Temescal News & Views

THe VoiCe oF NoRtH OAKLANdS TemeSCAL NeiGHboRHood MARCH/APRIL 2014

Published bimonthly by Temescal Neighbors Together (TNT)

OUR MiSSioN

TNT seeks to enhance the quality of life in our diverse community through revitalization of our homes, business, schools, and public services by providing an ongoing forum for community education, interaction, and empowerment.
EditoRiAL PoLiCY

Nonprot Brings Restorative Justice to Temescal

n Oakland, the path to prison often starts at a young age. Minor rule infractions and misbehavior can quickly lead to punishable offenses. One organization in Temescal wants to put an end to that prison pipeline. Community Works was one of the first non-profits to pioneer an alternative dispute resolution system called restorative justice, which works to keep youthful offenders out of the criminal justice system. A year ago, the organization moved from Berkeley to 46th and Telegraph, above the Good Bellies Caf, where Community Works now operates its Restorative Community Conferencing Program in collaboration with the Alameda County district attorney's office.

TN&V publishes submissions from community members. We do not fact-check, although we correct inaccuracies when we find them. We strive to achieve an unbiased tone and may edit articles accordingly, but ultimately TN&V reflects the point of view of the authors and not that of the editors. Please email submissions to: temescalnewsandviews@gmail.com. Editor: Dana Hull Design: Lasell Whipple Distribution: Linda Kallenberger, Maria Lambert, Viki Maxwell Advisors: Viki Maxwell, Jeff Norman Printing: Piedmont Copy

restorative community conference along with his parents and the police officer he assaulted. They sat in a circle, speaking directly to each other. With the assistance of a Community Works facilitator, the

Restorative justice seeks to repair the harm caused by an offense rather than simply punishing the offender, says executive director Ruth Morgan.
young person, victim, and community members at the conference agreed on a plan; the youth will perform 20 hours of community service and do chores for his parents. Upon completion of these restorative acts the charges against him are dropped. While restorative justice may be a novel concept to most Americans, Native American tribes and the aborigines of New Zealand have used restorative justice for hundreds of years. Restorative justice seeks to repair the harm caused by an offense rather than simply punishing the offender, says executive director Ruth Morgan. Last year, Community Works, which operates a number of programs in jails and prisons, received a federal grant to implement a restorative justice program
continued on page 2

Thank You!
This issue of Temescal News & Views has been generously funded by
The Temescal Telegraph Business Improvement District
(BID) www.temescaldistrict.org

Community Works was one of the first non-profits to pioneer an alternative dispute resolution system called restorative justice, which works to keep youthful offenders out of the criminal justice system.
Recently a 16-year-old was caught tagging a building with graffiti and hit a police officer while resisting arrest. He could have been charged with three felonies. However, rather than face criminal charges the young person agreed to go through a

MARCH/APRIL 2014

Restorative Justice continued from page 1

So far, the results are good: In Alameda County, 6 months worth of data shows about a 4% recidivism rate in our restorative juvenile diversion program.
for youthful offenders in Alameda County. In partnership with the district attorneys office and the probation department, the organization now handles 100 cases a year from their office in Temescal. So far, the results are good: In Alameda County, six months worth of data shows about a four percent recidivism rate in our restorative juvenile diversion program, which is compared to the 75 percent recidivism rate at the county level for similar crimes," Morgan said. When people have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the people that they harmed and apologize and complete a plan to repair that harm, their chances of re-offending plummet." About working in Temescal, executive director Morgan says, Our staff members couldnt be happier. They are constantly discovering new installations in the local art galleries and bringing the most delicious food back to the office from all the fine restaurants in the neighborhood.

When people have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the people they harmed and apologize and complete a plan to repair that harm, their chances of re-offending plummet.
The community really seems to be behind the work we are doing and we plan to be here for a long time. u Richard Martin, Director of Development, Community Works West

This is It! Oakland Tech High School Auction

in Oakland. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and all proceeds benefit the 2,000 students, teachers and staff at Tech. Despite the passage of Prop 30, public funding is not meeting Techs growing needs. Funds raised by the auction support classroom necessities, technology, music and drama, lab supplies, field trips, class sets of books and so much more. Thank you to all of the local businesses who have donated merchandise and services. We are lucky to have you as our community supporters. We would love for you to come to the event. Tickets can be purchased at the door or are available online at https://oaklandtech.schoolauction.net/ auction2014/register. If you cant make it to the party, you can still support Tech through our online auction which will run from Wednesday, March 5 through Thursday, March 13, 2014. The link is posted on our

he Oakland Tech PTSA invites our community, neighbors and friends to an evening of fun and fundraising.

