Hello Richmondside readers. Here are some highlights of things to do and know this coming week and beyond.
As December begins, there are plenty of things happening to keep you educated and/or entertained. You can work in a community garden, attend a prom for adults and learn how to fix a flat tire on a bicycle.
Also, be sure to check out our holiday events roundup, where you’ll find seasonal activities, some Christmas tree lot locations and charitable giving opportunities through the start of the new year.
Speaking of the holidays, do you (or your neighbors) go all out decorating this time of year? Let us know so we can create a holiday lights guide. Just add the location to this handy form.
Richmond-San Rafael Bridge toll increases on Jan. 1
Get ready to pay more if you drive across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
The toll for most cars will increase on Jan. 1 by $1 to $8 per vehicle.
The toll hike was approved by Bay Area voters in 2018 as part of Regional Measure 3, which started increasing tolls in 2019 and 2022 to raise more than $4 billion in transportation funding.
The toll increase is for all state-owned bridges in the Bay Area. The Golden Gate Bridge is part of a special district and does not fall under the measure.
The Bay Area Toll Authority is expected to vote on a proposal in December that would further increase bridge tolls in 2026 and 2030.
Richmond Promise scholarship application period is open
Richmond high school seniors can now apply for the 2025 Richmond Promise Scholarship.
The program provides a $1,500 scholarship for continuing education that can be renewed for up to six years.
To be eligible, students must:
- Be a Richmond resident;
- Have attended a school within the boundaries of the West Contra Costa Unified School District school from ninth to 12th grade and have graduated from an eligible school within the past academic year (or be planning to graduate) or have obtained a GED/high school equivalency certificate;
- Complete the appropriate applications; and
- Apply by March 14.
Gardening session at Booker T. Anderson community center – Dec. 7
You can get your hands dirty and help nourish a garden at a gathering this weekend.
A Community Gardening Day is being held on Sat., Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Booker T. Anderson Community Center, 960 South 47th St.
Participants will plant, weed and mulch as a group after receiving initial instructions. The event is free, and lunch will be provided afterward.
Prom for Purpose raises money for children’s programs – Dec. 7
Relive your high school glory days — or make it a do-over of a not-so-good memory — while raising money for a good cause at an adult prom night.
Prom for Purpose will be held on Sat., Dec. 7, from 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. at CoBiz Richmond, 1503 Macdonald Ave., Suite A.
The dance party will feature live musical performances as well as tunes spun by disc jockeys. Food trucks, snacks and cocktails will also be available. A series of raffles will be held.
Tickets are from $39 to $100. Proceeds go to music education, community pride and community action programs for children in East Oakland and Panama.
Persian love story on Central Stage — Dec. 5 through Dec. 15
An epic Persian tale of two star-crossed lovers is being presented on stage in Richmond.
“Leili & Majnun” will have preview nights on Thur., Dec. 5, and Fri., Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. at Richmond’s Central Stage, 5221 Central Ave. Both preview performances are “pay what you can.”
The stage play will then begin its regular run on Sat., Dec. 7, and continue from Wed., Dec. 11 through Sat., Dec. 14. All those shows start at 8 p.m. A final Sunday show on Dec. 15 will begin at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $25 to $50.
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, at a special concert.
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 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 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.
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 at the Board of Supervisors Chambers in Martinez.
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.
The Richmond/ARPA Funds Relief Grant program is providing the grants to help businesses impacted by the COVID pandemic.
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 — ends 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.”
Point Isabel Dog Owners celebrating 40th anniversary
Point Isabel Dog Owners and Friends is marking its 40th anniversary with a look back and a look forward.
PIDO was formed during the Thanksgiving holidays in 1985 in response to a new regulation by the East Bay Regional Park District requiring dogs to be on leash at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline. The nonprofit organization negotiated an off-leash agreement with the park district in 1987.
PIDO officials say they are “a voice for park users and particularly for dog owners.”
“We help educate visitors about park rules and advocate for preserving the park’s natural environment and recreation opportunities,” they say.
They’ve organized events such as an Earth Day volunteer work party and a Barktoberfest dog costume contest for Halloween. They also hold seminars to educate dog owners on how to best handle their pet in off-leash situations.
The group is asking community members to donate money and to sign up as volunteers to continue their efforts.
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 and Sunday this weekend.
Windchaser Wine Company, 1352 S. 49th St., will host its First Friday event on Dec. 6 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will also be live music on Sun., Dec. 8, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Sailing Goat restaurant, 1900 Stenmark Drive, will have live music on Fri., Dec. 6.
The Baltic Kiss restaurant, 135 Park Place, features live music on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, with stand-up open mic comedy on Monday from 7 p.m. to 9 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
Richmond community cookbook unveiling — Dec. 19
A community cookbook of recipes from Richmonders will 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 timeframe for recipe submissions has been closed.)
The project is designed to celebrate the diverse culinary traditions of Richmond and help to create new ones.
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 nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Learn to fix that flat bicycle tire — Dec. 14
If you’ve ever had a fun bicycle ride disrupted by an annoying flat tire, we’ve got a class for you.
Bike East Bay is sponsoring a seminar on how to fix a bicycle tire while you’re on the road.
The free workshop is on Sat., Dec. 14, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library – Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch, 1901 Russell St.
Experts will teach participants how to fix a flat as well as how to patch an inner tube. The class is funded by the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
Hike and journal at Point Pinole on Dec. 16
You can record your thoughts while hiking along the Richmond shoreline at a special hike this month.
A nature journal walk is being sponsored by the East Bay Regional Park District on Mon., Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Atlas Staging Area at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Park, 5551 Giant Highway.
Adults as well as children 5 years old and older accompanied by a parent are welcome on this free adventure.
EBRPD instructor Martha Cerda will lead the 1.5-mile hike. Participants are encouraged to enjoy the scenery on the flatlands and write their observations and impressions in a journal.
Reception for colorful art exhibit at CoBiz — Dec. 17
A display of colorful oil paintings will brighten the walls of a co-working space in Richmond’s downtown.
Color Currents was installed 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 Tues., 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.”
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 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.
● 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.
● 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. Agendas are usually posted the preceding Friday. The next meeting will be Dec. 17. 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. 18. 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. 17.
● 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.
