Oakland East Bay Symphony Free Concert Sunday, September 23: Here's the perfect way to build community and have a great time. Organize a pot luck with friends and neighbors at one of the upcoming free concerts at the Woodminster Amphitheater. Gates open at 2, concerts begin at 3 pm. Schedule for free shuttle from Fruitvale BART.

<<Click on poster for more information on the next three concerts. 

 

SUNDAY'S PROGRAM:

 

Michael Morgan, Conductor  

 

Mozart - Overture to The Marriage of Figaro

 

 

 

Paganini - Violin Concerto (1st movement)
Mindy Chen,11, violin
 

 

 

 

 

 

Arutunian - Trumpet Concerto
Carl Stanley, 20, trumpet

 

 

 

Schumann - Piano Concerto (1st movement)
Andrew Hsu, 13, piano
 

 

 

Dvorak - Symphony No. 9 "New World"

Joaquin Miller Dog Park will be closed Saturday, September 22 at 6 pm for the Concert. It will reopen Monday, September 24 at 10 am. The Dog Park will close at the same time each of the following three weekends to accommodate the Sundays in the Redwoods concerts.

Dimond Gateway Garden Clean-up (a.k.a. "the Peace Park" at the corner of Linclon/Champion and MacArthur, across from the 7-11 in the Dimond), Saturday, September 22, from 10 am to noon.  Tricia Christopher, the fairy godgardener and creator of this pocket park will be weeding, pruning and picking up trash.  Bring your own tools, gloves, water and snacks.

 

• National Lead Safety Tour Kick-Off, Saturday, September 22, Jack London Square:  Angie's List, a consumer referral Service operating in 14 cities throughout the country, will kick-off its 20-city national Lead Safety Tour in Oakland!  The Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, the lead Poisoning Prevention Programs of the cities of Berkeley and San Francisco, and Angie's List are sponsoring this free event, held at 435 Water Street in Jack London Square from 10 am to 2 pm:
  • blood lead screening of children
  • information the sources of lead poisoning
  • information on leaded toys and candies
  • training in lead safe work practices
  • sign up for the Lead Department's Lead Safety for Remodeling, Repair and Painting.

For details, call 567-8280 or visit the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.  

• Introduction to Oral History Workshop at Mills College: This one-day workshop will introduce you to methods of oral history. It is designed for beginners as well as those who would like a refresher course, and no experience is necessary. The workshop is Saturday, September 22, 9 am -5 pm at Mills College. Free to Mills students; $60 for all others. Register early, as enrollment is limited and the workshop fills up quickly. For details, contact Nancy MacKay.

• Sausal Creek Quarterly Water Quality Monitoring, Sunday, September 22, 9 am - Noon: Call Nick Kirsh for details at 530-4490.  For details...

This week the Council received a report on the continuing negotiations with Waste Management for the lock out.  We are seeking damages in the millions for disruption of garbage, recycling services and additional costs to the city as well as a general credit to homeowners valued at about $3 million.  We expect the negotiations to be drawn out.

 

So what do you do in the interim about your bill?  To get credit for service disruption this summer, follow these simple instructions:

• Residential customers (1-4 units) call 613-8710 and talk to a representative.  Provide your account number and the number and types of trash pick ups that were missed. The representative will tell you the credit amount over the phone. BE SURE to ask for a CONFIRMATION NUMBER and write it down so that you can refer to it when you subtract the credit from your next payment.

Council Approves Purchase of Property to Rebuild Station 18 in the Fairfax-Melrose District:  In the new  budget approved in June, I was able to get funding to rebuild one of the city's oldest firehouses.  Station 18 near the Melrose Library is so small that modern fire engines do not fit in the garage. One of our oldest engines has been rebuilt again and again, but the crew says it has a hard time chugging up many of our hills. The firefighters' quarters are cramped and drafty. The City is fast tracking the project. At this week's meeting, the City Council approved the purchase of the adjacent lot at 1718 50th Avenue.  Architects are working with the firehouse crew on the design.  When construction begins the crew & engines will be temporarily sent to nearby stations, but it hoped that construction can be finished in about 18 months.

