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.

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.

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

Did you know that there are stimulus dollars that will reimburse you for 80% of wages and other employer costs for the first 6 months of employment?

If you are interested in filling an existing vacancy or expanding your business during these recessionary times, the Alameda County Social Services Agency currently has highly qualified individuals ready to come to work for you! 

Missed the information session?  The Alameda County Social Services Agency has a great brochure with more information here.

 This is a great opportunity to find out how to employ more people and save money!

Oakland restaurant Spice Monkey is hosting a food drive and community dinner this Thanksgiving!  This delicious meal, incluidng a main course and special treat, is available for all and is free–all you have to do is reserve yourself a place at the table!  Drop by Spice Monkey and bring 5 cans of food to donate to the Alameda County Community Food Bank to make your reservation.  For details, check out Spice Monkey’s website.

But make sure to stop by soon–reservations close on Tuesday, November 24th!

Pro Arts Gallery is hosting its 35th Anniversary/Box Art Exhibit and Benefit Auction this Saturday evening, November 7th.  Box Art 2009 features “original works made from recycled materials distributed by Pro Arts in partnership with the Reuse People.”  This fundraiser allows a community of artists to have fun creating new works from the same materials.  Come check out what they’ve created and support a local art gallery!  Details are on Pro Art Gallery’s website.

On August 7th, the East Bay Express hosted 10,000 people at the Best of the East Bay Party. Held at the Oakland Museum of California, attendees were presented with over thirty bands; fifty international dancers; comedians, graffiti, tattoo and visual artists; sixty indie fashion designers; a Harley-Davidson and tattoo art show; a classic pinball arcade; a kid’s party zone with young rock bands and science projects; and a professional contact sports ring with talent ranging from Pro Wresting to Kung Fu competitions.

In its second year, the Best of the East Bay Party has quickly become one of the region’s most well-received events. East Bay Express publisher Jody Colley summed up the event by saying, “Our goal was to throw a free community party that truly celebrates what we love most about the East Bay, and that’s its depth of talent, creativity and diversity. This party offers outstanding cultural entertainment value for everyone, all ages and all walks of life.”

The event was broadcast live on the Express’ website and will be featured at a later date on the internet radio site, Pandora.com. The event website has more information as well as photo and video galleries: http://www.eastbayexpress.wordpress.com/.  You can also check out photos of the OneCalifornia bar here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34624260@N02/sets/72157622171067078/.

Thank you to all who made this event a success!  And a BIG thank you to all the volunteers who helped man the event bar with OneCalifornia.  We couldn’t have done it without you!

The Rockridge District Association is pleased to bring you “Rockridge Out & About” on Sunday, September 27th.  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!  Check the event website for more information.

The Bay Area is home to many sustainable business experts, including many published authors on the subject!  The Sustainable Business Alliance is bringing many of them together on September 22nd for you to meet the authors, browse their books, and network with others working to support and learn more about sustainable businesses.  Click here to register and find out more.

The East Bay Express holds an annual reader poll to find out who is the Best of the East Bay.  Readers vote for the best in various categories, ranging from the Best Band to the Best Brunch Place for Vegans and Carnivores to Coexist, and everything in between.  To celebrate the winners, the East Bay Express holds the Best of the East Bay Party at the end of the summer!  Featured at this party are all types of East Bay food, drink, and retail vendors displaying their wares; East Bay non-profits educating the public about the amazing work that they do; a multitude of East Bay bands jamming on eight different stages as well as dancers, comedians, and other artists showing off their talents; sports demonstrations and car shows; and a kids’ zone with magic shows, art projects, and other hands-on activities; and more!

This year’s Best of the East Bay Party takes place on Friday, August 7^th from 5 PM to midnight at the Oakland Museum of California.  The Oakland Museum of California is located just one block away from Lake Merritt BART Station, so you can take BART to the event.  There will also be Bike Valet parking available onsite.

Each year the East Bay Express chooses an East Bay non-profit to highlight and support through the event; for the Best of 2009 Party, OneCalifornia Foundation is honored to be that chosen non-profit!  This means that, while the event is free, all bar proceeds will go to the Foundation.  See the article on the event’s blog about the party supporting local non-profits.  For more information about the event, check out the East Bay Express event blog.