Thursday, September 25, 2025

Thanks to all for supporting St. Elizabeth Elementary School. St. Elizabeth continues its long history of delivering great education for young people in the heart of Oakland's Fruitvale.

Since 2022, I've been kayaking for St. Elizabeth to support its mission by combining my enjoyment of being on the water with my love and appreciation of St. Elizabeth Elementary School. 

2022 - Launching at Jingletown shore for
15 mile voyage around Alameda

2023 - Passing Ft. McHenry on
a 7 mile route circling
Baltimore's Historic Inner Harbor

2024 - Being chased by a squall at end
of  former NAS Alameda runways
during 15 mile paddling arount the Island

This year's route honors Oakland: my home town! This 12 - 15 mile voyage features the Port of Oakland’s world-class container terminal and Oakland's Jack London Square, Brooklyn Basin, Jingletown and Fruitvale waterfronts, on to East Oakland’s Arrowhead Marsh in San Leandro Bay.

My voyage will be between October 24 and October 27th a window which has optimum tides for kayaking this stretch of the Estuary.

Highlighted route along Oakland Estuary into San Leandro Bay

On Tuesday, my 6 mile training scouted one leg of the route at the foot of 66th Avenue, and along the MLK Regional Shoreline as seen from San Leandro Bay

66th Ave Overpass visible directly off my bow, Colisseum to the right

More training to come as I prepare for 2025 Kayaking for St. Elizabeth!

I will keep the updates coming. In the meantime, please support St. Elizabeth as it continues to provide its students and their families with so much that is needed now, more than ever.

Join me in making a contribution to St. Elizabeth today! 

Gratefully,

Frank Matarrese, St. Elizabeth Class of 1969


Check out St. Elizabeth's website and Facebook for what's happening at SE

https://saintelizabeth.us/

https://www.facebook.com/saintlizschool

f.j.matarrese@gmail.com

 

Donation Information

Donations referencing Kayaking for St. Elizabeth 2025 should be made directly to St. Elizabeth's. On-line donation can be made via the following link

https://saintelizabeth.us/donate

Donations by check; payable to St. Elizabeth Elementary School can be sent to:

St. Elizabeth Elementary School
1516 33rd Avenue Oakland, CA 94601


Sunday, August 3, 2025

Kayaking for St. Elizabeth 2025

Thanks to all for your support for St. Elizabeth Elementary School. St. Elizabeth continues its long history of great education for young people in the heart of Oakland's Fruitvale.

St. Elizabeth mission of serving many families is more important than ever and  I am once again training for my fourth time kayaking for Saint Elizabeth.

This year's route honors Oakland: my home town! The 12 - 15 mile route features Oakland's Middle Harbor and Port of Oakland’s world-class container terminal, Jack London Square, Brooklyn Basin, Jingletown and Fruitvale waterfronts and on to East Oakland’s Arrowhead Marsh in San Leandro Bay.

 

Highlighted route along Oakland Estuary into San Leandro Bay

Today's 6 mile training went from Southshore Beach Alameda, Shoreline Drive and Willow Street to the foot of 66th Avenue, MLK Regional Shoreline as seen from San Leandro Bay

 

66th Ave Overpass visible directly off my bow, Colisseum to the right

Check out St. Elizabeth's website and Facebook for what's happening at SE

https://saintelizabeth.us/

https://www.facebook.com/saintlizschool

Please join me in making a contribution to the continuing mission at St. Elizabeth! 

Gratefully,

Frank Matarrese, St. Elizabeth Class of 1969

f.j.matarrese@gmail.com

 

Donation Information

Donations referencing Kayaking for St. Elizabeth 2025 should be made directly to St. Elizabeth's. On-line donation can be made via the following links

https://saintelizabeth.us/donate

Donations by check; payable to St. Elizabeth Elementary School can be sent to:

St. Elizabeth Elementary School
1516 33rd Avenue Oakland, CA 94601


Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Brave Hearted Leader - Maine Governor Janet Mills

In an absolutely exemplary display of leadership, Maine Governor Janet Mills' response to President Trump's bullying bravely defends Constitutional rights of all. See a report of the February 21, 2025 exchange between Governor Mills and President Trump. The video (viewed by going to the link below) and her follow on statement say it all.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/21/politics/video/trump-maine-governor-janet-mills-exchange-transgender-athletes-zeleny-cnc-digvid

Governor Mill's statement following this exchange:

I have spent my career – as a District Attorney, as Attorney General, and now as Governor – standing up for the rule of law in Maine and America. To me, that is fundamentally what is at stake here: the rule of law in our country.

