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Your Questions Needed for New Albany Patch Column

We're introducing a new weekly column for locals looking for solutions to community problems and issues -- from public nuisances to eye-sores to local mysteries.

Have you ever wondered why Albany has never built a dog park, what's the deal with the cross on public land on top of Albany Hill, or why the city's centennial banners are still hanging all along the avenues years after the event?

Well, so have we and we're going to do something about it. But we can't do it without your help!


You Ask, Albany Patch Answers is a weekly column for locals curious about community problems or issues. Everything from speeding car hotspots to park safety after dark (should I really let my tween hang at Terrace Park on Friday nights?) to what it takes for a small mom & pop business on San Pablo or Solano to thrive, versus tank, as many seem to do.

Why has Albany cut back to one street sweep per month when it used to clean every other week? Why, 20 years ago, did it cost citizens $50 to process something with city planners, and now it costs thousands? Why did Albany used to pay for fixing sidewalks, but now the homeowner pays? Why? WHY?! WHY?!?!

If you've got a question about something in Albany, send it to albany@patch.com. We'll do our best to give answers and opinions about the big problems and try to help solve the small ones. Your name will not be shared without permission.

Amy St.George September 22, 2010 at 12:43 am
My question is why do we have a big iron T Albany sign on Solano across the street from Safeway? The biggest eye sore on the street........the second is on the corner of San Pablo and Marin. Weeds and a pathetic display of signs on a outdated designed gate/fence?
Emilie Raguso September 22, 2010 at 01:01 am
Good question, Amy! I will send it to the crew.
Ross Stapleton-Gray September 22, 2010 at 01:26 am
The "pathetic display of signs on a outdated designed gate/fence," though, is so emblematic of its era... it's the post-war (WW II, since we've had a bunch since) iconography of community, the rounds for groups like Rotary, or Lions, etc. I'm a late Boomer (born in 1961), but it still evokes nostalgia, and it annoys me when I pick up a copy of, say, "Ramona the Pest," and find that the art has all been updated to discard the old 1960s ink drawings.
The big iron T? No explanation, unless the City got a discount on welding and spare I bars that year.
Brian Parsley September 22, 2010 at 01:32 am
I think there is good news on the horizon for both of these areas. I believe Albany's new Art Master Plan addresses both.
angela September 22, 2010 at 08:48 pm
I was walking with my nephew beneath that T bar when he spontaneously jumped up to do a chinup...he ended up with 10 years of Solano exhaust grime on his hands. Gross!

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Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Amy Smolens June 7, 2013 at 02:57 pm
Hi there - This doesn't seem like an appropriate announcement for Albany or Berkeley Patch. 1) theRead More category is Announcements/Around Town and these events are all in Marin 2) Patch's "Terms of Use" say "You may use this Service solely for personal and non-commercial purposes. That is to say: You can’t use the Service to make a living unless you enter into a separate agreement with us that says you can." This is clearly solely a commercial venture, not a neighbor of ours or local organization providing a community service and charging for the service. 3) I went to the Novato website and saw this listing: "Ettiquette (sic) Series for Kids - 17737 Ages: 7 Years to 11 Years - Residents $150.00 - Non-residents $163.00" 4) These items push our items of local interest down and out of sight. Especially now that there is no box indicating the stories with the most recent comments, as there used to be on the Patch front page, out of sight does mean out of mind. Charles, what are your thoughts here? Thanks.
angie allison June 7, 2013 at 03:45 pm
Hi Amy, Thank you for letting me know and I understand! Angie
Mechanics from Street Level Cycles tune up bikes at the Albany Arts & Green Festival. Photo courtesy Matt McHugh
Lin B. June 6, 2013 at 11:29 am
I've been waiting for the right time to donate my son's old bike he used in middle/high school. It'sRead More been hanging on hooks in the garage and this seems like a great time to give it up!
christopher papazoglow June 7, 2013 at 10:30 am
Can you please post their hours / days of operation ? As i recall, they're only open afternoons aRead More few days a week, and it won't do to just leave donations outside ( they'll be scavenged ). And i was not able to find the info online.
AS&R - Albany Strollers & Rollers June 7, 2013 at 11:20 am
Thanks, Christopher. Open Community Hours are Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12-6pm so anytime those daysRead More are definitely fine. They're there (84 Bolivar Drive - Aquatic Park) most of the day Wednesdays and Thursdays for Youth Classes and the doors are locked. I just spoke to Amber Rich and she asked you to call them at 510 644 2577 and let them know what time is good for you and they will be sure to be there. Thanks for your generosity!
Dover June 5, 2013 at 02:47 pm
Thanks for the update but I am worried. This is very distressing. How will Eric and Tarina be ableRead More to afford their annual lengthy hipster vacation if they have to cough up lawyer fees? I am sure they were expecting that UCB (aka the rest of us) would pay Mr. Siegel's bill. Now they may have to resort to staying home and eating Top Ramen out of their charming and cheerful "made in Asia by small children but they're not slaving for 14 hours a day in front of our faces so we don't care" ceramic bowls. Oh noes! Bad, bad, very, very bad news.
Charles Burress (Editor) June 5, 2013 at 03:06 pm
David, thanks for the alert to the judge's decision.