Alameda mayor: Practice gratitude in spite of world’s current heartaches
The seemingly endless stream of devastating news — domestic and international — can lead to a downward spiral of negative emotions. The midst of fall harvest and Thanksgiving season, though, is the perfect time to find ways to make a difference close to home or across the world as you practice gratitude.
Scientific studies have found that gratitude, i.e., the act of being thankful, can contribute to an individual’s physical and mental well-being (“35 Scientific Benefits of Gratitude: Mental Health Research Findings,” July 27, 2023, research.com).
Physical health benefits of gratitude were found to include lowering high blood pressure, improving sleep, strengthening the immune system and extending lifespan. Mental health benefits include boosting self-confidence, improving patience, and contributing to happiness.
One way to express gratitude for all that we have — a roof over our heads, food on the table, family and friends — is to help others. You can contribute to organizations that support lifesaving work around the world, such as Doctors Without Borders and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
Locally, Alameda Food Bank Executive Director Teale Harden says that as we approach Thanksgiving, the food bank can use frozen turkeys and unexpired nonperishable food items. Donations can be dropped off at the Alameda Food Bank’s warehouse on Alameda Point at 650 W. Ranger Ave. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays except for Thursday. Food bank staff request that no glass containers and only food items in good, edible condition be donated.
Monetary donations are also always welcome because for every dollar donated the food bank can buy $7 worth of food: You can make a financial donation online at alamedafoodbank.org/ways-to-donate.
Lastly, Alameda Scouts will soon place “Scouting for Food” door hangers in neighborhoods and then return on Nov. 11 to pick up donations of canned goods, pasta, cereal, and other unexpired nonperishable foods. These donations support the Scouts’ annual drive to help the food bank. If you don’t receive a door hanger, please follow the information above to donate to the food bank.
A good STEP: Traveling overseas? Don’t leave home without STEP. No one planning an overseas vacation expects to encounter hurricanes, floods, earthquakes or tsunamis, let alone civil unrest or war, but sometimes the unexpected happens.
Protect yourself and your family or travel companions by enrolling in the U.S. State Department’s “Smart Traveler Enrollment Program” (STEP). This is a free service for U.S. citizens and nationals traveling or living abroad.
You provide information about your trip abroad so the nearest embassy or consulate can assist you in an emergency. For more information and to register visit step.state.gov online.
Planning Board: The city of Alameda’s Planning Board has two vacancies for partial terms. The terms end June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025, but are eligible for reappointment for a four-year term. Alameda residents — especially those with professional experience in urban design, building construction, architecture or policy work in housing, climate change or transportation planning — are encouraged to apply.
The Planning Board studies and recommends plans for future development across the Island to the City Council to ensure that development proposals meet the city’s housing, climate action and transportation safety goals.
In 2024, the Planning Board expects to review programs to implement the city’s eight-year housing plan, including strategies that increase affordable housing, contemplate new development proposals at Alameda Point, consider projects that expand transportation options (including the Oakland-Alameda Estuary Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge) and more. The Planning Board meets at 7 p.m. in Alameda City Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.
Completing and submitting an application is easy on the city’s webpage at bit.ly/alapanelapplyapril2023. For more information contact the City Clerk’s Office at clerk@alamedaca.gov or 510-747-4800. Please apply by Nov. 13.
Be grateful. Help others. Travel safe. Volunteer. Be Alameda Strong!
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda.