Introducing WABA's new Executive Director and Board Members; Annual Pinball & Pints; Grant Opportunities from StopWaste; City of Alameda Façade Grants
New WABA Executive Director
Elissa Glickman has been hired by the WABA Board of Directors as my replacement effective February 1st. Elissa has more than 25 years in the public and private sector in Southern California. She relocated to Alameda several years ago and continues to be involved with non-profits. She is the recipient of multiple awards including Business Woman of the Year from both the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and the Glendale Latino Business Association, Executive Service Corps Megan G. Cooper Leadership Award, California State Senate Women in Business, and the YWCA Legacy Honoree. Please welcome Elissa to WABA! I look forward to working with her during our transition. We will update our WABA Members during the transition, including a "meet and greet" for Elissa and a "happy retirement" for me. Stay tuned!
New WABA Board Members
Please welcome Evan Phillippe and George Holmes to our Board of Directors. Evan Phillippe has been the Marketing Manager for Webster Street's non-profit Pacific Pinball Museum since 2019. He and his family have lived on Alameda's West End for over 20 years. George V. Holmes, General Manager at Embarc Alameda, born and raised in San Francisco, father of twins, Alameda resident for 7 years, and lifelong advocate for cannabis and community.
From the City of Alameda
Façade Grant 2/15 Deadline
The second application deadline for the FY 2023-24 Façade Grant Program is Thursday, February 15, 2024. The final application deadline will be April 18, 2024 (contingent on available funding remaining).
The Façade Grant Program provides businesses and property owners with matching grants to improve their storefronts and enhance the city’s retail districts. Under this program, business and property owners may be eligible for 50/50 matching grants for exterior painting, new awnings and signs, and other façade improvements. Grant amounts range from $500 to $15,000, depending on the type of work proposed.
For the 2023-24 program only, awning improvements will be reimbursed at the 80/20 level (i.e. the City will grant up to 80% of the cost of the work up to $5,000). Grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis.
From StopWaste
$1.1 Million in Grant Funding Available for Waste Prevention
StopWaste is offering grants with a total of $1.1 million available in funding for projects in six categories. The focus is on innovative approaches to preventing waste in Alameda County and supporting local communities.
Food Waste Prevention & Recovery (up to $30,000 per grant)
Surplus Food Donation Equipment (nonprofits only, up to $10,000 per grant)
Community Food Systems (up to $10,000 per grant)
Reusable Foodware (up to $25,000 per grant)
Reuse & Repair (up to $25,000 per grant)
Reusable Transport Packaging Equipment (up to $10,000 per grant)
Businesses, nonprofits, and institutions are eligible for funding, unless noted otherwise. For details visit www.StopWaste.org/Grants. Application deadline is March 14, 2024.
More information about the program can be found on the City’s website or by contacting facadegrant@alamedaca.gov.
Pacific Pinball Museum
Pinball & Pints
Sunday, February 11 (2pm-6pm)
Join Pacific Pinball Museum in celebrating SF Beer Week! Support the non-profit PPM while enjoying beer from amazing Bay Area breweries and free-playing over 100 pins and listening to music on the jukeboxes! Special tasting glasses are included. (Event age 21+ only: one of the rare times beer is offered in the museum.) Tickets are available for $55 HERE; ($60 at the door the day of).
As always, it's a pleasure to advocate and represent West Alameda, a neighborhood I personally call home! WABA - creating community through business!