Last week was a big week in national media. As it wrapped up, Oakland residents were able to deliberate about whether transparent necklines on the red carpet were trashy or if the cut of Michelle Williams’ Chanel dress was too boyish.

Times are tough for Rooz Café.

The hangout spot for local artists, hipsters and the younger set is feeling the strains of the recession and the shutdown of its neighborhood anchor, the Parkway Theater.

This holiday season, Woody’s Laundromat & Café co-owner Robert Ma has high hopes for the New Year.

Woody’s Café has been a neighborhood staple since the 1960s. It’s a family owned spot; Ma, along with his brother Steve and his brother-in-law Michael Lau, purchased the original Woody’s Laundromat - located a door down from the current space - when Woody, the owner, retired and moved to Arizona. The family opened the café in 1997 and things have been purring smooth ever since.