WE SEEM ALMOST numb to crime, these days. Robberies, rip-offs — it’s part of the price we pay, living in Oakland. But someone is out there breaking into churches. There have been at least three burglaries in recent months in Montclair. It’s sad, because there was a time when churches stayed open 24/7 for people who wanted to pray. Now, most are locked when service isn’t in session. Locked, when it seems we need them more than ever.

ANIMAL TALES: Have goat, will travel. Reader Andy Hawkey says her goats have been making big money for the Montclair 4H club — as weed eaters.

“They actually have been on three straight gigs,” she writes, adding they also made $325 for Montera Middle School at a recent auction. A woman in Concord wanted them to nibble in her yard for awhile. And how do the Hawkeys transport the goats? In the back seat of their Camry! Imagine that sight as you’re driving down the road.

BOOK IT: Reader Susan Alcorn has been busy schlepping boxes of books up her rather steep driveway. The Montclair author has just self-published “Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago,” the story of her 400-mile hike across northern Spain. Not only are her closets full of books, “they’re lining my office wall, and creating a unique room divider in the living room” she writes. Alcorn appears at A Great Good Place for Books at 7 p.m. on June 15.

FREE FERTILIZER: Lots of coffee houses offer free grounds for your ground, but at Nelly’s Java, it’s bagged and ready for the garden. Just ask Roger Terlet, who’s been picking up organic grounds from the Montclair coffee shop and adding them to his compost pile.

“Nelly’s puts the grounds in plastic bag-lined milk crates that they leave outside, under their outdoor bench,” he says. That saves him the time of waiting in line to pick up the grounds — and leaves him more time to reap what he sews.

MIXING IT UP: If you want to make a real splash at your next cocktail party, try offering blood orange Cosmopolitans to your guests. Don’t know how to make them? The trendy bar Mezze on Grand Avenue offers private lessons for budding bartenders — upon request. For $40 a person, you learn the secrets of the trade and get to enjoy the drinks. Not a bad deal, considering the cost of blood oranges these days.

BIRD ATTACK: Straight from an Alfred Hitchcock plot, a bird has been attacking one of my readers. Yes, Nancy the Slipper Lady says she’s been assaulted at least three times under the trees outside Rite Aid in Montclair. The same bird and same manner of attack.

“He flies into the back of my head,” she says, “then takes off.” It’s not known for sure, but he may be attracted to Nancy’s conditioner. She uses Suave — scented with berries.

I HAVE A FRIEND with whom I rarely spend time. When I was younger, we’d get together regularly, and I’d marvel at how exciting she could make life seem. But these days, I’m so busy. I see her from afar and she looks great, but I don’t stop to visit. That’s going to end.

I’m talking about San Francisco, of course. And I know I’m not alone. How often do we cross the San Francisco Bay for dinner, a show or some shopping? I decided to do this the other night, and the timing couldn’t have been better. One of my favorite restaurants was celebrating a landmark anniversary.

My first memories of A. Sabella’s go back to the 1970s TV show “Streets of San Francisco.” The famous ship’s wheel that says “Fisherman’s Wharf” is close to the spot where the Sabellas sold fish back in 1887. Today, their restaurant is still family-owned and that must be some kind of record. But the secret to success starts with an “s” — great seafood, impeccable service and stunning scenery.

Sitting at our window to the world, we were mesmerized by the throngs of tourists coming and going as ships of all sizes dotted the waterfront. We dipped warm sourdough into rich, steamy bowls of cioppino and chowder, and sipped our wine as we celebrated. The owner came by to share some stories. Antone Sabella started working in the restaurant at age 12, cracking crab. He and his sister, Laureen, are the fourth-generation owners now, and well aware of the part they play in the city’s history. They lovingly blend old family recipes with new, lighter fare, to keep up with the changing trends. And it works. On the night we were there, the restaurant was full, as soft conversation complimented the warm glow in the room. I knew then and there that the friendship I’d lost with the city by the bay — had been rekindled.

PHONE TAG: The crier has been alerted to yet another scam in the hills. Reader Laura Thomas says someone stole her phone number in order to sign up for a service called One Source Networks. It wasn’t a lot of money, but getting the phone company to delete the charge was no great joy.