• Smoking Ordinance to Reduce the Impact of Second Hand Smoke Approved. The Council amended the Smoking Ordinance to further restrict smoking in outdoor service areas, such as bus stops, ATMs, cab stands, ticket lines; outdoor dining areas such as sidewalk cafes and in recreational areas such as parks and public trails. It also bans smoking in homes that are are licensed Family Childcare centers, adult care or health care facilities at any time 24/7.

The most controversial proposal, banning smoking in private homes in all new multi-unit buildings, was not approved.  The Committee believed that more information on legal issues and possible alternatives such as non-smoking floors and separate ventilation similar to hotels was needed. In the survey of neighborhood council members and online responses the ban received over 60 percent support.  Other new protections for Apartment/Condo dwellers were approved: 

• Requires landlords/condo sellers to disclose to prospective tenants/buyers, whether a unit is smoking or non-smoking, which units allow smoking, and the smoking policy for the complex.
• No smoking in common indoor and outdoor areas of apartment and condo complexes.

• City and East Bay Regional Park Open Space Trade Approved by Council; goes to EBRP October 6.  The trade will help each agency consolidate fragmented parcels near Roberts Regional Recreation Area, Redwood Regional Park and the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve. This includes unifying the bicycle pathway from Shepherd Canyon to Montclair which will be named the Montclair Railroad Trail. We hope to synchronize the change of ownership with passage of the changes to the Dogs At Large in Parks ordinance which go to the Life Enrichment Committee next Tuesday  (see #12) so that dog walkers may continue to walk their dogs on leash on this trail. We plan work/fundraising for improved signage, amenities, and dog bag dispensers. If you are interested in adopting this trail, please contact Sue Piper.

• Ethics Commission Needs Members:   The 7 member commission, 3 nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council and 4 chosen by the commissioners, has two commission nominated vacancies for three year terms ( January 27, 2008 through January 21, 2011). Members must be Oakland residents and registered to vote in Oakland. Duties include:  monthly meetings, committee meetings, oversight of campaign related ordinances, conflict of interest regulations, review of ethics laws and recommendations of amendments to the Council, developing public outreach & educational programs, and annually adjusting Council salaries. For applications due Friday, October 26, 5 pm.

• Altenheim Grand Opening: When I was elected five years ago, the Altenheim  Senior Home has just gone bankrupt. The German association that owned it was struggling with debts and had no funds to rehab the building; they were under increasing pressure to sell the property.  This week hundreds of residents and neighbors celebrated the completion of Phase 1 which has restored this beautiful historic building to its original purpose as a home for seniors.  The project has won numerous awards for its preservation of this historical beauty. Citizens Housing Corporation  in partnership with the Excelsior German Center has transformed the dormitory style rooms into 93 studio and one bedroom apartments and restored over 10,000 feet of common areas.  The next phase is the construction of a new building containing over 80 new apartments due for completion in 2009.  When you are in the neighborhood enjoy the gorgeous gardens and take a peek at restored community areas.

• On the same day, we celebrated another happy ending for Senior Housing.  Pacific Renaissance stands at the heart of Chinatown; the community fight to build it had the preservation of Chinatown at heart.  A major redevelopment project containing  restaurants, businesses, a major public parking garage, the Chinatown branch library, Asian Cultural Center, condominiums and until recently 50 units of low income rental apartments.  Four years ago the developer claimed that he had met his minimum 10 year commitment to providing  affordable apartments and he evicted the tenants.  The City joined with the tenants and housing organizations to charge violations in the agreement requiring that  providing the subsidized housing continue while "economically feasible, " that the developer had hidden profitability and overcharged tenants.  Over the last 3 years I was part of a team with Council Members Wan, then Kernighan, and Brunner leading Council negotiations.  Joined recently by the Mayor's Office, we were able to reach a final settlement that sells the 50 apartments to a non-profit developer for $4 million (substantially below their value).  They will in turn sell them below market to low income families and with the profits from their sale they will build an additional 50 units of senior housing at another Chinatown location; a total of 100 or more units of affordable housing.
   

• After the Blue Ribbon Housing Commission: The stories above illustrate a small part of the housing challenges in the city; especially, the need for affordable senior and workforce housing.  The Council received the Blue Ribbon Housing Commission report this week reflecting some of the same divisions as the Commission.  Some, including myself, would like to proceed with the inclusionary zoning compromise recommended and take some time to study the other proposals.  Others want to tie inclusionary zoning to condo conversion.  The Mayor says he will make a proposal in the next months; the Council agreed to schedule a meeting to discuss our overall housing policy.  Stay tuned.

• Thank You Party for National Night Out Hosts and Volunteers: Come to City Hall, Hearing Room 3 this Wednesday, September 26 at 6:30 pm for a  Thank You Party with light refreshments, dessert and comments by Assistant Chief Howard Jordan. RSVP 238-3128 or to Felicia Verdin. >>National Night Out BBQ at Miracles of Faith Church on Virginia St last month.
   

• Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) Surveys:  Oakland's Neighborhood Services Division (NSD) is doing an Assessment of our NCPCs citywide. The NSD wants to learn how you feel we are doing at reaching the goals of making change in our neighborhoods, empowering residents, linking people to city services, and creating strong NCPCs. They also want to know what the obstacles to success are. If you have attended even one Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council meeting please fill out this survey. The survey takes about 15 minutes. If you have not participated in a Neighborhood Council, fill out this separate survey.   Kim Gilhuly, survey consultant, if you have any questions, concerns, or further feedback. 
   

• The new staff person for the Measure Y Committee has updated the Measure Y website with summaries of past meetings, services, grant information, and a listing of upcoming meetings. For feedback, contact Anne Marks.  The public is always welcome to attend these meetings.

• 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.

• September is National Preparedness Month: Oakland Animal Services has a new Pet Preparedness Packet: A "How-To" Guide that outlines practical steps to keep your pet safe during a disaster. Copies are free and downloadable. For details on the other events below, call 238-6351. >>Estates Drive Neighbors review disaster preparedness for their street at last month's National Night Out.
   

• Learn More about Oakland's New Retrofit Program, Wednesday, October 3, from 6 to 8 pm, at the office of the Oakland Association of Realtors, 1528 Webster. Space is limited to first 75 people. Contact Sue Piper in our office at 238-7042. 
   

• Join or start a CORE group on your block -- first step is to get to know each other and share contact information. Learn more at the City's website for Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies (CORE). If you are already CORE trained, consider taking additional training through CORE or the American Red Cross. Consider the following CORE courses (all require advanced registration):
  • Disaster First Aid - September 22, 9 am - 4 pm
  • CORE Refresher (required for all 2003-2004 CORE graduates) - October 13, 9 am -1 pm
  • Managing Stress During Emergencies - October 27, 9 am - 1 pm
  • Managing Your Neighborhood Command Center Operations Effectively - November 10, 9 am - 3 pm

• Bolt bookcases, other tall, heavy items to the wall -- injuries following a major earthquake are primarily due to falling and flying objects.
   

• Prepare Emergency Supplies at Home and Work: Water and food for at least 3 days.  A great resource is 72hours.org
   

• Earthquake Fault and Liquefaction Maps and other information

We recently held a community meeting to solicit input from dog owners and groups on updating City laws to conform to new State regulations. As a result the proposed changes to the City's regulations  Dogs at Large (OMC Chapter 6 6.070) and Dogs at Large in Parks (OMC Chapter 6 6.080) go to the City's Life Enrichment Committee, September 25, 6 pm, Hearing Room 1, City Hall. Public comments are welcome. Forward comments to Sue Piper in our office.  These are the changes proposed:

• The leash be attached to a collar or harness, and
• Dog guardians must pick up ("pooper scooper" requirement) after their dogs on public or private property (other than their own personal private property).  We have had some concerns about exempting personal property.  If there is an unsanitary situation, odors, etc. current laws would already cover these situations.
• We are giving dog owners the ability to tether their dogs for a 15 minute grace period. The current leash law requires dog guardians to have their dogs on leash (and attached to the hand of the dog guardian) at all times when on public property. It also prohibits dogs from creating a nuisance and requires that dogs not block sidewalks or cause harm to themselves, other animals, people or property. We hope the 15 minute grade period will encourage people to get out with their dogs, but not to leave them unreasonably unattended. The guiding principle here is that the dog must be under the control of its guardian at all times when on public property.
• We are changing the requirement that the leashes should be no longer than 6 feet to that dogs should be on leash and no more than 6 feet from their guardian to accomodate differences in leash styles and the size of owners and their dogs.

• Oakland Public Library Celebrates Halloween and Day of the Dead: The Three Witches will return to the Dimond Branch Library on Tuesday, October 30 at 7 pm  with scary stories, songs and riddles.  Open to children ages six and older -- come in costume. Day of the Dead Altar Workshop at Melrose Branch on Tuesday, October 23, 3:30 pm. For additional information, call 238-3134 or go to the Oakland Public Library's website.

• Love Your Parks Survey Day, October 13: The Oakland Parks Coalition (OPC) sponsors Love Your Parks Day on October 13, where volunteers do an annual Oakland parks maintenance assessment. The data is pulled together into a report that is later presented to the Council's Public Works Committee. To volunteer for Love Your Parks Day or more information about OPC.

• Re-Create Art Contest for Oakland students, K-12: Re-Create is a recylced art competition and exhibition that is open to students (K-12) in Oakland schools. Students are invited to create artwork using discarded or reused materials and to compete for prizes. Practice the 4Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot (Compost) to meet Oakland's zero waste goal. The Art Contest & Exhibition is sponsored by the City's Public Works Agency in honor of America Important Dates:
  • Saturday, November 10, Noon- 4 pm -- make arte at the Re-Create Workshop at MOCHA, 548 9th Street.
  • Friday-Sunday, November 9-11, 2 - 5 pm: Deliver all entries to 472 Water Street (Jack London Square)
  • Thursday, November 15, 5:30-7:30 pm: Artist's Reception. Award winners announced at 472 Water Street (Jack London Square)
  • Exhibition Gallery Hours -- November 15-December 16, Fridays, 3 - 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 2 pm.
• For details, call 465-8770, ext. 310 or visit MOCHA's website.

Daffodil Days 2007: This year's daffodil pickup date is Sunday, October 28. Over the past three years, Oaklanders have planted 150,000 daffodils, and another 50,000 are going to be available to plant in medians, school gardens and other public places.  Contact Cookie Robles- Wong at 434-5126. An on-line sign up should be posted next week. Deadline for ordering bulbs is October 5, 2007.

• Native Plant Fair Saturday, October 20 & Sunday, October 21: The East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society hosts its annual Native Plant Fair at the Native Here Nursery in Tilden Park in Berkeley. Thousands of plants native to Alameda and Contra Costa County, as well as books, free presentations and beautiful plant themed arts and crafts. Please bring boxes for carrying your plant purchases; checks and cash only. Saturday, 10 am - 3 pm; Sunday, Noon - 3 pm. For details, visit their website.

• Share Gardening Information with Other Local Senior Gardeners: Visit the Oakland Senior Garden Club, which meets at noon on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at the Smith Recreation Center, 1969 Park Blvd. (across from the Parkway Theater). Meetings include discussion about local plants and flowers, along with presentations by members and outside speakers. You are welcome to just show up or you can call Roger Brett for more information at 339-6626.

• OUSD Adult Ed's New Brain Fitness Program for Seniors: This program is a scientifically validated to improve memory, thinking and communication in mature adults. It begins September 17 and meets Monday through Friday, 3:30-5 pm for 9 weeks (ends November 14) at the Downtown Oakland Senior Center, 200 Grand Avenue. For more information about free and low cost programs for seniors, go to the Pleasant Valley Adult Schools website.

