The Voice of East Bay Living

In the heart of Oakland is another real jewel-Lake Merritt.  In 1870, this magical tidal lagoon  was declared the first wildlife refuge in the United States.  Indeed it is a natural haven for all kinds of birds including Canadian Geese, Herons, Egrets, ducks and pelicans. These wonderful birds feel totally at home and put on a wonderful display of their daily life and habits. It is a great place to meet and do a Walkie-Talkies as my  friends call it - 3.1 miles around the lake. At night , the combination of the resident gondola gliding across the still waters and the 3,400 bulbs of lights that form a necklace of lights around the lake, create an alluring nocturnal environment.

Art Murmur is really something beyond a Murmur these days-it is really something to talk about! Showcasing nearly 1,000 artists per year, downtown Oakland rolls out the red carpet the first Friday of every month where 21 member galleries feature the latest works of many talented artists.to expand in the excitement, hundreds of street vendors and bands gather along Telegraph Ave. outside the galleries where young and old mingle and enjoy the merriment. The event is free and open to the public from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Check out their website for a map of the galleries and more information.

One of the many jewels of the East Bay is the Berkeley Symphony , which was founded in 1969.  Originally the performances took place at unusual locations such as the University Art Museum.  In 1978  Kent Nagano become the new music director, uplifting the image and gradually moving the orchestra to performances at Zellerbach Hall.  I attended one of these great performances last nite.  The presentation was called The Rebels, a wonderful blend of past inspiration and fresh talent. One of the most exciting members of the orchestra is the conductor, Joan Carneiro of Portugal.  She has been the Music Director since 2009 and has been acknowledged for her talent and introducing many innovative  new works.