Culture

Space fans gather at Chabot Space and Science Center to watch last shuttle launch

The patch on John Tulloch’s black hat has the insignia from the final mission of the Discovery space shuttle—a stitched picture of a shuttle blasting off into the stars, with a tail of red flames following, against a dark blue half-globe in the background. He’s wearing a black polo shirt like the ones worn by NASA mission control operators in Houston, the pin on his collar is for the current mission, and the blue astronaut suit his three-year old son…

Oakland celebrates the Fourth of July at Jack London Square

Although there were no Fourth of July fireworks this year in Jack London Square, the daytime event called the July 4th Festival of Family Fun still attracted a lot of parents and children with a giant slide, petting zoo, hula hoop dancing, bounce houses and the amazing “Bubble Man.”

After getting thumbs up from council, Oakland Zoo ready to expand

After the Oakland City Council voted its approval last week, the Oakland Zoo expansion that has been in the works since the mid-1990s is nearly ready to break ground, despite opposition from environmental groups. The expansion includes a veterinary hospital, camping area, and an exhibit for native California animals.

New East Oakland Sports Center opens to the public

Oakland’s newest sports facility, the East Oakland Sports Center, opened its door to the public on Thursday afternoon. The 25,000-square-foot facility, located at 9161 Edes Avenue, includes an aquatic center, a fitness room and a dance studio.

Work on Temescal mural almost completed

A mural on the Highway 24 underpass at 52nd Street in Temescal that has been in the works for two years is close to completion. All that’s left is a little touch-up work and approval from BART to work on the two remaining blank columns. “It’s been an arduous process trying to work with the city bureaucracy trying to get this thing painted,” said Darlene Rios Drapkin, executive director of the Temescal Telegraph Business Improvement District. “We’re almost there,” she…