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Moving Oakland Forward Together |
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Due to technical problems, our newsletter wasn't sent out
yesterday...Our apologies. This weekend I will be attending some neighborhood gatherings. On Sunday I will be at our booth at the Montclair Jazz & Wine Festival from noon to 6 pm. Next week will be particularly busy for us. Council meetings begin on Tuesday and next Saturday is Creek to Bay Day. Next to Earth Day this is our second largest volunteer effort of the year, we hope you'll join us. Later Saturday night I will be co-hosting a fundraiser for the Library Bond featuring some of Oakland's best known poets and writers downtown at the Rotunda. On Sunday we launch our free performances with the Sunday's in the Redwoods series at Woodminster Theater with Michael Morgan conducting the Oakland Symphony joined by Purple Silk, Oakland's Chinese Youth Orchestra...Think Stern Grove without the fog. I need to thank my staff -- Richard Cowan, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Piper and Jennifer Argueta --for doing a good job holding down the fort in my absence. I had nearly 2000 emails when I got back and am down to about 1200. My apologies in advance, it will probably take another week to get caught up with email, calls, snail mail, and next week's Council reading.  Jean Quan Vice Mayor, District 4 Council Member
Now that the summer is officially over, we are back on our regular office hour schedule: Wednesdays at 4173 MacArthur Blvd. 4-6 pm; Thursdays at Dimond Police Substation at Safeway 4- 6 pm and Saturdays at 4173 MacArthur Blvd. 10- Noon. Montclair Office Hours- this month we are at the Montclair Wine and Jazz Festival THIS Sunday from Noon until 7 pm. Please stop by. Next month will be our last month at the Montclair Farmer's Market on Sunday, October 8. After that, due to the winter weather, we will be meeting at 6211 La Salle Avenue from 10 until Noon.
I am sponsoring a community meeting on the proposed AMG Senior Residence for the Southwest Corner of High and MacArthur on Monday, September 18, 7 pm at our District Office, 4173 MacArthur, at Maybelle. At this time representatives of AMG, the City Planning Department and the District Office will be on hand to present the project and hear interests and concerns.
How many times have you wondered where to recycle your computers, televisions, toner cartridges and other e-waste? Worry no more. On Friday September 8, Noon to 5 pm, and Saturday, September 9, 9 am to 3 pm, come by Lot D at the Oakland Coliseum for a free E-Waste Recycling Event. (7000 Coliseum Way off of 66th Ave at North Mall Area). Drop off is free and there is no limit! Electronic items accepted include: Televisions, fax machines, VCR's and DVD's, Audio/Visual equipment, monitors, printers, cell phones, copy machines, toner cartridges, power cables, stereo equipment, computers & components, telephone equipment, video game systems and household batteries. On the other hand, please DO NOT bring microwave ovens, household appliances, car batteries or smoke detectors. For more information, call (866)336-3373 or go to their website If you have usable computers these two organizations train students and provide computers to Oakland Schools and students. Oakland Tech Exchange West is a non-profit created for the Oakland public schools. It grew out of a project I helped establish at Oakland Tech High School which also accepts computers below. Oakland Technology Exchange, Oakland Technical High School, 4351 Broadway (42nd St.) Call 879-1904. Accepts donations of computers (PC's 386 and above) and peripherals to be reused by students and schools throughout the Oakland Unified School District. This program provides computer repair training, and offers students the opportunity to earn a used computer through work credits at the Exchange program. Pick-up service is available for large quantities of donations.
Join Us Saturday, September 16th, 7 pm, at the Rotunda Building: The Oakland Neighborhood Library Coalition is sponsoring a fundraiser September 16th at the Rotunda Building, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in downtown featuring Oakland authors and poets. I have several tickets as a sponsor. If you you would like to attend but cannot afford the suggested amount, I would happily trade some of mine for any donation that you can afford. Download Leaflet The Coalition is forming outreach committees for each branch library. If you can help, contact Sue Piper in her private role (she only works for us part-time): sgpiper@sbcglobal.net The first library bond, since Oakland passed a $1.7 M
bond after WWII to build the current main library and
several branches, will be on the November 7th ballot. This
bond would fund approximately $148 million of an estimated
$240 million in facility upgrades called for in the Library
Master Plan: upgrades for all libraries, two new branch
libraries, and a new Main library at the historic Kaiser
Convention Center. What's at Stake for District 4? The Library Master Plan proposes several important improvements for our district:
Warren Freeway Landscaping. Many of you have called our office asking about when we can expect CalTrans to begin work on the Warren Freeway median landscaping project. Cristina Ferraz from CalTrans informed our office late last week that the state just actually moved the appropriated funds to the CalTrans account and they are now going through the contractor bidding process in hopes of the work starting in the Spring, after the rainy season ends. For additional information, please contact Cristina Ferraz or call her at 286-5559. Rehabilitation of 35th Avenue and Redwood Road now underway. As of Wednesday, August 30, contractors will be replacing sections of paving on Redwood Road and 35th Avenue through the end of September. You may recall that this area was resurfaced about 4 years ago. And, for those of you who travel this route on a regular basis, you may have also noticed that the surfacing material was defective. So this time around, the contractors will grind down the defective pavement and place a new layer of asphalt. While construction work is in progress, parking in these areas will be temporarily restricted. "No Parking" signs will be posted 3 days prior to the start of work. The contractor is required to maintain continuous local access to residences and businesses affected by the work. For questions or additional information, please call Wai Wong at 238-7261. If an emergency arises after normal business hours, please call the City's Public Works hotline at 615-5566. Warren Freeway Sign Replacements Scheduled for November/December. CalTrans has informed our office that existing signs within the gore areas at various exit ramps will be replaced with overhead signs at three locations on Route 13: northbound off to Carson Street; southbound off to Moraga Avenue, and southbound off to Mountain Blvd. Construction is slated to begin in November/December 2006. Cinderella/Sunset Trail Slide Repair: For those of you who hike the Cinderella or Sunset Trails in Joaquin Miller near Castle Canyon, please be aware that city funds to repair the slide which closed parts of the trails and threatened the creek have been approved by the Council. A contractor is now being selected and work may close the trail in the fall.
This year we expect several hundred volunteers to help us
clean and restore the watershed and creeks at seven sites.
Each year we give A's tickets to those volunteers who find
the most unusual item in the watershed. Last year the
Brookdale Science Center Youth won tickets for finding a
giant lock !
For more pictures of last year.
The City of Oakland Fire Department and BART host the Oakland/Berkeley Firestorm 15th Anniversary on Saturday, October 21 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Rockridge BART Station in Oakland. The Remembrance Ceremony will begin at Noon. There will be family and neighborhood fire prevention activities and a commemoration BBQ in the Street sponsored by the Rockridge Market Hall Pasta Shop at 1 pm. Partners for this event include the Oakland Wildfire Prevention Assessment District, the City of Berkeley Fire Department, Hills Emergency Forum, Diablo Fire Safe Council, the Alameda County Fire Chief's Association, East Bay Regional Park District, California Department of Forestry, Neighborhood and Homeowner Associations, Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies (CORE), the Red Cross and many more. For more information, call 238-7388 or go to the Wildfire Prevention District website
Our office is working with the Office of Parks & Recreation to enhance the programs and equipment at Brookdale Park. As part of that process, we have designed a quick survey for park users. Please complete and return this survey to Claudia Jimenez by September 15. Jose Ortiz, the Brookdale Park Director, introducing Spree (the horse) and Paris Cartier(the human) of Bay Area Cowboys and Cowgirls to the neighborhood. Photo by Bob Vaughn
Beauty and the Beast runs through this Sunday, September 10, at the Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park. Free tickets to children 16 and younger who are accompanying paying adults to any performance. These tickets are not reserved; present your adult ticket at the box office between 7 -8 pm on the night of the performance and receive a free child's ticket as close to your seats as possible. If the adult tickets were purchased with a group rate, a free child's ticket will be issued per TWO adult tickets. For information, www.woodminster.com
Montclair Wine & Jazz Festival, September 9-10, noon-7 pm. For one magical afternoon, the town is transformed into a street fair featuring live music, wine and food booths, arts, crafts and kids activities. For details, go to Montclair Village Association A Day in the Park at Maxwell Park. Come join neighbors and friends at the First Annual Maxwell Park Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council Picnic on Saturday, September 16, 10 - 4 pm at Maxwell Park. Watch for details.
Four Sunday's in the Redwoods--Music and Drama at Woodminster Amphitheater starts next Sunday, September 17, 3-7 pm. Gates open at 3pm, performances begin at 4 pm sharp. Oakland Parks & Recreation, the Montclair Village Association, Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation, and my office are sponsoring four FREE events at Woodminster.
