Boulevard Bites


by Tracey Rolandelli



### Our local Food Mill (3033 MacArthur Blvd.) is offering chair massage at $1 a minute. I find this kind of massage is perfect, because it's quick, cheap, and targets the areas of most need. Times of availability vary, and the Mill has a sign in the window with each week's massage hours.

### As you probably have noticed both in the news and on the streets, our city has

many vacant and abandoned properties due to the housing-loan crisis. Two of our

area Councilmembers, Desley Brooks and Jean Quan, have created ways residents

can report blight. Councilmember Brooks is proposing legislation that requires owners of vacant property to pay a fee for abandoned sites. Owners would have to prove they intend to renovate such property or plan on selling the property for renovations. On Councilmember Desley Brooks' Web site,

(http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/council/coun_mem/brooks/default.htm),

people can report vacant or blighted real estate with a form link. Jean Quan's office is also requesting detailed information on abandoned property. Michael L. Johnson, policy analyst for District 4, asks residents to report issues of blight, loitering, squatters, drugs, and damage involved with vacant properties, for proper code enforcement resolutions. Mr. Johnson can be reached through email at mljohnson\@oaklandnet.com.

### A good resource for Metro area discussions and alerts can be found at the Laurel Village Yahoo group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laurelvillage/. There you can find announcements and networking, which in these economically changing times has proven beneficial. The eyes and ears of the neighborhoods report suspicious activity, such as the groups of people stealing catalytic converters, or the man knocking on doors at very late hours, asking for money. Have you been approached by this individual? He is described as an African American male, probably around 65 years old, and usually uses an excuse of a car breaking down, being stranded, or needing money for his daughter. Some of our neighbors have been scammed into giving him money, and he has scared some elderly residents. This has been going on for years, apparently.

### The new condo units at MacArthur and 35th are looking closer to completion, with more detail work being installed. The exterior walkways have sconce lights, and

some finishing touches give the place a nice touch. I think I have seen some planters being incorporated, too. One of those corner units would be fun, with the view of the street scene activity. I can't believe how much this area has changed since my introduction to the Laurel/Dimond neighborhood in 2000!

###In my walks around our upper Laurel and Dimond hills, I have seen some vegetable gardens popping up. In among the flowers and ornamental grasses, kale, string bean vines, and tomatoes thrive in front and side yards. We have such a good climate and growing zone for so many fruits and vegetables, it still amazes this East Coast transplant. Urban gardening probably is easier in one aspect: the absence of deer grazing (except maybe for you folks on the upper ridge territories). If you find yourself with an abundance of zucchini or other vegetables, PUEBLO (452-2010) and Cycles of Change will deliver your produce to seniors. See Jean Quan's newsletter No. 282 for details (jeanquan.org).

Have a wonderful June and July Metro neighbors. See you on the Boulevard!