Pro Arts is hosting its Annual Gala this Thursday, June 3rd, from 6-8 PM.  Come check out their new location and enjoy live entertainment, music, great food, and inspired art!  Tickets and more information are available on the Pro Arts website: http://www.proartsgallery.org/ebos/event.php

On June 23rd, leaders in asset-building and anti-poverty organizations worked together with leaders in public health agencies to host a one-day symposium on the growing connection between socio-economic status and health.  This coalition of organizations, the Health-Wealth Connection Collaborative (HWCC), hopes that the symposium will launch a new movement for health and wealth equity in the Bay Area.  The HWCC’s goals are to create a shift in how organizations, specifically those that work to alleviate poverty, and public health officials think about health and the causes of poor health, as well as to provide the structure for said organizations and officials to come together to make the connections between health and wealth building disciplines.  In providing this structure, the Health-Wealth Connection Collaborative aims to propose solutions and formulate action steps for closing the health-wealth gap.

The coalition’s first event, the Health-Wealth Symposium, was its first step in realizing its objectives.  The symposium brought together individuals from health, social service, and financial asset building organizations; public and elected officials; businesses; financial institutions; and the coalition’s funders.  Guests listened to panel presentations on cutting-edge research about health-wealth efforts and outcomes and participated in small group discussions about the topics presented by the guest speakers.  In the morning, participants discussed the issues their organizations faced when promoting health and wealth so that they could learn from each other about ways to better present this information.  In the afternoon, participants brainstormed actions to begin to make positive changes.  Participants noted the commitment they all had to their work in either the health or wealth industries but that all were very eager to engage and learn from those working in other fields.

The symposium focused on cross-organizational learning and sharing as well as collective brainstorming and ended on a positive, forward-looking note.  Participants left energized to apply new strategies and ideas to their own work and to continue the conversation of the health-wealth disparity in our nation.

For more information on the Health Wealth Connection Collaborative and information from the symposium, visit the collaborative’s website.

Not only did OneCalifornia Bank win a Best of the East Bay Award, but so did some of our Oakland Unwrapped members!  Congratulations to our fellow Best of the East Bay Winners on Oakland Unwrapped! 

Oakland Museum of CA: Best Face Lift

Oaklandish: Best Locally Made Kids’ Products; Reader’s Poll: Best Locally Made Products; Reader’s Poll: Best Men’s Clothing; Reader’s Poll: Best T-Shirts

Pendragon Books: Reader’s Poll: Best Book Store

Pro Arts Gallery: Reader’s Poll: Best Arts Organization

Yoshi’s Jazz Club: Most Balanced Kid’s Meal

Check out these and other winners at the Best of the East Bay Party on August 6th in Jack London Square!

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Art and Soul, Oakland’s live music and art festival in downtown Oakland.  The event takes place on Saturday, August 21st and Sunday, August 22nd.  This year’s lineup features well known groups, including Cake, MC Hammer, En Vouge, Tony! Toni! Toné! as well as local East Bay talent.  The event also features a Family Fun Zone for kids, art and artistic creations for purchase, lots of yummy food, and more!  Tickets are available for purchase online.  To purchase tickets and find out more information, check out their website here.

The Rockridge District Association is pleased to bring you “Rockridge Out & About” on Sunday, September 26th.  This event will showcase the best of the Rockridge and North Oakland neighborhoods, including local businesses–from boutiques to restaurants to book stores and more–as well as health forums, live music and dancing, cooking demonstrations, children activities, a fashion show, and more!  For more information, visit their website.

Last year’s Eat Real Festival was a huge hit, featuring local food, street food, homemade ice cream, local beer and wine, presentations, music, and more.  If you weren’t able to make it last year, be sure to check it out this year!  The event runs from Friday, August 27th to Sunday, August 29th and features local food from around the Bay.  For details, visit their website.

New this year is Saturday’s Eat Real Bike Tour!  From 12-4:30, peddle along Oakland’s waterfront, meet local culinary artists, and sample their creations.  Tastings will be at Linden Street Brewery, Numi Teas, Vice Chocolates, and Urban Legend Cellars.  To purchase a ticket and find out more information, visit http://hesternet.net/events.html

The OneCalifornia Foundation staff continues to search for fun and unique items listed on Oakland Unwrapped!  Here are some of our favorites for the month of July:

Shea Butter Cream from Skincare by Feleciai

This smooth shea butter cream scented with lemon, orange and notes of sweet basil is a must have.  Skincare by Feleciai is all natural and handcrafted with love in Oakland.

Glass Pendant from Bridgland Studios

Check out this beautiful orange, purple, and pink disk from Bridgland Studios.  The color selection is unique with a striking result and the design is gorgeous.

Memberships at Chabot Space & Science Center

Searching for something fun to do this weekend? Visit Chabot Space & Science Center, which hosts events and exhibitions for people of all ages. And don’t forget to visit the observatory-in the afternoon, you can view the sun, moon, or Venus from the telescopes, and at night, your view of the sky is spectacular. Families looking for a fun outdoor adventure should check out the new family/group overnight event, Slumber with the Stars.  Memberships are available at the Center and online.

Find these and other cool items on Oakland Unwrapped!

The 2nd Annual Man Up! Conference, hosted by the organization The 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, will take place on Saturday, July 24th.  The conference is open to black men in grades 6-12 and works to prepare them to grow up to lead balanced lives.  For more information and for registration information, check out this flyer.

The results are in: OneCalifornia Bank was voted Best of the East Bay for Best Community Bank!  Thank you to all our fans and supporters who voted for us.

Check out all the other Best of the East Bay winners in today’s East Bay Express: http://www.eastbayexpress.com/general/flash/07-14-2010/

And don’t forget to come to the Best of the East Bay party on August 6th at Jack London Square!  This year’s party will be at Jack London Square waterfront from 5-11PM.  The event is free and open for all ages, and features multiple bands, a kid’s zone, and a Blues Pavilion, paying tribute to the blues history of Russeel City in Hayward and 7th Street in Oakland.  For more details and ongoing updates, including updates of the band lineup for the evening, please visit www.EastBayExpress.com/BOEBParty

OneCalifornia Foundation will be running the bar, so make sure to stop by and say hi!  If you’re interested in volunteering with us at the bar, make sure to let us know–details are posted here.

UPDATED: for more information on the Best of the East Bay Party, check out the article in this week’s edition of the East Bay Express.

Oakland Grown–a local non-profit organization whose mission is to support and celebrate Oakland’s local, independent businesses and artists–wants you to come out, meet the artists and business owners, and learn more about their movement!  They are holding a mixer on Thursday, July 15th at ERA Art Bar and Lounge in the up-and-coming Uptown District of Oakland.  Come meet the Oakland Grown crew and mingle with other folks who love and support Oakland and independent businesses and artists.  There will be a cash bar, music, and special guests.  Check out details on the Facebook event page.