The YWCA in Downtown Berkeley is offering a free workshop on how to develop a successful personal spending plan.  In this workshop, you will learn how to identify the difference between a spending plan and a budget; how to use a spending plan; and how to build a sold, prudent reserve/contingency fund (3-6 months living expenses).  The workshop is free, but you must RSVP to attend!  Sign up by emailing ywmoney@ywca-berkeley.org with RSVP and the workshop date in the Subject Line and your full name in the body of the email. For more information contact the YWCA or visit their website.

All the finalists at the Oakland Indie Awards were proud businesses and artists of Oakland that do wonderful things here in our community.  But some go beyond our East Bay city-some do work that impacts the United States as a whole.

Sungevity is one of those nominees.  Sungevity is a solar panel business based in Jack London Square that allows clients to lease solar panels for their roof as well as purchase them.  In doing so, Sungevity hopes to democratize solar panels by providing access to solar energy to a wider-based clientele.  Sungevity hopes this will make solar panels more widely used throughout the United States.

Another way Sungevity is working to spread interest and awareness about solar panels is to get them back on the White House.  Solar panels used to be on the White House during the Carter administration, but came down during the first Bush administration.  Sungevity wants to get them back on.  They sent a letter to the Obamas and started a website, http://solaronthewhitehouse.com/, where you can learn more and sign a petition to get involved.  According to Sungevity, the goal of this campaign and petition is “to drive awareness of the ease and affordability now available to homeowners and the dramatic effects it can have on not only slowing global warming, but also saving consumers money on their monthly power bill.”

You can learn more about Sungevity on their website.  And to learn about their push to get solar on the White House, check out solaronthewhitehouse.com.

It’s that time of year again–time to vote for the Best of the East Bay!  The East Bay Express’s big summer issue and flagship event recognizes readers and editors favorites in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

This year’s theme is “Home Grown,” which recognizes things grown right here in our own backyard.  In this twenty-first century world of globalization and mass production, Home Grown asks the readers and editors to be thoughtful citizens and loyal localists when making their nominations for the Best of the East Bay.

Voting is taking place online at http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ballot until July 4th, so vote early and make your voice heard!

And mark your calendars now for Friday August 6th, the date for the Best of the East Bay Party.  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, please visit www.EastBayExpress.com/BOEBParty

On Friday, May 14th, Oaklanders celebrated the people and businesses that make the city great at OneCalifornia Foundation’s 4th Annual Oakland Indie Awards.  Hosted in partnership with the East Bay Express, the annual awards program is a celebration of all things Oakland and an opportunity to highlight the positive social and environmental impact of Oakland’s independent businesses and artists. The program was kicked off by keynote speaker Michael Kieschnick, Co-Founder, President and CEO of CREDO Mobile / Working Assets. 

The 2010 Indie Award Winners Are:

Neighborhood Dynamo: Uptown Body and Fender, a woman-owned body shop that focuses on the emotional well-being of its customers and hosts community events and fundraisers free to local non-profits at its stunning body shop in Oakland’s Uptown district.

Newbie: Snap Judgment, the new Oakland-based NPR program and multi-media company that offers a new voice in storytelling, showcasing Oakland’s diversity and telling stories that “drop listeners into another person’s skin”.

Youth Empowerment: Oaklandish, the extremely popular design and screen-printing company that celebrates all-things Oakland through its apparel and supports the city’s youth through innovation award grants.

Pillar: Peerless Coffee, the 86-year-old family-owned specialty coffee company that provides specialty blends to some of the Bay Area’s most esteemed restaurants, offers scholarships to Berkeley students, helps develop the communities that grow their coffee, and was one of the first businesses to be certified green by the Alameda County Green Business program.

Innovator: Natural Home Cleaning Professionals, the eco-friendly co-op that provides healthy worker-owner cleaning employment opportunities for immigrant women in Oakland and the Bay Area.

Ripple Effect: BayVAN and Compound Gallery, the arts organizations that founded the nationally-recognized Plaid Friday, the independent business’ answer to Black Friday that encourages people to do their holiday shopping at local indie businesses.

Greenie: Ryan Duke, an independent industrial designer that creatively re-uses reclaimed materials to build essential products to improve lives including refugees in the U.S. and individuals in developing countries.

Oakland Soul: Joyce Gordon Gallery, the downtown-Oakland based commercial fine art gallery that seeks to open doors and share the perspectives of the Bay Area’s diverse artist population, as well as those of international artists.

Please visit http://www.oaklandindieawards.com/ for more information about the winners and for pictures!

In addition to seeing the winners being announced and awarded, party guests sampled food, wine, chocolate and beer from as many as 30 food producers and restaurants, explored a selection of locally-made items from over 50 artists and retailers, and thanks to the generosity of DJ Mama L, listened to music from Oakland musicians, past and present. 

Thank you to everyone that came out to celebrate with us and we’ll see you at the 5th Annual next year!!

WE NEED BAR VOLUNTEERS FOR BEST OF THE EAST BAY 2010 PARTY!

OneCalifornia Foundation needs volunteers to assist with  providing bar service at the main bar for Best of the East Party!  You don’t need any experience, just be over 21 years old and commit to showing up on time, and staying for the length of your shift.

All tips earned during your shift are yours to keep! Keep reading to learn what the “Best of” 2010 has in store this year. I hope you’re able to join us.

