The National Weather Service has issued a "Fire Weather Red Flag Alert" for the East Bay Hills through Sunday. Warm temperatures, dry air, strong winds higher than 20-30 mph in areas of very low fuel moisture combine to produce dangerous fire weather conditions. On Red Flag days the Wild Fire Prevention District provides extra roving Oakland Fire Department patrols.

Please Remember:

Have any maintenance or construction crews on your property to be extremely cautious of sparks caused by equipment (which has historically been a primary cause of fires). Crews are required to have at least 2.5 gallons of water and a fire extinguisher on hand. Better yet, postpone the work until after the weather conditions return to normal.

Restrain from using BBQs, smoking outside and any other open flame use.

Have family, guests and neighbors obey all parking regulations so that streets and roadways will allow a fire truck to pass.

 

Please double check the defensible space around your home. For most homes that is a 30-foot perimeter (100-feet if you live on a hillside or ridge) where:

• the grass is no taller than 6 inches
• the trees have been limbed up to 6 feet from the ground
• vegetation has been pruned back to avoid fire ladders
• pine needles and debris removed from roof gutters
• dead branches removed from your property

 

The Wildfire Prevention Assessment District (WPAD) Citizen's Advisory Committee meets next Thursday, September 28 at 7 pm at the Richard C. Trudeau Training Center on 11500 Skyline Drive. It's well worth your attending the meeting to see how your WPAD dollars are being spent. There is also an all-day strategic planning session for the Citizen's Advisory Committee on Friday, September 29,9 am - 5 pm at the Joaquin Miller Community Center in Joaquin Miller Park.

At this time of year, our office typically sees an increase in calls from residents concerned with flammable eucalyptus trees, broom and vegetation management among large open spaces. If you go to the WPAD website you will see that the WPAD is in the process of developing a long-range plan to address the top 10 high risk open space issues as the second phase of the significant challenge of reducing the fire load in the Oakland hills.

In the first two years of the District, roadside clearance and creating fire breaks along the major access routes in the hills, to ensure that fire trucks as well as local residents can get in and out, have been the first priority.

The next step will be to identify the top 10 high risk areas using fire modeling software, and to develop vegetation management plans for these areas that take into consideration topography, plant material, best practices,protected species and other environmental considerations. Then, the WPAD will leverage its funding, as they have with a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with UC Berkeley and East Bay Regional Parks in the Claremont Canyon, to address some of these areas. The cost of managing the vegetation in our large open space areas (Joaquin Miller Park, for example, is 500 acres!) is two to four or more times the $1.67 million generated each year by the assessments. Consequently, the WPAD has to triage and delicately balance needs throughout the district.

The central area of Montclair has not had a major fire in the last century, so undergrowth is thick. The new Wild Fire District with limited funds will not catch up overnight but working with the community we have made progress: 100% of the hill lots are inspected very year, reducing the lots/acres that are non-compliant, both public and private, significantly. Despite the heavy rain this year, most roadsides are clear. Many of the wild lands next to heavily used areas have been cleared such as near the Shepherd Canyon fields. Help us plan our strategy by joining us next Thursday.

For more information on the Wild Fire Prevention District...

Opal Palmer Adisa, Daniel Alarcon, Wajahat Ali, Avotcja (left), Yolande Barial, Sara Biel, Boadiba, Michal Chabon, Lucha Corpi, Lucille Day, Anna DeLeon, Dave Eggers, Philip Kan Gotanda, Andrew Hayes, Jessica Hoffman, Doug Howerton, Reginald Lockett, Zigi Lowenberg, Kirk Lumpkin, Mary Mackey, Adam David Miller, Duc Nguyen, Gerald Nicosia, Kaya Okes, Claire Ortalda, Paradise, Shailja Patel, Patriece, Tennesse Reed, Javier Reyes, Pablo Rosales, Floyd Salas, Nina Serrano, Kim Shuck, Rebecca Solnit, Jennifer Stone, Raymond Nat Turner, Ayelet Waldman, Bill Wong, Yehmanja...

These are just a few of Poets and Writers Who Care who shared a few "Choice Words for Libraries" last Saturday at the Rotunda Building fund raiser sponsored by the Oakland Neighborhood Library Coalition. It was an inspiring evening as many writers talked about how libraries and librarians "saved their lives" and "inspired" their careers. My favorite was a poem crying for a "100 librarians" in the fight against violence.

The Oakland Neighborhood Library Coalition kicks off its campaign this weekend to begin distributing signs and forming outreach committees for each branch library.

If you can help distribute signs, volunteer or donate...go to: http://www.oaklandlibraries.com/volunteer.html or contact Sue Piper in her private role (she only works for us part-time): sgpiper@sbcglobal.net or call 499-8933.

To view the Library Master Plan & Kaiser Center Proposal...

<<< Tyler Thompson sings in Mandarin in a selection played jointly by the Oakland Symphony and the Great Wall Orchestras last Sunday. For more information on Tyler and the Great Wall Orchestra.

Four Sunday's in the Redwoods--Music and Drama at Woodminster Amphitheater continues this Sunday, September 24, 3-7 pm with the African American Shakespeare Company performing "The Taming of the Shrew" placed in the 1970's. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce your children to Shakespeare and to the wonders of Joaquin Miller Park. Bring a picnic and friends and neighbors. Gates open at 3pm, performances begin at 4 pm sharp. Oakland Parks & Recreation, the Montclair Village Association, Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation, and my office are sponsoring four FREE events at Woodminster.
This series has evolved out of our discussions to broaden the use of the Joaquin Miller Park; our dream to bring quality, free live performances to Oakland; and our hope of bringing the community together across generations and cultures. We hope to build this into an annual event.

THE NEXT THREE SUNDAY'S
 

• The Taming of the Shrew, set in the 70's with music by Marvin Gaye, by the African American Shakespeare Company, plus poetry and other spoken word, Sunday, September 24, 3 - 7 pm
• Four Flavors of Jazz , Sunday, October 1, 11- 7 pm. Beginning at 11am: Khalil Shaheed, Oaktown Jazz Workshops, Oakland Music Conservatory and the Youth Jazz Band. Beginning at 3pm the Count Basie Tribute Band, Mo'Rockin Project, and Babatunde
• Gospel at the Woodminster, Sunday, October 8, 3 - 7 pm, featuring the Men's Missionary Choir, Peace, and KC Gospel Group

VIP Seating & food available. Call 238-3092 for reservations.

 

For a Copy of the Leaflet....

• On Monday, September 18 our office hosted a lively meeting to formally introduce the proposed AMG Senior Residence facility at High and MacArthur to the community. AMG primarily develops senior housing and has an option to buy the land, if the project for independent seniors (similar to the new project at Lincoln Courts) is approved. The land is owned by the Hahn's most recently known for trying to put a Macdonald's at Lakeshore. We introduced the project and gave its history. Gary Patton, the City’s Deputy Director of Planning, provided a synopsis of the planning process and statutes. Alexis Gevorgian, the Principal of AMG, described the project and answered questions.

Following these presentations, nearly two hours were devoted to a question and answer session in which every one of the more than 60 attendees was able to ask questions and/or voice an opinion. These are the major concerns voiced:

• Height: Many people are concerned about the height of the building which is 4 stories at the corner but scales back up to 6 stories in the back and near the freeway. The building of 141 units would be built around a large central court/garden.
• Traffic Safety: Impact on the traffic, pedestrian safety
• Retail: Laurel merchants want more retail on the first floor. Looking at the High Street side above, current plans call for a corner retail space, lobby,and a flower/newsstand space on High (about 2/3's of the front). Currently the MacArthur side (not shown) would have retail at the corner, parking entrance, a community room, and no public entrances near the freeway entrance.
• Parking:The current plan calls for twice the parking required by code. 1 space per 2 units, but there were concerns that the seniors would have more cars than existing projects. Some suggested a car share program.
• Affordable Housing: A smaller number were opposed to affordable housing. Incomes for affordable senior housing go up to $34,000 per year for a single. Many existing seniors in the neighborhood would qualify.

 

As the Deputy Planning Director indicated, our meeting provided informal fact finding for the staff and chance for the developer to hear broad neighborhood concerns. Now the project enters the first step of the formal city process -- Design Review. The Design Review Committee will hear about the project on September 27, 4 pm, in Hearing Room 1 of Oakland City Hall. This meeting will primarily deal with how the building looks. Based on comments given at our meeting and at design review, the developer will have time to revise his plans.

Meanwhile, the city staff will be studying many of the concerns raised by the community, traffic patterns, and other code issues. The developer has promised to use the same streetscape elements as in the Laurel streetscape across the street (benches, cans, tree grates and guards, etc) and other landscaping improvements. They have also agreed to lighting improvements and security measures along the walkway to the freeway entrance and stairs. All of these elements above will come back to the full Planning Commission when resolved.

• Sun-Cal developers are inviting the public for tours of the Oak Knoll site. Guests should gather at the Oak Knoll entrance, 8750 Mountain Blvd, Thursday, September 28, 12:00 pm. Bring your sunglasses and comfortable shoes. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. RSVP to by September 22nd, Sarah Chavez 251-0711

The building owner where the former M&W Liquors operated had promised to work with the neighborhood to find a new retail occupant. We were surprised this summer when the store opened with a new name but looking pretty much the same except no liquor sales. Our office worked with building inspectors to close it down because it was operating without a permit. A "convenience store" requires a conditional use permit.

The store is applying for a conditional use permit. In the last month, there has been two murders at this corner. We are asking neighbors to help us prepare for the Planning Commission hearing. Please send letters/emails/photos to Carmen Perez to indicate your support for – or against - this permit and business operating at this location and consider attending the planning meeting when the date is set to voice your concerns.

Many thanks to over 200 volunteers who helped clean and restore the watershed and creeks at seven sites in District 4 last Saturday. Special thanks to the California conservation corps that sent young people to many sites!
Last year over 900 volunteers citywide took nearly 4000 lbs of trash out of our creeks and lakes, removed 187 cubic yards of non-native vegetation, and stenciled 124 storm drains with "No Dumping, Drains to Bay/Creek." Each year we deliver snacks to projects in our district.

We also give A's tickets to those volunteers who find the most unusual items in the watershed. So far we have three entries...if you found an unusual object send us a note or picture.
(Above) Volunteer drags mattress spring out of Butters Canyon. Unfortunately, this is not an unusual object.

American Express Partners in Preservation is running a web poll which will be used in distributing over a million in funds. Two great Oakland sites are in the top ten. The Fox Theater, the amazing downtown art deco era theater that is about to be reopened after decades sitting empty and the Cleveland Cascades near Lake Merritt. The neighborhood near the lake has been organizing a great grass roots effort to research the original design and raise funds. Right now you can see the steps, but as they have started cleaning and planting you can begin to imagine the possibilities. You can vote once every day until October 31st! Please help these grand beauties!

(Left) Cleveland Cascades near Lake Merritt in the 1930's.

Help Preserve These Oakland Treasures, To Vote Go to....

• Police Service Area 4's Lt. Ricardo Orozco leaves for the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on September 30th. Many of our top officers get this training opportunity which lasts up to six months. PSA 4 covers parts of the Dimond, Bret Harte, Oakmore, Allendale, Fruitvale, and Laurel.

In the interim Sgt. Vierra will be acting Lieutenant. He can be reached at 777-8522.

• New Problem Solving Officer: The newest class of graduating officers start September 26th. Officer Ryan Chan will cover Kami Jackson's area (who is out on medical leave) – Beats 22 X & Y (Dimond/Bret Harte), 24X & Y (Allendale), and 25 X & Y (Laurel.)

In response to increased and deadly gang violence in Oakland, the City released $680,000 in Measure Y: Violence Prevention and Public Safety Act of 2004 funds for Gang Prevention and Intervention Programs. These programs will focus on parent education and gang awareness for elementary and middle school families, and leadership-based programs for youth aged 12 to 24 who are gang involved or at high risk for gang involvement. Programs will target Central and East Oakland neighborhoods most affected by gang violence. Funds will be allocated to up to four organizations after a competitive Request for Proposal process. Programs are anticipated beginning as of January 1, 2007.

In addition, the City's Department of Human Services and the Alameda County Public Health Department are forming the Oakland Gang Prevention and Intervention Providers Network to bring together the many organizations providing services to Oakland youth involved or at high risk for gang involvement. The network will educate people about how to detect youth who are gang involved or at risk, and what steps to take; implement best practices and influence policy makers on the best way to address the needs of this target population in Oakland. The network will begin meeting in December.

The City also joined the National League of Cities new California City Gang Prevention Network to help combat urban gang violence. Participating cities include Fresno, Los Angeles (San Fernando Valley), Richmond, Sacramento, Salinas, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Rosa and Stockton. The National League of Cities is partnering with the Oakland-based national Council on Crime and Delinquency to launch the three-year project with support from the California Wellness Foundation.

• Daffodil Days are Back! Imagine 150,000 daffodils blooming all over Oakland this spring. For the third year, the City's Keep Oakland Beautiful program sponsors up to 200 free daffodil bulbs for planting in public locations. Once you plant them, you are considered the area steward and agree to keep the site looking nice, litter and weed-free. The bulbs must be planted in public locations, such as parks or schools. Official planting days are November 3-5, but you can plant bulbs anytime before the end of November. To reserve your free daffodil bulbs, call 434-5139 or go to the Keep Oakland Beautiful website and fill out an online request.

• Upcoming Friends of Sausal Creek Workdays. Individuals and groups are welcome to join our restoration efforts within the Sausal Creek Watershed. Please contact FOSC Restoration Coordinator, Kathren Murrel Stevenson at 338-5676 if you are interested in joining in on the fun (and work!).

• Saturday, September 23, 9-Noon: Riparian Site- Creek and Canyon ivy removal. Meet at the El Centro trailhead.
• Saturday, October 7,9-Noon: Grassland Site-cut and cover cotoneaster stumps, pull broom, whack acacia re-sprouts. Meet at Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery.
• Saturday, October 14, 9 - Noon, Cape Ivy Site: pulling and bagging cape ivy. Meet at the corner of Joaquin Miller Road, and the upper loop of Sanborn Road.
• Saturday, October 21, 9-Noon:Redwood Site-help diver erosion causing storm water off of the switchbacks in preparation for the winter rain. Meet at Monterey Blvd. trail head.

 

•Oakland Youth Chorus Auditions! Concert Chorus has space for youth ages 14 to 21. Auditions for the 33rd Season of the award-winning Oakland Youth Chorus are going on through September at Arts First Oakland/First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Tuesday and Wednesday 4-6 pm. Contact Rachelle Rogers-Ard at 287-9700 x101 to set up an audition. For more information, visit Oakland Youth Chorus.

• Astronaut Rusty Schweickart Lecture: "Are We Still Dinosaurs? The Asteroid Test – Protecting the Earth from the Next Big Collision" Sunday, September 24; 4 pm; Seating is limited. Tickets: $8 Nonmember / $6 Member; Available at the Chabot Box Office, 510-336-7373 Rusty Schweickart, Apollo 9 Astronaut and Chairman of the Association of Space Explorers Committee on Near Earth Objects, will talk about the risk to Earth from rocks in space that are hurtling by our planet and the things we can do about it. Followed by Q & A.

• Meet the women of "The Secret Lives of lawfully Wedded Wives" at a Great Good Place for Books on September 30, 7 pm. 27 female writers - -half who write anonymously--share the often hidden truths that lurk in married women's lives, both scandalous and sweet. Editor Autumn Stephens will be joined by contributors Elizabeth Fishel, Kat Meltzer, Rachel Trachten, Susan Parker, Joyce Thompson, Orit Weksler and Janis Newman, at A Great Good Place for Books, 6120 La Salle Avenue in Montclair.

•Metropolitan Horsemen's Association Hunter Show, Sunday, September 24, 8:30 am, Sequoia Arena in Joaquin Miller Park. This is the final show of the season, and a great opportunity for the family to see local equestrians at their best. For details, call 531-5449.

•Family Camp Fire at Joaquin Miller Park, Saturday, October 14, Sunset at the meadow. Bring the entire family for a fun-filled evening of stories and songs around the campfire at Joaquin Miller Park. For details call Stephanie Benavidez at 238-3739.

• Urge the Governor to Sign AB 1953 for Lead Free Drinking Water: This bill by Assemblywoman Wilma Chan would eliminate lead contamination from pipes in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause severe physical and mental illness and especially dangerous for children. Reducing the level of lead in children by just 10 percent would save California over $800M/yr according to recent studies. EBMUD has been purchasing and installing lead-free brass fittings for many years. This bill would require a phase out of lead fittings statewide. This Sacramento Bee article is a good summary of the issue.

With a thousand bills on his desk, and heavy lobbying/contributions by contractors...there is a real possibility AB1953 will not be signed. Contact the Governor today. LA Times Article
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-445-2841, Fax: 916-445-4633. To send email, visit http://www.govmail.ca.gov

• Governor Signs the Legislature's Proposal to Cap California Greenhouse Emissions: What a difference a year makes. Last year the Governor vetoed a similar measure. Thanks to everyone who sent an email to the Governor on this crucial issue. More information.

If you missed last month's E-Waste Recycle Event at the Coliseum, don't let the October Oakland Rotary opportunity pass you by. Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 28th, 8 am-5 pm at RPM Warehouse, 414 Lesser Street..

Acceptable items include: Televisions, consoles and monitors; computer systems & components (keyboards, mouses, internet devices, etc; copy and fax machines; stereo equipment, CDs & DVDs (players and discs); printers & toner cartridge; MP3 players; scanners, cameras; cellular phones & batteries and household phones.

If you have 20 or more computer systems (or large items), contact Greg Rosenberg at Universal Waste Management at 888-832-9839 to schedule a pick up prior to October 28...be sure to mention that items are being picked up for the Rotary Event. For more information, contact Alex McIntyre 812-6544.

• Joaquin Miller Dog Park Update. Work will begin soon on installing a water line to the new dog play areas in Joaquin Miller Parks parking lots 4 and 5. We anticipate completion by late October. Watch for details about when the park's opening.

•Skyline Retaining Wall Project. Last Winter's rains caused a land slide off of Skyline Road above Arrowhead Drive. Construction, which started this weekend will run for approximately 45 days, requires that one lane be closed to through traffic during regular work hours. The detour route is Manzanita with detour signs posted at Shepherd Canyon and Snake. The City sent out more than 400 notices to area residents informing them of the project, but as drivers and bicyclists from outside the neighborhood use this route, please spread the word.

• Warren Freeway Sign Replacements Scheduled for November/December. CalTrans has informed our office that existing signs within the gore areas at various exit ramps will be replaced with overhead signs at three locations on Route 13: northbound off to Carson Street; southbound off to Moraga Avenue, and southbound off to Mountain Blvd.

• Cinderella/Sunset Trail Slide Repair: Measure DD funds to repair the slide which closed parts of the trails and threatened the creek were approved by the Council and a contractor is now being selected. Work may close the trail in the fall.

The City of Oakland Fire Department and BART host the Oakland/Berkeley Firestorm 15th Anniversary on Saturday, October 21 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Rockridge BART Station in Oakland. The Remembrance Ceremony will begin at Noon. There will be family and neighborhood fire prevention activities and a commemoration BBQ in the Street sponsored by the Rockridge Market Hall Pasta Shop at 1 pm. Partners for this event include the Oakland Wildfire Prevention Assessment District, the City of Berkeley Fire Department, Hills Emergency Forum, Diablo Fire Safe Council, the Alameda County Fire Chief's Association, East Bay Regional Park District, California Department of Forestry, Neighborhood and Homeowner Associations, Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies (CORE), the Red Cross and many more.

For more information....

We still need surveys for our upcoming planning process to improve Brookdale Park. Our office is working with the Office of Parks & Recreation to enhance the programs and equipment at Brookdale Park. Over the year we have worked to improve safety and lighting, but there is much more we can do. As part of that process, we have designed a quick survey for park users. Please complete and return this survey to Carmen Perez by September 30.

Capoeira dancers perform at Brookdale park.

Email: jquan@oaklandnet.com

Phone: 510 238-7004

web: http://www.jeanquan.org