The Jack London News

Register to Vote / Announcement of new polling location

2008-08-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

Jack London District Association vs Jack London Mail

2008-08-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm going to keep taking a break from events and meetings. It's someone else's turn to get involved!

MoNO Back In Business

2008-07-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

You can also make reservations via OpenTable.

Story Index for the old 2006 print issues

2008-07-16T16:20:00.001-07:00

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

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

Mingles Cabaret License Hearing
288 Third Street Webcam Online [it's not anymore, but you can see the monthly time-lapse videos at http://jlda.org/webcam/ - it takes a while for the page to load because it's trying to access a camera that is no longer there]
Developer Meeting 1/19/05
Neighborhood News Goes to Print [online started in Feb 2008]
Proper Disposal of Hazardous Waste
Free Vacinations for Pets
District 3 Town Hall Meeting
Jack London District Survey Results
Someone Took the Trashcans [for refurbishment]
Save the Date - Sunday, April 23rd Neighborhood Clean-up (aka Trash Bash VII)

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

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

JLDA Announces Membership Drive
Zazoo Cabaret License Hearing
Mingles Makes News
Silk Road Opens
Winter Beauty Tips
Jack London District Restaurant Survey
Holiday Food Drive Nets 799 Pounds
Jack London Square Update
Construction Updates

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

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

Mingles & Zazoo's Update
First Group of Repaired Trash Cans Return
Restaurant Survey Results
Neighborhood Clean-up Day April 23, 2006 9am-1pm Free BBQ (for all) to Follow
Get Fit Locally With Yoga & Pilates
Sierra Salon Gets New Pedicure Spa Chair
Editorial: Support Local Merchants
JLDA Membership Benefits
Calendar

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

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

Boom! Boom! Boom! More Noise Coming With Amtrak Parking Lot Conversion
Mingles & Zazoo's - The Latest Update
CORE: Preparing for an Emergency
Neighborhood Clean-up Day & Free BBQ for All Sunday April 23, 2006
JLDA Elects New Board of Directors
Possible I-880 Changes Affect District
Great Wines Close to Home
Jack London Square to Pilot Flexcar Car Sharing Program
Jack London District Historic Trivia
Editorial: In the Know
JLDA Fundraiser May 3, 2006 - Oakland A's Baseball
Calendar

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

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

Volunteers Clean Up Neighborhood
Mingles Cabaret License Hearing Set
City Phone Numbers Worth Knowing
Oak to 9th Avenue: Lessons for Democratic Community Planning
JLDA Receives Money from JLNA
New Market Lofts Residents Petition Cell Antenna
Quarter Century of Preserving Oakland's History
Jack London Aquatic Center: Happenings on the Waterfront
Neighborhood Clean-up Photos
JLDA Fundraiser - Oakland A's Baseball
Calendar

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

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

Developments Making Progress [photos, including model of the Ellington]
Time for Pro Arts' East Bay Open Studios
Mingles Cabaret Hearing Report
It's Bing Season at the JLS Farmer's Market [typo!]
Oakland-Alameda Ferry Offers Relaxing Ride
Oakland Opera Theater Presents: "X, The Life & Times of Malcolm X"
JLDA Parking Committee Report
Editorial: So Much More to Say
Oakland Cleans Up
JLDA Fundraiser - Oakland A's Baseball
Calendar

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

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

Oak to 9th Project Approved
National Night Out Ice Cream Social
Crucible Fire Arts Festival
Cell Antenna Moratorium Approved by Council
Two Allegro Buildings On Track to Go Condo
Letters to the Editor
Crime & Safety Meeting
Map of Jack London Square Redevelopment Plan [2 page spread with photos - someone today was asking about the Amtrak Parking Garage, aka Site G, and the rendering is here]
New Dining Opportunities
Waterfront Warehouse District Walking Tour
Commuter Corrections
Calendar
Trees Saved From Becoming Parking Lot