Friday, August 6th

Shift 1: 4:30pm to 8pm
Shift 2: 7:45pm to 11pm

Skills / Experience Needed:
None. We just need RELIABLE people.  Show up early and stay for your entire shift. Slinging drinks is easy and fun.  People over 21 can serve drinks, those under 21 can work behind the bar.

Benefits:

• It’s fun to serve people drinks and make them happy.
• You’ll make money
• You’ll meet seriously cool people.
• You’ll be at the biggest East Bay party of the year.
• Come as a team/couple and you’ll get to hang with your friends!

Sign Up by Friday July 23rd
If you’re game, please email Andrea at awalker@onecalfoundation.org to let us know which shift(s) you are available for by July 23rd.

Spread the Word!

I gotta get enough people there to ensure we don’t have big lines of thirsty people, so tell your reliable friends and colleagues about this opportunity.

There are so many different and unique stores on Oakland Unwrapped that sometimes it’s hard to know where to start browsing for gifts!  To give you an idea of the great products that are on Oakland Unwrapped, and to get you in the browsing mood, may we suggest some of our favorite Oakland Unwrapped items:

Courier Bag from Haiku–A Courier Bag with Flair

We love this bag because it has lots of space, lots of pockets, and a cozy sleeve to secure a laptop. It doesn’t look like every other messenger bag out there - it’s got a little feminine flair (while still durable and super functional).  They have purses wallets and other bags, too. From Oakland-based Haiku Bags .

Cards from Volta Press–U N I R O-S-M

Adorable letter press cards to affectionately send a someone special a smile! We love Volta Press for their creative, one of a kind cards, stationary, and invitations. They also have fun items for Dads and Grads!

Crunchy Foods Biscotti di Suzy–Cranberry Almond Biscotti

These biscotti, while still nice and crunchy, are fresher than anything you’ll find in the stores, and come in many yummy flavors.  Cranberry Almond has a nice vanilla cookie flavor without being overly sweet, with pairs nicely with tart cranberries and crunch almonds.  Perfect for your tea, crumbled over ice cream, or right out of the box!

L’Amyx Tea Bar–Organic English Breakfast

If you’re going to have your biscotti, you have to have your tea-and English Breakfast isn’t just for breakfast anymore!  L’Amyx makes the best cup of English Breakfast I have ever had, hands-down.  Enjoy a steaming cup in the morning or afternoon, or brew it and pour it over ice for refreshing homemade iced tea.

Find these and other fun items at Oakland Unwrapped!

The new Beehive Market, celebrating all that is green and local, is opening in Berkeley on June 12th.  Think of it as an expanded farmer’s market, featurning food and product vendors, live music, and more.  They will be open every Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on San Pablo Avenue at Virginia Street in West Berkeley.  To find out more about the event, or to find out how to get involved as a vendor or sponsor, visit their website.

Jack London Square is hosting many fun, free events this summer, including:

Dancing Under the Stars

Every Friday evening, from 8:30-10 PM, at the foot of Broadway.  Enjoy a free dance lesson provided by the Linden Street Dance Studio!  Each week will feature a different dance.

Lunchtime Live!

Every Tuesday and Friday, starting in July, from noon-2PM.  Grab lunch at Jack London Square and enjoy free live music by a different group each time.

Waterfront Flicks

Every other Thursday evening, starting July 8th.  Free movie starting at sundown, with Oakland Trivia games hosted by the Oakbook starting at 7:30 PM.

For more details on these and other events, visit the Jack London Square events page.

On Sunday June 27th, Walk Oakland Bike Oakland will sponsor Oaklavia in downtown Oakland from 10 AM-2 PM.  You no longer need to venture into San Francisco to enjoy car free streets on Sunday Streets–you can do so right here in Oakland!  Come bike, walk, or play in the car free streets and enjoy free dance lessons, people watching, and more!  For more information, check out Oaklavia’s website.

And while you’re out and about, don’t forget to stop by La Borinquena Mex-icatessen between 10 AM and 2 PM to celebrate its 66th Birthday!  There will be food, live music, guest presenters, and more.  La Borinquena has been a powerful community force in Oakland for many years and was a recipient of the 2007 Oakland Indie Pillar Award, so spot by, enjoy some tamales, and wish La Borinquena a happy birthday!  Details are available on their websites: http://www.tamalegirl.com/ and http://www.tinatamale.com/.

Last December, Ariana Huffington and a few friends around the dinner table came up with a way for We the People to take back our economy:  Move our Money.  They decided to start a campaign to encourage people to move their money out of the “too big to fail” banks, and into community banks and credit unions that are investing in our local neighborhoods and creating real economic activity.

They launched a website, created a video based on It’s A Wonderful Life, and provided social media and other tools to spread the word. In 6 months, the campaign has spread like wildfire, with articles in The Economist, the Nation, the New York Times, and CBS Monday Morning,  as well as membership in Facebook (36,000 fans), Ning, and Twitter,  and endorsements from Russell Simmons to members of congress. Community organizations such as Democracy for America and local independent business groups are mobilizing around the campaign, cities and states have moved their money. One recent survey indicates that 1 in 10 Americans have moved their money in protest of the big banks.

Research from The New Rules Project indicates this is a good idea. (more…)