Oakland Magazine

Oakland Magazine puts on some nice parties for its issue releases. They recently had a grand opening party for Rosenblum Cellars’ new location in Jack London Square. It was nice to check out Rosenblum Cellars’ new location and enjoy a nice glass of their wine and Hors d’œuvre from Lungomare. Thanks for a great party.
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Several years ago I was a subscriber to the Oakland Magazine. There was a period that I had to cancel the subscription due to budgetary reasons. Being on a three day work furlough from state employment meant sacrificing during those lean years when the «guvernator» aka «terminator» was in office… less dining out, less going out to the movies, museums, excursions, baseball games, etc., and a cancellation of a local magazine.
Last year I saw a representative from Oakland/​Alameda Magazines at a spring event (Mother’s Day weekend) on Park Street in Alameda. I wanted so much to subscribe to the magazine and I was given a choice — the Oakland one or the Alameda one. The decision was not an easy one. I am a native Oaklander, living in Alameda since September 1988. However, Oakland will always be in my heart. I may be out of «ghetto» Oakland, but the «ghetto» is still in me when my OCGA is out in the open. Thus, Oakland Magazine wins out over the Alameda Magazine.
As I have mentioned in other reviews, I can’t think of anything better than having what I consider the best around me… born and educated in Oakland, live in Alameda and work in San Francisco. Most of my reviews are based around these three cities (88%). They all have something that I truly enjoy besides the weather and our local sports teams.
Let me not stray off the subject of this magazine, but elaborate as to why I enjoy reading it. The magazine is informative and it also offers me the opportunity to try the different restaurants and attend the events that are advertised, only to form an opinion and present my review thereof on this website.
The last two issues (December 2012; January/​February 2013) were enjoyable reading. What a pleasure it was to see Dr. Warren Strudwick on the front cover of the December issue. He is considered one of the best treating physicians in the field of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. He also provided excellent medical care to my husband when he injured his shoulder in an automobile accident.
The January/​February 2013 issue is as what’s noted on the front cover…“Journey Back in Time”. I do recognize the architectural designs on the some of the buildings. Location is in the vicinity of 14^th & Broadway. In this issue, there is a restaurant review of Hopscotch. I haven’t been to Hopscotch yet, but their location is across the street from where I was born — 1966 San Pablo Avenue… a journey back in time to the 50’s. I’m not sure what was at 1915 San Pablo Avenue during the 50’s and all I could think is Friedman’s Appliances. However, a few doors north of Friedman’s was a restaurant called Victor’s Chinese American Café and who owned that restaurant. Well, none other than Victor «Shanghai Kid» G’s dad. Here’s to you, Victor, and the wonderful memories of growing up in that part of town. (Hey, the Greyhound Station is still there after all these years and it still looks the same… rundown.)
Thanks, Oakland Magazine, for this publication. I hope to enjoy more years of reading your magazine and wish you continued success in publishing a wonderful magazine.

Unlike many «local» magazines, Oakland and Alameda Magazines actually have some local content.

They could take a lesson from DIABLO magazine and/​or San Francisco Magazine. There is so much going on in Oakland… positive things but we never hear about it. Plus you should be able to find the darn mag everywhere. ive found it at barnes and noble and Longs at rockridge. Hey are you skeered to bring the magazine to the people of Oakland? waste of paper in my humble opinion!

This is my 200^th review.
I have been pondering what to write for this momentous occasion. All week I thought about it … I even ran ideas by Candice at Unilocal during our yummy lunch I have yet to review.
And I realized it is not easy to write sometimes. If it is for your job, it can really suck the life right out of you … if you HAVE to write.
So that is why it is so fun for me to Unilocal.Because I do not have too.
But for all you media out there exchanging words and wit for a paycheck … kudos to you if you can get it right.
And since I am an Oaklander … I want to send a big fat kudos to our local rag … the Oakland Magazine … with the beee-​utiful Grand Lake Movie Theater gracing the cover this month.
I am so happy there is a local magazine to highlight Oakland. Oakland is such a fantastic place with a huge heart and lots of charisma! We have access to everything the bay area has to offer … and we have the best views. (In so many ways)! We are the melting pot of America.
So it is no surprise that in a city with 500,000+ people … we should have a magazine that is for us. By us and for us. But know that it is a lot of hard work to produce a magazine month after month in a slammed economy like this. There are many obstacles for the small business these days. Pinch … ouch!
Every month, Oakland Magazine is reaching out to the community and sharing information about what is going on in Oakland. The community and businesses are paying attention and you are doing excellent work sharing the buzz around town.
We Oaklanders and East Bay residents love to come together for a festival or a party, excellent food, celebratory cocktails, great shopping and a healthy farmer’s market too … so keep on keeping us posted of the who, what, when, where, why and how of all things Oakland and its surroundings.
And Dear Editor: I am sure you have figured out that it is impossible to make everyone happy. Readers, advertisers, bill collectors, employees and editors all of different definitions of happy. They always will.
Just keep pounding the pavement and looking for great angles, good stories, decent advertisers and amazing supporters.
And BTW: Thank you for the annual Best of Oakland and Best of the East Bay edition that came out this month.
In Montclair, we are proud, surprised and amazed to be recipients of several of the Best of Oakland Awards!
Best Charity Event
Montclair Pet Mayor Contest
Montclair Pet & Wildlife Fund
1955 Mountain Blvd., Suite 111
(510) 339‑2400
Best Veterinarian
Montclair Veterinary Hospital
1961 Mountain Blvd.
Best Place to Work
Montclair Veterinary Hospital
1961 Mountain Blvd.
Thank You Oakland Magazine and the East Bay Community for your support.
I hella heart Oakland! There is no place I would rather be.

UPDATE:
I’m demoting a star. What’s with a tiny-@$$ February issue?
And what THE #*%& it up with not one article about Black History Month!!! Not one article featuring black-​owned businesses, not one article on local black authors, artists, or celebrities, nothing on the historical contributions African Americans made to Oakland, no mention of BHM events, not one.
Cripes! I’m worked up…
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I hella {heart} Oakland. I have the shirt that says so. It’s why I started subscribing to Oakland Magazine (about 6 months ago). Just cuz. I want to support my city.
Unfortunately, just cuz doesn’t make for a good publication. And I should really like Oakland Mag. We’re share so much: similar POVs of lotsa different issues.
The Green Issue WAS very decent, but their Top Ten Cocktails was really hit or miss. Looking at those recipes makes me wonder. I find when I read the articles/​reviews that one question keeps nagging at me:
Did they gives this (that or the other) place high marks because they want to spotlight Oakland’s finest? Or is the owner of the place a friend of the writer? Or did they just ink a lucrative advertising deal with each other? I just don’t see the photos from all the parties reflecting what I see in my neighborhood.
Maybe it’s just too glossy (as in, glossing over any hard hitting reporting, lotsa stories/​issues readily available in Oakland). I get more street-​level comprehension (good and bad) from the MacArthur Metro (which I also subscribe to — I told you I Hella {heart} Oakland).
(My) jury’s still out and I’m NOT quite ready to cancel my subscription.