Dimond Neighborhood News

by Carol Lundgaard

Dimond Improvement Association

The DIA elected two new board members, Ed Goehring and Daniel Swafford, at its general meeting March 1. Meetings will be chaired by a board member on a rotating basis. Verne Vinella has stepped down from the board after many years of dedicated service to the community. Hoang Banh succeeds Tim Chapman, who has been DIA's Web master and e-mail list moderator for eight years.

DIA is exploring all possible funding sources for rental of the vacant building at 2011 MacArthur above Sausal Creek, to be used as an education center and shared office for community groups. Representatives have met with the owner. Rent is $500 a month. Those interested, please contact dia\@dimondnews.org.

Shari Godinez (Making Ends Meet), Monte McClain (Fruitvale Presbyterian Church), and Ruth Villasenor (Paws & Claws) were volunteers of the month and received a choice of dinner or gift certificate to Bottie Qincher's day spa for their efforts in connection with Dimond's December 2005 Dimond International Winter Celebration of hope and unity.

Local Hero Projects

Dimond Awardees Hoang Banh and Tim Chapman have designated their $1,000 awards to Gateway Garden, at the MacArthur/Lincoln intersection, for maintenance and improvements, and to the first informational kiosk at Dimond Park, respectively.

Farmer Joe's

To commemorate the grand opening, anticipated by late spring, and thank owners Joe and Diana Tam for bringing their beautiful store to our community, the DIA is sponsoring a welcome celebration featuring local performers and showcasing community organizations and businesses. Donations and volunteers needed (dia\@dimondnews.org).

Dimond Park

Kiosk Project: Four structures to be placed at each of the main entrances will contain park and community information, history, and maps; design to be determined. A youth advisory committee to research history and a possible local artist competition to design a park logo are being considered. If you can assist with grant-writing skills or knowledge of possible funding sources, please contact Center Director Michelle Fulper at 482-7831.

Advisory Council: With over 1000 acres of park space in Oakland and off-leash access for only 1-1/3 acre, concerned dog enthusiasts are coming together in response to "On Leash Only" signs recently posted at entrances to Sausal Creek and Bridgeview trails. A meeting on March 14 included City, FOSC, and Oakland Dog Owners Group ("ODOG") representatives. Dimonddog, an emerging advocacy group for equitable access to on- and off-leash space, is looking to widen participation. Contact Dimonddog at Paws and Claws (336-0105). Sign up for ODOG free membership and e-mail newsletter at www.odogparks.org.

Neighborhood Homeless and Panhandlers

A city and county multiagency team, including Neighborhood Services Coordinator Renée Sykes and Problem Solving Officer Mike Valladon, is creating a guide and template to deal with panhandlers and homeless people. Please file a crime report for any criminal activity, including threats, as documentation is very important. The police nonemergency number is 777-3333.

CORE II

Creating a neighborhood emergency response system is the focus of the next training,scheduled for April 4.

Fruitvale Elementary School

Principal Cherie Ivey announced "Fruitvale's Open Hearts of Spring" campaign to benefit hurricane survivors. Expanded holiday dinner/gift boxes will be distributed on April 7. Contact Cherie at 879-1170 for details on how to assist or donate to this worthy cause.

For more information, visit dimondnews.org and join the mailing list. Write Carol at dimond.metro\@gmail.com.