After six weeks of nominations and voting, polling for the 2026 Alameda Community Stars Awards ended on February 17. Almost 90,000 votes were cast for 1,995 contenders across 182 categories in nine divisions. Following a brief audit and cleanup of duplicate votes, we are ready to share the results and announce the winners from each category. Second and third runners up and other contenders are listed in their respective categories on the AlamedaStars website.

On Tuesday, we listed the community’s choices for Stars in the Arts & Culture and Personal Services divisions. Today we detail the winners of the Business Services and Household Services divisions. Winners in the Food & Drink and Sports & Recreation divisions will be listed on Thursday, and Friday will feature the Retail, Community, and Kids & Family division winners. The Alameda Stars website will remain available to the public for the rest of the year, so you can check the standings anytime you like.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the competition, whether as a contender, a voter, or both. Be sure to show your appreciation by patronizing these Alameda businesses and service providers!

Business Services

• Accounting / Tax Practice – Lars G Hansson
• Architect – Drafting Cafe Architects
• Attorney / Legal Services – Law Office of Gina M. Mariani
• Auto Body Shop – Alameda Auto Body and Services
• Auto Mechanic / Repair – Jerry’s Tire and Auto Center
• Auto Services / Parts – Big Discount Tire Pros
• Bank / S&L / Credit Union – Bank of Marin – Marina Village
• Bookkeeper – Agatha Sembajwe
• Computers & IT – ABM Computers
• Dry Cleaner / Laundry Services – Martinizing Dry Cleaners
• Financial Planner – Edward Jones – Dominic J McKenna, AAMS®
• Graphic Designer – Red Tie Printing Inc.
• Hotel / Overnight Accommodations – Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Oakland/Alameda
• Insurance Agent – Kelly Lux – State Farm Insurance Agent
• Marketing – Heidi Bennett Social Media Specialist
• Mortgage Broker – Chris Granger – Xpert Home Lending
• Notary / Fingerprint / Live Scan – Western Notary Services
• Packing & Shipping Services – The UPS Store – Blanding Ave
• Photographer – Sam Breach Photography
• Printing Services – SpeedPro East Bay
• Promotional Products – All Good Living AGL Collective
• Real Estate Agent – Team Schuler
• Real Estate Broker – Kate McCaffrey Group
• Real Estate Firm – Team Schuler
• Smog Shop – Alameda Smog
• Storage Facility – Extra Space Storage – Clement Ave
• Videographer – Maurice Ramirez Photo

View Business Services division on AlamedaStars.com.

Some of the busiest of the 27 categories in the Business Services division were in the Real Estate categories. Team Schuler bested the Andrea Ruport Team at Compass as well as Ringo Liu at Keller Williams to take the coveted Star Real Estate Agent. Team Schuler also took top honors as the Star Real Estate Firm, ahead of the Kate McCaffrey Group and Ryan Dunn Coast + Co. However, Kate McCaffrey Group got more votes than Team Schuler and Ryan Dunn Coast + Co to take the Star in the Real Estate Broker category.

Alamedans chose the Marina Village branch of the Bank of Marin for Star Bank/Savings & Loan/Credit Union, ahead of the South Shore branch and Poppy Bank. For other financial needs, Lars G Hansson won Star Accounting/Tax Practice, followed by Elizabeth Kugler and Ryan Van Valer, while Agatha Sembajwe was the choice for Star Bookkeeper, over Zap Payroll, R&R Professional Services, and Blakely Tax and Bookkeeping Services. The pick for Star Financial Planner was Dominic J McKenna, followed by E. Demmler & Associates and Kevin Kennedy.

On the creative side of business, Star Photographer was a very active category, with Sam Breach earning top honors out of 20 contenders, followed by John Burton and Anne Hohler. Maurice Ramirez is Alameda’s Star Videographer for 2026, earning the nod over Castaway Creative and Noel.Video. Top choice for the Architect category Star was Drafting Café Architects, ahead of Thomas Saxby and Daniel Hoy.

Household Services

• Contractor / Builder – Alameda Property Maintenance
• Electrician – T.E.C. Electrical & Fabrication
• Exterminators / Pest Control – Burge Pest Control
• Housekeeper / Home Cleaning – Bubble Magic Ultrasonic
• HVAC Services – Comfort Air Mechanical Systems
• Interior Design – Market and Nest
• Landscaping – McDaniels Landscaping
• Painting – Olson’s Painting Co
• Plumber – Bonafide Plumbing
• Remodeling – The Glass Man & Sons Windows and Glass
• Roofing Contractor – Central Bay Roofing & Restoration, Inc.

View Household Services division on AlamedaStars.com.

In the Household Services Division, Bonafide Plumbing won the most votes for Star Plumber, leading A.T. Weber Plumbing and Ethan’s Plumbing. Star Painter was awarded to Olson’s Painting, while Better Call Paul for Painting and Western Painting & Improvements were runners-up. The Star Roofing Contractor for 2026 is Central Bay Roofing, followed by Bay Roofing and Advanced Roofing Services.

For those looking to change things up around their homes, Market and Nest is the choice for your Star Interior Design firm, followed by Ingrid Ballmann Interior Design and Threshold Design. The Star for Remodeling was won by The Glass Man & Sons, who topped Alameda Property Maintenance and Buestad Construction. McDaniels Landscaping was picked as Alameda’s Star Landscaping, ahead of Rendered Stone Landscapes and Enchanted Gardens Landscaping.

The post Announcing the 2026 Alameda Stars – Part Two appeared first on Alameda Post.

After six weeks of nominations and voting, polling for the 2026 Alameda Community Stars Awards ended on February 17. Almost 90,000 votes were cast for 1,995 contenders across 182 categories in nine divisions. Following a brief audit and cleanup of duplicate votes, we are ready to share the results and announce the winners from each category. Second and third runners up and other contenders are listed in their respective categories on the AlamedaStars.com website.

Today we list the winners for Stars in the Arts and Culture & Personal Services divisions. On Wednesday, we will list the winners of the Business Services & Household Services divisions. Winners in the Food and Drink & Sports and Recreation divisions will be listed on Thursday, and Friday will feature the Retail, Community, & Kids and Family division winners. The Alameda Stars website will remain available to the public for the rest of the year, so you can check the standings anytime you like.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the competition, whether as a contender, a voter, or both. Be sure to show your appreciation by patronizing these Alameda businesses and service providers.

Arts and Culture

• Art Gallery – Rhythmix Cultural Works
• Art Lessons – Coven of Stitches
• Arts Organization – Rhythmix Cultural Works
• Dance Studio – West Coast Dance Theatre Alameda
• Date Night Activity – Pacific Pinball Museum
• Event of the Year – Alameda 4th of July Parade
• Event Space – Faction Brewing
• Exhibition of the Year – In Plain Site by West End Arts District and RADIUM Presents
• Live Music Venue – Faction Brewing
• Local Band / Performer – The Permanent Records
• Museum – Pacific Pinball Museum
• Music Lessons – Starland School of Music
• Performance of the Year – Rising Seas series by Rhythmix Cultural Works
• Social Media Account – Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
• Theater Company – Altarena Playhouse
• Website – Alameda Post

View the Arts and Culture division on AlamedaStars.com.

In the Arts and Culture division, Rhythmix Cultural Works was voted the recipient of three Stars, for Art Gallery, Arts Organization, and Performance of the Year (for their Rising Seas series of climate-change inspired performances). Pacific Pinball Museum was the top choice in two categories—Star Museum and Date Night Activity, while Faction Brewing got the nod in the Event Space and Live Music Venue categories.

Out of the 16 categories in the Arts and Culture division, the most contested category was Event of the Year, with a total of 19 contenders—all of which received votes from the community. In the end, the 2026 Star in the category was the annual Alameda 4th of July Parade, with Alameda’s GrannyCon and the Filipino Island Fest as runners-up.

The Local Band/Performer category was almost as busy, with 17 nominees. Hard rockers The Permanent Records were the choice of the largest number of voters, followed by holiday favorites, the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, and drag performer Vicki Sparkle-Titz.

A special bark-out to the intrepid canine reporter for the Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda, who is now the proprietor of Alameda’s 2026 Star Social Media Account, beating out Alameduh Zine and Alameda Peeps. Other busy categories included Art Lessons, led by Coven of Stitches, with Alameda Arts and Mandar Fine Art next, and Music Lessons, for which the Star went to Starland School of Music, followed by Cadenza Studio of Music and Arts and Ozzies’s Music Academy.

Personal Services

• Acupuncture – Mari Kubota LAc.
• Alternative Medicine – Holomua Healing Arts
• Barbershop – Frank Logan Barbershop
• Chiropractor – Radiant Life Chiropractic
• Dentist – Alameda Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
• Elder Care – Alice Home Care
• Facials – eleven esthetics
• Hair & Beauty Salon – Kalos Salon
• Hairstylist / Colorist – Jori Arata, 1500 Salon
• Lash & Brow – Simply Vanity SVSkinlashpros
• Manicures & Pedicures – Meraki Nail Studio
• Massage – Jessica’s Peaceful Journeys
• Nail Salon – Meraki Nail Studio
• Nutritionist – Alameda Nutrition
• Optometrist – Dr. Daniel Chin, OD
• Pet Adoption – Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter
• Pet Boarding – Under One Woof
• Pet Grooming – Alameda See Spot Run
• Pharmacy – Versailles Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy – Emily Noonan, DPT
• Psychic/Fortune Teller – Feathered Outlaw
• Tailor/Alterations – Arkea Tailor Shop
• Tattoo Shop – Lucky 13 Tattoos
• Therapist/Counselor – Jackie JacksonDaley, M.A.
• Veterinarian / Clinic – Park Centre Animal Hospital
• Waxing – The Suite Spot
• Yoga Studio / Teacher – Svastha Yoga, Wellness and Community Hub

View the Personal Services division on AlamedaStars.com.

Although this division featured 537 contenders across 27 categories and was the most active within the 2026 Alameda Stars competition, only one contender took home multiple Stars in the Personal Services division—Meraki Nail Studio took top honors in both the Manicures & Pedicures and overall Nail Salon categories out of a field of 21 and 35, respectively.

The Hair & Beauty Salon category had a wide-open field of 72 nominees, and out of all of those, Kaos Salon emerged as the top choice, followed by We Are Hair of Alameda and the Hairmonstr Salon. However, out of 29 choices for Hairstylist/Colorist, the Star was awarded to Jori Arata of 1500 Salon, while Ash and Bone Hair Studio and Hair by Erica Ferriera were the runners up.

Other active categories in the division included Facials, where eleven esthetics came out on top of a field of 34, trailed by Faces by Liliana Skincare and Skinn by Francesca. The Star for Massage was awarded to Jessica’s Peaceful Journeys, followed by Secret Garden Skincare and LV Massage Therapy. In the Alternative Medicine category, Holuma Healing Arts was first choice, then Greater Movement Wellness, and The Funky Truth Healing. For Waxing, The Suite Spot was picked as the Star, with Secret Garden Skincare and Skinn by Francesa following behind.

The post Announcing the 2026 Alameda Stars – Part One appeared first on Alameda Post.

We launched Alameda Stars to uplift and recognize local businesses and service providers following the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, Alameda’s only previous community awards program is no longer engaged. Alameda Stars engendered a huge level of participation from the community—just under 90,000 votes were cast for 1,995 contenders across 182 categories!

The rules of the competition were set up to allow participants to vote once per day per category for the duration of the contest. However, a few felt the need to create multiple accounts to vote for their chosen contenders. Our contest software can easily identify duplicate votes coming from the same user. So after voting ended, we conducted an audit to remove any suspected ballot-box stuffing. The voting is now finalized, and we’re ready to announce the results.

Contenders could appear in as many as five categories in the competition—21 different contenders achieved that goal. Unfortunately, none of them swept all the categories they were nominated for, but two of them won four of five. Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden is the 2026 Alameda Star for Catering, Coffee Shop, Tea Shop, and Vegetarian/Vegan Food; Pacific Pinball Museum is Alameda’s 2026 Star for Children’s Activities, Date Night Activity, Kid’s Parties, and Museum.

A handful of organizations each garnered three Star awards in the 2026 competition. Rhythmix Cultural Works took top honors as Star Art Gallery and Arts Organization, and their Rising Seas programming was named Star Performance of the year. Kindred Running got the nod for three categories as well—Star Running/Racing Club, Star Shoe Store, and Star Sports Equipment Store. Faction Brewing scored a hat trick with Star Event Space, Star Live Music Venue, and Star Local Brewery/Distillery. Fresh off their one-year anniversary, Two Marys’ Mercantile won the 2026 Star for Boutique, Gift Store, and Thrift/Consignment/Vintage. Moxie bested the field for Star Brunch, Star Cocktails, and overall Star Restaurant.

Other significant 2026 multi-Star winners include the Alameda Food Bank, which was named Star Nonprofit and Star Community Organization, while Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter was chosen as the Star for both Place to Volunteer and Pet Adoption. The 2026 Star for New Business and Eco-Friendly Business went to Replenish Marketplace. Domenico’s Italian Deli was chosen as the Star for both Lunch Place and Sandwiches, while Scolari’s was the choice for Star Burger and Star Food Truck. And the City of Alameda was awarded a Star for the annual 4th of July Parade, which was named the Star Event of the Year.

The full list of the 2026 Alameda Stars will be published in a series of articles in the Alameda Post and on our social media accounts this week, and the rankings of the top three finishers in each category are available on AlamedaStars.com. Today, we start by listing the community’s choices for Stars in the Arts and Culture & Personal Services divisions. On Wednesday, we will list the winners of the Business Services & Household Services divisions. Winners in the Food & Drink and Sports and Recreation divisions will be listed on Thursday, and Friday will feature the Retail, Community, & Kids and Family division winners. The Alameda Stars website will remain available to the public for the rest of the year, so you can check the standings anytime you like.

We have already reached out to notify the winners and will distribute awards during the week of March 2 to our 2026 Alameda Stars. If you see yourself listed but have not heard from us, please email support@alamedastars.com. In addition to bragging rights as a 2026 Alameda Star, each winner will receive a certificate of their accomplishment and a window cling showing the category in which they took top honors. The certificate is in full color and printed on durable waterproof paper, so even if it’s not framed, it will show off your accomplishment for a long time. The window clings are removable and will look great greeting visitors to your business.

Those Stars who have claimed their profiles on AlamedaStars.com and those who finished second and third in each category will also be able to download graphics from the site to share on their social media accounts and websites. If you haven’t already done so, you can still claim your profile—just go to AlamedaStars.com and type the name of your business into the big red search box and follow the instructions to register.

We have many to thank for making this competition such a success. First, our sponsors—the City of Alameda, Alameda Municipal Power, the Downtown Alameda business association, West Alameda Business Association, and Digifli—along with all of the advertisers on AlamedaStars.com, who helped underwrite the cost of this contest. We’re also deeply grateful to Maurice Ramirez, who shot and produced the amazing video of Alameda’s shopping districts that was central to the website and the competition’s marketing. Thanks also to Post board members Thushan Amarasiriwardena and Ophelia Nicandro for all the time they put in—this would not have been possible without their hard work. And finally, thanks to all the people at VoterFly, the developers of the software for the contest, who have been so responsive to our needs and provided such a robust platform.

We’re already preparing for our next competition in January 2027, and we welcome your input. If you have suggestions to make the contest better, please drop a line to support@alamedastars.com to let us know. We hope to include even more categories next year, and plan to hold a public event to bring the community together when we distribute awards to our 2027 Alameda Stars.

Adam Gillitt is the Publisher of the Alameda Post. Reach him at publisher@alamedapost.com. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Adam-Gillitt.

The post 2026 Competition Illuminates a Constellation of Alameda Stars appeared first on Alameda Post.

This year there are two separate Community Grant Programs:

1. Annual Community Grants Program of $30,000: These funds are to be distributed among a large and diverse number of the City’s nonprofits to support the diversity of missions these local groups fits represent.  These are typically small grants ($500 to $1,500) that may fund a specific project or may be used for general programming.  Another goal of this program is to fund small organizations that do not have their own resources to raise capital.
2. One-Time Community Grant of $20,000 to a single Alameda nonprofit: The purpose of this grant is to fund a significant capital budget item for the nonprofit and is to be used in its entirety within 12 months.

How to apply

Alameda nonprofits may apply for both grant programs. The application for Annual Community Grants may be completed and submitted here. The application for the one-time $20,000 grant may be completed and submitted here.

Please note that Rotary will verify nonprofit status through the State of California’s Registry of Charities by searching for your FEIN (Tax ID number).  The nonprofit must be a 501c3. Applicants should review this registry before submitting an application to ensure information is accurate and up to date.

The Rotary Club has tried to make the application process as easy as possible, but applicants with any questions may email rotaryclubofalameda@gmail.com.

Important dates

• Application deadline: March 31, 2026
• Grant recipients notified: April 17, 2026
• Grants distributed: May 12, 2026, at lunchtime meeting, 12:15 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1323 Central Avenue.

How you can help

If you’d like to support the Rotary Club of Alameda’s fundraising efforts for these community grant programs, please purchase tickets by February 27 to the Lobster Dinner to be held on Friday, March 6, 5-8 p.m., at the Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Avenue, in the Rathskeller Room.

The event includes live music, a huge silent auction with something for every budget, and a raffle. A vegetarian option may be specified when you purchase your ticket. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Rotary Club’s Lobster Dinner webpage. The club needs the public’s help in making this fundraiser a success, so please don’t delay in purchasing your tickets.

Rotary Club of Alameda extends thanks to its sponsors: Silver Level—Ed Hirshberg and Bill Dal Porto; Bronze Level—Alice’s Home Care, Nirmal Rout of Edward Jones, Michael Pucci, and Alameda Municipal Power.

Rotary appreciates your support!

Joyce Mercado is the author of Save the Planet in Your Spare Time: A Climate Protection Handbook for the Busy Person, a member of Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA), and President of the Rotary Club of Alameda. Her columns are collected at alamedapost.com/Joyce-Mercado. She can be reached at jlmercado246@gmail.com.

The post Applications Now Open for Rotary Club Community Grants appeared first on Alameda Post.

The event starts at 5 p.m. with a no-host bar and live music, and dinner starts at 6 p.m. The menu includes a vegetarian option for those who prefer it. In addition to the delicious food, there’s a popular silent auction with something for every budget, donated by generous businesses, nonprofits, and Rotarians.

Tickets are $95 per person. Purchase online or mail a check (payable to Alameda Rotary Endowment Foundation) to Bill Dal Porto, 208 Brighton Court, Alameda, CA 94502. They’re going fast, so don’t delay! Payment must be received by February 27.

The Rotary Club thanks the event sponsors—Silver Level: Ed Hirshberg and Bill Dal Porto; Bronze level: Alameda Municipal Power, Alice’s Home Care, and Michael Pucci. Last year’s Lobster Dinner raised more than $10,000 for Alameda nonprofits and charities.

Rotary contributes to the community in a variety of ways in addition to its Community Grants and Matching Grants programs. Community Service projects include tree planting in partnership with 100K Trees for Humanity, Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda, and the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department; helping vulnerable communities in Alameda through contributions to the Warming Shelter at Christ Church; assisting with Alameda Point Collaborative’s holiday dinner, and homemade lunches in cooperation with Lunch Elves of Alameda; assisting Boy Scouts with sorting food from their Food Drive for the Food Bank and recycling Christmas Trees; shoreline cleanups in cooperation with Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda; and many more programs. Rotary also raises and distributes scholarships each year to deserving graduating seniors from Alameda high schools.

The club meets on the first three Tuesdays of the month at 12:15 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, and has a social gathering in the evening once a month. The public is welcome to attend a meeting, social gathering, or community service event, which are listed on the online calendar.

And of course, Rotary welcomes and thanks those who support its Community Grants program by attending the Lobster Dinner.

The post Rotary Club to Host Lobster Dinner to Raise Funds for Community Grants appeared first on Alameda Post.

There was a lot of excitement in the 2000 block of Alameda Avenue on Thursday night when APD and AFD showed up in force to respond to a report of an attempted auto theft that turned into a fight with possible injuries. It was hard to get an interview, but a nice APD officer let me know what the ruckus was all about. It was a very impressive response.

On Groundhog Day, I saw my shadow, which meant six more weeks of winter, and boy was that apparent this past week. I try to get out between the downpours because it takes 20 minutes for my human companion (HC) to get into his “Gorton’s Fisherman” yellow rain gear and waterproof shoes. Then another 10 minutes to get my harness, Gentle Leader, and raincoat on. One time, he did all this, and it stopped raining just as we went out the door. This week, we did not encounter that problem. There was just a whole lot of rain.

