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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN RICHMOND!
Week of November 27, 2012

Welcome to the new look of "What's Happening in Richmond", the weekly newsletter from your Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Please let us know what you think of our format!

Each week we will spotlight one of our lodging properties - their staff, amenities and what makes each property unique.

For a quick reference, click on the day (to the right) to go directly to that day or heading.

If you have an upcoming event, please send the details to my  email  to be included in the next edition.

 

If your event isn't listed here, we probably aren't aware of it. Either send us your information by Monday morning to be included in the weekly edition or enter your event on the  Community Calendar.

Don't hesitate to call us for more information at 510-237-1403.

 

We are happy to help!

 

Michelle Itagaki
Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau
201 W Richmond Avenue
Richmond, California 94801
510-237-1403
Thursday, November 29
Thursday
Friday, November 30
 Friday
Saturday, December 1
 Saturday
Sunday, December 2
Sunday
Ongoing Events
 Here
Planning Ahead
  Here
Spotlight on Lodging
Economy Inn
Economy Inn

12572 San Pablo Avenue
Richmond, CA 94805 

(510) 234-1012  

 

We would like to introduce Hemant Patel, the property manager at Economy Inn. Hermant says, "The hotel business is a family business and I have been actively been involved in the business since I was 8 years old. I have managed large franchised hotels and am currently managing this smaller independent motel." 

 

He goes on to say, " Our hotel is unique because

the king size and double queen rooms on our property are extra quiet because there are no adjacent guest rooms. There is a carport or storage room in between each room so there is no noise from an adjacent room.  Also our double queen rooms do not have beds directly adjacent to each other so there is extra privacy."

 

Call the Economy Inn today for room rates! 

 

Thursday
THURSDAY
 

Solar Richmond's Fall Move-a-thon Celebration

 

Solar Richmond

2730 Maine Avenue

Thursday, November 29th

6:00 pm

RSVP by November 27th here

 

Celebrate with us and walk away with real tools you can use to regain balance in your daily life!

 

Congratulations and thank you to all who pledged and participated in the Move-a-thon! It's not too late to join us. Click here to move forward with us by making a contribution.

 

In appreciation of all the dedicated supporters and participants who made movement pledges for Solar Richmond's Fall Forward Move-a-thon, we invite you to join us for refreshments and a free movement session with our mind-body awareness instructor Guillermo Ortiz.

 

Guillermo has worked with our program participants and staff to share tools for balance & greater mindfulness in life through incorporating practices of movement, consciousness, and breath. This event is an opportunity for you to experience how elements of yoga, tai-chi, and dance can bring clarity, focus, and energy to life.


 

 Friday
FRIDAY
 

Pangea 2 - One World One Dance

 

Craneway Pavilion

1414 Harbour Way South

Friday, November 30

9:00 pm

$5 in advance, purchase here 

$10 at the door

 

Join us for the second round of this epic dance party! And this time...It's on a Friday!

 

Pangea is a new type of party where dancers of all kinds unite for an epic dance session to live beats.

 

Our all-star house band will lead us through a night of improvised music assimilated from many different genres, including funk, soul, Latin and hip-hop.

 

 

The event features:

 

-live dance music

-DJs

-live on-the-floor performances

-live painting

-huge dance floor

-PRIZES

-specialty cocktails

-cyphers galore

 

 

Saturday
SATURDAY
 

Pancake Breakfast & Holiday Craft Fair Fundraiser 

 

Manzanita Charter Middle School 

2925 Technology Court 

Saturday, December 1st

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

 

Support Manzanita Charter Middle School and enjoy a pancake breakfast.  After the Ribbon Cutting, shop for those on your holiday gift list. 

 

Giant Contractor Warehouse Sale

 

Warehouse

229-249 (yard) Tewksbury Avenue

Saturday, December 1st

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

 

EVERYTHING MUST GO: cement mixer, concrete saw, large outdoor aluminum cage, water troughs, drums, electric pumps, hand tools, equipment, generators, hoses, cords, heaters, water tanks, pipes, a variety of electrical appliances, printers, core boxes, concrete umbrella stands, file cabinets, shelving, desks, beds, chairs, tables, photocopiers, faxes, phones, and lots more stuff.

 

Bay Trail Plant Restoration

 

Point Isabel - next to the dog park

Saturday, December 1

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Please do RSVP

 

Join Tom and Jane Kelly to help continue their ongoing native plant restoration project along the Bay Trail between Point Isabel Regional Shoreline and Marina Bay. 

 

Contact info: Tom or Jane Kelly (510) 704-8628 (w) or (510) 684-6484 or  kyotousa@sbcglobal.net.  Please do RSVP - it will help them coordinate tools with the East Bay Regional Park District.

 

And remember to wear long pants, bring hats, sun screen, water, and family and friends. They will supply gloves, tools, and refreshments.


Sunday
SUNDAY
 

Holiday Arts Festival - Vintage Edition 

 

Richmond Art Center 

2540 Barrett Avenue 

Sunday, December 2nd 

11:00 am - 5:00 pm 

FREE Admission

  

You are invited to join us for the annual Holiday Arts Festival. This event is over 50 years old and we are celebrating with a 1960s theme. 1960s attire encouraged.  

   

The festival will feature all original art by local artists, including RAC's famous ceramics sale, paintings, jewelry, clocks by Steve Hurst, vintage vendors (no, the artists are not old relics), live music, café with Steve Hurst's world famous chili (vegetarian and ground turkey for you carnivores), plus other homemade treats--some to eat in the café, others to buy as gifts. He's only making enough for 400 people, so better get there early! There is also a fine art silent auction plus kids' art activities.

Visit our website to window shop our vendors or to place a bid on an auction item!
Ongoing
ONGOING EVENTS
  

Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center 

 

Open Daily

RORI Visitor Center

1414 Harbour Way South

FREE

  

Thursdays "Blossoms & Thorns" through December 20th  

Time: 2:00pm
Duration: 45 minute program: 20 minute movie followed by talk and questions/answers.
Presenters: Representative from the Japanese American Citizens League and NPS Ranger.
Program: Overview of the experience of Richmond's Japanese American citizens who were incarcerated during the Second World War.

  

Meet a ranger or volunteer for a 45 minute program (topics vary) at the Visitor Center at 2:00pm every day. Come early to see the exhibits in the Visitor Center. Ranger Betty Soskin speaks on Tuesdays and Saturdays.    

    

Rosie's Girls @ Visitor Center

Monday, December 3rd

4:00 pm to 4:45 pm

 

Through a partnership with the YMCA and others, the National Park Service is nurturing the next generation of independent women, who carry on the legacy of the

WWII-era "Rosies." Learn about this summer program that reaches middle school girls from Richmond and teaches them teamwork, leadership, welding and carpentry.

  

Maritime Child Development Center Tours

1014 Florida Avenue

Wednesdays & Fridays

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Reservations Required 232-5050 x 0

 

Tour a wartime preschool classroom within the Maritime Child Development Center and learn about the essential role of childcare in the home front effort.  Tour begins in the lobby

 

 

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NIAD For the Holidays!

 

NIAD Art Center

551 23rd Street

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Through December 25

 

In The Main Gallery
(Affordable) Art From The Heart - features new or recent work from all of our artists (NIAD currently has more than 64 working artists).  But with this year's show there is a twist; everything is on paper and fits your budget. Most pieces are priced between $15 and $150. There are plenty of drawings and paintings that make great and unique gifts (and, of course, half of your purchase goes directly to the artists, so it's a win-win.) We are always trying to make your art experience at NIAD easy, so new this year, when you pay for the work, we will gift-wrap it and you can take it with you
 
In The Annex
Once Again: Marlon Mullen At White Columns - Last spring, Mullen had his first solo exhibition in New York at the Big Apple's premier alternative art space, White Columns. Here we show selected highlights from the exhibition.

In The Storefront
And, oh yeah, we've turned the store front into a Holiday Lounge... complete with Christmas trees bedecked in jewelry and ornaments, cozy quilts, functional crafts, dolls, superhero nutcrackers and more. Of course we know the holidays are exhausting so we've got comfy couches and chairs to hang out in and on, a record player with holiday vinyl to spin and, yup, some hot cocoa with tiny marshmallows.     

  
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Richmond Certified Farmers Market at Civic Center  

 

Civic Center Parking Lot
24th & Barrett Avenue
Fridays
8 am - 5 pm

The market, in the Richmond Auditorium parking lot at 24th and Barrett Avenue, has offered locally grown fruit, vegetables, nuts, plants,eggs, chickens and other edibles since l983.

A free market basket is given away each week.   For more information contact Steve Ghigliotto, market manager, at 510-206-7271.

    

  

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Bingo!

 

Marina Gardens Bingo

1401 Marina Way South

Wednesday - Saturdays

Doors Open at 5 pm

Games begin at 7 pm

 

Bingo players are loving this wonderful hall, the friendly and safe environment, and the honest games. Marina Gardens Bingo has become a new destination for people from all over the bay area.

