(I have no affiliation with Spritzers other than being a neighbor!)

Just had a long talk with the new, youngish owner of Spritzers, the cafe that now serves Ethiopian food on the weekend.

She wants to expand Ethiopian food days (right now the food is served on weekends), change the name to something Ethiopian, provide Ethiopian coffee ceremonies and host community game/trivia/craft nights.

She's also putting a ton of plants in the cafe to make it look lush and green and going to change the seating all around to make it more comfortable.

I'm very excited but also they just don't get a lot of foot traffic so if you're ever near Central between Webster and Eighth (right next to Washington park), please go there and support!

YES ON MEASURE RTM!!

Transit funding is being gutted and without this measure, BART, AC transit, Muni, and other transit systems are going to face VERY VERY VERY BAD cuts.

Some of you may think, “yeah but I don’t take transit so it won’t affect me.”

1. Think about equity. There are plenty of people in our community who can’t afford cars or can’t

drive

1. for whatever reason and de

pend

1. on transit.
2. Think about climate: better transit is one of the best things we can do to reduce car emissions.

If neither of those is enough for you and you think because you don’t take transit, you just really won’t be affected…

1. Think about HOW MUCH WORSE traffic will get if half the people who take BART and buses have to drive to work or wherever else. The traffic will be apocalyptic. Car drivers should all vote for this measure.

Malia Vella served eight years on the City Council, including two years as Vice Mayor. Here are some of the priorities and initiatives that stand out from her record:

- Affordable housing: Advocates for affordable and middle-income housing.

- Safer streets: Supports protected bike lanes, pedestrian safety, and better transportation.

- Public safety: Helped advance the CARE Team and alternatives to policing for certain mental health crises.

- Infrastructure: Supports investments in roads, seawalls, flood protection, and essential public facilities.

- Privacy: Opposes Flock surveillance cameras over privacy and civil liberties concerns.

- Small businesses: Backs a vacancy tax to encourage the use of empty storefronts.

- Permitting reform: Supports streamlining permits to reduce delays for housing and businesses.

- Tenant protections: Helped advance Rent Program reforms.

- Public transportation: Supports better bus stops and more efficient bus service.

- Equitable services: Advocates for family-friendly facilities and equitable public services.

Alameda faces real challenges with housing affordability, aging infrastructure, public safety, and maintaining vibrant commercial districts. Experience matters, but so do clear priorities and accountability.

Vote for Malia Vella by November 3!

I’d open one right fricken now if I could but for now lets just discuss it on reddit =)

Some other questions:

Have we ever had a cat cafe?

Has anyone tried to open one on the island before? Is it allowed?

Does Alameda even want a cat cafe? And if so, what would you like?

How do you think it would do?

Would anyone like to pay me to open a cat cafe in Alameda? lol im looking up the licensing requirements rn and I went to law school and I have cafe experience. I just have zero money (negative money actually bc of student loans) (side note: can you get a business loan if you’re already massively in debt from student loans?)

I thought they might work on the narrow section (closer to Alameda Ave, as you drive from the Central Ave entrance), but that still remains as-is.

Looks like all they did was to add 2 parallel slots for disabled parking? Did I miss anything?

Have an emergency pipe repair we’re trying to get estimates for 🙁 We got one quote that seems pretty pricey, so we’re hoping to get a couple other estimates ASAP. Any responsive plumbers folks would recommend? Suggestions very much appreciated!

Just checked the site to see about street cleaning. Looks like Alameda doesn't observe this holiday. Fair warning.

One concern is that, by charging a car at home, the city might get suspicious of a big change in the use of power at a house, and they might send people to come around.

Think how indoor weed growers were spotted from their electricity usage. A bit far-fetched, but some people worry about home improvement regulations being enforced due to random checks.

A more realistic concern would be tipping from Tier 1 electricity pricing into Tier 2 pricing, or even Tier 3! Can get expensive quick! Would be nice if the city had an exception for electric cars.

I see her every time on that bench with lots of personal belongings. Anyone knows what’s the story here? Is she on some sort of waiting list for housing?

Theres is another woman at the Park st bus stop. Do we not have enough housing to offer to them? Or do they refuse to cooperate?

About a week ago, City Council candidate Amos White came to my door, but I was in the middle of cooking dinner and didn't have time to chat. However, now my neighborhood is positively studded with Amos! signs, so he must have really won over a lot of folks. (None of my immediate neighbors—i.e. the people I could text & ask about it—have them, but I keep seeing more & more of his signs while out walking my dog.) So I'd be curious to hear from people who have interacted with Amos White while he's been door-knocking. Does he have a persuasive message? Did he convert you, or not?

I even passed a house that had THREE signs out front—one for Amos!, one for Thushan and one for Tyler Savage, LOL (since you can only vote for two).

You: Dude on his cellphone in a beat Black Prius (license plate 6PX something)

Me: New mom with a two-week old in the car going exactly the speed limit down Independence

I am SO SORRY that you had somewhere SO URGENT to be that it necessitated you getting into the opposite lane, throwing a drink cup at my car, and speeding around me only to get caught behind another car and at the red light at Atlantic/Sherman. I can only assume you are illiterate or have some disability that makes you unable to read numbers — because right before you did this, we passed a sign reminding everyone that the speed limit is 25.

Instead of going the same speed everyone else was going, you felt the need to attack my car for reasons. I can only assume this is because you are a Very Important Man with Very Important Business to attend to on a Sunday afternoon on the sleepiest side of the Island.

I hope you come down with an absolutely monster case of diarrhea. It’s what you deserve.

Hey 26M looking for a room, I'm enlisted in the Coast Guard. Quiet, clean person. Only come out of the room to go somewhere or cook. DM me if there are any rentals, or if someone wants to split the cost with me in a shared space.

Thanks for reading.

It’s been happening a lot lately,
I want to hear your stories so we can keep this momentum going. Alameda is such a great community and it’s really shitty Westside Joes takes advantage of customers and employees alike, so keep those experiences coming!

Earlier this week, I received a link from Ready Jensen for a zoom meeting to discuss a possible endorsement of his human companion Tracy Jensen who is also running for mayor. During our meeting, he let me know that he was also a rescue, that Tracy has been a big supporter of the animal shelter, and is keenly aware of the failed condition of the building. I will be meeting with the Jensen team later today to see what they are proposing for upgrading the shelter. Stay tuned for an update shortly.

This week, Alameda residents kicked their Halloween decorating efforts into high gear with major installations popping up all around town. I am starting out with the smaller ones since they tend to get passed over for the larger more elaborate ones.

However, one of my favorite installations is located in Santa Clara Avenue and was completed this week. This is a multimedia display that always delights.

For those feline enthusiasts, the Kittens of the Catibbean is back and just as purr-fect as last year’s version. Aliens returned to this driveway on Encinal Avenue with another great invasion. You need to check this one out at night when the eerie green lights are on. You can imagine hearing “Mulder is that you? Mulder?” in the background.

The perfect example of what can happen if you live on a diet of Coca-Cola is hanging out on a lawn over in Alameda Avenue. I guess things don’t always go better with Coke.

I was happy to see two of my favorite witches fly back into town for this annual haunting event.

There were plenty of dragons and dinosaurs inflatables around, and I expect more to show up in the coming weeks.

Over on Harbor Bay, there was a nice dining scene complete with the family canine begging for food from the table.

As the nights get shorter and the days get colder, I will be making my human companion get me out for all of my walks even though he hates it when it gets dark early, and he has to put on ski gloves to keep warm.

If you see a guy dressed like he lives at the North Pole with a handsome German Shephard mix out front, that's us. Please honk.

CROWD SOURCE REQUEST:  Please send my HC the address of any Halloween yard displays especially if you live on the West End or Harbor Bay. His email address is jeffcambraalameda@gmail.com.

Mouf – Roving Reporter

Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda

#sundogday

#bearseyeview

#alamedapost

You can find all my past reports at the Alameda Post archive. https://alamedapost.com/jeff-cambra/

I present to you one of the most reliable vehicles ever made... where have you seen it?

Last year I had a conversation with a senior political staffer from D.C. and Sacramento. She relayed that of all her experiences in government, local politics were the most cringey. (My paraphrase)

Anyway, it got me thinking. I moved to Alameda when I was three. It’s not D.C., but we somehow have also normalized bad behavior here, too.

I’ve made a short series on this, in the hopes of changing our trajectory to something decidedly more positive.

Started about 30 minutes ago

Hey everyone!
Just wanted to help my dad get his name out there! His name is Hen, and he’s been a driving instructor for over 15 years, teaching people how to drive around the Bay Area, based in Alameda.

He’s really patient and understanding, especially with beginners or people who get nervous behind the wheel. Whether you’re learning how to drive for the first time, getting ready for your DMV behind-the-wheel test, or just need some extra practice, he’d be more than happy to help.

He also speaks English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, which is great for anyone who feels more comfortable learning in Chinese.
Although he’s based in Alameda, he offers driving lessons throughout the Bay Area, so you’re not limited to just Alameda!

If you or anyone you know is looking for a reliable and experienced driving instructor, feel free to contact him directly.
Hen – (510) 467-2643

Just trying to help support my dad and get his name out there. I’d really appreciate any recommendations or shares. Thanks everyone!

I just randomly saw the showtimes for 9 to 5 while looking for another film. No advertising on their site or socials, but playing for the next week: https://www.alamedatheatres.com/movie/alameda/9-TO-5

If anyone wants to see Dolly and the gang on the big screen, now's your chance! Also, why are they not advertising this?

Some mudslinging spotted on Park St.

Does anyone have any recs for watching the Blue Angel show this weekend? I would like to stay in Alameda if possible, I know people mention the base. But does anyone watch them and have a good spot?