MONTCLARION: Jan. 1, 2016
It’s New Year’s Day — time to shape plans for 2016. And speaking of shape, the number-one resolution, according to StatisticBrain.com, is to lose weight. Which leads me to my first column item …. Continue reading
Category Archives: Montclarion Columns
Ginny Prior’s “The Town Crier” Column from “The Montclarion”
Town Crier: Twelve ways to keep holiday spirits alive
MONTCLARION: Dec. 25, 2015
It’s Christmas morn. Here’s hoping Santa dropped by your house last night and didn’t sear his suit on the embers in your fireplace. There is one burning question as we reflect on the joy of the season: How do we keep spirits bright, long after the last chestnut is roasted?
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Town Crier: It’s a small world, after all — at holidays
MONTCLARION: Dec. 16, 2015
There’s a trick to making money as a Salvation Army bell ringer. And it’s not all in the wrist. Oakland native Arthur James was ringing — and singing — outside a market in Minnesota last week. The joy in his voice was contagious. Within minutes, James had a chorus of shoppers belting out carols in the brisk December air.
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Town Crier: Deadhead author recalls 40 years of following band
‘Deadhead’ and author Blair Jackson
MONTCLARION: Dec 11, 2015
“What a long, strange trip it’s been.”– “Truckin’ ” by the Grateful Dead
These lyrics could be the epitaph for a lot of us who grew up in the 1960s. Oakland writers Blair Jackson and David Gans would certainly agree. Their new book, “This Is All a Dream We Dreamed: An Oral History of the Grateful Dead,” is just the latest way these two have made a living out of documenting the iconic band. Continue reading
Town Crier: Farmers’ market attracts public — and traffic scofflaws
MONTCLARION: November 13, 2015
All I want for Christmas — is tires with a treadwear rating of 600. Finally, there’s something to cheer about on the weather front. Monday’s heavy showers have given us hope that we may, indeed, have a rainy season. Wet weather is forecast for next week as well, prompting the CHP to issue a reminder about driving in rain, fog and snow. Continue reading
Town Crier: Montclair Pharmacy owners find like-minded tenant for site
MONTCLARION: Nov 6, 2015
When Bill and Helen Sullivan closed Montclair Pharmacy to move to Montana in 2012, it was the end of a 50-year relationship with the community. But the couple never stopped looking for a tenant that would be a good fit. Ergo Goods, 6123 La Salle Ave., might just be the glass slipper to our Cinderella. Continue reading
Town Crier: Skateboarders in hills driving motorists crazy
MONTCLARION: October 16, 2015
You’ve heard the campaign slogan “Share the Road”? Since when does it mean sharing with skateboards? Roving bands of boarders have been using the Oakland hills for their own personal thrill park — and it’s driving motorists crazy.
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Town Crier: Artist haven Emeryville now diverse interesting eateries
Chef Baehrend’s Bone Marrow Brûlée
MONTCLARION: 9-30-2015
Oakland’s little neighbor to the north is becoming very cool — and I don’t mean from sea breezes coming off the bay. Emeryville is attracting its own share of artists and eclectic eateries, including a place I discovered last week. Continue reading
Town Crier: Oakland tourism gets boost from wineries, hot restaurants
MONTCLARION: Sept 23, 2015
The words “urban” and “wine country” seem incompatible. But in Oakland, they not only go together, they grow together. It’s crush time in Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda — the cities that make up the East Bay Vintners Alliance (www.eastbayvintners.com). Never has math been so satisfying.
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Town Crier: Cruising FDR’s Potomac is a trip back in time
Sitting where FDR sat
MONTCLARION: Sept 13, 2015
It’s been 20 years since the USS Potomac opened to the public on the Jack London waterfront. A quarter-million people have been aboard this yacht since the summer of 1995. It’s the best history lesson a student could have on the life of our 34th president. Continue reading
Ginny Prior 