Beat winter blues with local events
The holiday season is fading into the rear view mirror, but the dark and damp of winter will still be with us for a few more months. Alameda may feel a bit sleepier than usual, but there are still plenty of events to get you out of the house to socialize, learn, and play. This week, the LGBTQ+ Teen Center welcomes local youth to drop by on Friday, January 10 for the new organization’s fourth meeting. On Saturday, January 11, join a team of volunteers at Alameda Point for the first Monthly Coastal Cleanup of 2025. On Sunday, January 12, Bike East Bay is hosting their popular Adult Learn-to-Ride Class for teens and adults interested in learning to ride a bike or refreshing rusty skills. That night, basketball beginners and pros alike are invited to ARPD’s Open Gym for practice and friendly competition. On Wednesday, January 15, head over to the Main Library for a free presentation on the history of the Frank Bette Center for the Arts, complete with a live watercolor demonstration.
Open Hours at the LGBTQ+ Teen Center
Friday, January 10
Local middle school and high school students are invited to Alameda’s LGBTQ+ Teen Center on Friday, January 10. The Center welcomes grades 6-8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and grades 9-12 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. This monthly event is held at the Veterans Memorial Building, 2203 Central Avenue.
The Teen Center strives to create a safe, non-judgmental space for LGBTQ+ youth to make new friends, learn about Queer history and culture, and get access to information and peer support. Staff is on hand to supervise and lead activities. January 10’s meeting is described as “Drag 101.”
The Teen Center opened its doors in October 2024 and meets every second Friday of the month. Read more about the Teen Center and the organizations that make it possible here.
Monthly Coastal Cleanup
Saturday, January 11
Join Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA) and the San Francisco Bay Hope Spot team on Saturday, January 11, to help clean up our coastline. The Monthly Coastal Cleanup picks up trash from 10 a.m. to noon at Seaplane Lagoon Promenade, 1801 Ferry Point. Students who need community service hours are encouraged to join—be sure to bring your form for a signature!
Buckets and pickers will be provided to volunteers. Don’t forget anything else you might need—water, sun protection, and gloves. After you’ve worked up an appetite beautifying our island, walk over to The Rake from noon to 2 p.m. to enjoy a celebratory round of drinks and some lunch.
Check the CASA events calendar for upcoming Monthly Coastal Cleanups—usually on the second Saturday of each month—and stay connected on Facebook. Alameda’s Monthly Coastal Cleanup is made possible by CASA, Mission Blue San Francisco Bay Hope Spot, and DOER Marine.
Basketball Open Gym
Sunday, January 12
Want to shoot some hoops? ARPD is excited to announce the return of Open Gym starting January 12, from 6 to 10 p.m. Lace up your shoes and head over to Alameda Point Gymnasium, 1101 West Red Line Avenue, to improve your game and make some friends.
Players of all skill levels are welcome to join the fun. Open Gym will include opportunities for casual shooting, skill development, and friendly games. Please note that this event is reserved for players ages 18 and up.
Open Gym is scheduled every Sunday from January 12 to April 27, excluding Easter Sunday on April 20. Advance registration is encouraged. If space is available, participants may register on the day of the event. The registration fee is $8 per night.
Adult Learn-to-Ride Class
Sunday, January 12
It’s never too late to learn how to ride a bike! Bike East Bay welcomes adults and teens to their Adult Learn-to-Ride Class on Sunday, January 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at the Alameda Waterfront Park, 2151 Ferry Point, to hone your skills in a supportive environment with a low student-to-teacher ratio.
Whether you’ve not yet learned to ride, or you need a refresher on biking basics, you’re welcome at this judgment-free class. Trained instructors will be ready to help you gain your confidence on two wheels.
Participants each need a working bike. Registration is free to those who bring their own equipment, and a limited number of bicycles are available to rent for $30. Register in advance to reserve your spot at this in-demand class. And don’t forget to protect your noggin with a helmet!
Frank Bette Center for the Arts — History and Demonstration
Wednesday, January 15
Have you ever wondered about the origins of that cheerful yellow and purple arts center on the corner of Paru Street and Lincoln Avenue? The Alameda Free Library is hosting a free history lesson on the Frank Bette Center for the Arts on Wednesday, January 15, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the Main Library’s Stafford Room, 1550 Oak Street.
Margaret Fago, President of the Frank Bette Center, will present the history with questions to follow. Afterwards, she will provide a watercolor demonstration.
Frank Bette Center for the Arts is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday to Sunday, and hosts a variety of exhibits and classes. Mark your calendars for their upcoming exhibit, Here and Now, which opens on Friday, January 24.
What else is going on in Alameda?
All these events and more, in Alameda and beyond, are always posted on our online Events Calendar. Post yours, too, for free!
Amanda Laird is the Content Manager and Events Editor of the Alameda Post. Reach her at [email protected].
