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July 31, 2006

TOWNE CRIER #34

KENNY BURRELL'S BIRTHDAY PARTY AT YOSHI'S
It's been Kenny Burrell's 75th Birthday Party all week at Yoshi's in Jack London Square, and there is one more night, Monday 31 July 2007. The performers include The Gerald Wilson Jazz Orchestra, Joey Defrancesco, Hubert Laws and others. Check out Yoshis.com for details, and a calendar for all upcoming events.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Jack London District Association is hosting this year's National Night Out, complete with free Dreyer's ice cream. It runs from 7-9pm at The Egg House, 229 Harrison Street at Third.

A RSVP to JLDA will insure there is enough ice cream.
nightout@jlda.org or call JOANNA ADLER at 510 893-4100.

Among the invited guests will be our local Oakland City Councilwoman, NANCY NADEL; our local Oakland Police Department Neighborhood Liaisons, MONIQUE TSANG and SANDRA SANDERS-WEST. Also invited are our two mayors, incumbent JERRY BROWN and mayor-elect, RON DELLUMS. Our newest neighbor-to-be, Senator BARBARA BOXER, has also been invited.

Come meet your neighbors, play some games and get some freebies.

CHEAP EATS
Home of Chicken and Waffles at the corner of Broadway and Embarcadero a few blocks away was featured on KPIX Eye on the Bay last Monday Night. The corner diner is open until 4 am for Night Owls. Other Oakland and nearby eateries were also featured on the show, and are listed on the show's Web Site. "Cheap Eats" is a periodic feature on this half-hour Magazine show.
http://cbs5.com/eotbshows/local_story_198143548.html

PARKING PLAN STRATEGY MEETING
The Parking Committee of JLDA will hold an open strategy meeting, Wednesday 23 August 2006 at 4 pm at The Egg House. This is where we make our plans on presenting our Parking Plan to the City of Oakland. All are welcome, especially those who have contacts with City Council.

MONTHLY HOA MEETING
Monday 21 August 2006 is our next monthly FSL HOA Board meeting, to which are all are invited. It will be at 7 pm and the Agenda is posted in the Mail Room.

GROCERY SHOPPING
We still don't have a 'real' grocery store in the neighborhood, but in a pinch the Sierra Deli and Market has dairy products including milk and eggs, juice, some frozen food, and take out (or eat in) delicatessen food. It is open M-F 6:30 am-8 pm, and 7 am-6 pm Saturday. It's closed Sunday. It's a nice, short two-block walk to the corner of Third and Madison.

July 17, 2006

TOWNE CRIER #33

NEIGHBORS
Our new neighbors in #307 are AARON CLEFTON and MAUREEN BOYD.

DARRIN SHIMADA bought #206 and is doing some remodeling before formally moving in. He works nearby as a Physical Therapist.

Welcome to our newcomers!

MONTHLY HOA MEETING
Monday 17 July 2006 is our monthly FSL HOA Board meeting, to which are all are invited. It will be at 7pm in #105, and the Agenda is posted in the Mail Room.

FLEX YOUR ELECTRICAL POWER
With all the recent hot days we've been having, PG&E has been concerned about conserving power to make it through with no problems. We can do our share by not using electrical appliances until after 7pm when the need and rates are lower. It will also help us overall because the electric part of the FSL PG&E bill is paid by the HOA which means we all pay it. When it increases it affects our HOA dues.

pparty_1.jpg pparty_2.jpg

PAINT PARTY
With JIM PIRE leading the way and doing all the high, tough painting, a group of us painted the First Floor Lobby, in preparation for the wood installation to come. Joining in the Saturday morning activities were ANN FOSTER/#202; CHASE MILBRANDT/#104; JEANNIE PHEMEISTER/#309; MARIE ROBINSON-the youngest daughter of MARY ANN & ART ROBINSON/#201 home for the summer from College in Toronto; and yours truly.

NEW METAL DOORS
Thanks to JACK ALLEN/#105, our First Floor back hallway has two new brushed stainless steel doors, on the Trash Room and Cuckoo's Nest kitchen door. Please treat them with reverence.

MANDATORY SPRINKLER INSPECTION
Our Mandatory Sprinkler Inspection was done Wednesday 12 July 2006 and went faster than schedule. And we had 100% inspection of all 40 Lofts and hall closets; and all but two of the Garage Storage Lockers, whose owners are still a Mystery. If anyone knows who belongs to #B or #C in the Garage, or the Fourth Floor Hall Closet, please let me know.

