"To all the kids out there: Follow your dream. Believe in your dream. Because dreams do come true. When you think of me, I would like you to remember that kid from the inner city that played the game with all of his heart and never took the game for granted. "

 Ricky Henderson's Hall of Fame Induction Speech   

 

     I want to start this week's newsletter with some celebration; overall its been a good week for the city and too often the victories of city are ignored or quickly forgotten.  A legendary home boy Ricky Henderson, one of the most exciting baseball players in history, entered the Hall of Fame as an Oakland Athletic. The Tribune has a gallery of photos spanning his career, including this photo of his Park & Rec trophy as Athlete of the Year at Bushrod Park (center) and his team photos from Oakland Tech.
 

 

•  Oakland received the largest Community Policing grant in the nation, over $19 million for 41 officers
• AND the Oakland Police Officers Association voted 10 to 1 on a settlement saving the City over $11 million this year. 
•  Over the last two weeks my staff and I worked with my colleagues and other City staff to pull together one more round of cuts to fill the $8 million gap.  
• The 4 City Measures passed with wide margins, saving about $9 million this year and $22 million next year. 

    A hopeful story that got little coverage was last Saturday's Peace Ride.  More than 250 people rode around the lake and to West Oakland in a demonstration against violence, many of them young men on scraper bikes. Lot's of fun and creativity, healthy exercise no problems, little coverage.  You can catch some of the action on YouTube. (Photos by Robert Raburn)

  

  

• Free and low cost events this week--see #1
• Council finalizes budget (for now) while we fight and decipher State $52M grab #4 
• Get Ready for National Night Out--more than 100 parties in District 4, 400 citywide--see #2
• Enjoy Oakland's diversity, plan to attend the many upcoming Summer Events &  Festivals--see #11
• Volunteer Opportunities--see #13

    Summer is a time to celebrate the beauty and diversity of our unique city.  We'll be out almost every weekend through the fall with our tables. Take a look at upcoming events at the bottom of our newsletter and plan a "staycation" at home.   

2nd Annual Lakefest '09, Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, Lakeshore Avenue, 10 am-6 pm: Lakeshore Ave. will be turned into a pedestrian zone from Lake Park to Mandana to host this free community event featuring live music, artisans, merchant sidewalk sale, art installations, "green" businesses and non-profits, street performers, children's fun zone. Remember there are two free parking lots, Lakeshore and one under the freeway.
 

• Jazz at Farmer Joe's in the Dimond, Saturday, August 1, 2:30-4:30 pm: Award-winning jazz vocalist and Glenview resident Adam Blankman, accompanied by pianist  Dan Zemelman, are the featured artists. Music will be served up from 2:30-4:30 pm on the covered patio, along with sandwiches and other treats. There is no cover charge and all ages are welcome.

• The African Presence in Mexico Concert, Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Saturday, August 1, 8 pm: Join special guests Son de la Tierra and Los Utrera from Veracruz for an intimate concert celebrating the African presence in Mexico through music. Concert in collaboration with East Bay Center for the Performing Arts and the Consulate General of Mexico, and sponsored by Volaris. Doors open at 7 pm for exhibition viewing. Concert at 8 pm. Tickets ($10/$9 members) at the door or in advance at www.museumca.org/tickets.  Information at 238-6942.

• Yanga Community Celebration, Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Sunday, August 2, 2-4 pm:  The African leader Yanga was a catalyst for freedom for blacks in Mexico. Celebrate at the museum with performances by West African Music and Dance Ensemble, directed by CK Ladzekpo; Son de la Tierra, directed by Artemio Posadas; and Los Utrera, musicians from Veracruz, Mexico. At 3:15 p.m., there will be a screening of films exploring the topic of the African presence in Mexico: The Forgotten Root/La Raiz Olvidada by Rafael Rebollar Corona (Spanish with English subtitles, 50 minutes); and The Third Root by Reed Rickert and Camilo Nu (a 6-minute work in progress). Presented in collaboration with East Bay Center for the Performing Arts and the Consulate General of Mexico, and sponsored by Volaris. Included with museum admission.

Health Care Forum, Sunday, August 2, 3-5 pm, The Space, 4148 MacArthur in the Laurel District one block from High Street:

• Author Adam Schell at A Great Good Place For Books, Sunday, August 2, 3 pm, 6121 La Salle Avenue: Meet Adam Schell, the author of Tomato Rhapsody, the story of how the tomato came to Italy.

• Annual Silence the Violence Day with the Oakland As, Wednesday, August 5: Join Silence the Violence for a full day of events at McAfee Coliseum--8 am-9 am, Morning Visibility Actions: to host an action call 444-5400; to attend an action check the website at www.urbanpeacemovement.org.  The 4th Annual Oakland A's Silence the Violence Day Game of Texas Rangers vs. Oakland A's. Tailgate and resource fair, 5:30 -6:30 pm, first pitch, 7:05 pm. To order tickets, call 563-2336.

• Boat House Open House, Thursday, August 6, 2 pm: Measure DD bonds have restored the basic structure of the historic Boat House at Lake Merritt, 1520 Lakeside Drive, near 17th Street . Come by and take a peek before the  the new restaurant, The Lake Chalet Seafood Bar and Grill opens.
   

There's still time to sign up your neighborhood or block with the City as a National Night Out host. As of late Friday, 101 groups in District 4 have signed up. Each year, our district accounts for at least 25% of the National Night Out parties city-wide, thanks to neighbors organizing neighbors for public safety, emergency preparedness and/ beautification projects. This is a great way to meet your neighbors. Check the list below, if there is an error or update we will post them on our website.  Please send an email to Michael Johnson  in our office.


Our list of District 4 National Night Out Parties:

BEAT 13 Y
 

• Allendale Park, 3934 Nevil Street at 38th Avenue, 7-9 pm
• Brookdale Park, High & Brookdale, Tree planting & Dedication, 6:30-8 pm
• Jefferson, 2035 40th Avenue, 6-8:30
•  Melrose High Hopes NCPC, 2535 High Street, Brookdale Park, 6:30-9 pm
   

• 39th Avenue, 4106 39th Avenue, 7-9 pm
• Davenport Neighborhood Watch, 4630 Davenport Avenue between Cunningham and Kaphan, 7-9 pm
• Enos Avenue, 3800 Enos Avenue, 7-9 pm
• Harbor View, 4100 Harbor View Ave., 7-9 pm
• Hyacinth/Worden NW: 4436 Hyacinth Ave, 6-8 pm
• Magee Avenue, 3928 Magee Avenue, 6-9 pm
   
• MASH Neighborhood Association, 4390 Albert between Madrone and Huntington, 6-9 pm
• Monterey Boulevard near Atlas, 3826 Monterey Blvd, 7-9 pm
• Redding/Loma Vista Neighborhood Watch Group, 3538 Redding Street, 6-8 pm
• Quigly Street, 3727 Quigly Street, 7-9 pm
• Tompkins Avenue, 4730 Tompkins Ave, between Buell & Wilkie, 7-9 pm
• Vale Avenue, 3943 Vale Ave, 7-11 pm
• Wisconsin Street, 3729 Wisconsin Street, 6-8 pm

• Brookdale Avenue, 4809 Brookdale Avenue, 6-8 pm 
• Brookdale Park Tree Planting, Melrose High Hopes NCPC, 2535 High Street/Brookdale Park, 6:30-9 pm
• Congress Avenue, 4908 Congress Avenue, 7-9 pm 
• Maxwell Avenue, 2563 Maxwell Avenue, 7-9 pm 
• Melrose High Hopes NCPC, 2535 High Street/Brookdale Park, 6:30-9 pm

• Oakland One of Few Cities to Get COPS Grant--Saves 41 Police Officers: The Obama administration's announcement of $1 billion in Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants today is good news for Oakland. Oakland will received $19, 747,117 for three years which will allow Oakland to retain 41 police officers in these tough economic times. It was less than we hoped, but the largest in the nation. The Attorney General announced that awards were made based on crime rates, financial need and community policing activities. Lobbying by the Mayor and our system of  Neighborhood Service Coordinators critical for street-by-street organizing for safety and prevention/intervention programs helped in this success.

• OPOA Approves Agreement: The Police budget makes up about 40 percent of the general fund of the city.  The police union approved an agreement by an overwhelming 10 to 1 ratio, with nearly 600 officers voting.   The agreement gives back a 4 percent raise for this year awarded by an arbitrator last year, 6 holidays per year, and begins contributions towards their pension fund by individual officers.  I want to thank OPOA President Dom Arotzarena and the Board for stepping up.  (Above) Dom welcomes Neighborhood Alert Leaders at the OPOA headquarters this month.
   
• On Tuesday the Council considered additional cuts proposed by the administration, all departments were asked to offer another 10 percent.  Many of the proposal were clearly unthinkable but they represent how difficult it becomes as we face near rounds of cuts. With almost $20 million in COPS grants and about $11 million in give backs from the Police union, we still had  an $8 million gap to fill on Tuesday, our last meeting before Council recess.  The alternative proposal that I introduced with co-sponsorship by Council Members Brunner, Delafuente, and Kernighan essentially cut about $4 million in overtime, helicopter, and other administrative costs to be determined by the Chief from the Police Department but did not layoff any officers.  The remaining $4 million was spread among other departments mainly by eliminating vacant positions, taking unspent or other one-time funds, and reducing services.  We saved all current Neighborhood Service Coordinators but eliminated one vacant positions, we also eliminated two Police Technicians (one vacant).  We rejected the Department's recommendation to eliminate the Rangers; we also rejected the idea of closing the Main Library two days a week.

•  RESPONSE TO THE AUDITOR
  The City Auditor put out a disappointing email this week accusing the Council of political motives when we cut her office by $70,000 in making the last round of desperate cuts to avoid laying off Police, Rangers, Neighborhood Service Coordinators or closing the Main Library two days a week. Here are a few facts that went into making our decision to bringing the Auditor's Office cuts up to 10 percent:
  • In the June round of budget cuts only two programs did not take a 10 percent cut, senior services and the Auditor's office. The Auditor took less than a 5 percent cut.  We have cut over $140 million this year, eliminated 350 jobs, and every City employee except 3 elected officials have taken about a ten percent cut in pay and benefits.
  • Last year the Auditor's office was one of the few departments that got additional funds; over $250,000 for a Whistle Blower program and investigations. So clearly, we have not tried to stop her ability to investigate corruption.   This year very little of it was spent and reportedly there was an excess of $200,000 left in June.
  • The Auditor also appears to have vacancy or other staffing savings in her accounts.
  • On Tuesday we were considering additional cuts above 10 percent from every department, including: closing the Main Library two days a week, cutting half of the Neighborhood Services Coordinators, cutting Rangers, reducing the Homeless Van hours, eliminating the Rangers, closing the Animal Shelter and many other "down to the bone" cuts.
  • When trying to piece together the $8 million we needed to save police officers, we looked at vacant positions and programs that did not spend their funding this year.  Based on the above the $70,000 reduction in the Auditor's budget was one of about 50 relatively smaller cuts we made throughout the system to save core programs in the Police, Libraries, Recreation Centers, etc.  The percentage cut in the Auditor's office remains less than most other departments.

We are going through hard times as a City.  Tempers and nerves are on edge, but we need to pull together and talk about the tough decisions we need to make based on fairness, core services, and trying to protect our most vulnerable citizens.
 
 

• City Website Tracks Federal Stimulus Grants:  The City put up  a website  on the Federal Stimulus Grants; it includes a list of Oakland applications, links to federal sites, and will eventually have postings of  local opportunities.
  
   
   

 

• Check out the Oakland Budget Challenge, an online budget balancing exercise where you get to choose your priorities. We are the first city in the state to use this software, this has been a special project of my office and the Finance Committee staff person Sabrina Landreth. (Above)
• Send in your suggestions at budgetsuggestions@oaklandnet.com

The California Budget is temporarily set, and I'll spend the next few weeks trying to balance and fight the State cuts.  With the passage of about $24 billion in cuts, the Legislature left town about $1 billion short of a balanced budget; the Governor used his veto power to make the ugliest cuts yet to create a state reserve account:

• State HIV Programs eliminated
• $80 M in cuts to the staff that monitors and investigates cases of neglected and abused children
• $16 M from domestic violence programs
• $6.3 M more cuts to senior programs
• $50 M more in cuts to health insurance for poor children
• Closing 100 state parks

The Democrats think some of the above cuts go beyond the Governor's authority.  Some legislators think the low income children's insurance fund is now so inadequate, that they may go to the ballot with a universal health care plan for children.

1. The State will "borrow" 8% of our share of local property taxes, almost $12 million for Oakland, under Prop 1A.  The are supposed to pay this back in 3 years and are telling us to "borrow" the money until then. I sit on the League of Cities State Board and we attempting to create a statewide pool to do this but are negotiating to "secure" our loan; requiring the state to make repayment priority over other debtors and to pay interest.  It is not clear what interest rates we could get given the state's bad credit rating and whether the State will cover costs; in previous loans they did not fully reimburse local governments. This means the state is "borrowing"  $25 from every Oakland citizen.
2. The Assembly rejected the Governor's proposal to take 75 percent of the local government share of gas taxes.  As a board member I voted to have the League of Cities file suit against the Governor's Proposal and sponsored the resolution approved Tuesday to have Oakland join in the suit.  As another raid on local revenues, it would have seized the local share of gas taxes, $750 million statewide or about $6 million from Oakland.  These are the funds we use to maintain our streets -- cross walks, signs, and paving.  The Tribune did a good  job of explaining the effect of these raids on  local gas funds in recent years. This saves the jobs of over 30 public works employees, mostly road and sidewalk repair crew members, who were scheduled for layoff next week.
3. The Legislature did pass legislation to circumvent an earlier court ruling that the seizure of Redevelopment funds earlier this year was illegal. The League of Cities attorneys are prepared to fight the new attempt.  This is worth $41 million in Oakland revenues that we are counting on the improve retail, parking, housing and pay back redevelopment bonds.
4. One other surprise was the rejection of offshore drilling off the Coast.  This was particularly galling because the Governor and Republicans refuse an oil depletion tax (which every other oil producing state has) worth billions or about the amount they just cut from education.  The Santa Barbara scheme was only worth $100 million and would have endangered the entire coast.
5. The bulk of the other cuts affect Education and Programs for the Seniors and the poor:
   • $9.5 billion in cuts to education
   • $2 billion in cuts to health care for children; about 300,000 will lose coverage.
   • $1.2 billion cuts to prison, while the Governor says there will be no early releases, the cuts were "unallocated" so we all will be watching the details
   • Requires 3 days per month furlough for state workers, about a 14% pay cut
   • $1.2 billion in cuts to CALWORKS support for families moving from welfare to work and to In Home Services for the elderly.

• Sacramento Bee's Budget Crisis Timeline
• A good summary of how California got into its Current Budget mess by Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee.

Volunteers Celebrate Passage of the 4 City Measures to Balance the Budget: This week a joint celebration of the various committees that  supported one or all of the 4 measures that won by wide margins on July 21st thanked the hundreds of volunteers who called and walked in the effort.  (Left) Josie Camacho, political director of Alameda Central Labor Council,  surrounded by union and non-profit organization volunteers calls for more joint efforts to help the City move forward in these tough economic times at the Marriott this week.

• Free WiFi at Recreation Centers: Mayor Dellums announced this week partnership between Oakland Technology Exchange West (OTX West) and the City of Oakland ensuring free access to computers and the Internet at every Recreation center in Oakland.Computer access begins immediately at recreation centers in every area of the city.  Internet access is available at most centers and will soon be available at all the recreation centers. Despite such economic uncertainty, this collaboration was able to provide this service to Oakland residents by utilizing remaining funds from a previous state literacy technology fund and receiving assistance from Google and other key partners organizations.Note that there is also free WiFi at the City's Libraries.

• Deadline to Purchase Flood Insurance is August 3!: Residents and business owners of Alameda County have less than two weeks to purchase flood insurance at the best possible rates before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) new National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) local rate maps go into effect.

• California Earthquake Authority Hosts Bay Area Meeting to Consider Earthquake Retrofit Incentitves:  The CEA provides Earthquake Insurance for California Homeowners, a small percentage of their funds goes to mitigation.  This week our office and the Association of Bay Area Government helped host a meeting with government officials, engineers, and contractors to discuss what kind incentives which increase the number of retrofitted homes in the most dangerous areas.  We are hoping to get state and federal grants to start a pool of funds which homeowners can borrow and pay back through their property taxes in the same way that the Berkeley Solar pilot works. (L-R) Jeanne Perkins, ABAG; Sue Piper, District 4; Leo Pomery, CEA Executive Director, Jean.
   

• Bank on Oakland --No Cost or Low Cost Banking for Low Income Residents: Bank on Oakland brings together 12 banks and credit unions to offer low- or no-cost accounts and financial training to unbanked residents. The 12 participating banks and credit unions are: Bank of America, Bank of the West, Citibank, Chase, Oakland Municipal Credit Union, OneCalifornia Bank, Patelco Credit Union, People's Federal Credit Union, United Commercial Bank, Union Bank, Wachovia, and Wells Fargo. For information, go to the website or call 211 where multilingual assistance will be available 24 hours a day.

• City Furlough Days Announced:  Part of the ten percent that most employees will give back over the next two years are 11 furlough day; closing most City services down 11 days a year.  This is the schedule for the next year:
  • Friday, August 14, 2009
  • Tuesday, September 8, 2009
  • Friday, October 23, 2009
  • Monday, November 30, 2009
  • December 28, 29, 30 and 31
  • Friday, January 15, 2010
  • Wednesday, March 31, 2010
  • Monday, April 5, 201

• Branch Libraries Moves to 5-day Schedule Starting August 1:  As a result of a decision to keep all branches open equally, rather than reduce 6 branches to 2-3 days a week, the Oakland Public Library (OPL) received funding to keep a 5-day schedule of library services at all branches.  This plan was worked out in conjunction with the Library Coalition. The Main Library will remain open 7-days per week.  The the new branch schedule will be Tuesdays - Saturdays, effective Saturday, August 1. While branch libraries won't be open on Mondays for kids to drop in after school, we will be open for them the rest of the week and for families on Saturdays.
  
  After-hours Partying in Joaquin Miller Park Has Dropped: Whether it was the press conference we held on July 1 warning about the dire consequences, or the stepped up police and fire patrols at night, Ranger Kent McNab tells us that it's been fairly quiet after hours in Joaquin Miller Park this past month. That's good news, since in the past, teens and college students would use the park for late-night beer parties and bon fires. The City and our office have made a concerted effort to keep these parties in check because of the high fire danger in the hills. It also is illegal to be in the park after dusk without a permit. Using alcohol, making fires outside of the designated fire pits and parking in the no parking zones all carry significant fines. So parents, we would appreciate it if you would continue to spread the word that Joaquin Miller Park is NOT the place to party at night.
  
   
• Parking Rules to Change:  Last month we ran warnings about Parking Rules and Administration that raised questions for us as well as many of our readers.  As part of the budget process we asked that parking facilities and management be centralized and reorganized.  We met with the new Parking Director, Noel Pinto and asked him to review rules and procedures that we thought questionable.  As a result the following changes will be effective August 1st, we expect a formal announcement soon:
  • The parking receipts issued by the new kiosks are good for the full time no matter where they are bought.  This means if you buy a two hour receipt in Montclair and then go to the Dimond within the time period your receipt will be accepted.
  • If you are parked at a meter but have a timed receipt from a kiosk that is still good, the receipt will be accepted.  This came up when some of our constituents bought kiosk receipts but were ticketed because they did not plug the meters.
  • Not effective immediately but in process, the kiosks will be reprogrammed so that at the end of the day tickets may be purchased for up to 3 hours, 5-8 pm.  This is to allow more time for shoppers who want to catch dinner or go to a dinner and movie without worrying about parking meters.

• Long Awaited Decision on Army Base Developer:  After many years of changes and delays, including a two year wait for the Wayans Brothers to bring a viable proposal, the Council approved the staff proposal at Council on Tuesday, July 28th, recommending AMB/California Credit Group as Master Developer. The group now has one year to negotiate a contract with the city.  Major concerns about including the produce market, a recycling center, and the film center must be addressed in the final proposal. This recommendation is in line with an earlier citizens commission appointed by the Mayor.  It focuses on an ambitious plan to modernize port-railway-trucking and affiliated business facilities and infrastructure. 

• Tax Penalty Penalty Amnesty Program through October 31:  Businesses with unpaid taxes or under-reported gross receipts to file with the City without penalty between August 1st and October 31st of this year.  Businesses who have not registered with the Revenue Division are also eligible to apply. Applications are available online. After October 31, full penalties and interest assessments will apply.  The Revenue Division will pursue a range of enforcement actions, including but not limited to:
   
  • 25 percent penalty;
  • Additional 1 percent per month interest;
  • Notice of Violation and Fine
  • Referral to Collections and possible legal action
   
  To learn more, please contact the Tax Penalty Amnesty Program hotline at 238-7254 weekdays from 8:30 am- 3:30 pm,  or visit www.oaklandnet.com.

 

• Garden Trash and Dumping: This week we received many postings on the Montclair listserv about illegal dumping of garden refuse and construction debris along the roads. It's seems it may be time to remind folks about insisting on a receipt from the Davis Street Dump whenever you hire someone to haul your bulky waste or large garden refuse.  Make your contractor show you his receipt also.  If you see any illegal dumping please help us get license plate numbers.

• Montclair & Dimond Post Office Stations Threatened by Federal Cuts; Save Our Dimond Post Office Meeting, Thursday, August 6 at Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Ave., 7 pm: The Post Office is phasing out their independent Post Offices and increasingly subcontracting out postage sales and other services to the private sector, including super market chains and other businesses   Tim Chapman posted minutes of the first meeting on the Dimond message board.  The second meeting will be held on Thursday, August 6. For a list of current projects and planning meeting minutes or a copy of the 2-sided petition,  email krussell@russell-gordon.com.

Decisions to cut stations are based on pure volume of sales for the most part, so we encourage you to use our local Post Office locations to buy your postage.  You can also write:

City of Oakland Postmaster Lowana Gooch
201 13th St., Rm 212
Oakland CA 94612-9998

Kim Fernandez, District Manager
Bay-Valley District, USPS
1675 7th St.
Rm. 307
Oakland 94615

The Honorable Barbara Lee
United States House of Representatives
2444 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0509

 

• Tree Thinning in Redwood Park East Ridge Trail: In early September, tree thinning work will resume on East Ridge Trail in Redwood Regional Park. The trail will be closed between Skyline Gate and Prince Trail from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, except holidays. More information is at
  http://www.ebparks.org/node/1156
   
• Summer Reading with Laurel Book Store, 4100 MacArthur Blvd. in the Laurel:
  • Kid's Story Time, Wednesdays at 3:30 pm: Bring the little ones for a nice afternoon treat.

• Got Fruit? Students from Pueblo will harvest your extra fruit and produce and donate it to low income seniors in Oakland.For details or to arrange a harvest. contact Annie Burdett at 708-7010  or email pueblo@peopleunited.org.

• Do Your Park to Save our Planet Tomorrow--Recovery at Ground Level - Lead by Example Environmental Issues Forum, Wednesday, August 19, 5:30-7:30 pm, Healthy Oakland, 2580 San Pablo Avenue, West Oakland: The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle environmental issues forum will work to educate and empower residents and community leaders the need to do our part today to save our planet tomorrow.Hear from environmental organizational leaders and their exciting programs & services for you to save and make money all while protecting the environment. 
  Confirmed Speakers:
  • KEMBA SHAKUR, Urban Releaf
  • REBCECCA PARNES, Alameda County Waste Management 
  • TOM GUARINO, Pacific Gas and Electric 
  • COOKIE ROBLES-WONG, Keep Oakland Beautiful
  RSVP by August 16 &/or for more information, email staff@bwopa.org
  or call Elaine D. Smith at 763-9523.
  
  
   
• Sign up for Creek to Bay Day 2009, September 19, 9 am-Noon: Site coordinators will meet on August 12, 7-9 pm  at 250 Frank Ogawa Plaza, 5th floor Fox Conference Room for training. August 14 is the deadline for requesting loans of tools. One registered, tools may be picked up September 16, 17 and 18th. For details, contact Daniel Chau at 238-6222.

• While City Crime is down, Burglaries are up 3%.  Murders remain -20%, robberies are -19% down, and auto thefts -23% down. Take Time This Weekend to Do a Safety Audit of Your Home:  With summer many of us forget to secure windows and doors. With the recession, crimes like burglaries appear to be on the rise across the nation, in Oakland they are about 1 up.  We continue to have a rash of quick smash and run burglaries.  Do not leave laptops and expensive equipment visible from windows.  Check your doors, weaker doors are the main targets.   This is a useful checklist to consider.
   

• New Online Citizen Reporting at www.oaklandpolice.com: If you've been a reader of our newsletter, you know how frequently we encourage residents to report crime. The reports generate the data that OPD uses to set priorities, as well as provide practical information to help police spot crime trends and solve crime. You don't have to wait for an officer to show up at your door, or download a form and fax it back to complete a crime report. Oakland's has been up and running for several months now to report certain property crimes:
  • Lost Property
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Vehicle Burglary
  • Vehicle Burglary
  • Vehicle Tampering
     

 District Problem Solving Officers:  Have a chronic issue that involves criminal activity?  Let your beat's PSO know. Check here for a map to determine which Beat covers your neighborhood:

• Laurel 25x: Ryan Kabahit RKabahit@oaklandnet.com
• Dimond 22x: Rick Coglio RCoglio@oaklandnet.com
• Bret Harte/Joaquin Miller 22y: Ann Pierce Apierce@oaklandnet.com
• Jefferson 24x: Joseph Fong JFong@oaklandnet.com
• Montclair 13z: Maureen Vergara MVergara@oaklandnet.com
• Maxwell Park 28x: Keith Clement JClement@oaklandnet.com
• Melrose 27x: Greg Loud GLoud@oaklandnet.com
• North Hills 13y: John Haney JHaney@oaklandnet.com
• Allendale 24y: Richard McNeely RMcNeely@oaklandnet.com

• Program Your Cell Phone for the Oakland Fire Department and Medical Dispatch:  In addition to 777-3211, which will connect you directly to the Police Dispatchers from your cell phone when you are in Oakland (9-1-1 on your cell connects you to the Highway Patrol),  you may also want to program into your cell phone Oakland Fire Department and Medical Dispatch at 444-1616.

Parents and neighbors, now is the time our kids need us the most.  We are getting back local control during the worst state school cuts in recent history. Please consider ways you can support our schools--by volunteering, donating funds, designating your local school as a recipient of your escrip, or by participating in the local PTA or site committee. I am working with the Police and District to focus on truancy this fall and encourage all Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils to connect with their local schools. Starting September, all Problem Solving Officers will visit their local schools so that our students will get to know "their" officer as a real person.

Soda Free Summer YouTube Video Contest, Due by August 3, 9 am: All you need is to be creative and have fund. Submit a video that tells (and shows) how you plan to be Soda Free this summer and inspire others to do the same with your great ideas and video. There are great prizes. The "Oscar winner" will receive a $500 gift card and five runner ups each will receive $100 gift cards. For official contest rules and entry guidelines, go to: www.sodafreesummer.wordpress.com.

• Joaquin Miller Elementary's TLC Day/ Meet New Principal, Sunday, August 16, 10-2 pm:  Spend the day with new and returning JM families sprucing up the school.  Help install new, parent-funded playground equipment, weed the gardens, and other small tasks. Most important, come meet Principal Paulette Smith. Parents, students and the community welcomed! Enjoy lunch at Noon.
• Pre-School Play Groups:  A good way to build support for public schools and prepare your child for school is to organize or join a play group for your school. Here are two groups organized for local schools:
  • Glenview 2009 Kindergarten: Every Saturday morning, 10 a.m.- noon, from July 11 through August 22, Glenview Elementary School, lower back yard play structure. Contact Megan (415)309.7367 or m@meganleighsimmons.com

• Summer Family Nights at the Dimond Library, Tuesdays at 7 pm: Bring the entire family to 3565 Fruitvale Ave for an evening of fun
   
  • August 4: National Night Out (outside stories and sidewalk art fun)
  • August 11: Fratello Marionettes
     
• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie at Children's Fairyland, July 23-August 16: Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences launches its first summer season with a new production at Children's Fairyland. The highly-regarded theater company will perform If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, a play based on the book by Laura Numeroff. The popular book was adapted for the stage by Jody Davidson and the play is directed by Nina Meehan. As a special treat for families, every ticket to the show includes one hour free admission to Children's Fairyland prior to the show.  The park is open for picnicking from 5-6 pm on Fridays prior to the 6 pm show.  On other days, the park will be open through the 4 pm showtime.

• Two-Day FREE Gang Awareness Training, Thursday, August 13 and Friday, August 14, 9 am-5 pm, Oakland International High School Auditorium, 4521 Webster (at 45th Street): An open invitation for FREE professional development through the OUSD Office of Alternative Education. Ever wonder why youth join gangs? What are the warning signs of gang involvement, what are effective prevention & intervention strategies in working with gang-affiliated youth? To register, contact Shirley Yee or call 879-2140. Space is limited. Funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

• Dramatic Reading of New Play in Progress on Pullman Porters, Saturday, August 15, 2-4 pm, Oakland Main Library's West Auditorium, 125 14th Street (at Madison):  To be a member of the Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters was once considered a radical, if not terrorist, activity, in the early part of the twentieth century. East Bay writer Judith Offer's play-in-progress, Compared to What?, sets up the dilemma of two Pullman Porters during 1926 in West Oakland, who are in conflict about the decision to join the organization-and  perhaps risk being fired.  Members of the audience are invited to join in a discussion after the reading.  This event is being co-sponsored by the Oakland Public Library and LaborFest 2009. LaborFest 2009 will also provide a San Francisco venue for another reading of Offer's play in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the 1934 General Strike. (Above) Oakland's first Pullman Porters from the African American Museum and Library collection.

Wildfire Prevention District Annual Retreat, Thursday, August 13, 9-5, Henry Trudeau Training Center, 11500 Skyline Blvd: Those who live in the Wildfire Prevention District (WPD) are encouraged to attend the annual retreat of the WPD Advisory Committee, which helps shape the policy, procedures and priorities of the Cities vegetation management and education program in Oakland's urban/wildlands interface in our hills. The monthly meetings are among the most informative of all of the city's advisory committees, and the retreat should also be of interest. For additional information, go to http://oaklandwpd.org/ or the city's website at

http://oaklandnet.com/wildfirePrevention/default.htm.

 
• Walking Tours of Oakland: A great way to introduce our fair city to your visitors, or to learn more about the richness of Oakland yourself: All tours are free and being promptly at 10 am. Reservations are encouraged. Call 238-3234.
   
  • Saturday, August 1 Preservation Park
     
  • Wednesday, August 5 Old Oakland
  • Saturday, August 8 Uptown
  • Wednesday, August 12 City Center
  • Saturday, August 15 New Era/New Politics
  • Wednesday, August 19 Churches & Temples
  • Saturday, August 22 Old Oakland
  • Wednesday, August 26 Chinatown
  • Saturday, August 29 Waterfront
     
  
  
   
• Keep Cool in the Summer at the Oakland Ice Rink, 519 10th Street in Downtown Oakland:
  • Friday Theme Nights, 7:15-9:15: Come dressed in theme and receive a 10% discount off of admission: 8/1-80's Skate Party; 8/8--Hop Hop Saturday; 8:15-Jersey Night; 8/22-Tribute to the Stars; 8/29: Show Your True Teal.
     
  • Sizzling Hot Summer Nights on Wednesdays, 6:45-8:45 pm: Aged 18 or older public skating sessions, July 8-August 26.$7 admission; $2.50 skate rental; $16 for two (includes skate rental).
     

• Fourth Friday Summer Nights at Dunsmuir House, 6 pm on: Come to the Great Meadow and bring a picnic and blanket. Once it's dark enough, outdoor movies will begin:
   

• Friday, September 25, Finding Neverland

• Jazz on the Green, Lake Chabot Golf Course, Saturday, August 22: . Relax with family, friends, food and good entertainment at this affordable event. 11450 Golf Links Road.

• 10th Annual Laurel Street Festival,  Saturday, August 8, 1- 6 pm: The Laurel District along MacArthur Blvd. between 35th and High will transform into a pedestrian zone to host thousands of Laurel residents and visitors from the greater Bay Area. The festival will showcase live music and performances highlighting some of the greatest Bay area and local talents, a street fair with over a 100 vendors, street art, gourmet food booths, family fun at the Kid's Zone featuring games, activities for children of all ages and showcases more than 100 retail, service and restaurant establishments in Oakland's own Laurel District.The Laurel Street Festival attracts over 5000 attendees annually.
   

• Art & Soul, August 15-16-- The Bay Area's coolest festival moves to a new weekend (August 15 & 16, due to the Labor Day closure of the Bay Bridge) and returns with a stellar lineup. This year's lineup continues the diverse and wonderful variety that has made Art & Soul the region's most popular music festival.
   

Shawn Colvin                                                                               Will Downing
 

Saturday, August 15                                 Sunday, August 16
 

also featuring                                        also featuring
 

       BoDeans                                         Bobby Caldwell
 

       Mo'Fone                                         Frankie Lee
       Kevin Moore                                  Chino Espinoza y Los Dueños Del Son 
 

       Bishop Walter L. Hawkins             Zakiya Hooker
       Dayna Stevens                                Ba-Tu-Ke
 

       Ramana Vieira                                Fito Reinoso & Su Ritmo & Armonia
 

       Dear Indugu                                    Freddie Hughes
 

       Sepia                                                Sandy Perez y Su Lade
 

       Oakland Public Conservatory of Music        Derick Hughes
 

       Rosa los Santos                                The Caravan of Allstars
 

       Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir     World Dance Stage
 

•       For a complete lineup, visit the Art & Soul website.
   
   
   

Chinatown Street Fest, Saturday & Sunday, August 22 & 23, 10 am-6-pm: Celebrate the year of the Ox, Chinese lion dances, Japanese taiko drumming and Tahitian dance as Oakland's Chinatown (the oldest Chinatown in the state) celebrates! This 22nd annual event covers nearly 10 blocks and includes three stages and hundreds of food booths. For details, check out their website.
 

• East Bay Evolution Eat Real Bike Tour, Saturday, August 29 or Sunday, August 30, Noon to 4 pm: Join a tour for two-wheeled foodies! Begin and end at the Eat Real Festival at Jack London Square. Peddle along Oakland's waterfront and meet local culinary artisans, learn about their specialties and sample their creations. Members of East Bay Bicycle Coalition or Walk Oakland Bike Oakland receive $10 off cost. Bike rentals available from Bay Area Bikes.$40. Call Karen Hester for details. Or register here.

• 4th Annual Day in the Park, Maxwell Park, Saturday, September 12, Noon- 5 pm: Featuring local musicians, kids' games, bike repair, BBQ and a lot more. If you would like to help sponsor the event, please send checks in any denomination to the Maxwell Park NCPC,  3145 Courtland Avenue, Oakland 94619. Volunteers are also needed. Please contact Helen da Silva at 207-2958 or Krista Gulbransen at 304-3575.

Oaktoberfest in the Dimond, Saturday, October 10, 11am-6pm, MacArthur Blvd. at Fruitvale Avenue: Last year more than 5,000 people came to the first celebration. Enjoy German and local craft beers, Kid's Rootbier Garten, Gourmet German Food, Entertainment and Raffle, Sausal Creek Eco Fair, and new this year, Homebrew Competition. Check it out at oaktoberfest.org.
 

• Allendale Park NCPC- cleans up streets, tree wells and storm drains on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays 38th Street between Nevil and Suter Streets. Call Steve Reuss at 536-9551.
   

• Keep Dimond Clean Every Week: 22x NCPC Beautification Efforts: Residents are invited to join neighborhood volunteers on Keep Oakland Clean and Beautiful volunteer clean up walks:

Safe Walk to School Monitors/Volunteers Needed: Pedestrian safety at our local schools is a constant concern. The City's Safe Walk to School Program experienced cutbacks in funding, but is interested in retirees willing to dedicate 1 to 1 1/2 hours twice a day to help serve as Safe Walk to School Monitors at intersections in front of our schools. We are especially looking for a volunteer to work at Bret Harte Middle School, a District 4 school that is in real need of additional adult presence during the crossing times. For details, contact Carmella Chase at 238-7992.

 

• School Volunteer Faire, September 12, Main Library's West Auditorium:   Last year the OUSD Volunteer program closed due to program problems. Currently there is no easy way for the community to volunteer to work in the public schools.  The Montclair Community Action Group,  a neighborhood group that grew out of the Obama campaign, is planning a Volunteer Fair, Saturday September 12th at the Main Library's West Auditorium. School based non-profits, who have a variety of great programs currently in the schools, will be on hand. They train volunteers and make it easy to tutor a child, be a mentor, classroom aide, help in school libraries and more. All interested volunteers are invited to come the Fair talk with the school based groups and sign-up for the  program that meets their time availability and interests.