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

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

Senator Boxer Moving Into the District
Parking Proposal Goes to Committee in September [typo!]
Oak to 9th Avenue Project Faces Lawsuits
Jack London News Now Available Via US Mail
JLDA Receives 501(c)(3) Status
Construction Meeting Provides Updates
JLAC Junior Women's Rowing Holds Open House
Letter to the Editor
Overheard
Restaurant Review: Tamarindo Antojeria Mexicana
Green Zone
Community Design Input Sought [re: 377 2nd St]
Notary Public Information
You Ask Questions, We (try to) Find Answers
Paul Robeson Multimedia Exhibit
OHA Walking Tours
More COA's for Mingles
Crime & Safety Meeting
Chinatown Streetfest August 26-27, Free
Calendar
Flexcar Offers Flexibility
August is National Peach Month: Quick Peach Cobbler Recipe

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

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

National Neighborhood Day Sept 17th
Recent Greeno Burglary is a Reminder to Lock Up
Libary Seeks Support for Measure N
Support the Mixed-Use Permit Parking Plan
Construction Meeting Sees Turnover
JLDA Fundraiser - Oakland A's Baseball
Overheard
Rants & Raves
Safety Committee Meeting Postponed to September 28th
JLDA Seeks Director for Board
Yoshi's Announces New Exec Chef
Quotes from Jack London
Local Spotlight: Eric Cheng
Over 25,000 Support Referendum [re: Oak to 9th Ave project]
Getting Rid of "Stuff"
Calendar
Mingles Gets New Landlord

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

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

Clowning Around on Neighborhood Day
Measure N Will Help Libary Infrastructure
Another Mingles Shooting
Crime & Safety Meeting
Prevention Institute Moving Into the JLD
Letter to the Editor
Yet Another Oak to Ninth Lawsuit
Mixed-Use Parking Permit Plan
Partners In Preservation: Vote Daily
Remember When? [old postcards]
Local Spotlight: Adison & Gerry Garzon
Halloween Festivities
Lawsuit Delays Lake Merritt Plans
Benefits Abound for Local Non-Profits: Party Time For Giving
Jack London Aquatic Center
Wardrobe for Opportunity
CALICO Center
CinnamonGirl
Oakland Fund for the Arts
Pro Arts Gallery
Calendar
Covenant House Construction Making Progress
October is Caramel Month - Recipe for Sadie's Crunchy Caramel Popcorn

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

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

Tree Lighting in the Square Nov 24th
Permit Parking Plan Making Progress
Warehouse Bar Gets Cabaret License
Jack London District Construction Updates
Editorial: Benefit Parties
Local Spotlight: Lonely Planet
What was the Oakland Mole?
Open House for Local Wineries
Lake Merritt Redevelopment Plans [renderings included]
Calendar
Jack London District Restaurant News
2006 Box Art Benefit Auction at ProArts Gallery
Overheard
Turkey Q&A

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

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

Mingles Closes Doors After Fatal Shooting
Holiday Food Drive in High Gear
Permit Parking Plan Delayed to January
Old Oakland Gets Store For Denim: "Drift"
Oakland's Fox Theater Gets Amex Money
Editorial: One Year of Printing
Old Postcards from Oakland
Holiday Gift Guide
Jack London Mail Quick Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
Visit Old Oakland
JLDA Year in Review
What Makes a Vibrant Nightlife
Calendar
Important Phone Numbers
Killer Eggnog Recipe

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

Waterfront Access Map

2008-07-09T20:57:00.001-07:00

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

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

This great map has both parks on it as well as info on the Bay Trail.

Yahoo Group Created for JLD

2008-07-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

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

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

Click on the link and give it a whirl!

Code Complaints Filed With The City

2008-07-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

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

1. FAILURE TO GAIN ENCROACHMENT PERMIT. 288 Third Street

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

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

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

Brown Sugar Kitchen

2008-06-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

More info on Brown Suguar Kitchen here. Check it out!

Legally Defining 4-Hour Parking

2008-06-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

Here is the applicable text of 10.44.120:

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

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

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

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

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

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

That answers that question, but here's another:

What about the 2-hour parking spots that are not open to permit parking? Can you move your car within those spaces without getting a ticket?

Committee Approves Increased Fees; Holds Boundary Decision

2008-06-24T17:44:00.001-07:00

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

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

If you need visitor permits, get them now before they go up in price!

One Reason the City Hasn't Sold More Permits

2008-06-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

I've gotten several comments in the last few days from people who want to get a permit, but have questions. It seems that they've been trying to contact someone (who?) in the City who can answer their questions, but they aren't getting a call back when they leave a phone number.

Hmmm, another argument for not passing the amendment on today's Finance Committee schedule....

