Yesterday after leading the Oakland Urban Paths walk in Old Oakland and West Oakland, I stopped by the south end of Lake Merritt to decompress, enjoy the view, and call K to let her know my ETA. It's such a different experience than before the Measure DD work was done. Instead of odd smells from the water and the pedestrian underpasses, with traffic zipping past a few feet away, I was treated to a peaceful scene of birds feeding and a variety of Oaklanders out enjoying the view.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
photo of the week: pelican
Yesterday after leading the Oakland Urban Paths walk in Old Oakland and West Oakland, I stopped by the south end of Lake Merritt to decompress, enjoy the view, and call K to let her know my ETA. It's such a different experience than before the Measure DD work was done. Instead of odd smells from the water and the pedestrian underpasses, with traffic zipping past a few feet away, I was treated to a peaceful scene of birds feeding and a variety of Oaklanders out enjoying the view.
Labels:
Lake Merritt,
photo,
potw,
wildlife
Location:
Civic Center, Oakland, CA, USA
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
upcoming Oakland events
Avariety of events this weekend, including an Oakland Urban Paths walk, the ¡Viva Tamale! Tamale Cookoff, the 3rd Annual Pio Pico Bash at Peralta Hacienda, and more. Celebrate Mexican Independence Day!
Dancing Under the Stars - Fridays, 8:30-10pm. The popular free dance classes at Jack London Square are back for another season. (free)
Oakland Walking Tours - Saturdays, 10am. Free downtown walking tours highlighting Oakland's history, architecture and people. Read about past Oakland Walking Tours. (free)
3rd Annual Pio Pico Bash at Peralta Hacienda - Saturday, September 14, 6-7:30pm. Author Carlos Salomon will relate the life of Pío Pico, the last governor of Mexican California, of mixed African, Native and Spanish descent, and tell about the system of 136 racial classifications or castas in use at the time.
Green Street Party in Glenview - Sunday, September 15, 1-4pm. Join Glenview neighbors in learning about climate change and ways to address it. (free)
Delilah Beasley Tea - Sunday, September 15. Join the Pardee Home for the 2nd annual Delilah Beasley Tea, honoring women with a pioneering spirit. ($5/$15)
Sundays in the Redwoods - Sundays, starting September 22. Hang out in beautiful Joaquin Miller Park and listen to live music amongst the redwoods. ($14+$2)
Eat Real Festival - September 27-29. The annual food festival is back, with tasty eats, beer, music, and how-to sessions. (free)
WasteNot: e-waste drop-off - Sunday, September 29. Support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and get rid of your e-waste at the same time. At St. Theresa church, 30 Mandalay Road. (free)
Fences - from the Lower Bottom Playaz - opening in October. The Lower Bottom Playaz continue working their way through August Wilson's remarkable Century Cycle.
Black Cowboy Parade - Saturday, October 5. The long-running Black Cowboy Parade, a staple of West Oakland for almost 40 years. Read about the 2011 parade. (free)
Oaktoberfest - Saturday, October 5, 11am-6pm. Oakland's annual, family-friendly craft beer festival. Food, beer, music, activities for kids, and more. See pictures from the 2011 Oaktoberfest. (free)
Rockridge Out and About - Sunday, October 6, 12-6pm. Food, music, activities for kids, crafts, and more at the annual Rockridge street festival. Check out coverage of Rockridge Out and About 2011. (free)
CityCamp Oakland - Saturday, November 9. The 2nd annual "unconference" brings together citizens, city government, and businesses to innovate, enhance transparency and increase civic engagement. (free)
Friday
Bites off Broadway - Fridays, 5:30-8:30pm. My favorite food truck event, held Fridays outside Studio One Art Center just off Broadway. Read more about Bites off Broadway. (free)Dancing Under the Stars - Fridays, 8:30-10pm. The popular free dance classes at Jack London Square are back for another season. (free)
Saturday
Oakland Urban Paths: West Oakland - Saturday, September 14, 10am. Join Oakland Urban Paths as we explore part of Old Oakland and West Oakland, and see what were once adjacent neighborhoods. (free)Oakland Walking Tours - Saturdays, 10am. Free downtown walking tours highlighting Oakland's history, architecture and people. Read about past Oakland Walking Tours. (free)
3rd Annual Pio Pico Bash at Peralta Hacienda - Saturday, September 14, 6-7:30pm. Author Carlos Salomon will relate the life of Pío Pico, the last governor of Mexican California, of mixed African, Native and Spanish descent, and tell about the system of 136 racial classifications or castas in use at the time.
Sunday
¡Viva Tamales! Tamale Cookoff - Sunday, September 15, 12-4pm. A fundraiser for La Clinia de la Raza, which has been providing affordable healthcare for over 40 years. Hosted by Tina Tamale of La Borinquena Mex-icatessen. Competitors include Moles y Tamales la Oaxaqueña, Evil Jerk, and Alicia’s Tamales Los Mayas. There will be meat and vegi tamales. Read more about the event on Oakland Food Events. ($15-$20)Green Street Party in Glenview - Sunday, September 15, 1-4pm. Join Glenview neighbors in learning about climate change and ways to address it. (free)
Delilah Beasley Tea - Sunday, September 15. Join the Pardee Home for the 2nd annual Delilah Beasley Tea, honoring women with a pioneering spirit. ($5/$15)
Tuesday
Taste of Temescal - Tuesday, September 17, 6-8:30pm. A culinary crawl through Temescal, raising money for local schools and organizations. There will also be live music and prizes. ($30)Wednesday
Oakland Walking Tours - Wednesday, 10am. Free downtown walking tours highlighting Oakland's history, architecture and people. Read about past Oakland Walking Tours. (free)ongoing events:
- Oakland Walking Tours (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
- Bites off Broadway (Fridays)
- Off the Grid at OMCA (Fridays)
- Dancing Under the Stars at JLS (Fridays)
- Art Murmur (1st Fridays)
- Jack's Night Market (1st Fridays)
- Saturday Art Stroll (Saturdays)
- Oakland Urban Paths walk (2nd Saturdays)
- Mt. View Cemetery Tours (2nd and 4th Saturdays)
- Piedmont Avenue Stroll (3rd Thursdays)
looking further ahead:
Creek to Bay Day - Saturday, September 21 in various locations around Oakland. Help clean up Oakland's waterways. Read about last year's Creek to Bay Day. (free)Sundays in the Redwoods - Sundays, starting September 22. Hang out in beautiful Joaquin Miller Park and listen to live music amongst the redwoods. ($14+$2)
Eat Real Festival - September 27-29. The annual food festival is back, with tasty eats, beer, music, and how-to sessions. (free)
WasteNot: e-waste drop-off - Sunday, September 29. Support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and get rid of your e-waste at the same time. At St. Theresa church, 30 Mandalay Road. (free)
Fences - from the Lower Bottom Playaz - opening in October. The Lower Bottom Playaz continue working their way through August Wilson's remarkable Century Cycle.
Black Cowboy Parade - Saturday, October 5. The long-running Black Cowboy Parade, a staple of West Oakland for almost 40 years. Read about the 2011 parade. (free)
Oaktoberfest - Saturday, October 5, 11am-6pm. Oakland's annual, family-friendly craft beer festival. Food, beer, music, activities for kids, and more. See pictures from the 2011 Oaktoberfest. (free)
Rockridge Out and About - Sunday, October 6, 12-6pm. Food, music, activities for kids, crafts, and more at the annual Rockridge street festival. Check out coverage of Rockridge Out and About 2011. (free)
CityCamp Oakland - Saturday, November 9. The 2nd annual "unconference" brings together citizens, city government, and businesses to innovate, enhance transparency and increase civic engagement. (free)
Labels:
events
Thursday, September 5, 2013
upcoming Oakland events
Lots going this weekend, plus it's a First Friday.
