Tenth Annual Trash Bash and E-Recyling...June 6th, 2009

JLDA is proud to present the tenth annual "TRASH BASH". It is our local version of Earth Day, and intentionally set away from the mainstream Earth Day to allow people to participate in as many ways as possible. Meet at 229 Harrison St. at 9 A.M. June 6th. We will have both tools and a prioritized work schedule.

We will also be including E-Recyling for all forms of electronics. In addition we will be offering 4 hours of community service signed off for students in need of community service. Please attend in any way you can. The 1 PM BBQ hosted by Steve Saks of Prime Smoked Meats is available to all even if you don't do clean-up.

So please join us... RSVP to Trashbash@JLDA .org or call Bernice Straub @ (650) 888-5870

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The Crucible's Spring Open House

Celebrating Student & Faculty Art
Saturday, April 18, 2009
11AM – 5PM

Experience the excitement of art and collaboration at our annual Spring Open House. Enter our vast studio through the roll-up door behind the red caboose, and you'll find a vibrant community of artists, craftspeople, tinkers, do-it-yourselfers, innovators, and explorers of all ages. Come join us!
  • Browse through an eclectic art show featuring works by students and faculty in metal, wood, light, textiles, ceramics, glass and more
  • Vote for your favorite works of art in the "People's Choice" competition
  • Check out demonstrations of glassworking, bronze casting, kinetics, ceramics, and blacksmithing
  • Enjoy a special presentation by fire performance students
  • Special tour and summer camp preview
  • Display of art bikes created by youth students
  • Tips and resources to help celebrate Earth Day
  • Tasty food & drink
  • FREE and family friendly
(Visit http://www.thecrucible.org/calendar/spr_openhouse_09.html for more information.)

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Central Estuary Plan Community Workshop #1

The City of Oakland is developing a Specific Plan that will help define a common vision for the Oakland Central Estuary. This plan will provide a framework to support development and enhancement of the area. It will balance land-use goals with the environmental, economic, quality of life and health-related interests of the community. Building upon previous visioning efforts, the City of Oakland will be convening several community workshops to gather public input throughout the Specific Plan development process. Your participation is an essential component of the plan. Please join us!

WHEN: Monday, March 23rd, 2009
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Unity Council:
Fruitvale-San Antonio Senior Center
3301 E. 12th St., Suite 201, Oakland

For more information, please visit the project website:
Para obtener más información:

www.oaklandnet.com/central_estuary_plan/

Or contact:
Email: central_estuary_plan@oaklandnet.com
Central Estuary Plan Message Line: (510) 238-7737
RSVP requested but not required

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A message form JLDCPC Chair, Bill Dailey

I wanted to give everyone an update on the upcoming officer elections for Jack London District Crime Prevention Council (not to be confused with the officer elections for JLDA). At the JLDCPC meeting in January, we opened nominations for the March 2009 - March 2010 term. Unfortunately, we only received a nomination for Secretary which leaves us with no nominations for Chair and Treasurer (all of the current Officers have announced they are not interested in being nominated for a further term).

That is where you come in. We are looking for 2 people who would be willing to step up and take on those positions for the next year.

Just what does the JLDCPC do?

- We meet every other month
- We act as a bridge between the Beat 1X (Jack London District) area and the Oakland Police Department
- We help the police in our area prioritize resources to address community needs
- We organize community events such as National Night Out and CORE training
- We help make the Jack London District a better place to live and work

What do the Chair and Treasurer do (taken from our bylaws)?

Chair. The Chair shall preside at all JLDCPC Meetings and any Board of Officer meetings, supervise the execution of Officer orders and resolutions, sign legal instruments if necessary, and will represent the JLDCPC in other community meetings.

Treasurer. The treasurer will collect and record money due and received by the organization, and will be custodian of its funds. If necessary, the Treasurer will maintain a bank account associated with the Council.

The Treasurer job is currently pretty easy since JLDCPC doesn't have any funds or a bank account. :) The Chair position primarily works with our Neighborhood Services Coordinator to set meeting agenda and represents JLDCPC at events when possible.

How can I get involved?

If you would be willing to be nominated to serve as Chair or Treasurer of JLDCPC at our next meeting on March 12th, please send me an email at bill@jldcpc.org or call me at 510-289-8956. It's a great way for you to get involved in the community. Please let me know of you interest by Thursday, March 5th.

Bill Dailey
JLDCPC Chair

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3rd Annual Crab Crawl at the Square

Jack London Square, Saturday, March 7, 2009, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Come join the food and fun as Jack London Square celebrates the 3rd Annual Crab Crawl Festival on Saturday, March 7th! The events will include an array of offerings for crab-lovers including crab cooking demonstrations, live crabs from Half Moon Bay sold fresh off the boat, crab races, cooked crab by the plate as well as a variety of other delicious crab and seafood dishes. In addition, the event will feature music, games, a magician, free kid's activities, two tall ships and educational programs.

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2009 Board of Directors elections

Monday March 16th is the date for the 2009 JLDA Board of Directors and Officers elections. JLDA bylaws state that all seats and officer positions are for a one year term therefore all eleven seats on the board are up for re-election in March. The current board votes on the new board for 2009 so there are always opportunities for new members to join - after the new board is elected it will then vote on who will serve in the officer roles for the next year.

If you are interested in serving on our board please send your candidate statement to secretary@JLDA.org. Your statement should containing a brief bio and state why you want to be on the board, relevant experience and what benefits you will bring the organization. JLDA is a California non-profit corporation with Federal 501(c)(3) tax exempt status, candidates are recommend to familiarize themselves with our mission statement, bylaws and should they be elected are required to sign and abide by our adopted Conflict of Interest Policy.

Please note that the JLDA board is an all volunteer board and members are expected to take an active role in the organization, attend monthly board meetings and be available by email between meetings. For example candidate statements and information about the duties of board members please see our current Board of Directors information page.

The deadline for nominations is Monday March 2nd and the election will be held at the March 16th Board meeting which will start at 7pm and be held at 229 Harrison St.

Those who would like to participating in JLDA's activities but not take a seat on the board are encouraged to join one of our advisory committees that address land-use, communications, social and community building.

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JLDCPC Meeting on January 29th

The next meeting of the Jack London District Crime Prevention Council (JLDCPC) will be held this Thursday. Here are the details:

Thursday, January 29th, at 6:30 PM
229 Harrison (Egghouse office, corner of 3rd and Harrison)

On the agenda for this meeting:

- Police Department Updates
- Officer Nominations
- Open Forum

Note: At this meeting, we will be asking for nominations for people who would be willing to serve as JLDCPC officers for the March 2009 - March 2010 period. Our bylaws call for 3 officers:

A. Chair. The Chair shall preside at all JLDCPC Meetings and any Board of Officer meetings, supervise the execution of Officer orders and resolutions, sign legal instruments if necessary, and will represent the JLDCPC in other community meetings.

B. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all JLDCPC meetings and perform other duties as directed by the Chair.

C. Treasurer. The treasurer will collect and record money due and received by the organization, and will be custodian of its funds. If necessary, the Treasurer will maintain a bank account associated with the Council.

If you are interested in serving in one of these roles, please attend the meeting on Thursday. Nominations will be held on Thursday and then actual election will be at our March meeting.

We hope that many of you can make it to the meeting -- it's a great way to begin making a positive change in our community. If you have anything you would like to add to the agenda, please email bill@jldcpc.org.

Bill Dailey
JLDCPC Chair

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Lake Merritt BART Community Engagement meeting

When: Thu, February 5, 6pm – 8pm
Where: Laney College (The Forum) 333 East 8th Street, Oakland (map)

Asian Health Service and Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce are working with the City of Oakland to create a community vision for the Lake Merritt BART Station and surrounding neighborhoods. We invite you to participate. The City will soon begin preparing a Lake Merritt BART Station Specific Plan. As an important part of the community, your opinions and needs can be reflected in the Plan to produce a community vision for making the BART Station area and surrounding neighborhoods safer, economically viable and more attractive.

For more info and to RSVP contact Julia Liou by Mon Feb 2nd at jlou@ahschc.org (510) 986-6830.

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Public Forum on 5th Street Billboard Proposal

You are invited to a public forum at the Egghouse, 229 Harrison Street (corner of 3rd), Wednesday January 21, 2009 at 6 p.m. John Foster of Foster Media will present his proposal to erect a billboard at 277 Fifth Street.

As mitigation for the construction of the billboard Foster Media is proposing a $100,000 charitable contribution to the support the Jack London community. Foster Media has presented his proposal to the board of directors of the Jack London District Association and to Councilmember Nancy Nadel. All have promised to seek input from the community on the proposal. Some members of the Jack London District Association board have expressed their support for the project, given the willingness on the part of the developer to make a substantial contribution to the community.

Learn more about this proposal at what promises to be an informative meeting. See you Wednesday the 21st at the Egghouse. Gary Knecht, President, South of the Nimitz Improvement Council (SoNiC) Barry Pilger, Jack London District Association (JLDA) Vice President

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JLDCPC meeting rescheduled this month

Please note that the regular bi-monthly Jack London District Crime Prevention Council (JLDCPC) meeting will be held this month on Thursday January 29th 6:30pm to 8:00pm at 229 Harrison St and not 1/9 as previously shown on our calendar (which is no up to date). For further details see JLDCPC.org

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JLDA Meeting - community presentations

There will be a special JLDA meeting held 6pm Monday October 6th, 229 Harrison St, Oakland. All are welcome to attend.

At the meeting there will be a presentations by Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority (ACTIA) . ACTIA will be informing us about the proposed improvements for I-880 between Broadway and Jackson which will have a major impact on freeway access to this area and to the community during construction. These improvements are part of a larger project which will widen and earthquake retrofit I-880 through the downtown area.

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National Estuaries Day - Medicine Take Back

The San Francisco Estuary Project will sponsor a FREE medicine take-back event with Teleosis Institute to celebrate National Estuaries Day. The one-day program will be held on Sunday, September 28, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Jack London Square at the foot of Broadway in front of 450 Water Street.

Bring unwanted medication for safe disposal. Bring medicines in original containers with personal information marked out. No needles, sharps, inhalers, or controlled prescriptions, please. Do your part to keep our water clean and prevent environmental impacts from drugs dumped into the toilet or trash. And, learn how to save water and money during our drought.

For more information, contact Danny Pham at (510) 622-2452 or visit www.sfestuary.org.

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Crime Prevention Council meeting this Thursday

The next meeting of the Jack London District Crime Prevention Council (JLDCPC) will be held this Thursday evening. Here are the details:

Thursday, September 11th at 6:30 PM 229 Harrison (Egghouse office, corner of 3rd and Harrison)

On the agenda for this meeting:
  • Introductions
  • Police Updates
  • City Staff Updates
  • Traffic/Stop Signs
  • CORE training discussion
Monique will be providing details about upcoming trainings for Community of Oakland Responds to Emergencies (CORE). The little "jolt" this past week reminds us that we are located in a earthquake zone. Let's get prepared together! We hope that many of you can make it to the meeting -- it's a great way to begin making a positive change in our community.

Please email me at bill@jldcpc.org if you have any questions about the meeting or additional agenda items.

Bill Dailey
JLDCPC Chair

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At Large City Councilmember Candidates forum

JLDA is pleased to announce that following it's successful District 3 candidates forum it will be holding a candidates forum for the At Large City council seat run-off election. Both candidates Rebecca Kaplan and Kerry Hamill are confirmed to attend.

The forum will be held Monday September 15th starting at 6:30pm in the Regatta Room of Portobello Condominiums (11 Embarcadero West @ Oak). Follow the signs to the Regatta Room from the Portobello entrance. You can read all about the event and the candidate's statements on the front page of the August issue of "JLDA Call".

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Get Out the Vote event at The English Center

KQED Education Network in partnership with the English Center & Easy Voter Guide Project

Friday September 19th 5:30pm to 7pm at The English Center, 66 Franklin Street St 300, Oakland, CA 94607

Why should we vote? Why don't we? Why is voting not enough but only part of the larget picture?

Panelists include:

Doleris Huerata, American civil rights activist
Lisa Frederiksen, Easy Voter Guide Project
Kovida U, Burmese monk/leader; English Center student

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3rd Annual Urban Wine Experience @ Jack London Square

Saturady, August 9th, 2pm – 5pm at Jack London Square

Over 15 wineries located in the East Bay will pair with local restaurants and food purveyors in the East Vintners Alliance Third Annual wine tasting.

Participating Restaurants and Food Purveyors :
  • Aubin Cellars - Adagia
  • Periscope Cellars - Bellanico
  • Andrew Lane - Canvas Underground/Downtown Restaurant
  • Irish Monkey - C'era Una Volta
  • Urbano Cellars - E-22 Cafe
  • Dashe Cellars - Fabrique Delice
  • A Donkey and Goat - Franklin Square Wine Bar
  • Lost Canyon - Montclair Bistro
  • Rosenblum Cellars - Mona's Table
  • Prospect 772 - Patrick David's Catering
  • Tayerle Wines - Pappo
  • Eno Wines - Savory Cook Private Dining
  • JC Cellars - Scott's Seafood
  • Two Mile - Sea Salt
  • Adams Point - Whole Foods
See http://slowfoodalameda.blogspot.com/2008/07/3rd-annual-urban-wine-experience.html

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E-Waste Pickup at Jack London Square

The folks at Jack London Square have arranged an Electronic Disposal Waste Day event at Jack London Square, scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2008 at 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. A truck with large waste containers will be accepting your electronic wasted materials at the Foot of Broadway @ Embarcadero.

This will be a FREE bulk pick up service that will accept:

All computer hardware and electronics, including CPU computers, monitors, television sets, networking equipment, personal electronics, industrial equipment, test equipment, wires, stereos, speakers, keyboards, mice, cell phones, home phones, office phones, remote controls, radio equipment, LCD displays, laptops, metals, VCR, batteries and more. Computer hardware and electronic equipment is accepted regardless of vintage or working condition.

Not acceptable are:

Fluorescent light bulbs, large household appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, stoves and washing machines and dryers.

Please mark your calendars and take advantage of this FREE service.

For more information contact:

Brian Lee
Marketing & Special Events Manager
Jack London Square
70 Washington Street, Ste. 207
Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: 510-645-9292, ext. 225
brian@jacklondonsquare.com

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National Night Out - Tuesday August 5th 7-9pm

The Jack London District Crime Prevention Council (JLDCPC) invites you to attend a National Night Out event on the evening of Tuesday, August 5th. The event will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 pm on Harrison Street between 2nd and 3rd.

Our event this year will feature a community potluck and will be a great way for you to get out into the neighborhood and meet other people who live and work in the Jack London District. We will have activity packets available for children and friendly dogs are welcome. We also expect representatives from the City of Oakland, Oakland Police, and Oakland Fire departments to attend. Please bring a food or drink item to share. You won’t want to miss this event!

What is National Night Out?

National Night Out, ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime,’ was first introduced by National Association of Town Watch in 1984. Over the last 25 years, it has grown to now include events that involve 34 million people in over 10,000 communities across the United States. Oakland will have over 40 NNO events this year.

NATW Executive Director Matt A. Peskin explains NNO this way: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for communities nationwide to promote police community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie. While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out does represent the kind of spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make many neighborhoods safer places throughout the year. It’s a night to celebrate safety and crime prevention successes - and to expand and strengthen programs for the next 364 days.”

If you would like to know more about our National Night Out event, please email nightout@jldcpc.org or call Bill Dailey at 510-289-8956.

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Sidewalk Sale to benefit Oakland Fund for the Arts

Gary Knecht who serves on the board of Oakland Fund for the Arts ask you to support an organization that does great work funding arts education in the Oakland Public schools. You can support them in two ways:

1. Donate your unneeded valuables to our July 20 sidewalk sale. You can deliver them to the Egghouse and I can give you a receipt for tax purposes or I can arrange to pick them up on Sunday July 13 if you let me know what you have. We will take pretty much anything if it is good condition ($1 to $1,000), but we'd love items that we can sell for $50 to $75. Please call me to arrange delivery or pickup: 893-9829.

2. Come to the sidewalk sale with lots of cash and have a great time. Here is the official calendar announcement:

SUNDAY, JULY 20 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm:

A Sidewalk Sale to benefit Oakland Fund for the Arts. The Egghouse, 229 Harrison Street, Oakland (Jack London District).

This local nonprofit works to raise money to support hands-on arts education programs in Oakland K-12 schools identified as underserved and in need. With looming education cutbacks due to the current state budget crisis, OFFTA needs your help in making curriculum-integrated arts education available to all of Oakland’s children. Find great bargains and support the powerful teaching tool of the arts in our schools!

(More information available at www.oaklandfundforthearts.org)

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Crime Prevention Council Meeting

The next meeting of the Jack London District Crime Prevention Council (JLDCPC) will be held this Thursday. Here are the details:

Thursday, July 10th at 6:30 PM
229 Harrison (Egghouse office, corner of 3rd and Harrison)

On the agenda for this meeting:
  • Police Updates
  • Online Community Survey results
  • National Night Out party preparation
  • Underground gatherings in district
  • Traffic safety (need for more stop signs)
We hope that many of you can make it to the meeting -- it's a great way to begin making a positive change in our community.

I also haven't gotten any response to my last call for help for National Night Out on August 5th. In order to insure that we have a successful event, we really need help in these areas:
  • Arrange food and drink donations (this is the one we need the most help with)
  • Find volunteers to cook/prepare/serve food at event
  • Involve community groups and ask them to attend and set up info tables (Covenant House, JLDA, English Center, etc)
  • Design promotional flyer
  • Distribute posters/flyers to locations in community
If you can offer ANY help, please email us at nightout@jldcpc.org or call Bill Dailey at 510-289-8956 (or let me know at the meeting on Thursday). We can make this a successful event together!

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National Night Out Preparations

Preparations are underway for the Jack London District National Night Out event which will be held on Tuesday, August 5th. The event will be a fun way to socialize with your neighbors while making our community a safer place. We have been making good progress, but we need some help with additional people in the community who are willing to spend a couple of hours to make this a quality event. Below is a brief summary of what has been done so far, and list of what areas we could need your help with. If you are able to spend *any* time helping in one of the areas below, please send me an email at nightout@jldcpc.org or give me a call at 510-289-8956.

Thanks for your participation!

Bill Dailey
JLDCPC Chair

What has been done already:
  • Location picked (outside 229 Harrison - between 2nd and 3rd).
  • We are registered with national organization and City of Oakland (no permit is required)
  • Our Neighborhood Services Coordinator (Annie Sloan) will work with
  • OPD and OFD to have a presence at the event
  • We have tables and chairs available (thanks, Gary)
  • JLDA has graciously donated some funds to cover expenses not covered by donations
  • An article about the event will appear in the July issue of JLDA Call
What we REALLY need help with:
  • Arrange food and drink donations (this is the one we need the most help with)
  • Find volunteers to cook/prepare/serve food at event
  • Involve community groups and ask them to attend and set up info tables (Covenant House, JLDA, English Center, etc)
  • We would like to allow people to bring their dogs to the event. Any ideas on what we would need to do to make that successful?
  • Design promotional flyer
  • Distribute posters/flyers to locations in community

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JLDA Board votes unanimously to oppose resolutions to modify JLD Mixed Use Parking Permit Plan

At the June 16th board meeting of JLDA the eight members of the board present voted unanimously to oppose the resolutions to amend the parking plan set forth below which briefly:

a) Extend the eligibility for permits to include businesses south of Embarcadero (mostly Jack London Square), and the Alameda County buildings along Broadway,

b) Introduce a ten-fold increase in the price of temporary visitor permits to $10 (one day) and $50 (two week)

specifying a rationale of "In Order To Maintain The Program's Cost-Neutrality"

The grounds for JLDA board opposition were given as:

a) the resolutions were prepared completely without prior consultation of JLDA, a body that aims to represent the Jack London District and was central in proposing, defining and supporting the permit plan and which devoted countless hours of work over many years to make it happen - a role that was explicitly recognized in the City of Oakland resolutions introducing the Permit Parking ordinance in 2007, and the ordinance itself.

b) the permit plan already requires for yearly review of the plan for cost neutrality and performance and the board feels that extremely premature to make changes on the basis of cost-neutrality when a financial analysis has yet to be performed. Furthermore the immediate and future impact of extending the permit plan boundaries to include business addresses with a very large number of employees (which will apparently also include all future JLS office space) is unknown, unstudied and unplanned for in the original permit proposal.

Our District 3 council member Nancy Nadel has recommended the finance and management committee support the resolutions. The Staff report on which the recommendation was based is available here: http://clerkwebsvr1.oaklandnet.com/attachments/19541.pdf.

The Staff report cites issues regarding cost neutrality but unfortunately presents no facts or figures to back up those claims - whereas it is known to JLDA that in six weeks permit sales have already raised $54,600 in revenue, and $70 parking tickets are being issued at a rate of 20 to 30 per day netting over $20,000 in additional revenue per month for the City general fund. As best we can tell there has been no additional cost other than administrative ones for issuing permits. Compared to the previous parking usage, and any other permit plan in the City (all of which lose money) it is hard to see, without further evidence, how our plan is now unfortunately being characterized as a financial burden to the City in a deficit year.

