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1. This Weekend in Oakland |
- Hershey Track &
Field Games for Oakland's Youth, Saturday, May 9th,
Laney College: Participants can enter two track
and one field event or two field and one track event, up
to and including the State/Provincial Final. Please
check the event that you wish to participate in at this
meet.The relay counts as a run event. For more
information, contact the OPR City-Wide Sports unit at
238-3897.
-
 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 Ramirez 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 Peralta Hacienda's new
exhibit. 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 demonstrations and more from Oakland's past. No
charge or reservations for the walk or dance.
Reservations are needed to view Peralta's new exhibit at
a charge of $1.
Reserve your tickets by calling 532-9142. For
information and to book a tour, contact
Friends of Peralta Hacienda Historical Park at
532-9142.
- Citizen Scientists Needed for
Communicating Climate Change (C3) at Chabot Science
Center, Saturday, May: 9, 2 pm-5 pm: Take a
guided hike in the redwood forest surrounding Chabot and
learn how you can protect and conserve this special
woodland. Discover more about redwood ecosystem ecology
at our special indoor table activities. Emily Limm,
graduate student in the Integrative Biology Department
at UC Berkeley, will discuss her research on the local
sword fern as an indicator of climate change in
California by sharing slides and demonstrations of her
research. Afterwards, participants will be invited to go
on a hike on the grounds surrounding Chabot as well as
in the adjacent Roberts Park (part of Redwood Regional
Park). During the hike, participants will learn more
about coastal redwood ecology and how to identify sword
fern plants. Participants will then be invited to break
up into smaller docent-lead groups to help map and
photograph some of the local sword fern populations. The
event will end with groups sharing their photos and
findings.
- Bret Harte Expo,
Saturday, May 9, 10 am-2pm, 3700 Coolidge Avenue in the
Laurel: Book Fair · Open House · Academic Contest
· Musical Presentation · BBQ and Potluck · Bake Sale ·
Art Shows · Games · Craft booths · Peace Wall. The
community, Bret Harte families (present, past, and
future), and 4th grade parents are especially welcome!
-
 The
African Presence in México Community Opening,
Saturday, May 9, Noon - 4 pm, Oakland Museum: a
look at the little-known history of enslaved Africans
brought to Mexico in the 1500s and their contributions
to Mexican cultureCascada de Flores performs "The Tree
and the Donkey Who Wanted to Sing," a story that
embraces the diversity of indigenous, Spanish, and
African roots in traditional Mexican music and dance.
Enjoy the rhythms of Africa as Diamano Coura jams with
Cascada de Flores and a slide presentation with
co-curator Cesáreo Moreno. The exhibit continues
through August 23rd.
- 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 436-2418 for general
information.
-
 Orchids
Fiori D'Amore Open House, 4526 Fair
Avenue in the Laurel/High
Park district. Saturday, May 9, 9 am-4pm, and
Sunday, May 10, 9 am-2 pm. This is an annual event and
a chance to find unusual orchids and help a local
merchant and neighbor.
- Fairyland Garden Day, Saturday, May 9:
If you go to the Orchid Show above, stop next door. The
day features "Let Worms Eat Your Garbage,"
 presented
by
StopWaste.org. The Bay-friendly gardening program of
Alameda County will provide a demonstration of worm
composting, a hands-on activity for kids with
educational handouts. Also, spend some time in our
vegetable garden with Fairyland horticulturalist Robin
North while moms and dads get a special opportunity to
buy Fairyland-grown plants at super special prices! The
California Revels will perform songs
and dances for May Day, celebrating the rebirth of the
land, planting, and offering a hint of spring fever.
Children from the audience will sing along and join us
on stage as we welcome in the season.
For full weekend schedule of activities. >>New
children's theater at Fairyland.
- Community Input
Meetings to Help Plan Future of Oakland Fund for
Children & Youth, May 9 and May 16: The Oakland
Fund for Children and Youth (OFCY) was created in 1996
and allocates 2.5%, roughly $10 million, of the city's
general funds to services for youth between the ages of
0-20. OFCY supports early childhood development, after
school programs, tutoring, arts, sports, mentoring,
employment, leadership, health and other programs
designed to help Oakland youth succeed in school,
prepare for the world of college and work and contribute
to the community. OFCY seeks public input on priorities
for the next 4 years of Kids' First grants. Please try
to attend one of the two community meetings where OFCY
hopes to gain valuable input from Oakland residents,
both youth and adults, regarding the needs of youth in
Oakland. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to
986-0990 x209 or
ofcy@gibsonandassociates.com.
- Saturday, May 9,
11:30-3 pm, East Oakland Youth Development
Center, 8200 International Blvd.,
- Saturday, May
16, 11:30-3 pm, Howard Community Center at
St. Patrick's Church, 1630 10th St.
- Henna Hands with Subhashini, Saturday, May
9, 2 pm- 3:30 pm, Lakeview Branch, 550 El
Embarcadero: Let Subhashini decorate your hands with
fragrant henna, in an intricate pattern! Please call to
sign up. Children's Librarian 238-7344.
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 Oakland
Youth Chorus' Annual Spring Concert,
In the Name of Love,
Saturday, May 9, 7 pm, First Presbyterian Church of
Oakland: 2619 Broadway. The concert features all
of
OYC's choral ensembles including the Concert Chorus,
who just won GOLD at the Heritage Music Festival in
April. Ja'Mell Fairley, who has several solos in this
concert, won a Conductors' Award at the festival for her
outstanding singing! To get your tickets, please
click on the link, or call 510-287-9700 ext 110.
-
 140th
Anniversary of the Golden Spike Explored at Main
Library, Sunday, May 10, 2-4:30 pm: The
Transcontinental Railroad ended here in Oakland, shaping
the city's culture and future. Celebrate the
anniversary of America's most ambitious and significant
19th-century infrastructure project. Join local
historian Dennis Evanosky, Oakland History Room
librarian Kathleen DiGiovanni, Chinese-American
historian Ernest Chann, and Cameron-Stanford House
historian Frances Rhodes, as the library celebrates the
140th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike at
Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869
(above). The FREE event includes talks at
the Oakland Main Library, 125 14th Street, West
Auditorium, followed by a reception at the
Camron-Stanford House, 1418 Lakeside Drive, just across
the street from the library.
-
 Stagebridge
30th Anniversary Showcase, May 7-9, 8 pm, Sunday, May
10, Mother's Day 2 pm, 1901 Ashby Ave,
Berkeley: Stagebridge is the nation's oldest Senior
Theatre Company. Based in Oakland, Stagebridge is an
arts organization that uses theatre and storytelling to
bridge the generation gap by breaking down stereotypes
and stimulating more positive attitudes toward aging.
Tickets are now available on line, 444-4755
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2. Mother's Day Events in Oakland
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-
 Mother
of the Year Awards Ceremony, Saturday, May 9, 10:30
am, at the Morcom Rose Garden, 700 Jean
Street: The Rose Garden is beautiful at this time of
year, bring your Mom! Honored mothers from years past
usually attend, making this a powerful group of women to
meet.
-
 Mother's
Day at Zoo: Brunch at the Island Café at the
Oakland Zoo. Train rides are Free for Moms all day
on Mother's Day. The Oakland Zoo is rated the best in
northern California. There is something for children of
all ages. <<County
Supervisor Gail Steele and grand children on Earth Day.
- Mother's Day Brunch at the Lake Chabot Cafe,
10 am- 2 pm: Want an active day with Mom?
Take Mom to lunch and/or
book a time to tee off on-line. Enjoy this city
golf course, considered one of the best values in the
area. You can even sign up for free round on your
birthday. Or take a walk or bike ride at near by
Lake Chabot.
-
 Free
Admission for the Entire Family at
Chabot Space & Science Center on Sunday, May 10:
Thanks to a grant from the Koret Foundation,
admission for everyone is free on May 10 at the Chabot
Space & Science Center. In addition to the regular
exhibits, she'll get to experience the new Kinetic
Sculpture by Reuben Margolin. Special brunch available
in the Celestial Cafe, 11 am - 2 pm.
- The Oakland Museum is Also FREE on Mother's
Day, Sunday, May 10: Make Mom part of the
Museum Exhibit, if she is a boomer bring a baby photo
(up to age of 3) to be scanned in for a wall being
designed for the new California history gallery. Check
out the new exhibit on the African presence in Mexico,
see #1.
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3. Join Me For Bike to Work Day on
Thursday, More Events in Oakland This Week |
- 22X NCPC Crime and
Public Safety Meeting, Monday, May 11, 7 pm, Woodminster
Café, 5020 Woodminster Lane: Update on Dimond
Park: if you have interest in Dimond Park, please bring
your concerns and wishes. For further information,
contact Angie 482-1715 or email
firelli@att.net.
- Celebrate with Seth
Harwood, Author of
Jack
Wakes up, at a
Great Good Place for Books, Monday, May 11, 7 pm,
6120 La Salle Avenue.
- Sequoia School
Celebrates 100 Years;
 Support
Sequoia School by Buying a Pizza from Red Boy Pizza,
May 12-14: Bring the
attached flyer and 15% of your check will go
to Sequoia School. Red Boy Pizza is located at 1500
Leimert Blvd.
<<Husband
Floyd at last week's Sequoia Pancake Breakfast.
- 22X NCPC Special
Crime & Safety Committee Meeting, Tuesday, May 12, 7 pm:
David Kozicki, Deputy Chief of Police, Oakland Police
Department, Bureau of Field Operations, will speak at a
special 22X NCPC meeting on Tuesday May 12 at 7PM at
Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Ave. Q and A will
follow. Submit your questions in advance at start of
meeting. For more information call Angie 482-1715 or
email
firelli@att.net.
-
 16th
Annual Bike to Work Day, Thursday, May 14, 7-9am:
Each year I join District 4 residents at Wheels
of Justice in Montclair and meet up with Council Member
Pat Kernighan's riders at the Grand Lake Theater and
then onto City Hall for a free pancake breakfast and
raffle drawing. Check out the routes, prizes, and other
benefits at the site above.
- Oakland
Unwrapped's 2009 Indie Awards Celebrates Local
Artists and Businesses, Friday, May 15, 5:30-8:30 pm
at The Crucible, 1260 7th Street: Unique
local businesses and artists who are giving back to
the community will be awarded at a great night's
entertainment on Friday, May 15. Tickets are $20 per
person. Details at the
Oakland Unwrapped website.
 Oakland
Greek Festival, May 15-17, Greek Cathedral of the
Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Avenue: Everyone from
all parts of Oakland comes to enjoy the REAL GREEK
EXPERIENCE - three days of Greece by the Bay! Fabulous
Greek food cooked by the congregation, drink, music and
dance and much, much more.
Directions, photos & schedule.
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5. Mayor Presents Budget ; Your Input
Needed, Try Our Budget Challenge |
Mayor's Budget Proposes
319 Positions for Elimination; Counts on Passage of OO
Compromise, COPS Funding from the Feds and other
Revenue: The complete FY 2009-11 Proposed Policy
Budget is available on the
Mayor's web site and the
City's home page. You can also find copies in the
City Clerk's Office or at City libraries. Meanwhile,
this week the Governor threatened to
The largest and most difficult issue in the FY2009-11
budget is the $83 million shortfall in the General
Purpose Fund, although serious financial problems also
exist in many other funds. Across all funds, a total of
319 positions are proposed for elimination (193
positions from the General Fund and the remainder from
other funds). About 250 of these 319 positions
are currently filled; this brings the number of city
positions eliminated in the last four years to about 600
positions.
Anticipated Federal
Funding to Avoid Police Layoffs ($23 million)
The City's current fiscal reality means that the only
way to address the unprecedented budget deficit is to
cut public safety costs, which now account for
two-thirds of the available General Purpose Fund
revenues, or get substantial outside funding.
The City has applied for about $23 million in annual
funding for three years from the federal government from
the COPS grant, which is only available to forestall the
firing of police officers or to hire new officers. If
these grant funds do not materialize, the City would be
forced to lay off 140 sworn police officers effective
October 1, 2009 or find alternative cuts. Grant
notification is expected by August or September.
Proposed Revenue
Increases ($4 million)
The proposed budget contains about $4 million in revenue
increases, including $2 million from increased parking
ticket fines and recreation fees, and nearly $1 million
from measures on the July 21, 2009 ballot (expansion of
Real Estate Transfer Tax to include mergers and
acquisitions and 18 percent business tax on medical
cannabis sales).
Proposed Expenditure
Reductions ($56 million in addition to $23
million in federal funding above) The proposed budget
contains over $79 million in General Fund expenditure
reductions. In addition to possible police cuts
mentioned above, key balancing measures include:
- Use of nearly $2 million in anticipated Edward
Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
federal funding to offset police expenditures for
criminal lab and investigative support staff.
- Over $1 million in annual savings from the early
retirement program for City employees.
Other permanent cuts of over $23 million:
- Reduction of nearly 53 FTEs to save $2.8 million
annually. Position eliminations in non-public safety
departments add to the significant reductions made
in July 2008, October 2008 and March 2009.
Collectively, non-public safety reductions in the
General Fund during these recent rounds of budget
cuts resulted in the elimination of nearly 245 FTEs.
- Reduction in hours and position downgrades for
various employees.
- Employee concessions from civilian unions,
adding up to the equivalent of a 10 percent pay cut,
would save nearly $7 million annually. Discussions
continue with all unions including the police and
fire sworn unions on proportionate cuts.
- Nearly $4 million in savings if voters approve a
compromise Kids First! measure on July 21, 2009.
- $6 million in debt service savings from anticipated
debt restructuring.
- Transfers of costs to other funds (mainly City
Attorney's liability-related expenses) would save over
$4 million.Reduction in branch library service from six
to five days a week and "paired" closure of branch
libraries (six smaller braches would be "paired" for
rotational closure, with one set of staff serving both
branches), to save over $0.8 million annually.
The Most Controversial
Recommendations That Are Apparent so Far Include:
- Elimination of 140 Police Positions from the
General Fund in Hopes of Receiving Federal Grant Funding
- Elimination of Senior Shuttle and Senior
Set-Aside programs in lieu of closing or
reducing hours of senior centers. In all 3 of our
hearings with Mayor and his staff, seniors who have been
hard hit by other cuts at the state, county, and school
levels asked to save Senior Centers and a restoration of
hours.
- One-time or limited duration savings of
nearly $26 million from the proposed two-year suspension
of General Fund payments to two internal
service funds (facilities and equipment) to save $24
million annually. This increases our debt and brings
cash reserves to very low levels but will address the
immediate and significant fiscal pressures in order to
maintain the minimum level of essential services
supported by this fund.
- Elimination of Park Rangers
- Elimination of One of the Coordinators of
the Emergency/Disaster Preparation Program
- Rotating Closure of Pairs of Smaller
Libraries: I plan to hold a public meeting on
this proposal; time and date to be determined.
So far over 600 Oaklanders have taken the Oakland
Budget Challenge, we will be updating the program this
week to include the Mayor's proposals and the larger
deficit numbers now predicted by our
Third Quarter Revenue figures which will be
discussed at this Tuesday's Finance Committee.
