RSVP now for 5th Annual Districtwide Holiday Party next Friday, December 14th, 6:30-9:30 pm.
Please indicate whether you are interested in the Dinosaur Alive movie (right) or the planetarium show Immersive Space that takes you to the edge of the known universe based on the latest NASA data.

   Once a year we invite the hundreds of neighbors we work with to celebrate the holidays with us and most importantly, to meet each other.  The staff and I do much of the cooking and it's usually quite a spread but we welcome potluck contributions.  We also hope to feature local musicians.  We ask for a minimum donation to cover the costs of the Chabot Science Center planetarium or theater tickets about $10. We also look for sponsors who can contribute more. Any additional contribution that goes to our Annual Fundraising for our Office Holders Account to pay for the many activities not funded from our city budget--the web and other expenses for our weekly newsletters, refreshments & supplies for Earth Day and other community clean-ups, Sundays in the Redwoods, educational leaflets and translations, retrofit workshops, whistles for community policing, etc. This year we would like to raise enough money to bring Sue Piper on full-time.  Please RSVP at 530-8361 or email Sue Piper at sgpiper@sbcglobal.net by Wednesday, December 12.  

Alameda County Holiday Food Drive-December 1-31:

• One Warm Coat Drive is a simple national campaign. One of the local drop off centers is Alain Pinel Realtors, 6166 La Salle Avenue, 2nd Floor, in Montclair where we hold our First Sunday Office Hours during the winter. They are collecting good clean coats for those in need. Last year they collected 860 coats. Have your kids outgrown their jackets?  Are there coats gathering dust that you no longer wear? There are many families that could use your coats.  Watching several men and women searching for coats to fit themselves or their children at this weeks Project Connect (#5), I wished that I had thinned out our crowded hall closet.

• The 2008 Dimond History Wall Calendar is now available. The calendar features photos of 19th and early 20th century Dimond, over 150 community events and important dates, and contact numbers for local and city services. Calendars are available in the greeting card section of Farmer Joe's and at Paws and Claws for only $12

• New Toys Needed for Oakland Police Officer's Association (OPOA) Christmas Basket Program: The OPOA provides a meal and gifts to 75 Oakland families identified by sworn/civilian employees from the Oakland Police Department. The OPOA will purchase all of the meals and some of the toys, but could use additional new toys. Drop off any unwrapped toy or gift to the OPOA at 555 5th St.

Help Santa With His Mail, Call the Santa Hotline 251-3371

• Project Connect Outreach serves nearly homeless with One Stop Services:  Thanks to staff from dozens of government & non-profit agencies and volunteers (including several District 4 residents) nearly 300 homeless people received medical screening, foot care, access to housing and employment services, clean socks and coats, and a meal this week.  The goal is to provide coordinated services at one location several times a year. City Homeless Services. ( Above -- Volunteers distribute coats & socks at the last station.)
  

• Last week the City Auditor released an audit on the City Payroll System.  She found no fault in the regular payroll system, the biweekly payment of wages.  Her recommendations focus on payment of vacation pay, bonuses, management leave. Some of the recommendations have already been instituted; some are under dispute.  I expect to be working with the Mayor's Office as Chair of the Finance and Management Committee to review these issues.  The report comes formally to the Committe on Tuesday, December 11 at 1pm.

• Hearing on Oakland's Taxi Cabs, Monday, December 10th, 6-8 pm, City Hall, Hearing Room 2:  Do you have concerns about taxi service in Oakland.  The City Council is reviewing the regulations and medallion system governing cab service in the city.  Council Member Delafuente will be hosting this meeting.  We are also interested in your concerns, please send comments to Richard Cowan.

• More Local Control Urged at State Hearing on School Takeovers:  The state agency reviewing school takeovers gave Oakland passing scores in Personnel and Facilities, saying the district was also close in Academics. The report also criticized the lack of stable leadership under state administration.  Under Assemblyman Sandre Swanson's bill, Oakland would have regained complete local control but it was opposed by the State Superintendent and vetoed by the Governor.  The Board will proceed to hire a superintendent, this should stabilize leadership. O'Connel hinted Oakland would not receive full control for another year although other districts were given control when they reached "regular status" or success in 3 of the 5 rating categories as Oakland now has.

• Disparity Study Public Hearings for Contractors in Oakland: The Council is holding a series of public hearings throughout the city for local contractors who have worked or tried to work with the City. The session for District 4 has not yet been scheduled, but local businesses how have worked or are interested in working with the City are welcome to attend any one of the sessions:  Monday, December 20, 6-8:30 pm, Eastmont Substation in the Coliseum Room (1 Eastmont Mall); or Wednesday, December 12, 6-8:30 pm in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. To RSVP call 291-9683 or email your response. Multlingual translation will be provided.

• Citizens' Police Review Board Seeks Volunteers: The Citizens' Police Review Board is actively seeking a limited number of volunteers to join and advise the Board starting in February 2008. The Citizens' Police Review Board investigates and reviews complaints regarding conduct of Oakland police officers. I have attached the application  for joining the Board and a copy of the CPRB 2006 Annual Report.

• Wildfire Prevention Assessment District Seeks a District 4 Representative: If you live within the Wildfire Prevention Assessment District within District 4, please email a letter with your qualifications and interest to Sue Piper in our office. The Advisory Board meets the 4th Thursday of the month at the Trudeau Training Center on Skyline Blvd.

• Did You See Kittens This Summer? Do You need Help with your Neighborhood Cats? Volunteers from East Bay SPCA and Fix our Ferals will spay-neuter and vaccinate the cats and return them safely to you. They need to know how many cats need to be "fixed", and if you or someone in the neighborhood feed the cats. Please call the Winter Campaign for cats  at 563-4635 with your contact information.

• Sushi in the Dimond:  As we have worked with retail areas in our district, we have done surveys on what neighbors wanted to see in these areas and tried work with property owners to fulfill these consumer wants.  One of the top interests in the Dimond was a sushi restaurant.  We are happy to report that the owners of the Mel's next to Farmer Joes has sold their building to people who plan to open a sushi restaurant. Have You Visited the Laurel's Newest Business Yet? Thyme Cafe is located at 4173 MacArthur Blvd under our old district office. Laurel neighbors wanted more variety in restaurants.  Thanks to Richard in our office for working with both owners.

• Library Fines & Lost Books Forgiveness Program-- November 24 -- December 14: The Oakland Public Library urges community members with overdue and lost items to "Get a Fresh Start" during this special three-week amnesty campaign. During this period, anyone who returns overdue items or who requests forgiveness for lost materials checked out before November 1, 2007 will have their fines and fees cleared by coming to any Oakland Public Library location.  Families with children are especially encouraged to return and enjoy the many resources of the Oakland Public Library. Each year several thousand student cards become dormant because of lost items. The number of books read is linked to reading levels and vocabulary, please encourage youth in your family and neighborhood to take advantage of this program during the holidays.  The general amnesty will apply to all locations and library materials, with the exception of tools from the Tool Lending Library.

• Volunteer Tutors for Oakland Libraries After School (OLAS) Program: Beginning January 2008, the library will be launching OLAS, Oakland Libraries After School, at four pilot locations. This free library service will offer enrichment programs for children, including drop-in homework help, four days a week. Volunteers will provide one-to-one assistance to elementary school students, including reading with a student, reviewing vocabulary words or practicing spelling. Volunteers must have a high school diploma and be willing to commit to a minimum of two hours per week for four months at one of the following sites: Main Library, Cesar E. Chavez, Eastmont or Golden Gate. Prior experience working with children is highly desirable. Potential volunteers may also be subject to a background check. For more information, contact Adam Twain at 238-3848.
• Check out the Revamped Bookmobile Soon: The Oakland Public Library's roving library on wheels will be temporarily out-of-service beginning Monday, December 10 while it is redecorated with new artwork. It is tentatively scheduled to resume its normal route on Monday, December 31. For more information, call 238-6718.
  

• Tot Lot Construction Completed in Montclair; begins in Dimond:  Resurfacing of the Western Town in Montclair Park is complete--way ahead of schedule. Work is anticipated to begin at the Dimond Park Tot Lot early next week--almost 10 days ahead of schedule--ending by mid December, weather permitting.

• Report Broken Street Lights:  Help us keep streets safe by reporting street lights that are out.  Contact the Public Works Call Center by phone 615-5566 or email.  Give us the address AND the number on the pole (black & white numbers).

• Keep Porch Lights On, Consider Motion Detector Lights:  The most prevalent crimes in my district are theft from cars and car thefts. If you have a garage, use it for parking. Many of us find it easier to park outside or we use our garages for storage.  Some of us don't have garages, or have more cars than garage space; park as close to your home as possible and install motion detector lights.  Some neighborhoods have organized streets to leave their porch lights on.  Our office still has a few hundred low energy light bulbs, we plan to distribute them to neighborhood alert groups that are interested in organizing "lights on" safety campaigns. Call us if you want to organize your street to keep porch lights on.

The holiday season is a busy time of the year for family and friends. Unfortunately, it is also a busy time for burglars. Please take a minute to review the following tips to ensure your personnel security: At Home and At Work: Make sure all doors and windows at home and at work are properly secured. When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail. Consider taking all items of "high value" back to your primary residence (money, jewelry, TV, VCR, stereo, computer). If you choose to leave items of "high value", record the serial numbers. It is recommended that you mark or engrave your property with your driver's license for future identification. Make sure that large displays of valuables are not visible through the windows and doors of your home. Put indoor and outdoor lights on an automatic timer. Leave a radio on so that house looks and sounds occupied. Ask the police for "vacation checks" services for unattended residences during the holiday season. Securing your Vehicle: When leaving for a holiday or vacation, do not pack your car the night before. Do not leave anything that looks like shopping or presents in view. secure all doors and windows. Park your vehicle in an area that is visible to the public and well lit at night, if not parking in a garage. When you are Out and About: Stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you. Shop with a friend, there is safety in numbers. Shop early and leave early to avoid evening darkness.  Pay for purchases with a check, credit or debit card; avoid carrying large amounts of cash. If you must carry a purse, do not wrap the straps around your arms or shoulders. Carry a clutch purse tightly under your arm or wear a fanny pack. Carry your wallet in the front pocket of your pants for safety. Prior to arriving at the shopping center, lock all your valuables in the trunk of your vehicle--so that no one can see you doing so. Watch for people who may be following you. This can occur inside as well as outside. If you suspect someone is following you, report it to security immediately. Program your cell phone with the Police Non-Emergency Phone Number that you can use when you are in Oakland--777-3211. If you call 9-1-1 on your cell phone, you will be routed through the Highway Patrol.

• Good-bye Hoang:  Our former staff member and Glenview's Neighborhood Service Coordinator Hoang Banh has been reassigned to North Oakland as of January 1.  Patricia Rose will be taking her place, she has worked in East Oakland for 8 years.  We'll miss Hoang on the Glenview listserv.
  

• Council Approves Mayor's Request for Additional Outreach Workers:  The Council has released $375,000 in Measure Y prevention funds reserve for additional outreach workers and $200,000 in job trainig funds. Currently most outreach workers focus on truant and younger youth.  This new program will focus on older youth, specially those recently released from prision.  These outreach workers will meet regularly with probation officers to coordinate efforts.
  

• Self-Defense Class for Women: The City's Parks & Recreation Department and Police Department are teaching a class on self-defense for women, Saturdays from January 19 to February 9 from 1-4 pm at the Franklin Recreation Center, 1010 E 15th Street. Course Fee is $40. Register online as Activity #7068.301. The Self-Defense Course is designed to empower women to feel confident by teaching them specific skills and techniques to defend themselves in potentially dangerous situations. Facilitated by OPD Defensive Tactics Instructors, the course covers such topics as self protection, handgun safety and sexual assault awareness. Participants must attend all four of the three-hour sessions to successfully complete the course.

• Police Technicians Needed:  Police Services Technicians are non-sworn OPD personnel who can do many of the duties that Police Officers do. To improve police investigations especially in the area of robberies and burglaries, 15 more were authorized in the two year City budget passed in June. They also conduct Neighborhood Watch and Merchant Watch training, security inspections, redirect traffic, tow abandoned vehicles, assist in sideshow suppression operations and liquor license investigations.  Applications are being accepted now.

• Police Reserve Officers Needed:  Sworn reserve officers perform all the duties and responsibilities of a career police officer on a volunteer, part-time basis.  Oakland has a small but dedicated group of reserve officers.  They must meet the same qualifications and training as our regular officers and commit to 20 hours per month.   Because of the need to use all resources to fill vacant police positions, new reserve offices have not been recruited for over a year. Interested persons should contact Joseph Sweeney for additional information.

• The City has launched a new Measure Y website and e-newsletter that contain a wealth of practical information and an area by area list of services and programs.  The new website is www.MeasureY.org; you can sign up for the newsletter there.

• For a complete list of Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils in District 4.

• How to file a Police Report:  Police use crime reports to plan patrols and follow crime trends. Commanders determine their priorities based on the number and severity of crimes reported. You don't have to rely on the police to actually make the report; for non-urgent crimes such as auto break-ins or after the fact home break-ins you can download a citizen's crime report  from the City's website. You can also make anonymous calls for drug activity to 238-DRUG.

• Oakland Rotary Launches Oakland Reads: The Oakland Rotary Club's Youth & Education Committee is partnering with OUSD to provide three new books to every third grader in OUSD schools this February. That means that more than 3,100 third graders in all traditional and charter schools throughout the City will each receive a set of three books hand picked by OUSD librarians, teachers and Rotary members to encourage students to read and stretch their literacy skills. Rotary has chosen this ambitious project because literacy skills form the cornstone of a child's academic development:
  

• Early reading proficiency is a primary indicator of a child's likelihood of attending college.
• Children who fail to read by age 9 (Grade 3) typically fall behind in other areas and rarely make up the lost ground.
• Children who attain reading proficiency are at much less risk of dropping out of high school.

• OUSD Launches New Student Website:  The new school district site is packed with information on internships, programs, colleges, homework help and other issues.  Students can sign up at http://www.ousdstudents.org

•  Maxwell Park NCPC Improves the Corner at Walgreen's on High Street: Volunteers led by Jan Hetherington have been cleaning up and maintaining the area near Walgreens on High Street. Last weekend they planted daffodils to create a "entrance" statement. They also installed a bulletin board. They are looking for a creative signmaker who would donate a sign to post above the bulletin board. If you are interested, or know of someone, please contact Jan.

• 2008 Dimond History Wall Calendars Now Available: The calendar features photos of 19th and early 20th century Dimond, over 150 community events and important dates, and contact numbers for local and city services. Calendars are available in the greeting card section of Farmer Joe's and at Paws and Claws for only $12 The Dimond Improvement Association will have calendars available at the Dimond Holiday Celebration, this Saturday 10-3 at Fruitvale Presbyterian Church.

• What to do with the Relatives?--As you make plans for your out-of-town guests who may be joining you for the holidays, consider taking a long walk outdoors as a way to show off the hidden qualities of our fair city. The Friends of Sausal Creek just produced a gorgeous map of the trails within the Sausal Creek Watershed, showing trails from Dimond Park up to Joaquin Miller Park and Shepherd Canyon Park. You can download a pdf of the map from the Joaquin Miller Park website. Dogs on leash are allowed only in Joaquin Miller Park--and along the new Montclair Railroad Trail, which is the new name for the old East Bay Regional Park Trail that goes from Paseo Robles Road to Montclair Village. 

• BayFriendly Gardening Workshops for District 4 Residents: Our office and the team from StopWaste.org are sponsoring a special Bay-Friendly Gardening Planning & Design Seminar this winter. Make the most of winter rain downtime to plan upgrades for your garden. Join us for one of two free Bay-Friendly Gardening Planning & Design Seminars.

   

  Wednesday, January 23 from 7-9:30 pm -StopWaste.Org office at 1537 Webster  in downtown Oakland OR

  Wednesday, February 13 from 7-9:30 pm - Dimond Public Library  at 3565 Fruitvale Avenue in Oakland

   

  In the course of this interactive seminar, you will learn how to plan a beautiful, sustainable landscape while conserving resources and reducing maintenance. Small meetings with professional designers will help you get started on creating an aesthetically pleasing garden while reducing waste and protecting the watersheds of San Francisco Bay. To participate, please register online at: http://recycle.stopwaste.org/bfgseminar   Or call 510-444-SOIL. Some prep work required.

   

• Holiday Kwanzaa and Christmas Gift Show -- December 8-9, featuring food, music, arts and crafts from over a hundred vendors, Oakland Marriott Convention Center. www.kwanzaagiftshow.com

• Dunsmuir House for the Holidays: Mansion tours, holiday teas, carolers, horse-drawn carriages for hire, craft booths, refreshments, children's activities, entertainment and more at the historic Dunsmuir House at 2060 Peralta Oaks Court, just off of Highway 580 and 106th Avenue. Weekends, December 8-23. Advance ticket prices-- Adults $11, Seniors (62+) $10, Juniors $7, groups of 10 or more $9 each-- add $4 at the door. Call (925) 275-9490.

• Holiday Events Light Up the Oakland Public Library--Free, multicultural fairytales, stories, puppet shows, sing-alongs and more bring together the whole family at this joyous time of year:
  • Bonnie Lockhart presents Peace, Light & Chocolate: Holiday Songs from Many Traditions: Monday, December 10, 7 pm Montclair Branch Library
  • Opera Piccola presents Hansel & Gretel, Tuesday, December 18, 7 pm  at Dimond Branch Library
  • Puppet Art presents Jack & The Beanstalk Wednesday, December 19, 3:30 pm at Melrose Branch Library

For a full list of events throughout the holidays and their locations at other branch libraries, please call 238-3848 or check out the Oakland Public Library website.

• Skyline High's 2007-08 season begins with the production of Zooman and the Sign, and Obie Award winning show by Charles Fuller . Wed. - Sat., December 12, 13, 14, and 15, 7:30 pm, Skyline's Farnsworth Theater. The story revolves around events set in motion by a grieving father.  When no witnesses to his daughter's murder come forward, he places a provocative sign outside his house  The play raises an important and timely issue:   How do non violent people react to violence within their community?  Support arts in the schools. $9 at the door, $7 in advance.  Good way to introduce young people to live theater and economical family event. 

• Skyline Holiday Concert showcasing vocal and instrumental musicians -- Wednesday, Dec. 19th, 7 pm, free.
  

• Holiday Caroling on Lake Merritt--enjoy a unique view of Oakland as your Water Sleigh takes you on a voyage around Lake Merritt, with complimentary cookies & hot cider. Friday tours: December 14 and 21, 6 and 7 pm; Saturday tours, December 15 & 22, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm; Sunday tours, December 16 & 24, 4 pm, 5 pm and 6 pm. Water Sleigh ($5 per person); Private charter for up to 20 $75. Call 238-2196 for reservations.

• KKSF Smooth Jazz Christmas, Saturday, December 15 at 8 pm at the Paramount: featuring Dave Koz and friends, and special guests Jonathan Butler, Wayman Tisdale and Kimberley Lock. Tickets range from $39.50-$85.

• Ronn Guidi's Nutcracker at the Paramount: Michael Morgan conducting members of the Oakland East Bay Symphony in the 35th anniversary of the Oakland Ballet's Nutcracker. Ballet Performance tickets range from $15-$50; Sweet Dreams Party tickets $10. Friday, December 21, 10:30 am, limited seats, sold through the Box Office only.
  
  • Friday, December 21, 8 pm, Opening Night
  • Saturday, December 22, 2 pm--Sweet Dreams Party takes place right after the 2 pm performance. All ages require a ticket to the party.
  • Saturday, December 22, 8 pm
  • Sunday, December 23, 2 pm--Sweet Dreams Party takes place right after the 2 pm performance. All ages require a ticket to the party.
  • Monday, December 24, 11 am--(Target Family Matinee) limited seats available through the Box Office only.
  
  
• Annual New Year's Eve Balloon Drop at Chabot Space & Science Center:  Great way to celebrate with little ones. Monday, December 31 (12:45 pm or 3:45 pm) Free with General Admission. Space is limited--Advance tickets required.