I
Pastors reclaim Grove-Shafter Park
	A nearby park, abandoned by the City and used mostly by the homeless, has been reclaimed by a coalition of local pastors. Grove-Shafter Park, owned by CalTrans and leased by the City, has long been a litter-strewn refuge for the homeless. The grass has been left to die, trash collection is infrequent, and most locals shun it as a dangerous, blighted eyesore. But on Friday, June 26th, church leaders organized a clean-up drive that filled eight yard bags with litter. The following day, the pastors held a "Takin' It to the Park" event with live gospel music by "Purchase," Quaker Oats giveaways and a barbeque. Pastor Jasper Lowery, a leader of the Measure Y street outreach workers, was a driving force behind the event. As he explained at a recent Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council meeting, the pastors plan to return to the park regularly and turn it into a focal point for the community, in the process connecting with local street people and providing them with counseling and services. While the weekend's cleanup was limited to the portion of Grove-Shafter Park bordering 34th Street and MLK, the volunteers hope to expand the effort to the other two sectors of the park, including the "Marcus Garvey" area in our neighborhood, in the near future.
I
Remodeled 40th Street underpass marred by graffiti
	Redevelopment staff has declared the 40th Street underpass improvements complete at MacArthur BART station. But hollow promises to clean up graffiti remain unfulfilled. The graffiti in question is most obvious in a sidewalk concrete pour dating to last November. Instead of covering the freshly poured concrete, an obvious necessity in a heavily traveled area near two schools, the contractor simply walked away and, of course, taggers took advantage. JAMMI.info posted information about this graffiti when it first appeared, and a community member alerted city staff on November 18th of last year. City Engineer Julius Kale, Jr. responded that the graffiti would be remediated before the City paid the contractor for the work. On February 6th a walkthrough of the project was held by City staff with the contractor. JAMMI.info again brought this graffiti to the attention of City staff, and Christine Lebron of CEDA assured us that the contractor would take care of the graffiti before the final inspection. Finally, we mentioned the issue a third time to City staff in May and were told on May 27th that staff had reminded the construction manager once again of the issue. On June 12th, CEDA's Kathy Kleinbaum announced that the 40th Street streetscape project was complete. It now turns out that the concrete in question was poured by EBMUD, so it is EBMUD's task to clean up the graffiti.  No estimated date has been given for remediation.  In contrast, a recent sidewalk pour in the San Francisco financial district was surrounded by a four-foot high wall of concrete and plastic barricades to ensure no tagger could get remotely close. Why does Oakland accept a lesser standard?
I
Local artists open their studios
Benny Alba with Bandit	JAMMI artists opened their studios to the public in early June as part of the annual ProArts Open Studio event. Every June, artists throughout the East Bay who are affiliated with the ProArts cooperative exhibit their work to the community. In JAMMI, participating venues included the Alba Studios and Gallery at 4219 MLK, and the Nitty Gritty Studios at 733 37th Street. Steinman Studio at 4227 MLK also participated. Alba Studios featured the varied works of 12 artists: Benny Alba, Josefina Jacquin, Sherry Wacker, Michelle Levy, Matlena Hourula, Olivia Eielson, L. Hickox Robinson, Catherine Herdering, Alys Briggs, D. Love, Maggie Cockrell and Jennifer Downey. Upon entering, one was greeted warmly by an apprentice and invited to sign the guest book. About the room were works by Alba, ranging from small enameled pieces to an installation evoking a fountain replete with rubber ducks. To the right, one entered a dark room with artworks on the wall and a table surrounded by statues of card players. Given a flashlight, one was allowed to explore various quotations on the walls as well as the paintings of the moon above pine trees. Through another door into the main chamber of the spacious studio, other artists presented their works at tables and in three small lofts. The work was varied, including photographs, prints, paintings, jewelry, enamel work and more. Next door, Susan Leibovitz Steinman was exhibiting dark, murky paintings surrounding assemblages including a tire roped to a chair, with a log strapped on top, and several broken eggs threaded onto a thin pole, below three carved birds. Most works were for sale and, at Alba Studios, a gong was rung every time a work was sold.
