Moving Oakland Forward Together

This was a good week for those concerned with Public Safety as the Council approved my motion modifying the Mayor's Police Recruitment & Training programs (see #2), the City reached tentative agreement with the Oakland Police Officers Association, we received new state grants to provide job training for probationers and funds to combat gang violence, and we received an award recognizing our work in combating domestic violence through our Measure Y Programs.

Jean Lucido, Project Reconnect Director, accepts $400,000 grant to work with youth involved with gangs and their families at their Laurel office. Allen Temple Church also received $400,000 for their employment work with probationers.

We also made important movement on two other major issues confronting the city. In a compromise, the Council confirmed the industrial zoning for most (11) tracts, changing the zoning in only one third of one area, and requiring additional detailed studies for 4 other areas.

On the affordable housing front, the Council has been split for over a year. It seems we may be able to reach a compromise as my colleague Henry Chang joined me at a meeting in the Laurel with Oakland Community Organizations and Acorn. He agreed to major components of the Mayor's proposals including the phased in inclusionary zoning plan and increasing the percentage of redevelopment funds spent on housing to 35%. (Below) Residents pack Imani Church to discuss affordable housing strategies--Tribune photo.

   It seems that spring is here already and it should be nice this weekend. Please join us Saturday at Joaquin Miller Park & Dimond Canyon for our workday and barbeque. If you love the trails and views from these 500 plus acres of forest and creeks, this is your chance to give back. (See #1)
   This weekend I'll be in Washington, D.C., representing the city at the national League of Cities meeting. I am spending about 3 hours a day trying to catch up on my email backlog. Remember, if you have an urgent issue, please do not hesitate to call the staff during working hours 238-7004.

Council President Pro Tem

1. This Weekend: JMP/Dimond Canyon Work Day, Happy International Womens Day, Daylight Savings Day

Dimond Canyon/Joaquin Miller Park Beautification Day & Volunteer BBQ, Saturday, March 8, 8:30 am-Noon: Oakland's Joaquin Miller Park and Dimond Canyon are two of the Bay Area's most unique and treasured open spaces--but volunteers are critical to keeping these budget crunched parks pristine, safe, and enjoyable. Join a broad community of park users for a fun, rewarding day of trail work and beautification. (Above) Mike Allen and Martin Matarrese of Public Works and volunteer Dale Risden pour concert to set the first post on West Trail--part of the new trail signage system for Joaquin Miller Park that was developed by the Joaquin Miller Working Group, read more in #4.
- Volunteers should bring water and work gloves. Hand-held trimming tools would be helpful too, if you have them!
- Meet at the Joaquin Miller ranger station parking lot near the main meadow area, 8:30 am for coffee, pastries & orientation.
- Work starts promptly at 9 am.
- Stick around for fabulous BBQ when the work is done.
- To learn more or RSVP, email ckralovansky@yahoo.com by Saturday.

This event is sponsored by the Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay in cooperation with the City and our office.

Rubbish Recreation, Kids Go Green Series, Saturday, March 8, 11am-4pm: What really happens to all those cans and bottles that we recycle? Why does recycling save energy? Find out through hands-on activities which demonstrate the importance of the 4 R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot! Activities are FREE with General Admission at the Chabot Space & Science Center.

Support Friends of Sausal Creek's Native Plant Nursery, Saturday, March 8, 1:30-4:30 pm: Propagate native species and other work at the Joaquin Miller Park Native Plant Nursery. Call Molly Bolt at 501-3672, especially for groups larger than six.

Achieving Healthy Weight, Saturday, 2-3 pm, Montclair Library, 1687 Mountain Blvd. This free workshop will help participants determine, achieve and maintain their own healthy weight. Dr. Nathalie Bera-Miller, a board certified preventative medicine physician, will provide diagnostic tools, nutrition information, and strategies to help manage your weight successfully.

Mack Attack! McClymonds Goes to Regional Finals: Good kids rarely make headlines but the McClymond Warriors tip off at Arco Arena in Sacramento, Saturday, 4 pm, for the regional championship and a rematch with DeLaSalle. If they win they will go to the final State Championship for the second year in a row! I've got to tell you that as a former school board member, I love cheering on our Oakland kids as they break the odds in these statewide contests. Mack is a small school in a challenging neighborhood, but when you meet these kids they are focused good students with amazing heart. They are beating teams with much better resources and they deserve our support! (Above) Tribune photo.