As JLDA is apparently out of the loop then if you have comments on the increase in visitor permit fees to $10 per day or $50 per two weeks, the modification of permit boundaries, or even the process by which the resolutions were introduced without prior community consultation, then please contact the office of Nancy Nadel directly at:

Nancy Nadel,
City Hall 2nd Floor,
1 Frank Ogawa Plaza,
Oakland, CA 94612,
(510) 238-7003
email: clstarks@oaklandnet.com
nnadel@oaklandnet.com

Alternatively you can also contact the finance committee members directly who will be reviewing the resolutions before recommending (or not) their passage to City Council:

Jane Brunner, District 1; jbrunner@oaklandnet.com
Nancy Nadel, District 3: nnadel@oaklandnet.com
President Ignacio De La Fuente, District 5; idelafuente@oaklandnet.com
Chairperson, Jean Quan, District 4: jquan@oaklandnet.com

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JLD Parking Permit Plan being reviewed at City Hall

The office of Nancy Nadel has notified us that the City Council Finance and Management Committee will discuss the following two issues regarding the JLD Permit Parking Program on June 24, 2008 at 1:30pm, agenda item 7. The committee meets in Hearing Room 1, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza (City Hall) and the public has an opportunity to comment.

(1) Adopt An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 12809 C.M.S. (Master Fee Schedule), As Amended, To Modify Permit Fees Assessed By The Parking Division For The "Interim Mixed-Use Parking Permit Program For The Jack London District," As Follows:
(a) Modify The Cost Of One-Day Permits From One Dollar ($1) To Ten Dollars ($10); And
(b) Modify The Cost Of Two-Week Permits From Five Dollars ($5) To Fifty Dollars ($50),
In Order To Maintain the Program’s Cost-Neutrality.

(2) Adopt An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 12864 C.M.S., To Modify The Boundaries Of The Jack London District Interim Mixed-Use Permit Parking Program, As Follows:
(a) Move The Southern Boundary Of The Permit Parking Area South One Block From Embarcadero West, Between Franklin Street And Washington Street Only, To Include The Businesses On Water Street;
(b) Move The Northern Boundary Of The Permit Parking Area North One Block From Fourth Street, Between Washington Street And Broadway Only, To Include The Southern Side Of Fifth Street Only.

The Staff Report regarding the resolution is available online at http://clerkwebsvr1.oaklandnet.com/attachments/19541.pdf. You can access the Committee calendar here: http://clerkwebsvr1.oaklandnet.com/calendar/#current

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Jack London Aquatic Center 2008 Summer Splash

Jack London Aquatic Center Hosts its 2008 Summer Splash, a Free Water Sports Open House for Youth and Adults Ages 12 and Up

When: Saturday June 7, 2008 from 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Where: the Jack London Aquatic Center, 115 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA, at Estuary Park (between Oak Street and Fifth Avenue, one mile east of Jack London Square along the Embarcadero)

The Jack London Aquatic Center is excited to announce its first annual free “Summer Splash” water sports celebration on Saturday, June 7 from 10:00am to 2:00pm, for youth and adults ages 12 and up. This is your chance to come and try out the sports of rowing, kayaking, and/or dragon boating. Every half-hour participants will leave from the dock and receive an introduction to sweep-oar rowing, kayaking, or dragon boating. Meanwhile, on land, participants can celebrate Oakland’s Estuary with lively sea shanties from the Roving Tars musical group. Participants do not need to know how to swim: everyone will be fitted for personal flotation devices and will be required to sign a waiver on site.

For more information call JLAC at 510-208-6067 or see their website JLAC.org

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Coffee Hours with councilmember Nancy Nadel

SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008, 11 AM to 1 PM and the last Saturday of every month from 11 AM to 1 PM at World Ground Café, 308 Jackson Street, at 3rd

For more information, please contact the District Three Council Office at 510.238.7003, or via email to tjackson@oaklandnet.com.

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May Community Construction Coordination Meeting

Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00
Location: 130 Webster St - Sales office for the Ellington

Subject: Community questions relating to the progress of development construction in the Jack London area

Purpose: Construction coordination meeting to discuss current issues related to construction activity

1. Introductions
2. Report by each developer as to status of project construction and completion
a. 200 Broadway – The Ellington
b. 311 2nd St – The Colony
c. Ellis Partners – 66 Franklin
d. Ellis Partners - Sites C
e. Ellis Partners – Site F
f. Ellis Partners – Site G
3. Construction schedule for the summer months, and hours of actual construction activity.
4. Current community concerns that have surfaced since last community meeting.
5. For the good of the order
6. Set date for next meeting

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District 3 Candidates Forum - this Monday 5/19 at 6pm

JLDA has arranged an informal candidates forum for the District 3 City Council election. The forum is this Monday evening (5/19) starting at 6pm in the Regatta Room of Portobello - 11 Embarcadero West (entrance at the corner of Oak and Embarcadero).

All three District 3 candidates will be attending: Nancy Nadel, Greg Hodge, and Sean Sullivan. You can read their candidate statements as published in the May edition of our newsletter "JLDA Call" below.

The forum will give you to a chance to hear the candidates speak and ask them questions. Remember the District 3 councilmember is our most immediate contact with government representation at the City level.

Where: Portobello Regatta Room, 11 Embarcadero West (at Oak and Embarcadero)
When: 6:00 PM / Monday / May 19th.
Candidates: Nancy Nadel / Greg Hodge / Sean Sullivan
Questions: JLDA Board / Community

Note: JLDA does not endorse any particular candidate for this election. Their statements below are listed in alphabetical order.

Greg Hodge

Our collective public safety depends on more than reactive responses to incidents of crime. It involves a coordinated response to the underlying factors that increase the likelihood of crime and delinquency in our communities. Through prevention and early intervention programs, we can address high-risk behaviors and conditions that have become too prevalent. Our strategy will not only ensure that our community is safe, but also that we can tackle addiction and unemployment. This is critical.

We need culturally competent diversion programs that reflect the diversity of the communities that work and live in District 3. This is the only way we'll be able to differentiate those who would be better served by programs than punishment. Research and pilot initiatives across the nation have demonstrated that when we improve access to basic needs such as education, health care, housing, and employment for all of our citizens, we are more likely to have a community in which our citizens feel safe and our businesses thrive.

A coordinated approach to public safety is one in which our community stakeholders truly partner with our legal system and justice stakeholders in order to develop a common voice and approach to decreasing violence and participation in the underground economy. Contact us at hodgeforoakland.com and share your ideas.

Nancy Nadel

As the Councilwoman representing the people of District 3, I’ve successfully fought special interests, bloated bureaucracy, and City Hall inaction to achieve real results. I am proud to be endorsed by the Democratic Party, Assemblymember Sandre Swanson, Supervisor Keith Carson, Labor Leaders, the Sierra Club, East Bay Young Democrats, Planned Parenthood and over 100 community leaders and District 3 neighbors, among others. I would be honored to continue to serve as your Councilwoman.

With your support, I’ve established the Campbell Village Teen Center, with a second new Center coming; developed youth job training/conflict resolution programs; expanded funding for hiring police and the Crimestoppers Program; increased street lighting and traffic signals for neighborhood safety; opened a credit union near West Oakland BART; expanded affordable housing; created 6000+ Oakland jobs during the housing boom; improved Lake Merritt with responsible zoning; created new dog parks; and introduced legislation protecting our right to reproductive healthcare without harassment.

More reforms are needed: Safety – increase neighborhood foot/bike patrols, expand programs to reduce youth homicide; recruit/retain police officers. Revitalization – Expand Business Improvement Districts, restore West Oakland Train Station. Greening Oakland – we’ve improved Bertha, Cleveland Cascades, Lafayette, Sensory Gardens, Willow parks; must continue with Raimondi/Fitzgerald parks, and districtwide tree plantings. For assistance, call: 238-7003. To volunteer: VoteNancyNadel.com.

Sean Sullivan

Many in the Jack London District know of me through my work at Covenant House. I am grateful for the support you have given us and the partnership that has grown since then. Over the last six years, I have advocated for these youth in Oakland and to provide the services they need.

I have first-hand experience at getting people off of the streets and into shelter. Through this work, I have come to learn the needs of the people in the streets and the services available and needed to get people into self sufficiency. I was asked to run for city council by the mother of a homicide victim who knew of my work. Meeting and talking with some of you, JLD residents also drew me into the race. I value your concerns about crime, blight and lack of leadership in Oakland.

A safe, clean, thriving Jack London District is part of my vision and recognizes the investment you have made in this community. That vision of vibrancy includes an active and accessible waterfront and a policed commercial corridor. I believe I have the energy and ability to help bring growth that will build a solid sustainable future for our youth; providing safe neighborhoods and opportunities for all of us. We highly appreciate this opportunity. SeanSullivan.org

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JLDCPC Crime and safety survey

Let us know what crime and safety issues are more important to you!

The JLDCPC is conducting a short online survey design to gauge what crime and safety issues are most important for us to focus on in the coming months. We will be sharing these results with Oakland Police Department representatives. You can complete the survey online at http://jldcpc.org/survey or email bill@jldcpc.org to get a PDF or paper copy of the survey.

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Oakland Neighborhood Summit 2008

The Neighborhood Services Division Invites you to attend the Neighborhood Summit 2008

Saturday, May 31, 2008
Laney College, 200 Fallon Street, Oakland
Registration & Continental Breakfast 8:15am-9:00am
Program & Workshops 9:00am-3:00pm

Event Highlights
  • Lots of workshops (see flyer link below for details).
  • Keynote Speaker: Joseph Marshal, Ph.D., Omega Boy's Club
  • Master of Ceremony: Deputy Chief Jeffrey Israel
  • Oakland Youth Movement
  • Meet Area Captains
You can view the event flyer here :http://jldcpc.org/2008_Summit.pdf

You can sign up to attend here (registration deadline is Friday, May 16th): http://www.oaklandnet.com/NSDRegistration/Regadd.asp

Drop us a note at feedback@jldcpc.org if you are planning to attend so
that we can coordinate.

Bill Dailey
JLDCPC Chair

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POSTPONED - Hearing on Major CUP application for nightclub

We have learned today that the Major Conditional Use Permit application for a nightclub in the district has been removed from the agenda of the May 7th the Oakland City Planning Commission meeting. No explanation was given or is known to JLDA at this time. We'll keep you posted.

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Crime Prevention Committee survey and May 8th meeting

We hope that many of you will be able to join us at our next Jack London District Crime Prevention Council meeting on May 8th (details below).

In preparation for that meeting, it would be great if you take 5 minutes to complete an online survey about how we should define the priorities of the JLDCPC in the near future:

http://jldcpc.org/survey

Meeting details:

Jack London District Crime Prevention Council (JLDCPC) Meeting Notice

Date: Thursday, May 8, 2008
Time: 6:30-8:00 P.M.
Place: 229 Harrison Street (office at the Egghouse)

Agenda Topics

- Police Updates
- Community Priorities Survey Results
- National Night Out Planning
- City Staff Updates

For more information please email us at jldcpc@jlda.org or:

NSC Annie Sloan @ 238-2340
Mr. Bill Dailey @ 868-9314

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Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application for new nightclub

On May 7th the Oakland City Planning Commission will consider the major conditional use permit (CUP) application by Allen Kimball to open a new nightclub/restaurant in the district. The meeting begins at 6pm in hearing room 3 of City Hall and the CUP application is agenda item 5 as detailed below:

Location: 671 4th Street
Assessors Parcel Numbers: (APN 001-0121-031-01)
Proposal: Major Conditional Use Permit for new nightclub/restaurant in the Jack London Square area.
Case File Number: CM08-019
Owner, Applicant: Allen Kimball (owner), Sean Laal (applicant)
Planning Permits Required: Major Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow Group Assembly in the M-30 Zoning District, with nightclub/restaurant and alcohol beverage service
General Plan: E-LI1 Estuary Light Industrial (Port Area)
Zoning: M-30 General Industrial Zoning District
Environmental Determination: Exempt, Section 15301 (Existing facilities) and Section 15304 (Minor alterations to land) of State CEQA Guidelines; and Section 15183, Projects consistent with a community plan, general plan or zoning Historic Status: Not a Potentially Designated Historic Building (PDHP)
Service Delivery District: Metro
Date Filed: January 31, 2008
Support/Opposition: Support:
Owner and architect Opposition: None
Action to be Taken: Decision on Major Conditional Use Permit application.
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Finality of Decision: Appealable to City Council
For Further Information: Contact case planner, David Valeska at (510) 238-2075 or dvaleska@oaklandnet.com.

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CORE Newsletter available

CORE stands for Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies. The Winter 2008 edition of the CORE Newsletter is now available as a download from the CORE website at www.oaklandnet.com/fire/core/esprit.html.

Kaity Booth
Acting CORE Coordinator
Oakland Fire Department Office of Emergency Services
Tel: (510) 238-6351 ~ Fax: (510) 238-7761
kbooth@oaklandnet.com
www.oaklandcore.org

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Parking permit area signs go up

The office of Councilmember Nancy Nadel has informed us that property owners in the JLD, who are either renting out their residential or commercial properties, are not eligible for permits. Enforcement of the permit plan will begin on May 15, 2008.

The letters and maps should be mailed out in the next week or so. The letter will explain the eligibility requirements and application process, and has been corrected to state that parking permits will be issued for “each vehicle owned, leased, or under the continuing custody of any person who can demonstrate that they are currently a resident, employee, business owner, or a representative of a neighborhood serving establishment within the JLD Designated Mixed Use Parking Permit (MUPP) Area. For employees, business owners must provide a list of employees, along with each employee’s current vehicle registration and driver’s license.

Everyone should just wait to receive the letter before they call the City with questions. The letter will likely provide all of the information necessary. The letter also specifies that questions should be directed to Marcela Pardo-Espinoza at (510) 986-2690.

UPDATE: If you purchase an annual permit ($150) you may also purchase temporary visitor permits as follows: each 1-day permit costs $1.00 per vehicle and each 14-day permit costs $5.00 per vehicle. No more than five 1-day and five 14-day visitor permits may be purchased at any one time. If you include payment, you may order visitor permits on the application form sent out by the City.

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Meeting - Truck Parking in the Produce Area

Nancy Nadel's invites you to participate in a Community Dialog regarding truck parking in the produce area and it effect on our District.

When: Thursday, April 24, 2008, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Hearing Room 3

Councilmember Nadel, Traffic Engineering, and Traffic Enforcement will be available to discuss your concerns.

Agenda

Resident concerns - neighbors
Business concerns - produce merchants

Options to address:
  • Parking Enforcement – Sgt. Steinberger
  • Traffic Engineering - Joe Wang
  • Clean-up - PWA
Next steps

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Permit parking update

Permit parking is now in the hands of City staff. JLDA's Parking and Transportation Committee provided the City with a mailing list last Friday and with comments on draft letters they intend to send to every address within the permit parking district. Within a week, you should look for a letter explaining how to get a permit, when signs will be installed, and when enforcement will begin. We have not seen the final letter, so we can't tell you exactly what it will say.

If you have questions during this start up period, the person to contact is Marisa Arrona, Policy Aide in the office of Councilmember Nancy J. Nadel. Marisa can be reached at 238-7031 or arronaM@oaklandnet.com.

Here are Marisa's notes on a meeting she had last Tuesday with staff responsible for implementing this program:
  1. I will call (have already called) Gary Knecht to let him know that Francine incorporated his concerns/comments into the letter. I will ask Gary to email the database/list to Joe by Friday. Joe and Si will then “scan” the list to see if any glaring errors stand out – otherwise, Joe will email the database to Francine.
  2. If Francine receives the database on Friday, she can begin the mailing process on Monday. It will take about 5 days to complete the mailing since a map will be included with each letter and the envelopes have to be stuffed.
  3. If any JLD residents or business owners come into Francine’s office and say they did NOT receive a letter, Francine will confirm that his/her address is within the permit boundary and will then update the database to include that address and will notify Joe so he can update his list.
  4. Dan and Kenneth will begin installing the signs on or about May 1st. The sign installation process will take 3-5 days. Eleven new poles will be installed, and the remaining 149 signs will be attached to existing poles or light stands.
  5. Enforcement will begin on May 15th. Francine’s letter will state that “enforcement will begin on May 15th, and the sign installation will be completed in early May.”
  6. Currently, Francine has 1100 permits to sell. She will order a few hundred more as back-ups.
Please check at the JLDA website for any late breaking news - we will also send it out to our email announcements list. And please provide feedback if you run into any problems.

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April Edition of JLDA Call out now

JLDA is pleased to announce that the third print edition of its monthly newsletter "JLDA Call" is out now. Featured in this article are details of the new mixed used parking permit, and Trash Bash 10, our annual neighborhood cleanup event.

You should see the new issue available from Tuesday April 8th at Sierra Deli, World Ground Cafe and many other locations throughout the district. Or you can download your own copy to read, print and share - the latest copy is always available from this location: http://jlda.org/call/latest.pdf

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Oakland Estuary Crossing Feasibility Study Workshop

There are two meetings next week for a feasibility study regarding a proposed Oakland Estuary Crossing. Participants will help Develop the Alameda-Oakland Estuary Crossing for alternative modes used by residents and visitors. For more info call (510) 749-5918 or see the feasibility study webpage

The first meeting is Thursday, April 10th: 6 PM at th Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 Ninth Street, #290, Oakland

The second is Saturday April 12th 10am at the Pasta Pelican Restaurant, 2455 Mariner Square Drive, Alameda.

Both meetings are sponsored by City of Alameda Public Works Department.

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Discussion of an Aerial Tram in Oakland

Wednesday, April 16 8:00AM-9:30AM

Meeting at Swarm Studios + Gallery (560 Second Street / Clay Street).
Discussion of an Aerial Tram in Oakland

A representative of Doppelmayr CTEC, builder of the Portland Aerial Tram, will make a presentation on the feasibility and range of costs for an aerial tram for Oakland.

Learn how an aerial tram could provide a connection from the West Oakland BART Station to Jack London Square and even beyond. A safe, comfortable connection from BART could be an economic catalyst, an attraction for visitors and a tie-in to the entire BART system.

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JLDA Website gets a makeover!

Your hardworking JLDA webmaster has just completed a makeover for the website - we hope you like the result. New features include a right hand column on every page containing a search feature, the JLD event calendar, and soon other useful information for users. There is also space for advertising by local businesses - all you have to do is donate and become a JLDA business supporter. We've also adopted the yellow and orange color scheme used in the Waterfront Warehouse District walking tour brochure and trashcan graphics. If you see any problems with the website please let us know via the feedback form.

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Jack London Aquatic Center Hosts 2008 JLAC Ergathon

Saturday April 5, 2008 from 8:00AM -8:00PM

The Oakland community is encouraged to help participate in Jack London Aquatic Center’s 2008 Ergathon. This Ergathon, in which athletes take turns on a Concept2 rowing machine and pull non-stop for 12 hours (8:00 AM to 8:00PM), will be held on site at the Jack London Aquatic Center by the Oakland Estuary. There are two ways to help support this fundraiser by either sponsoring an individual athlete to “erg” or by coming down to the Ergathon, and rowing yourself, **$20 minimum donation.

The purpose is to raise funds for equipment for the three rowing programs for the Jack London Aquatic Center: Junior Women’s Rowing Program, an intensive after school program for Oakland flatland high school girls; Masters Women’s Rowing, the adult women’s sweep-oar team; and Adult Single Sculling, the two-oar, one-person-to-a-boat program.

With a mission to make water sports (rowing, kayaking, and dragon boating) on the Oakland Estuary accessible to all, since 2002 the Jack London Aquatic Center (JLAC) has been addressing barriers that have traditionally blocked participation; please help support this fundraiser for more equipment for our rowing programs.

The Jack London Aquatic Center’s mission is to inspire the diverse communities of Oakland – especially youth – to experience their Estuary waterfront, for purposes of recreation, education and competition. The Jack London Aquatic Center is one of Oakland’s best kept secrets.
For more information, call 510.208.6067

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Hearing for Oakland Metro Operahouse Cabaret Permit

HEARING FOR CABARET PERMIT

CABARET PERMIT FOR Oakland Metro Operahouse

APPLICATION MADE BY: Underworld Opera Co. dba Oakland Opera Theater
ADDRESS OF PROPOSED CLUB: 630 3rd Street, Oakland
HEARING DATE: Thursday, April 10, 2008, 3:00 PM
HEARING LOCATION: City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, Hearing Rm. 2

For more information, please telephone 238-6914 or e-mail jchan@oaklandnet.com

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League of Women Voters of Oakland Candidate Forums

The League of Women Voters of Oakland will be conducting 16 forums for candidates for various offices being contested in the June 3 Primary Election. The public is invited to attend any or all of the forums and submit their questions for the candidates.

