Boulevard Bites

by Sheila D'Amico

### Happy New Year 2009 and Year of the Ox. This year, particularly, it seems we have a special chance with a new administration in Washington. It might inspire us to know we don't have to do things they way they were always done or follow the same rutted path. Instead, we can heed President Obama's call to service by participating fully in the life of our community.

We were jolted into this New Year in Oakland with the terrible incident at the Fruitvale BART. Our heart goes out to the family of Oscar Grant. We are thankful for the family's wisdom and for clearly saying that violence—by a few—cannot be in their loved one's name. I hope this year we, too, have the wisdom to be outraged by any violence done in this city and to clearly say that we will not have it done in our name.

### Kevin Rath of Laurel Office Center told the Metro that Trattoria Laurelino's, a new Italian restaurant, will be opening in his building, probably in February. Chef Terell Santiago describes it as a full-service sit-down Italian restaurant. He'll offer a panini-based lunch menu and, in the evening, affordable dishes focusing on pasta and varied sauces. An Italian restaurant was right on the top of the list when the Laurel Village conducted a survey a few years ago, so folks should be lined up for the opening. Kevin says he is putting in more than $80,000 worth of facade improvements. West Oakland-based artist Larry Cockerill created the custom handmade wrought iron that is giving the site a new look. Kevin is justifiably proud of the improvements but says, "The city permit process was a nightmare. It was full of nitpicking requests and incompetence and miscommunication that delayed the process by at least two months." But he does give kudos to Richard Cowan of Jean Quan's office for his help and says Richard has been "amazing."

### Here's an early alert for readers: the Metro is observing 20 years. We'll be having a celebration of community at Fruitvale Presbyterian Church on April 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. Mark your calendars and plan to join us. Meanwhile, if you'd like to help out with the celebration send an email to Metroreaders\@earthlink.net.