I like it here

Today I was shopping at the Temescal farmers’ market — the one at the DMV on Claremont. It’s our usual Sunday morning activity, plus today Asheba was playing.

I ran into a couple with two young girls. They live in San Francisco but they’re thinking of moving to North Oakland. I mentioned that I had done the same thing, and they asked me why. And I found myself giving the area a little love song about the parks and trees and friendly people with kids and, you know, it felt really nice. This is a good place. Problems there are, but I don’t want to forget about the good things.

Election results

Alameda Registrar gives this breakdown for District 1’s city council race.

The first column is votes, the second is percentage.

As council races go, this one was pretty contentious, at least on the neighborhood e-mail lists and at the farmer’s market. But over 70% is a very good showing for Councilmember Brunner, the incumbent.

Jane Brunner	8941	72.83
Patrick Mccullough	3301	26.89

Temescal street cinema

Tonight I went to cover the inaugural showing of the Temescal open-air film series. I’ll post when I’ve written the story. But it was a happening scene, and a nice thing to see in a place where you often don’t want to hang around after dark.

Stories about Oakland

I’ve got some more stories up at the Contra Costa Times website. All were originally published in the Montclarion, the Piedmonter or the Alameda Journal.

One was a profile of a woman I found quite impressive — though only 27, she’s been a foreign correspondent and runs a non-profit and just won a journalism award.

I’m keeping my audience up to date with the Safeway development on College and Claremont, as well.

And I covered a very touching art exhibit by former foster youth.