Regardless of who was at fault, this intersection is a dangerous one.  I should know, it is in my neighborhood and I cross at this crosswalk almost daily.  In the past six months I alone have caused 2 minor fender benders, all because someone stopped, but the car behind them did not stop in time.  This intersection is located on two blind curves, and at night it is nearly impossible to see who is crossing the street.

Tonight a vigil was held.  For a few hours, the southeast corner of this intersection was lit with candles, flashlights, and tears.  There had to be close to 75 people there by 8:30, most of them friends.  Despite the lights and the large number of people, many cars did not slow down or stop for pedestrians crossing the street.  I don’t think this was intentional, I just don’t think they were visible to the drivers.

Some have mentioned the need for more police handing out traffic tickets.  Others have mentioned it is a non-issue since it is not listed as one of Berkeley’s dangerous intersection and there are others that are worse.  Are you kidding?  A kid was killed and something needs to happen!  More lighting, flashing pedestrian lights…something!  My husband and I spoke to the Berkeley Police about this intersection last September and they said “Bring it up with the City Council.”  Seriously?

Do you know the dark spots in your neighborhood?  Do you know alternate routes to use when driving?  When crossing the street?  Do you use a flashlight or clothing with reflectors at night?  A life was taken much to early this week and I can guarantee that in my family, helmets will always be worn and flashlights will be used at night.  Life is much to precious not to.

Philz Coffee in Berkeley is da bomb.  Just sayin’.

http://www.philzcoffee.com/Customer-Service/Store-Locations

And for you Oakland peeps, did you know Philz is working on getting you a location by the end of the year?

Last year the carnival was a great success.  This year they have taken the successes and added in more bang.  In addition to the typical carnival games like milk bottle knock-down, cake walks, tic-tac-toe, and golf putt-putt, the Harding Dads Club filled in the blanks by adding elements to appease not only the kiddies, but parents, too.  Clearly they are trying to cater to the parental crowd because every postcard I saw had a sticker on the front that said “beer garden.”  So, without further ado, this year’s added attractions include a beer garden sponsored by the new El Cerrito brewery, Elevation 66, live music, and a pumpkin patch with pumpkins donated by Marvin Gardens Real Estate.

So come one, come all!  Tickets are $5 for guests ages 5 and up, and I think I saw somewhere that you get one ticket free if you bring a baked good.

If you are looking for a real Berkeley treat, go and check out Mr. Mopps, you will be glad you did.

Visit their facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Mr.Mopps.

Mr. Mopps Children’s Books and Toys
1405 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley
510-525-9633

A dog park in Albany?  They are one step closer to getting one!

I was talking with a colleague about the new pool that is coming to Albany High School, and that conversation led to another conversation about the new fence that will be installed at Memorial Park to separate the ballpark from the rest of the park.  City Council just approved the addition of the fence so it sounds like dog-owners may get their play space before long.

www.rentrange.com/rental-rates
www.zilpy.com
www.rentometer.com
www.craigslist.com

To compare rental rates in your neighborhood, or a neighborhood you would like to live in, be sure to check these sites first.

Example: I bought some shampoo and conditioner that I didn’t really like, and since I can’t return it, I put it on freecycle and someone picked it up the next day.  I have posted packing peanuts, moving boxes, even cabbage that was in my CSA box that I won’t eat…

Just log onto the website and join the freecycle community closest to you.

While I was on maternity leave I emptied out my closet (got rid of 8 bags of clothing), cleaned out the kitchen (2 boxes of glassware and vases), cleaned out my office (filled 6 boxes), and started getting rid of baby stuff (7 bags).  I may still have some baby weight on me, but my house doesn’t!

Where did I donate everything?

The e-waste went to the El Cerrito e-waste event which is held 2x’s year and to CARH, the Community Assistance for the Retarded and Handicapped- every couple of months they come to the house and pick up unwanted household items.  CARH also took a lot of the clothing.

The Alameda County Computer Resource Center accepts most electronics and offer free pick-up for Berkeley residents.

I also love the El Cerrito Recycling and Berkeley Recycling Centers.  In addition to recycling your standard plastics and paper, the El Cerrito Recycling Center offers free mulch, has a free community book exchange, and a Goodwill reuse station on its premises.  the Berkeley Recycling Center will take or buy back most materials and appliances.  The Davis Transfer Station in San Leandro also accepts most materials.

We also recycle food scraps in our house.  El Cerrito will allow you to put food scraps in your greenwaste bin which has greatly reduced the amount of trash we have.  As a family of four we were able to downgrade our trash can size to the smallest one.  (I suspect many people are doing this because trash prices keep going up!)

Recycling mattresses?  Ask the retailer you are buying it from if they can recycle your old mattress.  Salvation Army accepts mattresses in good condition, as well as other items such as furniture and clothing.  The Berkeley Transfer Station takes mattresses for $10.

For the compact fluorescent bulbs I was able to drop them off at Ace Hardware.  Home Depot and IKEA will also take them.  EcoLights.com has prepaid return shipping and recycling kits for fluorescent lights, batteries and mercury-containing devices.

The Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Richmond is a fantastic resource for getting rid of things such as batteries, cleaners and solvents, paints, used oil, car products, and pesticides.

I like the free iRecycle iPhone app- it lets you access the national recycling database run by Earth911.org.

Now if only I knew where to start in the garage.

RECYCLING HOTLINES:

Alameda County: 877-STOPWASTE
Contra Costa County: 800-750-4096
Oakland: 510-238-SAVE
Berkeley: 510-527-5555
StopWaste Hazardous Waste: 800-606-6606

To be sure that you don’t miss out on future deals, subscribe to their deal of the day.  I did!

By the way, this is the image from the LivingSocial Deal of the Day that always shows up when I am playing Words With Friends.  I will never go to the paid version of that game so long as they are showing me this delectable cupcake!

Fruitvale BART
South Parking Lot
3401 East 12th St.
Oakland, CA