Good morning, Alameda!

This weekend, more than 300 grannies are expected to take over Park Street, there’s a bubble scientist bringing giant fog-filled bubbles to Alameda, and plenty of events happening around the island.

We’ve also got an update on the recent smash-and-grab burglaries that hit several local businesses and how one bounced back quickly.

Plus, I stopped by the recently voted Best Pizza in Alameda to see what all the hype is about.

Let’s dive in!

In this week’s email:

• Featured Events: GrannyCon & The Amazing Bubble Man

• Alameda News: Doodlecakes, Layoff Pause, & Safer Streets 

• Restaurant of the Week: Best Pizza in Alameda

• This Week’s Events: Live Music, Classes, Free Events

• Houses on the Market: New Alameda Listings

Read time: 9 mins

FEATURED EVENTS

GrannyCon - Saturday

More than 300 grannies are expected to take over Park Street for this hilarious bingo-style scavenger hunt supporting breast cancer prevention. Spectators are welcome to walk around and enjoy the costumes while teams complete challenges at local businesses before the night ends with an afterparty and costume contest.

Sat, Mar 7 • 2:30–8:00 PM
📍Park Street, Alameda
Price: $24.99–$79.99

The Amazing Bubble Man - Sunday

Louis Pearl brings his internationally known bubble show to Alameda, creating giant bubbles, square bubbles, and bubbles filled with fog in a performance that blends science, art, and pure fun. It’s a playful, family-friendly show that explores the surprising world of bubbles.

Sun, Mar 8 • 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM
📍Rhythmix Cultural Works, Alameda
Price: $19–$29

ALAMEDA NEWS

Quick News Headlines

Doodlecakes Bounces Back from Burglary

Doodlecakes was one of several Alameda businesses hit by burglaries last week. Thieves smashed the bakery’s front window early Monday morning and made off with just $10 in tip money. Owners Rebekah and Thomas Scott kept a sense of humor about the break-in, joking online that “hungry cake connoisseurs” were responsible. After a quick window repair, the popular local bakery was back open and serving cupcakes the same day. Read More

Alameda Health Workers Get a Reprieve

Mass layoffs at Alameda County’s public hospitals have been paused — for now. Alameda Health System and county leaders agreed to delay job cuts that could have closed mental health programs and reduced services at hospitals like Highland and Fairmont. The pause gives officials time to find other ways to close a major budget gap without hurting patient care. County supervisors will now explore alternatives before reporting back later this month. Read More

Safer Streets in Alameda

Alameda is making big changes to make streets safer for walking and biking. The city recently added new roundabouts on Central Avenue and protected bike lanes on Central and Grand Street to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. With about 40% of Alameda students walking or biking to school, these upgrades help create safer routes while reducing traffic and emissions. The improvements also helped Alameda earn a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community designation, an honor held by just 32 cities nationwide. Read More

SPONSORED BY THE GUY BLUME GROUP

First Time Homebuyer Seminar

A free in-person seminar designed to help first-time buyers understand the home-buying process with confidence. Local realtors from the Guy Blume Group will walk through current market conditions, loan options, down payment assistance programs, and what to expect from start to finish.

Has a real estate agent ever explained the whole home-buying process to you from start to finish? Now's your chance!

Attendees will also receive food and drinks, plus a “Golden Ticket” worth $625 toward an appraisal.

Wed, Mar 11 • 6:00–8:00 PM
📍2437 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda
Price: Free

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK

Pizzeria Pappo

Pizzeria Pappo opened just over a year ago and has already been voted Best Pizza in Alameda. They’re known not just for their pizza and Italian-American comfort food, but also for the kind of customer service that makes you feel like a regular the first time you walk in. I stopped by this week to try it for myself.

While I was there, I got to meet the owner, John Thiel. He grew up in New York eating great pizza, and when he moved to the Bay Area he couldn’t find anything that reminded him of the pies he had back home. So he decided to make it himself. After previously running a restaurant in Alameda called Pappo, he went back to school to learn more about bread and dough, then returned to open Pizzeria Pappo.

I tried a few of their house favorites, including the Papporoni Pizza, the Bianco, and their deconstructed spumoni. Honestly, they were all great, but the Papporoni’s was the standout for me. The hot honey was amazing!

If you want to see the full experience, you can watch the video here.

Pizzeria Pappo | 709 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda, CA, 94501

Live Music

Swing Music Dance Party with Big Cheese and the Jive Rats | Tue, Mar 10 | 6:00–9:00 PM | Free 📍Park Station, Alameda – A lively swing dance night featuring Big Cheese and the Jive Rats with Reid Whatley. Expect upbeat live music, dancing, and a fun crowd. No cover, so come out and enjoy a night of swing. More info

Jazz Jam at Park Station Hosted by Caesar’s Empire | Wed, Mar 11 | 6:00–8:30 PM | Free 📍Park Station, Alameda – A laid-back jazz jam where local musicians come together for an evening of live improvisation. Stop by to listen, hang out, or see some great local talent in action. More info

CK Smart – 1st Friday Vinyl Happy Hour (80s/90s) | Fri, Mar 6 | 5:30–8:30 PM | Free 📍The Fireside Lounge, Alameda – Kick off the weekend with a vinyl happy hour spinning classic 80s and 90s records. Expect throwback tracks, laid-back vibes, and a packed Webster Street bar. More info

Shows & Entertainment

Grant Us Peace: The Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams | Sun, Mar 8 | 3:30 PM | Price TBA 📍St. Joseph Basilica, Alameda – A special choral concert celebrating the music of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams as the ensemble marks its 50th season. The program includes the beautiful Serenade to Music and the powerful Dona Nobis Pacem, a moving work centered on the hope for peace. More info

Flight Patterns Bird Art Exhibit | Fri, March 6 | Gallery Hours | Free 📍Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave – This exhibition features local art inspired by the more than 200 species of birds found in Alameda. The show includes photography, painting, and ceramics. More info

Singer/Songwriter Open Mic Night | Wed, Mar 11 | 7:00–11:00 PM | Free 📍The Fireside Lounge, Alameda – A weekly open mic spotlighting local musicians and songwriters. Expect a rotating lineup of acoustic sets and original music from Bay Area performers. More info

Family Events

Alameda Scavenger Hunt: The Alameda Expedition | Anytime | 1.5–2 Hours | Price varies 📍Downtown Alameda – A self-guided scavenger hunt through downtown where teams solve riddles and complete challenges while visiting local landmarks like Alameda City Hall. The 1.17-mile route includes 7 stops and is app-guided, so you can start anytime. More info

Author Visit with Peter H. Reynolds | Thu, March 5 | 4:00 PM | Free 📍Alameda Free Library, Meet the best-selling author and illustrator of "When You Dream Big" for a talk and book signing. Books will be available for purchase at the event. More info

Games, Drinks, & Vibes

Craft Night | Thu, March 5 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Price: Not listed 📍Alameda Brewing Co., 1716 Park St – A social evening for locals to gather and work on creative projects while enjoying craft beer. Bring your own supplies to work in a community setting. More info

Trivia Night at Fireside Lounge | Tues | 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

Bhangra Fundamentals Dance Class | Mondays | 6:30–7:30 PM | $15 drop-in 📍Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave, Alameda – Learn the fundamentals of Bhangra, the energetic folk dance from Punjab, India. This all-levels class focuses on rhythm, movement, and fun while giving you a great workout. More info

Tech Petting Zoo: Meet the 3D Printer | Sat, March 7 | 2:00 PM | Free 📍Main Library, 1550 Oak St – An educational session showing how 3D printers work and what they can create. It is open to adults, teens, and children ages 7 and up. More info

Women in Weaving Workshop | Sat, March 7 | 3:00 PM | Free 📍West End Library, 788 Santa Clara Ave – A hands-on weaving session for adults and youth ages 7 and up. Participants learn basic weaving techniques in a group environment. More info

Art Docent Talk: Japanese Art | Wed, March 11 | 7:00 PM–8:00 PM | Price: Not listed 📍Online/Main Library – A presentation on the highlights of Japanese art from the medieval to early modern periods. This talk is sponsored by the Friends of the Alameda Library. More info

Dating, Connection, & Recreation

Speed Dating for Singles Ages 44–59 | Fri, Mar 6 | 6:30 PM | Price TBA 📍Alameda Brewing, 1716 Park St, Alameda – A relaxed speed dating event for Bay Area singles ages 44–59 looking to meet new people in person. Guests rotate through short mini-dates with 5–12 local singles in a casual brewery setting. More info

Speed Dating for Singles (Ages 24-39) | Fri, March 6 | 8:15 PM | $43.45 📍Alameda Brewing Co., 1716 Park St – An organized event where singles meet multiple people for short, timed conversations. It is a structured way to find new connections in the local area. More info

Alameda Readers Group | Sat, March 7 | 11:00 AM | Free 📍Main Library Cafe – A monthly meeting for adults to discuss local news and selected readings. New members are welcome to join the conversation. 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

Later This Month

Soft Pretzel Workshop at Faction Brewing | Wed, Mar 25 | 6:30–8:00 PM | Price TBA 📍Faction Brewing, Alameda – Learn to roll, twist, and bake soft pretzels, make cheddar pub dip, and leave with 4–6 fresh pretzels. Bay views included. More info

Downtown Alameda Whiskey Stroll | Fri, Mar 27 | Time TBA | Price TBA 📍Downtown Alameda – Sip and stroll through historic downtown while tasting premium craft whiskeys at local businesses. Tickets include a collectible tasting glass, small bites, and a tasting guide. More info

Alameda Dinner Club | Tue, Mar 24 | 7 PM | $20 📍Alameda – Meet new people over dinner at a local Alameda restaurant. Guests are matched into small groups using a short personality quiz, then gather for a relaxed meal followed by an optional after-hang to keep the conversations going. More info

Have something locals should know about? 👉️ 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

— For Frankie