• MSIC Plants 160 Daffodil Bulbs in Montclair Park, Saturday, November 15, 9 am-Noon: Bring gloves, water and tools.

• Beat 22X Beautification Meets Saturday, November 15, 10 am-Noon: "Don't Trash Oakland" clean up walk at MacArthur & Fruitvale, bring gloves and water.

• Medicare Insurance Workshops, Saturday, November 15, 10:30 am, Dimond Library: Nearly 1.4 million people in California have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Prescription Drug plan. Montclair Insurance Broker Denise Lombard presents a workshop this Saturday. You have an opportunity to change plans between November 15 and December 31, 2008. For more information, call the Dimond Branch at 3565 Fruitvale Avenue at 482-7844, or visit the Oakland Public Library's Website at www.oaklandlibrary.org
   
• Domestic Violence Forum Airs Saturday, November 15, 1 pm: Last month we held our 5th Annual Report on Domestic Violence; it will be rebroadcast this week.  Much of the discussion focused on how the greater collaboration between agencies and the improved training of police officers in documenting and reporting domestic violence led to last year's high of 7251 cases.  We also explored Elder Abuse including financial exploitation and heard powerful poems by Youth Radio interns.

• Best Selling Author at Laurel Books, Saturday, November 15, 7 pm,   4100 MacArthur Blvd. Oakland writer Mary B Morrison has made the NY Times Bestseller list with her books exploring sexuality and spirituality in relationships.

Final Showing from Burning Libraries at Oakland Metro Opera House, Saturday, November 15, 8 pm,

• Oakland Firefighters Random Acts Month at Fentons Creamery, Saturday and Sunday, November 15 & 16, 1-4 pm: Come to Fentons, 4226 Piedmont Avenue, and help Oakland Firefighters spread Random Acts of Kindness in the Oakland community. All month long--purchase the "Firefighter Sundae" and 25% of sales goes to Oakland Firefighters Random Acts. Drop off new toys and stuffed animals in the Random Acts Holiday Toy Drive Barrel. This weekend, Oakland Firefighters will serve patrons at Fentons by waiting and busing tables and scooping ice cream.  At 3 pm, Firefighters will take part in a Wild & Messy Sunday Building Contest.  All weekend, kids will get to climb aboard a real Fire Engine and have photos taken with Firefighters for a donation.
   
• Maxwell Park Third Sunday Clean-up at Courtland Creek, Sunday, November 16, 9 am-Noon: Join friends to pick up trash, weed and do other "adopt a spot" projects at Courtland and Redding.
   
• Museum's Day of the Dead Last Gallery Talk Sunday, November 16, 2 pm with artists Guillermo Galindo and Mary J. Andrade: Your last chance to see the amazing altars and other creations. Don't miss the works of Redwood Heights & Skyline students.
   
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• Joaquin Miller School Open House & Coffee Social for Prospective Parents, Tuesday, November 18, 10 am-Noon: The PTA-sponsored event is open to all parents considering sending their children to Joaquin Miller, and will include a PTA presentation, and brief visits to a kindergarten class.  To sign up for the event, please call the school office at 879-1420.
   
• Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee Meeting Focuses on How Crimes are Prosecuted, Wednesday, November 19, 7 pm, City Hall, Hearing Room 4:  Assistant District Attorney Tom Rogers and Oakland City Attorney Russo will discuss the new program to prosecute misdemeanor crimes justfunded by the City Council. Please RSVP to Felicia Verdin or call 238-3128. Validated parking in the C lay Street Garage at 14th and Clay Streets is provided. Please bring your parking stub to the meeting for validation.
  
   

• City Officially Closed Wednesday, November 26 as Part of Cost Cutting Measures: In order to cut $42 million out of the budget due to the downturn in the economy,  City workers will be taking an unpaid leave one day a month starting Wednesday, November 26. It will also be closed  Thursday and Friday, November 27-28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The remaining unpaid leave dates have yet to be scheduled. Street sweeping and parking meter schedules will remain unchanged. The city's Head Start program, which is funded by a federal grant, will continue to operate. Oakland Museum of California and the Lake Merritt Sailboat House will stay open during regular hours. City libraries, however, will be closed during the once-monthly shutdowns. They will reopen on the next scheduled day.

• City Gave About 100 Employees Layoff Notices: In addition nearly an equal number of vacant positions were eliminated.  The city will close between Christmas and New Years and one day per month.  See previous newsletter for details.  With winter upon us we are likely to feel the impact of the cuts soon. Many of the lay offs were caused by recent court decisions which invalidated our recently passed LLAD.  There will be delays in clearing downed trees, repairing street lights, and great reduction in park maintenance.

•  City Receives $8 Million for Neighborhood Stabilization Program in Foreclosure Crisis:  With about 3,000 homes in foreclosure or behind in bank payments in Oakland, this federal grant will only be a first step in helping neighborhoods hard hit now primarily located in East Oakland.  The funds can be used for:  1) Financing mechanisms to purchase or redevelop foreclosed homes or commercial properties; 2) Purchase of these properties in order to sell, rent, or redevelop; 3) Establish land banks of such properties; 4) Demolish blighted foreclosed structures; 5) Develop demolished or vacant properties.
   
• Sidewalk Maintenance & Liability Proposal:  Many parts of my district have no sidewalks; so I occasionally get requests for sidewalks from constituents.  They are surprised to learn that most sidewalks were built by the original developers except in some city owned plazas and redevelopment areas.  Most homeowners don't know that by state law, they own and are responsible for the maintenance of sidewalks.  In Oakland the City will also take part responsibility for damage created by City owned trees. Suits in the last eight years have resulted in over $2 million in damages against the city. 

A recent citywide study of sidewalks found that about 16% are in need of repair; of these 17% of the damage is related to City trees but the remaining 83% is the responsibility of owners. Recent experience shows that when notified, only a portion of owners make repairs. A new ordinance would make clear that owners are jointly liable for suits resulting from injury in hopes that owners and their insurance companies would be more likely to make repairs. A final proposal will come back to the Council in January.  Richard Cowan of my office is working with constituents who have concerns about notice and other provisions.

• The Community Economic Development Committee is considering a proposal for a registry of vacant buildings.  The proposal by Council Member Brooks would require registration within 45 days and would add fines for failure to maintain or register such buildings. Some members are concerned the fees are not enough to fund the registration or monitoring process. Realtors and the Chamber are opposed. We are exploring whether this might be a vehicle to encouraging owners of former gas stations to clean-up and develop vacant stations.  The proposal returns to the Council in January. 

• Wildfire Prevention District Meeting for November 19 Cancelled. The next meeting will be Thursday, December 11 at Richard C. Trudeau Training Center at 11500 Skyline Blvd.

• Two new District 4 Restaurants will open next week on next Monday or Tuesday.  In the Dimond, the long-awaited Shaan Restaurant featuring North and South Indian cuisine is ready to open its doors.  In Redwood Heights, the equally anticipated Red Boy Pizza restaurant will have a grand opening in Lincoln Square.

• City Purchases 3 Lots to Expand Sausal Creek Watershed in Dimond Canyon:  Three lots bordering Dimond Park, downhill from Leimert  Blvd and landlocked, will be purchased with Measure DD funds.

• Dimond & Fruitvale Alive Project Receives Final $2 Million for Traffic/Streetscape improvements matched by Council Members Quan and Delafuente:  After several years of planning and community meetings, the improvements along Fruitvale Avenue from the Fruitvale District up to the Dimond District go into their final design and implementation.  Both Council Members have donated $50,000 each to add onto the aesthetic improvements.

• Oakmore Homes Association's Food Drive and Toys for Tots for the Holidays: The Alameda County Community Food Bank's wish list includes items: canned fruit & vegetables, canned meats & fish, canned soups & chili, peanut butter, cereal & oatmeal, powdered milk.  The Alameda County Community Food Bank feeds 40,000 low income residents each week. There is a bin located in front of Rocky's Market, located at 1440 Leimert Blvd. Toys for Tots is in need of new, unwrapped toys.  The toys will be given to children ages 0-17 here in Alameda County.  Last year over 51,000 kids from 45 different organizations received toys from Alameda County Toys for Tots. There will be a toy bin located inside of Wells & Bennett starting the day after Thanksgiving, located at 1451 Leimert Blvd. Last year Oakmore residents collected 385 pounds of food to feed the hungry and almost 200 toys for needy children and expect to increase those numbers this year.  
   
