ALAMEDA
The grand opening of the Smithsonian Institution’s “Mail Call” exhibit will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday with free admission until noon, live music by the Air Force Band, food trucks on the pier and ample free parking.
From the National Postal Museum, “Mail Call” explores the importance of mail to America’s troops. “Mail Call” is organized and circulated by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. This is the final stop of the exhibit’s nationwide tour and will be on display in the ship’s fo’c’s’le (upper) deck until Oct. 14. For more information, visit www.uss-hornet.org/calendar/mail-call.
— USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum
Webster Tube into Island to be closed for inspections
The California Transportation Department is temporarily closing the Posey and Webster tubes between Oakland and Alameda for maintenance inspections this month.
The Posey Tube, which carries traffic exiting Alameda and into Oakland, took place earlier this week. The Webster Tube, which carries traffic leaving Oakland and entering Alameda, will be closed from 9:30 p.m. Monday until 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to the California Department of Transportation, and will be closed again for the same hours Tuesday night through Wednesday morning.
Apply for Citizen Police Academy running Oct. 2-Dec. 11
To build relationships with the community, the Alameda Police Department (APD) is bringing back its popular Citizen Police Academy. The academy will allow participants to learn about the agency and engage with APD officers and personnel through lectures and hands-on activities. Topics include officer onboarding and training, patrol procedures, dispatching, traffic, the canine unit, special investigations and more. APD staff and the community have awaited the program’s return.
The academy will include 11 evening sessions hosted at the APD headquarters. Upon successful completion of the academy, participants can apply for the APD’s Volunteer in Policing program to help with future APD events. The academy runs from Oct. 2 through Dec. 11 and meets from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at the Alameda Police Department, 1555 Oak St. in Alameda. One class will be at Alameda County’s Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.
To apply for the Citizen Police Academy, please complete and return the academy application to COPPS@Alamedaca.gov. Please contact Michaelia Parker at 510-337-8316 if you have any questions.
City reopens business, property façade grant program
The city of Alameda has reopened a popular economic development program to help local business and property owners spruce up their storefronts and improve the appearance of the city’s retail districts. Under the Façade Grant program, business and property owners may be eligible for 50/50 matching grants for exterior painting, new awnings and signs and other façade improvements. Grant amounts range from $500 to $15,000, depending on the type of work proposed. Past grantees include the Star on Park, J Couture and Lynn’s of Alameda, among others.
This year’s program includes a new special promotion: for the 2018-19 program only, awnings will be reimbursed at an 80/20 level, meaning the city will pay up to 80 percent of the cost for new awnings up to $5,000. This also includes the cost of recovering existing awnings, awning signs and all associated permits. The Façade Grant program has four application deadlines for the 2018-19 fiscal year: Sept. 20, Nov. 29, Feb. 28 and May 9. To be eligible for a façade grant, the commercial property must be located in one of the following areas: the Webster Street or downtown Alameda business districts; sites of the city’s historic rail stations (Grand, Mastick, Bay, south or north High Street, Chestnut, Morton, Versailles, Willow, Fifth Street, Caroline and Stanton); or retail buildings near gateways into Alameda. For more information, please visit alamedaca.gov/business/facade-grant-program or contact Amanda Gehrke, Management Analyst, at 510-747-6896.
Beacon system to be installed at Island, Maitland drives
Construction work has begun on improving pedestrian safety at Island and Maitland drives on Bay Farm Island, and the project is expected to be done by October. Construction work hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The project includes installation of wireless solar, an LED rectangular rapid flashing beacon crosswalk system, push buttons, concrete, striping and signage.
During construction, motorists may experience minor disruptions in traffic, temporary loss of parking spaces and noise and dust. Bus stop access will be maintained throughout the project. Questions or information about the project should be directed to Virendra Patel, a transportation engineer with the city’s Public Works Department, at 510-747-7900 or at vpatel@alamedaca.gov.
— Sarah Henry, city of Alameda
Rita’s Italian Ice grand opening Sept. 1 at South Shore
Alameda South Shore Center will celebrate the opening event for Rita’s Italian Ice from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 1. Rita’s has become the largest Italian ice company in the nation and offers a variety of ice, old-fashioned frozen custard, milkshakes, sundaes, frozen custard cakes, custard cookie sandwiches, layered gelati and signature Misto and Blendini creations.
The grand opening will include a special ribbon cutting ceremony; $1 Italian ice and $2 frozen custard; a chance to win free Italian Ice for a year; a special appearance from Rita’s mascot, who will hand out balloons; and members of Girls Inc., a nonprofit benefiting girls of all ages, accepting donation items.
The new location at 417 South Shore Center, across from the new Adventure Court, joins other eateries at the center, including Trabocco Kitchen and Cocktails, Bowl’d Koren BBQ, Sushi House and Bagel Street Café. The community retail, dining, and entertainment destination in Alameda encompasses a variety of nationally known retailers, local businesses and restaurants, in addition to new Class A offices.
— Erin Wickman, Glodow Nead Communications
Community bike ride around Island set for Sept. 29
The third annual “Bike for the Parks” community bike ride starts Sept. 29 at Washington Park. It’s a 25-mile ride around the outer edges of the island, offering fabulous views of the surrounding area. The events will also include an 8-mile ride for kids and parents, and an after-ride party will offer games for the kids, food, music and beer. Visit www.bike4parks.alamedaparks.org for details and registration. Those registering by Aug. 31 will each receive a free T-shirt.
— Friends of the Alameda Parks