Welcome to the Prescott-Oakland Point Neighborhood

Early Chinatown in West Oakland

2012-01-26T20:05:00.000-08:00

Reading the travel page of the USA Today newspaper it list Oakland Chinatown as one of the 10 great places to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Dragon. Chinese New Year's Eve starts January 22, 2012 and end with the Lantern Festival, February 2,2012.

San Francisco may boast that it’s has the nation's oldest Chinatown, the article states Oakland feels less touristy, a read place. Some would call it personality!

Did you know the early Chinatown in the mid-late 1800’s was located in West Oakland? Do you know where? Some of you may recognize the location when looking at the picture below.

At the turn of the century, Oakland was California’s second largest city, with a population of 67,000. When the 1906 earthquake struck, Oakland suffered considerable damage, but it avoided the devastating fires that crippled San Francisco. Oakland’s residents responded quickly to the disaster and welcomed almost 200,000 San Franciscans who sought refuge.

Most Chinese left San Francisco for Oakland and only about 400 remained in the city.

Oakland’s Chinatown boomed during the influx. Overnight Oakland, with its port and railroad lines, banks, and communication lines, became the base for the relief effort.

Artist who played in the Prescott: Etta James & Johnny Otis

2012-01-20T20:21:00.000-08:00

Okay, raise your hand if you know that Etta James played here in the Prescott neighborhood clubs?

Did you know Johnny Otis played here in the Prescott neighborhood clubs?

And do you know the relationship between the two? Some information and answers are below.

First let me state this post does not intend to tell the life story of either artist; there are extensive stories elsewhere.

The intention of this post is to remind folks that the Prescott neighborhood has long been an incubator for crafts persons and artist of all genres. I have been privileged to experience the pre-post office 7^th street nightclubs as well as the surrounding clubs and continual diversity of the artist in the neighborhood. With the help of social media, the incubator has grown to include most of West Oakland.

Etta James:

Born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles in 1938.

Like many early soul singers, she began performing in church, before switching to R&B music, recording classic songs like “Something’s Gotta Hold On Me” and one of popular music’s most memorable ballads, “At Last.”

Etta James’ influenced a variety of musicians, including Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Janis Joplin and even Christina Aguilera. Etta’s music has been sampled by Hip-Hop artists including Common, Kanye West, and LMFAO.

In the movie Cadillac Records, Beyoncé Knowles played Etta James and sings At Last at http://youtu.be/9BNOl5njHRY and All I Can Do Is Cry at http://youtu.be/dh-0jH4Rb7Y.

When Esther’s Orbit Room opened in 1963, Etta James, Al Green and T-Bone Walker was among the performances.

Johnny Otis

Born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes in Vallejo in 1921.

He began his musical career in 1939 as a drummer with Count Otis Matthew's West Oakland House Rockers playing in the Prescott neighborhood nightclubs. Enough said…

So what was Etta and Johnny relationship? Johnny discovered Jamesetta Hawkins singing at in a talent show at a Los Angeles nightclub with the group Creolettes and gave the singer her stage name reversing Jamesetta into Etta James.

R.I.P.

R&B icon Etta James died today, January 20^th 2012 in a Riverside, California hospital. She was 73.

Johnny Otis, the musician, bandleader, songwriter, impresario, disc jockey and talent scout who died on Tuesday, January 17^th 2012 at his home in Altadena, Calif. He was 90.

Oakland’s dedication to Martin Luther King Jr.

2012-01-16T09:45:00.000-08:00

AAMLO Annual MLK Film Festival, Monday, January 16^th, 2012, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

The African American Museum & Library is honored to continue its traditional Martin Luther King, Jr. film festival by presenting a selection of critically acclaimed documentaries that put into historical perspective the nation defining-movement of the 1950s and 1960s for African American civil rights. (Source)

Dedications to Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline In 1987, East Oakland community activist Ira Jinkins planted a magnolia tree in San Leandro Shoreline Park in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1993 Jinkins’ lone tree was expanded to an entire grove of trees and a native plant garden by the East Bay Regional Park District. The park was renamed Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline Park at that time. (Source)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Center was born of their dreams and of a joint agreement between the City of Oakland, the East Bay Regional Park District, the Port of Oakland, the California State Coastal Conservancy, the Martin Luther King, Jr. March & Rally Committee and then State Assembly Member Barbara Lee. (Source)

Oakland's Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School serves grades K-5 in the Oakland Unified School District.

Martin Luther King Jr. Branch Library closed for renovation until May 1^st, 2012, contains a developing special collection on Martin Luther King Jr. features books, videos, audiotapes, and DVDs. The branch also houses a Black History Collection, which contains adult fiction, non-fiction and biographies written by or about people of African descent. (Source)

Martin Luther King Jr Way (née Grove Street) Grove Street, which stretched for several miles north from Downtown Oakland into North Berkeley, was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Way in 1984. The street had once represented the dividing line between neighborhoods where minorities could and could not live or buy property. (Source)

There are nearly a million documents associated with the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Check it out here http://www.thekingcenter.org/archive

Slow progress on Seventh Street...

2012-01-06T20:46:00.000-08:00

West Oakland’s Seventh Street has witnessed its share of changes over the years.

As the western terminus of the First Transcontinental Railroad, Seventh Street served as a business and cultural center for decades through the early- and mid-20th century. But changes in transportation including the addition of freeways, the diminishing role of the railways and eventually the addition of the BART system cut West Oakland off from downtown and the waterfront, transforming this once vibrant and creative community into just another stop along the route to San Francisco.

The complete story at Oakland Local, click here

The Oakland Point Story

2012-01-01T08:48:00.000-08:00

The Oakland Point District, a neighborhood of over 800 homes extending roughly from 8th to 16th Streets and from Pine Street to Mandela Parkway, is Oakland’s oldest and most intact Victorian residential neighborhood. Important themes in Oakland Point’s history include its settlement as an 1860s suburb, its intimate association with the railroad which promoted its growth in the 1870s, and its ethnic heritage.

The Central Pacific (later Southern Pacific) Railroad arrived in Oakland in 1869, establishing the western terminus of the transcontinental railroad at the Point. The railroad yards and shops were established in the early 1870s, and by 1878 the neighborhood was largely built up.

The Point was almost a “company town,’’ in that a high percentage of its residents worked for the railroad or in related industries, at all economic levels from laborers to executives. Seventh Street along the main rail line became a renowned business and entertainment district.

Oakland Point is remembered as a melting pot of many ethnic groups over the years - first Yankee and Irish and Northern European, then Italian and Slavic, Asian, and African-American. African-Americans have a long and prominent history in the neighborhood, beginning with the Pullman Porters who settled at the terminus in the earliest days of the railroad. They became a majority in the area during and after World War II, and established many thriving businesses and churches in Oakland Point.

Source: case number: LM04-001; pg 8, FORM LPAB-4, Oakland Landmark and S-7 Preservation Combining Zone Application Form

Weclome Aboard II--Train Station Events

2011-11-09T09:30:00.000-08:00

The Central Station Development featuring Pacific Cannery Lofts, Zephyr Gate, Ironhorse Apartments and the historic 16^th Street Train Station continues to thrive with excitement!

The weekend the historic 16th Street Train Station, located at 16^th and Wood Street will open its doors for touring while hosting music by The Blues Society; food from sustainable Oakland food trucks; and Kids activities organized by Rock, Paper and Scissors on Sunday, on November 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. (Weather permitting). Come share your memories, any old pictures…

For more information and to follow the historic 16th Street Train Station and its events on Facebook facebook.com/16thStreetStation and Twitter @16thStStation and check out video www.indiegogo.com/16thStreetStation

Also: Amtrak is celebrating 40 Years as America’s Railroad

EXCERPT--The present Amtrak station, a modern facility completed in 1994, sits at the eastern corner of the square. It was built after a 1989 earthquake damaged the old 16th Street Station (now called Central Station) designed by well-known Chicago architect Jarvis Hunt.

Opened in 1912, it originally had served as the principal facility of the Southern Pacific Railroad.

In 1868, the Central Pacific Railroad (CP) constructed the Oakland Long Wharf at Oakland Point, the site of today's port. The Long Wharf served as both the terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad and of the local CP commuter trains. At West Oakland, the railroad established one of its largest rail yards and servicing facilities, and it later operated under the successor Southern Pacific Railroad.

Transformed into an economic powerhouse during the early 20th century, Oakland boasted industries including metals, canneries, bakeries, automobiles, and shipbuilding. [More]

This Weekend: Hot Links & Cold Drinks!

2011-09-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

Enjoy Oakland this Weekend--Art & Soul Festival

2011-08-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

11th Annual Art & Soul Festival

Noon to 6pm on August 20 & 21, 2011

Art & Soul is conveniently located in downtown Oakland adjacent to the 12th Street/City Center BART station.

About Art & Soul

A symbol of downtown Oakland’s renaissance, Art & Soul is a great entertainment value that sizzles with two music-packed days featuring Jazz, Rock, Gospel, Latin, R&B, Acoustic and Blues performed by national recording artists and top local talent.

Youngsters will love the kid-friendly carnival rides, interactive art projects, face painting and roaming costumed characters.

Stroll through the Artisan Marketplace, sample exotic foods and tasty treats from a multicultural menu and view great art.

Art & Soul, the Bay Area’s coolest festival, has direct transit access and free parking for thousands of cars.

Art & Soul Lineup

Official Program

Community Celebration at the Train Station

2011-07-26T17:24:00.000-07:00

High hopes for revitalized West Oakland train station

2011-07-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

It's the 4th of July, Have a GREAT Weekend!

2011-07-02T09:13:00.000-07:00

Oakland: Monday, July 4^th Festival of Family Fun, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. No fireworks display over Jack London Square again for 2011.

Alameda: Mayor’s July 4th Parade; 9:45 a.m. – Alameda Race; 10:00 a.m. – Parade; 12:00 p.m. – 4:00p.m. – Jumpin’ & Jivin’ Jubilee; Rittler Park, Otis Drive and Grand Street.

Berkeley: Fireworks Monday, July 4^th at 9:30 p.m. off the end of the Berkeley Pier. Celebration at Berkeley Marina from noon to 10 p.m. with live entertainment, food, arts & crafts, kids’ playground and pony rides. More Info

Piedmont: Fourth of July Parade: Homegrown Spirit, 11:00 a.m. – Parade begins at Highland Avenue and Park Way

Richmond: Sunday, July 3^rd, The Oakland East Bay Symphony performs in concert at 5 p.m. at the Craneway Pavilion followed by fireworks at dusk. More info

San Francisco: Monday, July 4^th at the Waterfront Festival / Pier 39. Live music from noon until the fireworks at 9:30 pm. More Info

The Oakland Police Department has set up an anonymous, multilingual hotline for people to report illegal fireworks: (510) 777-8814.

To help get illegal fireworks off the streets, the Oakland Fire Department has set up fireworks collection barrels at the Station 3: 1445 14th Street.

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The California Highway Patrol is instituting a maximum enforcement period this Fourth of July weekend to keep the state’s motorists safe.

The maximum enforcement period will start at 6 p.m. Friday and continue through noon Monday.

“With many people taking to the roadway this holiday weekend, motorists can rest assured our officers will be on the lookout for those in need,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow in a press release.

The CHP will also be focusing on removing impaired drivers from the road, discouraging speeders and encouraging motorists to buckle up. These are the three primary causes of death on the road. (Story Via)

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Starting today (July 1^st) California courts will no longer erase traffic violations from a driver's record, even after that driver has attended traffic school.

Under a new law taking effect Thursday driver's who receive a traffic citation can still attend traffic school to prevent insurance companies from being notified of the violation.

However, AB 2499 changes the way that citation is recorded on a driver's record. The record will now show a conviction not a dismissed citation.

The DMV said the change was intended to erase a loophole in the prior law.

Before the change, the courts had no way to know why a ticket was dismissed.

DMV Spokesman Jaime Garza said that system was allowing chronic offenders to get around the law, attend more than one traffic school in an 18 month period and have multiple tickets marked dismissed without the courts knowing. (Story Via)

Raccoons in the Prescott

2011-06-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

Community members walking their dog early this morning in the Raimondi Park area was surprised by 3 raccoons, charging them and their dog. They stated the raccoons seem focused on their dog, which is an adult lab mix.

As the raccoons charged, the walkers screamed which caused two raccoons to stop and retreat. One raccoon seemed more aggressive than the others and retreated very slowly after coming within 5 feet. The raccoons were reported as watching the walkers as they made their way east on 18th street from Wood Street.

During the last couple of months there have been reports from community members living in all parts of the Prescott neighborhood of raccoons in their backyards, driveways and on the streets in the night or early a.m. with some folks reporting some aggressive behaviors from the raccoons.

Although raccoons look cute and cuddly, the can and do great harm with those retractable claws. Let's keep our children and pets safe and don’t engage the raccoons.

Raccoons carry diseases that can be spread to other animals including dogs such as raccoon rabies, roundworm and distemper just to name a few.

Remember don’t leave those water and food bowls out at night. Make sure the tops on garbage cans are closed and secure.

Railroad Revival Tour

2011-04-23T15:57:00.000-07:00

Fans react in screams as the bands perform for the Railroad Revival Tour on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at Middle Shoreline Harbor Park in the Prescott-Oakland Point Neighborhood.

Neo-psychedelic pop-rockers Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Nashville string-band opened for the English folk-rock band Mumford & Sons.

Videos on YouTube capture segments of the show, here.

The Port of Oakland's Middle Harbor Park located in the Prescott-Oakland Point was the first stop of six cities traveling by train, from the Bay to New Orleans.

The uniqueness of Middle Harbor Park proved to be one of the few spots in the Bay Area that met the tour's criteria of being big enough to hold a major festival and near usable train tracks with the ability to park the 13-car train right at the venue being part of show.

For this show, the Railroad Revival Tour was able to sell 8,000 tickets in 4 hours.

Pictures and slideshow can be found here http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_17907230

If you attended, we are interested in your experience and ask you to share it with us.

If you are interested in going to the Middle Harbor Park, it is located at the intersection of 7th St. and Middle Harbor Rd. More information including map and driving directions can be found at http://www.portofoakland.com/communit/serv_midd.asp

Meeting and Events: WOPAC, NCPC, Earthday, Vincent Academy and Air Space Workshop

2011-04-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

Who: West Oakland Project Area Committee (WOPAC)

What: City of Oakland staff members provides updates on the Governor’s Budget Proposal and Redevelopment; West Oakland Area Plan and Housing; The WOPAC makes recommendations of funding NPI proposals

When: Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Where: West Oakland Senior Center, 1724 Adeline Street, Oakland, CA

For additional information, please contact: Hui-Chang Li, City Of Oakland, CEDA, Redevelopment Division at 510.238.6239 or

Who: Prescott Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council Meeting, Beats2Y & 5Y

What: PSOs provide neighborhood beat priorities updates; Meet and talk with your various neighborhood Community Policing and Problem Solving Officers. Agencies Invited include: BART Police Department; Oakland Unified School District (OUSD); Oakland Police Department (OPD); Oakland Housing Authority (OHAPD)

Where: OHA Administration Building, 935 Union St.

When: Thursday, April 14, 2011, 6:00 p.m.

Note: Community members who need to speak with PSOs and other Officers from the various agencies serving the Prescott neighborhood regarding a specific neighborhood issue will have an opportunity to do so, vis-à-vis.

For additional information, please contact: NCPC Chair: Marcus Johnson at 510.290.8300 or

Raimondi Park 18th & Wood St.

From more information contact vrocha[AT]oaklandnet.com

Activities include tree planting, cut & clean and graffiti removal

More Information: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/PWA/s/SO/OAK025879.

New Charter Elementary Schools serving Prescott Oakland Point

Vincent Academy intends to be a safe, joyful, academically rigorous, and community-minded elementary school where children can develop their innate talents and skills, learn about the complex world around them and receive the support necessary to truly thrive and become community leaders in a global context. Jean Driscoll, Vincent Academy Board Member

Who: Vincent Academy will be located within area consisting if park, tennis courts, Skate Park, swimming pool and public library and will offer:

• TUITION-FREE charter elementary school NOW enrolling Kindergarten and First Grade Students opening August 22, 2011.

