Moving Oakland Forward Together

If you are an absentee ballot voter like me, today is the last safe day to put that special state ballot into the mail. If you can't tell from the increasing threats coming from Sacramento,

this Tuesday, May 19, is the special election concerning the state budget. Still confused? Check out both the League of Women Voters impartial analysis and separate recommendations below in item # 3 below.

Right now 5 of the 6 state propositions seem headed for defeat, but whatever the outcome more state cuts are on their way. These propositions were suppose to close a $6 billion deficit, but the Governor announced this week that deficit has grown by another $15 billion. For the past several years, the state has borrowed money to balance its budget (selling bonds). Now the Governor is proposing to "borrow" property taxes from local cities, the maximum allowed under current state laws is 8 percent or for Oakland $11 million !

Meanwhile the Council has just begun the process of analyzing the Mayor's proposed budget. As chair of the Finance Committee I will be spending most of my time over the next month working on the budget alternatives. (See the schedule of hearings in #4.) Our office has been working on alternatives for the proposed CORE and senior cuts. We are working with the Friends of the Library and their local branch Friends groups to host a discussion on budget cuts to the Libraries on Wednesday, June 3 at 7 pm at the Dimond Branch Library.

Last week we talked about the positive NY Times article on Oakland in its 36 Hours series. Childrens Fairyland-Parenthood TV Program

Childrens Fairyland-Parenthood TV Program

This week Children's Fairyland reports it will be featured in a TV Movie this Fall: 20 years after the release of Ron Howard's comedy Parenthood, NBC is turning the film into a prime time television series and just wrapped filming a scene at Oakland landmark Children's Fairyland. This new version of Parenthood will be an hour-long update of the original and takes into account the modern challenges of parenting. The Buckmans are now the Bravermans-and part of the clan live in Oakland. 160 members of the show's cast and crew descended upon Fairyland last Sunday, directed by award-winner Thomas Schlamme (The West Wing) and Bay Area families got a sneak peek at the show.

I want to thank the Rick Rickards and Howard Neal (above) for joining me for Bike to Work Day. Special thanks to Wheels of Justice for its sponsorship and the East Bay Bicycle Coalition for its constant advocacy for bike lanes and safety. Each year the event grows with an estimated 6000 participating in Oakland this year.

While there are many great events going on this weekend...if you listen carefully you will hear music floating over the foothills this weekend. Follow the music to the Greek Festival at Cathedral of the Ascension on Lincoln Blvd. Homemade Greek specialties cooked the congregation are unbeatable! Join me for lamb shanks, moussaka, and honey flavored pastries!

Final note: Next Friday, May 22nd, is a citywide furlough day. Most city facilities will be closed. The following Monday, May 25th, is the Memorial Day holiday.

Stay cool and join us at the Greek Festival!

Jean Quan, Oakland City Council Member

1. This Weekend: Help Our Parks, Greek Festival

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. 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 Earth Day 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.

Celebrating Elephants at the Oakland Zoo, Saturday, May 16 & 23: Oakland has the best zoo in Northern California. The spacious, humane habitat means it is one of the few places in the state where you can meet elephants. Today throughout the Zoo, you will find exciting stations including activities such as touching gigantic elephant bones, holding an eleven-pound elephant tooth and stepping in an elephant footprint. A mock research camp will allow you to observe and record the elephants' behaviors using your own data sheet. There is also a special opportunity to tour the elephant barn and have a close encounter with an elephant! In our Children's Zoo, you'll find a circus atmosphere including popcorn, cotton candy, jugglers, and even Zoo teens with signs saying, "We Love Animal Free Circuses." Circus Finelli's acrobats and clowns create a festive carnival atmosphere for kids and adults.

Celebrate Lakeview Library's 60th Birthday, Saturday, May 16, 11 am-4 pm: 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!

22X NCPC Beautification Committee Clean Up at Dimond Gateway Peace Park, Saturday, May 16, 10 am-Noon: Meet at MacArthur and Lincoln (Dimond Gateway Peace 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: One last work day ! 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.

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.

Windfall for All: Saving Our Economy, Pocketbooks, and Planet 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. (Above) Bike to Work crowd near City Hall on Thursday.

