1. Storm Watch Tips for This Weekend and Next Week
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The National Weather Service has posted High Wind & Storm Advisories for much of Northern and Central California through Saturday  night, with the potential of winds up to 75 mph! Rain continues Sunday and with some breaks next week. As of Friday afternoon, more than 1 million Californians reported power outages! Fortunately, our Public Works Agency fanned out prior to the storms to clear storm drains and trim trees so that problems within the city were far less than that reported in other communities. We did have a slide up on Skyline near Snake Road, and some flooding at Sausal Creek and elsewhere, but we seemed to have done okay as of Friday evening. Please show appreciation to these crews if you come in contact with them; they work around the clock and through the weekends during storms to prevent flooding and to keep roads clear.  Rain Closures on Southern Portion of Big Trees and Upper Palos Colorados Trails at Joaquin Miller Park:
Due to this week's heavy precipitation the Southern portion of Big
Trees and Upper Palos Colorados Trails is now closed to equestrians and
bicyclists until drier conditions prevail. Signs have been posted on
the affected trails and will be monitored.
- Keep an eye out for vulnerable neighbors: If you lose power or have a road blockage from a fallen tree, this is a good time to use your neighborhood alert or CORE (Citizens Organized to Respond to Emergencies) networks to check on each other. Today we were informed by one group that one of our streets with a high percentage of seniors was without power most of the day, we were able to work with our local PG&E rep to make sure they got restoration in the evening. If you don't have a group, this is another reason to organize one.
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In preparation for these high winds and heavy rains, the Public Works Agency has extended business hours to Oakland residents and businesses for acquiring sandbags and plastic sheeting to help protect their properties from storm-related damage. Bring proof of residence. Five sandbags per household/business are available Saturday and Sunday between 8 am and 4:30 pm at the following District 4 Fire Stations or these citywide locations:
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Fire Station #6 7080 Colton Blvd. - Fire Station # 17 3344 High Street
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Fire Station #24 5900 Shepherd Canyon
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Fire Station #25 2795 Butters Drive
- If the Fire Stations are out of sand bags or out on an emergency call, the Public Works Maintenance Station in Shepherd Canyon, across from the playing fields at 5921 Shepherd Canyon has a large supply and is the deployment center for many of our storm related emergency services.
Public Works staff are on standby during the storm warning period. Please email the PWA Call Center at pwacallcenter@oaklandnet.com if the issue is not an emergency, the message will be picked up the following workday. During storm emergencies, all maintenance staff may be deployed to emergency situations. This means some regular functions including park maintenance, normal pothole requests, graffiti abatement and other maintenance may be delayed.
- To report a power outage, call PG&E at 800 743-5002. Information about preparing for outages can be found at www.pge.com/stormoutages. PG&E will call you back when they have something to report. PG&E has recruited teams from outside of the area to help out, but the outages are so widespread that it may be many hours before you hear anything. Please be patient.
- To report flooding at creeks, call the PWA Call Center at 615-5566 or the Alameda County Sheriff's Dispatch for County Flood Control at 667-7721.
- How you can help:
- Check and clean out your private drainage systems.
- Check out your trees, it is the right season to get them trimmed. Remove dangerous limbs. Check soil saturation, remember oak trees are vulnerable to too much water and many tall trees like redwoods have shallow roots.
- Rake up leaves and debris in gutters in front of your home and put them into your green bin. Do not leave them near storm drains.
 Help clean up litter that might flow into the bay through our drains and creeks. Remember that our styrofoam ordinance is based on reporting to: recycling@oaklandnet.com Volunteers at Lake Merritt this week noted that at least one fast food chain near the lake was still using styrofoam by looking at the debris floating near at the filter into the estuary.
- Keep an eye on local creeks and report flooding to numbers above.
- Consider adopting a local drain near your home or business. Our Maintain A Drain Program provides tools and equipment.
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2. City Updates: Foreclosure Workshop, Mayor's State of the City Report, Free Earned Income Help, Employee of the Year, RV Ordinance Delayed
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 Foreclosure Workshop: Foreclosures at record levels nationally, but especially here in California where real estate speculation has been the highest. The advice from experts is clear, start working on refinancing before you are in foreclosure. About 1400 homes in Oakland are in some stage of foreclosure. The Mayor and Council will be hosting a workshop on foreclosures on Saturday, January 12th, 10 am -1 pm, in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, 3rd Floor. Credit counselors and lenders will be present to offer on-site assistance. This online foreclosure counseling website has useful information. They also have a 24 hour helpline, 888-995-HOPE.
Mayor Ron Dellums will be presenting his State of the City talk on
Monday, January 14 from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Oakland Marriott. The
public is invited. The Mayor will address the
following subjects: 1) Public Safety; 2) Health; 3) Economic
Development; 4) The Environment.
Are You Eligible for a EITC Rebate? Low-income families within the City of Oakland received over $4.4
million back into their hands as a result of the City of Oakland's 2006
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Campaign, called Earn it! Keep It! Save It! This
year, the City kicks off its 2008 EITC Campaign on Thursday, January 31, 10 am on the steps of City Hall. The City of Oakland Community Action Partnership
(OCAP) partners with the Alameda County Earned Income Tax Credit
Campaign to support 12 FREE community based volunteer Income Tax Assistance Sites throughout the City staffed by 155 volunteer tax preparers.
 Tax Auditor Honored as Employee of the Year: Keith Pryor (left), a 23 year veteran of the Finance and Management Department, was selected for his work in auditing and collecting $21 million in revenue. With colleague Gary Cook, he discovered over $20 million in delinquent Real Estate Transfer Taxes by identifying properties bought through corporate merger but not recorded. He also developed an auditing program of real estate developers and collected another $800,000 in unpaid business taxes. On the other hand he wrote the new language to exempt non-profit housing projects from business taxes.
RV Ordinance Delayed: A proposed ordinance
to prohibit Recreational Vehicles from parking anywhere in Oakland was
held back in the Public Safety Committee for some major revisions. We have received many helpful comments, our office is working on modifications for the following reasons:
 As written all campers including those that are not oversized would be prohibited. This includes small trucks with camper shells and regular sized vans outfitted for camping. Speakers at the committee and several constituents said they used these vehicles as their regular transportation. >>This truck parked in the Dimond this week would have been banned.
- As written RV's would be illegal on streets for any period of time. Owners of RV's complained they would not be able to load up their vehicles for trips or host visiting relatives. Members of the Committee felt some limited period of time would be reasonable.
- As written RV's could not park anywhere on the street in the city including commercial areas. The Committee was concerned that enforcement and reasonable accommodation of vehicles passing through the city or even tailgating at the Coliseum would be affected.
The main purpose of the ordinance, restricting oversized RV's from parking in residential areas on an on-going basis received general support. Currently oversized RV's and boats may be parked in driveways and on private property for 72 hours, after that they are considered a blight. Parking on the street is usually the problem . Currently, trucks, trailers, campers and RVs are subject to the same 72 hour rule as other vehicles-- you cannot park them longer than 72 hours on a city street. If a vehicle is blocking the street making it dangerous for cars and especially fire trucks, it is already illegal.
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| 3. Nominate a Local Hero --Note New February 16 Date |
 << 2007 Local Hero Winners: Herb & Adrienne Bryant, Dean Bradley, Carter Roberts, Emily Rosenberg, Jeanne Nixon,Rev. Valerie Miles-Tribble, Ruth Villasenor and Dale Risden.
Do you know of a neighborhood unsung hero--someone who has adopted a spot as did 2006 Local Hero Don Hamilton, or volunteers extraordinaire, as 2007 winners Dale Risden and Emily Rosenberg for their work on the new dog park in Joaquin Miller Park? All nominees receive tickets to A's games and the top honorees may up to $1000 to a public capital project. Past awardees have paid for projects such as trees on a street near the Lincoln Courts senior residence (the old Hillcrest Motel), gardens for Horace Mann School, landscaping for the Joaquin Miller Community Center, and shading for Childrens Fairyland's Puppet Theater.
Join us Saturday, February 16, 2008 for our 4th Annual Local Heroes Awards Program, honoring outstanding local volunteers who have made a real difference in their neighborhoods. We will also be celebrating the Lunar New Year's Holiday. This year, we are holding the event at Laurel Elementary School, 3750 Brown Avenue, in the Laurel Neighborhood.
Please help us identify the 2008 awardees by sending us your
nomination. Please include the name, address, phone and email address
of the nominee, as well as your own contact information, and a brief
description as to why you believe this individual (or group) should be
considered a local hero. If you have a digital photo of the honoree,
please include it as well. You can send it to Sue Piper in our office. For information about previous winners:
Local Heroes 2007....
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4. Transportation & Traffic: Bus Route Extension, Last Chance for MTC Survey, Warren Freeway Median, Ygnacio Rounds
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 MTC Survey on the Future of Transportation in the Bay Area: Here's your last chance to tell the Metropolitan Transportation Commission about your priorities for transportation and land use in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. Complete a brief online survey and tell MTC what actions you think should be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve traffic congestion in the region. Deadline: January 9, 2008.
 AC Transit Bus #53--"Use it or Lose it": AC Transit's # 53 bus runs from the Fruitvale BART up Fruitvale to Lyman & Tiffin and down Whittle back to Fruitvale. Now every other bus runs from Tiffin up Lincoln to the Woodminster Shopping Area at the freeway end of Joaquin Miller Road at half hour intervals. Schedules are available on the bus or at www.actransit.org or by phone at 511. In addition to making BART accessible to more residents, this will bring many close to Joaquin Miller Park, bring more shoppers to the booming Dimond stores, and should help seniors get to the program at the Greek Orthodox Church. However, this is one of those "use it or lose it" situations. We encourage residents along the route to use the bus so we can keep this extension.
 Deer Crossings: In recent weeks with early winter nights, we have had more reports of deer accidents. Sue Piper of our office hit a deer on the night of our Christmas Party. It caused severe damage to her car but luckily they were wearing their seat belts; rangers could not find the deer who ran off. The growing population of deer in the hills and their bold explorations as far down as MacArthur Blvd is another reason to slow down.
 Training for pilot Community Radar Program, Saturday, January 12 or January 26, 10 am - 2 pm at Eastmont Mall Police Substation. The first pilot will be on 35th Avenue; at least one other neighborhood group is organizing. Participants must register first with our office. >>Recent crash on 35th Avenue.
- Ygnacio Traffic Circles:
The first phase of the work on the Ygnacio traffic circles
 is done and
we are getting questions about when the rest of the work will be done
so we can get out and finish the planting. Traffic tells us that next
contractor will start work on moving the boulders and larger plants
into the circle soon. City staff will be doing restriping work soon
after. In the interim we ask Public Works to put up reflector signs on
the circles so motorists won't hit them at night.
- Warren Freeway Work Underway, But Not Very Visible--We continue to get inquires about the status of the landscaping project on the Warren Freeway. Cristina Ferraz, Regional Project Manager for the East Region of Cal-Trans, noted: "Some of the work done is not very visible, so there is an appearance that nothing is happening. The contractor installed Water Pollution Control measures, as shown on their submitted and approved Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and the contractor will begin installing irrigation lines when the weather gets better."
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| 5. Mac Arthur Blvd Updates |
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The Proposed AMG Senior Project for High and MacArthur presented
new designs to the Planning Commission's Design Committee in December.
The new designs break the project into two buildings and more clearly
shows how the 50 foot CalTrans buffer zone between it and the freeway
fits in. A community meeting on
the design is being organized by AMG, the Laurel
District Association and the Laurel Village Association. City staff from planning and my office will be attending. It is tentatively for
Tuesday, January 15, 7-9 pm. The venue is expected to be
at Lawrence O'Toole on High Street.
 Mills College-MacArthur Corridor Project received Council approval this week to apply for a grant to begin studies for a combined bicycle and pedestrian path to run from the entrance of Mills College to High Street at MacArthur. This path, a combined project of my office, the Maxwell Park NCPC, Mills College and the City Community and Economic Development Department, will allow for easy access between the school and the shopping district and improved landscaping.
This project is another outgrowth of the Envisioning MacArthur Conference I organized several years ago. Along with the Dimond Senior Council, attempt to pass a Library Bond for a Laurel Library, the Dimond  Streetscape Project, and the design of the mixed retail housing project at 35th and MacArthur (nearing completion at left), represent how the ideas of community planning sessions can ultimately bear fruit. If the grant is awarded, look forward to a series of community input meetings, along with a detailed analysis of what will work to upgrade this currently rather desolate stretch of roadway in terms of safety, beauty and pedestrian friendliness.
Dimond Streetscape Design Phase: After receiving and completing a planning grant to improve the Upper Fruitvale and Dimond Streetscape (pedestrian & traffic safety improvements), we are now in the design phase. If the designs are approved we will see major capital improvements similar to those in the Laurel District. In addition we will incorporate the mural replacement funded by Peets and additional improvements funded by my office. In January we hope to hold a meeting of artists interested in proposing the artistic aspects of projects.
If you are interested in either the Laurel or Dimond project, please contact Richard Cowan in my office, 238-7041.
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| 6. Community Input on New Fire Station 18 Sought |
 This month the Fire Department and architects began a series of community meetings on the design of the new Fire Station 18 at 50th and Bancroft. The current station is the smallest in the city; it cannot fit modern fire engine trucks and firefighters live in cramped quarters.
During last year's budget process I championed the station in the Capital Budget; funding will come primarily from the Redevelopment District.
Our office's feedback on the design was that the community room needed to be large enough to conduct CORE (disaster preparedness) training and neighborhood council meetings. We also wanted to see more windows on the street. We have requested that the designs be brought to the nearby Melrose-High Hopes and Maxwell Park neighborhood crime council meetings.
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7. Community Policing News: Police Reorganization Starts This Week, Review Board Members Needed, New Laws, Self Defense Class |
 Police Reorganization Plan Based on Geographic Accountability Begins Next Weekend: The Police Department released new details
of the reorganization last month at Council. In addition to geographic accountability the plan increases the number of officers working during the high crime hours. My district has neighborhoods in each of the 3 geographic areas. Montclair is in Area 1 with north & west Oakland, Maxwell Park and Melrose are in Area 3 with most of far East Oakland, and the majority of my district is in Area 2 or Central Oakland. As Lieutenants and Commanders get their new phone numbers, we will publish them. The Council will look carefully at the results of the reorganization at the six month review. (Above) Chief Tucker addresses yesterday's graduation of the 162nd Academy.
- 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.
- New State Laws for 2008:
- Prosecutors in urban areas with gang problems including Oakland may bring
eviction actions against tenants for illegal weapons possession if the landlord
is unwilling or afraid to act.
- Judges who sentence juvenile gang offenders to
order the parents to attend classes to learn how to keep their children from
engaging in gang violence. The curriculum would include a meeting between the
parents and families of victims of gang violence.
- It is now illegal to smoke in cars where minors are present, punishable by a fine of up to $100.
Police officers cannot pull motorists over for smoking, however. Officers can
cite adult smokers only if that offense is discovered in conjunction with
another violation such as speeding
- You have 6 months to make your cellphone hands free if you plan to talk while driving.
- Minors are banned from using cellphones and
text-messaging devices while driving; this also takes effect July 1.
- 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.
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 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.