Between the rain drops, I did manage to get out for a short walk on Bay Farm where I found this tree with a face. It didn’t say anything, but I thought it might be rude to pee on it.

Last week, there were a few holidays. In addition to Valentine’s Day and President’s Day, I wanted to give a nod to my Shar-Pei (Chinese), and Thai Bangkaew (Thai) brothers and sisters in recognizing the Year of the Fire Horse. I was able to find one house that put out a celebratory Lunar New Year flag and created a nice window display.

My HC graduated from the FAAS Canine Support Class on Thursday and is now an official FAAS Volunteer Dog Walker. He took me on the route he uses, and there was a lot to see. There are several pieces of public art recognizing the original inhabitants of the area. You can find these sculptures on Buena Vista Avenue near the old Del Monte building.

While walking along the shore near Mosley’s Cafe, I found this floating something anchored just offshore. Does anyone have any intel on this floating marine structure?

With all the walking I do, it is not unusual to find interesting things on the sidewalk, and this week was no exception. Someone outgrew their Sesame Street toy, and I found a 1916 sidewalk brand. Has anyone found a brand that is earlier than 1916? If so, please email the address to my HC at jeffcambraalameda@jmail.com.

After covering the AUSD swimming pool project, I thought I would head down Grand Street to Shoreline Drive and check out the Wood Middle School construction. WOW!  I was so impressed. It seems like it was just a few months ago that the contractor was driving the pilings into the ground, and now there’s a whole two-story building. These guys are on the ball.

I wonder if they would consider taking on the restroom project just down the street. I don’t recall my last visit to the site, but it has got to be at least a year and nothing has been done. What’s up with this project?

That’s a wrap for this week’s report, and I want to wish all my readers Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda

Mouf and his human companion can be reached via jeffcambraalameda@gmail.com. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.

The post Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda for February 22, 2026 appeared first on Alameda Post.

If you walk into the FAAS office space, the first thing you’ll likely see is a curious little snout peeking over the barn door. That’s Lexi, our current supervisor!

At three years old, Lexi doesn’t just observe the day from her bed, she wants to be right in the middle of the rhythm. She is the kind of dog who thrives on connection, quickly attaching herself to her favorite humans and making sure she’s part of every “hustle and bustle” moment. Whether it’s a busy afternoon or a quiet morning, Lexi’s promise is simply to be where you are.

Lexi has proven to be an incredible mentor. She has taken every puppy that has come through our doors in stride, patiently showing them the ropes of how to be a balanced, happy dog.

She is house-trained, dog-friendly, and generally comfortable with everyone she meets. While she loves a good car ride, she’s still figuring out what to do with all that open space when going out on walks. She’s looking for a family who will help her realize that the big, wide world—and the backseat of a car—is a wonderful place just for her.

Meet sweet Lexi at Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter at 1590 Fortmann Way—give us a call 510-337-8565 for more information.

The post Lovely Lexi is Sweet, Smart, and Good with People and Other Dogs appeared first on Alameda Post.

It’s back! Amidst the backdrop of a rainy February, local breweries have been diligently preparing for a celebration of their craft. Several local breweries will be participating in SF Beer Week, an annual 10-day series of special events organized by the Bay Area Brewers Guild. Other Alameda breweries not associated with the Guild will also be hosting exciting events of their own this week. Reserve your tickets, grab a designated driver, and get ready to raise your glass!

SF Beer Week Events

Admiral Maltings, 651A West Tower Avenue

Farmer, Maltster, Brewer
Sunday, February 22 at 1 p.m.

Long before you cracked open that cold one, your favorite brew started with a seed. Meet Admiral Maltings’ longtime barley and wheat farmers, along with brewers from Pond Farm Brewing Co. and Discretion Brewing, for tastings, tours, and conversation to learn about the process. Tickets are $28.52 and include a tasting flight of four beers. Tours begin at 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

Beer & Sushi Pairing with Sugoi Brewing and Breakthrough Sushi
Monday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Yes, you read that correctly! Take your tastebuds on an adventure with Kaz Matsune, the Founder of Breakthrough Sushi, a San Francisco-based catering and culinary company specializing in sushi. Guests will experience six mouthwatering pairings. Tickets are $76.49.

SF’s Drunken Beer History
Tuesday, February 24 at 6 p.m.

Not all SF Beer Week events have a cover charge. The Rake at Admiral Maltings is throwing a free event focusing on the theme of Beer week, the 21st Century Story of IPA. Bay Area Brewers Guild Executive Director Sayre Piotrkowski will lead a panel discussion on the history of IPAs in the Bay Area. More information is available online. Entry is free, and no RSVP is required.

Malt Cup Watch Party
Thursday, February 26 at 3 p.m.

Come enjoy a friendly atmosphere while watching the “Oscars of the malt world,” the Malt Cup. This year’s contestants include 117 entries from five different countries, and the results will be shared during a live virtual event. Admiral Maltings is celebrating with a Happy Hour Super Special from 3 until 6 p.m., including specials on pitchers, cocktails, beer and pizza combos, and tacos. Entry to the event is free and no RSVP is required.

Cask & Queso
Friday, February 27 at 6 p.m.

