MacArthur Transit Village Groundbreaking, Monday, May 23, 1 pm:

BART Seat Lab Comes to Fruitvale BART, Monday, May 23, 3-6:30 pm: BART seeks riders’ design suggestions for their fleet of the future. Join BART Director Robert Raburn to evaulate seat cushions, cover materials and varying seat width and aisle configurations. Current BART seats are the widest (22″) used on any transit system in the nation and have wool-covered cushions that are a challenge to maintain.  You will be asked to compare BART seats and aisles with seats from many other trains. The Seat Lab will be located at the CityCareShare lot on E12th and 33rd Avenue, between the Bike Station and Parking Garage.  For details go to
http://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2011/news20110519.aspx

Oakland Budget Town Hall Meeting, Council Districts 2, 4 & 5, Monday, May 23, 6 pm, Fruitvale Elementary School, 3200 Boston Avenue: Join Council members Ignacio de  La Fuente (District 5), Pat Kernighan (District 2) and Libby Schaaf (District 4) along with City Administrator P. Lamont Ewell and Budget Director Sabrina Landreth to discuss how to close a project budget deficit of $58 million for Fiscal Year 2011-12 and $76 million for Fiscal Year 2012-13. For details on the budget, visit the City’s website.

Events via Mayor Jean Quan

A protest poster compares Oakland's gang injunction policy to the anti-immigration policies recently enacted in the state of Arizona

Now that City Attorney John Russo has announced his departure from Oakland, the future of Oakland’s gang injunctions anti-crime policy seems perilous under the leadership of Mayor Jean Quan. There are many reasons for the unpopularity of the policy in various sectors of the community. Hear some eloquent voices from the opposition express their anti-injunctions perspectives.

Stop the Gang Injunction by KarlSingh

An anti-injunction protester wields a handmade sign

KPFA Radio host Gabrielle Wilson writes in The SF Bay View that the gang injunctions policy is nothing more than an insidious tool, designed to assuage the anxiety of the new gentrifying elite. Many Oaklanders feel that the policy unfairly targets neighborhoods where a majority of residents are people of color. Some equate the policy to a form of racial profiling, comparing it to the anti-immigration policies of the state of Arizona. (see image above) Read the editorial piece here. (Gang injunctions, unfettered police power gentrify Oakland, IndyBay, 5/4/11)

Mayor Jean Quan is thought by many to be in opposition to this policy, preferring methods that target individuals instead of the broad brush of an injunction, which targets an large group of people within a specific neighborhood such as the Fruitvale. As a matter of fact, The Bay Citizen reports that in a review of her new budget scenarios, Quan called into the question the city’s spending on the injunctions.

“I think everyone was surprised to see how much has been spent,” she said, of the gang cases. “I could run two youth programs for $700,000.”

Indeed, given the city of Oakland’s multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, all of Quan’s three budget scenarios include a reduction in the number of police officers. One scenario reportedly would reduce the current 662 officers to only 600 within the next two years.

The rancor surrounding the gang injunction issue pits neighbors who have been the victims of gang-related crime against the civil rights community.

More than 1,000 high-achieving Oakland students will gather under one roof when the African-American Education Task Force and the Oakland Unified School District host the 2011 African-American Honor Roll celebration. The annual event honors the city’s top African-American public school students enrolled in Grades 8 through 12. To qualify, students had to earn at least a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) in the first semester of the school year. “At a time when the achievement gap between African-American and Latino students and their peers remains persistent, it’s critical that we celebrate students who present a model of scholastic accomplishment,” explained OUSD Superintendent Tony Smith. “Their academic success, while notable in its own right, can also serve as an inspiration for other students striving to succeed. More than that, it is a reminder of the potential inherent in all our students and our obligation as adults to help them fulfill it.”

Oakland’s own “White Boy” Roger Rodd is one of six contestants in the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition Finals taking place this weekend at the Paramount Theater. And he isn’t even black. But he is hella funny! His comedy challenges racial stereotypes and asks his audience to suspend their disbelief for a few moments. Watch this and try not to laugh!

Here is more funny video of another finalist from the 2010 Competition, Kirk McHenry of Oakland, Finalist Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival, April 17th, 2010, Paramount theatre, Oakland, CA, introduced by host Don “DC” Curry. You’ll never look at De La Salle football or Piedmont the same way again!

Founder Tony Spires explains why Oakland has had 25 consecutive, successful, comedy awards events

“Oakland is internationally recognized as a hub and an “authenticity gauge,” if you will, on Black Culture and all things Black.  Besides, I consider Oakland home.  It’s where I cut my professional teeth, where my children were born and where my heart still is to this day.  Our youth Arts Organization, Full Vision Arts Foundation is based in Oakland.  I’ve never really left.  The song Tony Bennett made famous says, “I left my heart in San Francisco…” Well, I left mine just across the Bay! The people of Oakland have brought their support, their open minds and used their keen eye for talent to help propel many of our comedians to stardom into the mainstream”

Well, that’s how it goes when Oakland plays host to the twenty-fifth annual competition this Saturday at the Paramount Theater. For ticket information, contact 510 421 9207 or log onto the website.

OaklandSeen is proud to co-sponsor this anniversary event. Oakland, get ready to get your laugh on!

Affordable Housing Week, sponsored by East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO), demonstrates how affordable housing allows workers to live near their jobs, giving parents more time with their children; and allow seniors and people with special needs to live independently. Today’s affordable housing is also built to the highest green standards and often located near transit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and allow access to employment. All of this is made possible by the hard work of mission-driven nonprofit developers, local officials and residents, but will be in jeopardy if redevelopment funds for affordable housing are ultimately cut in the state budget. Join East Bay Housing Organization for some of these highlighted events:

• Tour Fairmount Apartments in North Oakland on May 11, a rehabilitated property whose future was in doubt after the California freeze on state housing bonds. An emergency effort pulled together funding to create 31 apartments, including homes for people with HIV/AIDS and formerly homeless individuals.
• Talk with 100 practitioners, government staff, advocates, developers and experts at the State of Housing in the East Bay Symposium on May 11, exploring how affordable housing and transportation investment link to each other and help spur the economy.
• On May 13, see the pilot of the innovative WELL AWARE system at the newly greened Newark Gardens senior housing, an automated system that sends loved ones reports on the well-being of elderly residents.
• Hear community leaders in Antioch speak out about the foreclosure crisis on May 10 and how they are working to hold banks accountable and save their homes.
• Take a “hard hat” tour of the brand-new BART-accessible Station Center Apartments in Union City on May 10.
• Learn how more and more cities are passing ordinances to keep housing smoke-free at a May 12 presentation by the American Lung Association.
• Discuss how environmental sustainability and affordability go hand-in-hand at May 13 “Greening the Affordable Housing Portfolio,” featuring a keynote address by Ophelia Basgal, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Visit a former Naval base that now hosts a thriving community and several “social enterprise” green businesses at Alameda Point on May 12.

For more information on these events and many others, visit www.ebho.org or contact Gloria Bruce at Gloria@ebho.org or 240-252-0252.

For the past 15 years, East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO) has organized Affordable Housing Week to highlight the contribution that non-profit affordable housing development brings to communities, as well as the continued need for more homes that people can afford at all income levels. Founded in 1984, EBHO and its 300 members work with communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to preserve, protect and expand affordable housing opportunities through education, advocacy, and coalition building.

REP. BARBARA LEE: Mr. Speaker, members, I rise today really with a very heavy heart, one that is filled with sorrow for the families and the loved ones who were killed and injured this week. Only the most foolish and the most callous would not understand the grief that has really gripped our people and millions across the world. This unspeakable act on the United States has really forced me, however, to rely on my moral compass, my conscience and my God for direction.

September 11th changed the world. Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States. This is a very complex and complicated matter.

Now this resolution will pass, although we all know that the President can wage a war even without it. However difficult this vote may be, some of us must urge the use of restraint. Our country is in a state of mourning. Some of us must say, let’s step back for a moment. Let’s just pause, just for a minute, and think through the implications of our actions today, so that this does not spiral out of control.

Now I have agonized over this vote. But I came to grips with it today, and I came to grips with opposing this resolution during the very painful, yet very beautiful, memorial service. As a member of the clergy so eloquently said, “As we act, let us not become the evil that we deplore.”

Thank you, and I yield the balance of my time.

Now, “fast forward” ten years. Today, following the assassination of Osama bin Laden, Rep. Lee calls for an end to the war in Afghanistan. In an interview this morning on “Democracy Now!”, Rep. Lee stated her concerns to host Amy Goodman. Highlights of the interview:

“Let me first say that I think the world really has breathed a sigh of relief, and I think everyone has to see President Obama as a bold leader who is committed to hopefully begin now to look at how we begin to end the war in Afghanistan. It’s very important that we take this moment, I believe, to reflect upon the fact that the President did commit to begin a significant withdrawal in July..

