Boulevard Bites

by Tracey Rolandelli

### Even if you cannot make the 2008 Native Garden Tour (May 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), there is a fantastic Web site for the gardener interested in local, native landscaping. For information on native plants, local landscape designers who use native plants in their work, and links to garden pictures, go to www.BringingBackTheNatives.net. There are hands-on learning opportunities for people at nurseries and at restoration projects around our neighborhoods, where one can volunteer. What better way to get an introductory course for free? There are also tips on planting a garden to attract native bees, birds, and other wildlife, as well as ideas for lawn alternatives and conservation-friendly water solutions.

### The 15^th annual Bike To Work Day is happening on May 15, with a free

pancake breakfast for all participants, as well as prizes and all-day valet bicycle parking at City Hall. Detailed information can be found at the Oakland Public Works Web site, www.oaklandpw.com/Page125.aspx. This year should be a big one for biking to work!

### A trash reminder for all our neighbors: you can get a hefty fine for leaving your garbage cans out on the sidewalk past the pick-up time. The city's blight ordinance allows fines to be given to residents if their cans are left on the street past noon the day after pick-up. One Oakland woman was recently fined $2,200 for leaving her bins out too long, although it has been reported the city agreed to lower the fine to $951. Ouch! While the city doesn't patrol areas for offending bins, neighbors can complain to the city. If you are going away on vacation, it might be wise to make arrangements with a friendly neighbor to take in your cans.

### Members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Excelsior, in the Dimond District, have placed almost two dozen cats in permanent homes through an animal

ministry program, after one of their elderly parishioners became unable to care for them. Church volunteers collected the felines and brought them to Thornhill Pet Hospital for spaying/neutering and testing. Several homes around the East Bay have fostered these kitties, getting them ready for permanent homes. At the time of this writing, two cats are still waiting for adoption, according to organizers Jim and Mary Gotelli. While not feral, these cats just needed some extra time and love from humans to become more socialized. Yours truly has adopted one of the female kitties, who was lovingly fostered by a couple in Alameda. To inquire about adopting the last two felines, call 769-8318.

### Dimond Café, at 3430 Fruitvale Avenue, is home to great coffee, free WiFi for

your laptop, fresh sandwiches, baked goods, salads, and local art. Owners Paul and Kate tell me they are putting in a game table too, for chess players. Artist Rita Sklar's work has been showcased there during the month of April. Paul says that Mel's down the street is becoming a sushi and Japanese restaurant, and the business on the right of Dimond Café is to be an Indian restaurant. That entire section of Fruitvale is becoming a gastronomical delight!