Groundbreaking for the new East Oakland Community Library at 81st Avenue at Rudsdale, Friday, May 30, 10-11am: 

• Role of Charter Schools Debated at Community Forum hosted by the Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute at the Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St, tonight, Friday, 6 pm. The first half features a roundtable discussion between supporters and opponents of charter schools. The second half concludes with a moderated candidates forum in which all Oakland School Board candidates are expected to appear and respond to questions submitted from the audience.
   
• Friends of Sausal Creek: Join friends and neighbors and learn more about the native habitat of Sausal Creek:
   
  • 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. The 300 natives planted in February are being overtaken by a spurge of non-natives and other weeds. Please help remove the invasives. Contact Richard Kauffman at 531-1237 for details.
    
     
• Bunny Lovers' Art Reception at Paws & Claws, Friday, May 30, 6:30 pm: Exquisite rabbit portraits on display; meet the artists and enjoy drinks with hor doevres. Spend an evening with rabbit lovers, share stories, anecdotes, and helpful tips on sharing a home with a rabbit.  Paws & Claws is located at 2023 MacArthur Blvd. in the Dimond.
   

• Metropolitan Horsemen's Association Hunter Jumper Show at Sequoia Arena in Joaquin Miller Park, Saturday, May 31, 9 am: You don't have to be an equestrian to enjoy the artistry and skill of horse and rider at this annual show. MHA hosts a number of events during the summer that are open to the public.

• Final Game for 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). Their final game is Saturday, May 31, 11 am, at Marshall Field, Hellman Park.
   

• Birth of the Cool and Cool Remixed: Urban Art & Culture Now at the Oakland Museum:  These two new exhibits lets the boomers and today's kids smile at each others idea of "cool."  Cool 50's cars with fins, Miles Davis, and retro furniture meet skate boards, graffiti art, and hyphy.  Bring your kids or parents and let the debate begin. Saturday, May 31, Noon-9 pm, Free, "Art Saves Lives: 2008 Oakland Youth Arts Festival" features Oakland youth's exciting, multimedia response to Cool Remixed.  Student work from Fruitvale, Thornhill, and Bret Harte are featured.   http://artsaveslives.wordpress.com  

• Studio One Reopening, Saturday, May 31, 2-6 pm: After nearly two years of renovation, come join the fun as the Office of Parks & Recreation, the Friends of Studio One and the community celebrate the grand reopening of  Studio One, 365 4th Street in North Oakland. Ribbon Cutting is at 3 pm. This is the place for Oaklanders of all ages enjoy learning art skills--ceramics, drawing, sculpture, glass & metal works, and more!  Sign up for classes online. 
   

• Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival: Free Activities at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Pacific Renaissance Plaza, 2nd Floor, 388 9th Street, Suite 290. May 31, 8-11 pm: Asian Rhythms, Asian Beats featuring performances by OACC artists-in residence, Word & Violin, Karmacy.
   

• SalmonAid Benefit Festival, Saturday, May 31-Sunday, June 1 at Jack London Square: Salmon are in real trouble, as are the fishermen who depend on them. Whether or not you can make it to the festival, for tips on what we can do, check out the action link on www.salmonaid.org as well as http://www.water4fish.org and this article this article. 

• Sunday Family Hikes at Chabot, June 1:  Hike the redwood-laced trails near Chabot to hidden historic sites. Experience the ecosystem walking through the beautiful, shady paths of the Redwood Regional Park, led by a naturalist from the East Bay Regional Park District. Then explore the cosmos at Chabot with hands-on interactive exhibits and displays and be amazed how your child's Universe can expand in one excursion. Tickets are $5 plus General Admission to Chabot Space and Science Center. To register, call the Chabot Box Office at 336-7373.  Children must be accompanied by an adult. Redwood to Cosmos (8 and up), 9-11 am; Little Tyke Family Hike (5 and up) 1:30- 2 pm.  Other Sundays: June 15, July 27, August 10 and August 24.

• Build it Green Home Tour, Sunday, June 1, 10 am- 5 pm: Don't miss the Build it Green Home Tour in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The self-guided tour showcases 18 green built and remodeled homes.  Admission is $30 per person or $50 for two people. Steve Edrington, who was the first person in Oakland to take advantage of our new Seismic Strengthening Reimbursement Program, will receive an award for meeting green building standards at his duplex at 3926 Kansas and 3701 38th Avenue.  Attend the awards program and tour the new Pulte homes in West Oakland on Sunday at 11 am, Zephyr Gate at Central Station, 1771 14th St. For more information about the Home Tour and purchasing a guidebook, visit www.builditgreen.org or call 1-888-404-7336.

• Grand Opening of 2 New Animal Areas at the Oakland Animal Shelter, Sunday, June 1, 10:30-Noon, 1101 29th Street: Thanks to the generous contributions of local businesses, the Oakland Animal Shelter has been able to modernize a spacious room for puppies-- The Puppy Parlor-- and an outdoor play area for cats. The Puppy Parlor is sponsored by Woof Dog Hotel and Daycare, and the Catio is sponsored by Purrfect Fence, Inc.  Other improvements include a mural in the adoption gallery and the installation of warehouse shelving for expanded storage, sponsored by Pet Food Express.  Ten employees from Nutro Dog Food Division of Mars Company recently spent a day at the Shelter to create an outdoor exercise run for little dogs.

• Rededication of Firestorm Memorial Garden, Sunday, June 1, 2 pm:  It has been 16-and-a-half years since more than 3,000 Oakland and Berkeley homes burned in the largest residential fire in California history.  (Right)  Just one year ago metal thieves  desecrated the Firestorm Memorial Garden; tearing off the stainless steel name plaques honoring the 25 victims of the 1991 fire, and trying to cut down the bronze sculpture that is the centerpiece of the memorial at Tunnel Road and Hiller Drive. Over the past year volunteers who survived the 1991 fire (including Sue Piper and her husband) collected donations and repaired the damage. The brief rededication will acknowledge representatives of the Oakland and Berkeley city councils, of PG&E and others who contributed to the memorial's restoration. Our office was proud to contribute. Send tax-deductible contributions for on-going maintenance of the Garden to the North Hills Landscape Committee, 33 Hiller Drive, Oakland, CA 94618.

• Dimond Peace Vigil, Sunday, June 1st, 7 pm:  Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, Dimond residents meet on the first of each month to hold a candlelight vigil. We generally gather on MacArthur & Fruitvale or Lincoln. <<Last month's vigil, photo by Tim Chapman.

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

• Same Sex Marriage and The Recent California Supreme Court Ruling, Thursday, June 5, 7 pm at Laurel Books:  Dr. Davina Kotulski and attorney Emily Doskow will be on hand for a discussion about same sex marriage and the recent California Supreme Court ruling bringing marriage equality to California. Kotulski is the author of Why You Should Give a Damn About Gay Marriage, former Executive Director of Marriage Equality USA and an activist for marriage equality for over a decade. Doskow has 18 years of experience practicing LGBT family law, and is a coauthor of Nolo's Legal Guide for Gay and Lesbian Couples. Laurel Books is located at 4100 MacArthur Blvd.

• FOSC Seed Hike, Friday, June 6, 9:30 am-12:30 pm: Email nursery@sausalcreek.org for details.

• How Do We Hold the Line?, Friday, June 6, 1:30-3:30 pm at Alameda County Administration Building, 1221 Oak Street, 5th Floor Board Chambers: A Community Forum and Panel Discussion on State Budget Cuts and the Alameda County Budget, moderated by Nate Miley, Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Fourth District, this free community forum will discuss how results of the 2008 May Revise impacts  the County Budget, with opportunities to suggest recommendations and upward strategies to "hold the line."  Co-sponsored by Citizens for the Disabled and Seniors in Alameda County (CDSac) and the Safety Net Coalition. Registration begins at 1 pm.
   

• Book Launch and Party for Words on Fire, Teen Poetry Anthology, at the Dimond Library, Friday, June 6, 4:30-7 pm: We hear so much about problem teens.  Here's your opportunity to celebrate Oakland teens at a Book Launch and Party for the wonderful teens who have contributed to a newly published poetry anthology, Words on Fire, edited by Dimond Library staffer Giovanna Capone.   This book is dedicated to the memory of John R. Pichotto, poetry lover, longstanding library supporter and Dimond Library Friend. The Dimond Library is located at 3565 Fruitvale Avenue.
   