…While the head of al-Qaeda is no longer around, we have to really address the root causes of terrorism and understand that we have to refocus our resources and our strategy in a way that begins to get us out of Afghanistan.

…It’s very important to use this defining moment, I think, to rally the American people and to remind the American people that we are spending trillions of dollars, billions every week, on this open-ended longest war in American history and that we have economic priorities, economic recovery, job creation priorities here in our own country that this money can be used for. But that doesn’t mean, though, that we have to put our heads in the sand, Amy. And I think, as progressives and as Democrats, you know, I want to say, we must understand we have to develop a smart security strategy.

…And bottom line is, we’ve got to remove our young men and women out of harm’s way, and we’ve got to really make sure that our presence in countries throughout the world do not create more danger and more anger toward the United States, which, you know, diminishes our national security.”

Elsewhere, US Senator Dianne Feinstein has called for an end to aid from the US to the Pakistani government. Bay Area congresswoman Lynn Woolsey has introduced legislation on “smart security.”

What do you think about Barbara Lee’s remarks? Agree or disagree? Do you feel that our Oakland congressional leadership is behind the times, still living out pacifist, 60s “hippie” ideals? Or rather, ahead of her time, showing visionary leadership on ways the US can improve its standing in the world?

At present, the City’s Cultural Funding Program (CFP), a program of the Oakland Redevelopment Agency, funds Oakland-based art and cultural activities that reflect the diversity of the city for the citizens and visitors to Oakland.

The CFP focuses on three key areas of support:

• General Support
• Neighborhood Arts
• Arts Education

The Program’s broad goals are:

• To provide access to financial support—through a competitive process—to a wide range of Oakland-based artists and nonprofit organizations providing arts and cultural services in Oakland.
• To infuse Oakland’s neighborhoods with arts and cultural activities that increase exposure to, understanding of and respect for diverse cultural heritages, and to support arts activities that engage the community.
• To support arts education activities in Oakland’s schools and among Oakland youth.

City-sponsored programs include the Organization Project Support Program, the Individual Artist Project Support Program, the Organizational Assistance Program and the Art in the Schools Program.

(Editor’s note: Applications for the 2011-12 funding cycle for all of these programs are due May 19 at 5:00pm. Application guidelines and information are available online right now. )

Supporters argue that a withdrawal of support for any of these programs will negative effect the City’s economic and social health and well-being. The following letter to Mayor Jean Quan reflects their sentiments. OaklandSeen shares the text with our readers with a question:

What would Oakland be like if existing arts funding were eliminated?

Here is the open letter from the Funding Advisory Committee (FAC) to the Oakland Cultural Affairs Commission, dated Friday, April 29, 2011:

Mayor Jean Quan
Oakland City Hall
1 Frank Ogawa Plaza
Oakland 94612 April 29, 2011

Dear Mayor Quan,

Did you know there are 207 non-profit arts organizations in Oakland?

Did you know that each year these organizations earn and spend $74 million dollars right here in Oakland?

Did you know that the City’s General Fund investment of $725,126 in FY10-11 cultural funding has attracted more than $5 million in funding from outside Oakland in the last 2 years alone?

Yes, we know you did!

To support this dynamic and diverse arts community, and to sustain the high levels of economic activity that the arts deliver to Oakland, we hope that in your upcoming budget you will include robust support for:

• The City’s Cultural Funding staff in the Community & Economic Development Agency
• The Cultural Funding programs supporting arts in the schools, arts organizations, and individual artists

Our job on the Funding Advisory Committee (FAC) to the Oakland Cultural Affairs Commission is to inform the City’s efforts to support Oakland’s artists, arts educators and arts organizations.  As we conduct our work we see how resourceful, ingenious and inspired the city’s arts community is.

We know that every dollar invested in the arts sector drives consumers to spend money at restaurants, hotels, and parking garages, and that every dollar is leveraged to raise more funds to pay artists and the salaries of arts workers.

We also know that every hour of compensated work is doubled and tripled by thousands of unpaid hours of community service to enrich Oakland with a vibrant arts scene. We ourselves serve on the FAC as volunteers.

We are private arts funders, representatives of Bay Area local arts agencies, arts educators and arts organization leaders, and artists ourselves. If we know anything, it is that nobody gets into the arts for the money.  And yet, Oakland’s reputation as national arts leader and the contributions, artistic and economic, that the arts community makes have real value. The value is measured in the lives changed by art teachers working with youth in and out of schools and with seniors to give voice to their life stories.  It’s measured in thousands of Oakland citizens coming together to sing in choruses and to dance at festivals; in the thousands more who smile for a moment each day when they encounter a painting in a gallery or walk past a mural, a statue, or an arts installation outside. And of course the arts –unlike any other department in the City– have the power to inspire individuals and to connect communities.

We know there are no easy choices when it comes to managing this year’s budget, but we hope you’ll recognize the vital role the arts play in attracting financial and human capital to Oakland, and include robust support for the City’s Cultural Funding staff and programs.

Sincerely,

Khan Wong, Marc Vogl Co-Chairs
Ebony McKinney, Suki O’Kane, Ted Russell, Nives Wetzel de Cediel, Committee Members
The Funding Advisory Committee to the Oakland Cultural Affairs Commission

cc: Sabrina Landreth, Budget Director, Office of the Mayor
Richard Cowan, Special Assistant to the Mayor for Boards and Commissions.
Lamont Ewell, Interim City Administrator
Samee Roberts, Cultural Arts & Marketing Manager
Steven Huss, Cultural Arts Manager
Nicole Neditch, Acting Cultural Funding Coordinator

The Vagina Monologues

“The Vagina Monologues” written by Eve Ensler, produced by Leslie Woods, promises to be a night to remember. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be outraged and uplifted! Come early to view our silent auction and indulge in delicious appetizers and a glass of wine. Doors open at 7 pm.

The Vagina Monologues
Friday, Apr 29 8:00pm
Humanist Hall
390 27th St.
$20
http://humanisthall.net

Shang at Continental Comedy Club

Shang has come a long way from the boroughs of New York. Originally from Brooklyn, this Carnegie Mellon graduate began his comedy career on a dare. A friend bet him $50 that he wouldn’t take the stage during open-mike night at a local comedy club. He did and won the bet. On stage he discovered comedy was a great way to get the things that he was passionate & angry about in the world out. Since then Shang has been on Def Comedy Jam, First Amendment of Stand-Up, Comedy Central, Comic View & many other cable and broadcast outlets. Friday he brings his hilarious style to the Continental Club for two shows.

Shang at Continental Comedy Club
Friday, Apr 29 10:00pm
Continental Comedy Club
1658 12th St.
$10 – $15 w/ 2 item minimum
21+

The Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam – Prelims

Celebrate the voices of 21st century America! Youth Speaks hosted the first Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam in 1997, the first event of it’s kind in the country. The annual slam (an Olympic-style poetry competition) features hundreds of young writers, emcees, and performers from throughout the Bay Area and Northern California, and attracts almost 10,000 audience members during its month-long run. The Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam is open to any youth 13-19 years old in the greater Bay Area. The East Bay Preliminary events begin this week — join hundreds of young artists and leaders as they take the stage, speak truth to power, and perform for a chance to represent at the Grand Slam Finals!

The Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam – Prelims
Fri, April 29: 4:30pm & 7:30pm
Sat, April 30: 1:00pm & 4:30pm
Oakland Main Library
125 14th Street
http://youthspeaks.org/voice/performances/youth-speaks-teen-poetry-slam/

Learn to Curl with Olympians

You know you’ve watched it before but you’re still wondering “What is curling?” You might remember it as the sport you fell in love with during the Winter Olympics, involving stones, brooms, and people yelling “hard!” Friday offers you a special opportunity to learn from members of the Norwegian men’s national team! They wore the awesome pants on their way to a silver medal in the winter Olympics. No special equipment required, just dress warmly and wear sneakers.

Learn to Curl with Olympians
Friday, Apr 29 6:30p to 8:15p
Oakland Ice Center
519 18th St.
$15
http://www.bayareacurling.com/

Saturday, April 30

Comedian Kevin Hart at The Paramount

At 5’4, comedian and actor Kevin Hart has to pack a whole lot of funny into a small frame. Recognizable from his film work (including supporting turns in Fools’ Gold and The 40-Year Old Virgin), Hart is also an incredibly fast-talking, self-deprecating stand-up comic. Reminiscent of Richard Pryor and a young Eddie Murphy, Hart combines comedy culled from his own life with a quick, energetic delivery that sells just about any joke he tells.

Kevin Hart at The Paramount
Saturday, April 30^th, 8pm & 11:00pm
Sunday, May 1^st, 7pm
The Paramount Theater
2025 Broadway
$59 – $69
http://www.paramounttheatre.com/schedule.html

Green is Good for Every Neighborhood

Join Communities for a Better Environment for the 3rd Annual “Green is Good for East Oakland” event to revitalize, green and heal our community. It includes a parade, performances, and fun!

