Culture

Gala offers aid to families of Oakland violence victims

Over 300 people convened at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant in downtown Oakland on Saturday night, to attend the 23rd annual gala of the Organization of Chinese Americans-East Bay (OCA-East Bay). In addition to featuring Asian American athletes the group presented $75,000 to the widow and son of Tiansheng Yu, the victim of a fatal attack on the 1800 block of Telegraph Avenue in Oakland this April.

Lake Merritt’s Nature Center continues on despite budget cuts

Stephanie Benavidez has worked at the Rotary Nature Center for over 35 years, but now thanks to city budget cuts she is its only full time staff member. With only one full-time person on the job, and five part-time employees, it’s harder for the center to keep up with all of its work.

Extreme Biking: dangerous, dirty and tons of fun

Cutting your gas bill, your carbon footprint, or your waistline: these are some of the reasons to bike more. But how about extreme bicycling only for bikers in-the-know? That’s the goal of one Bay Area group that organizes secret, competitive rides covering varied terrain.

The last days of Ramadan in Oakland

Muslims in Oakland are in the last third of the month of Ramadan–its most intense part, as observers continue to fast during daylight hours, declining both food and water until the sun sets. Daylight, and with it the Islamic obligation to fast, lingers long in August.

A tasting tour on two wheels

Fine wine, microbrews and delicatessen chocolate never tasted so good with a little bike grease. In conjunction with the Eat Real Festival last Saturday at Jack London Square, 13 two-wheeled foodies pedaled along Oakland’s waterfront to meet the neighborhood’s culinary artisans and sample their creations.

To ride with the scraper bike king, helmet required

If you want to ride with the scraper bike king, you better wear a helmet. Tyrone “Baybe Champ” Stevenson Jr., known around Oakland as the “king” and creator of the scraper bike movement, announced his new rule of the road Saturday near Oakland City Hall.