MONTCLARION: December 13, 2013

OAKLANDTRIBUNE.COM: December 6, 2013

If there’s one thing that folks like to talk about, it’s the weather. Newscasts lead with it — tourism boards boast about it and forecasters live for it.

So does Bill Searfus, a Montclarion with a high-tech weather station above Thornhill Nursery. We’ll get to his prediction for winter in a minute, but first, let’s look at how he developed this passion. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: November 22, 2013

You’ve heard of farm-to-fork? Well, this is about seed-to-snack. It’s the story of popcorn, and how one Oakland shop owner is turning a childhood treat into a gourmet delight. Scarecrow, 3435 Lakeshore Ave., is the brainchild of Tish Moore, who grew up with some of the best popcorn on the planet — in Chicago. “Not unlike our famous pizza, our popcorn is unique,” she says, adding it’s so good, “people threaten their friends and family to return with popcorn or not come home!” Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: November 7, 2013

In Seinfeld’s classic “Soup Nazi” episode, the chef barks out “No soup for you!” Well, that isn’t the case at the Kinstle house. An abundance of broth will abound at the hills couple’s annual soup party Dec. 7. Since 2003, Maggie and John have opened their home to friends and newcomers, alike, for a night of soups, appetizers and desserts. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: November 1, 2013

We are well into autumn, yet the earth has never looked so alive. Just ask hills artist Laurie Statton, who is busy gathering gourds, leaves and pods for her living wreaths. A former floral designer, Statton has been making and selling her wreaths for four years. She loves the fruits of fall, using everything from lemons to flowers and herbs in her botanical art. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: October 25, 2013

One aisle has pumpkins — the other has baubles and wreaths. Thanks to the sputtering economy and six fewer days between Black Friday on Nov. 29 and Christmas, the lines have been blurred between Halloween and the holidays. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: October 18, 2013

The lazy days of October are upon us. The sun gets up late and retires early. The leaves turn and swirl to the ground. Pumpkins take on human characteristics and stand guard (or is it gourd?) in yards across the land. Of all the fall holidays, Halloween is my favorite. No major meals to make, no relatives to entertain and no gifts. It’s just chili and costumes and silliness. This year, I’m going as the government slim-down — just a thin sheet of tin foil devoid of transparency. Meanwhile …. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: October 9, 2013

For a little swath of land, Splash Pad Park has a big following. The greenbelt at Grand Avenue and Lake Park turns 10 on Oct. 20, and neighbors say the place will be rocking with five Oakland bands and a beverage garden. Splash Pad Park has an interesting past. In the early ’90s, it was a severely neglected piece of land that the city wanted to turn into a commercial development. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: October 4, 2013

It was painful, but I did it. I shelled out $18 for parking at the O.co Coliseum. Over time, I supposed I’ll get over it — but it does pose an interesting question: what is a premium parking place worth these days?

Montclarions may soon find out. The Village is being considered for the city’s first test of flex meter parking. Motorists would pay up to $3 an hour on popular streets, such as Antioch Court, and as little as 50 cents an hour on streets with plenty of parking, such as Mountain Boulevard. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: September 20, 2013

It could have happened to anyone. A dog owner was walking his pet on Park Boulevard the other night, when three men came out of the shadows and robbed him. The dog, Theo, must have been traumatized because he took off running and wasn’t spotted until the next morning. Continue reading →