What a year! 

From last fall's election campaigns to this autumn's Occupy Oakland demonstrations, planned school closings and CEDA/Building Services investigations, Oakland Local's covered it all. 

We've been there with you - now come hang with us.

RSVP now for the Second Annual Oakland Local Holiday Party at Eventbrite - http://bit.ly/vqOUZp

Our writers and photographers have been posting right through the art events and street fairs of the summer; the departure, arrival and election of key city staff; and the long, warm fall season that brought the Occupy Oakland movement into the heart of the city (failing to deliver the new jobs and economic boosts we all hoped for Oakland).

And you've been right there with us - posting on the Facebook page, re-tweeting, contributing stories, coming to events and workshops, telling us what is really going on in your part of the town and donating to fund stories on the West Oakland's toxic legacy, the Occupy Oakland movement and so much more.

Come through our headquarters at co-working space Tech Liminal from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7 and enjoy some good food, great drinks, music, prizes, gifts and lively conversation. We're planning some special giveaways, a yummy wine and chocolate tasting and an advance look at our new redesign. Come and hang out with the Oakland Local team - we'd love to see you there.

Please RSVP here and buy a ticket to help fund all the great food and drink we want to have for you. If you'd like to support our news gathering, buy a VP or Crown Prince ticket.

If you're a merchant and you'd like to sponsor this event, donate a prize or barter goodies for promotion on OL, contact us at sales[a]oaklandlocal.com.

For more information on Oakland Local, check out our website, our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. You also can check our Tumblr or our Occupy Oakland Local Tumblr.

Donate to OL at Razoo or Spot.us. It is tax-deductible - and makes a huge difference in the amount of reporting we can do.