The Alameda Journal (AJ) is not a hometown newspaper…read more The AJ is actually part of the East bay Times Community newspapers group, which covers Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. I don't subscribe to it, but I do occasionally get a free paper on my driveway. It contains local, county and State news. But half the paper is all about ads and real estate. But that's ok, someone has to pay the bills right? I just look at what interests me. I've lived in Alameda for decades, and we no longer have a true home town paper, like we did with the Alameda Times-Star. The closest thing now is the Alameda Sun, and it's website is a wealth of info. There's also lots of Alameda facebook groups where residents chat and post about what's happening right now. Some people use Nextdoor for neighborhood news. So it appears the hometown newspaper has been replaced by social media.

If you are considering purchasing or renting property in this town, make sure that you do not use…read moreany real estate company or person from Alameda. I have lived in Alameda for more than 40 years on and off. My mother died here after being a resident for 45 years. I always read the journal just to see how much money the local real estate thief's are putting into the journals advertisement pockets. Anyone who has been here long enough to be able track the real estate prices for the last 40 years is probably shaking his or her head right now. I remember when a home on central ave. was selling for $ 38,000 just 25 years ago, that is listed right now for $ 660,000. This property is stucco over dry rotted redwood, sheet rocked interior with old tube and knob wiring, a foundation that is brick encased in concrete with minor anchoring and plumbing that is a combination of galvanized supply line, black pipe here and there, or PVC wherever the previous owners could get away with it. It's also listed with that much sought phrase "bonus room " and states that the garage has been converted into a storage area with a separate entrance, plumbing, finished walls , electrical and finished ceilings. This town has 80 + year old wood and stucco homes that are literally held together with either paint, stucco ,an incredible amount of sealant , siding or other creative aesthetic coverings designed to disguise the fact that most of the older wooden structures are dry rotted, insect & mold , mildew troubled structures. Any news about this towns renters , be it complaints about the way the owners treat their tenants, the conditions of some rental complexes on shoreline drive, especially the 40 or more unit complexes that fall into a special city controlled category, the violations being dealt with by our building dept. or important information or news that may help renters is purposely and quickly buried and not reported. I have personally contacted the journals reporter with information regarding massive city code violations, living condition abuse at a complex on shoreline Dr. and was told that the journals revenues are not drawn from complaints but instead from real estate based contributions, and that the complaint path is nonexistent as far as news in the journal.

GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE!…read moreGARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! GARBAGE! I'm so sick and tired of this sorry ass insignificant piece of crap paper that nobody reads, let alone gives a flying F of its existence. Constantly littering the front of my house. It has been YEARS! I emailed the publication to STOP countless times, I've lost track. I got a reply ONCE, stating that they were going to cease dropping that paper on my residence, but nooooo, it kept coming. I'm installing security cameras and will keep a log of evidence. You better PRAY I'm not there in person to confront the delivery person, it's not going to be a nice greeting. Why you keep wasting poor trees to make your pathetic paper? In these times of the pandemic, I don't want your infected garbage of a paper anywhere NEAR my property! ENOUGH IS FRIGGIN ENOUGH! Good grief, I HATE YOUR GUTS!!!

Finally, I got a response that stuck. Perseverance pays off. I can't say I've read the Montclarion,…read morebut they need to make it easier to cancel mailings...

Bella Eiko Media gets in the streets to get the truth! Real people, real events, real talk. Bella…read moreEiko is a true citizen media outlet! It's radical. It's interactive. It's true news. #occupyoakland #Ferguson

This is my 200th review…read more I have been pondering what to write for this momentous occasion. All week I thought about it ... I even ran ideas by Candice at Yelp 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 Yelp. 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! http://www.oaklandmagazine.com Best Charity Event Montclair Pet Mayor Contest Montclair Pet & Wildlife Fund 1955 Mountain Blvd., Suite 111 (510) 339-2400 www.petandwildlifefund.org/mayor Best Veterinarian Montclair Veterinary Hospital 1961 Mountain Blvd. www.montclairvethospital.com Best Place to Work Montclair Veterinary Hospital 1961 Mountain Blvd. www.montclairvethospital.com Thank You Oakland Magazine and the East Bay Community for your support. I hella heart Oakland! There is no place I would rather be.

Several years ago I was a subscriber to the Oakland Magazine. There was a period that I had to…read morecancel 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 14th & 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 Cafe 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.

I had to do a business post and had the pleasure of working with Joyce M. who gave me excellent…read morecustomer service. It's been a pleasure doing business with Alameda Sun thanks to you.

I AM LIVID. My Grandmother's obituary was published today and they completely removed a line about…read moreher son who passed away a few years ago. I can't get a hold of anyone there.. I am so upset that one of those most important people in her life was left out of her obituary by the newspaper company. I double checked my submission and it's definitely there.

GOOD NEWS !!!!!! The Alameda Telephone Directory is now online on the Alameda Magazine website. You…read morecan get to it in two ways: 1) www.alamedatelephonedirectory.com 2) www.alamedamagazine.com and then click on the "Alameda Telephone Directory" navigation bar. The print directory listings are in the online directory now and even include restaurant menus from advertisers .......check it out!

No one in Alameda uses the yellow pages because the "Blue Book" has everything we need. Restaurant…read moremenus and they make a mini version which I love to keep in my car. The middle section has great coupons and a map of Alameda. BUT THEY NEED A WEBSITE HINT HINT HINT....

I have used ABM for over 20 years for varying problems with my computers. They have helped me keep…read moreolder equipment functioning and also helped me make the decision when it is time to "put down" an "old friend." They have always been accessible, friendly, patient with my skill level and very reasonable in their charges. They also help me make practical decisions within my needs and skill sets. They are a local business with stable staff and a great service model.

Staff is super friendly and knowledgeable! They provide excellent customer service and truly care…read morefor every client. Expertise and acumen is second to none, best experience every time!

As my first point of business after starting a new job, I wanted a new website for our…read moreorganization. That we were purporting to be super high tech and had a website straight out of 1998 was silly (think geocities!) I had spoken with several people about our re-design and was referred to Peter at JPMM by someone at Logo74. After our first conversation, I knew Peter was the right choice. I did my best to give Peter full creative reign with our site, putting trust in the fact that he knows what my goals are, what looks good and what's successful. With a lot of interaction and communication about my priorities and preferences, what he came up with was better than I imagined. It's modern, high-tech, and clearly written. The site emphasizes our strengths and has been a tremendous step forward in branding our organization. I couldn't be happier with our interaction and I've received extremely high praise on the work Peter has done for us. I can't recommend him highly enough!

As a Realtor, I regularly see colleagues with terrible business cards, branding, and websites. I…read morewanted to build a brand that was clean, modern, and fun. Peter gave me great advice on how I could create a look that fit that clientele I was looking for -- first-time homebuyers, young professionals, and most importantly, home buyers/sellers with an appreciation for modern, industrial, and unique spaces. He gave me honest feedback, made wonderful design suggestions and I have to say, I love my new business cards. I'm really excited that I'll also be using Peter and his team for my new website which is coming soon: www.UrbanModernHomes.com.

Back when the other review here was posted, I would have felt the same way. Probably a three or…read morefour star review in my case, because I'm a slightly tough grader, but I would have agreed with much of the text. However, over the past year, the magazine has essentially ceased to exist. It is pretty much a copy of the same publisher's Oakland Magazine with a different cover. Very little independent content. They've unloaded most of their columnists and writers. Unfortunately, this means that the bulk of each issue is about Oakland and the rest of the East Bay. It adds up to a mediocre regional magazine, not a local product.

This is a beautiful magazine. I love the photography and layout. I love their by the numbers…read moresection. They do a best of Alameda, I wish they would add more catagories and do an online submission hint hint hint...