Oakland Public Schools Reopen Monday, August 25th:

• Attend And Achieve, Sunday, August 24, Oakland City Hall, Noon -5 pm: A Back to School Event for K-12 students with spoken word, exclusive teen fashion show, action characters, clowns, teen summit workshop, surprise special guest and NBA guest speaker, plus 600 backpacks filled with supplies on a first come, first served basis.  Parent information, voter registration and valuable resources. Sponsored by OUSD, the Mayor's Office, Measure Y, Oakland Natives Give Back, Usher's New Look , the Future Foundation and Effective Teachers for Oakland Task Force. For details.
   
• 2-Day Basketball Clinic for Male/Female Players ages 7-18, Friday and Saturday: Leon Powe, former Oakland Tech student and now a World Champion Boston Celtic, is hosting a 2-day basketball clinic on Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23,  9 am to 2 pm, at the Merritt College Gymnasium, 12500 Campus Drive.   All skill levels are welcome.  Basketball coaches will be on hand for skills and drills. Participants should bring their lunch and $25 fee.  Checks to be made payable to "Leon Powe," proceeds will Powe Folks Camp. You can also register at the event. A Parent/guardian must sign a registration/release form and a photo authorization and pay the fee.  For more information, contact Jennifer.
  
   
• Oakland Chinatown StreetFest 2008, Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24, 10 am-5:30 pm: Continuous live entertainment on 3 stages, a cultural village coordinated by Oakland Asian Cultural Center, arts & crafts, ethnic food, kids carnival, community organizations displays, fun for the whole family. Located in Oakland's Chinatown, on Franklin Street between 7th and 11th, and on 8-9th Streets between Broadway and Harrison. For details
   
• Outlook and Opportunities - Understanding Volatile Markets, Saturday, 23, 2-3 pm: Free investing workshop for times of market and economic uncertainty, Montclair Branch Library, 1687 Mountain Blvd, 482-7810.
   
• Chabot Sunday Family Hikes, Sunday, August 24: "Redwood to Cosmos" 9 am-11 am (8 years & up); "Little Tike Family Hike" 1:30-2:30 pm (5 years & up).  Earth and sky unite in an outing that is out of this world, led by the East Bay Regional Park District.  Advanced reservations are required.  Call 336-7373. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

• Gavel to Gavel Coverage:  The networks only run a few prime time hours.  For real political addicts, streaming video and video on demand coverage is available at this site.
• More information on the California Delegation
• Convention Schedule

Labor Day is around the corner and it's not too early to make sure you can vote in what will probably be a record breaking election turnout.

 

Poll Workers Needed:

• Inspector: supervises polling place operations; attends training class; picks up supplies; sets up/takes down polling place;delivers all supplies to an assigned Return Center.
• Judge: Attends training class, assists Inspector with duties; may accompany Inspector to Return Center.
• Clerk: Attends training class, assists Inspector with duties; may accompany Inspector to Return Center.

• To apply online, click the following link: Online Application Form
  To apply by mail, Download the Mail-in and send the completed application to:
  Registrar of Voters - Recruiting Section
  1225 Fallon St. Room G-1
   

• Vote by Mail: Section 3201 of the California Elections Code states that any voter can vote by mail. Once you apply, you'll be permanently registered and you'll automatically receive ballots in the mail within 29 days of each election in which you are eligible to vote.** You can still vote at your polling station if you wish-simply turn in your ballot and envelope at the polls and vote a regular ballot. Any registered voter may vote by mail. Mail Ballot requests made by mail must be received by the Registrar of Voters office seven (7) days before an election. Within 7 days of an election, you may apply for a mail ballot in person or by authorized representation at the Registrar of Voters office. **Note: If you fail to vote in two consecutive General Elections, you'll need to re-apply for Vote By Mail in order to regain your permanent Mail Voter status.

• Register to Vote by October 20th:  If you are eligible to vote but have recently moved or have not registered, you have until Monday, October 20th to register to vote. You can register online.

