Happy Thursday, everyone!

Restaurant Week wraps up this weekend (last chance to hit those prix fixe menus), and Friday night is the 8th Annual Whiskey Stroll downtown. If you missed it last year, this one is worth it.

Beyond the fun stuff, some big news this week. The Alameda Planning Board just gave a unanimous vote for a permanent performing arts center at Alameda Point. College of Alameda also announced it's cutting all athletics programs. We've got the details below.

Let’s dive in!

In this week’s email:

FEATURED EVENTS

Friday, March 27 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | $55-$75

📍 Downtown Alameda (12+ locations along Park St & Webster St)

The 8th Annual Whiskey Stroll is back. Ticket holders visit 12+ unique downtown shops and spaces to taste small-batch whiskeys from California distillers. Each stop features a different whiskey paired with a savory or sweet bite. You get a collectible tasting glass and a commemorative guide. This year they're partnering with the Alameda Food Bank, so your ticket supports a good cause too. Must be 21+ with valid ID. These sell out every year. Get Tickets

Through Sunday, March 29 | Various Times | Prices Vary

📍 60+ Restaurants Across Alameda

If you haven't made it out for Alameda Restaurant Week yet, this is your last shot. Over 30 restaurants, bars, breweries, and wineries are still offering special menus through Sunday. The "World Cup Edition" theme celebrates Alameda's connection to the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the island's diverse food scene. Grab a Restaurant Passport, hit a few spots, and you could win prizes. More Info

ALAMEDA NEWS

Big things are happening at Alameda Point. The Alameda Planning Board voted unanimously this week to approve Radium Presents' plan for a permanent performing arts center at 2151 Ferry Point Way. The $100 million project will include a 500-seat theater, rehearsal space, a cafe, an upper-level restaurant, and public plazas along the waterfront. The design by Bora Architecture preserves view corridors to the Naval Air Museum and connects to the Bay Trail. This follows the Historical Advisory Board's certificate of approval on March 5. Next stop is City Council. Groundbreaking is expected mid-2026. Learn More

Big news for the College of Alameda community. The school announced it will shut down all athletics programs at the end of the Spring 2026 season. The Peralta Community College District said they have not been able to keep a women's sports team at COA. Without women's sports, Title IX rules mean they can't offer men's sports either. Student athletes can still play at sister colleges Laney and Merritt in Oakland. Read More

Good news for families looking for affordable places to live. Alameda County is putting $53 million toward building nearly 900 new affordable homes across the county. About 350 of those units are for people who are currently unhoused. The money comes from a special bond measure that voters approved. It's one of the biggest single investments the county has made in affordable housing. Read More

The Alameda Rotary Club held its annual fundraising dinner and raised over $12,000 for local nonprofit grants. The money goes directly to organizations serving the Alameda community. A great reminder that the people on this island keep showing up for each other. Read More

If you haven't been to Asena yet, Restaurant Week is the perfect excuse to go. This family-owned Mediterranean spot has been an Alameda staple since 1996. Co-owners Mustafa Yildirim and Muhittin Arpaci bring over 60 years of combined Bay Area restaurant experience to the table. They bake their own bread, roll fresh pasta in-house, and cure their own salmon. The menu changes with the seasons and leans on fresh, local ingredients. They also have a great wine list with small labels you won't find everywhere. Zagat-rated and one of the top restaurants on the island. Open Mon-Sat for dinner. View Menu

If you haven't been to Replenish Marketplace yet, it's worth a visit. This is Alameda's first refill and reuse store, and it just won the 2026 Alameda Star for both New Business and Eco-Friendly Business.

The concept is simple. Bring a reusable container. Fill it up with household cleaning products, shampoo, laundry detergent, hand lotion, or toothpaste. If you forget your container, they have a community supply of donated ones you can grab.

Owner Laria Pippen opened the shop with her husband, Stephan after seeing how much plastic waste was being generated from her work as a pediatric nurse. Every product in the store is vetted to be free from microplastics, nontoxic, and free from PFOS chemicals, phthalates, and sulfates. Even the shelves inside were salvaged and upcycled.

It's the kind of small business that makes Alameda special. Stop by and bring your own bottle. Visit Replenish Marketplace

This Week’s Events

Pop-Up Market at Almanac | Sat, Mar 28 | 12:00-4:00 PM | Free📍Almanac Adventureland, 651 W Tower Ave, Alameda - Browse local artists, makers, and small businesses selling handmade goods, art, and unique finds. Family-friendly. More info

Youth Career & Job Fair | Wed, Apr 1 | Time TBD | Free📍Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School, 210 Central Ave, Alameda - The city's annual career fair focused on summer jobs and internships for Alameda youth. More info

Drop-In Play Time at Swings & Wings | Most Days | Hours Vary | Price Varies📍Swings & Wings, 2307 Blanding Ave, Alameda - Indoor play space for little ones. Great rainy day option for families. Calendar

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

STEAM Wednesdays | Wed, Apr 1 | 4:00 PM | Free📍Main Library, 1550 Oak St, Alameda - Hands-on science, tech, engineering, art, and math activities for kids. Registration required. More info

Karaoke Night at Hobnob | Fri, Mar 27 | Evening | Free📍 Hobnob, 1313 Park St, Alameda - Weekly karaoke every Friday night. Grab a drink and take the mic. More info

Mio Flores Latin Salsa Band at Cinema Grill | Thu, Mar 26 | 7:30-10:15 PM | $5 cover or 1 drink min 📍 Cinema Grill, 2301 Central Ave, Alameda - Live Latin salsa inside the historic Alameda Theatre. Weekly Thursday residency. More info

Larrie Noble's Phreethinkers at Cinema Grill | Fri, Mar 27 & Sat, Mar 28 | 7:30-10:15 PM | $5 cover or 1 drink min 📍 Cinema Grill, 2301 Central Ave, Alameda - Live music Friday and Saturday nights inside the Alameda Theatre. More info

Jazz Jam Hosted by Caesar's Empire | Wed, Apr 1 | 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, Apr 1 | 8:00-11:00 PM | Free📍 The Fireside Lounge, Webster St, Alameda - Weekly open mic for local musicians and songwriters. Sign-ups at 7:30 PM. More info

Shrek the Musical | Through Sat, Mar 28 | Times Vary | Ticketed📍 Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School, Alameda - The student drama department brings Shrek to the stage. Last weekend to catch it. Great family show.

Flight Patterns: Celebrating Alameda Birdlife | Through Apr 24 | Free📍 Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave, Alameda - A beautiful exhibit celebrating over 200 species of birds documented in Alameda. Photography, painting, and mixed media. Open during gallery hours. More info

Mastick Spring Multimedia Art Exhibit | Ongoing | Free📍 Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda - A community art exhibit featuring local multimedia artists. Worth a walk-through. More info

Classic Video Gaming | Wed-Sun | Hours Vary | Ticketed📍High Scores Arcade, 1414 Park St, Alameda - Hundreds of classic arcade games you can play all day for one price. Fun for all ages. More info

Thursday @ The Avenue | Thu, Mar 26 | Evening | Free📍Alameda Avenue Parklet, 2324 Alameda Ave - Weekly hangout at the parklet. Food, drinks, and good vibes. More info

Trivia Night at Alameda Brewing | Tue, Mar 31 | 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 31 | 7:30 PM | Free📍Fireside Lounge, Alameda - Weekly trivia competition with prizes. More info

Trivia Night at Almanac Brewery | Tue, Mar 31 | 6:30-8:30 PM | Free📍Almanac Beer Co., Alameda Point - Weekly pub trivia with prizes and craft beer. More info

Kindred Running 3-Mile Social Run | Thu, Mar 26 | 6:30-7:30 PM | Free📍Park Station, Alameda - Easy-paced group run followed by a casual hang. All levels welcome. More info

Saturday Long Run | Sat, Mar 29 | 8:00 AM | Free📍Kindred Running, 1436 Webster St, Alameda - 5K or 10K at a conversational pace. Great for meeting people. More info

Community Walk | Wed, Apr 1 | 9:00 AM | Free📍Kindred Running, 1436 Webster St, Alameda - Easygoing midweek walk. Perfect for all paces. More info

For the Love of the Cake | Sat, Apr 11 | Time TBD | Ticketed 📍 Alameda Elks Lodge, Alameda - A brand new charity fundraiser featuring a cake potluck competition benefiting local nonprofits. First-time event organized by Marja Moyer. Get Tickets

Free Alameda Youth STEM Day at USS Hornet | Sun, Apr 12 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Free for Alameda Youth 📍 USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum, Alameda Point - Free admission all day for Alameda youth 18 and under (bring proof of residency). Hands-on stations include coding robots, hydraulic builds, catapults, and math puzzles. Egg Drop Contest on the flight deck starts at 1 PM. Sponsored by the Hearst Foundations. Pre-Register

Alameda's Spring Shindig | Sat, Apr 18 | Time TBD | Free📍Alameda Point Gym, 1101 W Redline Ave, Alameda - Earth Day activities, crafts, interactive games, and family fun. Also a chance to register for summer programs. More info

Fleetwood Macramé Tribute Concert | Fri, Apr 10 | Evening | $30-$75 📍 Alameda Theatre, 2317 Central Ave, Alameda - A full night of Fleetwood Mac hits live. General ($30), Luxury Recliners ($35), VIP includes front-row seating, speakeasy happy hour, mezzanine buffet, and on-stage photo ($75).

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

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— For Frankie