'Stand for Oakland' community event called for downtown - Monday, Feb. 6

Blog entry by Susan Mernit.
Last updated at Sat, 4 Feb at 6:41am.

This note is making the rounds of Oakland neighborhood lists: 

"Come take a "Stand for Oakland" with Residents, Merchants and Downtown Businesses who have been the silent majority.

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Quan recall petition groups plagued by petition errors, infighting (Reflection)
Article by Susan Mernit.
Last updated at Wed, 18 Jan at 7:11am.

Disgruntled Oakland residents and their political pals may be lining up to organize themselves to run a robust "Recall Jean Quan" campaign, but that doesn't mean the anti-Quan groups are either well-organized or working harmoniously together.

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An Open Letter to Oakland: Innovate or stagnate (Op Ed)
Article by Spike.
Last updated at Fri, 6 Jan at 2:40pm.

Today in SF one of my favorite organizations had a big launch event with Mayor Ed Lee. I’m incredibly proud to have been a program mentor for Code for America in it’s inaugural year and have gained so much from my involvement with and support of CfA this past year.

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OL Staff Shares: Chances are Oakland will lose franchises ... forever by Juan Antonio Martinez
Blog entry by Juan Antonio Mart....
Last updated at Thu, 29 Dec at 7:09am.

(Editor's Note: As we end 2011 and move into a New Year, the Oakland Local staff and featured contributors would like to share some of our favorite stories, experiences and thoughts over the last 12 months.)


It's been a rough year for Bay Area sports fans in 2011.

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The 'Spot' is hot! Oakland's newest youth center opens in Chinatown

Article by Juan Antonio Mart....
Last updated at Sat, 17 Dec at 7:21am.

For the past 10 years, the residents and leaders of Oakland’s Chinatown district have looked for a place where kids could feel more connected to their community.

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Oakland Local’s top stories - Week of Nov. 21-27

Article by Tehea Robie.
Last updated at Mon, 28 Nov at 8:48am.

Were you preoccupied with redefining a day of gratitude - or some would say reflecting on pilgrim-greed and indigenous resistance?

Did your food coma make you miss local news?

No worries, we’ve compiled our most viewed stories from last week so you can stay in the know:

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Alameda County Grand Jury blasts Oakland CEDA for inefficency, inconsistency
Article by Susan Mernit.
Last updated at Fri, 9 Sep at 8:03am.

The Building Services department within Oakland's Community and Economic Development Agency reviews plans for new construction and renovation, inspects the city's housing and enforces blight and nuisance laws. If a property owner does not clean up a property, Building Services can bring in someone, get the work done and bill the owner.

However, the recent Alameda County Grand Jury report for 2010-11 describes operations within Building Services as deteriorating -- in fact, worse than at the last review in 1999-2000.

So that everyone can easily see this information, Oakland Local is reprinting the section of the Grand Jury report below that relates to behavior and practices of the Oakland CEDA.

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Illegal street dumping in Oakland posing public health threat

Article by Juan Antonio Mart....
Last updated at Sun, 4 Sep at 10:40pm.

Mattresses ... clothes ... wood. 

What do these things have in common?

No, they are not props used in any horror flick. They do, however, happen to be some of the objects and items that are consuming the sidewalks and streets throughout the city of Oakland.

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