  

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Golden State Model Railroad Museum

 

Golden State Model Railroad Museum

900-A Dornan Drive

Wednesdays 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Saturdays Noon - 5:00 pm

Sundays Noon - 5:00 pm  

Admission Prices (when trains are running)

  $4 for Adults

  $2 for Senior Citizens & Children under 12

  $9 for Families

 

A visit to our 10,000 square foot Museum of operating model trains provides an inexpensive, fun-filled outing for young and old, with plenty of room for youngsters to stretch their legs and expend energy as they follow trains along the 200+ feet of public walkway.

 

More information here

  

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The Baltic

 

The Baltic

135 Park Place
 More information here 
 

 

Friday, November 30th   

10:30pm - 11:30pm

Phil Berkowitz

Phil Berkowitz, San Francisco based harmonica player and vocalist, has brought his unique and energetic musical style to audiences for over fifteen years. Phil's recent CD entitled "All Night Party," contains mostly original and musically diverse material that ranges from West Coast Swing, Chicago Blues, New Orleans R&B, Soul, and Country Blues. 

        

Saturday, December 1st     

9:00 pm - 11:30 pm

Reggae Night with DJ Nattydred and Broken Silence Sound  

 

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FREE Zumba in Downtown!

 

310 9th Street  

(at 9th Street & Macdonald Avenue)

 

Mondays ~ Lunchtime Zumba

12:30-1:30pm

 

Thursdays ~ After-Work Workout

5:30-6:30pm

7:00-8:00pm

 

We are excited to once again offer these free, high-energy fitness classes in downtown with Zumba instructor extraordinaire, Willa 'Bontle' Willis.

 

Plus, we've secured a new location in Downtown that will allow a flexible class schedule and class size! No need to reserve a spot--just show up and get fit moving to those fun beats!

 

All classes last one hour. Make sure to wear comfy, loose clothing and athletic/supportive shoes. Healthy snacks and water will be provided.

  

 

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Rollercoaster Weekend at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach    

 

Playland Not-at-the-Beach
10979 San Pablo Avenue

Saturday, December 1st
Sunday, December 2nd
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Adults $15
Children/Seniors $10
 

 

Our annual toast to the greatest rollercoasters in the world. Through our filmed recreation, you can take a front row seat on the longest, tallest, fastest, scariest coasters on each continent. A special celebration of the members of ACE (American Coaster Enthusiasts) on Saturday, and on Sunday we celebrate Coney Island, Riverview, Palisades Park, Kennywood and a wide range of other parks exploring the development of amusement parks in America. Whitney's Playland, Venice Beach, Pacific Ocean Park, the Long Beach Pike and, of course, Disneyland will also be featured. PNATB's newest attraction, Rollercoaster Rampage, will be open for one of the few weekends of the year-don't miss it!    

 

 

Playland After Dark presents Grown-up Game Night   

 

Adult Admission Only $10

Thursday, November 29th 

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

The Museum of Fun reserves two nights a month for Playland After Dark, when kids have to stay home and let the grown-ups enjoy all the board games, carnival and arcade games and FREE PLAY pinball they want.  . Bring your own food and drink to complete the experience. Bring your friends. Don't like your friends? Leave them home and come make some new ones. These evenings are for those who are 18 and older.
 

 

More information about Playland here

 

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SS Red Oak Victory Ship Museum

 

SS Red Oak Victory Ship

1337 Canal Boulevard

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

$5

 

SS Red Oak Victory is open for docent tours on Tues, Thurs, Sat, and Sun from 10am-4pm. Last tour begins promptly at 3pm. Boarding fee is $5 for everyone. The ship is berthed at 1337 Canal Blvd and the ship phone is 510-237-2933.  

 

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Little Women at the Masquers

 

Masquers Playhouse

105 Park Place

Through December 8th 

All seats $20

Purchase tickets here   

 

Adapted from the Novel by Louisa May Alcott
Directed by Jan Brown, Musical Direction by Patricia King

 

"Little Women", the heart-warming Louisa May Alcott evergreen, has become a musical! Once again the much-loved stories of the four sisters, Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth-and some of the melodramatic tales Jo writes in her attic studio-are brought to life, this time with song.

 

 

 

 Planning
PLANNING AHEAD
 
2012 December Chess Tourney

 

 
Cookie Exchange

 

 
Cookie Exchange

 

 
2012 Senior Ball