Parade at 10:30: Castlemont Campus, 8601 MacArthur Boulevard, Rally at 11:30: Tassafaronga Recreation Center, 975 85th Avenue, Program at Noon: ACORN Woodland Elementary, 1025 81st Avenue

Green is Good for Every Neighborhood
Saturday, April 30^th,
10:30am – at 5:00pm
http://www.cbecal.org/

Eco2: Ecofashion Meets Ecojustice

Filipino Advocates for Justice’s annual fundraiser will be a fashion show celebrating local eco friendly designers and honoring the contributions of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) for their role in building the environmental justice movement. The fashion show features designers who are creating innovative wear and wearable art from reusable materials (‘trashion’), re-purposed used clothing, and vintage wear as a better alternative to the mass consumption of new clothing. The designers are: Julia Rhee; Jenny Ton; Melissa Uy; Rozel Cruz; and Robin David. They are representative of today’s environmentally conscious designers with a fresh vision of couture. Roseli Ilano, owner and designer of Subtextstyle, an online and mobile retailer, is Fashion Show Director. Our fashion show models are community activists and leaders: Dawn Mabalon, Professor at San Francisco State University; Chris Punongbayan, Deputy Director of the Asian Law Caucus; Belle Santos, Development Manager for Planned Parenthood Shasta Pacific; Aimee Suzara, playwright; Toussaint Haki Stewart, teacher, and creator of Besto Pesto; and elementary school student, Mahalaya Tintiangco-Cubales.

Eco2: Ecofashion Meets Ecojustice
Saturday, Apr 30 6:00pm
Oakland Asian Cultural Center
388 Ninth St.
$60
http://www.filipinos4justice.org/

District 2 Town Hall Meeting with Mayor Quan

Organized by local residents, this meeting will focus on local issues of concern to District 2 residents. Participants break out into smaller groups by area of interest, and develop a short list of the top three doable priorities to improve the quality of life for local residents. This event is sponsored by Mayor Quan, District 4 Councilmember Pat Kernighan and Block by Block Organizing Network.

District 2 Town Hall Meeting with Mayor Quan
Saturday, April 30 | 10am – 12:30pm
Regeneration Church
238 E. 15th Street
http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/Mayor/index.htm

Oakland Financial Fitness Fair

The Community Action Partnerships (CAP) program was established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to help fight America’s War on Poverty. Oakland’s CAP is part of broad national and state networks of nearly 1,100 agencies, both non-profit private and public organizations — all working to eliminate poverty on a local and national level. CAP involves local citizens in its effort to address specific barriers to achieving self-sufficiency. OCAP is committed to reducing poverty by providing services and programs targeted to low-income individuals and families. OCAP has been funding programs and projects in the low- income community for more than 38 years. This Saturday they offer a free workshop on Financial Fitness and Debt Management. The first 100 attendees get a Free Credit Score report. Lunch is also provided free of charge.

Oakland Financial Fitness Fair
Saturday, April 30 | 10am – 2pm
City Hall
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
FREE
http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/DHS/s/CommunityActionPartnership/index.htm

US National Same Sex Ballroom Championships

This weekend is the first ever US National Championship same-sex ballroom competition! This event is authorized by North American Same-Sex Partner Dance Association and is the first official competition to grant national titles. The evening’s Showcase of Champions includes an open social dance for all and there will also be a complimentary dance class to introduce first-time dancers to the joys of same-sex ballroom dance.

US National Same Sex Ballroom Championships
Saturday, Apr 30 8:00pm
Just Dance Ballroom
2500 Embarcadero
$15-$35
http://www.aprilfollies.com/

Foresters-KaBOOM Playground Build Day

The kids need your help! The need you to volunteer on Build Day, Saturday, so that at the end of the day there will be playground equipment installed at Wade Johnson Park so that children can be children in West Oakland. Why Wade Johnson Park?:  OUSD PD Chief Pete Sarna, recognized that the children of the area did not have a playground or other activities to keep them busy, and identified Wade Johnson as a park that could be developed for them.  Chief Sarna contacted KABOOM! and worked with the City of Oakland, Building Together Oakland and McGuire & Hester to get accepted as a site for a KaBOOM! project build day.  The site has been approived and KaBOOM! ‘s funding partner Foresters, began the process which will lead up Saturday’s event.

Foresters-KaBOOM Playground Build Day
Saturday, April 30, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wade Johnson Park
1250 Kirkham Street (next to the former Cole Elementary School)

An Evening with Lily Taylor, Teddy Raven, Native/naive, Mom, Buk Buk Big Ups

Addressing the endless threat of natural disasters, Teddy Raven will investigate the ways in which we think about and respond to such events. Can you really be prepared? Evening includes a multi-media installation and performance featuring dancers Caroline Alexander and Andrew Ward, and music by Aaron Wacks and Teddy Raven; followed by music from avant-pop vocalists Lily Taylor, Native/naive, Mom, BukBuk Bigups. Proceeds will be collected for the Red Cross to help Japan rebuild

An Evening with Lily Taylor, Teddy Raven, Native/naive, Mom, Buk Buk Big Ups
Saturday, Apr 30 7:00pm
Lobot Gallery
1800 Campbell St.
$3-5 suggested donation

Sunday, May 1

Civicorps Elementary Spring Bazaar

Come check out over 20 amazing local artists and vendors at this year’s Civicorps Spring Bazaar! Just in time for Mother’s Day they’ll have: Many amazing jewelers w/ earrings, cuffs, necklaces and more; Cards, prints and photography; Airbrush Artist; T-Shirts and hats; Hula hoops; Body scrubs and oils; Kids booths, face-painting and more; Spiced nuts, granola and Sweet Potato Pie; Music, food and coffee.

Civicorps Elementary Spring Bazaar
Sunday, May 1 11:00am to 3:00pm
Civicorps Elementary School
1086 Alcatraz Ave.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=214244225258266

Rachelle Ferrell at Yoshi’s

Sunday is your last chance to catch Rachelle Ferrell during her stop in the Town. Ferrell is a relatively recent arrival on the contemporary jazz scene, but her visibility on the pop / urban contemporary scene has boosted her audience’s interest in her jazz recordings. Ferrell’s debut, ‘First Instrument’, was released in 1990 in Japan only. Recorded with bassist Tyrone Brown, pianist Eddie Green and drummer Doug Nally, an all-star cast of accompanists also leave their mark on her record. They include trumpeter Terrence Blanchard, pianists Gil Goldstein and Michel Petrucciani, bassists Kenny Davis and Stanley Clarke, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter and keyboardist Pete Levin. Her unique take on now-standards like Sam Cooke’s ‘You Send Me,’ Cole Porter’s ‘What Is This Thing Called Love,’ and Rodgers & Hart’s ‘My Funny Valentine,’ captured the hearts and souls of the Japanese jazz-buying public. In 1995, Blue Note / Capitol released her Japanese debut for U.S. audiences, and the response was similarly positive. She’s known for giving a great live performance too, and Yoshi’s is always a great spot to see one.

Rachelle Ferrell at Yoshi’s
Sunday, May 1^st, 8:00pm
Yoshi’s Oakland
510 Embarcadero W
$30.00
http://www.yoshis.com/oakland

Explosions in the Sky

Explosions in the Sky are musicians. They are instrumentalists and take pride in it. Coming out of the Austin scene in 1999 they have released a total of five full length and critically acclaimed albums while exploring their unique post-rock sound.

Explosions In the Sky
Sunday, May 1^st, 8:00p
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph Ave.
$25 and up
http://www.thefoxoakland.com/

Fobia at The New Parish

Fobia is a rock band from Mexico City, founded in 1987. They are known for being part of the new generation’s “Mexican Rock” (end of the 80′s). Their debut album “Fobia”, released in 1990, was a great success. The band later recorded 4 more albums: Mundo Feliz (1991), Leche (1993), Amor Chiquito (1995) and the live album On ICE (1997). The original band split up in 1997 and reunited in 2003 releasing a new album by the name of “Rosa Venus”

Fobia with special guests
Sunday, May 1^st, 8:30pm
The New Parish
579 18th St.
$20 Adv   18 +
http://www.thenewparish.com/

Walking Backwards Forward, Mills MFA Thesis Exhibition

Walking Backwards Forward is the thesis exhibition for the 2011 Master of Fine Arts degree recipients. The exhibition showcases works created during the Mills College MFA studio art program. The exhibition is curated by Stephanie Hanor, Director of the Mills College Art Museum.

The exhibit features work by Alexa Alexander, Sholeh Asgary, Sohyung Choi, Hilary Galián, Sarah Hirneisen, Amy M. Ho, Emily Hoyt, David Johnson, Danielle Lawrence, Chelsea Pegram, David Sleeth and Alexander Treu.

