Blogs

Free evening parking returns

Oakland merchants are hoping you’ll park your car and take a stroll through neighborhood shops tomorrow night in celebration of “the return of free evening parking.” The free parking is returning because the Oakland city council opted to roll back the parking meter hours that they extended in July. The unpopular meter extension brought droves of businesses owners into council chambers complaining that the parking hikes were driving away customers, which lead council members to roll the hours back to…

Oct 22, 2009 – Lunch Edition

Getting to our daily digest a little late this morning, but just in time for your lunch break. Further developments in the ongoing Chauncy Bailey investigation reported by the Trib this morning – Sgt Longmire is returning to duty after being suspended because of suspicions that his relationship with Your Black Muslim Bakery leader, Yusuf Ali Bey IV, may have compromised the Bailey murder investigation. On a more positive note, Oakland North would like to join the effort to find…

How not to place bike in car, lesson 1

My life–Becky Palmstrom here–is full of time-saving tricks. My morning shower involves a slightly dangerous but carefully-executed laptop balancing act that lets me listen to the BBC World Service online while washing my hair. I read my course books while I walk to school. I have a vegetable box delivered to my house and buy vitamins and shampoo in bulk to save time on shopping. I take power naps and I have learnt to touch type. But every so often…

Port of Oakland truck ban update

Oakland Port commissioners made official last night a polluting trucks ban they approved by a vote at their meeting on Oct. 6.   The ban applies to trucks that don’t meet California Air Quality Board standards, and goes into effect Jan. 1. The Port will require truck drivers to complete a specific procedure in order to guarantee their entrance and allow them to pick up deliveries at the seaport. Truck drivers will have to enter their trucks’ clean air compliance…

October 21, 2009: Nachos!

Good morning, Oakland California’s Courts are closed today, in an attempt to plug a $414 million hole in the State’s budget. The monthly furloughs are estimated to save $94.3 million dollars this fiscal year. Tend to your inner foodie revolutionary tonight at an outdoor screening of Food Fight! at Trattoria Laurellinos in Laurel. The screening is co-sponsored by local food group, the Oakland Food Connection. Its Wee Wednesdays at the Chabot Space and Science Center with special classes and activities…

October 20, 2009: Taste of Tuesday

As the week gets rolling and North Oaklanders (at least, those lucky enough to have already scored a ticket to the sold out event) get ready to taste the treats of Temescal this evening (fingers crossed that the blue skies this morning stick around!) we also have some hard news to let you know about. Anthony Batts, Oakland’s new police chief, will be sworn-in at tonight’s city council meeting. Oakland cannabis dispensary owners are exhaling with relief after hearing about…

October 19, 2009: Happy Monday!

Happy Monday Oakland, A couple of items to start the week: Last week’s torrential rain can’t hold Oakland’s foodies back! Taste of Temescal is alive and well and kicks off Tuesday night! Oakland’s new Police Chief, Anthony Batts, assumes command of the Oakland Police Department today. His swearing-in ceremony is set for Tuesday’s City Council Meeting. On Saturday, Bay Area residents gathered at the Cypress Freeway Memorial Park, in West Oakland in remembrance of the 20th anniversary of the Loma…

Scene & Heard: The Kingfish

The recently re-opened Kingfish Pub & Café on Claremont Avenue east of Telegraph is essentially a squat, low-ceilinged fisherman’s hut inexplicably marqueed with a large ad for 7-Up. The paint-job is marine green—pretty much the color of Ariel the mermaid’s tail—with white trim. There are the requisite neon window hangers advertising Camel cigarettes, Corona, Sierra Nevada, and of course Pabst. There’s a couple 8.5×11 printouts also posted to the façade, directing patrons where to smoke (by the standing ashtray several…

October 16, 2009: Thank goodness it’s Friday.

Good afternoon Oakland, If you’ve been working as hard as we have this week, you’re going to need a weekend break. Here are a few goings-on in the Oakland/East Bay area that we think will tickle your fancy. Happy weekend! The Pacific Coast Brewing Co. is having their 21st anniversary party tonight from 5 pm to 11 pm on Washington Street between 9th and 10th streets. Head on down for what’s sure to be a fun “legal at last” evening….