Make Oakland Better is pulling people together to ask questions about the city and the latest thinking is about elected officials terms. MOBN says "The Mayor’s office has a two-term, eight year limit.  The City Council should have the same." and "The four incumbent council members who ran in 2008 -- De La Fuente (District 5) , Nadel (3) , Brunner (1), and Reid (7)  -- are all serving their fourth consecutive terms.  That amounts to 16 consecutive years of elected rule by half  the council.  Or, it’s  56 years of combined experience in local government.  And what has been the quantifiable windfall to Oakland from their experience?"

As the Climate Change conference in Copenhagen moves into its fourth day, reports are starting to come back from local organizations that have representatives there; OL's done a round-up of some of the early posts, plus posted a slideshow of just-taken photos from the conference.

Want a dog for Christmas?  SF Gate reports that Oakland's shelter has so many Chihuahuas that staff members are arranging to charter a plane to airlift the petite pooches to other states, where small dogs are in demand.

Like your holiday cheer to include elected officials? As RideACT and others report, tonights' the local politicos annual holiday bash at Uptown Body & Fender from 5-8 PM at 401 26th St in Oakland.

Still growing greens in your yard? City Homestead has a  post on protecting your local garden in the cold that will make you shiver, then get to work.

The Winter 2009 issue of Terrain Magazine is out from the ecology center, and it's got some good stories:

• Mary Vance's piece on underground purchases of raw milk and backyard animal meats highlights a small, but passionate movement in the Bay.
• OL contributor Ryan Van Lenning's piece on Green Jobs suggests that training is plentiful--but jobs, not so easy to find
• Catherine Ryan has a story on trading off your lawn for a food shed, aka growing your yard and eating it

Police Chief Anthony Batts tells the media how he's meeting with crime victims as part of an effort to win back trust; new focus: gangs, guns and drugs. (Susan sez: Then what was the old focus?)

Do you know where your money is? Tomorrow is Holiday Buy Night at Jack London Square and some people would love to convince you to spend it there.

Please keep sending tips & story ideas to us at editor@oaklandlocal.com and have a great day.