r/eastpaloalto

Decent week coming up for Coimbra:

- **TRACOS DO POEMA** at Largo do Romal, today 19:00 -- free, performing arts/workshop mix, sounds like a nice way to spend an evening outdoors

- **Em Casa d'Amalia** (fado) at Jardim da Sereia, today -- perfect setting for fado honestly, hard to beat a garden fado night

- **Argentina Nos Une** at Liquidambar, Wed 18:00-00:30 -- food, live music, and party all in one, seems like the pick if you want a full night out

- **Procissao Penitencial** in Baixa de Coimbra, Wed 19:30 -- more traditional/religious event if that's your thing

I'll probably do the fado tonight and save Argentina Nos Une for tomorrow's plans.

Full calendar at https://ma.to/events/coimbra?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mato_event_sync&utm_content=coimbra if you want to explore more

I walked to La Estrellita today (on Bay & University) with my daughter and I literally saw with my own eyes a bunch of people openly smoking cr*ck or whatever drugs they smoke out those pipes (& no not weed). Like do that somewhere else not near children or elderly people.

I had to debate on whether I was gonna walk through there or not bc I was with my daughter in her stroller and I would hate for her to get exposed to any of that.

I’m all for people hanging out where they please & do what they want, but now La Estrellita owners are escorting minors out safely past them because they don’t feel safe. This has been an ongoing problem. These kids don’t feel safe getting exposed to drug use 🫨

This was also right after all the kids were getting out of school and walking home.

& yes they’ve called and they don’t do anything about it.

A beautiful gloomy morning spent at the EPA Farmer’s Market! It was so nice to see others from our community there. Will definitely be coming back to buy something next week!

📍Bloomhouse 8:30am -12:30pm on Wednesdays

The trades built my life, and I believe they can build strong futures for young people in East Palo Alto too.

I’m a blue-collar worker through and through. I know what it means to show up early, get your hands dirty, learn on the job, and take pride in honest work. There’s nothing like fixing something with your own hands and knowing you earned every dollar of it.

Not every kid needs a four-year college degree to make it. What they need is a real shot. We should be pushing more pathways into plumbing, electrical, HVAC, construction, welding, automotive work—real skills that put food on the table, keep the lights on, and open the door to owning your own business one day.

East Palo Alto should be investing in the trades. That means stronger connections between schools, local contractors, unions, apprenticeship programs, and businesses that are ready to train the next generation. Kids should be graduating with options they can actually use.

Our young people don’t need more empty advice. They need tools in their hands, mentors who’ve done the work, and a clear path to a good-paying job they can be proud of.

College is one path. The trades are another. Both are real. Both matter. And every kid deserves a chance to choose.

www.sam4epa.com

Following Patrick Heisinger’s departure.

East Palo Alto voters deserve to know the record behind the rhetoric.

Ofelia Bello served as an elected director of the East Palo Alto Sanitary District and supported dissolving the district and transferring its responsibilities to the City. Today, she holds a senior program role with EPACANDO/PAHALI.

That connection matters.

Bello has been a strong supporter of strict inclusionary housing policies. Those policies can generate affordable units and housing in-lieu funds, and EPACANDO has been involved in affordable-housing efforts in East Palo Alto. At the same time, I believe our requirements have become so burdensome that they discourage the very housing construction our community desperately needs.

Her record goes beyond housing. She supported the Opportunity to Purchase Act. She opposed ALPRs and other public-safety tools. She opposed the parking solutions I believe residents have been demanding. And on the Woodland Avenue creek, she supported an approach that I believe put maintaining encampments ahead of finding solutions that protected both unhoused residents and the surrounding community.

There are also serious questions about rhetoric and positions from her years of political activism. Those issues should be examined based on her actual public statements and actions.

This isn’t personal. It is about accountability.

When someone seeks to influence public policy, voters should look at who benefits, where the money goes, what policies were supported, and what results those policies actually produced.

East Palo Alto doesn’t need more ideology and political maneuvering. We need housing that actually gets built, safer neighborhoods, functional streets, transparency, and leaders focused on delivering results.

Examine the record. Follow the money. Ask questions. Then vote.

Sometimes serving your community means knowing where you can make the greatest impact in this moment.

After a lot of reflection, I’ve made my decision about the 2026 City Council election. I wanted you to hear why directly from me.

My commitment to East Palo Alto has never depended on holding a title or having my name on a ballot. The work continues, just from a different place.

Please take a moment to read my statement.

Current Candidates for East Palo Alto City Council include:

1. Holifa Windom
2. Gail Dixon
3. Ruben Abrica
4. Sam Jimenez
5. Ofelia Bello
6. Deborah Lewis-Virges

Martha Barragan did not run for reelection, and the deadline for registering is extended until Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026.

There are two City Council Seats up for election this fall.

TAKE ACTION NOW: East Palo Alto Mayor Webster Lincoln accepted an all expenses paid trip to occupied Palestine hosted by the Israeli Consulate.

• Take action: https://win.newmode.net/peninsula4palestine/EPASAYNOTOZIONISM

East Palo Alto promoted the trip as an opportunity for
"dialogue" and "coexistence." But when the Israeli government funds the trip, controls the itinerary, and decides what officials are shown, that is not education. It is propaganda.

East Palo Alto is a Black, Brown, immigrant, and working class city. Our community must not be used to legitimize Zionism or erase Palestinian life.

Email the Mayor and City Council today. Demand transparency, accountability, engagement with Palestinian and impacted communities, and an end to participation in Israeli propaganda delegations.

NO MORE ZIONIST NORMALIZATION IN EAST PALO ALTO.

Take action: https://win.newmode.net/peninsula4palestine/EPASAYNOTOZIONISM

PEast Palo Alto voters have a real choice this November.

For decades, Gail Dixon Wilkerson has lived, worked, owned businesses, and served this community. She brings more than 40 years of real estate experience and has served on the Senior Advisory Board, Rent Stabilization Board, Public Works & Transportation Commission, and Sanitary District Rate Advisory Committee.

Her message is simple:
“Nothing is getting done by going along, simply to get along.”

While Ruben Abrica and Carlos Romero represent decades of the political status quo, Gail is running to shake things up at City Hall and focus on practical results.

Her priorities include reducing cut-through traffic, protecting longtime residents from displacement, expanding senior and family housing, attracting grocery stores and other businesses, finding smarter solutions to our parking shortage, and addressing pollution and quality-of-life concerns.

You don’t have to agree with Gail on everything to recognize that competitive elections are healthy. After decades of the same political leadership, voters should ask a basic question:
Are we satisfied with the results, or is it time to try something different?

Gail has made it clear where she stands: East Palo Alto first, accountability at City Hall, and results over politics.

What do you think? Is Gail Dixon Wilkerson the change East Palo Alto needs?