Happy Thursday, Alameda!

Hope everyone made it through the storm this week. Between the rain, wind, and a few flooded corners around town, it definitely felt like a true winter stretch on the island.

If you’ve been stuck inside the last couple of days, this weekend is a good excuse to get back out there.

We’ve got a big update out of AUSD, lots of live music, and some fun things happening at Almanac. Plus plenty of local events to fill your calendar once the skies clear.

Let’s dive in!

In this week’s email:

• Featured Events: Petting Zoo + Alameda Short Film Fest

• Island Updates: Whisk Cake Creations & AUSD contract agreement

• This Week’s Events: Live music, community meetups, and more

• Houses on the Market

Read time: 6 mins

FEATURED EVENTS

Adventureland Petting Zoo - Farm to Table Day

Farm to Table Day: Adventureland Petting Zoo | Sat Feb 21 | 12–4 PM | Free📍W Tower Ave, Alameda – A relaxed, all-ages petting zoo set up outdoors in Almanac’s beergarden. Meet friendly animals, ask questions, and explore at your own pace. Easy, family-friendly Saturday stop. More info

Alameda Shorts Festival

Alameda Shorts Festival | Sun, Feb 22 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Free entry 📍Alameda Brewing – A new local short film festival during SF Beer Week featuring short films under 10 minutes from Bay Area filmmakers, plus audience voting, awards, film-themed beer, and a taproom after-party. Submissions are open for local creators. More info

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Whisk Cake Creations

I got to try ube cakes from the Bay Area Ube King!

Our very own Henry Awayan at Whisk Cake Creations let me go behind the counter and try some of his best ube recipes.

If you want to check out my experience, here is the video highlighting them. Watch Here

AUSD and Teachers Reach Tentative 3-Year Contract Agreement

The Update

After more than a year of negotiations, Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) and the Alameda Education Association (AEA) have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract.

Talks began in January 2025 and hit an impasse in November, which led to three mediation sessions with a state-appointed mediator. On February 11, both sides reached an agreement on all open items, including salary and benefits.

The agreement covers teachers, nurses, speech and language pathologists, psychologists, and counselors.

What’s Included

Salary

-10% total raise over three years
- 6% in 2025–26 (including retroactive increases to July 2025 and January 2026)
- 3% in 2026–27
- 3% guaranteed in 2027–28, with possible adjustments based on state cost-of-living increases
- One-time 2% bonus, equal to $2,160 per member

These increases are higher than the state’s projected school funding cost-of-living adjustments of around 2–2.4%.

Health Benefits
District contributions toward healthcare will increase significantly through 2028. Many employees are expected to have the full cost of individual healthcare premiums covered.

By 2028:
- Individual plan contributions increase 47%
- Family plan contributions increase 76%

District leaders say the agreement uses select one-time funds and reduces some financial reserves, but they structured it to balance fair compensation with long-term stability.

Why It Matters

This closes one of the most closely watched local issues of the school year. A potential strike has been avoided, and schools gain stability heading into the next few years.

AEA members will vote first. If approved, the AUSD Board of Education and the Alameda County Office of Education must also sign off before it becomes final. Read More

THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

Family Events

Farm to Table Day: Adventureland Petting Zoo | Sat, Feb 21 | 12:00 PM–4:00 PM | Free entry 📍Almanac Beer Co. W Tower Ave – A relaxed, all-ages outdoor petting zoo in the beer garden with friendly animals to meet and learn about. Great for families, kids, and animal lovers. More info

Play & Pour: Arcade Party | Sun, Feb 22 | All day | Free entry 📍Almanac Beer Co. – Classic and modern arcade games running all day with 20% off arcade play and beverage tabs for players. Drop in anytime to chase high scores and hang out. More info

Pliny the Younger Tapping | Mon, Feb 23 | 5:00 PM | Taproom entry 📍Almanac Beer Co. W Tower Ave – Special tapping of the limited Pliny the Younger release. Expect lines, a lively crowd, and a chance to try one of the most sought-after beers of the year. More info

Family Storytime | Sat, Feb 21 | 10:30 AM | Free 📍West End Library – Stories, songs, and rhymes designed for young children and their families. More info

Reboot Beatz Foundation: Beats 4 Balance | Sun, Feb 22 | 1:00 PM–6:00 PM | Free entry 📍Faction Brewing – A vendor marketplace and sensory kit drive benefiting UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital with live DJs. More info

Mystery Book Club | Mon, Feb 23 | 4:30 PM | Free 📍Alameda Free Library (Main) – A discussion group for mystery lovers focusing on this month's selected thriller. More info

Live Music, Shows & Entertainment

Live Swing Music and Dance Party with Big Cheese and the Jive Rats | Tue, Feb 24 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | No cover 📍Park Station – A swing dance night featuring Big Cheese and the Jive Rats with live music, dancing, and a relaxed taproom vibe. Open to all levels, with plenty of space to move. More info

Jazz Jam at Park Station hosted by Caesar’s Empire | Wed, Feb 25 | 6:00 PM–8:30 PM | Free entry 📍Park Street Station – Weekly jazz jam session hosted by Caesar’s Empire. Expect live musicians, improvisation, and a laid-back midweek hang with great tunes. More info

Mio Flores Latin Salsa Band | Thu, Feb 19 | 7:30 PM–10:15 PM | 1-drink minimum or $5 cover 📍Alameda Cinema Grill – High-energy Latin salsa night with live band and dancing in the neighborhood bistro lounge. Reservations recommended. More info

Larrie Noble’s Phreethinkers | Fri, Feb 20 | 7:30 PM–10:15 PM | 1-drink minimum or $5 cover 📍Alameda Cinema Grill – Live funk, soul, and groove-driven set from Larrie Noble’s Phreethinkers with dinner and drinks available. More info

Larrie Noble’s Phreethinkers | Sat, Feb 21 | 7:30 PM–10:15 PM | 1-drink minimum or $5 cover 📍Alameda Cinema Grill – Another night of live funk and soul with the Phreethinkers in the Cinema Grill lounge. More info

"The Apology" Free Screening | Mon, Feb 23 | 6:00 PM | Free 📍Alameda Theatre & Cineplex – A documentary screening about the history of Russell City, sponsored by the City of Alameda. More info

Games, Drinks, & Vibes

Next Stop Comedy | Fri, Feb 20 | 7:00 PM | ~$28 📍Alameda Brewing – A pop-up stand-up comedy show featuring professional comedians from TV and festivals. More info

Singer/Songwriter Open Mic | Wed, Feb 25 | 7:30 PM | Free 📍Fireside Lounge – Local musicians take the stage to perform original songs in a supportive atmosphere. More info

Pinball and Pints (SF Beer Week) | Sun, Feb 22 | 2:00 PM | ~$55 📍Pacific Pinball Museum – A special beer week event combining unlimited pinball play with craft brews. More info

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

Trivia Night at Almanac Brewery | Tues | 6:30-8:30PM | 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

Trivia Night at Alameda Brewing Co. | Tues | 7:00–9:00 PM | Free 📍Alameda Brewing Co., Alameda – Weekly team trivia night with rotating questions, craft beer, and prizes. Arrive early to grab a table and play along. More info

Community & Classes

Ashtanga Inspired Flow | Fri, Feb 20 | 7:00 AM | $25 📍Svastha Yoga Hub – A moderate-flow Vinyasa class focusing on alignment, breath, and strength. More info

Chinese Calligraphy Workshop: Blessings in Bloom | Thu, Feb 19 | 4:00 PM–5:00 PM | Free 📍West End Library – A Lunar New Year workshop for ages 8+ teaching the character for "Fortune" and lantern decoration. More info

Alameda Farmers' Market | Sat, Feb 21 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Free entry 📍Haight Ave at Webster St – Fresh produce, flowers, and local goods from Bay Area growers, rain or shine. More info

Connection & Recreation

Alameda Dinner Club | Wed, Feb 25 | 7:00 PM | $20 📍Webster or Park Street – A new social dining experience matching groups of 6 strangers for dinner followed by an after-party. 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

Saturday Morning Pick-Up Pickleball | Saturdays | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Free 📍Alameda (location shared after RSVP) – Casual, all-skill-level pickleball games. Play time may shift depending on turnout. Beginners and seasoned players welcome. Email to RSVP. More info

Friday Connect (Improv Night) | Fri Feb 20 | 6–7:30 PM | $35 drop-in📍Improv Central, Alameda – Kick off the weekend with a relaxed improv night designed for connection, not performance. Bring a partner, friend, or small group, eat takeout, sip drinks, and play through guided improv games. No experience needed. BYOT and BYOB welcome. More info

Beyond Alameda

Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics | Thu, Feb 19 | 7:00 PM | $$$ 📍Chase Center, SF – The Warriors take on the Celtics in a high-profile NBA regular season matchup. More info

The Notebook - The Musical | Thu, Feb 19 – Wed, Feb 25 | Showtimes vary | $$$ 📍Orpheum Theatre, SF – The hit Broadway musical based on the bestselling romance novel makes its SF tour stop. More info

Los Tigres del Norte | Fri, Feb 20 | 8:00 PM | $$$ 📍Chase Center, SF – The legendary Norteño band performs their biggest hits at San Francisco's premier arena. More info

Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets | Sun, Feb 22 | 12:30 PM | $$$ 📍Chase Center, SF – A Sunday afternoon game featuring two of the West's top teams. More info

Artemas | Tue, Feb 24 | 8:00 PM | $$ 📍Fox Theater, Oakland – The alternative pop artist brings his "Lovercore" tour to Oakland. More info

Have something locals should know about? 👉️ Email: alamedapulse@gmail.com

HOUSES ON THE MARKET

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— For Frankie