by Kira Pascoe – November was a pivotal month giving much of Oakland a burst of homegrown pride as we continue to weather the challenges of 2020. Oakland native Kamala Harris, daughter of two immigrants, is the first South Asian, African American, and female vice-president-elect (that is three firsts!). December’s blog celebrates the beautiful diversity right here […]
Neighborhoods
LAKE MERRITT LAUNDROMAT UPGRADES
By Sheila McCormick Confession: I last used a laundromat about 30 years ago, and that was because the knob and tube wiring in the house we’d just moved into didn’t have the capacity to run our washer and dryer. Once we upgraded the power, no more need. Lake Merritt Laundromat, at 500 Wesley Ave., was taken over […]
CONDO DEVELOPMENT AT 601 MACARTHUR – UPDATE
Update on Condos at 601 MacArthur – Later Than Sooner There was another informational meeting on June 20th, held at St. Vartan’s church. The developer, Lake House Development (LHD), was represented by Public Affairs Director Valerie Camarda and Architect Tony Pantaleoni. As there was a city council meeting that same evening, Councilman Abel Guillen […]
An Old Generation Treat for a New Generation
10:15 pm on a Tuesday night and Lakeshore Avenue is dead. A few cars whiz past on the street and some stop to park outside closed shops and restaurants. The thick, sticky, sweet scent of sugared treats wafts down the sidewalk pulling people into the only business that’s open at this end of the block. […]
GRAND AVENUE, WEST OF 580 – July 2017
Farewell: After four years authoring Grand Avenue West of 580 articles as “LZ”, this will be my final column. My husband and I are moving to Michigan where we will live in another vibrant and emerging neighborhood (Old Town, Lansing) and be close to our son, his wife, and our 3 grandchildren. It took all […]
New Sneaker Store on Wesley Avenue
Ten/11, billed as Oakland’s Premier Sneaker Store and located at 494 Wesley Avenue, had its Grand Opening on May 13th. I stopped in to check it out a week later and chatted with the owner, Peter Abramov, and his store manager, Qais Shaghasi. This space, in the same building as the Leaning Tower of Pizza, […]
Grand Avenue West of 580 – June 2017
1888 Coffee Station at Bacheesos “Taste this Warriors Smoothie,” encouraged Muhammad Diaw, manager of 1888 Coffee Station at Bacheesos (opened April 2), as I walked to the carry-out window nestled next to Bacheesos Mediterranean Restaurant (previously featured in this blog). “It’s got avocado, mango, pineapple, carrot, spinach, kale, orange juice, and a little bit of […]
Grand Avenue West of 580 Blog – May 2017
American Indian Child Resource Center (AICRC) If you were on a treasure hunt seeking interesting places in the neighborhood, would you know where to find the American Indian Child Resource Center (AICRC)? Door drop cards from AIRC recently asked, “Have You Seen Us?” Look up! AICRC is located high above the sidewalk in a Julia […]
GRAND AVENUE, WEST OF 580 – April 2017
Kinja Sushi Bar & Restaurant Kinja Sushi Bar & Restaurant brings Japanese flavors back to the neighborhood in a fun and modern atmosphere at the former Ta-Ke Sushi location. When Ozumo closed its 8,000 sq. ft. sushi restaurant on Broadway last November (as reported on Inside Scoop), owner Jeremy Umland mused that he might consider […]
Feet on the Street – February 26, 2017
Feet on the Street Starting about seven years ago, a small, but dedicated group of neighbors has been walking the Cleveland Heights Neighborhood to encourage better lighting of properties. Weather permitting, the “Feet on the Street” group meets the first Wednesday of the month, from September until May. The walks, which last an hour […]