OAKLAND -- First Fridays were an unabashed bonanza for bars, restaurants and Oakland pride until a teenager was fatally shot at the most recent event.

With the monthly festival scheduled to return this week, excitement is tinged with anxiety as doubts remain over whether organizers can handle another massive crowd.

"I crossed my fingers that it might rain and everyone could catch their breath and figure out how to handle this in a better way," said John Mardikian, whose Telegraph Avenue restaurant and beer garden counts on the festivals for about one-quarter of total sales.

Adding to concerns, an offshoot of Occupy Oakland has called for an anti-police march through downtown Oakland from 7 to 10 p.m. that night.

...