Spring on the Key Route Blvd median, vivid with blossoms on trees planted by the ACF for beautification as well as environmental advantages. These trees are near the northern boundary of Albany and part of the overall ACF plan for Key Route.New trees were planted in September 2008 between Brighton and the El Cerrito border. This project was done in collaboration with the City of Albany and with the help of many neighborhood volunteers. The Albany Community Foundation is grateful to City Arborist, Tony Wolcott, for adding his expertise to this project.
Joanna Pippen, winner of the 2009 Visual Artist Award. Sarah Samonsky is the winner of the 2009 Preforming Artist Award. These awards are given annually by the Albany Community Foundation.
Previous winners include
Joan Sextro 2005
Ernie Douglas 2006
Susan Adame 2007 Visual Artist
Bob Slous 2007 Performing Artist
Mark Van Bronkhorst 2008 Visual Artist
Rhythm Bound 2008 Performing Artist
Right and above - Board members and City Arborist, Tony Wolcott, landscape beneath the Meniketti Kiosk designed and built by ACF to honor long-time Albany activist Dario Meniketti. The kiosk, located on the north sidewalk of Solano Avenue at Curtis Street, provides a variety of public notices and has recently been renovated by ACF members.
Additional past ACF projects have included Key Route landscaping between Brighton and Thousand Oaks (with the Rotary Club) and sponsorship of both the first Albany Reads program and the publication of Your Albany Teen – A Resource Guide for Parents. We continue to donate to Albany Reads.The Albany Community Foundation made the initial donation to the Albany Poet Laureate Fund,and has been a long time supporter of the Albany Teen Cafe. ACF has made donations to both the Albany Unified School District music fund and the City of Albany tree fund. The Albany Community Foundation was a sponsor of the 2nd Annual Albany Athletic Boosters Triathlon. Responding to concerns of neighbors, ACF members weeded and trimmed trees in the traffic calming islands on Santa Fe Ave.
The Albany Community Foundation, the Albany Firefighters, and the American Legion Post 292 joined together to restore the memorial plaques at "the Torch" on Solano and Key Route. These plaques commemorate all of Albany's veterans and the Albany soldiers killed in World War II. A separate plaque recognizes the dedication of the Albany Firefighters.A formal dedication was held November 11, 2008
During the 2008 - 2009 school year, ACF made contributions to the Albany Unified School District to support Challenge Days at Albany High School and for stipends for mental health interns at that site.
The Albany Community Foundation donated 4 dogipots to the City of Albany in Spring 2009. These dog waste stations encourage pet owners to clean up after their pets, making the parks more enjoyable for all.
Improved Santa Fe islands
Photos courtesy of Peggy Mc Quaid and Francesco Papalia
