REPORTS

Lakeshore Park Improvements Almost Complete, Educational Features Already in Place

Help Bring World Cup Soccer to Oakland and Sign On-Line Petition

For Parents of OUSD Children - OUSD School Enrollment Now Open

Mayor’s Toy Drive - Toy Donations Still Being Taken

City Offices Closed December 24 to January 3

Gondola Ride a Special Treat Even in Winter

Urban Furniture Opens on Grand Ave

Dog Park Survey Available On-Line

Opening on Housing Residential Rent and Relocation Board

Oakland Public Library to Update all Patron Records

(Still) Looking for Residents to serve on the Redevelopment Project Area Committee

EVENTS

Thursday, December 10 and Friday, December 11	Shop "Oakland Grown" Gifts, Food, Hot Cocoa, Wine, Beer and Entertainment at the Jack London Market
Saturday, December 12	Embroidering Our Lives: Mien Women at Peralta Hacienda
Saturday, December 12, Sunday, December 13, and Saturday, December 19	Oakland Asian Cultural Center Seasonal Dishes Workshop Throughout December
Sunday, December 13	Celebrate the “Festival of Lights” - Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Splash Pad Park
Sunday, December 13	Oakland's Hiring Practices Audit: A Re-broadcast of the Rules & Legislation Committee’s Consideration and Discussion of City Auditor’s Findings, 1:00 PM, Channel 11
Tuesday, December 15	Mayor’s Toy Drive Skate Featuring San Jose Sharks Player Appearance
Wednesday, December 16	Community Meeting on Design Improvements for Lincoln Square Park
Thursday, December 17	Lake Merritt Business Association Holiday Celebration Party for Parkway Area
Friday, December 18	Holiday Open Houses from 6 to 8 pm: Shop Oakland for the Holidays
Thursday, January 7	Grand Lake Neighbors Host Discussion of Pedestrian Improvements to Take Place around Intersections of Lakeshore, Lake Park and MacArthur Blvd
Saturday, January 9	Morcom Rose Garden - Pruning the Roses
Tuesday, January 12	Bus Rapid Transit Community Meeting at Eastside Arts Alliance

Thursday, December 10 and Friday, December 11: Shop "Oakland Grown" Gifts, Food, Hot Cocoa, Wine, Beer and Entertainment at the Jack London Market

 

5:00 pm -10:00 pm, Inside Jack London Market, 55 Harrison @ Water St. Plenty of Parking!

SHOP!
Featuring the best of local and indie gifts, art, accessories, clothing and more from Oakland Unwrapped!, Pro Arts and Oakland Grown. Choose from Oakland shops, artisans, fine artists and products that are manufactured here in Oakland! Items for just about all ages, genders and tastes.

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY!
Yummy foods, hot cocoa, coffee, tea, wine, from local restaurants and food producers. And beer! This is the official launch of the new East Bay Express Beer - Bleeding Heart Lager, brewed down the street at Linden Street Brewery.

ENJOY THE FESTIVITIES!
Short theatrical and music performances, DJ spinning festive tunes. Kids Zone with art activities from MOCHA, and movies. Gift wrapping and more.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Strengthen our local economy, and celebrate the diversity and character of our hometown. Purchases made with local indie businesses have as much as 3x the positive economic impact on our community than purchases at chain stores!!

Click here for more info.

 

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Saturday, December 12: Embroidering Our Lives: Mien Women at Peralta Hacienda

Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2465 34th Ave., 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Come enjoy a free opening celebration of Peralta Hacienda's new exhibit of beautiful photos, films, and stories of the Laotian Mien traditional artists who are a vibrant part of the Fruitvale community.

Artists will show and sell their beautiful hand-embroidered items. Also shop for holiday gifts, see exhibits, and enjoy complimentary refreshments in the Peralta House.

For more info click here.

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Saturday, December 12, Sunday, December 13, and Saturday, December 19: Oakland Asian Cultural Center Seasonal Dishes Workshop Throughout December

This series of Asian culinary workshops will focus on traditional food culture reflecting seasonal and local ingredients. The aim is to keep traditional culinary practice and food culture alive and thriving, focusing on the oral passing of knowledge and personal story telling, and fostering the kind of dialogue that only happens in the kitchen. Each workshop will be followed by lunch provided by OACC and featuring the freshly made seasonal dish.
To register, please call April Kim at OACC at 510.637.0462.

