Island City Beat Podcast

The City of Alameda and Christ Episcopal Church jointly fund the 'AWS' at Parish Hall - Grand at Santa Clara streets which provides our unhoused neighbors with a warm, dry, caring place to sleep, with dinner and breakfast. A limited shower and clothing program is also available. Today we speak with two of the many people who make this lovely effort happen.https://sites.google.com/view/alamedawarming/home?authuser=2

In Part 2 of our interview with the authors of "Motown: The Making of Working Class Revolutionaries," we explore with Jerome Scott and Walda Katz-Fishman the question of what revolution means, are we in a revolutionary process and how do we engage in actions that force our current political structure to shift its focus and make technology serve - not profit from - a more just and equitable society. Podcast host: Laura Thomas

For black history month, we interviewed two veteran activists of the 1970s Detroit black liberation struggle. In the book, "Motown and The Making of Working Class Revolutionaries", Jerome Scott and Walda Katz-Fishman describe how black industrial workers understood that gains won from corporations and racist unions would be thwarted by automation and changes in the global economy. They began to study Marxism to understand the system and reformulate their political perspective. The result was 50 years of study, struggle and the ability to anticipate the revolutionary moment we are in today. Podcast host: Laura Thomas

In Part 2 of our interview with Alameda activist Cynthia Bonta, she tells the story of the manongs, the elderly Filipinos who were forcibly evicted from the International Hotel in San Francisco in 1977 and how it inspired her dedication to telling the Filipino-American story. For Alamedans, it will be significant because the story of how many Filipinos arrived here through their enlistment in the U.S. Navy and what they experienced has yet to be told. Podcast host: Laura Thomas

The mother of state Attorney General Rob Bonta is well known in Alameda as a spokeswoman for Filipino culture and an activist on behalf of immigrant and renters rights and the Sister City Committee. In the first of a two-part interview, Cynthia Bonta describes her part in the 1965 Delano grape strike, the fight against the regime of Ferdinand Marcos and even enlightens us about the brutal U.S. defeat of Philippine Independence in 1899.Links & Resources• PBS documentary recommended in this episode: Delano Manongs Podcast Host: Laura Thomas

Using water while conserving it sustains each one of us as individuals, as a community and our Bay Area region as a whole. At a recent tree planting we spoke with a local Maker Farm member who helps us become aware of our vital Mokelumne River water resources here in Alameda. Podcast Host: Jeff Gould

Two Alameda mothers are helping families cut back on their children's, and their own, reliance on electronic media. Sarah Qualters and Alex Yakubov of Alameda Unplugged talk about the ways they and two dozen other parents have started addressing the social, emotional and mental crisis they say young people themselves have begun to talk about.

It all starts with taking a picture. Applications are open for the annual Alameda on Camera competition where 48 participants shoot photos one weekend in assigned sections of our island city and produce works of visual art. For the last 20 years, the Frank Bette Center for the Arts on Lincoln Avenue, has sponsored this inspiring winter event and subsequent spring exhibition. Tag Gorman, committee chair, and his son, Kyle, describe the history, the vision and the application process. Links & Resources• Alameda On Camera 2026 • Frank Bette Center for The Arts

Next Saturday, after Christmas is over and all are resting and reflecting, Alameda's artistic thinkers and doers have invited one and all to let go, get playful and join them for the Fool's Delight parade and festival down Webster Street. Michael Towne and Eve De Ley of the West End Arts District offer us a glimpse into their hilarious plans that day for mucho late afternoon buffoonery. Podcast Host: Laura Thomas

The Alameda Gallery and Collective has opened on Webster Street featuring art, vintage items and plants. The group's goal is to build community and create conversation about art. It's been the dream of a circle of friends that includes Sandy Russell, owner of the Fireside Lounge and West End business advocate. Hear her talk about how Webster Street retail has blossomed post-pandemic. Podcast Host: Laura Thomas

During the Covid epidemic, Alameda mother and artist Deirdre Freeman acted on her belief about the power of spreading love and kindness in the world when she made some 600 pieces of art, mostly depicting hearts, and attached them to phone polls around town. A year ago, she went further and launched the Kindness Coalition here in Alameda. She and Burt Presberg describe the joy and wonder their work has brought to our community and their conviction of its immense ripple effect.