“I don’t think there is any way for us to prevent this from happening except to keep a vigilant eye on our phone bill and refuse to pay bogus charges,” she writes.

CRIME WATCH: Reader Reenie Raschke was ripped off the other day. It sounds like a tongue twister, but it really happened. A woman came into her Montclair photography business and asked to use the bathroom. Raschke thought it was odd, but kindly agreed, keeping a watchful eye on her cameras and purse. Later that day, she got a call from her credit card company. Somehow, the woman had stolen her card and gone straight to San Francisco for a shopping spree that included a new Coach purse. Raschke was steamed. She wouldn’t even buy that for herself, let alone give it to a stranger!

POETRY IN MOTION: Women love a man who writes poetry. And local dad Stewart Florsheim has just won top honors for his new book of poetry called “The Short Fall from Grace.” This is Florsheim’s third book, including an anthology of poetry by children of Holocaust survivors. (His parents were refugees from Hitler’s Germany.)

Florsheim will be reading from his newest collection at the Rockridge Library on July 15. Find out more on his Web site at stewartflorsheim.com.

DOG DAYS: I’ve seen lots of dogs in the village, but never one that looked like a bear. There it was, holding court outside Montclair Barbers the other day, in the lap of owner Daniel Tran — who just happens to cut hair inside. Yes, he clipped his Pomeranian to look like a teddy bear and it got me thinking. If he can make a dog look adorable, imagine what he can do with a human?

A FRIEND LOST her chicken the other day. Rosie the hen died after surgery on her drumstick. I guess that’s what you call a chicken leg, although I never really thought about it. What I have thought about, is what that bird meant to her owner. She was a pet and a friend, not to mention a provider of eggs for this Montclair family.

Some folks would have put Rosie down when she broke her leg. Others may have eaten her. But my friend tried to save her life. And these days, that’s not so unusual.

People have become so attached to their pets, they’re willing to spend big money on them. How else do you explain the waiting list for places like Happy Hound Doggy Day Care in Oakland? It costs as much as some child care centers and offers things like healthy meals, group interaction and even animal play structures. Their Web site shows a dog going down a slide.

Maybe it’s not such a bad idea, keeping your pet happy. A happy pet usually doesn’t bark or bite. But fancy food and play dates may not help every animal. For these pets, you need to pull out all the stops, like a friend of mine does. She gives her cat Prozac. You should hear that kitty purr.

SHOW TIME: If you feel like horsing around this Sunday, come out to the Sequoia Arena in Joaquin Miller Park (near Chabot Space & Science Center). The Montclair Horse Association is holding a free all day horse show for western and English style riders. We don’t often think about it, but there are miles of riding trails in the Oakland hills, including the 50-year-old Grass Valley trail which meanders through a greenbelt dotted with cattle. It’s just like the old west, if you take away the bikers and dog walkers you see along the way.

E-MAIL BAG: In the wake of my article on the penny roundup at local schools, reader Dagmar Serota says her organization is getting a big boost. Good Sense for Oakland has received a $5,000 grant from the Rex Foundation, the Grateful Dead’s charitable organization. The money will help pay for the costs involved in collecting pennies from Oakland schools. Since last August, those pennies have added up to more than $4,750 for local organizations. And the kids feel empowered when they realize their small change can make a big difference.

SHAKE AND QUAKE: We live in earthquake country, so we might as well face it and embrace it. The U.S. Geological Survey is having its annual open house June 3-4 in Menlo Park and reader George Sausedo says it’s a great chance to see what scientists are doing to predict the next Big One. For more information see http://openhouse.wr. usgs.gov.

GOING GREEK: Parking should be easier at the wildly popular Greek Festival this weekend. The Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral has added 300 spaces in its new parking pavilion, along with valet parking for $15 this year. Of course, you can still park for free on the street, but with 15,000 people expected — valet parking may just be the way to go.

SOMEONE ONCE SAID, “If you need something done, ask a busy person.” They must have been talking about Mike Petouhoff. He’s mastered the art of cramming 48 hours into each day — juggling family, his job and countless volunteer hours improving Montclair.

