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All Around Alameda – Work Hard, Play Hard

This week in Alameda, get involved at local job fairs, learn something new, and enjoy not one, but two festivals!

Alameda is bursting with events this week. We’ve picked out some of the highlights to share with you—and they’re all free! On Friday night, listen to a fascinating lecture on enigma machines at the California Historical Radio Society, or catch the family-friendly showing of Barbie at Leydecker Field. Two festivals are on the books this weekend, with delicious food and great music at both ’Round the World – Music, Dance, & Art Festival and Blues, Brews & BBQ. Stroll with ARPD’s Alameda Walks on Saturday morning. And if you’re looking for a new job, get plugged in at the Construction Trades Workforce Initiative Workshop on Saturday and the Alameda Autumn Job Fair on Tuesday. The hardest part about this week will be choosing what to attend!

Alameda Post - a man stands in a small museum full of cipher machines and smiles. Above him, a sign says "Cipher History Museum"
Ralph Simpson in his home museum, along with an authentic and working 1941 German Enigma machine. Photos California Historical Radio Society.

Cracking the Enigma: The Secret Battlefield of WW2

Friday, September 20

The California Historical Radio Society (CHRS) welcomes the public to their latest free lecture on Friday, September 20, from 6 to 8 p.m., at 2152 Central Avenue. Join Ralph Simpson, a longtime engineer and cipher historian for his talk, Cracking the Enigma: The Secret Battlefield of WW2.

CHRS teases the talk on their website, “WW1 was the first war to use radio, which was an enormous advantage on the battlefield. But the weakness of existing manual ciphers meant every country now had their secret messages broken by the enemy!” The talk will explore how this vulnerability sparked the invention of advanced ciphers, as well as the role of ciphers and codebreaking in the war. Of course, the famous German Enigma machine would capture the imagination of generations, and eventually inspire the 2014 movie The Imitation Game.



Ralph Simpson spent his 32-year career in technology, including time at Cisco Systems and IBM. Now retired, he volunteers at History San Jose and the Computer History Museum. He’s an avid collector of cipher machines, and has cataloged the history of ciphers on his website, CipherHistory.com, as well as in his book, Crypto Wars: 2000 Years of Cipher Evolution.

This event is free to attend, and donations are appreciated. Read more on the CHRS website, and RSVP online.

Alameda Post - poster for Starlight Movies in the Park "Barbie"

Starlight Movies in the Parks Screens Barbie

Friday, September 20

Looking for a free, family-friendly, Friday night festivity? Join ARPD at the Alameda Point Multi-Purpose Field, 1101 West Redline Avenue, to watch Barbie. This fun-filled event will start at 6:30 p.m. with pre-show festivities including games and crafts for kids. The movie will start between 8:15 and 8:45 p.m., depending on darkness.

Snacks and food will be available for purchase—proceeds support the Teen Program. Please bring your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy this film. Kindly leave all barbecue grills, alcoholic beverages, and pets at home.

Please note that this movie is rated PG. Pre-registration is not necessary.

Alameda Post - an Alameda Walks tour

Alameda Walks

Saturday, September 21

Start your weekend with some fresh air at ARPD’s September 21 Alameda Walks event beginning at Bohol Circle Immigrant Park, 2901 Fifth Street, at 9 a.m. These free walks are a great way to begin a Saturday morning, exploring Alameda’s neighborhoods and discovering new areas. Just look for the red hats, and join the party!

Saturday’s walk will explore one of the newest parks in Alameda, Bohol Circle Immigrant Park, the Cardinal Point area, and Alameda’s famous and colorful floating homes at the Barnhill Marina.

All Alameda Walks events begin at 9 a.m. and last approximately one hour. Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, use sun protection, and bring water to stay hydrated. Registration is not required. Kindly leave pets at home.

CTWI's Mission

Construction Trades Workforce Initiative Workshop

Saturday, September 21

Have you ever considered pursuing a career in construction? The Alameda Boys & Girls Club (ABG) is hosting a meeting at 1900 Third Street on Saturday, September 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. for anyone interested in beginning a career in the construction trades.

Construction Trades Workforce Initiative (CTWI) will lead the meeting, which will explore common questions, such as:

  • What are the construction trades?
  • What pre-apprenticeship and training opportunities are available for youths and adults?
  • How can I join a union construction apprenticeship?

CTWI is the nonprofit partner of the Alameda, Contra Costa, and Napa/Solano Building Trades Councils. Their mission is to “create greater opportunities for communities that are currently underrepresented in the trades, including women, people of color, underrepresented youth, and the formerly incarcerated.” They also want to “ensure that more construction projects are built by union labor” and “connect contractors to a well trained, qualified, and safe labor pool.”

The meeting will include a light breakfast. Please RSVP online in advance. For more information, call ABG at 510-522-4900 or email [email protected].

Alameda Post - the poster for the 'Round the World Festival at Chochenyo Park

’Round the World – Music, Dance, & Art Festival

Saturday, September 21

Enjoy a celebration of Latin and Indigenous traditions at the ’Round the World Festival, with fantastic music, dance, art, and food. The festival, presented by Rhythmix Cultural Works, kicks off on Saturday, September 21, noon to 5 p.m. at Chochenyo Park, 2430 Encinal Avenue.

Experience a great lineup of musical performances, shop a marketplace of artisan crafts, and chow down on Latin-inspired foods from Chef Hits the Streets, Teaqueria, and Crazy Empanadas. Multicultural arts, crafts, and activities for all ages will be provided by Rhythmix, the Alameda Free Library, and ARPD.

The ’Round the World Festival is presented in partnership with ARPD as part of the Rhythmix in the Parks Family Concert Series, which aims to support the local community by celebrating our diverse cultural traditions, uplifting underserved voices, supporting BIPOC artists, and redefining Alameda’s City parks as accessible and safe spaces to be enjoyed by all.

Admission to the festival is free. Read more about the artists, RSVP online, and get ready to party!

Alameda Post - Blues, Brews, and BBQ music and food festival event, September 17, 2023, Washington Park, Alameda. Photo © Maurice Ramirez
Blues, Brews & BBQ. Photo Maurice Ramirez.

Blues, Brews & BBQ

Sunday, September 22

Alameda’s favorite music festival, Blues, Brews & BBQ, returns for its seventh edition on Sunday, September 22, at Washington Park, from noon to 6 p.m. The free festival brings together world-class blues musicians, local craft breweries, and smoking barbecue vendors.

Catch live music throughout the day:

In addition to the fantastic tastes and sounds of the festival, attendees will have the opportunity to shop locally crafted wares from Bay Area vendors. Kids can get crafty and stay engaged at the Family Zone hosted by Ozzy’s Music Academy.

Admission is free, and if you register online in advance, you will be entered to win a festival T-shirt or drink package. Winners will be notified by email, and prizes will be distributed at the festival from the West End Arts District booth.

Well-behaved dogs (on leash) are welcome at the festival. Some seating is available, and attendees may bring their own lawn chairs. Washington Park is a fully accessible venue, and limited accessible parking is available alongside the park on Central Avenue. Reach out to [email protected] with any specific access requirements or questions.

Alameda Post - a booth at a Job Fair
Photo City of Alameda.

Autumn Job Fair

Tuesday, September 24

Looking for a new job or career change? Get plugged in at the City of Alameda’s 10th annual Autumn Job Fair at 2213 South Shore Center, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24. The Fair will take place across from Trabocco Kitchen & Cocktails.

“Last year, 37 businesses, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations participated in the Job Fair, representing over 100 open positions,” the City of Alameda announcement states. “In a post-event survey, approximately 75 percent planned to offer at least one position to a job seeker they met at the event.”

Both temporary and permanent positions in Alameda and surrounding cities will be represented at the fair. All skill levels are welcome. Alameda residents and students, including College of Alameda students, are invited to attend.

Job seekers are encouraged to come prepared with printed resumes and dressed in interview-appropriate attire. If you’re in need of a printer beforehand, the OfficeMax at the far end of the plaza, 2160 Otis Drive, provides self-service printing. Register in advance to receive more information and a reminder for the event.

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].

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