• Pro Arts Holiday Artisan Fair, Friday -Sunday, November 28 - 30, Noon-6 pm, 550 Second Street at Clay in Downtown Oakland: Beautiful prints, hip jewelry and handbags, fused glassware, functional ceramics, and other clever crafts by local artists will be on hand throughout  Pro Arts' large exhibition space. Learn about each piece, and how the were designed and crafted directly from the artist! Take home a special story and a unique gift or two for the holidays! Free Admission.

• World AIDS Day Community Awards Reception, Monday, December 1, 6-9 pm, City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza: Get Screened Oakland, Alameda County Offices of AIDS, East Bay AIDS Walk and Business Responds to AIDS co-sponsor this event in honor of World AIDS Day. To locate free screening sites, go to the website for Get Screened Oakland. Reservations for the reception are required, call 238-7070 to RSVP. 
  • African Americans account for about half of new cases of AIDS. Among youth aged 13-24, 61% are African Americans.
  • For African Americans and other blacks, HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death.  
     
• Moe's Books, Tuesday, December 2, 7:30 pm: Our District 4 Poets-- Jack & Adelle Foley -- will be reading at Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley. 
   
• Oakland Zoo Guest Speaker Melinda Kramer, founder of the Women's Earth Alliance, on African Women and Water, Wednesday, December 3rd, 6:30 pm, reception. At 7 pm presentation and slide show and about women leaders from eight African nations whose lives were transformed by micro-enterprise training and grants to develop low-cost, sustainable water technologies. Members $10-$20, Non Members $12-$20, Oakland Zoo Staff and High School Students $5. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Funds collected support the Women's Earth Alliance. Shop for beautiful baskets and wood carvings made by a women's artisan group in Rwanda called Virunga Artisans. The event takes place at the Oakland Zoo's Marian Zimmer Auditorium, located in the Children's Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road. Contact Amy Gotliffe  for more details. 

• 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.

• OUSD School Options Fair, Thursday, December 4, 5-7 pm, Oakland Marriott Hotel: Oakland Unified School District will hold its fourth annual School Options Fair at the Downtown Oakland Marriott, 1001 Broadway. Unlike previous years, the 2008 edition focuses exclusively on Elementary Schools to provide additional support to pre-K families who have never experienced the Options/Open Enrollment process. To complement this event and allow parents to develop a better sense of the schools they are considering, Elementary Schools will offer site tours and open houses. Go to the OUSD website (see Item #9 ) for details.
   
• Montclair Village Holiday Stroll, Thursday, 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. >>Caroling last year by the Pacific Boys Choir.

•  Redwood Hts Dad's Club Tree Sale: Dads Club volunteers pick the trees up and deliver them to the school on December 6th, 13th, and 20th. For a small premium, they can also deliver them to your home. The prices are comparable to commercial outlets and its a great way to help the school.  Order online at http://rhs.ousd.ca.campusgrid.net/home/Fundraisers/Holiday+Trees  For any questions, contact Brian Walgenbach at 407-0065 or by email at brian@crmscommunities.com
   

District 4 Annual Holiday Party at Chabot Space & Science Center, Friday, December 5, 6:30-9 pm:

• The Ask Jeeves Planetarium has been upgraded to a full dome digital projection system, the most state of the art on the planet.  The December Planetarium show will acquaint you with the winter sky, particularly useful if it is a clear night and you go out to use our telescopes. Astronomers will answer questions from the audience. (Hourly) >> Jupiter photographed through Chabot telescopes by Carter Roberts.
   
• Immersive Space in the Tien Megadome Theatre, 8 pm:  Experience the Digital Universe in our new full-dome system as it whisks you to the nearest star and beyond in merely seconds. Travel 1,000 light years to Orion; 2 million light years to the Andromeda galaxy, home to a super massive black hole; and 10 million light years to other galaxies in our Local Group. Journey further to the edge of the known universe and take a peek at what's on the other side. No G forces involved! Just the comfort of your seat. (A light year = 6 trillion miles.) (Running Time 40 minutes)
   
• Chabot's Telescopes are always free to the public on Friday and Saturday evenings, 7:30-10:30 pm.  Bring a warm jacket and gloves.  If it's clear, viewing Saturn or Jupiter through one of our four telescopes is an amazing experience. 
   
• Please RSVP by Wednesday, December 3rd, to Ellen Dillard at 238-7273.  Tell us how many are coming and which Chabot program you want to see (planetarium or movie) so we can reserve your seats and plan for food.
• Donations to the Organizing Fund can be sent to Neighbors for Jean Quan, 2181 Braemar Rd, Oakland 94602.
   

• Donate to the Alameda County Community Food Bank:  Here are a few things you can do to help over 40,000 county residents who need help with food:
  • Donate non-perishable foods at major grocery stores including Whole Foods, Lucky's, and Safeway.
  • Organize a Holiday Food Drive at your business or organization.
  • Purchase KFOG's Live from the Archives CD, Volume 15, at any Peets Coffee Store.
  • Donate Cash:  The most effective way to give is to write a check, the food bank can purchase bulk items at wholesale; each dollar allows them to distribute $7 in food. Learn about the Virtual Food Drive.
     
• 28th Annual Community Toy Drive: Last year, thanks to generous donors, Oakland was able to present toys to 10,200 children. Oakland handed out over 20,396 toys, books, board games, sports equipment, and gift certificates. Please help make this year's Toy Drive a success, contributions are tax deductible. Checks should be made out to United Way of the Bay Area, Oakland Toy Drive, Attention: Cashier's Office, 221 Main Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94105. Tax ID # 94-1313248 Federal and 800-3838-4 State. Questions? Contact Susan Hayes-Smith at 238-3139.  If you want to pick out a gift yourself, barrels are located in City Hall and other city buildings. Non-violent toys only, please.  You can also volunteer to help with toy distribution  December 21-23rd, call 238-7366.
   
   
• Shop Oakland:  One way to celebrate the holidays is to help yourself AND our local economy by shopping locally. The Oakland Merchants Forum and East Bay Express asks you to join myself and other Council members in the Shop Oakland Grown Giving Challenge.  Just  register your pledge and spend $100 locally AND donate an item of need to a local charity from one of our Oakland Grown businesses or artists and you may win $1000 in gift certificates.  "...by pledging to spend $100 of your shopping dollars at locally-owned stores, you will have a potential $58.8 million dollar impact on our community, an estimated $8.75 million dollars more than if it was spent at a non-local big box retailer." 

 

• Mayor Dellums Seeks Nominations for 2009 Women of Greatness Awards by December 1, 2008: The First Annual Women of Greatness Awards will be presented by Mayor Ron Dellums at at a ceremony during the Model City Summit on Women held Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at the Oakland Marriott City Center. Ten women will be honored. Nominees will have:
   

  • Demonstrated civic leadership at the community, city, district, state and/or national level;

  • Demonstrated service and contributions to the advancement of women & families;

  • Demonstrated commitment to the values that promote the spirit of cooperation/collaboration within the community.

  The Women of Greatness Awards are given for a particular body of work or for the sum of a nominee's achievements to recognize individual women for their exceptional contributions, especially within the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano and San Francisco.  Individuals may nominate themselves or another woman. Each nomination must be submitted on the official Nomination Form, which can be found at www.mayorrondellums.org. Nominations must be received by December 1, 2008. Announcements will be made on December 15, 2008. Please respond via email to ljones@oaklandnet.com or fax the materials to 238-4731. 
   
• CORE Graduates Honored, Networking Grows: The Fire Department honored this year's graduates of the Citizens Organized to Respond to Emergencies (CORE) Program this month. Graduates were given helmets and vests. If you are interested in preparing your family or neighborhood for disasters, you can take an online course or even better take one of our free classes. 2009 Schedule. >>Chuck Seliger from the Dimond district at CORE graduation. 

Already trained?  Join CORE Networking activities:  online google group, list your group on the citywide roster, attend special events.

•  Seismic Program Grows:  Despite the slow real estate market the new seismic retrofit program which my office established last year is taking off.  Before the program only a dozen or so homes were retrofitted, last year over 200 permits were issued. In the first three months of this year, over 200 permits were issued. Because of the limited funding, new homeowners are being told that the transfer tax refunds will be based on a first come basis until the funds (half million) are exhausted.

Applicants for the new program started this year for low income families living in any Redevelopment area are now just coming in.  Eligible homeowners may receive a $10,000 grant and low cost loans for more to retrofit their homes.

Meanwhile, my office is working with city staff on grants to expand the programs and to standardize retrofit requirements statewide. We are also working on a survey of all soft story buildings in Oakland with ABAG (Association of Bay Area Governments). We want to develop standards for soft story retrofits and find funding assistance for multi-unit owners. If you have any questions contact Sue Piper in my office at 238-7042.