NEXT SUNDAY'S OAKLAND SYMPHONY PROGRAM
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Yoga4Peace Oakland, Saturday, September 9 at noon at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza. Hundreds of people will gather to do Yoga with the intension of peace in the community of Oakland. Yoga for Peace began in New York City in 2002 in response to 9/11. This year, Oakland joins San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Maui, Boston, Dubai, Sweden, New Zealand and Germany, featuring the 108 sun salutations, which creates greater harmony and alignment with natural law. All levels are encouraged to come, and non-yoga participants are welcome. Bring your yoga mat, water and a healthy snack. For additional information, go to Yoga4peace Oakland "Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity" is Chabot Science Center's newest planetarium show. Watch the birth of a black hole, zip through a wormhole, journey past the event horizon, and experience the formation of the Milky Way. The show is done in association with the PBS science series, NOVA. NOVA will air a one-hour film about black holes in the fall of 2006 titled "Monster of the Milky Way." The planetarium show is free with general admission. Space still available for 25th Citizens Police Academy-- starts Saturday, September 9. Get an in-depth look at the police department and learn about criminal law and crime prevention. The first of 14 weekly sessions for up to 25 students begins Saturday, September 9 from 9 am to noon at the Eastmont Substation, 2651 73rd Avenue. The last session will be December 16. To attend this free program, call 777 -8618 or send an email to pwhite@oaklandnet.com. Celebrate Laurel Book's 5th Anniversary this month! Congratulations to Luan Strauss who opened her independent book store on MacArthur five years ago on September 15th. Outdoor Screening of "The Bourne Identity" in Old Oakland, Saturday, September 16, 8 pm. Bring chairs, blankets (to sit on and keep warm). For details, go to Film Oakland website Seniors, Protect Yourself! Assemblywoman Wilma Chan and Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley invite you to attend a Seniors Against Investment Fraud Workshop on Monday, September 18 from 10 to 11:30 am at the Elihu Harris State Building, 1515 Clay Street, in the auditorium on the first floor. RSVP strongly recommended. Please call 286-1670, ext 23. Oakland Youth Chorus Auditions! Auditions for the 33rd Season of the award-winning Oakland Youth Chorus are going on from now through September at Arts First Oakland/First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Oakland, 94612. Tuesday and Wednesday 4-6 pm) Please contact Rachelle Rogers-Ard at (510) 287-9700 x101 to set up an audition. For more information, visit oakland youth chorus. Concert Chorus has space for youth ages 14 to 21 for the 2006-07 concert season! Walking Tours of our Local Neighborhoods. Oakland Heritage Alliance hosts its 25th Annual Walking Tours of Oakland including the Redwoods. On Sunday, September 17 or Saturday, September 23, 10 am-12:30 pm, join Dennis Evanosky and Richard Schwartz on a tour through Leona Heights. This tour is limited to 30 experienced hikers by reservation only. For details, go to the Oakland Heritage Alliance website
Over the last few months, there has been an ongoing collaborative effort between residents of the Melrose High Hopes NCPC, the Oakland Police Department, the Nuisance Enforcement Unit, the Neighborhood Law Corps and my office to eliminate the nuisance activity occurring at and around the Pennysaver Market at 4800 Foothill Blvd. After several meetings with the owner and his attorney, the owners entered into a compliance agreement with the City on August 14. The owners have agreed to make a series of improvements to their store in order to deter loitering and drug dealing on their property. Amongst the conditions they agreed to are:
Thank you to all the vigilant residents who reported problems at the location, and thank you to OPD for their continued enforcement at the location. My office will now work with the property owner to ensure compliance.
Families with small children and others should be forewarned that on Monday evening, Air Force jets will be flying low over Oakland and the Coliseum as part of the season kick-off activities.
A recent posting on one of our local websites speculated that a sick squirrel might have contracted West Nile Virus. We don't know for sure, although we do know that there have been human cases of the virus in Contra Costa County. 80 percent of people who are actually infected with West Nile Virus will show absolutely no symptoms whatsoever. Only a little over 20 percent of people will have mild symptoms and in only in a few cases (1 in 150 cases) will the symptoms be severe, so there little cause for alarm. On the other hand, it is always wise to be proactive. Please do not leave water standing--empty out your pets' water dishes and any other places where there might be standing water.
Eagle Scout Seeks Elementary Level Books for Dimond Recreation Center After School Program. Luke Roy plans to build a homework library for the after school programs at Dimond Recreation Center as his Eagle Scout project. Students from both Glenview and Sequoia schools participate in this program. A graduate of the program himself, Luke seeks books at the grade 1 - 5 level:
Sequoia School Needs a New Play Structure: (on Lincoln Blvd). You can see this play structure is roped off and needs to be replaced. I will be giving them a matching grant. You can help by sending donations to The Sequoia Dad's Club, a United Way member with tax-deductible status. They'll send a receipt for taxes. Mail checks to: Sequoia Dad's Club/Playground Improvement, c/o Sequoia Elementary School, 3730 Lincoln Ave, Oakland, CA 94602. Join Assemblywoman Wilma Chan at Spruce Up for Kids 2006. Spend a day this fall with hundreds of volunteers to spruce up pre-schools in Oakland and Alameda. Volunteers will garden, paint, improve playgrounds and clean up. No experience is necessary, just energy and elbow grease. In District 4, Assemblywoman Chan and crew will be at Fruitvale Pre-School and Elementary School, 3200 Boston Avenue, at Harold on Saturday, September 30 from 9 am to 3 pm. Continental breakfast and lunch provided to all volunteers. For more information or to RSVP, please call 286-1670, ext. 23 or email Garrett.Dempsey@asm.ca.gov Check out Glenview Schools' new Solar Monitoring System from your home! You can access online viewing of energy being produced by the new solar equipment donated by PG & E at Glenview School. Go to the Glenview Solar Monitoring Website. Click it and you will find yourself at the PGE Solar Schools site, of which Glenview is one of the first 13 schools. Once on the site, find Glenview, one of the BLUE solar panels. Check the generating power of the school's photovoltaic array.
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