If the City wants to sell more permits, perhaps they could return calls.

Letter to the Finance Committee

2008-06-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Council Members,

I am unable to attend the Finance Committee meeting on 6/24/08 because I run a business here in the Jack London District of Oakland and cannot get away during the day. It is my hope that you will take the following comments into consideration despite my not being there.

I strongly urge you to push item #7, an amendment request to the Jack London District Mixed-Use Parking Permit Plan back to Staff to work with the neighborhood association, JLDA, to find a resolution.

I was an original member of the Ad Hoc Jack London District On-Street Parking Improvement Committee (AHJLDOSPIC). AHJLDOSPIC came to life as a result of the City wanting to blanket the entire district with parking meters. Since this was not acceptable to the majority of those that attended the meter proposal meeting, the City put the task back in our own lap to resolve. Hence, the birth of the Ad Hoc Committee. Later, this resulted in the birth of the Jack London District Association.

As part of that committee, we were told that any plan we were to come up with should not make money, but nor should it cost the City money.

At last the Plan was approved by Council and implemented in May 2008. Now, a mere six or seven weeks after implementation and four weeks after enforcement, Ms. Nadel's office is suggesting that the plan be amended to allow more people to be eligible for the permits.

I first have issue with how the amendment has arrived at the Finance Committee without first having been discussed with the Jack London District Association (JLDA) - and primary go to group for creating the mixed-use permit plan. Isn't that the point of having a neighborhood association? To work with the neighborhood to find compromise and resolution? As a simple courtesy, this should have been done.

I also have issue with making changes to this plan before it's even settled into existence. Six or seven weeks is not enough to see if it is working. To say, as Ms. Arrona has said to me, that the plan is losing money is not a fair statement. If the costs of the plan include hiring a new parking enforcement officer, as well as purchasing a new vehicle, and neither of those things has happened, how is this mixed-use permit program failing? The City has raised over $80,000 just in the first six weeks - $80,000 it wouldn't have received without the plan. If anything, the plan is profitable, and not revenue neutral at this point.

Ms. Arrona called me last week to yell at me. She kept asking why I cared - why I take the changes personally. I was interrupted so many times that I never got to answer that question, nor was I able to get Ms. Arrona to speak to me in a civil manner. In the end I was forced to hang up and hope that other members of the Committee would listen to what I have to say. Is it so wrong to personally care about the very neighborhood you live and work in?

You have already heard from a few employees that work in Jack London Square - I've seen the emails. While I can feel sympathy with those who work in the Square, Port of Oakland, or Alameda County buildings, I do not feel that we should include them in the current plan without changes. What changes? I have a few ideas, but I feel that they should be discussed offline with JLDA - the Jack London District Association. Unfortunately for tenants in the Square, the Port, and the County Buildings they are at a disadvantage because of their landlord. In all three cases - Jack London Square, the Port of Oakland, and the Alameda County buildings - the land owners were all asked to come to the table to discuss the permit plan MANY times over the years. Every time, they declined. In the case of the Square and the Port, it was quite clear that the intention was for their workers to park in the Washington Street Garage or they wanted to encourage publictransportation. In the case of the Alameda County building, it wasn't clear - several times we were told that they didn't need parking because they came in and out. That was also mentioned by Ms. Arrona last week. For the Square employees of tenants that do not have 100% parking provided by their lease, I do feel that they have a right to be angry. The plan is certainly not a perfect fit for all. It was and is a COMPROMISE as it exists. Giving in to the these other entities, none of whom have any parking to give back, is unfair.

If changes to the plan are approved to increase the eligibility for the permits, then I would hope that other concessions could be made in exchange. Perhaps the City could require JLS, the Port, and the County to fund some portion of the plan. Another idea would be to add unrestricted on-street parking areas in the District to the plan. Yet another idea would be to lower the price of the permits for others in exchange for allowing these other areas being proposed to be added to the eligibility.

The goal in creating the plan in the first place was to bring more business to the area. That doesn't happen overnight. It is going to take some marketing from the City to let potential businesses know that things have changed and that this area that was once hostile to the existing businesses has changed. Let's not rush changes to the plan without giving it a chance to succeed.

I thank you for your time and consideration of my comments. I hope that you will push back the request so that Staff can involve JLDA in coming up with a solution.

Sincerely,
Joanna Adler

City Administrator On Her Way Out?

2008-06-20T12:58:00.001-07:00

I've never made it a secret that I do not care for Oakland's City Administor, Deborah Edgerly.

I think the first time I got a really bad feeling about her was at a Women in Business (Oakland) gathering where she was a guest speaker. She kept rah-rah'ing about how she'd raised this fee and that fee and how she'd moved her way up the ranks by making her bosses look good and by finding more ways to make money. It seemed to me, at the time, that she wasn't saying anything that was pro the small business owner. What's funny is that all these other women were clapping and cheering her on, not thinking about all the fees that have been raised since Edgerly became City Administrator. I kept looking around wondering why all these women in business were clapping. More fees typically means less money left at the end to pay ourselves as small business owners. And the funnier thing was that of the 6-7 other women business owners I spoke with that day, all complained about fees for permits, etc. Uh, hello? Were you the same women just clapping and cheering on Ms. Edgerly?

Then, there was the whole mixed-use parking permit plan. When Edgerly first met with members of the Jack London District Ad Hoc On-Street Parking Improvement Committee (JLDA did not exist back then), she was the one to come out and provide the parameters as to what we could do since the majority were against blanketing the neighborhood with parking meters. Her main criteria was that any proposal would not make money, and that it would be revenue neutral. A few years later when the mixed-use permit plan went to Council, she opposed it because she wanted it to make money and she touted how much money parking meters would have made for the City. She and Desley Brooks were pushing for $600/year. I personally believe that if you only focus on funds from meters (which is one reason I quit the parking task force), that you are not helping businesses - businesses that could bring in more money if their customers could park or get there more easily... chicken or the egg syndrome.

Okay, so move time forward to the second Mingles cabaret license hearing. Ms. Edgerly did not attend the first cabaret license hearing, which had about a dozen or so people. The second hearing had at least 50 people, including Ms. Edgerly, and was much more... um, tense. I was threatened by someone on my way out and it was not comfortable. Ms. Edgerly appeared in support of Mingles as an African-American establishment. She refused to shut down the club, even though OPD could not handle the issues surrounding the club, nor would club owners abide by the terms set by the City. Instead, they were given yet another chance. It would take the death of a pregnant club goer to finally end the Mingles drama.

So today, SFGate has this story and the Tribune has this story. It seems likely that Ms. Edgerly will probably retire with bennies come Monday.

No idea who is next in line for the position. I hope that the City conducts a serious search for a seasoned pro.

Nadel's Office Weighs In

2008-06-17T17:03:00.000-07:00

Here's an email I received from Marisa Arrona in Nancy Nadel's office:

Dear “Feedback At Jack London News” ~

I am Councilmember Nadel’s Policy Analyst. I wrote the Staff Report recommending we amend the permit parking boundaries.

You are misinformed. The Amtrak parking lot, which will take three years to complete, will be for Amtrak commuters – not for Social Services employees who work more than 6 blocks away, nor “tenants of Jack London Square”. The permit parking program was proposed specifically to deal with COMMUTERS who park in the District all day for free, and to address the fact that the Amtrak parking lot will be closed for three years. In fact, the permit parking program will sunset in three years, when the garage opens.

Moreover, you are woefully and alarmingly misinformed when you state:
We've always been told that they wanted nothing to do with the parking permit plan - until it was implemented, and now suddenly they want the benefit.

The merchants south of Water Street NEVER said they “wanted nothing to do with the parking permit plan”(!) In fact, several of those merchants spoke with Gary Knect and other JLDA representatives, who REBUFFED the requests of the merchants to be included in the program.

The program must sell at least 1,100 permits to be “cost neutral.” So far we have sold *364* permits. In a deficit year, you can be sure the Council would END this program because the City is subsidizing it. Out of fairness, and indeed common business sense, we will include the merchants south of Embarcadero and the Social Services employees, most of whom are Oakland residents and deserve the same consideration given to the other merchants, employees, and residents of JLS.

Please forward THIS accurate email to everyone you know, to correct the absolute misinformation your previously included in your unnecessarily vitriolic email.
~ Marisa Arrona

and my response:

Marisa,

And you are woefully wrong as well.

The County and the Port had no parking to offer up, so why should they receive the priviledge? We had asked them time and time again to get involved in this and have never gotten any support. They have nothing to bring to the table.

Secondly, the parking garage is NOT for Amtrak commuters - that is the most false thing I've ever heard out of Nancy Nadel's office. That parking garage is specifically for Jack London Square as a source for parking for their tenants. Current tenants are to use the Washington Street Garage. Amtrak riders may choose to park in the Site G parking structure, but that is certainly not what it is being built for. Merchants/tenants in the square were rebuffed by Gary because they needed to talk to their landlord.

364 permits in SIX weeks is GREAT! If you didn't have the permit plan that would be $54,600 that the City wouldn't have because we'd still have free on-street parking. Oh, and then there's the $70 tickets - which have at least netted the city $28,000 (20 days of enforcement at a low estimation of 20 tickets at $70/ea). So in this deficit year, you should be thanking JLDA for helping you to pass the permit plan.

And when you tell us that the JLDA Mixed-Use Permit Plan needs to be revenue neutral - well, answer me the following questions:

1. Is the residential permit plan revenue neutral? In that revenue neutrality calculation be sure to include all the same costs that are included in the costs for the mixed-use plan?
2. Has the City hired an additional parking enforcement officer?
3. Has the City purchased an additional parking enforcement vehicle?

Permit Plan Article Angers Port Tenants

2008-06-17T16:20:00.000-07:00

I've already gotten quite a few angry emails from people who work in the Square/Port.

Let me just say it publicly. Your anger should not be focused towards me, but towards your landlord. Your landlord wanted NOTHING to do with the parking permit plan. Nothing. So why should they be included? And what do they have to give back? Parking on Water Street? The on-street parking permits are for people that live or work on the streets that are giving up parking. They give nothing, they get nothing. Pretty simple.

Remember that it was a choice between meters and permits. With permits you get FOUR WHOLE HOURS OF FREE PARKING! FOUR!! FREE!! If you company has a client come to visit, instead of paying to park in the garage, they can now park for free nearby. More diners are also more likely to visit the local restaurants because they can - wait for it - PARK FOR FREE! Shoot, all of the workers in the Square could figure it out - just move your car to another street at lunch and then YOU too get to park for free. Would meters have made you happier?

Trust me. We didn't want the fees to be $150/yr. I have a feeling that this is why they haven't sold so many. But City Council was unwilling to budge. At one point they wanted $600/mo. If it comes to meters or permits, I'm thinking it was a win-win for all.

But to add Water Street and the County Buildings to the pool that can get permits when they wanted nothing to do with the plan and have no parking to give to the plan seems wrong. I'm sorry you feel differently, but that's an arguement that I feel you should have with your landlord whether your landlord is the Port of Oakland, Jack London Square, or Alameda County.

Mixed-Use Parking Permit Plan CHANGED

2008-06-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, June 24th at 1:30pm the City Council Finance Committee Meeting will hear a request from Council Member Nancy Nadel to make some serious changes to the Mixed-Use Parking Permit Plan. The meeting will be held in Hearing Room 1 at City Hall. You can see the agenda for the meeting here. Item #7 on the agenda (bottom of page 2) is of serious concern.

Ms. Nadel has requested that the Committee "Adopt The Following Pieces of Legislation:

(1) An Orindance Amending Ordinance No. 12864 C.M.S., To Modify The Boundaries Of The Jack London District Interim Mixed-Use Permit Parking Program Area, As Follows: (A) Move The Southern Boundary Of The Permit Parking Area South One Block From Embarcadero West, Between Franklin Street And Washington Street Only, To Include The Businesses On Water Street; (B) Move The Northern Boundary Of The Permit Parking Area North One Block From Fourth Street, Between Washington Street And Broadway Only, To Include The Southern Side Of Fifth Street Only, And (07-1440)

(2) An Ordinance Amending Ordinance Number 12809 C.M.S. (Master Fee Schedule), As Amended, To Modify Permit Fees Assessed By The Parking Division For The "Interim Mixed-Use Parking Permit Program For The Jack London District," As Follows: (A) Modify The Cost Of One-Day Permits From One Dollar ($1) To Ten Dollars ($10); And (B) Modify The Cost Of Two-Week Permits From Five Dollars ($5) To Fifty Dollars ($50), In Order To Matain [sp] The Program's Cost-Neutrality (07-1440-1)

This, my neighbors, is CRAP.

First off, the program has been in existence for all of six weeks and only enforced for four weeks. Why are we changing it before even getting settled?! The concern of the City is that they have not sold enough permits. Of course they haven't! It's the very beginning of something new. Never mind, they say, that the City has collected a huge amount of revenue from parking tickets. (no amount was available from the City) One parking enforcement person said that he had been writing between 20-30 tickets a day. At $70 per ticket that's $1400-2100 per day that the City wasn't getting prior to this permit plan.

Secondly, the businesses that this District has lost over the last 5-10 years because of parking woes are not going to be replaced overnight. It may take years to replace these businesses. How can you expect immediate turnaround for parking to be full with permit holders? Never mind the improvement existing businesses are experiencing because they can finally have clients, customers, and visitors to their businesses. That's what the plan was all about in the first place - getting Chinatown, train, and BART users to park elsewhere so that the parking in this neighborhood could be used by this neighborhood. It was the goal of this plan that businesses would have a better chance of survival and interest in the area if there was a parking permit plan.

Third, that the City - and especially Nancy Nadel's office - failed to contact the Jack London District Association prior to requesting this change is REDICULOUS. It affects the District, so the District Association should have been included in the discussions leading up to this prospective change in legislation.

Fourth, that the City is adding the availability for permits to be purchased by tennants of Jack London Square (Water Street) and the County buildings is preposterous! That's the whole reason the Parking Garage is being built in the Amtrak lot - to serve the tenants of Jack London Square. We've always been told that they wanted nothing to do with the parking permit plan - until it was implemented, and now suddenly they want the benefit. Sorry - go to the parking garage. Same story as the County Services buildings. We've been told time and time again that they don't take up hardly any parking and that they don't park for more than a few hours at a time. Okay, so then the 4-hour parking limits should work just fine.

Fifth, the City says that the ticket monies ($1400-$2100 per day!) go to the General Fund, whereas the Parking Permit Fees go to the Parking Division. But the expenses of creating the parking permit plan are to be covered in the permit costs. Well, do we have a new full time parking enforcement officer dedicated to our neighborhood? No. Is there a new vehicle? No. And honestly, it's a bad arguement because the City gets the money either way you look at it.

Sixth, the increase in costs for the visitor one-day and two-week permits by 90%? Give me a break! Raise the residential permit fees so that their program is also cost neutral by the same standards and I'll buy into this crap.

I hope that people in the District can go to this meeting and let their feelings on the subject be heard. I'm tempted to close my store - that's how important I think this is. (ride your bike)

Fireworks Return to Jack London Square

2008-06-09T17:09:00.001-07:00

Color me surprised, but happily so! Fireworks are back this 4th of July to Jack London Square. Considering that there is more construction going on this year than last, and last year "construction" was the excuse for not having fireworks, this is really surprising. Great, though!

From their website:

Visit Jack London Square on the 4th of July to enjoy Oakland's free community fireworks display and five hours of live music and entertainment for the family. This years fireworks display begins at 9:15pm

Music Entertainment Schedule
Basic Black 4-5:30
Amigos 6:00 -7:30
House of David 8:00 – 9:30
Ben Oni Orchestra 8:00 -9:30

"Get over it."

2008-06-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

I'm having a hard time with other blogs posting things like this.

Here's my response:

Okay, so is living in JLD for over 10 years "new to the neighborhood"? I don't think so.
Let me list the top 5 things I would have liked to have seen when she was elected the last time around - a time when I'm almost embarassed to say I voted for her. My goal of 5 simple things was:

1. Mixed-use parking permit plan. She didn't get us the permit plan. Brunner and Kernighan were WAY more supportive. And why did it take over 5 years? Why does it cost so much more than the residential permits? ($150 vs $50)

2. Neighborhood park. At one point we could have bought the lot where 288 Third now stands for $3 million. Obviously that didn't happen and now there are no empty lots left in the neighborhood for a park. I don't consider Estuary Park to be a neighborhood park.

3. Grocery store. Why did she just start contacting grocery stores during her campaign and not before then?

4. A better Jack London Square redevelopment plan. I've written about this at great length and my concern is that it will all be office space. She made lots of noise having supposed "issues", but still voted 5 minutes later in favor of the project without asking for it to be better.

