Buzz in the Burg, Dimond District Style

There’s so much buzz going on in the Dimond District of Oakland these days, I hardly know where to start. New stores are opening.

Arabella and Company, at 2006 MacArthur Boulevard, had their grand opening on Friday. It’s a great place to buy unique furnishings and pieces for your home and garden for yourself or as gifts.

A couple of doors down, New to You, children’s boutique opened at 2010 MacArthur Boulevard. They offer new and gently used children’s clothes, toys, accessories, and furniture.

Further up the street near Coolidge Avenue at 2710 MacArthur Boulevard, Lipstick had a hopping red carpet opening from 7 – 11pm Friday night. It was an extravaganza. Lipstick carries hip fashions for the ladies.

The next new store is technically in the Laurel District, but I’m claiming them because they’re so cool. It’s the Oakland Acupuncture Project at 3576 Laurel Avenue. They offer acupuncture at a very reasonable rated sliding scale.

I’m putting Dimond Café in the new store section because they have literally reinvented themselves. Located at 3430 Fruitvale Avenue, they used to sell primarily donuts and coffee. They now offer coffee, pasties, a café atmosphere, and WiFi.

I’ve also heard another location to get WiFi in the burg is at the Dimond Library located at 3565 Fruitvale Avenue. My sources tell me you can hook onto their WiFi for free.

Besides all these actual openings, a rumor is floating that our beloved Los Comales might be opening up a second Mexican restaurant in the Laurel District. YEAH! There ain’t no better carne asada quesadilla anywhere, than there. Keep your fingers crossed on that one.

New stores aren’t the only happenings in the Dimond. New classes!

Our pals at Paws & Claws are offering a class Sunday, March 30, 2008 5 – 6:15pm on Dealing with End of Life Issues. This free class is offered at Paws & Claws, 2023 MacArthur Boulevard. The speaker is Dr. Gary Richter, D.V.M., M.S. For those of us with pets, this is an important class to attend. We all want to recognize and do what’s best for our four legged friends at the appropriate time. Dr. Richter is going to talk about these delicate issues during this important class.

And let’s give a big “Hooray” for Loka Yoga located at 2701 MacArthur Boulevard. Wonderful Alice has added a children’s yoga class, ages 6 – 9, Wednesdays 4 – 5pm. She has also changed the time of one class and added another to accommodate our 9 to 5ers. She now offers a Tuesday night class levels 1 – 3, from 7:30 – 9:00pm. She added another level 1 – 3 class, Thursday nights from 7:30 – 9:00pm. Her Yoga Sutras class has been moved to the last Friday of the month with an hour of open practice starting at 6pm.

The next class I’m mentioning is not new, nor is it in the Dimond, but I’m claiming this one too because it’s so much fun. It’s the Aqua Maids, water aerobics class in the outdoor pool at Mills College. The class is most Sundays at 9am.

If you’re not into an organized water class, don’t forget you can swim laps throughout the year at the Dimond Park’s heated pool. The pool is located at 3860 Hanly Road.

New stores, new classes – what more could you ask for? More events!

During the month of April, Rita Sklar’s original paintings, entitled “Diversity in Play,” can be seen at the Dimond Library, La Farine (3411 Fruitvale Avenue), Café Diem, and Dimond Café (3430 Fruitvale Avenue). Two receptions will be held to meet the artist. The first will be at Café Diem, Friday, April 18th from 3 – 6:00pm. The second will be at Dimond Café, Wednesday, April 23 from 4 – 6:00pm.

And last but not least, we might be getting an Oktoberfest in the Dimond. YAH!! I can only wish. The rumor mill says some streets will be closed for beer, schnitzel, sauerkraut, and lederhosen. Wooo Hoooo. Polka, baby. It’ll be a huge undertaking, but the rumor mill also says Helen Wyman is thinking about tackling the project. I have my fingers doublely crossed. Helen heads up the Laurel World Music Festival and the Montclair Jazz and Wine Festival every year. She’s the right man, er woman, for the job.

---

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

• Art Up
• Oktoberfest in Oakland’s Dimond District
• DIA Calendar
• The bullying of Wendy Portillo