On the Freeway of Love

By C.J. Hirschfield

You’ve probably heard this inspirational quote: Life is measured not by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

I recently had a moment that took my breath away, and I wanted to share the experience with you.

Home Is Where the Heat Is

By C.J. Hirschfield

The decision to locate Children’s Fairyland in downtown Oakland was made long before my time here – in 1948, to be exact. Ever since we opened in 1950, being in the heart of the city has had its up and downsides. It certainly is never dull.

Last Friday was one of those not-dull days.

Early in the morning I was awakened by the sound of helicopters over my Adams Point neighborhood – the same neighborhood in which Fairyland lives. There was a fire a few blocks away from the park, at the site of a building that was to include market-rate apartments and retail shops.

The Valdez fire as seen from across Lake Merritt early on the morning of July 7.