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Patch Picks: Celebrate National Anti-Boredom Month

July is a lot of things, including National Blueberry Month, National Hot Dog Month, National Ice Cream Month and ... National Anti-Boredom Month. Here are some ideas for yawn antidotes.

Here are five possible paths from there’s-nothing-to-do mopiness to isn’t-my-city-awesome inspiration.

  • What massive hill in El Cerrito is known for its awe-inspiring views without fog, at least some of the time? Try the one up Moeser Lane. People from ages 8 to 80 can be seen walking up this daunting trek during all hours of the day.
  • The is known for its eclectic art, from metal scraps fashioned into people shapes to spray-painted ephemera on big gray stones. Take a loop with the dog or kids down there and you’ll forget you ever had nothing to do. 
  • Check out , a local Japanese store offering “different things,” which may be a kind of cultural understatement. The dried wasabi peas, pet stationary and rice cookers barely begin to describe the variety at this little dollar-and-up store.
  • Take a long meander down or up The Arlington, stopping to look at beautiful sprawling houses, to the . This local sweet shop opened recently and offers fresh-baked cookies, Double Rainbow brand ice cream and a variety of pastries.
  • Have you ever thought of volunteering at the ? These experienced and interesting locals have many tales to tell, and the staff can always use more volunteers to teach classes from painting to using a cell phone.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
gretchen davidson May 21, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Yes I would love to take one off of your hands. Please email me at gretchen_davidson@yahoo.com toRead More discuss off board.
Elaine Binger May 20, 2013 at 07:30 am
Gretchen, I have several different sizes of rakes. If you want to come see them, let me know throughRead More Patch. Elaine
gretchen davidson May 16, 2013 at 02:50 pm
Was that what i heard in the middle of the night on Wednesday? I thought i was dreaming. It soundedRead More like some sort of loudspeaker.
Robin M. Blind May 15, 2013 at 09:16 pm
Gee...are you SURE that alarm IS coming from Portola Middle School? Um...I suppose that you ARERead More sure! Yes...it IS turbo-annoying but I had assumed that it was some stupid car alarm.
Bonnie MacKenzie May 11, 2013 at 11:55 am
Can you please be more specific about the nature of the problem for those of us who do not live inRead More the neighborhood?
John Stashik April 25, 2013 at 09:03 pm
Thanks for the press release, err... story. Now how about El Cerrito news? The Patch staff is lazy.
Dorothy Coakley April 8, 2013 at 08:02 pm
Good thought, Julian.
Julian April 8, 2013 at 11:32 am
I've spoken with him, he is educated, intelligent and articulate. He is also angry and sometimesRead More irrational. I dont know his story but his "street art" stands on its own legs. If you would like to help him, and yourself, buy and enjoy his art.
Rita Wilson April 7, 2013 at 09:51 pm
A neighbor of mine on Colusa tried to give him food when he was on Colusa, but he refused, so IRead More never tried. Dorothy, is that the shelter near the Berkeley Historical Society/Veteran's Building? Perhaps he would need a ride to it. Perhaps he's concerned about leaving his things there if he can't be there during the day. I'm afraid I don't know enough about it.
Dorothy Coakley March 27, 2013 at 04:36 pm
I did mention that I'm donating 10% of my royalties for "Midnight" to the EC's Open SpaceRead More fund, didn't I? I'm a Down-home Ten Percenter.
Dorothy Coakley March 27, 2013 at 04:31 pm
Lucy, I like the idea in principal, but in reality I think it would just give ECPD more work to do.Read More "People hanging out" doesn't necessarily translate to a friendly,fun-filled, folksy kind of environment. It *can* mean quite the reverse. "Midnight On the Ohlone" sounds like a new recording. Something like "I left my little babeeeeee, down by the tracks....and now I want her back....she's a needle in the haaaaaaay staaaaack...' Arhoolie awaits.
Lucy March 27, 2013 at 12:58 pm
What a great idea for pocket parks!!! I am all for them. Instead of spening a big amount on oneRead More (which we don't have space anyway), I would like to see many mini parks of $20,000 along the Bart tracks. With more visibility and people hanging out, it would make Bart paths safer too, especially the one around fairmont park. Really mini pocket parks just needs some play structures, benches and tables there.