Letters

 

More Than Rockridge

    Oakland is really a working-class town and has been since at least World War II. Some of the categories on the Best of ballot really don’t apply to Oaklanders—unless they have recently immigrated from Manhattan or some parts of S.F.—like “Best Chef,” “Best French Restaurant,” “Best Wine Producer.”
    Oaklanders, the ones in the other 99 percent of the city besides Rockridge, embrace our ethnic diversity and non-assuming identity.
    I would like to see categories more reflective of Oakland such as “Best Taqueria,” “Best Noodle Restaurant,” “Best Doughnuts,” “Best Drug Store,” etc.
    There’s so much more than Rockridge and Piedmont Ave. I think your list can be more representative of the complete city and its residents.

Piedmontapalooza

    Thank you for your focus on lower Piedmont Avenue [“Piedmontapoolza,” February], which is seeing a surge of the development and upgrading what used to be a tad on the seedy side. While there are a number of businesses and restaurants in the area that you did not mention, I think Dress Best for Less merits a mention. This upscale resale store has been selling donations from Piedmont residents to benefit the schools since 1982. It recently went through a wonderful renovation, much like what is happening in the lower Piedmont area. We encourage everyone to come and take a look. The merchandise is trendy, and the prices are great. And you are shopping green by recycling.

Acting Out

    On behalf of our board, I’d like to thank you very much for the lovely article about Stagebridge [“All the World’s a Stage”] by Wanda Hennig that was featured in your March edition. We are trying very hard to increase our visibility in the broader Oakland community, and this recognition of our work is very much appreciated.