Community

Oakland barbers give school kids a literal head start

Oakland barbers pitched in with free haircuts and backpacks to give kids a literal head start for the first day of school. The event at the E Cuts salon in Temescal was one of a group of back-to-school events to help ease low income families into fall and display community good will.

Asian Health Services opens new clinic

Last week, Asian Health Services (AHS) embarked on its largest capital project in the center’s history, the grand opening of an $11-million clinic in the heart of Oakland’s Chinatown, located at 835 Webster at the site of the former Silver Dragon Restaurant. For Justin Tran, an Oakland resident who brings his mother in for regular doctor visits, the new clinic, opened across the street from the original facility, is a welcomed expansion. “I come here with my mom to take…

Oakland celebrates “National Night Out”

Residents came to shake hands, share food and build new friendships in their neighborhoods Tuesday night, banding together with their Neighborhood Watch Groups to host “National Night Out” block parties throughout the city.

Getting away from it all at Massive

For a week in July, hundreds of people gather in a small community camping out creekside in the foothills of Placerville to get away from it all. Enlightenment seekers call it Massive, though the movement is better known as Alt Blues Recess making its way through the Northwest, Aspen, Portland, London, Drift Creek and now California.

Friday night comes alive in West Oakland

Despite funding issues that have forced the West Oakland Youth Center to remain closed for now, last week the center’s staff kicked off Friday Night Live, a new series of community events that will run through August.