Kids Otter Read Day Around the Bay, Saturday, May 16 1-3 pm at Laurel Books. 55 Authors, 12 book stores, 1 day in celebration of Children's Book Week. Laurel Books is located at 4100 MacArthur Blvd.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hosts An Artistic Discovery Reception & Awards Ceremony, Saturday, May 16, Noon- 2 pm, Chiodo Art Development Studio, 1933 Peralta Street: A panel of judges will select a winner among students in California's 9th Congressional District, who will represent the District at the national exhibit in the US Capitol for one year. For details or to RSVP, call Elaine McKellar at 763-0370.

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.

<<Students enjoy the sun at the Greek Festival Friday.

Bodies in Motion, Skyline High School Dance Production, Saturday, May 16, 7:30 pm: This show features advanced dance students in a unique Oakland mix. This is a great way to support the Performing Arts Academy and introduce younger children to live performances. $9 general admission, $4 children under 12 and seniors over 65.
The African Presence in México Exhibit, Sunday, May 17, 2-4 pm, Oakland Museum: This new exhibit looks at the little-known history of enslaved Africans brought to Mexico in the 1500s and their contributions to Mexican culture. Today's lecture is "Art and Constructs of Race: Casta Paintings and Contemporary Conversations about Identity." Art historian Charlene Villaseñor Black discusses the social and historical relevance of the caste paintings in the exhibition. Testimonials from UC Berkeley's Afro-Latino Working group, spoken word, and poetry address identity, culture, and stereotypes.
Maxwell Park NCPC Third Sunday Clean-up at Courtland and Redding, 9-Noon: The Maxwell Park NCPC has adopted the Courtland Creek area and meets the third Sunday of every month from 9 am until Noon to pick up trash, weed and plant. It's great to see how this once weedy trash strewn area has developed into a beautiful area with native plants.

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.
Oakland Youth Orchestra's Spring Concert, Sunday, May 17, 3 pm, First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison Street: A free concert featuring Oakland's finest young musicians, led by Michael Morgan, Artistic Director, and Bryan Nies, Principal Conductor. Program: Hungarian Dances, 1, 3, 5, 6 & 21, by Johannes Brahms; Harp Concerto by Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf featuring Adaline Stephens, Harp; Symphony No. 29 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, side by side with Oakland School for the Arts Chamber Orchestra, and Symphony No. 5 by Dimitri Shostakovich. Call 832-7710 for details.

2. This Week in Oakland

Oakland Zoo Ready to Grow--Public Meeting About Zoo's Expansion Plans, Monday, May 18, 7-8:30 pm, Marian Zimmer Auditorium at the Oakland Zoo: 9777 Golf Links Road. Learn more about plans for expansion, including a modern Veterinary Medical Hospital. For more information call 632-9525 x 178 or visit their website for updates.

Town Hall Meeting to Select a New Superintendent, Wednesday, May 20, 6-8:30 pm, Board Room, Oakland Technical High School: Note change of location. 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. Oakland Comcast subscribers who cannot attend the meeting may view it on KDOL Channel 27 from approximately 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 21.

Friends of Sausal Creek Meeting Focuses on Mills College Botanic Garden, Wednesday, May 20, 7 pm, Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue: Christina McWhorter, Botanic Garden Coordinator for Mills College, will present an overview of the Mills College Botanic Garden, past and present, with special focus on its current restoration efforts along Leona Creek. This event is free and all are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, please call 501-3672 or email coordinator@sausalcreek.org.

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.

3. Vote May 19th on State Propositions, Governor Threatens to "Borrow" From Cities or $11 M for Oakland

Governor Threatens to Borrow From Cities: Because the State Deficit is also growing $15 billion 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 --about $6 billion. The loan is supposed to be paid back in 3 years, but the Governor admitted he was not sure how the State would pay it back. Other proposed cuts include:
- $2 billion more in health & human services, cutting 225,000 kids off of Healthy Start health programs
- $3 billion in K-14 education, cutting up to 5 school days
- $1 billion more in cuts to UC and State college budgets
- 5000 state employee layoffs
- Increased Park fees
Federal Guidelines Stop Cuts in Health Care: The Obama administration accused the state of running afoul of stimulus rules and threatened to withhold nearly $7 billion in federal aid because of proposed cuts in health care. The administration told the state it must scrap its plan to reduce the state's contribution for home health care workers from $12.10 to $10.10 per hour. It also means that proposed cuts in Medi-Cal may also be off the table.
Take the California Budget Challenge On-Line: Our Oakland Budget Challenge below 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: I attended the State Convention as a delegate. 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 a $15 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 seniors against the disabled and each against the 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 this month.dddddddddd 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.
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."

The Smart Voter Guide on the May 19th ballot, includes pros and cons and other links.
The California Budget Project has also developed some in depth Pro's and Con's on several of the May 19 Propositions.

4. Mayor Presents Budget ; Your Input Needed, Try Our Budget Challenge

Council Begins Review of Mayor's Proposals, Starting with Libraries and Parks & Recreation Programs: This week the Council had a chance to hear about the proposed cuts in the libraries, including the elimination of the Book Mobile and the paired closures of six branches. Three pairs of libraries would share a staff, opening only 2-3 days a week each. Proposed libraries for pairing include Lakeview, Temescal, Melrose, Elmhurst, Golden Gate and M.L.King, Jr.. The Council asked for alternatives. Also discussed was the elimination of over sixty part time positions in Parks and Recreation. The Council asked for how these cuts would affect programs in each center and program. The department by department review continues Thursday, May 28th, 1-7 pm (note time extended).

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.

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 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 would double our internal debt and brings cash reserves to very low levels
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 .

These are some opportunities to be heard on budget priorities:

Attend one or more of the many public meetings and hearings (see below)

Check out the Oakland Budget Challenge, an online budget balancing exercise where you get to choose your priorities. We are the first city in the state to use this software, this has been a special project of my office and the Finance Committee staff person Sabrina Landreth. (Above)
Keep up to date at http://oaklandbudget.blogspot.com
Send in your suggestions at budgetsuggestions@oaklandnet.com

Revised Council Schedule for Budget Approval

Budget Workshop #1, Thursday, May 28, 1-7pm, 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 Town Hall" on Wednesday, May 27 at 6:30 pm during which KTOP viewers can call-in to have their budget questions answered on-air.

5. City Ballot Measures for All Mail Vote Due July 21st

Four Ballot Measure Go To Oakland Voters in An All Mail Vote: Citizens should receive ballots in the mail around June 19th.

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 homeowners.
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. >>Parents and youth at recent City Hall meeting.

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.

6. More City Issues: Summer Jobs for Youth

<<Bike to Work Crowd gathers for breakfast, raffles, and information on Thursday. Oakland began this tradition in the Bay Area 16 years ago.

City Seeks Community Organizations to Expand Summer Lunch Program: Does your organization provide activities for children during the summer? You can help fight hunger! Sign up for the City of Oakland's Free Summer Food Service Program. Last summer, the City of Oakland, Department of Human Services' Summer Food Service Program provided over 75,000 free lunches to children under the age of 18 through federal funding. Over 55 community based organizations, recreation centers and churches citywide participated in the summer lunch program in 2008. Contact Carmela Chase at 238-7992 to get more information about becoming a free summer lunch site!

Parks activist Anne Woodell (center) receives Mother of the Year Award. >>Marj Saunders, open space champion, greeted by well wishers on her 100th birthday.

City of Oakland's Public Works Director, Raul Godinez II, has been named as one of the National Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year for 2009 by the American Public Works Association (APWA). Some of the accomplishments that earned him this honor include: the Public Works Agency Customer Call Center, an enhanced Safety Training program, the implementation of Cityworks (computerized monitoring) work management system, a Technology Learning Center to adequately bridge staffs' computer skills for the requirements of the new work management system. His team has also completed several seasons of the "Pothole Blitz," where several thousands of potholes get repaired in a concentrated time period.
Free Spay/Neuter Clinics for Cats & Pit Bulls: On Monday, June 8th the East Bay SPCA's Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic will offer free surgeries for cats belonging to households earning less than $40,000 per year. Appointments are required. No ferals, please. For more information and an appointment, please call us at 510-639-7387. Space is limited.
- Eligible feral cats can be spayed or neutered at no cost to residents of Alameda or Contra Costa County who have been referred by the Feral Hot Line 563-4635.
- Pit Bulls and Pit Bull Mixed Dogs: The largest group of dogs in our shelter are pit bulls and mixes that owners give up. Make an appointment at 1-(877)4-PIT-FIX/

Summer Jobs Program Needs Employers: Our City wide drive to get summer jobs for youth is underway. Employers with summer jobs for youth who will be screened and recruited for you. may contact David Manson at 533-3447 or dmanson@yep.org Applications for youth for the summer job program are available here.
On May 7th, 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.

7. District 4 News: Radar Gun Program; NCPC Meetings; The Abbey Restoration

Radar, Radar and More Radar!: In the past year we've had great success in training volunteers to use a radar gun as part of a District 4 pilot project. After our last radar training more than a week ago, we ran many of your ideas past our favorite officer, Officer Dan Tirapelli, and he recommended that High Street be divided into two sections; one section from Foothill to Brookdale, and one section from Brookdale to MacArthur. So, if you regularly drive down High Street, watch your speed. You never know when the radar gun team will be on duty--monitoring speeding cars and sending the information to OPD, who then run the license plates via the DMV and send warning letters to the owners of the cars caught driving above the speed limit. If you have been radar-trained and would like to participate as a volunteer, contact Michael Johnson in our office. if you have not, he can also put you on our list for future trainings.

MSIC Beat 13Z Town Hall Meeting, Thursday, May 21, 6:30 pm, Montclair Elementary School Auditorium: Educate yourself on our eco-system here in the Oakland Hills, how you can prevent your yard and home from disaster by the plant choices you make as well the eco-friendly options available to you in the care of your home. Many freebies to be had. If you bring your old halogen torchiere lamp when you come to the MSIC Public Meeting on May 21, Rising Sun Energy Center will give you a new fluorescent version of the same light quality and brightness for FREE!
Planet Organics returns produce to Montclair Square, 2220 Mountain Blvd: A family owned grocery delivery service has partnered with Full Plate in Montclair. They have added fresh produce at the site of the old Montclair produce along with their other food lines.

Beat 13Y Neighborhood Watch Block Captains Summit, Saturday, May 23, 10-11:30 am.: Join your fellow block captains from Beat 13Y for an hour and half long session to share ideas and brainstorm about how you can make your NW even more effective. If you are on a street which has not organized a Neighborhood Watch, you are welcome to come and learn how to organize your own Neighborhood Watch. Contact Barry Pilger.

22x NCPC Sidewalk Repair Meeting, Thursday, May 28 7 pm at Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue: Marcel Uzegbu, Supervising Civil Engineer/Sidewalk Manager for the City of Oakland, will discuss city allocation of funding for sidewalk repair projects in commercial corridors, residential neighborhoods, and areas where sidewalk damage poses a threat to the disabled community. How can residents use city contractors and dramatically decrease sidewalk repair costs? This question and others will be answered on May 28. For more information contact Michael Johnson at 238-4742.

PRAC Approves Plans to Restore Joaquin Miller Abbey: This week, the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) approved plans to restore Joaquin Miller's Abbey to it's 19th Century glory. The plans were previously approved by the Alameda County Historical Society and the City's Landmarks Preservation Board. The plans were developed pro bono by the 1870 Design Group, who are experienced in designing and reconstructing historical gardens and buildings. The project has long been on the wish list of the Joaquin Miller Working Group, an organization representing various park user groups who have been shepherding a number of improvements to the 500-acre natural park. Plans call for restoring the current building to its appearance in the above photo, and to provide a number of educational panels that capture the history of Joaquin Miller, the poet, and his park. Many thanks to working group member Dale Risden and his partner, Patrick Lochiatto of 1870 Design Group for their hundreds of hours on designing this project. If you are interested in contributing to the project or in volunteering on one of the work days, contact Sue Piper in our office at 238-7042.

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.

8. Ways to Conserve & "Go Green"

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....

9. Community Policing News: New Interactive Crimespotting Map Now Online, Problem Solving Officers

Crime Reports Creep Up, But Still Run 18% Below Last Year: Increased burglaries running 8% below last year are pushing the stats up. Murders are still about a quarter less (-24%), robbery (-21%), and car thefts (-28%). With warm weather, please remember to close all your windows (including second floor and bathroom windows).

United Neighborhood Councils of Oakland Holds Special Session Congress 2, Tuesday, May 26, 6:30 pm, Eastmont Mall OPD Station: Delegates from each of the City's Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils are encouraged to attend this second meeting of the United Neighborhood Councils of Oakland (UNCO). For details, contact Jim Dexter, Interim Chair at 339-2184.
Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee, Wednesday, May27, Hearing Room 4 at City Hall, 6:30-8:30 pm: City Auditor Courtney Ruby will discuss the Measure Y Program audit. All Neighborhood Watch Block Captains, Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) leaders and participants, and others are encouraged to attend this meeting. To attend, please send Felicia Verdin an RSVP at 238-3128 or e-mail Felicia at fverdin@oaklandnet. com.
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:

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: John Haney Jhaney@oakland.net
Allendale 24y: Richard McNeely RMcNeely@oaklandnet.com

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.

To Help Shorten the Newsletter, some of the regular Safety Related Phone Numbers have been moved to the left hand column a the beginning of the newsletter.

10. School and Youth News

OUSD Narrows Superintendent Search to Final Three: The search for a new OUSD Superintendent entered its final stage this week with the announcement of three finalists for the District's top post. Barbara Adams, the Chief Academic Officer for Boston Public Schools; Tony Smith, Deputy Superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District and Edward Velasquez, Superintendent of the Montebello Unified School District in Los Angeles County, survived an exhaustive nationwide search for the new leader of Oakland Public Schools. For details, check out the OUSD website.
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.
Library's Summer Reading Program Kicks Off with a Party, Saturday, June 1, 2-4 pm, Children's Room Patio at the Main Library, 125 14th Street: The Oakland Public Library invites Oakland's youth to Be Creative @ Your Library this summer. That's the theme of the 2009 Summer Reading Program, a chance for young bookworms, ages 13 and under, to read their way to great prizes starting June 13 and running though August 9, 2009. Kids, ages 13 and under, are encouraged to visit one of our branches, the bookmobile, or the Main Library's Children's Room to sign up and start reading. (Pre-readers can participate by having someone read to them.) Prizes include books and tickets to some of Oakland's hottest attractions. At the Summer Reading Program Kick-Off Party children will be treated to face painting, sidewalk chalk art, ice cream, a scavenger hunt, music, and creative projects by the East Bay Depot for Creative Re-Use. And, back by popular demand, kids will get an opportunity to Dunk the Librarian! For more information about the program or to see a schedule of the many free events taking place this summer at your neighborhood library, please call 238-3615, or visit the library's Website. Your branch can also provide you with a calendar of its events.

11. Upcoming Community Events

Measure DD Cleveland Cascade Restoration Project Update, Thursday, May 21, 5-7 pm, at the foot of the Cleveland Cascade, Lakeshore Avenue between 2550 and 2300 Lakeshore Avenue. Discussion will focus on the Phase 1 project review, proposed pruning to enhance views and security, and very limited tree removal. For details, contact Carletta Starks in Council Member Nancy Nadel's office at 238-7032.

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 a 3-4 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
- Sunday, May 17, 2-4 pm-Interpretive Field Walk
- Saturday, June 13, 3-4 pm-Interpretive Field Walk
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!

Organization Chinese Americans' - East Bay - 22nd Annual Gala Celebration, Friday, June 12, 6 pm, Restaurant Peony, 388 9th Street, 2nd Floor: "Developing Asian American Leadership - Past, Present and Future" is the them of the 22nd Annual OCA Gala Celebration. This year, OCA honors Kevin Tan, the 2008 Beijing Olympics Mealidst and 2008 U.S. Men's Gymmnastics Team Captain, and Joe, Wong, Deputy Executive Director of the Port of Oakland.On Saturday, June 13, OCA sponsors "Kids Day with an Olympian" at the Lincoln Recreation Center when school children are invited to meet and talk with Mr. Tan about his life and Olympic experience. Cost: $100 per person. Please RSVP to (415) 392-9688 or email CHShao@CHSconsulting.net.

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!

June at Laurel Books: Stop by Laurel Books, 4100 MacAthur for two exciting book events:
- Thursday, June 18, 7 pm: The long awaited signing for The Sharing Solution with Janelle Orsi and Emily Doskow! (watch for them in Sunset magazine!)
- Saturday, June 20, 4 pm: Vegan Soul Kitchen with Bryant Terry, Oakland chef and neighbor. Hey! Special guest Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, author of Joy of Vegan Baking.
- Tuesday, June 23, 7 pm: Pam Allyn and her book What to Read When. This is a great book for parents and teachers with a wealth of suggestions for every need or topic written by an expert in the reading field.

The Laurel's Annual Fete de la Musique!, Saturday, June 20: Live music all over the Laurel and it's all free!

6th Annual Healthy Living Festival and Walk-A-Thon for Seniors and Those Who Love Them, Friday, June 26, 9 am-2 pm, Lake Merritt Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Avenue: Over 3,000 older adults have participated in past Festivals, and walked well over 6,000 miles around Lake Merritt--including the 1,400 older adults who walked around the lake last year, logging over 1,800 miles! Cheer your favorite senior on and visit the more than 140 public and private exhibits. Registration begins at 9 am; Tai Chi demonstration and warm-up begins at 9:15; walk-a-thon begins at 10.