• 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. The festival will showcase live music and performances highlighting  Bay area and local performers, 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.  Check out more than 100 retail, service and restaurant establishments in our own Laurel District and get 10% off at many stores with the coupon below.  The Laurel Street Festival attracts over 5000 attendees annually.
• Visit Our Booth:  We'll have helpful City information and our attractive multilingual copper Laurel District pins for new newsletter subscribers.

• Local authors will be on hand at the Laurel Book Store--a new author every hour! 
  • 1:00 Local historian Dennis Evanosky and  books on Oakland's Laurel District and the Mountain View Cemetery
  • 2:00 Minal Hajratwala and her book Leaving India: My Family's Journey from Five Villages to Five Continents
  • 3:00 store favorite Emily Doskow with The Sharing Solution all about how to share resources to save money, time and the planet and the JUST RELEASED book that she's written with Fred Hertz - Making it Legal; A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnerships and Civil Unions. If you're considering making your relationship legal-straight or gay- you should see this book first.
  •  4:00 Colleen Patrick-Goudreau and her very popular The Vegan Table, a great book for cooks of all persuasions, vegan or not.  There are a few copies of her Joy of Vegan Baking too.
• New this year--Photo Contest: Please take pictures at the Laurel Street Fair (35th and MacArthur) and upload them to our Flickr gallery.  Vote for your favorites by simply commenting on your top 5 pictures. Please limit your comments to your top 5 favorites, and comment only once per photo.Winners with the most comments by August 22nd will have their photo printed poster-size, credited with contact info, professionally framed, and showcased outside of Raymond's Framing Shop, 3914 MacArthur Blvd.
• The Saturday Farmers Market will be at its usual location in the parking lot next to Trattoria Laurellino, 4171 MacArthur.
   
• For list of entertainers, a special event coupon, Laurel stores & restaurant list, please go to:  http://www.laureldistrictassociation.org  
   
• Back to School Rally for Elementary Students, Saturday, August 8--Backpack giveaway, registration, parent information, student workshops and carnival. Please remember to bring: parent/guardian's picture ID, 3 proofs of home address, report card or transcript, birth certificate or I-9 or Passport, and immunization/health record. (See Item #10 for additional dates):
  • West Oakland Defremery Park, 10 am-1 pm
  • East Oakland Arroyo Viejo Park, Noon- 4 pm

• Free Crochet or Knitting Groups at the Library on Saturday:  The Oakland Libraries host many free educational programs every week, check out the calendar.  2-3:30 pm--Subhashini Coburn,  teaches crochet to all ages from school age through adult. All skill levels welcome! Want to learn? Just show up at the Lakeview Branch, 550 El Embarcadero.
  Every Saturday, 3-4 pm, learn to knit, ask questions and get answers if you are stuck, or just knit and chat in the company of those who love to knit! Joy Murphy, 595-5056, jmurph@oaklandlibrary.org  at the Piedmont Ave. Branch, 160 41st St.
   
• Peralta Hacienda, Saturday, August 8, 2-5 pm: See a series of short films created by local youth about their take on growing up in Oakland. Film showings at 2 pm and 3 pm followed by a community discussion with the young artists about growing up in Oakland at 4 pm. HISTORIC HOUSE TOURS -  The 1870 Antonio Peralta House and exhibits will be open with tours at 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, and 4:00. With a requested donation of $3, these special youth-led tours will benefit our youth programs. come and experience the new Peralta House exhibits-touchable and audible, fragrant and tasty-and experience the story of the old Peralta rancho and the community today on the land where we all live now. Note: To preserve the original floors we request that those who can take off their shoes while in the house do so; so please wear socks. For more information, call 532-9142.
   
• Chinatown Walking Tour with the Oakland Historical Alliance, Sunday 10 am-12:30 pm, Meet at the fountain of Pacific Renaissance Plaza, 9th St. between Webster and Franklin Streets. San Francisco's Chinatown may be a tourist attraction, but Oakland's is a vital, vibrant economic force, ever changing in social dynamics-and culturally diverse. Learn about  its evolution to "Asiatown" with many recent immigrants from different countries in Southeast Asia. Parking under Pacific Renaissance Plaza. *Optional lunch group after. A brisk, level walk. Led by Ernie Chann. Donations of $10 for OHA members, $15 non members, or $40 for 5 tours (see #10 for Free City Tours).

