For reasons that I can’t explain, I erroneously stated that Alternative C was the plan selected by the National Park Service for Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in the General Management Plan. In fact, it was Alternative B. I have...

Trump’s latest outrageous threat is to gut and reconstruct the Kennedy Center -- after adding his name to it.   President Donald Trump on Monday elaborated on his plan to close the Kennedy Center and rebuild it, saying that the steel would be "fully...

Next Club Meeting Our next meeting will take place at the Richmond Golf Club (address below) on Friday, February 6, 12:30pm. Our Guatemala Adventure Grier Graff Grier Graff and his supporting crew will present "Our Guatemala Adventure."...

I sent this to the City Council today:   Spending $300,000 to provide a design and cost estimate to build a new dock for the SS Red Oak Victory is a bad idea and a profound waste of money that could be better spent maintaining the SS Red Oak Victory, which is...

Amid the ICE murders in Minneapolis and other Trump chaos, the White House ballroom has almost become yesterday’s news, but the fight goes on. There is some optimism over the National Trust for Historic Preservation lawsuit where the judge has signaled...

Following a punt by the Design Review Board, the Planning Commission will take up consideration of the horrible Marina Point Project. (https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-planning-commission-to-review-222-new-housing-units-across-three-sites/)   Item 3...

  This under-the-radar Bay Area downtown is stuck in the past (in all the right ways) By Peter Hartlaub,Culture Critic Jan 29, 2026 A bronze Native American statue sits in the heart of downtown Point Richmond. Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle   Sutro...

Next Club Meeting Our next meeting will take place at the Richmond Golf Club (address below) on Friday, January 30, 12:30pm. Rosalind Welch Richmond Community Foundation For 25 years, RCF Connects has been a quiet but powerful force for change...

With all the distractions at the City Council related to the mayor’s antisemitism, the media has no time to cover other important items such as the progress on approval of the horrible Marina Point project.   On January 14, 2026, the Richmond Design Review...

Crabfeed Update We are ready for an amazing crab feed this Saturday, January 24 at 6 PM. Parking will be limited at Salesian so please carpool or use a ride-share service if possible. Tickets can be purchased on our website until noon on Wednesday, January 21. If you...

Because these things are discussed by the City Council in closed session, no one really knows what is going on other than the City retaining a consultant to provide a building condition assessment.   When Eddie Orton purchased the Ford Building from the City of...

Back in December 2025, I signed on to a letter from members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Historic Preservation Committee to Trump’s latest Ballroom architect, Shalom Baranes...

Next Club Meeting Happy New Year!! Our next meeting will take place at the Richmond Golf Club (address below) on Friday, January 9, 12:30pm. Namungoona, Uganda Childrens Art Center Rotarian Tom Herriman Namungoona Childrens Art Center provides free...

My newest book, “The Old Sierra City School,” is now available on Amazon in either paperback or Kindle.   When the population of Sierra City swelled during the Gold Rush, miners were awash in gold, the businesses serving their needs were thriving, and...

Friends of the Bay Trail in Richmond,   Attached for your enjoyment is the 27th Bay Trail Richmond New Year Report prepared by TRAC, the Trails for Richmond Action Committee. 2025 was a remarkable year. Construction began on 2.5 miles of Point...

The Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC) reported today that more than 80 mayors, council members, trustees, and community leaders from across the Bay Area have disavowed Mayor Martinez and his antisemitic posts in a signed unity letter including more than 60...

If you are looking for a perfect Christmas Eve Service, you can attend either in person or virtually.       Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Richmond First United Methodist Church Sanctuary and via Zoom     The Kurt Ribak Quartet,...

Tributes are flowing in for Betty Reid Soskin who left us today at age 104.   At Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, she became the iconic face of Richmond’s national park, and even the Park Service, itself. Glamour Magazine named her woman of...

  Architects call on Shalom Baranes Associates, the new White House East Wing ballroom designer, to decline Trump’s commission By Daniel Jonas Roche • December 11, 2025 • Architecture, East, News, Professional Practice The...

This really fun event with great auction items funds the Richmond Rotary community projects for the entire year. Hope to see you there!   https://richmondcarotary.org/holiday-auction/         Want to receive TOM BUTT E-FORUM delivered to your...