24th century gets to meet 1953 Bryant’s vision for Brentwood based on diversity, agricultural roots

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

“What is the vision?” Brentwood City Councilman Dirk Zeigler asked of his Council colleagues at a joint Council-Planning Commission meeting last week.

Zeigler was referring to the vision of Brentwood going forward and what city officials want Brentwood to be.

“For years, we talked about establishing and we finally got things passed, and I have heard nothing about anything going on out there other than the $50 million bridge that’s going across (Highway 4),” he said.

Zeigler challenged the City Council and Mayor Joel Bryant about Brentwood failing to attract businesses and companies that would benefit the city.

“We say things out loud,” Zeigler said. “Saying and our actions: where are they?”

Brentwood City Manager Tim Ogden also responded that the city almost landed a Fortune 100 biotech company that eventually decided to go to Vacaville, but the city has made strides in trying to attract the right companies to build in Brentwood. He also added that one of the biggest challenges of the city’s Priority Area 1 Specific Plan (PA-1) that the Council adopted in 2018 is that the city owns none of the 400 acres that sits just off of the Brentwood/Antioch border and south of Lone Tree Way. The entire area has yet to be connected for utilities and that no actions being taken has affected who the city can actually attract.

Bryant agreed that while actions do need to be taken, that the future of Brentwood is really within its roots.

“The future is with the history of an area,” Bryant said. “I would like Brentwood to be Buck Rogers in the 24th and a half century, and on the other side there in PA-1 married to 1953 and our agriculture and our family and our interaction as far as how we actually individually care for each other.”

Bryant elaborated to The Press afterward the meeting on having the technology of the future mesh with Brentwood’s historical agricultural roots.

“I think moving forward, we have to take advantage of the long history and very successful history of the agricultural community and marry that with the new technologies that we want to bring in here,” he said. “The agricultural core (of Brentwood) has been permanently protected. Because of that, I think, with the advancement in the different types of technology that the agricultural families have, they can do more. They are really taking great steps to use technology to get what’s available out to the public.

“The focus of our council, and all of our commission is to make sure that we incorporate into Brentwood these complementary technologies without changing the identity of Brentwood as a small-town, family-oriented community.”

During the meeting, Bryant added that he’d like to see greater diversity in Brentwood to strengthen the city. “The communities that I’ve lived in that have a greater diversity of cultures, they’re stronger communities,” he said. “They have a greater appreciation for people that the difference of a person and the similarity of the person instead of letting that be a separator, that is what brings them together.”

He explained afterward that Brentwood has seen an influx of diversity moving into the higher- end homes and hiring departments, mostly those who work in the technology industry. At the same time, while Brentwood welcomed The Silvergate luxury apartments that rent for nearly $3,000 per month, Bryant and the city are still working to bring in and bring back the middle class.

“The state calls it the missing middle homes that are designed to be able to be sold at an affordable rate that a normal person can purchase, so by design they’re affordable,” he said. “I want it to be focused

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Whether your dog is staying the day or the week, everyone becomes part of the pack at Delta Dog Camp in Antioch. The camp prides itself on one-on-one attention, helping your dog become confident with other dogs (big and small) and humans. Camp Staff keeps the dogs on a daily routine, and these pooches never get bored – just tired. Rain or shine, the pups play all day!

While Brentwood continues to grow, Bryant says that he likes the growth of the city so far, but wants to make sure that it stays close to its roots no matter what.

“Five years from now, I see the city having some very high-paying jobs in the innovation center area,” he said. “I see all of that becoming a destination opportunity for our community and drawing that kind of outside traffic. I see local, small owned businesses thriving because they have outside money coming in. When we have these guys that are coming into our community, those are the families that when they see Brentwood, they want to move here. I see us marrying the technology that our agricultural core has with the new technologies that are coming on board and allowing our families to get two-to-four hours of their life back every single day.”

“If we ever move away from the roots of what Brentwood is now, we’ll just be another California high-density community that will fall into the urban sprawl. I want to live in Brentwood, I don’t want to live in San Francisco.”

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For print, email your events to calendar@brentwoodpress.com one week prior to publication. For online, post your events for free on The Press Community Calendar www.thepress.net/calendar.

This Week’s Events

Friday, March 31

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry

The St. Anne Council Knights of Columbus is hosting a Fish Fry dinner at the St. Anne Community Life Center at 2800 Camino Diablo from 5-7:30 p.m. The dinner also features a raffle. The cost is $12 for adults (age 13 and up) and $9 for children 12 and under. For more information, contact Mike Stoiber at mjs2082@aol.com or 925-759-4669.

Saturday, April 1

Easter Spring Fling

Four Legs Brewing at 2010 Elkins Way is hosting an Easter Spring Fling from 1-5 p.m. and will feature free Easter Bunny photos and free Easter baskets for the first 200 kids. The event will also feature 25 vendors, an egg hunt for adults, and a DJ. For more information, visit https://bit. ly/3JiPf92

Trinkets & Treasures Flea Market

The Oakley Senior Center is hosting a Trinkets & Treasures Flea Market from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 215 Second St. Vendors will be showcasing new and used items, along with collectibles and antiques.

East Contra Costa Historical Museum

Opening Day

The East Contra Costa Historical Museum, located at 3890 Sellers Ave, begins its season Saturday, April 1, from 2-4 p.m. The museum features displays of early pioneer life in the Byer/Nail House built in 1878, lessons in the Eden Plains schoolhouse and a variety of outdoor activities. For more information visit http://bit.ly/3nhfHai Market in the Park Easter Hop Market in the Park is hosting a Easter hop, in Brentwood City Park at 790 Second St. from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The event will feature vendors, a free Easter egg hunt, live music from D.J. Jack Wabbit, cornhole and photos with the Easter Bunny. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/42Kdg0d.

Hello Spring

The Urban Edge Farm is hosting their Hello Spring event from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 2017 Walnut Boulevard. The event will feature vendors and their first Easter egg hunt.

Sunday, April 2 through Saturday, April 8

Visit the Easter Bunny at The Streets of Brentwood

The Streets of Brentwood is hosting visits and photos with the Easter Bunny Monday through Thursdays from 3-7 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from noon-6 p.m. The Easter Bunny will be located between Sports Fever and Zumiez. For more information visit https://bit. ly/3JSBr4d

Wednesday, April 5

The Passover Community Seder

Chabad of the Delta is hosting a community Passover Seder at the Apple Hill Clubhouse at 700 Apple Hill Drive at 6:30 p.m. The event will include a traditional Seder dinner, community singing and insights. For more information and to RSVP, visit https://bit. ly/3yPXuU3

Wednesday, April 5 and April 12

Oakley’s Got Talent Auditions

The Oakley Youth Advisory Council is hosting auditions for Oakley’s annual talent show on May 20. Auditions will take place on April 5 from 6-7 p.m. and April 12 from 7-8 p.m. at the Oakley Recreation Center at 1250 O’Hara Ave. Performances are limited to 5 minutes. For those unable to audition in person, video submissions can be sent to http://bit. ly/3yzpVFt

Friday, April 7

Brentwood Rotary 13th Annual Poker Tournament: No Limit Texas Hold ’Em

The Brentwood Rotary Club is hosting their annual poker tournament at the Brentwood Community Center at 35 Oak St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the tournament starts at 7 p.m. The cost is $75 per player and includes a buffet dinner, drink ticket and tournament play. Participants must be 21 or older to play. First prize is $500. For more information and to buy tickets, call Steve Gursky at 925-584-8708 or email at sgursky@ sbcglobal.net

On the Horizon

Saturday, April 8

Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Annual Romano Marchetti Memorial Tri-Tip/ Chicken Dinner

The Kiwanis Club of the Delta is hosting their annual tTri-tip/chicken Dinner at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building at 815 Fulton Shipyard Road from 5-9 p.m. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. with social hour beginning at 5 p.m. The dinner will benefit local Kiwanis programs, youth charities and music scholarships. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children. For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://bit. ly/3ZHZkBX

Annual Egg Hunt and Pet Event

Lori Abreu of Delta Ranches and Homes and Patti Shaner of The Loan Ladies are hosting their annual free egg hunt and pet event at Knightsen Elementary School, located at 1923 Delta Road from 10 a.m.-noon. The egg hunt is for registered children ages 13 and younger. The event will also feature a treasure map for additional prizes. For more information and to register, visit http://bit. ly/3JNyMbO

Discovery Bay Easter Egg Hunt

The Discovery Bay Lions Club is hosting their annual free Easter Egg hunt at the Discovery Bay Community Center located at 1601 Discovery Bay Boulevard. Gates open at 9 a.m. and the egg hunt starts at 10 a.m. The event will also feature a bonnet contest and pictures with the Easter Bunny.

Multicultural Fair

The Brentwood Youth Commission is hosting a multicultural fair from 1:30-4 p.m. in Brentwood City Park at 790 Second St. The event will feature live music, food trucks, performances, booths and a fashion show.

Antioch Police Annual Easter Egg Hunt

The Antioch Police Department is hosting their annual Easter egg hunt at 8 a.m. The event will also feature a visit from the Easter Bunny. The location of the hunt will be announced the morning of on the department’s Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor and Twitter pages.

Friday, April 14

Liberty Lions Band Boosters Poker Night

The Liberty Lions Band Boosters is hosting a poker night at the Brentwood Community Center at 760 First St. Dinner will start at 5:30 p.m., with poker beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is $20, poker entry is $65, and the top prize is $500. For more information and to buy tickets, visit https://bit. ly/3YMywzj

Saturday, April 15

Art in the Park in Oakley

The Oakley Recreation Department is hosting their annual Art in the Park in Civic Center Plaza at 3231 Main St. from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The event will feature original work from artists from Oakley, along with music and family-friendly activities.

Saturday, May 6

Senior Center’s Concours D’Elegance

The Oakley Senior Center is hosting their annual Concours D’Elegance at the Oakley Senior Center at 215 Second St. from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The event showcases antique and collector cars, trucks and motorcycles. Ribbons and awards will be given for Best of Show. The deadline to register is April 30. For more information and to register, call 925-626-7223.

Sunday, May 7

Brentwood Literary Stroll

The Friends of the Brentwood Library is hosting a literary stroll from 1-4 p.m. in downtown Brentwood. The event features 10 authors – Rosie Bank, Michael Barrington, T.L. Bequette , Mark Clifford, Jim Hamilton, Carol Jensen, Josephine Mele, Dana Mentink, Gail Tsukiyama and Dallas Woodburn – from different restaurants and businesses throughout downtown. Check-in tables will be at the corner of First and Chestnut streets and on the corner of Second and Oak streets. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at http://bit. ly/42Lo1zp

Ongoing Events

East County Rotary Club Meetings

Brentwood: The Brentwood Rotary Club meets weekly on Monday at noon at the Wedgewood Banquet Center at 100 Summerset Drive in Brentwood. For more information, visit https:// www.brentwoodrotary94513.com Oakley: The Oakley Rotary Club meets weekly on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at Black Bear Diner, 3201 Main St. in Oakley. For more information, visit http://rotaryclubofoakley.com. Antioch: The Antioch Rotary Club meets weekly on Thursday at noon at Lone Tree Golf Course & Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Road in Antioch. For more information, visit http://www.antiochrotaryclub.com/. The Rotary Club of the Delta meets weekly on Wednesday at 7 a.m. at Denny’s, 4823 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. For more information, visit https://www.rotaryclubofthedelta.org/.

Delta Informal Gardeners

Monthly Meetings

Delta Informal Gardeners encourages local residents to join them at their local meeting at the Brentwood Community United Methodist Church at 809 Second St. on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

Brentwood Community Chorus Rehearsals

The Brentwood Community Chorus meets on Tuesdays from 7- 9 p.m. at Brentwood Community United Methodist Church on 809 Second St. It is open to all ages and abilities as they prepare for their spring season. For more information visit http://bit.ly/3lsKIHP8

Friday Night Al-Anon Meeting

Al-Anon meetings, which offer a supportive place for friends and families of alcoholics, are held every Friday from 8 to 9:15 p.m. at the Brentwood United Methodist Church at 809 Second St. in Brentwood. There is no need to register. For details, call Trisha at 510-910-1389.

East County Lions Club Meetings

Brentwood: The Brentwood Lions Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Straw Hat Pizza on Lone Tree Way. For more information, visit: https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/brentwoodca/ Oakley: The Oakley Lions Club meets the fourth Wednesdays of every month at 7 p.m. at the Oakley Senior Center, for more information, visit https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/brentwoodca/ Antioch: The Antioch Lions Club meets every second and fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Denny’s on Delta Fair Blvd. Discovery Bay: The Discovery Bay Lions Club meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club. For more information, visit:https:// discoverybaylions.com/who-we-are/meetings/

Byron: The Byron Delta Lions Club meets every first Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church for more information https://e-clubhouse. org/sites/byron_delta/

Discovery Bay Corvette Club

Meetings

The nonprofit Discovery Bay Corvette Club meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club, 5871 Marina Road, Bilge Room. The club is dedicated to the enjoyment of owning and driving America’s sports car. For more information, drop by a meeting or contact the membership vice president at 925-341-9433. For more information on the club, visit www.discoverybaycorvetteclub.com

East County 4-H Club Meetings

Oakley: The Oakley 4-H Club has monthly meetings the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. For more information, email Amanda at oakley@contracosta.org. The Delta-Diablo 4-H Club has monthly meetings the second Thursday at 6:30 p.m at 3840 Brown Road in Oakley. For more information contact Megan and Tiffany at deltadiablo@contracosta4h.org, Brentwood:

The Brentwood 4-H Club has monthly meetings the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m at the Knightsen Farm Center located on 3020 2nd Street. For more information, contact Angela at brentwood@contracosta4h.org

Knightsen: The Knightsen 4-H Club has monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m at Knightsen Elementary School located at 1923 Delta Road. 4-H members are girls and boys ages 5–19 years old.

Coffee with Carolyn

Kaleidoscope Cancer Connection’s Coffee with Carolyn is a cancer support group for women, hosted by Carolyn George and financially supported by The Kaleidoscope Cancer Connection of Byron. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month from noon to 1 p.m. The location is at the Kaleidoscope Sacred Garden behind the Byron United Methodist Church (14671 Byron Highway in Byron). For more information, contact Carolyn George at 925-577-3325.

Oakley Senior Center Food Distribution

The Oakley Senior Center at 215 2nd St. gives out free food every Thursday from 1-2:30 p.m. Residents are asked to bring their own grocery bags.

East County Veteran Meetings

Brentwood: The American Legion Post 202 monthly meeting (on the second Wednesday of the month) is held at 6:30 p.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building at 757 First St. in Brentwood. The meeting is open to all U.S. Armed Services veterans. The organization encourages all veterans in East County to come and see what is available to them. For more information, visit https://www.aml202.org Oakley: The Veterans of Oakley monthly meeting (on the first Wednesday of each month) is held at 5:30 p.m. at the Oakley Senior Center on 215 2nd Street. For more information call 925-783-0818 or visit http://bit.ly/3mugBjv

Nonprofit offers Health Care Career Courses

The nonprofit Opportunity Junction is accepting applications for its Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at two locations including the Opportunity Junction Antioch office at 3102 Delta Fair Blvd. Classes began in September. The CNA program includes 12 weeks of training, life skills training, hands-on clinical experience, and job placement assistance. The first step in taking the course is to complete an application form online by visiting https://opportunityjunction. secure.force.com/apply/HCP