No President – Republican or Democrat – can withhold Federal funding authorized and appropriated by Congress and paid for by Maine taxpayers in an attempt to coerce someone into compliance with his will. It is a violation of our Constitution and of our laws, which I took an oath to uphold.

Maine may be one of the first states to undergo an investigation by his Administration, but we won’t be the last. Today, the President of the United States has targeted one particular group on one particular issue which Maine law has addressed. But you must ask yourself: who and what will he target next, and what will he do? Will it be you? Will it be because of your race or your religion? Will it be because you look different or think differently? Where does it end? In America, the President is neither a King nor a dictator, as much as this one tries to act like it – and it is the rule of law that prevents him from being so.

I imagine that the outcome of this politically directed investigation is all but predetermined. My Administration will begin work with the Attorney General to defend the interests of Maine people in the court of law. But do not be misled: this is not just about who can compete on the athletic field, this is about whether a President can force compliance with his will, without regard for the rule of law that governs our nation. I believe he cannot.

Watch the video by following this link: 

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/21/politics/video/trump-maine-governor-janet-mills-exchange-transgender-athletes-zeleny-cnc-digvid



Contract information for sending thanks and encouragement to Gov. Mills!

Governor Janet Mills
1 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
207-287-3531

References:

NBC 10 Boston After trans athlete spat with Trump Maine governor explains its stakes

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/politics/maine-governor-mills-trump-statement/3639569/


CNN  Trump threatens Maine's federal funding in tense exchange with state's governor

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/21/politics/video/trump-maine-governor-janet-mills-exchange-transgender-athletes-zeleny-cnc-digvid

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Presidents' Day 2025: Show up and Stand Up!

It's beginning. A crowd gathers on the steps of Alameda City Hall for Presidents' Day Holiday "Not My President" Protest on President's Day 2025.



I was forwarded a notice of scheduled protests and decided that I needed to show up and stand up! Stand up against Trump and Musk capricious and wanton actions that are destroying services so many of us depend on. Trump and Musk destruction must be stopped. Lots of passing cars honked horns and waved in agreement. 

The event's one speaker thanked us and rightly pointed out that this was the beginning of a marathon, so pace yourselves. Onward!



Go to these links to see press reports on local and national actions on Presidents' Day 2025

https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/02/17/not-my-presidents-day-protesters-gather-across-bay-area/

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/17/nx-s1-5299915/dc-protests

https://apnews.com/article/president-donald-trump-protest-c8796556fbf20e796f42167f61c3d942

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Message from Our Congressional Rep, Congresswoman Simon Let her know your issues!


Take Action! I recommend calling the Congresswoman's DC office at (202) 225-2661

06 Feb 2025
Contact: Sally Chen

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released the following statement:
"The President's comment about the U.S. taking over the Gaza Strip, developing the region, and displacing more than 2 million Palestinians is incredibly disturbing and unacceptable.
“Let me be clear -- the suggestion for the U.S. to "own" the Gaza Strip is a call for ethnic cleansing and blatant disregard for international law. It also threatens an already fragile ceasefire that will bring home the hostages and relief to Palestinians in Gaza who have experienced untold suffering.

“We have a collective duty to do everything we can to maintain the ceasefire, prevent the spread of further violence, and usher the region into a period of peace, stability, and reconstruction." 

Friday, January 24, 2025

Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg Addressing U.S. Conference of Mayors - A Model for How a Public Official Communicates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As1fGxFbPcI


 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As1fGxFbPcI

https://www.google.com/search?q=pete+buttigieg+final+speech&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS1136US1136&oq=pete+buttigieg+final+speech&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yCggCEAAYgAQYogQyCggDEAAYgAQYogQyCggEEAAYgAQYogQyCggFEAAYgAQYogTSAQkyMDU1OWowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:c2ba06cc,vid:As1fGxFbPcI,st:0


Sunday, January 19, 2025

Big Promises Pres. Elect Trump Made During his Campaign

 


Know what is happening. From NPR, go the link to read this analysis on-line:

https://view.nl.npr.org/?qs=80524bd643fff33f23d4f679fefb0fd5e211d67926444a7f190977b81d8de7324bbf6bffeda040f04941cce44b95d4b3bb3b4f3175f8587cc748a3c4a0ca6f7fcdf0c44bc2f99593f4b2eaa8c2f16c13f98bb02875fa2743


Thanks to all for supporting St. Elizabeth Elementary School. St. Elizabeth continues its long history of delivering great education for you...