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.

City council votes not to censure Councilwoman Brooks

The Oakland City Council has voted not to censure District 6 councilmember Desley Brooks for allegedly interfering with the construction and operation of two recreation center projects in East Oakland. Angry community members attended the meeting Thursday night to defend Brooks. In a recent report the Alameda County Grand Jury accused Brooks of violating city rules in contracting, purchasing and hiring for the Rainbow Teen Center at 58th and International Boulevard and Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center on Krause Avenue. City…

Community Photo of the Week: Longfellow Gate

Every week, Oakland North will publish a photo submitted by one of our readers. This week’s image was sent by Valerie Conant. Conant writes, “This beautifully designed gate on Market Street in the Longfellow neighborhood welcomes visitors while it protects the main door.” 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 and in jpeg format. Oakland North cannot pay…