Happy Thursday, everyone!

If it felt like summer out there this week, you're not imagining it. We just had one of the hottest Marches on record here in the Bay Area, with temps hitting the mid-80s while most of the country is still in coats. Weird, a little unsettling, but also - kind of perfect timing.

Because this weekend is stacked. Alameda Restaurant Week kicks off Friday (60+ restaurants, special menus, the whole thing). CarrierCon takes over the USS Hornet. The Special Olympics Polar Plunge hits Crown Beach.

Plus, the scoop on what happened at the “Beach Take Over”.

Let’s dive in!

In this week’s email:

FEATURED EVENTS

The 9th Annual Alameda Restaurant Week kicks off today and runs through March 29. This year's theme is "World Cup Edition," a nod to Alameda's connection to the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the island's diverse food scene. Over 30 participating restaurants, bars, breweries, and wineries are offering special prix fixe menus, deals, and promotions. Complete a "Restaurant Passport" by visiting multiple spots, and you could win prizes. Whether you've been meaning to try that new place or want to revisit an old favorite, this is the week to do it. More info

Alameda Rock & Roll Flea Market | Sat, Mar 21 | 11 AM - 6 PM | $5 (kids 12 & under free) 📍Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch St, Alameda - 100+ vendors selling vinyl, records, CDs, clothing, jewelry, and more. Five live bands all day: The Rubinoos, Par Avion, The IFIC, Chillingsworth, and Surfingham. Food trucks on site. More info

This Saturday, Crown Memorial State Beach is the place to be for one of the most feel-good events of the year. Special Olympics Northern California is hosting a timed 5K run and a Polar Plunge right here on the island to raise funds for Special Olympics athletes. You can run, plunge, or do both. Alameda PD is participating, and all ages and levels are welcome. More info

Sat, Mar 21 | 9:30 AM | Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda | Registration required (fundraiser)

ALAMEDA NEWS

Hundreds of teens flocked to Crown Memorial State Beach this past weekend after "beach takeover" parties were promoted on social media. Three separate fights broke out on Saturday, and one teen was hospitalized. Police also reported an incident involving hate speech. Alameda PD, the school district, and state park rangers had issued warnings ahead of time, but the gatherings still drew large crowds. Officers made a significant presence both days. Another "takeover" was planned for Tuesday, with police again increasing patrols. If you're heading to the beach this week, be aware that crowds may be heavier than usual. Read more

An adult and a child were hospitalized on Monday after someone sprayed bear spray inside an apartment building on the 700 block of Santa Clara Avenue. The Alameda Fire Department responded to the hazardous materials call with a half-dozen ambulances. Nearby residents were evacuated while crews assessed the scene. Both patients were treated, and the situation was resolved the same day. Read more

March is Women's History Month, and the Alameda Museum is marking it right. All month long, the museum is highlighting the lives of remarkable women who helped shape Alameda -- from trailblazing community leaders to unsung local figures. Exhibits, events, and programming run through March 29, and there's a free in-person program this Friday, March 20, at 1 PM if you want to stop by. Worth a visit. Read more

Last month, over 80 Alamedans showed up to the first Dinner Club looking to meet new people.

Here's what some of them said:

"This was SO much fun! I was a little nervous at first, but once we sat down and started chatting the nerves went away. 10/10 would recommend for meeting new people." - Alex S.

"I would normally never interact with strangers, but I genuinely enjoyed the dinner and conversations. I will try it again." - Nathaniel M.

"What a great night, no pressure just conversation." - Julie T.

The next Alameda Dinner Club is Tuesday, March 24th at 7 PM. You take a quick personality quiz, get matched with 5 strangers based on age, interests, and budget, and meet at a local Alameda restaurant. After dinner, everyone heads to a local bar for the after-party.

We already have 72 people signed up. Seats are $20 right now - that goes up to $25 tomorrow. If you've been on the fence, this is it.

Scolari's just took home "best burger in Alameda" at this year's Alameda Stars, so we figured it was the perfect excuse to finally stop by. Fifteen years in, they're still one of those spots the community keeps coming back to.

I went straight for the Blueberry Bacon Blue Cheese Burger (you've probably heard about it), but also got to try some of their newer additions like the Gochujang Chicken Sandwich, the New York Chop Cheese, and a few other things worth knowing about.

If Scolari's has been on your radar, now's a good time to go. Or check out the full video we put together.

This Week’s Events

Pop-Up Market East Bay | Sat, Mar 28 | 12:00–4:00 PM | Free
📍Almanac Adventureland, 651 W Tower Ave, Alameda – An afternoon pop-up market with creativity, community, and a pop-up gallery at Almanac Adventureland. More info

CarrierCon 2026 at the USS Hornet | Sat–Sun, Mar 21–22 | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM | Sold Out📍USS Hornet Museum, Alameda Point – A two-day cosplay, anime, and gaming convention aboard a real aircraft carrier, featuring V-Tubers, cosplay contests, tabletop gaming, vendors, artist alley, and panels. More info

Art of the African Diaspora 2026 - Opening Reception | Sat, Mar 21 | 7:30-9:30 PM | Free 📍Studio 23, Alameda - The 3rd annual exhibition celebrating artists of the African diaspora, hosted by Eric Murphy. Photography, painting, mixed media, and more. The exhibit runs through April 18. More info

Next Stop Comedy | Multiple Dates | Time Varies | Ticketed Event📍Alameda Brewing, 1716 Park St, Alameda – A rotating lineup of stand-up comedians bringing a fresh show each month, featuring comics seen on TV and popular podcasts. More info

AEF Poetry Slam 2026 | Sat, Mar 21 | 2:30-4:30 PM | Free 📍Books Inc., 1344 Park St, Alameda - The Alameda Education Foundation's 3rd Annual Poetry Slam. Students and community members take the stage for spoken word performances. More info

In-Sides + Apprehenchmen + Always Add Acid to Water | Sat, Mar 21 | 7 PM | $10 📍The Fireside Lounge, Webster St, Alameda - A triple bill of live music at the Fireside. More info

Dead Roses | Fri, Mar 20 | 5 PM | Free📍Park Station, Alameda - Live music in the beer garden to kick off Restaurant Week. More info

Jazz Jam Hosted by Caesar's Empire | Wed, Mar 25 | 6:00-8:00 PM | Free 📍Park Station, Alameda - A weekly jazz jam open to musicians and listeners alike. One of the best low-key midweek vibes in Alameda. More info

Singer/Songwriter Open Mic | Wed, Mar 25 | 8:00-11:00 PM | Free 📍The Fireside Lounge, Webster St, Alameda - A weekly open mic spotlighting local musicians and songwriters. Sign-ups at 7:30 PM. More info

Trivia Night at Alameda Brewing Co. | Tue, Mar 24 | 7:00 PM | Free 📍Alameda Brewing, Broadway, Alameda - Live multi-media trivia every Tuesday. Free to play, win prizes, teams up to 6. More info

Trivia Night at Fireside Lounge | Tue, Mar 24 | 7:30 PM | Free 📍Fireside Lounge - Weekly trivia competition with prizes for the smartest teams. More info

Trivia Night at Almanac Brewery | Tue, Mar 24 | 6:30-8:30 PM | Free 📍Almanac Beer Co., Alameda Point - Weekly pub trivia with prizes, craft beer, and team play. Easy to join and free to play. More info

Soft Pretzel Workshop | Wed, Mar 25 | 6:30–8:00 PM | $76.88📍Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch St, Alameda – Learn to roll, twist, boil, and bake your own soft pretzels, plus make a cheddar pub dip. Leave with 4–6 fresh pretzels, recipes, and a dough scraper. Bay views included. More info

Tae Poetically Divine | Sat, Mar 21 | Time TBA | Free 📍Alameda Free Library - A special literary event at the library. More info

Seder Plate Workshop | Thu, Mar 19 | 6:30 PM | Price TBA 📍2205 South Shore Center, Alameda - A hands-on workshop to create your own Seder plate ahead of Passover. More info

Jason Buchholz: The Cartographer of Sands | Thu, Mar 19 | 6:30-7:30 PM | Free 📍Books Inc., 1344 Park St, Alameda - East Bay author Jason Buchholz reads from his new novel. Great neighborhood bookstore event, good community pick. More info

Keep Calm & Carry Yarn | Mon, Mar 23 | 4:00 PM | Free 📍Main Library, Alameda - Drop-in crafting session with yarn. All ages and skill levels welcome. More info

Bhangra Fundamentals Dance Class | Mon, Mar 23 | 6:30-7:30 PM | $15 drop-in 📍Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave, Alameda - Learn the fundamentals of Bhangra, the energetic folk dance from Punjab, India. All-levels class. More info

Saturday Long Run | Saturdays | 8:00 AM | Free📍Kindred Running, 1436 Webster St, Alameda – Kick off your weekend with a 5K or 10K at a conversational pace. Great for meeting people and getting miles in. More info

Community Walk Walking Group | Wednesdays | 9:00 AM📍Kindred Running, 1436 Webster St, Alameda – Easygoing midweek walk focused on movement, fresh air, and good company. Perfect for all paces. More info

Kindred Running 3-Mile Social Run | Thu | 6:30–7:30 PM | Free 📍Park Station, Alameda – Easy-paced 3-mile group run followed by a casual hang. All levels welcome. Come for the movement, stay for the community. More info

Community Police Academy | Tues, Mar 24–May 12 | 6:00–9:00 PM | Free
📍Alameda Police Department, 1555 Oak St, Alameda – An 8-week interactive program that gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the department operates, including real cases, policies, and how resources are used to keep Alameda safe. More info

FREE Social Security & Lifetime Income Workshop | Fri, Mar 20 | 11:00 AM–12:30 PM | Free📍Alameda Bay Area Radio Museum, 2152 Central Ave, Alameda – Learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits and plan for long-term income, including how other assets can impact your future payouts. Hosted by Tandem Financial Advisors. More info

Have something locals should know about? 👉 Email: [email protected]

HOUSES ON THE MARKET

Want your business in front of thousands of Alamedans? Email us at [email protected]

— For Frankie