Walking into the Fruitvale last August I expected to find a rough neighborhood closed off to outsiders. Instead I have found a fantastic community of hard working families and individuals all striving towards making their neighborhood a safer place.
As my time covering the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland comes to an end I’d like to take a moment to share my final impressions of the community and the struggles I have attempted to overcome over the course of the semester.
While language differences have occasionally popped up as obstacles during interviews most of the people I have met have been helpful in finding ways to work through translators, be them friends, family, or a stranger off the street willing to lend a helping hand,
I went into this semester worried that I would be unable to gain access to the real Fruitvale, to the lives and minds of locals, however, I feel as if I have been allowed almost unrestricted access to the residents of this area. From the many stories of how merchants built up their businesses from selling goods in their living rooms or from carts on street corners to full sized stores and restaurants in the area, to how families came to live in Fruitvale from all across the world I have been lucky to hear so many of this communities personal stories. I wish I could have told them all as they all describe just how hard working and dedicated the members of this neighborhood are.
Many of the local community organizations have also been easily approachable and more than willing to spend time talking to me. I faced resistance only from the higher politicians, such as Ignacio de la Fuente and on occasion the police, which is understandable given the nature of their work and busy schedules.
In covering the Fruitvale I’ve learned a few things about the journalism trade as well. I’ve learned that you must have confidence in yourself as a reporter. You have to stand behind your interview questions and not shy away from asking the tough questions, even if you get resistance you have to keep asking. In instances where the information could be a benefit to the greater community you must push to get the story that some may not want you to share.
I’ve also learned to take pause during and at the end of interviews in order to reflect on the things that have been discussed and give myself time to decide if there is anything else I need to, or should be asking. Earlier in this semester I found myself having to go back and do second interviews a few times because I had forgotten or overlooked an interesting piece of information. In most instances people are more than accommodating in allowing me a minuet or two to go over my interview notes. Along with this comes an already well known journalism rule of always come prepared. I have always found that doing research on people or organizations before going into interviews always landed me with better information in the end.
The biggest learning experience for me this semester in covering this neighborhood came from the articles I wrote regarding crime and criminal trials. Specifically the criminal trial assignment as I had little experience writing around the court system, Learning what was acceptable and what bordered slander as well as how to translate legal jargon into understandable reading proved to be some of the hardest things I did this semester.
From this class and from the Fruitvale a will take with me the excitement and adrenaline I felt in pounding the pavement hunting down sources, persuading people for interviews, and searching for the stories that represented what this neighborhood is: a true community despite problems with crime and gangs. In my eyes the Fruitvale is a vibrant community full of Latino heritage, tradition, and perseverance.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Public Markets in the Fruitvale: Plaza del Sol
Many of Fruitvale’s main streets are lined with independently owned businesses. There is no doubt that the neighborhood offers a wealth of opportunities for those looking to begin their own business venture.
However, retail space on any of the main streets, including Foothill Boulevard, Fruitvale Avenue, 14th Avenue, and International Boulevard can often be too expensive for first time entrepreneurs. In response to this many public markets have sprung up around the Fruitvale, which offer folks rentable retail space at a price significantly lower than the cost of an entire storefront.
“It’s very expensive for businesses to come into the Fruitvale,” said Mario Juarez, the man behind Plaza del Sol. “Plaza del Sol is an experiment to show that people can prosper if given the ability. Most folks just need an easy way to do business.”
Plaza del Sol on International Boulevard is one such public market. The market is made up of 20 spaces available for vendors to set up booths or small stalls and as of October was approximately 80% leased and still under partial construction on the inside.
Like other public markets Plaza del Sol puts the emphasis on small business and provides added flavor to the Fruitvale.
However, retail space on any of the main streets, including Foothill Boulevard, Fruitvale Avenue, 14th Avenue, and International Boulevard can often be too expensive for first time entrepreneurs. In response to this many public markets have sprung up around the Fruitvale, which offer folks rentable retail space at a price significantly lower than the cost of an entire storefront.
“It’s very expensive for businesses to come into the Fruitvale,” said Mario Juarez, the man behind Plaza del Sol. “Plaza del Sol is an experiment to show that people can prosper if given the ability. Most folks just need an easy way to do business.”
Plaza del Sol on International Boulevard is one such public market. The market is made up of 20 spaces available for vendors to set up booths or small stalls and as of October was approximately 80% leased and still under partial construction on the inside.
Like other public markets Plaza del Sol puts the emphasis on small business and provides added flavor to the Fruitvale.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Police have minimal leads regarding taco truck shooting
After more than two weeks of investigation police have learned little regarding the death of a 23-year-old man near a taco truck in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland.
