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The Alameda Pulse
Sean
October 01, 2026
Happy Thursday, everyone!
Saturday is a big one. Filipino Island Fest is back on the waterfront with Jay R headlining, and Two Marys' Makers Market returns to Alameda Marina with at least one more aisle of vendors.
We've also got some sad news from Alameda Point: Admiral Maltings, the malthouse hiding next door to Almanac, is closing. Plus a startup that wants to launch satellites from an old Navy building, Central Avenue's finished rebuild, and the two ballot measures that aren't the bond. And I went inside the Navy hangar where Alameda's own soda gets made.
Let's dive in!
In this week's email:
Featured Events: Filipino Island Fest, Two Marys' Makers Market and the Economic Forecast
Alameda News: Admiral Maltings is closing, a satellite startup at Alameda Point, Central Avenue's finished rebuild and Measures M and N
Community Spotlight: Alameda Soda Co., made inside a Navy hangar
This Week's Events: Hot bourbon at Leña, free Shaka Shack treats, a magic-themed market, drag, stand-up and more
Houses on the Market: New Alameda listings
Read time: 8 mins
FEATURED EVENTS
Almost 20,000 people came to Filipino Island Fest last year. On Saturday it's back on the waterfront for year three.
This is the first year it's ticketed, and it's cheaper to buy ahead.
What's there:
Jay R, known in the Philippines as the King of R&B, plus Rebel Souljahz, Native Elements, Pinay VLTRN, Drop N Harmony and JP Breganza
Food, artisans, wellness and sports from across the Filipino diaspora
A $20 Supporter Pass with a tote bag plus express entry and bar lanes
A $125 VIP Experience with lounge access, catered Filipino food, a drink, reserved seating and parking
The Details:
When: Saturday, Oct 3, 11 AM to 8 PM
Where: 📍 Waterfront Park by Seaplane Lagoon, 2151 Ferry Point
Cost: $10 online, $20 at the gate; paid parking is $10
The first Two Marys' market in June drew more than 1,000 people. For round two, they've added at least one more aisle of vendors.
It's right on the water in the Alameda Marina lot, the same Saturday as Filipino Island Fest.
What's there:
48 makers so far, including Bay Haven Ceramics, Boxcar Flower Farm, Little Kiln Fairy Homes, Marisa Rose Cookies and Brown Girl Surf
Vintage sellers
Food and live music
Parking is limited. There's some at The Grand Marina a short walk away, so walk or bike if you can.
When: Saturday, Oct 3, 11 AM to 4 PM
Where: 📍 Alameda Marina, 1815 Clement Ave (the lot behind The Launch)
Sponsored post from the Alameda Chamber & Economic Alliance
New homes. Growing businesses. What's ahead for Alameda?
Next Thursday, Alameda's Economic Forecast will explore what's ahead for jobs, housing, and local businesses.
What you'll learn:
Economist Alexander Quinn's outlook and new City Manager Gerry Beaudin's vision for Alameda.
Updates on new housing and business developments.
Insights from companies including Saildrone, Anthro Energy, and Longshot.
Why go? Learn about changes that could affect where people live and work, get ideas for your business, and connect with local leaders over dinner.
When: Thursday, Oct. 8 | Doors open at 4 PM | 4:30–7:30 PM
Where: 📍 Gold Bar Distillery, 2505 Monarch St, Building 22
Tickets: $175 for Chamber members, $195 for non-members.
Photos: Longshot Space Technologies; City of Alameda project map.
Admiral Maltings, the malthouse that shares a building with Almanac Beer at Alameda Point, is shutting down. The last batch of malt comes out of the kiln this Friday, October 2, and The Rake, its pub, pours its final beers Sunday, October 18. The owners say they could no longer make and sell malt economically.
If you've never been, you have about two weeks. Admiral opened in 2017 as California's first floor-malting facility since Prohibition, turning California-grown grain into malt for local breweries and distilleries. The Rake sits right above the malting floor at 651A W. Tower Ave., pouring 20+ draft and cask beers. Almanac, Faction and Humble Sea keep pouring nearby. Read their announcement →
Source: Admiral Maltings
A company called Longshot Space Technologies is asking for a three-year lease at Alameda Point, and the City Council votes on it Tuesday, October 6. Longshot is trying to launch satellites with a long tube instead of a rocket. There's no rocket fuel and no explosions: it pushes the payload with compressed air, a cleaner way to get things into space. It's been testing a scaled-down prototype in the Navy's old gun-test corridor at Building 29, 1701 Monarch Street, since last fall, under a license that runs out December 31.
The lease would cost Longshot $5,670 a month in the first year, rising 3.5% each year after that. That covers about 9,200 square feet inside plus about 7,400 square feet of yard, with the first month free. The building is slated to come down eventually for De-Pave Park, so the city can end the lease with 60 days' notice. Read the staff report →
Source: City of Alameda
The city held a ribbon cutting Monday for the finished Central Avenue safety project, which runs from Main Street and Pacific Avenue to Sherman Street. Construction started in January 2025. The rebuild added three roundabouts, at Main and Pacific, Third and Taylor, and Fourth and Ballena, plus a two-way protected bikeway on the south side of the street from Main to Eighth, with one-way bike lanes east of Eighth.
If you drive, bike or walk to Encinal or Paden, this is the stretch that changed. The city had flagged Central as a high-injury corridor, and the project also brought new crossings, signal upgrades and better lighting. A fourth roundabout at Sherman and Encinal is in the plans but isn't funded yet. See the project page →
Source: City of Alameda
La Penca Azul's Bay Farm location is serving again. It was one of three Harbor Bay Landing restaurants that closed this summer over building problems, and online ordering at 891-B Island Drive is back too. La Penca Azul
Accounting professor Erick Bell is Alameda's newest school board member. The board picked him 4-0 on September 22 from three finalists and 13 applicants to fill Jennifer Williams' seat through November 2028. He's sworn in October 13. AUSD
Your November 3 ballot has two Alameda measures besides the $300 million bond. Measure M cleans up 18 sections of the City Charter, and Measure N would let the council approve city property sales and leases with 3 votes instead of 4. City Clerk
Shaka Shack turns 2 with a free musubi or filled malasada. Stop by the Blanding Avenue brunch spot through Friday, Oct 2, and say "Happy Anniversary!" while supplies last. Shaka Shack
Alameda Soda Co. makes cane-sugar craft soda inside Hangar 25, an old Navy hangar out at Alameda Point. I went inside to film this week, and the video is up on our Instagram.
Sky Pace started the company in 2016 with Anthony Sloan, after 15 years at one of the big soda companies. Most of what they make goes into restaurant fountains. The company says more than 600 Bay Area bars, restaurants and tech cafes have poured it, and Scolari's on Park Street is one of them.
Their flagship is named after the building: Hangar 25 Cola. It's cane sugar instead of corn syrup, and they compare it to Mexican Coke.
You can buy it in cans now: seven flavors, $20 for an 8-pack on their website. The flavors are named for Bay Area places, like Oaktown Root Beer, Golden Gate Orange and Lost Island Ginger Beer. The hangar is a production space, not a shop, so there are no walk-in hours.
