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1. Weekend Events: Youth Health, Oakland
Mothers |
 PBS
personality Tavis Smiley hosts a FREE health, fitness and
wellness expo at the Oakland Marriott City Center, today
Saturday, May 12, 10 am-5 pm. >>
ROAD TO HEALTH: Want an entertaining way to discuss
healthy habits, weight, or nutrition with your child?
Games, demonstrations, dance exercise, booths and give
aways make it easy. Local clinics and hospitals are
providing some basic health screening.
Because of juvenile obesity and related diseases, including
diabetes and high blood pressure,
young people today may be
the first generation that does not live longer than their
parents. High calorie diets and less physical
activity has doubled the number of children considered obese
(20% more than appropriate for height and build) in the last
generation. One child in five is overweight. If you can't
get by, here are some important
tips for parents.
<< Asian Health Services volunteer demonstrates that
drinking a soda a day equals 32 lbs of sugar a year.
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Colleen Brown, veteran community policing
activist, is Oakland's 2007 Mother of the Year.
Join us today May 12, 10:30 am, at the 54th
Annual Mother of the Year Award ceremony at the
beautiful Morcom Rose Garden, 700 Jean Street. Coleen
was nominated by the Community Policing Board of which
she is a member. Coleen also organized the Burbank-Millsbrae
Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council and served ont he
Oakland Home Alert Coalition. She was selected out of a
group of nominees consisting of exemplary citizens, all
of whom have made significant contributions to the City
of Oakland.
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Mothers Mourning Morning, Saturday, May 12, 9am: Join a
multi- denominational program in memory of children lost
to violence at Lake Merritt and Frank Ogawa Plaza
today. Gather at Lake Merritt, 20th and Harrison, 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. Participants
are asked to wear red -- the color of blood, life,
death, and creativity -- and to bring bells, gongs,
photographs of loved ones lost to violence in Oakland,
and items for an alter.
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Chabot
Goes Batty, May 12, Noon-4pm: In conjunction with
Chabot's newest exhibit,
In the Dark,
May is dedicated to The Darkness of Caves.
Volunteers from
Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut
Creek will be
visiting Chabot with demonstrations between Noon and 4
p.m. and a live bat presentation in the Chem/Physics Lab
at 2 pm.
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 Going
the Extra Mile as "Kids Go Green", May 12, 11am-4pm:
Chabot Space & Science Center's Kids Go Green: Be
part of the Solution is a climate change
initiative by kids - for kids, families and the
community. Developed by the Galaxy Explorers - Chabot's
youth volunteer program - Kids Go Green was
designed to show both children and adults how to take
practical, daily steps to reduce carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gas emissions. May's theme,
Transportation, kicks off on Saturday, May 12 with a
wide array of hands-on activities including solar car
building and racing. Keynote speaker Felix Kramer, the
founder of the California Car Initiative, will
demonstrate the features of the new generation of hybrid
cars. Wear green and receive $1 off admission.
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Second Saturday Cinema in Dimond Park at dark this
Saturday, May 12: Free monthly outdoor movies start with
Night at the Museum, which begins as soon as
darkness falls! (8:00pm or so) Bring out your blankets
and lawn chairs! In case of inclement weather, the movie
will be shown in the Rec Center. Please come out for
this free family event. Snack Bar will serve snacks and
drinks for 50 cents each.
- Oakland Youth Chorus
"Rhythm of Spring" Choral Concert, Saturday, May 12, 7
pm: $20 regular tickets; student/senior/group
discounts available for this concert at the First
Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St at 27th. Call
287-9700 or visit their
website for details.
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California Wildflower Show
at the Museum, May 12-13: Need more inspiration
to plant California natives? A popular spring tradition
at the museum, the Wildflower Show offers a profusion of
freshly gathered native species (none endangered) on
display, in arrangements, and dissected for study.
Native plant and gardening workshops held throughout the
weekend. Admission is free this Sunday; there will be
family activities and a special Mothers Day concert.
- Mothers Day Mission to Mars,
Sunday, May 13, 1:30 pm: Flowers and chocolates for mom
again this year? Why not celebrate Mother's Day by
taking her somewhere she's never been - Mars! You and
mom can spend some quality time plotting a mission to
the Red Planet in Chabot Space & Science's replica of
the International Space Station. The $30 per person fee
($25 for members) includes general admission to the
center, a cosmic beverage, edible outer space treats,
and a souvenir of your mission. Call 336-7311 or email
groupsales@chabotspace.org.
