Good morning, Oakland.

Johannes Mehserle’s jury verdict on the firearm enhancement added extra time to his involuntary manslaughter sentence even though the jury did not prove he meant to kill Oscar Grant, and the judge will address this conflict when sentencing shifts from August to November — his attorney argues the extra time does not match the original decision — while legal observers question the move.

The Wat Mongkolratanaram Thai Temple in Berkeley held its popular Sunday brunch on June 15, drawing 300 to 500 visitors with Thai beef noodle soup and other dishes prepared by a dedicated team led by Chief Chef Jennifer Gerardi—volunteers who have kept the tradition alive since 1980 after the temple moved from South San Francisco. The event continues to support the temple through token sales and donations.

The Oakland City Council froze the Cultural Affairs Manager position in the draft 2025-2027 budget, prompting artists and cultural advocates to protest the decision on June 17 amid concerns local arts support will be reduced.

Councilmember Janani Ramachandran said the cut helps save costs in a $265 million deficit — though critics warn that the change risks weakening Oakland’s cultural infrastructure.

Oakland commuters are planning to revive casual carpool rides that faded after the pandemic as transit agencies face financial challenges—organizers aim to restart the system later this fall to help ease traffic and offer benefits like discount tolls.

Starting July 1, minimum‐wage workers in several Bay Area cities will earn more as cities adjust wages to track inflation — Alameda workers will earn $17.46, while rates in Berkeley, Emeryville, Fremont, Milpitas, and San Francisco will vary.

The increases follow a recent statewide bump and are designed to help offset rising living costs — a move tied to annual changes in the Consumer Price Index.

Oakland leaders added a pending deal with Becker Boards to the new two-year city budget to help close a $265 million gap.

The deal lets Becker build five new digital billboards in exchange for $2.3 million upfront and annual payments up to $750,000, with free advertising for local nonprofits—final approval details remain pending.

Pa's Papa is a Japanese restaurant that just opened in Oakland’s Laurel district, serving sushi rolls, katsu and udon soups.

A tropical cafe called Ananas now offers specialty coffee, matcha and healthy snacks in Walnut Creek - while Fournos in San Leandro features Greek dishes, gyros and pizza.

Melba's Kitchen at Yoshi's

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Yoshi's — Tickets from $88 — Experience an evening with Melba's Kitchen in the vibrant atmosphere of Oakland.

No Money Down Home Loan Workshop

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Metropolitan Golf Links — Free entry — Discover how to help families achieve homeownership without upfront costs.

Fine Silver Jewelry Pendant Workshop

1-3 p.m. — Marcus Books — Workshop fee varies — Craft a beautiful silver pendant in a serene, creative environment.

Dwight Trible Live

8-9:30 p.m. — Yoshi's — Tickets available — Experience the soulful jazz of Dwight Trible, celebrated for his rich tones and unique blend of genres.

Baekhyun World Tour: Reverie

7:30-9 p.m. — Oakland Arena — Ticket prices vary — Experience the captivating sounds of Baekhyun live in concert during his world tour.

Hike Lake Chabot Regional Park

9:30 AM – 1:00 PM — Bort Meadow Staging Area — Free entry — Explore 5 miles of scenic trails with a moderate elevation gain in a community hiking event.

Let’s Talk FamilySearch: A Group Exploration

11 AM – 12 PM — FamilySearch center — Free entry — Explore genealogy with expert guidance and tackle your FamilySearch questions in a friendly setting.

Acoustic Alchemy Live Performance

8-9:30 p.m. — Yoshi's — Check for ticket prices — Experience a night of contemporary jazz with Acoustic Alchemy showcasing their new album 33 1/3.

AI Tips for Genealogy Research

10:30-10:45 a.m. — FamilySearch Center — Free — Discover the latest AI tips to enhance your genealogy research in this short session.

Getting Started Part 4: Using Record Hints

1-2 p.m. — FamilySearch Center — Free entry — Explore the power of AI in documenting your genealogy through record hints.