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. There is also a workshop for renters in foreclosed properties.  About 1400 homes in Oakland are in some stage of foreclosure.  The Mayor and Council and many other officials are hosting a Consumer Home Mortgage Town Hall and Resource Fair today,  Saturday, January 12th, 10 am -1 pm, in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, 3rd Floor.  Free parking at the Clay St. Garage at 14th.  I'll be there and Credit counselors and lenders will be present to offer on-site assistance. Registration is at 9:30 am. This online foreclosure counseling website has useful information.  They also have a 24 hour helpline, 888-995-HOPE.

• Tot Lot Fund Raising Meeting at Dimond Recreation Center, 11 am: Join your neighbors in planning fund raising outreach to replace the tot lot at Dimond Park.

• 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

• 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 on the banjo, special performance of spoken word and freestyle rap by local youth, 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.

• Mayor Ron Dellums  presents 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.

• Aging Out, Film about Foster Care "Graduates",  Thursday, January 17th, 6:30 pm,  Ellen Driscoll Auditorium, Havens School, 325 Highland Ave, Piedmont. Free. 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. While 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.  Aging Out follows three young people as they exit foster care and face a series of challenges. 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-host a meeting on the project soon.

My husband and I are old enough to remember the impact that the Civil Rights movement and Martin Luther King have had on our lives. I wrote about this in a special project for kids some years ago. We especially like the new tradition of making this a day of both spiritual renewal and concrete actions to give back to the community.  Oakland has so many ways to honor Dr. King's legacy, I hope you will participate in at least one.
 
• 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 79^th Birthday. The event will feature a keynote address by U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-CA, live entertainment, resource fair with information on volunteer opportunities, community events and celebrations commemorating Dr. King.  (In the event of inclement weather, the celebration will be moved to the Elihu M. Harris State Building at 1515 Clay Street.
   
• Sunday, January 20, "MLK, Jr. Celebration: Faith in California,"Noon to 5 pm, Oakland Museum, 1000 Oak St, 238-2200, www.museumca.org    Free Admission. 
• Honoring the legacy of Dr. King, representatives of religious movements less traditionally followed by African Americans (Black Buddhists, Hare Krishnas and Muslims) discuss the mix of cultural and spiritual practices.
   
• Stirring melodies of South African freedom songs by Vukani Mawethu, a local choir.
   
• Visit the new photography exhibition, "Trading Traditions: California's New Cultures," which captures how new Californians work, play and celebrate together. Hands-on activities for the whole family.
   
• Monday, January 21, Oakland's Martin Luther King National Day of Service at three volunteer locations:
   
  • Arroyo Viejo Park, 7701 Krause Avenue or Knowland Park/Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, 9 am-12:30 pm.  Join the Arroyo Viejo Creek Community for a morning of volunteer service and celebration. Remove litter and non-native, invasive plants or plant California native plants. Presented by the Arroyo Viejo Creek Watershed Awareness Program and Service for Peace. 665-3508 or www.thewatershedproject.org

   

  • MLK Jr. Shoreline Park Clean-up and guided walk, Garretson Point at the end of Edgewater Drive, 10 am-1 pm. Volunteer project led by East Bay Regional Park staff including clean-up and environmental restoration along the shoreline, and a naturalist led walk to hear the history of the marsh and how it came to be known as Martin Luther King, Jr. Shoreline.  562-1373 or www.ebparks.org
     
      This was fun and educational for my husband and I last year.  We picked up trash as we walked along and listened to the naturalist.   The marshland restoration and wide variety of birds that  have repopulated the area  is amazing.  It made me appreciate how important it was to stop the casino near this spot.

• Monday, January 21, 2-5 pm, Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice Street, Free Admission
  "Speeches of a Dream" a spoken word reception plus a presentation of The Meeting, a play by Jeff Stetson depicting a fictional meeting that takes place in a Harlem hotel between Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Presented by City of Oakland Office of Parks and Recreation 238-7219.

2007 Local Hero Winners: Herb & Adrienne Bryant, Dean Bradley, Carter Roberts, Emily Rosenberg, Jeanne Nixon,Rev. Valerie Miles-Tribble, Ruth Villasenor and Dale Risden. >>

We need your help in identifying local heroes, we have only received about 10 nominees so far!

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 designate 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 Puppet Theater.

Join us Saturday, February 16, 2008 for our 4th Annual Local Heroes Awards Program, honoring outstanding local volunteers and help us celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Pig.  In addition to a brief ceremony we will have Chinese snacks and cultural performances.   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 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....

• Governor's Proposed Cuts and the Impact on Oakland: While it will take a while to understand the details of the Governor's $14.5 Billion in budget cuts.  This is a quick take on the impact on our city:
  • The largest cuts are in education, health care and human services. As a city with a higher percentage of poorer residents we will be disproportionately impacted.  The large cuts in education will be fought by the legislature.
     
