Bay Area Rescue Mission provides real value through the services they offer to the community. I…read morepersonally referred someone there, and they were very helpful, especially in assisting a woman in her 80s. The staff showed patience, respect, and genuine care. It's reassuring to see an organization that truly follows through and supports people when they need it most.

Review is for volunteering experience:…read more This year, my work team decided to volunteer at the Richmond Bay Area Rescue Mission (BARM). I did not know much about BARM, other than they do offer meals to the needy and are a Christian-faith organization. We had no idea what we'll be helping with on the day of arrival. Our entire group of 12 or so did have to pass a COVID Antigen test before entering. Our event turned out to be kitchen duties, like you read about in Kitchen Confidential or from cooking reality shows. Everyone was super friendly, but you feel the adrenalin of working hard in a commercial kitchen. You work as a team and you work safely, since you got hot surfaces, sharp objects, boiling liquids and occasionally wet floor everywhere. My main task was dishwasher, which brings back memories of my first job. Scrape, Rinse, Sanitize and dry! Those high-powered Hobart washing machines make cleanup a snap. The feel of the nozzle is great as it blasts away all food scraps. Wish I had these at home! My next task was helping cutting up some 30-50 pounds of chicken breast for a marinade. The chef was planning to make some coconut-curry soup so he occasionally dumped Five-Spice and Chili Sauce as we cut. Those Dexter Chef Knifes were super sharp and the blade was something like 10" to 12" long, like a short sword. I thought my home 6" Henckels Chef Knife was sharp but those Dexter knives were on a different level. At the end, I can show my blisters proudly. My other colleagues served food to customers, cooked, diced vegetables, cracked dozens of eggs, unloaded a delivery truck, and moved things to the freezers. They got some high-quality produce here from Costco, Sprouts, and Trader Joes, and some of it organic! Highly recommend considering BARM if you're interested in volunteering some time. Being in a commercial kitchen was also fun since you experience what its like to be part of the machine that cranks out food. Everyone had a role to play to make it possible to crank out 50-100 meals per shift.

This review was for the good table, not the shed, pls ignore tgis,…read more The place is nice, but the service was a mess, sister got her coffee cold, ask to warm ir up, the guy took the coffee and turn on the steamer, which the coffee spilled out all over, he did not even try to clean it off, we asked for a nspkin to wipe it off, and another customer gave us one, we also asked to have a muffin and to have it heated up, came cold, and when I asked to get it heated, he said yes in a minute which I had to ask again when we finally got our coffee, there we 4 people on duty and only 1 person waiting for coffee, all they were doing was standing around doing nothing. The man was totally rude, nice place, lots of live plants to explore, service not so good, will probably try one more time, but will most likely stay with Starbucks if service like this again.

I walked in on a whim a couple days ago as I pass through El Sobrante regularly and wondered, "what…read moreis this place?" As my two tweens and I walked in we were so pleasantly surprised to find this super cute store filled with handmade wood and knit handicrafts. I fell in love immediately. The woman, whom I'd assume is the store owner was so unbelievably helpful and kind. I left with a new cutting board and made mental notes to return for shearling slippers and notebooks made from Japanese paper for my daughters. Did i mention how much I love this cute lil store? We need more small businesses like this in the area. It's the perfect place to buy a unique handmade gift. Also, the woman in the store suggested that we check out the nursery next door and I'm so glad we did. She also mentioned the farmers market across the street on Sundays.

And you'll be wanting to know what happened to my review of El Cerrito High School. Yep, the…read morecleansing sweep of Yelp TOS'd this review too. But, I live within a block of the school and follow its progress every day. So...I think I'm in a position to tell you about the place. Here's the review: Yes, I went to ECHS a thousand years ago, and no, it wasn't my finest educational hour! But... It wasn't the school's fault. I was a teenager. Get it? So, lets start with a few corrections: Bronwen, I've been watching over the school now for sixty years.Literally. I don't think that at any time "the board got pushed by a couple of homeowners." There were a number of community-based meeting when the new campus was about to be built. Homeowners went to these meetings and were asked what they would like to see in a new school The result was a very nice school building, awesome auditorium, and appropriate "setbacks" so that the hillside wouldn't slide into the new school. We do live at the edge of the Blakemont slide... Wouldn't want our neighborhood kids to be buried in mud, you know. Speaking of which...DO NOT refer to the kids as "pretty ghetto." These are kids in school. Not out on the streets. Where the kids are from is irrelevant. Where they are going is to the university. Good jobs. Good places. They have hope in their hearts, these kids in school...and the future really does belong with them. Easy on the mudslinging.....it smacks of inappropriate racism. Lots of nifty programs at the school these days. FIne (local) principal. All very well managed by teachers, staff and students. Campus police available for those intruding moments, which are rare. Do stay hopeful. I think these kids are going to be able to support you in your old age. When Social Security comes knocking at your door. And it will. Trust me. Trust the future.....

I am an El Cerrito High graduate and my younger sister is a current student there…read more I was fortunate enough to spend a year in the old building, but spend the remainder of my years in portables. Despite the portables, ECHS was enjoyable. The block system has changed a bit since I attended but it still maintains the general 3 classes for half a year, and then another 3 classes. In my opinion this system is nice in the fact that we're not simply in a class for 50 minutes and then off to the next one. But on the other hand it's easier to not remember information learned in one class and having to carry it over to the next school year. The new school looks great. I've heard there are multiple gyms, a dance studio, and tons of brand new buildings. The teaching staff was nice and helped me get into the college I had wanted. Since then I'm sure some of the teachers have moved on, but I did see a few memorable faces when I go to pick up my sister. All together ECHS is like any high school. It has its ups and downs, depending on who you hang out with. But in terms of teaching and facilities, it's one of the better schools in the area.

Amazing pre-k class and staff. I could go on about the progress my child has made since the first…read moreday of school to this day. This isn't our home school so we're sad to be leaving for TK soon. Will def miss everyone and they've forever left a mark on our hearts.

This place is amazing the teachers are kind and no rude kids and I have a lot of friends here the…read morebuilding is a little big and old I still like it it's like the best school ever

Trunk or treat was a great success ! A huge thank you to Mr Gomez ! The ESCS staff and families !read more

First off I would like the thank the Pastor and staff of this school. They truly care about the…read morekids and instill the word of God and high family morals into them. This is an excellent christian school which our kids need and their education is amazing. Its a safe, loving and God fearing environment who put God, the kids and education as a top priority. To those who read Laurie M. review she is a complusive liar with major anger issues. She reviewed them negatively because the school wouldnt force me to leave a parking spot so she can have it. Which sounds crazy but it is the truth. She lied about the pastor and the staff whom she only met once to ask him to make me move and calls everyone ignorant when she doesnt get her way. Clearly she has serious anger issues and needs Jesus. Today she blocked me in forcing me to contact the school to talk to her. I am glad her son is in 8th grade graduating so I dont have to deal with her next year. If she would have asked me like a normal person to please move and explained why, I would have, instead she flipped me off and blocked me with her car. Again please do not let her post steer you in the wrong direction if you are looking for a Christian school to put your young kids in. I believe this is one of the best schools that the bay area has to offer. Thanks goodness for them.

My son is playing his second year with WCCYSL and he enjoys it so much. His first year he was a bit…read moreconfused having zero knowledge of the sport, but he has improved on his knowledge and skill. He enjoys his coaches & teammates, and running into his cousins who also play, friends from school & from his other team sports.

We have had our children enrolled at Stewart School for two years now and have had a positive…read moreexperience. We appreciate that Stewart is a small school with an active PTA and parent community. Despite budget cuts that have impacted the entire WCCUSD district, Stewart's leadership has remained communicative and committed to building back and strengthening school culture. We made the decision to send our kids to Stewart because of the Dual Language Immersion program, and have not been disappointed- they both can read in Spanish and English and have been exposed to many cultural experiences that they would not otherwise have been.

We have loved our time at Stewart! My son started at Stewart as a kindergarten with an amazing…read moreSpanish dual language immersion teacher. He is now in 5th grade with another amazing teacher. He is excelling well above grade level and speaks, reads and write in both Spanish and English even though we are not a Spanish speaking household. My daughter also goes to Stewart and had the same teachers as he did. She is in 3rd grade with a truly great teacher, Maestra Reyes, and also excelling. The culture at the school is what drew us there. It's very inclusive and friendly. The PTA and admin staff hold events for the community to come together including academic nights, community potlucks and movie nights. Since this is a TK-8 school the students get to stay on the same campus making the transition to middle school a breeze. Stewart is a true gem in Pinole!

Wonderful school! Beautiful area. I appreciate all the work that the after school and the parents…read moreand community Due to make this place a really wonderful spot to have students grow up. It is community center and that's what is our favorite.

I would be lucky to have my children attend this school. I appreciate the teachers, the kids, and…read morethe staff. They have done a great job to make everyone feel welcomed. I have only been here for a year and a half and feel like I am already part of the family. Check with the main office if you would like a tour.