This week has been an incredibly busy one for our office and district.
 
    Last Saturday, the Dimond blasted through all expectations at Oaktoberfest with 6-8000 in attendance-more than twice last year's crowds.  We were happy to see people from all over the city discover the Dimond, enjoy beer and sausages, and listen to German folk, rock and blues bands..  Many thanks to the Dimond merchants, organizations and volunteers, who made this celebration of the neighborhood's revitalization a big success!
 
    On Sunday nearly 4000 packed Woodminster for our final free Sundays in the Redwoods concert of the year, giving Oakland performer Ledisi (above) a warm homecoming.  The joyful spirit made us forget the chilly weather and appreciate Oakland's community spirit.  Nearly one third of the crowd had never attended an event in the park before!   Again, many thanks to all the musicians and Parks & Rec staff who helped us bring people from all parts of Oakland to share this beautiful amphitheater.  We will be holding our concert raffle this week and winners will be contacted by email for A's and Warrior's tickets.
 

    On Thursday night we heard that  the persistent and focused efforts of the  "Save Our Dimond Post Office", Dimond residents have indeed bumped the Dimond Post Office off the Post Office's closure list!  Postmaster Lowana Gooch said the  "voice of the Dimond Community has been heard and recognized". Many thanks to Kathleen Russell, Ken Gibson, Daniel Swafford, Marilyn Miller and the host of volunteers that organized to reach out to more than 7,000 residents who signed petitions and wrote letters.  Congratulations!
 

   October is Domestic Violence Month . At Friday's  6th Annual Domestic Violence Forum, we heard how state and federal budget cuts are affecting services for victims of Domestic Violence.  At least two of the city's most critical services had their funds cut in half by the Governor's line item veto of all state domestic violence funding--Safe Place, our only shelter, and Family Violence Law Center. This week, the State Senate passed SB 3x13 to restore these programs, but it needs the Governor's signature.  See our summary below in # with information on how to contact the Governor.  The Forum will be rebroadcast on KTOP, Channel 10, several times this month starting Monday, October 19 at 3:30 pm.  See #5.

    Today we will be commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake.  At 5:04 the City's emergency system will sound and I'll be at event on Mandela Way where the Cypress Freeway collapsed.  Kelly Rayburn of The Tribune did a very good article on the City's progress and remaining challenges in preparing for the next earthquake that covers several seismic retrofitting programs our office has worked on. See #2.

   Sue Piper will be conducting a planning workshop for the Montclair Railroad Trail, see #1.  Terrie Gillen will be hosting office hours at World Grounds Cafe in the Laurel, 3726 MacArthur Blvd., between 10 am and Noon on Saturday. Please stop by with questions, concerns or just to say hello.

• Montclair Elementary's 34th Annual Metrathon Day of Fun, Food & Music  (free), Saturday, October 17,  8:30 am-4 pm: Montclair Elementary's Largest Fundraiser of the Year!! Eat,shop and enjoy live entertainment. Fresh Pastries, coffee, face painting, shave ice in the morning;  entertainment, BBQ in the afternoon. Big time auction items!! Admission and music is free; auction items and food for purchase. Entertainment includes Asheba!!!  Limited on-site parking.

• Edna Brewer Car Wash, Saturday, October 17, 9 am - 1 pm: Clean your car and support local middle school where 8th graders will be ready with buckets, hoses and tons of enthusiasm!.Come to the upper yard at the school. Donations requested ($10-20)Edna Brewer Middle School is at 13th Avenue and Excelsior, one block off Park Blvd in the Glenview District near Highway 580.

• Friends of Sausal Creek Fall Native Plant Sale, Saturday, October 17, 10 am-3 pm, Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery, in Joaquin Miller Park.  Help FOSC with its work to restore our creek watersheds. Here's a chance to purchase native plants for your own garden; they are generally more drought tolerant and fire resistant.   For details, contact nursery@sausalcreek.org. 

• Entomology Club Kickoff, Saturday, October 17, 10 am-2 pm, Rotary Nature Center, 600 Bellevue Avenue: For only $5 you and your children can learn about the world of insects. View presentations of local insects. Come on an urban insect safari. Meet other insect enthusiasts. Bring your own lunch. Contact Eddie Dunbar at 506-2837

• Fall Neighborhood Plant Exchange, Saturday, October 17, Noon - 4 pm, 3811 Lakeshore Avenue: This is a great Oakland tradition. Have plants you must prune or divide? How about trading your excess with others and take home new plants for your yard ? 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.

