The city of Oakland is brewing with a diverse mix of fundraising events, organizations and causes and Oakland Local wants to make sure you know about them.

As mentioned in an announcement earlier this month, OL would like to give you a weekly heads up on upcoming fundraisers and causes in the local Bay Area. We began this column because there was an overwhelming response from readers who wanted to know about area fundraising events. Susan Mernit, editor and publisher of Oakland Local, gave me the opportunity of being the Causes Editor and I can't wait to share with you all the good that are going on locally.

So, let's begin!

This Saturday, July 24, Oakland Based Urban Gardens, or OBUGS, will host a rally from 1 to 6 p.m. at 675 41st St. The event will have great food, entertainment and people.

This event will be the third annual art and garden tour, in which all proceeds will be used to provide instruction in ecology, nutrition and urban gardening in West Oakland. To learn more about OBUGS, visit www.obugs.org.

The cost of the event is $75 in advance;  bicyclists will have a special rate of $40. Tickets are available and can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com.

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On Friday, July 30, OL's new media partner, Ashoka’s Youth Venture, will be hosting a fundraiser for its fall program "Just Food.” The fundraiser - which will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Numi Tea Garden, 2230 Livingston St. in Oakland - will have New York Times best selling author Mollie Katzen and award-winning activist James Berk who will speak about the importance of food justice. The event will have delicious morsels from locally harvested as well as wine.

The ticket cost for general admission is $85; to register for the event email Amy Wilson at awilson@ashoka.org. To learn more about the fundraiser, click here.

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On Sunday August 15, Sem Link - which provides educational support and career exploration activities in math and science for K-12 students - will host its first fundraiser in the Bay Area. Sem Link is coordinating the fundraiser with Music for the People Entertainment who will donate a portion of proceeds to Sem Link.

“Live at BBQ” will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. at Kitt’s Bar, 6702 Hollis in Emeryville. Admission is $5. To learn more about Sem Link, visit www.semsuccess.org. To learn more about the fundraiser, email tokiwa.smith@semsuccess.org.

Have an event, a benefit or a fund-raiser for a good cause? Send your listings to causes@oaklandlocal.com and we'll share them with the community--and get them listed on the site.