TURFIN’ IN THE RAIN- OAKLAND

See, I knew my theory was correct. Those dudes you assume are up are up to no good because they’re standing on the corner are really dancers. Ha! It’s called Turf Dancing (or Turfing) and Wikipedia describes it as an improvisational, free-flowing form of dance that focuses on storytelling, the creation of optical illusions, and the display of distinctive personal style. Dance elements include popping, locking, and Miming. Sounds like Crip Walking to me but no gang origins have caught my attention when in relation to Turf Dancing. Although, in Oakland Turf Daning can be used as dispute resolutions. There is a very interesting video attached to this text below. CHECK IT OUT

Posted by:

DJWillieShakes

Rain Man? No…Earthquake!

This is interesting. A home-made video surfaces with a self-proclaimed meteorologist predicting a massive earthquake that’s supposed to affect the entire West-Coast, emphasis on California.

“The earthquake will be sooo powerful in California, it may destroy lots of pas *cough cough”

Appearing to be a goofball who a hold of a camera on the set of Twister, should this messenger be taken seriously? Yes! Did we not learn anything from Raymond Babbitt, a man with autism, with superb recall but little understanding of subject matter.

As a person who deals with messaging on a daily basis, I understand the power of messaging and strength in repetition. This guy Frankie Mc ?? (lets just say McDonald) or whoever is working through him is familiar with this method as well. As you can see, MC Frankie is very accurate in the information that he gives out, no matter how many times he loses you, the messaging is still the same. The question is, How many times has this guy been right? Like, what was the last thing he’s been right about. Maybe that’ll make a difference when measuring the possibilities.

If this guy IS right, Someones gonna have a BIG problem on their hands!

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DJWillieShakes

Is Obama “Niggardly?”

updated

Just spotted this video at WSHH. Apparently, some folks in California think that Obama is “miserly” and “stingy” because they had the gumption to throw up this sign. Isn’t free speech amazing?! Our first amendment rights protect racists and rappers.

I love how the word niggardly has been creating so many controversies lately. I think it’s one of the funniest words in the dictionary. Maybe one day we will know what it means.

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Biko Baker

A Green Education For At Risk Students

During my time in high school, the closest I got to a green education was making a Bonzai tree during a Horticulture class, which I clumsily ruined in Gym class later that day.

Luckily for kids who are still in high school, a few East Bay High Schools in Oakland, CA are leading the pack to green up their learning, by instituting green technical education programs.

Ready for the best part? Half of all the students who were admitted are from ‘at risk’ communities.

In cooperation with the Berkeley National Laboratory and local organizations such as the Ella Baker Center, Green Academy pilot programs will be instituted at Oakland Technical High School and El Cerrito High School to give students a ’school within a school’ education about sustainable energy technology as a career path.

Gettin’ green isn’t just going to affect the science classes – the unified theme is going to be spread amongst all subject areas, from biology to history to environmental science. And yes, even English literature.

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Steve Romain

Snoop Dogg Keeps Giving Back To The Community

What do you get when a famous rapper and an NFL free agent pair up? Simple. New hope for a brand-spankin’ new community sports center. This is what happened when Snoop Dogg and NFL star Willie McGinest teamed up with local Long Beach, CA councilman Dee Andrews on Wednesday, openly declaring their support for the Kroc Center.

The Kroc Center, a $140 million dollar project, will feature pools, playing fields, a gym, and cultural and educational spaces. Fundraising efforts had recently suffered setbacks due to the economic recession but it is expected that this announcement by the celebrities will help raise both support and the necessary funds to build it.

Turns out the center is meaningful to Snoop and Willie too. The Kroc Center will be built in their hometown of Long Beach, California. Willie grew up playing sports on the same piece of land where the center will be built. Snoop’s dedication to youth empowerment through sports, as we profiled earlier this year on 99Problems, becomes even more evident here: he has decided to create a song for the center, which will then receive all of the profits as well as the profits of a benefit concert that he plans to hold there.

As Snoop sings in “Been Around The World” from his 2008 album “Ego Trippin”

I know I’m always on the road, I’m always gone

And you say I’ll never make records for you no more

Well this record is from me to you baby

Love em or hate em, these guys never forgot where they came from… their dedication to their community provides an inspiration to us all! Much love to our boys from the LBC!

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Yolanda Clatworthy

New World Water Make The Tide Rise High

According to a study released by the Natural Resources Defense Council, if California were to implement a few widespread water saving techniques, “they could save more than enough water to meet the needs of the three major cities of San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles”.

Water conservation plays a key factor in environmental health. The Natural Resources Defense Council stated that if business were to adopt a few new tactics in terms of how they are run, individual mechanisms can reduce water use by over 50 percent.

Take a look at some of the specifics after the jump and stay tuned for a pretty interesting Youtube video:

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Steve Romain

Prison Reform Is An Effect of The Recession?

The recession has had drastic effects on families nationwide. Personally, I know it is having a drastic effect in my household, and I have not seen anyone profiting from this economic downturn. So, every now and then, it is fantastic to see something good happening as a result of such a terrible economic climate. A rose that grows from concrete, if you will.

It would seem that as a result of the economic downturn, the current prison strategy is essentially ‘too much’ to handle in the current economic climate and states are starting to pursue prison reform as an viable option, as well as methods seen in the Youth Promise Act.

… Continue Reading

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Steve Romain

Is the Governor from the future stuck in the past?

The California League of Young Voters was heavily involved in the lead-up to the CA Special Election that went down on Tuesday, and in the end, the people have spoken.

Back to the drawing board; most of the state think it’s headed in the wrong direction, but the esoteric Californian constitution prevents decisive change when the state is hemorrhaging money and at a loss for how to get back on track.

“The state’s legislative districts are highly gerrymandered, leaving the Legislature influenced by the political fringe of both parties and unable to agree on practical budget matters or much else. State senators represent roughly a million people each, larger than most Congressional districts, leaving them out of touch with local needs. Further, the state is one of only three requiring a two-thirds majority vote in the Legislature on taxes and budgets, which leads to partisan fighting and long delays.”

We’ll Be BACK… after the jump! Click here to read on!

Posted by:

Sam Patton