Archive for Emeryville
Cal Picked To Finish Second In 2009 Pac-10 Preseason Media Poll
Posted by: | CommentsFootball season is upon us! Thank goodness.
Here at OakWalk, we can look over to the Cal campus, so it’s cool to know they have a chance of taking the Pac 10 this year. But there is just one small problem. Guess who is ranked #1? Yes indeed, my loyal alma mater, USC, which will most likely be dominating the league again this year.
But nevertheless, Cal has an exciting year of football lined up, and I look forward to heading over to the stadium. I’ll be happy to root for them on every game except for one, on October 3rd, which sadly is Cal’s homecoming against USC. So who planned that one? Aren’t the home teams supposed to win on their homecoming?
Here are the entire Pac-10 rankings from the 2009 Media Poll:
1) USC
2) California
3) Oregon
4) Oregon State
5) Arizona State
6) Stanford
7) UCLA
8) Arizona
9) Washington
10) Washington State
Cal opens its 2009 season against Maryland at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept.5 (7 p.m. PT). For 2009 Cal football tickets, visit the ticket page at CalBears.com or call (800) GO BEARS.
Here is the complete 2009 Cal Football schedule. Be sure to catch that game on October 3rd.
Would anyone like to comment on Media Poll? It seems accurate to me of course. Stanford fans may disagree because of that one minor incident two years ago. So feel free to comment, but remember that we’ll put it to the test on Nov 14th with USC vs. Stanford, so don’t go printing millions of t-shirts again. Interestingly from a planning perspective, that’s USC’s homecoming game too.
Article by Stuart Gruendl. Stuart is the developer of OakWalk, and an Oakland native (but USC alumni).
Clif Bar Headquarters Coming to Emeryville
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The hip Emeryville employer scene just keeps growing! Clif Bar & Co. just announced this past week that they are moving their headquarters from Berkeley to Emeryville in the coming year. Clif Bar is known well for their popular energy and nutrition bars, even my kids seem to know all of the varieties.
I’m especially excited since I’ve known Gary Erickson, the Owner and Founder of Clif Bar, and his wife Kit for many years now. They are big on the environment and have been stakeholders in the area for over 20 years. This is a big homecoming of sorts for them. They started Clif Bar in Emeryville and are now returning!
I think having the headquarters back here in Emeryville will be a nice addition to the already impressive list of employers in the area.
The EmeryTech building (not too far from Oakwalk) is where Clif Bar has rented out over 115,000 square feet, and signed a contract saying they will be there until at least 2024. This building actually just went through a renovation adding some fresh architecture to the city. The property owners are also pursuing a LEED Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council, which is part of the reason Clif Bar & Co decided to move.
With all this new space, Clif Bar is adding everything from a brand new gym, daycare, kitchen, theater, bike garage, and even a hair salon. If they are hiring, it would make for a pretty 
cool place to work.
And by the way, if any of my readers happen to work at Clif Bar, I really love the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut (just in case you see a few lying around or something).
Article by Stuart Gruendl. Stuart is the developer of OakWalk, and an Oakland native.
More to the Townhouse Bar & Grill Than You Might Think
Posted by: | CommentsAs I mentioned in one of my previous articles, one of my favorite restaurants in Emeryville is the Townhouse Bar & Grill. Since that article was posted, I’ve learned a whole lot more about the long and colorful history of the restaurant. I think it’s worth sharing for a whole new perspective when you go.
The building has actually been around since 1926 when the first owner, Frank Mesnickow, built the western themed hangout. He managed to make it through the prohibition era (not 
sure how he did that), but then rented it out to a guy named Joe Vernetti in 1936. Vernetti kept the place for about forty years and maintained its reputation as a popular neighborhood hangout.
At that point it was sold to Tom Wenaas and Jim Carnitato, who started hiring live musicians to come entertain at The Townhouse. I hear there was even a CD made of some of the performances called “Townhouse Live”. The building just got better with time.
Then in 1989, the current owner of the restaurant, Chef Ellen Hope Rosenberg, bought the Townhouse and decided to change things up a bit, all in the name of keeping with the times. She decided to get rid of the dark hangout vibe and added some elegance and warmth to the place. The Townhouse now has a new bar, lots of light and lots of flowers. The menu also went through a change (for the better I think), and it gets rave reviews across the board from both new visitors and the “regulars”.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Townhouse is a great choice for a party venue. There’s a dining area that seats over 100 people (a few less if you want to add a band and dancing), and the party can move outside too with the new patio.
On top of all that, if you enjoy jazz, they even have live Jazz on Wednesdays and Thursdays. All this, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from Oakwalk.
Article by Stuart Gruendl. Stuart is the developer of OakWalk, and an Oakland native.
So You Think You Can (or Can’t) Dance?
Posted by: | CommentsYou might be surprised to hear about how many different kinds of dance lessons are offered in the Emeryville area, everything from ballroom to funk to Irish dancing. I’ve come across many opportunities for FREE dance classes, so I wanted to make sure I pass this great info along to you all.
Here are some of the best dance studios and classes I’ve heard about in the area (although it hasn’t really helped my two left feet much). Feel free to add to this list in the comments below the article if you know of other good dance spots to share.
The Allegro Ballroom on 5855 Christie Avenue is a non-profit dance studio that offers a variety of classes daily, for most ages and abilities. You can reach them at510-655-2888, and here are some of the classes they offer: FREE Dance Lessons for Children: Children ages 10-18 are eligible, and they focus on a different dance style each month (July is the Rumba, August is the Salsa), parents can participate too. The emphasis is usually on Latin steps, particularly the salsa. Saturdays, 2-3 p.m., ages 10-18. Walk-in’s are okay, but they recommend starting at the beginning of the month so you can learn the dance from start to finish. Salsa Thursdays at 7:00pm for just $7 bucks.
Spice Up Your Children’s Lives with Dance — Pee-Wee Group: The Youth Dance Program introduces kids to the ballroom dancing. Saturdays, 3-4pm, for $5 bucks.
Spice Up Your Children’s Lives with Dance — Teen Group: The Youth Dance Program introduces teens to ballroom dancing. Saturdays, 3-4pm, for $5 bucks.
Just down the street from OakWalk (on San Pablo) is the Hand to Hand Kajukenbo Self Defense Center that usually offers traditional martial arts training and self defense classes. Saturday mornings the Dream Dance Company teaches the “Dream Weekly Urban Dance Class”. It’s an all-levels dance class in hip-hop, funk, house, breaking, salsa, samba, and more, for only $5-$7 per class. You can call them at 510-428-0502 to get more details, or visit HandtoHandKajukenbo.com.
And to top it off, how about adding some Irish dancing to the mix? The Starry Plough is an Irish Pub over in Berkeley, and you can stop by on Monday nights for a traditional Irish Dance and Music session. Lessons start at 7:00pm and the dancing starts at 9:00pm. Best part is it’s free (the dancing, not the beer). For more information, give them a call at 510-841-2082, or visit The Starry Plough Pub.
Hope you have fun!
Article by Stuart Gruendl. Stuart is the developer of OakWalk, and an Oakland native.
Don’t miss the Berkeley Kite Festival!
Posted by: | CommentsIf you have kids, or just want to be a kid, you should head over to the annual Berkeley Kite Festival next weekend at the Berkeley Marina. It’s on July 25th & 26th 2009, from 11:00AM – 5:00PM, it’s free, and the Berkeley Marina is only 5 miles away.
You should definitely pick up a schedule so you can stay for certain events. They usually have rokkaku kite battles (where people try to cut other kites by rubbing their strings against each other’s) and a candy drop where they drop candy from a big kite in the air. You can imagine the kid scene with that one! They also have competitions with the Bay Area Sport Kite League, traditional kites from Japan, giant creature kites, and the awesome Team Kite Ballet event.
There are tons of food booths, free kite making for kids, and a designated area along the ridge for families and their kites. Each area of the festival will give you a different taste of what kiting is all about.
I would bring a blanket to sit on, a picnic lunch, a kite or two, and a sweater. One little warning, the parking can be tough. If you don’t mind walking, you could go over the pedestrian/bike bridge from the other side of the freeway (enter from Addison Street, just a couple of blocks off University on the opposite side of Spengers). Otherwise, I would go well before the official opening to save a lot of frustration with parking. If it’s a sunny and slightly windy day, then it’s perfect weather for a trip to the Kite Festival at Berkeley Marina. Everyone should go at least once.
Article by Stuart Gruendl. Stuart is the developer of OakWalk, and an Oakland native.
*Pictures Courtesy of www.highlinekites.com
Emeryville Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Luncheon on July 23rd
Posted by: | CommentsWith the state of our economy these days, I think just about everyone is curious about predictions for the future. The 6th Annual Economic Outlook Luncheon should be very interesting with guest speaker Dr. Tom Campbell delivering the keynote address titled “The National and State Economy, and the Budget Process at Each Level.”
