Moar, Love Oakland! Oakland is Raw, from thug to hipster to yuppie, the diversity abounds without limit, and those traits have brought “Most Exciting City” honors to Oakland. Also, Oakland Digital continues to develop as follows.

Inspire Oakland’s billboard winner has been chosen and her name is Ambrosia Shapiro. Here’s Ambrosia’s take on Oakland city:

”For me, Oakland has been on a long winning streak in the contest for the best place to live in the Bay. The diversity and history of Oakland, not to mention the amazing architecture and huge artist population, inspire me everyday. Oakland is rich with culture: Over 100 dialects and languages are spoken in the city, and it’s the birthplace of the Black Panther movement. I wanted to create a design that nods to that very important past while at the same time shows the fresh, new, and exciting place Oakland is today. Children’s Fairyland, Art Murmur, gondola rides on Lake Merritt, swimming in Lake Temescal, and farmer’s markets almost everyday of the week are just a few reasons why Oakland is the place to be.”

Today, Oakland Mayor Jean Quan’s newsletter featured Oakland Digital:

INSPIRE is Oakland Digital’s workforce development program that provides professional development for community college and state-level students pursuing a career in the competitive graphic design job market…Each year, they ask graphic design students to create a billboard design that conveys the question, “What about your city inspires you?”  Three talented students will see their design featured on commercial billboards throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, receive paid internship opportunities, and learn the career-related tools needed to find appropriate employment.

Sources:

- Oakland Digital Inspire Oakland 2013 with honorary judge, Mayor Jean Quan
- Movoto Blog ranks Oakland as No.1 Most Exciting City in America

At the epicenter of the Art Murmur and holding it down on Broadway decades before First Friday hit the Oakland nightlife, Rosewood House is celebrating its 44th year in business with an Anniversary Sale. Featuring fine furniture handmade in polished hardwoods, and Asian antiques rivaling the collections you have to pay to see in Asian Art museums, you should stop in just to soak in the fineness of the exquisitely curated collection. A warm message from its founder, Jane Tai, welcoming you and your friends and family to check in.

Rosewood House Anniversary Sale
May 18th through June 16th, hours: 12pm to 6pm.
2523 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 451-7373

Pharrell Williams Introduces Oakland’s Creative Growth Art Center, 355 24th Street, Uptown Oakland. “I think art is the verb and action of an expression when it’s being done.” – Pharrell Williams, Musician, Furniture Designer, Producer

p.s. the Daft Punk track featuring Pharrell’s vocals, “Up all night to get lucky…,” has a pop radio lockdown monopoly!

April 28th update: Record 1,130 cyclists in attendance. What does 1000+ cyclists look like? Bay Area riding group, Wheels of Steel WoS, captured the ride pedal pushing from Ashby BART, on Adeline St. One word to describe: “TAKEOVER.” – Love Oakland

Seven years ago, I checked out my First Friday at Oakland Art Murmur. I heard First Friday has changed a lot. I know I have! There was a shooting in the streets at 10:30pm at last month’s Oakland Art Murmur – the shooting which is common to a few Oakland residents, scared a lot of transient hipsters – you know, the ones that do not contribute ______, but rather passively drink from their _______ in paper bags. It was the actions of a few people that affected thousands in attendance. If you don’t know, OAKLAND IS RAW. Just ask Oakland Mayor Jean Quan or any citizen of the great city.

San Francisco Bike Party has been happening First Friday’s for 27 straight months and for the first time, is taking a break tonight due to a half dozen people that graf’ tagged Fort Mason at last month’s party. Those actions were by strangers, not part or aligned or work with the SFBP – typical, right? Recall Oakland’s Occupy movement and those hooded vandals who damaged the many local businesses, hiding amongst the Occupy movement. Those few actions made the mainstream dismiss the Occupy movement. Another example of a few that affect the many. When you see those few that ruin it for the many, feel free to shout, holler, and otherwise, make your feelings heard and felt, that you are NOT OK with their actions.

The take away is, OWN what you CHERISH. Looking forward to visiting Art Murmur tonight!

LOVE OAKLAND.

Rock The Bike in the New Year! Captures from Rock The Bike’s NYE Social Ride through the streets of Oakland. Props to the East Bay Bike Coalition, the office of Mayor Jean Quan, East Bay Bike Party, and all the every day cyclists that are progressively riding to make a bike-friendly Love Oakland.

Uptown Oakland roll through.

Taking the lane on San Pablo Avenue.

Attaching the magnetic LED leaves to El Arbol, the Tree Bike, an art and sound bike created by Rock The Bike

Tall Bikes, Cargo bikes, track bikes, road bikes, touring bikes, cyclocross bikes, single speed mountain bikes.

Actual Cafe, awesome bike friendly establishment on San Pablo Avenue. We’ve picked up some riders along the route to the New Years Eve party.

Love Oakland.

Love Oakland joined the East Bay Bike Party’s Pre-Apocalypse Bike Party on Friday 12/14/12. Big ups to the hundreds of brave riders that pedal power partied through Uptown, Downtown, West Oakland, and Lake Merritt! The party begins at a random start point, this month at Macarthur BART. On Friday evenings, entire BART trains are filled with bicyclists on their way to Bike Party.

Above: One of hundreds of bike party riders, surrounded by sound bikes, a crowd of dancers, in the open night at the first of three, Bike Party stops. 2012 Nuclear Hazard Gas Mask cashmere beanie handmade by LaRece Construction.

Earlier in the day, there were reports that Channel 2 KTVU elected the Bike Party as one of two End of the World festivities. The other option was a themed San Francisco hotel dinner for a thousand dollars. The latter couldn’t be more extremely different from the Bike Party on so many levels. The Bike Party is known for family-friendly fun for all, deeply rooted in the community, riding through ‘hoods throughout East and West Oakland, and “far east” locations such as Richmond, Hayward, Fremont, and even Concord / Walnut Creek. Best of all, you need only your two wheeled human powered vehicle. Human powered vehicles such as tandems, tall bikes, skateboards were also in line with the bike party.

Above: An art themed bike covered in stainless steel scales, forming a fish. To the right are the glowing speakers of the Tube-a-Boom bike.

Rock The Bike, based in Berkeley, California, brought a couple of their sound bikes. The ride leader was on the “Tube-a-Boom”, a long wheelbase cargo bike featuring four cannon like speakers mounted to the back, glowing blue, radially. The second bike weighed in at 370lbs and was packing monster heat with its modified loudspeakers – 4,000 watts – and a bike/trailer combined wheelbase beyond 13 feet. When this sound bike rolled past Uptown’s Fox Theater, flanked by bike party riders, and a soundtrack 4×4 house beat remixed “I Got 5 On It,” sonic booming between the building walls, sidewalk pedestrians and club goers waved their hands in the air, dancing, shaking and yelling, “Bike Party!” When you’re in the bike party, it’s okay to be loud and vocal. The motto is, after all, “When in doubt, Bike Party!”

Above: Riders clearly amazed at the quality of music and sound from the Rock The Bike sound bike!

Above: Tandem bike, sound bike, road bike, sharing the lane and open space in West Oakland.

The night’s ride route was 15-miles, a manageable ride for all levels of cyclists, that included riding into the West Oakland space typically filled with the noise and pollution of the industrial machines of big rig trucks and trains. However, on a Friday night, the operators have all gone home to their families and thus, massive wide roads are open for the taking. When centered with hundreds of cyclists in all directions, one cannot help but feel empowered and free. Bike Party!

Nearing the second stop, the soundtrack played, “What’s Good?!” A jeweled Bay Bridge in view. The city skyline. The lack of running motor vehicles. The waterfront. All your friends riding with you. Club music without the four walls or cover fee. What’s good? Everything in its right place!

Above: What’s Good!? VIP Bike Party style with a waterfront park takeover.

The party isn’t without its fault. There are the rare few who litter or run red lights. These nuisances should be dealt with by calling out the individuals. I only witnessed one or two cyclists, on brakeless fixed gear freestyle BMX style bikes, that ran red lights. These individuals were part of a small sausagefest group from out of town and were not old enough to grow facial hair. I called ‘em out, noting their inexperience and unworthiness of riding fixed gear for looking like an asshole and making everyone around them look like assholes. These few individuals will not be invited nor welcome at forthcoming Bike Party events.

The Bike Party is eternally grateful to the volunteers (who take route turns, contribute time, bring sound bikes), organizers and EBBP’tastic riders who pick up litter and call out those that do not follow Bike Party rules. The rules, are simple:

- Stop at red lights
- Stay right
- Pack your trash
- Don’t get smashed
- Ride straight
- Don’t hate

Above: A fat tired bike hopping around trials-style and a tiger skin painted fixed gear freestyle bike keeping the pace.

Above: East Bay Scorchers around the Lake in critical mass to the final stop of the evening.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. The good news is that there is another Bike Party coming up and after thirty-one consecutive First Friday EBBP’s, we’re onto something! Amplified on the energy from the evening, and well beyond the final BART train, I rode the bonus extension commute home from Oakland’s Lake Merritt to Concord, watching the sun rise from behind the 3,800 ft tall Mt. Diablo. What a night! Thank you, East Bay Bike Party!!!

Report by Wilson Tai, exclusively for Love Oakland.

PS below seen at “When In Oakland” posted the day of the East Bay Bike Party

You are cordially invited to attend Inspiration Awards 2012 on Thursday, December 6th from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at Preservation Park as we honor Mary Grove, Head of Global Entrepreneurship Outreach at Google and Doug Leeds, CEO at Ask.com. World-renown Oakland entrepreneur, MC Hammer is kicking-off the ceremony. Join Oakland Digital, as we highlight their outstanding achievements in a ceremonial manner and thank them for their positive impact upon the Bay Area and beyond. You can learn more and purchase tickets at www.inspiration-awards.com.

Oakland Digital (ODALC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public benefit organization which aims to educate, inspire, and empower underserved diverse communities to participate in the digital economy.

Head on down to Jack London Square – accessible by West Oakland, Lake Merritt, and 12th St BART stations (a few blocks walk). Attendance is free, all food is around $5 and is ideally regionally-sourced, sustainable ingredients. Saturday September 22 until 9:30 pm and Sunday, September 23, until 5pm. There is a vendor that makes their condiment toppings with a Fender Blender Pro smoothie bike from Rock The Bike. There was even a Lebanese falafel/dolmas/hummus vendor that had a couple shisha hookah’s set up! The size of the festival has spread into the overflow parking lot! I like the vendors but also like the picnic like atmosphere and the many water refill stations for those that brought reusable containers e.g. AVOID USING BUYING SELLING PLASTIC BOTTLES OF WATER. Especially with the excellent quality of Oakland’s EBMUD water, there’s no reason why we need to influence the public into thinking their near-free tap water is anything less than “filtered” or “bottled” water. Because it isn’t. Fantastic event, loads of community, and fun for all. Eat Real Fest is a must visit every year.

More on the local food eateries at: http://www.eatrealfest.com./event/Oakland/California/2012/eat-vendors

Velo Promo, Golden Chain Cyclists, Major Motion Cycling Team and Team Oakland present the 8th Annual Volkswagen of “Oakland Grand Prix”. Date: Sunday, September 23, 2 012. The GP is a.85 mile hourglass shaped race course in Uptown/Downtown Oakland. Route: Harrison, 19th, Webster, 20th, Franklin, 22nd, Webster, 20th, Harrison. Cat 4/5 is 17 miles at 20 laps, Cat 1/2/Pro is 34 miles which equates to 40 laps. Race registration at Velopromo.

Get there with the nearest public transit train station 19th St. BART – you’ll pop out from the steps in the middle of the race, how convenient. UC Davis Development Race Team will be racing! Wrench Science Race Team will be racing!

Here’s a photo from race turn volunteer, Yao. - Love Oakland.

Hiero Day is today, September 3rd, 2012. The free all-ages family event is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on San Pablo Avenue between 17th and 18th in Oakland. Hiero Day is free for the community, paid for by independent and local businesses in Oakland – support your local family businesses! The event is an answer to “What’s Good in Oakland?” Lots of Love Oakland today!

Live performances by Hieroglyphics, Blackalicious, Planet Asia, Equipto, Z Man, and Moe Green, and DJ sets from Honor Roll, Kev Choice Ensemble, and DJ D Sharp. These are the modern complements to ’93 ’till Infinity by Souls of Mischief of East Oakland, California.

Take BART there via 19th St station and walk to San Pablo which is parallel to Broadway and Telegraph. Map below:

View Larger Map

How’d I miss this performance by Red Hot Chili Peppers? They played at the Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday, August 14th, 2012.  In this day of social media and millions of distractions, you can certainly miss out! Although not as rad as the artwork from Eddie Vedder’s show at the Paramount Theater, the artwork by the ‘Chili Peppers is bold enough to get a nod from Love Oakland!

