Oakland Library to hold series of open houses
Monday, May 15, 2006
The Oakland Public Library is holding a series of open houses to thank the community for its support of Measure Q in 2004 and to discuss future improvements to their neighborhood branches and to the Main Library … 

In footsteps of John Muir -- with reverence
Monday, May 15, 2006
It took Peter and Donna Thomas six weeks to get from San Francisco to Yosemite. They walked -- in homage to John Muir … 

Skateboarders show Oakland the flipside
Monday, May 15, 2006
Franklin Street was thrashing Saturday as Hood Games 4 drew dozens of skateboarders, from beginners to seasoned pros, to downtown for an afternoon of serious skateboarding, tunes and games.

The entire block from 14th to 15th streets was closed and the street filled with launch ramps and jumps, a quarter pipe, and lips — or edges — to grind on … 

Teacher's style draws attention
Monday, May 15, 2006
It is just another day at Frick Middle School, but in Cheung's science class there's a degree of urgency. It is as if he is trying to wring as much learning out of the class period as possible so his pupils spill onto the bleak streets around the school with a love, or at least an understanding, of science … 

Wheelchair rider writes guide to coastal trails
Monday, May 15, 2006
Adventurer, dancer, rugby player and businesswoman, Bonnie Lewkowicz signs copies of "A Wheelchair Rider's Guide: San Francisco Bay and the Nearby Coast" with a pen held between both hands … 

At long last, recognition with the Mother of all city awards
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
Beatrice Wong does not expect any reward for the thousands of hours of community service she has donated to city causes.

With characteristic humor and self-deprecation, she says, "If I were waiting for recognition, I wouldn't be doing this for 40 years, unless I was out of my mind."

Her hard work will be recognized at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at a Morcom Rose Garden ceremony, where she will be publicly proclaimed Oakland's Mother of the Year … 

Techs and the city
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
The thing that's got the pair so revved up is TheOrganicCity.com, a multi-faceted community storytelling concept they're bringing to life for the multimedia graduate program at California State University East Bay. Multimedia is a field of study in which students weave together new technologies, from the Internet to telecommunications, in fresh and creative ways … 

Lake Merritt Hotel helped preserve Oakland
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
Oakland Heritage Alliance is celebrating its first 25 years on May 19 at the landmark Lake Merritt Hotel. Prizes, birthday cake, vintage film clips and original Oakland songs by local composer Joyce Whitelaw will be featured attractions … 

Bike day a move in right direction
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
Oakland's Bike to Work Day, set for May 18, will give residents a chance to save gasoline and ease bumper-to-bumper traffic frustration … 

Fairyland puppet stage new, but charm endures
Friday, May 5, 2006
I've been wrong all these years. I'd always assumed there was an ulterior motive behind the Magic Pink Line in front of the Puppet Theater at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, which the little kids are warned never to cross because the puppets might get scared and run off the stage. I thought the real reason was because the puppeteers didn't want the kids to see the strings on the marionettes and spoil the illusion. But no … 

Friends of Oakland Parks & Rec turns 25
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
On May 4, the Friends of Oakland Parks & Recreation will celebrate its 25th anniversary as part of its annual Taste of Spring event.

The group renovates basketball courts, plants roses and gives scholarships for swimming lessons, among other things … 

Waterfowl have their day at Lake Merritt performance
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Interdisciplinary artist/dancer Patricia Bulitt presents a site-specific performanceand walk around Lake Merritt at 4 p.m. today in honor of all of the waterfowl and birds that congregate there …