Happy Haunting
On Halloween, we like to set a spoooooky scene for our neighbors without making the wee little trick-or-treaters run off screaming in terror. Jack-o-lanterns are always a big hit, and the more … Continue reading
Creativity Shines in Oakland’s Golden Gate Neighborhood
When the first homes were built, the Golden Gate neighborhood was a town named Klinknerville. The name was changed to Golden Gate before it was annexed by the City of Oakland … Continue reading
What if it really does rain?
I have a positive outlook this morning: I’m thinking about what’s going to happen to all that rain we’re going to get this winter in California. Let’s say we left land in its natural state: much … Continue reading
A Truly Local Cocktail
San Francisco was originally named for this plant, Yerba Buena. It means “good herb” in Spanish. The City’s name was changed to San Francisco in 1846. The botanical name for … Continue reading
Creating Art and Community at Maxwell Park
This East Oakland park features mosaics created by the local community. Nancy Karigaca and Beverly Shalom are co-coordinators for the mosaic tile project: “My priority has been to work on … Continue reading
Big Sur Roadhouse
One way we live where we are is to travel local. We spent the weekend with the kids in Big Sur, about 150 miles from most of the five-one-oh area … Continue reading
Rain Gardens – Why they are important during a drought
Originally posted on Native Hearts Garden Blog:
Pervious paving at native demo garden, Taylor & Walnut, San Jose We’re in the middle of a drought crisis… why the heck should…
Beach Strawberry
This California native plant, Fragaria chiloiensis, grows quickly in our yard in Oakland. Sometimes it grows too well, spreading into areas intended for less rambunctious native plants. Still, it’s a great groundcover in … Continue reading
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