Laurel Neighborhood Newsby John Frando and Kathleen Rolinson | ||
Local Heroes Honored in District 4. Photo by Nikki Mortimer.
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Local Heroes Honored
Traditional lion dancers and Laurel Circus Clowns joined Councilmember Jean Quan and the community in honoring District 4's local heroes on Saturday, February 16. Community members nominated 28 individuals or groups for their dedication to improving their local schools, neighborhoods, and the city of Oakland. This year's nominees included three individuals from the Laurel for their work on the Summer Solstice Music Festival. Mark Baldwin, Kathleen Rolinson, and Stella Lamb were honored for their work organizing the now annual event.'
Top awardees received $500 to $1,000 for their school or public project. For the complete list of nominees and award winners see Councilmember Quan's Web site www.jeanquan.org.
'Summer Solstice Music Festival
'The Laurel neighborhood comes alive June 21, 2008, for the third annual Summer Solstice Music Festival. Modeled on the French Fête de la Musique, this international day of music is celebrated in over 100 countries every June 21. Musicians of all types and skills perform for free in public spaces, keeping with the Fête's principle of a "gift of music to the audience." The Fête aims to promote scope and diversity in musical practice and genres, providing opportunities for professionals and amateurs to express their musical talent.
Planning for the 2008 festival is underway, with volunteers from the Laurel Village Association coordinating musicians, locations, fundraising, and promotion. Musicians and performance locations are needed to complete this year's festival. Individuals interested in helping plan, promote, perform, or host locations are encouraged to contact organizers by emailing laurelssmf\@gmail.com. Volunteers are also needed for the day of the event.
'LVA hopes the Summer Solstice Music Festival will be an officially recognized Fête de la Musique location for 2008. 'Save the date for this international day of music—Saturday, June 21.
Laurel School News
'Classes from the Laurel Elementary School won medals at the regional competitions of the districtwide Martin Luther King Oratorical Festival. Ms. Graf's fourth-grade class took first place, Mr. Nelson's second-grade class took second place, and Ms. Walker's fifth-grade class took third place.
'School principal Ron Smith also reports that the school is undergoing modernization. Work to update public announcement, alarm, and fire systems, repaint, renovate bathrooms, and install new portable classrooms should be completed this summer.
Senior Housing Update'
Developers for the proposed senior apartment building on High and MacArthur went before Oakland's Design Review Committee in January, receiving the nod to proceed to planning commission. At the planning commission, developers present their case and commissioners hear community input regarding the suitability of projects. The project went before the planning commission February 20. Results of that meeting were unknown at Metro print deadline.
Kathleen Rolinson can be reached at krolinson\@gmail.com, and John Frando at jfrando\@gmail.com.