Events
Summer is Here
Astronomically at least, the solstice is the first day of summer. It’s the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its highest elevation in the northern hemisphere. This year it’s on Friday, June 21.
The naturalists at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley will celebrate it with a sunset walk from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. It’s a chance to enjoy an evening exploration of the Delta, with lots of wildlife sightings possible.
Meet at the Big Break visitor center at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley’s Main Street. For information, call 888-327-2757, ext. 3050.
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Summer’s wildflowers are the theme of a hike from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sat., June 22 at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, led by naturalist Kevin Dixon.
There aren’t as many wildflowers in summer, but they are hardy and beautiful. The hike is likely to be steep; it’s for ages 10 and older, and registration is required. Call 888-327-2757, select option 2, and refer to program 25070.
Black Diamond Mines is at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. Kevin’s hike is free; the park has a parking fee of $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is attended.
And if snakes are your thing, join naturalist Eddie Willis in a program from 11 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 23 at Black Diamond Mines. Eddie will show two live snakes, and talk about how to share the trails with snakes in the wild. Meet Eddie near the parking lot at the end of Somersville Road.
For general information about Black Diamond Mines, call 888-327-2757, ext. 2750.
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The Over-the-Hills Gang is an informal group of hikers ages 55 and older interested in nature study, history, fitness and fun. Everyone is welcome.
Naturalist “Trail Gail” Broesder will lead the gang on a hike from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25 at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline.
Besides its unusual history, Point Pinole is a beautiful refuge from summer heat. Meet Gail in the parking lot at the end of Atlas Road in Richmond. For information, call 510-544-2233.
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Looking further ahead on the calendar, the Fourth of July falls on a Thursday this year. Two of the regional parks plan to celebrate it in style.
You can join the interpretive staff at Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda and participate in the town’s Fourth of July parade, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Swim” along the parade route with the park’s Mobile Visitor Center, or just enjoy the show from the sidewalk.
Then from 2 to 5 p.m. on July Fourth, Crab Cove will host open house at the center, which is at the end of McKay Avenue off Alameda’s Central Avenue. There will be family friendly activities throughout the afternoon.
For information on the parade and open house, call 510-544-3187.
Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont always stages an elaborate Independence Day celebration, and this year is no exception.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July Fourth, the park plans a 1900s-style community festival with patriotic music on the lawn, fiddle music in the farmyard, and games, contests and races. Try your hand at nail driving, egg tossing, watermelon seed spitting, the bucket brigade, and tug-of-war. Bring a picnic and spend the day.
Ardenwood is located at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, just off Highway 84. Fee for the Independence Day event is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors ages 62 and older, $5 for children 4 through 17, and free for kids 3 and under. Parking is free. For information, call 510-544-2797.
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Arts and Culture
Richmond Preps for Full Weekend of Cinco de Mayo Festivities
Cinco de Mayo festivities in Richmond and San Pablo are some of the bests in Bay, and organizers say that tradition will be alive and well at this weekend’s annual parade and festival. The action kicks off Saturday, May 4, with the 16th Annual Cinco de Mayo Richmond/San Pablo Peace & Unity Parade. The parade of floats, performances, and community organizations starts at 10 a.m. at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue and Richmond and ends at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1845 Church Lane in San Pablo.
By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard
Cinco de Mayo festivities in Richmond and San Pablo are some of the bests in Bay, and organizers say that tradition will be alive and well at this weekend’s annual parade and festival.
The action kicks off Saturday, May 4, with the 16th Annual Cinco de Mayo Richmond/San Pablo Peace & Unity Parade. The parade of floats, performances, and community organizations starts at 10 a.m. at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue and Richmond and ends at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1845 Church Lane in San Pablo.
The parade’s Grand Marshall this year will be community organizer Diego Garcia, owner of Leftside Printing.
The festivities continue Sunday with the Cinco de Mayo Festival along 23rd Street, which last year drew over 100,000 people, according to the 23rd Street Merchants Association. This year’s festival will again run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between the intersections of Rheem Avenue and Clinton Avenue. It will feature two entertainment stages, one sponsored by La Raza 93.3 FM at 23rd and Rheem, and another sponsored by Radio Lazer FM at 23rd and Clinton.
Both events are important for the city and the region’s Latino community.
San Pablo Mayor Genoveva Calloway, who co-chairs the parade alongside John Marquez, president of the Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees, says Saturday’s festivities are about bringing the Richmond and San Pablo communities together in unity.
“This truly connects the spectators and people in the parade as one,” Calloway said. “The parade showcases the real communities of Richmond and San Pablo – our nonprofits, schools, horse riders, classic cars and trucks, our local businesses. All of these people represent the heartbeat of our community.”
Rigo Mendoza, vice president of the 23rd Street Merchants Association, said that at its heart, Richmond’s Cinco de Mayo Festival celebrates the date the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
But John Marquez started up the popular festival to bring the community together and also to exhibit the community’s businesses and culture to visitors, Mendoza said. The gathering was also a way to promote peace in the community.
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Oakland Post: Week of May 1 – 7, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 1 – 7, 2024
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