Week 5, July 2010
This week’s highlighted local treasures are the hard-working idealists operating The Tides Foundation.
From their website:
“Our mission is to partner with philanthropists, foundations, activists, and organizations across the country and across the globe to promote economic justice, robust democratic processes, and the opportunity to live in a healthy and sustainable environment where human rights are preserved and protected.
We offer an array of services to simplify and amplify your efforts. From donor advised funds to fiscal sponsorship, from green nonprofit centers to programmatic consulting, from grants management to risk management and more, Tides gives you the freedom to focus on the change you want to see.
Each Tides organization pursues a distinct yet related strategy to promote the Tides mission. Tides Foundation works with donors to increase and organize resources for positive social change. Tides Center is sponsor to nearly 200 projects nationwide working to advance progressive social change. Tides Shared Spaces operates and supports green nonprofit centers.”
Most of us in will never forget the news of a deranged man who opened fire on the police officers who stopped him on I-580 in Oakland as he was allegedly on his way to target members of this organization in San Francisco. If anything good can come from such a crime maybe the increased notoriety can help The Tides Foundation accelerate their good work.
So, let’s find some fun ’round the bay…
Thursday Night Live: 1st and 3rd Thursdays in Oakland. From the Oakland Convention and Visitors Bureau website: Thursday Night Live Concert Series is a free concert the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, June-October featuring some of the Bay Area’s finest Live Salsa. TNL features a street Margarita and Beer garden, Salsa dance lesson prior to each performance, held by Club One and a Kid’s Art Zone by Mocha. Check it out in Old Oakland… just follow the sounds of salsa in the streets!
Bay Area World Guitar Show: This Saturday in San Rafael. From the Chronicle: This show features buy, sell, trade guitars, amps, banjos, sound equipment, new, used, old, rare items. Includes manufacturers, builders, dealers, buyers, authors, collectors, stars, appraisers, retail stores. Bring all you can carry to sell or trade at no extra charge. This is the 157th show by the Texas Amigos and California World Guitar Shows.
Indonesia Day at Union Square: This Saturday in San Francisco. From the Chronicle: INDONESIA DAY, A Uniquely San Francisco Tradition, continues to be the biggest Indonesian event in the United States. ADMISSION IS FREE! This exciting event will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2010 from 11 am to 4 pm at Union Square, San Francisco. Featuring performance of traditional and contemporary Indonesian dances,music and authentic Indonesian cuisine.
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Sundays on the San Mateo County Coast
Week 3 July, 2010
This week’s highlighted local treasures are the progressive citizens of Oakland who are the true soul of this town.
Recent events in Oakland have sent shockwaves through the neighborhood conversations in Oakland where we almost can’t believe the dramatic scenes that have played out. As a citizen of Oakland I can tell you that most people here recognize how Oakland can be a stage for some unwanted theatrics. Too often it is here in Oakland where those from neighboring areas choose to act out their aggressions and discontents toward the greater community. It’s ironic that such is the case when Oakland could easily be considered a national epicenter for American progress on so many fronts that seek to erradicate the roots of poverty, exploitation and injustice. (See the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Transnational Institute for Grassroots Research and Action, Color of Change, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and many more headquartered in Oakland.) And consider where Oakland stands on perhaps the most pressing issue facing human existence today ranking #4 in the Popular Science list of America’s 50 Greenest Cities. The truth is that the unwanted theatrics played out on the Oakland stage are representative of the challenges facing the greater community of this whole country— if not the whole planet— most of which are being sincerely addressed in a broad spectrum of ways by very dedicated, progressive-minded citizens of the city of Oakland. The truth is that Oakland is at the forefront of the progressive movement that seeks justice and liberty for all. And those of us who live here know it. So this edition of WeekendWanderings salutes the soul of Oakland embodied in its citizens who stand for progress on so many fronts in spite of any and all who try to violate her spirit. In short, WeekendWanderings says God bless Oakland, California and the causes she champions!
So, let’s find some fun ’round the bay…
Art Under the Oaks at Alen Lane Nursery: This weekend in Livermore. From their website: This year promises to continue to delight the art, wine, music and fruit lover! We’ll have local wineries pouring samples, local artists will be on hand demonstrating their craft, music will fill the grounds, and Dave Wilson Nursery will hold their Annual Summer Fruit Tasting, so yummy, you won’t want to miss it. You can purchase tasty treats from Sweet & Savory Bakery and Café while taking in the event. The Valley Woodcarvers will be presenting a special show to include carvings from the old flagpole from downtown Livermore.
All Shook Down Live Music in North Beach: This Sunday in San Francisco. From their website: SF Weekly and Scion are proud to present All Shook Down, a showcase of eclectic local, national, and international music in the heart of San Francisco’s historic North Beach neighborhood. Featuring live music from more than 30 artists on an outdoor stage and in the unique intimate venues on Grant & Green streets. With production support provided by North Beach Jazz Fest veterans Sunset Promotions and promotional partners Eye Heart SF, Nate Mezmer Presents, Crawl SF and 1M Entertainment. Headlining the event will be internationally acclaimed pop artist NEON INDIAN and future-soul diva JANELLE MONAE. All Shook Down will also unveil the nominees for the 2010 SF Weekly Music Awards, and attendees will be able to submit their votes on-site. Many of the nominees will be performing at the festival.
Bikes4Life Bike Ride for Peace: This Saturday in Oakland. From their website: B4L’s mission is focused on empowerment, leadership development, and community development. A successful uniter B4L’s bicycle adventures attract a large diverse group of enthusiastic youth and seasoned riders of all ages and backgrounds. Bikes 4 Life Annual Peace Ride happens in July dont miss the next one. Bikes 4 Life is a community bicycle shop in West Oakland. It started out as annual ride and now has become One Fam’s social enterprise creating a model for self sufficiency. It brings together diverse members of the community to enjoy biking and repair and has the best prices for quality bicycles around.
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How we grow ‘em in Oakland
Week 2 July, 2010
This week’s highlighted local treasure is the group of concerned citizens calling themselves Fair Trade Berkeley. From their website:
We are a local coalition of motivated Berkeley community members who want to see our city embrace the mission of the Fair Trade movement.
From the East Bay Express:
The Berkeley City Council will vote Tuesday night on a resolution formally declaring the city to be a supporter of international fair trade, a movement that advocates worker equity and sustainable development. The resolution was drafted by the Fair Trade Berkeley Steering Committee and the City Manager’s Office. Under the resolution, the city would commit to purchasing fair trade products when they’re readily available, city-standard compliant, and competitively priced. “For a long time the city has supported healthy working conditions, fair wages, and environmentally friendly production methods,” said Sharon Thygesen, the city’s general services manager. “We try to look at fair trade products and this resolution codifies that.” If adopted, the city would also “consider” working to ensure ongoing education about fair trade and taking a more active role in the movement’s future issues. As an item on the council’s consent calendar, the resolution is expected to pass, barring any objections from the public. If passed, Berkeley will join San Francisco, Chico and sixteen other US cities as a fair trade city.
Weekend Wanderings salutes Fair Trade Berkeley for their work to add Berkeley to the short list of American towns embracing this important ideal.
So, let’s find some fun ’round the bay…
24th Connoisseur’s Marketplace 2010: This weekend in Menlo Park. From the Chronicle: The long, laid-back days of summer are here, bringing with them the very best of the Bay Area’s popular festival season. For a sun-splashed weekend featuring world-class art by 250 of America’s top artists, two days of great music, engaging chefs’ demos, fabulous food and drink, tons of fun for kids, artisan specialty food purveyors, a new collector car show, home and garden exhibits, health and wellness displays and an organic and green products showcase, head to downtown Menlo Park for the 24th Annual Connoisseurs’ Marketplace, July 17-18.
San Francisco Bachata International Festival: This weekend in San Francisco. From the Chronicle: The San Francisco Bachata International Festival will feature two days of professional dance performers from all over the world. If you want to enjoy summer dancing in the great city of San Francisco then this is it. This year’s festival has collected 7 of the hottest international Bachata bands.
Target Arts and Wonder Free Family Event: This weekend in San Francisco. From the Chronicle: San Francisco’s leading museums are having a free for all and you’re invited! It’s one big weekend of fun as the de Young Museum, Asian Art Museum, SFMOMA, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora, Zeum and Yerba Buena Gardens Festival take turns welcoming families with free admission, free art activities and family-friendly free performances.
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Egbert in the squash
Week 1 July, 2010
This week’s highlighted local treasure is the Haiti Action Committee. From their website:
The Haiti Action Committee is a Bay-Area based network of activists who have supported the Haitian struggle for democracy since 1991. Our members travel frequently to Haiti and are in close touch with Haitian grassroots activists, legal and human rights workers, and victims of repression. With demonstrations and civil disobedience, Congressional lobbying and educational events, publications and community organizing, we are working to build a strong Haiti solidarity movement.
From the East Bay Express:
It’s been six months since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, but the outpouring of volunteers — and the need for them — hasn’t abated. Members of the Haiti Action Committee, a Bay Area activist network that formed in 1991, will be relaying their experiences in post-earthquake Haiti at La Peña Cultural Center (3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley) on Saturday, July 10, with photos and video to boot. 4-6 p.m., $7-$20 sliding scale (no one turned away for lack of funds).
