upcoming Oakland events

Winter returned last night, but the forecast is for clear weather this weekend. A chance to check out the Art Murmur, help a local group with gardening and cleanup, or otherwise enjoy Oakland outdoors. The big event is the OMCA White Elephant Sale, which will go on rain or shine. If you know of something interesting going on in Oakland that I haven't listed, let me know in the comments.

Pinball Launch Party - Wednesday, February 29. Fun, flipper-filled evening at Vitus to launch the new AC/DC machine. Doors open at 5pm, tournament at 8pm. (free; tournament $5)

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)

White Elephant Sale - Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4, 10am-4pm. The OMCA annual fundraising rummage sale is huge! Find something fun or useful and support the Oakland Museum. Read more at Oakland Mofo. (website; free)

Oakland Voices Open House - Saturday, March 3, 3pm. Learn about the Tribune's community media project. Training East Oakland residents to tell stories that matter to their neighborhoods. (free)

Oakland Running Festival - Sunday, March 25. It's not too late to register to run in the Oakland Running Festival, or to volunteer. Kid's Fun Run, 5K, Half Marathon, Team Relay, and Full Marathon. (website)

looking further ahead:

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)

Volunteer for Oakland! - Saturday, March 10, 1-4pm. Like Oakland? Help make it better. Learn about volunteering at organizations already making a different in Oakland: Oakland Literacy Coalition • Oakland Mentoring Forum • Oakland Community Gardens • Oakland Parks Coalition • Oakland Public Library • Friends of Sausal Creek • Friends of Oakland Public School Libraries • Garber Park Stewards • Oakland Dogowners Group • Oakland Ballet • Oakland Zoo • CORE • Oakland Public Library • Chabot Space & Science Center • Children’s Fairyland • Oakland Museum of California • Peralta Hacienda Historical Park • Reading Partners • Writer Coach Connection (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)

Oakland Running Festival - Sunday, March 25. Whether you're running the 5K or the full marathon, or (like me) just volunteering, the Oakland Running Festival is a fun blast of Oakland love. The marathon and relay go all over Oakland, so check it out. (website)

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)