It is soooo important that during these times, we support our community members who are brave enough to share their gifts with the world. Times are hard and as much as we can, we need to keep our money out of corporate pockets and in our community, especially to community members who use their skills to help young people, movements and families. Here are some awesome folks and organizations that you could support this holiday season to purchase your gifts and goodies from. A few them will also be vending around the Bay, so check them out. 

Let's keep it LOCAL, folks. Happy Holidays!  

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, GIVE THE GIFT OF.....

ART

Robert Trujillo 

http://robdontstop.com

Local Artist, Author and Illustrator Robert Trujillo is personally, one of my favorite artist. One part of the legendary Trust Your Struggle crew, Robert is also a local activist who uses art as a tool for storytelling and shedding light on issues impacting low income communities of color. Also a father, one of his more beautiful subjects are children. For a limited time only, he will paint a portrait of your little one (or big one:) on a wood canvas. They are absolutely inspirational. 

Dignidad Rebelde 

Storewide sale through December 19, 2012: Everything in the store 15% off

www.DignidadRebelde.com

The dynamic duo of Melanie Cervantes and Jesus Barraza bring revolution to your walls. Cervantes and Barraza have created some of the most well-known "Justice Art" for prominent protest, actions and movements. Check out their website and purchase some amazing prints from 'The People's Artist'. 

Favianna Rodriguez

Open Studio and Art Jam December 15, 2012 11-8p 1507 33rd Ave Oakland, CA 94601 

MUST RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/374819212605261/?fref=ts

http://favianna.flyingcart.com/

World renown printmaker and digital artist Favianna Rodriguez uses art to express views on current issues such as immigration, reproductive health and human rights. Her art has been featured at Museo del Barrio (New York); de Young Museum (San Francisco); Mexican Fine Arts Center (Chicago); Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (San Francisco); Sol Gallery (Providence, RI); Huntington Museum and Galería Sin Fronteras (Austin, TX); and internationally at the House of Love & Dissent (Rome), Parco Museum (Tokyo), as well as in England, Belgium, and Mexico. Now her beautiful prints can be featured on your walls or the halls of a loved one. 

Malik Seneferu 

http://www.maliksart.com/

Malik is a self-taught and extremely prolific African-American artist that has created more than 1,000 different pieces of artwork, including paintings, murals, and mixed media projects in the past 25 years. Choose from a selection of his mixed media pieces, beautiful drawings or colorful and spectacular painted woodwork art.  

SafetyFirst

http://www.safetyfirstart.bigcartel.com/

Self taught artist, Danny King creates one of a kind art pieces. Vibrant hues of hue-mans from all corners of the world come to life in SafetyFirst's pieces which ornament garments, gadgets and other fixtures in the most cleverest of ways. SafetyFirst art uses a multitude of painting techniques that are wonderful to stare at and try and figure out. 

Refa One 

http://www.refa1.com

An Oakland native who is well versed mural art, calligraphy, digital art and mix media collage, Refa is most known for original (and often political) graffiti pieces. Refa One is a founding member of Aerosoul, an arts and cultural Society  designed to promote the Black /African experience and legacy in Spray Can Art History. Sure to be a favorite gift of your special loved one, Refa One creates one of kind, personalized, self-styled calligraphy pieces that come to life in three dimensional fashion, using a plexiglas canvas. Order yours now! 

 

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Bikes 4 Life 

http://www.bikes4life.com

Got a bike lover in your life or want to introduce the love of riding to a loved one? Buy them a bike from Bikes 4 Life!! Local activist and community leader Tony Coleman, opened his bike shop in 2009 to much excitement in West Oakland.Located on 7th St. in the heart of historic West Oakland, Bikes 4 Life is a grassroots neighborhood bike shop and social justice enterprise with a mission to support the surrounding community and offer healthy, sustainable life opportunities to young people. They sell the BEST bikes at the BEST prices. So when you buy a bike from community leader, Tony Coleman and the Bikes 4 Life crew, you are also supporting the community! 

 

CLOTHING

Dream Nefra

http://www.nefrashop.com

Nefra Quality Crocheted Goods has been around since 1996. The Oakland-based operation is run by Dream Nefra and all items are exclusively handmade by Dream herself. Her beautiful homespun creations can be seen rockin the crowns of some of the Bay's most well-known artist. 

