{"id":111651,"date":"2025-12-28T21:48:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T21:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/111651\/"},"modified":"2025-12-28T21:48:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T21:48:13","slug":"ceo-of-oakland-as-addresses-community-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/111651\/","title":{"rendered":"CEO of Oakland A\u2019s Addresses Community Concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Wanda Ravernell\n<\/p>\n

I have always liked Christmas lights.<\/p>\n

From my desk at my front window, I feel a quiet joy when the lights on the house across the street come on just as night falls.\n<\/p>\n

On the block where I grew up in the 1960s, it was an unwritten agreement among the owners of those row homes to put up holiday lights: around the front window and door, along the porch banister, etc. Some put the Christmas tree in the window, and you could see it through the open slats of the blinds.\n<\/p>\n

My father, the renegade of the block, made no effort with lights, so my mother hung a wreath with two bells in the window. Just enough to let you know someone was at home.\n<\/p>\n

Two doors down was a different story. Mr. King, the overachiever of the block, went all out for Christmas: The tree in the window, the lights along the roof and a Santa on his sleigh on the porch roof.\n<\/p>\n

There are a few \u2018Mr. Kings\u2019 in my neighborhood.\n<\/p>\n

In particular is the gentleman down the street. For Halloween, they erected a 10-foot skeleton in the yard, placed \u2018shrunken heads\u2019 on fence poles, pumpkins on steps and swooping bat wings from the porch roof. They have not held back for Christmas.<\/p>\n

\"Charles<\/a>TrendingCharles R. Drew Univ. Launches M.D. Program as Newsom Announces COVID Emergency End<\/a><\/p>\n

The skeleton stayed up this year, this time swathed in lights, as is every other inch of the house front. It is a light show that rivals the one in the old Wanamaker\u2019s department store in Philadelphia.\n<\/p>\n

I would hate to see their light bill\u2026\n<\/p>\n

As the shortest day of the year approaches, make Mr. King\u2019s spirit happy and get out and see the lights in your own neighborhood, shopping plazas and merchant areas.\n<\/p>\n

Here are some places recommended by 510 Families and Johnny FunCheap.\n<\/p>\n

Oakland\n<\/p>\n

Oakland\u2019s Temple Hill Holiday Lights and Gardens is the place to go for a drive-by or a leisurely stroll for a religious holiday experience. Wear a jacket, because it\u2019s chilly outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at 4220 Lincoln Ave., particularly after dark. The gardens are open all day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the lights on from dusk until closing.\n<\/p>\n

Alameda\n<\/p>\n

Just across the High Street Bridge from Oakland, you\u2019ll find Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda.\n<\/p>\n

On Thompson Avenue between High Street and Fernside drive, displays range from classic trees and blow-ups to a comedic response to the film \u201cThe Nightmare Before Christmas.\u201d Lights turn on at dusk and can be seen through the first week in January.\n<\/p>\n

Berkeley\n<\/p>\n

The Fourth Street business district from University Avenue to Virginia Street in Berkeley comes alive with lights beginning at 5 p.m. through Jan. 1, 2026.\n<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a display at one house at 928 Arlington St., and, for children, the Tilden Park Carousel Winter Wonderland runs through Jan. 4, 2026. Closed Christmas Day. For more information and tickets, call (510) 559-1004.\n<\/p>\n

Richmond\n<\/p>\n

The Sundar Shadi Holiday Display, featuring a recreation of the town of Bethlehem with life-size figures, is open through Dec. 26 at 7501 Moeser Lane in El Cerrito.\n<\/p>\n

Marin County\n<\/p>\n

In Marin, the go-to spot for \u2018oohs and ahhs\u2019 is the Holiday Light Spectacular from 4-9 p.m. through Jan. 4, 2026, at Marin Center Fairgrounds at 10 Ave of the Flags in San Rafael through Jan. 4. Displays dazzle, with lighted walkways and activities almost daily. For more info, go to: www.marincounty.gov\/departments\/cultural-services\/department-sponsored-events\/holiday-light-spectacular<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

The arches at Marin County Civic Center at 3501 Civic Center Dr. will also be illuminated nightly.\n<\/p>\n

San Francisco\n<\/p>\n

Look for light installations in Golden Gate Park, chocolate and cheer at Ghirardelli Square, and downtown, the ice rink in Union Square and the holiday tree in Civic Center Plaza are enchanting spots day and night. For neighborhoods, you can\u2019t beat the streets in Noe Valley, Pacific Heights, and Bernal Heights. For glee and over-the-top glitz there\u2019s the Castro, particularly at 68 Castro Street.\n<\/p>\n

Livermore\n<\/p>\n

The winner of the 2024 Great Light Flight award, Deacon Dave has set up his display with a group of creative volunteers at 352 Hillcrest Avenue since 1982. See it through Jan. 1, 2026. For more info, go to https:\/\/www.casadelpomba.com<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Fremont\n<\/p>\n

Crippsmas Place is a community of over 90 decorated homes with candy canes passed out nightly through Dec. 31. A tradition since 1967, the event features visits by Mr. and Mrs. Claus on Dec. 18 and Dec. 23 and entertainment by the Tri-M Honor Society at 6 p.m. on Dec. 22. Chrippsmas Place is located on: Cripps Place,\u00a0Asquith Place,\u00a0Nicolet Court,\u00a0Wellington Place, Perkins Street, and the stretch of\u00a0Nicolet Avenue between Gibraltar Drive and Perkins Street.\n<\/p>\n

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