Oakland Focus News | Oakland News Online Blog

More at Inside Bay Area : “OAKLAND — In the wake of the shooting deaths of four police officers, African-American leaders from around the city gathered Wednesday morning for a closed-door meeting to discuss issues facing the black community. They said the killing by Lovelle Mixon, a 26-year-old fugitive parolee, was the tipping point for black clergy, civic leaders and police to air their concerns and create an action plan to address youth violence. The slayings also provide a lens to look more closely at existing rehabilitation and re-entry programs for ex-offenders and parolees, they said. "We are saddened and in shock," said Raymond Lankford, a pastor and founder of Healthy Oakland, a community organization that promotes nonviolence. "Words can't express what we feel."”

In the wake of the Oakland Police Shooting, the Sister of Lovelle Mixon was arrested for a drug charge posted in 2008. Apparently from the Channel 7 report, the Oakland Police are working to determine what the family knew about Mixon's weapons possession. My guess is not much and they're probably just as much in shock over the whole matter as the rest of Oakland. Now, they're going to be judged in a way that's really unfair and I hope they over come this. What's happening is that truth and fairness could give way to anger: by the Oakland Police and by a small group of Oaklanders who have some really screwed up views of the police. More on that soon.

Councilmember Nancy Nadel is hosting a town hall meeting on the stimulus package tonight at 7 PM at The Oakland City Hall Chambers at 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, third floor. For more information, please contact Carletta Starks, 510-238-7032

From CCTimes: A vigil was held in East Oakland on March 24 for the four Oakland police officers slain in the line of duty on March 2

From taiwanonline on YouTube - Bouquets of flowers from grieving residents piled up at a growing memorial in front of the Oakland police department after three officers were killed following a pair of Saturday shootouts. A fourth officer is in grave condition. (March 23)

On Wednesday March 18th I was a guest at a brand new Oakland restaurant called "Pican". The dream of its' founder Michael Le Blanc, it features "New Soul Food" in an elegant, high-end setting on 2295 Broadway near Grand. In the video I talk about the number of new eateries in Oakland and which ones can make it in a recession. I think all of them can survive if they market as a unit rather than separate from each other. Pican has the makings of a great restaurant that could become a classic. The opening I went to was a kind of Oakland coming-out party with those who are known and not-so-known coming to Michael Le Blanc's new place. The restaurant is next to Osumo and both are part of the Broadway / Grand structure, accross from Luka's retaurant. And in a few months a new bar will open just about 300 feet from the corner on Grand Avenue. What was once a sleepy, blighted and dangerous area has turned into something special.