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This is from today's Oakland Tribune. This person is still at large. Robber kills restaurant employee Laos native slain on last day managing Bangkok Palace in Oakland By Harry Harris, STAFF WRITER - OAKLAND TRIBUNE OAKLAND — Monday was supposed to be Sonethavy Phomsouvanhdara's last day managing a Grand Lake district restaurant owned by family friends. It turned out to be his last day alive. Phomsouvanhdara, 29, who hoped to own his restaurant someday and was picking up the needed experience, died Tuesday morning from a gunshot wound he received during a robbery at Bangkok Palace, 3300 Grand Ave. Police said Phomsouvanhdara had managed the restaurant almost since it opened about a year ago. He and a few other employees were in the process of closing just before 10 p.m. Mon- day when a robber appeared. Police Sgt. Lou Cruz said a man with a gun entered the restaurant through a back door, confronted Phomsouvanhdara and the others and demanded money. The robber shot Phomsouvanhdar

A visit to "Radio" on 13th Street, near Broadway was the scene of my latest information on a rumored new establishment to be located where the once-popular "Fifth Amendment" raged on weekend nights. The new establishment, to be owned by a combination of one of the current owners of Radio and others, is to be called "Easy." It's set to open on the second week of June. The new place is named after "The Big Easy" and because the lead owner hails from New Orleans. "It's totally different," I'm informed by Radio's DJ. "The drop-ceiling is gone and there's going to be a totally open atmostphere. You won't know the place. There's going to be way more space. There will be over-stuffed couches and in general a nicer atmostphere." Well, stay tuned. It's hard to replace a legend, but they seem to want to try. It's not easy. But rather than replace "The Fifth" I think they're reall

I just returned from a trip to The Alley, on 3325 Grand Avenue, where I learned of yet another murder. This one just accross the street and at the famed Bangkok Palace Restaurant on 3300 Grand Avenue. Paul, one of my friends who plays a gig Tuesday through Wednesday night's at The Alley told me about it. "They thought it was a robbery, but now, no one's for sure," he said. "Police have been crossing by since last night." It's still a mystery why a crime of that magnitude would take place at -- of all places -- there. But it seems like in the Oakland of 2006, the reach of criminal activity is longer and broader than ever before. Stay tuned. And stay alert.

Brenda's right -- spot on here. Oakland's City Council has always had to deal with crime, but when crime problems are brought to them by white and / or well-moneyed Oaklanders, only then is it a state of emergency. But that written, I fit somewhere on the fringe of that, so as far as I'm concerned, there is a state of emergency. Too much crime in my hood. Plus, the whole "Beach Chalet" matter smells bad, in my view. Race has a hand in Oakland concerns Brenda Payton - Oakland Tribune RACE is the subtext of a number of issues in Oakland, unspoken yet unmistakable. Every now and then, the curtain falls, and there it is right in our faces. Some weeks ago a group of Oaklanders showed up at City Hall to protest an increase in crime in the city and inadequate police response. It wasn't the first time residents have come to City Hall to complain about crime. The racial composition of the group may have been a first in recent times. As depicted in a photograph of th

This information came from our Yahoo! Message Board and it's well worth reporting. It seems that there's a lot of criminal or just plain annoying activity of late, and to counter all the fun things to do around here. This came from concerned residents. All of these incidents occured last Friday: 1) Last night at 4 a.m., at the corner of Bellevue and Van Buren, the black Acura-styled 2-door that was in the neighborhood a couple of weeks ago returned to again spin numerous doughnuts in the intersection. It has no license plate on back, and there are large white numerals on the right-front windshield. I'm pretty sure the numbers are "211." We called the non-emergency line, where someone picked up right away. When that car was last identified here in Adams Point, it seemed to match the description of a car that had been seen elsewhere in conjunction with other crimes. And even if it's not the same car, it's been through our area at least twice now, bringing

The only thing the Oakland Tribune seems really good at covering are the police blotters and sports. Here's the police end. It's clear something must be done about this...like better jobs opportunities for parents and better schools and more community centers. Simple solutions. Sex biz sees troubling teen trend Conference will address local exploitation and trafficking issues By Harry Harris, STAFF WRITER, OAKLAND TRIBUNE, TUESDAY APRIL 25th OAKLAND — In a sting operation last week, Oakland police arrested more than a dozen prostitutes, including one who was just 15. In similar enforcement efforts, those arrested have been even younger. In what has become a disturbing trend in Alameda County and other areas, the number of underage prostitutes — or sexually exploited minors, as law enforcement officials call them — is growing, while the girls themselves are getting younger, authorities say. "It's been a terrible problem for five or six years, and it's getting wors

Jerry Brown outpolls his Attorney General challenger Rocky Dellgadillo in the latest Field Poll. But there's a catch for both candidates: their negative responses are close to their positives in each result. 45 percent of those asked had a positive view of Mayor Brown where's 38 percent expressed negatives. "Rocky" wasn't in better shape: 18 percent expressed negative views, over 16 percent positive views. But the wild card is few know Rocky's name or backround. It's Brown's race to lose.