One of his biggest projects has been tapping the potential of Shepherd Canyon Park. For years, the upper part of the park has been virtually off-limits — a tangle of trees and bramble that attracted only illegal dumpers and under-aged drinkers. Petouhoff and a band of neighbors worked hard to clean up the area, and even forced the city to pick up the debris it had dumped there years earlier. And now things are rapidly changing.

I drove up Escher Road the other day to see the improvements. Parking my car at the first wide spot, I noticed a trailhead marked with logs and woodchips. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it made a nice path through the forest and down the steep slope to the soccer field. The sunlight was filtering through a canopy of trees and a chorus of songbirds made a sweet serenade. In the distance, I could hear laughter, as children played in the park below. This trail was every bit as pleasant as the paths in Redwood Park and our other local parks. It’s been a long time coming, and it’s just the beginning of the changes Petouhoff promises as a new master plan falls in place.

Thank you, Mike — and thanks to all the neighbors who’ve helped you. This is what life is all about. Living richly, giving freely — and leaving a legacy.

PACKING FOR PACHYDERMS: They say an elephant never forgets — but Oakland Zoo volunteer Cheryl Matthews is about to embark on a trip she’ll never forget. After several safari vacations to Africa, she’s headed to Namibia to study the social behavior of bull elephants for 10 weeks.

“We’ll set up our own camp in an area that’s not traveled by other tourists,” she said, adding she’s not scared in the least. “I am so thrilled to have this opportunity — I can’t imagine anything else I’d rather do.”

At age 62, Matthews is the oldest of a half-dozen zoo volunteers making the trip, headed by curator Colleen Kinzley. Before they leave, though, they’ll be part of a 10th annual Celebrate Elephants event on May 18-20 with renowned researcher Cynthia Moss. You can find out more by calling the Oakland Zoo at 510-632-9525.

MONTCLAIR MEMORIES: Thanks to reader Erik Hoffman for alerting me to the death of a longtime local teacher. James “Jimmy” Blass taught music in the Oakland schools for 47 years.

“He was a bit hard on some kids,” remembers Hoffmann, who had him for music at Montclair Elementary School, “but I really liked the guy.”

Blass was a teacher who expected the best from his students and often got it. He lived to be 87, played a number of instruments and even had his own big band.

EMPTY LOT: We pass by it often on our way down Park Boulevard to Highway 580. It’s the empty lot where a gas station once operated, just below the Presbyterian church. Reader Brad Blemker says he recently tried to buy the lot to build town homes, but his offer was turned down. It’s not clear what the owner has in mind, but the gasoline that seeped underground still has to be removed — and that could take years. It involves digging a pit to replace the old dirt and then pumping out the toxic ground water.

REMEMBERING MOM: This Sunday is the “mother of all holidays,” and Montclair photographer Reenie Raschke wants to share the celebration. Her shop window will post tributes this week to moms who are living and moms who’ve passed on. Just write 14 things you want folks to know about your mom, and submit it with a photograph to The Studio at 6232 La Salle Ave.

It’s the least we can do, after all our moms have done for us.

FOOD IS LOVE. Just ask anyone who spends hours preparing a sumptuous meal. But judging by what some of us put in our bodies, eating is a love/hate relationship. One day, we might eat an organic salad — the next day, we’re snacking on pork rinds.

And dinner can be the biggest challenge. We’re strapped for time and looking for fast food solutions. That’s where two women from Montclair come in — with a food service called Café Villanova.

Sarah Chance came up with the idea after cooking and caring for her terminally ill husband.

“When he passed away, I rented out my downstairs to Rebecca (Clark) and wanted to develop a business to franchise for women in transition,” she said. The two single mothers thought cooking would be the perfect plan. “We were already going to Berkeley Bowl and putting thought and time into menus, so we wanted to give it a shot.”

Their service area is small (just Manzanita and Villanova drives at the top of Montclair) but they hope their neighbors will embrace the idea that Chance calls a labor of love. Organic fruits and vegetables, cage-free eggs and hormone-free meats — most folks don’t have time to eat this way. But these moms do the shopping, cooking and delivery.

