Let's Go Kayaking!
Pilgrim Lutheran Church has a new kayaking fellowship, and first-time and experienced paddlers are welcome to join.
Pastor Paul Holt has been kayaking for over ten years with his family of 12 children. Recently he started to lead groups of first-time adult and child explorers on paddling trips on the estuary and to the bird sanctuary at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, near the Oakland Airport. The trips go on an easy pace, lasting about three hours.'
Pastor Holt reported: "Some remarked how scenic Oakland looks from the water, the result of years of preservation and conservation on the waterways. Others appreciated the peaceful feeling of being on the water close to wildlife, with some great exercise and good company." Through the kayaking fellowship, the pastor wants to build "a sharing, friendly community aware of, and caring for the many God-given treasures of our Bay Area waters."'
The kayaking fellowship is well prepared for a group of up to 15 people. Pilgrim members donated new kayaks, and others offered to share their own. The church's bus transports people, kayaks, and gear to boat-launch destinations. For more information on the kayaking fellowship, contact Tracey at 599-0002 or rolandelliarts\@sbcglobal.net.
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, at 3900 35th Avenue, has a 10 a.m. Sunday worship service. All are welcome to join them in kayaking, hiking, biking, worship, Bible study, and other fellowship programs. Call Pastor Holt at 336-0121.'
Autumn Color, Then Winter Rains
Shorter days, colder temperatures, and dry afternoon breezes herald autumn, when the leaves of many trees change to vivid yellow, orange, and red.
Chinese Pistache, Raywood Ash, and Sweetgum, a few of the many deciduous tree species lining neighborhood streets, put on a spectacular show until their leaves fall, blanketing city streets and sidewalks.'
Brisk afternoon winds carry dried leaves a long distance. If you have ever swept and raked your front yard clean of leaves, only to have to repeat the task a few days later, you already know this. There is a price to pay for this beautiful season.'
Eventually, the leaves collect in street gutters and clog storm drain openings. When the heavy rains come, streets flood, and pedestrians and drivers often face a wet mess.
You can help out by participating in a citywide program encouraging residents to use rakes (or shovels and brooms) to unclog blocked storm drain openings near their homes. Contact Sandra Steen with the Oakland Public Works Keep Oakland Beautiful program, 434-5131 or ssteen\@oaklandnet.com. Let her know that you want to volunteer for the Maintain-A-Drain program. You will receive a free rake and other supplies, along with the quiet gratitude of your neighbors.
The city offers additional storm drain tips: 1) before and during a storm, periodically check storm drains to be sure they are clear; 2) do not remove a grate from a storm-drain opening, as it will create a hazard for pedestrians and family pets; and 3) collect and put leaves and litter in proper containers (leaves in your green bin or compost bin and garbage in your waste bin), not near the drain openings. Report a flooding problem to the Public Works Call Center, 615-5566, or PWACallCenter\@oaklandnet.com. Report crimes in progress, such as dumping oil into storm drains, by calling 911.
Kathleen Rolinson can be reached at krolinson\@gmail.com, and John Frando at jfrando\@gmail.com.
| 