OK, so I'm very biased. Full disclosure: I work at this wonderful, little community organization…read morethat has helped people living with HIV/AIDS for over 21 years. It is the only drop-in day center of its kind serving Alameda and Contra Costa County residents. I think what sets this agency apart from other places is the manner in which it delivers its services: with a special warmth, compassion, and respect for the clients it serves. The staff at Vital Life Services and its small army of committed volunteers will keep providing care and hope to people living with HIV/AIDS until there's a cure for the virus.

So perhaps I'm a little biased too. I also work at VLS (but only part-time, so that makes me only…read morepartly biased). But really, this is just an amazing organization. Picture this: you enter the building and are immediately enveloped by a warmth and friendliness that makes you feel supported, special and loved. Countless visitors, volunteers and clients remark on how welcome they feel at the center. It's a little community of folks, clients and staff alike, who genuinely care about the health and well-being of everyone who finds their way through the door. Maybe it has to do with the delicious smells wafting out of the brand-new open kitchen. Morris, Michelle and the volunteer chefs work their magic and serve 2 hot delicious meals each day. And then there's Andy, the brains and brawn behind the soon-to-be launched take-out and catering BBQ business that will help keep this little non-profit afloat. OMG, you have never tasted BBQ this delicious, ever. But VLS is more than just food and family. It also provides massage, acupuncture, counseling, case management and other services to the 500+ clients. Some of them, in addition to the challenge of living with HIV/AIDS, also have homelessness and addiction issues. For them, VLS is a lifeline. I can't imagine where they'd be without it.

Well I worked here for 10 plus years and was miserable for at least 8 of them…read more They treat there employees like crap, there is a constant threat of loosing your job, most of the Sr.Guys who are stuck there behave as if there in high school with Capt of the football team mentality. Don't get me wrong they are good at responding to oil spills as well as training you for the spills, but it end there. I felt as if I were being released from Prison when I quit this place. "What a waste of time out of my life" Do not let you friends or family go work for this place. They will be miserable, there employee turnover is ridiculous. Good for a last resort. Sorry !!!

Not only were they on the response team for the oil spill, but one of the men helped me change my…read moreblown tire this morning! Side note: I am WAY capable of changing my own tire but I was wearing my Paolo boots and a skirt! I just had to pull the 'girl card'.

I grew up in Alameda, I was here when Alameda NAS was an active duty base. It's been closed for…read morenearly 30 years, and now it's called Alameda Point. Area wise, Alameda Point covers about 1/3 of the island, so there's alot of land to develop. The peaceful Alameda of today, is not the same as when the base was open. Navy jets would do laps over the island daily. The jet engine tests would make the ground shake and the roar would wake you from a light nap. In the early 1970's a jet from the Central Valley crashed into an apartment building. My Dad and I ran outside just in time to see a fireball rise over the houses. But the base was a great source of revenue for the city. When a carrier or carriers were in port, Webster Street would be gridlocked with traffic. Traffic couldn't get out of the Tube. That's why they built the Constitution Way flyover ramp. It's to divert traffic away from Webster, and onto Lincoln Avenue. Webster St became a ghost town when the base closed. I had a high school friend who was a Navy Captain's son. He would take us on base and give us tours. The base was well maintained when sailors and airman were there. When they left, it became abandoned and ugly. When I was in College Army ROTC we launched an airmobile operation from the NAS. 65 armed troops in combat gear, boarding a Chinook helicopter to conduct a raid on an imaginary target 300+ miles away. During Desert Storm, jets flew airstrikes from the NAS. Very few people knew that. It has a rich history, and it shouldn't be forgotten. I regret I didn't take a picture of the East Gate before they tore it down.

The Alameda Naval Air Station sprawls across the west end shore…read more Seemingly endless abandoned buildings litter the scape. Some portions have been sold to apartment developers building structures that lack integrity. The empty air craft hangars. The empty NARDAC headquarters. So much military industrial architecture to be observed. Skaters galore, just watch out for base security. They lack any enforcement ability but love doing their job, nothing. I go here to walk my dog and explore the endless labyrinth of streets with names from times gone by.

We attended the season opener for the bay area derby this past weekend. This venue is used for…read morevarious events, and the setting seemed ideal for the roller derby, with some old school charm and a casual and carefree atmosphere. Though it felt like being in a high school gym, so I'm not sure how effective the space would be for other types of events. It's a fairly small auditorium with three levels of seating, and views are ideal from almost anywhere. Though the seats are outdated, they were comfortable enough. We had fun watching the players competing on the floor, and sound was sufficient through the speakers. Snacks, drinks, and merchandise were available for purchase in the lobby. There were no lines or waiting for the all-gender restrooms. And parking was free and easy nearby.

First time in this venue, very unorganized & outdated…read more There's parking behind the building and across the street, however is not clear where to park or if it's public parking or if you are going to get tow... it was free and public , but had to take a chance ... The venue has very slippery floor not ideal for a concert, the security and ticket people were not organized, they let some girls in to "USE THE BATHROOM " no one bother to check their tickets nor to do the screening like everyone else , they just let them in because they claim they really have to go to the bathroom, they didn't get their purses or bodies checked like everyone else, they went right in. The seats are old & uncomfortable , there's wires everywhere, that they seemed dangerous, since some people bring children to the events. The bathrooms were clean :) the venue & security were not even a 1 !!! What was a 5 is the fact that they let food vendors lined up after the concert, you can find all kinds of food such as hotdogs, tacos, cemitas etc..

"For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one." - Khalil Gibran…read more She sits on a hill on Lands End in San Francisco... ..a humbling reminder of the perils of war. The generation of WWII are considered by many the greatest American generation in modern times. Imagine the generation that brought Hitler and the fanatical Nazi party to their knees, defeated the once invincible Evil Empire of Japan, and built the best automobiles to ever have roamed the roads. And we haven't even touched the Banana Splits, Soda Floats, A-line Skirts, & Drive-In's of the day! The 1940's was well before my time, but I'm a historian by trade and old soul, and at times feel it was my era. Men opening doors for women, respect for our elders, the Delahaye Teardrop Coupe, and the King of Swing! Yet, with all my imaginary feel good memories of this bygone era... I do not find anything glamorous about those that died in WWII. The USS SAN FRANCISCO Memorial is a reminder of the sacrifice this generation made for us. The battle scars on her war-torn body resonates with suffering, yet with all the twisted metal, she still retains honor, service, duty, and American pride. The USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) was commissioned in 1934 and became legendary during WWII, 1941-1945, earning 17 Battle Stars. She would become one of the most decorated navy ships, ever! Those that served on her earned the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism, gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps. The USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) was a Heavy Cruiser that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 07, 1941. During the great Battle of Guadalcanal of 1942, nearly 100 sailors or marines died, over 100 were injured, and 5 were lost at sea. She was hit 45 times, yet managed to survive one of the greatest battles in American history! In the WWII years that followed The USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) continued in many historic battles. She was repaired numerous times and continued to be on the front line in the Pacific up until the surrender of the Empire of Japan! Today, the spirit of this legendary ship can be seen at The USS SAN FRANCISCO Memorial located at Lands End in San Francisco. The memorial is set around the bridge wings extensively damaged from the great Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. It's a simple, yet powerful tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom! In the end, I recommend The USS SAN FRANCISCO Memorial. It might not be for everyone, as some may see it as a heap of old metal. I see it as America's soul, a time when our grandparents or great grandparents became the greatest American generation in modern times! Always in my heart!

A stop near lands end and the cliff house restaurant. It has the parts from the ship at a nice…read morememorial.

I want to share an honest review of my recent experience with the Marin History Museum. While my…read moreexperience initially became frustrating surrounding the San Quentin tour, I am grateful for how the situation was ultimately addressed. When I signed up for the tour, my ticket was somehow cancelled. After further review, I learned that this was the result of a clerical error. Unfortunately, it created a difficult situation for me, especially because it took several days to determine what had happened. My only intention was to feel confident that I could participate in an opportunity I had signed up for based on the stated requirements. I was recently offered the opportunity to join the San Quentin tour after everything was reviewed, and I truly appreciate the effort that was made to make things right. A special thank-you to Jennifer and Heather for taking the time to help resolve the situation and for attempting to make a difficult experience better. I also want to sincerely apologize to Lori if my concerns caused any unnecessary commotion. That was never my intention. I simply cared deeply about being able to participate and wanted to understand why my registration had changed. Ultimately, I appreciate the Marin History Museum for hearing me out and working toward a positive resolution. I look forward to continuing to reach out, participate, and support the museum and the important work it does to preserve and share Marin County's history. Thank you to everyone who took the time to help. I truly appreciate it.

Fascinating for history students...rare finds...travel far...in Bay Area...house museum with Maple…read moreLawn building...Elk's Lodge? Downtown San Rafael has a main street with shops and restaurants...like old times...fun...anytime really...it's not hard to visit some parts of outer Bay Area counties...this area has access with the transit center buses that go out of the bridge area...nice adventure...some people are ignorant of buses...sometimes buses are a better to way to transport...house museums are in all directions NWSE...etc...this one is different...it says that the daughter was a polar photographer, geographer, and went on expeditions...related to Canada etc...really wonderful time to visit the history house...quiet community...scholarly...athletic...

The service this USPS contract station provides is so superior to the main post office in Alameda,…read moreI can't understand why anyone ever goes to the post office. I've been going to this contract station located inside Nob Hill Foods since they've opened. There's usually never a line, or maybe a couple people at most. As far as I can tell, they'll do most everything you need at a post office that a USPS post office can do. They've always been very helpful and they'll spend the time you need to help you and answer any questions you have. In particular, Gina at the contract station has been an incredible help. I guess they can afford the time to be helpful because they're not swamped like it is at the main post office on Shoreline. I don't know why I'm Yelping about this location, because if it gets too well known and busy, it just won't be the same.

Great location inside the supermarket. Fast service and…read morebetter then ups. I went to the counter and 45 second later I was done.

Hours: Closed Sunday-Monday, Tuesday-Saturday: 9-3:30 (Lunch 12-12:30)…read more Drive up around to the far back corner in the CVS-Safeway parking lot to find the small storage box where the basic by the pound recycling occurs. Please note that they do not appear to handle electronics, regular shelving cans, or glass.