A lot of Oakland, Ca. news, so let's get to it. (Oh, and that's Oakland, California, for international readers who may not know.)
First, this blogger was a late attendee at a party thrown by "Men of The East Bay" for Emerge California. The idea was created by AC Transit Board Member Joel Young as a way to welcome Emerge California (the non-profit organization that mentors women who want to enter local politics) after its move from San Francisco to Oakland.
Held at Hibiscus Restaurant at 17th and San Pablo in downtown Oakland Thursday night, the event (which costs $20 for attendees) was well-attended and well-received by all.
That Young, who has been fighting a domestic violence accusation, produced the event for women raised more than a few eyebrows. But the good news is everyone was supportive of Young's effort, even his rival candidates for the 18th Assembly District seat, Kathy Neal and Able Guillen, who were in attendance.
The only bit of grousing was about the list of people on the board of the loosely formed group to welcome Emerge California - it was all male. No women.
While Young was the organizer, and has his previously mentioned problem, the good news is that the folks at the event, even his challengers, want to see Joel overcome it. They like Joel Young, and have said that the only issue is how Young himself is handling the accusation. This corner has nothing against Joel Young, and that's true for many in Oakland. But Young must stop acting with the occasional anger and focus on greeting everyone with a handshake and a smile. If Young does this on a consistent basis, the World will come to him - it seems to want to.
Does that mean Young will win the 18th District Assembly seat? No. But the fact he's elected (excuse the pun) to remain in the race gives him a fighting chance.
Still, he's got to deal with these two:
Now, as a note, both Kahty and Able are friends, so I'm not going to make a Tout that doesn't support them, even though they're rivals for the seat. That's wrong in my book.
The Oakland Curfew
Second, there's more than a little talk and movement toward an Oakland curfew for teenagers. The proposal comes in the wake of the death of 3-year-old Carlos Nava, who was struck by a stray bullet a few months ago. This blogger is not in favor of a curfew.
The real problem is the lack of "effective" community in Oakland. The problem is best demonstrated by the fact that people don't look up and say "hello" to each other as they pass by. By not doing that, people don't get to know their neighbors here. They don't "connect" with the folks who live across from them. In this way, we know who's doing what, and don't make the mistake of pointing the finger at the wrong person. We also know who's parents to call when Johnny or Jill is acting up.
That - making community in Oakland - is the best deterrent to this problem, not a curfew.
Raiders Vs. Patriots
The New England Patriots, led by Tom Brady, come to town Sunday to take on the Oakland Raiders in an important AFC battle within the NFL. It marks the second straight sellout at the Oakland Coliseum (er O.co Coliseum) behind the NY Jets win, and mean that this Oakland / Bay Area economy is turning around. (Now if we can just build a new stadium for the Raiders.)
Aside from that, the Raiders will win 24 - 21.
See you there.
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