Comments on: Celebrating the holiday season in Oakland

By: Coolhand Luke

Coolhand Luke — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:44:25 +0000

Lol. Sorry to be harsh Patrick. I just get easily defensive when people automatically equate Oakland with murder. I shouldn’t be so quick to be hostile tho, and for that i apologize. Ur remark seemed sarcastic, yet also quite serious, and I see similar comments on here every so often and feel a need to retort. But again, i don’t know you. In any case, I have never experienced violence on Picardy. And with so many folks admiring the lights, my guess is that crime would be less likely.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:13:02 +0000

Wow. I just reread all that. Am I a victim of fear or of prejudice? Either way, I lose.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:20:03 +0000

Coolhand, I own a home in East Oakland. It is simply that particular area does not seem to be safe at night, as of late.

By: Coolhand Luke

Coolhand Luke — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:02:59 +0000

Patrick, Yes there are hella people, but if you would like to contribute to the demonization of East Oakland, we would rather not have you anyway. I didn’t say it was Disneyland, I said it was a place where folks congregate and see great Christmas lights. Have fun in Pleasanton or wherever you would rather visit this Holiday season

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:24:30 +0000

Other things to see and do Holiday wise:

Tilden Park Carousel. Done up in festive display. Open till 8:30 PM. Santa there Monday and Tuesday. http://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden

The Zoo lights can be fun.

The Mormon Temple has a nice out door display as well, if you can get over their support of prop. 8.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 18:33:55 +0000

Enjoy the parade everybody! I’m at work. Bah humbug.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 18:32:00 +0000

Ummm…there have been 6 murders within half a mile of Picardy Drive in the past 60 days. I want to see lights, not Pearly Gates. Or is it so famous that there are lots of people?

By: Coolhand Luke

Coolhand Luke — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 09:34:10 +0000

Patrick, the most famous in Oakland is Picardy Drive in East Oakland by Mills College. My fam has cruised through there every year my entire life. Thompson is nice too, but Picardy is the OG, the most memorable and the Town alternative. Please go see it.

By: Izzy Ort

Izzy Ort — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:02:01 +0000

Patrick, Thompson Avenue in Alameda, about half a mile over the High Street Bridge, turn left, always has a good display. It’s a fairly long block with a wide grass median with redwood trees. Nearly every house is lit, and the grass median is lit.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:33:47 +0000

Anyone know of any particularly good (residential) Christmas light displays around these parts? I’m pretty proud of my yearly effort, but it pales in comparison to most. Of course I limit myself to LEDs…