A safe, nurturing, and joyful environment for learning

• A rigorous education with high academic standards tied to real worldexperience and learning

• Year -round program

• After-school program, to 6 pm daily

What: An informational meeting

When: Tuesday, April 19, 2011; 5:30 p.m.

Where: West Oakland Public Library, 1801 Adeline Street.

For more information, please contact Sandra Phillips 510.333.8399

Visit their website at www.vincentacademy.org

Creative Utilization of "Air Space" in West Oakland

Who: California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) and City of Oakland

What: Workshop on potential uses for "air space" IN WEST OAKLAND, which will include discussion on CalTrans and City of Oakland zoning and use restrictions, photographs of the empty sites, potential lease rates, and a presentation on the leasing process.

When: Wednesday, April 27, 2011; 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: West Oakland Senior Center, 1724 Adeline Street

For more information, please contact Xiaojing Wang at 510.238.7031 or xwang[AT]oaklandnet.com

The Oakland Running Festival is this weekend

2011-03-22T09:39:00.000-07:00

On the Saturday, March 26th the Oakland Running Festival will feature the Oakland Tribune 5K at 6:30 AM

On Sunday, March 27th the Oakland Running Festival will feature the Marathon and 4-Person Relay at 7:30 AM; Half Marathon at 9:00 AM; and Kids Fun Run at 8:30 AM

All runners will enter the Prescott neighborhood from 7th Street, turning right at Mandela Parkway and continue until turning right at 32nd street.

Drivers should use caution.

Be advised there will be street and freeway ramp closures for the full and half marathon routes on Sunday, March 27th beginning early 7:00 AM through 2:00 PM.

Streets will reopen after participants move through the neighborhoods.

For the festival weekend schedule, click here

For the Runner's Handbook, click here

Remember to plan ahead and check the complete detour schedule and map.

Our Neighborhood Detours:

If you are located on the West side (Prescott Neighborhood) of Mandela Parkway, your detour for the Marathon (miles 19, 20, 21) and Half Marathon (miles 6 + 7) is:

Oakland Run Festival is suggesting that starting at 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM, you take Wood Street north, then a right on 34th Street, stay on 34th and cross San Pablo, left on Martin Luther King, Jr Way, take sharp right at 47th Street onto Highway 24 westbound toward I-580 or I-980.

After 1:30 PM: Runners will have cleared area; streets will be reopened to normal traffic.

Note: I have my own suggestion for getting around. If anyone is attempting to access any of the freeways, whether it is I-80, I-580, I-880, I-980, Highway13 or Highway 24 (an often overlooked amenity in the Prescott) living in the epicenter of the bay, they still can.

If you can make your way to West Grand and Campbell, turn west on West Grand and at the first light (frontage road) you make a right, it will take you to I-580 Berkeley, Richmond; a left will take you to the I-880 (7th street ) freeway on-ramp.

At Frontage Road and West Grand, you continue west (towards SF) after the next light, you will have the option of either I-80 San Francisco (left lane) or I-580 Downtown Oakland, Haywood (right lane). From I-580 you can access I-980 (Downtown), Highway 24 (Concord/Walnut Creek) or Highway 13 (Monclair).

If you discover or know of another way, drop me a note at marcus_a_johnson [AT] yahoo.com

If you are located on the Eastside of Mandela Parkway, your detour for the Marathon (miles 19, 20, 21) and Half Marathon (miles 6 + 7), are:

Oakland Run Festival is advising from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM the northbound Mandela Parkway (toward Emeryville) will be closed to traffic. They are suggesting to get to West Grand you should take a right on Brush to I-980.

You can either continue straight onto I-980 westbound toward I 880 southbound (on-ramp entrance at 16th Street) or take a left on 17th Street, then a left on Castro to I-980 eastbound toward Highway 24 and I-580.

After 1:30 PM: Runners will have cleared the area and streets will be reopened to normal traffic.

Tsunami Wave hits North of Bay Bridge Area Video

2011-03-12T08:25:00.000-08:00

Remember to set your clock forward one hour

2011-03-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. (local time) on Sunday, March 13th.

SAVE-THE DATE: Thursday, March 3rd

2011-02-28T07:27:00.000-08:00

SAVE-THE DATE: Thursday, March 3rd Celebrating 10 Years of Help, Hope & Healing with the Khadafy Foundation for Non-Violence.

The Khadafy Foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary Thursday with a gala fundraising dinner at Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar in Jack London Square, featuring Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts as the keynote speaker. He will be joined by special guests California's Attorney General Kamala Harris, and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan.

WHAT: 10th anniversary gala fundraiser dinner

WHEN: Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar, 2 Broadway, Oakland, in Jack London Square

TICKETS: $50; purchase in advance at http://www.khadafyfoundation.org/ or at the door

KHADAFY FOUNDATION for Non-Violence

Based in Oakland, California, the Khadafy Foundation provides support services to anyone who has lost a child or other loved one to violence. At this time of greatest crisis, we reach out with immediate support.

If your friend or family member was recently killed, please call Khadafy Foundation at (510) 839-1706 so they can assist you through this difficult time.

Click links to learn more about Khadafy Foundation programs and history, or to make a donation.

Community Meeting

2011-02-22T16:58:00.000-08:00

Monday, February 28, 2011; 7:00 - 8:00 pm

1199 Pine Street (Pacific Cannery Lofts Sales Office)

Please join us to hear about the status of the Wood Project and surrounding neighborhood:

How traffic patterns and local circulation are changing and options to improve them.

The current zoning proposal to allow the Icehouse to be used for a broader set of uses like research and development, broadcasting and media activities or light manufacturing uses

Train Station Update

How do I get there?

From West Grand:

Turn left onto Frontage Road (Follow Central Station Signs);

Follow signs to turn left into Central Station;

Make immediate right towards Pacific Cannery Lofts; Look for “Sales Office Sign”

From 7th Street:

Turn right onto Frontage Road (Follow Central Station Signs)

Follow signs to turn right into Central Station

Make immediate right towards Pacific Cannery Lofts; Look for “Sales Office Sign”

SURVEYS: East Bay Regional Park District and AC Transit

2011-02-15T09:35:00.000-08:00

The East Bay Regional Park District is updating its Master Plan and welcomes your input via an online survey. It will take about 15 - 20 minutes to complete it.

Your input is very valuable.

Click HERE to participate in East Bay Regional Park District 2011 Master Plan Community Survey.

The Middle Harbor Park is located in our neighborhood and can be reached by going northwest (past Post Office) on 7th Street to the stoplight at Middle Harbor Road. Proceed through the intersection and take the first right turn into the Middle Harbor Shoreline parking lot.

Public Transit (AC Transit Bus Line 13) no longer services the middle harbor area. Port Staff are seeking alternative solutions through grants and partnerships.

Closed for some time, "Room with a View" is once again available to the public. The train switching tower at Port View Park, adjacent to Middle Harbor Shoreline, is now open Monday - Friday 10AM - 3PM.

This historic building was moved to the park site and converted to a marvelous informational exhibit about the rail and maritime history of the area.

AC Transit wants to hear from you! The bus district is developing a comprehensive fare policy and is seeking input from the public before a formal proposal is made. Topics under discussion include goals, principles, pass pricing, transfer rules, timing and level of fare changes, and more.

For information, visit http://www.actransit.org/ and read the homepage article, “Have Something to Say About Fares?” Then complete the online form or give feedback in a number of other ways.

AC Transit will also hold a public meeting on Thursday, February 17, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at AC Transit General Offices, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland.

Point of Clarity

2011-02-07T18:43:00.000-08:00

Active EBMUD project on Wood Street

2011-02-07T15:28:00.000-08:00

Click Image to Enlarge

Mayor's Quan Town Hall Meeting this Saturday

2011-02-03T11:45:00.000-08:00

Panera Bread Bakery Cafe to open in summer 2011

2010-12-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

In January of this year we learned Target Corp. had struck deal to open a big store (expanding the existing 117,000-square-foot building to a 140,000-square-foot building) on 40th Street near the Emeryville border.

The actual location of the Target's new store (formerly a Home Expo site) is in the Oakland portion of the East Bay Bridge Shopping Center. About two thirds of the retail complex is in Emeryville, and one-third is in Oakland. The two cities share the revenue that the center generates.

Today we learn Fancher Development Services Inc., is attempting to build a 4,000-square-foot building to house a Panera Bread Bakery Cafe with a drive-thru, at the corner of 40th and Horton Streets currently Target’s parking lot for the East Bay Bridge Shopping Center.

The developer will go before Emeryville’s planning commission on Thursday night for a design review of the building, which could be up and running in summer 2011.

Once again, the two cities (Emeryville and Oakland) have an agreement under which Emeryville is responsible for the planning permits and Oakland is responsible for building permits for the site.

For those not familiar with Panera Bread, they are a quick service restaurant that is part cafe, part bakery and has close to 16 stores in the Bay Area including San Francisco, Fremont, San Rafael, Millbrae and Antioch. Once open, the restaurant will have 30 to 40 employees.

To see their menu, click here.

Source: San Francisco Business Times

36th Annual Black Cowboy Parade & Festival

2010-10-01T17:46:00.000-07:00

Oakland Black Cowboy Association’s

36th Annual Parade and Festival

Saturday, October 2, 2010

DeFremery Park, Oakland, CA

For more than 30 years, people have enjoyed the pageantry of the Black Cowboy Parade, filling the streets of Oakland. From trick riders to equestrian units, the event showcases the finest horses drill teams, marching bands, and all sorts of entertainment at this event held the first Saturday in October annually. Annual Oakland Black Cowboy Parade & Festival is held in memory of the black cowboys who helped to settle the American West.

The parade is an exciting historic part of Oakland.

Source: http://www.beachcalifornia.com/Events/oakland-black-cowboys-parade.html

On Saturday, the cowboys will once again take to Oakland's streets, thanks to Dunn's call to what seems like an unlikely source of parade route security: Shadows of the Knight, a black motorcycle club based in Oakland. Shadows of the Knight has been going strong for seven years and has 47 members, many of whom were friends back at Castlemont High. This affiliation was the catalyst for their insignia, which is a combination of the Castlemont Knight and shield from the Oakland Raiders.

This year the Grand Marshal of the parade will be Black Country western singer Miko Marks. Ms. Oakland is on schedule to participate as well.

Source: http://www.baycitizen.org/festivals/story/black-cowboys-parade-gets-biker-escort/

Dust off those cowboy boots and celebrate the 36th Annual Black Cowboy Parade, the only parade and celebration of its kind in the United States!

This historic parade begins at DeFremey Park at 18th St and Adeline and travels through Old West Oakland on 14th St, around Lowell Park.

Following the parade, the festival at DeFremery Park will host food vendors, feature nationwide cowboys and trick riders, and activities including horse and pony rides for all ages.

Source: http://sf.funcheap.com/36th-annual-black-cowboy-parade-festival-oakland/

The Oakland Black Cowboy Association, a not-for-profit organization, has spent over three decades enlightening children and adults with the contributions of people of color in the settling of the West. This vision continues today with its annual parade and festival. People from all walks of life attend this one of a kind parade and festival which features nationwide cowboys, trick riders, schools community organizations, and local businesses.
In addition to the parade and festival, the Oakland Black Cowboy Association hosts dances, conducts speaking engagements and community events promoting the contributions of people of color to the Old West.

AC Transit cut weekend service to line 31

2010-09-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

At the Sept. 22nd AC Transit Board of Directors meeting, staff presented a preliminary Title VI, map-level analysis of the service area showing the following:

• Routes Proposed for Continuation

• 1/4 Mile Walk-Shed around Continued Lines

• Minority Concentrations by Census Tract

The results of this analysis are attached to this memorandum and have resulted in changes to the original proposal. Additionally, staff has conducted further ridership modeling to review impacts associated with the implementation of the scenario identified above.

Both of these studies have informed recommendations that propose the following alterations to the original plan for service to West Oakland.

“Given the concentration of minority population, combined with the high instances of zero car/low income households, staff recommends retention of Line 26 to satisfy anticipated Title VI disparate impacts.”

As part of GM Memo 10-210, staff originally presented a service cut scenario that included both the 26 and 31 lines.

In the end, AC Transit's board of directors voted 7-0 to halve its weekend service and cut four of six overnight lines starting in December. Line 31 weekend service was cut.

General Manager Message:

"I want to emphasize that delaying these cuts is not an option at this point," said Interim General Manager Mary King. "Right now, this agency is like a patient in critical condition. AC Transit must act to stop the hemorrhaging now. We are applying tourniquets wherever possible in order to remain solvent and sustain some level of service for seniors, youth, disabled, working people and other riders who depend on AC Transit during these undeniably difficult economic times. Once we have stabilized the agency we will look for ways to restore service when funding to do so is available."

Some re-routing of line 26 & 31 was also approved.

Line 26: Current & Preview (available Oct. 8th) of Route Change

Line 31: Current & Preview (available Oct. 8th) of Route Change

Further action by Ac Transit include: Fare Increase

Activity Tentative Completion Date

Board Presentation October 27, 2010

Final Board Consideration / Set Public Hearing December 15, 2010

Public Hearing January/February 2011

Plan Adoption and Implementation Late Spring 2011

Further Service Reductions Considerations:

Activity Tentative Completion Date

Final Concepts Consideration / Set Public Hearing October 13, 2010

Board Conducts Public Hearing November 10, 2010

Board Consideration of Final Plan December 15, 2010

Title VI Compliance Review Completion February 2011

Implementation Mid-March 2011

2010-09-21T16:09:00.000-07:00

Sundays in the Redwoods feat. GOAPELE at Sept. 26, 2010

2010-09-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

http://goapele.com/

Gates Open 1PM - Show Starts 2PM

Born Goapele (pronounced Gwa-pa-lay) Mohlabane in Oakland, CA, this singer grew up in a socially conscious and politically active family. Her mother married South African political exile Douglas Mohlabane while studying in Nairobi, Kenya.

At an early age, Goapele attended the Berkeley Arts Magnet School where she led a pre-teen peer support group.

She also became involved in various groups and organizations that combated racism and sexism. It would be these extroverted activities that assisted her singing career as she would also sing at community functions.

In high school, Goapele sang in the Oakland Youth Choir and became part of a semi-professional music group called Vocal Motion.

Upon high school graduation, she attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston, where she studied music theory. She also began developing her songwriting skills during her post-secondary education. [Taken from bio written by Jason MacNeil, Rovi]

Real dogs don’t wear sweaters

2010-09-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

Picture from http://www.braveathena.com/archives/2005/11/

When we got our dog three years ago, I made a pledge: I would not let our pooch become a cold-weather wimp.

I told my wife and two daughters, 13 and 11 at the time, that the newest member of our family would never, ever, under any circumstances, wear a sweater.

I warned them that an entire industry had emerged to prey on weak-willed people who believe they must pamper their pets. Svelte, stylish salespeople lurked inside trendy boutiques ready to flatter pet owners into making unwise purchases. “Your wonderful little doggie would look just adooorable in a cardigan! Let’s see — puppy large?”

“Remember,” I counseled my family, “he’s a dog.”

We all agreed.

Thinking back, I don’t recall my wife making eye contact.

Our dog is a black Lab, which means he comes genetically equipped to withstand a drop in the mercury. His ancestral roots stretch to Labrador, where the breed and its owners alike don’t think twice about jumping into the icy North Atlantic to pull out a cod for dinner.

Nature has also given Labs an undercoat, a second interwoven layer of fur that acts like thermal underwear. A Lab in a sweater would feel uncomfortable physically. Emotionally, too.

Not long after we brought our pup home, I caught my wife putting a blanket over him one cool night.

“You’ll spoil him,” I said.

“He’ll be cold,” she said.

“He’s a dog,” I said.

I believe my wife’s well-meaning indulgence has taken its toll. By day, our Lab is a hearty all-weather dog who relishes plunging into a cold body of water to retrieve a ball. At night, when the lights go out, he is a hedonist drawn to creature comforts. These include a blanket and, more recently, a pillow.

We kept his sleep habits in mind when we went on an end-of-summer, overnight backpacking trip to the mountains. We drove miles up dusty dirt roads to the trailhead and hoisted our packs for a three-mile hike that took us to a glacial lake at 6,500 feet. My pack — the heaviest of four — included a tent, sleeping bag and, yes, dog blanket.

At the lake, our Lab’s behavior was anything but wimpy. He charged into the water and unleashed his best dogpaddle. I, too, had planned to take a dip, but the water felt chilly. Instead, I set up the tent and gathered wood. Each time the dog lumbered out of the lake and soaked us with his spirited, wiggling shake, I thanked the canine gods he wasn’t a Chihuahua.

In the evening, the temperature dipped below 40 degrees. We sat around the fire talking about the day and sipping hot tea. Our dog was the first to call it a night. He got up and climbed into the tent.

I know from past camping trips that our Lab is not the greatest sleeping buddy. He’s restless. He growls at the sound of a fallen leaf. He shifts positions every half hour. He stands up and turns in tight circles before laying down again.

This night was no different.

My wife slept next to the dog, waking up time and again to cover him with his blanket. But even the blanket and the body heat generated by four people crammed in a tent couldn’t keep him toasty.

When my wife sat up yet again to cover him, he made his move. He dove into her sleeping bag, burrowed down to her feet and went to sleep. My wife managed to slide the dog up, swing him around, and pull him to the top of the sleeping bag, but he refused to leave.

Giving in to pet-pampering temptation, she pulled him close like a baby. This couldn’t have been comfortable — they occupied the bag with sausagelike efficiency — but the dog slept soundly until morning.

I was the first up. I slipped out of the tent with our faithful hound. I started a fire. He took a dip — hardly the behavior of a cold-weather wimp.

My wife and I have no intention of buying him a sweater for our next backpacking trip. We do plan to get him his own sleeping bag.

San Francisco Business Times - by Steve Symanovich

Alternative car fuel arrives in Oakland

2010-09-01T16:41:00.000-07:00

The station, operated by Propel Fuels, is in the Adams Point neighborhood, at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Perkins Street. Its opening marks biofuel's first foothold in Oakland. To commemorate the occasion, Propel spent two days offering each new customer five free gallons of either the company's ethanol-based "FlexFuel," or biodiesel for diesel engines.

FlexFuel, also called E85, is a biofuel composed of roughly 85 percent ethanol, the remaining 15 percent being mostly gasoline.

Read more here

Also, the Department of Energy and the California Energy Commission will furnish Propel Fuels with $10.9 million in grants to help it deploy its ethanol and biodiesel fueling pumps across California.

The Redwood City-based Propel is putting 75 pumps across the state in the next 18 months to two years, co-locating them at existing gas stations to limit overhead costs.

Developing the pumps could create 450 jobs in California. Also, the lower-carbon fuels dispersed at the pumps could avoid 39 million gallons of petroleum, saving 187,500 tons of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere each year, the company said.

Read more at the San Francisco Business Times, here

the opening of Propel compliments the recent opening of a new state-of-the-art CNG station located one half mile south of the Oakland Coliseum at the CFN Olympian station, 8515 San Leandro Street, Oakland (Near 85th Street and San Leandro Street).

EAT REAL 2010, THIS WEEKEND!

2010-08-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

Aug 27th, 2pm-9pm, Aug 28th, 10:30am-9pm, and Aug 29th, 2010

10:30am-5pm,
Jack London Square

Eat it. Make it. Grow it. Why choose when you can do all three? Truck loads of great food, tons of exciting demos that show the necessary food skills to survive the urban wild, performances, pop-up gardens, and more. For free.

Eat Real’s mission is to make real food as accessible and as affordable as fast food at events held in strategic communities across the United States. Eat Real’s success will be measured by increased public awareness of and respect for the craft of making good food and by the growth of green collar jobs in America’s growing regional food economies. Eat Real’s vision is of an America where food’s crucial importance to the health of our bodies, communities and economy is universally recognized, and where access to healthy and affordable real foods is a right, not a privilege. Also, in our ideal America, food tastes a whole lot better.

Tasty, local, fresh, handmade. These are just a few words that come to mind when we talk about food at Eat Real. We'll have the Bay Area's best street food vendors cooking up their amazing (and affordable!) dishes: tacos a hundred different ways, BBQ, flat-bread, noodles, curry, falafel, ice cream and more!

All food is $5 and below.

Event Map
http://eatrealfest.com/medias/docs/1022_ERF_2010_Map.pdf

Schedule
http://eatrealfest.com/medias/docs/2923_ERF_2010_Schedule_print_FINAL.pdf

Parking
http://www2.impark.com/pages/default.aspx?lang=en®ion=sanfranciscobayarea

Art and Soul 2010

2010-08-20T14:35:00.001-07:00

Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22 - from Noon to 6pm

Two days packed with music, art, kids' activities and tasty food.

Art & Soul is conveniently located in downtown Oakland adjacent to the 12th Street/City Center BART station.

Entrances at: 14th Street and Broadway; 16th Street and San Pablo Avenue; Promenade beside City Center West Garage

Tickets

You'll be able to purchase tickets at the gate for Saturday and Sunday.

$15 Adults and $8 seniors (65+) youth (13-17). Kids 12 and under are FREE.

Chairs and seating are available at all stages on a first-come, first-serve basis.

What to Bring

Festival Map

For a high resolution version of this map click here.

Transportation and Driving Directions

Street Murmur: What's Your Story?

2010-08-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

Photo: Mike Kepka / The Chronicle

The monthly Art Murmur brings out hundreds of people, many of whom have plenty of ideas for improving Oakland.

On the first Friday of every month, 23 art galleries, most of them between 22nd and 26th streets along Telegraph and Broadway, open their doors to visitors.

Vendors, performers and live art projects fill the streets. The Art Murmur has become wildly popular, attracting hundreds of people from all over the Bay Area and beyond.

What's Your Story?, a collaboration between The Chronicle and public radio station KALW (91.7), was on the scene to do a little homework for the next mayor. I asked people the first three things the new mayor should do and whether they had any general advice for the city's new executive. Their comments can be heard at sfgate.com/blogs/opinionshop.

The Art Murmur represents what they love about Oakland and a vision of its potential - a vibrant, creative and diverse community that is also safe. Those interviewed were aware the city is changing and expressed concerns about gentrification. About half the people I approached don't live in the city but were visiting from other parts of the Bay Area, Washington, D.C., and Europe. [MORE]

Spend an Evening at Jack London Square

2010-08-06T18:51:00.001-07:00

On August 6, the East Bay Express celebrates its winners of the 2010 Best of the East Bay readers’ poll and editors’ picks all along the Jack London Square waterfront. Over 20,000 guests are expected to attend and salute the best ideas, products and services that are borne out of the East Bay region.

This year’s Best of the East Bay Party main stage (sponsored by Amoeba Music) will feature twelve local bands: The Mighty Underdogs (made up of Gift of Gab from Blackalicious, Lateef from Latyrx and Headnodic from Crown City Rockers), Everything Must Go, Finish Ticket, Zydeco Flames, The Memphis Murder Men, Belle Monroe and her Brewglass Boys, Kit & the Branded Men, Bang Data, Birds and Batteries, Stone Foxes, Cheetahs on the Moon, and Fans of Jimmy Century.

Make sure to spend some time lounging in the Blues Pavilion (sponsored by the Bay Area Blues Society and Yoshi's), where the Express pays tribute to the venerable blues history of Russell City in Hayward and 7th Street in West Oakland with performances by some of the best blues musicians in the East Bay.

The Chabot Space & Science Center’s Kids’ Party Zone (sponsored by BandWorks and Bay Area Girls Rock Camp) will feature local kid bands The Vat, Poison Apple Pie, and Room 19. Performances are by members of the Bay Area Girls Rock Camp. The Kids’ Party Zone will also offer hands-on science projects and fun activities.

A DJ Stage featuring the talents of Dyloot and the Oakland Faders will evolve into a Dance Battle into the evening (sponsored by Yak Films and The People).

A world class street art show will be found at the event, including live art demonstrations from the East Bay's best artists (sponsored by 57-33 and Montana Cans). At the Gear Head Garage, you can feast your eyes on classic cars, motorcycles, and other works of art that feature gears and grease.

Don't miss the extreme sports, indie designer villages, and local restaurant vendors. It’s sure to be the region’s best party of the year.

When: Friday, August 6, 2010

Where: Jack London Square waterfront

Time: 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Admission: Free, All Ages

Getting there: BART (Lake Merritt or 12th Street stations), AC Transit, Alameda-Oakland Ferry, Broadway Shuttle, Amtrak.

Free bike valet parking provided by the East Bay Bike Coalition.

All proceeds from the bar will benefit the local nonprofit, OneCalifornia Foundation.

Discounted fares to the event are available by Amtrak: www.EastBayExpress.com/BOEBParty/Amtrak

Discounted overnight lodging is available at the Waterfront Hotel: www.EastBayExpress.com/BOEBParty/Hotel

VIP Packages for the event are now on sale: www.EastBayExpress.com/BOEBParty/VIP

National Night Out in the Prescott Neighborhood

2010-08-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

The Prescott neighborhood will be celebrating the 27th annual National Night Out! Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 36 million people participated in National Night Out 2009.

Come help build a stronger, safer community by attending the annual National Night Out at Central Station.

Please join us AUGUST 3RD, 2010 BETWEEN 6 AND 9 P.M., 14th Street between Frontage Road and Wood Street

Meet your neighbors and enjoy delicious BBQ'd food, drink, entertainment and activities for the kids and adults.

Dance to the music of a DJ

Bouncey House for the Kids

Aerial Performance by Circus Performer at 7:15

Local Businesses supporting this event including: 99 Cent Store, California Waste Solution, Mandela Foods, and Rebuilding Together Oakland. We are expecting visits from Local Police and Fire

DON'T MISS THIS FUN NIGHT OUT !!!!!

A NOTE ABOUT ROAD CLOSURES

On the evening of August 3, the road that passes from Frontage Road through Zephyr Gate to Wood and Pine Streets WILL BE BLOCKED OFF. Residents of Zephyr Gate will need to access their garages from Wood and Pine Streets.

Residents of Ironhorse and the Pacific Cannery Lofts WILL have access to their garages from Frontage Road. Please plan your travel accordingly for this evening.

Other notable NNO events held at the following locations:

12th Street and Campbell Street
10th Street and Center Street
3rd Street and Center Street

The Crucible's "Heat: A Fire Cabaret."

2010-07-16T17:25:00.000-07:00

Scarlett & Axelrod's act is just one of many that will be seen this year at The Crucible's "Heat: A Fire Cabaret."

The evening, which includes circus performers and music by legendary Bay Area jazz singer Kim Nalley inside the 56,000-square-foot West Oakland space (on the edge of the Prescott neighborhood), is a more intimate evening than what The Crucible usually offers during the summer.

WHAT: "Heat: A Fire Cabaret" featuring Kim Nalley Band

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday with a special Fire and Light Soiree dinner at 6 tonight

WHERE: The Crucible, 1260 Seventh St., Oakland

COST: $40-$45 with a $5 discount for The Crucible members. The soiree dinner is $250 ($150 is tax-deductible).

TICKETS: (510) 444-0919, Ext. 122; www.thecrucible.org.

Rowers take to Lake Merritt‎

2010-07-12T15:37:00.000-07:00

Competitors in the United States Rowing Association Southwest Masters Regional Championships power their way across Lake Merritt in a 1,000-meter sprint, Sunday, July 11, 2010, in Oakland, Calif. (picture by D. Ross Cameron/Tribune Staff)

The Lake Merritt Rowing Club hosted this year's United States Rowing Association Southwest Masters Regional Championships, drawing 840 athletes and almost 530 boats, mostly from California, Oregon and Arizona, a race official said. The turnout was more than 100 athletes larger than last year.

"The Bay Area is really the epicenter of rowing in California," said Paul Wilkins, program coordinator for USRowing. "And Oakland has two spectacular places to row: Lake Merritt's one, and the other is the Jack London Aquatic Center. Really, this town is one of the best places to row in the whole country."

The Lake Merritt Rowing Club has a rowing class for beginners starting Saturday, which will run three weekends. For details, call Watt at 510-526-5958 or go online to http://www.rowlakemerritt.org/.

Story By Sean Maher, Oakland Tribune http://www.contracostatimes.com/bay-area-news/ci_15492690

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT BLOCK Party, Aug. 3rd, 2010, 7-9pm

2010-07-09T13:50:00.000-07:00

Organize a block party, barbecue, ice cream social, or other outdoor event that brings your neighbors together.

Register early to receive give-away items for the kids and a special gift for the host.

For more information and to register online or call 510.238.3091

National Night Out Guide, here

When neighbors know each other, neighborhoods are safer.

Home Grown Blues Every Thursday at 5:30pm

2010-07-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

Let's Keep the Peace--a video message from Police Chief Batts

2010-07-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

LGBTQI Survey

2010-07-07T17:25:00.000-07:00

Did you know, the 2000 U.S. Census, the City of Oakland had the third-highest gay and lesbian concentration in the country?

According to The Bay Citizen, Oakland has the largest per-capita lesbian population in the United States. http://www.baycitizen.org/

Demographic studies show the city ranks among the top LGBT communities, according to Gary Gates, a Williams Distinguished Scholar at UCLA and the author of “The Gay and Lesbian Atlas.” In Alameda County, there are twice as many lesbians as gay men, and Oakland ranks fifth in the nation in lesbian population, Gates said. http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/900695_GL_FactSheet.pdf

Five percent of all Oakland females reporting identified themselves as gay or bisexual in a recent California Health Interview Survey. The number of female same-sex couples in Oakland, according to an American Community Survey, was nearly five times the national average.

“The Bay Area is the gayest area of the country,” Gates said.

Oakland is home to some of the world's most notable black gay and lesbian film-makers to include the late Marlon Riggs (Tongues Untied & Ethnic Notions) and more recently award winning directors Debra Wilson (Butch Mystique & Jumpin. The Broom) and Maurice Jamal (Dirty Laundry & Ski-Trip) who's films have also been shown on Logo (MTV-Networks).

Another unique characteristic of Oakland is that it is home to the largest population of African and African-American LGBT people in Northern California, according to a recent survey by the International Federation of Black Prides. http://www.onbayarea.com/node/337

Oakland would like a complete picture of the economic, social and cultural makeup of LGBTQI community. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our residents.

Help identify and plan for services and economic development for the LGBTQI community by taking this survey.

Oakland: A Restaurant Destination

2010-06-25T09:35:00.001-07:00

Oakland's restaurants find strength in numbers

A number of restaurants touted as cool and hip — and offering delectable fare — have sprouted lately in Oakland, especially downtown.

"This is part of the surprising evolution of the restaurant industry in Oakland," said Mark Everton, executive director of the association.

Roughly 20 to 25 restaurants have opened in Oakland during the last 18 months, estimated Everton, who is also general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn in Emeryville.

"You are seeing an influx of cutting-edge restaurants in downtown Oakland," Everton said.

Restaurants that have opened in Oakland in recent years include Bocanova, Brown Sugar Kitchen, Camino, Encuentro, Flora, Geisha, Miss Pearl's Jam House, Ozumo and Pican.

"Oakland has become a Mecca for restaurants," Joseph Haraburda, chief executive officer of the city's Chamber of Commerce, said this week during a lunch presentation before a business group.

"One of the keys to life is to have a great meal, a great family event, to have a quality dining experience," Everton said.

The new restaurants are drawing patrons from a broader area than just Oakland or the East Bay, said Michael LeBlanc, owner of Pican. As much as a quarter of Pican's patrons live in San Francisco, LeBlanc said, and many others live in Mill Valley, Orinda, Lafayette or Moraga.

"People come here to dine and they are surprised," LeBlanc said. "They ask 'This is Oakland?' It's starting to be a destination."

Other estimates suggest that 60 percent of the patrons for restaurants in downtown Oakland come from San Francisco or travel through the Caldecott Tunnel.

Similarly, the bumper crop of new restaurants are becoming one of the ingredients that provide space for Oakland's economy in a unique way.

"We are changing the perception that people have about Oakland," restaurant owner LeBlanc said.

Read more at the Contra Costa Times

In Oakland, Innovation Is on the Menu

Jack London Square has been reborn. The area on Oakland’s inner harbor was developed in the ’70s, and the city had hoped that the waterfront space would have a quirky, independent appeal. But chain restaurants soon moved in, and both local residents and tourists largely stayed away.

However, changes are afoot. The chain restaurants are largely gone, after their leases were not renewed in an effort by developers to reinvent the square (a plan approved by the city). In came a cast of big-name chefs — as well as a new six-floor, 72,000-square-foot farmers’ market scheduled to open later this year.

In fact, the effort to refashion Jack London Square reflects a larger trend. Unlike San Francisco, its sister city across the bay, Oakland hasn’t been known for its innovative menus. But in the last few years, a number of noteworthy restaurants have opened, some led by chefs who have fled San Francisco’s high rents, and a few of whom put in time at the legendary Chez Panisse in neighboring Berkeley. Michelin raised the stakes when it awarded a star to an Oakland newcomer, Commis. But, as a recent survey of its Oakland brethren showed, Commis is not alone.

COMMIS

The talented chef James Syhabout, who has logged time in acclaimed international kitchens like the Fat Duck, outside London, and El Bulli, plays with textures and flavors in a masterly and deeply satisfying way.

Commis has the feel of an almost-secret experiment in progress. The name of the restaurant, which means “apprentice chef” in the parlance of French kitchens, is nowhere to be found on the floor-to-ceiling windowed facade. Inside, splitting a spare 30-seat dining room and surrounded by a counter and stools, is the open kitchen, where Mr. Syhabout and his sous chefs quietly go about their work.

Commis, http://www.commisrestaurant.com/

BOCANOVA

One of the first restaurants to land in the new Jack London Square last September, it is run by the chef Rick Hackett, one of those Chez Panisse alumni. Unlike MarketBar, Mr. Hackett’s Mediterranean restaurant in the recently revamped ferry building in San Francisco, Bocanova looks south. The menu, it turns out, was inspired by a family meal — the restaurant staff dinner shared before service — at MarketBar. A couple of staff members made dishes from their South American homelands; Mr. Hackett was impressed and Bocanova was born.

Bocanova, http://www.bocanova.com/

CAMINO

Another former Chez Panisse chef is also doing his part to reinvent Oakland as a dining destination. Russell Moore, who spent 21 years at the venerable Berkeley restaurant, was the produce buyer for much of his tenure.

Later, I asked Mr. Moore why he settled in Oakland, and he said he hadn’t intended to. “We were looking at spaces in San Francisco for three years and used three different Realtors but we found nothing,” he said. “So we just decided to have a look around Oakland and we stumbled upon this place.”

Camino, http://www.caminorestaurant.com/

ADESSO

Up the street from Commis is another new restaurant that has set local foodies’ taste buds ablaze. Adesso is a laid-back Italian wine bar that cures its own salumi. With a book-sized wine list that covers all 20 regions of Italy and a two-page list of 40-plus salumis, eight pâtés and six panini, the restaurant is an Italophile’s dream.

Adesso, http://www.dopoadesso.com/

BOOT AND SHOE SERVICE

The Bay Area has been going through something of a pizza revolution recently. And it arguably started when Charlie Hallowell — yet another chef to have spent time at Chez Panisse — opened Pizzaiolo in Oakland five years ago. Last December, Mr. Hallowell opened a spinoff, Boot and Shoe Service (the name is a holdover from the previous tenant).

Boot and Shoe Service, bootandshoeservice.com

Winemakers pouring into the East Bay (West Oakland)

2010-06-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

When Bay Area city dwellers want the quintessential wine-tasting experience, they go north to Napa or Sonoma for good weather and upscale restaurants. Those who want those things and a shorter drive increasingly are heading to Oakland.

Marilee and Steve Shaffer, who had worked in the high-tech and medical research fields, got a five-year lease on a long-empty warehouse in West Oakland and made about 700 cases of reds and whites in 2009.

Brendan Eliason worked at wineries in Healdsburg for several years before opening Periscope Cellars on 62nd Street in Emeryville in what he believes is a former submarine parts and repair facility. He estimates that he sells 70 to 80 percent of his 2,000 cases on-site, which includes a tasting room and event space.

Eliason is working to open a taproom at the home of West Oakland beer company Linden Street Brewery, where both beer and wine would be offered five days a week.

The new locale would put Periscope wine within biking distance from Urban Legend, Urbano and several other wineries near Oakland's Jack London Square.

SF Chronicle complete story found here: URBAN VINTNERS

June 20, 2010 | By Robert Selna, Chronicle Staff Writer

More on wines found here: http://www.sfgate.com/wine/

Oakland wineries and/or tasting rooms

Adams Point, 2413 Fourth St., Oakland

Aubin Cellars, 6050 Colton Blvd., Oakland

Cerruti Cellars, 130 Webster St., Suite 100, Oakland

Dashe Cellars, 55 Fourth St., Oakland*

Irish Monkey, 1017 22nd Ave. No. 300, Oakland*

JC Cellars, 55 Fourth St., Oakland*

Prospect 772 Wine Co., 15 Berneves Court, Oakland*

Stage Left Cellars, 2102 Dennison St., Oakland*

Tayerle, 2311 Magnolia St., Oakland

Urban Legend Cellars, 621 Fourth St., Oakland*

* And tasting room
Source: East Bay Vintners Alliance (eastbayvintners.com)

Free Fur All Adoptathon!

2010-06-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

Adopt an animal for free on June 12 or 13 and make $500 for the shelter

Oakland Animal Services hosts the Maddie’s Fund event “Maddie’s Matchmaker Adoptathon” on Saturday, June 12th, and Sunday, June 13th. This weekend, Maddie’s Fund will cover all adoption costs for both dogs and cats. Better yet, for each successful OAS adoption at the event, Maddie’s Fund will donate $500 to OAS!

Special extended hours for the “Free Fur All” will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 12th, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 13th.

“We’re preparing a large group of staff and volunteers for the two days to help as many people as possible find a dog or cat companion,” OAS Director Megan Webb explained. There will be a wide variety of cats and dogs available to adopt, including kittens, puppies, and small dogs.

“This is such an exciting opportunity—people not only get a wonderful animal companion for free but also make it possible for OAS to get $500 when they adopt,” Webb stated. “And then we’ll use these donations to improve the quality of life of animals at the shelter.”

Webb pointed out that the regular OAS adoption guidelines will apply that weekend. And, although animals cannot be adopted free in advance of the event—and no animals can be put on “hold”—OAS encourages potential adopters to visit the shelter beforehand for prescreening, to ensure they qualify for an adoption.

“Maddie’s Matchmaker Adoptathon” is the inspiration of Maddie’s Fund, a foundation funded by Workday and PeopleSoft, founder, Dave Duffield, and his wife, Cheryl. As stated on the website, the goal of the foundation, named in memory of the Duffield family’s miniature Schnauzer, Maddie, is to create a “no-kill nation where all healthy and treatable shelter dogs and cats are guaranteed loving homes.” With the weekend’s event, Maddie’s Fund also hopes to spotlight the many groups whose efforts save countless dogs and cats each year.

Block Party, Saturday, June 12th

2010-06-10T14:31:00.001-07:00

Gateway Park Public Workshop #2

2010-05-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

Thursday, May 13th, Bike to Work Day 2010

2010-05-12T20:47:00.000-07:00

Bike to Work Day Pancakes, Prizes and All-Day Valet Bike Parking

Bicyclists at Oakland's 17th Annual (Bay Area's 16th) Bike to Work Day celebration will enjoy:

• A free pancake breakfast (7-9am), courtesy Piedmont Grocery and Tully's Coffee

• Free Club One Day Pass (for showers and more)

• Free all-day valet bike parking, courtesy East Bay Bicycle Coalition

• AC Transit bike rack loading demos

• Free bike safety checks, courtesy of Bay Area Bikes and Wheels of Justice Cyclery

• A canvas bag with goodies (including Amtrak/Capitol Corridor companion-fare coupons, Oakland's brand new 2010 Bikeways Map, and an "I [BIKE] Oakland" bike tube sticker)

• A raffle with prizes donated by local businesses including this year's Grand Prize: round-trip tickets for two to Santa Barbara on Amtrak and a Dahon folding bike!!!!

Alameda County Energizer Stations

On the morning of May 13th, over 200 Energizer Stations will be located along local bike commute routes in all nine Bay Area counties to provide free beverages, snacks and good cheer to bicyclists. We'll be mapping the locations of the energizer stations on this page so check back and plan your Bike to Work Day commute to visit one of our Energizer Stations.

[Oakland Energizer Map]

Starting at 5:30-8:30pm, On Telegraph Avenue from 16th-18th St, Oakland, plan to wrap up the excitement of Bike to Work Day with the biggest, most extravagant ever Bike Away from Work Party, which will feature The Crucible's Art Bike Program, Beyond Bikes Art Exhibit, Cyclecide Heavy Pedal Bike Rides & Show, Big Tadoo Puppet Show, music, raffle prizes, awards, food and beer from Trumer Pils Brewery in Berkeley and sponsored by the East Bay Express.

Some Good News and other Stuff

2010-05-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

Potholes seem to be a common sight on streets and highways no matter what city you’re in.

The Oakland Public Works department of the City of Oakland has announced in its efforts to keep the City of Oakland’s vehicular and pedestrian traffic safe, Oakland Public Works will conduct Pothole Blitz the week of May 10th will be in West Oakland.

Eight Public Works crews will fill potholes during this week.

Until additional resources are provided to repave streets, we’ll continue to patch, patch and patch some more. If you have a favorite pothole, please call us at 510.615.5566 and we’ll send crews to fix it,” said Interim Public Works Director Vitaly Troyan.

The public is encouraged to “Report a Problem” using the online form at http://www.oaklandpw.com/ or to notify the Public Works Call Center at 510. 615.5566 of the pothole locations.

The Oakland Public Works department is requesting the public’s assistance by slowing down when they see crews working on the roadways is also greatly appreciated.

I am requesting that Prescott Oakland Point community members report Potholes and their locations ASAP, so they can repaired during this blitz.

Some Online Forms:

Pot Holes: http://gismaps.oaklandnet.com/srwebsite/RequestInfo.aspx?ProbID=3630

Graffiti: http://gismaps.oaklandnet.com/srwebsite/RequestInfo.aspx?ProbID=4294

Illegal Dumping - debris, appliances, etc. http://gismaps.oaklandnet.com/srwebsite/RequestInfo.aspx?ProbID=4295

Illegal Dumping – mattress/boxspring http://gismaps.oaklandnet.com/srwebsite/RequestInfo.aspx?ProbID=4394

Service Request Directory: http://gismaps.oaklandnet.com/srwebsite/Intro.aspx

Service Request Status Check: http://gismaps.oaklandnet.com/srwebsite/CheckStatus.aspx

Prescott NCPC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 13th 2010, 6:00pm at the OHA Administration, 935 Union St, Oakland. For more information, contact NSC Sandra V. Sanders-West, 510.773.0462

West Oakland Project Area Committee (WOPAC) is scheduled for Wednesday, May 12th 2010, 6:30 – 9:00pm at the West Oakland Senior Center, 1724 Adeline Street, Oakland. For more information, contact Project Manager Hui-Chang Li, 510.238.6430

WOPAC Subcommittee Meetings:

Community Outreach / Equitable Development, Wednesday, May 5th 2010, 6:30 – 8:30pm at the Willie Keyes Recreation Center, 3131 Union Street, Oakland

Neighborhood Planning and Projects, Thursday, May 6th 2010, 6:30 – 8:30pm at the West Oakland Senior Center

Taste of Spring, held on Thursday, May 6th 2010; 5:30 -8:00pm at the Rotunda Building in downtown Oakland. Taste of Spring the annual fundraiser for the Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation. This event features superb wines, gourmet food, live and silent auctions, and highflying entertainment.

This outstanding organization raises funds to support recreation programs for Oakland's youth, as well as capital funds for park renovations. Their biggest park project was the $5 million renovation of Raimondi Park in here in the Prescott Oakland Point neighborhood, completed in 2008. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, contact: Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation at 510.465.1850 or visit http://www.oaklandparks.org/.

City of Oakland, Community Workshops on Draft Energy and Climate Action Plan

On Thursday, May 6th 2010, at the Elihu M Harris State Building, 1515 Clay Street (between 15th St & 16th St), and Meeting Room 1. Two identical Community Workshops to identify actions the City can take to help minimize energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the Oakland community, will be held to provide an overview of content in the draft Energy and Climate Action Plan and receive public comments. The first Workshop Session 1: 3-5:00pm and the second will be held from 7-9:00pm. To assist with planning for needed space, please RSVP, identifying which workshop session you plan to attend, to climateaction@oaklandnet.com.

The next scheduled Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) meeting is on Thursday, May 13th 2010, 7-9:00pm at the West Oakland Senior Center. The City distributes Community Development Funds through the federal CDBG program. Each year, the federal government distributes CDBG funds to cities for their local community development projects. The major focus of Oakland's CDBG program is physical development activities--community-wide housing, public facilities and improvements, neighborhood revitalization, and economic development. A restricted portion of the grant funds can be expended for public services activities. For more information, contact Michele Byrd, Manager; 510.238.3716 or http://www.blogger.com/mbyrd@oaklandnet.com

Promise Neighborhood Town Hall Meeting

2010-05-05T05:40:00.000-07:00

West Oakland Promise Neighborhood Town Hall Meeting

Saturday, May 8, 2010

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

M. Robinson Baker YMCA

3265 Market Street, Oakland, CA 94608

Do you want to know more about exciting new opportunities to improve education in West Oakland?

Hear about President Obama’s Promise Neighborhoods initiative and the West Oakland Innovation Zone.

Have your voice and opinion heard.

Free brunch and childcare will be provided!

RAFFLE AT THE END OF THE EVENT

Sponsored by:
West Oakland Education Task Force
Great Oakland (GO) Public Schools
Prescott-Joseph Center
Oakland Parents Together

West Oakland Education Brain Trust

The West Oakland Education Brain Trust (WOEBT) is a collaboration of committed individuals, organizations and OUSD leaders who are invested in the education and health of West Oakland children, youth, families and community members. We aim to work together with schools, children and youth, families, and the community to improve our public schools for West Oakland students.

Why was the WOEBT formed?

WOEBT was formed to address the immediate needs in West Oakland’s public schools and to improve the quality of education our children are receiving. It was developed by District 3 Board Member, Jumoke Hinton-Hodge when she leveraged her relationships with community leaders, organizations working in West Oakland, the Faith-based community, and various educational reformers to create a team that would really analyze the data and trends in the West Oakland Public Schools and lead the community in developing a plan that will dramatically improve the educational experiences and outcomes of West Oakland youth.

National Pet Week May 2-8th 2010

2010-05-03T20:56:00.001-07:00

Petsmart kicked off the National Pet Week once again with its annual Second Chance for Love – National Adoption Weekend.

There is some great work here at the Oakland Animal Services that I wish to acknowledge in regards to Lucy, titled “From Shelter Dog to Search & Rescue Dog.”

Here’s one of the great stories found at http://oaklandanimalservices.org/

Lucy has been at Oakland Animal Services for almost 8 months! We quickly realized that Lucy is a special dog - extremely intelligent and very ball driven. We put her through several tests to assess her ability to be able to train to be a Search and Rescue Dog and she passed all of them! These tests included throwing a ball and then spinning her around in circles to see if she would still go look and find the ball and hiding a ball to see if she was able to get it. Even though Lucy passed these difficult tests, we were unable to find a group who would take her into their program because she is part pit bull.

We didn't give up though! Volunteers made calls to groups all over the country. And, Amy, one of our volunteer mentors, and Martha, our Animal Care Coordinator, made a video of Lucy and publicized it all over the internet. The video went viral and finally nearly 8 months after she came to the Shelter, we got a call from a woman in Las Vegas who was looking for a dog to train for search and rescue! She saw Lucy on the video and knew Lucy was the one! Friends of Oakland Animal Services paid for Lucy's fligt to Las Vegas and she was sent today to start her new life!

Headed for Search/Rescue After 8 Months!

Something about Shepherds named Buddy

There something synonymous about “rescue”, the name “Buddy” and German shepherds.

In Sept. 2008, a German shepherd named Buddy saved his owner's life by calling 911 when the man had a seizure. Buddy was able to press programmed buttons until a 911 operator come on the line.

During the 911 call, Buddy is heard whimpering and barking after the dispatcher answers and repeatedly asks if the caller needs help.

Police were sent to the home, and after about three minutes Buddy is heard barking loudly when the officers arrived.

Buddy was adopted at the age of 8 weeks from Michigan-based Paws with a Cause, which trains assistance dogs, and trained him to get the phone if he began to have seizure symptoms.

Another Buddy:

In April 2010, Buddy an untrained 5-year-old German shepherd guided Alaska State Troopers through winding back roads to a fire at his owners' workshop.

Caught on a patrol car's dashcam video, shows Buddy meeting the trooper's vehicle, then dashing to their property about 55 miles north of Anchorage.

"He's my hero," owner Ben Heinrichs said, his voice breaking. "If it wasn't for him, we would have lost our house."

The dashcam video shows Buddy meeting the trooper's vehicle, then dashing to their property about 55 miles north of Anchorage on April 4.

Buddy’s owner was working on parts for his truck when a spark hit some gasoline and ignited, lighting his clothes blaze. The man ran outside to stomp out the flames by rolling in the snow, closing the door to keep the blaze from spreading, but realized Buddy was still inside the burning building and let the dog out.

Buddy ran into the nearby woods where the dog encountered a trooper, whose global positioning device had failed while responding to a call about the fire.

The video shows Buddy occasionally looking back at the patrol car as he raced ahead, galloping around three turns before arriving in front of the blaze, which was very close to the home.

CELEBRATE the joy your pet brings to your household. If you don’t have a pet, you should consider the benefits of pet ownership and support pet adoption.

OMCA Celebration - 31 hours continuous free programs and events

2010-04-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Celebrate with OMCA! The newly transformed Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) opens Saturday, May 1, with 31 hours of continuous, round-the-clock free programs and events.

The festivities begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 1, on the street in front of the new Oak Street entrance with a Native American Ohlone blessing, a marching band, Project Bandaloop performing a spectacular aerial dance, and more. And the non-stop celebration continues through 6 p.m. Sunday, May 2.

"Only in California " Saturday afternoon activities highlight the innovative and creative spirit of California .

Saturday evening and overnight activities take on a more adult flavor with dancing, food, a no-host bar, flashlight tours, and conversations on unique California topics---merging into early morning yoga.

Sunday is especially for families with dancing, drumming, juggling, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, and more. The new OMCA Store will be open the full 31 hours so visitors can shop throughout the event.

And of course the highlight of the 31 hours will be the excitement of discovering the story of California , the story of you, in the new Galleries of California Art and History.

Visit museumca.org for more information

CORE Citywide Exercise Saturday, April 24th

2010-04-23T15:30:00.000-07:00

The annual CORE Citywide Exercise is an opportunity for individuals and organized neighborhood groups to come together and practice responding to a disaster in our community. In 2010, our scenario will be based on a 7.0 magnitude quake on the Hayward Fault, centered in North Oakland.

Answer that door!

2010-04-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

Don’t ignore the knock on the door; could it be someone trying to sell something, an evangelist, or could it ... Oh no, a Census Enumerator, there to collect GPS and household data. Oops, I forgot to mail back the Census form. It’s too late, just answer the door!

On Monday, March 15, 2010, I posted “The average American will no longer exist...” that spoke about the 2010 Census activity currently underway.

So how well has the Prescott-Oakland Point neighborhood do?

As of Wednesday, April 21, 2010, the 2010 Census National Participation Rate was 71% (compared to 2000 which was 72%); California 69% (2000 - 73%); Alameda County 70% (2000 - 72%); Oakland 66% (2000 - 65%)

Those living in Prescott-Oakland Point:

Tract 06001401700 – boundaries are Wood Street, 14th street, Peralta Street, 7th Street, 880-580 Freeway Maze, Bay Bridge area and Oakland Outer Harbor water.

58% (2000 - 45%)

Tract 06001401800 – boundaries are Wood Street, 14th street, Peralta Street and 7th Street.

47% (2000 - 42%)

Tract 06001401900 – boundaries are 7th Street, Adeline Street, Oakland Middle and Inner Harbor water. This includes the “South Prescott” area.

58% (2000 - 48%)

Tract 06001402200 – boundaries are 7th Street, Peralta Street, Mandela Parkway, and West Grand intersection.

54% (2000 - 46%)

Since April 16th was the last day to mail back your census, we will now see census enumerators throughout the neighborhoods to conduct home visits.

The cost of the mailed-back census form was 42 cents, compared to $57 for home visits.

The estimated cost of the 2010 Census is $14.5 billion which covers fiscal years 2001 through 2013 and includes the cost of the American Community Survey for each of these years.

Questions regarding the amount in federal funds distributed each year to states and communities based in part on census population data, can be answered at http://www.census.gov/prod/2009pubs/govsrr2009-1.pdf and any additional information found at http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/014611.html

The 2010 Census Calendar can be found at http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/pdf/2010calendar_rev.pdf

Gateway Park planned at base of new Bay Bridge

2010-04-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

As John King, Chronicle Urban Design Writer reported in his March 1st article titled, Big ideas sought for Oakland Bay Bridge Park, “There's no design and no budget - yet. The public process is only now getting under way."

In February, Oakland, Emeryville and greater Bay Area community members were invited to a public workshop to help plan Gateway Park planned at the base of the new Bay Bridge East Span. The next public workshop will be held in June 2010.

Gateway Park will provide a new landscape at the entrance to Oakland and the East Bay. It will be a place of history, grandeur, and inspiration and will offer a departure point for pedestrians and bicyclists traveling to Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island. The proposed park is envisioned to draw visitors from the Bay Area and around the world.

Gateway Park has many potential uses, such as: inclusion of a museum, space for recreational sports, public art, or simply as a place to relax.

Design ideas are beginning to be developed, but there is still time for you to tell us what you would like to see at Gateway Park.

To view the February workshop materials and other information, please visit BayBridgeGatewayPark.org.

If you have an interest in weighing in on the deisgn of Gateway Park, complete their on-line survey by April 19, 2010.

On April 9th, Prescott Circus Theatre presents...

2010-04-07T15:54:00.000-07:00

Attention: My First Place (HGTV) in the Bay Area!

2010-04-01T17:45:00.000-07:00

My First Place Is Looking for First-time Homebuyers to be on HGTV!

HGTV will be in the Bay Area and has asked if I can help locate some first time home buyers.

One of HGTV’s most popular weekly series, “My First Place” is coming to San Francisco for its EIGHTH season to tape first-time homebuyers through all the trials and tribulations of looking for, bidding on and ultimately buying their first place!

Each half-hour episode features people making the dream of homeownership a reality!

They are currently looking for homebuyers who are:

* Buying their FIRST place—the first home they’ve purchased.
* Fun, interesting people who are excited to be a part of this show.
* People willing to share their personal financial struggles with viewers and consider their lives an “open book.”
* Buyers that are going to be closing by the end of summer, 2010.
* Will be buying within a 60 to 90-minute radius of downtown San Francisco.

**Candidates who are selected to appear on the show will receive a surprise housewarming gift as part of taping and also a DVD copy of their episode after it airs on HGTV!

Singles, couples and families buying their first place are all encouraged to apply!

Contact:
               Cole Schneider
               Associate Producer, Casting
               "My First Place"--HGTV
               303.712.3100
               cschneider@highnoontv.com

Location Efficiency vs. Location, Location, Location

2010-03-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

You hear a lot about "location, location, location" but given the challenging economic times a more relevant phrase would be “Location Efficiency.”

Recent articles such as “Long commutes make risky borrowers”, “Car dependent neighborhoods more at risk of foreclosures” and reports produced by organizations such as ULI, titled “Bay Area Burden: Examining the Costs and Impacts of Housing and Transportation on Bay Area Residents, Their Neighborhoods, and the Environment” and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) all focus on the high risk of car-dependent and lack of transit options as differentiators.

With transportation costs representing a significant financial expenditure accounting for roughly 17% of the average American household's income, public policies are encouraging location efficient land use, infrastructure and transportation options.

In an attempt to better understand the affordability tradeoffs with housing and transportation, the MTC commissioned the Center for Neighborhood Technology to analyze regional variations in housing and transportation affordability based on location. The report summary, Bay Area Housing and Transportation Affordability: A Closer Look , illustrates how the location affects the affordability of both housing and transportation.

Improved and Expanded Transit Options

According to AC Transit, starting March 28th 2010, the Prescott-Oakland Point neighborhood will have improved and expanded bus services to augment the numerous transit options available. For example Bus Line 26 (which replaced Line 13) will be GPS enabled, have peak hour runtimes of 15 minutes apart, off peak 30 minutes apart, starting 5:56am ending 12.58am (westbound) and starting 5:22 am, ending 12:22 am (eastbound) from the 12th and wood street bus stop.

Line 26 connects commuters to four (MacArthur, West Oakland, Downtown Oakland and Lake Merritt) different BART stations providing access to Temescal Restaurants, Marcus Book Store, Emery-Go Round, East Bay Bridge Retail, Oakland City Hall, Oakland Chinatown, Old Oakland, Oakland Downtown, Oakland City Center, Oakland Chinatown, Laney College, Oakland Museum and Lake Merritt.

The Bus Line 31 (which replaces the Line 19) offers similar options with links to Emeryville Amtrak station, Emery Bay Public Market, Bay Street Center, East Bay Bridge Center, Emery-Go-Round, West Oakland BART, Jack London Gateway Center, 12th Street BART, Alameda Marina Center, College of Alameda.

Ease of Use

With AC Transit buses now GPS enabled, commuters will have the ability to see “real-time” connection times using the home computer, laptops and smart phones while providing more efficient use of both personal and business time and certainty in transit options.

The Prescott-Oakland Point neighborhood located on the Western periphery of Oakland, with its many transit options, is slowly becoming the unofficial epicenter of the Bay Area and proves the relevance of “Location Efficiency.”

Ø Ø Ø

March 28th 2010 Oakland Marathon Traffic Advisory

Partial Road closures as noted

• 7th Street (W/B) from Market to Mandela Parkway – 8:00 a.m to 1 p.m.

• Mandela Pkwy (N/B) from 7th to 32nd – 8:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

• 32nd St (E/B) from Mandela to Hannah – 8:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

• Hannah (S/B) from 32nd St to 28th – 8:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

• 28th St. (E/B) from Hannah to West – 8:10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

[More]

Oakland Run Festival (March 27th-28th 2010)

2010-03-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Oakland Running Festival

If you are not participate as a runner or volunteer, grab your lawn chair and watch the Oakland Running Festival marathon and half marathon route which will enter the Prescott-Oakland Point neighborhood, after the 18th mile mark at 7th and Mandela Parkway, where runners make a right onto Market Street and enter West Oakland. Once again you pass a BART station with Mandela Transit Village, a mixed retail and residential development bordering the West Oakland BART station. This was one of the earliest neighborhoods in Oakland to be settled and in1869, West Oakland became the terminus of the transcontinental railroad.

Many of the homes in this area date back to the mid-1800’s and were built in the Victorian style, giving it its quaint look. It should be noted that African Americans have historically played an important role in Oakland and especially West Oakland. In the early 1900’s because of the importance of railroads, many porters lived here and the headquarters of their union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, was located in this neighborhood. Then in the 1930s, Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association had its West Coast headquarters at 8th and Chester Streets. During the 1960’s, during the social turmoil of the time, the “Black Panthers” originated in this area. After years of decline, this neighborhood too has started to experience renewal, as new residential developments have sprung up and many of the Victorian homes have been remodeled to their former glory.

As you run along the Mandela Parkway, mile 19, some may recall that this was the site of the Cypress Freeway collapse, an elevated, double deck freeway that collapsed onto itself during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Several people were killed despite heroic rescue efforts by West Oakland residents. The freeway was replaced by Mandela Parkway, a wide thoroughfare with a pedestrian path and greenway in its median, including a park commemorating the 1989 earthquake. It is lined with condominiums and new and established businesses.

The Oakland Running Festival website contains all the information you will need including volunteering.

Check out these videos of the course: Marathon Course and Half Marathon Course.

There is an interactive map that features the marathon, half-marathon, 5K routes and sponsoring restaurants.

The Oakland Running Festival Handbook can be found here

The average American will no longer exist...

2010-03-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

The average American will no longer exist and the Prescott-Oakland Point neighborhood is no exception.

Since 2000, the Prescott-Oakland Point neighborhood has experience some amazing diversity. New residents from all continents - Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, South America and other parts of North America now share the Prescott-Oakland Point neighborhood.

The 2010 census survey includes counting same sex couples, will validate what some residents already know, by providing local government a accurate accounting of the diversity we have experienced. City services and others should take note.

Census History

The Constitution of the United States Article 1, section 2 ratified in 1789, mandated that an "actual Enumeration" of the nation's population be made at ten-year intervals anticipating geographic and demographic dynamism.

The intent of the census was to provide a snapshot of the nation and illustrate the issues most relevant.

The first census, which was more than just a head count but used to divide political representation, was taken in 1790, where enumerators asked for the name of the head of the family and number of persons in each household within specific categories.

The 1850 census included "social statistics" questions about taxes, schooling, crime, "pauperism" and also took censuses of industry, agriculture, and mortality.

The 2010 Census promises to be the shortest in history: 10 questions in 10 minutes. The questions will include: name, age, sex, date of birth, Hispanic origin, race, ethnicity, relationship (to the first name listed on the form), and housing tenure (whether a family owns or rents their home). Same-sex married couples will be counted for the first time.

The longer portion of the census was replaced by the once every five years American Community Survey which samples a small number of households across the country on a regular basis to obtain important data about the demographics of the country.

Global Positioning Systems

The Census Bureau will use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to determine the exact geographic location of each housing unit which is critical to ensure that when they publish the census results for the entire country, broken down by various geographic areas ranging from states, counties, and cities, to census blocks, they accurately represent the data for the area.

Key Census Dates:

March 2010 — Census forms are mailed or delivered to households

April 2010 — National Census Day — use this day as a point of reference for mailing in your completed forms

April - July 2010 — Census takers visit households that did not return a form via mail

December 2010 — The Census Bureau delivers population information to the President for distribution

March 2011 — The Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states

Fines

I like most probably never thought of a fines associated with the census survey. So I thought I would provide some information for those living under the radar. The U.S. Census Bureau can impose fines for failing to answer the 2010 Census questions or for intentionally providing false information. According to Title 13, Section 221 (Census, Refusal or neglect to answer questions; false answers) of the United States Code, persons who fail or refuse to respond to the mail-back census form, or refuse to respond to a follow-up census taker can be fined up to $100. Persons who knowingly provide false information to the census can be fined up to $500.

Oakland LGBT Roundtable meeting - Monday, March 8th

2010-03-08T01:44:00.000-08:00

Oakland LGBT Roundtable meeting

Monday, March 8, 2010 at Oakland City Hall ,

1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Hearing Room 4 (2nd floor), at 5:30pm.

Topics will include:

- The Survey Committee will give an update about the status of the needs assessment survey.

- Oakland Pride committee will give an update on the developments of East Bay Pride.

- Presentation about the history Oakland's 1879 "Immoral Dress Code." And update on getting this 'cross dressing' law ended in 2010.

- Councilmember Kaplan's intern, Stephanie McLeod, will give a presentation about her trip to Washington DC's LGBT Community Center.

Contact Ada Chan at 510-238-7083, or Achan1@oaklandnet.com, if you have any questions about the roundtable.

∞

Hella Gay was already a pretty happening party when it moved to Oakland's Uptown Nightclub in August. Launched at the Ghost Town Gallery and transplanted briefly to the Continental Club, the monthly event generated a following primarily through word of mouth.

The first Hella Gay Live was held this psat Friday, March 5, at the New Parish (579 18th St., Oakland). It featured JD Samson, a multimedia artist and DJ from the electro-punk band Le Tigre. Supporting acts include J Boogie's Dubtronic Science and nerdcore rapper Juiceboxxx. Remember, you don't have to be gay to get down. Follow Hella Gay for their next event at http://www.hellagayoakland.com/

International Women’s Day - "Bringin' in Da Spirit"

2010-03-07T11:29:00.000-08:00

The International Center for Traditional Childbearing in conjunction with Sacred Ways and Means; The Black Dot Artist Collective,Inc. presents

Documentary Film Showing of “Bringin' In Da Spirit”

You are invited to the showing of the 7 Award winning documentary film "Bringin' in Da Spirit" by director Rhonda Haynes. This evocative film narrated by Phylicia Rashad, presenting the history, challenges and triumphs of African-American midwives in America. The film will be moderated by Asatu Musunama Hall,CPM ICTC California State Representative, midwife and director of Sacred Grove Traditions

International Women’s Day

March 8, 2010

Time: 6:30pm-8pm (donation $3-$5)

Location: 1195 Pine St. W Oakland, CA 94607

For more information contact: sacredgrove7@gmail.com or khayastar@gmail.com

Prescott-Oakland Point Artist announce permanent installation

2010-03-03T16:36:00.000-08:00

Prescott-Oakland Point Artist Gina Telcocci announces permanent installation

The San Francisco Arts Commission announced a new public artwork installation by Prescott-Oakland Point artist Gina Telcocci for the Potrero Branch Library, which opens on Saturday, March 6, 2010.

Gina Telcocci’s artwork incorporated local plants and other materials based the form of here and past here on the nut of a California Buckeye, a native tree that was an important resource for the Muwekma Ohlone Indian Tribe who once occupied the Potrero Hill area, will be suspended in the open atrium of the new renovated Potrero Hill Library located at 1616 20th Street & Connecticut in San Francisco.

“Gina Telcocci’s artwork encourages reflection on the unique cultural and natural history of Potrero Hill,” stated District 10 Supervisor Sophie Maxwell. “It is a beautiful work of art and a wonderful symbol for neighborhood.” For Gina website, click here.

On a different topic, we may be losing our Saturday mail delivery. Reading the article, I found some interesting information.

Moving the mail:

How much mail: 584 million pieces of mail were handled daily in 2009. That's down from 716 million per day in 2006.*

Payroll: Every two weeks, salary and benefits total $2.1 billion.

Vehicles operated: 218,684

Address changes: 43.8 million were processed last year.

Additions: 923,595 new delivery addresses were added to the mail system last year.

*Based on total volume of mail divided by the number of workdays in a year.

Fun facts

Transport: The post office moves mail on planes, trains, trucks, cars, boats, ferries, helicopters, subways, hovercraft, streetcars, bicycles, human feet and even mules. Those mules carry mail to Indians living at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Because some of that mail is food, the post office at Peach Springs, Ariz., has freezers to store it until delivery.

Oldest post office (in the same building): Hinsdale, N.H., 1816.

Smallest post office: Ochopee, Fla., 8 feet, 4 inches by 7 feet, 3 inches.

Floating post office: Post boat J.W. Westcott delivers mail to ships passing in the Detroit River. The boat has its own ZIP code, 48222.

Longest rural route: Route 1, Fordsville, N.D., 176.5 miles daily to serve 174 mailboxes.

Gateway Park Public Meeting - Thursday, February 25, 2010

2010-02-23T18:32:00.000-08:00

16th Street Train Station Community Meeting

2010-02-22T16:46:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, February 24 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

West Oakland Senior Center, 1724 Adeline Street

Renovation and Restoration of the 16th Street Station

Once the terminus of the transcontinental railroad, Oakland’s 16th Street Station was abandoned in 1989 after the Loma Prieta earthquake. [More]

On Sept. 16th 2008, the Oakland Redevelopment Agency / City Council approved the Train Station Entity consisting of a nonprofit corporation governed by board members appointed by the Train Station Partnership and BUILD, to oversee the rehabilitation and reuse of the 16th street train station and authorized a predevelopment (non-forgivable) loan with deferred repayment to the train station entity for rehabilitation of the 16th street train station in West Oakland in an amount not to exceed $400,000

Watch Video

On Nov. 3rd, 2009, the Oakland Redevelopment Agency authorize a loan to the Restoration Association for Improving the Landmark 16'" Street Station (RAILS) in an amount not to exceed $39,677 (secured by a deed of trust on the property - currently owned by BUILD West Oakland) to secure the historic 16th Street Train Station in West Oakland.

Watch Video

Annalee Allen, 02/21/2010 Article

OPD Chief Batts release "Draft" Strategic Plan Framework

2010-02-18T14:06:00.000-08:00

OPD Website

This Strategic Plan Framework establishes a vision for Oakland and the Oakland Police Department. It is based on what I have heard from members of the Oakland Community and employees of the Oakland Police Department.

Strategic Plan Framework document

Access the Strategic Plan Framework Presentation

After viewing the document and presentation, feel free to provide community input, here

A community meeting Chief Batts has scheduled to solicit feedback from the West Oakland community will be held: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:30 - 8:00 pm at the (updated 2.22.10) Willie Key Recreation Center, 3131 Union St Oakland, CA

For more information, please contact the Media Relations Office at 510.238.7230 or opdmedia@oaklandnet.com.

Update: Oakland Police Media Relations Office Changes here

Brown Sugar Kitchen sweetens West Oakland

2010-02-14T12:56:00.000-08:00

By Dave Newhouse, Oakland Tribune columnist

Dan Levi enjoys Brown Sugar Kitchen so much that he drives 250 miles from San Luis Obispo to West Oakland to have breakfast there every other weekend.

Well, he doesn't drive straight through. He stops first in San Jose to pick up his lady friend, Amber Thames, so they can dine together at Brown Sugar Kitchen.

It's always breakfast, and Dan and Amber show up at 2534 Mandela Parkway by 10 a.m. on Sundays to beat the crowd. But one day, they must try lunch, because there is no finer breakfast-lunch diner in Oakland or the East Bay.

Amber discovered Brown Sugar Kitchen last May after seeing the diner profiled on television. She checked out Tanya Holland's creative cuisine immediately.

"It's extremely good food, and I'm a picky eater," Amber said Wednesday. "I love soul food, but she does it in a healthy way. I love the veggie egg scramble, with the best potatoes in the Bay Area — a real potato that's not full of grease.

"The biscuits are also amazing, and she has homemade jam, which is to die for."

West Oakland became a dining destination two years ago when Holland opened Brown Sugar Kitchen. Like Dan Levi, folks who appreciate quality food come from all over, and Los Angeles is farther away than San Luis Obispo.

"A prestigious food writer from Gourmet magazine wrote that it was worth coming 400 miles from Los Angeles for our waffles," said Phil Surkis, Holland's husband.

I've been sampling Holland's breakfasts and lunches for months. The cornmeal waffle with brown sugar butter and apple cider syrup is, indeed, amazing. My wife loves the poached eggs, and I prefer the egg and bacon sandwich on a wheat roll. The pulled pork sandwich and the smoked chicken & shrimp gumbo are lunchtime winners.

Holland, 44, is receiving rave reviews for a onetime engineering student at the University of Virginia. That's where the food light clicked on after she cooked for schoolmates who were existing on macaroni and cheese. Her parents had taught her as a child in Rochester, N.Y., how to cook in diversified ways.

"I always wanted to do something creative," she said Tuesday.

So she switched from engineering to advertising, and after graduation went to New York but continued looking for a future sign. After becoming office manager for a catering company, she realized her life's path.

Eventually, she ended up in France at a cooking school in Burgundy. She stayed 15 months, living off her Visa card and becoming versed on the "mother sauces," as evidenced by the thickener in her gumbo.

Back in the U.S., she trained at various restaurants, including Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill in New York City. And she landed one of the early cooking shows on the Food Network, which lasted 2½ years. Then, needing a new direction, she relocated to Oakland, where her parents, Annette and Hollis Holland, had met, and where Tanya wrote a cooking book.

When the Island Cafe became available, she bought the diner — after marrying Surkis the year before. They live in West Oakland. Surkis, 42, handles workers' compensation claims for UC Berkeley and assists his wife at the diner, even choosing its background music.

The biggest compliment from diners?

“‘These are the best waffles I've ever tasted,' " Holland said. "People also are amazed by the diversity of the crowd. They're like, 'The staff is great, the vibe is great.' "

Surkis said West Oaklanders have told him, “‘Thank you for being here.' It's community love."

Holland will expand her diner by 20 seats this spring with an outdoor eating area. And she's hoping to open a dinner-only bistro in Jack London Square by summer. Can't wait to taste her sweet-potato frites.

Dan and Amber will be by Brown Sugar Kitchen again today. Can't stay away.

Become a fan of Brown Sugar Kitchen (Facebook) http://www.facebook.com/brownsugarkitchen

Also this weekend on the Food Network, Guy's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives Tailgating California-Style which features Oakland.

Remembering Anita “Annie” Delgadillo-Olivares

2010-02-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

Lifelong Prescott-Oakland Point resident Anita “Annie” Delgadillo-Olivares born December 18th 1902 died February 6th 2010 morning at the age of 107. Her coming-home celebration was held Feb. 9th immediately followed by interment next to her husband Manual at Saint Mary’s Cemetery.

Annie’s legacy was apparent, as a huge representation of the Deligadillo-Olivares multi-generational family from as far as South Carolina, friends and acquaintances attended this celebration.

Annie leaves three daughters, 32 grandchildren, 72 great grandchildren, 65 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild.

During Annie’s homegoing celebration, during the lighting of the 6 candles, relative after relative expressed their love for Annie reflecting treasured moments spend with Annie during various times in their life, her love for family, her love for life, the ducks, chickens and pigs raised in the backyard, gardening, feeding those who were hungry... which touched those in the audience, causing periodic outbreaks of laughter and cries.

Annie leaves behind the greatest gift of all, the love for all those she has touched!

February Events

2010-02-12T09:25:00.000-08:00

Black History Month

Ø Ø Ø

14 February 2010 - 2 February 2011: Metal Tiger

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April 1st--Census Day

Community Happenings!

2010-02-05T17:02:00.000-08:00

Maynard Institute Will Train Local Citizen Journalist

The Oakland Applicants should be from all walks of life, be West Oakland residents, and be familiar with the community. Tribune and the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education are partnering on a citizen journalist program in West Oakland that will open a media center in a branch library, and train residents in reporting, writing and photographing for the newspaper's community correspondents program.

Applicants should be from all walks of life, be West Oakland residents, and be familiar with the community.

When: Saturday, February 6th, 2010; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: The West Oakland branch of the Oakland Public Library; 1801 Adeline St .

(510) 273-0210 (Media Center direct line)

Refreshments will be served.

Run Oakland Run --OakBook

Sports marketing and event management company Corrigan Sports Enterprises (CSE) announced today Alameda County Medical Center (ACMC) will serve as the official Medical Provider of the inaugural Oakland Running Festival. An estimated 75 medical personnel will provide coverage throughout the course’s seven medical stops. Click here for more information

Capt. Toribio reports: Good Work and Crime Tips

Good Work by OPD

Your officers continue to do outstanding work. Here are some recent examples:

• On Friday, February 5th, Officers Roberto Ruiz and Christopher Peters made a car stop in the 1900 block of Castro St. for traffic violations. The occupants were arrested for warrants and possession of drugs; one of the occupants was found in possession of a loaded gun.

• On Tuesday, February 2nd, Officers John Keating and Sor Yang responded to a robbery in the 3800 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. The victim was robbed at knifepoint by two suspects. The officers began checking the area and subsequently arrested one of the suspects. Within hours, our criminal investigators were able to identify where the second suspect lived and arrested him.

• On Monday, February 1st, Officer Scott Bezner and his squad served a search warrant in the 1200 block of 34th St. Several adults were arrested. Drugs and a shotgun were recovered as evidence.

• On Thursday, January 28th, Officers Matt Komoda and Billy Moore were on routine patrol in West Oakland when they recognized a suspect wanted for kidnapping and sexual assault. The suspect was arrested without incident.

• On Tuesday, January 26th, Officers Tony Banks, Jr. and DeSean Spencer were on routine patrol in downtown Oakland. They recognized a suspect wanted for armed robbery in Berkeley. After a brief foot chase, the suspect was taken into custody.

Crime Tips

• Residential Burglaries: Don’t make it easy for the burglars.

Please lock your doors and windows. Our analysis of residential burglaries indicates a significant number of entries are made through unlocked doors and windows.
Also, keep the area around your residence free of clutter or objects that burglars can conceal themselves with or use to climb into your house.

• Robberies: Street level robberies are crimes of opportunity. Robbers look for citizens who are not paying attention and can be easily victimized. Pay attention to your surroundings and don’t be distracted (by talking on cell phone, using iPODs and other small electronics, etc.). The Crime Prevention Services and Self-Protection: Avoid Becoming a Crime Victim pages provide excellent personal safety tips. You can also download our personal safety brochure for more tips.

For future updates, check HERE

Oakland Police New Website

2010-01-29T15:51:00.000-08:00

(Chief Anthony Batts shown above)

A message from Captain Anthony Toribio, Area One Commander:

The new OPD website is up and running. The site can be accessed directly at http://www.oaklandpolice.com/, or through the city’s website at http://www.oaklandnet.com/.

The City of Oakland site is still in BETA, so if you identify any problems on the OPD site, please contact Ms. Sylvia McDaniel at smcdaniel@oaklandnet.com.

Under the patrol directory, you will find Area 1 which includes West (e.g. Prescott-Oakland Point neighborhood) and North Oakland and is bordered by the Berkeley Hills on the north, Lake Merritt on the east, the Oakland Estuary on the south, and the Bay on the west.

Also, each area will have a News & Updates section in their area page. The respective commander will be able to post crime alerts, good work by officer, and other important information to the community.

The other option, to look more directly at crime, is to use CrimeWatch on the Crime Statistics page. Oakland Crimespotting is another option for data using a interactive map of crimes .

OPD does not have the ability at this time to put up real time information. We should look at how what is put in the News & Updates section can be automatically sent to participating e-groups.

We draw the lines (California Redistricting)

2010-01-27T20:12:00.000-08:00

Check out the workshop video which features Prescott-Oakland Point resident, Karin Mcdonald.

Redistricting is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to redraw the state's legislative districts. This single act may do more to influence the make-up of the legislature and its agenda over the next 10 years than all of the elections during that period combined. Every single policy issue is affected by who is elected to the legislature, and every single legislative election for the next decade is affected by redistricting. It's that simple.

For the first time, this critical task will not be performed by elected officials but by a new Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Applications are exclusively via the internet at WeDrawtheLines.ca.gov and must be received no later than FEBRUARY 12TH, 2010.

As of Jan 22nd the number of applications submitted totals 7681 and applications tentatively eligible are 6470.

A breakdowns of those applications include:

Race/Ethnicity
.18% Pacific Islander
.63% American Indian / Alaska Native
2.83% other
7.14% Black
8.87% Hispanic / Latino
75.98% White

Gender
29.73% Female
70.27% Male

Political Affiliations
45.5% Democratic
38.0% Republic
16.5% all others

There are upcoming community informational meetings being hosted by Greenlining Institute, Statewide Database and Bureau of State Audits, on January 28th 2010, 5:30pm at 1918 University Ave, Berkeley CA 94704

RSVP: Adam Briones at adamb@greenlining.org or 510-926-4022

Pizza and beverages will be served.

Target Store enters Oakland market from the West

2010-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

A Target Store is coming...Really!

According to a couple of news and word-on-the-street sources, Target Corp. has acquired the old Kmart / Home Expo part of Home Depot’s chain of 34 upscale design stores that was shut down in 2009 with plans to open in 2011 after significant improvements on the site. Work should start after Target Corp. should start work after obtaining necessary permitting from the City of Oakland.

This site is located at 1555 40th Street, at the corner of Horton street adjacent to the family of retail which makes up what’s known at the East BayBridge Shopping Center starting at 40th Street west of San Pablo Ave. Stores include Best Buy, Office Depot, Office Max, Home Depot, Michaels, BNC Nutrition Center, Radio Shack, Pak n’Save, Baskin Robbins, Verizon Wireless, GameStop, Pacific Sales, Pet Club and Babies R Us.

This area is easily accessible by way of driving or bicycling using Mandela Parkway if or AC Transit Bus line 31 which starts in March 2010.

Target has made no secret of the “development of a smaller store format with an edited merchandise assortment which meets the needs of guests in dense urban markets, and fits within the real estate constraints of these areas.”

My daughter reluctantly went in to a Target Store recently proclaiming “there’s nothing in this store” as we entered. Soon she discover they sold “Ed Hardy” purses, as well as other fashionable items which is consistent with Target’s growth and renovation efforts while “incorporating a variety of new merchandise initiatives…”

We will keep watching until they open in year 2011 as well as keep you informed.

Until then check out their “Target Focused on Strategic Growth” and “YTD chart”

Update: On March 6, a Target store on the Oakland/Emeryville border is slated to open its doors, company officials said.

A store the size that Target is planning for the Oakland and Dublin sites typically will hire 100 to 250 workers, the company estimated.

Pope Benedict XVI embraces Tweeter...

2010-01-26T12:01:00.000-08:00

Pope Benedict XVI has urged churches to Tweet, Facebook, YouTube, Blog… embrace the new technologies.

This story has been circulating in the blogosphere.

In his message Pope Benedict told Catholic priests that "Church communities have always used the modern media" and just putting up a website is not enough. New technologies are a resource for the faith.
Pope Benedict stated that priest should “proclaim the Gospel by employing the latest generation of audiovisual resources (images, videos, animated features, blogs, websites) which, alongside traditional means, can open up broad new vistas for dialogue, evangelization and catechesis."

Pope Benedict XVI: 44th World Communications Day MESSAGE

The rush to aid Haiti

2010-01-25T16:16:00.000-08:00

It didn’t take long for the opportunitist and others grifter types to emerge after the initial 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, centered about 15 miles west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, the nation's capital, two weeks ago on January 12th, 2010 at 1 :53 PM (PST) 21:53:10 (UTC), immediately followed by a series of aftershocks but lessening in the last 7 days. Here’s a map of those aftershocks.

As predictable as the opportunitist, the internet was inundated with more than 400 internet addresses related to aiding Haiti using words such as "earthquake," "help," "aid," "victims" and "survivors."

New technologies are being used to help facilitate the fraud, from cell phones “text to” to emails, solicitation donations by way of credit card information. The emails are particularly treacherous since they solicit personal information and can contain some malicious software, spyware or other hazardous content.

There are legitimate and proven charities attempting to prove aid to Haiti. Donate smartly; if you are familiar with or used one in the past and you were happy with, go with them. Otherwise do your homework!

Some fundamental tips:

• Don't click on links or open any attachments including pictures contained within aid-related spam.

• Many organizations are in need; Check out the organization at sites for the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/); the Foundation Center (http://foundationcenter.org/), Charity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.org/), or GuideStar (http://www.guidestar.org/).

• Be extremely cautious of Web sites and emails that ask for detailed personal information, i.e. Social Security number, birth date or bank information.

For those interested in the “Impact of 2010 Haiti Earthquake”

Here's more information on the earthquake at USGS.

The City of Oakland Mayor’s office has a link titled “Ways Oakland Residents Can Help in Wake of Haitian Earthquake”

And feel free to enjoy Benefit Concert organized by D’wayne Wiggins, who is offering proceeds from his upcoming "House Party Tour of Relief" in support of Haiti and has partnered with Corporate Development Specialist, Nina Swanson of the International American Red Cross to insure funds raised are sent directly to the American Red Cross for immediate distribution through the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund, which was founded by actors Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte and social justice advocates Walter Riley, Esq.

This concert will be held this Thursday, January 28th, 2010; at the “Sweets Ballroom” 1933 Broadway in Downtown Oakland, from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Hosted by Bay Area media personality Renel, Lady Ray of KMEL 106.1 and comedian Luenell, other entertainment include Oakland native Lenny Williams, Too Short, Erk Tha Jerk, the Pop Lyfe youth musical ensemble, and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir.

Is the weather getting you down?

2010-01-21T16:09:00.000-08:00

Is the weather getting you down? Check out THE VIEW

I discovered this site accidently while trying to find some weather information on the Prescott-Oakland Point neighborhood.

This site provides a view from the Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science overlooking the San Francisco-Bay Area. Although it states “Current Conditions” it’s actually delayed by a minute or two, based on my experience.

The goal of this site is to “help children understand the weather by correlating the view from the Lawrence Hall of Science with weather data and satellite imagery.”

Hopefully, adults will get it as well.

While viewing, in order to get oriented, roll over the image to see what areas you are viewing.

Also, there are some great additional links for adults and children.

Shhh... The City of Oakland website is in BETA

2010-01-20T14:31:00.000-08:00

The immediate question would logically be “why hasn’t the City of Oakland advertise the new website?”

The answer, it is in BETA.

What’s BETA?

BETA is a term customarily used to describe a prototype that's in a testing phase. Most technology companies whether software or hardware base, test their products with a small audience, which is more manageable during this phase. Imagine the number of revisions to the website if everytime a bug or issue was found, a fix was incorporated. It’s not a good use of time or good economics.

Why would they change their website to a BETA, and not go to an official release?

This is actually a smart move, transitioning between "alpha" and the official release. Beta releases also tend to be more buggy than the final version, and allows valuable information and issue identification which can be incorporated into the final releases.

Back to the original question “why hasn’t the City of Oakland advertize the new website?”

By not advertising the BETA website, users will tend to be either genuinely new or existing users seeking specific information which is what you want with BETA versions, as oppose to someone attempting to hack or cause the site to fail without regard to real life use.

In closing, let me say that we should try out the BETA site as we would normally do.

No, I do not work for the City of Oakland nor have they endorsed any of the above stated.

Are you an Prescott-Oakland Point Entrepreneur? (Updated)

2010-01-20T14:00:00.000-08:00

Glancing through my latest copy of Inc. magazine I found two articles of interest I thought I might share by Meg Cadoux Hirshberg who writes a regular column about the impact of entrepreneurial businesses on families for Inc. magazine.

Inc. magazine is a great resource for the entrepreneurial souls providing information and advice covering virtually every business and management task, including marketing, sales, finding capital, managing people, and much, much more. They have a website, Inc.com.

Here are excerpts of those two articles written by Meg Cadoux Hirshberg.

Balancing Acts: If Not Now, When?

For entrepreneurs, there's never a right time to buy a house, start a family, have a life. While you are building a business, work-life balance inevitably suffers.

The reality is that when you are entangled in an entrepreneurial life, there's never a right time -- for anything.

There's no right time, because there's no time (and usually no money, either).

An entrepreneurial life becomes all about postponing -- "When we break even…," "When we get that contract…," "When we hire that salesperson…" -- ah, yes, that's when our lives can move ahead.

The fact is that while you are building (and building, and building, and sometimes rebuilding) a business, you are also composing a life.

Theoretically, entrepreneurs control their lives and schedules. But the exact opposite is usually true:

Entrepreneurs are whipsawed by their businesses.
There is a constant sense of crisis, and every aspect of running a business demands more time than there are hours in a day.
If the entrepreneur doesn't build a high wall around his or her personal life, the business is sure to overwhelm it. [More]

Bed and Boardroom

There's nothing like a home-based business for increasing family stress.

The moment you create a business, you step into a twilight zone where the barrier between what is work and what is not starts to break down. The deterioration accelerates for entrepreneurs who work out of their homes. You may start off with a home-based business but soon find yourself with a business where you and your family also happen to live.

Privacy isn't the only issue. In homes shared with companies, living space may be drastically reduced by the demands of workspace and inventory storage. [More]

Have an existing business facing challenging times?

The City of Oakland has opened an assistance cen ter dedicated to small businesses almost 6 months ago. Their goal is to assist regular people start maintain or move your business by providing help navigating the City’s permitting, zoning, business tax and license departments along with business counseling and outreach resources.

Check out the Oakland Business Assistance Center and the latest issue of the Redeveloping Oakland Newsletter which features many of the non-profit organizations that partner with Redevelopment to implement a variety of projects and programs ranging from workforce development to real estate development.

Do you need help, deciding what business you would like to be in? Check out these organizations that provide consulting, workshops, or long-term classes (multi-week curriculum) and other information to help you.

West Oakland Works is another Prescott-Oakland Point business resource.

Also, the first issue of the East Bay Express Small Business Monthly is due out Jan. 27th, as mo a insert in the Express on the last Wednesday of every month.

This marks a 2010 launch of the Small Business Monthly focus on local reporting of small business issues in our region covering wide range of topics including advertising opportunities.

Let’s not forget the IRS folks, check out their small business resources, here

Public Safety Announcement

2010-01-19T11:52:00.000-08:00

A message from Anthony Toribio, Captain of Police, Patrol Division, Area One, Oakland Police Department

Yesterday, a group involved in several robberies in Area One was arrested. The officers did an outstanding job making the arrests and conducting the preliminary investigation.

The suspects were subsequently interviewed by our criminal investigators. The suspect’s method of operation revealed nothing new:

They drove around looking for victims.
Citizens using cell phones, iPODs (and other small electronics), carrying bags/purses that may contain expensive items, or who were not paying attention were specifically targeted.

Please put this out to the community as we need to reinforce the importance of personal safety. The link provides excellent personal safety information.

Thank you.

Capt. Toribio

Personal Safety starts with you!

Crime is on the rise. Preparation and education are key elements to keeping yourself and your family safe. Become a tough target!

If you own a cell phone, program the Oakland Police Department emergency number in it: 777-3211.

Create or join a Neighborhood Watch group. Call (510) 238-3091 for more information.

Some changes in the neighborhood!

2010-01-11T14:50:00.000-08:00

What’s happening with the commercial building at 1545 Willow Street?

Prior to 1990, this building housed the BASF Corporation, Coatings & Colorants Division which list the SIC Code: manufacturer of Printing Ink.

During the housing boom a few years ago, the new owners obtained approvals from the City of Oakland, to build condos after previously housing both Caltrans and Oakland Housing Authority.

In August 2009, VJTV-The Visual Radio NETWORK hosted an industry mixer in this building promoting this event as the place to come mingle with the elites of the multi-media entertainment industry. Television Producers, Music Producer, Independent film makers, etc. Special invited guess include business executives and city officials.”

Presently, this location houses a number of businesses, with Butterfly Direct the latest to move in.

Here’s just a few of the new businesses

Umbrella Shirts offers screen-printing up to 8 spot colors, or we can use CMYK four-color process environmentally-friendly products, heat-transfer, embroidery products and more. They also offer custom demins, murals and hand-painted signs.

Contact Reuben B-L Owner/Printer, by email UmbrellaShirtsCo@gmail.com for more information.

Butterfly Direct Marketing & Communication Services describe itself as a printing and direct marketing company that produces items to generate a specific response which can be measured and tracked.

Initially, concentrating on “three direct marketing niches to include churches, dentists, and remodeling contractors” and planning to “expand into other areas to create more market niches.”

Butterfly Direct states that they assist with artwork, develop and standardize mailing list, print the material, process the pieces for mass mailing, and deliver to the post office.

Contact mailto:buford@butterfly-direct.comfor more information

Because We Can describes itself as a Design-Build Studio that specializes in Sustainable Interior Design & Custom Furniture.

They define "Design-Build Studio" as a “mash-up of designers, artists, creatives, fabricators, and builders who help design the project, manage its construction, directly build parts (or all) of it, and hire other professionals as required to complete the Project.”

Because We Can is lead by husband & wife team of Jeffrey McGrew and Jillian Northrup, supported by a “small crew of people with multi-disciplinary backgrounds including architecture, design, photography, construction, computer programming and fashion” they share a common goal of “using only Sustainable or Eco Friendly products, our goal is to make the world a more interesting, productive, sustainable, and overall better place.”

Chickens in West Oakland????

2010-01-09T01:06:00.000-08:00

To my knowledge there has always been chicken and urban gardening in West Oakland.

So what the story here? Back in the day, we didn’t need a designer, carpenter or architect to build a chicken coop. We found scrap wood and wire, and then nailed it together.

Oh, now I get it, the lesson here is self-sufficiency. Check it out!

Not far from the corner of 16th and Peralta streets in West Oakland, where houses lie quiet, the sounds of hammers pounding, power saws whirling and handsaws cutting through wood echo down the street.

Chatter and power tools fill the outdoor classroom located in a parking lot, but this is not your basic high school wood-shop class — residents are learning how to build chicken tractors, which are mobile chicken coops.

It may seem odd for urban Oakland residents to want to build chicken tractors and own chickens, but the point of the class not only is to learn how to build but also to instill self-sufficiency. The class is a means of providing a set of skills in West Oakland residents.

The group of seven students turned carpenters and designers have come together through City Slicker Farms in West Oakland.

The nonprofit organization came up with idea to teach residents how to design and construct chicken tractors early last year. By October, City Slicker Farms, with the help of Rock, Paper, Scissors Collective, had secured a design builder, an architect and funding to construct eight tractors.

"The class was designed to follow the mission of City Slicker, which is food security, sustainability, helping people grow their own food and becoming more self-sufficient," said Matt Wolpe, lead designer for the Chicken Project.

The eight-session class, which ran from October to December, taught a variety of skills from designing and reading a schematic to the use of hand and power tools and picking the correct materials for the specific structure.

"This project helps the community "...," said Fatimah Guienze, assistant lead designer, who has a background in architecture. "You're bringing components that are pretty high-level, either from landscaping or design build, to people who don't necessarily have the background."

Apart from learning construction and design skills, the participants eventually will have their own chickens to help control insects, aerate and fertilize gardens and lay fresh eggs.

There is no limit to how many chickens a resident may own. The city, however, only allows hens, no roosters, and the hens must be kept in an enclosure at least 20 feet away from the residence.

Tamika Anderson, a participant in the project, worked alongside her 12-year-old son, Ar'mon Marks, to construct a tractor. Anderson has a backyard garden and signed up for the class because she wants to have fresh eggs every day, but she knows the class also has helped her and her son gain valuable skills.

"My dad is a carpenter, so I have a little bit of experience "...," Anderson said. "I didn't know how to design or how to even put it together, so that was something that I learned that was new."

Anderson, who now has her tractor in her backyard, said even her neighbors are excited about the coming chickens. They pass by and ask, "When are your chickens coming?"

Anderson and the rest of the participants have to wait for spring, when the chicks hatch. Everyone wants to bond with their chickens, so it's best to raise them from chicks — not only will the hens lay eggs, they also will become pets.

Guienze believes Oakland residents are heading toward a new trend — a trend toward the past.

"People 50 years ago kept chickens, that's not a big deal "...," Guienze said. "A lot of people built with their hands or were able to feed themselves from their home."

Guienze said classes like the Chicken Project "engage the community in (skills) they can walk away with, which is something really powerful."

Residents get ready to raise chickens in West Oakland; By Giovanna Borgna, Oakland Tribune

Oakland Running Festival Update:

2010-01-07T12:34:00.000-08:00

Previously, I posted “Oakland Running Festival in the Prescott-Oakland Point." You may remember I stated the race will enter the Prescott Oakland Point neighborhood from Mandela Parkway and 7th street up Mandela Parkway to West Grand then veer right up Peralta before turning on 26th Street.

Here's the latest update provided by Corrigan Sports Enterprises (CSE)

Registration Surpasses 2,500 Runners for Inaugural Oakland Running Festival

Oakland, California (Jan. 7, 2010) –Sports marketing and event management company Corrigan Sports Enterprises (CSE) announced today registration for the March 27th-28th inaugural Oakland Running Festival has surpassed 2,500 total runners. With more than two months to go until the event, the number represents 33% of the anticipated final field.

To ensure runners have the best experience possible the total field size will be limited to only 7,500 total runners. Race officials have limited the field to 1,500 participants in the marathon, 4,000 runners for the half marathon, 1,000 in the 5k and 250 four-person relay teams.

CSE President Lee Corrigan said, “Oakland and the surrounding running community have really stepped up to support this event. The first year of an event is always the most difficult in regard to recruiting runners and spreading the overall word, so we’re excited how early registration has taken off. Based on our decade of experience we anticipate registration will increase exponentially as the event draws closer. At this pace we’re anticipating a sellout, which would be an amazing accomplishment.”

[MORE]

2009-12-31T10:48:00.000-08:00

Don’t forget to EXHALE then RESET!

2009-12-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

A new year, another beginning...

During this holiday period, there will be times where you should take some time and decompress.

This year has been particularly challenging for everyone, for a myriad of reasons.

As you ponder next year’s journey, you’ll probably make some new, modify some old and simply write-off promises and resolutions as you do every year about this time.

Before you start the year as you do every year, sit back relax, unwind and check out the articles, news and events on some of a few Oakland’s blogs:

As you go forward in 2010, remember, every problem is an opportunity in disguise.

An example: Benjamin Franklin, constantly switched between two pairs of eye glasses for his varying sight needs, in 1784, Benjamin decided to graft two different prescriptions (at the time, two lenses) into one frame, allowing him to see far or near distances.

The bifocal lens is born.

Happy Holidays

2009-12-21T07:30:00.000-08:00

From the Prescott Oakland Point Neighborhood Area!

Shopping Late? Parked in the dark?

2009-12-15T20:02:00.001-08:00

Attention West Oakland BART patrons:

Get an escort to your car!

On Thursday, December 17th and Friday, 18th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the Oakland Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAAA) will escort you to your car.

On an average weekday, there are 4,800 riders exiting the West Oakland BART Station. Now that the sunsets around 5:00 p.m. and BART has reduced the number of on-site parking spaces due to the Earthquake safety work currently underway, BART patrons are parking further away.

The CPAAA working in collaboration with the Oakland Police Department (OPD) and BART Police Department (BART PD) have developed a program which will increase the number of OPD officers and BART PD officers in the West Oakland BART area this Thursday and Friday.

There will be an OPD van taking BART patrons to the perimeter parking lots as well as OPD officers on foot patrol, escorting BART patrons side-by-side with volunteers from the CPAAA.

2009-12-13T15:49:00.000-08:00

This Wednesday, December 16th at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Directors room, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, please attend the AC Transit Board of Directors meeting and speak in favor of the adoption of the Revised Service Adjustments Plan. I previously wrote about this item Nov. 30th titled Every 15 minutes… Can be a reality.

Our Bus Route 26 (which replaces the current Bus Route 13) will provide access to the East Bay Bridge Shopping Center at 40th Street west of San Pablo Ave, Downtown Oakland, Old Town, China Town and most of the West Oakland neighborhoods including the Oak Center Clawson, Ralp Bunche, McClymonds within minutes. See route map here.

The route of the former 19 Line now the Bus Route 31 provide access to locations stated in previous post as well as Marina Village shopping center in Alameda, whose tenants include banks, a pharmacy, restaurants and grocery store in one location. See route map here.

More route information and why this item is important can be found at AC Transit and the previous post “Every 15 minutes… Can be a reality” here on the POPna site.

Local Legislation Activity

2009-12-07T17:42:00.000-08:00

According to the posted agenda found at City of Oakland Legislative Calendar, the Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 Agenda, for the Special Concurrent Meeting of the Oakland Redevelopment Agency/City Council is not another ho hum yawner of a meeting. This one could easily go beyond the 10:30 pm time.

Among the items the Council will be voting on with a direct impact on the Prescott Oakland Point Neighborhood include the 7th Street Streetscape Phase 1 Project put on the agenda as Supplemental Item S-10.11-CC, titled “West Oakland Transit Village - Gallagher & Burk, Inc.” which awards a construction contract to Gallagher & Burk, Inc. Not To Exceed Three Million Two Hundred Seventeen Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Six Dollars ($3,217,426.00) from the West Oakland Redevelopment Project ($650,000.00) Redevelopment Agency Funds ($650,000.00), and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Grant Funds ($1,300,000.00).

At the December 1, 2009 Public Works Committee, members (Brooks, Kaplan, Kernighan, Nadel) approved recommendations and directed staff to submit a report on: 1) the bus shelter’s Real-Time display options (i.e. does the bus shelter have electricity etc.; 2) how to handle bike parking in the West Oakland Transit Village Streetscape Improvement Project area; and 3) return to a future committee meeting with a report on the city-wide bike parking.

Click here for the December 8th, 2009 meeting agenda as posted 12.04.09

The Living in the O blog “Oakland Political & Community Events” post weekly.

Oakland LGBT Roundtable TONIGHT

2009-12-07T12:42:00.000-08:00

Oakland LGBT Roundtable,

Monday, December 7, 5:30-7:30 pm,

Hearing Room 3, Oakland City Hall

Topics to be discussed include Port of Oakland Commission appointment; report back on Chicago LGBT Community Center visit;

Sign up for Facebook to connect with Oakland LGBT Roundtable

The Arts

2009-12-01T15:29:00.000-08:00

The Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, a West Oakland non-profit is getting ready for its annual holiday art exhibit. For those of you that haven’t been to the center, it’s a two-story Victorian that was once used as a convent.

There will be a reception on Saturday, December 12, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit is scheduled from Monday, November 30 through Friday, January 22, 2010.

Pro Arts announces Juried Annual 2010, Selections by Sherman Sam, an independent curator based in London. The exhibition is on view November 24, 2009 – January 15, 2010. An Artists’ Reception is scheduled on Thursday, December 3, 6 – 8 pm and an Artist Talk is scheduled Thursday, January 14, 6 pm. Exhibition events are free and open to the public.

For more Arts, check out O-Scene: If it’s not here, don’t go there…

Every 15 minutes… Can be a reality

2009-11-30T09:29:00.001-08:00

Now the Prescott-Oakland Point residents will have easier access to community gardens, the Emerybay Public Market for dining, Bay Street Emeryville, Powell Street Shopping Center, East Bay Bridge Shopping Center, and IKEA for shopping and faster access to the West Oakland BART station.

If all goes as planned, according to AC Transit who presented information a couple of weeks ago, the Bus Route 26 (which replaces the current Bus Route 13) will have you at the West Oakland BART station from the Prescott-Oakland Point area in less than 5 minutes, every 15 minutes during peak hours and 30 minutes during off peak from 5:00 am to 12 midnight.

Also, the former 19 Line will change to the Bus Route 31 which would provide trips to community gardens, featured in a recent article “An oasis of fruits and vegetables” and nearby shopping at the East Bay Bridge Shopping Center at 40th Street west of San Pablo Ave. Stores include Pak n Save, Best Buy, Office Depot, Office Max, Home Depot, Michaels, BNC Nutrition Center, Radio Shack, Baskin Robbins, Verizon Wireless, GameStop, Pacific Sales, Pet Club and Babies R Us.

Other shopping, dining and theater opportunities include:

Powell Street Plaza houses brand name retailers, including Beverages and More, CSAA, DB Shoes, Jamba Juice, Petco, Pier 1, Ross, SleepTrain, Starbuck's Coffee, Trader Joe's, and Togo's among many others.
The Emeryville Public Market features Borders Books and Music, the Broken Rack Billiards Club, United Artsts Emeryville Emery Bay 10, Shape City Emeryville, Peet's Coffee & Tea, Western Career College, Salon of Emery Bay, and the International Food Court known for dishes from Asia, the Caribbean, India, Mexico and the Middle East from 20 unique food retailers representing the diversity of the Bay Area.

Let’s make this a reality!

AC Transit is holding a Community Open House to learn more about this revised plan and talk with AC Transit planners tomorrow Tuesday, December 1st 2009 at 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Comments on the revisions will be accepted through December 2nd.

Those comments will be accepted in the following form of communication:

Board of Directors:
o Greg Harper (Ward 2) gharper@actransit.org
o Joel b. Young (Director / At-Large) jyoung@actransit.org
o Christian Peeples (vice President / At-Large) cpeeples@actransit.org
By online comment form
In person at the community open house on December 1st
By email to planning@actransit.org
By mail to the AC Transit Board of Directors, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612
By fax to (510) 891-4874

Attend the AC Transit Board of Directors meeting and speak in favor of the adoption of the Revised Service Adjustments Plan at its December 16th meeting held at 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland. As this date gets closer, I will provide updates here.

Help make these 15 minutes a reality.

AC Transit Blog

Welcome to Oakland

2009-11-21T09:31:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: (11.21.09, 10:00p.m.) Whining after losing the fight on points, Kessler said "I think this will make the tournament more exciting. I don't want to be the favorite."

Kessler could not put a creditable combination of punches, fought mostly upward and seemed to want to just survive the fight.

Again, Welcome to Oakland Kessler! Thanks for holding the belt for Andre.

Tonight's fight features Oakland's Andre Ward and some guy who has been holding the belt for Andre in a World title fight.

Okay I admit to being a little excited and maybe a little EARLY!

this shot was taken in the a.m. as they put the ring together.

LoBot Gallery-Nov. 17th, 2009

2009-11-17T11:16:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Nov. 17th

ladies and dobermenn

welcome to a night of universal awesomeness provided by LOBOT GALLERY show will open with:

OPUS DISPERDI: live score for silent movie (featuring members of SECRET CHIEFS 3,TRIANGLE and CASSANOVA FRANKENSTEIN)
HIGH TOWER: instrumental progressive metal from san francisco
TRICLOPS: classy prog hard core (featuring members of VICTIMS FAMILY and THE FLESHIES)
LOVVERS: low-fi punk from the UK
AN ALBATROSS: psychedelic grind dance party from PHILLY

doors open at 8:30pm; show starts at 9:30pm

1800 Campbell St. - Oakland

Opera featuring Prescott Oakland Point Resident

2009-11-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

DARK RIVER

A New Opera by Mary D. Watkins

features Prescott Oakland Point resident Marilyn Reynolds

Musical Director: Deirdre McClure

Stage Director: Darryl V. Jones

November 12-24, 2009

Oakland Metro Operahouse, 630 3rd Street Oakland, 510.763.1146

16th Street Train Station Restoration

2009-11-09T11:20:00.000-08:00

Tuesday November 10th - Live music

2009-11-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Lucky Dragons - Javelin - Pit er Pat

LoBot Gallery
1800 Campbell St. - Oakland, CA - 94607
Doors @ 8pm - Seriously good show!

For more information contact Adam Hatch

On-line Media - Comments 101

2009-11-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

An opportunity for our Prescott Oakland Point neighborhood to receive some well deserved press after the community party held Oct. 29th in two San Francisco Chronicle articles located in the real estate section and Chip Johnson’s Tuesday, 11.03.09 column highlighting the Central Station Development, immediately became a target by those with cruel and sometimes derogatory statements about our community and people.

Admittedly, I lost it after reading a number of comments and I reached out to community members and invited them to read the comments and respond appropriately. Although initially it felt good, I realize this was wrong, emotional and may have inadvertently gave them more undeserved visibility. There’s a time-honored adage that one should “never get in a fight with a guy who buys printers ink by the barrel.” It’s easy to forget this negative side of the internet.

I forgot about the behavior of the online anarchists who laid in wait to swarm article after article and pictures carping in most cases inappropriately and off topic, leaving comments like popping popcorn, all over the place while occasionally addressing the subject matter.

I forgot how cruel people can be especially when hiding behind the anonymity of an incomplete profile. Only some are bold enough to provide information that identifies them as out-of-towners. Reading their profile and their posting you learn like most kindergarten behavior, they have no regards to those they hurt, demonstrated by their comments directed towards victims of crime.

Remembering these people feel a sense of accomplishment engaging those with erroneous information, injecting their own garbage and getting a reaction (rise) or response, I should have known better than to respond. I realize this is what they do.

Cowardly on-line anarchist are not new or original just hard to get use to.

Community Celebration Update

2009-11-05T18:18:00.000-08:00

In one of the worst economies and in an area that has received little positive press over the past years, Central Station has seen some of the greatest success of any new development in the Bay Area.

On Thursday, Oct. 29th 2009 Central Station celebrated the completion of nearly 400 homes (currently over 200 new residents) as part of the first phase of Central Station, the largest private investment in the history of the Prescott Oakland Point neighborhood.

The block party was an opportunity that brought together new and long-time residents. The 300+ attendees of this party included the Lew Hing family, local elected officials, local businesses, out-of-towners, and represented the rich Prescott Oakland Point neighborhood of people of diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds living side by side which dates back to the early nineteenth century.

The party featured photography exhibit by award winning Katherine Westerhout, photos by Jason Mehrtens, music by Jonathan Smothers DJ, beer from Linden Street Brewery, wine from Urban Legend Cellars , foods from Brown Sugar Kitchen and Namie's Kitchen, Scream Sorbet providing dessert and Galatea Cafe provided coffee, tea and pastry. THANK YOU ALL!

For those who couldn’t make it, I hope to see you at the next community event currently in the planning stages now.

If you are a business or organization wishing to co-sponsor or participate in some other way, send me an email.

OPD Chief Anthony Batts explain public safety strategy in the Prescott…

2009-11-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

First let me thank Jonathan Bair for his post at the SFGate Oakland Blog who saved me some work duplicating a post already written, and written quite well by Mary K. Flynn of Oakland North on the New Oakland Police Chief Batts and Mayor Dellums visit to the Prescott Oakland Point neighborhood for a town hall meeting held at Prescott Elementary School.

Read the full article here

Those wondering who is Oakland North; they’re a news project of U.C. Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.

Check them out!

First the artist, then the hipsters...

2009-11-01T10:08:00.000-08:00

The artists infiltrate first, moving in for the cheap live-work space; then the hipsters arrive, coming for its rough-edged authenticity; and finally the developers.

One of the first entrants, Holliday Development, is building the Pacific Cannery Lofts in the initial phase of the Central Station community. The 163-unit project is an adaptive reuse of a historic warehouse, the 1911 Pacific Coast Cannery building, which was shuttered during the Great Depression and has sat empty for 50 years.

Ninety-nine lofts are centered on three interior courtyards in the original cannery building.

Experts say it's far greener to move closer to places you need to get to than it is just installing sustainable wood flooring or photovoltaic lights. Rick Holliday, founder and president of Holliday Development, did both. He built next to existing transit and incorporated enough energy-saving items to have the project Build It Green-certified.

Urban planners call this "smart growth." Specifically, smart growth means creating housing close to existing urban infrastructure and job centers while encouraging the next wave of improvements, such as grocery stores and retail shops.

But that car is hardly a necessity because 271 trains hit the West Oakland BART Station daily and the train ride to the Embarcadero station takes just six minutes. There are trains every 1 1/2 minutes during commute time, and the property offers quick access to Interstates 80, 880, 580 [980], [State Route 13 ]and Highway 24.

Complete SFGate Article

Weekend Events Oct. 31-Nov.1

2009-10-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

Thrillerthon: Haitian Day of the Dead

HALLOWEEN - Sat. October 31st, Doors open @ 8:30 p.m.

The Den @ the Fox , 1807 Telegraph Ave, Uptown Oakland

For more information call 510.451.6100

HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST!

With fabulous prizes including drink coupons, restaurant gift certificates, & concert tix for future Another Planet Shows.

Gede is the time that some come dressed in costume honoring the Ancestors featuring DJ EPIC, DJ MPENZI and performances by El Wah Movement Caribbean Dancers and KKDE

Happy Days on Ice

Continues through Oct. 31st, 12:00N-8:00 p.m.

Jack London Square, 70 Washington St., (foot of Broadway) Oakland

Want to take a spin in a poodle skirt? The folks at Oakland's Jack London Square have set up an ice rink near Barnes & Noble. The little oval is open all month, but weekends will feature themed events, such as this Saturday and Sunday's tribute to the 1950s. The following weekend will be costume skating, as the rink wraps things up on Halloween.

For more information call 510-627-1670

Dia De Los Muertos 2009
Sunday, November 1st, 2009 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm
“Celebrating the Spirit of Community”

Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a fabulous one-day celebration of ancestors, deceased loved ones and community. This year’s commemoration of “Celebrating the Spirit of Community” will be a gigantic event loaded with activities and displays for the entire family to enjoy!

The event will take place on Sunday, November 1, 2009 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm. It will span along International Boulevard between Fruitvale and 35th Avenues and be expanded to the area around the Fruitvale Plaza and down 12th Street to 37th Avenue.

This eclectic Day of the Dead celebration is a safe, family oriented, non-alcoholic event that is FREE to the public. Don’t miss this annual Oakland tradition in the Fruitvale district!

For more information call 510-437-9703

Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire

Sunday, Nov. 1st, 2009; 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (every first Sunday of the month)

“DRIP” a new play by Christina Anderson

featuring Prescott Oakland Point resident Kele Nitoto; Crowded Fire Production

Previews Sunday, Nov 1st, 5:00 p.m. Opening Monday, November 2nd, 8:00 p.m.

Fragmented memories and calloused dreams dance across the stage in this moving new play by Christina Anderson. Mae, a Black American woman lies dying in her hospital bed. As the hospital heart monitor beeps in a-rhythmic pulses, both she and her grandson struggle to accept their shared legacy bound by love and scars.

The Boxcar Playhouse, 505 Natoma Street, btw 6th and 7th streets, San Francisco, CA

For more information contact Kele Nitoto by email kelenitoto@gmail.com

City Slicker Farms

Come celebrate Groundbreaking of New Community Market Farm

Sunday, November 1st , 2009, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.at Fitzgerald and Union Plaza parks (corner of 34th and Peralta), Oakland