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.
Health
Anna Ming, co-owner of Gerard's Paella, prepares to add more roasted red bellpeppers to the chicken and seafood paella -- one of the catering business' most popular items. Ming, along with co-owner, Gerard Nebesky, travel coast-to-coast to cater private parties and wineries. Photo by Roberto Daza.
A festive mood prevails during StreetFest, Eat Real celebrations
August 29, 2010 – 2:25 pm
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.
In the midst of a national recall, Eat Real festival promotes “good eggs”
August 26, 2010 – 7:56 am
With nearly 550 million eggs being pulled off grocery shelves nationwide during one of the largest egg recalls ever, and with thousands of people infected with salmonella after eating contaminated eggs, the idea of eating eggs can seem a little daunting. Organizers of this weekend’s Eat Real Festival hope to show people that eating local eggs is different.
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.
A garden tour raises funds for healthy food education
July 26, 2010 – 8:01 am
In the shade of large, leafy lettuce and kale and tall stalks of beans, approximately 150 Bay Area residents met Saturday at the Saint Martin de Porres Elementary School garden to show their support for the nonprofit organization that planted it to give Oakland students a chance to learn about nutrition.
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.
Oakland residents, community activists catch up on healthcare reform
July 22, 2010 – 7:00 am
As the 2010 midterm elections approach, Obama supporters are trying to get Oaklanders to think positively about the healthcare reform bill signed into law this past March. Organizing for America, the grassroots network that helped elect President Barack Obama, held a healthcare teach-in for Oakland residents.
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.
Mosswood neighbors swap their backyard surplus at weekly produce exchange
July 10, 2010 – 11:16 am
Are you just about done with all the summer squash coming out of your garden? Or been eyeing the neighbor’s plum tree, wishing you had some of your own? There’s a bench in North Oakland’s Mosswood Park where you can trade away your excess harvest and pick up something else you like.
Oaklavía—Oakland’s own Sunday Streets
June 28, 2010 – 8:57 am
Big bikes, small bikes, kid’s bikes and tall bikes — they were all out in force on Sunday. It was Oakland’s first Oaklavía—an event that closed down the Broadway corridor, from Grand Avenue to Jack London Square, to all cars. Bikes, pedestrians, unicyclists and rollerbladers cruised up and down the street checking out the booths and activities on the sidewalks.
Q & A with Oakland’s Fire Chief Gerald A. Simon
June 1, 2010 – 8:36 am
With Oakland’s fire season expected to begin within the next few weeks, Oakland North reporter Dara Kerr spoke with Fire Chief Gerald A. Simon about what it means to be the head of Oakland’s Fire Department, what led him to the job, and about Oakland’s unique fire and safety needs.
Oaklanders celebrate Bike to Work Day
May 14, 2010 – 2:05 pm
Some were in spandex, others in dresses or suits and they rolled into downtown Oakland for Oakland’s 16th Annual Bike to Work Day.
We don’t need no stinkin’ shoes! Barefoot running takes off
May 10, 2010 – 9:03 am
They say that running barefoot is like gardening naked in the backyard: it’s not for all seasons, and your neighbors will probably stare. But is this trend only for the serious runner, or is this an opportunity for the rest of us to kick our Nikes to the corner? Mary Flynn has the story.
Regrowing Oakland: the future of urban food
April 26, 2010 – 12:54 pm
Can you farm in a city like Oakland? Some local urban farmers, community groups and university researchers think so. Working with the City of Oakland, they are re-envisioning the city’s food supply
Community photos: Oakland celebrates Earth Day
April 21, 2010 – 10:06 am
The “official” Earth Day 2010 is Thursday, April 22, but Oaklanders have been at it for days now. Browse through their pictures to see what folks have been up to. And remember, it’s not to late to add your own!
In Oakland, it’s easier to buy booze than bananas
April 8, 2010 – 3:44 pm
Angela Bass, Puck Lo, Diana Montaño, Special to OaklandNorth
Anyone who has shopped for food in a poor urban neighborhood, in Oakland or elsewhere, knows how it goes: Twenty varieties of malt liquor, potato chips, and frozen burritos and one bruised-up, waxy apple. Maybe a half-peeled onion. It’s so common that it’s almost a fact of [...]