My family at last year's rally against the war at City Hall. L-R: Will, Jean, Lailan & Floyd.














 

• Congresswoman Lee's Town Hall Meeting on the Five Year Anniversary of the Occupation of Iraq, Saturday, March 15, 9-11 am at the Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Avenue. There will be a showing of War Made Easy, a documentary that draws on the parallels between the Vietnam War and the War in Iraq. Prior to the show, Congresswoman Barbara Lee will discuss the war in depth, its costs to our community and recent war-related legislation in Congress. To date, Oakland's share of the Iraq War costs is $658.4 million.  This could have provided 270,981 people in Oakland with health care; 1,173,069 homes with renewable electricity; 11,762 public safety officers;  9,456 elementary school teachers; 9,301 music and arts teachers; 98,945 scholarships for university; 66 new elementary schools; or 1971 affordable housing units. Check out  the running total of the cost of the War in Iraq.

• "In Our Own Back Yard: A Celebration of East Bay Regional Parks" Opens Today at Oakland Museum: Surrounding Oakland's own near 2000 acres of parks is the East Bay Regional Park District, the largest in the nation with with more than 100,000 acres in 62 parks in two counties. This exhibit features 40 incredible photographs from the museum's Bob Walker Archive, March 15-October 12. It offers visitors a virtual tour through the East Bay's scenic parks and open spaces, following the flow of water from snow-capped Mt. Diablo downstream and eventually into the Bay. It will remind you why we live here and inspire you to walk every trail.
   

• Friends of Sausal Creek Workdays This Weekend:
   
  • Saturday, March 15, 9 am-Noon: Restoration workday: pruning, weeding and mulching in Sausal Creek in Dimond Park. 
  • Sunday, March 16, 9:30 am-Noon: Aquatic insect sampling in Sausal Creek. Call Emma Brown at 527-2507 to confirm.
  
   
• Merritt College Horticulture Club Spring Plant Sale This Saturday: It's that time of year when you can get great deals on drought tolerant Mediterranean plants (South African, Australian and Californian) at the Merritt College, 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.

• Redwood Hts Multicultural Faire, Saturday, 10am-3pm,  bring music, food, and activities from around the world, 4401 39th Avenue.
   

• 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 and senior wisdom.  Admission: $12 general, $5 children (under 12). Call 444-4755 for tickets or buy online.

• Fruitvale Alive! Walking Tour, Saturday, March 15, 3 pm: Join others interested in bicycle/pedestrian/transit improvements proposed in Fruitvale Alive Project.  The $2 million Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) grant applies to improving the non-motorized experience along Fruitvale Avenue from E12th Street past MacArthur Blvd. to Coloma Street in the Dimond.  Meet at the Dimond Branch Library at 3 pm. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a clipboard to hold plans and papers. For rough concepts... (Digital Art above by Len Finnochio, "Diverse City 2007 Inauguration Series)
   

• The Other Warriors (McClymonds) Go for the Championship:  Good kids rarely make headlines but the McClymond Warriors tip off at Arco Arena in Sacramento, Saturday, 8 pm, in the State Championship finals for the second year in a row!  In most towns this would be on the front page (sigh), I will be there cheering on our Oakland kids. Mack is a small school in a challenging neighborhood, but when you meet these kids they are focused good students with amazing heart. Coach Moe, Dwight Nathaniel, retires tonight, after coming back to help the team despite the recent lost of his wife, daughter and granddaughter  Together they have  beaten teams with much better resources and have overcome amazing odds.   (Above) Tribune photo.

• Advanced Health Care Directive Workshop, Wednesday, March 19, 1-2 pm, Park Blvd Manor, 4135 Park Blvd. Legal Assistance for Seniors presents free workshop on legal options that help you protect yourself and your estate in the face of illness; explains Advance Health Care Directives; gives information regarding other planning tools, including Durable Power of Attorney for finances and the Do Not Resuscitate Forms; and reviews the pros and cons of conservatorships. For more information 832-3040.

• Iraq Vigils: Wednesday, March 19, 5:30 pm, near High and MacArthur.  MoveOn.org and other groups are organizing vigils on the anniversary of the Iraq War.  This is the first one posted for District 4 about 5 others around the city are also listed.
   

• 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.

• "An Inconvenient Truth," Friday, March 21st, 7pm, at Fruitvale Presbyterian Church.  Enjoy pizza, a movie and good conversation afterwards! More information  www.fvpc.org

Saturday, March 22,  Laurel Easter Egg Hunt!  11am for kids 2-12 at the Allendale Recreation Area.  Many merchants have donated coupons for free prizes that can be found in the eggs.
 

