I've been really sick for the past week, only making it into the office on Thursday and Friday, so I've been somewhat negligent in updating the blog with anything of substance.
Shortly after the riots in Downtown Oakland from the white, middle-class reared would be anarchists (don't even get me started on those assholes!) following the peaceful demonstration at the Fruitvale BART station, several Bay Area (and national) publications started running articles about what a cesspool Oakland is and how we're descending into a state of violence akin to the Gaza Strip. I decided since we get several hundred readers a week from all over the country checking out casacaudill that I would start a series of posts that outlines why we love living here and some of the good things about the area to help counteract all the negative publicity we're getting.
My first post was about the Wine Mine in Temescal. Today's post is about Lake Merritt.
According to that bastion of knowledge, Wikipedia:
Lake Merritt is a large tidal lagoon that lies just east of downtown Oakland, California. It is surrounded by parkland and city neighborhoods. A popular 3.5 mile walking and jogging path runs along its perimeter. It is historically significant as the United States' first official wildlife refuge, designated in 1870.
A "necklace of lights" encircles the Lake. Featuring 126 lampposts and 3,400 "pearly bulbs", the necklace was first lit in 1925. In 1941, the lights were dimmed to comply with World War II blackout conditions. After a decade-long campaign, the lights were again illuminated in 1985. During Oakland's annual gay pride celebration, the city replaces the white bulbs with multicolored bulbs.
All year round, the lake is home to moderate Canada Goose, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Egret, Cormorant, American Coot, and Western Gull populations. There are also small Mallard Duck and Pelican (both American and Brown) populations.
(flickr photo from brooke_anderson)
(flickr photo from kukkurovaca)
If you're looking for more blogs that talk about all that's going on in Oakland, check out the recently launched Our Oakland.
