Blogs

Oakland North Now 07.24.09

Thank God, it is Friday. But the sky is gloomy for the residents in the sunshine state. California State Senate passed bills to close a $25.3 billion gap after grueling session that ended at 6:27 a.m. this morning. Here are some pain we will feel soon. ・$5.7 billion cut  from elementary and high schools and community colleges ・$2.8 billion cut from state colleges and universities; $2 billion from health program ・$1.2 billion cut from social services; and $1.2 billion from…

Oakland North Now 7.23.09

Mark Twain once said “The coldest winter I spent was summer in San Francisco.” In Oakland, as well, one cannot go without layers at night and morning. To spice the summer up, the New York Times has a collection of neat 101 salad recipes for the summer. But watch out when you eat lettuce. A Salinas based lettuce grower recalled its romaine lettuce over a concern that their product maybe tainted with salmonella. Or you would rather eat out, Oakland…

Oakland North Now 7.22.09

The city of Oakland got a $7 million boost from yesterday’s Special Election. Voters approved increasing the business tax of pot clubs in Oakland, and they also said yes to raising hotel tax by 3 points to fund the zoo and the Oakland Museum. However, even $7 million might not help the city’s dire situation. The bankrupt state of California wants  $4.3 billion diverted from the local municipalities, and the state can take as much as $6.4 million from Oakland’s…

Oakland North Now 7.21.09

California is going to cut $15.6 billion. Can’t imagine how much that is?  If you were to take that in one dollar bills and stack them up in piles, it would build  approximately 3468 Empire State buildings.  Here’s   another headache  for the cash strapped city of Oakland. The state is planning to borrow $2 billion from the local government, and Oakland could be stripped of $6.4 million. Bracing for the worst to come, the city is doing everything to rake in…

Bicycle film festival–Oakland style

The sun was blazing in San Antonio Park on Sunday as bike polo players wrapped up their games, alleycat racers crossed the finish line and the scraper bike crew blasted Biggie. This group of eclectic bike riders along with many others jumped on their bikes and headed over to Alameda to watch the film festival. Here are some photos of the group ride:

Oakland North Now 7.19.09

While California state parks are deemed to close to save money, the City of Oakland’s Office of Park and Recreation is celebrating its 100th anniversary. There are events throughout July and August for you to check them out. Oakland Tribune has a future looking story on Oakland Based Urban Gardens. It opened the garden to the public yesterday to promote its youth and organic food programs for healthy eating. But do not spend nice Sunday just to relax. We have…

Oakland North Now 7.18.09

More  gloomy news for Californians.The employment rate remained 11.6 percent in June.  However, the U.S. Department of Labor said Friday that 66,500 Californians lost jobs in June. It was the largest drop in the country. For those who are looking for a way recession friendly way of being fashionable, there is a clothing swap at Rock  Paper Scissors today from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Be aware when you are shopping! Rockridge is experiencing robberies and break-ins this week. And do…

Oakland North Now 7.16.09

You and Oakland should really be facebook friends. Speaking of which. Be our friend! First day on the job for superintendent Tony Smith. Homes in Oakland and in the Bay Area experience a sales jump! Don’t know where to take her out this Friday night? Head on over to the Chabot Space and Science Center. It worked for Jessica Yadegaran.

Bicycle film festival – SF and Oakland

The bicycle film festival hits San Francisco this week. Besides watching movies about bikes, there’s going to be all sorts of other fun, like parties, concerts, art gallery crawls and bike games. Oakland gets its day too—on Sunday, July 19. Down at the Michaan’s Auctions Movie Theater, people can see film shorts like “Bike Ride,” which is about a guy who rides 50 miles to see his girlfriend who dumps him and then he rides home, or feature length films…