“It’s from the heart,” says Chance, “and we really want to do something to help people.”

DOG DANGERS: Are dog attacks more common, or are we just hearing more about them? Reader Kathleen Witt says her dog has been assaulted twice on the trails in Redwood Park, by the same Doberman. In the second encounter (which was two months after the first attack), she tried to protect her pet by picking it up.

“He grabbed my dog by the leg,” she says, “and pulled us both to the ground.”

Witt and her pet had to be treated for bites and the Doberman ended up in quarantine. He’s reportedly out, now, and back with his owner. Witt hopes he won’t attack her, or anyone else.

“Hopefully, he’ll be muzzled and on a short leash,” she says.

PARK PARKING: The stumps are slowly disappearing from the lumpy lot next to the soccer field at Shepherd Canyon Park. Thanks to a soggy spring, the ground has been soft enough for the Conservation Corps to dig out the eucalyptus trunks that have been there since the trees were cut last year.

The next step, once the money is there, is to add more parking at the popular park. The city had the cash (some of which was donated by the Monclair Soccer Club) but now says the work bid has doubled. Still, there’s hope the lot will be paved and in place by the fall soccer season.

TALKING TURKEY: There’ve been more wild turkey sightings in the hills, including reports of a rather large flock on Pinehurst Road. Reader Roland Wong says he also encountered a rafter of turkeys strolling up Melville Drive the other day. “Two males and two females,” he noted, saying they made quite a squawk when he started his van in the drive-way.

LOOKING GOOD: A half-dozen dads strutted their stuff at the annual fashion show/luncheon for Corpus Christi School this past Sunday. Modeling everything from golf shorts to swim trunks, the guys looked buffed as they sauntered down the runway in front of an appreciative all female audience.

But what really whipped the women into a frenzy was the martini glass and shaker that dad Bill Powers pulled from his fanny pack. My moles at the party say he stirred up the crowd in more ways than one!

IT’S RISKY BUSINESS ringing in spring. You go where no one has dared to go since autumn — the yard. And it’s anyone’s guess what’s hiding beneath the piles of dead leaves and overgrown plants with their gangly green extensions. I saw an eight-legged thing with big, beady eyes and screamed so loud the cat came running. Dare I even think about power-washing the deck?

With my luck it’ll unleash another round of El Niño that will stretch into June.

ON THE RUN: In today’s busy world, we look for convenience. But folks apparently don’t want to see it at the Ken Betts Chevron in Montclair. The service station has been getting complaints ever since Chevron Texaco proposed replacing the repair shop with a convenience store a few months ago. And it appears, now, that the deal is dead anyway. Janice Zeiser with Ken Betts says the Oakland Planning Commission has voted it down.

“A convenience store has a lot of parking,” she says, “and there’re only two available parking spaces, to be frank, and the rest are taken up with pumps.”

There’s also the traffic problem and the factor of competition. It’s not like we don’t already have places nearby to get chips and beer and lottery tickets. Neighbors like Lea Spencer say it best. If you let the convenience store in, soon the village will be just a place “to buy stuff.”

HIGHWAY TO HELL: It’s bad enough trying to get to the Bay Bridge toll plaza without having a car cross five lanes and head straight for your vehicle. It happened to a Montclair couple the other morning. They were approaching the pay gates when a driver came straight at them, triggering a panic that caused the motorist behind them to rear-end their Oldsmobile. To add insult to injury, the perp apparently got away — racing across the bridge without anyone in pursuit. Meanwhile, our passenger is laid up at Summit Hospital with serious leg injuries and a long road of physical therapy ahead. Driving in the Bay Area is a scary proposition — even on a good day.

GOOD DEED: When hills businessman Mort Landsberg lost his brother 10 years ago, he vowed to remember him with a charitable gift. His legacy, Mort decided, would be helping homeless youth who end up on the streets of San Francisco. That’s why Landsberg hosted a group called At The Crossroads last week for a two-day hills retreat.

