ALAMEDA
During the weekend of the full moon in February, 48 photographers were loosed upon this island for 48 hours, each assigned to document their assigned 1/48th of Alameda. The results of that weekend are now on display in the Frank Bette Center’s annual “Alameda On Camera” photo exhibit on display now through May 25.
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The exhibit is dense with visual and emotional content providing visitors with images that are fondly familiar and provocatively peculiar. A disparate bunch, some of the participants had resumes and websites as photographers while others worked at all manner of blue-, white- and plaid-collar jobs. Some had been up-scaling their equipment and skills for decades while some were youths lit with a new fever for photography.
Picturesque Alameda provides countless opportunities for the visually hungry to feast. The city is steeped in history and has an eye focused on a progressive future, but the images shown here are timeless in that they all rely on universal elements of design, organization, color, value, focus and texture to share with the viewer a unique visual experience enjoyed during “Alameda On Camera.” For more information, visit bit.ly/3JjDkaa online.
— Karen Braun Malpas
Bay Farm Island waterfront trail detour to start April 29
A large segment of the waterfront trail starting at the Bay Farm Ferry Terminal and leading up to Creedon Circle on Alameda’s Bay Farm Island will close from April 29 through May 10 while the city widens and repaves the trail, eliminating hazardous conditions and creating a smooth walking and riding surface. Marked detours are in place.
Many young people use these trails as they travel to and from school, so please use extra caution. The city is working hard to finish the work quickly and will open the improved trail sooner if possible.
Visit bit.ly/3U5E3Ay online to help plan an alternate route, and please report all requests for service and trail repairs at seeclickfix.com/us-ca-alameda/report.
S.F. music festival organizers working on sound mitigation
The Portola Music Festival is planned to return to San Francisco’s Pier 80 for its third year on the weekend of Sept. 28-29, and event organizers are working to mitigate the sound and vibrations felt in Alameda. Read more about these efforts and how you can share your feedback online at alamedaca.gov/RESIDENTS/Portola-Music-Festival.
City manager hires new director for Island’s library system
Alameda City Manager Jennifer Ott has selected Michael Eitner to serve as the Alameda Free Library’s director. Eitner joins the city of Alameda after serving in management positions at the Denver Public Library, Santa Clara County Library District and most recently as the Solano County Library’s assistant director. His background also includes legal experience and leadership in the California Library Association’s Advocacy & Legislative Committee.
“Michael brings extensive experience managing innovative projects and initiatives,” Ott said. “I’m excited for his leadership and ideas on how the Alameda Free Library can continue its broad range of programming and services, increase staff engagement and expand to serve even more Alameda residents.”
The library director reports to the assistant city manager and works closely with all members of the city’s executive team. Alameda’s library system (the Alameda Free Library) is considered a critical city service with three branches and extensive online resources. The system includes 22 full-time and 40 part-time staff who, along with volunteers, serve more than 30,000 people each year with an annual budget of $6 million (including grants and donations).
“Libraries are community hubs, and I am excited to work in partnership with the Alameda Free Library team and our partners to enhance the library user’s experience for all residents and expand how the community engages with our libraries,” said Eitner.
The city thanks Marlon Romero, the library system’s interim director, for serving in the role since longtime Library Director Jane Chisaki’s retirement after her 39 years of service to Alameda.
— city of Alameda
Kiwanis Foundation taking college scholarship applications
The Alameda Kiwanis Foundation is accepting scholarship applications for the next academic year with $100,000 altogether available in awards. Foundation officials encourage graduating seniors from Alameda’s high schools to apply. Application forms are available at school sites’ counseling offices and online at alamedakiwanis.org.
The awards are open to Alameda residents and nonresidents, provided that the applicant graduates from an Alameda school and meets the eligibility criteria. High school seniors planning to attend community colleges are also urged to apply.
Applications and documents must be completed, submitted and postmarked (if submitting by mail) no later than April 29. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Mail your application, if preferred, to Alameda Kiwanis Foundation, P.O. Box 1217, Alameda, CA 94501. Email it if preferred, along with any questions, to alamedakiwanis@gmail.com. For online details, visit k01025.site.kiwanis.org/scholarship-application.
— Kiwanis Club of Alameda
Paw Prints fundraiser to benefit animal shelter, Bette Center
Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) officials and staff say they’re excited to announce their Paw Prints fundraiser, a chance to buy amazing, one-of-a-kind portraits of the animals you love.
Artists with FAAS and Alameda’s Frank Bette Center for the Arts will paint your pets from photos you supply, and the proceeds will be split evenly to benefit both groups. The cost of a portrait is $50 plus tax with an option for shipping.
The artist may create a watercolor or acrylic painting; a pen-and-ink, pastel or charcoal drawing; or a digitally altered photo. Your portrait will be finished in an 11-by-14-inch format. To participate, choose your favorite photo, visit frankbettecenter.org/order-a-pet-portrait online, provide payment information and upload a photo in .JPG format for the artist to work from.
The Bette Center will host a June 22 reception to view all the portraits, thank the artists and distribute the purchased pet portraits (they can be shipped to anyone who can’t attend).
— FAAS
To submit an item for our “In brief” section, please email it, at least three days before print publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com. Each item should be 90 to 180 words and include a short headline along with the name of the group or individual to credit for it.