Happy Thursday, everyone!

Big week on the Island!

Fernside Boulevard at Tilden Way is closed, so detour before you head to Fruitvale Bridge or Nob Hill. The City's Rent Program put $500K back in tenants' pockets and locked in rent control for 150 homes at Admirals Cove.

Plus Memorial Day weekend is packed: USS Hornet ceremony, free live music, puppet wrestling at Almanac.

In this week's email:

Read time: ~8 mins

FEATURED EVENTS

Mon, May 25 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Included with museum admission (free for active and retired military)

📍 USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum, 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda

There is no better place in town to honor the day than the deck of an aircraft carrier. The Hornet's Memorial Day ceremony includes a keynote from Navy aviator Chris Flaherty, a color guard, and a wreath laying to remember those who gave everything. There is also a fitness tribute honoring fallen Navy SEAL Charlie Keating IV. Active and retired military get in free, and the whole ship is open to explore all day. Bring the family, bring a flag, and take a moment. More info

Mon, May 25 | Time TBA, see Almanac IG | Ticketed, limited space

📍 Almanac Adventureland & Brewery, 651B W Tower Ave, Alameda

This is the rare Memorial Day plan that works for parents and the kids. The Oogubi crew brings their sensory-friendly hours to Almanac Adventureland, with calming play time for little ones, food on site, craft beer and wine for the grownups, and a churros cart for everybody. The Mother's Day version sold out fast, so do not wait. Comment "oogubi" on Almanac's post and they will DM you the time and tickets. Get Tickets

[SPONSOR PLACEMENT - SEAN TO PROVIDE DETAILS]

Speisekammer has been Alameda's German biergarten since long before "beer hall" was a trendy phrase. The room is dim and warm in that good wood-paneled, old-world way, and the back patio is massive, with picnic tables made for groups. Order the schnitzel any way they make it (Jäger if you like mushrooms, Wiener if you want classic), the Sauerbraten if you want something slow-cooked and rich, a soft pretzel with mustard to start, and apple strudel if you have room. There are a lot of German beers on tap, which is the whole point.

This is the kind of place that feels right on Memorial Day weekend, when you want communal tables, big plates, and a long pour. Bring friends. Bring family. Open all weekend including Monday afternoon. Save room for the strudel.

📍 2424 Lincoln Ave, Alameda | (510) 522-1300 | speisekammer.com

Saturday is a big day for one of Park Street's most beloved spots. Rocket Reuse, the secondhand books, vinyl, vintage clothes, and community store that has been on the Island since 2010, holds its grand reopening at its new home at 1424 Park Street. The new space is roughly four times the size of the old storefront. Stop by, dig through the crates, browse the racks, and say hi. Few places on Park Street feel as much like a community living room as this one. Read more →

Source: Rocket Reuse | @rocket_reuse on Instagram

Fernside Boulevard at Tilden Way closed Monday as crews begin building the new roundabout for the $10M Clement/Tilden Improvement Project. Detour via Broadway to reach Fruitvale Bridge or Nob Hill. Cross-Island drivers should use Encinal or Central. A temporary bypass opens June 3, and the full project, including a dog park and separated bike and walking paths, wraps in early October 2026. Read more →

Source: City of Alameda

The City's Rent Program just released its 2025 annual report, and the numbers are striking. Last year the program returned more than $500,000 to 212 tenant households that were hit with invalid rent increases. That is more than triple any previous year. The jump came after a new rule, Regulation 25-01, set a clearer process for fixing bad rent hikes. There was also a major court win. In August 2025, the City prevailed at the California Court of Appeal and secured full rent control protections for 150 homes at Admirals Cove, former military housing now used as rentals. That ruling sets a statewide precedent. One more thing landlords should know: if you own fully regulated units and skip the annual registration, you cannot raise rent on that property until you fix it. Renters and owners with questions can reach the Rent Program at 510-747-7520. Read more →

Source: City of Alameda | Alameda Rent Program 2025 Annual Report

This one stings. Roughly 26 small bronze plaques were ripped off benches at Jean Sweeney Open Space Park. Families had donated those benches and nameplates to remember loved ones, so this is not just a property crime, it is personal. Investigators believe the plaques were taken to be sold for scrap, since bronze fetches a few dollars a pound at scrap yards. There have been no arrests. The City says it is sad about the loss and is working with the Recreation and Parks Department to find new materials for future memorials that are harder to steal and resell. If you donated a bench plaque, the City is the place to start for next steps. Read more →

Source: KTVU

Now for the story that fixes your faith in people. A young boy named Leo spotted a pelican tangled in fishing line at Fortmann Marina and did not hesitate. He jumped into the water and worked alongside Alameda Animal Control officers to free the bird. The pelican was taken to International Bird Rescue for treatment. Alameda Police shared the story and praised Leo as a great example of the kind of community spirit that makes this place special. Quick, kind, and brave. Nice work, Leo. Read more →

Source: Patch Alameda

Young American Patriots Fife & Drum Corps | Sat, May 23 | 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM | Included with admission | 📍 USS Hornet Museum, 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda. A visiting fife and drum corps performs in period uniform across the flight deck all day, perfect for Memorial Day weekend. More info

Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime | Thu, May 21 | 10:30 AM & 1:30 PM | Free | 📍 Alameda Free Library, Main Library, 1550 Oak St, Alameda. Songs, rhymes, and movement for babies and toddlers with their grownups. Library events

Splat Art | Sun, May 24 | 10:00 AM | 📍 Alameda. A hands-on, gloriously messy art session for kids, hosted locally. More info

Heads up: all Alameda libraries are closed Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day.

Mio Flores SalSazz Trio | Thu, May 21 | 7:30 PM | Free | 📍 Cinema Grill, 2317 Central Ave, Alameda. The Island's weekly Latin salsa night, hot horns and all. More info

Larrie Noble's Phree Thinkers | Fri, May 22 & Sat, May 23 | 7:30 PM | Free | 📍 Cinema Grill, 2317 Central Ave, Alameda. A tight band covering pop, soul, R&B, and rock across five decades, two nights running. More info

Alameda Community Band Spring Concert | Fri, May 22 | Evening, see listing | Free | 📍 Mastick Senior Center Social Hall, 1155 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda. A free spring concert from the city's own community band. More info

Jesse Manibusan & Friends | Sun, May 24 | 3:30 PM | Free | 📍 Cinema Grill, 2317 Central Ave, Alameda. An easy Sunday afternoon of acoustic covers, from James Taylor to Amy Winehouse. More info

Larrie Noble Jazz Jam | Mon, May 25 | 6:00 PM | Free | 📍 Fireside Lounge, 1453 Webster St, Alameda. The last-Monday jazz jam, a relaxed way to close out the long weekend. More info

GROOVE: Soul, Funk, R&B & Jazz on Wax | Fri, May 22 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Free | 📍 Vinyl Wine Bar & Shop, 2350 Saratoga St #166, Alameda. Resident selector DJ Kimani spins an all-vinyl set on vintage Japanese listening-bar speakers, from Coltrane and Brubeck to Prince, D'Angelo, and Erykah Badu. The right way to start the long weekend. More info

History Mystery After-Hours Tour | Fri, May 22 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | 📍 USS Hornet Museum, 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda. An after-dark tour of one of the most reportedly haunted ships in the country. Not for little ones. More info

Comedy Night at Cinema Grill | Wed, May 27 | 7:00 PM | 📍 Cinema Grill, 2317 Central Ave, Alameda. Laugh with local comics on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. More info

"Artists of the African Diaspora" Gallery Exhibit | Now through June 26 | Free | 📍 Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave, Alameda. A powerful group show in the K Gallery, free to walk through. More info

Music Bingo | Thu, May 21 | 7:00 PM | Free | 📍 Alameda Brewing, 1716 Park St, Alameda. Name that tune, win prizes, drink good beer. More info

Karaoke at Hobnob | Fri, May 22 | 9:00 PM | Free | 📍 Hobnob, 1313 Park St, Alameda. The Island's go-to Friday night sing-along. More info

Church of Good Vibes Karaoke | Sun, May 24 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Free | 📍 Fireside Lounge, 1453 Webster St, Alameda. A loose, friendly karaoke night on the 4th Sunday. More info

Trivia Tuesday | Tue, May 26 | 7:00 PM | Free | 📍 Alameda Brewing, 1716 Park St, Alameda. One of the East Bay's busiest trivia nights, in the taproom. More info

Trivia at Fireside | Tue, May 26 | 7:30 PM | Free | 📍 Fireside Lounge, 1453 Webster St, Alameda. Live trivia with Kirkland, a Webster Street staple. More info

Singer/Songwriter Open Mic | Wed, May 27 | 7:30 PM | Free | 📍 Fireside Lounge, 1453 Webster St, Alameda. Bring an instrument or just bring your ears. More info

Profs and Pints: A History of Mythical Cures | Wed, May 27 | Doors 6:00 PM, talk 6:30 PM | $13.50 advance, $17 at the door | 📍 Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch St, Alameda. Professor Vivian Delchamps Wolf on America's long, weird history of selling false cure-alls. Tickets online only and these talks fill up. Get tickets

Alameda Walks: Gold Coast Neighborhood Walk | Sat, May 23 | Morning | Free | 📍 Meet at Franklin Park, 1432 San Antonio Ave, Alameda. A guided history walk through the Gold Coast's Victorian streets, led by local historian Dennis Evanosky. Walks schedule

Alameda Farmers' Market | Sat, May 23 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Free | 📍 Haight Ave & Webster St, West End, Alameda. Fresh produce, flowers, and breakfast to-go from local growers. More info

Morning Pilates | Thu, May 21 | 10:30 AM | 📍 Svastha Yoga, 647 Pacific Ave, Alameda. A core-focused morning class to start the day strong. More info

Pasta Making with Chef Alexis | Thu, May 21 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | 📍 Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch St, Alameda. Roll fresh pasta by hand with a chef, beer in reach. Sign up

Kindred Running x Brooks Demo Run | Thu, May 21 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Free | 📍 Park Station, 1200 Park St, Alameda. Test-drive Brooks' new Ghost 18 on a 3-mile social run (1.5-mile walking option) with the Kindred crew, then stick around for raffles and post-run drinks. RSVP

California Primary Election is June 2 | Ballots are out now | 📍 Citywide. Vote-by-mail ballots have been mailed to registered Alameda voters. You can check your registration, find your polling place, or track your ballot through the Alameda County Registrar. Voter info

City Offices and Libraries Closed for Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | 📍 Citywide. All city offices and every library branch are closed Monday for the holiday. Plan errands, returns, and parking around it.

"'night, Mother" Opens at Altarena | Fri, May 29 & Sat, May 30 7:30 PM, Sun, May 31 2:00 PM | 📍 Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St, Alameda. Marsha Norman's Pulitzer-winning two-person drama opens its run. Tickets

Los Alegres | Sun, May 31 | 3:30 PM | Free | 📍 Cinema Grill, 2317 Central Ave, Alameda. A Colombian and Latin American band closing the month with cumbia and vallenato. More info

Mastick Birthday Celebration | Thu, May 28 | 📍 Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda. The monthly birthday party for the 50-plus crowd, with trivia, snacks, and music. More info

Puppet Wars: Brawl in the Barrel Hall | Sat, May 30 | Doors 5:30 PM, bell 6:30 PM | $20 advance, $30 at the door | 📍 Almanac Adventureland & Brewery, 651B W Tower Ave, Alameda. The Puppet Masters Dojo brings hard-hitting puppet wrestling to the barrel hall. Yes, that is the actual concept. Yes, it is great. Tickets

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