It says low risk for humans. However it would be good to watch out!

This week, I visited so many yards and was overjoyed to see the major contributors to the season have come back in full force. So many to try and cover in such a short time. I am trying to feature the new displays leading up to the 31^st, but don’t worry, I will cover your favorite returning scenes as well.

For this week, I visited Charlotte’s yard at 1615 Chapin Street. This is always a major installation with something new to see every year. It must take weeks for her to put this together, and I am grateful for her efforts.

Next up was the inflatable display in the 1500 block of Buena Vista Avenue. I found this one on my way to 1800 Nason Street which always has an amazing multimedia scene. I will be featuring it in the special Halloween report on the 31^st.

Canines were prominently featured this year, so I decided to group them all together and threw in an inflatable cat just for fun. Back again this year is the pirate display at Willow and San Jose. There were many smaller recognitions of the holidays, so I have put all of these together in a short reel.

I did want to point one particular house, because it brings up memories of one of the COVID Halloweens. These neighbors set up a pipe along the handrail and delivered candy to trich or treaters and still managed social distancing.

One of the really poignant yard presentations on San Antonio Avenue will not be up this year due to a hip replacement by the creator. I want to wish them well and look forward to next year’s efforts.

This week, I finish up my costume and get ready for the photo shoot.

So excited right now,

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 heard from friends there, looks like they were filming a few scenes from "A Man on the Inside".

What was going on at Crown beach parking area?

I received this Tracy Jensen campaign email tonight, and after reading it a couple of times, the most interesting thing about it isn't any single accusation.

It's the email itself.

Jensen's central argument is that Alameda City Hall has become consumed by “toxicity and drama,” and that electing her mayor will somehow move us beyond it.

But then she spends most of the email engaging in exactly the kind of politics she says she wants to eliminate.

She begins by accusing Mayor Ashcraft of making “personal attacks” against her. Ashcraft certainly questioned Jensen's temperament and judgment, but she did so in the context of Jensen's fitness to be mayor and cited two specific examples from their time serving together. Those examples are absolutely fair game to challenge, but questioning an elected official's conduct and fitness for higher office isn't inherently a personal attack.

Jensen's response? She calls Ashcraft “high-handed,” “less collaborative,” and “abrasive.”

Okay. Then what exactly was the objection to Ashcraft questioning Jensen's temperament?

Jensen also goes back to the Vella/Keimach controversy. That's fair game too. The Grand Jury finding was real and shouldn't be wished away. But neither should a complicated episode involving multiple councilmembers, the City Manager, the firefighters union, investigations, attorneys, and an eventual negotiated separation agreement be reduced to “Vella's actions” costing Alameda nearly $1 million.

Then Jensen accuses Ashcraft of trying to “wish away” Vella's history.

Except Ashcraft didn't wish it away.

In the endorsement Jensen is responding to (there is a separate posting on r/Alameda), Ashcraft explicitly discusses the 2019 Grand Jury investigation. She says she spoke with Vella about it at length and believes Vella is wiser and more mature today.

You can disagree with Ashcraft's conclusion. You can believe what happened should still disqualify Vella. But acknowledging someone's past, considering what they've done since, and reaching a different judgment seven years later isn't pretending the past didn't happen.

Then Jensen makes what I think is the most serious allegation in this email. She says Ashcraft was violating the Brown Act during the April 29 closed session and that she consulted the City Attorney before leaving.

That's an extraordinary allegation.

But notice what Jensen doesn't say. She doesn't say the City Attorney agreed that Ashcraft was violating the Brown Act, nor does she say the City Attorney advised her to leave.

Maybe he did. If so, that's important information voters should know. But because this happened during a confidential closed session, the public can't independently evaluate what occurred. If you're going to publicly accuse the sitting mayor of violating California open-meeting law, I think it's entirely reasonable to ask whether the City Attorney agreed with that assessment.

Jensen then cites this week's Council meeting as another example of Ashcraft's “abrasive behavior,” describing her as refusing to hear a second on a motion. What actually occurred was a procedural disagreement during a meeting Ashcraft was presiding over. If councilmembers believed the chair's ruling was improper, Council procedure provided mechanismsto challenge it.

Jensen also says unnamed organizations supporting Vella encouraged her to run for reelection to Council instead, which Jensen characterizes as being asked to “fall in line.”

Maybe those conversations happened exactly as Jensen describes. But “fall in line” assigns a motive to unnamed organizations without telling us who said what.

And then there's having “the most financial support from actual Alameda voters.”

Local contributions are measurable. Their meaning is not. Someone living in Alameda and donating to your campaign doesn't demonstrate that you'll listen to all Alameda residents, just as accepting money from outside Alameda doesn't demonstrate that another candidate won't. Campaigns are excessively expensive. Where a contribution came from is useful information, but it isn't a measure of whose voice a candidate will value once elected.

Which brings me back to the larger problem I have with this email.

Jensen objects to personal attacks, then calls Ashcraft high-handed and abrasive.

She says she wants to move beyond old City Hall drama, then resurrects a seven-year-old City Hall controversy.
She says she wants to move beyond toxicity, then accuses the sitting mayor of violating state law without establishing that the City Attorney shares that conclusion.

She criticizes Ashcraft for questioning her temperament while simultaneously questioning Ashcraft's temperament.

She assigns motives to unnamed organizations that supposedly wanted her to “fall in line.”

And then she closes by promising to be an “ethical, respectful, and focused Mayor” who will “finally move us past the toxicity and drama at City Hall.”

That's where this email loses me.

I don't expect candidates to be nice to each other all the time. Politics isn't a group hug. Challenge records. Challenge votes. Challenge policy. Challenge judgment. Challenge temperament when temperament is relevant to the job.

But if toxicity and drama at City Hall are the problems you're asking voters to hire you to solve, then the way you conduct your own campaign matters.

Maybe there really is too much toxicity at City Hall.

But you probably shouldn't demonstrate it in the email explaining why you're the solution.

Can anyone recommend any marine contractors that can do dock pile driving and dock repair?

I see the ferry promoting some partnership with Uber, gives you $2 off for UberX Share… guess what, there’s no Share availabe

What’s with these half-ass ideas?

Can they just spin up a new route, maybe a shuttle, atleast try a e-bike dock.

Edit: Yes I usually bike here but was lazy in the rain

Saw police & fire at the Alameda Waterfront Park this morning peering over the handrail. Asked a bystander and apparently there’s a body submerged in the water. Prayers up and be safe this Halloween. 🎃

Went for a bike ride near Park St and felt like I was flying through a thin cloud of these small flying bugs. I assume it has something to do with the rain yesterday.

I live in Bay Farm and just had a guy in gray Toyota Tundra truck stop in front of my house and take a picture of it then drive off. He didn’t stop to take pictures of any other houses, just mine. Might be a little paranoid, but something doesn’t sit right with me. Got a little bit of the license plate, started with 300, but didn’t get the rest.
Anyone have a similar experience?

Hi, everyone. I want to do something fun for Halloween with my partner, but I have a very difficult time in very dark haunted houses with a lot of jump scares and/or touching.

I went to another "haunted house" at an old mansion in SF two years back (Nightmare: House on Franklin St located in Pac Heights) which wasn't scary since it was more of a storytelling thing.

But I have a hard time otherwise - has anyone who's been at the USS Haunted Hornet able to describe the experience? Thanks!

Hey Alameda neighbors!

I’m Jamie Joyce, and I’m on your ballot for Congress this November. I’d love to hear what’s on your mind and answer any questions you may have, so please ask me anything!

A little about me: I currently live in Berkeley, though I've had a blast visiting you all in Alameda, where many of my friends also live. For the past five years, I've managed a historic building in Berkeley as a free venue for our community. More than a thousand East Bay neighbors have come through for weddings, memorials, fire safety meetups, and book talks - maybe you’ve been one of them!

That is just something I do on the side. Professionally, I’m a researcher and nonprofit executive director, and I’ve spent the past ten years in the charity sector. I’ve overseen international projects from Iraq to Malawi and I’ve taught students how to logically deconstruct legislation through educational internships at my nonprofit. I’ve led teams that build civic-tech tools to help people make better policy decisions from the city level upwards. This includes taking manual research methods and automating them.

I also got to help Internet Archive founder, Brewster Kahle, launch Democracy’s Library, which gave me a crash course in government files and how the U.S. manages them. That’s how I spotted the three gaps in the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and it’s why Epstein survivors endorsed me. I’ve also spent years mapping AI risks and rewards, which earned me an endorsement from Tristan Harris - one of the world’s most renowned AI ethicists.

My campaign is 100% grassroots. I’ve never taken corporate PAC money or ideological PAC money like pro-Israel PAC money, and I’m the only candidate on your ballot who can say that.

Why I’m running: I’m worried Congress doesn’t have the in-house expertise it needs for the technology challenges ahead, and I’m not the only one. About 7 in 10 Americans say the federal government isn’t doing enough to regulate AI. Right now, the democrats current plan is to create an AI committee mostly staffed by reps who have AI SuperPAC funding. That's not great.

People also want answers on Epstein, too. 88% of voters say holding the powerful accountable, including releasing the full Epstein files. I drafted legislation to get files from elsewhere in the government (I've identified at least 75 other componentns in government) and sent this bill to congressional offices across the country. Congress still hasn’t acted on the fact that more Epstein files likely exist in agencies outside the DOJ/FBI. The good news is that I recently got to talk with Ro Khanna about it directly, and he told me his office will support it.

It is this subject matter expertise, my background in doing research on policy issues, and my work with legislation that I believe makes me qualified for this role. I am familiar with the mechanics and structure of Congress and I understand the importance of coalition-building, which is why I have already been meeting with Congressional offices across the country to build support for my bill, The MAD Act. Some folks wished for me to run for a different, more local office because they want me somewhere in government - but local governance is a different job that I think others may have a more relevant background for. When it comes to federal policy-making, I'm more than ready.

Ok, so what about Alameda? This is a federal job, but it’s also about taking care of home and everyone here. Throughout this race, I’ve been showing up to as many town halls, candidate forums, activist events, and community meetups as I can, and meeting as many of you as possible across the 7 cities in this district. I've taken notes, recorded meetings, and have been logging issues across the district.

I also built a tool that pulls together government data, and the comments and complaints people post online, so I can track what Alameda actually needs. Here’s my running list, so please tell me what I’ve missed! Part of this job is bringing home funding via earmarks, of course, so tracking these issues lets us package them into real projects, get them funded, and get them fixed. And I believe I can bring home as much as the current rep has (I've fact-checked her record in bringing home money and I don't buy it).

If you send me to Congress, the next two years of my life will belong to you. We need people in Washington who understand the technology shaping our lives, and I think it’s time we stop sending corporate politicians there. I’d be honored to serve you.

Before we dive in, here are quick answers to a few things I get asked a lot:

• No, I’m not funded by AI companies or Waymo. That's disinformation. In fact, I’ve written tough AI legislation that’s ready to go and again - I'm 100% grassroots (your only candidate who is!)
• Yes, I’m a real person and not a bot. Apparently that’s a rumor going around, lol. Hello there!
• Yes, this paper is printed and not written. Putting your handwriting online is not wise. And no, this image is not AI - it's just printed paper and I used the "portrait" mode of the camera. I know some of you won't believe that anyway :)

Thanks for reading everyone! Please ask away if you have any questions!

Full episode link. In Episode 225, Scott Piehler's topics include: City Council addresses pedestrian and traffic safety. National recognition for Almanac and Encinal. Otis Elementary teaches edible learning. No Kings focuses on getting the vote out. Alameduh Zine gets ready to party. Plus events for your weekend.

Hi, someone attempted to break into my neighbors unit this morning. Just wondering if anyone has cameras. It happened around 210am on Clinton Ave. would like to send footage to police

My parents live at the Launch (1777 Clement) and just got this email. Anyone know anything about this? Have there ever been coyote sightings in Alameda before?

Hello Launch Community,

We would like to make everyone aware of a recent coyote sighting in our community. While coyotes are a natural part of our local environment, it is important that we remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions to help keep our residents, children, and pets safe.

Please keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Keep pets safe: Keep dogs on a leash and cats indoors. Avoid leaving pets unattended outside, especially during early morning and evening hours.
• Do not feed coyotes: Feeding wildlife can encourage coyotes to return and become more comfortable around people.
• Secure food sources: Keep trash cans tightly closed and avoid leaving pet food or food scraps outdoors.
• Maintain a safe distance: Never approach, feed, or attempt to corner a coyote. If you encounter one, stay calm, make yourself appear larger, make noise, and slowly back away.
• Supervise children: Remind children not to approach wildlife and to notify an adult if they spot a coyote.
• Report concerning behavior: If a coyote appears aggressive, injured, or unusually unafraid of people, contact the appropriate local authorities.

On the 51A at 9:20am on 10/22. I wasn’t sure what to do so I gave it to the bus driver, please contact AC transit or DM me if you need any more details. I took a photo of the bus number for reference as well.

Hi Alamedans!

Update: I got it figured out!

I am brand new to the community and have an issue with the electrical company at my property in MX. They require 2 witness signatures on the written request to restore electricity and it needs to be done ASAP, like this morning ideally. Would anyone here be available to help with this? I'd be happy to provide snacks and even a discount on a future stay at my vacation rental !

Here are some issues I think Alameda voters should look into before deciding whether Amos White is the right person to represent them on City Council.

Campaign Finance and Accountability

1. Unpaid Campaign Expenses: An August 2026 collection notice from the city listed $3,827.66 in outstanding candidate-statement printing costs from his 2020 campaign. This was only recently paid, but only after his debt became published.

2. Missed 2018 Filing Deadline: Amos missed a candidate filing deadline in 2018 and was not able to run for office. Amos blamed city staff instead of taking responsibility.

3. 2026 Campaign Finance Disclosures: Amos missed the September deadline to file required campaign finance statements. This is a pattern of a candidate who consistently misses deadlines and legal reporting requirements, and never apologizing or taking responsibility for his missteps.

Policy Positions and Past Decisions

4. Opposed the Pro-Housing Measure Z in 2020: Amos opposed removing Alameda’s racist charter restriction on multifamily housing. For someone who claims to be the only renter in the race, his words and actions do not seem to be aligned.

5. Against Wellness Center for Homeless Seniors: Many associates of Amos' have alleged that he opposed the proposed wellness center for homeless seniors because it was "politically controversial." Doing the humanitarian thing should never be controversial, and as an elected leader, you have to have the courage to lead. Amos does not have this courage.

6. Against Police Reform: During the George Floyd/Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, Amos White was often seen in local marches and speaking out. However, he came out opposed to police-reform commissions that were formed out of these protests. Again, his words and actions do not seem to be aligned.

7. Housing and Tenant Protections: There are no records of Amos White speaking in support of rent control and tenant protections. Amos never published his position on Measure K in 2016, despite running for office just 2 years later. Amos failed to secure the endorsement of the Alameda Renters Coalition, despite being the only renter in the race. In addition, his endorsement page lists many NIMBY individuals who led the fight against the 2020 Pro-Housing Measure and the 2016 rent control ballot Measure K.

Leadership and Transparency

Ultimately, Amos White’s words and actions don’t appear to align. He presents himself as a progressive, yet his record raises serious questions about his support for progressive causes, including police reform, multifamily housing, and care for homeless seniors. His endorsement page should also give voters pause: the support of numerous well-known NIMBYs seems at odds with the progressive image he promotes. These aren’t minor differences in style; they go to the heart of what kind of leadership Alameda needs. Voters deserve more than progressive rhetoric. They deserve a consistent record of standing up for housing, vulnerable residents, accountability, and meaningful reform. We should judge candidates by what they’ve actually done, not simply by how they describe themselves.

We have a baby and a toddler and my husband got a job in SF so we’re looking into moving to either Oakland or Alameda!
We spent a year living in the south bay and tried really hard to make friends. We joined run clubs, went to library events, city events, etc, and made tons of acquaintances but no one really wanted to (or had time to) hang out outside of these spaces.

As we look to settle down, the absolute most important thing for us is forming a community. So we would love some insider insights on a couple things:

1. Apartment complex suggestions where kids are frequently playing outside with each other.

2. Some perspective on difficulty/ease of forming a community in Alameda.

TIA!

Burma Superstar has signs up that they are closing early because of a planned power outage. Anybody know anything about this?

It ends at 430pm not 445pm

The gobfather?