• Shortline Park Clean Up at Corner of Moraga and Thornhill, Saturday, January 24, 9-11:30 am: The Montclair Safety & Improvement Council (MSIC), the NCPC for Montclair, adopted this spot and installed the pocket park. Once a month, volunteers work to weed, pick up trash, trim shrubs, and fill in bare spots with new plantings, when necessary. If you would like to join in, contact Jill Broadhurst at 338-0110. Bring gloves, tools, and water to drink.

The 2009 "Year of the Ox " Lunar New Year Bazaar in Oakland's Chinatown, Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25, 10 am-5 pm:  The main stage is located inside the Pacific Renaissance Plaza's Courtyard at 388 9th Street and over 100 booths line Ninth, Franklin and surrounding streets. The Bazaar features diverse cultural entertainment including lion dances and martial arts, exquisite food demonstrations, fortune telling, and a Little Prince and Princess Contest (sponsored by Oakland Chinatown Lion's Club). The shops and booths feature everything you need for a Chinese New Year from "lucky money" envelopes (right), to spring flowers and other decorations, and holiday foods which must include whole chickens, oranges, roast pork, and many other delights.  Schedule.   FREE

• Chabot Science Center Also Rings in the Year of the Ox,  Saturday, January 24, 11am- 4pm: Crafts and traditional Chinese New Year activities for kids. Activities are FREE with General Admission. I can tell you as this year's Chabot Center board chair all museums are hurting with a downturn in attendance, memberships and donations.  Please help our local gems.  The Chabot Science Center is a particularly great place for rainy day family activities.

• Joaquin Miller Nursery Work Day, Saturday Noon-4:30 pm:  The Friends of Sausal Creek with help from the City and my District Capital funds have developed this nursery to propagate native plants for creek restoration throughout the city.  The Friends of Sausal Creek work here almost every Saturday but need more help than usual today.  Help get the nursery into shape by spreading the shade cloths, working on irrigation systems, and preparing plants. They plan to work through only light rain.

• First Chance for Bargains at the Oakland Museum White Elephant Preview Sale, Sunday, January 25, 10-4 pm:  If you have lived in the East Bay for any amount of time, you know that the largest "rummage sale" is the annual White Elephant Sale in support of the Oakland Museum. The huge sale is the first weekend in March, but this Preview Sale offers bargain hunters the first pick of the marvelous merchandise. Last year I bought antique Venetian glass beads and a great 50's retro vase.  My daughter picked up tools, pillows, and a chair for her new house.  Tickets are $12.50 in advance and $15 at the door. The sale is at the  Warehouse, 333 Lancaster Street (at Glascock) in Oakland.
   
• Family Explorations! Lunar New Year Celebration and Other Asian Traditions at the Oakland Museum, Sunday, January 25, Noon-5pm: Bring the family for one of the Museum's most popular events to welcome the Year of the OX with lion and dragon dancing, music, acrobats, dance, calligraphy, cooking  and martial arts demonstrations, and arts and crafts activities. Many hands on decorations for kids to make.  Join in the New Year's parade at the end of the day, included with museum admission. (Above) Last year a chef demonstrates food carving.
   
• Sunday Family Hikes at Chabot Space and Science Center, Sunday, January 25: (9 am-11 am) Redwoods to Cosmos (8 years & up) (1:30 pm - 2:30 pm) Little Tike Hike (5 years & up). Experience the ecosystem walking through the beautiful, shady paths of the Redwood Regional Park, led by a naturalist from the East Bay Regional Park District. Then explore the cosmos at Chabot with hands-on interactive exhibits and displays and be amazed how your child's Universe can expand in one excursion! Tickets are $5 plus General Admission to Chabot Space & Science Center. Register by calling the Box Office at 336-7373.

