Good morning, Oakland.

A new grant program by the East Bay Community Foundation & Oakland Economic & Workforce Development Department distributed $2.5 million from Kaiser Permanente to 170 small businesses in West Oakland within five months.

The organizers are seeking additional funding to support more enterprises facing pandemic recovery challenges.

Oakland hosts festive events this week as the Kitka ensemble opens its winter show at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church — Dec 18 to 20 and Winterfest at Chabot Space and Science Center offers family activities this weekend.

Oakland Ballet celebrated 60 years with 'Luna Mexicana' and intense rehearsals at the Malonga Arts Center (downtown Oakland).

The company will perform its innovative rendition of 'The Nutcracker' on Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21 at the Paramount Theatre.

Californians can view the unique interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS with backyard telescopes until January + it will reach its closest approach on Friday, Dec.

19 before heading into interstellar space.

Oakland’s Chabot Space and Science Center will host its annual balloon drop on Dec.

31 to mark midnight; tickets cost (members $5 per child, guests $10) as families celebrate the New Year.

A new state law will relax restrictions on the types of businesses the Port of Oakland can lease to starting next year at Jack London Square to allow grocery stores and cafes.

A Dave and Buster's will open in February to boost local activity (the change lasts 40 years).

Officials at Wilma Chan Highland Hospital need help identifying a 65-year-old woman with a mole on her forehead after she arrived without ID on Dec.

10 from 46th Avenue and East 12th Street; she is in critical condition and anyone recognizing her is urged to call Alameda Health System (510-867-8370).

Bread Winners opened at Swan's Market on Dec.

8 in Oakland and serves build-your-own sandwiches with smoothies and specials. Pickle Athletics, Oakland's new pickleball social club on Telegraph Ave, offers breakfast, lunch, courts and a fitness center — inviting locals to try it.

Developer Danny Haber’s team from oWOW plans to cut affordable housing costs to about $350K per unit and will break ground on 284 apartments early next year in downtown Oakland — using mass timber and prefabricated components with federal tax credits to drive savings.

Glenn Dickey, a longtime sports writer known for his fearless commentary at the Chronicle, died last week in Oakland at age 89.

He spent over 40 years shaping local sports discourse and left a lasting impact on Bay Area commentary.

Nathan Nakadegawa-Lee Quartet Performance

7:30-8:30 p.m. — Mr. Tipple's Jazz Club — $15 – $30 — Experience a captivating blend of improvisational, vocal, blues, and jazz music from Nathan Nakadegawa-Lee and his quartet.

The Nutcracker - 60th Anniversary Special

1-2:30 p.m. — Paramount Theatre Oakland — Ticket prices vary — Experience the enchanting journey of Marie and the Nutcracker Prince set to Tchaikovsky's timeless score.

Oakland Ballet: The Nutcracker

1-2:30 p.m. — Paramount Theatre Oakland — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magical performance of The Nutcracker featuring beautiful dancing and live orchestral music.

Larry Vuckovich Live Performance

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Yoshi's Oakland — Check website for ticket prices — Enjoy a powerful jazz performance featuring an acclaimed sextet with Afro-Cuban rhythms and classic big-band hits.

Alvon Johnson Live Performance

8-9:30 p.m. — Yoshi's — Tickets required — Experience a night of versatile music with the 'King of the Blues' performing jazz and rock classics.

General Business Networking Event

6-8 p.m. — Sobre Mesa — Limited tickets — Connect with professionals across diverse industries at this multi-vertical networking opportunity.

Ranzel Merritt Live Performance

7:30-11:30 p.m. — Yoshi's — Tickets available — Experience the fusion of hip hop, jazz, and funk with Ranzel Merritt's innovative sound.

January Breakaway Blues

7-11:30 p.m. — Lake Merritt Dance at Veterans Memorial Building — $15 entry or $20 for dance + classes — Enjoy a fun evening of blues dancing with lessons and DJ'd music.