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Project posted by Byron Loker

Project Willow, West Oakland

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Workshop in progress
Workshop in progress
Front zen garden planter boxes taking shape.
Front zen garden planter boxes taking shape.
"Blueprint."
"Blueprint."
Before: The weed patch out front is on its way to becoming a zen garden with a fire-pit, bordered by planter boxes twinned with a timber fence.
Before: The weed patch out front is on its way to becoming a zen garden with a fire-pit, bordered by planter boxes twinned with a timber fence.
Cherry on top (from the trees bordering the north side of the house); making hay while the sun shines—chose your metaphor.
Cherry on top (from the trees bordering the north side of the house); making hay while the sun shines—chose your metaphor.
Side yard before.
Side yard before.
(Thieves paid a visit one night during the year that Project Willow lay dormant.)
(Thieves paid a visit one night during the year that Project Willow lay dormant.)
Ladies and gentrification: When I get around to posting a Yelp review of Trouble Coffee—which is opposite Project Willow—this is how it'll read: "If you want wifi, generic coffee and bland service, go to Starbucks. But if you're looking for some attitude, refuge and the best Americano I have ever tasted in the US, look for Trouble."
Ladies and gentrification: When I get around to posting a Yelp review of Trouble Coffee—which is opposite Project Willow—this is how it'll read: "If you want wifi, generic coffee and bland service, go to Starbucks. But if you're looking for some attitude, refuge and the best Americano I have ever tasted in the US, look for Trouble."
Trouble Coffee Co., West Oakland, California
Trouble Coffee Co., West Oakland, California

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From Byron Loker

There's an amazing story behind the owner's purchase of this property a year ago: Approaching the previous owner—a bordering neighbor—the new owner was looking to buy a small easement into her back yard, where she hoped to build a tiny home eventually.

Looking the imposter up and down, the previous owner said, "Lady, you think you can come over here and buy a piece of my land? Well, I ain't selling you a piece of my land—I'm selling you the whole g*d-damn house!"

"You see that you come here next Friday," she went on, "with a realtor, a lawyer and four hundred thousand dollars in cash and the house is yours. But if you're not here, I don't want to see you ever again."

Realtors, lawyers and loansharks were consulted; the appointment was kept. I am working on a front yard fence in reclaimed wood with planter boxes.