This week features tons of things you’ll want to be there for, Oakland! The Crucible is always doing fascinating things with art and fire and “makership” (if that’s a word). There’s Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate. We’ve got a multimedia, apparently cat-friendly, cat-celebrating event. That’s just a sampling of the unique stuff going on and reasons to be there for them–and it’s all happening in one week in one awesome city! Enjoy!
Friday, September 12
Bluegrass Concert on the USS Potomac
7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Dockside on the Presidential Yacht Potomac
Enjoy the foot-stompin’ good sounds of the High Country Bluegrass Band, one of the Bay Area’s premier Bluegrass Bands. Beer, wine and bar nibbles will be available for sale. Tours of the ship are offered starting at 6:30 p.m. For more information and reservations, visit www.usspotomac.org.
Saturday, September 13
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.
Jack of All Trades
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Throughout Jack London Square
Jack of All Trades is a curated mix of local makers, indie designers, antiquers, collectors, artists, start-ups and more brought together by the Treasure Island Flea. Free to the public, this eclectic market will feature one-of-a-kind items, live music and several free DIY workshops for all ages. Jack of All Trades takes place on the second Saturday of each month. Visitors can bike, ferry or drive to Jack London Square. For additional information, visit www.JackofAllTradesOakland.com.
The Crucible’s Fall Open House: “Tools to Table”
Noon – 5 p.m.
1260 7th Street
Come to this free showcase of the exciting classes offered at The Crucible! Their Fall 2014 Session begins September 20, so sign up now! Beginners are welcome. A selection of the more than 120 different classes are: Copyright Law for Artists, Blacksmithing 1, Techniques in Ornamental Iron Work, Ceramics II: Sculpture and Surfaces, and more. Register online at www.TheCrucible.org.
Dia de la Herencia Hispana
2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2465 34th Avenue
During Peralta Hacienda‘s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, participate in Peralta Rancho life activities outside on the historic core. Adults and kids alike can make adobe bricks, candles, corn husk dolls, tortillas, and dance fandango. Inside the farmhouse, you can take in a guided tour of the exhibits and view Latinos in America, a landmark documentary series which chronicles the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos in the United States from the sixteenth century to present day (in English with Spanish subtitles). Come in your favorite frontier costumes and join us for El Grito, the shout which began the Mexican struggle for independence from Spain, as uttered by Padre Hidalgo in 1810.
Let’s Hear it for The Cat!
5 – 9 p.m.
Lottie Rose Artist House, 6117 San Pablo Avenue
This is a show in the Golden Gate District of Oakland that features man and woman’s best friend, the cat! It’ll have cat paintings, other cat art, music, and all kinds of cat stuff. Bring you! Bring your cat! Cat adoptions will also be available. Come celebrate the love of felines, and hey, even buy everything! Either way, it’ll be a lot of fun!
Utunes Coffee House presents: Keith Terry and Free Dive
8 – 10:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th Street
See the incomparable Keith Terry (founder of the International Body Music Festival) and his band Free Dive! This groove-based quintet features Jeff Cressman on trombone, Bryan Dyer on vocals, Cecilia Engelhart on vocals and percussion, Steve Hogan on bass and beatboxing, and Keith on percussion (including with his body). In addition to Free Dive, all of these musicians perform with other top-notch groups locally and internationally. For more information and to get tickets, visit www.utunescoffeehouse.net.
Sunday, September 14
Oaklavia: Love Our Lake Day
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lake Merritt
Walk Oakland Bike Oakland (WOBO) is bringing Oaklavia back to Lake Merritt! This year, the planned route will run along Lakeshore Avenue and through 14th, Alice, and 17th Streets to Latham Square. You are invited to join WOBO’s movement to bring walkable, bikeable communities to local streets.
Monday, September 15
Oakland Zoo Senior Free Day
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
9777 Golf Links Road
The Oakland Zoo, in partnership with Vice Mayor Larry Reid, presents the 5th Annual Senior Summer Free Days, where seniors (65+) who currently live in Oakland can enjoy the Zoo for free.
Tuesday, September 16
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 here. For more information, click here or call (510) 238-7370.
