Friday, Sept. 5

* 6 p.m. "Island Style in Alameda: Time to Tiki!": Free admission to the art gallery. Dance and musical performance at 7 p.m. Tickets: $10, children under 12, $5. Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave. (Info: 845-5060 or www.rhythmix.org )

* 7 to 9 p.m. First Friday Gala and Fundraiser: Celebrate the opening of Undressed, a group art show, and Bob's Wondrous Women, 35 acrylic portraits by Robert Wahrhaftig. Music and food. Free to the public; donations appreciated. Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru St. (Info: www.frankbettecenter.org or 523-6957)

* 9 p.m. Zydeco Music and Dance: Featuring Roddie Romero and the Hub City All-stars. Dance lessons at 8. Tickets sold at the door; $15. Eagles Hall, 2305 Alameda Ave. (Info: 522-7626 or 415-285-6285)

Saturday, Sept. 6

* 9 a.m. "Main Street Linear Park/A Farm in Alameda?": Alameda Walks. Join other Alamedans in walking through local neighborhoods. Sponsored by the Alameda Collaborative for Children, Youth and their Families, in partnership with Alameda Recreation and Park Department and Pedestrian Friendly Alameda. Free for all ages. Includes a visit to Ploughshares Nursery and to an urban farm being created by members of the Alameda Point Collaborative's Growing Youth project. Meet at Main Street and Ralph Appezzato Parkway, inside the Alameda Point entrance. (Info: 749-5816)

* 11 a.m. Story Time: Featuring story time for children ages 2 to 6. Free to the public. Books Inc. 1344 Park St. (Info: 522-2226)

* Noon to 6 p.m. Oktoberfest: Live music, dance, contests, children's area, grilled meat and beer for sale. Continues Sept. 7. Admission: $10; proceeds benefit the Alameda Branch of the American Red Cross. Speisekammer, 2424 Lincoln Ave. (Info: 522-1300)

* 6:30 p.m. "Nite in Mexico": Dinner and dancing for Elks Lodge members and their guests. $12 per person. Alameda Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Ave. (Reservations: Diane, 410-4387)

* 7 p.m. WatchUsRun Reading Series: A fundraiser for Team in Training, to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Hear local writers read works of non-fiction, fiction and poetry; donate to charity and win prizes. Tickets at the door: $10. The public is invited. Crosstown Community Center, 1303 High St.

* 7 to 10 p.m. Artist Reception: Celebrate the opening of I'll Have the Un-usual, an exhibit of paintings, photographs, sculpture, fiber arts, jewelry, costumes and accessories created by the behind-the-counter crew. Live entertainment and refreshments. Julie's Coffee and Tea Garden, 1223 Park St. (Info: 865-2385)

* 8 p.m. Grease: Opening night. Presented by Alameda Civic Light Opera Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Sept. 21. Kofman Auditorium, 2200 Central Ave. (Info, tix: 864-2256 or www.aclo.com)

Sunday, Sept. 7

* 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire: Admission: $5; early admission at 7:30 a.m., $10. Alameda Point. (Info: 869-5428 or www.antiquesbythebay.net)

* Noon to 6 p.m. Oktoberfest: Live music, dance, contests, children's area, grilled meat and beer for sale. Admission: $10; proceeds benefit the Alameda Branch of the American Red Cross. Speisekammer, 2424 Lincoln Ave. (Info: 522-1300)

* 2 p.m. Grease: Kofman Auditorium, 2200 Central Ave. (Info, tix: 864-2256 or www.aclo.com)

* 2 to 3 p.m. Catch of the Day: Discover what's new in the Visitors Center. Crab Cove, 1252 McKay Ave. (Info: 521-6887)

* 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. "Sun-Sational, Sun Fun": Explore the sun's power. Create solar oven Quesadillas, sun prints and invisible "ink" the sun reveals. Search for sun-loving organisms including reptiles, dragonflies and pollinators. Free for adults and children ages 3 and older. Crab Cove, 1252 McKay Ave. (Info: 521-6887)

Monday, Sept. 8

* 7:30 p.m. Meet the Author: Local writer Joe Quirk will discuss his new book It's Not You, It's Biology: The Science of Love, Sex and Relationships. Free to the public. Books Inc. 1344 Park St. (Info: 522-2226)

* 7:30 p.m. Y.L.I.: Meeting. St. Joseph Parish Center, 1119 Lafayette St. (Info: Eleanor, 523-8852)

* 7:30 p.m. Encinal Parlor, #156, Native Daughters of the Golden West: Meeting. (Info, address: Lois Hoffman, 865-1635)

Tuesday, Sept. 9

* 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sea Squirts: "Sun-Sational, Sun Fun." Outdoor exploration and a theme-related craft and snack for children 3 to 5 and an adult. Fee: $6. Crab Cove, 1252 McKay Ave. (Registration required: 521-6887)

* 7 p.m. IOOB: Meeting. McGrath's, 1539 Lincoln Ave. (Info: 522-6263)

* 7 to 9 p.m. Music: Featuring Sylvia Herold and Chuck Ervin. Free for all ages. Julie's Coffee and Tea Garden, 1223 Park St. (Info: 865-2385)

* 7:30 p.m. Writers West: Meeting. New and experienced writers and their manuscripts are welcome. Includes a short discussion on writing. Conference Room C, Alameda Hospital, 2070 Clinton Ave. (Info: 522-9028 or online at www.writerswest.org )

* 7:30 p.m. HIV/AIDS Outreach and Education: Meeting. Rectory Room, St. Barnabas Parish Center, 1427 Sixth St. (Info: Cath Sullivan, 865-3051)

Wednesday, Sept. 10

* 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. AARP Driver Safety: Second of two sessions of a program designed for motorists 50 and older. Fee: $10; pre-registration is required. Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave. (Info, registration: 747-7506)

* 10 a.m. to noon: Blood Pressure Screening: Free for seniors. Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave. (Info: 747-7506)

* Noon: Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 8: Meeting. Veterans Memorial Building, 2203 Central Ave.

* 2 p.m. Story Time: Featuring story time for children ages 2 to 6. Free to the public. Books Inc. 1344 Park St. (Info: 522-2226)

* 7 p.m. American Legion Post 647: Meeting. Veterans Memorial Building, 2203 Central Ave.

Thursday, Sept. 11

* 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Women's Business Exchange: Networking and exchange of ideas among local businesswomen. Call Louise at 749-9624 for the address and additional information.

* 10 to 11:30 a.m. Alzheimer's Support Group: Meeting sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association for families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer's and related disorders. Mastick Senior Center, 11255 Santa Clara Ave. (Info: 482-8700)

* 10:30 a.m. New Member Orientation: Take a tour and learn about the center and the schedule of activities. Includes lunch. Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave. (Pre-registration required: 747-7506)

* 3:30 to 5 p.m. Estuary Explorers: "Solar Energy Shout." Outdoor exploration and a theme-related craft and snack. Fee: $6. Ages 6 to 8. Crab Cove, 1252 McKay Ave. (Pre-registration required: 521-6887)

* 7:30 p.m. Single Sailors Association: Meeting for single people interested in sailing. Ballena Bay Yacht Club, 1150 Ballena Blvd. (Info: 273-9763)

Friday, Sept. 12

* 11 a.m. Marzolf Brothers 20th Annual Invitational Golf Tournament 2008: Benefiting the Alameda Boys and Girls Club. Entry fee includes 18 holes of golf with cart; player gifts; dinner; raffle and silent auction. Donation: $125, players; $25, dinner for non-golfing partners. Chuck Corica Golf Course, 1 Clubhouse Memorial Road. (Reservations: 532-2344)

* 2 to 3:30 p.m. HIV and Hep C Testing: Free and confidential testing and support referrals. For information and location, call Xanthos, Inc., 522-8363)

* 8 p.m. Grease: Kofman Auditorium, 2200 Central Ave. (Info, tix: 864-2256 or www.aclo.com)

* 9 p.m. Zydeco Music and Dance: Featuring Feufollet. Dance lessons at 8. Tickets sold at the door; $15. Eagles Hall, 2305 Alameda Ave. (Info: 522-7626 or 415-285-6285)

SNEAK PEEK

* Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m. "All That Jazz Goes Hollywood": Annual fall gala of the Alameda Hospital Foundation. Dinner, dancing, casino and poker tournament. Black tie optional. Tickets: $175 per person. Point Marina Vista, 1051 Pacific Marina. (Info, reservations: www.ahfgift.org or 814-4600)

* Sept. 13, 7 to 9:30 p.m. "Pornography of Power." Presented by the Alameda Public Affairs Forum and Books, Inc of Alameda; featuring Robert Scheer speaking about his new book Pornography of Power. Free to the public. Conference Rooms A and B, Main Branch of the Alameda Free Library, 1550 Oak St.. (info: 814-9592)

* Sept. 20, 6:30 p.m. to midnight: Reunion: 45-year reunion for the Alameda High School, class of 1963. Dinner, dancing: $63 per person. Alameda Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Ave. (Info, tix: send checks to Linda Williams, 2532 Santa Clara Ave. #112, Alameda, CA 94501)

* Sept. 28, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Alameda Legacy Home Tour: Annual benefit for Alameda Museum and Alameda Preservation Society. Tix: $20, in advance; $25, the day of the tour. (Info, tix: 523-5907 or www.alameda-home-tour.org)

* Oct. 4, 6 p.m. to midnight: Reunion: 30-year reunion for the Encinal High School, class of 1978. Buffet dinner, dancing: $50 per person. Alameda Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Ave. (Info, tix: send checks to Randy Johnson, 15250 Hesperian Blvd., Suite 202, San Leandro, CA 94578; call Shelly Ross-DiGiulio, 522-1109)

* Oct. 4, 6:30 to 11 p.m. Funky Formal: Fundraiser for the Alameda Food Bank. Silent auction/raffle, dinner dance. Tickets: $80 per person. Bayside Pavilion, 2203 Mariner Square Loop. (Info, tix: www.alamedaaor.org or 523-7229