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Vol. 18, No. 34
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
City grows community events
August 19, 2016
Living Your Best 50+ Life
Working the land
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Brentwood residents looking for entertaining community events soon will have an array of new choices, as the Brentwood City Council recently voted unanimously to increase the number of city-sponsored special events. Among the new options rolling out in the next year or so are a Fourth of July parade and picnic, a snowman-building event, a dinner and performance program at the community center and more concerts and movies in the park. The additions are expected to cost the city about $21,000 this fiscal year and $41,000 the following year. “I think these events are a good, good, good step forward,” said City Councilman Erick Stonebarger. The council directed city staff in February to explore the expansion of city-sponsored events and to create new ones to encourage tourism and improve the quality of life for residents. After attracting 500 to 1,000 people per weekly show, during its eight-week run from June through Ausee Events page 30A
Check out this week’s special edition on staying healthy, happy and fit at 50-plus. Page 1B
Art, Wine And All That Jazz
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Photo by Mike Oria
Field worker harvesting green beans at sunrise near Sellers Road in Brentwood is enveloped in the early-morning light as he begins the day.
Brentwood police honor resilient hero officer by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Chris Friedmann
The Brentwood Police Department recently honored Officer Chris Friedmann, left, for his courage, determination, tenacity and recovery after he shattered his kneecap while trying to apprehend a shoplifting suspect in 2013.
Brentwood Police Officer Chris Friedmann has spent most of his career thwarting gang activity, but it was a seemingly uneventful shoplifting call in May 2013 that proved to be one of his most challenging. The incident left him with a shattered patella and months of painful recovery ahead of him. Three years later, his fellow Brentwood Police officers recently chose to commemorate his actions that day and his ensuing drive to return to work. “The fact that he recovered and returned to work is miraculous,” said Brentwood Police Chief Mark Evenson just prior to awarding Friedmann
with the department’s first Purple Heart Award last week. The award recognizes Friedmann’s courage, determination, tenacity and recovery. Friedmann, now a Liberty Union High School District school resource officer, remembers the incident vividly. The call, relaying a shoplifter in custody at Kohl’s in Brentwood, came in the afternoon of May 7, 2013. All was routine until the suspect, later identified as 34-year-old Stockton resident Temu Jabari Curry, broke free as Friedmann tried to take him into custody. The officer gave chase, which led to a physical altercation that ended with Friedmann cracking his knee against a raised sidewalk in the parking lot while attempting to see Honor page 30A
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The Contra Costa Library hosts its annual book giveaway, Aug. 18 to Sept. 4.
Local enthusiasts gear up for a big area event, the Art, Wine & Jazz Festival. Page 10A
Readying For The Olympics
Local gymnast takes a giant leap that could land her in an upcoming Olympics. Page 19A Calendar.............................29A Classifieds..........................24A Cop Logs.............................28A Entertainment..................11A Food.....................................10A Milestones.........................31A Opinion...............................18A Pets...................................... 14B Sports..................................19A
Goodguys
go to news/press releases The Goodguys West Coast Nationals turns 30 on center stage in the Tri-Valley.