Serving the neighborhoods from Fruitvale Avenue to Seminary Avenue and from Foothill Boulevard to Warren FreewayVolume 12 Number 1 February 2000

A Community Newspaper • P.O. Box 19046, Oakland, CA 94619 • (510) 287-2655

he Laurel/RedwoodHeights Neighbor-hood Council held

its first meeting of thenew year at the LaurelSchool on January 13,a lucky day if a goodmeeting augurs wellfor future achievement.There to chair was TeresaMiller, incoming presi-dent, respected for herrecent battle on behalf of

Laurel NCPC leaderswith Dick Spees.

See story below.

You, too, can become a friend of the Metro. See page 2.

Your support helps keep the Metro alive! Become one of the Thousand Friends.

Donovan Family, Claire Jeannette, Ms. Marilyn Miller, Steve & Catalina Alvarado, J. P. Estes,Jody London & Michael Aronson, William R. Shyvers, Jr.

ess than a quarter of amile before you reachthe High St. bridge

to Alameda sits the onlymedical waste processor inCalifornia that incinerateswaste. IES (IntegratedEnvironmental Systems,Inc.) currently awaits therenewal of its permit to oper-ate from the Bay Area AirQuality Management District(BAAQMD). This is a routineprocedure; the permit will

Court Upholds Metro Right to Print Factsin the Public Interest

Community PolicingCouncil Honors

Dick Spees

ast fall the owner of anauto repair business onthe corner of MacArthur

and Loma Vista hit the Metro,Toni Locke, and DennisEvanosky with a libel suitcharging that our story of the

almost assuredly be reissued.Nonetheless, several

activist groups and membersof the community are againstIES’s use of incinerators.Most of the opposition isconcerned with the releaseof dioxin. When compoundscontaining chlorine (that’sthe C in PVC) are burned,an accidental by-product isthe highly toxic dioxin, actu-ally several different com-pounds that build up in fattytissues and can cause risksof cancer, hormonal changes,

What About the High Street Incinerator?

cont inued on page 2

Masterson and MadroneStreets to force the Feds toreconfigure their new postoffice to lessen the nega-tive impacts on residents.

Guest of honor wasDistrict 4 City Council-member Dick Spees,with his popular aideNiccolo DeLuca. JoeDeVries and his smallson represented Council-member Nate Miley’sDistrict 6 office. Many

learning problems, repro-ductive changes, alterationof glucose tolerance, lowersperm count, and smallertesticle size. Dioxin can beparticularly concentratedin mothers’ breast milk andpassed on to nursing infants.When dioxin is in the waters,it can be found in fish, oftenin more highly concentratedamounts than in the wateritself. So, if dioxin is formedduring burning, is the incin-eration process unsafe to

cont inued on page 2

B Y T H E E D I T O R

Teresa Williams and Councilmember Dick Spees.

B Y T O N I L O C K E

L

High Street Incinerator, Integrated Environmental Systems.

RISH

A H

ESS

LUQ

MA

N

See page 5 for community opinion

multi-agency city inspectionof his place in the summerof 1998 lied. Two months ofeffort toward an amicablesettlement failed.

The Metro turned to attor-neys Mike Broad, Metro Boardchair, and Mark Goldowitz,director of The California

Now the Story Can Be Told—A Message to Our ReadersAnti-SLAPP Project, to fightthe suit. Their skill plus sworntestimony from city officialsand an outpouring of commu-nity support brought victory.The court, convinced of thetruth of the Metro article,struck down the libel suiton all counts on January 19,

branding it a strategic lawsuitagainst public participationor SLAPP.

Even a business thatviolates current zoning hasa right, when grandfatheredin under city law, to continueoperation. But how such abusiness is run is another

matter. There is nograndfathered right todisobey the ordinances andcodes established to protectthe public and the environ-ment from the dangers andblights arising from a sub-standard operation. Thecommunity has spoken.

L

T

LUQ

MA

N

B Y S H E I L A D ’ A M I C O

2February 2000

HOT NUMBERSCITY OF OAKLAND AGENCIES

ABAT—the Alcoholic 238-7103Beverage Action Team

Graffiti hotline 238-4703

Abandoned cars 615-5713

O.P.D. Non-emergency 238-3333

Animal control 535-5602

Beat Health (drugs) 615-5808

Drug Hotline 238-DRUG

Noise Hotline: 238-6777(Oakland CEDA,property complaint line)

C.O.R.E. 238-6352(Citizens of OaklandRespond to Emergencies)

Truancy Hotline 479-2199

Oaklanders Assistance 444-CITYCenter knows the answerto all problems with cityand other governmentalservices in Oakland.

PRIVATE AGENCIES

Safe Streets Now 836-4622(drugs)

A Safe Place 536-7233(domestic violence)

Conciliation 763-2117Services of Oakland(neighborhood disputes)

Sentinel Fair Housing 836-2687(free landlord-tenantcounseling anddiscrimination investigation)

Managing EditorToni Locke

Copy EditorsPaulette AveryAnne FoxRoussel Sargent

Finances/BookkeepingReuben Goldberg

Advertising ManagerSuzanne Tipton

Art DirectorAndreas Jones

Word ProcessingDavid Raich

PhotographyJody BerkeRisha Hess

DistributionDal Sellman

MailingDiane Trost

�

Board of DirectorsMichael BroadJanet BroughtonDouglas FergusonReuben GoldbergBettie GrandisonLori Hope

�

A special thanks to allresidents, associations, andmerchants for their support.Also, a special thanks to allvolunteer writers, artists,photographers and distributors.

Imagesetting by CameraGraphics,Lafayette, California,(925) 283-2473.Printing by Westco, Tracy,California, (209) 832-1000

Opinions expressed in the MacArthurMetro are those of the contributorsand do not necessarily reflect theviews held by the publication.©2000 by the MacArthur Metro,P.O. Box 19046, Oakland, CA 94619(510) 287-2655.

We welcome yournews and ads;

deadline the 15th.

Publication in thefirst week of each

month exceptJanuary and July.

ISSN 1091-1111

How to Reachthe Metro

WRITE US A LETTER. Sendyour comments to Lettersto the Editor, MacArthurMetro, P.O. Box 19046,Oakland, CA 94619.

GIVE US A CALL. Our voice-mail number is: 287-2655.

Letters may be edited forlength or clarity. Please in-clude name, address andphone number. We do notprint anonymous letters.

I want to support THE METROTHE THOUSAND FRIENDS (A donation of $10 to $49)

MONEY HONEYS (A donation of $50 or more)

Mail to The MacArthur Metro, P.O.Box 19046, Oakland, CA 94619

Name

Address

City Zip

SUBSCRIPTION ($10 for one year/10 issues)

A big thank you toCouncilmember Dick Speesand his assistant NiccoloDeLuca for their leadershipconvincing the OaklandCity Council to fund acrossing guard for SequoiaElementary School on Lin-coln Avenue.Ann Hutcheson-Wilcox

Spees HonoredC O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1

groups testified to the21 years of consistent ser-vice given to communitypolicing by Dick Spees.Donna Blank spoke for theAllendale NCPC, MarionLee for Redwood HeightsNeighborhood Association,and Renee Jackson for theLaurel P.T.A.

Also honoring Council-member Spees were Kaye(outgoing Council chair)and Darryl Stewart (parlia-mentarian), and their sonTyler. Stella Lamb, famousfor a forest of trees and aJazz Festival, representedthe Friends of the LaurelSchool. David Finacom andhis small daughter werethere for L-CAP. Officersof the Council, new resi-dents with problems,and the old hands in NCactivities all joined togetheraround school tables.

Renee Sykes, Neighbor-hood Coordinator for theOPD, came forward toguide discussion on com-plaints among neighbors.She discussed ways ofabout getting effective po-lice action or a civil solution.Sorely missed was popularCommunity Policing OfficerKevin Reed. The Depart-ment seems back to its oldtrick of shifting personneljust when they become mostuseful to the community.

The NeighborhoodCouncil looks forward toprogress on many issuesthat affect the quality of lifein the Laurel: counteringa current wave of homeburglaries, solving confron-tations and student violencearising from poor transpor-tation strategies at the 35thAvenue and MacArthurbus stop, continued focuson 39th Avenue landlords,creating youth programs,to name a few.

The community owesa lot to the leadership ofthis Laurel NCPC and theircommitment to work withthe City Council and theOakland Police Departmentand all agencies advancingpublic safety and welfare.

IES’s neighbors, toOaklanders, to the Bay?

IES would say the “stateof the art” technologymakes the process safe.According to Vic Ciccarelli,Environmental Manager ofIES, “The systems absorbcompounds like mercury,and the scrubbers minimizethe initial formation ofdioxin.” But even with thecontrols and when the sys-tems are working properly,a certain amount of dioxin,considered to be a safe levelby regulators, is released.When the incinerators arenot working effectively,more emissions are releasedvia the bypass stacks, andmore dioxin is releasedinto the atmosphere. Withthe prevailing winds, emis-sions from the incineratorare wafted along the HighStreet corridor into Oak-land. Less frequently, whenthe wind shifts, the emis-sions are blown across theestuary into Alameda.

Whether any level ofdioxin is safe is a pointhotly contested. Many op-ponents of the incineratorssuggest that the so-calledsafe levels of dioxin do nottake into account the bodyburden (the amount of di-oxin we already have inour system). Also contestedis just how much is actuallyreleased from IES andwhether other sourcessuch as diesel trucks emitso many more dioxins asto render whatever IESemits as insignificant.

Assemblymember AudieBock has suggested that

IncineratorC O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1

two monitoring stations beinstalled to measure pollut-ants from the incinerator:one at Fremont High andone at Edison Elementaryin Alameda. Steve Hill ofBAAQMD said the moni-toring stations would cost aquarter of a million dollars,and the District would notbe installing them. It wouldbe something that IES or theState Air Resources Boardor the community coulddo, he says, although theDistrict could advise.

Meanwhile, thosecommunity groups wouldrather the incineratorsshut down. But Californiarequires certain medicalwaste to be burned,Ciccarelli noted, and otherCalifornia medical wasteprocessors either “sendtheirs to IES or out of state,”where burning is not re-quired. “He’s correct,”says Mike Green, ExecutiveDirector of Center for Envi-ronmental Health, but “allwaste that goes to IES doesnot have to be incinerated,only chemotherapy andbody parts.” Green believesthat if IES did insist onburning only waste thatwas absolutely required tobe burned, hospitals wouldquickly reduce the amountof red-bag waste.

Most certainly, dioxin istoxic, as are mercury andother known pollutants.What is not as certain isIES’s contribution to thosetoxics. This is not entirelyIES’s responsibility becauseIES appears to be in compli-ance with applicable regula-tions. The issue comesdown, then, as usual, tothe public. It is up to us toinsist that our regulatorsgive consistent answers towhat level of dioxin (orother pollutants) our bodiescan carry without beingcontaminated. It is up to usto insist that if dioxin is be-ing released from IES, it bemeasured. It is up to us toinsist that if incineration isnot to be tolerated, our leg-islators change the law. ————————————There will be a public hearingon dioxin February 23, 7-10p.m. in the main CouncilChambers in City Hall.

Lettersto theEditor

SWAIN’SQuality

CUSTOM

UPHOLSTERY

510 482-2313ESTIMATES - PICK-UP & DELIVERY

3016 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland

he Laurel Merchantswould like to honorthe memory of Steve

Ward for the volunteerspirit he brought to ourgroup. Steve was a behind-the-scenes player, givinggenerously of his time andhis ol’ pickup truck to helpwith our sidewalk sales andfestivals. We could alwayscount on him to pitch inwith that truck to get sup-plies, do last minute er-rands, and clean up at theend of the event. He alsotook good care of us byproviding needed nourish-ment. At the Dragon Boatraces he was our saviorwith a splendid picniclunch.

Steve was more thana volunteer with the LaurelMerchants Association; hewas a resident, a client, acustomer, a neighbor andour friend. We will misshim greatly.

B Y M A U R E E N D O R S E Y

DOROTHY OKAMOTO

Optometrist

3714 MacArthur BoulevardOakland 530-2330

Over 20 years in the Laurel District

T

In Memoriam

ost Leona Heightsresidents made itthrough the millen-

nium New Year with littledifficulty, thanks perhapsto the Y2K planning which,to one degree or the other,most heeded. Preparationswere useful because ourneighborhood is astride thenefarious Hayward Fault,close to the element mostlikely to move next. Whichreminds me to ask again,“Have you seriously consid-ered whether your basementarea (inside) has adequateplywood sheeting wellnailed to add stud supportbelow the first floor?” Anddouble-check the support

system you use for yourfavorite or antique knick-knacks.

Upbeat news for our areais that the city maintenanceforces continue to trim treesand brush that encroach onpower and telephone linesor would hamper fire equip-ment access. We applaudlocal residents who havehelped with recent removalof abandoned vehicles bycalling 615-5713.

And going into the year2000, we thank Tony Acosta,Supervisor of the Parks,Recreation and Cultural De-partment, for his consistenthelp given the Leona HeightsImprovement Associationin our mutual efforts to im-prove Oakland.

Leona HeightsNeighborhood News

B Y G O R D O N L A V E R T Y

he action committees of L-CAP are hard at work onthe community business of

the next century.The Laurel’s grant applica-

tion to the Metropolitan Trans-portation Commission forMacArthur Boulevard streetimprovement funds was com-pleted in mid-December. Theprocess is highly competitive,and we are hugely appreciativeof support from Council-members Dick Spees andHenry Chang. Applicantsneed to show at least 11 percentmatching funds from localsources. Thanks to these twocouncilmembers, our area’s ap-plication went in with over 30

percent in local funds commited.El Pollo Loco has agreed

to work with an L-CAP commit-tee on pre-design of theirproposed building at High andMacArthur. The company iscommitted to bringing the Lau-rel a building and a businessthat reflects our needs andcommunity.

Our joint “green space”action group, working withthe Laurel/Redwood HeightsNCPC, is researching viableoptions for a small park atMaybelle and Masterson. Thelatest option under consider-ation is a tot lot. Many thanksagain to Laurel visionaryactivist Nguu Tran, whose earlywork on this park proposal hasnow been taken up by the widercommunity.

February 2000

3

L-CAP’s business recruit-ment action group has pulledtogether current informationon Boulevard vacancies and isactively searching for wonder-ful businesses to fill them. Ifyou know of a business youwould like to see expand to theLaurel, call L-CAP and make asuggestion.

Finally, a representativeof Albertson’s managementwill be coming to our Februarygeneral meeting to discuss theirlocal store.

L-CAP’s next meeting isWednesday, February 9, 7 to9 p.m., at World Ground Café,3726 MacArthur. Our phonenumber and volunteer hotlineis 986-9021. Come lend a handin the shared work of our com-munity.

Melrose Branch Library—Open House at Last

Friends and neighborsgathered at the temporaryMelrose Branch Library onJanuary 19 to listen to theSkyline High School JazzBand Combo, enjoy the food,admire the fire engine, andhave their faces painted. Butmost of all, after nearly sixlong months, they celebratedthe return of the branch, inmid-December.

The building at 5420Bancroft looks like a con-struction trailer, but there’sa book drop at the entranceto the parking lot, and thesign in window says, “Yes,we’re open.” Inside, it’swarm and familiar. Helpwith homework is availableafter school to elementaryand middle-school studentsMonday through Thursday.The story hour is on Tuesdaymorning at 10:30 a.m. And

B Y A D E L L E F O L E Y

High Street Neighborhood Newsthe library has added graphi-cal Internet access.

Thanks to all of you whokept up the pressure anddidn’t let the City forget howmuch we need the library.It worked.

Discoverthe Discovery Center

Just before Christmas Idropped by the DiscoveryCenter. As I walked in a littlegirl explained, “You canmake a lot of things. You cansee animals and stuff.”

Rich Bolecek set up MathBlaster on one computer,Magic School Bus on another.In the next room the displayof projects included a hockeygame propelled by magnets,a skateboard ramp, a circuitboard, and a skeleton withnumbers on its bones keyedto name tags below. The newtelescope helped identifybirds in the elm tree by dayand pointed up at Jupiter’smoons after dark. As I left,Sherman Separs was getting

Repairing a Mudslide atthe Bridgeview Meadow

About half a mile down-stream from the MontclairGolf Course is BridgeviewMeadow—a man-made land-scape that developed in thiscentury. It was once a lateralvalley to Sausal Creek. Thebig ditch became a municipaldumping ground. For manyyears, the valley was filledwith asphalt, cement, ceramicpipes, lead wires, ancienttransmissions.

About four years ago, a

rivulet mysteriously surfacedin the meadow, flowing outof a willow thicket that hadalways indicated under-ground water. Last winter,the heavy rains caused amudslide and cut a deepscar in the meadow. TheFriends of Sausal Creeksought and obtained a grantto repair the slide from theUrban Streams RestorationProgram of the CaliforniaDepartment of Water Re-sources. The City helped torechannel the rivulet andbuilt earthen berms todirect the water into a

Friends of Sausal Creek

Dimond ImprovementAssociation News

he MacArthur-Lincolncorner park lives! Severalweeks ago the electricians

visited the site. Now the land-scaping with leveling andpaths is proceeding. Soon theeye should behold an appeal-ing corner of the Dimond.

Our most recent gatheringopened the new year for theDimond Improvement Orga-nization. We met in the libraryand socialized. Refreshmentswere shared and thoughtsvoiced about future meetingsand committees. If you wouldlike to do something for theDimond neighborhoods, thereis probably a committee youcould join. Some of these aregardening and cleaning, zon-ing, communications, interde-partmental working group,and business attraction. Weare currently hoping for arezoning classification in thebusiness area that would en-courage small businesses. Our

colorful banners are up dueto the efforts of the DimondMerchants organization andCEDA. Our free and attrac-tive parking lot is situatedon Sloan Street behind theshops on Fruitvale. Comeshop in the Dimond.

The DIA, through theinitiative of Tim Chapman,sponsored a CORE 1 infor-mation session. Interestedpeople participated in learn-ing how to be prepared fora major disaster. CORE (Citi-zens of Oakland Respond toEmergencies) is the city pro-gram to train people in differ-ent neighborhoods to workas a team in the event of adisaster. Further sessionscan be requested by specificneighborhoods. This involvesneighbors getting organizedand getting more trainingand could save lives andproperty in the future.

As always, we can bereached at our Website,www.dimondnews.org

B Y K A R E N M A R I E S C H R O E D E R

B Y M A R K J . R A U Z O N S

ready to help the kids usedrama to learn nonviolent so-lutions to conflicts. The Cen-ter is open Tuesday throughSaturday from 3 to 7 p.m. (8p.m. on Friday and Saturday).

NCPC: Getting toKnow You

On January 20, the HighHopes/Melrose NCPC cel-ebrated its second birthday.Reports on priority projectsand dialogue with City staffshared the evening, with timeto enjoy refreshments andsocialize with fellow NCPCmembers, who will be work-ing together over the nextyear.

Check It Out: New atBrookdale Rec Center

The cluster of color aboveBrookdale Recreation Centeris the new safety-oriented“Tot Lot.” Inside the Center,8- to 12-year-olds can jointhe hip-hop dance classesThursdays at 4 p.m. throughApril 4.

Laurel Community Action Project News

B Y D A V I D F I N A C O M

T

M

T

®

Family owned since 1933.

“Come on Down”

Discover

For Your Healthy Life Style!

Conveniently located at3033 MacArthur Blvd.

Oakland • 482-3848Open 7 days a week

Mon-Sat 8:30am - 6:30pmSun 10:30am - 5:30pm

FREE PARKING

Your Natural Food Marketplace

Hwy 13 Redwood Exit

580 West toFruitvale/Coolidge Ave

580 East to35th AveExitH

igh

St

35th

Ave

Fru

itval

e A

ve

Hwy 580

3033 MacArthur Blvd

�

��

�

ORGANIC PRODUCE

NUTRITIONAL CONSULTANTON DUTY

WHOLE GRAIN BAKERY

HUNDREDS OF BULK HERBS,SPICES, GRAINS, FLOURS

Relive Oakland’shistory at the turnof the last century.

Purchase the OaklandHistory 2000 Calendar!

Send name/address/phone no.along with check for $11.50

($10.00 plus $1.50 forshipping and handling)per calendar payable to

Dennis Evanosky to:Oakland Calendar,

c/o Pauline Evanosky,P.O. Box 19055,

Oakland, CA 94619.Allow 3 weeks for delivery.

From the creator of the OHAaward-winning 1998 Laurel Calendar.

cont inued on page 7

METROCLASSIFIED ADS

Do you have a VW bug, Golf, Jetta, Rabbit?For brake, clutch service and gen-eral repair, give me a call. Alsomost other German and Japanesevehicles. Frank Tulleners Automo-tive Service, 1421 High St., nearE. 14th (510) 533-3943.

Bernice & Joe Playschool. For18 years, play-based learning in ahome-like setting near Mills College.Quarter-acre wooded lot has fruitand pine trees, a garden, 20-footsailboat, rocket ship, art area, blockarea. Pre-reading, pre-math enrich-ment, computer play, field trips, F.I.T.gymnastics, Kindermusik. Socializa-tion, verbalization stressed. Berniceis an Early Childhood MentorTeacher. Sibling, pre-payment dis-counts. Lunch, snacks provided. Ages2 to 5 years. License #010214258.Brochure. (510) 638-3529.

Piano Lessons with experiencedteacher and international per-former. Jazz, classical, rock andpopular styles taught; all ages andlevels welcome. (510) 482-0796.

INSTRUCTION

Fast, neat interior painting by woman.Free estimates, excellent refer-ences, 534-9772.

Interior Painting. Jacob Hart, 530-6247. Lic.#705262.

Video Services. We Can Transformyour slides, snapshots, and filmsinto a charming video—with music and effects. Or havea professional cameraman video-tape your social and businessevents. Call Harold Lawrence at530-0628.

African-American manicurist, lo-cated in the Laurel District, spe-cializing in manicures, pedicuresw/paraffin wax treatments, sculp-tured nails, silk and fiberglasswraps. Over 15 years experienceand service in this area. Call (510)482-3229 for appointment.

Affordable local licensed therapist.Individual, couple, family andchild therapy for the Metro/Oakland community. Everyoneneeds help sometimes. Support-ive; practical; sliding scale. HelenMontgomery Lockwood MFCC#27283, (510) 874-4722.

Kamiya Construction. Additions,remodeling, kitchens, baths,decks, seismic & more! Free con-sultation. License # 546464. (510)532-0193.

Classical Homeopathy: NaturalRemedies for Children andAdults. Bonita Richman, B.S.N.,835-6043.

Pre-Paid Legal Service has majorlaw firms to handle all your legalmatters. Low-cost and tax-deduct-ible memberships. J.W. Castillo.JWCastillo@aol.com (510) 532-9764.

Painting, Mudding/Taping: 20years experience interior/exteriorpainting; sheetrock, plaster, stucco& window repair. Senior discount.Fai Coffin (510) 532-7636.

Piano Lessons: 25 years experi-ence with children and adults. Af-ter many years in Rockridge, mystudio is now located in RedwoodHeights. Call for information or aninterview-lesson. Andrea Simms,336-1556.

Dave Davis Painting Service. Inte-rior and exterior; waterproofingand staining decks. Special winterrates for interior painting. 20+years experience. Excellent localreferences. Free estimates. Bonded.Insured. (510) 530-1464 or cellu-lar (415) 305-8099.

Keeping YourImmunityat Its Best

xperts may not know formonths whether thehigher number of influ-

enza cases this year resultedfrom fewer people gettingthe flu shot or a flu vaccinethat missed its target. Butfrom the anecdotal reportsI’ve heard, many peoplewho got the flu shot are alsogetting the flu. That’s thebad news. The good news:you can help build your im-munity so that you are morelikely to remain healthy forthe months remaining in theflu season and all throughthe year. Here are some tipsto help you maintain yourimmune system at peakperformance, from a recentarticle in USA Weekend.

Step One: Limit Expo-sure. Think of the old adage,the best defense is a good of-fense. In this case, your of-fense is to limit your expo-sure to sick people wheneverpossible. Though easier saidthan done, this tactic can beyour best bet for stayinghealthy. The less exposureyou have to the viral andbacterial illnesses aroundyou, the less likely you areto succumb to one of them.If people at work or schoolare sick, you might kindlysuggest that they go home torecover and avoid infectingothers. Do the same whenyou’re sick. Wash yourhands frequently, and avoidputting your hands to yourface, since germs oftenmake their way into thebody through the mouth,nose, or eyes.

Step Two: Exercise Mod-erately. Besides keeping ushealthy in other ways, exer-cise appears to strengthenthe immune system whendone in moderation, such astaking a brisk walk five daysa week. Conversely, intenseexercise such as running amarathon can weaken im-munity.

Step Three: Pay Atten-tion to Body Signals. Immu-nity tends to drop when weare short on sleep or overlytired for other reasons. Getthe rest you need. If youhave a mild cold or other mi-nor ailment, it’s okay to con-tinue moderate exercise.When illness is more serious,stop your exercise programuntil you feel better.

Step Four: Eat the Right

4February 2000

PauletteAvery,

R.N., M.S.N.

To Your HealthB Y S T E L L A L A M B

To submit your star or gripe, call531-0972 and leave details andyour name and phone number.

Stars to Kevin Reed, ourCommunity Policing Officer,who did a fantastic job dur-ing his tenure in the Laureland who is leaving for otherimportant tasks in Oakland.Good luck, Kevin!

Stars to HeatherHensley, our CEDA repre-sentative, for her contributionto the commercial part ofthe MacArthur Boulevard.A rest with her newbornbaby is well deserved. Wewish you well.

Stars to Victory Out-reach for using their parkingarea for a Christmas tree lot.Many residents have calledto voice their gratitude forthe friendly event.

Stars to Martha and Ufe,World Ground Café owners,for bringing a great atmo-sphere to the boulevard, aprosperous business, anda true commitment to thecommunity.

Stars to DorothyOkamoto for a wonderfulnew store. It looks great!Who is next?

Stars to the senior classat Head-Royce School for agenerous donation of booksto the Fruitvale ElementarySchool library.

Stars to all communityand city people who finishedthe landscaping of “littleStonehenge” as a gatewayto the Dimond District.

SERVICES

Foods. Before we became sodependent on antibiotics andother medications, diet wasthe best defense against dis-ease. Good nutrition remainsessential to maintaininghealth. Eat lots of fruits andvegetables, a great source ofvitamins and minerals thatcan help keep your body atits disease-resistant best. Eat-ing garlic can help fight offcolds and the flu accordingto some studies.

Step Five: Get a Boostfrom Nutritional Supple-ments. This suggestion isstill a bit controversial. A fewmonths ago, I told you thatDr. Dean Edell was throwingout his supplements and re-lying on diet to get the nutri-tion he needs. But many ex-perts believe we can’t get allwe need from food sources,and they recommend supple-ments. Eating well in tandemwith taking a few supple-ments may provide the bestprotection for our health.Consider taking 1,000 mg ofVitamin C daily to boost im-munity. Some studies showa shorter duration of symp-toms in people who take zincor echinacea at the onset ofa cold.

Step Six: Avoid the Over-use of Antibiotics. I still fre-quently hear people talkingabout getting antibiotics tofight a cold or other viral ill-ness. Antibiotics work onlyagainst bacterial illness. Tak-ing unnecessary antibioticswon’t help you get betterfaster and does contributeto the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Step Seven: Get Immu-nized. Get a flu shot yearly,and make sure your otherimmunizations are up-to-date. For example, you needa tetanus booster every tenyears.

Step Eight: Lower Stress.Too much stress can lowerimmunity in a number ofways, including decreasingthe effectiveness of whiteblood cells to fight disease.It may also contribute to thedevelopment of heart diseaseand cancer, among other dis-eases. When you are feelingstressed out, make it a prior-ity to take time for yourself.Incorporate relaxation intoyour life. Learn to balancework and play.

For additional infor-mation on the human im-mune system, check outan informative article athowstuffworks.com/immune-system.htm. —————————————Paulette Avery is a registerednurse and a freelance writer whospecializes in health issues.

AUTO REPAIR

Free Preschoolfor

Low IncomeFamilies

Head Start Program isaccepting applications

for 3 & 4 year old children.Virginia Ave. (Near High St.)

Call Carolyn Corneliusat 261-1484 or 261-1479or page her at 382-5497

Classical Homeopathyfor Children and Adults

Bonita Richman, B.S.N.835-6043

E

CHICK’ N COOPHof Brau3840 MacArthur Blvd.510-482-1066BBQ Chicken, Ribs, SandwichesCatering & Party Room Available

Everything You Needfor a Meal!

