Hello Richmondside readers. Some highlights of this week’s What’s Up column include: An update on the city’s fireworks problem, a community greenbelt cleanup, an open water swim to commemorate Rosie the Riveter shipbuilders and a Neighborhood Watch block captain training session.
Also: Richmond’s food truck vendor pop-up has a new name and location, and there’s a survey you can fill out to help the East Bay Regional Park District draw up its master plan.
And finally, don’t miss this preview of Richmond summer events as well as a roundup of where to go swimming and ongoing things to do in Richmond (many of which are free).
Things to know and do in Richmond
- Things to know and do in Richmond
- Things to know
- Community members encouraged by illegal fireworks town hall
- County officials remember Supervisor Federal Glover
- Contra Costa College graduation ceremony is Friday
- Join a roundtable discussion on parks, outdoors activities
- Show your LGBTQ+ Pride: T-shirts, posters are available before June 1 party
- Tell EBRPD what you want your regional parks to look like
- Things to do
- Help clean up Richmond’s Miraflores Greenbelt
- Rosie the Riveter open water swim event is Saturday
- Marina Bay Farmers Market celebrates its first anniversary
- Richmond Promise: A decade of recognizing young aspiring scholars
- Learn how to be a neighborhood block captain
- Last two May meetings for proposed Richmond arts corridor
- Grand reopening for downtown Richmond outdoor food court
- Live music and more at local establishments
- Related stories
Things to know
Community members encouraged by illegal fireworks town hall
The organizer of an effort to stop people from setting off fireworks in Richmond said a virtual town hall held earlier this week left residents feeling encouraged that city officials are hearing their concerns and seeking solutions.
The meeting featured a number of city leaders, including two city council members on an ad hoc fireworks committee, police and fire officials and several dozen citizens.
Stop Illegal Fireworks organizer Julie Freestone shared some of her town hall notes with Richmondside, including a comment from Police Chief Bisa French, who said, “We have a plan, and some of the things we have heard tonight we can implement.”
Freestone said city council member Sue Wilson emphasized that the problem goes beyond Richmond and needs to be solved at a state and interstate level.
She said ideas offered by residents include using drones to identify who is setting off fireworks, fireworks buy back programs and rewards for tips leading to arrests.
She said one participant, Michael Mejia, displayed a detailed map of where fireworks incidents occur, according to reports posted on the social media site Nextdoor.
The city said its public education campaign will include printing window signs so residents can show support for the prevention efforts and said its Public Works department will post warning signs along major thoroughfares.
Freestone said the police department plans to have two-person patrols in areas where fireworks are particularly problematic.
The bottom line: All fireworks are illegal in Richmond, city officials said, and residents are encouraged to celebrate at the city-sponsored fireworks show on July 3 in the Marina.
County officials remember Supervisor Federal Glover
Officials throughout Contra Costa County are paying tribute to former county Supervisor Federal Glover, who died on Sunday at the age of 69, his family said.
“We are deeply saddened to learn today of the passing of former Supervisor Federal Glover, who served our community with distinction and dedication during his time on the Board of Supervisors. Federal’s leadership and tireless commitment to improving the lives of residents left a lasting legacy that continues to benefit our County today,” county supervisors said in a statement.
Glover grew up in Pittsburg and served on the city council there in the late 1990s. In 2000, he was elected to the first of his six terms as Contra Costa County supervisor. He retired in December 2024. Glover represented Supervisorial District V, which includes Pittsburg, Antioch, Martinez, Crockett, Rodeo and Hercules.
Among his many achievements were the establishment of the Contra Costa County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice and the formation of the Public Protection Committee for overseeing issues pertaining to public safety and the justice system. He also served on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and is credited with helping to extend BART to east county.
Glover is survived by his wife of 47 years, Janis Glover, two children and six grandchildren.
Contra Costa College graduation ceremony is Friday
There will be a lot of pageantry at Contra Costa College on Friday afternoon. The community college is holding its 2025 graduation ceremony with speeches and photo opportunities.
Graduates are asked to arrive at the college’s basketball gymnasium by 2 p.m. The gates to the football stadium open at 3:15 p.m. and the graduates will file into the arena beginning at 3:30 p.m. The commencement begins at 4 p.m.
The 2025 Contra Costa College graduation ceremony will take place on Fri., May 23, at 4 p.m. at the college’s football stadium, 2600 Mission Bell Drive, San Pablo.
Join a roundtable discussion on parks, outdoors activities
The Richmond-based organization YES Nature to Neighborhoods has organized a statewide virtual discussion about issues related to parks and outdoor activities.
The free online event entitled “Access for All” will focus on leadership, equity and belonging in the outdoors.
The roundtable will feature speakers from California State Parks, the National Park Service, philanthropy groups and west Contra Costa County youth leadership.
YES organizers say the discussion is particularly relevant in Richmond because of a recent federal decision to rescind a $19 million grant for environmental justice projects in North Richmond.
The event also previews YES’s Base Camp Campaign and the forthcoming groundbreaking for a community-designed outdoor center on Macdonald Avenue.
The “Access for All” virtual roundtable discussion is Wed., May 28, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Show your LGBTQ+ Pride: T-shirts, posters are available before June 1 party
Rainbow Richmond Pride is selling T-shirts and handing out posters at its events in advance of its annual parade and celebration.
The T-shirts, designed by Erin Garcia Miller, a queer watercolorist and author from Richmond, are $20. Posters are available for free. The next event is “Drag Storytime with Ms. Wyldflowers” on Sat., May 24, at the Multicultural Bookstore, 260 Broadway.
The 11th Annual Rainbow Richmond Pride celebration will be held on Sun., June 1. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Nicholl Park, 3230 Macdonald Ave., and winds its way to the Richmond Civic Center, 2569 Nevin Ave., where there will be music, booths and performances from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tell EBRPD what you want your regional parks to look like
The East Bay Regional Park District is asking people in the East Bay to help them shape the future of the parks system.
District officials have posted a survey in which they ask residents of Contra Costa and Alameda counties to provide input for a long-term strategy for the parks system.
The plan will serve as a road map as officials decide what to do with current parks and future open space areas. Issues such as the impacts of climate change on shorelines are part of the process.
The online survey will be open until at least July 31. The park district expects to adopt a plan in late 2026.
“Public input is absolutely essential as we shape the future of our park system,” said EBRPD General Manager Sabrina Landreth in a statement. “The next District Plan will reflect the values, priorities and aspirations of the communities we serve and we want everyone to have a voice in that process.”
Things to do
Help clean up Richmond’s Miraflores Greenbelt
You can help beautify a green area of Richmond at a volunteer event on Friday.
The volunteer workday will be at the Miraflores Greenbelt near 47th Street and Wall Avenue just west of Interstate 80.
The event is in partnership with California Volunteers and is funded by a Neighbor-to-Neighbor grant.
Volunteers will help with litter and weed removal. Tools, supplies and lunch will be provided.
The Miraflores Greenbelt Volunteer Workday will be Fri., May 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the greenbelt near 47th Street and Wall Avenue.
Rosie the Riveter open water swim event is Saturday
Courtesy Rosie the Riveter Trust
In World War II 747 warships built in Richmond navigated the bay waters. This weekend, there will be swimmers among the waves to celebrate the women who worked in the shipyards.
The Rosie the Riveter Open Water Swim off the Richmond Marina is for seasoned open water swimmers as well as beginners. Swimmers can choose between a 1.2-mile course to Brooks Island and back or a 500-yard swim to the edge of the jetty and back.
The swim starts at noon and will be followed by a potluck lunch.
Each participant will receive a custom T-shirt, commemorative swim cap and a red Rosie bandanna that honors the Rosies.
The cost to participate is $75. Proceeds go to the Rosie the Riveter Trust.
The Rosie the Riveter Open Water Swim is on Sat., May 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Barbara and Jay Vincent Park in the Richmond Marina.
Marina Bay Farmers Market celebrates its first anniversary
The Marina Bay Farmers Market is having a party to celebrate its first year of operation.
The free anniversary celebration will happen on Sunday with live music, speeches, dance performances, games and movement classes amid fresh produce and prepared foods.
The Marina Bay market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Marina Bay Park in Richmond. It attracts more than 500 visitors each weekend who peruse the booths of about 50 vendors.
The first anniversary celebration for the Marina Bay Farmers Market will take place on Sun., May 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the parking lot at Regatta Boulevard and Melville Square in the Richmond Marina.
Richmond Promise: A decade of recognizing young aspiring scholars
A nonprofit organization will spotlight its decade of community service as it celebrates this year’s scholarship recipients.
The 10th Annual Richmond Promise Scholar Celebration will be held next week.
The free event will allow students, families and friends to come together to recognize this year’s scholars as they graduate from high school and head into post-secondary education.
Since its inception in 2016, Richmond Promise has supported 3,700 Richmond residents as they navigate the halls of higher education. The organization is currently helping 1,300 students pursuing associate and bachelor degrees, and career technical education certifications at more than 200 colleges and universities across the United States. About 500 more students are expected to use programs at Richmond Promise this coming school year.
The organization awards the students $1,500 college scholarships every year. Those scholarships are renewable for several years. The program also provides resources for students as they transition from high school to higher learning opportunities.
“Richmond Promise was created with the belief that all Richmond students should have the opportunity to develop their skills and reach their full potential, regardless of race, income level, or personal background,” the organization’s website states.
The free Richmond Promise Scholar Celebration will be held on Wed., May 28, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave.
Learn how to be a neighborhood block captain
The Richmond Police Department is hosting an online training session next week to teach people how to become neighborhood block captains.
The free session is available to all Richmond residents and connects them with police so they can set up Neighborhood Watch programs.
At the virtual session, attendees will receive a block captain tool kit, signs, decals and all the necessary tools to engage neighbors and promote community safety.
These training sessions are held twice a year. You can sign up for next week’s session at this site.
This online block captain training session will be held on Wed., May 28, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Last two May meetings for proposed Richmond arts corridor
A series of public meetings hosted by Richmond Renaissance will continue in an effort to gather input for a plan to create an arts corridor in Richmond that would turn Macdonald Avenue and 23rd Street into a regional cultural destination.
The remaining listening sessions on the calendar this month include:
- Wed., May 28, a listening session will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Richmond Main Street Initiative offices, 1600 Nevin Plaza.
- Sat., May 31, the final session, focused on BIPOC artists, is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Rich City Gallery, 1500 Macdonald Ave.
The gatherings are designed to spark creativity, connection and community spirit for the arts corridor plan.
The Richmond Arts Corridor plan was approved by the Richmond City Council in October. A November report on funding for Bay Area arts organizations noted that the corridor idea has the potential to “bring visibility and resources to the rich tapestry of arts and culture in Richmond.”
One item in the proposed plan is to create a museum on Macdonald Avenue to honor the city’s Black history.
Grand reopening for downtown Richmond outdoor food court
A grand reopening is planned for a mobile food vendors court in downtown Richmond.
The Lot is now operating in a new location with a freshly repaved parking lot.
The program was launched in October 2024 as the Mobile Vendor Program as a way to provide mobile food vendors with a dedicated legal place to sell their wares. Merchants on 23rd Street had complained that vendors without the proper permits were siphoning away their customers.
The Lot will feature vendors selling tacos, chicken, waffles, pupusas and more. It’s open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“This new space is part of our effort to support our local vendors, provide safer and more accessible spaces to earn a living, as well as to celebrate the cultural richness and diversity that makes Richmond so special,” said city council member Claudia Jimenez in her newsletter.
The grand reopening for The Lot is Sat., June 7, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Macdonald Avenue and Marina Way a block from the Richmond BART station.
Live music and more at local establishments
A number of establishments in Richmond feature live music, entertainment and other events each week.
The Armistice Brewing Company, 845 Marina Bay Parkway, Ste. 1, hosts a bingo night every Tuesday as well as free trivia games on Wednesday evenings and free game nights on Thursday evenings.
The Backyard, 205 Cutting Blvd., is a kid and dog friendly outdoor beer and wine garden with food and live music. This weekend’s lineup includes the Bay Area All Stars, a five-piece R&B band that will perform on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. That will be followed by three hours of karaoke from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. On Sunday, vinyl reggae tunes will be blasted from noon to 8 p.m.
The East Brother Beer Company, a child-friendly and dog-friendly taproom at 1001 Canal Blvd., C-2, hosts food trucks Wednesdays through Sundays.
The Factory Bar, 12517 San Pablo Ave., which features indoor and dog friendly outdoor patio seating, will host food trucks and pop-up eateries most evenings with karaoke set for Tuesday night as well as Whiskey Wednesday the following evening. On Thursday, DJ Sirslushalot will spin records from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The waterfront Riggers Loft Wine Company, 1325 Canal Blvd., will have live music on Friday with Fake Melody performing its jazzy tunes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday, six groups will take the stage from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a benefit concert for Riggers Loft. Tickets are $20. On Sunday, the Latin and upbeat sounds of Lost in the Fog will be heard 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 this weekend. On Saturday, it’ll be The Bonafides piano trio performing from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Sunday, the duo Honey Disposition will occupy the stage from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Windchaser Wine Company, 1352 S. 49th St., is hosting a jazz and oysters event on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. with music from the Amy Ukena Band.
Add your events to our free calendar.
