OAKLAND

in the news

& other tidbits

If you're a resident and/or fan of Oakland, in particular the neighborhoods of East Oakland here are 3 intersting tidbits/news links I learned of this week through my online reading and networking.

1. City Share in the Dimond
2. Oakland named #1 city in terms of renewable energy
3. Oakland in the NY Times
4. Laurel Music Festival - Fete de la Musique

1. City CarShare Could Come to the Dimond:
Does your teen or college student disappear with your car? Are you a senior or avid bicyclist who only needs a car occasionally? Want to cuts costs and get rid of a second car used only a few times a month? My office and the Dimond Improvement Association have been discussing with City CarShare the possibility of expanding into the Dimond commercial district. City CarShare is a non-profit organization that provides members with around-the-clock access to a fleet of cars throughout the Bay Area, primarily for short trips, featuring a choice of compacts, pickup trucks, hybrids and Minis. Members sign up for a fee (now waived under a special trial period) and get an electronic key in the mail. Reservations are made on line. Driving rates are $4/hour and 44 cents per mile. City CarShare is looking for 200 probable users in the Dimond area. If you are interested in being one of the 200, email Richard Cowan in our office or contact the Dimond Improvement Association. City CarShare will also be at the next Dimond Improvement Association meeting at the Dimond Library, Thursday, July 5 at 7:30 pm.

(I lifted this from Councilwoman Jean Quan's Website & Weekly Web News)


2. Oakland rated #1 for Cities in terms of renewable energy use.
This comes from Jean Quan's weekly webupdate too. Here's a link to read the article online.

3. Oakland makes news in the NY Times.
Unfortunately it's again about the spiraling out of control murder rate. Here's the link to the article.

4. Laurel Music Festival - Fete de la Musique
Today's the day for a great event - the 2nd annual Laurel Music Festival - from 1-7pm. Great Fun! We went last year and enjoyed the music, great food, community tables & connections and the excellent kids' area. My daughters couldn't get enough of the fishing hole and the pony rides! Here's the link to learn more.
It's the Laurel version of Fete de la Musique, a great nation-wide celebration in France every summer solstice (June 21st) - a great way to start off the summer (Here's the official French Homepage)....I'm glad that our neighbors in the Laurel have such vision and desire for community fun!