Dimond Neighborhood News

by Carol Lundgaard

Dimond Improvement Association On Saturday, March 25, the DIA and the Dimond Business and Professional Association mounted a large volunteer effort to clean the sidewalks in the business district. Volunteers picked up litter and cleaned and weeded tree wells; even the garbage cans were cleaned. Merchant volunteers included Booker, Marvin, and Marcus Clark (First Building Maintenance), who generously steam-cleaned the sidewalk from Safeway to the Post Office and from Dimond Avenue up to Cybelle's; Gerry Mendoza (Taquer?a Los Comales); and Ruth Villase?or (Paws & Claws). Gerry took photographs for a brochure to be developed for merchants. The rapport this effort accomplished between merchants and DIA volunteers has inspired an effort to have all merchants to participate in a regular cleaning program. Needed structural work has been identified at the proposed site for a neighborhood center, 2011 MacArthur Blvd. Talks among city and DIA representatives and the building owner are ongoing. In its recent annual board orientation, the DIA selected co-chairs Carolyn Vallerga and Marilyn Miller. New Business Farmer Joe's will celebrate the grand opening of its Dimond store on Saturday, June 24, with musical and dance entertainment, barbecue, community services information tables, and children's activities. Plan to join the festivities at Dimond's beautiful new marketplace. Welcome to newly relocated Foothill Vacuum Cleaner Center and its helpful, courteous staff at 3222 Fruitvale Avenue. Paul Wong, former Dimond resident, is returning next fall to open a Hawaiian barbecue restaurant in the recently closed Dimond Deli location at 3434 Fruitvale Avenue. Luka's, a great downtown Oakland venue featuring live music, food, and drink (www.lukasoakland.com), wants to open a second location, possibly in the Dimond. E-mail paws_claws\@earthlink.net with your support. Fruitvale Alive! Funds are now available to implement improvements under the 580 freeway at Fruitvale Avenue. On February 15 an advisory committee met to review and consider the options, including a concept design by Urban Blueprints (www.dimondnews.org/fa3streetscape/pages/D34.html). The committee achieved some consensus on lighting, paint, plants, signage, art, and sidewalk, summarized at dimondnews.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=380. After meetings to gather sufficient community input are held and consensus reached, a construction contract bidding process will ensue. Fruitvale Presbyterian Church The board and congregation have assigned priority to the Dimond community's needs in the church's program, of which the Winter Celebration was a beginning. Next up is the Healthy Aging Conference, Sunday, June 4 (530-0915). Topics will include durable power of attorney for health care, shared decision making with your physician, California law affecting your autonomy in decision making, and diet and exercise. Solar Schools Program Glenview School science teacher Sue Morgan is excited about a PG&E grant to establish a pole-mounted solar generation system. The grant includes a specialized solar-energy curriculum to stimulate learning and involve the surrounding community. After the system is installed, the public may log onto the Solar Schools Web site(view2.fatspaniel.net/PGE_SSH/) and compare the electricity generation at Glenview with other schools. The Glenview Parent Teacher Association plans a Solar Celebration event on May 20. Visit www.dimondnews.org and join the list. Write Carol at dimond.metro\@gmail.com.