Dr. Campbell has served on the Joint Economic Committee in Congress, the State Senate Budget Committee in Sacramento, and was Finance Director of the State of California. Usually these luncheons are interactive, with opportunities to share thoughts and discuss the issues directly with the speaker.
Everyone is invited to attend, and it is a pretty unique opportunity to gain direct access to one of the most knowledgeable economic minds in the United States.
The luncheon takes place on Thursday, July 23rd at Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto in Berkeley from 11:30 a.m. Price is $35 for Chamber members, $45 for non-members. Hope to see you there.
You can visit the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce website to get more information and to register for the event, or call 510-652-5223.
Article by Stuart Gruendl. Stuart is the developer of OakWalk, and an Oakland native.
Chocolate Anyone?
Posted by: | CommentsThere is a chocolate gem in Emeryville that has secretly been giving locals the royal treatment and this place is too good to keep secret! Charles Chocolates Factory Store and Chocolate Bar on Hollis Street in Emeryville will knock your socks off.
Right now they have a summertime classic gone posh with their “Charles Chocolate S’mores”. No longer will s’mores be reserved for camping. These s’mores have a healthy slab of bittersweet chocolate and a square of homemade marshmallow that is browned to perfection (that perfect brown color that we all strive to achieve). Talk about bringing back those campfire memories. Although I must say my memories with marshmallows tend to be of the blackened variety, so I enjoy these much more. You can only get these treats through August, so don’t wait too long.
They also offer a free guided factory tour where you can watch the chef make the chocolates. The tours are every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.
The fun doesn’t stop there. They have the most unique summer movie series I’ve ever seen. It’s a tradition at Charlie’s Chocolates, and they show eight free movies on the second and fourth Friday in June, July, August and September. But you don’t just sit and watch a movie, they actually pair amazing food to go along with the theme of the movie. In addition to “cooked to order” s’mores and a different flavored caramel corn for each movie, they bring in some fantastic catered food to complement the whole experience.
The movies start about 9 p.m., and the food and snacks are available for purchase starting at 6:30pm. They also serve coffee and their famous hot chocolate. Here is a list of the movies coming up, along with the companion dinner:
- July 10 – Soul Food. Soul Food Truck. Pecan Praline Caramel Corn.
- July 24 – Tortilla Soup. Taco Truck. Mexican Chocolate Caramel Corn.
- August 14th – Babette’s Feast. Caramel Corn with hazelnuts and chocolate.
- August 28th – Ratatouille. Creme brulee prepared by Charles Chocolates.
- September 11th – Pizza. Pizza for sale by Rotten City Pizza.
- September 25th – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
They don’t provide chairs, so you need to bring your own chairs, couch, blanket, or whatever you’d like to sit on. This event has become popular, so you should make reservations to guarantee your spot. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/67610
For those who enjoy a good chocolate fix on a regular basis, the good news is Charles Chocolates is only a five minute drive from OakWalk (or 1.5 miles to walk it off if you prefer).
Enjoy, I know you will!
Article by Stuart Gruendl. Stuart is the developer of OakWalk, and an Oakland native.
Bay Street in Emeryville is Full of Entertainment
Posted by: | CommentsI was just recently over at Bay Street Emeryville and was surprised to see so many activities besides shopping. It has a fun “eclectic urban village” feel, a great location near the Bay (it’s right off the Bay Bridge), and a ton of free entertainment making it a wonderful place to hang out with friends or family.
You might stroll by a 5 piece band, a comedy juggler, or even a pole walker. Bay Street Emeryville also hosts the City of Emeryville’s summer concert series which has a great lineup this summer. The next concert is on July 25th with a band called Relica (80’s Rock), and they play in the Bay Street Pavilion starting at 1:30pm. Here is a list of some of the other entertainment going on at Bay Street this month:
Thomas John, Comedy & Juggling: 07/12/09
| Gomer Hendrix, Rock/Funk Fusion: 07/12/09 2-4 PM
Horns A Plenty, 5-Piece Brass Band: 07/17/09 7-9 PM Darryl Johnson, Saxophonist: Smooth Jazz: 07/17/09 Mitchel Barrett, Comedy, Juggling & Rope Walking: 07/18/09 Em K, Solo Acoustic Guitarist: 07/18/09 3-5 PM Wave Array, Alternative/Experimental: 07/19/09 3-5 PM Merrie Mary, Unique Pole Walker: 07/19/09 CLASSIFIED BAND, Rock/Jazz/Funk: 07/24/09 7-9 PM City of Emeryville’s Summer Concert: 07/25/09 1:30-3:30 PM Dave Badilla, Rock: 07/26/09 12-2 PM Bronkar Lee: 07/26/09 Tom Duarte, Latin-Fusion: 07/31/09 Randi Ray, Acoustic Guitar & Vocals: 07/31/09 6-8 PM |
For the entire Bay Street event calendar, click here.
