The Jack London News
Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Register to Vote / Announcement of new polling location
If you're new to the neighborhood, it's a good time to re-register to vote. You can do it online by clicking on this link. You have until October 20th to register.

When you get your voter information for the November issue, be sure to look at where you'll be voting. Last week a new polling location was approved at 3rd & Jackson in the empty space adjacent to the Allegro Apartments gym. Hopefully it will cover a good majority of the District.

After the last election I asked as many people as I could if they voted. I don't care who or what you voted for, just that you voted. I can't tell you how many people told me that they hadn't voted! And the variety of excuses was interesting. A good majority of the excuses were that they didn't know where to go to vote. Some thought that their polling location was still at the Port Building in Jack London Square, which it hasn't been for at least two or three elections. Others were confused by the location in Chinatown.

So this time around, check your booklet when it comes if you're not voting by mail. Hopefully you'll find a very walkable polling location right here in your neighborhood.

(Note to Phoenix Lofts & others on the "other side of Broadway" - not sure where your polling location would be, so do be sure to check your booklet.)
Posted 8/05/2008

Jack London District Association vs Jack London Mail
I heard one of the most silly things ever yesterday and in a day full of frustration regarding the Jack London District, this one thing in particular took the cake.

I own a business here in the neighborhood. I know it's a convenient spot for people to come in to ask about neighborhood stuff, but it's still a business. I know I'm here most of the time, so it makes me an easy trap for people to ask questions or pass along news. But just keep in mind that it's a business (sorry to keep repeating) and that even if I don't have customers in the store at that moment, it doesn't mean I'm not working on something for a customer who isn't physically in the store.

I can't tell you how frustrating it is every day to be asked the same two issues repeatedly. Parking can be an all day subject full of drama and disagreements as to whether the current permit scheme is the right thing to do or not. For the record, I believe it is the right thing to do, but too late in happening and not a whole lot of hope of it lasting past the first year since it's doubtful that the City will sell 1100 permits at the $150 price. The history is worth reading, but I'm not going to tell the tale again here. Go back and read old issues or blog entries. Please, whatever you do, don't ask me about it in the store. I need a time out from the subject.

The other issue I get asked about daily is the grocery store. I've said it so many times that I feel like a broken record. No, there is currently no signed deal for a grocery store here in the District. The ground floor of the Amtrak parking garage being built is, in theory, where a grocery store will go since the developer was required to put in retail space on the ground level, but it's not a guarantee that a grocery store will go there. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think it will happen anytime soon. I'd love to be wrong because of how much I'd love for a grocery store to be right there. But I'm a fairly logical person and logic tells me that with new construction are big costs, which equate to high rents. When you further look at it from a grocery store's standpoint, they need super low rents because they have a relatively low margin (even in high end grocery stores) compared to overhead costs, so I just don't see it. Like I said, I hope I'm wrong. I would really love to be wrong.

So out of about a dozen people that came to see me before noon yesterday about non-business stuff, one person shocked me partly because he wasn't asking about either of these two most popular issues. He was asking about something completely different. When I suggested going to JLDA to discuss the issue, I was given some wierd answer about how JLDA is a "waste of time" and that they're only interested in the Waterfront Warehouse District.

You could easily have knocked me over with a feather. How is it that people have this perception? The JLDA Call is providing more info on JLDA than I provided back when I printed the Jack London News. Certainly the most recent issue I read of the JLDA Call had no articles that I can recall on the subject of the Waterfront Warehouse District. Parking seemed to be the biggest topic.

When asked why this person felt the way he does about JLDA, he said that "even the colors on the website were the same colors as on the WWD signs". Uh, yeah, but how does that make it all about the WWD? I just looked at the site and the National Night Out event info (it's TONIGHT!) is on the front page with other articles on Kimball's withdrawing a cabaret license request for a new space they had been considering, the new waterfront access map, and a report on the District 3 candidate forum. There are links on the left side which point people to specific subjects such as development, the community calendar, parking, crime & safety, etc.

So how do people have that perception? Because this person told me that most people he knows seem to feel the same way. Is that true?

I was a founding member of JLDA. I gathered a group together to form into the new JLDA so that it wasn't just about a "neighborhood", but about the entire district. JLNA (Jack London Neighborhood Association) had disappeared a few years earlier and rather than resurect that, a group of us decided to go for a broader name to include the businesses in the area, not just residents.

JLDA has monthly meetings that ANYONE & EVERYONE is welcome to attend. You should, as a courtesy, let them know that you will be going so as to make sure there are enough chairs/space. The next meeting is Monday, August 18th at 7pm at the Egghouse - 229 Harrison at Third Street. Send an email to info@jlda.org if you will be attending. Go! Find out for yourself what they are talking about and working on. See if you can provide some help. If you have an issue you want to discuss, let them know. They're an easy group to talk to. I, however, am NOT on the Board. So talking to me about stuff that they need to know about isn't the way to go. I realize that this sounds pretty harsh, but it's true.

Getting involved in your neighborhood is an investment in your home, business, or whatever else brings/keeps you in the neighborhood. Expecting someone else to get involved for you is unfair. It's the organizing of the masses that creates change. This District has slowly been evolving in that direction and I hope that evolution continues. But it won't happen if people go out trying to get things done individually - because our voice isn't as loud as individuals as we are as a group.

Need a notary, to ship a package, or to rent a mailbox? Come on down to Jack London Mail.

But if you need to talk about the neighborhood, want to get involved, or ask questions about the neighborhood contact JLDA or go to their next meeting August 18th. Trust me, it won't hurt a bit... well, maybe a tiny bit, getting through some of the required bureacracy, but only by getting involved can you expect anything to change.

I'm going to keep taking a break from events and meetings. It's someone else's turn to get involved!
Posted 8/05/2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008

MoNO Back In Business
Not even a week after a minor fire, MoNO is reopening tomorrow for lunch and dinner.

Show them some support and go by for a drink, if not a full meal. I especially recommend the Agua Fresca and the Peach Martini's...

Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday 11:30am-2pm.

Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday 5:30pm-9:30pm.

You can also make reservations via OpenTable.
Posted 7/22/2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Story Index for the old 2006 print issues
This is mostly for my own benefit - I need to be able to search on the stories I wrote for Jack London News' print editions. The online issues don't have the best graphics, so if you need a high resolution electronic copy, let me know and I can see if there's a way to get it to you. (Hopefully no one will need or want one!)


Volume I, Issue 1 - January 2006 - 2 pages [pdf]

Advertisers: Sierra Salon, Jack London Mail, Sierra Deli & Market, Red Hanger Kleaners, Prime Smoked Meats, Subway, World Ground, Peerless Coffee, & Cuckoo's Nest

Volume I, Issue 2 - February 2006 - 2 pages [pdf]

Advertisers: Yoga & Pilates Classes, Jack London Mail, Sierra Salon, Prime Smoked Meats, Oakland Library Benefit

Volume I, Issue 3 - March 2008 - 4 pages [pdf 1001.73 KB]

Advertisers: Yoga & Pilates Classes, Urban Bay Properties, World Ground, Silk Road, Heinold's First & Last Chance, Sierra Salon, Prime Smoked Meats, Century 21, Waterfront Action, Creative Effects, Jack London Mail, Subway, Sierra Deli & Market, iSmile Dental, Peerless Coffee & Tea, and Caldecott Properties

Volume I, Issue 4 - April 2006 - 4 pages [pdf 1.34 MB]

Advertisers: Yoga & Pilates Classes, Caldecott Properties, World Ground, Sierra Salon, Jack London Mail, Waterfront Action, Prime Smoked Meats, Heinold's First & Last Chance, Century 21, Saf Keep Storage, London Real Estate & Loan, Subway, Sierra Deli & Market, iSmile Dental, Urban Bay Properties

Volume I, Issue 5 - May 2006 - 4 pages [pdf 1.92 MB]

Advertisers: Jack London Mail, Aqua Via, World Ground, Sierra Salon, Waterfront Action, Prime Smoked Meats, Markus Supply Ace Hardware, Century 21, Saf Keep Storage, Studio 8, Sierra Market & Deli, iSmile Dental, Joan Morrow Prudential Realty, Caldecott Properties


Volume 1, Issue 6 - June 2006 - 4 pages [pdf 1.83 MB]

Advertisers: 1st Metropolitan Mortgage, Aqua Via, World Ground, Sierra Salon, Markus Supply Ace Hardware, The Fat Lady, Jack London Square Farmers' Market, Saf Keep Storage, Studio 8, Joan Morrow Prudential California Realty, iSmile Dental, Mignonne, Sierra Deli & Market, Oakland Public Library, Jack London Mail, Prime Smoked Meats, Century 21


Volume 1, Issue 7 - July 2006 - 8 pages [pdf 5.21 MB]

Advertisers: 1st Metropolitan Mortgage, Aqua Via, World Ground, Sierra Salon, Oakland Public Library, The Fat Lady, Jack London Mail, Miramonte Company, Soizic, Tamarindo, Joan Morrow Prudential California Realty, iSmile Dental, Mignonne, Sierra Deli & Market, London Real Estate & Loan, Century 21, B Restaurant & Bar


Volume I, Issue 8 - August 2006 - 8 pages [pdf 3.83 MB]

Advertisers: 1st Metropolitan Mortgage, Aqua Via, World Ground, Sierra Salon, Markus Supply Ace Hardware, The Fat Lady, Jack London Mail, Miramonte Company, Teresa Jenkins Main Attorney-at-Law, Jessos Seafood, Flexcar, Soizic, Waterfront Action, Prime Smoked Meats, Tamarindo, Oakland Public Libary, iSmile Dental, Fenton's Creamery, Jack London Mail, Sierra Deli & Market, London Real Estate & Loan, Century 21, B Restaurant & Bar


Volume I, Issue 9 - September 2006 - 8 pages [pdf 6.58 MB]

Advertisers: Sell Smart, Aqua Via, World Ground, Waterfront Action, Jack London Square Farmers' Market, The Fat Lady, Sierra Salon, Miramonte Company, Teresa Jenkins Main Attorney-at-Law, Jessos Seafood, Flexcar, Soizic, Tamarindo, 1st Metropolitan Mortgage, iSmile Dental, FasTrak Covers, Jack London Mail, Sierra Deli & Market, London Real Estate & Loan, Century 21, B Restaurant & Bar


Volume I, Issue 10 - October 2006 - 8 pages [pdf 13.96 MB]

Advertisers: Sell Smart, Aqua Via, World Ground, Waterfront Action, Oakland Public Library, The Fat Lady, Sierra Salon, Miramonte Company, Teresa Jenkins Main Attorney-at-Law, Jessos Seafood, Flexcar, Soizic, Blue Moon Temple, Tamarindo, 1st Metropolitan Mortgage, iSmile Dental, Jack London Mail, Sierra Deli & Market, London Real Estate & Loan, Century 21, B Restaurant & Bar

Volume I, Issue 11 - November 2006 - 8 pages [pdf 6.26 MB]

Advertisers: Sell Smart, Caldecott Properties, World Ground, Waterfront Action, Jack London Square Farmers' Market, The Fat Lady, Sierra Salon, Miramonte Company, Teresa Jenkins Main Attorney-at-Law, Soizic, Macy Movers, Blue Moon Temple, Dashe Cellars, Jack London Mail, Kincaid's, A Lucky Dog, 1st Metropolitan Mortgage, iSmile Dental, JC Cellars, FasTrak Covers, Sierra Deli & Market, London Real Estate & Loan, Century 21, B Restaurant & Bar

Volume I, Issue 12 - December 2006 - 12 pages [pdf 9.97 MB]

Advertisers: Prime Smoked Meats, Caldecott Properties, World Ground, Waterfront Action, Jack London Square Farmers' Market, The Fat Lady, Sierra Salon, Miramonte Company, Teresa Jenkins Main Attorney-at-Law, Flexcar, Soizic, Mignonne, Tonya Perme Pet Photography, ProArts Gallery Store, Swarm, Peerless Coffee & Tea, Jack London Mail, Macy Movers, Blue Moon Temple, Dashe Cellars, Tamarindo, A Lucky Dog, Kincaid's, iSmile Dental, Oakland Public Library, Heinold's First & Last Chance, Saf Keep Storage, Sierra Deli & Market, London Real Estate & Loan, Century 21, B Restaurant & Bar


Posted 7/16/2008
Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Waterfront Access Map
I was just reading another Oakland focused blog and figured readers here could use a reminder that we have a really great park a nice bike ride away. While Middle Harbor Shoreline Park is often cold and windy, it should be spectacular with our current heat wave. So get out your bike and go for a spin.

Another nearby waterfront park to visit is Union Point Park, just down Embarcadero just past the Coast Guard Island access road.

This great map has both parks on it as well as info on the Bay Trail.
Posted 7/09/2008

Yahoo Group Created for JLD
Patti Beadles of Fourth Street Lofts has created a Yahoo Group for local residents:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jacklondonneighborhood

Click on the link and give it a whirl!
Posted 7/09/2008
Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Code Complaints Filed With The City
The follow complaints have been faxed to the City of Oakland Community & Economic Development Code Compliance hotline.

1. FAILURE TO GAIN ENCROACHMENT PERMIT. 288 Third Street

All on-street parking illegally blocked for 3 days at this point. They should have instead purchased an encroachment permit. It does appear that they still have a fair amount of work to do.

2. BLIGHT. Lot on 2nd Street between Webster and Franklin (adjacent to Port of Oakland parking lot at 2nd & Webster), including Mingles club on Embarcadero & adjacent building.

Homeless encampment behind what used to be Mingles and boarded up area facing 2nd Street has been breached/broken. The weeds are knee high and the owners have been notified several times by the neighborhood association. There is feces in the front entry area along Embarcadero and many windows have been broken and the vent facing the 2nd Street side has been removed and it looks as though someone may have entered the [vacant] building.
Posted 7/02/2008
Friday, June 27, 2008

Brown Sugar Kitchen
If you can grab a chance to head to work late, I highly recommend a stop at the Brown Sugar Kitchen on Mandela to grab some breakfast. BSK is also open on Saturdays from 7am-3pm, but with a different menu. I've also heard that it is crazy busy from open to close on Saturdays.

Today I got to head over to BSK, which is owned by Tanya Holland who used to live in the Jack London District. Some of you may remember when she had her book (New Soul Cooking) signing at Barnes & Noble.

BSK is awesome. I'm not a huge fan of waffles, but I swear the one I had this morning was the lightest I've ever had. It melts in your mouth! And fried chicken? Also not a favorite of mine - it was divine! The space is a bit unassuming on the outside, but incredibly welcoming on the inside. Tanya has done an awesome job with the decor, food, and ambiance.

We are so lucky here in Oakland to have so many great new (& newish) restaurants popping up - MoNO, Wood Tavern, Flora, Camino, B Restaurant & Bar, Levende East, etc. Not to mention all of the old favorites here in the District.

Support these independently owned restaurants - the economy and time of year is hard on them.

More info on Brown Suguar Kitchen here. Check it out!
Posted 6/27/2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Legally Defining 4-Hour Parking
I've had at least a half dozen people stop by to complain that they have gotten tickets within the 4-hour zone, even though they moved their car before the 4-hour time limit had passed. Some have moved their cars across the street from where they were initially parked, while others have moved their vehicle to a completely different block.

Dan at Monohan Paper was nice enough to do more research (well, he's the latest one to get a ticket).

The violation number on the tickets that I have seen is 10.44.120 - it is a $70 ticket.

Here is the applicable text of 10.44.120:

A. It is unlawful and shall constitute a violation of this chapter for any person to stand or park a motor vehicle, without a current residential parking permit properly displayed, at a curb within a residential permit parking area for a period of time exceeding the time limitation established by the City Council for such area. Motor vehicles identified as used by disabled persons meeting the requirements of Section 22511.5 of the California Vehicle Code shall be exempt from this subsection.

Ouch! That completely goes against what the Parking Committee was told. On the other hand, a case could be made that this is not a RESIDENTIAL permit area.

I'm passing this info on to the current members of the Parking Committe & the JLDA Board for them to follow up with City Staff. If/when I hear more, I will pass along that information.

In the meantime, it appears that moving your car is not an option. (cringe - please, no hate mail! Or at least not directed at me.)

UPDATE 6/25/08 1:47pm PST:

Gary Knecht of JLDA informs me that 10.45.120 Violations & Penalty says, "The violations and penalty provision set forth in Chapter 10.44.120 shall apply to the Jack London District mixed use parking permit program. He also says that when he has asked parking enforcement about this, he has been told that it IS okay to move and you won't get a ticket. That goes against the above law and what two different parking enforcement officers told me and Dan today.

That answers that question, but here's another:

What about the 2-hour parking spots that are not open to permit parking? Can you move your car within those spaces without getting a ticket?
Posted 6/25/2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Committee Approves Increased Fees; Holds Boundary Decision
Today City Council members approved the increase of visitor parking fees. It will still go to full council for final approval. I caught KTOP just as they were trying to decide what to do.

On the plus side, Council Members agreed that Staff should meet with JLDA in the next week to discuss increasing the boundaries. This has to happen before they can bring it to Council. At best, they're looking at Sept 16th for a second reading at council before the ordinance can be ammended.

If you need visitor permits, get them now before they go up in price!
Posted 6/24/2008