Development

Tenant protection ordinance passes at Oakland’s city council meeting

“Hey hey, ho ho, it’s time to pass the TPO!” The chant rang out in front of Oakland City Hall, inside the building itself, and in the city council chambers as marchers in support of the Tenant Protection Ordinance made their way to Tuesday night’s council meeting. At the council’s final meeting before the November election, they considered the Tenant Protection Ordinance, passed another ordinance that will protect unaccompanied minors at risk of deportation, and discussed updates on the Coliseum…

Buddha of Oakland

When Dan Stevenson placed a stone Buddha across the street from his house in Oakland’s Eastlake neighborhood, it was out of desperation. “The corner was constantly being filled up with mattress and couches and junk and there was some drug usage, a lot of graffiti, people just standing around doing nothing—just depressing,” said Stevenson.  Stevenson and his wife, Lu, say they are not religious at all, but believe in the power of positive and negative energy, and so decided to…

City celebrates new Kiva Zip-funded local businesses

The Authentic Bagel Company was one of 12 Oakland-bred businesses honored last week at a party for a special program that helps entrepreneurs gather zero-interest startup funds through online crowd-funding. Other entrepreneurs at the party have founded businesses that provide art and gallery space, small-batch kombucha, handmade corn chips, vintage clothes and ethically sourced chocolate.

Oakland teachers protest for raises and smaller class sizes

Oakland educators took to the streets in protest yesterday. At one intersection in North Oakland, one teacher appeared with signs and a neon shirt, then a few others, who brought more signs, as well as snacks. Half an hour later forty teachers and substitutes rallied at Broadway and 51st street.