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Oakland City Councilmember Libby Schaaf's District 4 Newsletter - February 1, 2013
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Greetings,
2013 is a new year for Oakland in many ways. Most importantly, the changed composition of our City Council with new members Gallo, Kalb and Gibson-McElhaney bodes well for a year of collaboration and commitment to solving Oakland's problems together, thoughtfully. I'm also excited about my new roles on the City Council, as our new Council President Pat Kernighan appointed me to Chair the Council's Finance & Management Committee, and to serve on the Public Safety, Community & Economic Development, Rules & Legislation and Education Partnership Committees. I couldn't be more excited.
Nearly 100 of you attended my State of the District event last Saturday. If you missed it, there's a news story about it here and here's my presentation. The workshops with city staff were particularly popular.
Next Sunday, February 10th 3-5pm kicks off my Safe Oakland Speaker Series at Holy Names University! These free, public events feature some of the brightest minds in crime reduction. We start with a Citywide Forum featuring Robert Wasserman -- Chairman of Strategic Policy Partnership, which assists public agencies throughout the world, including Oakland, with policing strategy development and performance improvement. He is the author of the DOJ's Guidance for Building Communities of Trust. Learn more about the Safe Oakland Speaker Series here.
Thanks again for supporting the three Schaaf-Reid proposals to strengthen policing in Oakland. Our County Sheriff partners hit Oakland streets this weekend! This week HR staff began the hiring process for the 21 new civilians and September Police Officer Academy - thanks to your support.
With Oakland-love,
Libby Schaaf
The Dish
Montclair Bistro
I always know one of the nicest meals I can have in Oakland is at Montclair Bistro. I love the pork chops for dinner and the Brussels Sprout Salad with bacon (yum) for lunch. But our Bistro is more than an eatery. They host many a charity fundraiser, allowing "celebrity bartenders" to pour drinks to benefit their chosen cause. I'm pictured here pouring for the Butters Canyon Conservancy. Check out their current Crab specials and wine dinners at http://www.montclairbistro.com/.
6118 Medau Place
510-482-8282
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Contact the District 4 Office
City of Oakland, District 4
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
510.238.7004
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Visit us at our monthly Office Hours!
* Dimond: 1st Thursdays, 9-11 am at Caffe Diem, 2224 MacArthur Blvd
* Laurel: 1st Saturdays, 9-11 am at World Ground Caf�, 3728 MacArthur Blvd
* Woodminster: 3rd Saturdays, 10-12 pm at Woodminster Caf�, 5020 Woodminster Ln
* Melrose: 4th Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5 pm at Melrose Library, 4805 Foothill Blvd
* Montclair: 4th Sundays, 9:30 - 11:30am at Montclair Farmers Market (or Colonial Donuts at 6126 La Salle Ave)
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Shop D4
located in the Laurel is an affordable natural pet store and grooming house. You can find organic, natural, and premium food and supplies. If they don't have what you are looking for, they will even order it for you! Pet Choice also offers in-home boarding, dog obedience training, City of Oakland licensing, trapping and other services. Stop by and let them help you care for your four legged friends!
4203 MacArthur Blvd., 530-5158 M-Sat 10:00a-6:00p (summer until 7), Sun 11:00a-5:00p (510) 530-3888 
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Be a Community Hero
Do You Know a Local Hero? Know a local volunteer who deserves recognition? We are accepting nominations to recognize those who are making a difference in District 4 neighborhoods. Please click here to send a description of why your Local Hero should be honored for their volunteerism and civic pride (include your contact information as well as your nominee's information). Nominees should live and volunteer in District 4 and not be a past recipient. Deadline for nominations is *Friday, February 8th.* Winners will be honored Sat, Feb. 16th at the "Local Heroes Awards Ceremony & Lunar New Year Celebration" at the Allendale Rec Center (3711 Suter off 35th Ave.) from 10-11:30am. After the Ceremony, we'll enjoy a Family Parade with the Lion Dancers up 38th Ave. to bless the stores in the Laurel District along MacArthur Blvd. Feel free to contact snosakhare@oaklandnet.com with questions.
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City Council News
Should Campaign Reports Be Filed On-line?On Monday, February 4th at 6:30pm Oakland's Public Ethics Commission is having a special hearing on Oakland's system for electronic filing of campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest, as well as my proposed legislation that would require campaigns file electronically in the future. Electronic filing would make campaign reports easier to review, compare and search - making campaign donations more transparent for the public. Read more here.
Note that due to holidays, our Council Committees will meet on Wednesday, February 13th rather than the usual Tuesday. Of note, the Public Safety Committee will meet at a special time of 4pm and hear the annual audited report of the Wildfire Prevention Special Assessment District.
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District 4 News
State of the District
Nearly 100 of you attended my State of the District event last Saturday. This event is something I promised to do, as I believe all residents have a right to hold me accountable, and be aware of our successes and failures. Saving Moraga Canyon from Piedmont development; helping to beautify many blocks in the district, filling potholes, and making City data more accessible are a few of our triumphs, but clearly crime has gotten worse. Key city staff graciously came and presented workshops on many important topics.
Here are a few takeaways:
- Oakland Schools: OUSD is embracing a community schools program - every school will act as a resource and service hub that connects with local partners. Info: http://www.thrivingstudents.org/38
- Public Safety: residents need to know their neighborhood service coordinators (NSC), as well as neighbors (and have contact info), and try and attend area NCPC meetings. You need to call OPD (non-emergency=777-3333, hit 0 to skip painful recording) when you see suspicious activity. People talked about the importance of supporting Measure Y programs and reinstatement of future funding.
- City Budget: budget documents must be more accessible, have more info on specific department budgets (ie, salaries, retirement, overtime), be online, include contact info.
- Online Engagement: Make council/committee meetings website more interactive for residents at home, get residents more involved w/ better website that pushes transparency (check out www.engageoakland.com).
- Public Works: address homeless encampments, use cameras to deter illegal dumping, educate about bulky pick-ups.
- Economic Development: improve code enforcement, and work on business attraction.
Oakland Girls Softball League The Oakland Girls Softball League (OGSL) wants you! The league and sport does terrific things for young girls, through their self-confidence, teamwork, and sense of fun! Spring Season is starting soon and registration is open (enter Oakland Girls Softball League). OGSL is also working very hard to upgrade several Oakland Parks, which very much need improvements. Have fun, Learn Softball and Develop Skills, Exercise and Get Outdoors, Be Part of a Team, Make New Friends, and Be Part of a Twenty-Year Oakland Tradition!
DIA General Community Meeting - Wed, Feb 6th, 7-9p - Dimond Library
City Economic Development Staff will seek community input on the future of the Champion St. Fire Station which the City has put up for sale.
Oakland's Citizen Police Academy: Are you interested in learning more about criminal law, police procedures, crime prevention techniques, and even a ride along with a patrol officer? If so, this 14 week course which meets Mondays 6:00-9:00pm at the Oakland Police Eastmont Substation located at 2651 73rd Ave. Consider joining the 34th class of the Oakland Citizens PoliceAcademy. Visit for more information, the deadline to apply is February 8th. Laurel Bookstore upcoming events: The Laurel bookstore has some great upcoming events in February beginning next week with D4 resident Pam Consear (Handygal) providing tips on Home Organizing 101! Click here for more information and please support our great local bookstore! 2nd Annual BAAITS Two-Spirit Powwow, Sat. Feb. 2nd, 12pm-5pm, 1st Congregational Church, Reidenbach Hall, 2501 Harrison St. Oakland. This free event will host both a Northern & Southern Drum offering traditional native songs for two spirit and straight allies to participate in competition dance categories for prize money, as well as Intertribal dances for the community, artwork, jewelry and handmade crafts for more information click here. |
Catch Your Councilmember
Where To Join Me Over the Next 2 Weeks
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2/2 (Sat) Laurel Office Hours
World Ground Caf�, 3728 MacArthur Blvd., 9:00-11:00a
2/2 (Sat) Lunar New Year Opening Ceremony.2013 Oakland Chinatown Lunar New Year Bazaar, February 2nd & 3rd, 10AM - 5PM (9th and Franklin Streets & Pacific Renaissance Plaza.
2/4 (Mon) Public Ethics Commission Meeting, City Hall, Hearing Room 1, 6:30p
2/5 (Tues) City Council Meeting, City Hall, Chambers, 5:30p
2/6 (Wed) Dimond Improvement Association, Dimond Branch Library, 3565 Fruitvale Ave., 7:00p
2/7 (Thur) Dimond Office Hours, Caffe Diem, 2224 MacArthur Blvd, 9-11 am
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2/7 (Thur) Rules & Legislation Committee, City Hall, 10:45-noon
2/8 (Fri) Girl Scout "Got Milk?" Billboard unveiling. Grand & Broadway, 11a
2/10 (Sun) Safe Oakland Lecture Series w/ Robert Wasserman, Holy Names University, 3500 Mtn. Blvd. 3-5p
2/11 (Mon) City of Oakland Furlough Day, City Hall Closed
2/12 (Tue) City of Oakland Lincoln's Bday Holiday, City Hall closed.
11/13 (Wed) Special City Council Committees: Finance at noon, Community & Economic Development at 2pm, Public Safety at 4pm.
11/13 (Wed) Beat 25X Laurel/Redwood Heights NCPC, 7-9pm Redwood Heights Rec Center
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Onions & Orchids 
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An Orchid to . . .
We have many very overdue orchids....
1. Beverly Karnatz and all the Lincoln Court Volunteers who made our recent Thanksgiving Lunch a success, and more importantly for making the Lincoln Court Apartments the beautiful and thriving community that it is.
2. Abdo of 2-Star Market & Robert Raburn of the Dimond Improvement Association, as well all the amazing volunteers who put together the wonderful Dimond Thanksgiving at the 2-Star parking lot - great work everyone!
3. Angie Haller for leading the effort to produce the mural on Joaquin Miller Park-themed mural on the side of Woodminster Market, as well as the great planters. You can make a donation to support this beautification effort: (510) 482-1200 or heather@shopwoodminster.com. Great work!4. Sarah Hodgson, the Dimond Branch children's librarian, who has just been named the permanent branch manager at Dimond Library. Sarah will do excellent work, and it's really great to finally have a permanent branch manager. Congratulations Sarah!
5. Congrats to the U13 girls soccer team including Laurel's own Gabriella Gustafsson which won the NorCal State Cup (largest state cup in the country) Silver 3 Division on December 15th.
Rebecca brown, Zoe Chan, Chance Davis, Maddie Dyke, Hallie Fang-Horvath, Sierra Fang-Horvath, Bobbi Finklestein, Jenna Grady, Gabriella Gustafsson, Lia Inadomi, Faith Leung, Carlina MacDonald, Alison Prendergast, Camille Revon, Mayumi Rubin-Salka, Audrey Washington, Naomi Weld.
An Onion to . . .
Hecklers and rule-breakers at last week's City Council meeting that made it difficult for everyone's voice to be heard.
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Helpful Links and Numbers
- District 4 Office: (510) 238-7004
- Public Works Call Center: (510) 615-5566 or pwacallcenter@oaklandnet.com
- Neighborhood Service Coordinators (NSC's):
- Hoang Banh (Dimond, Lincoln Highlands, Montera, Oakmore, Woodminster): 510-238-6566 or hbanh@oaklandnet.com
- Patricia Rose (Montclair): 510-238-6822 or prose@oaklandnet.com
- Araina Richards (Allendale, Melrose, Maxwell Park): 510-238-7619 or arichards@oaklandnet.com
- Renee Sykes (Bret Harte, Joaquin Miller, Redwood Heights, Crestmont and Laurel (N. of 35th Ave.): 510-238-7929 or rskyes@oaklandnet.com
- City of Oakland website: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/
To contribute news and events to our newsletter, please email lruhland@oaklandnet.com
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