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.

tiger on the prowl

Spotted in Jingletown.

ABC Wednesday: K is for kinetic steam works

Kinetic Steam Works is a collective located in West Oakland dedicated to steam powered kinetic art.  I was wandering around the neighborhood taking pictures when I heard a train horn.  I could see steam (steam?) in the distance but couldn't figure out what the heck was happening.  I walked toward the sound and Pappy appeared out of a cloud of steam.  The self-described steam dorks who renovated and modified this steam engine were taking it out for a spin.  As this was late December, Santa was sitting on the back with an ax in his hands.  Of course.  Check out their website for more information and learn a little about the steampunk movement.  Who knew?  Also check out ABC Wednesday for more K photos.

arch of fire

This weekend was the 2nd annual Oakland Running Festival with 7500 runners participating in a variety of events.  The full marathon course showcases the diversity of Oakland's neighborhoods and natural beauty from the estuary to the hills.  In West Oakland, The Crucible created a metal arch with live flames that participants ran through.  Along with the cheering, clanging cow bells, and live music, each runner got slapped with an "I ran through fire" sticker after running under the arch.  I'll post a few more photos in the coming days.

Monday Mural: work in progress

A new mural is being created on 52nd St. near Shattuck Avenue.  Ama and Leon think it will take about 5 months to complete.  After all, there are several support pillars and retaining walls providing the canvas.  It will be fun watching their work progress.

Skywatch Friday: car rental

This is a car rental agency at 46th St. and Telegraph.  We enjoyed a break from the rain until late this afternoon.

vintage Chevy

Spotted the other day at about 55th St. and Shattuck Avenue in North Oakland.  I know it's a Chevy but couldn't tell you what year.  I bet «Louis» will tell us.

ABC Wednesday: J is for Jack London Square Amtrak station

The Amtrak station at Jack London Square on the estuary.

Monday Mural: garage door art

This mural is on a garage door at 57th St. and Shattuck Avenue in North Oakland.  There is a companion piece on the other half of this duplex.  I think this guy means it when he says no parking in the driveway.

calm before the storm

Taken at Mt. View Cemetery just before the rains came.  We are now into day three of what is predicted to be a week long storm.

ABC Wednesday: I is for iguana

This glass mosaic is in Jingletown in East Oakland.  It's recently been added to since I last photographed it.  Last year I called it a lizard.  That was before I needed an "I" photo for today's ABC Wednesday.

enjoying the sun

When the sun comes out, people pop up like mushrooms.  A busy scene on Lakeshore Avenue a little over a week ago when the sun was still shining.

Monday Mural: warehouse in west Oakland

Just a couple of blocks off of Mandela Parkway in West Oakland.

Weekend Reflection: evening at Lake Merritt

Another evening view of Lake Merritt.  For more reflection shots, visit James' meme.

Skywatch Friday: Rossi's flower shop

An institution on Fruitvale Avenue in East Oakland.  The business opened in 1910 and has been in this building since the 30s.  The deco sign is what gets my attention.  The most recent rain storm has passed and fair weather is expected for the next few days.  For more sky photos, visit Skywatch Friday.

ABC Wednesday: H is for Hooper's Chocolates

Hooper's was established in 1939 and sold by the family in 1990.  For the next 20 years various groups owned this business with varied success until the doors finally closed for good in 2010.  The retail shop was located in a pink Cape Cod house on Telegraph Avenue, the original Hooper home.  Generations of school children visited the factory and got to take home free samples at the end of the tour.  Along with Mother's Cookies and Granny Goose, those days are now only a memory.  All that remains are the house and the original neon sign.  For more "H" photos, visit Mrs. Nesbitt's meme.

drive thru espresso

At an on ramp to the 580 freeway in the Temescal-Telegraph neighborhood.

Monday Mural: welcome to Oakland

This mural is found near the border of Oakland and San Leandro on Bancroft Avenue.  If you can read the writing below "Welcome to Oakland," let me know.  The silhouette of the port cranes is pretty iconic for Oakland.  Note the Bay Bridge tower on the left.  It's soon to be replaced by a new and taller tower.

Weekend Reflection: shop reflection

This East Oakland shop was on the shady side of the street and the reflection (a former movie theater turned into a grocery store) was in the sun.  What I like best about this building is the decorative tile.  Lots of buildings around town, especially those from the 20s to 40s have this kind of decoration.  I'm collecting as many examples as possible.  For more reflections, visit James' meme.

Skywatch Friday: looking east

The last rain storm has passed.  The next one is due on Sunday.  This is taken on Lakeshore Avenue along side Lake Merritt.  The Oakland hills are in the background.  For more Friday skies, visit Skywatch Friday.

BART tracks

These are the elevated BART tracks on ML King Jr. Way in North Oakland where so many stencil art pieces are found.  The tracks go underground in Berkeley.

ABC Wednesday: G is for Get Up

Get Up is a graffiti artist whose work has popped up in public spaces over the past year.  This piece is among several that are on support pillars of the BART tracks in North Oakland.  While it is apparent that his works are stenciled, what I discovered while photographing them, is that they are printed on paper and posted with glue.  Over time they will deteriorate and disappear.  I find them to be decorative and humorous.  For more G photos, visit ABC Wednesday.

Monday Mural: words to contemplate

This mural is under the 580 freeway at the start of the Lakeshore District.

Weekend Reflection: the estuary at end of the day

The Oakland estuary at sunset.  San Francisco in the background.  Linked to Weekend Reflections, where other reflections can be viewed.

Grand Lake Theater

A grab shot through the window of my car.  Kids, don't try this at home.

ABC Wednesday: F is for Fenton's

Fenton's Creamery is an Oakland institution.  It opened as a dairy on Howe Street in 1894 and later opened a restaurant and ice cream parlor in 1922.  It claims to have invented Toasted Almond and Rocky Road ice cream flavors.  In 1961 it moved one block away to Piedmont Avenue.  There is always a line waiting to enter, regardless of the weather.  The restaurant is well known for its crab sandwiches and all manner of ice cream sundaes.  In the summer they open a special window for ice cream cones to go.  Make mine a Mocha Almond Fudge.  For more "F" photos, visit ABC Wednesday.

Trestle Glen

Here's a snippet of the Trestle Glen neighborhood south of Lakeshore Avenue.  The neighborhood is named after an elevated railroad that ran in the late 19th century.  These homes date from the 30s. 

Monday mural: pride and self-determination

Weekend Reflection: on the way to the estuary

This is part of the tidal channel that brings water to Lake Merritt from the estuary.  There's a nice little park with a couple of public sculptures along side the channel.  In the background is the Nimitz freeway that this channel runs under to reach the estuary.  Another view was posted a while back.  This was taken before the week of rains came.  For other reflections, visit James' meme, Weekend Reflections.

ABC Wednesday: E is for Ella Baker

Ella Baker was a seminal figure in the Civil Rights movement.  Among her many accomplishments was her role in founding the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) which organized the Freedom Summer drive in 1964 to register southern blacks to vote.  Her name graces the Ella Baker Center in Oakland which works for social justice issues and green jobs in the Bay Area.  For other E posts, visit ABC Wednesday.

Monday Mural: elements of power, visions of change

This mural was done in 1999 by students at Laney College.  Despite the words of hope, the surrounding community has not prospered.  A neighbor told me that this apartment building has been vacant for the past several months.  So far, no one is squatting in it.