• Oakland Joins Suit to Find Prop 8 Unconstitutional:  In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the Oakland City Council decided to join in a lawsuit against Proposition 8, the initiative that seeks to deny equal protection and basic marriage rights to same sex couples in California. Oakland joins San Francisco, Los Angeles and the County of Santa Clara in a lawsuit to invalidate Proposition 8 on the grounds that it is discriminatory and unconstitutional. Proposition 8, passed by a slim majority of voters this month, effectively deletes the state constitution's Equal Protection Clause for same sex couples.  Our suit argues that such a sweeping redefinition of equal protection would require a constitutional revision rather than a mere amendment.  On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court announced that it will hear the legal challenges to Proposition 8. 

• Mayoral Appointees to the Budget Advisory Committee:The Budget Advisory Committee provides community input to the City Council on budgetary issues throughout the year. This year, as we move ahead on developing a two year budget for Fiscal Year 2009-2011 in the midst of economic turmoil, community input is even more important. The Mayor has 3 open positions on the Budget Advisory Committee. If you are interested in serving, please send a letter to Sabrina Landreth, Legislative Analyst to the Finance Committee, stating your qualifications and why you are interested in serving.

• 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 hard hit neighborhoods now primarily located in far East  and West Oakland.  The Council decided this week to focus on the tracks with the highest concentration and the immediate adjacent areas to fund:  1) Financing mechanisms to purchase or redevelop foreclosed homes or commercial properties; 2) Purchase of these properties in order to rehab and sell them to low income families. The City is seeking groups interested in submitting proposals; work must be completed in 18 months.

• Dimond Serves Hundreds for Thanksgiving, Melrose NCPC Delivers Turkeys:  Abdo Alawdi, the owner of Two Star Market, served hundreds for the sixth year in a row.  This year the lunch rolled out like a perfectly orchestrated banquet as more and more fellow merchants and neighborhood volunteers join in.  The Dimond Improvement Association helped coordinate the volunteers; fellow merchants donated food and Romano's Pizza donated their ovens and kitchen (above).  Abdo, one of the city's nicest people, buys most of the food (about $6,000) and dozens join in the cooking.  Many neighbors bring potluck dishes; I made brussel sprouts again. This Tribune article covers this year's lunch.

The Melrose High Hopes Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council delivered boxes of turkey and food to needy families in the neighborhood.  Horace Mann students decorated the boxes. <<Preston Turner help pack boxes. Photo by Sheila D'Amico.

On Sunday, the Fruitvale Presbyterian Church congregation invited neighbors to join them in one of the largest turnouts in recent years (below).  Rev. Monte McClain has opened the church to many Dimond events including next week's Winter Festival.
 

 

 

• 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.

• Warm Coat Campaign:  Need to make room in the coat closet? East Bay Sotheby's International Realty is collecting coats for youth at Lincoln Child Center and Fred Finch Youth Center. Drop off your donations  weekdays 9am-5pm, or weekends 10am-4pm through Friday, December 19th.  They have an office in Oakmore at 1430 Leimert Boulevard and in Montclair at 1986 Mountain Boulevard.

• New Traffic Light at Park Blvd. Exit from Warren Freeway at Mountain Blvd.: PG&E turned on power at the traffic signal on November 19, as promised.  The City is now working with the contractor to complete all items on the Final Punch List. This includes installing signs, pavement markings, barricades, photoelectric units, security locks, grounding, minor foundation work, cleanup, and tree trimming.  Note that all work is subject to inspection and approval by City and CalTrans.  When all items on the Final Punch List is completed, the City will activate the traffic signal. 

• "Don't Trash Oakland..It's Home" Neighborhood Clean Up  in Beat 22X, Saturday, December 13, 10-11:30 am, MacArthur Blvd. and Lincoln at Dimond Gateway: Bring gloves and water.  Meet new friends, get some exercise and help make 22X NCPC a "litter and graffiti free community." For more information contact Kathleen Russell.
   

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

• $10,000 Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest of 3 Suspects for the Attack of an 80-year-old Woman Last Week: In a neighborhood west of McKillop Park, a Chinese great grandmother was beaten while collecting recyclables last Thursday evening. Robbery does not seem to be a motive because her jewelry was not taken. An investigative police time is working overtime on this case.  Anyone with information can call police at 238-3426 or 777-8572 or 777-3211.

