12 May 5, 2016 www.alamedasun.com Alameda Sun

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Lives of the Dead is the fourth book in the History is All Around Us series by Dennis Evanosky which includes Oakland’s Laurel District, Mountain View Cemetery and Alameda: An Architectural Treasure Chest. To find out more, or to order copies, visit evanosky.info or www.alamedasun.com. For more on Michael Colbruno, visit mountainviewpeople.blogspot.com.

©2015 Stellar Media Group, Inc. Alameda, California

4

OAKLAND

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Lives of the Dead and Alameda: An Architectural Treasure Chest are publications of Stellar Media Group, Inc. of Alameda, California - Publishers of the Alameda Sun newspaper

Circle. Free for seniors. Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave. (Info: 747-7506)

n 3 to 5 p.m. Office Hours: Staffers from Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s office will be avail-able. Administrative Conference Room, Main Branch of the Alameda Free Library, 1550 Oak St.

n 3:30 p.m. Thursday Craft Day: Crafts for children ages 5 to 12. Dress to get messy. Free. West End Branch Library, 788 Santa Clara Ave. (Info: 747-7767)

n 6:30 to 9 p.m. Single Sailors Association: Dinner meeting for single people interested in sail-ing. Ballena Bay Yacht Club, 1150 Ballena Blvd., Suite 151. (Info: 332-9380 or www.singlesailors.org)

n 7 to 9 p.m. Alameda Quilt Guild: Meeting. Open to all who are interested in quilting; $5 dona-tion at the door. Trinity Lutheran Church, 1323 Central Ave. (Info: Terry, 521-2995)

Friday, May 13n 2 to 3:30 p.m. HIV and Hep C

Testing: Free and confidential test-ing and support referrals. For infor-mation and location, call Alameda Family Services, 629-6300.

n 6 to 9 p.m. Story Time from Tales of the Arabian Nights: Dressing up is encouraged; refreshments served. Free for kids and adults of all ages. The Old Bazaar, Lost City Antiques, 1519 Park St. (Info: 910-3922)

n 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Artists Reception: Celebrate the gallery grand opening and the opening of an exhibit of works by 10 local art-

ists. Free to the public. 3Dot Art Gallery, 2309A Encinal Ave.

n 7 to 9 p.m. Artists Reception: Celebrate the opening of “Surfaces,” an exhibit of paintings by Gregory Moore. Free to the public. Julie’s Coffee and Tea Garden, 1223 Park St. (Info: 865-2385)

n 9 p.m. Zydeco Music and Dance: Featuring Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic. Dance lessons at 8. Tickets sold at the door: $15. Eagles Hall, 2305 Alameda Ave. (Info: 415-285-6285)

Thursday, May 12n 6:30 p.m. Restoration

Advisory Board: Meeting. Room 140, Building 1, 950 W. Mall Square.

n 7 p.m. Recreation and Park Commission: Meeting. Council Chambers, City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Ave.

SNEAK PEEK

n May 14, 11 a.m. American Association of University Women, Alameda Branch: No-host wine bar and silent auction, followed by a buffet luncheon for members and guests. Installation of new officers and ceremony honoring Golden Members (50 active years) will fol-low. Proceeds from the auction will benefit students from College of Alameda who will pursue bachelor degrees. Lunch: $30; lunch reservs before May 7, Penny Washbourn at 748-7455. Harbor Bay Isle Community Center, 3195 Mecartney Road.

n May 17, 7 p.m. Spring Concert: Featuring Jesse Manibusan. Adults: $15; youth:$10; funds benefit St. Philip Neri, 1335 High St. (Info, tix: 373-5215)

n May 17, 7 to 9 p.m. Candidate Forum: League of Women Voters of Alameda will present the candi-dates for Alameda’s three contested races, followed by questions and answers. Free to the public. Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave. (Info: www.LWVAlameda.org/calen-dar.html)

n May 18, 10:30 a.m. “Questions Mothers Ask: Knowing What is Normal and What’s Not”: La Leche League meeting offering informa-tion and support for nursing moth-ers. Babies and toddlers are wel-come. Gathering time is 10:15 a.m. 452 Taylor Ave. (Info: Brittany, 365-9220 or Virginia, 521-4867)

n May 21, 10:15 a.m. Encinal Extravaganza of Bands: 21st annu-al event featuring middle and high school bands from all over the Bay Area. Concert bands will perform in the high school gym, 210 Central Ave. Parade begins at 10:15 at the corner of Third Street and Pacific Avenue.

n May 26, 7 p.m. “Early Pinball Art from the ’30s to ’50s”: Michael Scheiss of the Pacific Pinball Museum will speak. Presented as part of the Alameda Museum lecture series. Museum members, free; non-members, $10. Alameda Museum, 2324 Alameda Ave. (Info: 748-0796 or www.alamedamuseum.org)

n May 29, 30, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. “The Amazing Bubble Show”: The art, magic, science and fun of bub-bles for all ages. Tickets: $10, chil-dren; $15, adults. Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave. (Info: 865-5060 or www.rhythmix.org)

n June 12, 2 p.m. “Music of Love and Loss”: Featuring opera bari-tone Zachary Gordin and pianist Donna Stoering. Third in the “2by2 Sundays” series of informal con-certs. Free to the public; donations accepted to benefit community organizations. St. Joseph’s Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St. (Info: 540-8136)

n June 15, 10:30 a.m. “Baby’s Changing Needs: Starting Solids and Family Nutrition”: La Leche League meeting offering information and support for nursing mothers. Babies and toddlers are welcome. Gathering time is 10:15 a.m. 452 Taylor Ave. (Info: Brittany, 365-9220 or Virginia, 521-4867)

n June 23, 7 p.m. “History and Mystery: Freemasonry & the Alameda Masonic Temple”: Members of the Island City Lodge No. 215 will speak. Presented as part of the Alameda Museum lecture series. Museum members, free; non-members, $10. Alameda Museum, 2324 Alameda Ave. (Info: 748-0796 or www.alamedamuseum.org)

n July 10, 2 p.m. “Journeys of the Soul”: Featuring Palestinian oud master Naser Musa and pianist Donna Stoering. Fourth in the “2by2 Sundays” series of informal con-certs. Free to the public; donations accepted to benefit community organizations. St. Joseph’s Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St. (Info: 540-8136)

Continued from page 11Events: Coming up in days ahead

¡Happy Cinco De Mayo!Robin Seeley

What do the Parthenon in Athens, Greece and Mexican-American celebrations of the fifth of May have in common? Both com-memorate unlikely victories of vastly outnumbered men defending their native turf against powerful invad-ing armies. The Parthenon was built in 490 B.C. to honor the Athenians’ victory at the Battle of Marathon. In that epic struggle, a small band of citizen-soldiers defeated the most powerful military force in the world, the Persian Empire.

On May 5, Mexican Americans celebrate the miraculous Mexican victory against the previously undefeated, much-better-equipped French invaders at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Historians say the outcome of that battle may have influenced the American Civil War, which had begun the year before.

A French victory could have emboldened the French to continue pressing north. The invaders were already motivated to intervene on behalf of the Confederacy in order to keep southern ports open to trade. Indeed, the Union Blockade

was an important factor in the north’s victory. After the humiliat-ing defeat at Puebla, the French army had more to worry about than a shipping blockade.

One hundred fifty-four years later, Cinco de Mayo is still such a big deal here in Alta California that many gringos assume it’s Mexican Independence Day. But Mexicans have learned to expect bloopers like that from gringos.

Tip for gringos: To spare yourself ethnic embarrassment, don’t ever con-fuse Sept. 16 — the day the Mexicans celebrate their Independence from Spain — with Cinco de Mayo.

Mexican Americans in California have consistently celebrated Cinco de Mayo since 1863, after getting word of the unlikely, yet decisive victory at Puebla (General Zaragoza couldn’t tweet about it, so it took a while for the news to arrive!). For the ninth session of the Culinary Academy of Post Street (CAPS), we decided to keep on having that party.

First, we decorated my kitchen with traditional Mexican papel pic-ado (literally, “peckered paper”), brightly colored tissue paper rect-

Robin Seeley

Culinary Institute of Post Street’s students Leila, Enzo, Julian and Roan show off their piñata cookies, maracas, real mini piñatas and new-found appreciation for Cinco de Mayo.

To the East End & Beyond

Sun Staff ReportsLast Monday, May 2, Pacific

Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) staff and contractors began perform-ing routine gas meter inspec-tions in East Bay cities, includ-ing Alameda. They are on duty Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on foot, carrying mobile tablets. They are wearing a hard hats, safety vests and carry photo identification, which they will present upon request.

If a person claiming to be a PG&E employee or contractor shows you his or her identifica-tion and you still feel uncomfort-able, call PG&E’s customer service line at 800-743-5000 to verify that person. PG&E employees and con-tractors will not enter your home during these inspections.

During inspections, customers may see a PG&E employee or con-tractor on or near their properties as they access the gas meter. This work will not affect gas service. In the event a meter cannot be accessed, PG&E will schedule a visit and inspect the meter on a future date. Inspectors may repair or replace gas meters as needed during their inspections or on a future date.

Customers who have an appoint-ment with PG&E will receive an automated call back within 48 hours prior to a scheduled visit, or a personal call from a PG&E gas service representative prior to a scheduled visit.

These inspections will conclude in July, barring unforeseen delays like inclement weather.

PG&E to Begin Meter Inspection

angles with vivid images cut into them. After stringing up the tech-nicolor tissue along the ceiling, Leila, Enzo, Julian, and Roan all donned sombreros. Eager to set the right tone, we played Cielito Lindo, a traditional Mexican song.

None of the kids speak Spanish, but I can confirm that the chorus of “Ai, yai, yai, yai, canta y no llores!” is easy to learn and sing with great passion.

But since we’re a culinary acad-emy and not a kids’ choir, we needed a festive cooking project worthy of the holiday. Nothing says fiesta like bashing a colorful fake animal with a stick, so we decided to make cute lit-tle piñatas out of cookie dough and frosting instead of paper maché and cardboard. Whacking our mini-piña-tas with baseball bats would have been overkill, so we used spoons instead. Our rainbow-striped donkey cookies had stomachs stuffed full of candy, just like real piñatas! We used mini M & M’s, which cascaded out dramatically once the burro bellies were breached.

Our educational treats may have been donkeys, not dogs, but the larger lesson of Cinco de Mayo was still clear: sometimes the underdog wins. Although it didn’t end well for the defenseless piñatas in my kitch-en, we’ll never forget the example of the brave, outnumbered patriots of Greece and Mexico, who continue to inspire millions to this day.

Robin Seeley is head mistress at the Culinary Institute of Post Street.

BCDC to Review Harbor Bay Marriot

Sun Staff ReportsUntil February 2014, the 1.51-acre

parcel at 2350 Harbor Bay Parkway was zoned as open space. On July 13, 2015, the Planning Board approved a plan for a Marriott Fairfield Inn with five stories and 100 rooms in the middle of a shoreline greenway.

The Bay Area Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), the state agency that oversees devel-opment within 100 feet of the bay-shore, must review the hotel plan and issue a permit. The commission will review the hotel’s design at a public meeting at 5:30 p.m., next Monday, May 9, at 455 Golden Gate Ave. Suite 10600 in San Francisco.

Alameda Sun readers unable to attend the meeting can contact Lawrence J. Goldzband, the commis-sion’s executive director, at larry.goldzband@bcdc.ca.gov; its bay design analyst Ellen Miramontes at ellen.miramontes@bcdc.ca.gov, as well as the coastal program analyst Jhon Arbelaez-Novak at jhon.arbe-laez@bcdc.ca.gov.

Members of the community opposed to the hotel have formed the Committee to Complete Shoreline Park. For more information, contact Gary Thompson at 750-6135 or Pat Lamborn at 910-5117.

stewardship by the Navy through 2014, and the addition of volun-teers after the base closed, the Alameda Point colony went from a few nests to more than 300 today.

During the 2015 nesting sea-son, the Alameda Point terns were the top performers state-wide, both in terms of the total number of fledglings produced, and the key data point — ratio of fledglings per nest — according to recently released data.

The public is invited to see the

terns during the annual “Return of the Terns” event on Saturday, June 18. Tours by bus leave from the Crab Cove Visitor Center after an educational presentation. Reservations are required for one of the three tours via the visitor center, or the East Bay Regional Park District’s website https://apm.activecommunities.com/ebparks using the search keyword “terns.”

Richard Bangert publishes sto-ries and photos about wildlife on the Alameda Point Environmental Report.

Continued from page 1

Terns: Get some help from WETA, volunteers