• Billboard at Canon to be Removed:  The City has a moratorium on billboards which requires Council approval for any new billboard.  In exchange for new billboards the Council usually requires the removal of existing ones.  In exchange for two new bill boards this week, about 30 will be removed.  I negotiated to have the last ground level billboard in the Dimond District on Canon removed. This billboard has been a top priority because it is at the entrance to Dimond Park and the Dimond business district which is not undergoing streetscape planning.  The next billboards on my list for future removal include several near the school and library on Foothill Blvd.

• Montclair Park Construction Progress: The new path construction work in Montclair Park is moving ahead with the contractor completing the demolition and grading work, aggregate base rock for the new paths and asphalt paving. Remaining work such as the concrete flat work near the center, fencing, drainage, handrails, etc. will be performed in November- weather permitting. Completion is scheduled for early December. Our office is also funding survey and design work for an ADA accessible pathway from Mountain Blvd into the park from the Village.  

• Shepherd Canyon Parking Lot Opens for Business This Weekend: Many thanks to your patience as the City and its contractors finish up the new parking lot. It is officially open for business as of this weekend.We still encourage parents of soccer and LaCrosse players to use Escher Road for additional parking. A dedication will occur at a later date. Many thanks to Councilmember Henry Chang, the Montclair Soccer Club, the Montclair Safety & Improvement Council, the Skyline Lacrosse Team, the Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation and the many individuals who joined me in raising the funds for this important safety improvement along Shepherd Canyon Road.
• New Traffic Light at Park Blvd. Exit from Warren Freeway at Mountain Blvd.:  Our office has received numerous calls about when the new traffic light at the Park Blvd. exit from the Warren Freeway would be turned on. According to Noreen Cardinal of PG&E, power turn on is scheduled on November 19, 2008.  The delay was caused by a change at PG&E.

2nd Annual Maxwell Park Holiday Party, Thursday, December 18, 6-9 pm, Maxwell Park International Academy, 4730 Fleming Avenue.

• Based on information received, the police are looking for a 91-92 beige Honda Accord.  Please be on the lookout for this vehicle. If you see this vehicle, try and obtain the license plate and call the police, especially if you believe it is casing the neighborhood. 
• An on-going pattern has developed around construction sites.  If construction is going on in your neighborhood, take extra care.  Don't leave garage or other doors open.  Don't make it obvious your pattern of being home.  Set your alarm, consider using old fashioned timers on lights or radios to make your home appear occupied. Note if anyone seems particularly curious about your home, entrances, alarms, etc. 
• Police believe one group is using information gathered from the Long Term Parking lots at the Airport to target their victims.  If you regularly leave your car at these lots or in a commuter parking lot, do not leave your registration or other information (mail, identification, etc) about where you live in your car. Police encourage you to take your registration with you in your wallet.
• Don't leave laptops and cameras easily visible from windows and doors. Recent smash & grab robberies take place in about two minutes, don't make your home a target by leaving expensive electronics visible from street and front door.

With  the holidays coming up and presents tempting burglars, here are our standard prevention ideas:

• Organize a neighborhood alert and talk about keeping eyes on the street around the clock.  Who works at home or is retired?
• Write down information on strange cars that may be casing the neighborhood, there has been a rash of people using scanner to get into garages.
• Look out for strangers with unusual behavior.  For example, someone casing the neighborhood may actually ring bells to see who is home and the ask for "Tanya" but then continues down the street systematically. Call the non emergency number and report this, 777-3333.
• Consider getting an alarm and making it obvious with decals and signs. Burglars will often leave if they trigger an alarm. Use your alarm.  An amazing number of burglaries happen when people forget to turn on their alarms. If you hear an alarm, look out your window.  If you see anything suspicious call 911.  Many people do not have alarms that alert the police or alarm company.  Because 99% of alarms are false, the call may or may not get top priority if another crime in progress is happening in the area.  Your call will help raise the priority.
• See a crime and no alarm?  If you have a panic button on your car alarm, hit it and it may scare the burglars away while you are waiting for police to arrive. Some neighborhoods are using whistles, I have been distributing them at neighborhood meetings.
• Doors kicked in are often 1970's doors which have become brittle with poor framing.  How strong is your door? How good are your locks?  I have good double bolts and now I am making sure to lock both. If front doors are hidden from street view; cut down bushes, trim trees, consider a "window" in fences. Don't forget to close windows and back doors; again, an amazing number of burglaries are simply done through open doors. 
• Also, a high number of car thefts happen when people leave cars unlocked or keys in their cars.
• Don't leave ladders or even garbage cans under windows.  Cut branches away from windows. 