The forums are on April 3, 4, 5, 11, and 24. Two forums will be broadcast live on cable television station KTOP Channel 10 (Fridays April 4 and 11); all forums held at City Hall will be recorded for broadcast on KTOP at a later time. The current schedule is as follows:

Thursday, April 3, in City Hall Hearing Room #1
  • 6:00 p.m. Council District 3: Nancy Nadel, Sean Sullivan
  • 6:45 p.m. Oakland School District 3: Jumoke Hinton Hodge, Olubermiga Oluwole, Sr.
  • 7:30 p.m. City Council District 7: Clifford Gilmore, Larry Reid
  • 8:15 p.m. Oakland School District 7: Doris Limbrick, Alice Spearman, Beverly Williams
Friday, April 4, in City Hall Hearing Room #1
  • 6 p.m. Assembly District 14: Phil Polakoff, Nancy Skinner, Tony Thurmond, Kriss Worthington
  • 7 p.m. Council-at-Large: Kerry Hamill, Rebecca Kaplan, Clinton Killian, Charles Pine, Frank Rose
  • 8:15 p.m. City Council District 5: Beverly Blythe, Ignacio De La Fuente, Mario Juarez, David Wofford
Saturday, April 5, in City Hall Hearing Room #1
  • 10 a.m. Alameda County Board of Education Area 2: Ernest Hardmon, Conchitab Tucker
  • 10:45 a.m. Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 4: Nate Miley, Steve White
  • 11:30 a.m. Alameda County Board of Education Area 3: John Bernard, Ken Berrick, Celsa Snead
  • 12:30 p.m. Alameda County Superior Court Seat 9: Phil Daly, Dennis Hayashi, Victoria Kolakowski, Dennis Reid
Friday, April 11, in City Hall Hearing Room #1
  • 7 p.m. Senate District 9: Wilma Chan, Loni Hancock
  • 8 p.m. City Council District 1: Jane Brunner, Patrick McCullough
  • 8:45 p.m. Oakland School District 1: Jody London, Tennessee Reed, Brian Rogers
Thursday, April 24, at Merritt College
  • 7 p.m. Council-at-Large: Kerry Hamill, Rebecca Kaplan, Clinton Killian, Charles Pine, Frank Rose
Oakland City Hall is located at 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza in downtown Oakland, close to the BART 12th Street/City Center station. Merritt College is located at 12500 Campus Drive, near Redwood Road, in Oakland.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters is the organization where your hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement.

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Community Construction Coordination Meeting

The next monthly community constructon coordination meeting will be held on Wednesday March 26th at 6:30pm in The Elliington sales office at 130 Webster St. The agenda is below.

All are encouraged to attend especially those who are concerned about Saturday construction, parking issues and early morning noise related to the projects.

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JLDA Election Results

At the Jack London District Association board meeting it was unanimously decided to increase its board to eleven seats to allow all the candidates to hold a seat in 2008. Therefore we are pleased to announce that all of last years directors were re-elected, plus two new members - Alex Eagle and Bernice Straub. You can read all about the board of directors members on our information page JLDA.org/board

Although there are no vacant seats on the board now there is still plenty of opportunity to serve your community by volunteering to chair one of our advisory committees. In addition our monthly board meetings are open to all interested parties and dates, times and locations of meetings are posted on the JLDA calendar every month.

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NCPC survey responses still needed

The City of Oakland is still looking for some more feedback on its Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council survey. For anyone who has been to one of our Beat 1X NCPC meetings, or even those who have not you can complete the survey online, it will take just a few mintues.

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MōNO Restaurant Now Open

MōNO restaurant, located at 247 Forth Street, opened for lunch on March 12th and will begin serving dinner on April 2nd.

Executive Chef Todd Wilson (former Chef de Cuisine at Asia SF and the Public) and wife Eloisa Castillo (Myth, Cortez) are the force behind MōNO Restaurant - a hip, neighborhood eatery that serves up globally inspired, locally sourced dishes. Chef Wilson's seasonal menu is highlighted by big, bold flavors and farm-fresh produce. Wilson has also created a special crudo list with raw inventions such as Day Boat Scallops with Tangerine Oil and Shaved Fennel or Hamachi with Blood Orange, Fresno Pepper, Maui Onions and Micro Cilantro. Specialty artisan cheeses will also be available and will come standard with crostini, organic honey, dried fruit and Marcona almonds.

Shuna Lydon (French Laundry, Bouchon, Citizen Cake) is consulting on the dessert menu and will offer her inspired offerings at lunch and dinner.

A 100-bottle wine list is comprised of boutique wines that are both food-friendly and comprehensive. The classics make a strong appearance (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet) as do some less mainstream varietals such as Manto Negro, a red grape native to the Balearic Islands and Assyrtiko, a Greek white grape wine indigenous to the island of Santorini. There is a special focus given to half bottles as well as an artisanal and sparkling sake list.

The industrial but stylish space houses a horseshoe-shaped bar, cement pillars and a unique outdoor patio area that can be closed off for private groups with pull down window-paned garage style doors and soft, interior lighting. Stunning black and white photographic images by famed artist James Scott Geras flank the walls and a grouping of hanging, circular lamps suspend from the exposed ceiling.

Lunch is served Monday – Friday, 11:30am – 2:30pm; Dinner is Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday, 5:30pm – 9:30pm; Friday & Saturday, 5:30pm – 10:30pm. Call 510.834.0260, website - monorestaurant.com

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Important meeting on air quality adjactent to the Port and railroad

This Wednesday, March 19, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the West Oakland Senior Center (1724 Adeline Street, Oakland) the California Air Resources Board, in cooperation with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Maritime Port of Oakland, and Union Pacific Railroad will discuss the Preliminary Summary of Results from the:

"Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure Assessment Study for the West Oakland Community" also known as "West Oakland Health Risk Assessment (HRA)"

The risk assessment provides estimates of potential health impacts for the West Oakland community due to diesel PM emissions from ships, trucks, trains, and other sources. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the study, ask questions, and provide input. Key topics for the meeting include:
  • What the preliminary results showed
  • How the results may be used
  • Next steps
If you have questions about the community meeting, please contact Ms. Carolyn Suer, at (916) 327-5985 or via email at: csuer@arb.ca.gov.

You can find more information about these studies (including draft materials when available) and sign up for the mailing list at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/ch/communities/ra/westoakland/westoakland.htm.

or contact:

Jesse D. Garrett
Government Affairs
Port of Oakland
(510) 627-1382
jgarrett@portoakland.com

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Jack London District Crime Prevention Council

Just a reminder that the next Jack London District Crime Prevention Council (JLDCPC) meeting is Thursday evening.

Date: Thursday, March 13, 2008
Time: 6:30 PM
Place: Covenant House (Library Room), 200 Harrison St (corner of 2nd and Harrison)

Agenda

  • Welcome, Introductions
  • Police Updates (OPD)
  • Presentation from Mr. Don Link, chair of the Community Policing Advisory Board
  • City Staff Updates
  • JLDCPC discussion
  • Open Forum

Note: We will be having Officer elections at this meeting. The following nominations were made at our last meeting:

  • Chair: Bill Dailey
  • Secretary: Paul Szczesiul
  • Treasurer: Monique Tsang
For more information, please contact NSC Annie Sloan at 510-238-2340 or Interim Chair Bill Dailey at 510-868-9314 or email jldcpc@jlda.org.

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Tall ships arriving at Jack London Square


The sailing ships Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington will be berthed at Jack London Square from March 6th through March 23th. You are invited to come learn about maritime history as you take a dockside tour of these vessels, or even join a voyage onto the San Francisco Bay. For more information see the Historical Seaport website.

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Zazoo's Restaurant ceases cabaret operations

Zazoo's has voluntarily relinquished their cabaret permit and agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding outlining the events on the night of the shooting that lead the hearing in the first place, and the consequences to them of surrendering the permit. Zazoo's will no longer be able to hold any more cabaret (live music) events without obtaining a new permit from scratch which involves a public hearing with community and OPD input.

The news was welcomed by many living at Portobello condominium adjacent to Zazoo's as the cabaret events regularly brought noise and traffic problems to their parking lot on weekend nights. Several times now there have also been violent crimes in the vicinity of the restaurant including shootings, such as the triple shooting of 2/10/08.

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Zazoo's cabaret permit hearing - CANCELED

JLDA has just been informed by the City of Oakland that the cabaret permit hearing for Zazoo's, scheduled for Friday February 22nd, has been canceled with the agreement of OPD and Portobello Home Owners Association.

Zazoo's has voluntarily relinquished their cabaret permit and agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding outlining the events on the night of the shooting that lead the hearing in the first place, and the consequences to them of surrendering the permit. Zazoo's will no longer be able to hold any more cabaret (live music) events without obtaining a new permit from scratch which involves a public hearing with community and OPD input.

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Oakland Calls on Volunteers to Help with Police Officer Hiring Effort

Oakland community members interested in lending a hand to help the City of Oakland reach its goal of having 803 police officers by the end of 2008 have an opportunity to participate in this important effort.

The Oakland Police Department needs community volunteers to serve as oral board panel assessors for the hiring of Police Officer Trainees. Interested candidates must meet one of the following criteria 1) live in Oakland, 2) work in Oakland or 3) own a business in Oakland.

The upcoming oral board dates are currently scheduled for Monday, March 10, Tuesday, March 11 and Wednesday, March 12. Volunteers can serve on all three days or one of the days from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm each day. The oral boards are held at the Eastmont Mall sub-station at 2651 73rd Avenue, Oakland, CA 94605.

Additional panels are scheduled throughout the year. Community members interested in serving on the boards should contact Cee Belue at (510) 238-3338 or cbelue@oaklandnet.com.

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NOTICE OF HEARING ON ZAZOO’S CABARET PERMIT

Pursuant to section 5.02.080 of the Oakland Municipal Code, the City of Oakland is conducting a hearing to determine whether the cabaret permit issued for Zazoo’s Cabaret should be suspended and/or revoked. The basis for the hearing is the shooting that left three people injured, in the Zazoo’s/Portobello parking lot early Sunday morning, February 10, 2008.

A public hearing has been scheduled for Friday, February 22, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. in Hearing Room 1 at City Hall, One Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612. If you are interested in the outcome of this hearing, please plan to attend and testify.

For additional information, please contact: Barbara Killey, 238-2257 or bkilley@oaklandnet.com.

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Crime reports for Beat 1X

You can now access a list of crimes in police beat 1X which largely coincides with the Jack London District boundary. The list contains data for 2008 and is updated approximately weekly as reports are publicized by the Oakland Police Department. The data is also available as a spreadsheet
and as a PDF file.

A sample of the first 10 entries is shown below:

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Waterfront Warehouse District Trashcan Rennovation

Waterfont Warehouse District GraphicThe Jack London District contains some of the oldest buildings in Oakland and in April 2000 the National Register of Historic Places added the Waterfront Warehouse District (#00000361) a 160 acre historic district which includes 31 buildings and one structure (Posey Tube Oakland Portal) of which 26 are contributing to the historic status.

