IT’S A SUNNY Sunday in Montclair Village. Happy, smiling people are gathering at the usual “watering holes” — outside the coffee shops and along La Salle for the Farmers Market. Two guys are playing mandolin and guitar outside Peet’s, and a yellow lab and beagle mix is shaking paws outside Starbucks. The dog is running for mayor, so I give him my vote.

Montclair is such a welcoming place. It pains me to think of our vulnerabilities. But each time there’s a robbery, I find myself growing more guarded. Two armed gunmen hit up Crogans the other night. Word is, they scared a lot of people. It makes me angry when I think about how helpless those victims must have felt, and how it could have been any one of us in there that night.

What are we going to do about it? The merchants in the Glenview (where there were a spate of armed robberies recently) are on high alert – holding meetings and formulating a plan. But we need the Oakland Police Department’s help.

We need a beat cop who can walk the streets of our neighborhoods, day and night. And the only way we’ll get it — is to push for it. It’s time to start pushing.

HITTING HOME: Speaking of crime, a reader in Redwood Heights had her home broken into in broad daylight recently, despite the fact that her two dogs were barking and several neighbors were home.

“All of my jewelry was stolen, as well as my husband’s laptop and a digital camera,” she writes, adding that the burglar took several ofher grandmother’s rings as well as her mother’s charm bracelet. “Please remind your female readers not to hide jewelry in their underwear drawers, their nightstands, or in the closet inside handbags or shoe boxes,” she warns. “The thief went right to all of these places and dumped everything on the floor of the bedroom.”

More good advice — make sure your jewelry is listed on your homeowners insurance policy.

E-MAIL BAG: Whenever I write about Montclair’s traffic manners (or lack there-of) I get a flurry of response. One of the most interesting replies comes from reader Emily Sparks, who says she was parked in front of Head-Royce School when an AC Transit bus pulled up and some young people started shouting profanities at her. Then a girl pushed open her window and spit on Spark’s car.

“I was hurt, disgusted and alarmed,” she writes. “I have friends with children at Montera and Skyline, and they know this goes on; they avoid the buses completely.”

Sparks wonders what can be done. Probably the best thing to do is to call AC Transit and report any incidents. If enough people call, it may prompt the drivers to get involved when they see their young passengers acting out.

INTERNATIONAL FLAIR: Greek singer Margarita lit up the stage last weekend at the annual Greek Festival at Ascension Cathedral. A Berkeley native, the 28-year-old has caught fire in Greece since appearing on Greece’s hit TV show “Fame Story,” which is a little like our “American Idol.” After finishing in the top six, she and the other finalists performed throughout Greece and several other countries, making the cover of numerous magazines.

She has returned to the East Bay to make a name for herself in the U.S.

Irish singer Jack L. had his own hills performance this past Saturday night, in a benefit for the victims of the genocide in Darfur. A big star in Europe, Jack L. has a sister in Montclair and graciously agreed to sing at the fund-raiser at the Hills Swim Club. He was amazed at the warm reception and how everyone came together for such a faraway cause. A total of $42,000 was raised that night — an astounding amount — and a testimony to what a few friends can do when they set their mind to it.

PUNNY PLATE: Spotted in the lot at Willow Park Golf Course near Redwood Park, a car with the vanity plates “IH8GOLF”. Obviously, the driver is wrestling with his/her demons.

THIS IS A TALE of two passports. One belonging to a seasoned traveler and the other newly ordered for a teenage boy. In both cases, the stories punctuate the stress of international travel these days.

The seasoned traveler was connecting in Dallas for a flight to Costa Rica when she was stopped at security. Her passport, they said, had a dog-eared corner and was thus invalid. The airline put her on the next flight home. She never made it to the rain forest.

The boy also was going to Costa Rica, on a school trip. He’d been waiting 12 weeks for his passport and as the travel date neared, it still hadn’t come. His panicked parents called U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee’s office and got no help. But an urgent e-mail to Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s office had an almost immediate reaction. A call from her assistant said the passport would arrive the next day — by overnight delivery. The boy got his documents and had a wonderful trip.

There are a million and one travel stories in the big city. These are just two of them. Draw whatever lessons you’d like — and pass the information along. It may just help someone you know have a smoother trip.