•FRESH & ORGANICPRODUCE

•FRESH FISH Daily•ORGANIC POULTRY•FRESH GOURMET

BREADS•FINE FOOD DELICACIES

Free Parking

OPEN 7 DAYSMonday-Saturday 9am-8pm

Sunday 9am-7pm

482-817835th & MacArthur

—MARKET PLACE—

ClassifiedRates

The rate for classifiedads is $.50 per word.Discounted prices avail-able for five- andten-issue frequencies.Please type or writeyour copy clearlyand mail it with yourcheck to The Mac-Arthur Metro, P.O. Box19406 , Oak land ,94619. Deadline is the15th of the month.F o r c l a s s i f i e d - a dfrequency discountsa n d d i s p l a y - a dinformation, pleasecontact Suzanne Tiptonat 287-2655, fax:534-3429.

Roma Pizza & DeliServing Laurel & Dimond

4166 MacArthur Blvd. • 531-3137Open 7 Days • Free Delivery 11am to 10pm

Large Pizza w/3 toppingsfor $11.99 plus tax.

February 2000

5

Donors to MetroLegal Defense Fund

Dr. Maureen Dorsey

Gordon & Marge Laverty

Fumi Sugihara

Kenneth D. Woolfe

Richard S. Kolbert

John & Karin Foust

Janet & John Broughton

Jane Powell

Ben Hung & AnnetteFloystrup

David Trubitt

Elizabeth Callahan

Joanne Hausler

Theodore Frey

Nicolas Sakkis

Susan Harman

Karen Marie Schroeder

Allene Graham

Elizabeth A. Preston

Stacey Wells

Ann Nomura

The Newsletter Task Force

Citizens for Dick Spees

Neighbors for John Russo

Leonard MontalvoIntervention Agency

Dear Mr. Bobb:I am absolutely astounded

by the legal action taken by Mr.James Singh, owner of ForeignAuto Fix, on Loma Vista Ave.,Oakland, with a libel suitagainst our neighborhoodnewspaper, the MacArthurMetro, Ms. Toni Locke, its edi-tor, and Dennis Evanosky,writer.

I am begging for a stronghelp and a powerful supportfrom the city of Oakland andfrom you for our freedom ofspeech, for the voice of our ownneighborhood. This is a rightguaranteed by our Constitu-tion. The subject that the news-paper brought up was on behalfof the city and of our residents.“The plaintiff mistook the mes-senger for the message from theCity.”

I am appalled by the in-fringement of our constitutional

Dear Ms. Locke:The Redwood Heights

Improvement Association ex-presses its strong support ofyou, Dennis Evanosky, andthe MacArthur Metro in thenewspaper’s upcoming courtcase with Mr. James Singh ofForeign Auto Fix. The Metrois our neighborhood newspa-per, and as such has the dutyto report all the news, nomatter who may like it ordislike it. This is the responsi-bility of a free press.

Along with this responsi-bility, the press must haveprotection from those whodisagree with it. In particular,the press must be protectedfrom so-called SLAPP suits,in which persons who do notlike what a newspaper writessue merely to stifle them. Webelieve that Mr. Singh’s ac-tion to the Metro is simplysuch a SLAPP suit.

For years the Metro haschronicled the ups anddowns of MacArthur Blvd. inour community, noting bothimprovements and liabilities.In doing so, the Metro has al-ways taken a community-building, as opposed to a

Dear Sirs:The Laurel/Redwood

Heights NCPC has had apositive working relationshipwith the MacArthur Metrofor several years and is infull support of the qualitynewsreporting that the Metroprovides for the Laurel Com-munity.

The Metro is a volunteerand community-sponsoredpaper that keeps the LaurelNeighborhood connected,visible, and vibrant withinthe city of Oakland. It isa crucial resource for organi-zations like the NCPC topromote issues relevant tobuilding stronger and safercommunities.

We want the MacArthurMetro to continue to be able to

Dear Editor,Please be advised that by

consensus, the Laurel Com-munity Action Project Steer-ing Committee supports theMetro in its defense againstthe libel suit brought byJames Singh, owner ofForeign Auto Fix.

We live in a nation com-mitted to the ideal of freedomof speech and of the press.We feel that the Metro’s re-porting of blight issues relat-ing to this auto shop has been

The High Street Neighbor-hood Alliance supports theMetro’s first amendmentrights and its defense offreedom of the press. We

Metro BoardStatement

The MacArthur Metro Board ofDirectors strongly supports theeditorial independence andcommitment to freedom of thepress represented by Oakland’sonly volunteer-run nonprofitcommunity newspaper.

Michael Broad, PresidentBettie Grandison,

Vice-PresidentReuben Goldberg, TreasurerDouglas Ferguson, Secretary

Janet Broughton, MemberLori Hope, Member

The Voice of the CommunityFrom Redwood Heights

muckraking, approach, dis-cussing how a situation canbe improved as much as thesituation itself. However,there are negative situations,and they must be noted.

Auto repair shops onMacArthur, in particular,have been controversial. Infact, in reporting on ForeignAuto Fix, you were simplysupplying another saga inthe long history of the city’sinterest with blight and suchestablishments. For Mr.Singh to decide that suchreporting is libelous is justuntrue, given the City Coun-cil and the Community andEconomic developmentAgency’s previous concernwith his own business.

We wish you everysuccess in court both for thesake of yourselves and theMetro, but in a larger senseout of concern for your con-tinuing honest portrayal ofour community and itsneighborhoods.

Sincerely,Richard CowanBoard President, RedwoodHeights Improvement Associa-tion, Board of Directors

From the Laurel (L-CAP)fair and accurate. We see thesuit as an attempt to “silencethe critic” that is inappropri-ate in our society.

The Metro is a vital Oak-land resource dedicated tofair and accurate reporting oflocal neighborhood news. Westrongly condemn the effortsof any individual to put thispaper out of business for re-porting on behalf of our com-munity.David Finacom, Chair, LaurelCommunity Action Project

From Individuals

From the Laurel (NCPC)exercise the right of freedomof the press in the Laureland throughout Oakland.

Sincerely,The Laurel/Redwood HeightsNCPC

This letter has been ap-proval by and is endorsedby the following NCPCBoard and Steering Com-mittee members: TeresaMiller, Chair, steering com-mittee; Scott Lamb, ViceChair, steering committee;Darryl Stewart, Parliamen-tarian, steering committee;Bobbie Bond, Youth Ser-vices Coordinator, steeringcommittee; TepperaChesher, Secretary; CurtisBuckley, Events Coordina-tor.

rights by the business owner,and by the lack of any visible ac-tion, so far, from the city man-agement and staff to offer anyhelp, legal, financial or other-wise, to the newspaper and itsstaff.

I am appealing to the cityand to you personally, Sir, tocontinue to reinforce the cam-paign against blight in Oaklandthat your office launched in thesummer of 1998. We support thecampaign. It worked. Pleasehelp.

You were here with us. Nowwe ask that you be with us.

Sincerely yours,Nguu V. Trancc: Jayne Williams, City Attor-ney, Oakland

You are so not guilty. Keep upthe good work.Ann Nomura

From High Streetdepend on the Metro to bringto light issues of concernto our community and topresent them fully, withoutfear.

