4th Annual We LOVE Old Oakland Mixer at Penelope :: March 30, 2011

 

Come out to mix & mingle with our Old Oakland community!

Penelope is hosting this year's event and will donate 10% of all food & drink purchases from 5-8pm on Wed March 30, 2011. All ages welcome.

Did you know that Penelope has yummy sandwiches and other tasty nibbles in addition to fabulous beverages, cocktails & beer? Come out for dinner & drinks while socializing with the awesome people that live and/or work or just love it here in Old Oakland!

Old Oakland Neighbors (OON) is a grassroots community group founded in 2006 comprised of residents and business owners. Join us along with folks who work & play in our neighborhood for this annual fundraiser for OON.

We live here.
We work here.
We LOVE it here!
http://OldOaklandNeighbors.org/

We LOVE Old Oakland Mixer

Wed, March 30, 2011
5pm - 8pm
Penelope

Corner 11th & Clay Streets
(next to It's a Grind Coffee)

Oakland, CA

RSVP and invite others on Facebook:
http://on.fb.me/OONPenelope

Old Oakland Neighbors' 4th Annual National Night Out Potluck Party :: Tuesday, August 3 from 6:30 - 8:30pm

This coming Tuesday is National Night Out, America's Night Out against crime. It's not too late to register a National Night Out this Tues 8/3 in your neighborhood. Go to the City of Oakland National Night Out website for more info here.

Join us in Old Oakland, see the Facebook event listing here.


See my interview on CBS 5 Early Edition News about NNO here

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The best crime prevention tool ever invented is a good neighbor...
So come meet and reconnect with your neighbors!

Old Oakland Neighbors (OON)
is pleased to host a National Night Out
...Block Party and Potluck at
Lafayette Square Park

Meet Your Neighbors * Share Food
Join in the Festivities

Play Horseshoes * Learn more about the self guided walking tour "Walking the Invisible City" with 10K Steps Oakland

What to Bring:
* Yourself, your family, and your neighbors *
*A food dish to share*
* Lawn chairs, if you have them *
* Your own plate and fork (environmental option only) *

Questions or to Volunteer to help with the event:
oonsocialevents@gmail.com

http://www.oldoaklandneighbors.org/
Founded in 2006, Old Oakland Neighbors is a volunteer-based community group comprised of folks who live and/or work in Old Oakland. We invite area residents, businesses, and Old Oakland neighbors to join our grassroots community group.

http://www2.oaklandnet.com/nno
National Night Out is the nation's night out against crime. Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, residents are encouraged to join with their neighbors to have a neighborhood block party to build neighborhood spirit and unity - which is the first defense against crime.

Old Oakland Neighbors 3rd Annual National Night Out 8/4/09

You are invited to come out to celebrate our community and view the BEFORE Jefferson Square Park is transformed into a new dog park for next year at OON's 3rd Annual National Night Out party TODAY!

I am very proud to have highlighted Old Oakland Neighbors as a community representative for National Night Out in an Oakland Trib article as well as appearing on the Univision Ch14 talk show in Spanish, Encuentro en la Bahía, that aired this past weekend.

Photo by Silvia San Miguel "View from Univision Studio SF 41st Floor"

This interview was really exciting to do. Silvia San Miguel and I along with Oakland Neighborhood Services Coordinator (NSC) Arlette Flores-Medina went to the SF Univision studio to tape our interview a couple of weeks ago. It aired this past weekend. Fortunately, I was able to find a friend to record the program and I will post it when I get it. We were given the questions ahead of time. So in the meantime, here are the questions and my answers in English y en Español. Muchas gracias to Silvia for translating for me and for appearing on the show. Silvia helped calm my nerves. I speak Spanglish so doing an entire interview with no editing and in one take completely in Español, well I needed some help. A chica needs a cheat sheet sometimes!

What is National Night Out?

It’s a celebration of community when neighbors get together to share social time and have fun. It's also a great time to interact with public service members including police, firefighters and park rangers so everyone including our children can build a friendly relationship and community spirit.

¿De que se trata la Noche Nacional de Oakland?

Es una celebración de la comunidad donde los vecinos se reúnen para socializar y divertirse. Es también una buena oportunidad para interactuar con los miembros del servicio publico, incluyendo la policía y bomberos, de esa manera todos, incluyendo los niños pueden crear una relación de amistad y un espíritu comunitario.

What has your experience been?

The grassroots community group in my area called Old Oakland Neighbors is organizing our 3rd annual National Night Out in one of our parks. It has given all neighbors including homeowners, apartment and condo dwellers as well as business owners the chance to get to know each other in a casual festive atmosphere. I look forward to planning the party every year.

¿Cuál ha sido su experiencia?

El grupo comunitario de mi area que se llama Vecinos del Viejo Oakland (Old Oakland Neighbors) esta organizando su tercera Noche Nacional en uno de nuestros parques. Le ha dado a todos los vecinos incluyendo a los propietarios de casas, apartamentos, condominios asi como dueños de negocios la oportunidad de conocerse en un ambiente casual y festivo.

Why is it important to organize a National Night Out?

It’s important for members of a community to know each other and be friendly. For neighbors to be comfortable with each other and secure that there are eyes and ears around watching out for everyone. When neighbors know each other, neighborhoods are safer.

¿Por qué es importante organizar una Noche Nacional?

Es importante que los miembros de la comunidad se conozcan y se pueda crear una amistad. Para que los vecinos se sientan bien unos con otros y tengan la seguridad de que todos se cuidan unos a otros. Cuando los vecinos se conocen entre si hay menos crimen.


What has the public response been in Old Oakland?

Old Oakland Neighbors typically has 100 adults and children attend. Everyone brings food to share including our local co-housing development’s weekly common meal to the event. Last year there were 400 National Night Out block parties in Oakland alone.

¿Cuál ha sido la respuesta de la gente?

Cerca de 100 adultos y niños del ‘Old Oakland’ se reúnen. Todos traen comida para compartir. El año pasado hubo 400 fiestas solo en Oakland.

When is National Night Out?

Nacional Night Out is always the first Tuesday of August.

¿Cuándo se llevara a cabo esta Noche Nacional este año?

Siempre es el primer martes de Agosto.

What do you need to do to have a party?

(Registration closed for 2009)
Register your party online at http://www.oaklandnet.com/nno2009.html, or contact Brenda Ivey with the Oakland Police Department at 238-3091. The deadline to register is 5:00 pm on Monday, July 27th. Register early to receive a visit from city staff.

¿Hay que inscribirse o algo?

Para registrar su fiesta de la Noche Nacional pueden ir a la pagina del internet http://www.oaklandnet.com/nno2009.html, o llamar a Brenda Ivey del Departamento de la Policia al 238-3091. La fecha limite para registrarse es el lunes 27 de julio. Si se registran temprano pueden recibir la visita del un funcionario de la Ciudad.

What do you need to do to organize a National Night Out?

Talk to your neighbors, agree on what everyone is bringing and send out invitations.

¿Qué hay que hacer para organizar una fiesta esa Noche Nacional?

Hable con sus vecinos, pongase deacuerdo en quien va a traer para comer, haga folletos para invitar a todos.



Additional event details for today's Old Oakland Neighbors National Night Out are above. I hope you can join us. This event is open to residents, business owners, folks who work in our neighborhood and anyone who loves Old Oakland.

Bring something tasty to share. Don't forget your chairs and blankets for seating. Raffle prizes from Washington Inn, It's a Grind, La Borinqueña and a treat basket from Madison Park Financial (the new owners of 901 Jefferson.) OON Logo T-shirts will also be available at the event. Make a $5 donation and get a free shirt! (limited sizes and quantities available)



Come out and spend time with your neighbors!

Questions or to volunteer: oonsocialevents@gmail.com or call 510/839.3854

Locally yours,

~tina tamale
OON Social Coordinator

PS Don't live/work in Old Oakland? Check out Nancy Nadel's District 3 list of parties here: http://www.oaklandnet.com/Nadel/PDFs/CC372809List.pdf The other City Council members have listings on their respective websites for other districts. There are 420 registered parties happening in Oakland this evening!

Taste for Art

Do you like Art?
Live Music?
Good Food?
Beer & Wine?
Supporting a local Food Bank?
Supporting local Artists?
Have a free Friday night (tonight)?

Then this is where you want to be! Join me (La Borinquena/Tamale Girl) and a slew of other food and drink purveyors for this event taking place in Emeryville sponsored by The East Bay Express.

I've gotten to know lots of the folks involved in the Oakland/East Bay community through the work I do with the Oakland Merchants' Leadership Forum and Old Oakland Neighbors. I cannot stress enough to EVERYONE how important it is to reach out and get to know the people around you. That working together to help one another however big or small can make a difference.

Volunteer for a project that means something to you, attend a community meeting, support a cause by attending events. Yes, in this case donating a can of food and/or making a contribution to a fun event that supports two things that mean so much to me: food for families and art to feed the soul.

Not wanting to sour this ideal and optimistic view I have on how to make a difference, I feel the need to say this. This is to the people who talk B I G and don't act. To the people who always say, "I'm too busy." Or "Will I really make a difference?" Or the folks who have the time and the energy to complain but won't make the time to do something about whatever they are unhappy/disturbed/uneasy about.

Get involved.
Support what matters to you.
Be part of the conversation to find solutions.
Talk to folks you think you have nothing in common with, you may be shocked over what you do have in common.

Help build community especially where you live and work.
Support local businesses and artists.
You can make a difference.
Make change happen.

So, back to my regularly scheduled blog post. Stop by tonight, have a drink, some tasty nibbles, meet some folks who support the same causes.

See how easy this is? Get out and do SOMETHING. If I don't see you later, I'll see you around. There is a great cause around every corner and if you are still reading I know we'll cross paths sooner or later.

I have a feeling I'll see you sooner...

Event Details, click below:


The East Bay Express presents a food, music, and art-centered fundraiser for Pro Arts Gallery and Alameda County Food Bank on Friday, October 3, 6-10pm at 5749 Doyle St., Between Stanford Ave. and Powell St., Emeryville, CA

Directions:
There is ample parking behind the warehouse, or take Emeryville's FREE bus service (the Emery-Go-Round) by jumping on the Hollis South bus at the MacArthur BART station and jumping off at Standford Ave/Horton intersection. The Warehouse is a couple short blocks to the East from that stop on Doyle Street between Stanford and Powell. Buses run approx. every 15 minutes, and stop running at 10pm. http://www.emerygoround.com/

The Sunny Side of the Bay

Here, there and everywhere has been what I've been up too in the last couple of weeks. So, I will do a summary of the cool places and events I've been checking out.

~ Silence the Violence with the Oakland A's 8/13 co-sponsored by the Ella Baker Center, the Oakland Athletics, the City of Oakland & Oakland Office of the Mayor Josie Camacho asked if I knew of any young people to invite to this event. I managed to attend the Resource Job Fair prior to the game and loved the vibe. Lots of young Oaklanders checking out the scene that also included free hot dogs, music, a raffle and the opportunity to rub elbows with Mayor Dellums himself. This was the first time I had seen him in person since he was elected to office and got to see the electricity and media attention that swarms around him from the moment his presence is detected. This is not a dig at him but more of a observation...all Oakland constituents NEED access to our leaders from the Mayor's Office and all the way down to the grassroots level. Seeing the co-mingling of the Mayor and the regular kids made my heart happy, I'm looking forward to seeing more. The other highlights of my night were the thirteen year old boys I had in tow with me at the game. The A's played the Tampa Bay Rays, apparently it had been awhile since I've paid attention and didn't realize Tampa has a team now! Gustavo, the son of one of my employees, had a blast with some of his buddies. They all play and have a passion for the game I hadn't heard from young ones in awhile and they gave a running practically professional commentary of the game. They thanked me more than a handful of times during and after for the tickets and I'll be sure to include them in more activities when possible. This was the whole point to the Silence the Violence theme of the night, to give our young people the chance to be in positive environments that many of us take for granted.

~ 3rd Annual Lake Merritt Radio Regatta 8/17 sponsored by Oaklandish I'm still scratching my head, somehow this was my first Oaklandish event. I chatted with Angela from Oaklandish about why these events are so important, showcasing what Oakland has to offer all the time to everyone. In this case, the Oakland Sailboat House was swarming with people enjoying the sun, taking boat rides, checking out the chair art silent auction, listening to the DJ's spin some tunes and sipping and munching on complimentary refreshments. Carey from Linden Street Brewery was poring his famous Common Lager with a smile and there was tons of fresh fruit and sandwiches to go along with the drinks. It was awesome to hear that Oaklandish and the food & drink folks all sponsored this event. That means the snacks, drinks and boat ride I took in were part of the event, meaning complimentary! I then bought a Sunny Side of the Bay t-shirt from the funky Oaklandish merchandise van to round out my experience. Good times I tell you! I'll leave you with a few of my nerdy Oakland facts before I sign off. Did you know that Lake Merritt is man made and not only that, not really a lake at all? It's really a tidal lagoon with both salt and fresh water with small fish and shrimp. It's 15 feet at it deepest and the home for the Gondola Servicio and boat rentals at the Lake Merritt Boating Center. I can now say I've been on Lake Merritt and I'm looking forward to more Oalandish adventures!

In other news, many of you have happened by the Oakland Local First Marketplace during the Thursday Night Live concert series in my beloved Old Oakland. Well, Old Oakland Neighbors and Oakland Events were the sponsors, yes I said that in the past tense. The other organizers and I were hoping for a cool spot to show off the amazing wares of our local independent small business and art community. Unfortunately, this ongoing concert series was not the best the fit and the Marketplace has been put on hold indefinitely. Don't worry, you will see the Marketplace in a different version sometime very soon. Oakland Events has plenty going on in terms of other special event and street fairs and more info can be found here and you know I will keep you in the loop!

Meeting with the Office of the Mayor

It's been quite a week for me in terms of doing promotion for La Borinquena and local indie business. LakeFest '08 last weekend, National Night Out on Tuesday, Thursday Night Live/Oakland Local First Marketplace on Thursday and we are doing the wedding food for a regular customer this Saturday. I thought all of that was going to keep me busy enough but something came up a few days ago.

In May 2008, two Old Oakland Neighbors' board members and I participated in the City of Oakland's Neighborhood Summit '08 at Laney College. Our group was chosen to represent the newer community group in the workshop, "How to build a strong community." There I meet Jose Dorado, a member of the Maxwell Park NCPC. I got a call from him on Tuesday asking if I would be interested in meeting with Oakland Mayor Dellums as part of a group of Latino merchants to discuss crime prevention.

Meeting with the Mayor? Sure, why not? I had a phone conversation with Jose outlining my concerns and a plan of action to tell Mayor Dellums what commitments we NEED from him in order to become a thriving and safe business community. I mentioned that I am proud of being Latina but my main focus is not that of being a person of color but as an independent business owner and an advocate of building stronger communities that benefit everyone. My two demands from the Mayor's office: support for community policing including foot patrols and attention given to our small business commercial districts to keep the economic impact here in Oakland.

Unfortunately, a mere 30 minutes before our confirmed meeting time, we were informed that Major Dellums would not be attending the meeting with our group himself. Was I surprised? NOT AT ALL. We did meet with Arnold Perkins, Marisol Lopez and Josie Camacho from the Office of the Mayor to discuss what our group felt are the shortcomings of the promises not kept we are most concerned about and demanding change. It was a two hour meeting that flew by as issues mainly regarding the problems the youth of Oakland are experiencing and how that directly affects business districts.

How successful was this meeting? Too soon to tell and hopefully we will have a follow up with Mayor Dellums in the near future. We know that the Mayor is an elusive politician and we need to see him out and about conducting his day to day life side by side with his constituents. His appearance should not be a photo op but a regular occurrence. Marisol Lopez, his executive assistant, at least a couple of times during our meeting became defensive when we questioned where the Mayor is and why many of his campaign promises had not been fulfilled. Ms. Lopez felt that this Mayor has been effective in a way our previous Mayor had not even though we don't see him. It is my hope that his actions now will change my mind. That the work of so many volunteers on all the committees I am a part of and those that I am just now getting to know will have the full support of our City's government soon.

I just won't hold my breath.

The Indies are Coming + Cinco de Mayo Mania!!

Wow, lots to do! It's funny that I told myself, "Write blog posts whenever possible!" and ummm my brain would blip and forget. My Yelp reviews are up to date but not so much the rest. So here for your reading pleasure, a quick update on Tamale World...

2nd Annual Oakland Indies
The event celebrates all things Oakland and awards Oakland's independent businesses & artists who were nominated by community members for their impact on the community.

I'll be with Old Oakland Neighbors at a information table at this evening's event from 5:30-8pm at Sweet's Ballroom. OON will be sharing the table with 10,000 Steps, a project involving four parks in our district and the Oakland Merchant Leadership Forum.

Awards are given in cool categories such as: Newbie, Greenie, Neighborhood Dynamo, & Innovator! Check out the Yelp Event listing here: Http://www.yelp.com/events/oakland-2nd-annual-oakland-indie-awards

Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo
Have you planned your fiesta yet? Monday is right around the corner. Cinco de Mayo is a wonderful American holiday when you have the opportunity to gather your amigos for food and drink to celebrate the Mexican victory against the French during the Battle of Puebla that took place in 1862 http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm It is rarely celebrated outside the Publa region in Mexico but very popular here in the US in areas with a concentrated Mexican population to celebrate culture, history and delicious treats! If you need help planning, take a look at our menus here (menus.tamalegirl.com) and give us a call. Pick out what you like and we'll help you with the quantities. Don't forget our famous lardy chips and maybe some papel picado and pinatas to decorate!

OK kids, I'm off to work, it's gonna be a loooong day. Maybe I'll see you tonight at Sweet's Ballroom!

It's Been 15 minutes, 12 Hours and 17 Days

Since I turned 39 for the first time! I've been trying to catch my breath but there is just so much to do. The past few months have been action backed: tamale season, holidays, the Yelp Holiday Party, the stomach flu, the OON fundraiser, Old Oakland Neighbors in general, my birthday week celebrations, oh yeah, work at La Borinquena. I just got tired writing that sentence!

Next up...catching up on my day job, planning the first floor remodel at my house, the 2nd Annual Indie Awards and the stack of paperwork piling up in my personal life. Ha ha ha ha...I wrote that out so I will be forced to deal with it! But, those of you that know me in real life are aware that I LOVE to start crazy projects with a moment's notice. MY FAVORITE. I need a break. So, I'm taking the next 24 hours as a time out. As my sweetie Stevie would say, I'm just "chillaxing" the day away...No cell phone, no text, no email, limit the TV, pretend like it's 1988...ah, the olden days...

but to pull it off in 2008 , I'll just set everything to

DO NOT DISTURB

Share the LOVE! (Click HERE)

Ask anyone who know me where HOME is for me, they will not hesitate for one nanosecond...Old Oakland. A few years ago when I went to get my passport at the Main Post Office in West Oakland the clerk had the most quizzical look on her face.

"You're from here?" she asked.
"You mean California?" I responded.
"No...here?" she asked again.
"You mean Oakland?" I asked with with a furrowed brow.
"NO...HERE" she drew a box in the air.

Then I had to laugh! See my birth certificate was from Providence Hospital (now Summit on Pill Hill a few miles away), the former location of La Borinquena was also where we lived when I was born less than a couple of miles from the post office and my present home is near the present location of La Borinquena (my work) a couple of blocks from our previous location. Basically, my universe (and all the addresses) of where I was born, live (then and now) and work is about four miles square.

"YES, I am from HERE!" while drawing a square in the air to the clerk with a smile.

I was then informed that I would get my passport in about two weeks since no research would have to be done for me since I was from HERE! SCORE! I really do love it here, the neighborhood where my Mami grew up, where she has been working at La Borinquena since she was twelve, where I both live and work. I've also become a bit of an Old Oakland SNOB. I don't really feel the need to leave very often. Our neighborhood is finally experiencing a tremendous amount of positive growth, the old guard merchants and residents along with the new kids on the block who just came to our area in the last five to ten years. There are now shops, restaurants, clubs, a pub, groceries, condos, houses and apartments all within a five block radius, very flat and walkable. Don't get me wrong, I love the East Bay, especially Oakland but my heart lies in Old Oakland. The ebb and flow of what goes on here keeps my pulse going and fills me with content. I just want to speed the process along, making my neighborhood better, improve the safety, the beautification and economic growth to benefit the businesses and folks who live here.

So kids, this is when I unveil what I have been up to for the last month. You are cordially invited to a fundraiser to benefit a grassroots community group that I'm deeply involved with oldoaklandneighbors.org. I'm not the only one who feels the way I do about this area, there is a community of us. Together we are showcasing what and who we are, we want to meet YOU and have you get to know US. The proceeds are going directly to our group to continue the work we are doing to strengthen and grow our community and this entire event is coming together with the hard work of volunteers and sponsors. Did I mention that it's also my 39th Birthday Party?!

Share your LOVE with us!

Check out the upcoming fundraiser event for Old Oakland Neighbors, Tina Tamale Loves Old Oakland, taking place on February 23 at Air Lounge in Old Oakland.

Food: tamales, ceviche, meatballs & more
Dessert: pastel de tres leches, chocolate fountain
Live Music: Iya Khan
Spoken Word: Paradise Freejalove
Music: DJ Franko
Drink Special: Hanger One Vodka
Raffle Drawing: Art from Rachel Palacios, Gift Certificates from Verse, Levende East, Mignonne & more

All of the above & more included in the reduced pre-sale ticket price of $20!

21+

General information, our sponsor list and online ticket sales can be found at:

http://oonevents.tamalegirl.com

Tickets also available in person at La Borinquena (582 -7th Street)

Old Oakland Neighbors is a grassroots community group and proceeds from this event are going directly to the group to fund further activities to improve the safety, beautification and economic growth of our neighborhood!

Be there! Or be Square! (Which really isn't so bad but I would really like to see you! lol)

Where have I been?

Everywhere.

I though that conquering Tamales Season and my New Year's bug would make everything alright.

HA

I almost feel just as busy but in a different way. January is bringing new changes for La Borinquena, my non-profit work and my life overall. Things have been going well at the restaurant and considering that it's January...that's great. First quarter tends to be tough and lean for most food service, people are spent out after the holidays. My fundraiser plans are coming along.

Fundraiser? Oh, I haven't haven't really had time to write about it! We've been too busy planning it. Thankfully, I have fine friends and neighbors that have been getting me through all the lists. On that note, I gotta split. Today is pick up day for some stuff. I'll make annoucements soon...oonevents.tamalegirl.com

I'll be back.