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

Just behind an propped door labeled "Do not leave this door propped open", a couple of local artists hosted a Women's Poetry Slam on Thursday, February 25. The event was held at Frutopia - a loft and performance space located in a part of Fruitvale even Google Maps has trouble tracing.

The murder trial of former Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer Johannes Mehserle will begin June 7 in downtown Los Angeles, a judge ruled last week.

It may be a mad, mad world, but Oakland offers all kinds of ways to stay cool this week (in addition to some news that may drive you crazy, especially if you're an animal-lover).

There's a fundraiser in Fruitvale tonight for two of the area's top wordsmiths to help them get to Ohio in March for the Women of the World Poetry Slam. The evening will feature music and performances from poets Kim Johnson and Tatyana Brown, as well as the chance to buy signed copies of their chapbooks.

As usual, the library system abounds with fascinating, free resources. The African American Museum & Library at Oakland is wrapping up its Access to Life exhibit this Saturday. The show features photographs by eight artists from Magnum Photos and documents the international fight against AIDS. And the Asian Branch of the library will hold a free blogging workshop for teens on March 6.

California pets are making headlines, with an Oakland man charged with two counts of animal abuse after neighbors videotaped him, police say, beating his pit bull with a crowbar and axe. The dog, now named Blueberry, is recovering in the "penthouse suite" at the city shelter, Oakland officials said. Who knew?

Read it in English. Traducido por Michael Galpin. Revisado por Jaime Flórez.

Late Wednesday evening Bay Area Rapid Transit announce that it had struck an deal to pay the mother of Oscar Grant's daughter Tatiana $1.5 million.

From now on motorists using 880 to enter the area will be greeted with a new Welcome to Oakland message in the form of two huge murals, about half the size of a football field, courtesy of a partnership between two prominent local aerosol artists and the Oakland Redevelopment Agency.

Lealo en Español.

Despite Oakland's 17% unemployment rate, women and low-income people's business support centers are seeing a surge in business startup interest. In particular, more and more new Latina-owned businesses are likely to launch. 

However, many Latina-owned businesses don't survive long, since they face several long-term challenges.

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.

Oakland has just been awarded $6.8 million in federal stimulus funding early childhood education programs.

According to Mayor Dellums' press secretary Paul Rose, there are two federal grants: $5.7 million to the City of Oakland, and $1.1 million to The Unity Council, based in Fruitvale. All of the money will support early Head Start programs.

Read it in English.

by Jesus Barraza and Melanie Cervantes - www.DignidadRebelde.com

A year ago, early New Year's Day in the Fruitvale District of Oakland, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) police murdered unarmed, 22 -year old, Oscar Grant III by pushing him face down to the ground and shooting him in the back. After he was shot he was handcuffed.  The shooting was fatal.