The son of city councilmember Frank Matarrese is scheduled to appear in court today for a pretrial hearing, after pleading not guilty last week to charges of threatening an Alameda woman.

The race for the mayor’s seat, which until two weeks ago was uncontested, has become a colorful five-way mix of local political figures and newcomers, including city councilmen, a local activist, and a part-time clown.

The Alameda Kiwanis Club teamed up with the Oakland and Berkeley Kiwanis clubs for the fourth annual Miracle Mile of Quarters at last weekend’s Park Street Art and Wine Faire. More than $8,000 in donations was raised, money that will go to the Pediatric Trauma Center at Children’s Hospital Oakland.

Six years of heated public debate culminated at City Hall last week when city council voted to finally approve a design for the cineplex project.

What’s more summery than summer at the lake? The Ratto and Beireis families of Alameda visited former Alameda residents, the Patel family, in Vancouver, Wash. The Sun shone brightly at Yale Lake while Mt. St. Helens let off steam in the background. Members of the families include: Rebecca Ratto, Dominic Ratto, Caitlyn Patel, Emily Beireis, Kathy Ratto, Sonny Patel, Ethan Beireis, Peter Beireis, Anne Beireis, Gracie Beireis (holding the Sun), Jennifer Patel, Patrick Patel, and Daniel Patel. Also pictured: Patel cousins Evan and Kiana.