What’s Up: Winter plant swap, ‘Carbecue’

Hello Richmondside readers. Here are some highlights of things to do and know this coming week and beyond.

In the coming week, you can enjoy a winter plant swap at the library, check out a “Carbecue” — a barbecue/car show — and see boat racing at the Richmond Yacht Club.

Also coming soon: RYSE, which has served more than 10,000 youths, launches its spring program; help clean up the city’s urban greenbelt to honor Martin Luther King Jr.; ring in the Chinese New Year; and join a community prayer breakfast.

Winter plant swap at library — Jan. 4

Avid and beginning gardeners can hone their skills and check out winter plants at a special library event.

The winter plant swap will be held on Sat., Jan. 4, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room at the Richmond Main Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza.

Attendees are invited to bring any variety of disease-free and pest-free plants, seedlings and clippings to swap with other gardeners.

You can also just stop by and talk about gardening with others at the free event.

The library is also offering a succulent potting seminar in the community room on Mon., Jan. 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

It’s a ‘Carbecue’ — barbecue and car show — Jan. 5

A combination car show and barbecue will be held this weekend in Richmond.

The Carbecue is scheduled for Sun., Jan. 5, from noon to 2 p.m. at Black Star Pirate BBQ, 78 Railroad Ave.

The free event is sponsored by the Valt Auto Club. No registration is required, and all types of cars are welcome.

You can check out some classic vehicles as well as enjoy some grub from local restaurants and food trucks.

Off to the boat races on Sundays — starting Jan. 5

The Richmond Yacht Club is sponsoring the first of four Sunday races for small boats this weekend.

The Small Boat Midwinters competition is scheduled for Sun., Jan. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Richmond Riviera.

The gathering spot for boaters is at the yacht club, 351 Brickyard Cove Road.

The event is open to skippers of all skill levels. There will be three race courses for Monohull Center Board boats, Wabbits, Ultimate 20s, Thistles and Mercurys.

You don’t have to be a yacht club member to participate. Entry fees are $30 for RYC juniors, $90 for single-handed vessels, $120 for double handed and $135 for three or more handles.

National Violence Townhall meeting — Jan. 9

A Richmond organization is sponsoring a virtual town hall in an effort to help prevent violence.

The National Violence Townhall is part of a nationwide campaign to help prevent gun violence, gender-based violence, poverty and educational disparities over the next four years.

The free Zoom event is being held on Thur., Jan. 9, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Last fall, Richmond became the first city in California to partner with Silence the Violence, a nonprofit organization that is trying to create safer and more equitable communities.

Free historic bricks at Point Richmond condominium complex

The Brickyard Landing Homeowners Association is giving away 6,000 historic bricks to local civic and nonprofit organizations as well as Richmond residents.

The bricks are from an historic chimney and kiln that were demolished for safety reasons.

The association has set aside 3,000 bricks for groups and 3,000 for residents.

Anyone interested can contact the association at office@brickyardlanding.org. Interested parties can inspect the bricks and select which ones they want to take. The association notes they cannot help load or transport bricks.

The association is planning a January event to further promote the giveaway.

Brickyard Landing is a four-story condominium complex with 310 units that was built in Point Richmond in 1986.

Class registration ongoing at the Richmond Art Center

Registration is still open for a variety of winter session classes at the Richmond Art Center though some classes have wait lists.

The winter session begins in early January and runs through March.

Adult classes include weaving, glass beads, floral expressions and woodblock printmaking. Class fees range from $100 to $400.

Children’s classes include visual storytelling and block printing basics. Class fees range from $125 to $160.

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 Friday and Sunday this weekend.

The Sailing Goat restaurant, 1900 Stenmark Drive, will have live music on Saturday.

The Baltic Kiss restaurant, 135 Park Place, will feature live music on Wednesday. 

The Factory Bar will host a Golden Gate Bistro food truck on Friday as well as a Whey on Wheels food truck on Sunday.

Coming soon

Community prayer breakfast – Jan. 11

The community is invited to enjoy a healthy breakfast and pray together.

The Cultural Community Prayer Breakfast is scheduled for Sat., Jan. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon at CoBiz, 1503 Macdonald Ave.

Tickets are $17.85, including fees, for adults and $9.31 with fees for children. Attendees under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Organizers say the gathering is “a morning of reflection, connection and community.”

“This event is a wonderful opportunity to start your year off right with a delicious healthy breakfast and uplifting prayers,” they said. “Whether you are seeking spiritual guidance or simply enjoy coming together with your community, this breakfast is open to all. Let’s share a meal, our goals, our intentions, and our hearts.”

Snakes slithering back to the library — Jan. 16

You can learn firsthand about snakes at an educational library event.

The free event, titled “For Goodness Snakes,” will be held on Thur., Jan. 16, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room at the Richmond Main Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza.

At the family-friendly gathering, experts will educate attendees about snakes as well as dispel myths about the reptiles. There will also be an opportunity for some hands-on experience with the snakes.

Greenway cleanup to celebrate MLK Day — Jan. 20

A greenway sprucing up and a community lunch will highlight a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

The Day of Service is scheduled for Mon., Jan. 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. along the Richmond Greenway.

The activities start along the Greenway where volunteer crews will be cleaning up and performing maintenance from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The gathering point is at 63 South Eighth St.

It will be followed by a community lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Unity Park at 16th Street and the Greenway.

The event is sponsored by the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District.

RYSE Center spring program begins Jan. 21

Classes, workshops, field trips and other opportunities for young people begin anew on Jan. 21 at the RYSE Center, 3939 Bissell Ave. in Richmond.

The spring program runs from Jan. 21 to June 11 and is available for youths age 13 to 21.

Among the free offerings are cooking classes, art workshops, school and career counseling, outdoor and arcade games, studio and poetry workshops, and wellness and health resources.

“Step into a space where youth can come together to organize, learn about their expressive freedom, identities, and create new connections within their community,” organizers said.

The RYSE Center has been operating for 16 years and has served more than 10,000 young people.

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.

City hosting Chinese New Year luncheon — Feb. 1

Richmond officials will host a luncheon to celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year.

The event is being held on Sat., Feb. 1, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza.

The luncheon is free, but advance registration is required. No outside food is allowed. Light refreshments and entertainment will be provided.

The Chinese New Year begins on Jan. 29, and celebrations are held until Feb. 16. This year is the Year of the Wood Snake.

Auction to help animal foundation — Feb. 9

An afternoon of music, food and a live auction will raise money to help stray animals.

The Citizens for Rescue Auction event, organized by Animal Advocates of Contra Costa County, is scheduled for Sun., Feb. 9, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at a local private residence. The address of the fundraiser is provided after tickets are purchased.

Tickets cost between $75 and $125.

Items to be auctioned range from Oakland Zoo tickets to symphony tickets to fashion and pet-related items to a speed reading training program.

Proceeds go to Stitch in Time Animal Rescue, a nonprofit organization that helps stray animals in Contra Costa County.

Event organizers are still seeking donated items for the auction. Contact animaladvocates.info@gmail.com for more information.

Black History Month celebration — Feb. 22

A celebration of Black History Month will be held in late February.

The event is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 22, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza.

The cost is $15 per person. Advanced registration is required, and no outside food is allowed.

There will be food, music and line dancing as well as a recognition of local leaders who have contributed to the community.

Black History Month was started in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson to recognize the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. It initially was celebrated during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of President George Washington and President Abraham Lincoln. It is now held from Feb. 1 to March 1.

Urban Farm Fair and soil check — Feb. 22

You can pick up gardening tips and check the health of your soil at an educational event next month.

The Urban Farm Fair will be held on Sat., Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Urban Tilth North Richmond Farm, 323 Brookside Drive.

The free event is for gardeners of all levels. Participants can get advice about water conservation and urban gardening.

You can also bring in a soil sample from your yard to have it tested for lead contamination and nutrient levels.

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 will resume after school is back in session on Jan. 6.

● 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.

● 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 regular meeting is 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.