Concerned citizens fight growing food insecurity

A pedestrian receives a free meal from a volunteer

“Four,” came the shout as another car filed into Richmond Police Activities League’s parking lot on September 22. This was passed down the line to a platoon of volunteers who rushed to assemble four food bundles as the car approached. Every Tuesday and Thursday since early September, thousands of these bundles, prepared by a variety…

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Giving North Richmond’s kids a safer place to play

1Richmond

With frantic little-kid energy, the Panthers under-10 boys basketball team races around the pavement lot next to the Shields-Reid Park in North Richmond. The kids are fresh from a 42-0 victory over the El Cerrito team, their third straight victory in their youth league. Some of the kids play a pick-up game against their coaches—older…

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RPAL boxing program helps youth overcome fears, gain confidence

Delleon Brown strikes opponent

Three young Richmond boxers from the Richmond Police Activities League boxed last Saturday at an exhibition hosted by the RPAL. The exhibition, which welcomed fighters from different boxing clubs and gyms, featured 15 bouts with varying age and weight divisions. RPAL’s Anthony J. Bryant, Vonnie Davison and Delleon Brown are all local talent groomed by…

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Local heavyweight boxer seeks comeback in Richmond

It’s a Thursday evening at Polk Street Gym in San Francisco as Bomani “Warrior” Parker works his way around the punching bag, delivering blow after blow with punishing force. Around him are beginning boxers of all ages and professions; lawyers, dentists, college students, and teachers momentarily halt their warm up session before their training begins…

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It’s game time: Richmond Rockets debut Thursday

On Thursday at 7:30 p.m. the Rockets will make their American Basketball Association debut at Richmond’s Civic Center Memorial Auditorium against the Pacific North Conference defending champion Bay Area Matrix. It’s a night owner Eric Marquis has been looking forward to for more than a year, and he’s doing everything he can at the last minute to make sure Richmond residents are in the stands to greet his team.

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Daytime curfew enforces accountability

The ominous gray clouds creeping over the hills and dampness blanketing the city tell Sgt. Eddie Russell it’s going to be a slow day. “Rain usually keeps them off the street,” he says from behind the wheel of his cruiser But less than half an hour into his Tuesday morning patrol, Russell spots what appears…

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Richmond fighters shine at amateur exhibition

The boxers fought tough. The crew produced a top-notch event. The problem was few people showed up. “This is a good venue for Richmond,” said Jesse Coleman, an employee who travels with United States of America Boxing, the governing association of amateur boxing. “They did a good job of organizing, and they’ve got good fights.…

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PALcenter lays down red carpet

Richmond’s Police Activities League is gearing up for a star-filled “Red Carpet Experience” at the Craneway Pavilion this Saturday. The night of music and fashion supports health and wellness charity programs through Bay Area organizations including the Richmond PAL, Berkeley Youth Alternatives and El Cerrito High School’s James Morehouse Project. The concert lineup features Guest…

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