A & MWF Events in the San Francisco Bay Area Community

4200 Park Blvd., Ste One16, Oakland CA 94602
(510) 394-4501
Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation
http://Superstarmanagement.com
http://Ex-Why.com
Abdul-Jalil Honored in Port Au-Prince, Haiti and Miami, Fla. for Relief Missions to Haiti
Join the Superstars Entertainment and Sports Network
Abdul-Jalil’s Haas School of Business Profile
Ziggs Profile of Abdul-Jalil
Linked In Profile on Abdul-Jalil
Abdul-Jalil on Twitter: @ajalil
Thanks You from Arch Bishop Joel Jeune to Abdul-Jalil
Abdul-Jalil’s “ooVoo” Video Chat Room
Abdul-Jalil on FaceBook
iPhone 4 FaceTime: (510) 394-4501
AIM, Video Chat Screen Name: jalil@superstarmanagement.com
Skype Video Chat Screen Contact Name: Superstarmanagement
Portrait of Abdul-Jalil by Artist Buford Delaney in Paris, France
Articles on Abdul-Jalil: The Man Who Turn$ Hit$ Into Million$, One Special Case, ESPN Bostock 5th & Jackson TV Special Part 1, and Part 2, ESPN Bostock Magazine Special, ESPN Magazine- The History and Mystery of The High Five,
the “al-Hakim Tax Code Ruling”, Smart Agent, Busy Agent,
Abdul-Jalil in Harvard University Law School Federal Tax Course Outline
Abdul-Jalil in Yale University Law School Federal Tax Course 13th Ed., Prof. Eric Zolt
Abdul-Jalil in Wake Forest University Law School “Islamic and Jewish Perspective On Interest”
Abdul-Jalil in Washington University Law School Tax Code Abdul-Jalil in Washington & Lee University Law School Tax Code, Abdul-Jalil in University of Virginia Law School Tax Course
Award for “Distinguished Marketing and Promotional Services” from NFL Super Bowl NFL Experience,
Founder of BLACK EXPO shown with Olympic Sprinter John Carlos , Hip Hop’s Islamic Influence, 1979 National BALSA Conference , Dellums for Mayor, Hip Hop’s Islamic Influence, 1979 National BALSA Conference, Oakland Police Officers Arrested for Computer Store Burglaries, Police Found Guilty in Burglaries, Police Officers Sentenced for Burglaries, Join Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation Mail List


You can click on any highlighted word to view or download that item

The Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation

    If you could help a hungry person, would you? After speaking with Dan today, we are excited that you want

Unknownname

to as we at The Aaron & Margaret Wallace Food Program (A & MW) have helped for over 55 years continuously!

Sponsors Promotional Videos with The Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation
There’s five new videos featuring some of our sponsors and the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation at a couple of community events. One of the videos show President Barak Obama, Will Smith, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Ben Affleck, Wyclef Jean, and Tyler Perry among others. Sponsors are shown in each of the first 5 video’s and the sixth is the video from the KPFA July 17, 2010 broadcast of some of our sponsors on air interview.
I really like the BackPack Giveaway (3,000 kids) where the cook smiles holding up a SemiFreddis box top while arranging the pastries. There’s some very compelling shots of SemiFreddis products!
Below the video links are a couple still photos from some of the great raw video that we shot at several events. Perhaps when we are able to bring you guys on board, we can do some promos for you as one of our sponsors/supporters. We would love to put together a series of short promos of the events and use any other footage that you feel you may want to include.

