Jean helps serve turkey dinners to seniors from Lincoln Courts at the Marriott last year. 

   Yesterday we sent out a special Thanksgiving email highlighting a few of the many ways you can participate in our season of sharing in Oakland.   

    Shopping locally, especially at independently owned local stores, is another way to help our local economy.  Help our local businesses by shopping the Plaid Friday Sales--November 27! The Express and businesses throughout the Bay Area are participating in this local take on "Black Friday"  (named for the day after Thanksgiving when merchants go from being in the "red" to being in the "black" and make a profit.) They say "Plaid" represents the Bay Area's cultural diversity. The Oakland Merchant's Leadership Forum is recruiting more merchants each day. 

    Mayan Skies, the gorgeous and fascinating new planetarium show at Chabot Space & Science Center, has its public debut next Saturday, November 21st.  As chair of the center, I am especially proud of how this original production combines cutting edge technology, research, art, and a multicultural perspective on astronomy. If you haven't been to the center lately this video clip from Eye on the Bay gives a great overview.  This year with deep state cuts to schools, we're told many fewer Oakland schools can afford field trips to the center.  I am spearheading a campaign to make sure that Oakland public school students get an opportunity to see this show.  For about $300 you can sponsor a class or for about $1000 a whole grade level at a school.  At our fundraiser this week I helped raise over $11,000, if you would like to help please contact me. To learn more about Mayan astronomy & math, this interactive site has great activities for kids of all ages.  The symbols above represent  today's date in the Mayan calendar.
    
Digital image from Mayan Skies of the observatory at Chichén Itzá developed from our pioneering project. 

• Oakland's Promise Alliance Summit to Help All Students Graduate, Saturday, November 14, 9 am-4 pm, Castlemont Community of Small Schools, 8601 MacArthur Blvd.: This free event is open to students and parents to learn about what support systems are in place to help all Oakland public school students succeed in school:

• Review exciting Oakland educational innovations
• Discuss policy and practice with Superintendent Tony Smith and international experts
• Talk with students about victories and challenges they experience
• Plan with others how to help every young person enjoy school and earn a diploma. Pre-registration required. On-line registration.

• Hillside Garden Maintenance at Horace Mann, Saturday, November 14, 9-11 am: Join members of the Melrose High Hopes NCPC with gloves, hats, water and hand tools especially "clippers" to help maintain the long hillside at Horace Mann Elementary School, 5222 Ygnacio Avenue. For details, contact Jeanne Nixon at 533-3120.

• Community Clean-up in the Dimond, Saturday, November 14, 9-10 am:  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. For details, contact Kathleen Russell at krussell@russell-gordon.com.

• 6th Meeting on Central Estuary Plan, Saturday, November 14, Beacon Day School, 2101 Livingston Street, 9 am-Noon: This workshop will focus on identifying a preferred alternative to provide a framework for support and development and enhancement of the Central Estuary. The plan will build upon previous visioning efforts, including the 1999 Estuary Policy Plan, which was shaped around the community's desire to see the Estuary become a diverse, multifaceted destination connecting Oakland and the Bay. For details and coverage of community input to date, check out their website or leave a message at 238-7737.

Montclair RR Trail Update, Saturday, November 14 at 1 pm at the Montclair Rec Center

• 1870 Peralta Hacienda Historical Park Annual Meeting, Saturday, November 14, Noon with Tours & Period Music from 1-4 pm: The public is invited to join the Friends of Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2465 34th Avenue,  in celebrating the past year's accomplishments and looking forward to 2010 at their Annual Membership meeting, starting at Noon. From 1-4 pm after the annual meeting, musicologist and performer Dawn Kooyumjian will play music from the time the Peraltas lived on the rancho, and there will be refreshments. Members can tour the house for free; the public is asked to make a $3 donation per person. For more information, please visit the web site at www.peraltahacienda.org or call  532-9142.
   
• Artist's Reception in Honor of Melissa West Gallery Opening, Saturday, November 14, 2-4 pm. To celebrate the opening of painter, Melissa West's NATURE IMAGES exhibit, join us in a reception in the Lakeview Library Branch Meeting Room, 550 El Embarcadero. http://www.lakeviewfriends.org/ 
   
• Bulb Planting at Courtland Creek, Sunday, November 15, 9 am-Noon: Please join friends and neighbors of the Maxwell Park NCPC for their 6th annual bulb planting at Courtland and Redding, behind the Walgreen's parking lot.  Bring tools, some gloves, safety vests, pickup sticks, trash & green waste bags. Coffee and snacks provided. The volunteers meet the third Sunday of every month to maintain this spot in the neighborhood. For details, contact Jan Hetherington at 534-4978.
   
• A Really Inconvenient Truth:  Why Climate Change is Worse Than What We Have Been Told and What We Can Do About It, Sunday, November 15, 3 pm, Chabot Space and Science Center.  Free with admission. Dan Miller's presentation will focus on why the UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) reports are the best case scenarios. He will present recent scientific data that has not been covered in the media and he will also discuss psychological aspects of how we react to the threat of climate change. Dan presents a more realistic (and scary) outlook on what will happen if we don't start to reduce greenhouse gas emissions soon. He will then lay out what steps we need to take to address this critical situation, including a discussion of "geo-engineering" solutions

• Special Budget Hearing Scheduled For This Tuesday, November 17th, 4-6 pm:  With lower tax revenues in a continuing recession, budget overruns including police overtime, disputes with Coliseum teams over parking and ticket taxes, and needed funding for a new police academy, the Council will hear a report from the Administration on likely budget shortfalls ranging from $18 to $25 million for this year.  We will hear their recommendations and options, including: 1) No cuts this year, but potentially dramatic cuts next year; 2) Sale of property including the Kaiser Convention Center; 3) possible new taxes.  No vote is expected at this time; the Council will likely have its own alternatives.
   
• Other Finance & Management Items--  This week the Finance Committee also heard:  1) The City Fleet has nearly completed budgeted reductions for this year, a total of 200 cars removed.  Another 100 low use vehicles are scheduled for next year.  2) The Police Department stated their disagreement with the Auditor's report calling for an additional 100 vehicles, mostly in their department.  Deputy Chief Kozicki said they needed the vehicles because of the high usage and shift overlaps.  3) The Committee approved a plan to automate most downtown garages to improve revenues and allow for more night parking.
   
• Affordable Housing Back On the Agenda:  After many starts and stops, it looks like there will be another attempt to develop a comprehensive policy on affordable housing.  On Tuesday, the Community Economic Development Committee rejected a proposal by Council Member Pat Kernighan to change the Condo Conversion law for what was essentially one large building near the lake.  Opponents argued that their were unclear protections for seniors and disabled tenants; Ms. Kernighan argued that her plan gave tenants more protections than the current law. 

Council Members Brunner, Nadel, and I put forward an alternative proposal which would look at all elements of affordable housing including proposals of the Mayor's former Blue Ribbon Commission.  We argued that it was time to make some comprehensive decisions and reminded the Council of past agreement to move both elements of Condo Conversion, Inclusionary Zoning, and funding together to assure a balanced approach. While we expect there will be much discussion and changes, we believe it is time to take on this critical issues so that people who work in our city can afford to live here.  Over the next months our proposal will come forward and we hope to reach an agreement.
 

• Help Bring World Cup Soccer to Oakland: Oakland is increasingly hosting international soccer games with many Latin American teams packing the coliseum. Oakland is now in the running to be a one of the 17 bidding host city finalists chosen by the US Soccer Federation for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. The Council approved an application which requires staff to return to the Council before any city financial commitments are made. A recent study indicated that the economic impact from hosting a World Cup may be as much as $300-500 million per city. The U.S. bid committee will make its final decision on the 17 cities to include in its bid this December. Oakland is one of 27 cities being considered in this final round, narrowed down from an initial round of 72 applicants. After the bid is finalized, FIFA will select the host country in December of 2010. One important measure by which the U.S. bid committee is determining a city's enthusiasm for the bid is show of public support.  Please sign the petition today to show your support, and then pass it on to your circle of friends.
   
• SmartBoot:  Each day the City tows about 6-8 cars according to the State of California's motor vehicle code, which targets cars with five or more delinquent parking tickets. Now the motorist must pay the fine, go to the Police Department for a release and then go to pick-up their car.  Starting Monday, November, we are starting a new system which allows motorists to make a call and pay by credit card when their vehicle is immobilized by the boot above.  Once all fines and fees are paid, the motorist is given a six-digit code to release the SmartBoot. The boot must then be dropped at one of several locations or additional fines are incurred. If the motorist doesn't pay the fines or fees after 24 hours, then his or her vehicle will be towed.  If the fees are paid by phone, the costs are signifcantly lower than the old system and the motorist's car is not towed.
   
• Wrong Way Parking Ticket?  The Council approved a resolution making parking the wrong way on narrow streets, less than 30 ft wide where two vehicles cannot pass each other unless one has to stop to let the other pass, a low priority enforcement.  If you received such a ticket in recent weeks, you may be eligible to appeal it.  Send appeals to Director of Parking Noel Pinto.
   
• New Street Sweeping Schedule Downtown: In response to Downtown Oakland's growing popularity as a nighttime entertainment destination, the City  is adjusting the street cleaning schedule for downtown. Many areas where street sweeping is currently slated for Midnight-3 am will be switched to 3-6 am to make it easier to enjoy downtown's  late night clubs and venues. Street sweeping signage will be changed to reflect the new street cleaning times along more than 50 miles of street curb. To avoid frustration during the signage transition period, the City's parking enforcement staff will provide a grace period from October 26 to November 30. The anticipated schedule for sign changes is as follows:
  
   
  • November 9 - 15:                   8th to 14th streets (Castro to Oak)
  • November 16:                         14th to 20th streets (Castro to Oak)
  • November 23:                         20th to 27th streets (Castro to Harrison)

• The California Legislative Analyst Says California reaching bond limit. Partly due to the state putting the budget on a "credit card" over the last 4 years -- bonding debt rather than balancing the budget -- nearly 9 percent of state revenues will go to paying off debt.  We are also reaching our limit, the state only has about $130 billion in bonding capacity left.  This is one reason why several Bay Ara legislators voted against the new Water Deal passed last week.  Not only do they have concerns over the impact on the Bay, but the project would require over $100 billion or most of the remaining bonds.

•  League of Women Voters Holds Forum on the Many State Reform Efforts, Tuesday, November 17, 6-7:30 pm, Oakland City Hall, Hearing Room 3:  There are talks of constitution conventions and several new state ballot initiatives.  Confused about who is behind these efforts and will they bring real reform? There are no better non-partisan guides than our League of Women Voters.  Come to hear presentations on the many different efforts planned for 2010.
   
• As part of the State's Budget, the state seized local property taxes.  They told us to borrow the money because their states credit was so bad.  So after a summer of negotiation the state agreed to guarantee guarantee the bonds and interest, which 408 cities including Oakland borrowed.  The good news for us is that the bonds did sell this week, the bad news  is that the state lost a lot of money on the deal. It had issued so much debt in the weeks leading up to this bond issue that institutional purchasers of the bonds (e.g., banks) could insist on a much higher interest rate than was initially forecast...about one percent.

• 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 coalition 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.

