• High Seas Halloween: Safe Family Adventure, October 26-28, 7 pm, 7:30 pm, 8 pm, Lake Merritt Boating Center:  Search for Long John's gold filled treasure chest on a Treasure Hunt Boat.  Costumes encourages, ghoulish snacks included. Adults $5, Children $3, Private charter for up to 20, $75.  Reserve with Parks & Rec 238-2196.

• Glenview School Carnival & Haunted House, 4215 LaCresta Ave, Saturday, October 24, 1-5 pm: For one of the best haunted house experiences for the younger crowd this school's annual PTA event provides a lot of old fashioned fun, games, baked goods and other activities.

• Oakland Museum of California Dias de los Muertos Gallery Talk, Saturday October 27, 2pm: Meet the artists, curator, and museum staff this Saturday and on November 2, 11, and 18. Guest curator Anjee Helstrup-Alvarez, associate director/curator of San Jose's Movimiento de Arte y Cultura  Latino Americana (MACLA), encouraged artists to reinterpret this spiritual holiday. Ancient Roots/Urban Journeys includes Days of the Dead imagery and expressions from pre-colonial Mesoamerica (Oaxacan-style altars) to contemporary Californian configurations (mixed media and graffiti art).

  The exhibition depicts the holiday's evolution with themes as diverse as Aztec and Mayan mythology to low-rider bicycle culture and the perils of illegal immigration. Several ofrendas (altars) were created by local artists, schools, and community groups. "Violent death is a reality for many urban youth. The R.I.P. T-shirts in the exhibition were produced by kids from Oakland as a way of paying respect to their peers." There are two special ofrendas for two longtime museum colleagues, community leader Chiori Santiago and Chicano activist Antonio R. (Tony) Salazar, and a recreation of the spontaneous street altars for slain journalist Chauncey Bailey. For details, go to the OMCA website.

• Trick or Treat in the Laurel, Saturday, 1-3 pm:  Check in at Komodo Toys, 4004 MacArthur Blvd, to receive a  Trick or Treat bag and list of participating stores.  For more information www.laureldistrict association.org or 482-5921.
   

• Haunted Harbor Festival, Saturday, October 27, 3-7 pm:  The afternoon begins at 3 pm with magical entertainment followed by a free three-hour live show hosted by Lori & RJ, the Bay Area's most requested children's concert musical performers. Their stage show  includes dancers and marionette show. A costume contest for children of all ages as well as their canine friends begins at 6 PM.
  
  102.9 KBLX will be on-site with games and giveaways and the Pacific Coast Farmers' Market will have a free pumpkin patch where children can decorate their own Halloween pumpkins. Other children's activities include free haunted jump houses and games. Come in costume and mingle with the ghosts and goblins at Jack London Square!

4th Annual Dimond Howl-a-ween Pet Parade and Costume Party, Saturday, October 27, 6-9 pm: Dogs, kids and adults are invited to arrive at Paws & Claws (2023 MacArthur Blvd.) at 6 pm and parade through the shopping district collecting treats. Then return to Paws & Claws for an outdoor party behind the store with a campfire and spooky games for kids. Dress warmly! Donations will be accepted for the Oakland Animal Shelter.

• Dia de los Muertos in the Fruitvale, October 28th:  One of the largest celebrations in Northern California and one of my favorite holiday events.  A real family event that stretches for blocks of vendors, entertainment and many wonderful altars that blend the culture of Mexico and Oakland.

• The Three Witches  Return to the Dimond  Library on Tuesday, October 30 at 7 pm  with scary stories, songs and riddles.  Open to children ages six and older -- come in costume.

• Montclair Lion's Club Annual Halloween Parade, Wednesday, October 31, 3 pm: Meet on Mountain Blvd. by the tennis courts in costume. The parade starts promptly at 3:45 pm and  circles from Mountain to La Salle to Moraga ending at Montclair Park. Flamingo from past years at Montclair Park.>>
   

• Second Annual Free Public Pumpkin Candle Potluck at Studio One on Halloween, October 31, 5:30-7:30: Music, costume and pumpkin contest, treats for children. Bring your best carved pumpkin. Studio One, the beloved children's art program is at its temporary home in the Malonga Casquelourd Center (former Alice Arts Center), 1428 Alice Street, while its building is undergoing major renovations. Register at 597-5027.

Domestic Violence is the single largest cause of injury to women aged 15 to 44 in the U.S., more than muggings, car accidents, and rapes combined.  Last year in Oakland there were 5005 cases of Domestic Violence reported to the police; hundreds of sexually exploited teens were picked up. Each year in my district about half of the murders have been committed by men, husbands and lovers, who have killed their former partners; citywide the murder rate due to domestic violence has been about 10-15 percent.

• Councilmember Jean Quan, Public Safety Committee
• Officer Randy White - Oakland Special Victims Unit
• Sharmin Bock - Alameda County District Attorney's Office
• Nadia Lockyer - Domestic Violence Collaborative
• Alicia Perez - Safe Passages
• Cheri Allison - Family Violence Law Center
• Nola Brantley - Safe Place Alternative for Teens
• Teen Panelists

Elder Abuse:  We end this series with a discussion of Elder Abuse, perhaps the most unreported form of family violence. The United States Census Bureau projects that California's elderly population will nearly double within the next 20 years - from 3.7 million to more than 6.4 million. Each year our office comes in contact with cases reported to us.  Sometimes a quiet residence becomes a problem site with drug dealing, loud parties, and random visitors constantly.  We find that children, grandchildren or other relatives have "take over" the home of a senior who is too embarrassed or afraid to ask them to leave. Legal guardians and "stay away" orders can be arranged. Other times we find otherwise care relatives "crack" under the strain of caring for a dependent elder; they yell at, ignore, humiliate or fail to keep up with their needs.  Case managers can suggest counseling, arrange help, or respites.  Finally, seniors are often targets of fraud.  You can help by getting to know the seniors on your block and including them in Neighborhood Alert and CORE (Disaster Preparedness) Groups.  This is a good overview of Elder Abuse; if you suspect that an elder needs help, please report the problem.  City Senior Resources.
 

Domestic Violence Volunteer Counselors Needed:  SAVE (Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments is offering free training to volunteers interested in becoming a Certified Domestic Violence Counselor.  Training sessions are Thursdays 6-9 pm or Saturdays 9am to 5:30 pm.  Go to www.save-dv.org to download a registration form.
 

• Bikes and Motorcycles on Skyline Blvd:  Over the last year our office through Sue Piper has coordinated efforts with neighbors, traffic engineers, and traffic police to improve safety on Skyline Blvd especially on the busy weekends. Bicyclists, in particular, complain that both car drivers and motorcyclists fail to observe traffic laws, putting them in danger.  Last year bicyclist Ed Weiss was killed by a motorcyclist. We are planning a community meeting and bike safety event at Chabot Science Center later this year. (Right) Memorial to Ed Weiss, earlier this year.>>                                      
   

• Burglary and Drug Arrests:  Lt. Mufarreh reported this week the arrest of three teens involved in burglaries in the Redwood-Laurel area.  In a major announcement Thursday, a multi-agency task force of federal and several local police agencies arrested about 60 members of a gang involved in heroin and drug sales. Those arrested in Oakland are believed to be involved in recent drug related violence.
   

• New Problem Solving Officer Sargeant Named for PSA 4; Welcome Richard McNeely, Public Safety Officer for Beat 24Y in the Allendale:  With each graduating class of police officers more problem solving (PSO) or beat officers are assigned to our neighborhood beats.  In the recent past each PSO was covering 4-5 beats, when an officer is covering only one beat the neighborhood generally sees improved focus on local problems.  This week the Police Department has named a sargeant, who will oversee the PSO's in PSA (Dimond, Bret Harte, Laurel, Allendale, Oakmore), Sgt. Phillip Freeman.  This comes on the heels of the assignment of Officer McNeely to the Allendale, Beat 24Y; he may be reached at rmcneely@oaklandnet.com or at 385-9197. For last year Officer Ryan Chan has covered this beat along with 3 others.
   

