ThePress_03.14.2025

Mercedes Lane proposal scaled back to appease protesting residents

By Connor Robles Correspondent

Twelve Oakley residents came before the City Council on Tuesday night, March 11, to protest O’Hara Properties’ proposal to rezone a 5.7-acre parcel of land at 40 Mercedes Lane from commercial to high-density residential. They also voiced their opposition to the growing number of residential developments in relation to the number of businesses and amenities. The discussion was part of a work session rather than related to an item to vote on.

Council members subsequently moved to reassure their constituents that they would listen to popular protest and, if O’Hara

Properties submitted a formal project application, that they would vote with the city’s residents in mind.

A developer wants to change the zoning for this parcel of land on Mercedes Lane in Oakley from commercial to high-density residential.

The rezoning proposal, created by O’Hara Properties’ Matt Beinke, was previously the subject of an Oakley Planning Commis-

sion work session on Feb. 4. During that meeting, 11 area residents, including some who would later speak on March 11, stated their opposition to the project through public comments, and the Planning Commission did not recommend that the proposal be considered.

Beinke said that the current Mercedes Lane proposal was an attempt to “dial it back” from previous proposals, and that he did not see it as high-density, since he had removed some of the houses in the plan that would have brought it over the high-density threshold. The homes were intended for first-time home buyers, similar to other developments that O’Hara Development had constructed in

Sand Creek Sports Complex plan advances

By Jake Menez Staff Writer

Brentwood has taken the next step in the construction of the Sand Creek Sports Complex as the council voted 5-0 to award the contract for Phase 1A of the project to Robert Bothman Construction as part of their March 11 meeting.

“We are extremely excited to be here tonight presenting this item, which is a project that has been around for 20-plus years,” Parks Maintenance Manager Aaron Wanden said during his presentation for the council. “I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the number of individual staff members that have seen

this project come and go.”

A concept for what would eventually become the Sand Creek Sports Complex began to circulate as early as 2002, but saw little movement. According to staff

reports for the March 11 meeting, the current version of the project began to take shape in June 2022 when it was included as part of the city’s Capital Improvement Program, which the city defines as “a fi-

nancial plan of authorized expenditures for tangible, long-term construction of, or improvements to, public physical facilities.” This plan covers a five year period, with the current one ending in 2027.

Robert Bothman Construction’s bid for the project was the lowest of the nine received, coming in at $18.2 million, according to the meeting agenda packet. In meetings held last year, city staff had estimated the cost of Phase 1A of the project to cost $18.9 million. The council’s vote included a 10% contingency amount, bringing the total cost of this phase of the project to $20,114,367.

Councilmember Tony Oerlemans asked city staff to walk him through where the money came from, to which staff replied that it came from a number of sources:

Photo courtesy of City of Oakley

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Brentwood, Oakley to hold day of service April 12 to support community

Both cities to focus on cleaning up neighborhoods

By Jake Menez Staff Writer

Brentwood and Oakley residents looking to benefit their community can do so on April 12, when both cities will be hosting their respective days of service.

“It’s a great way for families to come out and support their community, “ said Julie Deck, an organizer of the Brentwood event now in its second year. “Coming together to do good helps to create a feeling of community — feelings of friendship and support.”

Brentwood

Last year, Brentwood had more than 700 volunteers, according to Deck. She acknowledged that the number of volunteers may be slightly lower this year due to Oakley hosting its own day of service that would potentially divert Oakley residents who helped out last year. But she said that the event organizers still anticipate a similar number this year. Residents are encouraged to sign up to volunteer ahead of the event but can still

participate if they go to Veterans Park at 3841 Balfour Road at 9 a.m. on April 12. The event will run until roughly 12:30 p.m., with some of the projects on site, such as a blood drive, and others nearby, such as a coordinated clean up of Marsh Creek. A free pancake breakfast will be

provided by the Brentwood Rotary Club.

Last year’s day of service was a success, according to the city of Brentwood’s website.

“With over 700 volunteers dedicating their time and energy and 15 projects successfully completed, your contribu-

tions have made a significant impact on our community,” the website reads. “Thank you for your incredible support and participation. Your willingness to roll up your sleeves and work side by side with your neighbors exemplifies the spirit of community and compassion that defines Brentwood.”

Interested participants can sign up at bit.ly/4iqJeGd

Oakley

For the city of Oakley, this year is the first time for their own day of service. The date being the same as Brentwood’s was a coincidence, according to Assistant City Manager Danielle Navarro.

“We always held our ‘Art in the Park’ event on the second weekend of April,” she explained. “Beginning this year, we combined certain components of Art in the Park with the Oakley’s Got Talent event, allowing performers and artists to come together and feature their work in a shared forum. This freed up April 12, which was the best choice for Oakley given our other upcoming activities and events. We actually checked Brentwood’s date from last year, which fell on the fourth weekend of April, and decided to stay away from that weekend this year so

Photo courtesy of City of Brentwood

Residents and non residents can help beautify Brentwood and Oakley on April 12 during each city’s Day of Service.

Merger means ‘one-of-akind’ creative experience

The Dough House, Wonder Workshop come together

By Nicole Becchina Staff Writer

The Dough House, known for its popular “Magical Dough,” has closed its downtown Brentwood location at 609 First St. But the company, also known for hosting Dough and Slime parties, has collaborated with the Wonder Workshop, where they will continue to host these events.

“Since wholesale business really took over our business, we knew it was time to look for a warehouse where we can have more room to grow and have components of a warehouse, like a roll up door for shipping and receiving, etc.,” said Dough House owner Mariah Boveé. “Our downtown location was great, but not set up for a shipping operation. Since the most popular offering at The Dough House was Dough and Slime parties, we reached out to a ”coming soon” crafty business called The Wonder Workshop to see if we can still offer this popular party option to the community, but at their location: 1185 2nd St. Suite F, in Brentwood. Lucky for us, they were excited to be able to continue the fun at their location.”

opportunity to create a unique and interactive experience for families,” Avery said. “The Dough House is such a fun, sensory experience, and we’re thrilled to merge that with The Wonder Workshop’s creativity and event planning expertise. Together, we’re offering something truly special where kids can not only have a blast but also take home something they made themselves. It’s all about making memories, and that’s what excites me the most.”

Avery describes the collaboration as a ‘perfect fit.”

Boveé said they are focused on keeping up with online orders and working to ensure a smooth transition with the Wonder Workshop.

‘Magical Dough’ jars can be found in more than 500 toy stores across the United States. The Dough House makes the all natural sensory dough from scratch.

“Shortly after we opened our storefront for The Dough House in 2022 in the downtown Brentwood location, we began to wholesale our products to toy stores and retailers across the U.S., and that really took off,” Boveé said. “We have grown more each year with our biggest client being World Market.”

“We are still working through finalizing our new location,” Boveé added. “It will have a bigger production space which means more Magical Dough for more stores.”

“We are passionate about bringing joy through creation,” Avery said. “When we saw how The Dough House was creating an environment where kids can create and have fun through a sensory experience we knew we had to partner up. Their focus on creativity and hands-on learning aligns so well with our mission at The Wonder Workshop. By combining our strengths, we can offer a one-of-a-kind experience that adds an extra layer of fun to any birthday party or event. It just felt like the perfect fit, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to collaborate.”

Avery said the benefits of collaborating are “endless.”

She also added that they are “looking forward to a more streamlined production space.”

“We’re able to offer a multi-faceted experience that’s both educational and fun,” Avery said. “Kids can explore their creativity, learn new skills, and engage in an exciting activity, which will definitely make their party memorable. Parents also benefit by having a stress-free, organized event, as both The Wonder Workshop and The Dough House take care of everything. By combining our expertise, we’re able to reach a wider audience and bring fresh, new ideas to the table for families looking for unique ways to celebrate. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

Customers can also grab Dough House products at its sister company the Playhouse, an indoor play space for children ages 5 and under.

The Wonder Workshop hosted their grand opening on March 8. They offer a hands-on experience for early learners, homeschool families, and artists of all ages through creative activities to foster imagination, problem-solving, and skill development, according to their website.

Amanda Avery of the Wonder Workshop said that what they will be offering is “truly special” as they merge with the Dough House.

“The most exciting part about collaborating with The Dough House is the

The Dough House will continue to offer slime and dough party services at the Wonder Workshop.

“We are so thankful that we get to pass on the Dough and Slime parties to The Wonder Workshop,” Boveé said. “We felt so sad about moving to a new location since the parties were so popular, it’s a relief we were able to find a new venue for that!”

For more information on how to place an order or sign up for a subscription with the Dough House, visit magicaldough.com. For more information on booking an event at the Wonder Workshop visit thewonderworkshop.co.

‘Brentwood needs to be Brentwood’

Editor’s note: This is part of a series of conversations with local mayors and former mayors as city councils change over this year. It has been edited for length and clarity. When did you decide to run for City Council?

It was 2020, so it was during COVID, and I decided to run for a few reasons. One of them was seeing that growth and feeling like, ‘Let’s get a little more control over this and try to keep Brentwood the way Brentwood wants to be and what the residents are here for.’ But also because, I think at that time, there were a lot of people thinking, ‘What can I do? I have a lot of ideas. I have a lot of connections. What can I do to help try to make things better, and to really work for trying to make a better place for my kids to grow up, and all those things that were part of it.’ I’m in the aging industry, a nonprofit during my day job, and a lot of people in District Three, which I originally was representing, were older, and I felt like this was a time for me to represent the people that typically don’t have a voice on council. What are some things that in your time on council you’ve been really proud of helping accomplish?

We have to now stand strong for Brentwood, trying to remain Brentwood when it comes to growth and development, and the state has been really forcing a lot of housing legislation down the throats of all city councils, taking more and more local control away. So I feel like it’s really our job as city council members to stand up for the things that we can stand up for. It’s our job as city council members, to do our research, to understand legislation, to speak to our legislators whenever we can, and advocate and to really stand up for all the development coming in the door that meets the standards and what the quality of life, but for Brentwood.

We’ve been pushing inclusionary affordable housing. For me, the idea of residents living next to residents, kids living next to their neighbors, and nobody knows who’s low on income and who isn’t. I don’t think we should be having a city where we put all

of our lower-income residents in one area and stick them in a high-rise apartment. That’s not what I want from my city. I want people to all feel welcome and equal. I think that’s a really good focus area. And I feel like we’ve been a very welcoming council when it comes to inclusion and helping people feel like they’re part of the community. That’s really important to me.

What made you decide to run for mayor?

One of the reasons I ran is because I really wanted to be part of a community that was welcoming to people from other backgrounds, people of all ages, of all different religions, of all sexual preferences. All of these different things. I think as a city, Brentwood needs to be Brentwood. There’s so much about it that’s like this mecca of positivity and community and just wonderful. Some people don’t recognize the things that sometimes separate us that could be bringing us together, but our culture is only better, and it only improves when we start bringing other people and other backgrounds into it, and we can learn from each other. It shouldn’t be a surprise to people, because I talked about it during my campaign. It’s important to me to be part of a community that welcomes others, and we’re a diverse community and we’re becoming more diverse.

Now that you’re mayor, what are some projects that you’re looking forward to?

Costco just opened today, so that was a big deal. But Costco means something other than just the fact that it’s going to bring in huge amounts of revenues and hundreds of jobs and all this great community engagement. It’s going to help us to launch the Innovation Center.

So we’ve got the infrastructure and the easement set up there. We’ve been working on this for a long time. A couple of years

ago, we had a council meeting where we went through parcel by parcel, every single parcel in the Innovation Center, and looked at it like, ‘Okay, what do we want to put here? Where do we want to fit this?’ We have to have some housing there, but it’s more like a place for it to be like a job center for us, right? So Costco being there with its big name is going to help us to bring in new partnerships and new opportunities for people to work locally. And I think that’s a really big deal. It’s in an area of town that’s not going to impact downtown, for example, and it’s not going to impact the farms that are surrounding us. It’s going to be a place where people can even live there and then walk to work, given the kind of places that we’re going after and targeting. That’s a really big deal.

I’m also incredibly excited about the Ag Innovation Center. This is something that’s been talked about for 10 years. If you haven’t

heard about it, there’s an area, it’s city-owned land, but it’s actually in the county zoning, and it’s zoned at this point for agricultural uses. It’s over by the East Contra Costa Historical Society. Harvest Time is going to be developing this incredible innovation center. It is going to do things like have opportunities for 4H students. It’s going to have accessible community gardens, which I was really pushing for. It’s going to do a lot of education. Our local farming families that have been part of this area for generations do some incredibly innovative work.

One of the things I’m very, very excited about is that we’re a farming community, but we don’t have a lot of restaurants that can officially call themselves farm to fork. Part of the reason for that is it’s so hard for the restaurants to go from farm to farm to farm to pick things up. This [agricultural innovation center] is going to be a hub where farms can actually have produce available for restaurants to do this one-stop shopping, if you will. So it will make that kind of thing easier. There’s other parts of it too, but it’s down the road a little bit. It’s in the planning. We’re in regular communication about it with Harvest Time, but I’m incredibly excited about it, because there goes that part of our culture and our our legacy that we’re going to stay connected to.

The full interview can be watched at bit. ly/41ZRSWm

To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

By Nikki Lopez, Caring Haven

For many seniors, home is more than just a place. It is where memories live, where love is in every corner, and where a sense of belonging brings peace of mind. The familiar sights, sounds, and routines provide comfort and stability, making it no surprise that most older adults want to remain in their homes as they age.

Studies show that nearly 90% of older adults prefer to age at home, and research from AARP indicates that seniors who remain in familiar environments experience lower stress, fewer hospitalizations, and improved overall well-being.

Aging at home is not just about preference but also enhances safety. In a familiar environment, seniors instinctively know their way around, reducing confusion and the likelihood of accidents. In contrast, an unfamiliar setting — like a new facility — can feel overwhelming, leading to disorientation and distress.

Here is how staying at home supports safety and well-being:

• Familiar layout – knowing exactly where

furniture, steps, and light switches are helps prevent falls and injuries.

• Predictable routines – mealtimes, sleeping patterns, and daily activities remain consistent, reducing stress and promoting better health.

• Recognizable surroundings – seeing familiar faces and places strengthens cognitive function, especially for those with memory challenges.

• Emotional security – being in a space filled with personal belongings and memories fosters a sense of control and independence.

Beyond the practical benefits, home represents connection. It is where grandchildren visit, where a favorite chair holds years of stories, and where the scent of a well-loved meal can spark joy. By preserving this connection, we honor a person’s needs and life’s journey.

At Caring Haven, we believe home is more than a location — it is the heart of a senior’s world. And when it comes to aging, comfort, familiarity, and love make all the difference. Call us today at 925-331-0590 or visit our website www.caringhavenhomecare.com.

Antioch man sentenced for child sexual abuse and possession of sexual abuse material

An Antioch resident was sentenced in a Martinez court after being convicted by a jury in Contra Costa County of sexual abuse of a child and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Casey Stuart Millikin, 52, was sentenced on Feb. 28 to 11 years and 8 months in state prison, according to a press release from county District Attorney Diana Becton’s office. Millikin was further ordered to register for life as a sex offender upon his release from state prison.

– Advertorial

In November 2024, after a three-week trial, Millikin was convicted by a jury of two counts of sexual abuse of a minor, one count of unlawful communications with a minor, and one count of aggravated possession of child sexual abuse material. The judge found that Millikin committed the offenses against a “particularly vulnerable victim” by using his position of trust.

Antioch Police began their investiga-

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tion in March 2020 after a laptop was turned over to authorities by a homeowner who discovered Millikin looking at images of nude children. The police obtained a search warrant for Millikin’s laptop, which contained more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material.

Around the same time, a victim, who is a minor, disclosed to law enforcement that Millikin had sexually abused her at least two times in 2015. In April 2020, Antioch police obtained an arrest warrant for Millikin, who was not located and arrested until April 2023.

Millikin has been in custody since his arrest and will begin to serve his sentence immediately.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children, and can visit the website kidsmartz.org, commonsensemedia.org or the Contra Costa District Attorney’s website for further information, Becton’s office said in the press release.

Making STEM fun for kids: Oakley’s 2025 Science Week kicks off March 29

will explore science in a hands-on way.

“The focus is to engage local youth in a variety of science activities,” Recreation Manager Troy Faulk said.

By Taylor Shepherd Correspondent

The City of Oakley will be holding its 2025 Science Week at the Oakley Recreation Center, 1250 O’Hara Ave., Oakley, beginning on March 29 at 10 a.m. with hour-long sessions daily through 5 p.m. on April 4. Children ages 1 through 15, along with family are encouraged to attend the daily interactive workshops where children

A good smile can open doors. A Sheffield Smile can change lives.

Assistant City Manager, Danielle Navarro added: “The Oakley Science Week is a fun way to engage local youth with STEM-based curriculum. Each day features a unique presentation or activity presented by a local partner such as The Friends of Marsh Creek, The Oakley Youth Advisory Council (OYAC), Lindsay Wildlife Museum and Big Break Regional Park.”

Interactive workshops include:

• Exploring Beavers and Their Homes with Friends of Marsh Creek on March 29

from 10 - 11 a.m. in Creekside Park,

• All About Plants! with Central Composite Rotational Design on March 30 from 10 - 11 a.m. in the recreation center,

• Electrosonic Spectacular with the Science Wizard on March 31 from 4 - 5 p.m. in the recreation center,

• Scales and Tails with Lindsay Wildlife Experience on April 1 from 4 - 5 p.m. in the Oakley Recreation Center,

• Pollinators of Oakley with Big Break on April 2 from 2 - 3 p.m. with location not yet determined

• Recycle and Organic Jeopardy with Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery on April 3 from 3-4 p.m. in the recreation center.

To wrap up the week-long event, Mad

Scientists with OYAC will be there on April 4 from 4 - 5 p.m. in the recreation center.

Organized by the Oakley Recreation Division, tickets for the annual event are $5 a day for Oakley residents and $15 a day for non-residents. These tickets include one-hour sessions on specific topics; meals are not included. Proof of residency is not required; instead registrants are asked to provide their address.

“Program fees are deposited into the City’s General Fund, which funds Recreation programming,” Navarro said.

To register and find out more visit https://bit.ly/4iGYX3H. Access to the Rec Guide can be found on the city’s website at www.oakleyca.gov.

We believe in giving you reasons to smile

Science Week in Oakley last year featured various ways to make learning STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fun for kids.

Photos courtesy of City of Oakley

AFTER HOURS BUSINESS MIXER

Hosted by: Golden State Tan

Tuesday, March 25th, 2025

5:30 - 7:30pm

Golden State Tan 14850 CA Hwy 4 #F Discovery Bay CA Register for more details

BUSINESS ON THE BAY

Business Accounting 101

Juli Healy - Clearcents

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

3:00 - 4:30pm Zoom Workshop Register for more details

COMING EVENTS

New Chamber Member Showcase

May 29th, 2025

Check Chamber Website for details

MUST Register for all events at: www.discoverybaychamber.org

(925) 240-4114 1355 Riverlake Rd Discovery Bay, CA 94505

This Week’s Events

Friday, March 14

Town Hall meeting with Brentwood councilmember, city manager

The meeting will feature Councilmember Faye Maloney at The Streets of Brentwood, 2455 Sand Creek Road, Suite 128, adjacent to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory from 6-7 p.m. Join individual members of the City Council for regular town hall meetings focused on an open dialogue about the City of Brentwood with City Manager Tim Ogden. This month, Maloney of District 1 will host in her district. For more information visit https://www.brentwoodca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/ Event/2705/583

Grease the Musical

Presented by Liberty High School

Playmakers, the performances will be March 14 at 7 p.m., with a matinee on March 15 at 2 p.m. at 850 2nd St. in Brentwood. Tickets are $11-$16 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www. lhsplaymakers.com/tickets.html.

Tuesday, March 18

Oakley Seniors Casino Bus Trip to Cache Creek

Presented by Oakley Seniors and Alexandra Bus company, the casino bus trip will include bingo, a 50/50 raffle, snack and water. Tickets are $47 and includes the driver’s tip. There will be a regular bonus $20 on the player’s card. There will be extra cash or gifts for new card members. The bus will leave the Oakley Senior Center parking lot, 215 Second St., at 8 a.m. Attendees will have five hours to gamble, look around and eat. The bus will arrive home around 5 p.m. Reservations must be made by March 17. To make a reservation, call the Oakley Senior Center at 925-626-7223 or Allan at 925-265-3417.

LOCAL EVENTS & SERVICE CLUBS

Calendar

On the Horizon

Sunday, March 23

Brentwood Bridal Fair at PETALS

PETALS, located at the Streets of Brentwood, 2535 Sand Creek Road, is presenting an opportunity to meet local wedding vendors in one place. Join them from noon-4 p.m. for their Brentwood Bridal Fair. Attendees can pre-register online for free at http://bit.ly/4hjwMXX. Registration is $10 at the door. To request a vendor application, email info@petalsoakley.com.

– Sponsored Listing

Wednesday, April 2

Introduction to Solar Energy at Liberty Adult Education

Join this class to learn more about solar energy systems, a battery for your home or are considering purchasing an electronic vehicle. This course is an introduction to solar energy systems, batteries and electric vehicles for homeowners. Register for the next class, which will be from 6-9 p.m. Sign up at Liberty Adult Education, 929 Second St. in Brentwood, or call 925-634-2565.

Saturday, April 5

Opening Day at the East County Historical Museum

The East Contra Costa Historical Society (ECCHS) Museum of local history will be open for free. Visit the Byer-Nail House, Eden Plains Schoolhouse, Homer’s Shed and old vehicles to bring back memories of yesteryear. A pancake breakfast hosted by Brentwood Lions Club and Rotary Club of Brentwood 9 a.m.-noon is available for purchase. Tickets are $10 for adults, $25 per family (up to 2 adults and 3 children ages 2-16). Tickets will be available at the gate. There will be a petting zoo, quilts, and games. Attendees will also be able to help crank homemade ice cream and butter at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Friday, April 11

2024 Celebrating Brentwood Gala

The Celebrating Brentwood Gala recognizes individuals and businesses who have devoted their time and efforts to enhance the well-being of Brentwood. This gala at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. starts at 6:30 p.m. and expresses gratitude and celebrates their contributions. Guests should attend in formal attire. Tickets are $80 per person, and includes dinner. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit https://business.brentwoodchamber. com/events/details/2024-celebrating-brentwood-gala-15857?calendarMonth=2025-04-01 .

Saturday, April 12

Brentwood’s Community Day of Service

Brentwood’s second annual Community Day of Service will start at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park, 3841 Balfour Road, with most projects beginning at 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. More than 20 local nonprofits and service groups

Attention commercial venues! The Press is excited to announce we are now allowing commercial venues, bars and for-profit events to list your events in The Press’s weekly printed community calendar. For only $25 per week, it will include 55-60 words or a 380-390 character count with bigger font and will be hotlinked to your website on the e-Press. To place your event, let us know by Friday at noon for the following Fridays publication at ads@brentwoodpress.com or call 925-634-1441.

To have your event appear in the newspaper, email your events to calendar@brentwoodpress.com one week prior to publication. To have your event online, post your event for free on The Press Community Calendar www.thepress.net/calendar.

are involved. Attendees can meet city leaders, bring donated items, participate in a project, enjoy kids activities, and visit local nonprofit booths. For more information or to submit a project idea, visit https://www. brentwoodca.gov/government/city-manager/ community-day-of-service#ad-image-0. Oakley’s Day of Service

Oakley’s first Day of Service will be from 8 a.m.noon at 1250 O’Hara Ave. This is a chance to maintain the beauty of Oakley through a variety of volunteer projects. All residents are invited. For more information or to register, visit https:// secure.rec1.com/CA/oakley-ca/catalog.

SJYC Opening Day on the Delta Parade

The parade starts at noon at the San Joaquin Yacht Club docks, 550 Riverview Road in Bethel Island. The route will be from San Joaquin Yacht Club clockwise around Bethel Island and will last about two hours. Viewing locations include the Rusty Porthole, the Sugar Barge, and the San Joaquin Yacht Club. For more information or to enter your boat contact Andy Rowland at andy.h.rowland@ gmail.com. Awards will be at 4:30 p.m. and will include the announcement of the Bethel Island Citizen of the Year Awards. All floating craft are welcome, including classics, small craft, personal water craft and dinghies. There is no registration fee. Dinner will be at 4:30 for $15 and will include hamburgers, macaroni salad, and a bag of chips. DJ Daniel Vega and dancing will be at 2:30 p.m. There will be cash prizes for decorated boats.

Saturday, April 26

The 2025 Liberty Union High School District Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet

The Induction-Enshrinement banquet will be held at the Ghiggeri Gym at Liberty, 850 Second St. in Brentwood. Social hour begins at 5 p.m. followed by dinner and the ceremony. The inductees are: Rich Barrios (Liberty)coach; Ryan Barsanti (Heritage) - athlete, Jett Charvet (Heritage) - athlete; Darrell Daniels (Freedom) - athlete; Haley Rose Love (Heritage) - athlete; Kyle Quinn (Liberty) - athlete, Roman Runner (Freedom) - athlete, and the 2005 Liberty girls volleyball team coached by Linda “Gooch” Ghilarducci. This event is open to the public. Reservations are $60 and can be made by contacting Amy Sickenberger at luhsd. athletic.hof@gmail.com.

Monday, April 28

Patriots Parent’s Organization first annual Golf Tournament

A day of golfing will support the Heritage High School Patriot Parents first annual golf tournament. Hosted by the Heritage High School PPO, the event will take place at the Lone Tree Golf Course, 4800 Golf Course Road in Antioch. The funds raised will benefit the Heritage High School PPO. Registration starts at 7 a.m., with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. A tri tip lunch will be served at 1 p.m. and an awards ceremony will start at 2 p.m. Included in the price are 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, and lunch. There will also be raffles. To purchase tickets, visit www. successfund.com/jvgx6.

Tuesday, April 29

6th Annual East Bay Business Expo and Job Fair

The free East Bay Business Expo and Job Fair enables businesses and entrepreneurs to network and reach out to the general public in a professional setting, showcasing their businesses, meeting new customers, and hiring potential employees. There will be raffles, giveaways, food and wine and beer tastings from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. For more information or to register as a vendor, call 925-634-3344 or visit https://business.brentwoodchamber. com/events/details/6th-annual-east-baybusiness-expo-job-fair-17546?calendarMonth=2025-04-01

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 www. brentwoodrotaryclub.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 www.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 www. facebook.com/antiochrotaryclub.

The Rotary Club of the Delta: The Rotary Club of the Delta meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7 a.m. at Denny’s, 4823 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. For more information, visit www.rotaryclubofthedelta.org.

East County Lions Club Meetings

Brentwood: The Brentwood Lions Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. in Brentwood. For more information, visit: www.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/.

Oakley Senior Center

Food Distribution

The Oakley Senior Center at 215 Second St. gives out free food every Thursday from 1-2:30 p.m. Residents are asked to bring their own grocery bags. It also hosts a flea market, vendor fair, which includes trinkets, arts and crafts, collectibles and antiques, happens the first Saturday of every month from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Table space is $10 or 3 for $25. For details, call Jim Fridas at 925-813-1007 or the senior center at 925-626-7223.

Hope House Food Distribution

The distributions are on Monday and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-noon at 218 Pine St. in Brentwood.

IHMC Food Distribution

On the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month, the Contra Costa County Food Bank distributes fruits and vegetables from the parking lot at 500 Fairview Ave. from noon-1 p.m. St. Vincent de Paul also distributes food from the church hall every Friday from 9 a.m.-noon.

Soroptimists

Soroptimists is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. They meet the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. Marine Corps League, Delta Diablo Detachment 1155, monthly meeting

The Marine Corps League, Delta Diablo Detachment 1155, hosts its monthly meeting on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St., in Brentwood. The group is open to all active or retired U.S. Marines. Attendees are encouraged to bring a veteran friend, and spouses are always welcome. The meetings feature camaraderie, food, drink, conversation and updates on upcoming events. For more information, call 925-3381775, email MCL1155@outlook.com or visit https://www.mcl1155.org/.

Area author to explore her lesbian identity

Three book signings in East County in March and April

Author Nikki K. Lopez, MBA, has released her debut book Lesbian, Who Are You?, and she will have three book signings in East County over the next month.

The book explores lesbian identity and community, and is available now on Ama zon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more.

“The book itself speaks to persons try ing to find their identity also and not living up to societal expectations of what the les bian community should be about,” Lopez said.

The book offers an honest, revolution ary perspective on lesbian experiences, ac cording to a press release announcing the book signings.

The signing dates are:

• Barnes & Noble, at The Streets of Brentwood, March 29, from noon - 3 p.m.

• the pour up wine bar, 1 I St., Antioch from 4-6 p.m.

• the pour up wine bar, 1 I St., Antioch on April 13 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Lopez is a Jamaican-born author and advocate based in the Bay Area. Married with two adult children, she embraced her

tions that need to happen,” Lopez said. “It’s about how we define ourselves and why those definitions matter.”

To celebrate Women’s History Month, Lopez will begin a nationwide book tour this month with readings, signings, and discussions on lesbian visibility and history.

“Lesbian stories are women’s stories, and they deserve to be centered in our understanding of women’s history,” she said

WHAT IS ESTATE PLANNING AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

By Todd W. Moeller, Moeller Estate Law

Many people believe that estate planning is simply preparing a Will to make sure that assets are passed on to the people whom they want to receive their assets when they pass away. While that is certainly a part of estate planning, estate planning involves more than just taking steps to pass property from one generation to another.

A common question is, “Why do I need to do any planning?” There are numerous reasons why people need a comprehensive estate plan to address situations that all families may face later. The reasons to plan vary from person to person and family to family, but a few reasons to have a comprehensive plan include:

1. Establishing a procedure for managing your assets in an efficient manner and avoid probate when you pass away.

2. Designating who will manage your affairs when you pass away.

3. Protecting your children’s inheritance if you pass away and your spouse remarries after your death.

As an estate planning attorney, I have seen what happens when people neglect to set up an efficient estate plan. My goal is to ensure that you remain in control of your affairs as long as

is practicable and to guide you with respect to choosing the right people to assist your family and estate when you are gone.

Todd and his wife, Julie, are the proud parents of three terrific adult children and two grandchildren and have resided in the Tri-Valley and East Contra Costa County for 36 years. Todd’s practice focuses entirely on estate planning, which includes the preparation of Wills, Revocable Trusts, Financial Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives. Todd is passionate about helping his clients achieve their estate planning goals. If you have questions concerning your existing estate plan or setting up an estate plan, please contact Todd W. Moeller at (925) 301-8840 or Todd@MoellerEstateLaw.com.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this advertisement is provided for general information only. Todd W. Moeller is licensed to practice law in the State of California only, and any information contained in this advertisement is based on general principles of California law. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship.not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship.

LOPEZ

O pini O n

EDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY

Have something to say? Post a comment or submit a letter to the editor at www.thepress.net/site/forms.

Letters to the editor

Meet Taylor, our intern who’s ready to help cover East County

It’s time to improve Brentwood’s fire and medical response

crew that can help contain wildfires.

Hello! My name is Taylor Shepherd, and I just started as an intern here at The Brentwood Press. I am in my last semester at San Jose State University as a journalism major. I am so excited for this opportunity to learn and improve my writing and editing skills. I enjoy working out, traveling, skiing and spending time with family and friends. I am interested in topics such as fashion, sports, crime and lifestyle. If you have any topics similar to this and would like me to write about them, feel free to send them to jake@ brentwoodpress.com.

Taylor

Shepherd Correspondent

With production costs rising, The Press needs your help

To our readers and supporters of The Press:

Two months ago, we were notified that our printing cost will go up because of the cost of aluminum used to make the plates we need to print the pages. This week, we received another notification because of the new tariffs.

The cost of the newsprint is going up again (for the third time in the past six to seven months) and that cost is passed on to us.

In these challenging times, we need your support and acknowledgment that this paper is relevant and important to you as it’s becoming increasingly more expensive to produce this community newspaper with the quality journalism that we offer without more help from the community.

We ask that you consider becoming a donor (at www.thepress.net/contribute) or subscriber (at www.thepress.net/subscribe) to keep the free press free to the residents of East Contra Costa County.

Please click, call 925-634-1441, or stop by The Press and show your support or if you have any questions or comments.

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As your elected County Supervisor and a member of the Contra Costa Fire Board of Directors, my highest priority is public safety in East County. Residents and businesses need to be able to rely on timely fire and medical response that can put out fires and save lives. We are rebuilding our region’s fire protection and medical services after a period of fiscal instability and declining coverage in the 2010s. Station 94, planned at the downtown Brentwood site of former Station 54, is integral to rebuilding those services.

