Today's Newsletter will be unusually short and sweet as it's prompted by a very few, time-sensitive issues we wanted to be sure to publicize. This is also our last and best opportunity to offer our readers best wishes for a very happy holiday season and healthy new year. Lakeshore Complete Streets Improvement Project The pedestrian and transit improvements slated for Lakeshore and Lake Park Avenues are scheduled to begin late next year. The landscape architects working with Oakland's Traffic Engineering Department have requested community input prior to a January 7 public meeting at Lakeshore Baptist Church's Family Room. They are particularly interested in hearing how you think the expanded pedestrian/transit plaza on the corner of Lakeshore and Lake Park could best be used and what it would look like. For more information, please read the article I've posted on the Grand Lake Neighbors website. Reminder: Town Hall to Discuss Grand Lake Rezoning tomorrow, December 9 We wrote about this Town Hall two weeks ago. If you missed out on the details, you'll find an explanatory article along with links to maps and reports from the Oakland Planning Department that's also posted on the Grand Lake Neighbors site. In order to guarantee a big turnout tomorrow night, they toyed with the idea of offering free beer and pizza but got hung up haggling over whether the pizzas should or should not be vegetarian and abandoned the idea entirely. Still, it's the thought that counts. Hope to see you there. Merchant News Speaking of pizza, what we referred to two weeks ago as the much-anticipated, "Son of Pizzaiolo" now has a real name--Boot and Shoe Service. Just for the record, that's Boot and Shoe Service (period) with no "restaurant" attached. Moniker is a tribute to a much earlier occupant of the 3308 Grand address and has the added advantage of being easier to spell. I'm assured that they will be serving the same mouth-watering pizzas and latest news is that they will be opening by the end of this week or early next week at the latest. Farmers Market News Not too much to report on the Farmers Market front other than a reminder that the market will be open each and every Saturday through the holidays. You should also remember to dress warmly for your farmers market fix. This past week, it was so chilly I only ended up with just three passable photos before packing up and heading for home. Rather appropriately, one of those three photos is titled "Bundled Up". Another of the new photos reminded me of something Eddie Chavez from EGB Farms told me several years ago that initially made me realize the extent to which the farmers market community is like a big, extended family. Eddie was talking about Mimi from Halog Farms and how he had watched her growing up over the years while working at the market. This photo of Mimi's "little" brother makes me think that a great many of us who are regular market customers have been absorbed into that circle. Last time I saw Willie he was about half my size. Now, I'll probably come in handy if he ever misplaces his weight set. Menorah Lighting Celebration at Splash Pad December 13 We're delighted to have what will hopefully become an annual tradition debuting Sunday, December 13. Chabad of Oakland is sponsoring a Menorah lighting celebration that will begin at 4:00 PM in the Splash Pad Park plaza. This event will include live music, refreshments and a free raffle. This event is free and all are welcome. Assuming their permit was granted, also look for their 200 pound menorah to remain in the park through the following Friday. Oaklandish T-Shirt Design Competition Over the past few years, Oaklandish has managed to carve itself a niche as one of Oakland's most valued and valuable cultural institutions. In addition to churning out a really unique line of clothing, they very quietly give back to the community--particularly so, through their annual Innovator Awards. The 2009 recipients pocketed in excess of $20,000 in grant funding from Oaklandish. If you're an artist or illustrator, check out their latest idea, their First Annual T-Shirt Design Competition. Grand Prize is $250 plus a stack of t-shirts. Deadline is February 1st. Splash Pad Newsletter Subscriptions Looking for that perfect gift for friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers without digging deep into your wallets, invite them to become Splash Pad Newsletter subscribers. We'll thank you even if they don't. Subscribe by sending an email to info@splashpad.org. |