There is plenty to keep you entertained, educated and civically engaged this week in Richmond.
Highlights include places to get pumpkins in Richmond, college workshops for parents and a bird-watching hike.
For more, see our newly published roundup of fall things to do in Richmond, which includes events through Nov. 1, and our recently updated list of ongoing things to do in Richmond (many of which are free). You can also visit Richmondside on Fridays for a list of upcoming live music shows.
- NIAD hosts virtual celebration of Latinx artists
- Festival Opera at the Mac returns
- Richmond’s tool lending library celebrates expanded hours
- Get to know your neighbors at Atchison Village gathering
- Workshop helps parents prepare their children for college
- Take a walk and spot some birds at Hilltop Lake
- Where to get Halloween pumpkins in Richmond
- What would you do with $1 million dollars?
- Related stories
NIAD hosts virtual celebration of Latinx artists
Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15, by exploring the art of a selection of Latinx artists at NIAD, an art center that showcases the work of people with developmental disabilities.
Organizers point out that now more than ever, “It is important to highlight these powerful voices that challenge norms, question assumptions, and document varied dialogues and experiences.”
The virtual show can be viewed on NIAD’s website, where you can also purchase pieces.
Participating artists are: Saul Alegria, Julio Del Rio, Esmeralda Silva, Jorge Guillen, Jonathan Velazquez, Sylvia Fragoso, Guadalupe Soto, Fabian Arias, Jonathan Valdivias, Xiomara Rosales, Karla Alfaro, Maria Radilla, Luis Estrada, Antonio Morales, Christopher Jimenez-Lopez, Vanessa Bravo, Carlota Rodriguez, and Hector Barajas.
Festival Opera at the Mac returns
Catch some opera on Friday at the historic Hotel Mac in Point Richmond.
This rendition of Festival Opera at the Mac will feature sopranos Kristen Campbell and Lila Khazoum.
The series, which began in July, is presenting opera on the first Friday of every month through December at Biancoverde, the Italian restaurant at Hotel Mac.
Shows are also set for Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. The monthly events are described as an operatic jam session featuring opera artists from all over the Bay Area and beyond.
There is no cover charge, but registration is recommended.
Festival Opera at the Mac, Fri., Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Biancoverde at Hotel Mac, 50 Washington Ave.
Richmond’s tool lending library celebrates expanded hours
Need a tool for a DIY project but don’t want to buy it? Looking for a random piece of yard equipment? There’s a good chance you’ll find it at the Richmond Tool Library, which boasts an inventory of 407 carpentry tools, 240 automotive items and 263 gardening and lawn supplies, to name just a few.
The tool library on Macdonald Avenue, a free service that lends tools to Richmond residents, hopes to help individuals to be more self-sufficient and improve their neighborhoods. The library is expanding its hours and is now open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
To celebrate, they’re hosting a volunteer cleanup day and workshop where participants can customize a T-shirt.
There is also a North Richmond Mobile Tool Library that is open on the first and third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1401 Fred Jackson Way.
Richmond Tool Library volunteer cleanup and heat press T-shirt workshop, Fri., Oct. 3, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 3230 Macdonald Ave.
Get to know your neighbors at Atchison Village gathering
Residents of a Richmond neighbor can get better acquainted and learn about resources at a friendly gathering.
The Atchison Village Community Day will feature music, food and activities, all designed to recognize the neighborhood’s history and community.
The annual free event has been happening since the 1950s. This year’s gathering is being held in partnership with the California Volunteers program.
Atchison Village Community Day, Sat., Oct. 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., location given after event registration
Workshop helps parents prepare their children for college
While college may seem far away if you’re the parent of a young child, it’s never too early to make sure your family is prepared when that day arrives.
Go Public Schools West Contra Costa and the Richmond library system have organized the fall’s first College Early & Often session for next week.
This free session is designed for families with students in kindergarten through third grade interested in learning about education, social sciences and human services.
Another session focused on students in fourth- through sixth-grade is scheduled for Oct. 21. A forum addressing the needs of middle school and high school students is set for Nov. 4.
You can sign up for any of the three sessions using this online form.
College Early & Often workshop, Tue., Oct. 7, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Point Richmond Community Room, West Side Library, 139 Washington Ave.
Take a walk and spot some birds at Hilltop Lake
You can take a stroll and do some bird watching next week.
The Golden State Bird Alliance is sponsoring a birding hike at Hilltop Lake near the Richmond YMCA.
The free 1-mile excursion at this hidden-away urban lake offers a chance to glimpse woodpeckers, wrens, hummingbirds, raptors and wading birds.
Advanced registration by 11 p.m. Mon., Oct. 6 is required.
Golden Gate Bird Alliance hike, Wed., Oct. 8, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Hilltop Lake, 4300 Lakeside Drive.
Where to get Halloween pumpkins in Richmond
There are several places in Richmond where families can gather for some festive fall pumpkin picking.
- On Saturday, Richmond Youth Outdoors is hosting a Family Farm Pumpkin Picking event at the Richmond Recreation Complex. Admission is $10. Family Farm Pumpkin Picking, Sat., Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Richmond Recreation Complex, 3230 Macdonald Ave.
- Pumpkins will once again bob around in a popular Richmond swimming pool. The Floating Pumpkin Patch for children at The Plunge is the Saturday before Halloween. There are two afternoon sessions available. The pre-registration fee of $10 allows entrance for one child and one adult. There is a limit of one pumpkin per child. Floating Pumpkin Patch, Sat., Oct. 25, 1:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., The Plunge, 1 East Richmond Ave
- Golden State Family Farms has set up its annual Richmond Pumpkin Patch at Hilltop mall. The patch also features an inflatable bouncy house and paintball activities. It’s open until Oct. 31 on Mondays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Golden State Family Farms Pumpkin Patch, daily until Oct. 31, 2200 Hilltop Mall Road.
What would you do with $1 million dollars?
How would you spend $1 million to promote equity and address economic and health disparities in Richmond?
Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia is holding a series of town halls to find out just that. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is divvying up $5 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act among the county’s supervisorial districts.
Gioia scheduled town halls in Richmond to discuss how residents want to spend their portion of the Contra Costa Community Impact Fund.
The next two Richmond meetings are scheduled for Mon., Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. and Sat., Oct. 11, at 10 a.m. Both will be held at the RYSE Center, 3939 Bissell Ave.
Meetings will also be held Thur., Oct. 2, at 5:30 p.m. at St. Peter CME Church, 5324 Cypress Ave., El Cerrito; and Thur., Oct. 9, at 6 p.m. at San Pablo City Hall, 1000 Gateway Ave., San Pablo. Residents can also participate in these forums via Zoom.
