Email
PrintArt, Entertainment & Lifestyle
Readers' Picks
Annual Event
Montclair Pet Mayor’s Contest
This isn’t an ordinary event. The Montclair Pet Mayor contest is righteous, hilarious fun. Gracie (Montclair Vet) won the voting last year, but it wasn’t all Gracie’s show. Houdini, from the Silver Palace, was named Vice Mayor in the new administration, while Bella, from Someone’s In The Kitchen, was appointed Canine Commissioner. Gidget, a duck from Pet Food Express, was named, naturally, the new Sitting Duck, while Charley (Someone’s In The Kitchen) was named Cattorney General, Kai (Montclair Village Wines, Spirits ’n Brews) assumed the duties of Secretary of Steak. Drake (Loh Realty) was named Bark Ranger and finally, Bayly (Pacific National Bank) assumed duties as Deputy Dog. The silliness has a purpose, of course. Proceeds go to the Montclair Pet & Wildlife Fund, administered by Montclair Vet. Last year this event raised $15,000 on behalf of all the grateful critters.
Montclair Veterinary Hospital, 1969B Mountain Blvd, (510) 339-2400 | www.petandwildlifefund.org/mayor/
Veterinarian
Montclair Veterinary Hospital
Tucked into a lower-level space off Mountain Boulevard in Montclair is the paws-down winner of this year’s readers’ poll in the category of veterinary medicine. It is the Montclair Veterinary Hospital, which has been handling cool cats and hot dogs (along with just about every other animal) since 1962. Moreover, the hospital is extremely active in helping wildlife through its Montclair Veterinary Hospital Pet & Wildlife Fund, which since 2004 has raised more than $240,000 in vet care and services. One of the major sources of funding comes via the Montclair Pet Mayor’s Contest, winner of this year’s Best Annual Event.
1969 Mountain Blvd., (510) 533-0700 | www.MontclairVetHospital.com
Hike
Redwood Regional Park, Skyline Gate Trailhead
The coolest thing about the Skyline Gate trailhead in Redwood Regional Park is that it offers so much, so close. A main entrance to the park, off Redwood Road, has more parking, but the Skyline Gate is the favorite among the readers. That’s probably because that is so danged multi-useful. Mountain bikers, hikers, dog walkers and trail runners love the West Ridge Trail, and the choices off this trail are myriad on an afternoon’s hike, including the closed-to-mountain-bikers Tres Sendas trail.
11500 Skyline Blvd., (888) 327-2757 | www.EBParks.org/parks/redwood
Editors' Picks
Best Oakland Sky Tour
Chabot Space & Science Center
Free Telescope Viewing
We’re locked in by haze, atmosphere and light, so it’s no surprise that we urban, sea-level creatures don’t get to see what’s directly above us. That would be the sky. Fortunately, we have the Chabot Space & Science Center, and even more fortunately yet, the convivial people at the center offer free (free!) telescope viewing each Friday and Saturday nights. This is a fabulous thing, great for the family and great for anyone who wants to get to know his or her celestial surroundings. In the dark months, the shows begin at 7:30 p.m., but during the summer, the sky tours begin at dusk.
10000 Skyline Blvd., (510) 336-7300 | www.ChabotSpace.org
Best Trip Abroad Without Leaving Town
International Boulevard
1.5-mile to 2-mile stretch between 22nd Avenue to 42nd Avenue and beyond
The backbone of East Oakland’s Fruitvale district is four lanes of Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Laos, Vietnam, China, Thailand, and, since press time, probably about a dozen other countries. This is the corridor along and on either side of International Boulevard (East 14th Street). It’s noisy, disorganized and wonderful. Close your eyes and listen. Where the heck are yez? One of our favorite places to take it all in is World Cup Coffee, an espresso bar at 1212 Fruitvale Ave., just off International down toward Jingletown. It’s just as weirdly out of place as Deep Roots Urban Teahouse on 34th Avenue, but given the mixed bag of diversity around here, it manages to make sense. That’s because World Cup Coffee pairs its coffee drinks with scrumptious tamales, and for a foreign experience, that would just about cover it.
Best Old Place Made New Again
The Fox Theater
What a difference a couple of decades make. We were standing outside the refurbished and renovated Fox Theater last February at the big re-opening gala, gazing across Telegraph toward Flora, and thought for a second we’d landed in deco paradise. As it turns out, we had. This is a serious piece of restoration, enough so that we were a little bit sore we hadn’t stopped by the Hat Guys on the way over for a snappy fedora or pork pie. By day, it’s home to the Oakland School for the Arts, and by night it is the flagship live music venue for Another Planet Entertainment, run by many of the old gang at Bill Graham Presents. Good pedigree, great re-do, and the sound is good, too.
1807 Telegraph Ave., (510) 548-3010 | www.FoxOakland.org
Best Handy as Heck Place to Know
Glenview Key and Lock
Glenview Key and Lock isn’t what you’d exactly call a tourist trap. A locksmith? Even so, we’re going for it. It’s in a rather nondescript building in the commercial strip of Glenview along Park Boulevard. But when a lock or a hard-to-find key—including antique keys—is on the Saturday things-to-do list, this is the place. Key duplications, custom pet tag and key engraving, re-keying locks, master keying, deadbolt installation, window locks, patio door locks, Glenview Key and Lock does it all. But most important, the crew at Glenview Key and Lock are great at emergency lockouts, which can turn a disaster into a manageable crisis.
4197 Park Blvd., (510) 530-6141 | www.GlenviewKey.com
Where Old Oakland Housewives Deal
Housewives Market
It ain’t like it used to be, but the white-bricked Housewives Market in Old Oakland is still a hoot and a half. An open seating area serves as more or less a down-home food court for a manageable variety of butchers, wineries and seafood mongers. On Friday, the Old Oakland Farmers Market extends right up to the door—the best of both worlds. Older Oaklanders recognize this building as the old Swan’s building, much smaller than the original Housewives Market, which was torn down in 2003. For the architect crowd, the market is on the National Register of Historic places, and it won a major design award in 2001 for rehabilitation and adaptive reuse. Cool.
907 Washington St. | http://OldOakland.org/map.cfm?vid=3&bid=1
Seriously Organic Music
Jim Riggs, the Wurlitzer player at the Paramount Theatre
As entrances go, few entertainers can match Jim Riggs. Sitting atop a moveable platform, Riggs rises from the depths of the Paramount Theatre, situates himself in front of the Mighty Wurlitzer, and begins to play. The crowd at Movie Night goes nuts, of course, as Riggs, 44, begins to navigate his way across the organ’s 244 keys and 32 foot pedals. This is a theater organ, mind you, and it’s supposed to emulate each tone that normally one could find in an orchestra. It’s a difficult piece of business, which is one reason why Riggs is one of the very few Wurlitzer players around. He played at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco for many years, and he plays the Stanford Theatre Wurlitzer in Palo Alto. “Combining both current and previous positions,” he says on his Web site, “I’ve estimated that I’ve performed for over 750,000 Bay Area movie patrons over the last 10 years. For my money, there’s simply nothing like hearing (and playing!) a good Wurlitzer in the setting for which it was intended. Period!” The Oakland crowd, obviously, agrees.
2025 Broadway, (510) 465-6400 | www.ParamountTheatre.com
Best Reason to Take the Ferry
The Last Friday Ferry Ride
On the last Friday of each month there tends to be a phenomenal little party on the altogether charming Oakland-Alameda Ferry. This slap-dash, rider-inspired fiesta isn’t organized, and in the dark months or in rainy weather, the party might not happen at all. Having said that, when the Last Friday party happens, it’s a hoot. Regular riders bring snacks, local musicians may (or may not) bring their musical instruments on board, and things get so convivial that riders might take one, two or sometimes three roundtrips. (You give your ticket when you disembark, not when you board, so riders can just make a continual loop between San Francisco and Oakland or Alameda.) The party begins on the 5:20 p.m. boat out of San Francisco. Pick up the ferry on the East Bay side at 5:40 p.m. in Alameda and 5:50 p.m. at Jack London Square, and don’t forget to have a great ol’ time.
www.EastBayFerry.com
Best Industrial Outdoor Entertainment
Middle Harbor Shoreline Park
Middle Harbor Park is so tucked away, so unapparent, that the only people who really know about it are the ferry riders who ride the boat in and out of the Oakland Estuary. But wow, huh? It has great views from a dramatic observation tower, an amphitheater, free viewing scopes, three miles of pedestrian and bike paths, parking, restrooms and water fountains. What it also has is one of the dangdest views of the Port of Oakland at work. The big cranes swing this way and that, lifting containers to and from the ocean-going vessels, while shorebirds shriek along Oakland’s only beach. Betcha didn’t know we had a beach. Middle Harbor Road, Oakland
(510) 272-4810 | www.ebparks.org/parks/middle_harbor
Best Tats for Us
Temple Tattoo
Tattoos have served as rites of passage, marks of status and rank, symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, decorations for bravery, pledges of love, punishment, amulets and talismans. The symbolism and impact of tattoos vary in different places and cultures, but if it’s the United States we’re talking about, California is at Ground Zero. What’s more, the Bay Area has emerged as the leader of the Tat Pack, and Temple Tattoo in downtown Oakland is among the leaders of the leaders. Affable owner Freddy Corbin and his talented crew bring state-of-the art ink to anybody’s skin, and they have a great eye for color and design. The shop itself serves somewhat as an ornament to the tree-lined and leafy 17th Street, and passersby just can’t help stopping to peer inside. The studio is festooned with Christian art, but it’s not a one-dimensional deal. Also, the business has a pretty rockin’ YouTube video online, and it’s worth a look-see to learn about Corbin’s method.