GLENVIEW CRIME: It was good to see a walking police officer patrolling the Glenview district the other night. Some of my favorite restaurants and shops are in that neighborhood, and the recent crime wave has a lot of us on a higher alert. Let’s give the Oakland Police Department our thanks and support, and keep pushing for more police protection in the hills.

SAD NEWS: Friends and family packed the recent memorial service for local mom Susie Robertson. Susie was well-known in the community as the founder of a popular support group for parents of twins. She died after a heart-wrenching struggle with pancreatic cancer. Her husband, Doug, says a memorial fund has been started in Susie’s honor and donations can be made to Twins by the Bay, 6116 La Salle Ave., No. 738, Oakland, CA 94611

SOUND CHECK: Montclair musician Caren Armstrong debuts her new CD “Everything” this Sunday at Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. It was recorded right here in the hills at Wildplum Studios, which proves you never know what your neighbors are up to. Caren is a great entertainer with a playful (and occasionally pithy) mix of folk, country, blues, jazz and pop in her bag. Her upcoming show will feature a few friends, including guitarist Glenn Houston, drummer Peter Tucker and bass player Chris Kee.

FREEBIE ALERT: This is NOT a commercial for Bank of the West. But I have to say, I’m quite pleased with the free toaster I just got for opening a new checking account at the Montclair branch. It makes smiley faces on my bread! The toaster giveaway is one of those retro marketing campaigns to get new accounts, and it’s working. It doesn’t hurt, either, to have the banks making fresh cinnamon toast each morning when they open their doors. The aroma alone puts a smile on your face — even if you’re overdrawn.

LANDMARK RESURRECTED: Remember how you used to stop at the Nut Tree in Vacaville on your way to Tahoe and back? The old travelers’ rest is back, with a new look patterned after the open marketplace in San Francisco’s Ferry Building. Stores and restaurants are gradually coming on board, including an Oakland institution — Fentons Creamery on Piedmont Avenue. A Black and Tan sundae covered with nuts and whipped cream is enough to make anyone pull off the highway. It’s great to see the Nut Tree up and running again.

ONE OF IRELAND’S emerging stars is flying into town next week for a benefit concert at the Hills Swim & Tennis Club. And while it may seem odd that a swim club would host an event like this, it’s actually the perfect spot for an intimate performance.

The Hills overlooks a pastoral setting much like Ireland, which should make artist Jack Lukeman — a.k.a. Jack L, feel right at home. Add to that a Hangar One Vodka bar, food and wine from top local restaurants and a live and silent auction, and you’ve got a world-class party. Tickets are $85 and the proceeds go to help the women of Darfur. For more information see the Web site http://www.friends4darfur.googlepages.com.

ANIMAL ELECTION: The hairballs are flying as Montclair prepares for yet another four-legged mayoral race. The fourth annual “Pet” Mayor competition is underway and the voting runs through June 24, when the winner will be announced at the Sunday Farmers Market. You may remember that a dog named Zoe won last year’s election by a nose. (A cold one, at that). I’m going out on a limb to say that a cat would be better suited for office. We need a self-reliant, sure-footed mayor who won’t roll over to special interests. Cat lovers unite — and let’s pull for the tabby. To nominate your pet, call Montclair Veterinary Hospital at 510-339-8600.

DOWNWARD DOG: You don’t have to fly to India to take yoga from a master. Rajashree Choudhury iscoming to Berkeley’s Funky Door Yoga Studio (2567 Shattuck Ave.) at 11 a.m. this Saturday. She’s the five-time winner of the All-India Yoga Championships, and the wife of the man who founded Bikram Yoga. The class costs $45 and the proceeds go to the BOSS Children’s Learning Center.

CURTAIN CALL: What would you do if you suddenly lost your home of 40-plus years? Reader Judy Rosenberg says the East Bay Children’s Theatre is being told to pack up its props and vacate its workshop and storage site in Mosswood Park. Apparently, Oakland Parks and Rec needs the building back, and has told the nonprofit group to get out by June 30. This is a great group of volunteers who bring free musical theater to disadvantaged schools. If you know of a storage space they can use, contact EBCT at http://www.ebct.org.

PACKED HOUSE: It was great to see so many old friends at Regan McMahon’s book signing in Montclair last week. Her new book “Revolution in the Bleachers” has triggered a lively debate on the pressures of playing youth sports, and she’s getting plenty of play on radio, TV and in publications across the country. Speaking of pressures, McMahon had to write in the wee hours of the night, after long days at work and hurried family dinners. Something tells me she’s used to this kind of schedule. Her husband, Blair, has six books under his belt.

AUCTION BLOCK: Josh Braff was the hot ticket at the recent live auction for Oakland’s Elizabeth House. The local fiction writer (who also happens to be the brother of Zach Braff from the hit TV show “Scrubs”) auctioned himself off to a group of women for their monthly book club meeting. That, paired with a catered dinner from Rockridge Market Hall means one fun evening for that group of gals. And a cool $30,000 was raised for a great local charity

WHERE WERE YOU during the Summer of Love? I wasn’t invited, and frankly, I’m miffed. All this talk about free love and flower children make me think I missed something. Growing up in Minnesota during the 1960s, the only free love I got was the priest passing out communion wafers at church. I didn’t know a hippie from a handbag and I’ve come to realize, now, how repressed I was. Had I been part of the hippie movement, I’d feel free to be me, today. I could let my hair go gray and dance in the streets with reckless abandon. It’s just something to think about as I watch yet another PBS special on San Francisco’s summer of 1967.

E-MAIL BAG: Montclair has never been much on motor vehicle manners, but BJ Levi says she was shocked the other day when a car almost hit her in the crosswalk at Mountain and Snake.

“I was so scared that I froze in the crosswalk while the light was still green,” she writes. Seconds later, another motorist started screaming obscenities at Levi for blocking the intersection. So there were two rude motorists — probably in a hurry to get home. That’s no excuse.

“It worries me,” says Levi, “that there are people that find it OK to scream at a woman frozen in fear in a crosswalk, instead of asking if she’s OK or needs help.”

ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT: Thanks to reader Michael McColl for letting me know about the passing of local legend Richard McGowan.

McGowan was a pioneer in the adventure travel industry, and as a mountain climber, he made 11 major expeditions, including one to Mount Everest. He also led the first guided climb up Mount McKinley in Alaska, the highest peak in North America. One of his earliest businesses, Mountain Travel, was run out of an office on La Salle Avenue in Montclair. McGowan’s adventurous spirit was in his genes, McColl says. McGowan was a descendant of one of the crew members on the Mayflower. He also had a relative who sailed with Sir Francis Drake. McGowan leaves behind a wife and three children, who have vowed to carry on his quest for global adventure.

SHARE THE WEALTH: Speaking of global adventures, Rosemary and Wheatley Allen have been touring Northern California with two friends from Malawi, Africa. As members of Piedmont Community Church, the Allens and others have adopted a church in Malawi, making several trips there with donations such as sewing machines so the Malawians can earn money making garments.

“We have everything and they have nothing,” says Allen, who says the people are happy and appreciative despite being from a poor region. The Malawi guests’ first visit to America included a trip to Mendocino.

“They were overwhelmed with the big trees and they’d heard about the ocean but never seen it,” says Wheatley, who said they had that childlike wonder about everything they saw.

If you’d like to donate to the sewing machine fund, you can call the church at 510-547-5700.

SONG BIRD: Barbara Dane can still belt out a tune, even on her 80th birthday. The longtime Oaklander who made a name for herself singing jazz and blues with stars such as Louis Armstrong and Muddy Waters is performing on her birthday, May 11, at the Greek Orthodox Church. It’s a fundraiser for the East Bay Agency for Children — the 11th Annual Heart & Soul Celebration.

For a night of great music and fun, call 510-268-3770.

GETTING SNIPPY: Have more hair than you know what to do with? From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Alexander Pope Salon, 5413 College Ave., is offering free haircuts to anyone with a 10-inch ponytail. The hair will be donated to Locks of Love, a charity that provides human hair wigs to children with medical hair loss. Don’t fret if your hair doesn’t make the cut — you can still get a free “do” with a $50 donation.

IMAGINE JUNE CLEAVER in a BART station selling home-cooked meals. The image of a smartly dressed 1950s mom in pearls with dinner in her outstretched hands warms your tummy, doesn’t it?