- 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.
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8. Cats and Dogs
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 Lost Dogs: Maybe it was owners on vacation or New Year's fireworks in some neighborhoods, but there have been many lost dogs reported on our neighborhood listserv's. Here are two good sites with basic information on what to do if you find a stray.
 Winter Campaign for Cats. Do you need help with feral 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 feeds the
cats. Please call the Winter Campaign for cats at 563-4635 with your
contact information.
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9. California Primary in One Month - February 5th
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 With just a month to go, take time to study your ballot and research your candidates now. To find your polling site or for good information on local and state propositions, the League of Women Voter's Smart Voter website is an invaluable tool. Please note these
dates:- January 22nd Last day to register to vote in the primary
- January 29th Last day to request to vote by mail
- Alameda County Registrar:
Not Sure If You Are Registered? Haven't received voter materials?
1225 Fallon Street, G-1, in the County Courthouse by the lake. 272-6973
- New Rules for Decline to State Voters: Many
new voters decline to state a party when they register. This year
some parties including the Democratic Party will allow "Decline to
State" voters to participate in their primary. Follow this link for more info.
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| 10. Green Gardening & Park Projects |
 Our office has made "Keeping Oakland Green" a priority through our sponsorship of the ban on polystyrene food ware and non-compostable plastic bags from major grocery stores. Another avenue we've taken is to encourage homeowners to "Think Green" when planning and maintaining their landscapes. I've learned much from my service as a member --and now as chair-- of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority that I've tried to pass this onto my Oakland constituents. This year I requested additional workshops in Oakland on Bay-Friendly Gardening--one mini-workshop is free (offered twice) and a full-day workshop has a fee:
- Bay Friendly Gardening Planning & Design Seminar for Oakland Residents 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, register online or call 444-SOIL. Some prep work required.
- Wednesday, January 23, 7-9:30 pm at Stopwaste.org Offices (1537 Webster Street, Oakland). Free
- Wednesday, February 13, 7-9:30 pm, at Dimond Library. Free
- Bay Friendly Landscaping & Gardening Conference--Making the Leap to Sustainable Landscaping--Discover how Bay Friendly can help you cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce waste, conserve water and prevent pollution. Especially practical for public and private landscape professionals and advanced home gardeners. Friday, February 29, 8 am-5 pm at UC Berkeley. To participate, register online.
- Volunteer Opportunities with Friends of Sausal Creek: FOSC hosts a number of work parties to restore the Sausal Creek watershed and nurture native plants:
- Saturday, January 5, 1:30 pm -propagate native species for fall planting and other nursery work. Contact Molly Bolt at 501-3672.
- Friday, January 25, 9:30-12:30 pm-Seed hike to collect seeds to propagate native plants. Contact Kathren Stevenson at 388-5676.
- Saturday, January 26, 9-Noon-Planting Day in Beaconsfield Canyon (meet at the bottom of Beaconsfield Place). Contact Kathren Stevenson at 388-5676.
- Saturday, January 26, 1:30-4:30 pm-propagate native species for fall planting and other nursery work at the Joaquin Miller Park Native Plant Nursery.Contact Molly Bolt at 501-3672.
- Monday, January 28, 9-Noon- Planting at the Redwood Restoration Site.
Meet at the Monterey Trailhead. Call for Directions---388-5676 or
contact Kathren Stevenson
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 View from the New Escher Trail in Shepherd Canyon Park (photo by Mike Petouhoff) >> Neighbors & Volunteers of America Improve Trails in Shepherd Canyon:
Volunteers from the Shepherd Canyon Homeowners Association and members
of Volunteers of America (VOA) were busy over the holidays, weeding
around signs, refurbishing picnic tables that had been damaged by
vandals, and creating a new spur from Escher Meadow to a new trail that
links the soccer field with Escher Road. The group is also working on
project with the Wildfire Prevention District to create a Firestorm
Demonstration Garden near Fire Station #24 on Shepherd Canyon Road.
These developments are part of the ongoing efforts of a community
planning process our office co-sponsored with the Shepherd Canyon
Homeowners Association in 2003 to improve the park. Since then, we have
added signs, built the new trail and are working on creating additional
parking. We are short about $30,000 for that new parking lot and cannot
start work until all the funds are on hand. If you would like to donate
to this project (really important because hundreds of families converge
on the park during soccer season and parking is a real hazard), please
send a check to the Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation, PO Box
13267, Oakland, CA 94661 and note that it is for the Shepherd Canyon
Parking Lot Project (FOPL phone is 465-1850).
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11. Keeping Oakland Green in 2008 |
- Recycle Your Christmas Tree: Waste Management will pick up your holiday green waste between until January 11, 2008 on your regularly scheduled Yard
 Trimmings day.
- Recycle clean green trees only. No snow flocking, tinsel, ornaments, nails or tree stands. Flocked trees are non-recyclable and must be placed in your garbage cart for disposal.
- Place tree curbside by 6 am on collection day and no earlier than one day before.
- Trees must be no more than 5 feet tall. Cut taller trees in half.
- After January 12, you can recycle your clean, green tree in the yard trimmings cart at any time. Lid must close.
Oakland Residents are eligible to take one (per household) clean, green holiday tree for recycling at no charge to Davis Street Transfer Station at 2615 Davis Street in San Leandro. For details, call Waste Management at 613-8710.
 Ban on Plastic Bags at Grocery Stores To Start This Month, Plastics Industry Files for Injunction: While we wait to see the outcome of legal maneuvers by the plastics industry, we urge Oaklanders to bring their own bags and to encourage their retailers to voluntarily comply with the plastic bag ban. Many stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joes already have. Each year 12 million barrels of oil go to produce over a trillion single use plastic bags. Californians use over 19 billion bags and throw 600 away every second, resulting in over 147,000 tons of litter. Council Member Nadel and I authored this ordinance to ban plastic bags and encourage reusable shopping bags: Ordinance to Ban Petroleum Based, Non-Biodegradable Carry Out Bags at Large Retail Stores.
 Easy Recycling of Batteries: Use rechargeable batteries when you can and remember the State bans throwing out spent single-use batteries in your regular trash. Oakland has made battery recycling easy--just drop off your old batteries in the Battery Recycler at Oakland libraries and Parks & Recreation Centers. Photo-and coin-cell lithium batteries must be put in a plastic bag before placing in the Battery Recycler. Please do not place rechargeable batteries in the Battery Recycler-- return them to the store where they were purchased. You can also drop off batteries and other Household Hazardous Waste at one of three Alameda County collection facilities. For drop-off site details or for a list of other household hazardous wastes, please call 800-660-6606 or visit Household-Hazwaste.org.
- TURN's Bill Busters Arriving in Oakland Libraries: The Utility Reform Network (TURN) is partnering with the Oakland Public Library to bring TURN's Bill Busters to libraries throughout the City from January to March 2008. A team of experts with years of experience in lowering utility bills and handling disputes with utility companies offer tips on how to lower electric and gas usage and how to take advantage of programs to make homes or apartments more energy efficient. Bring copies of your bills to the following locations:
- Monday, Febuary 4, 6 pm--Melrose Branch, 4805 Foothill Blvd.
- Thursday, February 21, 6 pm--Oakland Main, 125 14th Street
- Saturday, March 1, 1 pm --Montclair Branch, 1687 Mountain Blvd.
For details, go to the OPL website or call 238-3134 for other dates and locations within the City. |
12. School & Library News: Boundary Changes Delayed
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 Oakland Libraries After School (OLAS) Starts This Month: This free library service offers enrichment programs for children, including drop-in homework help, four days a week. OLAS is located at the Main Library, Cesar E. Chavez, Eastmont and Golden Gate Branches.
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Horace Mann School Needs Heavy Plastic Garden Pots: On New Year's Eve, vandals destroyed 5 ceramic pots in the garden at Horace Mann Elementary School. Happily, none of the heavy plastic pots or planters with plants in them were broken. The broken pots had bulbs in them but appeared to be empty to the naked eye. Students grew very successful crops of snow peas and cherry tomatoes in these pots last year, and would appreciate heavy plastic replacement pots so they can do so again. Please let Jeanne Nixon know if you have any 14-16"-wide heavy plastic garden pots to donate to the school garden. Bags of potting soil would help, too. -
Proposed School Boundary Changes Tabled by School Board:
As one of its first acts under its new governance powers, the OUSD
Board of Education voted on Wednesday to "table" a proposal to shrink
Hillcrest School's boundaries and to reorganize middle school
boundaries. The staff proposal would have impacted Montclair and Chabot
Elemetary Schools, as well as Bret Harte, Edna Brewer, Claremont, Frick
and Montera Middle Schools. School Board Directors Kerry Hamill
(District 1) and Gary Yee (District 4) will convene a subcommittee of
Board members to meet with ALL schools affected by both proposals,
along with staff, to come up with policy recommendations for the board
to consider in April. In the interim, the District's current "options"
policy remains in place. If you are interested in more information,
please contact District 4 School Board Member Gary Yee.
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Library presents "Educate to Liberate: The Schools of the Black Panther Party, 1969-1982": Stop by the Oakland History Room at Oakland's Main Library, 125 14th Street, between January 15 and April 15 to see this new exhibit, about the Oakland Community School, the first of the Black Panther Party's "liberation" schools. A program and reception will be held at the West Oakland Branch Library on February 16 at 1801 Adeline Street starting at 1 pm. For details, contact Steven Lavoie in the Oakland History Room at the Main Library at 238-3222. |
| 13. Upcoming Events |
- Kids Go Green at Chabot, Saturday, January 12th, 11am-4 pm: Hands-on activities for kids centered around ecology
and conservation. Focusing on teaching kids and their families how to
take practical, daily steps to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas
emissions. Chabot Space Science
 Mars is unusually close to the Earth, you'll have to
wait until 2016 to see Mars this close again! Mars is
small...about half the size of the Earth, so now is the time to view its features. Scientists
predict an asteroid may hit Mars in late January so we'll
keep you informed. Visit the Chabot Space Science Center Telescopes Friday or Saturday nights, 7:30-10:30, for free telescope viewing, clear skies and permitting.
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Peralta Hacienda Storytelling, Saturday, January 12, 2-4 pm: "Have I Got a Story to Tell: A Storytelling Circle with Diane Ferlatte" a Grammy nominated, world-renowned
storyteller. She performs stories from an array of cultures,
including her own African, Southern, and African-American roots, and invites
guests to share their own stories. Erik Pearson will accompany on
the banjo. A special performance of spoken word and
freestyle rap by local youth will follow! Stay for hot drinks and desserts. League of Women Voters' Film/Discussion on Electric Cars:
The League of Women Voters of Oakland invites everyone to a free
showing of "Who Killed the ELECTRIC CAR?" at the Parkway Speakeasy
Theater, 1834 Park Blvd. near East 18th Street) on Sunday, January 13
at 1:15 pm. The show is part of the Parkway's Sunday Salon series--a
free film followed by discussion. For more information, call the LWVO
office at 834-7640 or visit their website. For details about Parkway.
- Aging Out, Film about Foster Care "Graduates": On any given day, more than half a million American children live in foster care. Each year, about 20,000 of them will "age out" of care, typically at age18. Though most 18-year-olds in intact families can expect emotional and financial support for years to come, many youth in foster care are homeless and without support when they turn 18. Overnight, they are on their own. Aging Out follows three young people as they exit foster care and face a series of challenges. FREE Screening Thursday, January 18, 2008, 6:30 pm, Ellen Driscoll Auditorium, Havens School, 325 Highland Avenue, Piedmont. Sponsored by the Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee, Diversityworks and Piedmont League of Women Voters. For details... This film is particularly timely, as Alameda County is proposing to convert the Fred Finch facilities on Coolidge to residential facilities for Aged Out foster children. We will co-hosting a meeting on the project soon.
- Oakland Celebrates the Dream Opening Ceremony, Friday, January 18, 11:30 am-1:00 pm, Oakland City Hall Steps: Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as Oakland marks Dr. King's 79th Birthday. The event will feature a keynote address by U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and live entertainment as well as a resource fair with information on volunteer opportunities, community events and celebrations commemorating Dr. King, his life and his vision.The Oakland Celebrates the Dream Opening Ceremony is sponsored by AT&T and the City of Oakland. *In the event of inclement weather, the celebration will be moved to the Elihu M. Harris State Building at 1515 Clay Street.
 Oakland East Bay Symphony Plays Verdi's Requiem, Friday, January 25: The
Oakland Symphony Chorus and four extraordinary soloists join the
Oakland East Bay Symphony for one of the greatest works ever written
for orchestra and chorus -- the Verdi Requiem.For ticket information and reservations, go to the OEBS website.
 Free Oakland Civic Orchestra Concert, Sunday, January 27: Popular Bay Area guitarist Patrick Francis will join Martha Stoddard, conductor, and the Oakland Civic Orchestra for its Bitter/Sweet: Music for the Soul
concert on January 27, 2008 at 4 pm at the Lake Merritt United
Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Avenue. The concert is free. The
Oakland Civic Orchestra has been providing free classical music to the
community for more than 15 years. For more information, call 238-7275
or visit the Orchestra's website.
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"Stir the Pot" at Dimond Library, Monday, January 28, 5:30-7 pm, Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue.
The League of Women Voters Oakland hosts public discussions of issues
important to Oaklanders. These topical and lively discussions "stir the
pot," and have resulted in grassroots community action. This month's meeting on Open Government in Oakland features Sukey
Wilder, outgoing member of the Oakland's Public Ethics Commission and
Dan Purnell, Executive Director of the Public Ethics Commission. For info call LWVO at 834-7640 or check www.lwvoakland.org
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| 14. On the Horizon: Upcoming District 4 Sponsored Events |
January:
- Saturday, January 12 or January 26: Training for pilot Radar Program,10 am - 2 pm . Must register first with our office. (See #4)
 Wednesday, January 30, 6-8 pm: Community Seminar on Retrofitting Your Home, 1528 Webster Street Please register with Sue Piper at 238-7042. Look for the ad about the Retrofitting Program on page 310 of the Yellow Pages.>>
- Thursday, January 31, 4-6 pm: Contractor Workshop on Retrofitting Homes in Oakland, Hearing Room 3, Oakland City Hall.
February:
Monday, February 11, 2008 (Note, date has changed), 8:30-10:30 am, Joaquin Miller Community Center --Quarterly Joaquin Miller Working Group Meeting. The public is invited. Saturday, February 16, 10-Noon, Local Hero Celebration: Laurel
School, 3750 Brown Street. Please help us identify the 2008 awardees by
sending us your nomination to Sue Piper in our office. (See Item #2 above.)
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Please welcome our two new staff members, Michael Johnson and Leslie Bonett. Michael, will serve the Allendale, Bret Harte, Laurel, Maxwell Park, Melrose, and Dimond communities and will staff the Public Safety Committee. A graduate of UC Riverside, Michael grew up in East Oakland and worked recently as an HIV counselor. Contact him at 238-4742 or 
Leslie will be replacing Jennifer Argueta (who starts as a Neighborhood Services Coordinator next week) as our administrative assistant. She will triage requests to our office and
will handle meeting scheduling. She brings a wide range of skills and
experience in both education and social services organizations. Contact Leslie at 238-7273 or 
