Dimond Neighborhood News

by Daniel Swafford

The e-Lectronic Dimond For many, the utility of the computer is most clearly reflected in the information and communication offered by the Internet. Even in the world of zero budgets and volunteer labor, having a home on the Web and engaging this global medium is a reasonable and desirable pursuit. How an urban neighborhood strives to share information, build commerce, and have fun is illustrated in the sites of the Dimond. The Dimond Improvement Association (DIA) site will appear near the top of most searches, followed closely by the Dimond Library's page. The DIA uses a forum to deliver district information and history. The neighborhood group is in the process of exploring a Wiki-style community Web page where users build and monitor the content, allowing a user-friendly format while limiting maintenance time and cost. Wikipedia, billed as the free encyclopedia, is an increasingly popular source for online information. This Wiki has been criticized for trading hard facts for majority opinion, but it has been extremely successful in engaging users to build a database of historical and geographical information, especially at the local level. ShopDimond.com has received a recent facelift, adding new content with more aesthetically appealing graphics. This site promotes Dimond businesses and serves as an Internet marketing tool for business owners unable to afford the time or cost of their own Web site. Scanning and posting restaurant menus is a future project. Community sites and blogs like Friends of Sausal Creek, DimondOakland.blogspot.com, and dimonites.com offer the visitor a specific subject of focus or an individual's perspective of the community. Searching for "Dimond" uncovered pictures and profiles on thousands of Web pages, all sharing Dimond news and promoting the community. Community Thanksgiving Dinner Monte McClain, pastor of Fruitvale Presbyterian Church, invites you to join the Annual Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, November 22, 5 to 7 p.m., at 2735 MacArthur Blvd. Come for a free meal, contribute with food donations, or help serve Thanksgiving dinner to your neighbors. Find out how you can be involved in making this local Community Thanksgiving Dinner possible by calling the church at 530-0915 or visiting www.fvpc.org. Events November is Native American Heritage Month. Dimond Library has the largest collection of Native American writing in the East Bay, and on Tuesday, November 21, the library will show the movie Alcatraz Is Not an Island, honoring Native American activism in the Bay Area. The Dimond Improvement Association meets Wednesday, November 1, 7:30 p.m., in the Dimond Library. Work with neighbors to develop action steps to reduce blight and improve the look of the business district. Honor Safeway Manager Ed Cabral for making dramatic safety improvements. After the general meeting, guest speaker Peter Slote from Oakland's Zero Waste Department will discuss reusing and recycling as part of Oakland's plan to build sustainable communities. Sign up to help create Dimond's Annual Holiday Fair. Artists, vendors, and faith and spiritual groups will come together in Dimond this December to celebrate the togetherness of community. To get involved, call Ruth Villase?or, 336-0105.