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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”