Community

“Teaching Matters” forum encourages great teachers and community support for them

A gymnasium full of teachers, teenagers and community members are sitting around small tables and jotting down the names of their favorite teachers on blue Post-It notes at Edna Brewer Middle School. Stephanie Benjamin, a 17-year-old peer educator with Youth Uprising, met her favorite teacher during elementary school in Oakland. She reads from her Post-It: “Ms. Wallis knew what was going on with us. She wouldn’t just get on you for not doing your work, she’d try to figure out…

An Oaklander uses walks to inspire an active lifestyle

Meet Oakland resident Katrina Lashea, who leads walks for African-American women in the Bay Area with the goal of improving their health. Lashea is a yoga instructor and works as a program coordinator for Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre. She is also one of 10 recipients of GirlTrek’s 2012 Trailblazer Fellowship Award, which will sponsor her walking campaigns in the Bay Area throughout the year. Lashea’s next walking campaign will start Sunday, March 10, at 5:30pm, and will be an eight-week…

Adoptable animal of the week: Jupiter

Oakland North is continuing with our feature. Every week, Oakland Animal Services will spotlight an “Animal of the Week” that’s up for adoption at their facility. This week it’s a cat named Jupiter. Our adoptable cat of the week is a gallant grey-haired gentleman named Jupiter. Jupiter is a mellow and affectionate guy who can take some time to adjust to new surroundings.  He is looking for a patient guardian, with a quiet home that has lots of windows.  Jupiter’s favorite pastimes are…

One month after deadly shooting, First Friday returns with a focus on peace

One month after a homicide forced city leaders and event organizers to question the future of Oakland’s First Friday art festival, the event returned this weekend—smaller and more low-key than past versions, but turnout was strong. The themes of the March 1 were peace and unity. People gave peace signs all night, some wore neon green t-shirts that read “Respect Our City,” and organizers held two moments of silence in honor of Kiante Campell, the 18-year-old who was shot and…