“Once a bastion for the working and middle classes, African-Americans and a spectrum of ethnic groups, it is now gaining a reputation as a gentrifying “hipster haven” with a booming real estate market.” ­­­­—- NY Times July 30, 2014 Continue reading

A vibrant mural announces Happy Lot Farm and Garden to visitors and anyone passing by. A greenhouse stands in the middle of the lot, and an improvised chicken coop occupies one corner. The trees and raspberry beds that head farmer Andromeda Brooks and her volunteers planted here a few years ago are now bearing fruit. And anyone who chips in gets to take home some of the harvest. Continue reading

With the November elections fast approaching, last Thursday saw the first filing deadline for candidates' contributions and expenditures for the first half of the year, from January 1st through June 30th. So far, it looks like there are vast differences in the amount of cash each candidate has on hand, how they received their money, and how much they have spent.   Continue reading

Rosevelt Jones never imagined he’d ever have a job. He thought himself destined for a hard life on the streets of Oakland and in and out of jail.  Continue reading

RICHMOND -- Since their return from meeting the president and vice president in Washington, D.C. in April, the six women who once worked at the World War II Kaiser shipyards have been busier than ever, with invitations for speaking engagements and parade appearances, in addition to the dozens of people who come to see them on Fridays at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park visitors center. Continue reading

The last meeting before the City Council goes on the annual August monthly vacation was held Wednesday to clean up items that had been continued for weeks if not months. The awarding of contracts and several house cleaning items were passed without dissent. Continue reading

If you're looking for Jägerschnitzel or Käsespätzle in Richmond, there's really only one place to go: The Baltic. And thanks to owners Jayson Fennimore, Carlos Sanchez, and José Guevara, The Baltic is also a community hub unlike anything else in Richmond. Depending on the night, people can be seen enjoying live music, dancing to Top-40 hits, or even getting their bikes tuned up. For the 110 year-old establishment, this is new. Continue reading

Every week Radio Free Richmond provides an offering of events in the city. Here's what's happening from August 1st through the 7th. Continue reading

Last night, at the end of a nearly eight-hour Council meeting,  I joined with four other City Council members to approve a permit for the Chevron Modernization project on a 5-0-2 vote with two members abstaining. This concludes the City Council phase of a more than three year permit application process. Continue reading

Let's get some facts clear. At one point I was concerned about the environmental impacts of this project. During my Q&A with staff and CBE last night it became very clear that HEALTH RISKS WILL DECREASE as a result of this project. That is a fact, even the Attorney from CBE was unable to dispute that. Continue reading