In Part 2 of our interview with the authors of "Motown: The Making of Working Class Revolutionaries," we explore with Jerome Scott and Walda Katz-Fishman the question of what revolution means, are we in a revolutionary process and how do we engage in actions that force our current political structure to shift its focus and make technology serve - not profit from - a more just and equitable society. 

Podcast host: Laura Thomas

For black history month, we interviewed two veteran activists of the 1970s Detroit black liberation struggle. In the book,  "Motown and The Making of Working Class Revolutionaries", Jerome Scott and Walda Katz-Fishman describe how black industrial workers understood that gains won from corporations and racist unions would be thwarted by automation and changes in the global economy. They began to study Marxism to understand the system and reformulate their political perspective. The result was 50 years of study, struggle and the ability to anticipate the revolutionary moment we are in today. 

Podcast host: Laura Thomas

In Part 2 of our interview with Alameda activist Cynthia Bonta, she tells the story of the manongs, the elderly Filipinos who were forcibly evicted from the International Hotel in San Francisco in 1977 and how it inspired her dedication to telling the Filipino-American story. For Alamedans, it will be significant because the story of how many Filipinos arrived here through their enlistment in the U.S. Navy and what they experienced has yet to be told. 

Podcast host: Laura Thomas

The mother of state Attorney General Rob Bonta is well known in Alameda as a spokeswoman for Filipino culture and an activist on behalf of immigrant and renters rights and the Sister City Committee. In the first of a two-part interview, Cynthia Bonta describes her part in the 1965 Delano grape strike, the fight against the regime of Ferdinand Marcos and even enlightens us about the brutal U.S. defeat of Philippine Independence in 1899.

Links & Resources
• PBS documentary recommended in this episode: Delano Manongs 

Podcast Host: Laura Thomas

Using water while conserving it sustains each one of us as individuals, as a community and our Bay Area region as a whole. At a recent tree planting we spoke with a local Maker Farm member who helps us become aware of our vital Mokelumne River water resources here in Alameda. 

Podcast Host: Jeff Gould

Two Alameda mothers are helping families cut back on their children's, and their own, reliance on electronic media. Sarah Qualters and Alex Yakubov of Alameda Unplugged talk about the ways they and two dozen other parents have started addressing the social, emotional and mental crisis they say young people themselves have begun to talk about.

It all starts with taking a picture. Applications are open for the annual Alameda on Camera competition where 48 participants shoot photos one weekend in assigned sections of our island city and produce works of visual art.  For the last 20 years, the Frank Bette Center for the Arts on Lincoln Avenue, has sponsored this inspiring winter event and subsequent spring exhibition.  Tag Gorman, committee chair, and his son, Kyle, describe the history, the vision and the application process.

Links & Resources
• Alameda On Camera 2026 
• Frank Bette Center for The Arts

Next Saturday, after Christmas is over and all are resting and reflecting, Alameda's artistic thinkers and doers have invited one and all to let go, get playful and join them for the Fool's Delight parade and festival down Webster Street. Michael Towne and Eve De Ley of the West End Arts District offer us a glimpse into their hilarious plans that day for mucho late afternoon buffoonery. 

Podcast Host: Laura Thomas

The Alameda Gallery and Collective has opened on Webster Street featuring art, vintage items and plants. The group's goal is to build community and create conversation about art. It's been the dream of a circle of friends that includes Sandy Russell, owner of the Fireside Lounge and West End business advocate. Hear her talk about how Webster Street retail has blossomed post-pandemic. 

Podcast Host: Laura Thomas

During the Covid epidemic, Alameda mother and artist Deirdre Freeman acted on her belief about the power of spreading love and kindness in the world when she made some 600 pieces of art, mostly depicting hearts, and attached them to phone polls around town. A year ago, she went further and launched the Kindness Coalition here in Alameda. She and Burt Presberg describe the joy and wonder their work has brought to our community and their conviction of its immense ripple effect.