MONTCLARION: May 13, 2011

There’s finally some good news in the fight against crime in the hills. Police have arrested a career criminal they caught red-handed in an abandoned home he was illegally occupying. Jewelry, electronics — in fact, two van-loads of stolen property — have been recovered. All this can be returned now to the rightful owners.

The question remains “… how many crooks are still out there looking for easy targets? Two friends in one week had their homes burglarized recently.

The sickening feeling of coming home and finding your sanctuary has been violated is just part of the problem. The other is the slow police response time. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: April 28, 2011

I don’t know what to make of it, but I’ve been finding a lot of pennies lately. Sure, a cent here and there doesn’t buy much, but there’s still something magical about the little copper coins.

Take my experience at the airport in Phoenix last week. My family and I were trying to get home from a wedding — on standby passes.

We’d seen several flights come and go when suddenly a trail of pennies appeared in our path.We each picked one up and, remarkably, found room on the very next flight.Was it a coincidence or is it true what they say about pennies from heaven? Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: April 22, 2011

Wanted: Volunteer victims to act out the role of folks injured in a major earthquake. It’s not Shakespeare, but it could lead to the performance of a lifetime.

On April 30, CORE (Communities of Oakland Respond to Emergencies) is holding its sixth annual citywide drill. The purpose is to practice neighborhood evacuations and communication techniques in the event of a “big one.”

The recent disasters in Japan have shown us that most victims are saved, not by first responders, but by neighbors helping neighbors.

Does your neighborhood have an emergency plan in place? CORE training can help get you ready. See what it’s all about by volunteering to be part of the disaster drill next weekend. Kaity Booth is the CORE coordinator and can be reached at core@oaklandnet.com. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: April 14, 2011

Woodminster is springing to life, and it’s not even summer theater season. Yes, the sleepy little business district is getting a boost from a new hardware store and the growing popularity of Monaghan’s on the Hill.

You may have heard by now that Montclair Village Hardware has opened in Woodminster after 64 years of doing business in the Village.

Owner Erik Hoffmann says it’s a bittersweet move, but he’s saving plenty in rent and has added a whole extra aisle of merchandise in his bigger location at 5048 Woodminster Lane. Continue reading →

MONTCLARION: April 8, 2011

Spring is busting out all over. Wildflowers are peaking out behind bushes and tall blades of grass, and calves are romping on the hillsides — albeit never more than a few steps from Mama.

Speaking of cattle, a good place to commune with cows is Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve just off Skyline Boulevard. Beef steaks on parade (as my dad calls them) are all over the hills once you go through the gate and walk several hundred yards to your left. Continue reading →