Who doesn’t love a happy story?
Last month, I attended three uplifting events in one day. First, I had the pleasure of meeting a local Girl Scout troop, now ninth graders in high school, who recently earned their Silver Awards, the second highest honor in Girl Scouting. The award requires girls to dedicate 50 hours towards identifying a community issue, diagnosing the root cause, and working collaboratively to develop a sustainable solution. Their projects included:
- Developing a “middle school survival guide” for fifth graders transitioning from elementary to middle school and leading workshops for fifth graders at Edison Elementary;
- Researching beach and bay health and effective litter management strategies, co-leading a beach clean-up with East Bay Regional Parks District that attracted over 60 volunteers, and developing materials to help other Alameda youth organize beach clean-ups; and
- Launching a 60-page guide to volunteering to prepare meals for Alameda’s Warming Shelter, including checklists, recipes, and best practices for group volunteers.
Congratulations to Girl Scouts Nisha Ahmed, Milla Gleason, Elise Goldwasser, Beatrice Koeneke, Katie McNab, Louisa Varner, and Lila Welch, and Troop Leader Gretchen Hoff Varner!
Another special event was the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden on Park Street and owner Julie Baron’s “passing of the whisk” to the new owner, Julie’s former General Manager and Head Chef, Shannon Marsden.
It is no small feat for small businesses to have survived the pandemic only to face increasing supply costs and hiring challenges. Our local small businesses need your support this holiday season and all year long, so please “shop and eat local” at Alameda’s distinctive business districts across the island.
Finally, we celebrated Doug Biggs’s retirement after 21 years of service to Alameda Point Collaborative (APC), including 16 years as Executive Director. APC provides affordable housing and services for over 200 formerly homeless families, offers youth programs and job training, and operates an urban farm and Ploughshares plant nursery. Doug was honored for his unwavering commitment to addressing homelessness, including an ambitious plan to replace APC’s aging former military housing with new homes and a community center, and the Alameda Wellness Center on McKay Avenue. When it opens in 2025, this assisted living facility will serve the fastest growing segment of the Bay Area’s homeless population—frail, unsheltered seniors. Doug Biggs is living proof that one person can make a huge impact on the lives of others
Looking for a few good volunteers—Board and Commission openings
Serving on a board or commission is a great way to learn more about your city as you share your time and talents and meet residents with similar interests. There are currently openings for Alameda residents on the following three boards and commissions.
The Commission on Persons with Disabilities helps assure that people with disabilities have equal access to programs, housing, facilities, and services in Alameda. In 2025, the Commission will advise the City Council, City departments, and other boards and commissions on relevant topics, including implementation of the City’s newly adopted ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) Plan, Alameda’s paratransit program, major transportation projects, housing development, and planning for sea level rise adaptation.
Historical Advisory Board (HAB) members are tasked with preserving and protecting historical resources that serve as visible reminders of Alameda’s history and heritage. This includes nominating properties for historic monument status and reviewing certain new construction and remodeling projects, building demolitions, and tree removals for conformance with the City’s preservation ordinances and guidelines. The HAB is currently reviewing plans for a new Performing Arts Theater in a designated historic district at Alameda Point. There are three upcoming HAB openings, one of which must be filled by a licensed architect.
The Golf Commission advises the City Council on issues related to Corica Park, Alameda’s municipal golf course. In 2024, the Golf Commission received reports on renovation of the course, drafted a Corica Park Customer Experience Survey, and reported on survey results.
You can find more information and submit an online application at alamedaca.gov/application. For questions please call 510-747-7400.
For the Holidays
Help light the darkness, literally and figuratively, all in one day. On Saturday, December 7 at 9 a.m., join the Midway Shelter Winter Run/Walk to benefit this valuable resource for women and children experiencing homelessness and domestic violence survivors. Visit the Outfront Endurance website to sign up. That evening, enjoy the Hot Cocoa Stroll on Park Street, shop local from 5 to 7 p.m., and join the Winter Lights Celebration at City Hall. The Tree Lighting starts at 6 p.m.
NOTE: The Warming Shelter will be open nightly from December 1 through March 31 for overnight stays, meals, showers, and other services. Most evenings will be hosted at Christ Episcopal Church, 1700 Santa Clara Ave., except for December 22-January 4 when Trinity Lutheran Church, 1323 Central Ave. will host the Warming Shelter, and February 10-24 when the Warming Shelter moves to Twin Towers United Methodist Church, 1411 Oak St. For more information, and to volunteer or donate, please visit the Christ Episcopal Church website and select “Homeless Ministries” from the menu.
Find and create light in the darkness. Be Alameda Strong!
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the Mayor of the City of Alameda. Reach her at [email protected].
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