Community

Oakland Museum of Children’s Art stumbles into Middle East fray

For 22 years, the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) has focused on providing art instruction and community outreach for the children of Oakland. This month, the Old Oakland museum staff and board members found themselves embroiled in what one board member described as “the most contentious issue on the planet.”

Eat Real bike tour goes behind the scenes at Oakland shops

At the Eat Real Festival in Oakland’s Jack London Square on Saturday afternoon, crowds of people gathered on the waterfront, queuing up for $4 miniature sweet-potato pies and $5 citrus pork sandwiches on organic, brick oven flatbread. But in front of Bay Area Bikes, four cyclists had a different idea—riding gloves were slipped on, four helmet locks clicked shut, and the group rode away from the food festival to get an inside look at some of Oakland’s local food and drink makers.

Release of Oakland school closures list delayed

Earlier this week it was reported that the agenda for Oakland’s school board meeting on Tuesday, including a complete list of schools recommended for closure by superintendent Tony Smith, would be released at 5 pm Friday. The release date was changed to Saturday, September 24, at 5 pm. The list is posted, here.

The Nightcap: Partying with the owner at Kim’s Backyard

The Nightcap is a new series that will feature a favorite Oakland drinking establishment every Friday afternoon. This week, it’s Kim’s Backyard. Kim Okwa Janke opened up Kim’s Backyard, a bar on Telegraph at 24th Street, because she was retired and wanted to party. She insists it’s really as simple as that.

Oakland school board to decide school closures

The agenda for Oakland’s school board meeting on Tuesday, including a complete list of schools recommended for closure by superintendent Tony Smith, will be available online Friday afternoon, the schools’ spokesman said.

Oakland police bring back the Teddy Bear Patrol

Kindergarten and first grade students gathered in the auditorium of Horace Mann Elementary Wednesday afternoon cheered as Oakland Police officers handed teachers a special community policing accessory—four brown teddy bears, with blue bows tied around their necks.