A history walking tour, ballroom dancing, two pet events, and an Alameda Post meet and greet
Along with this week’s selection of human-centered events, we’re highlighting some special festivities for our furry friends. On Saturday, June 7, don’t miss Pet-Palooza [1] at Marina Village Veterinary for boutique vendors, expert lectures, and lots of treats for every member of the family. On Sunday, June 8, Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) invites the community to their Free Microchip Clinic [2] for no-cost microchipping services while supplies last. And history enthusiasts and their well-behaved dogs are invited to the latest Alameda Post walking tour spotlighting architecture by famous duo Marcuse & Remmel on Saturday, June 7 [3], and Sunday, June 8 [4]. If you still need more quality time with your four-legged friends around the island, check out FAAS’s fantastic Alameda Pet Guide [5] for local pet-friendly spots.
On Saturday, June 7, human guests are invited to board the USS Hornet for a fantastic ballroom dance party, Ballroom Blitz: Fly Me to the Moon [6]. And on Wednesday, June 11, join the Post for our first Community Listening Session [7]. Get to know your local newspaper crew and tell us what you’d like to see more of!
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Pet-Palooza 2025
Saturday, June 7
Alameda loves a good festival, so it’s no surprise that we have at least one dedicated specifically to our furry friends. This Saturday, June 7, swing by Marina Village Veterinary, 943 Marina Village Parkway, to immerse yourself in “Paws, Leis, and Tropical Days” at Pet-Palooza 2025 [1]. The festivities are scheduled from noon until 3 p.m., and the event is free to attend.
Marina Village Veterinary promises “vibrant tropical vibes, educational opportunities, and fun for the whole family” at their soirée. Enjoy savory bites from Mackie B’s Catering [9] and Gilberth’s Latin Fusion [10], with something sweet from Danielle Estrella [11]. Pair it with Culture Pop [12] probiotic soda, PTO coffee [13], or a selection of beer and wine from Sea Star [14].
Marina Village Veterinary has arranged for 10 expert speakers to give presentations throughout the afternoon. Topics include CBD for pets, the ins and outs of pet insurance, animal acupuncture, pain management for cats and dogs, and more. See the full schedule [1] on the event web page.
Shop exciting pet products, from handcrafted leashes by Jak + Phil [15] to pet portraits by Kaae Kanno [16] and treats that are (almost) too pretty to eat by Diamond Dogs Treatery & Pet Boutique [17]. Explore more of the vendors online [1], and get ready for a tail-wagging afternoon.
[18]Ballroom Blitz: Fly me to the Moon
Saturday, June 7
An exciting, space-themed ballroom dance event is headed to the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum. Prepare to lift off to new heights at Ballroom Blitz: Fly Me to the Moon [6] aboard the Hornet, 707 W Hornet Avenue. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Event organizers have packed the evening full of fun:
- 6-7 p.m.: Cocktail hour with hors d-oeuvres.
- 7-8 p.m.: Dance class with Jeff Chandler and Alise Halbert [20].
- 8-8:30 p.m.: Sunset viewing from the fantail deck.
- 8-9 p.m.: Open dancing.
- 9-9:45 p.m.: “Fly Me to the Moon” ballroom dance performances.
- 9:45-11 p.m.: Open dancing.
Dancers of all skill levels are warmly invited to attend. Tickets are going fast, so reserve your spot ASAP [6]. Tickets range from $81.88 to $161.90, depending on where you’d like your seat reserved. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] [21].
[22]History Walking Tour: Marcuse & Remmel
Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8
Do you know the team behind hundreds of Alameda’s beautiful buildings? On Saturday, June 7 [3], and Sunday, June 8 [4], the Alameda Post will offer two identical history walking tours to introduce you to the work of Felix Marcuse and Julius Remmel—Alameda’s prolific Victorian era architectural duo. The tour begins and ends at the community gardens at the intersection of Bay Street and Eagle Avenue. Be prepared for a 10 a.m. start time.
Award-winning historian Dennis Evanosky will lead this expedition back in time to the 1890s, when Alameda was a humble rural neighborhood. Influential investors like Mrs. E. A. S. Page shaped the landscape, and architects like Marcuse & Remmel left a beautiful mark on the island that stands to this day. Along the way, we’ll discuss other important developments of the time, from the Alameda Belt Line railroad to the busy airport known as Sunset Field.
If you’d like to do some research before the tour, check out Dennis’s articles “There Goes the Neighborhood [23]” and “Marcuse & Remmel: Up Close and Personal [24]” to set the scene. You’re also invited to enjoy an optional, supplementary online lecture that will be available prior to the tour.
Alameda Post History Walking Tours generally last about 90 to 100 minutes and cover one to two miles. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sunscreen. Well-behaved dogs are welcome to attend. Tickets are $20 each, and kids under 6 are free. Grab your ticket for Saturday, June 7 [3] or Sunday, June 8 [4] online.
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Free Microchip Clinic
Sunday, June 8
Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) is taking steps to reunite lost pets and their guardians. Stop by the Alameda Elks Lodge parking lot, 2255 Santa Clara Avenue, for FAAS’s Free Microchip Clinic [2] on Sunday, June 8, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Microchipping is a fast, nearly painless process, and it provides permanent identification for your pet. According to a study [26] published by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs with microchips were over twice as likely [27] to be returned home than dogs without. Cats were observed to be 20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners if they had a chip.
The Free Microchip Clinic is first come, first served while supplies last. Please ensure that dogs are on leash and cats are in a carrier throughout the event. FAAS notes that this event is only for non-feral cats.
If your pet already has a microchip, be sure that you’ve registered your pet online with the microchip company and that all of your account information is up to date. Some online microchip account settings needed to be manually updated to allow for a release of information in the case of a chip scan.
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Alameda Post Community Listening Session
Wednesday, June 11
Do you have a friendly suggestion for us? We want to hear it! Join us for the inaugural Alameda Post Community Listening Session [7] on Wednesday, June 11, 7 to 9 p.m., in the atrium of Building H at the College of Alameda, 555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway.
This Community Listening Session will be a laid-back mixer. Come enjoy light refreshments while you meet and mingle with Alameda Post staff, writers, and contributors. While you’re chatting with our awesome team, we hope you’ll take a moment to jot down some suggestions for us at our feedback station. Please let us know what you’re loving, as well as what you think we could improve.
This event is completely free. The College of Alameda has ample parking, and the venue is accessible by public transportation and bike. We’d like to thank the Rotary Club of Alameda and the College of Alameda for helping make this event possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] [29]. We’ll see you there!
What else is going on in Alameda?
All these events and more, in Alameda and beyond, are always posted on our online Events Calendar [30]. Post yours, too, for free!
Amanda Laird is the Content Manager and Events Editor of the Alameda Post [31]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Amanda-Laird [32]. Reach her at [email protected] [33].