Sweeeeet Oakland

Oakland Restaurant Week!

2012-01-16T10:32:00.000-08:00

Just around the corner is Oakland Restaurant Week! Great time to try out all those spots that you keep reading about, but never have time or money to indulge in.

My favorite picks, all of which involve drink specials (coincidence?):

Disco Volante - RW Deal: $30 for a three course dinner, including a carafe of house wine.
Grand Tavern - RW Deal: $20 for a two course dinner or $30 for a four course dinner, with all drinks at happy hour prices.
Seison - RW Deal: $20 for a three course dinner, $30 for a three course dinner plus a bottle of house wine.
Spice Monkey Cafe and Restaurant - RW Deal: $30 for a three course dinner, including a bottomless glass of house red or white wine.

Redevelopment Funds

2012-01-13T12:24:00.000-08:00

At its best, SweeeeetOakland delivers local political news in addition to info about super-amazing-rad-beyond-belief events (if I do say so :). We have therefore been doing our best to research and keep abreast of the Redevelopment Funds Court Decision that is causing tidal-style waves through the city's government at this very moment. As usual, others have done a more fantastic job of covering it than we have the ability to, so following is a quick summary and some good links:

It goes something like this - Redevelopment funds are a form of Tax Increment Financing. Basically that means that you are borrowing money with the idea of using it to make improvements which will result in increased revenue in the future - equal or more than the original loan. So I borrow money, build a park in an abandoned lot, housing values in the area rise, I collect more in property tax, which pays for the loan, and everyone wins (in an ideal world at least).

Oakland relies a lot on this financing, in past years, using redevelopment funds to pay for almost half of the salaries of it's city employees. This year because of fiscal projections we (Oakland) budgeted close to 200 (rather than the historic 1000+) positions out of these funds, including half the mayors salary.

It gets complicated because the Tax Increment Financing process mostly doesn't take place directly through the city. Instead there are Redevelopment Agencies which envision these projects, access the funding, and then funnel some of the money back to municipality after of course taking a cut for their own purposes.

Last week the California Supreme Court ruled that these agencies in their current iteration, need to be shut down. That means the delivery of funds to local government is now severely in question. Many or all of the employees whose salary is paid from these funds, or whose job is involved in it, will be getting lay-off slips soon.

What will take the place of the disbanded agencies is still up in the air, so continue following this story, educate yourself about it, and when it comes time to build something like them again, lend your voice to the discussion!

Links:

Overview and History

Sad that this is happening

Good that it is happening

Shopping, Shmopping.... Mimosas, I'll Toast Yas!

2012-01-13T11:26:00.000-08:00

That kinda rhymes, right? Fine, at least I tried... Last year the mimosas were bottomless and free, so rumor has it...

Celebrate Friday the 13th with Girrrrrrrl Power and Metal

2012-01-12T22:06:00.000-08:00

Friday the 13th can occur up to three times in a year, but usually only happens once. So it's a sort of holiday - something to celebrate!

Tomorrow on this special day I recommend you attend one or even both of these events:

Numero Uno - Metal show at the Oakland Metro. I went to their space on New Years and was blown away by how cool it is. If you haven't been there since they got the new venue, or opened the new spaces, you owe yourself a trip. And bonus points cause it fits the theme of the day.

Numero Dos - Girl artists, DJs, cooks, musicians, etc. take over half a block. Boys are invited :) Need I say more? No. Ok, one more thing... Actually, no.... :)

Have a great one!!!

Get This Oakland Project Kickstarted With Just A Vote

2012-01-10T18:54:00.000-08:00

Is it over?

While I always had high hopes for Occupy Oakland, I also had reservations. There were great aspects, like the few weeks when they were operating a 24/7 free-kitchen, and effectively solved the homeless problem because you could tell anyone who asked for money that there was food and shelter to be found just down the way. There were negatives too though, like the several local businesses who reported that sales were hurting because of the aura around the area. Lately, unless you know someone who is a hard core follower of the movement, you probably didn't even know that they were still around. Is Occupy over?

Not so fast I say. They have money in the bank, and a lot of great idealistic hard-working people still supporting them. Something could still come of this. In order to at least give them the chance, please take a few moments and vote below to funnel them some cash to hire a financial and idea consultant. It might sounds odd to do that since they have money, but unless it is gifted to them, it would be hard to get a vote to use the current funds in this manner.

Check it out here-

http://financial.maker.good.is/projects/occupy

Brought To You By Bay Area Localize: How To Spend Your MLK Jr. Day

2012-01-10T08:11:00.000-08:00

Garden, Relax, and Enjoy the ‘Jewel of Oakland’
Victory Garden Foundation, Bay Localize, and local community gardeners have exciting plans for a new People’s Victory Garden at Oakland’s Lakeside Park at Lake Merritt. We want you to help make it a reality!

Transform an open space of about 300 square feet into a thriving lush edible demonstration garden.

WHEN: Monday, January 16th from 9 am - 1 pm
WHERE: Lakeside Park, Lake Merritt, Oakland

RSVP by Thursday to melody@baylocalize.org.

Rock New Years Eve 2011-2012 in Oakland

2011-12-30T13:06:00.000-08:00

Thanks Don Hoekwater!

It's that special time again, when we all unload way too much money to try to have a better story to tell than our friends - New Years!! I long ago realized that the best narratives usually come from the people with no money who end up drinking too much 4-loco (RIP - tear tear) and smoking crack for the first time in a whorehouse in West Oakland. I mean, try telling your story of the $200 party with n-sa, n-sa, n-sa music and "open bar" where you got three drinks all night cause the lines were so long to someone with the prior one - you're not gonna win.

I was going to put together a list of recommendations, somewhere in between smoking crack and watching fireworks on TV, but so many fine people and publications have already rocked that job, that this time I am just going to link you to them. Each source provides a variety of ideas which should meet the dual tasks of providing you with a splendid NYE story, while meanwhile not breaking the proverbial the mint (bank? piggy bank?). For New Years Day I curated a few of my own picks.

Night Of

The Bar Crawl Route on Public Transportation from Living In the O

Some of the Bigger Events by Oakland Local

Some Randoms from Clubzone

The Expensive from Inside Bay Area

The Outlyers brought to you by the infamous East Bay Express

Mac and Cheese+ with the East Bay Loop

Morning After

Dollar day at the Horse Races

Monarch Butterfly Walk in Ardenwood Park (do advanced search to find deets)

Bottomless Mimosas at Hobnob (all the Oakland bottomless places I called will be closed :(

Opulent Temple After Party - Totally worth going to the city for

And FYI - Bart will be continuing its NYE tradition of running till 3am.

One Week Haitus :(

2011-12-21T16:50:00.000-08:00

There will be no events listed this week because of the Holidays. Please check back next week though for more awesome Sweet Oakland happenings! Happy Holidays and mad love to you all! Oh, and if anything awesome does come up, we will be listing it on Twitter, so follow follow us there!!

In SF + Open Bar = Posted Here

2011-12-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

Click HERE

This is a good one all around... win win win win win win win.......

Oakland Events: Dec 16th - Dec 20th

2011-12-15T19:59:00.000-08:00

Little lite on the events this week. Maybe cause its almost X-mas? Speaking of which, happy holidays to all readers! Working to get some guest posters in the New Year. Already have a couple peeps lined up... if you are interested in contributing please let me know at grahamhollandpatterson@gmail.com. Thanks!

Friday Dec 16th:
Pinback at The New Parish

Always wanted one of those cool cylindrical Trumer glasses? Me too... Get one and meet the brewers at Actual Cafe

Saturday Dec 17th:
San Francisco Boys Chorus Christmas Concert at Cathedral of Christ the Light

Oakland Art Murmur Saturday Stroll Third Sat of every month

Kerstbier Fest at the Trappist Sounds cool, but only four six-ounce samples for $25? You get a glass too, I suppose, which can sit next to the Trumer you scored last night...

Sunday Dec 18th:
Raiders! I am sad to admit I have never seen them, but this Sunday is my/our chance! Check out THIS SITE for discount tics

Monday Dec 19th:
Los Rakas Meet and Greet if you don't know what I'm talking about, check out this awesome Oakland bands music HERE

Tuesday Dec 20th:
Trivia Night at the Fox Theatre's Den win free tickets to upcoming shows

Oakland Events - December 7th - December 13th

2011-12-06T16:38:00.001-08:00

This week is packed full of AWESOME Oakland offerings. So without further ado....

Wednesday Dec 7th - Which Holiday party are you going to attend? Tough choice.....
Oaklandish Holiday Party at the New Parish

Oakland Local Holiday Party at TechLiminal

Thursday Dec 8th -
Whole Foods Holiday Soiree - Over 15 vendors sampling and live Nutcracker music. RSVP HERE, no worries though if you don't

A Holiday Fluxtastic Celebration with your favorite local Big Art Instigators - Space Cowboys DJs, cheapish and definitely delicious cocktails, cool art, cool space.... I'm sold.