• Truancy Hotline - 879-8172:  This hotline run in 7 languages by the School District helps the schools and police target chronic truants.  They will not respond immediately.  But if you know there is a location where truants usually gather, a home, store, park, etc.  Give them the location, names if known, and times they gather.  This helps the police and school officials plan sweeps and visits to families.

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

• 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 collected 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 decreasing or are relatively flat now.   In the last two years rising murders mostly reflect young men involved in gang and/or drug crimes or victims of domestic violence.  Encouragingly since the reorganization of the police 6 months ago, most quality of life crimes have declined except for Assaults which we believe reflect more reporting of domestic violence crimes and more resisting arrests. Year-to-date statistics from this Friday's report:  Homicides dipped below last year's rate briefly but ended last week at 2% above; car thefts are down 13%;  burglaries have decreased  7%; while robberies are down 1%. (Check sub categories yourself at the link above.)
• 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.
   
• 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.

• Help for Homeowners: To protect against flooding, a maximum of 20 sandbags and 50 feet of plastic sheeting (per household/business) is available for pickup at Public Works facilities. Proof of Oakland residency is required to obtain the sandbags and sheeting. Oakland Fire Stations will also distribute sandbags; a limit of 5 sandbags (per household). Please see locations below.
   
  MUNICIPAL SERVICE CENTER                         7101 Edgewater Drive
  Monday - Friday                                                       8 am-9 pm
  Saturday and Sunday                                                8 am-4:30 pm
   
  MAINTENANCE SATELLITE OFFICE        5921 Shepherd Canyon Rd.
  Monday - Friday                                                       8 am-9 pm
  Saturday and Sunday                                                8 am-4:30 pm
    
  FIRE STATION HOURS (5 bags)
  Monday - Friday                                             8 am-9 pm
  Saturday & Sunday                                         8 am-4:30 pm
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 3                         1445 - 14th Street 
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 6                         7080 Colton Blvd
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 17                      3344 High Street 
  For City Wide List of Locations 
   
• In an emergency or to report storm damage, Oakland residents should call the Public Works Agency Call Center at 615-5566. 

• How Residents Can Help
  • Check and clean private drainage systems.
  •  Do not place leaves, debris or lawn clippings near storm drains.
  • Place leaves and green trimmings in your Green Cart for weekly recycling  pickup.
  • Keep natural waterways such as creeks and ditches free from obstructions.
  • Report flooding problems to Public Works Agency's Call Center 615-5566.

• Volunteer Opportunities:  The Public Works Agency is also renewing its call for volunteers to join its Maintain-a-Drain Campaign. Residents and merchants in Oakland can help prevent flooding by keeping a storm drain in their neighborhood free of debris. In exchange, the City will give volunteers a free set of rain gear, a rake and debris bags. By keeping storm drains clean, volunteers can help the City focus storm-response activities on the most critical storm-related problems. Remember, "if it is plugged, it will flood." To join the Maintain-a-Drain Campaign, volunteers should call  238-7630.

• Please compost your food scraps. It is estimated that only one-third of the compostable vegetation, food and paper in Oakland makes it into the green cans.  Help us get to zero waste and reduce global warming.

• More Daffodil Planting:  Joanne Donivan and Laurel Community people along with Allendale community members will be planting daffodils in the median at 35th and Delaware on November 22nd.
   
• Bay Area Gardening Workshops for the Fall: Fall is the best time to plant in the Bay Area. The combination of fall/winter rains and moderate temperatures will help establish your native and Mediterranean plants so that they thrive through the dry summer. If you're inclined to remove your water-hungry lawn, you may be eligible for the Tear Out Your Lawn Challenge. This program is available until December 31, 2008. September classes are already full.  Register online for November classes.
   
• Butterfly Gardening: With the election over, I am hoping to get some time in my garden. Fall is the best time to plant.  At this month's office hours we distributed about 200 copies of the beautiful East Bay Regional Parks great brochure on Butterfly Gardening.  Butterflies and bees are disappearing in the Bay Area.  Development, pesticides, and shrinking habitat threaten their survival.  This brochure covers simple ways we can help the 142 butterfly species of the Bay survive, it includes a list of butterfly nurturing plants. Please add some to your garden!

• Friends of Sausal Creek Schedule for November: The Friends just completed a very successful fall plant sale--raising $3000 in one day! During the rest of the year, Oaklanders can "earn" their plants by volunteering in the nursery with FOSC. >>Photos from last month's Plant Sale.  Here are November volunteer opportunities:
   
  • Saturday, November 15, 9 am-Noon: Restoration Workday: Grassland Site.  Meet at Joaquin Miller Nursery. Contact Kathren for details.
  • Saturday, November 15, 1:30-4:30 pm: Propagation Workday at Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery. A drop in event but contact Molly for information or groups of 6 or more.
  • Sunday, November 16, Noon-3 pm: Propagation Training Class at Joaquin Miller Park Native Plant Nursery: Week 3 of a 4 week class.To sign up, contact Molly.
  • Wednesday, November 19, 7-9 pm:  FOSC Member Meeting at the Dimond Branch Library.
  • Saturday, November 22, 9 am-Noon: Restoration Workday in Beaconsfield Canyon. Contact Richard Kauffman for details.
     
  • Saturday, November 22, 9 am -Noon: Restoration Workday in Dimond Park/Dimond Canyon. Contact Kathren for details.
  • Saturday, November 22, 1:30-4:30 pm: Propagation Workday in the Native Plant Nursery at Joaquin Miller Park. Contact Molly for details.

• Fratello Marionnetes at the Public Library: Bring the kids to see the Fratello Marionettes for a series of presentations at our local libraries. Their exciting performances often include singers, dancers trained dogs, clowns and even a hula dancing grandma!
  • Tuesday, December 9, 12:30 pm  Peter & the Wolf at Lakeview Branch Library, 550 El Embarcadero
  • Thursday, December 11, 1 pm The Frog Prince at West Oakland Branch Library, 1801 Adeline Street
  • Friday, December 12, 10:30 am The Frog Prince at Temescal Branch Library, 5205 Telegraph Avenue
  • Friday, December 12, 1:30 pm The Frog Prince at  Asian Branch Library, 388 9th Street
  • Friday, December 12, 3:30 pm The Frog Prince at  Golden Gate Branch Library, 5605 San Pablo Avenue
  • Tuesday, December 16, 7 pm The Frog Prince at Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Avenue.

• Jewelry-Making Workshops  at the Oakland Public Library: Popular artists Chelsee Robinson returns to the library to teach a series of jewelry-making workshops
   
  • Wednesday, December 3, 3:30 pm Main Library, Children's Room 125 14th Street
  • Saturday, December 6, 1 pm Montclair Branch Library, 1687 Mountain Blvd.
  • Wednesday, December 10, 3:30 pm Eastmont Branch Library, Eastmont Town Center, 7200 Bancroft Avenue, Suite 211
  • Saturday, December 13, 1 pm, Martin L. King Jr. Branch, 6833 International Blvd.
  • Wednesday, December 17, 3:30 pm, Golden Gate Branch Library, 5606 San Pablo Avenue
• Thursday, December 18, 3:30 pm, Brookfield Branch Library, 9255 Edes Ave.

• Cozy Pajama Story Time at Rockridge Branch Library, Tuesday, December 23, 7 pm: Come one, come all to the Rockridge Branch Library at 5366 College Avenue. After hearing stories, kids will make snowflakes by the light of a Hanukkah menorah.
   

• Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Friday, November 28th, 1-7pm, Jack London Square. Ring in the holiday season and enjoy all day entertainment with KBLX's sponsored Bay Area High School Choir Competition. Kids will enjoy free jump houses, carnival games and visits with Santa Claus (photo fee will benefit the United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gate.) See this year's beautiful holiday tree light up the night skies at 6 pm with the help of Oakland's rhythm and blues band, Rendezvous.  Donate a jacket to "One Warm Coat" or non-perishable foods to benefit The Alameda County Food Bank and receive valuable coupon savings.
  Also take part in the JLS Wishing Tree Program and help the East Bay SPCA and Project Open Hand of the East Bay.
   
• A Christmas Carol at Malonga Casquelourd Theater, December 3-7, 1428 Alice Street. Get into the holiday spirit with the annual favorite featuring local talent.  For tickets, call 877-666-5448 or click here. Group rates available.
   
• Montclair Village Holiday Stroll, Friday, December 4, 6-9 pm: Bring the kids and the neighbors and enjoy Montclair Village's Annual Holiday Stroll. There will be music, tap dancing Christmas trees, special window displays and a motorized trolley car ride around the Village.
   
• District 4 Annual Holiday Party at Chabot Space & Science Center, Friday, December 5, 6:30-9 pm: Please join the District 4 staff and our families at our annual Holiday Party and Thank You to all the Oakland residents who are making a difference in their neighborhoods. We ask for a minimum $10 donation at the door to help defray our costs for the event which includes dinner and a planetarium show or movie, any amount over that goes to our Organizing Fund which pays for this newsletter, our website, Earth Day, Creek to Bay and National Night Out events, printing and other materials that we use to help our constituents keep informed and organize their neighborhoods. Good food, some cooked by us and much more donated by local restaurants and residents, and a chance to see either the December Planetarium show or Immersive Space in the Tien Megadome Theatre. Please contact Ellen Dillard at 238-7273 to RSVP (so we know how much food to cook!)
   
• Holidays at Dunsmuir: An Oakland Tradition, Weekends, December 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 20 & 21. Advance purchase ticket prices include: grounds admission, decorated mansion tour, carriage house crafters, festive trolley, entertainment & more. Festive teas and breakfasts are also offered for an additional price. Please call 925-275-9490.
   
• 4th Annual Dimond Winter Festival at Fruitvale Presbyterian Church, Saturday, December 6, 10 am-3pm: 2735 MacArthur Blvd. & Coolidge Ave.Feed your soul, feel good about shopping local and enjoy festive holiday music at the 4th Annual Dimond Winter Celebration. Spiritual leaders will share words and music to celebrate diversity. Enjoy choirs, pancake breakfasts, photos with Santa, and holiday crafts and gifts from local vendors. Entrance Free, Donation Requested for Breakfast, money to benefit food panty. Call for more (510)530-0915. For details, contact Ruth Villasenor.
   
• The Chamber of Commerce's Oakland Holiday Parade - America's Children's Parade - takes to the streets on Saturday, December 6, 2 pm, in downtown Oakland!  The parade brings 100,000 children of all ages to Oakland to kick-off the holiday season. It features marching bands, giant helium balloons, floats, performance groups and more. Over 500 volunteers are needed: (1) volunteer your time for the parade by visiting their website here and (2) helping advertise this joyful afternoon.  www.oaklandholidayparade.com
   
• Lighted Yacht Parade in Oakland/Alameda Estuary, Saturday, December 6: Starts around 5:30 pm.

• Kwanzaa and Christmas Gift Show, Oakland Marriott, December 13 & 14, 11am-8pm:   Admission $5.

Christmas Revels at the Scottish Rite Theater, December 12-14 and 19-21

• Zoolights at the Oakland Zoo, December 5-January 4th: Fund for the whole family. This year's much anticipated event will feature larger-than-life light displays to mirror the Oakland Zoo's full-time animal residents. Holiday music will fill the air as guests mingle among hundreds of thousands of energy-efficient LED lights.

2008 Fairy Winterland dates: December 12 - December 2, Noon-7 pm: Each December, for just one week, Children's Fairyland is transformed into a sparkling festival of holiday entertainment. Through songs and stories, arts and crafts, Fairy Winterland celebrates the winter holidays of many cultures: Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Diwali, and Chinese New Year. After sunset, they turn on our fairy lights and transform Fairyland into a twinkling, enchanting realm of wonder.$7 for each adult and child over the age of 1.
 

Ron Guidi's Nutcracker at the Paramount Theatre, December 18-24

Register for New Year's  Balloon Drop at Chabot Space & Science Center: