Members of the congregation, city officials and members of the public joined Chabad of Alameda for the lighting of a 9-foot Hanukkah menorah on the waterfront in the Bridgeside Center last Sunday, Dec. 2, the first night of the eight-day holiday. The ceremony, organized by Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Meir Shmotkin, featured a fire juggling show, arts and crafts, food and Mayor Trish Spencer lighting the attending candle.
Ten members of the Alameda Fire Department spent weeks on the fire lines in both Northern and Southern California. Their colleagues recently welcomed them home.
On Thursday, Nov. 8, two Alameda fire engine companies — Engine 501 and Office of Emergency Services (OES) Engine 296 — responded to the Camp Fire in Butte County as part of Strike Team OES 2870C. The following day, Alameda firefighters headed to Southern California aboard AFD’s Water Tender 2 as part of XAL Task Force 2014 to assist in fighting the Woolsey Fire that burned in both Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
The Camp Fire in Butte County started Thursday, Nov. 8, and impacts were felt in Alameda almost immediately. Air quality quickly reached unsafe for sensitive groups. Smoke from The Camp Fire, the most destructive and deadliest fire in California history, continued to worsen Bay Area air quality to hazardous levels. Residents were advised to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed and close fireplace dampers. When outside, residents were encouraged to avoid exertion and wear properly fitted N95 respirator masks.
Some 240 people enjoyed the Elks Club’s annual dinner last Saturday, Nov. 10. The dinner honored both veterans and active-duty military members stationed around the Bay Area. The Elks Club itself boasts 125 lodge members who are veterans.
These Elks served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the current Middle East conflicts. Invited guests included active-duty Army personnel from Camp Parks in Dublin, as well as Marines and Navy members for the Naval Operations Support Center who are serving our county here in Alameda.
The Alameda Country Registrar of Voters released its latest vote count at 5 p.m. Nov. 12. There were still an estimated 8,000 ballots remaining to be counted as of Tuesday, Nov. 13. The registrar’s office appears to be counting about 1,000 ballots per day. New information has tended to widen the gap in most races as it has been released.
In the race for Alameda Mayor, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft has a lead of 1,114 votes over next closest contender Trish Spencer. Ashcraft has 41.79 percent of the vote and Spencer, 37.29 percent. There were also 130 write-ins.
