• Pot-Pourri's Annual Pre-Christmas Sale Ends Sunday, November 2nd, 5 pm, Lincoln Square on Redwood Road: We don't usually include commercial events, but this local gem, Potpourri Arts & Crafts Gallery, conducts a once a year sale that many locals depend on. This weekend everything in this shop filled with the handmade work of local artists is on sale--jewelry, housewares, garden toys and pots, ceramics, glass, and more. This is a chance to shop locally and find quality gifts for every price range. Website.
   
• Planting at Dimond Gateway Garden (MacArthur/ Lincoln), for today postponed to Saturday, November 8, 9:30 am-12:30 pm bring garden tools. Supervised by garden and landscape designer, Tricia Christopher.  

• The Distaff Singers' 71st Annual Benefit Concert, Saturday, November 1, 2 pm, Oakland Mormon Intake Auditorium, 4770 Lincoln Avenue, off of Highway 13. Tickets $10-$15. The Distaff Singers, an Oakland-based women's chorus, puts on only one show per year. This benefit concert supports music education scholarships for young people in our communities.
   
• Dimond Candlelight Vigil for Peace, Saturday, November 1, 7 pm: Since the beginning of the Iraq War on the first of every month, neighbors in the Dimond community come together at the corners of Fruitvale or Lincoln and MacArthur Blvd gather with candles. 

• Will Dance For Food Justice!, Saturday, November 1, 8 pm-2 am, 4173 MacArthur Blvd.:   The first anniversary of the Oakland Food Connection, features food and drinks courtesy of Chef Gramcrackah and Jason de Guzman. Music provided by DJ Be Brown and DJ Domingo Yu -A costume contest with prizes for Best Costume!  $20 suggested donation--sliding scale--no one turned away for lack of funds. Contact Tori at tori@foodcommunityculture.org or 482-1898.
   
• Sunday Family Hikes at Chabot Space & Science Center, Sunday, November 2,"Redwood to Cosmos", 9 am -11 am (8 ears and up); "Little Tike Family Hike", 1:30-2:30 pm (5 years & up). There's no better place to take the kids if its raining than Chabot, but hopefully it will be clear on Sunday.  Experience the ecosystem of 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. Tickets are $5 plus General Admission to Chabot Space & Science Center.  Call 336-7373.
  
   
• Faure Requiem at the new Cathedral Of Christ The Light, Sunday, November 2, 7 pm:  After watching the beautiful silhouette of this modern masterpiece rise above the lake for nearly two years, here is a chance to visit it in all its glory. The Diocese of Oakland, California, presents a free concert with the Oakland East Bay Symphony, Michael Morgan Conductor, and the Oakland Symphony Chorus, Lynne Morrow, Music Director. Program:
  • Anton Bruckner, Locusiste, 
    Oakland Symphony Chorus
  •  Johannes Brahms, Serenade No. 2, Oakland East Bay Symphony
  • Gabriel Fauré, Requiem; 
    Oakland East Bay Symphony
    and Oakland Symphony Chorus; Heidi Moss, soprano; Zachary Gordin, baritone

Underground parking directly beneath the Cathedral, located at 2121 Harrison Street (at the corner of Grand Avenue). Entrance is on 21st Street. Parking fee is $4/hr.  Limited handicapped parking available. Street parking is also available.

• Mark Curry's Hot Monday Nights at the Oakland Museum of California, Monday, November 3, 7:30 pm: Mark Curry has been making people laugh in comedy clubs around the world for over two decades. The Oakland native now brings his comedy home to the Oakland Museum of California EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Tickets are $20: $18 for museum members. Tickets at the door or online.
   
• Election Day, Tuesday November 4:  If you haven't already voted, be sure to vote early. We expect more voters to vote in this election than ever before. If you show up after work and are still in line by the 8 pm closing time, rest assured that the polls will remain open until the last person in line has voted. Other election tips: Don't wear any campaign T-shirts, hats, buttons or other campaign material when you enter the polling site.  If you observe or believe you have been subjected to any kind of voter intimidation or fraud, call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.  Other resources include:
   
  • Robert Kennedy Jr speaking to Rachel Maddow on the issue on youtube (8 min)
  •  Rolling Stone's Block the Vote article
  • Steal Back Your Vote, Bobby Kennedy & Greg Palast's 7 Steps of What To Do to ensure that your vote is correct and counted- in comic book or movie format.
     
• FruitvaleAlive! Streetscape Final Project Update Wednesday, November 5, 6:30-8:30 pm,  2nd Floor, Dimond Library: Come to a special meeting of the Dimond Improvement Association to view a presentation from the project architects on the final designs for Fruitvale Avenue from E.12th/Fruitvale BART Station to the Dimond District.  The meeting will focus specifically on latest revisions to the streetscape planned for the Dimond end from Woodbine Avenue to Coloma Street.  Project Highlights include new street trees, pedestrian-scale lights, street paving, sidewalk repairs, ADA ramp installations, decorative crosswalk treatments (Sausal Creek theme) bulb-outs, ornamental fencing and Sausal-Creek theme column murals for under I-580 area, Dimond District Way-finding signage, new ornamental metal benches, trash cans and bike racks.
  Funding and construction are expected next year.For more information on the
  project please contact David Ralston, CEDA Project Manager, at 238-2970 or dralston@oaklandnet.com
   
• Job Assistance for Youth, Thursday, November 6th, 4:30-6 pm, Laurel Cafe, 4006 MacArthur Blvd:  Every month we host an event targeting youth and young adults (for employment, educational and other assistance). This time we have America Works, the Private Industry Council, Edward Shands Adult School, UPS, Laney College and the Cypress Mandela Training Center. There will be possible (not yet confirmed) guest appearances by staff from the East Bay Community Law Center's Clean Slate Program and FedEx. Please tell any youth that you encounter about this event. We are targeting young males with criminal histories, who may or may not have reached a sufficient level of educational attainment for most jobs. The event is open to all people 16 years of age and above (most opportunities require youth to be 18+).
  
   
• First Fridays After Five! at the Oakland Museum of California, 5-9 pm: These First Friday's events are always interesting and fun evenings. Dance to the African rhythms of Candido Oye Oba and Friends in the cafe. Teachers are invited to the annual Teacher Feature Open House from 5-7 pm. At 8 pm, guest curator Fernando Hernandez leads a tour of the Days of the Dead exhibition, and artists from the East Bay Art Collaborative discuss their works on display in the Columbarium. In the James Moore Theatre, Speak Out presents Spoken word and hip-hop artist Ise Lyfe in his newest one-man show Is Everybody Stupid (?). Full cash bar-museum store and cafe open. All ages welcome,. Included with museum admission. 
   
• 35th Anniversary Celebration of Marcus Foster Educational Institute, Friday, November 7, 6:30-9:30 pm, Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Avenue. I've had the honor of sitting on the board of the School District's foundation.  Over the last several decades the MAFEI has provided literally thousands of scholarships to the district's top students in every area of achievement. It also provides small grants to imaginative teachers.  Can't think of a better way to invest in the future.  This is a free event celebration the 35-year history of the Marcus Foster Educational Institute; however, reservations are required. Call 835-0391.

• Oakland Receives $900K Grant for Safe Routes to School:   Federal funds for bike paths and pedestrian safety were announced this week for improvements at Bret Harte in our district, Manzanita, Peralta, La Escuela and Pacific Boys Choir Schools.  We have been working with staff and neighbors on improvements at Bret Harte looking at bus stops, traffic light coordination, and parking.
   
• The Mayor Provides Details on Budget Layoffs:  In balancing the budget the Council asked the administration to provide a proposal that included both city closures and layoffs more focused on cutting administrative levels and 100K plus positions.  The Mayor responded with a proposal for closing every Friday; so the Council was forced to come up with a more detailed alternative which closes the city between Christmas and New Years and one day per month plus approximately 30 more layoffs. Using organizational charts we tried to eliminate a fair ratio of administrative or $100K jobs.  See last week's newsletter for details.   In some cases we just indicated 1 to 4  "$100K positions." We also indicated we would accept substitutions as long as they were not all frontline or lower paid workers. This week the Mayor has submitted the details of how these cuts were made.  He has reduced the total number of layoffs by about 6 by asserting that the hiring freeze will allow a 5% vacancy saving instead of 4%.  He has also restored the Community Gardening Coordinator, which was funded by the LLAD (Landscape & Lighting District).  This week about 100 employees received layoff notices.

• Oakland Ice Center Closer to Meeting Its Contract Goals for Youth:  When we renegotiated the contract for the management of the Ice Center, we wanted more free activities for Oakland kids.  Some were skeptical about the new Sharks management, but as we reported earlier this year they have tripled their goal for free opportunities for Oakland students with nearly 3000 free visits.  Oakland Tech students are piloting the high school program and delighted family and friends this week with their ice version of "Thriller."  The students led by Physical Education teacher Kelley Haskins with the help of Oakland Fire Fighters conduct a class twice each week at 7 am, attended by nearly a hundred students. (My kids rarely made it up by 7 am, much less got dressed and downtown by that hour; so something special is happening here.)  The Sharks are also working with other high schools and hopes to have enough for an Oakland hockey league.  Move over Sarah Palin, I suspect we're going to have a large "Hockey Moms for Obama" contingent soon.
   
