Cassi N.

Thrift Town

I love this store because it reminds me of the old junking days of yore, when I could go to thrift stores and find mink stoles and Cheerleader uniforms for $3.50. While the prices are not that low, there is still great variety at reasonable prices.

They hire extremely competent people with disabilities and the turn over is quick. Each week there are new, wonderful things, and not so wonderful things. Either way, check it out!

PROS: Great variety, reasonable prices
CONS: Musty thrift store smell

Primary Pediatric Medical Grp

Primary Pediatrics has a practice in Oakland as well as Alameda, and that is where my daughter is seen.

My OB, and the nurses on the pediatric ward recommended these doctors and we've had wonderful experiences with them so far.

During our first visit, Dr Horowitz gave my husband and I a crash course in baby's life and safety - enough information to keep us calm when ordinary things, like rashes and coughing came up.

Dr. Chaing was open to our delayed and selected vacination, and they have all been supportive of our natural parenting choices. In fact, when the advice line was ready to send us to the hospital, one of the doctors was able to provide helpful advice over the phone for our breast fed daughter.

It is a pain in the butt to be asked for insurance information when I call with a question, but I understand most practices do this now - so I can't complain.

Communicative Disorders Clinic

I only attended as a graduate student, at night, but San Francisco State is a nice State School. The students are friendly and a lot of them smoke.

Daly City (which SF State is almost across the street from) has the worst weather in almost all of the bay area. I hated having to leave gorgeous Oakland for the nasty city of fog that was Daly City.

In just four years it went from being about $600 a semester to almost $2000. Not such a great value.

PROS: Nice kids, small campus
CONS: Lousy weather, getting too expensive

Leaning Tower Of Pizza

A community center and art gallery, the Leaning Tower of Pizza is a landmark in the Lake Merritt Community. A wonderful community mural is painted on the wall - look for patrons of the restaurant in the pictures.

The lunch special is a great deal - The thin crust pizza is wonderful, the staff is wise and the clientele is policially active.

Parkway Theater

Parkway presents second run and art movies, pub food and beer or wine in a comfortable, home like setting.

The pizza, sandwiches and salads are standard pub fair, fairly priced, made to order and pretty good. The movies are fairly priced, and there are two for one deals on Wednesdays. Generally they only allow adults over 21, but Mondays the Baby Brigade allows in lap babies for free and there are family days as well. Get there early to secure a couch, or you'll send up in IKEA rocking chairs in the back.

PROS: A great night out
CONS: