Community

If there was one clear message at the West Coast Economic Summit in downtown Oakland last week, it was this: Latino businesses are booming.

This Thursday kicks off the American Dream Event, a free, five-day financial fair for homeowners who are looking for ways to lower their monthly mortgage payments and for homebuyers who want to take out a loan.

In the past year, the amount of illegally dumped junk has shot up by 34 percent, according to the Oakland Public Works Agency, which logged almost 18,000 incidents in 2012. San Francisco, which has twice the population of Oakland, had just 22,000 incidents.

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) local 1555 announced on Twitter shortly after 10pm that there would be no strike on Wednesday.

Governor Jerry Brown is weighing a request by AC Transit management for a 60-day cooling off period in the planned strike by the bus line’s workers, which otherwise could happen as early as this Thursday.

Oakland’s own Twin Steps, a chameleon band, blends angst-ridden lyrics with incongruous sounds from soul to pop to punk, in an eclectic show.

Despite having to wake up early on a Saturday, a group of about 20 kids participated in Oakland’s Punt, Pass and Kick 2013 competition at the Arroyo Viejo recreation center on Oct. 12.

Dashiell is a handsome and refined 5 month old tuxedo-clad male kitten. Despite his sophisticated appearance, Dashiell is very easy-going and friendly.

The Bay Area’s Monday commute won’t be affected by a BART strike, but workers make no promises about Tuesday.