Swarm Studios uses sunshine to spotlight art
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
The space is large and airy, with natural light streaming in from a skylight and large storefront windows. "It's a treat to view artwork with natural light," said Svea Lin Vezzone, creator and managing partner of the new Swarm Studios and Gallery. "People come in and say this is what museums try to do" … 

Zoo baby giraffe's name is no stretch
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Most babies don't have to wait six weeks after birth for a name, but when you are more than 6 feet tall and weigh 200 pounds not just any name will do … 

Bay Area garden takes root in Japan
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Back in 2004, Peter Thomas Bowyer couldn't even find the words for his own name. Granted, the words he couldn't find were in Japanese. But as the man hoping to be tapped to build the Oakland Garden in Fukuoka — Oakland's sister city in Japan — Bowyer's ability to introduce himself to a culture built upon a foundation of formality and politeness couldn't have been more important. Especially since his plane would be landing on Japanese soil in just a few hours, at which point he'd be greeted by a committee of Fukuoka residents who would decide his fate … 

Soles on ice
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
To the tune of Barbra Streisand's "Don't Rain on My Parade," Diane Stewart steps onto the ice rink, rhinestone studs twinkling at her ears and sequins glimmering along the arms of her navy blue skating costume … 

Camron-Stanford House reopens to public
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
After a six-month closure for cleaning, repairs and painting, the Camron-Stanford House has reopened for public tours and special event rentals … 

Baseball documentary and pizza
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Two great institutions come together tonight: baseball and Oakland's Parkway Theater. "Boys of Summer" — a film by Walnut Creek's Robert Cochrane — is playing there today at 9:15 p.m. as part of the cinema's "Local Filmmakers Showcase" series … 

4th Annual School's Out Family And Resource Fair
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
The 4th Annual School's Out Family and Resource Fair is the perfect way for parents to get a head start on the summer. This year the event will be held on Friday, April 7, 2006, noon - 6:00 p.m. at the Eastmont Town Center (Ground Floor), located at 73rd and Bancroft Avenue in Oakland, CA. The event is open and free for children of all ages … 

Creativity Springs Troupe
Friday, March 10, 2006
This one-week camp for youth will emphasize creative expression by means of visual arts, puppetry, creative writing, and music. Participants will enjoy recreation activities that jog their mind and body. There will be field trips to art museums too … 

Oakland City Councilperson Desley Brooks
To Host 4th Annual Schools'Out Family & Children's Resource Fair
Friday, March 10, 2006
School will soon be out for summer. Do you know what your child will be doing? Do you need information on summer camps or after-school programs? Wouldn’t it be great to have your child enrolled in a summer program before the prime spaces are filled to capacity … 

Your Community Center
Friday, March 10, 2006
Allendale Recreation Center is gearing up for Spring and Summer 2006. We've created a survey that community and patrons can fill out to offer ideas and help shape future programs. Please take a moment to fill out the survey … 

Youth Classes
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
The Crucible Youth Program is now offering spring and summer classes, in addition to the exciting and educational after school programs and weekend classes. The Crucible Youth Program offers unique opportunities for youth to explore, learn and create projects, ranging from welded sculpture, flameworking, youth blacksmithing and marble making … 

Big tree ambitions
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
There was a time centuries ago when redwoods covered most of the East Bay hills. But that was before logging, before grazing and before development.

The hills will never again be so thick with the mighty trees, but some of the splendor they brought to the landscape is returning, little by little, as volunteers spend their weekends reseeding 220 acres of land above Claremont Canyon with redwood seedlings … 

Students get stars in their eyes at Chabot
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
"Yes, this is fun," Gomez said with an earnest nod. "I like the stars the best."

Gomez, a second grader at East Oakland Community Charter School, was one of 350 students and parents who participated in the second annual Family Science Night at Chabot's Space and Science Center. The Feb. 23 evening event was a collaboration between the interactive museum and the Oakland Parents Literacy Project … 

Summer camp fair gives families a head start on activities
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
It's March, so it's time to start planning for summer camp.

Although summer is months away, savvy families begin signing their kids up now for summer programs. One of the best places to get a jump on the huge variety of activities out there is the annual Children's Summer Programs Information Fair, which runs from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland …