Simple but Meaningful - Recycling Household Plastic Bags, Film and Packing Materials

Simple but meaning acts make a difference. Plastic bags, notorious as forever trash seen on our strets and in our waterways, may be recycled in many locations. Safeway's  collection bins for certain plastic bags seem to be getting more and more use.

Only Tuesday, and nearly full!

If you have a Goodwill Store/Donation Center near you, they may have  recycling stations for clean plastic produce and storage bags, dry cleaner bags, plastic mailers, bubble wrap, product plastic wrap, packing pillows, etc.

Goodwill Store Baltimore

Though  it is best way to avoid using plastics as much a possible, collecting and dropping  recyclable plastics at collection locations is one more way to protect where we live and reduce land fill waste.. 

Extraordinary History of Nancy Pelosi as House Leader - "A Must Watch" Documentary

 I highly recommend  HBO's Pelosi in the House, HBO's documentary as told through her daughter, Alexandra Pelosi. Pelosi in the House offers a very personal look at the  strength and character of the remarkable Nancy Pelosi as  Speaker of the House, Democratic House leader and member of Congress during these trying times.

"In her 14th documentary film for HBO, acclaimed documentarian Alexandra Pelosi offers a candid, behind-the-scenes chronicle of the life of her mother and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, through her career milestones leading up to the inauguration of President Joseph Biden in January 2021. Filmed in a cinéma vérité style over the course of three decades, Pelosi in the House provides a unique, longitudinal window into the life of a longstanding Democratic politician and history in the making.

The film goes behind the headlines as it tracks Pelosi’s life in public office from her election to Congress in 1987 and becoming the first female Speaker of the House in 2007 through the 2020 election and President Biden’s inauguration. Following Pelosi at both work and home in real time during consequential political moments in the country’s recent history, the film offers a unique look at American politics through her efforts on the Affordable Care Act, the COVID-19 relief package, two impeachments as well as a record of the events of January 6, 2021, following Pelosi and other lawmakers at a secure location as the crisis unfolded.

HBO Documentary Films presents Pelosi in the House. Filmed, produced, and directed by Alexandra Pelosi. Edited by Geof Bartz. For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller."

Quote from from: https://www.hbo.com/movies/pelosi-in-the-house

Yesterday's MLK Holiday

 Yesterday was a relaxing day. The three-day weekend gives us time to rest and even get away from it all. For some reason I remembered my City Council days in Alameda for the Martin Luther King Holiday: small observances in City Hall, "Day of Service" events organized by local groups, and various national events.

"Lend Your Hands"
Baltimore Street Art

Here are a few pictures of my small MLK day of service: Canton Waterfront Park boat ramp clean up, East Harbor, Baltimore. Very cold weather kept the trash down, but a little time was able to make the ramps noticeably cleaner and gather some recyclables.

~1 cu.ft. recyclable glass and plastic

Less than 1 cu.ft. trash

 

Ramps cleared of bottles, cans and trash, with drift wood piled at the sides

Mustang Tradition Alive and Well on 34th Avenue - CRDLS Adds to Mustang Athletics History

The Mustangs of Oakland's Cristo Rey De La Salle High School are continuing the athletic tradition on 34th Avenue in the heart of  Fruitvale. The Red and White, well established through years of  St. Elizabeth High School's Mustangs, gave so much opportunity for students. Mustang coaches and teamplay  taught valuable life lesson. I still look back gratefully on my own experience on the 1972 Mustang varsity football team. 

As did I, many Mustangs attended St. Elizabeth Elementary School and were "Knights"! 

Along with us Knights, still more Mustangs, played on the Oakland Diocese's many CYO teams.

Here's an update on Fall 2022 Mustangs sports 

Fall  saw a young Mustang Women's Volleyball team do well on the home court while having some challenges as visitors.

  

Men's Basketball started strong this fall. Under Coach Winters, the team plays with enthusiasm, discipline and focus. Men's Basketball continues after the Christmas Holiday.

More Mustang Sports news to follow in future posts. Merry Christmas to all past and present Mustangs!

Vote for Ignacio!

Election day is in 8 days! 

Vote for Ignacio de la Fuente for Mayor of Oakland. 

He has what it takes to lead Oakland! 

Visit https://www.delafuenteformayor.com/ for more information.

VOTE FOR IGNACIO - NOVEMBER 8th

The Oaklandside Interviews Oakland Mayor Candidates - November 2022

The on-line Oakland news site, The Oaklandside posted its candidate interviews for those running for Oakland's Mayor this November. This site conducted in-depth interviews and published candidates' answers to questions on Oakland's biggest issues. Well worth the read!

Here's the link to Ignacio de la Fuente's interview. Ignacio is my choice for Mayor!

https://oaklandside.org/2022/10/10/oakland-mayor-election-2022-interview-ignacio-de-la-fuente/?gclid=CjwKCAjw7p6aBhBiEiwA83fGursf82We6y7i0n0kKHWU3yiKwpIDR6i0cMu-gSQo_giTsu0ftgPL6RoCx7cQAvD_BwE

Reference:

The Oaklandside

https://oaklandside.org/

Live Up to the Words

During last weekend's visit to Philadelphia, I was reminded of great American statements and our responsibility to live up to them. The Liberty Bell, cast prior to our Independence reads simply:, 

"Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof." 

Inscribed on the Liberty Bell pre-1776

"No person shall .... be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."

 U.S. Constitution 5th Amendment 

 "….nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."

 U.S. Constitution 14th Amendment 

Neither of these statements from our Constitution indicate exception based on race, gender, orientation, belief, age, national origin/affiliation or any other subset of persons.

Our government (of us, by us and for us*) needs to live up to them.

*Based on phrase used by President Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address