Apartment buildings that usually get two pick ups per week are particularly hard hit throughout the city. (Tribune photo)
 

   We are working on dozens of community events, meetings, and outreach efforts during these longer summer days free of formal City Hall meetings.  We are hosting student summer interns; we consider giving young people an opportunity to see government at work both a privilege and responsibility.  Chris DeLeon, a recent college graduate, has been working with Sue Piper on our Earthquake Retrofit Legislation and ongoing efforts to develop new standards.  Sofia Obledo, our summer Coro intern from Met West High, is working on community outreach in the Allendale-Brookdale area. If you meet Chris or Sofia, we hope you will help us give them a good experience.
 

                                             Council President Pro Tem
 

How many Waste Management replacements does it take to pick up one third of our trash?

A:  About four in place of our regular one-person. After this man in front fumbled for about 4 minutes, the driver came out to help him. The two guys in the red car behind them (security?) mostly drank coffee. They only picked up the brown cans and left the gray and green cans overflowing.


   As the City's representative to the Alameda County Waste Management Board, I can tell you that the 8 jurisdictions affected by the Waste Management (WM) lock out were as angry as we are. Both the Recycling Board and the County Authority Program Committee passed resolutions asking WM to resume full service including recycling. The Davis Street recycling sorting facility has been closed down and it appears everything is going into the landfill in violation of most City agreements.  Several cities will be following Oakland's legal actions announced this week.

   In mid-week we ( Tribune photo right) announced legal demands that WM fulfill its contract and filed for an injunction; we hope to be in front of a judge on Monday.  Your emails and reports were part of our proof of non- performance and public safety hazards.  If WM fails to perform, the WM contract has a $37M performance bond and we may be forced to hire other firms to pick up our trash.

WM ads claimed this week that service was normal and that they will resume full service on Monday.   How can you help and what  should you do?
 

1. Keep your unemptied garbage on the curb, all 3 cans.  WM's information cannot be trusted.  Most of the operators answering the phones are from around the country, their 200 replacement workers are clearly not well organized and are missing streets, blocks and homes everywhere (hills & flatlands). Some people have had no service, others have had one (brown), two or all three cans picked up. There is no clear pattern. They say they will be working through the weekend and they may pick-up on a day other than your regular day.  Note:  Those of us who live north of Lincoln Avenue should have uninterrupted  recycling (gray bin) services from California Waste Solutions, they are not affected by the lock out.  Also, NorCal also picks up commercial food waste (stores & restaurants) and is not affected by the lock out.
    
2. If Waste Management fails to provide collection by the end of your regular service day, report the service failure to WMAC Customer Service at 510-613-8710.
3. ALSO, report the failure to pick up to the City at our Recycling Hotline 510-238-SAVE (7283) or recycling@oaklandnet.com  We will use this information for documentation in our legal actions, including possible rebates of your garbage fees. The hotline has increased staff to handle calls and has gracefully handled a flood of calls.
    
4. AND, call Alameda County Environmental Health Department at 567-6700 where there is a health hazard. The County needs calls from residents so that they can declare lack of trash pick up an official health hazard.
5. When you see a particularly bad build-up of garbage, please also contact the recycling@oaklandnet.com and copy us.  We are especially concerned about apartment buildings and restaurant/commercial areas and any other situation where health and safety will be affected.  This week council staff worked to help get pick-ups for nursing homes, blocks where garbage obstructs passage, dangerous piles near schools and playgrounds.
    
6. If you cannot wait and must haul your own garbage to the Davis Street Station, 2615 Davis St, take your WM garbage bill and they are suppose to waive the fees.  One constituent was charged and we made arrangements to have the fee rebated.
7. Please call the the PWA Call Center at 615-5566 if you notice any illegal dumping on the streets.
8. Find updates on our Oakland Recycles webpage.
    

My cans at 6 pm Friday night:  Our family is well into week three without brown and green pick-up.  Our gray recycling can is luckily picked up by California Waste Solutions, so we're even more careful than usual to recycle every scrap of paper, etc.  I'm going to get my husband to crush down the plastics in the brown can and continue to work on the strategies below.


 

• Try to keep garbage cans closed to keep food waste away from insects and animals.  I am using several layers of newspaper to tightly roll our food scraps each night into bundles before I put them in the green bin.  So far few odors, a few flies. I have put off some summer garden trimming and still have about 40% capacity in my green can.
   
• Consider downsizing your brown garbage can:  If you're like me, I can have room in my brown can because so much now goes into recycling or my green/compost can.  I am looking more carefully at buying products with the least amount of plastic and other packaging to reduce trash.  I am even considering taking pots for my take out's because most of my current brown can garbage is plastic food packaging.  The Nomad Cafe charges for take-out packaging and they say about one quarter of their customers now bring their own cups, etc.  After the Lock Out consider downsizing to a "mini" can and save money.
   
• It might be time to consider composting in the garden.  About one third of our waste stream is food scraps and food soiled paper, many Bay Friendly Gardeners compost their food in their gardens. StopWaste.org will provide discounted Smith & Hawken compost bins or Wriggly Ranch Worm Bins (for apartments) at a discount.  This weekend I'm restarting a pile of garden waste (leaves) for a new compost pile instead of putting it in my green can, this leaves room for more food waste.  This week we are also going to start sorting simple vegetable trimmings (brown lettuce leaves, potato skins, etc) for compost.
• Chip branches into mulch, if you live in the Wildfire Prevention District: Stack up branches in a pile no more than 4ft x 4ft, then call 238-7388 to schedule a pick up.  We'll bring you back bags of mulch to help conserve water in your garden.
   
• Household Hazardous Waste: Unfortunately, too many people illegally put hazardous materials into their brown can.  This is a good opportunity to use the County Hazardous materials drop-off site in Oakland, 2100 East 7th Street. Drop off paints, thinners, motor oil, batteries, light bulbs, pesticides, cleaners, home generated "sharps" in safe containers.  Next free drop off dates:  Thursday, July 19 to Saturday, July 21, 9am-1 pm.

• Park & Rec Open Houses in District 4: In honor of National Recreation and Parks Month, the Oakland Parks & Recreation are holding open houses throughout the month at local recreation centers to acquaint neighbors about their programs:
   
  • Sunday, July 23 11-3 pm, Dimond Recreation Center, Lions Pool 1-3 pm (more below, see #6)
  • Monday, July 23, Allendale Recreation Center 3-6 pm
  • Monday, July 30, Brookdale Recreation Center, 12-3 pm
  • Tuesday, July 31, Montclair Recreation Center, 4-6 pm

• Joaquin Miller Dog Park Closes Friday, July 12 and reopens Monday, July 16: In preparation for the Opening of West Side Story at Woodminster Amphitheater this weekend (see below), the dog park will be closed throughout the weekend. It will close again Thursday, July 19 and reopen Monday, July 23.

• Family Night Under the Stars, Campfire Sing-along at McCrea Park Saturday, July 14th, 6:30-9:30 pm, at Aliso & Carson: Enjoy a great summer family tradition at the "Trout Pond Park" on Carson Street near Highway13. Bring something to BBQ, we're bringing the S'mores.     >> Learn to fish in the City:  Fly casting demonstrations, Wednesday,
  July 19, 1-3 pm and lessons on Saturday, July 21, 10 am - 2 pm.
   

• Woodminster Summer Theater Season Opens With West Side Story This Weekend July 13-22, 8pm: Enjoy the improvements at Joaquin Miller Park, bring a picnic, and then enjoy classic musicals under the stars this summer. My office capital fund has put in new picnic tables.  Kids Come Free: Children 16 and younger who are accompanying paying adults to any performance are admitted free. These tickets are not reserved in advance. Present your adult ticket at the box office 7 pm-8 pm on the night of the performance and receive a free child's ticket as close to your adult ticket as possible, or purchase your adult ticket on the night of the performance to guarantee they'll be together. Restrictions apply. Click here for details.
   

• Dimond Park's Second Saturday Outdoor Cinema This Saturday, July 14th: Bring blankets, beach chairs to Dimond Park to see Charlotte's Web--8:30ish(as soon as it is dark).
   
• Oakland Municipal Band Concert, Sunday, July 15--a free concert featuring an array of jazz, contemporary, big band, international, classical, marches and show tunes at 1 and 3pm at the Lakeside Park Bandstand.  Additional free concerts on Sunday, July 22 and August 5. An additional concert will be held on August 12 if adequate funds are received. Send your 2007 tax deductible contribution to, Friends of Oakland Municipal Band (FOMB), 1724 Indian Way, Oakland, CA 94611.

