Say what?

The Wall Street Journal says Oakland wants to " heat up its nightclub and bar scene by relaxing local cabaret laws that govern its late-night venues" and "That's raising safety concerns in a town that already has a reputation for crime."

The Journal reporter lays out this logic trail:

1. Oakland is looking at lowering permit fees for clubs and making the approval process more efficient, hence, more licensed venues.
2. Oakland has more violent crime than other California cities its size.
3. Ergo, more clubs = more crime.
4. The city can't afford it. Dom Arotzarena, president of the Oakland Police Officers Association, is quoted as saying new clubs (and new club districts) require more officers.

Huh? More club licenses lead to crime? As Angela Woodall writes, PLLLEASE.

Dellums' Legacy

How does Daily Planet columnist Jesse Douglas Allen-Taylor evaluate whether Dellum's current term is a success? Read How Should Dellums’ Term as Mayor Be Judged? and see what he thinks (and what you do.)

Small animal stories -- and babies, too

In Montclair,on-the-loose bunnies bring on neighborliness. And it's all about the chickens for a class of volunteers working with City Slicker Farms in West Oakland. US Magazine has a little story on East Oakland native Keysha Cole, who they just discovered is engaged and pregnant. (See our story from Thanksgiving, with photos, here.)

Happening today: In addition to City Council committee meetings, there's some other events to note:

Laughter Against the Machine at The New Parish, 9 PM, 579 18th Street (near 19th St BART), --A stand-up comedy show filled with biting commentary about politics, culture, and society, which will attack the entire spectrum from the rightest right to the leftest left.

BART Police Department Review Committee, 9 AM., BART Board Room, Kaiser Center, 20th Street Mall, Third Floor, 344 20th St., Oakland, CA

Oscar Grant case: Help Organize Resistance in Oakland and Los Angeles,  7 PM, General Assembly Meeting Continental Club, 1658 12th Street, Oakland, GET INFORMED: http://www.indybay.org/oscargrant

And hey- Congrates to Oaklander Cool Hand Luke on the new look of his 38th notes blog. Luke has great taste in music, great energy & is an Oakland rockstar.

We're posting a slew of new stories this week and holding free trainings in using OL, blogging and social media later this month--join our Facebook group if you want to be informed--and sign up for--free training (you will need basic computer literacy and access to a laptop you can bring to the session).

We want more bloggers! If you would like to write about your community, or have other ideas, let us know-editor@oaklandlocal.com. We also welcome community stories, news & tips for coverage.