The demolition of the United Grocers Warehouse in 2005 for the construction of the 428 Alice condominiums left 25 contributing buildings in the historic district. However the developer Pulte Homes was required to pay a $50,000 towards historic preservation of the district, and Signature Properties was also required to pay $25,000 for building at 288 Third St (an empty lot). This $75,000 has supported three preservation projects so far - renovation of the trash cans in the district that display information about many of the historic buildings, placing of 13 street signs designating the boundaries of the historic district, and development of a self-guided walking tour brochure.

More information about the buildings in the district can be found in the walking tour brochure which can be obtained from World Grounds Cafe (at 3rd and Alice) or directly from JLDA (email info@jlda.org). We hope to provide a downloadable copy of the brochure in the future. You may also click on the individual buildings show in the Historic District map on this page.

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Jack London District Crime Prevention Council

At the January meeting of the Jack London District Crime Prevention Council it was decided to move the bi-monthly meetings to the second Thursday of the month. The time and location will continue to be 6:30pm to 8:00pm at 200 Harrison St in the Covenant House Library. Thanks to Covenant House for providing the meeting space!

The next scheduled meeting will be Thursday March 13th at 6:30pm. All meetings are announced on the JLDA calendar.

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Zazoo's Cabaret Permit hearing

There will be a cabaret permit hearing following the February 10th shooting at Zazoo's Restaurant where three people were injured. The hearing is scheduled for February 22, 2008 at 3;00 pm in Hearing Room 1, City Hall. Community members should attend and if possible testify regarding the impact the cabaret permit at Zazoo's is having.

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2008 Board of Directors elections

Monday March 17th is the date for the 2008 JLDA Board of Directors elections. There are currently nine members of the Board of Directors and JLDA bylaws state that all seats and officer positions are for a one year term therefore all seats on the board are up for re-election in March. The current board votes on the new board for 2008 so there are always opportunities for new members to join - after the new board is elected it will then determine who will serve in the officer roles for the next year.

If you are interested in serving on our board please send your candidate statement to nominations@jlda.org. Your statement should containing a brief bio and state why you want to be on the board, relevant experience and what benefits you will bring the organization. Please note that the JLDA board is an all volunteer board and members are expected to take an active role in the organization, attend monthly meetings regularly and be available by email. For example candidate statements and information about the duties of board members please see our current Board of Directors information page.

The deadline for nominations is Monday March 10th and the election will be held at the March 17th Board meeting which will start at 7pm and be held at 229 Harrison St.

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2nd Annual Crab Crawl Festival at Jack London Square

2nd Annual Crab Crawl Festival
Date: March 01 2008 - Saturday
Time: 10AM to 5PM
Location: Foot of Broadway

Jack London Square is proud to host the 2nd Annual Crab Crawl Festival!

Enjoy the all day entertainment for adults, kids, and all the young at heart. We have live musical entertainment, free kids activities, and an amazingly variety of specialty food booths with plenty oftasty dishes for those who love crab. Don’t miss out on buying fresh crab from Half Moon Bay right off the boats!

Grab Some Crab!
Half Moon Bay Live Crab Sale
Crab Boats at the Dock
Cooked Crab & Seafood Vendors
Crab Cooking Demos

Great Fun for the Kids
Free Jump Houses
Games
Arts & Crafts
Face Painting

Crab Cove, Fishing Families Outreach, and Half Moon Bay Fishermen’s Marketing Association will aso provide information and education about the bountiful agricultural resources around the Bay Area.

Live Music at the Pavilion Stage

Kids Entertainment at the Square

  • 12:00 – 5:00 The Great Caligari - Magician & Balloon Animals
  • 1:00 – 1:15 Cougar Cadets – Drum Corp. Cadets
  • 10:00 – 5:00 Face Painting by Linda Vogel
  • 10:00 – 5:00 Free Jump Houses
  • 10:00 – 5:00 Free Carnival Games

For more details on all of the delicious food booths, and restaurant specials please visit the Crab Crawl Dining Guide.

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Oakland Crimespotting Returns

Thanks to the cooperation of the City of Oakland the Oakland Crimespotting website has been able to return to active duty. Oakland Crimespotting provide a very simple to use and clear visualization of crimes throughout Oakland displayed on a map and filtered by date and crime type. They also provide email alerts and RSS feeds for crimes within a fixed radius of an address, useful for staying informed about crimes close to your home or place of work.

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Three shot outside Zazoo's Restaurant

According to news reports three people were shot and injured outside Zazoo's Restaurant around 1:45am Sunday morning. Zazoo's holds live music events on the weekends and is located between Portobello Condominiums and KTVU on the waterfront. No arrests have been made so far. Anyone with information about any of the shootings should call the Oakland Police Department Homicide Unit at 510-238-3821 or Crime Stoppers at 510-238-6946. Reward money is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.

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First edition of "JLDA Call" out now!


JLDA is pleased to announce the first print edition of its new monthly newsletter "JLDA Call" is out now. You should be seeing it available from Monday at Sierra Deli, World Ground Cafe and other locations throughout the district. Or you can download your own copy to read, print and share - the latest copy is always available from this location: http://jlda.org/call/latest.pdf

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JLD Permit Parking Official Notice

The Oakland City Council, on December 18, 2007, adopted Ordinance 12847 C.M.S., adding Chapter 10.45 of the Oakland Municipal Code, entitled "Interim Mixed-Use Permit Parking Program for the Jack London District." With this action, the City created a temporary, three-year preferential parking program (Program) for the Jack London District (JLD), which will be administered by the City's Parking Division.

Permits will be sold by the Division to residents, employees and employers in this area for $150 from April, 2008 to June, 2009, entitling the bearer to park at a specially marked street-side parking space, between the hours of 8a.m. to 6p.m. when a space is available. The permit program regulates approximately 1,000 parking spaces inside the approved boundaries; without a permit, the public is allowed to park at these spaces for four hours, after which they will be issued a ticket.

On February 19, 2008, the City Council will introduce the following legislation to implement the new permit parking program:

  1. An Ordinance creating fees in the Master Fee Schedule of $150 for the parking permits in the first year of the Program.
  2. An Ordinance amending Oakland Municipal Code Section 10.54.050, establishing the boundaries and the locations of limited parking signs of the temporary, three-year preferential parking permit program, in the area bounded by Embarcadero to Fifth Street, and from Brush Street to Oak Street.

A chart of the exact streets where permit parking will be implemented is listed separately on our parking page.

The City Council meeting on February 19, 2008 will begin at 7 pm. The Agenda for that meeting will be published on the City's website on Friday, February 8, 2008. You can access the calendar and Agenda on-line.

The two Ordinances will then be scheduled for the Second Reading (Final Adoption) on March 4, 2008.

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Hearing for cabaret permit at Kimballs Carnival

CABARET PERMIT FOR CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP AT Kimballs Carnival
APPLICATION MADE BY: Laura Mendoza Govan
ADDRESS OF PROPOSED CLUB: 522 2ND Street, Oakland
HEARING DATE: Thursday, February 7, 2008, 3:00 PM
HEARING LOCATION: City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, Hearing Rm. 2

For more information, please telephone 238-6914 or e-mail
jphillips@oaklandnet.com.

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Budget Advisory Committee

District 3 is seeking an appointee to the City of Oakland Budget Advisory Committee (BAC). The BAC advises the City Council on the expenditures and revenues for all general fund municipal services and development of a five-year financial plan. Please visit http://www.oaklandnet.com/budgetoffice/BAC_Main.htm for more information on this committee.

If you have a strong interest in being appointed to serve on BAC, please complete a Commission Appointment Application (visit http://www.oaklandnet.com/CityClerk/boards.html for application packet) and forward with your resume to:

Councilmember Nancy Nadel
City of Oakland
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor
Oakland, CA 94612

(Note: Applications will be reviewed immediately upon receipt, and this opportunity may close at any time.)

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OPD Citizens' Police Academy

If you live or work in Oakland attending the Citizens' Police Academy is a great way to find out more about the people and policies of the Oakland Police Department (OPD). Learn about criminal law, police procedures, and crime prevention techniques. Discuss community challenges with officers from different sections of OPD.

Classes meet at the Eastmont Station, 2651 73rd Avenue every Saturday from 9:00am to 12:00 pm for fourteen consecutive weeks. The Academy will take place from February 17 — May 19, 2007

For more information about the CPA, contact:

Paula White
Oakland Police Dept. Neighborhood Services Division
250 Frank Ogawa Plaza
Suite 6303
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 238-4523
Fax: (510) 238-7685
pwhite@oaklandnet.com

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Construction coordination meeting tonight!

The monthly community construction coordination meetings are held to bring the community, city representatives and developers together to resolve issues relating to current and future new construction in the district.

This month's meeting is tonight (Wednesday January 23rd) and will be held at 130 Webster St (note the new location) in the sales office for The Ellington. All are welcome, no RSVP necessary.

Future meetings are posted on the JLDA calendar.

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Easy supporter sign-up

We have simplified the process to make a donation (tax deductible!) and become a JLDA supporter. Just visit the web site and click the "Donate" button on the left hand side which will take you to our supporter sign-up page. Select the supporter type, fill in any additional amount you wish to donate and then click the "Pay Now" button at the bottom of the page to pay by credit card or using PayPal.

For more information on supporter benefits see our supporter information page.

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JLDA website updated - finally!

The JLDA webmaster (that's me, Simon Waddington) is pleased to announce that the JLDA.org website has now undergone extensive updates for the new year. All content has been updated and there are new sections for history and ongoing JLDA projects, plus new photos, resources and maps, a search facility and a complete archive of all previous articles on the website.

For those that use a Blog, RSS, Atom or other feed reader you can now receive updates to the website (including these announcements) via our JLDA feeds:
You can also use those links to add our content to your personal Yahoo, Google, MSN and other home pages.

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January Coffee Hours with Nancy Nadel Canceled

Nancey Nadel's office has informed JLDA that this month's coffee hours at World Ground, scheduled for January 26th has been canceled. They will resume Saturday February 23rd and the last Saturday of every month from 11 AM to 1 PM at World Ground Café, 308 Jackson Street, at 3rd.

For more information, please contact the District Three Council Office at 510.238.7003, or via email to tjackson@oaklandnet.com

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Cocina Poblana Restaurant opens

Cocina Poblana photo
Cocina Poblana Oakland, brings a new restaurant to Jack London Square serving "phenomenal Mexican cuisine with an extensive tequila bar". The opened their doors this week at 499 Embarcadero - at the foot of Washington and Embarcadero in the space formerly occupied by SFO Pizzeria. This is the third restaurant opened by Cocina Poblana, some of you may have already visited their other locations in Emeryville and San Francisco. With an established reputation, spacious bar and dining area plus outside seating for the summer this is a welcome addition to our dining options in the district.

