Broc Cellars Hosts Manga Pop-Up as Oakland Certifies Election Wins

Independent winemaking, municipal election milestones, and cross-border cultural artistry shaped life across the East Bay this week as West Berkeley's Broc Cellars prepared a manga-inspired holiday market, Oakland voters confirmed a full term for Mayor Barbara Lee alongside three City Council incumbents, and more than 100,000 visitors gathered in the Fruitvale District around a monumental 34-foot sculpture from Jalisco.

Broc Cellars Stages Manga-Inspired Holiday Pop-Up in West Berkeley

Natural urban winery Broc Cellars will host a holiday market at 1300 5th Street in West Berkeley on November 14, 2026, with free admission from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., as reported by Hoodline. Founded by winemaker Chris Brockway, Broc Cellars built an international following in Japan—now one of its largest export markets—after its low-intervention California wines were featured in the celebrated Japanese wine manga series Kami no Shizuku (Drops of God).

Saturday's open-air tasting room event brings together 4 food vendors: Golden Hour, Fish & Bird, Bini's, Cult Cracker (including Bini's Kitchen and Cult Cracker) alongside special wine pours and curated holiday gift packs celebrating the winery's connection to Japanese graphic storytelling.

Oakland Voters Elect Barbara Lee to Full Term and Approve Measure EE

In municipal politics, Oakland voters delivered decisive wins across City Hall and county leadership, according to the Post News Group. Former Congresswoman Barbara Lee wins 4-year term; Measure EE passes to modernize Oakland's city charter and administrative structure after Lee first took office following the April 2025 special election.

On the Oakland City Council, voters returned all three incumbents on the ballot: Charlene Wang (D2), Janani Ramachandran (D4), Kevin Jenkins (D6), representing Districts 2, 4, and 6 respectively. At the county level, former Oakland firefighter union leader Zac Unger elected in Alameda County District 5 secured a seat on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

34-Foot 'La Catrina de Oakland' Anchors Fruitvale's 31st Annual Festival

Along International Boulevard in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood, The Unity Council on November 1, 2026 hosted its 31st annual Día de los Muertos cultural festival, drawing over 100,000 visitors at 31st annual celebration, as covered by Cal State East Bay's The Pioneer.

Towering above the neighborhood plazas was a 34-foot La Catrina de Oakland sculpture from Jalisco, handcrafted by visiting artisans from Zapotlanejo, Jalisco, in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco. Surrounded by vibrant marigold altars (ofrendas), traditional folklorico dancers, artisan markets, and classic Lowrider car displays, the monument celebrated the enduring cultural ties between Oakland's Mexican heritage community and artisans in Jalisco.