Oakland Local is the independent, nonprofit news resource for what’s happening in education, city government, local neighborhoods, arts and culture, youth and more in Oakland.

We are journalists, educators, women, people of color and entrepreneurs funded by Google, the Investigative News Network, the California Endowment Foundation, the GW Williams Institute for Investigative Reporting and more.

In addition to covering Oakland news, we hold workshops and do training in social media and social marketing for nonprofits, community groups and small business. 

If you'd like to contribute to support our coverage, we'd use your funds to cover city government, crime and public safety issues. Give here to help us write new stories, all contributions are tax deductible: http://bit.ly/dPU5NZ

So what were the top stories this past week?

Oakland native, fellow artists create culturally-reflective 'Dragon Mural' in Chinatown  http://bit.ly/Tg6V7i

Grand Lake's Oakcommon offers Oakland sharp clothing, more at good prices  http://bit.ly/QzdAp6

Oakland at center of anti-Prop 32 campaign http://bit.ly/WA1D7m

Change is coming to Oakland – You ready? (Opinion)  http://bit.ly/Mmxz52

Celebrating 46 years of Black Panther legacy in Oakland (Community Voices)  http://bit.ly/R07wHq

BayLegal, county's HealthPac offer health safety net to poor, uninsured (Community Voices) http://bit.ly/Sb4PCW

OakTech: And the winners are Solar Mosaic, Integral Group, Grow California and Ask.com in 2012 Innovator awards  http://bit.ly/XEj2da

The New Parkway needs a new name (Community Voices)  http://bit.ly/Vgeh6z

34 Oakland kids awarded for perfect CA standardized test scores  http://bit.ly/SX4SoC

Autumn Lights at Lake Merritt (Community Voices/Slideshow) http://bit.ly/S9g2lC

And if you're in town October 29th and interested in coming to Oakland Local's open house for new contributors--we'd love to see you there--find out more here: http://oaklandopenhouse2012.eventbrite.com/#