Community
Raiders Spread Holiday Cheer at Covenant House CA
Less than 24 hours after returning from San Diego where the Oakland Raiders faced the Chargers in a hard-fought American Football Conference Western Division contest, members of the Oakland Raiders including wide receiver Rod Streater, tight end David Ausberry and offensive linemen Andre Gurode and Matt McCants ventured into the community to spread holiday cheer.
The players visited Covenant House California located in Oakland’s Jack London Square where they met with the facility’s residents and staff and delivered blankets, caps, and socks to the residents of the facility. The residential program offers comprehensive services that assist youth in developing self-sufficiency needed to successfully transition to independent living including life skills, educational and employment services
“It was good to go there and see the people and bring a smile to their face, just to give back to the people there who [are] trying to change their life and get back on track,” said Streater, the team’s leading receiver this year and also one of the most active players in community endeavors.
“Any time you can give back it’s a blessing and I am where I am, I think, because of what I’ve done. Giving back and helping others has always been a big thing for me. Anytime you can give back, I think it’s a good thing to do” he added.
The players also spend quality time with the facility’s residents in addition to delivering the Raider-themed items.
“Youth residents at Covenant House California’s facility in Jack London Square, Oakland were delighted to receive a visit today from several Oakland Raiders,” said Jill Battaalen, Bay Area Associate Development Officer for Covenant House California.
“The youth were excited and inspired to meet the players and have a chance to sit down and talk to them. Their energy and spirits were lifted and they were especially touched that they stopped by during the holidays,” she added.
Covenant House (CHC) California is a non-profit agency whose mission is to reach out to at-risk homeless youth living on the streets and offer them hope and opportunities to turn their lives around. CHC helps abused or neglected youth who have nowhere else to go. A large number have been thrown out of their homes while others have aged out or left the foster care system with no family, no support, and no one to turn to.
Art
Mario Van Peebles’ ‘Outlaw Posse’ Screened at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theatre
The Oakland International Film Festival hosted a screening of “Outlaw Posse” at the Grand Lake Theatre on Monday. Special guests included director/actor Mario Van Peebles and his co-star, Oakland native Scytorya Rhodes. The film is Peebles’ second western, the first being ‘Posse,’ 13 years ago.
By Carla Thomas
The Oakland International Film Festival hosted a screening of “Outlaw Posse” at the Grand Lake Theatre on Monday. Special guests included director/actor Mario Van Peebles and his co-star, Oakland native Scytorya Rhodes. The film is Peebles’ second western, the first being ‘Posse,’ 13 years ago. Filmmaker Van Peebles shared his passion for independent artistry and producing projects with his son, Mandela, who also starred in the film, along with Whoopi Goldberg and Cedric the Entertainer. Next week, The Post will publish an in-depth interview featuring Peebles’ reflections on his work, future projects, and continuing his father’s legacy and Rhodes on her grandfather, a real-life cowboy.
Community
Swim to fight cancer
City Government
Court Throws Out Law That Allowed Californians to Build Duplexes, Triplexes and RDUs on Their Properties
Charter cities in California won a lawsuit last week against the state that declared Senate Bill (SB) 9, a pro-housing bill, unconstitutional. Passed in 2021, SB 9 is also known as the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency Act (HOME). That law permits up to four residential units — counting individual units of duplexes, triplexes and residential dwelling units (RDUs) – to be built on properties in neighborhoods that were previously zoned for only single-family homes.
Charter cities in California won a lawsuit last week against the state that declared Senate Bill (SB) 9, a pro-housing bill, unconstitutional.
Passed in 2021, SB 9 is also known as the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency Act (HOME). That law permits up to four residential units — counting individual units of duplexes, triplexes and residential dwelling units (RDUs) – to be built on properties in neighborhoods that were previously zoned for only single-family homes.
A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge ruled in favor of the cities, pointing out that SB 9 discredited charter cities that were granted jurisdiction to create new governance systems and enact policy reforms. The court ruling affects 121 charter cities that have local constitutions.
Attorney Pam Lee represented five Southern California cities in the lawsuit against the state and Attorney General Rob Bonta.
“This is a monumental victory for all charter cities in California,” Lee said.
However, general law cities are excluded from the court ruling as state housing laws still apply in residential areas.
Attorney General Bonta and his team are working to review the decision and consider all options that will protect SB 9 as a state law. Bonta said the law has helped provide affordable housing for residents in California.
“Our statewide housing shortage and affordability crisis requires collaboration, innovation, and a good faith effort by local governments to increase the housing supply,” Bonta said.
“SB9 is an important tool in this effort, and we’re going to make sure homeowners have the opportunity to utilize it,” he said.
Charter cities remain adamant that the state should refrain from making land-use decisions on their behalf. In the lawsuit, city representatives argued that SB 9 eliminates local authority to create single-family zoning districts and approve housing developments.
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