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

Ricky Rodas headshot

Author Archives: Ricky Rodas

Ricky Rodas is a member of the 2020 graduating class of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Before joining The Oaklandside, he spent two years reporting on immigrant communities in the Bay Area as a reporter for the local news sites Oakland North, Mission Local, and Richmond Confidential. Rodas, who is Salvadoran American and bilingual, is on The Oaklandside team through a partnership with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities.

ricky@oaklandside.org
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Posted inArts & Community

Here are two Oakland fundraisers for Puerto Rico hurricane relief

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas Sept. 30, 2022, 10:14 a.m.Sept. 30, 2022, 10:14 a.m.

An Oakland-based Puerto Rican restaurant and a Bay Area DJ collective are raising money for Puerto Rican residents still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona.

Posted inOaklandside

Oakland wants a WNBA team

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas Sept. 21, 2022, 9:00 a.m.Sept. 21, 2022, 9:12 a.m.

The women’s basketball league is expanding. The Oakland City Council officially called on the league to give The Town a team.

Posted inHealth & Environment

Umoja Health Fair returns to Oakland

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas Sept. 20, 2022, 9:26 a.m.Sept. 20, 2022, 9:27 a.m.

The nonprofit will be providing on-site health screenings, vaccinations, and health care information for underserved communities.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Election 2022: D6 residents love their neighborhoods but say there’s much to fix

Ricky Rodas headshot by Lauren Richardson and Ricky Rodas Sept. 16, 2022, 3:23 p.m.Oct. 14, 2022, 2:13 p.m.

Voters in the sprawling East Oakland district will be choosing a new City Council member this November.

Posted inBusiness

For Temescal’s only tailor, craft is culture

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas Sept. 15, 2022, 4:30 p.m.Sept. 15, 2022, 5:17 p.m.

Bolivian-born Gabriel Escobar’s father, mother, and grandfather were expert tailors. He continues their legacy in his North Oakland shop.

Posted inHealth & Environment

‘It’s the worst I’ve seen’: Lake Merritt dead fish clean-up continues ahead of heat wave

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas Sept. 1, 2022, 4:15 p.m.Sept. 1, 2022, 3:37 p.m.

Crews have removed over 1,200 pounds of dead fish from the lake, which has been hard-hit by a massive algae bloom.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

‘With resources comes change’: Oakland families call for more action on gun violence

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas Aug. 31, 2022, 4:52 p.m.Aug. 31, 2022, 5:30 p.m.

Organizers said they want to prevent locals from becoming desensitized to violence and for everyone to take action.

Posted inBusiness

Owners of Rent-A-Relic, North Oakland’s quirky car rental agency, reflect on 30 years of business

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas Aug. 26, 2022, 9:23 a.m.Aug. 26, 2022, 9:48 a.m.

With its iconic dinosaur mascot and niche market, the Temescal company has managed to outlast giant national competitors.

Posted inBusiness

A Black and woman-owned screen printing shop opens in East Oakland

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas Aug. 19, 2022, 4:15 p.m.Aug. 19, 2022, 4:16 p.m.

Rita Forte used to DJ in Oakland’s Hyphy scene. The East Oakland native now owns Olive Street Agency, a graphic design business.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Election 2022: Who’s running for Oakland City Council District 6?

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas Aug. 19, 2022, 12:30 p.m.Oct. 17, 2022, 8:03 a.m.

4 candidates want to represent the East Oakland district, which includes the Coliseum, Mills College, Eastmont, and the hills.

pedestrians walking down the sidewalk in the Fruitvale District
Posted inBusiness

How are Oakland’s Latino businesses doing?

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas Aug. 10, 2022, 11:59 a.m.Aug. 10, 2022, 12:01 p.m.

Fruitvale is bustling, but Latino businesses still need help, says the president of the Oakland Latino Chamber of Commerce.

Posted inArts & Community

Oakland rapper Bryce Savoy pays homage to his late grandmother in new music video

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas Aug. 8, 2022, 4:29 p.m.Aug. 8, 2022, 5:58 p.m.

The visuals for the song “Granny Said” depict his admiration for his grandmother Isabelle Payne-Brown, who passed away this year.

Posted inBusiness

A Sri Lankan chef says goodbye to her longtime Oakland cafe

Avatar photoRicky Rodas headshot by Amir Aziz and Ricky Rodas Aug. 3, 2022, 3:04 p.m.Aug. 3, 2022, 3:29 p.m.

Chef Anula Edirisinghe said she’s closing her downtown Oakland restaurant due to rising rent and slow foot traffic in downtown.

Patrons enjoying the The Hatch's flex street.
Posted inBusiness

Parklets: Oakland seeks public input

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas July 27, 2022, 1:20 p.m.July 27, 2022, 1:22 p.m.

The city wants feedback on its rules for when, where, and how businesses can convert parking into outdoor amenities.

Posted inBusiness

A North Oakland game shop builds community through a love of playing

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas July 26, 2022, 10:04 a.m.July 27, 2022, 10:19 a.m.

It’s Your Move Games thrives by hosting game nights and summer camps.

Posted inArts & Community

As a brutal civil war rages, Ethiopians in Oakland ask why the world isn’t tuning in

Jacob Simas headshotRicky Rodas headshot by Jacob Simas and Ricky Rodas July 22, 2022, 10:58 a.m.Aug. 2, 2022, 11:32 a.m.

With the world’s eyes on Ukraine, Bay Area Tigrayans, Amharas, and other Ethiopians are fighting to be heard.

Posted inBusiness

Independent truck drivers protest “gig worker law” AB5 at Port of Oakland

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas July 19, 2022, 1:28 p.m.July 20, 2022, 2:38 p.m.

The state labor law aims to give contract workers more benefits and protections, but some drivers say “no thanks.”

Posted inArts & Community

Highland Hospital needs your help naming its resident red-tailed hawks

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas July 18, 2022, 1:21 p.m.July 18, 2022, 1:37 p.m.

The giant birds have delighted staff and patients with their presence, and now the hospital wants your help naming its feathered celebrities.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

National Night Out returns to Oakland this year with an emphasis on reimagining public safety

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas July 11, 2022, 12:00 p.m.July 11, 2022, 1:54 p.m.

The city’s Neighborhood Services Division hopes to organize with residents skeptical of the police-centric block party.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

‘Emerald New Deal’ cannabis tax ballot measure faces skepticism

Ricky Rodas headshot by Ricky Rodas July 6, 2022, 1:30 p.m.July 15, 2022, 12:14 p.m.

The Oakland City Council postponed a final decision on the proposed measure following a debate about its merits.

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