🌱 Patch AM: Which El Cerrito trumpeter just dropped a must-hear orchestral jazz album?

Hey there, El Cerrito! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Which El Cerrito trumpeter just dropped a must-hear orchestral jazz album?

Also on today's calendar: A Community Christmas Eve Service! and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: A few showers, with a high of 60 and low of 51 degrees.
• Thursday: Very windy; occasional rain, temps: high: 56, low: 48.
• Friday: Strong winds subsiding; rain, with a high of 53 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Bay Area artists released awesome albums in 2025 — here are some of the best (mercurynews.com) — An acclaimed El Cerrito trumpeter, Erik Jekabson, is highlighted for his lush new orchestral jazz album “Breakthrough,” recorded for Berkeley’s Wide Hive Records. He’s featured alongside a slate of standout 2025 releases from Bay Area jazz and Latin jazz artists, offering local listeners a rich playlist of homegrown talent to explore on CD or streaming.
   

📸 Around El Cerrito

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in El Cerrito

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday December 24

• A Community Christmas Eve Service!
  The Church On the Corner, 1319 Solano Ave, Albany
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 26

• Live Music with Flowers for Angela (Best Live Music in the East Bay Area)
  Kensington Circus Pub , 389 Colusa Ave , Kensington
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Live Music With Andrew Potter Band (Best Live Music in the East Bay Area)
  Kensington Circus Pub , 389 Colusa Ave , Kensington
  8:00 pm

Sunday December 28

• Live Music with Beatles Thingy (Best Live Music in the East Bay Area)
  Kensington Circus Pub , 389 Colusa Ave , Kensington
  7:30 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Recycling Center + Office - Limited Hours Today
  El Cerrito Recycling Center , 7501 Schmidt Lane , El Cerrito
  8:30 am
• ESL Conversation Group
  El Cerrito Library , 6510 Stockton Avenue , El Cerrito
  5:00 pm

Thursday January 1

• Recycling Center + Office - Holiday Closure
  El Cerrito Recycling Center , 7501 Schmidt Lane , El Cerrito

Friday January 2

• Live Music with Rocky Michaels (Best Live Music in the East Bay Area)
  Kensington Circus Pub , 389 Colusa Ave , Kensington
  8:00 pm

Saturday January 3

• Live Music with Blue Alley Cats (Best Live Music in the East Bay Area)
  Kensington Circus Pub , 389 Colusa Ave , Kensington
  8:00 pm

📣 El Cerrito Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 24

• TecHub: Tech Exchange @ the Library
  San Pablo Library , 2300 El Portal Drive Suite D , San Pablo
  10:00 am
• Baby Bounce
  Temescal Branch Library , 5205 Telegraph Avenue , Oakland
  11:45 am
• Christmas Eve at The Factory Bar — The Factory Bar
  The Factory Bar , 12517 San Pablo Ave , Richmond
  6:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Cali's Comedy Cellar in Berkeley, CA
  Cali's Sports Bar & Kitchen , 2367 Telegraph Ave , Berkeley
  8:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making El Cerrito PatchAM possible:

• Looking Glass Photographic Outfitters — (510) 548-6888
  Free 20-Minute Photo Coaching Session with Camera or Lens
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Update: Pet Reunited
  Shyla, a dog who went missing in Richmond, CA, has been safely reunited with their family after 23 hours, 37 minutes. Message from Owner: "Extremely… (Nextdoor El Cerrito del Norte (Inner))
• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
  Shyla was LOST on December 22, 2025 in Richmond, CA 94804 near Near Sacramento ave Richmond, ca Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information… (Nextdoor El Cerrito del Norte (Inner))

• Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in El Cerrito. Apply here.
• Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Richmond. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near El Cerrito here.

🗞 Nearby News

Richmond

• A Richmond Christmas Tradition Continues at Porter Boys Tree Lot (ccpulse.org)
• Preservation work begins on WWII-era Richmond shipyard cafeteria (grandviewindependent.com)
• Kids enjoy holiday gifts thanks to one man's vision 78 years ago (richmondside.org)

Berkeley

• Hats off: Berkeley Hat Company says goodbye (eastbayexpress.com)

Mill Valley

Ok El Cerrito! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook