Two debates scheduled for Richmond mayoral candidates, Sept. 21 and Oct. 1
Richmond’s two mayoral finalists will meet for two debates in the coming weeks ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Ahmad Anderson and Claudia Jimenez will first answer questions at a debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters on Sept. 21. The two candidates will then take questions at a forum co-sponsored by Richmondside and two student publications, The Advocate and Richmond Confidential, on Oct. 1. The county will send out mail-in ballots Oct. 5. The final day to register to vote is Oct. 19.
Forum to discuss AC Transit, BART issues, Oct. 8
The West County Forum will hold a luncheon on Oct. 8 where attendees can hear about issues affecting AC Transit and BART. The West County Forum meets on the second Thursday of every month. Its Sept. 10 luncheon featured candidates for Pinole City Council, San Pablo City Council, and Contra Costa Community College District Ward 1. Annual membership costs $30, and luncheons cost $30 to attend.
West County Forum luncheon, Thur., Oct. 8, noon, La Strada restaurant, 2215 Church Lane, San Pablo. $30
CalKIDS launches Scholarship Month to raise awareness for student awards
The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) has declared September Scholarship Month statewide, an effort to raise awareness of the scholarships it awards students. Throughout the month, participating schools will host on-campus events where students and families can check eligibility and claim their savings accounts. State officials launched CalKIDS in 2022 to jumpstart college savings accounts for children. The organization says $40 million in scholarships is available to students in Contra Costa County, and they estimate that 45% of Contra Costa County public school students in grades two through 12 are eligible for scholarships worth up to $1,500.
Contra Costa food bank to receive $50,000 gift
The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano will receive $50,000 from an annual corporate fundraising event. The BlackRock 20th Annual Giving Days fundraiser raised more than $2.5 million for 13 Bay Area nonprofit organizations, with the food bank receiving $50,000 of the $200,000 allocated for hunger relief programs. The Solano-Contra Costa food bank serves 2.7 million meals a month through 260 partner agencies, and they are bracing for federal SNAP restrictions taking effect this year. More than 700 participants from 56 firms took part in the Giving Days event, raising funds for programs focused on youth homelessness, food insecurity, education, workforce development, health care and other needs.
Students asked to submit jewelry and glass works for new exhibition
Students at the Richmond Art Center can submit their metal, glass and jewelry creations for an exhibition opening early next year. The Student Metals, Jewelry & Glass Exhibition will run Jan. 20 through March 20, 2027. Any student at the center who has created work in the past three years is eligible to participate, and submissions are due by Nov. 14.
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