Oakland 1946 General Strike Documentary - In 1946, Oakland had a citywide General Strike, initiated by the mostly-women retail clerks. Learn more

Friday Dec 9th -
Awesome Underground Oakland Hip Hop Show

Saturday Dec 10th -
Rosenblum Cellars Holiday Party - $10 includes extensive tasting and delicious snacks!

Mercury 20 Gallery Artist Reception - 4-7pm, artist talk at 5pm

American Steel 2-Day Diamonds in the Rough Exhibition and Party - sounds really cool!

Sunday Dec 11th -
See Sat for continuing American Steel Event

Christmas Jazz Festival and Reception @ Cathedral of Christ the Light - I'm not religious, but you don't gotta be to enjoy the beautiful music bouncing off the walls of this crazy space. Check out their other Christmasie events, such as boys and girls choirs HERE.

Monday Dec 12th -
West Coast Port Shutdown. Follow your favorite Occupy Twitterer for more info

Legacies of People Power - An event to help celebrate the Ella Baker Center's 15 year Anniversary. $5-15 sliding scale.

Wednesday Dec 15th -
Alameda Food Bank Drive with Congresswoman Barbra Lee. Can't promise she'll be there, but she is sponsoring it along with Assemblymember Sandré Swanson, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Peralta Trustee Abel Guillen, and EBMUD Director Andy Katz.

Have a great week and don't forget to follow me here and on Twitter!

Whole Foods Sample Craziness and Ballet?

2011-12-06T09:49:00.001-08:00

Oakland Local Holiday Party

2011-11-30T16:10:00.001-08:00

Come through at their headquarters at co-working space Tech Liminal from 6-9 PM on Wednesday, December 7th, and enjoy some great food, great drinks, music, prizes, gifts and talk.

Hang out with the Oakland Local team--and see their brand new redesign. Their planning some special give-aways, music, a yummy wine and chocolate tasting, and an advance look at our new redesign.

Please RSVP here and buy a ticket at Eventbrite ($5) http://partydec2011.eventbrite.com/ &n...; to help fund the yummy treats and drinks-all locally sourced. Cool.....

November 30 - December 6th :: Guide to Oakland Happenings

2011-11-29T17:47:00.001-08:00

Sweeeeet Oakland Returns!! Sorry for missing the last couple week's updates. I was away on a 12 day silent Buddhist retreat. If you are interested in torturing/enlightening yourself check out the North Fork Vipassana retreat schedule HERE. The whole thing is free though (you can leave a donation if you want when you complete the course, no pressure from them though), in a beautiful location about an hour from Yosemite, and a really interesting mind expanding trip.

Enough of that....

Buy it Now: Half off Oakland Zoo - They are all X-mas decked out for the next few weeks with tinsel streaming and lights ablaze. Great time to spend an afternoon there, especially if you've never been.

Wed 30th: Dubstep Party with local DJs

Thur 1st: Tourettes Without Regrets

Fri 2nd: Jack London Tree Lighting

Art Murmur - Obviously it's cool, but what galleries should you make sure to check this month? My recommendations:

Creative Growth
New Commodity - 474 24th St.
Bettiono
Slate
Warehouse 416
Shadravan"s

Sat 3rd: Hoodstoccupy - Awesome music fest, where among others the amazing RNB Millionaires will be playing

Go Outside by RnB Millionaires

Issues on Piedmont - holiday party (aka, free wine and snacks :)

Mon 5th: Two Miles Winery - Prohibition Repeal Party

This year, we're planning on having John Brothers Piano Band playing some music while pouring wine to pay tribute to the historic day which ended 13 years of prohibition. No admission fee, but we will be charging a wee-bit for the booze.

Kindly let us know if you think you'll make it by emailing us here: more@twomilewines.com.

6-9pm

477 25th Street
Oakland, CA 94611

Tue, Wed 6-7: As tradition mandates, even though THIS IS in SF, it is an Open Bar, so it will be happily featured here.

Open Bar in the City - Tue Nov 15th

2011-11-14T10:19:00.001-08:00

As always, a good open bar, even be it in the City, will always get a mention here. RSVP to check out a great night of DJ's live scoring old crazy films, and of course a bottomless helping of delicious spiced whiskey courtesy of Drambuie.

RSVP HERE

November 9th-13th: Guide to Oakland Happenings

2011-11-07T12:50:00.000-08:00

Lots of great events coming up!

Before we get into that though, check out the short video above. I took it the other day as the Berkeley Occupy movement marched down Telegraph to converge with the Oakland contingent.

Was a great day, nighttime as most of you know by now was somewhat of a different story. I was there when the Mercedes ran a guy over that we all thought was dead, and when the police let the driver go and people started breaking windows I headed out. My roommate stayed, and stumbled back at 3pm sobbing from the tear gas and the emotional weight of what he had just witnessed. Pretty crazy. Stay safe Oakland!

Nov 9th: Lykke Li at the Fox - I personally like her more than a Little Bit, but I can see why some people think she is super annoying too! Oh, and in case you haven't figured this out yet, at the Fox there are always tons of scalpers, which end up scalping themselves within half an hour of a show's start when they begin selling tics for less than face value. Check it-

Nov 9th: Van Jones - one of Oakland's coolest citizenry, will host The Contract to Rebuild the American Dream at the Humanist Hall between Broadway and Telegraph on 27th St. If you are part of the Occupy movement, or have sympathies for it, but wish it was more directed, this should be a worthwhile investment of your time.

11/11/11: Bay Area Localize is hosting a conference/forum - about community resilience, namely about how the more we are self sustaining, but better off we will be in various calamities, from economic depressions to earthquakes. This will give you the opportunity to find out more and help set their agenda. $7-10 donation includes lunch.

Nov 12th:

Art Murmur Saturday Stroll: Visit many of the same galleries with less hipsters drunkenly stumbling into you (sorry if it was me! :)

Dashe Cellers Paella Fiesta: This is more expensive than I usually like to feature (Lykke Li too for that matter, don't you know we are in a recession??!!) but it promises to be a lot of fun, and if you buy a case you get your and a friend's ticket cost refunded. For those on a budget, still craving wine and Paella on Sat check THIS.

Kinetic Steam Works: Roll Out: If you do one thing on Saturday, do this! Please is awesome, always provides a good time. $10-100 sliding scale.

Nov 13th:

16th Street Station, West Oakland Open House/Party: This station was the final west coast terminal of the transcontinental railroad - CRAZY! Come eat, drink, and check it out. If you end up hosting an event there ($2500 donation to its restoration= event space) please please please invite me!!

Hope that all sounds good! Peace Oakland-

Some pictures from today...

2011-11-02T23:26:00.000-07:00

Click picture for more!

To get a play by play along with some really epic pictures check out http://www.insidebayarea.com/top-stories/ci_19247017 and read their twitter http://twitter.com/#!/insidebayarea

And even m ore to come tomorrow along with some cool video!

Oakland in Uproar

2011-10-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

#Occupyoakland Woman in Wheelchair Engulfed in Tear Gas, Helped By Protesters

Before we get to events-

I would be remiss not to mention the Occupy Oakland movement, the vast majority of whom are working positively and vocally to bring about change. It isn't easy living on the street, or marching around all day and dealing with negativity, bombs, and tear gas. Sweeeeet Oakland is with you~!

We witnessed some of what happened as the encampment was demolished yesterday, and as the intensity of the interaction between protesters and police amplified. There is plenty of ink spilled regarding the overreaction of the police, to I won't be a broken record.

Primarily we encourage you to stay strong, and stay positive. Please follow us on Twitter for updates on all protests we attend, and retweets from ones we are unable to. If you take some great video or photographs, please send them to grahamhollandpatterson@gmail.com for inclusion here.

PLUR isn't just for ravers.... (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect)

Resources:

Number One: Sign Ella Baker message to Mayor Jean Quan, and find out ways you can support the movement

Number Two: Follow #occupyoakland for updates about actions

Number Three: Text Bayaction to 41411 for text updates on the happenings.

Note: Our hearts go out to Scott Olsen, Iraq War Vet who was critically injured by a gas canister that hit his face during the protest last night. More HERE.

October 13th-19th Guide to Oakland Happenings

2011-10-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

The blog is back! I'm going to start out a bit slow, posting once a week about upcoming events. If there is anything cool that I find out about last minute I'm much more likely to post it on twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/sweeeeetoakland.

I'll do these weekly posts for a couple months. If people are checking it out - awesome, I'll keep it up. If not I may go back to just tweeting... So if you love this, or alternatively if you think I'm wasting my time, let me know!

Oct 13th: Soul of the City hosted by one of my all time favorite nonprofits, and definitely one of the most active in Oakland, the Ella baker Center. They will be sharing their list of strategies, priorities, and voting recommendations for the coming elections, so swing by Somar after work and grab a drink, meet some cool peeps, and get edumicated.

Oct 15-16: Treasure Island Music Fest. They still need some volunteers Sunday which would get you a free ticket for Saturday. You can email Jerry at oslvolunteers@gmail.com to sign up, but do it quick! There is a good festival guide HERE

Oct 16th: Joaquin Miller Native Plant Sale. Nuff said...

and

Temescal Farmer Market

and

Mini Maker Faire - Awesome crafty, arty sort of event. Been to similar one before and it was sweeeeet!

Additionally the SF Documentary Fest is going on this next week, with events in SF (duh) and also Berkeley. Being in the middle of the two it seemed relevant.

Peace!

Birthday Madness

2011-08-15T19:42:00.000-07:00

Just a final birthday update..... the following is my darkly penciled-in list of planned events over the next couple weeks. If you can't make it to my actual birthday, I'd love to see you at any of these -

Thur 18th: Free concert and I think free drinks (must RSVP) - http://tour.sailorjerrypresents.com/

Friday 19th: Burner get together at the Crucible. They are raffling off tics for those still looking! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128316057259202

Sat 20th: Awesome all night burner/electronic party in Oakland http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=255620161115396

Aug 25th: Birthday! The plan is still to meet at Butter around 8 for some drinks, then for those who are badass/dont have to work the next day, go to Holy Cow or the Cat Club, both walking distance, and maybe finish off at the Kreayshawn Afterparty

Aug 26th: Dr. Strangelove, one of my favorite movies is showing at the amazing Paramount theater in downtown Oakland.

Aug 28th : Los Rakas at the New Parish. Local Oakland rap group - sooo soo good. And the New Parish is a hella cool venue.

Aug 29 - Sept 4th: Burning Man!

Call or text me if you are gonna come or want more info about any of above! 310-933-3651

Moving to Thailand

2010-10-25T04:37:00.000-07:00

I have been in Thailand for a week now, where I will be teaching English with my girlfriend for the next 6 months. Needless to say, I will not be maintaining my SweeeeetOakland blog while away. I will however be keeping a blog about our adventures in Thailand, and you are more than welcome to read it HERE. Thank you for following me, and I will send out a message when this blog returns!

RSVP for Lake Chalet Free Champ and Apps tomorrow!

2010-09-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

http://www.thelakechalet.com/privatedining/lakechaletanniversary

Open Bar - BART ride away....

2010-09-24T14:49:00.001-07:00

Check it - http://sf.funcheap.com/3-hour-open-bar-metrowize-party-soma/

Open Bar Tomorrow - Embarcadero

2010-08-03T14:58:00.000-07:00

This says -invite only- at the bottom, so I can't guarantee anything. That being said, I have been to a bunch of things like this, and as long as you RSVP using the link below, there shouldn't be a problem. Hope to see you there!

This Wednesday Happy Hour from 6-9pm please join us for the Effen Vodka "Skinny Cocktail" Happy Hour at Sens Restaurant

A private showcase event for Effen Low Calorie Vodka. Help vote on your favorite Effen Vodka cocktail!

Effen Vodka, the Bartenders Guild and 944 have recruited San Francisco's top mixologists from your favorite city bars (Romolo, Matrix, Redwood Room) each to concoct a unique version of the Effen "Skinny Cocktail". Guests will be able to roam between the 6 different drink stations and sample the showcased cocktails at their leisure.

Each guest will receive 2 complimentary full sized drink tickets in addition to the free samples and passed appetizers will be provided by Sens restaurant.

The Effen promo girls will provide voting ballots for you to choose your favorite Effen concoction. Once all the votes are in, the winning Mixologist will win a weekend away at Plumpjack Resorts.

- EVENT TIME is from 6pm-9pm at Sens Restaurant in the Embarcadero -

- Unlimited FREE Effen Cocktail Samples from each of the 6 stations -

- 2 complimentary full sized drink tickets -

- FREE entry, No Cover -

- Complimentary passed Appetizers provided by Sens Restaurant -

Sens Restaurant
www.sens-sf.com
4 Embarcadero Ctr
San Francisco

Google Maps

••This is a private, invite only, guestlist only event. You MUST RSVP in order to be admitted to the event••

Please RSVP to happyhour@munagroup.com

A Sad Day.... Be Safe Everyone-

2010-07-08T17:20:00.000-07:00