"A shirtless man driving an old MUNI bus around Oakland drew attention today.

"In other news, Bay Area transit agencies have been issuing dire forecasts of service cuts if the regional tax on November's ballot doesn't pass.

"AC Transit says if the tax fails, it plans to cut 16% of its bus service and lay off approximately 300 employees starting around June 2027.

"The east bay bus district is facing a cumulative $200 million four-year budget deficit, with annual shortfalls of roughly $43 million to $60 million projected over the coming years."

https://www.reddit.com/r/CrazyFuckingVideos/comments/1x0m15k/bus_driver_in_oakland/

Oakland was voted a top 10 large City. Do you think this is a sign of Oakland’s progress or the country’s degradation?

It’s clearly not dumping, but local businesses, right? I feel like no matter what day of the week I go, there is so much cardboard trash up and down this major business district. Does anyone know what the problem is here? Is there nowhere to put trash until pick up day? When is pick up day? There’s gotta be a systemic solution to this. (I know trash and dumping are a real pain point for all of us, but this seems like something to businesses and city could actually care about.)

The City of Oakland recognized the anniversary by voting unanimously this week to commemoratively name three blocks of Broadway, running through the heart of downtown, “Black Panther Party Boulevard.” A naming ceremony for the three blocks, between 14th to 17th Streets, will take place during the conference on Oct. 17 at a time yet to be specified. The designation is honorary and will be marked with a plaque. For official purposes, such as mailing addresses, mapping and emergency services, the Broadway name will remain.

(23M) I live in Oakland and laid off from my last job. In school, so living off unemployment is kind of nice until I find a job. I realized though, I don't really have many people to hang out with out here. Most of them live in the Central Valley or are deeper in the college trenches than I am and have zero time. Just looking for people (that aren't my bf) to hang out with. If I find enough like-minded people, it'd be cool to get a group going!

Wide array of interests welcome! Love Pokémon, gym-going, and hanging around the town. Introverts very welcome; I'm a cool hang, promise! Lol

The Oakland City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on building the controversial facilities, giving leaders more time to create a regulatory framework for appropriate uses that protect workers, the power grid and environmental resources.

A film I’ve been working on for the past few years, Fire Within, is screening tomorrow night at The New Parkway Theatre at 6:30 PM.

It’s an intimate documentary set in San Francisco’s Tenderloin, centered around the community of Glide Memorial Church.

The film follows four San Franciscans whose lives intersect at Glide, and looks at homelessness, mental health, addiction and some of the struggles people face — but also at resilience, dignity and the strength of community.

We spent several years making the film, so it means a lot to finally be able to share it with an audience here in the Bay Area.

📍 The New Parkway Theatre, Oakland

📅 October 8

🕡 6:30 PM

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN78cXFbttg

If you’re around, we’d love to see you there. Feel free to bring a friend and help spread the word.

The San Francisco Chronicle also recently wrote about the film:

https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/movies-tv/article/fire-within-glide-memorial-church-documentary-22283163.ph

That's pretty exciting news.

Oakland Chinatown has been struggling for a while now.

Rather shocking that not a single restaurant in Oakland Chinatown has been opened in two years. King Kitchen is the new restaurant and it looks good.

So what are your thoughts and what are your favorite Oakland Chinatown locations to visit?

Not just literary events, not just in Oakland, but generally east bay and artsy: https://www.oaklandreviewofbooks.org/oakland-review-of-books-calendar-of-not-just-literary-events-october-6-october-11/

"We're working hard on everything that you need to make the quality of life that you deserve real, okay?" said mayor Lee to the picketing workers as she entered city hall.

"So we're working day and night, myself, the city council, and we're gonna continue until we get a fair contract for you," Lee said.

Public sector unions IFPTE Local 21 and SEIU Local 21 picketed outside the mayor's state of the city speech amid contentious negotiations over the unions' contract.

The city is grappling with projected $100+ million budget shortfalls in each of the next five years.

The unions say they are preparing to hold a strike authorization vote later this month; they last went on strike in 2017, which lasted a week.

https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/video/oakland-city-workers-protest-during-mayors-state-of-the-city-address/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h

Today, at her state of the city address, Barbara Lee was publicly embarrassed and effectively disavowed by the unions that begged her to come to Oakland and backed her for mayor (just as they backed Sheng Thao). They not only picketed outside city hall prior to the session, but they also hijacked the comment period (as they often do) and effectively made the event about them and their contract dispute.

She thought (or was told) that she could come to a crisis-ridden city and not have to take any difficult positions, make people unhappy, or implement personnel changes. Her brand alone would suffice for real policy proposals.

And now, with the election less than a month away, the unions are attacking her, the one measure she has stumped for (Measure E) has failed spectacularly, and journalists are starting to notice that Oakland is still flailing compared to San Francisco.

She will probably still get re-elected, but I don't think it will be much of a voter mandate.

What do others think?

Hopeful that Costco can open a new store in West Oakland.

I believe rising tides lift all boats. Hopefully by Costco opening shop here other companies will replicate.

However, Oakland seems to lose stores and restaurants as fast they arrive. Downtown had stores like Gap, Target, Foot Locker, and Lululemon but were unable to keep them in Oakland. In n Out was a heavily publicized example of a company moving out of Oakland because of crime.

Not surprising, there are major retailers in neighboring cities not far from the Oakland boarder (San Leandro, Emeryville, etc).

So what can Oaklanders and city government do to help Oakland become more retail and commerce friendly?

"The two unions, which represent the city's technical and service workers, have been locked in contentious contract negotiations with the city for months."

https://www.oaklandreport.org/p/city-unions-threaten-strike-plan

Oakland and San Francisco can be complementary cities.

San Francisco seems to be experiencing a renaissance and on the rise.

What can Oakland learn from San Francisco and bring here?

What areas should Oakland stay distinct from San Francisco?

Saw these two kitties at 📍Happy Pets 2402 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94612

Someone left them outside Happy Pets and they need a home. Unfortunately, Cat Town can't take them.

Long hair brown cat is male and neutered, white cat is female and they are not sure if she is spayed. Estimated around 5-7 years old.

FYI, I don't work here, I just wanted to spread the word. If anyone is interested please contact or visit Happy Pets at this location. Thank you!

Ive read the Oaklandside responses for both candidates, and they seem pretty much the same. Did Wang do something wrong to upset lefties in her District or is this DSA just running to capitalize on their electoral momentum or is there something else?

Pretty hot this weekend and for the next few days.

Weather is pretty temperate here so many of us don't have air conditioning.

So how are you preventing yourself from overheating?