Good morning, North Oakland. Today, the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that Oakland City Councilwomen Desley Brooks and Jean Quan have taken their fight over a parking spot all the way to the city attorney, who has so far declared the clash a tie. In the Bay Area, older job seekers are facing tough employment odds. At UCSF, doctors are trying to restore limited sight to the blind.

Welcome to daylight-saving time. Oakland’s nepotism ordinance is drawing ire from the police and fire departments. The police union has filed a lawsuit charging that it could violate privacy laws–and could possibly out same-sex relationships. If the city doesn’t meet with the union, it will be back in court on May 12. This morning’s Trib reports on the latest news from Washington about earmarks for the Bay Area. In Oakland, a declining African-American population has lead to a change in…

Good morning, North Oakland. Lawyers for the Oakland Police sergeant investigating the Chauncey Bailey case say the recorded conversations he had with suspect Yusef Bey IV were ” an indication of how Longmire deals respectfully even with people who are possible targets of criminal investigations.” The Trib is also reporting that OPD is investigating allegations that “Bey IV provided women to Longmire for sexual favors.” Good news for those who filed tax refunds. Controller John Chiang says almost $2 billion…

Happy Friday. This morning, The Chronicle is reporting that the lead investigator into the death of journalist Chauncey Bailey was recorded telling a possible suspect in the case that he would “defend their friendship.” The story says that the 2008 conversations between Sgt. Derwin Longmire and Yusuf Bey IV were recorded in the Santa Rita jail when Bey was being held  on other charges. The City of Berkeley is proposing a $10 million dollar roundabout at the intersection of Gilman…

A friend of mine was recently in at the San Francisco Civic Center watching an argument before the California Supreme Court, when she stopped by the building cafeteria and it was called…the Justice Served Cafe. Chances are, you’re either gagging or giggling, but count me among the gigglers. I love punny restaurants, with the exception of Brandon Davis’s inappropriately-themed taco joint—you probably know what I’m talking about, but I’m not linking to it—and here’s hoping you can Google if you…

In today’s Trib, Cecily Burt reports that despite the woes of the economic downturn, the Oakland waterfront has become “an epicurean’s delight.” As the Slow Food Movement takes a stronger hold on the Bay Area, smaller artisan food producers are replacing old factory giants like Granny Goose, and the City is banking on local, sustainable food production becoming a new economic growth area. Oakland’s economic team even organized a tour of the “Waterfront Food Trail” to highlight the local companies. Read…

After weeks of grocery store, mealy tomatoes, I headed to the farmer’s market in hopes of finding some that were miraculously delicious. This far from peak season, it proved impossible, and I just couldn’t get excited about the booths of kale, lettuce, honey, and a whole lot of citrus. After wandering the market gauntlet for a while, I noticed that one booth had a regular line of two or three customers. At 10:45, Andy and Cindy Thai Cuisine was handing…

For all those Zachary’s Pizza fans out there, great news: the 2009 art contest is on. Design a poster for the Oakland classic, and your original art could grace the pizza parlor’s walls for all eternity…okay, well at least for the foreseeable future. Head to one of the locations–Oakland, Berkeley or San Ramon–to pick up contest rules and a 36” by 48” inch paper for your contest entry. Zachary’s loves bold color, so they recommend that you say away from…

I was in Safeway over the weekend when I noticed that the Valentine’s Day clearance candy was sitting right next to a brand new crate of Cadbury Eggs. Now I know, I know, they are few things more disgusting than a chocolate egg filled with a sugary mock yolk, but I don’t care. I also like the movie “Roadhouse” and some select Michael Bolton songs. Sue me. But, anyway, as I was looking at the display, I realized Lent must…

Prepare yourselves: You are never going to look at your chili cook-off the same way again. With a tagline of “Bread. Butter. Cheese. Victory,” The second annual Norcal Grilled Cheese Invitational hits San Francisco’s Dolores Park on Saturday, doling out free grilled cheese sandwiches and trophies to the ultimate grilled cheese champions. Though registration for contest participants is closed, you too can stop in to taste, vote and help crown the ultimate grilled cheese chef. The GCI has three categories…

I figured I would start my first official post with an homage to an Oakland classic and one of the greatest sandwiches in the history of the world: the fried chicken sandwich at Bake Sale Betty’s. For a sandwich lover with a general fear of mayonnaise and “special sauce” of any kind, this is one item I can order without any caveats. Mine came out steaming. The combination of a soft white roll, crispy chicken and lemon-dressed cabbage and green…

Welcome to Oakland Bites, the new blog on all things food in Oakland, and the rest of the Bay. Together, we’ll chat about favorite meals, restaurant openings — and closings — cheap eats, farmers markets, food festivals, go-to meals — and anything else that catches your fancy. Given that most of our wallets are a little bit lighter these days, I also want to hear about your destinations for blue plate specials, cheap groceries, and even what you’re packing in…