Happy Thursday, Alameda!

It’s one of those weeks where the calendar is packed!

A lot is happening around the island, from community drinks and live music to fundraisers and fitness meetups.

We also have an update on Coffee Culture closing and what’s coming next for that Park Street space. It’s always tough to say goodbye to a familiar spot, but there’s a new chapter on the way.

Let’s dive in!

In this week’s email:

• Featured Events: Kindred Running X Hoka Demo Run

• Island Updates: New Cafe Coming to Alameda

• This Week’s Events

• Houses On The Market: New Alameda Listings

Read time: 5 mins

FEATURED EVENTS

Alameda Point Antiques Fair

Alameda Point Antiques Faire | Sun, Feb 1 | 6:00 AM–3:00 PM | $5–20 📍Alameda Point – One of the largest antiques markets on the West Coast, featuring hundreds of vendors selling vintage furniture, decor, collectibles, art, clothing, and rare finds along the runway. More info

Kindred Running x HOKA Demo Run

Kindred Running x HOKA Demo Run | Thu, Jan 29 | 6:15–7:30 PM | Free 📍Park Station, Alameda – Test HOKA’s newest road shoes, join an easy-paced 5K group run or walk, and hang after with raffles, giveaways, and drinks. All paces welcome. More info

ISLAND UPDATES

A New Café Is Coming to Alameda

There’s a change coming to Park Street that many locals will notice.

Coffee Cultures, the café right by the Park Street Bridge, shared that its last day will be January 31st. For years, it’s been a go-to stop for specialty drinks, matcha, soft serve, and a comfortable place to sit, work, or meet up with friends.

The space won’t stay empty for long.

Moving into the location will be Ones Cafe & Bakery, a café known for freshly baked pastries, quality coffee, and a friendly, neighborhood feel. People who have visited their Castro Valley shop often mention the croissants, specialty lattes, and baked goods made in-house.

One detail many regulars may appreciate is that Ones Cafe has shared that they plan to continue using Coffee Cultures’ coffee, keeping a familiar taste in the space.

The new Alameda location is expected to open in mid-February, keeping this Park Street corner active and part of the local coffee routine.

It’s always a little bittersweet to say goodbye to a familiar spot, but this feels like a positive next chapter for cafe lovers on Park Street.

COMMUNITY BOARD

Would You Join The Alameda Dinner Club?

We’ve got a fun idea and wanted to run it by you first.

What if there were an Alameda Dinner Club with small, curated dinners around the island? Each dinner would be just six people at one table, meeting at a local restaurant for good food and easy conversation.

You’d sign up and fill out a quick quiz with things like interests, age range, budget, and preferences. From there, we’d thoughtfully match each table so it feels natural and comfortable.

We’d choose a great local spot and handle the planning. You just show up, eat well, and connect with fellow Alamedans.

We’ll only move forward if there’s real interest, so your input matters.

Community & Art Grant Opportunities

If you’re an artist, creative, nonprofit, or event organizer in Alameda, the City’s Public Art Program has several upcoming opportunities designed to help fund projects, events, and cultural programming around the island.

Below are a few key grants and info sessions worth knowing about this spring:

2026 Cultural Arts & Arts Programming Grants

The City of Alameda’s Public Art Program is launching its 2026 Cultural Arts grants on Thursday, January 29. These grants support cultural and arts programming throughout Alameda. More info
🗓Proposals due Thursday, March 19 by 5:00 PM

Grant Writing for the Arts Webinar

New to grant writing or want to strengthen your applications? This free webinar covers the basics of arts grant writing and how to expand funding opportunities. Led by Kimberley Acebo Arteche, Executive Director of Brava! for Women in the Arts
🗓 Wednesday, February 4 at 5:00 PM
Register

Cultural Arts Grant Orientation (Virtual)

A walkthrough of the 2026 Cultural Arts grant application, including eligible projects and a live Q&A. Helpful if you’re considering applying.
🗓 Wednesday, February 11 at 5:00 PM
Register

Special Events Permit Grant Program

This program helps cover City permit-related costs for qualifying special events in Alameda through no-cost services or reimbursements. It’s intended for events that require a City special event permit. More info
🗓 Applications due Friday, February 27, 2026
📧 Questions: Amanda Gehrke, Special Projects Manager at agehrke@alamedaca.gov

Note: The Cultural Arts Grants and the Special Events Permit Grant Program are separate programs with different eligibility and goals. Be sure to review each program’s guidelines before applying.

Know something coming to the island? Email: alamedapulse@gmail.com

THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

Family Events

Mother Goose on the Loose | Thu, Jan 29 | 10:30–11:00 AM | Free 📍Main Library (Stafford Room), Alameda – Fast-paced storytime with songs, rhymes, and movement for babies and toddlers ages 0–2 with caregivers. More info

Family Storytime | Sat, Jan 31 | 12:30 PM | Free 📍Main Library, Alameda – A relaxed afternoon of stories and songs for kids of all ages and their families. More info

San Francisco Slavic Festival | Sat–Sun, Jan 31–Feb 1 | 11:00 AM–10:00 PM | $15 📍2460 Sutter St, SF – Two-day celebration with folk dancing, music, traditional food, kids activities, and cultural crafts. More info

Live Music & Entertainment

Fully Committed (Play) | Fri, Jan 30 | 7:30 PM | $36–45 📍Altarena Playhouse, Alameda – A fast-paced one-man comedy about a reservation agent juggling chaos at a hot NYC restaurant. More info

Evening of Jewish Unity & Song | Thu, Jan 29 | 7:00 PM | $25 📍Chabad of Alameda – A musical gathering featuring soulful songs and community connection. More info

Live Music with Matt Axton | Fri, Jan 30 | 5:30–8:30 PM | Free 📍Park Station, Alameda – Enjoy an evening of live music from Matt Axton while grabbing food or drinks in a relaxed neighborhood setting. More info

Swing Dance Party with Big Cheese & The Jive Rats | Tue, Feb 3 | 6:00–9:00 PM | Free 📍Park Station, Alameda – High-energy swing dance night with live music from Big Cheese & The Jive Rats. No cover and all are welcome. More info

Community & Classes

Mahjong Social & Fundraiser | Sun, Feb 1 | 1:00–4:30 PM | $40 📍Alameda Food Bank, Alameda – Casual mahjong afternoon supporting the Alameda Food Bank with light refreshments, beginner lessons for first-timers, facility tours, and free parking. More info

Mahjong Social & Fundraiser | Sun, Feb 1 | 1:00–4:30 PM | $40 📍Alameda Food Bank, Alameda – Casual mahjong afternoon supporting the Alameda Food Bank with light refreshments, beginner lessons for first-timers, facility tours, and free parking. More info

Golden Hour Granny Yoga | Fri, Jan 30 | 4:30–5:15 PM | Free 📍Harbor Bay Ferry Landing at Shoreline Park, Bay Farm – Free community yoga session hosted by The Iron Mat in partnership with Alameda GrannyCon. Unwind by the bay with gentle movement as the sun sets. All levels welcome. Granny costumes welcomed!

Alameda Kiwanis Winter Fundraiser | Sat, Jan 31 | 5:00–9:00 PM | $90 📍DeWitt O’ Club, Alameda – Community dinner supporting youth programs with BBQ, bingo, trivia, and silent auction. More info

Local Business & Markets

Live 105 Legendary Station Celebration | Fri, Jan 30 | 5:30–10:00 PM | $45 📍California Historical Radio Society, Alameda – Celebrate Live 105 being named Legendary Station of the Year with station personalities, a live program, heavy appetizers, and a no-host bar. More info

Downtown Alameda Sidewalk Sale | Sun, Feb 1 | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM | Free 📍Park Street, Alameda – First monthly sidewalk sale of the year with deals from local shops. More info

Saltbreaker Thankful Thursday | Thu, Jan 29 | 5:00–9:00 PM | Menu prices 📍Saltbreaker, Alameda – Ten percent of sales donated to Alameda Education Foundation schools fund. More info

Vibes & Drinks

PACHUCO Mexican Lager Release Party | Fri, Jan 30 | Evening | Menu prices 📍Alameda Brewing Co., Alameda – Alameda Brewing drops its new Mexican lager with a taproom fiesta featuring mariachi vibes, pan dulce, Mexican candy, micheladas, chabelas, and plenty of fresh PACHUCO flowing. 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

Connection & Dating

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

Kindred Running Walking Group | Wed | 9 AM | Free 📍Kindred Running, Alameda – Moderate pace. Good company. Come for the movement, stay for the community. More info

Love Is in the Air Speed Dating | Fri, Jan 30 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Ticketed 📍Pa’ina Lounge, SF – Structured speed dating for singles ages 25–45 in a relaxed, social setting. More info

East Bay Singles Hike | Sat, Jan 31 | 10:00 AM | Free 📍Oakland Zoo Area – Easy group hike for singles in their 30s–40s with great views and casual conversation. More info

Beyond Alameda

White Elephant Open Warehouse Days | Jan 29 – Feb 21 | 10am–2pm | $7 📍333 Lancaster St, Oakland – Shop 16 select days of incredible deals on household goods, art, and fashion. New items added daily; walk-ins welcome after 11am as space permits. More info

Tokyo Central Grand Opening | Sat–Sun, Jan 31–Feb 1 | 8:00 AM–9:00 PM | Free 📍Emeryville – Huge Japanese supermarket opening with sushi, imported snacks, beauty items, and an in-store restaurant. More info

Oakland Lunar New Year Bazaar | Sat, Jan 31 | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | Free 📍Oakland Asian Cultural Center – Lunar New Year celebration with lion dances, performances, kids crafts, and market booths. More info

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

Want your business in front of thousands of Alamedans? Email us at alamedapulse@gmail.com

— For Frankie