Good morning, fellow Alamedans!

Thank you to all of the new subscribers this week!

I seriously got an overwhelming amount of support. I can’t thank you all enough!

As a quick thank you, some loved Alameda businesses partnered with me to give our subscribers limited-time community coupons.

Community Coupons:

Mention “The Alameda Pulse” to get:

PHOENIX (Coworking Space):
—50% off your first month of coworking (two-month minimum)
—50% off your first conference room booking for new members (up to 4 hours)

Coffee Cultures: 10% off purchases and mention “good neighbor”

GLORY (Footware & Apparel): 10% off purchases

Headline Photo Booth: $100 off your next event

Stay tuned. More partnerships to come!

Let’s dive in!

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In this week’s issue:

• Headliners This Weekend - blues & brews, thrift fest, island run fest

• Quick Hits 🎉 - comedy, wine tasting, and sports

• New Biz Buzz  - new cafe, new brews, and improv

• Developments & Community Updates - Alameda water park & AUSD dollars

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THIS WEEK

Headliners This Weekend

Happening Today | Thu, Sep 18

11th Annual Autumn Job Fair
📍 South Shore Center
Network with Bay Area employers. Make new connections.
Bonus: First 50 attendees get free headshots.
Time: 2-4 PM
Price: Free

Stand Up Comedy
📍 Dragon Rouge Bistro Alameda
Comedians seen on late-night TV, Netflix, Comedy Central, and SF Sketchfest. Enjoy Vietnamese food and cocktails with no drink minimums. Seating opens at 7:00 PM. Free parking available.
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 PM
Price: $15–20

Festivals/Family Events 🎪

Sat, Sep 20

Thrift Fest (not in Alameda but worth sharing)
📍 Alameda County Fairgrounds
Thrift Fest brings together 125+ vintage vendors with clothing, jewelry, art, and home goods. Expect retro tunes, tasty food, and drinks while you shop. Come hunt for one-of-a-kind finds for yourself or someone you love.
Time: 12 PM – 6 PM
Price: $7 General Admission | Free for kids under 10

The Soiled Dove
📍 The Big Top at Radium Runway, 2151 Ferry Point, Alameda
Step into an immersive circus-cabaret inspired by San Francisco’s Barbary Coast. Expect aerialists, acrobats, burlesque, live music, and a wild dinner-theater atmosphere. This 21+ experience is equal parts circus, vaudeville, and party.
Time: 9 PM
Price: Tickets $85, reserved seating/dinner packages available.

Sun, Sep 21

8th Annual Blues, Brews & BBQ
📍 Washington Park
Celebrate world-class live blues bands, enjoy local craft breweries, BBQ vendors, and a Family Zone for kids in Alameda. (food & drinks for purchase)
Time: 12–6 PM
Price: Free entry

Alameda Island Running Festival
📍 Alameda Point, Faction Brewery
Celebrate fitness with a community race and bay views.
Time: 7:45 AM, 8 AM, 8:15 AM
Events: Half-marathon, 10k run, 5k run/walk, and kids’ fun run along the waterfront.
Price: $54 - $107

Sept 18–21

Tennis Laver Cup Fan Zone
📍 Thrive City at Chase Center, San Francisco
Four days of free tennis fun: Watch every Laver Cup match on a giant screen. Play in interactive fan zones, and enjoy food, drinks, and music in the heart of SF. Meet legends like Federer and Roddick.
Time: Start @ 10 AM | End time varies (check website)
Price: Free Entry (tickets required only for Sept 18 practice day – $20)

Outdoors/Activities 🌲 

Sat, Sep 20

Alameda Walks
📍 Krusi Park, Alameda
Get moving and shape the conversation about Alameda’s waterfront future. Join ARPD staff to learn about the history of Krusi and Towata Parks and discuss future shoreline changes.
Time: 9 AM - 10 AM
Price: Free

Annual Crown Beach Coastal Cleanup
📍 Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach (Bathhouse)
California’s annual Coastal Clean Up is this weekend! Join neighbors at Alameda’s Crown Beach for the statewide Coastal Cleanup. Walk-ups welcome, gear provided, bring water and sun protection.
Time: 9 AM–12 PM
Price: Free

Night Ops: Live Aboard Overnight – Youth Adventure
📍 USS Hornet, 707 W Hornet Ave
Climb aboard the USS Hornet for a one-of-a-kind sleepover. This overnight is made for kids 7 and up and gives you the chance to live like a sailor for a night. You’ll bunk in real crew quarters, eat dinner and breakfast in the mess hall, and take part in hands-on science stations as you explore the ship.
Time: 6 PM - 10 AM
Price: $85 per participant ($68 member rate)

Sponsored by PHOENIX

Alameda’s Favorite Co-Working

PHOENIX is where the local community gathers for co-working, discussions, and collaborations.

Not only can you enjoy complimentary espresso and tea, but it’s an environment made to focus and get things done.

They’ve got fast 1G fiber Wi-Fi, quiet phone booths, private conference rooms, secure digital entry, local food options, and a desk to call your own.

Special Offer for New Members:
Get 50% off your first conference room booking and 50% off your first month of coworking (with a 2-month minimum).

Win 1 Month Free of Co-working (Giveaway):
When you refer a friend to The Alameda Pulse, you’ll be entered to win a free 1-month coworking pass at PHOENIX ($240 value).

One referral = one entry.

Want to sponsor the newsletter? Email alamedapulse@gmail.com

WEEKLY EVENTS

Quick Hits 🎉

Eats/Drinks/Nightlife 🍸️ 

Fri, Sep 19th

Winery Hangar Tastings at Dashe Cellars
📍 Dashe Cellars
Sip 5 current release wines in a historic airplane hangar at Dashe Cellars, a family-owned urban winery.
Time: Seatings from 12—4 PM
Price: $30 prix fixe tasting (complimentary for Wine Club Members)

Comedy Show - Laughs on Tap
📍 Faction Brewing
Five headliners, one stage, and plenty of craft beer-fueled laughs.
Time: 7:30–9 PM (Doors 6:30 PM)
Price: General Admission $22

Sunset Comedy at Mersea | 📍 Alameda Comedy Club | 7 PM

Sun, Sep 21st

Salsa Lessons by the Bay
📍 Building 43, Alameda | Every Sunday, Afternoon & Evening
Bay Area’s hottest salsa with live music, wine, sangria, mimosas, beer, and food from Yo Soy Ceviche and Tacos Borachos.
Time: 2:30 PM (multiple times available)
Tickets: $15 advance / $20–25 at the door

Local Sports 🏈 

Fri, Sep 19th

Alameda Hornets vs. Mt. Diablo Red Devils (Away Game)
📍 Mt. Diablo High School
Friday night kickoff for the Hornets on the road
Time: Varsity @ 7:30 PM | JV @ 4:30
Tickets: $11 for Adults, $6 for students

Sun, Sep 21st

Cardinals vs. 49ers Watch Party
📍 Alameda Brewing
Time: 1:25–5:25 PM
Price: Free

Family 👪️ 

Thu, Sep 18th

AEF’s 3rd Annual Back 2 School BBQ
📍 The Rake at Admiral Maltings
Kick off the school year with BBQ, live music, and fundraising for Alameda Education Foundation programs
Time: 5–8 PM
Price: Free

Sat, Sept 20

Alameda Farmers Market |📍Haight Avenue
Time: 9 AM
Price: Free Entry

¡Lotería! – Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
📍 Alameda Free Library, Main Branch (Stafford Room)
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a lively game of Lotería. No experience needed. Enjoy prizes, Mexican candy, and conchitas while supplies last.
Time: 1–4 PM
Price: Free Entry

Sun, Sep 21st

Alameda’s Bronze Coast Beauties: Tour of Historic Homes | 📍 Franklin Park | Time: 10 AM
Price: $12

Community Events 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 

Fri, Sep 19th

Cal Legend Joe Starkey Speaking Event | 📍 California Historical Radio Society | 6 PM

Sat, Sep 20th

An Evening to Remember – Alamedans to End Alzheimer’s |📍 Encinal Yacht Club | 4 PM
Price: $60 - $75 (all tix are tax-deductible)

Foodbank Players Present “Hamlet” |📍The Healing Garden | 5 PM
Outdoor staging of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Tue, Sep 23rd

Caregiver Support Group | 📍 Mastick Senior Center | 10 AM

Profs & Pints Alameda: What Therapy Works | 📍 Faction Brewing | 6 PM

NEW & NOTE WORTHY

New Biz Buzz

Dandelion Kaffe

A new café opened on Park Street this summer called Dandelion Kaffe. Even though it’s brand new, it’s already becoming a favorite spot for locals. The inside feels warm and cozy, with plants, big windows, and plenty of space to sit. It’s a nice place to hang out with a friend or enjoy a quiet coffee break.

People say the drinks are what make it special. The ube latte and tiramisu latte are must-tries, and the strawberry matcha is great if you don’t want coffee. For food, locals love the Egg-vocado toast, ricotta toast, and fresh sandwiches. They also serve bowls like the “Spicy Seoul” if you want something filling. Since it just launched this summer, a lot of people are excited to welcome it and support a new, woman-owned business in Alameda.

Check out their menu and website here.

Park Station

Park Station is the new spot on Park Street, and it just opened in early September 2025. It used to be an old tire shop, but now it’s a big beer garden with indoor and outdoor seating. The vibe is really casual and welcoming. Families bring kids, people hang out with their dogs, and it feels like the kind of place where the whole neighborhood comes together. They also host live music, which makes the nights feel extra fun and lively.

Most folks talk about the huge list of craft beers on tap, around 30 at a time. If you’re hungry, the food comes from Southie, and people love the spicy hog pulled-pork sandwich, the fried popcorn chicken, and the truffle bacon egg salad. The grilled cheese is a hit, especially for kids. Since it just launched this September, it’s already one of the most talked-about new hangouts in Alameda.

Check out their craft beers, live events, and menu here.

COMING UP SOON

Current Developments & Community Updates

Current Developments

Alameda is turning old Navy base land into new neighborhoods, with nearly 500 condos and townhomes plus shops and bike-friendly streets in the West Midway Project.

Right next door, the RESHAP project will add over 300 affordable homes for veterans, families, and people who were homeless. Old buildings are being torn down, and the land is being cleaned up so it’s safe. Once finished, this will bring new neighbors, more places to live and shop, and a stronger sense of community to the island.

New Alameda waterpark at Jean Sweeney Park. Alameda is building a new aquatic center. The project has cleared approvals and secured funding in 2025, with groundbreaking expected in late 2025 or early 2026, construction through 2026–27, and a likely public opening in 2027. Debate continues over whether most people will drive there or use nearby bike and bus accesswith a big competition pool, a smaller activity pool, seating, and support buildings, all powered by clean electricity.

Community Updates

Alameda schools ended last year with $170M in revenue and about $29M left over after expenses. Local parcel taxes (Measures A & B1) continue to fund teachers and programs, and an extra $1.7M is going to after-school options for families. Special education costs grew more slowly, which helps protect classroom dollars. Looking ahead, enrollment drops could shrink savings in a few years, but for now, AUSD says the budget is steady.

Something We Should Know?

New event? Hiring? Launching? Community Event? Want to sponsor the newsletter?

Let us know, and we’ll include it next week!

👉 Got an event?