TRUCKS
The Port of Oakland has a Parking Enforcement Hotline 510/238-6035. Trucks have designated routes to travel and park in the area with a sign, and in some areas no trucks larger than 4 1/2 tons can be parked, which also have a sign. Check out the notice in the Mail Room for a visual of the appropriate signs.

WEDNESDAY OLD OAKLAND DUSK FREE CONCERT SERIES
The Bay Area Blues Society is holding free concerts every Wednesday in July and August at dusk - 5:30-7pm in Old Oakland at 9th and Broadway, site of the Friday Farmer's Market. The next one is Wednesday 19 July 2006 and will be Alvin Draper Blues Band. The complete schedule, for Old Oakland and other venues, is on their website. www.bayareabluessociety.net

THE CRUCIBLE
Nearby at 1260 7th Street is a big warehouse called The Crucible, which conducts classes of all kinds, as well as holding performances and activities. Last weekend several FSL neighbors went to The Fire and Ice event and took photos. Check it out at www.thecrucible.org. (More photos at thedude.com)

July 5, 2006

TOWNE CRIER #32

NEIGHBORS
We have a new neighbor in #101. PAUL YOUNGBLOOD has a photography studio, 8Creative8. He is renting from owner, KEN TOUEY. Paul also owns the Watch store around the corner, and lives in Sierra Lofts.

We also have a new couple in #307, renting CHO KWAN's unit.,

PAINT PARTY
Now that we have all the top three floor 'lobby exhibit' areas all painted and complete with photographic murals, work is starting on the first floor. Before any of the exotic hardwood can be installed the walls have to be painted. And that's where YOU come in. Saturday morning, 8 July 2006 at 9am there will be a paint party. Contact FSL HOA VP, CHASE MILBRANDT, if you are interested. Come on by and cheer us on.

The next plan after that is to paint the walls of the hallway leading to the Mail Room and hang the historic photographs that used to grace the walls upstairs.

MANDATORY SPRINKLER INSPECTION
Don't forget that there will be a mandatory Inspection of all units and storage lockers to check the Sprinklers on Wednesday 12 July 2006. If you can't be home that day, please see that you get your key to me ahead of time. There are key tags in the Mail Room. Leave your marked key in my mailbox - #103.

EXTERIOR PAINTING
Plans are moving along to paint the exterior of the building, redo the FSL sign and refurbish and wash the glass awning. Come to the next FSL HOA meeting and learn the plans - Monday 17 July 2006. The agenda and meeting place will be posted in the Mail Room the week prior to the meeting.

SKATEBOARDERS
The Posey Tube structure is getting a face lift on both sides - Oakland and Alameda. This means there is a structure on the outside, which impinges on the sidewalk. What this does mean for us is careful driving down Fourth Street between Harrison and Webster. The Posey Tube sidewalk has become the hangout for a growing group of budding skateboarders, mostly of the beginner level. They are young and reckless - they don't pay much attention to oncoming traffic.

FARMERS' MARKET
The Farmers' Market in Jack London Square on Sunday mornings and the Farmers' Market on Webster Street in Alameda on Tuesday morning are each part of the Pacific Farmers' Market Associations. Both hold night markets during summer hours. The Alameda Market at Webster & Taylor Streets, near the end of Webster Street, is open Thursdays from 4-8pm, through Thursday 28 September 2006. There are Free Outdoor Family Movies the first and third Thursdays starting at dusk. The last movie was Raiders of the Lost Ark. Guest Chefs give Cooking Demonstrations on the fourth Thursdays.

SUMMER SOUNDS 2006
Every Wednesday noon there are Free Concerts at Oakland's Civic Center Shopping Center. In July there will be Smooth Jazz on 5 July; Sea Shanties on 12 July; Rock on 19 July and Funk Jazz on 26 July. The free noon concerts run through October. In December there are three noon holiday concerts to celebrate Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanza. For complete schedule - http://www.oaklandcitycenter.com/events.cfm

CONCERTS AT THE COVE
On the Second Friday of July and August there are Free Concerts at the Cove in Alameda, starting at 5:30pm. This is at the foot of McKay Street. July 14 it is The Amigos and August 11 it is the Alameda All Stars. There is free parking at Crown_Memorial Beach, off 8th and Otis Street, and also at lots at Santa Clara at Webster and Taylor Streets. For the energetic bikers, there is free secure valet bicycle parking.

