Dear Friends,

Since my last newsletter, there has been a hustle and bustle of activities throughout Richmond.

One of the biggest achievements is that Richmond City Hall has moved back to Civic Center Plaza in our newly renovated LEED-certified green building. We're very pleased to have City Hall back in the heart of Richmond at 450 Civic Center Plaza. Our move "home" won't be complete, however, until July with the completion of another renovated building, 440 Civic Center Plaza, which will house our new Council Chambers.

It is especially exciting to experience the public art installations that are now in place throughout the Civic Center, from the fountain in the center of the Plaza to the elevator doors, glass walls and the many pieces of art that hang throughout City Hall. And more art installations are to follow, including the mural by Richmond artist John Wehrle, that will welcome all to the new Council Chambers.

These installations of public art "humanize" the entire complex. Richmond has always had a deep appreciation of art, giving voice to our history, our will, and our perseverance as a community. This Civic Center art display is the largest single public art project in Richmond and the latest expression of our collective cultural voice.

Surrounding the outdoor art are plantings and greenery to provide a natural environment for civic engagement and community events.

And speaking of civic engagement, not only have we been involved in our historic move these past several weeks, but we have also been busy with many civic acknowledgements and celebrations.

Below are some of the memorable Richmond activities held in April and May:

We celebrated Earth Day by a special proclamation to honor the many community gardens we have growing in our Richmond neighborhoods, schools and along the Greenway.

We celebrated May Day by honoring local labor leaders.

We celebrated Cinco de Mayo with a great parade and festivities on 23rd Street.

We partnered with the Richmond Chamber of Commerce in presenting the annual Green Expo that included Green Bus Tours displaying green businesses, projects and efforts throughout the city.

We celebrated the Centennial Anniversary of our Richmond Police Department with a beautiful event at Marina Bay Park.

We honored City of Richmond employees during Public Service and Public Works Week for their great work, commitment and service to our residents.

Future activities coming up in June include:

Monday June 15th, West County Indicator's Project will present results of their 3 year community research project titled: Measuring What Matters: Neighborhood Research for Economic and Environmental Health and Justice in Richmond, North Richmond and San Pablo.

This report release and community forum will take place from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at St. Mark's Church, 159 Harbour Way in Richmond. (This is a bilingual Spanish/English event with interpretation available.)

Vital information will be presented on problems, solutions, and resources for change on these issues: city park conditions, employment of formerly incarcerated residents, health effects of freight trucks and trains, lead contamination in homes, liquor store concentrations, local tax revenue from Chevron, refinery air contamination, shoreline access, street lighting, and water contamination.

The report will also be available online June 15 at www.pacinst.org

Saturday, June 20, please join Richmond's Juneteenth Celebration 2009!

The parade, which starts at 10:30 a.m., will begin at Marina Way and Cutting Blvd and end at Nicholl Park. The Festival begins at 11:30 a.m. until 6 pm at Nicholl Park (32nd and Macdonald Ave. in Richmond).

Juneteenth celebrates African-American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. For further information on volunteering, participating in the parade, or to request a vendor?s application, please call the Juneteenth Hotline at (510) 620-6516.

I look forward to seeing everyone there. The Mayor's Office contingent will be walking in the parade, as always, with our banner displaying the profound words of American abolitionist Frederick Douglass: No Progress Without Struggle!

Sunday, June 28, the Pachamama Alliance invites you to: Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium

The Symposium is a profound inquiry into a bold vision: to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on this planet.

This will take place from 2 pm to 6 pm at Unity Church of Richmond - 351 28th St. (cross street Nevin Ave.)

Register by web - www.awakeningthedreamer.org by phone - (510) 234-6580 by email - trish0105@aol.com (preregistration recommended but not required)

Cost: $10-$20 donation requested (no one turned away for lack of funds) Refreshments will be served Special guest speaker: Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin

Friday, June 26, this year's Annual Summit Meeting of the East Bay Green Corridor Partnership will take place at the Oakland Metropolitan Museum, James Moore Theater (from 8:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m).

I invite everyone to join me at all of these June events. They are sure to be informative, inspiring, and bring the joy of community-building to a higher level!

Sincerely, Mayor McLaughlin

PS Please check out my website: http://gaylemclaughlin.net/press-index.htm to read recent media coverage of ongoing local issues and efforts.

PPS Stay tuned for another e-newsletter where I will be giving updates on Chevron-related issues, as we continue the fight for justice for the people of Richmond!