• Jobs Through Jean, September 4, 4-6 pm: The mini-job fairs in the Laurel last month were so successful that we are conducting another session on Thursday, September 4, 4-6 pm at the Laurel Cafe, 4006 MacArthur Blvd. For months we have worked with youth outreach workers targeted at groups of young people loitering the in the neighborhoods. Few attended the citywide program so we have decided to bring the job fairs to the neighborhood. Young people looking for work will be able to meet with job recruiters and obtain assistance in on-line job applications. Invited are PG&E, UPS, Safeway, Home Depot, WalMart, Target, and Peralta Colleges, as well as representatives from the Mayor's Office. Questions? Contact Michael Johnson in our office at 238-4742. Click here to read a recent Examiner article on their new Oakland Hills blog.  Michael calls this the "Jobs Through Jean" program but he's taken the idea to a new level. We plan to support this effort with new resources and are proud of his work. We will continue to work with police to enforce truancy and loitering laws and show no tolerance for vandalism or other crimes associated with some of the kids who hang out in the area. Several arrests have been made during the summer, but we hope to give youth long term alternatives.  If you have jobs or experience in helping people prepare for work let us know.  (Above) Hector Topete of UPS walks participants through the application process at last month's Jobs Through Jean meeting.
   
• Saturday Farmer's Market in the Laurel, 11 am-4 pm: We were confused when we heard about the reports of a new farmer's market in the Laurel because most certified farmers markets go through a city process.  This is, however, a new effort by a Laurel non-profit group.   Oakland Food Connection (OFC) hosts a weekly Farmer's Market in the parking lot of our former office at 4173 MacArthur Blvd. OFC is a year-old nonprofit membership organization that provides educational and work opportunities for children and adults, supports local - very local - gardening projects, and maintains and office and store at 4173 MacArthur Blvd. They help residents set up backyard gardens using recycled materials. They do educational events in the schools, including school lunch programs. They have dinner parties for members and guests - healthy food cooked by youth and volunteers - and cater events for places like the Women's Cancer Resource Center and Youth Employment Partnership using "conscience-driven foods." Their farmer's market is small-- only three booths to date:
  • The Xiong family from Fresno drives 400 miles round trip each week to sell their produce in the Laurel District . They are deeply committed to growing the best seasonal pesticide pesticide-free produce and connecting it directly to consumers: green beans, bell peppers, egg plant, basil, tomatoes, greens, bok choy, cilantro, carrots, spinach, bitter melon and more!
  • The Purple Lawn Cafe is a youth-run enterprise, featuring local youth ages 12-18 who are trained by local chefs and gardeners. Essentially, they're learning how to cook the foods they grow. Majority of the ingredients they use in their recipes are pesticide-free and/or organic. 
  • Oakland Food Connection information booth., featuring information about OFC's programs, farmers market surveys, volunteer and membership
    applications, bulk dry goods such as tea, coffee, rice and beans and more!

• New Joaquin Miller Signs:  Our office paid for the signs as part of ongoing park improvements identified by the Joaquin Miller Working Group.* Many people zoom by the city's second largest park without venturing into this 500 plus acre treasure to use it's many resources. Upcoming projects include installation of trails signage and improvements to the Abbey, home of Joaquin Miller the poet. The next meeting of the Joaquin Miller Working Group will be Monday, September 8 at 8:30 am at the Joaquin Miller Community Center. The meeting is open to the public.
  * We are aware of the error on the sign at the bottom of the hill --it should read "Woodminster Amphitheater". We will fix it as soon as possible. (Above) Two new signs, designed by David Strong of Strong Signs, were installed this week on Joaquin Miller Road to better identify Joaquin Miller Park's destinations. This sign is located at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Joaquin Miller Road. 

