Bay Area

Sunday Afternoon at the Marin County Fair

The theme of the Marin County Fair 2024, which ran from July 3-7, was ‘Make a Splash!’ celebrating one of our most precious natural resources — water — and all things water-related, according to the Marin County news release. “Water is especially relevant and important in Marin County” says the website, “whether we use the water for recreation, conserve it during drought times, have concerns about sea level rise, or to care for the local marine life.”

Published

5 months ago

July 18, 2024

Oakland Post

A view across the lake to the Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium, the giant ferris wheel, and the global marketplace tents; the ball exhibit and paintings, the Star Wars exhibit, the Drum Heads, Chinese Lion Dancers, and Clave MC. Photo by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

“Water is especially relevant and important in Marin County” says the website, “whether we use the water for recreation, conserve it during drought times, have concerns about sea level rise, or to care for the local marine life.”

The fair educates and entertains the fair-goers with water-related exhibits and competitive exhibits categories. One exhibit displayed the many personal essays that people wrote and contributed on what water meant to them.

Water was also the dominant theme of much of the fine art, and the categories included “watercolors, sea, surf and sand, water birds, drip paintings, and marine mammals, just to name a few.”

According to the news release, community partners told of “the important role water plays in our local environment, from the source of our precious drinking water on Mount Tamalpais and the Novato Creek Watershed to the rising sea along our coast.”

Water-related activities at the fair taught people about watersheds, water conservation, and more.

Much of the fair was the same as years past with headline concerts and side performances, carnival rides and fireworks every night.

The community food booths were closed, which meant that food and drinks could only be brought from the specialty food vendors scattered around the fairgrounds. For dinner, this writer bought a huge barbeque, foot-long, turkey leg, complete with fries and coleslaw, that I could not completely finish eating.

The farm exhibits also seemed empty and a bit smaller without the chickens, due to the concern about Avian Influenza, which can also infect humans.

On Sunday, July 7, as part of Latin Heritage Day, the Community Stage featured local Latin talent from around the Bay including Raya Nova, Area Agresiva, Zazil Haa, Ballet Folklorico Netzahualcoyotl, and Clave MC.

I watched the last main concert, featuring Los Lonely Boys, and left the fair after the fireworks. I enjoyed the fair and will hope to visit again next year, even if I know it will still be more or less the same as before.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

3 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

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OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

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Bay Area

Richmond’s New Fire Chief Sworn In

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” noted Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi,. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Chief Osorio (far left) was sworn in at a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Hall on Nov. 15. All photos by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio was sworn into his new role in a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Council Chambers on Friday, Nov. 15.

The crowd included Osorio’s family and friends, rank-and-file Richmond firefighters, fellow fire chiefs from Bay Area agencies, elected officials and community members.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl provided an introduction and acknowledged Chief Osorio’s “heroic service to Richmond.”

Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi, presented the chief with a Congressional Commendation, citing his 23 years of serving in the fire service in Richmond in numerous positions.

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” Sandhu noted. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

The chief’s wife, Maria, and two sons Roman and Mateo helped perform the badge-pinning.

Richmond City Clerk Pamela Christian then conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Osorio thanked his family, colleagues, and city for their support, calling it “very humbling” to take on leadership of an “amazing organization.”

Once the ceremony was done, the chief stated, “I’m ready to get to work.”