Boulevard Bites

by Tracey Rolandelli

### Our neighborhood has a number of community events going on, including last month's fantastic Oktoberfest on MacArthur and Fruitvale. I don't think I have seen that many people come to the Dimond district before, and thank you to everyone who worked so hard putting the festival together. What a wonderful day.

### Two Star Liquors, at 2020 MacArthur Blvd., plans on feeding the neighborhood again this year for Thanksgiving. I spoke with Abdo, owner of the market, who said the event will be held on Thanksgiving Day in their parking lot. People can stop by before Thanksgiving to check on the time and find out if any volunteers are needed. Abdo and his family have always been so thoughtful and generous with food donations. Between Thanksgiving and the Dimond Picnic, they feed many people in our area. Their store has a great selection of small micro brews and specialty drinks, very convenient for people shopping locally. Their number is 531-3576.

### Over at What A Find! consignment, 4140 MacArthur Blvd., I found some great home decor items and other treasures. Owner Sheree Stewart and manager Myrtle Henderson have acquired great items, both cottagey and more modern. They have clothes and jewelry too, and the hours are Wednesday thru Friday, 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday 12 to 5 p.m., and sometimes hours on Sundays. Call to keep updated, at 336-0367.

### The Food Mill celebrated 75 years of business in October, with an open house of samples and discounts for customers. That's a milestone and shows how ahead of the times founder J.A Denis was in 1933. They have lots of information on their Web site also, at www.foodmillonline.com, including their hours, product information, recipes, and health news. Their address is 3033 MacArthur Blvd., at Maple. I have heard the Mill is trying to get a regular chair massage person at the store, something this author is in dire need of.

### If you haven't signed up for a CORE (City of Oakland Respond to Emergencies) training, there are ongoing times for learning the valuable skills needed for neighborhood disaster response. You can also check out the Red Cross Web site for tips. And Luan at Laurel Book Store has two books on emergency preparedness, including local author Nancy Overton's, A Checklist/Making a Plan for Emergencies. Also find out 'about the city's Seismic Safety Incentive Program (SSIP) Contacts: Laurelbookstore\@earthlink.net or 531-2073; Core\@oaklandnet.com or 238-6351; www.redcross.org; SSIP 238-3891 or http://quake.abag.ca.gov/fixit.

### And finally, there's a Nursery Propagation Training Program offered by Friends of Sausal Creek, which will take place the first four Sundays of November. If you are at least 14 years old and can commit to attend at least three of four classes as well as 12 workdays over the next year as a propagator or crew leader, then this program is for you. The training will educate people about native plants and how to grow them, as well as identifying those in our local ecosystem. There is a sliding scale for enrollment, from free to $20. Classes will be held at the JMNP Nursery from 12 to 3 p.m., on Sunday, November 2, 9, 16, and 23. All students will get a Friends of Sausal Creek T-shirt, too. See www.sausalcreek.org for more details, or call 928-6675 to speak with Molly Bolt.