While there are often a lot of meetings during the third week of the month, this week, there are also a bunch of workshops, classes and lectures — not to mention those events that are nudging us toward a holiday mood with music, craft fairs and a fashion show. Enjoy!
Friday, November 15
Future Fridays at Chabot: Robert Weiss
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Boulevard
Robert Weiss is Vice Chairman and President of the X PRIZE Foundation, whose mission is to foster innovation through incentivized competition. The Foundation has active competitions in Genomics and Lunar Exploration, and is now developing X PRIZEs in Healthcare, Energy, and Exploration. Tickets are $23, or $20 for members.
Saturday, November 16
Pruning Container Trees and Shrubs
9:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
12500 Campus Drive, Room H101
This is a lecture course that covers the study of pruning container trees and shrubs in depth. Topics such as detail pruning, miniaturizing, caring, wiring and positioning will be discussed. This course is intended for students of all levels of pruning expertise. Tuition is $39. Register at http://merrittlandhort.com.
Manifesting Abundance and Prosperity
9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Port Spaces at Jack London Square, 101 Broadway
Are you a spiritual or creative person, healer or lightworker who has a challenging relationship with money? Do you have trouble making ends meet each month, find yourself juggling which bills to pay, need to negotiate payments with creditors, find yourself paying minimum balances on credit cards, panic when unexpected medical or car expenses pop up unexpectedly, find yourself worrying or losing sleep because of money issues, or wonder how you’ll manage during the upcoming holidays? Participants will learn how to release old, negative thoughts about money and prosperity, create new relationships with money through powerful guided meditations, learn practical activations to use daily, create a real vision of abundance and prosperity in life, and feel supported in this new relationship with abundance. Admission is $75. For more information, visit http://guidedchange.com/.
Neighborhood Walk
10 a.m.
Meet at 47th and Congress
Polish your walking shoes, get your dogs, kids, and best friends, and join neighbors for Melrose High Hopes‘ High and Low Steppers’ Neighborhood Walk. Meet at 47th and Congress for the round trip up 47th and down 48th. Meet other neighbors as we pass out flyers for the annual potluck and food collection. We walk in fog and drizzle; monsoon and earthquake cancels. All are welcome (you don’t have to live or work in Beat 27x).
Financial Bliss Consulting’s Sex, Money, and Power
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Terra’s Temple, 654 Oakland Avenue
What if you treated money as though it were a lover you knew the curves of, but did not take for granted — as though you were excited and turned on by how you saved, invested, and spent money? This day-long retreat invokes sensuality, intimacy, and depth in creating and manifesting financial will and living life on purpose. Participants will be doing work that explores the intersection of their own personal power, the depth of their hearts, and practical pieces about financial well-being. It’s a rare exploration of topics that most people shy away from. This event is for change makers, radicals, artists, witches, shaman, healers, holistic practitioners and other people who know that the way less traveled is the path for them. The cost of this workshop is $57. Register at http://www.financialblissblueprint.com.
California Futures Lecture Series: Geek Out!
2 – 3:30 p.m.
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street
Come “geek out” at OMCA with special guest lecturers, ranging from authors, filmmakers and artists to exhibition partner organizations, scholars, and scientists. Go on a deeper exploration of issues explored in the exhibition Above and Below: Stories From Our Changing Bay. This lecture series will include pre- and post-lecture activities such as music performances and book signings.
Green Sangha Awakened Action Tea
4 – 6 p.m.
Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Avenue
Green Sangha is proud to present guest speaker eco-philosopher Joanna Macy, Ph.D., a scholar of Buddhism, systems theory, and deep ecology. A long-respected voice for peace, justice, and the environment, Joanna interweaves her scholarship with five decades of teaching and activism on behalf of all beings. Join us for this special fundraiser event to enjoy snacks, tea and community. For more information, visit http://greensangha.org/awakened-action-tea-2013/.