• 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. Contact Sue Piper at 238-7042 for more information.  (Above) Signing up volunteers for the Friends of the Montclair Railroad Trail.

• It's about Time presents the Black Panther Film Fest, Saturday, October 17, 1-5 pm, West Oakland Branch: Three films will be screened: Legacy of Torture: The War Against The Black Liberation Movement; Merritt College: Home of the Black Panthers; and Lord of the Revolution.  West Oakland Branch is located at 1801 Adeline Street. This event will take place in the branch's multipurpose room. Call 238-7352 for information.

• 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 on the Third World Strike for Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley, following the debut of Diaspora Tale #2: 1969, an interdisciplinary jazz composition by saxophonist and composer Francis Wong. 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 establishment of ethnic studies. Wong's brother, my husband Dr.Floyd Huen and I, were a participants in the strike. For ticket information and reservations, call 637-0455.

• A Taste of Temescal Rescheduled to Tuesday, October 20--due to this week's rains--on Telegraph Avenue between 40th and 51st on Tuesday, October 13 from 6-8:30 pm. Enjoy an evening of food, drink, live music and fabulous prizes. This is a green event too! $25 gives you a taste of local fare, and helps support local nonprofits, including the Women's Cancer Resource Center, Good Sense for Oakland Emerson Elementary and Claremont Middle School. To purchase tickets.

• The Laurel Movie Night on the Patio, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7-10pm,  will  show the documentary Food Fight in the parking lot of Trattoria Laurellino's, 4171 Macarthur Blvd at Maybelle Ave.  Oakland Food Connection and the California Food and Justice Coalition will hold a panel discussion session after the film.
   
• Late Night in Oakland, Friday, October 23, 5-8 pm: Merchants throughout Oakland will stay open late, offer refreshments, specials, and host local  musicians. We'll be celebrating the return of free evening parking and welcoming back our neighbors. More than ever Oakland businesses need your support. Join us for a festive evening of neighborhood fun. For details, contact Pamela Drake at 834-9198.

• "Dogs Bark" Art Exhibit Opening Reception, Friday, October 23, 6:30-8:30 pm, Paws & Claws, 2023 MacArthur Blvd.: Enjoy seeing on another level. Sink into the texture, color, and detail of photographer Cathy Cade's combined images of dog fur and tree bark. Free Event with goodies for humans & 4 legged companions.

• 2 for the price of 1 tickets for San Francisco Girls Chorus opens its 2009-2010 home season with  Transcendent Voices: They performed at President Obama's inauguration and Lincoln Center last spring. The three-time Grammy winning San Francisco Girls Chorus perform October 23rd and 25th. To receive the discount, call City Box Office at 415-392-4400 and give them the code SFGC2for1.
   
  • Friday, October 23, 8 pm, Calvary Presbyterian Church , 2515 Fillmore Street, San Francisco
     
  • Sunday, October 25, 7:30 pm, First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley
     

• Today, October 17 is the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake, and Sunday, 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. For details about vegetation requirements for those living in the Wildfire Prevention District, check out the Wildfire Prevention District website.
   
• Emergency Preparedness Fair Commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake: "Reflect. Honor. Prepare," today Saturday, October 17, 3-5:30 pm, Cypress Freeway Memorial Park, near the site where 42 people lost their lives after the tragic freeway collapse (Mandela & 14th Street).  The fair includes: over 20 organizations will have materials on disaster preparedness, free blood pressure checks, raffle of 100 earthquake preparedness kits.
   
  At 5:04 pm, emergency warning sirens in Oakland, Alameda, San Leandro and Coast Guard Island will sound to honor those who lost their lives as a result of the Cypress Freeway collapse and the many heroes who risked their lives to rescue trapped victims.
   

• Winter Storm Prep Tips: Here are things you can do to prevent storm damage to your home and in your neighborhoods:
  • Check and clean private drainage systems
     
  • Do not place leaves, debris or lawn clippings near storm drains
  • Place leaves and green trimmings in your green cart for weekly recycling pickup
  • Don't place trash, toxics, or other materials that might wash into our creeks.
     
