Hello Richmondside readers. Some highlights for this week’s What’s Up column include: a free pet vaccine clinic, a blood drive to help people with sickle cell disease and a new deadline for filling out WCCUSD’s superintendent survey.
Upcoming fun things to do include: A Rosie the Riveter silver anniversary celebration, a public hunt for hidden artworks and magic and juggling at the library.
And finally, if you’re looking for information about ongoing things to do, such as exercise classes, government meetings and family friendly 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
- International Women’s Day gathering and dance session
- Juggling and magic at the library
- If you find art in Richmond next week, you get to keep it
- Cocktail hour fundraiser to help close $60K funding gap for Black equity group
- Music and tostadas evening at cultural arts center
- Rosie the Riveter Day — silver anniversary celebration
- Live music, comedy at local establishments
- Related stories
Things to know
Free pet vaccines and microchipping for dogs and cats
The city of Richmond is co-sponsoring a free vaccination and microchip clinic for pet dogs and cats this week.
The services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. There will also be free pet food handed out while supplies last.
Contra Costa Animal Services and the Concord-based Joybound People & Pets are also helping to provide the clinic.
The pet vaccination clinic will be held on Sat., March 8, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Richmond Civic Center, 325 Civic Center Plaza.
Roll up your sleeve: Sickle cell disease blood drive to be held
Community members are being asked to sign up for an upcoming blood drive in North Richmond.
A blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross and the Community Housing Development Corporation will be held on March 20.
The blood drive is specifically targeted to help people with sickle cell disease, which may require getting regular blood transfusions.
Blood drive participants will receive a $20 Amazon gift card as well as a Red Cross sickle cell T-shirt.
The blood drive will be held on Thur., March 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Corrine Sain Senior & Family Community Center, 515 Silver Ave.
Online survey extended for WCCUSD superintendent search
The West Contra Costa Unified School District has extended some of its deadlines in its search for a new superintendent.
The district is now accepting online surveys from district residents until Mon., March 10. The survey asks constituents about what they’d like to see in a new superintendent and what they see as the district’s strengths and challenges.
Superintendent retirement
The deadline for candidates to apply is March 24.
Last fall, the school board appointed Associate Superintendent Kim Moses as interim superintendent after Chris Hurst resigned.
The board expects to select a new superintendent by early June with the new leader taking over on July 1.
Cafe expands to offer youth vocational training in culinary arts
New Life Movement’s cafe — Tech Lab & Café — will now offer more than just food. It is expanding to serve as a vocational training hub for youths.
The mission of the cafe, which for several years has been a coffee and pastry shop, is to become a place where teens and young adults can receive hands-on learning experiences in culinary arts, nutrition, customer service, and catering — skills that can help them achieve greater personal and professional success.
The purpose of the New Life Movement is to “empower youth and young adults to envision new realities for themselves and uplift their community by cultivating skills that promote healthy relationships.”
The nonprofit organization says the revamped cafe is a big step toward that goal.
“This event marks the beginning of a new chapter in New Life Movement’s mission to empower youth and young adults by providing them with the tools to create brighter futures,” organization officials said in a statement. “With the spirit of growth and evolution guiding us, we’ve transitioned from a cozy cafe to a powerful vocational training hub that nurtures the potential of our community’s youth.”
The Tech Lab & Café, which celebrated its grand opening Feb. 28, is at 322 Harbour Way.
PG&E offering grants for wildfire prevention projects
The West Contra Costa Fire Safe Council (WCCFSC) is asking residents to submit suggestions for PG&E-focused wildfire prevention projects by Sat., March 10.
Selected projects will then be submitted to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to be considered for the utility’s 2025 Fire Safe Council Fuel Reduction Program grants.
Grants are typically awarded in late September, according to PG&E officials, with a goal of completing the work by Oct. 15.
The program has been in place for the past decade with more than $25 million in grants awarded.
Last year, the utility gave $3.4 million to local fire departments, fire agencies and community groups in Northern and Central California.
Things to do
International Women’s Day gathering and dance session
The city of Richmond will celebrate the achievements of women at an event this weekend.
The 18th annual International Women’s Day gathering will focus on the theme “Accelerate Action: Empowering Women to Lead, Inspire and Ignite Change.”
The free event will include special guest Keycha Gallon, an author who is an advocate for social justice. El Cerrito Mayor Carolyn Wysinger is the keynote speaker.
There will also be a dancing session taught by Coach TT from Get It Girl Fitness.
“Join us for a day filled with inspiring speakers, interactive workshops and networking opportunities. Let’s come together to empower, uplift and support each other,” event organizers said in a statement.
The International Women’s Day celebration is Sat., March 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza.
