My stories for BANG are also on the websites for the Contra Costa Times and the Oakland Tribune (known as Inside Bay Area).
Recently, when I search for my articles, I only see fairly recent ones. So some of the links below might not work anymore, and I don’t know why. I wrote my first one, for the Montclarion, in January of 2008 and I’ve written some 80 stories since then, plus had quite a few photos run. So I’m sorry there’s not a good record of all of that online anymore.
Forgot about this one, which ran in the Alameda Journal in December.
It was a lot of fun — the guys were so eager and earnest.
Bump in popularity for indie rock band
BYLINE: By Maya Mirsky Correspondent
SECTION: MY TOWN; Alameda; Oakland-Berkeley; News; Local
Alameda indie rock band Finish Ticket was anxiously waiting Dec. 14 to hear whether it had won anything after playing that day at a San Francisco competition. But band members missed the announcement because they had to go to bed.
That’s because all five band members are students at Alameda High.
“At seven in the morning I got a text message,” said guitarist Alex DiDonato.
It turned out the band had placed second at the event, in which some 50 bands played for the chance to win money and recording time.
“It was exciting and kind of amazing,” said drummer Garren Orr.
I think this was in the Tribune, too. It was fun to go to city hall, of course. Although the council chambers have just terrible sight lines.
Oakland can’t expect the federal stimulus package or other outside help to ease it through tough economic times, but must step up and actively find workable solutions for itself, speakers concluded at a panel convened Feb. 20 by City Council President Jane Brunner.
Speakers did express cautious optimism about President Obama’s stimulus plan during the “Progressive Perspective on the Economic Crisis” panel planned and moderated by Brunner, who represents District 1, North Oakland, but several stressed that it is not a magic solution.
“It will not fix the Oakland budget problem,” Brunner said.
Two nice little human interest stories. I really enjoyed doing the one on the circus arts.
Eight-year-old Cassie Weigel balances on the hands and feet of another girl, toes pointed and body perfectly arched. Then she jumps down and does a few flips on her way to hug her mom, who’s watching at the side of the room.
It’s Saturday morning, and instead of watching cartoons, Cassie is at Oakland’s Trapeze Arts school for three and a half hours of circus arts training. It’s the high point of the week for Cassie, whose passion for tumbling and trapeze are matched by her prodigious physical talents.
“From the first time she came, it was just magic for her,” said Cassie’s mother, Cheryl Weigel.
Using science to catch an imaginary candy thief was the goal at Redwood Heights Elementary’s 13th annual “Science Alliance” fair on Tuesday.
The parent-organized event aims at getting school children excited and involved with the discipline.
“This is so important, to give kids exposure to science. Because science is fun,” said parent organizer Gail Widener.
North Oakland residents get help with solar panel costs
By Maya Mirsky
Correspondent
Posted: 01/21/2009 08:29:38 PM PST
Updated: 01/22/2009 06:36:02 AM PST
North Oakland residents are taking advantage of a chance to install solar power as part of an ambitious program run by a San Francisco environmental group.
One Block Off the Grid is harnessing Bay Area interest in clean energy and using the power of collective buying to obtain cheaper prices on solar panels in order to encourage people to use clean energy.
“This gives everyone an incentive,” said general manager Dave Llorens.