0unknownname

The Santa Fe Elementary School’s annual Rally and March for Peace on Friday, June 4, 2011 with the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation (A&MWF), Marshawn Lynch’s “Fam1ly F1rst” Football Camp; and Leon Powe’s “Fresh Start Oakland” Basketball Camp was an incredible success thanks to all the other wonderful people at Trader Joe’s, Little Ceasar’s Pizza, and SemiFreddi’s for the generous and constant sponsorship support that they have given in the many efforts to improve the quality of life for those that we serve. It would not be possible without their contributions.
The day long program began at 9:00 am with a free community breakfast for 800 students and community members giving speeches on what peace meant to them. After breakfast there was a rally, then a march through the neighborhood culminating in a gathering at the school. There were corporate, food and vendor booths with lots of fun things for the children and adults alike at the school yard. The event had the support of Santa Fe Elementary Alumnus, ALL-Americans, NFL All-Pro, NBA World Champions, North Oakland residents, Oakland Tech High School and U. C. Berkeley classmates Marshawn Lynch, Leon Powe and Josh Johnson.
We have some very exciting footage with sponsors’ banners proudly and prominently displayed as there was media coverage throughout the day and a television crew that filmed the entire event for a special broadcast! The real value here is there are PRICELESS shots of the kids walking, running and playing while eating sponsor’s products!!! There are several public “Thank You’s” announced during the celebration as well.
There’s photos with Chris Rodriguez, who is currently paralyzed from the waist down after being hit by a stray bullet while attending a piano lesson in January of 2008 as he has taken up wheelchair basketball with the Bay Cruisers. SemiFreddis has participated in fundraisers for him in the past and a short story on Chris follows.
The first is the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation Free Food Program Celebrity Giving Back. The Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation really catered to everyone Saturday, August 6, 2011 at the “Oakland’s Got Talent” event at DeFermery Park. It was a blessing to be able to accommodate those in need and fulfill our responsibility to help, serve and support those present. We distributed $25,000 worth of groceries FREE to ALL that came and served over 600 people from 10am to 5pm! At the “Fresh Start” Backpack Giveaway Event on Saturday, August 27, 2011 we participated in an effort to get the Oakland-East Bay Area youth off to a GREAT school year with 5,000 FREE Backpacks filled with school supplies, haircuts, manicures, health services, picnic Bar-B-Q lunch, games, entertainment, etc.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1rTp4eDaUo&w=500&h=417]

The second one is Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation Kids Celebrity Gift BackPacks.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-Ay8hwnKvA&w=500&h=417]

You can view the following Santa Fe Elementary School’s Peace March with Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation, SemiFreddi’s, Trader Joe’s, Little Ceasar’s Pizza, Marshawn Lynch’s “Fam1ly F1rst” and Leon Powe’s “Fresh Start Oakland”:
Santa Fe Elementary School’s Peace March with Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgBFtZcRVwA&w=500&h=417]

Santa Fe Elementary Little Caesars Pizza Part 1
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUChKi5FzWg&w=500&h=417]

Santa Fe Elementary Little Caesars Pizza Part 2
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILB6KRTkkEE&w=500&h=417]

Here’s the link to the YouTube video from radio station KPFA’s July 17, 2010 broadcast with Tom Frainier, a Haas boardmember and owner of SemiFreddis; with Cal Haas Business School student Gian “G” Pepe of Pepe International/Little Napoli Resturant/Carmel Bakery discussing Haas School of Business, the Y.E.A.H. Program, The Bread Project and giving back to the community. The video includes lots of good stuff on the Bread Project with some very appetizing shots of their products and it will make you hungry for some of your delectable wares upon watching! All the folks at Haas Business School have been in love with it for some time now.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUCyNYRqP4c&w=500&h=417]

This viral video is re-captured with video edited to an audio voice mail from a East Bay U. C. Berkeley Haas Business School Alumni Network (EBHAN) Wine Tasting event featuring University of California Head Basketball Coach, Mike Montgomery, held at Mudd’s Restaurant in San Ramon, California. Coach Montgomery hosted our annual Wine Tasting making it a GREAT success as it was Mike’s first event as the Cal coach as he had passed on all other offers to attend those previously, including the Cal Sports Annual Awards  the basketball team’s year-end Awards and all other sports related events. This was a Major COUP for EBHAN, the Haas School of Business, and the Cal Bear fans as the Basketball team went on to win their first this outright PAC-10 Championship featuring leagues Most Valuable Player and All-Time Leading Scorer, Jerome Randle.
At the Wine Tasting at Mudd’s he was surprised with a rare $750 magnum of the 1998 Insignia that left him and everyone else speechless! It was a tremendous gesture on the part of EBHANer’s as it is Mike’s favorite. You can tell by his reaction in the video that Mike was stoked!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR0oJXsHnhQ&w=500&h=417]

