ALAMEDA
More than 80 students representing 12 teams from six Alameda public schools participated in a recent robotics competition.
First place went to Wood Middle School’s “Well Done Pepes” team. A tie for second was between the Franklin Elementary Vaccines and Bay Farm Dolphins. Wood Middle’s fourth- and fifth-grad team, the Space Bots, captured third place.
Other teams included the Kitten Bots and Thunder Bots from Ruby Bridges Elementary, Bilsijacthe from Wood, Fred and Poseidon from Haight Elementary, the Terminators from Bay Farm Island and two teams from the Academy of Alameda.
The Robotics program is a collaboration between the Alameda Education Foundation, Island City Robotics, the Alameda Robotics Center and Wood Middle School. The 2017-18 program paralleled the challenges of the FIRST Lego League, but the teams competed locally against Alameda teams rather than regionally.
— Vicki Sedlack, Alameda Education Foundation
USS Hornet to host ham radio field day this weekend
The NB6GC On Air Event — ARRL Field Day 2018 is ham radio’s open house. Every June, more than 40,000 ham radio operators throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation.
It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio. This year’s event is at 11 a.m. June 23-24.
HARC, the Hornet Amateur Radio Club NB6GC will have two stations running on emergency generator power set up on the Hornet’s flight deck along with temporary emergency antennas. The public is invited to stop by and say hello, and licensed amateur radio operators are invited to spend some time operating Field Day with the club.
— USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum
Philippine independence celebration held at City Hall
“Araw Ng Kalayaan,” or the day of freedom, is a commemoration of the Philippine Declaration of Independence from centuries of Spanish colonial rule that was enacted on June 12, 1898, in Cavite, Philippines. Philippine Independence Day was marked June 9 on the steps of Alameda City Hall with theme of “Reflections on Freedom.”
In this international celebration of the Philippines’ 120th anniversary of independence, Alameda, for its part, featured a mayor’s proclamation, flag ceremony, Filipino folk dances, messages reflecting on freedom today, community information tables and an array of delicious Filipino food.
The event’s sponsors were the Alameda Sister City Association (ASCA), ASCA Alameda-Dumaguete Sister City Committee, Filipino Advocates for Justice, American Center of Philippine Arts, Knights of Columbus and Bohol Circle Inc. California is home to 1.2 million Filipinos, with 84,000 residing in Alameda County.
Filipinos comprise approximately seven percent of Alameda’s population, a city where they have their roots tracing back to the 1920s and where generations of Filipinos continue to actively participate in civic, economic, and community life. In recent years, the City of Alameda embraced the city of Dumaguete, Philippines, as an official Sister City, building a bridge of friendship across continents.
— Ana Bagtas, city of Alameda
Summer Art Fair & Maker Market to take place July 1
The Flax Art & Design store in Oakland will present more than 65 Alameda and Bay Area artists at the 2018 Alameda Summer Art Fair & Maker Market from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 1 at Studio 23 in Alameda. Visitors can mingle with local emerging and established artists creating unique artwork during the fair, and see live painting, sketching, sculpting and illustration.
With everything from comic book art to clothing, jewelry and metal sculpture, there is something for everyone. The event is to support Bay Area artists who make this region such a dynamic and creative place to live. More than 30 live art demonstrations and more than 20 artists will be featured in Studio 23’s “100 under 100” group show.
There will be music and festivities all afternoon. The festival will take place in the lot of Studio 23 Gallery at 2309 Encinal Ave, between Park and Oak streets in Alameda. Visit studio23gallery.com for more information.
— Jessica Warren, Flax Art & Design
Monkey Thai restaurant adds another Island location
Five years after opening their Monkey Thai pub and eatery in downtown Alameda, the owners have branched out with a second location, also in Alameda. Prapaporn Yuin and Khermmerin Thungjaimon hosted a grand opening celebration June 15 at the Alameda South Shore Center.
Events included Thai dancing, music and a crafts giveaway. Thai street food bites were available for purchase, with 10 percent of sales going to the Alameda Boys and Girls Club. Besides the popular pad thai, yellow curry and basil chicken, the new location also offers the “Monkey Combo” — a full-meal deal — on weekdays for $9.95 to $13.95. The South Shore eatery will be open daily for lunch and dinner. The original restaurant is located at 1930 Main St. Visit www.monkeythairestaurant.com for details.
— Linda Zavoral, staff