Lyons Pool - Dimond Park

It’s hot.  Too hot.  This is why I left L.A. many years ago.  Well… just one of the long list of reasons really.

But back to my point. It’s expected to top out near 90 today, so if you’re like me and you’re melting into a puddle of gritty discontent, here are a few sweet spots to cool you down and freshen you up!

1. Lake Temescal - For some, the thought of swimming in non-chlorinated water is not appealing (I’m thinking of my boyfriend’s daughter who said, “EWW! it’s slimy!”) But for me, it’s simply the best. No burning eyes, no itching skin, and you get to swim with the ducks & fishes.  What could be better than that?? See last year’s post Sum Sum Summertime! for more detail and the history of this urban oasis.
   $3 for beach access; $2 for kids/seniors; parking can cost extra
   Open daily 5am to 10pm; lifeguards on duty 11am to 6pm
2. Lyons Pool (Dimond Park) – This outdoor pool set amidst old growth oaks & buckeyes is heated year round and is delicious to step into, especially on cool evenings or foggy mornings. Serious lap-swimmers seem frustrated by its unconventional lanes and warm temperature, but I think this spot is just right, and nowhere near as crowded as Temescal.
   $5 to swim; $4 with multi-pass
   public swim: 2:45pm – 4:15pm M-F; 2:30pm – 4:30pm S/S
   lap swim: 6:30am – 9am/12pm – 2pm/7:30pm – 9pm M-F; 11:15am – 2:15pm S/S
3. Trefethen Aquatic Center (Mills College) – Another lovely outdoor pool complete with hot tub and lawn areas for lounging, I haven’t been to this one in awhile but used to go frequently when friends lived in San Leandro. I’ve heard the pool isn’t chlorinated but uses another technique (oxygenation?), but I can’t confirm this. This one’s also a tad more expensive than other options, but many folks claim this is the nicest pool in Oakland.
   $7 to swim; $5.60 with multi-pass
   check their schedule here, ‘cuz it’s complicated and will be changing next week.
4. Temescal Pool – This one’s a north Oakland favorite for it’s year round heated waters and easy access location. Featuring salinated water which means less chlorine (yay!) and lots of props to modify your swim routine (kickboards, fins, etc) this pool is extremely popular and can be quite crowded when the weather’s nice.
   $5 to swim; $4 with multi-pass
   public swim: 2:45pm – 4:45pm Sat only
   lap swim: 6:30am – 8:30am/12:30pm – 2:30pm/5pm – 7pm M-F; 11am – 2:30pm S/S
5. Roberts Pool (Roberts Regional Recreation Area) – Another glorious heated outdoor pool, right in the middle of a redwood grove. I only put this one last because, sad to say, I haven’t been here yet. But from the descriptions I’ve read, it sounds like best spot for a lazy summer day of play. Fewer lap swim hours and far more public/recreational swim hours.
   $3 for public swim ($2 for kids/seniors); lap swim is $3.50 or $2.50 with multi-pass
   public swim: 3:30pm – 5pm M; 12:30pm – 5pm Tu-F; 11am – 6pm Sat/Sun
   lap swim:7:15pm – 8:15pm M-Th

It’s just got so much going for it… one of the oldest neighborhoods in Oakland, horse drawn carriages used to run up and down what’s now Telegraph Ave.

The food, of course, is a huge draw… everything from the 80 year old Genova Delicatessen – a nod to the neighborhood’s early Italian-immigrant residents; to those established by more recent immigrant groups – Asmara & Red Sea; to gourmet delights like Pizzaiolo and Doñas Tomás; to the home of the original Betty’s (her ginger molasses cookies are so good I want to cry!)

There’s my beloved Tool Library (see yesterday’s post).

And there’s the art… home to Studio One, the Creative Reuse Depot, ever expanding public projects (see below), and numerous galleries… for those who love doing the Art Murmur thing (tonight!) but are a bit put off by the crowds in Uptown, Temescal is a wonderful alternative.  In fact, tonight they’re hosting a special “Summer Art Hop.” With this weather, perhaps they should call it Winter II Art Hop. Either way, I did the first Winter one and it was a blast.

And speaking of the weather, it looks like the Temescal Street Fair has been postponed.  Originally slated for this Sunday (and partly why I decided to do this post today), it’s been put off until July 10th.

I was wondering how they were going to finish this art project (Temescal Flows by Oakland muralist Alan Leon) in time for the festival… now they have another month.

I’ve been watching its progression for several weeks now and while I wasn’t sure I was going to like it initially, I’m growing rather fond of it.  The flowing/waving lines throughout reference the neighborhood’s Temescal Creek, and specific imagery honors the region’s earliest settlers, the Ohlone.

These pics were shot Wednesday and while much has been accomplished, there appears to be much yet to do…

Remember when I wrote about the Temescal traffic boxes? Well some clever artist has taken to adding his/her own enhancements.  Check out these B&W creature stickers…

I really love the bird below… wish I’d gotten closer to get a better shot.

Happy weekend everybody! Hope you stay warm & cozy & dry.

How are the festivities coming along?  Are  you putting the finishing touches on your costume?  Or just scrambling to figure out what the heck you’re going to be?  Whichever, you may want to take a little trip down to the East Bay Depot for Creative Use for some inspiration…

Now located in Temescal (previously in Berkeley), the mission of this wonderful organization, started more than 30 years ago by two Oakland teachers, is three-fold:

1. divert waste from the waste stream through creative recycling and reuse
2. provide low cost materials and supplies for local art, education, and social services
3. increase awareness of the green benefits of reusing materials

How can you not love that? I’ve been a frequent visitor of this venue for years, at both their current and previous locations.  I donated boxes of old CDs and CD cases and bags and bags of old National Geographic and Photo District News magazines. I was thrilled to take these items somewhere where I knew they’d be put to good use… perhaps even transformed into masterful works of art.  Who knows?

On the other side, I’ve purchased everything from goods for my Burningman art project, to rolls of industrial margarine foil to use as goofy wrapping paper. It’s kind of what’s so cool about this place… you never know what you are going to find. And there is definitely some weird stuff to be found.

Where else can you find bins of old doll heads? Or boxes of scientific beakers? Of course there’s the more mainstream stuff too… teachers’ educational materials, fabrics and sewing supplies, arts and craft materials, and much much more, all at prices that can’t be beat.

They also keep busy doing good works in the community. In addition to diverting approximately 400 tons of waste from our landfills each year, they also provide community aid locally, nationally, and even internationally.  For example, right now they are sponsoring a collection drive called “Parkas for Pakistan” to support the 20 million flood victims in Pakistan who are now homeless.

Items most urgently need are winter coats, blankets & comforters, sleeping bags, tents, tarps, etc.  I know I’ve got a few old coats I can get rid of.  How about you? Drive runs through Friday, November 19th. Check link above for drop-off directions.

Whether you’re looking for creative supplies for your kids, your students, or yourself, or just wondering what to do with that pile of junk that’s been sitting in your garage for 3 years or more, the East Bay Depot for Creative Use is a great place to go.

East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. daily, 4695 Telegraph Ave., (510) 547-6470

I love this little thrift shop… which isn’t so little anymore. The Clausen House Thrift Shop recently took over the space next door -  adding their Annex space, which is quite awesome, and at the same time alleviating some of the complaints about their original space.

I checked them out recently on Yelp and was surprised to see they only got 3 stars.  In looking over some of the lower ratings, it seems most complaints were about the crowded chaotic clutter of the original space.  One visitor wrote “This place needs a new face lift.”  Well, it’s gotten it.

Their primary space is still a funky thrift with hit or miss finds.  But then again, that’s half the fun of thrifting… you have to hunt for the treasures. But the space is much more open, organized, and inviting.  I was kind of blown away when I walked in a few weeks ago. “Wow… you guys have really spruced things up a bit!”

Amidst the requisite old records, teacups, and funky furniture, there’s a smorgasbord of stuff to peruse.  Right now they’ve got their costume stuff out front so it might be fun to stop by if you’re still struggling to figure out what you’re going to be for Halloween.  (Tomorrow’s post will feature another hot spot for costuming supplies.)

Their prices are extremely reasonable (in my opinion), and the best part is that the proceeds support the Clausen House, which works in Oakland and the greater East Bay to support people with disabilities.

At CLAUSEN HOUSE, we build self-confidence, teach everyday living skills, and encourage an optimal level of independence in people with developmental disabilities. These vibrant men and women discover opportunities for inclusion in the community while pursuing education, employment, and volunteer work with increasing command over their own lives.

It’s a great cause, and the thrift store itself is even utilized as a training facility for many of the adults served by Clausen House.

But my favorite thing is the new Annex (pictured above). I see the Annex as the upscale arm of this thrift enterprise.  It features primarily antique furniture and art, most of which is really quite lovely.  I purchased an antique Japanese print on silk, gorgeously framed in muted blues, grays, and silver.  I knew it would look perfect in my new kitchen, and the price was right.

I asked the employee about the expansion of their collection and he said the manager had started going to estate sales to acquire inventory, in addition to the regular stream of donations they receive (which are tax deductible by the way). They also accept consignments, splitting proceeds between consignee and the store.

I spotted this Ikki Matsumoto bird print immediately, because we have three of them in our home.  I wanted to round out our collection at four, but the price was a bit steep for me, but actually a very good value for one of his original signed prints.

Ikki is an internationally renowned artist. Born in Tokyo, he moved to the United States as a young adult to study art. He worked for many years as an illustrator and graphic designer in advertising, but eventually grew discontent. He and his wife moved to Sanibel Island, Florida to work on fine art and open their own gallery – this influence is seen in his many bird and fish prints. Other claims to fame include illustrating several editions of The Joy of Cooking, and painting an Easter egg for then First Lady Nancy Reagan – it’s now permanently stored in the Smithsonian Museum.

If you’re looking for a great place to buy reasonably priced art or antiques, I highly recommend the Annex. Or if you’re in the mode of purging rather than acquiring, consider taking your donations to Clausen Thrift. You’ll be supporting a great cause either way.

Clausen House Thrift & Annex
4834 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609

HOURS:   Mon-Fri 11am – 6pm, Sat/Sun 12pm – 5pm