Oakland Magazine Blog - December 2007

December 28, 2007

Hair of the Luka

The wisdom of the ages tells us that the best hangover cure is a large, late, lingering breakfast served with a glass of last night’s poison. One day a year, however, millions of Americans awake with a well-earned hangover only to find their favorite bars and breakfast eateries closed down. That day is New Year’s Day. At Luka’s Taproom & Lounge they feel your pain. That is why this year they will be open on New Year’s Day serving a southern-style brunch from 11:30 am until 5:30 p.m. So, should you awake bleary-eyed and headachy on the first of the year, they have your medicine—fried chicken, grits, eggs, hash browns and of course champagne and Bloody Marys.  
 
See you in... Read more »

Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 in Dining | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 27, 2007

Oakland Holiday Parade

Just in case you were not one of the 80,000 people in downtown Oakland Dec. 1 to watch the annual holiday parade, you now have a second chance. A special hour-long version of the parade will be shown on local television channels. In Oakland tune in to cable channel 28 and in Alameda tune in to channel 27 to see the show. 4 a.m.–5 a.m. Dec. 28 and 2 p.m.–3 p.m. Dec. 30.

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Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2007 in Music & Entertainment | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 26, 2007

New Driving Laws

Several new rules of the road passed by the state Legislature and signed by the governor go into effect in the new year, and the California Highway Patrol wants motorists to be aware of the new regulations, the Oakland Tribune reported today.

• Wireless Telephones (SB 1613, Simitian): This law makes it illegal to use a wireless telephone while driving, unless the phone is designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking. The law provides an exemption for emergency purposes. The law banning the use of hand-held cell phones by motorists goes into effect July 1, 2008.

• Wireless Telephones, Under 18 (SB 33, Simitian): This law makes it illegal for a... Read more »

Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 in General | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 21, 2007

Don Cheadle in Oakland

Black Dot Artists, Inc. hosts an evening with Academy Award nominee and acclaimed actor Don Cheadle tomorrow. Marcel Diallo will lead a discussion with Cheadle. The event benefits the nonprofit group's efforts to develop a cultural district in West Oakland and celebrates 11 years of oustanding arts and educational programming. It is Cheadle's first Bay Area appearance, the actor is know for his roles in Hotel Rwanda (2004), Talk To Me (2007), Reign Over Me (2007), Crash (2004) and the Ocean's trilogy (2001, 2004 and 2007). 6 p.m., Dec. 22, Oakland Rotunda Building, 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza, call (510) 451-4661 for tickets.

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Posted on Friday, December 21, 2007 in Music & Entertainment | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 20, 2007

Convictions in Halloween Slaying

Three teenage Oakland boys were convicted last week of first-degree murder in connection with the fatal Halloween shooting of a 15-year-old girl in an Alameda park, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The boys (two brothers) ages 16 and 15 and a 13-year-old friend were found guilty in juvenile court because they aided and abetted in an attempted robbery that led to the death of Ichinkhorloo "Iko" Bayarsaikhan in Washington Park after a night of trick-or-treating. The boys could be sentenced to remain in custody until their 25th birthdays, the maximum allowed under juvenile... Read more »

Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2007 in General | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 19, 2007

Kwanza Celebration

Enjoy a free Kwanzaa Celebration at noon today. City Center in Oakland presents another outstanding concert in its Holiday series. The concert features the West African Highlife Band. All concerts are from 12 p.m.–1 p.m. at 12th Street and Broadway (near BART) in Oakland. The concert series at City Center are sponsored by Shorenstein, the merchants at City Center, Clear Channel Outdoor and Oakland Magazine. (510) 628-8490.

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Posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 in Music & Entertainment | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 18, 2007

A Big Bang

2007 may be drawing to a close, but at Oakland's Mercury 20 Gallery the cosmos continues to expand with, "Big Bang: New Work at Mercury 20," now held over until Jan. 26. This dynamite group show provides an overview of recent work by East Bay artists in multiple genres including painting, sculpture, photography, drawing and mixed media. Artists in the exhibit are Julie Alvarado, Jo Ann Biagini, Margaret Chavigny, Judith Hoersting, Peter Honig, Ce Ce Iandoli, Maya Kabat, Kathleen King, Tarra Lyons, Mary Marsh, Sheila Metcalf Tobin, Charlie Milgrim, Jamie Morgan, Cathy Perillo, David Seiler, Victoria Staller, Antonio Vigil, Laura Van Duren, Anna Vaughan and Joan Weiss. Mercury 20 is an artist-run exhibition space... Read more »

Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 in Music & Entertainment | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 17, 2007

More Rain on the Way

The rain storm that moved through the Bay Area last night and this morning has ended in most places in the Bay Area. The Weather Service expects continued occasional showers throughout the morning with the heaviest precipitation around San Jose and south, the Oakland Tribune reported today. But a much heavier storm is predicted to reach the Bay Area about commute time tomorrow morning. Surf forecasts call for higher waves and more wind along with the storm on Tuesday, a U.S. Weather Service forecaster said. Today's storm was mild. Rainfall reported up to 5 a.m. this morning averaged about one-quarter inch over the Bay Area. Tuesday's storm is expected to bring about an inch of... Read more »

Posted on Monday, December 17, 2007 in General | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 14, 2007

Llego la Parranda!

Enjoy a llego la parranda! (Venezuelan Holiday Party) with the Venezuelan Music Project tonight! Come and celebrate "La Navidad y Año Nuevo" with Venezuelan dance favorites such as aguinaldos, gaitas, tamboreras, parrandas, tambores and more. Last year the group had an amazing gathering at La Peña and the energy on the dance floor was beyond belief! A special Venezuelan holiday menu will be offered at Cafe Valparaiso. 8 p.m., Dec. 14, $13 in advance, $15 at the door, La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, (510) 849.2560, ext. 20 (advance tickets).

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Posted on Friday, December 14, 2007 in Music & Entertainment | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 13, 2007

The Season

Celebrate the release of Natasha Miller’s first holiday album at Rhythmix Cultural Works tomorrow. Recorded live at Yoshi’s in Oakland, The Season features such Christmas favorites as “White Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” as well as non-holiday songs you’ll want to listen to year-round. 7:30 p.m., $10–$20, Dec. 14, Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., (510) 865-5060.

Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2007 in Music & Entertainment | Permalink | Comments (0)