The Drought's Scapegoat

Mainstream and conservative media and politicians have wrongly blamed the tiny delta smelt for causing water cutbacks for agriculture during the drought. Why?

• By Alastair Bland
• Tags: Feature, Delta smelt, California Drought, Water conservation

Alameda County DA Seeks Controversial Surveillance Device

In cooperation with the Oakland and Fremont police, the District Attorney's Office is quietly planning to acquire a surveillance tool capable of locating and tracking people's cellphones.

• By Darwin BondGraham and Ali Winston
• Tags: News, Surveillance, OPD, Crime

When Landlords Target Tenants in Rent-Controlled Buildings

A lawsuit against an Oakland apartment building owner sheds light on tactics real estate investors use to remove tenants in rent-controlled units — including aggressive evictions and exorbitant rent increases.

• By Sam Levin
• Tags: News, Housing, Oakland, Eviction

Three Cheers for the Pope

The Vatican encyclical boldly tackles our "filthy planet."

• By Jay Youngdahl
• Tags: Raising the Bar, Pope Francis, Catholicism, Environmentalism

Business as Usual in Oakland City Hall

A judge ruled that the city illegally barred citizens from attending council meetings. And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

• By Robert Gammon
• Tags: Seven Days, Oakland City Council, Lynette Gibson McElhaney, Naomi Schiff

It's Official: Marijuana Is Medicine

A series of papers in the Journal of the American Medical Association is starting to correct the shameful legacy of drug war politics over cannabis science. But a research catch-22 persists.

• By David Downs
• Tags: Legalization Nation, Medical marijuana, Journal of the American Medical Association, War on Drugs

Letters for the week of July 1, 2015

Readers sound off on street art, pensions, and hospital funding.

• Tags: Letters

Ayodele Nzinga's True-to-Life Fictions

The local poet, playwright, actor, and scholar brings tales of Black life and struggle to the stage with her theater troupe, the Lower Bottom Playaz.

• By Darwin BondGraham
• Tags: Culture Spy, Ayodele Nzinga, theater, Lower Bottom Playaz

Alone on the Ranch

In On Her Own, Berkeley filmmaker Morgan Schmidt-Feng captures the story of a Sonoma County family slowly losing its farm and its intergenerational identity.

• By Sarah Burke
• Tags: Events, On Her Own, Morgan Schmidt-Feng, Farming

David Polka Processes a Life-Altering Accident in 'Ballad of the Broken Body'

For his solo show at Betti Ono Gallery, the artist reflected on a dark period in his life and emerged with some of his most compelling work yet.

• By Nastia Voynovskaya
• Tags: Visual Art, David Polka, Visual art, Betti Ono Gallery

Stick a Fork in Alexandra Naughton

In her newest book, the local poet reflects on the complicated relationship between success as an alt-lit author and self-objectification on the internet.

• By Sarah Burke
• Tags: Books, Alexandra Naughton, Alt lit, internet culture

A Funeral for the American Dream

Aurora Theatre's Detroit shows that "keeping up with the Joneses" isn't always the best idea.

• By Gillian Edevane
• Tags: Theater, Detroit, Aurora Theatre, Lisa D'Amour

Gymnastics

Of kink and truth.

• By Dan Savage

Free Will Astrology

Horoscopes for the week of July 2–8, 2015.

• By Rob Brezsny
• Tags: Free Will Astrology

One-Night Stands

Repertory Film Listings for the Week of July 2 - July 8, 2015.

• Tags: One-Night Stands

Delicious Food in a Steam Table?

Yes. Lena's Soul Food Cafe and EM Deli Catering prove that quick-service takeout can be damn good.

• By Luke Tsai
• Tags: Restaurant Review, Lena's Soul Food, steam table, EM Deli Catering, Lena's Soul Food Cafe

John Waters on Commie Queens, Rat Puke, and the Burger Boogaloo

The celebrated filmmaker, writer, and host of this weekend's music festival in Mosswood Park reflects on the revolution, chipmunk terrorists, and the old countercultures' nostalgic fate.

• By Sam Lefebvre
• Tags: Music, John Waters, Burger Boogalo, Punk

At Park Blvd. Records, Short Dog's Back in Stock

Rap critic Noz and archivist 12ManRambo opened the only Oakland record shop with a Sick Wid It bin card.

• By Sam Lefebvre
• Tags: Music, Park Blvd. Records, Noz, 12ManRambo

Forage Kitchen Resurfaces in Oakland

Three years after its initial $150,000-crowdfunding splash, the co-working kitchen finds a home on this side of the bay.

• By Luke Tsai
• Tags: What the Fork, Forage Kitchen, Co-working, Start-up, What the Fork

Wednesday Must Reads: Coliseum City Developer Calls for Public Subsidies; Oakland Council Approves $22.5 Million in Raises

• By Robert Gammon

EPA Considers Ban on Hazardous Pesticide Widely Used in California

• By Sam Levin

Thursday Must Reads: Californians Finally Slash Water Usage; Violent Crime Plummets in California

• By Robert Gammon

How a North Oakland Brewery Became a Hub for Local Artists Before It Even Opened

• By Luke Tsai
• Tags: New Normal Brewing, Sam Gilbert, craft beer, art

Oakland City Council Quietly Cuts Transparency Measures from Final Budget

• By Darwin BondGraham

Monday Must Reads: UC Boosts Admissions for Out-of-State Students; State Okays Rate Hike on People Who Conserve Energy

• By Robert Gammon

Mocking Homophobia with Marijuana

• By John Geluardi

Activists Strongly Criticize Coliseum City Proposal

• By Jean Tepperman

BREAKING NEWS: Oakland City Attorney Said Luxury Tower Deal Is Illegal

Records show that the city council ignored a confidential legal opinion drafted by City Attorney Barbara Parker that warned that the sale of public property near Lake Merritt violates state law.

• By Darwin BondGraham

Tuesday Must Reads: Governor Illegally Redirected $331 Million in Foreclosure Funds; Lawmakers Push for Prop 13 Reform

• By Robert Gammon

Slideshow

Slideshow: Backbeat Psychosis at Burger Boogaloo 2015

• By Sam Lefebvre and Bert Johnson
• Tags: burger boogaloo, john waters, Slideshow

Snow Park Food Pod Returns Next Wednesday

• By Luke Tsai
• Tags: Food on Wheels, Snow Park Food Pod, Doc's Classic, Zak Silverman, Doc's of the Bay, Kenny's Heart and Soul