Oakland Symphony Chorus Opens its 55th Season with Brahms
7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
First Covenant Church, 4000 Redwood Road
Celebrating the opening of its 55th season, Oakland Symphony Chorus and Music Director Dr. Lynne Morrow will give one performance only of Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes. For more information, visit http://www.oaklandsymphonychorus.org.
57th Street Gallery Presents “Achyutan and Barbara”
8:30 – 11 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
5701 Telegraph Avenue
Enjoy a variety of music, balanced with fresh arrangements of familiar jazz and popular standards, passion, and a rhythm section of awesomely talented and supportive musicians. This is one of the band’s many returns to 57th Street Gallery, where they always come up with a surprise or two. Musicians are Barbara Hunter, vocals/flute/saxophone; Fred Harris, piano; Ryan Lucas, bass; and Achyutan, drums. Admission is $15. For more information and to make reservations (recommended), visit www.57thStreetGallery.com.
Sunday, November 17
Winter Holiday Craft Fair
10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th Street
First Unitarian Church of Oakland invites the Bay Area community to this event, whose purpose is to raise money for the social justice and general work of the church while encouraging shoppers to support local artists and promote community during the holiday season. Likely items to be sold include jewelry, pottery, paper crafts, artwork, stocking stuffers, multicultural crafts, home decor items, beverages and food, and much more. For more information, visit http://www.uuoakland.org.
Monday, November 18
City Council District 1 Meeting on Broadway Safe Crossings
7 – 8:30 p.m.
College Preparatory School, 6100 Broadway at Brookside Avenue
The City Council District 1 office cordially invites the public to a community meeting to discuss projects on Broadway between Broadway Terrace and Keith Avenue, such as the pedestrian safety improvements funded with Caldecott Settlement Agreement funds, roadway resurfacing schedule, and installation of bike lanes, per the City’s Bicycle Master Plan. For more information, click here or contact the City’s Caldecott projects consultant, Victoria Eisen.
Tuesday, November 19
Oakland City Council and Oakland Redevelopment Agency Meeting
5:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers, Third Floor, Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza
The City Council is the governing body of the City of Oakland, and consists of eight members who are elected directly by the citizens of Oakland: one representative from each of seven districts, and one at-large representative. The Council sets goals and priorities for the City, as well as approving the city budget, adopting ordinances to help the City serve its citizens, and appointing members to various boards and commissions. The City Council meets 2 – 3 times per month, on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays. A downloadable agenda is available at http://clerkwebsvr1.oaklandnet.com/calendar. For more information, visit http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/CityCouncil or call (510) 238-7370.
Wednesday, November 20
Transgender Day of Remembrance
5:15 – 6:45 p.m.
Frank Ogawa Plaza Amphitheatre
TDOR is a day of sharing, silence, support, community and building gateways to gender awareness and sensitivity. The event will feature community speakers, elected leaders and a reading of the names of those who were killed due to anti-transgender violence.
Allendale Park NCPC Meeting
7 p.m.
Allendale Recreation Center, 3711 Suter Street
For more information about this organization’s meetings, or to get on its mailing list, please email allendale_ncpc@yahoogroups.com.
Golden Gate NCPC 10X Monthly Meeting
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Golden Gate Recreation Center, 1075 62nd Street
This monthly meeting of the Golden Gate Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council recurs on the third Wednesday of each month, except for December. For more information, or to get in touch with the organization, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NCPC-10X/cal.
Mountain Lions and Wildlife of the East Bay
7 – 9 p.m.
Oakland Public Library, Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue
Come hear wildlife biologist and naturalist Doc Hale talk about his mountain lion research. For more information, contact Kimra McAfee.
Thursday, November 21
Managing Talent for Organizational Success
7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Robert Half Company, 1999 Harrison Street, 11th Floor
How do you develop an integrated talent management plan for your company and measure the financial impact? Discover how to translate your organization’s business plan into a talent management strategy that includes phases across the employee lifecycle. Plus, learn how to use metrics to measure the financial payback from three aspects of your talent management plan: onboarding, employee engagement and talent retention. Admission is $35.
Oakland City Council Rules and Legislation Committee Meeting
10:45 a.m.
Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Hearing Room 1
The Rules and Legislation Committee usually meets at this time (although it is recommended to confirm the day and time, as this is subject to change). A downloadable agenda is available at http://clerkwebsvr1.oaklandnet.com/calendar. For more information, visit http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/CityCouncil/ or call (510) 238-7370.
Time and Stress Management for Entrepreneurs (and Everybody Else)
5 – 7 p.m.
Tech Liminal, 555 12th Street, Suite 110
Got stress? Excellent! So says Jacob Gelfand, JD, MBA. This fun and enlightening workshop will transform the way you relate and react to the pressures that you face every day as an entrepreneur, business owner, creator or employee. Register here.
Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Hearing Room 4
Oakland’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) committee was chartered in 1995 to advise the City on the design of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and related issues. Members of the public are welcome to attend all or part of any BPAC meeting. For more information, visit http://www.oaklandpw.com/Page124.aspx.
Underground Runway Presents “Civilized”
6 – 8 p.m.
Vessel Gallery, 471 25th Street
Produced by Underground Runway, a non-profit supporting local artists, this is an elegant evening of art and fashion. UGRW offers a platform for unsigned, under-recognized talent. Let this world of natural earth tones breath life into unsheathed textures. Graciously hosted by Vessel Gallery, it is a delight to surround oneself in its inspirational atmosphere, where trench coats stroll down the runway, accomplices to fine silk and embroidery. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/658685327495369/.
Holiday Craft Fair
6 – 9 p.m.
Simple Family Health, 1 Rio Vista Avenue
Simple Family Health is proud to host its First Annual Holiday Craft Fair. They will be hosting nine different craft artists who are sharing their talents just in time for this holiday season. Crafters range from jewelry artists to clothing connoisseurs. There will also be music, refreshments and fun activities for kids. For more information, visit http://www.simplefamilyhealth.com.
OSD Advisory Committee Meeting
6:30 p.m.
Hunter Hall, Paul Robeson Administrative Building, 1025 2nd Avenue
Representative parents, staff, students and community members make up the District Advisory Committee (DAC). The DAC provides a community perspective to the Board of Education and the District leadership on important educational issues. They also assure the District and individual schools are in compliance with state accountability laws. Each school appoints a representative to the DAC.
Melrose High Hopes NCPC Beat 27X Meeting
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Horace Mann School, 5222 Ygnacio
The NCPC is the main organizing group for the neighborhood. The Steering Committee, which is the NCPC leadership team, makes decisions about monthly meeting agendas and major events (e.g., speakers, priorities for OPD, elections, and projects like the Thanksgiving Food Drive, Annual Block Party, Courtland Creek Rejuvenation Project, Support for our Neighborhood School, Redevelopment on Foothill, and the like). The monthly meetings at Horace Mann School are a great opportunity to let the designated City Council Member and Community Policing Officers know about neighborhood concerns and engage them in helping the neighborhood. Visit http://www.ncpcbeat27x.org/ for updated agenda items, general information, or to get on the mailing list for future meetings.
“Pickin’ on the Potomac” Bluegrass Series
7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Dockside on board the U.S.S. Potomac, 540 Water Street
One of the top Bluegrass bands in the bay area, the Kathy Kallick Band promises an evening of “foot-stompin’ good” music. The concert is dockside on board the Presidential Yacht Potomac. Beer, wine, sodas and water will be available for purchase. Complimentary bar nibbles will also be available. Admission is $25, fully tax-deductible, as proceeds go to underwrite Potomac educational programs. For more information, visit http://www.usspotomac.org/.
To list events for the week of November 22 – 28, please submit them to meg@oaklandlocal.com by noon on Tuesday, November 19.