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Two Richmond residents collaborate on separate unique art businesses under the same roof

There is no task too big or small or obscure for Brandy Esparza and Kyle Silber, who know how to market an artisanal stamp for a doughnut wrapper, a latex mask for a life-sized Buddha, or a seal for an architect to sign for his or her work. Together they operate two businesses, Underdog Press and Painted Wonderland, out of their home in Richmond, California Esparza started independent contracting work about 10 years ago doing face painting, special effects for…

Tales of Two Cities #1: Sports

We’re excited to bring you our first episode of Tales of Two Cities: Radio Stories from Oakland and Richmond. From the Super Bowl to chess champions, this week’s episode features stories on the great wide world of sports. Listen in to hear the turmoil of Oakland Raiders fans watching one of their rivals in the Super Bowl, and check in with local tennis and chess players in Richmond. Stay tuned for our next episode in two weeks. This week’s episode is hosted by Brad Bailey….

The Potential Project gives students a voice to help create solutions

Students in the West Contra Costa Unified School District can use their ideas to improve their school with the help of The Potential Project. The program gives students a voice in the district’s planning process, so they can help create solutions to challenges like increasing parent engagement and providing more access to technology. The project requires young people to create a plan, collaborate their teacher and classmates, and create measurable progress towards one of the goals outlines in the Local…

Introducing the Tales of Two Cities Podcast, radio stories from Richmond and Oakland

Dear Readers/Listeners, The combined staff of Oakland North and Richmond Confidential is excited to announce a new bi-weekly podcast featuring radio stories from Richmond and Oakland, as well as interviews with our reporters, community leaders and other news-worthy characters. Every two weeks until June, we will bring you radio stories focused on a theme or issue affecting these two cities. You will also hear from our reporters to get a behind the scenes look at our news room. Every other Thursday, check our sites for new…

Richmond city council meeting discusses investigating the death of Richard “Pedie” Perez

Talk about policing dominated the Richmond City Council meeting on Tuesday, as councilmembers and citizens discussed amending the Richmond Police Commission enabling ordinance, initiating a police commission investigation into the death of Richard “Pedie” Perez following a settlement between the city and Perez’ family earlier that day, and investigating all cases in which individuals are seriously injured by Richmond police. At the meeting’s beginning, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt proposed moving these three agenda items to a future meeting, based on…

Bay Area artist runs unique business inspired by her grandmother

Among the many unorthodox tools Cara Corey has used to make her handmade artist line unique are knitting needles made out of PVC pipe and merino wool fiber (the material before wool becomes “wool”) shipped from the Ukraine. Corey moved to Richmond, California, in 2010 after spending over four years as a newspaper reporter in Des Moines, Iowa. She had written a wide variety of stories about people who owned their own businesses, and at one point, she had her own…