• Maxwell Park NCPC Planting at Courtland Creek this Sunday, January 25, 9 am-Noon: Switching to the 4th Sunday in 2009, volunteers will  pick up trash and install new plants at the Courtland & Redding median.  Kids are welcome. Some gloves & some tools provided -- if you have your own (shovels, picks etc) that would help. Snacks, coffee and water provided. Contact Jan Hetherington.
   
• Is Establishing a Garden Conservancy an Answer to Oakland's Park Maintenance Challenges? Sunday, January 25, 1:30 pm, Lakeside Park Garden Center: Hear Antonia Adezio, President of the Garden Conservancy,  a national non-profit that has assisted with the preservation of gardens of merit around the country,  Ms. Adezio will present slides and examples of successes, such as Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek and the historic gardens on Alcatraz Island. Free Admission.
   
• Mayor's State of the City Address, Monday, January  26, 5:30-7:30 pm, City Hall:  Watch parties are being organized for this event at various parts of the city.  For more information:  www.MayorRonDellums.org  or 238-3141.
   
• Piedmont Pines Neighborhood Association 2009 Annual Meeting, Monday, January 26, 6 pm, Chabot Space & Science Center. Last year, more than 200 Piedmont Pines residents attended this annual event, not only to hear the latest news of their Neighborhood Association (not the least of which is the progression of the  undergrounding along Ascot) but also a "Green" fair, with informational booths from a variety of local and "green" organizations.For details, check out the Piedmont Pines Neighborhood Association website.

• Business Forum on the Energy and Climate Action Plan for Oakland, Wednesday, January 28, 3-5 pm, Oakland Chamber of Commerce Offices, 475 14th St. In the second of a series of meetings for public comment, City staff wants input from the business community on how to minimize energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The chart above shows that most greenhouse emissions in our city are caused by transportation, commercial and industry sources account for 21%. For more information on the Energy & Climate Action Plan.
   
• Special Anniversary Screening of The Right Stuff at Chabot Space &Science Center, Thursday, January 29, 6:15-10:30 pm: Special guest panel prior to film. Reservations are required. Call 336-7373 today.
  
  
   
• Author Mardi Horowitz at a Great Good Place for Books on Thursday, January 29th at 7 pm: He will be discussing his new book, A Course in Happiness: Mastering the 3 Levels of Self-Understanding That Lead to True and Lasting Contentment. A Great Good Place for Books is located at 6121 La Salle Avenue in Montclair.
   
• Oakland Inside Out: Portrait of a City at Oakland Tech, Thursday, January 29 and Friday, January 30: Following the style of documentary-based dramatist Anna Deveare Smith, drama students at Oakland Tech went out into the community and interviewed people from all over the city, asking them questions about Oakland. They have turned the interviews into a full production piece. "My class feels that this is a production that many should see, because it is a positive and enlightening piece on Oakland . Especially with the negative attention Oakland is receiving right now, we believe that this could bring positive light to our city," explains Molly Katz, one of the performers.  $5 pre-sale tickets are available at the Tech Box Office, open between 12:45 and 1:30 pm between January 26 and January 30; $8 at the door. The Thursday performance is more family oriented than the Friday performance, which is "unedited, explicit".

• "Day of Remembrance & Healing:"  On Saturday the Mayor's Task Force on Youth and Violence sponsored several meetings to honor those who died from violence.  I attended the meeting at the Fruitvale Transit Village. I sat in on a circle with youth and educators. We each spoke about how violence has touched our lives.  Teachers spoke about their students, students talked about living with frequent shootings in their neighborhoods.  One young man had lost his brother and best friend recently, "I am so angry, I just don't know what to do."
   
• The 17th on 17th:  Jim and Margaret McClardy are known for the good works as members of MSIC, the Montclair Safety & Improvement Council.  Jim worked on Shortline Park and helped us put up our fundraising sign for Shepherd Canyon.  They are are also among the many merchants and businesses hurt by the trashing of 17th Street by a small splinter group during the Oscar Grant demonstrations. Margaret's store was not damaged but they kept the windows boarded up because of continuing demonstrations. (Above) Jim and Margaret center.

We joined dozens of supporters at the SOBO Street Party.  I bought some of my favorite salon shampoo at a good discount and some retro earrings.  We ate pho (Vietnmese noodles) and promise to come back to try the Thai, Japanese and new coffee shops.  Too often most of us drive by streets like this, walking and discovering this tight knit community was fun and full of surprises.  We hope you'll come by and support them, too. 

• MLK Day On, Not Off:  I tried to get to several service events this year.  Starting off with greeting over 100 volunteers in the upper meadow of Shepherd Canyon on Escher Drive.  The restoration of this area has been doggedly led by Adrienne and Herb Bryant, who have led monthly work parties for about 5 years.

<<The Mills College Swim team helps clear cement debris dumped into the creek.

• For over a decade I have attended the longest on-going MLK event at the International Longshoremen's Union Hall, where union members, East Oakland residents, and politicians gather annually. Many help clean-up the MLK Shoreline Park afterwards.

I spent most of MLK Day walking with ACORN in West Oakland.  We distributed information to residents on their rights as tenants and as home owners.

•  Renters have full rights as tenants and cannot be evicted just because a building is in foreclosure.
• Home owners workshops are available to help refinance.  I met one family whose payment went from $3200 a month to $5400.
• Resources

• Stopping by the Asian American Bone Marrow Donor Program Drive I was able to register in less than 10 minutes.  Swabs, not needles, are used to get samples.
   

Local Heroes 2009:

Every year since I took office, we have honored outstanding neighborhood volunteers who step forward to make a real difference on their block and in their neighborhood.  Top winners receive grants towards a capital project for their organization of choice, and all winners receive free tickets to an A's or Warrior's game. And this year, all nominees will receive a  copy of our President Obama Inauguration Commemorative Poster (your friends can get copies if they sign up for our newsletter). Come not only to cheer on your nominated friends, but to become energized by the enthusiasm and community spirit that fills the room. Refreshments and entertainment, including Mr. Nelson's 2nd Grade class' presentation for the 2009 Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Fest and a Lion Dance to ring in the Year of the Ox by the Buk Sing Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu Association.
 

• Local Heroes 2008
• Local Heroes 2007
• Local Heroes 2006
• Local Heroes 2005
• Local Heroes 2004

• Congratulations to the Laurel's Glenn's Hot Dogs: Glenn's Hot Dogs on MacArthur was featured in SF Guardian last week, in the "MEALS FOR $5: TOP FIVE CHEAP EATS". "Glenn's Hot Dogs - A cozy, friendly, cheap, delicious hole-in-the-wall and probably my favorite counter to sit at in the whole Bay Area." It is located at 3506 MacArthur Blvd. in the Laurel. 530-5175.
   
• More Restaurant News:  The Dimond's Indian restaurant, Shaan, was reviewed in the SF Chronicle this week.  Meanwhile, in the Laurel a new Italian restaurant will be opening in our old office building, 4173 MacArthur.  In the surveys we have done for both the Dimond and Laurel, an Italian restaurant was a top choice.
   

• Starting 2012 "Boomers" will start retiring in massive numbers (if we can afford to?)
• More households will be childless.
  • In 1950, 50% of homes had children
  • Today, 33% have children
  • By 2020, only 25% will have children
• Suburban dwellers pay 25% of their income for transportation, urban dweller only spend 9%
• 51% of retirees want to live in or near an urban area, only 19% want to live in the suburbs, 30% want to live in a rural area. 
• Communities built along public transit are more resilient and maintain their property values better.
• There is a new preference for Urban Living, half of the population wants public transit access and to be able to walk to schools, shopping and restaurants.

• First Budget Hearing: The Council heard the Mayor's first report on projected finances for the next two year budget commencing July 1st.  The first projections which seem to be on target with current economic trends, predict we will have to cut $50 million in the first year and $58 million in the second.  These predictions do not include the very likely additional cuts from the State which still has not balanced this year's budget. 

In addition to discussing the financial projections, the Council discussed the Mayor's decision to delay police academies. In order to keep the police at the budgeted numbers, the Council must decide whether to move the date for new academies up by April.  This issue will be discussed in Committe next month. 

 In addition the Council discussed potential new ballot measures, decisions must be made by early March:  reversal of Measure OO, a new attempt to fund more police, a measure to restore cuts in park maintenance & lighting, a hotel tax to fund cultural and art institutions, and a general tax increase. We also discussed the list of projects to be submitted to the Obama Administration for the Economic Stimulus Package including our unfunded capital needs in streets, sewers, building maintenance, teen centers, the Bike Plan, Safe Routes to School projects, new libraries and upgrades, and fully funding Headstart.

•  Report on the Reorganization of the Mayor's Office Released:  The so-called Bobb report on how to reorganize the city administration & Mayor's office was released this week.  The report basically recommends that Dellums take more authority as the CEO of the city merging the Mayor's and City Administrators staff to save $1.2 million. This means that the Mayor is likely to announce new staff positions and layoffs when he gives his State of the City report on January 26.   The report would make the Mayor responsible for setting and attaining performance measures and greater policy initiative, roles he now shares with the Council.

Winter Emergency Preparedness Tips from CORE

• Free CORE emergency preparedness classes (Part 1 & 2) offered on two consecutive Tuesdays, Feb 17 and 24, 7-9:30 pm at the Greek Orthodox Church at the top of Lincoln Avenue.
   
• Reminder about CORE Emergency Water Supplies: If you haven't checked your emergency water supply, we suggest you do so. The new standard for CORE volunteers is to keep 7-10 days worth of food and water on hand for your household, including at least 2 gallons of water per person per day. That would include drinking, cooking and basic cleaning.   Don't forget your pets, who need water, as well.
   
• Artists Wanted for Measure DD Public Watershed Markers Project: Bay Area artists are invited to apply for the opportunity to design an interpretive public art marker that celebrates and identifies the role of the watershed systems of Oakland, California, including creeks, lakes, and the estuary. Oakland is home to 15 main creeks (including Sausal Creek) and over 40 smaller tributaries, all of which play a vital role in the city's health and well-being. The selected artist will create a prototype of the art marker and will fabricate and install the first series of markers based on this prototype at various key locations in the Oakland watershed systems. Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2009. Project Budget: $92,000. All applications must be submitted through CaFÉ (www.callforentry.org ). Look under "CaFÉ Listings" to find this opportunity.

•  Warm Weather Brings out Solicitors:  We've been getting reports of solicitors from all over the City's hills-- Hiller Highlands in Beat 13Y-North Hills NCPC to Parkridge Estates in Beat 25Y (District 6). Quick action on the part of residents in refusing to open doors and calling the police has resulted in a strong response from police. The police have indicated that a pattern of solicitors checking to see if someone is home and, if not,  to try to break into the back yard has been reported throughout the hills city-wide. Not only should you NOT open your door but, if necessary, call through the door that your neighborhood does not open doors for solicitors and that you are calling the police. And then, call it in. City laws require solicitors to have annual City permits and prohibits them from ringing or knocking on doors with "No Peddler" signs. The Montclair Safety & Improvement Council (MSIC) has a handy list of tips on what to do when a solicitor comes to your door at its website.
   
• Children's Hospital Warns About Imposter: Children's Hospital sent out an announcement this week warning residents about someone going door to door posing as a fundraiser for the hospital. The hospital's media relations director Diana Yee said the man identifies himself as a UC Berkeley student and displays a laminated certificate as "proof" of his legitimacy. He claims he is raising money for the hospital through the sale of books and magazines, Yee said. Yee said the hospital does not raise donations via door-to-door sales, but donations are accepted online at www.childrenshospitaloakland.org.
   
