Oakland Focus News | Oakland News Online Blog

The race for the California 18th District Assembly Seat currently held by the termed-out Sandre Swanson recently lost a candidate that this blogger thought had a chance because she was the only woman: Kathy Neal. The reason for Neal's departure, according to my sources, was simply that Neal didn't think she could win. "It was not enough support and not enough money," my source said. "She didn't want to just be in the race; she wanted to win it. After the poll, she didn't see a reason to stay in." The head of Kneal Resource System, former Port of Oakland Commissioner, and former wife of former Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris (Neal was married to Elihu when I was his economic adviser), Kathy was not only behind Rob Bonta ($161,883), Joel Young ($154,078), and Abel Guillen ($118,584) in contributions, but had came up third in one poll behind only Guillen, with Bonta, the Democratic Alameda councilman, out in front. Neal's departure makes the pos

The State Of California has just issued its Final Environmental Impact Report for the 173-acre vineyard owned by Artesa Winery in the Sonoma County town of Annapolis, Calif. Artesa Winery is wholly owned by the Codorniu Group, a family-owned company based in the Penedes region of Spain since the 16th Century. Ironically and sadly, a small and rather controversial group, "The Friends of Gualala River", is taking an anti-immigrant, anti-Spanish stand against the vineyard, even though Artesa and Codorniu Group, based in Spain, have gone out of their way to preserve and protect the entire property. In the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Chris Poehlmann, president of The Friends of Gualala River, which opposes the project, based his criticism on the Spanish origins of the small, family owned Codorniu, saying "This is a foreign corporation coming into the coastal forests of California wanting to cut down our forests for their corporate gain." Something not true at all

Kathy Neal has announced that she is now formerly the candidate for the 18th District California Assembly Seat, which represents a good portion of Oakland, California. Here's the letter Ms. Neal issued just moments ago: 18th Assembly District race. As the only woman in a field of three known candidates, she entered the race much later than her opposition yet garnered considerable traction. “I am proud of the progress we made in such a short period of time and greatly appreciate the help, partnerships, and backing that emerged from a widely diverse base of support. While I will not be an active participant in the race at this time, I will continue to be involved in state and local politics, because I am committed to improving the lives of those in our community, especially for those among us who are less fortunate or disenfranchised,” Neal said. Neal, who currently serves as the 16th AD Vice Chair of the Alameda County Democratic Party, has previously worked beyond the

[caption id="attachment_15600" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Rick Bolander"] [/caption]Last year, this blogger blogged about Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist and Oakland Restaurant lover Rick Bolander, and his company called Kajeet. Now, since few still have heard of the firm with that funny name, Kajeet, here's the info from last year . If you’re a parent who’s wondered how to virtually corral the chance that your kids will use their cell phone for something called “sexting,” you’ve probably pounded your head in frustration. Well, there’s an answer: Kajeet, a cell phone service “for kids” located in Maryland, but funded by Silicon Valley investor Rick Bolander, who serves as managing partner. Bolander brought his experience in “working with digital content providers and service providers” to bear in his role in helping to form Kajeet. Why do I mention Rick Bolander first and before its CEO? Because under his direction, Kaje

I just ran 5 miles to raise funds for cancer research. My question: is any one else up yet??

First team run of the season. Up b 4 the sun to run! And so it begins ... 4 the next 6 mos! :)