Sure, we have our share of meetings this week, but what a lot of celebrations, too! Anniversaries, homages to bacon and beer, art openings… spring may not quite have sprung yet, but that urge to celebrates definitely there. Enjoy!
Friday, March 7
Sam W. Grant’s “Double Vision” Opens
6 – 10 p.m.
Loakal Art Gallery, 560 2nd Streetcars
Sam W. Grant will be presenting a new series of paintings and photographs at this event. Until now, he has treated his painting and photography as separate practices, and this will be his first time showing them together. There is a lot of aesthetic overlap between the two, including a retro-inspired color palette with a nostalgic feel and emphasis on architectural and design elements. While his paintings are more surreal, the photos have a slightly more documentary approach despite being highly stylized. For more information, visit www.ebxloakal.com.
The New Parkway’s “First Friday Shorts” Showcases Films from the San Francisco International Women’s Film Festival
6 p.m.
474 24th Street
SFIWFF 2014 opens with a compelling lineup of short films crafted by local San Francisco Bay Area female filmmakers. The film screening is in collaboration with First Friday Shorts, a free monthly screening of short films from local media arts community organizations held at The New Parkway Theater on First Fridays to highlight the diversity of perspectives and voices in the Bay Area. Click here for more information.
Ceasefire Oakland/LifeLines to Healing Night Walk
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Boulevard
The City of Oakland and local faith-based organizations are continuing neighborhood Night Walks on Fridays as a way community members can get involved in Operation Ceasefire. These walks are organized by residents and faith leaders in areas where Ceasefire is focused. Volunteers are trained in advance and are accompanied by other volunteers for the duration of the walk. The purpose of the Night Walk is to reach out to communities affected by violence. For more information, email fridaycommunitynightwalks@gmail.com.
Art Reception and Opening Party for “In Retrospect”
5 – 11:30 p.m.
VAMP, 19th Street
“In Retrospect” is a group art show featuring artists work from VAMP’s first year of shows. Festivities start at 5 p.m. with guest DJs until 8 p.m. Then the program shifts to live music, in-store, by Oakland Future Trio, followed by a final guest DJ. The customer appreciation sale going on all weekend features everything in the store (other than the art) at 15% off.
Saturday, March 8
Three Corners Neighborhood Group Saturday Neighborhood Cleanup
9 – 10 a.m.
The corner of 66th and San Pablo
It’s the second Saturday of the month: time for a Saturday neighborhood cleanup! Join neighbors to walk the block and pick up the trash that’s accumulated. Bring a pair of gloves and a trash bag and meet up. It’s a great way to meet neighbors and make things cleaner, too! For more information, visit groups.yahoo.com/group/ThreeCornersNeighborhoodgroup/cal.
Vintage Mart and Customer Appreciation Sale
11 a.m.
VAMP, 331 19th Street
Festivities start off with Vintage Mart, a pop-up mini flea market, and special guest DJs all day, rotating each hour! The day kicks off with The Souleros Ball Revue spinning sweet soul/lowrider oldies. Also featured will be special guest DJ, Ge-Ology, a top notch producer/DJ who has worked with Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Jill Scott and De La Soul, to name a few! Ge-O will be taking to the decks at 5 p.m. for a special 2-hour set, followed by live music by Planes of Satori. The customer appreciation sale going on all weekend features everything in the store (other than the art) at 15% off.
City Chickens 101
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Pollinate Farm and Garden, 2727 Fruitvale Avenue
Need chicken advice? New to chickens? Chicken curious? Join us for City Chickens 101 with Allison Lindquist, East Bay SPCA President and CEO. Discover how easy it is to raise chickens in your own backyard! Chickens not only make entertaining and fun companions, they come with the added benefit of great tasting eggs and a constant supply of fertilizer! Topics will include breed selection, feeding, coop requirements, daily care, common issues, and caring for chicks. Pollinate will also have a variety of popular chick breeds available. Register online. Admission is $5 – $15 Sliding Scale, with no one turned away for lack of funds.
Jack of All Trades Market
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Jack London Square, foot of Broadway
A curated mix of local makers, indie designers, antiquers, collectors, artists, start-ups and more participate in this eclectic market featuring one-of-a-kind items, live music and several free DIY workshops for all ages. For more information, visit www.jacklondonsquare.com.
Oakland’s International Womyn’s Day Festival
12 – 6 p.m.
Uptown Runway, 1635 Broadway
International Womyn’s Day is a holiday that focuses on creating political and social awareness of the global struggles women face. This year’s theme is “Resilience within Struggle,” honoring those who maintain strength in order to fight against injustice. People of all or no genders are welcome at this festival. Come out to celebrate the amazing musicians, poets and dancers in our beloved community! Click here for more information.
Seed Swap
1 – 2 p.m.
Dimond Branch Library,
3565 Fruitvale Avenue
It’s time for spring planting! As you plan your garden, join your neighbors for a seed swap. Please bring seeds you’d like to share in a paper envelope with the name of the seed, the date the seed was collected, and the location where it was collected. Permaculturist Carmen Cortez will be available to answer questions about seeds and planting.
57th Street Gallery Presents The Herbert Mims Quartet
8:30 – 11 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
5701 Telegraph Avenue
Herbert Mims is joined by a talented and seasoned all-star cast for this must-see show! Musicians are Herbert Mims, Jr., alto and soprano saxophone; Graham Bruce, trumpet/flugelhorn; Terry Rodriguez, piano; Terry Hilliard, bass; Leon Joyce, Jr., drums; Linda Livingston, percussion; and guest vocalist Helen Bernard Gray. Admission is $15. For more information or to make reservations (recommended), visit www.57thStreetGallery.com.
Sunday, March 9
Customer Appreciation Sale and Anniversary Celebration
noon
VAMP, 19th Street
Sunday continues the celebration with a few more guest DJs from noon until 3 p.m., followed by The Jesus Rehab and Julia Massey & The Five Finger Discount treating us to their sweet rock and roll sounds, brought to us all of the way from Seattle! The customer appreciation sale going on all weekend features everything in the store (other than the art) at 15% off.
Edible Art Show Opening Reception
1 p.m.
Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Avenue
This Edible East Bay event features the work of a dozen artists who have had their art in local publication. Food samplings include Niles Pie, Two Mammas’ Vegan Kitchen, Jam On, Mollie Rose Baking Company, and Brown Dog Mustard Co., with live music by Little Spike. For more information, visit edibleeastbay.com.
Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop
1 – 3 p.m.
Pollinate Farm and Garden, 2727 Fruitvale Avenue
In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the “hows” and “whys” of fruit tree grafting. After learning some basic theory about tree culture, techniques and tools, participants will head out to the Pollinate orchard and learn to “topwork” an established cherry plum tree. Each student will leave with a premium bare-root fruit tree onto which they can graft scions or buds, along with the knowledge and confidence to make it work. This workshop is taught by John Valenzuela, owner of Cornucopia Food Forest Gardens. Register online.
The City of Oakland Housing Element Public Meeting: Commission on Persons with Disabilities
1 – 3:30 p.m.
Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Hearing Room #3
The 2015 – 2023 Housing Element update is now underway, and the City of Oakland is looking for your participation. The Housing Element is part of Oakland’s General Plan that serves as a blueprint for housing the City’s residents at all economic levels, including low-income households and households with special needs. Please consider attending one of the upcoming public meetings to voice your responses to the following questions: What are the top housing issues in Oakland? In terms of existing housing policies and programs, what are the strengths and weaknesses? To view the Housing Element Update schedule, news and announcements, click here.
Oakland Bacon and Beer Festival
2:30 – 5 p.m.
Jack London Market building, 55 Harrison
This fundraiser for Oakland Grown, brought to you in partnership with Bison Organic Beer and Eat Boston, is a day to celebrate two amazing comestibles, bacon and beer! For more information, visit baconandbeer.net/oakland.
Poetry Flash with Wendy Chin-Tanner, Joan Naviyuk Kane and Danniel Schoonebeek
3 p.m.
Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College Avenue
Wendy Chin-Tanner’s new book, Turn, wrestles with our ideas of race, gender, abuse, love, sex, motherhood, and death. Sensual and philosophical, personal and universal, these poems rejoice in the contradictions of living. She’s a founding editor at Kin Poetry Journal and poetry editor at Stealing Time Magazine. Joan Naviyuk Kane’s new book is Hyperboreal, winner of the 2012 Donald Hall Prize in Poetry. Inupiaq from Alaska, Kane’s recent awards include the 2013 Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Literature Fellowship. Her first book of poems, The Cormorant Hunter’s Wife, received a Whiting Writers’ Award. Danniel Schoonebeek’s recent book is American Barricade. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Tin House and Poetry. He writes a column on poetry for The American Reader, hosts the “Hatchet Job” reading series in Brooklyn, and edits the PEN Poetry Series.
Monday, March 10
Oakland Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board Meeting
6 – 8 p.m.
Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
For additional information, call (510) 238-3941 or visit www.oaklandheritage.org. It is recommended to confirm the date and location at www.oaklandnet.com.
Tuesday, March 11
Oakland City Council Committee Meetings
times listed below
Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. 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. Most of the Committees of the City Council usually meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month (although it is recommended to confirm the day and time, as this is subject to change). A downloadable agenda is available here. For more information, click here or call (510) 238-7370.
10:30 a.m. – noon: Public Works Committee
noon – 2 p.m.: Finance & Management Committee
2 – 4 p.m.: Community & Economic Development Committee
4 – 5:30 p.m.: Life Enrichment Committee
5:30 p.m.: Public Safety Committee
F. M. Smith Park Advisory Council Meeting
6:30 – 8 p.m.
F. M. Smith Park, 1969 Park Boulevard
Have questions or want more information? Contact Lisa or Center Director Lois Gomes, or visit groups.yahoo.com/group/15X_NCPC/cal.
Wednesday, March 12
AC Transit Board of Directors Meetings
times listed below
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District, 1600 Franklin Street, 10th Floor
The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District is the third-largest public bus system in California, serving 13 cities and adjacent unincorporated areas in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. AC Transit has been serving the East Bay since 1960, taking over from the Key System and its predecessors, which carried passengers via buses, horse-drawn rail, electric streetcars, and ferries over the previous 100 years. AC Transit’s mission is to provide safe, convenient, courteous, and reliable transit service. For more information, visit www2.actransit.org/main.wu.
3 p.m.: Operations Committee Meeting
3:30 p.m.: External Affairs Committee Meeting
6 p.m.: Board of Directors Meeting
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
4:30 p.m.
Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Avenue
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission reports and makes recommendations to the Oakland City Council on Office of Parks and Recreation policies. It consists of 11 seats, appointed by the Mayor and Council to represent the citizens of Oakland. The public is welcome to attend the Commission’s monthly meetings, which are held on the second Wednesday of every month except for August. Please call the Director’s office, (510) 238-7532, to confirm meetings in case of cancellation or change of venue. For more information, click here.
Oakland Board of Education General Meeting
5 – 9 p.m.
Paul Robeson Building, 1025 2nd Avenue, Board Room
The Governing Board, commonly called the Board of Education, is the elected policy-making body of the public education system within the City of Oakland. The Governing Board’s primary responsibility is to ensure that every student served by the District is well educated and demonstrates high academic achievement. For more information, visit bex.ousd.k12.ca.us.
Hands-On Drip Irrigation Workshop
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Pollinate Farm and Garden, 2727 Fruitvale Avenue
Now more than ever, every drop of water is precious. Drip irrigation is a practical and responsible way to provide water to our edibles and ornamentals. Do you want an easier way to water your garden, but are intimidated by irrigation systems? Come and learn what all the parts and pieces are from an expert. Participants will work with the parts and put together a simple system for watering vegetable beds. They will also receive a 10% discount on irrigation supplies. This workshop is taught by Steve Williams, owner of Stephen Williams Landscaping. Admission is $20. Register online.
Manzanita 18Y NCPC Meeting
6:45 – 8:15 p.m.
Salvation Army, 2794 Garden Street
For more information, please contact NSC Edith Guillen at (510) 238-7159 or eguillen@oaklandnet.com.
Thursday, March 13
Oakland City Council Rules & 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 here. For more information, click here or call (510) 238-7370.
Temescal NCPC Meeting
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Faith Presbyterian Church, 49th and Webster
Everyone is welcome at the monthly Steering Committee meetings of the Temescal Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council. For more information, visit groups.yahoo.com/group/TemescalNeighborhood or email temescalfamilies@yahoogroups.com.
Rockridge NCPC Meeting
7 – 9 p.m.
Rockridge Library, 5366 College Avenue
The Greater Rockridge Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council was officially established in April 2002 to respond to the newly reorganized Community Policing Program of the City of Oakland Police Department. It combines beats 12Y and 13X under a single NCPC and operates under its own by-laws. Monthly steering committee meetings consist of officers, committee chairpersons and volunteers, a Neighborhood Services Coordinator (NSC) from OPD, and our Problem-Solving Officer (PSO): a specifically-designated OPD patrol officer. Any resident community member who wishes to attend regularly and participate in meetings is also welcome to join. For more information, visit www.rockridgencpc.com, or email chair@rockridgencpc.com.
To list an event for Friday, March 14 through Thursday, March 20, send the details to meg@oaklandlocal.com by noon on Tuesday, March 4.