I
Neighbors landscape street median
	On a recent Saturday, neighbors transformed the barren 40th Street median into an attractive landscape of varied, drought-resistant plants. Women and men joined together, donating plants, digging the hard clay with shovels and pickaxes, removing weeds and arranging the many donated flora. While the event was scheduled to last from 9 AM to noon, people were already busy when the day started, and some worked late into the afternoon to finish the hard work. The event was organized by nearby neighbors who were fed up with paying the City's lighting and landscaping assessment, but receiving little in return except for a drab, barren stretch of dirt that was embarrassingly ugly in contrast to the lavish landscaping in bordering neighborhoods. In nearby Emeryville, 40th Street boasts a professionally landscaped median, paid for by the numerous developments that have transformed the area from the seedy truck yards and card clubs of the 1980's into a busy retail thoroughfare. And to the east, the 40th Street median has been thoughtfully landscaped with drought tolerant plants, funded by the Broadway/MacArthur/San Pablo redevelopment area. But from Adeline to MacArthur BART, the median has been a stark strip of low-maintenance dirt, bushes and weeds -- until now. Starting in 1904, the Key System streetcar ran down the middle of the street, on its way to the ferry "mole" and the Key System barns in Emeryville. The Sacramento Northern also ran trains down 40th Street. Once the Bay Bridge was built in 1936, trains continued to San Francisco along the lower deck. Freeways were built and train service ended in the 1950's. The late Lorraine Smith, working with Sacred Heart Church and other activists, pressured the City to plant the 13 or so fir trees that now dot the strip. The City plans to eventually narrow the 16 foot median by three feet on each side in order to create bike lanes while preserving two lanes of auto traffic in each direction. But for now, many are grateful for the hard work of our local volunteers who have accomplished what our public officials should have done years ago. Watch a video. . .
I
New art gallery solicits works
	JAMMI's newest art gallery, "WE Art Space," seeks submissions of art pieces for a July show around the theme "Paint By Numbers." Works will be accepted until June 27th. The gallery at 768 40th Street, corner of West Street, is run by Tina Dillman and Naaman Rosen, in what once was a corner barbershop. The gallery is currently exhibiting a show of photographs found and reprinted by Naaman Rosen, called "Found: In The Fifties." The gallery is open by appointment only. If interested, e-mail info@weartspace.com. If you wish to submit a work of art for the July show, either mail the art work (14"x14" or less), or drop it off on Fridays and Saturdays from 1 pm to 3 pm at the gallery. Include name, title and price, not to exceed $500. For more information, visit the WE Art Space website.
I
Arts Center hosts festival and barbeque
	Destiny Arts Center, at 1000 42nd Street, hosted a festival, barbeque and recital on June 6th, from noon to 6 pm in the adjacent Linden Park. While parents and neighbors ate barbeque, chatted and visited several informational booths, the Destiny students demonstrated their dance moves and martial arts skills. Destiny, standing for De-Escalation Skills Training Inspiring Non-violence in Youth, is funded by the City and various local corporations and non-profits, including Macy's, Target, Clorox, Kaiser Permanente, and many others. For more information, check out the Destiny Arts website.
I
Eli's Mile High Club sports new murals
	Eli's Mile High Club, the once-famous blues venue that has reincarnated itself as a local bar for a young clientele, has enhanced its facade by adding four colorful large murals facing the street. The new art work is a welcome change for a stretch of street blighted by weed-strewn empty lots, half-painted buildings and a park frequented by the homeless. The club has persisted for nearly a year now, despite being denied a cabaret permit by the city after neighbors expressed concerns about noise, rowdy behavior, crime and parking problems, based upon their experience with previous club owners. For more details on the permit issue, click here. The club has a storied history as the "Home of the West Coast Blues." Read the whole story.
I
Alawdi's Market offers fresh, organic produce
	Alawdi's Market, at the corner of Apgar and West Streets, has become one of the first corner stores in Oakland to join the Healthy Neighborhood Store Alliance. The Alliance seeks to bring fresh, organic produce to inner-city corner stores. Many corner stores cannot competitively offer fresh vegetables and fruits because, to compete with chain stores, they must buy in bulk. Unable to sell such large quantities, they keep the food on the shelves until it is neither fresh nor appetizing, and must charge high prices to make up for the spoilage. The Healthy Neighborhood Store Alliance assists small local merchants by buying produce in bulk from small, minority organic farmers, then distributing it to a network of small stores in appropriate quantities at reasonable prices. The Alliance also uses the assistance of youth volunteers from the McClymonds Community of Small Schools to set up displays, arrange the produce and remove unsold items, clean and maintain shelves, provide promotional literature and conduct community outreach. Support local merchants, enjoy fresh, organic produce, and assist small minority farmers by patronizing Alawdi's at 3841 West Street.
I
Local non-profit files for bankruptcy
	Community Development Corporation of Oakland, an affordable housing provider active in our neighborhood, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leaving uncertain the fate of several vacant lots the organization had land-banked for eventual use as sites of low-income housing. One of the sites is 3881 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, an empty lot that neighbors hope will one day be a community garden. Another is 3701 Martin Luther King, the former site of a picturesque gas station kiosk. The property was razed several years ago and the kiosk transported to southern California by a preservationist. Supposedly senior housing was to be built, but the property is currently home only to black storage barrels containing groundwater samples from monitoring wells. But the nonprofit did have some successes. What happened, and what can we learn from it? Read more!
I
Proposal for surveillance cameras moves forward -- finally
	In the fall of 2007, Lieutenant Paul Berlin of the Oakland Police Department asked the WOPAC to fund the pilot of a new surveillance camera system in West Oakland, including one camera in our neighborhood.  The context at the time was increased public concern about Oakland's rising homicide rate, that concern fanned by a contested City Council race.  Lt. Berlin was widely respected in the community and the WOPAC embraced the plan, recommending the City Council authorize $200,000 for a one-year pilot of ten cameras. Lt. Berlin subsequently retired (his name recently appeared in the media as a possible candidate for Oakland police chief).  The camera proposal went into a beaurocratic coma, awaiting the results of a study of camera effectiveness, information on achievements in other cities, and a decision on what types of cameras and network to purchase. A year and a half later, the project shows signs of life.  Jeff Baker of the City Administrator's Office stated that the Mayor's office was inquiring about the details of the proposal and the extent of community vetting and support.  Although details are scarce, apparently decisions on equipment have been made, a proposal has been drafted and is in circulation. The cameras will be part of a closed network that the community will not be able to access. Read the original story. . . The proposed camera locations include one on Apgar Street. View a map. A report was given by the City Administrator's office to the Public Safety Committee. Read the official memo.

I
City Council subcommittee approves neighborhood improvement projects
	On May 12th, the Community Economic Development Committee of the City Council unanimously approved for placement on the full council's "consent calendar" a resolution authorizing funding for three neighborhood improvement projects, previously approved by the West Oakland Project Area Committee ("WOPAC") on Wednesday, January 14th. The projects were approved for funding by the full council at their subsequent meeting on May 19th. The three Neighborhood Improvement Grant projects were proposed by JAMMI residents and are supported by neighborhood groups. One proposal would fund a dog park in the Grove-Shafter Park at 36th and MLK. A second would beautify the median strip on West MacArthur Blvd, and the third would place a security camera at Big O Tires. The dog park will provide separate areas for large and small dogs, adding a four foot high fence with a double-gate system, two water fountains, waste bag dispensers and benches.   The median improvement will add attractive trees and shrubs to the largely barren dirt strip that currently disgraces West MacArthur Boulevard. The community surveillance camera at Big O Tires will be accessible by community watch members and will record and store images that possibly could assist the police in solving crimes. Read the WOPAC's vision statement  for the area below 40th Street.
I
Extended family holds fundraiser for reunion
	The Brooks-Hill family held a fundraiser on Saturday, May 9th, in the parking lot of the King Solomon Baptist Church, 4322 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The intent was to raise funds for a family reunion to be held this summer at the Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline in Oakland. Some two dozen family members were active at the fundraiser, some washing cars, others barbecuing or vending chicken and fish dinners, cookies and other treats, while children played tag nearby. Deacon Larry Brooks of King Solomon Church cordially welcomed neighbors and estimated that some 200 relatives would attend the summer get-together. This was the second in a series of fundraisers. A third will be held soon in another part of Oakland.
I
Earth Day street fair delights the kids
	While no sanctioned Earth Day cleanups were scheduled in our neighborhood, the City of Emeryville hosted a street fair in Temescal Creek Park, which spans the city line between Oakland and Emeryville at 47th Street and Adeline. The event featured the obligatory hook-and-ladder, a sound stage with live music, a couple of food-and-drink stands, and no fewer than five inflatable bounce-houses for the kids, including one shaped like a submarine, another with inflated basketballs and hoops, and a tricycle race track with an inflated finish line that tended to blow over in the mild spring breeze. But the kids didn't mind. There were also crafts booths to make your own newspaper hat, and create your own jewelry. Off to the side, in the park itself, were informational booths about recycling, weeds and garden pests, and a proposed Emeryville recreation center. It was a fun little event on the nicest, sunniest afternoon so far of our new Spring.
I
Trees planted on West MacArthur
	The sounds of shovels hitting dirt filled the air on Thursday, April 2nd, when volunteers for Urban Releaf planted twenty street trees near West MacArthur and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. According to Kemba Shakur, who founded Urban Releaf in 1998, the Plant-a-Tree Day event was co-sponsored by the Golden State Warriors and Esurance. Among the many volunteers participating in the tree planting were Warriors team members Kelenna Azubuike, Brandon Wright and C.J. Watson, as well as Warriors President Robert Rowell and Esurance CEO Gary Tolman. Photos of the event can be found on the Warriors website. Urban Releaf would like to return and plant more trees as early as May 30th, perhaps in conjunction with the Ella Baker Center and other groups, but funding is an issue. Expected state funding has been withheld due to the state budget crisis. And the WOPAC voted against funding Urban Releaf's tree planting neighborhood project initiative, citing the absence of an area umbrella plan for tree planting.
I
BART protest is a bust
	A protest at the MacArthur BART station on April 2nd was, by its own measure, a non-event. Protesters still agitated by the death of Oscar Grant III had vowed "the intention is for the impact of this protest to shut down the station!" But the second in a planned series of protests at BART stations failed to disrupt anyone's commute. A small handful of activists, armed with a banner and a bullhorn, scrawled chalk messages such as "Disband the BART police!" and "Justice for Oscar" on the plaza cement behind police barricades. Bored police chatted idly with each other while commuters scurried by, barely noticing the activity.  Newspapers and television media ignored the event.
I
"The Nameless" loses its name
	Several months after a set of six handpainted mural panels gradually appeared on the outside of The Nameless community center on MLK, long-closed since former owner and community activist Mike Ramstrom's death, the building has been repainted, the murals finished (one has vanished to be replaced by a window), and the signage is gone.  The Nameless is next door to Marcus Books, which sports its own mural by local artist Jimi Evins. Together, the various panels and colorful paint treatment give a welcome new look to a block troubled by graffiti, empty lots and boarded up buildings.
I
Bike lanes -- finally
	The long-promised bike lanes at the MacArthur BART station, on 40th Street between Telegraph and Martin Luther King Jr. Way, are finally a reality. Late last winter, crews scraped off the existing asphalt, resurfaced the street, and now have restriped it, narrowing the auto lanes to allow bike lanes to be striped. The next step is to extend the lanes down 40th Street to join the north-south bike lanes on West and Market. To accomplish this, the median strip must be narrowed. At a meeting of the Market Street Corridor Neighborhood Association on March 19th, a community member suggested to Council President Jane Brunner that this project be prioritized for our neighborhood. Extending the bike lanes is not a new idea. Early in 2008, the City completed a study that recommended narrowing the median on 40th Street to allow bike lanes to be striped in both directions. Mailers have been sent to affected residents seeking support.  Jason Patton, a program analyst with the Community Economic Development Agency, described to the WOPAC in August 2008 the need for an east-west bicycle connector that services MacArthur BART, and the reasons that 40th Street works for a bike route as opposed to West MacArthur Blvd. For more info, click here!

I/span>
EBMUD offers free water-saving items
	Concerned about saving water in this time of drought? Suspect you have a leak? EBMUD offers, for free, kits and equipment you can use to save water. The free stuff includes a test kit to help you find a leak, dye tablets, low-flow showerheads, kitchen sink aerators, moisture sensors, hose nozzles and literature. You can order it from the EBMUD website, at www.ebmud.com.

I
Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils bring neighbors together
	Monthly meetings of the Beat 10Y Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council ("NCPC") and the Beat 06X NCPC were held in late February. Neighbors gathered to discuss problem properties with Oakland police problem-solving officers ("PSOs"), hear about Measure Y programs, and learn about earthquake preparedness. JAMMI is split between two police beats, 10Y and 06X. 10Y includes the area north of 40th Street, to the Berkeley border. 06X encompasses the region south of 40th, extending south of the 580 freeway. Each beat has its own NCPC. The Market Street NCPC for 10Y meets each month on the fourth Wednesday at Santa Fe School at 7:00 pm. The Beat 6 Advocates meet the fourth Thursday at 6:00 pm at 900 34th St. At each meeting, the Neighborhood Service Coordinator ("NSC") is present, along with the PSO for the area, and frequently other patrol officers. The meetings are chaired by elected community members. At the Market Street NCPC meeting, Sue Piper from Jean Quan's office spoke about earthquake preparedness, emphasizing retrofitting and knowing one's neighbor. The Beat 6 Advocates meeting featured Frank Davis of America Works discussing his organization's efforts to find jobs for parolees and probationers, Pastor Guy of the 7th Day Adventist Church, talking about the pastors' crime prevention and youth outreach program, Eric Johnson of Oakland Housing Authority, mentioning $10 million in stimulus money coming for property rehabilitation, and a representative from EBMUD announcing a program that supplies free low-flow fixture accessories. At both meetings, Brightstar Ohlson of Gibson and Associates informed the community about an upcoming evaluation of Measure Y programs. Separately, evaluation forms were provided to allow community members to prioritize suggested enhancements to the community policing process.
I
Halal Cafe changes name, keeps menu
	The Halal Cafe, on the corner of 45th and Martin Luther King, has changed its name to "Your Community Cafe," but the menu remains the same. The Holistic Halal Cafe opened the week of December 15th at 4501 MLK, a block from the Lighthouse Mosque. "Halal" is an Arabic word that, in this context, refers to food that has been prepared in accordance with the laws of Islam. Don't expect to find any pork or alcohol on the menu. The eatery offers a variety of burgers, including tofu, veggie, beef, turkey and chicken, fish sandwiches, as well as an assortment of pies and other desserts. A turkey burger with a small salad runs $6.50. Less than two months later, the black-on-purple sign was replaced by a purple-on-black banner proclaiming the place to be "Your Community Cafe". The menu signage has also changed, but the choices look to be the same. The space allows for three or four small tables inside.  When the weather is nice, one can sit outside in front.  Takeouts, of course, are available. The hours are not posted in the window and appear to be fluid, but generally the place is open from 5 am to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, 5 pm to midnight on Friday and Saturday. While an internet posts claims the cafe is open at 8 am on Sunday, it was closed at 9 am on a recent Sunday visit.
I
CORE training readies neighbors for emergencies
	CORE ("Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies") training at St. Martin De Porres school on the evening of February 10th educated neighbors about how to respond as a community following an earthquake. This training attempts to organize and prepare neighborhoods to deal as a community with the immediate aftermath of a disaster such as earthquake or fire. Topics include organizing teams to perform search and rescue, damage assessment, communication, hazard reduction, and to create an incident command center and shelter to assist victims. Some 14 neighbors took time out from their busy evening to attend. The CORE series of courses include an evening to discuss personal and family preparedness, a second session about community preparedness, and, for those with enduring interest, further training in emergency hands-on training and citywide leadership. Classes are open, free of charge, to Oakland residents. Call 510-238-6351 for more information.
I
MacArthur BART Transit Village grant in limbo
	On July 3rd the state awarded the MacArthur BART Transit Village $34 million, but the money has been frozen by the state budget crisis. Now that we have a state budget, when will the funds be released? The award by the California Department of Housing and Community Development ("HCD") was funded by Proposition 1C through the Infrastructure Grant Program and the Transit Oriented Development Program. This was the second biggest award announced by the state. On December 19, 2008, however, HCD announced that funds awarded but not yet drawn would be frozen until the state budget was approved and the treasurer could resume selling state bonds. In January, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer's office clarified that the governor must sign a budget that raises revenue and is not subject to a lawsuit before investors will buy newly issued bonds.  The governor has since signed the budget -- but the bonds have not yet been issued. According to Jens Hillmer of Oakland's Community Economic Development Agency, the moratorium is not having an immediate impact on the MacArthur BART Transit Village project because the project is not at a position where it needs to draw the funds. An owner participation agreement is being negotiated between the City and the developer; it should go to the City Council for approval in June. In the meantime, the developer is going ahead with site acquisition of the two motels bordering the BART lot.
I
Grove-Shafter Park's fate tied to Caldecott Tunnel
	Will little-used Grove-Shafter Park remain open? Maintenance of the park has become a hot potato to be tossed back and forth between the City and CalTrans, from which the City leases the park. The lease expired some time ago. Lease renewal negotiations are ongoing but the outcome remains uncertain. Public Works is losing 28 or 29 maintenance workers as a result of the City's budget crisis. Each worker is responsible for some six to ten acres of parkland. Public Works is left with few alternatives for maintaining existing services. Pushing the responsibility for park maintenance at Grove-Shafter over to CalTrans has obvious appeal given the current budget conditions. As part of his budget proposal, Mayor Dellums suggested that agreements with other agencies be reviewed with an eye toward transferring responsibilities to those partners. He also pledged not to close any parks. In December, a community resident reported that Zac Wald of Jane Brunner's office had assured that the park's lease was being renewed by the City. On January 8th, Councilmember Nancy Nadel reported the lease was being reviewed by the City Attorney. On January 26th, CalTrans notified the City that the lease was being rescinded in order to use a different lease template. The lease negotiations are being bundled with negotiations for the lease on Hardy Park, and that park is impacted by an active lawsuit over improvements to the Caldecott Tunnel. The impact may be that the lease renewal for Grove Shafter Park gets stalled waiting for the outcome of the lawsuit. The largest of JAMMI's few parks, Grove-Shafter is actually three parks that were created when the MacArthur freeway maze was built. One portion, known to many as Marcus Garvey Memorial Park, lies north of Interstate 580 and west of state Highway 24, also bordered by Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Another section of the park extends south of Interstate 580, behind the Greenland Market. And, a third section can be found to the east of Highway 24, on the north side of 34th Street. Grove-Shafter Park is in a blighted area. Overarched by noisy freeway ramps and close to the BART tracks, it does not present the most attractive location for picnics or family gatherings. Most of the people who currently use the park appear to be either homeless, or drug users, increasing the safety concerns of other users. The few benches are far from the street, and exit paths are circumscribed by the freeways or buildings. The result is that the park has been underutilized for years. Nearby residents have applied for a grant to build a dog run on the northern edge of the park, but that proposal is now emperiled by the uncertainty of the park's future.
I
Farmers Market provides fresh alternative
	Every Wednesday from 2:15 pm to 5:30 pm, a Farmers' Market in the Sacred Heart Church parking lot offers the community fresh, organic produce at reasonable prices. While not as large as the Temescal Farmers Market, Phat Beets produce provides a mid-week source of fresh vegetables and fruits at a convenient location. On a recent Wednesday, I found broccoli for $1.50 a pound, carrots for $1.00 a bunch and -- my favorite -- radishes for 75 cents. I also saw cabbage, greens, cauliflower, potatoes, yams, apples and oranges. Parking is plentiful and the farmers are friendly. It's great to have a source for fresh vegetables close at hand without having to drive or bike all the way to Berkeley Bowl, Koreana Plaza, Safeway or Pak 'n' Save.
I
New coin laundry opens
	A new coin laundry, the Northside coin laundry, opened in mid-December at 4500 Market Street, on the corner of 45th. Washes cost from $2.75 to $5.75, depending upon the size of the load. Dryers accept quarters. All washers are environmentally-friendly front-loaders.
I
Illegal dumping reaches a crescendo
	Due to the City's budget crisis, the Public Works Department was closed from December 24th through January 4th. This closure was evidenced by ever-growing piles of illegally-dumped garbage and debris on the streets of our neighborhood. I have counted four sofas, mattresses, a refrigerator, numerous Christmas trees and various piles of garbage discarded in the public right-of-way around the neighborhood. One of the most extreme examples was in front of 949 West MacArthur, a boarded-up property near the Emeryville border. Public Works classifies illegal dumping as an emergency if it blocks the sidewalk or street. After an attempt to notify Public Works by e-mail was fruitless ("delivery failure"), I called the hotline and found myself transferred to the Fire Department, who took the information on January 4th, and promised to pass it on to Public Works. The debris was gone within a week. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, folks. To report illegal dumping, call 615-5566.
I
I
3900 Adeline moves closer to reality
	Development of 101 condos and work/live units on the Oakland/Emeryville border has successfully navigated the permit and entitlement process of two city governments.  The final step in that process was a vote by the Emeryville City Council on January 20th. According to Frank Flores, Director of Development for Madison Park Financial Corporation, the project went to the Design Review Committee of Oakland's Planning Commission in September. The Oakland committee requested changes to the portion of the project that would be built in Emeryville. A revised plan went before Oakland's Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board on November 17th.  That body requested additional analysis on saving the portion of the historic facade on the corner of 39th and Adeline.  Although that effort was found to be economically unfeasible, on December 3rd, Oakland's Planning Commission voted 5 - 0 to proceed with the plans as drawn. Emeryville's Planning Commission subsequently voted 6 - 0 on December 11th to forward the project to their City Council, who were to vote on January 20th. The project is the redevelopment of a 1.12-acre site located along Adeline Street between Yerba Buena Avenue and 39th Street, consisting of five parcels. The  western three-quarters of the site are located in the City of Emeryville. The proposed project would result in the demolition of the existing, single-story un-reinforced brick building and replacement with four interconnected three-story buildings. Of the 101 residential rental units (mostly studios and one-bedrooms), some 20 units plus six work/live spaces would be in Oakland (17 of them less than 700 sq ft in size). The project would include 1,000 sq ft of retail on Adeline (a café), an interior courtyard, and 119 below-grade parking spaces. The density of the project is about double what existing Oakland code normally allows. The planned parking does not meet Emeryville’s usual requirements. The existing building was originally a bottling plant, from 1917 to 1924. The City of Oakland’s Cultural Heritage Survey rated the property as “C3”, meaning that it is a property of “Secondary Importance” and is a “superior or visually important example.” Read the Environmental Impact Report. . .
I
Sleet in the street
	In a wet end to a dry year, sleet fell the morning of December 15th, at 6:30 am, here in our neighborhood. This unusual weather was part of a downpour that brought some much-needed rain to our parched trees and shrubs. It's rare to see sleet, snow or hail at our low elevation, but a cold front from the Gulf of Alaska delivered this short-lived reminder of the Christmas season.
I
Security cameras: how useful are they?
	The WOPAC has voted to support a local neighborhood watch group's proposal to install another security camera in our neighborhood. Will this deter crime? How effective are such cameras? Is this a shrewd investment that will assist our police in a cost-effective manner, or is it another waste of taxpayers' funds? What has been the experience in other communities? Click here to read the 411 !
I
New church under construction
	A new church, the Oakland Greater New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, is under construction in our neighborhood at 751 47th Street. The location is next to the historic Key System building, currently undergoing renovation, where streetcars on Grove Street (now called Martin Luther King Jr. Way) turned around at the banks of Temescal Creek, up until November 28, 1948.  The creek itself was "undergrounded" in the 1980's. When completed, this church will join the 17 religious institutions currently serving our neighborhood.
I
Manzanita offers a quality vegan dining experience
	If you are looking for a good vegan restaurant, or simply want a different dining experience, the Manzanita Restaurant at 40th and Linden Streets awaits. The restaurant offers refreshingly different fare in a quiet, relaxed setting. The restaurant is somewhat unique in that each meal is prepared "comida" style; everyone get the same thing. Your only decision is portion size (full meal or moderate), although a "simple meal" is available for those on a tight budget. Service typically starts with a bowl of soup, followed by a plate containing a wheel of five delightful entrees, with a rice dish as the hub. Tea or water comes with the meal. Items can be ordered a la carte. A recent meal began with a hot bowl of yam, squash and miso soup swimming with a few brave slices of green onion. The plate that quickly followed was anchored by a scoop of baked rice with quinoa, surrounded by sauted broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and carrot, soy beans with onion, garlic and ginger, a mixed green salad with dressing of lemon-mustard and almond butter, and steamed greens with an eye-catching pink sauce of beet, apple, onion and shitake mushrooms. During nice weather, the patio on Linden Street offers your choice of sun or shade under the flowering vines. The patio boasts a large wire sculpture of a unicorn by Mardi Storm.  Inside seating is arranged in two rooms to allow quiet conversation without one having to strain to be heard.  Service is prompt but unobtrusive. In the 1990's, the site housed the Macrobiotic Cafe.  That establishment offered meal cards for daily patrons.  Volunteers were encouraged to work at the cafe in return for board.  A small store offered for sale the types of ingredients used in preparing the restaurant's dishes. The current enterprise rests on the shoulders of Julie S. Ong, head chef and a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and the Kushi Institute.  On the first Saturday of each month, Ms. Ong hosts a macrobiotic workshop at the Manzanita.  On December 13th from 3:00 to 5:30, the topic will be "Edible Energy."  Pre-paid reservations are mandatory and seating is limited. The Manzanita Restaurant (510-985-8386) is open seven days a week at 4001 Linden Street, with lunch from 11:30 to 2:30 and dinner from 5:30 to 9:00. Daily menus are posted on the www.manzanitarestaurant.com website.  Mastercard and Visa are accepted. While not exactly a restaurant district, JAMMI features other dining opportunities. Cafe Dejena, Las Palmas, and Eli's Mile High Club offer a small variety of dining options. The cuisine varies from burgers and hot dogs to Eritrean specialties and Mexican food. Read more about these restaurants, and share your own opinions!

I
Graffiti coverup exposes need for new approach
Should our neighborhood look like this?	Public Works has been impressively quick to address documented complaints about graffiti in our neighborhood. But, their response leaves more work for the property owners and the City. The typical response is to paint over graffiti with whatever leftover paint seems remotely similar. The result: a crazy patchwork which is an eyesore itself. For more thoughts, read this!

I