Alameda Elks Lodge No. 1015, 2255 Santa Clara Ave., is hosting a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday Sept. 12 in the lodge's ballroom. Donors are encouraged to sign up at: www.bloodheroes.com for an appointment.

Back to school time is upon us, though it seems like the summer just started yesterday. The back to school shopping season is lucrative for retailers, but it can be monetarily difficult for parents.

Bay Ship & Yacht, located in Alameda on San Francisco Bay, has completed hydro-blasting the hull and superstructure and inspecting the decommissioned USS Florikan for seaworthiness.

Alameda Fire Department will host the 14th Annual Alameda Firefighters Association's Pancake Breakfast Sunday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at Fire Station No. 1, Encinal Avenue and Park Street.

Jennifer Webb from Mad Science shares the bubbles that she magically produced from a beaker of green stuff before a fascinated crowd of children at the Green Home Expo last Saturday.