Budget Question of the Week: Why Don't You Just Cut the
Mayor and City Council?
Answer: The size of this deficit
doesn't allow simple solutions. Cuts are expected in
all departments including the Mayor's and Council's
offices; but the total General Fund costs of both
combined is about $6 million. Even if complete
elimination of both under the Charter was possible,
we still have about $80 million in additional cuts
to make.
These are some opportunities to be heard on
budget priorities:
Attend one or more of the many public meetings and
hearings (see below)
Revised Council Schedule for Budget
Approval
- Workshop on 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.
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6. More City Issues: Summer Jobs for Youth
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- City Economic Forum Features Innovative New
Businesses: About 350 attended this year's
Economic Forum to receive a Report Card on the Oakland
Partnership, a civic and business alliance to create
10,000 jobs in the city over five years. The good news
is that over nine thousand jobs have been created; and
it seems that the number of layoffs may be declining as
revealed in the latest employment reports..
This Tribune article summarizes some of the
reports.
The Spring Economic Development Report highlights
opportunities.
- Unemployment Numbers Continue to Rise
(although a bit more slowly): This week's
figures for April unemployment added half a million to
the unemployment rolls; this was down from the increase
of over 600,000 for March. Among the jobless, 27.2
percent were unemployed for more than six months, the
highest figure since the government began tracking such
data in 1948. California continues to have some of the
highest unemployment, over ten percent. Unemployment is
particularly high for minority youth. You can help us
keep hope alive for our City's youth if you or your
employer can offer a young person a job this summer.
Our office will be taking two interns.
Good NY Times Charts on Unemployment
-
 Last
Thursday, we hosted our tenth monthly job fair,
"Jobs through Jean" at the Dimond
Library. The one hour "speed job fair"
event included representatives from the
Cypress-Mandela Training Program, the Port of
Oakland, The Mayor's Summer Job Program and
others. 18 youth came for opportunities and we
are proud to now be working with over 50 Oakland
youth to find employment and educational
resources. We would also like to thank our
volunteer, Amy Stabler, from the Laurel who
handled sign-in and walked participants through
some of the jobs offered. If you would like to
volunteer or if you have information on
opportunities for youth, please contact
Michael Johnson in our office.
-
 Public
Meetings on City's Bicycle Signage: The City of
Oakland Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Program invites
the public to learn about and comment on a new bicycle
wayfinding signage system for use along Oakland's
bicycle network. See the signs for yourself on Market
Street between 3rd Street and the Berkeley border.
Sunday, May 31: deadline for public comments. Send your
input to
bikeped@oaklandnet.com. For more information:
www.oaklandpw.com/Page122.aspx#signs.
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7. Help Our Parks, City Ballot Measures
for All Mail Vote |
 <<Bill
Patterson, EBMUD Director and former Parks & Rec Director,
was honored this week by the Friends of Oakland Parks &
Recreation at their annual fundraiser and by the Council.
- OPC Develops Campaign to Help Support City
Parks: Partnering for Better Parks will
be held at the Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666
Bellevue, Saturday, May 16, from 9:30-noon.
With a delay of a proposed proposition to replace the
Landscape and Lighting fees that were passed but not
implemented last year, current and future cutbacks to
the City's budget for park maintenance will cut parks
and lighting staff to about half of what we had at this
time last year. The
Oakland Parks Coalition has
organized Partnering for Better Parks, a Saturday
morning forum to provide volunteers with all the
organizing tools necessary to make your park a community
gem:
- Learn about City resources that are at your
disposal for cleaning and greening your park
- Hear about our on-line support group for
volunteers
- Take home a handy OPC Toolkit for Park Stewards
- Learn from other neighborhood groups how to
galvanize support for your park and how to connect
with groups looking for volunteer hours
- Sign up to report your own volunteer hours so
your efforts can be officially counted.
If you've worked on an Earthday Project,
helped survey a park during the Love Your Parks day in
October, or otherwise worked on a park clean-up or
planting project, please come to this event-- and bring
your friends.
Contact OPC for details.
- Four Ballot Measure Go To Oakland Voters in
An All Mail Vote:
- A proposal to increase Medical Marijuana
Club business tax rates was the last item
approved for the ballot. The measure raised the
taxes comparable to alcohol outlets.
- The Real Estate Transfer Tax
proposal for a technical fix to make sure
corporations pay the same real estate transfer tax
as individuals was also approved for the ballot.
- A Hotel Tax to provide a 3% increase to
fund the Oakland Museum, Zoo Chabot Space
and Science Center, and Convention Services
will provide $3 million a year to these vital
cultural and educational institutions and help
market our tourist industry.
- A compromise Kids First measure will
repeal Measure OO but still provide a small
increase for youth programs, saves $3 million this
year and up to $17 million in future years.
If all four of the ballot measures pass the
City will save $6-7 million, a small but significant
part of the $80 plus million deficit.
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8. Vote May 19th on State Propositions,
Governor Threatens to "Borrow" From Cities or $6 M for
Oakland |
- Courts Rule State Redevelopment Fund Grab
Illegal: Last fall the state seized
redevelopment funds from local governments, including $8
million from Oakland, to close its budget. Last week
the courts ruled that move was illegal, we are awaiting
to see if the state appeals.
- Governor Threatens to Borrow From Cities:
Because the State Deficit is also growing billions
beyond the recent compromise and because the proposed
propositions are not doing well, the Governor says he is
considering "borrowing" 8 percent of the local
government's property taxes, this is over $6 million for
Oakland and would mean more cuts.
-
 Take
the California Budget Challenge On-Line: Our
Oakland Budget Challenge above is based on this project.
Users are presented with the same set of economic
circumstances lawmakers confronted in crafting their
2009-2010 budget package. Californians will vote on
several measures related to the budget in the May 19th
special election and a preview of how these Props will
affect California in the years to come is included. Take
the Challenge and decide at what level to fund education
and other important services while setting your revenue
priorities. Decide on policy options including whether
or not to raise income taxes, restructure Proposition
13, or change parole supervision for non-violent
offenders. You can TAKE ACTION and send your choices on
to your representatives and view pro and con arguments
for each choice.
- Democrats Fail to Support 1A, 1D, 1E:
Last weekend I attended the State Convention as a
delegate. The passionate debate was in line with recent
polls that show all, but the last proposition which cuts
legislators salaries when the budget is late, going down
to defeat. Despite an all out effort by party leaders
(Senate Pro Tem Darryl Steinberg was walking the floor),
a large turnout by rank and file delegates kept the vote
under the 60 percent needed for endorsement.
Our Congressional District voted about 80 percent
against. Props 1D and 1E which cut children's and mental
health programs barely got 50 percent. The general
sentiment was that since these Measures still leave
about a $8 billion shortfall, a total budget deal must
be made and that major budget reform must be passed
including removing the two-thirds rule. Delegates were
particularly angry about how the deal splits the
education community and pits against seniors and
disabled against others.
- Budget Forum Condemns State Budget: Senator
Loni Hancock and Assemblyman Sandre Swanson Explain
Their Opposition to the May 19 Ballot Measures:
Both of Oakland's state representatives
explained their positions on the upcoming May 19th
election on a televised forum at City Hall Friday.
Basically they agree with the California League of
Voters position below on the 6 initiatives with the
strongest opposition to 1A:
- If passed the budget puts the largest burden on
seniors, the disabled, and on education. 1A in
particular will allow no growth in spending in areas
such as senior services even though we know the
aging population will dramatically grow. It will
also lock California into last place in school
funding.
- It hits the most vulnerable with a billion in
cuts, yet added a billion in corporate tax cuts.
- Many of the health care and other cuts are not
smart because two federal dollars are lost for each
state dollar cut. California already only receives
72 cents of each federal tax dollar paid.
- Rejection will allow for discussion of real
budget reform.
- Even if all of the May 19 propositions pass the
state budget is already about $8 billion short,
raising questions about new cuts and the viability
of the promises made in these propositions.
Representatives from education, disabled & mental
health services, senior programs, and the League of
Women voters talked about the local impact of the cuts
on Oakland. Rebroadcasts are scheduled, we will provide
more dates next week.
- The independent
League of Women Voters oppose A,C,D & E "because
they are NOT the solution to our long term financial
crisis, the continuing structural deficit in the state
budget and flawed budget process."
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9. District 4 News:
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- Middle Eastern Market and Deli Adds to
Dimond Gourmet Mix: While still waiting for
their County food permits for their deli counter, the
new store next to Wells Fargo on Mac Arthur has an
interesting mix of Middle Eastern foods. Our office
likes the Turkish delight candy with hazelnuts, a box
for under $5, and the soft cheese.
-
 Champion
Tragedy Unites Neighborhood: Last week, we wrote
about the shooting of Marlon Mayorga walking near
Champion and Harold along the 580 freeway was the
exception. On Tuesday, April 28, around 10:35 pm,
Mayorga was walking his German Shepherd towards his
home. It is hoped that someone exiting the freeway there
may have seen something that will help us understand
what happened. Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are
offering up to $10,000 in reward money in each killing
for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.
Anyone with information can call police at 238-3821 or
Crime Stoppers at 777-8572 or 777-3211. The Marlon
Mayorga Memorial Fund, Acct #5559675342, has been
established to support his family.Tax-deductible
donations can be made in the following ways:
- By mail: Wells Fargo ATTN: The Marlon Mayorga
Memorial Fund,151 40th Street, Oakland, CA 94611
- In person at a Wells Fargo branch
- For those with Wells Fargo banking, donations
can be made on line
-
 22X
NCPC Beautification Committee Clean Up at Dimond Gateway
Peace Park, Saturday, May 16, 10 am-Noon: Meet at
MacArthur and Lincoln (Dimond GatewayPeace Park) for
"Keep Oakland Beautiful" Clean-up Walk; bring gloves;
bags provided. Even half hour helps when picking up
litter. <<New
design for Dimond Streetscape banners.