  • Keep natural waterways such as creeks and ditches free from obstructions.
  • Report flooding problems and public tree issues to the Public Works Call Center at (510) 615-5566.
  • Adopt-A-Spot with a 'Maintain-A-Drain' project in your neighborhood; call 238-7630.
  • To report PGE Downed Electrical Wires: 1-800-743-5000 
  • Flooding on Highways or Highway Conditions - CalTrans at 511
    
     

• Check Your Trees!   Public Works Crew is still clearing fallen trees and branches throughout the city, the tree crews received over 50 calls for service. Because of recent cuts, you help the crews prioritize calls by letting the Public Works Call Center know how severe the problem is.  Are streets blocked or sidewalks blocked?  Are there any immediate dangers?   Several homes in the city were damaged by trees, many power lines came down.  Take time this weekend to survey the trees near your home.  Are the trees healthy?  We have many aging Monterey Pines in Oakland that are nearing the end of their lives.  Are branches hanging over your home?  Winter is the best time to have your trees trimmed. 

• Free Sandbags and Plastic Sheeting:  This week's heavy rains prompted the City's Public Works Department to launch its free sandbag/plastic sheeting program a little earlier than usual.  They distributed over 5000 bags! Residents can pick up a maximum of 20 sandbags and 50 feet of plastic sheeting (per household/business) at the City's Municipal Service Center and at the Public Works Drainage Maintenance Satellite Office. Proof of Oakland residency is required to obtain the sandbags and sheeting. Oakland fire stations will join in storm preparations for our community by distributing sandbags to residents. A limit of five sandbags (per household) will be available for pickup at the fire stations.
   

• Special Exhibit at Main Library, Out of the Rubble, Saturday, October 17, 1-4 pm through February 20, 2010, Oakland History Room, 2nd Floor, Oakland Main Library:  The exhibit contains photographs, ephemeral materials and publications in the collections of the Oakland History Room and is part of an on-going effort by the Oakland Public Library to expand those collections through contributions from those who experienced the historic seismic event of October 17, 1989. The Public Event on Saturday from 1- 4 pm in the West Auditorium at the Main Library  features a group of local residents who want to tell us their stories of what happened that day.

• An Ounce of Prevention--Retrofitting Saves Lives: This Tribune article is a good update on the urgency for Oaklanders to retrofit their homes and apartments.  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 for new home owners have since run out. 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.
   
  • Low income families who own homes  in a Redevelopment Area,  may qualify for a city grant.
  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. Over 1400 suspect buildings will be required to complete a basic retrofit study by next fall.  It will be the first part of a phased 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 26,000 dwelling units or two-thirds of the dwelling units forecast to fail in a major earthquake.

• 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  November 3, and CORE II's on November 10.  The other CORE III series will occur on 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.

• Precautions for H1N1(Swine Flue) Flu Virus: Apparently the H1N1 Flu which appeared last winter gained strength in the southern hemisphere and is expected to have greater debilitating impact on residents in the northern hemisphere this fall and winter. Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) cases have been reported in 168 countries, all 50 states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia. Although H1N1 cases continue to be mild in Alameda County, the County Public Health Department advises residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of getting H1N1 or other influenza. For tips on how to prevent the spread of this virulent flu virus, check out Alameda County Public Health Department's website.
   

• Open House at Fire Stations During Fire Safety Month:  The Oakland Fire Department will be hosting Open House at the following Stations during the month of October. Tour the station, meet your fire fighters. >>Last year, OFD showed off the new Fire Trucks designed specifically for our narrow winding streets throughout the Wildfire Prevention District.
  
  
  Saturday October 17, 10 am-1 pm
  Station 25: 2795 Butters Dr.
  Station 26: 2611 98th Avenue
  
  Saturday October 24, 10 am-1 pm
  Station 7: 1006 Amito Aveune
  Station 23: 7100 Foothill Blvd
  
  Saturday, October 24, 1 pm-4 pm
  Station 28: 4615 Grass Valley Rd
  Station 8: 463 51st Street
  
  Saturday October 31, 10 am-1pm
  Station 20: 1401 98th Avenue
  Station 17: 3344 High Street
  
  Saturday, October 31, 1 pm-4 pm
  Station 27: 8501 Pardee Avenue
  Station 12: 822 Alice Street
  
   

• Senate Restores Funding for Domestic Violence Programs, But It Needs the Governor's Signature:  In August the Governor used his line item veto to cut all Domestic Violence funding from the state budget. This week the Senate restored the $16.7 million for 94 shelters statewide, but it needs the Governor's signature.  Advocates at this week's Domestic Violence forum urged citizens to contact the Governor:  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814, Phone 916-445-2841, Fax 916-558-3160
  
   
• Governor Backs Off of Blanket Veto Threat, Special Session on State Water Issues Continues:  EBMUD and other northern California water districts are afraid that too much water will be diverted to Southern California; environmentalists are afraid diversion will affect the health of Bay. This Sacramento Bee web page gives some good background information.
   
• New Field Poll Finds Public Approval of the Legislature Drops to 13%, 27% for the Governor.
   
• State Markets Bond to Citizens: Ads for California's bonds have flooded local radio markets.  Are they a good investment and are they safe?  This column by Jane Bryant Quinn covers the issues.

• AC Transit Delays Action on Budget Cuts and Service Cutbacks as Billions Go Back to Public Transportation:  Another blow against the money grabs by the State came last week when the California Supreme Court upheld a lower-court ruling that raids on funding for bus and train service are illegal. It denied an appeal by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration, which was seeking the right to divert $3.4 billion in transit funds to the general fund to ease the state budget deficit. The AC Transit Board of Directors will be asked not to make a decision on the Service Adjustments Plan on October 14 as originally planned. Instead, staff will suggest that the Board postpone any action until there is more clarity on at least two pending variables that could substantially impact the funds available to the District, and therefore impact the level of service adjustments required:
  
  A proposal to move Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funds (and potentially Regional Measure 2 funds) from the San Leandro-Oakland-Berkeley Bus Rapid Transit project into the operating budget.

• State Drops Appeal in 2008 Redevelopment Case, Upholds Ruling that the $350 Million State Raid of Redevelopment Funds was Unconstitutional:  Last year the State seized $350 million in redevelopment funds, including $8 million from Oakland.  Lower courts ruled the seizure was unconstitutional, stating that redevelopment tax increment funds can only be used for specified redevelopment activities, specifically "to finance or refinance  redevelopment projects."  Last week the State decided not to appeal that decision.  This, however, did not prevent the state from trying to take $41 million in redevelopment funds from the City this year. A second lawsuit by a coalition of Redevelopment Agencies and the League of Cities will be filed before the second attempted grab takes place in May.
   
• 130,000 senior and disabled citizens will receive notices in October that their In Home Service grants will be cut effective November 1.  36,000 will lose all services, 97,000 will lose certain services. 

Workers on the frontline of fighting Domestic Violence urged the public to reach out and help friends and relatives who may be victims of abuse at this year's Sixth Annual Report on Domestic Violence in Oakland (right).  The Forum will be rebroadcast on KTOP, Channel 10, several times this month starting Monday, October 19 at 3:30 pm.  Here are some of the highlights:
 

• Oakland Police are called to over 500 incidents each month, they take 100-125 people into custody.  75% are men, women are an increasing percentage.
• The annual number of incidents is averaging 5-6,000.
   
• While the incidents reported each year have tripled, the murders fell over the last five years from 31 to 7 in Alameda County.  We believe both figures are due to better police training, better coordinated services thanks to the Family Justice Center, and more public awareness.
• The police unit investigating domestic violence is fully staffed for the first time in a decade thanks to Measure Y and command support, but the support agencies are facing state and federal cuts as well as a decline in contributions related to the recession.  Carolyn Russell of A Safe Place said, "These cuts take us back 15-20 years."  Their fund to offer 24 hour help with taxis and hotel rooms to abused victims is desperately low.
   
• Cases of domestic violence seem to be increasing as is the level of violence.
• Friends of victims can help by not ignoring abuse and helping to document abuse with logs and photos.  Most victims suffer 6-7 incidents before they are willing to report abuse.  Consider having a speaker at your church or community group.

Enjoying Oaktoberfest in the Dimond last Saturday.

• Volunteer Opportunities On City Boards & Commissions:  Oakland's Boards and Commissions serve an important role in city government.  Recently, District 4 vacancies have occurred in the Children's Fund Planning and Oversight Committee, the Community Policing Advisory Board, the Measure Y Violence Prevention and Public Safety Oversight Committee, and the Wildfire Prevention Assessment District Advisory Board.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about city government while serving your community.  If you are interesting in any of these Boards and Commissions, please email your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest to Ellen Dillard of my office at edillard@oaklandnet.com

• New Farmer's Market at Melrose Leadership Academy and Manzanita Schools Every Wednesday, 12:45-4 pm: OUSD has launched a new program of selling fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, nuts and honey every week at local schools.  Schools near District 4 include Melrose Leadership Academy (5328 Brann),  Manzanita Community School and Manzanita Seed (2409 E 27th).
   
