Oakland Focus News | Oakland News Online Blog

Alexandre Desplat is the Godzilla 2014 composer, and that was directly from a call this Zennie62 blogger made to Kraft-Engel, where Laura Engel is Mr. Desplat’s agent. The news that Mr. Desplat was going to score the next Godzilla movie came from a source on a message board called FSM Board, or Film Score Monthly. And that source was said to have been “Legendary Pictures Online” – but there was no official word from Legendary Pictures. The details at Zennie62.com: Alexandre Desplat Is Godzilla 2014 Composer, Says His Agent At Kraft-Engel - http://www.zennie62blog.com/2013/08/30/alexandre-desplat-is-godzilla-2014-composer-says-his-agent-at-kraft-engel-72513/

The City Of Oakland’s in huge trouble, to the tune of $170 million, unless it can successfully challenge John Chiang, The State Of California Controller’s claim that it failed to transfer $170 million to a specifically designated “successor agency”, as part of the elimination of the Oakland Redevelopment Agency in 2011. More at Zennie62.com: Oakland’s $170 Million Redevelopment Budget Controversy Makes CAO Look Bad - http://www.zennie62blog.com/2013/08/23/oaklands-170-million-redevelopment-budget-controversy-makes-cao-look-bad-36750/

Tony Earley, the PG&E Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who’s name could be the start of a hip-hop song that goes “Tony Earley. Tony Earley. Tony Earley” is totally wrong when he says that the San Bruno CPUC Penalty for the damage caused by the San Bruno Fire would require PG&E shareholders to sell billions in additional stock and, if shares failed to sell, could land PG&E in bankruptcy. Tony Earley told that to Bloomberg News on Tuesday, and it seems they bought it hook-line-and-sinker. More at Zennie62.com: Tony Earley: PG&E CEO Wrong; San Bruno Fire CPUC Penalty Will Not Bankruptcy Utility - http://www.zennie62blog.com/2013/08/22/tony-earley-pg-san-bruno-fire-cpuc-penalty-will-not-bankruptcy-utility-87310/

Peaches Headlines 40th Castro Street Fair SF: The minders of the famous San Francisco Castro Street Fair passed along the exciting news that Peaches, the Canadian electronic musician who provided guest vocals on Pink's album Try This , will be the headliner for the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the great event, October 6th. More at Zennie62.com: Castro Street Fair SF: Peaches Is Headliner For 40th Anniversary Celebration - http://www.zennie62blog.com/2013/08/21/castro-street-fair-sf-peaches-is-headliner-for-40th-anniversary-celebration-95191/

Disco Volante Oakland is closing.   For some reason, that epic, kick-ass burger’s going to be a thing of Oakland legend after today, Monday, August 19th. About 16 hours ago, this was posted on the Disco Volante Facebook Page: We are sad to say that Disco Volante will be closed for business for good starting Tue morning. That being said we are having a blow out Monday night! Everything on the shelf will be $5, so come in and get your last hamburger, great stiff drinks and some good laughs. Thank you, thank you, for all the great times and support! This wasn’t planned. It was abrupt. The Disco Volante website noted a full list of scheduled events for the month of August – nothing about closing its doors. Disco Volante Oakland Closes Abruptly; Monday Last Day - http://www.zennie62blog.com/2013/08/19/disco-volante-oakland-closes-abruptly-monday-last-day-65413/

This was emailed to me today: We are asking for merchant and resident assistance in connection with an armed robbery that just occurred. At 12:41pm, Oakland Police Department dispatchers received a call reporting an armed robbery near the intersection of Euclid Ave and Van Buren Ave. Officers arrived on-scene at 12:47pm and began searching for the suspect who reportedly stole a victim's purse and cell phone at gun point. The suspect is described as a male Black, approximately 20-years-old, 5'11'', 160lbs, wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans. The suspect reportedly ran to Bellevue and toward Palm following the offense. Area 2 officers are focused on the prevention and investigation of robberies in this area and others due to recent crime trends. We ask that persons who have access to video surveillance cameras near or in the area report any potential leads or tips to the Oakland Police Department. Anonymous tips may also be submitted. Contact Inform...

In an op-ed appearing in the Bay Area News Group, State Assemblymembers Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), and Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) addressed BART negotiations, calling for good-faith bargaining in order to reach a solution before the Sunday night deadline. The East Bay legislators highlighted workplace safety issues, missed revenue opportunities and the bargaining tactics of BART’s lead negotiator Thomas Hock. “Before the two sides lock heads again, it’s time for the Board to ask pointed questions about BART’s negotiating tactics, how it values safety and the potential for new revenue opportunities. Respect for the Bay Area working families who keep the trains running and get riders where they need to go needs to underpin these negotiations. Meanwhile, we in the State Assembly have asked the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to investigate BART’s financial status. It’s time for the numbers to come out, so that we can ensure that taxpayer dollars are being p...

BART, the Bay Area Rapid Transit District, held a march in Oakland, and prior to their Thursday night negotiations and planned strike on Sunday.  As the average BART worker makes over $80,000,  it's hard for this blogger to get behind their reasons for wanting to shut down the system.  There are people in Oakland who would kill for those jobs, and some would argue that happens.  Here's the march that was held, courtesy of a KRON video: Stay tuned.