Walking Backwards Forward, Mills MFA Thesis Exhibition
Sunday, May 1^st, 11:00am to 4:00pm
Mills College: Mills College Art Museum
5000 MacArthur Blvd
Free
http://mcam.mills.edu/

WEEKLY EVENTS

Hubba Hubba Review

A mix of irreverent comedy, classic striptease and circus / variety acts, the Hubba Hubba Revue is a fast-paced explosion of entertainment

Mondays; 10:00 pm

The Uptown Club
1928 Telegraph Ave
$5
http://www.hubbahubbarevue.com/

M.A.D Mondays at Maxwell’s

Every Monday standup comic WightOut hosts this open-mic that welcomes Comics, Singers, Poets, MCs and pretty much anyone else who wants to get on

Mondays; 8:30 pm

Maxwell’s Lounge
341 13th Street
$3 b4 9pm / $5 After
www.maxwellslounge.com

The Blue Candle

Oakland’s longest running open-mic is still going strong after more than 10 years and multiple different incarnations. These days the festivities are hosted by the hilarious JayRich but as always the drinks are strong and Dorsey’s serves up some of the best soul food in the Bay Area.

Tuesdays; 8pm – Midnight

Dorsey’s Locker
5817 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 428-1935
FREE!!
http://www.dorseyslocker.com/

The Layover Comedy Night

Every Tuesday at The Layover hosts a comedy night hosted by Mike Speigleman and featuring local comics followed by DJs until 2.

Tuesdays; 8:00 – 10:30

The Layover Bar
1517 Franklin St
FREE!!
http://www.oaklandlayover.com/

Mouth Off Open-Mic

Every Wednesday the folks from Hot Water Cornbread bring you Oakland’s Flyest Open-Mic. The performance festivities are hosted by Prentice Powell w/ DJ Victor on the 1s & 2s from 8-10:30 and followed promptly by a dance party. Guys should note that there is a dress code.

Wednesdays; from 8:00 – 10:30

The Air Lounge
$5.00
http://www.hotwatercornbread.org

Quit Playin With Me Open-Mic

Wednesdays at the Aqua Lounge is one of the Town’s newest weeklies, hosted by Poet/MC Nate Day.

Wednesdays; from 8:00 – Midnight

The Aqua Lounge
311 Broadway – Upstairs
$5.00

Holla Back ESA Open-Mic

Each Thursday the folks at The Eastside Arts Alliance open the space for you to bless the stage. The hosts and DJs change up but the event pops off each week with a slightly different feel regardless of who’s runnin it.

Thursdays; from 8:00 – 10:30

The East Side Arts Alliance
2277 International Blvd
$5.00
http://eastsideartsalliance.com

Mayor Quan launches a new initiative aimed to eliminate disparities in internet broadband access

Eliminating the “Digital Divide” plays a pivotal role in the educational and career success of young people and helps seniors stay connected and avoid isolation. Through broadband connection people can enhance their education experience; strengthen job performance; obtain access to social and healthcare services; utilize government services; succeed in starting up and running a business; find relevant news and information; buy needed products and services; enhance lifestyle and entertainment options.

This morning, Mayor Quan officially launched Get Connected Oakland!, a citywide initiative to eliminate the digital divide throughout the city by making it as simple as possible for everyone to have broadband Internet access along with training and tech support. According to the California Emerging Technology Fund, in 2011, 30% of all Californians, 51% of low-income households, 50% of Latino families, and 45% of people with disabilities are not connected to the Internet with broadband, leaving more than 10 million Californians without high-speed Internet access at home.

At the press conference, Mayor Quan presented a proclamation re-enforcing the City’s commitment to eliminating the digital divide and making it as simple as possible for Oakland residents to have computer access as a vital component to the economic prosperity and quality of life for all Oakland residents.

At the launch, Mayor Quan also announced Oakland’s “Digital Bill of Rights”

In Oakland we are dedicated to equality of access and equality of opportunity in these ways:

• • Equal access to computers and the Internet for all residents, regardless of economic status.
  • Education and training classes for all residents to make them literate and productive users of technology.
  • A support system to keep the digital divide from returning.

The City has already engaged in a wide variety of activities to improve access including upgraded library access, over twenty new computer centers for our youth in the Oakland Park and Recreation Centers, dozens of free wi-fi hotspots and more. A new website has been launched to help coordinate the campaign and provide information.

About Get Connected Oakland!
Get Connected Oakland! is affiliated with the California Emerging Technology Fund statewide Get Connected! Initiative. The Organizing Committee for Get Connected Oakland! is Co-Chaired by Bruce Buckelew (OTX West); David Glover (OCCUR); and Joe Gross (Sustainable Systems/California Emerging Technology Fund).

In addition to partnering with the Office of the Mayor, Oakland Housing Authority and Oakland Unified School District, Get Connected Oakland! is partnering with the Alameda County District Attorney/Alameda County Family Justice Center; Alameda County Department of Social Services/General Assistance/CalWorks/Foster Youth; Alameda County Office of Education; Oakland Digital Arts and Literacy Center; Oakland Parks and Recreation; Oakland Public Library; and Santa Rita Jail/Educational Services.

Also joining the Mayor at the press conference:

Nancy O’Malley, District Attorney & Founder of Alameda County Family Justice Center
Ashley McCullough, West Coast Children’s Clinic/Youth Adult Partnership
Ellen Muhammad, Coordinator, Senior Digital Inclusion Project
Noel Gallo, Director, District 5, Oakland Unified School District
Roma Groves, Principal, Martin Luther King Elementary
Eric Johnson, Oakland Housing Authority

OaklandSeen founder and publisher Aimee Allison holds the "Making Democracy Work" award presented to OaklandSeen by The League of Women Voters of Oakland

Jack London Square’s Scott’s Seafood Restaurant was the scene of the 20th annual League of Women Voters of Oakland All-City Luncheon on April 27, 2011. Following introductory remarks by League Co-president Katherine Gavzy, Mayor Jean Quan took the podium. To a sellout crowd of Oakland “movers and shakers,” Quan emphasized the political struggles she has faced and those of other women in politics, concluding that there is an urgent need for more women to enter the field. Turning to Oakland issues, she spoke of the upcoming city budget with its three recommendations based on city revenues http://bit.ly/kzOCxZ.

Councilwoman Libby Schaaf introduced the day’s program by announcing that, “If you are not reading these (Oakland) blogs, then you don’t know what’s going on in Oakland, what people are saying, what they are talking about.” She highlighted the passion and fervent emotions expressed in the blogosphere, noting that online local publications “post rollicking debate that is exciting and educational.” Clearly, many in the sold-out audience were as yet unaware of social networking and the many alternative news outlets on the internet, so Councilmember Schaaf’s remarks were a revelation to an older generation of political and media leadership in attendance at the event.

Schaaf then turned to the business at hand: the presentation of awards. OaklandSeen publisher Aimee Allison was first to receive a “Making Democracy Work” award on behalf of the OaklandSeen family of online subscribers, its managing editor Pamela Mays McDonald, and the growing community of contributors to OaklandSeen.

Managing editor Pamela Mays McDonald and publisher Aimee Allison celebrate their award at Jack London Square

“OaklandSeen is known for showcasing positive stories about Oakland that often go untold, as well as publishing blogs written by elected and appointed officials about things they’re working on,” read the official program. The League award acknowledged the publication’s major accomplishments in barely a year of existence: OaklandSeen co-sponsored several mayoral forums in the 2010 election, providing public access to the candidates; published content from over 100 local contributors, giving voice not only to officials and organizations, but to grassroots citizens engaged in the process of improving our community; published up-to-the minute, around-the-clock content during the Oscar Grant/Johannes Mehserle disturbances, the 580 shooter chase and other major incidents; and built a vibrant online social network where issues are discussed and debated by citizens from all parts of Oakland.

In a reminder of OaklandSeen’s original mission to be a community engagement project reflecting Oakland’s impact on national affairs, 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.”

The Democracy awards presentation was followed by a special award presented to the Bay Area Business Roundtable and a stirring keynote address delivered by Martin G. Reynolds, editor, Oakland Tribune. A lively question-and-answer period followed his remarks. Many questions centered on Oakland’s diversity and the Trib’s focus on reporting the negative, problematic aspects of life in Oakland: crime, poverty, educational failure, etc. Reynolds answered each question with candor and the event ended on a positive note.

We at OaklandSeen would like to commend The League of Women Voters of Oakland for hosting an impressive awards ceremony, thank the patrons, donors and sponsors of the annual event and, lastly, we would like to acknowledge the five individual bloggers who also received praise for their work in sharing their opinions on the issues with the wider Oakland community.

COMPLETE LIST OF AWARDEES:

Aimee Allison, Publisher, OaklandSeen
Bay Area Business Roundtable (BABRT), Organization
Debby Richman, Blogger, Today in Montclair
Echa Schneider (“V-Smoothe”), Blogger,  A Better Oakland
Jonathan Bair (“DTO510″), Blogger,  The DTO and Future Oakland
Rebecca Saltzman (“Becks”), Blogger, Living in the O
Zennie Abraham, Blogger, Oakland Focus

For more information about the League, write to: info@lwvoakland.org