• $5-$30 donation to cover materials, no one turned away for lack of funds
• Limited to 15 participants per workshop, registration on a first come first served bases; please register at least 24 hours before the workshop, all materials provided.

For more information visit here.

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Sunday, December 13: Celebrate the “Festival of Lights” - Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Splash Pad Park (across from Grand Lake Theater)

Ceremony to begin at 4:00 pm, Splash Pad Park, Lake Park Ave and Grand Ave

December is a month of winter holiday celebrations. Among the many special events this year will be a Community-wide Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony. Traditionally, Chanukah is a celebration of a great miracle - the victory of a small, beleaguered Jewish nation over its powerful oppressors. Today, it is widely celebrated as the symbol of victory: Light over darkness, freedom over tyranny, good over evil, and right over might.

The event is sponsored and conducted by Chabad of Oakland. For more information, visit their website here or call 510.444.6770.

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Sunday, December 13: Oakland's Hiring Practices Audit Report: A Re-broadcast of the Rules & Legislation Committee’s Consideration and Discussion of City Auditor’s Findings, 1:00 PM, Channel 11

KTOP, cable channel 11, 10:00 am

There has been a lot of press coverage about Oakland's hiring practices and that coverage has included wild hyperbole and speculation as well as a some facts. If you are interested in getting an accurate perspective of what is really going on, I strongly recommend viewing this hearing of the Auditor's Report that was conducted by the City Council's Rules Committee this Thursday morning, December 10. You will hear the Auditor's conclusions and also some informed and thoughtful comments from other City officials. It was one of the most concise and balanced discussions of a critical policy issue that I've seen in in City Hall. As you will see, the issue is more nuance that is usually portrayed. Please take note of Council President Brunner's comments, which I thought were right on target.

I am trying to get a link to this video put on the City's website, as I think the hearing was so informative. I'm not sure they can do that, so try to watch or record it this Sunday morning, It's about 90 minutes long. I will write a summary of the issues in next month's E-News. - PK

 

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Tuesday, December 15: Mayor’s Toy Drive Skate Featuring San Jose Sharks Player Appearance

Oakland Ice Center, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, San Jose Sharks Player Appearance 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

The Mayor's Annual Toy Drive has need of toys for 4000-5000 children whose families have registered for this very special event.

Here's a way to bring joy to a child, meet a Sharks player AND skate for free. Bring a brand new toy (unwrapped) and receive one FREE general admission and skate rental. The first 100 customers to donate a wonderful new toy during this special session will receive an autograph from the visiting Sharks player! Click here for flyer.

If you can’t make this event, you can still donate a toy, bringing joy to some Oakland child. Go here for more details.

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Wednesday, December 16: Community Meeting on Design Improvements for Lincoln Square Park

6:15 pm, at the start of the Lincoln Elementary School PTA meeting (scheduled from 6:15 pm to 8:00 pm, discussion of Lincoln Square Park will be 1st item on the agenda), cafeteria at the school, 225 11th St., drinks and snacks will be provided

The City of Oakland will be hosting a series of community meetings to collect input regarding possible capital/design improvements at Lincoln Square Park. Lincoln Square has been selected by the City as a priority project for park improvements, for which the City will be applying for Proposition 84 funding. Community input will be used for the design and for the Prop. 84 Grant application. Improvements may include the demolition of the old restroom/storage shed located on the eastern end of the park and the addition of classroom or studio space to be built above the current recreation center.

We'd like to hear from you about:

• What you like about Lincoln Square Park
• What new elements and recreational opportunities you might like in a renovated park.

Please come and attend the Lincoln Elementary School’s PTA meeting to determine the future of historic Lincoln Square Park. Click here for the flyer.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:
• Edith Landrith-Robertson, Capital Improvement Project Coordinator, 238-7039
• Paul Bates, Recreation Supervisor, Office Parks and Recreation, 238-6648
• Gilbert Gong, Lincoln Recreation Center Director, 238-7738

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Thursday, December 17: Lake Merritt Business Association Holiday Celebration Party for Parkway Area

FREE, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Woody’s Laundromat, back patio area, 1841 Park Blvd

LMBA, Lotus Bloom, Oakland Police Department, Oakland Fire Fighter Random Acts and PG&E welcome you this holiday event. Come by for hot cocoa, photo booth, toys for tots with tickets (pick up from Lotus Bloom & Woody’s Café), refreshments, art activities, literary activities, free books, etc. We have special gifts for merchants and local residents. Click here for flyer.

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December 18: Holiday Open Houses from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm: Shop Oakland for the Holidays

Stroll and shop on your neighborhood retail streets! Participating businesses in the Lakeshore-Grand and many other commercial districts – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Find the perfect presents this holiday season while supporting local businesses. Expect live music, maybe refreshments, Santa and more. Enjoy a carriage ride on Lakeshore.

Most stores will be open until 8:00 p.m. Below is a listing of some of the stores in or near district 2 - click here to see more participating stores throughout Oakland. The list is growing so check back frequently.

17th Street/SOBO
Ooo la la! gift & accessories lounge

Downtown Oakland
It's A Grind Coffee House (music)

Grand Avenue
Cafe di Bartolo
Ford's Fine Furniture
Galeria Scola (music)
Miss Saigon
Silver Moon
Smart Herbs & Teas
Walden Pond Books

Lakeshore
Adventure Toys and Learning
Beauty Center
Center Stage West
Izek Hair Salon
Juniper Tree
L?Amyx Tea Bar
Lanesplitter Pizza
Mezze
New Fangles
Rose Quartz
Silver Lining Jewelry
Sway (music)
Yogurt Deluxe

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Thursday, January 7: Grand Lake Neighbors Host Discussion of Pedestrian Improvements to Take Place around Intersection of Lakeshore, Lake Park and MacArthur Blvd

7:00 p.m., Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, 3534 Lakeshore Avenue ( Family Room)
Please submit landscape design comments in advance (details below).

Not quite two years ago, the Grand Lake Traffic Calming Committee went public with its proposals for pedestrian safety improvements on Lakeshore Avenue at Lake Park. See article in the Grand Lake Guardian. The City of Oakland's traffic engineers with additional input from AC Transit used the GLTCC recommendations as the starting point for plans that culminated in a major grant from ACTIA. See the previous E-News report. With additional funding from AC Transit, Measure DD, and discretionary funding from Councilmembers Pat Kernighan and Ignacio De La Fuente, a total of $1.2 million is budgeted for a project that is scheduled to begin construction early in 2011.

The Lakeshore Complete Streets Project, as it’s now called, consists of three basic elements as shown in these plans.

• The first element calls for a widened sidewalk on Lake Park to better accommodate the AC Transit bus stop and create a more pedestrian-friendly connection between Grand and Lakeshore.
• The second element calls for a sidewalk bulb-out on Lakeshore at MacArthur that will shorten the crosswalk and slow down drivers turning right onto the freeway entrance.
• The third element will relocate the existing crosswalk on Lakeshore at the freeway off ramp; create a new bus stop replacing the one under the freeway; and create a pedestrian/transit plaza by expanding the existing traffic island at the corner of Lakeshore, Rand and Lake Park.

This is how the City Transportation Services Department describes the intended benefits:
The Lakeshore Complete Streets project improves pedestrian safety in the Lakeshore Avenue / Lake Park Avenue vicinity. The proposed roadway reconfiguration will result in additional pedestrian space and the opportunity to enhance the northeast corner of the Lakeshore / Lake Park intersection.

The next step in the planning process is to formulate a landscape design that will include plants, street furniture and other amenities. To this end, the City has contracted with Sasaki Associates to provide landscape design services.

The community will have an opportunity to hear about various landscape design options for the new pedestrian spaces and provide more input on January 7 as the Grand Lake Neighbors (in conjunction with the Grand Lake Traffic Calming Committee) host a 7:00 pm community meeting in the Family Room at Lakeshore Baptist Church.

In advance of the January 7 meeting, Joanna Fong, Sasaki's landscape architect assigned to this project, has invited comments from members of the Grand Lake community that will help her shape her initial, public presentation. Your comments should be focused on answering these specific questions:

How do you want to use the specific pedestrian areas (i.e., what function or activity do you envision for these spaces, particularly the pedestrian plaza at Lakeshore, Rand and Lake Park)? What would you like to see improved at the project intersections (thinking in terms of street furniture, landscape architecture, and landscaping)? What varieties of plantings would you like to see more of in these locations?

Please email your comments by Monday, Dec 14 to Joanne Karchmer here.

 

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Saturday, January 9: Morcom Rose Garden - Pruning the Roses

Morcom Rose Garden, 700 Jean Street (off Grand Avenue) – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Come be part of preparing the rose bushes for next year’s blooms. Lessons in how to prune from the City’s gardening staff and East Bay Rose Society members plus workshops on entomology, and making rose hips jelly, salve and tea.

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Tuesday, January 12: Bus Rapid Transit Community Meeting at Eastside Arts Alliance

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Eastside Arts Alliance, 2277 International Blvd, Oakland

Oakland is preparing its recommendation for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system running through the heart of the East Bay from San Leandro through Oakland to Berkeley. Throughout the month of January the City will be seeking the input of Oakland residents on what they want to see from the Bus Rapid Transit program and how they want this new service to run through their communities. This process will culminate in the submittal of Oakland's Locally Preferred Alternative to AC Transit to be included in the range of options they consider when they build the BRT system.

What is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

Bus Rapid Transit is set of improvements to Bus service which will make the Bus run like a light rail or street car without rails. This means:

• Level Boarding: No more climbing stairs into the Bus.
• Pre-paid Tickets: Buy your ticket while you wait instead of at the front of the Bus.
• All-Doors Boarding: Board the bus at any door and leave the bus at any door.
• Dedicated Lane in most locations: The bus gets its own lane so no more waiting in traffic on the bus.
• Permanent Stations: The bus stops at a station with a shelter instead of at a pole on the sidewalk. Bus stops won't move and waiting for the bus is comfortable.

For more info go here.

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REPORTS

Lakeshore Park Improvements Almost Complete, Educational Features Already in Place

After months of construction, the Lakeshore Avenue-El Embarcadero improvements are almost complete. Weather permitting, the project should be completed in a month or so. There are three major items and lots of little items left to do. The big ones are: striping of lanes on Lakeshore near E.18th St, which awaits further work on the road surface; installing of benches along the lake’s edge; and landscaping of the median island in Lakeshore at El Embarcadero. Once all the work is finished, plans will get underway to celebrate the completion of another Measure DD-funded project.

Design features of the new parkland provide interesting information about Lake Merritt. Do you know your watershed address? In Oakland, with its many creeks, it’s hard to answer that question. If you live in the Grand Lake District, you’ll find clues in the walkways between the Pergola and El Embarcadero. The names of the major creeks entering the lake at the Pergola are stamped in the walkways. Bushy Dell Creek and Pleasant Valley Creek enter the lake on the Grand Avenue side, and Wildwood Creek and Trestle Glen/Indian Gulch Creeks on the Lakeshore Avenue side.

Oakland history buffs will be interested in the short concrete stacks that are amenities in the new parkland at the Pergola and around the Municipal Boat House. These indicate the location of the shoreline of the slough, which became Lake Merritt after the 12th Street dam was built in 1869 at the southern end near the Kaiser Convention Center.

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Help Bring World Cup Soccer to Oakland and Sign On-Line Petition

We are excited to hear that the City of Oakland’s proposal to the USA Bid Committee as a potential Host City for the FIFA (Federation International de Football Association) World Cup Soccer Events in 2018 or 2022 has advanced to the next round. This is our opportunity to potentially host one of the largest sporting events in the world!

You can demonstrate your support for Oakland as a potential Host City and help bring the World Cup back to the United States by signing the bid petition. Go online today here. You will be asked for your Oakland or closest East Bay zip code, which will be credited as a vote for our city. We know that passion for soccer – and Oakland -- runs high here – so let’s put it to work for our country and the Oakland/East Bay region!

As a Host City, Oakland would attract tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world and project a lasting favorable image to a vast global audience. Not to mention all the great soccer that would be played right here in Oakland!

Oakland was initially invited to submit based on the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum having met strict FIFA requirements as a world class venue and facility. Oakland is currently being considered among 27 potential host cities throughout the United States. The City will be making a formal presentation to the USA Bid Committee at the Host City Workshop in New York early November.

By the end of this year, the USA Bid Committee will announce a final list of 18 host cities to be included in the Final United States Bid Application that will be submitted to FIFA in May 2010.

The United States will be competing against other potential Host Nation countries such as Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Netherlands/Belgium,
Portugal/Spain, Qatar and South Korea. FIFA’s 24-member Executive Committee will select a final Host Nation in December 2010.

Let’s go Oakland/East Bay – bring the FIFA World Cup™ to the United States. Please go here and vote for Oakland!

