The purpose of the Created in Oakland program, sponsored by the City of Oakland Redevelopment Agency, is to support businesses beyond startup in achieving $1million in annual sales, sustaining growth in Oakland and creating jobs.

Business Owner Candidate Criteria: To participate, businesses must be licensed in the City of Oakland, intend to remain in Oakland and hire locally as they grow. Candidates will complete an application. The strongest growth ideas, owner motivation and operating indicators will be important factors in selecting businesses for participation. Business owners with the following profile are ideal candidates:

Have current revenues within range of $300,000 to $700,000

Are determined to grow a business to annual revenues greater than $1million

Have an initial idea for expansion, new product or service enhancement

Need business resources, contacts, and advice

Have limited budget for investment in growth

Are open to receiving feedback

Agree to attend all work sessions, complete assignments, participate in individual advising, and participate in related public events

Business Value Alliance (BVA) is designing, developing, and facilitating the Created in Oakland program and has established partnership with economic development organizations, BVA conducts research, projects and delivers customized programs to achieve broad impact in business growth.

If you are interested to schedule an interview and complete a Participant Information Sheet for the Created in Oakland program; which will launch in July 2008 or to recommend a candidate, please contact BVA immediately at:

BVA will be having a general informational meeting on Tuesday, June 24th in the Board Room of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Darlene Crane,

Co-Founder Strategy and Product

(510) 886-4483  

From Oakland Tribune Article Created: 06/18/2008

June 21, the longest day of the year, is celebrated all over the world — Paris, London, New York, Nairobi and, yes, Oakland.

Some 60 musicians — from a Korean folk singer to a jazz-pop-funk fusion group — will be on hand Saturday for the Laurel District summer solstice celebration from 1 to 7 p.m.

There will be dancing in the streets and more. The event is free.

Visitors should enter at a welcoming station alongside the Laurel Lounge at the intersection of 38th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard. Festival programs, musician schedules and biographies and raffle tickets will be available there.

Festivities will be staged at sites along MacArthur Boulevard and surrounding Laurel Elementary School, 3750 Brown Ave.

The top prize for the winning raffle ticket is a weekend for two anywhere Southwest Airlines flies and two-night hotel accommodation. Second prize is $501 in cash plus another 30 prizes donated by sponsors.

Barbecue and nonalcoholic refreshments will be sold.

This is the third year the neighborhood above Mills College has celebrated the day when the sun passes directly over the Tropic of Cancer, heralding midsummer. This is the first year, however, that the festivities are part of the Fete de la Musique international summer solstice celebration, which includes 300 cities worldwide.

The festival is accessible by public transportation by transferring to the AC Transit No. 14 bus at the Fruitvale BART station. Signs will direct

visitors from the bus stop at MacArthur Boulevard and High Street.

For details, visit www.laurelsummersolsticemusicfestival.org