Nama Sushi Opens in the Dimond District: Stop by and check out the latest addition to the Dimond's Business District, quickly becoming one of the city's gourmet centers.  Nama Sushi is located at  Fruitvale Avenue and  Benati Way, across from Peet's Coffee and next to Farmer Joes. This is their first store in Oakland, but  they have two restaurants in San Francisco and one in Walnut Creek. The bright modern interior has totally changed the look of the building which used to be the old Mel's pancake hangout.  If you are a fan of innovative sushi rolls, this is your restaurant.  I can personally recommend the Nama Roll -- fresh crab on top of shrimp and spicy tuna.  My daughter is going love their innovative vegetarian rolls, the Ashley Roll has sweet potato and other vegetables covered with bean curd wrapping. When I was elected five years ago one of the first things we worked on was getting a representative survey on what the community wanted in the Dimond, finding a high quality tenant for the old Lucky's (now Farmer Joes) was the first priority, the second was a greater variety of restaurants especially quality sit down like a sushi bar.  Mr. Kim told us that the survey was part of his decision to invest in the Dimond and that the amazing community response (about a 15 minute wait on a busy Friday) shows the need. 

• "Don't Trash Oakland...It's Home" Beat 22X Neighborhood Clean-Up Walk Saturday, September 20, 10am-Noon: Meet at the Dimond Park entrance at Fruitvale/Lyman (near tennis courts).  Bring work gloves, drinking water and friends and join the 22x NCPC monthly "Don't Trash Oakland. It's Home" walk. Meet new friends, get some exercise and help make 22X NCPC a "litter and graffiti-free community."  For more information leave your name and number at 842-3200 or email  Kathleen Russell.

• This week Willa Dellums, the mother of the Mayor and a long time Oakland resident, passed away at the age of 89.  This has been a difficult time for the Mayor who has been struggling with her illness for many months. The service is August 27, 11 am, at Fouche Hudson, 3665 Telegraph Avenue. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to: Alzheimer's Association, 1060 La Avenida St., Mountain View, CA 94043.  

• In response to inquires earlier this month at the tragic death of Area 3 Lt.Derrick Norfleet, constituents have asked if they could offer support. A fund is being established by the Oakland Black Police Officers Association, 9120 International Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94605.

• Prop 42 Transportation funds dedicate gas taxes to improving transportation.  It is our major source of funding for street repairs.  Since its passage in 2002 much of these funds have been diverted to balance the state budget.  Oakland has almost $4 million at stake.
• Property taxes:  Currently, Oakland receives about 26 cents of each property tax dollar that you pay.  Over the years the state has reduced the percentage of property taxes that go to local government.
• Redevelopment funds:  Redevelopment areas use increased taxes from improvements to pay off long terms economic investments such as affordable housing and other infrastructure.  Recently, the state has been diverting those funds.  This cuts funds for economic investment, affordable housing, and bond payments.

You can help by contacting the Governor and our legislators.  The League of Cities website on this issue:  www.cutupthecard.com

• California Budget Project - http://www.cbp.org/
• Links from Assemblymembers Swanson & Hancock
• California League of Cities
   

• Safeguard Your Windows on First and Second Floors, AND Your Doggie Doors:  While burglaries are down 9% from last year, there has been a recent increase. Burglaries usually increase during warm weather because of open windows.  Recently we had several reports of burglars entering through open windows (first and second floor!) and back doors including one where the burglars came and left without disturbing the sleeping residents! Last week someone reported a burglary via the doggy door!

• If you must crack open your windows get simple hardware guards that do not allow windows to open more than 4-5 inches.  Some sophisticated alarm systems will detect movement through an open window.
• Don't forget upstairs windows; don't leave ladders or garbage cans or other objects that let someone easily climb onto a second floor deck or window. 
• Consider getting a stronger "screen" door that can't be easily cut or pushed in. Many of us leave back doors open with only flimsy "screen" doors.
   
• Keep Entrances to Your House Locked When You Are at Home, Too:  Many burglaries happen during the day when people are at work.  Increasingly many of us work from home or are retired.  This month we have had several reports of  attempted break-ins while people were home. It is not clear in some instances whether the thieves were aware that the houses were occupied; but if you have an alarm and live in a multi-storied house or are often outside, consider keeping you alarm on.
   
• Demand Dump Receipts:  With fire inspections continuing many residents hire gardening groups to reduce vegetation.  Please don't pay them until you see a receipt from a legitimate dump.  You could be cheated out of what you paid and the fire danger may have been increased by illegal dumping.  This was posted on the Redwood Hts listserv last week:

"I came home and found a large amount of tree debris in front of my home. My neighbor later told me that two men in a white truck dropped it on the street and left the scene.  I later found out that they dumped their dump load out on other parts of our neighborhood. I guess the price at the dump must have gone up because they were not interested in taking the load there... So, if you hired two guys in a white truck to remove a dry tree, I would love to have their name and number."

 

Healthy Living for Life Website

• The Drug House Next Door?  We've had a string of Drug House busts in some very quiet neighborhoods.  One of the reasons I encourage every neighborhood to consider National Night Out Parties, organizing Neighborhood Watch or Disaster Preparedness is because some neighbors in every area of my district have very little contact with each other.  People have asked us what to look for;  Michael Johnson in our office did an internet search and found these interesting resources:
  •  Drug House Brochure with Log Sheet
  • Marijuana Growing Operation
  • Methamphetamine Lab

• State Seeks Input on Scoping for the Revised Notice of Preparation for the Light Brown Apple Moth Environmental Impact Report-- click here. Due to time limits mandated by State law, your written response must be sent at the earliest possible date, but no later than August 23. Send responses to Jim Rains, Staff Environmental Scientist, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division, 1220 N. Street, Room A-316, Sacramento, CA 95814.

   105 Additional Officers and 75 Police Techs Over Three Years: Both the Mayor and I have criticized a proposed measure that would have required the City to add 300 new officers without new revenues. It would have increased police costs to about half of the City General Fund, making public safety or police and fire about three quarters of the entire City budget. 

Before January, we will reach police staffing that matches our fully budgeted 803 positions including the additional 63 Measure Y officers. To maintain these positions and to reach the number estimated by Chief Tucker as the desired level of staffing the proposal would increase police staffing by 35 officers and 25 police technicians each year for three years for a total of 105 police and 75 police technicians. This would bring our police force to 908 sworn officers and about 130 police technicians.  << Canine officer with partner.

• The cost to a single family house would be phased in at an average of about $88 more per year for a total increase of $266 at the end of three years.
• The increased use of civilian police technicians would improve investigations and give faster service to citizens at lower cost than more police alone.
• Police technicians are especially effective in collecting and analyzing data on crime trends to help us focus police resources and can do much of the tracking and follow-up needed to monitor parolees and sex offenders.
• This would free up police for more crime response & investigations, less paper work.
• It would bring the police-to-citizen ratio up to one of the higher ratios in California.
• It would require the City to increase the police as new housing and the population both increase.
• It is a reasonable schedule for training and recruitment at currently budgeted levels, given the highly competitive market for police and expected retirement levels.

• Knocking at Your Door at Night:  For years the guy named "John," who says he's your neighbor and needs a few dollars ($15-50) for an emergency usually involving his wife or children, has been working all of the neighborhoods in my area along the 580 corridor.  He is an African American male in his 50's.  Lately, he has been coming at a later and later hour; reports recently of as late as 3 pm and is more aggressive.  He may be trying to avoid police patrols. Please pass the word on about his scam, it seems no matter how many times we post this he has new victims weekly. Do not open the door. Tell him the neighborhood listserv's are discussing him and that you are going to call the police.
   
• The Measure Y website and e-newsletter contain a wealth of practical information and an area list of services and programs, www.MeasureY.org.

Neighborhood Alert Group on Ramparts for National Night Out.>>

• Daily Crime Reports Posted On-line:  One of the 200 plus daily emails I read each day are the cumulative statistics of crime reports. The police are now posting them online.  Basically they track what we call "Part 1 Crimes," which are tracked nationally by the Department of Justice. For Oakland these crimes reached a high in the early nineties and declined until a trend up in the last two years. In recent months these crime stats have been relatively flat now including murders.  In the last two years rising murders mostly involve young men killed in gang and drug crimes or women victims of domestic violence.  Encouragingly since the reorganization of the police 6 months ago, quality of life crimes have declined.  Statistics from this Friday's report: For the first time this year the murder rate dipped below last year's rate, car thefts continue to decline citywide but we notice some neighborhood bumps(-6), an increase in home burglaries from -11% to -9% and the robbery rate up for the first time in recent weeks (+1).   

• Program Your Cell Phone for the Oakland Fire Department and Medical Dispatch:  In addition to 777-3211, which will connect you directly to the Police Dispatchers from your cell phone when you are in Oakland (9-1-1 on your cell connects you to the Highway Patrol),  you may also want to program into your cell phone Oakland Fire Department and Medical Dispatch at 444-1616.
   
• New Phone Numbers for the Reorganization:   Lists of phone numbers for Area and Problem Solving Officers/Beats.
   
• For a list of Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils in District 4.
• To organize a Neighborhood Watch Group on your street call 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. 
• Make anonymous calls for drug activity to 238-DRUG.

• American Red Cross Bay Area Conference for Business and Nonprofits, Wednesday, September 3, 8 am-5pm:  Doubletree Hotel and Convention Center in San Jose.A Red Cross conference specifically designed for businesses and nonprofit organizations, "Are You Building a Disaster-Resilient Organization?" Get the expert information and resources your organization needs to respond to and recover from disaster. Call (415) 427-8060 for details.

• Schedule of Disaster Preparation Classes:   Trying to save money? the Citizens Organized to Respond to Emergencies (CORE) Newsletter is now available on-line here.  Take a look for updates, a full schedule of classes including new classes on issues like "Managing Stress During Emergencies."

• Now there are more ways the City can assist homeowners seismically strengthen their older homes:
  
  1. New Homeowners--may apply for the New Homeowners Seismic Strengthening Incentive Program, but must sign up within the first 60 days of taking ownership. If you meet all the requirements, you can be eligible for up to $5,000 reimbursement . Please help us spread the word--we occasionally hear from new homeowners who didn't hear about the program until after the 60-day eligibility period; so if someone new moves into your neighborhood, please take a minute to let them know about this program.)
  
  2. Low Income/Fixed Income Homeowners--starting July 1, eligible homeowners may apply for up to $10,000 matching grant to seismically strengthen their older home. Homeowners must meet the City's low income threshold (family of 2 not exceeding $53,000 a year, for example) and live in one of the City's Redevelopment Project Areas.
  
  3. All homeowners who retrofit according to the City's standards are eligible for a flat $250 retrofit permit fee--saving hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
  
  Interested homeowners should first contact the City of Oakland's Building Department at 238-3891 for information about the City's Seismic Retrofit Program.  Eligible low-income homeowners will then be referred to the City's Residential Lending and Housing Rehabilitation Services Program, which also offers no-interest loans for other home construction improvement projects (including foundation work).

• The Association of Bay Area Governments provides an easy to understand overview of retrofitting basics.
   

The Great Hayward Earthquake-- of 1868: The 1868 Hayward Earthquake Alliance is hosting a number of events this summer and fall in commemoration of what was considered the Great Bay Area Earthquake until 1906-- the 1868 Earthquake on the Hayward Fault. This is the 140th anniversary of that quake--and experts have reported that the Hayward Fault has a history of having a major earthquake every 140 years! Among the upcoming events are:

• Three day conference on earthquake hazards in the East San Francisco Bay area, CSU East Bay Campus, Wednesday, October 22- Friday, October 24.
   
  • FREE public forum in the evening of October 23.
  • Teacher workshops on earthquake science held on October 25.
  • Geology and Engineering field trips in the East Bay on October 25
• Field Trip on the Southern Segment of the Hayward Fault, Friday, October 31. Meet at the San Jose Convention Center, 150 W San Carlos Street. Visit Old City Hall in Hayward, Corner of Baylis Drive and Paseo Padre Parkway in Fremont and the Otter Tank in Oakland Zoo. Details...
• You can find out more by going to their website.
   