Weekend Wanderings salutes the Haiti Action Committee for their tireless work in Haiti whether the news cameras are there or not.
So, let’s find some fun ’round the bay…
North American Unicycling Championships: This weekend in Berkeley. From their website: The North American Unicycling Championships and Convention, also known as “U Games”, is the largest gathering of the year of unicycle enthusiasts in North America and has activities for unicyclists of all ages and skill levels. There are non-competitive activities such as fun rides, workshops, games and social events for all unicyclists. Non-unicyclists are welcome and encouraged to attend–we’ll get you started!
JC Cellars Beach Party: Saturday in Oakland. From their website: When Jeff Cohn was the winemaker at Rosenblum Cellars, annually he crafted more than 70 different wines. Today, at his Oakland-based warehouse winery, the irrepressible vintner now limits himself to a mere 21 bottlings, focusing on Rhône varietals. Cohn’s longtime relationships with some of California’s top growers and vineyards enable him to source some of the state’s finest fruit, including Rockpile in Sonoma County, Fess Parker in Santa Barbara County and Stagecoach in Napa.
Alameda County Fair: Through Sunday in Pleasanton. From the East Bay Express: If the start of summer doesn’t evoke a yearning for deep-fried twinkies and pig racing, you’ve probably never experienced the many exquisite pleasures of the Alameda County Fair (4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton). Now in its 98th year, the fair offers a head-spinning array of activities spread out over 268 acres: tractor pulls, a petting zoo, horse racing, cook-offs, nightly concerts, amusement park rides, themed weekends, a hot-dog eating contest, and more. This year also promises the introduction of chocolate-covered bacon, a sheep-riding contest for kids, and what’s billed as “the world’s largest waffle cone.” Wednesday, June 23 through Sunday, July 11. Mon., Wed., and Thu.11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sun. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Tue.closed. Admission $4-$10, parking $8-$20, unlimited ride wristband $20-$28.
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Carmel on my mind
Week 4 June, 2010
This week’s highlighted local treasure is Our Oakland: Eastside Stories. From their website:
Our Oakland : Eastside Stories is an integrated public art project by artist Rene Yung that will beautify the new East Oakland Community Library and create a new platform for community storytelling about East Oakland. The overall theme of the project is Mutuality + Transformation, meaning that as members of a community, each of us is interconnected and we have the power to individually and collectively take action to make positive changes in our communities.
This project consists of three parts:
- Public Art in the Library with art glass in a 64-foot clerestory window and an Interactive Pod
- A Digital Archive of Community Stories about East Oakland
- Community building activities including forming new partnerships and hosting storytelling events to build a new community online that will help build community on the ground.
If you’ve ever traveled through east Oakland you know there are plenty of challenges there. The under side of the glitz and glamor of America’s big cities is pretty consistent in this regard. But low income does not have to equate to low-pride and low-joy, certainly not if equal justice under the law is truly protected. WeekendWanderings salutes Our Oakland: Eastside Stories for its commitment to cultivating pride and joy from within in an area that knows all too well how its reputation precedes it.
So, let’s find some fun ’round the bay…
Music and Meditation at Nyingma Institute: Saturday in Berkeley. From the East Bay Express: Music can alter the human brain’s rhythms in ways that facilitate stillness and open the mind to new modes of thinking ñ and not thinking. At the Tibetan Nyingma Institute (1815 Highland Pl., Berkeley) on Saturday, July 3, performer/composer/scholar Tracy McMullen leads a workshop titled “Music and Meditation,” which offers techniques for listening to music in different ways and is part of the institute’s “Emotions, Intelligence, and the Mind” series. 9 a.m., $15.
Independence Day Celebration at Ford Point: Saturday at Richmond waterfront. Inside the historic Ford Point Building on the waterfront in Richmond, a patriotic celebration for the whole family featuring live music, food and fireworks. Free show features the Oakland EastBay Symphony, Khalil Shaheed, Oaktown Jazz Workshops, and Hilltop Community C’hurch Choir. Have a great Independence Day weekend!
Interdependence Day Celebration: Sunday in Berkeley. From the East Bay Express: It wouldn’t be Independence Day in Berkeley without a few counter-celebrations. Among the most sublimely seditious is Tikkun magazine’s Interdependence Day Celebration, which promises to turn the rah-rah patriotism of Sunday, July 4, on its head by celebrating our dependence on each other and the environment, as well as individual and collective independence from corporate power, the military industrial complex, and the like. The event at Strawberry Creek Park (1260 Allston Way, Berkeley) also features a vegetarian potluck followed by affirmations and singing; bring songs, stories, food, and drinks to share. Free, 1 p.m.-4 p.m
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A Friday afternoon view from Oakland