Saturday, March 22,  Laurel Easter Egg Hunt!  11am for kids 2-12 at the Allendale Recreation Area.  Many merchants have donated coupons for free prizes that can be found in the eggs.
 

 

Saturday, March 22, 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Lake Chabot Golf Course: 9 am, Magic Show; 10 am, Egg Hunt; 11 am, Golf Clinics. Fun for the whole family. Transportation is available. Contact your nearest recreation center for details for this free event. The Lake Chabot Golf Course is located at 11450 Golf Links Road. 351-5812.
 

 

Sunday, March 23, 9 am promptly, Montclair Lion's Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Montclair Park. Different age groups: 1-2; 3-4;5-6;7-8; 9-10.
 

• Short Line Park Clean Up Saturday, March 22, 9 am-Noon: Bring your gardening gloves and a small space to help spruce up the new Short Line Pocket Park at Thornhill and Moraga in Montclair. Refreshments provided.

• Two Creek Workdays in Shepherd Canyon: Join neighbors in removing rubble from the Escher Creek bed so that it can be used for trail improvement in Shepherd Canyon Park, and for clearing invasive plants in the upper meadow next to the creek. Meet at the Escher Gate in Shepherd Canyon Park Saturday, March 22, 9-Noon and Earth Day, Saturday, April 19, 9-Noon. Contact Adrienne Bryant at 339-0985.

• Allendale_NCPC Monthly Neighborhood Improvement Project, Saturday, March 22, 10:30 am-Noon, help place and plant the new planters on the medium on 35th Ave at Hwy 580. Bring an idea for a clean up area or project. Bring gardening tools. >> Allendale volunteers work on the median on Suter and 38th last year.

• Friends of Sausal Creek Workdays:
  • Saturday, March 22, 1:30-4:30 pm: Propagate native species and other work at the Joaquin Miller Park Native Plant Nursery. Call Molly Bolt at 501-3672, especially for groups larger than six.
  • Sunday, March 23, 9 am-Noon: Water quality monitoring in Sausal Creek. Call Nick Kish at 530-4490 to confirm

• Jack London Aquatic Center Offers Adult Learn to Row: Beginning Saturday March 22 at 8:30-10:30. This is a 6 day course for $150 where participants use the training barge and learn the basic concepts of Olympic style rowing (sweep rowing).  The class continues on Tuesday and Thursday morning, and then cycles through for another week. Participants do not need to know how to swim. To enroll or for additional information, call  208-6060.  There are many other classes and some scholarships for youth.
   

• Learn to Knit I with Sonya Philip, Monday, March 24, 6:30-8 pm, Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Ave. Want to learn how to knit? Bring a ball of worsted wool and a pair of #9 needles.Sarah Hodgson, shodgson@oaklandlibrary.org 482-7844

• Restorative Justice in Oakland at Dimond Library, Monday, March 24, 6:30 - 8 pm: The League of Women Voters Oakland's "Stir the Pot Program" presents a discussion on Restorative Justice in Oakland at the Dimond Library.  Restorative Justice brings more attention to the needs of the victim in a crime than our current criminal justice system by involving the perpetrator in an agreement to repair the harm done. Learn more about the Restorative Justice Program at OUSD's Cole School. Bring your favorite food and/or beverage to share (no alcohol).

• Oakland's Prescott Circus Theatre  presents Higher Ground, Frank Ogawa Plaza, in front of City Hall, Friday, March 28, noon: 50 Oakland youth stilt dancers from Prescott Circus with Zulu Connection from New Orleans. Prescott Circus Theatre includes performers from Prescott, Lockwood, Piedmont Avenue, Garfield, Laurel, Parker and Manzanita Elementary Schools.

• OPR Citywide Track & Field Meet, Saturday, March 29, 9 am: at Laney College, 900 Fallon Street.  Register youth to run at OPR site.

Sun and Earth Day Celebration, Saturday, March 29, 11am - 5pm, Chabot Space & Science Center, our annual Sun-Earth Day with fun and illuminating hands-on activities focused on the Sun, the Earth, and the special relationship between these two celestial bodies. Enjoy solar viewing, demonstrations of Sun and Earth sciences, make-and-take activities, and a special showing of the film Solarmax. <<NASA image of the sun.
 