Air Force One in the house! Uptown Oakland was rolled through on by the Presidential motorcade. BART riders were aflutter with Obama sighting news as President Obama spoke at the Fox Theater. Oakland Mayor Jean Quan’s facebook page shared photos like a groupie would post of their favorite band after a Coachella concert. The President is a rock star.

Photos by: Jean Quan, Chronicle

Social Media for Small Business 2012 Presented by Oakland Digital ODALC

8:30am, Wed., July 25th, 2012 at Oakland City Hall, Council Chambers

SMfSB is Oakland Digital’s one day, five-hour event that serves as a neutral educational and learning platform for local small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. SMfSB breaks social media down into easy-to-understand pieces, so attendees can make sense of and utilize digital tools and technology as a platform to grow their business.

MC Hammer, the Oakland rapper / dancer / preacher / entrepreneur, is making a special appearance, speaking about the power of social and Oakland Digital’s work to help transform Oakland into an area that flourishes through technology, innovation and collaboration among diverse community members.

Tech experts from Google, Yelp, Constant Contact, Wix.com, Jimdo, GoPago and Oakland Digital will be there to host educational sessions on digital tools for small businesses!

I was in attendance last year, it inspired and taught a lot about the small business mindset and the roadblocks to social media even though social media is plastered on all sorts of media much like going green and green washing. It’s simply a mindset, learn what that’s about at this event by Oakland Digital! Register before capacity is reached: http://oaksocialmedia.eventbrite.com/

Get there by bicycle, or take BART 12th St Oakland City Center!

- Wilson, Love Oakland

Today around Lake Merritt! 12 noon to 3pm. Enjoy the farmers market, spectate, pedal power bike blend, ride and/or race your bike! A benefit for the East Bay Bicycle Coalition.

Source: http://dayattheraces.wordpress.com/

Thursday May 10th, 2012 is “Bike To Work Day” in the San Francisco Bay Area: Bring it O-Town! Word is that there is a 500 cyclist convoy rolling from San Francisco to Google HQ tomorrow morning! Oakland is deep with cyclist fueling stations. See the full Bike To Work list and map. Walk Oakland Bike Oakland WOBO informs, Mayor Jean Quan, will be riding at 7am from Eastmont Police Station to pancakes at City Center BART (14th and Broadway). WOBO will be running the Energizer Station at 27th and Broadway, right next to Bay Area Bikes, MUA, Shashamane, and Rosewood House. More details on Bike To Work Day at East Bay Bike Coalition.

Oakland’s Bike Salon podcast: “The Science of Bike Awesomeness” featuring the joy sharing Bubble Girl SF, women’s awareness with the toxic hydroquinone and mercury in the cosmetic industry, skill trade pedal power stage lighting, an interview with the founder of Oakland Digital at Academy of Sciences Nightlife event in which Rock The Bike pedal powered the stage lighting and entertainment. Bike Salon also goes into their future project goals and fund-raising efforts to sustain programming. Love Oakland!

Bike Salon podcast: “<3 Bike Love 4 Eva! That’s How We Roll!” – Bike Salon

East Bay Bike Party: Where’s Waldo! starting at South Hayward BART Station, 7:30pm! Finale and food trucks at Area Cycles, Castro Valley. Bring your bike, lock, lights, helmet – Bike Party!!!

Below are Bike Party highlights from Analisa of the Patch:

Rebecca Kaplan, an Oakland city council member since 2008, writes George Lucas of Marin (George Lucas Valley) and Star Wars fame, an open letter in San Francisco Chronicle.

Dear George – We heard you ran into a little bit of trouble in Marin recently in your efforts to build a new digital production facility.

As Oakland’s citywide elected council member – and a fan of yours since age 7 – I invite you to locate your new facility in our city.

Yoda said, “Always in motion is the future.”

That future is Oakland – home to a growing and diverse creative class – with good transportation and no shortage of “Star Wars” fans.

With a thriving entertainment scene, great food, countless imagineers and possibilities for development-approved locations, I would be happy to work with you to ensure the success of your project in our welcoming community.

We have great locations: waterfront property, industrial land, urban mixed-use, and even in the woods. Options with ferry and BART access. And space already approved for development like Jack London Square and the Coliseum area.

I’d be happy to arrange a tour.

I hope to thank you for your decades of inspiration by helping you find a place to expand- in Oakland, where you can build, grow and thrive in our sunny, scenic city.