FREE MOVIES IN OLD OAKLAND
Every third Saturday this summer, July - October, there will be free movies in Old Oakland, 9th & Washington. Some chairs are provided, but feel free to bring your own. The schedule is: 15 July - NETWORK 1976; 19 August-JOY LUCK CLUB 1993; 16 September-BOURNE IDENTITY 2002; and 21 October-SHREK 2001. Films begin at sunset. For more information - http://www.oldoakland.org/oo/neighborhood.cfm#joe610

MOVIE BENEFIT
TEMPO, an affiliate of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, is holding a benefit Movie Night, showing "Flashdance" at 9:15pm Tuesday 11 July 2006 at the Parkway Theater, 1834 Park Boulevard, Oakland. $2 of each ticket will go to the Oakland East Bay Symphony Education Program, bringing music to East Bay schools. The Parkway serves food and drinks, and has sofas and comfortable chairs. www.picturepubpizza.com.

OAKLAND WALKING TOURS
The images of author Jack London will surround you as you tour the historic square and waterfront. Visit a turn-of-the-century wholesale produce district still in operation and see the USS Potomac, the restored yacht of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Tour begins at 10:00 a.m. in front of the northwest corner of Broadway and Embarcadero Street.

2006 tour dates:
Wednesday, July 5; Saturday, August 5; Wednesday, August 30; Saturday, September 30; Wednesday, October 25.

PARKING VIOLATIONS
Although it may not seem like it, there is some enforcement for Parking Violations in our neighborhood, especially for overstaying one's welcome in the Green 12-minute Parking Zones in front of businesses, such as Cuckoo's Nest or Jack London Mail. The ticket is $50. If you want to contact the Parking Violations Bureau, to report, the number is 510/238-3099.

April 16, 2006

Towne Crier #31

NEIGHBORS

MATT CIASCHINI has just moved into #405. He's in the wine business. Matt is the Vice President of Winery Operations for Silverado Wine Growers.

WENDY TINSLEY, formerly of #405, has moved to San Diego.

Sepia Sound has vacated the premises and Unit #206 will be going up for sale by the owner.

ERIC CHENG/301 is in the Big Apple, taking a sabbatical from his underwater photography. He is writing software, doing computer photography work, and visiting friends. Eric plans a side trip to DC to view his contest-winning photograph on display in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

Eric's turtle photo won the "Animal Antics" category of the Nature's Best Magazine nature photography contest, the most prestigious nature photograph contest. His hammerhead shark photo placed in the "Oceans" category. These and other winning images will be on display through March 2006.

For those who can't travel to DC, the weblink is:
http://echeng.com/journal/images/misc/ericcheng-naturesbestwinner.jpg

The winning entries are in the November issue of Nature's Best magazine, or online
http://www.naturesbestmagazine.com/index.php?nav=awards&subnav=winners

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January 2, 2006

Towne Crier #30

NEW NEIGHBORS
We have three new neighbors. Welcome!

MEGHAN CONNOLLY bought #303 in December from Reynolds & Brown, who put the unit up for sale after BARBARA, ANDREW and URSULA JOHNSTONE moved to their new home near Dunsmuir House in East Oakland. R&B no longer owns any residential units in the building, just the two commercial units on the front porch.

Meghan is the Director of Client Relations for Sponsorship Strategies in Novato.

MARK STEPHAN bought #406 in December from SEAN DONNELL and TONY JONES, who moved with Tony's son to Atlanta.

Mark works at People Soft/Intel in San Ramon. He also is a photographer - Mark Stephan Photography.

Meghan and Mark moved into a day apart last month and live/work in their units.

Earlier in the fall, KEN TONY bought #100. Ken has an online motorcycle business in his unit, but lives elsewhere.

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July 4, 2005

TOWNE CRIER #29

FOURTH OF JULY
If this lovely weather continues, we should have good weather for fireworks and other Independence Day activities. People in our building congregate on the roof around 9pm for the 9:15pm show right here in Jack London Square. With good weather and no fog, we should be able to view fireworks here, in the Estuary, at the Coliseum, in San Francisco, Berkeley, Alameda, Redwood City and who knows where else. Come on up and mingle with the neighbors.

If you plan to have guests, best have them come very early and/or go down and park your car on the street to save a spot. The Jackson Street off-ramp from I-880 will be closed and streets in the area will have posted signs regarding restricted parking.

During the day in Jack London Square there will be all kinds of family activities.

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June 9, 2005

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.

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June 1, 2005

Towne Crier #27

NEIGHBOR NEWS
Our Fourth Street Lofts Home Owners' Association President, CHASE MILBRANDT and AMY got married this weekend and they are now honeymooning.

ANDY, BARBARA and URSULA JOHNSTONE are moving from the third floor where they have lived for the past seven years, to their new house nestled in the shadow of Dunsmuir House in the East Oakland hills. This will be a labor of love for them and they are looking forward to the challenge. Their new address is 2952 107th Avenue, Oakland CA 94605.

THE CIRCUS IS COMING TO TOWN
Bumping Big Top will be in the Jack London Square Parking lot on the water, Thursday 2 June through Sunday 5 June 2005. It's already set up, with a purple and yellow Big Top.

It was just out by Hegenberger Road this past week. It will have traditional circus acts and animals. Thursday the show is at 8:30pm, Friday two shows, at 6pm and 8:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm, 6pm and 8:30pm. The admission ranges from $15-25 for general seating and $35 for ringside seating.

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May 13, 2005

TOWNE CRIER #26

HAPPY FRIDAY 13TH!

STAMP OUT HUNGER DAY
This Saturday, May 14, is an opportunity to make up for our poor showing over the Holidays in filling the Food Bank food barrel. It's Stamp Out Hunger Day by the US Postal Service. Our postman will be picking up bagged nonperishable canned and boxed goods left in the mailroom. Please, no glass containers.

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May 4, 2005

TOWNE CRIER #25

COMMUNITY ACTIVISM
There is a lot going on in the neighborhood these days and sometimes we don't always get adequate notice of important meetings. But that doesn't make them any less important.

Tonight is one such meeting at The Egghouse, 229 Harrison (corner of Third Street) in Oakland, from 7-8:30pm.

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April 22, 2005

TOWNE CRIER #24

HAPPY EARTH DAY!
Oakland is celebrating Earth Day Saturday, and in keeping with the moment, our Jack London District is holding Trash Bash VI Saturday. This is a half-day clean up the neighborhood event, which not only cleans up our neighborhood but serves as a social event for folks in the various lofts and buildings to meet and play together.

Last year Fourth Street Lofts had about the same number of players as did Tower Lofts. My goal is for us to have the highest representation.

The fun begins at 9am one block away at the Egghouse, Third and Harrison. Doughnuts, coffee and juice will be served. Folks sign up, usually in pairs and are assigned a specific task.

If you have your own gloves and/or any tools such as a 'picker-upper' or broom, bring it along. The city didn't provide us with as many this year because of all the citywide activities. We will have tools, heavy duty latex gloves and bottled water.

The morning fun segues into the afternoon fun at 1pm with a BBQ, catered by local merchants including burgers (both meat and veggie) from Prime Smoked Meats on the corner of Third and Alice; and beer from The Warehouse Bar & Grill on Fourth and Webster.

It's not too late to RSVP to JOANNA ADLER at Jack London Mail (Third and Alice Streets) 510/893-4100 or by email at trashbash@jacklondondistrict.org. The RSVP is helpful for the BBQ planning.

AND, if at the last minute you find your schedule free, come on by even if you haven't sent in a RSVP.

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March 14, 2005

Towne Crier #23

TALL SHIPS IN JACK LONDON SQUARE
Two Tall Ships are berthed at the foot of Jack London Square, between Scott's and Jack's Bistro. They arrived from San Francisco Tuesday 9 March and will leave Sunday 20 March 2005. The biggest one is the Lady Washington which is 125 years old. The other, a schooner, is The Bill of Rights.

There are weekday tours 1-4pm for $4, and on the weekend there are harbor cruises of two varieties, three or four hours. One is more participatory than the other, meaning hands-on with the sailing. One cruise includes a mock battle between the two ships complete with cannons. I was at Kincaid's for dinner Saturday at dusk and they sailed right down the Estuary and the cannon went off. Quite an experience.

After the ships leave Jack London Square, they go to Redwood City and then Sausalito. In the works is a West Coast Tall Ships Challenge Race Series.

