• Office Hours 12:30-1:30 pm Today:  Because most of our office will be visiting the CORE exercises in our district this morning.  Therefore, I am holding my office hours at the Laurel Office in the afternoon, please note the change.

• Office Hours at the Montclair Farmers Market Next Sunday, May 5th, 9am-1pm:  We resume our first Sunday office hours in our booth at the Farmers.  Come by and visit us.  We will be distributing free native California Poppy Seeds again and some new Butterfly Mix Seeds as well as useful brochures and leaflets.

• New Staff:  Many of you may have noticed that Sue Piper has been working for us full-time for the last few months as we have searched for a new staff person to fill our Laurel-Allendale-Maxwell Park-Melrose position. We hope to introduce a permanent replacement next week.
   

• Bike to Work Day, Thursday, May 17: Each year I and my staff join hundreds of other Oaklanders in celebrating Bike to Work Day. If you would like to join us on Thursday, May 17, meet at Wheels of Justice in Montclair at 7:30 am and we'll meet up with Councilmember Pat Kernighan and her crew at the Grand Lake Theater and finish up at City Hall.  We will be greeted by valet parking and a free pancake breakfast, raffles, and other give aways.
   

• Enter Our Free Raffle; Battery Recycling Made Easy in Oakland: State law bans batteries from residential garbage so it's a good time to switch to  rechargeable batteries, flashlights, and appliances. I have been pleased to work with Stop Waste and our Public Works Department to have Battery Recycling Containers placed at public libraries, recreation centers, fire stations and other public buildings so that you can easily drop off your batteries for recycling. It's part of our effort to reach Zero Waste by 2020! When you drop off your batteries at our libraries you can enter a raffle for battery charging equipment. At District 4 libraries -Dimond, Montclair, Laurel - we will also be raffling off rechargeable flashlights; perfect for you emergency preparedness kit or car.  Acceptable batteries: alkaline, carbon zinc and zinc air (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V and button batteries) as well as disposable lithium batteries (con cells and photo batteries). Rechargeable batteries ARE NOT acceptable. (Above) Recycling batteries at Montclair Library.
   

• Free Mercury Thermometer Exchange and Unwanted Medicine Collection on Saturday, May 19: East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) announces a free mercury thermometer exchange, as well as disposal of unwanted medicine on Saturday, May 19 from 9 am-3 pm at 6475 Christie Way (at 65th Street, Powell Street exit).

• 25 Ways to Keep Oakland Green:  Help us pass on our new leaflet listing 25 ideas for a greener Oakland, including many valuable resources.

•  New PSA Lieutenant: Lt. Chris Mufarreh, formerly supervising Problem Solving Officers, has been appointed to the head Police Services Area 4- Allendale, Bret Harte, Dimond, Laurel, Oakmore, and Redwood Hts.  Last week I had an opportunity to meet with him about crime trends in our area, especially the recent increase of robberies along the MacArthur corridor. You can contact him at: CMufarreh@oaklandnet.com or 777-8521
   
• Correct Truancy Hotline is 879-8172. In previous issues of this newsletter, we listed an incorrect number for the OUSD Truancy Hotline. There are still several weeks left in the school year. If you notice school-aged kids out on the streets when they should be in school, call this number and leave a message. Oakland Public Schools are in session until June 13.
   
• Evening Robberies Along MacArthur: 
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  • We are still reminding evening shoppers and others to be careful when they drive home, to watch if they are being followed or if unknown strangers are sitting in cars nearby. If you are not sure, circle your block. 
     
  • If you are being followed, don't stop but go to a public place such a super market with a guard or even Highland Hospital or the Eastmont or Downtown Police Stations. 
  • We see a similar pattern of patrons leaving MacArthur businesses in the evening being approached as they walk to darker, side streets to their cars streets.  The Laurel Merchants have hired a private patrol agency for the evenings and there will be extra police patrols in the area. We encourage neighbors to park on MacArthur whenever possible in the evening, always be alert about your surroundings and whether you are being followed, and walk with friends or in groups when parked on side streets.
     
  •  We are interested in organizing more Neighborhood Alert Groups in this area. If you have information that can help the police, please contact the Neighborhood Services Coordinator Rene Sykes, rsykes@oaklandnet.com
  •  More Robbery Tips
  • If you witness a robbery or crime, this Identification Sheet might help police get the information we need to make an arrest.
     
  
   
• Use Your NCPC to Help Set Community Safety Priorities: Our office tries to monitor the many listservs in our District where neighbors register concerns about crime and traffic safety but you cannot consider this the same as contacting police or our office directly. Police beat priorities are set at the Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils (NCPCs). We encourage neighborhoods and representatives from Neighborhood Watch Groups to participate in their NCPC's. Schedule
   
• NCPC Appreciation Day, Saturday, May 19, Noon - 3 pm at DeFremery Park at 18th and Adeline: The Oakland Police and the City Administrator's Office are sponsoring a picnic for the dedicated volunteers who work hard to make our Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils work.

• Traffic Meeting about 35th Avenue/Redwood Road on Wednesday May 9, 7 pm:  We will be hosting a meeting at our District Headquarters, 4173 MacArthur, at Maybelle, at which members of the Transportation Services Division of the Cityʼs Public Works Agency will discuss traffic calming measures for 35^th Avenue / Redwood Road area in Laurel/Redwood Heights. Please come to hear their ideas and share your own.
• Traffic Issues on Upper Park Blvd.: As a follow up to the meeting earlier this year on the proposed Park Blvd. Trail, our office has scheduled a meeting with Oakland Traffic Engineers and Traffic Enforcement staff, City of Piedmont staff and representatives from Zion Lutheran and Corpus Christi Schools for Thursday, May 10.  If you live immediately near by and are interested in participating, please contact Sue Piper in our office.
• Radar Feedback Signs:  Our office has purchased three radar speed feedback signs that are scheduled to be installed in late June-- one on Joaquin Miller Road, one on Redwood Road and one on 35th Avenue between Highway 13 and MacArthur Blvd.  The City has installed the poles; the remaining equipment is scheduled for installation sometime in May or June.

• Traffic Enforcement:   Speeding vehicles are an issue throughout our District. Several of the District 4 NCPC's have requested that the Police Traffic Enforcement division patrol key speeding hot spots. These are recent results from Montclair:
  • Heavy weekend traffic with cyclists, motorcyclists, hikers and autos on the scenic but narrow and curving Skyline is dangerous. On Saturday, April 7, police ticketed 27 people caught speeding along Skyline Blvd. near the Redwood Road intersection. 24 of the 27 citations were to Oakland residents with an average age of 32 years.
  • On Ascot in front of Montera and Joaquin Miller Schools, the police ticketed 27 people who were caught speeding during the morning commute on Monday, April 16 (during Spring Break).

Please remember that the speed limit in residential areas is 25 mph.  If you have a spot to recommend for additional enforcement, go to your next Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council.  Each NCPC names its top 3 spots. 

• New Skyline Share the Road Signs:  As part recommendation by a Skyline Blvd Task Force Public Works has added several new signs along Skyline to remind people that it is not a raceway.  Speed limit and Share the Road Signs as well as better crossing markings have been completed.

<< "We are not criminals, we only want to work."  Oaklanders at last year's rally on immigration.

May 1st is traditionally the International Day of the Worker.  In an effort to publicize the importance of immigrants to the US economy, the Alameda Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Saint Louis Bertrand Catholic Church and the Local  Organizing Ministry (Oakland Community Organizations) have organized a march for comprehensive immigration reform. A recent survey shows that 76% of voters support a comprehensive bill that would provide a path to legal status for immigrants already here through fines and meeting requirements combined with stronger border security and tougher employer enforcement.
 

• Family Camp Out in the Large Meadow, Saturday, June 23-Sunday, June 24--You don't have to drive far to have a "Sierra" camping experience. Bring your tents and the kids and camp in Joaquin Miller Park! This is a rare opportunity, as the park does not usually allow overnight camping. For details, contact Stephanie Benavidez at 867-0669.

• Register now for Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, May 5-6: Registrants receive passes to more than 60 bird- and butterfly-friendly, pesticide-free, water conserving, low maintenance gardens that contain 30% or more native plants. The gardens will be open on Sunday, May 6 from 10 am-5 pm at various locations throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.  A number of native plant nurseries (including FOSC's Native Plant Nursery in Joaquin Miller Park above) will be having sales on May 5 & 6.
• Introduction to Alameda County Bioregional Ecology in May: Planet Drum Foundation and the Friends of Sausal Creek (FOSC) sponsor a two-day weekend field immersion workshop conveniently located in the Sausal Creek restoration area of Dimond Park (Fruitvale Avenue at Lyman). This is a wholistic ecological approach to identifying and understanding Northern California's unique climate, weather, soil, landforms, watersheds and native wildlife with hands-on learning techniques in the beautiful environment along Sausal Creek. Space is limited-- call now to reserve your place on either May 12-13 or May 19-20. Sliding scale of $35-$75 (limited scholarships and work exchanges available.) Call (410) 285-6556 to reserve your spot.

• Youth Uprising Celebrates its 2nd Anniversary, Wednesday, May 2, 4-7 pm, 8711 MacArthur Blvd. Please RSVP by April 23 to 777-9909, ext. 171. Youth Uprising receives Measure Y funds and provides youth leadership, violence prevention and community building training and job opportunities.

• Meet Children's Author Lois Ehlert at 4:30 pm on May 2 at a Great Good Place for Books in Montclair, 6120 La Salle Avenue: Bring your kids to hear Lois Ehlert read from her new picture book, Wag a Tail.  Lois is the beloved author of Leaf Man, Pie in the Sky, In My World, Growing Vegetable Soup, Waiting for Wings-- and Sue Piper's favorite book -- Planting a Rainbow (Sue made a quilt based on the wonderful drawings in this book.)
   
• American Indian Charter School Celebrate's Oakland's First National Blue Ribbon Award: Located in the heart of the Laurel, the American Indian Charter School received the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education for its students' superior academic performance under the No Child Left Behind Act. The school is celebrating this honor on Friday, May 11 from Noon until 2 pm. Christopher Wright, the Secretary of the Department of Education, and a representative from Johns Hopkins University will be on hand. Middle school students at the school are enrolled in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth and are eligible to attend summer advanced enrichment programs at the University. If you are interested in supporting this event, or attending, call the school at 482-6000, ext. 10. 

• The Road to Health is a traveling broadcast series aimed at communities of color to  help communities of color develop healthier lifestyles. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.
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• The event features local and national celebrities, seminars for youth, men and women, dance and nutrition demonstrations, medical screenings, CPR certification training and a blood drive, cardio zone for kids and a 1/4 mile walk-a-thon.
• Friday,  all Oakland Public Schools middle school students will be attending the event. At 9:30 am, Tavis Smiley, Mayor Ron Dellums and Congresswoman Barbara Lee will take a 1/4 mile walk with 4,500 students inside the Expo Hall. Volunteers are needed to chaperone students at the expo.
• Friday, is also Senior Day--nutritionists, fitness experts and health conscious celebrities will be on hand to share their knowledge.
• The general community is encouraged to come to the free Expo on Saturday. All attendees must register online or on site.Volunteers are needed to help out on both days. To volunteer, apply online.

• 2nd Annual Expo for New Business Startups Thursday, May 3, 11 am-3 pm, Frank Ogawa Plaza at City Hall to learn how you can open your own business, meet graduates of Oakland Adult Education's Entrepreneurship Institute, check out services available to new businesses in Oakland and learn about the hands-on training courses. The free event is presented by Oakland Adult and Career Education in partnership with Urban Voice. For more information, call 879-4020. 
• Greece by the Bay- May 18-20: Awaken your senses with sumptuous food and vibrant music morning, noon at night at the annual Oakland Greek Festival, Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Avenue. For details, call 531-3400. 
• Mother's Morning-Mourning, Saturday,  May 12: Join a multi-denominational program in memory of children lost to violence at Lake Merritt and Frank Ogawa Plaza on the day before Mother's Day. Gather at Lake Merritt (20th and Harrison side) at 9 am for a silent prayer and meditation before a silent walk to Frank Ogawa Plaza. From 10 am until Noon, join in the music, poetry, dance and ritual. Wear red-- the color of blood, life, death and creativity. Bring bells, gongs, a photograph of loved ones lost to violence in Oakland and an item for the alter. In case of rain, the event will be held at the First Congregational Church at 2501 Harrison Street. For details, call 482-6409. 
•  Free Guided Walking Tours Showcase Downtown: Wondering what to do with the relatives when they come to visit this summer? Here's a great way to showcase your hometown. Free 90-minute walking tours of downtown Oakland are offered every Wednesday and Saturday from May through October. Each tour begins at 10 am. The 53 guided tours offer a glimpse into Oakland's past and present while showcasing the city's changing skyline, landmarks, churches and high rises. Eight different tour itineraries are offered at various times throughout the season. Reservations are suggested and may be made by calling the Oakland Tours 24-hour hotline at 238-3234.
• Growing Women Business and Growing Oakland: Free conference for business women--whether you are just starting your business, growing an already thriving business or in the initial entrepreneurial stages, plan on attending . Kenote address by Sheryl O'Loughlin, CEO of ClifBar, followed by in-depth panels featuring successful business owners. Friday, May 18, 8:30-1 pm at City Hall. RSVP, as the event is first come, first served, 238-7001.
• Oakland Civic Orchestra Features Young Artists in Concert June 10, 3 pm : Three finalists from the 2006 Oakland East Bay Symphony's Young Artist Competition--will be  featured on  at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Avenue in Oakland. Soloists include 15-year old pianist Chloe Pang, who with her brother, cellist Clark Pang, will be seen on PBS in From the Top's Live at Carnegie Hall series.  For details, call 238-3895 or visit their website. The Oakland Civic Orchestra is sponsored by the Oakland Parks & Recreation Department.  Free.