When entire neighborhoods burned to the ground in the Los Angeles area this year, people asked me, “How do we avoid our community becoming the next Pacific Palisades?”

Wildfire risks are increasing across California, and some Brentwood neighborhoods are in the wildland-urban interface where a wildfire can spread easily to homes. Central and Eastern Brentwood experience some of the highest call density in East County but must wait for fire and medical responses from Station 92 on John Muir Parkway or beyond.

Insurers see the risks in Brentwood and are raising rates accordingly. According to reporting by the East Bay Times, Brentwood’s 94513 ZIP code experienced more home insurance policy non-renewals than anywhere else in the Bay Area over the past decade.

The passage in 2020 of Measure X and the merger in 2022 of East Contra Costa Fire Protection District into Contra Costa Fire have reopened stations, purchased new equipment, and increased staffing to provide service levels closer to what our community expects.

In 2020, only nine firefighters were on duty at any time to cover 249 square miles. Today’s budget funds 19 firefighters to cover the same area. Ambulances and fire trucks that used to have only EMTs now include more highly qualified paramedics who can perform more advanced procedures to save a life. The Byron Wildland Fire Training Center opened last year, housing a hand

LETTERS POLICY

The Press invites your comments. Letters must be no longer than 325 words and include name, address and phone number for confirmation.

The Press reserves the right to edit submissions for length, clarity, potential libel and taste, or to not print letters we feel violate our standards of acceptance.

Opinions expressed in letters are not necessarily the opinions of The Press, whose opinions are contained in clearly marked editorials.

Send correspondence to The Press, 248 Oak St., Brentwood, California, 94513; or email editor@ brentwoodpress.com.

These are major improvements, but we’re not yet at the level of protection that residents deserve. Every firefighting resource we add to East County strengthens the entire region’s emergency response network. Once Brentwood is properly covered by local fire stations, Contra Costa Fire won’t need to pull resources away from Oakley, Antioch or Discovery Bay to respond to a Brentwood emergency.

Station 94 is a key step in making Brentwood and all East County safer. Located at the site of the former Station 54 in downtown Brentwood, the rebuilt station is in the heart of where Contra Costa Fire is most often called for service. The location on First Street is also the best use of taxpayer funds. Using existing zoning for a fire station on land that Contra Costa Fire already owns will save millions of dollars and potentially years of delays to find, purchase, and perform new environmental impact studies that have already been completed or preapproved for the planned location.

The Los Angeles-area fires in January showed us that when fire service is spread thin, the community is in danger. Approving the construction plans for Station 94 this spring is the single most important thing Brentwood’s city leaders can do to help lower homeowners’ insurance costs and save residents’ lives. Let’s work together to provide the proper service levels that our community expects for Brentwood and all of East County.

Supervisor Diane Burgis, District 3 Downtown Brentwood deserves a fire station

Editor:

My name is Brian Oftedal. I am a Brentwood resident and a professional firefighter. I have served on the East Contra Costa Fire Board of Directors for almost six years and was President of the Board for four years.

Our mission was to find ways to improve the fire services in East Contra Costa County, which was woefully

underfunded and underserviced. Our solution was to merge East Contra Costa Fire into the larger and better funded ConFire District. In January of this year, I was deployed to help at the Eaton Fire in suburban Los Angeles. The devastation I witnessed there was overwhelming. Looking at Altadena, it was hard to imagine how a community like that could burn to the ground. Entire neighborhoods were destroyed, and I was struck with the similarities of these neighborhoods to downtown Brentwood.

My overwhelming sense was – this could happen to us. Today, Brentwood has only one fire station, on the west end of town. The time it takes our fire apparatus to reach an emergency on the other end of Brentwood can be as much as 4-7 minutes, assuming that they are not on another emergency call. Our community has been begging for more fire stations for close to two decades. It has always been our plan to reopen the downtown firehouse, once we had sustainable funding. Now that we have the funding we need, ConFire can build this downtown station to serve our roughly 66,000 Brentwood residents.

Some of our homeowners are without insurance or have had to find new carriers and are paying double or triple what they were paying for insurance previously. The addition of the downtown station and new fire engine will help to reduce our fire insurance costs. We care about our nextdoor neighbors, the veterans, and have worked with them in the past, packing boxes for the troops, flipping pancakes and burgers, and moving boxes. We will continue to support the veterans while also helping the community. Let’s all work together with the county to get this life-saving engine company back in service downtown and provide Brentwood with the fire protection it needs and deserves.

Brian Oftedal (firefighter) Brentwood

Liberty boys volleyball off to hot start, motivated by last year’s playoff loss

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

Liberty boys volleyball junior Zachary Sisney and senior Tyler Deguzman remember last year’s loss to Castro Valley in the North Coast Section semifinals vividly – the Lions were swept in three sets on the road as then-sophomore Brendan Beresford fell down to his feet as the Trojans celebrated across the net, right in front of him.

Nearly a year later, and with club volleyball in between, the Lions are off to another hot start, 7-2, after sweeping Pittsburg 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 27-25) Tuesday night in Brentwood, with last year’s playoff loss fresh on the minds of Liberty who are using it as fuel for their fire.

Tuesday night’s win is also the Lions’ fourth in a row.

“It sparked a lot (of this season’s start),” Deguzman, now one of three seniors on the team, said. “A lot of these guys play club, so taking a tough loss took a toll on us and just motivated us more. We know how far we can go, we know how much potential we

have. So, that idea of what we can be, I think it just motivates us more to push us up and just win any game that we can.”

Liberty showed their ability to close teams out this year in their win over the Pirates Tuesday night, even if they needed a second chance.

After it looked like the Pirates took the third set to force a fourth set, originally 25-

Liberty outside hitter Zachary Sisney goes up for one of his team-high 12 kills in the Lions’ win over Pittsburg Tuesday night in Brentwood.

“It sparked a little bit of life in them,” Liberty head coach Haylie Bustamante said. “They came back and executed like we know we can, and like we need to do more.”

Sisney tallied a team-high 12 kills in the win, along with 24 assists.

“We’re still salty,” Sisney said of last year’s playoff loss motivating the start of this season. “But we’ll get our revenge. Castro Valley’s not as good as they were last year, so I’m hoping we see them again and sweep them this time.”

23, but after review and discussion, the side judge eventually called a touch by Pittsburg on what was set point for the Pirates, forcing a replay of the set point back at 24-23 for Pittsburg.

Instead of starting a fourth set, the Lions got new life, and capitalized on it, putting the Pirates away 27-25 to claim the sweep.

Liberty’s 7-2 start to the season has seen them drop just seven sets throughout the nine matches. Since getting swept at College Park to start the season on Feb. 25, the Lions have conceded just four sets, winning seven of their next eight matches.

Sisney explained that he hopes the league-opening win can spark an undefeated run in the Bay Valley Athletic League by the Lions. He even guaranteed it.

“The hope is to go undefeated in league,” he said. “This year, we’re going undefeated in league -- guaranteed. Mark my words.”

Heritage’s Kinnaird cementing his place as team’s ace

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

In Heritage baseball’s 7-1 win over Bear Creek Tuesday afternoon in Brentwood, senior right-handed pitcher JJ Kinnaird started his day allowing a run, unearned, on a pair of hits with a pair of strikeouts to work out of the first inning, keeping his team in the game down 1-0.

He then went on to retire 17 of the next 19 batters he faced through his next five innings of work, allowing just two to reach base on a single, and then hitting one square in the back.

“He’s one of those kids who will make a mistake and learn from it,” Heritage head baseball coach Kevin Brannan said. “Very rarely will you see him make that same mistake over again.”

Kinnaird, while usually known for his strong ability as a leadoff hitter and center fielder, has pitched throughout his high school career, but started only when he arrived at Heritage. Since last season, his dominance on the mound has taken as much of a spotlight as his strong play leading off at the plate.

“I’m just trying to help my team any way I can get on the field to help us win a game,” Kinnaird said. “It’s not just me, there’s everybody else. I’m throwing the ball to (catcher Tyler Williams), and he’s just got to frame it and I just got to be consistent. But I’m just trying to help out the team any

chance I get.”

According to MaxPreps, Kinnaird has followed his strong junior season on the mound with an even stronger start this season, going 2-0 in his first pair of starts, allowing one unearned run on five hits with 14 strikeouts through his first 10 innings. His strong start already outshines his first two outings last year, where he managed just six innings, and although he allowed only a run, he also gave up seven walks with five strikeouts.

He turned it around the rest of the year, however, pitching to a 7-0 record in 13 appearances (11 starts), recording a 1.58 ERA, allowing 14 runs (13 earned) with a career-best 52 strikeouts in just under 60 innings pitched in 2024.

“He’s probably been our best pitcher for the last three years,” Brannan said. “The first thing that stands out is his command on the mound. He’s getting a lot of firstpitch strikes, his velocity’s up, and I think he put in some time in the weight room. Playing football helped him a lot.

“It’s a long season, but I definitely noticed an uptick in his velocity, which gives him a definite advantage.”

Kinnaird’s enjoying just as hot a start at the plate, with the team’s second-leading batting average of .429 and second on the team with six hits in 14 at-bats with a pair of RBI and a double early on.

“It’s just confidence,” Kinnaird said of his growth on the mound. “I got to be confident in my stuff because I want to be able

to compete (at the next level) soon. And everyone there competes for a spot. You’re not handed it.”

Kinnaird’s competitive nature originally helped him land a spot with San Francisco State University’s baseball program. However, he had to recently decommit from SFSU as the university is set to drop its baseball program due to budget cuts, along with two other sports programs.

“They really believed in me as a top guy for the program next fall,” Kinnaird said. “They just kept telling me that they felt bad.”

Kinnaird added that he has other schools he is considering, almost all in California.

“Since I made that announcement on Twitter (X), a lot of schools from all levels reached out,” Kinnaird said. “Anywhere that sees me helping their program and helping me grow to become a better player and better person while getting a quality education.”

As for the rest of this season, Kinnaird said that Heritage baseball’s goal is to get past the North Coast Section quarterfinals. Heritage’s playoff journey ended in the quarterfinals in two of the last three seasons. They were knocked out of the postseason in the opening round against Berkeley in 2023.

“Our goal is to make it further,” Kinnaird said. “We have to get past the second round of the playoffs.”

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Heritage’s JJ Kinnaird pitched six strong innings in the Patriots’ win over Bear Creek Tuesday afternoon in Brentwood.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

The Liberty softball team is in a familiar position in the early goings of the season: 2-2 after the first four games, and could have broken the .500 deadlock had Wednesday’s game against Berkeley not been rained out (rescheduled for May 3).

At this point last year, also at 2-2, is when the Lady Lions took off, winning 10 in a row including come-from-behind wins against San Ramon Valley, who recently defeated Liberty in extra innings last week, Central Catholic, and Monte Vista.

“Each year our team is going to have ups and downs,” Liberty head softball coach Brandi Macias said. “As long as we learn from each opportunity and compete, we will be successful.”

The Lions opened this season with a loss on Opening Day to Tracy, then defeated East Union at home. They then took to the road to defeat Granada in what’s now become vintage, come-from-behind Liberty fashion in the late innings. Then they fell at San Ramon Valley in extra innings last Thursday, March 6, in a game where it looked like they would have survived if not for a late error in the ninth inning and late heroics by the Wolves.

However, despite being in familiar territory, Brandi Macias cautions to not expect a repeat of last year, even though the roster is

mostly

the North Coast Section semifinals.

“There is a familiarity to last season, but this is a new season,” she said. “This group, for the majority, played together. Therefore they have the experience. They can trust what each one is capable of and be successful for one another.”

“I feel that our experience is going to help us be more consistent in competing at a higher level. The experience we went through last year will help us prepare for this year. The coaching staff has high expectations and belief in this group.”

Where the lineup took the spotlight last year, seemingly scoring at will, this year the

Liberty’s Kelsie Skaggs smacks a hit in the Lions’ win against East Union on March 3.

out 35 batters. She had her best outing at the Wolves, allowing just two runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out a season-high 12 batters, her second double-digit strikeout performance in the early goings of the season.

“(Kate’s) a workhorse for us,” Brandi Macias said after the loss last Thursday. “She’s going to continue doing what she can on the mound.”

Macias, on the other hand, has been the captain that has steadied the Lady Lions ship.

pitching duo of juniors Kate Skinner and Kaitlyn Macias are leading the way.

“Our pitching from both Kaitlyn and Kate has been consistent, which has been our focus this year,” Brandi Macias said. I look for them to continue to have consistency, and they both will give you everything they’ve got with every pitch they throw. They are competitors and want to do the best they can for their team.”

Skinner got off to a slow start this season in her first two starts of the year. But she seemed to have found her rhythm despite the extra-inning loss at San Ramon Valley last week.

Through her four starts this season, she’s allowed six runs while already striking

In three relief appearances in the circle, she’s allowed three hits with nine strikeouts. At the plate, however, is where she’s shined the brightest so far. Kaitlyn Macias leads hitters with a .500 batting average, in runs batted in with eight, and in home runs with three.

The Lions have four hitters hitting over .300 through the first four games, along with Kaitlyn Macias – Taylor Jennings (.438), Madison Tuttle (.417), and Isabella Rice (.357). Rice is also the lone Lion to have hit more than one home run this season.

Brandi Macias says that there’s one thing she wants to see from the lineup going forward into the season.

“We still have strength in our lineup. We just need to get more aggressive at the plate,” she said.

unchanged, albeit a year older, from the 2024 team that reached

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

How to protect yourself against newest measles outbreak in U.S.

Editor’s note: A version of this column was published in April 2024. Due to the increase in the number of measles cases in the Unites States this year, it is being reprinted with updated information.

About 95% of Americans have been vaccinated for the measles, so it’s the other 5% we should be worried about. Before vaccinations, the measles was responsible for serious illnesses like pneumonia, and even death. It’s important to note that most of the afflicted people are those who have not been vaccinated and have traveled to other countries where vaccination rates are low. In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared measles eradicated. But as of March 28, 2024, a total of 97 measles cases were reported by 18 states, including four in California, the CDC said in a press release with 285 cases in 2024.

As of March 6, 2025, a total of 222 measles cases were reported by 12 states and jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washing-

ton state, according to CDC data. There have been three outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) reported in 2025 For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were associated with outbreaks.

Of hospitalizations last year, those younger than 5 years old account for 68% (34 of 50); 27% (6 of 22) are age 5-19 years and 14-25 (56%) are 20 or older.

If you are vaccinated, you have lifetime protection. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t carry it to an unvaccinated person, infecting them.

Measles is highly contagious, quickly spread by coughing, sneezing, and direct contact with secretions. According to the CDC, the virus can live in the air for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves an area. Symptoms of the virus are coughing, sneezing, reddened eyes, runny nose, and a rash. The vulnerable are pregnant women, infants under 11 months, the elderly, and individuals who have compromised immune systems.

The best defense is to get your vaccines. Secondly, do the basics: wash your hands, cough/sneeze in a tissue and throw it out or use your upper arm sleeve. In general, if you are having any respiratory symptoms, wear a medical-grade face mask.

For more information this year’s outbreak and for prevention tips visit https:// bit.ly/4bHmJdw

Sponsored by Train Smarter + Harder

Malerie Darling

Malerie has made an immediate impact on the Liberty Girls Varsity team as a freshman, showcasing not only her consistent strong play but also her leadership in helping the team succeed. She started all 17 games this season, scoring 6 goals and providing 4 assists. Two of her goals came in Round 1 of the NCS playoffs against San Ramon Valley, where she scored with a flick of her head and netted the equalizer with a perfectly placed, powerful free kick from 20 yards out—top bins!

At Train Smarter + Harder, we believe success comes from effort, a can-do attitude, and consistent preparation. We’re proud to sponsor the Athlete of the Week, recognizing young athletes who embody these values. As part of this recognition, the athlete will receive three complimentary sports performance training sessions to help further their development.

Publication Date: April 4, 2025

Deadline for space reservation: March 21, 2025

Nurse’s CorNer

sheri Griffiths

Have you or someone you know reached a “milestone”? If so, we’d like to know about it! Email your information to editor@brentwoodpress.com.

Costco opens its doors in Brentwood to long lines

Brentwood’s heavily anticipated Costco officially opened its roll-up doors last Friday morning as hundreds of people lined up outside and around the store to be some of its first customers. Some shoppers started lining up as early as 4 a.m., while others camped out for the opening from 10 p.m. the night before. To view a video of the grand opening of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Milestones Milestones

Have you or someone you know recently reached a “milestone”? If so, we’d like to know about it!

Examples of a milestone could be: A new baby, A 100th birthday, Engagement/Wedding, Significant Anniversary, Awards Won, Military Achievements or a Hole-In-One!

Stacy Aaron Pereira

March 21, 1973 - Feb. 16, 2025

OBITUARY

Stacy passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 16, 2025 at his home in Byron.

He was a journeyman plumber and worked at Lawrence Livermore and Lawrence Berkeley labs.

He loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and gardening.

Stacy is survived by his children, Aubrey Pereira, AvaLynn Pereira and Evan Pereira; his parents Stan Jr. (Kris) Pereira and Deborah Baio; brother Stan Pereira and sister Shelby (Johnny) Rose; nieces Jozalyn and Jessee Rose; nephew Jake Rose. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Wayne Baio.

He was a lifelong resident of East Contra Costa County, and graduated from Liberty High School. A Celebration of Life will be held on March 21 from 1-4 p.m. at Tess’s Community Farm Kitchen at 8091 Balfour Road in Brentwood.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Breaking the grade barrier: Asian-American academic pressure

As the second semester begins, some students are already beginning to look forward to the end of the school year. What they don’t realize is that while the school year may end in just a few months, the learning won’t.

For students, this means there is more stress, especially for a certain demographic: Asian-Americans. School is an extremely stressful part of life, but for Asian-American students, stereotypes and cultural pressures often create unique struggles. This has become a serious problem for education in the United States, and has a very negative impact on the school system.

Academic pressure on Asian-American students and others has worsening their mental health, decreasing their physical performance, and breaking down their social life.

Mental health is a critical issue in education, particularly for Asian-American students who often face intense academic pressure. Many parents prioritize academic success, which can leave students feeling as though their worth is tied solely to their grades. This pressure is further compounded by societal stereotypes that Asian students must excel academically. Furthermore, Asians are considered to be the “model minority,” for other races, and have to also live up to that stereotype as well.

According to Sarah D. Sparks of Education Week, it can be really damaging when students are forced to live up to broad social stereotypes around academic success. These combined pressures can lead to mental health struggles, including anxiety and depression. For some students, the stress can create a cycle where lower grades result in greater pressure, further hindering academic performance. The fear of failing to meet expectations can significantly harm their emotional well-being. Over time, this cycle can escalate, affecting both their mental health and academic success. It is important to address these pressures and stereotypes to better support students. By fostering a healthier environment, educators and parents can help alleviate the challenges Asian-American students face.

As students spend their time doing

schoolwork, there isn’t much time for students to be active physically as well. But for schools and for the students’ health, physical performance is extremely important.

According to an article by Dr. Brian Cole of Sports Medicine Weekly, exercising has significant health benefits, such as increased mental clarity, reduced stress, and better time management skills. These benefits are extremely important to school and grades, but there’s just one problem: some cultural expectations force kids to prioritize school work over physical activity. There is always that pressure to study for your quiz instead of going for a walk, to write that essay instead of going to the gym, to finish your homework instead of shooting hoops with your friends. To those focused on pursuing academics, these health-related activities aren’t prioritized, reducing overall health. This not only leads to worse grades, but worse health and reduced growth.

Social connections are extremely important to everyone, and will stay important throughout their lives. Social skills are what will help you network for that dream job at Apple, or what will gain you acceptance into your dream college. But, more importantly, social skills are what will help you choose your friends. According to an article by PsyPost, having more friends can prevent the development of mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. However, the pressure put upon students to study instead of going out with friends can negate their ability to mingle with peers. Friends are arguably one of the most important things needed in today’s world, and without social opportunities due to all the time spent studying, keeping healthy friendships can become difficult.

All in all, pressure exerted onto AsianAmerican students can ruin their mental health, decrease their physical performance, and break down their social life. Parents and educators must understand that it’s okay for their students to take breaks every now and then, since it’s for the better. By taking breaks, kids can strengthen their mental and physical health and increase their social skills. So keep on taking breaks, and watch the magic happen.

Nahar Grewal

St. Patrick’s Day is known for revelry. A festive atmosphere prevails each March 17, and people from all walks of life and genealogical backgrounds take part in festivities that have become celebrations of Irish culture.

Cuisine is a big part of Irish culture, even if it’s not the first thing people think of when pondering the Emerald Isle. This St. Patrick’s Day, celebrants can bring a touch of Irish cuisine to their celebrations by preparing the following recipe for “Irish Guinness Stew with Lamb” courtesy of Lines+Angles.

Irish Guinness Stew with Lamb

Makes 6 servings

8 cups lamb or beef stock; divided

1 cup pearl barley

3 lb. lamb shoulder, cubed Salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

3 tablespoons oil

1⁄2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

4 stalks of celery, washed, trimmed and chopped

2 large yellow onions, peeled and chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

3 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped

12 fluid ounces Guinness stout

1 bunch fresh parsley

1 bunch fresh thyme

1 bunch fresh rosemary

3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 teaspoons cornstarch

4 teaspoons water

1. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, bring 3 cups of stock to a boil; add barley. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer for 20 minutes. Set aside.

Warm up with Irish stew this St. Patrick’s Day

2. Meanwhile, pat the meat dry with paper towels. Season the meat with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven. Brown the meat on all sides over medium-high heat. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat from the pot. Sprinkle flour over the meat, shaking off any excess; set aside.

3. Add the celery, onions, garlic and carrots to the pot and saute until onions are soft and translucent. Add Guinness and deglaze the pot, scraping up all the caramelized bits on the bottom and sides of the pan.

4. Chop the leaves of the parsley, reserving the stems. Tie the parsley stems and several sprigs of thyme and rosemary into a bundle; drop the bundle into the pot. Chop the remaining thyme and rosemary; set chopped herbs aside.

5. Return the meat to the pot. Add the potatoes, barley and enough stock to cover the meat and vegetables. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to very low and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, or until meat is fork tender. Stir occasionally, adding remaining stock as necessary.

6. Check seasoning; adjust to taste. Stir in chopped parsley, thyme and rosemary. Mix cornstarch in water and stir. Add to stew, stirring to incorporate. Cook over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes or until stew thickens. Ladle into bowls. Serve with crusty bread and of course more Guinness if desired.

Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

Youth writer

REGIONAL & LOCAL

News iN Brief

Senior resources presentation on March 14 in Antioch

The county’s Advisory Council on Aging is holding a resource presentation on March 14 from 9-10 a.m. at the Antioch Senior Center, at 415 W. 2nd St. The presentations are designed to answer questions and introduce residents to resources for seniors.

For details, visit https://ehsd.org/elderly-disabled/information-assistance/community-resources/

Public Advisory Committee member sought for the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy

The East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy seeks one individual or organization representative to serve on the Public Advisory Committee to provide input on the implementation of the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Community Conservation Plan to the Conservancy’s Governing Board. The panel is composed of members representing a variety of interest groups, including three members from the development community, three representatives from the conservation community, three private landowners and/or agriculturalists, three representatives of suburban and/or rural residents within the Plan area, as well as staff members from interested public agencies. Committee members are appointed for a four-year term and are expected to attend all four meetings per year. There is an unscheduled vacancy for one suburban or rural resident from the plan area.

The panel meets quarterly and reviews and comments on the general implementation processes of the conservation plan, including providing input on implementation policies, budgeting, workplan, restoration projects, a small research grant program, the operation of preserves, adaptive management, and the adherence to plan commitments.

For more information on the plan and the role of the committee, visit http://www. cocohcp.org or contact Maureen Parkes. Application materials are available at: www.cocohcp.org/275/Public-AdvisoryCommittee.

To be considered, applications must be received no later than Thursday, March 20, at 5 p.m. either by mail or email at the following address (hard copy or electronic):

Maureen Parkes

East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy

30 Muir Road

Martinez, CA 94553

Email: Maureen.Parkes@dcd.cccounty.us

Red Cross hosting blood drives in March, April

The American Red Cross is hosting several events where residents can donate blood in March and April.

The dates, locations and times are:

• March 19: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at St. Anne Church, 1800 Camino Diablo Road, Byron.