• 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.
  • Friday, October 23, 7 pm: Authors Ann Laughlin, Cliffi Henderson and Lucy Jane Bledsoe.
  • Sunday, October 25,4 pm: Teacher Tea
     
  • Friday, October 30, 7 pm: Julia Usher, author of Cookie Swap.
     
  • Sunday, November 1, 4 pm: Local author Canyon Sam has a wonderful new book out entitled Sky Train; Tibetan Women on the Edge of History.
     
  • Saturday November 7, 6:30 pm: Malinda Lo will read and sign Ash, a wonderful new retelling of Cinderella.  November 7 is National Book Store Day. Watch for press.
  • Wednesday, November 11, 7pm: Fred Hertz and Emily Doskow will present their new book Making It Legal; A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnerships and Civil Unions.
     
  • Sunday, November 22, 4 pm: Teacher Tea
    
     

• Montclair Traffic Workshop, Wednesday, October 28, 6:30 pm, Montclair Library: The Montclair Traffic Safety & Improvement Council (MSIC) and our office are hosting a creative thinking workshop on traffic in Montclair to try to devise a memorable educational program for drivers. Speeding issues up and down the major arterials in Montclair are problematic for residents walking, exercising their dogs and for children walking to and from school. There are issues particular to the drop off and pick up periods at the four schools in Montclair, as well. If interested, please contact Sue Piper a 238-7042 or email Nick Vigilante at nvigilante@msn.com.

• Be aware of your surroundings
• Always conceal what you have to steal, such as money or a cell phone
• Try not to walk along at night near BART stations--thieves tend to look for victims there.
• Avoid making phone calls while on BART or on the bus. If you must make a call, sit near the driver and stay there.
• If you must make a call while you are walking. go to a safe, public place like a store. Make your call, then conceal your phone before going back out to the street.
• When leaving your car, lock it and close the windows. Take your keys. Don't leave items inside the car.
• When you get into your car, close and lock the doors immediately. Keep the doors locked and the windows rolled up.
• Use ATMs in well-lighted, populated areas--during the day is best. If you see anyone loitering near the ATM, go somewhere else-- use the ATMs inside local grocery stores at night. Before you leave, put your cash away, scan the area and leave immediately.  If you suspect danger, promptly enter the nearest store or building.
• To report suspicious activity, call the OPD Non-Emergency Number, 777-3333 or call 777-3211 on your cell.
   

• Solicitors Caught in Montclair, Thanks to Alert Neighbors: We constantly promote the benefits of Neighborhood Alert listservs and the partnership with OPD via community policing. This week, Montclair Problem Solving Officer Maureen Vergara reported that OPD has arrested 4 unlicensed solicitors and are tracking a 5th. While some door-to-door sales persons are legitimate, they must have permit and business license with the City.  Others have been thinly veiled attempts to case homes for burglaries.  Always ask for a city permit before talking to such vendors.
   

• What to Do About Graffiti: Graffiti attracts more graffiti if it is allowed to remain. Here's what to do:  
   
  1. If you start to notice a trend, (i.e)same tag on a number of locations, please call your problem solving officer-or better yet, email a photo of the tag and location to your problem solving officer.
  2. To report graffiti on public property, call the Graffiti Abatement Hotline at  238-4703. Leave a message with the address and specific location of the graffiti, and a telephone number where you can be reached. The Graffiti Abatement Unit will attempt to remove the graffiti within 24 hours, and will contact you to let you know the timeline for removing it, based on the current workload.
  3. If you see graffiti on private property, and cannot address the problem by working with the property owner, call the Code Enforcement Unit at  238-3381.
  4. If you live near a location that is regularly tagged, consider "adopting" the spot through the City's Keep Oakland Beautiful Program. It requires a one year commitment, in return, the City provides you with graffiti removal tools.

• 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: Jorge Pereda  jpereda@oaklandnet.com

• Celebrate Black Panther Party History Month at the Oakland Public Library: West Oakland Branch gets things started with a month-long exhibit, Movement Papers of the '60s and '70s, a retrospective of the homegrown newspapers serving the black and poor communities and student newspapers that grew out of underground movements here in the Bay Area. On display are Black Panther Party newspapers, the Berkeley Barb, the Sun Reporter, Merritt College BSU newsletters, the Berkeley Tribe, SF Good Times, and Flatlands. West Oakland Branch is located at 1801 Adeline Street. Call 238-7352 for information.

