Dimond Winter Festival
An Interfaith Celebration, Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fruitvale Presbyterian Church (2735 MacArthur, www.fvpc.org). $5 Pancake Breakfast with proceeds benefiting church programs to feed local hungry and homeless. There will also be crafts and art for sale, photos with Santa, craft making for kids, and musical performances from Kehilla Community Synagogue Singers, the Renaissance School Choir, and the students of Robin Goodfellow.'
New Restaurants
Shaan North and South Indian Cuisine, next to Dimond Café on Fruitvale will open soon, adding an anticipated flavor to the growing pallet of foods available in the Dimond shopping district.'
Little Caesar's Dimond Kitchen is finishing up construction on a unique hybrid of take-out pizza and sit-down family style dining. The owners agreed on expanded square footage and custom menu, along with provisions for litter abatement, security, wage and hiring standards.
Taquería El Jaliciense will now offer catering, including a "taquiza" service, a small cart with a steam table, to events where tacos are made on location. The current restaurant on MacArthur will no longer provide sit-down service, but will rent for banquets and private parties. Contact Ramona at 227-0430 or taqueria_eljaliciense\@hotmail.com.
22X NCPC Wraps a Productive 2008
Residents of police beat 22X voted for the 2009 Steering Committee and took a moment out of another active working session to acknowledge some gains made during the past year.
Renee Sykes, the Neighborhood Services Coordinator for 22X, was impressed with the number of streets that organized Neighborhood Watch groups. Twenty-two new groups formed in 2008.
Kathleen Russell, Beautification Chair, reported that nearly a dozen street cleanings and plantings were held in the area. Visit Oakland22X.org for locations and future dates.
Violent crimes, armed robberies, and assaults have come down from 2007, thanks to increased patrols of the area and arrests made earlier this year. A number of drug-dealing sites have been identified, with Oakland Police Department (OPD) actively monitoring the situation. Remember to report suspicious behavior to the OPD nonemergency number 777-3333.
Stay apprised of conditions and activities in your beat, visit the Web site for links to the Working Group message boards and opportunities to be involved.
DIA Celebrated 55 Years
Acknowledging a history of involved community members, the Dimond Improvement Association (DIA) brought together a diverse group of area residents and merchants to raise over $1,000 for area projects, and nearly 100 pounds of food for the Alameda County Food Bank.
Honored at the event was Meg Bowerman, DIA Volunteer of the Year, for her active role in beautification projects and co-chairing the 22X NCPC.'
Marilyn Miller, Board member and past chair, was recognized for her years of service to the association, notably building relationships with Lincoln Court, Fred Finch, and Oakland officials.
The next DIA General Meeting is January 7, 2009, 7:30 p.m. at the Dimond Library.
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