Oakland Focus News | Oakland News Online Blog

Giants say they're not worried about rumors of the Oakland A's moving to Santa Clara County. read more | digg story

The battle over a coveted parking spot near City Hall between Oakland City councilmembers Jean Quan and Desley Brooks came down to a coin toss Tuesday — ending a dilemma that caused eye rolling throughout the city. read more | digg story

After looking at the offense and defense, its time to look at charting a course for the rest of the offseason. The positions have been evaluated, now its time to prioritize the remaining needs on the roster. read more | digg story

The Alley's a popular piano bar and restaurant located at 3325 Grand Avenue in Oakland. It features 10,000 business cards on it's walls and ceiling and Rod Dibble's at the piano, as he has been since 1963. I sing there on occasion, although it took me two years to get the nerve to do it. Rod specializes in "show tunes" like "42nd Street" and "Oklahoma." There's a song book with at least 100 songs in it including "The Oakland Song." The Alley has great food -- great steak and a vegetarian plate -- and is open from 5 PM to 2 AM Tuesday through Saturday each week.

This email was forwarded to me today.  Oakland Councilmember Jane Brunner is encouraging Oaklanders to email Major League Baseball to keep the A's in Oakland:   Dear A’s Fans - As you are well aware the Oakland A’s have pulled their proposal to build a stadium in Fremont.  At this time they are trying to convince Major League Baseball to let them build their stadium in San Jose.  In order to move to San Jose, I understand the Giants have to agree and/or Major League Baseball has to say yes over the Giants objection. I am still very committed to trying to keep the A’s in Oakland.  I have talked to Lew Wolff who still says he is not interested in Oakland. I think it is time for us to make it clear to Major League Baseball that the Oakland A’s belong in Oakland.  The Mayor, Ron Dellums and I wrote a letter to the League clearly stating our desire to have the team stay in Oakland and outlining that the City of Oakland would like to meet with the League an...

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom came to Oakland to give a town hall meeting on his plans for California as governor. The meeting went well, but it was interrupted by protestors from the Bayview Neighborhood.

More at Inside Bay Area : “OAKLAND — The family of Jerry Amaro III, who died a month after suffering broken ribs from an alleged police beating in 2000, filed a $10 million civil-rights lawsuit against the city in federal court Tuesday. The lawsuit follows revelations last month that the FBI is conducting an investigation of the incident, including the role played by then-Lt. Edward Poulson, who was later promoted to captain and became head of the department's Internal Affairs Division in 2008. Poulson was placed on paid leave Jan. 22. Attorneys John Burris and Jim Chanin said Amaro was the victim of excessive police force, but also said that a number of officers conspired to cover up the facts surrounding his death, and to conceal information from Amaro's family and the public.”