Facing state cuts from California's $16 Billion shortfall, the impact of the recession and housing slowdown, many cities are making across the board cuts and layoffs.  Oakland is projected to face a $9.5 million deficit in the current fiscal year (ends June 30) due to lost income primarily due to a decline in real estate transfers and vehicle license fees.  The Finance Committee has asked the City Administrator to return with a report on actions taken and options to reduce expenses and balance the budget. So far all vacant non public safety positions are frozen unless approved by the Administrator.

Next year the budget shortfall could range from $20-$50 million based on state and federal cuts, an expected continuation of a weak real estate market, the results of ballot measures, the growing gap in the Landscape and Lighting District and rising costs. Departments are being asked to plan for a minimum of a 4 percent cut or enhancement of revenues.  Finance Report

• LANDSCAPE & LIGHTING DISTRICT (LLAD) TO GO BACK OUT TO A VOTE:  In an attempt to maintain current levels of park, median, tree, open space maintenance and safe lighting, the Council voted this week to put the Landscape and Lighting District back out to property owners for a vote.  This new measure will only attempt to maintain current maintenance, unlike the last attempt which would have increased maintenance and facilities.  It includes a set of maintenance standards.

Funding for the current Landscape and Lighting District has not increased since 1993.  For the last six years there has been a growing  gap because costs have risen and because the City has added over 350 acres of parks (DD purchases of Bay Trail & Creek Watershed like Castle Canyon & Butters, the Mandela Parkway, etc), over 10,000 new street lights to improve safety, and over 9,000 new trees.  The Council funded the LLAD gap and added some staff with the windfall tax increases from the real estate boom; but real estate taxes have crashed and will fall $20 million short of what we projected for this year.  Next year real estate sales are expected to continue to be down, while the LLAD gap is expected to rise to $9.8 million.<
 

• BUDGET WORKSHOP & HEARING SCHEDULE:  The public is encouraged to attend the Council's budget workshops in Council Chambers at City Hall; additionally I will hold at least one hearing in the district:  
   

• Workshops to Discuss Conceptual Issues, Receive Direction from Council
  • Thursday, April 24, 2-4 pm
  • Thursday, May 1, 2-4 pm (if necessary)

• Workshops/Budget Hearings re FY 2008-09 Budget Amendments
  • Thursday, May 15, 5-8 pm
  • Thursday, May 29, 5-8 pm

• Adoption of Budget Amendments, Related Budget Legislation
  • Tuesday, June 17, 6-7 pm

The Governor proposes setting the Prop 98 guarantees for education aside; his budget cuts $5 billion from California's schools. OUSD must shave $23 million from the budget for the 2008-09 school year. The district has determined that it will not layoff any teachers but may reduce other employees and has instituted a targeted hiring freeze to minimize the impact on current non teaching (classified) staff at school sites and the central office. Principals and school communities are completing preliminary drafts of their 2008-09 school site budgets under the new fiscal limitations. Luckily, it appears the legislature will oppose the deep education cuts.  They are likely to adopt at least a few of the recommendations of the Legislative Analyst Liz Hill, who criticizes the Governor for his across the board cuts and failure to fully balance the budget. She recommends raising park fees instead of closing them, eliminating some tax loopholes and credits, and more targeted cuts. Unfortunately, this will probably mean more cuts from local governments.  I predict the state cuts in police, senior, sales tax revenues and other programs may range from $2-5 million more.
 

• Get your kit to stop school cuts.

• Tobacco Shop Licensing Ordinance Passed:  This week the Council took its first vote on an ordinance requiring stores selling tobacco to obtain a license costing $1500 annually.  The fee would fund additional staff for the Alcohol, Beverages, and Tobacco Unit of the Police Department. Stores already possessing an alcohol license would already be covered under their current license.  There has been an increasing trend towards small tobacco shops which seem to have little merchandise other than cigarettes and junk food to be linked with illegal activities. Our office has worked to close two in our neighborhoods.
   

• Sidewalk Survey Completed, Repairs Scheduled:  After over two years of work, Oakland has completed a complete inventory of 1100 miles of city sidewalks using a complex GIS (Geographic Information System). Some highlights of the report.   Full Report
  • Found the cost to repair damage caused to sidewalks by trees to be $19.8 M, the cost of repairing curb & gutters $7.4 M, and all other damage $60.1 M.
  • Prioritizes the worst locations.  A list of this year's repairs for our district includes 111 repairs on Bartlett, Belvedere, Carlsen, Cole, Coolidge, Damuth, Fruitvale, Humboldt, LaSalle, Laguna, Laurel, Leimert, Loma Vista, MacArthur, Madeline, Magee, Maxwell, Mountain, Pleasant, Rawson, Rhoda, Suter, Sylvan, Trask, and Wilbur Streets. (See report for exact addresses).
     
  • 83% of the damage is the responsibility of private property owners. The report recommends notifying owners of responsibility and liability and liening properties and making the repairs if they fail to do repairs.

• Valley View Road Closed Monday, March 24 and Tuesday, March 25 for Tree Removal:  The Public Works Agency informed our office that Valley View Road will be closed from 9 am until 4 pm on Monday and Tuesday, March 24 and March 25, in order to remove a large eucalyptus tree located on the City path between 6078 Valley View Road and 6086 Valley View Road.  Please remember to use an alternate route at these times. Questions? Contact Ron Ward at 615-5561.

• Thanks to the many interested neighbors who joined us last week in a walking tour of Fruitvale and MacArthur in the Dimond as part of the Fruitvale Alive! Streetscape Program.  Richard Cowan and I enjoyed talking with you and hearing your ideas.  Special thanks to planner David Ralston (2nd from left) for giving up time on his birthday to lead us.  For details....

• Radar Project to Send Out First Warnings:   Over 200 drivers speeding down 35th Avenue over the last will soon receive friendly warning letters from the Oakland Police thanks to neighborhood volunteers in radar gun pilot programs. Please slow down! Friday a boy was struck by a vehicle on the dangerous 35th Avenue curb near the spot where a motorist was killed in January.  The project will be moving to other traffic spots in our district soon.

• "Diversity in Play" Paintings Feature Dimond Residents and Park:  Dimond resident artist Rita Sklar's latest exhibit, a series of 15 paintings celebrating the ethnic and racial, gender and age diversity of our community, is on exhibit in neighborhood locations.  Funded by the City's Cultural Arts Fund, it shows families and children playing together in the Dimond Park.  You may recognize some of the people!  (Above) "Race in the Park"
   
  • Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, until April 15
  • Cafe Diem, 2224 MacArthur, April, Reception: Friday, April 18th from 3-6:00 p.m.
  • Cafe Dimond,3430 Fruitvale Avenue, April; Reception: Wednesday, April 23, 4-6pm 
  • LaFarrine, 3411 Fruitvale Ave, April

• Fred Finch Youth Center Emancipation Village Meetings: Community Advisory Council meetings for the proposed Emancipation Village for aging-out foster children at the Fred Finch Youth Center, 3800 Coolidge Avenue, will be held the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm: April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16, November 20, December 18. RSVP to Aimee Johnson at 485-5308.
   

• Final Push to Raise Funds to Make Shepherd Canyon Road Safer:  Thanks to a recent pledge of $5,000 from the Montclair Safety & Improvement Council (MSIC), we are making a push to raise the final $40,000 needed to build an expanded parking lot for Shepherd Canyon Park. The park is heavily used on the weekends for soccer and lacrosse; Shepherd Canyon Road is often crowded with parked cars and parents dropping-off and picking-up kids. The road, even in the best of times, is narrow and winding and requires drivers to be alert. Our office has been working with the Shepherd Canyon Homeowners Association on this project--one of several improvements proposed to the park-- for several years. We've already raised $110,000 from the Montclair Soccer Club, California Commercial Investments and grants from Council Member Henry Chang and my office, as well as individual donations. We're asking local residents and families who use the park to help us make this new parking lot a reality. Donations will be accepted by Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation c/o Shepherd Canyon, PO Box 13267, Oakland, CA 94661. Questions-- call Sue Piper in our office at 238-7042. (Above) many thanks to MSIC's Jim Clardy for installing the sign and thermometer.

• Pothole Blitz for Central Oakland (and District 4) Completed This Week:  Using new machinery and concentrating crews, the Public Works Agency completed their pot hole-filling blitz for Central Oakland this week. They will fill some 1,800 potholes each week through April. PWA works on a complaint driven system, so if you find pot-holes that are still unfilled, please call them into the PWA Call Center (see below).  On average, the City receives upwards of 250 pothole complaints a month, citywide; but many go unreported. This year's series of rainstorms has created much more damage to City streets, causing more potholes than usual. Contact the PWA Call Center at 615-5566  to report pot holes. Please provide the nearest street address and cross streets.
   

• Support the Allendale Krusherz! District 4 Girls Softball Team: Our office, with the help of another nine individuals in District 4, sponsors this 8 and under Girls Fast Pitch Softball Team based at the Allendale Recreation Center. Come join us to cheer them on at the following games:
  • Saturday, March 29, 9 am, Oakland Crushers! vs. Oakland # 1 at Marshall Field
  • Saturday, April 5, 11 am, Oakland Crushers! vs. Oakland #2 at Marshall Field
  • Saturday, April 12, 9 am, Oakland Crushers! vs. Alameda #4  at Krusi 4
  • Saturday, April 19, 9 am,  Oakland Crushers! vs. Oakland #3 at Marshall Field
  • Saturday, April 26, 1 pm, Oakland Crushers! vs. San Lorenzo #2 at Duck Pond #1
  • Saturday, May 3, 9 am, Oakland #1 vs. Oakland Crushers! at Marshall Field
  • Saturday, May 10, 11 am,  Oakland #4 vs. Oakland Crushers! at Marshall Field.
  • Saturday, May 31, 11 am, Oakland #3 vs. Oakland Crushers! at Marshall Field
  • June 1- June 7-- Intraleague Playoffs

• How Well Do You Know Your Bike Safety Rules? The recent bicycle tragedy in the South Bay, and the death on Skyline of Ed Weiss two years ago demonstrate the need for better bicycle safety awareness for bicyclists, motorcyclists and car and truck drivers. Oakland, fortunately, ranks as the fourth safest city for bicycling in California with a population over 60,000. See pages Oakland in State Perspective on 35-36 of the Oakland Bike Plan for additional information The East Bay Bicycle Coalition has a great safety quiz available in English, Spanish and Chinese as a pdf and online in English.

• Bike Safety Courses: The East Bay Bicycle Coalition offers bike safety courses throughout Alameda County beginning in late March and continuing through May. There's a "Day 1 in classroom session" at Oakland Kaiser on March 26 and May 1.

•  Save the Date: Bike to Work Day is Thursday, May 15: Every year, I join members of the Bicycle Coalition on a trip from Montclair to City Hall in celebrating Oakland's 15th annual Bike to Work Day, Thursday, May 15, 7 - 9 am.. Along the way we usually meet up with a team lead by Council Member Pat Kernighan on Grand Avenue as we wind our way to City Hall. As in past years, the City will be hosting a free pancake breakfast and raffle drawing in Frank Ogawa Plaza, with an 8:30 am press conference. Stay tuned for details about our route starting from Montclair Village. (Above) Leaving from Wheels of Justice in Montclair last year.

• More Oakland Biking Information
• Metropolitan Transportation Commission
• League of American Bicyclists

• Mayor Dellums Visits Chinatown NCPC:  I was pleased this week to accompany the Mayor to the city's Chinese language Crime Prevention Council. While most of its members live in Chinatown, some members live as far away as the Laurel. Over 200 people attended the meeting, the group gave the Mayor a petition (right) seeking more Chinese language police officers and specifically, more walking officers in the Chinatown area. Mayor Dellums expressed his support for the City's Equal Access Ordinance (which commits us to provide bilingual staff to help Oakland's largest language groups) because all residents deserve access to city services.  He promised to hire more Chinese speaking officers and talked about his concern for seniors.  Captain Toribio spoke of specific efforts to arrest a suspect responsible for 3 bank robberies in the area and of plans to add two police officers paid for by new redevelopment funds allocated by the Council this year to return officers assigned to the airport back to redevelopment areas.

• Improved Safety at Montclair Park: Kudos to Public Works and the Volunteers of America Crew who applied basic Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design techniques to greatly improve public safety at Montclair Park. By pruning back overgrown shrubs and ivy, there are now clear lines of sight to the tennis court, ball field and pathways. Our office is working with the city to renovate the trails and the play structures and to find funds to create an ADA accessible route from Mountain Blvd. to the Park (right now there are only stairs). Stop by the Montclair Recreation Center (6300 Moraga Avenue) on Saturday, April 26, 11 am- 2 pm  for a Park for Peace pole dedication and ceremony. The program includes dedication of the peace pole, a custom car show, live entertainment, guest speakers, community resources and more.

