June 6-13 Oakland Political & Community Events

I’m again pressed for time so a list of events with links will have to suffice again this week. Hopefully next week I’ll bring back the fuller format.

Tuesday, June 8 – Election Day: Don’t forget to vote!

Wednesday, June 9 – AC Transit Board Meeting

Wednesday, June 9 – Alameda County Democratic Central Committee Meeting

Thursday, June 10 – Oakland Mayoral Candidates Forum

Thursday, June 10 – Mix It Up East Bay

Friday, June 11 – Go Public Schools End of Year Celebration

Friday, June 11 – Dancing Under the Stars (Cha Cha)

September 21-27 Oakland Political & Community Events

Tuesday, September 22nd – Oakland City Council Meeting

After a two month long recess, the Council is back in action this week and this first meeting is full of important and contentious issues. Among many other items, the Council will discuss and vote on an emergency moratorium on nail salons and laundromats, the Public Works Agency performance audit, the City Auditor’s whistleblower program report, and the authorization of incoming Chief of Police Anthony Batts’s salary. That is, they’ll be discussing all of those items if they can get past the most contentious topic of the night – parking. Pat Kernighan, after being targeted by a pro-parking mob, has proposed rolling back meter hour to 6pm from 8pm. The problem is that this would blow a $1.3 million hole in the city’s incredibly tight budget. Kernighan’s solution is to crack down on disabled placard parking fraud, but staff recommends not rolling back the meter times and Rebecca Kaplan sent the Council a copy of Donald Shoup’s presentation on “The High Cost of Free Parking.” See the full meeting agenda and check out my post about how to watch and understand City Council meetings if you need some guidance on how or where to view the meeting. The non-ceremonial parts of the meeting start at 7pm in the Council Chambers in City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza.

Tuesday, September 22nd – Walk Oakland Bike Oakland Meeting

Since attendees of past Volunteer Meetings have asked for more speakers on local bike/ped issues, expect to see more “special guests” at WOBO’s monthly meetings. We’re kicking things off with speaker Joel Peter, the Measure DD Coordinator, who will get us up to date on the Measure DD projects. We’ll also talk about the status of WOBO campaigns in progress and leave time for announcements from attendees (just let us know before the meeting that you’ve got an event or info to share). As always, there will be snacks and lots of bike parking.This meeting will be held from 6:30-8:30 pm at Bay Area Wilderness Training, 2301 Broadway, Suite B – enter on 23rd Street. For more info, visit WOBO’s website.

Wednesday, September 23rd – Public Hearings on AC Transit’s Proposed Service Changes

AC Transit will hold public hearings to present its proposed Service Adjustments Plan and gather feedback from the public. If you’re concerned about losing your bus line or just want to hear more about the extensive service adjustments, these will be important hearings to attend. In October, the Board will likely make its final decision on the service adjustments, taking into consideration all public comments received. The Board could accept, modify, reject, or defer each of the proposed changes. If service adjustments are adopted, they likely would be implemented in January 2010. Take the bus: All lines serving downtown Oakland (also BART to 19th Street). The workshops will be held from 2-5pm AND 6-8pm at the AC Transit offices, 1600 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor Board Room. Find further info at AC Transit’s website.

Wednesday, September 23rd – League of Women Voters State Budget Forum

From the League’s website: “At the kick-off meeting on September 15 we will have heard about budget issues from a local perspective. What is the state perspective? We will have a resource person from Assemblymember Sandré Swanson’s office to bring us up to date on the latest information on the state budget. Come learn and talk about what you can be doing to make things happen both here in Oakland and in Sacramento.” The forum will be held from 6:30-8 PM at Lincoln Court Senior Housing, 2400 MacArthur Blvd. (corner of Lincoln and MacArthur).

Thursday, September 24th – Special Meeting of the Public Ethics Commission

The Public Ethics Commission will be holding a special meeting to discuss proposed amendments to Oakland’s lobbyist registration act. The commission will discuss 1) whether registration and reporting requirements should be limited to paid, professional representatives of an organization or include volunteer representatives as well; 2) should persons who lobby City officials have to communicate a minimum number of times or devote a certain amount of their time to lobbying before triggering a registration requirement; and 3) should people be except from registering if the communications they make are a) made in writing or at a public meeting or, b) made on behalf of certain non-profit groups that operate on City property and provide a public service.These proposals sprang from a commission hearing in May at which John Klein had launched a complaint against Carlos Plazola for not registering with the City for certain lobbying activities. For background, you should read the account by Max Allstadt of the initial hearing and the lengthy discussion that followed it. The meeting will be held at 6:30pm in Hearing Room 2, City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza. You can read the meeting agenda here.

Thursday, September 24th – Wellstone Democratic Club Meeting

The Bay Area Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club will present and discuss”Americans and the Climate Crisis: Attitudes and Social Change” featuring Aaron Pope, Director of Sustainability Programs, California Academy of Sciences. The meeting will be held from 6-9pm at the Humanist Hall, 390 27th Street in Oakland. For more information, visit the club’s website.

Friday, September 25th – Dancing Under the Stars at Jack London Square

Due to the success of Dancing Under the Stars, Jack London Square will offer an additional four-event series of free outdoor dance classes on select Friday nights through the end of September. Singles and couples alike can practice their sizzling salsa moves, learn new Latin dances like the Cha Cha, or do the Hustle while listening to disco. Live bands will add a new level of entertainment to the program. Novices and experienced dancers are all welcome to spend the evening dancing outdoors on Oakland’s celebrated waterfront.  No reservation is required, and all ages are welcome. Dancing Under the Stars will begin at 7:30 PM for professional dance lessons and 8:30 PM for open dance  at the foot of Broadway. This Friday, they’ll be teaching Rumba and Cha Cha.

Friday, September 25th – Fourth Friday Summer Nights: A Little Princess

This summer, the Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate is hosting free movies on the fourth Friday of each month. This month, they’ll be showing Finding Neverland. Via V Smoothe, “The grounds open at 6 PM for picnicking and wandering. Music is provided before the movies, which begin around 8:30, once the sun sets. And if you don’t have a car, no problem! AC Transit line 45 drops you off maybe a 10 minute walk (or less, depending on how fast you walk, I guess) from the Estate and runs until midnight.” The estate is located at 2960 Peralta Oaks Ct.

Saturday, September 26th – Love Your Parks Day

Each year, in the fall, Oakland Parks Coalition (OPC) conducts a city-wide survey of Oakland parks to determine their condition. This year the survey is more important than ever due to the maintenance cutbacks. We need lots of volunteers to ensure that all parks are surveyed. The data from our annual surveys is used as a basis for an OPC annual report, 2007 Community Report Card on the Maintenance of Oakland Parks, which is presented early each year to the Life Enrichment Committee of City Council. The written report and a Power Point Presentation are tools used by OPC to advocate for improved and enhanced maintenance services in Oakland Parks. Meet at 8:30am at the Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland. After a continental breakfast you’ll be sent out in teams to survey 3-5 Oakland parks. To find out more information and RSVP, visit OPC’s website.

Saturday, September 26th – Democratic Unity Dinner

The Democratic Unity Dinner is the county’s largest party fundraiser. This year, speakers include Attorney General Jerry Brown, Lt. Governor John Garamendi, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, and Board of Equalization Chair Betty Yee. The Party will be honoring ACDCC long-time member Maggie Gee for all her hard work on behalf of the Democratic Party over the years. The Oakland United Democratic Campaign (UDC) will receive the 2009 Democratic Club/UDC award recognizing co-chairs Elizabeth Echols and Rodney Brooks in particular for their success. The monies raised for this event helps support our six county UDCs for 2010. Cocktails at 6 pm and dinner at 7:30 pm at the Oakland Airport Hilton, One Hegenberger Road. Find more info and purchase tickets on ActBlue.

Sunday, September 27th – Rockridge Out and About

The Rockridge District Association organizes its annual street festival to attract residents, visitors and new businesses to College Avenue.  For one magical afternoon, 10 blocks are transformed into a street fair featuring live music, cooking demonstrations, artisans and food booths, arts, crafts and kids activities. I’ve always enjoyed this street festival, but this year they’re adding an awesome new feature – a Cookbook Exchange! Bring a used cookbook and exchange it for another (remaining books will go to the Rockridge Public Library). The festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on College Avenue from Claremont to the Rockridge Library, in the Rockridge shopping district. Find more info at the festival’s website.

Sunday, September 27th – Sundays in the Redwoods – The Oakland Symphony

This free concert features the The Oakland Symphony & John Handy. Bring sunscreen, hats and water– it can get very hot in the sun. Gates open at 1:30– concerts start at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Road. To reserve a picnic table, contact Renee Tucker at 238-4720. Find more info at the Sundays in the Redwoods website.

September 14-20 Oakland Political & Community Events

Monday, September 14th – Could I Really Get Appointed to a California Board or Commission?

Have you ever thought about being on a California Board or Commission in a volunteer or paid capacity? Come find out what is available and what you need to know to apply!  We are privileged to have two high-profile speakers: John Cruz, Appointments Secretary, in the Governor’s Appointment Office, and Betty Yee, Chair, State Board of Equalization. This National Women’s Political Caucus event is free; refreshments will be served. The event will be held from 7:15-9:15pm at Town Court One Room Health Education Center, Samuel Merritt University @ Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 400 Hawthorne Ave. For more information, visit NWPC’s website.

Tuesday, September 15th – Public Works Committee Hearing on Oakland Airport Connector

You’re probably getting sick of me writing about the OAC by now, but think of it this way – if we can kill this project via the Oakland City Council, I’ll never have to write about it again! So please attend and speak out against this project on Tuesday. I understand that many people can’t make it, due to work so put the evening of Tuesday, October 6th on your calendar right now because that’s when it’s slated to go to the full council and we’ll need a huge showing that evening. The hearing will be held at 9:30 am at City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Hearing Room 1. If you’d like more info about the OAC, visit OaklandAirportConnector.com.

Tuesday, September 15th – EBYD’s September Mixer & Happy Hour

After an intense morning hearing and presumably work afterwards, you’ll need a stiff drink so join the East Bay Young Democrats at our mixer at Somar. Here’s a perfect chance to renew your membership, see old friends, or join and make some new ones. This event will also serve as the last call for nominations to serve on next year’s Executive Committee and will be the last opportunity to become a member if you’d like to be eligible to vote in our October officer elections. New & renewing members will receive a free glass of beer or wine so if you’ve ever considered joining, now is the time. The mixer will be held from 6-9pm at Somar, 1727 Telegraph Avenue. For more info and to RSVP, see the Facebook event.

Wednesday, September 16th – East Bay Democracy for America Meetup

At their September meeting, Democracy for America will be focusing on the fast-tracked bills about the Delta and update the group on the public option. From DFA: “Tuesday, August 4, Democrats introduced five bills “intended to increase water conservation, improve the monitoring of who uses water and how much, and to create a politically appointed council that would have broad authority over the delta, including the ability to approve a controversial pipeline around the estuary.” (San Francisco Chronicle, emphasis added) The “controversial pipeline” would be none other than the old peripheral canal. Four of the seven members of the council would be appointed by the Governor. The leadership’s intent is to fast track the bills during the Special Session August 17 – September 11 without review by the Assembly and Senate environmental committees, including the Committee on Natural Resources, chaired by Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner.” The meeting will be held at 6:30 at the Rockridge Library, 5366 College Avenue. RSVP here.

Thursday, September 17th – “Repairing California” A Community Forum and Panel Discussion

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors in partnership with Bay Area Council, Repair California and ACCSPD will be hosting a forum this Thursday, moderated by Supervisor Nate Miley. From their flyer, “If you are like us, you believe the time is now to come together to work on solutions that will effectively get California back on track.  To do this together, we need your voice and participation in this important Town Hall Forum and Discussion. This Discussion also includes a briefing on the movement to Repair California through a limited Constitutional Convention. The forum will be held from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Alameda County Administration Building, 1221 Oak Street, 5th Fl, Board Chambers. Registration begins at 8:45 am. For more information, contact Nate Miley at 510-272-3691.

Thursday, September 17th – Oakland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting

Oakland’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meets monthly to discusses bicycle and pedestrian issues. This month’s agenda covers the Harrison Street/Oakland Avenue Community-Based Transportation Plan, 880 overcrossings, and the Miller-Sweeney Bridge seismic retrofitting project. The BPAC is extremely inclusive – any Oakland resident who attends three consecutive meetings becomes a voting member of the committee – so if you’re interested in bike and ped issues, you should consider attending. The BPAC will be meeting from 5:30-7:30pm in Hearing Room 4 of City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza.

Friday, September 18th – Dancing Under the Stars at Jack London Square

Due to the success of Dancing Under the Stars, Jack London Square will offer an additional four-event series of free outdoor dance classes on select Friday nights through the end of September. Singles and couples alike can practice their sizzling salsa moves, learn new Latin dances like the Cha Cha, or do the Hustle while listening to disco. Live bands will add a new level of entertainment to the program. Novices and experienced dancers are all welcome to spend the evening dancing outdoors on Oakland’s celebrated waterfront.  No reservation is required, and all ages are welcome. Dancing Under the Stars will begin at 7:30 PM for professional dance lessons and 8:30 PM for open dance  at the foot of Broadway. This Friday, they’ll be teaching the Hustle.

Saturday, September 19th – Koreatown-Northgate Festival

The first annual KoreaTown-Northgate Festival will showcase the diverse cultures and business opportunities in the district. The festival features food court and BBQ contest with celebrity judges and audience participation, Artists’ Alley, Children’s Area, Health Haven, Going Green Corridor, Beverage Garden, and 2 stages of entertainment. The festival runs from 11:30 AM-6:30 PM onTelegraph between 24th & 27th Streets. Find more info at the neighborhood’s website.

Sunday, September 20th – Sundays in the Redwoods – John Santos

This free concert features the John Santos Sextet. Bring sunscreen, hats and water– it can get very hot in the sun. Gates open at 1:30– concerts start at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Road. To reserve a picnic table, contact Renee Tucker at 238-4720. Find more info at the Sundays in the Redwoods website.

August 17-23 Oakland Political & Community Events

Tuesday, August 18th – Community Meeting on Transit Corridors Hosted by STAND

STAND is hosting a meeting on Transit Corridors, asking what are they and how do they affect you. The focus will be on bus rapid transit (BRT) and transit corridor development. STAND nearly always opposes dense development so this should be a, well, interesting event. I encourage people who are pro-BRT and pro-transit oriented development to attend. The event will be facilitated by Jane Kramer (STAND) (Standing Together for Accountable Neighborhood Development), Mary Oram (BBTOP) (Berkeleyans for Better Transportation OPtions), and Dahn VanLaarz (STAND).  Invited Guests include AC Transit Board Members Greg Harper & Chris Peeples. The event will be held from 7-9pm at Temple Beth Abraham Social Hall, 327 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland.

Thursday, August 20th – Oakland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting

Oakland’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meets monthly to discusses bicycle and pedestrian issues. This month’s agenda covers Kaiser Hospital bike access issues, bike/ped safety, and the planning of an international delegation to Oakland by bike planners and elected officials. The BPAC is extremely inclusive – any Oakland resident who attends three consecutive meetings becomes a voting member of the committee – so if you’re interested in bike and ped issues, you should consider attending. The BPAC will be meeting from 5:30-7:30pm in Hearing Room 4 of City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza.

Friday, August 21st – Dancing Under the Stars at Jack London Square

Due to the success of Dancing Under the Stars, Jack London Square will offer an additional four-event series of free outdoor dance classes on select Friday nights through the end of September. Singles and couples alike can practice their sizzling salsa moves, learn new Latin dances like the Cha Cha, or do the Hustle while listening to disco. Live bands will add a new level of entertainment to the program. Novices and experienced dancers are all welcome to spend the evening dancing outdoors on Oakland’s celebrated waterfront.  No reservation is required, and all ages are welcome. Dancing Under the Stars will begin at 7:30 PM for professional dance lessons and 8:30 PM for open dance  at the foot of Broadway. This Friday, they’ll be teaching Swing.

Saturday, August 22nd – Oakland’s Second Kidical Mass

Hosted by Walk Oakland Bike Oakland, this will be an opportunity to get to know families who get around Oakland by pedal power. Bring the kids on the the trail-a-bike, the trailer, the Xtracycle, on their own bikes or however you happen to make it work. No kids? No problem! Come out and share the joy of a casual social ride. Ride meets at Frog Park (Hardy St. & Claremont Ave) from 10-10:30am with expected departure about 10:45am. Destination is Lake Shore Park. Ride is about 3 miles – expect a leisurely pace and relaxed atmosphere. For more info and to RSVP, check out the event’s Facebook page.

Saturday-Sunday, August 22nd-23rd – Oakland Chinatown Streetfest

On August 22 & 23, the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce (OCCC) will be presenting its 22nd Annual Chinatown StreetFest. In celebrating the Year of the Ox, the Chinatown StreetFest will attract thousands of people from all over the Bay Area to come savor the taste of Asia, and to experience the traditions that Oakland’s Chinatown has so diligently preserved. Consisting of more than 200 booths, the festival will span nine to ten blocks of Chinatown. Every year small businesses and community organizations from all over California come to showcase a myriad of delicious foods, unique Asian products, and special services. There will be arts & crafts, entertainment on three stages, and a Cultural Village presented by the Oakland Museum of California. The two-day event runs from 10AM to 6PM and is free to the public. Find more info at the event’s website.

Sunday, August 23rd – Oaklandish Radio Regatta

This summertime party is located at the Lake Merritt Sailboat House and includes DJ’s, food and beer, and free gondola rides. You can also go out for a spin on the Lake on other half-priced boat rentals. Bring your radio, because the event also features an FM microbroadcast so you can listen to the music while out on the water. This event is free for all ages and runs from 1-7pm.

August 10-16 Oakland Political & Community Events

Monday, August 10th – East Bay Young Dems Confab & Endorsement Meeting

Join East Bay Young Dems to review the U.S. Congressional District 10 candidates’ questionnaire responses, engage in lively debate (we always do!), and vote to back one lucky political player with our club endorsement. A 60% threshold among voting, current dues-paying members is needed to earn EBYD’s endorsement. The following Democratic candidates are eligible for EBYD’s endorsement: Ms. Tiffany Attwood, Assemblymember Joan Buchanan, State Senator Mark DeSaulnier, Lt. Governor John Garamendi, Mr. Adriel Hampton, and Captain Anthony Woods. We’re coming full circle after our successful Summertime in the East Bay Mixer, where EBYDs got to mix and mingle with the candidates over a beer at The Grand Tavern. The meeting will be held from 6:30-8:30pm at Shashamane at 2507 Broadway. It’s accessible by 19th Street BART station or by AC Transit lines 1/1R, 51, 59. You can find more info about our endorsement process and candidate questionnaires at the EBYD website.

Tuesday, August 11th – EBMUD Water Supply Management Plan 2040 Update

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) is planning for the future with an update to the Water Supply Management Plan for 2040.  The Board of Directors developed a “preferred portfolio” for meeting our water needs over the next 30 years.  The portfolio includes increased water conservation programs, recycled water projects, rationing during worst-case droughts, securing water transfers and groundwater storage, desalination, and expanding Pardee reservoir with a new dam. The Board of Directors Workshop on this plan will be held from 8:30am – 11am at 375 11th St., Oakland. For additional info, visit EBMUD’s website.

Thursday, August 13th – Mix It Up East Bay

Join us for a monthly happy hour bringing together young activists, organizers and leaders in the East Bay. The East Bay has many assets, and access to high quality, fresh, organic food is definitely high on the list! Come out and hear (brief) presentations on the range of work on food justice, food security, and local urban agriculture by:

• Gail Myers, Farms to Grow
• Jason Harvey, Oakland Food Connection
• Susan Coss, Eat Real Festival

Mix It Up East Bay is held every 2nd Thursday of the month from 6-9pm at Shashamane at 2507 Broadway. It’s accessible by 19th Street BART station or by AC Transit lines 1/1R, 51, 59.

Friday, August 14th – Estuary Art Attack

First Fridays are not the only day of the month to check out art galleries. Jingle Town and Alameda artists have joined together to start the Estuary Art Attack, a monthly event held on second Fridays to showcase the area’s galleries, restaurants, and bars. The Art Attack will be held from 6-9 pm throughout Jingle Town and Alameda. Check out their website for more details.

Friday, August 14th – Dancing Under the Stars at Jack London Square

Due to the success of Dancing Under the Stars, Jack London Square will offer an additional four-event series of free outdoor dance classes on select Friday nights through the end of September. Singles and couples alike can practice their sizzling salsa moves, learn new Latin dances like the Cha Cha, or do the Hustle while listening to disco. Live bands will add a new level of entertainment to the program. Novices and experienced dancers are all welcome to spend the evening dancing outdoors on Oakland’s celebrated waterfront.  No reservation is required, and all ages are welcome. Dancing Under the Stars will begin at 7:30 PM for professional dance lessons and 8:30 PM for open dance  at the foot of Broadway. This Friday, they’ll be teaching Salsa.

Saturday-Sunday, August 15th-16th – Art & Soul Festival

Art & Soul, which has historicall been held on Labor Day weekend, has been moved to this weekend. Though I’m not too excited about the lineup, I love the thought of so much of downtown Oakland being closed to car traffic. Via the event’s Facebook page: “A new date, but the same great entertainment value condensed into two music-packed days with Jazz, Rock, Gospel, Latin, R&B, Smooth Jazz and Blues. Youngsters will love the kid-friendly carnival rides, interactive art projects, face painting and roaming costumed characters. Stroll through the Artisan Marketplace, sample exotic foods and tasty treats from a multicultural menu, watch exciting dance performances, and view and create art.” The festival will be held from noon-6pm on Saturday and Sunday. It costs $10 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors, and is free for children 12 and under. Entrances are at 14th Street & Broadway, 16th Street & San Pablo Avenue, and Promenade beside City Center West Garage. There will be free attended bike parking and it’s easy to get to by AC Transit or BART.

Saturday, August 15th – Walking The Key System’s C Line

The Oakland Heritage Alliance (OHA) holds regular walking tours, and this one sounded particularly interesting. Follow early day Key System commuters on their way to the Key ferries. Walk past the train yard, through the Key System 40th Street Cut, and over to the old Key System station and mural at Piedmont Avenue. Learn about the Key System’s plan to build a line though Piedmont and Oakland to San Jose. Tour ends on Piedmont Avenue, walk or bus back to BART. *Optional extension after lunch. A level walk.  The walk runs from 10 am–1:30 pm at the meeting point is at MacArthur BART Station underpass on 40th Street. Tour does not loop. OHA tours cost $10 for members or $15 for non-members. Meet 15 minutes before listed time for registration. Comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen are recommended. Bring water. In case of rain, the tour will be canceled. For more info and OHA’s full schedule of tours, visit their website.

June 29-July 5 Oakland Political & Community Events

Monday, June 29th – East Bay for Kamala Harris “$30 Before June 30th” Countdown Bash

Though it’s early in the 2010 campaign cycle, statewide candidates are busy raising money and building their support bases. Whether you’re decided in the Attorney General race, Monday’s party for Kamala Harris should be a fun event and is probably one of the cheapest AG fundraisers you’ll find. Music will feature Martin Luther Rebel Soul Music, Kev Choice Ensemble, Fear & Fancy, and DJ D Sharp. The party will be held at Maxwell’s Lounge, 341 13th Street from 7:30-10pm. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online – all ages are welcome. You can RSVP and find more info on Facebook.

Tuesday, June 30th – Oakland City Council Meeting on Budget (note special time)

Tuesday’s Council meeting, which starts at 5pm and should be very long, is all about the budget (yes, again). They’ll be discussing a mix of taxes, fees, and cuts, which is a refreshingly well-rounded approach compared to what’s going on in Sacramento. See the full meeting agenda and check out my post about how to watch and understand City Council meetings if you need some guidance on how or where to view the meeting. The meeting starts at 5pm at the Council Chambers in City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza.

Wednesday, July 1st – Alameda County Democratic Central Committee Meeting

Every month, the Central Committee meets to discuss party business and to make plans for the future of the Democratic Party in Alameda County. If you’re interested in getting involved with the Democratic Party, this is a great way to do so. I’m an associate member for the 16th Assembly District, so you can find me at this meeting every month. The meeting will be held from 7-9pm in the San Leandro Main Library, Dave Karp Room, 300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro, CA 94577.

Thursday, July 2nd – Temescal Street Cinema

The Second Annual Temescal Street Cinema returns to 49th and Telegraph (Bank of the West Building) this summer for another year of great, free, locally made films! There’ll be live music and free popcorn at every show, with events getting started at 8 PM every Thursday from June 11-July 16. Movies will start when it gets dark, no sooner than 8:30 PM. Come early or bring a chair! This will feature Drylongso: “Pica is a woman who can’t find meaning in her own life. Living in Oakland, CA, she’s tired of her job at an illegal poster distribution center. Unable to complete a photography project on herself at school, she grabs a Polaroid camera and decides to document the existence of young black men, whom she feels are a breed on the verge of becoming extinct. What results is a beautiful tribute to the power of community.” Find out more details at the Temescal Business Improvement District’s website.

Friday, July 3rd – Dancing Under the Stars at Jack London Square

Via Angela Woodall: “Free Outdoor Classes from May 1 to July so you can Dance the Night Away on Oakland’s Waterfront. On Friday nights this Spring and Summer, Jack London Square will see sizzling salsa, tight turns, and elegant waltzes. But on this dance floor, there will be no judges and no one will be voted out. Jack London Square today announced Dancing Under the Stars, a summer of free outdoor dance classes open to the public. Over ten Friday night sessions, visitors will be treated to professional instruction in a range of popular steps, all on Oakland’s waterfront and by the light of the stars. Dancing Under the Stars will begin at 8:30 PM each Friday at the foot of Broadway from May 1st to July 3rd.” This Friday, they’ll be teaching Salsa.

Saturday, July 4th – Fireworks Show at Jack London Square

The Port of Oakland and the City of Oakland will present a 20 minute fireworks show over the Oakland and Alameda estuary. Jack London Square provides a prime viewing area for watching this spectacular event. The fireworks will begin at 9:15 PM and end at 9:35 PM. Jack London Square will celebrate the holiday with live music beginning at 7:00 PM. Enjoy the big band sounds of the Ben Oni Orchestra and the Rhythm and Blues of the BluesBurners. Free bike valet will be available at 7:00 PM at Jack London Square’s newest shop, Bay Area Bikes. Parking at Jack London Square may be scarce, so visitors are invited to take public transportation.

Sunday, July 5th – 5th Oakland Grand Prix of Cycling

Approximately 350 cyclists from USA Cycling will bike a .85 mile closed loop of Oakland City Streets in the Kaiser Center Area for these Multi-Lap (Criterium) Bicycle Races from 8am-5pm. Cheer on amateurs and professionals, including riders from across the country and some foreign amateurs as well. The Races will feature eight separate multi-lap events, ranging from (Senior 1/2/Pro-Am, 40 miles) down to 10 laps. Location: A .85 mile closed loop of Oakland City Streets in the Kaiser Center area: A clockwise hourglass loop on Harrison, 19th, Webster, 20th, Franklin, 22nd, Webster, 20th and Harrison. For details, call (209) 533-8234 or email Velo Promo.

June 15-21 Oakland Political & Community Events

Monday, June 15th – Musical Mondays at Jack London Square – Jump City

Last week, Jack London Square started its two month series of Musical Mondays. Jack London Square hosts live musical entertainment to enjoy while playing favorite board games. Check out chess, checkers, scrabble and much more. Build up an appetite and check out the prefix dinner menus that the JLS restaurants will feature to help you ease into another work week. This event will be held from 5:30-8:00 pm at Palm Tree Plaza (yes, they really call it that) in Jack London Square.

Tuesday, June 16th – Port Commission Hearing on Oakland Airport Connector Funding

Two weeks ago, the Aviation Committee of the Port Commission voted to move move the OAC funding issue onto the full committee, and then for some reason the full commission delayed the hearing. On Tuesday, the full commission will vote on taking the first step on funding the OAC to the tune of $44 million. You can read all about this issue in my post about this hearing. The meeting starts at 4:30 pm and will be held at 530 Water Street in Oakland (accessible by the 72, 72M, or 72R buses).

Tuesday, June 16th – Oakland City Council Meeting on Budget (note special time)

Tuesday’s Council meeting, which starts in the afternoon and should be very long, is all about the budget. Councilmembers Jane Brunner, Ignacio De La Fuente, Pat Kernighan, and Jean Quan will be presenting their alternative budget proposal to Mayor Dellums’ proposal, and I think it’s a huge improvement.  They’ll be discussing a mix of taxes, fees, and cuts, which is a refreshingly well-rounded approach compared to what’s going on in Sacramento. See the full meeting agenda and check out my post about how to watch and understand City Council meetings if you need some guidance on how or where to view the meeting. The meeting starts at 3pm at the Council Chambers in City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza.

Wednesday, June 17th – Special Community Meeting for Zoning Issues in the Oakland Hills

The City is updating its zoning regulations, which govern the physical development of land.  Zoning regulations affect many people living and working in Oakland. We urge you to become familiar with the zoning update process and get involved. The purpose of the meeting is to familiarize you with the issues and zoning in the Oakland hills as well as to obtain input about additional issues with development in the hills, and the preliminary zoning outline for the Oakland hills. This meeting will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Skyline Community Church, 12540 Skyline Boulevard.

Thursday, April 18th – Uptown Unveiled & Taste of Uptown

On Thursday night, several blocks in Uptown will be closed to car traffic and instead filled with music, food, and tons of people. There are going to be three stages on Telegraph from 16th to 20th featuring incredible music, including Damon and the Heathens, The Kev Choice Ensemble, and John Santos. Franklin will also be closed to traffic between 21st and 22nd and will be showcasing Uptown’s finest food. And if you haven’t checked out the Fox Theater, they’ll be doing tours for the public. I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else on Thursday night. So head to Uptown from 5-10pm to enjoy what the area has to offer. More details can be found here (PDF) and I’ll likely be writing a more detailed post about it early this week because there’s far too much to cover here.

Thursday, April 18th – Central Estuary Plan Community Workshop #3

If for some bizarre reason you’d rather stay inside than hang out on the street in Uptown, you can check out the third second meeting for the Central Estuary Plan, which is designed to build a vision and provide a framework to support development and enhancement of the Estuary from Adeline Street to 66th Avenue.  The workshop will be in an “open house” format where project staff will be available to answer questions and discuss information gathered on Plan Area existing conditions. You can read about the first meet at Oakland Streets or at A Better Oakland. (The CEDA website also includes meeting presentations and other materials.) Please drop by any time between 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. to visit the open house information stations at your leisure. Light refreshments will be served. This workshop will be held at The Unity Council, Fruitvale-San Antonio Senior Center, 3301 East 12th Street, Suite 201 (Fruitvale Transit Village).

Friday, June 19th – Dancing Under the Stars at Jack London Square

Via Angela Woodall: “Free Outdoor Classes from May 1 to July so you can Dance the Night Away on Oakland’s Waterfront. On Friday nights this Spring and Summer, Jack London Square will see sizzling salsa, tight turns, and elegant waltzes. But on this dance floor, there will be no judges and no one will be voted out. Jack London Square today announced Dancing Under the Stars, a summer of free outdoor dance classes open to the public. Over ten Friday night sessions, visitors will be treated to professional instruction in a range of popular steps, all on Oakland’s waterfront and by the light of the stars. Dancing Under the Stars will begin at 8:30 PM each Friday at the foot of Broadway from May 1st to July 3rd.” This Friday, they’ll be teaching the Hustle.

Saturday, June 20th – 4th Annual Laurel Summer Solstice Festival

For the fourth year in a row, the Laurel Village Association is coordinating a Summer Solstice Music Festival on June 20, 2009.  Amateur and professional musicians perform for free in unconventional public spaces such as street corners, merchant parking lots, and residential driveways.  Join us at numerous sites along MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland’s Laurel neighborhood from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. on June 20th! Find more details at their website.

Saturday & Sunday, June 20th & 21st -The Oakland-East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus Presents: Cabaret – Zoot Suit!

The Oakland-East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus and Swing Fever of San Francisco is proud to present Cabaret-Zoot Suit! on Saturday, June 20th, 7:30 pm and Sunday, June 21, 5 pm at First Christian Church of Oakland, 111 Fairmount Ave., Oakland, CA.  Proceeds from this event are used to produce the chorus’s concerts and community projects throughout the year.  Visit their website for map, directions, tickets and more!

June 8-14 Oakland Community & Political Events

Tuesday, June 9th– Trivia Night at the Den

This Tuesday will be the first weekly trivia night held at the Den, the Fox Theater’s bar. Compete each week in teams of 4 to win free drinks and free concert tickets.  Categories include Current Events, Sports/Entertainment, Science/Geography, Music, Photo ID, and the Miscellaneous Round. This week, the winning team members will all get 3-day passes to Outside Lands, which is a pretty incredible prize.
Trivia starts at 9pm and ends before BART or regular AC Transit lines stop running, at the Den, 1912 Telegraph. Find out more details at the Den’s website.

Wednesday, June 10th – East Bay Democracy for America Meetup

At their June meeting, Democracy for America will be focusing on health care and the state budget. Dr. Richard Quint of California Physicians Alliance will give the latest news on California’s Single Payer legislation SB 810, shepherded 1st by Sheila Kuehl now in the able hands of Senator Mark Leno. Linda Leu, Northern California Regional Organizer for Health Access will explain Obama’s plan and the ins and outs of the “public option.” East Bay grassroots activist are mobilizing a statewide effort, “Fix the CA Budget Now!” to oppose Schwarzenegger’s shock doctrine approach to budget negotiations. At this meeting, organizers will explain how to get involved. The meeting will be held at 6:30 at the Rockridge Library, 5366 College Avenue. RSVP here.

Thursday, June 11th – Mix It Up East Bay

Join us for a monthly happy hour bringing together young activists, organizers and leaders in the East Bay. This month will focus on the ties that bind us. Come out and hear brief presentations on efforts that unite our cities and communities across the East Bay. Speakers include:

• Claudia Quezada, Cal State East Bay
• Greenlining Institute
• Social Equity Caucus

Mix It Up East Bay is held every 2nd Thursday of the month from 6-9pm at Shashamane at 2507 Broadway. It’s accessible by 19th Street BART station or by AC Transit lines 1/1R, 51, 59.

Thursday, June 11th – Temescal Street Cinema Opening Night

The Second Annual Temescal Street Cinema returns to 49th and Telegraph (Bank of the West Building) this summer for another year of great, free, locally made films! There’ll be live music and free popcorn at every show, with events getting started at 8 PM every Thursday from June 11-July 16. Movies will start when it gets dark, no sooner than 8:30 PM. Come early or bring a chair! Opening night will feature Speaking in Tongues (Marcia Jarmel, Ken Schneider), which draws on subtle nuances of the kids’ stories to illustrate the complex shades and permutations of bilingual schooling, and Children’s Hospital Oakland Made Shorts. Find out more details at the Temescal Business Improvement District’s website.

Thursday, June 11th – Jack London Square Waterfront Flick Outdoor Movie Night

Temescal won’t be the only neighborhood hosting free outdoor movies this summer. Jack London Square will be showing nautical themed films, featuring Jaws this week. Guest speakers and trivia games begin at 7:30 PM. At nightfall, favorite movies will be shown on giant screens. Diners may enjoy restaurant specials, as well as take away meal boxes. Special guests: Oakland Barracuda Aquatics. The movie will be shown at 8pm on the East Lawn of Jack London Square. Find out more details at the JLS events page.

Friday, June 12th – Estuary Art Attack

Starting this week, First Fridays will not be the only day of the month to check out art galleries. Jingle Town and Alameda artists have joined together to start the Estuary Art Attack, a monthly event held on second Fridays to showcase the area’s galleries, restaurants, and bars. The Art Attack will be held from 6-9 pm throughout Jingle Town and Alameda. Check out their website for more details.

Friday, June 12th – Dancing Under the Stars at Jack London Square

Via Angela Woodall: “Free Outdoor Classes from May 1 to July so you can Dance the Night Away on Oakland’s Waterfront. On Friday nights this Spring and Summer, Jack London Square will see sizzling salsa, tight turns, and elegant waltzes. But on this dance floor, there will be no judges and no one will be voted out. Jack London Square today announced Dancing Under the Stars, a summer of free outdoor dance classes open to the public. Over ten Friday night sessions, visitors will be treated to professional instruction in a range of popular steps, all on Oakland’s waterfront and by the light of the stars. Dancing Under the Stars will begin at 8:30 PM each Friday at the foot of Broadway from May 1st to July 3rd.” This Friday, they’ll be teaching Swing.

Saturday & Sunday, June 13th & 14th – East Bay Open Studios

If you missed out on East Bay Open Studios this past weekend, you still have the opportunity to check out art this weekend. East Bay Open Studios is an opportunity to visit artists’ studios, meet artists, buy art, view artwork, and learn about the artistic process in your neighborhood, city and across the region. Studios will be open from 11am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday, throughout the East Bay. Check out the Pro Arts website for more details.

June 1-7 Oakland Political & Community Events

Monday, June 1st – Port Commission Hearing on Oakland Airport Connector Funding

On Monday the Port Commission will vote on taking the first step on funding the OAC to the tune of $44 million. You can read all about this issue in my post about this hearing. The meeting starts at 3:30 pm and will be held at 530 Water Street in Oakland (accessible by the 72, 72M, or 72R buses).

Monday, June 1st – City Council Budget Workshop

The Council will be meeting again this week to discuss the budget in further detail. For background, I highly recommend checking out V Smoothe’s coverage of the budget, which is really the only in depth budget coverage you’ll find anywhere. This workshop will be held at 4pm in the Council Chambers in City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza.

Tuesday, June 2nd – Oakland City Council Meeting

Though many items have been scratched from the agenda, there’s still a lot less to discuss. Among other items, the Council will discuss several applications for stimulus funds, a few different grants for youth services, and the proposed municipal ID card, which V Smoothe isn’t too excited about. See the full meeting agenda and check out my post about how to watch and understand City Council meetings if you need some guidance on how or where to view the meeting. The non-ceremonial parts of the meeting start at 7pm at the Council Chambers in City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza.

Wednesday, June 3rd – Alameda County Democratic Central Committee Meeting

Every month, the Central Committee meets to discuss party business and to make plans for the future of the Democratic Party in Alameda County. This month, among other items, we’ll be voting on whether to endorse each of the four Oakland measures, C, D, F & H. If you’re interested in getting involved with the Democratic Party, this is a great way to do so. I’m an associate member for the 16th Assembly District, so you can find me at this meeting every month. The meeting will be held from 7-9pm in the San Leandro Main Library, Dave Karp Room, 300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro, CA 94577.

Wednesday, June 3rd – Planning Commission Hearing on the Housing Element

This week, the Oakland City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider whether to recommend adoption of the proposed 2007-2014 Housing Element, an Element of the General Plan. The Housing Element is a five-year blueprint for housing Oakland’s residents, at all economic levels, including low-income and households with special needs. It provides an update on housing prices and rents, housing conditions and market trends. For background on the Housing Element, read Tom Thurston’s coverage here, here, and here, and read the Planning Commission staff report. This hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. in Oakland City Hall, Hearing Room 1, One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza.

Friday, May 29th – Dancing Under the Stars at Jack London Square

Via Angela Woodall: “Free Outdoor Classes from May 1 to July so you can Dance the Night Away on Oakland’s Waterfront. On Friday nights this Spring and Summer, Jack London Square will see sizzling salsa, tight turns, and elegant waltzes. But on this dance floor, there will be no judges and no one will be voted out. Jack London Square today announced Dancing Under the Stars, a summer of free outdoor dance classes open to the public. Over ten Friday night sessions, visitors will be treated to professional instruction in a range of popular steps, all on Oakland’s waterfront and by the light of the stars. Dancing Under the Stars will begin at 8:30 PM each Friday at the foot of Broadway from May 1st to July 3rd.” This Friday, they’ll be teaching the Foxtrot.

Friday & Saturday, June 5th & 6th – WOBO Successful Campaigns Training

Walk Oakland Bike Oakland is holding a training on choosing, directing, and winning campaigns to increase bicycling and walking. You’ll come away with the tools and confidence to not only advocate for improvements, but win them! The course will be instructed by SF Bicycle Coalition’s founding Executive Director Dave Snyder and WOBO Board members. The training will be held Friday 6:30pm-9:30pm & Saturday 8:30am-5pm at theoffices of Bay Area Wilderness Training at 2301 Broadway, #B off 23rd. You can find all the details at WOBO’s site.

Saturday, June 6th – West Oakland’s Green Scene

This will be celebration of both the new park and the many organizations that are creating healthy and sustainable communities in Oakland. There will be several activities geared towards kids, and plenty to do for adults as well. If you’ve never been to Middle Harbor Park, this is a great chance to check it out (read my review of the park to find out how amazing it is). The event will be held at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park from 11:00am-4:00pm. Parking is limited: ride a bike or take the hydrogen fuel-celled AC Transit Bus #13 (departs every ½ hour from West Oakland BART). You can read all the details here.

Sunday, June 7th – Temescal Street Fair

The annual Temescal Street Fair will be held Sunday (note day change). Enjoy delicious food and drink from local restaurants including Lanesplitter Pizza and Pub, La Calaca Loca Taqueria, Burma Superstar, Bear Naked Burgers, Bakesale Betty, The Avenue and much more. Music at the Main Stage at 51st will feature: Fito Reynoso y su Ritmo y Harmonia (salsa), Cataracs (rock), Destiny Arts Youth Performance Troupe (hip-hop),  Zanza (sassy bossa nova). There are special activities for kids, a fashion show, plenty of opportunities to buy local, and valet bike parking. The fair will be held 12-6pm with an expansion this year from 45th-51st Telegraph Avenue, North Oakland. You can find more info at the Temescal Telegraph Business Improvement District’s website and you can see some photos from last year’s fair here.

May 25-31 Oakland Political & Community Events

Tuesday, May 26th – Walk Oakland Bike Oakland Monthly Meeting

Did you know that Oakland has a Bicycle Master Plan? Well, it does. Recently updated and approved in December, 2007, the Oakland BMP serves as the citywide, long-range policy document for promoting bicycling as a viable means of transportation and recreation in Oakland. Join Jason Patton (Bicycle & Pedestrian Planner for the City of Oakland) as we learn about the Oakland BMP and discuss how it can be used as a tool for advocates. (As always, grub will be provided – yum!) This meeting will be held from 6:30-8:30 pm at Bay Area Wilderness Training, 2301 Broadway, Suite B – enter on 23rd Street. For more info, visit WOBO’s website.

Wednesday, May 27th – AC Transit Hearing on Fiscal Emergency

Via Ride ACT: “Faced with rising costs and dwindling financial resources, the AC Transit board of directors recently called for a public hearing on May 27, 2009, as a prelude to possibly declaring “fiscal emergency.” A declared “fiscal emergency” would provide the district with the ability to make ongoing adjustments in service and operations to counter what is predicted to be a debilitating financial crisis… Despite the recent passage of Measure VV–a parcel tax measure that is expected to to yield about $14 million annually for the district–the ongoing weakening of the local economy and the catastrophic loss of STA funding is causing AC Transit to:

• Adopt a fare increase, effective July 1, 2009
• Scrutinize all expenditures
• Institute a hiring freeze for all but essential positions
• Direct staff to achieve operating/service efficiencies of 15 percent of the budget
• Outline possible service adjustments which would be enacted later this year, pending a future public hearing and approval by the board.

The public is encouraged to attend the hearing on the fiscal emergency which will be at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday May 27, 2009, in the second floor Board Room, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA.” If you can’t make it to this meeting, take AC Transit’s service cuts survey to let them know which lines are most important to you.

Thursday, May 28th – City Council Budget Workshop

The Council will be meeting this week to discuss the budget in further detail. For background, I highly recommend checking out V Smoothe’s coverage of the budget, which is really the only in depth budget coverage you’ll find anywhere. This workshop will be held from 1-7pm in the Council Chambers in City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza.

Friday, May 29th – Dancing Under the Stars at Jack London Square

Via Angela Woodall: “Free Outdoor Classes from May 1 to July so you can Dance the Night Away on Oakland’s Waterfront. On Friday nights this Spring and Summer, Jack London Square will see sizzling salsa, tight turns, and elegant waltzes. But on this dance floor, there will be no judges and no one will be voted out. Jack London Square today announced Dancing Under the Stars, a summer of free outdoor dance classes open to the public. Over ten Friday night sessions, visitors will be treated to professional instruction in a range of popular steps, all on Oakland’s waterfront and by the light of the stars. Dancing Under the Stars will begin at 8:30 PM each Friday at the foot of Broadway from May 1st to July 3rd.” This Friday, they’ll be teaching the American Tango.

Saturday, May 30th – Alameda County Democratic Party Candidate Training

If you’ve ever considered running for office (and I hope that several members of the blogoaksphere have), then you should check out this training on Saturday. The Alameda County Democratic Party is presenting a “pre-candidate” training focused on preliminary issues, personal impacts and information that someone thinking of running for office should consider. The program is a free event. Several successful candidates in last year’s election attended when this program was first presented last year. Four panels will be featured: “Do I Really Want to Run”;  “How do Campaigns Work”; Legal and Administrative Requirements; and, the Democratic Party.  The program will be held from 10am-1pm at the Peralta Community College Board Room at 333 E. 8th St. Email acdemtraining@aol.com for additional information.

Sunday, May 31st – Oaklandish Salsa by the Lake

This annual event is back, 100% free and kickin off the summer season with a bang. Oaklandish will be offering free Salsa dance classes and a live performance by Salsa band Rumbache. And while you’re there, check out some of their brand new t-shirt designs. This event is at the Splash Pad Park, across the street from the Grand Lake Theater from 1:00-6:00pm.