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The Oaklandside

The Oaklandside

The Oaklandside. Journalism for Oakland.

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Special investigation: Is downtown Oakland working? | Oakland’s ‘best kept secret’ | The Rotary Nature Center's storied history

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall

Author Archives: Ayla Burnett

Ayla Burnett is a narrative writer and investigative reporter covering climate science, food and environmental justice in the Bay Area. She received her masters from UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism in May 2023, and was a UC Berkeley food justice reporting fellow at The Oaklandside/Nosh in the summer of 2023. Her stories have also been published in Berkeleyside, the Point Reyes Light, and more.

People gather outside Donkey and GOat winery in West Berkeley for a block party.
Posted inNosh Features

East Bay oenophiles come for the natural wine, stay for music and food trucks at monthly event

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett Oct. 23, 2023, 1:00 p.m.Oct. 23, 2023, 5:05 p.m.

The First Friday Gilman Wine Block Party in West Berkeley is drawing growing crowds with a welcoming attitude and community focus.

A variety of kouign amann flavors from Starter Bakwery sit on a white background.
Posted inNosh Guides

6 East Bay treats to please grown-up palates at Halloween

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett Oct. 20, 2023, 12:00 p.m.Oct. 24, 2023, 9:56 a.m.

Treat yo’ self with these decadent desserts, from Tcho’s hops-infused chocolate bar to Crumble & Whisk’s beet and berry cheeesecake.

A woman speaks to a group of people gathered around her.
Posted inNosh

‘Feeding people is revolutionary’: Oakland groups, restaurants serve meals to those who need them

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett Aug. 30, 2023, 12:57 p.m.Sept. 22, 2023, 10:54 a.m.

East Oakland Collective, Community Kitchens, and others pass out restaurant-cooked meals and more to Oakland’s food insecure in honor of local hip-hop legend Shock G.

A person standing in a government building in front of a panel of people.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Looking to get involved in Oakland? These city boards and commissions have openings

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett Aug. 25, 2023, 11:15 a.m.Sept. 8, 2023, 10:43 a.m.

Nearly 40 official city committees help make policy and serve as watchdogs, but they need volunteers.

A tray of sizzling hot dogs, onions and peppers with three men in the background.
Posted inNosh

What does the future hold for Oakland Coliseum hot dog vendors?

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett Aug. 23, 2023, 4:09 p.m.Sept. 8, 2023, 10:45 a.m.

Authorities are concerned for safety. Vendors say they’re just making a living by giving the people what they want—delicious dogs.

hands holding a psilocybin mushroom with a small heart carved on the cap.
Posted inArts & Community

Oakland’s psychedelic mushroom church applies for permit to keep operating

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett Aug. 21, 2023, 1:13 p.m.Sept. 8, 2023, 10:44 a.m.

Zide Door dropped a lawsuit against the city alleging religious discrimination, but the church’s founder says he’s prepared to go back to court if the permit is not approved.

A man in a white jacket standing in front of Oakland City Hall with a serious look on his face.
Posted inHealth & Environment

Oakland’s $7M in soda tax money isn’t being spent wisely, board says

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett Aug. 10, 2023, 4:26 p.m.Sept. 22, 2023, 10:56 a.m.

The Measure HH advisory board wants 60% of the sugary drink tax to go to community groups, but the mayor and council are using most of the money for city-run programs.

A long footbridge leading to the Oakland Coliseum. A few people walk along it on a sunny day before a A's baseball game.
Posted inNosh

Hot dog vendors face crackdown at Oakland Coliseum

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett Aug. 7, 2023, 3:12 p.m.Sept. 8, 2023, 10:44 a.m.

The purveyors of bacon-wrapped dogs topped with sizzling onions are loved by baseball fans, but not by the Coliseum’s governing board.

An African-American man in a black shirt in a garden surrounded by greenery.
Posted inNosh

Four farms in Oakland where food justice takes root

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett July 31, 2023, 3:19 p.m.Sept. 8, 2023, 10:44 a.m.

These small urban farms across the city are making fresh produce more accessible and teaching Oaklanders how to grow their own food.

Four bakery workers smiling outside the front door of a small building with a sign reading "Nick's Pizza" above the door.
Posted inNosh

Nick’s Pizza and Bakery is becoming a worker-owned collective

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett July 18, 2023, 10:12 a.m.Sept. 16, 2023, 7:17 a.m.

For the founder of Nick’s, an Arizmendi alumnus, spinning the shop off into a co-op was always in the back of his mind.

A man in a yellow safety vest points to fallen, dead trees along an old road in the Oakland hills.
Posted inHealth & Environment

Joaquin Miller Park is a tinderbox. Volunteers warn of danger

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett July 12, 2023, 1:00 p.m.Oct. 16, 2023, 5:02 p.m.

The Friends of Joaquin Miller Park group wants Oakland to trim invasive, dead, and hazardous trees to prevent a massive firestorm.

Posted inNosh

A man is charged with murdering Jen Angel. Her friends are still pushing for restorative justice

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett June 29, 2023, 2:58 p.m.Oct. 16, 2023, 5:01 p.m.

The Oakland baker’s close friends say she would want accountability and healing that doesn’t involve prison.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Major West Oakland housing development delayed again

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Ayla Burnett April 21, 2022, 9:26 a.m.Oct. 16, 2023, 5:04 p.m.

Community and environmental advocates still have concerns about the proposed 222-unit Golden West complex.

A computerized rendering of the Golden West development.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Major West Oakland housing development remains in limbo

Close up of woman with long fair hair standing against a drak gray wall by Semantha Norris and Ayla Burnett Dec. 13, 2021, 12:59 p.m.Oct. 16, 2023, 5:03 p.m.

The city must decide whether to move forward on the ‘Golden West’ project that would add over 200 housing units next to the BART station, or press pause to conduct an environmental review.

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