2025 Editorial Calendar
AHello Neighbors
pril always brings us a mix of moments— April Fool’s Day for a bit of fun, Tax Day as a reminder of the year’s duties, and Earth Day to remind us to do our part to appreciate and protect our beautiful planet!
This year, we also celebrate Easter in April, adding a special sense of reflection and joy to the month. April is a time of contrasts—lighthearted moments and serious ones, rain and sunshine, all coming together to remind us of the beauty of spring.
We are excited to welcome three new advertisers this month! GRC Roofing, a family owned and operated company for over 30 years in the Bay Area, who specialize in both residential and commercial roofing. UBCP-Hilltop Pediatrics, centrally located in Richmond on Hilltop Mall Road, is a children-focused medical group associated with
UCSF Benioff Children’s Physicians that strives “to treat each and every patient as we would want our own children to be treated.” And the friendly husband and wife duo at Dayem Real Estate Team— Joe and Maha Dayem—look forward to serving you with all your housing and real estate needs.
From all of us here at CC Marketplace Magazine, we wish for April to shower you with happiness and beautiful moments!
Susie | Jacqueline
Feature article developed, researched, and written by
Karen Walker
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST RULES OR METHODS FOR LIMITING A CHILD'S SCREEN TIME?
According to a study released in 2024 from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), tweens spend an average of 5.5 hours PER DAY on screens (cell phone, computer, TV, etc), and teens, an average of 8.5 hours a day! Time spent on a screen is the amount of time NOT spent in physical activity, socializing with family and friends in person, and sleep.
The study further found that spending more time on screens increases the likelihood that 9- and 10-year olds will develop symptoms of mental illness. Not surprisingly, studying a diverse group of kids nationwide for two years revealed that more screen time is associated with more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, inattention and aggression.
So, what’s a parent to do? Here are some of the responses we received.
HAVE A PLAN, AND EXECUTE CONSISTENTLY
All agreed on this.
LIMIT TIME
“For TV screens, I do what my parents did, only allow on the weekends, one movie or two episodes max per day, Friday and Saturday only, and try to view as a family,” says Suzanne M. Clinton, mother of seven. “For computer entertainment such as gaming, it’s only allowed on the weekends, with a time limit of 1 hour per day for kids over age 8. Always give kids a 10-minute warning if they are gaming, so they can tell their friends they need to leave the game. Under age 8 it is not allowed. Cell phone screen time is zero. Don’t give your kid a smart phone. A call/text phone is enough.”
“It’s a challenge, honestly,” admits Nick C., Richmond. “As a single dad I try to balance educational screen time with playful apps or fun on the iPad. I often set the kitchen timer so my daughter knows exactly how much time she gets. And when it goes off, I’m not the bad guy!"
LIMIT ACCESS
“Make sure you use wifi parental controls to block unwanted sites and try to curate games to allow only those games that they can more easily leave,” adds Clinton. “It’s not easy for kids because there’s a lot of money in creating addictive games that can last hours.”
DAC says, “It really depends on the age, but actually being involved with them while they have screen time, so that you can turn it off, change the channel, switch the video, limit scrolling, etc, until they are “old” enough to make best choices based on knowing what you would allow.”
“Cell phones for only a responsible teenager, and with internet shielding,” says Stephen Six, father
of six boys. “Only the oldest in a big family—or the most responsible—gets one. Computer use with adult supervision only and placed in the kitchen or in a busy main floor room.”
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Lisa D in San Rafael says, “Our children earn their screen time based on being active and helpful. Once they spend some time outdoors, do homework if needed, or complete a few chores, they earn the equivalent time on their screen. Also, when they are visiting grandparents or have an occasional restaurant outing, it’s a screen-free zone for everyone. The biggest challenge is modeling this behavior. They learn by watching so we try to limit our parental screen time as well.”
PROVIDE FUN ALTERNATIVES
“Be a parent; you are in control,” says Michael Van Hecke, father of three and a seasoned educator. “In addition, fill-in the time and formation of your child with real activities, and join them. If we, as adults, cannot get off of our screens, how could we ever hope that they do. Regain and retain your relationships. See Humanality.org, AN AWESOME NEW ORGANIZATION!
“Turn off the wifi at bedtime. What’s equally, if not more important overall is filling their free time with family activities, hobbies, sports, etc.,” adds Clinton.
Mattie A. agrees. “I think the best method is providing a fun alternative that can also bring about some movement, to counter the effects of screen time. Swimming, being outdoors, and nature activities are great alternatives.”
“My wife, Maha, wrote a children’s book, The Land of Dooney: Dean & Della’s Discovery. It’s all about getting kids off their screens and getting more out into nature. Kids are really engaged when they read it,” adds Joe Dayem, Richmond. “Here’s the website: TheLandOfDooney.com” (Links to Amazon are on the website)
NO RULES
“We don’t have any rules or methods limiting screen time for our little one.” says Vanessa.
Resources Mentioned:
• Humanality.org
• TheLandofDooney.com
QUESTION FOR JUNE (Deadline: April 16)
Q. WHAT IS THE BEST (OR WORST) ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED REGARDING HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS?
Please submit your response by April 16, 2025 — including your name (as you’d like to see it in print) and city — to: sales@ccmarketplacemag.com
For demolition projects, please contact KJ Demolition: Phone: (510) 275-9994 Email: contact@kjdemolition.com
For concrete, drainage, or foundation work, please contact Dimension Construction: Phone: (510) 275-3201 Email: contact@dimensionus.com
to
proudly
COMMUNITY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!
by Karen Walker
When you live and work in the community you’re serving—whether it’s fighting crime, helping families, mentoring youth— it’s critical to also help their support system.
nyone who meets local resident Rich Doellstedt will quickly recognize his talent for organizational leadership. A tall drink of a man, kind, low-key and calm with a ready, welcoming smile, Rich grew up in Richmond, splitting his career between the family business (Richmond Wholesale Meat) and youth leadership. He eventually followed his passion for serving, guiding and mentoring youth full time in the Midwest, before returning to the Bay Area. He now serves as chair of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
A keen observer of people and life, Rich listens when anyone speaks. He is not one to interrupt or call attention to himself. He seems pleased to let others shine for the sake of a greater good, a stronger community. Yet as others speak, you can almost hear Rich’s mind processing, organizing elements of conversation and problem-solving. In a nutshell, Rich is the kind of person you want on your team. The kind of person who moves things forward in a solid way. The kind of person who ultimately helps impact lives and communities, positively.
GOOD COMMUNITIES ARE BUILT FROM THE INSIDE OUT… DOELLSTEDT KNOWS THIS FIRST-HAND
“I was four when my parents moved here. Richmond had a tough image even then, in 1959,” Rich reflects. But that didn’t phase us. “Dad launched his meat business here. He wanted to make Richmond proud. My parents believed it was important to be involved in the local ...continued on page 28
THE GROUT GUYS
...continued from page 26
community, local churches, local schools.”
Growing up, Rich and his family were not immune from experiencing racial tensions, problems, even violence. “But by the grace of God,” Rich says, “I felt drawn to be part of the solution, in spite of it all.”
“For six decades now, Richmond Wholesale Meat has been—and continues to be—a cornerstone of the local community,” he says. “Mom and Dad worked hard to build and grow the business, yet they never failed to give back, with gratitude, to the local community.”
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
• When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without hurting the poor and yourself, by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert
• Theirs is the Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America, by Robert Lupton
“What I found over the years,” Rich adds, “is that working with youth needs to be holistic and multi-faceted because you’re trying to create a win-win environment, including helping the family and the support system(s) that surround each youth. It’s not just running a youth program. When you live and work in the community you’re serving—whether it’s fighting crime, helping families, mentoring youth—it’s critical to also help their support system.”
“I believe in getting local community involvement in whatever you do, if you want to make a real, lasting difference in people’s lives,” Rich explains. “If you don’t get buy-in from the community, you won’t succeed.”
BE
THE
“There are many organizations, neighborhood groups and churches helping to create a path to success in our city of Richmond,” adds Rich. (See the sidebar for more information.)
INTERSECTION OF PASSION AND PURPOSE
Rich always felt drawn to serving middle school-aged kids. “I just relate to that age,” he laughs. “They’re beginning to become adults and it’s a great time to invest in their future from a godly perspective. God created us. He wants to see us thrive. I see in that age group hope, energy, openness... even opportunity, joy and peace. This is an opportune time to create foundations for life!”
After attending Contra Costa Community College and earning a business degree from Cal State Hayward, Rich wanted to serve youth and their support systems full time. He accepted such an opportunity in Chicago and met his wife there, resulting in a beautiful partnership of 35 years (so far). After seven years in Chicago, Rich accepted a school principal job in Wisconsin for five years, ultimately returning to the Bay Area to lead the family business when his father retired.
“I like to tie in business and ministry—teaching, mentoring youth in work ethic, people skills, leadership, confidence, accountability…there is really a great opportunity in the business venue for mentoring and fostering lifelong good habits in youth, and for helping to make our local community a good place to work and live.”
Rich currently volunteers at his church (Living Hope Neighborhood Church in Richmond) teaching and mentoring neighborhood youth.
DIFFERENCE, WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:
• Bay Area Rescue Mission (a key safety net for men, women and children): www.bayarearescue.org
• CoBiz (a business incubator working with local youth entrepreneurs): www.cobizrichmond.com
• RPAL - Richmond Police Activity League (recreational, educational and culinary development for youth): www.rpal.org
• Today’s Youth Matter (youth mentoring): www.TYMKids.org
Rich Doellstedt excels in helping transform local communities, youth and organizations, from the inside out
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY BUSINESS
April 2025 EVENTS
APRIL EVENTS AT THE HERCULES LIBRARY
109 Civic Dr., Hercules. 510-245-2420
April 1: Titan TUNESdays
Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30pm. Join us for a little night music at Hercumusic night! The Community Music Club of Hercules High School will dazzle us with musical stylings - classical, vocal, jazz, contemporary, and more. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s great room.
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Homework Help Wednesdays, 3-6pm. For students K-8th grade. Tutors help with worksheets or textbook questions. Drop in. First come, first served. 1 hour per student max.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Wild About Writing: Poetry Month
Saturdays, 3:30-4:30pm. Celebrate poetry month with Wild About Writing, every Saturday in April! Elementary school-aged kids are welcome to drop in for this creative writing meetup with local grade schoolteachers, Sarah Creeley & Tina Wong.
April 9: Saving Your Future: A Personal Finance Seminar Wednesdays, 4-5pm. Join us for a FREE informational seminar designed to help you take control of your financial future. Our expert presenters will cover the basics of personal finance.
April 10: Plant a Poetry Garden Thursday, 3-4pm. Help us plant a poetry garden! At this after-school craft, you’ll design a flower, write a poem, and “plant” it in our display garden. All ages and abilities are welcome. This craft is in celebration of Poetry Month & Día de los Niños/ Día de los Libros.
April 19: Art of the Belly Dance Saturday, 1-2pm. Celebrate Arab American History month with an enchanting afternoon of belly dancing with Nicole Hoffschneider! You’ll learn the history of this art form, celebrating the beauty of movement and expression. Everyone is invited!
April 24: Teen Tech Tutors
Thursday, 4-4:30pm. Teen Tech Tutors will help adults with their Computer/Device Questions during 30-min sessions. Registrants can bring their own portable devices and/or work on a library computer. WIFI is available in the library.
April 26, 27: Friends of the Hercules Library Book Sale
Saturday, 10am-5pm. Sunday, 12pm–4pm. Don’t miss the Friends of the Hercules Library SPRING Book Sale! Looking to build your own personal library? What better place to do so than at the SPRING Book Sale!? You get to take home books at a fraction of their sticker cost, and all proceeds go back to the library to support fabulous programs and build our collection.
FARMERS MARKETS Local
EL CERRITO PLAZA
Tuesdays and Saturdays - 9 am to 1 pm
3060 El Cerrito Plaza, Parking Lot (South West Corner)
RICHMOND
Fridays 7am - 5pm
325 Civic Center Plaza In front of the main Richmond Public Library
MARINA BAY
Sunday 10am - 2pm Marina Bay Park Regatta Blvd & Melville Square
PINOLE
Saturdays 9am-1pm 798 Fernandez Avenue Pinole
MARTINEZ
KENSINGTON
Sunday 9am - 2pm 1560 Oak View Avenue Colusa Avenue & Santa Fe Avenue
RICHMOND CIVIC CENTER
May through November Wednesdays 10am-2pm Park Place & Richmond Avenue
POINT RICHMOND
May through September Wednesdays 4pm-8pm Nevin Avenue and 13th Street
SAN PABLO
June to September
Saturday 10am - 2pm 13831 San Pablo Avenue
EL SOBRANTE
Sunday 10am - 1pm 700 Main Street, Martinez
10am-2pm Sundays 5166 Sobrante Avenue, El Sobrante
