Columnists

UnderCurrents:Lamenting Brown’s Artful Oakland Dodge

J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday June 16, 2006

When my good friend, Wilson Riles Jr., ran against Jerry Brown for mayor of the City of Oakland four years ago, I thought he made two major mistakes. The first mistake was that he waited too long to go after Brown’s record as mayor. The second was that he did the going himself. -more-


Richmond Museum Highlights City’s Hispanic History

Marta Yamamoto, Special to the Planet
Friday June 16, 2006

Siempre Aqui. Always here. Two words that simply convey a tome-like history. Aqui referring to California and more specifically the area around greater Richmond. From the early 19th century days of California’s Rancheros to 20th century jobs in mining and railroads up through today, the Hispanic presence has been an integral part of California. This saga is well showcased in the current exhibit at the Richmond Museum of History. -more-


About the House: The Problems with Forced Air Heating

Matt Cantor
Friday June 16, 2006

In the 19th century and the very early parts of the 20th, coal burning was a common way of heating our homes. It seems amazing to us now that such a wasteful, dirty and downright dangerous method of heating would be, not only the choice of a generation, but literally built into the homes of the era as permanent systems. -more-


Garden Variety: A Nursery with Spine: Get The Point at Cactus Jungle

Ron Sullivan
Friday June 16, 2006

There’s a certain set of people who fancy succulents, and, as the judge famously said about pornography, “I know it when I see it.” -more-


Column: The Public Eye: Campaign 2006: Sweet 16 Congressional Races

By Bob Burnett
Tuesday June 13, 2006

Democrats appear to be gaining momentum in their bid to wrest control of the House of Representatives from the Republicans. According to veteran D.C. prognosticator, Charlie Cook, there are now 46 House seats in play. -more-


Column: Contributing to the Democratic Process

By Susan Parker
Tuesday June 13, 2006

My friend Ronnie Caplane ran for Assembly representing Oakland’s 16th District. -more-


The Bottlebrush Tree: Cheerful Aussie Ragamuffin

By Ron Sullivan
Tuesday June 13, 2006

Bottlebrush trees are one of the bright, amusing notes on our streets, sporting those funny flowers shaped like, yes, bottlebrushes with perky little green-leaf tufts at their ends. They’re tough and not pest-prone, and easy enough to find in nurseries. Their hard little leaves and shreddy bark give them a ragamuffin air to match the spiky inflorescences. The red flowers attract birds—hummingbirds of course, but I’ve seen a stray Cape May warbler, a nectar-seeker in winter, using them too. -more-