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.

The amazing Keegan Tatum is an outstanding local presence in social media. He astutely applies his psychology training to analyze political identities. He's a brilliant raconteur on the big political scene and a great interview. Tune in for a fluent and flowing conversation with the engaging and articulate Keegan Tatum!

The Alameda city council passed a rent control program in 2019 following five years of pressure and struggle by Alameda's renters who faced rapid rent increases that began in 2014 and forced many long-time residents out of the city.

City Rent Program director Bill Chapin goes over the basics of this program, which is now located in the City Attorney's office. Rent program staff receive some 750 calls a month providing this important service for both renters and landlords.

The divide between "red" and "blue" political points of view in the United States is causing many to despair about our nation's future. But a national organization, Braver Angels, is trying to join the two sides by helping people come together to listen and talk in safe and structured settings. Paul Norris and Leslie Lopato say the group offers workshops, skills and many opportunities to sit down with people you think you have nothing in common with -- and come away surprised and uplifted.

America does an awful job educating our youth about money and making sound decisions about it. Our guests Alexandria Downing and Angely Miranda aim to change that narrative.

They're from an organization called, "MyPath", whose mission is to teach youth about banking, savings and building credit as the first steps toward financial prosperity. Programs to aid families and youth are available in the East Bay and beyond by doing an internet search for "financial planning for young adults."

Island City Beat joins Alameda Parks & Rec and 50 volunteers who recently planted 10 native cedar trees in Linear Park between Main Street and the Bayport neighborhood.

We introduce people from the three city groups responsible for organizing and running this important 'green' event: The Rotary Club - Alameda .. 100K Trees For Humanity .. Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA). 100K's Amos White reflects on the health benefits of trees and inequities in the city's tree canopy.

Jeff Gould walks and talks with 2024 city council candidate Thushan Amarasiriwardena on the streets of Alameda about his affection for our city and where his career in AI, other tech is taking him. We touch on Thushan's ideas around the potential abundance thinking holds, his run for council, housing development at the former Svendsons Marine site on Clement street and related transportation issues.

Alameda's Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) and the proposed construction of the Pacific Fusion nuclear research reactor project at Alameda Point also prompts an interesting exchange of views on energy issues.

In January Julia Owens took over as head of the 40-year-old organization that has stepped in where school funding for many activities has been cut. She comes from a background in non-profits focused on children's needs, and is excited about continuing AEF's vital work in Alameda.

She describes its many roles from providing the school district's middle school sports program to offering enrichment classes to grants for teachers' special projects to support for the mental health needs of students.