In an effort to keep Actual Cafe an actual cafe, starting this weekend owner Sal Bednarz will embark upon a month-long social experiment to create the kind of social atmosphere that existed before wireless internet and mobile computers. Bednarz wants people to step away from their Facebook profiles and connect face-to-face.
Oakland to be a model city for stimulus spending
On Thursday, Mayor Ron Dellums said that federal government officials will visit three cities, including Oakland, to learn about how the cities have used stimulus money. Dellums said that federal officials are planning to visit Oakland on March 1.
Friends, family, and proteges pay tribute to East Oakland Boxing Association founder
In Stanley Garcia’s experience, boxing breathed life, maturity, and hope into the lives of the East Oakland boys who frequented his boxing club. Garcia, founder of the East Oakland Boxing Association, died last Friday at the age of 69. At his recent memorial service at Lake Chalet on Lake Merritt, the tributes poured in.
Rally planned for Hasanni Campbell; foster parents reported to have moved
The homicide investigation into the disappearance of Fremont boy Hasanni Campbell continues amid reports that his foster parents have left the area
Student-led group pinpoints solutions to youth violence
The youth-led Heal the Streets fellowship program, sponsored through Oakland’s Ella Baker Center, hosted a Solutions Salon on Saturday in West Oakland intended to engage community members, youth and policy makers in a dialogue about violence prevention in Oakland.
For four Oakland Tech players, Signing Day a big sigh of relief
Four Bulldogs football players—Fred Thompson (Oregon State), and defensive back/running back Ryan Murphy (Oregon State), defensive back/wide receiver DiAndre Campbell (Washington) and wide receiver Eddie Gillies (Sacramento State) each officially signed letters of intent to attend schools that play at the NCAA Division-I level, the highest level of college sports.
Oakland resident Laura Wells kicks off gubernatorial bid
Laura Wells, a candidate for the Green Party’s nomination in California’s gubernatorial race, kicked off her election campaign in Oakland on Monday
Grafitti artists share tags and memories of “DREAM”
Mike “DREAM” Francisco, a graffiti artist from Alameda who was murdered 10 years ago during a robbery, inspired young artists and his memory brought them together Friday for “Dream Day,” a celebration of his life and hip hop culture.
From Our Neighborhoods
Temescal
Oakland seeks feedback on Bus Rapid Transit line
This week, the City of Oakland is holding a series of public meetings on a proposed Bus Rapid Transit line that would run through Berkeley, San Leandro and Oakland.
Rockridge
The great human truths: Death, taxes and … laundry?
Ben Franklin, font of aphorisms, said “In this world nothing can be said to be certain. Except death and taxes.” But there’s one unescapable reality Franklin seems to have missed: laundry.
Grand/Lake
Oakland sends sound of hope to Haiti
On Sunday evening in Oakland, approximately 3,700 miles away from devastated Haiti, more than 180 Bay Area musicians got together to deliver the sound of hope to the Haitian people.
Golden Gate
After five years of Measure Y, Oakland asks “Is community policing the answer?”
A string of robberies in the Golden Gate neighborhood raises questions about the effectiveness of community policing five years after the passage of Oakland’s Measure Y.
Bushrod
Sankofa Academy celebrates student achievement
At Sankofa Academy in North Oakland, the students have a message: “R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Respect is all I really need!”
Mosswood
North Oakland medicinal pot producer no criminal, supporters say
Mickey Martin is about to go to prison. The charge was something both he and the State of California say is not a crime: selling medicinal marijuana.
Downtown
City Attorney files lawsuit against immigration consultants
A civil suit filed Thursday by the Oakland City Attorney’s Office against immigration consultancy American Legal Services alleges that the company made false promises to clients and damaged their cases.



