Today’s Oaktown Partner:
It’s Thursday…
What’s with these clouds the last few days?
In other news:
Your 3-day weekend plans
Cal's home opener
I admit my embarrassment
7 minute read.
- see ya at the bottom.
Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe here so you don’t miss the next issue.
Today’s Partner
Q: What actually changes when you get a coach?
Ask a few Oaklanders:
The lawyer who stopped second-guessing herself and finally started her own business
The tech PM who figured out how to stop spreading himself thin across too many projects so he could make real progress on the ones that really mattered
The new dad who learned how to lead at work without losing it at home
Those are REAL clients who have worked with career coach Aleah Warren-Tong.
She’s an Oakland-based certified leadership coach and organizational psychologist, working locally with clients at Affirm, LiveRamp, Everlaw, and more.
Whether you want to transition to a new role, become a better leader, or just want to get unstuck, Aleah brings the structure, knowledge, and accountability to get it done.
Right now she’s giving Oaktown readers a free 60-minute coaching session.
But don’t wait. She only has time for a handful of these each month. Once they’re booked, they’re gone.
(Leading a team that could use a tune-up? She works with organizations, too. See how → )
Town Giveaway
And the Sleater-Kinney tickets go to…
Amy D. — check your inbox!
2 tickets to Sleater-Kinney & Liz Phair at the Greek next Wednesday (9/9) are headed your way.
Thanks to everyone who entered. And s/o to Another Planet for the hookup.
Didn’t win? Tickets are still live →
Your Weekend
Things to do in Oakland Sep. 4-7
Your hand-picked events for your East Bay weekend.
Looking for the full weekend calendar? See every Oakland event happening this weekend →
More from Oaktown Weekly: Oakland’s best happy hours · Oakland Pride 2026 and Taste of Jack London · last week in the Town
Oaktown Eats
Sponsored by Zest
The Embarrassment List
I keep seeing this quote on my feed, “Embarrassment is an underexplored emotion.”
Well, here’s my contribution: Presenting the list of restaurants I’m too embarrassed to admit that I’ve NEVER been to.
…and obviously, these are places I should try if I’m going to write an Oakland newsletter.
So before the year closes, I plan on crossing these off.
In no particular order:
Commis — To be fair, I assume most haven’t gone. It’s a two-Michelin-star spot. Put this one up there with Sun Moon Studio.
The Fat Lady Bar & Restaurant — It’s a staple in Jack London that apparently does a mean prime rib dinner.
Belotti Ristorante E Bottega — It’s ALWAYS packed. I live near it, but it’s intimidatingly busy, so it must be fantastic.
Sirene — I know a few folks in the industry and almost unanimously this spot is talked about.
Homeroom — Seriously never been and yet, I know so many families that rely on the mac & cheese as go-to, toddler-saving takeout.
Nick’s Pizza and Bakery — Passed by hundreds of times, and tbh it just looks hot. BUT word is it’s clutch according to several neighbors.
Mama T’s Oakland — I literally have this blocked off on my calendar to get the fish sandwich. Will report back.
You can save the whole list of openings here on Zest. Download the app to get this list and our Happy Hour roundup when you follow @Oaktown_Weekly.
Your East Bay Real Estate Digest
Prepared by Oaktown Partner, Martin Kojnok
FEATURED LISTING
455 36th Street
Mosswood | Oakland
3 Bed, 2 Bath | 1,704sf Interior | 3,720sf Lot
Presented at $799,000
OAKTOWN CHARACTER. MODERN FLEX.
A 1904 Edwardian with the good bones left alone — original oak floors, working pocket doors, a formal dining room, high ceilings — and an updated kitchen with quartz counters upstairs. Downstairs is a separate 1 bed, 1 bath unit with its own entrance. Out back: a fenced yard under a mature oak, a deck, and a hot tub.
Weekend Opens:
Sat. & Sun., Sep. 5th & 6th — 2:00 - 4:30pm
Town News
Trending stories from the week
What does a “Super El Niño” mean for the ski season in Tahoe? Find out.
$125M from the state for a new park — Golden Gate Fields is set to become a new 161-acre public park thanks to funds from Prop. 4.
OPD reaches tentative deal for 14% pay raise over 5 years — Notably, the deal will shift some pension and healthcare costs to officers.
5 Bay Area trails that end at a bar — The listicle you didn’t know you needed.
Pet of the Week
Meet Smokey, from Piedmont Pines
Just a perfect nose on that boy.
Want your pet to be a star? Hit reply, send me a photo, their name and their neighborhood. Cats, dogs, lizards… it’s all groovy.
And that’s a wrap.
It’s my birthday this weekend, woof.
…and this dad is going out…
Find me in Temescal Sunday night.
See you in town,
-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly
P.S. How’d we do today?👇
What did you think of today's newsletter?
P.P.S.
If you want to get our beer garden map or a birthday shoutout in this newsletter, refer your friends. Here’s your link: {{ rp_refer_url }}
Just drop that link and if your friend signs up and opens the first email, it counts.
