• Volunteer to Help Wild Life:  Some areas are still closed to the public.  Rescue groups are swamped with volunteers right now, but may need more volunteers as the oil spreads.
  • The Fish & Game Department has started to hold workshops for potential volunteers.
  • The UC Davis Oiled Wildlife Care Network is the lead group in these efforts, they have enough volunteers for now but they ask you to monitor their site. If you are a pre-trained volunteer, they ask you to contact your  normal participating organization.
  • Bay Keeper is organizing an email alert system for those who want to be contacted about future volunteer efforts.
     
• If you see injured or oiled wild life, don't approach or pick up the animal but report to (877) 823-6926.  Do not call this line to volunteer, it jams the line.
• Maps of the Affected Areas:
  • Google Map
  • State Oil Spill and Response Maps
• Make a Donation:  In addition to the Oiled Wildlife Care Network  and Baykeeper above, you might want to consider -
  • Marine Mammal Center
  • Save the Bay

• Library Fines & Lost Books Forgiveness Program-- November 24 -- December 14: The Oakland Public Library urges community members with overdue and lost items to "Get a Fresh Start" during this special three-week amnesty campaign. During this period, anyone who returns overdue items or who requests forgiveness for lost materials checked out before November 1, 2007 will have their fines and fees cleared by coming to any Oakland Public Library location.  Families with children are especially encouraged to return and enjoy the many resources of the Oakland Public Library. Each year several thousand student cards become dormant because of lost items. The number of books read is linked to reading levels and vocabulary, please encourage youth in your family and neighborhood to take advantage of this program during the holidays.  The general amnesty will apply to all locations and library materials, with the exception of tools from the Tool Lending Library.

• Tot Lot Construction Begins in Montclair:  Resurfacing of theWestern Town in Montclair Park began on Monday of this week and should end by December 7. Work is anticipated to begin at the Dimond Park Tot Lot on December 10, ending by December 21, weather permitting.

• Oakland Thanksgiving Dinner, Tuesday, November 20, 11:30 am-3 pm, Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway: Free turkey dinner, live entertainment, free transportation from my district at Lincoln Courts Senior Apartments, Lincoln & Mac Arthur.  For details, call 986-2721 or to make a financial contribution, please send your check payable to the City of Oakland Hunger Program, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 4340, Oakland, CA 94612.

• Homeless encampments are a problem we are all aware of, and Project Homeless Connect strives to provide services to homeless people and get them linked to housing, medical assistance, welfare and employment projects. Please help spread the word about the event.

<<

Policy Analyst Position Open:  We are currently interviewing for the position formerly held by Jennifer Crawford, who served as our Policy Analyst for Public Safety and Life Enrichment issues and community liaison for the Allendale, Laurel, Maxwell Park and Melrose areas.  In the interim we ask constituents in these areas to contact Richard Cowan 238-7042.

Save the Date, Friday, December 14th, 6:30-9:30 pm:  Once a year we invite the hundreds of neighbors we work with to celebrate the holidays with us and most importantly, to meet each other.  The staff and I do much of the cooking and it's usually quite a spread; we hope to feature local musicians.  We ask for a minimum donation to cover the costs of the Chabot Science Center planetarium or theater tickets about $10. Any contribution above that goes to our Annual Fundraising for Our Office Holders Account to pay for the many activities not funded from our city budget--the web and other expenses for our weekly newsletters, refreshments & supplies for Earth Day and other community clean-ups, Sundays in the Redwoods, educational leaflets and translations, retrofit workshops, whistles for community policing, etc.  Please RSVP to Jennifer Argueta at 238-7273 or email her at jargueta@oaklandnet.com.

• Keep Porch Lights On, Consider Motion Detector Lights:  The most prevalent crimes in my district are theft from cars and car thefts. If you have a garage, use it for parking. Many of us find it easier to park outside or we use our garages for storage.  Some of us don't have garages, or have more cars than garage space; park as close to your home as possible and install motion detector lights.  Some neighborhoods have organized streets to leave their porch lights on.  Our office still has a few hundred low energy light bulbs, we plan to distribute them to neighborhood alert groups that are interested in organizing "lights on" safety campaigns. Call us if you want to organize your street to keep porch lights on.

• Holiday Safety Tips

  The holiday season is a busy time of the year for family and friends. Unfortunately, it is also a busy time for burglars. Please take a minute to review the following tips to ensure your personnel security: At Home and At Work: Make sure all doors and windows at home and at work are properly secured. When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail. Consider taking all items of "high value" back to your primary residence (money, jewelry, TV, VCR, stereo, computer). If you choose to leave items of "high value", record the serial numbers. It is recommended that you mark or engrave your property with your driver's license for future identification. Make sure that large displays of valuables are not visible through the windows and doors of your home. Put indoor and outdoor lights on an automatic timer. Leave a radio on so that house looks and sounds occupied. Ask the police for "vacation checks" services for unattended residences during the holiday season. Securing your Vehicle: When leaving for a holiday or vacation, do not pack your car the night before. Always secure all doors and windows and remove all valuables or secure them out of sight. Park your vehicle in an area that is visible to the public and well lit at night, if not parking in a garage. When you are Out and About: Stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you. Shop with a friend, there is safety in numbers. Shop early and leave early to avoid evening darkness.  Pay for purchases with a check, credit or debit card; avoid carrying large amounts of cash. If you must carry a purse, do not wrap the straps around your arms or shoulders. Carry a clutch purse tightly under your arm or wear a fanny pack. Carry your wallet in the front pocket of your pants for safety. Prior to arriving at the shopping center, lock all your valuables in the trunk of your vehicle--so that no one can see you doing so. Watch for people who may be following you. This can occur inside as well as outside. If you suspect someone is following you, report it to security immediately. Program your cell phone with the Police Non-Emergency Phone Number that you can use when you are in Oakland--777-3211. If you call 9-1-1 on your cell phone, you will be routed through the Highway Patrol.

• Our office is working on the expansion of the Dimond Public Safety Council 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 new development, please attend. RSVP to Richard Cowan at 238-7041.
   
• Be Vigilant When Coming Home from Shopping or an ATM:  It seems that this kind of robbery increases during the fall when it is darker earlier.  Shoppers with their arms full of groceries, especially women with purses, are particularly vulnerable. Typically, the suspects follow the victim home from the ATM or shopping.  They approach shoppers right as they leave their car and make a quick get away to a nearby freeway. So please be sure to check your surroundings before you enter or exit your car. Be aware of whether you are being watched or followed.  If you think you are being followed, do not get out of your car at home, but go to a well-lit public space and call the police --777-3333 or on your cell 777-3211. Put a timer or motion detector light on your front porch or entry.

• Report Broken Street Lights:  Help us keep streets safe by reporting street lights that are out.  Contact the Public Works Call Center by phone 615-5566 or email.  Give us the address AND the number on the pole (black & white numbers).

• Plant Thieves: Occasionally we get reports of plant thieves taking plants out of gardens.  Richard Cowan of our office had a large succulent stolen out of his front yard just weeks ago.  We have noticed listserv's have also reported potted plants disappearing.  While some of these may be Halloween pranks, we did have the arrest of an out-of-town contractor who taken some very large plants for resale about two years ago.  The Maxwell Park listserv is focusing on a suspect was seen stealing a plant and carrying it off on a bicycle! So keep your eyes out, let us know if you detect a pattern or suspect; consider moving more valuable plants into back yards or into hard to move planters.

• Solicitors on the Move Again: Several listservs are tracking the whereabouts of solicitors in the neighborhood. Please remember that anyone going door to door is supposed to display a permit from the Oakland Police Department. We recommend that you not open your door to anyone you do not know. Call the non-emergency Police number at 777-3333 or 777-3211 (cell phone) to let police know that there is someone suspicious in your neighborhood. Let your Police Neighborhood Services Coordinator and/or Problem Solving Officer know also.  We are especially concerned about young children and teens who move from town to town with some of these companies.  As was stated at the Bret Harte/Joaquin Miller NCPC meeting, the police would rather you call in something you feel "isn't quite right" than for you not to make the call.

• Police Technicians Needed:  Police Services Technicians are non-sworn OPD personnel who can do many of the duties that Police Officers do. To improve police investigations especially in the area of robberies and burglaries, 15 more were authorized in the two year City budget passed in June. They also conduct Neighborhood Watch and Merchant Watch training, security inspections, redirect traffic, tow abandoned vehicles, assist in sideshow suppression operations and liquor license investigations.  Applications are being accepted now.

• Police Reserve Officers Needed:  Sworn reserve officers perform all the duties and responsibilities of a career police officer on a volunteer, part-time basis.  Oakland has a small but dedicated group of reserve officers.  They must meet the same qualifications and training as our regular officers and commit to 20 hours per month.   Because of the need to use all resources to fill vacant police positions, new reserve offices have not been recruited for over a year. Interested persons should contact Joseph Sweeney for additional information.

• The City has launched a new Measure Y website and e-newsletter that contain a wealth of practical information and an area by area list of services and programs.  The new website is www.MeasureY.org; you can sign up for the newsletter there.

• 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.

• Street Lights for Improved Safety--A street light will be going up within the next month on Monterey Blvd. A petition for an additional street light is circulating on Dakota Street. The City has limited funds for new street lights to enhance safety and reduce crime, but will consider them if a majority of adjacent neighbors agree (hence, the petition).

• Workday at Beaconsfield Canyon, Saturday, November 24, 9 am-Noon: One of Montclair¹s hidden gems, Beaconsfield Canyon is being restored. Once on track for residential development, the canyon was purchased by the city in 1992 but was never developed into a park. Volunteers, with the city¹s help, have been removing flammable, non-native plants, clearing debris and will be planting native plants this winter. Come check it out. Beaconsfield Canyon is located between Ascot & Chelton drives. Meet at the end of Beaconsfield Place, second street on the right as you go up Chelton from Ascot (the painted rock). Bring work gloves, a hat and pruning tools, if you have them. For more information, contact Richard Kauffman at 531-1237.
• Daffodil Planting at Joaquin Miller Park Entrance: Saturday, December 1, 10 am-Noon. Members of the Joaquin Miller Community Center Advisory Board, Boy Scouts and the public are invited to meet at Sanborn Road under the "Woodminster Amphitheater" sign with gloves and tools to plant 200 daffodils at the entrance of Joaquin Miller Park. Details-- contact Bobbi Feyerabend at 450-0803.

• 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.  They need $60,000 to buy an adjoining lot.  They are also planning a series of native plant restoration days.

• Link to EBMUD Website on Estates/Dinghee Reservoir Renovations: Residents near the EBMUD Estates and Dinghee Reservoirs have participated in two meetings with EBMUD representatives to discuss long range plans to upgrade the reservoirs to current water quality standards. The upgrades provide the community an opportunity to work with EBMUD on creating a visual presence that is safe and pleasing to look at. Our office has suggested that a smaller working group of neighbors work with EBMUD staff in hammering out details. Meanwhile, you can go to the EBMUD website to see what is being discussed and to email questions to EBMUD's Michelle Blackwell.

• 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.

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.

• <<Entries in the 2007 Re-Create Contest sponsored by MOCHA and the City's Public Works Department were showcased at a reception and exhibit in Jack London Square on Thursday. Here is the entry from Maxwell Park's Afterschool Program.
• 
   

• And bowls from 8-year-olds in Oakland Brownie Troop 1389 made from recycled magazines and glue.>>

• OUSD & Laney Partner to Launch Gateway to College Program: OUSD and Laney College announced this week a partnership aimed at fighting the drop out rate and presenting a second chance at college to students who have veered off the traditional academic path. Laney will partner with OUSD to offer dual enrollment to students who have dropped out of the K-12 system. Students will take college courses taught by college faculty, thereby meeting high school graduation requirements while gaining credit toward an Associates Degree.  The new program begins next fall and will be open to students aged 16 - 21, with all enrollment fees waived. Guided by specialists trained in working with at-risk youth, Gateway to College students simultaneously accumulate high school and college credits in a small community of peers. In addition to reading, writing, and math, students all take a career development class to focus their academic goals and a college survival course designed to help them re-engage with the academic process.  For details, contact William Hanson at 592-1476 (whanson@peralta.edu).

• Oakland Rotary Launches Oakland Reads: The Oakland Rotary Club's Youth & Education Committee is partnering with OUSD to provide three new books to every third grader in OUSD schools this February. That means that more than 3,100 third graders in all traditional and charter schools throughout the City will each receive a set of three books hand picked by OUSD librarians, teachers and Rotary members to encourage students to read and stretch their literacy skills. Rotary has chosen this ambitious project because literacy skills form the cornstone of a child's academic development:
   

• Early reading proficiency is a primary indicator of a child's likelihood of attending college.
• Children who fail to read by age 9 (Grade 3) typically fall behind in other areas and rarely make up the lost ground.
• Children who attain reading proficiency are at much less risk of dropping out of high school.

• Oakland Artisans' Marketplace at Jack London Square (Water Street), Saturdays & Sundays, 10 am - 4 pm, starting November 10.

• Oakland Mayor's Toy Drive--Each year, the Mayor and members of the City Council sponsor a toy drive for low income Oakland families. Low income families may sign up for the annual Oakland Mayor's Toy Drive on Saturday, November 17 from 10 am to 4 pm at Oakland City Hall, Hearing Room 3. Please bring a picture ID, Proof of Oakland residence (rent agreement, PG & E or phone bill), proof of children's ages (birth certificate, medical card or social security number) and proof of income (IRS statement or paycheck stub). AFDC or TANF recipients should contact their social worker for information regarding those toy drives. Spanish and Chinese speaking volunteers are especially needed. Work a minimum of 2 hours and earn a free pizza lunch! Contact Monique K. Tsang, Assistant to the City Administrator for Equal Access at 238-2368.

• Annual Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting at Jack London Square, Friday, November 23-- Noon to 7 pm.

• Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Annual Christmas Concert, Saturday, December 1: 7:30 pm at the Paramount Theater. Doors open 6:30 pm-- Advance tickets $35-$10; Day of Show: $40-$15--$5 off for seniors 62+.

• Alameda County Holiday Food Drive-December 1-31: Join the Alameda County Community Food Bank's Holiday Food Drive. Fill a bag with healthy, nonperishable food and drop it in the red food drive barrels at Alameda County Safeway Stores, Bay Street Emeryville, Berkeley Bowl and other community locations. Call 834-3663 for details.

• Oakland East Bay Symphony Let Us Break Bread Together Holiday Celebration, Sunday, December 2, 4 pm at the Paramount Theater: Conductor Michael Morgan conducts the popular multi-chorus extravaganza with the Oakland Symphony Chorus, Terrance Kelly and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Piedmont Choirs, Mt. Eden High School Choir and Klezmer ensemble Kugeplex for inspiring performances of spirituals, classical and sacred music.

• Montclair Village Holiday Stroll, Thursday, December 6, 6-9 pm: Bring the kids for an evening of holiday fun! Ice skating rink for kids 10 and under, wagon and motorized cable car rids, street entertainment, store sales and receptions. Time to get into the Holiday Spirit and support our local businesses and shops.

•  Zoo Lights at the Oakland Zoo Postponed until 2008-- due to the NEW LED replacement lights being damaged in shipment. Old incandescent light bulbs, adorning over 120 light structures, were being changed to LED lights to reflect Oakland Zoo's "Go Green" conservation messaging. 2007 marked the re-lighting of ZooLights with over 80,000 LED lights. As the NEW LED lights arrived it became apparent that too many of them were damaged in shipment and the time to re-purchase too short.