Wayl Aljunaidi, an Oakland resident, was shot at approximately 10:42 p.m. at 3326 Foothill Blvd. while walking home on Thursday, Oct. 15th. Police say the shooting was reported at 10:45 p.m. and arriving officers found Aljunaidi in a driveway between Mi Ranchito Market and Produce and Pupuseria Lupita, in front of the Tamales Mi Lupita taco truck.
The victim was taken to Highland Hospital where he later died of his injuries at 3:15 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 16th.
Oakland Police Officer Jason Andersen, who is currently heading the investigation, says he believes the shooting was a “robbery attempt gone bad.”
According to Andersen the investigation is currently still open and the Oakland Police are following up on the few leads they have received. “Nothing substantial has come out yet but I feel good about it,” he said.
Albert R. Lazano, President of the Latino Advisory Committee on Crime, a nonprofit organization that works as a liaison between the Latino community and the Oakland Police, said often people are hesitant to come forward with information they have, “Some reasons for not reporting information is language [and] fear. Sometimes the community doesn’t know how to reach out to the police or they are afraid,” he said.
Oakland resident, Steve Kelleghan, agreed. “People are not going to talk to the cops, people won’t snitch. They’re afraid of what might happen to them if they get involved.”
The Oakland Police are unwilling to release any information they may have on suspects in an effort to protect the investigation. “We have descriptions of suspects who were at the scene but I'm not going to release any information I have on them,” Andersen said.
Aljunaidi's death marks the city's 92nd homicide this year. Reports show that at the same time last year Oakland had suffered 107 homicides.
This is not the first killing in Oakland to happen at a taco truck. Last year on Jan. 22nd Abel Martinez Mejia, a 41-year-old father of four, was shot at a taco truck on 85th St. and San Leandro Ave while buying lunch. Mejia’s death was also an attempted robbery. Soon after, on Feb. 28th, 24-year-old Brandon Quilice was shot while waiting to get food outside of a taco truck on 38th Avenue and Foothill Boulevard.
The shooting has not seemed to deter people from frequenting Oakland’s many taco trucks. “It’s too be expected,” said Kelleghan, “I’m not worried about it.”
Tamales Mi Lupita was recently featured on the Travel Channel as part of Anthony Bourdain’s show “No Reservations.” It had also been featured in an extensive review of taco trucks within the Fruitvale, “La Vida Taco,” written earlier this year by John Birdsall of the East Bay Express.
Police ask anyone with information regarding the crime to contact the Homicide Division of the Oakland Police Department at (510) 238-3821
Wayl Aljunaidi, an Oakland resident, was shot at approximately 10:42 p.m. at 3326 Foothill Blvd. while walking home on Thursday, Oct. 15th. Police say the shooting was reported at 10:45 p.m. and arriving officers found Aljunaidi in a driveway between Mi Ranchito Market and Produce and Pupuseria Lupita, in front of the Tamales Mi Lupita taco truck.
The victim was taken to Highland Hospital where he later died of his injuries at 3:15 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 16th.
Oakland Police Officer Jason Andersen, who is currently heading the investigation, says he believes the shooting was a “robbery attempt gone bad.”
According to Andersen the investigation is currently still open and the Oakland Police are following up on the few leads they have received. “Nothing substantial has come out yet but I feel good about it,” he said.
Albert R. Lazano, President of the Latino Advisory Committee on Crime, a nonprofit organization that works as a liaison between the Latino community and the Oakland Police, said often people are hesitant to come forward with information they have, “Some reasons for not reporting information is language [and] fear. Sometimes the community doesn’t know how to reach out to the police or they are afraid,” he said.
Oakland resident, Steve Kelleghan, agreed. “People are not going to talk to the cops, people won’t snitch. They’re afraid of what might happen to them if they get involved.”
The Oakland Police are unwilling to release any information they may have on suspects in an effort to protect the investigation. “We have descriptions of suspects who were at the scene but I'm not going to release any information I have on them,” Andersen said.
Aljunaidi's death marks the city's 92nd homicide this year. Reports show that at the same time last year Oakland had suffered 107 homicides.
This is not the first killing in Oakland to happen at a taco truck. Last year on Jan. 22nd Abel Martinez Mejia, a 41-year-old father of four, was shot at a taco truck on 85th St. and San Leandro Ave while buying lunch. Mejia’s death was also an attempted robbery. Soon after, on Feb. 28th, 24-year-old Brandon Quilice was shot while waiting to get food outside of a taco truck on 38th Avenue and Foothill Boulevard.
The shooting has not seemed to deter people from frequenting Oakland’s many taco trucks. “It’s too be expected,” said Kelleghan, “I’m not worried about it.”
