.  I like the structure of their sign and its 60s vibe.  We continue to have pleasant weather even if you know the fog is due in any moment.  For more sky shots, visit Skywatch Friday, a meme open to all who are interested.

I'll be out of town for a week so probably won't be able to leave comments on your blogs.   These photos are brought to you courtesy of autoposting.

utility box

All the traffic light utility boxes in the Temescal neighborhood are individually decorated.  What I didn't realize until recently is that the images are created with materials like contact paper.  Each part is laboriously cut out and put in place, then overlaid with additional pieces, to create the image.  So far, they're holding up well to the effects of weather and I haven't seen any vandalism.

I'll be out of town for a week so probably won't be able to leave comments on your blogs.   These photos are brought to you courtesy of autoposting.

ABC Wednesday: E is for evenfall

Evenfall is a word you don't hear anymore.  Has a nice lilt to it, don't you think?   Here we are in Mt. View Cemetery as the last light fades. The Bay Bridge is twinkling in the background.  The deer came out to forage but it was too dark to get a picture of them.  For more "E" photos, visit Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday.

I'll be out of town for a week so probably won't be able to leave comments on your blogs.   These photos are brought to you courtesy of autoposting.

De Lauer's newsstand

De Lauer's is an Oakland institution that's been in existence since 1907.  The owner Charles De Lauer was born in Oakland and died in 2008.  He loved both Oakland and his business and continued to work there until just before his death at age 91.  The newsstand is now owned by a former employee.

I'll be out of town for a week so probably won't be able to leave comments on your blogs.   These photos are brought to you courtesy of autoposting.

Monday mural: vet's view of Oakland

Here's the other side of the building I showed you a long while ago.  This mural view looks up Broadway to the Oakland hills, which you can also do if you stand on the sidewalk next to this building.  Enlarge both murals to see the amusing details.

I'll be out of town for a week so probably won't be able to leave comments on your blogs.   These photos are brought to you courtesy of autoposting.

Weekend Reflection: Dode

Don't ask; I have no idea.  Google says it's an art gallery.  When I drive by it's closed.  Along with the kooky window display, I got a reflection.  So I get to participate in James' Weekend Reflections.  And you can too.

Skywatch Friday: humble abode

This home is located in the Upper Rockridge area above the golf course I showed you last year.  Lucky folks who get to live in such a fine looking house.  It comes with a bay view too.  You can see we're enjoying fair weather.  The fog (usually) burns off by 11 a.m. and then begins its return about 6 p.m.  But in between it's sunny and warm.  For more sky views, visit Skywatch Friday.

small church, big name

Another storefront church.  Isn't the name wonderful?

ABC Wednesday: D is for dancing

During the summer there are free Friday night dance lessons in Jack London Square.  The evening of this photo, about 200 people showed up to learn The Hustle.  After the lesson, however, most people jumped in to do the Electric Slide.  Oaklanders are such rebels.  P.S.  Don't be fooled by the clothes; this was one of those rare, warm summer nights.  To take a gander at more "D" photos, visit Mrs. Nesbitt's meme ABC Wednesday.

evening cranes

A recent shot of cargo cranes at the Port of Oakland next to Jack London Square.

Monday mural: el condor pasa

This mural is tucked away behind a building on E. 12th St. in an industrial, commercial strip approaching downtown.  I couldn't find a signature but the Andean setting reminded me of Paul Simon's song El Condor Pasa.

ABC Wednesday: C is for Chabot Space and Science Center

The Chabot Science Center is way up on Skyline Blvd. in the Oakland hills.  It is named after Anthony Chabot (Shah-bow), who among other things, donated the first telescope to the city of Oakland.  The Science Center has three working telescopes, a planetarium, special interactive science exhibits, science summer camps, classes for children and adults, and sci-fi movies on the weekend for all you Trekkies.  You can even get lunch or dinner there if you want.  Opened in 2000 with 86,000 square feet, it replaced a small 1915 facility that was at a lower elevation.  It is also a popular launching point for hiking and biking trails.  For other "C" photos, visit the ABC Wednesday meme.

Still autoposting.  Will be able to leave comments after Friday.

peewee golf

Another shot from the Crucible event I showed you several days ago.  Between performances of the fire circus you could watch metal smithing demonstrations and play games.  Here's their version of peewee golf, if Torquemada were designing it.  You tried to hit what looked like a molten golf ball through the rotating blades.  If you were successful you won a cool looking cast metal fish.

Monday mural: samurai warrior

Here's another mural from the Wall of Fame.  This was done by Estria whose latest mural was posted a couple of months ago.  Do yourself a favor and enlarge the photo to really see the fine details of this composition.  He clearly references elements of Japanese woodblock prints and traditional Japanese iconography.  If anyone can decipher what is written across the carp, let me know.  I'm hopeless at this.