As of January 21st their opening hours will be Monday - Friday 8am - 10am Espresso Bar and Fresh Baked pasteries, followed by Lunch from 10am - 3pm. Dinner will commence nightly at 5:00pm, and will close at 10pm Sunday - Thursday, and at midnight on Friday and Saturday. They will be serving Brunch on Satrudays and Sundays starting at 8am - 3pm, with Lunch starting at 10am - 3pm. Reservations are available on OpenTable, or by phone 510.451.4700

Welcome to the Jack London District Cocina Poblana!

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Historic Photographs from the Oakland Museum

Wondering what that photo is to the right? Well it is Jack London Square as of 1952 with lots of cars parked where Barnes & Noble now stands. If you want to see more fascinating historic photographs like this Simon Waddington has put together a selection of photographs of the district found in the Oakland Museum online archive.

To see them just head over to the special exhibit "Historic Photographs of the Jack London District".

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Steven Jimenez, 1955-2007

JLDA is deeply saddened to report that our Vice-President Steve Jimenez, died in his sleep Sunday, December 30th. Steve joined the JLDA Board of Directors in November 2006 and also lead the Growth & Development Committee.

Steve's good deeds weren't limited to JLDA, he was also on the Board of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Alameda County and a co-founder and Director of the Oakland Rainbow Chamber of Commerce and Labor. He was a Partner at the law firm Adelson, Testan, Brundo, & Jimenez and has lived in Oakland almost five years. For those that knew Steve, one of his friends has set up an online memorial where you can find photos and stories about his life.

Steve is survived by his mother Marian and his three children - Dylan (16) Clayton (14), and Courtney (13). Our condolences go to Marian, Dylan, Clayton, and Courtney. Steve was a great joy to have at meetings and made an important contribution to our community, we will all miss him.

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Crime Prevention Council Meeting date and location change

This month's Jack London District Crime Prevention Council meeting (formerly Beat1X NCPC) will now be held on Thursday January 31st at 6:30pm. The new location will be Covenant House, 200 Harrison Street (at the corner of Harrison and Second). Enter the building from the main entrance on Harrison Street.

Our newly assigned Neighborhood Services Coordinator Annie Sloan will be attending the meeting.

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Grocery shopping information

We now have a page dedicated to grocery shopping information, both in an around the district. It also gives details of how we are hoping to attract a new grocery store operator to the district to serve our needs. We have one potential site, and even a grocery chain that is open new neighborhood serving stores in California - sounds like a perfect match? Well only if they know about our area and think there is a demand for a store. You can help suggest other locations and operators and perhaps we can make something happen!

See "Jack London District Grocery Shopping Information" to find out more.

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JLDA Holiday Party Invitation

JLDA Holiday Party 2007 Invite

The Jack London District Association and World Ground present The JLDA Holiday Get Together. You are invited to an evening of holiday merriment. Meet new friends and celebrate living in the Jack London District over light hors d'oeuvres and drinks at the neighborhood gathering spot World Ground.

Win prizes with raffles for an iPod Nano, a World Ground gift pack and other fun gifts. Proceeds will benefit JLDA and Covenant House.

Thursday November 29th 6pm to 8pm
World Ground 308 Jackson St. (at 3rd), Oakland

For a printable version of the event poster please click here

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Permit Parking Program Progress

November 6th: At tonight's City Council meeting, an ordinance to "establish a temporary, three year mixed use preferential permit parking program for the Jack London District" was introduced by council member Nancy Nadel. Most of the provisions recommended by JLDA were included in the ordinance, which was approved by a unanimous vote of City Council. Final passage of the ordinance is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4. Implementation is supposed to be accomplished within 120 days (by early March).

The primary JLDA recommendation that was NOT included in the City Council's action was that permits should cost $100 each. Instead, staff recommended and Council approved a fee of $166 annually for each JLD permit. The ordinance does not contain the fee, so Barry Pilger and Steve Lowe (representing JLDA) fully supported adopting the ordinance at tonight's meeting (thanks to both of them for representing JLDA). Staff was directed to return at a later date with a resolution establishing the $166 annual fee.

If you have an opinion about the $166 vs $100 annual fee, we'd like to hear from you. There may not be much of a chance of lowering the fee, but council member Pat Kernahan asked that financial data on citations be collected during the first year so that the annual fee can be reconsidered (and lowered?) in a year. The main question is would you buy a permit at $100 but not at $166? The other question is will you buy a permit when they become available early next year? Send your feedback to feedback@JLDA.org

The full searchable text of the ordinance passed, cc 10.45 is available as a PDF. The City Council Agenda report introducing it is here (contains the map) and a supplemental report for the second reading that contains the final ordinance as a scanned document (from which the text was extracted) is here.

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September Beat 1X NCPC Meeting

Join local residents and businesses at the Beat 1X Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council meeting. Learn how you can make a positive change in the community, meet your neighbors and hear from our Oakland Police Department community representatives and police officers

The Beat 1X NCPC meeting will be held Thursday September 27th in Buttercup Restaurant (229 Broadway) from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. For more information send email to ncpc@jlda.org

This is a repeating meeting to be held every other 4th Thursday of the month so if you can make it this month the next will be held in November.

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Development Town Hall Meeting

This meeting is the first step toward helping residents and business people in JLDA understand and participate in the development of our neighborhood. The next meeting will allow folks to respond to what is approved and being proposed, and a workshop/town hall meeting to help us create a vision of what kind of neighborhood we want to work toward.

The agenda for the Jack London District Association Town Hall Meeting on Thursday June 14, 2007 from 6pm to 8pm, Exhibition Hall at the Port of Oakland building 530 Water Street in Jack London Square:
  • 6:00 Introductions of JLDA Board and Agenda, discussion of survey
  • 6:20 City of Oakland
  • 6:45 Councilperson Nancy Nadel
  • 6:55 Planning Commissioner Boxer if available
  • 7:00 Port of Oakland
  • 7:20 Ninth Avenue Terminal Partners for Vitner Hall Plan
  • 7:30 Audience participation in survey and setting of goals for next meeting
  • 7:45 Wine tasting by Tom McCoy group
To help us plan for how many people will attend we would very much appreciate it if you could RSVP for this event to townhall@jlda.org - but please feel free to attend on the day even if you didn't RSVP!

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Help Prevent Crime & Promote Public Safety!

Join local residents and businesses as we form the local Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council for police beat 1X. Learn how you can make a positive change in the community.

The inaugural Beat 1X NCPC meeting will be held Thursday May 24th in Buttercup Restaurant (229 Broadway) from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. It would help if you could RSVP to ncpc@jlda.org or by calling Bill at (510) 868-9314.

This is a repeating meeting to be held every other 4th Thursday of the month - see the JLDA Calendar for future meeting dates.

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Trash Bash Eight

The eighth annual neighborhood clean-up day will be Sunday, May 20th from 9am to noon with free BBQ for all at 1pm. Please come along to The Egghouse at 229 Harrison which is the newly painted warehouse building at the corner of 3rd and Harrison. Gather under the awnings to collect your trash bashing tools and receive directions on where to clean up.

To help us calculate how many refreshments and food for the BBQ to provide please RSVP to trashbash@jlda.org or by calling Joanna at (510) 893-4100. For more info on the even see our Trash Bash page.

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A Big Step Forward for Permit Parking in the District

(April 24, 2007) the Finance and Management Committee of the Oakland City Council unanimously approved almost all of JLDA's proposed permit parking program for the Jack London District. Next Tuesday (May 1), the full City Council is likely to approve a resolution directing staff to draft the ordinance and take related actions required to implement the permit parking program by July 2007. Details of the proposal can be found on JLDA's website at www.jlda.org/parking.

The main issue that has not been resolved is the fee that the City will charge for permits. The Finance Committee directed staff to create a program that pays for itself. There will be one-time costs like installing signs that can be amortized over 3 years and there will be operating costs like issuing annual permits and enforcing them on a daily basis. Staff will prepare a budget, estimate how many permits will be sold, and possibly seek other sources of funds. JLDA has proposed an annual fee of $100 and suggested that demand for permits will be between 1,100 and 1,600. Staff has proposed a fee of $258 and suggested that 500 permits will be sold. The Committee said staff and JLDA should meet and try and resolve these differences. Claudia Cappio said she would set up such a meeting within two weeks.

Even though it will be several more months before we know if the proposed program will become a reality, thanks are in order to all who contributed to this effort! THANK YOU FOR YOUR EMAIL, YOUR TESTIMONY, YOUR VOTE, YOUR HARD WORK, AND YOUR SUPPORT!

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Crime and Safety Community Meeting with OPD

JLDA urges you to attend the crime and safety meeting which will be hosted by our Oakland Police Department Neighborhood Services Coordinators Sandra Sanders-West and Monique Tsang. The meeting will be held at the Buttercup Restaurant (229 Broadway) on Thursday January 25th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. If you have any question, please feel free to contact Sandra at 510-773-0462.

This is a repeating meeting to be held every other 4th Thursday of the month 6:30pm to 7:30pm at the same location unless otherwise announced.

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Neighborhood Mixer

Party poster
JLDA is pleased to announce it is holding a Neighborhood Mixer on Thursday February 1st from 6pm to 8pm at 200 Second Street. Metrovation has kindly offered use of ground floor retail space for the party and there will also be wine and hors d'oeuvres on offer. Come along enjoy the food, meet your neighbors, meet the JLDA board and maybe even take a tour of the building while you're at it. No RSVP required - just show up!

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Mingles closes after fatal shooting

There was a fatal shooting of a woman 1:36am Saturday night on the 200 block of Webster Street, around the corner from Mingles nightclub. The woman was apparently leaving Mingles and was caught as a bystander in a hail of gunfire.

Hearing Officer Barbara Killey has informed us that the operators of Mingles, John Ivey, called her Monday to state that "he is closing down voluntarily as of this moment". Killey will be "sending him a letter confirming that he is doing so and that therefore his permit will be in a suspended state and that he will not re-open without contacting the city and going through a permitting process."

Further information and links to stories in the Bay Area press can be found on Jack London News.

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Crime and Safety Meeting

This month's meeting was attended by ten Jack London District locals - thank you to all those who took time to show up and stay informed. Sandra Sanders-West and Monique Tsang attended with five Oakland Police Department officers who briefed us on recent criminal activity and engaged the audience in some very candid commentary on the state of policing in the City.

A full report of the meeting will appear in the JLDA forum in the next day or two (a link will be posted here) and a summary will be available in the October print edition of The Jack London News.

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Lawsuit against Oak to Ninth contends approvals were invalid

We have been notified by CALM (Coalition of Advocates for Lake Merritt) that they have amended their lawsuit against the Oak to Ninth development. The changes take note of the many procedural errors the City made in approving the development, and that by City and State law these make the City approvals invalid. In particular they highlight how the City continued to change the approved documents after the City council meeting.

As CALM states, more than 60 days after council approved the project the documents that define it are "still a work in progress". And yet City Attorney John Russo sort to stop counting of the Oak to Ninth ballots because it included the wrong version of said documents even though it was the City that supplied the petitioners with links to what was supposedly the right version.

CALM's full announcement of their amended suit is posted in our Growth and Development forum.

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National Neighborhood Day is Sunday September 17th!

JLDA will be hosting National Neighborhood Day celebrations on Sunday September 17th with a morning sidewalk sale from 9am to 12pm, and afternoon free BBQ from 1pm to 3pm.

The sidewalk sale will take place along 3rd Street between Oak and Alice. So if you have some stuff in that closet or storage area to get rid of why not set up a table and put it up for sale? The sale will be advertised in local papers and online and participants are asked to RSVP and pay a $5 fee to cover advertising costs.

After the sidewalk sale all are welcome to come along to the free neighborhood BBQ to be held outside 229 Harrison from 1pm to 3pm.

To RSVP and for more information on the events contact rsvp@jlda.org or call Joanna at Jack London Mail (510) 893-4100.

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City Attorney moves to invalidate Oak to 9th petition on technicality

JLDA has just learned that the City Attorney John Russo has moved to invalidate the Oak to 9th petition on a technicality - that it attached the wrong version of the city resolution concerning the Oak to 9th, a draft instead of the final version. Ironically, according to the referendum committee it was City staff that directed them to the version of the document attached to the petition. The committee believes its petition will hold up on court. See the Grand Lake Newswire.

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Site G plans online

Perspectives of Site G
Plans and perspectives of the new 1000+ space parking garage on the site of the current Amtrak lot are now available on-line. The revised and improved design was approved by the planning commission in June - no word when construction will start. To view the plans see the "Documents" in the Site G section of our planning and development page. Thanks to VBN architects for sharing the documents with JLDA.

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National Night Out draws record crowd

This year was the Jack London District's first participation in the long running National Night Out event and was a huge and very popular success with a record turn out of over 100 Jack Londoners and their friends. We had three visits from the Oakland Police Department, the Oakland Fire Department showed up and let kids (and a few dads we think) tour their fire truck.

Nearly 12 gallons of ice-cream was consumed - a big thanks to JLDA board member Winnie Anderson for serving hungry guests the whole time! We also had appearances by our local Neighborhood Services Coordinators Monique Tsang and Sandra Sanders-West, and District 3 Council Member Nancy Nadel.

Car sharing company Flexcar brought their two vehicles, a hybrid and Honda Element from Jack London Square, to show us how we can have the benefits of a car without having a car, and most importantly have guaranteed prime location parking a JLS to boot! The Oak to 9th Referendum Committee also came along with its model of the proposed Oak to 9th Avenue development project and was collecting signatures for a referendum on the project in November.

Throughout the two hour event a "Getting to know you" party game kept guests busy meeting their neighbors looking for twenty local curiosities like public transit users, Flexcar members, HOA board members and people who've never been to Barnes and Noble etc. etc. In the end no one got all the questions but two got all but one (neon laces or a non-car owner - both hard to find in JLD!) The lucky winner of the prize drawing of an Apple iPod Shuffle MP3 player was Paul Anderson. Congratulations Paul!

Finally a big thanks to organizer Joanna Adler who pulled the whole thing together and made our first National Night Out a huge success.

For more photos from the event see the Jack London District group on Flickr.

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National Night Out 2006 - This Tuesday

JLDA is organizing an event for our community to participate in the annual National Night Out. Last year Oakland had over 100 such events which are intended to:

  • Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
  • Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
  • Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
  • Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

The JLDA sponsored event will be held outside 229 Harrison St. and as well as an icecream social we hope to have visits from the Oakland Fire and Police Departments. Please help us by publicizing this event to your neighbors - you can download a poster to print and display in your building by clicking here.

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Mingles hearing decision announced

JLDA has recently received a copy of the decision in the recent Mingles Cabaret Permit hearing conducted by hearing officer Barbara Killey. It is a long report and contains information from several meetings that were conducted as part of the hearing, and the results of actions taken after them. The full report is a long document, you can download it in full to read as a PDF document.

In brief the decision part is:
Credible testimony and evidence was presented that the residents of the Jack London Square area are experiencing significant nuisance effects from both the patrons of Mingles and those who are attracted to but do not patronize Mingles. Credible evidence was presented that excessive Oakland Police resources have been committed to maintain order in the area of Mingles, particularly when the clubs’ patrons are exiting.

Credible evidence was also presented that Mingles security staff is, with the exception of cooperation in investigations, doing most of what private security can do to control both their patrons and those attracted to their venue. That John Ivey is widely loved and admired by his customers and many other members of the community was evident.

The Hearing Officer agrees that revocation of the cabaret permit would not only be a financial hardship to the club, but also may only push the problem elsewhere in Oakland by eliminating a popular venue for young people. However, the current situation is a drain on police resources and therefore a financial hardship to the City. Therefore, the following conditions shall be immediately imposed on Mingles’ cabaret permit.

  1. Within two weeks of this decision, Mingles shall meet with the Administrative Hearing Officer to establish a plan and a time frame for providing parking that is under the control of Mingles and does not negatively impact the nearby residential neighborhoods.
  2. Within two weeks of this decision, Mingles shall meet with the Administrative Hearing Officer to establish litter control measures and areas for which Mingles will assume responsibility. It is Mingles responsibility to contact Cherie Ivey if they wish to involve her in this plan
  3. Within two weeks of this decision, Mingles shall meet with the Administrative Hearing Officer and the Oakland Police Department to discuss the parameters of contracting for dedicated OPD resources for law enforcement purposes on Friday and Saturday nights.

These provisions attempt to balance the rights of citizens to peaceful enjoyment of their residences and safety of their streets, the rights of businesses, the need for the City to provide police resources City-wide, and the desire of the City to encourage business development and healthy entertainment activities. Changes in hours, dress code, and music format shall not be imposed at this time. One month after the implementation of dedicated OPD resources, the Administrative Hearing Officer will solicit the input of OPD and community and residents’ organizations for objective examples of proof of whether there has been a reduction of the eight problems at which this requirement is directed. The Hearing Officer will also ask the Oakland Police Department to provide reports of what actions have been taken by the assigned officers. If it appears that additional changes or conditions are necessary, they may be imposed at that time. Mingles may also request release from responsibility for litter control over an extended area and/or for utilization of dedicated police resources at any time. The basis for release will be a showing that either these conditions are no longer needed or the responsibility for them has shifted.

The City Administrator’s Office will look into the possibility of changing the garbage pickup and street sweeping day for the area around Mingles. The City Administrator’s Office will also look into the placement of additional City trash receptacles in the area.

The above conditions are effective immediately and shall be incorporated into Mingles Cabaret Permit Conditions of Approval. Additionally, the Conditions of Approval that have become standard on newly issued cabaret permits shall be incorporated into Mingles Cabaret Permit Conditions of Approval. Mingles shall meet with the Hearing Officer no later two weeks from the date of this decision to review and sign the Conditions of Approval.

Since the date of the report was July 13th which is more than two weeks ago we must assume that Mingles has already defined its plan to meet 1, 2, and 3 and that they will be implemented soon. JLDA hopes to confirm this and what the measures will be.

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JLDA achieves tax exempt status

The Board of Directors of JLDA is very pleased to announce that it has just received notice from the IRS that is has been awarded tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This means that your contributions to JLDA are deductible under section 170 of the Code. We are also eligible to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code.

We have not yet determined if those of you who have already become JLDA supporters this year will be able to apply this ruling retroactively, but given that it is in the same tax year as your contributions we hope this will be the case. We will notify all current supporters when we get the appropriate information.

In the mean time this means now is a better time than ever to visit our supporter sign up page at JLDA.org/supporter and make a tax deductible contribution to JLDA!

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Landmarks Board removes hurdle for demolition of Jack London Arcade

The Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board considered the historic and contributing status of properties at 367-377 2nd Street and 370-380 Embarcadero. This included the structure known as the Jack London Arcade and others now occupied by Rolanda's, Mingles and a day spa. The board heard that the arcade building is around 50 years old and has a C1+ rating although it has been significantly altered since then including addition of stucco, removal of an awning and remodeling of the entire Embarcadero facade.

The unanimous decision by the board agreed with the staff report that they supported removal of the historic designation on condition that the design of the building that will replace them comes to the Landmarks Board for review with a comment from the chair that the current proposal "definitely needs some work". The current proposal is a 9-story building containing 5,000 sq ft of gorund floor retail, 95 units and 126 parking space. Today's decision will clear the way for demolition of the current structures without consideration in an environmental impact report (if there is one).

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East Bay Express features story on Jack London District nightlife

This week's edition of the East Bay Express includes a feature story on the nightlife of downtown Oakland. It includes a history of many of our local clubs and discusses some the problems experienced by those clubs due to the increase in residential population of downtown - a direct consequence of Mayor Brown's 10K project. You can read the story "Meet Downtown Oakland" by Rachel Swan online.

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New Market Lofts residents win 45 day moratorium on cellular communication antennas

Late last night Oakland City Council approved an immediate 45-day moratorium on erection of cell phone antennas brought before council by councilmembers Nancy Nadel and Larry Reid. The moratorium, prompted by the concerns of New Market Lofts residents over the proposed six antenna placement on their building's roof, will allow City Staff time to analyze and suggest revisions current regulations regarding cell phone antennas.

Several residents including two from Larry Reid's district stayed up past midnight to speak on the issue, as did representatives and attorneys from Cingular and T-Mobile who protested the moratorium was both illegal and unnecessary. However the motion passed unanimously by consent with indications it would be extended as soon as council comes out of recess.

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Crime and Safety Community Meeting with OPD

JLDA's first crime and safety community meeting with the Oakland Police Department was a great success. Although a relatively small number of residents attended the meeting it was clear it provided valuable information and a good forum for communication of community concerns. Issues discussed included traffic safety, graffiti, homeless encampments, club related problems and how best to contact our police department. Minutes of the meeintg are posted on our forum in the Crime and Safety area. Thank you to Sandra Sanders-West and Monique Tsang our Neighborhood Services Coordinators for arranging the meeting, and Officers Young and Chang for attending. The next meeting is scheduled for August 24th so please mark your calendars and plan on attending!

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New (On-Street Parking Proposal for Jack London District

A new proposal for a mixed-use district permit parking program has been submitted by JLDA to our District 3 city council representative, Nancy Nadel. The cover letter, proposal, a map and photos of current parking conditions in the district are all available from our parking and transportation page.

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