Alameda County cuts billions from property values, again. What will it mean for Oakland’s finances?
Economy
A home for sale in Rockridge.
As home values drop, county tells owners to pay less tax
August 31, 2010 – 5:50 am
A festive mood prevails during StreetFest, Eat Real celebrations
August 29, 2010 – 2:25 pm
Oakland is encouraging gluttony this weekend as the city hosts two festivals, flooding the streets with thousands of locals and out-of-towners eagerly waiting to sample the various treats.
Urban farmers challenge Oaklanders to “Eat Real”
August 29, 2010 – 1:59 pm
The very scrappiest of the sustainability enthusiasts challenged the public to take the movement home. And they didn’t mean starting an herb garden.
Last-minute funding for all but two children’s centers
August 28, 2010 – 6:35 pm
After weeks of threatening the closure of seven Oakland childhood development centers, the Oakland Unified School District announced Friday that five of the seven centers will remain open until at least the end of December.
Down-home cuisine at Tacos Sinaloa
August 16, 2010 – 2:41 am
Looking up into the small ordering window of Tacos Sinaloa’s bright orange and chrome taco truck, Ernesto Vilchis asks for a serving of marinated tongue, crispy tripe and cow’s cheek tacos. Tacos Sinaloa is one of the most popular taco trucks in East Oakland; and not only does it serve up traditional Mexican tacos like tripe and cow’s cheek, it also has items for the less faint-of-heart, such as barbecue pork and carne asada.
Unlicensed foods joyfully consumed at first Oakland Underground Market
August 10, 2010 – 6:26 am
This weekend, hundreds of hungry people turned up the East Bay’s first Underground Market, a food event somewhat akin to a farmer’s market except it’s only for members, and –- more significantly –- it doesn’t require vendors to have permits or to use commercial kitchens.
New free Broadway shuttle cruises downtown
August 9, 2010 – 10:16 am
If you’ve been downtown this past week, you may have noticed a big green bus driving up and down Broadway. It’s Oakland’s new shuttle, which tours between the six major downtown commercial districts and is free for the public to ride.
The last picture show for video stores in Oakland?
August 6, 2010 – 7:25 am
As digital and online movie rentals grow, North Oakland’s in-person movie rental options continue to be shuttered.
Childhood development centers get a month’s reprieve
August 3, 2010 – 9:38 am
Teachers searching for new jobs and parents looking for new childcare options got some last-minute good news—the seven childhood development centers slated to close last Friday due to budget cuts will remain open for another month. The Oakland Unified School District announced it was allocating $400,000 in federal stimulus money to keep the centers running through the end of August.
Eight Childhood Development Centers set to close Friday
July 29, 2010 – 10:14 am
Judy Lee has already begun packing her boxes. Full of art supplies and Shel Silverstein books, the boxes sat neatly stacked near the wall of her spacious classroom at the Piedmont Avenue Early Childhood Development Center on Wednesday, a telltale sign of the center’s imminent closure.
Council approves four initiatives for November city ballot
July 27, 2010 – 10:13 am
On Monday night the Oakland City Council approved the addition of four initiatives to the city’s November ballot, all geared towards bringing revenue into the cash-strapped city.
With fewer officers, Oakland’s policing strategy changes
July 25, 2010 – 4:23 pm
Since the layoff of 80 police officers, Oakland’s policing strategy has changed, and neighborhood safety groups are grappling with how to react. The Oakland Police Department plans to focus more on emergencies and less on community problem-solving and the investigation of non-violent crimes.
Hashing it out with marijuana activist and educator Richard Lee
July 23, 2010 – 8:44 am
Richard Lee is president of Oaksterdam University, a cannabis trade school located in downtown Oakland. He’s also a driving force behind the November state ballot initiative to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana in California.
Green energy financing faces federal roadblock
July 23, 2010 – 7:00 am
An innovative financing scheme designed to help homeowners afford to make their homes greener and more energy efficient could be in trouble. The Federal Housing Finance Agency recently announced that it would not support Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) finance programs, like one set to launch for Oakland residents later this year.
Oakland Port Commission votes to extend Army Base negotiations
July 22, 2010 – 1:27 pm
Over the past year, both the City and Port of Oakland have been working on a contract with private developers to rebuild the former Oakland Army Base. On Tuesday, the Oakland Port Commission listened to pleas from community members who wanted to extend the negotiation agreement with developers to ensure their needs–such as 50 percent local hires–were written into the contract.
Oakland city council approves large-scale production of medical marijuana
July 21, 2010 – 9:24 am
In a lively, standing room only meeting, the Oakland city council voted Tuesday night to approve on first reading a city-wide plan for the cultivation of medical marijuana in four new large-scale factories.