TOWNE CRIER #28
NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING WITH CITY OFFICIALS AND PROJECTS
TONIGHT - Thursday 9 June 2005 at 7pm in the Egghouse, 229 Harrison Street/Third & Harrison, a block away. The City of Oakland is holding the meeting with the neighborhood and representatives from the neighborhood construction projects. DON SMITH of CEDA and CLAUDIO CAPPIO and other City staff will be there. Among the agenda items are Parking, Dust, Noise, Signage, Saturday construction, Communication and whatever else you'd like to discuss.
The City plans on holding these meetings on a monthly basis.
RUBBER DUCKY
This Saturday at 4:30pm on Lake Merritt Duck Pond at Children's Fairyland is the launch of the annual Rubber Ducky Derby fundraiser put on the nationally renown Children's Hospital & Research Center based right here in North Oakland. The event started 14 years ago in the Oakland Estuary, and has since moved to Lake Merritt as the event grew. Some of the funds go for state-of-the-art equipment and treatments and such innovations as the school right inside the hospital for the long-term patients, and their siblings. The goal is $150,000 this weekend.
Duck adoptions start at $10 and go upward. Check out the website, www.rubberduckyderby.org. There are various prizes including a weekend for two at the Waterfront Inn in Jack London Square.
PRO ARTS EAST BAY OPEN STUDIOS
This weekend is the last Pro Arts Open Studios date. More than 100 artists are exhibiting this weekend at their studios.
Check out the website at http://www.mesart.com/ebos05.jsp. Pro Arts East Bay has its Studio in Jack London Square at 550 Second Street/Clay Street. Its hours are 11am-6pm this weekend.
LOCAL ARTIST
SQUEAK CARNWATH isn't part of the Pro Arts Studio Tour this weekend, but can be seen locally at the "Guilt Free Zone" exhibit through 16 July 2005 at the Paulson Press Gallery, 1318 Tenth Street, Berkeley 94710. Squeak lives and works at The Egghouse with husband GARY KNECHT. And if you're in the Seattle area in the next 30+ days, her work is also has the "Primary Research" Exhibit at the James Harris Gallery at 309A 3rd Avenue South, Seattle WA 98104. She also has work at the Oakland Museum of California, a few blocks up Oak Street, at the Berkeley Art Museum at the University of California, and at two museums in San Francisco - the San Francisco Arts Museum and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
NEW DOOR
There is a new short door in the first floor hallway, connecting the hallway to the Cuckoo's Nest. It has a double lock on both sides, and the key is in the hands of MIKE BARTLETT, who owns Loft #100. The idea of the door is so that the resident/tenant of Loft #100 has access to a bathroom, which it does not have. The FSL HOA BoD thoroughly reviewed the project and plans, sought legal advice, and finally approved Bartlett's project.
COVENANT HOUSE APPROVAL
The Oakland City Planning Commission approved (with some conditions) the request for a Major Conditional Use Permit for the Covenant House Residence project on the corner of Second and Harrison Streets - Mayor Brown's building. One condition is that a barrier be added to its rooftop, to prevent access to Tower Lofts. One Commission member also request (but couldn't require) that Covenant House meet with the Neighborhood on a regular basis.
FARMERS MARKET CLARIFICATIONS
We have one in Jack London Square twice weekly, one Sunday mornings 10am-2pm year round, and seasonally on a new day and time - Wednesday mornings 10am-2pm, through 26 October 2005.
FOURTH OF JULY
Plan now to come watch the Jack London Square fireworks from our rooftop starting at 9:15pm. Park your car in the garage or stake out your parking place early in the day to avoid street closures. We have a great view from our rooftop, with visibility extending to fireworks in San Francisco, Berkeley, Alameda, Estuary, San Leandro, Redwood City and points beyond.
TALL SHIPS
Not many details are known yet, but if you're interested in seeing the Tall Ships sail under the Golden Gate Bridge into the bay, mark your calendar for Thursday 28 July 2005.
WITHER WEATHER
We have sunny weather predicted throughout the weekend. Enjoy!
Lynne Huntting
Loft #103