<< Dr. Floyd Huen (Jean's husband), former Council Member Marge Gibson, Assemblyman Sandre Swanson and Jean at our holiday party.

• We want to thank the 220 plus neighbors who attended our District 4 Holiday Event at Chabot Science Center last week. We raised a modest amount for our District 4 Office & Organizing Fund which pays for projects not covered by the city: our District Offices in the Laurel & Dimond, weekly email newsletters, our website, multilingual publications, community surveys, beautification projects such as Earth Day, litter clean-ups, and school playgrounds, hosting community planning meetings, and citywide campaigns like organizing Emergency Preparedness or Home Alert groups.

Many thanks to the Doug & Linda Wong family for organizing the serving and to our food donors including: Everett & Jones Bar-B-Que; Fountain Garden Seafood Restaurant in the Laurel; Il Porcelino in Montclair; Italian Colors in Montclair;Semifreddi's;The Sushi Zone in Chinatown; and Phil Tagami and new Montclair residents Robert and Pamala Garant for the generous wine donations!

• Staff Change: Last week we accepted the resignation of Carmen Perez who serviced the Maxwell Park, Allendale, Laurel, and Bret Harte areas for our office. We expect to announce a replacement after the New Year. In the interim please contact Richard Cowan and myself.

• Inauguration on Monday, January 8th, 11 am: We will have some invitations for the reserved seats at the Paramount theater for the inauguration. Please contact us if you wish to attend. Mayor Dellums, the new auditor and returning Council members will be sworn in. There will also be open seating. The Dellums Committee is sponsoring a week of events.

• Dimond Walking Officer: Each new class of police graduates is split between filling Measure Y beat officers and other positions within the department which usually generates a series of transfers. We are happy to announce that on January 27th, Officer Mauricio Perez will be assigned to the Dimond Walking officer position. The former Dimond officer has been out on leave for over two years and the district has been sharing a walking officer with the Laurel District. Walking officers generally stay in the commercial areas during retail hours.

• La Farine Bakery and Peets are in the process of obtaining permits to open stores in the Dimond across from the new Farmer Joes. Peets is planning to move into the former bookstore space at the end of the block and La Farine, an excellent French bakery on College Avenue, will open a new branch in the former Payless Shoe Store. (These gorgeous tarts are from their website.) In combination with Wayland Meats, this block has the potential to be a real gourmet shopping destination.

We had been waiting for them to complete the building permit process, but after an announcement on the Dimond listserv we have been received many questions about what residents can do to encourage them. We are tracking their applications and will inform the neighborhood if and when they have hearings on their building permits.

<< Christmas Lights at the Mormon Temple.

• Santas Needed: Yesterday's Tribune featured the annual work of the Oakland Post Office workers who organize volunteers to answer letters from children. Martin Snapp has put together letters that bring tears of laughter and/or sadness. To help call Consumer Affairs Manager Elma Ramirez at 251-3373. She will send you a short form which can be returned to any post office with proof of your identification. Within a few days, you will have as many — or as few — letters to answer as you want.

• Nutcracker at the Paramount Theatre Opens Tonight: Former Director of the Oakland Ballet Ronn Guidi has revived a professional troupe to perform this perennial favorite - Friday, December 22 at 8 pm, Saturday, December 23 at 2 and 8 pm, and Sunday, December 24 at 11 am. For information, contact the Paramount Theatre at 465-6400 or Ticketmaster

• Shop Oakland for the Holidays! Shopping with our local businesses and artists not only keeps money and jobs in our community, it also makes Oakland a more interesting and wonder place to live! Here are a few resources: Shop Oakland includes hundreds of local stores in our business districts. Search the site by product, category, neighborhood and more! Get directions, phone numbers, hours, everything you need to make it easy. Note: Free parking in downtown city garages on Saturdays during December! Oakland Unwrapped--learn about fun Oakland shops, incredible artists and designers, and holiday gift fairs where you can buy the most creative gifts around. Join their newsletter to get upcoming holiday gift guides, and check their website for a complete listing of all their past Hot Spots.

• Tips on Simplifying the Holidays: If you are looking for ways to reduce the stress of the holidays, or for more "green" gift giving, check out the NewAmerican Dream website.

• Twelve Days of Christmas- Emergency Preparedness Gifts for the Family: The Red Cross has developed a handy website with ideas for stocking stuffers.

• Stop Hunger Year Round: Many groups receive donations at this time of year, but hunger is a year round problem in our community. 35% of the Alameda Food Bank's clients are children. 25% of households with children reported they went without food at least once in the last year. One third of the clients at emergency food programs are seniors. 38% of the families have at least one working member. 41% are unemployed. Consider a donation to the Alameda County Food Bank.

For more information about Hunger in our community....

• Check Drainage: Public Works reports a new home slide in the East Oakland hills. Check around your home perimeter this weekend while its raining. Are your rain gutters clear of leaves? Is water draining away far enough from your foundation? Is there any earth movement?

• Sand Bags and Plastic Sheeting Still Available: For locations.

• Report flooding or other storm problems to the Public Works Call Center at (510) 615-5566 24 hours.
 

• Volunteer to Maintain-A-Drain: Heavy rains wash a large amount of garbage, litter, and pollution into storm drains (inlets). We call all help by putting leaves in gutters into the green bin. Clogged storm drains cause flooding. Public Works will provide you with rain gear and a tools if you go a step further and volunteer to help them keep an inlet on your street clear.

• Heating equipment is the leading cause of winter home fires--take precautions! In just the last week, the Oakland Fire Department has responded to a number of home fires that could have been prevented by taking the following steps:

• Keep space heaters a minimum of 3 feet from anything that can burn.
• Portable heaters should shut off automatically if tipped over. If not, replace with a newer model that does.
• When leaving a room or going to bed, TURN OFF all portable heaters.
• Hire a qualified technician to clean and service your furnace.
• Hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean your fireplace and chimney.
• Keep children away from heaters.
• Keep combustibles in your home to a minimum.
• Ensure that every level of your home has a working smoke detector alarm, and be sure to check and clean it once a month.

Contact the Oakland Fire Prevention Bureau for additional information at 238-3851.

 

• Reduce Wood Smoke Pollution: As the nights get cold, before you get nostalgic and light a fire in your fire place, think about this: most wood stoves and fireplaces in hour homes release far more air pollution indoors and out, than heaters using other fuels. Oaklanders have high rates of asthma, especially children. You can make a difference:

• Stop burning wood; switch to a gas fireplace or insert.
• If you must burn wood, use less by weatherizing your house, or replacing your old woodstove or fireplace with a new certified model.
• Burn only clean, seasoned wood and nonglossy white paper. Processed or painted wood can release dangerous chemicals such as arsenic.
• Build small, hot fires instead of large smoldering ones.
• Burn seasoned cordwood, densified logs and firelogs
• Watch your chimney for smoke and have it inspected often
• Don't use your fireplace or stove on Spare the Air nights.

 

The Wood Burning Handbook for the Bay Area...

Lt. James Meeks, PSA 2 Lieutenant, recently circulated a useful list of holiday safety tips. When you travel:

• Check for construction detours and check weather reports regularly.
• If traveling out-of-state, check driving conditions before you leave. Inform a family member where you will be and when to expect you back, give them your travel route.
• Travel and conduct your business during daylight hours, if possible. Look doors and windows when getting into your car and keep them locked while driving.
• If you have a cell phone, bring it with you. Know the emergency cell phone numbers for the area you are traveling through.
• Maintain at least a half-tank of fuel and keep the vehicle in good repair
• When parking, roll up the windows, lock the vehicle, take the keys, and conceal valuables, preferably in the trunk.
• During hours of darkness, park and walk in lighted areas, when possible.
• When returning to your vehicle. carry your keys in your hand to be ready to unlock the door as quickly as possible. As you approach, scan the area, glance underneath the vehicle and take a quick look inside before entering.

