• Metropolitan Horseman's Association Hunter/Jumper Gold Cup Show, Sunday, September 20, 9 am, Sequoia Arena in Joaquin Miller Park.  Free. 

• Allendale Neighbors Clean Up, Saturday, September 19, 10:30-Noon: Last month, the Allendale Neighbors joined their friends in the Laurel to clean up the off ramps to Highway 580 at 35th Avenue. Today they urge residents to join one of the Creek to Bay events, Courtland Creek and Peralta Hacienda (see #1 above) are closest to the neighborhood. 

• Lead-Safe Painting and Remodeling, Saturday, September 19, 11am-1 pm,  Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave, near Dwight Way, Berkeley:  This free introductory Lead-Safe Painting and Remodeling class will show you how to detect and remedy lead hazards in the home to prevent lead poisoning. This course will offer simple solutions property owners can use to safely repair and renovate their homes. Call 548-2220 x233, http://ecologycenter.org/. Wheelchair accessible.
  
   
• KoreaTown-Northgate Festival, "Oakland's Got Seoul", Telegraph between 24th and 27th Streets, Saturday, September 19: Featuring Art and BBQ Contest- In addition- a Green aisle, Children's activities, Health Haven, entertainment and much more.
  
   
• Maxwell Park NCPC Monthly Clean Up, Sunday, September 20, 9-Noon, Courtland and Redding: Bring your gloves, hat and trash bag and join the ongoing "adopt" projects--pick up trash, weed, plant. Meets the third Sunday every month. <<Neighborhood Council leaders at last Saturday's Day in the Park.

• A Taste of California - An Afternoon in the Garden--Rotary Fundraiser, Sunday, September 20, 1-4 pm, Oakland Museum, 1000 Oak Street: 26th annual festival of wine,spirits, beer, gourmet food, an auction and community spirit. Proceeds support the Oakland Rotary Endowment (ORE), which funds community projects such as  Oakland Reads (3 books to every 3rd grader), the Barrier Free Park in Roberts Park, the H.O.P.E. mentoring program, Saroni-Lena College Scholarships, Wheelchair Donations around the world. For more information, visit the event website.

John Santos Opens Free Sundays in the Redwoods Concerts at Woodminster Amphitheater, Joaquin Miller Park, Sunday, September 20: Gate opens at 1:30 pm; shows end by 6 pm:  Hear Latin Jazz featuring The John Santos Sextet, Dos Four Y Los Mios, Rankin Scroo and Candidi Oye-Oba in this first of four free family friendly concerts. 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 2 pm.

• Move On Calls for Rally Against Big Insurance- Sick of It Rally, Tuesday, September 22nd, 11:30 am, 2 Embarcadero Center, (Clay & Front), San Francisco :  The health insurance industry is spending 5 million per week to oppose health care reform.  This rally will ask Anthem Blue Cross to drop its opposition to the public option.
   
• Meeting for Public Comment on the Estates Reservoir Replacement Environmental Impact Report, Tuesday, September 21, 7-9 pm, Zion Lutheran Church, 5201 Park Blvd: The proposed EBMUD Estates Reservoir Replacement Project involves the demolition of Estates Reservoir including removal of the roof, features and supporting structures, and construction of two buried 3.3 million gallon (MG) replacement tanks. The reservoir bowl will be landscaped with a mixture of drought tolerant native grasses and shrubs, interspersed with trees. Existing landscaping, including trees that screen the site along Estates Drive, will be preserved.  The project also includes the upgrade of the existing pumps, motors and related appurtenances within the existing structure at the Montclair Pumping Plant, also located on the Estates Reservoir site.

• First Time Homebuyers' Loans Meetings Tuesday, September 22 and Wednesday, September 23--The City of Oakland provides loans to assist low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers to purchase single-family homes in Oakland. No monthly payments, requires 3% of the purchase price from the borrower's own funds to pay down payment or closing costs, 3% simple interest, and provides 20% of the purchase price not to exceed $75,000.  Special workshops are held each month. For complete program requirements and details, call 238-6201.

• The League of Women Voters Hosts A Forum on the California State Budget, Wednesday, September 23, 6:30-8 pm, Lincoln Court Senior Housing, 2400 MacArthur Blvd, representatives of Assemblyman Sandre Swanson's Office will give an inside perspective.

Oakland Zoo's Conservation Speaker Series, "Discovering Primates" lecture and auction, September 23, 6 pm, 9777 Golf Links Road:  Noel Rowe is the founder of Primate Conservation, Inc and author of The Pictorial Guide to the Living Primates. This fascinating presentation will be followed by a silent auction featuring exciting animal and nature related goodies. Refreshments included! This event is a benefit for the Budongo Snare Removal Project, a project that helps chimpanzees in Uganda and is supported only by the Oakland Zoo. For more info contact: Amy Gotliffe at 632-9525, ext 122.

 

• AC Transit Community Meetings on Budget Cuts: With concerns about bus lines 47 and 53 in District 4, residents may be interested in upcoming AC Transit community meetings  and public hearings:
  • Public Hearing, Wednesday, September 23, 2-5 pm and 6-8 pm: AC Transit headquarters, 600 Franklin Street, 2nd floor Board Room
  • Public Hearing, Wednesday, September 30, 6-8 pm, California School for the Blind Theater, 500 Walnut Avenue, Fremont.
  Details can be found at the AC Transit website.
• Mills College Botanic Garden Plant Sale,  Sept 23rd and 24th, 10 am to 4 pm  (#37 on campus map): A fun and informative annual event, highlighting plants propagated in the Botanic Garden. Plants for sale include CA natives, succulents, indoor plants, veggie seedlings, assorted orchids, etc. at reasonable prices. 100% of the profits directly support the Botanic Garden program. Discount given to volunteers!
• Finding Neverland Outdoor Movie at Dunsmuir House, Friday, September 25, 6 pm: Come to the Great Meadow and bring a picnic and blanket. Once it's dark enough, outdoor movie will begin.

• This week the Council returned from break as Committees met. Council agendas, minutes and videos can always be found at this site. Some items of general  interest include:
  • The Public Works Committee took a position against the current the current Airport Connector from BART, recently moved forward because of a major stimulus grant to the Metropolitan Transit Authority.  While City does not make this decision, it is expected this will be a forum for the controversies over this issue.
  • Public Safety heard the Auditor's report on Measure Y Preventative Services.  The report focussed on operational procedures for grant allocation and monitoring rather than program effectiveness; the audit did not reveal any instances of fraud, but raised oversight issues. The report focuses on the 40% of the Measure Y funds used for Violence Prevention Programs for Youth; the other 60% funds additional police and fire services.  These programs have been credited by the police for bringing down the murder and crime rates. The Auditor's Report  and City Administrator's response are available on the City website. The point by point response to the Auditor's report is very thorough, but was not yet posted online.  The Committee agreed to discuss the 4 areas where there is no agreement and policy may determine the direction. You can watch the committee with this video link:
    • The Committee members were critical of what seems to be a "gotcha" approach.  For example, the press release featured an example where the auditors say students were not present during a visit to the highly visible Youth Radio program.  There was no follow-up to see if it was typical or even a program day; city staff say more than the minimum number of students were present during their visits.
    • The Auditor recommends a higher percent of case monitoring by City staff and the independent evaluator opposed to the current 10%. Staff believes the 10% is standard and says more will require more funding.
    • The Auditor says all participants must agree to consent forms allowing the evaluators access to their information and provide addresses.  The staff says currently almost all adult participants and over 60% of youth have signed consent forms; they say this is above average and that sensitive situations including reluctant guardians/parents, mental health, sexual exploitation, runaways, immigration status,etc. would prevent services to many target youth.
    • The Auditor criticized the granting of about 18% of funds without a competitive process.  Both Council and staff pointed out that most of these grants only had one agency that could provide the services such as the School District grant for conflict resolution curriculum and classes in the schools.  That especially in the first year it would have delayed programs for that year.
  • 
    Life Enrichment Committee Approves $974,647 in Cultural Funding Grants: Thanks to the passage of Measure C, the hotel tax for cultural institutions and arts, the Life Enrichment Committee unanimously approved close to $1 million in grants to artists and art organizations that help create the culturally rich mosaic that makes Oakland such a vibrant place to live. Grants went to such groups as Stage Bridge, the oldest senior theater company in the country that for the past 30 years has been blending senior actors with youth in performances at schools, senior centers and at Merrit College of Nursing--providing nurses with a glimpse of what it's like to be ill and aged. Grants also went to Prescott Circus Theatre (photo above), the Purple Silk Music Education Foundation which teaches students music using Chinese instruments, Youth Uprising,  The Crucible, the AXIS Dance Company (disabled and non-disabled dancers), and the Oakland East Bay Symphony. All 70 grantees are required to demonstrate matching funds-- either 2:1 or 4:1. The 15 speakers noted that having the City's support--especially during these hard times--makes a real difference to other funders and their participants. Earlier in the day, the Finance Committee approved a motion to restore the 10% cut to the Cultural Arts Funding Program using the stream of funding that resulted from voters' approval of Measure C, the Hotel Tax, in July. The full Council will address the issue on Tuesday, September 22 as a Consent Calendar Item.
     
