I’m a news junkie, but these days, I wonder if I’d be better off with a heroin addiction. Every morning, I wake up and wonder what terrible actions and speeches took place while I was sleeping. It’s unsettling at best, and terrifying at worst. And, those are just the ones we find out about.
One of the reasons I enjoy producing this newsletter is that I still deal with news, but on a more hyperlocal level. I love getting the advance scoops, even if they come just a day or two before everyone else hears about them. Most importantly, we have occasional victories, new businesses to celebrate, and interesting neighbors to meet, and I enjoy sharing those stories. I appreciate the team that regularly writes for and edits Splashpad News, and I thank you, the readers.
For the past 10 days, I was knocked down by a nasty cold. I tested several times, and it wasn’t COVID or the flu. But a key symptom was that I couldn’t sit in front of my computer—at all. Sadly, I was still able to doomscroll on my phone and absorb a lot of terrible information. Because of that sudden break from the usual, I have one story that just didn’t get written in time for this issue. But that’s okay. Even as the idiots ramp up the authoritarianism, we have to keep fighting when we can and take care of ourselves when we’re down so we can fight again.
Because I fundamentally believe that the only way to get through this difficult time in world events is to be active, I will use this forum to let you know how you can be active too. If you disagree about the issues or don’t/can’t be active, then please just skip that stuff. But if you want to join in, there are many ways to get involved, whether from your kitchen table or on the streets. My lists won’t be comprehensive, but readers are encouraged to add activities and organizations in the comments section.
Demonstrate: October 18, Downtown Oakland, Noon-2 pm
There have been nearly monthly demonstrations since the start of the Trump administration. The largest, in June, was organized under the NO KINGS banner. On October 18, there will be another NO KINGS event. In June, at least 10,000 people participated in a slow, lively, boisterous march from Chinatown to City Hall, with rallies on both ends. Let’s do it again and make it even bigger. Planning is still in progress, so to get updates and sign up to attend, visit: mobilize.us. Indivisible is leading this event in coalition with many other organizations. No Kings events will also take place in Alameda, Berkeley, Albany, San Francisco, and across the country on the 18th.
Other events:
- If you’ve driven on 580 over the past few months, it’s been hard to miss demonstrators with signs on overpasses in Oakland and Berkeley. To join one of those “visibility” events, go to mobilize.us.
- Rally at the Grand Lake Theatre on Tuesdays. Every Tuesday, from 4:30-5:30, a group is out in front of the Theatre and at all of the corners of that intersection with signs and great spirit. Just join them. Bring your own sign, or they always have plenty of extras to choose from.
Support Prop 50
California adopted a redistricting commission that many on the Democratic side of the aisle had initially opposed. But once it was in place, pretty much everyone agreed that the number of congressional and state representatives fairly accurately mirrored the percentage of D and R voters in the state.
But, with Texas and several other “Red” states gerrymandering their districts in a non-census year to ensure that no democrats will get elected in the 2026 mid-term elections, California has to “fight fire with fire.” Prop 50, the one item to be on the November 4 ballot this year, does just that. It temporarily changes California’s districts to potentially add democratic seats.
We can’t just pretend that Trump and the Republicans are not trying to rig the system. That’s exactly what they’re doing. Called the “Election Rigging Response Act,” this measure gives us a fighting chance to counter some of the districts that they’re stealing in other states.
What you can do: With just one month to go until the election, you can:
• Vote Yes on 50 – Start there. Just be sure to vote! (Because it’s the only thing on the ballot, that could mean a lower voter turnout, so please vote.) Your ballots will arrive in the mail in early October, and if you don’t vote early, the in-person vote is on November 4th. Please tell all your friends and neighbors to vote YES on Prop. 50.
• Post a lawn sign that says Yes on 50.
• Make phone calls or send texts to get out the vote. (Usually, you can do this from home.)
• Go door-knocking to get out the vote; here in Oakland or across the state.
Many organizations are actively working to pass Prop 50. They all need help. Here are a few:
Alameda County Labor Council: To canvass in this neighborhood, contact Shaniah Ritzie-Hernandez, Political Organizer at 510-632-4242×105.
Neighborhood Starbucks closes
In late September, Starbucks gave its staff and the public very short notice that it would be closing 43 Bay Area stores, and the shop on Lake Park is one of the casualties. Just three years ago, that shop replaced the dreadful KFC that had been at that spot for several decades. They invested a lot of money to renovate the space, so hopefully another good business will swoop in and take it over. Supposedly, the workers will get transfer rights or severance, but with Starbucks’ CEO compensation valued at 6,666 times higher than the median worker’s (according to Robert Reich), and the company’s refusal to bargain in good faith with its hundreds of unionized stores, the chances of fair treatment are not very high.
Cleanup Day
As Racheal and Kelsey from the Lakeshore BID discussed, the “Grand Lake Shines” event on Sunday, September 21, was a great success. At 9:50 am, only one volunteer had shown up. But as we crossed the 10:00 am start time, we had 37 people sign up and I know that more joined in informally.
From the Grand Avenue Business Association, Lakeshore Avenue BID, Grand Lake Neighbors, and the Lakeshore LGBTQ+ Cultural District who sponsored the event, a huge thank you to all who painted graffiti, weeded, and picked up trash (and one dead pigeon that we know of.) And special thanks to City Council Member Charlene Wang who not only sent the group out to work but joined in herself.
I spoke to several participants and will end with why they chose to come out and clean up their neighborhood.
Jenna
Lives on Ellwood
* * * * *
“I wanted to be part of the community.” (When asked why she brought out her kids, Jenna explained,) “Get them started early —you have a responsibility to the people around you and your neighborhood.”
Shelby
Lives on Mandana
* * * * *
I’ve been doing this for years. I cleaned up by the Freeway, and up by Mandana. The need is always there.
Christy
Lives in Adams Point
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I do like to clean up the area and see it cleaner. I like the results.
Kristen Lives near the Rose Garden Every time I came out to the Farmers Market I thought, oh it’s such a mess here. So when I saw a poster about this clean-up event, I thought I’d better attend. Time to do it. 
Ruth
Lives up the street
I just want to support Oakland, keep the neighborhood beautiful, and do whatever I can to support the community.
Curtis Lakeshore Ave. I care about having a clean neighborhood and a sense of community. It’s a beautiful day. Everybody complains about how bad things are at times and they don’t do much about it. This is our chance to do something about it.
Debra Chaplan became the publisher of the Splashpad News in February 2024. She’s lived in the Grand Lake neighborhood for 30 years. Following a career in communications and creating educational programming for several labor unions, she’s pleased to apply those skills to the neighborhood and city she loves.