• Mail Theft in Estates Drive Area:  This week it appears that someone took mail from many of the unlocked mail boxes in this area.  If you have an unlocked, curbside mail box you might want to invest in a locking mailbox.
   
• Oakland Police Department Citizens' Police Academy Accepting Applications:  For those wanting an inside look at the workings of the Oakland Police Department, the Citizens' Police Academy is where to go.  The Academy will run every Tuesday from February 24 to June 2.  Classes will meet at the Oakland Police Department, Administration Building, 455 7th Street, 6-9 pm.  Those accepted into the Academy will learn about police procedures, crime prevention techniques and criminal law.  Instructors will be Officers from all ranks and all Sections of the Department, and civilian employees from the City of Oakland.  Homicide investigations and vice and narcotics crimes are part of the topics, and there will be field trips to the police crime lab, dispatch center, demonstrations by Canine and SWAT Officers, and ride-alongs with a Patrol Officer.  Since beginning in 1994, hundreds of people have graduated from the Academy and some have become Oakland Officers and civilian volunteers.  There is no cost to attend the Academy. 
  
  For more information or to apply, please call Ms. Paula White, Police Services Technician, at 238-4523  or email pwhite@oaklandnet.com 
   

• FBI Warns of Jury Duty Scam: The caller claims to be a jury coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. Give out any of this information and bingo; your identity was just stolen. The fraud has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma , Illinois , and Colorado. This (swindle) is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they are with the court system. The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.
   
• Casual Carpool to Move High Street to MacArthur?:  The Redwood Hts-Laurel NCPC had a lively meeting two weeks ago about moving the Casual Carpool spot off of High Street where many have complained of dangerous interference with the freeway entrance and about illegal cars on the sidewalk that have endangered pedestrians.  While Walgreen's has offered its space, many commuters thought it was too far from the N Bus Stop and required a left turn.  They suggested moving it to MacArthur.  We conducted a walking survey with traffic engineers, police, and neighbors a consensus is developing around a MacArthur location.  We are discussing the logistics and whether we can have signage.  More news soon.
   
• 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.
• 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.

Valentine's Day Parent's Night Out Party at Redwood Heights Recreation Center, Saturday, February 14, 6-11:30 pm: Dinner, movies, crafts and games for school-aged kids, Kindergarten and up. Bring pillow and blankets so your kids can be comfortable. $20 early registration; $30 on Valentine's Day. Call 482-7827 to register.

 

• Camps in Common 4th Annual Camp Kick-Off and Ice Cream Social & Fundraiser: Saturday, January 31, 2-4:30 pm, Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church: Help support the City of Oakland's Feather River Camp. Silent auction proceeds will support Feather River Camp Youth Programs. Music by Howard Pomerantz and the Impeachments, the OFRC Garage Band and Classical Guitarist Larry Ferrara. Bring family and friends. For detials, call 336-2267. (Above) Folk dancing class at Feather River Camp.

• Register Your Voice Against Budget Cuts to California Schools:

(1) California Public School parents website to share information on the budget cuts and parent organizing efforts around the budget cuts:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/californiapublicschoolparents/
 

(2) Facebook page called Californians Against Public Education Funding Cuts:
 

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=44637052282
 

Please invite your friends from around the State to join us at these two sites. Sacramento needs to hear that California public school parents won't tolerate any more cuts to public education.

• e=girl power2 -Science Saturday Workshop for Girls in grades 6-8, February 7, 14 and 21,11 am - 2 pm, Chabot Space and Science Center: Become the ultimate green gear girl. Dismantle a sewing machine and become a cutting edge designer by using recycled materials to create clothes and simple circuits powered by the sun. Transform everyday items into personalized works of art. $110 members / $120 non-members per 3-day workshop. To register, call 336-7381.
   