     
• On Tuesday, September 22, the Council meets as a whole: The items of most interest will include:
  • Approval of the New Police Chief's Contract
  • A review of the Parking Policies.  I have been working over the break on finding ways to roll back the extended hours and hope to have a proposal by this meeting.  Our last vote on the budget narrowly avoided cut police and neighborhood service coordinators, rangers, and libraries.  Finding $1.3 million has not been easy and I am still working on it. 
  
   
• Special Public Ethics Committee Meeting for Public Comment on Amending Oakland's Lobbyist Registration Act, Thursday, September 24, 6:30 pm: The Public Ethics Committee seeks public input on
  • The Act's registration and reporting requirements --should they be limited to paid, professional representatives of an organization or include volunteer representatives as well.
  • Should persons who lobby City officials have to communicate a minimum number of times or devote a certain amount of their time to lobbying before triggering a registration requirement.
  •  Should exempt persons from registering if the communications they make are 1) made in writing or at a public meeting or, 2) made on behalf of certain non-profit groups that operate on City property and provide a public service.
    
    For back-up materials, click here.

• Central Estuary Plan Community Workshop #5 Thursday October 1st at 6:30 pm:  Community Workshop #5 will include an in-depth presentation of three draft land use alternatives. Come share your thoughts about the draft land use alternatives!
• The Oakland Business Assistance Center, a one-stop center for new businesses, is now open.  We also have a class for new business owners motivated to grow over $1 million in revenue and create jobs in Oakland, apply for Created in Oakland 2009-10.
  
   

• The State Legislature closed their year, but are like to hold a special session before the end of the month to finish business.  The budget remains at least $200 million short, key water decisions, and other issues are expected to return.  A bill on prisoners will release 20,000 prisoners over the next two years, short of the 37,000 demanded by the judge overseeing California prisons. It would allow some offenders to earn shorter terms by completing rehabilitation programs. It also increases the number of probation officers overseeing the most serious offenders.  It rejected the Governor's proposal to release 6300 prisoners immediately into nursing homes and home detention.
• Senate fails to pass Prop 1A Guarantees:  The City Finance Committee was told this week that the State's grab of over $11 million in Oakland property taxes will be guaranteed by paying interest and guaranteeing a priority in repayment if the state finances continue to be strapped.  These guarantees passed the Assembly, but Republicans voted against them in the Senate.  If the Senate does not approve them in special session during the next weeks, the California League of Cities Board (upon which I represent Oakland) approved a law suit against the grab.

• Redevelopment Lawsuit Also to Moves Forward:  As part of the budget the Legislature also grabbed about $41 million in city redevelopment funds.  Lawyers from agencies around the state are preparing a suit and hope to get an injunction before the funds are due in May 2010. If we fail, funding for affordable housing bonds will be cut and almost all new redevelopment projects could be halted.
   
• 130,000 senior and disabled citizens will receive notice in October that their In Home Service grants will be cut effective November 1st.  36,000 will lose all services, 97,000 will lose certain services.

• The closure of 100 State Parks as a result of the Governor's action on the budget, representing about $14 million, may be delayed. This list was supposed to have been released last week, but park lawyers say the state would be liable for millions in broken contracts for concessions and other local agreements. 

• According to a Public Policy Institute of California poll released Friday:
  • An overwhelming 87 percent of voters responded that they are either very or somewhat concerned about "the effects of spending cuts on local government services - those provided by city and county governments and public schools."
  • Eighty-four percent of California voters say they think the state budget process is in need of "major" changes.
  • Approval ratings for State government are at record lows:  30 percent for Schwarzenegger and 21 percent for the Legislature, 

• District 4 Raising Funds to Support Family of Officer Murry Hoyle:  The Montclair Safety and Improvement Council (MSIC), the NCPC for Beat 13Z, started a donation campaign for Officer Murray Hoyle, who served the Oakland Police Department Force for over 28 years and lost his life to suicide on August 22, 2009.  Officer Hoyle had a wife, and three children - ages 22, 15, and 11.  Checks should be made payable to the "Hoyle Family Trust Fund" and sent to Ms. Renee Hassna, Treasurer, Oakland Police Officer's Association, 555 5th Street, Oakland, California 94607. (Above) MSIC Chair Nick Vigilante raises funds at our booth at last Sunday's Jazz & Wine Festival.

• Redwood Heights Rec Center's Free Movie in the Park, Cars,  Friday, September 25, 7:30-ish: Please join us for our next Movie in the Park on Friday September 25 as we have our 4th Movie in the Park. Purchase a hotdog, drink and chips for $2 between 6:30 and 7:45. Proceeds support the Rec Center's scholarship fund for summer camp and the  afterschool Rockets programs (this past summer, they gave over $6000 in partial scholarships for our Summer Day camps).Remember to dress warm, bring a blanket and or lawn chair. The movie is free.  Also, Monsters, Inc, will be featured on Friday, October 9-- same time, same place.

• Dimond Post Office Update: Oakland Postmaster Lowana Gooch and Public Affairs Director Augustine Diaz presented the latest on the Dimond Post Office to a packed Save Our Dimond Post Office meeting on Thursday evening at the Lincoln Court Senior Residence. Leslie Ann Jones of the Dimond group, and co-chairs Marilyn Miller and Kathleen Russell, opened the meeting by pointing out the SODPO had collected over 5600 signatures. Gooch and Diaz stressed that while no decisions on closure have been made, the U.S. Postal Service will definitely have to do something in response to diminishing revenues, which have declined dramatically in response to electronic correspondence. The Postal Service will lose $7 billion this year and must respond to this by "optimizing" its services, which may include closing some post offices. Gooch and Diaz noted that there were many factors that would go into the decision on whether to close a Post Office, ranging from sheer volume of sales to whether a Post Office featured carriers as well as retail service. While committing to no actions, both Gooch and Diaz expressed pleasure on how thoughtful the Dimond meeting was, and noted that the Save Our Dimond Post Office group was doing everything right.
   

• New Traffic Light at MacArthur and Lincoln Will Be Studied for Adjustment:  The Dimond listserv discussed the new stop light at this corner.  Some liked the longer time for pedestrians to cross, others think the wait for Lincoln Avenue traffic is too long and complain of back-ups.  We asked the Traffic Division to check the timing and were monitoring the light this week.

• Tree Thinning in Redwood Park East Ridge Trail: Starting September 8, 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

• Laurel Farmer's Market, Every Saturday Year Round from  10 am-2 pm, at 4173 MacArthur Blvd.: Stop by for locally grown organic produce as well as information from local and youth businesses and organizations! New vendors: Free massage from Katy of Skin by Maisha (3623 Macarthur Blvd Suite D), and Oakland Garden School will be on hand once a month-- starting September 19 to share their program and to facilitate youth and family days. Please feel out the survey to help provide input to the Farmer's Market. Questions? Contact Tori at 482-1898.

• Laurel Book Store Reopens on Sundays Starting September 13, 4100 MacArthur Blvd. in the Laurel:
  • Kid's Story Time, Wednesdays at 3:30 pm: Bring the little ones for a nice afternoon treat.
  • Tuesday, October 6, 7 pm: Diane Frankenstein will read from her book Reading Together: Everything You Need to Know to Raise a Child Who Loves to Read
  • Saturday, October 10, 6:30 pm: Laurel author Pat St. Onge, author of Embracing Cultural Competency; A Roadmap for Nonprofit Capacity Builders.
  • Friday, October 23, 7 pm: Authors Ann Laughlin, Cliffi Henderson and Lucy Jane Bledsoe.
  • Friday, October 30, 7 pm: Julia Usher, author of Cookie Swap.
     

Celebrity Bartender Night and Silent Auction to Benefit Butters Canyon Conservancy, Thursday, October 1, 6-9 pm, Montclair Bistro, 6118 Medau Place:

Montclair RR Trail Planning Workshop, Saturday, October 17, 1-3 pm, Montclair Rec Center: 

October is an auspicious month for the Bay Area--October 17 will be the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake and October 20 will be the 18th anniversary of the Oakland Firestorm. For tips on emergency preparedness, check out the City's CORE (Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies) website as well as the front of your phone book for a handy list of items to keep on hand. Also check out our 20 Tips for Emergency Preparendess.


Register today for the City of Oakland Get Ready to ShakeOut, Thursday, October 15, 10:15 am: This is the moment that millions of Californians will "Drop,Cover and Hold On" in The Great California ShakeOut, the largest earthquake drill ever! Oakland is joining hundreds of other cities in this annual event. Nearly 5.5 million Southern Californians participated in the 2008 ShakeOut. It's easy-- just "Drop,Cover and Hold On" at 10:15 am on 10/15/09!. For details and to register, go to www.ShakeOut.org.

Reflect. Honor. Prepare: Loma Prieta 20 Years Later,Cypress Freeway Memorial Park, 14th & Mandela Parkway, Saturday, October 17, 3-5:30 pm: 20 years ago, the Bay Area was struck by the Loma Prieta Earthquake. Parts of Oakland were severely hit: the Cypress Freeway collapsed, City Hall and other buildings in West Oakland and downtown suffered damage. The City's Office of Emergency Services sponsors this 20th Anniversary Remembrance Event with representatives from a variety of emergency preparedness organizations providing free information.


An Ounce of Prevention--Retrofitting Saves Lives: Two years ago, our office co-sponsored an ordinance that offered incentives to new homeowners and low income homeowners to retrofit their one to two-family wood frame homes. In addition, the City lowered the seismic retrofit permit fee to a flat $250. The New Homeowner Program was extremely successful--369 new homeowners took advantage of the program. However, funds to cover the reimbursement portion of the incentive program have since run out. On the other hand, our office and the City is working with the Association of Bay Area Governments and the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) to find other revenue sources that can be used to help defray the cost of retrofitting. We are hopeful that Oakland will participate in a pilot program through the CEA that will provide some financial support to property owners who retrofit their homes. (Above: The Temescal Tool Lending Library has 5 Seismic Retrofit Kits for do-it-yourselfers.)

In addition, the City is working closely with the Rental Housing Association of Northern Alameda County to implement a  multi-family soft story screening program that will help us identify properties that are at risk of collapse in a major earthquake. It will be the first part of a phased in program where we hope to provide incentives to property owners to retrofit their soft-story apartment buildings and condominiums. These buildings, with large open spaces on the first floor (usually for parking) are probably the most vulnerable in a major earthquake. They represent about 20,000 dwelling units or two-thirds of the dwelling units forecast to fail in a major earthquake.

Organize Your Neighborhood:  If you and your neighbors have not attended one of the CORE training classes-- or need a refresher-- there are openings  for CORE I's on September 23 and November 3, and CORE II's on September 30 and November 10.  The other CORE III series will occur on October 7, 14, 21 and 24.





 

• Public Invited to Wildfire Prevention District Retreat, Tuesday, October 27, 8-5 pm, Richard C. Trudeau Center, 11500 Skyline Boulevard: Residents who live in the Wildfire Prevention District (generally above Highways 13 and 580 and adjacent to Dimond Canyon) are welcome to attend a retreat of the Wildfire Prevention District Advisory Committee. Learn how your $65 a year assessment is leveraged to help reduce vegetation and protect Oakland public and private properties from devastating wildfires. Please RSVP so that we can ensure sufficient refreshments. Contact Yeda Altes at 238-7388.

Love Your Parks Annual Survey, Saturday, September 26, 8:30-Noon: Help the Oakland Parks Coalition do its annual survey of Oakland's 120 parks. The information helps the City measure it's progress on park maintenance and helps the Public Works Department focus its efforts. This year the survey is even more critical since budget cutbacks have reduced park maintenance staff by 50%. OPC is also looking for groups of neighbors to help fill the maintenance void that resulted from the new budget cuts; they will be monitoring the parks, picking up litter, weeding, organizing work parties and surveying their parks for "Love Your Parks Day".  Please go to their website  to consult the list of orphan parks or to sign up for Love Your Parks Day.

• 6th Annual Planting of Spring Bulbs, Sign Up Today: For the past 5 years, Keep Oakland Beautiful has sponsored Daffodil Days, and many thousands of yellow daffodils have been planted in Oakland's medians, freeway entrances and schools.  This year, they are offering freesias, aromatic and multi colored. Due to the economic climate, KOB has purchased half the amount of bulbs as compared to prior years. Thus, each adopter will be limited in the number available. Planting instructions are available on line. Deadline to sign up is October 7. Call 434-5131.
   

• 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.

