On behalf of the OaklandSeen family of contributors and Managing Editor Pamela Mays McDonald, Founder and Publisher Aimee Allison stated in her acceptance speech, “OaklandSeen was created to reflect the beauty, creativity and diversity of our community. That’s important not only in our conversations with each other, but as we talk to the nation.”

Caption contest: Imagine a thought bubble above Coco Crisp’s head. What do you think he’s thinking? (All respectful comments welcome.)

The Oakland Athletics play the Detroit Tigers at the Coliseum Saturday, April 16 at 6:05 pm (A’s home cap for the first 10,000 fans) and Sunday, April 17 at 1:05 pm (kids’ wristbands for the first 7,500 kids), then the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, April 20 at 12:35 ($2 Wednesdays!). For the complete schedule of games and promotions and to purchase tickets, click on the Oakland Athletics website (http://atmlb.com/hHL1Lj).

At OaklandSeen, we love our Oakland A’s like we love our Raiders and our Warriors. Join our team of Oaktown fans! Come on out, enjoy the sunshine and support professional sports in our ‘Town. Keep the A’s in Oakland!

The Grand Lake Theater has once again summed up the world situation as many Oaklanders see it.

Clearly, our new mayor is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with her predecessor, Jerry Brown. Time will tell if her appeal produces the intended consequences of saving Oakland’s efforts to redevelop and improve our city. Gov. Brown wants to balance the State budget by eliminating statewide Redevelopment agencies. Mayor Quan believes that killing Redevelopment will cause serious and permanent economic damage at the local level. Read her statement in support of saving Oakland’s Redevelopment projects.

Second in a series of historic photos revealing Oakland’s past and providing a vision of its future. This week’s selection reflects the politics of yesterday–and today–and the need for change in the spirit of ‘rebuilding the public trust.’

During WWII, African Americans began to emigrate in large numbers from the deep South to Oakland. It goes without saying that for most of them, the “Dock of the Bay” was their first taste of racial equality. The international celebrity Paul Robeson came to visit the dockworkers and was captured in this historic photo from 1942.

By Aimee Allison:
We’ve been here before – mourning the loss of a community member to senseless violence. But perhaps it’s time for Oakland to assume a national role in addressing the violence that plagues our nation.

Organizers from Jean Quan’s campaign are trying to maintain the enthusiasm with a new city-wide organization, the “Block by Block Organizing Network” (BBBON).

Oakland’s Chinatown is on the verge of a renaissance as development plans emerge. The Chinatown Oral History Project seeks to collect, preserve & share its past.

Put on those ruby slippers, Dorothy! Click your heels and ring in the New Year with gusto at one of these incredible events this weekend. OaklandSeen has the events calendar for you to get your New Years on, Oakland Style!