• Neighborhood Clean Up Events:
  • Keep Oakland Beautiful: Dimond Clean-Up Walk, Saturday, July 18, 9-10 am: Meet at Dimond Gateway Garden, MacArthur and Lincoln. Pick up a litter walk map between 9 and 10 am.  Walks are 30 min to 45 min. All volunteers receive a 2 pastries/coffee from sponsor, La Farine Bakery/Dimond.  Contact Kathleen Russell for details. 
  • Short Line Park Clean Up, MSIC Beat 13z, Saturday, July 11, 9-11:30 am: Bring a hat, water, gloves, and small clippers if you have them. Light refreshments will be provided. Contact Jill Broadhurst, MSIC  Beautification Chair, 338-0110.
  • Maxwell Park NCPC's Monthly Clean up on Redding, Sunday, July 12, 9 am: Meet at the Walgreen's Parking Lot for at least 1 hour of trash pick up and camaraderie with friends and neighbors. Contact Jose Dorado for details.
     
  • Dimond NCPC Beat 22X Clean up of Dimond Park, Monday, July 13, 11 am-Noon: The local NCPC has added clean-up of Dimond Park to its roster of clean up dates. If interested, please contact Michelle Doppelt, Dimond Park Recreation Supervisor at  482-7831 or cell 681-5129. It's part of a concerted effort to adopt our parks and help with trash pick up, given the major cutbacks to Public Works Park Maintenance staff. All volunteers who help out with organized  clean ups in the Dimond will receive a complimentary card from La Farine Bakery/Dimond for 2 pastries or rolls/2 drinks.
     
    
     

• MHA Horse Events at Sequoia Arena in Joaquin Miller Park This Weekend: The Metropolitan Horsemen's Association's annual Dressage Show starts at 9 am on Saturday, July 11, judged by Jay Aston Moore. This is a great free event for kids to watch! On Sunday, July 12, Judge Jay Ashton Moore will present a Rider Biochemistry Workshop starting at 9 am. You can audit the clinic (without riding) for $35.
   

• Celebrate Completion of the Maxwell Park Mosaic Mural, Saturday, July 11, 10 am: The Maxwell Park NCPC spun off a task force that became the Friends of Maxwell Park (ie. the park located between Fleming and Allendale southeast of High Street). In addition to developing a park master plan, the group successfully wrote grants and used some of our office Paygo funds to pay for supplies for a mosaic mural on the outside restroom walls. They'll have carrot cake and lemonade, and a fire engine has been confirmed for 10:30 am for the kids to play on (unless the firefighters get called to a fire at that time).  More than 100 community members took part in this project, which is really something to celebrate!  Hope to see you there.
   

• FOSC Bird Monitoring at Sequoia Arena in Joaquin Miller Park, Saturday, July 11-8 am - Noon. Contact Mark Rauzon.

Free Take Home Computer Event, Carmen Flores Recreation Center, Josie de la Cruz Park, Saturday, July 11, 9 am-Noon:

• Central Estuary Plan  Workshop, Saturday, July 11, 9:30 am-Noon, Beacon Bay School, 2101 Livingston Street.  You'll be asked to "roll up your sleeves" and participate in a mapping exercise to develop alternatives that reflect your ideas and what you'd like to see in the Central Estuary area in the future.  You will have the opportunity to present your ideas to the project team and fellow community participants.

• Redwood Heights Recreation Center's Annual Carnival & Open House,  Saturday, July 11, 10:30-2 pm, Movie in the Park at Dusk: Bring the entire family to 3883 Aliso Avenue. The Redwood Heights Summer Day Camps will have various carnival booths where you can earn carnival dollars. Use the carnival dollars to "buy" Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Shaved Ice and other items.
  The movie, Wall-E, begins at dusk (around 8:45 pm).

• Music on the Patio at Farmer Joe's Fruitvale, Saturday, July 11, 4-6 pm: Enjoy evening entertainment and let Farmer Joe's take care of dinner. The grill will be out with entrees from burgers to tri-tip, along with all the sides at the deli counter available for purchase. Sit down and hear popular song favorites from the 1900's to now, as played by Romy Geroso (guitar), Guido Moscoso (percussion,vocals), and Gracie Munoz (flute, vocals). They deliver a unique romantic sound with an R&B/Latin flavor. This monthly concert featuring local musicians will continue through October, if supported with your attendance. So...come out and enjoy a summer evening, this Saturday, with food, music, and friends on the Patio of Farmer Joe's Fruitvale store. The next concert will be Saturday, August 1.
   