• New Phone Numbers for the Reorganization:  Now that most assignments are completed, the Police Department is trying to update its website.  In the interim they have posted lists of new phone numbers for Area and Problem Solving Officers/Beats.

• The Measure Y website and e-newsletter contain a wealth of practical information and an area by area list of services and programs, www.MeasureY.org
   

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

• To organize a Neighborhood Watch Group on your street call 510-238-3091.

• 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.

• Make anonymous calls for drug activity to 238-DRUG.

• Truancy Tip Hotline is 879-8172.

Altenheim Senior Housing Offers Studio Apartments for $695 a Month: Apartments have bathtubs or roll-in showers, electric oven/ranges, full size refrigerators, garbage disposals, and are wired for cable and high speed internet. At least one household member must be at least 55 years of age. The maximum allowable income is $30,150 for a 1 person household and $34,450 for a two-person household. Section 8 (and similar subsidies) are welcome. Tours are available by calling 531-8369. Located at  1720 MacArthur Blvd. in the Dimond.

• 6th Annual Older Americans Month Celebration:Celebrate Aging-Making Oakland a Great Place to Grow Old--save the date for a celebration at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza on Friday, May 16, 11 am-2 pm, sponsored by the Aging & Adult Services Division, of the City's Department of Human Services.

• The Council approved the Mayor's appointment of Dimond Resident Dr. Wade Sherwood  to the Commission on Aging this week.  Congratulations, Wade!

• For the last three years our office has helped convene a Council to plan for and improve Senior Services in the Dimond.  The effort grew out of our Envisioning MacArthur Conference which saw that with the new senior housing in the area we have an opportunity to make this a model area for aging in place.   A shuttle which picks up residents from  Lincoln Courts and the Altenheim for shopping and Dimond Recreation programs, computer classes for seniors, and other programs have been the result.  At this point the Council is mostly service providers; we now want to shift senior residents of the area.  If you are over 55 and are interested in serving, contact Richard Cowan in our office 238-7041.

• FOOD SCRAP RECYCLING, MAKE IT SECOND NATURE!
  Food scraps and food soiled paper are the largest single item in our waste stream - making up approximately 35% of what we throw away in Alameda County. Food scraps are a resource, not a waste. By participating in the food scrap recycling program, food scraps and food soiled paper are sent to a composting facility. Instead of taking up space in the landfill, your food scraps become compost - a valuable resource used by landscapers and farmers.  More information.

What you can include . . .

Stop Junk Mail:  100 million trees are used for junk mail each year.  44% of junk mail goes to a landfill unopened; yet Americans still spend 8 months per lifetime opening junk mail. Get your free kit to stop junk mail here.   More useful sites:
 

• CatalogChoice.org  Lets you choose which catalogs you want
   
• www.dmachoice.org  Direct Mail Association online form.

• California Waste Solutions to Replace Recycling Cart Lids:  Grey residential recycling carts in North and West Oakland (in my district residents north of Lincoln Blvd) serviced by California Waste Solutions (CWS), require lid replacements because the in-molded labels on the lids have degraded and are no longer readable.  They request that residents leave their carts curbside every collection day in March until 6 pm so they can replace the lids. For more information:  Public Works Recycling Hotline at 510-238-SAVE (7283) or recycling@oaklandnet.com.   

• Healthy Communities Grow on Trees:  At last weekend's San Francisco Landscape Garden Show, I picked up some interesting information about the value of Urban Forests.
   
  • Leaves of trees capture rainfall, reducing storm water runoff and protect the Bay and ocean. Over its lifetime, a large tree will intercept 27,000 gallons of storm water.
  • By capturing carbon dioxide from the air and turning it into leaves, branches and roots, trees help in the fight against global warming. A large shade tree will reduce carbon dioxide in the air by more than three tons.
  • Trees intercept and absorb air pollutants, including those that cause smog. Every year, a large shade tree removes one pound of pollution from the air. Imagine a pound of dust!
  • When planted strategically, trees shade buildings and reduce our energy needs, helping in California's summertime stuggles to produce enough energy. Over its lifetime, a shade tree in the Bay area will reduce energy use by more than 6,000 kwh. Trees in hotter climates will do even more

• Organize Your Street to Plant Trees:  The City can provide free street trees; if you organize your whole street our office will help with leaflets and will help pay for sidewalk cuts.  Contact Sue Piper in our office for more information.

• OPC/PWA Volunteer Appreciation Event, Wednesday, April 2 at the Lakeside Garden Center:  If you've ever adopted a spot or drain, planted daffodils or worked on an Earthday or Creek to Bay Day Project, then you won't want to miss this annual event. The Oakland Parks Coalition and the Public Works Agency annually thanks the hundreds of local residents who regularly volunteer to work on our parks, medians, open spaces and storm drains at this wonderful event. To RSVP, call 287-2683 or email the Oakland Parks Coalition.
   

• EarthDance: Short-Attention-Span Environmental Film Festival at the Oakland Museum of California: Friday, April 4, 7-11 pm. The 5th Annual EarthDance at the museum features 24 humorous and provocative films in two separate screenings (7:30 and 9:30 pm). Comedies, animations, documentaries, thrillers and family-friendly films celebrate our connections to the natural world. Included with museum admission. Part of the Oakland Museum's First Fridays events.

• 
  • EarthDay -- April 19; Earth Expo at City Hall--Wednesday, April 16, 10am-2pm:  It's time to start organizing your neighbors and get ready to sign up for Earthday 2008! Last year, more than 4,000 people volunteered over 13,500 hours, planting 22 trees and cleaning up 28 parks, 24 schools, 18 medians, 8 creek sites, and 42 public spaces. More than 23 tons of debris was collected that day! This year, Oakland celebrates its 14th annual Earthday. District 4 typically accounts for 25% of the volunteers--last year we had more than 35 locations! Check the Keep Oakland Beautiful site to sign-up (and please email Leslie Bonett
    in our office to let her know, as well.).

• For our list of 25 Ways to Keep Oakland Green, click here.

• Upcoming Friends of Sausal Creek Workdays:
   
  • Saturday, March 29, 9am-Noon: Planting and non-native plant removal in Beaconsfield Canyon. Call Kathren Stevenson at 388-5676.
  • Saturday, March 29, 9am-Noon: Remove native plants to help convert Acacia forest back to native grassland in the Grassland Restoration Site at Sausal Creek. Call Kathren Stevenson at 388-5676.
  
   

• 
• Bay Friendly Garden Tour, April 27, 10am-4pm: Find out how varied and beautiful Bay-Friendly Gardens are on this FREE, self-guided tour. Over 30 public and private gardens will be featured in geographic clusters throughout Oakland and the rest of Alameda County. Several of the garden clusters are walkable and/or bikeable. Register Now.
  
   
•  Free Plant Exchange Saturday, March 29: Now that it is spring cleaning time in your garden, consider trading your extras  with like-minded gardeners at the annual Plant Exchange. Bring sproutable clippings, bulbs, cuttings and plants to 3811 Lakeshore Avenue on Saturday, March 29 between Noon and 4 pm. No time to repot plants? Bags and newspaper will do. Call Odette at 866-8482 or go to their website for the trade-in form. 
   

• Annual California Wildflower Show at the Oakland Museum of California, Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20: Savor the colors and fragrance of hundreds of freshly collected native flowers at the 50th Anniversary of this show-- flowers from the entire state! The weekend includes slide shows and lectures about California's native flora and horticulture and a chance to talk with experts. Presented with the California Native Plant Society, the Jepson Herbarium of UC Berkeley, and the UC Botanical Garden. Included with museum admission.
   

• Friends of Sausal Creek Annual Native Plant Sale:  Sunday, April 27, 10 am- 5 pm. This year, FOSC joins with the Bay Friendly Gardening Tour and holds its annual FOSC Native Plant Sale at the nursery in Joaquin Miller Park. Details about the Bay Friendly Gardening Tour 

• Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, Sunday, May 4, 10 am-5 pm: A free, self-guided tour of 60 Alameda and Contra Costa county gardens. Details

• Library's Online Computer System  will be off-line: from 8 pm on Thursday, March 27 until Noon on Friday, March 28: During this time period, the public will not be able ot access the library's website, catalog, databases, computer reservation software and phone renewals. Both the Oakland Public Library's computer system and the public service desks at its main library and 15 branches will be in service after Noon on Friday, March 28.

• Create Your Own Manga/Anime Character Contest:  Enter the Library's 5th Making Manga Magic drawing contest. You must be 12-18 yrs old and have an Oakland library card. Deadline is March 30th, 2008. Entries must follow guidelines in order to be considered. Call the TeenZone staff at 238-7332 or visit the following link for more information http\\www.oaklandlibrary.org/links/teens
   

• Paul Robeson Exhibit at West Oakland Branch: The West Oakland Library will host a month-long inspirational display, Paul Robeson, 110 Years of Greatness, from April 1 through May 3, 2008.  The exhibit, sponsored by the Bay Area Paul Robeson Centennial Committee, commemorates the 110th anniversary of Robeson's birth with materials that reflect upon the man's extraordinary achievements. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The West Oakland Library, 1801 Adeline Street, is open Monday 11:30 am-7 pm; Tuesday - Thursday 10 am-5:30 pm; Friday 12 Noon-5:30 pm; and Saturday 10 am-5:30 pm. For information call the library at  238-7352, or visit the Oakland Public Library's Website. (Above) Robeson with Oakland longshoremen.
   

• Sale at the Friends of the Oakland Public Library's Bookmark Bookstore, April 2-5:  Mark your calendar for the Friends of the Oakland Public Library's semi-annual sale. Members and the general public receive 30% off the Bookmark's unbelievably low prices. FOPL accepts donations of your gently-used books, DVDs and CDs.  Your donations help raise funds for the library.  Call 444-0473 for more information or visit the Bookmark, 721 Washington Street, Monday to Friday, 10:30 am-5:30 pm and Saturday, 10:30 am-3:30 pm.

• Legendary Poet and Activist Nikki Giovanni Headlines Annual National Library Week Celebration: The Oakland Public Library, in conjunction with the Oakland Museum of California and the Friends of the Oakland Public Library, will be hosting a special evening with poet, writer, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni on Thursday, April 24, 7:30 pm at the James Moore Theatre, Oakland Museum of California (1000 Oak Street at 10th Street). This annual author event, now in its 16th year, celebrates National Library Week, April 13-19.  Other National Library Week events include Word for Word, the award-winning theatre troupe presenting When Tom Smith Caused the 1906 Earthquake, and Stories to Play with Kids With: Kids' Tales Told with Puppets, Paper, Toys and Imagination!, featuring traditional Japanese folk tales. All events are free. For information about the Nikki Giovanni event, call 238-3271. Oakland Public Library's website.

• Free Tax Help at the Library: The Oakland Public Library has partnered with the American Association for Retired Persons to offer free tax assistance from through April 15, 2008. Bring copies of last year's federal and state tax returns and all materials pertaining 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 & other sites  238-3134. Please call ahead to confirm times:
   
  • 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.

• Oakland Civic Orchestra's Free Classical Music Concert, Sunday, March 30: 4 pm at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Avenue.  Conducted by Artistic Director Martha Stoddard, the Oakland Civic Orchestra presents its "Beloved Brahms" concert. The all-Brahms program features the Academic Festival Overture, Hungarian Dances Nos. 5-7, and Symphony No. 3.  Admission is free.  For more information, please call (510) 238-7275. 
   

• Friends of Negro Spirituals Presents a Free Public Celebration In Our Own Words: Free celebration of the release of ten Negro Spirituals Oral History DVD at Mills College's Lisser Hall, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Sunday, March 30, 3 pm. For details, call Sam Edwards or Lyvonne Chrisman at 869-4359.
   

•  The Bay Area Heart Gallery Special Joint Exhibit, April 1-30 at Alameda County Administration Building, 1221 Oak Street:, and Eden Area Multi-Service Center, 24100 Amador Way in Hayward. The Bay Area Heart Gallery is a stunning, professional photography exhibit featuring local children and youth in foster care who are eligible for adoption. The exhibit also includes photographs of diverse adoptive famlies from across the Bay and their stories.  Exhibit hours are 8:30-5 pm, Monday through Friday. A similar exhibit appeared in City Hall last year that was quite striking and moving. For details, contact Fredi Juni.
   

• Anthony Brown's Asian American Orchestra and Oakland Museum of California, Saturday, April 5, 3-4 pm: Dr. Anthony Brown, percussionist, composer and ethnomusiciologist, leads his Asian American Orchestra in a matinee concert for all ages and musical tastes. In the spirit of the Oakland Museum's exhibition Trading Traditions: California's New Cultures, the Grammy-nominated ensemble reinterprets jazz classics by adding Asian instrumentation to the mix. Included with museum admission.
   

• Sequoia Elementary's Multicultural Program: Sequoia Elementary will be hosting a Multicultural Potluck and Program on Friday, April 11. The Multicultural Parents Group seeks students or parents who can perform traditional folk/ethnic dance, song or play musical instruments that day. They are also looking for students or families who can provide and wear traditional folk or ethnic costumes as part of the program's costume show. Contact Joy Villafranca at 531-4245. 
   

• April Auditions for Summer Musicals at Woodminster: Adult singers and dancers of all ages and children who appear to be between 8 and 10 are invited to audition for this summer's productions of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (July 1-20; Seussical, August 8-17 and The Pirates of Penzance, September 5-14. Audition dates as follows: Adult singers (ages 14 and older)-- Sunday, April 6 and Saturday, April 12, 1-4 pm at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park. Adult dancers (ages 14 and older), Sunday, April 6, 10 am sharp at Laney College D-100. Children (appearing to be 8 to 10 years old), Saturday, April 5 at 10 am at Woodminster Amphitheater. Children will be asked to sing Doe a Deer so Music Director can hear range and volume.  Check out Woodminster Summer Theater's website for details. Above- photo by Kathy Kahn
   

•  8th Annual All Oakland Talent Show for Students: Auditions for Oakland Students:
   
  • Tuesday, April 8, 4:30-7 pm at Youth Uprising, 8711 MacArthur Blvd.
  • Thursday, April 10, 4-6:30 pm Ascend, 3709 E 12th Street
  • Tuesday, April 15, 4-6 pm, Oakland School for the Arts, 1800 San Pablo Blvd. 
     

• Cancer Community Information Forum, Tuesday, April 22, 10 am-3pm: Oakland Preservation Park's Nile Hall, 668 13th Street. The American Cancer Society sponsors a forum for experts and the community to explore how cancer research assists in reducing the unequal burden of cancer in diverse and medically underserved communities. Registration is required, but the event is free. Lunch is included. Register by email or  phone-- 893-7900 ext. 239.
   

• OPR Seeks Nominations for Mother of the Year Award: Do you know an individual who shows an exceptional spirit of volunteerism while balancing daily responsiblities to famiily? Someone who serves as an exemplary caregiver, such as a foster parent or grandparent? The honoree will be recognized at the 55th Annual Oakland Mother of the Year Award Program set for 10:30 am on Saturday, May 10 at the Morcom Rose Garden, 700 Jean Street. Nominations are due on Friday, April 4 no later than 4:30 pm. Nomination forms and award criteria are available online or call Marguerite Hinrichs at 238-2082.
   

• Laurel Book Store's Upcoming Author Events, 4100 MacArthur Blvd : 
   
  • 7 pm, Wednesday, April 16, 7 pm  Laurel Ann Hill author of Heroes Arise.   It's a good crossover book for teens or adults.
  •  7 pm, Friday, April 18   Oakland poets Jack and Adelle Foley will be here to help us celebrate Poetry Month. 

• Oakland Firefighters Random Acts 7th Annual Awards & Dinner Dance, Saturday, April 12: Live & silent auctions, delicious buffet dinner and ice cream from Fentons to raise funds for the Oakland Firefighters Random Acts,a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization that

  provides funds and resources for Oakland Firefighters to create a Random Act of Kindness when they encounter people in need in the community. Mistress of Ceremonies is Diane Dwyer, NBC11 news. Cocktails 5:30; Dinner 7 pm. Cost per person $75. Call 465-8422 or check out their website.

• Save the Date-FOPR Taste of Spring, May 8, 5:30-8 pm, The Rotunda Building, 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza:  The Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation's annual fundraiser to support projects throughout Oakland. Live entertainment, wine tasting, appetizers, live and silent auction. To purchase tickets call 465-1850.
   

• Educate Your Palate, Educate A Child--Sequoia Elementary's Silent Auction at Joaquin Miller Community Center, Saturday, May 17:   Parent or neighbor,  here's a great way to support one of our District 4 schools. If you have items of value to donate, please contact Kelly McGrath to download donation forms. Then plan on attending-- your $20 donation will help the school raise $16,000 to provide supplemental support to Sequoia Elementary School, located at 3730 Lincoln Avenue.