Article by Irene.
Last updated at Thu, 4 Mar at 7:08am.

Teachers, students and community members across the state are organizing for a statewide Day of Action for Education on March 4.

Article by Nijla Mumin.
Last updated at Fri, 12 Feb at 7:33am.

When Ntozake Shange wrote "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf" in 1975, she couldn’t have known the immeasurable impact it would have on women all over the world. One of those women is Joyce Gordon, owner of the Joyce Gordon Gallery, and the creative force behind the upcoming exhibition, "For Colored Girls Only." She says the show is a celebration of women representing every “color, age, size, gender, local and international as a form of politics/non-politics, and as a body of thought.” Gordon explains that “The reason… I’m doing this is because all of the art submissions that I get through the mail, on the email, they’re all men. And I’m like where are the women? What are they doing? So I wanted to see.”

Article by Lauren Quinn.
Last updated at Sat, 6 Feb at 8:35pm.
Article by Kwan Booth.
Last updated at Mon, 1 Feb at 9:31am.

Support for the residents of Haiti has been rolling in from around the world in the last two weeks with contributions coming from the largest organizations to the smallest individuals.

Article by Susan Mernit.
Last updated at Tue, 19 Jan at 12:11pm.

Are school gardens a crock or what? is the question writer Caitlin Flanagan asks in the latest issue of The Atlantic Magazine and its online site.

Article by Niema Jordan.
Last updated at Mon, 18 Jan at 8:45am.

On Jan 14 the Youth Arts Festival (3-5 pm) kicked off the launch of a brand new center for expression and empowerment of Oakland-area youth.

The Green Youth Art & Media Center (2781 Telegraph, Oakland) focuses on the idea that “urban youth, if supported by a positive, dedicated and creative community, can fulfill their dreams and help lead a movement across the nation for urban revitalization and holistic health.”

Here's a taste of the preparations for this event...

Article by Susan Mernit.
Last updated at Mon, 18 Jan at 8:42am.

Given the kind of year we've had, celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King's memory and purpose this weekend in Oakland, CA seems like a pretty good idea.  Deep in the middle of a tough economy, city budget cuts,  a disaster in Haiti, and many local folks having a tough time getting by, celebrating King's purpose and spirit--and our own understanding of his work, might be just the thing.  Oakland Local takes a look at what's happening around town and hopes that at least one of these events can rock your world enough to get you out and into the spirit of the day.

Article by Theo Konrad Auer.
Last updated at Sat, 16 Jan at 9:26pm.

Can Oakland art galleries achieve both critical and financial success?

The art scene along Telegraph Ave is exciting but ever changing. Sometimes it seems like a new gallery is born monthly and every first Friday large crowds from Oakland's Art Murmur descend on the intersection of 23rd St and Telegraph Ave. swarming around Johannson Projects and the surrounding spaces. But for all the buzz this area has received, financial rewards have never quite matched the high quality art.

Article by Kwan Booth.
Last updated at Tue, 12 Jan at 7:47am.

Duane Deterville has spent the last 30 years researching the history and arts of the African diaspora and it’s influences on the larger cultural landscape.

Article by Kwan Booth.
Last updated at Sat, 2 Jan at 8:30am.

Friday marks the one year anniversary of the death of Oscar Grant and many are taking these next few days to reflect on not just Grant's case, but the situation from which the incident emerged. Although Mehserle is in custody and his trial is scheduled to begin in January, several questions remain.

Article by Emilie Raguso.
Last updated at Thu, 31 Dec at 7:49pm.

Hungry for fresh-baked buttermilk biscuits topped with tender bacon and succulent sausage, foodies lined up early Sunday morning to pay top dollar for 5- or 10-pound shares of very special swine.

And when the pig ran out early, there were some very long faces.

Article by Kwan Booth.
Last updated at Wed, 30 Dec at 12:40pm.

The new year is almost here and there are tons of ways you can say goodbye to the 1st decade of the century and get ready to usher in the next. There's a long list of events from the wild ruckus to quiet reflections.

Article by Kwan Booth.
Last updated at Wed, 30 Dec at 10:12am.

Oakland has a reputation for producing fiery female soul singers and La Toya London is one of the latest to grab onto the flame. After making it to the finals of American Idol in 2004, London released her debut album Love and Life in '05 and has spent the last 3 years performing touring around the country, most recently as one of the stars of the Broadway musical The Color Purple.

Article by Reginald James.
Last updated at Tue, 22 Dec at 2:15pm.

It has been nearly a year since the shooting death of Oscar Grant by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle and judging from the low attendance at last week's BART public input session, it seems that much of the public's attention has shifted to other issues.

Article by Emilie Raguso.
Last updated at Sun, 20 Dec at 10:19pm.

Oakland merchants are making it easy to buy unique goodies this season with extended hours, a thriving online marketplace and holiday shopping events galore.

Article by Emilie Raguso.
Last updated at Thu, 17 Dec at 7:37pm.

Want to shop local this year? Here is a sampling of holiday events that don't take you far away from Oakland, CA at all. Click on each event's link to learn more.

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Dec. 18
Oakland Merchants' Holiday Open House