Oakland Magazine Blog - October 2007

October 31, 2007

Magazine Launch Party Tomorrow

Join Oakland Magazine and sponsor Vanguard Properties for the magazine's first-ever launch party. Come enjoy food and drinks, get a sneak preview of the November issue and meet our editor Judith M. Gallman. The event is at the new Altezza, featuring 33 new luxury condominiums with views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. 6 p.m.–8 p.m. Nov. 1, free, The Altezza, 6465 San Pablo Ave., Emeryville, (510) 533-0700.

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Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 in General | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 30, 2007

Frederica von Stade Sings

Opera great and mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade sings for the fourth year at Oakland's City Center tomorrow. Shorenstein's City Center in Oakland presents another outstanding concert in its October series. All concerts are from 12 p.m.–1 p.m. at 12th Street and Broadway (near BART) in Oakland. The concert series at City Center are sponsored by Shorenstein, the merchants at City Center, Clear Channel Outdoor and Oakland Magazine. The concert is a benefit for the Sophia Project, cash donations and disposable diapers and baby wipes will be collected on behalf of the Sophia Project which serves children and families who are at risk of... Read more »

Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 in Music & Entertainment | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 29, 2007

Domestic Violence Forum Today

CITY COUNCIL FOCUSES ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUALLY EXPLOITED MINORS IN OAKLAND
 
WHAT:   Annual Report and Forum on Domestic Violence & Sexually Exploited Minors
WHERE:  Oakland City Council Chambers, One Frank Ogawa Plaza, 3rd floor
WHEN:   Noon–2 p.m., Oct. 29

WHO:   

Officer Randy White, Oakland Police Department Special Victims Unit
Sharmin Bock, Alameda County District Attorney's Office
Nadia Lockyer, Domestic Violence Collaborative
Cheri Allison, Family Violence Law Center
Alicia Perez, Safe Passages
Jean Quan, Oakland City Council
Nola Brantley, Sexually Abused and Commercially Exploited... Read more »

Posted on Monday, October 29, 2007 in Local Politics | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 26, 2007

Murder Ballads

A cold, autumn wind blows across Berkeley in the night as peace and love fade into the shadows and a darker, more sinister side of ourselves bubbles to the surface. What was
that movement in the corner of your eye that slipped away before you could turn your head?  There are footsteps that echo yours but stop just as you do. The time is nigh for
murder and despair at the: MURDER BALLADS, tomorrow!

A classic, American event featuring songs of murder, death and despair. A good time will be had by all (well almost all) featuring:

Bob Harp

The Hollyhocks

The Daisy Pushers (Read more »

Posted on Friday, October 26, 2007 in Music & Entertainment | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 25, 2007

Oakland Out Loud!

Join the Oakland Public Library tonight as it welcomes Alameda- and Oakland-based writers and poets for Oakland Out Loud! The event is sixth in a monthly series of poetry readings and open mic sessions. Tonight the event is hosted by Lucille Lang Day and based on Based on PEN Oakland's Oakland Out Loud Literary Anthology.
 
Readings by:
Maria Espinosa, Christoper Bernard
Julia Park Tracey
Adam David Miller & Gael Alock
Marek Breiger
 
The Oakland Out Loud Literary Series... Read more »

Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 in Music & Entertainment | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 24, 2007

Holiday Food Drive

Narsai David, notable Bay Area food guru, is the Honorary Chair for this year’s Alameda County Community Food Bank's holiday food drive, which runs through Jan. 31. The Food Bank’s goal is to collect 750,000 pounds of food this holiday season to help feed the 40,000 people it serves each week. “Demand is up and food acquisition is down,” says Suzan Bateson, executive director of the Food Bank. “It’s vital that we collect enough food this holiday season to feed the thousands of low-income children and adults who rely on us. We hope to inspire more community groups to organize food drives this year.”

Canned meats and fish, peanut butter, powdered milk, canned stew, dried beans, rice,... Read more »

Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 in General | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 23, 2007

Jack London Market

Oakland's new Jack London Square Market came one step closer to reality yesterday. Promising a public bazaar to rival the Ferry Building in San Francisco or the Pike Place Market in Seattle, developers and city leaders broke ground Monday on the much-anticipated Jack London Market, the cornerstone of efforts to rejuvenate Oakland's historic waterfront, the Oakland Tribune reported today. Formerly dubbed Harvest Hall, the six-story Jack London Market will be constructed on the Embarcadero between Webster and Harrison streets, across from the Amtrak station. Expected to be completed by early 2009, the new market will occupy 170,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and office space. The first floor... Read more »

Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 in General | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 22, 2007

Smoking Ban Confusion

The Oakland City Council passed a broad ban on smoking last Tuesday, the Oakland Tribune reported. The ordinance includes bans on smoking at bus stops, in ATM and movie-ticket lines, in public parks and trails and outdoor areas and at golf courses. But there still seems to be confusion among city council members in what has turned into a seemingly never-ending smoking debate. Some city council members seem unclear tha the language they approved includes a ban on smoking at public golf courses. The matter will come back for a final vote Nov. 6, but given the confusion at Tuesday's meeting, it's likely the Council members will revisit... Read more »

Posted on Monday, October 22, 2007 in Local Politics | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 19, 2007

Pull up the Covers

Lady songwriters take the stage tonight at Pull up the Covers. The event is both a regular and irregular evening of themed open-mic music at the Nomad Cafe hosted by Elizabeth August

7:30 p.m.: Enjoy a short set of music by Rooftop Rodeo (a little irregular group fronted by - huh? Elizabeth August. Coincidence, I think not). You have a tasty snack and an equally tasty beverage. You wash away the worries of the day/week. You are chillin'.

8 p.m.: Sign-up and prepare to perform a couple of songs by your favorite lady artist(s). You are continuing to chill.

9:30 p.m.: You are thoroughly chilled and satiated with fine music, company food and beverage. Time to get while the gettin's good. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay at the... Read more »

Posted on Friday, October 19, 2007 in Music & Entertainment | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 18, 2007

Oil Independent Oakland

The next Oil Independent Oakland by 2020 Task Force meeting is scheduled for tonight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Hearing Room 1, on the first floor of City Hall. You will be able to access the agenda materials on the OIO Task Force Web page.

On October 17, 2006, the Oakland City Council adopted legislation, sponsored by Councilmember Nancy Nadel, creating a Task Force to help make Oakland oil independent by 2020. The legislation was endorsed by various groups, including the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, the Oakland Apollo Alliance and Green Cities. [Press Release.]

Inspired by... Read more »

Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 in Local Politics | Permalink | Comments (0)