Advertise | About Us | My Account | Log In

 

Around Town

 

 

Little Shop of Horrors

by Jamie Andrade

Heather Lucas photographed by Craig Merrill

 

Every October, as the witching hour grows near, something scary happens in Alameda. Gaslight Emporium, the Lincoln Avenue store known for its antiques, handmade candy and love of old-fashioned holidays, transforms into The Little Shop of Halloween Horrors, filling with costumes, cobwebs and creepy Halloween kitsch. (Guillotine, anyone?)

Store owner Tommie Veirs recalls that Gaslight, which opened in 1985, has always carried Halloween items, but it was not until the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 and Oakland Hills fire of 1991 that the holiday took on a larger importance. "People suddenly needed an outlet to relax, escape stress and confront their fears in a safe way," she says. Halloween offered just that.
Holiday preparation starts as early as March, when Veirs and her family (including daughters-in-law and employees, Heather and Susan) attend Chicago's famous Halloween Trade Show, ordering only the most original and intricate products. The merchandise arrives as early as May, and customers often begin calling in June to learn the date of the store's annual opening party (Sept. 23 this year).
The shop has something for everyone-from customers looking to throw an elegant party to those seeking gruesome, grisly costumes. Several decor favorites will return this year-including Evil Annie, a realistic looking (and sounding) animatronics zombie girl. A corner of the store dubbed "Demonico's Deli" offers faux party menu items like spaghetti with fingers.
The festivities continue throughout October. On Oct. 21, visitors can have their picture taken (free) in the store's coffin or guillotine. Themed sale days offer 15 percent off any costume or accessory that fits into said theme (occult day is Oct. 18, pirate day is Oct. 25). Procrastinators can take advantage of a special Oct. 27 Midnight Madness sale and save 40 percent off everything in the store from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. The store also holds three contests: pumpkin carving, outdoor/indoor home decor and costume creativity.
With everything the spooky shop offers, it's easy to see why Veirs loves the holiday so much. "Its a 'me' holiday with no real obligations," she says. "People can get as into it as they wish."
For spooky fun, visit Gaslight Emporium, 1708 Lincoln Ave., (510) 522-1900.

Eating Alameda

by Julia Park
photo by Lane Hartwell

WHEN YOUR WAITER ARRIVES, YOU SAY, "I'll have the Alameda." The bartender asks for your order, and you say, "I'd like an Alameda." So, what does ordering the Alameda get you? Several local hot spots offer an Alameda special of one kind or another. Like Sushi House (2375 Shoreline Drive, 510-865-0999), starring the delicious Alameda Roll ($5.95), a succulent morsel that looks as cool and texturally diverse as the first mouthful proves: crab meat, unagi and flying fish roe wrapped with sliced English cucumber and topped with the special house sauce.
Across town, Yokohama (1427 Webster St., 510-522-2945) brings it on in style with the Alameda Bridge ($36). A meal, not a morsel, this sushi supper includes ample helpings of nigiri, dragon roll, California roll, tempura roll, gyoza and sashimi (plus miso, salad and rice). Delivered on a wooden bridge tray, it's an Island feast for the taste buds-bring friends for this one.
Too early for sushi? Stop in at Albert's Café (1541 Webster St., 510-523-4600) for breakfast and order up the Alameda Cheese Omelet, made with three eggs, ground beef, bell peppers and onion, served with potatoes and toast for $6.75.
Despite an exhaustive search around Island alehouses, we couldn't turn up an official Alameda beverage-until we met two enterprising bartenders at the Lost Weekend Lounge (2320 1/2 Santa Clara Ave., 510-523-4700). Donna Church and Aricka Irwin (pictured) recently concocted the Alameda cocktail ($6): kaffir lime-infused Hangar One Vodka (made here on the Island), pineapple juice and a dash of grenadine on the rocks in a highball glass, with lime and cherry garnishes. It looks retro, tastes fabulous and as one tester put it, "It's tropical enough for an Island, simple enough for anyone to make." Order one up next time you're thirsting for a hometown beverage.

About an Author

One Smart Dummy

by Julia Park
photo by Al Wright

WHAT'S SO SMART ABOUT BEING A DUMMY? Lots, if you're Alamedan Kevin Daum, co-author of Building Your Own Home for Dummies (Wiley Publishing Inc.). The series has become famous for guiding "dummies," i.e., most of us, through all sorts of tasks, and Daum's book is no different. It's billed as "the complete custom home guide-from foundations to financing," with construction tips, loan advice and the guidance needed to balance wants and musts within a budget.
The book takes the reader through all the steps of building a custom home (at least in a general sense): selecting a site, working with architects and contractors, managing construction and avoiding common pitfalls.
Daum's expertise is in the financing of your dream home. "The most common mistake people make is that it's more conservative to put money into your project. You've got to look at the big picture, the whole project, and don't nickel and dime it." He also writes about how creative financing can actually be more fiscally conservative than going headlong into debt. "Hoard your cash," he advises.
Daum, who has lived in Alameda with his family since 1993 (he's an East Ender), says Building Your Own Home for Dummies has done well, selling upwards of 25,000 books. Get your copy at local bookstores, www.dummies.com or Daum's Web site, www.stratfordfinancial.com.

Move Over Harry Potter

by Noelle Robbins
photo by Lane Hartwell

ALAMEDAN BRIAN WONG is an award-winning abstract/classical music composer, a martial arts enthusiast and a published author who recently released the first installment of a fantasy trilogy. And, by the way, he's 11 years old.
Wong, a Lincoln Middle School sixth grader, is the author of The Aader, the first book in his Dragondaire Trilogy (iUniverse.Inc). Wong began writing The Aader at 9-his fingers flying across the keyboard at 80 words per minute. Sixty thousand words later, Wong finds himself receiving local acclaim and international attention.
"It simply does not occur to him to do mediocre work. He is destined for great things," says teacher Clyde Wilson of his former fifth-grade student, who has made the nightly news on KPIX Chinese Channel 26 and graced the front page of Sing Tao USA, the top Chinese language newspaper in America.
Wong maintains serene focus through all this excitement-not unlike his novel's main character, 16-year-old Aaden Oaks, a simple farm boy who discovers adventure and danger in a world inhabited by dragons and elves. Ultimately, his hero will face an epic battle between good and evil. The final outcome? Still unknown. Even Wong, halfway through book two, doesn't yet know all the twists and turns to come.
What he does know is that he wants his success to "inspire kids my age to follow their dreams." Wong's Chinese name translates as "do very well, benefit the people," and as a newly published author, he's determined to do just that.

Oakland Raiders: 2006 Preview

by Amanda Cherrin

THE PAST THREE YEARS HAVEN'T BEEN EASY for the Raider Nation. Since being crowned AFC champs in 2003, the Raiders have won a total of 13 games-but things are looking up in the Black Hole after a series of key offseason acquisitions, including the rehiring of former head coach Art Shell. Here's a look at a few playmakers who could help the silver and black get back on track in 2006:
AARON BROOKS (Quarterback)
After spending the bulk of his career in New Orleans-where he became the only quarterback in Saints' history to throw for 3,500 yards and 20 touchdowns in four straight years-Brooks found a new team (and star receiver Randy Moss) last March when he signed with Oakland.





ROBERT GALLERY (Tackle)
The No. 2 overall selection in the 2004 draft, Gallery spent his first two years in Oakland starting at right tackle to accommodate veteran Barry Sims. This year, Gallery moves to left tackle where he won the Outland Trophy (awarded to the nation's best interior lineman) in college.





MICHAEL HUFF (Defensive Back)
"He has to be one of the best cover safeties in the league right now-without even playing a game," defensive back Jarrod Cooper has said of the team's 2006 first-round draft pick, who fills the hole left by the departed Charles Woodsen.





RANDY MOSS (Wide Receiver)
Racking up 634 receptions for 10,147 yards and 98 touchdowns in eight seasons, Moss is one of the best receivers in NFL history. After seven record-setting seasons with Minnesota, the five-time Pro Bowl player made his debut in silver and black last year.





WARREN SAPP (Defensive Tackle)
Before tearing his rotator cuff in November 2005, the 11-year veteran was having his best season since joining the Raiders in 2003. The seven-time Pro Bowler returns for a 12th season this year, ready to pick right up where he left off.

 

100 Years of Benevolence

by Keith Gleason

AS RESIDENTS OF THE BAY AREA commemorate the centennial of the San Francisco earthquake and fire, the Alameda Lodge No. 1015 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks celebrates its own founding 100 years ago.
If Alamedans know nothing else about their own Elks Club, they are probably familiar with the Lodge's large white building, which sits next to City Hall on Santa Clara Avenue. The grounds, which extend back to Lincoln Avenue, also contain the original 1906 structure.
Like the national organization-which began in New York City in 1868 as a social club but quickly changed its purpose to one of benevolence-the Alameda Elks have a long tradition of supporting charitable causes.
Each year, the lodge donates $12,000 for the education of disabled children and grants four $1,000 college scholarships to local students.
"People here really care for one another and others in need," says Tony Santare, the Leading Knight of the Alameda Lodge. "In these dog-eat-dog days, it's refreshing to see people who are willing to go out and help other people."
--Keith Gleason