Local videographer and long-time resident Nenna Joiner is working to open a sex-positive, woman-friendly sex shop in downtown Oakland, called

There was a  dance party, a BBQ, a live DJ, a whole lotta dance workshops, live art by Estria, a panel discussion and both a showing of the new B-Girl documentary, "All The Ladies Say" and an appearance by two of the stars - Lady Champ and Aiko Shirakawa.

People's Grocery shot some video at the Eat Real Festival asking vendors and organizer what food justice meant to them--here's that footage, well worth a watch!

Daniel Markham's Eat Drink Blog has some tasty photos and posts about this weekend's Eat Real Festival, which ends Sunday night. He writes:

Tyrone Stevenson, aka The Scraper Bike King, akas Baybe Champ, and Original Scraper Bikes will be in out in full force Saturday, Aug. 28, when they lead a bicycle ride around Oakland that everyone is invited to.

All bicyclists are to meet at 11 a.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza. The ride will include a stop at Rainbow Recreation Center (Seminary and International) and will end at Arroyo Viejo Park, 7701 Krause Ave. The festival will run from 1 to 6 p.m.

Dear Candidates for All Oakland City Races, All Alameda County Races, and All BART and AC Transit Races (and yes, you school board folks as well):

The question of the opening panel at the Sept. 24  Block by Block conference in Chicago, which is focused on local and community media, is "How do you make community engagement work?"

Thousands of people filled downtown during this past weekend's Art and Soul Festival. And while the amazing Oakland-related performers - from Oakland native MC Hammer to Cake's John McRea to our very own Kev Choice, plus Club Nouveau, Pete Escovedo, Sheila E and Tony Toni Toné - thrilled the crowds who dug the hip hop, the pop, the jazz, the rock, R&B and gospel. It seemed like the main attraction - besides sunny skies- was Oakland itself, and the need to celebrate the arts, the spirit and the determination that makes our city great.

After an outcry by mayoral candidates, media and citizens, The San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club has decided to allow all the mayoral candidates to speak at their August 25 forum on green energy issues.

It's exciting to have a Green Mayoral Candidates Forum happening next week, sponsored by The Sierra Club and The Oakland Climate Action Coalition/Ella Baker Center.

What do you get when you combine sustainability-focused community organizations, talented young entrepreneurs and organizers, and a message that building sustainable community is one way to solve problems in Oakland? The First Fresh Fest in Oakland---an amazing outpouring of support from local musicians including Mistah FAB, Erk Tha Jerk, Do D.A.T.,  Phife from A Tribe Cal

On Friday, August 13, hundred of caped crusaders took off from the Lake Merritt BART station for a 16-mile ride around and across Oakland. Who were they?