Tamales Mi Lupita was recently featured on the Travel Channel as part of Anthony Bourdain’s show “No Reservations.” It had also been featured in an extensive review of taco trucks within the Fruitvale, “La Vida Taco,” written earlier this year by John Birdsall of the East Bay Express.
Police ask anyone with information regarding the crime to contact the Homicide Division of the Oakland Police Department at (510) 238-3821
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Thousands celebrate Dia De Los Muertos in Fruitvale
International Boulevard and Fruitvale Avenue were unrecognizable on Sunday during Fruitvale's massive Dia De Los Muertos Festival in Oakland, which drew crowds well into the thousands.
Oakland Police Officer Jorge Pereda was surprised with the huge turnout. “We were expecting about 25,000 but it looks like way more than that,” he said. Pereda said police and festival organizers had a hard time estimating crowd turnout because of the recent recession.
Oakland police were positioned throughout the festival which spanned from the courtyard of the Fruitvale Transit Village down E.12th Street, International Avenue, and into the BART parking lot. “We’re here to make sure everything runs smooth, stays family oriented and so far things look good,” said Officer Pereda. The police even brought out a vintage police cruiser for display.
Having covered the Dia De Los Muertos festival for four years Pereda looks forward to the event. “It gets you out of patrolling, doing something different, not at all stressful. It’s like a day off without your family,” he said.
Eztli Chicahua, an east Oakland dance group performed multiple times throughout the festival in traditional Aztec attire including feather headdresses, painted faces, and ankle rattles. Many of their dances represented prayers to the dead.
Large crowds surrounded the City of Oakland Office of Parks and Recreation who set up bumper style sumo wrestling, allowing children to bump each other around a boxing ring using large inflatable bumper rings. The Parks and Recreation Office also oversaw a children’s jump house, a giant chess board, oversized checkers and dominos to encourage recreating a better oakland and playing with a purpose.
A large part of the festival was the multiple altars to the dead, including an altar dedicated to all of Oakland’s homicide victims from 2009. Vendor booths lined International Boulevard selling jewelry, flowers, food, face painting, sculptures, and t-shirts ordained with skeletons or decorated sugar skulls. Booths were set up by the Alameda County Library, Spanish radio stations, Univision T.V., Monster energy drink, and local travel agencies. The Oakland Museum hosted a craft booth where children could make their own day of the dead mask.
Calaveras de Azucar sold traditional hand-made and decorated sugar skulls of various sizes and colors. “No one is the same,” said Michelle Ortiz who runs the business with her family, making each skull by hand. The Ortiz sisters learned to make sugar skulls from their mother and grandmother.
Sugar skulls are a popular tradition of Day of the Dead. “It’s a Mexican tradition for Day of the Dead to commemorate the dead,” Ortiz said. “We put the names of the person who died on them.”
New this year to the ever growing Fruitvale Dia De Los Muertos Festival was Mexico by Hand. “I’ve heard about Fruitvale before,” said owner Peggy Stein. “We decided to come here this year but before we were at the Oakland Museum.” After living in Michoacan Mexico while filming a documentary for the government run folk art center Stein and co-owner Doug Wheeler were asked by local artists to help bring their art to the United States, which caused them to start Mexican by Hand and sell handmade Mexican crafts and folk art. “We’re trying to support their work up here,” Stein said.
County fair style children’s rides filled a section of the BART parking lot along with a stage showcasing various Mexican musical acts.
The festival is known to be the largest Dia De Los Muertos celebration in the Bay Area. The Oakland Tribune reports that Congresswoman Barbara Lee entered the event into the Library of Congress officially making it a historical event for Oakland.
History on the tradition of Dia De Los Muertos can be found through the Fruitvale Unity Council, who helped organize the Fruitvale festival.
Oakland Police Officer Jorge Pereda was surprised with the huge turnout. “We were expecting about 25,000 but it looks like way more than that,” he said. Pereda said police and festival organizers had a hard time estimating crowd turnout because of the recent recession.
Oakland police were positioned throughout the festival which spanned from the courtyard of the Fruitvale Transit Village down E.12th Street, International Avenue, and into the BART parking lot. “We’re here to make sure everything runs smooth, stays family oriented and so far things look good,” said Officer Pereda. The police even brought out a vintage police cruiser for display.
Having covered the Dia De Los Muertos festival for four years Pereda looks forward to the event. “It gets you out of patrolling, doing something different, not at all stressful. It’s like a day off without your family,” he said.
Eztli Chicahua, an east Oakland dance group performed multiple times throughout the festival in traditional Aztec attire including feather headdresses, painted faces, and ankle rattles. Many of their dances represented prayers to the dead.
