Nicki's Central West End Guide
an urban news journal
Yes, CWE, there is a Santa Claus. After several years with multiple For Lease signs in evidence throughout the neighborhood, this holiday season brings great news that business is on the rebound. Entrepreneur Kevin Brennan is at it once again, this time with the renovation of the former Mandarin Lounge overlooking the fountain on Maryland…
In late September, CWEnder Katie Heaney suggested I meet her at Bell Garden to see the community garden she and neighbor Amy Lewis had recently joined. Another CWEnder, Elana Grayem, has been a member of the garden for about 10 years. Though all three have backyards, there wasn’t enough sunlight to grow much of anything…
In mid-September I flew out to Oakland to visit family. It had been 2 1/2 years since I had traveled anywhere, so I was a little apprehensive about getting on a plane once again but, as is usually the case, once I got there those concerns melted away. I was visiting Oakland’s Uptown District, which…