Oakland

A communal approach to neighborhood improvement

Moriah McKnight — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 01:07:13 +0000

Antonio Vasquez is chopping up a slab of pork right off a pig's leg. The whole place smells like roasted pork and corn tortillas. According to Vasquez, Jalisco’s owner, the resaturant is one of the oldest in the neighborhood. In January 1967, his dad opened the doors to Jalisco Restaurant. Vasquez has worked at Jalisco all of his life with his five sisters and two brothers.

Growing up on International Boulevard

Kim Ip — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 00:34:21 +0000

Chicken salad and tostadas are the first things you smell stepping into the Lopez family apartment. Several people are sitting around a coffee table sharing a meal. Each of the tiny studio apartments houses one family. With 24 families in the building, the space is at full capacity. In the Lopez apartment, food is in the kitchen, on a makeshift table on wheels.

The Lopez family has lived in this studio apartment for thirteen years. The family moved here from Mexico. Edgar Lopez and his two brothers grew up in this apartment.

Oakland School for the Arts still making noise after ten years

Natalie Meier — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 00:53:44 +0000

In 2002, Oakland Mayor, now governor, Jerry Brown started Oakland School for the Arts (OSA) with the hope that students would have an outlet to express themselves through art forms like dance, theater, and visual illustrations.

Roosevelt Middle School and the recipe for a good education

Karen Gordon — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:21:54 +0000

What is the recipe for a good education and a great school? That is the question that drives Oakland Public High School Principal, Cliff Hong.

Hong is at the helm of Roosevelt Middle School in the San Antonio neighborhood of Oakland, which has about 650 students.

Mills College student and KALW reporter Karen Gordon met Hong a year ago, when he was in his second year as principal of Roosevelt Middle School.

KAREN GORDON: What is the recipe for a good education and a great school?

East Bay Express: Throwing more money at police

Ali Winston and Darwin BondGraham — Wed, 29 May 2013 23:57:32 +0000

Oakland already directs a larger percentage of its budget to police than comparable cities nationwide, yet it's planning to spend even more money without demanding reforms.