• State Administrator Kimberly Statham Resigns; Vince Matthews Name Interim State Administrator: By now you have probably read that Kimberly Statham, the OUSD State Administrator, will be leaving the school district to return to her family Maryland  and to take a position with the school district in Washington, DC.  Vince Matthews, her Chief of Staff, has been named Interim State Administrator. In an open letter to OUSD staff and community, Matthews stated --"Now, as ever, we must work toward the goal of ensuring that every Oakland student graduates prepared to succeed in college and career. This is not just an objective, but a responsibility we hold as stewards of our students' future and the future of the Oakland community."

• AB 45 Approved by Senate; goes to Governor for Signature: Sandre Swanson's bill calling for the return of local control of Oakland Unified School District to the School Board by July 1, 2008  made a historic leap forward as it cleared the final legislative hurdle before reaching Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk for signature. After garnering bipartisan support from 2/3rd of the Senate last week, AB 45 cleared the Assembly for a concurrence vote of 45 - 28. Contact Governor Schwarzenegger and ask him to sign the bill.

• Allendale Elementary School
• Fruitvale Elementary School
• Glenview Elementary School
• Horace Mann Elementary School
• Sequoia Elementary School
• Joaquin Miller Elementary School
• Maxwell Park Elementary School - (Supervisor Nate Miley and I will join students, parents and staff on Thursday, October 4)
• Montclair Elementary School
• Thornhill Elementary School
   

• Free English Classes (free babysitting): English as a Second Language (ESL) classes offered for adults at Allendale Elementary School, UC Berkeley Room, 3670 Penniman Avenue. Tuesday-Friday 8:45-11;45. Offered by OUSD Adult Education  Program.

• Third Annual Debi Echlin Memorial Bookies by the Bay, Thursday, September 27, Jack London Waterfront Hotel at 10 Washington Street: This annual event celebrates independent book stores and the memory of Montclair's own Debi Eclin, the late owner of a Great Good Place for Books who was the spirit behind the first event.  This event supports Write to Read, Alameda Reads, Oakland's Second Start and LEAP. Special guests include Ayelet Waldman, author of Daughter's Keeper and Love and Other Impossible Pursuits, and Peggy Orenstein, author of Waiting for Daisy and Schoolgirls. No host reception starts at 6 pm; dinner at 7pm.  Tickets are $50 per person. Silent and live auction. Sponsored by the Northern California  Independent Booksellers Association's Books by the Bay. For details...
   
• Neighborhood author Dennis Evanosky will discuss his new book Oakland's Laurel District at the Laurel Book Store October 12, 7:30. Plenty of history and wonderful old photos are included as well as tips for where you can go to see many of the old sites.  

• Free Film at Oakland Museum of California-First Fridays After Five: See Piece by Piece, a groundbreaking film documenting San Francisco's highly controversial graffiti art movement, Friday, October 5, 6:30 pm. For  information.

• Last Film in Monthly Outdoor Movie Series, October 20:  The Old Oakland Outdoor Cinema Series ends on Saturday, October 20 with the screening of "Babe" the family comedy about the exploits of a sheepherding piblet and his talking barnyard friends (1995). Free parking  at 8th and Washington Streets. Bring chairs and blankets to the "theater" at 9th between Broadway and Washington, beginning at dusk.

• What's New at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA): 
  • October 10 - December 2- Ancient Roots/Urban Journeys: Expressions for Dias de los Muertos.
  • October 13 - March 16, 2008 Artists of Invention: A Century of CCA -- celebration the 100th anniversary of the California College of Arts, one of Oakland's nationally recognized colleges.
  • Sunday, October 21, Noon - 5 pm: 14th Annual Community Celebration for the Days of the Dead -- Participation in the celebration is free; admission to the museum galleries will be half-price all day.
  • Sunday, November 18, 1 - 4 pm: Family Explorations! Tales and Traditions of California Indians. Celebrate the rich heritage of Californias First Peoples through story telling and hands-on activities.

For details, go to the OMCA website.