 

When you shop:

• Present an alert appearance.
• Carry minimal cash and valuables, wear minimal jewelry; grip carried items firmly and avoid leaving them unattended.
• Shop with friends or relatives, if possible.
• Keep a close eye on your children while shopping.
• Using debit or credit cards is much safer than carrying a lot of cash.
• If anyone is loitering, or you don't feel comfortable, go to another ATM.
• Avoid dark areas, short-cuts, cul-de-sacs and suspicious persons. Stay near light and people.
• Be prepared to flee potential problems, Consider carrying a whistle.

 

• Finger Printing: The Chief has agreed to post a formal response to media stories on the Finger Printing unit. In the interim here are a few points. The reports made it appear that police were not taking finger prints in crimes because they do not have crime lab staff:

1. Police and technicians do take finger prints in the field. Why they do or do not take them in any particular case is an issue to raise with Lieutenants in each district.
2. This summer several criminalists in the OPD lab left for other jobs, so they are contracting with Contra Costa to do the work.
3. In recent years the police department funded many lab positions with grants. While this started before my time on the Council, I suspect they did this to preserve more funding for overtime and put more police on the street.
4. Last year during the budget process, police leaders told me that because the funding for the lab appeared to be year-to-year, it made it harder for them to recruit and retain technicians. For those who read my newsletter, you will remember that I led the budget fight to add permanent lab technicians (5 finger printing and DNA positions.) Many of you contacted the council in support of these positions.
5. Now that the positions are funded, Deputy Chief Jordan says OPD has upgraded these positions to make the city more competitive, so they have been negotiating changes in the civil service descriptions. The DNA criminalist positions are in the process of recruitment now, finger printing criminalist positions are almost finalized. The City Administrator said in committee last week that she will work with them to expedite the hiring process. A report will come back to the Finance and Public Safety Committees in January.

 

For details about organizing a Neighborhood Watch Group

Our office spends much of our time mediating disputes over new homes and additions. This month the Council adopted a new series of changes in zoning and design review which takes some of the processes formerly used only in the fire zone or hills and applies them citywide. This is item 14.5 on the December 5th Council Agenda.

• Requires courtesy notification of neighbors for design review, conditional use permits and variances.
• Applies view, bulk, privacy and solar access impacts to all neighborhoods.

 

• Recycling Used Christmas Trees: Waste Management will pick up clean, green holiday trees from single family residences (up to 4 units) with your regularly scheduled Yard Trimmings pick up between January 2 and January 12. (Note, collection schedule is delayed by one day during the first week of January due to the New Year's holiday.) No snow flocking, tinsel, ornaments, nails or tree stands. Flocked trees are not recyclable and must e placed in your garbage cart for disposal. Trees must be no more than 5 feet tall-- if taller, cut in half. After January 12, you can recycle your clean, green tree in the yard trimmings cart at any time, but the lid must close. Place tree curbside by 6 am on collection day and no earlier than one day before. For more information, call Waste Management at 613- 8710.

• Household Hazardous Waste Center's New Schedule: Service to Oakland will be increased next year. Every first, third, and fifth week of the month, Thursdays-Saturday, 9am-1pm, residents may drop off household waste including paint, batteries, herbicides, motor oil, florescent bulbs, etc at the 2100 East 7th Street Center. Free.

For full schedule...

• Joaquin Miller Dog Play Area Now Open: Thanks to the work of the Joaquin Miller Task Force, especially Emily Rosenberg, Dale Risden and Sue Piper... dog lovers are enjoying the new off-leash dog play area in Joaquin Miller Park, located in parking lots 4 and 5 near Woodminster Amphitheater. One is for smaller dogs, the other for larger pets. So far we're been getting good reviews, we are interested in hearing your comments.

