MONTCLARION: January 26, 2011

It was fun while it lasted. After two trailblazing months, the pop-up shop Montclair Collective has closed for retooling.

Co-owner Reenie Raschke says November and December were “wonderful” for the collective of craftsmen and women. “Great response — total love-fest,” she says, adding that what started with a few local artisans turned into a place where neighbors came down with their pottery, photography and even musical instruments. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: January 20, 2012

Cupid, take note. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’ve discovered a new way to revitalize a relationship. Extreme sports.

What I mean is extreme interest in sports. It’s no revelation that most men love ballgames — to the point where they scream at the TV, causing neighbors to wonder if someone is being bludgeoned. As partners, we ply them with chicken wings and chips in the hopes that their mouths will be too full to cheer at earsplitting decibels. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: January 13, 2012

News of Oakland’s ranking in the top five places to visit in 2012 is “blowing up Facebook,” according to my college-aged daughter.

A lot of young people are commenting on a New York Times article, which cites Oakland’s “excellent restaurants, exciting music venues and thriving night life” as reasons to visit. It’s nice to see our young people taking pride in Oakland. It’s their infusion of talent that helps create positive buzz for our city. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: January 6, 2012

“Power to the people.” Remember that old ’60s sticker that was slapped on everything from brick walls to VW vans? Well, the people have won big on Estates Drive, where neighbors say T-Mobile has withdrawn its application to install a 55-foot monopine at the Dingee Reservoir.

I reported last fall that homeowners were rallying to keep the cell tower (designed to look like a tree) from “taking root” in their neighborhood. They even hired an attorney to help them write an appeal to the Planning Commission. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: December 29, 2011

The curtain comes down on the holiday season this weekend. It’s been quite a run, and, frankly, I’m pooped. What other season triggers a six-week celebration and a calorie count in six figures? My body needs a break.

Still … some of you may be holding onto the holidays, and that’s OK, too. The party continues at places like The Fat Lady, where owner Patricia Rossi has created a winter wonderland inside her popular Jack London restaurant. She’ll keep the display up until mid-January. Likewise, one of the season’s best Broadway plays runs through this weekend: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Musical” at the Golden Gate Theatre. Never has a grinch been so lovable. He wraps the audience around his furry, green fingers. Continue reading →

Old friends front and center at the flashmob reunion

MONTCLARION: December 23, 2011

A guy walks into a bar. No, this isn’t a joke — it’s a story about social networking.

So, this guy walks into a bar, and suddenly I’m traveling through time back to 1971 and my senior year of high school. He was dreamy back then — with blond hair and a mischievous grin. And now he’s standing in front of me at the Gold Nugget in Glen Lake, Minn.

This is the power of Facebook. It started as a page for my graduating class and quickly morphed into a time machine, with yearbook photos and commentary and chatter about classmates and teachers. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: December 16, 2010

From “talkies” to texting — Elfie Larkin has seen it all in her last 100 years on this Earth. But one of her highlights has to be the surprise party thrown for her recently at the Oakland Zoo.

More than 160 of Larkin’s friends — including a collection of cousins from Sweden — gathered in the Snow Building on Dec. 7 for a grand celebration that included singing and dancing, a catered cocktail party and a military flag ceremony. Continue reading →

I close my eyes and make a wish with Santa……….

MONTCLARION: December 8, 2011

It’s still three weeks till Christmas, and there’ve already been hundreds of Santa sightings. I’ve seen him in department stores and minimalls and at numerous holiday soirees.

He was even at the Montclair Village Holiday Stroll, surrounded by wide-eyed children waiting patiently to meet with the big guy.

How does he do it? Until today, I hadn’t a clue. Then a neighbor gave me the answer: Santa clones himself at Christmas. She saw eight jolly fat men at the airport the other day, and I spotted two more on BART. Santa truly is ubiquitous, the envy of all of us as we try to fit in as many parties and concerts as we can this holiday season. Continue reading →

Rudolph has got nothin on this big dawg

MONTCLARION: December 1, 2011

“The big boys are up!”

With those five little words, my neighbor has kicked off the Christmas season. The “big boys” are those eye-popping, old-fashioned lights with the big, bright bulbs — a la Clark Griswold’s work in “Christmas Vacation.” Continue reading →

Montclarion: November 25, 2011

It’s the day after Thanksgiving. Do you know where your turkey is?

If you’re anything like me, your bird has been picked to pieces by now, with some of it simmering in a soup and the rest bubbling gently in an oven casserole.

Having grown up in Minnesota, I can say with great pride that I make a mean Turkey Noodle Doodah Casserole. One year I mentioned this on KCBS radio and had dozens of listeners requesting the recipe. I told them what I’ll tell you now — it’s all about the layering. Continue reading →