Students and parents from East Oakland High School celebrate with Assembly Member Sandre Swanson Wednesday after  AB 45 passes Senate Education Committee. Their High School was closed by the State Administrator despite a vote by the School Board to keep it open. Even though the school took some of the most at-risk students in the District, three quarters of their juniors passed the State High School Exit exam -- no other high school matches these results.  My daughter Lailan (second from left) ran the after school program.
 

• Swanson's Local Control Bill Passes the Senate Education Committee: Wednesday, I spoke in Sacramento on behalf the Council in support of AB 45 joining nearly 50 parents, students, teachers and other supporters.  Earlier in the week State Superintendent O'Connell signed an agreement returning some "governance" roles back to the school board.  Upon passage AB 45 would have required this move; but it goes farther by establishing a clear process for the return to full local control. AB 45 returns powers back to the elected Board as the District reaches "passing" scores from  FCMAT (State Fiscal Management Team). Currently it is fully up to the State Superintendent, who had not budgeted for new FCMAT evaluations and who had not returned governance and community relations powers back to the Board even though they had received passing evaluations nearly two years ago.  Full financial control will require certification from the State Superintendent of fiscal soundness under AB 45.
   

• Mayor Dellums' Task Force Reports: Earlier this year, Mayor Ron Dellums recruited more than 800 volunteers to participate on 41 community task forces to help develop a strategic plan for the city. You can now download reports from the Mayor's Task Forces at Mayor Ron Dellum's website.

• Oakland's Big Tree Registry Goes to Council on July 17: When Oakland's oldest Oak--the "Champagne Oak" in Dimond Park--had to be felled due to disease, I realized that the City had no plan to preserve it's arboreal treasures especially our namesake oaks. This past Tuesday, the Life Enrichment Committee passed our office's proposed Oakland Tree Registry that establishes an on-line mechanism for residents to nominate trees that they believe are of historical significance, the biggest or oldest of their species in the city. The process is akin to that already in place at the state and national level (to date, no Oakland trees are on the state list). The register would be purely for identification purposes and provides a way to increase public awareness of our heritage trees. The process is simple--residents nominate the tree using a standard nomination form with the required information; City staff will verify the location and data, and the largest tree of each native and naturalized species will be posted on the Oakland Register Website so that it can be easily accessed by the public. The full Council will address the proposal at the July 17th meeting.
• Dimond Canyon Oak Survey: When it was clear that we could not save the Champagne Oak I also shifted some funds that I had designated for that purpose, to a survey and study of the remaining oaks in Dimond Park and Canyon conducted by Karen Paulsell of the Friends of Sausal Creek.  The report is easy to read and may serve as a guide for what we have to do to preserve the city's oak trees.  Many of trees in this park and others are being shaded by fast growing non-native trees or strangled by non-native ivy.  Because of this report I have funded ivy removal in some parts of Dimond Park.  We are working on doing some educational boards on the care of oaks to be placed near the remains of the Champagne Oak.

Dimond Park Picnic, Sunday, July 22nd:  Bring your swim suit, picnic blankets, and the whole family for a fun day in the park.  10am: Historical Tour by local author Dennis Evanosky; 11:30 am: Abdo Alawdi of Two Star Market, staffs the large charcoal barbecue and will provide cold soft drinks. Two Star Market, Farmer Joe's Market and the Dimond Improvement Association will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, fruits, veggies and other picnic goodies.1 pm: Watch Woman's Will perform Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in  Free swim and many activities for kids at Dimond Recreation Center from 11 am-3 pm as part of National Parks Month. We'll be there with our booth!
 

• City CarShare Needs 200 Members to Come to the Dimond:  My office, the Dimond Improvement Association, and City CarShare are in discussions about possible expansion into the Dimond (right). They are a non-profit that provides members with around - the-clock access to cars throughout the Bay Area, primarily for short trips, featuring compacts, pickup trucks, hybrids and Minis. Members sign up for a fee (now waived under a special trial period) and get an electronic key in the mail. Reservations are made online. Driving rates are $4/hour and 44 cents per mile. City CarShare needs 200 probable users in the Dimond area or along the MacArthur corridor or for the Fruitvale BART area.  If you are interested in being one of the 200, email Richard Cowan in our office or contact the Dimond Improvement Association.  We plan to have information at the Dimond Picnic and Laurel Music Festival.