• Council Changes Meeting to Monday to Avoid Conflict with Election.  Agenda.  Some of the issues of interest in this week's special Council meeting:
  • Approving $1.5M in redevelopment funds to develop the Broadway Retail Plan.  Earlier studies target this area as the most likely location to attract higher end retail stores, critical to long term economic health of the city.
  • Sets Bicycle & Pedestrian Priorities for Improvements
  • Approves extension of the Joint Use of Facilities agreement between the City and Oakland Schools.
  • Expands the number of Taxi Stands and provides for more medallions for taxis with ramps for disabled passengers.
  • Extends developer entitlements and permits for one year because of the impact of the banking and real estate crision on new projects.
     
• Salary Ordinance Reforms Go to Vote on Monday:   After nearly a year of legal opinions and discussion, we are voting on a series of changes to the salary ordinance that I authored to restrict the power of the City Administrator and other appointing authorities over salaries and benefits beyond those in negotiated collective bargaining units unless explicitly approved by the Council.  It also eliminates management leave, sick leave and vacation for all elected officials.  The last point may be the most controversial item.  Until a legal memo to the City Administrator became public this year, it was not known that the City Attorney and Auditor had Management Leave approved by themselves equal to three weeks pay above their salaries.  Because these positions were once non-elected department heads, they also accrue vacation and sick leave which can be cashed out.
   
• Travel Report Spurs New Guidelines:  The first reports on travel came as required by financial transparency legislation I authored last year.  Of the $1.2 million spent by the City last year, it appears that at least 60 percent is reimbursed by grants or the state.  About half of the trips are taken by police officers mostly for training. The Council will vote on my proposal for capping costs, requiring any costs above standard rates and/or per diem allowances to be paid for by the traveler.  Because of the budget shortfalls, trips that are not reimbursed or not required for training, must be approved by the City Manager.  Council members' trips must already be approved by the full Council.
   
• Nepotism Ordinance Revisions Up for Vote: The measure to expand the policy to include employees who are cohabitating and who are in a "romantic" relationship  will be also be heard at the special meeting Monday, November 3rd. Controversy remains over whether a relationship must be reported if the employees are not in the same department.  This is a hard area to balance but recent charges that children of some supervisors were favored in the Fire Department application process seem to demand more transparency.
   
• Domestic Violence Forum Airs Monday, November 10th, 3:30 pm:  This week we held our 5th Annual Report on Domestic Violence; it will be rebroadcast next week.  Much of the discussion focused on how the greater collaboration between agencies and the improved training of police officers in documenting and reporting domestic violence led to last year's high of 7251 cases.  We also explored Elder Abuse including financial exploitation and heard powerful poems by Youth Radio interns.  (L-R) Special Victims Unit Officer Randy White, Cherri Allison, Family Violence Law Center; Jean; Nola Brantley, Safe Place Alternative; and Nadia Lockyer, Family Justice Center.

• Shepherd Canyon Parking Lot  Completed, Work on Creek Protection Measures Continues:    The new lot was specially designed to be permeable, allowing the rain to be absorbed.  We are also building barriers to protect & restore the creek. The goal of  the Shepherd Canyon  plan is to take cars off the road, the lot now holds 29 cars instead of the original 10. We continue to encourage parents of soccer and Lacrosse players to use Escher Road for additional parking. A dedication will occur at a later date. Many thanks to Councilmember Henry Chang, the Montclair Soccer Club, the Montclair Safety & Improvement Council, the Skyline Lacrosse Team, the Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation and the many individuals who joined me in raising the funds for this important safety improvement along Shepherd Canyon Road.
   
• Maxwell Park Fall Community Events: The Maxwell Park Neighborhood Action Team and the Friends of Maxwell Park have organized a series of fall community events at the park located on Fleming Avenue between Courtland and Monticello. Contact Amy Manley at 261-0202 for details. 
   
  • Saturday, November 1, 2008  11 am - 1 pm        All Saints Day/Todos los Santos
  • Sunday, November 9, 2008    11 am - 1 pm        Wear a silly hat or sweater
     
• Medicare Insurance Workshops: Nearly 1.4 million people in California have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Prescription Drug plan. Montclair Insurance Broker Denise Lombard presents a workshop Saturday, November 15, 10:30 am, Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue. You have an opportunity to change plans between November 15 and December 31, 2008. For more information, call the Dimond Branch at 482-7844, or visit the Oakland Public Library's Website at www.oaklandlibrary.org
   
• Montclair Park Construction Progress: The new path construction work in Montclair Park is moving ahead with the contractor completing the demolition and grading work, aggregate base rock for the new paths and asphalt paving.Remaining work such as the concrete flat work near the center, fencing, drainage, handrails, etc. will be performed in November, weather permitting. Completion is scheduled early December. Our office is also funding survey and design work for an ADA accessible pathway from Mountain Blvd into the park from the Village.
   
• Meanwhile, the Montclair Safety & Improvement Council's (MSIC) Beautification Committee is working on the rest of the park. Their clean up at last Saturday lowered the shrubs for sight clearance and cleaned out beds of dead vegetation.  They estimate the park needs about 2-3 more clean up days. The next clean up date is November 15th where they plan on planting 160 daffodil bulbs in the park beds.
  
   
• Thornhill School Celebrates 50 Years, Needs Memories:  To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Thornhill School, there will be a rededication on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 6:30 pm, exactly 50 years after the original dedication. To join Jean and many other friends and families at the ceremony, check out the newly launched 50th Blog that showcases stories, history, photos and details to all of the 50th Anniversary events happening throughout the year 50th Blog . Do you have a story to share or a tale to tell? If you have a special memory or a story to share, please contact: 50th@thornhillschool.org

• Need More Information on Ballot Measures?  The League of Women Voters provide great, balanced information on the long list of State & City Measures.
• Election Information Available at Local Library Branch: As a service to the public, the Oakland Public Library provides table space where patrons can find free campaign literature relating to issues and candidates on the upcoming November 4, 2008 ballot.  In addition, all Oakland Public Library locations will have copies of the Easy Voter Guide, other information pertinent to the elections, and voter registration forms.  A complete list of library locations and hours is available on the Oakland Public Library's Website, www.oaklandlibrary.org. 
   
• Prop 8 Divides the Community:  During the last few weeks we have worked with the police on a series of incidents from sign stealing to confrontations between demonstrators.  It seems that the local conflicts mirror the statewide battle. My district is one of the most diverse in a city that is the most diverse in the nation; it is home to one of the largest Lesbian-Gay Bisexual Transgender communities in the nation.  These incidents sadden us and are so contrary to the strong community building work that is taking place in every part of our district. Whatever the outcome of the election, we will need to move on together. Richard Cowan is the point person in our office for disputes related to the election.  (Above) East Bay elected officials join Senator Barbara Boxer this week at a Get Out the Vote for No on 8 held at Everett & Jones. I was struck how each of us recounted the barriers of discrimination and personal prejudice that have fallen in our life times with one of the greatest barriers close to falling in a few days. Thanks to Redwood Hts neighbor Dorothy King for hosting the event. 
   
• City Council & Oakland Tribune Join Teachers to Oppose N:   Tribune Editorial Against N.  Here are a few reasons why we oppose this $120 parcel tax:  Measure N is an undemocratic surprise measure that was introduced in a hastily called meeting by the State Superintendent at the latest legally allowed window.  Even though the School Board voted 6-1 in opposition, the State abused its authority by putting the measure on the ballot unilaterally.  There was virtually no parent, community, or teacher input.  The Oakland Education Association and Principals Association oppose Measure N because they believe that the 85% of the funds promised to teachers is vague and does not provide funds for teacher and school support. The teachers believe the measure is unfair to most schools because it skims 15% to go only to a few "high performing charter schools."  The majority of schools, even some charter schools would not be eligible for the funds.  
  • The County Superintendent and Auditors oppose Measure N because it is not sustainable and does nothing to pay down the District's debt.
  • Others who have come out in opposition are Assemblyman Sandre Swanson, the Central Labor Council, and other school employees.
  •  This Measure comes only 6 months after Oakland voters approved a $120 increase in school taxes. For more information on the Teacher's Position or to request a speaker, contact President Betty Olson (a former Sequoia teacher) at 763-4020.
     
• Measure NN-Police Initiative -- 105 Additional Officers and 75 Police Techs Over Three Years:  This week the Mayor went to the media to advocate for Measure NN. Polls earlier this year showed  60% of Oaklanders would like more police; about that many said they would vote for a proposal similar to Measure NN. I believe its passage will continue our momentum in decreasing crime.  In January 2009, we will reach police staffing just over our fully budgeted 803 positions including the additional 63 Measure Y officers.  To maintain these positions and to reach the number estimated by Chief Tucker as the desired level of staffing, Measure NN would increase police staffing by 35 officers and 25 police technicians each year for three years for a total of 105 police and 75 police technicians. This would bring our police force to 908 sworn officers and about 130 police technicians.  The cost to a single family house would be phased in at an average of about $88 more per year for a total increase of $266 at the end of three years. The increased use of civilian police technicians would improve investigations and give faster service to citizens at lower cost than more police alone. Right now, the current budget cuts police techs. Police technicians are especially effective in collecting and analyzing data on crime trends to help us focus police resources and can do much of the tracking and follow-up needed to monitor parolees and sex offenders. This would free up police for more crime response & investigations, less paper work. It would bring the police-to-citizen ratio up to one of the higher ratios in California.
   
• Oakland Tribune Opposes Measure OO- Kid's First Initiative: In the last few weeks a growing opposition to the move by non-profits to double their share of City funding permanently, at a time when all city departments are looking at deep cuts, is facing growing opposition: League of Women Voters, Labor Council, Democratic Party,  the Republican Party, the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce,  the Rental Housing Association of Northern California and this week, the Oakland Tribune, have come out Against Measure OO. The proposed increase will equal more than  $17 million; about the amount budgeted for the whole Parks & Recreation Department, thus creating further budget cuts.  This measure only needs a 50 percent plus one vote to pass.

• Council Endorses Measure WW, the East Bay Regional Park Bond: Measure WW will not increase taxes but does continue the current bond rate for the regional park district.  It allows EBRPD to buy new bonds as the old ones expire. If passed the district would continue to buy open space and improve facilities including key sites along the Oakland segment of the Bay Trail.  It also provides $19 million for Oakland facilities including $500K towards a park for the Laurel District and $2 million towards an outdoors environmental classroom camp at the Chabot Science Center so that low income students can have a camping experience as part of their California Science curriculum that more affluent schools provide. (Above) Huckleberry Botanic Preserve is one of several East Bay Regional Parks in my district including Sibley, Redwood, Roberts and Leona.  Other Regional Parks in the city include Martin Luther King, Jr. Shoreline, Middle Harbor, and other parts of the Bay Trail, Claremont Canyon, Lake Chabot, Skyline National Trail, and Tilden.

• Based on information received, the police are looking for a 91-92 beige Honda Accord.  Please be on the lookout for this vehicle. If you see this vehicle, try and obtain the license plate and call the police, especially if you believe it is casing the neighborhood. 
• An on-going pattern has developed around construction sites.  If construction is going on in your neighborhood, take extra care.  Don't leave garage or other doors open.  Don't make it obvious your pattern of being home.  Set your alarm, consider using old fashioned timers on lights or radios to make your home appear occupied. Note if anyone seems particularly curious about your home, entrances, alarms, etc. 
• Police believe one group is using information gathered from the Long Term Parking lots at the Airport to target their victims.  If you regularly leave your car at these lots or in a commuter parking lot, do not leave your registration or other information (mail, identification, etc) about where you live in your car. Police encourage you to take your registration with you in your wallet.
• Don't leave laptops and cameras easily visible from windows and doors.

With  the holidays coming up and presents tempting burglars, here are our standard prevention ideas:

• Organize a neighborhood alert and talk about keeping eyes on the street around the clock.  Who works at home or is retired?
• Write down information on strange cars that may be casing the neighborhood, there has been a rash of people using scanner to get into garages.
• Look out for strangers with unusual behavior.  For example, someone casing the neighborhood may actually ring bells to see who is home and the ask for "Tanya" but then continues down the street systematically. Call the non emergency number and report this, 777-3333.
• Consider getting an alarm and making it obvious with decals and signs. Burglars will often leave if they trigger an alarm. Use your alarm.  An amazing number of burglaries happen when people forget to turn on their alarms. If you hear an alarm, look out your window.  If you see anything suspicious call 911.  Many people do not have alarms that alert the police or alarm company.  Because 99% of alarms are false, the call may or may not get top priority if another crime in progress is happening in the area.  Your call will help raise the priority.
• See a crime and no alarm?  If you have a panic button on your car alarm, hit it and it may scare the burglars away while you are waiting for police to arrive. Some neighborhoods are using whistles, I have been distributing them at neighborhood meetings.
• Doors kicked in are often 1970's doors which have become brittle with poor framing.  How strong is your door? How good are your locks?  I have good double bolts and now I am making sure to lock both. If front doors are hidden from street view; cut down bushes, trim trees, consider a "window" in fences. Don't forget to close windows and back doors; again, an amazing number of burglaries are simply done through open doors. 
• Also, a high number of car thefts happen when people leave cars unlocked or keys in their cars.
• Don't leave ladders or even garbage cans under windows.  Cut branches away from windows. 

• Truancy Hotline - 879-8172:  This hotline run in 7 languages by the School District help the schools and police target chronic truants.  They will not respond immediately.  But if you know there is a location where truants usually gather, a home, store, park, etc.  Give them the location, names if known, and times they gather.  This helps the police and school officials plan sweeps and visits to families.

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

• Daily Crime Reports Posted On-line:  One of the 200 plus daily emails I read each day are the cumulative statistics of crime reports. The police are now posting them online.  Basically they track what we call "Part 1 Crimes," which are collected nationally by the Department of Justice. For Oakland these crimes reached a high in the early nineties and declined until a trend up in the last two years. In recent months these crime stats have been decreasing or are relatively flat now.   In the last two years rising murders mostly reflect young men involved in gang and/or drug crimes or victims of domestic violence.  Encouragingly since the reorganization of the police 6 months ago, most quality of life crimes have declined except for Assaults which we believe reflect more reporting of domestic violence crimes and more resisting arrests. Year-to-date statistics from this Friday's report:  Homicides dipped below last year's rate briefly but ended last week at 3% above; car thefts are down 12%;  burglaries have decreased  8%; while robberies are down 1%. (Check sub categories yourself at the link above.)
• 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 444-1616.
   
• Lists of phone numbers for Area and Problem Solving Officers/Beats.
   
• 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.

• Beginning October 17, 2008, a maximum of 20 sandbags and 50 feet of plastic sheeting (per household/business) will be available for pickup at Public Works facilities. Proof of Oakland residency is required to obtain the sandbags and sheeting. Oakland Fire Stations will also distribute sandbags; a limit of 5 sandbags (per household). Please see locations below. 
   
  MUNICIPAL SERVICE CENTER                         7101 Edgewater Drive
  Monday - Friday                                                       8:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.
  Saturday and Sunday                                               8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
   
  MAINTENANCE SATELLITE OFFICE        5921 Shepherd Canyon Rd.
  Monday - Friday                                                       8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  Saturday and Sunday                                               8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
    
  FIRE STATION HOURS (5 bags)
  Monday - Friday                                            8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  Saturday & Sunday                                        8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 3                         1445 - 14th Street 
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 6                         7080 Colton Blvd
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 7                        1006 Amito Aveneue 
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 8                         463 - 51st Street 
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 10                      172 Santa Clara Avenue 
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 16                      3608 - 13th Avenue 
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 17                      3344 High Street 
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 20                      1408 - 98th Avenue 
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 21                      13150 Skyline Blvd 
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 26                      2611 - 98th Avenue 
  FIRE STATION NUMBER 28                      4615 Grass Valley Road
   
   
• In an emergency or to report storm damage, Oakland residents should call the Public Works Agency Call Center at (510) 615-5566. 

• How Residents Can Help
  • Check and clean private drainage systems.
  •  Do not place leaves, debris or lawn clippings near storm drains.
  • Place leaves and green trimmings in your Green Cart for weekly recycling  pickup.
  • Keep natural waterways such as creeks and ditches free from obstructions.
  • Report flooding problems to Public Works Agency's Call Center 615-5566.

• Volunteer Opportunities:  The Public Works Agency is also renewing its call for volunteers to join its Maintain-a-Drain Campaign. Residents and merchants in Oakland can help prevent flooding by keeping a storm drain in their neighborhood free of debris. In exchange, the City will give volunteers a free set of rain gear, a rake and debris bags. By keeping storm drains clean, volunteers can help the City focus storm-response activities on the most critical storm-related problems. Remember, "if it is plugged, it will flood." To join the Maintain-a-Drain Campaign, volunteers should call  238-7630.

• CORE Exercise for Montclair Organized Neighborhoods (MONS), Saturday, November 8: If you live in Montclair and have organized your block into a CORE or Neighborhood Alert Group, then you are probably part of Montclair Organized Neighborhoods (MONS).  For details about the Emergency Exercise or MONS, contact Doug Mosher

Volunteers needed for Emergency Prep Exercises: The City works closely with neighboring cities in the region to practice and refine emergency preparedness skills. Volunteers are often needed to help make these exercises more realistic:  

• SUASI's Mass Prophylaxis Exercise. Alameda County will host this regional exercise. Oakland will test "Just-In-Time training curriculum, facility set up and medical distribution. Community volunteers will be needed to participate in the medical receipt portion. Contact Linda Wong if interested.

• Shelter Exercise, Spring 2009: The Office of Emergency Services is working with the American Red Cross and Oakland's Parks & Recreation on this important exercise. The Red Cross will provide shelter operations training to participating City staff and community volunteers.

• Emergency Preparedness Training for Local Businesses & Institutions: The Office of Emergency Services provides training to local businesses. Recently, they worked with Shiloh Christian Center, which successfully completed a fire evacuation exercise involving approximately 600 adults and children attending worship that morning. They were able to evacuate the entire large complex in less than 5 minutes!

• 3 Alameda County Families compete in a Zero Waste Challenge. The judges going through the garbage of each family are pretty tough.  Check out the results of Week3 by visiting www.ktvu.com/wastechallenge/index.html.

<< The Oakley Family represents Oakland in the 2008 Zero Waste Challenge. Sharla Oakley is a Preschool Teacher and her husband Adam is a Barber. They have two sons' Adam 10 years and Charlie 6 years.

The Oakley Family is in the lead! Only one family wins the grand prize- a trip for four to San Diego and four tickets to Sea World, USA.

• A New Reports Blasts FDA Reliance on Industry Research Which Found BPA "Safe":  While Canada moves to ban baby bottles made of polycarbonate because one of its ingredients is BPA or bi-phenol A, our government is finally looking at how the Bush administration has relied on industry financed research and ignored studies implicating BPA in cancer and other risks. According to the Washington Post, " the panel of scientists from government and academia said the FDA did not take into consideration scores of studies that have linked bisphenol A to prostate cancer, diabetes and other health problems in animals when it completed a draft risk assessment of the chemical last month. The panel said the FDA didn't use enough infant formula samples and didn't adequately account for variations among the samples."

This is the same ingredient which leaches out of polystyrene and plastics labeled 3, 6 or 7.  Earlier this year Bill Moyer's Journal revealed how ,the EPA, based its information on BPA  ignored the research showing health dangers from Europe and other countries.  Avoid food containers with these markings:
 

• If you don't cook or compost your Jack-O-Lantern into your own garden, please remember to put it in the Green Can:

• Bay Area Gardening Workshops for the Fall: Fall is the best time to plant in the Bay Area. The combination of fall/winter rains and moderate temperatures will help establish your native and Mediterranean plants so that they thrive through the dry summer. If you're inclined to remove your water-hungry lawn, you may be eligible for the Tear Out Your Lawn Challenge. This program is available until December 31, 2008. September classes are already full.  Register online for November classes:

• Friends of Sausal Creek Schedule for November: The Friends just completed a very successful fall plant sale--raising $3000 in one day! During the rest of the year, Oaklanders can "earn" their plants by volunteering in the nursery with FOSC. >>Photos from last Sunday's Plant Sale.  Here are November volunteer opportunities:
  • Sunday, November 2, Noon-3 pm: Propagation Training Class at the Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery: a 4-week class covers aspects of botany, ecology and propagation to train new nursery volunteers. New propagators should attend 3 of the 4 classes and commit to 12 days of service in the next year. Earn a FOSC T-shirt and lots of tips for your garden projects. To sign up, contact Molly.
  • Saturday, November 8, 9 am-Noon: Restoration Workday in Dimond Park/Dimond Canyon. Contact Kathren for details.
  • Saturday, November 8, 1:39-4:30 pm: Propagation Workday at the Native Plant Nursery in Joaquin Miller Park. Contact Molly for details.
  • Sunday, November 9, Noon-3 pm: Propagation Training Class at Joaquin Miller Park Native Plant Nursery: Week 2 of a 4 week class.To sign up, contact Molly.
  • Friday, November 14, 9:30 am-12:30 pm: Seed Hike, location TBD. Join FOSC for a walk in the watershed to collect seeds. Snacks provided. Bring own water. Email nursery@sausalcreek.org to be added to the email list.
  • Saturday, November 15, 9 am-Noon: Restoration Workday: Grassland Site.  Meet at Joaquin Miller Nursery. Contact Kathren for details.
  • Saturday, November 15, 1:30-4:30 pm: Propagation Workday at Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery. A drop in event but contact Molly for information or groups of 6 or more.
  • Sunday, November 16, Noon-3 pm: Propagation Training Class at Joaquin Miller Park Native Plant Nursery: Week 3 of a 4 week class.To sign up, contact Molly.
  • Wednesday, November 19, 7-9 pm:  FOSC Member Meeting at the Dimond Branch Library.
  • Saturday, November 22, 9 am -Noon: Restoration Workday in Dimond Park/Dimond Canyon. Contact Kathren for details.
  • Saturday, November 22, 1:30-4:30 pm: Propagation Workday in the Native Plant Nursery at Joaquin Miller Park. Contact Molly for details.

• Beat 22X Beautification Efforts in November:
  • Saturday, November 8, 2 pm--planting in Woodminster Median. Contact Angela Haller
  • Saturday, November 15, 10 am-Noon: "Don't Trash Oakland" clean up walk at MacArthur & Fruitvale, bring gloves and water.
     

•  Wee Wednesdays at Chabot Space & Science Center: November 5, 12 & 19, 9:45-10:45 am and 11:15 am-12:15 pm: Expand your toddler/preschooler's universe by enrolling in a 3-day series exploring the Wonderful World of Bees, Moon Mania and Wacky Weather. Each Wednesday for three weeks, you and your child will learn together in a hands-on customized session through class lessons, sing-alongs, story time, exhibit exploration and a planetarium show. Cost is $35/$30 members for the series. Call 336-7381 or register online.
   
• Oakland Youth Orchestra at Allen Temple
   Baptist Church , Sunday, November 9, 2 pm, 8501 International Blvd: Celebrating 45 years of musical moments, Michael Morgan conducts the Oakland Youth Orchestra in its Fall 2008 concert. The concert is free to the public.

• Arnold: Solitaire
• Corelli: Concerto Grosso 6 No. 7
• Handel: Concerto Grosso 3 No. 3
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
   
• Thanksgiving Camp at Redwood Heights Recreation Center, November 24, 25 & 26, 8 am- 6 pm: The Thanksgiving camp is an all day program, similar to summer camp and designed for working parents and their children currently attending Kindergarten through 6th grade. Activities include excursions, sports, holiday arts & crafts, indoor/outdoor games, music, drama, dance and other special activities geared toward Holiday themes. Excursion fees are additional and  vary . Cost: K-6th grade $90 + any excursion fees. To register, please come to the center. If you have any questions, please call  482-7827.
   
• Joaquin Miller School Open House & Coffee Social for Prospective Parents, Tuesday, November 18,10 am-Noon: The PTA-sponsored event is open to all parents considering sending their children to Joaquin Miller, and will include a PTA presentation, and brief visits to a kindergarten class.  To sign up for the event, please call the school office at 879-1420 or RSVP to Jean Ingram.
   

Cool Jazz, Hot Romance, Opening Night of Oakland East Bay Symphony, Friday, November 14, 8 pm, Paramount Theatre:

• 17th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, Tuesday, November 25 at the downtown Marriott Hotel, 11 am-3pm: Each year, the City of Oakland's Department of Human Services joins with Communities United Committee and the Emergency Food Providers Advisory Committee the City of Oakland Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. This volunteer-run event brings out the best in our community. The event is supported by donations, large and small, and by hundreds of neighborhood volunteers in the spirit of giving and fellowship. Last year, more than 2,000 low income families, individuals, homeless and senior citizens participated in the free holiday turkey feast with all the trimmings-- and live entertainment.  If you are interested in volunteering or donating, please contact Susan Shelton at 238-6186.

• Fifth Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Two Star Market in the Dimond:  Each year for the past four years, Abdo Alawdi's Two Star Market in the Dimond has held an annual community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day at 2020 MacArthur Blvd. The Fifth Annual Thanksgiving Dinner provides an opportunity for the homeless, families without resources for a traditional dinner or people in need of community to come together to enjoy the holiday. Volunteers are needed to help cook and serve the meal of turkey, dressing, side dishes and pie. Cooks are needed from 7 am-10am. Servers are needed from 11:30am-4pm. If you are interested in helping out please call Abdo at 415-710-3281.

• NCPC 27x Melrose/High Hopes sponsors full Thanksgiving dinners for families with children that attend Horace Mann School. Last year they helped ten families and they expect to do more this year. They are collecting non perishables now but will collect other items (turkeys etc.) closer to the holiday. For questions you can contact Preston Turner .
   
• The Chamber of Commerce's Oakland Holiday Parade - America's Children's Parade - takes to the streets on the first Saturday in December 6, 2 pm, in downtown Oakland!  The parade brings 100,000 children of all ages to Oakland to kick-off the holiday season. It features marching bands, giant helium balloons, floats, performance groups and more. Over 500 volunteers are needed: (1) volunteer your time for the parade by visiting their website here and (2) helping advertise this joyful afternoon.  www.oaklandholidayparade.com
   
• Register for New Year's Eve Balloon Drop at Chabot Space & Science Center:  Continue a family tradition, but sign up soon, because space is filling up. No need to stay up late to celebrate the New Year with your family, because it's a daytime celebration for kids that is as unique as Chabot Space & Science Center. Cost is $3 per child. to register, call 336-7373.