Alameda briefs: New water shuttle service to Oakland planned

ALAMEDA

A partnership of public and private organizations and agencies, including the city of Alameda, is planning a new water shuttle service.

The shuttle would start as a limited service with the opportunity to grow over time. The current vision is for the water shuttle to travel between the foot of Fifth Street in Alameda and the foot of Broadway in Oakland, possibly with midday lunchtime service to Marina Village.

As of last May, grant funding matched with private and public funds was secured for a two-year pilot program expected to start this coming spring. A three-month initial pilot program this past summer was unfortunately deemed infeasible.

At this time, planners anticipate that the service would be free, accommodate bicycles and operate four or five days a week for nine to 12 hours per day depending on funding and times of year. For a map of the proposed service visit bit.ly/49wCUJv online.

— city of Alameda

Scouts deliver nearly 13,000 pounds of food to local group

Alameda Scouts delivered almost 13,000 pounds of food to the Alameda Food Bank, the bounty of this year’s Scouting for Food Drive.

The nonperishable food donated by residents throughout Alameda this past Saturday will help the food bank put meals on the tables of the 1,000 families who turn to it for help each week. Information about donating food or funds directly to the Alameda Food Bank is available online at alamedafoodbank.org.

— Alameda Food Bank

Immanuel Lutheran Church’s Holiday Boutique on Saturday

Alameda’s Immanuel Lutheran Church (ILC) will sponsor its Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

More than two dozen local artisans will offer arts and crafts, food and treats for the whole family. Mrs. Santa Claus will be there for photo opportunities and a children’s book giveaway, courtesy of the East Bay Children’s Book Project, and the fun will includes live music and a raffle.

This event is a fundraiser to help support community outreach activities that the church sponsor, including the monthly Dine and Connect dinner for Alameda’s homeless and food-insecure residents.

Admission is free to this event that will take place on the church’s property at 1910 Santa Clara Ave in its parking lot, courtyard and parish hall. Visitors should enter from Chestnut Street. For more information call the church office at 510-523-0659.

— ILC

Fruitvale Bridge traffic to be affected by work in Oakland

The “Fruitvale Alive!” pedestrian safety project is ongoing on Oakland’s Fruitvale Avenue (which becomes Tilden Way and then Lincoln Avenue in Alameda) and is expected to continue through the winter 2024-25.

While Fruitvale Avenue will remain open to through traffic, Oakland construction and lane closures will directly impact Alameda’s neighborhood around Tilden Way. The cities of Alameda and Oakland are working together to coordinate traffic impacts around the Miller Sweeney/Fruitvale Bridge. Please expect delays, use alternate routes whenever possible and budget extra travel time if you plan to travel through this area.

Fruitvale Avenue between East 12th Street and Alameda Avenue in Oakland is a critical gap in Oakland’s bikeway network. This stretch of roadway connects Alameda residents with the services, amenities and public transit around Oakland’s Fruitvale BART station.

The “Fruitvale Alive!” project will install a sidewalk-level protected bike lane, create a new connection to the San Francisco Bay Trail, widen sidewalks, install lighting and close two “slip lanes” at the south side of the corner of Fruitvale Avenue and East 12th Street (where cars make fast turns).

For more details, visit oaklandca.gov/projects/fruitvale-alive online.

— city of Alameda

EAST BAY

Celebrate ‘Green Friday’ after Thanksgiving at area parks

The day after Thanksgiving this year, celebrate “Green Friday” with a free parks day Nov. 24. Green Friday in the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) provides healthy and fun ways to enjoy the day with family and friends.

The waiver does not include dog fees, boat launch or inspection fees, fishing permits, concessions or rides such as Berkeley’s Tilden Merry-Go-Round and Redwood Valley Railway steam train. For more details, visit ebparks.org/we-celebrate/green-friday online.

— EBRPD

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