Well, Rose Duignan isn’t June Cleaver, but the hills entrepreneur hopes you’ll get the picture when you see her promoting her business, The Dinner Source. A 55-year-old working woman who raised three kids, Duignan says her idea was “born out of pain, need, and desperation” to have a healthy meal on the table each night despite her hectic schedule.

Mushroom pork scaloppini. Chicken dim sum dumplings. Fresh fish and sauces from scratch. What working mom can pull that off night after night? But as Duignan sat in her MBA class at UC Berkeley a couple of years back, the concept came to her. She would do the shopping, the slicing, the dicing and prep — and deliver fresh-meal kits to busy customers who could take them home and cook them up.

“We are offering a throwback to a simpler time when moms were waiting for you at the door after school with warm cookies and cold milk,” she says.

That’s why Duignan is standing in the Rockridge BART station, dressed to the nines, with her little food cart and bags of ready to cook meals. She wants to make dinnertime fun again and she’s willing to do the work so that you can take the credit. There’s only one way to top that. Throw in the pearls.

If you’d like more information, or if you’d like to order meals online, visit her Web site at http://www.thedinnersource.com.

MAIL THEFT: Is it just me, or are thieves getting more brazen in the hills? Two weeks after someone broke the lock on the mailbox at Mountain and Colton, victims are still trying to recover their stolen mail. It didn’t help that it was tax time and there were no doubt IRS checks in there. The USPS quickly replaced the violated box with a new one and now we can only hope the perpetrators get what’s coming to them — prison time that fits the federal crime.

TRAFFIC STOP: This isn’t going to sit well with some people. There’s a movement under way to put another stoplight in Montclair, at the corner of Mountain and La Salle. The city is holding a public meeting on the proposal at 7 p.m. April 23 at Montclair Elementary School. The pros and cons are too many to list here, but the idea of a light at this intersection goes back some 20 years and is based on the number of recorded accidents and incidents. If you care at all about this issue, weigh in before it’s too late.

AROUND TOWN: The Royal Ground regulars were sitting outside, the other day, counting their shekels — or should I say beans. With the place up for sale, folks were trying to figure out just how to make a profit with the longtime Montclair coffee shop.

“You’d have to sell 9,000 cups a month just to break even,” one guy figured, based on the sky-high rent. Rumor has it that at least one interested party has inquired about putting a restaurant in there.

Meanwhile, there’s still no movement next door at the place that was supposed to open as a pet boutique. A dispute between the partners has reportedly stalled progress.

TV TIME: If you’ve ever wondered whether hypnosis works, tune into the Discovery Channel show “MythBusters” tomorrow at noon to see local hypnotherapist Seth-Deborah Roth.

Roth is considered an expert in hypnosis and will show how it’s used to curb appetites, stop smoking and deal with all kinds of phobias and anxieties. Her Web site is mesmerizing, too, at http://www.hypnotherapyforhealth.com.

TWO OLD CROWS are sitting on a branch looking bored to tears. No, this isn’t the start of a joke — it’s part of the landscape on Interstate 5 as my daughter and I head home from a tour of six Southern California colleges.

It’s a rite of passage, I suppose, in the life of a mother and daughter. But tempting as it is to push the college of my choice, I’m reminded that the decision is really hers. I like small towns and skiing but it’s not about me and my needs. My teen wants sunshine and a big city — and Southern California has plenty of both.

Armed with a tattered copy of the college issue of U.S. News & World Report, we made the sweep of UC San Diego, San Diego State and then north to Los Angeles. Bleary-eyed, we inched through impossible traffic as we made a loop to see USC, UCLA, Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine.

At each university, we made it a point to peak in a classroom, grab a snack in the student union and check out the gym and fitness facilities. The guys were the cutest at Loyola Marymount and USC. That was my daughter’s observation, not mine. I noted that the visitor parking was best at Pepperdine and LMU, where there were plenty of free curb spots in the heart of campus.

All along the way we chatted up the highlights and low points of each visit, analyzing everything from the architecture to the colors of the beach cruisers in the campus bike racks.

We had an opinion on everything.

