If you’re reading this article while watching Alameda’s 4th of July Parade (longest in the nation!) be sure to wave to me. I’ll be riding an electric bike, graciously provided by Alameda Bicycle, 1522 Park Street.
Say ‘NO’ to mylar balloons
Speaking of electricity, Alameda’s 100% clean, green municipally-owned electric utility, AMP (Alameda Municipal Power) reminds you to avoid using mylar balloons for celebrations or decorations. That’s because their silvery metallic coating conducts electricity and can cause power outages or electrical surges when the balloons float into the air and come into contact with overhead power lines. In addition to impacting AMP customers, mylar balloons expose AMP employees, who must repair this equipment, to potential injury.
Over the past five years—as recently as June 6, 2025—AMP received 54 reports of mylar balloons in power lines, all of which required a repair crew to respond. Incidents resulted in outages ranging from five seconds to two hours. The number of customers impacted ranged from 60 to 8,150, and AMP estimates the cost of individual outages to be approximately $25,000+ for labor and replaced equipment. All because of one mylar balloon.
Please note, if you see a mylar balloon come into contact with a power line, or see a downed power line, AMP advises you to ALWAYS ASSUME POWER LINES ARE ENERGIZED, stay at least 10 feet away, and call 911.
While pending state law will result in a complete ban on metallic foil balloons in California by 2031, we don’t need to wait that long to do the right thing. Please say NO to Mylar balloons now.
Finally, look for AMP’s 4th of July Parade entry which includes AMP employees and the large electric (of course!) bucket truck—and wave!
Be a Smart Traveler
If your summer plans involve travel outside the United States, don’t leave home without first enrolling in STEP, the U.S. Department of State’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This will allow the State Department to accurately and quickly contact you in case of an emergency, such as a natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency. Other benefits include real-time updates about health, weather, safety, and security conditions in the country(ies) you are visiting. Find more information and sign up online at the STEP website.
Let’s practice civility
Last month’s horrendous shooting of two Minnesota state legislators and their spouses in their homes—two of whom, Senator Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were killed—made me wonder how this could happen in our society. While little is known about the suspect’s motives, I think we could all agree that the tone and tenor of political discourse in our country (as well as our state and city) has grown more heated in recent years.
Somewhat coincidentally, I recently began receiving emails from Project Civility, a grassroots initiative that originated in Carmel, Indiana. The Project Civility website includes this statement that I found particularly meaningful:
“We see eye-to-eye more than we think. But when we don’t, we need to . . . project civility with sincerity, patience, and goodwill. What we project, whether it’s spoken or non-verbal, needs to be respectful, thoughtful, and true. Because projecting civility isn’t a weakness, it’s the strongest stance you can take.”
Visit the Project Civility website to learn more.
Say Yes to civility and No to mylar balloons. Be a Smart Traveler and Stay Alameda Strong!
Happy 4th of July, Alameda!
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the Mayor of the City of Alameda. Reach her at [email protected].
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