Redwood Heights Neighborhood News

by Denise Davila

Another Tragic Death at Crash Curve

Just before Christmas, Cesar Sopelario, a 21-year-old student at Merritt College, crashed at the intersection of Redwood Rd./35^th Ave. and Victor Ave. You may have seen the balloons, flowers, and candles that were placed at the site to honor this young man.' Sadly, he was not the first person to die there. Others have perished before him at Crash Curve, marking a legacy of danger since the road was widened from one lane to two lanes in the 1970s.' '

This section of roadway poses a hazard as people often careen their cars into the bus stop, traffic islands, street lamps, signs, parked vehicles, and houses. In October 2007, the RHNA hosted a public meeting with Councilmember Quan and City of Oakland Traffic Engineers to address this and other problems on Redwood Rd./35^th Ave. According to the RHNA neighborhood newsletter, "solution [to the problems] will require time, research, and funding." As a result, residents and city representatives promise to "continue the dialogue with study groups…" The city also agrees to meet with the RHNA and residents sometime this spring, "to share their results and new proposals."' '

For more information about the traffic study groups and upcoming traffic meetings, e-mail the RHNA at rhna.oakland\@gmail.com. For more background information about Crash Curve and Redwood Rd./35^th Ave, see the May 2006 Metro article "Looking Back and Driving Forward." '

Events at Peralta Creek Park

A group of families joined together to celebrate the shortest day and longest night of the year at Peralta Creek Park (Wisconsin St. and Rettig Ave). Local author and storyteller Carolyn Edwards led the children and their parents in songs and stories about the Winter Solstice. '

The Native Environment Watershed Transformation (NEWT) project looks forward to hosting more weekend events for families this spring. Look for dates and details in upcoming Metro editions.

Denise Davila can be reached at d2davila\@yahoo.com.