  • $23.8 million from the Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) program.  This represents a 10% reduction in local law enforcement discretionary grant funding.
  • A delay in Prop 42 gasoline tax payments for local streets and roads. 

• Council to Approve Upper Broadway Rezoning as Part of Retail Strategy:  As part of our long term strategy to improve the city's economy when we passed the budget last year, the Council approved a series of studies to improve retail in Oakland. Oakland loses about a billion each year in retail sales, which equates to $10 M in taxes and about 10,400 jobs.

• Leveling the Playing Field, Literally:   Also, coming to Council this week is a proposal to match a state parks grant to increase the number of sports facilities for women.  The proposal will fund renovation of 4 softball fields by this summer and eventually one in each Council District.  Brookdale Park in District 4 is proposed as a future site, when funds for a second phase are raised. Report.

• Sharks at Oakland Ice Center Ahead of Schedule in Fulfilling Community- School Commitment:  Last year I helped negotiate the contract with the new Sharks management at the city's Ice Center (OIC).  Although voted the best place to skate in the Bay Area, it was losing money and not well-maintained.  It was also not well used by Oakland residents.  The new contract guarantees the city will not pay for any financial shortfalls  and requires that the Sharks provide free skating for school and community groups, including at least 1000 public school Oakland students. When I visited Friday night to meet Willy O'Ree (above left with Sharks player Ryane Clowe, and special needs skaters), the first black player in the NHL, their staff told me that they had already served 800 students and planned to exceed the goal by June.  I encourage schools to contact the Center, the Sharks have been helping with transportation.

• 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.

Absentee voters, now about 40% statewide, receive their ballots this week.  Note that the three Indian Casino Propositions 94, 95, and 96 qualified at the last moment. They are not in the Voter Handbook.  You can find information about them at the Smart Voter site below.

 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:

• 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

• Want to vote right early? Go to the Registrar's Office above and cast your ballot now.

• Register to Vote Online or Download Form

• 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.

• Official California Voter Handbook

• League of Women Voters Smart Voter Guide to State and Local Propositions

• Police Reorganization Plan Now In Effect: The Police Department released 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 and weekends. 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 graduation of the 162nd Academy.

• Maxwell Park NCPC Seeks Board Members: The Maxwell Park NCPC (MPNC, Beat 28X) is probably the best organized Council with the widest range of activities in the city.  They invite neighbors who live in the Maxwell Park Neighborhood to come to their Wednesday, February 13 meeting at 7 pm at Maxwell Park Elementary School to help elect Board Members.  If you are new to the neighborhood or have lived there for a long time, here is a quick way to meet your neighbors and work on safety and traffic issues to improve your neighborhood.

• Oakland Citizens Police Academy Taking Applications:  Want to know more about criminal law, crime prevention, police procedures, and meet officers from all sections of the Police Department?  Classes meet every Saturday, 9am-Noon, from February 16 to May 17.  For more information and applications:  OPD Neighborhood Services Division, call 238-4523 or contact Paula White.
   

• 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.

• 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.

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

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

• To organize a Neighborhood Watch Group on your street call 238-3091.

• 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.

• Training for pilot Community Radar Program, Saturday,  January 26, 10 am - 2 pm at Eastmont Mall Police Substation. Do neighbors drive too fast by your street or school?  We are training citizens to use a radar gun. Owners of vehicles clocked by our volunteers exceeding the speed limit will be sent warning letters by the police. There is still room in our second class on January 26. 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 above.
   
• Warren Freeway Work Underway --  After two years of meeting with CalTrans, lobbying for the funding,  choosing plants and designs,  and waiting for the bid process and rain...Workmen were clearly starting soil preparation this week.

• 
• Watch for 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. The growing population of deer in the hills and their bold explorations as far down as MacArthur Blvd is another reason to slow down.  >>Beautiful hand painted sign near Marj Saunders Park.

• 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.  Every other bus now 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 closer 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.  We enjoyed reading this posting on the Dimond listserv:

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 will held Tuesday, January 15, 7-9 pm at the Lawrence O'Toole auditorium on High Street.

Mills College-MacArthur Corridor Project: Thanks to CEDA staff David Ralston the grant for studies for a combined bicycle and pedestrian path to run from the entrance of Mills College to High Street at MacArthur is completed.  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.

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.
 

• Emergency Preparedness for Pets:  The CORE Advisory Task Force of the Oakland Fire Department Officeof Emergency Services and Oakland Animal Services have created the Pet Preparedness Packet: A "How-To" Guide that provides important instructions and easy steps that pet owners can take now to keep their pet(s) safe during an emergency or disaster.

• Lost Dogs:  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.

• Oakland Animal Shelter website
• Smiley Dog Rescue website, a non-profit located in the Dimond-Glenview area

• 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.

  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:
  • Wednesday, January 16, 7 pm, Dimond Library:  Monthly meeting to look at the "State of the Watershed."
     