Here’s the ABC-TV broadcast of our “Community Movement Toward Improvement” Music Conference in Oakland, California featuring MC Hammer, Martin Wyatt-KGO TV, Mohammed (MTV Real World-SF),Sway, Imani, Davey D, Raphael Saadiq- Tony Toni Tone, Greg Khalid Peck- Warner Bros,Karen Lee- Warner Bros Music, Eric B, Rico Cassanova, Abdul-Jalil,Tony Collins- Giant Records, Anita Greathouse-Knight, Gene Shelton, Lenny Williams,Thembisa Mshaka, Roy Tesfaye-Death Row Records shown in ABC-TV news clip.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMukHQgim0Q&w=500&h=417]

Here’s the “I Know You’ll Love Oakland” Commercial for the City of Oakland Image Campaign.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWXcv5jg6PE&w=500&h=417]

Here’s Oakland Mayor Lionel Wilson’s City Urban Economic Development Conference Commercial:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvDKfRQlwZU&w=500&h=417]

 

Food & Entertainment for Community Outreach, Organizational Advancement and Diversity

Responding to the challenges of our multi-faith, multi-ethnic society, A & MW Community Fellowship equips all people and organizations, regardless of faith,- those of the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, interfaith, non denominational leaders with a vehicle to expand their service to humanity. In undeserved, unchurched communities, A & MW helps establish new centers of life support by providing these people and organizations a Food and Clothing Bank Program to reach the members of their neighborhoods with the love, support and guidance they need.
The combination of food and entertainment provide unsurpassed market outreach and increase presence, awareness and penetration to provide all people,- the participation of diverse constituencies, regardless of race, faith, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation and income levels, with a special vehicle and forum to discuss community issues through the use of food and entertainment, is a very powerful tool for addressing health

0unknownname

care, housing, violence, abuse, senior, youth, women, children, civil rights, employment, education, with local  hunger at its foundation for the advancement of humanity. Remember, Halle Barry was once homeless and she never forgot about those that remain homeless and does so by her actions in advocacy and support! Locally, professional athletes Leon Powe and Marshawn Lynch have both received the benefits from A & MW during their days in high school. The food and entertainment provides entry points for people to work together to make important connections between our food systems, our lifestyles, social justice and environmental stewardship and sacred themes of provision for all people, economic justice, the dignity of work, respect and care for the created order, and sacrifice for the good of neighbors become struggles and victories of real life. People and groups coming from a  selfless based orientation can strengthen the community, increase every groups’ understanding of how to work successfully within the communities, and broaden the perspectives and vision of the community. A & MW has presented sports clinics, concerts, workshops, organized fundraisers, and has compiled some incredible stories of involvement in community and success in many lives! This concept is based on and driven by the knowledge and understanding that all people have a right to affordable, healthy and culturally appropriate food.

Youth Outreach
1unknownname

Through a combination of youth activities; sports and entertainment camps, clinics, workshops, team sponsorships and concerts conducted by today’s Superstars; educational tutoring; leadership development and support groups; educational recruitment seminars; high school and college placement; job training and placement; A & MW provides positive alternatives to gangs and drugs. Seeking to build the moral fiber of our youth, A & MW conducts counseling sessions that introduce inner-city kids to the real possibility of attending a major college.

Professional Sports and Entertainment Camps

Inner-city kids who rarely get a chance to escape pressures and violence in their home neighborhood, get a different picture of life at the many Professional Sports and Entertainment Camps. We have provided the Golden State Warrior’s Adonal Foyle Basketball Camp, the Boston Celtic’s Leon Powe Basketball Camp, the Seattle Seahawk’s Marshwan Lynch Football Camp and the Paris Twins NCAA Girls Invitational Scholarship Camp, among others. Through interaction with caring professional athletes, entertainers, celebrities and trained counselors who act as positive role models, these children find hope and strength to face tomorrow with determination and courage. The Paris twins camp help to provide scholarships to over 45 girls!

Here is the Sponsors Poster for the Bay Cruisers Wheelchair Basketball Regional Invitational Tournament, January 20-22, 2012. The event would not have been the GREAT success it was without your participation. You helped to make a lot of people very, very happy and changed many, many lives in the process.

Legal Support and Diversion for Youth in Need

We have mobilized attorney’s to represent the poor, under served youth and secured ALL-Americans, NFL All-Pro,

2unknownname

NBA World Champions, North Oakland residents, Oakland Tech High School and U. C. Berkeley classmates Marshawn Lynch and Leon Powe along with several native Oakland celebrities to join national celebrities in this fight against the violence in Oakland! Through the collaboration of the individuals, Powe’s “Fresh Start Oakland”, Lynch’s Fam1ly F1rst”, the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation, and others, we provide the much needed alternatives to these profiled youth to succeed in life and not be eliminated from it because they lack opportunity in their neighborhood.

We also brought to everyone’s attention the Annual NFL All-Pro Marshawn Lynch’s “Fam1ly F1rst Football Camp” July 7-10, 2011 at Oakland Tech High School and Leon Powe’s “Fresh Start Oakland- Powe Folk’s Basketball Camp” August 19-21, 2011 at Merritt College in Oakland. These Superstars along with NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, Josh Johnson (QB Tampa Bay), and many national celebrities will hosts these events. You can view Marshawn and Josh’s June 6, 2011 interview on Chronicle Live  at:
http://www.csnbayarea.com/pages/video?PID=hXWM2-L1V6lsrUdBABpKIIJ0UqfBJJqRH9CrT5

Here’s some links to Leon Powe’s “Fresh Start Oakland”
http://www.freshstartmentoring.org/index.html

and Marshanw Lynch’s “Fam1ly F1rst”
http://www.famf1rst.com

Here’s a link to Marshawn’s run in the Seahawks upset NFL Western Division Playoff game victory between World Champion New Orleans Saints against Marshawn’s Seattle Seahawks that has been called the GREATEST RUN IN NFL PLAYOFF HISTORY!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GD5EUVIvWo&w=500&h=417]

Not to be out done, Powe was honored with the NBA’s Community Assist Award for April.
For his dedication in changing lives of youth without anymore chances. Here is Leon’s Boston Celtics Championship Special on ABC-TV
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gunuRcWWlRM&w=500&h=417]

Family Programs

Poverty often causes basic necessities to become unaffordable luxuries. So A & MW gives away quality clothing, furniture, and appliances to needy families. We also distribute holiday food boxes at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and passes out school supplies to needy children.

Women’s Programs

A & MW working in conjunction with Bay Area Women’s Health and Healthy Babies Project has provided a place for abused, abandoned and addicted women who are pregnant and provides a safe home, meals, and counseling in an atmosphere of compassionate care and unconditional love. The home has provided for the safe arrival of hundreds of babies.
Until recently, homeless or addicted women with children could get help but almost always had to give up their children. This program is designed to keep the family unit together while Mom receives counseling, assistance with continued care for the children.

 

Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation Helps In Haiti

2011- In June 2011 Dr. Kenya Numan and her organization “Stepping Together as well as Abdul-Jalil al-Hakim, Superstar Management, and the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation were honored in Miami, Florida and Port Au Prince, Haiti for the Relief Missions that they have sent to Haiti since the earthquake. Special “Thanks” to all that have supported our efforts over the years!
On August 25, 2010 Abdul-Jalil received the letter shown below of “Thanks” from Arch Bishop Joel Jeune of Grace Village in Haiti for the Relief Mission they received from the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation with Stepping Together on behalf of The World Conference of Mayors (WCM) and The National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM). This is a tangible reality of SUCCESS in Haiti for ALL the members of the organizations world-wide! WE DID IT! ALL of our partners can celebrate this success and acknowledge their contribution.
We are now moving forward in a meaningful way to secure financial, subsistence, construction and medical aid and support for the next mission which will take place as soon as we can unite to raise the necessary items. We hope to make great progress in securing bi-monthly missions to various needed areas around the World!
We are committed and prepared to work with organizations to raise funds, provide support and organize continued relief efforts for financial donations, to deliver much needed medical support and supplies; food; clothing; educational materials; construction support and building materials; much needed personal items; and legal assistance for displaced children from orphanages that were given transportation and temporary housing in the United States with other families, churches, and organizations until homes have been rebuilt to house them. Where most relief efforts are limited, if not stopped altogether by current travel restrictions in, within, and out of Haiti, some groups has some political cache that it can exercise to further achieve our united goals globally. This would be the first step toward fulfilling several conversations with organizations providing relief support to many efforts globally.
Additionally, in relations to their working together on relief missions here in America and globally, Abdul-Jalil is exploring the possibility of providing our full support to joint efforts to overcome the continual need for financial assistance to achieve our goals. These fundraising efforts include the proposed mass media as a measure to not only raise funds but to raise awareness for the causes as well. We are moving forward with these joint and several fundraising efforts with a goal of working together on projects of mutual interest and support in a spirit of oneness.
Again, there is much work to do and the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation with Stepping Together are committed and prepared to work with WCM and NCBM organizations to raise funds and organize continued relief efforts to provide assistance to countries around the world, especially Africa, the Caribbean and South/Central America.
We want to know if you are interested in participating with the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation and Dr. Kenya Numan with Stepping Together working to aid the people of Haiti, and if so, please send me your notice asap. Attached herein below pictures of Dr. Numan during the Mission to Haiti July 24, 2010 to service the Arch Bishop at the Village and it was a great success for all that lead to this mission! There is much work to do and the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation with Stepping Together are committed and prepared to work with you and your organizations to raise funds and organize continued relief efforts to provide assistance to countries around the world, especially Africa, the Carribean and South/Central America.We look forward to your response and “Thank you ALL” in advance.

Page One of Letter

3unknownname

Page Two of Letter

 

4unknownname

 

Expertise List

A & MW experts are available for interviews with the media, presentations to community groups and schools, and other forums that will help educate about hunger and poverty. Spanish language interviews and presentations are also available.
The following is a partial list of expertise:
* Emergency food programs
* Federal nutrition programs – food stamps, school meals, summer lunch, Women Infants and Children (WIC)
* Food insecurity
* Food safety and preparation
* Health consequences of hunger and food insecurity
* Hunger advocacy; hunger education
* Hunger and poverty
* Nutrition
* Service learning

Your food donations help provide low-income families and individuals with emergency food assistance and the most invaluable resource of all, hope. Your food donations are also tax deductible to the extent of the law. Together we can help the hungry, destitute, homeless people who are counting on the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Community Food Bank (A & MW)… and you… please be as generous as possible.
Will YOU support those in need with your secure Paypal donation?

 

************

Oakland crime-spree perpetrator’s guilt reaffirmed

August 17, 2011|By Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer

3unknownname

Chris Rodriguez, (4) during warms up before the game, as the Bay Cruisers take on the Utah Jazz in wheelchair basketball on Saturday Feb. 5, 2011, in Hayward. Rodriguez, who is currently paralyzed from the waist down after being hit by a stray bullet while attending a piano lesson in January of 2008, has taken up wheelchair basketball.
Credit: Michael Macor

OAKLAND —
A state appeals court has upheld the conviction of a man in two high-profile Oakland crimes, the carjacking of former state Senate leader Don Perata and a gas-station robbery and shooting less than two weeks later in which a stray bullet paralyzed a 10-year-old boy practicing piano.

Jared Adams, 28, was sentenced to 70 years to life in prison for shooting Christopher Rodriguez and committing a litany of other crimes, including stealing Perata’s car.

Adams brandished a handgun at Perata on Dec. 29, 2007, as the then-state Senate president pro tem was waiting for the light to change at the intersection of 51st Street and Shattuck Avenue in North Oakland. Adams ordered Perata out of his red, state-issue Dodge Charger before fleeing.
Police said Adams hadn’t recognized Perata and had targeted his Charger because of its 22-inch rims. The car was later found abandoned in Richmond with Adams’ fingerprints in it.

On Jan. 10, 2008, Adams fired shots during a gas station robbery across the street from the Harmony Road Music School at Piedmont and Pleasant Valley avenues. One of the shots penetrated the school’s wall and ripped through Christopher’s spine as he practiced piano.

Adams and his girlfriend, Maeve Clifford, fled the shooting in a stolen Ford Mustang, but they were arrested moments later when they crashed into a car.

Christopher, who was paralyzed by the shooting and now uses a wheelchair, testified against Adams and told him at his 2009 sentencing, “I forgive you.”

In his appeal, Adams said Alameda County prosecutor Nancy O’Malley and Superior Court Judge Larry Goodman had committed various instances of misconduct. But in a ruling Monday, a three-judge panel of the First District Court of Appeal rejected the claims, saying that “either no misconduct occurred or if did, it was not prejudicial.”
Clifford testified against Adams as part of a plea bargain and was sentenced to five years in prison.

E-mail Henry K. Lee at hlee@sfchronicle.com.

BORP Bay Cruisers – 2009 West Coast Conference Champions!

4unknownname

Congratulations to the BORP Bay Cruisers!  The Prep and JV teams competed in the West Coast Conference Championship Tournament in Seattle over the weekend of February 6th.  They return home as Champions in their respective divisions.

The Prep team went 4-0 with wins over Denver 30-3, Seattle 33-2, Spokane 24-4, and Spokane again 22-4.  Christopher Rodriguez was named Prep Defensive Player of the tournament, Isaiah Ahlstrom was named Prep Offensive player of the tournament and Koda Inman-Ahlstrom was named Prep Tournament MVP.

The JV Team went 4-1 with the only loss being to Seattle’s Varsity team, 23-50.  The JV Team posted wins over Seattle JV 42-13, Phoenix 56-33, Denver 61-21, and Spokane 46-26.  James Bohnett was named JV Defensive Player of the tournament and Jorge Sanchez was named JV Tournament MVP.

Both teams qualified for the 2009 National Tournament in Denver (March 18-22, 2009) in what was the largest wheelchair basketball event in the world.  Over 80 teams in six divisions will competed to determine the 2009 champions!

Here are a few events that we will be involved with in the San Francisco Bay Area Community.

Marshawn Lynch’s “Fam1ly F1rst” 5 Annual Turkey Drive Giveaway at Oakland Technical High School

Another community project aimed at helping low-income families with the stress of providing a holiday meal is the annual turkey giveaway this weekend on Sunday, November 21, 2011 held at Oakland Technical High School begining at 3 p.m, on the last Sunday before Thankgiving. Through donations made by Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch and his family, about 300 turkeys and various side dishes will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Lynch and Cal recruiting assistant Kevin Parker, with the help of the Oakland Technical High School head football coach Delton Edwards, have held the giveaway for four years.  They have increased the number of turkeys each year to ensure nobody is turned away.

Delton Edwards’ son, Delton Edwards Jr., said the inspiration behind the idea was simply to give back to the community, and that it’s a “blessing in return” to be able to provide for those less fortunate. Send all your family and friends to Marshawn Lynch’s “Fam1ly F1rst” 5 Annual Turkey Drive Giveaway Sunday, November 21, 2011 held at Oakland Technical High School begining at 3 p.m.

Two Star Markets 9th Annual Thanksgiving Day Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

8unknownname

Two Star Markets will be offering their 9th Annual Thanksgiving Day Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011 with free dinner and a celebration from 1pm to 4 p.m. at Two Star Market, 2020 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland (Dimond District). The traditional Thanksgiving dinner will provide for 250 friends and neighbors.

Abdo Alawdi has been preparing massive Thanksgiving celebrations for his Dimond neighborhood for the past nine years where he is the owner of the 2 Star Market – at 2020 MacArthur Boulevard – a shop well-known for its wine and microbrew beer selection.

The first year he offered the public feast, advertising it on Craigslist, only 15 people showed up. But of the undertaking, he says that “first year was complicated, the second year got easier, then easier.”

He is now used to his Thanksgiving routine – setting up a giant tent, 30-45 tables and a 150 chairs. I asked him if he ever worried that it would get too big. His response: “[I’m] not worried, [I] would love more.”

Alawdi started this tradition because he remembers how his grandfather raised him in Yemen. During Ramadan he said, “Our house [was] always open.” He described that kind of sharing, seemingly so unusual in this country, as a “benefit from God [and] a cultural thing.” He also cooks for the Dimond District Picnic in the park just up the street from his store.

On the morning of Thursday’s big feast, about 40 or more people will show up beginning at 6 a.m. to assist him and his family. However, they usually begin cooking the night before, utilizing the ovens at nearby Romano’s Pizza.

Alawdi purchases at least 25 turkeys, as well as chicken, lamb and side dishes ranging from rice, corn, yams and traditional Yemeni fare. Diners often donate home-cooked food like desserts and salads. When asked how much this repast costs him, he estimated $5,000 to $6,000, but stressed that it comes “from his heart.”

Alawdi has lived in his neighborhood home for 15 years where his kids attend public schools, including Skyline High School and Laney College.

“[The] city is good, reputation is bad,” of Oakland, the city that he as adopted.

When he arrived in the U.S., he took courses in English as a Second Language in local adult schools – most of which have since been eliminated.

If you drive up Fruitvale into the Dimond District, you will see a giant banner advertising the holiday celebration. A website designed by Alawdi just for the occasion is listed – 2starmarket.com and includes his personal email-Alawdi[at]aol.com.

When I asked Alawdi if there was anything he could use to make it easier to stage this event, he mentioned that his biggest expense comes from renting the equipment: a 75×40 foot tent, up to 45 tables, chairs, etc.

He also uses multiple barbecue kettles. If anyone reading this can provide some of these things, he could probably afford to buy more turkeys and host more folks. In the meantime, take a minute to stop by this Oakland hero’s business and say hello.

You might find that the 2 Star Market has added a deli section to the store offering fresh Middle Eastern fare. And, if you need to purchase some spirits for your own home-cooked meal, consider picking them up from the man who really knows how to lift the spirits of his Oakland neighborhood.

See Oakland Local’s related coverage at http://oaklandlocal.com/thanksgiving.

Powe Folk’s Basketball Camp

We have Leon Powe’s “Fresh Start Oakland- Powe Folk’s Basketball Camp” at Merritt College in Oakland. This two day camp will host over 600 youth and are an integral part of a continuing effort to reach and offer alternatives to the under served youth of color in the Oakland- Northern California region to combat some of the maladies that afflict and compromise these youth.

Annual Eid Festivals

The two annual Eid Festivals for this year that will be held on August 29, 2011 and November 6, 2011 at various locations in and around Oakland. We annually serve over 10,000 people during the three day event from August 30- September 2, 2001.

“Fresh Start” Backpack Giveaway Event

On Saturday, August 27, 2011 we participated in an effort to get the Oakland-East Bay Area youth off to a GREAT school year with 5,000 FREE Backpacks filled with school supplies, haircuts, manicures, health services, picnic Bar-B-Q lunch, games, entertainment, etc.

Unknownname

Come join us and generate

9unknownname

a fresh start for:

  • the school year
  • our communities
  • California’s economy
  • This completely free festival will feature:
  • Free backpack and school supplies for the first 5,000 school age children*
  • Free haircuts for boys and manicures for girls*
  • Free health services for all attendees (immunization, blood pressure checks, eye exams & chair massages)
  • Free picnic-style lunch for all attendees
  • Games, activities and entertainment for different age groups
  • Cultural and Musical Performances on the Main Stage
  • Opportunities to learn about services available from community-based organizations

This will be hosted by the Service Employees International Union – United Long Term Care Workers, a leading voice for long term care in CA .

*First come, first serve; and supplies limited — so plan to arrive early!

Oakland: Aug. 27
12 PM – 5 PM

DeFremery Park

LA: September 3
12 PM – 5 PM

Ted Watkins Memorial Park

“Oakland’s Got Talent”
The Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation really catered to everyone Saturday, August 6, 2011 at the “Oakland’s Got Talent” event at DeFermery Park. It was a blessing to be able to accommodate those in need and fulfill our responsibility to help, serve and support those present. We distributed $25,000 worth of groceries FREE to ALL that came and served over 600 people from 10am to 5pm!We also brought to everyone’s attention the Annual NFL All-Pro Marshawn Lynch’s “Fam1ly F1rst Football Camp” July 7-10, 2011 at Oakland Tech High School and Leon Powe’s “Fresh Start Oakland- Powe Folk’s Basketball Camp” August 19-21, 2011 at Merritt College in Oakland. These Superstars along with NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, Josh Johnson (QB Tampa Bay), Kirk Morrison Nnamdi Asomugha (Raiders), Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell, receivers Louis Murphy and Darius Heyward-Bey, Langston Walker (OT Raiders), Javid Best (RD Detroit Lions), Terrell Roberts (DB Oregon State/Cincinnati Bengals), Lamont Thompson (DB Washington State/Tennessee Titans), Clarence Martin (DB Fresno State/Angeles Rams), Julian Jenkins (DL Stanford/Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Courtney Anderson of the Raiders, and many national celebrities will hosts these events. 

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *