Leona Heights Neighborhood News'

by Gordon Laverty

Ross Laverty caught this sturgeon in the bay. Photo courtesy Mike’s Bait & Tackle, Oakland.

If you're a new resident in the Leona Heights area, we welcome you to our historical environment. We hope you will participate in local activities and get to know your neighborhood. Leona Heights has contributed to the history of Oakland through its mining, ranching, and parklands, among other things. Being close to the nearby fire and park trails provides a convenient opportunity to get some exercise, get to know your neighbors, and enjoy views of the bay. We continue to support the Leona Greenbelt and its value in keeping out additional development while allowing us to appreciate Leona Heights history. At the same time, we're only minutes from other enjoyable places in the Bay Area. Ross Laverty, who enjoys boating and fishing on San Francisco Bay, caught the large fish seen in the accompanying photo.

This animal was caught from a boat about two miles off Oakland Airport in the bay and was released back to nature. And speaking of wild animals, a friendly wild turkey has been seen periodically in our neighborhood. He's been known to frequent local birdfeeders and seems to enjoy it here as much as we do. While we're on the subject of "turkeys", some outsiders have recently found their way here and stolen a couple of cars, so please remember to keep your eyes peeled for folks up to no good, and do the best you can with security around your home.'

Spring is definitely in the air and soon our neighborhood will be splashed with color from flowering plants and trees. What a beautiful place to live.

Gordon Laverty can be reached at lavertyhillmob2\@sbcglobal.net.