It's difficult to find your soulmate through online dating and other traditional strategies, according to Jennifer Zundel, a relationship coach. She believes you must first explore your assumptions about your ability to love and be loved, break old patterns of behavior and become your authentic self. Listen to her describe her approach, which is grounded in inner transformation, daily spiritual practice, and the principles she shares in her "Dear Beloved Manifesting Love Journal.”

More and more people are affected by the alarming attacks on the social safety net, but, for seniors, the climbing costs of housing, food and health care are especially difficult to manage. Caitlin Chan, the executive director of Legal Assistance for Seniors, describes what her nearly 50-year-old organization does to support Alameda County's elderly population, with free advice on many issues.

Alamedans marched from Chochenyo Park to City Hall during last Saturday's (Oct. 18) national No Kings protest where a few thousand voiced their opposition to the regime President Donald Trump has installed in Washington, D.C. Island City Beat marched with them and listened to their anger, their hope and their desire that our citizens will come together to resist the corruption and sustain democracy.

On this episode of the Island City Beat podcast, we meet Jeramie Andehueson. Jeramie is the founder of Alameda Pride which he brought to life in 2019. His organization was created to provide a safe, inclusive space for Alameda's LGBTQ+ community. We will get a glimpse of the many ways that Alameda Pride is making a difference in lives of many people here on our Island.

Alameda's Keegan Tatum is an outstanding local presence in social media. He astutely applies his psychology training to analyze political identities. He's a brilliant raconteur on the big political scene and a great interview. Tune in for a fluent and flowing conversation with the engaging and articulate Keegan Tatum!

The Alameda city council passed a rent control program in 2019 following five years of pressure and struggle by Alameda's renters who faced rapid rent increases that began in 2014 and forced many long-time residents out of the city.City Rent Program director Bill Chapin goes over the basics of this program, which is now located in the City Attorney's office. Rent program staff receive some 750 calls a month providing this important service for both renters and landlords.

The divide between "red" and "blue" political points of view in the United States is causing many to despair about our nation's future. But a national organization, Braver Angels, is trying to join the two sides by helping people come together to listen and talk in safe and structured settings. Paul Norris and Leslie Lopato say the group offers workshops, skills and many opportunities to sit down with people you think you have nothing in common with -- and come away surprised and uplifted.

America does an awful job educating our youth about money and making sound decisions about it. Our guests Alexandria Downing and Angely Miranda aim to change that narrative. They're from an organization called, "MyPath", whose mission is to teach youth about banking, savings and building credit as the first steps toward financial prosperity. Programs to aid families and youth are available in the East Bay and beyond by doing an internet search for "financial planning for young adults."

Island City Beat joins Alameda Parks & Rec and 50 volunteers who recently planted 10 native cedar trees in Linear Park between Main Street and the Bayport neighborhood. We introduce people from the three city groups responsible for organizing and running this important 'green' event: The Rotary Club - Alameda .. 100K Trees For Humanity .. Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA). 100K's Amos White reflects on the health benefits of trees and inequities in the city's tree canopy.

Jeff Gould walks and talks with 2024 city council candidate Thushan Amarasiriwardena on the streets of Alameda about his affection for our city and where his career in AI, other tech is taking him. We touch on Thushan's ideas around the potential abundance thinking holds, his run for council, housing development at the former Svendsons Marine site on Clement street and related transportation issues. Alameda's Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) and the proposed construction of the Pacific Fusion nuclear research reactor project at Alameda Point also prompts an interesting exchange of views on energy issues.

In January Julia Owens took over as head of the 40-year-old organization that has stepped in where school funding for many activities has been cut. She comes from a background in non-profits focused on children's needs, and is excited about continuing AEF's vital work in Alameda. She describes its many roles from providing the school district's middle school sports program to offering enrichment classes to grants for teachers' special projects to support for the mental health needs of students.

It's been six-plus years since Alameda approved the transformation of aging federal buildings on McKay Avenue into a facility to care for and house homeless seniors discharged from hospital stays. Spearheaded by the Alameda Point Collaborative, this humanitarian project was delayed by a stubborn clutch of naysayers, the Covid pandemic and federal intransigence.Now, it's set to open next March and former APC director Doug Biggs reflects on the entire drama and how compassionate Alamedans and our regional officials have prevailed. Podcast Host: Laura Thomas

Alameda Backyard Growers board president Jillian Saxty wants to spread the ethic of growing your own food as far as possible. Over 15 years ABG has developed a volunteer gleaning program that provides fresh produce to the Alameda Food Bank as well as offered free instruction to countless Alamedans with backyard and container gardens. Saxty describes ABG's current goals of developing community gardens and offering its expertise to other Bay Area towns.

Five years ago this weekend, the killing of George Floyd, just two days after the controversial arrest of Mali Watkins here in Alameda, prompted the city council to establish the Racial Equity Police Reform Task Force. Jennifer Rakowski, who served on it with 50 other Alamedans, talks about one of its successes -- the Care Team -- and some of its unrealized goals. She also tells us why she is an advocate for listening to families of victims of aggressive policing.

Chris is the founder of the All Good Living Foundation begun in honor of his father's legacy and owner of All Good Living home goods and apparel store in downtown Alameda. Neil Tam, who died in 2015, (pictured above) was a beloved Alameda school teacher, principal and school board member. Chris describes his father's influence on the charitable work of AGL Foundation and how its programs have been adopted beyond Alameda's borders including by the families of the Golden State Warriors.

With a white collar recession in the digital tech field and layoffs in the government sector, many people are looking for a new job. Life coach and career counselor Amanda Gerrie has some advice on how to maneuver and even take advantage of the influence of Artificial Intelligence in the entire process. But some old school techniques are still valid. Listen to what she has to say.

She'll talk about the agency's history, the programs and services it offers to the nearly 500 residents at the Point as well as how she wants to make it stronger. We'll also get an update on the Mckay Resource & Respite Center.

Sophia works as the Chief Program Officer for East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO) and is also an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ. With Affordable Housing Month coming up in May, she describes how EBHO sees itself as a leader in bringing housing justice and better policies to Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. She'll also outline how people can get help with affordable housing resources.

In the second part of our interview trans activist, artist & parent Theo Hopestill explores the range of terminology referring to transgender people. To wrap things up Theo discusses their artistic talents and activity with several long standing art-based businesses in Alameda.

In the first of a two-part interview Theo, who was assigned female at birth, is a parent and artist who lives in Alameda with their partner and 10-year-old son .. Theo Hopestill is a transgender activist who asserts: "It's important to make room for many different narratives of being queer." In a second follow up episode Theo explores the range of terminology for referring to transgender people and discusses their artistic endeavors in Alameda.

Elected to the Alameda City Council in 2024, Greg is a fifth-generation Alamedan who attended local schools, went on to obtain degrees in political science at UC Davis, law at Georgetown University, and public administration at Harvard University.Angie Watson-Hajjem interviews Mr Boller via Zoom ..

Following a brief musical introduction our new Alameda City Council member & Vice Mayor Michele Pryor does her first interview here on our podcast. She talks about the need to face climate change, the housing crisis and the possibility of using public banking to support local financial resiliency .. and, of course, why she loves our island city.

East Bay native Savanna Cheer came to Alameda in 2018, fell in love with our town & has been galvanized by local issues. She helped found the community group Transform in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing. Transform has challenged Alameda city officials around the tragic death of Mario Gonzales, helped form the city’s Guaranteed Income Program & pushed for a People's Budget for the city. Hear her perspective in this episode on these efforts & her vision of what Alameda can be.

Angie Watson-Hajjem talks with pastor emeritus Michael Yoshii of Alameda's Buena Vista Uniited Methodist Church regarding his life and career - Hear Pastor Yoshii discuss his congregation's work with the Palestinian village of Wadi Foquin. (starting at 18:53) Alameda City Council will consider a Sister City relationship between Alameda and the West Bank community of Wadi Foquin at this Tuesday's City Council meeting. https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7253612&GUID=AAE5FD41-5593-472A-88EC-1D4315342C43-- Update: The Alameda City Council voted on Tuesday, March 18th to delay a vote on the Wadi Foquin Sister City MOU.