oakland business review april 2012

April 2010 | 1

THE AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION OF THE OAKLAND METROPOLITAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |

Oakland Business Review

www.oaklandchamber.com | VOL XXXIX NO. 4 APRIL 2012

Visit www.oaklandchamber.com for more businessopportunities, news and event registration.

> Registration now openfor ‘Oakland: Heart of theMegaRegion’ May 4

> Largest containershipvisits Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland haswelcomed the largestcontainership ever to call anyseaport in North America. TheMSC Fabiola is a 12,562 TEU(20-foot equivalent-unit)vessel; an average container equals two TEUs. It is part ofthe fleet of the world's second-largest shipping company,Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Co SA. MSC is oneof the Port of Oakland's fastest-growing carriers.

"Hosting the largest containership ever to call in NorthAmerica is what we mean when we say that the Port ofOakland is World Class, World Fast," said Oakland Boardof Port Commissioners President Pamela Calloway.

The MSC Fabiola is almost a quarter-mile long, morethan the length of four football fields or about equal tothe height of a 55-story building.

Join in for the third annualMegaRegion Summit,“Oakland: Heart of theMegaRegion,” on Friday,May 4 for an educationalhalf-day conference.

This year the program willprovide something for every-one, with a selection of themed mobile workshops that allowparticipants to explore Oakland – the thriving city at the heartof the Northern California MegaRegion. With the support ofthe local technology community, the Port of Oakland, and thecity of Oakland, Summit participants will choose from thefollowing in-depth mobile workshops.

• Trade and Exports at the Port of Oakland – This work-shop tours Oakland’s Port and former Army Base site by boat.

• Commercial Development in the city of Oakland –In a roving bus classroom, workshop participants will traverseOakland’s arterial Broadway corridor from the “Hills to Bay” toexplore its development potential.

• Technology and Innovation Panel Discussion –This workshop will examine Oakland’s diverse and thrivingtechnology sector. Participants will enjoy a comprehensiveconversation on the East Bay’s advancements in green innova-tion, new media, venture capital, and technology workforcedevelopment.

Confirmed panelists for the Innovation and TechnologyWorkshop now include:

• Danny Kennedy, founder, Sungevity• Joe Kennedy, president & CEO, Pandora Internet Radio• Daniel Brusilovsky, founder, Teens in Tech Labs• Blake Burris, founder, CoHabitat & Dynamo Labs• Billy Parish, founder, Solar Mosaic• Seth Miller, partner, DBL InvestorsThe workshop will be moderated by Patrick Hoge, a tech-

nology beat reporter for the San Francisco Business Times.The workshop will also include a guided tour of Sungevity’sinnovative business incubator space for Oakland start-ups.

Each session (port, city and tech) will feature experts inthe field and provide conference attendees with a deeperunderstanding of the given topic. We hope that you join us.

Event details:“Oakland: Heart of the MegaRegion” will be held from noon to 6p.m. at the Jack London Square Market Building (55 Harrison St.),and will conclude with a reception featuring Oakland restaurants,brewers and vintners.

To secure your participation at this exciting economicdevelopment event, please visit http://business.oaklandchamber.com/Events/details/megaregion.

Note: Individual workshops will fill on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t delay your registration.

Four remaining conference sponsorship packages areavailable; please email [email protected] formore information. �

This year’s Annual Meeting ofthe Oakland MetropolitanChamber of Commerce willrecognize and celebrate itsmembers, the lifeblood of theorganization. It reflects Chambermembers – members of thebusiness community – salutingits own that have contributedboth financially and throughvolunteerism for the bettermentof Oakland.

The 107th Annual Meetingand Awards Luncheon will beheld on Wednesday, June 27 atthe Oakland Marriott CityCenter.

Visa is the title sponsor.The event will showcase the

Oakland Chamber Award win-ners in the following categories:

Business Innovator –recognizing a company orbusinessperson whose practicesexemplify creative thinking and

Shroud of uncertaintyhangs over THE A’S1

Oakland welcomesCLIPPER YACHT RACEJack London SquarePage 8

‘REMEMBER THEM’ MONUMENTFinal installation in SeptemberPage 2

The Chamber’s annual “Daywith the A’s” comes with aspecial treat in 2012. Besidesgathering Chamber membersand guests for an Oakland A’s– San Francisco Giants gameat O.co Coliseum (OaklandColiseum) on Friday evening,June 22, the Chamber will alsohost members for an A’s – NewYork Yankees game andfireworks display on Fridayevening, May 25.

Tickets for each game, withseats directly behind the A’sdugout in the stadium’s Plazalevel, are $40 per person, withGiants tickets being sold at asubstantial discount. Should youwish to purchase tickets for bothgames (the fireworks show willimmediately follow the Yankeegame), the rate drops to $75, a$5 savings.

For more information on theA’s games against the Giants andYankees, contact Amanda Medinaat the Chamber [email protected] at (510) 874-4800, ext. 319. �

> Fireworks: A’s vs. Yankees

Courtesy of the Port of Oakland

� The MSC Fabiola isalmost a quarter-milelong and more than thelength of four footballfields – about equal tothe height of a 55-storybuilding.

> Chamber willcelebrate itsmembers – and107 years – atAnnual Meeting

– continued on page 7

> Join us for a Cuban vacation Aug. 21-29

The trip begins with a flight fromLos Angeles to Havana on Tuesday,Aug. 21, with highlights includingeverything from Old Havana to theprehistoric painted caves and fromHemingway’s Farm, “Finca LaVigia,” to the Bay of Pigs Museumand an overnight to Trinidad.

The trip costs $3,799 perperson based on doubleoccupancy, and includes roundtripairfare, a Cuban travel visa, Cubanhealth insurance, eight nightswith first-class hotel accommoda-tions, 21 meals, sightseeing andadmissions per itinerary, aprofessional Cuban bilingual

host, hotel and airport transfers and baggage handling,and transportation by a deluxe air conditioned motorcoach.

Reservations are first-come, first-served and there are alimited number of seats available.

For more information, contact Amanda Medina at theChamber at (510) 874-4800, ext. 319 or at [email protected]. �

Now that Cuban andU.S. relations have

softened and theObama administration

has widened thetravel opportunities,

the Chamber ofCommerce has

secured a nine-daytrip to Cuba from

Aug. 21-29 viaChamber

Explorations.

FRUITVALEChamber & Wells Fargojoin in salute to OaklandPage 24

| OBR Oakland Business Review | www.oaklandchamber.com2

> Monument’s Section 4 to be unveiled in SeptemberThe final, large section – Section 4 – of the Remember Them: Championsfor Humanity monument has been fully funded, and is currently beingprepared for an unveiling during the first week of September. The additionof the fourth section – the largest of the four – will make Remember Themthe largest bronze monument west of the Mississippi, and the only onededicated to diversity.

The monument’s first three sections were unveiled at a momentousevent in September 2011, which was followed in the coming days by a galaevent that featured appearances by Maya Angelou and Ruby Bridges (bothfeatured on the monument) and a silent vigil on the morning of Sept. 11,the tenth year anniversary of the attack on America.

Fifteen international humanitarians appear on the first three sectionsof the monument, with 11 more appearing on the fourth.

Five of those humanitarians on creator Mario Chiodo’s masterpiece arefeatured here.

Susan B. Anthony1820-1906Susan B. Anthony fought for the rights of women inthe late 1800s, including the right to vote. Throughlectures, protests, petitions and writings, shecampaigned for women’s suffrage, equaleducational opportunities and the abolition ofslavery. Ms. Anthony suffered and endured bittertreatment by men in her quest to improve the livesof all.

Cesar Chavez1927-1993Cesar Chavez, civil rights and agricultural laborleader, took a stand against the social injusticetowards farm workers. He is best known as thefounder of the United Farm Workers of America,AFL-CIO. He led the fight for major revisions in the

laws and unions pertaining to farm workers who had no or very limitedrights in the workplace of America, yet were the backbone of theeconomic engine of farming.

Sir Winston Churchill1874-1965Sir Winston Churchill stood alone againstfascism, rallied his country’s support, andprevented a totalitarian domination of theEuropean continent. In doing so, he also savedthe lives of countless Jews and protected humanrights in multiple democratic nations. Born intowealth, Churchill chose a more difficult life as apublic servant and, because of his militaryprowess, changed the destiny of the world.

Shirin Ebadi1947-presentShirin Ebadi, former judge and attorney in hernative Iran, has dedicated her life to improvingthe rights of children and women in the MiddleEast. Despite having endured prison and torture,she continues to lecture, write and legallyrepresent politically sensitive cases. She hasestablished two agencies for protecting childrenand human rights and won the Nobel Peace Prizein 2003.

Abraham Lincoln1809-1865Against great odds, Abraham Lincoln changedour nation’s direction by paving the way to endslavery. A courageous and diplomatic leader, heaccomplished this under severe opposition from

the South and many members of his own cabinet. He is a role model whoattained high achievements, even though he was born to a working classfamily and faced many health challenges. �

April 2012 | 3

About Cuba, Chamber awards, and MegaRegion conference

From the President | Joe Haraburda

Travel to Cuba with us Aug. 21!Plan now to vacation in Cuba this summer! When was the last time youcould think about a vacation like that? Join Chamber Explorations andtour Havana and Trinidad! Professional Cuban bilingual tour guides willenhance your visit as you are welcomed to Havana on Tuesday, Aug. 21.The trip runs through Wednesday, Aug. 29, and will include tours of OldHavana, the Museo Fine Arts, Hemingway’s Farm ‘Finca La Vigia’, the Bayof Pigs Museum and much more.

The cost of the trip, $3799 per person (based on double occupancy),includes 5-Star hotel accommodations, airport transfers on deluxemotorcoach, baggage handling and most meals!

Keep in mind that reservations are on a first-come, first-served basisand there are a limited number of seats available, so make your reserva-tions now.

For details, visit www.oaklandchamber.com or call Amanda Medinain our office at (510) 874-4800, ext. 319 or at [email protected].

Attend our Annual Meeting June 27The Chamber’s 107th Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon will be heldat the Oakland Marriott on Wednesday, June 27, and if you haven’tattended an Annual Meeting in the past, now is the time to come. It’syour chance to help us recognize the companies and individuals whomake up the Chamber, the business leaders of our community.

This year’s awards categories reflect that leadership. They are Busi-ness Innovator, Nonprofit Impact, Business Volunteer of the Year, Educa-tion First, Community Contributor, Best Oakland Restaurant, andLeadership Oakland Alumni of the Year.

We stand up for businesses in every part of Oakland.

Nomination forms for the categories are available at www.oaklandchamber.com or in the Chamber office. All nominees must be Chambermembers; self-nomination is discouraged and nominations must besubmitted no later than Friday, May 18.

Join us – and you’re helping to support the Chamber’s efforts to createa strong economy, represent the interests of business with government,and provide quality networking.

And speaking of networking, the Annual Meeting provides time whenyou can meet some of those industry leaders you may have been trying toreach. Do some quality networking and hear from Shannon Pedder ofBRAND: CREATIVE, the incoming chair of the Board of Directors, as well asfrom John Nelson of murakami/Nelson Architectural Corporation, our out-going chair.

It’s also your chance to hear about what the Chamber’s been workingon for the past year, and where we’re headed in the year to come.

Make your reservations now – the event begins at 11:30 a.m. and runsthrough 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27.

Oakland: Heart of the MegaRegionPlan to join us on Friday, May 4 for this educational half-day conference inJack London Square. The Summit will gather business leaders, laborrepresentatives, industry leaders, technology innovators, and communitypartners to identify obstacles, brainstorm solutions, and developstrategies to keep the Northern California region competitive. ContactAmanda Medina at our office for reservations, [email protected], or register online at www.oaklandchamber.com. �

April 2012 | 5

Names in the news

• Kaiser Foundation Health Plan ranks highest in member

satisfaction with health plans in California for a fifth consecutive year,

according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Member Health

Plan StudySM. Now in its sixth year, the study measures member

satisfaction among 141 health plans in 17 regions throughout the

U.S. by examining seven key factors: coverage and benefits; provider

choice; information and communication; claims processing; state-

ments; customer service; and approval processes.

• Fitzgerald Abbott & Beardsley has

announced that John Gardner has joined

the firm as a partner and co-chair of the

Business and Corporate Transactions Group

in the Oakland and Walnut Creek offices. He

comes to Fitzgerald Abbott & Beardsley from

Caroll, Burdick & McDonough, where he was

a partner and chair of the Corporate and Real

Estate Transactions Group. Gardner advises

clients in the formation, financing,

management, and disposition of corpora-

tions, partnerships, and limited liability companies.

• Women’s Initiative for Self

Employment, one of the nation’s largest

microenterprise training and funding

organizations, has welcomed Dale Marie

Golden of Torrey Pines Bank to its Alameda

County regional board. Golden is vice

president and private banker at Torrey Pines,

which serves the Bay Area’s East Bay markets.

She has been in the banking industry for more

than 20 years and specializes in meeting the

unique and complex banking needs of not-for-profit organizations,

small and medium-sized businesses and women-owned businesses.