Last Saturday, volunteers led by neighbor Dale Risdent (right) installed part of a new pathway system in front of The Abbey at Joaquin Miller Park. It was the first phase of a project to restore the century old building to the way it looked during poet Joaquin Miller's day. This spring the dry rot on the stairs will be repaired, the remaining pathways installed, along with a new wooden bridge with bench over a faux creek and educational signs. Eagle Scout candidate Alistair Song is organizing the effort to create a faux creek where one used to flow during the late 1800s. If you would like to support this effort, please send your donation to the Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation, c/o Joaquin Miller Park, P.O. Box 13267, Oakland, CA 94661.
 

• Beat 22x Residential Burglary Workshop, Tuesday, November 17, 7 pm, Greek Orthodox Church, Richmond Room: Over the past several weeks, there has been an increase in residential burglaries throughout the beat. How can a resident protect his/her home and secure it from individuals who want to break in and steal items of value? Neighborhood Watch is one tool that is useful as well as security alarms. But what other tips and tools are out there that will allow residents to target harden their homes? Come out to this event, sponsored by the Beat 22x Crime and Public Safety Committee and find out how to secure your home and what may be the strength and weaknesses around your home. For details contact Crime and Public Safety Chair Angela Haller at 482-1715 or Neighborhood Services Coordinator Renee Sykes at 238-7929. Remember, more than half of the burglaries occur because of an unlocked door or window.
  
   
• New Adult Classes Saturdays at Dimond Recreation Center:

• FREE Basic Electrical course, Saturdays, November 14 and November 21, 10 am-Noon: Learn how to change a plug end, how to change a light switch or receptacle and when to consider calling a professional. This 2-session class meets in the Social Hall at the Recreation Center. Come with your list of questions!
• Ongoing Grow Your Own Dinner Gardening Class, every other Saturday, 10 am-Noon: Taught by Dimond Park Neighbor and Master Gardener; Kelly Harvey. Class fee is $5.00 per week drop-in fee
  Meet in  Recreation Center Club Room. There is a set curriculum for you to plan out your garden from now until June! No yard? No Problem! This class is all about self-sustaining gardening in many creative ways!
   

• 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 
       
    • Call 482-7827 for details.
    
     
• Laurel Farmers' Market Now Offers A Season of Soups: Open Saturdays from 10 am-2 pm in the parking lot at 4171 MacArthur Blvd., the Laurel Farmers' Market offers freshlocal produce form J&P Organics, fresh baked treats and coffee from local baker Wingwalker's Baking Co., Mediterranean delights from local vendor Mediterranean Food Co., and local honey from Bee Healthy Honey. Now Purple Lawn Cafe is serving hearty root vegetables, rich stocks and broths and interesting spices to warm you up during the colder weather.
   

• 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, November 22, 4 pm: Teacher Tea
    
     

• Precautions for H1N1(Swine Flu) Flu Virus: H1N1 Vaccination Clinics will be held at the following locations from 9 am- 1 pm or until the supply depletes:
   
  • 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
       
•  Kaiser now has the vaccine for its members. For tips on how to prevent the spread of this virulent flu virus, check out Alameda County Public Health Department's website.

• Fire Season Comes to Close, But Now is the Time to Take Out Trees & Other Brush and Plant Fire Resistant Native Plants:  With this last rain we can relax a bit about fire danger, but this is the best time to trim trees. Fall is also planting season for the Bay Area, especially for native plants.  Take a look at your landscape.  Can you remove plants close to your home that are a fire danger?

• Special Exhibit at Main Library, Out of the Rubble, 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 Loma Prieta earthquake of  the October 17, 1989. (Above) The memorial on Mandela Way at the site of the Cypress Freeway collapse.

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 November 14, 21 and 24.


 

•  Allendale NCPC Meets Wednesday, November 18, 7 pm: at Allendale Recreation Center.
•  Laurel/Redwood/Leona Heights: Guest speaker James Moore,  NID Housing Counseling Agency, discussed how homeowners can receive free housing and legal counseling regarding refinancing and/or maintaining their monthly mortgage payments.   Afterward, a lively interactive exchange between NCPC members, a neighbor, and the Oakland Police Department took place concerning an incident that took place in their neighborhood. As a result, most people, if not all, seem to understand what it truly means to know who your neighbors are and how you can support one another to build community. 
• Maxwell Park NCPC: The annual Holiday Party, in conjunction with the school's "Unity Party",  will be held at Melrose Leadership Academy, on Thursday, December 17, 6 pm.
   
• Montclair Safety and Improvement Council, North Hills Community Council, Rockridge NCPC, Bret Harte/Joaquin Miller NCPC, Glenview NCPC, and the Neighborhood Coalition for Positive Change all welcomed Chief Anthony Batts to a packed Montera Middle School Auditorium  this past week. More than 120 people attended. Chief Batts received a standing ovation. 

• To report suspicious activity, call the OPD Non-Emergency Number, 777-3333 or call 777-3211 on your cell.
• Please call 777-3333 if you see anything suspicious in your neighborhood, or contact your problem solving officer directly,  While crime in Oakland has been down by 14%, home  burglaries and domestic violence are up. Learn more by attending your neighborhood's monthly Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council meeting.

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

• Laurel 25x: Ryan Kabahit RKabahit@oaklandnet.com
• Dimond 22x: Rick Coglio RCoglio@oaklandnet.com
• Bret Harte/Joaquin Miller 22y: Ann Pierce Apierce@oaklandnet.com
• Jefferson 24x: Joseph Fong JFong@oaklandnet.com
• Montclair 13z: Maureen Vergara MVergara@oaklandnet.com
• Maxwell Park 28x: Keith Clement JClement@oaklandnet.com
• Melrose 27x: Greg Loud GLoud@oaklandnet.com
• North Hills 13y: John Haney JHaney@oaklandnet.com
• Allendale 24y: Richard McNeely rmcneely@oaklandnet.com

• If You're New to OUSD or Will Be Next Fall, OUSD Options Period Is the Time to Register for Next Year: Since 2005-06, OUSD has used an enrollment system called "Options" for enrollment in its elementary, middle and high school levels. The Options System lets families participate in and influence the process of selecting a school for their children. The school tours, open houses, and options fairs set the stage for Open Enrollment, which lasts from December to January. This year, the OUSD Options period takes place from December 7, 2009-January 15, 2010. This is the time that entering Kindergartners or students entering OUSD from outside of the district need to complete their registration for the 2010-2011 School Year. For details, contact
  434-7780.

• Melrose Leadership Academy School Produce Market: In partnership with the Oakland Unified School District, the Oakland Farms-to-Schools Network operates a network of School Produce Markets throughout the school district in which 70% or more of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, and are located in food insecure neighborhoods of Oakland. At Melrose Leadership Academy fresh, parent staff and volunteers sell fresh produce that are pesticide-free and mostly locally grown.  The market is open every Wednesday in conjunction with the school calendar.  It starts at 12:45 pm and ends at 4 pm.  The address of Melrose Leadership Academy is 5328 Brann Street.  If you have questions regarding this program please call 395-5525.
  
   
• Upcoming School Tours
  • Tours for Prospective Skyline Students: Reserve a spot for one of these upcoming tours of Skyline High School. All tours begin at 9 am in the Family Resource Center. After a short introduction, visitors will be escorted through the campus by 11th and 12th grade students. The full tour takes approximately two hours.Tours fill up fast. RSVP to skylinefc@yahoo.com.
     
    • Wednesday, November 18
    • Wednesday, December 2 - FULL
    • Wednesday, December 9
    
     
  • Montera Middle School Open House for Prospective Families, Tuesday,  December 8: Two tours remain for Thursday, December 10--one at 9 am and one at 9:40 am. Meet at the Front Office. Call 879-2110 for details.
    
     
  • Open House for Prospective Joaquin Miller Parents for Fall 2010:The Joaquin Miller PTA provides prospective parents several opportunities to view the school and learn more about its programs:
     
    • Thursday, December 10, 7-8 pm-informational presentation about the school featuring the principal, PTA president and other parents
       
    • Wednesday, January 6, 11 am- Noon-tour Kindergarten classrooms and school facilities
       
    • Monday, January 11, 11 am-Noon- tour Kindergarten classrooms and school facilities. 

• World AIDS Day Scholarship Program for High School Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors--Deadline November 15: Three $1,000 scholarships awarded by the National AIDS Memorial Grove, who operate the Grove in Golden Gate Park.  Students are asked to write an essay or submit an "expressive" art form-- rap, dance, poetry etc. on the subject of "How HIV/AIDS impacts my live and/or community.  For details go to http://www.aidsmemorial.org/youth-college-scholarship-program.

• Unity High School's Art Exhibition at The Space in the Laurel, November 30-January 14th, Opening Night is Friday, December 4, 6:30-9 pm: These works in clay, drawing, and mixed media were created by young and talented students in Jamie Treacy's Visual Art Class and Brendah DeBow's Ceramics class at Unity High School located right in the Laurel. Both art instructors are established artist and have had various shows throughout the Bay Area. You will be truly impressed with their work. This show will give you a chance to purchase one of a kind gifts for the upcoming holidays. The Space is located at 4148 MacArthur Blvd. (between Maybelle and 39th Ave.--it says Laurel Jujitsu on the front of the building).

• Free Dimond Library Fall Events:  Your neighborhood library at 3565 Fruitvale Avenue is full of community activities for the entire family:
  • Every Tuesday at 7 - 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
  • Tuesday, November 17, 7 pm: Meet authors Janelle Orsi and Emily Doskow(pictured together at right), who will talk about their topical new book, The Sharing Solution: How to Save Money, Simplify Your Life and Build Community. Both authors are local attorneys who specialize in guiding people to creating and maintaining successful sharing arrangements. Dimond Branch is located at 3565 Fruitvale Ave. Contact Mary Schrader, Branch Manager,  at 482-7844 for details.
  
   
• Radical Roving Recreation Annual Turkey Basketball Tournament, Saturday, November 21, 10 am-5pm, Ages 6-12 Grade: Bushrod Recreation Center, 560 - 59th Street.For more information call  Karis Griffin at 238-3052.

• Dimond Rec Center's Turkey Camp, November 23, 24 & 25, 7:30 am-6 pm, Ages 5-12: Features arts and crafts and indoor games. Snack provided; children should bring a lunch bag. $30 per child. Register by Wednesday November 18. Need at least 12 kids registered or the camp will be canceled. Register online at www.oaklandnet.com/parks or at Dimond Recreation Center, 3860 Hanly Rd, 482-7831.
   

• Learn Italian!  Beginning Italian for adults will be offered through Montclair Elementary School's Language League.  The cost of this class is $130 and will begin as soon as a minimum number of 10 students have enrolled so be sure to spread the word.  If you, or any of your friends and family, are interested please contact Maria Grazia De Angelis at mariagra@hotmail.com as soon as possible.

• Oakland's Energy and Climate Action Plan Meeting, Wednesday, November 18, 6-8 pm, Laney College: A coalition of Oakland groups is calling on residents to turn out on November 18 for a key public meeting about Oakland's forthcoming Energy and Climate Action Plan to show broad support for a plan meets the City Council's aggressive emissions-reduction goals in ways that also strengthen communities, support vulnerable populations, and make Oakland a national model for local, community-based efforts to confront climate change. On July 7, 2009, Oakland adopted one of the strongest goals in the country for reducing greenhouse gases, with targeted reductions of 36% below 2005 levels by 2020, about 5% per year. These goals were largely the result of efforts by the Oakland Climate Action Coalition, which was formed to make sure that Oakland Climate Action Plan, now being developed by the city, contains strong policies to promote sustainability. For details on the meeting...

• Gang Awareness Workshop for Residents, Thursday, December 3, 6:30 pm, St. Anthony School Gymnasium, 1500 E. 15 Street:  This workshop is for parents, residents and for those who think their child may be attracted to gangs, may be involved with gangs or to prevent your child from being involved in a gang.Presented by the Oakland Police Department and sponsored by OPD and the San Antonio Beat 19 Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council. There will be Resource Booths providing information on Children and Youth Programs/Activities. Bilingual translation will be available in Spanish, Cantonese and Vietnamese. On-site babysitting will be available.

• First Friday in Downtown Oakland, Friday, December 4: Visit Downtown and Uptown Oakland for the monthly First Friday's of open studios, fabulous food and a great Oakland vibe. Oakland School of the Arts Visual Arts Emphasis will be featured during the December 4 event.

We've learned over the years that when neighbors work together, they build a stronger community. Whether you are a teen looking for work experience, or a new retiree with time on your hands, here are a number of ways you can meet neighbors and make a difference in the city we love.

Volunteers needed: The Annual Comcast America's Children's Holiday Parade is set for Saturday, December 5 at 2 pm along Broadway.  More than 100,000 people watch this parade each year and the City seeks volunteers to help with balloon handling (18years or older), banner and sign carriers (great for family teams), logistics. If you and your friends, families or co-workers are interested in participating with this fun-filled event, sign up online at http://www.oaklandholidayparade.com/volunteers.php


 

• 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. Another site is www.onewarmcoat.org.
   

• Vacancy on Public Ethics Commission: The City of Oakland Public Ethics Commission is seeking applicants for the one open of four  Commission-selected seats. The term begins on January 22, 2010 and expires on January 21, 2013. Applicants must reside in Oakland and be registered to vote in Oakland. The Commission was created by a voter-approved City Charter amendment in 1996 to "assure fairness, openness, honesty and integrity in City government." For details or to obtain an application, contact Dan Purnell at 238-3593. Applications and resumes must be received no later than Friday, October 30 at 5 pm.
   
• Keep Oakland Beautiful (KOB): KOB is looking for enthusiastic leaders to join in its efforts to make Oakland cleaner, greener, more beautiful and litter-free. The Board meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month at City Hall and they are also active on subcommittees. Board members serve a two year term and may reapply for successive two-year terms. Interested applicants can obtain more info and an application from Cookie Robles-Wong, 434-5126.

• 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:  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. >>Samples of what our intrepid volunteers have picked up off the streets in the Dimond; their favorite is an atm receipt for $49,000.
   
  • Dimond Park Clean-ups: Suspended until end of rainy season.
  • Tuesday November 17, 8-9 am: Meet in front of Sons of Norway Hall, 2258 MacArthur for Dimond clean-up (free parking)
     
  • Thursday Evenings: for time and place email krussell@russell-gordon.com
  • Friday, November 20, 8-9 am: meet in front of Sons of Norway Hall, 2258 MacArthur Blvd. for Dimond clean-up
  • Or, schedule your own time for weekly clean-up walks by contacting Kathleen Russell, Keep Dimond Clean, 842-3200, krussell@russell-gordon.com
    
     
• 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. Next session is scheduled for Sunday, November 15. Be prepared to plant  Freesias, as well as do the usual trash pick-up and weeding.  
• MSIC-Montclair Park, Saturday, November 21, 9-Noon: Come burn some calories before the Thanksgiving feast!! Meet in front of the pond to weed, clean, pull, clip, and just clean up the park that is need of a sprucing! Light refreshments will be provided, it is recommended to bring gloves and water.If you are into lopping bring your own loppers or pruners, etc.All are welcome to help out for any amount of time, we'd love you for the 3 hours, but will take an hour if thats all you have. Contact Jill Broadhurst at 338-0110.
   
• Moraga Avenue Median Strip, Saturday, November  14 and 21, 10 am: Join neighbors and friends as they plant plant freesia bulbs, daffodils, a few sporaxus bulbs and California poppies.This first workday will focus on cleaning up the median. If enough people come out, they can do the whole median in one morning. Once the median is cleared and the soil worked, volunteers will be needed for Saturday, November 14 to plant 175 bulbs.  Bring gloves, tools, water and wear bright colors. For details, contact
   
• 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.
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  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
   

• Mayor's Toy Drive, Donate Today: The annual Mayor's Toy Drive seeks tax deductible financial donations to support its program of providing toys for Oakland children who might not be receiving much in the way of presents this holiday season.  Last year almost six thousand children were provided with toys through this program. If you'd like to donate, make a check payable to "The Mayor's Toy Drive," and sent it to Office of the Mayor, City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 3rd Floor, Oakland, CA  94612.  The tax identification numbers are 94-6000-384 (federal) and 800-3838-4 (state).

• Oakland Tree Lighting Ceremony, Friday, November 27 Noon-8 pm, Jack London Square: Oakland launches the holiday season with the annual free music and art festival and lighting of a  70-foot tree.

• Feliz Navidad Celebration at City Center, Wednesday, December 2:

Montclair Village Holiday Stroll, Thursday, December 3, 6-8:30 pm:

• Local Teen Talent Showcased in Holiday Musical Stage Play, December 4 & 5 at The Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice Street: Boasting a cast of over 20 actors, singers, dancers and spoken word artists, (only three of them are over the age of 18), Another Kind Of Christmas is all about the performing artistry of an exceptionally talented group of local urban teens and features their own musical compositions, poetry and choreography. It is a two-evening fundraiser for the youth programs of Full Vision Arts Foundation, a nonprofit organization. The requested donation is $25. Ticked are available online with no service charge at www.FullVisionArts.org and at the door day of show. For details, call 421-9207.

• Comcast's Annual Children's Holiday Parade, Saturday, December 5, 2 pm on Broadway and 11th Street to 20th and Harrison:  More than 100,000 on-street viewers visit this parade, which is broadcast on PBS affiliates cross the country, KTVU-FOX 2, KICU-36, Comcast Cable and Peralta Television. If you've never seen it before, there are giant helium balloons, children's favorite cartoon and storybook characters, top marching bands, creative floats, great performance groups and Santa Claus. Bring the kids-- and even more fun, volunteer (see Item #11 above)

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir 24th Annual Holiday Concert, Saturday, December 5, Paramount Theatre:

• Chanukah Celebration at City Center, Wednesday, December 9:

• Fairy Wonderland at Childrens' Fairyland, December 11-20, Noon-7 pm: Children's Fairyland is transformed into a sparkling festival of holiday entertainment. Through songs and stories, arts and crafts, Fairy Winterland celebrates the winter holidays of many cultures: Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Diwali, and Chinese New Year. After sunset,  the fairy lights transform Fairyland into a twinkling, enchanting realm of wonder. Tickets $7 per person.
  
   
• Holiday Skate & Stroll, December 12-13, Temescal District:

• 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.

24th Annual Kwanzaa and Christmas Gift Show, Oakland Marriott Convention Center, 10th & Broadway, Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13: The Kwanzaa and Christmas Gift Show is an ideal opportunity for small Black business owners to display their wares to a massive audience at once. The show has also evolved into a social networking scene for the holiday season, often becoming the place to see and be seen. This year they are featuring a section dedicated to quality fine visual art.  Click here for the booth registration form.
 

• 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 the 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.
• Oakland East Bay Symphony's Annual Let Us Break Bread Holiday Concert, Sunday, December 13, 4 pm, Paramount Theatre: What a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays and Oakland's diverse musical heritage. This is a great family event (no babes in arms, please). Buy tickets early as it is always standing room only!
   
• Kwanzaa Celebration at City Center, Wednesday, December 16:
   
• 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).