For information, call the AlamedaCounty Save Our Creeks hotline

at (510) 670-5543

Self-Defense and Jujitsufor Women and Girls

530-5043

Oakland’s Secret HideawayThai Food by Boon & Family

915 45th Ave, Oakland • 536-6303(near the Vulcan Foundry)

The Contractors’ Rental Center Commercial Accounts Welcome

Builders • Roofers • Painters • PlumbersLandscapers • Masons • Janitors

WE REPAIR & SERVICE POWER TOOLS

Ryder Truck Rentals • Open 7 Days2969 MacArthur Blvd • 482-5545

The Best-kept Childcare Secret in Oakland

PRESCHOOL, PLUS ALL-DAY CARE!

• Serving Infants through Five-Year-Olds• Diapers, Home-cooked meals, Naps and Nurturing Included• 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Year-round Care• Play-based Developmental Program Supporting Growth at Each Age• Building children with Self esteem. Confidence and Social Competence

AOCS The Association of Children’s Services3021 Brookdale Avenue (near Coolidge)Oakland • 261-1076

Jeanette Sherwin of Oaklandnews.com, Bill O’Brien of EastBay Express, Tim Chapman of Dimondnews.com, and ChipJohnson of The San Francsicso Chronicle helped tell our story.

TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE METRO, CALL 287-2655

6February 2000

Calendar of Community EventsB Y S A N D Y J A E G E R , C O O R D I N A T O R

To have your event listed, please contact Sandy Jaeger no later than the12th of the preceding month at sandyjaeger@hotmail.com or 642-9537.

February 2000Dimond Improvement Association: Wednesday, February 2, 7:30 to9 p.m., Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Ave. Contact Ann Nomura,530-7759.

American Baroque: Sunday, February 6, 3 p.m., Studio Theater, HolyNames College, 3500 Mountain Blvd. Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and theworld premiere of Belinda Reynolds’ Treading Softly. $12 general,$8 seniors, $5 HNC Community. Call 653-8420 for information.

Abel-Steinberg Duo: Sunday, February 6, 4 p.m., Mills College Con-cert Hall, 5000 MacArthur Blvd. Violinist David Abel and pianist JulieSteinberg perform duets. $10 general, $5 students and seniors. Call430-2296 for information.

Laurel Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons:Tuesday, February 8, 10:30 a.m., Fruitvale Presbyterian Church,2735 MacArthur Blvd. New members welcome.

Friends of Melrose Library: Wednesday, February 9, 7 p.m., atnewly open temporary site, 5420 Bancroft Ave. Call 535-5623 forinformation.

Laurel Community Action Project: Wednesday, February 9, 7 to 9 p.m.,World Ground Café. Call David Finacom, 530-1929, for information.

Spain, Crossroads of World Music: Saturday, February 12, 8 p.m., Re-gents’ Theater, Holy Names College, 3500 Mountain Blvd. Solo andensemble music from the Iberian peninsula—medieval, Renaissance,and modern. $8 general, $5 students. Call 436-1330 for information.

Circle of Song: Sunday, February 13, 4 p.m., Mills College ConcertHall, 5000 MacArthur Blvd. Schumann, Haydn, Fauré, and othersperformed by Sara Ganz, soprano, and Belle Bulwinkle, piano.$10 general, $5 students and seniors. Call 430-2296 for information.

Check Out Your Library: Monday, February 14, 7 p.m., DimondLibrary, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, Tuesday, February 15, 3:30 p.m.,Melrose Library, 5420 Bancroft Avenue. Acclaimed family entertainerBob Kann will help kids “Check Out Your Library” in a performancethat includes storytelling, juggling, magic, comedy and books. CallNina Lindsay, 535-5623, for information.

Friends of Sausal Creek: Wednesday, February 16, 7 to 9 p.m.,Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Ave. New members welcome. Call231-9566 for information.

Redwood Heights Improvement Association: Wednesday, February16, 7:30 p.m., Redwood Heights Recreation Center, 3883 AlisoStreet. Contact Richard Cowan, 482-3471.

Quoting Black Voices (1): Thursday. February 17, 10:30 a.m., DimondLibrary, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue. Celebrate African American HistoryMonth with students from the Oakland community reciting poetry andspeeches. Call 238-6713 for information.

Poetry In the Java Spotlight: Thursday, February 17, 7:30 p.m., WorldGround Café. Open reading follows.

Parent Round Table—Public Elementary Schools, sponsored by Neigh-borhood Moms: Thursday, February 17, 7 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church,5201 Park Blvd. Call Christine Johnston, 665-1951, for information.

Friends of Sausal Creek Workday: Saturday, February 19, 9 a.m. tonoon, Dimond Park Recreation Center, 3860 Hanly Rd. Restorationactivities in the Sausal Creek Watershed. Children under 15 shouldbe accompanied by an adult. Call 231-9566 for information.

Quoting Black Voices (2): Thursday. February 24, 10:30 a.m., DimondLibrary, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue (see February 17). Call 238-6713 forinformation.

Ray Bogas Piano Recital: Saturday, February 26, 8 p.m., Regents’ The-ater, Holy Names College, 3500 Mountain Blvd. All Schumann pro-gram. $15 general, $10 seniors, $5 students. Call 559-8535 for in-formation.

The Barton Workshop: Saturday, February 26, 8 p.m.,Mills College Concert Hall, 5000 MacArthur Blvd. A concert by anensemble of instrumental virtuosos dedicated to performing the leadingedge of contemporary music. $10 general, $5 students and seniors.Call 430-2296 for information.

OngoingArts & Crafts and Theater Workshops for Children: Saturdays, 3 to 4p.m., World Ground Café. For 5- to 8-year-olds, free, offered by MillsCollege students. Come by and join the fun!

Art Exhibition: Wednesdays through Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m., HolyNames College, 3500 Mountain Blvd. Lisa Kokin, “Sew to Speak:A 10-Year Survey.” Opening reception, Sunday February 6, 3 p.m.,continuing until April 14. Free. Call 436-1330 for information.

place in the compost pile; digup and turn over soils andadd nutrients. Roots of pe-rennials are alive, and theplant will revive. Twigs willstart new leaves, and flowerbuds on shrubs and fruittrees will burst forth. Mulchthe soil with leaves andgrasses. Oak leaves are goodbecause they do not matdown. Plant annual seedsnow. Do not tamp soil downbecause air is necessary inbetween the rains.

If there is forecast of afrost, protect your plants andcitrus trees with bed sheetsor similar material, includingnewspapers. Do not use thinplastic sheeting, since frost-bite can occur where plastictouches a plant. If plants arehit by frost, it is best to waituntil March before removingdamaged surfaces. Then youcan cut the dead, black woodback to a bud in the greenarea. Plants in the lower areaof your garden are more frosttender. Frost is seldom fatalto whole plants; they liketo live and will come back.

More February TipsPruning roses promotes ahealthy and vigorous plant.It allows you to shape yourrose, remove unproductivewood, and provide good aircirculation.

The best time to prune isbefore new growth starts.Prune out weak or diseased

don’t know about all thismillennium celebrating.We and our gardens have

not started out so well. Hereare some of our mutual ail-ments: Viruses and infec-tions, need for lots of water,need for vitamins, weakness,stress, indoor air too hot anddry, outdoor air too cold,too much dampness, lackof color, and bedraggled.Now we must control andtake care of these problems.

Last year the weather andsoil were not conducive toearly gardening, so our gar-den beds were late in gettingestablished. This year wewill try for success by start-ing early.

Clean out the old, dried-up plants and leaves and

canes. Winter-damagedwood, which looks brown onthe outside, light brown anddry when cut, should be cutoff one to two inches belowthe damage. Any branchcrossing or rubbing anothershould be removed—alwaysleave the newest, healthiestcane. Make angle cuts aboutone-fourth inch above anoutside bud, slanting downat a 45-degree angle. A livebud is a reddish purpleswelling on the cane.

Have you noticed spidermites and their fine websaround your patios orporches this year? They seemto be everywhere! What todo about them? Washingthem off with a hose orsmaller pressure tank waterstream seems to help. On in-dividual houseplants, usuallywhere it is humid and shel-tered, the leaves turn yellowand dry out, and in severecases fall off the plant. Tinywebs are on the undersideof the leaves. Wiping awaythe webs and spraying offthe underside of leaves witha fine spray for three days ina row will disrupt the breed-ing cycle. An insecticidalsoap will also work well.

Keep checking on thehealth of your houseplants.If they are dusty, wipingwith a cloth dipped in waterwith dash of milk in it willmake plants look shiny andhealthy.

MargeLaverty

Leona HeightsGarden Club Tip

of the Month

I

TRAVEL SERVICEAir • Land • Sea • Rail

MARGARET SHAVIESTravel Consultant

4124 MacArthur Blvd.Oakland

510-530-6375

See your State Farm Agent:Jain Williams

4222 MacArthur Blvd.(510) 530-3222

Auto • Home • Life • HealthState Farm Insurance CompaniesHome Offices: Bloomington, Illinois

Like a good neighbor,State Farm is there.®

STATE FARM

INSURANCE®

Auto

Life Fire

SUPPORT METROADVERTISERS!

Metro Neighborhood Public SchoolsCLIP AND SAVE THIS LIST FOR EASY REFERENCE

1- Allendale Year-Round School .............. 3670 Penniman ......... 879-1010

2- Bret Harte Junior High School .............. 3700 Coolidge Ave. .. 879-2060

3- Calvin Simmons Junior High ............... 2101 35th Ave. .......... 879-2050

4- Fremont High School .............................. 4610 Foothill Blvd. ... 879-3020

5- Fruitvale Elementary School ................. 3200 Boston Ave. ...... 879-1170

6- Laurel Elementary School ...................... 3750 Brown ............... 879-1310

7- Maxwell Park Elementary School ........ 4730 Fleming Ave. ... 879-1390

8- Redwood Heights Elem. School ........... 4401 39th Ave. .......... 879-1480

9- Sequoia Elementary School .................. 3730 Lincoln Ave. .... 879-1510

10- John Swett Elementary School ........... 4551 Steele ................. 879-1560

11- Horace Mann Year-Round School ..... 5222 Ygnacio ............. 879-1360

12- Jefferson Year-Round School .............. 2035 40th Ave. .......... 879-1280

13- Elizabeth Sherman Elem. School ....... 5328 Brann Ave. ....... 879-1530

580

13

Fruit

vale

Ave

MacArthurBlvd

55thAve

MacArthur

Blvd

SeminaryAve

MacArthurB

lvd

CarsonSt

Tompkins

Ave

35th Ave

35th Ave RedwoodR

d

38thAve

CongressAve

BrookdaleAve

CoolidgeAve

Coolidg

eAve

LincolnAve

FruitvaleAve

FoothillBlvd

FoothillBlvd

SchoolSt

MapleAve

HighSt

HighSt

Mountain

Blvd

39th Ave

MaybelleAve

Monterey

Blvd

JoaquinMillerRd

580

NORTH

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

February 2000

*Roussel Sargent

*Karen Marie Schroeder

*Janet Broughton

*Betsy Callaway

MacArthur & HighTrailer Park

*David Locke& Cathe Read

Lisa Ruhland& Michael Cowan

*Ruth Malone& Terry Sayre

*Barbara Reynolds

*Carie Carpenter

*Jacob & Linda Hart

*Richard & LindaWeinstein

*Abelina Carmona& Teresa Cole

Cherie Ivey

Oakland VeterinaryHospital

Linda Palmin& Tom Daley

*Jeff Kelley & Hung Liu

Carol Mills

*Jim Locke& Sandy Warren

Libby Jacobsohn

*Dimond ImprovementAssoc.

Bonnie Henriquez

*Deborah Cooper

*World Ground Café

The Metro acknowledgescontributions of $50 or moreby listing your name orbusiness as a Money Honeyfor 10 issues. You keep ourpaper alive and well.

MONEYHONEYS

7

asper’s Hot Dogs, at2551 MacArthur Bou-levard at Laguna, is

directly descended from anoriginal Fruitvale Avenuelocation. In 2000, Kasper’s,now grown to 13 locations,is celebrating its seventiethyear in business, anddoggone it, that’s quitea record.

It’s also quite a story.Kasper Koojoolian spentweekends in the Roaring’20s selling hot dogs in theChicago suburbs. He cameto Oakland in 1929 to lookfor business opportunities.He noticed that no Chicago-style hot dogs were sold inthe East Bay and opened astand in the area of 55thand Shattuck. The Depres-sion hit, and the first loca-tion soon closed. Kasperopened a stand on Fruitvalethat was much more suc-cessful. The price of 10cents per dog was justright, and people loved ‘em.

A rift in the ’30s causedwhat’s now called Casper’sHot Dogs on 5440 Tele-graph to split away. Theoriginal Kasper’s continuedto grow and is now run byKasper’s nephew, HaroldKoojoolian. The newest ofthe 13 outlets is in Orindanear the Orinda theater.

and a chili cheese dog for$2.79.

If you don’t wish toenter the dog pound, try atamale or a bowl of chili.

Cooling beverages in-clude the orange fizzz (yes,three z’s), somewhat remi-niscent of the Orange Juliusbut without eggs. There’salso lemonade and iced teaas well as a variety of sweetsnacks for dessert.

Some people have theireye on a star, but HaroldKoojoolian told me his eyewas always, you might say,on a dog—he never thoughtabout anything other thanrunning Kasper’s when hegrew up. Married withthree kids, he’d accept areasonable offer for thechain, but despite 13 loca-tions and good business,no one has made an offer.(Dave Thomas of Wendy’s,are you listening?) In themeantime, he and staffwill keep cranking outsome of Oakland’s favoritehot dogs and other delightsat Kasper’s.

Kasper’s Hot Dogs2551 MacArthur Blvd. (nearFruitvale Avenue), (510)530-2308.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.daily

Cash only, but you won’tneed too much.

B Y M I K E S H E R The MacArthur locationboasts the only Kasper’snot in a mall. Customersfor years have droppedinto the friendly octagonalwooden building for coffeeand a dog plus lots offriendly conversation.There’s a classic soda-fountain-style counterwith stools, and tables withmore stools near a vintagejukebox. If you want atable, place your orderand carry it there yourself.No table service here.

The dogs themselves areall-beef eight-inchers fromEvergood, an estimablelocal brand, and whateverdoesn’t get sold each daygets thrown out. They areserved on soft buns, andprices by today’s standardsare reasonable. The basicdog is $2.09, and a pickle,kraut, or cheese dog is$2.44. I tried the kraut dog,liked its mild but distinctivespicing and the way theskin popped a little whenyou bit into it. The moundof warmed sauerkrautcomplemented the doglike cocker complementsspaniel.

