Hello Richmondside readers. Here are some highlights of things to do and know this coming week and beyond.
Upcoming events include: A city-sponsored snow play day at Nicholl Park, the unveiling of a cookbook of Richmonders’ recipes, day camps for children during the winter break from school and an ugly sweater contest.
With Christmas less than a week away — and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa starting Dec. 26 — see our holiday events guide for a list of seasonal things to do, including New Year’s Eve festivities and charitable drives.
Get a free copy of local recipes cookbook — Dec. 19
A community cookbook of recipes from Richmond residents will be unveiled at a special ceremony tonight.
The Community Cookbook celebration will be held at the main library on Thur., Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. at 325 Civic Center Plaza.
The project celebrates the diverse culinary traditions of Richmond and offers a new resource for home cooks looking to try something new.
You can pick up a free copy of the cookbook at the Thursday evening event or check out a copy of it at the library or make copies of recipes you want to try.
A quilt made of fabric swaths sent in by community members will also be unveiled at Thursday’s event.
This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
An evening of square dancing — Dec. 20
You can do-si-do with a partner during a night of square dancing.
The next East Bay Square Dance will take place on Fri., Dec. 20, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. in Berkeley.
The dance, which is held on the third Friday of every month, will feature caller Evie Laden and music from Stephanie and Her Little Helpers.
General admission is $20. Beginners and children are welcome. The event is also queer friendly.
Guests are allowed to bring in their own beer and wine, but no hard alcohol is permitted. Dance shoes are encouraged, but no stiletto heels are allowed.
Ugly sweater contest on tap — Dec. 21
You can showcase that sweater that you normally hide in the back of your closet at a game-filled night of fun.
The Ugly Sweater Party – Game Night Style will be held on Sat., Dec. 21, from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at event venue Five22, 3550 San Pablo Dam Road, Ste. K, in El Sobrante.
The event will feature a contest for ugliest sweater as well as outrageous games. Cost is $25 plus fees.
Winter break camp for kids begins on Dec. 23
Keep your kids busy this holiday break at the city of Richmond’s winter break camp — two weeks of activities and games for children during the holiday break from school.
The Winter Break Camp 2024 – RRC will be held on Dec. 23, 24, 26 and 27 and on Dec. 30, Dec. 31, Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 at the Richmond Recreation Complex, 3230 Macdonald Ave. (WCCUSD students return to school on Jan. 6.)
The camp runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $60 per week for residents and $75 per week for people non-residents.
Parents have the option of paying extra for “early care” from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and “extended care” from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $20 per week for residents and $25 per week for non-residents.
The camp is for children from kindergarten through eighth grade.
The camp features games, arts and crafts, physical activities and special guests.
It’s going to ‘snow’ at Nicholl Park — Dec. 23
It could be a white Christmas in Richmond — as long as it doesn’t get too warm outside next week.
The city’s annual free Snow Day will be held on Mon., Dec. 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Nicholl Park, 3230 Macdonald Ave.
The city will coat the park hills in a manmade version of the frozen white stuff for families to play in. Adults and children are invited to dress in appropriate cold weather attire and bring their sledding gear.
Food vendors will also be on site.
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.”
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 Dec. 18 on a proposal that would further increase bridge tolls in 2026 and 2030.
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.
Youth Hall of Fame nominations — 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.
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 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.
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 Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
Windchaser Wine Company, 1352 S. 49th St., will feature live music on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Sailing Goat restaurant, 1900 Stenmark Drive, will have live music on Saturday and Sunday.
The Baltic Kiss restaurant, 135 Park Place, features live music on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday with stand-up open mic comedy on Monday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Factory Bar will host live DJ music as well as a Golden Gate Bistro food truck on Thur., Dec. 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Coming soon
Dinner to celebrate annual bird counters — Dec. 29
A dinner will be held to celebrate an annual bird count taking place in the Richmond area.
The dinner is scheduled for Sun., Dec. 29, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Richmond Elks Lodge, 3931 San Pablo Dam Road.
Cost is $35 per person.
The dinner will celebrate the Richmond Christmas Bird Count, which will have taken place earlier in the day. The bird count is part of a nationwide effort coordinated by the National Audubon Society to count every bird in designated 15-mile diameter circles.
The Richmond Count Circle includes greater Richmond as well as Point Pinole, Point Molate and the Miller-Knox Shoreline.
Bats are back at the library on Dec. 30
Bats will swoop back into the library for an educational session in late December.
Members of NorCal Bats will be on hand for the free Bats in the Library seminar, which will be held on Mon., Dec. 30, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Bayview branch, 5100 Harnett Ave.
Experts from NorCal Bats will explain the importance of bats to the environment as well as dispel harmful myths about the flying mammals. Participants also will get a chance to meet live California native bats.
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. The Homework Help sessions are not being held during the two-week winter holiday break for schools.
● 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. Please note the libraries are closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
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 regular meeting is likely on Jan. 7. 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 Jan. 15. 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 Jan. 14.
● 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 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.