It remains to be seen whether my teen will actually apply to any of these schools, much less get accepted. But the good times we shared as mother and daughter were worth the effort. As far as spring breaks go — it was one for the books.

BACK TRACKING: Last week’s piece on actress Kat Foster spawned a conversation with her mom, Marilyn, in the hot tub at my swim club recently. Marilyn made a career out of teaching childhood development, and it shows. Both her daughter and son grew up in Montclair with the kind of confidence that led to their success in the entertainment industry. The secret to good parenting, Marilyn shared, is to watch as your kids take an interest in something and then help facilitate it. She’s started a Web site with parenting tips at http://www.raisingchildrenatoz.com.

TALENT SEARCH: Reader Jill Broadhurst (the force behind the new pocket park at the corner of Thornhill and Moraga) is trying to start a summer concert series in Montclair Park. She envisions the kickoff for the Fourth of July, and is looking for civic-minded musicians to perform for free. (think family entertainment, music you can munch to, picnic style). If you can help, contact Jill at beautification@montclairsic.org.

TURTLE WEAR: Could the man who created Zonk the Tortoise finally be coming out of his shell? Local artist David Hoobler has been quietly selling his Zonk watercolors and children’s books for years but is now branching out to pajamas. He’s partnered with Sara’s Prints to make whimsical PJs with colorful green turtles all over them. It’s dreamy sleep wear for kids. I only wish they made my size.

CRIME IN the hills. Some folks say it’s the cost of living in Oakland. Others get mad. Still others get even. I like the third kind of person, who doesn’t just sit on their hands and complain, but actually works with police to drive out the thugs. Read on, and you’ll see what I mean.

You won’t see these stories in the crime blotter, or the news section of the paper, but you will see them here in the Town Crier. Let’s start with the Skyline neighbors on Melville and Holyrood drives, who’ve got their eyes peeled 24/7. While most folks are watching TV or reading at night, Roger Vickery says his neighbors are taking turns looking for vandals and thieves.

“These night owls act as the eyes and ears for the neighborhood and the Oakland police,” he says. “They’ve reported stolen vehicles to the OPD, identified suspicious-appearing cars cruising our streets, and encouraged some loitering teens to go head on home.”

It seems to be working. Not only is crime down here, the neighbors tracked down the owner of a stolen motorcycle that had been dumped on the street.

“One of our early-rising neighbors, Lynn Beckwith, spotted it,” Vickery said. The name of the dealership was on the bike and when Beckwith called, they put him in touch with the owner, he said.

“Turns out it was a neighbor on a nearby street who was very happy to get the bike back,” Vickery said. Everyone wins with a neighborhood crime watch. Everyone, that is, except the thief.

Then there’s the case of the stolen Coach purse outside Barbara Ganzkow’s hills home. It was taken, in broad daylight, from the seat of her car. Oakland police said they’d take a report within 48 hours but Ganzkow got lucky. An alert clerk at Albertsons in El Cerrito called police when two teens tried to use her credit card.

“The El Cerrito police found me by calling the last number in my cell phone,” said Ganzkow, who says they arrested the suspects and returned her purse, cell phone, and all but one credit card. It kind of gives you a warm fuzzy — doesn’t it? The moral of these stories is to never give up. If you’re a victim, report the crime. Start a patrol. Work with your neighbors and police. And never underestimate the power of a lucky break.

SHOP TALK: Remember the rubber chickens and vintage gifts that the Montclair Malt Shop used to sell along with ice cream? The old owner, Maurine Marie, says she sold most of her inventory to a cute little place in El Cerrito called Antiques D’Jour & Floral Shoppe. If you stop by, be sure to grab a slice of pie at the yummy Fatapple’s restaurant. It’s a stone’s throw away from the shop at the top of Fairmount Avenue.

KID COOKS: The little school in the redwoods, Canyon School, has just finished its annual middle school internship program. It’s a great way for students to get practical job experience by helping out at a local business on Wednesday afternoons.

Chris Rossi’s popular Rockridge restaurant, Citron, was especially generous — not only hosting two interns, but feeding them a gourmet meal at the end of each shift. What better way to get to a kid’s brain — then through their stomach?

