AP

Urban Shield trains first responders, draws fire over weapons show

“Urban Shield is the largest full-scale exercise in the nation,” said Sgt. J.D. Nelson, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) public information officer. The event was created by ACSO seven years ago and has grown each year. This year, Nelson estimates that more than 5,000 people participated from across the state, country and world.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Diamond

Diamond came to Oakland Animal Services dirty and skinny, but a sparkle in her eye said how grateful she was to be given a second chance. Now, she is healthy and sporting a new coat of fluffy fur. She has a lot of spunk and will brighten up any room in your home with love. Her new family will take home a complimentary rabbit care package that includes a litterbox, timothy pellets, orchard grass, water bottle, food bowls, and litter pellets. Diamond will be fixed and microchipped when…

Adoptable Animal of the Week: Pat

It’s the small things in life that make this loving brindle-coated pit-bull mix happy: a new tennis ball, belly rubs, a romp in the park. Pat is just a year old with a sturdy medium build — not very large. This amber-eyed sweetie has been at the shelter for a while, and it’s time that she gets the loving home she deserves. Could Pat be just the right girl to fetch your heart? Check out her photos and video and then come check her out in…

Adoptable pet of the week

Meet Carter, a tiny little guy who came to the shelter as a stray in early August.  He’s a very laid-back, 1-year-old Chihuahua who walks nicely on a leash and loves nothing more than cuddling.  His small size makes him a better match for families with children more than 10 years old. See more pictures and video here: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/26936134

Adoptable pet of the week: Vin

Vin is an energetic male kitten, approximately 5 months old. Inspired by his movie-star namesake, Vin dreams of growing up to be an action movie star and never seems to tire of practicing his moves. He excels at running, pouncing, kicking, jumping, leaping and wrestling. He is also a bit of a goofball whose antics will never fail to bring a smile to your face. Once Vin has tuckered himself out, he transforms into a charming leading man who will…

Friends and relatives remember Judy Salamon

Salamon, 66, was fatally shot while driving in front of the Home of Peace Cemetery, a 113-year-old Orthodox cemetery on the 2400 block of Fern Street in Oakland in the afternoon of July 24. For her life to end at a place where six million Jews are remembered for eternity is symbolic of her fighting spirit.

Until organs go silent

Bob Schleicher has been repairing Hammond organs and Leslie speakers in Oakland for nearly five decades–and he’s one of the best at what he does. Something magical happens when you plug in a Leslie speaker to a Hammond organ, he says.