- Native Plant
Gardening on Scenic by Sequoia School, Saturday, May 16,
9 am on: The school's gardening team needs
everything in place to be signed off for their generous
grants from EBMUD and Alameda County Clean Water. They
will be installing bend-a-board, installing the
information kiosk and a trellising for their native
grapes and backdrop for native bee homes, doing a bit
more planting, and raking down the mulch. Please bring
your own drinks and food. Any questions or thoughts
please contact
Nancy Deming at 290-4875.
- Beat 13Y
Neighborhood Watch Block Captains Summit, Saturday, May
16, 10-11:30 am. Contact
Barry Pilger.
 
Breaking ground for the new Station 18 in the Melrose
district, expected to re-open next spring.
- Family Yard Sale to
Benefit Butters Canyon, Sunday, May 17, from 10- 3 pm:
The Yard Sale is back by popular demand after last
year's successful event. Do a little Spring Cleaning to
find things you no longer need and put them to good use
in support of this local treasure. Proceeds will go to
help preserve Butters Canyon for all of us who enjoy
this unique space and for those who will follow in our
footsteps and bike tire tracks.The primary site will be
along Robinson Dr. close to the intersection with
Butters Dr. For details, email
butterslandtrust@aol.com
- Vote for Montclair's
2009-2010 Pet Mayor: This annual event raises
funds for the Montclair Veterinary Hospital Pet &
Wildlife Fund. 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.
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10. Ways to
Conserve & "Go Green" |
-
 Windfall
for All: Saving Our Economy, Pocketbooks, and Plant
with World-Class Public Transportation and Walkable
Communities, Saturday, May 16, Laney College:
Alameda County's TransForm's 12 Annual Summit
will focus on the critical role of transportation
and land use in the health of our economy,
pocketbooks and planet-- and highlight solutions
that can help on all three fronts. Last year, more
than 300 people attended the summit. Sessions cover
public transportation, housing, walking, bicycling,
social justice, health, smart growth and community
planning. There are walking, bicycling and transit
tours in the afternoon, plus a networking hour.
Register online or call 741-3150 ext. 320.
- Hoop and Rib
Basket Construction Using Ivy, Sunday, May 31, 10
am-4 pm: Join Carol Hart, author of
Natural Basketry,
at a class at the turnaround on El Centro. Marie
Waldman, who's been working on restoration of Dimond
Canyon, has been working with Carol Hart for a year
to come up with a way to enjoy crafting under the
blooming buckeyes, and to illustrate the full cycle
of removal/gathering of ivy, restoration with native
plants and creative reuse of vines. Contact
Marie for details.
-
 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.
- 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.
For a list of 25 ways to Keep Oakland Green....
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11. Community Policing News: Car Theft Tips, Problem
Solving Officers |
- Car Thefts Up; More Reported This Week:
While crime is still down about 20 percent from last
year and car thefts are down over 30% citywide, there
has been a slight upswing in recent weeks. I've noticed
increased reports above Hwy 13, and this week four in
Maxwell Park, Oakmore and Redwood Heights. Empty your
car of anything tempting, lock your car and park in your
garage or close to the house (within the area of a
motion detector light if possible.) The other new
wrinkle is that thieves are stealing the car
registration tag off of the back of the car. So take a
walk around your car to check that all is in order
before you enter your car. I suggest taking a razor
blade and cutting registration tags into tiny squares
while still stuck to your license plate; it makes it
quite difficult to steal them that way!
- New Online Citizen
Reporting at
www.oaklandpolice.com: If you've been a
reader of our newsletter, you know how frequently we
encourage residents to report crime. The reports
generate the data that OPD uses to set priorities, as
well as provide practical information to help police
spot crime trends and solve crime. You don't have to
wait for an officer to show up at your door, or download
a form and fax it back to complete a crime report.
Oakland's has been up and running for several months now
to report certain property crimes:
- Lost Property
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Vehicle Burglary
- Vehicle Burglary
- Vehicle Tampering
 District
Problem Solving Officers: Have a chronic issue that
involves criminal activity? Let your
beat's PSO know:
- 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.
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12.
School and Youth News |
 Parents
Ride 100 Miles to Sacramento to Protest Cuts to Education:
Last Tuesday, a team of parents and students from Chabot,
Claremont, Oakland Tech bicycled 100 miles to meet with Sen.
Loni Hancock and Assemblyman Sandre Swanson about cuts to
education.
From left to right, Claremont/Oakland Tech parent Daniel
Brekke, Claremont 8th grader Anna Arcellana, Chabot
Elementary parent Nelson Back (kneeling), Claremont/Tech
parent Bonnie Trinclisti (with sign above her head),
Claremont parent Julie Parker, San Francisco public school
parent and bike rider John Harkin, Claremont/Tech
parent/rider Mike Napolitano, Tech student Regina
Napolitano, Tech parent Ann Daniels, Claremont student
Adrian Napolitano, Claremont parent/rider Ron Kriss,
Claremont/Chabot parent Amy Vaughan, Claremont/Chabot parent
Kristofer Brekke, Claremont/Chabot parent/rider Mike Mages,
and Kate and John Brekke.
- OUSD Board Elects
New Officers: OUSD Board President Alice Spearman
(District 7) stepped down from her position this week;
Noel Gallo (District 5) was elected President and Gary
Yee (District 4) was elected Vice President. The OUSD
Board meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at
1025 Second Avenue.
- Town Hall Meeting to
Select a New Superintendent, Wednesday, May 20, 6-8:30
pm, Board Room, 1025 Second Avenue: Here's your
chance to interact with the finalists for the position
of permanent Superintendent for the Oakland Unified
School District. This is the first time in six years
since the State took over the school district that the
community will have an opportunity to help select a
Superintendent for OUSD.
- Family Art Nights
presented by 100 Families Oakland and Art Esteem, M.
Robinson Baker YMCA, 3265 Market Street, May 21, 28 and
June 4, 5:30-8:30 pm: All events include: family
dinner, intergenerational artmaking workshop and
discussion, exhibition and raffle with spectacular art
supply prizes. For additional information or questions,
please contact Sierra Falcon: 670-4557 or
arts@acoe.org.
- Sequoia
Stomp--Walkathon to Support Sequoia Elementary School,
Friday, May 29: Join in on the fun for the last
big fund raiser of the year. Proceeds support art
teachers, the librarian and garden teachers. If you
would like to help, contact
Kim Chaney at 482-9842.
- Montera's Spring
Fling, Saturday, May 30, 10 am-2 pm: Food, games,
activities, auction to support Montera Middle School.
For details, contact
Daphne at 655-5912.
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13. Upcoming Community Events |
- Showboat in Concert
at the Paramount, Friday, May 15, 8 pm:
Conductor Michael Morgan leads the Oakland East Bay
Symphony in an American Masterworks Series concert of
Jerome Kern's Showboat.
For tickets and details, call 444-0801.
Free Disaster
Preparedness Class in Cantonese, Saturday, May 23,
Noon-5. American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter, 85
Second Street, 1st Floor,San Francisco: A "Free"
Certificate Course taught in Cantonese. Pre-registration
is required. Call 415-427-8911 for details. Space is
limited.
-
 Public
Meetings on Restoration Work in the Redwood Regional
Park Serpentine Prairie, Richard C. Trudeau
Center,11500 Skyline Boulevard,Redwood Regional Park:
(>>Endangered
Presidio Clarkia is found at this Redwood Park site)
The East Bay Regional Park District has prepared a3-4
year restoration plan for Redwood Regional Park
Serpentine Prairie that will bring back the vitality and
botanical diversity of the Serpentine Prairie, including
the endangered Presidio clarkia, while continuing to
provide for the enjoyment of park users. It will
include removal of trees not endemic to prairie habitat,
closing severely impacted areas for recovery, removal of
informal trails and creation of a new Serpentine Prairie
loop trail and interpretive overlook, installation of
informational signage, and may include limited future
prescribed burns and sheep grazing as part of a
long-term adaptive management program. You can view
these documents on the Park District's website,
www.ebparks.org
- Monday, May 11, 6-8 pm-Open House & Presentation
- Sunday, May 17, 2-4 pm-Interpretive Field Walk
- Saturday, June 13, 3-4 pm-Interpretive Field
Walk
-
 Sudden
Oak Death (SOD) Blitz in Joaquin Miller Park and other
East Bay Parks, Saturday, May 16, 10 am-Noon: Bay
Laurel trees are hosts to Sudden Oak Death (SOD), a
serious exotic disease, that threatens the survival of
tanoak and several oak species in California. .Right--an
infected Bay laurel leaf.) SOD-blitzes inform
and educate the community about Sudden Oak Death, get
locals involved in detecting the disease, and produce
detailed local maps of disease distribution. If you
would like to participate, contact
Sue Rosenthal and plan to meet Saturday, May 16, 10
am-Noon at Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Wildcat Canyon
Road at S. Park Drive, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley.
 Book
Signing at Laurel Books Store, Thursday, May 21, 7 pm, 4100
MacArthur Blvd.: Meet the author and photographer of
The Imperfect Garden
by local Laurel writer and poet Adina Sara. Expanding on
Adina's columns in the MacArthur Metro, it contains essays
and poems on gardens, along with excellent photographs by
Maxwell Park resident Rachel Michaelsen and a host of good
advice for gardeners.
- Miles Davis Birthday
Bash at Yoshis "Birth of the Cool" Concert, Monday, May
25, 8 pm, 510 Embarcadero: Celebrate Miles Davis'
birthday and the 60th anniversary of his ground breaking
recording, "Birth of the Cool". The entire album will be
played by Bay Area teens directed by Khalil Shaheed with
a special performance from Savage Jazz Dance Co. and
students from Oakland School of the Arts dance program.
The musicians come from High Schools from all over the
Bay Area and have been working on this music for over a
month. Come support these young musicians and enjoy an
evening of really good music.
- Asian Pacific Heritage
Festival During May,
Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th Street, Suite
290:
- Film Screening
Mosque in
Morgantown, Wednesday, May 27, 6:30-8:30 pm:
Directed by Brittany Huckabee, this documentary
follows an Islamic woman's fight for equality in a
West Virginian Mosque. Screening is co-presented by
the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM). $5
suggested donation.
- APA Women Writers
Literary Night, Thursday, May 28, 7 pm:A writers
showcase, guest-curated by the editors of Writing
the Lines of Our Hands, the first anthology of South
Asian American poetry. Featuring Diana Ip, Summi
Kaipa, Neela Banerjee, Maya Khosla, Aimee Suzara,
Mimi Lok, Pireeni Sundaralingam and more. $5-$20
suggested donation.
- Asian Arts Together,
Saturday, May 30, Noon-1 pm: Make cultural art
activities like Lunar Year Ox puppets, Tet Dragon
Mobiles, & Korean Kites for the whole family!
Free.
- Dances of
Asia, Saturday, May 30, 1-2:30 pm: Performances by
the Sahiyar Dance Company, DowneFx, OACC Artists in
Residence Jay Loyola, AYPAL, Kyoungil Ong and other
performers to celebrate Asian Pacific American
Heritage Month!
$3-$20 suggested
donation.
-
 Walk
to End Poverty & Violence, Saturday, May 30, 8 am, Lake
Merritt Bandstand: Meet at the Lake Merritt
Bandstand to register for the walk between 8 and 9 am.
First 400 to bring a non-perishable food donation for
the Alameda County Community Food Bank who register to
walk will receive a free t-shirt. Walk around the lake
(9-10am), enjoy water and a snack and visit the
Community Fair
(10 am-2pm) with local agencies offering help and advice
to those in need. For details, contact City of Oakland
Community Action Partnership at 238-2362 or download
forms from the web at Nomination forms for Community
Action Leadership, Community Service and Youth
Service Awards to be awarded during the annual Walk to
End Poverty on Saturday, May 30, 2009. are available at
www.oaklandCAP.org.
- Free
Oakland Civic Orchestra Concert, Sunday, May 31, 4
pm, Lake Merritt United Methodist Church: 1330 Lakeshore
Avenue. The Oakland Civic Orchestra, conducted by
Artistic Director Martha Stoddard, presents its season
finale concert, "Soundscapes." The program features
works by two Bay Area women composers: the world
premiere of Artistic Director Martha Stoddard's
Something Else Again, with soloists Susanne Rublein
(flute) and Anne Szabla (marimba) and Fragile Forests
II: Cambodia by Alexis Alrich. Also on the program is
Sibelius' Symphony No. 5. Admission is free. For more
information, please call (510) 238-7275.
- 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.
-
Summer Splash Open
House at Jack London Aquatic Center, Saturday, June
6, Noon-4 pm: The Jack London Aquatic Center
(JLAC) (in Estuary Park, on the Embarcadero, between
Oak Street and 5th Avenue) is Oakland's "trail-head"
to the open-spaces of the Oakland-Alameda Estuary.
Free of charge ... your opportunity to check out
kayaking, rowing and dragon-boating activities. Go
to
www.jlac.org, or call the JLAC at 208-6060.
-
6th Annual Temescal
Street Fair, Sunday, June 7, Noon-6 pm:
Crafts, music, food and loads of fun!
-
Uptown Unveiled!,
Thursday, June 18, 5 - 10 pm: This free
street fair will offer a glimpse into the hip,
happening downtown neighborhood. The event will
encompass and feature activities at the famed Fox
Oakland Theater, Oakland School for the Arts,
Oakland Ice Center, in addition to area art
galleries, restaurants, shops, nightspots and the
new Fox Square mini-park. Uptown Unveiled! is the
perfect way for foodies, families and urban warriors
of all ages to celebrate the start of summer!
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14. Library and Book Events |
 Laurel
Books Celebrates Children's Book Week, May 10-16:
Meet Elizabeth Partridge, Christina Meldrum, Lea Lyon and
Debra Sartell. 52 children's authors will be featured at 12
different book stores throughout Northern California under
the sponsorship of the No. CA. Children's Booksellers'
Association. Note that the store hosts a story time for
young children every Wednesday at 3:30 pm. Laurel Books is
located at 4100 MacArthur Blvd. in the Laurel.
- Oakland History Room
Presents Filipinos in
the East Bay Thursday, May 14, from 6:30 to 7:45
pm, in the West Auditorium at the Main Library, 125 14th
Street: East Bay chapter of the Filipino American
National Historical Society presents an illustrated
lecture featuring Evangeline Canonizado Buell, Evelyn
Luluquisen, and Eleanor Luis, authors of
Filipinos in the East
Bay. For more information, please contact the
Oakland History Room at 238-3222, or see the Oakland
Public Library's Web site:
www.oaklandlibrary.org.
-
 Lakeview
Branch Library Commemorates 60th Anniversary, Saturday,
May 16, 11 am-3pm: Lakeview Branch will celebrate
six decades at its 550 El Embarcadero home, on Lake
Merritt, with a huge party. All are welcome to listen to
local dignitaries speak, hear original literary works,
see a play, knit, play chess, and dance to funky music!
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I
think Mother Wright would have approved of today's
Anne
has devoted her adult life to public and non-profit
volunteer service, including decades as a Parks
Commissioner and is largely responsible for the founding
of the
