Finding life beyond the legal arena

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HILLS NEWSPAPERS: October 1, 2010

When Harvey Hyman was a boy, he dreamed of being a marine biologist. He must have been dreaming in color — because his thoughts were consumed with clown fish and yellow tangs.

But like many youngsters from professional families (his father, both uncles and older brother were doctors), Hyman felt pressure to be something more powerful and profitable than a man who worked with the sea. So he became an attorney and, after 25 years of soul-numbing stress, he crashed into a severe depression. Continue reading →

Happy Wanderer: City by the Bay’s perfect day

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HILLS NEWSPAPERS: October 1, 2010

There are days when I feel like nothing is mine — not the towel on the rack, not the change on my vanity, not even the half a burrito I was saving for later. But when I visit San Francisco in autumn — I feel like I own the place.

Consider a city so loved, it’s practically strangled in summer. But as the days shorten, so do the lines at the cable car turnaround and other popular tourist attractions. That’s when I feel like Herb Caen. That’s when it’s my city, baby. Continue reading →

Citizens Unite to Fight Oakland Crime

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     MONTCLARION: September 17, 2010

     There’s a lot of talk about crime, these days, and quite frankly it’s making me mad. When you live in a city that doesn’t spend wisely and you’re told there’s no money for police – you get a little anxious.

     What can we do as citizens – to protect our loved ones and property? The answers are out there, we just need to pick the one that’s the best fit. Continue reading →

Wendy Tokuda: TV Anchor wields a mean weed wrench

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OAKLAND TRIBUNE: September 9, 2010

She may be petite, but this woman can wield a weed wrench. Acclaimed television anchor/reporter Wendy Tokuda is waging war against one of nature’s bitter enemies – invasive plants. Seven years ago, when Tokuda first moved to the hills from Piedmont , she noticed that French and Scotch broom were choking the native plants in her neighboring parks. Being an avid gardener, Tokuda couldn’t let the weeds win. Continue reading →

Farmers Markets: They’re Cropping up Everywhere

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MONTCLARION: September 10, 2010

Are we becoming foodies, or what? We’ve got everything from dolmas to donuts in Montclair, along with two – count ‘em, two farmers markets. Yes – there’s the big one on La Salle every Sunday and a ‘mini market’ on Tuesday mornings (10 am) at Coldwell Banker. 

“It’s more like a bake sale/farmers market,” says realtor Kerry Seo, who says they raised $284 last week for Habitat for Humanity. “We had one bottle of homemade Lemoncello, two bottles of wine, homemade organic chicken and veggie soup, homemade cookies, a homemade pecan rum pie and more.”  The office staff must have been baking and brewing into the night to get ready. Continue reading →

Town Crier: A New Kind of Road Rage

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MONTCLARION: September 3, 2010

My mechanic gave me a tongue-lashing the other day. It was like something out of a Seinfeld episode.

“Have you been rotating your tires?” he inquired. “Because your tires are shot and your wheels are out of alignment.” Wait. Didn’t I just buy new tires a year ago? And didn’t I just get a wheel alignment?

Then it dawned on me. It’s Ascot Drive and dozens of other Oakland roads that are so pitted and potted, they might as well be in Beirut. Continue reading →

Happy Wanderer: Catalina Jazz Festival

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HILLS NEWSPAPERS: September 3, 2010

Wrigley's Casino

When chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. built the Casino on Catalina Island (circa 1928), he wasn’t thinking about gambling. It was music this visionary had in mind for the elegant circular structure by the sea.

Wrigley would no doubt be proud to promote one of the island’s most elegant events, the upcoming JazzTrax Festival, Sept. 30-Oct. 17. With more than 40 artists on three consecutive weekends, the old Art Deco structure is sure to be swaying again. Continue reading →

Town Crier: Beware the Montclair ‘garbage police’

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MONTCLARION: August 27, 2010

They aren’t kidding when they call it the Dog Days of Summer.

I’m getting complaints about everything from soot in the air to the “garbage police” running amok in the hills. The sooty air is being documented by a number of homeowners, who say there’s a black film on their window sills and patio furniture. Reader Chris Piganelli blames the Caldecott Tunnel construction for aggravating his allergies.

“I need a third bore in my nose just to breathe” he says sniffingly. Continue reading →