• Mel's to Become an Italian Restaurant: Four years ago our office with help from volunteers in the auditor's office, we conducted a phone survey of Dimond residents about shopping in the Dimond.  At that time residents favored recruiting Italian and sushi restaurants. After meeting with the new owner of the Mel's location with other Dimondites, we are happy to announce that he will open and Italian restaurant.  For more information contact Richard Cowan 238-7041.

• Artists Wanted for Mural and Streetscape Projects for the Dimond:  Peet's is donating funds for a mural replacement and our office is looking for artists to work on streetscape designs that could encompass the 580 freeway underpass,  sidewalk art and other custom designs similar to the Laurel Streetscape elements.  In earlier community meetings there was desire to include natural elements from Sausal Creek and Dimond Canyon and recognition of the area's history.  We will be holding a meeting for artists and interested community members in the fall.  Please contact Richard Cowan  at 238-7041 of my office if you would like to participate.

• Montclair Now has Two NCPCs: For years the Montclair Safety & Improvement Council (MSIC) was the only formal Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) for greater Montlcair. But in reality, it is the NCPC for Beat 13z, which covers the area bounded by Joaquin Miller Road on the south, north of Park Blvd. and the Piedmont border on the west, Moraga and Thornhill on the north  and the Contra Costa border to the east. Residents living north of Thornhill belong to the North Hills NCPC (Beat 13y). MSIC meets second Thursday's; the next meeting Thursday, August 9 (tentatively at Zion Lutheran Church on Park Blvd.) will focus on safety and Measure Y. Captain Jeff Israel, Ann Marks & Kevin Grant of the City's Human Services Department and I will discuss Measure Y. North Hills NCPC meets Wednesday, August 1, 7 pm, Highlands Country Club (110 Hiller Drive). Captain Jeff Israel, Lt. Jim Meeks and Felcia Verdun of Neighborhood Services will answer questions. For a complete list of NCPCs in District 4.

• Fairfax-High Murder Arrests:  Last year we closed M&W Liquors and then new Measure Y problem solving officer was assigned; now drug dealing is rarely visible on this corner known for this activity for over 20 years. In addition, officers have been asked to do paperwork at the corner to increase police presence. That's why recent murders here have been very disappointing, especially for our office which has continued to work on the evictions of other businesses and individuals in the area involved in drug dealing or crime.  This week at the Maxwell Park NCPC Lt. Sharon Williams announced that there were three arrests in the most recent murders and said that contrary to rumors on the neighborhood listserv, they were not linked to drug or gang activity but to a feud between former friends.  The murder of a young woman in January also near this corner was a case of domestic violence.  She also raised several other points about NCPC listservs that are valuable for all of us to consider:
  • She and other officers will not publicly talk about cases actively under investigation on list servs or at other meetings.  It does not mean that they are not working on the case and she resented the implications of recent emails that the police were not responsive. She brought her Police Service Area statistics which showed that crime in her area was significantly down over the last 6 months and felt police successes were rarely acknowledged. Her officers alone have made 700 arrests since the beginning of the year.
     
  • She, other officers, and neighborhood services coordinators do not have time to respond to open questions on list serv's; they are not at computers but out in the field most of the day.  She always comes to NCPC meetings and will answer questions there.
  • We also discussed "shrines."  All 3 of the murders in this area were at or related to "shrines" for victims killed elsewhere (SF and 77th Ave).  We have a no tolerance for shrines because they have become magnets for retaliation.  Please let the police and my office know, if a shrine appears in your neighborhood; we make arrangements for police and public works to take them down.
     

• How to file a Police Report:  Police use crime reports to plan patrols and follow crime trends. Commanders determine their priorities based on the number and severity of crimes reported. You don't have to rely on the police to actually make the report; for non-urgent crimes such as auto break-ins or after the fact home break-ins you can download a citizen's crime report from the city's website.

• Register for National Night Out Now. Research shows that when neighbors know each other and look out for each other crime goes down. Last year District 4 had over 60 parties.  We  joined with neighbors to have  neighborhood block parties, ice cream socials, potlucks or other outdoor event to build neighborhood spirit and unity - the first defense against crime. My staff and I will visit each party in the district and will bring "door prizes." If you  Register your party online, or contact Brenda Ivey with the Oakland Police Department at 238-3091, you will not need a City Permit to block off your street for National Night Out. The deadline to register is 5 pm on Friday, July 27th. Only registered groups will be eligible for a visit!  Block Party Guide   (Sorry-- all the Dreyer's ice cream is spoken for at this point.)

Recently some of our neighborhood listserv's have asked questions about Violence Prevention Programs, especially those funded by Measure Y. Some people do not remember that Measure Y funds Fire, Police and Violence Prevention Programs.  We are going to run profiles of some the of the Measure Y Prevention programs as they come to their first year evaluations: 

 

As a School Board member I knew girls who were being exploited sexually by boyfriends and even family.  The ages seemed to get younger and younger.  When I became a Council Member, I found that few resources were available in this area.  The Special Victims Unit was understaffed, services were not coordinated, the girls were being treated as criminals and not as victims. I with other women in government started the Sexually Exploited Minors Network and am proud to work on policies that made sure girls under 18 were given opportunities to get off the streets.  Measure Y funds SVU officers, case management (Pathways for Change) and a program for sexually exploited teens (SPA, Safe Place Alternative). I recently contributed furniture and computers to the program so the girls have a comfortable, safe alternative to probation/jail/streets and can get help, resources, support groups and counseling to get off the streets and away from their pimps. Measure Y also funds a challenge grant to establish a secure home for girls who need to get away from their pimps; some girls have literally been kidnapped from the streets or foster/group homes.
 

Samantha (name changed to protect identity) came to Pathways for Change before Measure Y funding  went into effect through Scotlan Center's Sexually Exploited Minor's Case Management Program.  She was referred to us by a Child Welfare Worker after being brought into the Alameda County Assessment Center as a youth AWOL from her Oakland group home placement.  She had been AWOL for quite some time and had a history of being AWOL off and on for several years as a sexually exploited minor.  On her first visit to Pathways to Change, she connected with the then program Case Manager Adela Hernadez-Rodarte. Although Samantha ran away from her Oakland group home placement and returned to a life of being sexually exploited soon after, she still kept in touch with Adela.  Adela fostered a bond of trust with Samantha.  She helped Samantha obtain her vital records and perform other tasks that would increase her chances of getting off the streets.

In August 2006, soon after our Measure Y funded Sexually Abused and Commercially Exploited Youth Program began, Pathways to Change received a call with a referral on Samantha from the Fremont Police Department.  After sorting out the fact that she was indeed a juvenile, Samantha went to Alameda County Juvenile Hall.  Adela was able to reconnect with Samantha at Juvenile Hall and begin to formulate a plan of action for her release.  After much consideration Samantha was released and placed in another Oakland group home. Samantha has remained in her Oakland group home placement without any further incidences of AWOL. She completed a Measure Y-funded educational program and is exploring further educational options. She has gained employment (with the help of two other Measure Y funded programs).  And she has already faced her first major challenge and has been able to overcome it.  For more information on Sexually Exploited Minors or other Measure Y Violence Prevention Programs.

One in four people with HIV do not know they have it -- a major reason why 40,000 new people in the US are infected each year. African Americans bear the brunt of new infections. Blacks represent 13 percent of the U.S., but African American women accounted for 67 percent of new AIDS diagnoses in 2004. AIDS is the leading cause of death for black women  ages 25 to 44. Only 17 percent of  U.S. teens are black, but they accounted for 70 percent of  teen HIV infections in 2004. Rates are growing among other minorities and in urban areas. Mayor Dellums with the support of the Council and the city's health care groups has launched the "Get Screened Oakland Campaign (video)" to get every sexually active Oaklander to get tested.   An HIV test only requires a swab of your cheek (no blood draw), results are ready in 20 minutes.  Costs about $10, free testing is available.  Where to get tested?  1-888-8-END HIV or http://www.getscreenedoakland.org/

• Special Meeting to Prepare for Recruiting of New Principals at Joaquin Miller and Montera Schools: After many years of devoted leadership, Joaquin Miller Elementary's principal Linda Lu and Montera Middle Schools' principal Cheryl Rodby have retired from the OUSD. Consequently, the District is now about to launch a hiring process to find new principals for these two Montclair schools. Part of that process includes meeting with the local community and staff  to discuss the schedule, and to seek input as to the characteristics and qualities desired in these schools' next leaders. The meeting will be held at Joaquin Miller School's cafeteria on Monday, July 23: staff 5-6; community 7-8 pm. For details, contact Joel Baum, Manager of Leadership Development at OUSD, at 879-4620.

• Welcome New Maxwell Park Principal, Wednesday, July 18 at 6 pm: Parents and community are invited to welcome Dr. Mary Louise Newling, the newly appointed principal at Maxwell Park Elementary, at a reception at the school on Wednesday, July 18 at 6 pm. Dr. Newling comes with a variety of experiences including Coordinator of Berkeley Independent Study and Literacy Coordinator at San Bernadino and Alameda County Offices of Education. She has also trained teachers at St. Mary's College and University of San Francisco. Additionally, she was an elementary bilingual teacher at Hayward Unified School District for many years. She is originally from Trinidad and speaks Spanish and French in addition to her native language, English.

• PAL Trout Fishing for Kids- July 10-20: The Police Activities league will be conducting their first session of trout fishing at McCrea Park. The second session runs from July 31 to August 10.

• Kids Go Green:Energy So Clean-- Saturday, July 14, 11 am- 4 pm: At Chabot Space & Science Center is free with general admission. This is a climate change initiative by kids for kids, families and the community. Wear green for $1 off.
   

• Zoomobile Visits Libraries This Summer: Come meet unusual animals when they roll into your branch library this summer: Dimond Branch, Wednesday, July 18 at 11 am, and Montclair Branch, Saturday, July 28 at 2 pm.

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Knight Bust Tour Kicks Off a Month of Magic at the Library: Help celebrate the release of the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Friday, July 20 8pm-Midnight, children and teens are invited to come to the Main Library in costume for an evening of incredible entertainment, including live bands. A free raffle of the new book for the first 100 winners. Saturday, July 21, 8-10am: Dimond Library's Harry Potter Release Party for Early Risers--crafts, games, prizes, refreshments and more. Come dressed as your favorite Harry Potter character-- Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, 482-7844. Harry Potter Read-Aloud!-Listen to readings from the book for an hour every day starting Monday, July 23 at 4 pm at the following branches:  Melrose Branch, 4805 Foothill Blvd.  Harry Potter Crafts: Make a magical dragon with the artists from MOCHA, the Museum of Children's Arts:
• Saturday, July 21, 2 pm, Montclair Branch, 1687 Mountain Blvd.
• Tuesday, July 31, 6 pm, Cesar Chavez Branch, 3301 east 12th Street, Ste. 271
• Wednesday, August 8, 2 pm, Asian Branch, 388-9th Street

Complete list of summer activities for children at the Oakland Public Library.

• Laurel Books Sponsors Harry Potter Party July 20, 10 pm; Luan Stauss of Laurel Books on MacArthur Blvd.in the Laurel reports that there will be entertainment, games, snacks, prizes and giveaways (for grownups too)  "People keep asking if adults will be here.  Well, who brings the kids?  And so far we've had about half and half kids and adult fans enjoy our parties so yes, everyone can come!  And yes, you can dress up or wear your jammies."  Saturday Morning, July 21 Laurel Books opens at 9am for those who can't stay up on Friday.

• What to Do with Extra Fruit? If you're like Sue Piper in our office, and your fruit trees are producing more fruit than you can use, contact PUEBLO (People United for a Better Oakland) at 452-2010 to arrange for a pick up so that they can deliver fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs to those in our community who do not have access to summer's bounty.

• Meet the Authors at a Great Good Place for Books this month: Literary Nights in Montclair welcomes Diana Abu- Jaber on Monday, July 16th at 7 pm. She will be reading from her new novel, Origin. All readings take place at a Great Good Place for Books at 6120 La Salle. Call 339-8210  for details.

• Art & Historical Exhibits at the Public Library: Our Library is more than just a place to check out books and periodicals; it's a center for exploring what makes Oakland the gem that it is. Two exhibits of interest run this summer:
  • Demolition or "Civic Pride through Civic Improvement," 50 Years of Urban Renewal in Oakland-1957-2007--Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Clinton Park Project, the nation's first federally-funded urban redevelopment project that took place in the East Bay's oldest neighborhood in 1957. Oakland History Room, through August 31.
  
  
   
  • Artistic Creations of Penelope F. Collins: Home Accessories, Ming Trees & Jeweled Designs on display in the main room at the Lakeview Branch during the month of August.

