Oakland's Bad Girls


    Oakland, home turf of the Hells Angels, the Black Panthers and the Raiders, can now claim another rough-and-tumble group—the Outlaws.
    Unlike the others, though, these new renegades favor black fishnet stockings, sassy short skirts and roller skates. 
    Roller derby, which was created in the 1930s, enjoyed its heyday in the ’70s and pretty much died in the ’80s, is being revived across the nation—50 leagues have sprung up since 2001—and the Oakland Outlaws are among a group of fierce women who have reintroduced the Bay Area to the sport.
    This new millennium incarnation has swapped the satin shorts, coed teams and promoter-pushed theatrics for hardcore athleticism, a punk rock soundtrack and all-female squads whose members—stay-at-home moms, teachers and police officers—morph into intimidating alter egos with names like Diva Negativa, Iva Vendetta and Surly Vixen when in the rink.
    The Outlaws are just one of four teams that make up the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls, a grassroots, full-contact roller derby league that organized in 2004. The teams have been skating to sold-out events in Oakland ever since with many of the 1,200 spectators mirroring the skaters’ fondness for piercings and tattoos.
    The nine-game 2006 season ended on a brisk September night with a grudge match between the Outlaws and their league rivals, the San Francisco ShEvil Dead. Inside a barebones East Oakland roller hockey rink, hyped derby fans chanted, “Oakland! Oakland!’’ as Pabst beer flowed.
    The Outlaws were at a disadvantage: Two top skaters had quit days before. “As I was driving to the game I felt like I was going into a slaughter,’’ says Outlaw Janine Pohorski, a therapist known as Racey Lane in the rink. “I thought, ‘Oh, God, I hope I don’t end up in the hospital.’ ”
    No one holds a grudge over the many busted teeth, broken arms and torn ligaments—for long. It’s a love of the game that keeps them on skates despite the brutal injuries, grueling practice schedule and no pay.
    “At the end of day I have to keep telling myself to look back at where we started,’’ says Outlaw Holly Terror, who by day is Mia Souza, a 28-year-old nanny. “To see the number of people who come to our bouts and to see what we did all by ourselves—the work, pain, blood, sweat and tears—we all did it together.”
    For more information about the B.A.D. Girls and the upcoming 2007 season, go to
www.bayareaderbygirls.com.
—Thaai Walker

OAKLAND MADE

Mod Scientist

    Janine Morales made the transition from biologist to accessories designer in September 2003 when she traded in her test tubes for fabric scraps and began making an eponymous collection of women’s handbags from her Concord kitchen.
    Morales says her career change seemed only natural at the time, since she wanted to pursue something “less critical, less quantitative and more forgiving” than her former work at Emeryville’s Bio.com and DNAX Research Institute in Palo Alto. “I asked myself why I never pursued or even considered a career in design,” recalls Morales, who had no professional textile experience prior to launching the Janine Marie (her middle name) handbag line. “I used to sew as a child, and I’ve always been inspired by fabrics and textiles. After thinking about that a lot, I decided it was now or never.”
    After successful product tests at the Union Street and Fillmore Street festivals in San Francisco, Morales moved her growing company to an Oakland studio in 2005. It is there that she expresses her penchant for beautiful prints and soft textures through hobo- and messenger-style handbags, chenille satchels and belted bags, which come with an interchangeable sash that can also be worn around the waist. Morales insists that the studio, with its polished concrete floors, high ceilings and exposed brick walls, is highly conducive to creative experimentation. “I make a lot of comparisons between design and science,” she says. “The possibilities are open ended.”
    Those possibilities are also growing at lightening speed. In the past year, the bags—
formerly carried by a mere 12 stores—have been picked up by retailers in close to 50 U.S. locations, including Relish at Home in Berkeley (2703 Seventh St., No.112, 510-981-9400). The Janine Marie line is also available by appointment at Morales’ studio (1150 55th St., Suite C, 877-751-6063) and online at www.janine-marie.com.
—Stephanie Simons

