Oakland's Building Services Division has been a whirling source of mismanagement and misdeeds over the last decade.

Two scathing reports from the Alameda County Grand Jury over that time period blast the city division for having ethically-challenged inspectors, a horrible appeals process and punishing fines that have ruined some property owners.

Oakland, Oakland, Oakland, we love you. 

A city of strong passions and strong personalities, Oakland is a place where people do not shy away from speaking the truth and stating their beliefs. So many amazing musicians, political activists, writers and community organizers call it home - it's not surprising that our city has the eyes of the world on it, always.

Want to see an amazing and beautiful video set in Oakland?

Take a look at The Bones, a new video and music collaboration from Oakland's own photog/videographer John Coyne and Oakland Faders deejay, DJ Platurn.

The video was created with 90,000 HDR images shot by Coyne over several months, and scored with a really enticing track by DJ Platurn, another local talent.

With April being Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month, local genocide survivors, community leaders, students and neighbors participated in the first Bay Area Walk Against Genocide. The day of reflection featured speeches, advocacy training and a collective walk around Oakland's Lake Merritt.