PHOTOGRAPHS AND GREETING CARDS

Malia Connor

Check her out THIS MONDAY November 26th, Fillmore Holiday Marketplace (www.thefillmoredistrict.com); Nov. 30th, Jack London, Oakland's First Friday; Dec. 1st Saturday Stroll at Uptown Body.

http://maliamovement.wordpress.com

Malia Movement Dance Company founder and local activist not only gets down on the dance floor, but also gets down behind the camera. Her beautiful photography is currently featured in a limited edition mixed media collage adorned greeting card collection along side her exclusive handmade jewelry inspired by her homeland of Hawaii and her love of all things beautiful, serene and just. Check out her blog for more information. While you're there, check out her amazing Mini Interviews with some of the Bay's most interesting activist and local artist. 

 

ADORNMENTS 

HoneyChile Designs 

https://www.facebook.com/HoneyChileDesigns

Creating unique and custom beaded adornments for your Temple. Specializing in beaded barefoot sandals & waistbeads, elekes and ides.  These individualized creations are beautiful gifts for the Goddesses in your life. Check out her beautiful designs on her page. 

Aimée Handmade Leather Earrings Trunk show December 16th For more info, visit page or callhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Aimée-Handmade-Leather-Earrings/291565584220315?ref=hlI

(510) 882-2137

Each set of earrings is individually and creatively designed with uniqueness. Made from the finest cuts of leather in the most beautiful earth tones and vibrant colors, you will not be able to resist purchasing more than one pair. 

 

LOVE OF LEARNING (for the kiddies:) 

Destiny Arts (Oakland, CA) 

www.destinyarts.org

Destiny Arts is a violence preventions and arts education organization that teaches young people (3-18 years old) practical conflict resolution skills through movement, martial art and dance...and they will change the young person in your life's world. They offer martial arts classes as well hip-hop and modern dance classes. 

Check out there amazing young people: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V5fa9ugmoA&feature=share&list=UUrFAPHpllz_yKp131EJ3t-A

MUSIC

You know my list would not be complete with out some shot outs to my favorite local artist:) 

Honor Roll Crew

New EP drops December 10th

http://www.honorrollcrew.com/

I would question how awesome you really are if you don't know who the Honor Roll Crew is: Spank Pops, crooner 1-O.A.K, the heiress Josie Stingray (my favorite female rapper -don't sleep on her), Mike Baker the Bike Maker and the leader of the pack Trackademicks. With clever beats and catchy hooks, Honor Roll does not disappoint. Follow the link to their music. 

Now a little gift for you! Here is a track, "Someone Great", from Trackademicks and 1-O.A.K's upcoming EP of cover songs, 2 Player Co-Op: Lovelorn . Get the new EP when it drops December 10th! 

Enjoy: http://soundcloud.com/hnrlmusic/2-player-co-op-trackademicks

Solidarity Records 

www.solidarityrecords.com 

Straight from the streets of San Francisco, Solidarity Records is home to some of the City's dopest rap pioneers, Equipto, Dreggs One and the legendary Bored Stiff crew. Every Bay native should have a Solidarity artist in your music collection. 

Siaira Shawn

http://www.siairashawn.com

Born and raised in San Francisco, Siaira Shawn is an amazing songstress that does not disappoint. She is working on new music that will drop at the beginning of 2013, but her previous songs are worth the revisit to her site over and over again, download it and give it to a friend!!! You can also purchase "Secrets of the Stingray Style" by Mezetic that she is featured on at itunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/secrets-of-the-stingray-style/id26049308

 

GIVING... Give a gift of charity on behalf of a loved one!

There is never a better gift than the gift of giving. This has been a somber year with many loved ones and community members passing on to the Ancestor world. Give a gift in their name and keep their spirit of love and generosity alive. 

Destiny Arts (Oakland, CA) 

www.destinyarts.org

There are two ways to give to this amazing organization! You can give a direct gift via their website www.destinyarts.org AND everytime you shop at Amazon.com! Just follow this link to find out and pass it on to a friend! http://www.bringitlocal.com/destinyarts#c50210a33c41

People's Community Medics 

https://www.wepay.com/donations/58752

This VERY grassroots group are god sent to the people they help. This amazing group of women volunteer their time to train community members all over the Bay Area in triage and emergency response techniques. They teach people everything from how to tend to seizures to gun shot wounds, a necessity for community members who live in areas where medic and police response is slow. Your donation will help with transportation to trainings and medical supplies. 

The Center for Young Women's Development/CYWD (San Francisco Bay Area) 

www.cywd.org

An organization near and dear to my heart, this organization saved me from myself when I was a teen. CYWD empowers and inspires young women who have been involved with the juvenile justice system and/or underground street economy to create positive change in their lives and communities.They provide life skills, educational counseling and meaningful employment opportunities to young woman ages 16-24. By giving to CYWD, you are helping to give a young woman a second chance at a first class life. 

Leadership Excellence/LE (Oakland, CA) 

www.leadershipexcellence.org

LE educates African-American youth for personal and social change. LE envisions a world where all cultural traditions are honored and children are validated for their knowledge and unique wisdom. Every summer, LE host The Oakland Freedom School (OFS) a five-week summer literacy program that uses African American literature and culture to engage children ages 5-13 and their families in developing positive self and community identity. OFS could not happen without the generous contributions of the community. 

The Community Justice Network for Youth (Nat'l) 

www.cjny.org 

CJNY iis comprised of community-based programs, grassroots organizations, service-providing agencies, residential facilities and advocacy groups that focus their work on youth of color. CJNY's primary function is to be a support network for organizers and practitioners who are on the ground working with youth at risk or who are already involved in juvenile justice systems, through technical assistance, training and education. By giving to CJNY you are helping to build a sustainable and strong national infrastructure ready to take down the Beast we call the System. 

HOLD UP...ARE YOU HOLIDAY HOSTING? Don't forget to check out these amazing folks 

Bartending

Nani Boopkins Bartending

naniboopkins@facebook.com  

No one can keep the drinks a comin' like Galen. This Berkeley local is great behind the bar and can assist you in coming up with amazing signature drinks for your holiday festivities. Certified bartender with years of experience. 

 

Catering 

Simply Bliss (Chef Yulanda) 

http://www.simplyblisscateringandevents.com/

Anytime my previous organization hosted a meeting or event, I could not wait to taste the delectables served up by Chef Yulanda.  Only the finest, organic produce, and hormone-free ingredients to ensure superior quality and taste. Affordable and professional, serving the Bay Area. 

The Lumpia Lady (Needa Bee) 

 https://www.facebook.com/needa.bee.5?fref=ts

 Needa Bee has been serving up Filipino deliciousness for over 20 years to the community. While you catch her dishin' out curried goodness and lumpias of love at local clubs and events all over Oakland, you can be the life of the party by showing up to your next function with a plate of her amazing lumpias. Nothing but the best ingredients, you can order pre-cooked traditional size lumpias (with sauce or without) in orders of 60 pcs ($25)  or 120 pcs ($45). Frozen lumpia, long size (no sauce) in orders of 30 pcs ($20), 60 pcs ($35) or 90 pcs ($50). There is an assortment of delicious flavors: traditional beef, curry tofu, nine spice tofu (MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE), sweet potato ginger, tilapia (add $5 for ea 30pc order), eskabeche, chicken ( add $5 for each 30pc order). MUST GIVE 24 HOUR NOTICE. Believe me folks, there is no better deal on Filipino cuisine in the Bay Area!!

Tamales by Loco Bloco

Order deliveries will happen December 17th

415-424-9790 email orders:purplesunpatty@yahoo.com

Tamales are a timeless tradition in Mexican-American homes all over the Bay. Now you can make them part of your family's tradition. Loco Bloco will be selling tamales on December 16th and 17th and pre-order yours to ensure they don't run out if you wait til the last minute! You can purchas two delicious flavors, chicken ($20) or Chiles and Cheese ($18). Orders are one dozen. I DARE you to try and eat just one. 

 

 

 

 

Editor's Note: Oakland Local is all about supporting local entrepreneurship, innovation and equity in Oakland, CA. We'd love to hear about shops, projects and people we should write about, and we welcome local bloggers, photogs and cross-posters from other sites. Get in touch with editor@oaklandlocal.com