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: Speaking of Canyon, it was odd to see a traffic jam in the normally quiet enclave the other day. A production company was shooting a commercial for Dodge trucks along Pinehurst, and police had the road blocked off for a time. It was Hollywood in the redwoods, and not everyone was star struck. With gas selling for $3.29 a gallon, it’s hard to get excited about a truck that can pull a backhoe.

You think you know someone after 19 years. Their little nuances. What makes them tick.

Then someone comes along and turns your relationship on its ear.

Serena Bartlett’s book, “Oakland — the Soul of the City Next Door” — has made me look at my town in a whole new light. She’s keyed into some places I’ve never tried, like Temescal Café and its Wednesday night comedy, with no cover charge. And World Cup Coffee Tamales, a strangely named spot in the Fruitvale where the owner makes her tamales from scratch on the back patio. And Bakesale Betty, a Telegraph-at-51st favorite with its rich lemon bars and tangy rhubarb pie.

OK, so maybe I don’t get out enough. This book makes me want to explore all the clubs and cafés and museums and parks in my city, all over again. It’s a neat little guide to dozens of cool, one-of-a-kind, locally owned businesses in the neighborhoods that make up Oakland.

Bartlett’s urban eco-travel guide captures the spirit of my town and reminds me that my old friend is changing. Lest the relationship get stale, I’d better change too. You can find out more about “Oakland – the Soul of the City Next Door” on the Web at www.grassroutestravel.com.

BARGAIN THEATRE: Fairy tales never get old. Especially if they’re brought to life with a great local cast of actors and musicians. The East Bay Children’s Theatre is putting on a production of “Rumplestilskin” on March 24 and March 31 at the Oakland Museum. Who amongst us hasn’t wished for a little gnome to spin straw into gold? Seeing this play is the next best thing. Tickets are just $7 and can be purchased by calling 510-655-7285.

WATERSHED MOMENT: Happy anniversary to the Friends of Sausal Creek. They’re celebrating 10 years of protecting this pretty little water way that runs from the hills to the bay. Hills resident Wendy Tokuda will emcee a party from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Joaquin Miller Community Center. Everyone is invited for food, drink, live music and a silent auction. For tickets, call 510-501-3672.

E-MAIL BAG: After my piece on mice that make nests under car hoods, Diane Savage wrote to tell about a friend whose car was acting funny: “They opened the hood and there was, not a cute little mouse, but a great big rat!”

She says the bill ended up being a few hundred dollars but the mechanic told her they get at least one rodent repair a day, and some poor sucker had $10,000 in damage. Bet he said more than “rats!”

TURKEY TIME: Wild turkeys are turning up in the hills again. They’ve been seen strutting their stuff along Skyline Boulevard and roosting on a roof on Villanova. Rick Ellis says he saw four of the Thanksgiving favorites land atop a neighbor’s house a few days ago.

“They stayed there for quite a while and then flew over to another roof,” he told me, excited to have seen the wild birds so close. Close enough, I’m guessing, for a birds-eye view.

MY ANSWERING MACHINE cheerfully invites callers to leave a message for five family members. Four are human and one is our cat. Guess who gets the most messages? The one with the fur — Tonka.

I bring this up because we tend to treat pets like people. My friend has a bunny that sleeps in her bed. A neighbor has a poodle who gets spa treatments seasonally. And a co-worker has a bird that watches television with her.

But what do we do when our pets die? We mourn their loss for awhile — then replace them. Heck. Most of them don’t even get a picture in the family photo album.

Inga Heuser is a local photographer who wants to change that. She’s been offering her services free to folks with seriously ill or elderly pets. She meets many of them on the trails that lace our hills.

“One was a man with a 20-year-old dog. They were such a great match, both very old,” she said of Edward Genser and his dog, Cody. Heuser’s photo captured the love between Genser and Cody, his best friend of two decades. It also made her think about her own special pet growing up.

“I had a bunny and I put all that love into my bunny but had only one single photo,” she lamented. “I regret that.”

How do you honor an animal that has loved you unconditionally? Just talking about your pet doesn’t seem to be enough.

Perhaps the old adage is true; a picture really is worth a thousand words. Inga’s phone number at Veni Vidi Click! is 800-822-1248.

E-MAIL BAG: Reader Chuck Harrison loves Montclair’s new Rite Aid renovation, especially the blood pressure station.

