Melanie Mason

Recessionomics: Maybe there is an upside to the downturn

Fewer beach vacations means fewer shark attacks! Frankly, the decline in shark populations due to commercial fishing sounds like a slightly more plausible explanation. But let’s face it, good economic stories are few and far between. At this point, I’m happy to hear about any silver lining that comes out of this downturn.

North Oakland Now: Friday, February 20

Good morning, North Oakland!  So, as you’ve likely heard, California finally has a budget.  The Chron has a nice breakdown of the political winners and losers of the whole ordeal, as well as a handy Q & A about what those tax increases will really mean.  We also have a pair of foreclosure-related stories in both the Chronicle and the Tribune — the  Chronicle takes a look at how foreclosures have led to falling prices and a jump in home…

Three major banks announce freeze on foreclosures

This just up on the Washington Post website: Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup have announced a temporary freeze on foreclosures until the beginning of March.  The move is a response to President Obama’s indication that he will introduce a plan to allow for loan modifications as a way to keep people in their homes.  The new plan will be unveiled next Wednesday. Clearly, this is big news in the continuing saga of foreclosures in the country.  We’ve…

Kicking off ‘Recessionomics’

Howdy, Oakland North readers! My name is Melanie and I’ll be your faithful recessiononomics blogger here on the site.  I’ll be taking a look at how Oakland is dealing with these crazy economic times–where we’re getting hit the hardest, creative ways to save money, you name it.  This blog will be 150% better with comments and feedback from you all.  What are you seeing in your neighborhoods?  What penny-pinching tips do you have?  Leave your comments below or feel free…

Freeways closed for hours where truck blew up

  OCT. 22 – Lanes of the I-880 South and the I-980 West remain closed today, after a fiery crash early this morning involving a gas tanker truck and a passenger car. Although the flames have been doused, concerns of hazardous material contamination remain, forcing Oakland commuters to make alternate travel plans. “The Oakland 880 corridor is a big one here,” said Bob Haus, spokesman for Caltrans. “It provides access to the port of Oakland and the city and the…

Black church leaders urge no vote on Prop 8

By KRISTINE WONG Oct. 21 – On the steps of Oakland City Hall this morning, African-American ministers and politicians declared their strong opposition to Proposition 8, the state ballot initiative that would make same-sex marriage illegal in California. Citing civil rights as well as religious, legal, and personal reasons, they challenged the assumption that the African-American community did not support gay marriage. But while they presented an united front, recent poll results show the majority of African-Americans in California support…

“Can I wear my Obama T shirt?” Polling place FAQs

by MELANIE MASON Voting is the basic building block of our democracy, but Election Day presents its own confusions.  Here are commonly asked questions in anticipation of November 4.  If you have other questions, please submit them as a comment and we’ll try to get them answered for you.

New cathedral opens on Lake Merritt

By MELANIE MASON and BAGASSI KOURA SEPT. 25 — After three years and $190 million spent, the Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland’s newest house of worship, was officially dedicated today in the presence of Cardinals, Bishops and over 1,500 East Bay residents.  The dedication ceremony of a new cathedral — in which the cathedral is formally consecrated — is a relatively rare liturgical service; the Cathedral of Christ the Light is one of only three cathedrals in the United States…