Annual California Wildflower Show at the Oakland Museum of California, Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20: Savor the colors and fragrances 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.  (Above) Native Iris growing along Arroyo Viejo Creek at the Oakland Zoo.

• Edna Brewer Band and Orchestra Fund Raiser, Saturday, April 19, 10 am- 2 pm at Lakeshore Farmer's Market: Hear the Brewer Beginning and Intermediate Orchestras, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble and Advanced Symphonic Band perform on a live stage with special guests: Falso Baiano, Brazilian Samba and Choro Ensemble,John Pearson, Acting Principal Trumpet, San Francisco Opera plus more special guests.In a year when California is facing unprecedented budget cuts in funding for education, the school arts programs have more to work for in order to keep their rightful place in the curriculum. The Edna Brewer Middle School Music program is a new gem in this great school's crown. In its first year of full time instruction in over 5 years, the program has grown from 20 students to 140, from 2 ensembles to 5. Help raise the $6,000 needed to keep the music playing at Edna Brewer Middle School. Details, contact Zack Pitt-Smith, Director of Bands at the school at 599-4321.

• Dedication of IMAGINE!, the new mural at Bret Harte Middle School: Saturday, April 19, 1:30 pm at Bret Harte Middle School, 3700 Coolidge Avenue. Our office joined the Bret Harte PTA in funding this beautiful mural, painted by Ms. Brubaker's art students with direction from local artist Debbie Koppman.

• FOSC Bird Monitoring at Sausal Creek, Sunday, April 20, 8 am-Noon. Call Mark Rauzon at 531-3887 to confirm. >>Visiting mallard and duck in Sausal Creek.  Photo by Tim Chapman.

• East Bay Crop Walk around Lake Merritt, Sunday, April 20, 2 pm:  Walk for hunger and make a difference. This scenic 3.2 mile walk around Lake Merritt is to raise awareness of the need for food around the world and raise funds to help stop hunger at home and abroad. Funds benefit the Alameda Food Bank. Registration at 1:30 pm at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Avenue. The Crop Walk begins at 2 pm. For more information, call Pam Gidwani at 635-3663, ext. 328.

• Beat 22X NCPC Meets Monday, April 21 at Sequoia Elementary School, 3730 Lincoln Avenue, 7 pm: Police Chief Wayne Tucker will be the guest speaker. The public is invited.
   
• 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. 
   
• OUSD Seeks Opinions on their Website: Parents, teachers and community members with experience using the School District's website are invited to participate in a Website Focus Group, Tuesday, April 22, 6-7 pm or Thursday, April 24, 3-4 pm at Hunter Hall, 1025 Second Street, top floor. The feedback will be used to redesign the website. For details, contact Troy Flint at 879-8242.

• Receptions for local artist Rita Sklar's Dimond Exhibit at Dimond Café, Wednesday, April 23rd, 4-6 pm:  If you have enjoyed the watercolors featuring her exhibit  "Diversity in Dimond Park" displayed at local stores and the Dimond Library.  This is your chance to meet the painter. 

• AC Transit Public Hearing on Bus Service Changes, including Line 53 on Lincoln Avenue and Joaquin Miller Road, Wednesday, April 13, 6 pm. AC Transit Board Room, 1600 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor. In 2003 AC Transit discontinued Line 53 regular service along Lincoln Avenue and Joaquin Miller Road.  Local residents, passengers and institutions along Lincoln Avenue won AC Transit to partially restored service in December 2007 along Lincoln Avenue up to the Woodminster Shopping area. This hearing is part of a process to formally adopt the changes, along with changes to lines 19 and NX4 in Berkeley and Oakland.

• Free Tour of OPD Communications Dispatch, Wednesday, April 23, 6:30-8:30 pm: The Oakland Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee invites the public to tour the OPD Communications Dispatch Center. Find out how they manage between 1,000 and 2,000 calls a day. RSVP to Felicia Verdin at 238-3128.

• League of Women Voter's Final Forum for June Primary Thursday, April 24, 7 pm, Merritt College:  12500 Campus Dr, off Redwood Rd.  Council-at-Large: Kerry Hamill, Rebecca Kaplan, Clinton Killian, Charles Pine, Frank Rose. This forum will not be televised. The public is encouraged to attend.

• 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,  hosts an evening with poet, writer, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni, Thursday, April 24, 7:30 pm at the Oakland Museum, 1000 Oak Street at 10th Street. Celebrate 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 free. For information call 238-3271. Oakland Public Library's website.

• CORE Training at Allendale Recreation Center in April: Allendale Recreation Center has teamed up with CORE to host in-depth emergency preparedness classes.  CORE II (Neighborhood Preparedness and Response) on Thursday, April 24, 6:30-9 pm at the Allendale Recreation Center, 3711 Suter Street. It's free and open to people throughout the City. Sign up with  Allendale Recreation Center Director Elena Bermeo at 535-5635.

• San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers Concert at Holy Names, Friday, April 25, 8 pm: Tickets are $22 for adults, $17 for seniors and students.  Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets or call 800-838-3006 or to to their website.

• Two competing State Propositions on Eminent Domain.  The City Council and League of California Cities supports Proposition 99.  Both defend individual homeowners from government taking private homes to transfer to a private developer, but the rival Proposition 98 contains hidden agendas that would:
   
  • According to the Attorney General's analysis eliminate Rent Control and other Renter Protections.
  • Would threaten use of eminent domain for Public water projects.
  • Is written so broadly that most environmental protection laws would be threatened and almost all zoning decisions would be open to legal challenge.
• City Council and School Board Races in Districts 1,3,5, and 7 and the At-large City Council Race
• A hot race for the State Senator representing Oakland, Hancock v Chan. 

• Kids First or Measure K was renewed for a ten year extension as allowed by the measure. Measure K, passed in 1996, provides 2.5 percent of City's unrestricted General Fund--about $12 million -- for Youth Programs distributed by a competitive process recommended by a Youth-Adult Public Oversight Committee and approved by the Council. These funds are exclusive of over $5 million the City spends for youth programs in parks & recreation, libraries, arts, summer job programs, internships and other directly funded  programs. It also does not include millions spent  for preventing youth violence in Measure Y and  Measure Q Library funding for teen sections and other children's programs. Highlights of the report include: 
  • 103 Measure K programs were funded
  • 27 million hours of programs were provided for about $5.48/hour
  • Last years $12M was matched by $17M in state, county, or federal funds and other grants

Despite the approval, a new ballot measure being circulated by Youth Programs would more than double the amount of funding for the Kids First Program from about $12M to $27M. As much as I have supported so many programs for youth, I do not think it is fair for these programs to make the City the sole source of so much funding when we are facing a $20-50M deficit.   This $15M increase would be equal to the current amount spent on the entire Parks & Recreation Department.  While the petition appears to be similar to the current program, it requires 2.5% of the entire general fund including restricted funds.  Since much of the general fund is restricted (legally limited for what it can be spent on) the 2.5% of those funds would have to come from the unrestricted funds essentially making it closer to 5% and thus requiring cuts to other programs.  Tribune Article

• Voluntary Gun Search Program Vote Delayed: A six month pilot program (modeled on similar programs in Boston and Washington D.C.) was withdrawn for modification at Council on Tuesday.  The program would allow a small unit of the current officers assigned to schools to conduct a Voluntary Gun Search Program, after special training, aimed at reducing access to guns. Officers will visit homes where there is suspicion that the youth are involved in criminal activity, at the request of guardians or others with a relationship to youth suspected of possessing a gun.  If permission is granted to search and guns are found, the guns are seized with no follow-up prosecution unless it was used in a shooting or homicide.  Use of the gun in crimes where the gun was not discharged would not be charged. This trading amnesty for reduction of guns is one of the main controversies.

• Community Service for Parking Tickets Stalled in a Tie: A proposal for a 6 month pilot program allowing seniors and other low income residents to do community service to "pay" off parking tickets ended in a tie.  To qualify the for the program the following conditions would have had to be met.  Council Member Nadel and I will work on modifications:
  • The car receiving the tickets must be registered in Oakland
  • The registered owner must sign up for the program in the original bail period, delinquent tickets are not eligible for community service. Citations for parking in a disabled zone are not eligible.
  • The registered owner must be certified as low income and a maximum of five tickets or $250 in fines may be worked off.
  • Community service must be performed in Oakland, more credit per hour will be allowed for service with City agencies.

• Do you have taxi complaints?  Over the last months we noticed increased complaints about taxis refusing to go to or to pick up from certain neighborhoods.  Such violations could lead to the loss of taxi permits by the offending companies.  Several complaints in my district were specifically about Yellow Cab and a hearing will be scheduled soon.  If you have a complaint about refusal of service from Yellow Cab or any other company, please contact Barbara Killey, bkilley@oaklandnet.com

•  We could be  less than $5,000 away from the Shepherd Canyon Parking Lot! Thanks to generous donations from Council Member Henry Chang, the Montclair Soccer Club, Montclair Safety & Improvement Council, Phil Tagami and local residents, as well as my office, we are very close to completing fund raising for the long-needed additional parking in Shepherd Canyon Park. Overfill parking often dangerously narrows access on this key artery into Montclair. MSIC has submitted a $15,000 grant request to the Hamburger Helper Hometown Helper program, which, if awarded, brings our account up to $135,390. We need $4,440 more to meet the cost estimates that the City's engineers have developed for the project. Once we meet those, the City can go out to bid on the project.   If you can help, please make checks out to the Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation (FOPR), Shepherd Canyon Park and send them to Sue Piper in our office at 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland 94612.

• Oakland Creekside Park at Beaconsfield Canyon Complete: The City of Oakland has acquired the last privately held property within the Beaconsfield Canyon Open Space eliminating the final threat of development to this small, quiet canyon.  Funding was provided by Measure DD, Oakland Trust for Clean Water and Safe Parks.  This acquisition completes a park that is home to dozens of native plant species and contains a dynamic section of Sausal Creek. A team of local volunteers, headed by Richard Kauffman and Wendy Tokuda, is working hard to remove invasive plants from the area (especially the oily, explosive Scotch Broom to right which is so dangerous in wildfires) under the guidance of Friends of Sausal Creek.

• Piedmont Pines Undergrounding Held Until Next Council Meeting While Public Works Discusses Project This Tuesday: Approved by the Council in 2000, this is the last formal approval of the engineers report by Council before the plan goes to the Piedmont Pines neighbors for a vote in July.  At the Committee this week Council Member Brooks asked to change the criteria for selection, stating that the priority for these funds should go to commercial districts.  Former Councilman Spees and I raised the necessity for arterial streets in the hills to be undergrounded for safety.  Full Council approval is needed. The item will be discussed at the Public Works Committee at 12:30 pm on Tuesday and will be on the next Council agenda.

• Nominate a Pet for the Fifth Annual Montclair Pet Mayor Race: The Montclair Veterinary Hospital Pet & Wildlife Fund invites local businesses to sponsor an entry in this annual fund raising event. Your candidate-- dog, cat, bird, rabbit--can win the title of Pet Mayor of Montclair for 2008-2009. Nominations close at the end of April. For details, go to the Pet and Wildlife Fund website.
   
• Central Oakland Senior Council: One of the recommendations of our Envisioning MacArthur Conference 3 years ago was the formation of a Senior Council.  After over a year's planning the Central Oakland Senior Council (COSC) had its kick off meeting April 2 at the Fruitvale Senior Center. The initial meeting addressed budget cuts in senior services and how they would affect Central Oakland seniors.  Made up of providers, governmental representatives, and seniors, COSC will join all the Senior Centers in the San Antonio, Fruitvale and Dimond into one consortium to provide joint services and advocate for seniors in all of these neighborhoods.  COSC is currently filling spots in its Steering Committee.  If you are interested, write a letter of interest to Richard Cowan, who is the District 4 representative on this Committee.

• Goats Begin Grazing in District 4: Now that the grass is growing, it's time to begin thinking about vegetation management. The Wildfire Prevention District notes that the goats will be returning to District 4 starting in the next few weeks to devour hazardous undergrowth in Castle Canyon, Piedmont Pines and parts of Shepherd Canyon. For ideas of what you can do on your own property, check out the Wildfire Prevention District website.
   

• 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:  May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16, November 20, December 18. RSVP to Aimee Johnson at 485-5308.

• 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 (right). Come join us to cheer them on at the following games:

• Saturday, April 19, 9 am,  Oakland Krusherz! vs. Oakland #3 at Marshall Field
• Saturday, April 26, 1 pm, Oakland Krusherz! vs. San Lorenzo #2 at Duck Pond #1
• Saturday, May 3, 9 am, Oakland #1 vs. Oakland Krusherz! at Marshall Field
• Saturday, May 10, 11 am,  Oakland #4 vs. Oakland Krusherz! at Marshall Field.
   

• Police are assigning undercover officers to cover Oakland restaurants.
• Extra patrols have been assigned to commercial areas.>>Extra officer assigned to Chinatown on the busy Sunday shopping day.
• Under the new geographic system most officers are required to do some walking each day, I have noticed more patrol officers walking in commercial areas.
• We are working with merchants in our area to organize Merchant Alert Groups, this includes discussing more area-wide security cameras, improving lighting, and closing off unused parking lots in the evening.
• In the Laurel we are helping to reach Asian merchants and residents,  providing more bilingual city staff and police.
• Merchant associations are hiring additional private security firms for evening patrols. The Laurel District Association has just replaced their firm and they are applying for grants for redevelopment funded "escorts" who can assist customers to their cars.
• We have joined neighborhood groups in encouraging neighbors to support merchants who are open in the evening, especially, the stores that have been robbed.  The Oakmore/Glenview response has been so strong, it is hard to find a table at Red Boy Pizza. I had dinner with my husband this week at the Happy Garden in the Laurel, we met at least a few people who made a point to come by for both take out and dinner to show their support. Generally, busier areas are not targeted for this kind of crime.
• Police believe the robbers park near the restaurants; unbelievably one Oakmore neighbor noticed a group of young men put on ski masks and hoods but did not think to call police or take down the license plate. Call 911.
• Last Friday, the police arrived within two minutes of the call at Happy Gardens and the robbers fled without taking any money. The police cordoned off the neighborhood with over 40 officers from different agencies and a police helicopter. They searched for 4 hours.
• Finally, Oakland Police and Crime Stoppers has offered up to $5,000 reward in each of the restaurant robberies.Anyone with information can call police at 510-238-3326 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-3211 or 510-777-8572.

• Police Academies on Schedule So Far:  This week OPD reported on its recruitment and training progress. 28 officers graduated from the Police Academy yesterday, 30 more are expected to graduate in July.  Two concurrent academies begin May 19th. One of the academies slated to be held at the Alameda County Sheriffs' Department will be conducted by the Santa Clara Sheriffs' Department instead. A class of 6 lateral (officers from other jurisdictions coming to Oakland) is also underway; these classes typically only require 6 weeks.

• Oakland Seeks Volunteers to Help Recruit Police Officers: Citizens interested in lending a hand to help the City of Oakland reach its goal of having 803 police officers by the end of 2008 have an opportunity to participate in this important effort. The Oakland Police Department needs community volunteers to serve as oral board panel assessors for the hiring of Police Officer Trainees. Interested candidates must meet one of the following criteria 1) live in Oakland, 2) work in Oakland or 3) own a business in Oakland.The upcoming oral board dates are currently scheduled for:
  • Monday, July 21, 2008
  • Monday, August 25, 2008
  • Monday, September 22, 2008
  • Monday, October 20, 2008
  • Monday, November 17, 2008

Community members interested in serving on the boards should email opdjobs@oaklandnet.com with their contact information, including name, address, phone number and email address and note the dates they are available.  

• Laurel Corridor Focus: The Thursday before last, we walked MacArthur, between the arches, with a City Service Delivery Team comprised of police including command staff, blight, and public works staff talking to merchants & neighborhood leaders.  This is part of an upcoming focus on recent problems in the neighborhood including graffiti, shop lifting, and complaints regarding youth obstructing businesses. We need neighbors to help by documenting complaints and identifying persons responsible for the graffiti.  The Problem Solving Officer for this area is Officer Ann Pierce at 238-2053.  The Neighborhood Services Coordinator is Renee Sykes at 238-7929.
• "Club Campaign" Planned for the Laurel:  We monitor the crime trends in each of out neighborhoods on a regular basis. Last month the Laurel neighborhood area was hard hit with car thefts and car break-ins. In cooperation with the NCPC and the Laurel ACE hardware we are planning a campaign to increase the number of residents using a "club" type device and for more eyes on the street. The Laurel ACE will give a 20% discount, we are producing a bilingual leaflet which we hope to walk door-to-door with this month.  The beat officer recently made an arrest catching some young people breaking into a trunk and the stats have fallen, but car thefts come and go in cycles. It is best to be prepared.  If you would like to help distribute the leaflets, please contact Michael Johnson in our office 238-4742.

• 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.

• Save the Date, Saturday, May 31, for the  Neighborhood Services Division Community Summit 2008-- My Block, My Community, My Responsibility!-- The Neighborhood Services Division (NSD) will be hosting this year's Summit at Laney College at 200 Fallon Street on Saturday, May 31 8:30 am-2 pm. There will be several workshops, including a session on Gang Interventions and Sexually Exploited Minors. Free breakfast, lunch and day-care will be provided. Translations will be available. BART, AC Transit and accessible to the differently-abled. Contact Michael Johnson (238-4742) in our office for more information or to sign up.

• 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.

• Public Workshops on Estuary Crossing Feasibility Study: The City of Alameda, with support from the City of Oakland, is conducting a study to determine alternatives to the Posey Tube for bicyclists and pedestrians wishing to cross the Oakland-Alameda Estuary. For more information, go to their website.
   
• 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  May 1.
• Save the Date: Bike to Work Day is Thursday, May 15, 7-9 am: Every year, I join members of the Bicycle Coalition on a trip from Montclair leaving around 7:30 am to City Hall in celebrating Oakland's 15th annual Bike to Work Day. Sign up at any official site and get a free bike bag and other useful gifts. Please join us! 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 host a free pancake breakfast and raffle drawing in Frank Ogawa Plaza. Stay tuned for details about our route starting from Montclair Village. (Above) Demonstrating free bike bags distributed by the East Bay Bicycle Coaltion.  Additional resources:

Additional resources:

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

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.  San Francisco has announced 300 layoffs; Sacramento 400 plus. 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. To close the immediate gap all vacant non public safety positions are frozen unless approved by the City Administrator.

On Thursday, the Council holds the first hearing on next year's budget shortfall that 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 Assessment District and rising costs. Departments are being asked to plan for a minimum of a 4 percent cut or enhancement of revenues; other reductions are expected.  Budget 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 Assessment 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 Assessment 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. (Above) Children exploring the new creek trail at the Oakland Zoo last week funded by Measure DD.

• 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

• Friends of Sausal Creek, Saturday, April 26, 9 am-4:30 pm, Joaquin Miller Park Native Plant Nursery, propagate native species and other nursery work. Call Molly Bolt at 501-3672.
   
• 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. 
• 
   
   
• 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  (Above) Rain drops on native lupine along Viejo Arroyo Creek at the Zoo.

• Lake Merritt Breakfast Club Work Day at Children's Fairyland, May 10 & May 31:  Volunteers, under the direction of the Park's Chief Horticulturist, Robin Taylor, will help with weeding, moving compost, planting preparation, and actual planting (probably on the 2nd Sat.) in anticipation of the Grand Opening of the new Aesop's Children's Theatre in June. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own handtools and gloves. See Dan Altemus to sign up and get further details. 893-4676.
   

2nd Annual Oakland Indie Awards, Friday, May 2, 5:30-8 pm at the historic Sweets Ballroom, 1933 Broadway.The Oakland Indie Awards event will recognize the contributions of Oakland's local independent businesses and artists and will provide Oaklanders with an opportunity to celebrate their passion for our City. You can nominate businesses and artists. The Oakland Indie Awards is a program of One California Foundation, which encourages people to support Oakland's locally-owned businesses and artists instead of chain stores.