5. Air quality testing.
Catering to West Oakland at the 100% cost of ignoring the rest of your district is because of race? No it isn't. At some point people down here pay taxes and don't feel that they're getting their monies worth. Obviously they thought that others would vote for them, so shame on them for not voting.

We have plenty of African-Americans, Asians, and even Latinos in our neighborhood, so please don't offend the Jack London District in saying that it's about race. Besides, a Council Member should represent their WHOLE district, not just one bit.

My goals for the next go-around?

1. Continuation of the Mixed-Use Parking Permit Plan. (it appears to be on shaky ground at the moment all because not enough people have signed up in the first month)

2. Grocery store. Work TOGETHER with JLS to get a grocery store in the area.

3. Dog park.

4. Webster Street Green. She mentioned this during the JLD District 3 Candidate Forum and I want people to hold her to it.

5. More neighborhood serving businesses in the District. Good luck with this one, because at this point I'm not planning on renewing my retail space lease in [Nov]2010. [anyone want to buy a mail and parcel store?]

Joanna Adler
Jack London Mail
Jack London News

Sad day for District 3

2008-06-04T09:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I must say that I am shocked that so many people voted for Nancy Nadel, but since the people have spoken, it's just another reason for me to be even less involved in my community. I see no point in continuing to bang my head against the wall for another four years.

So I'm going to sit back and laugh for the next four years and watch as absolutely nothing happens. Don't expect a grocery store unless the folks at JLS or Doug Boxer make it happen. Don't expect a dog park unless an ad-hoc group does it. Let's see if the JLD Parking Permit Plan is still around at the end of the four years. Don't expect anything other than the status quo of JLS being the ugly stepchild in District 3 to the Council Member's own backyard of West Oakland. She's even admitted that she feels this way. "It's a matter of race" or so she says.

Go ahead, Ms. Nadel. Prove me wrong. I dare you. Please prove me wrong.

Because just like with Jack London Square project*, I sincerely hope that I am wrong.

*My prediction for the Jack London Square project is that it will be all office space and that little of the retail space will actually be filled, much less vibrant. I hope I'm wrong.

The Safe Streets Initiative - don't sign the petition

2008-05-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I received a petition in the mail asking for my support of the Safe Streets Initiative. You can learn more about the Safe Streets Initiative, aka "The Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act of 2008" at this website.

Basically, it sets the number of police officers required in Oakland to 1075.

While I don't disagree that we need more police officers in Oakland, I do not think that creating an initiative is the way to do it. It does not come with a plan of how to get to 1075. If it did, I might be more interested in getting behind the initiative.

The issue is that I don't think you could possibly find anyone in the City - in politics, OPD, or otherwise - that is against adding more cops. The issue is funding of the training, finding interested candidates willing to hit the streets of Oakland, and even the funding of the actual positions. I don't disagree that money is wasted in our City Government, but if this initiative were to pass my fear is that the good stuff would be cut, and not the bad, and worse - I don't see the number of 1075 as even remotely possible for at least two years.

As it is, we're currently at around 750 officers, give or take. We have a bunch of cadettes that started training a few weeks ago, but the average number that ultimately graduates and makes it onto the streets isn't a high number. We would be extremely lucky to get to 803 (the current goal) by the end of the year, and that's only if no one retires, gets injured, or quits. Not a likely scenario.

Once we get to the 803 number, then we can work towards more. But let's get to the 803 number - which we already can't fund with the current budget - before requiring the city to bankrupt itself or significantly raise taxes in a feeble attempt to get to 1075. To me, setting that number is a set-up for failure and will merely give everyone more fingerpointing as to who is at fault for it not happening and possibly/probably at the expense of other city services.

Don't sign the petition. It sounds good, but it doesn't have a plan for getting there and it will bankrupt the City trying to get there.

Jack London News Endorses Greg Hodge

2008-05-28T09:12:00.000-07:00

Although I'm not printing the paper these days, many have asked who I am supporting for District 3 City Council. I am officially supporting Greg Hodge.

I've long said that I think it is time for a new Council Member, and at the recent JLDA District 3 Candidate Forum that view was cemented. You can see my questions and the candidates answers at Zennie Abraham's Oakland Focus website. Nadel says that the issue is one of race as to why she spends her energy and focus on West Oakland and seems to ignore the Jack London District, yet looking around I see our District as diverse. And hey, we pay taxes, so shouldn't we have some representation? It's really an issue of socio-economic status. She sees us (JLD) as rich, and the poor of West Oakland are the ones that need her. Well, we need(ed) her. And since she doesn't see that, she should NOT continue to be our Council representative.