“Ginny, I do realize you are not doing a medical column,” he writes, but goes on to urge both men and women to check their blood pressure regularly. The pharmacy’s health station not only has a free machine but pocket-sized cards for you to record and keep your data.

SAY SI: Michael Fee has a vision. He wants to teach thousands of Bay Area kids how to speak Spanish. The hills father of three runs a company called Lango, which offers innovative Spanish classes in the Rockridge neighborhood.

“We incorporate songs, games, various movement and play activities and a lot of arts and crafts,” he said, adding he’d like to branch out and teach French, Mandarin and other languages too.

ROYAL RIDE: The Royal Grounders bike club is riding for more than just fun these days.

Reader Ron Scravani says it’s doing a 25-mile fundraising ride for Joaquin Miller School on March 25. If you want more information, you can usually find these guys in the mornings at Royal Ground Coffee Shop in Montclair. Or you can e-mail Karen Fee at Karen@teamfee.com.

HIT-AND-RUN: Hills private eye Mike Spencer has a tough case to crack — his own. Spencer was rear-ended at Shepherd Canyon and Snake a couple of weeks ago, and said the motorist took off without exchanging information. He described the scofflaw as middle-aged, driving a light blue car with a young female passenger. He’s offering a $200 reward for information leading him to the bumper lover. If you have any clues, you can call Spencer at 510 593-3767.

I HAD ONE of those surreal moments the other night. Coming home from a party about 1 a.m., I stood in the driveway to savor the night. It’s not often that I’m up that late, and the moon had this eerie red glow, which, I soon realized, was a lunar eclipse.

But what really struck me was the way the owls were acting. They were calling to one another with great urgency — “hooting up a storm,” as they say in some places. I listened intently for several minutes, before it dawned on me. I had a front-row seat to one of nature’s best productions — a light show with music from a chorus of owls. Do I dare call it — a WHO concert?

SAVVY SENIORS: Older adults are finding a friend in the tech world. She’s a teacher named Deborah Brooks, who runs computer classes for seniors at Piedmont Adult School. Reader Yvonne Byron takes classes from Brooks, and says it’s opened up a new world for her.

“Deborah was an ESL teacher first, which has helped her teach people a whole new vocabulary,” Bryon said.

Brooks wrote her own textbook and has another one in the works. And she makes house calls.

“She is tutoring an older lady who does not drive and who is learning to order groceries by computer now,” said Byron, who added that Brooks has taught seniors as old as 96. For more information, you can call Brooks at 510-531-2822 or find her online at www.yourpersonaltutor.com.

CRIME CONCERNS: The neighbors on Melville are on alert after a series of auto and home break-ins this year. In one case, a resident caught two teenage boys and an older woman breaking into his wife’s car (which was parked on the street). Despite his efforts to grab one of the guys, they got away in what was reportedly a stolen SUV. How do you protect your property? Police say it repeatedly — keep your car in a locked garage and protect your home with locks that can’t be compromised.

TICKET SHOCK: A while back, I wrote about folks getting $250 fines for stopping, even briefly, in the bus lane outside Cybelle’s Pizza. I had so many reader complaints, it seemed the county sheriff’s department was lying in wait for violators. Now there’s another hot spot for tickets — the red zone in front of Washington Mutual on Mountain at La Salle. It’s right next to a bank of mail boxes, so there’s plenty of temptation, but don’t succumb. Use the snorkel box at Mountain and Colton instead.

E-MAIL BAG: Thanks to Ed Schilling for telling me about a big concert March 17 and 18. It features a rather unusual instrument — a $1.4 million pipe organ that was installed last year at First Congregational Church in Berkeley. Add to that an orchestra and 100-member choir and you’ve got an amazing musical event. For concert times and ticket prices, call 510-848-3696.

ANIMAL TALES: You’ve heard of a tiger in your tank? Try a mouse in your engine. Two readers have told me they’ve had mice make nests under the hoods of their cars. In one case, a field mouse made a nice cotton bed in the wiring of a Toyota Prius. It took mechanics some time to pinpoint the problem but when they did, they removed the nest and repaired the insulation, to the tune of $5,000. An even bigger surprise — the warranty paid for the whole thing!