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For Parents of OUSD Children - OUSD School Enrollment Now Open

For information about the Oakland Unified Options process, by which parents enroll their children in Oakland public schools, click here for the flyer. The open enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year began December 7 and closes January 15.

Also check out a great video about OUSD here.

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Mayor’s Toy Drive - Toy Donations Still Being Taken

Please help make this holiday season a happy one for 4000-5000 of Oakland’s kids from low income families by providing new, unwrapped, non-violent toys or by making a tax deductible* donation. The cash donation will help fill in the gaps (typically presents for older girls).

You can drop toys off at the following locations and during some of Oakland great holiday events.

All Oakland Fire stations
City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Oakland Police Headquarters, 455 7th Street
Oakland Police Eastmont Substation, 2651 73rd Avenue
Oakland Public Library Main, 125 14th Street
Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd.
Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road,
Oakland Ice Center, 519 18th Street
Lions Center for the Blind, 3834 Opal Street
Port of Oakland, 30 Water Street
Bench and Bar, 510 17th Street

You can send donations to:
Mayor’s Community Toy Drive
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94609

For more info please call the toy drive hotline 777-TOYS
*Our tax identification numbers are: 94-6000-384 (Federal) and 800-3838-4 (State)

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City Offices Closed December 24 to January 3

All City offices except essential services, notably police and fire, will be closed from Thursday, December 24 through Sunday, January 3, re-opening on Monday, January 4.

December 24, 25 and January 1 are City holidays. December 28 – 31 are Mandatory
Business Closure days, also known as furlough days, necessary because of the decrease in
revenues to the City.

All branches of the City’s libraries will be closed during this period. Patrons are asked not to return books during this time. The drop boxes fill fast. Books left outside or in drop boxes so overstuffed that their doors won’t close can be damaged by rain. To protect the books your borrowed, plan on returning them after the libraries re-open.

If you need to report an emergency situation to Public Works, call the OPD non-emergency number at(510.777.3211. Dispatchers will direct your call.

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Gondola Ride a Special Treat Even in Winter

Most of us have admired the beautiful Venetian gondolas on Lake Merritt and appreciated the international panache that they bring to our city, but how many of us have actually booked a cruise on them? I finally decided to do that after I saw the gondola and gondolier docked at the Lake Chalet Restaurant in the restored boathouse one beautiful evening in October. It was a really fun, and surprisingly relaxing experience, and I recommend it as a special treat for you or your visiting relatives over the holidays.

Gondolier Angelina Sandri says that winter is one of the best times to ride the gondola. Make a reservation on their website www.gondolaservicio.com and then bundle up for a romantic cruise!

My husband and I took the 50 minute cruise, which costs $65. The nighttime cruise was even better than I imagined. The little couch that you sit in is soft and super-comfortable and the gliding of the gondola on the water is like floating on clouds. It was amazingly relaxing. Angelino can sing Italian songs to you and you can bring wine or champagne if you like. A ride in the gondola could make a very nice holiday gift!



A view from the gondola at night

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Urban Furniture Opens on Grand Ave

A new used furniture store has opened on Grand Avenue, which has as its mission job training for low-income, single moms who are trying to re-enter the workforce. Urban Furniture is a project of Urban University, a non-profit organization that delivers workforce training and coaching. They recently opened the store at 3241 Grand Avenue, (the former location of Discount Mattresses). They are very happy to receive donations of clean and saleable used furniture.

Founded in 1998, Urban University is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that concentrates its efforts on workforce enhancement. They are building upon the success of their Moms at Work and WorkSmart programs by establishing Urban Furniture as a business enterprise platform to offer supportive employment to individuals who experience barriers to workplace readiness, coaching and access to a college education.

All purchased items are sold tax free and all donations receive a tax donation receipt letter as well as free pickup! All store proceeds go to fund the employment and education of single mothers transitioning from welfare. Call 510.835.3165 or stop by for more information. Tracy, who runs the store and is the trainer, is a delightful person. Stop by and chat with her when you're on Grand Avenue.

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Dog Play Survey Available On-Line

Share your thoughts about the possibility of a dog play area on the green median that is bordered by Park Blvd., E. 22nd St, 5th Ave. and E. 21st. Last summer nearby residents proposed creating a fenced, off-leash dog area located in the southern third of the green space nearest E. 21st. (see map here). I held a community meeting on the topic on June 25 and about 20 people attended. Strong opinions both for and against were voiced.

Mindful that dog areas on urban green space are often controversial, I wanted to let more neighbors have an opportunity to voice their opinion before the City takes any action on the idea. I have prepared a survey here in an effort to reach a broader audience on this topic. In the survey I ask about three alternatives for that space: 1) status quo--no dogs allowed; 2) a fenced dog play area, and 3) dogs on leash allowed, but no fence.

It's a quick survey that should take no more than a few minutes. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. All submissions are anonymous. Thank you.

Here is some information about the current rules pertaining to dogs in Oakland:

1. Current law as it pertains to dogs in parks (see ordinance)
2. Pooper Scooper requirement (see OMC O6.04.070 )
3. Enforcement – This issue first came to my attention because people who were permitting their dogs to be off-leash in the open area near Park Blvd and Fifth Ave. were being cited and receiving very substantial fines. Given the lack of available space to exercise a dog in our urban parks, I do not agree that the fines should be as high as they are. I am willing to work on changing the fine structure. For current structure click here.
4. Process required to establish a fenced dog area in any City park area. Go here, to page 109.

 

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Opening on Housing Residential Rent and Relocation Board

There are currently several openings on the Housing Residential Rent-Relocation Board. Board members play an important role in resolving disputes between landlords and tenants in the City of Oakland. Board members also ensure that Oakland’s renter-protection measures are implemented and they play an active role in recommending new policies.
If you are interested in housing rights and want to become more involved in your city, this could be a good volunteer position for you.

To find out more about the Housing Residential Rent-Relocation Board and to get information for how to apply to be a member, please contact Steve Kasdin at 510.238.2980 or email him here.

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Oakland Public Library to Update all Patron Records

Beginning December 11, the Oakland Public Library will ask all of its patrons to update or confirm their library record. All patrons checking out material will be asked for current address and contact information, which may cause a somewhat slower check-out process but ultimately will result in expanded library services. While re-registering their accounts, patrons can opt for receiving phone or email notifications three days prior to due dates for materials they have checked out. Patrons who have placed holds on materials can also opt to receive phone or email notification when those items become available.

Here’s what patrons need to know, and what they need to do:

• Re-registration begins December 11, 2009;
• All patrons with Library Cards must visit a Library in person to re-register their card;
  photo ID with current address is required;
• If address on photo ID is not current, a recent bill or postmarked letter with current address is required;
• A parent’s ID is acceptable for children, but child must be present;
• Without address verification, patrons will be limited to checking out two (2) items at a time until verification can be completed;
• After March 1, 2010, access to online services and access to the Internet will not be available to any patron who has not verified their card;
• Details, including a listing of all libraries, are available at here.

As part of the program to update its patron database, beginning March 1, the Library will purge records of patrons who have not checked out library material since November 1, 2006. After March 1, anyone who hasn’t re-registered and hasn't used their library card in the past three years will need to get a new one the next time they want to check out materials or take advantage of Library programs and services.

All patron information will be protected under the California Privacy Act and will remain confidential and will not be shared.

For further information about this update call 510.238.3271 or visit the Library’s Web site here.

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(Still) Looking for Residents to serve on the Redevelopment Project Area Committee

I am looking for three District 2 residents to serve on the community board for the Central City East Redevelopment Area. To qualify to serve on the Central City East Redevelopment Project Area Committee (CCE PAC), you must live or work within the Eastlake/San Antonio subarea (click here to see the map and the boundaries of the Eastlake/San Antonio subarea). Here are the three vacancies:

• Business owner: If you own a business located in our subarea
• Tenant: If you are a renter in our subarea
• Homeowner: If you own a home in our subarea

This is a very important board because it makes recommendations on the use of roughly $68 million of tax increment funds (spread over the five year period from fiscal years 2008-2013 and four subareas, the East Lake/San Antonio area being one of the four subareas). Click here for more detailed information about the CCE PAC. In addition, the City’s Redevelopment Agency issues bonds from time to time, which may also be used to fund projects within the CCE redevelopment area.

The best way to get a feel for the workings of the CCE PAC is to attend one of its meetings. The board meets from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on the first Monday of every month at Patton University on 2433 Coolidge Ave.

If you are interested in joining a group that decides how to best allocate the millions of tax-increment dollars we have to combat blight and stimulate redevelopment in the CCE area, please get in touch with Kevin Liao on my staff here or call 510.238.7022.

 

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