Oakland Focus News | Oakland News Online Blog

A series of late-night restaurant robberies in Oakland, Calif., has caused one owner to lock the doors and screen customers. read more | digg story

This is a video of my just completed (as of this writing) trip to the CNN Roland Martin Show and the CNN iReporters, Kevin Negenberger, Maggie Dowling, and Katy Brown, I met.

The second full length trailer for W. gives us the best look at Oliver Stone's W. which takes viewers through Bush’s eventful life -- his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and his faith, and of course the critical days leading up to his decision to invade Iraq. read more | digg story

Quick question: How do you make one of the world's most stolen gadgets, well, more enticing? If we're talking about iPods, which we are, then you slap 24 and 18 karat white gold all over the newest models, and then send them out into the subways inside the pockets of the today's filthy rich. Of course, for a mere $644 for the Nano and $823 for the read more | digg story

Japan and Germany make cars. Saudi Arabia pumps oil. China supplies the world with socks and toys and flat-screen TVs. What does the United States produce? Lots of stuff, but in recent years this country's No. 1 export--by far--has been debt. read more | digg story

Joseph Stiglitz warns: a tax code that has become hideously biased in favor of the rich; a national debt increased 70 percent; a record $850 billion trade deficit; record oil prices; weak dollar. In addition, the US has not been educating enough engineers and scientists, nor investing in the kinds of basic research we need to lead in the 21st cent. read more | digg story

"That was the first time I've ever heard the parody on SNL actually use exactly what was said... It was a rough week for her." read more | digg story

Jason's butt ugly face has been revealed in these behind the scenes pictures of the upcoming unnecessary why are they wasting the money remake of Friday the 13th. read more | digg story

S.C. - Fort Mill Mayor Danny Funderburk says he was “just curious” when he forwarded a chain e-mail suggesting Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama is the biblical antichrist. Wow, this is what our government has sunk to. read more | digg story

You can catch this snail art car at the "How Berkeley Can You Be?" parade on October 13th. Click here to read the full story about an extraordinary vision brought to life.

By now, most of us have heard about the study that showed there to be traces of small amounts of drug medication in our water. Even though it has no threatening effect on us, imagine what kind of effects it has on the fish that live in these waters. Thanks to a crew of environmentalists they collected several pounds of drug medication from our Bay Area waters. Read the full story here.

In her 578 days as Governor of Alaska, she was only in Juneau, Alaska for 85 of them. read more | digg story

Credit to HariOak.com for this news: Lake Merritt lovers may have noticed that all the fountains have been turned off. Four of the motors have failed and are out of warranty. A replacement motor is broken. Three of the four fountains are owned by the La ke Merritt Institute , which is struggling to come up with the $7,000 it needs to replace the motors. Let's help! Please send donations, whether they are large or small, to the Lake Merritt Institute, 568 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610. The institute is a non- profit, 501C3 corporation, so donations are deductible to the extent of the law. Below is an excerpt of a letter that the Institute's Dr. Richard Bailey sent to the Adams Point Action Council, which is spearheading this fund drive. "Cheers: That is great! We could certainly use this kind of help. To answer your questions: "Funds for the aeration fountains should be sent to: The Lake Merritt Institute, 568 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610. We

Earlier this month, a group called  Communities for a Better Environment filed suit against Chevron's attempt to upgrade its Richmond Refinery because they claim the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was not well done, but judging by the comments of readers of SFGate, the SF Chronicle website, the timing of the lawsuit could not have been worse.   The problem: high gas prices.  The problem's turned what would normally be knee-jerk opponents into reasoned observers.   Take a look: norcalguy101 9/4/2008 10:02:56 PM Idiots. Recommend:     ( 13 ) ( 13 ) [Report Abuse] moose_activist 9/4/2008 10:06:16 PM What morons! We need to give Chevron a free pass to upgrade to lower gas a little more. We need to ship these enviornuts to China now! Recommend:     ( 23 ) ( 8 ) [Report Abuse] This comment was left by a user who has been blocked by an SFGate editor. annoying_gnat 9/4/2008 10:29:11 PM from the looks of the comments from the Humbolt area they could use some refinement. H

Look, this matter of a civil grand jury asking for travel expense data of Oakland elected officials is more -- one more -- element of gossip mongering that does not solve any problem. Why? Well, what's the benchmark of spending per person?  Hmmm?  How much is too much?  The grand jury does not  know.  But they will say "We know"  If so, show us the measures.  Otherwise this is a waste of time and money.

Terrible street design. , originally uploaded by sirgious . For all of the picts of the Cathedral of Christ exterior, here's one you're not going to see much of -- how it adresses the street. Yikes.  .

The skit accurately roasts McCain's willingness to sacrifice any shred of decency to win an election with his ridiculously specious attack ads.It evens throws in this likely McCain ad: "Barack Obama fathered TWO black children IN WEDLOCK." read more | digg story

Nicole Kidman trounces the competition in Forbes second annual ranking. read more | digg story

The Federal Reserve says it has granted a request by the country's last two major investment banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley—to change their status to bank holding companies. The change in status will allow them to create commercial banks that will be able to take deposits, bolstering the resources of both institutions. read more | digg story