Others report an increase in gambling addiction and a corresponding increase in domestic violence, especially among Southeast Asians.  Casinos in our area target seniors and Asians.  The state hotline for help with gambling addictions is (800) GAMBLER; there is a Chinese language line (888) 968-7888.

 

   We hope you find these links and resources useful.  Many of our readers are active, compassionate citizens. These characteristics reduce stress and improve your quality of life.  I found this page on 10 Tools to Live Life Well  full of good tips on how to feel stronger and more positive. 

Tales of the Mayan Skies at Chabot

   Tomorrow on Sunday, I'll be at the Raider's Oakland Legacy Game as Chair of the Chabot Space & Science Center honoring Jose Hernandez, the first Hispanic astronaut. Starting in November, check out Tales of the Mayan Skies, a bilingual (English/Spanish) 33-minute digital full-dome show that immerses the audience into the Maya astronomy, art and culture through a custom score and visuals produced by Chabot in cooperation with Mexico with a grant from the National Science Foundation.  I am starting a campaign to make sure the Oakland students will be able to come and see this show and visit the center.  For $10 you can sponsor a student, for $300 you can sponsor a class, or for $1000 you can sponsor a whole grade level at a typical elementary school.  Contact me if you can help.

SLOW DOWN, REMEMBER DAYLIGHT SAVINGS. This week's hit and run death of a Frick Middle School student is a tragic reminder to slow down. Next Sunday is Daylight Savings Time and it will be darker.  More accidents happen during this transition; this is another reason to plan on a few more minutes of travel time and to slow down.

Sequoia School's Harvest Festival, Saturday, October 24, 10 am-2 pm: Celebrate the fall with lots of fun games and activities, including music! 

• International Day of Climate Action at Dimond Park, Saturday, October 24, Noon until 12:15 pm: The Dimond will be one of thousands of neighborhoods participating in this International Day of Climate Action.  350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide-measured in "Parts Per Million" in our atmosphere to avoid runaway climate change.  Bring friends and family for a group picture to form "350." Meet at the steps near the Tennis courts at Dimond Park. Come from Fruitvale side of the park just past the library. For more info about events on Saturday, visit www.350.org.
   
• FREE and FUN Activities at Oakland's Public Libraries Today Saturday, October 24th:
  • The African American Quilters meet on the fourth Satuday of every month at the West Oakland Library, 1801 Adeline, Noon-3 pm.  Everyone is welcome, they have great starter kits for those who want to learn.
  • The Lawrence Hall of Science is conducting a Wizard's Lab in the West Auditorium of the Main Library, 125 14th Street, from 2-4 pm.
  •  Halloween Crafts, Dance and Chess Classes start a 1 pm at Eastmont Library, Eastmont Town Center, 7200 Bancroft.
  • Every Saturday Knitting Group at the Piedmont Ave Library, 160 41st Street, 3-4 pm.
  • Jazz Combo, 4-5:15 pm at the Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Ave. Jazz Combo offers instruction and a chance to play with others. For advanced and intermediate musicians, ages 12 and up. Classes are free and meet every Saturday. Call for details, Library Staff  597-5023.
     
• 
  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. (Above) Last year's teams, the Fire Dept won!

• 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.
   
• Glenview School's Haunted House and Halloween Party, Saturday, October 24, 1-4 pm: Everyone is welcome to come share in a fun filled day of fun and sheer laughter. The school does one of the best haunted houses, come and help support a great school.  Glenview Elementary School is located at 42615 La Cresta Street.
  
  
  
  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, 10 am-5 pm:  "More Delightful than Frightful"  Little kids' and bigger kids' bouncer, face painting, balloon twisting, creatively crafted environments, special entertainment, costume parades, unlimited rides, pumpkin decoration at our pumpkin patch, free give-aways, (while supplies last) and the spooktacular Old West Junction Ghost Town! $10 admission per person. No passes of any kind will be accepted.  And don't miss special presentations by the Children's Theater Program and Storybook Puppet Theater!
  
   
• Redwood Heights Rec Center's Haunted House, Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30, 6:30-8:30 pm: $1 per entry at the Redwood Heights Rec Center, 3883 Aliso Avenue.
   
• 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.
  
   

• 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. H1N1 Vaccination Clinics will be held at the following locations from 9 am- 1 pm or until the supply depletes:
  • Saturday, November 7
    • Lincoln Square Recreation Center, 250 10th Street
    • Ira Jenkins Recreation Center, 9175 Edes Avenue
  • Saturday, November 14
    • DeFremery Park, 1651 Adeline Street
    • Manzanita Recreation Center, 2701 22nd Avenue
  • Saturday, December 5
    • Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center, 7701 Krause Avenue
    • Franklin Recreation Center, 1010 East 15th Street
  • Saturday, December 12
    • Bushrod Recreation Center, 560 59th Street
    • Allendale Recreation Center, 3177 Suter Street
       
• For tips on how to prevent the spread of this virulent flu virus, check out Alameda County Public Health Department's website.
   
• 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.

 
City officials and survivors gathered last Sunday on the 20th Anniversary of the Loma Prieta at the Memorial on Mandela Parkway.  Jean left urges officials and residenst to put a priority on retrofitting to prevent "our Katrina."  The event reunited Lenora Moy (l) helped pull Ruthann Liu-Johnston(r) out of her car after the Cypress Freeway collapse.

• 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.

• 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 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
  
   

• Business Incentives Approved for New Businesses:  The Council approved  incentives for attracting new businesses to Oakland which included reducing business taxes or sales taxes for a two year period up to $500,000 for businesses employing more than 20.  As a compromise with Council Members like myself, who want a more flexible program with possibly longer periods or reduced business taxes for companies requiring more capital costs or bring significantly more jobs to the city, the City Administrator is encouraged to bring individual proposals to the Council.  In addition, the staff was asked to bring back programs to help with business retention.  I have proposed that the New Business Program be expanded on a prorated basis to include current Oakland programs that are hiring 20 or more new employees.
   
• Save the Dates for Citywide Zoning Update Community Meetings-- Saturday, November 7, 10-Noon, Peralta Elementary School (460 63rd Street) or Thursday, November 12, 6-8 pm, Fruitvale-San Antonio Senior Center (3301 E. 12th Street, Suite 201): The third round of Community Workshops for the Citywide Zoning Update will be held on two separate dates and at two different locations. At these meetings Staff will present draft zoning proposals, including permitted land uses and development standards.  We encourage you to get involved with this important process! Zoning regulations affect many people living and working in Oakland.

• Senate Restores Funding for Domestic Violence Programs, Governor Signs It:  In August the Governor used his line item veto to cut all Domestic Violence funding from the state budget. Last week the Senate restored the $16.7 million for 94 shelters statewide, but it needs the Governor's signature.  Advocates at our Domestic Violence forum urged citizens to contact the Governor.  If you helped us contact him, many thanks...the Gov signed it Thursday.

• Courts Stop Cuts to 130,000 senior and disabled citizens who would have lost  their In Home Service grants will be cut effective November 1.  The  $82 million in cuts are part of the state budget passed this summer. The judge ordered that notices be sent to all 130,000 affected, but the state says payments may be delayed. The legal challenge questions how the state decided on who were the most in need of services, the cuts were suppose to leave the "most disabled" in the program.

• Coalition Files Ballot Measure for Fall 2010 to Prohibit the State from taking, borrowing or redirecting local taxpayer funds dedicated to public safety, emergency response and other vital local government services.  As a member of the League of Cities Board, we voted to join the coaltion because it may be the only way to keep the state from constantly taking local property taxes, redevelopment money, gasoline taxes, highway funds and other revenue to balance its budget.  For more information. 
   

• The State Redevelopment Association files a lawsuit against the State for its second attempt to take Redevelopment funds from the cities, for Oakland this is $41 million. Earlier this month the state dropped its appeal against a decision that last year's grab ($8 million for Oakland) was illegal.
   
• The Special Session on Water Issues May Be Nearing A Compromise:  The proposal would require all Californians to reduce water use by 20%.  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.

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, Monday, October 25 7-9 pm; Friday, October 30, 3:30-5:30 pm; and Saturday, October 31, 1-3 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.
• Outside the forum, some social service agencies have reported that domestic violence is increasingly linked to heavy gambling losses in some Southeat Asian Communities.

• New Laptops at Dimond Library: Starting Wednesday, October 28, Dimond Library patrons will be able to check out one of seven new laptops that I purchased with Paygo funds earlier this year. Ever since I was a School Board member,  I've been concerned that we increase access to the Internet in our city. Studies have shown that one-third of Oakland residents rely on our libraries as their primary source of access to the Internet. The branch already has 14 computers for public use but wiring for more computers is limited. In these hard economic times when people of all economic levels use the Internet for job searches and other information needs, having additional computers in our libraries can have a real impact.
   
• New Laurel Mural:  If you came to the Laurel Street Fair you saw graphic artists using spray paint and boards to formulate "Laurel Designs."  They use similar techniques to construct the mural at 38th & MacArthur captured here on You-Tube.
   
• 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
   
• News from Redwood Height's Recreation Center for November:
  • Parent's Night Out, Friday, November 20, 6-10:30 pm: Enjoy a night out while your kids are having fun playing games, doing crafts, watching movies and eating dinner at the Rec Center. $20 if you sign up before November 6; $30 if you sign up after November 6. Send your child with a blanket/pillow so your child can get comfy for the evening movie.
  • Thanksgiving Week Camp, Monday, November 23-Wednesday, November 25, 8 am-6 pm: Wondering where your kids (K-6) can be safe during the Thanksgiving break? Redwood Heights Rec Center offers 3 days of fun--
    • Monday, November 23 #32208.202-- Ferry to Pier 39+ ripley's Believe It or Not Museum $47
    • Tuesday, November 24 #32208.20--Bowling in Alameda  $45
    • Wednesday, November 25 #32208.20--Movie (tba)  $40

• Update on Blair Park EIR:  Last Monday my office hosted a gathering of about 40 neighbors to be sure that the City of Oakland was well aware of all the neighborhood issues related to the City of Piedmont proposal to build a sports complex at Blair Park, currently a undeveloped natural area on Moraga Avenue across from Coaches' Field. Wlad Wlassowsky from the City's Transportation Services Department and our office took careful notes of the primary issues, which will be incorporated into the City of Oakland's letter to the City of Piedmont as part of the scoping session for the Environmental Impact Report on the project. You can send your concerns to Mr. Wlassowsky for consideration for inclusion in the Oakland comments. We just learned this week that the City of Piedmont has scheduled that scoping session for Tuesday, December 8 at 7 pm at the Piedmont Community Center,711 Highland Avenue. Key issues involved:
  • Traffic and Pedestrian Safety, increase traffic, insufficient parking, no sidewalks
  • Wildlife, removal of oaks
  • Noise, sound bouncing off the new walls that must be constructed to excavate into the hill 
  • Lighting, evening use
  • Size of the Project
  • Impact on Creeks and Drainage
  • Geology 
  • Emergency Access/Egress
  • Public Safety-use of the facilities after hours--and non sports use
  • Health issues related to artificial turf

For a blog report on the meeting, go to www.MontclairOak.com
For an update from the Friends of Moraga Canyon, go to www.moragacayon.org

• East Ridge Trail Now Open: Since early September the East Bay Regional Park District has been thinning trees on the East Ridge Trail as part of its wildfire risk reduction efforts. It was supposed to take another two months, but work was completed this week and the trail is now open again.
• Montclair RR Trail Update:  About a dozen neighbors gathered at the Montclair Rec Center last Saturday to begin efforts to form a Friends of the Montclair RR Trail. Top on their list of immediate projects are developing a signage plan and a plan for organized clean ups. They've asked the city to address two major issues: drainage issues, especially the sink hole near Bishop's Court, and the railing along Shepherd Canyon Road. The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 14 at 1 pm (location to be confirmed) at which time there will be further discussion on the Bylaws. For details, please contact Sue Piper in our office at 238-7042.
   
• Upcoming NCPC Meetings
  • North Hills NCPC, Wednesday, November 4, Crime and Safety in the Hills, 7 pm, Highlands Country Club, 110 Hiller Drive: Come hear Jane Brunner, Jean Quan and Gordon Wozniak addressing "Crime and Safety in the Hills"  Q&A will follow a short presentation.  Meet your council persons and Police Officers!  Co-sponsored by North Hills Neighborhood Council and North Hills Phoenix Assoc.
  • Meet New Police Chief Anthony Batts, Thursday, November 12, 6:30-9 pm at Montera Middle School: Sponsored by MSIC, this public meeting is open to all residents in the hills-based NCPCs. Widely regarded as a proponent for Community Policing & one of the most respected law enforcement professionals in the country, come hear his vision for Oakland.  RSVP requested.
     

• 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.
  • 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.

• Meet New Police Chief Anthony Batts, Thursday, November 5,Oakland Police Officer's Association (OPOA), 555 5th Street (near Jefferson), light dinner at 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7 pm:  This meeting is sponsored by the OPOA, Oakland Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee, and United Neighborhood Councils of Oakland and is open to all Neighborhood Watch Block Captains and participants, and NCPC Leaders and participants.  Please RSVP to Felicia Verdin.
• More Unpermitted Door-to-door Vendors--Beware of Urban Development Solutions:  At NCPC meetings and regularly in this newsletter, we consistently urge residents to call their beat officers or call the police when you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Sometimes solicitations seem like thinly veiled attempts to case a neighborhood.  This past week, alert neighbors helped police capture and arrest suspicious "solicitors" on Thornhill. They activated their Listserv AND called the police.  Other vendors sometimes have shady records which is why we require them to register with the city.  Urban Development Solutions is currently in many neighborhoods, it uses young minorities to sell magazines that often do not arrive, this website describes them.
   
• Robbery Safety Tips: Captain Rick Orozco reminds us that as we approach the holiday season, shoppers should take extra precautions.  This form above is useful for jogging your memory when you have to make a report to the police:
  • 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'sKeep 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
  
   

• Information Night & Dinner for Prospective Kindergarten Parents at Glenview Elementary School, Tuesday, November 3, 6-7:30 pm:  Come tour the school and meet the Kindergarten teachers and principal. Current Glenview parents will be available to answer your questions. Childcare will be provided. The school is located at 4215 La Cresta Avenue.The PTA will also be hosting informational house meetings on November 17 and December 5.To attend the info night, reserve childcare, or to attend a house meeting, please RSVP to chooseglenview@yahoo.com or to Joslin Herberich at 336-0363.
   
  
   
• 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:
  • 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
  • Knitting Workshop, Friday, October 30, 3:30-4:30 -m
     

• 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.
   

Oakland East Bay Symphony Opening Concert: Night at the Opera, Friday, November 13, 8 pm, Paramount Theatre: Michael Morgan, conductor.  Seven talented young singers perform some of the most famous music form the world's grandest operas, including Aida and other Verdi favorites, Donizetti's Lucia de Lammermoore, and Leonard Bernstein's Candide, with Oakland Symphony Chorus (Lynne Morrow, Music Director. Tickets start at $20. Save 20% when ordering online-- use promotion code SAVE20.  Tickets at Ticketmaster (800-745-3000) or at the Paramount Box Office (no service charge) 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 24: Waterfront
  • Wednesday, October 28: Preservation Park
  • Saturday, October 31: City Center
    
    
     

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.

• Winter Holiday Craft Fair at The Space, 4148 MacArthur (at Laurel JuJitsu), Saturday, December 12, 11 am-6 pm: Craftspeople and makers of original works in textiles, clay, glass, metal, wood, and mixed media.  Do you live in the Laurel, Maxwell Park, Allendale, Diamond-Fruitvale or other districts close to the Laurel? Sell your work at a Winter Holiday Craft Fair!  Submit your contact information, verbal description of your craft work including medium materials or unique process that you use. Include slides, digital images sent by email or on disks or photographic prints and any promotional materials to Winter Holiday Craft Fair at The Space, 4148 MacArthur Blvd. Materials due by November 1. Accepted artists notified by  November 7th. For details, contact thespace_craft@yahoo.com.

• Holidays at Dunsmuir, Weekends starting December 5 through December 20: When you cross the threshold into the majestically decorated 37-room mansion,  you will see the two story live holiday tree that reaches into the Tiffany-style dome. Each room is uniquely decorated in jewel tones, with delicate, whimsical ornaments, bows and garland to create an exquisite atmosphere of the bygone Edwardian era. Dedicated volunteers put in more than 5,000 hours to transform our 16,000 square foot mansion into a breathtaking holiday masterpiece for your enjoyment. Dunsmuir-Hellman House & Garden located at 2960 Peralta Oaks Court.
  
  
   
• The Christmas Revels, December 11-13 and December 18-20, Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive: This year's annual festival celebrates the traditions of 19th century Bavaria in folk tales, dance, ritual and song. Tickets ($12-$15) on sale starting October 15. Professionally staged and featuring renowned musicians and performers, Revels presents an onstage community blending adults, children, teens and audience in a unique festival that marks the turning of the year. This is the 24th year of the Christmas Revels.

• The Oakland Ballet's Nutcracker at the Paramount Theatre, Thursday, December 24, 11 am, Saturday, December 26, 2 pm  and 7:30 pm, and Sunday, December 27, 2 pm: The Oakland Ballet Company and Peninsula Battlet Theatre present Carlos Carvajal's choreographed version of the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker. Matinees will be followed by a Sweet Dreams party (separate ticket required. Purchase tickets on line or through Ticketmaster (625-8497).

• 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.
   

• Dimond Park Clean-ups: Suspended until end of rainy season.
• Tuesday Mornings, 8-9 am: Meet in front of McDonald's for Dimond clean-up
• Thursday Evenings: for time and place email krussell@russell-gordon.com
• Friday Mornings, 8-9 am: meet in front of McDonald's for Dimond clean-up
• Next Community Clean-up: Saturday, November 14, pick up a "litter map" between 9-10 am at Dimond Gateway Garden, corner of MacArthur and Lincoln. Litter walks are 30 to 45 minutes.  Dimond contact: Kathleen Russell, 842-3200, krussell@russell-gordon.com
  
   

• Joaquin Miller Park: Three 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.
  • Renovation at the Sequoia Arena, Saturday, November 7, 9 am-Noon: Help the Friends of Sausal Creek kickoff the beginning of a new restoration project in the wetland next to the redwoods at the Sequoia Arena. Take Joaquin Miller Rd. to Skyline Blvd.  Drive for about one mile and look for the signs on your left marking the Sequoia Arena parking lot.  Please bring work gloves if you have them.  Goals of the day will include removing invasive species from the wetland area.  Wear clothing appropriate for any weather, and please bring water.  For more information, contact Megan at field@sausalcreek.org, or call 985-1669.
    
    
     

• 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