This off-leash dog play area is a pilot project to show that the space can be successfully shared for the dog park and for use as a parking lot and requires special cooperation and volunteer efforts by dog park users.

Dog Park Rules:

• Dog owners must clean up after their dogs immediately. Always bring a plastic bag.
• Limit three dogs per adult
• Small Dog Area for dogs under 30 pounds and elderly dogs
• Dogs must be leashed to and from fenced area
• Adult handler must be in fenced area with dog at all times
• Keep dogs in sight and maintain voice control
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Children may not run, sit on the ground or use wheeled toys/vehicles/bikes.
• Dog must be licensed and have shots
• No dogs under four months old
• Dogs showing repeated aggressive behavior must be leashed
• Dog owners shall observe other rules posted at dog play area.
• The dog park will be closed about 30 days a year for use as parking for amphitheater productions and may not be used by any dog during these periods.

 

Volunteers are needed to help maintain the dog play area. Contact Dale Risden We are still planning to add a few benches and a kiosk. A "grand opening" is being planned for around Valentine's Day.

For more information, Oakland Dog Owners Group (ODOG)

<< Eagle Scouts refurbish picnic tables at Escher Meadow in Shepherd Canyon last weekend.

• Free and Inexpensive Things to Do With Your Kids in December c/o Art Is Education. Art Is Education, the Alameda County Office of Education's Alliance for Arts Learning Leadership, lists a number of good ideas for family activities during the holiday season. For details, go to Art Is Education.

• New OUSD Website Provide More Parent Information: The URL is the same--http://www.ousd. k12.ca.us- but the look and feel is different. This online resource provides useful and user-friendly information, in particular, resources to help parents and guardians understand test scores, get involved in education, give first-rate academic support and guide students toward graduation and college. Special links will connect you to resources for teachers and detailed information about schools, including performance data, contact numbers and calendars.

• Student Exchanges with our Sister City, Fukouka, Japan. The Oakland Fukuoka Sister City Association will select six Oakland 5th graders to spend two weeks next summer in Fukuoka, Japan-- Oakland's sister city. This is an all expenses paid trip to an international Children's Convention with over 40 countries represented that is tentatively scheduled for July 13-25, 2007. Also,The Annual Oakland Fukuoka High School Student Exchange Program is a 10-12 day. Applications are now being accepted for 15 students. The estimated Program Cost may be up to $2,000.00 which includes airfare, room & board with families, organized activities while in Fukuoka, and travel insurance. Students will be responsible for any personal expenses (purchases, gifts, snacks, etc.). Must be entering high school in the fall of 2007, currently enrolled in high school or have just graduated in the summer of 2007. Deadline for applicants to either program is January 12, 2007. Applications may be downloaded from the Oakland Fukuoka Sister City website

<< Neighbors and Cal students join the Shepherd Canyon Ecoplanters at Escher Meadow last Saturday removing invasive non-native species. Photos by Mike Petouhoff As part of the Friends of Sausal Creek's (FOSC) annual Winter Solstice Planting effort, more than 200 native plants from the FOSC nursery were planted at Escher Meadow above Shepherd Canyon Park. Over 60 people at a total of eight sites throughout the Sausal Creek watershed planted a total of 19,000 native plants in one day! These included 70 species native to the Sausal Creek watershed, collected from seed and cuttings of local plants, all grown at FOSC's nursery in Joaquin Miller Park. Click here for more information about the nursery and their native plant sale on May 7, 2007.

• Free desks! Roger Boaz has 10 slightly used desks (42" by 24") available for use by a nonprofit. Please contact him or call him at 531-1561 for details.