IN THE SCENE

Six Degrees of Separation

    Albany’s 6 Degrees on Solano may be an exceptionally spacious restaurant, but it draws its popularity from small plates and a “small world” concept.
    The name is based on the Six Degrees of Separation mathematical theory, which claims that all humans are linked to each other through a chain of five acquaintances. And the bustling scene manages to live up to such romantic notions.
    “The theory has come to fruition on several different occasions,” says co-owner Massimo Brofferio. “Every so often you’ll hear a scream and realize it’s coming from two people who have mutual acquaintances or haven’t seen each other in years.”
    A cozy interior featuring cherry wood tables, burgundy carpets and chocolate-
colored walls sets a relaxed mood, making it popular among couples and wedding parties. Flattering candlelight also manages to make your date look fabulous while scarfing down grilled swordfish, Portobello mushrooms or wasabi ahi salad—or while knocking back the bar’s House 6 Cosmo (two servings for the price of one).
    Brofferio and his partner, Bebe Bertolet, both from Berkeley, talked about opening a restaurant for five years before making it a reality in January 2006. To keep the fervent regulars of the building’s former tenant, Albany Bistro, they kept a few of its dishes, such as pistachio-crusted lamb and deep-fried avocado. “Many of the dishes were very good, so we kept them but changed them to fit our international theme,” says Brofferio, formerly the executive chef for Hilton International in the Far East.
    As is to be expected, the resulting menu of small plates and larger entrees (what Brofferio refers to as California cuisine with plenty of international influence) has managed to earn its own following of regulars, many of them traveling from all over the East Bay just to partake in the venison chops.
    And although staff is hesitant to predict whether or not this is the place diehard romantics will discover their soul mates, mathematic odds insist you may very well meet “a friend of a friend.”
    6 Degrees on Solano, 1403 Solano Ave., (510) 528-1237, www.sixdegrees6.com.
—Stephanie Simons

ABOUT A BULL RIDER

Urban Cowboy

    Most people wouldn’t consider being twisted, spun, thrown and crushed by a 2,000-pound animal “instant stress relief,” but that’s what bull riding is to Kevin Willis. The East Oakland native has been riding since he was 18, and credits the sport for keeping him off the streets and out of trouble. “It was sort of like therapy for me,” says Willis, 28. “It made life easier just being around the [animals].”
    Willis’ interest in livestock began during childhood trips to Golden Gate Fields. He considered becoming a veterinarian, and through a youth employment program, was placed at the city-owned Wildcat Canyon Ranch. There, he met his first bull, Spike. “I rode him all the way over to the other side of the arena, jumped off, landed on my feet, and was hooked,” says Willis, who walked on to the West Hills Community College bull riding squad and was eventually made captain.
    After years of riding in Pro-Am rodeos and open events, Willis finally earned his pro permit in 2002, placing fourth in his first pro rodeo. To provide for his two young children and pay for his rodeo expenses, which can run as high as $40,000 a year, he works as a supervisor for a freight company. Willis had his best year in 2004, finishing 19th in the all-around standings and 13th in bareback on pro rodeo’s California Circuit.
    As one of the nation’s few African-American riders, Willis has seen his share of racism on the circuit. He’s been unfairly judged, placed on bulls nobody wanted to ride and made the victim of pranks. But he says all that only made him a stronger rider. “Now I’m known and respected by so many people as a person and an athlete that it’s no longer whispers or funny jokes,” he says. “It’s like a family. It’s a blessing.”
—Sarah Thurmond

New Parks for Pooches

    Pet lovers and their canines will soon have something to bark about. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Oakland Dog Owners Group, or O’Dog, and members of the Oakland City Council, two new dog parks are slated to debut this spring. The first puppy playground, located on the Lakeside Park waterfront (468 Perkins St., 510-444-4684), will be encircled by a 3-foot-wide butterfly garden, which has earned the new space the affectionate nickname “Butterdog Park.” The Joaquin Miller Park location (3590 Sanborn Drive, 510-482-7849) offers access to flat, fenced areas, on-leash hiking trails and separate spaces for large and small dogs.
    For co-founder Nancy Reiser and the other members of O’Dog, the struggle to create more dog-friendly areas in Oakland has been a true labor of love—and a test of perseverance. “This has been an eight year process,” exclaims Reiser, “that’s 54 dog years!”            
—Lauren Boyle

Cerrito Paradiso

    The original Cerrito Theater opened on Christmas Day, 1937, with a screening of Thin Ice, starring Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power. It closed in the 1960s and remained that way until 2001, when some curious El Cerritans discovered a cinematic treasure trove while poking around inside the abandoned theater. Unsullied despite decades of disuse, the elegant etched blue glass and art deco mirrors were still intact, as were the mysterious murals depicting scenes from Greek mythology, their creator’s name lost to the mists of time.
    The city, anxious to resurrect the once-grand theater, contacted Kyle and Catherine Fischer, owners of the Parkway Speakeasy Theater in Oakland, but, says Catherine Fischer, “We weren’t in a position to do anything about it.” A community group then formed to raise funds and awareness about the Cerrito Theater Project, but it took years of balancing industry standards, budgetary constraints and historical landmark requirements to open the theater’s doors again.
    The two-screen Cerrito Speakeasy Theater finally opened in November. And while there were no dishes given away—as in its original heyday—the theater is catering to the community with family nights, Baby Brigades (movie nights for babies under 1 and their socially deprived parents) and Thrillvilles (cult movie cabaret with films from the drive-in days).
    And, there’s more to come. “I’ve spent most of my time in El Cerrito at City Hall at planning meetings,” says Catherine Fischer, “so I haven’t gotten to talk much to the people in El Cerrito to find out what rocks their world. The rest will depend on what the citizens of El Cerrito seem to want.”
    Catch your next flick at the Cerrito Theater, 10070 San Pablo Ave., (510) 814-2400, www.cerritospeakeasy.com.                       
—Stefanie Kalem

