Bike to Work Day is Thursday, May 15, 7-9 am:

• Free Movie Night, Thursday, May 15 at Fruitvale Presbyterian Church: See "Michael Clayton" starting at 7 pm. For more information about the movie night.

• Friends of Sausal Creek Seed Hike, Friday, May 16, 9:30-12:30:  to collect seeds to propagate native plants. Contact Molly Bolt at 501-3672 for details.

• Oakland's Equestrian Heritage featured at a Great Good Place for Books, Friday, May 16, 7 pm: District 4 residents Amelia Sue Marshall and Terry Tobey will sign their new book, which provides over 200 images of the Oakland Hills, Laurel District, Redwood Heights, Mills College and the parklands. Early images show Miss Graham's Riding Academy at various locations starting around 1916, as well as the history of horse ranches near Joaquin Miller Park and along the Skyline corridor. They will also be featured at:
  • Saturday, May 24, 3 pm Vista Madera Feed & Tack, 3908 MacArthur Blvd.
  • Tuesday, May 27, 7 pm, Walden Pond Bookstore, 3310 Grand Avenue.
  • Wednesday, June 11, 7 pm, Laurel Bookstore, 4100 MacArthur Blvd.

• 6th Annual Older Americans Month Celebration: Celebrate Aging-Making Oakland a Great Place to Grow Old, Friday, May 16, 11 am-2 pm, Frank Ogawa Plaza, sponsored by the Aging & Adult Services Division of the City's Department of Human Services. Honorees include Henry Chang, Jr, At-Large Councilmember of Oakland; Ursula Blau, a community representative for the City's Emergency Food Provider Advisory Committee and the Alameda County In-Home Supportive Services Program Advisory Board; Mildred Dillard, who has worked with Children at the LEO Center for the last 25 years and, at 90, is the oldest recipient; and Terry Englehart for her innovative program, Senior Center Without Walls, which offers homebound seniors more than 40 free telephone discussion groups, classes and support groups each week.

• Help Injured Wildlife. Deadline to Vote for the Pet Mayor of Montclair is Saturday, May 17: You have between now and then to vote for one of the eight candidates for Pet Mayor of Montclair. The candidates with the most donations advance to the finals. All proceeds support the Montclair Veterinary Hospital Pet and Wildlife Fund, and contributions are tax deductible. Our local vet has provided free vet care for wildlife, school animals and Fairyland.  Check it out and vote or visit their table at Sunday's Farmer's Market in Montclair. (Above - Rescued baby Barn Owl.)

• Oakland East Bay Symphony Presents "Follies": Friday, May 16, 8 pm and Sunday, May 18, 2 pm at Paramount Theatre. Guest stars Rita Moreno, Val Diamond, Sharon McNight and more present a concert hall staging of this Stephen Sondheim favorite. Michael Morgan conducts. Tickets $20-$75. Information and group sales, call 444-0801 or visit Oakland East Bay Symphony's website.
   

• >Teachers all over the state will rally to oppose the Governor's deep cuts in education on May 14 the day before his revised budget is due.  In Oakland they will rally at Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall and they are asking us to join them.

This is what the Governor's Proposed $4.8 Billion in Cuts to Schools Mean:

• Oakland Schools will  have to cut $23 million; that's $800 per student.
• Even without budget cuts, California spends $1900 less per student than the national average.
• California ranks 46^th in the nation in School Funding, apparently we're going for last place.
• The cuts are the equivalent to increasing class sizes by 35% or closing all schools for a month.
• Cuts $200 M or 8000 preschool students
• Cuts $60 M in after school programs

What Are the Alternatives?

• The Governor's plan treats all state programs equally.  A straight 10 percent cut to already low school funding makes no sense.  The Legislative Analyst and other have suggested he prioritize and reduce the cuts to education.
• The Governor's plan balances the budget with cuts only.  He has rejected all new taxes even closing loopholes that let luxury yacht owners evade state taxes. 
• Last week in a Budget Hearing conducted by our local Assembly Members (right -Swanson speaking, Loni Hancock, Mary Hayashi, joined by John Laird Assembly Budget Chair on left), Loni Hancock's Bill AB 2897 would reinstate a one percent increase for California's wealthiest families (over $300K and $600K). This would generate over $6 billion for the schools. Ronald Reagan imposed this temporary tax when he was governor.
• Charging oil companies a production tax like almost every other state would generate over a billion at a time the oil companies are making huge profits and gas is over $4/gallon.  Nunez's bill would target revenues for education.
• The California Budget Project gives independent analysis
• The Next 10 Challenge co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters is an online game that lets you balance the California Budget

• Middle School Clinics:  In a second major gift to provide health care for Oakland's students, the Atlantic Philanthropies announced a $15 million commitment over 8 years.  I have been working on this project as a member of Safe Passages/Youth Ventures, a joint powers agency of the City, County, and School District for nearly two years. Earlier this year as part of the Mayor's Health Initiative Kaiser Permanente donated $3 million and the School District has committed $10 million from its recent bond for clinic construction.  (Above L-R) Alameda Health Director Dave Kears, Calvin Simmons Student Body President Brian Pereira, School Board Member Noel Gallo, Jean, Mayor Dellums, District Administrator Vince Matthews.

The grant goes to broadening the definition of providing a healthy school climate allowing middle schools to expand on-campus medical, dental and counseling services, add after-hours and summer programming and offer more support to families, from second-language acquisition to tax-return assistance.  Students are involved in the design; 77 percent of the students at the selected schools responded to a recent survey.  They said they wanted services to address anger management and violence, workshops to discuss sex and sexual pressures with their parents, and dental care.

This project brings together many of my strategic concerns about youth in our city.  Middle school students are most vulnerable at this age to negative social pressure; critical support at this time often determines whether they will drop out. Health needs can impair a child's ability to succeed in school. In my first job out of college as patient advocate in New York I worked at a hospital on the Lower East Side, historical home to immigrants and the poor.  We gave every student at a nearby junior high a complete physical and the results left taught me an important lesson -- poor children without preventative health care go to school sick and handicapped.  The exact statistics may be slightly off but we found that about a quarter of the kids needed glasses, almost a third had never seen a dentist and many of them had dental pain, and about 30 percent had hearing loss (probably due to repeated ear infections and poor heating in the tenements). Some children had undetected sickle cell and other serious illness.

 

• Help Us Track Foreclosures:  When we walk neighborhoods in the district, we keep a list of homes that look like they may be in foreclosure. We are particularly concerned that the homes don't get taken over by squatters involved in illegal behavior.  Last year one home in the Allendale was responsible for minor crime wave of burglaries.  The City had to intervene to close the house, clean up the mess and fine the bank.  If a home in your neighborhood goes into foreclosure please contact Michael Johnson in our office so we can monitor it; this is especially important if it becomes blighted or occupied by suspicious residents.  

 

These are some Resources to Help Prevent Foreclosures:  It appears that many immigrants and minorities were targeted for balloon loans with deceptively low beginning interest rates. Local brokers are accused of steering clients to these loans even when they qualified for traditional loans. There is both local and national pressure to help get these loans refinanced, but the most important thing is for home owners to start negotiating with the banks before they go into foreclosure.

• This is a good place for an overview:  http://www.995hope.org/
• They also have a 24 hour hotline  888-995-HOPE.
• For local resources: http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/hcd/resources/Foreclosure%20Resources.pdf

• Helping Burmese Refugees:  Even before the deadly cyclone that may have killed nearly 100,000 in Myanmar (formerly Burma), over a hundred refugees had started to trickle into our city settling in the Eastlake District.  Refugee Transitions, an Oakland-based non-profit agency that pairs volunteer tutors with refugee and immigrant families for tutoring and mentoring, is looking for volunteers to teach English as a Second Language, civics education, and academic tutoring for youth. Volunteers and staff work together to help newcomers develop the language, life, job and academic skills needed to succeed here. You don't need to speak Burmese or other any foreign language.  The commitment is 2-4 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months. For more information or to sign up for an orientation, visit here or call 834-6000. (Child sits on the remains of her home.)

• This Chronicle article describes the situation in Myanmar and lists agencies accepting donations.
• Google's matching donation

At the first budget workshop, the City Administrator predicted that next year's shortfall would be about $15 million.  If the City approves closures and negotiates no raises for employees the amount could be reduced to about $6.7 million.   This however did not include possible failure of the Landscape and Lighting District (about $10 million, increased state and federal budget cuts, utility tax changes, and employee benefit costs that could range from $20-$70 million.  Departments are being asked to plan for a minimum of a 4 percent cut or enhancement of revenues; other reductions are expected. The Administrator's goal is to reduce the budget additionally through attrition rather than layoffs. Budget Report

• HOW DO YOU ADD 272 OFFICERS WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES?  I have criticized the after school initiative now being circulated because it doubles funding for non-profits to about 5 percent of the general fund or about $15 million in a year -- the equivalent of the entire budget of the Parks & Rec Department -- when the city may have to cut services dramatically.  So several of you have asked about the police initiative which would increase the force by 272 officers at a cost of about $60-$75 million depending whether you include training, equipment and support staff. That would move the cost of Public Safety (police & fire) from 62% of the general fund to about 75%.  However, the last category on the chart Non-Departmental is mostly payments for bonds (approximately another 15% that you can't cut). Also, some funds are matched by the Special Revenue on the right; so if you cut Headstart, housing, or senior services you could lose matching federal dollars on the right at about a two to one ratio. You have about 10-12% of the general fund for all other city services. Even Chip Johnson, who is no fan of the Mayor's Police efforts thinks this initiative is irresponsible.  The Community Policing Advisory Board made a recommendation that is much more realistic (in terms of recruitment and training), practical and responsible.  They recommend that starting next budget cycle after we have reached the currently budgeted number of 803, we increase the number by 50 each year until we get to 903 and then do an evaluation to how many more we need.
• There's no "free lunch."  Here's the General Fund, figure out what you will cut to get to 60-75 million? 

• LANDSCAPE & LIGHTING DISTRICT (LLAD) OUT TO A VOTE:  In an attempt to maintain current levels of park, median, tree, open space maintenance, and safe lighting, the Council voted to put the Landscape and Lighting Assessment District (LLAD) back out to property owners for a vote, mail ballots arrived this month.  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.

• Piedmont Pines Undergrounding Passes Council: This week, Council approved the engineers' report to establish the Piedmont Pines Phase 1 Undergrounding District in a 7-1 vote. This is next to the last step in a process that has taken over 20 years. Council woman Brooks attempt to change the criteria mid stream to put commercial corridors above all criteria failed. The Public Works committee will study what other criteria should be considered in future projects.  My positions is the egress for safety as well as the existing list must be considered.  The next step is a July vote by the Piedmont Pines neighbors in the Phase 1 area, along Ascot Road.

• District Four Volunteer Honored by Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation: Shirley Green was honored this week that the Annual Fundraiser for the Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation.  The group raises thousands each year for park projects.  Shirley was recognized for her many years of volunteer work on behalf of our parks.

• Horace Mann School Garden Gets a $12,500 Gardens for Learning Grant:  Thanks to the long dedicated efforts of Jeanne Nixon of the Melrose NCPC, with a little help from our Sue Piper, was given a grant for the school garden that will expand educational programs significantly.  There is a possible extension for $10K more in the following year. Many thanks!

• Butters Landtrust Neighborhood Sale, next Saturday, May 17, 10 am, Robinson & Butters Drive:  The neighbors of the unique public-private partnership to preserve Butters Canyon are emptying their garages and more to help raise money to raise the money on their loan to buy a key lot in the canyon. While you're in the neighborhood get out of your car and walk at tree top level along this lovely canyon.  A great place to see local birds! 

• Phase II Construction at the Altenheim: The Altenheim, an independent senior housing development located at the edge of Dimond and Glenview districts, is gearing up for Phase II construction this summer. Neighbors have been actively involved with redevelopment of the site since the assisted living facility of the same name closed in 2002. If you are interested in learning about Phase II, please join their Yahoo Group today: http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/alteneighbors. The plan calls for removing some trees for the new building.  Deadline for comments is May 23.

• Warren Freeway Landscaping Getting Closer:  Our contact at CalTrans informs us that the landscaping project on Highway 13, the Warren Freeway, is moving along. Irrigation has been installed, the dirt is being delivered to the site within the next few days, and then planting will get started.

1. Sexually Exploited Minors
2. Non-Violent Tools for Conflict Resolution
3. Disaster Preparedness
4. Dealing with Problem Properties and Nuisances
5. Get Heard:  Engaging the Voices of Young People
6. Understanding and Recognizing Gang Activity (English & Spanish Workshops)
7. Personal Safety and Self Defense
8. Youth Led Dialogue on Youth Culture & Violence
9. Effective & Productive Meeting Facilitation
10. How to Build Strong & Cohesive Neighborhoods
11. Reducing Truancy & Supporting Schools

• Recent Reports of Gas Siphoning: As the price of gas goes up, gas becomes even more precious. Might be time to think about installing locked gas caps, if your car does not have a built in mechanism.

• Violence Statistics:  In some recent news articles and in neighborhood chatter on some listservs, it has been noted that violent crimes in the last year have risen dramatically.  In fact, compared to when I entered public life in the 90's violent crime is considerably less.  

Last week some people posted a chart which shows an increase in crime rates over the last eight years. The chart shows a massive jump in violent crimes and was used as justification for the removal of the Chief of Police.  What this chart reflects is the charts I have run for increased domestic violence reports over the last five years.  Thanks to better police training and support services such as the new Family Justice Center, the number of domestic violence reports has tripled over the last five years--5000 more cases per year.  A significant number of these involve physical assault; a violent crime.  Within 24 hours any victim of domestic violence will receive a visit from a Measure Y funded counselor offering family counseling, counseling for children, legal and other support services.  While there may be a real increase because of the worsening economy, most of my colleagues working with me on this issue believe the increase mostly represents better reporting and better support services that allow the victims to take legal action.  This is one of those rare cases where a higher crime rate may be a good thing (deaths due to domestic violence are down); unfortunately, it's being used to club the police and the city.

• 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:  This is part of an upcoming focus on recent problems in the neighborhood including graffiti, shoplifting, 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 walking next week 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 will walk door-to-door.  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.

• 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 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.

• 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 Seat.
• A hot race for the State Senator representing Oakland, Hancock v Chan. 

• Ten Ways to Save the Most Water (from www.monolake.org)
  1. Water your lawn only when it needs it. Step on your grass. If it springs back when you lift your foot, it doesn't need water. Set your sprinklers for more days in between watering. Saves 750-1,500 gallons per month.
  2. Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints.Saves 20 gallons per day for every leak stopped.
  3. Don't run the hose while washing your car. Use a bucket of water and a  hose rinse at the end. Saves 150 gallons each time. For a two-car family, that's up to 1,200 gallons per month.
  4. Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. Saves 500 to 800 gallons per month.
  5. Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. Saves 300 to 800 gallons per month.
  6. Shorten your showers. Even a one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons per month.
  7. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. Saves 150 gallons or more each time. At once a week, that's more than 600 gallons a month.
  8. Don't use your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. Saves 400 to 600 gallons per month.
  9. Capture tap water. While you wait for hot water to come down the pipes, catch the flow in a watering can to use later on house plants or your garden. Saves 200 to 300 gallons per month.
  10. Don't water the sidewalks, driveway or gutter. Adjust your sprinklers so that the water lands on your lawn or garden where it belongs-- and only there. Saves 500 gallons per month.

• Clean up Behind Walgreens on High Street, Sunday, May 18, 9 am-Noon: Please join the Maxwell Park NCPC clean up crew for their monthly clean up behind Walgreens on High Street.

• Friends of Sausal Creek's May Schedule: Join friends and neighbors and learn more about the native habitat of Sausal Creek:
  • Friday, May 16, 9:30-12:30: Seed hike to collect seeds to propagate native plants. Contact Molly Bolt at 501-3672 for details.
  • Saturday, May 17, 9 am-Noon: Beautify riparian zone next to tot lot. Contact Kathren Stevenson at 501-3672 for details.
  • Saturday, May 17, 1:30-4:30 pm: Propagate native species and other nursery work at the FOSC Native Plant Nursery in Joaquin Miller Park. Details, contact Molly Bolt at 501-3672.
  • Sunday, May 18, 9:30 am- Noon: Aquatic insect sampling. Contact Emma Brown at 527-2507.
  • Saturday, May 24, 9 am-Noon: Weed native plant garden and erosion control project. Contact Kathren Stevenson at 501-3672 for details.
  • Saturday, May 24, 1:30-4:30 pm: Propagate native species and other nursery work at the FOSC Native Plant Nursery in Joaquin Miller Park. Details, contact Molly Bolt at 501-3672.
  • Friday, May 30, 9:30-12:30 pm: Seed hike to collect seeds to propagate native plants. Contact Molly Bolt at 501-3672 for details.
  • Saturday, May 31, 9-Noon: Native plant restoration, trail installation at Beaconsfield Canyon. Contact Richard Kauffman for details.
  
  Got Fruit? Donate It to Seniors:  If you have excess fruit, vegetables or herbs in your yard and would like to donate what you can't use to those in our community who lack access to fresh produce, you can be one of the first donors to an innovative pilot program of PUEBLO (People United for a Better Life in Oakland) and Cycles of Change, in collaboration with Mayor Dellums' Summer Jobs Program. Instead of letting all of that produce go to waste, let PUEBLO and Cycles of Change collect it and deliver it to Oakland's senior citizens who have need of fresh produce to maintain good health! To arrange for a pick up  or gleaning of your excess produce at a convenient time, contact PUEBLO at 452-2010.

• Library Launches "Book a Librarian" Service:  Now you can reserve a free 30-minute one-on-one reference or training session with a professional librarian at Oakland's Main Library, 125 14th Street. This free service is best used for complicated reference questions that require time beyond the usual walk-in reference help, or for more in-depth instruction on how to use the library's catalog, reference data bases, and the Internet. To make an appointment, call 238-3138 during open hours for available times. The Main Library is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays, 10 am-5:30 pm; Wednesdays and Thursdays, Noon-8 pm, Fridays, Noon-5:30 pm and Sundays, 1-5 pm.
   

• Skyline Takes 2nd Place at 44th Annual Reno Jazz Festival: The Skyline High School Jazz Band was one of more than 330 middle, high school and college groups participating in the 44th annual University of Nevada, Reno Jazz Festival April 24-26. Directed by Ted Allen, the Skyline Jazz Band placed 2nd in the competition, which is one of the oldest and largest educational festivals in the west. This is their second consecutive finish near the top of their division.  For more information visit: www.unr.edu/rjf. You'll get a chance to hear the Jazz Band at the May 21 Concerto Concert at Skyline High.

• Sip for Sequoia! at the Silent Auction & Wine Tasting on Saturday, May 17 at Joaquin Miller Community Center, 4-7 pm. "Educate your palate...educate a child." Advance ticket donations are $20 per guest. Reserve now online.

• Groundbreaking for the new East Oakland Community Library at 81st Avenue, Friday, May 30, 10-11am:  The new East Oakland Community Library--at 21,000 square feet--will be the largest branch in the Oakland Public Library system. This is one of my longest on-going projects.  I worked to get the joint application through the School Board in collaboration with Ignacio DeLaFuente; then as a Council Member helped keep the project on course.  It will also be the first joint public library-school facility in Oakland.  The $14.3 million project is funded by a $6.5 million grant from the State of California's Proposition 14 and $4 million from the Oakland Redevelopment Agency. OUSD has committed the land and a total of $497,065 for site development and construction of the common use areas. The Oakland Public Library is raising the additional funds from private donors to purchase new furniture. The new branch is located at 81st Avenue and Rudsdale in East Oakland.

• "Catch the Reading Bug" Summer Reading Program:  Kids, ages 13 and under are encouraged to buzz on in to one of our branches, the bookmobile, or the Main Library's Children's Room to sign-up and start reading their way to valuable prizes, including books and tickets to some of Oakland's hottest attractions. Pre-readers can participate by having someone read to them. 
   
  • The fun begins with a Summer Reading Program Kick-Off Party on Saturday, May 31, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Main Library's Children's Room, 125 14^th Street.  Children who sign up for the Summer Reading Program (June 7-August 9) will receive a free hot dog or veggie dog. In addition, they'll be treated to performances by the Prescott Clowns, Teng Fei Lion Dancers, and a live reggae band, La Raza Farians. Finally, kids will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to