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Letters

CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION

I am an Oakland teacher and resident, an Oakland Magazine subscriber and now a two-time writer of a letter to the editor of your magazine. I was so excited when I first saw your magazine displayed in a bookstore over a year ago. Wow! A magazine dedicated entirely to Oakland. What a blessing!
Unfortunately, my sentiment has changed over the year, and I am sadly going to cancel my subscription to Oakland Magazine. Here's why:
For a publication to call itself Oakland Magazine, I would hope that it would truly represent all of Oakland. After I read the June 2006 Best of Oakland edition, the first thought that came to my mind was, "This magazine should be called Rockridge Magazine or College Avenue Magazine, because those are the majority of people and places it represents." I know that your Best of results came from your readers, which explains why a large majority of the results reside on College Avenue, but there is so much more to Oakland, and I wish, I truly wish, that your readers could see it. I, too, have lived in Rockridge, and know that when you live on one side of town where all of your needs are taken care of and accessible, you have less of a need to travel outside of your neighborhood. I would hope that Oakland Magazine could do just that for its readers-take them out of their space and their comfort zone and expose them to everything else their wonderful city has to offer.
If the rest of Oakland is not represented in Oakland Magazine, then the negative stereotypes that the media portrays about East and West Oakland will persist, and the divide between Oakland residents will remain. Please use the amazing exposure and power you have as an editor to publish stories that represent all areas of Oakland.

Genevieve DeBose
Oakland

ON THE OTHER HAND

May I begin by saying, as a citizen of Oakland, your magazine is undoubtedly one of the most informative sources for those who would be interested in its diversity and how it compares to other cities in the Bay Area.
Over the last year, your magazine has recognized Oakland's ordinary working citizens, Bay Area celebrities, executives contributing to the city's continued development, educational leaders, different residential communities and arts and entertainment, just to name a few topics. I must commend you and your staff for doing an admirable job in each of these categories.
I live in East Oakland, and though there are issues with crime and low-income housing here, these are issues that plague other communities as well. Could these perhaps be reasons for not yet writing about people like Geoffrey Peete, a leading activist for improvement of the black neighborhoods and communities of Oakland? He has always been at the forefront of what is positive for the city of Oakland, and I've always been an avid supporter of his leadership.
I believe your magazine has and will continue to show the best the city of Oakland has to offer, but it's my hope it will not exclude those who have been so vital in making these positive changes.

Ron Pearson
Oakland

PHOTO FAN

Just a note of thanks for the great article and picture of Sarah and No Name in the June 2006 Best of issue ... keep that photographer [Pat Mazzera]-great work! I live in Oakland, and love the mag.

Matty Staudt
Executive Producer
KLLC Mornings

GRATEFUL WINNER

We at Alexander Pope Salon were dancing in the street when the Best of Oakland issue [June 2006] arrived announcing us as winning the best beauty salon category. I have enjoyed the magazine since its inception, and am pleased that Oakland-a city that I am proud to live and work in-finally has a quality magazine to represent the truly unique and vibrant nature that is Oakland. Bravo, and keep up the good work.

Nina Hancock Carter
Oakland

MORE FAN MAIL

I wanted to tell you how very much I love Oakland Magazine. As a longtime resident and professional in Oakland, I am just thrilled to see all that Oakland has to offer featured so beautifully in your magazine. Thank your for making this magazine possible.

Nicole Levine, Executive Director
Wardrobe for Opportunity
Oakland

NEWCOMER NOTE

I am a local photographer who just recently discovered your magazine. I love it and think it really fills a niche that has been missing in the East Bay. Congratulations on a great product!

Michele Hofherr
Oakland

PROUD PARENTS

We just received a copy of the June 2006 issue of your magazine, sent to us by our daughter, Mary Jo Thoresen, part owner and pastry chef at Jojo. The article, "Jojo: What a Jewel," was wonderful, and the photographs are beautiful. We have had the pleasure of dining at Jojo during our trips to California to visit Mary Jo, Curt Clingman, her partner, and our other daughters. Needless to say, we are so very proud of her and all she has accomplished along with Curt. They are a most remarkable couple and have created a charming and beautiful restaurant, one that offers not only excellent food, but a personal ambiance as well. Thank you so much for featuring Jojo.

Pat and Jack Thoresen
South Lyon, Mich.