San Pablo

More than 44,000 blood donations are needed nationwide daily, according to the American Red Cross; recent natural disasters and other national emergencies highlight the need for a steady flow of donors  

In semiannual Academic Performance Index (API) scores released Friday, Bay Area schools showed a wide range of results, with many ranked at the top, but also a significant number showing up in the bottom levels.  

Albany Albany Senior Center -- 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. 846 Masonic Ave. Health insurance counseling by HICAP 1-3 p.m. May 27. Traditional circle dance class for women of all ages, 10:15-11:30 a.  

The marker at the SS Red Oak Victory will be rededicated at a Memorial Day ceremony sponsored by the Richmond Museum Association and the El Cerrito Garden Club on Monday at 1337 Canal Blvd. in the Port of Richmond.  

PINOLE -- The following is a partial list of animals that may be available for adoption at the Animal Services Department, 910 San Pablo Ave.Dogs: Female Siberian husky mix, 2 years; female pit bull mix, 8 months; male Jack Russell terrier mix, 6 months; neutered male terrier mix, 4 years; spayed  

MARTINEZ -- Two teens have been charged with attempted murder for shooting two Albany High School students near the BART tracks in El Cerrito earlier this year, authorities said Tuesday.  

The East Bay Municipal Utility District's West of Hills Northern Pipelines Project involves construction of 8.5 miles of water-transmission pipelines to ensure a reliable water supply to parts of North Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, Hercules and Crockett.  

A distinguished group of recipients make up the class of 2013 who will be honored at Richmond's annual Historic Preservation Awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m. May 17 in the City Council Chambers 440 Civic Center Plaza.  

Daryl Louder, the lame-duck, politically tone-deaf chief of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, continues to peddle the station plan at the same time that his district is closing stations elsewhere in the county because it lacks sufficient operating funds.  

Susan Tripp Pollard/Staff file

A unanimous Richmond council Tuesday declared that subsequent studies should focus on northern expansion through Richmond, not through the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station along the Interstate 80 corridor.  

The play at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, based on the popular youth book 'Richmond Tales,' is a service project commissioned by the Rotary Club of Richmond  

Albany Albany Senior Center -- 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. 846 Masonic Ave. Health insurance counseling by HICAP 1-3 p.m. May 13. Mercy Brown Bag and low-vision support group May 17.  

Jason Alabanza, a vice president at Richmond-based Mechanics Bank and manager of its Albany branch, spends a good chunk of his time on community issues, including serving on the board of the Albany Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed to improve the city's schools.  

The waiver was necessary because the district's schools have $797 million in outstanding bond debt, which left no more bonding capacity for the $360 million in debt authorized by Measure E, passed by district voters on Nov. 6  

The beautification of the tunnel's south portal is made in memory of longtime Point Richmond resident Peter Minkwitz, who died last year.  

The beautification of the tunnel's south portal is made in memory of longtime Point Richmond resident Peter Minkwitz, who died last year.  

The California Supreme Court got it right Monday when it unanimously ruled that local governments have authority to ban certain activities -- in this case marijuana dispensaries -- from operating within their borders.  

San Pablo could join Richmond and 12 municipalities in Marin County in opting to offer residents electricity from Marin Clean Energy, a nonprofit utility provider that sells energy that is over 50 percent renewable.  

One of humankind's oldest art forms is celebrated annually at the Bay Area Storytelling Festival, which returns May 17 to 19 at the Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbour Way South in Richmond.  

The route north should go through downtown Richmond, says Richmond Planning Director Richard Mitchell, who also sits on the Hercules Planning Commission. BART District 7 board director Zakhary Mallett prefers an I-80 corridor alignment, but he advocates a study to determine which route would be most feasible  

A Napa man allegedly made an unsafe lane change and hit two other vehicles, causing three Richmond residents to be rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.  

Furry and feathered creatures will be on display to learn about and possibly adopt at the free Noah's Ark Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11 at Christ The Lord Church, 592 Tennent Ave., across the street from Fernandez Park.  

The city, RecycleMore and the Watershed Project will show ways to create high quality soil for healthy plants, make compost and conserve resources, and participants will also be contributing to Wanlass Park by helping plant garden boxes there.  

May means fun for all the family at the Environmental Education Center at Tilden Nature Area in the Berkeley hills, where a full day of festivities is planned for May 5.  

The outdoor venue at a private home will be a chance to see the top-selling performer with his full band and backup singers in an intimate setting at a benefit for Wavy Gravy's Camp Winnarainbow  

The outdoor venue at a private home will be a chance to see the top-selling performer with his full band and backup singers in an intimate setting at a benefit for Wavy Gravy's Camp Winnarainbow  

Albany Albany Senior Center -- 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. 846 Masonic Ave. Mercy Brown Bag May 3. Traditional circle dance class for women of all ages, 10:15-11:30 a.  

Mayday means fun for all the family at the Environmental Education Center at Tilden Nature Area in the Berkeley hills, where a full day of festivities is planned for May 5.  

Cinco DE Mayo EVENTS RICHMOND-SAN PABLO: The San Pablo-Richmond Cinco de Mayo Unity Parade and Festival is Saturday and begins at 10 a.m. with a parade from Richmond Civic Center, at 27th Street and Nevin Avenue, to San Pablo City Hall, 13831 San Pablo Ave.  

A partnership of agencies is promoting healthy eating by hosting a Fruit and Veggie 2013 Festival from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Grocery Outlet store, 2079 23rd St. Attendees can sample healthy and tasty recipes, take home a free cookbook and learn how to choose the best foods to serve at family meals.