Join us for a special celebration on the afternoon of October 9th, 2021 in Joaquin Miller Park!

A ribbon-cutting ceremony with city officials and the Friends of Joaquin Miller Park at noon will mark the completion of the water feature restoration. As the flow returns to the Woodminister Cascade, our writer in residence, Kristen Caven will lead a sing-along of her soon-to-be-hit song, “Joaquin Miller Went Walkin’.” After that, we’ll head for the Fire Circle for “A Blanket and a Basket of Chow,” a picnic in the meadow or at the tables (bring your own chow!) from 1 to 4 pm.

From 2 to 3pm, Caven will host a presentation called “From Ina to Ayodele.” CWC writers will read works by historical Club members, and new works of their own, and Oakland’s first poet laureate, Dr. Adoyele “Wordslanger” Nzinga, will read poetry by Ina Coolbrith, Joaquin Miller’s good friend and a guiding spirit of our Club. Coolbrith was not only California’s first poet laureate, but the first poet laureate in the United States.

This event is free to the public, but you have to bring your own picnic!