Recently, I was invited for Women’s History Month to be a guest reader at Alameda’s Bay Farm and West End branch libraries’ weekly preschool storytimes.
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda. (photo courtesy of Maurice Ramirez — BANG archives)
Libraries are near and dear to my heart, having grown up as a “latchkey kid” in Alameda and spending many hours at the library after school and during summer vacation. In 2000, I got my start in local politics when my friend and later City Council colleague Frank Matarrese and I co-chaired the successful campaign to build a new Main Library and renovate our two branch libraries.
Libraries support community well-being, literacy and lifelong education, so it was a joy to see our youngest library users — also their parents, grandparents, and caregivers — experience the library. Storytime participants at each location reflected the wonderful ethnic diversity of Alameda. I met long-time residents and recent arrivals — from Algeria, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Latin America, and more.
The children and caregivers interacted effortlessly with each other. The talented librarians led fast-paced programs that combined music, movement, puppets and reading and held the attention of the enthusiastic young crowd for an hour. I had the best time!
I am happy to report that, across Alameda’s three library locations, there is now a storytime every day of the week, including story hours in Spanish and Mandarin. For more information on all the wonderful things happening at our libraries visit alamedafree.org or just visit any of the city’s three branches.
Thanks, volunteers: Alameda is often described as a family-friendly town for many reasons. We have safe neighborhoods, good schools, parks and recreational opportunities and residents who step up to volunteer. In the past month, I have enjoyed attending two Girl Scout meetings and a Cub Scout pack’s Blue & Gold Banquet.
At each of these gatherings, I thanked the parents for carving time out of their busy schedules to volunteer — as leaders, chaperones or drivers — and share their time and talent with these organizations that help foster social connection, teach practical and life skills and build character and community.
On any given weekend across the Island, you will see youth sports teams that also rely on parent volunteers as they earch learn athletic skills and how to be a good sport. We are grateful to our parents and youth program volunteers who help make Alameda a family-friendly community.
Remember to vote: “Democracy is a verb!” I shared that quote, from my friend — and Lincoln, Nebraska, Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird — at this past weekend’s No Kings rally in Alameda. I reminded the hundreds of Alamedans of all ages gathered in front of City Hall that we were joining millions of Americans across this country, taking to the streets in a single-day mass mobilization to say, “No Kings!” — echoing the democratic, anti-authoritarian principles this country was founded on 250 years ago — and demonstrating that power in America belongs to the people, not to those who rule through fear.
Protesting alone will not change the course of our nation’s politics, though; only elections can do that. So first and foremost, if you’re eligible to vote — if you’re at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen — you must register to vote. It’s easy: Just go to registertovote.ca.gov and register today. Then you must vote in every election.
This year’s California primary election — which includes candidates for governor and other state, county and federal offices — is June 2, and ballots will be mailed to all registered voters beginning May 4. Your vote is your voice, so make it heard.
Register to vote, and get others out to vote because the survival of our democracy depends on us; because we must provide a brighter future for our children and succeeding generations; and because “democracy is a verb.” Remember, we are “Alameda Strong!”
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda. For contact information and other details, visit bit.ly/mayorashcraft online.