Autobody Fine Art’s Future/Tense show is running through May 2, this Sunday.

If you haven’t had time to get there, it is definitely worth a visit, so try to squeeze it in.

The exhibit is on the second floor at 1517 Park Street (near Lincoln Avenue).

Jon Kerpel’s sculptures are fun and provocative. The Alamedan has collected objects from around the Island and other places and turned them into creations that remind us of the need to protect our environment.

As part of its Earth Day events, Autobody shared several short films and introduced several speakers on April 17 focusing on the shellmounds of the Bay Area. These are sacred burial grounds of Native Americans.

Many of the shellmounds, and Alameda had five, have been destroyed during development in the area — especially the recent Bay Street shopping mall in Emeryville.

The main message of both the Autobody art show and the films on shellmounds is that it is time to develop better respect for our environment and each other, a message that can be appreciated by Alamedans year-round.

Over 100 runners ranging from toddlers — like E.J. Hernaez — and older participated in the Alameda Education Foundation’s Run 4 Education event this past Sunday.

Funds raised by the event will go towards AEF’s efforts to raise $30,000 to sustain its middle school sports program next school year.

“Over 350 middle school students at Chipman, Lincoln and Wood Middle Schools participate in volleyball, basketball and track and field, thanks to AEF and community donations,” said Christine Strena,  the organizer of the April 25 AEF event, in a statement.  “The program is supported completely by donations.”

The Run 4 Education was held in conjunction with Alameda Towne Centre’s Earning4Learning program, which awarded $10,000 to Alameda elementary schools after the 100-yard-dash for kids and the 5-kilometer run took place.

Top finishers in the 5K overall had times under and around 20 minutes,  included Peter Hsia with a time of 18.43.4, Cory Veverka at 19.35.4 and 10-year-old Gavin Hill with a time of 20.02.1.  Katleyn Johnson came in first in the women’s division, and 5^th overall, with a time of 20.52.2 followed by Alameda High School freshman Kelly Hosokawa at 21.06.2.

After the run, participants were treated to live music performed by Alameda High School students Austen Snow, Monica Lee and Jason Berk.

Two new homes were showcased this weekend, when Grand Marina Village opened some of its doors.

The development is being put up by Warmington Residential California next to Grand Marina on the estuary end of Grand Street.

The developer aims for 40 three-story residences to go up in the area, ranging in size from about 2,150 to 2,375 square feet. Two homes were open this weekend in the hopes that potential buyers will “reserve” residences in the area, which are priced in  upper-$600,000s.

“We are very happy to be offering homes at Grand Marina Village,” said Debi Garlick, vice president of sales for Warmington in a press release.

Banners and ballons were up all over the area, and there were some interested home buyers stopping by.

With all the fine weather now following the rains, visitors could enjoy the spring flowers blooming in and around Grand Marina.

Warmington built nearly 500 homes in Bayport Alameda. The latest community, Grand Marina Village, is officially located 1629 Cruiser Lane, at the corner of Grand Street and Fortmann Way.

While this development goes up, the parking lot in Grand Marina is being affected. And parking on the weekends can be hard to find.

How the eventual parking situation plays out in this popular waterfront area will be “interested.”

Kids need more than tender loving care — they need clothes and shoes in lots of different sizes.

To help local familes pick up some gently used items, Temple Israel on Bay Farm has organized a children’s clothing swap from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday, April 25, at 3183 Mecartney Road.

Familes bringing a bag of clothes to swap can join the event for $8; the cost $5 if you bring a second bag of items to exchange. (And families coming to the event without used clothes are asked to pay $12).

Items that are best to swap are those that are gently used with no stains or holes. This includes play clothes, PJs, swimsuits, sweaters, dresses, coats, bibs, baby clothes like onesies, and shoes.

The event is designed to help families get their kids into the next size up, from newborns to 14-year-olds.

Alameda Education Foundation held its yearly gala, “Salute to Education,” last Friday at Rock Wall Wine Co. on Alameda Point.  And this Sunday, it’s hosting its second-annual Run 4 Education along Shoreline Drive.

The hard work and efforts of many volunteers were celebrated on April 17, and the impact of many innovative programs was acknowledged as well, according to Vicki Sedlack of AEF.

AEF recognized a long list of individuals and groups, which we can’t  fully include here, unfortunately.

Many businesses have given generously of their resources, and this year’s Tricia Collins-Levi Business Award went to Rock Wall Wine Co. and Angela’s Bistro.        

Volunteers mentioned at the event for their extensive work in the schools include,

-Alameda High School:  Kim Krause

-Alternatives in Action – Bay Area School of Enterprise:  Edna Cabcabin-Moran

-Amelia Earhart Elementary School:  Parents

-Chipman Middle School:  Gloria Tyler

-Edison Elementary School:  Angie Klein

-Encinal High School:  Patrick Kenney

-Franklin Elementary School:  Kris Nelson

-Island High School:  Mallory Penney

-Lincoln Middle School:  Gina Adamson and Sarah Noble

-Lum Elementary School:  Literati Volunteers

-Otis Elementary School:  Susan Davis, Ani Dimusheva, Miho Okada and Layne Vann

-Paden Elementary School: All SWAP Reading Volunteers

-Ruby Bridges Elementary School:  John Quick

-Washington Elementary School:  Parents

-Wood Middle School:  Jasmine Takuda, Michael Rolleri for their garden work.

In addition, innovative programs in the schools were acknowledged for contributing to the community, such as:

-Alameda Education Foundation: After-School Enrichment, Adopt-a-Classroom, Middle School Sports Program,  Free Teacher Supply Store

-Alameda Community Learning Center/ACLC: Future Leaders Institute (FLI) 

-Alameda High School: AHS Literacy Program

-Alternatives in Action – Bay Area School of Enterprise: Project YouthView 

-Alameda Science & Technology Institute (ASTI): Future Leaders Institute (FLI).

-Amelia Earhart School Elementary School: Looping at Grades 1 and 2 

-Bay Farm Elementary School: Outdoor Learning Center

-Chipman Middle School: Going Green/Beautification Project 

-Edison Elementary School: Technology   

-Encinal High School: PSA (Partnership for Student Achievement)

-Franklin Elementary School: Annual Science Fair

-Henry Haight Elementary School: Extended Kindergarten Instructional Day

-Island High School: SIM Professional Development Team                          

-Lincoln Middle School: Outdoor Development (ODD)

-Lum Elementary School: Program:  Literati (Reading Intervention Program) 

-Otis Elementary School: Go Green!

-Paden Elementary School: SWAP (Switching for a Purpose) 

-Ruby Bridges Elementary School: Home-School Partnership in Education

-Washington Elementary School: Kindergarten/First Grade Looping, and

-Wood Middle School: SLWRP (Service Learning Waste Reduction Project).

It’s a busy weekend for benefits, Earth Day events and more around the Island.

But if you would like to support Alameda’s public schools and have some fun, head on out to the Alameda Education Foundation’s Salute to Education event this evening at Rock Wall Wine Co., Alameda Point.

According to event organizer and AEF athletic director Vicki Sedlack, there is great agenda for the April 16 affair, which goes from 6 to 9 p.m.

6:00 p.m. Alameda Jazz Band (which recently won gold medals at a national music festival)
6:45 p.m.  Welcome by AEF President Bill Sonneman, introductions, invitation to guests to look at the innovative program presentations, introduction of dignitaries, menton of auction items and more
7:15 p.m.  Alameda Jazz Band
8:00 p.m. Recognition of businesses, sponsors and other dignitaries
9:00 p.m. Good-byes

There should be some inspiring programs to learn about, Sedlack says, and school programs will be featured in an on-going multi-media presentation, as well as on posters posted around the room.  Each school site also has nominated a volunteer or volunteers who will be recognized.

A silent auction and raffle are scheduled, too.

Gourmet hors d’oeuvres are provided by by Bistro Zafari (Angela’s) and wine by Rock Wall, R & B and Blacksmith — all local school supporters.

A week from today, April 22, the League of Women Voters of Alameda is asking the community to come out, mingle with local political figures and contribute to the organization’s fund-raising efforts.

The April 22 event — Meet Your Public Officials – is the league’s only fund-raiser. The group says funds collected at the event will be used to ensure that it can hold various informational meetings throughout the year.

The Thursday night event will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Harbor Bay Community Center, 3195 Mecartney Road on Bay Farm.

This year, there are several elections slated, and the league will be holding ballot pros-and-cons meetings, such as one set for 7:30 p.m.on Thursday, May 13, at the Alameda Free Library.  

The May 13 event will feature candidates for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and presenations on the state ballot propositions.

These gatherings are held so that Alamedans can get the information they need to make thoughtful and clear decisions.

At next Thursday’s meeting, light food and beverages will be provided, and a raffle and auction will be held.

Auction items include a progressive dinner at various Alameda restaurants and a behind-the-scenes experience at Tucker’s Ice Cream.

The Frank Bette Center for the Arts — at Lincoln Avenue and Paru Street — has shared the names of the 2010 winners of the Alameda on Camera event, which are being shown as part of the current exhibit now through May 1.

Best of Show – “Blurring Boundaries” by Peter Tonningsen and Lisa Levine
Honorable Mention – “Smokin’ Tree” by Virginia Chabre
Honorable Mention – “Beverly & Joe, An Alameda Love Story” by Mi’Chelle Fredrick
Executive Director’s Choice -  “Somber” by John Fitzsimmons
Best Classic Photo – “Steel Cathedral” by Carl Weingarten
Best Creative Use of Media – “Infinity Landing” by Susan Lea Hackett
Best 3D – “Alameda Living” by Susan Tuttle
Sponsors Choice Gallagher & Lindsey – “At Home” by Bonnie Randall Boller
 
Teen Division:
Best of Show – “Step in to Color” by Jeannette Mei
Honorable Mention – “Revolutionary Tree” by Samuel Flores
Honorable Mention – “Meditation Mood” by Nicolo DeLuca
Executive Director’s Choice – “Contemplation” by Mikana Camacho
Sponsors Choice Gallagher & Lindsey – “The Art of Reclining” by Laurel O’Connor

Those picking the winners included two “Alameda” magazine staff members: Paul Skrentny, senior account manager and photo journalist, and Debbi Murzyn, art director, who selected the best of show and honorable mention awards for both adult and teen divisions.

Other judges included Michael Singman-Aste, Frank Bette’s satellite exhibit curator, who picked the sponsors choice Gallagher & Lindsey award, with other awards selected by Debra Owens, executive director of the Frank Bette Center.

The crowd was anxious last Saturday, March 27, before the start of the Spring Egg Scramble, the Island’s traditional “egg” hunt, which is really more like a candy grab.

At the Crab Cove event, kids are divided up by age.

The rowdy five- and six-year olds (see photo above) were jumping around for the candy as the Alameda Recreation and Park Department staff were throwing it around the grass field.

Jonathon Holley, 6, of Alameda — see photo below – was one of about 500-plus kids and adults that participated in the ’10 Spring Egg Scramble.

And six-year-old cousins Asiah Sanders and Trinity Malone had to slow down and catch their breath after participating in the candy fest.

Twins Graciela and Nathanial Basco, 5, caught up with Edison School buddies at the event, and recreation staff helped them share candy … with a smile.

Happy Easter!

There’s plenty of spring in the air around the Island, especially in local storefronts.

You’ll find Easter eggs and bunnies in the windows, and – at least in one shop – you’ll find special eggs inside, too.

Bead Inspirations, on Park Street at Lincoln Ave., asks customers to join their egg hunt. If you find an egg, you get a special discount on merchandise.

Drop in to see some fun merchandise, do-it-yourself supplies and more.

The shop is also hosting the egg hunt online, so you can join the fun without even leaving your own “island.”