Those passing through North Oakland are about to get a visual treat.

“Temescal is the kind of neighborhood where you can get good food, a good tattoo and go to the post office,” said Jena Davidson-Hood, owner of the newly opened Sacred Wheel Cheese Shop on Shattuck Avenue and 51st. “I think we’ve rounded out the neighborhood.”

On December 1, 2010, the Oakland Planning Commission approved plans for rebuilding the McDonald's fast food restaurant at 4514 Telegraph Avenue in the Temescal district. Local residents Christopher Waters and Rebecca Saltzman pulled together an appeal on IndiGoGO and raised over $1,400 to appeal the decision.

I’ll never forget my first sight of Vice Chocolates’ farmer’s market booth: black and purple, more dark carnival than dark chocolate.

Now here at I-Li Chang Brice’s workshop in a corner brick building near Jack London Square, the chocolate takes on a more innocent air. That is until I-Li says, “Taste the skeleton,” her tattooed arm holding out a bag of dark brown bones.

“You don't sell burritos? You're Mexican and you don't sell burritos? Please!”

This was one early customer's response to Melina Ocampo's menu at the Earthly Coffee Shop, located at 5506 Martin Luther King Way, when the store opened in August. Ocampo, who had previously run a catering business focused on vegetarian Mexican fusion food, had a different sort of cafe in mind.

In April 2009, a cryptic sign appeared in the window of a run-down building on the 43rd block of Telegraph Avenue. Black print on white paper shaped a question mark, whose dot was a hand-drawn coffee mug. People slowed as they walked past, seeming to wonder: Is Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood finally getting a coffee shop?

As one drives up Telegraph Avenue from downtown Oakland to Berkeley, it is difficult not to notice the throng of Korean businesses dotted along the long corridor.

The Phat Beets Saturday Farmer's Market will be holding a series of Food n' Justice workshops through October, including this week's Beekeeping in the Market with urban bee expert and Queen of Sheba Farms (Beehealthyhoneyshop.com) owner, Khaled Almaghafi. 

 For anyone and everyone with an appreciation for the green hip hop movement, Saturday's Fresh Fest is a don't miss  A packed half day of music and events to be held on August 14th from noon to 6 pm at Oakland's pretty Mosswood Park,

The city may be poised for the Mehserle verdict and the budget may be a mess, but that doesn't get in the way of City Council member Jane Brunner's July 11th BBQ. 

Held from 12 noon to 4 PM at the North Temescal Picnic Site at Lake Temescal (6500 Broadway if you need your GPS, the party offers free drinks and BBQ meats--but you have to bring a side dish to share.

 Starting Saturday July 3^rd, Phat Beets Produce will join North Oakland Pediatrics in opening a new Farmers' Market in North Oakland (5715 Market St) rooted not only in sustainable food, but in food justice. The grand opening will feature a variety of organic, pesticide free, and local fruit and vegetable growers, local bakers socially grounded food businesses, local crafts as well as live jazz music, live art, and free cooking demos.

Enjoyed a free first-rate local film projected onto the wall of a bank lately - with free popcorn and live music included? No?! Well, every Thursday evening from June 17 through July 22, beginning at 8 p.m., anyone stopping by 49th and Telegraph can be treated to just that.