California Native Plant Society Sale, Saturday, October 10, 10 am-3 pm and Sunday, October 11, Noon-3 pm, Native Here Nursery, 101 Golf Course Drive, Tilden Park, Berkeley:

• FOSC Fall Native Plant Sale, Saturday, October 17, 10 am-3 pm, Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery, in Joaquin Miller Park.  Here's a chance to purchase native plants for your own garden. For details, contact nursery@sausalcreek.org.

• Red-light Camera Now In Place at High and Foothill:  In an effort to reduce red-light related accidents, OPD announced it installed a Red Light Camera Enforcement System (RLCES)  at High St. and Foothill Blvd.  The system will capture red-light violations and warning notices will be mailed to violators for 30 days.  After the 30 day warning period, starting September 29, 2009, citations will be issued for red light violations.  The four intersections in the City now being monitored by the automated red-light camera system will be marked by an advisory street sign, notifying approaching traffic the intersection is being monitored.

Eventually, 20 intersection approaches throughout the city will be monitored by automated red-light cameras. Another one will be placed on 35th Avenue near the Redwood Hts Recreation Center. The cameras catch red light runners and result in hefty fine.  I have been lobbying for these lights because of the side shows at High and along Foothill and because of the high speeds in an area with a high volume of kids near the Redwood Hts Rec Center/ School.

• Mail Theft Alert:  A Skyline resident saw a green Toyota Tercel with out-of-state plates (Nevada maybe) stealing mail from boxes.  When she saw them toss out some envelopes they had addresses from Snake and other Montclair streets. If you have a curbside mail box or unlocked mail box, consider getting a locked box.  The Montclair Safety and Improvement Council has a good webpage on this issue.

• Thanks to Alert Neighbors, Occupants of the "Green" Saturn Have Been Arrested: One of the benefits of community policing is the growing collaboration between police and residents in catching criminals. Over the past few weeks, neighbors in the Maxwell Park and neighboring beats reported seeing a suspicious green Saturn whose occupants seemed to be casing neighborhoods. We just learned on Thursday, that the occupants of that car were arrested. And last week we reported that two different groups of burglars were captured, thanks to alert neighbors. Please call 777-3333 if you see anything suspicious in your neighborhood, or contact your problem solving officer directly,  While crime in Oakland has been down by 14%, home and auto burglaries are up. Learn more by attending your neighborhood's monthly Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council meeting.
   

 District Problem Solving Officers:  Have a chronic issue that involves criminal activity?  Let your beat's PSO know. Check here for a map to determine which Beat covers your neighborhood:

• 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

• New Library Schedule: Due to budget cuts, all branch libraries are closed on Mondays, BUT, they are open Tuesday evenings-- either until 7 or 8 pm:
  • 11:30 am-7 pm: Brookfield, Eastmont, Elmhurst, Martin Luther King, Jr., Melrose, West Oakland
     
  • 12:30-8 pm: Asian, César E. Chávez, Dimond, Golden Gate, Lakeview, Montclair, Piedmont, Rockridge, Temescal

• Sunday, 1-5 pm
• Monday,Tuesday & Saturday 10 am-5:30 pm 
• Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, Noon-8 pm
  
   

• Meet the new OUSD Superintendent, Wednesday, September 30, 7-8 pm, Oakland International High School, 4521 Webster Street: District 1 OUSD Director Jody London invites the public to a Town Hall Meeting where new OUSD Superintendent Tony Smith will be the guest speaker. Learn about Oakland's education priorities, provide your ideas and compare notes with other public school supporters. Refreshments provided. Contact Jody London for details at 459-0667.

• High School Students Needed for OUSD Town Researchers Student Research Team for the 2009-10 year: This year OUSD Town Researchers will be focusing their action research on Teacher Quality this year, hoping to inform A-G implementation and strengthen student-teacher dialogues and partnerships across OUSD. Students between ages 13 and 19 are eligible. Students are paid $12.50 per hour for 8 hours a month. Deadline for submitting an application is Friday, September 25. Interested students and/or teachers should contact Lailan Huen at 292-1562
   

• Check Out the New E-Newsletter from Friends of Oakland Public Library: Don't wait to hear what's happening at our library. Sign up for the new E-Newsletter from the Friends of the Oakland Public Library (FOPL).  Here's what's in this month's newsletter:
  • Sign up/Verify Library Cards in September: Beginning this month, as part of Library Card Sign-up Month, staff will ask patrons to verify their contact information.
     
  • Third Annual Teen Rap & Poetry Slam, Wednesday, September 23, 4-6 pm, on Main Library Patio: Slam Jam '08 drew a lively crowd. The Oakland Public Library, BUMP Records and Youth Movement Records present the 3rd annual Teen Slam Jam, featuring poetry slams, raps, and live music by talented local youths, including artists from the young BUMP Records and Youth Move
     
  • Saturday, September 26, 3 pm, Main Library West Auditorium: Oakland History Room Librarian Steven Lavoie will discuss his now book, Historic Photos of Oakland.

• Kids Events at the Library Celebrate Hispanic American Heritage Month: Hispanic American Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, marks the national independence days of several Latin American nations and celebrates the cultural contributions of the diverse Spanish-speaking people who reside in the US. Several events at the Library are planned to get Oakland families in on the fun:
   
  • Papel Picado (Cut Paper): Kids and families are invited to learn a decorative artform that traces back to the Aztec culture. 
     
    César Chávez Branch, Tuesday, September 15, 6 p.m.
    Eastmont Branch, Wednesday, September 16, 3 p.m.
    Asian Branch, Wednesday, September 30, 2 p.m.
  • Opera Piccola  performs Chac the Rain Spirit, an ancient Mayan tale that brings a moving message for today. The audience will get to participate in a captivating Mayan dance.
      Lakeview Branch, Thursday, September 17, 1 p.m.
      Brookfield Branch, Friday, September 25, 1 p.m.
      Eastmont Branch, Saturday, September 26, 1 p.m.
    
     

• Lawyers in the Library: The Lawyers in the Library program makes legal information and referral available to the public for free. (If further legal help is required, clients are referred to the Bar Association Referral Service.) The program is co-sponsored by the Alameda County Bar Association. Sessions are popular, and getting an appointment often requires showing up early for advance sign-ups. Here's the complete, current schedule (call the branch beforehand to confirm):
  
  Main Library, 2nd floor
  1st through 4th Thursdays, 2nd through fourth Wednesdays
  6-8 pm, sign-up lottery 5:45 pm
  Bankruptcy Lawyers: 1st Wednesdays, 6-8 pm, sign-up lottery 5:45 pm
  
  César E. Chávez Branch
  Bilingual Lawyers (Spanish & English)
  2nd Tuesdays
  5:30 - 7:30 pm, sign-up lottery 5:15 pm
  
  Dimond Branch
  1st Tuesdays
  6-8 pm, sign-up lottery 5:45 pm
  
  Eastmont Branch
  2nd and 4th Tuesdays
  5-7 pm, advanced sign-ups begin 4:30
  
  Elmhurst Branch
  2nd Tuesdays
  5-7 pm, first come, first served
  
  Rockridge Branch
  1st Tuesdays
  6-8 pm, advance sign-ups 5 pm
  
  Temescal Branch
  1st Tuesdays
  6-8 pm, sign-up lottery 5:45 pm
  
  West Oakland Branch
  1st Tuesdays
  5-6:30 pm, advance sign-ups 4:30 pm

• Redwood Heights "Day Camp" for OUSD Students on Friday, October 9-- that is a professional development day for students in Oakland public schools. The Redwood Heights Recreation Center has planned a field trip to either the Jack London Movie Theater or Grand Lake Theater to watch a movie in addition to activities at the recreation center. They need a minimum enrollment of 15 by September 29. If they do not reach the minimum, then we will need to cancel the day. $30 + $10 excursion fee ($40 total). You may register in person at Redwood Heights Recreation Center or online www.oaklandnet.com/parks
  Activity # 22208.201
  Call Redwood Hts Recreation Center 482-7827 for more information.

Oakland's Re-Create 2009 Art Contest Open to All Students (K-12: This annual art contest and exhibition is open to all Oakland youth who use discarded materials in a creative application of the 4Rs-- reduce, recycle and rot. November 8, 2009 is the deadline for submitting artwork to the contest. For locations and dates of the workshops, please visit www.oaklandrecylces.com. For additional information, contact Ferial Mosley,Recycling Specialist, at 238-7433.
 

• 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 27: The Oakland East Bay Symphony with Michael Morgan, conductor
     
  • Sunday, October 4: Classical Jazz with James Newton and John Jang
  • Sunday, October 11: Neo Soul with Ledisi
     

• Rockridge Out @ About, Sunday, September 27, 11 am-6 pm:This is the third year of the Rockridge District Association's annual street festival along College Avenue from Manila to Claremont.
   

• Oaktoberfest in the Dimond, Saturday, October 10, 11am-6 pm, MacArthur Blvd. at Fruitvale Avenue: Last year more than 5,000 people came to the first celebration. Enjoy German and local craft beers, Kid's Rootbier Garten, Gourmet German Food, Entertainment and Raffle, Sausal Creek Eco Fair, and new this year, Homebrew Competition. Check it out at oaktoberfest.org.
   

• Vacancy on Public Ethics Commission: The City of Oakland Public Ethics Commission is seeking applicants for the one open of four  Commission-selected seats. The term begins on January 22, 2010 and expires on January 21, 2013. Applicants must reside in Oakland and be registered to vote in Oakland. The Commission was created by a voter-approved City Charter amendment in 1996 to "assure fairness, openness, honesty and integrity in City government." For details or to obtain an application, contact Dan Purnell at 238-3593. Applications and resumes must be received no later than Friday, October 30 at 5 pm.

• Library Seeks Volunteer Storyreaders: Books for Wider Horizons is seeking adult volunteers to read to children once a week at a local preschool or childcare center. Participants must complete a 7-session training at Rockridge branch before they are placed. Please call 238-7453 for more information or to sign up! The fall schedule for classes is:
   
  • October 17,  9 - 11:30 am
  • October 19, 20, 6 - 8:15 pm
  • November 3, 4, 6, 6 - 8:15 pm
  • November 7, 9 am - 3 pm
     

• 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:

• Dimond Volunteer Clean-Up Walks in Dimond Park Every Monday: 11am-Noon: Dimond Park Clean-up. Sponsored by Dimond Park Advisory Council (DPAC): meet at Scout Hut (Wellington/Canon entrance). Contact: Michelle Doppelt, Recreation Supervisor Dimond Park; mdoppelt@oaklandnet.com; cell 510-681-5129; office 510-482-7831. Volunteers participating in Dimond/Dimond Park clean-up walks receive a complimentary card from La Farine Bakery/Dimond for 2 pastries or rolls/2 drinks.

• Maxwell Park NCPC Monthly Clean Up, Third Sunday of the Month, 9 am-Noon: Meet at Courtland and Redding to weed, plant and pick up trash.
  
   

• Garden with the Friends of  Sausal Creek--Harvest seeds of native plants, help propagate seeds at the native plant nursery, work to remove invasives throughout the Sausal Creek Watershed or attend their bimonthly educational workshops. There's something happening several days a week and on most weekends, in Dimond Canyon, Joaquin Miller Park at the Native Plant Nursery and Beaconsfield Canyon. Check out their monthly calendar of events at the FOSC website
   

• Oakland Builder's Alliance Seek Handy Volunteers to Help at First Annual Community Build Weekend at East Bay Boxing Association-Smart Moves (EBOA), 816 98th Avenue,  Saturday and Sunday, September 19 & 20 (contractors and volunteers): EBOA is looking for electricians, carpenters, contractors and individuals to volnteer as the rebuild an East Oakland facility dedicated to serving Oakland's most underserved youth. They will be painting, hammering and improving the site so that these young Oaklanders have a better place to learn and play afterschool and on weekends. Contact Laura  437-9620 ext. 1 or  Liz at 517-4324. Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day. EBOA has served Oakland children for more than 22 years. Sponsored by Council Member Larry Reid, PG&E and the Oakland Builder's Alliance.

• Horace Mann Garden Workday,  Saturday, November 14, 9-11 am:  Help weed the hillside gardens the NCPC/School Community planted in April. They'll also replace several plants that died when the irrigation wasn't working properly. Two hours of your time will make a difference in the appearance of our neighborhood school, so please plan to come! Horace Mann School is located at 5222 Ygnacio Avenue.

Experience Corps Seeks Volunteers 55+: Experience Corps seeks Baby Boomer volunteers to tutor and mentor students at our underserved elementary schools. They currently support students in seven elementary schools throughout North and East Oakland (Civicorps, Cleveland, Emerson, Monarch Academy, Piedmont Ave, Santa Fe, Think College Now) and they could use your time, talent and life experience.  As little as 2 hours a week can make a huge difference and scheduling is flexible.  No prior experience tutoring or working with kids necessary - full training and on-site support is provided, as are paid stipends for volunteers who serve 10+ hours a week!For more information, contact David Moren at  495-4966