Residents of the Hoover Historic District (the blocks enclosed by Martin Luther King Boulevard, 27th Street, San Pablo Avenue and 33rd Street can apply for grants up to $2,000 for local projects.

Councilmember Jean Quan's e-newsletter observes this week that Oakland fell below the national average of a 56 percent participation rate of census questionaires. The city-wide rate is just 46 percent returned. (Wisconsin and Iowa, on the other hand, seem to be kicking butt!)

Oakland Based Urban Gardens (OBUGS) will hold a rummage sale Apr. 10, to benefit its community spring planting event. You'll find kitchenwares, working appliances and electronics, toys, CDs and DVDs, jewelry, clothing, books and crafting supplies.

A local group that seeks to connect available garden space with neighbors who want to do the work will meet Apr. 3 to share gardening info and resources, and try to link up folks who have land or skills to spare.

The Allendale Park neighborhood group in East Oakland will transform six garbage bins into works of art starting this weekend.

The group received a grant for the project from the "Keep Oakland Beautiful" campaign.

The city is looking for people to help monitor and report on a new movement toward community policing in Oakland.

Oakland local Javier Sandes built his culinary reputation in the city's back yards surrounded by friends who met often to hang out and enjoy his slow-grilled meats and freshly made chimichurri (a traditional marinade).

As part of its Edible Schoolyard Academy 2010, "Creating Garden and Kitchen Classrooms in Every Community
," the Chez Panisse Foundation will offer three sessions in July to support emerging garden and kitchen programs.

The Oakland Police Department is trying to find a missing and at-risk elderly woman.

According to a recent newsletter by City Councilwoman Jean Quan, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority (StopWaste.org) recently enacted