• Free Dimond Library October Events:  Your neighborhood library at 3565 Fruitvale Avenue is full of community activities for the entire family:
  • Friday, October 23--Library closed due to budget cuts
  • Tuesday, October 27, 7 pm- Scary Stories, Very Scary Stories, Very Very Scary Stories, Very Very Verrrrry Scary Stories
  • Every Tuesday at 7 except October 27- Family Story Time  for ages 0-6
  • Wednesday mornings at 10:15 am- Toddler Time for ages 0-2; 11 am Preschool Storytime for ages 3-5
  • Every Thursday, 3:30-4:30- Teen Time-music, food, video and board games for teens 12 and older
  • Adults: Spanish Conversation Group, 6:30-7:30 -m, Tuesdays, October 6 and 20
  • Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, October 13, 6:30-7:30 pm
  • Knitting Workshop, Fridays, October 16 & 30, 3:30-4:30 -m
     

• 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.

• 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.
     

• 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. Call your local branch for the schedule.
  
   

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.


 

• Redwood Heights Elementary School Harvest for Learning Auction, Saturday, November 7, Mills College Student Union: A fun night of shopping, entertainment, appetizers and no host bar.  Plus, you'll be supporting the biggest fundraiser for your local school. Invitations (with directions) and RSVP cards are available on the school website at: http://rhs.ousd.ca.campusgrid.net/home. Donations are also welcome. For details, contact Amy Gurowitz at 482-9502.
   

• East Bay Dance Center's 5th Annual Halloween Show and Dance, "The Phantom's Masquerade"!, Friday, October 23, 7-9 pm: 1318 GlenfieldAvenue. Come enjoy performances by EBDC students, the EBDC youth group MDT III, and special guest THE MAGIC OF CHIN-CHIN, San Francisco's 3-time Best Stage Magician (recently seen on EYE ON THE BAY). Doors open at 7, show begins at 7:30. Afterwards, stick around for refreshments, a costume contest, dance with DJ and more!Admission: Adults $3/$1 in costume, Kids $1/free in costume. ALl proceeds benefit EBDC's Scholarship Fund.

Laurel Village Halloween Decoration Contest:

Let your creativity run wild. Celebrate the macabre. Glorify the ghoulish.Dare to show the scary, the creepy, the decayed décor of your dreams. Enter your own home or that of your neighbor into Laurel Village Association's annual Halloween Decoration Contest. To enter, send the address to Renais Winter at winterstone@mindspring.com. All addresses must be received by October 29 so that there is time to take photos. Photos will be posted and everyone on the listserv is invited to view them and vote.Winners will receive a framed certificate, a canvas LVA totebag and a treat.Get your neighbors involved because one of the categories is Best Decorated Street which is given to each decorated household on the block with the most decorated homes.




Boo at the Zoo, October 24 & 25, and Saturday, October 31, 10 am-3 pm: Stroll the Zoo in costume and collect yummy treats. Ride the spooky boo train, then be part of the costume parade! Plus, you'll get to see how the animals at the Oakland Zoo celebrate Halloween!




Oktoberfest & Pumpkin Patch, Saturday, October 24, 11 am-4 pm, Dunsmuir-Helman Historic Estate: A family event with old-fashioned games, crafts, hay rides, pumpkin carving, cider and doughnuts. There will be some suds and sausages for the grown up crowd and Oompah music. The event will be held in and around the Carriage House at Covington Gate.

 

Jack O'Lantern Jamboree, October 24 & 25, Children's Fairyland:
Come in costume and enjoy a spooktacular extravaganza with:

• Friends of the Fox Present Uptown Masquerade Ball, Thursday, October 29, 7:30 pm, Fox Theatre, 1807 Telegraph Avenue:  For tickets...

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.



6th Annual Dimond Howl-o-ween Pet Parade, Friday, October 30, 6-9 pm:  Meet at  Paws & Claws, 2023 MacArthur Blvd., at  6 pm to parade through the Dimond District collecting treats.  Return to Paws & Claws and enjoy outdoor campfire, food & drinks. Dress warmly! $5 Donation Benefits PAWS(Pets Are Wonderful Support)-East Bay. For more info contact:  Ruth or Diane 510-336-0105

Halloween Trick or Treating in the Laurel, Saturday, October 31, 10 am-2 pm: Laurel Merchants welcome families with kids all along MacArthur Blvd between 35th Ave and High Street.

 

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, October 17: New Era/New Politics
  • Wednesday, October 21: Chinatown
  • Saturday, October 24: Waterfront
  • Wednesday, October 28: Preservation Park
  • Saturday, October 31: City Center
    
    
    
     
• 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.

• Oakland Shopping Night, Friday, October 23: Many retail districts will encouraging their shops to stay open until 8 pm in order to encourage people to shop locally. 

• 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.

• 2nd Annual Oakland Charity Hockey Game-- OPD vs OFD, at the Sharks ice Oakland, 519 18th Street, Saturday, October 24, 5:45-8:45 pm:  This year's game honors the memories of the fallen Oakland Police Officer who died in the line of duty on March 21, 2009. All proceeds will benefit the families of Sgt. M. Dunakin, Ofc. J. Hege, Sgt. E. Romans and Sgt. D. Sakai. Bring your family and friends and cheer on your favorite team!  Cost $20 per person, $10 kids 12 and under-- and includes family skate following the game. Silent Auction items as well.

• Free Orchestra Concert, Sunday, October 25, 4 pm: The Oakland Civic Orchestra opens its 2009-2010 season with Concert Romantique at a free concert at the Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Avenue. The program includes Vieuxtemps' Violin Concerto No 5 in A Minor, featuring guest soloist Alina Ming-Kobialka, a finalist in the Oakland-East Bay Symphony Young Artist Concerto Competition; Bizet's L'Alesinne Suite No 2; and Berlioz's Love Scene & Queen Mab from Romeo & Juliet. Admission is free.. For details, call 238-7275 or  check out their website.

2009 Dia de Los Muertos Festival, Sunday, November 1, 2009:

• Making Your Home Affordable Clinic, Saturday, November 7, 10 am-2 pm: Oakland City Hall:  Join the Office of Mayor Ron Dellums at this FREE one-day event to assist families vulnerable to foreclosure. Learn how you can save your home. The event features on-site HUD-approved housing counseling and home mortgage lenders to assist families impacted by  he current mortgage crisis. Participating lenders: Chase, WaMu, EMC, Wells Fargo, Wachovia, ASC and more. Fill out an application to get a head start. Please RSVP at 268-9792, ext. 26.

The Christmas Revels, December 11-13 and December 18-20, Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive:

• Keep a Kid Warm: The Support Oakland Teachers Facebook group has received a request for warm coats. If you have any coats to donate, want to buy some or pick up some at garage sales, please contact Holly Kernan at hkernan@mills.edu.

• 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.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.
   

• Monday, October 12, 11 am-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; cell 681-5129; office 482-7831.
• Tuesday, October 13, 8 am: meet in front of McDonald¹s for Dimond clean-up
• Saturday, October 17, 9 am: Monthly Community Clean-up walk in Dimond Merchant Area (even half hour helps). Pickup a 'litter map' between 9-10 am at Dimond Gateway Garden, corner of MacArthur and Lincoln. Monthly gardening project starts at 9:30 am: bring garden tools.

• Joaquin Miller Park: Two major events coming up:
  • Saturday, October 31, 9 am-- Join volunteers from the Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay at the trailhead to Sequoia Bayview Trail on Skyline Blvd. They'll head out at 9:30 am to mend wooden fences along the trail. Bring sunscreen, hat, work clothes and proper shoes. Contact Danieldrp.cafe@gmail.com for more information.
  • Saturday, November 7, 9 am-- Help complete new pathways as part of the renovation of Joaquin Miller's Abbey. Bring sunscreen, hat, workclothes, gloves and proper shoes. Contact Sue Piper in our office at 238-7042.
     

• Maxwell Park--Daily clean up by Friends of Maxwell Park. Contact Nancy Karigaca at 436-6680.

• Maxwell Park NCPC Monthly Clean Up, Third Sunday of the Month, 9 am.--but no clean up this month. Next session is scheduled for Sunday,
   
  November 15. Be prepared to plant  Freesias, as well as do the usual trash pick-up and weeding.  

• Peralta Creek Park (Corner of Rettig and Wisconsin): Meet the third Tuesday of the month from 6:30-7:30 pm.
   

• 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