Walk Oakland Bike Oakland, or WOBO, is holding its first annual fundraiser, Winter Wonderland, this Wednesday, Dec. 4, at New Parish in downtown Oakland. As an East Bay bike rider and pedestrian, I wholly support this volunteer-driven group's cause – to make Oakland a safer and easier place to walk and bike. Founded in 2007, WOBO has been working hard to better the community through programs like Oaklavia (car-free, open-streets events), free Oakland Urban Path walks, and connecting 218 miles of bikeways. These measures encourage more people to enjoy the city and those (mostly) sweet, flat streets around them. But of course, all these great programs and events take time, money, and support, and that's why WOBO's Winter Wonderland is so important. They're hoping to get more of us aware of and involved in their endeavors.
But aside from doing a good thing for Oakland by attending, Winter Wonderland promises to be a fun party. Guests will enjoy "California with a Southern accent" cuisine from Common Fare, a live performance by Oakadelic, and a raffle and a silent auction featuring some really awesome prizes, like box seating at a Warriors game (!!), a single speed from Public Bikes, and gift certificates from some pretty great local businesses like Oaktown Spice Shop, Grand Lake Kitchen, Camino Restaurant, and Cosecha.
Tickets to Winter Wonderland are $20. You can buy them here.