• AAUW Oakland-Piedmont Celebrates Local Writer at Annual Author Event Saturday, April 4, 2-4 pm, Rockridge Library, 5366 College Avenue: Yiyun Li grew up in Beijing and came to the United States in 1996. Her debut collection, A Thousand Years of Good Prayers, won the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award, PEN/Hemingway Award, Guardian First Book Award, and California Book Award for first fiction. She was selected by Granta as one of the 21 Best Young American Novelists under 35. Her recent novel, The Vagrants, has received rave reviews in national magazines and has been on the San Francisco Chronicle top ten best sellers list. Yiyun lives in Oakland with her husband and their two sons, and teaches at University of California, Davis.
   
• Have You Done Your Taxes?  With less than two weeks to go, you can still get free help at Oakland's libraries, see #14 below.  Many low income families can file even if they do not owe taxes; they may be eligible for an Earned Income Tax Credit.  Each year an estimated $30 million plus goes unclaimed in our area.
   
• One Hundred Hours of Astronomy, Chabot Science Center, through Sunday April 5th:  Part of an international Astronomy Year, this world wide star party encourages you celebrate the skies. See a planetarium show, learn about telescopes, (or begin making one!) interact with the solar system with Chabot's hands-on exhibits, talk with an astronomer, or check out the latest astronomy books and software available at Chabot's Starry Night Gift Store. Chabot's giant, historic telescopes are open on Friday and Saturday evenings, free of charge, to view planets, stars, star clusters, nebulae and other wonders of the night sky. Enjoy this video from last week's KQED story about Chabot's asteroid hunters. www.chabotspace.org
   
• Eggstravaganza-- The Wonder of Eggs at the Oakland Museum, Sunday, April 5, 1-5 pm:  A creative and scientific celebration to honor the egg. Meet a local organic farmer, a scientist, and a live chicken! Arts & crafts for the whole family.  Presented in collaboration with DEAF Media and Organic Valley Farm. Included with museum admission.
   
• Look Out for Painted Ladies:  The Pacific Coast trek of Painted Lady butterflies is underway.  If you need an excuse for getting out on a hike this weekend, this is it.  While not as thick as in 2005 you can see them making their way about 6 or 12 feet above the ground.  Hatched from eggs laid in the deserts of Southern California and northern Mexico, it takes three days of near-constant flight to arrive in our region. They head north when desert vegetation dries and visit flowers, such as thistles, mallows and fiddleneck to feed, mate and lay eggs. The next generation continues the pilgrimage up the Pacific Coast to Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.  
  
   
• Oakland LGBT Community Leadership Roundtable, Monday, April 6, 5-6:30 pm, Hearing Room 3, Oakland City Hall:  Former Councilmember Danny Wan led regular meetings of an LBGT Community Leadership Roundtable hosted by the City to provide opportunities for community-building, as well as to discuss and advance goals and issues. This group has not met for a couple years; Council Member at Large Rebecca Kaplan hopes to restart this effort. RSVP to Ada Chan at 238-7083.
   
• Spring Day Camp at Chabot Space & Science Center, April 6-10: Full day camps during the Spring Break, $350 for members; $385 for non members; Pre and After Camp Daycare Available: 8-8:55 am  $35,  4-5:30 pm $35; both $60. Camp includes a hike in the redwoods, and one Planetarium and one theater show. Call 336-7426 to register.
   
• Spanish Conversation Group at the Dimond Library, Tuesday, April 7, 6:30-7:30 pm: Improve your Spanish speaking skills and learn new vocabulary. Participants should be familiar with the basics. Drop-ins are welcome. The group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

Bookmark "Members' First Choice" Sale Day Supports Oakland Public Library, Wednesday, April 8, 10:30 am-5:30 pm

Easter Events in Oakland:

• Montclair Lion's Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Montclair Park, Sunday, April 12, 9 am sharp.
   
• Wa Sang Easter Pancake Breakfast, Sunday, April 12, 9-11 am:, Lincoln Square:  East meets West over this annual Chinatown tradition.  Enjoy a definitely western breakfast of pancakes, sausages, orange juice and coffee or tea for a nominal fee while watching community exhibitions of dancing, martial arts, music and other entertainment.  Save your ticket for the raffle of Easter baskets and other goodies.  Proceeds benefit the Wa Sang Service Club's many good works.
   
• Easter is the FREE Second Sunday at the Oakland Museum, April 12, Noon-5 pm:  For information on exhibits.

• I will be speaking to members of the Chamber of Commerce on Friday, April 17, 8:30-10 am at their regular Inside Oakland Breakfast Forum at the Chamber's Board Room. Admission free to Chamber Members. RSVP by Wednesday, April 15 by calling 874-4817.
• The Mayor and City Council Members will hold 3 joint hearings in April before he releases his proposed budget in May:
  •  Tuesday, April 14, 6:30pm (Castlemont H.S.*)
  •  Monday, April 20, 6:30pm (Brewer Middle*)
  • Monday, April 27, 6:30pm (Lakeside Garden Center)
    *location to be confirmed
• Council Schedule for Budget Approval
  • Presentation of the Mayor's Proposed Budget,Wednesday, May 13, 4-7pm, Council Chambers
  • Budget Workshop #1,Thursday, May 28, 4-7pm, Council Chambers
  • Budget Workshop #2, Monday, June 1, 4-7pm, Council Chambers
  •  Final Budget Adoption and First Reading of Ordinances,Tuesday,  June 16, 6 pm, Council Chambers
  • Second Reading of Ordinances, Tuesday, June 30, 6 pm, Council Chambers)
     
• In addition, there will be a live televised "Budget Townhall" on Wednesday, May 27 at 6:30 pm during which KTOP viewers can call-in to have their budget questions answered on-air.
• Oakland residents can also email in their comments, suggestions or questions to budgetsuggestions@oaklandnet.com 
   

• The Council approved a series of cuts and delayed projects that will fill the gap of a $8 million deficit projected for this year just as staff warned that continued higher Police costs, the first decrease in property taxes in 30 years, and other reduced revenues may bring anothe $10 million gap, bringing the total deficit for next year to over $60 million.  The ballot measures below would only fill the gap by $8-16 million if they all pass.
   
• Cuts at the Swimming Pools? Closed Fields?  Recently we received  scores of emails about closing swimming pools and fields. All City programs now face about a 20% reduction based on projections for next year.  In addition, parks are going to be harder hit because we were not able to enact the recent passage of the Landscape and Lighting District increase, a loss of $10 million.  In the fall we laid off about one-third of parks & lighting maintenance staff, each year the shortfall in the program will increase because there has been no increase since 1993.  We expect to layoff more park maintenance people, bringing the total park maintenance staffing to half  of what it was one year ago.  

As for pools there may be reductions but total closure is unlikely. Based on suggestions from swimmers we have raised fees for swimming, but they are still far below comparable alternatives. We have asked the staff to bring us full options for the budget discussions. The issue of fields are more complex.  Based on current staff, grass will not be cut as often and garbage cans are being eliminated at many sites.  Staff to turn on lights, open and close restrooms and gates are also reduced.  We expect proposals from Parks and Rec over the next few weeks. (Above) An invasion of green ducks at Dimond's Lion Pool.

• Council Passes Compromise on Youth Programs, Reduces Percentage of Budget for Kids Programs to 3 Percent of the Unrestricted General Budget:  The Council passed (6-2) a compromise ballot measure that will reduce funding for youth programs about $3 million from the level set by Measure OO, but keeps the funds at least $2 million above the original funding level.  This stops the massive increase of $12 million more scheduled for 2011.  For me it was heartening to see both youth and their advocates understand the impact Measure OO would have on other programs.  The Mayor and Council Members Kernighan and Brunner also joined me to work on the compromise. (Above) Pre-school parents speak at the Council meeting on behalf of pre-school programs.
   
• A Hotel tax increase of 3 percent to Fund both Convention and Marketing Programs and Cultural institutions and the Arts was approved for the ballot. San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento and many major cities reserve part of their hotel tax revenues for museums, festivals, and cultural arts programs. This helps get regional funding for institutions and events which help the tourist, hotel and convention industry. This will take some of the burden off of Oakland taxpayers and could provide a more steady source of funding for the Oakland Zoo, Museum, Chabot Space Center, artists and festivals.  Over the years the city funding for these institutions has decreased dramatically. Additionally, the City recently drastically cut funding for the Convention and Visitors Bureau and hotels were considering a room fee to pay for it.  This combines both measures with fund equally split and the Oakland Convention and Visitors program responsible for a marketing program that includes all city funded cultural institutions.  Even Chronicle columnist Chip Johnson seems to like the idea.
• The Council has also put a technical fix on the ballot to ensure that corporations are treated the same as individuals in Real Estate sales.

Three other measures were approved to go to the full Council on April 21st:

• A parcel tax to replace the Landscape and Lighting District (LLAD) increase which was approved last year but not enacted by the City because of a San Jose lawsuit challenging how taxes were determined by household. As a result about 80 employees and positions (about half of the LLAD staff) were eliminated from public works and more cuts are expected next year. Because of the likely  legal challenges caused by this ruling, a parcel tax for about $46 would be substituted to restore park and lighting maintenance to last year's level.  Without this measure staffing for these services would be about half of what we had last year. This will only enable us to rehire some maintenance employees and avoid further layoffs in the next budget.  Since the original LLAD was passed in 1993 there has been no increase, but over 300 acres of new parks have been added as well as 9,000 more lights and 11,000 more trees.  The recent passage of the Regional Parks District WW will add even more park facilities.
   
• An Alternative to a Parcel Tax Above might be a Temporary General Sales Tax Increase of one quarter or half cent for three years which could fund a wider spectrum of services including police, senior, road and sewer repairs as well as parks has also been drafted.  This would also tax a wider spectrum of citizens than a parcel tax because it would include renters (about half our population) and day workers.  The disadvantage is that the state has just raised the sales tax and sales taxes are generally regressive, taxing a higher percentage for lower income families and Alameda County has already passed additional sales taxes for AC Transit and Highland Hospital.  Each quarter cent represents about $8 million in revenues.

• One more Measure will likely be introduced in the coming weeks which would increase the  Medical Marijuana Club tax rates.  This measure would bring in about a half million in revenues.

• The police expect to get additional federal funds for the Department of Justice under the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for prevention, education, and other supplemental programs. 

In addition, the Council approved a $59 million application to the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to fund approximately 100 officers for three years. This will fund at least two police academies which were are risk because of the city's projected $56 million deficit.  One class stands ready to go as soon as the City has the funds; in a recent report the department reported that all but two of the original classes that would have started late last year have indicated they are still interested in proceeding in what could be a June or July start date. It may also allow us to maintain the police force in the midst of major cuts to other programs.

• The City will also join the County and the Family Justice Center in applying for funds to combat Human Trafficking. 

• The California League of Cities briefing book on the stimulus package outlines many of the major programs in the package. 

• Fire Station 18 to Temporarily Relocate During Construction of New Station:  In late April Station 18's trucks and crew will move over to Station 23 at 7100 Foothill Blvd and to Station 29 at 1016 66th Avenue while the station is demolished and rebuilt.  It is hoped that the work will be done within 12-18 months.  Station 18 is the oldest in the city and could not accommodate new fire engines.  Last year I was able to get funding in the Redevelopment budget. Stop by and say good-by to the crews, let's hope to see them back soon.
   
• Save the Horace Mann School Salad Bar:  The Melrose High Hopes NCPC is working to raise $10,000 by May 1 so that Horace Mann School's salad bar can continue to operate during the next school year.  They have raised $4000 and need $6000 more. With money the NCPC raised for this school year, all 350 students enjoyed the salad bar every school day.  The salad bar provides good nutrition today and introduces students to healthy food alternatives that will help them avoid obesity, heart disease, and diabetes tomorrow.  Checks to "OUSD Nutrition Services"  can be sent to Principal Alanna Lim, Horace Mann School, 5222 Ygnacio Ave, Oakland 94601.
   
•  Send a Student to Washington!  Many thanks to one our newsletter readers Terry Kulka for donating her frequent flyer miles to cover the travel of Horace Man 5th Grader Jasiri Gibson, one of 5 OUSD students nominated to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC, this summer. He still  needs our help to get there! He was selected based on his academic achievements (straight A student), maturity, strength of character, and leadership ability.  Jasiri needs to raise  $1860 for the program by May 19th.  If you would like to support Jasiri, please send cash or check to Jeanne Nixon at 5155 Fairfax Avenue, Oakland CA 94601. Call 533-3120.  
   
• The Seven Seas Bar in the Laurel Closes:   After years of complaints regarding nuisance and criminal activities associated with this location,  the Neighborhood Law Corps working with neighbors and our office have negotiated a closure of the bar that took effect on April 1st. Many people are aware that early in the morning on the day that this establishment was ordered to stop dispensing alcoholic beverages, it mysteriously caught fire. Needless to say, our office is looking into the circumstances surrounding the fire.
   
• Montclair Branch Library Closed until July for Mold Abatement: This week the Council approved extending the closure of the library for two weeks because of budget cuts. During the period the Montclair Branch will be closed, users can return their library materials to the book drop in front of the building. However, they will need to designate another library location to pick up any holds (i.e., reserved items) they might request while the Montclair Branch is closed. Nearby libraries include the Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue; Piedmont Avenue Branch, 160 41st Street; Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Avenue; and Temescal Branch, 5205 Telegraph Avenue. Information about public hours for these libraries can be found on the Library Website. For more information, please call  482-7810 or 238-3511.
   
• Beat 13 X,Y & Z Host  a Community Presentation on Sexually Exploited Minors and Domestic Violence, Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 pm,  Montclair  Recreation Center, 6300 Moraga: Guest speakers will include Nola Brantley from MISSSEY; a Measure Y-funded organization serving sexually exploited youth; and Cherri Allison, Executive Director of the Family Violence Law Center. The event will include a PowerPoint presentation as well as information about how these issues affect Hill communities. If you are interested, please RSVP with Michael Johnson in our office by Friday, April 10th.
   
• Vote for Montclair's 2009-2010 Pet Mayor: This annual event raises funds for the Montclair Veterinary Hospital Pet & Wildlife Fund. Nominations for the next "Pet Mayor" of Montclair are accepted between April 1 and April 30. All entries must be accompanied by a $25 entry fee and a CD with a digital photo of your pet. The Primary is May 3-May 31; Mayor's Race Voting is June 1-June 28 with the winner announced at 1 pm on June 28. For details, contact Lee Richter at 339-2400.

• Montclair Restaurant Walk, April 21: The Montclair Lions Club and the Montclair Village Association have organized a Montclair Restaurant Walk on April 21. Participating restaurants and food/beverage outlets are providing tasting of their best offerings.  The Lions Club is selling $25 coupon books for the event.  Local music groups are providing entertainment on the streets. Proceeds from the event support local nonprofits, including Montclair schools. For details go to the MVA website.

• Oakland's Earth Expo, Wednesday, April 15,10 am-2pm, Frank Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall--Check out how to: · reduce waste or compost · green your workplace · drive less · build or remodel green · reduce energy use · become a smarter consumer · bring your own bag · restore our creeks · practice bay-friendly gardening · hold a ZeroWaste event · reduce your carbon footprint · much more! Exchange your mercury thermometer for a digital thermometer. Bring it in a zipper bag to prevent spills. Pharmaceutical collection. Also recycle your used household batteries, old cell phones and cell phone batteries at the EXPO. For details...
   
• Did You Participate in Earth Hour Last Week? Earth Hour had people turn off their lights to raise awareness of climate change and greenhouse emissions. My friends at Chabot Space Center told me they noticed a slight lowering of lights in our area.  I was watching the amazingly professional West Side Story down the road at Skyline High and missed it, so I was delighted to notice this link on one our neighborhood listserv's that let's you see what happened at several famous cities and sites around the world.

Got Fruit!?

• Free "Green House Calls" from California Youth Energy Services (CYES): A CYES 'green house call' is a great way to save money, help the environment, and support young people all at the same time. Teams of professionally trained Energy Specialists will visit your home, install FREE energy saving equipment, and provide you with a personalized energy-saving plan.The California Youth Energy Services program is funded through the East Bay and Marin Energy Watches, Pacific Gas & Electric Company partnerships. The program is funded by California utility rate payers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. The summer program runs for six weeks starting June 30th, so call early to reserve your appointment! Call 665-1501 ext10 to sign up, or visit their website at www.risingsunenergy.org

• 500 Extra Free Bulky Pick Up Opportunities: Are you putting off your Spring cleaning? Don't wait! Waste Management is giving away 500 extra bulky waste pickups. When they're done, they're done. Individual home owners are already eligible for one bulky waste pick up a year. This would be an additional opportunity. Call 613-8710 to schedule an extra pick up.

• Free Drought Goodies from EBMUD:Check out EBMUD's website for a list of great drought saving goodies-- from audit kits and mirror signs to garden hose nozzles and low flow showerhead with on/off switch.
  
   

• 16th Annual Bike to Work Day, Thursday, May 14, 7-9am: Each year I join District 4 residents at Cycles of Justice in Montclair and meet up with Council Member Pat Kernighan's riders by Lake Merritt to City Hall for a free pancake breakfast and raffle drawing. Mark you calendars now!
   
• The Ups and Downs of Hillside Gardening, Saturday, April 18, 11- 4 pm: The Hillside Gardeners of Montclair offer a self-guided tour of eight fabulous Oakland gardens. The gardens range from tiny and personal to large and household-sustaining, with lots of variety in between. Each garden has a different way of using water wisely, including drought-tolerant plants, a home-made rain barrel, a well and a sophisticated rainwater collection and distribution system! Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 day of. For tickets, call  530-1681 or email hgmgardens@gmail.com. You may also mail a check, made out to Hillside Gardeners of Montclair, to 5701 Cabot Drive, Oakland, 94611.
   
• Bay Friendly Spring Gardening Workshops: Find out how to build healthy soil, minimize fertilizer use and select appropriate plants at these FREE, hands-on workshops running from March 14-June 2. You can register on-line now.
  
   
• UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale:  Saturday, April 25, 10 am-2 pm. The UC Berkeley Botanical Garden has an incredible number of beautiful and unusual plants that are sure to make a spectacular addition to your garden. Check out their website for a list of practical workshops.
   
• 21st Annual Heart of the Home Tour Supports Children Support League, Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25: Visit 5 homes-- 3 in Oakland and 2 in Piedmont--and help raise much needed funds for children's agencies in Oakland. Tickets are $40 for the tour only and $50 for the tour and lunch.(Lunch will be at the Piedmont Community Center). They also have a special ticket that will allow you to come into our 7000 square foot timbered estate home one hour early and get a tour of the whole house by the architect.  This ticket is $65 which includes lunch and a special raffle ticket. For details, email Barbara Levin.
   
• Bay-Friendly School Garden Bus Tour, Saturday, April 25, 8:30 am-4 pm: Visit Bay-Friendly School Gardens in Alameda County that demonstrate sustainable gardening practices will engaging students in interdisciplinary activities. Registration for the tour and a $20 fee is required. Transportation, lunch and a packet containing curriculum and Bay-Friendly Gardening resources will be provided. Space is limited and available to educators and volunteers supporting school gardens in Alameda County. Please register before April 9. Call 891-5900 for details.
  
  Bay-Friendly Garden Tour Showcasing Natural Gardening Techniques, Sunday, April 26, 10 am-4 pm: The 6th Annual FREE garden tour continues to celebrate the diverse styles of Bay-Friendly with a new crop of garden clusters throughout Alameda County. Highlights include:
   
  • Backyard orchards and kitchen gardens
  • Urban habitats for butterflies, birds and bees
  • Drought tolerant replacements for water-thirsty lawns

• Bring Back the Natives Tour, Sunday, May 3, 2009: This free, award-winning tour features 50 pesticide-free gardens that conserve water, provide habitat for wildlife, and contain 50% or more native plants.  The Native Plant Sale Extravaganza will take place throughout the week end of May 2 and 3.  Gardens are being sought for the May, 2010 Tour--The application can be found here. The Tour is also seeking a volunteer webmistress/webmaster; experience with HTML and CSS, and editing size and resolution of digital images is necessary. If interested, contact Kathy Kramer at 236-9558 between 9 am and 9 pm.

• Merritt College Horticulture Club Spring Plant Sale, Saturday, May 9, 9 am-3pm: Come to 12500 Campus Drive for the annual Merritt College Spring Plant Sale, featuring Mediterranean plants, California natives, bamboo, vegetable starts and a silent auction of gardening books. Volunteers needed. Call 436-2491 to volunteer. or 436-2418 for general information.
  
  For a list of 25 ways to Keep Oakland Green....
   

• Beaconsfield Canyon--Piedmont Pines /Friends of Sausal Creek--Richard Kauffman   531-1237
• Bret Harte Middle School--Bret Harte PTA--David Yungert  967-5870
• Bridgeview Trail--Oakmore Homes Association--Mel Evans  712-9844
• Butters Canyon--Butters Land Trust--Dolores Apton  755-3534
• Castle Canyon--Piedmont Pines--Jeff Sharp--653-5233
• Courtland Creek Park--Melrose High Hopes NCPC--Laurie Umeh  436-5670
• Courtland & Redding (Walgreens Parking Lot)--Maxwell Park NCPC--Jan Hetherington  534-4978
• Crestmont Medians--Crestmont Homeowners Association--Shelley Turner 530-6959
• Damuth Street--Damuth Street Neighbors--Andy Norton 482-1818
• Delaware Neighbors (3260 Delaware)--Tasheen Holmes
   
• Delaware Pocket Park--Allendale Park NCPC and Laurel Village Association--Joann Donivan  531-3074
   
• Dimond Gateway--Dimond Improvement Association, Beat 22X NCPC-- Tricia Christopher  482-8446
• Dimond Park (meet at the Scout Hut)--Friends of Sausal Creek--
• FOSC Nursery in Joaquin Miller Park--Friends of Sausal Creek--
• Joaquin Miller School--Montera Association and Joaquin Miller PTA--
• Jordan Park(Avenue Terrace Park)--Redwood Heights Neighborhood Association--Anna Katz 482-4839
• Lower Merriewood Stairs--Lower Merriewood Stairs Neighbors--Jim Dexter  339-2184
• Marj Saunders Park--Piedmont Pines Neighborhood Association-- Elaine Geffen  539-6472
• McCrea Park (Carson and Elinora)--Redwood Heights Neighborhood Association--Mike Banker
• Sequoia Nursery School (2666 Mountain Blvd.)--Sequoia Parents--Kris Meek
• Sequoia Elementary School (Hearst & Lincoln)--Sequoia Dads' Club--Charles Seliger 
• Shepherd Canyon Park (Escher Meadow)--Shepherd Canyon Homes Association Eco Pullers and Planters--Adrienne Bryant 339-0985
• 35th Avenue Clean Up & New Planter--Allendale NCPC--Steve Reuss 536-9551

• Annual CORE Exercise, Saturday, April 25, 9-11:30 am:  This is a great way to test your neighborhood's readiness for a disaster--it's not a test, but a learning exercise! If you are part of an organized CORE group and want to participate, please contact Kaity Booth at 238-6351 for details. If you aren't part of an organized group, but would like to volunteer as a "victim" or observer, please contact Kaity.
   
• Winter Emergency Preparedness Tips from CORE - Check out the Winter CORE Newsletter for the latest emergency preparedness tips. Interest in training for CORE (note NEW name-- Communities of Oakland Respond to Emergencies) is so strong that training slots fill up fast. Neighborhood trainings are booked through April.  If you can't wait, you can sign up for the monthly public trainings. Schedule is available at the CORE website. >>Fire Marshall James Williams congratulates East Oakland CORE grad this week.
   
• 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.

• Don't Forget a Sanitation Kit, ABAG Opens New Sewer Smart Program:  The Association of Bay Area Governments has been giving out free Backflow Prevention Devices to prevent sewer back-ups in the rainy season --cheap, easy investment. Now they are asking you to add one more kit to your disaster preparation--a Sanitation Kit.  In case of a  major earthquake, it might takes months to restore full water service and repair sewers.  Put together a plan for sewer disposal.  If you have a back yard consider where you would put a temporary sanitation kit or camp latrine.  A suggested kit basically takes a container (strong waste can could substitute or a can with a lid like this one), disposal wet wipes, toilet paper, disinfectant (bleach is fine), strong plastic bags, and gloves, masks, or labels if you wish.

• Scammer Uses Oakland Police Deaths to Raise Cash: The Oakland Police Department alerts residents of a scam in which a caller claims to represent the Oakland Police Officer's Association and asks for money to benefit the families of the four officers killed March 21. "It's a scam," Oakland Police spokesman Jeff Thomason said, adding that the Oakland Police Department and Oakland Police Officer's Association do not make phone calls to solicit money. Anyone who receives such a phone call is asked to call Oakland police at the non-emergency number---777-3333.

• Keep Your Dogs on Leash:  Several dog owners were cited by rangers this week for walking their dogs off leash on the Montclair Railroad Trail. Rangers and police are on the look out for residents and maybe semi-professional dog walkers who do not keep their dogs on leash on local trails after increased reports of biting incidents. Other dogs, children, and adults have been bitten. Montclair and Dimond listservs have recent complaints of specific violators of the City's Leash laws.  This should be an issue that neighbors can resolve voluntarily.  If you have your dog walked by someone else, please make sure that they use a leash or an enclosed Dog Park.  The fines are steep and some neighbors are posting photos of the violators to help the rangers and police.

• Mail Theft Up Again:  If you don't have a locked mail box please consider it and never leave checks and mail out for your carrier.  Identity theft is a major problem in the nation, I know I have just had two of my credit cards replaced because of data theft at their end.  Here is a story from the Oakmore listserv:

"The mail included bills that were being paid by check. The thieves took the check made out to PG&E, washed the writing off it and wrote their name in the "pay to" field, a large sum in the amount field and tried to cash/deposit it at their bank.  The good news is that the bank where they tried to cash/deposit the check was on top of things. They recognized the check for what it was, and called both my bank and me. The police have arrested one person. I have no idea how many people were involved, or even if the theft happened from my porch as opposed to somewhere else down the line."  

• Don't Leave Garage Door Opener and Other Valuables in Your Car, especially if parked outside of a garage, and lock the door to from your garage to your house.  If you have an alarm system, use it. If you have a garage, make space for your car.  North Hills is reporting an increasing trend towards burglary through the theft of car garage openers.  Put your car opener on you car key and/or take it inside when you are home.

• Neighborhood Law Corps Compiling List of Blighted Properties: The City's Neighborhood Law Corps seeks your help in identifying blighted properties, such as:
  • Failure to care for exterior of property:
     
    • Garbage on ground
    • Abandoned vehicles
       
    • Rotted or collapsing roof or walls
       
    • Graffiti on the building
       
    • Rats/Vermin
       
    • Fire hazards
  • Excessive plant growth:
    • Overgrown grass/weeds 
       
    • Substantial Dead organic matter on ground (trees, leaves, yard trimmings)  
  • Failure to secure property from trespassers/squatters:
    • Broken windows
       
    • Doors with no/broken locks 
       
    • Missing doors
       
    • Broken gates
       
  • Failure to take action to prevent mosquito larvae:
    • Large amounts of standing water
       
  • Other conditions causing public nuisance:
     
    •  Continual loitering
       
  • Drug activity on property
     
    • Prostitution 
       
    • Squatters living there

When you find a property that meets these conditions, please send the following information:

 1.  The specific property address
 2.  A description of the problems

Send the information to info@neighorhoodlawcorps.org  and copy Michael Johnson in our office at mljohnson@oaklandnet.com, or call 1-800-BE ALERT (1-800-232-5378) AND 238-4742.

• Neighbors Help Catch Another Burglary Group:  Neighborhood Services Coordinator Renee Sykes announced that we caught our 5th burglary group in the last few months!  Several listservs noted and reported a blue metallic Ford Taurus that appeared to be casing Redwood Hts and Maxwell Park. Using the information an arrest was made last week, 4 juveniles were arrested.  While crime continues to be down about 22% more from last year, home burglaries are up 8%.  These types of neighborhood action can drive it down again.
  • If you see unusual behavior that looks like casing of the street -- knocking door-to-door without a specific or suspicious purpose or dodging into back yards or looking into cars -- take down the descriptions of individuals and cars (especially license plates or note no license plates) Contact the non emergency police line and email your beat officer.
  • If you see a crime in progress such as stealing car parts or entry into a neighbors home, call 911 and make sure you say the crime is happening right then.
  • Do not leave valuables like laptops and cameras readily visible from windows and the street. 
  • We remind readers not to open doors to strangers; call the Police non-emergency number 777-3333 (777-3211 on your cell phone) to report suspicious behavior; and alert your neighbors by phone or email
     
•  District Problem Solving Officers:  Have a chronic issue that involves criminal activity?  Let your beat's PSO know:

• Laurel 25x: Ryan Kabahit Rkabahit@oaklandnet.com
• Dimond 22x: Rick Coglio RCoglio@oaklandnet.com
• Bret Harte/Joaquin Miller 22y: Ann Pierce Apierce@oaklandnet.com
• Jefferson 24x: Joseph Fong JFong@oaklandnet.com
• Montclair 13z: Maureen Vergara MVergara@oaklandnet.com
• Maxwell Park 28x: Keith Clement JClement@oaklandnet.com
• Melrose 27x: Anthony Burns (temp) ABurns@oaklandnet.com
• North Hills 13y: Maureen Vergara MVergara@oaklandnet.com
• Allendale 24y: Richard McNeely RMcNeely@oaklandnet.com
   
• Changes to City's Solicitation Permit Regulations:  The City will be working on bringing our ordinance up to date and building as many protections as possible into the ordinance. If residents post  No Solicitation signs, these must be honored by the soliciting group.
   
•  Foreclosure Rescue Scams: People in danger of foreclosure have been receiving a myriad of offers; many too good to be true. Check out some of these common scams and spread the word to friends, family, and neighbors who may  be receiving some of these offers. 
• Mail appeal for reassessing your home: Throw it away and save money. The Alameda County Tax Assessor will reassess your home for free. Taxpayers are encouraged to wait until they receive their annual notification of assessed value from the Assessor in July 2009, before deciding if they wish to challenge their 2009-10 assessment and pay a fee to a third party for assistance.
• Jury Duty Scam: The Courts don't call you; you receive notification by mail. Do not give out any personal information to anyone on the phone.The FBI and Federal Court have sent out an alert on this one.
   
• Crime Stats Continue to Be Significantly Below Last Year Despite Recent Events: While the tracking stats can be misleading  and may not reflect all unfiled reports, this week's  report shows citywide crime is still down about 21% in the year to date comparison with last year. Last year crime was down 14%; if the trend continues crime could be down by a third over two years.  As of this week homicides are down 35%, there were 25 murders this year compared to 37 at this time; auto theft is down 32%, burglary 14%, and robbery is down 22%.  We owe the trend to the work of our peace officers and their partnership with growing numbers of  neighborhood safety groups.
   
• 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.

Magic Journeys, Performance for the Entire Family, Saturday, April 18, 6:30 pm, Oakland Museum of California:

• The 3rd Annual Music in Schools Today Golf Tournament, Hosted by Tré Cool at the beautiful Sequoyah Country Club, Monday, April 20: Proceeds of the event will fund the Music Integrated Learning Environment program in the Oakland Unified School District. Includes a full day: lunch, a round of golf at one of the Bay area's best private clubs, and dinner! Golf with Tré Cool, Mike Dirnt, Bobby Hutcherson, Lawrence Karnow, John Kessler, Tom Luce, Butch Vig, and Vinnie and Icky from RadioAlice, among many others. For more information, visit the web page.

• Oakland Police Activities League (PAL) Has a New Website: http://www.oaklandpal.org/  Check it out to find out what programs are available for Oakland youth.

• A Cistern for Sequoia Campaign: Sequoia Elementary School continues to add to its "Green" garden. The school is raising funds for a cistern to capture rain water from the school roof for watering the garden in the long dry summer. They've launched the $ Campaign to help raise funds. Please Drop a Dollar (for a drop of water) off at Sequoia Elementary School, 3730 Lincoln Avenue, or stop by Paws & Claws at 2023 MacArthur Blvd.

• Project WHAT! Mentors Youth (15-24) Who Have Had a Parent in Jail: Project WHAT! raises awareness about the impacts of parental incarceration in children, with the long-term goal of improving services and policies that affect children of incarcerated parents. They are now accepting applications from youth (ages 15-24) who have had a parent in prison or jail at some point in their lives. Application deadline is April 23, 2009. Pay starts at $8/hour (for summer training). Once youth complete summer training, pay ranges from $10-$12/hour plus local transportation stipends. Position is PART-TIME (6 hours/week during the summer and 2 hours/week during the academic year). For details, call 486-2340 or go to Community Works website.

• Form a Dragon Boat Team: Oakland teens, join the 2000 year old team sport of Dragon Boat Paddling! Practices are on Saturday mornings 10:30 am-Noon starting in March and Wednesday evenings 6 pm-pm starting in April. Come by the blue boating center for a free trial if you are interested! If you know of a youth group that would like to give Dragon Boating a try, contact Kyle Winslow at  238-2196.

• Compassionate Volunteers Wanted to Counsel Sexually Exploited Minors: MISSSEY (Motivating, Inspiring, Supporting & Serving Sexually Exploited Youth) is offering a 60-Hour CSEC Crisis Counselor Training at the Alameda County Family Justice Center, 470 27th Street. Once certified, volunteers will be equipped to respond to commercially sexually exploited children in crisis who are referred to MISSSEY.  The training will be held between May 29th and June 28th 2009. The entire training will be sixty (60) hours and include evening and weekend sessions. The continued commitment includes twelve hours of training within one year after certification and a monthly 8-hour on-call shift.Training limited to 20 volunteers.  For an application and more information please send an e-mail to volunteer@misssey.org with "Crisis Counselor" in the subject line or call 510-267-8840 and ask for Nisha.

• Early Bird Registration for Full Day Summer Camp at Chabot Space & Science Center through April 12: Take your child far while staying close to home by enrolling him or her in Chabot's Space Explorers Camps this summer. Camps for four week-long sessions from July 6-July 31. Pre and After Care available.  Each week's session runs $320 members; $355 non members. Pre care (8-8:55 am) is $35 extra; after care 4-5:30.

• Sequoia Dad's Club Annual Pancake Breakfast, Sunday, May 3, 9 am -Noon: Bring family, friends and neighbors for a complete breakfast and plenty of conversation! Proceeds support Sequoia students and school activities. Children, $3, Adults $5, kindergarten and under FREE.  For additional information, contact Scott Wikstrom at 531-4245.

• Bret Harte Expo, Saturday, May 9, 10 am-2pm, 3700 Coolidge Avenue in the Laurel: Neighbors and friends are invited to an open house at Bret Harte Middle School--music, food and games.

• Applications Now Available for Free Youth Leadership Forum for Disabled Students in Sacramento, July 26-30: California high school juniors and seniors who have disabilities will have the opportunity to live on a college campus  and join more than 900 alumni from across the state that have been a part of this unique five-day program created specifically for young leaders with disabilities.For details and to download the application, go to www.youthleadership.kintera.org .

Oakland Feather River Camp Recruiting Teens for Teen-in-Job-Training, June 29-July 20, 2009: 

• Beaconsfield Canyon New Demonstration Project for Wildfire Prevention District for Year-Round Maintenance: Over the past few years neighbors and the Friends of Sausal Creek, led by Richard Kauffman and Wendy Tokuda, have been working on removing invasive plants and restoring native plants in Beaconsfield Canyon in the Sausal Creek Watershed in the Montclair Hills. Now, the Wildfire Prevention District has announced that Beaconsfield has been selected by the Oakland Fire Dept. as a demonstration project for year-round maintenance, combining fire protection with restoration priorities. If successful, they plan to apply lessons to other sites in Oakland.

• Help Celebrate the MacArthur Metro's 20th Anniversary, Saturday, April 25, 6-8 pm, Fruitvale Presbyterian Church, 2735 MacArthur Boulevard (@ Coolidge): Meet neighbors from the community and Metro volunteers. Enjoy light finger food and beverages donated by neighborhood merchants. See 20 years of MacArthur Metro print newspapers. Purchase autographed books by Metro authors, partial proceeds to the Metro. Buy a newly-designed 20th Anniversary t-shirt. Suggested donation: $5. Please also bring a canned good or non-perishable food item for COPE, the Community Organized Pantry for Emergencies (the Fruitvale Presbyterian church emergency good distribution program).  f you plan to attend, RSVP by April 17 to macmetro20@prodigy.net: or leave a message at the MacArthur Metro voicemail at  287-2655.
   
• Rainwater Harvesting Workshop Series This Month:  Laura Wildheart Gardens, EcoHeart Landscapes and Water Assets presents...Harvesting Water: Rainwater Catchment, Rain Gardens, Workshop Series! Hands on experience in the creation of site-specific designs to optimize water use for your landscape.
  • The principles of successful rainwater harvesting
  • Rainwater basics-catchment surfaces, calculations, storage and use.
  • Install a 200 gallon water barrel to irrigate fruit trees.
  • How to dig a swale to catch and infiltrate rainwater
  • The principles of successful rainwater harvesting
  • Rainwater basics-catchment surfaces, calculations, storage and use.
  • Harvest rainwater, pipe it to a diversion swale, and to a rain garden of bamboo
  • How to welcome rainwater into your landscape
  • Dig swales to infiltrate water

• The Miracle of the Negro Spiritual, Sunday, April 26, 2 pm, First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway: An Afternoon of Lecture and Song featuring Professor Lucy Kinchen, Soloists, and The Lucy Kinchen Chorale. Lucy Kinchen is a well known expert on, and superb musician/director of, Negro Spirituals-she also teaches Voice at Laney College. The program is free.

• Native Californians Bless Leona Canyon Regional Open Space Preserve and The Peralta Hacienda's New Exhibit--"Becoming California, Becoming America", Saturday, May 9, 9 am: Ohlone elder Marvin Marine, along with Gilbert Ramierez and Paul Mondragon, will lead a blessing of a trail that runs through Leona Canyon Regional Open Space reserve.  Michael Chernofsky will lead a walk up to the trail. Later that day, they will bless the opening of the Pealta Hacienda's new exhibit, "Becoming California, Becoming America". From noon until 3 pm, Marvin will be at the Hacienda to teach California Indian dances, alternating with members of the Calicanto Singers teaching dances of Oakland's early Spanish settlers. Peralta Hacienda's staff will offer traditional children's games, crafts, cooking demosntrations and more from Oakland's past. No charge or reservations for the walk or dance, Reservations are needed to view Peralta's new exibit at a charge of $1. Reserve your tickets by calling 532-9142.

Book Signing at Laurel Books Store, Thursday, May 21, 7 pm, 4100 MacArthur Blvd.:

• Walk to End Poverty & Violence, Saturday, May 30, 9 am, Lake Merritt Bandstand: Stop by for the Community Fair at 10 am. For details, contact City of Oakland Community Action Partnership at 238-2362 or download forms from the web at www.oaklandCAP.org.

• Garden with the Friends of  Sausal Creek--Harvest seeds of native plants, help propagate seeds at the native plant nursery, work to remove invasives throughout the Sausal Creek Watershed or attend their bimonthly educational workshops. There's something happening several days a week and on most weekends, in Dimond Canyon, Joaquin Miller Park and Beaconsfield Canyon. Check out their monthly calendar of events at the FOSC website.

• Free Wi-Fi at all 15 Branches of the Library:  Thanks to Measure Q the Oakland Public Library now offers FREE wireless access (Wi-Fi) for public use at all of its fifteen branches, the Main Library, and the African-American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). You can use the wireless connection from your own laptop computer without a library card!  Just bring your laptop and wireless card or wireless-enabled device, as well as your own fully charged battery, to any of these Wi-Fi "hotspots" during regular business hours.

• Free Programs for Toddlers and Children at the Dimond Library:
   
  • Toddler Time, Wednesday mornings, 10:15 am, songs, books and movement for ages 0-2
  • Preschool Storytime: Wednesday mornings, 11 am, stories, songs and finger plays for children ages 3-5.
  • Family Storytime: every Tuesday evening, 7 pm, stories, songs and finger plays for ages 0-6
  • Teen Time: every Thursday, 3:30-4:30 pm, games, music, food and crafts for teens 12 and up.
  •  1-on-1 Basic Computer Training,  Thursdays, 11-Noon, Fridays, 4-5 pm: Do computers freak you out? Are you confused about using email, sending attachments or submitting online job applications? For more information call 482-7844.
     
• Free Tax Assistance at the Library, Through April 15: The Oakland Public Library in partnership with the American Association for Retired Persons, offers free tax assistance. Trained volunteers will help residents fill out their forms. Bring copies of last year's federal and state tax returns and all materials pertaining to 2008 tax forms (including details of stimulus checks, if received) for yourself and your spouse, if filing jointly.  For walk-in appointments at specified sites, be sure to arrive in time for the beginning of the day's session in order to receive a time slot. Seniors, ages 60 and up, will be given preference at walk-in sites. This program will not take place on official City holidays and Mandatory Business Closure Days: April 9 and April 10. Hours may be subject to change: please call ahead to confirm times:
  • Oakland Main Branch Library-West Auditorium, 125 14th Street (238-3134)
  Mondays, 10 am-3pm
  Wednesdays, Noon-4 pm
  Fridays, 12:30 pm-4 pm
  Saturdays, 10am-3 pm
  • Dimond Branch Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue (482-7844)
  Tuesdays, 12:30 pm-4:30 pm
  Thursdays, 10 am-2:30 pm
  Call for an appointment. Some walk-ins may be accepted, call for information.
  For other locations and additional information, call 238-3134 or go to the Oakland Public Library's website.