Independent Businesses and Artists Honored for Social and Environmental Impact at...

Independent Businesses and Artists Honored for Social and Environmental Impact at 2nd Annual Indie Awards

OAKLAND, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Awards in eight different categories will be handed out to
independent Oakland businesses and artists during the Second Annual
Oakland Indie Awards on May 2, 2008. This event, which highlights the
social and environmental impact of Oakland's small business and arts
communities, will be held at the historic Sweet's Ballroom at 1933
Broadway in downtown Oakland from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

A distinguished panel of judges will have the task of selecting
winners in eight different categories - Oakland Soul, Ripple Effect,
Neighborhood Dynamo, Greenie, Newbie, Innovator, Youth Empowerment,
and Pillar - from the hundreds of nominations submitted by Oaklanders.

"These awards aren't about choosing who makes the best omelets.
They are more about which of those great breakfast places gives back
to the community," says Erin Kilmer Neel, Program Officer at
OneCalifornia Foundation and creator of the awards program.

In its inaugural year, Indie Award honorees represented a wide
cross section of Oakland businesses and artists including La
Borinquena Mex-icatessen, Farmer Joe's Marketplace, Swarm Gallery,
Nomad Cafe, Paws N Claws Natural Pet Food Store and Bathhouse, Parkway
Speakeasy Theater, Design Action and Laurel True's Institute for
Mosaic Art.

"And it also makes for a great party," says Kilmer Neel. "It's
sort of Oscars meets the Nobel Peace Prize for Oakland businesses and
artists."

Party guests will sample food, wine and chocolate produced in
Oakland while listening to music from Oakland's past and present --
from hip hop to rock to gospel.

An after-party begins at 8:00 p.m. with BCO Band singing its blend
of soulful R&B tunes. Other activity options that evening include open
houses at neighboring art galleries open late for Art Murmur,
exploration of the neighborhood's burgeoning local restaurant and
nightclub scene or a combination of both.

Early bird tickets priced at $15 are available through April 1 and
may be purchased online at oaklandunwrapped.org/indies. After
April 1, the ticket price is $20.

The Oakland Indie Awards party will be hosted by OneCalifornia
Foundation, a non-profit organization in Oakland.

For additional information on the Oakland Indie Awards, call (510)
663-2253 ext. 302 or visit oaklandunwrapped.org/indies/.

About OneCalifornia Foundation

OneCalifornia Foundation engages in charitable and educational
activities that primarily support OneCalifornia Bank's community
development mission and activities. Programs and grants increase
financial literacy, stimulate community development, encourage
affordable housing and alleviate economic distress. The Foundation
provides lending support, investments, education and other services
for disadvantaged communities, small business owners and community
service organizations in California. Visit www.OneCalFoundation.org
for more information.

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For more information about the Foundation, please contact:
Salvador Menjivar, Executive Director, OneCalifornia Foundation
1438 Webster Street, Suite 101, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone 510.663.2253 Fax 510.550.8440 Email
SMenjivar@OneCalFoundation.org
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OneCalifornia Foundation
Erin Kilmer Neel, 510-663-2253 ext. 302 (Media)
ekilmer-neel@onecalfoundation.org

Copyright Business Wire 2008