• Sunday, August 9, 12:30-4:30 pm, Free Second Sundays at the Oakland Museum, Family Explorations! Be Creative! Join the museum and the Oakland Public Library in celebrating the end of the Library's Summer Reading Program. Check out mystifying magic with Timothy James; art activities; cartooning with author Oliver Chin; dancing on our outdoor stage; scavenger hunt with prizes; interactive story times; and free frozen treats from Dreyer's at the end of the day (as long as supplies last). And there's more! At the end of the day, a ceremony honors all the children who completed the Summer Reading Program. Included with museum admission.Growing Up in Oakland Free Youth Film Festival. 
   
• Jazz on Sundays, 3-6 pm:  Check out the 19th annual Summer Jazz Concert Series at the Golden Gate Branch Library. 3 pm -- This week's featured artist is the Bay Area Blues Society Caravan of All-Stars. 4:30pm-5 pm--History of jazz with Randy Moore. 5-6 pm --  Open jam session.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Golden Gate Library. Admission is free. Donations welcome.
  Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Ave, 597-5023.  
   
• Fratello Marionettes at Dimond Library, Tuesday, August 11, 7 pm: Experience the artistry of The Fratello Marionettes in , a marionette variety show. Presented in the spirit of the old time music hall, you will be entertained by singers, dancers, clowns, classical trick marionettes, and Puddles the dog. 3565 Fruitvale Avenue in the Dimond.
   

 

Wildfire Prevention District Annual Retreat, Thursday, August 13, 9-5, Henry Trudeau Training Center, 11500 Skyline Blvd: Those who live in the Wildfire Prevention District (WPD) are encouraged to attend the annual retreat of the WPD Advisory Committee, which helps shape the policy, procedures and priorities of the Cities vegetation management and education program in Oakland's urban/wildlands interface in our hills. The monthly meetings are among the most informative of all of the city's advisory committees, and the retreat should also be of interest. For additional information, go to

• Free Recycling Workshop, Friday, August 14, 10 am-Noon, Women's Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave: Please come and learn about environmentally sound solid waste management and resource conservation practices to maximize waste prevention, recycling, and economic development opportunities.  As WCRC begins its greening journey, StopWaste is committed to partnering with Community Based Organizations and individuals with compatible goals.  You do not need to bring anything with you except a willingness to listen and learn. Space is limited. Please RSVP to Sarah.
   

• Most Recent City Budget Cuts:  Since October 2008, a total of 424 positions have been impacted by cuts/ downgrades. The City  faced a COMBINED shortfall of $142 million, which was bridged through $29 million in revenue increases and $113million in expenditure cuts. At the last meeting of the year, July 28th, the Council had to close a gap in police funding when the federal grant for police, while the largest in the nation, fell short of what the City hoped for.
  
  At the last Council meeting, the Council considered additional cuts proposed by the administration, all departments were asked to offer another 10 percent.  Many of the proposals were clearly unthinkable but they represent how difficult it becomes as we face near rounds of cuts. With almost $20 million in COPS grants and about $11 million in give backs from the Police union, we still had  an $8 million gap to fill at our last meeting before Council recess.  The alternative proposal that I introduced with co-sponsorship by Council Members Brunner, Delafuente, and Kernighan essentially cut about $4 million in overtime, helicopter, and other administrative costs to be determined by the Chief from the Police Department but did not layoff any officers.  The remaining $4 million was spread among other departments mainly by eliminating vacant positions, taking unspent or other one-time funds, and reducing services.  We saved all current Neighborhood Service Coordinators but eliminated one vacant positions, we also eliminated two Police Technicians (one vacant).  We rejected the Department's recommendation to eliminate the Rangers; we also rejected the idea of closing the Main Library two days a week.
   
• UPDATED RESPONSE TO THE AUDITOR
  Last week I posted a quick response to the Auditor's public letter on the budget cuts.  The following is an updated version with more budget information, but the most complete response I read was in this Oakland blog.

Last week the City Auditor put out a disappointing email accusing the Council of political motives when we cut her office by $70,000 in our last round of $8 million in cuts.  Ms. Ruby failed to say that she has overall the same staff and more funds this year. Because of delays in implementing the Whistle Blower program last year, she carried forward more than $200,000 to this year; subtract $137,000 total in cuts for next year and she has about $70,000 more than last year.  No other Department can say they have more funding from the City than last year.
 
Oakland cut over $140 million, eliminated 350 jobs, and all City employees except a few elected officials gave back 10 percent cut in pay and benefits.last Tuesday we cut $8 million more to save Police, Rangers and Neighborhood Service Coordinators and stop Main Library closures.  We were at the "bottom of the barrel," to the point of even considering reducing our Homeless Van outreach by 40 percent.
 
The Council has given the Auditor's Office preferential treatment throughout the budget process:

• In the June budget only two programs did not take a 10 percent cut, senior services and the Auditor's office. The Auditor took a less than a 5 percent, $67,000, the equivalent of a receptionist.
• Last year the Auditor's office was one of the few departments that got additional funds--over $250,000 per year for a Whistle Blower program and investigations. So clearly, we have not tried to stop her ability to investigate corruption or waste; we await a return on our investment.
• Over $200,000 of those funds was carried over into next year's budget, even though she pledged to return them to the general fund if unspent.  The Auditor also appears to have vacancy or other staffing savings in her accounts.
• In September the Council gave the Auditor $150,000 more for an investigation into hiring practices.
• The 9 percent cut in the Auditor's office remains less than most other departments who are cut 12-15 percent and many do not have funds to carryover as she does.
   
  We are going through hard times as a City.  Tempers and nerves are on edge, but we need to pull together and talk about the tough decisions rationally.  We need to make budget choices based on fairness, protecting core services, trying to protect our most vulnerable citizens, and preparing for a stronger future as a city.
   
• Federal Stimulus Grants $10.6 Million for Public Housing Improvements:  The Oakland Housing Authority is an independent agency but its board is appointed by the Mayor.  This week Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Deputy Secretary Ron Sims announced today that Oakland will receive $10.6 million in stimulus funding for six public housing developments throughout the city and will create approximately 120 jobs. The projects will modernize energy usage and make basic repairs and improvements: Harrison Street Senior Housing ($350,000), Adele Court ($600,000),   Campbell Village ($480,000), Lockwood Gardens ($2,070,000), Palo Vista Gardens ($4,450,000) and Peralta Villa ($1,500,000).   
   
• 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)
• Send in your suggestions at budgetsuggestions@oaklandnet.com

• Nama Celebrates First Anniversary With Discounts, Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15:  From the beginning of our efforts to revitalize the Dimond, residents voiced a desire to recruit a sushi restaurant for the neighborhood.  Help us celebrate Nama's first birthday and show appreciation for the big investment the Kim family has made in the neighborhood. They will be offering discounts, gifts, and other promotions. Our family favorite is the Nama Roll, crab over tuna & shrimp with a spicy sauce (pictured).
   
  • Friday:- (dinner time only) Choose 1 free appetizer from the following* : Cucumber Sunomono, Gyoza, Edamame, or Chicken Hotwings
  • Saturday:- All beverages are 50% off (except for cold sake) all day

- Choose 1 free appetizer from the following * (dinner only): Cucumber Sunomono, Gyoza, Edamame, & Chicken Hotwings

           Receive a free gift*

Also, at the end of your meal you be given the opportunity to participate in our raffle to win $50, $25, or $15 gift certificates! Winners will be announced on Sunday the 16th at 8pm and posted at our blog: www.namadimond.blogspot.com

 

• Alarm Solicitors : This week the Montclair listservs were buzzing with reports of young solicitors knocking on doors to drum up business for an upcoming meeting on security systems made by GE Security but sold by "Safe and Sound." They are also working other neighborhoods.  Thanks to everyone's eagle eyes, Problem Solving Officer Maureen Vergara reported on Thursday that OPD made contact with the owner of GE Security who was unaware of Oakland's solicitation permit requirement. He said he would cease operations until he could get a permit, but added that some people had already expressed interest in their program. This poses a dilemma--if we want to be consistent in prohibiting people from soliciting without a permit, than we need to avoid encouraging them. As long as residents sign up for whatever is being sold, solicitors will continue to knock on our doors--with or without a permit. Meanwhile, to report solicitors in the neighborhood, call the OPD non-emergency line at 777-3333 and also report it to your Problem Solving Officer or Beat Patrol Officer (through your NCPC.)
  • These door to door companies must also have an Oakland business license.  This is a new protection so that we can keep track of responsible firms.  We find that these companies from out of town often use subcontractors and are hard to track down for complaints.
  • Some firms falsely say that neighbors are buying their system and they are offering you a group discount.  They will ask you to let them put up their sign so they can make this claim.
  • For more information on Solicitation Guidelines the Montclair Safety and Improvement Council website is a good source.
     
• Garden Trash and Dumping: Last week we received many postings on the Montclair listserv about illegal dumping of garden refuse and construction debris along the roads. It's seems it may be time to remind folks about insisting on a receipt from the Davis Street Dump whenever you hire someone to haul your bulky waste or large garden refuse.  Make your contractor show you his receipt also.  If you see any illegal dumping please help us get license plate numbers.
   
• Montclair & Dimond Post Office Stations Threatened by Federal Cuts: The Post Office is phasing out their independent Post Offices and increasingly subcontracting out postage sales and other services to the private sector, including super market chains and other businesses   Tim Chapman posted minutes of the first meeting on the Dimond message board.  A second meeting was held on Thursday, August 6. For a list of current projects and planning meeting minutes or a copy of the 2-sided petition,  email krussell@russell-gordon.com.

Decisions to cut stations are based on pure volume of sales for the most part, so we encourage you to use our local Post Office locations to buy your postage. Consider buying Holiday Card or other postage now from one of these offices.  You can also write:

City of Oakland Postmaster Lowana Gooch
201 13th St., Rm 212
Oakland CA 94612-9998

Kim Fernandez, District Manager
Bay-Valley District, USPS
1675 7th St.
Rm. 307
Oakland 94615

The Honorable Barbara Lee
United States House of Representatives
2444 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0509
 

• Tree Thinning in Redwood Park East Ridge Trail: In early September, tree thinning work will resume on East Ridge Trail in Redwood Regional Park. The trail will be closed between Skyline Gate and Prince Trail from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, except holidays. More information is at
  http://www.ebparks.org/node/1156

• 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.
  
   
• Order Books Online at a Great Good Place for Books: Stay home AND shop local!  A Great Good Place for Books just went live with on-line ordering capacity!15% discount between now and September 15. You can have books sent to your home or pick up in the store.

• Lower Merriewood Stairs Cleanup, Saturday, September 12, 8 am: The more the merrier! Contact Jim Dexter at 339-2184.
  
   

• Polystyrene Bans Grow:   Mill Valley became the 24th city to ban polystyrene packaging for fast food in California.  Two countywide bans, Santa Cruz and soon Marin County, have also passed.  Many of these are based on the legislation I passed two years ago, many of the cities are coastal cities like us concerned about the pollution of our waterways and poisoning of sealife.  The EPA is now reviewing Canadian and European research on the potential links to cancer suppressed by the Bush administration.  Meanwhile, remember this is a complaint driven ban, please report polystrene use at fast food locations to recycling@oaklandnet.com ;  owners are given a warning before the first fine of $100.
   
• Plastic Bag EIR Now a Coalition Effort:  A coalition of environmental groups now joined by StopWaste.org is pooling resources to develop an environmental impact report on the banning of plastic take out bags for California. When state legislators stopped simple fees on shopping bags after the Plastic Industry lobbying, San Francisco and Oakland passed a ban on plastic shopping bags.  Oakland's legislation was challenged by the plastics industry on the basis that the City had not done an environmental impact study.  Since then we have worked with a coalition of environmental groups so the City would not have to bear the costs which could run $200,000.

• 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.

• Do Your Part to Save our Planet Tomorrow--Recovery at Ground Level - Lead by Example Environmental Issues Forum, Wednesday, August 19, 5:30-7:30 pm, Healthy Oakland, 2580 San Pablo Avenue, West Oakland:  The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle environmental issues forum will work to educate and empower residents and community leaders the need to do our part today to save our planet tomorrow. Hear from environmental organizational leaders and their exciting programs & services for you to save and make money all while protecting the environment. 
  Confirmed Speakers:
  • KEMBA SHAKUR, Urban Releaf
  • REBCECCA PARNES, Alameda County Waste Management 
  • TOM GUARINO, Pacific Gas and Electric 
  • COOKIE ROBLES-WONG, Keep Oakland Beautiful
  RSVP by August 16 &/or for more information, email staff@bwopa.org
  or call Elaine D. Smith at 763-9523.
   
• Lead Safety Classes Offered by Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program:
  • Introductory Lead-Safe Painting and Remodeling, Saturday, August 8, 11 am-1 pm, Temescal Tool Lending Library, 5205 Telegraph Avenue: A free introductory Lead-Safe Painting and Remodeling class will how you how to detect and remedy lead hazards in the home to prevent lead poisoning. 
  • Lead Safety for Remodeling, Repair and Painting, Saturday, August 15, 8 am- 5 pm (registration at 7:45 am), Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, 2000 Embarcadero, #300, Oakland. HUD and EPA approved 1- day course, recommended for remodelers, renovators, painters and maintenance workers doing painting and minor repairs. Free to owners (and their employed maintenance crews) of residential property built before 1978 in Alameda, Berkeley, Emeryville or Oakland. For a limited time, this class is also FREE to all who live, own property or are tradespeople with an office located in Alameda County. Call 567-8280 to register.
    
     
• Sign up for Creek to Bay Day 2009, September 19, 9 am-Noon: 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.
   
• Fall Neighborhood Plant Exchange, Saturday, October 17, Noon - 4 pm, 3811 Lakeshore Avenue: Have plants you must prune or divide? How about trading your excess with others in your neighborhood? Take home new plants for your yard and have an instant new garden! All types of plants are welcome, from cuttings up to full size. Garden accessories and accents welcome: umbrellas, clippers, books on gardening, pots, stepping stones, tools and supplies-- even goldfish! Last year 300 people attended and more than 1500 plants, large and small, found new homes. For details, contact Odette Pollar at 866-8482.

• While City Crime is down, Burglaries are up 1%.  Murders remain -24%, 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.

• Back to School Rally--3 Different Dates: Backpack giveaway, registration, parent information, student workshops and carnival:
  • Elementary Students
     
    • Saturday, August 8
      • West Oakland Defremery Park, 10 am-1 pm
      • East Oakland Arroyo Viejo Park, Noon- 4 pm
    • Saturday, August 15 , Family & Community Office, 2111 International Blvd., 11 am- 2 pm
  • Middle & High School Students-Sunday, August 23, 1- 5 pm, Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, City Hall.

Parents: Please bring the following documents to register your student:

• Parent/Guardian picture ID
• 3 documents to prove home address
• Report card or transcript from last school
• Birth certificate, passport or I-94 original of student
• Immunization/health record of student

• NBA player Leon Powe hosts basketball camp and a special community event-Fresh Start for Oakland, Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15, Merritt College Campus: NBA player and Oakland native Leon Powe is bringing the community together while raising foster youth awareness at two special events on the Merritt College Campus:
  • Event 1) The Leon Powe Basketball Camp Fri,Sat Aug. 14/15 9 am-2 pm in the Merritt College Gym. The cost of the camp is $40, all skill levels welcome ages 7-17. You can download the registration forms from the website.
  • Event 2) Fresh Start for Oakland is a FREE community event, Saturday August 15, 10 am-4 pm on the Merritt College Campus. Special free events/vendors include:
     
    • Home Depot's "Build It & Keep It" clinics for children
    • Live performances by: Vernon Hall Jazz Band, Dwight Taylor a.k.a. Transparent, Hip Learning & The Taylor Boys
    • Merritt Farmers Market
    • Yoshi's Family Jazz Cafe
    • Cookin' It Up with Doggie High
    • Jones BBQ]
    • Hourly raffle prizes
    • Family Health/Wellness venue: includes Kaiser's Health Education and free chair massages by Effleurage Day Spa

• 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.