Hodge said it best. He said that if you don't want change, then you should stick with the incombent. But if you want change, you basically have two choices. Greg Hodge or Sean Sullivan. I think we're lucky in District 3 to have a choice of good candidates, unlike other districts where the choices are grim (imho). I'll also say that I like BOTH Greg & Sean, and I think that they both have positives to bring to the table. You should read their websites and try to meet them both and make your own opinion.

Ultimately I have chosen Greg over Sean for a few specific reasons. First, Oak to 9th may make a return to Council for a new vote in the next few years. Our City didn't listen to the masses who felt that it should go to a referendum and the Planning Commission failed to listen to the people despite all the "public meetings" - it's one thing to have the meetings, but another if you've already made up your mind and you refuse to listen to what the people have to say. The waterfront is for all and the more we block it off and only leave the bad bits for the masses, the worse it is for the City, again, imho. It's my feeling that Sean is too good of friends with Signature Properties and that will tilt his perspective on the Oak to 9th project in particular. He has good reason to like/love Signature - they were very supportive of getting Covenant House into the neighborhood and even freely offered their services as general contract in the renovations of the We the People building formerly owned by Jerry Brown.

The other issue that tipped the scale for me towards Greg Hodge was his relationships with other politicians and his knowledge of how things work politically. Could Sean learn this? Yes, but it would take some time. He's young and he still has some learning to do.

Ultimately, I think Sean Sullivan will either win or go into a run-off with Nancy Nadel, but I'd like for people to get to know Greg Hodge before making their own decision.

Want a dog park? I need volunteers!

2008-05-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

I'm not a dog owner, or even a huge fan of dogs. However, I've learned some interesting things lately and I want to help the Jack London District get a dog park.

I want to prove to JLDA, to Nancy Nadel, and all the other naysayers that indeed it can be done and without a huge amount of capital and without a huge amount of bureaucracy.

SO... I need some help!

First, are there any fencing pros reading? If so, can you help?

I've created a Yahoo Group specifically for this project - JLDdogpark - so if you're interested in learning more and/or helping out go to http://groups.yahoo.com and search for JLDdogpark. Request to join and be sure to include your name, address, and number of dogs.

Queenie Pie, a Duke Ellington Opera Opens Friday

2008-05-07T09:39:00.000-07:00

Duke Ellington's one and only opera, Queenie Pie, will open Friday, May 9th and run through May 25th. Presented by the Oakland Opera and featuring the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, performances run Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Advance tickets are $28 and can be purchased online, by mail (1734 Campbell St., Oakland, CA 94607), or by phone at (510) 763-1146. You can also purchase tickets at the door for $35.

The Oakland Opera Theater is located at 630 Third Street.

Support these local artists! They put on a great show and are a great asset to the community.

Ghazal Indian Cuisine NOW OPEN!

2008-04-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

Another restaurant has graced the Jack London District with their presence! Ghazal Indian Cuisine has made a massive improvement to the 2nd & Broadway corner, in the space that once was home to the nightclub Bluesville. Across from Everett & Jones, this new eatery builds on the fabulous diversity of culture and cuisine that we are lucky to have in the JLD.

Their first night of business - yesterday, 4/21 - already had a good crowd and staff will surely get the swing of things with a bit more practice. The food is already outstanding and I can't wait to go back. The menu is quite a bit more extensive than Breads of India (also good - in Old Oakland), although they don't have a full bar.

Three new restaurants [Cucina Poblano, MoNO, & Ghazal) for the District in one year?! Isn't that great?!

Bakery in Negotiation with Jack London Square

2008-04-16T08:59:00.001-07:00

Miette, a lovely bakery in the SF Ferry Building, is in negotiations to add a production facility and outlet in Jack London Square. Here's a blurb on it from SFGate. It's the "sweet news" in the second section. While the article mentions being in the "public market" section, I think that also includes the ground floor of 66 Franklin, so we could see them arrive before the finale of the Jack London Market project.

Nothing is official yet... negotiations are still in progress.

In case you live in a cave and haven't noticed, the Jack London Market is up to about five or six floors in steel. It's moving right along!