• The law firm of Donahue Gallagher

Woods LLP has announced that Elizabeth

Engh has joined the firm as a partner.

Engh has more than 30 years of experience

practicing law, and joins Donahue’s Trusts &

Estate Planning group. Her practice special-

izes in estate planning, trusts and tax issues.

• A new 1,500-square-foot giraffe barn

has been unveiled at the Oakland Zoo,

accommodating a herd of nine giraffe.

Thanks to contributors, led by Robin Reynolds and George Zimmer,

funding was made available to raise the roof for the zoo’s nine

reticulated giraffe. The new barn is designed to better accommodate

the animals and their specific needs, including 25-foot ceilings and a

birthing area.

• AC Transit has been awarded $6,677,074 in Department of

Transportation funds to help upgrade facilities and equipment. The

funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration’s “State of

Good Repair” program, which seeks to ensure the continued safety

and integrity of America’s bus and rail systems through projects to

maintain infrastructure, manage information and innovatively finance

public transportation systems.

• In a collaboration with Children’s Fairyland and Round Table

Pizza, the Cathedral of Christ the Light will host “Pedals, Pipes &

Pizza,” a performance featuring Sergei Prokofiev‘s version of the

children’s story “Peter and the Wolf,” transcribed for organ,

percussion and narrator. The event will be held at the Cathedral,

2121 Harrison St., on Saturday, April 21 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Info:

www.ctlcathedral.org.

• ENGEO Incorporated (ENGEO) has been asked to support

the post-earthquake seismic upgrades and reconstruction efforts in

Christchurch, New Zealand and other areas of the country where

earthquake hazards are of significant concern and seismic risk

management has become a critical issue. Following the devastating

damage from the recent earthquakes, ENGEO was called upon to

bring the firm’s geotechnical, geologic and seismic engineering

expertise to New Zealand, based on its technical expertise and

rapid emergency response in the United States. �

John Gardner

Dale Marie Golden

Elizabeth Engh


SPECIAL SECTION Small business

FINDING A BALANCE

> Smartphone use

The evolution of the mobile phone, from the largebrick form factor to the smartphone as we know ittoday, has tremendously increased our ability tostay in constant communication with our work,our network of family members and friends. Theability to work any time and from any place has in-creased worker productivity across all industries.

On a personal front, the smartphone is thekey tool used by the new generation to stay inconstant contact with friends around the clock.

Unfortunately, the overuse of smartphonescan lead to burn-out both within our professionaland personal life. Everyone needs to take a stepback and adjust his or her usage. We as asociety need to learn balance in our use of thesmartphones.

Smartphones have advanced productivityin the workplace. Workers can access email, com-

municate with clients via text messaging, check out competitive websitesprior to field sales calls, look up places to meet with clients, search fordirections to client locations, take photos of job sites and research solu-tions for clients. Smartphones are not ready to replace the use of laptopand tablets in business meetings that require extensive note taking.

Over time, as the smartphone applications evolve, more and morebusinesspeople will rely on smartphones to record and documentbusiness meetings. The advancements are causing companies to demandmore of their employees. Companies are now able to communicate afterhours regarding business matters. Employees are not required to respondbut rather expected to always be available. This is causing potentialissues with employment labor laws in California.

How do you document and track the time spent after hours? Mostemployees are eligible for overtime under California Labor Laws. How doyou track the one minute needed to check the text or the email from yourboss or client? The end result is the smartphone is changing the businessenvironment. We need documented guidelines to control the use,otherwise employers are going to both burn out employees and create abusiness problem regarding following the labor laws for overtime.

For a lot of folks the smartphone has become the key facilitator of theirsocial life. Texting with friends, playing Internet games such as Word withfriends, checking email, looking for local restaurants, finding travel direc-tions, checking out happenings on Facebook and many other applicationshave allowed people to stay in the know.

Although staying connected around the clock feels like you are part ofwhat is happening in your world, it does not replace the need to interactwith friends face to face. People are losing out on the opportunity todevelop personal communication skills. Judgments are made regardingpeople’s tones in their emails and texts that do not accurately reflect theirintent. People are bullied and banished from groups through the use ofinaccurate statements.

We need to find balance. We need to turn off the smartphone and tryto be just smart on our own. We need to take what we have learned inlife and apply it to a conversation. Classes should be offered in collegeteaching students about balance. I am not advocating the elimination,just balance in both our business and personal lives. �

Dan Sanguinetti is founder, president and chief executive officer ofPC Professional, Inc. in downtown Oakland. He can be reached [email protected].

When you can’t work, disability insurancegoes to work for you. But what would happenif you become disabled or ill and could notwork? How would you pay your bills,make your monthly rent or mortgage loanpayments, buy groceries, make car payments,provide for your children's education, andsave for retirement?

Most people don’t realize the risk of becomingdisabled, permanently or temporarily, at somepoint in their lives. But the reality is that at age 40,

your chances of becoming disabled for 90 days or more prior to age 65 is43 percent. (Source: 2004 Field Guide, National Underwriter)

When evaluating your chances of disability, you should carefullyconsider these sources of available funds:

• Employer coverage – How long would the business continue to payyou? How much would they pay you? When would your employer have tohire a replacement? Could the business afford to pay both?

• Using savings – If you saved 10 percent of your income each year,one year of total disability could wipe out 10 years of savings. Can youafford that?

• Obtaining a loan – Without an income, who will lend you money?• Working spouse or partner – Can your spouse or partner earn

enough and be a companion, parent, private nurse, and employee – allat the same time?

• Selling investments – Will a sale under forced conditions bring atrue value? What will their value be at the time you are disabled?

• Collecting Social Security – You cannot collect benefits until theend of the fifth full calendar month of total disability and only if it isexpected to last 12 months or more. What will you do if your disabilitydoesn’t meet those requirements? Even if it does, can you wait sixmonths for payment?

• Counting on friends, family or charity – Would these sourceshave funds for you to use? Do you want to depend on them?

Many different disability insurance products are available to helpprotect you and your family against a severe financial hardship thatmay accompany a disability. If you do not have answers to many ofthese questions, schedule an appointment with your insurance agentto develop a plan to protect you and your family. �

Jain Williams is a State Farm Agent and has been developing asset

and income protection plans for clients in the Bay Area for more

than 20 years. She can be reached at [email protected].

ASK THE EXPERT

> Disability insurance – Do you have a plan in place that will work?by Jain Williams

Jain Williams

Dan Sanguinetti

by Dan Sanguinetti

No one canquestion the value

created by theinvention of the

smartphone.

April 2012 | 7

CHAMBER VOLUNTEER

> Ambassador of the MonthAnnie Wenzel, the assistant director of MBAPrograms & Corporate Outreach at HolyNames University (HNU), has been namedthe Chamber’s Ambassador of the Monthfor the fourth time since she became anAmbassador in 2009.

Wenzel calls herself an “Oaktivist,” an activemember and supporter of Oakland, as well as a2011 Leadership Oakland graduate, and soon to bechair of the Chamber’s newest group, OaklandYoung Professionals.

Wenzel relocated to Oakland from Chicagoalmost four years ago and fell in love with the city’s diversity and deepcommitment to the arts. You can find her periodically at the Oakland ArtMurmur, Fox Theatre, or at the Chamber, where she’s helping to promoteHoly Names University’s graduate and degree completion programs. “Ican always count on Annie to volunteer her time at a Chamber event, ordonate her famous raffle prize, an HNU sweatshirt,” said Amanda Medina,the Chamber’s operations coordinator.

At Holy Names, a private, nonprofit liberal arts school in the Oaklandhills, Wenzel’s main responsibility is to recruit and educate potentialstudents on the benefits and outcomes of a business degree. So far she’shas been successful in recruiting two members from the AmbassadorCommittee alone.

For more information on becoming an Ambassador or obtaining thecollege degree you’ve always wanted, contact Annie Wenzel at (510) 436-1642 or at [email protected]. �

Annie Wenzel

> A Chamber two-step

JDB facilitates dance classes and private lessonsthroughout the day, seven days a week, and isavailable for private parties or events. It features threelarge function spaces, 2,000 square feet of exhibitspace, 8,000 square feet of meeting room space, andfree parking.

Above, JDB director Sam Manh (far right) is joinedby (left to right) Ed Minamoto, public relationscoordinator; Chamber membership director TricheChristmon and operations coordinator AmandaMedina; JDB marketing director Gayle Uchida; andChamber president Joe Haraburda.

For JDB information, call (510) 436-9888. �

The Chamber’s After

Five Reception was

hosted in March by

JDB (Just Dance

Ballroom) Event

Center at 2500

Embarcadero off the

23rd Avenue exit

from the I-880

freeway in Oakland.

– continued from page 1> Annual Meetingsmart customer service.

Nonprofit Impact – recognizing a local nonprofit or leader whose ac-tions have made the most significant impact on quality of life in Oakland.

Business Volunteer of the Year – recognizing a member whosededication to his or her role as a volunteer offers inspiration.

Education First – recognizing contributions to youth organizationsor the school district that make necessary education and workforcedevelopment services accessible.

Community Contributor – recognizing contributions that havebenefited communities and individuals in Oakland.

Best Oakland Restaurant – recognizing an Oakland restaurant thatprovides outstanding food, customer service and ambiance.

Leadership Oakland Alumni of the Year – an alum who inspires andleads through work, community activities or personal stories.

Support the Chamber’s efforts to create a strong economy, representthe interests of business with government, and provide qualitynetworking.

Nominations may be made via the Chamber website, www.oaklandchamber.com or at the Chamber offices, 475 14th St. All nominees mustbe Chamber members; self-nomination is discouraged and nominationsmust be submitted no later than Friday, May 18.

The event presents members with an opportunity to celebrate ayear of Chamber accomplishments, a chance to network with new andaward-winning members, and a way to show support for the Chamberand our many programs. The luncheon is also one of the major fundraisingevents of the year, providing the Chamber with funds to continue thoseprograms and our strong advocacy for local business.

The 107th Annual Meeting and Chamber Awards Luncheon will beginwith an 11:30 a.m. registration. The luncheon begins at noon. To reserve atable or seat or sponsor an award at the luncheon, visit www.oaklandchamber.com or contact Amanda Medina at the Chamber of Commerce,(510) 874-4800, ext. 319 or at [email protected]. �

Do you know a business that would benefit from Chamber membership?If you refer a potential member – and they join – you will be entered into adrawing to win two Southwest Airlines roundtrip tickets valued at $800.Chamber applications must be received by Thursday, April 19 to qualify. Thewinner will be selected and announced at the Chamber’s April After FiveReception on Thursday, April 26 at theScottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive. Formore information contact Triche Christmonat [email protected] or at(510) 874-4800, ext. 321. �

> Win Southwest Airlines tickets


Join The League of Women Voters of Oakland for a meal, inspiring awards,and a great speech – all for a very good cause.

The League’s 21st Annual All-City Luncheon will take place Wednesday, May 2from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Scott’s Pavilion at Jack London Square. Proceedsfrom this fundraiser help the League publish its free Oakland Easy Voter Guide,translated into Spanish and Chinese, and Who Represents Oakland?, a copy ofwhich you’ll find in this issue of Oakland Business Review.

The keynote speaker at the luncheon will be Alex Briscoe, director of theAlameda County HealthCare Agency, who will also present the Making DemocracyWork Awards.

Briscoe’s will discuss “The Affordable Care Act: Innovation and Equity inAlameda County.” Come hear about the most sweeping federal health care reformlegislation since Medicare was created in 1965. Also, learn about creative plans theHealthCare Agency is making to meet the needs of the people of Alameda County.

This year the League of Women Voters of Oakland will present its MakingDemocracy Work awards to the Street Level Health Project, a nonprofitorganization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of underservedurban immigrant communities, and to John Sutter, vice president of the Board ofDirectors of the East Bay Regional Park District, a retired judge, and formerOakland City Councilmember.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the luncheon, visithttp://www.lwvoakland.org or call (510) 834-7640. �

> Have lunch with the League of Women Voters

> Oakland welcomes Clipper fleet

The ten racing yachts departed Qingdao, China, onMarch 4, heading across the Pacific Ocean to completeLeg 6 of the around-the-world race.

As each boat arrives, it will be greeted by one often nautical hosts and served food from a local Oakland restaurant and beer fromOakland’s Linden Street Brewery. The Bay Area nautical hosts include Encinal,Richmond and Corinthian Yacht Clubs; J/World, Club Nautique and OCSC SailingSchools, California Canoe & Kayak, East Bay Dragonboat teams, Bay Green Marineand the sailing magazine Latitude 38. Restaurant hosts include Bocanova, ChopBar, Fat Lady, Haven, Kincaid's, Make Westing, Miss Pearl's, Ozumo and Scott's.

Miss Pearl’s is serving as the greeting headquarters, opening after hours forweary volunteers braving early morning welcomes.

