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

Baby Girl Designs: fine artwork by Jeanette Madden on notecards, journals, gift bags and boxes, and more.

By Nieves: all natural handmade body care products made with essential oils.

CC Star: original and custom-made handmade cuffs and snap bracelets, coin purses and pouches made from vintage neckties.

East Bay Express eDeals: gift certificates to local stores, including bath & body, food & drink, books, music, and more, sold at 25% off the certificate face value.

Envirodryz: low-tech, eco-friendly clotheslines.

Ezme Designs: funky, unique, and custom-made ceramic bowls, mugs, and dishes.

Kristine Online: unique and fun collectible toys, dolls, and gifts.

Looks Good From The Front: handmade hair accessories and birdcage veils.

Pushcart Design: a graphic design studio that creates politically and geographically influenced t-shirts and posters.

Sarah Swell Jewelry: nature-inspiried handcrafted fine jewelry.

Steppen Simply: necklaces and earrings to make you look and feel “simply” beautiful in any outfit for any occasion at any time.

YB Timepieces: high-quality fashion watches.

More stores are being added all the time, so keep checking www.oaklandunwrapped.org for more fun and unique Oakland-based businesses!

October 31st means Halloween to many, but to others celebrating in the Mexican tradition, it represents the Day of the Dead.  In honor of El Dia de Los Muertos, La Borinquena Restaurant & Specialty Shop is hosting cooking demonstrations, video presentations, and more fun for the whole family this Saturday, October 31st at its restaurant.  And be sure to join La Borinquena and more on Sunday, November 1, in Fruitvale to visit the alter “dedicated to commemorate the people and places that have formed our community over the decades and generations.”

For more information, visit TinaTamale.com

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.