Happy Thursday, everyone!

Two things worth clearing your schedule for this week. Friday, the Alameda Theatre is hosting a special premiere event for Disney's live-action "Moana" with Hālau Makana, the Alameda-based Polynesian dance company whose director is actually in the film. Her story is a good one. More on that below.

Saturday, Rock Art By The Bay lands at Faction Brewing for a free afternoon of rock poster art, local artists, and yes, cold beer. It's one of those Alameda Saturday afternoons that's hard to beat.

On the news front: the city council took up the $32.4 million construction contract for the new Alameda Aquatic Center at 800 Atlantic on Tuesday night. It's the last approval standing between us and an actual new public pool. Full story in the news section.

Let's dive in!

In this week's email:

• Featured Events: Disney's live-action "Moana" premiere at the Alameda Theatre & Rock Art By The Bay at Faction

• Alameda News: new Airbnb rules on the way, the $32.4M pool contract & more

• Restaurant of the Week: The Yard at Saltbreaker

• Community Spotlight: Rhythmix Cultural Works

• This Week's Events: the library's first Book Con, live music, trivia, markets & more

• Houses on the Market: New Alameda Listings

Read time: 8 mins

FEATURED EVENTS

Disney's Live-Action "Moana": An Alameda Premiere Celebration

Fri, July 10 | Showtimes at alamedatheatres.com | 📍 Alameda Theatre & Cineplex

Jade-Len Makana Iulio is the director of Hālau Makana, Alameda's only Polynesian dance company, and one of 23 dancers selected for the principal dance cast of Disney's new live-action "Moana." Out of thousands who auditioned in Los Angeles and Honolulu, she was the only Bay Area dancer chosen.

This Friday, Hālau Makana and the Alameda Theatre are co-hosting a community premiere celebration. Lobby activities before the screening, a live pre-show performance by the hālau, and a Q&A panel with Iulio. It's a genuine hometown story, and one worth showing up for. Get tickets

Rock Art By The Bay

Rock Art By The Bay is an annual festival of rock poster art, and Faction is one of its favorite Bay Area stops. This Saturday, 30+ printmakers, illustrators, and designers set up at Faction's outdoor space selling original prints and artist editions from bands you've actually heard of.

The taproom is open all day. No tickets, no wristbands, just show up.

Together with CHRS

Radio Day by the Bay

The California Historical Radio Society (CHRS) is hosting “Radio Day by the Bay 2026!” It’s a free, family-friendly celebration of the voices, music, and innovation that have shaped radio for over a century.

Thanks to support from the City of Alameda, this annual “festival of radio” returns on Saturday, July 18 at Radio Central. Enjoy a full day of live entertainment featuring Bay Area DJs and personalities, live radio plays, bands, vintage radio auctions, and the 2026 Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame presentation.

There will also be free museum tours and ham radio demonstrations to help you connect with our vibrant community of CHRS members, as well as radio professionals, collectors, and fans.

Discover why radio is one of the most impactful technologies ever - and how it continues to connect people and ideas today!

Alameda News

Airbnb Rules Are Coming to Alameda

Alameda is about to write its first real rules for short-term rentals. The Planning Board holds a public hearing Monday, July 13 at 7 PM at City Hall on a citywide zoning amendment that would regulate the short-term rental of residential properties, the Airbnb and VRBO question. If the board signs off, it heads to city council.

Same meeting, one more big item: a workshop on rewriting the commercial zoning for Park Street and Webster Street. The goal is to make it simpler, faster, and less risky to open a shop in Alameda's two main business districts. It's a workshop, so no final action, which means this is exactly the moment to weigh in.

Source: City of Alameda, Legistar | Planning Board July 13 agenda

The Aquatic Center's Final Hurdle

The new Alameda Aquatic Center went before city council Tuesday night for its last big approval: a $32.4 million construction contract with Wickman Construction, the lowest of seven prequalified bidders. The council also weighed a $5 million budget increase from General Fund reserves to cover higher-than-expected construction and management costs.

If approved, the facility at 800 Atlantic Avenue gets a 30-meter competition pool and a separate activity pool, and shovels can finally hit the ground.

Also on Tuesday's agenda: the proposed $300 million infrastructure bond for the November ballot. One item got pulled before the meeting, the charter amendment that would eliminate the elected City Auditor and Treasurer offices. That one now goes to council on July 21.

Source: City of Alameda, Legistar | Meeting agenda

Quick Hits

• Schools Beyond Screens Alameda: A local Alameda mom is starting a chapter of the national organization working to reduce screen time for kids. The chapter is new and forming. Learn more

• Port of Oakland Free Harbor Tours: Free two-hour narrated boat tours depart from the Port of Oakland every Friday through October. The next tour is this Friday, July 10. No reservation needed. Details

• $400K for Home Repairs: The July 7 council consent calendar included a one-year, $400,000 agreement with Rebuilding Together East Bay Network for residential rehab projects serving low- and moderate-income households. Agenda

Restaurant of the Week

The Yard at Saltbreaker

This week, I finally got to try out The Yard. Saltbreaker is the main restaurant, and The Yard is the open-air space in front of it. Picnic tables, umbrellas, a full bar, and no reservations. First come, first served, and dogs are welcome on the patio.

The menu is seafood and burgers, kept simple. Smash burgers, oysters, ceviche, clam chowder, and beer-battered fish and chips, plus cocktails, beer, and mocktails. On a warm afternoon, it's one of the easiest hangs on the island.

I just filmed my experience there, and these were my favorites. If you want to check out the video, click the image above! They're open Wednesday and Thursday 11 AM to 6 PM, and Friday through Sunday 11 AM to 8 PM.

Community Spotlight

Rhythmix Cultural Works

Rhythmix Cultural Works has been one of Alameda's most important arts institutions for over 25 years, and its new gallery exhibit opens this Friday. "O Say Can You See ... the Soul of Our Nation" is a multi-artist show exploring how artists document American life, identity, and history. The opening reception is Friday, July 10 from 6 to 8 PM and is free to attend.

Rhythmix isn't just a gallery. It's Alameda's main multi-use performance and arts space, the place that hosts everything from youth dance classes to live concerts to community events at 2513 Blanding Ave. If you've walked by but never been inside, the opening reception is a good excuse to change that.

This Week's Events

Markets & Pop-Ups

Alameda Book Con | Sat, July 11 | 10:30 AM | Free | 📍 Alameda Free Library. The library's first-ever Book Con: local authors, books, and reading fun. Details

Craft Night: Sticker Making | Thu, July 9 | 6 - 9 PM | Free | 📍 Alameda Island Brewing. Drop-in sticker making, supplies provided, grab a beer. Details

Landscape Design Workshop | Wed, July 15 | 11 AM - 1 PM | Free | 📍 REAP Climate Center. Hands-on bioswale design field lab, RSVP required. RSVP

Farmers Market | Sat, July 11 | 9 AM - 1 PM | Free | 📍 Haight Ave & Webster St. Fresh produce, flowers, and local vendors at the Saturday market. Details

Farmers Market | Tue, July 14 | 9 AM - 1 PM | Free | 📍 Haight Ave & Webster St. Same spot, Tuesday edition. Details

Live Music

Mio Flores SalSazz Trio | Thu, July 9 | 7:30 - 10:30 PM | 📍 Alameda Cinema Grill. Latin jazz and salsa every Thursday. Details

Airwaves | Fri, July 10 | 7:30 - 10:15 PM | 📍 Alameda Cinema Grill. Bay Area dance and party band, live on stage. Details

Suitcase Full of Funk | Sat, July 11 | 7:30 - 10:15 PM | 📍 Alameda Cinema Grill. Funk and soul covers to close out the week. Details

Key Elements: Latin Jazz & Salsa | Sun, July 12 | 3:30 - 6:30 PM | 📍 Alameda Cinema Grill. Sunday afternoon Latin jazz, good for a long lunch. Details

Karaoke with KJ Melemel | Wed, July 15 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM | 📍 Alameda Cinema Grill. Third Wednesday karaoke, recurring monthly. Details

Shows & Entertainment

Port of Oakland Free Harbor Tour | Fri, July 10 | Departs morning | Free | 📍 Port of Oakland. Free two-hour narrated boat tour, every Friday through October. Details

All-Star Comedy Night | Sat, July 11 | 8 PM, open mic 10 PM | 📍 Fireside Lounge. Saturday stand-up showcase followed by a late open mic. Details

Games, Drinks & Vibes

Speed Dating | Fri, July 10 | 6:30 - 9 PM | 📍 Alameda Island Brewing. Structured speed dating event, tickets required. Details

Trivia Tuesday | Tue, July 14 | Starting 6:30 PM | 📍 Multiple spots. Almanac Beer (6:30 PM, Webster) / Alameda Island Brewing (7 PM, Park St) / Fireside Lounge (7:30 PM, Webster). Pick your pub. Almanac | AIB

McGee's Trivia Night | Wed, July 15 | 6:30 PM | 📍 McGee's Bar & Grill. Weekly trivia via Sunset Trivia. Details

Fireside Open Mic | Wed, July 15 | 8 PM | 📍 Fireside Lounge. Weekly open mic, all genres, all levels. Details

Family & Kids

Mother Goose Storytime | Thu, July 9 | 10:30 AM | Free | 📍 Alameda Free Library. Weekly storytime for the youngest readers. Details

Toddler Plus Storytime | Tue, July 14 | 10:30 AM | Free | 📍 Alameda Free Library. Storytime designed for toddlers, followed by activities. Details

Teddy Bear Picnic + Baby & Me Storytime | Wed, July 15 | 10:30 AM | Free | 📍 Alameda Free Library / Longfellow Park. Two library programs Wednesday morning, bring the whole family. Details

Get Active

Kindred Running Social Run | Thu, July 9 | 6:30 PM | Free | 📍 Kindred Running Co. Weekly Thursday social run for all paces. Details

Kindred Long Run | Sat, July 11 | 8 AM | Free | 📍 Kindred Running Co. Weekly Saturday long run group. Details

Kindred Community Walk | Wed, July 15 | 9 AM | Free | 📍 Kindred Running Co. Midweek community walk, all paces welcome. Details

Later This Month

History Mystery After-Hours Tour | Fri, July 17 | 7 - 10 PM | 📍 USS Hornet Museum. Solve a murder mystery aboard a real WWII aircraft carrier, after dark. Get tickets

Apollo 11 Splashdown Celebration | Sat, July 18 | 10 AM - 5 PM | 📍 USS Hornet Museum. The Hornet recovered the Apollo 11 crew in 1969. See how they did it, 57 years later. Details

Rhythmix in the Parks: Andre Thierry | Sat, July 18 | 12 - 2 PM | Free | 📍 Franklin Park. Free outdoor zydeco concert, part of Rhythmix's summer parks series. Details

Downtown Alameda Art & Wine Faire | Sat - Sun, July 25 - 26 | 10 AM - 6 PM | Free | 📍 Park Street. 200+ vendors, local beer and wine, live music on three stages, and a kids' area. Details

Alameda Dinner Club | Tue, July 21 | 📍 Venue announced soon. The monthly Dinner Club returns, third Tuesday as always. Watch the Pulse for the venue. Details

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

HOUSES ON THE MARKET

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

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