After a hard day of volunteering across Oakland cleaning up, planting gardens and helping at libraries, hundreds of Oaklanders got their boogie on Saturday at Mosswood Park for the first "Throw Down for the Town" put on by the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.

One of the things I love most about Oakland is how many people care enough to stand up for what they feel is right. 

Whether it's the quality of life on their block, creating a better future for youth, making sure there's equity for people of color or creating opportunities for economic betterment and control, I know so many people who give their beliefs - and their causes - effort and time that do make a difference.

Is there gonna be an Oakland Pride festival next year?  After 50,000 people turned out for the first Oakland Pride Festival in dowtown Oakland this past Sunday, the answer should be yes.  Enjoying bright sunlight and a friendly, inclusive vibe, attendees, strolled the booths, chatted with friends, ate, and, mostly, hung out at the four stages, enjoying the amazing music from stars including Chaka Kahn, Martha Wash (who did rain men), Kippy Marks and another 57 musical acts (!).

Did you know that in the 2000 U.S. Census, the city of Oakland had the third highest gay and lesbian concentration in the country?