Rope Droppers Market | Saturday, Oct 3 | 2 to 6 PM | 📍 Faction Brewing. Forty magic-inspired vendors; freebies for the first 150. Details
Self Care Saturday | Saturday, Oct 3 | 11 AM to 3 PM | Free | 📍 Yoga Amansala. Meet local wellness practitioners and vendors. Details
Kindred community runs and walk | Thursday, Oct 1, 6:30 PM; Saturday, Oct 3, 8 AM; Wednesday, Oct 7, walk 9 AM | 📍 Kindred Running. Thursday meets at Park Station; Saturday has 5K and 10K options. Meetup details
Island Gals walks | Saturday, Oct 3, 9:30 AM; Tuesday, Oct 6, 6 PM | 📍 Jay's Coffee (Saturday) and Jean Sweeney Open Space Park (Tuesday). An inclusive walking group for women, all paces welcome: 3 to 4 miles plus coffee on Saturday, 2 to 3 miles on Tuesday. October schedule
Weekly Classes at Rhythmix | Most days | 📍 Rhythmix Cultural Works. Bhangra Mondays 6:30 PM, Cuban salsa, zumba, karate, barre, soul line dance; Feldenkrais starts Thursday. See the schedule
Live music at Cinema Grill | Thursday, Oct 1, 7:30 to 10:30 PM; Friday & Saturday, Oct 2 to 3, 7:30 to 10:15 PM | 📍 Cinema Grill. Mio Flores SalSazz Thursday, JazSynergy Friday, Spill The Wine Saturday. Lineup
Bang On with DEBASÉD | Saturday, Oct 3 | Doors 7 PM; show 8 PM | $10 | 📍 The Fireside Lounge. '90s Britpop and indie, plus a Pixies tribute; 21+. Details
Alameda Uke Night | Thursday, Oct 1 | Lesson 6:30 PM; jam 7 PM; open mic 8 PM | 📍 The Fireside Lounge. Ukulenny hosts a lesson, jam and open mic. Details
Alameda's Angels drag show | Friday, Oct 2 | 8 to 10 PM | 📍 Faction Brewing. Summer Lynn Spears hosts six queens, beats by DJ Dakota Pendent. Details
Xander Beltran live stand-up | Friday, Oct 2 | 8 to 9:45 PM | $17.85 to $28.52 | 📍 Alameda Brewing. The Hulu and PBS comic headlines one night only. Tickets
Hot Bourbon Nights at Leña | Thursday, Oct 1 | 5:30 to 8:30 PM | $40 | 📍 Leña. Four bourbon pours, live guitar from Don Balistreri, giveaways and a raffle; space is limited, so grab tickets in person, by DM or at 510-671-2197. Detail
Shark-focused Ocean Hoptimism | Thursday, Oct 1 | 7 to 8 PM | 📍 Faction Brewing. Marine scientist Dr. Meghan Holst on the Bay's sharks and rays. Details
Puzzle & Pour | Sunday, Oct 4 | 1 to 4 PM | $18.50 | 📍 Almanac Adventureland. Puzzles and local brews; come solo or bring a friend. RSVP
Trivia Tuesday | Tuesday, Oct 6 | 7 to 9 PM | 📍 Alameda Brewing. Bring your team. Details
Fireside Trivia | Tuesday, Oct 6 | 7:30 PM | 📍 The Fireside Lounge. A little friendly competition with your drinks. Details
McGee's Trivia | Wednesday, Oct 7 | 6:30 PM | 📍 McGee's. Sunset Trivia's weekly Wednesday game. Details
Crafty Afternoon with ARPD | Saturday, Oct 3 | Noon to 2 PM | Free | 📍 Alameda Brewing. All-ages crafts, supplies provided. Details
Thursdays on the Avenue | Thursday, Oct 1 | 5 to 8 PM | Free admission | 📍 Alameda Ave at Park St. Family-friendly live music, outdoor games and pop-ups. Details
Simchat Torah: Dancing with the Torahs | Sunday, Oct 4 | 1 to 3 PM | Free, registration requested | 📍 Temple Israel of Alameda. Klezmer band, Torah unrolling and candy for kids. Register
Girl Scout badge workshops | Saturday, Oct 3 | Junior Detective 10 AM, $35; Cadette Public Speaker 1 PM, $40 | 📍 California Historical Radio Society. Hands-on badge sessions for GSNorCal scouts. Details
HOUSES ON THE MARKET
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