UC Berkeley Honors Craig Newmark as Jimenez Leads in Richmond Race

Philanthropic investment in public-interest cybersecurity, West Contra Costa municipal election tallies, and coastal hospitality renovations led regional updates as UC Berkeley honored craigslist founder Craig Newmark, Richmond counted ballots in its mayoral and city council contests, and restaurateur Peter W. Stampone detailed plans for a rooftop expansion at Helm.

UC Berkeley Honors Craig Newmark for $100 Million Cyber Civil Defense Commitment

On October 29, the Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC) and the UC Berkeley Founders' Pledge program—which encompasses more than 570 Cal entrepreneurs and faculty and is managed by Director of Alumni Innovator Engagement Rachel Barley—gathered approximately 80 UC Berkeley affiliates at The Merchants Exchange Club in downtown San Francisco to honor craigslist founder Craig Newmark. The evening featured a fireside chat with UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons, CLTC Executive Director Ann Cleaveland, and Newmark, joined by Google representative Sarah Morales, UC Berkeley Cybersecurity Clinic alumna Zaina Siyed, and District 14 Democratic Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, who presented a California Legislature resolution commending Newmark's contributions.

Newmark launched his Cyber Civil Defense initiative in 2022 with a $100 million commitment to strengthen digital security for nonprofits, school districts, water systems, and local utilities. His early support catalyzed the UC Berkeley Cybersecurity Clinic at the School of Information—which has assisted clients such as the Women's Center at San Francisco General Hospital—and co-founded the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, which has scaled to 75 clinics worldwide with $50 million in combined investment from industry, government, and philanthropy, including a 2024 investment from Google. During the discussion, Newmark also highlighted his Take9 cyber education campaign featuring Sesame Street's Count von Count.

Claudia Jiménez Leads Ahmad Anderson in Richmond Mayoral Returns

In West Contra Costa County, preliminary Friday afternoon returns from the Contra Costa County Elections Office reported by Richmond Confidential showed Richmond City Councilmember Claudia Jiménez leading Ahmad Anderson 54% to 46% in the mayoral race (up from an earlier 53% to 47% tally after 20,436 early ballots, with counting continuing through Nov. 10). About 27,000 ballots—45% of Richmond's 59,820 registered voters and 47% countywide, compared with 75% turnout in 2024 and 56% in 2022—had been tallied. In the six-candidate race for two Richmond City Council seats, Kimberly White led with 24%, followed by incumbents Carolyn Wysinger (21%) and Gabe Quinto (16%), Wally Nowinski (20%), Mary Ann "MJ" Jawili, and Forrest M. Lanning.

Voters backed Richmond's Measure Q, a $120 million bond to modernize firehouses, at 70% (above the 66.7% two-thirds threshold, up from 69% in initial returns), and West Contra Costa Unified School District's Measure V, a nine-year, $10 million annual parcel tax, at 74% (up from 73%). In Hercules, challenger John Delgado led with 39% and incumbent Dion Bailey had 36% ahead of Preet Sidhu, Adrena Breckenridge, and Kofi Opong-Mensah, while Measure P (a 1% sales tax) led 54% to 46%. In Pinole, Gabriel Sandoval (24%), Matthew Avery (23%), and Truc "Christy" Lam-Julian (21%) led Tina Brown (18%) and Libby Duarte (14%) for three open seats. In San Pablo, incumbent Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado (27%) and Anna Villalobos (26%) led incumbent Rita Xavier (25%) and Caden Cotton-Blake (21%), while Measure R (a 0.50% sales tax for five years dropping to 0.25% for five years) led 71% to 29% and Measure S (capping rent increases at 60% of the Consumer Price Index or 3%) held 60% support.

Peter W. Stampone Plans Helm Rebrand and Doubled Rooftop Deck

In hospitality news reported by Hoodline citing a November 12 Philadelphia Business Journal report by Emma Dooling and Wildwood Video Archive records, Starr Restaurant Organization alum Peter W. Stampone plans to renovate and rebrand The Waterfront at 4415 Park Boulevard in Wildwood into a coastal, modern American concept named Helm while doubling the size of its second-floor rooftop deck. Public notices published July 22 and July 29 listed Stampone as sole member (100% interest) of PWS83, LLC in the transfer of liquor license No. 0514-33-030-009 from T & A The Waterfront, LLC at 4415 Park Boulevard, a property formerly operated by veterans of Owen's Pub in North Wildwood where live music was slated to end after September 4.