Its our biggest fundraiser of the year, and all proceeds benefit the 2,000 students, teachers and staff at Tech.
Our annual This is It, Oakland Tech High School Auction will take place on March 15, 2014 from 6:00 to 10:30pm at the Uptown Body and Fender located at 401 26th Street

Funds raised by the auction support classroom necessities, technology, music and drama, lab supplies, field trips, books, and so much more.
website: www.oaklandtech.com/ptsa auction. We are grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community. u Julie Parker, Oakland Tech parent

TEMESCAL NEWS & VIEWS

Safeway Project at 51st Gets the Green Light for Complete Makeover
or those of us who live in North Oakland, the redevelopment of the Safeway store and its surrounding parcels at 51st and Broadway is the biggest development to happen in the area for possibly the next 50 years after MacArthurs BART makeover. At their September meeting, the Planning Commission unanimously gave the green light to Safeway to completely raze the current site in two phases. Safeway has the master lease for the whole site and its main motivation has been to compete with the upscale and thriving markets in Oakland and Berkeley including two Berkeley Bowls, two Whole Foods and Trader Joes. The project involves the redevelopment of the existing Rockridge Shopping Center located at the corner of Broadway and Pleasant

Valley Avenue, including demolition of all 185,500 square feet of existing buildings on the site and the construction of a new Safeway store and other retail, office, and restaurant space, totaling approximately 330,942 square feet of commercial space (approximately 296,753 square feet of gross leasable floor area and an additional approximately 34,189 square feet of common space). A total of approximately 967 off-street parking spaces are proposed. Parking would be located in surface parking lots, on the rooftop of the new Safeway store, and in a three-level garage located above commercial space. Also proposed are modifications to streets in the project vicinity, including changes to the Broadway/51st Street/Pleasant Valley

Avenue, Broadway/Coronado Avenue, Broadway/College Avenue, Pleasant Valley Avenue/Gilbert Street, and Pleasant Valley Avenue/Montgomery Street intersections. The citys website includes a lot of background info and drawings at http:// www2.oaklandnet.com/oakca1/groups/ ceda/documents/report/oak042797.pdf. At press time, Safeway is also considering putting itself up for sale. How a sale might affect the Pleasant Valley site is uncertain, but it is likely the renovation would go forward. This piece is a shortened version of a blog post at www.loakal.com. u Karen Hester, events coordinator, neighborhood activist and blogger

Save the Date: April 26, 2014 Earth Day and Frog Family Fest!
EARTH DAY AND FROG FAMILY FEST
When: Saturday, April 26 from 9am-12 noon (Family Fest 12 2pm)
u

Earth Day at Frog Park, 2013.

Photo courtesy of FROG.

elebrate Earth Day at Frog Park and the Greenbelt, a City of Oakland featured volunteer site spon sored by FROG and the DMV Neighbors Association. Come to a family-friendly clean up and stay for a special Frog Family Fest with great kid activities. Lets get our park ready for summer fun, 9am-12 noon. Help us replant our butterfly garden, sift sand, clean up, and prepare the pond and creek bed for the creek turn-on.

Where: Big Frog

Bring your own tools or use ours. Coffee and refreshments provided. Come for half an hour or the entire morning, rain or shine. Then its time to party at FROG Family Fest! Bring your family, kids, and your picnic lunch and blanket to Big Frog Park between 12 noon and 2 p.m. Expect loads of entertaining games, bubble-making, face painting, crafts, and more. u

(Hardy Circle near Miles)

or Greenbelt
u

(Redondo Ave at Cavour)

Who: Community members and kids of all ages

u

Contact info@frogpark.org with questions or to volunteer http://www.frogpark.org/ wp-content/uploads/ 2013/05/IMG_1465.jpg

MARCH/APRIL 2014

TemeSCAL COMMUNITY CALeNdAR

Get Your Temescal News & Views!

Weve gone digital! If youd like to get an e-version of TN&V, email your contact info to temescalnewsandviews@gmail.com and a PDF of the newsletter will be emailed to you. Please write subscribe in the subject line. Your information will not be shared, published or sold. The newsletter is also available on local websites such as the Temescal Telegraph BID (www. temescaldistrict.org) and the local neighborhood yahoo group. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ TemescalNeighborhood). You can also pick up printed copies of the newsletter at the following businesses and institutions: Alems Coffee, Asmara Restaurant, Faith Presbyterian Church, Jumpn Java Caf, Mamas Royal Caf, Mani-festo Bicycles, Mariposa Bake-shop, Mixing Bowl Caf, Rock- ridge Library, Temescal Library and Temescal Pool. The newsletter comes out every other month and is produced by an all-volunteer crew. If youd like to submit a story, photograph or calendar item, the deadline for the May/ June issue is April 10. u

GOT AN ITEM FOR THE CALENDAR? E-mail: temescalnewsandviews@gmail.com

Every Sunday, 9 am - 1 pm. Temescal

Farmers Market, 5300 Claremont Ave., DMV parking lot. WIC coupons accepted.

Saturday March 1, 11 am - 1 pm. First

Sundays, 9 am. Keep Temescal Clean & Beautiful meets to pick up trash and clean graffiti. 43rd & Shafter. Rain cancels. Gloves, bags and litter pick-up tools are provided. Call Tim Anderson at 698-2393 or AndersTim@gmail.com. More info at http://www. facebook.com/KeepTemescalClean. Every Mon - Fri, 9 am - 3 pm. The North Oakland Senior Center is open for members of the community. The annual $12 membership entitles seniors 55 and older to qualify for discounts on activities and trips. Come enjoy arts and crafts, health insurance counseling, exercise and dance, trips and tours and classes at 5714 MLK Jr. Way, 597-5085. Every Tuesday, 2 pm - 7 pm. Phat Beets

Saturday playdates at Emerson Elementary School. Come to the kindergarten playground on Shafter to meet neighborhood families, play together and learn more about whats happening at Emerson. Repeats April 5. Learn more about Emerson Elementary at http:// www.emersonschool.net/.

Wednesday March 12, 6 pm.

Monthly meeting of the Temescal Merchants Association at the Temescal Library. On the agenda: merchant input for the City Of Oaklands planning for Telegraph Avenue. More information on the project is available at: www. oaklandnet.com/TelegraphAvenue. (drunk on poetry!) We gather the second Friday of the month with a casual potluck at 6 pm, reading at 7:30 pm. For the reading, bring a couple of poems of yours and someone elses, or 2-3 pages of prose, or come just to enjoy. Dessert, coffee and tea are provided. Hosts are Kayla Sussell and Jayne McPherson. 472 44th Street between Telegraph and Webster. Contact Clive Matson at 510-654-6495 with any questions. Repeats April 11. cleanup and Family Fest! Come join community members and kids of all ages at Big Frog Park (Hardy Circle near Miles) or the Greenbelt (Redondo Avenue at Cavour). Contact info@frogpark.org with questions or to volunteer.

Friday March 14 6 pm. Poetry Saloon

Farmers Market at Childrens Hospital, 744 52nd St., between MLK Way and Dover.

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3 - 6 pm. The East

Bay Childrens Book Project, which gives books free of charge to professionals who work with children in need, is open at the Mosswood Recreation Center, 3612 Webster St. Info: 408-READ or www.ebcbp.org. ry time. Temescal Branch Library, 5205 Telegraph Ave., 597-5049.

Saturday April 26, 9 am - 2 pm. Frog Park

Wednesdays, 10:30 am. Preschool sto-

Saturdays, 10 am - 3 pm. North Oakland

Dana Hull, Editor, Temescal News & Views

Farmers Market in the Santa Fe neighborhood at 5715 Market St., in the historic Arlington Medical Center Doc Watson Clinic parking lot. Sponsored by Phat Beets. http://www. phatbeetsproduce.org.

Saturday April 26, 9 am - 11:30 am. Earth

Day Clean-Up at Temescal Pool. Bring your gloves and weeding tools. Yummy treats and giveaways! Contact tomiskye@gmail.com.

Volunteers are doing the work of putting out this newsletterbut we still need to pay the printer! If you value this community publication, please consider making a donation. Any amount will help. Make your check payable to TNT, and send it with this form to: TNT, c/o 4826 Webster St., Oakland, CA 94609. Thank You!

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