Posted by Alex Bigman on Thursday, October 08, 2009 09:34 pm
It’s OK, everyone: you can go to Oakland during twilight again. When the city extended parking meter enforcement until 8 p.m. and raised the rates a few months ago, they probably weren’t expecting a backlash of indignant fury that would ultimately succeed in clawing the despised policy out of existence and aborting similar propositions in Berkeley and San Francisco. Bad ass, Oakland. But beware, the tyrannical meter maid’s ghost lingers in the form of read more »
The Oakland Black Cowboys Association’s 35th anniversary parade may have already happened this Saturday, but we couldn’t miss this opportunity to post about it anyway … if only for the fact that the words “mounted horseman” and “Oakland” may never be used in the same sentence again.
First of all: yes, we said Oakland Black Cowboys Association, and no, we have no idea what goes on at their meetings. Second: almost thirty percent of all cowboys were black. Yes, they exist. Thirdly: you can be a “third generation cowboy,” which we guess means that “cowboy” may be its own ethnicity.
The annual parade was held to commemorate “those who broke stereotypes after the Civil War by breaking horses in the West.” We can’t think of a better way to honor history than wearing your knee-high riding boots and your sword as you ride your horse down the streets of Oakland. Seriously.
Image Source: gwen under Creative Commons
Black Cowboys turn a page on American history [Inside Bay Area]
Oakland has always been a leader in the fight for cannabis legalization. Back in 2007, it became the home of the nation’s first cannabis college and as of Tuesday, will become the first city in the nation to have a business-tax category for cannabis operations.
The new measure places a 1.8 percent tax on the four licensed medical pot dispensaries in Oakland. Many club owners see this as a step toward legitimization of the pot industry, and California sees it as a way of getting some extra moolah. Marijuana is California’s biggest cash crop after all. read more »
Posted by Diana Newby on Monday, July 06, 2009 11:46 pm
Few things pose more pressing threats than rampant pot-smoking and disillusioned hippiedom. At least that seems to be the general consensus, considering Berkeley now apparently ranks as the 43rd most dangerous city in the country. read more »
Posted by Alex Bigman on Saturday, June 27, 2009 11:59 pm
In spite of the rep it gets (or that we give it), even good old Oakland delivers a concentrated dose of gentrification here and there. For those wide-open summer days, the Clog humbly suggests an exodus from the Berkeley grid we know and love. Take Telegraph down a ways for some unforgettably dank fried chicken sandwiches and then continue Southward for a free outdoor film screening. After all, the days aren’t getting any longer. read more »
Oakland: at least it’s not Cleveland. From Eye on Blogs, we bring you a snazzy idea: a road trip to Oakland! Woohoo!
Earlier this week, the Daily Cal released its Summer Orientation issue, with some familiar faces recommending choice staycation spots. And a while ago, we pointed you to the travel blog. Honestly, we’re beginning to feel like pushers. Of awesomeness.
Enjoy the above video, and we’ll bet you’ll be planning your bus ride to Oakland in a jiffy! Oakland clearly > Berkeley. Self-irony 4 lyf.
Happy birthday, Berkeley! Today marks the (official) 141st anniversary of the signing of the charter back in 1868. In case you missed out, there were free cupcakes on Upper Sproul Plaza. We repeat: FREE. [Charter Day]
A reminder: Another anniversary took place this past Wednesday, sans cupcakes. The Iraq War’s been going on for six years now, and what better way to celebrate than smashing windows and spraying red paint across the front of the Marine Recruitment Center? We can’t think of anything either. [Daily Cal]
Speaking of cupcakes, a new study by Berkeley researchers claims to have found the “weight gain gene.” The gene is called DNA-PK and it acts as the switch in the liver that turns carbohydrates into fat. We guess that means people will start saying obesity’s genetic. Oh wait, they already do that. [abc7] read more »
To all those who’ve asked, “why would anyone pay upwards of $10 to sit in a claustrophobic dark room with a bunch of strangers for over an hour and a half eating $6 popcorn?” the Parkway Speakeasy Theater in Oakland has answered: they don’t.
Or at least, they didn’t. The Parkway Speakeasy Theater will close their Oakland location this Sunday after 12 years of lesbian fashion shows, educational porn screenings, transgender film festivals and their weekly “Rocky Horror Picture Show” production.
This place was the opposite of everything movie theaters stand for: no overpriced concessions, no previews, no cramp connected theater chairs and screaming children (age minimum is usually 21) and the best part: booze. Far from the standard nachos with plastic cheese, they also serve made-to-order salads, sandwiches and pizza (the co-owner also happens to be a California Culinary Academy graduate). read more »
We may have much for which to be thankful this year, but in Berkeley, the familiar counter-phrase “thanks-taking” takes on a second meaning.
Early stats from the farm bureau (whatever that is) reveal that costs for your hearty, heart-attack dinner come Big Thursday are up from last year. And, despite the Berkeley “to-hell-with-’em” attitude for one politically incorrect holiday or another, Berkeley and Oakland clock in as the highest surveyed spenders nation wide at an average of $59 per family Thanksgiving meal. Dinner is served. read more »
Posted by Nate Tabak on Sunday, May 06, 2007 10:01 pm
Berkeley reached a grim milestone this morning with the discovery of a dead man whom police say was the victim of the year’s first homicide, the Daily Cal reports.The body was found on abandoned railroad tracks in West Berkeley on Cedar Street near Second Street, which is close to Interstate 80—about 2.5 miles from the UC Berkeley campus.Police are releasing very little information about the crime—just that the man’s undisclosed injuries lead them to conclude that a homicide took place.While one homicide is too many, Berkeley is in statistically slightly better shape than it was last year. By this date in 2006, Berkeley had recorded two homicides toward a final tally of four.The bottom line is Berkeley remains a remarkably safe city for its size and location.Consider homicides in a couple of nearby cities:* Richmond—a city of almost equal population and only a few miles north—has reported seven killings this year.* Oakland, which shares a border with Berkeley, is having a good year: with 32 homicides, with only four times our population.Of course neither Richmond nor Oakland should serve as the bar for the city’s crime, but the numbers do put things in perspective.And before the 1990s, Berkeley often had a dozen or more homicides per year. Things are certainly much better these days, with the city reaching an all-time low of one killing in 2001.As unfortunate as this slaying is, just remember the sky is not falling.
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The Oakland Black Cowboys Association’s 35th anniversary parade may have 
Oakland has always been a leader in the fight for cannabis legalization. Back in 2007, it became the home of the nation’s first 
To all those who’ve asked, “why would anyone pay upwards of $10 to sit in a claustrophobic dark room with a bunch of strangers for over an hour and a half eating $6 popcorn?” the 
Berkeley reached a grim milestone this morning with the discovery of a dead man whom police say was the victim of the 