Skywatch Friday: elevated seats

This photo was taken at the zoo a few days ago.  But trust me, the sky is the exact same color today as we speak.  What the picture doesn't convey is that except for a few days this month, the weather has been cold and overcast until about noon or 1 p.m.  Finally the "marine layer" (local weather-speak for high fog) burns off, and we have clear skies until it begins to return again at 6 or so.  So while most of the country is withering in heat, we're shivering until noon.  Weird, huh?  For more sky photos from around the globe, visit Skywatch Friday.

a quiet corner

Here is a quiet corner in a mausoleum/columbarium in the Mt. View Cemetery.  The building remains open to anyone interested in visiting as long as the cemetery gates are open.  Chairs are dotted throughout the building for visiting, contemplation, and I imagine for reading if you want.  This particular building dates from the deco era although they've recently opened a new wing. 

There's a lovely wooden ceiling chapel for services, a garden room with a skylight, and endless corridors to wander.  This is only one of several such buildings on the vast grounds.  In case you were wondering, the most expensive niches are those that are at eye level and can run up to $18,000.  Better to enjoy the cemetery while you're alive.

ABC Wednesday: B is for bee mural

Here's another fascinating mural by Desi in West Oakland on Mandela Parkway.  I think it's official name is Connected Worlds.  He's also responsible for the one that is around the corner from this bee.  For more "B" photos from around the world, visit ABC Wednesday.

it's all happening at the zoo

Yesterday at the Oakland Zoo in Knowland Park.  The afternoon was warm and the parking lot was full.  The carousel is outside the main gate and is a favorite spot for parents to take pictures of their children.

Here's the formal entrance setting the scene for the African themed presentation.  The zoo was relocated to the hills in about 1950 and has been noted for its realistic environments for the animals. This is for LD in Monterey, whose grandparents took her to the zoo when she was a little girl.

Weekend Reflections: you looking at me?

Down the street from the mural with the abandoned mattress, I was stopped dead in my tracks trying to figure out what I was seeing.  Or what was seeing me.  After a moment of disequilibrium, it finally dawned on me that I was seeing a reflection of a mural that was out of view.  See what I mean?  Unfortunately, I failed to note the name of the business that wears this mural.  To see more reflections from around the world, visit James' meme Weekend Reflections.

ABC Wednesday: A is for African-American Museum

The African-American Museum is housed downtown in what was Oakland's original main Library from 1902-1951.  It is a beautiful Beaux-Arts building with a frieze inscribed with the names of the most celebrated writers of Western Civilization.  The museum is dedicated to preserving the history and experiences of African-Americans in the Bay Area and Northern California.  It contains an extensive archival collection of such artifacts as diaries, correspondence, photos, and periodicals and is well worth a visit.  For more "A" photos from around the world, visit ABC Wednesday.

construction at the Caldecott Tunnel

The Caldecott Tunnel bores through the Oakland hills to connect the East Bay with Contra Costa County.  It's a heavily traveled route which results in intense traffic snarls during commute hours.  So now a fourth bore is being drilled to the tune of $420 million.  During construction these imposing sound walls have been built to protect the housing development that faces the freeway from construction noise.  Every time I see them I can't help but think of 2001: A Space Odyssey.  Just last week, fossils were uncovered by the dig!

Sunday Bridge Series: Oakland Bay Bridge

This is the suspension side of the bridge which runs from Yerba Buena Island to San Francisco.  This shot was taken from Treasure Island.  TI was built from the soil dredged for the construction of the Bay Bridge.  The Island was the site for the 1939 World's Fair.  As you can imagine, it offers killer views of the City and the East Bay.  Now that the island has been demilitarized, the debate about how best to use the land rages on.  For more bridge views from around the world, visit «Louis La Vache's» Sunday Bridge Series.

Weekend Reflections: paint and concrete

This mural of Lake Merritt is located on 27th Street at Broadway.  It is painted on the side of what used to be a car dealership.  Now the building contains a popular restaurant.  The first thing I noticed about this mural was that it includes a reflection.   I immediately thought, "Ah ha, perfect for James' meme."  And so here it is.  For more reflection photos from around the globe, visit Weekend Reflections.

