Richmond Roundup

Richmond Branch Library to raise money creating tiles
The public is invited to help raise money for a new play structure outside the Richmond/Sen. Milton Marks Branch Library's Children's Reading Room by making a personalized tile that will adorn a seating wall around the playground's perimeter. Each tile costs $100, which is tax-deductible, and will be decorated according to the theme of the seating wall - creatures from folklore and mythology.

Tile artist Paul Burns will be on-hand to show participants how to sculpt unique images into wet clay tiles that will later be factory glazed and fired in a variety of colors. All ages are welcome and no experience is necessary. Donor names will be listed on a tile band on the wall. The tile-making workshop will be held at the Richmond Recreation Center, located at 251 18th Ave., on Sunday, June 8, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 831-7000.

Free exhibit at de Young
The works of artist Dale Chihuly will be on display at the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum beginning Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15. With the support of Target and a non-profit arts organization called the Crucible, the museum will be free for all visitors during the weekend. A variety of visual and performing artists will be on hand to entertain the public. Activities include live music, bronze casting, metal torch cutting, sculpture installations, clowns, circus arts, and more.

The de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park is open on weekends from 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. For more information, call 750-3600.

New Playland museum opens
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, an interactive museum, invites kids of all ages to its gala grand opening on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 10979 San Pablo Ave. in El Cerrito. The "museum of fun" includes 20 exhibit areas depicting America's bygone amusements, working carnival games collected over the past 40 years, penny arcades from 100 years ago, vintage games in the Coney Island Pinball Museum, and more.

For more information, call (510) 592-3002 or visit the Web site at www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org. Admission is $5.

Services for local businesses
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Small Business Commission recently announced the opening of a Small Business Assistance Center, which is dedicated to serving the needs of small businesses located in San Francisco through information, resources and services.

Staff members are responsible for assessing entrepreneurs' business needs and providing targeted one-on-one assistance in the areas of start-up/expansion, the permit process, procurement, compliance with government laws and regulations and resource referrals. For more information, call 554-6134.