As the shifts in state, local, and national leadership tilt and trouble many of us, I want to pause as we prepare for turkey and thank five people in Alameda who use their hearts, minds, imagination and energy to help others and make our community one of love, strength, and support. Yes, there are many more than five worthy of celebration. Yes, I know all of these folks. And yes, one runs the newspaper where you’re reading this piece, but none of that undoes the heart of those I praise below.
Adam Gillitt, Publisher, Alameda Post
Adam is pretty much everywhere, pretty much every day, doing everything he can to build and grow the Alameda Post. He applies for grants, attends meetings and events, publishes the paper with his amazing team, and all with a joy and exuberance possibly unmatched by anyone within our city limits. He sees the Post as the virtual hub of this town, where we go for information, insight, understanding, and fun. Want to know about upcoming events? Check out the online community calendar. Want to know what went on at the City Council, School Board, and other government meetings? Read the Post. Want to listen to a podcast, take a walking tour, solve a math puzzle or laugh at two birds making fun of us? Check out the Post. Adam, my friend, I’m thankful for you. How about some mashed potatoes?
Jerry Thompson, Events Coordinator, Books Inc.
For a modern man living and breathing in the 21st century, where technology is king, queen, and fool, Jerry believes that words and images printed on paper and bound between boards by thread are important. He’s the guy you seek for advice on what to read next, the person who’ll listen to customers rant at the register, and the one who’s responsible for staging events at Books Inc., where actual people actually come to hear actual authors read and talk about actual books. I know, seems impossible, but I’ve seen it in person! Jerry trained my son to be a bookseller, then me—from how to shelve, create displays and, yes, make ribbons to beautify the wrapping. He’s the book guy in town—tall, handsome, kind, and passionate. So Jerry, I saved both turkey legs for you.
Dr. Cindy Acker, writer and director of Words That Made the Difference: Brown v. Board of Education
Cindy created a play combining the memoirs of Thurgood Marshall and Earl Warren, who fought to end “separate but equal” back in 1954, with the transcripts of the Supreme Court case. She’s directed Words several times here in Alameda, multiple times in the greater Bay Area, and in St. Petersburg, Florida. Each time, the many fortunate and talented actors have been privileged to stand on stage and speak the words from these heroic people, telling the story of how the injustice of separate schools for African American children officially came to an end. Equally fortunate have been the audiences, young and old, diverse as America, who have sat and seen and listened to this story central to the fight for equality. I know this personally from having stood on her stages, spoken the words, and then thrilled at how meaningful the experience is for the audience. To borrow from the end of the play, the work for justice and equality in education is not done. But Cindy, have a seat, rest, and how about a slice of pie for you?
Tara Pilbrow, Executive Director, West End Arts District
Tara is a dancer and choreographer first, and an incredible event coordinator second. Yet imagine the movements of a strong, self-effacing remarkable person, striding, bending, and leaping with others, expressing emotions meant to move viewers. Many may not know that she dances, but rather recognize her for being the engine for the West End Arts District. The incredible mural on the wall of Ceron Kitchen that welcomes people to the island, Tara helped make that happen. The brilliant recent dance performance by Bandaloop on the wall of a building at Alameda Point, Tara helped make that happen. The murals in the Healing Garden at 1435 Webster Street, Tara helped make them happen. And Blues, Brews, and BBQ, Fiesta Alameda, and the events at RADIUM Runway. She also helped start a local theater company, The Foodbank Players. Tara, for you my mom’s potato salad! Enjoy.
Kevin Gorham, teacher, Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School
Every school is a miracle made from people, books, desks, school lunches, assemblies, sports, theater, recess, field trips, and love. And each school I’ve ever attended, visited, taught at, or taken my kids to has at least one person most responsible for making it all work. If lucky, there’s a team of custodians and administrators, coaches and teachers, paraprofessionals and counselors. And if really lucky, there’s someone like Kevin Gorham. If a statue were to be made in Kevin’s likeness, it would resemble Ganesha with the many arms, but wearing shorts and sneakers. Each hand would hold something Kevin needs to do the many jobs he’s had and has at Encinal. A whistle for when he coached basketball, dry erase marker for teaching, microphone for KJTZ, the Jet radio station, a clipboard of notes for senior graduation, which he runs every year, both hands for holding the pizzas he’s always bringing to meetings, practices, and school events, leaving one free to help the thousands of young people who’ve been lucky enough to sit in his classes, play on his teams, or work by his side. Kevin, my friend and hero, for you, the stuffing from inside the bird—that’s how special you are.
Gene Kahane is the founder of the Foodbank Players, a lifelong teacher, and former Poet Laureate for the City of Alameda. Reach him at [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Gene-Kahane.
