Friends of Crown Beach hosted a meeting Wednesday, Jan. 15, the Alameda Hospital to kick off the campaign to add a proposed measure to the November ballot to make Neptune Point open space.

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, a total of $10,000 was presented to five nonprofit organizations that won the most votes from Alameda residents in the recent “Give Back” contest hosted by the Bank of Alameda/ Bank of Marin.

Gov. Jerry Brown may help City Hall attain one of its key legislative objectives this year: Reclaiming the right to use property taxes to help finance the redevelopment of Alameda Point.

Almost 10 months have passed since the three-story commercial building at 1201 Park St. caught fire on March 26, 2013. Other than boarding up the windows — the owner has yet to make any repairs. Business owners on Park Street are questioning when the deteriorating structure will see new life.

The latest exhibit opening at Park Street Plaza’s Gary Francis Fine Art, titled Urban Grit, is described as a portrait of urban life. The show opens tomorrow night, Friday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m. and will be on display through Feb. 2. 

The Shakespeare Club of Encinal High School (EHS) will host a citywide William Shakespeare monologue competition on Saturday, Feb. 1. The competition is open to all high school students who live or attend school in Alameda.