Laurel Merchants Association News

by Dr. Maureen Dorsey

The Laurel Merchants Association is sponsoring a Health Fair Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Albertson's parking lot. The many health providers along MacArthur will be participating in this event. Some of the offerings will be cholesterol checks, massage therapy, ear acupuncture, yoga, Tai Chi, animal health and safety tips, and offerings of healthy food.

Recently LMA joined forces with Farmer Joe's to prevent AC Transit from changing the current bus stop on eastbound MacArthur at 35th. AC Transit wants to alter many bus stops and have the buses stop just past intersections rather than before them. The proposed change to the 35th and MacArthur stop would have moved the stop from Taco Bell to in front of Farmer Joe's, resulting in the loss of 3 parking spaces for the grocery store. Because of strong protest from LMA and the community, AC Transit backed down and will not move the stop. They do, however, want to move the northwest-bound stop that is currently in front of Laurel Books to just past that intersection, placing it in front of Bank of America. LMA believes this will be a safety hazard for several reasons. Blocking the view of the ATM may increase robbery attempts. Stopping just past an intersection will create traffic jams and hazards to pedestrians attempting to cross. The area in front of the bank needs to share space with the armored car that comes daily, the people who currently ignore the red zone as they "just dash to the ATM," and the many people trying to enter the hardware store parking lot. There is just 60 feet of curb space, and newer buses will require every inch of that space to avoid having the back of the bus hang in the intersection. Letters of protest should be directed to AC Transit and elected AC Transit board members Rebecca Kaplan and Chris Peeples.

A newcomer to the business district is Africa By The Bay, at 3840 MacArthur. There is also a skateboard store at 4140 MacArthur for those of you wanting to get out of your cars and wheel around. At 3815 MacArthur, 1st Class Boutique offers styles for women.

For those of you who have been waiting forever for the best 'Q this side of Kansas City, Everett & Jones BarBQue is moving into the old print shop at 4238 MacArthur. Rumor has it that La Ultima will be transformed into a new restaurant that will feature Cambodian food. We are on our way to becoming a restaurant row!

Lastly, at the time of this writing, the former Fox and Burdick office in the 4100 block has the look of a new art gallery.