384 17th St., (510) 451-6423 | www.TempleOakland.com
Favorite Place to Find Three-Wheeled Scooters
Rockridge Two Wheels
It’s possible to see College Avenue traffic slow noticeably when the gang at this small motorcycle
and scooter shop are moving their three-wheeled Piaggios onto the street from the show room. “What the heck is that?” the rubberneckers exclaim. It’s a scooter, kind of. But wait! Those are two wheels in the front, and you’re just going to have to stop in the shop and talk to friendly store manager Darren to find out exactly how they work. Short answer: For road grip, stability, safety and ease of handling—yes, handling—these scooters rock. Moreover, they’re powerful, ranging from 250cc neighborhood-friendly models to a 450cc model that’s good to go on roads that have fast traffic, including freeways. The shop also sells the more conventional two-wheeled variety of scooters (Vespa, Kymko, Aprilia) and some truly imposing racing motorcycles.
3325 College Ave., (510) 594-0789 | www.RockridgeTwoWheels.com
Lifestyle
Chiropractor
Greg Vrankovich
Healthfit Chiropractic Center
311 Oak St., Suite 115
(510) 655-3456
www.MyHealthFit.com
Chocolatier/Chocolate Maker
Charles Chocolates
6529 Hollis St. Emeryville
(510) 652-4412
www.CharlesChocolates.com
Dentist
Melinda Chan, DDS
Rockridge Smiles
5277 College Ave.
(510) 654-2226
www.RockridgeSmiles.com
Eyeglasses
Moderne Eye Optometry
5802 College Ave.
(510) 653-4242
www.ModEyeDocs.com
Farmers Market
Jack London Square
Water Street
(near The Embarcadero)
(866) 295-9853
www.pcfma.com
Garden Center
Grand Lake Ace Garden Center
4001 Grand Ave.
(510) 652-9143
www.AceHardware.com
Golf Course
Tilden Park
Berkeley, (510) 848-7373
www.Ebparks.Org/Parks/Tilden
Gym/Health Club
Club One
1200 Clay St.
(510) 895-1010
www.ClubOne.com
Yoga Studio
Namaste
5416 College Ave.
(510) 547-9642
www.NamasteRockridge.com
Live Music Venue
Yoshi’s Jazz Club and Japanese Restaurant
510 Embarcadero W.
(510) 238-9200
www.Yoshis.com
Massage
The Claremont Resort & Spa
41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley
(510) 549-8510
www.claremontresort.comspa/treatments/massage
Movie Theater
Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand Ave.
(510) 452-3556
www.RenaissanceRialtocom/Current/Grandlake.htm
Politician
Jerry Brown
Attorney General
2633 Telegraph Ave., Suite 406
www.JerryBrown.org
Picnic Spot
Tilden Regional Park
600 Canon Drive, Kensington
(510) 525-2233
www.EBParks.Org/ParksTilden
Place to People Watch
Jack London Square
(866) 295-9853
www.JackLondonSquare.com
Radio Personality (Female)
Sarah (Alice Radio)
KLLC-FM, 97.3-FM
865 Battery, San Francisco
(415) 765-4097
www.RadioAlice.com
Radio Personality (Male)
Ronn Owens, KGO
KGO-AM, 810, (Toll Fee) 808-0810
www.ronn.com
TV Personality (Female)
Julie Haener
KTVU-TV, Channel 2
P.O. Box 22222, (510) 834-1212
www.KTVU.com
TV Personality (Male)
Frank Somerville
KTVU-TV, Channel 2
P.O. Box 22222, (510) 834-1212
www.KTVU.com
Kids
Place to Throw a Birthday Party
Pump It Up
2500 Embarcadero, Suite A
(510) 533-7867
www.PumpItUpParty.com
Pets
Pet Shop
Redhound
5523 College Ave., (510) 428-2785
www.RedhoundPets.com
Dog Care/Pet Spa
Happy Hound
1695 34th St.,
(510) 547-4067
www.HappyHound.com
