On April 21, the City Council adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 3275. While the ordinance includes many of the same protections previously issued, it also includes a rent-increase freeze for rent-controlled units. A digital copy of Urgency Ordinance 3275 and the City’s Regulation (COVID-19 Urgency Ordinance Regulation 20-02) can be found at www.alamedaca.gov/tenantresources.
The Alameda Fire Department’s (AFD) Home Safety Program provides much-needed services to low-to-moderate income residents older than 62 and to the disabled of any age. The program provides and installs the required 10-year-maintenance-free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
The program can also provide and install grab bars, handrails and raised toilets. Safety items including nightlights, flashlights and grab sticks are also available. Alameda residents may call Gina at 337-2133 to qualify for the program.
On May 1, graduating seniors across Alameda stepped outside to experience a brief moment of celebration and support. Alameda’s “Senior Signing,” devised by Encinal High School’s (EHS) government and leadership teacher, Kevin Gorham, saw many neighbors take a moment to cheer for the Class of 2020.
“The seniors have lost out on a lot since the shelter-in-place,” Gorham said.
Following the statewide school closures due to COVID-19, Gemma Jackson, a seventh-grade student at Alameda Community Learning Center, noticed a lack of positive news in the media. In response she launched The Quarantine Chronicles, an online newsletter for her school that includes student- and teacher-submitted works and positive news stories.
Jackson was inspired by John Krasinski’s Some Good News, a YouTube show in which Krasinski shares good news stories and features special guests. Some Good News was started in late March, when the pandemic hit.
A pair of businesspeople based in Alameda both named Chris have teamed up to bolster the Island’s spirit. Chris Thomas, a screen printer and tattoo artist Chris Henry have joined forces to produce T-shirts with the slogan, “Stay Strong Alameda.”
The duo is selling the T-shirts in support of the Alameda Point Collaborative, the nonprofit supportive housing community.
