These Oakland volunteer efforts and nonprofits want you to know they’re still accepting in-kind or cash donations for winter efforts.
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.
Posted inBusiness
At Cozy Wok, a father and son duo is serving up vegetarian Chinese takeout
Keguang Zhao never imagined his son Dan would be in the food business like him. Now the two are running a restaurant together in East Oakland.
Posted inBusiness
Family bonds are at the heart of Cambodian Street Food
With the help of her sisters and other family members, Malinda Bun is serving up traditional Cambodian street delicacies to hungry Oaklanders.
Posted inBusiness
Small business COVID relief grants are still available. But will they be enough?
Alameda County is accepting applications for its latest round of CARES Act small business grants. But some struggling Oakland business owners fear they may still be forced to close.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
What is Treva Reid’s vision for deep East Oakland?
District 7’s councilmember-elect will be taking over the seat held by her father for 24 years—but says she’ll bring her own approach to leading.
Posted inBusiness
What does it take to run a pop-up? Oakland food entrepreneurs share lessons and tips
Pop-ups are offering some chefs a unique opportunity to launch businesses during the pandemic.
Posted inBusiness
Are you a small business tenant in Oakland? Here’s how to get free legal advice
The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights is offering free advice in November and December to small biz owners impacted by the pandemic.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Measure RR: Removing the fine limit for illegal dumping and blight
This Oakland ballot measure would allow the city to set higher fines for code violations like illegal dumping. Watch our explainer video to learn more.
Posted inOaklandside
Se abre el camino para el puesto de concejal en el Distrito 7 de Oakland
Con la jubilación del concejal Larry Reid, cinco candidatos esperan convertirse en el próximo representante.
Posted inBusiness
Temescal’s Telegraph Avenue businesses invite you to a big outdoor picnic on Sunday
The Temescal retail district is encouraging shoppers and diners to return starting Oct. 25 with a series of ‘Flex Streets’ events.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland youth organizers say Prop. 20 would harm their communities
If approved by voters, the state law would allow prosecutors to charge more nonviolent crimes as felonies. Critics say it will grow California prisons.
Posted inBusiness
Will Alameda County make it easier for Oakland’s home cooks and pop-ups to legally sell food?
Thanks to COVID, more Oaklanders are interested in food entrepreneurship. A state law already makes it easier—Alameda County just hasn’t adopted it yet.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
A wide open race for Oakland’s District 7 City Council seat
With longtime councilmember Larry Reid retiring, five candidates hope to become deep East Oakland’s next representative.
Posted inBusiness
Bissap Baobab reopens as a women-led collective
Five women entrepreneurs are breathing new life into Oakland’s only Senegalese restaurant.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Land, development, and safety: District 7 residents discuss East Oakland’s opportunities
We asked deep East Oakland residents about the significance of this year’s City Council election.
Posted inBusiness
Beyond business: Oakland’s LGBTQ establishments offer community
For decades, these bars and shops have been support networks, too. The pandemic brings new challenges.
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 inBusiness
How Uptown and downtown Oakland bars are surviving the pandemic
We spoke with four nightclub and bar owners about their strategies for safely serving up drinks and food and fun.
Posted inBusiness
A new streetfest aims to safely draw diners and shoppers back to Chinatown
The weekly outdoor event could help struggling businesses stay afloat during the pandemic.
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?