Design Review Board Caves on Marina Point
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...
TOM BUTT E-FORUM : Visitors Welcome — Next Rotary Meeting Friday, January 23, 2026 | Ou
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...
The Craneway — Both an Opportunity and Albatross for the City
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...
Law Firm Threatens AIA Members Opposed to Ballroom
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...
VISITORS WELCOME:– Next Rotary Meeting Friday, January 9, 2026 | Namu
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...
New Book — The Old Sierra City School
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...
Bay Trail Richmond New Year Report – From TRAC
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...
Eduardo Martinez Antisemitic Controversy, Conspiracy Theories, the RPA
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...
ZOOM LINK & In-Person Invitation to ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EVE JAZZ SERVICE
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,...
Betty Reid Soskin 1921-2025
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
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...
OM BUTT E-FORUM: Rotary Auction — Do Not Miss — Only 3 Days Away!
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...
White House Ballroom
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...
Marina Point to be Reviewed by Richmond Design Review Board December
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...
Regional Measure 3 – Address Bridge Congestion or Street Improvements?
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...
Rotary Auction — Do Not Miss
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...
Help Save East Brother on GIVING TUESDAY
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...
Happy Holidays!
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...
Rotary – Friday, December 5 | Richmond Tiny House Village Farm & Garde
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...
Interactive Resources Rated 5th Largest Veteran-Owned Business in the
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...