Hello Richmondside readers. Some highlights for this week’s What’s Up column include: A free meet-and-greet reception tonight with the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program; a chance to become certified in responding to disasters; and spring art class registrations.
Other news you can use: A number of local organizations have won California Coastal Commission grants to help protect our shoreline for future generations.
And finally, if you’re looking for information about things that happen each day on an ongoing basis, such as exercise classes, government meetings and family friendly library activities, see our list of daily things to do.
Richmond things to know and do at-a-glance
- Richmond things to know and do at-a-glance
- Things to know
- Things to do
- Live music, comedy at local establishments
- Related stories
Things to know
Richmond nonprofits win Whale Tail grants for coastal preservation
The California Coastal Commission has awarded 53 Whale Tail grants totaling $1.7 million to nonprofit organizations, schools, local governments and tribal governments for programs focused on coastal education, conservation and public access.
Among this year’s local recipients are:
- The Point Molate Alliance, which won $48,145 for its Blue Frontier Campaign that empowers youths in the Richmond area to become leaders in coastal public education and park planning;
- YES Nature to Neighborhoods, which received a $20,000 grant to help teens plan two “bio-blitz” events in Richmond to educate the public about coastal ecosystems and their inhabitants; and
- Earth Team, which was awarded $49,700 to encourage students in Richmond, San Pablo and Oakland to take part in a year-long ocean health project.
“These Whale Tail grants reflect California’s love for the coast and commitment to protecting it for future generations,” said California Coastal Commission Chair Justin Cummings in a statement. “The focus on inland and underserved communities reminds us that the coast belongs to all of us, regardless of race, zip code, age, orientation or ability.”
The Whale Trail grant program began in 1998 when the Coastal Commission launched a vanity license plate program to fund public education efforts. Since then, the funding has provided $25 million through more than 1,000 grants.
Free training on how responding to disasters
The city of Richmond is sponsoring a nine-week course to train residents how to be better prepared for disasters.
The federal Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) certificate program teaches volunteers skills in fire safety, disaster medical operations and search and rescue.
The course is a series of nine classes taught on Thursday evenings beginning March 13. There are also two online self-study courses as well as two in-person drills on May 15 and May 17.
The in-person classes and drills are held in the multi-purpose rooms at Richmond City Hall, 440 Civic Center Plaza.
The course is free for Richmond residents. Non-residents who are selected to participate pay a fee for course materials.
Email certrichmond@gmail.com for more information.
Free supplies for rabbit owners at monthly pantry
Did you know that you can get free supplies for your pet rabbit?
A monthly rabbit essentials pantry is held on the first Saturday of the month at the House Rabbit Society in Richmond.
Owners can pick up free supplies, including hay and food and litter pellets, on a first-come, first-served basis. There is also a limited supply of pet toys, treats and other items such as carriers.
The event is on Sat., March 1, from noon to 3 p.m. at the House Rabbit Society, 148 Broadway in Richmond.
Seminar on financial planning for small businesses
The Richmond Workforce Development Board is hosting an online financial planning seminar for small business owners.
Experts will discuss budgeting, cash flows, funding and tax planning at the free workshop. The goal is to provide small business owners with the tools to build and sustain a profitable enterprise.
The small business seminar will be held online on Tue., March 4, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Do you have LGBTQ+ sparkle and sass? Apply to perform at Richmond Rainbow Pride
The organizers of Richmond Rainbow Pride are looking for paid performers for their annual event.
Performers need to submit their applications by Sat., March 1, Richmond.Rainbow.Pride@gmail.com.
The organization is looking for musicians, drag performers, comedians, dancers and other entertainers to light up the stage.
They are also seeking visual art to display on Pride 2025 materials and merchandise.
The 11th annual Richmond Rainbow Pride event will be held on Sat., June 1, at the Richmond Civic Center, 2569 Nevin Ave.
Things to do
Sunset and Sips with GRIP is tonight
The Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) is sponsoring a get-to-know-you evening event.
Sunset and Sips with GRIP will take place tonight in Kensington.
At the free event, participants can meet GRIP leaders and celebrate the organization’s contributions: serving 15,000 food and housing-insecure individuals through its 65-bed family shelter, soup kitchen and mobile services.
Those in attendance can sip champagne, enjoy appetizers and view the sunset from a church terrace.
The reception is Thur., Feb. 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universal Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Road in Kensington.
Planting Justice holding winter pruning workshop
The nonprofit organization Planting Justice is hosting a free workshop today on winter pruning.
The seminar is from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Planting Justice’s 4-acre Mother Farm in El Sobrante.
Julio Madrigal, the farm’s co-manager, will provide lessons on pruning avocado and apricot trees as well as rose bushes and sapote.
The winter pruning workshop, which has room for 30 attendees, is being held on Thur., Feb. 27, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Mother Farm in El Sobrante.
5K, 10K and half marathon races this weekend
Runners of all abilities can enjoy scenic views and friendly competition along the Richmond shoreline.
The Breeze to Victory races are being held on Sat., March 1. All races start and finish at the Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbour Way South.
A special half-marathon hiking event starts at 7:30 a.m. Half-marathon runners begin their 13-mile trek at 8 a.m. The 10-kilometer participants take off at 8:15 a.m., and the 5-kilometer competitors gets started at 8:30 a.m.
The courses are flat and follow the San Francisco Bay Trail along the Richmond shoreline.
The races begin at 7:30 a.m. on Sat., March 1, starting and finishing at the Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbour Way South.
Self-care walk along the Richmond shoreline
Social workers, students and community members are invited to participate in a reflective walk at Point Pinole.
The Self-Care Walk 2025 is scheduled for Saturday at the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline.
The free event is designed as a “movement of purpose, connection, and support for those who shape our communities.”
The goal is to “de-stigmatize social work, inspire the next generation, and uplift those already in the field.”
The walk is scheduled for Sat., March 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, 5551 Giant Highway.
Spring art classes beginning at Richmond Art Center
Spring classes are getting under way at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave.
Registration began on Feb. 19 and is ongoing. Fees range from $15 to $20 per class to $320 for two months’ worth of instruction.
The subjects range from ceramics to textiles to printmaking to painting to digital arts.
The gallery at the art center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.
Live music, comedy at local establishments
A number of establishments in Richmond feature live entertainment and other events each week.
The Baltic Kiss restaurant, 135 Park Place, will feature a variety of bands on Thursday, Friday and Sunday this weekend. Two bands will perform tonight from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. as part of a benefit for the restaurant. Lost Moments will kick off the evening with its mix of rock, reggae, R&B and soul music. They’ll be followed by the sounds of The Nineteens. On Friday, the Oakland-based group Sausalito will be on stage from 8 p.m. until midnight with hit songs from the 1970s and 1980s. On Sunday, the Black Star Pirate BBQ will host its monthly Car-B-Que from noon to 3:30 p.m. in the Baltic Kiss parking lot, featuring vintage cars from members of the Valt Auto Club as well as music from Michael Van & The Movers. That evening, Lee Waterman & The Jazz Caliente will perform from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Factory Bar will host food trucks at its establishment every night with karaoke set for Tuesday evening as well as Whiskey Wednesday with stand-up comedy the following night. DJ Sirslushalot will provide music on Thursday and Saturday.
The Riggers Loft Wine Company, 1325 Canal Blvd, will have live music Thursday through Sunday. On Thursday, The Neoriffs, an East Bay band, will be on stage from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. blasting out pop and rock hits. On Friday, Norman Collins and The Tumblers will perform Americana rock from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday, Whiskeyhouse will bring its Americana folk rock from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday, the eclectic upbeat sounds of Lost in the Fog will be heard from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is an $8 cover charge for this afternoon of entertainment.
The Sailing Goat restaurant, 1900 Stenmark Drive, will feature live music on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, Erica & Friends will bring its music from the British Isles to the stage from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Sunday, Shango Beat will perform Candomblé rhythm music from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. — a lively, Afro-Brazilian style of music and dance.
Be sure to check out our list of recurring activities and our calendar for more things to do in Richmond and add your local events for free.
