We’re back this week, featuring another local organization YOU should know about: Meet @townstrides.

Founded by Bay Area locals Aziz Yaropa and Ashley Hughes, Town Strides is a “Oakland Wellness Collective” hosting weekly runs, group fitness classes, as well as some excellent collabs with other Oakland-based org and brands.

Just yesterday they dropped this collab with Bass Resources after their final group run of the year. Keep them on your radar when we all decide to get fit in the new year.

Have a local business or organization that should be featured? Reply and drop us an intro.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, last night’s Oakland board of education council agenda is like 1550 pictures worth.

Oakland Report — a local newsletter reporting on Oakland politics (worth the subscribe) — shared an article detailing just how daunting the OUSD board of education agenda truly is.

1.55M words were included in the latest agenda. Which according to Oakland Report accounts for 108 hours of reading. Which draws the most obvious conclusion: Ain’t nobody have time for that.

Why such a large agenda?

TLDR; addressing OUSD’s $100M budget shortfall.

Which has the board facing down 2 unpopular options, both of which make steep cuts to OUSD’s central staffing and school sites — notably though, no school closures.

Which is the crux of the shortfall: Oakland operates more schools than enrollment demand can supply.

Two of the best articles on the subject worth a read:

• Oakland Report

• Oaklandside

Our curated list of events for families, couples, and everyone in-between. Got an event you’d like to promote? Send us a reply.

All Weekend

Nutcracker Nightmare Fantasy 2025

I remember falling asleep to the Nutcraker as a kid. Ballet is just… not my thing. BUT theaters have noticed and now we have this, “transformation from the innocence of childhood to the sensual world of adulthood.” Their words, not mine. | Saturday 12-6pm & Sunday Showtimes vary. Flux Vertical Theatre, Berkeley. See Details →

Friday

Twas the night before Fairy Winterland (21+)

Fairyland transforms into Fairy Winterland this weekend and every weekend ending on the 28th with the park staying open later (7pm). But BEFORE that happens, Fairyland is opening it’s doors to the older crowd for one night only, featuring a lineup of local DJs, libations, and a holiday market. | Friday, 6-10pm. Fairyland, Oakland. See Details →

Berkeley’s Flowerland is open late

It’s far, I know. But if you haven’t stumbled into Solano’s Flowerland it’s worth a visit. The plant/gift shop is staying open late for the holiday season with live music and wine. FYI, they have a very cute courtyard. | Friday ‘til end of year, Open until 6pm. Flowerland, Berkeley See Details →

Saturday

Kiln, Cork, and Keg at West Berkeley Holiday Market

The West Berkeley Potters’ Studio is hosting their annual Holiday market this weekend. The 3-day event features an opening party Friday followed by 2 days of market(ing). The big one is Saturday right next to Hammerling Wines and Trumer Taproom. | Saturday, 11am-5pm. Between 5th and 3rd St., West Berkeley. See Details →

couchdate presents First Date

couchdate has been in and out of the news a few times this year. They recently settled down in Telegraph after getting “kicked out” of their downtown location. Either way, no matter who you talk to, they are cool. This weekend, their hosting an inaugural winter market at their Telegraph location. Worth a drop in. | Saturday, 11am-5pm, couchdate, Telegraph. See Details →

Sunday

Oakland Coffee Market at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza

Oakland might be the most under the radar coffee-mecha in the Bay. Our cafe line-up punches well above it’s weight, and this Sunday you can taste it all. Dozens of roasters and vendors are drippin’, steamin’, and pourin’ at the Oakland Coffee Market. Great place to buy gifts, sample some beans, and support local | Sunday, 10am-3pm, Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. See Details →

Tallboy Winter Market

I know, another Tallboy event. I promise I’ll stop, but the martini-slinging team and Tallboy puts together a spectacular event lineup. This Sunday, skip down and check out their winter market while you sip ‘tinis and browse vintage wares. | Sunday, 2-6pm. Tallboy, Temescal. See Details →

Stories from The Bay

Oakland City Council approves entertainment zones — Coming to a block near you… entertainment. The Oakland City Council approved a $1M investment package that created 2 new entertainment zones making it easier for local businesses to bring in outdoor music and markets among other things to Oakland streets.

Watch out: Death Cap mushrooms spotted in the Bay — 21 children and adults have experienced severe liver damage since mid-November due to mistakenly ingesting “death cap” mushrooms. The Public Health Department has issued an advisory to avoid any foraging of wild mushrooms in the Bay Area last Friday.

Easy permitting coming to… Oakland? — At least that’s the promise of a number of reforms slated for the city permitting department in the coming year. Changes include more staff, same-day digital permits, elimination of zoning worksheets, and more. BUT will it help?

Pour one out for Standard Fare — After 11 years, the owner of the Berkeley staple Standard Fare announced her retirement and the restaurants closing. The last day will be December 19th.

Want your pet featured? Send us a pic with their name and a totally optional fun fact. Emphasis on fun.

This is the bottom. Congrats!

Hope you enjoyed another issue. Thank you for reading. Seriously it’s a labor of love.

It’s sunny today. Get outside.

See you at the Stroll,

-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly

P.S. Where’s the party at NYE? Tell us your plans with a reply.