The ships have a website with complete information www.ladywashington.org; or call 800/200LADY.

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February 18, 2005

Towne Crier #22

DISTRICT THREE TOWNHALL MEETING
We live in Oakland District Three and our Oakland City Council person is Nancy Nadel. There will be a Townhall Meeting for our District on Thursday 24 February 2005 from 6-9pm at the West Oakland Senior Center, 1724 Adeline Street at 18th Street. The Agenda Items include Environmental Indicators Project work on Truck Routes through West Oakland (our community); New Housing Development at 1919 Market Street; and a Panel Discussion/Update with invited panelists from the Oakland Unified School District regarding three schools - Prescott Elementary, Lowell Middle and McClymonds High School.

A note here - we live in an area which has heavy Truck Traffic. Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Food provided and Parking available. For more information, call 510/238-7003.

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October 28, 2004

Towne Crier #21

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
This is the weekend to fall back, and have it get darker earlier.

LUNAR ECLIPSE
Our roof was a great place to watch the Lunar Eclipse Wednesday night. We have some spectacular vista provided by Mother Nature, all for free on our very own roof.

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August 27, 2004

Towne Crier #19

We've had some new folks moving into the building and old friends moving out.

ALAN and BECKY CAUDILL have moved into #208. Welcome!

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July 9, 2004

Towne Crier #18

NEIGHBOR NEWS
Comings and Goings: JULIA OGRYDZIAK and JEFF KRAUSE in #301 will be moving this summer, and selling their loft. Julia is going back to college at Cambridge to get her Masters Degree in Design at the School of Architecture. Jeff will move their business, Blacksquare, as Jeff says it can be done from anywhere. They hope to move back to the area after the year of matriculation is completed.

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June 9, 2004

Towne Crier #17

I apologize for the late notice but I just learned of tonight's meeting...

There is an EIR Scoping Meeting tonight at 6:30pm at the Jack London Aquatic Center, 111 Embarcadero East in Oakland. It will be a Community Meeting to discuss the plans for 3100 residential townhomes on 62 acres of Port of Oakland land. There is a bill in the California Legislature now for the Port of Oakland to trade that land for some other land (unknown where).

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June 5, 2004

Towne Crier #16

We have new neighbors in Loft #307, which used to be occupied by Cho Kwan Accounting. T.J. BECKER, wife CORRIE, daughter MADELEINE (6 1/2 years old) and their whippet BOWIE. They have been here two months. Welcome!

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May 28, 2004

Towne Crier #15

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Two Sundays ago the Trash Bash V was held in our neighborhood and 25 people from the Jack London District turned out. While the turnout wasn't as large as last year, a lot was accomplished. It's nice to see a clean neighborhood. Thanks to JOANNA ADLER of Jack London Mail for organizing the Bash. She lives in Tower Lofts.

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May 8, 2004

Towne Crier #14

SALMON SEASON
Salmon season started last weekend, so this weekend at the Jack London Farmer's Market there will be the first of San Francisco area fresh salmon.

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November 3, 2003

Towne Crier #12

SOCCER GAL

OLIVE FONTAINE, the eight and a half year old daughter of TRES FONTAINE in Loft #105, is playing her final soccer game of the season just down the way. Her Bobcats team from the Rockridge Soccer Club plays the Angel Monkeys at 8:30am Wednesday 5 November at Estuary Park, which is at the end of Oak Street, right on the water. So if you're out strolling with your morning coffee, walking the dog, or whatever - come on down. Estuary Park is a great place for all of the aforementioned activities and then some. They even have real live ducks to feed, not just flying rats.

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October 25, 2003

Towne Crier #11

WELCOME!

We have three new neighbors and one relocated tenant.

GREG TSUTAOKA has moved back from Seattle into his Loft 311, with his bride ANNABELLE. He commutes to Sacramento for his work in computer software, and she works in a San Francisco health club.

WENDY TINSLEY, who was living in Loft 311, has moved into Loft 405 owned by CATHERINE CHASE, where her mother had a studio.

KELLY has moved into Loft 208. She has relocated with her job at Carolyn Williams Public Relations, from Atlanta to Oakland. Kelly had previously lived in Berkeley for a while, but has always wanted to live in Jack London Square.

PAUL and MARGERY, who had lived in Loft 208, have moved to Emeryville.

Welcome neighbors!

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