The Clipper 11-12 Race fleet of ten identical stripped down 68-foot ocean rac-ing yachts will be on display at the 2012 Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show, which willtake place in Jack London Square from Thursday, April 12 to Sunday, April 15. Thepublic will have an opportunity to board a Clipper Race Yacht, talk to crew mem-bers, and take part in the official sendoff celebrations on Saturday, April 14.

The Clipper Race is the world’s longest at more than 40,000 miles and iscrewed by amateurs from all walks of life who undergo extensive training beforeembarking on their challenge of a lifetime under the watchful eye of professionalskippers. This is the eighth edition of the biennial event which was established in1996 by British sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sailsolo, non-stop around the world.

“Oakland celebrates a long history of trade with China, and I cannot think of amore perfect location than Strictly Sail Pacific and Jack London Square, namedafter the author, sailor and adventurer Jack London, to host the Clipper 11-12Round the World Yacht Race,” said Oakland Mayor Jean Quan. “This is an amazingopportunity for the entire Bay Area to get up-close with the crew and yachts thatare competing in this one-of-a-kind race around the world.”

by Elisa Williams

Oakland Strictly SailPacific, Oakland

Mayor Quan, localbusinesses and the

entire sailingcommunity join

forces to welcomeand host the 250-

plus crew membersof the Clipper 11-12

Round the WorldYacht Race at Jack

London Square.

Showgoers will have the opportunity to board one of the Clipper Raceyachts on Thursday, April 12 and Friday April 13. The winning team of Leg 6 willbe presented the “Strictly Sail Pacific Clipper Cup” at the official awards cere-mony set to take place on Thursday, April 12 at 6 p.m. in Jack London Square.

The official sendoff celebration for the Clipper 11-12 Round the World YachtRace as the fleet departs Jack London Square will be held on Saturday, April 14,on Leg 7, to make their way under the Golden Gate Bridge and head south tothe Panama Canal and onto the next stopover in New York.

The Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race started on July 31, 2011, fromSouthampton on the UK’s south coast and will return to that city in July 2012.More than 500 people representing more than 40 nations will compete inClipper 11-12. For more information, visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com. �

Elisa Williams is a marketing consulting and sailing enthusiast.

April 2012 | | 9

SPECIAL SECTION Oakland A’s> Former MLB player weighs in on A’s and the Bay Area

> McCartylooks at localcommercialreal estateEditor’s note: Oaklandbusinessman and former MajorLeague baseball star DaveMcCarty, an associate with Lee &Associates, takes a look at anotherhighly competitive industry –commercial real estate. In itsquestion-and-answer session withMcCarty, OBR posed the followingquestion:

OBR: Tell me a little aboutyour business and why you findenjoyment working there.

McCarty: At Lee & Associateswe handle leasing and sales ofoffice and industrial properties inthe East Bay. We represent tenants,landlords, sellers, and buyers. Ienjoy the challenge of helping myclients determine if the best courseis to lease or purchase their realestate, finding the best space tomeet their needs, and thennegotiating the best deal possiblefor them. I find that my experiencein the competitive world of MajorLeague Baseball and the hard workthat it took to get there translateswell in the world of commercialreal estate as it is a highlycompetitive industry.

My partners and I at Lee & As-sociates have been very busy so farthis year. We have seen activity in-crease across the board. Investorsare anxious to buy distressed prop-erties as they hit the market, SBArates remain at historically low lev-els, and there are still deals to behad on space for lease.

The market for office space inOakland has been much betterthan we saw from 2008-2011. Rateshave stabilized and vacancy istrending downward. We are alsohopeful that before the end of thisyear we will see more spilloverfrom the San Francisco market asrates continue to climb and tenantsseek the better lease rates availablein Oakland.

The market for industrialspaces remains brisk. Sale pricesand rents have not only stabilized,but actually started rising. We havealso started to see some larger ten-ants in the market looking to takeadvantage of the good deals whilethey can.

A utility player in the purest sense, McCarty was a first baseman and outfielder, and waseven called upon to pitch. After completing his career he became a Red Sox analyst onlocal TV from 2005-2008 and then moved back to Oakland.

Representatives of Oakland Business Review (OBR) caught up with him recently for thisquestion-and-answer report.

OBR: Why did you and your family decide to stay in the East Bay after your career cameto an end?

McCarty: I grew up in Houston and went to Stanford. Once I got here and experienced theweather and all that the Bay Area has to offer I was hooked. My wife grew up in the East Bayand we moved from the Peninsula in 2000 for the good schools in our neighborhood and to benear my wife’s family. This is a great place to raise a family and to live. Where else can you drive15 minutes and be in San Francisco or three hours and be at world class ski resorts?

OBR: What do you enjoy about Oakland that sets it apart from other attractive cities?McCarty: I enjoy the great mix of people, businesses, and restaurants that Oakland has to offer. You know the food

scene is special when there are articles about all of the great Oakland restaurants in the local papers and even in the NewYork Times and Boston Globe.

OBR: Looking back on your career, who’s not in the Hall of Fame who deserves more consideration?McCarty: Without a doubt Lee Smith deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. He was a lights out closer and owned the

career saves record for a long time until Trevor Hoffman passed him. He came in and the game was over. It is hard to thinkof a more intimidating pitcher.

OBR: Why do you think it’s taken the commissioner’s special committee on a proposed A’s move so long to announcea decision?

McCarty: I think the process has taken so long because of all the variables involved. The committee is having to dealwith the various sites that have been proposed within Oakland as well as elsewhere within the Bay Area. Thatcompounded with the Giants’ claims of territorial control over the South Bay has made progress very slow. I also thinkthey are dragging their feet a little to see how all of the competing efforts and territorial claims play out.

OBR: Do you think that Oakland has done enough to try to keep the A’s here?McCarty: I think Oakland has made a real push within the last few years to keep the A’s, but I wish there would have

been more effort to improve the A’s stadium situation when I was still playing in the early 2000s. At that time there was asense within baseball that Oakland didn’t really want to keep the A’s. This feeling came about when the city made

concessions to get the Raiders back even after they had left without doingthe same for the A’s. I believe that the effort to keep the A’s in Oakland is

facing a difficult battle because of what occurred during that time period.OBR: Is there anything more that local

businesspeople can do to keep the A’s here?

McCarty: I think it is essential for the businesspeople of Oakland to support the A’s. One of the arguments in favor of moving themto the South Bay is that the team will get more corporate sponsors

and better attendance. We need to go to games and

have business leaders show the A’s and Major League

Baseball that the \ team will receive

support from our business community. �

Dave McCarty, anassociate with Lee &

Associates in Oakland,had a 15-year career inMajor League Baseball,including stints with the

A’s in 2003 and withthe Giants in 1995-96.

He earned a WorldSeries ring when the

Boston Red Sox won itall in 2004.


SPECIAL SECTION Oakland A’s

The relationship began long before BANG even existed– the Oakland Tribunewas a committed partner fromthe team’s first season. The Contra Costa Times andSan Jose Mercury News signed on for projects soonafter. Today all three newspapers are part of the BayArea News Group family of print and digital publications– and all three are still teaming up with the A’s forbusiness, baseball and public benefit.

The partnership has proven to be good business forall concerned. It has also served the community, asBANG and the A’s combined their respective strengthsfor a variety of charitable and community causes.

“Our long-standing relationship with the Oakland A’s has been one of mutualrespect and a shared mission,” said Deborah Nordstrom, partnership marketingmanager for Bay Area News Group. “Every year, the A’s and BANG renew their

commitments to givingback to fans, readers andtheir communities.”

Look for these BANG-sponsored Oakland A’sprograms during the 2012season:

• Breast CancerAwareness Day – Part ofa fundraising effort thathas raised over $1.45million for awareness,education and researchsince 1999.

• Oakland A’sCommunity Fund GolfClassic – The 30th

> Sharing a commitment to the community

edition of this charitytournament features past andpresent A’s stars.

• Oakland Tribune/ContraCosta Times Prep Athlete Night– Recognizes more than 100outstanding East Bay student-athletes through thenewspapers’ annual awardsprogram.

Community Media Labgives Oakland residentsa bigger voiceExpanding its focus oncommunity outreach, the BayArea News Group opened thefirst Community Media Lab in

downtown Oakland in 2011. The Community Media Lab offers training andresources for bloggers, including meeting space and access to computers andfree WiFi. Participating bloggers are expected to bring an active interest in theircommunity, a willingness to dedicate time and expertise to pursuing the issuesthat matter to them, and a readiness to join in community conversations – inperson as well as online.

In the words of Martin Reynolds, BANG’s senior editor of communityengagement, “Now you can help shape the narrative of your city.”

To participate in the BANG Community Media Lab, [email protected]. For more information about thisexciting community project, visit http://info.bayareanewsgroup.com/communitymedialab.

And the A’s fun never endsIn addition to these great causes, Bay Area News Group is also supporting funfor A’s fans with Fireworks Night on June 15, Swingin’ A’s Fleece BlanketGiveaway on May 11 and the always popular money-saving Xfinity/BANG FridayFamily Packs. �

� Breast Cancer Awareness Day is part of afundraising effort that has raised more than$1.45 million for awareness, education andresearch since 1999.

� The Swingin’ A’s Fleece BlanketGiveaway will be held on Friday, May 11.

Bay Area NewsGroup, which

publishes some ofthe Bay Area’s topnewspapers, has

long partnered withthe OaklandAthletics for

community projectsand fun, fanpromotions.

April 2012 | 11


The A’s haven’t been very good for the past five years asthey’ve tried to sort out their long-range plans under thecurrent ownership.

The roster has been blown up once again for a futurethat is still very much uncertain. It’s a future, at least inthe eyes of owners Lew Wolff and John Fisher, that is tiedto an eventual and absolutely essential move to San Joseby 2015.

The San Francisco Giants haven’t changed their hard line on that notion, how-ever. They still hold territorial rights to the South Bay and appear to be digging infor a bitter fight to preserve them. The Giants seem confident they have enoughvotes among Major League Baseball owners to block an A’s move to San Jose.

Meanwhile, the three-person blue-ribbon panel appointed by MLBcommissioner Bud Selig, which was supposed to render recommendations on theA’s situation in the Bay Area, remains underground three years after it was commis-sioned. Selig said inJanuary the A’s situationwas “on the frontburner,” but he has beenmysteriously mute onthe subject since.

In Oakland, MayorJean Quan has put forthan ambitious preliminaryplan for a “ColiseumCity” that wouldupgrade facilities for allthree of the city’s profes-sional sports teams, butit is more of a conceptualplan than one rooted inthe difficult financingchallenges of modern-day sports facilities.

Finally, there have media reports that if Wolff and Fisher ultimately fail intheir bid to move the A’s to San Jose, at least two new ownership groups couldprospectively step into the picture quickly if the team is put up for sale. Wolff, atpresent, says the team isn’t on the block.

So where is this headed? Considering the many variables, even a panel ofpsychics might have a difficult time agreeing. What’s more, resolution remains asmuch a question of when as where.

The one constant is that the playing of baseball will continue as the shroud ofuncertainly hangs over the 111-year-old franchise, and the A’s will be playing their45th consecutive season representing Oakland.

As stated at the outset, the team is not expected to be very good. The A’s havenot had a winning record in five years, and last season’s 74-88 team was standing onfirmer ground than the 2012 club simply because of its pitching.

But following a plan to shape the team for a hypothetical 2015 debut in San Jose,general manager Billy Beane overhauled the roster in the offseason. Beane tradedthe team’s top two proven starters, Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill, for prospects.He did the same with closer Andrew Bailey. He traded two other rotation staples,Guillermo Moscoso and Josh Outman, to Colorado for right fielder Seth Smith.

The A’s also waved goodbye to their leading 2011 home run and RBI man, Josh

> Shroud of uncertainly hangs over 2012 Oakland A’sby Carl Steward

Willingham, a free agent who signed with Minnesota, and elected not to re-signlast year’s designated hitter, Hideki Matsui. Outfielder Ryan Sweeney departed toBoston in the Bailey trade, and outfielder David DeJesus, another free agent,signed with the Chicago Cubs.

As a result, Oakland will be a younger, more inexperienced team than ever ina division where the Texas Rangers have reached the World Series the past twoyears and the Los Angeles Angels have significantly beefed up their team withthe signing of star slugger Albert Pujols and pitcher C.J. Wilson.

The A’s will return just four position players who started the majority of gamesfor last year’s team – catcher Kurt Suzuki, shortstop Cliff Pennington, secondbaseman Jemile Weeks and outfielder Coco Crisp. Third baseman Scott Sizemorewould have been a fifth, but Sizemore suffered a season-ending knee injury inspring training that threw that position up for grabs.

The outfield will now be manned by Crisp and two newcomers, Josh Reddick(obtained from Boston for Bailey) and the intriguing Yoenis Cespedes, a 26-year-old Cuban defector the A’s paid $36 million over four years to sign. Cespedes hasnever played in the major leagues but was regarded as an accomplished hitter andoutfielder in Cuba.

Brandon Allen, acquired from Arizona in a deal last year, is the leadingcandidate at first base while converted catcher Josh Donaldson has the insidetrack at third. Meanwhile, at DH, Oakland signed veteran star Manny Ramirez to a

minor-league deal, but Ramirezwon’t be eligible to play untilMay 30 due to a 50-game drugsuspension. In the meantime,Smith is likely to see most ofthe DH duties.

Ultimately, though, theteam’s fortunes for 2012 willrest on the pitching. Headingup the rotation are holdoverBrandon McCarthy and veteranfree agent signee BartoloColon, and manager BobMelvin will be filling the otherthree spots from the long listof prospects – Tommy Milone,Graham Godfrey and TysonRoss. Acquisitions Jarrod Parkerand Brad Peacock may factor in

at some point, but will start the year in the minors.Dallas Braden and Brett Anderson, who will start the season on the disabled

the list as they rehabilitate from 2011 injuries, also could join the mix as the seasonprogresses.

The bullpen is just as up in the air as the starting cast. Grant Balfour has beennamed the closer over veteran Brian Fuentes, and Fautino de los Santos, JoeyDevine, Ryan Cook, Jerry Blevins, Jordan Norberto and Andrew Carignan will battlefor setup roles.

Simply put, it is not a team that’s built to winnow, but one that could develop pivotal pieces tothe puzzle once the franchise’s long-range futurecomes into clearer focus.

The latter will be the real story of 2012 for theA’s, because what happens on the field is too tied towhat’ll happen off it. And right now, that’s a riddlewrapped in an enigma. �

Carl Steward is a sports columnist for theOakland Tribune and Bay Area News Group. Carl Steward

As the maddeningconundrum of their

future continues,the Oakland A’s will

not likely be verygood this year, andthat shouldn’t be a

surprise.

� Yoenis Cespedes � Josh Reddick



“Our relationship with the A’smakes sense. It’s an opportunityto endorse our local team andhave exposure to thousands ofBay Area fans and familiesthroughout the season,” saidNancy Filippi, managingdirector at the Oakland Zoo.“It’s a top notch organizationthat the zoo is proud to alignwith and support.”

Each year, the zoo donates10,000 child passes to the LittleA’s program in hopes that the

donation will help Bay Area families afford trips to the zoo.“Connecting to the local community and making the publicfeel as though the zoo is their zoo is something we arestriving to achieve,” said Dr. Joel Parrott, president and chiefexecutive officer.

Another way the zoo connects with the community is byteaming up with the Athletics each December to throw aholiday party for an underserved Oakland elementary school.The festivities have been held at the zoo for the past fouryears. Each child is able to get up-close with small animalssuch as hedgehogs, snakes, ferrets, birds, turtles, and insects.There’s a pizza party, with food supplied by Round Table Pizza,players signing autographs, face painting, craft making, andeven Santa Claus and Stomper making appearances. “Whenyou see a child light up with joy after seeing an animal, youreally feel like you made an impact. It may be a moment he orshe will never forget,” said Sarah Powers, school programsmanager at the Oakland Zoo.

Last December, A's rookie sensation Jemile Weeks andpitcher and Oakland native Tyson Ross joined in the annualparty at the zoo. The organization hosted children in pre-

> Oakland Zoo hits it off with the A’s

school through fifth grade from Burckhalter ElementarySchool in Oakland, lending them a break from class in theform of a zoo trip that featured a wrapped gift courtesy ofthe Good Tidings Foundation.

For Burckhalter principal Carin Geathers, the day servedas an abundant treat for her kids, who earned the specialfield trip by way of good attendance, academics andcitizenship. Nearly 185 were on hand, nearly representingthe entire school. “We were trying to clear out the wholeschool," Geathers said, laughing. "I don't know if the A'sknow the impact this has for some of our kids. A lot of thekids live in Oakland, and they've never had this kind ofinteraction with the A's. Especially in this economicdownturn, a lot of these kids and their families haven'tbeen afforded the chance to go to A's games or the zoo, sothis is an opportunity to give them a little taste of both."

For Weeks, it was merely a simple gesture. "It's great tosee the kids happy," he said. "Helping out in thecommunity, this is really important. We can make a strongimpact on these kids, and especially the ones that arecoming from inner cities; you want to make themremember happy environments like these so they'll want tocome back to them."

Weeks, just 24, is still adjusting to his newly gainedstatus as a big leaguer. Moments like those at the zoo, hesaid, make it all the more real – more so, even, than thefirst-class charter flights and five-star hotels. "This is whenit really sinks in," he said. "You really begin realizing theimpact you're having on people."

Likewise for Ross, who has taken part in the holidayparty for three straight years. "It's just a great day for thekids to get out of school and be treated to all this," thepitcher said. "It's a great opportunity for us to brightentheir day."

The Oakland Zoo is thrilled to partner with the OaklandAthletics again in 2012. Go A’s – the zoo wishes you aseason filled with home runs. �

Building OaklandTogether

Pipelines, Grading, Paving, Concrete,Landscape, Mechanical, Materials

In Oakland since 1926Phone: (510) 632-7676

www.MandHcorp.com

For more than tenyears, the Oakland Zoohas partnered with theOakland Athletics as aproud sponsor of theA’s Kids Club and the

Little A’s program.The relationshipallows the zoo to

reach out to families inthe community andoffer discounts or

complimentary passesto children.

> Coming home again

A’s pitcher Tyson Ross is nostranger to Oakland or theOakland Zoo. An Oaklandnative, Ross graduated fromBishop O’Dowd High Schoolin 2005.

So when the A’s asked if he’dlike to take part in the team’s annualCommunity Caravan, he jumped atthe chance. The Caravan featuresautograph sessions at a holidayparty for local elementary schoolchildren at the Oakland Zoo, anafter-school mentoring program,and the hosting a holiday shoppingevent for children from the Salva-tion Army Garden Center Shelton.

Ross’s appearance at the zoo’sholiday party in 2011 was his third ina row, and it brought back personalmemories. During a discussion withzoo staff, he revealed that he at-tended ZooCamp as a child. “I grewup in the Oakland Hills, five minutesaway from the Oakland Zoo, and wewould visit the zoo often,” he said.“I always loved animals – I was fasci-nated whenever I saw snakes orowls, and I was a big fan of Curious

George. So when my mother heardabout summer camp at the zoo, shesigned me up. I was about five or sixyears old and went to camp withtwo friends. We thought it would befun to go to camp together – and itwas!” �

Photo credit: Nancy Filippi

� Ross (left) attended ZooCampwith friends when he was a childgrowing up in Oakland.

April 2012 | 13


Recently the Oakland City Council unanimously voted toallocate $3.5 million in redevelopment funds to enter into anegotiating agreement with JRDV Urban, Forest City RealEstate and HKS Architects toward the development ofColiseum City, which would be located on the current site ofthe Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Complex. The fundswill also allow for an EIR of the site including both east andwest of I-880.

This project is being considered to help try to save all threeof Oakland’s sports teams, the Oakland A’s, Oakland Raiders,and Golden State Warriors.

Recently I became a member of a grassroots organizationcalled “Save Oakland Sports,” (SOS) whose plan is to work withcity and county officials as well as representatives of the localteams in an effort to convince them to stay. We are working tobring all of these entities together in an effort to get everyoneon the same page and with a goal of working together towardshaving the teams stay in Oakland and building Coliseum City.

The Coliseum City plan could generate up to 32,000 jobsfor Oakland. The economic impact of this project is vital to thecity of Oakland and the county of Alameda, not only from adollars and cents standpoint but also from a civic pride pointof view.

SOS is a non-political and all volunteer organization that isopen to anyone who wants to retain our East Bay sportsfranchises that have been here in Oakland for decades. If youare interested in volunteering, SOS meets at the Red Lion HotelOakland International Airport, 150 Hegenberger Road, and youcan get more information on the website,saveoaklandsports.org. �

Bryan Cauwels is general manager of the Red Lion HotelOakland International Airport.

> Be a volunteer with ‘Save Oakland Sports’

> Oakland A’s support Children’s Hospital Oakland patients

All eyes were on Oakland onSept. 19, 2011 as Hollywood royaltyincluding Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, andPhilip Seymour Hoffman walked thered – er, green – carpet at the premiereof Moneyball at Oakland’s ParamountTheatre hosted by the A’s Community Fund. Not watching the event on TV were a handful ofChildren’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland cancer patients and their families who not only gotfront row seats at the premiere, but also met Brad Pitt and other stars of the film at the event thatbenefitted, in part, Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland.

In addition to supporting Children’s Hospital Oakland through the star-studded movie premiere,the Oakland A’s visit the not-for-profit pediatric medical center each year. Players visit patients attheir bedsides and in the hospital’s playrooms, and pose for photos and sign autographs.

In 2011, former relief pitcher Craig Breslow (now with the Arizona Diamondbacks) presented acheck on behalf of his Strike 3 Foundation to Children’s Pediatric Oncology Program (POP) andhosted cancer patients on the field before a game.

Children’s patients are always thrilled to see the hometown team in the hospital, on field, andeven at the movies. �

by Bryan Cauwels

� Children’s Hospitalcancer patients with BradPitt at the Moneyballpremiere at Oakland’sParamount Theater.

� Former A’s playersAndrew Bailey and CraigBreslow visit a patient at Children’s Hospital &Research Center Oakland.

A Whole NewBall GameGo A’s(510 452-4565

233 Broadway, Oakland CA 94607www.innatthesquare.com

www.barneyandbarney.com(510) 273-8888

“GO A’S”

It’s not too late to advertise in the2012 Spring/Summer Baseball edition.Call (510) 845-2035 today! Or [email protected]

GO A’s!



Though funds are unavailable to acquire land for the Victory Court BaseballStadium near Jack London Square, Mayor Quan is battling to keep the city’sprofessional sports teams.

The city of Oakland recently unanimously approved $3.5 million for proposeddevelopment work that would transform the existing Oakland Coliseum and thesurrounding area into a modern sports and entertainment complex. The cityhopes to attract private financing for the project, which would include threestadiums, a convention center, hotel, and retail strip mall in an economic,sustainable development that would enhance the local area, residents andbusiness owners alike.

Approximately $1.6 million of the funds have been allocated to pay adevelopment team led by JRDV Architects, Forest City Enterprises and HKSSports and Entertainment to begin talks with the teams and determine theviability of new facilities. The remaining $1.9 million will be used for planning andenvironmental work at the Coliseum site and the surrounding 700 acres. Themoney is among the last of the city’s redevelopment funds. The study isexpected to take more than a year to complete.

A new stadium brings more than just baseball. Having a major sportsfranchise makes the city a travel destination and is part of a larger plan to buildhotels, restaurants, create jobs, increase property values and generate additionaltax revenues. The city also hopes the new development will attract business suchas biotech, clean technology and digital technology companies.

> Oakland is a great baseball townby Catherine Arlin

Who says you can't have fun while you work? Connect with other Bay AreaChamber members and baseball fans for the A's Networking and Baseball Night!The second annual event on Tuesday evening, May 22 features a catered, pre-game networking mixer in the Eastside Club and discounted Field Level ticketsto watch the A’s take on the Los Angeles Angels.

Benefits and amenities include:• Pre-game networking mixer in the Eastside Club• Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages• Discounted Field Level game ticketsTo order your ticket today, visit www.oaklandathletics.com/meet. Make sure that when you check in at the event, you mention the Oakland

Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.For more information, contact Valisa Maki at (510) 563-2288 or via email at

[email protected]. �

> Join us for an A’s ‘Meet & Greet’mixer May 22

We celebrate the ‘Athletics’spirit in all of us

Flying highwith the

A’s

City Council President Larry Reid, who represents the Coliseum area, said,“If we make this plan happen, it will change the city for a lifetime.”

“The underlying thing people forget about is community,” states KenMeyersieck, managing partner of Colliers International in Oakland. ”Thepresence of sports teams in a city bolsters commerce and retail, whichtranslates to jobs, entertainment, and community pride – a flourishing,business-friendly environment.”

Meyersieck goes on to say, “If you’re living and working and existing in acommunity, you want to make an investment in the community.”

Jobs and investments are an essential part of continued communityeconomic development in Oakland. The success of AT&T Park and theeconomic growth it has fueled in San Francisco is an example of what a sportscomplex is capable of bringing to Oakland.

Opening night this year is right around the corner on April 6. Let's go,Oakland A’s! �

Catherine Arlin is operations manager for Colliers International inOakland, which is a global leader in real estate services with more than15,000 professionals operating out of 480 offices in 61 countries. Forinformation visit www.colliers.com.

In 2002, Oakland A’smanager Billy Beane

took an analytical,evidence-based

approach toassembling a

competitive baseballteam and succeeded.

Now the city ofOakland is taking asimilar approach to

keeping their belovedA’s despite thedisadvantaged

revenue situation.

April 2012 | 15


What’s more, the “Swingin’ A’s” were the first – andstill only – Bay Area organization to reel off threeconsecutive world championships.

It happened from 1972-74 – a remarkableachievement. This season the organization celebratesthe 40th anniversary of that first World Serieschampionship team by welcoming back members of the1972 A’s for special ceremonies at the O.co Coliseum onSaturday, April 21.

When owner Charlie Finley moved the franchisefrom Kansas City in 1968, there was no indication theGreen & Gold would soon become one of the greatestsports dynasties in history.

By 1972, future Hall of Fame manager Dick Williamsled a colorful cast of characters – including future Hall ofFamers Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Reggie Jackson and Rollie

Fingers, plus the reigning Cy Young Award winner and league MVP Vida Blue – to the

first of three consecutivechampionships. Those A’s finished theregular season with a 93-62 record toclinch their second straight AmericanLeague West crown. In the post-season they beat the Detroit Tigers in five games,then edged the heavily-favored Cincinnati Reds in a seven-game World Series.

Pitching, defense and clutch hitting were the trademarks of the three worldchampionship teams. Starting pitchers Hunter (21-7, 2.04 ERA), Ken Holtzman(19-11, 2.51) and John “Blue Moon” Odom (15-6, 2.50), and a bullpen that featuredmultiple-inning closer Fingers and the left-right combo of Darold Knowles andBob Locker were the cornerstones of that first title team. Blue had been a contractholdout in 1972 and finished with a 6-10 record and a 2.80 ERA).

Joe Rudi, better known for his brilliant outfield defense, led the ’72 lineup witha .305 batting average, 19 home runs and 75 runs batted in. Remarkably, that .305season marked the only time during the three-year dynasty that an A’s regularbatted over .300. Yet few teams hit better in the clutch, and game-winning hitscame from everywhere – Jackson (.265, 25 homers, 75 RBIs), first baseman MikeEpstein (.270, 26 homers, 70 RBIs), third baseman and team captain Sal Bando(.236, 15 homers, 77 RBIs), as well as a veteran bench that included Matty Alou, OllieBrown, Art Shamsky and Don Mincher.

> A’s celebrate 40th anniversaryof Bay Area’s first world title

So perhaps it was fitting thatGene Tenace, who hit just .225with five home runs during theregular season, rose to theoccasion and hit .348 and athen-World Series record fourhome runs to earn ’72 SeriesMVP honors.

The A’s went on to beat theNew York Mets in a seven-gameWorld Series the following year,then made it three in a row witha five-game conquest of the LosAngeles Dodgers in the first-everAll-California World Series.

For more information on theApril 21 celebration, visitwww.oaklandathletics.com. �

GoodLuck

in 2012

Visit us on the web at www.thecloroxcompany.com

� The A’s celebrate after defeatingthe heavily-favored Cincinnati Redsin a seven-game World Series.

Let’s Go A’s!The Oakland Marriott

City CenterWishes the A’s a great

2012season!

Go A’s!

1001 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607(510) 451-4000 | www.marriott.com/oakdt

Consider Chevy Free Parking Tuesdays. To continuallyprovide value to A’s fans, Chevy is back for manyTuesday home games during the 2012 season.Additionally, 500 tickets in Plaza Reserved areavailable for each Chevy Parking Tuesday for only $3.To activate the discount, purchase online and use thepromo card CHEVY, while supplies last.

Then on select Fridays, enjoy A’s games with theXFINITY Friday Family Pack, which enables fans to purchase four Plaza Levelseats, four Coliseum hot dogs, four medium sodas and four bags of peanuts foronly $50.

Once inside the stadium on select Thursdays, fans can enjoy a nostalgicbaseball experience with Throwback Thursdays. Let the A’s transport you back.Upon entrance to the ball park 10,000 fans will receive a Throwback Thursdaycommemorative scorecard and a bag of peanuts. Specialty food items will beavailable at concession stands. Enjoy organ music and classic songs from anearlier era. And get the Throwback price of 50 percent off Plaza Level ticketsfor every game.

For information on Free Parking Tuesday, the XFINITY Friday Family Pack,and Throwback Thursdays, visit www.oaklandathletics.com. �

> A fun experience every dayof the week

� Hall of Fame pitcher CatfishHunter.

The 49ers, Raiders,Warriors and Giants

have all won oneor more world

championships duringtheir storied franchise

histories in the BayArea. But it was theOakland Athletics,

despite not arrivingon the scene until1968, that became

the first professionalteam to bring the

region a world title.

The Oakland A’sfeature a number ofways to make yourbaseball experience

a little more fun – andsometimes a little less

expensive.

Ross graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School inOakland in 2005 and was named North Coast SectionPlayer of the Year as a senior after going 12-1 with a0.71 ERA and 130 strikeouts. He was All Pac-10 atCal-Berkeley in 2007 and 2008, leaving school asthird best on the Bears’ career strikeout list.

Gomes was raised in Petaluma, where he wasall-league at Casa Grande High School. He was signed by Tampa Bay out ofSanta Rosa Junior College in 2001. Since then he’s sponsored nine Little Leagueteams in Petaluma, where in 2006 he was honored with Jonny Gomes Day withceremonies that included the retiring of his Casa Grande High baseball uniformjersey #1. He helped raise $25,000 for the American Cancer Society and LupusFoundation of America at the Casa Grande Annual Camp for a Cure in November2007, and still wears “707” on his glove and shoes to honor his hometown (areacode 707). �

> Local boys made goodTwo current Oakland

A’s, pitcher TysonRoss and outfielderJonny Gomes, bothgrew up in the Bay

Area.



The Oakland A’s will have a number of new players this year as theycompete in the American League West. Here are just a few to keep youreyes on.

Yoenis Céspedes – Outfielder Céspedes played for Granma in Cuba’sSerie Nacional for eight seasons before defecting following the 2010-11season. He batted .323 with 145 home runs and 464 RBIs in 528 games overhis final six seasons in Cuba. Céspedes led the league in runs (89) and RBIs(99) and tied for the league lead in home runs (33), while batting .333 in 90games during his final season in 2010-11.

Bartolo Colon – A right-handed pitcher, Colon is a two-time All-Star(1998 and 2005) and won the American League Cy Young Award in 2005after going 21-8 with a 3.48 earned run average for the Los Angeles Angels.Overall he’s compiled a 161-113 record in 14 seasons with six teams. Amongpitchers active at the end of the 2011 season, he ranked sixth in completegames, tied for sixth in shutouts and tied for ninth in wins.

Jonny Gomes – A native of Petaluma, outfielder Gomes was signed bythe A’s as a free agent after batting .242 with 118 home runs and 364 runsbatted in in 781 games in nine seasons with Tampa Bay, Cincinnati andWashington. As a rookie in 2005, he hit .282 with 21 home runs and 54

> Newcomers to watch RBIs, finishing third in American League Rookie of the Year balloting. Heleft Tampa Bay after the 2008 season holding franchise records for homeruns by a right-handed batter and times hit by a pitch.

Manny Ramirez – One of the best pure hitters in baseball’s modernera, the 12-time All-Star is a career .312 hitter with 555 home runs, goodfor 14th on the all-time list, and 1,831 RBIs. He won’t be able to play in anA’s uniform until his 50-game drug suspension has been completerd.

Josh Reddick – Reddick, an outfielder, joins the A’s after spendingthe first five years of his career with the Boston Red Sox. Last year heplayed 87 games for Boston and ranked third among American Leaguerookies in batting (.280). He was rated as the No. 7 prospect in the RedSox organization following the 2010 season by Baseball America afterbeing ranked No. 3 after 2009.

Seth Smith – Acquired by the A’s prior to the 2012 season afterspending the first eight seasons of his professional career in theColorado organization, Smith made his Major League debut in 2007 andis a career .275 hitter with 51 home runs and 181 RBIs in 487 games overfive seasons. He can play all outfield positions. �

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Here’s to a Winning

Season

� Jonny Gomes � Seth Smith

Dallas Braden made just three startslast year before undergoing season-ending surgery on his left shoulder,but the A’s ace still has a promisingfuture and an electrifying past.Consider May 9, 2010 when hetossed the 19th perfect game inMajor League history against TampaBay. He finished that 2010 seasonwith a 3.50 earned run average, thesixth lowest in Oakland historyamong pitchers with a losing record,and was the lowest since 1978. Healso tied for the league lead inshutouts that year, tied for second inpickoffs, and ranked fourth incomplete games. �

> Making a comeback

� Dallas Braden

Wishes theA’s a great

2012 season!

April 2012 | 17


The Oakland A’s Community Fund supports charitable organizations in improving thequality of life for people throughout the Bay Area. Specifically, the fund endeavors toimprove educational programs, aid the underprivileged, assist in crime and drugprevention, promote health awareness, and champion children and senior welfare.The Community Fund believes in the need to invest in the community’s future.

The following are examples of Community Fund events:

Golf ClassicThe 2012 Oakland A's Community Fund Golf Classic will again be held at Round HillCountry Club in Alamo. Current and former A’s players are scheduled to attend theevent, which raised funds for the A's Community Fund through the tournament, andsilent and live auctions.

Dinner on the DiamondThe annual Oakland A's Dinner on the Diamond with A’s players and their families ishosted by A’s owner and managing partner Lew Wolff and his daughter Kari Wolff,with proceeds benefiting the Oakland A’s Community Fund and a designated localcharity.

Root Beer Float DayThe A's raised more than $29,000 lastseason at the Annual MUG Root BeerFloat Day, with proceeds benefitingthe Juvenile Diabetes ResearchFoundation. Funds were raisedthrough the sale of root beer floats,tips given in exchange forautographs, and pictures with thecelebrity scoopers, including the A'swives, the sale of autographed mugsand a silent auction of sportsmemorabilia. Since 2003, the A's haveraised over $329,000 for the JuvenileDiabetes Research Foundationthrough MUG Root Beer Float Day.

> The A’s Community Fund –Benefiting people around the bay

The following members of the Chamber’s Ambassador Committee wish the Oakland A’s a successful and winning season.

Breast Cancer Awareness DayLast year’s 13th Annual Oakland A's Breast Cancer Awareness Day, presented by BigO Tires, raised more than $63,000, with proceeds benefiting the American CancerSociety, Cancer Prevention Institute of California, and Susan G. Komen for theCure. Since 1998, this event has raised more than $1.2 million for breast cancereducation and research.

Holiday PartyThe A's Holiday Party includes an animal presentation in the Wildlife Theater atthe Oakland Zoo, lunch for the children courtesy of Round Table Pizza, plus facepainters, arts and crafts, and a visit by players and A's mascot Stomper. Playerssign autographs and pose for pictures. Each child receives a wrapped gift,compliments of Good Tidings Foundation.

Silent AuctionEvery Saturday and Sunday home game (and select weekday games), the A'sCommunity Fund hosts a silent auction featuring both signed and unsigned A'smemorabilia as well as game-used items. The silent auction is located in the A'sFan Center behind section 120 and ends with the last out in the bottom of the 5thinning. Last season, various charity groups received a portion of the more than$50,000 raised as silent auction partners. Proceeds from the auction benefit the

A's Community Fund and variousother local charities. Purchaseditems are tax deductible. �

(Left) The A’s Amigoscommunity program givesHispanic children theopportunity to hear an A’splayer speak about theimportance of education,sportsmanship and hard work.

(Right) Pitcher Jerry Blevinsreads to students as part of theHome Runs Readers program,which encourages teachers toestablish reading goals fortheir students in localclassrooms.

Yeda Altes

Oakland Fire

Department - Wildlife

Prevention &

Assessment District

www.OaklandWPD.org

Fire safety: www.oak

landwpd.org

Graig Brooks

Jaguar Productions

(510) 432-1429

Marvin A. Clark

First Building

Maintenance Co.

(510) 482-8900

Sigma Beta Club

(510) 867-8436

Victor O. Dominguez

Surf Clean

Carpet & upholstery

cleaning

(510) 383-3563

www.surfcleaners.com

Cynthia Dorsey

AC Transit

Oakland Chamber

Toastmasters

(510) 444-0945

www.actransit.org

MaryAnne Kaplan

Kaplan &

Associates

(866) 412-7765

[email protected]

Valisa Maki

Oakland Athletics

(510) 563-2288

www.oakland

athletics.com

Chadwick Spell

Comcast Business

Class

(510) 673-5524

Chadwick_Spell@cable.

comcast.com

�

The 26-year-old Cespedes defected from Cuba to theDominican Republic in the summer of 2011 andimmediately attracted attention from big league teams.The A’s ultimately won the battle when they signed himto a four-year, $36 million contract.

Cespedes has been a bona fide star in internationalcompetitions. He hit .500 in the World UniversityChampionships in 2010 with four home runs and14 RBIs when Cuba won the gold medal in Tokyo. Healso hit .458 with a pair of home runs in the 2009World Baseball Classic.

Cespedes played in Cuba’s top league for eight seasons, and in 2010-11, had33 home runs and 99 RBIs in just 90 games while hitting .333. He defected shortlythereafter with his mother, an aunt and four cousins.

It remains to be seen if Cespedes can post anywhere close to those gaudynumbers in the major leagues, which has vastly superior pitching. But the5-foot-10, 210-pound right-handed hitter clearly offers long-term speed, powerand defensive possibilities to the talent-strapped A’s.

After wearing out Oakland minor-league pitching in simulated games,Cespedes made his spring training debut with a bang, hitting a home run in his firstgame. But through eight games, he was hitting just .200 and hadn’t hit anotherhomer.

Oakland has taken a cautious approach with its untested find, but has beensufficiently impressed to install Cespedes as the regular center fielder.

A’s general manager Billy Beane acknowledges the chance the club took insigning Cespedes, who not only must make the difficult adjustments to MajorLeague Baseball, but also to the stark cultural differences between Cuba and theU.S.

“Anytime you’re putting out that type of money, it’s a risk,” Beane said. “But heis a pretty unique talent. You don’t see guys like this come around too often.” �

Carl Steward is a sports columnist for the Oakland Tribune and Bay AreaNews Group.

> A’s take a risk on a ‘Major League’ talentby Carl Steward

The Oakland A’s tookan expensive gamble

in February whenthey surprisingly wonthe bidding for Cubanoutfielder Yoenis Ces-

pedes, a five-toolplayer who nonethe-less has never playeda major league game.

| OBR Oakland Business Review | www.oaklandchamber.com 18


Giving back to thecommunity is ingrained inthe culture of Wells Fargoand its team members.One of our priorities in thatendeavor is supportingeducation. In fact, last yearin the Bay Area alone, WellsFargo donated more than$7.1 million to benefiteducation – students,teachers, schools andeducation nonprofits.

A few years ago, we werelooking for ways to build onour support for education,and find a way to involve thebroader community. We found a solution in developing education-focused communityprograms and executing them with the Oakland Athletics.

For the 2012 season, Wells Fargo is the sponsor of the Teacher Awards Program andSchool Supplies Programs with the Oakland A’s. This builds on similar programs we haveconducted with the team beginning in the 2009 season.

This season, the goal of the Teachers Award Program is to honor teachers who areshaping lives and inspiring minds day in and day out. For this year’s program, we are alsoteaming up with KOIT Radio, which has a broad reach to families throughout the Bay Area.

Members of the public can go to KOIT.com to nominate teachers who have stood outand touched students’ lives. Nominations should include how a teacher motivated,mentored or changed someone. The team at KOIT will review the nominations and willselect teachers. Winners will be honored at Oakland A’s home games. Each teacher will beannounced in a pre-game ceremony and will be awarded a $1,000 check for their school.

With the Wells Fargo School Supply School Program, our goal is to involve Oakland A’sfans in supporting local schools. During Oakland A’s Friday home games, fans areencouraged to bring school supplies for the collection drive. Supplies are collected at theA’s Guest Relations booth in the Oakland Coliseum. At the end of the season, the schoolsupplies will be donated to selected low-to-moderate income schools in Alameda andContra Costa counties. Over the past two seasons more than 5,000 items of schoolsupplies have been collected for schools.

Both of these programs are augmented with Oakland A’s player integration into PublicService Announcements, ads on television, radio spots and in-stadium advertising.

This sponsorship opportunity with the Oakland A’s creates a lot of wins throughoutthe community. Wells Fargo benefits by being able to engage more of the community insupport of education, the Oakland A’s win by being active participants in a program thatbenefits the community and promotes the team, sports fans and the public are able tohonor teachers who are changing lives in classrooms, and most importantly of all, schoolsbenefit by being able to secure additional resources.. �

Jim Foley is president of the Greater Bay Area region for Wells Fargo.

> Wells Fargo and A’s involvecommunity in support of teachersand schoolsby Jim Foley

• New A’s outfielder Jonny Gomeswears “707” on his glove and shoes tohonor his hometown of Petaluma (areacode 707).

• Second baseman Jemile Weeksmade his Major League debut with Oak-land in 2011 and hit .303 with eight triplesand 22 stolen bases in 97 games. Hisbrother Rickie plays for the MilwaukeeBrewers.

• Pitcher Brandon McCarthy set an A’sfranchise record for strikeout-to-walkratio in 2011.

• Outfielder Coco Crisp tied for theAmerican League lead with a career-high 49 stolen bases in 2011. Originallyborn Covelli Crisp, Coco got his nickname from his great grandmother, whocalled him Co. His sister and godmother, inspired by the character and thename on the Coco Krispies cereal box, lengthened the name to Coco.

• Pitcher Graham Godfrey was honored as the A’s Organizational Player ofthe Year in 2011, and was also named to the Baseball America Triple-A All-StarTeam that year.

• A’s pitcher Brett Anderson set an Oakland rookie record and led MajorLeague rookies with 150 strikeouts in 2009.

• Relief pitcher Grant Balfour held opponents to a .199 batting average in62 appearances in 2011.

• Only two Dominican-born pitchers in Major League baseball historyhave had more career wins that Bartolo Colon (who has 161) – Juan Marichalhas 243 and Pedro Martinez has 219. �

> Did you know?

� Oakland A’s fans respond to Wells Fargo’s callto help local schools by donating school supplies.

� Coco Crisp

The Oakland A’s, in conjunction with the A’s Community Fund, improve thequality of life for people throughout the Bay Area. The following are threeA’s players who are particularly active in working with Bay Area groups toimprove the lives of children.

• Pitcher Dallas Braden, a native of Stockton, has spent the past fourThanksgiving holidays soliciting, matching and serving food donations at St.Mary’s Interfaith Community Services in that city. From 2009-2011 he hassponsored children of a single-parent family from his former Hoover TylerLittle League in Stockton, and has purchased and donated A’s tickets to theleague. Braden was the co-recipient of the 2009 Dave Steward CommunityService Award, which is presented annually to an A’s player for outstandingwork in the community.

• Pitcher Brett Anderson participates in the A’s Holiday Caravan, whichfeatures many public appearances around the Bay Area, including autographsessions at a holiday party for Oakland elementary school children and anafter-school mentoring program, hosting a holiday shopping event for chil-dren from the Salvation Army Garden Center Shelter, and visiting a local ado-lescent substance abuse treatment center.

• Catcher Kurt Suzuki started the Kurt Suzuki Family Foundation to sup-port the scientific research of chronic illnesses – specifically kidney diseaseresearch – and encourages and promotes healthy lifestyle choices. He’s alsoa current ambassador for the NephCure Foundation, which has committedmore than $7 million to research in recent years. He majored in Kinesiologyat Cal State Fullerton. �

> A’s in the community

AprilFriday, April 6, Seattle, 7:05 p.m.Saturday, April 7, Seattle, 6:05 p.m.Monday, April 9, Kansas City, 7:05 p.m.Tuesday, April 10, Kansas City, 7:05 p.m.Wednesday, April 11, Kansas City,

12:35 p.m.Friday, April 20, Cleveland, 7:05 p.m.Saturday, April 21, Cleveland, 6:05 p.m.Sunday, April 22, Cleveland, 1:05 p.m.Monday, April 23, Chicago, 7:05 p.m.Tuesday, April 24, Chicago, 7:05 p.m.Wednesday, April 25, Chicago, 12:35 p.m.

> A’s 2012 Home ScheduleMayTuesday, May 8, Toronto, 7:05 p.m.Wednesday, May 9, Toronto, 12:35 p.m.Thursday, May 10, Detroit, 7:05 p.m.Friday, May 11, Detroit, 7:05 p.m.Saturday, May 12, Detroit, 5:05 p.m.Sunday, May 13, Detroit, 1:05 p.m.Monday, May 21, L.A. Angels, 7:05 p.m.Tuesday, May 22, L.A. Angels, 7:05 p.m.Wednesday, May 23, L.A. Angels, 12:35 p.m.Friday, May 25, N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.Saturday, May 26, N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.Sunday, May 27, N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

A's manager Bob Melvin has never been a fan of the word "rebuilding.""You retool, you restructure a little bit, but this is the big leagues, and

here you're expected to win," he said.The A's, then, aren't about to begin the 2012 season with subdued

expectations. Melvin, for one, won't allow it.Never mind that the A's endured significant roster turnover this

winter, losing a trio of All-Star pitchers and then some as they look to-ward the future. Nor that they're relying on young, inexperienced talentto battle it out with the likes of division powerhouses Texas and LosAngeles.

"You never know," Melvin said. "Every year, you see teams come outof the pack even though expectations are low. There are always teamsthat come out and play as a group, and I know it's cliche, but it's all aboutthe name on the front, and if everybody buys into that, you get going inthe right direction, you create some momentum, then anything's possi-ble. I've never suited up for a Major League game where I've felt we'regoing to go out there and lose, and this year we're going to go out thereevery day expecting to win."

It's a similar scene for Melvin, who in 2007 steered the underdogArizona Diamondbacks to a National League West title and NationalLeague Championship Series appearance. He's looking to create a similarwinning environment with the 2012 A’s. �

> A’s manager Melvin –‘. . . here you’re expected to win’

> Purchase tickets by phone: (877) 493-BALL (2255)

April 2012 | 19

> Kassan to speak on raisingcapital at Women in Businessluncheon

The East Bay Women in BusinessRoundtable’s (EBWIBR’s) 2012 luncheonseries, “Women Defining the East Bay’sFuture,” will focus on “Finding Non-Traditional Sources of Capital” on Friday,June 1 at the Waterfront Hotel in JackLondon Square.

At the speaker’s podium will be communityadvocate, financial wizard and innovator,attorney Jenny Kassan, who will speak to “Why itis illegal for small businesses to raise capital fromtheir communities and what can we do about it?”

She will outline how small businesses that are ready to enter the marketbut lack capital can realize their dreams. The presentation will provide anoverview of the laws governing capital-raising and then will provide sometools and resources for raising capital within the law. There will be adiscussion of successful capital-raising strategies concluding withcurrent legislative efforts to make community capital accessible to smallbusinesses.

In a recent San Francisco Chronicle report, Kassan said, “If commu-nity-based businesses are successful, they pump money into the localeconomy, create jobs and ultimately drive up real estate prices in theneighborhood. It's a win for everyone, including beginner entrepreneurswho are finding it more difficult than ever to fund their projects thestandard way.”

She’s also said, “I am inspired by all of the amazing entrepreneurs Iget to work with who are totally committed to making the world a betterplace through their business. If I could solve one problem it would bekeeping wealth local – there is a lot of wealth in Oakland but so much ofit flies out of here in the form of purchases from and investments in non-local businesses. My Oakland heroes are all the entrepreneurs in all theneighborhoods that won't give up on Oakland – especially the immigrants– I don't know how they navigate all the red tape of running a businesswhen English is not their first language. I love Oakland because there isalways too much going on and it is so beautiful. It is the best city onearth!”

Kassan is managing director of Katovich & Kassan Law Group,specializing in socially responsible ventures. In addition, Kassanco-founded, with John Katovich and Michael Shuman, Cutting EdgeCapital, a consulting business that focuses on capital raising, communitydevelopment, and sustainability. She has raised funds for and launcheda public space cleaning and maintenance business, a landscapers’cooperative, and a public market.

Kassan earned a Master's degree in City and Regional Planning fromthe University of California at Berkeley and her J.D. from Yale Law School.Upon graduation she worked for 11 years at the Unity Council, a nonprofitcommunity development corporation in Oakland where she served as staff

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> Wendel Rosen’s Wasserman,Simon honored

Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP partnerZack Wasserman has been appointed byGovernor Jerry Brown as chair of the SanFrancisco Bay Conservation and DevelopmentCommission (BCDC), while partner DonaldSimon has been honored with CaliforniaLawyer magazine’s Attorney of the YearAward (CLAY Award) for 2012.

BCDC is a state agency dedicated to theprotection and development of the San FranciscoBay and the encouragement of its responsible use.

Wasserman focuses his practice at WendelRosen on transportation issues, real estate andland use, and nonprofit organizations. He negoti-ates and drafts complex real estate and financialstructures on behalf of private businesses andpublic agencies and works with state and localregulatory permitting agencies to carry out high-profile Bay Area real estate projects.

Wasserman has a long history of involvementin civic and economic development issues in theEast Bay. He currently plays an active role with the

Chamber, where he is general counsel and servesas chair of the Leadership Oakland Committee.

Simon is one of only 56 attorneys selected statewide. The recipients are anelite group of lawyers who have collectively “changed the law, substantiallyinfluenced public policy or the profession, or achieved a remarkable victoryfor a client or for the public.” Simon was recognized in the “Legislation”category for his work drafting and successfully pushing for the passage ofAssembly Bill 361 into California law last October.

In addition, Wendel, Rosen has welcomed estate planning attorneyVirginia Palmer as a partner. Palmer has more than 30 years of experience inestate planning, probate, trust administration and elder law. Her practice hasa particular emphasis on estate planning for traditional and non-traditionalfamilies, including members of the LGBT community; representation ofindividual and professional fiduciaries in the administration of living trusts;and conservatorships and decedents’ estates. She also provides legalcounsel on advance health care directives and end-of-life decisions. �

Jenny Kassan

by Allison Rodman

Zack Wasserman

Donald Simon

attorney and program manager. Shealso co-founded, with Janelle Orsi,the Sustainable Economies LawCenter, a nonprofit organizationthat provides legal support to promote just and sustainable economicdevelopment of communities. She is the president of SustainableBusiness Alliance and serves on the board of Post Carbon Institute.

This EBWIBR luncheon will be coupled with lively and results-orientednetworking. Bring a friend or co-worker and plenty of business cards, andbe ready to mingle. Register now and reserve your space at www.oaklandchamber.com or call Amanda Medina at (510) 874-4800, ext. 319.

The event will begin with check-in and networking at 11 a.m. andwill continue with the luncheon at 11:30 a.m., the program at noon, andnetworking from 1 to 1:30 p.m. The event is $35 for Chamber membersand $45 for prospective members. Reservations must be pre-paid andreceived by Wednesday, May 30, to guarantee seating. Aer May 30 andat the door, a $10 fee will be added. �

Allison Rodman is the community relations director at AgeSongat Lake Merritt, an independent senior community, and is aSteering Committee member of the East Bay Women in BusinessRoundtable.


Creating a strong economy

Public Safety and Economic Development are intertwinedin Oakland. Oakland City Councilmember Patricia Kernighanidentified those two issues and their relationship as the focusof her efforts on City Council at an Inside Oakland BreakfastForum on March 23. Kernighan discussed important projectsthat help the city grow, but warned that the perception ofOakland as a dangerous place makes attracting people andemployers tougher than it should be.

Kernighan voiced support for the message of Mayor Quan –Take a Fresh Look at Oakland. She celebrated the nationalrecognition the city has received and its growing restaurant, artsand entertainment scene. She said that after a couple years of

budget cuts, the city has lean departments and that despite the loss of Redevelopment cutsto staff have been fewer than might have been expected.

In one area, however, the Councilmember did express great concern about staffing levels– and that is the number of police officers in Oakland. The Oakland Police Department (OPD)has a sworn staff under 640 officers, down from over 800 officers just a couple years ago.The Councilmember stated that all previously laid off or Academy trained but never hiredofficers who were available to be rehired are back with OPD. But that even with a newAcademy class, scheduled to start late this summer, she fears OPD staffing could fall below600 officers by next summer. One of the bottle necks she identified is field training – thework senior officers do with new graduates of a Police Academy.

On a brighter note, Kernighan discussed the improvements to Lake Merritt. Several yearsago voters approved Measure DD, which raised approximately $198 million for improve-ments to the lake. Kernighan called it some of the best money the city has ever spent. �

Paul Junge is the Chamber’s director of public policy.

> Optimistic and realistic –Kernighan works for a bright Oakland future

The Oakland Police Department is looking forcommunity members to become involved in thehiring of future police officers for the city of Oakland.Community volunteers are needed to participate asevaluators during the oral interview phase of therecruitment process.

Panelists will be required to arrive at 8 a.m. for onehour of training. Interviews will be conducted betweenthe hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Each panel will consist ofthree panelists, including a sworn member of the OaklandPolice Department, city of Oakland employee, andcommunity volunteer. In order to qualify as a communityvolunteer panelist, you must live, work or own a businessin the city of Oakland. A two-day minimum commitment isrequested; however, volunteers may participate up to fivedays.

This is your opportunity to make a difference; yoursupport is appreciated and necessary to ensure the mostqualified recruits are selected for the next police academy.

Oral interviews are currently scheduled as follows:

April 23, 2012 – 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

April 24, 2012 – 1-8 p.m.

April 25, 2012 – 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

April 26, 2012 – 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

April 27, 2012 – 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Anyone interested in serving as an assessor shouldcontact Antoné Hicks at [email protected] or at(510) 238-3339. �

> Oakland Police need volunteers to help select new recruits

Public Policy

Patricia Kernighan

by Paul Junge

April 2012 | 21

Public PolicyCreating a strong economy

economic development

On March 14, the Chamber’sEconomic Development Committeehosted an expert panel from the EastBay Regional Park District (EBRPD).Moderated by EBRPD’s legislativeaffairs manager Erich Pfuehler, thepanel’s conversation was wide ranging– from the Health Parks HealthyPeople Initiative to fire conservation.

At the conclusion of the panel, oneclear theme emerged – the East BayRegional Park District is a huge asset tothe Bay Area for both businesses andresidents.

According to Pfuehler, the EBRPD,with its own police and fire districts,110,000-plus acres of wild land, 65 parks,and more than 700 employees, “functionslike a small city government.”

Established in 1934, the District hasserved many functions over the years, butmost recently its emphasis has been onthe promotion of health, fashioning itselfas the “urban lungs” for much of the BayArea and its inhabitants.

Carol Johnson, the assistant general manager for public affairs,insisted that “health is a national issue” and noted it is well documentedthat “health has to do with activity level.” She remarked that 99 percentof parks users that were surveyed reported that they used the regionalparks to feel “fit and healthy.” Johnson also mentioned that it is easy andfree to use your regional parks for recreation, and as a result manyleading health professionals are now “prescribing parks” and access totrails for individuals looking to improve their health.

Other panelists, Mike Anderson of planning and Rick Palmer ofinterpretative services, explained that the general public indeed valuesits parks whether it be demonstrated in a random phone survey or a classtrip to the estuary where elementary school kids see the seashore forthe first time in their not-so-young lives.

John Swanson, the fire chief for the EBRPD, then explained to thegroup how his team protects the parkland from constant wildfire threatsthough careful vegetation management and educational sessions withresidents.

The attendees at the Forum then had a robust round of questionsand discussion about the risk of fire in the East Bay hills and whathomeowners can do to best protect their property. Hint: the mosteffective wildfire protection strategy includes maintaining both yourfront and back yards free and clear of weeds!

The Chamber/s next Economic Development Forum will be held onWednesday, April 11 at 3 p.m. and will feature an update on the federaltransportation bill from Shannon Tracey of Reconnecting America, andan update on Plan Bay Area from Doug Johnson of the MetropolitanTransportation Commission (MTC). Please join us! �

Eleanor Hollander is the Chamber’s director of economic development.

> Officials expound on economicvalue of the parksby Eleanor Hollander

� At the Economic

Development Forum (left

to right) – Chamber

Economic Development

Director Eleanor Hollander

(seated); Economic

Development Steering

Committee members

Anthony Thompson (Bank

of Alameda) and Chris

Pattillo (PGAdesign, Inc.);

East Bay Regional Park

District officials Erich

Pfuehler, Mike Anderson

and Rick Parmer; Charissa

Frank (Swinerton

Builders), chair of the

Chamber’s Economic

Development Department;

and EBRPD executives John

Swanson (partially

hidden) and Carol

Johnson.

The Chamber’s Leadership Oakland program held its March session at variousOakland locations for (appropriately) Transportation and Environment Day, abehind the scenes view of the various groups that strive to keep Oakland bothclean and moving.

The day started at the Port of Oakland’s Jack London Square office, where webegan our journey into the world of transportation. Welcomed by the Port ofOakland Maritime Marketing Manager Ron Brown, we learned about the variousinfrastructures that include real estate, aviation and maritime, all of which make upthe Port of Oakland and its 400 plus employees. Brown shared the rich history of thePort, discussing significant milestones that make it the fourth busiest container portin the United States and even taught us shipping lingo, such as “TEU,” (twenty-footequivalent units).

After our general overview of the Port, we headed down Middle Harbor Road tosee the big rigs, berths and ships in action. From fine dining at Jack London Squareto the bustling terminals, we settled at Shoreline Park and Wildlife Habitat – a publicpark restored by the Port of Oakland. The park is nestled in greenery and surprisinglyquiet given all the activity around it. The park gave us the chance to see containersplaced onto ships heading overseas, while surrounded by the San Francisco Bay andincredible views of San Francisco.

The next part of our day involved trash and recycling with Waste Managementof Alameda County. The Davis Street Transfer Station, home to nearly two millionpounds of material, which are processed for recycling every day, was quite a sight.Rebecca Jewell, recycling program manager, and Rebecca Parnes, recycling coordina-tor, welcomed us into the iRecycle@school education center, where we askedquestions ranging from why plastic bags are difficult to recycle to what is and isn’tcompostable.

After learning more about waste reduction and recycling, we put on our safetygoggles, hard hats, and vests to see how this material is really handled once thetrucks leave our home. The first stop on our tour was the Material Recovery Facilityor “MRF,” where the recycling trucks empty their loads and the material begins itsjourney through various sorting machinery. We saw how the MRF separates thedifferent plastics, metals, glass, paper and other commodities.

The next stop was “The Pit,” the location where garbage trucks that serviceOakland, dump their loads that eventually make its way into the landfill at theAltamont Pass.

After a morning full of tours, we headed to the Waste Management office tohear more about environment from a panel of experts who all contributed some-thing different relating to the day’s two themes, transportation and environment. �

Pedrito Gella is territory manager for Waste Management of Alameda County,

and Julie Fishman is the president of Starline Supply Company in West Oakland.

Both are participants of Leadership Oakland.

> Leadership Oakland goes behindthe scenes of transportationby Pedrito Gella and Julie Fishman

SPECIAL SECTION The Oakland Restaurant Association

22 | OBR Oakland Business Review | www.oaklandchamber.com

> Chef’s Corner – Lev DelanyChop Bar, 247 4th St., Suite 111 (4th & Alice St.)(510) 834-2467www.oaklandchopbar.com

BACKGROUNDI’m an Irish Jew from Vancou-ver, Canada.

First job? Busboy, Ship ofthe Seven Seas, North Van-couver. Lots of tour buses,canned oysters on the buffet.

Education? After beingexpelled from my seventhhigh school, I decided I’d bebetter off self-educating.

Residence? The DimondDistrict, East Oakland.

BUSINESS STRATEGYHow’s business? Great

and getting better. Down-town Oakland is really start-ing to go off. It’s palpable.

Biggest challenge that you face? Maintaining my perspective andremembering to return e-mails.

Personal goal yet to be achieved? Changing another person’s mindabout politics.

Why people like working for you? They’re all masochists.Mentor? ? James Ormsby, but he’ll probably deny it.What do you like most about your job? I like watching people

come in in their work persona and unwind into their actual selves. That,and providing jobs for 30 excellent people.

What do you like least about your job? Being away from my familyand firing people.

Best meal/dish you ever created and to whom was it served?Chicken tacos on my friend Gamma’s rooftop in Berlin. Seeing peopleexperience fresh Mexican food for the first time is a beautiful thing.

Most respected competitor? I’m not competing with anybody. Ithink cooking is a form of communication, not a competitive sport. I dolike Tanya Holland, though. She adds classical technique to soul foodwithout losing any of the soul. Opening two nice restaurants in WestOakland is cool, too.

PREFERENCESStranded on a desert island; what cookbook would you want?

A big fat one, like “The Fat Duck,” in case there’s no kindling. Ryan Farr’sbutchery book might be good too, if I need to kill anything.

Lunch with Julia Child - one question for her? Who did thebetter impression of you – Dan Aykroyd or John Candy?

Favorite cause? I wish I had one – ask me next year.Favorite movie? Once Upon a Time in the West. I love Ennio

Morricone and Claudia Cardinale.Favorite restaurant? Arzak, El Taco Zamorano, Sidreria Petritegi, El

Farolito, B-Side BBQ, Chai Thai, and South Seas Seafood Village.Favorite way to spend spare time? Being lazy with my wife Wendy

and our six- year-old Link.On your iPod? Harry Nilsson, Turbonegro, Johnny Thunders,

Zeppelin – more of a vinyl guy, though.Automobile? I like old Mopar, but I’m a family guy so I drive a Mini. �

> In Oakland, new restaurantsand bars beckon

> Faz opens in Oakland

The menu has everything from beef and chicken kabobs tolamb and rice dishes as well as a Mediterranean stew.There’s also a Persian-style stew of the day.

The success of owner Faz Poursohi is based on his loveof food and cooking that he acquired growing up inTehran. His family took culinary matters seriously andtheir table was always laid with freshly baked breads, fruitsand vegetables from the family farm. He also owns andoperates restaurants in Danville, Pleasanton, Silicon Valleyand Palo Alto.

At the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremonies, Faz (above, holding the scissors)is joined by restaurant employees, including Chef de Cuisine Israel Medina (far left)and Master Persian Chef Saeid Mosaddad (center). Chamber staff was also on hand,including President Joe Haraburda (next to Faz). �

Faz Restaurant, whichfeatures Persian andother Mediterraneandishes, recently hadits grand opening in

the lobby of1111 Broadway in

downtown Oakland.

by Mark Everton

Ingrid Williams’s selection of Oakland as one of the New York Time’s top citiesin the world to visit in 2012 came as a surprise to people outside of Oakland.

Ms. William’s selection was based on the explosion of world-class restaurants andbars, in addition to the incendiary music and arts scene. As soon as the article ran, thebloggers opinions of Oakland quickly filled many travel sites. The opinions about Oak-land’s gritty nature, crime reports and the Occupy Oakland presence were overshad-owed by the deep respect that Oakland has earned for its culinary scene.

Oakland’s restaurant scene, combined with the world-class entertainment that isavailable, is a match that all Bay Area residents should avail themselves of. The Fox, Para-mount, Yoshi’s and the other smaller venues provide an ever-changing kaleidoscope ofamazing music and entertainment. The recent sold-out showings of the six-hour silentfilm, Napoleon, brought thousands of people to Oakland to experience the only show-ing of the film in the U.S. in the past 30 years and to absorb Carl Davis’s original score.

The showings provided a two-hour intermission for patrons to sample the culinaryoptions in the Uptown, Grand lake and Lake Merritt areas. At the evening intermission,patrons quickly dispersed to Pican, Luka’s, Flora, Plum, Camino, the Lake Chalet andevery other restaurant that had a table available. The comments were resounding thatthe dining experience was the perfect complement to the incredible experience of thefilm, music and grandeur of the Paramount.

Recently Michael Bauer, food critic for the San Francisco Chronicle, was heard onthe radio raving about his recent experience at Camino. Bauer’s comments reflectedthat it was as unforgettable as his earlier visits, and he described Russell Moore’sCamino as “a temple of gastronomy.” Bauer’s top 100 restaurants in the Bay Area for 2011listed Oakland’s A Cote, Pizzaiolo, Plum, Camino, Dopo and Adesso as must visit restau-rants.

The New York Times take on Oakland is consistent with Michael Bauer’s long-heldbelief that Oakland has an amazing culinary scene.

Daniel Patterson’s recently opened Haven in Jack London Square continues thetrend of great San Francisco chefs bringing their talent and imagination to Oakland.

Many of those amazing Oakland restaurants will be providing the food at the Cham-ber’s MegaRegion Summit, “Oakland: Heart of the MegaRegion” in Jack London Squareon Friday, May 4. Showcasing Oakland’s finest restaurants will be the perfect way to capoff a day of discovering what Oakland has to offer. �

Mark Everton , the executive director of the Waterfront Hotel and MissPearl’s, is co-chair of the Oakland Restaurant Association.

Attend the Chamber’s 107th Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon

Wednesday, June 27

Visit oaklandchamber.com for informationand nomination form.

April 2012 | 23

The purpose of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamberof Commerce is to promote commerce and industry,to advance economic growth and to enhance thequality of life in the city of Oakland.

OBR OAKLAND BUSINESS REVIEW (ISSN 1092-7220)is published monthly at $100.00 a year by the OaklandMetropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 475 14th Street,Oakland, CA 94612-1903. Membership dues includesubscription. Periodicals postage at Oakland, CA.Contents can’t be reproduced without permission.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to OAKLANDBUSINESS REVIEW, 475 14th Street, Oakland, CA 94612.

Editor

HANK MASLER, (510) 874-4808

[email protected] | www.oaklandchamber.com

Design/Production Editor

CARTER DESIGNS

The articles published in this publication do not necessarily

reflect the policies or opinions of the Oakland Metropolitan

Chamber of Commerce.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEChair of the BoardJOHN NELSONmurakami/Nelson

Vice Chair MARIO CHIODOChiodo ArtDevelopment

Vice Chair SHANNON PEDDERBRAND: CREATIVE

DAN COHENFull Court Press

CHARISSA FRANKSwinerton Builders

ERIC KISSHAUERPankow Builders

DICK SPEESHonorary Member

ZACK WASSERMANEx Officio CorporateCounselWendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP

KEN WHITEFidelity Roof Company

MICHAEL ZIEMANNSummit Bank

BOARD OF D IRECTORSALICIA BERTPG&E

TERRY BRADYSecuritas SecurityServices

DAVE CANNONBarney & Barney LLC

ANA CHRETIENABC Security Service

KIM DELEVETTSouthwest Airlines

JOHN DOLBYGrubb & Ellis

CHRIS DONOHOECIM Group

SOLOMONETS-HOKINColliers International

MARK EVERTONWaterfront Hotel /Miss Pearl’s JamHouse

ALLYSON FATTORESunwest Bank

JOHN GOODINGThe Quadric Group

GEORGE GRANGERAT&T

STAN HEBERTCalifornia State University, East Bay

MICHAEL HESTERMcGuire & Hester

VICTORIA JONESThe Clorox Company

ISAAC KOS-REEDPort of Oakland

MICHAEL LEBLANCPicán

KEN MAXEYComcast

IKE MMEJEAlta Bates SummitMedical Center

NATHAN NAYMANVisa

NATHANIELOUBRE, JR.Kaiser Permanente

MICKY RANDHAWAWells Fargo

EMILY SHANKSBank of America

DAVID TUCKERWaste Managementof Alameda County

ELÑORA TENA WEBB,PH.D.Laney College

RICHARD WHITEFitzgerald Abbott &Beardsley LLC

JOSEPH HARABURDAPresident and CEO

Keeping you connected and informed

> april

6 | East Bay Women in BusinessRoundtable luncheon|11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.featuring guest speaker Terri Swartz, deanof the College of Business & Economicsat California State University, East Bay,will discuss the transformative powerof education and how it can impact thedevelopment of business leaders and thebusinesses they run. Waterfront Hotel inJack London Square, $35 for Chambermembers, $45 for non-members, $10 lateregistration fee after April 4

11 | Ambassador Committeemeeting |noon - 1 p.m.

11 | Economic DevelopmentForum |3 - 4:30 p.m.featuring Doug Johnson of theMetropolitan Transportation Commission(MTC) discussing “Update on Plan BayArea: A Regional Land Use andTransportation Plan to 2040,” andShannon Tracey of Reconnecting Americadiscussing an “Update on the FederalTransportation Bill”

17 | Nonprofit RoundtableCommittee meeting |2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

19 | Breakfast at the Chamber |7:30 - 9 a.m.an update of Chamber activities forprospective, new and long-timemembers, sponsored by Fountain Café

26 | After Five Reception |5:30 - 7:30 p.m.Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive,facing Lake Merritt, no charge forChamber members, $15 for non-members

27 | Inside Oakland BreakfastForum |8:30 - 10 a.m.featuring guest speaker Alameda CityManager John Russo, no charge forChamber members, $10 for non-members

> may

4 | 3rd annual MegaRegionSummit, “Oakland: Heart of theMegaRegion” | noon - 6:30 p.m.sign up for a mobile workshop online atbusiness.oaklandchamber.com/events/details/megaregion, Jack London SquareMarket Building (55 Harrison St.)



17 | Breakfast at the Chamber |7:30 - 9 a.m.an update of Chamber activities forprospective, new and long-time

members, sponsored by Carolyn’sMarketing Services

24 | After Five Reception |5:30 - 7:30 p.m.Broadway Grand Apartments, 430 W.Grand Ave., no charge for Chambermembers, $15 for non-members

25 | Inside Oakland BreakfastForum |8:30 - 10 a.m.no charge for Chamber members, $10 fornon-members

25 | Chamber Night with the A’s,Oakland vs New York Yankees|game begins at 7:05 p.m.with seats directly behind the A’s dugoutin the Plaza level. Also includes a post-game fireworks show, tickets $40 perperson for Chamber members, $50 perperson for non-members

> JUNE


13 | Economic DevelopmentForum |3 - 4:30 p.m.featuring Alfonzo Dominguez and SarahFoley with Pop Up ‘Hood on “Project OldOakland, Getting Results in Retail”


21 | Breakfast at the Chamber |7:30 - 9 a.m.an update of Chamber activities forprospective, new and long-timemembers

22 | Inside Oakland BreakfastForum |8:30 - 10 a.m.no charge for Chamber members, $10for non-members

22 | Chamber Night with theA’s, Oakland vs San FranciscoGiants – the Bay Bridge Series |game begins at 7:05 p.m.with seats directly behind the A’sdugout in the Plaza level, tickets $40per person for Chamber members, $50per person for non-members

27 | Chamber’s 107th AnnualMeeting & Awards Luncheon|11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.honoring Chamber members in thecategories: Business Innovator,Nonprofit Impact, Business Volunteerof the Year, Education First, CommunityContributor, Best Oakland Restaurant,and Leadership Oakland Alumni of theYear. Nomination forms are available atwww.oaklandchamber.com or in theChamber offices. Deadline: May 18.Oakland Marriott City Center

28 | After Five Reception |5:30 - 7:30 p.m.Cathedral of Christ the Light Café, 2121Harrison St., no charge for Chambermembers, $15 for non-members

All events held at Chamber offices, 475 14th Street, unless otherwise noted. Call 874-4800 to confirm dates and times. Meetings are open to all Chamber members.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCHEON| APRIL 6 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. “Women Defining the East Bay’s Future” seriesGuest speaker Dr. Terri Swartz

3rd annual MegaRegion Summit,“Oakland: Heart of the MegaRegion”| May 4 |

Economic Development Forum| April 11, 3 - 4:30 p.m.“Plan Bay Area: A Regional Land Use and Transportation Plan to 2040,” and “Federal Transportation Bill”

Apr.26 After Five Reception

1547 Lakeside Drive, facing Lake Merritt

No charge for Chamber members.$15 for non-members. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

OaklandScottish Rite Center

SPONSORED BY WELLS FARGOA neighborhood salute

In addition to street maintenance services, FBID works on

beautification and safety projects. FBID welcomed 2012 with the

installation of a community art mural on the underpass of the

I-880 freeway on Fruitvale Avenue and E. 9th St., in partnership

with the city of Oakland, Caltrans, Home Depot and the many

merchants who provided generous donations (La Finca Tortelleria,

Guadalajara Restaurant, and National Bargain Stores). The mural

serves as a sign of welcome for residents and visitors in and

around Oakland, inviting them to the community and the various

attractions offered in the Fruitvale District.

The mural contributes to the overall improvement and

revitalization of the district. It promotes beautification, fosters a

sense of community unity, and serves as a deterrent for further

vandalism, graffiti and blight in the neighborhood. By promoting

beautification, we are able to attract and increase visitors and

tourism in the Fruitvale District, thereby stimulating economic

activity. The mural adds an inviting atmosphere welcoming

residents and visitors alike with its sunshine yellow greetings in

various languages showcasing the diversity of the community.

And the excitement continues – all along International

Boulevard, 92 new banners have been installed. The new banners

mark the festive and lively community and come in shades of all

colors and fruits of all shapes, providing a glimpse into Fruitvale’s

historic past filled with beautiful orchards.

The efforts of FBID and the projects mentioned above would

be extremely difficult without the dedicated and passionate

volunteers of the Unity Council, many of whom reside or work in

the Fruitvale. More than 50 volunteers joined regularly organized

monthly clean ups and planted 239 flowers and shrubs around

street curbs, flowerbeds, and parks over the span of several

months.

The Fruitvale faces challenges and is continually evolving.

Crime has been an issue and along these lines, dedicated staff and

volunteers of FBID have been going door to door distributing a

safety and crime assessment survey to its residing 350 businesses

in efforts to understand and address the issue of crime and safety.

Additionally, FBID has been reaching out to merchants in the

district and providing them resources to shape the issue of safety

in their neighborhoods.

As a result, Fruitvale is seeing its first ever Merchant Watch,

a group comprised of neighboring merchants, organized to

communicate with one another and the police to report suspi-

cious activities in the area. The group, spanning a couple of

blocks, will soon be seeing the installation of Merchant Watch

signs in its surrounding streets – a tool in deterring crime.

The group has been meeting monthly with Merchant Watch

Coordinator Eddie Simlin of the city of Oakland, and with Problem

Solving Officer Sean Festag – getting to know neighbors, learning

how to report crime, and identifying specific concerns of their

block.

As FBID embarks on its first year of yet another renewal, we

hope to continue providing quality services, working side by side

with property owners, merchants, the city of Oakland and the

numerous community assets in making the Fruitvale commercial

corridors a beautiful and thriving community. �

> FBID – Working to keepFruitvale clean, beautiful and safeFruitvale Business Improvement District (FBID), a

program under a multi-service community-based

organization, the Unity Council, provides support

and resources to keep the Fruitvale commercial

corridors clean, beautiful and safe. From its inception,

FBID has led the nation as the model to subsequent

creations of Business Improvement Districts through-

out the country and other

commercial districts

throughout Oakland.

Through FBID, significant proj-

ects and improvements have been

established and continue to be car-

ried out all over the Fruitvale com-

mercial corridors, creating an attractive and clean district where merchants

are able to conduct business and where customers and visitors can shop, eat,

and promenade the area.

A primary service provided by FBID is its street maintenance services. As

one of the most densely populated areas in Oakland, the Fruitvale commer-

cial corridors require adequate attention to its bourgeoning need to maintain

clean streets. Working with Peralta Services Corporation (PSC), an affiliate of

the Unity Council, FBID provides daily street sweeping and graffiti abate-

ment.

� This community art mural islocated on the underpass of the I-880freeway on Fruitvale Avenue and E.9th Street.

� At Fruitvale Village you’ll find acomprehensive collection of smallbusinesses, not-for-profit organizations,health centers, learning institutionsand financial centers.

oakland business review april 2012

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