The Cajun dog, a spicierone, is $2.29, and for thosewho have to restrict choles-terol, there’s a turkey dogfor $2.19. For the luxo end,there’s a chili dog for $2.74

By the cup - By the pound

The best coffeein town is

right aroundthe corner!

Mon-Fri: 6am-3pmSat-Sun: 7am-3pm

4008 MacArthur(at 38th Avenue)510-531-9921

*RepeatMoney Honeys

M E T R O R E S T A U R A N T R E V I E W

Hot Dogs on MacArthur Boulevard

K

refurbished drainage sys-tem.

To repair the erosionaldamage, the Friends are cut-ting shallow ditches acrossthe face of the scar and lay-ing willow wands in them.The willow is taken fromthe thicket above. Thewands are covered withearth, and layers of brushare piled on top. Willowstakes are driven in to holdthe fascines in place duringa flood. Both wands andstakes will sprout intoinstant trees.

In this way, we hopeto help the BridgeviewMeadow recover. We hopeto create a willow wonder-land for neotropical birds,where we’ll see more of ourfeathered friends of SausalCreek than ever before.

VISA MasterCard

FINE CANTONESE AND SZECHUAN CUISINE

4245 MacArthur Blvd. OaklandTake-Out or Reservation 530-8880 • 530-9898

Delivery Service Available ($20 minimum order and $3 delivery charge)

Happy Valentine’s!Happy Valentine’s!

Aubryana’s

Boutique

GRAND OPENING

SALE 25%-50% OFF

Aubryana’s

BoutiqueNew & Gently UsedDesigner Clothing

Jones New York • Ann TaylorLiz Clairborne • BEBE

and many more

3645 MacArthur Blvd. @Loma Vista510-482-2009

Upscale

Sausal CreekC O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 3

DA

L SE

LLM

AN

Relax, Rejoice, Revitalize

Mini Day SpaAcupressure • Massage • Therapeutic PedicureFacial • Body Wrap • Lymphatic Drainage

Healthy By Nature (510) 533-501430331/2 MacArthur Boulevard (next to Food Mill)

$5 OFFwith this ad!

A DisgraceJungle Hill memorial tree for murdered eleven-year-old

Jaquita Mack defaced with litter.

8February 2000

very day I commuteby bicycle through theLaurel neighborhood

to my teaching job on theMills College campus. I crossFoothill where it intersectsHarrington, bumping myway over the buckled, lunarasphalt of the paths throughFoothill Meadow Park.

I Take the Slow Road (part 1 of a series)Beside the park is TaqueríaCampos with a painted sign,“Bienvenidos a su Taquería,”and a small, dark windowthrough which customerspass their money and receivetheir orders. Across the streetis the bustling Latino Market,festooned with bright-colored slogans: “Carnitas yChicharron Diariamente” and“Productos Mexicanos.” Early

B Y S T E V E N E . F . B R O W N

HOUSE OFPRODUCEServing the Community

for over 30 yearsWe have just made big

changes, added a great varietyof new products, and areOPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK.

We are committed to bringing you

Good QualityFriendly Service

Reasonable PricesSo please stop by to see our new

look, and new management

New Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm,Sun 9am-5pm

4020 MacArthur Blvd.(510) 530-5158

“FARMFRESH”

The Laurel’sNewest Coffee House

Featuring estate and organic coffeefrom around the world, all natural

soup, salads, and sandwiches.

JAVA SpotlightPoetry Readings

the 3rd Wednesday of each month

3726 MacArthur Blvd(next to KFC)

482-2933Mon-Fri 6:30am-9pm, Sat-Sun 7am-9pm

OPEN UNTIL 9PM EVERYDAY!

Feb 12, 4pm:Valentine’s Day High Tea

with Berkeley YoungComposers Ensemble

LAUREL HARDWARE4024 MacArthur 530-1966OPEN M-F 8-8, SAT 9-6

Item #E216603

With this coupon while supplies last.Not Valid with any other offer.

Expires 2/29/00.

2 D CellFlashlight

77¢

RIS H

A H

ESS

in the morning, the area isquiet—sometimes I passa few children walking toschool through the park,or a man running slow lapsaround the soggy lawn. Butwhen I return home in theafternoon, the park is filledwith young people hangingout after school and toddlersplaying under the watchfuleyes of their mothers.

MACARTHUR & HIGH

Pay at the Pumps• • •

Open 24 Hours• • •

Tuesday Gas Specials

4276 MACARTHUR BLVD.530-7683

Serving your neighborhoodfor over 22 years with20 professional Real Estate Agents

• If you are thinking of selling, we offer free property evaluation.• If you are thinking of buying, we offer many 1st time buyer loan

programs with down payments as low as $500.• If you are thinking of renting, call us for a list of rentals.• If you are tired of managing your property, call us for professional

property management.

5942 MacArthur Boulevard • 510-562-8600

Fun Child-CenteredDevelopmental Preschool

License #013414363

Full DaysHalf-Day Programs AM/PM

Hot Lunch / SnacksAfter School / Kindergarten Care

4359 39th Ave. • Oakland(off Hwy 13 & Redwood Rd.)

(510) 531-1534

ResidentialBrokerage

Montclair Branch

6137 La Salle Ave.Oakland

NADER DAVARIYour Friend

in Real Estate

510-339-4795 Direct Line510-382-9999 Residence510-339-4791 Fax

Carol Robbiano510-531-7000

ext. 292

Top Ten Producer

Call for my Buyer’sor Seller’s Guide

if you are consideringa home purchase or sale.

JJAAA

J

BREAKFAST LUNCHALL DAY 11AM-2:30PM

Tuesday-Sunday 7:30am-2:30pm (Closed Mon)

3719 MacArthur Blvd (across from the KFC) • 482-2200

Mills College Theatre • 5000 MacArthur Blvd. • 430-3308General Admission $8 • Students/Seniors $5

Proceeds will be donated to local anti-violence organizations.

The Vagina MonologuesWritten by Eve Ensler and Directed by James C. Wright

February 11, 12, 14, 17 & 18 at 8:00 p.m.February 13 at 2:00 p.m. • February 14 at 5:00 p.m.The Vagina Monologues brazenly explores questions of womanhood andfemininity. Based on interviews with hundreds of women, this show is unique,courageous and uplifting.Be a part of the V-Day 2000 College Initiative:V-Day is a national campaign to end sexual violence against women.http://www.feminist.com/vday

V-Day 2000 College Initiative Sponsor

O P E N T U E S DAY - S AT U R DAY 1 P M - 6 P M

E

Steven Brownsets out for work.

Early Childhood EducationNEW Spring Class

at Association of Children’s Services (AOCS) NEIGHBORHOOD ACCREDITATION CENTER

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTMarch 10 – April 15, 2000 (Friday Afternoons and Saturdays) 3 UnitsFocus on critical issues in child care: Mental Health,Violence Prevention, Kinship Care, Special Needs Children

Register Now! For Information Call: (510) 261-1076

NEW ECE COURSE for

Directors, Administrators,

and Teachers!

EXTENDEDPLAYTOYS

Makinga difference,

just a little bitat a time

Gung Hay Fat Choy!New!All OccassionMylar & HeliumBalloons.

Hours: Tues-Sat 11:30am-5:30pm4004 MacArthur Blvd. • 482-5921

Email: woofiewoof@aol.comFax: 510.482.3921

We are happy to trade your toysfor store credit