Browsing Category

Local

History, Landmarks, Local, Uncategorized

Double Batch of Love Found at Mother’s Cookies…Part 1

Those that know me well, know that when I lock onto something, good luck getting me to let go. It can be a blessing and a curse. I hem and haw over the littlest of things, search high and low for that perfect “something”, and often spend too much time, energy, and stress trying to bring something to fruition. Last month, when I joined the Oakland Urban Paths walk in the area of Oakland once known as the town of Brooklyn, we stopped at the old Mother’s Cookies factory. When I saw her smiling face on the iron sign now marking the live/work lofts that exist in the old brick building, I was instantly brought back to iced oatmeals and rainbow speckled circus animals. I hadn’t thought of them in years, since my childhood. I knew I had to do something to honor this local company’s history, I just didn’t know that not one, but two love stories would fall into my lap. So, in honor of Valentine’s Day, let me tell you a story…

February 11, 2016 by oaklandmomma

History, Landmarks, Local

Appreciating Our Oakland Museum of California

I was born and raised in Oakland. I am the daughter of a retired 4th grade teacher who taught California History. For these reasons, I am ashamed that it has taken me this long to visit the Oakland Museum of California as an adult. I am not someone who frequently attends museums, visits have been reserved for notable ones that I have been lucky to experience on a vacation here and there. When taking time for myself locally, a great meal or some time spent outdoors are typically what I strive for. However, last Friday I was able to bring all three together in one lovely afternoon.

February 10, 2016 by oaklandmomma

Artisans, Local, Retail

Classic and Kitsch…Treasures of the White Elephant Sale

Classic & Kitsch. A dichotomy of words that I think defines the wonderful nature of this a once-a-year event that draws crowds in search of treasures to fill their homes and make their hearts smile. The White Elephant Sale Preview was held this past weekend on the chilly final day of January. A friend and I joined the long, winding line outside the warehouse in the Jingletown District of Oakland; huddled against the wind, drinking coffee, sharing a bagel, and taking advantage of the time to catch up sans kids. As the doors were opened we marched forward, flashed our wristbands, and parted ways; each in search of items needed, items wanted, and items to take home “just because”.

February 5, 2016 by oaklandmomma

Community, History, Landmarks, Local, Walks & Hikes

Oakland’s Old Neighbor…Brooklyn??

On a recent cold & drizzly Saturday morning I checked off my first goal on my “Things To Do In Oakland in 2016” list. I attended a walk hosted by Oakland Urban Paths through the streets of what was once a town that sat next door to Oakland, named Brooklyn. As our city has moved to the forefront of the national stage recently, there have been numerous comparisons to New York City’s neighboring borough, Brooklyn. I am going to bow out of the “my town is cooler” debate and find humor in the irony that the 2 town names once sat side-by-side on a map.

January 19, 2016 by oaklandmomma

History, Landmarks, Local, Restaurants & Drink, Retail

Stags & Stacks…A Cloudy Day In Downtown Oakland

El Nino is here. Our days are filled with clouds, rain, and an occasional punctuation of sun. We can’t complain, it’s what we need. So lets focus on ways to enjoy these dreary days. A bookstore and a warm, indulgent sandwich were the ways my sister and I chose to spend a recent cold & cloudy Friday. I was in need of a new book to read, so a trip downtown provided the opportunity to pop into Laurel Bookstore’s new home in the historical Lionel J. Wilson Building. A stroll through the neighborhood then took us to Stags Lunchette; a cozy little spot serving up oozy deliciousness in sandwich form.

January 12, 2016 by oaklandmomma

History, Local, Momma

My Top 10 “Things To Do In Oakland” in 2016

Happy New Year! 2016…Holy Cow.

It is always interesting to turn our heads and hearts towards a new year. A new year offers you a chance to reflect on where you are in life; it is an opportune time to consider any “course corrections” that may be in order. 2015 was a mixed bag for me. It was full of challenging times as I continued to learn how to navigate being a mom to not just one, but two. It was a successful year for me with my own eating and exercise hurdles. It was the year that this website was born.

January 6, 2016 by oaklandmomma

History, Landmarks, Local

Thank You for the Photo Op Mr. Miller

When it came time to take a family picture for our holiday card this year, I had the thought to pop up the hill and visit the unassuming white house that sits right alongside Joaquin Miller Road. For the longest time I would glance over at the house on my way up or down, unsure of what it was. It wasn’t until recently that I learned that the house was in fact Joaquin Millers home, known as “The Abbey”. Residing in the cottage from 1886 until his death in 1913, the house was built on the large 100-acre estate he purchased in the Oakland Hills, called “The Hights”. Over time Joaquin Miller planted over 75,000 trees over the deforested land. He also built eccentric monuments dedicated to Moses, John C Fremont, and the poets Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

December 24, 2015 by oaklandmomma

Local, Retail

Shop Local…Celebrate With Oakland’s Wine & Bottle Shops

I am wrapping up my “shop local” series with a toast to the wonderful & welcoming wine and bottle shops Oakland has to offer. I’m not sure about the rest of you, but I am ready to cross the last name off my list and shift my focus to the celebrating side of things. From the library warmth of Ordinaire to the sleek warehouse space of Oakland Crush, there is no shortage of inviting shops to pop into to pick up a great bottle of wine, beer or spirits to add to your holiday and New Years celebrations. These are a few of my top picks.

December 16, 2015 by oaklandmomma

Older Posts

Newer Posts