• 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 the 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

• Summer Family Nights at the Dimond Library, Tuesdays at 7 pm: Bring the entire family to 3565 Fruitvale Ave for an evening of fun
   
  • August 4: National Night Out (outside stories and sidewalk art fun)
  • August 11: Fratello Marionettes

• 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.

• Two-Day FREE Gang Awareness Training, Thursday, August 13 and Friday, August 14, 9 am-5 pm, Oakland International High School Auditorium, 4521 Webster (at 45th Street): An open invitation for FREE professional development through the OUSD Office of Alternative Education. Ever wonder why youth join gangs? What are the warning signs of gang involvement, what are effective prevention & intervention strategies in working with gang-affiliated youth? To register, contact Shirley Yee or call 879-2140. Space is limited. Funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

• 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. (Above) Oakland's first Pullman Porters from the African American Museum and Library collection.

• Back to School Garden Work Party at Glenview, Saturday, August 29, 9 am-3 pm: The garden is ready to be taken to another level. The irrigation is in but the drip system needs to be completed, beds need to be made, chips spread, more fun shapes to be cut out for the fence all to get ready for the many projects the little ones will soon be doing! Contact Delana Toler.

• Public Comment Forum for SMI/Homeless Population in Alameda County - Wednesday, August 19, 1- 3 pm, Howie the Harp Homeless Self-Help Center, 580 18th Street Oakland :  This will be a process to gather consumer, provider and community input on how to better serve those individuals utilizing Howie the Harp.  The planning process will put forth recommendations to Alameda County Behavioral Health Care for significant changes in its operation.Contact  Colette Winlock, ealth and Human Resource Education Center (HHREC) at 459-1179 or Marveta Allen, Kirkland A. Smith and Associates (KASA) at 565-9249
   

• 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, August 8 Uptown
  • Wednesday, August 12 City Center
  • Saturday, August 15 New Era/New Politics
  • Wednesday, August 19 Churches & Temples
  • Saturday, August 22 Old Oakland
  • Wednesday, August 26 Chinatown
  • Saturday, August 29 Waterfront
  
   
• Oakland Heritage Alliance Tours of Oakland-- Learn about your home town from the local experts! Please meet 15 minutes before listed time for registration. Donation: $10 OHA members; $15 general for most tours. Members may purchase a 5-tour pass for $40. Sign up or renew your membership on the day of the tour and the tour is free. Comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen are recommended. bring water. In case of rain, the tour will be cancelled.
   
  • Piedmont Avenue, Saturday, August 8,10 am -Noon: meet at Piedmont Avenue Elementary Schoo, 4314 Piedmont Ave. at John Street.
  • Chinatown Oakland, Sunday, August 9, 10 am-12:30 pm: meet at the fountain of Pacific Renaissance Plaza, 9th Street between Webster and Franklin Streets.
  • Walking the Key System's C Line, Saturday, August 15, 10 a -Noon: meet at MacArthur BART Station underpass on 40th Street. Tour does not loop.
  • Scaling Leona Heights, Sunday, August 16, 10 am -1:30 pm: meet at McDonell Avenue and Mountain Blvd.
  • Oakland Heritage Alliance House & Garden Tour 2009 in Oakland's Fernwood Neighborhood, Sunday, October 4, 1-5:30 pm. For details, call 763-9218

• 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: 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).
  
   
• 100th Anniversary of the Altenheim, Saturday, August 15, 3:30 pm,1720 MacArthur Blvd.: Hosted by The Excelsior German Center featuring Distinguished Guest Speakers; Children’s Theatrical Performance;Performance by Pacific SängerbundTraditional German Food & Drink; Live Music & Dancing.
   

• Deepening the Dialogue~Stimulating Conversation to Awaken Community Change~, Saturday, August 29, 10-4 pm; Registration at 9 am, Malcolm X Elementary School, 1731 Prince Street Berkeley: Our Deepening the Dialogue events strive to build community partnerships, celebrate African American traditions and empower socioeconomically disadvantaged women and families through access to culturally sensitive, high quality mental health and supportive services. BBQ Lunch ~ Reggae Music ~  Inspiring Closing Keynote by Dr. Gloria Morrow
   ~ Chair Massage ~ Networking ~ Fun!!! For more information call Emily Esparza:   985-2694 ext. 3.

• Eighth Annual Light of Lights Candlelighting Ceremony,Wednesday, September 16,6:30 pm-8:30 pm,  St. Benedict's Church, 82nd and Bancroft: This uplifting, multicultural ceremony, sponsored by the Oakland Fire Critical Incident Stress Management Team, brings us together as community to honor the loss, and celebrate the lives, of our loved ones who have died. You will take home your candles to continue this tradition for yourself and your family. Refreshments will be served. This event is free of charge.For more information, please call 238-4040 or (408) 278-2512.
   

• 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, September 25, Finding Neverland

• Art & Soul, August 15-16-- The Bay Area's coolest festival moves to a new weekend (August 15 & 16, due to the Labor Day closure of the Bay Bridge) and returns with a stellar lineup. This year's lineup continues the diverse and wonderful variety that has made Art & Soul the region's most popular music festival.
   

Shawn Colvin                                                                               Will Downing
 

Saturday, August 15                                 Sunday, August 16
 

also featuring                                        also featuring
 

       BoDeans                                         Bobby Caldwell
 

       Mo'Fone                                         Frankie Lee
       Kevin Moore                                  Chino Espinoza y Los Dueños Del Son 
 

       Bishop Walter L. Hawkins             Zakiya Hooker
       Dayna Stevens                                Ba-Tu-Ke
 

       Ramana Vieira                                Fito Reinoso & Su Ritmo & Armonia
 

       Dear Indugu                                    Freddie Hughes
 

       Sepia                                                Sandy Perez y Su Lade
 

       Oakland Public Conservatory of Music        Derick Hughes
 

       Rosa los Santos                                The Caravan of Allstars
 

       Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir     World Dance Stage
 

• Jazz on the Green, Lake Chabot Golf Course, Saturday, August 22: Relax with family, friends, food and good entertainment at this affordable event. 11450 Golf Links Road.
   

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. Contact Karen Hester for details. 

• 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.

Sunday, September 13, 11 am-6 pm:

• Sundays in the Redwoods 2009! Mark your calendars now for the four FREE concerts held at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park. All concerts are great family events-- even for toddlers, who can run around in the back! To reserve a picnic table, contact Renee Tucker at 238-4720. Bring sunscreen, hats and water-- it can get very hot in the sun. Gates open at 1:30-- concerts start at 3.
  • Sunday, September 20: Latin Jazz with John Santos
  • Sunday, September 27: The Oakland East Bay Symphony with Michael Morgan, conductor
     
  • Sunday, October 1: Classical Jazz with James Newton and John Jang
  • Sunday, October 7: Neo Soul with Ledisi
     

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

• Help Purchase Back Packs for School-aged Foster kids: Families That Care, located in West Oakland, seeks donations or actual backpacks as follows (but not black or red, since the schools ban these colors:
  • High School Children (9th-12th): Male- 8                          Female- 10
  • Middle School Children (6-8th): Male-  1                           Female-   4 
  • Elementary/Grade School Children (K-5th):Male-  2         Female- 0

• Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation Seeks Volunteer Administrative Assistant:If you've recently retired or have time on your hands, consider volunteering with the Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation. This 501(c)3 raises funds for capital projects in Oakland's parks, and also serves as the fiscal agent for a number of individual park support groups--including Shepherd Canyon Park, Joaquin Miller Park and Maxwell Park in District 4. Paula Ramsey, the new Executive Director, is looking for someone with experienced computer skills who can keep up with correspondence and maintain data bases. For details, please contact Paula at 465-1850.

• 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.
 

• Edna Brewer Middle School Wish List: School will be starting soon and there are two wish list items:
   
  • Refrigerators--The school is in need of 3 refrigerators - used but in good working condition would be grand. They have one in the teacher's lounge that is barely working.
  • Gardening Tools--This year we made quite a dent in the landscaping and we are in dire need of having the garden tools sharpened. Any volunteers available to sharpen some (a lot) tools?
     
• School Volunteer Fair, September 12, Main Library's West Auditorium, 11 am-2 pm:   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.