If you want, I’ll even wear my Boba Fett mask to the groundbreaking. May the force be with you.

Copenhagen Chic Forever CCF!

Ready To Take On The World!!!

Source: Empowering Women to Bicycle for Transportation

East Bay Bike Party is rolling on East Oakland tonight (Ride Route)! It’s a 90s theme: Fugees x 2 Live Crew x Too Short x Seattle Grunge Alternative! The ride begins at Oakland Coliseum BART 730pm and wraps up before midnight (last train from BART is 12:25am).

“One party stop during the ride and a big, all-ages party after. And no hills. This ride is hella flat.”

Your Ride, Your Community, Your Responsibility – If you threw a party in your backyard and saw people trashing your place or messing with your neighbors’ houses you’d be furious. The truth is, this is your party. The neighborhoods we ride through are our ours. The houses we pass belong to people in our community. So, if you see something, say something. If you notice someone helping out a fellow Partier, cheer them on! If someone says, “Car up,” repeat it and pass it down the line. If someone new doesn’t know the basics of Bike Party, get them up to speed in a positive way. And if you see behavior that’s destructive or is endangering people on the ride, remember that it’s your party, so it’s important for you to say something or find someone who’s comfortable doing so. There are so many people who have your back on this one! We all love Bike Party and want to see it keep on keepin’ on.

Bring a Lock – There will be bike racks aplenty, but it’s self-parking, so you’ll need to bring your own lock.

Get Lights – It’s not just about cars seeing you, it’s about other Bike Partiers seeing you. If someone doesn’t know you’re behind them, they might cut you off and cause a crash. And without a rear light, it’s hard for someone to see you slowing down. When they stop short (or worse, run into you) it causes a big crash. Lights aren’t expensive and they’re an investment in your safety (and that of your fellow riders). Most shops sell a front/rear set for $15 or less. With lights, you’ll shine like the star we know you are!

Inspiration Awards is Thursday evening, December 1st, 2011, at Preservation Park in Oakland, California. Barbara Rodgers, seven-time Emmy award winner, serves as Mistress of Ceremonies. Get your tickets now or contribute to donate@odalc.org.

The following honorees are Bay Area locals who have contributed to their community through innovation and dedication: MC Hammer, Goapele, and Alex Bernstein of NorthSocial.

Business: MC Hammer, on social media at Stanford Graduate School of Business

Artistic Creativity: Goapele, performing her Bay Area hook, “Closer,” live with Drake in SF

Technology: Alex Bernstein’s, NorthSocial tips about editing a Facebook Page

About Oakland Digital: Oakland Digital ODALC encourages local commerce and technological advancements with civic responsibilities by developing the skills of the underserved in the growing Internet & mobile marketplace.

Tonight 5pm Uptown Oakland: Moneyball (Go A’s!) premiere at the Paramount Theater on Broadway. Brad Pitt with his Hollywood entourage are in the house. Come by to see the red carpet action.

Two big events Friday, September 9th, 2011, are brought together by Rock The Bike!

Friday 3pm: Campus Bike Day at UC Berkeley Sproul Plaza: http://campusbikeinitiative.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/first-ever-campus-bike-day-rolls-onto-uc-berkeley/

Friday 8pm: East Bay Bike Party at Oakland City Hall/City Center: http://eastbaybikeparty.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/september-east-bay-bike-party-%c2%a1viva-la-linden-street/

‎Shaun Tai of Oakland Digital ODALC on CNN Newsmakers with Barbara Rodgers.  Oakland Digital giving college students the opportunity to have their work published on huge billboards through the city of Oakland as a way to add credibility and value to their portfolios before entering the workforce. I’ve already seen a billboard near Uptown Oakland and another off HWY 80 by Emeryville. Inspire Oakland, inspire your community! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v​=_YhbBpKI8ys

Eddie Vedder, the illustrious frontman for world-class Seattle, Washington rock band, Pearl Jam, live solo act at Oakland’s Paramount Theater. Just by chance, two tickets happened to my possession, all but ten rows from the stage. Aisle seats, too, for long legs, bonus. From a recent visit to Oahu, Hawaii, the sounds of a ukulele bring memories of laying on the beach with a sweet breeze, zoned out to the rolling waves and warming of the sun, living it up to Hawaiian time. Eddie Vedder, live, was a highly anticipated epic that did not fail to amaze and brought the island lifestyle and ocean to the theater.

Paramount Theater is a gorgeous, period-specific, spacious, theater, yet beyond it’s scale, the space is intimate. Typical sports coliseum type concerts make the viewer watch the concert on big screens which defeats the purpose of attending such a concert in person. It’s suspect that Lauryn Hill bombed at this venue in 2007, but Prince made headline news by showing successfully to sold out crowds at the Paramount recently.

To the delight of all concert goers, Eddie Vedder pulled off an extended set that highlighted his amazing voice, the use of unplugged instruments such as the banjo, ukulele, and of course, the acoustic and electric guitar. Importantly, Eddie requested all cameras and recording devices NOT to be permitted – thank you and good call – as it was a pleasure to watch from the audience without a sea of distractions such as camera phones taking lackluster photos and blurry videos all night. Another request was broken though, the smoking not permitted rule failed as whiffs of fine California marijuana notes wafted through the audience. The Paramount is in the heart of Oaksterdam, after all!

The crowd was notably mature; it was 1990 when Pearl Jam along with bands such as Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, created the genre, Alternative – that was 20 years ago! So the crowd, if 20 at the time of these bands making it big, are now in their 30s 40s and 50s, with no shortage of respect when rocking! Eddie Vedder himself is 46 and commented, “What a good looking crowd, the young ones are cool, the old ones have aged gracefully.”

Before even entering the venue, I saw the Mark5 (Brooklyn, NY) poster featuring the Port of Oakland cranes illustrated into Star Wars “snow battle camel” AT’s. So awesome (!), elements of San Francisco Bay Area – Oakland and San Rafael caught by a New York studio! Posters were selling out at $35 a pop, to my disbelief – it’s just paper! How much could these cost to actually make, a few bucks? The morning after the event, I saw a couple on ebaY, bidding war above $78. Approximately 550 posters were printed. Further, a quantity of 100 of the 16×24 event posters with metallic ink go on sale by the designer, Studio Mark5, this Friday at $55. So those buying the poster at the event caught a bargain, after all.

I go to concerts once every 10 years, so if I go to one, it’s going to be good. I’m happy and delighted, unlike so many things in life, that I’m not asking for my time back! The finale was Eddie getting down with an assisted humming of his voice only – it was as if the angels had come down to Earth. After a thunderous standing applause (multiple times throughout the night), Eddie returned to the stage for an encore that extended the set to a total time of 3 hours, 8:30pm-11:30pm. Credit goes to Irishman, Glen Hansard, for opening up the evening and joining Eddie in a totally acoustic unplugged performance. Eddie encouraged the crowd to continue, “I’ve got the time, if you’ve got the time.” Along with echoes of shrieking women, a dude on the upper balcony screamed, “I love you, Eddie!” Oakland loves, Eddie! You’re welcome back any time!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 photo by Wilson Tai

Redwood Regional, Oakland, California. Bicycle, dog, hiker friendly.

Photo: Sherreme Gurtler

Resources for bicycling in Oakland, California:

• East Bay Bicycle Coalition: http://www.ebbc.org/
• Oakland Yellowjackets Bike Club Route Sheets: http://www.oaklandyellowjackets.org/memberaccess/routesheets.htm
• Walk Oakland Bike Oakland WOBO: http://www.walkoaklandbikeoakland.org/pages/page.php?pageid=1
• City of Oakland Bikeway Types: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/PWA/o/EC/s/BicycleandPedestrianProgram/OAK024595
• Bike shops in Oakland via Google Maps

BART was originally designed to lure 1970s shag carpet homed car drivers out of their motor vehicles and into public transit. Thus couch-like seats covered in wool and living room like spaced seating in which riders can do bad illegal things (which you’ve experienced when riding BART on New Years eve or on a Saturday last car of the night). So now BART is going to refurbish their train cars this year 2010 through 2024 when 750 cars are scheduled to be updated in the system. Personally, I’ve seen the best system in the world – the Hong Kong MTR Octopus subway system. In Hong Kong, with the amazing public transit system available, you don’t need a car, you don’t even need a bicycle. I wish that could be said about the San Francisco Bay Area.

BART wants your input, here’s your opportunity to contribute. It’s very helpful if you’ve traveled the world and experienced other cities and countries transit systems to compare and contrast. Email your photos and experiences to bartimages@gmail.com or use the contact form.

Below are photos (source: RACINGMIX) of the HK MTR system and my points on why it is the best train system in the world:

1) Handling of Passengers: Hong Kong MTR handles millions of people (3.94 million riders daily) and rush hour traffic load is like BART’s rush hour (390,000 riders daily) to the tenth degree yet it’s handled ten degrees more gracefully!

2) Convenience: Times between trains is single-digit minutes, not 20 minutes like BART typically is. This is why public transit is convenient in Hong Kong whereas most suburbanites in the Bay Area bemoan and complain about the inconvenience of our public transit system. Well, duh, County Connection buses are on 60 minute schedules, how reasonable is that!?

3) Safety: The trains don’t have doored compartments, the entire train is as one single train. You can view the entire length to the effect of a never ending mirror. This increases safety in which fellow passengers are truly aware of all activities and fellow passengers around them, infinitely more than fake cameras. This single train system also prevents the rush hour phenomenon in which some trains are packed and others that are half full.

4) Layout: The seats are strategically placed to maximize heavy traffic. You can transport luggage, bicycles and handicapped passengers due to the generous amounts of space between the seats. The center lined hand poles are essential in the HK system – and quite comfortable – and allow passengers to move about the train. Notice BART does not have these and often you see people stumbling about when BART is jolting forward or to a stop. Ever travel on BART with a couple bicycles? Notice how the current BART train’s huge couch living room seating arrangement prevents passengers from getting around a single bicycle? Another bonus is that riders no longer use the opposing seats as foot rests. Yet another plus is no more people passed out or sleeping in the corner of a seat – the open layout encourages people to be self-conscious: this is PUBLIC transit, not a private bedroom (or bathroom, yuck!).

5) Cleanliness: Hard floors and hard plastic seats – easily cleaned and kept clean. No strange stains, no more items stuck between cushions, no soda bottles stashed, no more caved in worn seats.

6) Station safety: I was at Rockridge the other night when there was a case of a jumper. The whole station shut down for a couple hours while the entire BART police force was dispatched to the station. I’ve never seen so many fire trucks in one place at one time. What’s a jumper? Well, someone that jumped in front of the train, while it was moving! It happens rarely and it sucks. Hong Kong MTR has PSDs which are doors that block access to the train tracks and open only when the train arrives stopped. It also helps with the temperature control and air quality within the subway stations. This is only a side note as such a system would be excessive for the BART system.

Small business owners struggling to find their voice in a technology fragmented world, this is the workshop to attend on how to let your small business presence be known! Hosted by Oakland Digital ODALC, this online marketing symposium is held at Oakland City Hall, the first of its kind, ever!

Supporting the bread and butter of our local economy – our locally owned small businesses – are social media pros: Andrea Weigend Ph.D. and Wendy Lea. Shaun Tai, the founder of ODALC, will offer a social media educational demo with a welcoming by City of Oakland Mayor, Jean Quan. Further, topics will cover online marketing, aspects of online and mobile reach, collaboration and community.

Pre-register to get your seat at www.oaklandsocialmedia.com.

Social Media for Small Business
Presented by Oakland Digital ODALC
Oakland City Hall 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Friday, March 25, 2011
9:30am – 2:30pm (get your brunch morning off ahead of time!)

Lucky Charms* themed East Bay Bike Party: This Friday, March 11th, 7:30pm meet and leave from Rockridge BART on a 13 mile loop through the 510 East Bay! All are welcome, bring your bike and flashing lights as this is a night ride, a U-lock if you are going to stay with the after party. Essential reading FAQ: How We Ride!

The details from EBBP: We gather at Rockridge BART 7:30pm, depart at 8pm sharp, the ride ends right back on College near Rockridge BART so everyone that commuted by BART (respect!) can get home. The optional after party is a block away at Ye Olde Hut joined by Five Ten Burger truck (PDF menu).

*theme examples include: leprechauns, Irish culture, luck, charms, pots o’ gold, rainbows,, pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, green clovers – use your creativity!

Map below:

11-mile ride in Oakland this Friday, February 11th! Starts at 8pm and ends with enough time to hop onto BART for those commuting in pro-bike. Beginning near Laney College, riding Lakeside Dr by Lake Merritt, up Broadway towards Piedmont Ave. (and past Montano Velo), across Moraga Ave. back through Crocker Highlands and Dimond district, before looping south on Fruitvale Ave., under MacArthur 580 freeway, and back to Lake Merritt on Foothill Blvd.

