OneCalifornia Bank was just approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for Preferred Lenders Program (PLP) and for Certified Lenders Program (CLP) Status. This recognition by the SBA confirms the excellent lending OneCalifornia Bank is doing in the realm of SBA loans and will bolster the loans their clients receive.

Designation as a Preferred Lender is the most prestigious designation granted by the SBA. As part of the Preferred Lenders Program, the SBA designates to the lenders the origination, approval, documentation, closing, and most servicing and liquidation authority and responsibility for SBA guaranteed loans. With this authority, loans get approved and funded more quickly by the SBA, which benefits both lenders such as OneCalifornia and their clients.

This award also ties in nicely with the bank’s mission.  The bank makes a conscious effort to lend to small businesses and make the process as easy and understandable as possible.  PLP status is one step in the SBA’s process of “streamlining” the procedures necessary to provide financial assistance to the small business community.

Lenders qualify for PLP status by maintaining an exceptional performance record coupled with strong loan volume and low default rates, meaning that PLP lenders such as OneCalifornia Bank are more experienced and better equipped to manage SBA loans than other lenders.

Locally grown food and produce is a rising movement in the United States, particularly in urban areas. Many urban dwellers are participating by trying their hand at growing their own vegetables. This not only helps the environment, but can help cut down on our food cost. And those of us living in the San Francisco Bay Area are lucky enough to have plants grow year-round. But many urban dwellers have such small yards–or no yards at all–that they have no space in which to grow a garden.  But Vertical Home Gardens, a brand-new Oakland-based garden products company, has come up with a solution to allow suburban and urban gardeners alike can grow vegetables, herbs, flower, and more in a space that only takes up a couple of square feet.

Vertical Home Gardens, LLC is a garden products company that designs, manufactures, markets, and sells vertical gardening solutions. The team behind Vertical Home Gardens has developed the Phytopod^TM and the Phytopod Field^TM gardening products for individuals, schools, and businesses who would like to garden but lack sufficient space to do so. A Phytopod fits nicely on a balcony or patio and can grow up to 20 square feet of produce!

The Phytopod^TM comes in three different heights, all with an 18 inch diameter, to accommodate its customers’ needs; even the largest Phytopod^TM is only 3 feet tall. All Phytopods are made from eco-friendly, recycled, or re-used materials and have a built-in internal watering system, allowing plants to grow on every surface of the Phytopod^TM.

Vertical Home Gardens is also reaching out to their urban community, particularly schools. They have started a “Grow, Eat, Recycle!” School Garden Package, which is designed to teach students how to compost cafeteria food scraps, then use the compost to grow a vertical garden of vegetables and herbs to be eaten in the cafeteria. The package, combined with the vertical garden, is perfect for urban schools with little space for traditional gardening but that still want their students to learn where their food comes from.

Make sure to check out this Oakland-based business on Oakland Unwrapped for more information: http://oaklandunwrapped.org/verticalgardens.

The Green Chamber of Commerce is holding their Annual Celebration entitled “Building an Honest Economy” on November 5th. People from all types of sustainable, socially-responsible Bay Area business will be there, and will feature a talk by Ahmed Rahim, founder and CEO of Numi Tea (an Oakland Unwrapped vendor). More details will be coming soon, so keep checking the Chamber’s website for more information.

There are still spaces available for organic/local catering companies to sponsor the event. Any company or restaurant interested in this great opportunity should contact the chamber.

There is always a lot going on at Entrez! Open House.  This October, make sure to check out their knitting sessions and pumpkin carving parties!  This month, Knitting Night is on October 23 from 5 to 7PM.  The 4th Annual Pumpkin Carving and Costume Contest will be happening on October 30 from 3 to 7 PM and October 31 from 1 to 5 PM.  Pumpkins and snacks will be provided; all that’s missing is you in costume!  Sign up at the store or email back (Idareyou@entrez-openhouse.com) so they know how many pumpkins to buy.  Swing by the store or check out their website to find out more and to find out about more upcoming events.

Outdoor ice skating in October?  Yes!  And it’s for a good cause!  While the weather is still nice, come enjoy ice skating at Jack London Square seven days a week during the month of October.  The cost is $5 per session, including skate rentals.  Themed skating nights and live music will also be happening throughout the month, so make sure to check the Upcoming Events page on the Jack London Square website.  Each skating session will also generate a donation to Meals on Wheels.

Fernseed, the Dimond District’s new eco-friendly reuse shop, which offers refab home furnishings, décor, and gifts, is hosting a children-friendly Halloween party this October. Fernseed will also be selling costumes made from reclaimed materials this month so you can be festive and eco-friendly this Halloween! For more information, check out Fernseed’s calendar.

photo: © 2006 Timothy Chapman

Piedmont Avenue Merchants Association is hosting the most family friendly Halloween Day Celebration in Oakland! Come check out the parade, trick or treating, live music, the Haunted Hallway at Piedmont Avenue Elementary School, and more! Check out PAMA’s website for more details.

Pacific Coast Brewing is finally legal! The company is celebrating 21 years in Oakland this October and wants you to join in the festivities! They will kick off their two day celebration on Friday, October 16, with live music, food, birthday cake, and, of course, beer, including their special 21st Anniversary Imperial IPA. The celebration will continue on Saturday night, October 17, with more live music and beer. Come on down! For more info, check out the party’s website.

Oakland’s Dimond District is hosting their annual Oaktoberfest this Saturday, October 10, celebrating all that is October and Oakland! This is Oakland’s Family-Friendly Craft Beer Festival, featuring a kid’s area, live music, and good food and drink, including a German Style Homebrew Competition. Come get October started off right with Oaktoberfest! For more details, check out the event’s website.

Oakland Unwrapped! would like to introduce you to our latest additions to the marketplace:

1.by.liz: original recycled clocks inspired by bikes, created by combining the industrial design of worn out bike parts with funky patterns found in reclaimed textiles.

A Touch of Life, LLC: homemade face and skin moisturizer.

ALQUIMIA handmade jewelry: jewelry made using traditional silversmith techniques as well as chunky tribal-inspired gemstone jewelry.

Ashay by the Bay: African-American and Multi-Cultural children’s books.

Black Lotus Enterprises: handmade beaded jewelry, inspired by nature.

Corinthia Peoples Designs: handcrafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces made exclusively with authentic colored gemstones and sterling silver.

Cultural Crossroads: home décor, art, and accessories from around the world, including funky ethnic jewelry at great prices.

Estilo Clothing Co: original screen-print designs celebrating music and culture; clothes for men and women, including tees, tops, dresses, and sweatshirts.

fiftyseven-thirtythree: screen-printed, stenciled t-shirts and appliquéd hoodies, using solvent free inks on sweatshop free apparel and drawing from an urban aesthetic.

jadecicada jewelry: handcrafted jewelry with unique beads from all over the world, including new and old beads, gemstones, semiprecious stones, and unique cultural beads.

Just Glam: high end quality cosmetics at affordable pricing.

lemonade handmade jewelry: jewelry that mixes metals and textures to create bold and delicate earrings, necklaces, and more.

Lwanga Designs: original handmade jewelry as well as a unique array of eco-friendly African home décor, kitchen accents, jewelry and bags.

Mavazi–Clothes for the Soul: Oakland-based clothing company that sells dresses, pants, tees, handbags, tops, headwraps, and recycled denim skirts and jackets.

Paula Chan Design Studio: handmade earrings, necklaces, and bracelets made of Swarovski crystal, gemstones, and pearls, all on sterling silver; handmade greeting cards also available.

Pendragon Books: local independent bookstore that carries new and used books, greeting cards, magazines, journals, Moleskin, calendars, and book lights.

rosemary dudley designs: handmade jewelry using different shapes, textures, colors, and materials.

Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel: athletic apparel, specializing in cycling clothes, focusing on fashion, fit, and function.

The Joys of Life: skin care, including creams, soaps, lotions, washes, and body polish made with organic Shea Butter.

Vertical Home Gardens, LLC: a vertical garden container company that designs, manufactures, and sells attractive containers for individuals, schools, or businesses to grow a “real” garden year-round with limited space.

 We now have over 150 stores on our e-commerce website and are always adding more. Keep checking Oakland Unwrapped! to see the newest vendors and see how easy it is to support Oakland’s local economy while shopping online!