Councilman to hold office hours
On Thursday, July 3, Councilman Tony Daysog will hold office hours from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Blue Danube Coffee House at 1333 Park St. He will be available to answer questions and offer comments on city issues. 

Daysog will also be available at the Alameda Farmers’ Market the following Saturday, July 5, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Contact Daysog at 747-4726 or tdaysog@alamedaca.gov.

Dance the night away
Support Rhythmix Cultural Works’ (RCW) efforts to bring culture from other islands to the Island City this Saturday, June 28, at 7:30 p.m. Conga drummer and lead singer Edgardo Cambon and his power salsa quintet “LaTiDo”  offers a Salsa dance lesson at 8:30 with DJ Felipe. 

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see and hear Bay Area Latin music and dance in an intimate setting with a great dance floor. Tickets cost $15 in advance, or $20 at the door. 
RCW is located at 2513 Blanding Ave. For more information, visit www.rhythmix.org, or call 865-5060.

Utilties board approves new budget
At its regular meeting Monday, the City of Alameda’s Public Utilities Board approved Alameda Municipal Power’s (AMP) $62.4 million budget for fiscal year 2015.
Budget highlights include: 

n A transfer of $2.8 million to the City of Alameda’s General Fund.

n Continued work on major projects: refurbishment of the city’s historic streetlights; the second electrical crossing to Coast Guard Island; and establishing a metering solution for large commercial customers.

n Replacement of two fleet cars with electric vehicles; and upgrades to transmission, distribution and substation equipment.

n New efficiency programs for commercial and residential customers including a special LED light bulb promotion; electric vehicle charging stations; and the conversion of most of the city’s streetlights to LEDs.

Several of AMP’s new programs are focused on reducing the city’s greenhouse gas emissions and are funded by revenues received from the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standards and Cap and Trade programs.

All board materials are available on the AMP website at www.alamedamp.com. AMP’s 2015 fiscal year begins on July 1 and runs through June 30, 2016.

Au Lait coffee shop announces July 6 fundraiser
Longtime owner of Au Lait coffee shop in the Encinal Shopping Center, Kimberly Kong, has begun an effort to help people in her native Cambodia. The public is invited to the coffee shop Sunday, July 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. to join Kong in raising funds to promote Cambodian Democrary and Freedom. 

As the Southeast Asian nation moves to hold democratic elections the hope is that funds raised will help create better conditions for all Cambodians by supporting reform and new leadership.  
Donors will be able to sample Cambodian food and beverages at the event courtesy of Kong and her family.

For more information, call 227-4698 or 387-9195. 

Hiking for health
Alameda resident Tim Englert  will once again be participating in the Cancer Climb for Prostate Awareness, Aug. 16 through 22, in Yosemite high country. The hike benefits the Prostate Awareness Foundation. Find out more about how to support Englert’s effort at www.prostateawarenessfoundation.org/meet-the-climbers-yosemite.

For more on Englert, a local craftsman, visit www.timenglert.com or www.bluelotusproject.net.