Paramount TV comes to Point Richmond

Special to The Point

Story and photos by Laura Paull

Point Richmond residents out and about early Sunday July 9 found the town center and Ferry Point tunnel blocked off by orange cones, police cars, and lots of strangers standing around.

The reason? 

Paramount Television was filming scenes for the second season of Thirteen Reasons Why, a Netflix dramatic series  popular with the young set. It is based on the 2007 novel Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher and adapted by Brian Yorkey for Netflix.

Although email and other communications from the production company had led some to locals to imagine they'd see a motorcycle chase scene through the Ferry tunnel, the action mostly entailed two young actors on an old green Vespa putt-putting through the tunnel at the usual speed. 

As is the way of Hollywood filming, it took hours of preparation just to get those few shots. Many curious Point Richmond folks stopped and watched for a while, then moved on.

When the second season begins in March 2018  Point residents will have to wait to find out when the ferry tunnel shot will appear.

Richmond Planning Director outlines housing & other projects for PRBA

   POINT RICHMOND - The City of Richmond's Planning Director presented an overview of housing, the Richmond General Plan and a variety of other projects in Point Richmond and the surrounding environs when he spoke to the Point Richmond Business Association June 29.
     Richard Mitchell's presentation was given at the PRBA's monthly luncheon, held at the Up and Under Restaurant. (A sound recording of his full remarks can be found at the end of this story.)

Mitchell

     Mitchell gave updates on the several projects either under construction, approved but not yet building and others still in the application/approval process.
     The biggest of those - 316-unit Terminal One - is in the process of doing some environmental remediation, he said.
    "Hopefully by this time next year they will be starting to move the dirt relative to the development itself," Mitchell said.
     Mitchell also said that that new Richmond-to-San Francisco ferry - scheduled to begin service in early 2018 - will have a big impact.
     "The ferry is a game changer if we handle it right," he said.
     Handling it right means ensuring there is adequate ridership for the ferry to continue.


     In response to a question about the traffic expected to be generated by all the new housing , Mitchell said initially there will be issues to be dealt with.
     But he added that he believes the way people use automobiles is changing. He cited the impact of services like Uber and Lyft, among other considerations.
     And he said not to rely too heavily on traffic studies.
     "Traffic counts don't ever come up to the perceptions we have of traffic impacts," he said.

     Mitchell's full comments - including the questions and answers - can be heard by clicking on the video link below.

(Sound recording by Sylvia S. Fox)

Presentation on Point Richmond housing projects at Pt. Richmond business luncheon

   POINT RICHMOND - The City of Richmond's Director of Planning and Building will give an update Thursday at the Pt. Richmond Business Association luncheon on the status of four Point Richmond housing projects either currently approved, under construction, or in the application process.
    
   The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Up and Under restaurant upstairs board room. Discussion start at noon.
   
    Director Richard Mitchell is expected to talk about the already approved Terminal One and Shea Homes Waterline projects, a proposed project by Las Vegas-based New West for Seacliff Drive and the nearly completed project adjacent to Mechanics Bank in the Pt. Richmond Business District.

A question and answer interview with the architect of that business district project can be found here: Interview with David Trachtenberg

Apartments under construction adjacent to Mechanics Bank (Photo by Laura Paull)

Take 'the Plunge' at Sat., July 15 celebration

   POINT RICHMOND, Calif. - A party & fundraiser for the final steps in completion of restoration of the Plunge campus will be held Saturday, July 15.
    Events begin at 2 p.m. with ticket sales, kicking off a series of fun events that run well into the evening, concluding with a movie.
    The funds collected for the event will allow the Plunge West Project team to break ground on the west side of the building for a bocce ball court, new walkway, side and back gardens.

    The project will also include a sustainability teaching garden and a butterfly habitat, Maryn Hurlbut said.
    "The walkway will be made with etched pavers that you can buy right now," she said. "Your family and business can be immortalized by ordering your paver right now."
    Etched large pavers cost $275 each.
    The dinner is being provided by Saluté, Hotel Mac Restaurant, Up and Under, and Assemble with kid pizza by Raymond's. Adult dinners are $15. Kid's dinners are a $5 donation. Dinner includes a movie with popcorn. Dessert is being provided by Brezo.
    Beer and wine are available for purchase but not included in the ticket price.  
   To purchase the pavers and tickets go to: http://www.rta-ca.org

    "Please print/save your receipt and bring it with you for entrance to the dinner and movie," Hurlbut said.

    "And please support this highly requested town improvement by buying your tickets right now. With everyone's help, groundbreaking will happen in July."

    For more information, call  510-237-6880

EVENTS SCHEDULE

The Plunge Garden Celebration Program on July 15th kicks off at 2 pm with check in and free passes for a swim at either the Plunge (2-4 PM) or the Richmond Swim Center at any of their scheduled swim times.

At 3 p.m., there will be an opening magic act, face painting, fun photo op and music will continue throughout the day.  There will also be a special “no littering” sign drawing contest with awards!

At 4:30 Richmond Mayor Tom Butt will announce the winners of his Second Annual Garden Contest.

At 5:30 the dinner and a movie part of the program begins with appetizers, beer, wine and soft drinks being served behind the Plunge Building in the Picnic Garden Area.

At 6;30 p.m. dinner will follow in the Picnic Garden Area provided by Salute, Assemble, The Mac Restaurant and Up & Under.  Dessert will be provided by Brezo.

At 8:00, the evening entertainment starts with more magic and surprises.

At 8:30, everyone will settle into their own lawn chairs (or blankets) on the two tennis courts to watch a movie displayed on the back of the Plunge Building.

More details will be announced during the rest of June. 

Celebration at Temple Beth Hillel in Hilltop honors service of Rabbi Dean Kertesz

RICHMOND - Temple Beth Hillel held a special celebration last month honoring Rabbi Dean Kertesz for his 10 years of service.

Kertesz

    Approximately 100 people attended offering tributes to Kertesz, including Michael Cohen president of the congregation and Holocaust survivor Sam Genirberg.

   The evening included a potluck dinner, numerous tributes to the rabbi, Israeli folk dancing, singing - and a Havdalah service.

    Kertesz is the son of European refugees, grew up in El Cerrito and still lives in the family home there.

    He graduated from Reed College in Portland, Oregon and joined a kibbutz in Israel for several years. He and his wife Carla Cassler have a daughter and son.

    When the post of rabbi came open in 2006, Kertesz was selected from a large field of more experienced candidates.

    "His decades of life experience, work with Jewish organizations, relaxed intelligence and desire to serve this community made him the winning candidate," a Temple Beth Hillel member said.

Cantor Fran Burgess leads students in song at the celebration

PRNC to hear updates on parking and proposed Bottoms Quarry development

   POINT RICHMOND - An update on revised plans for New West Development Corporation of Las Vegas' proposed housing project off Seacliff Drive will be considered Wednesday at the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council.

     The meeting is open to the public, begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the Point Richmond Community Center on Washington Avenue.

New West Homes project site

     The 270-unit project has been discussed at several PRNC meetings, including a special meeting in mid-March. At that meeting numerous Point residents asked questions about the height of the buildings, traffic impacts and safety concerns about ingress and egress for the project off Seacliff.

     Residents also questioned whether rezoning the land from recreational use to residential was the best use of the property.

    A link to the March 16 story and photos is here: Bottoms Quarry project concerns.

   The PRNC is also expected to hear a presentation by Denee Evans of the City of Richmond about proposals to redo parking and make Washington Avenue and Park Place one-way streets.

   The parking presentation will be one of the first items of business. The proposed Bottoms Quarry development is on the agenda at 8:10 p.m.

Bagel brunch May 21 to feature dramatic reading of Ibsen's 'An Enemy of the People'

   RICHMOND - The Sunday morning bagel brunch May 21 at Temple Beth Hillel will feature a staged reading of the famous play An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen.
     The brunch begins at 10:15 a.m. Introductory comments and the reading of the play begin at 10:30 a.m. The play will conclude at 12:30 p.m.
     The brunch and play are open the public. A $15 per person donation is suggested.

   
     The play will be read by the Actors Ensemble of Berkeley and directed by Bay Area's Michael Cohen, who is also president of Temple Beth Hillel.
     The play is an adaption written by Arthur Miller in 1950, an exploration of what can happen to the truth when it stands face to face against the will of the people.
    Many critics over the years have called An Enemy of The People the first ecology play.
    The protagonist, Dr. Stockmann, is an idealistic Norwegian physician. He discovers that the waters in the popular baths of his hometown are contaminated. As he attempts to warn of an environmental disaster, he is shouted down by the people, worried about their livelihoods.
 
    They eventually label him "an enemy of the people."
    The story is filled with historical significance and has many implications for environmental issues we face today.
    Temple Beth Hillel is located in the Hilltop area of Richmond.