Alameda briefs: USS Hornet's Veterans Day commemoration Monday
The USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum will commemorate Veterans Day starting at 11 a.m. Monday.
The ship opens at 10 a.m., and the event will include the Hornet Horns playing the national anthem, guest speaker Steve Minnear, a wreath-laying ceremony at the ship's fantail, a flyover from the USS Hornet Memorial Squadron at 12:30 p.m. and more.
Minnear's presentation is titled "Before Anchors Aweigh: How the San Francisco Bay Area Got Sailors to the USS Hornet and the Pacific Theatre." Many people know the story of how the U.S. Navy's sailors fought World War II in the Pacific, but few know how the sailors got to their ships.
Even fewer know the Bay Area's critical role in moving naval personnel from all over the United States to ships to fight the war in the Pacific. Historian Minnear will tell how three mostly forgotten Navy bases in the Tri-Valley near Dublin shipped more than 350,000 sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen to war and how the Hornet brought many back as part of Operation Magic Carpet.
Also on tap, filmmaker George Reletas will unveil a trailer for his new movie "Sundown to Eleven." In addition, the Hornet museum is partnering with the Alameda County Veterans Commission for Operation Greenlight to shine a green light on the island structure in the evenings from now through Monday in support of U.S. veterans.
Finally, the museum is partnering with Seatrek for their Veterans Day at Sea Trek to honor veterans and highligh the Bay Area's rich military history with a special scenic Alameda waterfront kayak tour.
— USS Hornet
Scouts to collect donations for their annual food bank drive
Alameda Scouts will fan out across the Island this Saturday to leave door hangers at homes where they will pick up donations the following Saturday, Nov. 16, for the annual Scouting for Food drive to supply the Alameda Food Bank.
Canned goods, coffee, tea, condiments, international foods and other unexpired nonperishable foods as well as diapers, baby wipes and small paper goods will help the food bank serve its more than 1,000 families who turn to it each week for help. The food bank's website ( alamedafoodbank.org ) explains how to donate food or cash directly.
— Alameda Food Bank
Immanuel Lutheran's annual Holiday Boutique on Nov. 16
Immanuel Lutheran Church's annual Holiday Boutique will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at 1910 Santa Clara Ave. in Alameda More than two dozen local artisans will offer arts and crafts, food and treats for the whole family.
See Mrs. Santa Claus for a photo-op and free children's books, courtesy of the East Bay Children's Book Project. The fun will also include live music and a raffle! See a special exhibit on Immanuel Lutheran's 1891 church to celebrate the rehabilitation of this Alameda architectural gem.
This event supports church-sponsored community outreach activities including the monthly Dine and Connect dinner for the food-insecure in Alameda. Admission is free. , and the boutique will take place in the parking lot, courtyard and parish hall (please enter from Chestnut Street).
— Elizabeth Greene, Immanuel Lutheran Church
Special Olympics team the Islanders train in soccer skills
Finishing a successful soccer sports cycle, the Alameda Islanders recently celebrated with their coaches at the Oakland Roots home field. Players learned basic soccer skills and shot goals at the end of their final practice.
Special thanks go to head coach Richard, assisted by coaches Tyler, Lucy, Jack, Elizabeth and Pat. Special Olympics thanks the Oakland Roots for use of their practice field over the weeks-long season. The Islanders will move on to bowling as their next sport in the sequence. Coach Tyler Cobb manages the Islanders' sports schedule.
— Patricia Bowen