Beer and cheese? Say no more! Come enjoy 12 English-style cask ales paired with a selection of delicious cheeses from Farmstead Cheese & Wine. As a special treat, some German-style Stichfass kegs will also be poured. Your $76.49 ticket includes unlimited tasting from featured casks, plus a cheese plate of five cheeses. Additional beverages, cheeses, and other menu items will be available for purchase.

Meet the Brewer – Pure Project
Saturday, February 28 at 3 p.m.

Meet Winslow Sawyer, the owner and brewmaster of San Diego’s Pure Project Brewing. Guests are invited to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, chat with Sawyer, learn about Pure Project’s process, and taste some of their best brews. Entry to the event is free and no RSVP is required.

Alameda Brewing, 1716 Park Street

Alameda Shorts Fest
Sunday February 22 at 6 p.m.

“We believe short films deserve to be experienced together, in a lively, welcoming environment that encourages conversation, discovery, and connection,” writes Alameda Brewing. The taproom will be showing a curated program with two screening blocks of selected original short films. Grab a beer, pull up a chair, and enjoy the show without the fuss of a theater. Entry is free, and no RSVP is required.

BeerWeek Rumble
Friday, February 27 at 7 p.m.

Your Friday night just got way more exciting. Alameda Brewing is hosting Action Coast Wrestling for an unforgettable evening. The night begins with a live fire show, followed by a lineup of high-energy pro wrestling matches. Enjoy a cold beer, grab a taco, and pick a side! Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children.

Bonus Alameda Brewing Events

While they aren’t part of the official SF Beer Week lineup, you’re still sure to have fun at Alameda Brewing’s other regular events this week:

• Next Stop Comedy Show on Friday, February 20 | Check out Next Stop Comedy for lively standup shows and a new lineup every time. Tickets are $26.99. The show starts at 7 p.m.
• Head Games Trivia Night on Tuesday, February 24 | Enjoy a twist on typical trivia, including movie clips, sound effects, photos, and music. Trivia begins at 7 p.m.

Humble Sea Brewing Co., 2350 Saratoga Street, #164

Short & Sweet & Sour Tour
Saturday, February 21 at 11 a.m.

If you need to keep your schedule flexible, Humble Sea has you covered with this fresh, fun tasting release starting at 11 a.m. The crew is pouring four guest stouts and four guest sours to keep drinkers of all palates happy. You don’t need a reservation, and there’s no cover charge.

Her Story
Saturday, February 28 at Noon

Join Humble Sea for a celebration of women in brewing with Her Story. The taproom will be serving beer, cider, kombucha, and wine from producers that are owned or operated by women. While you’re sipping, shop at a small market of women-owned makers. You don’t need a reservation, and there’s no cover charge.

Pacific Pinball Museum, 1510 Webster Street

Pinball and Pints
Sunday February 22, 2 to 6 p.m.

After a sold-out party last year, the Pacific Pinball Museum is bringing back Pinball and Pints for its 11th year of fun. Play as much pinball as you’d like on more than 100 machines while sampling brews from around the Bay Area. Players can participate in fun and casual tournaments to win prizes. Tickets are $60.54, and proceeds from the event will support the museum.

Park Station, 1200 Park Street

Unless otherwise stated, Park Station’s events require no cover charge and are available all day long while supplies last. Regular business hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon until 10:30 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 9 p.m.

Bay Area Brews
Saturday, February 21

Stop by all day long at Park Station’s beautiful space for special releases and collaborations from the Bay Area, including:

• Almanac
• Brix
• Cellarmaker
• Fieldwork
• Ghost Town
• Oakland United
• Original Pattern
• Sincere Cider

Capital City Sunday
Sunday, February 22

Widen your scope with all-day tastings from the Sacramento region, including:

• Destination Hops Cold IPA by Urban Roots
• Quelling Volition Czech Pilsner by Geisthaus
• Ain’t Getting Any Younger West Coast Triple IPA by Claimstake
• Zulu Haze Hazy IPA by Moonraker
• Super Secret Sauce West Coast DIPA by Shred

Triple IPA Tuesday
Tuesday, February 24

Enjoy a flight of 3 triple IPAs for $15:

• Hop Ramen West Coast Triple IPA by Shred
• Triple Cone West Coast Triple IPA by Alvarado Street
• Menace to Sobriety West Coast Triple IPA by Morgan Territory

Throwback Thursday
Thursday, February 26

If you’re tired of an endless stream of IPAs, this event might be for you. With a collection of lagers, ales, and stout, Park Station promises, “This event will make you feel like you walked into a taproom 20 years ago.” See the full list of brews online.

Oregon Beer Trail Comes to Alameda
Friday, February 27

Oregon has a fantastic brewing scene, but they don’t often make it to the Bay Area. Park Station has rounded up some of their favorites for this special occasion:

• Straight to the Point West Coast IPA by Von Ebert
• Tall Guy West Coast IPA by Breakside
• Pils Pilsner by Heater Allen
• Archie West Coast IPA by Living Haus
• Hell Helles Lager by Wayfinder

Beer Dinner
Friday, February 27 at 6 p.m.

Southie’s second restaurant is located permanently at Park Station, and they’re getting in on the action for SF Beer Week. Participants will enjoy a four-course meal with local craft beer pairings. Tickets are very limited, so grab yours soon! Tickets can be reserved online for $81.88 or in person at Park Station for $75.

San Diego Saturday,
Saturday, February 28

You’ve probably got the naming convention figured out by this point. Join Park Station for iconic San Diego brews:

• Magical & Delicious Pale Ale by Fall
• The Visitor West Coast IPA by Societe
• Amigo Mexican Lager by Pizza Port
• Cosmic Dancer West Coast IPA by Pure Project
• Rock Hopper Hazy IPA by Pure Project
• Beav Light Light Lager by Belching Beaver

Love Our Island
Sunday, March 1

Raise a toast to all things local with a celebration of Alameda Beer. Park Station will be serving up Almanac, Faction, and Alameda Brewing beers with a smile.

Other Beer Events

Almanac Adventureland, 651 West Tower Avenue

Unless otherwise specified, Almanac’s Week of Wonder events are free to attend and require no reservations.

Farm to Table Day: Petting Zoo in the Beer Garden
Saturday, February 21 at Noon

Almanac Beer Co. presents their very own “Week of Wonders” to celebrate all things beer. To kick things off, Almanac invites the whole family to a relaxed, all-ages petting zoo. Enjoy the outdoors event in the shade of the beer garden from noon until 4 p.m.

Play & Pour: Arcade Party
Sunday, February 22 at 11 a.m.

Come enjoy 20% off arcade games all day long from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Almanac. “Dive into classic and modern arcade games, chase bragging rights, and unlock drink specials!” says the event description.

Pliny the Younger Tapping
Monday, February 23 at 5 p.m.

You’re going to want to be on time for this one. Almanac is tapping a limited amount of Russian River’s limited release triple IPA, Pliny the Younger. The much-anticipated yearly release is a big deal, and Almanac managed to snag some. “Get it before it’s gone—and it WILL be gone,” advises Almanac.

Trivia Night
Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m.

While it’s not officially part of Week of Wonders, we still think that Almanac’s trivia night deserves a shoutout. Marley G’s pizza and Scolari’s Good Eats food trucks will be on the scene to fuel your fun. Weekly trivia takes place every Tuesday from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m.

Triple Beer Release
Wednesday, February 25 at noon

Stop by the taproom anytime during their regular hours, noon until 9 p.m., to check out this triple release. Start things off with Delahunt’s Overcast Double Hazy IPA, then try two collaborations between Almanac and Ghost Town Brewing, Exit Sandman West Coast IPA and Friday the 13th Lager. Enjoy a draft pour, then grab some cans to take home.

Vintage Sour Fire Sale
Thursday, February 26 at noon

Swing by during regular business hours, noon until 9 p.m., for fantastic deals on vintage sour bottles. At just $5 per bottle, these are sure to sell out!

Brawl in the Barrel Hall: Puppet Wars Wrestling
Saturday, February 28 at 5:30 p.m.

Get ready to rumble! Puppet Wars is back, and they’re starting 2026 with a bang at Almanac’s Week of Wonders. Catch an action-packed, family-friendly live wrestling show with a cold drink in your hand. Tickets are $23.18 per person online and at $30 at the door.

Bounce Haus Bonanaza
Sunday, March 1

Almanac is closing out their Week of Wonders with a free bouncy house in the beer garden for all to enjoy. Stop by from noon until 6 p.m. for “non-stop jumping, laughing, and inflatable mayhem.”

Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch Street

While you’re celebrating a week of great beer, don’t forget to check out Faction Brewing’s regularly scheduled events.

Profs and Pints
Thursday, February 19 at 6 p.m.

Enjoy an educational evening with a college professor, without all the stress of admissions and tests. Felicia Angeja Viator, professor of history at San Francisco State, presents “Daredevil Democracy” to explore the relationship between fame and power through the lens of the first famous American daredevil. Tickets are $14.77.

Groove is in the Start
Friday, February 21 at 5 p.m.

“Specifically for women who want the joy of dancing but not the late-night scene, Groove Is in the Start is the early-evening dance event that brings all the fun, nostalgia and energy—without the late-night drag—because going out should feel amazing and end at a reasonable hour.” Notable: 10% of profits will be donated to the Midway Shelter. Tickets must be purchased online and are $31.60.

Beats for Balance
Sunday, February 22 at 1 p.m.

“Come shop local, support youth, and help us bring balance, comfort, and smiles,” states the Beats for Balance event description. Listen to 10 DJs, shop at a vendor market, and donate to the Sensory Kit Drive benefitting UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Check out the Amazon wishlist for stress balls, playdough, and other items that will bring kids and teens some comfort. The event is scheduled from 1 until 6 p.m.

Ocean Hoptimism
Thursday, February 26 at 7 p.m.

Get ready for some good brews and good news at Ocean Hoptimism, an uplifting event that meets every fourth Thursday of the month at Faction Brewing. Casey Harper, Program Director at Wild Oyster Project, will lead the evening with a talk on her work to bring native oysters back to the San Francisco Bay. The event is free and open to all.

What if I don’t drink beer?

Don’t despair! A plethora of fun events, in Alameda and beyond, are posted on our online Events Calendar. Post yours, too, for free!

Amanda Laird is the Content Manager and Events Editor of the Alameda Post. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Amanda-Laird. Reach her at amanda@alamedapost.com.

The post All Around Alameda – Grab a Beer appeared first on Alameda Post.

