|
 |
Moving Oakland Forward Together |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Go A's ! Since the A's swept Minnesota today, many of us will have a few more free hours this weekend. This weekend the staff and I continue to join library volunteers in delivering signs and making phone calls for Measure N, the Library Bond. On Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm, we will be holding our last outdoor office hours at the Farmer's Market in Montclair for this year. Next month we move inside until the spring. Later on Sunday I hope to see you at our last concert in the Sundays in the Redwoods series, " Celebrating Oakland's Gospel Sound." The weather forecasters predict a return of the sun, so bring your picnic and please come by to say hello. Finally, I am continuing to make progress on my email backlog and I thank everyone for your understanding.  Jean Quan Vice Mayor, District 4 Council Member
Join us for the final FREE performance of our Sundays in the Redwoods series, "Celebrating Oakland's Gospel Sound," Sunday, October 8, 3-5 pm. A celebration of Oakland's musical traditions must recognize the roots in our African American churches where many great Oakland artists started. American Idol's La Toya London, who sang at 4 at Allen Temple and the Pointer Sisters, who sang in their father's West Oakland church, are two of many. Help us promote free quality live performances here, send this onto your family and friends. Come early and enjoy the cascades, picnic areas, and trails of this 500 acre park. Directions & Map (Above) Latin Jazz great Julius Melendez, trumpeteer for Santana, plays last week. We are honored to feature three community choirs:
We want to thank those of you who joined us for this first fall series. Parks and Recreation will have thank you surprises this Sunday for those who have attended the whole series! Sundays in the Redwoods evolved out of discussions to broaden the use of Joaquin Miller Park; our dream of quality, free live performances; and our hope of bringing the community together across generations and cultures. We enjoyed great performances in a beautiful venue and learned valuable lessons about using this huge outdoor theater and promoting events there. While the audiences were not as big as we can accommodate, we are predicting nearly 1500 attendees by this weekend. We are pleased that at least half of the audience at each performance had never visited Woodminster before, many more had not been there in many years. My office and the Parks and Recreation Department will begin almost immediately to debrief and plan for next year. We welcome your comments and suggestions.
This year we continue to work with Supervisor Nate Miley on traffic safety for our youth. In addition to visiting schools throughout our district, we are working with parents and neighbors to distribute "Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25 Signs" along major streets close to schools. If you live on a major street and near a school, contact Carmen Perez in our office if you are willing to post a sign. (Above) Jean, Nate, Firefighters, and teachers join hundreds of students and parents at Horace Mann for Walk to School Day Wednesday. In other neighborhoods, we are working to improve paths to schools year round, including: trail work near Joaquin Miller/Montera; working to cut back foliage and bushes to increase walking space and sight lines to traffic near many schools; leafleting campaign on Maple; and requesting more traffic enforcement at many more schools.
Our neighbors in the Glenview were featured in many Walk to School stories. They are asking everyone to slow down on Park Blvd. Park is a major route for people living all over the hills, Oakmore, Glenview or just traveling between Hwy 13 and 580. Too many race through the area endangering students at schools and pedestrians in the commercial areas. The Glenview Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council's traffic committee worked with the city to reduce speeds and end the confusion between different zones. The speed is now 30 miles per hour between Leimert Blvd and 580. The exception is in front of schools (Brewer Middle, Corpus Christi, Zion Lutheran Schools) where it is 25 miles per hour.
Over the next five years approximately one-third of the City's 5,000 plus workforce is eligible for retirement. If you ever considered working for the City, next Saturdays' Open House at Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall (14th & Broadway) is for you.
POLICE RECRUITMENT: Oakland is in fierce competition with cities around the state for police recruits. San Francisco is seeking nearly 300 officers, Sacramento 125, Los Angeles 600. The good news is that nearly all the recent academies are full with 45-50 cadets. The bad news is that each new officer requires nearly a year of training, half in the academy and half in street experience with a training officer. Applicants interested in the Police Department are especially encouraged to come next week: Meet Chief Tucker; see demonstrations in canine handling, motorcycles, helicopter operations; and tour the Police Recruitment Offices.
When M&W Liquors at 2400 High was closed earlier this year, the owner of the building promised to work with the community to find a new tenant. (Left) Captain Kozicki at announcement of the closure of M&W. When it reopened this summer as Saalem Market looking much like the old store without alcohol, we quickly found that this new “convenience store” did not have the correct permits and it was closed by the city. Last month the Saalem Market applied for and then withdrew their application for a permit; then attempted to reopen. Jean and Carmen Perez visited the store with city inspector Bill Singman. As a result the building owner and operator of the store were ordered to close the store, again. In our meeting this week with the owner and his attorney, he agreed to end the Salaam Market lease and attend the Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council to discuss the next tenant before opening the site again. Our office will work with city commercial development staff and the owner in the interim. Please contact Carmen Perez in our office at 238-4742 with questions or to report further violations.
Last Saturday marked a heart warming milestone for our office when 90 seniors were welcomed into their new homes in Lincoln Courts, formerly the site of the infamous Hillcrest Motel --the fourth worst crime spot in the city in 2003. About a third of the residents came from the immediate neighborhood, more than a third moved from other parts of Oakland, others mostly from nearby cities included parents moving closer to their children in the neighborhood and city. Culturally, residents represent a close match to seniors citywide. Gathering in the unfinished senior service center above, I joined city staff from the Dimond Library and Recreation Center, Human Services Department, Senior Programs and others in welcoming them. Self Help for the Elderly, an established senior service organization, will be managing the building and will conduct a fundraising effort to furnish and complete the community service/meeting rooms. As we baby boomers begin to grow, we hope the Dimond will become a model neighborhood to "age in place." Our office is in the process of bringing representatives from the four senior residences in the Dimond together to coordinate services and plan a "senior friendly community." One of our first projects was obtaining a grant for senior shuttle services in the Dimond. For more information, contact Richard Cowan in our office.
Help our Oakland projects stay on top ! American Express Partners in Preservation is running a web poll which will be used in distributing over a million in funds. The two great Oakland sites are among the twenty-five choices slipped last week and need our help. The Fox Theater, the amazing downtown art deco era theater that is about to be reopened after decades sitting empty, fell from second to third place. The Cleveland Cascades near Lake Merritt slipped out of the top ten to thirteen! 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! (Above) The Fox Theater exterior marquee has been restored but little interior work has been started.
October if Domestic Violence Awareness month. One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. For the third year, my office joins together with leaders combating domestic violence and the sexual exploitation in Oakland to discuss new efforts to fight these problems and critical needs. Join us Monday, October 30th, Noon to 2 pm, in the City Council Chambers for our report. Speakers include:
We will also be premiering two new Public Service Announcements produced by Oakland students on the issues of teen prostitution and the dangers of solicitation through the Internet.
• ROBBERY TIP SHEET: Robberies are up this year and victims in our district tend to be individuals who are alone at the time, walking in less busy areas or very early or late hours. Shoppers with full arms getting into or out of cars are easy targets. This tip sheet is a good reminder for all of us. If you do witness a crime, write down information as soon as possible. This identification worksheet helps organize information. • New Problem Solving Officer: The newest class of graduating officers started September 26th. Officer Ryan Chan will temporarily cover Kami Jackson's former area – Beats 22 X & Y (Dimond/Bretharte), 24X & Y (Allendale), and 25 X & Y (Laurel). Kami, who was out on pregnancy leave, has decided to take a position in San Leandro. As new officers graduate these beats will be assigned to new permanent Problem Solving Officers.
• Upcoming Friends of Sausal Creek Workdays. Individuals and groups are welcome to join our restoration efforts within the Sausal Creek Watershed. Please contact Restoration Coordinator, Kathren Murrel Stevenson at 338-5676 if you are interested.
• Living Alternatives for Seniors, a free seminar for seniors and those who care for and about seniors, Saturday, October 7, 9 am - 7 pm, Kaiser Elementary School, 25 South Hill Court. A community service seminar presented by Realtor Terry Kulka, Estate Planning specialist Patraick Z. Riley, Esq., Marty Appel, loan consultant, and Linda Fodrini- Johnson, Executive Director of Eldercare Services. Topics include: Choices to assist with age-related changes; reverse mortgages; home care choices; housing choices; selling a home, estate planning tools. Seating is limited. • Park Blvd. Median Clean up, Saturday, October 7, 8:30 am-1:30 pm. Meet in the business district on Park Blvd to pick up your safety vest. RSVP so lunches (free) can be reserved, 481- 3128. • Community Multicultural Chautauqua Celebration, Saturday, October 7. Chautauqua is a Native American word meaning "Gathering of People". The Oakland Diocese, St. Lawrence O'Toole and St. Cyril Parish, 3727 High Street, welcome the community to celebrate Oakland's cultural diversity. At 10 am there will be a procession, a multicultural, multilingual Liturgy celebrated at 11 am. At Noon, enjoy ethnic foods, live entertainment and children's activities. (Food sold at nominal fee.)
• Author Phillippa Gregory at A Great Good Place for Books on October 9 . Best-selling author Phillippa Gregory, author of The Constant Princess, reads from the book at 7 pm at GGP, located at 6120 La Salle Avenue in Montclair. Acclaimed mystery writer, Cara Black, will read from the sixth installment of her Aimee Luduc mystery series, Murder in Montmatre, on Thursday, October 12. Award-winning actress and author Meg Tilly visites GGP on Friday, October 13, at 7 pm, reading from her new novel, Gemma. • Warriors Hold Public Open Practice, Monday, October 9,6-8 pm. Parking and admission will be free for all fans, with doors open at 5:45 pm. For details, 986-2273. • Mills College Landscape Lectures: History and landscape fans will enjoy this series of three lectures. They are free and take place from 5:30– 7 pm in the Mills Bender Room, Carnegie Hall, 5000 MacArthur Blvd. Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz presents the first lecture "The Design of Mills College: A Campus Rooted in Hope," Wednesday, October 11th. discussing buildings and landscape of Mills College in the 19th and early 20th centuries. She will examine distinctive features of the College's evolving landscape heritage plan, and how they reflect the College's future as well as women's colleges nationwide. • 12th Annual Montclair Fine Arts & Crafts Festival, Saturday, October 14 from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, October 15 from 10 am to 5 pm. Sponsored by the Montclair Village Association, this free event offers works from more than 90 talented artists who line the streets of the Montclair Business District. For information: Montclair Village Association,339-1000 or Pacific Fine Arts at (209) 296-1195 or www.pacificfinearts.com • 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. For details call Stephanie Benavidez at 238-3739. •Movies at Dimond Park launch Saturday, October 14, 6:30-9:30 with "Dora's Halloween" and the classic from 1985,"The Goonies". Films will be blasted up onto the Big Screen at the "stage" behind the Building in Dimond Park (off Wellington and Canon). In case of inclement weather, movies will be shown in the Rec Center. Future movies will be shown on the second Saturday of each month. For information: Michelle Doppelt, 482-7831. • Indigenous People's' Day and Grand Opening at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, Sunday, October 15, noon- 5 pm. The Peralta Hacienda Historical Park grand opening celebrates its new $3 million park -- a tot lot with climbing structures shaped like native grizzly bears and redwood trees, a 100-foot long, 3-foot thick adobe wall that commemorates the Peralta family rancho (the first European-built structure in the the East Bay), Native Plant Garden and outdoor exhibits. Enjoy live entertainment, a community art project to decorate the adobe wall, docent-led tours, craft vendors, craft/archaeology activities for kids, food and community information booths. For details, call 532-9142. • Supervisor Nate Miley Sponsors Oakland Town Hall Meeting, Monday, October 30 6:30-8:30 pm at Sequoyah Community Church, 4292 Keller Avenue. Alameda County Supervisor welcomes residents to hear about the 2006-07 County budget; Countywide Violence Prevention Plan, Services to and Collaboration with Oakland and Q & A. For details, contact Darryl Stewart at 891-5586.
• Honey From Laurel Bees: Neighbors Susanne Lea and Russ Bruno are beekeepers with four hives in their Laurel back yard. They completed their late summer "harvest" a few weeks ago and delivered eight dozen one-pound jars to the original Farmer Joe's at 35th Avenue and MacArthur. • I Love Oakland T's and Buttons: Just in time for the A's playoff games or for that unique gift, Maxwell Park's Walter Williams sells his I Love Oakland products online at www.iloveoakland.com
• On Saturday, October 7 from 9 am to 3 pm, Rebuilding Together Oakland and Electronic Waste Management host a free Electronic Waste collection event at the Lionel Wilson College Prep Academy, at 400- 105th Avenue. • The Oakland Rotary's E-Waste Recycling Event, 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 details, contact Alex McIntyre 812-6544.
• EBRP Serpentine Prairie Resource Restoration Plan. Many dog walkers use the Serpentine Prairie, extending from Redwood Road northwest to Skyline Blvd. for off-lease recreation with their pets. This area has a high density of serpentine rock on which uncommon native plants occur, including the largest population of one of the rarest plants in the state, the Presidio clarkia. Because of damage over the years by a variety of recreational uses,the East Bay Regional Park District will launch a restoration project this fall and may close off some of these areas. • Joaquin Miller Dog Park Update. Work is starting on installing a water line to the new dog play areas in Joaquin Miller Parks parking lots 4 and 5. We anticipate completion by November 1. Watch for details about when the park's opening. • Airport Repairs May Impact Noise. Over the next month, the Federal Aviation Administration's roof repairs will shut down instrument aides used to reduce noise from departing planes. Residents may experience higher levels of aircraft noise. Aircraft noise concerns may be directed to the Oakland Airport's Noise Hotline at 563-6463. •Skyline Retaining Wall Project. Last Winter's rains caused a land slide off of Skyline Road above Arrowhead Drive. Construction will run for approximately 45 days, requiring 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's Public Ethics Commission is accepting applications for the position of Commissioner. The term begins on January 22, 2007 and will expire on January 21, 2010. Commissioners receive no compensation and may serve no more than one consecutive three-year term. For details and qualifications, contact Dan Purnell at 238-3693. Completed applications and resumes must be received no later than Friday, October 27 at 5 pm. Duties include:
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. For a history of firestorms in the East Bay Hills, this presentation for the establishment of the Wild Fire District is still relevant.
• Love Your Parks Day: The Oakland Parks Coalition invites friends and lovers of Oakland Parks and Recreation Centers to conduct citywide park surveys on Saturday, October 28 from 9am – noon. Results of the surveys will be tabulated and submitted to City officials. With the failure of the Landscape and Lighting District update, city park maintenance resources are stretched. If you want to support OPC’s effort to improve funding and maintenance for our parks, please be a survey volunteer, email us at loveyourparksday@gmail.com or phone 287-2693
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |