upcoming Oakland events

You might be thinking there's not much to do in Oakland, since we're past all the big street festivals, but you'd be wrong. There's lots going on, from classic cars to native plants to A Taste of Oakland block party, plus the Autumn Lights Festival at Lake Merritt.

Thursday

Barbary Coast Comedy - Thursdays, 7-8:30pm, at Legionnaire Saloon on Telegraph. A weekly comedy showcase, featuring cutting-edge comedy from names you know and up-and-coming comedians from around the Bay and beyond! (a Belgian comedian? they ca n probably make you laugh in 3 languages) ($5 cover)

Friday

Autumn Lights Festival at Lake Merritt - Friday, October 18, 6-10pm. Acres of gardens illuminated with weird and enchanting art installations created by local Bay Area artists. Read about last year's Autumn Lights. ($12.50/$25/$50)

Blacula's Ball - Friday, October 18, 7pm-midnight. Blackball Universe will transform itself into a haunted house, with dark art by various local artists. Friday they're having a party!

Saturday

Oakland Walking Tours - Saturdays, 10am. Free downtown walking tours highlighting Oakland's history, architecture and people. Read about past Oakland Walking Tours. (free)

Classic Cars at JLS - Saturday, October 19, 11am-4pm. Jack London Square will showcase more than 60 vintage vehicles from the 1920s to the 1960s. Live music, too. (free)

A Taste of Oakland: Uptown Block Party - Saturday, October 19, 5-8pm. Sample dishes and cocktails from restaurants and bars in Uptown. Tickets include a taste/sample of cuisine or a signature cocktail at over 20 participating venues. Partial proceeds will benefit Youth Radio and the visual arts program at Oakland School for the Arts. (21+ to drink; $20/$30)

Autumn Lights Festival at Lake Merritt - Saturday, October 19, 6-10pm. Acres of gardens illuminated with weird and enchanting art installations created by local Bay Area artists. Read about last year's Autumn Lights. ($12.50/$25/$50)

Sunday

Native Plant Sale and Open House with Friends of Sausal Creek - Sunday, October 20, 10am-3pm. Experts will be on hand to help you pick appropriate plants for your area of Oakland. Plus live music, face painting and crafts for kids, and more. (free)

Dimond Walking Tour - Sunday, October 20, 10am-12:30pm. Join historian Dennis Evanosky for a walk through the historic Dimond district. Meet at the Boy Scout Hut in Dimond Park. (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)

Jack Glow and Fire Show - Wednesday, October 9, 6:30-7:30pm. A fusion of fire dance and flow art with fire hoopers, fire spinners and fire jugglers at Jack London Square. (free)

ongoing events:

• Oakland Walking Tours (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
• Piedmont Avenue Stroll (3rd Thursdays)
• 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)
• West Oakland Community Fair and Farmer's Market (1st Saturdays)
• Oakland Urban Paths walk (2nd Saturdays)
  
• Mt. View Cemetery Tours (2nd and 4th Saturdays)

looking further ahead:

Return of the Living Fed - Tuesday, October 24, 5:30pm. An after-hours opportunity to volunteer with the Alameda County Community Food Bank and have lots of fun at the same time! Come in costume, get free dinner from the Grilled Cheez Guy, and help out the hungry in Alameda County. (free)

Hellaween Fun Run - Saturday, October 26, 4:30pm. Come out and show off your creative side in the 2nd annual Hellaween 5K Fun Run. Prizes for best costume. Post-race beers and restaurant specials in Old Oakland follow. Read about last year's Hellaween Fun Run. ($35-$45)

Jack of All Trades Market - 2nd Saturdays starting October 12, 11am-5pm. A mix of local makers, indie designers, antiquers, collectors, artists, start-ups and more. Plus DIY workshops, live music, and local food. (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)

Fences - from the Lower Bottom Playaz - opening in November. The Lower Bottom Playaz continue working their way through August Wilson's remarkable Century Cycle.

Saint Mary's Cemetery 150th Anniversary

The other week, Saint Mary's Cemetery marked its 150th anniversary with a special ceremony and the unveiling of several new features. The day began with a mass led by Bishop Michael Barber of the Oakland diocese, who re-consecrated the cemetery grounds.

Following the mass, a beautiful new statue of the Virgin Mary was unveiled. Currently it's near the chapel in the center of the cemetery, but will be moved to near the front gate. Also unveiled was a new grave marker for the last governor of Alta California, Juan Bautista Valentin Alvarado, and his wife, Maria Martina Castro de Alvarado. Some of the most famous of St. Mary's residents, their grave was unmarked until local historian Alfred Janske re-discovered their burial location. He worked with St. Mary's Cemetery, the San Pablo Historical Society, and other groups to have a marker added.

Afterwards I talked with Janske, and learned that the first burial in St. Mary's was Mary Riley, who died December 13, 1863. Her grave is currently unmarked, but he's hoping to get a marker added. Given how far back in local history that is, and her relatively common name, finding out more about Mary's story has been difficult.

More pictures from the 150th anniversary:

Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity

Last week was the 30th annual Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity. I volunteered all 5 days, and after a weekend of mostly resting, I'm still tired. I've been more tired before, and I've been more dirty, but wowza, this is the most cumulative tiredness I can remember. And that's after numerous years of mission trips to Mexico and Habitat build-a-thons.

But it was a for a great cause, and hundreds of people in Oakland and thousands across the U.S. got together during the week to help build decent, affordable homes for people or repair the homes they already have so they can afford to stay in them. Thanks to everyone who came out to work, whether for one day or more, and to everyone who donated to help make it happen!

We now return to our irregularly scheduled working and posting. And some more resting.
Lots more pictures from the week:

Day 1 of the Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity

Today was the first day of the Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity in Oakland. This is the 30th year the Carters have been working with Habitat for Humanity. I haven't even hit 20 years yet, so their dedication to Habitat and to other projects to improve people's lives around the world is inspiring. And President Carter just turned 89 years old, so it's all the more impressive.

As you might have noticed in the picture above, I got a little dirty during today's work day. The house we're working on is between Edes and 98th Avenue, and we're tearing off the very old roof and putting on a new one. We made great progress on Ramona's house today, but it was dirty work. There are 12 new houses near the East Oakland Sports Center, plus home repairs on 8 houses nearby and a bit further afield.

The Carters will be in the South Bay tomorrow, then off to Denver, New York and New Jersey for the rest of the week. Highlights today included hearing the Carters speak again (they spoke at the opening reception at the Paramount Theatre last night), getting our house crew photo taken with them, and getting served dessert by Garth Brooks. I heard Rep. Barbara Lee was there, too, but I didn't see her.

I'll be at the project all week, so posts will be lighter this week, depending on how tired I am at the end of each day.

upcoming Oakland events

It's a First Friday, so that means First Friday events on Telegraph, and Art Murmur Uptown, Downtown, and elsewhere. But there's also the Black Cowboy Parade in West Oakland, Oaktoberfest in the Dimond, a celebration of 150 years at Saint Mary's Cemetery, and Rockridge Out and About. And since Sunday is the First Sunday, it means admission to the Oakland Museum of California is 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)

Art Murmur and First Friday - Art Murmur Uptown, Downtown, every where in town. Plus First Friday events on Telegraph. (free)

Great Wall of Oakland - Friday, October 4, 7-11pm. The Great Wall of Oakland is partnering with Chabot Space and Science Center to bring you amazing videos of space. (free)

Opening Reception for Indisputable Still Life - Friday, October 4, 6-9pm. Opening reception for the new exhibit at the Transmission Gallery. (free)

Saturday

Black Cowboy Parade - Saturday, October 5, 10am-5pm. The long-running Black Cowboy Parade, a staple of West Oakland for almost 40 years. Read about the 2011 parade. At Defremery Park, though the parade goes for a number of blocks. (free)

Oakland Walking Tours - Saturdays, 10am. Free downtown walking tours highlighting Oakland's history, architecture and people. Read about past Oakland Walking Tours. (free)

150 Year Celebration at Saint Mary's Cemetery - Saturday, October 5, 11am-noon. Saint Mary's celebrates 150 years, as the oldest operating cemetery in Oakland. (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)

Sunday

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)

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)

Tuesday

Tall Ships visit Oakland - October 8-14. The tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will be back in Oakland at JLS. Tours ($3) and battle sails ($40-$60) available. Read about a visit last year.

Wednesday

Oakland Walking Tours - Wednesday, 10am. Free downtown walking tours highlighting Oakland's history, architecture and people. Read about past Oakland Walking Tours. (free)

Jack Glow and Fire Show - Wednesday, October 9, 6:30-7:30pm. A fusion of fire dance and flow art with fire hoopers, fire spinners and fire jugglers at Jack London Square. (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:

Fences - from the Lower Bottom Playaz - opening in October. The Lower Bottom Playaz continue working their way through August Wilson's remarkable Century Cycle.

Oakland Urban Paths - Walk the Bay - Saturday, October 12, 10am. Oakland Urban Paths will join WOBO, California Walks, and Walk San Francisco to walk the new Bay Bridge trail. (free for members; $5 others)

Life is Living Festival - Saturday, October 12 at 10:00am. The annual West Oakland festival celebrating urban life through hip hop, inter-generational health and environmental action. Music, vendors, food, health screenings, skate demos and more. (free)

Jack of All Trades Market - 2nd Saturdays starting October 12, 11am-5pm. A mix of local makers, indie designers, antiquers, collectors, artists, start-ups and more. Plus DIY workshops, live music, and local food. (free)

Classic Cars at JLS - Saturday, October 19, 11am-4pm. Jack London Square will showcase more than 60 vintage vehicles from the 1920s to the 1960s. Live music, too. (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)