upcoming Oakland events

Awide variety of events, as usual. Please note the marrow registry drives—you could help save a life! If you know of something interesting going on in Oakland that I haven't listed, let me know in the comments.

First 2012 WOBO Volunteer Meeting - Thursday, February 23, 6-7:30pm. Learn the many ways to get involved in building a more accessible and safer community with Walk Oakland Bike Oakland. (web page)

Second Start Adult Literacy Program Thursday, February 23, 6-7:30pm, Grand Opening, celebrating with good food, good music and good company. Free books will be given to kids. At the main library. (free)

art: A Woman’s Perspective - Thursday, February 23, 6-8:30pm. Opening reception for Nancy Hom's new show, with images of women, mothers & children. At the Oakland Asian Cultural Center on 388 9th Street #290. The show runs from February 8 - April 29. (free)

ComicCon: ImageExpo Friday-Sunday, February 24-26. A comic book convention of independent comic book creators. (website)

Oakland Walking Tour: New Era, New Politics - Saturday, February 25, 10am-12p. In celebration of Black History Month. I've been on all of the walking tours, and they're a great way to learn about Oakland and its history. This one focuses on more recent Oakland history and politics. (free)

marrow registry drives - Saturday, February 25. A simple cheek swab can tell if you're a potential match for leukemia patient Janet Liang. She has until April to find a match, and you could help save her life. There's a marrow drive Saturday at 525 4th Street in Oakland from 10am-4pm. Other nearby drives are at Paddy’s Café Union City 10am-1pm, and E&O Trading Co Restaurant San Francisco, 11-3. Can't make a drive? Get a test kit from Be the Match. Find other drives on the Asian American Donor Program website.

Monthly News Cafe - Tuesday, February 28, 8-10am. Join Oakland Local in a discussion about the economy and how social media is a powerful tool for connecting people, causes and local events. Panelists include Oakland local staff, local leaders, and neighbors. (website; admission $4-$7)

Oakland Home Energy Workshop - Tuesday, February 28, 6pm-7pm. Learn how to get up to $4,000 in rebates on a home energy efficiency upgrades. At the Dimond Library. (free)

looking further ahead:

Color and Climate: A Vertical Landscape of Sound - Friday, March 2, 6pm. Join Youth Radio to celebrate the unveiling of its soundscape stairwell exhibit, Color and Climate. (free)

Explore Oakmore with Oakland Urban Paths - Saturday, March 10, 10am-12:30pm. Join Oakland Urban Paths to check out how local pathways connect to watershed and regional trail systems. (free)

Creative Growth Fundraiser - Friday, March 16, 6-9pm. "Beyond Trend". A gala fundraiser for the Center for Creative Growth, with DJ music, a silent auction, and great-sounding food. (more info)

Beyond Emancipation fundraiser Wednesday, March 28, 5-9pm Dine out and help foster youth succeed and thrive. Italian Colors will generously donate a percentage of your dinner bill to support Beyond Emancipation's programs for current and former foster youth in Alameda County.

Oakland Veg Week - April 15-21. Thought about eating vegetarian? Oakland Veg Week will have a variety of events to introduce people to the idea. (website)

plus the usual events:
Piedmont Avenue Art Walk (3rd Thursday)
Art Murmur (1st Friday)
Saturday Art Stroll (Saturdays)
Mt. View Cemetery Tours (2nd and 4th Saturdays)