Photog Hilda Chen finds much 'there' in Oakland
by Catherine Bigelow, SF Gate
At the Commonwealth Club on Thursday, artist Hilda Chen took on the old Gertrude Stein conceit regarding the city of Oakland's particular lack of "there-ness."
Small Business Profile: Garden Hortica
by Pamela Drake, Oakland Local
On an odd little corner surrounded by freeway onramps, new condos, and old Victorians just on the edge of downtown Oakland-668 7th Street-can be found the most wonderful garden adorned with architectural features that were designed and constructed by the co-owners using recycled materials.
Children's Fairyland nears 60-year mark
by Peter Hartlaub, Chronicle Pop Culture Critic
In a city that attracts more negative media attention than positive, the whimsical one-of-a-kind Lake Merritt park has been a quiet success story.
Best Gay and Lesbian Wedding PlannerKaren Hester
EastBay Express
As equal-rights heroes fight the good fight in California's legislative halls, gay and lesbian couples can move ahead on preparations for their Big Day with the help of wedding planner Karen Hester of Here Comes the Pride.
Compound Workers Paradise
By DeWitt ChengEastBay Express
In a group show entitled Compounding, the artists sharing private and communal studio facilities at the newly expanded Compound Gallery exhibit paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, and mixed-media works.
Thousands Play in Oakland Streets at the First-Ever Oaklavia
by John Hamilton, Street Films
On Sunday, June 27th, Downtown Oakland opened two miles of its streets to fun and activities—zumba dancing, circus arts, BMX bike competitions and performances from local musicians.
Gourmet fare pops up in Oakland
By: Dara Kerr, Oakland North.net
On a corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Way, across from Highway 24’s on-ramp and next to the elevated BART line, there is a big two-story brick building.
It’s not a farmers market, food fair or co-op—it’s the Pop-Up General Store, a place where people can buy pre-made food that can’t normally be found outside of an expensive restaurant.
What we have been doing: Dining about Downtown Oakland
City Homesteadblog
This weekend, many Oaklanders are trying to organize eat-outs in support of Downtown and Uptown Oakland restaurants to help support our local businesses... I’ll share some of my favorite downtown eating experiences from the past five months.
After 35 Years, Bay Wolf Is Still Strong
by: Mathew StaffordEast Bay Express
The Oakland restaurant's California cuisine remains as enticing as ever.
David Armstrong on Travel to Oakland
by: David ArmstrongDavid Armstrong on Travel blog
After all that, a traveler might wonder why anyone would want to visit Oakland. In fact, there are good reasons to alight in Oakland, especially if you have visited San Francisco before and want to see something new in the Bay Area...
Laughs Come Cheap at the Layover
Rachel Swan, East Bay Express
Tuesday night stand-up becomes part of a nascent comedy renaissance in Oakland.
Active Oakland nightlife can make the A's successful
BaseballOakland.blogspot.com
If you were curious to find out if an A's ballpark would work at Jack London Square, the past two to three weeks of entertainment activity in downtown Oakland should have made it clear that a stadium would be very successful.
A la Carte: Oakland's Syhabout the only NorCal chef on Best New Chefs list
Linda Zavoral, Mercury News
When it comes to the Best New Chefs, O-Town rules. You read correctly: Not S.F., not Berkeley, not Silicon Valley. Food & Wine magazine has come out with its annual U.S. list, and just one Northern California chef made the grade, James Syhabout of Commis in Oakland. (Southern California is represented by Roy Choi, the man behind the Kogi Korean BBQ truck frenzy.)
Laid-back vegetarian at Encuentro in Oakland
Michael Bauer, San Francisco Chronicle
Inside, the Encuentro staff was mellow and engaging - after all this is a laid-back vegetarian restaurant and casual service and long waits between courses is kind of a given. Several tables were available, but we chose the bar, chockablock with wine bottles, and sidled up near an older couple who had just ordered, and two women sipping sparkling wine and downing bruschetta with grilled peaches with macadamia nut cheese ($5) and herb roasted potatoes with aioli ($6).
Downtown Oakland streets going car-free Sunday
Oakland North, SFGate.com
One or two days a week, a little before noon, a crowd of people begins to line up in downtown Oakland, right off Broadway near City Hall. It's unclear what they're waiting for though, because there's nothing there. Shortly, a big white truck painted with colorful polka dots rounds the corner. Stenciled on the side of the truck, it says "Cupkates -- a mobile cupcakery."
Oaklavia: Oakland's bicycle-only Sunday deemed a success
Susan Mernit, Oakland Local
Oaklanders turned out in force for the first Oaklavia, a Sunday afternoon party that shut down 2 miles of streets to automotive traffic, freeing the space for bikes walkers and fun. OL's photography contributing editor and local photography whiz Paula Wirth was on hand to shoot pictures of the 2,000 + people who reportedly turned out--here's a selection of her images.
Tequila! Tamarindo adds adjacent tequila bar
Paolo Lucchesi, San Francisco Chronicle
Its no secret that the Bay Area loves its tequila, and now Oaklands 5-year-old Tamarindo has followed in the footsteps of Nopalito and tacked on an entire tequila bar. Owner Alfonso Dominguez has expanded into the space directly next door, effectively doubling the size of the restaurant.
Jeremy Mayer Turns Typewriters Into Art
Ellen Keohane, Oakland Magazine
When artist Jeremy Mayer looks at a typewriter, he sees more than keys, space bars and ribbons.
Rebuilding an East Bay Manufacturing Base
Michele Ellson, East Bay Express
With the collapse of the housing bubble, momentum shifts toward preservation of land suitable for light industry.
Downtown Oakland streets going car-free Sunday
Carolyn Jones, San Francisco Chronicle
Taking a cue from San Francisco's popular Sunday Streets program, Oakland will close 2 miles of thoroughfares Sunday for bicyclists, pedestrians, roller skaters, dancers, hula hoopers and other non-motorists.
Oakland's restaurants find strength in numbers
George Avalos, The Oakland Tribune
Providing fresh evidence that the city's once-moribund downtown has begun to resurrect itself, business leaders said Thursday they have formed an Oakland Restaurant Association.
OPENINGS
Multiple Threads
The Bay Leaf
Good Chemistry Baking
Tara's Organic Ice Cream
Lane-E-Cafe
Liege Spirits Lounge
Professor Squirrel
Uncle Dougie's Heroes
Let's Make Room
Doyle Chiropractic
Heart & Dagger Saloon
Zoey's Bistro
Trueburger
Beer Revolution
Era
Piedmont Piano
Mr. K's Fine Men's Clothing
iGrow
TAKE THE PLEDGE
Join the Oakland Grown pledge!
I pledge to be Oakland Grown by doing my shopping with locally-owned independent businesses and artists.
Thanks to everyone who came out including OG members and the people who love and support us!
Best of the East Bay Party 2010 On August 6, the East Bay Express celebrates its winners of the 2010 Best of the East Bay readers poll and editors picks all along the Jack London Square waterfront. Over 20,000 guests are expected to attend and salute the best ideas, products and services that are borne out of the East Bay region.
