City of Oakland Receives Nearly $37M in CARES Act Funding – $5M for Renters & Homeowners
Oakland – The City of Oakland received $36.9 million in State of California CARES Act funding. Five million dollars of those funds were allocated for renter and homeowner relief through the Keep Oakland Housed (KOH) partnership of KOH nonprofit partners and other nonprofit organizations. This funding will provide one-time financial assistance to low-income renters and homeowners impacted by COVID-19. The application period opens today, September 1, 2020.
The City’s Housing & Community Development (HCD) Department is the lead manager of the program. The KOH partnership will disperse funds to eligible applicants, with each nonprofit leading the application process for their organization.
Renter applicants may contact:
Bay Area Community Services (BACS) | www.bayareacs.org
(510) 899-9289 (call) | (510) 759-4877 (text)
Catholic Charities East Bay | www.cceb.org | (510) 768-3100
Centro Legal de la Raza | www.centrolegal.org | (510) 422-5669
Homeowner applicants may contact:
Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) | www.heraca.org | (510) 271-8443 x300
Applicants must be current Oakland residents, a low-income individual or household, and at risk of losing their home.
Funding is extremely limited, and applications will be prioritized based on need, severity of COVID-19 impact, and funding availability.
The City of Oakland’s Moratorium on Evictions remains in place until the lifting of the local emergency order by the City Council. For more information visit the City’s website at:
For more information on the Keep Oakland Housed COVID-19 Relief Financial Assistance program contact: City of Oakland Housing and Community Development, Housing Resource Center at (510) 238-6182.
Note 1: The Oakland Police Department Officer Johnna Watson sent this Community Message on Fake Message Protest related property damage and arrests via email and with photos to Zennie62Media 58 minutes ago from this time.
Note 2: I call this a Fake Message Protest because, once again, the messages had nothing to do with Jacob Blake and expressed no sympathy for him or solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement (see my post on that problem here). The messages, directed against the Oakland Police and “rich people in the hills” look like they were written by a Trump For President 2020 operative, trying to sway votes in Oakland and the SF Bay Area.
Here’s Officer Watson:
Dear Oakland Community,
Oakland Protest Photos from OPD
The City of Oakland experienced large crowds during a three-day period, August 26, 28, and 29. The crowds were violent, destructive and displayed hostility towards our community members and police officers. Several of our vulnerable businesses and civic facilities were targeted and damaged.
Over the three-day period, 24 people were arrested, most are non-Oakland residents.
On Wednesday, August 26, at 8:00 PM, a crowd gathered in the 1400 block of Broadway for an event that was promoted by #Yayarearevolution. Within the hour the crowd size grew to an estimated 600 people. The speakers could be heard inciting the crowd with chants of “Kill the Cops” and “Burn the City down.” The crowd later marched throughout
Oakland Police Community Message On Fake Message Protests, Related Damage And ArrestsOakland Protest Photos from OPD
Oakland’s downtown and residential areas. The intentions of the crowd were not peaceful but deliberate; through their words and actions, they demonstrated their focused and targeted intentions to destroy and damage our already vulnerable business community.
Many in the crowd threatened open businesses as they marched, saying if they did not immediately close, they would be “Burned to the ground.” For about four hours the crowd moved from downtown along Grand Avenue to the Grand Lake neighborhood. The crowd set fire to the Alameda County Superior Courthouse, structures, vehicles, and trash cans. The crowd also vandalized businesses and caused more than $100,000 in damages to the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. The actions of the crowd continued to traumatize our community; many residents attempted to deter the crowd in their neighborhoods but were met with threats of violence and destruction. Officers in the area encouraged our community members to shelter in place while attempting to curb the violence and protect the safety of our community as well as our officers.
Oakland Protest Photos from OPDctions of the crowd continued to traumatize our community; many residents attempted to deter the crowd in their neighborhoods but were met with threats of violence and destruction. Officers in the area encouraged our community members to shelter in place while attempting to curb the violence and protect the safety of our community as well as our officers.
Windows were broken at 21 businesses, many of which have been damaged before and a 100% affordable residential housing complex on Grand Avenue had damage. The Oakland Fire Department reported 25-30 fires including 2 vehicles totaled by fire, several structures, numerous trash cans and debris.
Oakland Protest Photos from OPDamage. The Oakland Fire Department reported 25-30 fires including 2 vehicles totaled by fire, several structures, numerous trash cans and debris.
The Oakland Police Department made 2 arrests and one vehicle was towed.
1 San Francisco resident 1 Unknown residency 1 Towed Vehicle
On Friday, August 28, at 7:00 PM, a crowd gathered in the 1400 block of Broadway for an event that was promoted by #Yayarearevolution. (Zennie62Media note: an extensive online search revealed no website or social media home with the name #Yayarearevolution. The people behind this are only spray-painting the name – along with words targeted at would-be Trump voters. So, the OPD and media see it, and then promote the group for them. Since the media and OPD doesn’t investigate the group, the trick works. Thus, this blogger holds the protestors are working for Trump For President 2020, and working to create the idea that the nation is lawless, and thus must re-elect Donald Trump.) Within the hour the crowd size grew to an estimated 250 people who marched throughout Oakland’s downtown and residential areas. The intentions of the crowd were not peaceful but deliberate; through their words and actions they demonstrated their focused and targeted intentions included assaulting officers with rocks and bottles, pointing lasers at officers and a news crew. OPD deployed minimal gas and smoke. No reports of any damage.
The Oakland Police Department made 16 arrests.
Oakland Protest Photos from OPD
9 Oakland residents 3 Berkeley residents 2 San Francisco residents 1 Clovis resident 1 Unknown residency
On Saturday, August 29, at 8:30 PM, a crowd gathered in the 550 El Embarcadero for an event that was promoted by #Yayarearevolution. The crowd size grew to an estimated 150 people who marched in the Grand Lake commercial and Mandana neighborhoods. The intentions of the crowd were not peaceful but deliberate; through their words and actions they demonstrated their focused and targeted intentions included repeatedly assaulting officers with rocks, bottles, wood shields and pointing lasers at officers. OPD deployed minimal gas and smoke. The only report of damage was graffiti on a commercial building.
The Oakland Police Department made 6 arrests and confiscated multiple wooden shields.
Oakland Protest Photos from OPD
2 Oakland residents 2 Berkeley residents 1 San Francisco resident 1 Los Angeles resident
The City of Oakland and the Oakland Police Department stand with our community against social injustice and racial inequality. We strive for justice, equality and accountability.
Oakland Protest Photos from OPD
Due to the violence and a lack of Mutual Aid based on the court injunction, OPD canceled all days off for Friday and Saturday to ensure staffing to protect our vulnerable infrastructure and community safety at a considerable expense to the city.
OPD will continue to facilitate safe spaces and places for peaceful protests, we ask those organizing gatherings in Oakland to remain peaceful.
#OPDCARES initiative is about all of us working together as a community, to help stop the tragic loss of life and reduce the level of violence in our city. Collectively, we want to ensure Oaklanders and our visitors are safe in our community.
Officer Johnna Watson
The Oakland Police must investigate the members of this so-called fake group, and find out from them who’s paying them to do the damage and civic unrest. I’ll bet those persons are connected to the Trump 2020 Campaign.
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
Ed Reiskin, The new Oakland City Administrator, sent this email to Oaklanders regarding the Jacob Blake Protests of August 28th
Dear Oakland Community,
The City of Oakland is aware of a planned gathering starting at 7 pm at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza tonight, August 28, and possibly continuing through the weekend.
The group promoting this event is the same group that came to Oakland on Wednesday night, which resulted in broken windows at 21 businesses—including many windows of a 100% affordable housing complex on Grand Avenue and damage to a locally owned restaurant that has been serving meals to vulnerable seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also lit more than two dozen fires across the greater downtown/Lake Merritt area.
We stand with our community for justice, equality, and accountability. We support the reasons why people across the country are taking to the streets to express their outrage and frustration during this time of national reckoning about persistent racial injustice. In Oakland, we celebrate passionate protest. But any individuals or organized groups that gather with the intent to cause damage, that splinter off to break windows and light fires, are harming our already vulnerable businesses, many of which are owned by people of color, and hurting our community.
We remind Oaklanders that when they march after dark, they may be providing cover for these groups, who seem more intent on vandalism and stoking civil unrest than advancing social justice.
Oakland will continue to facilitate peaceful protests and demonstrations, and we ask those organizing marches and gatherings to ensure their events and the participants in them remain peaceful. The Oakland Police Department has increased staffing to provide safe space for the demonstrations to occur and will facilitate free speech while maintaining public safety.
We are providing this update in our effort to keep you informed so that you may plan accordingly. Businesses along commercial corridors are advised to secure outdoor fixtures, furniture, and trash and recycling receptacles. Please share this information with your employees, neighbors and tenants. OPD uses a free, web-based application called NIXLE to provide timely updates to our community about traffic disruptions or suggested alternate transportation routes. If you have not yet signed up for NIXLE, we encourage you to do so. Text your zip code to 888777 to opt-in, or visit www.nixle.com.
Updated Alameda County Health Orders Take Effect Today. Outdoor pools and lower-risk personal services, like hair and nail salons, allowed to reopen outdoors
Oakland – On Friday, August 21, the Alameda County Public Health Official issued updated Shelter-in-Place Orders to reopen outdoor swimming pools and outdoor hair salons, nail salons, barbershops, waxing services, skin care and non-medical massages. These Orders exclude services that may require a client to remove their face covering, as well as eyebrow threading and waxing and eyelash treatments. Tattoos, piercings and electrolysis are not allowed to operate indoors or outdoors in alignment with the State of California’s Health Officer Orders issued on July 13. The updated County orders took effect at 8:00 a.m. today, and will continue to be in effect until rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the Health Officer.
Additionally, wineries in Alameda County can now offer outdoor tastings by appointment without needing to provide food. In alignment with the State’s Orders, this change does not apply to bars, breweries, pubs or brewpubs.
Guidance for operation of outdoor personal services, outdoor pools, and other industries and businesses that may reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found here: https://covid-19.acgov.org/recovery.page? All businesses must complete a Site-Specific Protection Plan and protocols and procedures to protect customers and employees from COVID-19 must be in place when businesses reopen.
With respect to re-opening City-operated outdoor pools, the City of Oakland is reviewing the Health Order requirements and has begun to resume essential training and American Red Cross certification programs for staff in anticipation of re-opening Lions Pool at Dimond Park starting in mid-September. More specific guidance and plans regarding re-opening for a second City-operated pool will be forthcoming.
To assist businesses allowed to reopen with outdoor services, the City of Oakland has waived all fees and streamlined permitting for business’ use of public rights-of-way, including sidewalks, parking lanes and roadway encroachments, allowing outdoor hair salons, nail salons, barbershops, waxing services, skin care and non-medical massages, under the Flex Streets program. The goal is to spur equitable economic recovery by making it easier for allowed businesses to use portions of the sidewalk, parking lanes and streets to provide personal services, serve food and sell goods. The Department of Transportation (OakDOT) issues permits for the use of the public right-of-way, while the Planning & Building Department issues permits private outdoor areas.
Flex Streets allows businesses to expand allowed business activities outdoors in five ways:
Use the Sidewalks or Parking Lanes
Use Traffic Lanes
Use Private Parking Lots or Other Private Outdoor Areas
Vend from Food Trucks, Trailers or Pushcarts
Use City-owned Outdoor Property
See step-by-step instructions for each of these five uses at: www.oaklandca.gov/FlexStreets
Since Flex Streets launched in June:
228 businesses have applied for use of Sidewalk or Parking Lanes.
There are 15 active applications for Street Use – 6 are for Parklets, 9 for Street closures. The Chinatown Chamber launched their weekly Friday afternoon street closure on August 7.
8 applications for use of Private Parking Lots or Other Private Property have been received.
5 businesses have applied for use of City-Owned Outdoor property.
The majority of the applications to-date have been from restaurants, but City staff anticipate many personal service businesses will apply in the coming days.
The important step is to apply for the permit before you start using the outdoor space, even for privately owned or leased outdoor spaces – including parking lots. Businesses are reminded to review the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for the Flex Streets Program for important details on sidewalk clearances and accessible table requirements.
Businesses seeking guidance on Alameda County guidelines for re-opening should email [email protected]. Businesses and activities authorized under previous orders may continue to operate.
Oakland’s Parks, Recreation & Youth Development also announced the launch of its Fall 2020 Town Enrichment Program, providing social opportunities, sports and fitness, arts and crafts, STEAM, and other fun for children ages 5 to 12 in a safe place. All programs follow current Alameda County Health Orders and CDC guidelines. Registration opens Monday, August 31. Scholarships available.
The Alameda County Health Officer continuously monitors the COVID-19 indicators to determine when it’s safe to lift more restrictions.
Other Re-opening Resources
Visit the City’s Planning Resources for Business Re-Opening website for the latest information on resources to support re-opening, including:
Alameda County Public Health Department’s Guidance on Not Requiring Negative COVID-19 Test Results for Return to Work
County screening guidance for employers in multiple languages
Self-assessment guidance for workers in multiple languages
Information on cleaning/disinfecting businesses
Workplace Safety
A printable face covering sign for businesses in eight languages
ReOpening Guide signs by the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Oaklandish and the Economic Recovery Advisory Council, in four languages.
Business Re-opening & Recovery Survey
To help gauge COVID-19 impacts to Oakland business and what resources would help business owners as they plan for re-opening and recovery, the City has launched a brief Business Re-opening and Recovery Survey. The survey launched in English and additional languages will be added by Wednesday.
A public relations representative for California Governor Gavin Newsom just sent this press release to Zennie62Media, 30 minutes ago, today.
Sacramento, CA – After decades of Big Tobacco’s lies and tricks that have hooked generations of young people on deadly tobacco products, California Governor Gavin Newsom today took decisive action to end the sale of candy-flavored tobacco products – including minty menthol – by signing SB 793 (Hill, D-San Mateo) into law. With the governor’s signature, California will have among the nation’s strongest protections against Big Tobacco’s business model that markets deadly tobacco products to kids, especially in low-income and Black and brown communities.
Newsom’s signature on the bill caps a monumental David v. Goliath fight that united a coalition of health, youth, and community advocates to protect kids from the dangers of tobacco use. The coalition applauded the Governor’s swift signature on this essential legislation that will save over 17,000 lives and taxpayers $800 million of dollars in healthcare costs:
“Despite fierce opposition from Big Tobacco, today Governor Newsom has shown that the truth prevails over lies and underhanded tactics designed to hook our young people on deadly tobacco products,” said Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “With this signature, Newsom sends an unmistakable message to Big Tobacco: your products destroy lives, and we are committed to breaking the cycle of an industry exploiting our lives and health for their profit. We applaud Governor Newsom, author Senator Hill, his legislative co-authors and all of our Heroes for Healthy Kids for their leadership on this crucial legislation. We’re proud to have been a part of this determined coalition that made this victory possible.”
“By signing this historic bill, Governor Newsom has done more to save Black lives than any Governor in recent history,” said Dr. Phillip Gardiner, Co-Chair of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council. “The tobacco industry has lured our kids into addiction for too long, using menthol and other flavors. By signing SB 793 the Governor sent a strong message to the tobacco industry that California’s kids are off-limits.”
“Tobacco use causes nearly a third of all cancer deaths in California,” said American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network California Managing Director Jim Knox. “SB793 puts an end to ‘flavored starter kits’ that threaten to addict the next generation to tobacco and halts the decades of discriminatory marketing of menthol cigarettes that bring death and disease to Black communities. We are grateful Gov. Newsom recognizes the importance of these protections, signing this important legislation into law.”
“Today, Governor Newsom put the health of California’s youth first by signing SB 793 into law. For generations, Big Tobacco has targeted youth with million-dollar marketing campaigns and appealing flavors. Despite the tobacco industry’s deep pockets and deceptive campaigns public health has prevailed. This historic decision will have tremendous health impacts in our state and protect our youth from a lifetime of addiction,” said Kathy Rogers, Executive Vice President, American Heart Association Western States Region.
“The American Lung Association applauds Governor Newsom for his outstanding leadership in signing SB 793 (Hill), critical legislation that will restrict the sale of flavored tobacco across the state,” said Erica Costa, Advocacy Director, American Lung Association in California. “We are in the midst of an e-cigarette epidemic, where 81% of youth who have used e-cigarettes start with a flavored product. This critical piece of legislation is the necessary step we need to protect youth from predatory tobacco companies.”
“CMA applauds Governor Newsom for taking decisive action to end youth tobacco use by signing SB 793,” said CMA President Peter N. Bretan, Jr., M.D. “Tobacco companies prey on young users – flavors hook kids – and SB 793 is an important step to crack down on teen tobacco use. We are proud to stand with this coalition, the legislature, and the Governor to protect our youth from a new generation of highly addictive tobacco products and put an end to the youth tobacco use epidemic.”
“Thanks to the unwavering leadership of Sen. Hill and the support of everyone involved, kids in California will no longer be subject to Big Tobacco’s blatant agenda to addict our youth to flavored tobacco products,” said Common Sense CEO and Founder James P. Steyer. “California has sent a message that tech companies like JUUL will not act with impunity in California. We encourage leaders around the country to join us in standing up to the industry and protecting our kids.”
“We applaud Gov. Gavin Newsom for signing SB 793. It’s time to stop addiction in young people before it starts and end the tobacco industry’s deceptive tactics that target children and entice them to use their poisonous flavored tobacco products,” said Dr. Richard Nagy, president of the California Dental Association. “Tobacco products are a major contributor to oral cancers, periodontal disease, heart disease and so many more entirely preventable conditions.”
The coalition includes: the Office of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, and Common Sense Kids Action.
Oakland – Oakland City Council President Rebecca Kaplan has been urging the City to take action to acquire available buildings, such as SROs, hotels, and dormitories, to help house the homeless. The Council unanimously passed Kaplan’s resolution on March 27, 2020, urging rapid action on this due to the growing COVID-19 crisis, and to protect those most vulnerable in our community.
Today, the Oakland City Council held a Special Council Meeting to approve the acquisition of a dormitory to help house those in need, and to apply for the State of California’s Homekey grant program. Council President Kaplan is pleased to announce that she and her colleagues unanimously voted to send applications to the state and to authorize a deal to purchase the California College of the Arts (CCA) Clifton Hall dormitory.
The Clifton Hall dorm is a four story building, with 63 units, in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland. On the top two floors of the building, Clifton Hall will provide 42 units of permanent housing for seniors experiencing homelessness and at high risk of contracting COVID-19. The second floor will become the permanent home for a 20-household family shelter. On the ground floor, the building will house the offices of Family Front Door, which serves as the hub for the Coordinated Entry System (CES) for homeless families in Northern Alameda County.
Kaplan stated: “It is vital that we take action to respond to the homelessness crisis, prevent the spread of disease, and protect our community, including vulnerable seniors. I am pleased that we were able to work together to pass vital actions, to make it possible to acquire this dorm, and other properties, to help those in need.”
Link to the Item on the August 28th Council Agenda, to acquire this dorm:
With spread of COVID, bad air and displacement we must protect our community. Authored budget action and Council resolution, directing the admin to acquire buildings to house the homeless. https://t.co/5jekdiDiZn Have obtained an SRO, and planning actions to acquire dorms, etc.
— Rebecca Kaplan, Oakland Vice Mayor (@Kaplan4Oakland) August 26, 2020
Jmal davis Link to his Facebook livestream.https://ift.tt/31Cw6ch
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
Media tele-conference video courtesy: Oakland Athletics
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
ONN – Jacob Blake Protests: Oakland Protest Of Shooting Of Unarmed Black Man In Back 7 Times
Protesters turned out in Oakland Wednesday night in solidarity with several days of protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin over the police shooting that left Jacob Blake permanently paralyzed. Sergio Quintana reports.
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#JacobBlake
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
OAKLAND COUNCIL PRESIDENT REBECCA KAPLAN DENOUNCES PENCE’S LIES ABOUT A WHITE SUPREMACIST MURDER IN OAKLAND
Oakland – Vice President Mike Pence’s speech during the Republican National Convention contained deeply misleading statements regarding the horrific murder of Dave Patrick Underwood in Oakland. According to the investigation, Mr. Underwood was killed by Steven Carrillo, a follower of the Boogaloo Boys— a right-wing extremist movement connected with white supremacists. Pence wrongly attempted to tie this killing to the Black Lives Matter movement, which, in fact, had no involvement in the killing.
Oakland City Council President Rebecca Kaplan denounced Pence’s lie, “There was a white supremacist murder in Oakland – and it is disgusting and wrong for anyone, especially the Vice President, to try to blame the Black Lives Matter movement. Mr. Underwood tragic murder was not part of any demonstration, but an act of a violent, armed white supremacist.”
Oakland joins the rest of the country in mourning the senseless, tragic murders, and oppression of Black Lives. Oakland has its own tragic loss of life with the murder of Patrick Underwood, a Federal Protective Services officer with deep ties in Oakland. It should be made clear that the culprits who killed Mr. Underwood had nothing to do with the peaceful protests in honor of Black lives.
Pence’s lies attempt to discredit important movements for social justice, and to move blame away from violent white supremacist murder. Communities are put in greater danger when white supremacist murder is excused or blamed on others — while the President and Vice President continue to encourage violent killings by their supporters. Our communities deserve better, and the lies of the Vice President should be denounced by all people of conscience.
As has been reported previously:
“Steven Carrillo, a California man who was charged with murder, scrawled phrases tied to an online far-right extremist movement in blood on a car shortly before he was detained…. Elements of The Boogaloo have evolved from a gathering of militia enthusiasts and Second Amendment advocates into a full-fledged violent extremist group, which inspires lone wolf actors and cell-like actors alike.”
ONN – Alameda County Democratic Party Oakland City Council District 7 Debate 2020
Alameda County Democratic Party Oakland City Council District 7 Debate 2020. This was notable because Bishop Bob Jackson was not in it. Treva Reid, Marcie Hodge, Aaron Clay, and Marshon Tatmon participated with former Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris as moderator.
Stay tuned.
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
Masks On District 5! COVID-19 Safety Car Caravan & Day of Action on Saturday, August 29 from 11AM-1PM
Oakland, CA – Oakland Councilmember Noel Gallo and Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan will be cruising through Oakland District 5 neighborhoods to promote COVID-19 safety, distribute masks and encourage residents to complete Census and register to vote. Led by the Oakland Fire Department Parade Engine Truck, other participating organizations are: Native American Health Center, City of Oakland, Unity Council, and the Census.
The Car Caravan will begin at the Fruitvale BART Surface Parking lot, 1001 Fruitvale Avenue, and proceed on a route throughout District 5 with key stops at Cardenas Market, 1630 High Street, where four booths: Voter registration, Census 2020 sign up assistance, information about City services, and COVID safety kits will be stationed. (See attached Car Caravan Route/ Media Opportunities.) Another community outreach location will be at the Fruitvale Transit Village entrance on 12th Avenue. Along the caravan route, community volunteers will be at key street corners distributing masks and testing information.
” Please wear a mask! We need to defeat the COVID-19 virus. Your actions can save the lives of our children and families. Wear a mask for Oakland! Wear a mask for yourself!”, said Oakland District 5 Councilmember Noel Gallo.
“¡Porfavor use una máscara! ¡Lávese las manos frecuentemente! ¡Has distanciamiento social! Tus acciones pueden salvar las vidas de nuestros niños y familia. ¡Póngase la máscara, Oakland! Use una máscara por sí mismo” dijo el Concejal de Oakland Distrito 5, Noel Gallo.”
“Wearing a mask in public has proven effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and keeping our communities safe,” said Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan. “I urge everyone to wear masks, wash their hands, and maintain social distance when outside. Mask on Alameda County!”
“El uso de máscaras es una forma efectiva para reducir la propagación del COVID-19 y mantener nuestras comunidades seguras” dijo la Supervisora del condado de Alameda, Wilma Chan. “Les urjo a todos que usen máscaras, se laven las manos y practiquen el distanciamiento social cuando estén afuera. ¡Póngase la máscara, Condado de Alameda!”
The Native American Health Center COVID-19 Testing Site, 3050 International Blvd. will be open on Saturday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
ONN – Insight Terminal Solutions Oakland Bulk Terminal, Utah Coal Industry: Salt Lake Tribune Tricks Seen
Wow.
So, at first glance, the “letter to the editor” in the Salt Lake Tribune, and called “Letter: Coal port is not worth Utah’s money”, would appear to be by some random reader of the paper and website owned by the publication, right?
But then the letter contained the same tired words I have seen again and again. That’s because my company, Zennie62Media, is the content development consultant to Insight Terminal Solutions. It’s a role I personally sought after and not just to tell the truth about the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal (OBOT), but to use the vast network of interconnected blogs, video channels, and social media to the work the mainstream media will not do.
And I made the decision long ago that I would say who my clients are. The reason is simple: I believe that there’s no such thing as “objective journalism”, and the best way to attack what I consider to be the big lie, is to be direct and in your face about who we rep. I mean, you watch commercials for products, you know who the spokesperson is, you make the decision whether to hear the news or not.
So, when I was reading “Letter: Coal port is not worth Utah’s money”, something in my head said “Who is Micki Moulton?” So, I went to Google her name and saw this: “Search Results. Web results. Micki Moulton | Salt Lake Tribune Journalist | Muck Rack”. Turns out Micki Moulton is not a random resident who happened to chime in on the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal, but a listed journalist with the same Salt Lake Tribune.
Basically, the Utah Legislature is to vote on an action that will result in something like $20 million being invested, to some degree, in OBOT – the ultimate result will be the maintenance of coal industry jobs in Utah, due to the operation of the multi-commodity bulk terminal (not strictly a coal terminal) in Oakland, opening up trade routes for the transport of bulk commodities, coal in this case, to the Pacific Rim.
That should be a simple story, but the work to scare people away from coal (as if other bulk commodities were cleaner, and they’re not) and by the spending on politics and media by people like Tom Steyer (who spent millions of dollars in investments in California and Oakland elected officials, non-profit political organizations, and media efforts), and Paul Huntsman, in this case, have made the matter complicated. To wit, both Steyer and Huntsman have investments in renewable energy, with Mr. Huntsman both owner and manager of The Salt Lake Tribune, while also serving as President and CEO of Huntsman Family Investments. In turn,The Salt Lake Tribune has taken a wild stance against the planned Utah Legislature action to help the coal industry via an investment in the OBOT.
I wonder if this kind of Paul Huntsman “two-step” caused Jennifer Napier-Pearce to resign as Salt Lake Tribune Editor, earlier this month?
The Salt Lake Tribune is consistently putting out the message that it wants coal workers to lose their jobs in the middle of the Pandemic, get job training, and then go for jobs that, drum-roll-please, will not be there. If you look at the data the largest job loss numbers in Utah are in service industry-related firms, not in transportation, manufacturing, or mining.
Climate Change Is A World Population Growth Problem, Not So Much A Traditional Energy Product
The conventional wisdom is that climate change is completely the product of using traditional energy sources. But the fact is, climate change is really the byproduct of world population growth. To put it simply, we have too many people on this planet, and we need to slow the rate of population growth – a rate reduction of perhaps by 50 percent going forward.
It has been said by a number of researchers that reducing carbon emissions to zero would not stop the climate change problem. And then consider how we got here:
According to the United Nations Population Fund, human population grew from 1.6 billion to 6.1 billion people during the course of the 20th century. (Think about it: It took all of time for population to reach 1.6 billion; then it shot to 6.1 billion over just 100 years.) During that time emissions of CO2, the leading greenhouse gas, grew 12-fold. And with worldwide population expected to surpass nine billion over the next 50 years, environmentalists and others are worried about the ability of the planet to withstand the added load of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere and wreaking havoc on ecosystems down below. – “Does Population Growth Impact Climate Change?”: Scientific American, July 29, 2009
Meanwhile, coal demand worldwide has suffered the same problems as other industry sectors, and renewable energy has suffered even worse in many cases. But the fact is, coal is used to make steel, and 70 percent of the urban development in the World comes from it, and demand to use it to do that is not going away. The move should be to make traditional energy cleaner in operation, launch a Sputnik-level of investment to do so, and we need to slow the rate of world population growth. We have to stop the disconnect between jobs and the environment, and get back to a “Star Trek” mentality that asks what technology can make the world better? Then do that tech.
But, back to the Salt Lake Tribune. Something else is up. Why do I get the idea that this effort works to the benefit of Huntsman Family Investments? What will the Utah Legislature think when it gets wind of this? What about Utah’s coal workers?
Stay tuned.
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
Oakland – The California First Appellate District Court of Appeal has upheld both an initial arbitration decision and the lower court’s decision that the Golden State Warriors cannot escape the debt they owe the City of Oakland, Alameda County, and the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) for renovations to the Oakland-Alameda County Arena, debt the Warriors agreed to pay over 20 years ago.
As is typical to finance large projects, the County and the City issued bonds worth over $140 million to pay for the new sports arena. They did so in reliance on and assuming the good faith of the Warriors, who agreed to help repay that debt over decades. When the Warriors chose to leave Oakland several years ago, they also attempted to leave their unpaid debt behind. The Court of Appeal flatly rejected the Warriors’ narrow and unconvincing interpretation of their commitment to Oakland and Alameda County and ordered them to fulfill the terms of the agreement.
“The residents of Oakland and Alameda County have been unwavering fans of the Golden State Warriors for over 50 years,” said Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority Executive Director Henry Gardner. “Not only did we have a legally binding agreement, we were partners, working together on producing and keeping a first class exciting basketball team in our community. The community did so with passion and commitment and at great public expense. To simply wave goodbye and leave outstanding debt in excess of $48 million is egregious. The City, County, and Joint Powers Authority said you are obligated to pay. The Court of Appeal agreed.”
The Warriors’ effort to withdraw from their agreement without fulfilling it required the City and County, as the principal members of the JPA, to engage in years of arbitration and litigation, costing over $1 million over time. Despite evidence of a shared agreement and shared understanding starting as far back as 1996, the Warriors nonetheless required the local governments to spend significant time and money over many years to keep the terms of the agreement in place. This decision should bring tens of millions of dollars to the City, County, and JPA, including the unpaid debt and legal costs and fees.
“This victory provides justice for the people of Oakland,” said City Attorney Barbara J. Parker. “The Warriors got the benefit of the bargain they made more than 20 years ago, and yet pursued specious claims to avoid their obligations. We are pleased that every court that reviewed this case agreed that the Warriors must honor their debt, stop stiffing their fans, and pay costs and fees that we incurred.”
ONN – Alameda County Democratic Party Oakland City Council At Large Candidates Debate 2020
Moderated by former Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris, this debate features the incumbent Oakland City Council President Rebecca Kaplan against two challengers: Nancy Sidebotham, and Derrick Johnson.
Stay tuned.
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
Project part of Port’s Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan
Oakland, Calif. – Aug. 24, 2020: The Port of Oakland’s largest marine terminal said today it has cut diesel emissions from all 13 of its massive yard cranes by 95 percent after retrofitting them with hybrid electric engines. Terminal operator Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) said that the project will eliminate about 1,200 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually from each crane.
“Retrofitting our rubber-tire gantry cranes to battery power produced remarkable results,” said Crane Manager Ken Larson, at SSA Marine’s Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT). “We’re impressed with the huge drop in emissions from equipment that we regularly use on the marine terminal.”
SSA said that the clean air project would result in a 93 percent reduction in diesel fuel. The older engines used 10 to 13 gallons of diesel fuel an hour whereas the hybrids use about three-quarters of a gallon an hour, according to Mr. Larson. “We were honestly surprised to learn how little diesel fuel we need to use now,” Mr. Larson said.
The hybrid retrofit is the first project of its type at SSA terminals. SSA replaced 1,000-horsepower diesel generators on its yard cranes with 142-horsepower diesel hybrids. The new power plants have small diesel engines used only to charge a crane’s pack of batteries. Each crane has a housing unit that contains the hybrid generator.
Mr. Larson said that the project was challenging, including the construction of new electrical systems for input power protection when converting current from AC to DC on a crane. Mr. Larson added that the hybrid generators capture energy as a container is lowered. Besides saving fuel and reducing emissions, the hybrid performs better than the older diesel generators because there is no delay in power delivery to the crane.
“We’re delighted with this project because it reflects the way the Port advances its emission reduction goals by focusing on feasible technologies that can perform the heavy work of moving containers,” said Richard Sinkoff, the Port of Oakland’s Director of Environmental Programs and Planning. “It fits ideally in the Port’s Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan. We hope it serves as a model for other marine terminals to follow.”
Rubber-tire gantry cranes are industry workhorses at marine terminals throughout the world. Combined, the thirteen 90-foot-tall cranes can lift as many as 1,000 containers a day on and off trucks at OICT.
“We are pleased that an Air District grant has enabled the completion of the SSA hybrid crane project that will significantly reduce harmful emissions for many years to come,” said Jack Broadbent, Executive Officer of The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District). “The hybrid engine technology installed on these large yard cranes will help improve air quality and protect the health of those in the communities surrounding the Port of Oakland.”
The Air District awarded SSA $5 million in grant funding as part of the Air District’s Community Health Protection Program (CHP – AB134) to replace 13 diesel powered rubber-tire gantry crane engines with Tier 4 Final hybrid engines in order to bring about immediate emissions reductions benefits.
The SSA Terminals project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution.
California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.
Planning for the crane conversions began after the signing of the CHP Program contract with the Air District on July 5, 2018. The first crane was retrofitted in February of 2019 and the 13th crane was converted in July 2020.
About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland Seaport, Oakland International Airport, and nearly 20 miles of waterfront including Jack London Square. The Port’s 5-year strategic plan – Growth with Care – pairs business expansion with community benefits, envisioning more jobs and economic stimulus as the Port grows. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 84,000 jobs. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.
Post based on press release from Port of Oakland to Zennie62Media.
Oakland – Oakland Unified School District announces its policy to serve nutritious meals every school day under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and/or Afterschool Snack Program. Effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals if the household income is less than or equal to the federal guidelines
OUSD Lunch Time
Households do not need to turn in an application when the household receives a notification letter saying that all children automatically qualify for free meals when any household member receives benefits from CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR. Children who meet the definition of foster, homeless, migrant, or runaway, and children enrolled in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals. Contact school officials if any child in the household is not on the notification letter. The household must let school officials know if they do not want to receive free or reduced-price meals.
Applications for the free and reduced-price meal program are available online at this email address: https://family.titank12.com/application/new?identifier=NY34JE Households that want to apply for meal benefits, must fill out one application for all children in the household. Households that need assistance can contact the Nutrition Services Department office at 2850 West Street, Oakland, CA 94608, or by phone at 510 879-1700.
Free Eligibility Scale
Households may complete an online application at any time during the school year. If you are not eligible now, but your household income goes down, household size goes up, or a household member starts receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR, you may complete an application at that time. Information given on the application will be used to determine eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school officials. The last four digits of the Social Security number from any adult household or checking that you do not have a Social Security number is required if you include income on the application.
Households that receive Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits, may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals by completing an online application.
Foster children are always eligible for free meals and may be included as a household member if the foster family chooses to also apply for the non-foster children on the same application. Including foster children as a household member may help the non-foster children qualify for free or reduced-price meals. If the non-foster children are not eligible, this does not keep foster children from receiving free meals. A completed application must be submitted for all children including foster children.
Your child’s eligibility status from last school year will continue into the new school year for up to 30 school days or until the school processes your new application whichever comes first, or your child is otherwise certified for free or reduced-price meals. After the 30 school days, your child will have to pay full price for meals, unless the household receives a notification letter for free or reduced-price meals. School officials do not have to send reminder or expired eligibility notices.
If you do not agree with the decision or results of verification, you may discuss it with school officials. You also have the right to a fair hearing, which may be requested by writing or calling the hearing official: Gabriel Valenzuela at 1000 Broadway, Suite 150, Oakland, 94607. That phone number is (510) 879-4281, and the fax is (510) 879-3678.
Oakland Unified School District is an equal opportunity provider.
About the Oakland Unified School District
In California’s most diverse city, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is dedicated to creating a learning environment where “Every Student Thrives!” More than half of our students speak a non-English language at home. And each of our 81 schools is staffed with talented individuals uniting around a common set of values: Students First, Equity, Excellence, Integrity, Cultural Responsiveness and Joy. We are committed to preparing all students for college, career and community success.
To learn more about OUSD’s Full Service Community District focused on academic achievement while serving the whole child in safe schools, please visit OUSD.org and follow us @OUSDnews.
This post based on a press release from OUSD to Zennie62Media, Inc.
In Las Vegas, the once-Oakland Raiders did everything it could do to make the unofficial soft-opening of the still-under construction Allegiant Stadium a special event. And why not? Allegiant Stadium is a brand new symbol of what many (including me) hope Las Vegas can be, yet again, post-Pandemic: a tourist mecca for the World.
The Raiders rolled out a super-fancy season ticket box for passes that, sadly, will go unused for this wild NFL 2020 Season.
And in introducing Raiders Players to the facility, Mark Davis, Raiders Manager of the General Partner, said this (according to the Las Vegas Sun):
“Welcome to the Death Star, where our opponents’ dreams come to die. My father always said that the greatness of the Raiders is in its future. Well today that future really starts. This magnificent stadium was built on the backs of thousands of players, coaches, administrators and fans, who for the past 60 years have proudly worn the Silver and Black.”
And while Mark Davis and Jon Gruden and Raiders players enjoy the new Las Vegas Stadium, the Oakland A’s plan a $2 billion ballpark facility for Howard Terminal in Oakland’s Jack London Square. In a still-ongoing march to a planned 2023 opening, Oakland A’s President David Kaval is proving the Raiders wrong: that the City of Oakland was, indeed, able to cause the formation of a public subsidy program worth roughly double that of the $750 million the Raiders got (with the help of Las Vegas Sands Founder Sheldon Adelson) from the Nevada Legislature.
In a turn of events that proves the mainstream media does not know how read or how to do math, the planned infrastructure redevelopment zone law that was approved by the California Legislature and signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom last October, will result in the formation of a zone that assumes a small $2 billion base-year assessed value to serve as the foundation for a TIF bond with a 40-year-payback schedule.
In fact, Kaval agreed this was the case in our interview, even as he reminded us that the ballpark itself (the main frame) would be privately financed. At just an annual 4 percent rate of growth in assessed value, and 1 percent tax rate, the revenue total will be $1.4 billion by year 40.
The Oakland A’s ballpark legislation, if one bothers to read it, will allow for everything from financing assistance for affordable housing, street lighting, bridges, transportation, and it can be spread city-wide.
Of course, those who hate reading will go on chortling that Oakland’s broke and can’t afford this or that. Meanwhile, the A’s will emerge with the ballpark that will reform Oakland into an international destination.
I hope you and your loved ones are hanging in there as we in Oakland contend with wildfires in addition to COVID. Big appreciations to our firefighters, first responders and health professionals during these challenging times.
In this newsletter, you’ll find information on these topics:
New multilingual, multicultural COVID Test Site in Oakland Chinatown
Red Flag Warning until Monday 5pm
Spare the Air Alert through Wednesday
Emergency Preparedness
New COVID Test Site in Oakland Chinatown Supporting Multilingual, Multicultural Care
Last Tuesday, August 18, Oakland Asian Health Services and Alameda County launched a new multilingual, multicultural COVID-19 test site in Chinatown at Madison Park, long a beloved cultural keeping spot for our API neighbors. The free public site features testing and support services in 12 Asian languages including Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog and Mongolian.
Tests are available to everyone. Payment or insurance are not required, and immigration status will not be asked. The test site is open Tuesdays from noon to 7 pm and Thursdays and Fridays from 8 am to 4 pm. People who want to get tested can make an appointment at www.color.com/AHS. For help, people can call the multilingual line at Asian Health Services at (510) 735-3222.
I was so pleased to support the opening of this test site and join the public launch. This test site is a place for total care and is a model for the entire state. By partnering with a community health center and several community organizations, this site offers culturally competent and linguistically accessible COVID testing, along with critical resources and referrals for a range of issues, and education about the Census and voter registration.
Councilmember Bas Gets Tested For COVID-19
I also got tested and got my results the following day, which were negative. Please be vigilant by wearing a mask, practicing physical distancing, washing your hands, and staying home as much as possible. If we all follow the County Health Orders, we can slow the spread, protect our community and eventually re-open our schools and businesses.
Red Flag Warning Until Monday 5pm
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the entire San Francisco / Oakland Bay Area until 5 PM on Monday, August 24. NWS forecasts: “erratic gusty outflow winds can lead to potentially dangerous and unpredictable fire behavior on existing wildfires while additional lightning strikes may result in new wildfire starts.”
In addition to the Oakland Fire Department’s normal operations, firefighters are conducting roving fire patrols in the Oakland Hills. These resources will augment the department’s normal hill company patrols that are out during high fire danger.
Additionally, a State of California Office of Emergency Services engine is pre-positioned in Oakland, and OFD crews will be on stand-by; patrols and staffing may be lengthened or shortened depending on conditions.
OFD Fire Inspectors will also be patrolling Joaquin Miller Park, which is closed on Red Flag Days, to inform the public present at the park of the closure request that they leave the park. The park closure shall be lifted once the Red Flag conditions have subsided and the National Weather Service has lifted the warning for our regional area.
Oakland Fire will continue to collaborate with county partners for mutual aid. Twenty-seven total firefighters are deployed at the CZU lightening complex.
NWS Red Flag Warning
Help Reduce the Chance of Wildfire in Oakland
In accordance with Oakland Municipal Code, Joaquin Miller Park is closed to the public on Red Flag days. Signs will be posted at all park entrances and trails regarding the closure.
Other parks, trails, and recreational facilities may also be closed to visitors due to the high risk of fire.
Barbeques are prohibited in all City parks when there is a Red Flag warning in effect.
The Oakland Fire Department urges extreme caution, because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire.
Get Emergency Alerts on Your Phone or Email
Get alerted about emergencies by signing up for AC Alert to receive phone calls and messages on your mobile, home, or work phone; by text message; and by email. AC Alert will provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of emergencies, including fires, severe weather, earthquakes, unexpected road closures, and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods.
AC Alert is a unified emergency notification system for Alameda County residents, businesses and visitors. An AC Alert subscription is free, and all residents and business owners are strongly encouraged to sign up.
What is a Red Flag Warning?
The National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings to alert fire departments of the onset, or possible onset, of critical weather and dry conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity. Firefighters will raise red flags at fire stations to warn residents of extreme fire weather, as warnings are issued by the National Weather Service.
A Red Flag Warning is issued for weather events which may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours. A Red Flag Warning is the highest alert. During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents, because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire.
Spare the Air Alert Through Wednesday
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is extending a Spare the Air Alert for wildfire smoke through Wednesday, August 26, which bans burning wood or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors. Wildfire smoke from numerous fires inside and outside of the Bay Area is causing elevated levels of particulate pollution. Elderly persons, children, individuals with respiratory illnesses, and unsheltered persons are particularly susceptible and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure.
Check air quality with the EPA’s Air Quality Index (airnow.gov) and be sure to use the map to find your closest sensor for the most accurate reading. Another resource is Purple Air which offers real-time air quality monitoring.
Stay Safe When It’s Smoky, Oakland!
Stay indoors with windows and doors closed.
Keep indoor air cool or visit an air-cooling center (see these heat resources).
Set home and car ventilation systems on re-circulate to prevent drawing in outside air.
Stay hydrated by drinking water.
Limit or avoid outdoor recreational and sports activities.
Stay Safe From Smoke
Resources for Oakland Unsheltered Homeless Residents
During air quality events, Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless has N95 masks available for outreach providers who can distribute them to unsheltered people experiencing homelessness. Please contact [email protected] or call (510) 891-8950 to pick up masks. County, city, outreach workers and community volunteers may distribute N95 air masks to unsheltered persons at risk, if air quality is projected to be at dangerous levels (red) for a sustained period of time. Masks provide limited, but important protection to people in open air — however, it’s best to stay indoors. My District 2 Office also has some N95 masks available for homeless residents in our neighborhoods; please email me at [email protected] for assistance.
Oaklander Emergency Preparedness
There are many resources to support us in being prepared for emergencies. Here are a few helpful links:
CAL FIRE Ready for Wildfire
Alameda County Public Health
Oakland Fire Safe Council
Oakland Community Preparedness & Response Program
Stay safe!
With Oakland Love,
Nikki Fortunato Bas
Councilmember, City of Oakland, District 2
Bike Oakland & Alameda: 2.5 Ferry Stations
From YouTube Channel: August 22, 2020 at 06:00AM
ONN – SF Bay Area Bicycle Is Back: Bike Oakland & Alameda: 2.5 Ferry Stations
2020-07-16: 26.6 mile, 290 ft gain, ride attempting to visit the 3 closest ferry stations to me but had to bail half-way to the 3rd one due to calf cramps. Starting on 55th Ave and El Camile/Kingsland/Trask to Foothill, 40th Ave, International, High St & Bridge onto Alameda Island to take Fernside across the bridge to Bay Farm Island and around the shore to the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal, then back to Alameda and Shore Line Dr and through the parks around Crab Cove to Central Ave which turns into Main St and to the Alameda Main St Ferry and then wandering around trying to find my way through the construction along the north shore of Alameda eventually taking Willie Stargell Ave to discover that the harrowing Posey Tube is closed, so it’s back to further wandering to get to the Park St Bridge back over to Oakland. Taking Embarcadero it’s clear both calves aren’t going to cooperate so rather than continuing on to the Jack London Ferry, it’s 5th Ave, E 8th St, E 12th St, step over to Bancroft Ave back to 55th Ave.
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
ONN – Las Vegas Raiders Training Camp Photos At Allegiant Stadium By: Joseph Armendariz
Las Vegas Raiders Training Camp Photos At Allegiant Stadium. Joseph Armendariz . This morning around the 10 am hour the Raiders rolled into Allegiant Stadium for the very first time to play a scrimmage game and go over game day scenarios. Additionally season ticket holders were given a link so they can see a live feed of the scrimmage game not sure if that link was limited due to social media post from season ticket holders.
Note: photos from screen-shots of videos on Las Vegas Review Journal YouTube channel.
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
ONN – Defunding OPD and CCW’s for Oakland by Derrick Soo
As we begin conversations about “Defunding” the Police, what steps are we taking to PROTECT ourselves, family and others. Currently ONLY Police & criminals aren’t ARMED!!!
For decades Police Departments have violated our 2nd Amendment Rights to ARM ourselves by denying LAW ABIDING CITIZENS from applying for these Permits. However, with “Connections” or Political favoritism, certain people and groups have been issued CA-CCW’s for decades.
In my findings, persons of any “Color” are routinely denied or told they don’t issue CCW Permits are falsehoods and used as Oppressive tools.
I will “OPEN” this Process to all Law Abiding citizens of Oakland. When PROPERLY completed, Training & Competency in Mental understanding through Legal Classes, will be issued a CCW.
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
Bike Oakland: Skyline Trail & Brandon Trail
From YouTube Channel: August 21, 2020 at 06:00AM
ONN – SF Bay Area Bicycle Is Back With “Bike Oakland: Skyline Trail & Brandon Trail”
And writes:
2020-07-10: 11.9 mile, 1326 ft gain, first ride on Brandon Trail in the Anthony Chabot Regional Park. 55th Ave, Foothill Blvd, MacArthur Blvd, 82nd Ave, Golf Links Rd, Grass Valley Rd, and Skyline Trail to Brandon Trail. Taking that to Horseshoe Trail up to Skyline Blvd to Keller Ave on down/up/down/down/up/down/up to Greenly Dr/Edwards Ave/Sunkist Dr/ Hillmont Dr to Seminary Ave and on over to 55th Ave.
Stay tuned.
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
Faith Church Oakland ONN – Faith Baptist Church Oakland: Curtis Robinson And Members Feed The Hungry Faith Baptist Church located at 2680 64th Ave, Oakland, CA 94605. Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile … Read more
Wednesday Night’s Theme is “A More Perfect Union” MILWAUKEE—The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today previewed the official program for night three of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, happening Wednesday, August 19 from 9:00-11:00 PM Eastern. The theme of Wednesday’s program is “A More Perfect Union.” America is not going back to normal, because normal wasn’t good enough. … Read more
The 2020 Oakland Elections Candidates Forum Alameda County Democratic Party Live On Facebook is going on now, as the 2020 Democratic National Convention is in the state vote count process. Most of the candidates have participated in this virtual forum ran by my one-time boss, Former Elihu Harris. There have been between 100 and over … Read more
Oakland A’s President Dave Kaval Interview Howard Terminal Ballpark Project Update ONN – Oakland A’s President Dave Kaval Interview Howard Terminal Ballpark Project Update Oakland A’s President Dave Kaval Interview Howard Terminal Ballpark Project Update Zennie62Media is proud to present a talk with Oakland A’s President Dave Kaval Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: … Read more
SKELLY RECOMMENDATION Oakland Police Department April 2020 SUBJECTS: Lieutenant Alan Yu Sergeant Francisco Negrete Officer William Berger Officer Craig Tanaka Officer Brandon Hraiz Officer Josef Phillips Michael Gennaco Skelly Officer 323-821-0586 7142 Trask Avenue | Playa del Rey, CA 90293 OIRGroup.com SKELLY RESPONSE: Pursuant to the California Constitution and the Manual of Rules (“MOR”) of … Read more
Former Oakland Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick issued this statement in the matter of Court-Appointed Monitor Robert Warshaw’s report on the Pawlik Shooting. Mr. Warshaw’s report on the Pawlik shooting is purposely misleading and attempts to hide important issues that should be of public concern. These are the facts: I proposed that the Department bring in … Read more
Oakland Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney Was So Excited With Kamala Harris As VP She Screamed ONN – Oakland Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney Talks DNC 2020 And Kamela Harris With Zennie62Media Oakland’s District Three City Councilmember called to talk with me Zennie62Media CEO Zennie Abraham (as I had called her earlier about coming on for our … Read more
Oakland Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney Talks DNC 2020 And Kamela Harris With Zennie62Media ONN – Oakland Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney Talks DNC 2020 And Kamela Harris With Zennie62Media Oakland’s District Three City Councilmember called to talk with me Zennie62Media CEO Zennie Abraham (as I had called her earlier about coming on for our Democratic National … Read more
Salt Lake Tribune Takes Government PPP Loan, Yet Denies Coal Industry Aide; Paul Huntsman’s Two Step? From YouTube Channel: August 15, 2020 at 11:45PM ONN – Salt Lake Tribune Takes Government PPP Loan, And Denies Oakland OBOT, Coal Industry Aide; Paul Huntsman’s Two Step? The Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal (video), of which its co-developer … Read more
The Oakland Police Commission needs our help. 1. When the November mail-in ballots come out, look for the as-yet-unnamed charter amendment strengthening the power and increasing the funding for the Oakland Police Commission. Tell your friends and neighbors to vote for it. 2. Now: contact your council member and the City Council President, At Large … Read more
ZENNIE62MEDIA Credentialed To Cover Historic DNC 2020 Virtual Convention For the third since 2008, ZENNIE62MEDIA has been credentialed for the Democratic National Convention, this time the historic DNC 2020 Virtual Convention. The DNC 2020 features the nomination of the first ticket pairing a white man with a black woman. Former Vice President Joe Biden selected … Read more
(NOTE: There is still time to apply for a role on Oakland’s Reimagining Public Safety Taskforce. Apply Now – Click Here) Prior to serving as District 6 representative, Councilmember Loren Taylor guided efforts to transform heavily regulated and bureaucratic industries including healthcare services, medical devices, utilities, and telecommunications. As co-chair of Oakland’s new Taskforce to … Read more
John Jones III On Cat Brooks Comments On Coalition For Police Accountability, Ginale Harris Ouster From YouTube Channel: August 13, 2020 at 12:14PM ONN – John Jones III On Cat Brooks Comments On Coalition For Police Accountability, Ginale Harris Ouster The YouTube Channel reports this (if text is provided in the video description area by … Read more
Caught Cat Brooks for a 37 minute interview from her mountain perch and via the Zennie62Media network. The actress that become activist, and almost the Mayor of Oakland (I still think Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Cat must have lunch and really get to know each other, but I digress), was in, as she told … Read more
Oakland CA Crime – Drive-by Shooting From YouTube Channel: August 13, 2020 at 12:07AM ONN – Oakland CA Crime – Drive-by Shooting Video From Unknown Address The video is from HOGOKI on YouTube, and while it was uploaded on August 12, 2020, it is not clear when the video itself was actually made, or where. … Read more
On Joe Biden Picking Kamala Harris For VP Running Mate, Barack Obama Says “Let’s Go Win This Thing” ONN – On Joe Biden Picking Kamala Harris For VP Running Mate, Barack Obama Says “Let’s Go Win This Thing” President Barack Obama just issued this statement on Joe Biden picking Sen. Kamala Harris as his VP … Read more