• Got Fruit? Donate It to Seniors:  If you have excess fruit, vegetables or herbs in your yard and would like to donate what you can't use to those in our community who lack access to fresh produce, you can be one of the first donors to an innovative pilot program of PUEBLO (People United for a Better Life in Oakland) and Cycles of Change, in collaboration with Mayor Dellums' Summer Jobs Program.  To arrange for a pick up or gleaning of your excess produce at a convenient time, contact PUEBLO at 452-2010.
   
• <<Courtland Creek volunteers display what they pulled from the creek.
• Creek-to-Bay Day, Saturday, September 20, 9 am -Noon: Creek-to-Bay Day is held annually on the third Saturday of September, concurrent and in conjunction with the international and statewide Coastal Cleanup Day. There are a number of Creek-to-Bay Day sites throughout the City. Please contact our office at 239-7004 as well as the Creek-to-Bay Day Coordinator at 238-7611 if you are interested in organizing a site or if you want to link to a site already organized. Let the coordinator know how many people you plan to bring. If you do not already have a site in mind, the Coordinator will direct you to a site that is set up to handle large groups. Here are locations within the Sausal Creek Watershed:
   
  • FOSC Dimond Park Scout Hut, contact Kathren Stevenson
  • FOSC Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery, contact Molly Bolt
  • FOSC Beaconsfield Canyon, above Montclair, contact Richard Kauffmann
  • FOSC Shepherd Canyon Park, Contact Adrienne Bryant
  • FOSC Barry Place, in the Fruitvale District,contact Kathren Stevenson
  • Sheffield Avenue Neighbors at Wood Park, contact Lisa Lemus
  • Installation of "Drains to Bay" decals within the lower Sausal Creek Watershed, sponsored by the Sausal Creek Environmental Council, contact Sue Piper
     
• Friends of Sausal Creek's August/September Schedule: Join friends and neighbors and learn more about the native habitat of Sausal Creek:
  • Saturday, August 30, 9 am-Noon: Restoration Workday at Beaconsfield Canyon. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants to help clear debris for fire prevention, pull invasive plants, plant and mark natives, and extend trails. Contact Richard Kauffmann at 531-1237 for details.
  • Saturday, August 30, 1:30-4:30 pm: Propagation Workday. Join us at the Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery for an afternoon workday. Sowing, transplanting, weeding and other nursery tasks. No experience needed; just bring a water bottle. Contact Molly Bolt for more info.
  • Thursday, September 4, 6-7:30 pm: Fall Crew Leader Training & Pot Luck at Dimond Park. For both new and seasoned crew leaders. Training for new crew leaders runs from 5-6 pm. Topics include Plant Identification, Methods of Plant Removal, Safety and Volunteer Conduct. Bring favorite grillable and a side dish to share. RSVP to Kathren Stevenson.
  • Friday, September 5, 9:30 am-Noon: Seed Hike Day. Contact Molly Bolt for more information.
     
  • Saturday, September 6, 1:30-4:30 pm: Propagation Workday. Join us at the Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery for an afternoon workday. Sowing, transplanting, weeding and other nursery tasks. No experience needed; just bring a water bottle. Contact Molly Bolt for more info.
  • Friday, September 19, 9:30 am-Noon: Seed Hike Day. Contact Molly Bolt for more information.
     
  • Creek to Bay Day, Saturday, September 20, 8:30-Noon, Dimond Park. Meet at the Dimond Park Scout Hut between 8:30 and 8:45 am, and work in small groups on exciting restoration projects in the area between 9 am and Noon. Afterwards, lunch will be provided. Email Kathren Stevenson to RSVP or for details. This event is great for families and is accessible by public transportation. (See above for other locations.)
     
  • Sunday, October 26, 10 am-3pm: Native Plant Sale and Open House at the Native Plant Nursery in Joaquin Miller Park.  Purchase an array of native plants, just in time for our winter rains. Learn about plant propagation at the 11 am workshop, or garden design at 1:30 pm. Native plant experts will be available all day with practical al ideas for all spaces. Join in the raffle for Patagonia clothing, books and check out the community information tables. FOSC will also host an open house 3-5 pm, to celebrate the construction of a new shade house for the plants.
     
• Updates Sought for New Creek & Watershed Map of Oakland: The Oakland Museum is updating its Creek and Watershed Map of Oakland and Berkeley, and seeks input on changes made to the creek since its last printing (Sausal Watershed). If anyone knows of small changes that they'd like to share, please contact Christopher Richard at the Oakland Museum. 

• Keep Oakland Beautiful Grants: Designed to foster local solutions and community improvement, grants in the amount of $200 - $500 will be distributed from funds raised by Keep Oakland Beautiful. There are two funding cycles: summer and winter. Deadlines are April 30 (Summer) and September 30 (Winter). Grants will be awarded to individuals or groups that demonstrate creativity and/or community renewal. Evidence of sustainability of the project after the grant funding terminates is also a criteria. The use of partnerships to leverage the scope of the project and public visibility are also factors which will affect how the applications are ranked by the organization. For details contact Keep Oakland Beautiful at 434-5126.
   
• Merritt College Offers Environmental Courses for Fall 2008: Take a single class, transfer, prepare for graduate school or receive a certificate or degree. Courses available on Environmental Jobs, Energy Alternatives, Green Building, Outdoor Education, Sustainable Urban Planning, Native Plants & Restoration, Growing Sustainable Food and Environmental Justice. All ages welcome, low cost and fee waivers available. Fall semester begins mid-August. For details call 434-3840 or go to the website for the Merritt College Environmental Program.
   
• Plant Exchange Needs Tables for Upcoming Free Exchange in October: The Lakeshore Avenue Plant Exchange offers free plant exchanges twice a year so that Oaklanders can share the abundance from their gardens and tool sheds. They could use additional folding tables to accommodate all the donations for their next exchange, which will be in October. Any size, any shape, old and battered as long as they are sturdy. Card tables, 6 and 8 foot tables, metal tables-- all are welcomed. For details or to donate, plantexchange@hotmail.com  or 866-8582.
   

• Meet Downtown Guide:  First check out this directory of places to eat, play, sense and meet downtown.  If you haven't tried any of the new restaurants downtown or haven't been to any of great regional cuisines of Chinatown restaurants, you are in for a treat.
   
• August Free Downtown Walking Tours: Discover Oakland, whether you've lived here for ages or want to showcase your home town to your visitors; I find these tours let me appreciate the architectural beauty and variety that are unique to a historic city like ours. These 90-minute guided walks through Oakland's downtown districts are free and lots of fun. Tours are scheduled Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 am. Reservations are recommended but not required. Call 238-3234 to make a reservation. (Above) History of Oakland's Chinatown's in Lincoln Square.
   
  • Saturday, August 23, Old Oakland
  •  Wednesday, August 27, Chinatown
  • Saturday, August 30, Waterfront

• This month the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO), 659 14th St,  kicks off a series of afternoon jazz concerts that is sure to be a great way to spend a few Saturday afternoons. The series will feature the talents of keyboardist Sandor Moss, bassist Ron Belcher, and guitarist/composer Wayne Anderson. Call  510-237-0200  for information.
• • Saturday August 30,  4 - 6 pm
  • Saturday September 13,  4 - 6 pm
  • Saturday September 27,  4 - 6 pm
     
• Visions Towards Tomorrow: The African American Community in Oakland, 1890-1990.  Whether you come for a concert above or otherwise, don't miss this exhibit of over 100 historical photographs, films, home movies, and period music, that immerse you in the experience of Oakland's African American community over the past century.  Four interactive touch-screen stations feature first-person narratives of over 50 contemporary residents, including dancer Ruth Beckford, Superior Court judge Gordon Baranco, and the Reverend J. Alfred Smith, Jr.
   
• Live Jazz in Downtown Oakland Every Monday Night, at Ed Kelly Hall, Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin Street. Open to players or listeners. $5. Pre-session improvisation workshop 6-7 pm. Performance begins at 7 pm.
   
• Homegrown Blues Series, Every Thursday, 5:30-7 pm, in front of City Hall through August.  Wonderful blues music by the Bay Area Blues Society.   I admit I work late on Thursday to hear the great blues sounds of West Oakland and Mississippi through my window. Final Show: August 28: Caravan of All Stars & Special Guest performances.
   
• Third Thursday Open Art Galleries:  Over twenty art galleries from Jack London Square to Downtown stay open 5-8 pm on the third Thursday's.  They often feature artist talks, lectures, and music.
   
• Thursday Night Live in Old Oakland, 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 5:30-9 pm, June - October: Thursday Night Live takes place inside and outside the food establishments along 9th and Washington in Old Oakland. Besides the usual drink specials associated with happy hour, there's a stage featuring live music, outdoor concession stands, and beer and beverage "gardens" where people can mix and socialize. Free to the public.

  9/04/08 - Fito Reinoso, Latin

  9/18/08 - The Sonando Project, Latin Jazz

  10/02/08 - Bayonics, funk and reggae

  10/16/08 - Julio Bravo, salsa.

• First Friday's at the Oakland Museum is a good way to ease yourself into downtown night life.  Music, lectures, films, wine, food as well as the regular exhibits often attract up to a thousand people of all ages.  I'm hoping to finish my newsletter early one Friday, so I can go on a date with my husband.  Regular Museum admission covers all but food and drinks.
   
• The Great Wall of Oakland shows "the finest alternative and experimental films and videos" free the first Friday of each month, half an hour after sunset, on the 100'x100' back wall of Metrovation's 2201 Broadway Building (Grand Avenue between Broadway & Valley). Bring a chair and popcorn.

• Saturday Night Dive in Movies: Get your swimsuit and jump in the pool for a "dive-in" movie! Bring your favorite floating toy and head down to your local pool to enjoy a movie -- while you swim! Movies start at 9 pm; Admission: Adults $3; Youth (18 and under) $1.    MOVIE SCHEDULE:  August 23 - The Incredibles | McClymonds Pool, 2607 Myrtle St. | 879-8050 August 30 - The Little Mermaid | Lions Pool, 3860 Hanly Rd. | 482-7852 September 6 - The Water Horse | Temescal Pool, 371 - 45th St. |  597-5013   For more information, contact the OPR Aquatics office at  238-2196

• First Saturday at MOCHA, The Museum of Children's Art: The first Saturday of each month MOCHA links literacy with art-making. There's a story read out load followed by fun and educational art activities connected to the theme of the story. Call  465-8770 for details.

• Celebrate National Teddy Bear Weekend on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7  at Children's Fairyland: by taking $1 off each child's entrance fee when they bring their special teddy bear friend. Performances include "Harvest at the Lake," featuring a collection of Native American stories. Then on September 13-14, the following weekend, enjoy Grandparents' Weekend - grandparents receive a free admission when accompanied by their grandchild. Call  452-2259 for additional information.

• Female High School Rowers Sought: The Jack London Aquatic Center, located at 115 Embarcadero in Oakland's Estuary Park, is recruiting high school girls for its 2008-09 Junior Women's Rowing Team. All interested girls and their families are invited to an open house at the Center at 2 pm on Sunday, September 7. The event offers an excellent opportunity to meet the coaches, the other girls and their families, and to learn more about rowing. Call  208-6060 for details.

• Grand Opening  of Youth Radio/Youth Media International, Sunday, September 21:  at 1701 Broadway in downtown Oakland. Meet Youth Radio students, media and community partners, and see award-winning programs in action. Call 251-1101, ext. 321 for additional information.

• 2nd annual Family City-wide Service Day for the Planet, Dimond Park, Sunday, September 28, 1-4 pm: Families! Join us for family-friendly volunteering and environmental activities and games for kids that teach about the 4Rs, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot and solar power.  Work together to plant seedlings for community gardens and clean Dimond park.  Then, kids can build and take home a solar power project, make art with reusable materials, play fun games and win great prizes! Sponsored by Good Cents for Oakland, PG&E, Bank of the West and Young