community
The dedicated bike lane on the upper deck of the Richmond-San Rafael bridge has been a bone of contention between cyclists and motorists since it opened as a four-year pilot project in 2019. While its life has been extended to a fifth year, its days may be numbered. Next month, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission may reduce the bike lane to a weekends-only feature, a move the cycling community opposes. Since it opened, the bike lane has remained accessible to…
Festive music and welcoming smiles filled the parking lot of the Bay Area Rescue Mission’s food distribution center in Richmond Tuesday, where hundreds of people gathered under a gray sky for the annual turkey giveaway. The Rescue Mission, which provides emergency shelter, fresh meals, warm clothing, and support services to the unhoused and those in need, has upheld this Thanksgiving tradition for over 40 years. Bram Begonia, CEO of the Rescue Mission, said between 500 and 1,000 families would get…
An anticipated tiny house village for young unhoused adults, the first of its kind in Richmond, has been stalled for months, as the project awaited city permits. But organizers and the city say it finally is on track and could be ready for residents soon. The project, led by the nonprofit Tiny Village Spirit, will double the number of emergency housing units for young adults aged 18-24 to two dozen. Modeled after the Oakland Tiny House Empowerment Village, that has…
Richmond Memorial Auditorium transformed Wednesday into a festive wonderland for the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting, where a chilly rain did not dampen the spirits of a couple hundred people who came to the event. Instead of a single towering tree, the venue was adorned with several smaller, glittering trees, all synced to light up at once, creating a magical display that set the tone for the evening. On a small stage at the heart of the auditorium, children from…
Richmond aims to become the first Bay Area city to advance a neighborhood green energy initiative, with plans to convert homes in a pilot neighborhood from gas to electric energy. The Richmond Clean Energy and Healthy Homes Project calls for replacing gas appliances with high-efficiency electric ones in a low-income neighborhood that PG&E would help the city identify. Upgrades will include heat pumps, electric panel enhancements, onsite solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and battery storage. The pilot would include…
The final crate tapped into place, the truck bed was packed and ready. Inside were all the essentials. Freshly sharpened pruners, a couple of aprons, gloves and sturdy ladders. The checklist was second nature by now, each tool in its slot, each slot serving a purpose. With everything in order, Bruno Lara, the Orchard for ALL! project manager took a moment to survey the packed truck, mentally preparing for the day ahead. Today, it would just be him on the…
The East Bay Regional Park District began during the height of the Great Depression with a ballot measure asking voters to institute a property tax for the purpose of creating a park system. Despite the hard economic times, voters overwhelmingly agreed to tax themselves so they could have more parks. Ninety years later, about 25 million people a year enjoy what has become the largest park district of its kind in the nation, a network essential to the active, outdoor…
On a warm Sunday morning in November, Chao Dun, his wife Yumi Yan, and their toddler stroll through the Farmers Market at Marina Bay Park, where fresh vegetables are minutes away from their home. As Dun checks out tasty treats and colorful produce, Yen takes their son to the kid’s play area, offered every second Sunday at the farmers market. “The prices are comparable and affordable for organic fruits and produce,” Dun said. “And it’s not just a market, it’s…
Seuy Karnsouvong remembers going to the fire station by Crescent Park in Richmond with her late husband, Boonthong, to vote. Since she wasn’t familiar with English like he was, he would walk her through filling out her ballot. That was decades ago, but Karnsouvong still needs help dissecting the complicated language used in measures and other parts of the ballot. She isn’t alone in needing assistance with voting. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Richmond has 1,667 Laotian and 182…