Church of Tonga

The Church of Tonga is situated in the San Antonio district in East Oakland.  The brightly painted church rises above the neighborhood and calls people to it.

Theme Day: black and white

Welcome to CDP Theme Day.  At the beginning each month City Daily Photo participants post a photo related to a specific theme.  This month's theme is Black and White in color.  I took this picture because of the deco era lettering and the period wrought iron lamp.  Much to my surprise the color photo looks like a black and white.   Follow the link above to see more photos for this Theme Day.

P is for porch

A quirky porch in the Piedmont Avenue neighborhood.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

deco and neon

This very deco clock was placed on Broadway decades ago by a jewelry store that used to be on the block.  It still works.

Uh, maybe a different shade

Please tell me they didn't choose these colors.  Guess I'll have to go back and check.

post office downtown

One of the stately lighted urns that flank the entrances to the main post office downtown.

Theme Day: squares

While looking for murals in West Oakland I came across this building off Poplar Street.  Granted it's not a pretty one, and neither is the photo, but you've got to admit this facade screams "squares."  I'm guessing this building dates from the 30s and the door and tile were installed fairly recently to upgrade the look.  The recycle can adds a certain je ne sais quoi.  Click here to see City Daily Photo's participants in this month's Theme Day.  Thanks, Jack for the heads up.

Old Oakland

Old Oakland is the original downtown area that grew up around the train station where the transcontinental railroad ended.  It's primarily Italianate buildings were renovated in the 1970s and it is now popular for the many restaurants that dot the area.  Linking to ABC Wednesday.

union hall with axe

Had to laugh at how the firefighters designed their union office.  Spotted downtown.

ABC Wednesday: U is for unusual

 

 This Victorian house is now a duplex. It's recently had a new paint job with at least six colors.  Pretty unusual, if not elegant especially for the neighborhood.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

O is for O.T.I.G. Company

This building, with its ornate pediments, graces 15th Street in downtown Oakland.  Interestingly, I have not been able to discover what OTIG stands for.  Some theorize that it was an insurance company, but there's no ready proof of that in Google Land.  It is currently occupied by Lincoln University, a private college offering various degrees.   Linked to ABC Wednesday.

G is for gazebo

This lovely gazebo is found on the grounds of the Dunsmuir House featured a few weeks ago.  The pleasant grounds are another reason Dunsmuir House is a favorite spot for weddings.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

F is for Financial Center Building

The Financial Center building is downtown at 14th St. and Franklin.  It was built in 1929 and is considered to be an example of Art Deco.  It was previously featured here.  Here's a closer look: 

Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Pacific Ring Sports

If you drive by this gym you'll see all kinds of martial arts being practiced across the day and well into the evening.  I'm especially fond of the building and the old timey style of the sign.

city hall amphitheater

A small amphitheater was placed in front of City Hall, which has helped it become a focal point for political gatherings.  The mosaics include a representation of the Jack London Oak, the official city oak tree.  Concerts are also held here, including weekly performances by the Bay Area Blues Society.  Other times people from nearby office buildings often come here to eat their lunches.

I'm out of town for a week and using the wonders of auto-posting.

Skywatch Friday: roof lines

The gray sky before the storm.  Thunder and lightening tonight after an intermittent cloudy day.  These  roof lines illustrate the architectural diversity of downtown.  And a ghost sign is thrown in for free.  For more sky shots, visit Skywatch Friday.

ABC Wednesday: T is for tiles

Many Oakland buildings are trimmed or decorated with hand made tiles.  Most are from the 20s and 30s.  Here's a sample.  For more takes on "T", visit ABC Wednesday.

Halloween survivors

Spotted on Ivy Hill just off Park Blvd.  A bright spot on a gray day.

ABC Wednesday: Q is for quiet

This sign is back stage at the renovated Paramount Theater.  The Paramount is the most deco-y building you'll find in California.  It has previously been featured many times including here, here, and here.  It remains a performance venue for monthly movies and concerts.  For more takes on Q, visit ABC Wednesday.

decorative tiles

This tiled "fountain" is in the entryway of a Spanish style building near Lake Merritt.  The building was closed when I walked by and I had to stick my camera through the wrought iron gate to get this shot.  I love the old tiles that decorate so many of our buildings.