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SOBO Receives Grant From City of Oakland

National Night Out Against Crime

National Night Out Against Crime is August 5, 7 pm—9 pm

It’s a Block Party!

Oakland’s official downtown location is our 17th Street, between Franklin and Webster

Participating merchants will be staying open and offering snacks, beverages and/or advertising items to all guests. The street will be blocked to traffic and all are welcome to come make a statement against crime in downtown Oakland. (continued on back)

August 1, 2008

Volume 1, Issue 1

Ellen Taylor in her shop, Fashion & Art Revival, 371 17th Street, Oakland

The City of Oakland has given SOBO one of the largest Merchant Association Assistance grants handed out this year.

Thanks to Ellen Taylor, owner of Fashion & Art Revival, we now have almost $5000 with which to fund a modest security camera system and produce this newsletter. If funds are still available, we can also consider SOBO identification light pole banners, and other items to improve our district.

Ellen has been participating in our downtown Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and is co-chair of the Oakland Merchant Leadership Forum (OMLF) as well as running her women’s clothing store here on 17th.

When she learned about the grant money available for helping local merchant associations, she wrote a grant proposal, aiming for the maximum amount, $5000. Ellen spent hours researching, organizing, and writing the proposal.

The city representative who oversees the grant process told

Ellen that none of the grants was going to be the full $5000. Most would be $2000 or so.

Ellen’s efforts paid off with a grant of $4999!

This program is said to expire this year. The same grant will not likely be available in 2009. However, there is more exciting news on the horizon. Read about BID for downtown on our back page.

Ellen is co-founder of SOBO Merchant Association.

Thank you Ellen!

Thank you Oakland!

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