• Chabot 7th Annual Balloon Drop, Sunday, December 31, 3:45 to 5 pm: Free with General Admission. Space is limited, advance tickets are required. Ring in the New Year at this annual event. At the strike of 4 pm (midnight Greenwich Mean Time), celebrate the start of the real New Year with music and balloons dropping from the Chabot Rotunda, many filled with prizes. Note that Chabot will be open during the winter break from December 26 - January 7, but will be closed Christmas Day, December 25. For details, Visit

• Did You Feel It? Thursday's 3.7 quake at 7:12 pm was a gentle reminder that we can expect a "big one" on the Hayward fault in our lifetimes. Checking out the US Geological Survey website over a thousand Oaklanders filled out their survey, helping scientists study earthquakes. The results are interesting and sorted by zip code. You can participate in the next earthquake survey by going to "Did You Feel It?"

• Give the Gift of Preparedness. The American Red Cross, Bay Area is undertaking a comprehensive program to train one million Bay Area residents in Disaster Preparedness. They have launched the "Give the Gift of Preparedness" Campaign. Consider disaster kits, a First Aid/CPR class, a pet First Aid kit or sponsor emergency preparedness training to your neighborhood, school, business or place of worship. I’m thinking of giving the hand cranked flashlights and radios to everyone in our family. Go to the ARCBA shopping website for great gifts and supplies that will protect you and support the campaign. Enter Promotional Code, “GIFT” for a 20% Discount. Expires 2/28/2007

• Montclair Neighborhood CORE Leaders Meeting, January 23. If you are considering organizing a CORE (Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies) group on your block and you live in Montclair, consider attending the next Montclair Neighborhood CORE Leaders Meeting on Tuesday, January 23 at 7 pm at the Montclair Community Play Center, 5815 Thornhill Drive. For details, contact Sandy Pohutsky.

• The Redwood Hts Neighborhood Association and Redwood Hts School have organized a CORE II training for Jan. 23 at the RHS School at 6:30-9pm. Core II helps prepare your neighborhood in case of an emergency.

• Citywide CORE Neighborhood Exercise planned for Saturday, April 28, 2007. Mark your calendar if you have a CORE group. And if you have any ideas about how to make the experience more effective, contact Roger Vickery, chair of the Montclair Safety & Improvement Council (MSIC), who is the MSIC representative to the CORE Exercise Planning Team.

For more information about Emergency Preparedness Classes

• Strong Bodies Stay Young: Amy Aldrich, certified Strong Women Stay Young instructor and and Oakland Adult Education Instruction, presents a series of simple and effective exercises from a program deigned at Tufts University specifically to aid people at risk for osteoporosis. Come to class and learn your own strength. Men and women are welcome. This is an ongoing, drop in class that is free. Class begins Wednesday, January 10 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at Lincoln Court Senior Apartments, 2400 MacArthur Blvd., in the large activity room. To register, call Beverly at 336-1952.

• Free Group Activities to Homebound Seniors via Telephone Conference Calls: Senior Center Without Walls offers a unique support group activity for homebound seniors. Facilitators lead discussion on various challenges for seniors-- from depression and isolation to brain aerobics and current events. They are currently seeking qualified individuals to facilitate a group on the telephone on a weekly or biweekly basis for three months (February through April). Facilitators call in toll-free to the groups from home or office and the phone meetings can be scheduled weekdays, evenings or weekends. Contact Senior Center Without Walls or call toll-free at 1-877-797- 7299. Or check out their website

• Free Health Insurance Counseling for Seniors: The Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy program (HICAP) offers free counseling on

• Medicare
• Medigap polices
• HMOs
• Prescription drug resources
• Low-income assistance programs
• Other health insurance questions

HICAP counselor Gerry Eiselman holds office hours at Lincoln Court Center, 2400 MacArthur Blvd, the first Monday of the month between 9 and 11 am. Call 839- 0393 or 1-800-434-0222 for an appointment.

 

• Legal Assistance for Seniors: Another local resource is Legal Assistance for Seniors, a nonprofit organization serving seniors in Alameda County. If you or someone you know has a legal issue, call 832-3040 or email Legal Assistance for Seniors, located at 464 7th Street.

Email: jquan@oaklandnet.com

Phone: 510 238-7004

web: http://www.jeanquan.org