“They do great work,” he told me, almost like a proud father would speak of his kids. The group walks the streets four nights a week in the Mission and downtown San Francisco, offering food, clothing and counseling, among other things. If you’d like to help, contact them on the Web at www.atthecrossroads.org.

FLOWER POWER: I love the green groups who plant flowers and shrubs along our well-traveled roadways. It really dresses up the asphalt, if you know what I mean. So here’s a toast to the folks who’ve adopted the median strip along Pleasant Valley Avenue between Piedmont Avenue and Moraga Road.

“We started out weeding and tending the poppies,” says organizer Mae Liu, “then several years ago we added lavenders, sweet peas and agapanthus.”

Now the daffodils are in bloom and on Sunday they’ll be sprucing up the strip. Early birds are invited to help between 7-9 a.m.

E-MAIL BAG: Speaking of flowers, remember that old chestnut “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” It’s been remixed, so to speak, to vocalize the plight of the Oakland schools. Reader Stephanie Velasquez-Pearl says you can hear the new version on the Web site www.whereismyteacher.org.

Every bit as poignant as the song we grew up with, these lyrics ask “Where have all the teachers gone?” And “Where have Measure E funds gone?” Pearl says the lyrics were written by a teacher and sung by that teacher, a parent, and 12 children from Montclair Elementary School. Let’s hope our schools are on the road to recovery and the song doesn’t last long on the charts.

TODAY’S WEATHER: Unsettled with a chance of rainbows. Now doesn’t that sound better than mostly cloudy with periods of heavy rain? If we’re going to be soggier than Seattle, we’ve got to put a better face on our forecasts.

I’d like to see a waterfall report with the flash flood warnings. Maybe a horticulture update with the rainfall totals. After all, April showers bring May flowers and we all know what May flowers bring: allergies.

GETTING AWAY: La Taza de Café is getting rave reviews in its new place at 3909 Grand Ave. (formerly Autumn Moon). The location has the kind of vibe that owner Daniel Brajkovich has been looking for in Oakland. Sure, the old spot on Thornhill was fine, but La Taza needed room to grow and a place to showcase the music and the menu. With a bigger kitchen, Chef Diego Escobar has created more than 30 different tapas that bring home the flavor of Cuba. And like the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld, Escobar suffers for his food.

“Look at this tamale,” he said lovingly as he brought his masterpiece to our table — a symphony of vegetables in a hand-rolled plantain. “There’s a lot of love that goes into this.” And that’s why we come here. We can feel the love.

COFFEE KLATCH: Not everyone needs a double decaf latte or a half cap to go. Some folks are content with just regular coffee, as long as it comes with conversation. That’s why the big round table at the Montclair Donut Shop is so popular. In the morning, the Irish boys hold court — Mark Dunn and the gang. But when they go to work, the “dandy dozen” come in — a group of retirees who met at the doughnut shop years ago, and still meet today. They swap stories and talk about the news. They even exchange movie reviews.

They have so much fun, working guy Ray Fry joined the group. He owns Bay Area Reverse Mortgage across the street and tries out his marketing material on the group. It’s a sweet deal when you find your own little coffee klatch.

Almost as sweet as a doughnut, drizzled with icing and topped with chocolate sprinkles.

WINDOW DRESSING: How much is that doggy in the window? If it’s at Montclair Hardware, the cost is free to have Fido photographed and displayed by the front door. Employee Mike Fox (who’s been working on and off there since 1979) has his camera ready to snap a shot of whatever four-legged critter wanders in. He’s already got about 75 dogs on display and a story to tell about most of them. But there’s no truth to the rumor that Mike starred in the Disney movie “The Fox and the Hound.”

PET POWER: Speaking of pets, April 30 is the deadline for nominations for Montclair’s annual “Doggie Mayor” competition. Reader Terese Drabec says her Sparky has what it takes to be top dog. “He just loves the village,” she says, adding the Sparkmeister really works the crowd, shaking paws and kissing babies. That’s all well and good, but in my opinion, a cat would make a better mayor. They’re cleaner and more refined, with much better social graces. Besides, cats don’t vote along party lines. They’re fiercely independent.