Hello Richmondside readers. Here are some highlights of things to do and know this coming week and beyond.
First off, Happy Halloween. If you’re still making plans for tonight, check out “13 Things to Do for Halloween in Richmond.”
If all the local hauntings have you yearning for some community soul, you can meet a variety of Richmond pastors at Saturday’s Gospel Outreach. Also coming up: Apply for Snow Ball college scholarships, bicycle riding lessons for adults, family camping and a goddess tree celebration.
And finally, daylight saving time ends at 2 .m. on Sunday. While most clocks turn themselves back these days, you may be glad to know you can enjoy an extra hour of sleep and start your day a little brighter in the morning.
For additional events, check our calendar and be sure to add your own listings, too.
Free ferry rides on Fridays between Richmond and San Francisco
For the month of November you can ride the San Francisco Bay Ferry for free between downtown San Francisco and Richmond on Fridays, which normally costs about $9 roundtrip.
The Free on Fridays program starts Nov. 1.
The program is being offered in partnership with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. Visit the San Francisco Ferry website for schedule information.
County honors WW II Port Chicago sailors Tuesday
Sailors who were killed in an explosion while loading munitions onto ships at Port Chicago during World War II will be honored at next week’s Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting.
The remembrance will be held on Tues., Nov. 5, at 11 a.m. during the supervisors’ regular meeting in the board chambers at 1025 Escobar St. in Martinez.
The 1944 explosion on the SS E. A. Bryan on July 17, 1944 at the Port Chicago loading dock near Concord killed 320 service members and civilians, two-thirds of whom were Black, and injured just as many or more.
After the tragedy, there was widespread mutiny, and ultimately 50 Black sailors were charged for refusing to return to their dangerous loading duties. Those sailors were exonerated 80 years later by the U.S. Secretary of the Navy.
The event will feature a color guard ceremony by the Pittsburg Police Department and a musical performance by Yesenia Roman, who will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.”
“Honoring the Port Chicago sailors is long overdue,” said Federal Glover, District 5 supervisor and board chairperson. “Their courage to stand up in the face of injustice paved the way for change, and we are grateful for their service and sacrifice.”
Snow Ball scholarship application period opens Friday
High school seniors in the West Contra Costa Unified School District can now apply for a college scholarship.
The Richmond Community Services-Recreation Department is accepting applications for the annual Snow Ball Scholarship competition from Fri., Nov. 1, to Nov. 22.
There are two $2,500 scholarships available. There are 20 application slots available, accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applicants must be WCCUSD high school seniors, have a weighted grade point average of 3.5 or above and be involved in extracurricular community activities.
A panel will interview finalists in early December. The scholarship recipients will be honored during a ceremony sometime early next year.
Churches holding gospel outreach on Saturday
You can get acquainted with the local church community at a gathering this weekend.
A Gospel Outreach will be held on Sat., Nov. 2, from noon to 3 p.m. at Shields-Reid Park, 1410 Kelsey St., in Richmond.
The free event is sponsored by the North Richmond Missionary Baptist Church.
Pastors from various churches will be preaching while volunteers organize children’s activities and pass out food. There will also be plenty of music.
The North Richmond church organizes two outreach events per year. The next one will be in the spring.
It’s never too late to learn to ride a bicycle
Adults and teens who have never learned to ride a bicycle or want a refresher course can get some basic instruction this weekend thanks to the East Bay Bike group’s education program.
An Adult-Learn-to-Ride Class will be held on Sat., Nov. 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station, 6400 Cutting Blvd.
Participants will learn balancing, pedaling and steering on bicycles.
The class is free. There are also a limited number of bicycles that can be rented for $30.
There is a low student-to-teacher ratio, so space is limited to about 30 people.
This class is one of about a half-dozen bicycle instruction courses that are offered throughout the year.
Overnight family camping trip this weekend
The Richmond Youth Outdoors program is sponsoring a family overnight camping trip this weekend.
Family members can meet on Sat., Nov. 2, at noon at the Richmond Recreation Complex, 3230 Macdonald Ave.
Bus transportation will be provided to the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area in the western San Joaquin Valley for overnight camping under the stars.
Campers will be bused back to the recreation complex, arriving at about 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Cost is $10 per person. The fee covers transportation, meals and includes tents.
Story hour at Alvarado Park Saturday
You can hear a story and enjoy the outdoors at a gathering this weekend.
The Creekside Story Hour will be held on Sat., Nov. 2, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Alvarado Park, 5755 McBryde Ave.
Librarians from the Richmond Public Library will read “Kiyana and the Wildcat Creek” in both English and Spanish. The story focuses on a girl who explores a creek that runs near her school.
Attendees will also be encouraged to start a nature journal.
The program is geared toward children 4 years to 10 years of age. It is co-sponsored by the Watershed Project.
This is the 72nd year for the Snow Ball Scholarship competition. The Hurlbut Benevolent Foundation is the main sponsor of the awards.
Celebrate trees and the Earth at a temple garden Saturday
A forest gathering will be held to honor nature and the search for compassion.
The 1000 Goddess Gathering & The Global Tree Love Ceremony will be held on Sat., Nov. 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at My Temple Garden in Richmond. The exact address for this free event is given to participants after they register.
The festivities are organized by My Temple Garden and SHE Living Ministry. The local event will be linked up with more than 200 other celebrations around the globe.
The event will begin with a circle of sharing, meditation and prayer. It will be followed by a drum circle. Participants will then be invited to commune with the surrounding trees.
“Trees and forests are under tremendous stress due to climate change and deforestation,” event organizers said. “They wish to be sung to, danced to, drummed to, and loved. We will offer our prayers, love and light to the beloved Standing Ones/Tree People so that they can heal.”
Learn about the history of the Richmond shipyards Wednesday
A television documentary producer will present a historical overview of the impact of Henry Kaiser and the Richmond ship building industry during World War II.
Stephen Gilford will make his presentation on Wed., Nov. 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the West Side Branch Library, 135 Washington Ave.
Gilford is the author of the book, “Build ‘em By The Mile, Cut ‘em off the Yard,” which details how Kaiser and Richmond ship builders, including the women who were known as Rosie the Riveters, contributed to efforts that helped win the war.
Storytelling art exhibit through Nov. 15 at NIAD center
An art exhibit that promises to visually transport viewers to other worlds is on display through Nov. 15 at the NIAD Art Center, 551 23rd St.
The exhibit features the work of artists Heather Hamann and Michael Nuñez, who both engage in the art of storytelling.
“Storytelling has been a constant in human history. When we share a story with others, it breathes life into a room, filling it with dialogue and mysterious beings. It can also be a way to combat today’s heaviness, transporting us to other places and timelines, whether real or imagined,” exhibit organizers said.
“The works in this exhibition function like a book, where we cease to exist in the everyday world and become part of a shared illusion.”
Live music, comedy at local establishments
A number of establishments in Richmond feature live entertainment and other events each week.
Music and comedy are staples at the Riggers Loft Wine Company, 1325 Canal Blvd. Live music is on tap on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
Windchaser Wine Company, 1352 S. 49th St., is hosting live music on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Baltic Kiss restaurant, 135 Park Place, will feature live music Thursday through Wednesday with stand-up open mic comedy on Monday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Armistice Brewing Company will feature live music on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at its Richmond tap room, 845 Marina Bay Parkway, Suite 1.
Coming soon
80th anniversary celebration for the SS Red Oak historic ship
The Port of Richmond is celebrating a milestone for an historic ship.
An 80th anniversary party is being held for the SS Red Oak victory ship on Sat., Nov. 9, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. aboard the ship that is docked at the end of Canal Boulevard in Point Richmond.
The celebration will include dinner and dancing in the ship’s event area. The vessel will also be open for tours. You can visit the bridge, the captain’s quarters, the original radio room and the deck guns.
Tickets are $108.55, including fees, for individuals and $642.09, including fees, for a table of six. Proceeds go to the Red Oak Victory as well as the Richmond Museum Association, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary.
The SS Red Oak is the last survivor of the 747 ships that were built at the Richmond shipyards during World War II.
It was launched from Richmond harbor on Nov. 9, 1944, and served in the final year of the Pacific Theater of World War II.
‘Kickback’ program to support mental health resources
An afternoon of music and wellness activities to help promote mental health programs is coming to Richmond.
The Rich City Kickback 2024 will be held on Sat., Nov. 9, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Richmond City Recreation Complex, 3230 Macdonald Ave.
The free event for all ages will feature music and dance performances as well as raffles, wellness activities, resource information and a community art activity.
Young adult members of the YES Teaching Racial Environmental Empowerment Series (TREES) program will present information and lead a panel discussion covering the importance of healthy coping mechanisms.
In addition, local community organizations will facilitate activities and share wellness resources.
The TREES project is part of the YES Nature to Neighborhood organization, which is celebrating its 25th year.
“[At the event] the community gets to experience a small part of what it’s like being a participant in the TREES Program through different wellness activities offered,” said Michelle Nguyen, the young adults program supervising coordinator for Yes Nature to Neighborhood. “We want for mental health and wellness to be accessible so we ensure that all resources and activities are free to the community such as barbering, free clothes, yoga, plant medicine, and more.”
Group bicycle ride across the Richmond bridge on Nov. 16
Don’t drive across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Bike across it. That’s the focus of a group ride being held Nov. 16.
For the 5th Annual Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Trail Ride cyclists will gather at 10 a.m. at the bus terminal side of the Richmond BART station, 1700 Nevin Ave
“This ride celebrates the fifth anniversary of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Trail, a key section of multi-use San Francisco Bay Trail linking the East Bay and North Bay,” said Bruce Beyaert, the chair of the Trails for Richmond Action Committee (TRAC). “Bicyclists and pedestrians have enjoyed almost 420,000 trips across the bridge to date. For cyclists, it is the most popular of the six state-owned toll bridges over the Bay.”
The ride is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. The route will take cyclists through the City Central district before rolling along Ohio Avenue and eventually onto the bicycle lanes that lead onto the bridge.
The ride is sponsored by TRAC, Bike East Bay, Rich City Rides and other organizations.
Members from those groups will be asking participants to sign a petition opposing a proposed plan to close the bridge bike trail four days a week to make room for a car breakdown shoulder.
Artsy gifts and crafts for sale at two November fairs
You can pick up some arts and crafts for yourself or get an early start at holiday gift buying at two Richmond events this month.
The 3rd Annual Atchison Village Arts & Crafts Show & Sale is Nov. 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 270 Curry St.
Items for sale include beaded jewelry, functional & decorative ceramics, handmade dog houses, fused glass, one-of-a-kind T-shirts, hand-painted silks, sewn items, greeting cards, ornaments and dried flower wreaths. The event is free and wheelchair-accessible, and snacks will be served.
Later in the month, the Arts of Point Richmond (AOPR) is hosting a Holiday Faire on Sat., Nov. 23, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Point Richmond Community Center, 139 Washington Ave.
The free event will showcase arts and crafts from 15 AOPR Artists.
The handmade items will include jewelry, fused glass, ornaments, oil and watercolor paintings, ceramics, pressed flower greeting cards and upcycled clothing.
Nearby, the West Side Library Branch will be open for youth crafts, and there are plenty of food options from the Point Richmond neighborhood.
Ongoing events
Every week, local agencies and organizations host a variety of recurring events. See our calendar for more and add your local events for free.
● Three farmers markets are held weekly in Richmond. The Civic Center Farmers Market is open every Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the main library, 325 Civic Center Plaza. The Marina Bay Farmers Market is held on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marina Bay Park in the parking lot near Regatta Boulevard and Melville Square. In addition, there is a farmers market at Kaiser Richmond, 901 Nevin Ave., on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that features produce, honey and ethnic foods.
● A farmers market is also held weekly in El Sobrante. The market, organized by Planting Justice, is held on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5166 Sobrante Ave.
●You can now sample a variety of food at several outdoor locations citywide, thanks to Richmond’s mobile food vendor program, open on various days at three locations. One is held on Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the downtown city public lot, 1401 Macdonald Ave. The street vendors are also open for business on Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 325 Civic Center Plaza and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Marina Bay Park off Regatta Boulevard and Melville Square. The marketplaces include everything from tacos to sandwiches to pupusas to refreshing drinks. The program is co-sponsored by the city of Richmond and the Richmond Farmers Market.
● The West Coast Chess Alliance sponsors a number of weekly chess events throughout West Contra Costa County. The Richmond Senior Center, 2525 Macdonald Ave., hosts games on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chess enthusiasts can also gather on Mondays from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane. On Thursdays, the Bear Claw Café & Bakery, 2340 San Pablo Ave. in Pinole, hosts chess games from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. On Fridays, games are held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the San Pablo Library, 13751 San Pablo Ave.
● The Homework Help program has returned to Richmond’s libraries at the Main, Bayview and West Side branches. The free sessions are held Mondays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at all three locations. Students from kindergarten through eighth-grade can receive assistance with their homework from the Bay Area Tutoring Association on a first-come, first-served basis.
● Did you know that children can gain fluency and confidence in their reading skills with the help of a dog? The Read to a Dog program is from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. every second Tuesday and every third Wednesday in the Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room at the Richmond Main Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza. Each child gets 15 minutes to read to a dog. Call (510) 620-6557 to reserve a spot.
● Saturdays at the Richmond Recreation Center there are classes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3230 Macdonald Ave. Enjoy instructional activities such as Zumba, soccer, basketball, and chess. Visit the website to register. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
● A Music and Movement Storytime is offered on Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the Richmond Main Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza. This Richmond Public Library Children’s Room program includes songs, fingerplay and books that are designed for families with babies and toddlers, although all ages are welcome.
● Family Storytime is on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the Richmond Main Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza. It is also offered on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Bayview Branch Library, 5100 Harnett Ave. as well as on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the West Side Branch Library, 135 Washington Ave. This Richmond Public Library Children’s Room program is geared toward families with toddlers. The event features a story time session with a Richmond librarian.
Get involved in your community: Civic meetings and committees
● The Richmond City Council usually meets on the first, third and fourth Tuesday of every month. The meetings are held at City Hall, 440 Civic Center Plaza. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 19. Agendas are usually posted the preceding Friday. Learn more in our guide to the City Council.
● The Richmond Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. The meetings are usually held at City Hall, 440 Civic Center Plaza. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 7, but it may be canceled as the commission has not recently had a quorum.
● The West Contra Costa Unified School District board usually meets twice a month, often on Wednesday nights, in the multipurpose room of Lovonya DeJean Middle School, 3400 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 6. Visit the WCCUSD calendar for the most current meeting information and for the agenda, which is posted a couple of days before the meeting. Read our guide to the school board for more information.
● The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors usually meets on Tuesdays beginning at 9 a.m. in the County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar St. in Martinez. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 5.
● The Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications for three open seats on the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee. The 10-member commission is seeking two new at-large members as well as an at-large alternate member. Applications are due by Nov. 4. Applicants must be residents of Contra Costa County.
● The county is also seeking to appoint five new members to its 15-member Mental Health Commission. The term length is three years. Each of the county’s five supervisorial districts has three members. The commission advises county supervisors on their community’s needs and services. The commission usually meets on the first Wednesday of every month.
● The Contra Costa Resource Conservation District will soon have three openings on its five-member board of directors. County officials are seeking applicants for those positions. The district’s mission is to carry out natural resource conservation projects. The board usually meets on the third Thursday of every month.
● The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s Advisory Fire Commission is looking for two volunteers to serve as an at-large member on the board. The Commission is responsible for confirming the cost of abatement reports; conducting weed abatement appeal hearings; approving surplus equipment declarations; and advising the fire chief on district service matters. The commission meets on the second Monday of even-numbered months at 7 p.m. in Concord.
Be sure to add your Richmond events to our calendar. If you know of an event that you think we should highlight in What’s Up, please email hello@richmondside.org at least two weeks in advance if possible.