• 35th Annual Scottish Highland Games, Saturday, July 11-Sunday, July 12, 10 am- 5 pm: The sounds of bagpipes and drums will fill the air here at the Estate.  The days are filled with Highland games, craft booths, vendors, food, whisky tasting, Mansion tours, a gathering of the clans, children's activities, dancing demonstrations, pipe band competitions and musical performances. To purchase tickets, go to the Dunsmuir-Hellman House website or call 562-0328.

• Fry Bread Making Demonstration, Peralta House, 2465 34th Avenue, Saturday, July 11, 2-4 pm:  Judy Aguilar, Ruth Villasenor's (Paws & Claws in the Dimond)  Navajo cousin will be giving a Fry Bread making demonstration at the Peralta House this Saturday. Peralta House is located at  2465 34th Ave, above Foothill, one block off Coolidge.  

• Chinatown Summer Night Market, Pacific Renaissance Plaza Courtyard, 9th  between Webster and Franklin, every Saturday, 4-9 pm through July 25: The Night Market is sponsored by the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy wonderful performances from a Martial Arts Demonstration, Ancient Chinese Face Changing, Magic Show, China's Spirit Music Ensemble, Children Folk Dances, cooking demonstration and food sampling.performances, and vendors. Discount coupons are distributed for nearby restaurants. (Above) If you go, try the original and delicious ice creams (avocado or sesame) and my favorite a honeydew pearl drink at the Sweet Booth in the plaza.
   
• Stay Cool This Summer--Try Ice Skating: The Oakland Ice Center kicks off  Summer Theme Nights with a 50's Sock Hop at the Ice Rink, 519 10th Street, Saturday, July 11, 7:15-9:15 pm. Come dressed in the theme and receive a 10% discount on admission. For details, and a list of additional events, go to their website or check out item # 12 below.
   

Come Support the Newly Formed Friends of Montclair RR Trail, Sunday, July 12, 10:30-12:30:

• Free Matinees Celebrate Prescott Clowns' 25th Anniversary, Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16, Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice Street: After 25 years as the Director and Inspiration of Prescott Clowns Theatre, Aileen Moffit will retire this fall. The Summer Show,  "Pass it On", represents passing on the baton to Jamarr Woodruff, the new Artistic Director. Morning shows (almost completely booked) start at 11 am, afternoon shows begin at 1:30.Prescott Clowns Theatre has offered training in the circus arts to Oakland students for the past 25 years. (Above) Jean with Prescott Clowns at the Laurel Street Fair.

• FOSC Bi-monthly Meeting Focuses on Restoration of Sausal Creek, Wednesday, July 15, 7 pm, Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Ave.: These bi-monthly meetings are extremely informative! If you are interested in adopting a site along the creek to maintain, please email FOSC. For details, contact the Friends of Sausal Creek.

TWG Twenty, Oakland School for the Arts Theater, 530-18th Street Thursday, July 16 7-9:30 pm: Join Will Durst to celebrate 20 years of The Working Group's award-winning, ground breaking TV. Retrospective Screening and Reception
5:30-6:30 pm:  Free screening of Test of Courage:The Making of a Firefighter. Set in Oakland, California, a city where no single ethnic group makes up the majority, the story shows how these aspiring firefighters navigate the cultural divides to learn to live and work together, meeting the daily pressures of saving lives. Suggested donation $10-$25. RSVP to rsvp@theworkinggroup.org.
 

• Tip a Cop at Kincaids in Jack London Square, Thursday, July 16, 5-9 pm: and Support Special Olympics: Come join the Oakland Police Department volunteers as Celebrity Waiters to raise money to benefit Special Olympics Northern California, Eastbay Region.  Kincaids is located at One Franklin Street iat Jack London Square. Call 835-8600 for details.

• Celebrate the first moon landing, NASA Apollo 40th Anniversary, Saturday, July 18:  Chabot will have hands-on space activities and demonstrations, Discovery Lab activities for tots with astronaut costumes, starry time read-alongs and space crafts. Come hear about our own telescope Rachel's special connection to Apollo 13 along with solar viewing and activities on the observatory deck. Also, CHALLENGER MISSIONS (1pm and 3pm)
  offer a 60 minute opportunity to simulate a flight to the Moon. Advanced registration required, call  336-7373 to register.Members: $5, Guest $10.
  Work as on-board astronauts and mission control specialists. Build a satellite, navigate the spacecraft, test hazardous materials via robotic arm or monitor on-board life support systems. If an emergency occurs, you and your team will solve them in order to successfully complete the mission.8 years and up, accompanied by an adult throughout the entire mission.
   

• Boxer-Lee Bills for More Police: Two of our hometown political representatives introduced simultaneously bills which would give more federal help to cities with high crime rates facing budget cuts for their police departments.  20 cities including Oakland - all of which have been grappling with municipal budget deficits - would become eligible for hiring grants that could increase their police forces by 5 percent to 10 percent by adding officers to patrol areas heavily affected by violent crime..
   

• July 4th Costs and Police Overtime:  I haven't seen the final report but police overtime costs for July 4th were generally lower than previous years because:
  • New schedules allow more regular time for weekends and more flexible schedules.
  • There were generally less illegal fireworks and the crowd at Jack London Square was smaller and dispersed quickly.
  • Police working overtime were sent home as early as possible.

• Riding Along on July 4th:  I often choose July 4th as one of  2-3 ride alongs per year with our frontline police officers.  It's generally an opportunity to see how we perform under stress.  This year I asked to ride in East Oakland where sideshows are a major problem.  I rode with Captain Paul Figueroa, Oakland native and resident, who oversees the area and with officers under his command.  Joining them at the Eastmont substation at around 8 pm I learned that illegal fireworks has caused one house fire; there would be two by the end of the night...about average. Above, some furniture illegally dumped on the street was on fire.

At first I rode with a sargeant overseeing Problem Solving Officers for the first few hours.  I was struck by the fact that there was less emphasis on issuing citations and more on educating and developing relations with families than past years when I rode with patrol officers involved in 911 response. Fireworks were seized. <<The blue Camaro was involved in a drag race that totalled 3 cars and damaged many others on 90th Avenue.  It was miracle with so many kids on the street that no one was killed.

Generally police focus on the more dangerous professional fireworks than the so-called "safe and sane" but there seemed to less of both in areas where I rode.  We spent most of night involved in "routine" police efforts -- several bad accidents, search for a youth with gun involved in a possible robbery, the rapid arrest of suspects involved in a rape thanks to good description of their van by witnesses, and several traffic stops.  Stops like the one above where the driver was without a valid license or insurance can tie officers down for a long period while they wait for towing trucks.  With 200 plus extra officers on duty for at least part of July 4th, police response to the most urgent calls were swift and impressive. By 3 am the streets seemed deserted and no side shows had materialized so I went home.  The next day I found that they started at 3:30 am.

• Layoffs and bumping procedures are underway, over 300 jobs were eliminated.  More employees, estimated 60-80, will be taking early retirement and their positions will not be filled.
• Libraries will generally be open from Tuesdays through Saturdays.  The Main Library remains open 7 days a week.
• Parking meter rates go up to $2 per hour; meters are active until 8 pm.
• Parking fines will generally be increased, except for the basic Parking Meter fine.  Earlier this year we passed on the $10/ticket surcharge required by the Perata bill to finance court house buildings; raising the tickets to $45.  The Mayor's proposal would have increased it to $55. However, to balance this we did agree to extend parking meters to 8 pm.
• The most difficult income increase is a proposal to put a 10% surcharge on tickets at the Coliseum and Arena to pay for the cost of capital improvements.  The City pays about $12 million each year because of the Raiders deal.  This fee would bring the City payment down about $9 million a year.  The Coliseum Board asked staff to bring a formal proposal to them, 6-2.
• The County unexpected took legal actions last week to delay collection of the parking tax at the Coliseum, but dropped them this week.

• Police Negotiations Continue, OPOA Votes on Whether to Delay their Raise: Negotiations are continuing with the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA).  We want to thank the union's leadership for asking for a delay in the Arbitrator's award of 4 percent beginning July 1st. 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 Council is asking the police to give back the same 10 percent as other employees,  that calculated amount is part of the budget we passed--almost $13 million.  While OPOA has offered to delay their 4 percent raise until mid-July to continue to negotiate, a total offer for 10 percent has not been reached.
  
  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 this month. 
  If the City gets half of the funds we asked for AND IF the police union agrees to the same level of cuts that other city unions are poised to agree to, we will not have to layoff any officers and can continue to keep police levels at the highest in the city's history.

City Amnesty for Fines:  Do you owe fines on parking tickets or back business taxes?  Part of our proposal to balance the budget includes an Amnesty on fines.  If you come in August through October and pay your original ticket amount or tax, all additional fines and interest will be waived.  We expect this will bring the City about $500,000 in additional revenues.

• City Website Tracks Federal Stimulus Grants:  The City put up  a website  on the Federal Stimulus Grants; it includes a list of Oakland applications, links to federal sites, and will eventually have postings of  local opportunities.
  
   
   

 

• 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

Two AC Transit Cuts in District 4 - and one old Route welcomed back: AC Transit has announced that it will be discontinuing the 47 Bus running between Maxwell Park and the Fruitvale BART Station and that portion of the 53 Bus running up Tiffin to the Woodminster area. In meetings with AC Transit staff, we were told that both routes were characterized by extremely low ridership as objectively demonstrated by an "automatic passenger counter" that AC has installed in all of its buses, and which accounts for every rider on a bus, paid or unpaid. 

• Possible BART Work Stoppage Next Week:  As we go to press, BART union employees will be voting on a settlement with BART. If  BART and its workers are unable to reach an agreement, there is a possibility that BART service could be stopped.  Consider carpooling, using AC Transit, telecommuting or your bicycle! Visit 511.org (http://www.511.org/) for travel options. Or, call 511 and say "Rideshare."

Citizens should have received ballots by now.

• Measure C:  A  3%
   Hotel Tax to provide   increased  funding to the Oakland Museum, Zoo, Chabot Space and Science Center, cultural events, and Convention Services will provide $3 million a year to these vital cultural and educational institutions and help stimulate and market our tourist industry.

• Measure D:  A compromise Kids First measure will repeal Measure OO but still provide a small increase for youth programs, saves $4 million this year and up to $17 million in future years.  

• Measure F:  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.
   

• Measure H: The Real Estate Transfer Tax proposal for a technical fix to make sure corporations pay the same real estate transfer tax as individual homeowners.

• Computer Classes for Seniors at Lincoln Court, 2400 MacArthur: 1) Basic Classes, July 13-30, M-Tu-F 3-5 pm,$10 (for 4-week class) and 2) August 4-21, M-Tu-F 3-5 pm, $10 (for 3-week class) .  Classes offered by Oakland Adult Education.
   

• 22X NCPC Meeting (Neighborhood Coalition for Positive Change) (including communities of Montera, Woodminster, Lincoln Heights, Oakmore and Dimond), Monday, July 20, 7 pm, Greek Orthodox Church, 4700 Lincoln Ave.  Speaker: Kevin Grant, Street Outreach Coordinator for City of Oakland.
   

 Oakmore residents enjoy music and BBQ on July 5th.

• Community Support Still Needed for Joaquin Miller/Montera School  Pathway Project: We posted a banner at the Park Blvd. entrance/exit from Highway 13 on Mountain Blvd. to generate more donations to the Joaquin Miller/Montera School Pathway Project. The City has applied for a $1 million state Safe Routes to School Grant, which we should be hearing about soon. Even if we get the grant, there are still expenses that need to be covered, and so we are asking parents from all of Montclair schools, as well as local Montclair residents to chip in their share. Tax deductible donations can be made to the Joaquin Miller School Pathway Project Account #P330610 c/o Sue Piper, Council District 4 Office, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612. For details, contact Sue in our office at 238-7042.

• Summer Reading with Laurel Book Store, 4100 MacArthur Blvd. in the Laurel:

• Kid's Story Time, Wednesdays at 3:30 pm: Bring the little ones for a nice afternoon treat.
• Adrian Harper with Night Biters, his first young adult novel of vampires set here in Oakland!  Thursday, July 17, 7 pm:  Fans of Twilight might want to watch for more info!
   
• Enitan Bereola II, talks about Bereolaesque; The Contemporary Gentleman & Etiquette Book for the Urban Sophisticate, Saturday, July 18, 5 pm: Enitan was is a young man with manners and a desire to help others understand and use them for themselves. Moms--encourage your sons to attend!
• Linda Morganstein talks about My Life With Stella Kane, Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 pm: It's a story of love and movies in the studio system of 1948. Gay stars, girls in love, lots of drama.

• Oakland Named 4th Greenest City in the Nation: Dow Jones Market Watch ranked Oakland # 4, between Berkeley (#6) and San Francisco (#2) in its recent review of the top greenest cities in the nation. "Residents of this port city have access to an abundance of fresh, organic food, much of which is locally sourced. It's also home to the nation's cleanest tap water, hydrogen-powered public transit and the country's oldest wildlife refuge. Oakland also plans to have zero waste and be oil-independent by 2020, and already gets 17 percent of its energy from renewable sources." Portland, Oregon, got first place.

• Got Fruit? Students from Pueblo will harvest your extra fruit and produce and donate it to low income seniors in Oakland.For details or to arrange a harvest. contact Annie Burdett at 708-7010  or email pueblo@peopleunited.org.

