The free July 11 festival at Shields-Reid Park doubles as a tribute to the neighborhood’s blues legacy and the debut of a $7 million park makeover.
Author Archives: Karina Ioffee
What I cover: General news about Richmond
My background: I have worked for the East Bay Times, Reuters, Patch and other local and national media outlets. I'm also a licensed private investigator. When not writing, I like spending time with my daughter, reading and doing yoga.
Posted inCommunity
From helping Laotian refugees to fighting Chevron: How APEN became a Richmond environmental powerhouse
The Asian Pacific Environmental Network, founded in Richmond three decades ago, has grown into a formidable three-office organization that has racked up some big wins against the refinery.
Posted inCity
Cancelled meetings. Vacant seats. What’s going on with Richmond’s planning commission?
Officials say commission, which only met twice in 2025, has had a lighter workload.
Posted inCommunity
This Richmond second-grader is hosting a food drive instead of having a birthday party
What started as a 7-year-old’s innocent question about why so many people are in need inspired a food drive and two community meal events set for April 11.
Posted inCity
Richmond area poised to receive nearly $40M to improve air quality, public health
Residents at a community meeting in North Richmond weighed in on what they’d like to see the money spent on, including more parks, safer streets and cleaner air.
Posted inCommunity
Celebrating Betty Reid Soskin’s life: Civil Rights storyteller, park ranger, songstress
About 1,000 people gathered in Oakland Sunday to honor “Miss Betty,” once the nation’s oldest park ranger, whose vision helped ensure Richmond’s Rosie the Riveter museum was inclusive of all experiences.
Posted inCity
TransMontaigne neighbors oppose expansion, citing increased train, truck traffic
Marina Bay area residents say Richmond hasn’t adequately scrutinized the company’s planned expansion, which would nearly double truck traffic and increase rail trips.
Posted inCommunity
Wildcat Canyon bicycle flow trail: How to tell EBRPD what you think
The East Bay Regional Park District will meet Tuesday to hear public comments as it prepares to do environmental impact study.
Posted inCommunity
War veteran lived on streets for a year. Now he helps others who are unhoused
Debilitated by PTSD from the Falklands War, Shaun Carr ended up homeless. Now he’s giving back.
Posted inCommunity
This Richmond nonprofit is ‘greening’ the city one project at a time
For 30 years, The Watershed Project has been designing water-wise public gardens, planting trees, installing bioswales and teaching students about the environment.
Posted inCommunity
Richmond chess group helps players find their match
Increasingly popular sport (yes, it’s considered one) is now offered at eight WCCUSD schools as well as local library branches.
Posted inCity
At low tide dumped junk in Meeker Slough is an eyesore. But now Richmond has a cleanup plan
Starting in January Richmond promises twice-a-year cleanups of Meeker Slough in Marina Bay.
Posted inCommunity
Oakland art scene’s loss is gain for Richmond’s Seaport Studios
Driven out by high Oakland rents in recent years, sculptors and other large-scale installation artists have settled in comfortably at south Richmond art facility.
Posted inCommunity
Yay or nay? East Richmond residents join Wildcat Canyon bike trail debate
East Richmond residents meet with East Bay Regional Park District staff to share bike trail concerns while bicycling advocates say it’s sorely needed.
Posted inSchools
‘I don’t have anything to eat’: Contra Costa College gives students food, housing help
Compass Center helped nearly 1,000 community college students last spring get help with life’s basic essentials. Nearly 1-in-5 face housing insecurity or homelessness.
Posted inNosh
Riggers Loft’s fate is uncertain after judge rules in favor of eviction
City of Richmond says waterfront winery owes about $460,000 in back rent while business is raising money for an appeal.
Posted inCommunity
BAMPFA loses federal grant to conserve its prized African American quilt collection
Amid the Trump administration’s war on “woke,” about $230,000 in federal grant money has been revoked that helped preserve quilts from major artists such as Richmond resident Rosie Lee Tompkins and Laverne Brackens.
Posted inCommunity
30 years later, EPA is planning second cleanup of Richmond Superfund site
EPA said removing DDT and other chemicals from the Heckathorn site in Richmond Harbor was complicated, so a second cleanup is needed.
Posted inPublic Safety
Without an illegal fireworks solution in sight, residents self-organize
Small group of Richmonders, worried about fire and health risks of fireworks and discouraged by city’s nonresponsiveness, seek own solutions.
Posted inCommunity
Richmond artist ‘Atta’ hopes his new show will inspire others to get creative
Meet your Neighbor: Artist Daniel “Attaboy” Seifert, an East Richmond Heights resident, makes vibrant tropical paradises out of pizza boxes and lightbulbs. He’s showing for the first time in his hometown.
