The 5^th Annual Oakland Indie Awards were a smashing success! On May 13^th, Oaklanders honored local artists and small businesses at the Indie Awards. Check out photos of the event at http://www.flickr.com/photos/onepacificcoast. The Oakland Indie Awards encourages people to recognize the community, economic, environmental, and political impact of supporting Oakland’s locally-owned businesses and artists instead of chain stores. It also provides rare opportunities for recognition for the small businesses and artists that make Oakland such a wonderful, creative place. Finally, it’s a chance for Oaklanders to just celebrate Oakland by enjoying Oakland food, wine, chocolate and music.

Congratulations to the Indie Awards winners:

• Business Greenie Award – The Rising Loafer Café & Bakery

• Artist Greenie Award - Jamie Vaida

• Pillars – Montclair Vet Hospital & Give Something Back

• Innovative Newbie – Back to the Roots Ventures

• Ripple Effect – Mandela Foods Co-operative

• Socially Responsible Rockstar – Karen’s Flowers

This event would not have been possible without the support of our committed sponsors including: Mattmar Group, Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass, Uptown Apartments, Dan Carroll and Stasia Obremskey, Pete Higgins and Leslie Magid, Blue Heron Catering Company, SuperPrint, Exploratorium, Jack London Square, California Waste Solutions, First Solar, YMCA of the East Bay, City of Oakland, Urban Legends Winery, East Bay Community Foundation, Ron Beller and Jennifer Moses Family Foundation, Bay Area Derby Girls, Oakland Outlaws, AnewAmerica, Kipp and Sara Howard, Nancy Neel, and Bruce and Susan Kelley.

New Fair & Manageable Alternative to Payday Loans

Seeking Partners for Pilot Alternative to Payday Loans

One PacificCoast Bank is excited to announce its pilot of a new alternative to payday loans: the Pal loan. This program will allow individuals to borrow from $500-$1000 dollars to cover an unexpected expense and pay it back in small monthly installments of 8-12 months. This loan is intended to provide a manageable alternative to expensive payday and car title loans that often keep people trapped in debt cycle.

In addition to the loan itself, this program can help build credit, includes financial tips and tools, and provides incentives to save. Our optional Automatic Payment and Savings program includes an immediate $25 incentive that gets deposited into a new free savings account for the borrower. Upon repayment, the same monthly amount will automatically transfer into their savings account each month until/unless the former borrower cancels it.

The program meets or exceeds the FDIC’s guidelines for small dollar loans, with an interest rate of 18% and a $30 financed loan origination fee. This fee is incorporated into the monthly loan payments; it is not paid up front.

The program launched on July 15th 2011 with four partner employers, and One PacificCoast Bank is seeking additional local employers to partner with us. Participating employers will let their staff know that the loan is available, will help them with application questions, and will provide employment verification. There are no fees or financial risks to the employer.

Employer requirements (for-profit or non-profit):

* 25 or more employees
* Most employees are year-round, not seasonal
* Offer direct deposit of payroll to employees

Interested employers should contact Erin Kilmer Neel at One PacificCoast Foundation, ekilmer@onepcf.org or 510.663.2253.

For more information about One Pacific Coast Bank,FSB, go to http://opcb.com. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. CDFI Certified Bank.

People’s Federal Credit Union is currently offering free credit report reviews. Make an appointment to receive a copy of your credit report and meet one-on-one with a trained credit coach. Credit coaches can answer questions and help you to make a plan to rebuild your credit. For more information, contact the People’s Federal Credit Union at 510.267.0450 x305, para espanol x307 or stop by at 1432 7th St. Oakland, CA 94607 across from the West Oakland Bart Station.

Did you know that you can buy office supplies locally and for less than the big box stores? Give Something Back is a local office supply company that provides full service, free nationwide delivery and a low price promise. It also happens to be a 2011 Indie Award winner!

What’s even better is that Give Something Back donates 75% of their net earnings to a variety of nonprofits in the West. By purchasing supplies from Give Something Back, you are supporting a local business and you can even vote on which nonprofits receive donations. Learn more about give something back at www.givesomethingback.com.

ReliaTech is a local computer service and e-waste recycling organization that offers reliable and reasonably priced computer service by certified technicians. They offer carry-in service at the San Pablo and San Francisco stores, and on-site service throughout the Bay Area. ReliaTech has a “No Fix, No Fee” guarantee and also offers discounts to nonprofits.

ReliaTech is the nonprofit social enterprise of The Stride Center, which is a social venture nonprofit empowering economic self-sufficiency for individuals and communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. ReliaTech provides on-the-job training for Stride Center participants and hires graduates of the program. All of Reliatech interns and employees are chosen and trained for their ability to treat every customer with respect and dignity. Learn more at www.reliatech.org.

UrbanFire is offering a unique opportunity to help you create your business plan with the The 5-Finger MBA (Micro Business Accelerator). In the 5-Finger MBA (formerly Launch Pad) program, you’ll spend four Saturdays from 9am to 1pm from September 10th to October 1st answering a series of questions in an environment to help you concentrate.

If you’ve procrastinated or dreaded the thought of writing a business plan, this process is ideal for you! For one thing: there’s very little writing. The four hours are broken into four segments, each geared to stimulate your creativity, improve your answers and organize the five most important areas that create successful businesses. Your final product will be visual and easier to execute into reality.

You must have a serious business concept developed or have recently launched a new business. Graduation from an entrepreneurship program, business school or experience in the field of your business is helpful. You must have a passion for what you do. For more information or to sign up for the program, visit www.urbanfire.org.

Direct Public Offerings (DPOs) -  A revolutionary approach to raising money in challenging times without Angels, VCs, or Banks

Friday, October 29th
11:30am PT
2:30pm ET

 Register here!

Presented by
Jenny Kassan, CEO, Cutting Edge Capital
Jason Gore, Partner, Green Ladder Funding
________________________________________

 The initial presentation of this topic on 9/27 in Berkeley was so popular that we decided to offer it again for those who couldn’t attend and those who just want more!
_____________________________________________
A Direct Public Offering is a process for companies -
but especially green, sustainable, and other value-driven companies - to raise capital from like-minded investors.

Most entrepreneurs seek financing from banks, VCs, and angels. While these funding sources can work for some companies, they can also be problematic (we’ll briefly discuss why at this event).

There’s a better way. In this knowledge-packed event, you will learn how to raise money using a little-known set of state and federal laws which allow companies to advertise and market offerings directly to the public.

Just as the Obama campaign illustrated that it is possible to raise millions from individuals rather than relying on large corporate donors, entrepreneurs are using Direct Public Offerings to raise large sums from many small investors.

The ability to advertise directly to the public makes it possible for both startups and existing companies to reach affinity investors and raise money faster and cheaper than resorting to banks, angels, or venture capitalists, while staying true to their mission and values. And the best part is that you maintain control of your company and the funding process.

In this 1-1/2 hour webinar, with time for Q&A, you will learn practical rubber-meets-the-road tools to:
• Reach a new, untapped pool of high-probability investors
• Structure your deal with 3 insider tricks-of-the-trade you won’t learn anywhere else
• Close investors in 5 working days by making an investment offer that investors can’t refuse

If you have a green, sustainable, or triple-bottom line business, and need capital to implement or expand it, this webinar may reveal a new avenue for you to successfully raise capital.

How to Stand Out From The Rest

Being prepared for a job search campaign increases your chances of success. Join us for a discussion on how to deal with the various aspects of the job search including resume writing, job interviewing, thank you letters, and ultimately, entertaining job offers.

Bethany Eggman brings 7 years of experience educating children and adults about various financial topics. For the past 9 years she has worked at a credit union where she teaches employees and credit union members about financial topics. Bethany has obtained two Master’s Degrees in Education, both focused on teaching adults.

Please sign up by emailing ywmoney@ywca-berkeley.org with RSVP 9/20 in the Subject line and your full name in the body of the email. 

Free!!!
Monday September 20, 2010 6:00pm - 7:30pm
YWCA Berkeley / Oakland
2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA. 94704
Tel: 510.848.6370;
E-Mail: ywmoney@ywca-berkeley.org
Website: www.ywca-berkeley.org

The Joyce Gordon Gallery commemorates its 7 Year Anniversary and the official launch of its Youth Art Alliance in a dynamic and unique 7 Day Arts Celebration, this September 10-16th.

“7 in September” kicks off with a gala and silent auction hosted by Mr. Geoffrey Pete, and live fashion shoot by RenegadePR. The following days include an Art and Youth Fair to showcase the features of our Alliance, continues to Sankofa Institute’s Jazz Festival that includes Destiny and S.O.N.G. and a Spoken Word evening produced by Hot Water Cornbread. The exciting lineup includes Healing Arts, Film Festival and it closes with a party at Maxwell’s Lounge hosted by Soul Therapy.

Joyce Gordon Gallery
Gala and Art Auction
hosted by Mr. Geoffrey Pete

September 10, 2010

7:00 pm Silent Auction Opens
10:30 pm Silent Auction Close

406 14th St. Oakland, CA 94612
510.465.8928

In these tough economic times, our local communities are facing tremendous financial challenges. Middle to low-income families have been disproportionately devastated by the unprecedented financial crisis facing our state.

To help you and your family better understand and better plan for your financial futures, we are offering our Third Annual Financial Planning Day, which will include free and private financial consultations with certified financial planning professionals. Whether you need guidance with basic financial planning or more specialized advice on retirement planning, investment strategies, estate planning, tax issues, insurance, employee benefits or other special circumstances, highly competent financial planners and experts will be available to assist you.

Participants can receive as many private consultations or attend as many of the free educational workshops as they like.

Planning for your financial future is more important than ever and by bringing together local communities and certified financial planners, we are offering individuals the opportunity to take control of their finances. The valuable services provided at this highly anticipated event are free, confidential, and unlimited! Please come and attend all of the workshops and receive several private consultations on your financial issues.

The Financial Planning Day is sponsored by The Financial Planners Association-East Bay Chapter In Collaboration with Assembly Memember Sandre R. Swanson, Senator Loni Hancock, Assembly Memeber Nancy Skinner, Oaklnad Mayor Ronald V. Dellums and The City of Oakland

Mark your calendars and look out for the flyer with additonal information soon!

A day of free Financial Planning

Saturday, October 2, 2010
10:00am to 4:00pm
Oakland City Hall | 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza | Oakland, CA 94612

For more information, please contact the District Office at (510) 286-1670.

Click Here for More Information