Town Crier: Oakland’s little storybook homes

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MONTCLARION: OCTOBER 1, 2009

To know them is to love them. Nine little storybook homes in Montclair’s quaint Fernwood neighborhood are being featured in a self-guided tour next month, put on by the Oakland Heritage Alliance. If you’ve never been inside one of these whimsical 1920’s homes, they are an architectural treat. They look like a page from a fairytale, with their secret gardens and picturesque bridges that crisscross Temescal Creek. For more information on the tour, see http://www.oaklandheritage.org/fernwood.htm. Continue reading →

Town Crier: Berkeley Rep production provocative experience

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MONTCLARION: September 25, 2009

GOOD THEATER has a tendency to tweak your comfort level. I knew that going into “American Idiot” at the Berkeley Rep, but the temptation was too strong to resist. Here was an album of angry punk rock set to a story line — and delivered, untested, on stage. All I knew was that Green Day was local and I actually liked a couple of their crossover hits, like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

But despite the fact that I didn’t fit the audience demographic, I completely bought into the angst and idealism that exploded on stage. It was a 95-minute firestorm of rage and redemption, told through the poignant words of 13 songs written when the country was bitterly divided over a war and a presidency. Continue reading →

Town Crier: Crimes of opportunity abound in Oakland

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MONTCLARION: September 18, 2009

They call them “crimes of opportunity” for a reason. Take away the temptation and you eliminate the crime.

Car thieves and vandals have been having a heyday in the hills, lately. In many cases, these crimes could be prevented if folks would just put their cars in the garage (or for those without garages, a driveway).

Consider the facts. You’ve got car thieves and burglars in every city – and they’re looking for ways to maximize their profits – just like the rest of us. What better place to shop than where the merchandise is plentiful. Expensive cars on dark, quiet streets – we might as well put up a billboard saying we’re open for business. Continue reading →

The Happy Wanderer: Berkeley’s Telegraph Avenue

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HILLS NEWSPAPERS – September 18, 2009

In a recent survey of out-of-town guests, a surprising attraction came out on top. Berkeley ’s Telegraph Avenue was the number one choice for visitors staying at my house. As unofficial as this poll is – it highlights the fact that some of the best things in life are free. Odd – but free.

The four blocks of Telegraph between Dwight Way and Bancroft are a fascinating social experiment. Both bizarre and bazaar…the street is an open air market where people are as eclectic as the merchandise. Continue reading →

A Jazzy Celebration

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MONTCLARION SEPT 10, 2009

Everyone loves a good block party – and one of the best is set for this Sunday at the Montclair Village Jazz & Wine Festival. Truth be told – the event was threatened this year by the struggling economy. But thanks to the work of a few tireless volunteers, the bands have been hired, the tents are going up and the show will go on. Continue reading →

Town Crier: Bid adieu to the lazy days of summer

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MONTCLARION SEPTEMBER 4, 2009

It’s Labor Day weekend — the last blast of summer as families prepare for fall and the start of the school year.

For kids it’s a bittersweet holiday, marking the end of a lazy summer schedule and the beginning of late night studying and early morning chaos.

But for parents, it’s a return to normality. “I can finally get some work done,” a harried mom told me last week. She’d been running her kids from one attraction to the next, all summer — and was literally spent.

But be careful what you wish for. Continue reading →

The Happy Wanderer: Sierra fall colors

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HILLS NEWSPAPERS  September 4, 2009

LOTS OF SONGS have been written about September. There was the bouncy little ditty by The Happenings called “See you In September” — and the somber song by Sinatra that likened autumn to the final chapter of a long, fruitful life.

I prefer the bouncy little ditty.

Fall should be a happy time of year. It’s certainly the most colorful — even in California, where our seasons are less pronounced than in the north. But if you want to see spectacular autumn foliage without the long travel time, September is the month to take a drive to the Eastern Sierra. Continue reading →

Town Crier’s Pitty Party

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MONTCLARION AUGUST 28

It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to….

Pardon me if I wallow a moment in self pity. It’s my birthday week and I’m feeling my age. Too young for retirement and too old to be bossed around, I’m officially a junior senior. My blemish of choice is the sun mole, not nearly as fun as a pimple. I’ve replaced Margaritas with joint juice. And I’m single-handedly keeping the Postal Service afloat with offers from AARP.

Did I mention my joints? I can’t remember. But in case I haven’t brought up my bones in this missive – they hurt. I probably should have skipped the media bull riding competition a few years back. Ditto the Olympic bobsled run.

Yes, the sins of my youth are catching up with me. But I feel better already, just sharing. Now if I could just find a good recipe for vodka and joint juice…. Continue reading →

The Happy Wanderer: San Francisco’s hidden treasures

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HILLS NEWSPAPERS  August 21, 2009

Twilight is one of my favorite times. Like many hills dwellers, I love the way sunset paints the sky over San Francisco. But it occurs to me, as I take in this celestial sight, that I’ve been neglecting one of the greatest cities on earth. I spend time every summer in places that can’t hold a candle to San Francisco. Like a neighbor I’ve taken for granted, I see her – but don’t really know her.

That’s going to change. I’m spending the weekend in San Francisco, and using one of the city’s great hotels for my base camp. Continue reading →

How I passed on a whale of career

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MONTCLARION  August 21, 2009

Am I lucky, or what? I have this cool job where the world is my office. So I’m writing this piece at Marine World, and it occurs to me that there’s one job better than being a writer. It’s working with Killer Whales.

Not that I didn’t have my chance. In 1983, I was ready to give up my radio career for a job as an Orca instructor at Sea World. A modest monthly salary and all the fish I could eat was a tempting offer, but I couldn’t make the commitment. I couldn’t see being on call for my whale 24/7. Continue reading →