She’s a Grand Old Dame

Today we celebrate Oakland’s past – and its future. From the trendy Art Murmur showcase of contemporary art to a conference on preserving California’s historic architecture, today and this weekend offer opportunities to experience the past, the present, and discover and shape the future. Mayor Quan will cap off a week of celebrations by cutting a birthday cake and unveiling the restored historic model of City Hall, smashed by Occupy in January. And with Occupy apparently over – partially thanks to the organizers of the large March for Dignity and Resistance changing their route to avoid being used as cover for Occupy-related crime – Oaklanders can shake off the negativity and focus on building a stronger city.

This weekend’s events include:

• The California Preservation Foundation annual conference kicked off downtown on Thursday. One public event is a Jane’s Walk put on by Oakland Urban Paths in partnership with 10,000 Steps, Once Upon A Time, and Friends of the Cleveland Cascade. Meet at 10am Sunday at 11th and Broadway (the Key System mural), the walk is two hours. Because it will include walking through city parks, no dogs are allowed.
• Old Oakland’s Pop Up Hood celebrates six months of success with several of their tenants signing long-term leases, hopefully sparking a retail revitalization of this beautiful, historic neighborhood.
• The Oakland Museum of California has started its Summer Nights program with movies and events running late into the balmy evenings.
• Linden Street Brewery and Tina Tamale host a Quatro de Mayo party tonight.
• A guerilla light art project is seeking funding for a roving projector in the DTO via Kickstarter.
• Businesses like the new bar District (827 Washington St) are part of a trend of expansions to Oakland from San Francisco.
• The Oakland Police Department (455 7th St) hosts its first-ever Open House at 5pm tonight, for community members to learn more about the department.
• Highlights of the Art Murmur include: Urban Information at Slate Contemporary (473 25th St), PaleoTone at Hatch Gallery (492 23rd St), and Odyssey at Betti Ono (1804 Telegraph Ave).

Next Thursday is Bike to Work Day, with a pancake breakfast and all-day valet bike parking outside City Hall, and a bike away from work party in Old Oakland (9th and Washington) in the evening. Check out Walk Oakland Bike Oakland’s Pedal Pools page if you’d like to ride downtown with your neighbors!