Golden Gate Cymbidium Society's Annual Show & Sale at Lake Merritt, March 8-9, 9 am-5 pm: If you love orchids, stop by this annual show of Cymbidiums, sponsored by the Golden Gate Cymbidium Society. Enjoy both a the show and sale plus great advice at the Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Avenue, in Lakeside Park. Admission is free, parking $3.

Mirrors of Mumbai: A Tale of Modern India: Opera Piccola, which provides programs in many Oakland schools and after school programs, presents Mirrors of Mumbai: A Tale of Modern India at the Molanga Casquelord Arts Center, 1328 Alice Street, Saturday, March 8, 7:30 pm. $17 general admission; $10 students & seniors/$7 children. Call (925) 798-1300 or go to the Opera Piccola Website.

Spring Forward Sunday, March 9th: Daylight savings time begins at 2:00am Sunday. Set your clocks AHEAD one hour!

Skyline at Yoshi's Jazz House, Monday, March 10, 8 and 10 pm: If you're wondering who the next music leaders of the future will be, come to Yoshi's Jazz House on Monday, March 10 to hear Skyline's award-winning Jazz Band. The Skyline Jazz Band won 2nd place in the Reno Jazz Festival in 2007 and rocked the hosue at Yoshi's. For tickets...

2. Council Updates: Police Training and Recruitment Plan Approved, Police Contract Settled, Industrial Land Use Compromise, Moth Spraying Challenged, No on Prop 98

Council Approves Amended Proposal to use Measure Y Funds for Recruitment & Training : This week Council approved my motion to accept the Mayor's proposal with changes. Combined with this week's contract settlement with the Oakland Police Officers Association, we are in a very good position to recruit at a time when 15,000 officers are needed statewide. Much of the news coverage was garbled, but the costs of the program will be divided proportionately between the general fund and Measure Y. Beat problem solving officers, school police, crime reduction teams, and Youth and Family Services officers designated in Measure Y will be funded from Measure Y funds. Because the last two academies put almost all graduates into patrol to increase the officers responding to 911, most of the following two academies are now expected to be Measure Y officers.

Additionally, the advertising budget was reduced; $500,000 will to be used for

officer signing bonuses instead. Lateral transfer officers, those already working for other law enforcement agencies will receive a bonus up to $25,000. The newly approved contract also gives a 5% differential to officers with college degrees.

The Measure Y fund has accumulated $17 million because we have not been able to hire enough officers to fill these and other positions. Some of the surplus was used for overtime to fill Measure Y vacancies, because only 33 of the minimum 63 Measure Y officer positions are filled. The Chief and Mayor's plan to recruit and train officers with the goal of reaching the total of 803 budgeted officers by year's end addresses the major obstacles we have been struggling with: Training new officers takes a lot of personnel. Chief Tucker will use about half of the money, $3.3 million to contract with the Alameda County Sheriff's Department to run a parallel set of academies, doubling our output. Field training officers will be offered additional money in hopes of retaining retiring officers to work with new graduates. The remainder of the money will be used in increasing and speeding-up the recruiting efforts; to offer better incentive packages and to start "grow our own programs" with local colleges.

Police Contract Settled After Nearly 2 Years In Arbitrator's Decision: Police contract negotiations are unique because they cannot legally strike, the arbitrator has the final say. In a decision accepted by both the City and union this week, Oakland police officers will remain among the highest paid in northern California (top 3) and the Chief finally gets undisputed control over major scheduling and assignment issues. Highlights of the contract:

Compromised Industrial Land Use Policy Approved: After two years of grappling with the issue, the Council approved a compromise between the Mayor's proposal supported by the Labor Council and Chamber of Commerce to establish that industrial land as a scare resource (5% of the non-Port land) and establish criteria to use for general plan amendment applications coming in May from the Planning Department. While the Council agreed to these points in the Mayor's proposal, it wanted to go beyond and outright state that most tracts would remain industrial. One area was found to already be mostly commercial, 3 contested areas will be studied with the Planning Department returning in two months with recommendations, one-third of Area 4 in DeLaFuente's district will be redesignated Housing Business Mix.