• Celebration of the Life of Kingsley Wightman "Mr. Science" Friday, July 20, 6 pm: The public is invited to celebrate the life of Kingsley Wightman (1916-2007), who entertained and educated an estimated 500,000 school children during a charismatic 46-year-career as an astronomy teacher and director at Chabot & Science Center's former location on Mountain Blvd.  Wightman, who died on July 5, was deeply involved in the 30-year planning process to build the new Chabot on Skyline Boulevard, which will host the event. In lieu of flowers, the family requested a memorial fund be set up in his name at Chabot Space & Science Center. Please mail your check to Chabot Space & Science Center, attention Kingsley Wightman Memorial Fund, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland, CA 94619.

• Monthly Outdoor Movie Series Begins Saturday, July 21: The highly successful Old Oakland Outdoor cinema series returns for a fourth season beginning Saturday, July 21 with the screening of "Ray." The2007 season features four award-winning films, including three Oscar Winners: "Little Miss Sunshine" on August 18; "The Day the Earth Stood Still" on September 15, and "Babe" on October 20. The series transforms Ninth Street between Broadway and Washington into an outdoor cinema with movies beginning at dusk. Limited seating is available; filmgoers are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. For more information, call 238-4734.

• Fireworks at World Music and Jazz Festival  planned for Middle Harbor Shoreline Park on Saturday, July 28th: When Jack London Square announced that there would not be a fireworks display on July 4th, the Port of Oakland tried to find another venue for the holiday. That wasn't possible on such short notice, but they are adding fireworks to the Portfest World Music and Jazz Festival at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park at 7th Street Saturday, July 28th, 11am-7 pm.   Note:  Last week we posted the wrong poster from 2005.  This year's free outdoor music festival will feature Pharoah Saunders, Ledisi, Mo'Rockin Project, Anthony Blea y tu Charango, Luna Angel.
   

• Memorial Bike Ride on Skyline Drive Sunday, July 29: A memorial bicycle ride will be held on Sunday, July 29th, along Skyline Blvd. in the Oakland Hill in memory of Ed Weiss. Ed was an avid bicyclist in the Oakland and Berkeley Hills for many years. He was struck--head-on--by a motorcycle while lawfully bicycling on Skyline on Saturday, July 29th, 2006, the 8200 block near the 5-way intersection of Skyline Blvd, Shepherd Canyon, Pinehurst and Manzanita roads. Contact Sue Piper for more information.

• Save the Date, Saturday, August 11, 11 am-2pm, Dedication of Brookdale Park as a Park for Peace: As part of the Community Spirit Project and Project Mosaic, Brookdale Park will be one of 12 Oakland parks declared drug free and designated for supporting and fostering positive lives and life-giving activities for youth and their families. Volunteers are needed to assist with events that day: peace pole planting, spoken word, music and Ribbons for Peace Project. Contact Michael Foster at 535-5632.

• Total Lunar Eclipse--"Once in a Red Moon", Monday, August 27-Tuesday, August 28: Early bird special through August 15 $10 for adults ($7 youth/senior/student) after August 15 (13 for adults ($10 youth/senior/student). Purchase advance tickets by calling 336-7373.

• 4th Annual Healthy Living Festival at Lake Merritt Garden Center, Friday, July 20: This year's Healthy Living Festival brings together older adults and their supporters throughout Alameda County to experience a vast array of resources and lifestyle choices that define healthy living and successful aging. Planned activities include a 3.2 mile Walk-A-Thon around Lake Merritt; more than 70 educational resource booths; medical and podiatry check-ups; bone density screenings and benefits checks; information and registration for older adult walk clubs; nutrition and cooking demonstrations and a mini-farmers market; entertainment and much more. For details, call 729-0852 or visit the USOC website.

• Laurel World Festival, Saturday, August 11:  Join us between the arches in the Laurel Business District along MacArthur Blvd, 35th Ave to High St, in the Heart of Oakland for food, music, & booths. Contact the Laurel District Association for booths and other information.
  
   

• Save the Dates --Sundays in the Redwoods: Here's the perfect way to build community and have a great time. Organize a pot luck with friends and neighbors at one of the upcoming free concerts at the Woodminster Amphitheater:

• Sunday, September 23,  Oakland East Bay Symphony

• Sunday, September 30,  World Music

• Sunday, October 7,  Gospel

• Sunday, October 14,  Jazz/Neo-Soul