For complete directions, go to the East Bay Bike Party website.

Lots of breweries and pubs on board for the “SF Beer Week” February 11 thru 20th. Everywhere from Richmond to Fremont and Livermore and in between, there’s bound to be a point you can join. East Bay highlights include:

• 12% imports night: The Trappist 460 8th St Old Oakland. If you’ve ever had a beer over 7%, you know the bouncy and lively buzz you net after one pint. Located in Old Oakland, around the corner from Starbucks on Broadway across from Chinatown.
• Beer-Chef Bruce’s Brunch: Barclay’s 5940 College Ave. The fish ‘n chips are signature here, all the food is of a high level and here, Bruce Paton pairs up a beer-themed brunch menu. The restaurant is a) bike friendly and b) dog friendly! They are also doing a Battle of the Bay night featuring 6 breweries from 21st Amendment, Speakeasy, Magnolia, Linden St. and Triple Rock.
• West Bay meets East Bay: Beer Revolution, 464 3rd St. Oakland. 7 breweries do battle in the arena. Beer Revolution is also hosting Terrence Sullivan, the Brewmaster for Sierra Nevada, and Adam Linden, the brewer-owner of Linden St. brewery in the Jack London Square area.
• Anderson Valley Brewing: Bobby G’s Pizzeria, 2072 University Ave., Berkeley, featuring a half dozen varieties from Anderson Valley. Not a fan of Berkeley, but this event may be worth the visit. All that matters is the Boont Amber Ale, one of the top 10 beers in my hall of fame! Morever, Bobby G’s is tapping Pliny the Younger (11% ABV!), an A+ rated Imperial IPA, on February 18th at 3pm.

For complete schedule and locations, check out the official San Francisco Brewers Build SF Beer Week site.

If a loved one you know hasn’t been robbed, you’ve probably heard about a friend that has been mugged or robbed in Oakland. It’s unfortunate, but you do hear the common sayings due to the history: “Oakland is Raw” and “You can love Oakland but Oakland won’t love you back”. If it’s not the city penalizing its people with parking tickets and citations, its people going after each other. Search “Oakland Robbery” in the news and you’ll find a string of attacks on the city, not always by Oakland residents, they all seem to be driven by one thing – cold hard cash:

1) Sunday Dec 19th 1pm: Two armed men from a SF Hunter’s Point gang, strong arm attacked a parking lot attendant at Oakland Raider’s game, Oakland Coliseum, caught and charged with armed robbery

2) Monday Dec 27th 3pm: Two gun wielding men, store invasion on small family business, armed robbery, broad daylight on Broadway @ 26th, escaped on foot

3) Monday Dec 27th 8pm: Masked gunman, store invasion (Walgreens) escaped on foot

4) Thursday Dec 23rd 3pm: Two men, steal Fed Ex truck full of packages from Fed Ex driver, Chun Li (no relation to Street Fighter II video game character)

If you go back to September 2010, then Oakland City Councilwoman, Mayor Jean Quan, was robbed of her purse at Safeway’s parking lot. Unlike the daylight robberies, this happened in the evening at 9pm in the Dimond neighborhood.

Cameras are not always working and when they work, they are not always recording. The system is not 100%, likewise, there are no 100% guarantees with any defense or preparation, and crime is not isolated only to Oakland, it can happen anywhere. You can blame the economy, yes, everyone is hurting, and the top to bottom pinch is affecting us all. Be safe, travel in numbers, stay in well lit areas to minimize opportunists such as the above. The more eyes, the better.

And a super resource Love Oakland uses for viewing the crime via map location date and even time of day is http://oakland.crimespotting.org. Thanks to Oakland Digital for providing that link!

Jean Quan at Pride 2010, Oakland. We have two great Mayoral candidates in Quan and Kaplan for Oakland, the community cannot lose either way!

Wheels of Steel x Bike Party, Friday October 8th at 8pm, Oakland City Hall. Route details at East Bay Bike Party HQ. City Hall to Shoreline Park back through Old Oakland, Chinatown, Uptown, Lake Merritt.

Kaplan is a go-getter. She is making moves and she has the confidence, energy and spirit of a leader.

Rebecca Kaplan Top 3 Priorities as Mayor

Oakland, circa 1993.  Things change but really, everything remains the same under the sun.