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...

I signed on to the following letter from members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Historic Resources Committee   December 8, 2025   Mr. Shalom Baranes, FAIA Shalom Baranes Associates Architects 1010 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Suite 900 Washington, DC...

One of the worst projects to be proposed in Richmond in recent memory is Marina Point, just east of the Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center, fronting on San Francisco Bay and the Bay Trail. This is the former “Richmond Rivera” site where voters rejected a...

    When I was chair of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA),  Regional Measure 3 (RM3) was being drafted. As chair, I was granted some additional and substantial informal influence over determining the allocation of funding. With 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...

Please share far and wide! On this GIVING TUESDAY, we’re reflecting on the importance of East Brother Light Station and the community that keeps it going. Your support helps preserve the lighthouse, maintain safe operations, and safeguard this historic landmark...

                Want to receive TOM BUTT E-FORUM delivered to your email address? Click here to sign-up to receive the E-Forum. Tom Butt is the former mayor of Richmond, CA, having served 27+ years until January of 2023, eight...

Next Club Meeting Our next meeting will take place at La Strada, 2215 Church Lane, San Pablo on Friday, December 5, 12:30pm. Sally Hindman Tiny Village Spirit This is Richmond’s first tiny house village and is a project which will double emergency...

In 2025, Interactive Resources became a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certified by the Small Business Administration. This month, it was listed as the 5th largest veteran-owned business in the San Francisco Bay Area by the San Franisco...

Next Club Meeting Our next meeting will take place at the Richmond Golf Club (address below) on Friday, November 21, 12:30pm. Andrew Pierce Public Information Officer Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District Mr. Pierce will provide...

Tomorrow is Veterans Day 2025, I am reminded of how our family has answered the call to serve for at least the last 165 years. How things have changed -- today, I am not aware of a single family member serving on active duty in the armed forces, nor do I have...

Next Club Meeting Our next meeting will take place at the Richmond Golf Club (address below) on Friday, November 14, 12:30pm. Families Empowered and Transformed Nain Villanueva de Lopez F.E.A.T. (Families Empowered and Transformed) is a nonprofit...

  East Brother Lighthouse is not the only endangered lighthouse, as the article below explains. However, the nonprofit East Brother Light Station, Inc. saved the lighthouse from destruction 45 years ago and has been its steward ever since, while hosting over...

Next Club Meeting Our next meeting will take place at the Richmond Golf Club (address below) on Friday, October 31, 12:30pm. Joy Alaidarous District Governor District 5160 Joy Alaidarous is honored to serve as the District Governor of Rotary...