ThEN is Now opening - Friday, September 6, 6-9pm. Join the Joyce Gordon Gallery in celebrating their 10th anniversary with the opening of a new show. Read more about the gallery in the Oakland Tribune. (free)
Dancing Under the Stars - Fridays, 8:30-10pm. The popular free dance classes at Jack London Square are back for another season. (free)
Volunteer Fair - Saturday, September 7, 10am-1pm. Come learn how you can help make Oakland schools better by volunteering your time. (free)
Dim Sum Then Sum opening - Saturday and Sunday, 12-5pm, starting September 7. Black Ball Universe opens a new exhibit, Dim Sum Then Sum, featuring the work of Jackie Lo, Tamara Chang, Tracy Piper, and Mary Luong. Look for a party on the 20th! (free)
Delilah Beasley Tea - Sunday, September 15. Join the Pardee Home for the 2nd annual Delilah Beasley Tea, honoring women with a pioneering spirit. ($5/$15)
Creek to Bay Day - Saturday, September 21 in various locations around Oakland. Help clean up Oakland's waterways. Read about last year's Creek to Bay Day. (free)
Sundays in the Redwoods - Sundays, starting September 22. Hang out in beautiful Joaquin Miller Park and listen to live music amongst the redwoods. ($14+$2)
Eat Real Festival - September 27-29. The annual food festival is back, with tasty eats, beer, music, and how-to sessions. (free)
WasteNot: e-waste drop-off - Sunday, September 29. Support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and get rid of your e-waste at the same time. At St. Theresa church, 30 Mandalay Road. (free)
Fences - from the Lower Bottom Playaz - opening in October. The Lower Bottom Playaz continue working their way through August Wilson's remarkable Century Cycle.
Black Cowboy Parade - Saturday, October 5. The long-running Black Cowboy Parade, a staple of West Oakland for almost 40 years. Read about the 2011 parade. (free)
Oaktoberfest - Saturday, October 5, 11am-6pm. Oakland's annual, family-friendly craft beer festival. Food, beer, music, activities for kids, and more. See pictures from the 2011 Oaktoberfest. (free)
Rockridge Out and About - Sunday, October 6, 12-6pm. Food, music, activities for kids, crafts, and more at the annual Rockridge street festival. Check out coverage of Rockridge Out and About 2011. (free)
CityCamp Oakland - Saturday, November 9. The 2nd annual "unconference" brings together citizens, city government, and businesses to innovate, enhance transparency and increase civic engagement. (free)
Friday
Bites off Broadway - Fridays, 5:30-8:30pm. My favorite food truck event, held Fridays outside Studio One Art Center just off Broadway. Read more about Bites off Broadway. (free)ThEN is Now opening - Friday, September 6, 6-9pm. Join the Joyce Gordon Gallery in celebrating their 10th anniversary with the opening of a new show. Read more about the gallery in the Oakland Tribune. (free)
Dancing Under the Stars - Fridays, 8:30-10pm. The popular free dance classes at Jack London Square are back for another season. (free)
Saturday
Oakland Walking Tours - Saturdays, 10am. Free downtown walking tours highlighting Oakland's history, architecture and people. Read about past Oakland Walking Tours. (free)Volunteer Fair - Saturday, September 7, 10am-1pm. Come learn how you can help make Oakland schools better by volunteering your time. (free)
Dim Sum Then Sum opening - Saturday and Sunday, 12-5pm, starting September 7. Black Ball Universe opens a new exhibit, Dim Sum Then Sum, featuring the work of Jackie Lo, Tamara Chang, Tracy Piper, and Mary Luong. Look for a party on the 20th! (free)
Sunday
Dim Sum Then Sum opening - Saturday and Sunday, 12-5pm, starting September 7. Black Universe opens a new exhibit, Dim Sum Then Sum, featuring the work of Jackie Lo, Tamara Chang, Tracy Piper, and Mary Luong. Look for a party on the 20th! (free)Wednesday
Oakland Walking Tours - Wednesday, 10am. Free downtown walking tours highlighting Oakland's history, architecture and people. Read about past Oakland Walking Tours. (free)ongoing events:
- Oakland Walking Tours (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
- Bites off Broadway (Fridays)
- Off the Grid at OMCA (Fridays)
- Dancing Under the Stars at JLS (Fridays)
- Art Murmur (1st Fridays)
- Jack's Night Market (1st Fridays)
- Saturday Art Stroll (Saturdays)
- Oakland Urban Paths walk (2nd Saturdays)
- Mt. View Cemetery Tours (2nd and 4th Saturdays)
- Piedmont Avenue Stroll (3rd Thursdays)
looking further ahead:
Green Street Party in Glenview - Sunday, September 15, 1-4pm. Join Glenview neighbors in learning about climate change and ways to address it. (free)Delilah Beasley Tea - Sunday, September 15. Join the Pardee Home for the 2nd annual Delilah Beasley Tea, honoring women with a pioneering spirit. ($5/$15)
Creek to Bay Day - Saturday, September 21 in various locations around Oakland. Help clean up Oakland's waterways. Read about last year's Creek to Bay Day. (free)
Sundays in the Redwoods - Sundays, starting September 22. Hang out in beautiful Joaquin Miller Park and listen to live music amongst the redwoods. ($14+$2)
Eat Real Festival - September 27-29. The annual food festival is back, with tasty eats, beer, music, and how-to sessions. (free)
WasteNot: e-waste drop-off - Sunday, September 29. Support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and get rid of your e-waste at the same time. At St. Theresa church, 30 Mandalay Road. (free)
Fences - from the Lower Bottom Playaz - opening in October. The Lower Bottom Playaz continue working their way through August Wilson's remarkable Century Cycle.
Black Cowboy Parade - Saturday, October 5. The long-running Black Cowboy Parade, a staple of West Oakland for almost 40 years. Read about the 2011 parade. (free)
Oaktoberfest - Saturday, October 5, 11am-6pm. Oakland's annual, family-friendly craft beer festival. Food, beer, music, activities for kids, and more. See pictures from the 2011 Oaktoberfest. (free)
Rockridge Out and About - Sunday, October 6, 12-6pm. Food, music, activities for kids, crafts, and more at the annual Rockridge street festival. Check out coverage of Rockridge Out and About 2011. (free)
CityCamp Oakland - Saturday, November 9. The 2nd annual "unconference" brings together citizens, city government, and businesses to innovate, enhance transparency and increase civic engagement. (free)
Labels:
events
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
sponsor me: help create and maintain affordable housing in Oakland
Each year since 1984, former president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn have given a week or more of their time to help Habitat for Humanity build and maintain affordable housing in the U.S. and around the world. I'm fortunate to have taken part in the 25th annual 2008 Carter Work Project (CWP) along the Gulf Coast, and I get to take part in this year's 30th annual CWP in the SF Bay Area.
It's not just building new housing. Some people will be working to repair and do needed maintenance on homes in East Oakland, as part of Habitat's foreclosure-prevention strategy, while others will be doing community projects like deconstructing an abandoned building in William "Bill" Patterson Park in Brookfield Village. Even more projects will be going on in San Jose. I've been volunteering with Habitat since 1995, and I'll probably be helping lead a crew on one of the repair houses.
But the CWP isn't just about building and repairing affordable housing, it's also a fundraiser to help with future projects. As part of my participation, I need to raise money, and that's where you come in. You can either donate through my FirstGiving.com page, or donate via check to Habitat for Humanity East Bay / Silicon Valley. Habitat is a 501(c)3 non-profit, and all contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Thank you for your support! Read more about the Carter Work Project at Habitat for Humanity East Bay / Silicon Valley.
It's not just building new housing. Some people will be working to repair and do needed maintenance on homes in East Oakland, as part of Habitat's foreclosure-prevention strategy, while others will be doing community projects like deconstructing an abandoned building in William "Bill" Patterson Park in Brookfield Village. Even more projects will be going on in San Jose. I've been volunteering with Habitat since 1995, and I'll probably be helping lead a crew on one of the repair houses.
But the CWP isn't just about building and repairing affordable housing, it's also a fundraiser to help with future projects. As part of my participation, I need to raise money, and that's where you come in. You can either donate through my FirstGiving.com page, or donate via check to Habitat for Humanity East Bay / Silicon Valley. Habitat is a 501(c)3 non-profit, and all contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Thank you for your support! Read more about the Carter Work Project at Habitat for Humanity East Bay / Silicon Valley.
Labels:
better,
Habitat for Humanity,
housing
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