• Comcast Holiday Parade, Saturday, December 8--Come see giant balloons, marching bands, colorful floats and this year's Grand Marshal-Garfield. The cast of the Power Rangers Ninja Storm will be on hand. Free to the public starting at 2 pm.-- downtown Oakland on Broadway.
   
• Oakland Youth Chorus Winter Choral Concert: Saturday, December 8, 7 pm, First Congregational Church of Oakland. Annual Winter Concert featuring Concert Chorus, Middle School Magic Chorus, Elementary School Miracle Choruses and the OYC Alumni Chorus. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Student/Senior $10, Child $5, Groups of 15 or more $15 each. Call 287-9700 x110 for tickets.

• Annual Christmas Revels, English Renaissance at the Scottish Rite Center, December 7-16. Enjoy magnificent Elizabethan music, dance and drama. Admission is $15-$50. Call 452-8800. For details, go to www.calrevels.org.

• Dunsmuir House for the Holidays: Mansion tours, holiday teas, carolers, horse-drawn carriages for hire, craft booths, refreshments, children's activities, entertainment and more at the historic Dunsmuir House at 2060 Peralta Oaks Court, just off of Highway 580 and 106th Avenue. Weekends, December 8-23. Advance ticket prices-- Adults $11, Seniors (62+) 410, Juniors $7, groups of 10 or more $9 each-- add $4 at the door. Call (925) 275-9490.

• Holiday Events Light Up the Oakland Public Library--Free, multicultural fairytales, stories, puppet shows, sing-along and more bring together the whole family at this joyous time of year:
  • Bonnie Lockhart presents Peace, Light & Chocolate: Holiday Songs from Many Traditions: Monday, December 10, 7 pm Montclair Branch Library
  • Opera Piccola presents Hansel & Gretel, Tuesday, December 18, 7 m  at Dimond Branch Library
  • Puppet Art presents Jack & The Beanstalk Wednesday, December 19, 3:30 pm at Melrose Branch Library

For a full list of events throughout the holidays and their locations at other branch libraries, please call 238-3848 or check out the Oakland Public Library website.

• Holiday Caroling on Lake Merritt--enjoy a unique view of Oakland as your Water Sleigh takes you on a voyage around Lake Merritt, with complimentary cookies & hot cider. Friday tours: December 14 and 21, 6 and 7 pm; Saturday tours, December 15 & 22, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm; Sunday tours, December 16 & 24, 4 pm, 5 pm and 6 pm. Water Sleigh ($5 per person); Private charter for up to 20 $75. Call 238-2196 for reservations.
• KKSF Smooth Jazz Christmas, Saturday, December 15 at 8 pm at the Paramount: featuring Dave Koz and friends, and special guests Jonathan Butler, Wayman Tisdale and Kimberley Lock. Tickets range from $39.50-$85.
• Ronn Guidi's Nutcracker at the Paramount: Michael Morgan conducting members of the Oakland East Bay Symphony in the 35th anniversary of the Oakland Ballet's Nutcracker. Ballet Performance tickets range from $15-$50; Sweet Dreams Party tickets $10. Friday, December 21, 10:30 am, limited seats, sold through the Box Office only.
   
  • Friday, December 21, 8 pm, Opening Night
  • Saturday, December 22, 2 pm--Sweet Dreams Party takes place right after the 2 pm performance. All ages require a ticket to the party.
  • Saturday, December 22, 8 pm
  • Sunday, December 23, 2 pm--Sweet Dreams Party takes place right after the 2 pm performance. All ages require a ticket to the party.
  • Monday, December 24, 11 am--(Target Family Matinee) limited seats available through the Box Office only.

• Annual New Year's Eve Balloon Drop at Chabot Space & Science Center:  Monday, December 31 (12:45 pm or 3:45 pm) Free with General Admission. Space is limited--Advance tickets required.