Juggling and magic at the library
Children can enjoy some magic and juggling at the library this weekend.
Jeremy the Juggler will showcase his skills in juggling, magic, unicycling and Origami.
The free variety act is designed to make children laugh and encourage their participation.
Jeremy the Juggler will perform on Sat., March 8, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room at the Richmond Main Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza.
If you find art in Richmond next week, you get to keep it
Artists will be placing a variety of artworks around town next week for residents to find, admire and keep.
The International Art and Found Day is Wed., March 12.
On that day, members of Visual Artists of Richmond will be placing works such as paintings, photographs, drawings, handmade crafts and music albums at various locations.
The items will be safely packaged and labeled with the hashtag #ArtandFoundDay. A note will also be placed inside each item describing the work and the artist.
Artists need to register in advance to participate in the free event. A map of artwork locations will also be available for those who want to participate in the search. If you find a piece, you can keep it, or leave it for someone else to come across.
International Art and Found Day is Wed., March 12, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at various locations.
Cocktail hour fundraiser to help close $60K funding gap for Black equity group
A cocktail hour will raise money for programs that promote equity for Black women and girls.
The evening is being sponsored by RCF Connects, a division of the Richmond Community Foundation. Organization officials say they are facing a $60,000 funding gap and hope to raise enough money to continue programs such as Sistas SOAR, which helps promote Black women entrepreneurs.
The event is free. There is a raffle, and donations are encouraged.
“By attending, donating and spreading the word, you’re ensuring that Black women and girls in our community have the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive,” event organizers said in a statement.
The Equity for Black Women and Girls cocktail hour will be held on Thur., March 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Lara’s Fine Dining, 1900 Esplanade Drive in Richmond.
Music and tostadas evening at cultural arts center
An evening of music and Mexican food will be held at a cultural arts center in Richmond.
Music & Tostadas at the Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy will feature traditional and popular Mexican music and dance along with food for purchase.
Tickets for adults are $15. Youth under the age of 18 are admitted free.
The nonprofit academy has a production studio and community space for youths and their families. Its goal is to amplify Mexican roots in the Bay Area.
Music & Tostadas will be held on Fri., March 14, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy, 13108 San Pablo Ave.
Rosie the Riveter Day — silver anniversary celebration
Rosie the Riveter Day 2025 will be recognized at Richmond’s national park with a special anniversary celebration.
The Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park is hosting a 25th anniversary gathering later this month to honor the women who worked at the Richmond shipyards during World War II.
The free event will feature stories of the resilience of the wartime workers as well as the unveiling of what’s new at the park.
“This unique park chronicles the explosive growth of wartime industry, the innovations fostered by visionaries like Henry J. Kaiser, and the extraordinary history of ordinary people who were challenged like never before and came together to overcome wartime odds,” said members of the Rosie the Riveter Trust in a statement.
The Rosie the Riveter National Park’s 25th anniversary event is Fri., March 21, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 1414 Harbour Way South.
Live music, comedy at local establishments
A number of establishments in Richmond feature live entertainment and other events each week.
The Backyard, 205 Cutting Blvd., is a family and dog friendly outdoor beer and wine garden with food and live music. This weekend’s lineup includes jazz and alternative pop from Kaitlyn Williams on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday’s show features the infectious cumbia/tropical rhythms of @losbahianatos from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Baltic Kiss restaurant, 135 Park Place in Point Richmond, will feature a variety of bands the next four days. On Thursday, the acoustic electric rock band Husky Whispers will take the stage from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Friday, the East Bay group Groove Portal will play beginning at 8 p.m. in a benefit performance for Baltic Kiss. On Saturday, the 70s and 80s cover band Sonic Highway will perform from 8 p.m. until midnight. On Sunday, the restaurant will host the monthly Bang the Bay extravaganza from noon until 6:30 p.m.
The Factory Bar, 12517 San Pablo Ave., which features indoor and dog friendly patio seating, will have food trucks at its establishment Thursday and Friday with karaoke set for Tuesday night as well as Whiskey Wednesday the following evening. On Thursday, special musical guests Duane Patton and Mikelle Morgan will perform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Friday, the Factory Bar and the Windchaser Wine Company, will co-host the monthly First Friday Nights Out event from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The waterfront Riggers Loft Wine Company, 1325 Canal Blvd., will have live music Friday through Sunday. On Friday, the Albany Jazz Band will provide tunes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday, it’ll be the Bob Roden Quintet on stage from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday, the jazz ensemble Fake Melody will perform from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The outdoor waterfront Sailing Goat restaurant, 1900 Stenmark Drive, with views of San Francisco Bay at San Pablo Harbor, will feature live music on Sunday with Mike Rufo & No Exit entertaining the crowd from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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.
