Laurel District Association News

by Helen Wyman

Mark your calendars for this year's Laurel World Music Festival, August 11, noon to 6 p.m.

If you missed last year's festival, you have another opportunity to see what all the excitement is about. The Laurel business district, MacArthur Blvd. between 35th Ave. and High Street, will transform into a pedestrian zone to host thousands of Laurel residents and visitors from the Greater Bay Area. The festival will include two stages featuring live music and performances highlighting some of the greatest Bay Area talent, gourmet food booths, a street fair with over 100 vendors, and Kid's World (sponsored by Oakland Veterinary Hospital) with carnival games, pony rides, rock climbing, and more.

We are currently accepting applications for vendors. Artisans and local businesses are welcomed as vendors at the event. Vendor packages start at $120 for a 10x10 space. Tents are required but not included. Download an application from our Web site www.laureldistrictassociation.org, or e-mail Helen at laureldistrictassociation\@yahoo.com. Sponsorships are available.

We are seeking dedicated, hard-working individuals as event staff. Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt, lunch or snack during the day, and the chance to become an important part of the Laurel World Music Festival. Some of you will even get the chance to use a walkie-talkie. To sign up, please contact Lease Wong at komodotoyz\@aol.com or 482-5921.

Musicians, please submit press kits to Helen Wyman, 3834B Wisconsin St., Oakland, CA 94619 by June 15.

We encourage your participation in this exciting event and appreciate your support. For more information, visit our Web site.

New Consignment Store

Oh, What A Find! Consignment Store, at 4140 MacArthur Blvd., is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5 to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. It carries new and previously loved furniture, art, home decor and gift items, featuring local artist creations, fair-trade products, and decor for every room in your home at affordable prices. Consignment terms are 60-day stays and a 50 percent share of the sale.

Security Update

The Laurel BID made security a top priority for 2007, and we are happy to announce that the business district has hired All About Security to patrol between 9 a.m. and 2 a.m. in a marked security vehicle. You may have seen the blue truck with yellow branding in the area. Vehicle patrols are random throughout the day and late at night. The Merchant Security Program began in April and provides merchants with a walking agent from 6 to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. The agent is available to escort employees to their cars and is available by cell phone during the shift. For more information about the security program, please call Eric Jefferson at 839-8675, or e-mail him at ejaasa\@sbcglobal.net.

The LDA has been working closely with Renee Sykes, OPD Neighborhood Services Coordinator for the Laurel area, the Laurel/Redwood Heights/Leona Heights NCPC, All About Security, Jean Quan's Office, and the OPD lieutenant covering the Laurel to address the recent increase in violent crime and burglaries along MacArthur Blvd. We are doing our best to make the Laurel a safe place to live and own a business. Support the merchants by continuing to shop and dine in the Laurel.♦