🌱 Patch AM: How a defunct Albany racetrack could become your new shoreline park

Good morning to you Albany! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a defunct Albany racetrack could become your new shoreline park
• Which Albany favorite just closed—and what East Bay spots still shine?

Also on today's calendar: A Midsummer Night's Dream - Free Shakespeare in the Park and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: A morning sprinkle, with a high of 70 and low of 60 degrees.
• Thursday: A couple of morning showers, temps: high: 70, low: 57.
• Friday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 71 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• California to Buy Defunct Horse Track and Turn It Into the Bay Area's Newest Public Park (kqed.org) — State lawmakers have agreed to spend up to $125 million to help buy and convert Golden Gate Fields in Albany into a major new public shoreline park, strongly backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The 161-acre site would be transferred to the East Bay Regional Park District, restoring coastline and expanding waterfront access for Albany and nearby communities while using climate bond funds for the purchase.
   

• Love Local: Welcome to the Best of East Bay 2026 (eastbaymag.com) — Albany's Match Point Brewing has closed, joining a wave of recent East Bay restaurant and bar shutdowns that may have affected some of your favorite spots. At the same time, a new Best of East Bay 2026 guide celebrates standout local businesses, offering ideas for where to eat, drink, shop, and show support so remaining neighborhood favorites can keep their doors open.
   

📸 Around Albany

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Albany

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday September 5
• A Midsummer Night's Dream - Free Shakespeare in the Park →
  John Hinkel Park, 41 Somerset Pl, Berkeley
  4:00 pm
Sunday September 6
• A Midsummer Night's Dream - Free Shakespeare in the Park →
  John Hinkel Park, 41 Somerset Pl, Berkeley
  4:00 pm
Monday September 7
• A Midsummer Night's Dream - Free Shakespeare in the Park →
  John Hinkel Park, 41 Somerset Pl, Berkeley
  4:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday September 2
• Fall Sports Meeting
  Albany City Unified Berkeley, CA 94710
  8:15 pm
Thursday September 3
• AHS Girls Golf @ HOME vs Campolindo
  Albany City Unified Berkeley, CA 94710
  3:30 pm
• Spanish Tutor Hour
  Albany City Unified Berkeley, CA 94710
  4:00 pm
• Mandarin Tutor Hour
  Albany City Unified Berkeley, CA 94710
  4:00 pm
Tuesday September 8
• Independence at Home Presents Fall Prevention - a Free Virtual Class →
  Online via Zoom
  2:00 pm
Friday September 11
• Join Us in Remembering the Heroes of Flight 93 →
  3296 Courthouse Pl, Union City
  10:00 am
Saturday September 12
• Oddball 2026 - Zydeco Dance Party and Costume Ball →
  2288 Fulton St, Berkeley
  5:00 pm
Sunday September 13
• Rodeo Car Show Pancake Breakfast →
  Lefty Gomez Recreation Center, 470 Parker Ave, Rodeo
  7:30 am
• Rodeo Chili & Salsa Cook Off and Car Show →
  Lefty Gomez Field, 470 Parker Ave, Rodeo, CA, 94572
  11:00 am

📣 Albany Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Albany PatchAM possible:

• Hangout Pizza & Pub — (510) 989-1067
• Looking Glass Photographic Outfitters — (510) 548-6888

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Independence at Home Presents Fall Prevention - a Free Virtual Class 2-3 pm September 8 —Leslie Smith Read on Patch

• TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for Lowe's Stocker in Albany. Apply here.
• La Cañada Unified School District posted a job opening for Substitute Food Service Worker in Albany. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Albany here.

🗞 Nearby News

Berkeley

• Where to go for last-minute camping near Berkeley this Labor Day weekend (berkeleyside.org)
• Speaking Youth to Power: Two New Public Interest Scholars Bring Years of Advocacy to Berkeley Law (berkeley.edu)

San Francisco

• Wild Parrot Freed After Getting Head Stuck Between Glass At SF Building (patch.com)
• Lionel Ritchie Hospitalized Ahead Of Rescheduled SF Concert: Reports (patch.com)

Ok Albany! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Don't you 2 start anything (Thank you Mary L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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