Allendale School: At the Top of the List
Denise Davila
Remember the generation when kids walked to school and there was always a school nurseand a librarian? Hard to believe, but public schools like this still exist in Oakland, right in ourcommunity. Allendale Elementary School is an oasis in an eve.

Welcome, Farmer Joe's
Daniel Swafford
At the new Farmer Joe's Marketplace in Dimond, the sound of saws and hammers is being replaced by the buzz of anticipation. Diana and Joe Tam's second store, located at 3426 Fruitvale Avenue, has put the majesty back into what was once a revered Oakland destination.

Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
We've lived in Wilshire Heights for about three years, and there are many things we have come to enjoy and appreciate about this and the surrounding neighborhoods, including the MacArthur Metro.Earth Day morning was spent with many neighbors picki.

Films from India at Mills
Halona Norton-Westbrook
This summer the Mills College Art Museum presents the exhibition "Love and Betrayal, Bollywood Summer at Mills." Curated by Mary-Ann Milford Lutzker, the exhibit features five films spanning 50 years of Bollywood, as Indian cinema has been designated.

Neighborhood Artists Open Studios
Rita Sklar
It's time for the annual Pro Arts East Bay Open Studios, Saturdays and Sundays, June 3 and 4, and June 10 and 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.The artists welcome you to their studios. Look for signs in the neighborhoods, or start with 3826 Fruitvale Avenue (between Whittle and Tiffin).

Onions & Orchids
Toni Locke
To our readers: The Metro needs a writer/manager for this column. If you think you would enjoy collecting and meting out praise and blame, please e-mail metroreaders.com, or phone Toni at 530-8079.Orchids to Ed Cabral, manager of the Dimond Safeway.

The Stories We Tell
Monte McClain
There is a power unleashed in hearing and telling our stories to one another. It's a transformative power that we see shaping District 4 of Oakland through many diverse efforts. Susannah Eloyse Prinz wanted to explore this truth through an artistic p.

Street Beat
Madeline Moore
What's the first thing you want the new mayor of Oakland to do? Flenoid McCleary (3814) You've got to look out for the kids. They need to have something to do after school. Bringback some of the programs they used to have, like NYC. Some kind of community work.

Summer Activities
Metro Neighborhood Parks
Joaquin Miller Park, 3590 Sanborn Drive 238-3187Major recreation areaDimond Park & Rec. Center, 3860 Hanly Road 482-7831Children's playgroundPicnic areasLions swimming pool 482-7852Rec. Center programsCentral Rec. Area, Sheffield & E.

Woodminster Summer Musicals Celebrates 40 Years of Magic
Gordon Laverty
The 40th year of summer musicals under the stars and direction of Jim and Harriet Schlader of Producers Associates starts soon at Woodminster Theater in Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Road. High-quality productions of Broadway musicals have enthralled the East Bay public for years.