• As the co-author of the City's ordinance banning polystyrene foodware at fast food restaurants, and the effort to use reusable grocery bags at grocery stores, I especially support the City's educational campaign to inform the public about residential food scraps recycling, and distributing reusable cloth bags at our 10 Farmer's Markets throughout the City. I've been observing patrons at the Montclair Farmer's Market, and clearly more and more of you are bringing your own cloth bags to bring home the fresh produce and other foods at that Sunday market. If for some reason you don't have a supply of reusable bags, representatives from the City's Environmental Services Division will be on hand on Sunday, July 19 with bags available for purchase.

• Sign up for Creek to Bay Day 2009, September 19, 9 am-Noon: Sign up before July 17 to be listed on the 2009 poster. Site coordinators will meet on August 12, 7-9 pm  at 250 Frank Ogawa Plaza, 5th floor Fox Conference Room for training. August 14 is the deadline for requesting loans of tools. One registered, tools may be picked up September 16, 17 and 18th. For details, contact Daniel Chau at 238-6222.

• Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee/Oakland Police Officers Association Mixer, Wednesday, July 22, 6:30-8:30 pm, OPOA Office, 555 5th Street: This is a social mixer to give city-wide Block Captains and NCPC Leaders an opportunity to meet the OPOA.  The primary purpose of the mixer is to give Block Captains and NCPC Leaders an opportunity to express appreciation to OPD, and to Officers, for all the hard work they do for the City.  

• Sign Up for National Night Out Now, Tuesday, August 4, 7-9pm:  
  Last year we had over 100 NNO Parties in our district!  Let's see if we can break that record.  It is a great way to meet you neighbors, have fun, and make your community safer.

• While City Crime is down, Burglaries are up 14%.  Murders remain -24%, robberies are -20% down, and auto thefts -24% down. Take Time This Weekend to Do a Safety Audit of Your Home:  With summer many of us forget to secure windows and doors. With the recession, crimes like burglaries appear to be on the rise across the nation, in Oakland they are about 1 up.  We continue to have a rash of quick smash and run burglaries.  Do not leave laptops and expensive equipment visible from windows.  Check your doors, weaker doors are the main targets.   This is a useful checklist to consider.
   

• 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
     

• 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: Greg Loud GLoud@oaklandnet.com
• North Hills 13y: John Haney JHaney@oaklandnet.com
• 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.

Parents and neighbors, now is the time our kids need us the most.  We are getting back local control during the worst state school cuts in recent history. Please consider ways you can support our schools--by volunteering, donating funds, designating your local school as a recipient of your escrip, or by participating in the local PTA or site committee. I am working with the Police and District to focus on truancy this fall and encourage all Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils to connect with their local schools. Starting September, all Problem Solving Officers will visit their local schools so that our students will get to know "their" officer as a real person.

• Library Moves to 5-day Schedule Starting August 1:  As a result of the June 2009 Budget adoption by City Council, the Oakland Public Library (OPL) received funding to keep a 5-day schedule of library services at all branches.  The Main Library will remain open 7-days per week.  The the new branch schedule will be Tuesdays - Saturdays, effective Saturday, August 1. While branch libraries won't be open on Mondays for kids to drop in after school, we will be open for them the rest of the week and for families on Saturdays.

• Pre-School Play Groups:  A good way to build support for public schools and prepare your child for school is to organize or join a play group for your school. Here are two groups organized for local schools:
  • Glenview 2009 Kindergarten: Every Saturday morning, 10 a.m.- noon, from July 11 through August 22, Glenview Elementary School, lower back yard play structure. Contact Megan (415)309.7367 or m@meganleighsimmons.com
  •  Joaquin Miller 2009 Kindergarten: Saturday July 18th from 3 -5, again at Jordan Park. Please bring a snack to share (nothing fancy) and a picnic blanket. :
     
• Welcome New Redwood Height's Elementary School Principal Sara Stone, Saturday, July 18, 9-11 am, Redwood Heights Recreation Center: After a lengthy search, the Redwood Heights PTA is pleased to invite parents and neighbors to a light breakfast reception to meet the new principal for their school.
   
• Summer Family Nights at the Dimond Library, Tuesdays at 7 pm: Bring the entire family to 3565 Fruitvale Ave for an evening of fun
   
  • July 14: Magician Timothy James
  • July 21: DRUMM (group drumming and African percussion)
  • July 28: Magic by Andrew
  • August 4: National Night Out (outside stories and sidewalk art fun)
  • August 11: Fratello Marionettes

• Studio One Summer Classes-Children Summer Arts Camp is still open at very affordable rates (early and late care also available). All Classes take place at 365 - 45th Street, Oakland. Features:  Art Activities, Fun Times, & Field Trips. Call 597-5027 for space availability.
   
   
• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie at Children's Fairyland, July 23-August 16: Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences launches its first summer season with a new production at Children's Fairyland. The highly-regarded theater company will perform If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, a play based on the book by Laura Numeroff. The popular book was adapted for the stage by Jody Davidson and the play is directed by Nina Meehan. As a special treat for families, every ticket to the show includes one hour free admission to Children's Fairyland prior to the show.  The park is open for picnicking from 5-6 pm on Fridays prior to the 6 pm show.  On other days, the park will be open through the 4 pm showtime.

• Free Summer Meal Program at District 4 Schools: Free meals will be available for all young people up to 18 years old (excluding infants) at Oakland schools this summer. In other words, in addition to our summer school students, young people throughout the community can visit one of these sites for a free meal. Please note school sites, dates, and serving times that the program is available:
   
  • Allendale, 3670 Penniman Ave.  June 23 - July 17
    9:30-9:45 am ; Noon-12:30 pm
  • Bret Harte Middle, 3700 Coolidge Ave.  June 15 - July 17
    8:15-8:30 am; 10:30-11:00 am
                                                               August 17-August 20
  •  8:15-8:30 am, 10:30-11:00 am
  • Bridges @ Melrose, 1325 53rd Ave       June 22 - July 17
    8:00-8:15 am; 11:30-Noon
  • Fremont/Mandela High, 4610 Foothill Blvd. June 22 - July 17
    8:00-8:15 am; Noon - 1 pm
  • Fruitvale,  3200 Boston Ave.          June 22 - July 17
    8:00-8:25 am; 11:00-11:30 pm
  • Glenview, 4215 La Cresta Ave.        June 22 - July 17
    9:30-9:45 am; 12:15-12:45 pm
  • Laurel,  3750 Brown Ave.             June 22 - July 17
    8:00-8:25 am; 10:30-10:50 am
  • Maxwell Park Elementary, 4730 Fleming Ave.  June 22 - July 17
    8:00-8:25 am; 11:00-11:30 am
  • Melrose Leadership @ Sherman, 5328 Brann St.June 22 - July 17
    8:00-8:15 am; 12:30-1:00 pm
  • Montera Middle School, 5555 Ascot Dr.     June 22 - July 17
    8:00-8:15 am; 12:30-1:00 pm
  • Redwood Heights Elementary,4401 39th Ave.  June 22 - July 17
    8:00-8:25 am;11:00-11:30 am
  • Sequoia, 3730 Lincoln Ave.        June 22 - July 17
    8:00-8:25 am; 11:00-11:30 am
  • Skyline High, 12250 Skyline Blvd.    June 22 - July 17
    8:30-9:05 am; 11:30-Noon
  • Tilden Elementary,4551 Steele St.   June 22 - July 17
    8:00-8:25 am;  11:00-11:30 am

• Celebrate OPR's 100th Anniversary and Fenton's 115th Anniversary  with Sundaes on Sunday, July 19--National Ice Cream Day-- 25% of each sundae sold goes to Oakland Parks & Recreation in celebration of OPR's 100th Anniversary and Fenton's 115th! Check out the Candyland  Sundae-- Butterfinger, Heath Bar and Rice Krispies Treat! Fentons is located at 4226 Piedmont Ave.
   

• Walking Tours of Oakland: A great way to introduce our fair city to your visitors, or to learn more about the richness of Oakland yourself: All tours are free and being promptly at 10 am. Reservations are encouraged. Call 238-3234.
   
  • Saturday, July 11, City Center. Turn-of-the-century landmarks alongside modern high-rises are the focus of this tour. Explore the upbeat style of the modern City Center Square and discover a "there" there. Examine symbols of Oakland's arrival as a modern 20th century metropolis -- the Beaux Arts-style City hall and Rotunda Building, the Tribune Tower, and the Art Deco-style Financial Center building. Meet  in front of Oakland City Hall, One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza.
  
   
• Keep Cool in the Summer at the Oakland Ice Rink, 519 10th Street in Downtown Oakland:
  • Friday Theme Nights, 7:15-9:15: Come dressed in theme and receive a 10% discount off of admission: 7/18-60's Summer of Love; 7/25-70's Saturday Night Fever; 8/1-80's Skate Party; 8/8--Hop Hop Saturday; 8:15-Jersey Night; 8/22-Tribute to the Stars; 8/29: Show Your True Teal.
     
  • Sizzling Hot Summer Nights on Wednesdays, 6:45-8:45 pm: Aged 18 or older public skating sessions, July 8-August 26.$7 admission; $2.50 skate rental; $16 for two (includes skate rental).
     

• MHA Hunter Jumper Schooling Show at  Sequoia Arena in Joaquin Miller Park, Sunday, July 26, 9 am.
   

• Free Circus Bella Performances in Oakland,  Saturday, July 19 in Dimond Park and Saturday, July 25 at DeFremery Park. Circus Bella will be performing the family friendly show, DOINK!, complete with aerial and balancing acts, clowns, great music  and more.(See Item #13.)
   

• Splash into Summer, Lake Merritt Boating Center, Saturday, July 18, 1-3 pm: The Lake Merritt Boating Center, 568 Bellevue Avenue, cordially invites you to their "Splash Into Summer" Open House. Celebrate National Recreation & Parks Month at Lake Merritt Boating Center!

• Free Family-Oriented Outdoor Movies at East Bay Regional Parks: Enjoy FREE, family oriented outdoor movies in beautiful park settings. Movies are family oriented, rated PG, and begin shortly after sunset. Arrive early for a good seat. Bring a flashlight, warm clothes, snacks, and a blanket or chair. Each location offers a unique experience. No pets. Rain cancels. More information: recreation@ebparks.org, or 530-8241.
  • Saturday, July 25, Roberts Regional Recreation Area, Oakland: Featuring The Neverending Story, rated PG, 93 minutes, 1984. Come early for arts & crafts. Snacks available for sale. Expected movie start time is 9 pm
  
   
• Fourth Friday Summer Nights at Dunsmuir House, 6 pm on: Come to the Great Meadow and bring a picnic and blanket. Once it's dark enough, outdoor movies will begin:
   
  • Friday, July 24, The Secret Garden
  • Friday, August 28, A Little Princess
  • Friday, September 25, Finding Neverland

• Senior Scam Stopper Meeting For Seniors, Family and Friends, Friday, July 31, 10-Noon, Fruitvale San Antonio Senior Center, 3301 East 12th Street, 2nd Floor:Seniors are one of the most targeted groups by scam artists and abuse is on the rise.  What can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming the next victims?  Come learn from the experts on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from fraud. Sponsored by Sen. Loni Hancock in collaboration with the California Contractors State License Board.

• Annual Silence the Violence Day with the Oakland As, Wednesday, August 5: Join Silence the Violence for a full day of events at McAfee Coliseum--8 am-9 am, Morning Visibility Actions: to host an action call 444-5400; to attend an action check the website at www.urbanpeacemovement.org.  The 4th Annual Oakland A's Silence the Violence Day Game of Texas Rangers vs. Oakland A's. Tailgate and resource fair, 5:3 -6:30 pm, first pitch, 7:05 pm. To order tickets, call 563-2336.
  
   
• East Bay Express Throws 2009's Best of the East Bay Party, Friday, August 7, 5 pm- Midnight, Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street:On August 7, the East Bay Express celebrates its winners of the 2009 Best of the East Bay Issue at the Oakland Museum of California. The party is poised to surpass last year's fete.12,000+ guests are expected this year at the Oakland Museum of California. Six stages will feature over 20 bands including Goapele, Social Unrest, Dizzy Balloon, and The Souls of Mischief on the Amoeba Main Stage hosted by Bukue One. The Electronica Underground will be bumping to the beats of an all star line-up courtesy of Syd Gris (Opel Productions), including Dyloot, Dresden & Johnston, Mephisto Odyssey, and more. From R&B to Metal, this party covers a wide range of great East Bay sounds. All alcohol proceeds benefit OneCalifornia Foundation. Best of all, it's FREE.

• 9th Annual Fine Arts Festival at The Crucible, Wednesday, July 15-Saturday, July 18, 8 pm-Midnight, New Fire Arts Arena off West Grand Avenue, near Port of Oakland: Scorching showcase of incendiary performances and largest collection of outdoor fire and light sculptures on the West Coast. Four fire-filled nights of spectacular art installations, music, great food and libations, and the world premiere of The Rootabaga Opera by Dan Cantrell. All proceeds benefit The Crucible's art education programs for youth and adults. Admission $35-$55. Call 444-0919 or visit their website.

Dimond Picnic and Circus Bella, Saturday, July 19, 10:30-3:30 pm:

• 12th Annual Health Fair, Saturday, July 25, 10 am-4 pm, Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2825 International Blvd.:  La Clinica presents it's 12th Annual Health Fair with free health screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, podiatry, cholesterol, dental screening for kids, eye examinations, HIV testing, pharmacists consultations, vaccinations, asthma and much more. Music, fun and services for the whole family!

2nd Annual Peace Ride Around Lake Merritt, Saturday, July 25, 2 pm, 628 Perkins Street:

• 100th Anniversary of Oakland Parks & Recreation-Family Day at deFremery Recreation Center, Saturday, July 25, Noon-6pm, 1651 Adeline Street. Activities include access to the pool, food vendors, crafts, music and performances by local artists and recreation performing arts programs, and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

• 2nd Annual Lakefest '09, Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, Lakeshore Avenue, 10 am-6 pm: Lakeshore Ave. will be turned into a pedestrian zone from Lake Park to Mandana to host this free community event featuring live music, artisans, merchant sidewalk sale, art installations, "green" businesses and non-profits, street performers, children's fun zone. 

• 10th Annual Laurel Street Festival,  Saturday, August 8, 1- 6 pm: The Laurel District along MacArthur Blvd. between 35th and High will transform into a pedestrian zone to host thousands of Laurel residents and visitors from the greater Bay Area. The festival will showcase live music and performances highlighting some of the greatest Bay area and local talents, a street fair with over a 100 vendors, street art, gourmet food booths, family fun at the Kid's Zone featuring games, activities for children of all ages and showcases more than 100 retail, service and restaurant establishments in Oakland's own Laurel District.The Laurel Street Festival attracts over 5000 attendees annually.
   

• Art & Soul, August 14-16-- This year Oakland's celebrated art and music festival surrounding City Hall will be held early due to retrofit construction on the Bay Bridge over the Labor Day Weekend. 

Chinatown Street Fest, Saturday & Sunday, August 22 & 23, 10 am-6-pm: Celebrate the year of the Ox, Chinese lion dances, Japanese taiko drumming and Tahitian dance as Oakland's Chinatown (the oldest Chinatown in the state) celebrates! This 22nd annual event covers nearly 10 blocks and includes three stages and hundreds of food booths. For details, check out their website.
 

• East Bay Evolution Eat Real Bike Tour, Saturday, August 29 or Sunday, August 30, Noon to 4 pm: Join a tour for two-wheeled foodies! Begin and end at the Eat Real Festival at Jack London Square. Peddle along Oakland's waterfront and meet local culinary artisans, learn about their specialties and sample their creations. Members of East Bay Bicycle Coalition or Walk Oakland Bike Oakland receive $10 off cost. Bike rentals available from Bay Area Bikes.$40. Call Karen Hester for details. Or register here.

• 4th Annual Day in the Park, Maxwell Park, Saturday, September 12, Noon- 5 pm: Featuring local musicians, kids' games, bike repair, BBQ and a lot more. If you would like to help sponsor the event, please send checks in any denomination to the Maxwell Park NCPC,  3145 Courtland Avenue, Oakland 94619. Volunteers are also needed. Please contact Helen da Silva at 207-2958 or Krista Gulbransen at 304-3575.

Oaktoberfest in the Dimond, Saturday, October 10, 11am-6pm, MacArthur Blvd. at Fruitvale Avenue

• Allendale Park NCPC- cleans up streets, tree wells and storm drains on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays 38th Street between Nevil and Suter Streets. Call Steve Reuss at 536-9551.
  
   

• Keep Dimond Clean Every Week: 22x NCPC Beautification Efforts: Residents are invited to join neighborhood volunteers on Keep Oakland Clean and Beautiful volunteer clean up walks:

Safe Walk to School Monitors/Volunteers Needed: Pedestrian safety at our local schools is a constant concern. The City's Safe Walk to School Program experienced cutbacks in funding, but is interested in retirees willing to dedicate 1 to 1 1/2 hours twice a day to help serve as Safe Walk to School Monitors at intersections in front of our schools. We are especially looking for a volunteer to work at Bret Harte Middle School,  a District 4 school that is in real need of additional adult presence during the crossing times. For details, contact Carmella Chase at 238-7992.

 

• School Volunteer Fair, September 12, Main Library's West Auditorium:   Last year the OUSD Volunteer program closed due to program problems. Currently there is no easy way for the community to volunteer to work in the public schools.  The Montclair Community Action Group,  a neighborhood group that grew out of the Obama campaign, is planning a Volunteer Fair, Saturday September 12th at the Main Library's West Auditorium. School based non-profits, who have a variety of great programs currently in the schools, will be on hand. They train volunteers and make it easy to tutor a child, be a mentor, classroom aide, help in school libraries and more. All interested volunteers are invited to come the Fair talk with the school based groups and sign-up for the  program that meets their time availability and interests.