• First Fridays After Five at the Oakland Museum, 1000 Oak Street:  The blues and jazz summer series kicks off with the Bay Area Blues Society Caravan of All Stars in the café. Special showing of Oakland B Mine, a new film by Mateen Kemel,  7 pm. Don't miss the most exciting party in Oakland! Full cash bar-museum store and café open. All ages welcome. Included with museum admission.
   

• You can vote early by going to the Registrar's offices, 1225 Fallon St, G-1, Monday-Friday,  8:30 am - 5 pm.    
•  For information on the state propositions and candidates, go to the League's Easy Voter Guide, available in 8 languages.

• 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.
  • Threatens 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.
• School Board Races and City Council elections  in Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7 and the At-Large City Council Seat.
• The hot race for the State Senator representing Oakland, Hancock v Chan.
   

The apparent passage of the Landscape & Lighting District increase reduces the necessity of cutting an additional $9.5 million, certification of the election comes to Council on June 17th.  However, some outstanding issues may impact the final budget:  the State deficit is $17.2 billion and the legislature may still cut or delay additional funds, funding employee pensions & benefits which will require significant increases in the near future, deficits in funding equipment and facility repairs, modernizing the utility taxes, and the need to replace and purchase public safety vehicles.  

• Workshops/Budget Hearing re FY 2008-09 Budget Amendments -   Wednesday, June 11th, 5-8 pm
•  Adoption of Budget Amendments, Related Budget Legislation -Tuesday, June 17, 6-7 pm 

• Illegal Dumper Caught by Alert Neighbors on the Glenview Listserv:  Last week Lois on the Glenview listserv noticed a yellow truck dumping waste right where we plan to build a pocket park across from Corpus Christi School.  She wondered publicly if it was worth reporting.  The answer is absolutely YES!  Right after reading that post I saw a truck fitting that description and our Litter Enforcement Officer visited the site where I saw it.  She took photos which Lois confirmed as the truck and a hefty fine is on the way to the company.  The homeowners where the work was being done; were surprised since they were paying for the dump costs; this is why we ask you to ask for a dump receipt when you pay a gardener or contractor to haul away trash. Report Illegal Dumping to 615-5566 or pwacallcenter@oaklandnet.com

• John the Scammer, as he is known in the Glenview, moved up into the Oakmore area last week.  John says he is Samoan, he offers to do work for you -- cutting trees, painting a fence, etc.  Shortly after he starts work, he needs money (usually half of the agreed upon price) to buy gas, rent a truck, buy additional equipment or supplies, etc.  You never see him or your money again.

• Rock Throwing:  In the early hours of Saturday morning there were multiple reports of a car of young males involved in throwing rocks at cars and more seriously at some homes.  Luckily no one was hurt. We are looking for witnesses who can help us further develop the leads we now have.  Please contact Michael Johnson in our office, if you were a victim or saw these incidents.

• There were  reports in the past weeks of the ploy to get home owners into their backyards while the other breaks into their homes.  Watch for two Latino males.  One usually approaches elderly homeowners  claiming to be building/fixing a fence for a neighbor and asks for permission to go into the backyard, sometimes they offer money.  While in the backyard, the other breaks into the home.  The latest report was from the Redwood Hts area.  Please pass this information onto elderly neighbors who may not be on a listserv or other email.

• Fire Inspection Notices Out--Inspections Begin June 15:  Now's the time to work on your 30-foot defensible zones, if you haven't already trimmed back your vegetation. Santa Clara fire fighter interviews mentioned last week that having defensible space was a key factor in the homes they chose to make a stand at. Keep in mind that you must comply with regulations concerning creekside properties and preservation of rare and endangered species (pallid manzanita, Tiburon buckwheat, presidio clarkia and the most beautiful jewel flower). Free curbside tree and brush clipping service is available for residents of the Wildfire Prevention District.  Call 238-7388 to schedule. Check out the handy new and practical WPD home fire safety and protection calendar. For details about the Wildfire Prevention District and how to enhance your vegetation management, check out their website.

• New Towing Contract Will Not Charge for Storage of Stolen Cars for First Three Days:  When I was first elected five years ago, a single mother with two kids told me that her very old car had been stolen while she was out of town. Car thieves prefer older cars. When she came back she found that her car had been stolen, abandoned and towed.  The fees for storage were so high, she could not afford to claim it. She was struggling to take her kids to school and keep her job by bus. So as the new contract came up in the Finance Committee, I asked the negotiating team to solve this problem.  Thousands of cars in the city are stolen every year; this is major problem in California.  In our area about 80 percent of cars are found within a few days within a mile of where they are taken.  These some tips to help get back your car if stolen:
  • Make sure your vehicle registration information and phone number are up to date.  The police will use this information to contact you.
  • When you make the stolen car report list a number where you can be contacted immediately.  Towing charges will still apply because the towing drivers must be paid, but some of my constituents tell me that they have been called by an officer at the scene and have been able to avoid towing.

 The contract also provides improved facilities for cars stored as evidence in police cases and full ability to audit the towing company.  I have also asked that website be established where licenses or vehicle numbers of towed cars can be listed.  The contract comes to full Council on June 10th.

• Taxi Proposal Would Increase Medallions, Raise Fares:   A proposal coming to the Public Safety Committee in late June would increase the number of taxis in the city by at least 50.  It would also cap fees owners charge drivers and allow an increase of fares by at least 2 cents per one/tenth of a mile to accomodate increased gas prices.

• Thank You for Helping Us Track Foreclosures, Vacant, and Nuisance Properties:  We continue to get a great response from our request to help us identify foreclosed or vacant homes in our district that may be (or may become) nuisance properties.  Thanks to your reports we have about a dozen homes that we have asked for blight or public health inspections; and at least one building has already been closed. When we walk neighborhoods in our district, we keep a list of homes that look like they may be in foreclosure. We are particularly dedicated to making sure that the homes don't get taken over by squatters involved in illegal behavior. This month we closed a house where the occupant claimed he had inheritied the property and where suddenly multiple cars were piling up.  The City had to intervene to remove the vehicles and challenge the ownership.  We closed the house for health conditions.  There had been a rash of petty crimes in that neighborhood, we are wondering if that will end now. If a home in your neighborhood goes into foreclosure or is blighted, please contact Michael Johnson in our office so we can monitor it.

• City Seeks Muralist for Art & Soul This Fall:  The Oakland Art Gallery is accepting proposals from artists to create TWO separate 4' high x 24' long murals to be painted by the general public under the artists' supervision during the 8th Annual Oakland Art & Soul Festival, Labor Day Weekend in Downtown Oakland. Proposals should embody the festival's celebration of the arts.  Open to all artists who live or work in Oakland. Prior mural experience not required. The artists must be available to attend the entire Art & Soul Festival, August 29, 30, 31 and September 1, 2008 (no exceptions). Submissions are accepted by email and hard copy. Deadline is June 20. For details, call 637-0395 or email  the Oakland Art Gallery.

• New Light To Be Installed on Werner Court to Enhance Safety: Following a tragic homicide on Werner Court, I asked the Electrical Services Department to install an additional street light on Werner Court for improved safety, using my office's capital funds. Our office has been working with residents and merchants in this neighborhood on crime prevention and safety issues and they have formed a new Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council for their beat, Beat 22X. One of the challenges to this particular area is their immediate proximity to the Highway 13 exit, where people with an intent to do harm have easy access on and off the freeway. Thanks to the passage of the Landscape & Lighting District we will have funds to maintain these new lights.

• Permanent Solution to the Sink Hole on Shepherd Canyon Presented to City's Public Works Committee on June 10: For years, residents along Shepherd Canyon Road have complained about the periodic sink holes that pop up after the winter rains, especially along the stretch of road from Shelterwood to the park. Each time, the City's Public Works Division would temporarily repair the sink hole, only to have another one occur. The problem was the deterioration of the infrastructure under the road that required a major renovation. On Tuesday, June 10, the Public Works Division will ask the Public Works Committee to approve a $920,000 project for a permanent repair to this site.
   

• EBMUD Presents 5 Different Approaches to Renovating Estates Reservoir: At a special meeting with local residents, East Bay Municipal Utilities District's landscape architect consultants presented five different designs for landscaping the Estates Reservoir when EBMUD replaces the current configuration with two smaller tanks. One version kept the roof top fountain in place; two versions employed adaptive reuse of the fountain, and two versions were completely new designs. Given the current water rationing situation, however, if the first version were selected, it would not have a water feature, as EBMUD will no longer permit fountains on its property. Consequently, versions #4 and #5--the new designs--seemed to have the strongest favorable response. Another meeting will be held in June to show adjustments to the designs based on comments from the May 8, 2008 meeting. After the June meeting, EBMUD will begin the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process using the design that has the most community interest. To comment, contact Michelle Blackwell, EBMUD community relations representative at mblackwe@ebmud.com

Estates Reservoir Design #4

 
Estates Reservoir Design #5

 

• MSIC/MVA Public Meeting, Wednesday, June 11 at Zion Lutheran Church:  Learn more about the Montclair Village Associations' (MVA) streetscape plans when the Montclair Safety & Improvement Council (MSIC) and MVA co-host a public meeting. 7 pm at 5201 Park Blvd.

• Free Home Safety Inspections: The Oakland Police Department will come out to your home and survey it for free to determine what can be done to make it more secure from crime.  For those of you who are interested, please contact Police Services Technician Eddie Simlin at 238-6200.

• A Thwarted Catalytic Converter Theft: A Redwood Heights resident posted a report on his neighborhood list serv of a second attempt to steal the catalytic converter from his 4runner parked in front of his house. After the first theft, he implemented measures to make it more difficult to steal: he mashed down the threads on some of the mounting bolts to prevent them from being easily backed out, and attached the catalytic converter to the frame of the vehicle with a steel cable and lock. This time, at about 5 am, the thief parked his car in the middle of the street next to the 4runner and turned on his flashing hazard lights. It obviously took longer than the thief anticipated, enough so that one of the immediate neighbors who was getting ready for work noticed it. Another neighbor on his way to work found the street blocked by the parked vehicle, and seeing what was going on, honked his horn. The thief crawled out from under the car, and took off. The neighbor called the police--the suspect was male, tall with a slender build and a medium brown complexion. His vehicle was an older dark blue or grey Honda Civic (or similar type of vehicle), with a California license plate of 2UKP510. This only reinforces the reminder to be aware of your surroundings, know your neighbors, and call the police when you see something suspicious.
   
• Measure Y Program Evaluation at Public Safety Committee, June 10, Hearing Room 1, 7:30 pm: Many people have asked about what impact the youth programs that Measure Y funds are actually having in our community. To dispel all myths about the programs funded by Measure Y, we invite you to tune in or attend. The evaluation report to be presented at this meeting will give us the data needed to make the critical choices about which programs will receive future funding from Measure Y. The meeting will be held in Hearing Room 1 at City Hall and will begin at 7:30pm.
   
• Program Your Cell Phone for the Oakland Fire Department and Medical Dispatch:  In addition to 777-3211, which will connect you directly to the Police Dispatchers from your cell phone when you are in Oakland (9-1-1 on your cell connects you to the Highway Patrol),  you may also want to program into your cell phone Oakland Fire Department and Medical Dispatch at 510-444-1616.
   
• Summer Door-to-Door Sales: Groups of young people who are supposed to be students are beginning to swarm our neighborhoods. Some of them will be from legitimate companies, some seem to be exploiting the youth.  The most common are alarm companies, magazine sales, and groups claiming to benefit youth.  In the past even some legitimate companies have had sales people who used the opportunity to case homes for burglaries.  Here are a few points to remember:
  • All door-to-door sales people are supposed to have a permit from the police department.  Ask to see it and their identification.
  • The alarm companies are often legitimate companies, the sales person sometimes wants you to display their sign so they can tell your neighbors that you are buying their product.  Some people on the listservs claim they have gotten free or discounted products.  Unfortunately, the police warn that the companies that sell these alarms in this manner usually sell the contract to someone else.  Getting service and follow-up can be difficult.  Personally, I suggest buying an alarm from a local company that you can hold accountable. 
  • If someone comes to your door with a "free inspection" use common sense; don't let them in.
  • A new scam, is that someone says they are fixing the fence, trees, etc of you neighbor and need access to your backyard.  While you are showing them the way, an accomplice burgles your home.
  • Finally, if someone is overly aggressive or suspicious, call your area's problem solving officer or report it to the non-emergency police number 777-3333.

• 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:
  • 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. This week we are trimming trees on Patterson to provide less dark areas where potential muggers can hide because of what neighbors told us when walking the area. The Problem Solving Officer for this area is Officer Ann Pierce at 238-2053.  The Neighborhood Services Coordinator is Renee Sykes at 238-7929. 

• 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 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.

• AC Transit Bus Fare Increases Delayed:  Last week I joined Assembly Member Lonnie Hancock, Supervisors John Goia and Keith Carson to oppose AC Transit Bus fare increases especially for students and seniors. The staff proposal would have raised the student youth pass from $15 to $27; senior pass from $20 to $28.  AC Transit is hit by rising fuel and other costs and would be hard hit by the Governor's cuts in public transportation.  Board members warned of possible route cuts.

•  The Governor's latest plan proposes to borrow against future lottery revenues.  If the voters reject the plan, a 1-cent sales tax automatically kicks in.  He also increased cuts to in-home support-services workers who care for the elderly; deny federal cost-of-living increases to a welfare program that helps the elderly, blind and disabled; and make a parent of a family of three that earns $11,000 ineligible for Medi-Cal; the health care program for the poor and disabled. Over 200,000 children will lose assistance; foster care funds are cut.
   
• School Cuts:  The Governor reduced some of his proposed education cuts, but the plan does not give schools a cost of living increase and still includes more than $4 billion in cuts.  With this budget plan, California continues to rank 46th in per-pupil funding and dead last in teachers, librarians and counselors per student. Go to this page for information on what you can do to fight education cuts.   >>Sequoia student speaks out against the cuts.

• What Are the Alternatives?
   
  • 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.
  • The Governor's plan treats all state programs equally.  A straight 10 percent cut to already low school funding makes no sense.  The Legislative Analysts Office and others have suggested he prioritize and reduce the cuts to education.  
     
  • Assembly Member 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
   

• Chinese Earthquake Relief:  Council Member Henry Chang and I sponsored a resolution for our Friendship City Mianyang which is located near Chengdu, Sichuan, the site of last week's 7.9 earthquake, the largest in China for 30 years.  They are facing 50,000 dead, 200,000 injured, and half a million destroyed buildings. We are sponsoring a Vigil for the Earthquake victims in Chinatown on Monday, June 2, 4:30-6pm, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th Street, Suite #290.  Congresswoman Lee and Councilmember Chang will provide updates on the situation in China and discuss what you can do to prepare for a disaster here. Join us in support of the China Earthquake relief efforts.  Endorsed by the American Red Cross, Oakland Fire Department, Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Assemblymember Saundre Swanson, Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker, and others.  (Above) Some of the millions living in tents. To contribute to the Red Cross on-line. 
   
• Organizing Your Neighbors/Preparing Your Family: Sometimes thinking about what do to in an disaster is so overwhelming that people avoid any planning. Sue Piper, who has chaired her neighborhood CORE group since 1993 and is a 1991 Firestorm survivor, suggests that people take a few minutes to plan everytime they hear or read of a disaster somewhere else in the world. What would you do if you were in China during the earthquake, or Myanmar during the Cyclone, or Santa Cruz during the fire? Your first response will likely be the same no matter what the disaster --earthquake, hurricane or fire. The American Red Cross offers an easy to follow list of questions that will help you make your personal disaster plan, or stop by our booth at the Montclair Farmer's Market on Sunday, June 8 to pick up an easy-to-use form. Then, take a look at the various workshops offered by Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies (CORE). Call 238-6351 or go to the CORE website.

• New Seismic Retrofit Grant For Low Income Homeowners Available as of July 1:  When our office proposed a seismic strengthening incentive program last year, City Council not only approved a half-million dollars for the new homeowner reimbursement program, but another half-million dollars for grants for low income homeowners starting this July 1. To date, 170 homeowners have taken advantage of the $250 retrofit permit fee and the up to $5,000 reimbursement for new homeowners who apply for the program within the first 60 days of homeownership and complete their project within 18 months. Starting July 1, homeowners meeting the City's low income thresholds are eligible to receive up to $10,000 to cover 50% of the cost of seismic strengthening of their owner-occupied residence within one of the City's Redevelopment Project Areas. Typically, seismic retroffitting of single family residences runs between $5,000 and $20,000. Additional no-interest loans are also available for foundation work and other home improvements.  Interested homeowners should first contact the City of Oakland Building Department at 238-3891 for information about the City's Seismic Retrofit Program. Eligible low-income homeowners will then be referred to the City's Residential Lending and Housing Rehabilitation Services Program.
  • Information about Seismic Retrofitting
     

• Friends of Sausal Creek's June Schedule: Join friends and neighbors and learn more about the native habitat of Sausal Creek:
   
  • Saturday, June 7, 9 am-Noon--Dimond Canyon Restoration Workshop. meet at the Scout Hut in Dimond Park for a day of invasive plant removal and weeding of the El Centro trailhead and the trailside vegetation project. Email field@sausalcreek.org to RSVP.
  • Friday, June 13, 9:30 am-12:30 pm---Seed Hike. Email nursery@sausalcreek.org for details.
  • Saturday, June 14, 1:30-4:30 pm: Propagation Workday at Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery. No experience needed; just bring a water bottle. RSVP for groups over 6. Email nursery@sausalcreek.org
  • Sunday, June 15, 9:30 am -Noon--Aquatic Insect Sampling. Call Emma Brown at 527-2507 to confirm.
  • Sunday, June 15, 9 am -Noon--Restoration Workday at Beasconfield Canyon. Contact Richard Kauffmann for details.
  • Saturday, June 28, 9 am- Noon--Restoration Workday at Dimond Park. Meet at the Scout Hut in Dimond Park for invasive plant removal and creek access in the area immediately adjacent to the tot lot. Email field@sausalcreek.org to RSVP.
    
    FOSC Free House & Garden Audit Presentation to Neighborhood Groups: Friends of Sausal Creek will present, free of charge, a fast-paced, mostly-pictures PowerPoint, introduction to The House and Garden Audit: Protecting Your Family's Health and Improving the Environment by Laurel Marcus, a long-time watershed consultant. It offers a comprehensive overview of actions that individuals can take in the house and garden to help keep themselves and our creeks and watersheds healthy. It has lots of photos, lots of tables that provide a great reference, and lots of websites and other sources for people who want more. Call Karen Paulsell at 655-0818 for details.
  
   

• Sudden Oak Death Detection Workshop, Saturday, June 7 at Trudeau Center: 11500 Skyline Blvd. Help fight Sudden Oak Death, a serious exotic disease that is threatening the survival of tanoak and several oak species in California. Meet in the parking lot at the Trudeau Center at 10 am to attend a training meeting. From 11:30 am-1 pm on Saturday, June 7 or Sunday, June 8, you'll collect samples on your own in Tilden, Wildcat Canyon, Redwood or Briones Regional Parks. Turn in your samples between 5 and 7 pm on Saturday, June 7 or Sunday, June 8 between 4 and 6 pm.Free. Info: 496-6016.

• Dimond Library Gears up for Summer Reading Program: Catch the Reading Bug begins on Saturday, June 7. Tuesday nights are Family Nights at the Dimond Branch Library, 3565 Fruitvale:

• • June 10: Puppet Art Theater: Tommy's Space Bug Adventure
  • June 17: Buki the Clown
  • June 24: Maggie by Andrew
  • July 8: Colibri: Latin American music and song
  • July 15: Timothy James, Magician
  • July 22: Bubble Lady: squeaky, clean fun
  • July 29: Willie Claflin with puppets, Gorf and Maynard
  • August 5: Fratello Marionettes, The Frog Prince

• Mayor's Summer Jobs Program--Applications Due June 10th: If you know of a yong person in Oakland looking for a summer job, please pass along this link for an application. The deadline is June 10th. You can also hire a youth or contribute to create additional opportunities. Help us spread the word to your network. For more information, call Rayna Lett-Bell at 238-3588.

Upcoming Graduations & Promotions:Congratulations to our District 4 families celebrating graduations and promotions this June:

• Media at Fremont, Friday, June 6, 3 pm at Mills College
• Best/Excell at McClymonds, Friday, June 6, 4 pm at McClymonds Field
• Robeson at Fremont, Friday, June 6, 6 pm at Fremont Campus Auditorium
   
• Mandela at Fremont, Monday, June 9, 6 pm at Holy Names University
• Skyline, Friday, June 6, 6 pm at the Paramount Theatre
• Architecture at Fremont, Friday, June 13, 6 pm at Holy Names University
• Oakland High, Wednesday, June 11, 11 am at the Paramount Theatre
• Dewey, Wednesday, June 11, 1:30 pm at Oakland High School
• MetWest, Wednesday, June 11, 3 pm at Holy Names University
   
• Far West, Wednesday, June 11, 5:30 pm at Oakland High School Theatre
• Bret Harte Middle School Promotion, Wednesday, June 11, 10 am at Scottish Rite Center
• Melrose Leadership Academy Promotion, Thursday, June 12, 9 am at Melrose Leadership Academy
   
• Montera Middle School Promotion, Thursday, June 12, 11 am at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park.
   

• Oakland Schools Launch New Mentor Program: OUSD's new Inside/Outside Advocate Program will launch in September 2008 as a unique way to help foster both the academic and the personal development of OUSD students. The "Inside Advocate" will be an individual or program that offers needed guidance within the school setting. The "Outside Advocate" will be a community member who volunteers at least once a week to support the school's ongoing mentorship efforts. Visit the OUSD website to learn more about partner programs and volunteer efforts that help promote desirable outcomes for Oakland youth. For additional information about the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Inside/Outside Advocate Program, please contact the program directly at: insideoutside@ousd.k12.ca.us.
   
• 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.  AND, for the FIRST TIME THIS YEAR, ADULTS can also Catch the Reading Bug.
  • The fun begins with a Summer Reading Program Kick-Off Party on Saturday, May 31, 11 am - 3 pm 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 "Dunk the Librarian!"
  • Families with children, ages 2 to 7, can get involved by attending an Early Reading Fun Workshop at one of 13 libraries, a family literacy night sponsored with a generous grant from the Stocker Foundation.  These special literacy programs, planned in partnership with the library's Second Start Family Literacy Program, will combine crafts and story time with tips on how families can nurture the next generation of readers.
  • On Sunday, August 10, come celebrate when the Oakland Public Library and the Oakland Museum of California partner to host a Summer Reading Program Finale from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. This event will be held at the Oakland Museum, 1000 Oak Street.
  • Adults:Participating patrons can fill out a raffle ticket each time they read a book and become eligible to win prizes at monthly drawings held at each library location. Prizes will include gift certificates that, in part, support local businesses such as Laurel Books, Bittersweet Chocolate Cafe, and Calaca Loca Taquería. Patrons who wish to do so may also write brief reviews of the books they have read to share with others. If permission is given by the writer, their reviews will be used at library locations to promote community recommendations. Participants will be free to read any books and types of material of their choice. The adult program runs in tandem with the children's program: June 7 to August 9, 2008.

• Library Celebrates Gay Pride Month Throughout June: Things kick off June 2, 6:30 pm with a LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Family Storytime at the Piedmont Avenue Branch. LGBT parents of children aged 2-5 years are invited to join the fun, family-oriented event at 160 41st Street.
  • Throughout June, the Main Library (125 14th Street) will exhibit the Lavender Scrolls Project. These illustrated scrolls portray the lives of 8 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders. Each scroll features photographs, live-story excerpts and quotations that defy stereotypes about being old and gay, while also demonstrating the realities common to all elders. The project is presented by Oakland personal historian Cathy Cade.
  • Saturday, June 14, Noon - 2 pm, LGBT Elders Dialogue with Teens will take place in the Main Library's West Auditorium.
  • For details, call 238-7352 or visit the