• Marcus Foster Education Fund Receives $250,000 4-year Grant to Increase College Readiness in Oakland, Seeks Mentors:The Marcus Foster Education Fund (formerly Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute) received a four year grant from the College Access Foundation in the amount of $250,000 to support UpHigh, Uniting Potential with Experience for Higher Learning, a new component of our College Scholarship Program. UpHigh is a comprehensive, long-term program that awards multiple year scholarships and matches Marcus Foster scholars with mentors.  By providing financial and human support, UpHigh aims to increase the college enrollment and graduate rate for Marcus Foster scholars, all of whom are low-income and first-generation college students in Oakland public schools. If interested in learning more about becoming an UpHigh mentor, please call 835-0391 or visit their website at  www.marcusfoster.org under Programs - UpHigh.
   
• Seeking Dance Teachers to Volunteer at Redwood Heights Elementary School: Four first grade teachers are planning a fantastic unit to teach students about dances from around the world. We are seeking teachers or dancers to teach dances over four-week sessions. February through May, once a week for 4, 8, 12, or 16 weeks, FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING. For details contact Rebecca Weissman if interested or for more details at 301-7808
   
• Oakland Rotary Expands Popular Oakland Reads Program: Last year, the Rotary Club of Oakland gave out thousands of books-- 3 books to every 3rd grader at OUSD schools. This year, in honor of the Rotary Club's 100th Anniversary, the club has expanded the program to provide 3 books to every 3rd grader in both traditional AND charter schools in Oakland, as well as in schools in Emeryville (as the North Oakland Rotary Club has folded into the downtown Oakland club.)  Books--one each at easy, medium and challenging levels--will be distributed March 17,18 and 19.  If you would like to help support this program with donations or help sort books, please contact Jenna Stouffer at 316-3122.

• Dramatic storyteller J.P. Myrick  entertains, educates and motivates with her depictions of African American women who left their mark on history. In a pair of performances at library branches Ms. Myrick will portray scientist and inventor Madame C.J. Walker and underground railroad hero Harriet Tubman.
  • Lakeview Branch, 550 El Embarcadero, (510) 238-7344, Thursday, February 5, 1 pm (Ms. Myrick will portray C.J. Walker.)
  • Martin L. King Jr. Branch, 6833 International Blvd., (510) 615-5728, Tuesday, February 10, 2:30 pm (Ms. Myrick will portray Harriet Tubman.)
     

• Building Healthy Communities: A Restorative Justice Teach-In on Youth Violence, Saturday, January 31, 8 am-2:30 pm: St. John Community Center,6500 Gladys Avenue, El Cerrito. Catholic Charities of the East Bay offer this free workshop on Restorative Justice--more than a process for dealing with the aftermath of violence; it is a philosophy that can bring healing to broken relationships within our communities & institutions. Featured speakers:

• Fr. Michael Kennedy, SJ, Author, Spiritual Director, Pastor of St. John Community Center
• The Hon. Gail Bereola, Presiding Judge, Alameda County Juvenile Court
• The Youth Peace Academy, CCEB Crisis Response Support Network
• Fania Davis, Executive Director, Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth
• Barbara, McClung, Oakland Unified School District
• Rita Alfred, Cole Middle School

• Music Poetry Art--First Fridays at Studio One, Friday, February 6, 6:30 pm: Explore local talent.  In conjunction with Oakland's monthly Art Murmur, come join us for an evening of live music, visual art, poetry readings, and engaging conversations with guest artists and Studio One teachers.  The visual artist reception begins at 6:30 pm. Featured artist photojournalist Jennifer Ward will be presenting her new urban photography and spoken word essay project "Outside In: A New Oakland View."   At 7:30 pm, the Literary Reading Series begins featuring Rick Meier and Lisa Gschwandtner who will share their latest work.  Singer-songwriter and co-creator of "Tango La Melodia," Paige Heimsoth, will also perform.
  Sliding scale donations from $5-$10 are suggested. Other February events on their website.
   

• Community Workshop on Joaquin Miller Park, Saturday, February 14, 10-Noon, Joaquin Miller Community Center:  This is a follow-up to a series of workshops our office held with the community in 2005. It resulted in a laundry list of ideas, which were then prioritized by the Joaquin Miller Working Group that our office has staffed. For details about what has been accomplished to date, and to complete our survey, click here. Please pass the word about this upcoming meeting to friends, neighbors and other park users. For details, contact Sue Piper in our office at 238-7042.

• February Events at Chabot Space and Science Center:
   
  • Now on Chabot's Menu- A la Carte Astronomy Classes, Starting Thursday, February 5, (6:30 pm-8:30 pm): The first class focuses on the latest information on robotic missions to Mars and Saturn. Our Space Pop Adult Astronomy classes will satisfy your curiosity about our solar system and beyond. Classes are $25 each/ $22 for members. Each Thursday brings a new topic to explore. Future class information available at www.chabotspace.org.
  • The Universe's First Ever eXo Party! Friday, February 6, (6 pm-10 pm): An X-tra special evening celebration at Chabot in celebration of all things X-tra-terrestrial. Guests are encouraged to come in alien costumes. Special live planetarium presentations, live music, food and activities for the whole family including telescope viewing (weather permitting). Tickets include an all-access pass to the hands-on interactive exhibits at Chabot, a special scientific presentation about exoplanets and much more, even a Moonlight hike. Tickets: $20 Adults / $18 Students / $15 Members. More information and schedule of events at www.chabotspace.org.
  • Valentine's Day Love Missions, Saturday, February 14, (1:30 pm & 3:30 pm) and Sunday, February 15 (1:30 pm & 3:30 pm):  Celebrate with your Valentine and take a simulated space mission to the Red Planet. Couples are stranded on a spacecraft and will need to use teamwork to fix it and continue to Mars. The Mars package includes an all access pass to Chabot, plus chocolates, fizzy Martian beverage, and a souvenir of your trip to outer space.
    Tickets: $85 per couple/$80 Members. To register call 510-336-7421.
    Box Office (510) 336-7373, Online tickets www.chabotspace.org.
     

• Removal of French Broom for Fire Safety in Joaquin Miller Park, Saturday, February 28, 9 am-Noon: Please join members of the Joaquin Miller Working Group in helping to clear the highly flammable and invasive French broom along the Sunset Trail in Joaquin Miller Park. Meet at the Ranger Station between 8:45 and 9 am. Bring gloves, water, hat and sunscreen. RSVP to Sue Piper at 238-7042.

Help Support Animal Rescue:

Garden with the Friends of Sausal Creek

• Great Good Place for Book's Anti Super-Bowl Party with New York Times Best-Selling Author Lauren Groff, Sunday, February 1 at 3 pm: Lauren Groff,  author of The Monsters of Templeton, will be the guest for at a Great Good Place for Books' second "anti-Super Bowl" party on Sunday, February 1st at 3:00 p.m. She will discuss her new collection of short stories, Delicate Edible Birds. A Great Good Place for Books is located at 6121 La Salle Avenue in Montclair.
   

• Oakland Boys Club Alumni Association's Annual Crab Feed, Saturday, February 7, Anne Marie Whalen Clubhouse, 3300 High Street, 5:30 pm: The Oakland Boys Club Alumni Association is having their annual crab feed on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Ann Marie Whalen Clubhouse, 3300 High Street, Oakland.  $45:00 per person.  Doors open at 5:30pm. Crab dinner served between 6:00-8:00pm.  This event is a fundraiser that benefits programs of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland. The OBCAA is a major sponsor of Boys & Girls Club of Oakland.  With the support of the community, family and friends, this organization has contributed more than $65,000 since 2000. For tickets 531-6041.