"The world is a dumpster fire. Here’s the unexpected thing keeping me sane" (San Francisco Chronicle) by Peter Hartlaub
The number one thing I love about coaching middle school girls basketball: It’s gloriously low stakes.
We’re living in a time of high-stakes moments, and that’s something we all need to rise to. Vote, protest, protect the vulnerable and call out every one of the lies. But as alarm bells sound, I’d argue that it’s equally important to make connections away from all that. The low-stakes moments keep us grounded. They add perspective. They remind us of all the good in the world.
"After it failed to make the ballot last year, is there enough support for state’s $10 billion housing bond?" (San Jose Mercury News) reported by Kate Talerico
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The following announcement came out right after I mentioned in a previous blog post that it was unclear what the next steps might be for funding subsidized affordable housing.
California voters could soon be asked to authorize spending billions of dollars on new affordable housing.
East Bay Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and state Senator Christopher Cabaldon, a Yolo County Democrat, this week brought back a proposal to place a $10 billion bond for affordable housing programs on the June 2026 ballot after failing to get the measure on the November 2024 ballot.
If approved, the measure would authorize bonds to build low-income rental housing and supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness across the Golden State, among other purposes.
“These bonds are a necessary step to address the staggering need for safe, stable and affordable housing,” Wicks, an Oakland Democrat, said in a statement. “Even in a tight fiscal climate, we must act with urgency.”
With a limited capacity to authorize new bonds, the state legislature last year decided to prioritize two other bond measures of $10 billion each over Wick’s housing measure — one to pay for renovations to public schools and community colleges, and the other to fund climate resiliency projects. Both bonds passed, with 59% and 60% of the vote, respectively.
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The regional Bay Area bond measure that failed to make the ballot in 2024 would have required a 66.67% supermajority to pass (per the teachings of Saints Jarvis and Gann). However, when the legislature decides to place a bond measure on the state-wide ballot, a simple majority of 50% is required — just like most other democratically decided decisions.
"Testing the limits of decorum and free speech: Alameda City Council faced yet another profanity-laced diatribe. However, this time the police were called in" (East Bay Insiders) by Steven Tavares
—When [Tod Hickman, a co-owner of Building 43 Winery at Alameda Point and one of the two litigants suing the Alameda Food Bank] continued to shout down the mayor at the conclusion of his allotted speaking time, Ashcraft called on police to remove him from the chambers.
Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi later said Hickman was given a warning, but was allowed to remain inside chambers with the understanding that he not interrupt the meeting again.
Hickman’s vitriolic public comments have gone on for about a year. The impetus appears to be long-running lease negotiations between Building 43 and the city.
"Blink Charging to Provide EV Charging Infrastructure for City of Alameda" (press release)
Blink Charging Co. [...] has announced it has reached an agreement to provide up to 50 EV charging ports throughout the City of Alameda, California.
The agreement sets the stage for Blink Charging and the City of Alameda to collaboratively identify sites and install public charging solutions for residents and visitors to the area. Blink and the City are targeting installations to begin this year.
Phase 1 of the agreement will include the deployment of 13 Level 2 and DCFC ports across four locations in Alameda. Phase 2 will add 34 more ports, contingent upon available funding and the aligned priorities of Blink and the city, to be installed at publicly accessible charging stations throughout the city.
"Alameda's Books Inc. Struggles For Survival" wire story reported by Bay City News and republished by Patch
The Alameda store opened about 20 years ago, said store manager Brad Bryant. He said it's the only store for new books on the island and the store sees that as a responsibility.
"Our customers are really loyal and really appreciative of us being here," Bryant said.
"Business here is good. Our customers have really turned up for us after that (bankruptcy) announcement. It's been nice seeing that support from the community," he said. "The best thing that people can do for the company and for their Alameda bookstore right now is to come out and shop and they've been doing so. It's been it's been really great to see."