Large crowds surrounded the City of Oakland Office of Parks and Recreation who set up bumper style sumo wrestling, allowing children to bump each other around a boxing ring using large inflatable bumper rings. The Parks and Recreation Office also oversaw a children’s jump house, a giant chess board, oversized checkers and dominos to encourage recreating a better oakland and playing with a purpose.
A large part of the festival was the multiple altars to the dead, including an altar dedicated to all of Oakland’s homicide victims from 2009. Vendor booths lined International Boulevard selling jewelry, flowers, food, face painting, sculptures, and t-shirts ordained with skeletons or decorated sugar skulls. Booths were set up by the Alameda County Library, Spanish radio stations, Univision T.V., Monster energy drink, and local travel agencies. The Oakland Museum hosted a craft booth where children could make their own day of the dead mask.
Calaveras de Azucar sold traditional hand-made and decorated sugar skulls of various sizes and colors. “No one is the same,” said Michelle Ortiz who runs the business with her family, making each skull by hand. The Ortiz sisters learned to make sugar skulls from their mother and grandmother.
Sugar skulls are a popular tradition of Day of the Dead. “It’s a Mexican tradition for Day of the Dead to commemorate the dead,” Ortiz said. “We put the names of the person who died on them.”
New this year to the ever growing Fruitvale Dia De Los Muertos Festival was Mexico by Hand. “I’ve heard about Fruitvale before,” said owner Peggy Stein. “We decided to come here this year but before we were at the Oakland Museum.” After living in Michoacan Mexico while filming a documentary for the government run folk art center Stein and co-owner Doug Wheeler were asked by local artists to help bring their art to the United States, which caused them to start Mexican by Hand and sell handmade Mexican crafts and folk art. “We’re trying to support their work up here,” Stein said.
County fair style children’s rides filled a section of the BART parking lot along with a stage showcasing various Mexican musical acts.
The festival is known to be the largest Dia De Los Muertos celebration in the Bay Area. The Oakland Tribune reports that Congresswoman Barbara Lee entered the event into the Library of Congress officially making it a historical event for Oakland.
History on the tradition of Dia De Los Muertos can be found through the Fruitvale Unity Council, who helped organize the Fruitvale festival.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Oakland Businesses Celebrate Return of Free Parking
Tomorrow evening businesses across Oakland will be extending their store hours in celebration of the recent decision by City Council to bring back free evening parking. Various merchants throughout the Fruitvale neighborhood are expected to participate in the event, staying open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Just outside the Fruitvale in the Dimond district, Paws & Claws will be hosting a special opening reception from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. along with "Dogs Bark," an art exhibit featuring the work of photographer Cathy Cade.
As many Oakland residents know, on October 6th, the Oakland City Council agreed to roll back their extension on metered parking hours from 8 p.m. to the normal 6 p.m. after numerous store owners throughout the city said the extended hours were hurting business.
Fruitvale hosts many different stores and restaurants, especially along Foothill Boulevard, International Boulevard, and Fruitvale Avenue, all who would benefit from your support and patronage Friday evening.
More information can be found at Shop Oakland
Just outside the Fruitvale in the Dimond district, Paws & Claws will be hosting a special opening reception from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. along with "Dogs Bark," an art exhibit featuring the work of photographer Cathy Cade.
As many Oakland residents know, on October 6th, the Oakland City Council agreed to roll back their extension on metered parking hours from 8 p.m. to the normal 6 p.m. after numerous store owners throughout the city said the extended hours were hurting business.
Fruitvale hosts many different stores and restaurants, especially along Foothill Boulevard, International Boulevard, and Fruitvale Avenue, all who would benefit from your support and patronage Friday evening.
More information can be found at Shop Oakland
Friday, October 16, 2009
Finding a chopstick in the haystack
The Fruitvale district of Oakland is famous for its taquerías, taco trucks, and Mexican restaurants but there is also a wealth of places to get Chinese food
View Chinese Food Restaurants in Oakland’s Fruitvale Neighborhood in a larger map
View Chinese Food Restaurants in Oakland’s Fruitvale Neighborhood in a larger map
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Lederhosen, Meat Pies, Beer, Oh My!
Nothing completes a crisp Saturday morning like a warm apple strudel and a cold beer. Yes, that’s right a tall frosty pint from one of the Bay Area’s best local breweries was the beverage of choice this weekend at Oakland’s second annual Oaktoberfest.
Despite being in only it’s second year the street festival proved to be a success, drawing a large and diverse crowd to the Dimond district this past Saturday.
Oaktoberfest was a celebration of the neighborhood’s rich cultural history, which includes a large german community. “Previously this area had beer-gardens and german cultural restaurants and resorts all along the street,” said Councilmember Jean Quan, who co-sponsored the event. “This was a german community, we’re trying to restore that part of the tradition.”