Yes on 99, No on 98: This week, Council discussed consideration of California's dueling Eminent Domain Propositions in the June election and approved joining the California League of Cities' endorsement of Proposition 99. Both Prop 99 and Prop 98 defend individual homeowners from having the government take private homes to transfer to a private developer, but the rival Proposition 98 contains hidden agendas that:

CDFA Aerial Spraying to Eradicate the Light Brown Apple Moth --Goes to Council: Council unanimously approved the Public Safety Committee's resolution opposing the aerial spraying of Bay Area communities to eradicate the Light Brown Apple Moth and also gave the City Attorney authority to join with other cities in legal opposition. This Chronicle article gives good background. (Above) Speakers at the Public Safety Committee. Five bills are now in the state legislature concerning the spraying and are likely to be merged for consideration:

AB2892 - (Swanson) Requires Department of Agriculture to obtain 2/3 voter approval before spraying

AB2764 - (Hancock) Prohibits spraying in urban areas unless Governor declares State of Emergency

AB2760 - (Leno) Requires Environment Impact Report before use in urban areas

AB2765 - (Huffman) Requires public hearing and examination of alternatives to spraying

AB2763- (Laird) Requires Department of Agriculture to provide written analysis of most appropriate means of eradication including impact on health & environment.

3. Waste Management Settlement Expands Recycling Services, More Plastic Containers and Batteries to Be Added;
New Tops for

A tentative settlement with Waste Management over damages incurred during the Garbage Lockout will repay the City for staff and other costs caused by the mess and will expand recycling services, including more plastic container recycling (now only bottles) to most containers including wide mouth containers like yogurt or tub type containers. A curbside battery pick-up system will be devised and additional bulky pick-ups for residents are also included. Previously, WM refunded garbage fees and the city has remaining legal actions against WM's parent company.

California Waste Solutions to Replace Recycling Cart Lids: Gray residential recycling carts in North and West Oakland (in my district residents north of Lincoln Blvd) serviced by California Waste Solutions (CWS), require lid replacements because the in-molded labels on the lids have degraded and are no longer readable. CWS is sending a postcard this week to all residential addresses in their service area notifying residents of the lid replacement activity. They request that residents leave their carts curbside every collection day in March until 6 pm so they can replace the lids. For more information: Public Works Recycling Hotline at 510-238-SAVE (7283) or recycling@oaklandnet.com.

4. District 4 Updates: New Joaquin Miller Trail Signs, Parking for Shepherd Canyon Park, Pothole Blitz; City Contract Mtg, Finch Plan for Foster Youth, Sponsor A Girl for Softball

New Joaquin Miller Park Trail Signs: New trail signs that name trails, cite distances and nearby park features and remind users of trail right of way's are going up. This is another project of the Joaquin Miller Park Working group to improve the trails and reduce conflicts between users. We hope the signs will complement the map updated by the group over a year ago. My office covered the cost of the 52 posts and hundreds of decals that will help provide better directions and information about park rules to the thousands of people who use Joaquin Miller Park's wonderful trail system. If you care about the long term future of JMP join our working group. The next meeting is Monday, March 10, 8:30 am at Joaquin Miller Community Center. It is open to the public.

Oakland Tribune Columnist Features Our Local Hero: I admit that I don't usually read the sports pages so when District 4 resident Jack Newhouse started writing his series on Oaklanders, I became a new fan. His stories remind me often of what we try to do in telling the stories of Our Local Heroes. Last week Jack covered Barbara Goldenberg, our top nominee.

The East Bay Municipal Utlities District (EBMUD) has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, March 13 at 5:30 pm at Montera School: EBMUD has hired a landscape architectural firm to help work with nearby residents in developing a design for the Estates and Dingee Reservoirs as part of bringing the 100-year-old reservoirs up to current standards. For details, contact Michelle Blackwell at 287 2053.

Final Push to Raise Funds to Make Shepherd Canyon Road Safer: Thanks to a recent pledge of $5,000 from the Montclair Safety & Improvement Council (MSIC), we are making a push to raise the final $40,000 needed to build an expanded parking lot for Shepherd Canyon Park. The park is used on the weekends for soccer and la crosse, and Shepherd Canyon Road is often crowded with parked cars and parents dropping off and picking up kids. The road, even in the best of times, is narrow and winding and requires drivers to be alert. Our office has been working with the Shepherd Canyon Homeowners Association on this project--one of several improvements proposed to the park-- for several years. We've already raised Shepherd Park donation sign

$110,000 from the Montclair Soccer Club, California Commercial Investments and grants from Council Member Henry Chang and my office, as well as individual donations. We're asking local residents and families who use the park to help us make this new parking lot a reality. Donations accepted by Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation c/o Shepherd Canyon, PO Box 13267, Oakland, CA 94661. Questions-- call Sue Piper in our office at 238-7042. (Above) many thanks to MSIC's Jim Clardy for installing the sign and thermometer.

Pothole Blitz for Central Oakland (and District 4) This Month: Public Works

Agency crews are conducting citywide pothole-filling blitz for week each month through April, with PWA crews concentrating in a specific geographical service area. They are working in District 4 during March, so report your neighborhood potholes this weekend. PWA works on a complaint driven system. On average, the City receives upwards of 250 pothole complaints a month, citywide; but many go unreported. This year's series of rain storms has created much more damage to City streets, causing more potholes than usual because of the damage water goes to the "glue" between asphalt layers. Contact the PWA Call Center at 615-5566 to report pot holes. Please provide the nearest street address and cross streets.

Good Discussion at City Contract Meeting: Thanks to about a dozen District residents who attended our discussion last month on doing business with the city. We covered many issues:

Congratulations to the Glenview Elementary's First Place Win at the Bay Area Regional Tournament of "Odyssey of the Mind". Forty-six K-5 students and 14 volunteer coaches, divided among seven teams, prepared 8-minute long solutions to one of six problems. This is the second year that Glenview will send winning teams to the statewide tournament will be held Saturday, April 5.

Help Us Level the Playing Field and Build the "The Krusherz!" District 4's own girl's softball team out of the Allendale Recreation Center: Girls softball is really taking off, unfortunately some families' work schedules and resources make it hard for their girls to participate. Working with the Parks & Rec Department I want to literally level the playing field. My office will cover the cost of uniforms/equipment for a team at Allendale Rec and we have pledged to raise the funds for the registration fees, $110 per girl or $1200. Could you help us by sponsoring a girl? Make checks payable to OGSL (Oakland Girls Softball League) and mail to us: Council Offices, City Hall, 1 Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612. We could also use coaches and other helpers, contact Michael Johnson at 238-4742.

DIA Agrees With Transitional Housing for Foster Youth at Fred Finch: The Dimond Improvement Association voted unanimously this week to support a plan that converts current dormitories into apartments for 40 foster youth enrolled in educational or job training programs. Specifically, they agreed to the higher age limit of 24. Many foster kids become homeless at 18 when they age out of the system, this project will let them finish school or job training programs and is expected to be a national model. One building will serve 10 16-18 year olds in five two-bedroom apartments; the other three will have 10 one-bedroom apartments for youth aged 18-24. Each building would have live-in staff; health, job training and counselors would also be located on campus. The school programs are providing independent living basics, vocational training and computer programs, and job resume and interviewing skills. Fred Finch and the County agreed to have a Community Advisory Group building on the regular meetings held over the last two years. They also agreed to bring building designs, traffic studies and other issues such as "green building" materials back for broader public comment.

5. Emergency Preparedness Updates: New CORE Classes, Record Retrofits, 911 Registry, Take an On-line Class

Seismic Program Update: With four months to go, our seismic retrofit program has over 120 Oakland homeowners applying for retrofit permits compared to less than ten last year. Staff estimates with the flat $250 rate for permit alone, Oaklanders will save over $185,000 in fees or about $1500 per home. Most are new home owners who also qualify for a return of transfer taxes up to $5,000 for a completed retrofit.

CORE Training at Allendale Recreation Center in April: Allendale Recreation Center has teamed up with CORE to host in-depth emergency preparedness classes. Core I (Home and Family), Thursday, April 10 from 6:30-9 pm; CORE II (Neighborhood Preparedness and Response) on Thursday, April 24, 6:30-9 pm. Both classes will be held at the Allendale Recreation Center at 3711 Suteer Street. It's free and open to the people throughout the City-- sign up early with Elena Bermeo, the Allendale Recreation Center Director, at 535-5635.

CORE Citywide Exercise on Saturday, April 26: Register your neighborhood group at 238-6351. There will be a citywide debriefing at Mills College, Noon - 2pm. The emphasis will be on command center operation and first aid team response.

Now's the time to get ready for THE BIG ONE! If you and your neighbors have not yet gone through Emergency Preparedness training, you can take one of many free classes or take ouron-line course.

911 Registry for Senior or Physically Impaired Citizens: Help firefighters be better prepared to help or search for seniors and others in a fire or other emergency situation by joining the registry.

6. Community Policing: DV Award to Measure Y Efforts, Mayor to Attend MP NCPC, Dimond Pedestrian Report, License Scanners Fight Car Thefts

Measure Y Receives Award for Family and Sexual Violence Efforts: The City received an award from the Family Justice Center for its Measure Y programs.

Coordination with County and non-profit groups and new Measure Y programs have dramatically increased the numbers of women and others seeking help, the numbers have tripled from my first year in office 5 years ago. Deaths due to domestic violence on the other hand are at a 10 year low.

This is one of rare instances where increased crime reports are a good thing. While family violence goes up during economic hard times, the police and others feel the increase is due to better enforcement and training plus the coordination of support services brought together at the Family Justice Center. One officer this week explained that last year's slight increase in rape reports reflected that women working the streets were more willing to report abuse by pimps and their clients. This article explains why the rise is a success. Measure Y funds are used to help train officers to help in family violence situations, each reported case gets a visit from a Measure Y advocate within 48 hours, and it funds a support and diversion program for sexually exploited minors. It also funds special counseling programs for children exposed to violence.

Dimond Pedestrian Safety

Project Report on the increased enforcement of pedestrian safety at the next Beat 22X meeting at Sequoia School on March 10 at 7 pm: People too often blast through the Dimond area on their way to or from the 580 Freeway. Dimond Walking officer Sean Hall (on the left) conducted a pedestrian safety project last week. He was given a team, motorcycle officers and an OPD officer dressed as a civilian, to enforce the right of pedestrians to walk safely in the Dimond business district. Photo by Tim Chapman posted on the Dimond Forum.

Mayor Dellums Will Join Me Wednesday, March 12th, 7 pm, at the Maxwell Neighborhood Council Meeting, Maxwell Park School, 4730 Fleming. Now that we are ending our second month under the new geographic policing system, we are both interested in listening to how it's going on the neighborhood level. I have invited him to attend more NCPC meetings as the year goes on.

MSIC Public Meeting on Police Reorganization, Thursday, March 13, 7 -9 pm, Zion Lutheran Church (5201 Park Blvd.): Open to the public.The reorganization of the Oakland Police Department into 2 geographical areas of community policing took effect on January 12, 2008. The Montclair area has been assigned to Area 1. At this meeting you'll meet our Area Captain Anthony Toribio and his staff. They will explain how the reorganization affects us and what we can expect from them. There will be a question and answer session following Captain Toribio's presentation. You will also get an opportunity to meet and hear from our Problem Solving Officer, Debbie Mack. I will also attend.

New License Plate Readers: Car thefts are rising here and across the country. New license plate readers installed on police cars allow them to scan cars, parked and moving, to identify stolen cars. Council Member Reid and I are purchasing six more units for officers in our areas. The best defense is still prevention; keep your car locked and in your garage at night. If you don't have a garage park it in a drive way or near your home; preferably in an area with motion detector lights. If your area is undergoing a wave of car thefts use a "club" and organize your neighbors to do so, too. We find that thieves move onto "easier" targets.

New Phone Numbers for the Reorganization: Now that most assignments are completed, the Police Department is trying to update its website. In the interim they have posted lists of new phone numbers for Area and Problem Solving Officers/Beats.

The Measure Y website and e-newsletter contain a wealth of practical information and an area by area list of services and programs, www.MeasureY.org

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

To organize a Neighborhood Watch Group on your street call 510-238-3091.

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.

Truancy Tip Hotline is 879-8172.

7. Graffiti Abatement

<<Graffiti on Fruitvale near MacArthur Blvd. in the Dimond.

On our travels throughout the City our staff has noticed, and constituents are reporting, a rash of graffiti in our neighborhoods. The city removes graffiti from public property, owners are responsible for removing graffiti from private property. To report graffiti on public property call the Public Works Call Center, 615-5566. Quick removal of graffiti is the best way to discourage this practice, sometimes it takes several rounds. Because we are tracking gang activity, send us a digital photo of graffiti if you can. Send to: mljohnson@oaklandnet.com

If graffiti is not removed from private property, you can also report that to the PWACall Center at 615-5566. Volunteers in the Laurel Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council work with Laurel merchants, especially Ace Hardware, to keep graffiti down in the commercial area. The Allendale Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council has put together graffiti-removal kits to help neighbors clean up small graffiti displays. The kits are available on loan, they include basic with grey spray paint for graffiti on walls and cement and a can of Goof Off which can be used to clean off signs and other smooth surfaces, gloves and rags. If you live in the Allendale area, kits can be checked out from Dave Pratt, 368-2521 or dbp2908@gmail.com or from Steve Reuss 536-9551 or sgr@att.net

8. Traffic & Transportation News: Radar Gun Program Begins, Bicycle Parking Ordinance, MTC Plan Meeting

<<Susan Hoffman, Barry Schamach and Chris Burghardt last Monday on 35th Avenue.

District 4 Radar Gun Pilot Off and Running: Our intrepid team of Radar Gun Volunteers held their first two sessions on 35th Avenue this week. They found that the average speed going down hill was about 40 MPH in a 30 MPH zone. Perhaps their bright yellow vests were a tip-off to drivers! Nevertheless, their presence is a reminder to slow down and to drive safely. Our office purchased the Radar Gun and OPD trained about 15 volunteers as part of an educational program to raise driver awareness about speeding on some of our more problematic streets in the District. Volunteers clock the speed of speeding cars, note the car license plate and give the information to OPD. OPD then sends a courtesy letter out to the vehicle owner as a warning. OPD and our office will determine the next location when this first pilot at 35th Avenue ends next month. Many thanks to Barry Schamach, volunteer coordinator. For details, contact Michael Johnson in our office at 238-4742.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) hearings on the environmental impacts on their Transportation 2035 Plan. MTC controls much of the transporation funding and planning for the 9 county Bay Area. This master plan to guide the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area region's transportation investments over the next 25 years. The EIR for the Transportation 2035 Plan will analyze the broad, regional environmental impacts of implementing the investments identified in the plan. Written comments can be sent to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, 101 Eighth Street, Oakland, CA 94607 (attention: Ashley Nguyen, EIR Project Manager). Comments must be received by MTC by no later than March 21, 2008.

Community Meeting on Proposed Bicycle Parking Ordinance, Thursday, March 20, Hearing Room 1, Oakland City Hall, 7 pm: The City of Oakland's Community & Economic Development Agency is drafting an ordinance that would require bicycle parking in certain types of development. Adoption of a bicycle parking ordinance is a priority recommendation in the recently approved Bicycle Master Plan (2007), as well as the prior bike plan approved in 1999.A bicycle parking ordinance would result in the provision of end-of-trip facilities integral to making bicycling a viable form of transportation. The draft ordinance addresses bicycle racks, lockers, cages and showers, and how these facilities would be included in future development. For details.

9. Keeping Oakland Green: OPC/PWA Volunteer Appreciation, Sign Up for Earth Day, Oakland Moves Up To 4th Greenest City

The Value of the Urban Tree: As our spring trees begin to blossom, consider this: A study of urban forests in Modesto, shows that for each $1 invested in urban forest management, $1.89 in benefits is returned to residents. City trees removed 154 tons of air pollutants,

increased property values by over $1.5 million, and provide shade that saves over $1 million in energy costs. This is timely information as Oakland embarks on developing an Urban Forestry Master Plan to deal with its aging forests and the need for more trees in other parts of the city. For more interesting data about urban forests, check out the Center for Urban Forest Research. << FOSC's Mark Rauzon on a walking tour of the oaks in Dimond Park in 2006.

Organize Your Street to Plant Tree: The City can provide free street trees; if you organize you whole street our office will help with leaflets and will help pay for sidewalk cuts. Contact Sue Piper in our office for more information.

OPC/PWA Volunteer Appreciation Event, Wednesday, April 2 at the Lakeside Garden Center: If you've ever adopted a spot or drain, planted daffodils or worked on an Earthday or Creek to Bay Day Project, then you won't want to miss thisannual event. The Oakland Parks Coalition and the Public Works Agency annually thanks the hundreds of local residents who regularly volunteer to work on our parks, medians, open spaces and storm drains at a wonderful event. To RSVP, call 287-2683 or email the Oakland Parks Coalition.

EarthDay -- April 19, 2008; Earth Expo at City Hall--Wednesday, April 16, 10 am-pm: It's time to start organizing your neighbors and get ready to sign up for Earthday 2008! Last year, more than 4,000 people volunteered over 13,500 hours, planting 22 trees and cleaning up 28 parks, 24 schools, 18 medians, 8 creek sites, and 42 public spaces. More than 23 tons of debris was collected that day!

This year, Oakland celebrates its 14th annual Earthday. District 4 typically accounts for 25% of the volunteers--last year we had more than 35 locations! Check the Keep Oakland Beautiful site to sign up (and please email Leslie Bonett in our office to let her know, as well.).

Junk Mail and a Do Not Mail Registry: In 2003, congress created the national Do Not Call Registry, the most popular consumer rights bill in history. Today, people are waiting for a companion registry that will end the onslaught of junk mail. Did you know that it takes over 100 million trees to produce the total volume of junk mail that arrives in American mailboxes each year? And that approximatley 44% of junk mail goes to a landfill unopened? Or that Americans still spend 8 months per lifetime opening junk mail? You can sign a petition asking Congress to pass legislation creating a Do Not Mail Registry by going to the Care2.com website.

For our list of 25 Ways to Keep Oakland Green, click here.

10. Gardening & Parks: FOSC, Plant Sales, Green Tours

Upcoming Friends of Sausal Creek Workdays:

Sunday, March 15, 9:30 am-Noon: Restoration workday: pruning, weeding and mulching in Sausal Creek in Dimond Park. Call Kathren Stevenson at 388-5676.
Saturday, March 16, 9 am-Noon: Aquatic insect sampling in Sausal Creek. Call Emma Brown at 527-2507 to confirm.
Friday, March 21, 9:30 am-Noon: Seed hike to collect seeds to propagate native plants. Call Molly Bolt at 501-3672.
Saturday, March 22, 1:30-4:30 pm: Propagate native species and other work at the Joaquin Miller Park Native Plant Nursery. Call Molly Bolt at 501-3672, especially for groups larger than six.
Sunday, March 23, 9 am-Noon: Water quality monitoring in Sausal Creek. Call Nick Kish at 530-4490 to confirm.
Saturday, March 29, 9am-Noon: Planting and non-native plant removal in Beaconsfield Canyon. Call Kathren Stevenson at 388-5676.
Saturday, March 29, 9am-Noon: Remove native plants to help convert Acacia forest back to native grassland in the Grassland Restoration Site at Sausal Creek. Call Kathren Stevenson at 388-5676.

Merritt College Horticulture Club Spring Plant Sale Dates: It's that time of year when you can get great deals on Mediterranean plants (South African, Australian and Californian) at the Merritt College Spring Plant Sale. Saturdays, March 15, April 12 and May 10, 9 am - 3 pm, 12500 Campus Drive. There are a number of fee-based single day and short-term classes offered, starting March 1. For details call 436-2418 or check out their website.

Bay Friendly Garden Tour, April 27, 10am-4pm: Find out how varied and beautiful Bay-Friendly Gardens are on this FREE, self-guided tour. Over 30 public and private gardens will be featured in geographic clusters throughout Oakland and the rest of Alameda County. Several of the garden clusters are walkable and/or bikeable. Register Now.

Friends of Sausal Creek Annual Native Plant Sale: Sunday, April 27, 10 am- 5 pm. This year, FOSC joins with the Bay Friendly Gardening Tour and holds its annual FOSC Native Plant Sale at the nursery in Joaquin Miller Park. Details about the Bay Friendly Gardening Tour

Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, Sunday, May 4, 10 am-5 pm: A free, self-guided tour of 60 Alameda and Contra Costa county gardens. Details

11. Library News & National Library Week

Create Your Own Manga/Anime Character Contest: Enter the Library's 5th Making Manga Magic drawing contest. You must be 12-18 yrs old and have an Oakland library card. Deadline is March 30th, 2008. Entries must follow guidelines in order to be considered. Call the TeenZone staff at 238-7332 or visit the following link for more information http\\www.oaklandlibrary.org/links/teens

Paul Robeson Exhibit at West Oakland Branch: The West Oakland Library will host a month-long inspirational display, Paul Robeson, 110 Years of Greatness, from April 1 through May 3, 2008. The exhibit, sponsored by the Bay Area Paul Robeson Centennial Committee, commemorates the 110th anniversary of Robeson's birth with materials that reflect upon the man's extraordinary achievements. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The West Oakland Library, 1801 Adeline Street, is open Monday 11:30 am-7 pm; Tuesday - Thursday 10 am-5:30 pm; Friday 12 Noon-5:30 pm; and Saturday 10 am-5:30 pm. For information call the library at 238-7352, or visit the Oakland Public Library's Website. (Above) Robeson with Oakland longshoremen.

Sale at the Friends of the Oakland Public Library's Bookmark Bookstore, April 2-5: Mark your calendar for the Friends of the Oakland Public Library's semi-annual sale. Members and the general public receive 30% off the Bookmark's unbelievably low prices. FOPL accepts donations of your gently-used books, DVDs and CDs. Your donations help raise funds for the library. Call 444-0473 for more information or visit the Bookmark, 721 Washington Street, Monday to Friday, 10:30 am-5:30 pm and Saturday, 10:30 am-3:30 pm.

Legendary Poet and Activist Nikki Giovani Headlines Annual National Library Week Celebration: The Oakland Public Library, in conjunction with the Oakland Museum of California and the Friends of the Oakland Public Library, will be hosting a special evening with poet, writer, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni on Thursday, April 24, 7:30 pm at the James Moore Theatre, Oakland Museum of California (1000 Oak Street at 10th Street). This annual author event, now in its 16th year, celebrates National Library Week, April 13-19. Other National Library Week events include Word for Word, the award-winning theatre troupe presenting When Tom Smith Caused the 1906 Earthquake, and Stories to Play with Kids With: Kids' Tales Told with Puppets, Paper, Toys and Imagination!, featuring traditional Japanese folk tales. All events are free. For information about the Nikki Giovanni event, call 238-3271. Oakland Public Library's website.

Free Tax Help at the Library: The Oakland Public Library has partnered with the American Association for Retired Persons to offer free tax assistance from February 1 through April 15, 2008. Bring copies of last year's federal and state tax returns and all materials pertaining to your 2007 tax forms for you and your spouse (if filing jointly). Seniors, aged 60 or over, will be given preference at walk-in sites only. For details & other sites 238-3134. Please call ahead to confirm times:
- Dimond Branch Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, Tuesdays, 12:30-4:30 pm, Thursdays, 10 am-2:30 pm. 482-7844. Call for appointment; some walk-ins accepted.

12. Upcoming Community Events

Laurel Book Store's Upcoming Author Events, 4100 MacArthur Blvd :

7 pm, Wednesday, March 12 Gina Daggett and Kathy Belge authors of Lipstick and Dipstick's Essential Guide to Lesbian Relationships.
7 pm, Wednesday, April 16, 7 pm Laurel Ann Hill author of Heroes Arise. It's a good crossover book for teens or adults.
7 pm, Friday, April 18 Oakland poets Jack and Adelle Foley will be here to help us celebrate Poetry Month.

Stagebridge Presents 17th Annual Family Matinee & Ice Cream Social--Chicken Sunday: Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16 at 3 pm at the First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison Street. Enjoy this world premiere musical of neighbors from different cultures connecting through the power of fried chicken and Ukranian eggs. Sundays will never the the same! Admission: $12 general, $5 children (under 12). Call 444-4755 for tickets or buy online.

Oakland Civic Orchestra's Free Classical Music Concert, Sunday, March 30: 4 pm at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Avenue. Conducted by Artistic Director Martha Stoddard, the Oakland Civic Orchestra presents its "Beloved Brahms" concert. The all-Brahms program features the Academic Festival Overture, Hungarian Dances Nos. 5-7, and Symphony No. 3. Admission is free. For more information, please call (510) 238-7275.

Jack London Aquatic Center Offerings: Two classes you might consider, to enroll or for additional information, call 208-6060.

Adult Learn to Row: Beginning Saturday March 22 at 8:30-10:30. This is a 6 day course for $150 where participants use the training barge and learn the basic concepts of Olympic style rowing (sweep rowing). The class continues on Tuesday and Thursday morning, and then cycles through for another week. Participants do not need to know how to swim.
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