Hello Richmondside readers. Here are some highlights of things to do and know this coming week and beyond.
Most importantly: Happy Thanksgiving from the Richmondside team. We are thankful for the support of our readers and members. Your contributions allow us to serve the community by providing a source of free, independent nonprofit journalism.
After you recover from this week’s festivities, there are plenty of things happening to keep you educated and/or entertained, including a bird watching walk along the Richmond shoreline, a new art exhibit at CoBiz and a chance to honor deserving youths in our community.
Also, be sure to check out our holiday events roundup, where we’re highlighting seasonal activities and charitable giving opportunities through the start of the new year.
Finally, do you (or your neighbors) go all out decorating your home for the holidays? Let us know so we can create a holiday lights guide. If your tradition is to drive around to earby neighborhoods or towns to see lights, let us know the best places to go. Email hello@richmondside.org.
Youth Hall of Fame nominations are open — through Feb. 25
Do you know a teenager whose selfless actions deserve recognition?
You can nominate them for the 2025 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards.
The awards are handed out annually to county residents between 12 and 18 years of age who exhibit exemplary behavior.
The nominees should demonstrate qualities in at least one of six categories: Good Samaritanism, volunteerism, teamwork, leadership/civic engagement, perseverance and innovation/empowerment.
Nominations are being accepted until Feb. 25. The youths selected for these awards will be honored at the 31st annual Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative Celebration on April 1 in the Board of Supervisors Chambers in Martinez.
Loteria event benefits children’s arts program — Nov. 29
Enjoy a Mexican card game while helping a children’s arts program at a fun-filled event on Friday.
The Richmond Rotary Club is sponsoring a Noche de Loteria children’s art exhibit on Fri., Nov. 29, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Factory Bar, 12517 San Pablo Ave.
The event will include games of Loteria as well as a raffle for prizes.
Loteria cards are $10 each. Raffle tickets are $5 apiece. Proceeds go to the Children’s Art Studio Richmond.
Loteria is a card game similar to bingo that originated in Europe and came to Mexico via Spain in the 1700s.
Richmond community cookbook submissions due Nov. 30
Submissions to the Richmond library’s community cookbook project are due Nov. 30. The cookbook will then be unveiled at a special ceremony in December.
The Community Cookbook celebration will be held at the main library on Thur., Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. at 325 Civic Center Plaza. For more information call: (510) 620-6561.
The project is designed to celebrate the diverse culinary traditions of Richmond and help to create new ones. Richmond Library community members are invited to submit their own recipes. Recipe submissions are limited to one recipe per person.
A community quilt is also being stitched together from patches sent to project organizers. The quilt will be unveiled along with the cookbook on Dec. 19.
This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Colorful art exhibit at CoBiz beginning Dec. 2
A display of colorful oil paintings will brighten the walls of a co-working space in Richmond’s downtown.
Color Currents will be on display beginning on Mon., Dec. 2, at CoBiz, 1503 Macdonald Ave., Suite A. The exhibit will remain up until Feb. 21.
An official reception will be held on Fri., Dec. 17, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Bay Area artist Usha Shukla will be there to discuss her exhibit of vibrant colors that “capture the energy, beauty, and subtle interplay of nature’s hues.”
Bird watching along the Richmond shoreline — Dec. 4
The Mt. Diablo Bird Alliance will host a sight-seeing walk along the Richmond coastline the week after Thanksgiving.
The free event will be held on Wed., Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Meeker Slough.
The bird-watching hike will search out shorebirds, ducks, herons and coastal passerines during the incoming tides.
The walk is mostly on a paved, level trail. The hike is limited to 20 participants.
History presentation on Richmond WW II housing — Dec. 4
You can learn about housing in Richmond during World War II at an upcoming lecture.
History expert Lester Ellis will present a discussion on Richmond’s World War II housing on Wed., Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Point Richmond Community Center, 139 Washington Ave.
The talk is co-sponsored by the Point Richmond History Association and the Richmond Public Library.
Complete AC Transit safety survey for chance to win cash card — by Dec. 1
Have you ever felt unsafe on an AC Transit bus? Fill out a survey about your experience for a chance to win a $100 VISA cash card. Credit: Tracey Taylor
AC Transit, which serves portions of Alameda and Contra Costa counties, is conducting a safety survey to better understand riders’ experiences, particularly regarding any unsafe conditions they might have encountered.
The survey is part of a statewide initiative by large transit agencies mandated by SB 434, passed in 2023. The law requires public transit agencies to collect and share information regarding harassment.
The survey is available in English, Spanish and Chinese. Responses will remain confidential.
Fill out your survey by Dec. 1 for a chance to win a $100 VISA cash card. Forty prizes will be awarded.
CCRP logo contest deadline extended — Dec. 6
Richmond’s Community Crisis Response Program (CCRP), a new city team that’s trained to intervene in emergency situations so police don’t have to be called, has extended the deadline for its contest asking Richmond youths and young adults to design a logo for its white vans.
The contest is for youths ages 13 to 25.
The CCRP is now being called “ROCK,” which stands for “reach out with compassion and kindness,” according to the city website.
Artists can win cash prizes and a chance to have their design featured on the vans. Visit the contest page for complete rules and more information.
Apply for COVID business grant — by Jan. 20
The city of Richmond is offering grants of $5,000 to $10,000 to businesses that began operating before March 24, 2020, and several informational sessions will be offered for business owners.
The Richmond/ARPA Funds Relief Grant program is providing the grants to help businesses impacted by the COVID pandemic.
For assistance applying, stop by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center’s office hours at CoBiz,1503 Macdonald Ave., on Dec. 4, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Grant amounts vary from $5,000 for solo entrepreneurs to $7,500 for businesses with two to five employees and $10,000 for businesses with more than five employees.
To apply, businesses must fill out this form to establish their interest and eligibility. Eligible businesses must be located in Richmond, demonstrate a pandemic-related impact, and meet the city’s definition of a small business. Priority may be given to industries hardest hit by COVID. Email eastbay@rencenter.org for more information.
Free ferry rides on Fridays from Richmond to San Francisco — until Dec. 27
Between now and the end of the year, passengers can ride the San Francisco Bay Ferry for free between downtown San Francisco and Richmond on Fridays.
The Free on Fridays program includes roundtrip passage between Richmond and San Francisco. No reservations are required.
The cost for a ferry ride is usually $4.70 each way for most adult passengers and $2.30 one way for youths, seniors and passengers with disabilities. Children under 5 can ride free.
The program is being offered in partnership with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. The CCTA is using Measure J sales tax revenue to pay for the project.
Visit the San Francisco Ferry website for schedule information.
“CCTA is proud to provide funding for the SF Bay Ferry’s free rides from Richmond to San Francisco, which encourages people to consider alternative transportation options that are practical, safe and fun,” said Tim Haile, executive director of the CCTA. “Initiatives like this support the economic vitality of the entire Bay Area by reducing congestion, improving mobility, and fostering greater regional connectivity — and of course, there’s just something special about seeing the Bay from the deck of a ferry.”
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 this weekend.
Windchaser Wine Company, 1352 S. 49th St., will host its First Friday event on Fri., Dec. 6 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy snacks and drinks from local spots including: Pickles N Smoke, Rocky Island Oyster Co., Mr. Dim Sum and The Factory Bar.
The Sailing Goat restaurant, 1900 Stenmark Drive, will have live music again, beginning Dec. 6.
The Baltic Kiss restaurant, 135 Park Place, features live music on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, with stand-up open mic comedy on Monday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Backyard restaurant, 205 Cutting Blvd., hosts Friday happy hours plus live music and/or DJ tunes on Saturdays and Sundays.
Coming soon
Persian love story on Central Stage, beginning Dec. 5
A Persian tale of two star-crossed lovers will be presented in early December.
“Leili & Majnun” will have preview nights on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. at Richmond’s Central Stage, 5221 Central Ave. Both performances are “pay what you can.”
The stage play will then have its regular run on Sat., Dec. 7, and from Wed., Dec. 11 through Dec. 14. All those productions start at 8 p.m. A final Sunday show on Dec. 15 will begin at 3 p.m.
Singing group presenting music from famous composers — Dec. 6
The Contra Costa Chorale will sing the music of some of the greatest composers from Vienna, Austria, on Dec. 6.
The group is based in El Cerrito and consists of singers of all ages and backgrounds.
The concert will be held on Fri., Dec. 6, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, which is at 1 Lawson Road in Kensington.
The performance will include music from composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms.
Advance tickets are $25 for general admission and $20 for seniors/students/accessible. Tickets at the door are $30 for general admission and $25 for seniors/students/accessible. Children under 12 are admitted free.
Black women entrepreneurs to pitch business ideas — Dec. 7
A “Shark Tank”-like event has been organized for Black women entrepreneurs in Contra Costa County.
The Taking Flight Pitch Competition, hosted by the Equity for Black Women & Girls Initiative, will be held on Sat., Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at CoBiz Richmond, 1503 Macdonald Ave.
At the free event, Black women from all over the county will pitch their business ideas in sessions designed to support, guide and help fund these entrepreneurs.
The 14 competitors are from the Sistas SOAR (Success Opportunities Apprenticeship Resilience) project, a 24-week incubator program that provides workshops to teach skills and prepare these entrepreneurs for success.
Each of the 14 participants receives $1,000 with additional prizes of $5,000 for first place, $3,500 for second place and $2,000 for third place.
Tickets are $25 to $50 for those performances.
Richmond Art Center winter exhibitions open — Jan. 22
Starting Jan. 22 through March 22, the Richmond Art Center will host three new exhibits showcasing work that “bursts with color, meaning, and inventive materials,” according to gallery officials.
In its 28th year, “Art of the African Diaspora” honors the creative achievements of artists of African descent. More than 150 local Black artists will showcase their work in the Main Gallery in what the art center said is the Bay Area’s largest non-juried exhibition of its kind. The adjacent West Gallery highlights work by featured artists Deborah Butler, Kim Champion, and Carrie Lee McClish.
In the South Gallery, Daniel “Attaboy” Seifert unveils a new iteration of his “Upcycled Garden,” a project born during the pandemic. In 2021, faced with lockdown challenges, Attaboy began repurposing materials such as pizza boxes, COVID test kits, shipping boxes, and house paint to create whimsical organic forms. The work has been seen at 10 U.S. venues and now can be viewed in Richmond, Seifert’s hometown.
The Community Gallery will feature work by the the art center’s students. Across Land and Sea” will include mixed media and pastel works on paper by students from Jennifer Linderman’s fall art classes at Richmond Art Center, along with works by Linderman.
An opening reception for all the shows will be held on Sat., Jan. 25, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 2540 Barrett Ave. Gallery hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
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. (Thanksgiving may affect some of these events, so be sure to check website links or call before you go.)
● 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 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 is available most weeks at Richmond three library 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. The program is closed during Thanksgiving break and will restart on Dec. 2.
● 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.
Note: All Richmond libraries are closed Thurs., Nov. 28, and Fri., Nov. 29, for Thanksgiving.
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. Agendas are usually posted the preceding Friday. The next meeting will be Dec. 3. 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 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 meeting is scheduled for Dec. 4. 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 Dec. 3.
● The county is also seeking to appoint six 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 their 10-member 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.
● The Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging will be appointing 15 new members to its 40-person board. The terms are for two years. The council advises the county board of supervisors on planning, developing and administering programs for older adults. You can check into other advisory commissions and their need for new board members on this county government website.
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.
