Letters to the Editor

' Greetings to those who work hard to keep the MacArthur Metro my local newspaper, and I hope this check for $50 helps you further. I want to bring to your readers' attention an issue related to disability.

' My husband, Richard, lives at Excell Health Care on High and Virginia Streets. He is paralyzed on his left side due to a stroke in 2006. He uses a power electric chair as we traverse Penniman to 38th Avenue, crossing the freeway to turn down Quigley Street towards 35th Avenue where our home is located. We find many obstacles. The worst offenders are cars parked in driveways, but blocking the sidewalk. They force my husband into the street. This is dangerous.'

I fear that one day someone coming down the street will not see Richard coming from behind a car parked alongside the sidewalk will run into his wheelchair.

' It is important that people in our neighborhoods be aware of the problems of the physically handicapped and help make it safer for Richard to come home on weekends.

' I want to especially thank Café by the Bay for their friendliness, good food, and accessibility. It makes our whole week.

' My good "upper Fruitvale" neighbor Tim Little has organized groups for the past three years to plant many thousands of daffodils on our I-580 ramps in the Dimond area. Last year the ground was so hard and cold they had to use picks to make holes. The show this spring has been glorious, and I just wanted him to be recognized. And for folks to remember that the City of Oakland gives away bags of bulbs to any one who wants to plant a public area.

points of view and stories and articles from the community. Certain guidelines apply, including coherence, relevance to the MacArthur Metro geographical readership area, and, generally, a limit of 500 words. For more information about writing or to submit a story, send a query to the editor at metroreaders\@earthlink.net.