Community

Concerned parents, children and community members packed the Oakland Unified School District board meeting Wednesday night. They clutched protest signs that voiced opposition to the recent announcement that OUSD will soon close as many as ten elementary and middle schools.

In more than 140 years of professional baseball, over 17,000 players have passed through the major leagues. Only two have been openly gay. Glenn Burke was the first. At an event Wednesday night, the late Burke was honored for his contributions to his sport and community.

More than a dozen business and community groups will haul furniture and plants into parking spaces this weekend, establishing miniature curbside parks on the road in front of Oakland shops. In conjunction with Friday’s International PARK(ing) Day, participating groups are building “parklets” to add green public spaces to urban landscapes.

The Warriors began a series of “Green Mobs” in partnership with insurance provider Esurance last year, during which community groups participate in events supporting sustainability and environmental awareness. Tuesday’s Green Mob was one of four planned for this season.

During a tense meeting near Oakland’s downtown last week, residents of the 23rd Street and Telegraph area voiced their concerns over recent violence at the Para Diso Lounge. On the community meeting agenda was a shooting on Saturday, August 27, which left the neighborhood shaken and two cars riddled with bullets. But previous incidents related to the club added to residents’ concerns over the Para Diso’s place in their neighborhood.

Oakland North is continuing with our feature. Every Wednesday, we will publish a photo submitted by one of our readers. This week’s photo is by Monica Bustamante.

Colorful vintage parasols, drop-waist dresses, and newsboy caps dotted Oakland’s historic Dunsmuir Estate lawn as far the eye could see this Sunday for the Art Deco Society’s 27th Gatsby Summer Afternoon, as guests recreated a 1920s garden party.

Community members and city officials met Monday night at an open house held at the Laney College Student Center for the redevelopment of the Lake Merritt BART station neighborhood.

It was the first time the Seattle-based dance battle called “Rords of the Froor” had come to the Bay Area and a sign on the door spelled out the goal of the evening: “Drunk Break Dancing Competition.”