As Oakland and Bay Area activists, we’ve sustained a localized hashtag that circulates nationally. These hashtags act as pillars — points of reference we can call upon as iconic moments within this movement.
The Jack London Square Christmas tree is a 55-foot Shasta fir covered in more than 5,000 sparkling lights and 600 colorful ornaments. It’s part of Oakland tradition; this year the tree was lit on Friday, December 5th, as a small crowd attended the annual tree-lighting ceremony. Mayor Jean Quan held a moment of silence for the lives of black people lost due to police violence, and a small group of peaceful protesters held up signs around the Christmas tree after it was…
Elephants are one of the world’s most awe-inspiring animals, and at the same time, one of the world’s most vulnerable. Oakland’s City Council is currently considering an ordinance that would ban the use of weapons against elephants in the city, including pitchforks, baseball bats, and axe handles. But why? Are Oakland’s elephants being jabbed by pitchfork-wielding mobs? No, just bullhook-wielding circus trainers. Circuses control and train elephants through violence and intimidation with an implement called a bullhook. A bullhook is…
Measure BB is an Alameda County ballot initiative that, if passed this November, would expand an existing sales tax to fund dozens of critical transportation projects in our community through 2045.
Ten years ago, the city claimed it was broke, and that there was a public safety safety crisis. They asked voters to approve a “temporary” parcel tax that would last 10 years to lower crime. Sound familiar? After 10 years of the failed Measure Y, the public safety crisis is obviously far worse. This alone is sufficient reason not to support Measure Z, the proposed successor. We can see that simply throwing money at a problem will not make it…
Measure FF is a ballot initiative in Oakland looking to raise the minimum wage from $9 an hour to $12.25 an hour. That $3.25 hourly increase provides someone working 40 hours a week with roughly an extra $520 each month. That alone might cover somebody’s car payment, health insurance, or help cover daycare costs.
Every week, Oakland North will publish a photo submitted by one of our readers. This week’s image was taken by Rae Gedlaman at Reach Academy, and submitted by Daniel Lawlor of Super Stars Literacy. He writes, “Super Stars Literacy provides in school and after school K-2 reading interventions at four public schools in Oakland, as well as organizes family engagement nights celebrating reading. A parent told us, ‘The program has helped foster a love of reading in my son. His confidence in reading is…
Every week, Oakland North will publish a photo submitted by one of our readers. This week’s image is by Jesse Shanks. If you’d like to contribute to “community photo of the week,” just send a favorite photograph taken in Oakland to staff@oaklandnorth.net with the subject: PHOTO. Please make all photographs large-sized, horizontal and in jpeg format. We’d love to hear a little bit about where and when you shot it, and why the image caught your eye. Oakland North cannot pay…
Every week, Oakland North will publish a photo submitted by one of our readers. This week’s image is by Lauren Stewart. “This photo was taken spontaneously while on a morning walk around the lake,” she writes. “My heart was filled with gratitude and love for Oakland, and I thought to myself, ‘How many cities in America have a beautiful lake in their downtown?’” If you’d like to contribute to “community photo of the week,” just send a favorite photograph taken in…
Every week, Oakland North will publish a photo submitted by one of our readers. This week’s image is by Dan Krewson.
Demolition continues on the 78-year-old Bay Bridge, but officials have not yet solved the issue of how to attract the wildlife that currently nests on the old bridge to the new structure.
Every week, Oakland North will publish a photo submitted by one of our readers. This week’s image shot from the water is by Melissa Argue. She writes, “I shared this shot because while there are many beautiful and scenic spots to kayak in the Bay Area, one of our favorites is the Oakland ‘urban paddle,’ as we call it, full of industry, the coast guard ships, the port, graffiti, etc. This was a late afternoon shot and the first time…
Every week, Oakland North will publish a photo submitted by one of our readers. This week’s image was shot by Anne Sunderland.
Every week, Oakland North will publish a photo submitted by one of our readers.
Oakland North is happy to welcome 23 new reporters, as the school year resumes at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. We’ll return from our summer hiatus this week, with coverage returning to normal production by mid-month as our students complete their introductory training and begin reporting out in the community. In the meantime, we’re looking for news tips, story ideas, and comments from our readers. Feel free to comment below, get in touch with us on Facebook or follow our @northoaklandnow…
Oakland elections occupy a complex political landscape, and the upcoming 2014 mayoral contest is no exception.