### Artist Linda Lawson was selected by the Frank Bette Center for the Arts in Alameda to have her dimensional collages displayed in a satellite exhibit through the summer. Linda is the artist who created the Fallen Officers collage that Melrose High Hopes Beat 27x presented to NSC Araina Richards last year in memory of her OPD slain colleagues. The collage was displayed for a time at OPD headquarters. Linda's current collages can be viewed in the window at Gallagher & Lindsay, 2424 Central, Alameda.
### Beulah Heights resident Bente Petersen is organizing the first Oakland Fiber & Textile Festival. Bente, who owns Piedmont Yarn & Apparel, wanted a place to demonstrate the connection between farmers and the end user. I lived for a time in a Vermont farming community where, I saw llamas and the occasional alpaca on my daily trek from home to the work. Yet I haven't given much thought lately to the fact that it is the farmer who is the ultimate supplier of wool.
Bente said that's one reason she and her co-organizer, Lou Grantham, wanted to create the Festival. In the same way that locavores, fair trade, and organic food consumers have learned why to support local food growers, users of fibers and textiles can see what it means to support fair trade and local farmers. That's what Bente's Festival will showcase, the actual producers of the yarns and fibers and the creative artists who use the products. It's one good thing about the current economy, Bente says, "we lost the ability to make our own things. This financial downturn is forcing us to reevaluate, make different choices, care for the environment." The Festival will be at the Splash Pad on June 27. See the Calendar, and find out more at oaklandfiberfest.com.
### Besides being writers for the Metro, Gordon Laverty and his wife Marge have been long-time volunteers at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park. Gordon sends word of the passing of Jim Schlader. The producer and director of over 150 musicals and plays at Woodminster, Jim died in May at the age of 96. Our condolences to his family and friends and our thanks for years of entertainment. You can read a tribute at woodminster.com.
### The next issue of the Metro will appear in August. That's the month for filing papers for local office so the electoral scene in Oakland will be heating up. If you are interested in writing a story about a particular candidate or helping cover some of the local races, let us know. We can always use good writers.'
Meanwhile, the State Primary is June 8. Before you vote be sure to read the Propositions and remember, the titles are not the law. You are voting for the text. Read. Learn. Then vote. —Oh, sorry, that's the Political Science instructor coming through; the editor's visor will be back on in August. Have a good June and July.
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