Bay Area
Oakland’s Two Star Market to Host 19th Annual Thanksgiving Community Celebration
Oakland’s Two Star Market’s manager Farouq Alawdi, said the market is ready to feed anyone and everyone during the afternoon celebration and feast that will include a menu of smoked turkey, chicken kabobs, pizza, Hispanic delicacies, side dishes and desserts to the 1,000 guests expected to attend. Families with two or more family members will be able to take additional dinners home with them.
By Clifford L. Williams
Oakland’s Two Star Market, located at 2020 MacArthur Blvd., off Fruitvale Avenue, is gearing up once again for its 19th Annual Thanksgiving Community Celebration to be held on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
Oakland’s local community and residents from surrounding cities will join in the fun and festivities during the Market’s afternoon food fest that has fed residents from as far away as Vallejo and Fremont.
Two Star’s manager Farouq Alawdi, said the market is ready to feed anyone and everyone during the afternoon celebration and feast that will include a menu of smoked turkey, chicken kabobs, pizza, Hispanic delicacies, side dishes and desserts to the 1,000 guests expected to attend. Families with two or more family members will be able to take additional dinners home with them.
“We’ve been funding and providing these hot dinners for the past 18 years” said Alawdi. “It’s our way of giving back to the community because without them, we wouldn’t be here. The community has helped to sustain our business since we first opened in 1983 and this is our way of thanking the community for their helping to sustain our business.
“This year, we will come back to normal, with tables under a tent in the parking lot,” said Alawdi. “The spacious seating will allow attendees to enjoy the full buffet-style servings, while also adhering to mandated social-distancing protocols and guidelines set forth by health officials.”
The annual Thanksgiving meal will be slightly modified because of the COVID pandemic which determines how large groups of people can gather and celebrate. For those vaccinated, it is requested they show proof of their vaccination. Otherwise, masks should be worn at all times when they are not eating. Masks will be provided for those who need them.
Two Star’s in-house SmOakRing Smokehouse eatery will assist in smoking 20 turkeys. Other local eateries making contributions include Dimond’s Vegetarian Pizzeria and the La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, who will partner with Two Star to make the event possible.
“We have a wonderful community here in Oakland and our event draws people from all over the Bay Area,” said Alawdi.
“We are looking for volunteers to help with serving the throngs of people we are expecting. Volunteers should bring their own aprons and oven mittens. Volunteers interesting in working in the kitchen to help cook and serve should sign up at https://2starmarket.com
Alawdi said “the only thing the public needs to bring is a good appetite and have fun while listening to live entertainment including Latin jazz, old-school and rap music. Also, donations are welcomed by visiting www.2starmarket.com.
For more information on the 19th Annual Thanksgiving Community Celebration, contact Two Star Market at 510-531-3576.
Bay Area
Faces Around the Bay: Jim Brosnahan, Esq.
James J. Brosnahan, ESQ, an international trial lawyer and trial advocacy teacher, has remained unshaken in his fervent belief in the power of the law to right injustices. Brosnahan has fought to open the legal profession to those previously excluded and worked to provide lawyers to the millions who go without.
By Barbara Fluhrer
James J. Brosnahan, ESQ, an international trial lawyer and trial advocacy teacher, has remained unshaken in his fervent belief in the power of the law to right injustices.
Brosnahan has fought to open the legal profession to those previously excluded and worked to provide lawyers to the millions who go without. He has argued for the administrators of justice to represent the whole community. He’s tried 150 cases to conclusion and is ranked among the top 30 trial lawyers in the U.S. (Legal 500 US). He’s been called “scrappy,” “a lion in the courtroom,” and “ultra- liberal.”
One of his earliest cases (1962) involved two Navajo children shot by a White man on a reservation in Arizona. “The legal system needed to work as well for Native Americans as for White people,” he said. “The defendant was found guilty of second-degree murder.”
In 1963, U.S. Attorney Cecil Poole hired him as U.S. Attorney from a list of 200 applicants.
He and Poole, as federal observers, led the Vietnam protesters as they marched. The purpose: to avoid violence.
“Poole taught me preventative law in a chaotic situation and became one of my strongest mentors,” remembers Brosnahan.
In 1964, Brosnahan served on the NAACP’s Housing Committee in S.F., when 70% of the city’s housing was not available to Blacks. They sued racial discriminators, fought for reform and opposed the displacement of minorities in the Western Addition. They won and they lost, but they became the racial conscience of San Francisco in the fight for fair housing.
In 1969, two Black community workers in Oakland were indicted for stealing federal money.
“My two clients were activists in Oakland. I believed there was an element of racism running through Washington’s decision to indict two Black men who worked every day to help the poor,” he said.
The case was eventually dismissed. In the early 70s, he responded to a subpoena and testified against Judge Rehnquists’ confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court. He had witnessed Rehnquist obstructing voting at a polling place. Amid threats on his life, he was the chief defense lawyer for the American who joined the Taliban in 2002.
Brosnahan, his wife Carol and three children moved from S.F. to Berkeley in 1964, in part, to participate in the Berkeley school integration program. She is a retired Alameda County Superior Court judge.
Brosnahan, 90, checks in to his San Francisco firm, Morrison & Foerster often. He paints, reads, walks a mile a day, journals, and lectures, while writing another book: “Cultural History of Trials over the Centuries.”
His last book “Justice at Trial,” published in 2023, details his life and battles.
He reflects, “Over my career I have come to realize that one secret for enriching your own life is trying to help others. What better way to do that than to represent them in court.”
Activism
Obituary: Social Justice Leader, the Rev. Cecil Williams, Passes at 94
On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family. He was 94 years old.
By California Black Media
On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family.
He was 94 years old.
The reverend was a civil rights leader who advocated for the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the Bay Area.
Williams was the head pastor of the non-denominational GLIDE Memorial United Methodist Church. The church welcomed individuals from the queer community and people struggling with homelessness, housing instability and substance use disorder (SUD).
Through his work, Rev. Williams attracted national attention. Prominent political and cultural leaders such as Maya Angelou, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Clinton all attended church services at Glide.
Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) said she is deeply saddened about the passing of her dear friend.
“The Reverend changed the lives of millions through radical love, support, inclusivity, and a commitment to service to the most marginalized,” Lee said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the reverend inspired people across California to embody the values of generosity and acceptance.
Rev. Williams was, “a visionary leader whose legendary compassion and love for his community transformed the lives of people from all walks of life,” Newsom said.
Rev. Williams served as the chief executive officer of the Glide Foundation until his retirement in 2023.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 1 – 7, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 1 – 7, 2024
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
-
Community2 weeks ago
Financial Assistance Bill for Descendants of Enslaved Persons to Help Them Purchase, Own, or Maintain a Home
-
Activism4 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 3 – 6, 2024
-
Business2 weeks ago
V.P. Kamala Harris: Americans With Criminal Records Will Soon Be Eligible for SBA Loans
-
Community2 weeks ago
AG Bonta Says Oakland School Leaders Should Comply with State Laws to Avoid ‘Disparate Harm’ When Closing or Merging Schools
-
Activism3 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 10 – 16, 2024
-
Community2 weeks ago
Oakland WNBA Player to be Inducted Into Hall of Fame
-
Community2 weeks ago
Richmond Nonprofit Helps Ex-Felons Get Back on Their Feet
-
Community2 weeks ago
RPAL to Rename Technology Center for Retired Police Captain Arthur Lee Johnson