• Love Your Parks Annual Survey, Saturday, September 26, 8:30-Noon, Garden Center at Lake Merritt, 666 Bellevue: 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 prioritize the Public Works Department efforts. This year the survey is even more critical since budget cutbacks have reduced park maintenance staff by 50%. OPC is recruiting groups of neighbors to help fill the gaps; they will monitor the parks and organize work parties during the year.  Please go to their website  to consult the list of orphan parks. (Above) Trimming vegetation for Creek to Bay Day.  Laurel neighbors have lovingly restored, maintained and planted this section of Peralta Creek at Wisconsin & Rettig.

• Free Admission, Saturday, September 26 at Smithsonian-Affiliated Museums-- free admission to local museums this weekend including Chabot Space & Science Center, Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Zeum, Coyote Point and Hiller Aviation Museum. Go to the website to download the museum day free admission day card. At Chabot Guest Lecturer Andrew Chaikin, 3 pm - 4:30.
   

• Last Chance for Great American Dine Out, Saturday, September 26: Help end childhood hunger just by dining out at one of over 30 great restaurants in the Bay Area. Today, Saturday is the last day that participating restaurants will graciously donate a portion of their sales to support Share Our Strength's efforts to end childhood hunger in America. The Montclair Bistro, I Squared on College Avenue, and Carrows on Hegenberger are among the Oakland restaurants participating.  Book now for Great American Dine Out.
   

• Edna Brewer Car Wash Fundraiser, Saturday, September 26, 9 am-1 pm:  Help support one of our local middle schools and drive away "gleaming." Come to the upper yard to get your car(s) washed. Edna Brewer is located at 3748 13th Avenue.

• Sequoia Elementary Bike Day, Saturday, September 26, 10 am-1 pm: Bike Repair Shop, Bike riding lessons, bike rodeo and more on the playground at Sequoia Elementary School.
   
• Laura Sutta Photography Reception at Lakeview Branch Library, 550 El Embarcadero, Saturday, September 26, 11:30-1:30 pm: Back by popular demand, Laura Sutta's beautiful photographs of Lake Merritt and surrounding scenes will be on display through September and October 2009. Contact: 238-7344.
• Saturday, September 26, 3 pm, Main Library West Auditorium: Oakland History Room Librarian Steven Lavoie will discuss his new book, Historic Photos of Oakland.

• Miniature Horses & Ponies Compete at Sequoia Arena, Sunday, September 27, 9 am-6 pm:  The Metropolitan Horsemen's Association and the Shetland Pony & Miniature Horse Association, Inc. host the first annual Mini & Small Horse Show at Sequoia Arena in Joaquin Miller Park.  Admission is free. Food and beverages available for sale. Minors must be accompanied by an adult; dogs must be leashed at all times.
   
• And Justice For All, Strategic Analysis of Disproportionate Minority Contact Within the Alameda County Juvenile Justice System, Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30, Hilton Airport Hotel:  The conference examines Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) within the Alameda County juvenile justice system, throughout the greater Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area, and nationally; with emphasis on law enforcement, probation, the courts, community-based organizations, and schools. Sponsored by the Oakland Police Department, California Corrections Standards Authority, and the W. Haywood Burns Institute. The event is free and food service is provided at no cost. The meeting is open to the public. Space is limited to the first 350 registrants. To register, go to OPDevents.com.   

• Meet the new OUSD Superintendent, Wednesday, September 30, 7-8 pm, Oakland International High School, 4521 Webster Street: OUSD Director Jody London invites the public to a Town Hall Meeting with new Superintendent Tony Smith. 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.

Free Waterfront Night Bazaar with Oakland Unwrapped, Jack London Square, Thursday, October 1, 5:30-9:30 pm

• Draft Development Concepts Discussed at Oakland Estuary Neighborhood Plan Workshop, Thursday, October 1, 6:30-9 pm, Fruitvale-San Antonio Senior Center, 3301 E. 12th Street, Suite 201 (Near Fruitvale BART): The City of Oakland, working cooperatively with the local community, is developing a Plan for the Central Estuary Area between 19th and 54th avenues. This is the fifth in a series of eight community workshops. The project team will present three draft development concepts based upon public input gathered thus far and studies of the Plan Area's existing conditions. Participants are encouraged to provide feedback on the concepts. For more information, call the message line at 238-7737 or e-mail central_estuary_plan@oaklandnet.com.

• Fair Elections Rountable with the Oakland League of Women Voters, the California Nurses Association & Senator Loni Hancock, Kaiser Center, 20th Street Mall, BART Board Rm, 3rd Fl: Appearing on the June 2010 ballot, the Fair Elections Act, authored by Senator Hancock and would establish a voluntary pilot public financing program for the 2014 and 2018 Secretary of State races. The initiative aims to mitigate the influence of big donors and special interests in elections.  http://www.yesfairelections.org/

• Proposal to Push Parking Hours Back to 6 pm Fails by One Vote, Reconsideration Scheduled for October 4th:   Since July my office and staff have been working to find the $1.3 million to roll back the parking hours to 6 pm in response to the feedback and ideas from merchants and constituents. Most merchants and neighbors want us to roll back the hours without cutting vital services.
  • As we balanced the budget in July--cutting $140 million, eliminating more than 400 jobs, cutting all departments at least 10-15 percent, and negotiating 10 percent give backs from all employees without cutting police officers or senior programs or closing libraries or parks-- we also tried to avoid raising parking ticket fees another $10 to $65 as proposed by the Mayor. 
  • In January we passed on the $10/ticket surcharges required by the state including Perata bill to finance court house buildings, making tickets $55.  Extended hours were one solution and while I was personally skeptical that this would work citywide, some areas had restaurateurs who were interested in longer areas where they have local neighbors filling up commercial spaces after 6 pm and leaving no spaces for their customers.
  • This week I put forward a proposal with Council Members Brunner and Kernighan to roll back the hours to 6 pm and fund the difference with other parking revenues, unfortunately there were not enough votes.  Council member Reid joined us in voting "yes," Council member Delafuente was absent.  Council members Brooks voted no, Council members Nadel and Kaplan abstained.
  • Our proposal recommended several ideas that we have discussed with merchant groups and staff including:  adding 250 meters citywide, stepping up enforcement against illegal use of handicapped placards freeing up at least 100 meters citywide, renting out at least 100 overnight garage parking to the growing population downtown, saving contractor costs by automating garages, increasing night time garage revenues in the entertainment/ downtown district, and advertising revenue. I am confident that our estimates were conservative, but if they do not meet our goals, we can readjust in January.  However, several of my colleagues are not convinced since these are new initiatives.  They are concerned that with new possible state cuts and the recession, we might be forced to cut other program if these parking revenues fall short.  I believe the longer we delay, the more likely they will fall short.
  • I am continuing to work on our proposal to roll back the hours for the October 4th meeting. 

Council Approves $974,647 in Cultural Funding Grants: Thanks to the passage of Measure C, the hotel tax for cultural institutions and arts, the Council  approved close to $1 million in grants to artists and art organizations. Grants went to such groups as Stage Bridge, Prescott Circus Theatre (photo above), the Purple Silk Music Education Foundation, Youth Uprising,  The Crucible, the AXIS Dance Company 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.

 
• 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.

• 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.
  
   

• Governor Changes Plan to Close Parks:  Backing down from his threat to close over 100 state parks, he announced that more parks will be closed on week days or have longer seasonal closures but no park will be completely closes.  All equipment purchases will cease, maintenance will be cut drastically.  A statewide parks coalition is still considering moving forward with a ballot measure that adds a $15 fee to car licenses in exchange for free admission to state parks.
• The State Legislature is likely to hold a special session to finish business.  The budget remains at least $200 million short, key water decisions, and other issues are expected to return. 
• 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 Move 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 notices 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.  

• According to a Public Policy Institute of California poll released this month:
  • 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, 

• Creek To Bay Day Photos

  

• Special Meeting on Blair Park, Monday, October 12, 7 pm, Montclair Elementary School: Our office has been monitoring the issues surrounding the City of Piedmont's plans for a major park expansion on our Oakland border and the impact of the project on Moraga Canyon.  We are holding a meeting to make sure that our resident's concerns are well represented in the City of Oakland's response to the Blair Park Environmental Impact Report (EIR). We are working closely with Council Member Brunner's office and the City's Community and Economic Development Office (CEDA) to develop a list of issues that CEDA will submit.  Representatives from the City's planning and transportation services staff will be on hand to explain the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) scoping process, what types of issues are typically researched in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and to take notes on your concerns so that the City's letter can be as complete as possible. If you are affected by this, I encourage you to attend.  Please send an RSVP via email to Ellen Dillard in in our Office at edillard@oaklandnet.com
  • Interesting blog on Moraga Canyon issues
     
• 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.  

• A Taste of Montclair Village Restaurant Walk, Tuesday, October 6, 6-8 pm:  This is the Montclair Village Association's way of supporting local restaurants. The first walk, held in in April, was a sellout! Those who purchased coupon books were treated to great food and beverages, and a warm evening of strolling the streets of the Village, shopping, and listening to music from Montera Middle School groups. The MVA and Lions Club are working together to make this event happen. Participating restaurants and food/beverage outlets are providing tastings of their best offerings to all who purchase a $25 coupon book for the event. Local music groups will be providing entertainment on the streets. For details and a list of where to purchase a coupon book, go to the MVA website.
  
   
• Redwood Heights Rec Center's Free Movie in the Park, Monsters,
  Friday, October 9, 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.  

• Dimond Post Office Update: "Save Our Dimond Post Office" supporters listened as Ms. Lowana Gooch, Postmaster, City of Oakland,
  answered questions from the community about the Postal Service and possible closing of Dimond Post Office. This meeting was held on Sept 17 at Lincoln Court in the Dimond merchant area.  Total of 6,956 signatures on petitions have been mailed to Postal Service representatives and Congresswoman Barbara Lee in an effort to remove the Dimond Post Office from the closure list.  The Postal Service will publish an updated list on Oct. 2.  For more information about this campaign go to sodpo.wordpress.com.  Photo by Ken Gibson.
   
• 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 Now Open on Sundays, 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.
     
• Montclair RR Trail Planning Workshop, Saturday, October 17, 1-3 pm, Montclair Rec Center:  If you walk the pathway from Shepherd Canyon to Montclair Village that was the old road bed for the Sacramento-Northern Railroad, then please join friends and neighbors to plan future work projects to enhance what is now known as the Montclair RR Trail. Please RSVP to Sue Piper at 238-7042.
  
  
  Lions's Club Halloween Parade, Friday, October 30: Bring the kids and come in costume for the annual Halloween Parade. It starts at Mountain Blvd. by the Park, moves down La Salle Avenue and ends at Montclair Park on Moraga Avenue.<<Here I was with friends as the Grand Marshal at last year's parade.
   

• 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

• "ShakeOut" Earthquake Preparedness Neighborhood BLOCK PARTY, Sunday, Oct. 11, 3-6:00 pm, St. Lawrence O'Toole-St. Cyril Rectory Parking Lot, 3725 High St:   American Red Cross and Core Representatives, Emergency Response and Local Resources will be present to answer questions and give out free information. Free Raffle, Give Aways, and Refreshments. For more information, 530-0761.

• 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) Our office helped the Temescal Tool Lending Library put together  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.
• 20th Anniversary of Loma Prieta Earthquake Symposium, Saturday, October 17, 8:30 am-3:30 pm Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco: Here what progress has been made since the 1989 earthquake and what work remains to make our built environment safe from future earthquakes.  It will showcase a wide variety of topics including seismology, lifelines, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, long-term recovery, government response, community resilience, earthquake prediction science and the future of performance based engineering. Register before September 15 for the $50 advanced registration price which includes breakfast, lunch and the full day of educational presentations.  Registration at:  http://peer.berkeley.edu/events/2009/loma_prieta/registration.html

• The Earthquake Retrofit Institute is trying to map retrofit projects completed since the Loma Pieta earthquake.  Go to this site to register your project. 

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.

• 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.

>>Volunteers for Creek to Bay Day at the FOSC Native Plant Nursery.

• Maxwell Park Robbery:  Last week this description was posted of a late evening robbery.  Two fairly young teenagers, approximately 14-16 years old, driving a dark colored 4 door Jeep Cherokee robbed a couple as they were exiting their car taking a purse and book bag. One of the youth might have a gold tooth.
   

• 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.
   

• 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.

• 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  burglaries and domestic violence 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

• Sequoia School's Harvest Festival, Saturday, October 24, 10 am-2 pm: Celebrate the fall with lots of fun games and activities, including music! If you would like to perform, contact Nancy Deming at 29--4875 or Suzanna Farver at 387-1452.
• 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.
     

• 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. 
     
   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.
      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, 5:30-6:30 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 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.
 

Help out Oakland East Bay Symphony & Get a Free Subscription: The Oakland East Bay Symphony (OEBS) is running a campaign to increase regular season subscribers. They're asking each current subscriber to "tell four friends" and one of the subscriptions will be free next season (2010-2011. The person who refers the most new subscribers will get 2 free ticket vouchers on Southwest Airlines for domestic travel. For details, check out their website or call 444-0801.
 

• Walking Tours of Oakland: A great way to introduce our fair city to yourvisitors, 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, September 26 Preservation Park
  • Wednesday, September 30 Waterfront

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month- Swim a Mile for WCRC, Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 10 am-4 pm, Mills College Pool, 5000 MacArthur Blvd.:  The annual Swim a Mile is the Women's Cancer Resource Center's (WCRC) major fundraising event and helps the organization operate the spectrum of free services that have assisted more than 70,000 women with cancer and their supporters since 1986. For more information please call 601-4040 ext.180 or log onto www.wcrc.org.
  
   
• Oakland Heritage Alliance House & Garden Tour 2009 in Oakland's Fernwood Neighborhood, Sunday, October 4, 1-5:30 pm. For details, call 763-9218 or visit the OHA website.

• Upcoming Metropolitan Horsemen's Association Events, all events start at 9 am at Sequoia Arena:
   
  • Friday-Sunday, October 2-4, Group Trail Ride
  • Sunday, October 18 Dressage Schooling Show-tentative

• 36th Annual Black Cowboy Parade, Saturday, October 3: Celebrate the cowboys who helped settle the West with a parade of cowboys and cowgirls in traditional attire. Downtown Oakland. (Left-- 2005 Black Cowboy Parade)

• 24th Annual Longevity Walk-a-Thon Benefits Self-Help for the Elderly, Saturday, October 3, 9 am, Union Square, San Francisco: Self-Help for the Elderly, the service provider and program coordinator at the Lincoln Court Center, located at 2400 MacArthur, will be holding its 24th Annual Longevity Walkathon. The event begins at 9 a.m. with registration and warm-up exercises. The Walk takes place within the scenic shopping district of Union Square. 1,200 older adults per month participate in the computer classes and exercise programs that Self-Help provides in partnership with the Adult and Career Program of the Oakland Unified School District. It is one of two sites in Oakland to offer the nationally recognized Posit Brain Fitness program. Self-Help also provides supportive services to the residents of the 82-unit Lincoln Court Apartments.  Self-Help receives no City or County support; operating totally on private donations. This is why events such as the Walkathon are so vitally important. To participate, fill out a form online at www.selfhelpelderly.org or drop by the Center to pick up one or call 336-0144.  

• Celebrate Michael Morgan's 20th Anniversary with Oakland East Bay Symphony, Saturday, October 3, 8:30 pm:  To raise funds for the Oakland School program, the incomparable mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves joins Michael Morgan and the OEBS in a gala concert benefiting the Symphony's education and outreach programs.  Graves will sing a range of musical selections from popular favorites to moving spirituals to her signature operatic role as Carmen. Tickets $60-$125 ($125 ticket includes post-concert reception and dancing. Call 644-GALA for information or go to www.oebs.org. (Above) Symphony volunteers joined us last Sunday at Jazz & Wine to promote this year's fundraiser.
   
• Lend a Hand Foundation's Seafood Fest to Raise Funds for 300 Transition Youth, Friday, October 9, California Ballroom, 1736 Franklin Street, #300. Advance tickets only $40 through September 15. Contact 553-1262.
• Breezin' on Two Wheels: African American Bikers in Oakland, African American Museum & Library (AAMLO), 659 14th Street Through October 10: An exhilarating look at a seldom examined topic that is historically appropriate for Oakland: the relationship between a small segment of the African American community and their preferred mode of transportation, the motorcycle. Includes artifacts, historical documentation and some wonderful vintage photographs and footage. 

• Diaspora Tale #2: 1969 Debut at Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Saturday, October 17, 8-10 pm, 388 Ninth Street: I will be one of the panelists at a discussion following the debut of Diaspora Tale #2: 1969, an interdisciplinary jazz composition by saxophonist and composer Francis Wong. It will be performed by the Francis Wong Unit with contributions by spoken word artist A.K. Black and dancer/ choreographer Lenora Lee. "1969" commemorates the 40th anniversary of the UC Berkeley Third World Strike for ethnic studies. Wong's brother, along with my husband Floyd Huen and I, were a participants in the Third World Strike and the composition is dedicated in part to Wong's brother. For ticket information and reservations, call 637-0455.

• Come Home to the Y, Celebrating 130 years of the YMCA in the East Bay, Wednesday October 21, 5:30-8:30 pm at Scott's Seafood at Jack London Square: Join friends and neighbors to recognize the YMCA of the East Bay's outstanding adult and youth volunteers and celebrate 130 years of building the spirit, mind and body of individuals and families throughout Alameda and west Contra Costa Counties. Tickets $40 if purchased by October 1; $45 thereafter. Contact Ginni Ring at 451-8039 ext. 139 or email her to register today.
• Out of the Darkness Walk to Prevent Suicide, Saturday, October 24, 6:30 -8:30 am: The recent death of Officer Murray Hoyle, and another suicide in one of our neighborhoods brings to light the need for greater community awareness about suicide prevention. Friends of a recent suicide victim have organized the East Bay's first Out of the Darkness Community Walk in conjunction with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Meet at Belleue & Grant Avenue near Oakland's Lake Merritt and walk into the dawn, out of the darkness. I will be attending as a guest speaker. Registration starts at 6 am. Contact Alanna Coyote at 387-1040.
   

• 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. 

• Pacific Fine Arts & Crafts Fest in Montclair, Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4: Great chance to catch up on your holiday gift giving.

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.

Raffle ticketss can be purchased at La Farine, Paws and Claws, or by contacting the DIA (dia@dimondnews.org)
1 for $5 or 5 for $20.




 

• Oakland International Film Festival, October 8-14: Screenings of short films, workshops and more. Discover details at the Oakland International Film Festival website.

• Taste of Temescal Supports Local Nonprofits as Well as Local Restaurants, Tuesday, October 13, 6-8:30 pm: 21 of Temescal's best restaurants are offering a taste from their menus. Visit Dona Tomas, Pizzaiolo, Barlata, Burma Superstar, Mixing Bowl, Bakesale Betty, Lanesplitters and many more all while supporting Good Cents for Oakland, Emerson Elementary School, Claremont Middle School and Women's Cancer Resource Center. Tickets: $25/adult and children 12 and over. For details and tickets, go to the Temescal District website.
  
  
   

• 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
   

• 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