Csillagi, who uses they/them pronouns, specializes in botanical art and recreating paintings as tattoos. They also enjoy creating tattoos of food items. After making the difficult decision to close Diving Swallow, Csillagi was looking for a smaller, more private space. They told the Alameda Post, “I’ve always wanted to work in Alameda, so I was happy to find this place.”

The studio is situated on the upper floor of an office building at 2233 Santa Clara Avenue, accessed by a long set of outdoor stairs that makes it feel a lot like a treehouse. The cozy studio has a small waiting area and a bright interior that features a wall of tattoo ink bottles in a colorful array of shades and tranquil art on the walls.

Csillagi, who grew up in Texas, told the Post that they originally had dreams of being a professional soccer player and attended the University of Northern Texas on a full scholarship. They left after one semester. “I felt a little too gay there,” laughs Csillagi. They then transferred to the San Francisco Art Institute and studied sculpture.

As they were about to graduate, Csillagi began wondering how they could make a living from art and was introduced to tattooing through a friend of a friend who was tattooing out of her house. Csillagi hung out, watched her tattoo, and then tried doing a few.

They then landed a job as the counterperson at Black and Blue Tattoo in San Francisco. “I basically made myself indispensable and made them take me on,” Csillagi recounted to the Post. Csillagi became an apprentice and learned how to tattoo. Black and Blue Tattoo at the time was an all-female, queer tattoo shop, an anomaly in an industry that was overwhelmingly white, male, and straight.

At the time, in the early 2000s, it was unheard of for a shop to have exclusively female artists. Only one other shop in San Francisco–Sacred Rose Tattoo–was owned by a woman. Until the 2010s, tattooing was very exclusive. Learning how to tattoo and getting equipment was difficult and required knowing someone who was already tattooing and hoping they would take you on as an apprentice.

Black and Blue Tattoo was revolutionary in creating a safe space for women and queer artists and clients. In 2005, Csillagi and two other tattooers left Black and Blue Tattoo for Oakland and opened Diving Swallow Tattoo. “We wanted to have a queer, safe place in the East Bay.”

Csillagi explained, “It was honestly like, let’s create a place we want—that’s queer, that’s safe for women and people of color and trans people and anyone that is marginalized… and at that time, it wasn’t very common.”

Csillagi also reminisced about the diverse and numerous art shows hosted by Diving Swallow that built community. “Never money-making, just community gathering. I think I’ll miss that the most from Diving Swallow, being able to have a space to open up and create for people.”

Despite transitioning to a private studio, Csillagi is still making connections, building community, and supporting trans people through “A Thousand Pansies.”

“Three years ago, I was like, everything is f*ed for the trans community. Policies are coming down and it’s terrible,” Csillagi told the Post. They felt that things were especially terrible in their home state of Texas, where they had a trans nephew. Csillagi’s straight white clients were asking how to help: “Where do we put our money?”

Csillagi then came up with the idea of tattooing pansies on people, with the proceeds going to The Knights & Orchid Society, a Black trans-led nonprofit organization in Alabama. “I chose the pansy because of its longstanding history for queerness, reclaimed in the queer community for being called pansies a long time ago.”

In addition to Csillagi, 16 other tattooers all over the United States are now participating in the project. Csillagi explains that the artists volunteer their time and artwork and that people donate $500 for the tattoo. Or, they can donate extra money for someone else to get a pansy who can’t afford the $500 donation.

The project is documented through interviews with clients talking about why they chose to get tattooed and what the project means to them. “I really didn’t want a bunch of pictures of body parts,” explains Csillagi. “I really wanted people who were getting the pansy to talk about their process.” So far, A Thousand Pansies has raised $113,000.

Csillagi, who currently has a one-year waitlist, can be reached at cedreink@gmail.com. See them on Instagram @cedretattoos, where you can access their website, mailing list, and request a consultation.

To get tattooed by Wolf, email rocio.tattoos@gmail.com. You can check out their Instagram account @wolf.heart_

The Instagram account for A Thousand Pansies is @a1000pansies.

Jean Chen is a contributing writer for the Alameda Post. Contact her via jean@alamedpost.com. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jean-Chen.

The post Alameda Tattoo Studio is Building Community, Giving Back appeared first on Alameda Post.

This year, the Kiwanis took the Alameda tradition in a new direction. The widely acclaimed barbecue by Back Forty, silent auction of donated merchandise, and raucous live auction/raffle of high-value items were still on the evening’s agenda, but the fundraising committee and the Alameda Kiwanis directors and officers added two new contests to the mix—a music trivia competition and Bingo games for merchant gift cards.

Rob Ahlers, a talented local musician, provided the music for the Music Trivia Contest. Two tables tied for winning honors, with 17 out of 20 correct answers for both song title and artist. First prize was a can of Trader Joe’s Turkey Chili with Beans, a nod to the Kiwanis’ longstanding chili tasting event.

Corporate sponsor Faction Brewing provided adult beverages. Other local business sponsors included the Park Street Tavern, Seelenbacher Jewelers, Corica Park Golf Course, Raley’s Nob Hill Foods, Kelly Lux State Farm Insurance, Leading Edge Financial Design, Poppy Bank, and Lucky Strike Bowling.

Alert to Alameda nonprofits: Keep an eye on the Kiwanis website come April, when information about grant applications goes live. Awards will be given out in early June. In the meantime, email AlamedaKiwanis@gmail.com for more information.

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