YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 18, No. 38
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Tall ships coming to marina History will come alive next month at the Antioch Marina as the tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain make their return to the city. The tall ships, part of the Aberdeenbased nonprofit Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, sail the waters of the Pacific each year, offering educational programs, free deck tours and sailing excursions. The tall ships offer a glimpse into our historic past, introducing people of all ages to the sights and sounds of 18th and 19th century maritime life. The ships will arrive and open to the public from Oct. 17 to 31, at 5 Marina Plaza. On weekdays, the tall ships are available to schools by reservation for their maritime field trip Voyage of Explorers. On weekends, the general public can take part in Adventure Sails, Evening Sails, and Battle Sails. For the seasickness-prone but curious, stationary dockside Vessel Tours are available Tuesday through Sunday for a $5 suggested donation. The boats can also be chartered for private events including weddings and workplace team builders. Launched in 1989 in Aberdeen, Washing-
September 21, 2018
Home And Garden Guide
The Press offers ideas for your home, garden needs in this week’s special edition. Page 1B
Bringing On The Books Photo by Rick Horn
Antioch Marina will get a taste of history when tall ships sail into harbor next month. ton, Lady Washington is the official ambassador of the State of Washington and a replica of the original vessel of the same name, which was the first American ship to make landfall on the West Coast. The steel-hulled Hawaiian Chieftain was launched in 1988 in Lahaina, Hawaii. Together they are among the most active tall ships in America, visiting approximately 40 ports each year. Grays Harbor Historical Seaport is an educational nonprofit based in Aberdeen, Washington. In addition to school programs and public sailing, the
tall ships are also active sail training vessels. Anyone over age 16 is eligible to join the crew through the Two Weeks Before the Mast volunteer sailing program. Those pursuing a career in the commercial maritime industry can also consider enrolling in the Historical Seaport’s Sea School Northwest, a job-training program to provide knowledge and mentorship for professional maritime fields. For more information, visit www. historicalseaport.org or call 800-200-5239. To comment, visit www.thepress.net
Brentwood’s much-anticipated new library is set to open its doors to the public. Page 4A
Racketing Up The Wins
Fire district approves balanced budget by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board recently passed a balanced fiscal-year budget, but the need for additional resources hangs over the agency. “We are going to be well ahead of 8,000 calls this year, which tells us we need more stations,” said Fire Chief Brian Helmick, who noted that the district ran about 7,500 calls in 2017. The three-station agency, tasked with protecting over 114,000 residents and 249 square miles, projects its total revenue will
“ It is clear that property taxes cannot fully
support the district, and we have a commitment to explore other sources of income.
”
Fire board member Stephen Smith rise by about 7.8 percent this fiscal year to $16.2 million, with expenses increasing about 7.4 percent to $15.2 million. The district will end the year with an $11.2 million ending fund balance, factoring in $3.2 million in operating carryover and $8 million in excess carryover, including
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$6.2 million erroneously left behind years ago when the district transferred its funds and financial operations from the county to the district. “The excess operating revenue and operating fund balance are available to finance future inflationary operating cost increases,
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cover one-time costs for capital and equipment, bridge economic downturns, and implement strategic alternatives currently being studied as part of the district’s strategic planning imitative,” said Helmick. About $15,550,672 (96 percent of the district’s fiscal-year revenue) will come from property taxes, with the district’s largest expense (personnel costs) rising by about 10.7 percent to $10,464,966, or 69 percent of the district’s expenses. About 40 percent of that $10.5 million will go toward salaries and see Fire page 26A
New Schedules www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Tri Delta Transit Bus schedule to change, effective September 30.
Heritage girls’ tennis team is on pace to win seventh-straight league title. Page 19A Calendar.............................27A Classifieds..........................24A Cop Logs.............................17A Education.............................7A Entertainment..................11A Food.....................................10A Health & Beauty...............12A Milestones.........................18A Pets......................................22A Sports..................................19A
DOJ Grant
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Department of Justice grant provides antiviolence funding for new project.