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2. Council Begins Budget Hearings, D4
Hearing May 23rd |
Next Tuesday May 15th, 3:30
pm the City Council begins hearings on the next two
year budget. At this meeting the Council will review the
proposed budget by the Mayor and City Administrator
summarized in
last week's newsletter. Council members will likely
make additional proposals, but a $13 million projected
deficit mean tough decisions. The Council has final budget
authority and a budget must be passed by June 30th.
On Wednesday, May 23rd, 7-9
pm I will hold a hearing for District 4 at the Dimond
Library. Representatives from the Mayor's and City
Administrator's offices will join me.
Q: How much of each
Property Tax Dollar goes to the City of Oakland?
A: 28 cents of each
dollar.
For an overview of the City Budget, budget schedule and
more
Budget Facts. |
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3. Bike to Work Day Thursday, May 17 |
- 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.
- AIA National
Newsletter Features Oakland's Bike to Work Day:
District 4 resident and architect
Ron Bishop is
featured in the this week's American Institute of
Architects (AIA) National Newsletter in
"Bike to Work Day" .
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4. Plastic Bag Ban Proposed and More Green
News |
 Proposed
Plastic Bag Ban: On May 22nd Council Member Nancy
Nadel and I will introduce an
ordinance banning plastic carry out bags from large
retail stores similar to the legislation recently passed by
San Francisco. Each year 12 million barrels of oil go to
produce over a trillion single use plastic bags.
Californians use over 19 billion bags and throw 600 away
every second, resulting in over 147,000 tons of litter.
Thousands of marine animal die from ingesting bags or
entanglement. To comment on the ordinance, contact
Richard Cowan of our office 238-7041.
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 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. 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, Melrose - we will also be
raffling off rechargeable flashlights; perfect for you
emergency preparedness kit or car.
- 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).
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25 Ways to Keep Oakland Green:
Help us pass on our
new leaflet listing 25 ideas for a greener Oakland,
including many valuable resources.
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5. Local Stores
Honored |
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This month
Oakland Unwrapped, a non-profit which promotes local
businesses, honored businesses that made a difference in
their communities over the last year. Several District 4
stores were given Local Dynamo awards recognizing special
places to shop within a commerical zone:
A Great Good Place for Books
in Montclair, Paws and
Claws in Dimond and
Komodo Toys in Laurel.
Farmer Joe's won the
special Ripple Award -- a business within a commercial area
with the potential to change their entire zone for the
better.
Oakland Unwrapped announced that along with fostering
local enterprise through the Internet, it would also serve
as an Internet store for new and exciting products.
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6.
Community
Policing/Crime Prevention News |
-
 Community
Policing Activists Meet with District Attorney Tom
Rogers,
Thursday, May 17th, 6:30 pm, Garfield Elementary
Auditorium, 1640- 22nd Ave. near Foothill. Police and
citizens often complain that criminals are not
prosecuted or are allowed to plead out. DA's often are
overloaded with cases. What can be done to make the
criminal system more effective? This is a unique
opportunity to discuss these critical issues. For more
information about the DA's office:
http://www.acgov.org/da/daorg.htm
- Crime Prevention Tips for Summer
- Talk to your
children about strangers; advise them to say "no" if
they are promised a gift, run away as fast as
possible, and tell a trusted adult immediately.
- Talk to your
kids about fireworks and matches.
- Do not let your
children play alone.
- Do not leave
your garage door open.
- When walking
out to your car, remain alert at all times. Have
keys ready.
- Many burglaries
are committed through open windows, especially
kitchen and bathroom windows. Check them before
leaving home.
- In summer we
open more windows and doors, make sure you have
window locks or other protections.
- Arrange for
neighbors to keep an eye on your home when you are
on vacations; remember to cancel subscriptions and
have mail held.
- If you come
home to an open door or broken glass on one of the
windows, DO NOT ENTER YOUR HOME. Go to a trusted
neighbor's house immediately and contact the police.
- When home alone
or with your children, keep doors locked.
- If you leave
the residence to do yard work, lock the door behind
you.
- At parks and
community pools, do not leave children or valuables
unattended (or wrapped in a towel).
- Keep an eye on
all of your valuables while shopping or attending
area festivals. Watch out for pickpockets.
- The Oakland Police Department often runs bike
patrols in the park areas throughout the summer. If
you observe an individual or vehicle that is acting
suspiciously, contact the Oakland Police Department
immediately or notify a passing bike patrol officer.
- The
Rangers informed us this week that an arrest was
made in the assault in Dimond Park earlier this year.
We will keep the community informed about this case.
- Call the
non-emergency line 777-333 or dial 911 in a
life-threatening emergency. Program your cell phone for
777-3211 for a direct connection with the Oakland Police
Department, avoiding the delay of going through the
regional Highway Patrol center that handles 911 for cell
phones.
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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
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7. Traffic News:
Car Seats, Speed Feedback Signs, 35th Ave |
 Click-It-Or
Ticket Campaign Underway: Through next month the
Oakland Police Department is part of a statewide effort to
randomly stop motorists to inspect seat belt usage including
child car seats. Fines run from $80 up to over $400 for
failure to have a car seat for children.
· All children who are younger than 6 years and/or weigh
less than 60 pounds must be properly restrained (seat belts
fastened) in a correctly installed car seat.
· All children who are younger than 1 year and/or weigh less
than 20 pounds must be properly restrained (seat belts
fastened) in a correctly installed car seat facing the rear
of the car.
In Alameda County it is estimated that up to 90% of car
seats are installed improperly. Make sure your child's car
seat is safe, make an appointment for an inspection; call
1-800-441-1888.
Do NOT use an used car seat, for free or low cost car seats
for low income families are available as part of prenatal
programs in many community health clinics, other sources
are:
Alameda County Public Health
1000 Broadway, Suite 500, 267-8000
Children's Hospital Oakland (including Clinics)
747 52nd Street, 428-3471
Family Day Care Support Network
2370 Grande Vista Place, 532-0102
35th Avenue Meeting:
About 30 neighbors came out this week to meet with traffic
engineers about efforts to improve traffic safety. We
reviewed the history of the avenue originally a winding
lumber road used to haul redwoods down to the bay and then
the widening of the street aborted plans for a freeway. The
road with its curves, steep bumps, and fast traffic is often
dangerous for pedestrians. Residents along the curve near
Jordan have frequent car crashes.We discussed recent
changes including the radar speed feed back signs, improved
curve markings, and new lines. We discussed plans for a
larger island and guard rail at the curve. Residents also
suggested an addition speed feedback sign for the uphill
side of 35th, more school safety and pedestrian signage at
the top of 35th Ave near the recreation center and school,
and improvements for pedestrians crossing Hwy 13 to
Safeways. Engineers were also asked to study the
possibility of narrowing 35th to 2 lanes with bicycle paths
as opposed to the current 4 lanes. We created an email
group and agreed to meet again after traffic staff has had a
chance to analyze the problems and suggestions.
 Radar
Speed Feedback Signs: Our newest radar speed
feedback sign on lower Redwood Road between Monterey and
Jordan is up and running. This year I purchased 3 to join
the sign on Lincoln Ave. Two others, one on upper Redwood
Road and one on Joaquin Miller Road should be functioning by
the end of next week. We chose the streets with the fastest
speeds and heaviest traffic. They are each solar powered. If
they are effective, I expect to buy more for other main
arteries.
Montclair Traffic Light:
Based on past accidents and volume of cars the
Traffic Division is planning traffic light at LaSalle and
Mountain. At the recent meeting we convened the idea was
controversial. When the staff studies the comments and come
back with a report we will convey it back to the community.
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8. School & Youth News |
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Sponsor a Skyline
Student to the National Student Leadership Conference:
Felicia Luong, a sophomore at Skyline High School, has
been selected to attend the prestigious National Student
Leadership Conference (NSLC) at American University in
Washington, DC this summer. Students are selected for
this program based on academic achievements,
extracurricular involvement and demonstrated leadership
potential. The tuition is $2,195. Felicia still needs to
raise $1,195 to fully fund the trip. She has served as
the Freshman Class Treasurer and Sophomore Class
President at Skyline, volunteers at Kaiser Medical
Center and has received three awards from the National
Piano Playing Auditions in the past two years. If you
are interested helping to sponsor one of Oakland's
dedicated students, please contact Felicia at (800)
994-6752.
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Joaquin Miller &
Thornhill School Carnivals, Saturday, May 19:
Enjoy old fashioned fun and help neighborhood schools.
From 11am to 2 pm there will be games, a giant slide,
barbecue and food at Joaquin Miller, 5550 Ascot. From
10 am to 3 pm carnival games, face painting,
entertainment and performances at Thornhill School, 5880
Thornhill.
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Healthercise Fair, Saturday, May
19 at Dimond Park:
An
informational fair for families with booths concerning
childhood obesity, asthma, diabetes, healthier eating
habits, yearly physicals and daily exercising.
For details, call Footprint of Many at 436-2869.
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Oakland Family Fun Day,
Saturday, June 2:
Hosted by Mayor Ron Dellums and the City of Oakland,
Oakland families can take advantage of FREE admission to
our four premier family attractions: the Oakland Zoo,
the Oakland Museum of California, Chabot Space & Science
Center and Children's Fairyland. Each venue will host
special activities that day as they roll out the red
carpet for families to experience the magic of Oakland
together.
- Family Camp Out in the Large Meadow,
Saturday, June 23 through 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.
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 Sign
up for Oakland Feather River Camp: Family Camp
programs at Oakland's camping site outside of Quincy in
the Sierras run from July 1 to August 5. There are daily
activities for all ages, along with special themes each
week with guest instructors from Chabot Space and
Science Center, Stagebridge and the Rotary Science
Center. For horse lovers, there is Wrangler Camp, for
campers ages 10-15. Oakland Feather River Camp, with
space for 350 campers, is available for rental groups
large and small. For information, call 336-CAMP or visit
their
website.
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9. School Matching Grants |
Each year my office sets aside $50,000 of our discretionary
budget for matching school and community groups up to $5,000
for capital projects on public property (schools, parks,
creeks, etc). We have funded school libraries, gardens,
signs, safety, and music equipment throughout the district.
If you have a project send us a 1-2 page proposal.
Last week Montclair School took a bit of a ribbing from the
Matier & Ross column for its new hydration station
(left). With the age of America's schools and our national
epidemic of juvenile diabetes and other health issues, clean
lead free water is no joke. The water station supplements
the schools old and limited water fountains, encourages the
children to drink water rather than calorie and sugar filled
drinks, and encourages them to use reusable water bottles
rather than disposable plastic bottles. I was pleased to
match them with a $1,500 grant for the plumbing. Thanks to
parent and community donations that's a bargain with today's
construction costs.
Other projects we have contributed to this year include the
renovation of tennis courts at Skyline High School, garden
improvements at Horace Mann, Joaquin Miller and Laurel
schools.
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10. More Community Events
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Greece by the Bay - May 18-20: Awaken
your senses with sumptuous food and vibrant music
morning, noon and night at the annual
Oakland Greek Festival, Greek Orthodox Cathedral of
the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Avenue. For details, call
531-3400.
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Introduction to Alameda County Bioregional Ecology:
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 for May 19-20. Sliding scale of $35-$75
(limited scholarships and work exchanges available.)
Call (410) 285-6556 to
reserve your spot.
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Medicinal Plants in the Sausal Creek Watershed:
Hear Western Clinical Herbalist Jennifer Adams discuss
the importance and uses of the Sausal Creek Watershed's
medicinal plants at the
Friends of Sausal Creek
Environmental Speakers Series, Wednesday, May 16, 7-9 pm
at the Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue.
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Help Develop Alameda
County's Long-term Strategic Health Plan: Come to
an interactive community forum sponsored by the Alameda
County Public Health Department on Tuesday, May 22,
6-8:30 pm at the Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, 1827
MLK Jr. Way, Oakland. Give your input and ideas about
how Alameda County can improve the health status of all
people in the county. Dinner and child care will be
provided. The event is sponsored by the Alameda County
Public Health Department, Public Health Commission and
District 5 Board of Supervisor Keith Carson. For details
or to reserve child care, contact
Gail Potier, ACPHD
at 267-8099.
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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. Keynote 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.
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The Road to Freedom Comes to Oakland May 25: This
year-long, 50-state cross-country journey and multimedia
exhibit of disability history, community, and technology
will be making its only Bay Area stop in Oakland.
Oakland was selected because of its strong reputation in
the disablity civil rights arena, especially in the area
of ADA implementation. A press conference will be held
on the steps of City Hall at Noon on Friday, May 25. For
more information, visit their
website.
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Fourth Annual Montclair Pet Mayor Race:
The Montclair Veterinary Hospital Pet & Wildlife Fund
are real angels when neighbors find injured wildlife in
our area. The invite Montclair businesses to sponsor an
entry into the Fourth Annual Montclair Pet Mayor Race.
Nominate a dog, cat, bird, rabbit or any other pet
candidate to represent your business. The community
votes during the month of June to determine the winner
after the Primary is completed in May. Last year Zoe,
sponsored by Crogan's Restaurant, won the title of Pet
Mayor of Montclair for 2006-07. For details, contact Lee
Richter, Executive Director of the Montclair Pet &
Wildlife Fund, at 339-2400.
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District 4 Neighborhood
News