  • 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 

• View from the New Escher Trail in Shepherd Canyon Park (photo by Mike Petouhoff) >> To protect the creek and reduce parking along the road, we have been fundraising to build a parking lot for Shepherd Canyon Park.  With the rising costs of oil (from which asphalt is made), we are short about $30,000 for that new parking lot despite our fundraising efforts.  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).

• China Bans Plastic Bags,  In California Plastics Industry Sues Oakland to Halt Ban:  This week China announced a ban on plastic bags, an effective savings of 37 million barrels of oil or 3 billion bags a day.  Meanwhile here in California where Oakland's Plastic Bag ban was to go into effect on January 18th, in a delaying tactic the plastics industry is asking the city to do an Environmental Impact Report before implementing the ban. We go to Court on January 29th.  Our attorney's have advised us to suspend the effective date until after this court date. In the interim 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 are already in compliance.  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.

• Parents Need to Enroll Entering Kindergarteners By January 15th: If your child will be entering an OUSD Kindergarten this coming fall , you need to submit an application to OUSD as part of its  Options program by January 15th----even if your first choice is your neighborhood school. It is critical that you turn in the Options form by the deadline. OUSD fills the open spots at each schooll based on the rankings parents have made on their application. Students living in the neighborhood only get first priority if their parents completed the application and turned it in on time. For details...

• In the Spirit of Dance, Skyline High School, Thursday thru Saturday: January 17- 19, 7:30 pm. Tickets $9 at the door, children 11 & younger $5. The advanced dance troupe of Skyline Performing Arts provides strong performances and is a good way to enjoy low cost entertainment while supporting our schools.  Great way to introduce theater to younger children who love the movement.

• 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.

• Help plan the New Maxwell Park School, Thursday, January 24th from 6 - 7:30 pm.   The school has been going through a redesign process with parents, staff  and community under the leadership of Dr. Mary-Louise Newling the new principal.
  You will also have the chance to respond to the work that has been done so far and learn about how the New Maxwell Park School will be able to implement its developing School Plan and Theory of Action.

• 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.

• 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.

• Free Tax Help at the Library: The Oakland Public Library has parntered with the American Associatio for Regired Persons to offer free tax assistance from February 1 through April 15, 2008. Bring copies of last year's federal and state tax returns and all matierals pertaning to your 2007 tax forms for you and your spouse (if filing jointly). Seniors, aged 60 or over, will be given preference at walk-in sites only. For details, call 238-3134. Please call ahead to confirm times:
  • Oakland Main Library, 125 14th Street, Mondays, 10 am-1:30 pm; Fridays, 12:30-4 pm and Saturdays, 10 am-3 pm. 238-3134. Walk-ins only, no advanced appointments.
  • Cesar E. Chavez Branch Library, 3301 East 12th Street, Suite 271, Mondays, 12:30-5:30pm, Wendesdays, 10 am -3:30 pm. Bilingual Spanish/English, 535-5620. Call for appointment.
  • Dimond Branch Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, Tuesdays, 12:30-4:30 pm, Thursdays, 10 am-2:30 pm. 482-7844. Call for appointment; some walk-ins accepted.
  • Temescal Branch Library, 5205 Telegraph Avenue, Wednesdays, 10 am-3 pm. 597-5049. Call for an appointment.

• Oakland Cityscapes & Landscapes, Exhibit at Lukas Lounge, Saturday, January 19,  6-9 pm, 2221 Broadway (at West Grand):  Maxwell Park photographer Rick Leon will be holding a reception for his exhibit of gorgeous photos of Oakland.  If you haven't been to this Downtown favorite, you are in for a treat.  You'll often find me here for a post-symphony snack of fresh oysters or comfort food like macaroni & cheese or cobbler. "Walking on the Skyline" (above).
   
• 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.

• Habitat for Humanity Seeking Potential Homeowners for Sobrante Park Neighborhood: Habitat for Humanity East Bay will be building homes in the Sobrante Park neighborhood during 2008-2009 and is looking for potential participants. The first step in the application process is to attend an orientation:
  • Monday, January 14, 6:30-8pm, Community Reformed Church, 457 Capistrano Drive.
  • Friday, January 18, 6:30-8 pm, Madison Middle School, 400 Capistrano Drive.
  • Thursday, January 24, 6:30-8 pm, First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway.
  • Saturday, January 26, 11 am-12:30 pm, Community Reformed Church, 457 Capistrano Drive.

Families must fit habitat's family size criteria for 2, 3 or 4 bedroom houses. Selected families will contribute 500 hours of "sweat equity" through construction work, community activities, and workshops. Household income must be between $26,800-$88,500 yearly, or $2,200-$7,400 monthly depending on household size. For details, contact Gaylen Mohre, Homeowner Relations Coordinator, at 251-5304, ext. 371.
 

• 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.

• "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

• Saturday, January 26: Training for pilot Radar Program,10 am - 2 pm . Must register first with our office.  (See #7)

• 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