Culture
In the era of Proposition 8 — the state constitutional amendment that says marriage is only legal between a man and a woman — same-sex couples are doing what they can to express their commitment to each other. Lindsay Nelson and Chelley Putzer participated in a Valentines Day instant wedding hosted by UrbanDaddy.com and the W Hotel. The ten couples who were married throughout the day had everything provided for them. For Lindsay and Chelley, that meant everything but a marriage certificate.
Coffee shops used to be the social hub of the community until laptops and wireless Internet turned them into libraries that serve food. In North Oakland, one coffee shop is trying to get the conversation started again. Shilanda Woolridge reports.
A sustainable garden, hip-hop and multimedia production — the Green Youth Arts and Media Center opened on January 14th in Oakland. It’s mission: to connect environmental sustainability to cultural practices and to mentor Oakland’s future leaders. Jun Stinson reports.
After the earthquake, Haitian dancers Portsha Jefferson and Colette Eloi were hearing from loved ones in Haiti who needed help. So they came together with other artists in Oakland, California to perform at a benefit concert. The money they raised was sent directly to friends and family in Haiti, where it will be distributed in their communities. Kate McLean reports. Photos courtesy of Congo SQ West, Rita Daniels and Rara Tou Limen.
Mike “DREAM” Francisco, a graffiti artist from Alameda who was murdered 10 years ago during a robbery, inspired young artists and his memory brought them together Friday for “Dream Day,” a celebration of his life and hip hop culture.
In an effort to keep Actual Cafe an actual cafe, starting this weekend owner Sal Bednarz will embark upon a month-long social experiment to create the kind of social atmosphere that existed before wireless internet and mobile computers. Bednarz wants people to step away from their Facebook profiles and connect face-to-face.
In Stanley Garcia’s experience, boxing breathed life, maturity, and hope into the lives of the East Oakland boys who frequented his boxing club. Garcia, founder of the East Oakland Boxing Association, died last Friday at the age of 69. At his recent memorial service at Lake Chalet on Lake Merritt, the tributes poured in.
LINKS The following links are a sample of organizations that have grown out of the movement for political, social, and racial equality among African Americans, Asian Americans, Chicanos, and Native Americans. Asian Health Services (Oakland) – Provides health care for immigrants, the uninsured, and low income Asians and Pacific Islanders in Cantonese, Khmer, Korean, Lao, Mandarin, Mien, Mongolian, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and English. Chinese Progressive Association (San Francisco) – Fights for improved living and working conditions for the immigrant, working class,…
Four Bulldogs football players—Fred Thompson (Oregon State), and defensive back/running back Ryan Murphy (Oregon State), defensive back/wide receiver DiAndre Campbell (Washington) and wide receiver Eddie Gillies (Sacramento State) each officially signed letters of intent to attend schools that play at the NCAA Division-I level, the highest level of college sports.