Celebrating Oakland Artists

    Playwright and writer Jerry Thompson says the genesis of his forthcoming image-laden book, Black Artists in Oakland, was his love of the Pointer Sisters. “The music possessed me,” he says, “and the lyrics always spoke of their connection to Oakland.”
    After moving to the lyrical East Bay city from New York, Thompson immersed himself in the extensive history of Oakland’s black artists. “People felt at home here,” says Thompson. “The nurturing energy was here—it was the African-American connection.”
    Inspired, he and collaborator Duane Deterville compiled and wrote a book on the subject, to be published by Arcadia Publishing in February, Black History Month. Black Artists in Oakland showcases African-American artists of every stripe, including authors J. California Cooper and Alice Walker; visual artists Arthur Monroe and Raymond Saunders; musicians Ronnie Steward and, of course, the Pointer Sisters; and dancer Ruth Beckford, who graces the book’s cover.
    Their quest for photographs led them to some unusual donors. “Half came from the African American Museum and Library [at Oakland] and 45 percent came from knocking on doors, e-mailing, somebody saying, ‘Oh, you should talk to so-and-so; they have the stories and the pictures,’ ” Thompson says. One woman had photos of jazz musicians dating back to the 1950s, and another photographer, Kamau Amen Ra, had photos of just about everything. “It was as if we just opened up the treasure chest,” says Thompson. “He made it his life’s work to go to every opening.”
    Celebrate the launch of Black Artists in Oakland at the Cody’s Books (1730 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-559-9500) at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 with an event featuring a retrospective of Beckford’s career and live jazz from local musicians.
—Elise Proulx

DIALOGUES

Lori Fogarty - Arts Advocate

By Gina Fawal Jaber     In January 2006, Lori Fogarty was named executive director of the Oakland Museum of California. A year later, Fogarty, a former director of the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito and senior deputy director at SFMOMA, sat down with Oakland Magazine to discuss the museum’s $50 million renovation, her goals for the future and her struggles on canvas.
    What attracted you to the Oakland Museum, a museum devoted entirely to the art, history and nature of California?
    I’ve lived in California for 25 years and have always had a strong affinity for the state and its art. This hometown museum appealed to me very much.
    In what way have your experiences at the Discovery Museum in Sausalito and SFMOMA helped you in your present position?
    SFMOMA has a dynamic exhibition program, and the Discovery Museum is an educational and family-learning center. Oakland is really a combination of both—it seemed like a natural fit for me.
    What challenges have you faced as the new director?
    In 2002, Measure G passed, which is a bond that is earmarked to help fund the renovation of our museum. I want to move forward with the capital project and not let it stall any longer. Galvanizing the project and delivering on it is my aim.
    When do you anticipate reaching your objective?
    We are facing a $50 million capital project. Close to half of that figure comes from Measure G. If all goes as planned, fall of 2009 is when we hope to reopen the art and history galleries.
    Where do you see the museum in five years?
    I see it as an even stronger and more dynamic community forum. I’d like to see, on a daily basis, the same vitality that we have with our Day of the Dead community celebration.
    The Oakland Museum is known to be a kid-friendly environment. Do you think enough schools in the area take advantage of the facility?
    Right now we have about 50,000 students a year who come on field trips. Many of those come for the fourth-grade gold rush curriculum. Our goal is to increase participation by Oakland public schools by at least 10 percent.
    Which dream exhibitions would you like to see brought to the museum?
    I would love to see an exhibition on California railroads, which very much impacted our state’s history and development of land. I would also like to see us exhibit some great California contemporary artists in all different mediums. So many talented artists are emerging throughout the state.
    What you would like the Oakland residents to know about you?
    That I, too, am a part of this community and am raising my family here. I am open to ideas and want our museum to be a very welcoming place for everyone to visit.
    Do you frequent other museums for fun?
    Definitely. My love of museums is how I got into this! I go whenever I can, wherever I am. To me, museums take us to a different level.  It’s a place that helps us to slow down and stop and think.
    Do you paint as a hobby?
    Oh, no. I can barely draw. My 4-year-old daughter can already out draw me on butterflies and rainbows.