However, Oaktoberfest became more than an appreciation of the neighborhood’s german heritage. It became a celebration of the multi-ethnic community that presently resides in the area. Local shops, restaurants, performing groups, and community organizations came together to showcase what the Dimond district has to offer, lining a four block diameter at the intersection of MacArthur Blvd and Fruitvale Avenue with booths. “It looks like quite a party,” said Steve Vantassell, of the Mad Zymurgists the Tri-Valley’s homebrew club. A large biergarten, named for Bill Brand the late Oakland Tribune beer columnist and two stages completed the set up.
Although the festival was largely centered around beer it was a family affair with booths and activities set up for children. Oakland Parks and Recreation teamed up with the Dimond Rec Center to host a recycled paper crafts booth for kids and the neighborhood event organizers held a kinder friendly rootbeer garden.
Parents with children of all ages packed the streets, meandering from booth to booth while teenagers haunted the brewers tent eyeing the different beer vendors. Even the dogs came out in high volume, some being left at the Dance Doggie daycare pen area. “I love this because it feels like neighborhood,” said Kevin Pratt. “It feels like a solid family event.”
Returning this year to Oaktoberfest was alphornist, Allan Richards, whom you may recall seeing a few years back with his alphorn atop green mountains in the Ricola mouth lozenge commercial. Richards has been playing a multitude of horns for an estimated fifty-eight years, having first been taught by his father when he was seven or eight years old. He found his alphorn, a slender, hand made, wooden horn over 10 feet long with a painted bell, in a Chinese musical instrument store in San Francisco. “It’s an instrument that is used for a lot of different purposes,” said Richards. “Mainly for calls, to get people together.”
Richards plays other octoberfests and various other events, but enjoys Oaktoberfest. “I think it’s wonderful. It is the time of year, harvest time, when people should get together,” said Richards.
New to the Oaktoberfest was the homebrew competition organized by the Mad Zymurgists. “We had fifty-five entries this year, which is outstanding,” said Jon Koerber, the club’s vice president. All the entries were judged the Sunday before Oaktoberfest with the top seven entries moving on to Best of Show where they were sampled and evaluated on aroma, appearance, mouth feel or texture, and overall impression by grand master beer judges. Kevin Pratt, who served as a grand master judge said the entries were all of high quality. “I generally find home brewers make an extraordinary quality of beers,” Pratt said.
Dwight Mulcahy took home the award for Best of Show with his Weizenbock entry.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Weekend events in and around the Fruitvale
This weekend in the Fruitvale neighborhood a few different cultural and community events will take place.
Happening this Friday, October 9th at the East Side Cultural Center is Pecha Kucha Night Oakland: Graffiti for Social Change - Don't Sweat the Technique.
10 presenters, who range from authors, local artists, photographers, and social activists will use slides to discuss how graffiti has been and can continue to be used to create and encourage social change. The night begins at 7pm with a 5$ admission charge and is open to all ages with a beer and wine bar for patrons over 21 years of age.
The event is being held in conjunction with the Estria Invitation Graffiti Battle, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday October 10.
East Side Cultural Center
2277 International Blvd
(510) 533-6629
www.eastsideartsalliance.com
The Estria Invitation Graffiti Battle, hosted by Bay Area graffiti artist, Estria, is scheduled for 11am-5pm Saturday October 10th at deFremery Park in Oakland.
24 graffiti artist from around the United States will compete in a live painting battle. This event is free and open to all ages. An after party will be held at Farmer Brown from 10pm-1am where guests can meet the artists.
More information can be seen at the event's website www.estriabattle.com
deFremery Park
1651 Adeline Street
Oakland CA 94607
Farmer Brown
25 Mason Street @ Market St
Also taking place this Saturday, October 10th is the Oaktoberfest Festival held in the Dimond District neighboring Fruitvale at the crossing of Fruitvale Ave and MacArthur Blvd.
This year Oaktoberfest will feature a biergarten, an eco fair, a kid’s area with root biergarten, and live music. There will also be a homebrew competition and food vendors.
More information can be found at http://www.oaktoberfest.org/
Check back here for more in depth coverage of this event.
On Sunday, October 11th and Friday, October 30th the East Side Cultural Center will be hosting a Dia De Los Muertos community altar making and celebration.
The festivities will last from 10am-2pm on Sunday the 11th and from 4pm-8pm on Friday and will include a free lunch, dinner, and art activities for the entire family. Participants are asked to bring photos of friends and family for the altar. This event is free.
East Side Cultural Center
2277 International Blvd
(510) 533-6629
www.eastsideartsalliance.com
Happening this Friday, October 9th at the East Side Cultural Center is Pecha Kucha Night Oakland: Graffiti for Social Change - Don't Sweat the Technique.
10 presenters, who range from authors, local artists, photographers, and social activists will use slides to discuss how graffiti has been and can continue to be used to create and encourage social change. The night begins at 7pm with a 5$ admission charge and is open to all ages with a beer and wine bar for patrons over 21 years of age.
The event is being held in conjunction with the Estria Invitation Graffiti Battle, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday October 10.
East Side Cultural Center
2277 International Blvd
(510) 533-6629
www.eastsideartsalliance.com
The Estria Invitation Graffiti Battle, hosted by Bay Area graffiti artist, Estria, is scheduled for 11am-5pm Saturday October 10th at deFremery Park in Oakland.
24 graffiti artist from around the United States will compete in a live painting battle. This event is free and open to all ages. An after party will be held at Farmer Brown from 10pm-1am where guests can meet the artists.
More information can be seen at the event's website www.estriabattle.com
deFremery Park
1651 Adeline Street
Oakland CA 94607
Farmer Brown
25 Mason Street @ Market St
Also taking place this Saturday, October 10th is the Oaktoberfest Festival held in the Dimond District neighboring Fruitvale at the crossing of Fruitvale Ave and MacArthur Blvd.
This year Oaktoberfest will feature a biergarten, an eco fair, a kid’s area with root biergarten, and live music. There will also be a homebrew competition and food vendors.
More information can be found at http://www.oaktoberfest.org/
Check back here for more in depth coverage of this event.
On Sunday, October 11th and Friday, October 30th the East Side Cultural Center will be hosting a Dia De Los Muertos community altar making and celebration.
The festivities will last from 10am-2pm on Sunday the 11th and from 4pm-8pm on Friday and will include a free lunch, dinner, and art activities for the entire family. Participants are asked to bring photos of friends and family for the altar. This event is free.
East Side Cultural Center
2277 International Blvd
(510) 533-6629
www.eastsideartsalliance.com
Monday, September 28, 2009
Powderface Cafe : a thirdplace in Fruitvale
A multitude of smiling faces all sprinkled and smudged with powdered sugar greet you as you walk into Powderface Cafe, home of the beignet, a New Orleans style doughnut. The bakery and coffeehouse is famous in the Fruitvale area for their delicious, made to order pastry, fresh brewed coffee, and lively atmosphere.
Filling almost every inch of the cafe's walls are photographs of customers, including firefighters, police officers, children, bikers, and teenagers, proudly displaying their various powder face. The powder face is a side effect of eating the beignet, which is a square, hole less doughnut that is amply covered in powdered sugar.
There is hardly ever a slow moment at Powderface Cafe. Due to its convenient location across from BART it has become one of the biggest unofficial community gathering spots in the Fruitvale neighborhood. The café is situated in what many feel is quickly becoming the heart of the Fruitvale area, The Fruitvale Transit Village. This location provides an almost never-ending stream of patrons, with BART providing a large amount of foot traffic, including commuters and tourists. The surrounding area, which includes the library, multiple schools, and the shopping area of International Boulevard serve to draw in many local residents including a large number of teenagers. Many patrons are regulars, stopping in for a coffee, beignet, or a delightful crepe before heading to work in the morning or grabbing a smoothie or sandwich for lunch.
As if anticipating the popular community-gathering place the cafe would become Powderface Café has ample seating. The coffeehouse offers a large inside cafe seating area, as well as an expansive outside patio area complete with large umbrellas for shade, and multiple benches located near the doors.
It’s not uncommon to hear shouts ring out as those coming from the BART station or waiting for a bus nearby recognize friends, neighbors, and fellow café regulars sitting in the outside, patio area. During one of my visits to Powderface I actually ran into a former source that said that he stopped at the cafe almost daily to grab either a sandwich or something to drink.
The cafe is a popular place for students to study, either alone or in groups. On weekday afternoons, many tables are occupied with college or high school students bent over laptops, listening to I-pods, or simply chatting with each other. Students are not the only lingerers here at Powderface Café. Mothers also sit and talk together, watching their children play or in one instance rollerblade nearby in the Village courtyard. Many local business people also use the cafe for informal meetings, brainstorm sessions, and lunch dates. Some patrons stay for hours, slowly sipping their drinks, silently observing the hustle and bustle around them or talking amongst themselves and with those who pass by.
In the Fruitvale neighborhood, Powderface stands as a unique center for community gathering, offering more than the traditional coffee house in atmosphere and local flavor. The café is located at 3411 East 12th Street Suite 132 in Oakland, California.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Upcoming Activities at the Oakland Public Library Cesar Chavez Branch
Looking for something to do with the family this fall?
The Cesar Chavez Branch of the Oakland Public Library will be hosting multiple different activities for families and community members of all ages in the final weeks of September and throughout October.
The Chavez Chess Club will be meeting at 11am to 3pm on Saturday, September 26th. All ages and levels of experience are welcome from absolute beginners looking to learn the game to advanced chess veterans looking for partners to play with.
The Teen Game Zone happens each Wednesdays at the Cesar Chavez Branch from 3:30pm to 5:30 pm. Teenagers are able to play video games such as Guitar Hero, traditional board games, and enjoy complimentary snacks.
Contact Pete Villasenor at 510-535-5620 for more information on either the Chess Club or the Teen Game Zone.
On Thursday October 8th the Cesar Chavez Branch will host a MOCha Re-Create Art Workshop at 11 am in conjunction with the Museum of Children’s Art. Participants will recycle and reuse various materials to create art that they may enter in the City of Oakland’s “Re-Create” art competition and exhibition. This event is designed to teach participants about the 4R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot.
For children up to age 7 Saturday, October 10th offers dance classes for young children in partnership with Luna Kids Dance. The event begins at 10:30 am and will teach children about the various ways to use dance for self-expression. Contact the children’s librarian at (510) 535-5620 for more information.
Tuesday, October 13th 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm marks the monthly Lawyers in the Library event. The Alameda County Bar Association and the legal Aid Society of Alameda County who co-sponsor the event will provide free legal information and referrals in both English and Spanish. A sign up lottery will be held at 5:15 pm, as this event is quite popular. Contact Pete Villasenor at (510) 535-5620 to confirm event details.
Celebrate Halloween on Saturday October 31st at 1pm with Spooky Halloween Crafts. Children can make spider decorations and cat masks at this festive and free event.
The Cesar Chavez Branch of the Oakland Public Library is located at 3301 East 12th St. Suite 271
The Cesar Chavez Branch of the Oakland Public Library will be hosting multiple different activities for families and community members of all ages in the final weeks of September and throughout October.
The Chavez Chess Club will be meeting at 11am to 3pm on Saturday, September 26th. All ages and levels of experience are welcome from absolute beginners looking to learn the game to advanced chess veterans looking for partners to play with.
The Teen Game Zone happens each Wednesdays at the Cesar Chavez Branch from 3:30pm to 5:30 pm. Teenagers are able to play video games such as Guitar Hero, traditional board games, and enjoy complimentary snacks.
Contact Pete Villasenor at 510-535-5620 for more information on either the Chess Club or the Teen Game Zone.
On Thursday October 8th the Cesar Chavez Branch will host a MOCha Re-Create Art Workshop at 11 am in conjunction with the Museum of Children’s Art. Participants will recycle and reuse various materials to create art that they may enter in the City of Oakland’s “Re-Create” art competition and exhibition. This event is designed to teach participants about the 4R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot.
For children up to age 7 Saturday, October 10th offers dance classes for young children in partnership with Luna Kids Dance. The event begins at 10:30 am and will teach children about the various ways to use dance for self-expression. Contact the children’s librarian at (510) 535-5620 for more information.
Tuesday, October 13th 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm marks the monthly Lawyers in the Library event. The Alameda County Bar Association and the legal Aid Society of Alameda County who co-sponsor the event will provide free legal information and referrals in both English and Spanish. A sign up lottery will be held at 5:15 pm, as this event is quite popular. Contact Pete Villasenor at (510) 535-5620 to confirm event details.
Celebrate Halloween on Saturday October 31st at 1pm with Spooky Halloween Crafts. Children can make spider decorations and cat masks at this festive and free event.
The Cesar Chavez Branch of the Oakland Public Library is located at 3301 East 12th St. Suite 271
Monday, September 7, 2009
Model Shopping
In Fruitvale, a neighborhood bursting with rich and colorful Latino culture it can be hard to stand out amongst the crowd. Yet the vibrancy of the Fruitvale Transit Village has allowed it to shine amongst the bustling shopping district that surrounds it.
The Fruitvale Transit Village, a mixed-use development located between the Fruitvale BART station and International Boulevard, has become a landmark in the Fruitvale neighborhood. Many claim the unique shopping and living center has been responsible for neighborhood's revitalization.
“A long time ago this area was really bad,” said Program Manager of the Fruitvale Business Improvement District, Maria Sanchez. “Before there was nothing around BART and International Boulevard. Now you don’t feel like you’re in a place that is really bad because you get off BART and there is Fruitvale Transit Village with lots of shops and an officer patrolling. You feel safe.”
Robert Raburn of the East Bay Bicycle Coalition, who has an office in the Fruitvale Transit Village, believes that the Village has worked to draw businesses into the area. “The Fruitvale Transit Village has helped the Fruitvale area. Its smart growth and new development has served as a magnet for other developments.”
Planning and development of the Fruitvale Transit Village began in 1991 when BART revealed that it wanted to build a parking garage next to the station. Members of the Fruitvale community opposed the idea out of concern that it would increase traffic and pollution without adding anything to the area. With the aid of the Fruitvale Unity Council community members and leaders such as Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente, and the BART agency designed The Fruitvale Transit Village Project.
Michael Hunt, aid to Vice Mayor and District 5 Councilman, Ignacio De La Fuente, said that “creation of Fruitvale Transit Village, in conjunction with several community organizations and transportation agencies,” has been one of De La Fuente’s biggest accomplishments while serving the Fruitvale neighborhood. “He’s created something in Oakland that is now being copied in other places. Something that has brought businesses to Fruitvale.”
On any given day one can expect to find the plaza of the Transit Village busy with families, teenagers, and out of area visitors drawn to the many shops the Village and surrounding neighborhood offer.
Within the Fruitvale Transit Village there are multiple eateries, including Powderface Cafe, located directly across from the BART station entrance. Powderface offers New Orleans style beignets, coffee, and smoothies along with a relaxing atmosphere in which to observe the activity of the Fruitvale Transit Village. The delicious aroma of authentic Vietnamese food leaks from Saigon Wraps, a small restaurant that serves banh mi sandwiches along with Vietnamese BBQ and rice plates.
New to the Fruitvale Transit Village is The Plug, a tattoo and piercing shop owned by Muhammed Salem. Despite the current economic recession, Salem states that business is "not bad, not booming but we're doing alright." With multiple people wandering into the shop to look at the t-shirts and body jewelry he also sells it is evident the area provides businesses with plenty of foot traffic. "I used to be in The Mission before here and it's a lot safer here," adds Salem.
Farther along the Fruitvale Transit Village on E12th Street is the Cesar E Chavez Branch of the Oakland Public Library where kids of various ages “hang out a lot,” according to Christina Sanchez, a teenager who was in the library with a few of her friends taking advantage of a reading corner.
There is no denying that The Fruitvale Transit Village has become a center of activity for the surrounding Fruitvale neighborhood. With weekly farmer’s markets and festivals such as the Dia De Los Muertos or Day of the Dead Festival hosted within the village the area serves not only as a shopping center but also as a gathering place for the Fruitvale community.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Exploring Fruitvale
Until recently, I had known of Fruitvale as only a stop along the San Francisco BART line. I was not even aware that it was officially considered a neighborhood of Oakland. Online research of the area's recent news headlines resulted in several articles on criminal activity. However, it is not all bad news in the Fruitvale neighborhood as seen in the articles and web sites describing community leader’s attempts to revitalize the area with Farmer's markets, cultural festivals, and community programs.
After visiting the Fruitvale district in person, it became clear that it is an area in the midst of a transition. In many ways, the area is two very different neighborhoods in one, a flourishing business district and family centered community during the day and a place troubled with crime and gang activity at night.
Many people whom I spoke with in the Fruitvale neighborhood said that while they felt safe in the area during the day it was a different story at night. "I think this is the best BART area, a lot more shops than compared to the Pleasant Hill area,” said Declan Murthgh, who recently moved to the East Bay from Ireland. However, when I asked Murthgh if he felt safe walking around the area alone he told me "during the day I would. At night time, absolutely not considering what has happened in the last couple months."
Even those familiar with the area echoed a similar sentiment. "International is right when it starts to get shitty. There are a lot of shady looking characters,” said Blaine Bulklew. “I don't like to walk around there at night."
Some, such as AC Transit bus driver Chris Richer, questioned the neighborhood's safety in total. "I come here a bit because of my job as an AC transit driver. I would not on my own but I'm forced to because of my job. I don't think it's safe here."
For the Fruitvale neighborhood, the 2009-year got off to a rough start with the shooting of Oscar Grant by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle at the Fruitvale BART station.
The Oscar Grant shooting appears to still weigh heavily on the mind of many businesses in the neighborhood. Robert Raburn, the Executive Director of the East Bay Bicycle Coalition, whose office is located in the Fruitvale Transit Village, remembered that “right after the shooting the police were scared to come into the neighborhood.”
For new business The Plug, a tattoo and piercing shop that opened early this year in the Fruitvale Transit Village, the Oscar Grant shooting came right before their shop opening. “We were just about to open when that happened, it was pretty intense,” said employee, Thaer Alhafhawi. According to the shop's tattoo artist, Mark Beccia the shop chose to postpone its opening due to the protests happening in the area. “When that happened it actually kind of disturbed me but the lease had been signed,” explained shop owner, Muhammed Salem.
I look forward to covering the Fruitvale area for the remainder of the semester. It should be an interesting year for this neighborhood given the current economic recession and the state’s limited budget.
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