upcoming Oakland events

The big event coming up is the Oakland Running Festival on Sunday. Even if you're not running or volunteering, street closures (PDF) may affect you, whether walking, driving or taking public transit (AC Transit changes). If you do watch part of the race, cheer the runners on! Runners from past years say they love the encouragement. People are coming from all over the world to run in the races, so this is a chance for Oakland to shine.

Friends of Sausal Creek: Peregrine Falcons - Wednesday, March 21 7-9pm.
Come learn about peregrine falcon recovery efforts from conservation biologist Glenn R. Stewart, director of the UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group. All are welcome. He will be accompanied by a live peregrine falcon. No RSVP required. At the Dimond library. (free)

Bikeshare - Thursday, March 22, 7pm. Join cyclists sharing ideas, skills and stories of inspiration to send you on your next adventure. (free)

Tulip Exhibition - Friday, March 23 to Sunday, March 25. It's time for the annual tulip exhibition at Mt. View Cemetery. The already beautiful grounds come alive with color for spring. You can check out the tulips any time, but Friday through Sunday there will be special exhibitions in the Tower Chapel. (free)

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)

looking further ahead:
Dinner and Bikes - Wednesday, March 28, 7:30-9pm. Join East Bay Bike Coalition for an evening of dinner and bicycle inspiration at Arbor Cafe in Temescal. ($5-$10)

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.

Tribune Forum on Education - Thursday, March 29, 3:30-5:15pm. A public forum on the recent Oakland Unified School District changes, including new 11-month positions and requiring more teachers to apply to stay at their current position. Katy Murphy of The Education Report will be moderating; panelists include superintendent Tony Smith; OEA president Betty Olson-Jones; several Oakland teachers and at least one student. (free)

Book Sale by FOPL - Thursday, April 5 – Sunday, April 8. Books 50% off for members on Thursday (you can join that morning), and 30%-50% off Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (website)

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)