A remembrance of Japanese flower growers blooms in Richmond
Years in the making, new historical signs are expected to be installed in the Miraflores Greenbelt this summer.

A collection of historians, nursery family members, community groups, city officials and staff fought from the beginning for the Miraflores project to include a way of honoring its Japanese immigrant history. These advocates included the Richmond Rotary, the National Park Service, the Park Plaza Neighborhood Council, the city’s Historical Preservation Commission and the Contra Costa Japanese American Cities League.

Wednesday, August 5

Free groceries available at CoBiz
Grocery Giveaway 2026,
2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
CoBiz Richmond
1503 Macdonald Ave., Suite A

Richmond Rotarians are volunteering at this event.

Free food will again be available at a grocery giveaway in downtown Richmond. The distribution is held on the first Wednesday of every month at the CoBiz Richmond office.

The event is co-sponsored by CoBiz and the Brothers of International Faith, a nonprofit organization based in Richmond. Those attending are advised to arrive early as supplies generally are exhausted within an hour.

The food items include fruits, vegetables, potatoes, desserts, snacks, milk and eggs. At some giveaways, there is also meat and packaged goods such as sandwiches, juices and other drinks. The food comes from establishments such as Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Pony Express. The Richmond giveaway is one of more than a dozen monthly food distributions organized by Stanley “Mr. Stan” Byias, the co-founder of the Brothers of International Faith.

It’s been so wonderful seeing so many of our Peres Elementary students in the clinic lately — both for their routine check-ups and for treatment. Keeping those smiles healthy is always our favorite part of the job! 😊

A huge congratulations to all of the students on making it to the end of the year — you worked hard and you deserve to celebrate! 🎉

And to those graduating and moving on to a new school — we are so proud of you! Wishing you all the best on this exciting next chapter. No matter where you go, we’ll always be cheering you on! 💚

Keep smiling, keep brushing, and have an amazing summer! ☀️

🙏 A special thank you to Principal West for your leadership and dedication to these students, @richmondcarotary, @westcontracostaedfund, and @kaiserpermanente for your incredible guidance and support. None of this would be possible without you
💙!

#PeresElementary #EndOfYear #KidsDentistry #HealthySmiles #communityfirst

Rotarian Darlene Drapkin is in Shimada Japan with Jr Ambassadors at airport, at City Hall Friendship Monument, with a Shimada Delegation, conveyor belt sushi.

The Host Family is wearing Factory Bar Richmond Shirts, Lotus flowers and running into Hirono at Farmers Market, who stayed with Rotarians Doreen and Henry Corvell 40 years ago and attended DeAnza HS!

Looking forward to visiting Shimada Rotary Club!