Movement Ink shuts down this month. Meanwhile, the online directory Local Motiv is tracking business closures and hoping for the future of retail.
Author Archives: Azucena Rasilla
Azucena Rasilla is a bilingual journalist from East Oakland reporting in Spanish and in English, and a longtime reporter on Oakland arts, culture and community. As an independent local journalist, she has reported for KQED Arts, The Bold Italic, Zora and The San Francisco Chronicle. She was a writer and social media editor for the East Bay Express, helping readers navigate Oakland’s rich artistic and creative landscapes through a wide range of innovative digital approaches.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Traffic safety, housing, small businesses: District 5 residents talk election issues
Fruitvale residents say both voters and city officials need to become more engaged in solving new and old problems.
Posted inArts & Community
Tributes to Chadwick Boseman, an honorary Oaklander
2018’s Black Panther lifted up Oakland in so many ways. Countless local fans mourn Boseman’s passing.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland City Council candidates discuss issues in their districts, virtually
The Coliseum, housing, police budgets: in an online forum last night, incumbents defended their records and challengers laid out visions for change.
Posted inArts & Community
Street vending at Lake Merritt: race, space, and COVID-19
Black and brown vendors operating without permits say they need the lake, and the lake needs them. What should the city do?
Posted inArts & Community
Beloved Oakland DJs are struggling to make it work during the pandemic
With bars closed and parties prohibited, some Oakland DJs are turning to virtual events to keep the music going.
Posted inOaklandside
La tienda llamada Freedom Store provee alimentos y otras necesidades indispensables
La organización Homies Empowerment dirige una tienda gratuita para fomentar la autosuficiencia comunitaria.
Posted inArts & Community
East Oakland’s Freedom Store asks: ‘What does it mean to provide for ourselves?’
Homies Empowerment runs a free store in deep East Oakland to encourage community self-sufficiency.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland’s Sheila E. brings us a virtual concert in support of Black lives
The We Stand Together concert on Thursday, July 23 also features Stevie Wonder, Goapele, Michael Franti, George Lopez, and Mahershala Ali.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland’s Town Fridge is creating food access, one refrigerator at a time
Organizers say “scarcity is a myth,” and they’ve already set up four fridges of free food around the city. More are in the works.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Jamie Facciola is reimagining the future of furniture
The Furniturecycle Instagram is a hub to analyze consumerism and waste, and propose solutions to the climate crisis.
Posted inOaklandside
Children’s Fairyland planea reabrir de manera más segura y diversa
La reapertura del parque cerca de Lake Merritt que estaba planeada para mediados de julio se ha retrasado por un aumento en los casos del coronavirus, pero aún tiene grandes planes.
Posted inArts & Community
Children’s Fairyland plans to reopen safely—and with more diverse representation
The Lake Merritt theme park’s mid-July reopening has been delayed by a spike in coronavirus cases, but it still has big plans.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland Symphony musicians presents ‘This Land is Your Land’ for July 4th
After last month’s hit Zoom performance of ‘Lean on Me,’ the symphony was ready to play again.
Posted inArts & Community
The beloved Oakland Zoo might close for good
The park can’t reopen unless it’s deemed an “outdoor museum.” Longtime zoo fans shared their memories and photos with us.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Done with social distancing? Meet my Grandma Lupe
Your mask doesn’t just protect me. It protects the vulnerable people I love and care for.
Posted inArts & Community
A new drive-in theater for Oakland? Plans are rolling
In a few weeks, the Coliseum parking lot will host a drive-in venue for COVID-safe movie showings, religious services, and more.
Posted inArts & Community
Good reads for the protest movement, from famed Oakland librarian Dorothy Lazard
Most of Lazard’s recommendations are available as library e-books.
Posted inOaklandside
Cómo y dónde hacerse la prueba de COVID-19 en Oakland y que se puede esperar
Las órdenes de quedarse en casa se están levantando poco a poco. Sin embargo, Oakland sigue siendo una de las ciudades con más casos. Hacerse la prueba nunca ha sido más importante.
Posted inHealth & Environment
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