The new Food Mill Farm’acy across the street from Kaiser’s Oakland Medical Center off of Broadway and MacArthur, is a grocery store specially designed for healthy weight loss. It only carries foods that are approved on diets prescribed by Kaiser. So, you’ll find lots of low-glycemic foods, yummy organic and natural packaged goods, and nutritional supplements. It even has the famous Master Cleanse Diet book and all of the ingredients together in one place. To top it off, they have incredibly friendly nutrition and skin consultants to help you figure out what will work for you.

Original Food Mill: 3303 MacArthur Blvd. Open M-F 8:00 - 7:30, Sat 8:00 - 6:30, Sun 9:00-5:30. Food Mill Farm’acy: 255 West MacArthur Blvd. Open M-F 9:00 - 6:00. http://www.foodmill1933.com/

Rock Paper Scissors Collective is a volunteer-run community arts space with a great gallery, shop, arts lab, and zine library in the Uptown District. Step into the bright space to find fun silkscreened tees, unique handmade clothing, wallets, jewelery, bags, and more. Many items are made of re-used materials, like plastic/foil juice snack bags, bike inner tubes, and even sailboat sails.

While you’re there you can read an independently-published zine in their Zine Library, listen to independently-produced music at their listening station, and take a class! Check out their site to find out about their rotating gallery exhibits (which open every First Friday of the month) and other events. They also offer monthly classes in DJ’ing, screenprinting, bike maintenance, and other fun topics! Part of Art Murmur’s First Friday artwalk.

Rock Paper Scissors Collective: 2278 Telegraph Ave. 510-238-9171. Open 11-7pm everyday except Tuesday, http://rpscollective.com/new.html

Make your gift giving eco-conscious! Fwrap, a new Oakland company, offers an alternative to buying gift wrap that someone just ends up throwing away. Instead, these clever wraps are meant to be re-used for other gifts and storage. These elegant wraps also make wrapping much easier - no more cutting and taping! They come in several sizes and colors and each one includes a gift tag. Ideal for CDs, books and other small items. Buy them online at fwraps.com

Memberships to local organizations are a fantastic way to be more locally involved, and they are a great way to explore something new! There is a lot going on in Oakland and memberships to suit everyone. Check out our selection below:

The Oakland Museum of California has memberships ranging from $35 (students, educators and seniors), Individual ($40) to Donor Forum/Curators Forum/California Collectors Circle ($1000). Memberships are good for a year and include exhibits, family programs, lectures, community events, etc. Upcoming exhibits for 2007 include 100 Families Oakland: Art & Social Change, an exhibit to “Celebrate the power of families, the creative spirit of Oakland, and the potential of art to connect families and communities.” It is easy to join, you can join online, by phone, fax, mail or in person. Details on their website: http://www.museumca.org/member/index.html

The Oakland Zoo has memberships from $40 (students, seniors), $50 (Individual Adults), $80 (Family Plan) to $1000 (Giving Circle). The zoo is open daily from 10-4 and is home to more than 440 native and exotic animals. The Oakland zoo is, hands down, the very best place in Oakland to see a Red Knee Tarantula from Mexico, Flying Fox from Malaya and African Crowned Crane, all in one day! The Oakland Zoo is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1922. 9777 Golf Links Rd Oakland, CA www.oaklandzoo.org

Chabot Space and Science Center has a range of memberships, $20 Student, Senior, Teacher $50 Individual (includes one guest admission year-round) $80 Family (good for 2 adults and up to 4 children in the same household). This center is focused on astronomy and the space science. It has hands-on exhibits, an observatory and planetarium, all in a natural park setting. 10000 Skyline Blvd Oakland 510-226-7300 www.chabotspace.org

Museum of Children’s Art, MOCHA, is a not-for-profit arts education and youth development agency committeed to ensuring that the arts are a fundamental part of the lives of all children. Gallery admission is always free but memberships include discounts on classes, free shirts or bookbags, newsletters, head’s up on upcoming activities and other goodies. Memberships range from educator and student membership ($40), individual and family membership ($60 year). 538 Ninth Street between Washington & Clay 510.465.8770 www.mocha.org

Boys and Girls Club of Oakland: “Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland provides safe places for over 2500 boys and girls ages, 6 to 17. Their mission is to develop our community’s youth into positive contributors to society. Open after school and on Saturdays, the club “brings structure to the lives of children who desperately need it.” Members receive help with math, english and computers, take field trips, play games, make crafts and participate in performances. Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland owns and operates three Clubhouses in Oakland. Fees range from $12-$25 depending on the club. There are clubhouses in East Oakland, Central East Oakland and West Oakland. Check out their website for addresses and hours of each clubhouse: http://www.bgcoakland.org/

East Bay Regional Park District - Do you know someone who loves the outdoors? What about a membership to the East Bay Regional Park District! Prices range from $40 (seniors, students, educators), $50 (regular) or $95 (family). Benefits include day pass parking, free swimming, subscription to park newsletters, one annual dog pass, and various other discounts and benefits. With 65 regional parks, recreation areas, wilderness, shorelines, preserves and land bank areas including 1,150 miles of trails within parklands, it is time to explore! Memberships can be purchased by mail, at visitor kiosks, or at the parks administrative headquarters. Information online at http://www.ebparks.org/volunter/member.htm