Alameda briefs: U.S. Rep. Lee reintroducing rolling in-person office hours

ALAMEDA

Do you need help with a federal agency? The office of U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, is reintroducing rolling in-person office hours in various cities across her 12th district, which includes Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont and San Leandro.

Lee’s caseworkers, according to her office, remain committed to supporting you, her constituents, and working with federal agencies on your behalf. This is a chance for her office to get to know you better, address any concerns or questions you may have and work together to strengthen community partnerships.

In the coming months, Lee’s staff plans to have representatives from state legislator’s offices and local community leaders available on-site. During office hours you will get the opportunity to open casework by discussing issues with a federal agency representatives, at which time her staff pledges to offer their utmost attention and support.

You can also seek assistance. If you need help with a particular matter, Lee’s office has offered to guide you through the process or connect you with the appropriate resources. Join representatives from her office at 1550 Oak St. in Alameda from 3 to 5 p.m. on the first Wednesdays of the next five months, Aug. 2, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 6. For dates and times in cities throughout the rest of Lee’s district, visit lee.house.gov/contact online.

— U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee’s office

Longtime ABGC board member Sherratt, 83, passes away

Alameda Boys and Girls Club officials said they are very saddened to announce that one of their longtime board members died July 10. Don Sherratt, 83, was a devoted board member since 1982 and served as the ABGC’s board president in 1986-87.

According to the ABGC, Sherratt’s dedication to bettering the lives of Alameda’s youth and teens was felt in every event he attended, idea he presented and program he improved. They said that having a true understanding of the needs of Alameda’s children, his expertise helped our programs and services flourish.

The ABGC announce that, while this is a deeply sad loss for their club and community, they are excited to honor Sherratt’s legacy by naming their new college and career readiness center the Don Sherratt Diplomas to Degrees Center.

— ABGC

City now handling own domestic violence, other cases

The Prosecution and Public Rights Unit of the Alameda City Attorney’s Office has formally commenced handling domestic violence, elder abuse and child abuse cases within the city of Alameda. This effort fulfills the last remaining category of prosecutorial work directed by Alameda voters in their approval of 2020’s Measure AA.

Measure AA, in an effort to strengthen local control and accountability, directed the City Attorney’s Office to prosecute all California misdemeanor offenses, including “wobbler” offenses (crimes that could be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors) on suspicion of which individuals are arrested in the city of Alameda. Since its passage, the City Attorney’s Office has worked collaboratively with the Alameda Police Department (APD) and the District Attorney’s Office to onboard this assignment.

The office’s Prosecution and Public Rights Unit reviewed 220 cases referred by APD in 2020. That number increased 317% to 698 cases in 2022. In 2023, under the leadership of Chief Assistant City Prosecutor Julia Gonzales, a respected leader in intimate partner and family violence prosecution, the unit has begun the effort to handle domestic violence, elder abuse, and child abuse cases. In June, the unit reviewed 11 domestic violence, elder abuse or child abuse cases referred by APD and filed charges in seven of them.

“The Alameda Police Department values the partnership and collaboration with the Alameda City Attorney’s Office,” said Alameda police Chief Nishant Joshi. “The work being done is incredible and provides another layer of support for public safety.”

To report an issue to the office’s prosecution unit or ask questions of its staff, call 510-747-4772 or email cityprosecutor@alamedacityattorney.org.

Island in running for up to $1M from Public Art Challenge

Bloomberg Philanthropies has picked the city of Alameda as one of the group’s 17 finalist cities in the running to receive up to $1 million as part of its Public Art Challenge. This unique grant program supports public art projects that address important local civic issues in cities across the country.

Alameda’s proposed project, “Rising Tides,” is meant to increase awareness of climate change and sustainable economic development by commissioning a series of visual and performing art works at Alameda Point (the former Naval Air Station Alameda), an area vulnerable to rising sea levels.

Visit publicartchallenge.bloomberg.org to learn more about the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge and stay tuned for updates on Alameda’s proposed project.

— city of Alameda

Summer concerts to benefit group’s school supplies drive

Put on your dancing shoes and join the Alameda Education Foundation (AEF) for their summer concerts at South Shore Shopping Center to benefit the group’s school supply drive.

The concerts will be from 2 to 4 p.m. this Saturday and thenext, July 29, at the outdoor stage in front of Trabocco Restaurant.

Purchasing beverages at the concerts will support the AEF’s annual backpack and school supply drive for low-income students. The group will have beer from Alameda Island Brewing Co. and wine from downtown’s Craft Beer & Wine on the Island.

This year, 900 transitional kindergarten through 12th grade students are counting on the AEF to help them start off the new school year with the supplies they need for success, so the AEF hopes to raise $20,000 to that end. To donate to the school supplies program or view details about the summer concerts, visit alamedaeducationfoundation.org/events online.

— AEF

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