20th Anniversary of the 1991 Firestorm & Safety Summit in Oakland, CA.

Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) today announces a new initiative to help Oakland shoppers make educated and positive lifestyle choices that promote their long-term health and wellbeing. Opening on Monday, Sept. 19 and located inside Whole Foods Market’s Oakland store, the Wellness Club program offers a variety of educational classes in a supportive setting to help individuals make more informed decisions about living a healthier lifestyle. Wellness Club leadership will host a bread-breaking ceremony at 10 a.m., which will involve cutting a healthy, sprouted grain baguette.

On Thursday, August 18th 2011, Oakland Digital Arts & Literacy Center (ODALC) hosted the first meeting between the Burmese Community and Daphne Kwok, Chair of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders. This historic gathering in downtown Oakland was part of the White House Initiative for positive change in the AAPI community.

This student group will be conducting surveys of small businesses and restaurant owners in the Oakland Chinatown area as well as the neighboring areas August 12th through August 17th. The purpose of these surveys is to gauge the owners’ technological proficiency and comfort level with utilizing the Internet for business purposes, as well as formulating a consensus on the needs and technological deficiencies that the local commercial community has. The surveys will also see which businesses are interested in utilizing a system of security cameras, and what are the reasons prevent these businesses from already installing one.

“Inspire Oakland” billboard in East Oakland NOW (located directly in front of Bay Area Warehouse Co. at 8707 San Leandro St # A, Oakland, CA)… Congrats to Inspire Oakland 2011′s grand prize winner, Nik Eakle!!!

This series of six classes will educate small businesses in a broad range of online marketing tools. Classes will be offered on key topics, such as building a successful website, driving traffic to your site with search engines, using social media, online video, QR codes and mobile marketing, and creating an effective online marketing plan for your business.

Oakland Digital (ODALC)’s Inspire Oakland 2011 Campaign! Here are the Top 4 winning designs created by our students…!

“Oakland has made serious efforts to change its image for the better. In particular, its art community has become much more visible, as evidenced by the murals now gracing downtown buildings. I see these events as signs that Oakland is trying to plant the seeds of a new beginning for itself. Oakland can be a beacon that people can look to,” Jason Suryoutumo, Inspire Oakland 2011, Top 4 Winner.

“Inspire Oakland” encourages interest in graphic design and information technologies through creative expression. The ultimate goal of this project is to promote a positive image of Oakland that unites and inspires its diverse population, while encouraging young talent to jumpstart their digital media careers. The four designs will be featured on billboards throughout the greater Oakland metro area!

The “Inspire Oakland” campaign was launched to generate interest in graphic design and information technology through creative expression, while also encouraging artists to help project a positive image of Oakland through their designs. Nearly 400 design submissions were submitted this year, thanks to Laney College and McClymonds High School, which both implemented “Inspire Oakland” into their respective art programs.