Category Archives: Quality of Life

Funding the Police

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Irene

Alameda is joining numerous cities across the country in rethinking how we provide policing before next year’s city budget is prepared.  What level of policing we want and expect from the Alameda Police Department (APD) will determine the funding we … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Education, Quality of Life | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Medical Respite Facility planned for McKay Ave

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Irene

Those who prefer housing for senior citizens, over other types of housing that generate more traffic, will welcome the proposed dwelling units on McKay Avenue near Crab Cove.  Former federal offices now located there will be rehabbed to create a … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Quality of Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Palestinians Tell Their Stories at Alameda Library

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Irene

Everyone has a life story, and many are being told at Alameda’s Main Library at 1550 Oak Street.  An exhibit that combines black-and-white portraits of 26 Bay Area Palestinians with audio recordings is on display.  The library’s largest meeting room … Continue reading →

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Homelessness in Alameda

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Irene

It’s good to see the city creating an action plan to find services and shelter for the homeless who have taken up residence in the soon-to-be-built Jean Sweeney Park. But let’s not forget about those living in the encampment at … Continue reading →

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Proceed with Caution

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Irene

I almost hit a pedestrian while turning right from Otis onto Broadway. My heart dropped. The very thing I had appreciated as a pedestrian caught me off guard as a driver. At some intersections around the city, walk signals and … Continue reading →

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‘Brooming’ Street Trees

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Irene

It’s spring, and the trees are brooming everywhere! (And, no, I didn’t misspell that word.) Many of Alameda’s street trees no longer have their wide canopies because they’ve been pruned to look like brooms—one long tree trunk with some branches … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Quality of Life | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Logic Points to Parkland

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Irene

“That is not logical, Captain,” Mr. Spock would often say on the Star Trek television series.  Can’t the same be said for putting housing on bay-front property that the East Bay Regional Park District needs for expansion of state park … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Parks and Open Space, Quality of Life, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Money for Nothing

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Irene

Is it just my circle of acquaintances or is it getting worse everywhere?  All this talk about the distressed unemployed middle class has me looking around.  It seems that more people, even highly educated ones, have figured out ways to … Continue reading →

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Hold Your Applause

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Irene

I don’t get it.  We’re supposed to cheer when housing prices rise.  Politicians and pundits look to rebounding housing prices as the gauge for a recovering economy.  I don’t think so.  A sustainable, stable housing market is what we should … Continue reading →

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Occupy the Message

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Irene

The protest violence in Oakland on Saturday, January 29 was the last straw for me.  I’ve had it with the impostors in Oakland spoiling the Occupy Movement’s message of economic injustice that millions of people identify with.  Mayor Quan should … Continue reading →

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