Council member Pat Kernighan reports today that Out of the Closet has withdrawn its pursuit of the GapKids space on Lakeshore Avenue. She invites the community to a public meeting on Sunday, March 2, at 2 PM, to discuss creation of a long-term plan for the neighborhood commercial areas in District 2.

Tile expert Riley Doty and historian Joe Taylor will discuss the new Golden Age of California tile this Thursday (Valentine’s Day) at 7:30 PM at Chapel of the Chimes. The lecture—open to the public—is part of Oakland Heritage Alliance’s Thursday Lecture Series.

Oakland Heritage Alliance seeks nominations for its 2008 Partners in Preservation Awards to honor those whose work and efforts have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in historic preservation. Nominations must be postmarked by April 21. Awards will be given on May 8.

A Barbara Lee Town Hall, followed by a march to and rally at City Hall this Saturday will mark the fourth anniversary of the Iraq War.

Tuesday evening, the City Council will consider a resolution to authorize the restriping of Lakeshore Avenue between Harvard/Winsor Roads and Mandana Boulevard.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday morning at 11 AM will mark the renovation of the Lake Merritt Pergola.

Noted preservation architect Alice Carey will present “Preservation ‘Round the Old Oak Tree: Three Approaches to Three Historic Downtown Buildings” on Thursday, February 8, at 7:30 PM at Chapel of the Chimes.