Boulevard Bites

by Toni Locke and Sheila D'Amico

### Caltrans' bare earth dredging operation on the Warren Freeway aims to make the highway safe for drivers by installing a monolithic 3½-foot-high cement median divider, eliminating the frivolous growth of anything natural. City leaders and neighbors are up in arms. Safety is important; but, with a little imagination, engineers could have devised a solution that would maintain the beauty and serenity of one piece of highway Oaklanders have been traveling with pleasure. Jean Quan's office is working on the issue.

### The Sons of Norway and the Dimond Improvement Association, who joined to mount a well-attended gathering about Dimond History October 14 at Bjornson Hall, serve as fine examples of the importance of community organization with a long and stable history. They may adjust to changing times, but they bring the strength of tradition to today's work to solve community problems.

### Take a moment to look up at the oversize billboard at the triangular corner of Foothill, 55th, and Trask. Put up by the Oakland Youth Commission, it's called "Stop Youth Violence in Oakland." It's a reminder that if we really do want to end violence, it has to start within each of us, not by pointing the finger against "the other."

### At deadline, Police Chief Richard Word announced his resignation. By now Metro readers know of his move to Vacaville, but we wanted to send him our best wishes on his move and thank him for his work in our city.