This appeared in SF Bay View online and was written by local contractor Joe Debro. Jerry Brown's Uptown plantation by Joe Debro - I examined all of the legal documents produced by the City of Oakland for the Forest City project. Contrary to the impression that Jerry Brown took the lead, this project was initiated under a Black mayor, Mayor Elihu Harris. Regardless of that fact, Jerry Brown elevated this project to a much higher level of developer greed. The mayor probably got paid. His payment was probably much like the $50,000 he was paid by Zhone Technology after selling them Oakland land for $1.5 million below market. Forest City is not required, by contract, with sanctions, to provide any community benefits. The City of Oakland leased them all of the land at below market prices. The City of Oakland provided all the financing for this project. The City of Oakland used eminent domain to take some of the property from two business owners and give it to these private developers. T

After attending the Mayor's Debate and meeting a friend in SF, I visited one of my favorite Oakland places Cafe Van Kleef last night, and seemed to wander into a rather sticky matter. Peter Van Kleef -- the energetic owner of the bar and music place -- had sat down with me to have a cocktail just after calming his wife. It seems they just saw the East Bay Express news, and it was posted in large print at the front entrance of the establishment. I hope they can work out something. Peter's got a great place and has worked hard to make it a fun venue. If you have a chance, pay a visit to 1621 Telegraph in Downtown Oakland. Here it is: The Party's Over? "Saloon guy" Peter Van Kleef fights for his bar's survival, while "lifelong Democrat" Bill McCammon fights to prove his partisan bona fides. By Will Harper Article Published Apr 19, 2006 Justin Page Take Out: Celeb Cachet — Jerry vs. Rocky Details Who / What: Peter Van Kleef Bill McCammon Peter Van Kl

I learned that the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce is having a mixer today at 6 PM at the Community Bank of The Bay, 1750 Broadway, downtown Oakland. Here's the board of directors: Oakland African-American Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Bishop Bob Jackson, Chairman Victoria Jones, Vice Chairman Merlin Edwards, Secretary Ralph Grant, Treasurer Ray Carlisle Board Members: C. Diane Howell, PhD Frank Tucker Carita Shanklin Walker Dr. Geoffrey Watson Harold Jones George Holland Robert C. Bobb, President Kelvin McCaskle, Executive Director

The "Oakland" Tribune's without Peggy Stinnett and Brenda Payton. The website reads, "no current entries." The paper itself is less than a blog; it's a collection of AP reports and stuff I can get on the police blotter. Only it's sports section has any sign of life. Other than that, it's a zombie paper. It wasn't always this way. When I was columnist for The Montclarion from 1993 to 1996, we had a friendly war with the Oakland Tribune to cover the Big People and The Big Stories. Today, the combination of The Internet and high newsprint costs have clobbered and hammered the size of news staffs such that what was once is no more. Oakland's now without any newspaper that covers what's really going on, leaving the politicians to do either good -- or ill -- without a watching eye. The only blog on cyberspace that comes close to filling this gap is the one you're reading and for a host of reasons that are hard to top and part of th

Oakland teachers, district reach deal STRIKE IS CANCELED, BUT STUDENTS ARE STILL GIVEN THE DAY OFF By Kimberly S. Wetzel Knight Ridder A one-day Oakland teachers strike set for today has been called off after teachers and district officials announced a tentative contract agreement ending two years of labor unrest. The president of the teachers union, Ben Visnick, told KRON-TV on Wednesday night that today will remain a day off for students, but that teachers could come to school, with pay, for voluntary staff development exercises. He also said an afternoon rally for teachers was planned at an Oakland park. Among the sticking points finally resolved Wednesday night was a dispute over health care. In back-to-back news conferences Wednesday, the union and district had said significant progress was made during marathon talks that started Tuesday night and continued through late Wednesday. But both sides had braced for the worst, as the union announced it was moving forward with strike pla

M. Joe Hunt wrote this interesting blog, which I've reprinted and linked to here. He also writes that De La Fuente suffers from AGS: Al Gore Syndrome! "“The enemy of your enemy is not always your friend” -unknown Having sat in the front row for many of the recent Oakland Mayoral Debates and Forums, I have begun to notice something in one of the candidates that has me very concerned for both his current campaign and the duration of his political career. While I concede that I am no doctor, I do fancy myself as a keen observer of body language, social mannerisms, verbal tendencies, and a little something people in the business refer to as “vibes”. And now having spent the last few months observing each one, listening as they each take turn after repetitive turn explaining how they see best fit to turn Oakland around I am convinced that Ignacio De La Fuente has become stricken with a condition I refer to as Al Gore Syndrome. Is it politically deadly? No. Is it potentially debili

What's this man really afraid of? I wonder.

I just checked SBS' Oakland Focus stats and noticed that our old friends at the Oakland Mayor's office are back and in a big way! 10 page views from one visitor, and going through all of the Oakland Focus archives! Thanks for the traffic. We'll keep writing and I'm sure you'll keep giving us stuff to write about!

Airport concession workers score 'living wage' Vote guarantees $9.90 an hour beginning in May 2008 By Paul T. Rosynsky, STAFF WRITER OAKLAND — With few exceptions, all employees working concessions at Oakland International Airport's expanded terminal will be paid a "living wage" in two years, the Port Commission decided Tuesday. The vote closes a loophole that exempted companies from the living-wage law if they had 20 or fewer employees. It guarantees a minimum wage of $9.90 an hour for employees with health benefits and $11.39 an hour for those without. The action came as the port seeks a new company to build and operate concessions inits two existing terminals and its Terminal 2 expansion, expected to open later this year. Advocates of the law were concerned the new company would subcontract its concessions to smaller businesses to circumvent living-wage requirements. Port officials agreed that everyone working at the airport should get a fair wage. "We bel

I still think this is a case of two women who may have been a bit angry at everyone after getting tossed from the nightclub, and Jerry was right there at the wrong time. He should go to Cafe Van Cleef instead of 17. OAKLAND — District Attorney Tom Orloff said Tuesday he will not charge Mayor Jerry Brown with a crime after two women accused him of breaking a cell phone and making racist statements outside a downtown nightclub. Orloff said not enough evidence existed to bring charges in the matter, which stemmed from an incident early March 5 outside @17th, a popular club near Telegraph Avenue. Orloff's office investigated the alleged vandalism rather than the Oakland Police Department to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. "It's obvious that the mayor has been completely exonerated," said Gil Duran, the mayor's spokesman. "The charges were ridiculous from the start." Ayesha Wilson, the Manteca woman who leveled the charges against the mayor,

I saw that information in today's Oakland Tribune... Basketball star fatally shot near Oakland club High schooler likely in wrong place at wrong time; police still seeking killer By Kristin Bender and Harry Harris STAFF WRITERS - OAKLAND TRIBUNE OAKLAND -- A few years ago, Ronald Hall Jr. was living in a run-down East Oakland apartment without lights or power and without money or hope for the future. His mother was on the streets -- again -- living on heroin and welfare checks. She would return home from time to time to pull the state checks from the mailbox, but she was strung out and unable to care for her teenage son, a star basketball player, say those who knew him. Still, he stayed with her, fearful that she would be injured or killed -- by her own hand or by angry drug dealers. He stayed away from drugs himself. And he tried to avoid violence. But it found him early Monday morning when he was shot dead around the corner from a Jack London Square nightclub. His death -- the 42

I think Peggy's idea is the best way. Let the voters of Oakland make the choice! LET'S VOTE ON HUGE HOUSING PROJECT PEGGY STINNETT, Oakland Tribune March 23, 2006 ALTHOUGH the Oak to Ninth waterfront condo project has been around since 2003, when the port gave Signature Properties an option to buy the public property for $18 million, it's far too soon for the Oakland City Council to approve the controversial plan. Serious long-term financial questions remain unanswered. In fact, the questions have not even been asked by the council. Instead, the council seems hellbent on hasty approval of developer Michael Ghielmetti's proposal, which has grown to a $1.2 billion development. This deal could become one of the city's most devastating financial blunders since the days of Horace Carpentier, Oakland's first mayor. Remember Carpentier? He was the mayor who stole the waterfront from its rightful owners in a scam that took 60 years of litigation to untangle. It appears

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Jason Arnold 510.328.1350, cell 510.326.4353 jarnold@yoshis.com http://www.yoshis.com YOSHI'S WORLD CLASS JAZZ HOUSE & JAPANESE RESTAURANT ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & PUBLICITY JOAN ROSENBERG, FORMER MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR BILL GRAHAM PRESENTS, TO LEAD YOSHI'S THROUGH EXCITING GROWTH WITH NEW SAN FRANCISCO FILLMORE STREET VENUE INTERIM PUBLICIST JASON ARNOLD TO CONTINUE MANAGEMENT OF THEME PRODUCTIONS AND PR FOR MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL & OTHERS April 7, 2006; Oakland, CA; The coolest gig on the planet is officially off the market. Yoshi's World Class Jazz House and Japanese Restaurant is proud to announce that Joan Rosenberg, former Marketing Director for local concert promoter Bill Graham Presents (owned by Live Nation), has been appointed as Yoshi's new Director of Marketing & Publicity. Rosenberg will assume the duties of the position officially on April 17, 2006, ending a lengthy nationwide search and sev