A fund has established for the woman who is recovering at Highland Hospital.  Send checks, in care of the Yue Assistance Fund, to the Oakland Chinatown branch of
Wells Fargo Bank, 901 Franklin St., Suite 88, Oakland 94607. .It's difficult to understand why anyone would unleash such cruelty towards such a helpless person.  The Mayor and I are discussing what might be done to heal the community and support the Asian community. 

• Mayor Approves Police Overtime for the Holidays:  Historically there is an increase of burglaries and other crimes during the holiday season.  With the budget crisis, police overtime has been significantly reduced and came in within budget last month.  The Mayor and Chief have set up guidelines for approval of additional overtime.  Overtime is like to be used to increase patrols in shopping areas including decoy operations, for response to home burglary patterns, and in major cases such as the one above. 

• Anyone with information can call police at 510-238-3426 or 510-777-8572 or 510-777-3211.
  
  Truancy Hotline - 879-8172:  This hotline runs in 7 languages by the school district and 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.

• Measure DD Project Status: One of the City's successful bond measures is Measure DD. In November 2002, over 80% of Oakland voters passed  a $198.25 million bond measure for parks, trails, bridges, a recreation center, historic building renovations, land acquisition, and creek restoration throughout Oakland. While most of the publicity on Measure DD surrounds projects in and around Lake Merritt, District 4 has benefited from Measure DD as well:
  • <<Butters Canyon--purchase of property in Butters Canyon along Peralta Creek.
  •  
  • Beaconsfield Canyon--purchase of property in Beaconsfield Canyon
  • Shepherd Canyon Park--a small native plant project in upper Shepherd Creek near Escher Meadow is complete; the City is about to embark on a larger creek restoration project along side the soccer field.

• Friends of Sausal Creek Schedule for December:
   
  • Friday, December 5, 9:30 am-12:30 pm Seed Hike: Location TBD. Join us for a trail walk in the watershed to collect seeds. Snacks provided; please bring a water bottle. Locations selected week of the hike. Email nursery@sausalcreek.org to be added to the email list.
  • Saturday, December 6, 11am-1 pm Redwood Planting Day. We need a few crew leaders to help us manage 30 high school students who are coming to help us plant native understory plants in the areas recently cleared of invasive ivy and non-native blackberries. This is a great leadership opportunity for 5 volunteers over the age of 18. Please contact Kathren at field@sausalcreek.org if you are interested in this opportunity. Advance training is available for new crew leaders. 
  • Saturday, December 6, 1:30-4:30 pm Propagation Workday: Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery. Help grow plants for our restoration work. We'll teach you everything you need to know about sowing, transplanting and divisions. Please bring a water bottle; we'll provide snack. This is a drop-in event, but email nursery@sausalcreek.org for more info or for groups larger than 6. 
  • Saturday, December 13, 9am-Noon Winter Solstice Planting Party: Dimond Park. Meet at the Scout Hut in Dimond Park to help us celebrate the darkest day of the year by planting hope for the future. There are many native plant starts waiting for your hands to place them in the ground. In the restoration cycle, planting is some of the most fun we'll have all year! This event is great for families and is accessible by public transportation. Please email field@sausalcreek.org to RSVP for this event. 
    • Saturday, December 13, 1:30-4:30 pm Nursery Planting Workday: Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery. We'll plant in the Nursery demonstration garden. Please bring a water bottle; we'll provide snack. This is a drop-in event, but email nursery@sausalcreek.org for more info or for groups larger than 6.
       

• OUSD Middle & High School Open Houses & School Tours: Shopping for schools?  Take a tour, you might be pleasantly surprised. 
  • District 4 Middle School Tours:
    • Bret Harte, 3700 Coolidge Avenue, 879-2060, Tuesday, December 2, 10-11 am and 5-6:30 pm
    • Melrose Leadership Academy, 5328 Brann Street, 879-1530, Wednesday, December 17, 10-11 am
    • Montera, 5555 Ascot Drive, 879-2110, Tuesday, December 2, 7 pm
       
  • District 4 High School Tours:
    • Fremont Federation, 4610 Foothill Blvd., 879-8881
    • College Preparatory & Architecture, 879-1131, Monday, December 15, 1- 2 pm, 5-6:30 pm
       
    • Mandela High, 879-1141, Monday, December 15, 9-10 am and 5-6:30 pm
       
    • Media College Prep, 879-2597, Monday, December 15, 10-11 and 5-6:30 pm
       
    • Robeson School Visual & Performing Arts, 879-1237, Monday, December 15, 10-11 am, and 5-6:30 pm
    • Skyline High School,  12250 Skyline Blvd., 879-3060, Campus Tour and Shadow Day, Tuesday, December 2, 9-11:30 am
       

For additional details or information about other OUSD open houses, visit the Options section of the OUSD website at: http://webportal.ousd.k12.ca.us. (Once on the website, click the "Parents" tab and then the "Options Information" tab--or click on the large "Options" ad in the center of the page). If questions remain, please feel free to discuss them with your neighborhood school or the Student Assignment and Bilingual Testing Office which can be reached at 879-8111 or by emailing enroll@ousd.k12.ca.us.  
 

• Fratello Marionettes at the Public Library: Bring the kids to see the Fratello Marionettesfor 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.

• Bond of Perpetuity: Oakland and the Lincoln Legacy, Oakland History Room, Main Library,  second floor, 125 14th Street, through March 20, 2009:  On the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, president-elect Obama has many returning to the history books when he talks about his state's other famous president; e.g.. Lincoln's "cabinet of rivals." Other lesser remembered  Lincoln policies and programs transformed our city into a major transportation and telecommunications hub, a position it retains to this day. His passion for the values that define his place in American history would allow a small Oakland college to become a major public university, and a muddy outpost on the shores of San Francisco Bay to become a microcosm of the nation's cultural diversity. 
   

• 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.

• New Resources for Grant Seekers at the Public Library: East Bay nonprofit organizations and other grant seekers looking for funding opportunities now have access to a powerful new collection of resources at the Oakland Public Library, which has become a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center of New York.  This collection is available at the Oakland Main Library, located at 125 14th Street, between Oak and Madison Streets. Online resources include The Foundation Directory Online, containing profiles of over 91,000 United States grantmakers, and Foundation Grants to Individuals Online, a one-of-a-kind database of more than 6,500 foundation and public charity programs that provide support for students, artists, researchers, and other individual grant seekers.  These electronic databases can be accessed at the Main Library on any catalog or Internet computer workstation.  In addition, the collection includes print directories, annual research reports on U.S. foundations and their giving trends, and proposal writing guides.  Staff members are also available to assist users with the collection during regular library hours. For details, call 238-3138.

• Live Jazz in Downtown Oakland, Monday and Thursday Nights: Ed Kelly Hall, Oakland Public Conservatory of Music,  1616 Franklin Street @ 17th--one block from the 19th Street BART, exit at 17th Street.  Monday nights, Jaz Sawyer leads the Downtown Jazz Session at 7 pm; Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Branice McKenzie leads the Not Just for Singers Session, a Jam Celebrating Vocal Artistry. A surprise special guest every week. Call 836-4649 for details.

• Annual Fungus Fair at the Oakland Museum, "Fungus & Fire," Saturday, December 6, 10 am-6 pm, and Sunday, December 7, Noon -5 pm: After a forest fire, what is the first sign of life? Fungi. Their tiny root-like fibers appear on the charred forest floor and begin to break down debris and release nutrients into the soil. This age-old process is crucial to soil restoration and the forest's revival. This year's fair explores the role of fungi and mushrooms in the aftermath of California's devastating forest fires.
      Believe it or not, this is one of the most interesting events sponsored by the Museum.  You'll see hundreds of fresh specimens on display, cooking demonstrations with local chefs, craft and food vendors, mushroom ID, and a new wrinkle: old sci-fi films featuring mushrooms gone amok. All activities are included with museum admission.
      Young visitors can take part in hands-on activities Saturday (11-4) and Sunday (12-4), part of the museum's monthly Family Explorations! program. Kids can make mushroom ice cream, dye, jewelry, and clay models; build mushroom-growing kits; and use a microscope to explore fungi.
      The Fair also features talks and slide shows by mycologists, authors, and scientists. Confirmed speakers include Bob Mackler ("Mushrooms 101: Reproduction, Spore Dispersal, Edibility, and Toxicity"), Dr. Else C. Vellinga of the UC Berkeley Department of Plant and Microbial Biology ("Mushrooms, Toadstools, and Beyond"), and Philip Ross, a mushroom-inspired artist, educator, and mycologist.
   

• PEN Oakland and Oakland Public Library National Literary Awards, Saturday, December 6, 2-5 pm, Rockridge Library: San Francisco Poet Laureate Devorah Major will host the 18th Annual PEN Oakland-Josephine Miles National Literary Awards. National Literary Awards and ceremony at the Rockridge Branch Library, located at 5366 College Avenue in Oakland.  Poet Michael McClure will present the keynote address. Well-known and emerging Bay Area and international authors will be honored for excellence in multicultural literature at the event, which  is co-sponsored by the Oakland Public Library. A reception will be held after the awards where the public will have an opportunity to meet the authors, and purchase signed copies of their award winning books. During the program, winners will be presented with a plaque and asked to read selections from their work. This event is free to the public. For more information, please call 681-5652.

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• An Evening of Remembrance, Wednesday, December 10, 6-9 pm, St. Columba Church, 6401 San Pablo Avenue: An evening to heal our community through remembrance, inspirational music, and performance. An opportunity to build a hopeful future without violence. 6 pm, Memorial Service; 7:30 pm, Reception & Dinner. For more information, call 285-8242
   

• 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. near 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 pantry. 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.

• Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir at the Paramount Theater, Saturday, December 6, 7:30 pm: The Gospel Academy Award-winning Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, under the direction of Terrance Kelly, is a multiracial, interfaith group of 55 vocalists united in their love of gospel music with its message of hope, joy, unity and justice. Advance Tickets: $10-$34; Day-of-Show Tickets: $15-$40.

• A Renaissance Christmas at Holy Names University, Regents' Theatre,  Saturday, December 6, 7:30 pm: Celebrate the holidays with a concert featuring the HNU Chamber Singers, university Chorus, Orchestra and Preparatory Music Department. The concert will feature pieces by Praetorius, Byrd, Distler, Rautavaara, Kostianinen, Kocsar, Mechem and other composers, and a carol sing-a-long. Arrive at 6:45 pm for a reception hosted by the HNU Alumni Association, Admission: $10 general, $5 seniors/students. HNU faculty, staff, and alumni free. For details, call 436, 1330.

• Oakland Art Gallery Sale, December 8-12, 11 am- 6 pm: Downtown Oakland's Premier Sale of Art and Handmade Goods, featuring art and crafts by over 100 local artists.  A great way to meet your "Shop Oakland Pledge" of spending $100 in Oakland for holiday gifts. Holiday party on Thursday, December 11 and extended sale hours, 6 - 8 pm. Oakland Art Gallery is located at 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza across from City Hall.
   
• The Oakland Symphony presents Let Us Break Bread Together, Sunday, December 14, 4 pm :  The holidays are a time for singing and no one does it better than Michael Morgan and the Oakland Symphony with this multi-chorus extravaganza.  This show is not part of the regular symphony season and tickets must be purchased separately. There are tickets available for every price range. Tickets for children under 18 are just $10 thanks to a grant from Target.

• 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 19-21:1547 Lakeside Drive. In 2008, Cal Revels will return to medieval Europe with our brand new staging of The King and the Fool.  The setting is an ancient castle where the king is entertained by his court, his troubadour, and most significantly, by his court jester (Geoff Hoyle). Tickets are $15-$50. Click Here to Order Online Now or call the Revels Charge-by-Phone line at 452-8800 (Monday through Friday from Noon to 5 pm.)

 

• Free Holiday Concert by Oakland Civic Orchestra, Sunday, December 14, 4 pm: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Avenue. Martha Stoddard, conductor; Kate McLoughlin, assistant conductor; Christiana Carr and Kymberly Speer, soloists. Call 238-7275 for details.
   

• Zoolights at the Oakland Zoo, December 5-January 4th: Fun 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 21, 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: Ronn Guidi's Nutcracker has been enchanting audiences of all ages for 36 years, and it will light up Oakland's holiday season again on December 18-24. Celebrate the holiday magic of this heartwarming Nutcracker as the Oakland Ballet Company continues its renaissance under the artistic direction of Ronn Guidi. Michael Morgan will be conducting members of the Oakland East Bay Symphony for all performances.
   
• Register for New Year's  Balloon Drop at Chabot Space & Science Center:  Continue a family tradition, but sign up soon, because space is filling up. Celebrate the New Year with your family and still hire go out and celebrate with your adult friends, because it's a daytime celebration marking Greenwich time; for kids that is as unique as Chabot Space & Science Center. Cost is $3 per child. to register, call 336-7373.