 

Saturday, March 22, 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Lake Chabot Golf Course: 9 am, Magic Show; 10 am, Egg Hunt; 11 am, Golf Clinics. Fun for the whole family. Transportation is available. Contact your nearest recreation center for details for this free event. The Lake Chabot Golf Course is located at 11450 Golf Links Road. 351-5812.
 

 

Sunday, March 23, 9 am promptly, Montclair Lion's Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Montclair Park. Different age groups: 1-2; 3-4;5-6;7-8; 9-10.
 

Each day the media highlights the impact of the economy on the State and local budgets. Governor Schwarzenegger's proposal to  address California's $16 billion shortfall includes a 10% cut across the board, as well as more cuts for education, health care and public assistance as well as closing parks. Alameda County and cities like Oakland are facing a double whammy-- as we face our own challenges with the housing crisis and economic slowdown.  Here's what it means for Oakland:
 

The City of Oakland is projected to face a $9.5 million deficit in the current fiscal year (ends June 30) due to less income primarily due to a decline in real estate transfers and vehicle license fees.  The Finance Committee has asked  the City Administrator to return with a report on actions taken and options to reduce expenses and balance the budget next month. So far all vacant non public safety positions are frozen unless approved by the Administrator.

Next year the budget shortfall could range from $20-$50 million based on state and federal cuts, an expected continuation of a weak real estate market, the results of ballot measures, the growing gap in the Landscape and Lighting District and rising costs. Departments are being asked to plan for a minimum of a 4 percent cut or enhancement of revenues.  Finance Report

The public is encouraged to attend the Council's budget workshops in Council Chambers at City Hall; additionally I will hold at least one hearing in the district:  
 

• Workshops to Discuss Conceptual Issues, Receive Direction from Council
  • Thursday, April 24, 2-4 pm
  • Thursday, May 1, 2-4 pm (if necessary)

• Workshops/Budget Hearings re FY 2008-09 Budget Amendments
  • Thursday, May 15, 5-8 pm
  • Thursday, May 29, 5-8 pm

• Adoption of Budget Amendments, Related Budget Legislation
  • Tuesday, June 17, 6-7 pm

The Governor's proposes setting the Prop 98 guarantees for education aside; his budget cuts $5 billion from California's schools. OUSD must shave $23 million from the budget for the 2008-09 school year. The district has determined that it will not layoff any teachers but may reduce other employees and has instituted a targeted hiring freeze to minimize the impact on current non teaching (classified) staff at school sites and the central office. Principals and school communities are completing preliminary drafts of their 2008-09 school site budgets under the new fiscal limitations. Luckily, it appears the legislature will oppose the deep education cuts.  They are likely to adopt at least a few of the recommendations of the Legislative Analyst Liz Hill, who criticizes the Governor for his across the board cuts and failure to fully balance the budget. She recommends raising park fees instead of closing them, eliminating some tax loopholes and credits, and more targeted cuts. Unfortunately, this will probably mean more cuts from local governments.  I predict the state cuts in police, senior, sales tax revenues and other programs may range from $2-5 million more.
 

• Get your kit to stop school cuts.

• Sidewalk Survey Completed, Repairs Scheduled:  After over two years of work, Oakland has completed a complete inventory of 1100 miles of city sidewalks using a complex GIS (Geographic Information System). Some highlights of the report:
  • Found the cost to repair damage caused to sidewalks by trees to be $19.8 M the cost of repairing curb & gutters $7.4 M, and all other damage $60.1 M.
  • Prioritizes the worst locations.  A list of this year's repairs for our district includes 111 repairs on Bartlett, Belvedere, Carlsen, Cole, Coodlidge, Damuth, Fruitvale, Humboldt, LaSalle, Laguna, Laurel, Lemiert, Loma Vista, MacArthur, Medeline, Magee, Maxwell, Mountain, Pleasant, Rawson, Rhoda, Suter, Sylvan, Trask, and Wilbur Streets. (See report for exact addresses).
     
  • 83% of the damage is the responsibility of private property owners. The report recommends notifying owners of responsibility and liability and liening properties and making the repairs if they fail to do repairs.

• 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, 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:
  • Officers will start at $78,000; receive 4% pay raises going back to 2006.
     
  • The City will save about $5.3 million because of changes in sick leave, dental benefits, and holiday pay.
  • The Chief will have flexibility in shift changes.  In two major changes, one to put more officers on the weekends and another to move to the 12 hour shift, the city had to go to arbitration delaying the changes by nearly a year.
  • The Chief will have more authority to move sworn officers from desk jobs and replace them with civilians.
  • Most of the terms of the contract were budgeted; the increase of cost of the 12 hour shifts (officers work approximately 4 hours more each month) should be offset by reduction of overtime and other changes.

• Stop Junk Mail:  100 million trees are used for junk mail each year.  44% of junk mail goes to a landfill unopened; yet Americans still spend 8 months per lifetime opening junk mail. Get your free kit to stop junk mail here.   More useful sites:

• CatalogChoice.org  Let's you choose which catalogs you want
   
• www.dmachoice.org  Direct Mail Association online form

• 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, about $4.5 million in cash and benefits.  When added to previous rebates to residents the total settlement comes to $7.98 million.  It 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  bulky pick-ups for apartment buildings with 5-11 units were added. Free pick-up for the first 500 households requesting a second bulky pick-up each ye The city has remaining legal actions against WM's parent company.

• California Waste Solutions to Replace Recycling Cart Lids:  Grey 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.  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.   

• Radar Project to Send Out First Warnings:   Drivers speeding down 35th Avenue last Sunday may receive a friendly warning from their neighbors and the Oakland Police.  During our pilot run about 40 cars were caught going over the speed limit.  Please slow down, Friday a boy was struck by a vehicle on the dangerous 35th Avenue curb near the spot where a motorist was killed in January.

• EBMUD Officials Met With Estates Drive Neighbors this week to discuss structural and landscaping designs for the two reservoir areas that will be expanded and closed.  They will return in a few months with design options.
   

• 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 $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 will be 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 a 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 that occurs when 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.

• Mayor Dellums Visits Maxwell Park Council:  I was pleased this week to accompany the Mayor to one of the city's best organized Neighborhood Councils. Maxwell Park has 43 block captains and over 800 participants on its internet listserv. The group has 6 action teams working on a range of issues from emergency preparedness, beautification, to working with the school. It sponsors regular walking groups, a community garden spot, and a great summer picnic.  This month's report showed burglaries and car thefts down by nearly half.  Following the regular meeting, Mayor Dellums spoke about the recent breakthroughs in settling the police contract and getting funding for his police recruitment plan.  He also fielded a wide range of questions; one of the most interesting was a question about his plans for health care. He spoke on the state and national politics and his priority of getting health clinics in middle and high schools.  He talked about several funding sources he was pursuing and announced that Kaiser has donated $3 million to the project.
   

• Improved Safety at Montclair Park: Kudos to Public Works and the Volunteers of America Crew who applied basic Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design techniques to greatly improve public safety at Montclair Park. By pruning back overgrown shrubs and ivy, there are now clear lines of sight to the tennis court, ball field and pathways. Our office is working with the city to renovate the trails to the play structures and to find funds to create an ADA accessible route from Mountain Blvd. to the Park (right now there are only stairs). Stop by the Montclair Recreation Center (6300 Moraga Avenue) on Saturday, April 26, 11 am- 2 pm  for a Park for Peace pole dedication and ceremony. The program includes dedication of the peace pole, a custom car show, live entertaiment, guest speakers, community resources and more.
   

• 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.

•  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 your 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 this annual 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 this wonderful event. To RSVP, call 287-2683 or email the Oakland Parks Coalition.
   

• EarthDance: Short-Attention-Span Environmental Film Festival at the Oakland Museum of California: Friday, April 4, 7-11 pm. The 5th Annual Earth Dance at the museum features 24 humorous and provocative films in two separate screeings (7:30 and 9:30 pm). Comedies, animations, documentaries, thrillers and family-friendly films celebrate our connections to the natural world. Included with museum admission. Part of the Oakland Museum's First Fridays events.
   

• 
  • 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.).

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

• Upcoming Friends of Sausal Creek Workdays:
   
  • 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.
  
   
• Short Line Park Clean Up Saturday, March 22, 9 am-Noon: Bring your gardening gloves and a small space to help spruce up the new Short Line Pocket Park at Thornhill and Moraga in Montclair. Refreshments provided. Please RSVP to MSIC Beautification Chair Jill Broadhurst.
   

• Two Creek Workdays in Shepherd Canyon: Join neighbors in removing rubble from the Escher Creek bed so that it can be used for trail improvement in Shepherd Canyon Park, and for clearing invasive plants in the upper meadow next to the creek. Meet at the Escher Gate in Shepherd Canyon Park Saturday, March 22, 9-Noon and Earth Day, Saturday, April 19, 9-Noon. Contact Adrienne Bryant at 339-0985.
   

• 
• 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.
   
• 
   
•  Free Plant Exchange Saturday, March 29: Now that it is spring cleaning time in your garden, consider trading your extras  with like-minded gardeners at the annual Plant Exchange. Bring sproutable clippings, bulbs, cuttings and plants to 3811 Lakeshore Avenue on Saturday, March 29 between Noon and 4 pm. No time to repot plants? Bags and newspaper will do. Call Odette at 866-8482 or go to their website for the trade-in form. 
   

• Annual California Wildflower Show at the Oakland Museum of California, Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20: Savor the colors and fragrance of hundreds of freshly collected native flowers at the 50th Anniversary of this show-- flowers from the entire state! The weekend includes slide shows and lectures about California's native flora and horticulture and a chance to talk with experts. Presented with the California Native Plant Society, the Jepson Herbarium of UC Berkeley, and the UC Botanical Garden. Included with museum admission.
   

• 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

• 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.

• 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.
  •  Introduction to Sculling: Classes are a two-day course and held monthly. Cost of the class is $100. Next class is March 15 and 16 from 9 am to 12 noon. Participants learn the basics of sculling, rowing with two oars. Participants must know how to swim.   
     

• Restorative Justice in Oakland at Dimond Library, Monday, March 24, 6:30 - 8 pm: The League of Women Voters Oakland's "Stir the Pot Program" presents a discussion on Restorative Justice in Oakland at the Dimond Library.  Restorative Justice brings more attention to the needs of the victim in a crime than our current criminal justice system by involving the perpetrator in an agreement to repair the harm done. Learn more about the Restorative Justice Program at OUSD's Cole School. Bring your favorite food and/or beverage to share (no alcohol).
   

• OPR Citywide Track & Field Meet, Saturday, March 29, 9 am: at Laney College, 900 Fallon Street.  Register youth to run at OPR site.
   

• 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.
   

• Anthony Brown's Asian American Orchestra and Oakland Museum of California, Saturday, April 5, 3-4 pm: Dr. Anthony Brown, percussionist, coposer and ethnomusiciologist, leads his Asian American Orchestra in a matinee concert for all ages and musical tastes. In the spirit of the Oakland Museium's exhibition Trading Traditions: California's New Cultures, the Grammy-nominated ensemble reinterprets jazz classics by adding Asian instrumentation to the mix. Included with museum admission.
   

• OPR Seeks Nominations for Mother of the Year Award: Do you know an individual who shows an exceptional spirit of volunteerism while balancing daily responsiblities to famiily? Someone who serves as an exemplary caregiver, such as a foster parent or grandparent? The honoree will be recognized at the 55th Annual Oakland Mother of the Year Award Program set for 10:30 am on Saturday, May 10 at the Morcom Rose Garden, 700 Jean Street. Nominations are due on Friday, April 4 no later than 4:30 pm. Nomination forms and award criteria are available online or call Marguerite Hinrichs at 238-2082.
   

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

• Oakland Firefighters Random Acts  7th Annual Awards & Dinner Dance, Saturday, April 12: Live & silent auctions, delicious buffet dinner and ice cream from Fentons to raise funds for the Oakland Firefighters Random Acts,a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization that

  provides funds and resources for Oakland Firefighters to create a Random Act of Kindness when they encounter people in need in the community. Mistress of Ceremonies is Diane Dwyer, NBC11 news. Cocktails 5:30; Dinner 7 pm. Cost per person $75. Call 465-8422 or check out their website.

• Save the Date-FOPR Taste of Spring, May 8, 5:30-8 pm, The Rotunda Building, 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza:  The Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation's annual fundraiser to support projects throughout Oakland. Live entertainment, wine tasting, appetizers, live and silent auction. To purchase tickets call 465-1850.
   

• Educate Your Palate, Educate A Child--Sequoia Elementary's Silent Auction at Joaquin Miller Community Center, Saturday, May 17:   Parent or neighbor,  here's a great way to support one of our District 4 schools. If you have items of value to donate, please contact Kelly McGrath to download donation forms. Then plan on attending-- your $20 donation will help the school raise $16,000 to provide supplemental support to Sequoia Elementary School, located at 3730 Lincoln Avenue.