Mayor Ashcraft’s October Updates

We’re showing our Pride

Join Alameda’s LGBTQ+ community, friends, and allies as we celebrate our inaugural “Pride in the Park” this weekend. Enjoy family-friendly activities for all ages, food trucks, and entertainment on Saturday, October 8, 1 to 5 p.m., at Chochenyo Park, 2430 Encinal Ave. For more information visit the Alameda Pride website.

The book sale is back

For more than 40 years, the Friends of the Alameda Free Library’s semi-annual book sales have raised funds to support the summer reading program, art docent lectures, and Alameda Reads adult literacy program, as well as helping to purchase new library equipment and more. You’ll find low prices on thousands of carefully curated items and support your library at the same time. Don’t miss the next sale, Friday, October 21 through Sunday, October 23 at the O Club, 641 West Red Line Ave. For book sale hours, and to sign up to volunteer, visit the Friends of the Alameda Free Library website.

Help solve the housing crisis

The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda is looking for landlords with one- and two-bedroom apartments, and studios to rent to Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) households. Section 8 landlords help alleviate the housing crisis by making safe, decent, affordable units available to qualifying individuals and families who need housing—and landlords benefit by receiving stable rental income and on-time monthly payments. Approximately 400 Alameda landlords currently participate in this program; some have done so for 20, 30, and 40 years. For more information and assistance with the simple enrollment process, call 510-747-4300.

Get your free flu shot

Fall is flu season, so be sure to get your flu shot and avoid the discomfort—and potentially more severe symptoms—of the flu. Alameda Hospital will host a free community flu shot clinic, while supplies last, in the hospital parking lot at 2070 Clinton Ave., Saturday, October 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

And speaking of vaccinations…

Get your COVID booster, too! You may think you’ve moved on from COVID, but it hasn’t moved on from you. Despite what you may have heard, the pandemic is not over. The new bivalent COVID-19 booster includes a component of the original virus strain to provide broad protection against COVID-19, and a component of the omicron variant to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant. Vaccines are available locally and can be scheduled online at CVS, Walgreens, and Safeway pharmacies. Find other locations and schedule appointments at Vaccines.gov.

Loud noise from across the bay

Finally, the neighbors threw a loud party recently. Over the September 24-25 weekend, music from the Portola Music Festival at Pier 80 on San Francisco’s eastern waterfront could be heard throughout the East Bay, including in Alameda, into the evening. After receiving multiple complaints from Alameda residents, I shared my concerns with San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s office. As a result, City staff were connected with representatives from San Francisco’s Entertainment Commission, the permitting agency, and the Port of San Francisco, Pier 80’s landlord. Going forward, these individuals will communicate with Alameda staff before large-scale music events, allowing the City to advise our residents in advance, and will provide contact information if issues arise with other events.

Stay engaged! Stay healthy! Stay Alameda Strong!

Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the Mayor of the City of Alameda. She is running for reelection on November 8, 2022. Reach her at [email protected].