Author Archives: Irene

Chop Park Street, Fall Specials, Plenty of Tree Parking

Park Street getting back to its roots: Twenty-six trees were removed to make way for new street lights and parking meter pay stations/kiosks.

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In Memoriam: Tree Grande, October 2011

At the corner of Park Street and Central Avenue in Alameda Two of Grande’s neighbors that were the last mature trees standing:

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Alameda Occupies Wall Street – City Hall

Messages from Alameda’s Occupy Wall Street demonstration in front of city hall, October 18, 2011:

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Demand the Supply

You’d think if there was a demand for a product, someone would produce it.  Not so when it comes to pickup trucks. Without fail, every auto mechanic who works on my 1993 half-ton Toyota pickup offers to buy it.  When … Continue reading

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Greenspace Becomes Us

Right when you think every viable idea for developing Alameda Point has been put on the table … Surprise! … A new parkland/open space proposal is delivered by Golden Gate University’s Center on Urban Environmental Law. What makes the proposal … Continue reading

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Code Blue at Alameda Hospital

It’s been about nine and a half years since voters established a Health Care District (the District) to levy a $298 annual parcel tax to save Alameda Hospital from closure. Recent developments unfortunately indicate the District is scrambling to pay … Continue reading

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Silence Has Implications

The editorial in the Alameda Sun (Council Needs a PIO, Aug. 18, 2011) supporting the recent appointment of a city public information officer (PIO) went one step too far.  It advocated for the city council to institute its own public … Continue reading

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Charting Coursework for Jobs

Back-to-school time is approaching.  Experts from all corners of society have been trying to define what skills are necessary to prepare young adults for the workforce.  The trend has been to push for higher academic, classroom-based education for all students. … Continue reading

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Beltline Brainstorm

At the city’s two recent “Urban Greening” workshops, every Alameda park was beautifully displayed on big posters.  We were presented with the results of the city’s recent park master-plan survey.  We learned that almost all Alamedans visit our shoreline, natural … Continue reading

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Landing Zone Veterans’ Clinic

We haven’t heard much lately about the proposed veterans facility at Alameda Point, but it’s been moving full steam ahead. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is conducting its environmental review and seeking architecture/engineering firms to plan and design an … Continue reading

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