• Citizen Radar Traffic Class Almost Full:  Our radar gun has arrived and about 14 people have volunteered for our Citizen Radar project. So if you are interested in volunteering, contact us this week.  Volunteers will be trained by Oakland Police Traffic Officers to properly use the hand-held radar gun purchased by our office for the program. Groups of three will go out to previously selected "hot spots" where speeding is common. Speeders will be clocked and the license numbers will be given to the police, who will then generate a warning letter to speeders. Volunteers will not have access to driver information. To volunteer contact Jennifer Argueta in our office 238-7273. Training will take place over two days. Anyone over the age of 21 is welcome to participate.  Our first  location will be 35^thAvenue in the Redwood Heights area; another group is organizing for Skyline Blvd.
•  

• Our office is working on the expansion of the Dimond Public Safety Council expand to include all of Beat 22x, which includes the Montera, Woodminster, Oakmore and Dimond neighborhoods roughly down to 580. We have scheduled a leadership kick off meeting on November 26, 7 pm in Classroom 7-8 at Zion Lutheran Church (5201 Park Blvd.), which is open to all. If you are interested in helping to plan this exciting new development, please attend. RSVP to Richard Cowan at 238-7041.

• For a complete list of Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils in District 4.

• 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. You can also make anonymous calls for drug activity to 238-DRUG.
   

City Clerk Improves Website Portal:  Looking for a specific piece of legislation? The City Clerk's new website improves search capacity and puts the portal for all committees and commission on one page. http://clerkwebsvr1.oaklandnet.com/mattersearch/home.aspx

• Ygnacio Traffic Rounds Construction Begins: After years of planning, choosing plants & designs, recruiting volunteers for maintenance, finding funding, and finally several delays in the bid process...construction began this week on a series of traffic rounds for Ygnacio Street in the Melrose area.  This area is plagued by sideshows and speeding drivers, it links two schools. This has been a priority for me, our Office Capital fund provided most of the funding. Neighbors helped choose the design and have signed up to water and maintain the plants as they become established in the first year.  (Above) Workers build mold for concrete borders in front of Horace Mann School.

• Progress On Preservation of Butters Canyon, Funds Still Needed:  Over the last five years we've been pleased to support the efforts of neighbors who formed the Butters Land Trust to preserve the wildness of unique canyon.  This summer I sponsored a resolution to lend the trust funds to buy an available lot.  The City will be paid back when Measure DD funds are available to purchase one of the Trust's lots as part of the creek preservation plan.  This map shows how the combined City and Trust lots "save" an important section of the creek and canyon, but several lots remain.
   

• Proposed Emancipation Village for Aging-out Foster Youth at Fred Finch: Originally an orphanage, Fred Finch has recently been home to services for emotionally disturbed and sexually abused children.  Alameda County is proposing a new role with the possible conversion of the current inpatient facilities to 20-30 transitional residential units with support facilities for Foster Youth who are over 18 (aged-out) at the campus at 3800 Coolidge Avenue. Each year over two hundred Oakland youth in foster homes are suddenly homeless when they turn 18.  I have been working on a state task force urging the state to provide more transitional support including housing, education, employment and counseling services for foster youth 18 to 21.  Fred Finch has scheduled on-site tours for interested neighbors.  For details, contact Kate Durham at 986-1611.

• Quick Tips for a Greener Holiday:  Try some of these easy to read ideas.

• Oakland Parks Coalition has surveyed over 75 parks this month as part of its annual maintenance assessment. This is used to make their report to the City Council.  There are still a few more parks to go.  If you can help, contact: park.steward@gmail.com

• New Sausal Creek Maps:  Karen Paulsel, board member of the Friends of Sausal Creek (FOSC), has pulled together a new map, " Trails and Tributaries of the Sausal Creek Watershed."  Funded by the Alameda County Clean Water Program, it includes tips for "Keeping Creeks Health," phone numbers to report problems, and more.  You will find the new maps in boxes along the main trails.  Thanks Karen!  Karen's other maps of Sausal Creek can be found at the FOSC website.

• Oakland Wins National Clean Water Award: The Environmental Protection Agency awarded Oakland the First Place National Storm Water Management Program Excellence Award at the 22nd Annual EPA National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards Program this week. Oakland was nominated by the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Control Board for the City's watershed program and its numerous initiatives including the ban of styrofoam and plastic bags to protect creeks, shorelines, and storm water quality. Oakland is being celebrated nationally for its creek restoration projects, the Lake Merritt water quality program, the creation of the creek ordinance, and the fact that since its inception, the watershed program has been funded almost entirely from grants, bonds and foundations.
   

• Recycling/Composting and Climate Change: The Alameda Waste Management Authority known as StopWaste.org is working with the ICLEI  (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) to study how our recycling efforts help reduce green house emissions.  The preliminary report to the Board this week found that composting food significantly reduced emissions compared to landfill disposal; 75% of methane gases can be recaptured. The estimated climate benefits from Oakland efforts alone in 2006 equal:

  • Saving 328,928 trees
  • 30,898 tons of CO2
  • Removing 23,603 cars from the road
  • Enough energy to power 12, 954 homes

• The Oakland Bike Master Plan is in its final stages of approval.  To become involved in the Citizens Advisory Group or to comment contact Jason Patton or call 238-7049 to receive occasional updates and announcements. Bicycle Master Plan Hearing Schedule:

• Re-Create Art Contest for Oakland students, K-12: Re-Create is a recycled art competition and exhibition that is open to students (K-12) in Oakland schools. Students are invited to create artwork using discarded or reused materials and to compete for prizes. Practice the 4R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot (Compost) to meet Oakland's zero waste goal. The Art Contest & Exhibition is sponsored by the City's Public Works Agency. Deadline is November 11. For details, call 465-8770, ext. 310 or visit MOCHA's website. >>Last year's winners at artist's reception.  
   

Beginning this week, residents can pick up a maximum of 20 sandbags and 25 feet of plastic sheeting per household/business from the City's Municipal Service Center at 7101 Edgewater Drive and the PWA Drainage Maintenance Satellite Office at 5921 Shepherd Canyon Road. Proof of Oakland residency is required.  Oakland Fire Stations will also distribute up to 5 sandbags to Oakland residents for pick up at the station. Stations in District 4 include:

• Fire Station Number 6, 7080 Colton Blvd.
• Fire Station Number 24   5900 Shepherd Canyon Road
• Fire Station Number 25  2795 Butters Drive

• Check and clean private drainage systems
• Place leaves and green trimmings in your Green Car for weekly recycling pickup. Do not place leaves, debris or lawn clippings near storm drains.
• Keep natural waterways, such as creeks and ditches, free from obstructions.
• Report flooding problems to the PWA Call Center at 615-5566.
• Maintain-A-Drain in your neighborhood or commercial district.

• Another Earthquake Retrofit Workshop Set for January 30, 2008: Our first round of Earthquake Retrofit Workshops were so well attended last  week that we've scheduled another for Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 1526 Webster Street. Space is limited so please RSVP to Sue Piper at 238-7042. We were able to tape one of the workshops, it will  broadcast on KTOP, Channel 10 Monday, October 29th, 3:30 pm and Thursday, November 1st, 6 pm. >>Tool kit from the Temescal Tool Lending Library on display at this week's workshop.
   

• Willie Monroe's ABC Story on the New Retrofit Program:  Watch the Monroe story on our Retrofit Workshops; it does a great job describing the program in a very short clip.
   

• Commemorating 18th Loma Prieta and 139^th  1868 Hayward Earthquake Anniversaries:  Last week was the 18th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake and the 139th  of the 1868 Hayward Earthquake Anniversary.  The Hayward fault that runs from San Jose through Oakland to El Cerrito averages a major (magnitude 7) earthquake every 140 years. This is why scientists predict an major earthquake along the fault soon. In 1868 there were only 24,000 people living along the fault; today there are 2.4 million. Above Hayward Flour Mill 1868. Good KGO Story by Vic Lee   To read more.
   

• New Program Increases Retrofits:  Last week there were over 66 permits on record for retrofits; last year at this time there were only 3-4. Meanwhile, the first refund check goes to Laurel developer Steve Edrington for his 3701 38^th Avenue project.  He spent less than $2000 for permits, wood and other retrofit supplies.  He spent another $5,000 on labor, his rebate will be just under half of his costs. Had he done the work himself, he would have made a small profit from his approximate $3000 rebate.   Steve also made the conversion of the duplex into two condos a green project. <<Steve demonstrates the automatic gas shut off on his energy saving combined heater/water heater. The Japanese made unit heats water on demand rather than storing water in a tank all day.

• Join or start a CORE group on your block -- first step is to get to know each other and share contact information. Learn more at the City's website for Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies (CORE). If you are already CORE trained, consider taking additional training through CORE or the American Red Cross. Consider the following CORE courses (all require advanced registration):
  • Managing Stress During Emergencies - October 27, 9 am - 1 pm
  • Managing Your Neighborhood Command Center Operations Effectively - November 10, 9 am - 3 pm

• Montclair-wide CORE/MON exercise on Saturday, November 17: Montclair has organized more than 50 blocks of CORE or Neighborhood Alert Groups under a program called MON (Montclair Organized Neighbors). They are running a simulated disaster exercise on Saturday, November 17 from 9 am to 11 am. For details, please contact Doug Mosher at 530-0774.

• Horace Mann School Beautification Day, Saturday, November 3, 9:30-11:30 am, 5222 Ygnacio Avenue.  Join the Melrose-High Hopes NCPC and the Horace Mann School Community.  We will assemble planters, plant bulbs and flowers, assemble a compost bin, paint a garden bench, pull weeds, and clean up trash.<< Planting trees last year.
   

• ·         The Distaff Singers' 70th Annual Benefit Concert, Saturday, November 3: The Distaff Singers, public school teachers, celebrate their 70th year raising scholarship funds for Oakland students with their benefit concert, "A Tribute to Oakland", on Saturday, November 3, 4:00 pm at Skyline High School.  Tickets are $15 adults, $12 students and seniors.  Call 510-547-8083 or visit www.distaffsingers.org  for more information or to inquire about applying for scholarship funding.

  
   

• Local Schools Hold Open House Meetings for Prospective Parents

• Oakland Public Library Celebrates Children's Book Week in November:
  • Tuesday, November 13, 2007, 10 am--Poet, storyteller Judy Sierra and author of The Gruesome Guide to World Monsters and the recent Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf, will tell stories and talk about her life and work.  Brookfield Branch, 9255 Edes Ave.Co-sponsored by Oakland Parks & Recreation. Ovda, the Gruesome Monster of Norway.>>
     
  • Storytelling with Yolanda Rhodes, Tuesday, November 13 at 3:30 pm, Lakeview Branch, 550 El Embarcadero. 
  • Book End Painting Project, Tuesday, November 13, 3:30 pm at Golden Gate Branch, 5605 San Pablo Avenue.
  • Nick Barone Puppets-T-Rex Thunderlizard's Wild West Revue, Tuesday, November 13--- 3 pm at Montclair Branch, 1687 Mountain Blvd; 7 pm at Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Avenue. 
  • Bookmaking Workshops using recycled materials to create your own book, in collaboration with The East Bay Depot for Creative Re-use: Wednesday, November 14, 3:30 pm at Melrose Branch, 4805 Foothill Blvd., 3:30 pm at West Oakland Branch, 1801 Adeline Street; Thursday, November 15, 1:30 pm at Elmhurst Branch, 1427 88th Avenue,; 3:30 pm at Asian Branch, 388 9th Street, Suite 190; 3:30 pm at Temescal Branch, 5205 Telegraph Avenue.
  • Bookmark Workshop for Ages 7-Adult, Thursday, November 15, 3:30 pm at the Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue