Montclair Library Reopens!

• 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.

• Help Buy a Police Canine a Bullet Proof Vest, Saturday, July 18, all day at all Pet Food Express Stores in Bay Area: As many as 100 working police dogs in the greater Bay Area do NOT have protective vests (at $1,200 each). Pet Food Express is teaming up with The Western States Police Canine Association (WSPCA) to help fill the budget gap and raise tens of thousands of dollars on July 18 to buy bulletproof vests for working police dogs in the Bay Area. Police canine officers and their loyal police dogs will be visiting stores around the Bay Area to share stories about the important jobs that their canine partners help accomplish.  Anyone can come to the stores and make a direct donation, or, if they have a pet, they can buy 'tokens' for a self-service dog wash at any Pet Food Express location.  100% of the proceeds will go to the WSPCA "Cover Your K9" fund. There's no limit on the number of tokens a person can purchase that day (the tokens have no expiration date), and there's no limit on the proceeds Pet Food Express will donate to the WSPCA. This event was so successful last year, at just two stores with enough money raised to protect 8 dogs across the Bay Area, that Pet Food Express decided to expand it to all 34 locations this year!
   

• 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!

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

• 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! Fenton's is located at 4226 Piedmont Ave.

• 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. If Kevin is unable to show, then Officer Coglio will offer safety tips, answer community questions, and provide a detailed report on activity within beat 22X.

• Small Business Owner's Workshop on Citywide Zoning Update, Wednesday, July 22, 10:30 am-Noon, Oakland City Hall: The City of Oakland is updating its zoning regulations, which govern the physical development of land. Zoning regulations affect many people doing business and shopping in Oakland. Here is your chance to learn how the zoning update process might help your business!

• Open House at the The Malonga Casquelourd Center, Wednesday, July 22, 4-7pm: 1428 Alice Street. Drumming, Live Music, Dance Performances, Food and Fun!!! Call 238-7221 for details.
   

• Officer Appreciation Social, Wednesday, July 22, 6:30-8:30 pm, Oakland Police Officer's Association Union Hall located at 555 5th Street (on 5th, near Jefferson Street) in downtown Oakland: This is a social event to offer Neighborhood Watch Block Captains, NCPC leaders and participants and anyone involved in Oakland crime prevention an opportunity to express your appreciation to the Officers of the Oakland Police Department who work hard to protect our neighborhoods, and to meet and express appreciation to the leadership of the Oakland Police Officer's Association who work hard to support our Officers. There will be light food and refreshments provided by the Oakland Police Officer's Association. If you would like to attend the Officer Appreciation Social, please contact Felicia Verdin at 238-3128, or send Felicia Verdin an e-mail at FVerdin@oaklandnet.com.
   

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.

• 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 to Vote on Tentative Agreement: Negotiations are continuing with the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA)and are close. 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. 
• 
  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. It became known this week that  the maximum any city will be given is 50 officers or 5% of its force.  For us that is 42 officers.  This makes a settle with OPOA even more important if we are to avoid cuts in police.
• City Amnesty for Fines-- (We made a mistake-- this does not apply to parking tickets): Do you owe fines on 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."

• Possible Closing of Dimond Post Office, Special Planning Meeting, Tuesday, July 21, 6:30 pm, Nama Restaurant, 3400 Fruitvale Ave.: Responding to rumors that the Dimond Post Office may be on the Federal Postal Service closure list, Dimond residents are mounting a campaign to keep their post office open. The campaign began after Dimond Post Office workers, knowing that thousands of post offices throughout the country are slated for closing, began telling patrons that Dimond was on the list.  Although the Postal Service has claimed that no decisions are final, the suspicion spread, since the Dimond branch is a small "enterprise" branch without carrier services. On the other hand, it also provides a vital service to the many senior facilities surrounding it, whose patrons vastly prefer walking to it rather than taking a bus to a distant facility.  Please RSVP by Saturday at noon to Russell@russell-gordon.com if you plan to attend.

• Melrose Block Party, Saturday, July 25, 1-3 pm in front of Horace Mann Elementary School, 5200 Ygnacio Ave.: Join friends and neighbors at the Melrose/High Hopes NCPC Annual Block Party, which features music, food and other fun. We have donated about 50 blue reusable shopping bags and 50 CFL bulbs for their "green booth" where people brainstorm ways to go green to receive them as prizes. Our  office also be there with other useful information.
   

• Update on E-Village at Fred Finch Youth Center, 3800 Coolidge Ave.: Earlier this week, eight neighbors and county social service staff discussed the configuration of services at this projected facility, now commonly known as E-village. E-village would address the needs of a key group of foster youth recently "aged out" of the county foster care system, these being highly motivated youth in their late teens, not yet ready for totally independent living. The facility would assist 40 emancipated youth who would live on-site in a village setting, along with perhaps 120 more who would travel to the E-village, all to take classes in independent living skills ranging from health to vocational training from a projected staff of around 35.  The keystone components of the program were presented as "housing, health, and education."  The next meeting on the E-village will be September 17 at Fred Finch Youth Center.
  
   
• Computer Classes for Seniors at Lincoln Court, 2400 MacArthur: August 4-21, M-Tu-F 3-5 pm, $10 (for 3-week class) .  Classes offered by Oakland Adult Education.

• Movie in the Park, Friday, July 24, at dusk (about 8:45 pm), Redwood Heights Recreation Center: Bring the family, a blanket, lawn chairs, some munchies and enjoy Finding Nemo.

• Help Launch the Friends of the Montclair RR Trail-- complete the short survey here.
   

 

Last Saturday, 35 regular users of the Montclair RR Trail stopped by our booth to sign up with the newly formed Friends of the Montclair RR Trail. Representatives from the East Bay Bicycle Coalition, Montclair Safety & Improvement Association (MSIC) and the Shepherd Canyon Homeowners Association joined Sue Piper and me and nearby residents. Biggest issues raised were dogs off leash (not permissible according to the City's Municipal Code) and dog owners who don't pick up after their pets. Our office will be coordinating a meeting of interested members in the fall to further develop priorities for the Friends of the Montclair Railroad Trail. For details, contact Sue Piper in our office at 238-7402.
 

• 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.
• Enitan Bereola II, talks about Bereolaesque; The Contemporary Gentleman & Etiquette Book for the Urban Sophisticate, Saturday, July 18, 5 pm: Enitan 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.

• North Hills NCPC Steering Committee Meets Wednesday, July 22, 7 pm, Fire Station #7, 1006 Amito: All neighbors are welcome.
   

• Laurel District Outdoor Movie Night, Wednesday, July 22, 5-10 pm in the parking lot at 4171 MacArthur Blvd.: Join Oakland Food Connection and Trattoria Laurellino's for a night of food, fun and food justice! Wine Flight Tasting ($5-10 per person). Screening of the new food justice film FRESH by Ana Sofia Joanes! Movie will start when the sun goes down, probably around 8:30 pm. Please bring something to sit on! For more information about the film and to see trailers and film clips check out: http://www.freshthemovie.com/  FREE food provided by Oakland Food Connection and Trattoria Laurellino's. Live Music and Spoken Word Performances. Information Booths from other Oakland based Food Justice Organizations:
   
  • OBUGS 
  • East Oakland Boxing Association
  • Mandela Marketplace and Mandela Foods Cooperative!

• 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.

• 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 3%.  Murders remain -19%, robberies are -19% down, and auto thefts -23% 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.

• Zion Lutheran Art Exhibit, Sunday, July 26, 2-4 pm: After you stroll the Art Festival in Montclair, take a walk down Park Blvd. to Zion Lutheran School at 5201 Park Blvd. to see an exhibit of Oakland's young artists. They will feature performing, music and visual arts. For details, go to their website or call 530-7909.

• Joaquin Miller Elementary's TLC Day/ Meet New Principal, Sunday, August 16, 10-2 pm:  Spend the day with new and returning JM families sprucing up the school.  Help install new, parent-funded playground equipment, weed gardens, and other small tasks. Most important, come meet Principal Paulette Smith. Parents, students and the community welcomed! Enjoy lunch at Noon.

• 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.
     

• 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 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. 

• Dramatic Reading of New Play in Progress on Pullman Porters, Saturday, August 15, 2-4 pm, Oakland Main Library's West Auditorium, 125 14th Street (at Madison):  To be a member of the Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters was once considered a radical, if not terrorist, activity, in the early part of the twentieth century. East Bay writer Judith Offer's play-in-progress, Compared to What?, sets up the dilemma of two Pullman Porters during 1926 in West Oakland, who are in conflict about the decision to join the organization-and  perhaps risk being fired.  Members of the audience are invited to join in a discussion after the reading.  This event is being co-sponsored by the Oakland Public Library and LaborFest 2009. LaborFest 2009 will also provide a San Francisco venue for another reading of Offer's play in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the 1934 General Strike.
   

• 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 18 Temples and Churches
  • Wednesday, July 22 New Era/New Politics
  • Saturday, July 25 Chinatown
     
  • Wednesday, July 29 Old Oakland
     
  
   
• 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 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

• Fremont Pool Reopens, Sunday, July 26, 2-4 pm: Usingfunds from the Redevelopment Agency and with strong community support, the Fremont Pool will reopen with a grand ribbon cutting ceremony. There will be a new facade and new public art on the pillars.
   

• 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.

•  Free Municipal Band Concert, Sunday, August 2, Lakeside Park Band Shell, 1:30 pm:
   

• 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.

• 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.