Culture
A year ago today, California voters approved Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment that bars same-sex marriages in the state. Maine voters yesterday approved a similar ban, leaving five states–Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire–in which gay couples may legally wed. This interactive map (scroll over to get more information on each state), designed and reported by Oakland North’s Shannon Service and Tasneem Raja, shows the current state-by-state array of marriage and civil union law around the United States.
The third annual Scraper Bike Day celebrates yet another Oakland phenom that has gone bigtime. An O.N. video, plus music that will get stuck in your head.
Dutiful sons and daughters keep alive the Mexican tradition of honoring the dead with flowers, food and drink.
In Rockridge, the hordes descended last night in horns, sheets, glo-lights, vampire teeth, death masks, peace sign necklaces, and extremely scary hair.
At the Eastside Arts Alliance, historian Robin D. G. Kelley speaks about his new book examining the life of pianist Thelonious Monk, and upends the myth of Monk as a reclusive jazz genius.
The It Costumes this year are scariest not because of gore but because of their powerful soul-sucking properties. Hint: They involve men’s suits, Lucky Strikes, and hair.
Neighbors stock up, and one family gets to work on its pumpkins, as North Oakland’s Lawton Avenue braces for the yearly Oct 31 onslaught of trick-or-treaters from far and wide.
Video report: Michael Jackson devotees dressed as zombies and assembled in North Oakland on Saturday as part of Thrill the World, a yearly event when thousands of people around the world dance to the song “Thriller” at the exact same time.
The unusual fashion show at Jack London Square last night featured discount and second-hand clothing, Willie Brown Jr., and an abundance of pride. A slideshow accompanies the story.