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.”

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.