Who doesn’t love a happy story?!! I have three for you.
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda. (photo courtesy of Maurice Ramirez — BANG archives)
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 toward identifying community problems, diagnosing their root causes and working collaboratively to develop sustainable solutions.
Their first project was developing a “middle school survival guide” for fifth-graders transitioning from elementary to middle school and leading workshops for Edison Elementary School’s fifth-graders. Another project was researching beach and bay health and effective litter management strategies; co-leading a beach clean-up with the East Bay Regional Park District that attracted more than 60 volunteers; and developing materials to help other Alameda youth organize beach clean-ups.
Lastly, they launched 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!
Note — the Warming Shelter is open nightly as of this past Sunday and through March 31 for overnight stays, meals, showers and other services.
Most evenings will be hosted inside Alameda’s Christ Episcopal Church at 1700 Santa Clara Ave. except for Dec. 22 through Jan. 4, when Trinity Lutheran Church at 1323 Central Ave. will host the Warming Shelter, and Feb. 10-24 when it will move to Twin Towers United Methodist Church at 1411 Oak St.
For more information on the Warming Shelter and to volunteer or donate to it, visit christchurchalameda.org/seasonal-warming-shelter online.
Another recent special event was the 20th anniversary celebration of Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden on Park Street near downtown Alameda and owner Julie Baron’s “passing the whisk” to its new owner, Shannon Marsden, the shop’s former general manager and head chef.
It is no small feat for small businesses to have survived the COVID-19 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’ retirement after 21 years of service to Alameda Point Collaborative (APC), including 16 years as its executive director. APC provides affordable housing and services for more than 200 formerly homeless families; offers youth programs and job training; and operates an urban farm and the Ploughshares Nursery for community plants.
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 the assisted-living facility opens next year, the Alameda Wellness Center 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.
City panels: Serving on a local government panel is a great way to learn more about your city as you share your time and talents and meet residents with similar interests. Alameda residents can apply for current openings on three boards and commissions.
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The Commission on Persons with Disabilities helps assure that people with disabilities have equal access to Alameda programs, housing, facilities and services.
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 plan to comply with the U.S. Americans With Disabilities Act, Alameda’s paratransit program, major transportation projects, housing development and planning for sea level rise adaptation.
Historical Advisory Board (HAB) members are assigned to preserve and protect historical resources that serve as visible reminders of Alameda’s history and heritage. This includes nominating properties for historic monument status, reviewing certain new construction and remodeling projects, building demolitions and tree removals to comply with the city’s preservation ordinances and guidelines.
The HAB is reviewing plans for a new performing arts theater in a designated historic district at Alameda Point (the former Naval Air Station Alameda). The HAB has three upcoming openings, one of which must be filled by a licensed architect.
The Golf Commission advises the City Council on issues related to Bay Farm Island’s Corica Park, Alameda’s municipal golf course. This year, the 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 at 510-747-7400 or online at alamedaca.gov, where you can also apply for the openings above.
This weekend: Help light the darkness, literally and figuratively, all in one day. At 9 a.m. this Saturday join the Midway Shelter Winter Run/Walk to benefit the Midway Shelter, a valuable resource for women and children who have survived domestic violence and/or are experiencing homelessness. Visit outfrontendurance.com to sign up.
Also on Saturday, enjoy Park Street’s Hot Cocoa Stroll, shop local from 5 to 7 p.m. and then join Alameda City Hall’s Winter Lights Celebration. The tree lighting will start at 6 p.m. Find and create light in the darkness. Be “Alameda Strong!”
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda.