Dimond Neighborhood News

by Carol Lundgaard

Going to the Dogs On August 26 Paws & Claws, our natural pet-food store, bathhouse, and animal art gallery, complete with lovely creekside back-porch setting, hosted an artist reception of Dimond resident Dan May's animal portraits, an enjoyable evening of conversation, refreshment, and doggone fun. Kudos to owners Ruth and Diane for their energetic and creative ongoing community involvement. Ruth and Diane also host a small group peace rally the first evening of every month, at 8 p.m., at the park on the corner of Lincoln and MacArthur, across from the 7-Eleven, gathering with signs, candles, and hope for peace in Oakland. Meet your neighbors and fellow community members; leave feeling happier and more inspired. Dogs welcome! Dimond Park Dog Park A dog park was the subject of Marcel deGross's presentation at the Dimond Improvement Association meeting on September 7, including the following points: Potential Dimond District asset to bring people together and create a sense of community. Oakland, with one off-leash dog park (Hardy Park), is far behind other cities. (San Francisco has 26.) Proposed location, at the northeast corner of the park adjacent to the upper Lyman, is presently unused and a source of concern for illicit activity. Cost of site preparation and completion to be undertaken through volunteer efforts. Separate fenced areas for large and small dogs. Hours of use: sunup to sundown. Emphasis on investment by responsible users in maintaining a neighborhood-acceptable dog park through self-policing to promote cleanliness and discourage aggressive dog behavior. Concerns include congestion, noise, erosion factors, negative effect on property values, and danger posed by unmanageable dogs. Appreciation of the park in its present state as a quiet natural area, and recommendation for arborist consultation regarding the impact on long-established trees. Important first step in the process: solidify community support. Planning was to be initiated at the September 17 meeting of the Dimond Park Advisory Council. I'll update next month. Fruitvale Gateway On September 14 the Police Department and City Administrator's Office honored the 152 hosts of National Night Out parties held across the city on August 2, a four-fold increase over the number of parties held in 2004. The Fruitvale Gateway Merchant's Association sponsored its event at the crossroads of this historic neighborhood commercial node, which sits astride E. 27th Street at Fruitvale Avenue, midway between Foothill Boulevard and the Dimond District, amidst the varied shops of this often overlooked multiblock gateway district. Sequoia Elementary School Welcome to new principal Kyla R. Trammell, formerly assistant principal at Oak Grove Middle School in Concord, and two new teachers from Hawthorne Elementary, Lisa Rasler and Anne Caploe. Updates Dimond merchants have reached consensus to improve the business district. The first priorityis sidewalk cleaning, and a one-time cleaning estimate of $2.6K has been obtained. There is an initiative pending that business property owners contribute to the cost in proportion to the amount of linear footage owned. The group will also pursue formation of a Business Improvement District. Altenheim Senior Residence: Groundbreaking for Phase I (rehabilitation) expected in October. Lincoln Court Senior Residence: Estimated completion May 2006. Farmer Joe's Market: Projected completion October 2005.