Gift Card from Entrez! - $20,$50, $100
Friday, December 14th, 2007
Know you want to get something super fun and original for a friend, family or co-worker, but not sure exactly what they want? You can’t go wrong with a gift card from Entrez! Open House. Your card recipient will be psyched to wander around this Oakland wonderland, finding gorgeous housewares, and clever accessories from brands like Alessi, Koziol, and Oakland’s Jenny Hurth. There are items that fit every budget, and the cards are available online in $20, $50, and $100 denominations.
Keep the little ones in your life cozy and warm with a 
There’s an unbelievable amount of fun stuff planned for you and your kids at this year’s 
Feel good about your purchase when buying toys this holiday season. Komodo Toys in the Laurel District not only specializes in the coolest toys, gifts, & Japanese anime, they host youth tournaments and send care packages to troops overseas. They focus on developing business, communication, and life skills for the youth in the neighborhood and participate in countless neighborhood improvement programs. For this work, Komodo Toys received a Neighborhood Dynamo Award at the 2007 Oakland Indies Awards. Check them out at 4004 MacArthur, Oakland. 510-482-5921.
Kelley Designs: A Crochet Boutique
Elizabeth designs all of the blankets, bibs, and outfits herself and has it all produced right here in the Bay Area. Gifts come in a free gift box that is made from 100% recycled materials and features a screen-printed butterfly on the top. Available on 
Nathan & Co. is full of modern treasures for the home and body, including quirky items such as a salt shaker that shakes itself, a bath plug with an origami boat attached to it, and more traditional fare such as great smelling candles and cookbooks from favorite local restaurants like Dona Tomas, Bay Wolf, and Cesar. For anyone wanting to show their Oakland pride, I hella heart Oakland t-shirts run $20 for the men’s version and $24 for the more fitted women’s style. 3820 Piedmont Ave 10:30-7 M-Th 10:30-9 Friday, 10:30-5:30 Saturday 510 428 9638
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: 
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 
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 
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 
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: 
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 
There’s nothing like the frenzy of trying to guess the right answer before the time runs out. Board games have always been one of my favorite things to do with friends. And man, I hit the jackpot a few weeks ago when I stopped by
Why Settle for a Chain Link Fence When You Can Have This?
Owner and artist Siobhan Van Winkel stocks her Oakland shop with fanciful, clever and stylish items from more than 50 local artists and designers. She carries clothing, jewelry, bags, hats, and more – all handcrafted and one-of-a-kind for both kids and adults. This store is a true Oakland original and is the perfect spot for the perfect gift. Check out