The Oakland City Council - TONIGHT, Feb. 7 - will once again consider a measure designed to block any potential shut down of the Port of Oakland by large public demonstrations.

The quiet young woman studying alone in a Laney College classroom one recent afternoon is, these days, the quintessential serious student.

She sought out the empty room to read and get ahead in her coursework. When asked, Jocelyn Wallace tells about her goals to complete college and enter law or politics. 

Every month, the West Oakland Project Area Committee - WOPAC - meets to review the progress of current redevelopment projects and make recommendations for possible future funding. This month, they met to decide on their future as a committee. 

State decision terminates local funds, staff

Given the kind of year we've had, celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King's memory and purpose this weekend in Oakland, CA seems like a pretty good idea.  Deep in the middle of a tough economy, city budget cuts,  a disaster in Haiti, and many local folks having a tough time getting by, celebrating King's purpose and spirit--and our own understanding of his work, might be just the thing.  Oakland Local takes a look at what's happening around town and hopes that at least one of these events can rock your world enough to get you out and into the spirit of the day.