Happy Thursday, everyone!

This is the big one. The 4th of July Parade rolls down Park Street this Saturday, and it is billed as the longest Independence Day parade in the country. This year is a double celebration: America turns 250 and the Alameda Fire Department turns 150, riding in the parade to mark the milestone. If you would rather spend the holiday on a real aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet is throwing a 250th birthday bash on the flight deck the same day.

In the news, Alameda is about to get a new city pool. This Tuesday the City Council is set to clear the final contract to build a new $32 million Aquatic Center, and the same meeting will start shaping your November ballot, including a major infrastructure bond and a move to eliminate two elected city offices. Alameda's minimum wage just ticked up, and two Alameda High sophomores brought home a national rowing title. Grab a coffee and let's get into it.

Let's dive in!

In this week's email:

• Featured Events: The 4th of July Parade & the USS Hornet 250th birthday bash

• Alameda News: Alameda's getting a new $32M pool, a minimum-wage bump, what's headed to your November ballot & more

• Restaurant of the Week: One's Cafe & Bakery, just opened on Park St

• This Week's Events: the antiques faire, trivia, live music, running & more

• Houses on the Market: New Alameda Listings

Read time: 8 mins

FEATURED EVENTS

Alameda 4th of July Parade

This is the day Alameda waits for all year. The parade is billed as the longest Independence Day parade in the nation, a 3.3-mile route with 150+ entries and roughly 2,500 participants winding down Park Street, along Otis, and out to Webster.

This year is a double milestone: America turns 250 and the Alameda Fire Department turns 150. The Fire Department rides front and center in the lineup.

Plan ahead: streets along the route close at 7 AM, and cars still parked there after 4 AM get towed. Stake out a curb early and bring chairs, water, and sunscreen. Want to move before the crowds? The R.A.C.E. fun run benefiting the Midway Shelter steps off earlier that morning. Parade details / Sign up for the run

USS Hornet: 4th of July & 250th Birthday Bash

Here is a one-of-a-kind way to spend the holiday. The real WWII aircraft carrier docked at Alameda Point opens its flight deck for a full day of music, games, and tours as the country turns 250.

Your ticket gets you the run of the ship, hangar bay to bridge. The Bay and the San Francisco skyline are the backdrop, you skip the fight for a parade curb, and it is unforgettable for kids who have never set foot on a carrier. Tickets

The real WWII aircraft carrier opens its flight deck for a full day of music, games, and tours as the country turns 250. It is a one-of-a-kind way to spend the holiday, docked right at Alameda Point.

Alameda News

Alameda Is One Vote Away From a New Public Pool

Alameda is one City Council vote away from building a new public pool. On Tuesday, July 7, the Council is set to authorize a construction contract of up to $32,364,200 with Wickman Construction for the new Alameda Aquatic Center at 800 Atlantic Avenue, at the edge of Jean Sweeney Open Space Park.

It is the last big approval before construction can begin. To help fund it, the Council will also shift about $5 million from reserves into the project budget. The meeting is public, so you can be there to watch it cross the finish line.

Source: City of Alameda, July 7 Council Agenda

Alameda's Minimum Wage Ticks Up to $17.76

Alameda's minimum wage rose to $17.76 an hour on July 1, up from $17.46. The bump is the city's yearly cost-of-living adjustment and applies to anyone who works inside city limits.

Business owners: make sure July payroll reflects the new rate. The local minimum sits above California's statewide rate.

Source: City of Alameda, Minimum Wage

Your November Ballot Also Starts Taking Shape Tuesday

The same Tuesday meeting starts shaping your November ballot. Council members will decide whether to place a general obligation infrastructure bond on the November 3 ballot to fund repairs and upgrades to the city's aging public buildings and facilities.

Also on the table: three charter amendments, including one to eliminate the elected offices of City Auditor and City Treasurer. The full agenda and staff reports are on the city's Legistar site, and public comment is open.

Source: City of Alameda, July 7 Council Agenda

Quick hits:

• Are we ready for the big one? The Alameda County Civil Grand Jury found the city is not fully prepared for the next major disaster, flagging skipped emergency drills and an operations plan that sat untouched from 2019 to 2026. The city now has to respond formally. KTVU

• New face at City Hall: Gerry Beaudin started June 30 as Alameda's new City Manager at a $383,111 salary. He is not a stranger here, having served as the city's assistant city manager from 2019 to 2022 before running Pleasanton. Details

• National champs: Two Alameda High sophomores are national champions. Hugh Mitchell and Ethan Liang helped Oakland Strokes take the Men's U17 8+ at the USRowing Youth National Championships in Florida, June 11 to 14, closing with the fastest final split in the field to win by just over two seconds. USRowing

Restaurant of the Week

One's Cafe & Bakery

One's Cafe & Bakery just opened with a grand opening this Saturday, July 4. It’s located at the old Coffee Cultures space and is their second location, with their original in Castro Valley. They are known for their unique, fluffy, and flaky pastries!

I stopped in today, and these are some of the most unique pastries I have seen. 

My favorites:

• Spicy lemongrass croissant (Only order if you can handle mild spice)

• Turkey bacon croissant stick (Simple but great!)

• Almond croissant (My Favorite)

And for the Coffee Cultures loyalists, don't worry, the soft serve lives on, affogato included. 

I filmed my visit and the video drops soon, so follow along on Instagram to catch it. Say hi to the team at @ones.cafe.and.bakery while you're there.

This Week's Events

Family & Community

4th of July Family Festival | Sat, July 4 | Free | 📍 South Shore Center. Music and family activities, an easy stop after the parade. More info

Alameda Point Antiques Faire | Sun, July 5 | 6 AM - 3 PM | $5 to $20, kids under 12 free | 📍 Alameda Point. Northern California's largest antiques show, 800+ sellers on the old base runway. Plan your visit

Downtown Farmers' Market + Thursday @ The Avenue | Thu, July 2 | Market 3 - 7 PM, block party 5 - 8 PM | Free | 📍 Alameda Ave at Park St. Shop the market, stay for live music and games. More info

Hikes for Tykes: Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary | Tue, July 7 | 10:30 - 11:45 AM | Free | 📍 Crown Beach, observation platform at Shoreline Dr & Broadway. Naturalist-led marsh walk for toddlers, no registration. Rain cancels. More info

Teddy Bear Picnic | Wed, July 8 | 10:30 - 11 AM | Free | 📍 Longfellow Park. Bring lunch, a blanket, and a bear for storytime under the trees. More info

Live Music

Mio Flores SalSazz Trio: Latin & Salsa Night | Thu, July 2 | 7:30 - 10:30 PM | Free | 📍 Cinema Grill. Alameda's weekly live salsa night, no cover, just good rhythm. More info

JazSynergy | Fri, July 3 | 7:30 - 10:15 PM | Free | 📍 Cinema Grill. Three Bay Area jazz vets blending styles over dinner. More info

Live Music Brunch with Sheena Lokelani | Sat, July 4 | 11 AM - 1 PM | Free | 📍 Hobnob. A holiday brunch set right after the parade. More info

Spill The Wine | Sat, July 4 | 7:30 - 10:15 PM | Free | 📍 Cinema Grill. Five decades of pop, soul, and rock covers. More info

California Jay Coupe De Ville | Sun, July 5 | 3:30 - 6:30 PM | Free | 📍 Cinema Grill. A Sunday afternoon soul, funk, and blues set. More info

Singer/Songwriter Open Mic | Wed, July 8 | List at 7:30 PM, music at 8 PM | Free | 📍 The Fireside Lounge. Bring a few songs, play beside the fireplace. More info

Shows & Entertainment

Alameda's Angels: July 3rd King Takeover | Fri, July 3 | Doors 7 PM, show 8 PM | Ticketed | 📍 Faction Brewing. All-ages drag-king show hosted by Summer Lynn Spears. Tickets

Live Comedy at the Cinema Grill | Wed, July 8 | 7 - 9 PM | Ticketed | 📍 Cinema Grill. Five comics on the historic theatre stage. More info

Games, Drinks, & Vibes

Pop-Up Karaoke Night | Fri, July 3 | 9 PM - 1 AM | Free | 📍 Hobnob. Alameda's premier Friday karaoke, board games while you wait. More info

Pleasure Reading Pop-Up Bookstore | Fri, July 3 | 3 - 8 PM | Free | 📍 Faction Brewing. A traveling romance bookstore pops up in the taproom. More info

First Friday: World Cup Edition | Fri, July 3 | 3 - 9 PM | Free | 📍 Alameda Island Brewing. The monthly hang goes full World Cup on the screens. More info

Trivia Night at Almanac Adventureland | Tue, July 7 | 6:30 PM | Free | 📍 Almanac Adventureland. Weekly Tuesday trivia at the West End beer wonderland. More info

Trivia Night at Alameda Island Brewing | Tue, July 7 | 7 - 9 PM | Free | 📍 Alameda Island Brewing. The Park Street standby for flexing your useless knowledge. More info

Trivia Night at The Fireside Lounge | Tue, July 7 | 7:30 PM | Free | 📍 The Fireside Lounge. West End trivia beside the fireplace. More info

Trivia Night at McGee's | Wed, July 8 | 6:30 PM | Free | 📍 McGee's Bar & Grill. Sunset Trivia hosts the midweek edition. More info

Connection & Recreation

Webster Street Farmers' Market | Sat, July 4 & Tue, July 7 | 9 AM - 1 PM | Free | 📍 Haight Ave & Webster St. The year-round West End produce market. More info

Kindred Running Club | Thu, July 2, 6:30 PM; Wed, July 8, 9 AM | Free | 📍 Kindred Running, Webster St. Easy social run Thursday, community walk Wednesday. More info

Two Marys' Mercantile Friday Night Socials | Fri, July 3 | 5 - 8 PM | Free | 📍 Two Marys' Mercantile. Rotating pop-up vendors on the water. Big dock energy. Follow for updates

Beachside Pack Walk + Pup Meetup | Sun, July 5 | Meetup 3 - 4 PM, walk 4 - 5 PM | Free | 📍 Alameda Small Dog Park. Small-dog socializing, then a relaxing beachside pack walk. Join the fun

Later This July

Port of Oakland Free Summer Harbor Cruise | Fri, July 10 | 6:45 - 8:15 PM | Free with ticket | 📍 Oakland Ferry Terminal, Jack London Square. A free narrated cruise, 250 seats vanish fast once tickets drop. Details

Rock Art By The Bay | Sat, July 11 | 12 - 6 PM | Free | 📍 Faction Brewing. Rock poster artists take over the taproom for a day. More info

Rhythmix in the Parks: Andre Thierry | Sat, July 18 | 12 - 2 PM | Free, RSVP requested | 📍 Franklin Park. Grammy-nominated zydeco in the park. Bring blankets and a picnic. RSVP

Apollo 11 Splashdown Celebration | Sat, July 18 | 10 AM - 5 PM | Ticketed | 📍 USS Hornet Museum. The ship that recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts celebrates. Details

Downtown Alameda Art & Wine Faire | Sat - Sun, July 25 - 26 | 10 AM - 6 PM | Free | 📍 Park Street. Alameda's biggest street festival: 200+ vendors, live music, kids' activities. More info

Have something locals should know about? Submit an event or email alamedapulse@gmail.com.

HOUSES ON THE MARKET

Alameda Listings

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

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