NorCalUrban

Most useful blog post I've seen in a long time. It's on how to deal with, well, to say it nicely for this blog ... jerks. Good stuff from Guy! This is a 'must click' link... Read it HERE. Note: not for the faint of heart or those who are offended by language...

Program takes Oakland teens into San Quinten prison to spend a day with the inmates. The program is similar to the famous "Scared Straight" program from the '70's - but with a lighter touch. The stats quoted in the article are obscene. We have much to do to save the young men of our urban communities. "More than 100 inmates in orange jumpsuits flashed gang signs and screamed at the four Oakland teenagers entering San Quentin Prison's cell block courtyard, urging the youths to join them and to "keep thuggin'." One boy turned his head, wincing as his gaze fell on an open-air toilet." "Based on current trends, 32 percent of black males will enter state or federal prison during their lifetime, compared with 17 percent of Hispanic males and 5.9 percent of white males. Forty-six percent of jail inmates nationwide had a family member who has been incarcerated, according to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of...

Just a reminder about the upcoming CCDA Institute in Oakland next weekend. Be sure to register and attend! Bob Lupton will be speaking on Empowerment on Friday and Andy Bales on Relocation on Saturday. Please take advantage of this awesome opportunity! You don’t need to come to both days, each day is a module in itself. Please let me know if you have any questions. I know the text is kinda small. Drop me a message and I'll send you an full size version. More information can be found HERE.

Abbot and Costello famous skit...

I heard the Green candidate for Treasurer, Mehul Thakker on NPR yesterday. He made a ton of sense. I was impressed by his priorities and articulation. He's worth checking out. He spoke of community development credit unions and issues of micro finance and economic justice. However, he didn't come across as a bright eyed liberal either. Check him out here. He seems to be a bright young thinker.

Below is a position description for an interim CEO for the emerging East Palo Alto credit union. If you know of anyone with the appropriate experience and could serve in this capacity, please forward this on to them. We are coming to a critical juncture and we need to fill this position as soon as we can. Initially we're looking for a volunteer but there is a possibility of a small stipend. There is also a possibility of this position growing into a full time paid position for the right candidate. If there are any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. TITLE: Interim CEO, East Palo Alto Federal Credit Union REPORTS TO: CEO - Northern California Urban Development TIME COMMITMENT: 5 to 10 hours per week POSITION SUMMARY: This position will serve NCUD’s efforts toward establishing East Palo Alto Federal Credit Union. This will require a broad range of skills including financial management experience, volunteer leadership and strategic implementa...

Interesting comments from Pat Tillman's brother. Also interesting are the comments to his article. This is a unique time for our nation - and a time where we are called to speak truth and perspective. Read the post here.

Post by blogger Slacktivist regarding small ministries taking federal funds. Interesting point of view. Read his comments here.

"While the Ford and Carter administrations worked hard to cushion the falling dominoes (after the Vietnam conflict), the Asian dominoes moved quickly to save themselves by buttressing our power. We can't expect to be as lucky with the denizens of the gulf region. And we certainly wouldn't make our luck by staying the course and hiding behind Bush's fears of Middle East dominoes. We need him to unstrap America's still muscular diplomacy to seed the antiterrorist soil within Iraq, to structure a regional peace among states that cringe from regional war, to blunt the disasters of chaos and defeat--and perhaps even to snatch successes beforehand." Interesting viewpoint on the Iraq situation. Read the entire article here .

Whew, what a crazy couple of weeks. Some of you know that my wife Melissa had a minor accident two Saturdays ago when she tripped coming out of St. Samuel and fell on a piece of glass. She tweaked her back, twisted her ankle and cut a huge gash in her hand. After a frantic ride to the emergency room she required stitches. The doctors said she would need surgery. Immediately many thoughts go through your mind. Will she be alright? Will there be permanent damage? Thinking about surgery is never a fun option, for whatever reason. We have an amazing extended family here in East Palo Alto (and in the blog community). Many came to our aid with many things, the most important being prayer. Melissa was incapacitated, her hand wrapped up so she wouldn't tear the stitches, her back and ankle out of commission. Of course sleeping was difficult. However, good new was forthcoming. While it seemed inevitable at the time of the accident, the hand surgeon determined that in fact she hadn't se...

As I mentioned before, my dad took me to see Dylan in the early 80's, during his 'Christian' era. The show impacted me forever. Is he still a Christian? I don't know (it's not really for me to know). I still hear alot of the Gospel in his lyrics. Here's three videos I found from this era... Pretty powerful! His voice was clear and strong. I've seen Dylan a number of times - I think he sang with more passion and heart in these shows than ever. Here's three songs from the album 'Saved' called 'What Can I Do For You?' and 'Are You Ready?' and 'When He Returns'. Kinda reminds me of St. Samuel on a Sunday morning! What Can I Do For You? Are You Ready? When He Returns

CU NETWORK FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Group Plans Strategies To Help Low-Income Community Development CUs Credit union professionals met at the Silicon Valley United Way in San Jose last week to discuss the needs and challenges of low-income community development credit unions. The meeting, hosted by the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues and the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (NFCDCU), was the second time the group has come together this year. During the all-day roundtable, the group discussed the networking opportunities and resources available to low-income community development credit unions. The morning session focused on sharing resources, challenges, and information among the group and the afternoon was spent brainstorming action steps to help meet community development credit union challenges. A large emphasis was placed on the need for maximized partnerships between community development credit unions and their neighboring established credit ...

Sam and I went to see Dylan last night in SF. It was fun having him along with me. It's somewhat of a tradition since my father took me to see him when I was about 12 - my first real concert. Dylan was great, as usual. He is traveling with an outstanding band. Here's the setlist: 1. Maggie's Farm 2. She Belongs To Me 3. Lonesome Day Blues 4. Simple Twist Of Fate 5. Rollin' And Tumblin' 6. Boots Of Spanish Leather 7. 'Til I Fell In Love With You 8. I Shall Be Released 9. Highway 61 Revisited 10. John Brown 11. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine) 12. Workingman's Blues #2 13. Summer Days (encore) 14. Thunder On The Mountain 15. Like A Rolling Stone 16. All Along The Watchtower I've seen Bob a few times over the last year. Each show is different. My friend Steve and I saw him twice together, once at the HP Pavillian in San Jose and once at the Paramount in Oakland. Both were outstanding. Melissa and I saw him at the Greek Theatre in Be...

Time Magazine article on a book by David Kuo called,"Tempting Faith: An Inside Story of Political Seduction." ...I am finding the courage to speak out about God and politics and their dangerous dance. George W. Bush, the man, is a person of profound faith and deep compassion for those who suffer. But President George W. Bush is a politician and is ultimately no different from any other politician, content to use religion for electoral gain more than for good works. Millions of Evangelicals may share Bush's faith, but they would protect themselves—and their interests—better if they looked at him through the same coldly political lens with which he views them. It's an interesting article. However, I know personally of two faith based organizations who have benefited from federal funding, namely the Latino Coalition for Faith Based and Community Initiatives and La Eeperanza. A friend of mine was also involved in setting up the office in the White House. Politics, from ...

Bangladeshi microcredit pioneer Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for advancing economic and social opportunities for the poor that has helped millions lift themselves from crushing poverty. In awarding them the prize, the Nobel Committee said their efforts showed how working to eliminate poverty can result in a lasting peace. "Lasting peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty," the committee said in its citation. "Microcredit is one such means. Development from below also serves to advance democracy and human rights." Read the entire article here .

Latest e-coli victim

I'm happy to support Larry in his campaign for our local school board. Larry is a great guy and has done much for our community including leading the charge to revitalize MLK and Jack Farrell Parks. Larry serves as the urban ministry director for Menlo Park Pres. Read his position paper here . His wife Lisa works with my wife Melissa at New Creation Home.

The rain has returned, and the San Francisquito Creek levee adjacent to East Palo Alto has not been repaired. The mayor declared a local state of emergency last February and funds were recently allocated. But no construction has begun. This means that East Palo Alto residents—especially those in the Gardens neighborhood—are at great risk for a disaster if the levee breaks from the combination of winter storms and high tides. Please make this an issue when you speak to candidates for City Council, and let it guide you when you vote this November. Although collaboration discussions are underway with the school district, medical clinic, and local emergency response agencies, there is no published disaster preparedness plan, and the community forums that were promised have not taken place, to my knowledge. At the Special Joint City Council/Ravenswood School District Meeting last Tuesday, Councilmember Pat Foster asked that the City meet with the Gardens Neighborhood Association within the...

Informative article on the Asian sex trade. I didn't know that the sex industry is over 4% of Korea's economy. Many sex slaves end up in the Bay Area. Read the article here .

Man, could yesterday have been the worst day of my life? The Tigers (yes, those Detroit Tigers, the one's who haven't won a playoff game since the Taft administration) pounded the Yankees. My beloved Yanks are out... down and out. Now we'll have to spend the off season counting our world series rings - but only to 26. During the 7th inning I get a frantic call from Cheryl Bains. My wife Melissa tripped on the steps at church, falling on to a piece of glass. She cut her hand deeply, twisted her ankle and tweaked her back. It was a full production with fire trucks, police cars and a frantic ride to the hospital emergency room (in my car, not the ambulance). Next week it's surgery to repair a torn ligament in her hand. Bummer. What a day! Please pray for Melissa... No joy in mudville.

The last couple of weeks has brought a couple of major scandals to light, namely the issue with Rep. Mark Foley and the Hewlett-Packard spying scandal. Both are huge lapses in ethical judgment. Foley, who served as the Chairman of the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children steps down after ABC news uncovered alleged sexually explicit messages with 16 and 17 year old male congressional pages. HP, one of Silicon Valley's banner companies spies on its own board, staff and journalists. Chairperson Patricia Boyd, along with four others, faces charges for conspiracy, identity theft and fraud. Foley's issue may have sealed the deal for a Democratic take over of congress. Silicon Valley is reeling. The press is having a field day. There is nothing more salacious than a politician being charged with a sexual crime, or a juicy corporate scandal. We love gossip, love standing on the sidelines when those who are richer, prettier, smarter or more recognized fall or stumble. Why els...

Currently returning from the east coast. I'm happy to headed home - but wish I knew the score from the Yankee game!…Go Yanks! (They won! what a lineup!) CCDA was again a great event. CCDA tends to be more like a reunion and networking meeting than a conference. It continues to be the one place where I consistently do more networking and ‘pollinating’ than anywhere else. I read something in the New York Post today regarding social networking styles. I discovered there are ‘butterflies’; those who flutter around pollinating and ‘dolphins' those who run in tight ‘smart’ networking groups. It seems to me that CCDA is much more of a ‘dolphin’ group. It’s a pleasure to be with folks who understand what I’m doing and sharpen my vision and goals. It’s also great to be inspired by the speakers and conference attendees. Pastor Bains and Gilbert from the NCUD board went with me to the conference. Certainly one of the highlights was in being with them. We shared a room; Gilbert graciously ...

Time just did an article on Black / Brown racial tension. In EPA we've had many issues around this - especially regarding violence between Latinos and Blacks. Rudy Carrasco has been working on a conference to specifically address this issue. Please pray for his efforts. Read the Times article here.

Go Marcos! Read the article here.