Shop Talk: Get What You’re Worth
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Tech Liminal, 555 12th Street, Suite 110
Tech Liminal has noticed many of their clients have difficulty asking for and getting what they’re worth. Join experienced marketing consultant Allison Bliss and technology consultant Anca Mosoiu for an interactive conversation over drinks and full of actionable strategies to get what you’re truly worth. Learn to determine your value, communicate it to your clients, and stick to your guns! Get tickets here.
Wednesday, September 17
Fruitvale Unity NCPC Monthly Meeting
6:30 p.m.
San Antonio Senior Center, 3301 E. 12th Street, Suite 201
Join this monthly community meeting to share strategies to resolve community issues and concerns. An agenda is posted by the Fruitvale Unity Council on the day of the event at www.unitycouncil.org.
Plant Breeding 101: What You Need to Know About Food Plant Genetics
6:30 p.m.
Pollinate Farm & Garden, 2727 Fruitvale Avenue
What do the terms “heirloom,” “open pollination,” “F1 hybrid,” “GMOs” and “open source seed” really mean? Come explore the world of plant biology! Learn the fundamentals of plant reproduction and the role it plays in food security and in the food we eat. Learn about the differences in breeding strategies and the mechanisms employed to achieve them. Participants will also explore how these strategies are employed in large-scale seed companies as well as in the backyard breeder’s garden, and discuss how the current political structure embraces certain strategies as a means to an end. Learn hands-on breeding practices that you can employ in your own backyard garden. Bring your questions! Tickets are available here.
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, 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 groups.yahoo.com/group/NCPC-10X/cal.
Film Screening: Is The Man Who Is Tall Happy?
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Grand Lake Theatre, 3200 Grand Avenue
French director Michel Gondry applies his playful imagination to animating a series of conversations with esteemed linguist, philosopher, political commentator and activist Noam Chomsky. Riveting, lively, complex, intimate, and exuberant, this film uses drawings to make complex ideas more accessible. The result is not only a dazzling, vital portrait of one of the foremost thinkers of modern times, but also a beautifully animated work of art. Gondry is known for his films Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, and more. Tickets are available at mecaforpeace.org.
Thursday, September 18
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 here. For more information, click here or call (510) 238-7370.
Oakland Food Policy Council Work Group Meeting
5 – 7:30 p.m.
1000 Broadway, 5th Floor, Room A or B
The mission of the Oakland Food Policy Council (OFPC) is to establish an equitable and sustainable food system in Oakland. It strives to: ensure access to healthy, affordable food within walking distance of every Oakland resident; bring underserved neighborhoods to the food policy table and increase “food literacy” among Oakland residents; put food, hunger, and food systems on the City of Oakland’s agenda and contribute to the national dialog on food policy; and turn the Oakland food system into an engine for local economic development and involve local and regional agricultural communities.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting
5:30 p.m.
Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Hearing Room 4
Oakland’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) committee was chartered in 1995 to advise the City on the design of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and related issues. Meetings are held at City Hall the third Thursday of the month. Members of the public are welcome to attend all or part of any BPAC meeting. For more information, visit oaklandpw.com/Page124.aspx.
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.
Conservation Speaker Series: “A Future for Cheetahs”
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Clorox Wildlife Theater at Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road
Join Dr. Laurie Marker, Founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, and renowned photographer, Suzi Eszterhas, for a special evening at Oakland Zoo. Dr. Marker has spent the last 20 years working to save Cheetahs and has written A Future for Cheetahs, with striking photography by Ms. Eszterhas, to present the problems facing the cheetah and the hope for its future. Come learn how humans and cheetahs can live in peace, and how we can all be part of saving the cheetah from extinction. Tickets are available here.
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 ncpcbeat27x.org for updated agenda items, general information, or to get on the mailing list for future meetings.
OHA Lecture Series: “Its Name Was Mud: The Story of EBMUD and the History of East Bay Water”
7 – 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:45)
Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue
In this Oakland Heritage Alliance lecture, EBMUD spokesperson Michelle Blackwell traces the history of water resources in the East Bay, from their origins in multiple private water producers in the late 19th century (including Anthony Chabot who built San Leandro Reservoir, later to be re-named Lake Chabot) to the organization of EBMUD in 1923 and subsequent developments throughout the 20th century. Tickets are available here.
To list an even for September 19 – 25, send the details to meg@oaklandlocal.com by noon on Tuesday, September 16.