My wife told me about another Bay Street activity called “Stroller Strides”. It’s a fitness for mom, and fun for baby, exercise class. Seems like a great way to get in shape, meet other moms and have fun with your baby all at the same time. I was told they meet in front of Old Navy on Friday mornings at 9:00am, but you can get more information at www.strollerstrides.net/eastbay.
I also wanted to mention that Bay Street, like other Emeryville corporations, is focused on contributing positively to the neighborhood and community of Emeryville. In a previous article, I talked about the fortune of Anna Yates Elementary School in Emeryville. As another example, Bay Street has an Annual Bay Street Beat Arts & Music Festival, and last year $5,000 was donated to the Anna Yates Elementary School Library as a result of the event.
In case you were wondering, the Emery GoRound free shuttle service provides a quick (7 minutes or so) ride between BART and Bay Street Emeryville. You can find the schedule here: http://www.emerygoround.com/schedules.htm
Hope you enjoy Bay Street!
Article by Stuart Gruendl. Stuart is the developer of OakWalk, and an Oakland native.
Emeryville Past, Present and Future
Posted by: | CommentsI think most people who have lived in the Bay Area for a long time have some sort of pre-conceived notion about Emeryville. In fact, for some people I think the words Emeryville and IKEA are synonymous. But have you been here lately? I know I’ve mentioned in a previous article how much Emeryville has changed, but I’m not the only one talking about it. I just read a great article about the old Emeryville, the current Emeryville, and a pretty exciting vision for the future of Emeryville. Even though I’m a developer and knew about most of this transformation (hence the reason we built OakWalk), it’s nice to know that the word is spreading and everyone else is beginning to notice too.
“Emeryville has evolved into a modern and eclectic city known for its upscale condos, vibrant nightlife, windswept marina and ubiquitous public art” says Dana Perrigan in a recent San Francisco Chronicle article on June 21, 2009. It also references the vision for Emeryville which describes a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city with distinctive neighborhoods, more parks and a town center. I don’t know about you, but I’m quite impressed with what I’m seeing in Emeryville. And that doesn’t even include the growing technology hub in this city with companies like Pixar Animation Studios, Novartis, LeapFrog, Sendmail, and MobiTV. Those companies are also definitely changing the vibe and culture in Emeryville.
Take a look at this article, I think you’ll be quite surprised: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/21/RE6A187O6S.DTL&type=realestate
Anna Yates is one lucky Elementary School in Emeryville
Posted by: | CommentsAnd when I say “one lucky school”, I mean that literally. Anna Yates Elementary School is the only elementary school in Emeryville. What makes them lucky? Well there are a lot of successful (and generous) companies here in Emeryville, and these companies have been donating money and time left and right to the Emery Ed Fund. Since there are only two schools in this district, Anna Yates Elementary School is getting a lot of attention. I call that a very lucky school!
I keep hearing the news about other schools in the Bay Area that are cutting programs because of all the state funding cuts, but I don’t see that here. While most schools are cutting, these guys are adding. You can thank the Emery Ed Fund and all of the support they get from companies like Pixar, Amyris and Novartis (among many others) for that. Anna Yates Elementary School just had a $7 million plus remodel. Corporations are really standing behind the two schools and supporting very progressive and leading edge programs. With their contributions to the Emery Ed Fund, they support grants for teachers, art programs, the Math Science Technology Initiative, summer programs, scholarships, and have their own employees donating volunteer hours at the schools.
Because of all of the generosity (financially and through tons of volunteerism) and the Emery Ed Fund, Anna Yates Elementary School has created a pretty unique and sought after environment for kids. It’s also part of a small community oriented school district (separate from Oakland) so it has different rules, different programs, and a different teaching culture. It’s such a happening place (I don’t think I’ve ever said that about an elementary school), and it has turned into quite a neighborhood magnet.
And lucky for OakWalk residents, Anna Yates Elementary School is literally across the street. It feels pretty good knowing you can walk to the one and only elementary school in Emeryville. Parents love being so close to their kids, who wouldn’t? I would have loved to walk my kids to school across the street, instead of driving for miles to get there. And to top it off, nothing beats knowing your kids are going to a GREAT school right across the street.
Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below.
Article by Stuart Gruendl. Stuart is the developer of OakWalk, and an Oakland native.