Skywatch Friday: Cathedral Building

The Cathedral Building was constructed in 1913 and sits on the triangle corner where Telegraph Avenue ends at Broadway.  And where this fountain stands.  The building was recently renovated and offers a variety of retail, office, and condo spaces.  I've read there is a very chic penthouse on the top floor.  Given the current economy, I wouldn't lay any odds on when all the spaces will finally be rented or sold.  In the meantime you can see that in the past few days we've been enjoying fine weather with a minimum of fog (hallelujah).  For more Skywatch views from around the world, click here.

mural with mattress

I was in the neighborhood to see a photography show of old Oakland business signs at Woody's Cafe on Park Blvd.  This mural was spotted behind Woody's Laundromat which is next to the cafe.  The mural was sponsored by the Lake Merritt Business Association, presumably to spruce up the parking lot and the street it faces.  I don't think the mattress was part of the original artistic vision. 

ABC Wednesday: Z is for zebra

Oakland has a multitude of public murals, only some of which have been shown on ODP.  For this particular ABC Wednesday, what could be more fitting than the zebra mural under highway 580 on Broadway?  Actually, several zebras graze on this freeway support pier, with this as an exemplar.  This mural was done many years ago by muralist Dan Fontes, who also did this giraffe posted last fall.   For more "Z" photos from around the world, visit ABC Wednesday.  Next week we start the alphabet all over again.  Yippee!  Why not join us?

laundry day

Here's one way to get all your stuff to the neighborhood laundromat.  Spotted at International and 45th Ave.

Sunday Bridge Series: near the Bridgeview trail head

Only a few feet from the Warren freeway, which runs the length of the Oakland hills, is a trail head that leads through Dimond Canyon to Dimond Park.  I followed it for a bit and found this little bridge crossing what I think is Sausal Creek.  The trail descends steeply and cuts through redwood stands, wild berry brambles, and fern groves.  Oakland has a number of these natural preserves that survive in the midst of a decidedly urban setting.  I assume the bridge in "Bridgeview" is not the little footpath seen here.  Another day I'll follow the trail to its end and get a shot of the bridge it refers to.  For an array of bridges from around the world, visit «Louis'» Sunday Bridges Series.

Weekend Reflections: Fleetline chrome

A vintage car reflects the scene around it one week ago.  For more reflections from around the world, visit James' meme Weekend Reflections.

feet in the air

Don't know what this ride is called.  But it looks like fun.

ABC Wednesday: Y is for yesteryear

Here's another vintage car seen in the 1/4 lb Giant Burger parking lot last Friday night.  Studebakers , with that distinctive bullet nose, are hard to miss.  (Except «Louis» tells me this is a Ford.  Also with a bullet nose.  My bad).  Like all vintage cars, they are portals to the past.  Although I don't pine for the 50s, it's kind of fun to visit now and then.  Car restoration also represents incredible skill and artistry that has endured across the generations.  This little beauty probably never looked this good when it rolled off the assembly line.  For more expressions of "Y" visit this week's participants in ABC Wednesday.

blast from the past

Vintage cars and burger joints just seem to have a natural affinity for one another.  On the first Friday of every month vintage car owners from around the Bay gather at the 1/4 lb. Giant Burger in Uptown.   Last Friday was a warm night, the sound of early rock 'n' roll filled the air, and the vibe was welcoming.  The car owners were incredibly nice and more than happy to talk about their rides.  It was a very festive evening with people eating, dancing, laughing, and swapping stories. 

Sunday Bridge Series: Oakland Bay Bridge

Here's a shot of the Bay Bridge looking east toward Oakland.  I took it today from Yerba Buena Island where the eastern and western sections are anchored.  This side is slated for demolition once the new eastern span is finally completed.  You can see part of the new span just beyond the original.  It's only taken 20 years and zillions of dollars more than initially anticipated (since the 1989 earthquake damage) to get this far.  The actual construction process has been interesting to follow and the new bridge will ultimately have some engineering and design innovations.  For every detail you could possibly want to know about the new construction, click here.  For more bridges from around the world visit «Louis'» Sunday Bridge Series.  Have a happy 4th.

Theme Day: Reflections

Here we are at Lake Merritt again, this time looking north.  The Necklace of Lights can be seen in both the foreground and background.  The pointed-roofed building in the middle of the photo is the Tribune Tower, the former office of our local newspaper.  It was previously featured here.  Click here to view thumbnails for all participants in this month's Theme Day.  I'm also linking this post to Weekend Reflections.  Have a great 4th of July weekend.

ABC Wednesday: X is for xylography and xanthous

Really?  The challenge of X sent me running to the dictionary.  I confess that I didn't know these words until I ran through the short X list.  But never let ignorance stop you from giving it the old college try.  Hence:

The xanthoutic light bathes the columns that mark the entrance to The Morcom Rose Garden.  The garden is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood off a busy street.  Many Oaklanders don't know it exists.

 The sign that marks its entrance is a simple example of xylography. 

This garden opened in 1932 and now features 6,000 plants throughout its eight acres.  It also includes terraces, a cascade fountain and a reflecting pool.  It is a popular venue for weddings.  With all the budget cuts, the city relies on the Friends of the garden to help maintain it.

How'd I do?  For more "X" photos from around the world, go to ABC Wednesday.  You'll find lots of entertaining takes on this week's letter.

the county fair

It has been more than 20 years since I have attended our county fair which takes place at the fairgrounds in Pleasanton.  The fair is the essence of egalitarianism.  Everyone is welcome, all submissions to the competitions are accepted and displayed, all ages are represented, and everyone is recognized.  I used to make fun of the humble sock monkey and now adore them.  To me they are the iconic representation of the long tradition of the county fair, which occurs in every county across the nation all summer long.  Regional differences occur from state to state, some featuring farm equipment and rodeos.   Below are a few photos of various aspects of the fair:  home crafts, animal husbandry, horse racing, cholesterol increasing fast food, and more.  What's the county fair like in your area?

Sunday Bridge Series: Fruitvale Bridge

Work is being done on the Fruitvale Bridge which crosses the estuary to Alameda.  For some reason the road bed is up for an undetermined amount of time.  It's quite a sight.  For other bridges around the globe, visit «Louis'» bridge meme.  If you have a bridge photo of your own, come join us.

night lights

sixties retro chic

This is a standard 1960s apartment building enhanced by a really good paint job.  Apartment buildings of this vintage are typically beige and brown and rundown.  This structure, on the other hand, is quite striking and shows pride of ownership.   BTW, this is across the street from this building.

ABC Wednesday: W is for waterfront

I hope this shot represents some of the diversity of the waterfront.  Taken on a walk near Jack London Square, you can see the marina and the cranes of the Port.  Boating and commerce exemplify some of the variety of activities along the shoreline.  For more "W" photos from around the world, click on ABC Wednesday.

vertical littering

New black tanker cars are the perfect canvas for taggers.  These tracks can be seen from the Nimitz Freeway running from East Oakland to West Oakland.  Not the best introduction to our fair city.

late night snack

This is the 1/4 Lb. Giant Burger at High Street and MacArthur in the Laurel District.  The diamond at the far right should read "Shakes" but the light is burned out. 

 So is the huge neon sign that anchors the parking lot.  This local chain has at least four spots in Oakland that I'm aware of.  I previously posted the one on Telegraph Avenue in the Uptown area.  Interestingly, each spot has slightly different architecture and they are in varying states of repair.  But all shout "retro."  You expect waitresses on roller skates to come to your car to take orders.

Sunday Bridge Series: Glen Echo Creek

As stated in an earlier post, Glen Echo Creek surfaces above ground several places on its way from the hills to the bay.  One of the longest stretches runs for several blocks just off of Piedmont Avenue, a busy shopping district.  The creek wends its way through a small park, behind houses and a senior citizen complex, and along public paths before it goes underground again.  Neighbors volunteer to maintain the creek bed and restore plants native to the riparian community.  The cyclone fence borders Monte Vista Avenue that bridges the creek.  The culvert that runs under the street seems to represent both tunnel and bridge at the same time.  For more bridge photos from around the world, visit «Louis La Vache's» Sunday Bridge meme.

Skywatch Friday: view from Joaquin Miller Park

The Oakland hills is home to several regional and city parks that preserve the natural woodlands of the area.  This 500 acre park is named for Joaquin Miller, a 19th century poet and adventurer, and some might say rascal and liar, whose work is no longer well known.  During the Great Depression the WPA helped build park trails, a beautiful water cascade, and an amphitheater where musicals are performed in the summer.  While walking some of the park yesterday I encountered runners, hearty bicyclists riding the steep hill trails, kids playing, Pacific Islanders performing a graceful hula dance for their family at an out of the way picnic area, and an aging hippie practicing the drums.  Typical Oakland.  This shot looks southwest across the bay with the coastal range in the distance.  Click here for more Skywatch photos from around the world.

Sweet's Ballroom

Sweet's Ballroom is located on Broadway in the Uptown area.  As the lettering style indicates, it was built in the 1920s.  It hosted all the great Big Bands and singers of the 1930s and 40s, including Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.  It was shuttered in 1980 but was eventually renovated and reopened in 1998.  It has an 8,000 square foot dance floor and is used for many dance and exercise events.  Thank goodness another historic venue was saved from the wrecking ball.

Rhea's Salon of Beauty

This sign has been advertising this beauty shop since the late 50s or early 60s.  While the shop is still in business, the sign no longer works.  It is found at the corner of Mandana and Lakeshore Avenue in the Lakeshore shopping district east of Lake Merritt.

Weekend Reflection: downtown Financial Center

This is another side of the downtown Financial Center with clouds reflected in its windows.  At 15 stories it was once the tallest building west of the Mississippi.  But not for long.   For more reflection photos, visit James' meme Weekend Reflections.

sky lights

Walking the shoreline is always interesting.  I remembered to look up and this time paid attention to the container yard lights.  The design looks like something out of the Jetsons.  I think they look like hovering scouts from the Mother Ship. 

ABC Wednesday: U is for Uptown Oakland

Somewhere along the way when I wasn't looking, part of downtown Oakland became Uptown.  Don't ask me how.  Uptown represents a loosely defined area beginning about 17th Street and going to about West Grand and between Broadway and San Pablo Avenue.  For decades it's been a sketchy area and is now being transformed into a hip, boho community.  It is full of art galleries, restaurants and cafes, and new condos and apartment buildings.  It can still be sketchy late at night, but less so now.  This club is in the wonderful cobalt and silver deco building shown previously.  For more ABC Wednesday U photos, click here.

frutas frescas

These fruit carts can be found on every other street corner in the Fruitvale District, a primarily Latino community.  They sell baggies of fruit including mango, watermelon, pineapple and cantaloupe.  Add a squeeze of lime and a dash of chili or tabasco and you're good to go.

Weekend Reflection: Shoreline Park looking east

Today started out foggy and muggy.  By this afternoon all the fog and clouds finally disappeared.  A walk along the shoreline presented lovely views with downtown and the Oakland hills in the distance.  The air was calm and the quiet water reflected the pier.  It's starting to feel like summer might actually arrive.    For more reflections from around the globe, stroll over to James' meme Weekend Reflections.

ABC Wednesday: T is for Transmission Service

This homemade service sign is located on Foothill Blvd. near Fairfax Avenue in East Oakland.   The guy who owns this shop has a sense of humor.  Does this qualify as folk art?  For more "T" photos, check ABC Wednesday.

Gold Teeth Master

Spied on Broadway near 19th Street.  I thought the fad for gold teeth "grilles" had come and gone, but apparently not.  To be fair, their neon sign says "Jewelry--The Best Bling Shop."  For other amusing signs from around the world brought to you by the CDP community, click here.

Weekend Reflection: Veterans Memorial Building

I'm still traveling so this is from the archives.  Once more around the lake, my friends.  The white building is the Veterans Memorial Building, built in the 1930s, at the NE end of the Lake Merritt in the Adams Point neighborhood.  To the building's left is the narrow, little park I showed you where Glen Echo Creek runs above ground for a couple of blocks.  Hard to believe, right?  Especially since traffic zooms around this area like crazy.  The VM is now primarily a meeting place for various community groups, including the American Legion, a dance studio, and a senior center.  It also has an auditorium that is occasionally used for performances.  The most recent has been Battle of the Salsa Bands 2.  Rumor has it that the Grateful Dead had a concert here early in its career.  Visit Weekend Reflections for interesting photos from around the world.  I'm also linking to Monochrome Weekend for the first time.