Today’s Oaktown Partner:
TGI(almost)F…
Learned the sauce to getting a rezy at House of Prime Rib this week… bar seating. Apparently only the suckers (me) try to book a reservation. You been?
Here’s what’s cookin’:
The Black Cowboy Parade returns to Oakland
We’ve updated the Oaktown Hidden Gems list
Someone put a haunted house on an aircraft carrier
8 minute read today.
- see ya at the bottom.
P.S. I’m working on lining up some new giveaways with local businesses. Smack reply and let me know what you want to see. Services, tickets, you name it.
Today’s Partner
New Group Spanish Classes in Oakland [Now Enrolling]
Learning Spanish makes life better. Full stop.
So don’t wait.
Get started on your Spanish journey BEFORE this year is over.
Easy Spanish Para Ti – the same school I go to – is opening a new group classes for adults looking to learn Spanish or just brush up on your conversation skills with other native speakers.
The details:
Choose from Mondays @ 6:30pm OR Thursdays @ 5pm
Built for beginners: the fundamentals, including how to conjugate verbs
Small group: max 8 students
In-person in downtown Oakland (1111 Broadway)
And when you join an ESPT class you’re joining a local community of hundreds of former students with invites to movie nights and community events throughout the year – like celebrating Chilean Independence Day at Lake Temescal 2 weekends ago.
Not sure what level you’re at? Book a free assessment with ESPT’s founder Stephanie.
You’ll get a chance to ask questions and find out your exact level.
Spots are limited (8), so grab one before the group fills.
P.S. ESPT also offers private 1:1 classes, student language tutoring, and corporate learning programs. See them here.
Your Weekend
Things to do in Oakland Oct. 1-4
Your hand-picked events for your East Bay weekend.
FEATURED EVENT
Chabot's new space photo exhibit opens next weekend
Shared Sky: Photos of Our Universe gathers images from Hubble, Webb, and Bay Area amateur astrophotographers. It opens next weekend and runs for a full year. To kick it off, Chabot’s hosting a 2-day festival of hands-on activities and a live astrophotography workshop. Adults $24, youth/seniors $19, members free (+ early entry). | Next Sat-Sun, Oct. 10-11, 11-4:30pm. Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. See Details →
Looking for the full weekend calendar? See every Oakland event happening this weekend →
More from Oaktown Weekly: every Oktoberfest in Oakland and the East Bay · Oakland’s best happy hours · September’s new East Bay restaurants
Oaktown Eats
Sponsored by Zest Maps
Oaktown’s Hidden Gems: Round 2
Back in July, we turned your answers to “What’s your Oakland hidden gem?” into our Hidden Gems list on Zest. Since then, 800+ more have answered.
So obviously, I’ve got to keep it updated…
Here are the reader-favorite spots that didn’t make the first list:
Dimond Slice Pizza — The most-named new spot. A slice slingin’ standby in the Dimond. 2208 MacArthur Blvd.
Sideshow Kitchen — As one reader put it: “I’m so surprised how so many folks still don’t know about Sideshow.” 942 Stanford Ave.
Bombera — Mexican food in a converted firehouse in the Dimond. Second most mentioned. 3459 Champion St.
Champa Garden — I thought this was my crew’s secret, but apparently not. 2102 8th Ave.
OK’s Deli — Sandwiches, but done very well. 3932 Telegraph Ave.
Kinfolx — One reader’s routine: stair workout at the lake, then coffee here. Plus, they regularly throw great events s/o. 1951 Telegraph Ave.
We’re adding all of them to our Oaktown Hidden Gems list on Zest. (40+ places to try!) Download the Zest app to get the list when you follow @Oaktown_Weekly.
Got a gem I missed? Hit reply. I’ll add it to the list.
Town News
Trending stories from the week
Oakland Tech Week is back — 80+ events through Saturday (10/3), closing with HiiiWAV FEST featuring E-40.
Measure EE would make Oakland a “strong mayor” city — On the Nov. 3 ballot, it would hand the mayor most city departments and veto power, just like NYC, LA, and SF.
OPD is out from under federal oversight after 23 years — It was supposed to last 5-7 years, but they finally did it.
The flash tat fundraiser with OSA student designs — About 50 people got inked at Black Needle Tattoo during the fundraiser, raising $1,150 for the school.
Pet of the Week
Meet Donna and Denise from Piedmont Ave
“The sweetest girls you’ll ever meet.”
Side note: I’ve received a handful of cat photos with cats IN showers like this. As a “never-cat” person, I gotta ask: Do they just hang out in bathrooms?
Want your pet to be a star? Hit reply, send me a photo, their name and their neighborhood. Cats, dogs, lizards… it’s all a pet to me.
Town Poll
Halloween is officially one month out, which has me wondering…
Last week’s results: Are you going to Portola?
No (68%)
You couldn’t pay me to go (23%)
Yes (9%)
And that’s a wrapskis.
Thanks again for reading.
Cooking up some changes in October now that things are settling down on my end.
Remember to hit reply and let me know what you like, hate, or think could be better.
I’m all ears.
See you in town,
-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly
P.S. gimme a grade👇
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