• March 21: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2350 Jeffery Way, Brentwood

• April 4: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Discovery Bay Community Center, 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd.

• April 24: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Ignatius of Antioch, 3351 Contra Loma Blvd., Antioch.

For details, visit redcrossblood.org.

State offers grants for Quagga and Zebra Mussel infestation prevention programs

California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways is offering grants to help prevent the further spread of quagga and zebra mussels into California’s waterways. Funded by the California Mussel Fee Sticker (also known as the Quagga Sticker), the Quagga and Zebra (QZ) Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program expects to award up to $2 million across eligible applicants. Applications must be received by April 18 at 5 p.m.

Grants are available to entities that own or manage any aspect of water in a reservoir that is open for public recreation and is mussel-free. If a reservoir is already covered by a two-year 2024 grant, that reservoir will not be considered during this application period. Funding is intended to augment local resources aimed at stopping the spread of these harmful invasive mussels. The funds must be used for prevention projects such as planning, watercraft inspection stations and inspectors, launch monitors, watercraft decontamination units, educational signs, and outreach.

Quagga and zebra (Dreissenid) mussels pose a serious threat to California’s waters and fisheries. The spread of these freshwater mussels threatens recreational boating and fishing, aquatic ecosystems and fisheries, water delivery systems, hydroelectric facilities, agriculture, and the environment in general.

Since beginning in 2014, the state’s QZ Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program has awarded $26.5 million in grants for 117 projects at 71 reservoirs. As a result of the collective efforts from all partners, the spread of quagga mussels has been slowed and limited to Southern California with two zebra mussel sightings in San Benito County.

While the state recognizes prevention work for quagga and zebra mussels also prevents the spread of golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei), the statutes and regulations governing the QZ Mussel Infestation Grant Program are specific to quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha). The ability to grant or deny a complete application is based on whether the applicant is preventing infestation of quagga and zebra mussels. Therefore, the grant program cannot fund activities

To submit a news item for this page, send it to editor@brentwoodpress.com

that discuss the golden mussel for the 2025 grant cycle. Applications that discuss the golden mussel may be disqualified during the interagency review process.

To learn more about the QZ Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program and the upcoming webinar, visit dbw. parks.ca.gov/QZGrant.

State to begin annual control efforts for invasive plants in the Delta

California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways is beginning its 2025 control efforts for invasive aquatic plants in The Delta and its southern tributaries.

Starting March 20, the state will begin herbicide treatments on water hyacinth, South American spongeplant, Uruguay water primrose, alligator weed, Brazilian waterweed, curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, coontail, fanwort, and ribbon weed in the Delta. The treatment start date may change depending on weather conditions and plant growth/movement.

These aquatic invasive plants have no known natural controls in the Delta, the West Coast’s largest estuary. They harm the Delta’s ecosystem as they displace native plants that are essential to the area’s biodiversity while negatively impacting the economy, environment and public health. Continued warm temperatures help the plants proliferate at high rates. Plants are also known to form dense mats of vegetation, creating safety hazards for boaters and obstructing navigation channels, marinas, and irrigation systems.

Due to their ability to spread rapidly to new areas, the plants will likely never be eradicated from Delta waters. Therefore, the boating division operates control programs as opposed to eradication programs. The division works with local, state, and federal entities to better understand the plants and implement new integrated control strategies to increase efficacy.

Funding for the state’s programs comes from the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund, which receives revenues from boaters’ registration fees and gasoline taxes.

All herbicides are registered for aquatic use with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Treated areas for submersed aquatic vegetation (Brazilian waterweed, curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, coontail, fanwort, and ribbon weed) will be monitored to ensure herbicide levels do not exceed allowable limits and follow EPA-registered label guidelines.

DeSaulnier announces 2025 Congressional Art Competition

U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (10th District) announced he will host the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. High school artists living in California’s 10th

Congressional District are invited to submit original artwork to DeSaulnier’s office through Friday, April 11. The winning piece will be selected by a panel of local judges and announced at a reception following the submission deadline.

The competition is open to all high school students in The District, which includes East County. The winning piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol and the winner will be invited to Washington, D.C. to attend a national reception honoring winners from around the country.

All submissions must be emailed to Kaylee.DeLand@mail.house.gov along with a completed release form no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 11.

Complete contest guidelines and submission forms are available on DeSaulnier’s website at https://desaulnier.house. gov/

For more information or help submitting artwork, call 925-933-2660.

Brentwood District 1 town hall meeting on March 14

Join individual members of the City Council for regular town hall meetings focused on an open dialogue about the City of Brentwood with the City manager Tim Ogden. District 1 Council member Faye Maloney will host in her district town hall at The Streets of Brentwood Suite 128 (adjacent to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on Friday, March 14 from 6-7 p.m.

Applications open for Oakley’s Juneteenth Celebration

Craft vendors, food vendors, and stage performance applications are being accepted for the Oakley Juneteenth Celebration.

The city’s Juneteenth Celebration will be at Civic Center Plaza on Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Music, food, and events make Juneteenth a day of joy and unity. to highlight and uplift Black voices within the community, the city said in a press release.

To submit an application, select the events tab at https://secure.rec1.com/CA/ oakley-ca/catalog or access the Recreation registration link through the link in our bio. The deadline to apply is April 7 by noon.

Brentwood State of the City address March 31 at Delta Theatre

The historic Delta Theatre will host the 2025 State of the City, where Mayor Susannah Meyer and the City Council will share key achievements and plans for the on March 31 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:45. Attendees will also see a feature on Brentwood’s vibrant community and history.

Attendees are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. Register at http:// brentwoodca.gov/SOTC

Cop logs

The following is a selection of recent law enforcement activity:

BRENTWOOD

March 1, 2:26 p.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Balfour Road. Two males were filling their backpacks with medicine. March 1, 4:41 p.m. A case of grand theft was reported on Lone Tree Way. About $2,300 worth of merchandise was taken on Feb. 20.

March 1, 5:17 p.m. A case of lost property was reported on Guthrie Lane. The reporting party placed their phone and airpods down to play basketball.

March 1, 8:58 p.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way. The reporting party was in a verbal altercation with a Black female in her 50s with dreads wearing a white sweater, black shirt and blue jeans who concealed items in a bag. An adult was arrested.

A case of grand theft was reported on Balfour Road. The reporting party set her phone down and someone took it.

Brentwood – March 2, 3:59 p.m.

March 1, 9:46 p.m. A missing adult was reported on Valmore Place. The reporting party’s father had been missing for the past six hours. He is 88 years old, 5-feet, 10-inches tall, with thin gray hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray flannel jacket, black pants, and black shoes or slippers. His maroon 2005 GMC Truck was not there and his cellphone was going straight to voicemail. He never leaves the house, so this was unusual for him.

March 2, 5:06 a.m. A case of miscellaneous outside assist was reported on Village Drive. Pittsburg Police Department was out with a vehicle that was abandoned on the side of the road and running. The regular owner advised they lent the vehicle and want to see if she knows where the vehicle is at and if this is an unreported incident.

March 2, 3:08 p.m. Property was found

on Claremont Drive. The reporting party found a set of keys waiting out front in the parking lot.

March 2, 3:59 p.m. A case of grand theft was reported on Balfour Road. The reporting party set her phone down and someone took it.

March 2, 4:05 p.m. A threats complaint was reported on Brentwood Boulevard. It was a domestic dispute.

March 2, 4:25 p.m. A suspicious circumstance was reported on Cashew Court. It was a domestic dispute.

March 2, 10:32 p.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way. There were two suspects inside the store stealing and clearing shelves. They walked out of the store. An adult was arrested.

March 3, 8:03 a.m. A case of forgery/fraud was reported on Toscanna Court. It was credit card fraud with suspect’s information.

March 3, 9:40 a.m. A case of forgery/fraud was reported on Lavender Drive. The reporting party had a fraud purchase made in his name. The reporting party stopped the order and had possible suspect information from the order.

March 3, 12:29 p.m. A suspicious person was reported on Sand Creek Road.

March 3, 1:08 p.m. A suspicious circumstance was reported on Minnesota Avenue.

March 3, 2:09 p.m. A case of grand theft was reported on Sand Creek Road. A Hispanic female wearing turquoise clothing and a black female wearing black clothing in their 20s took over $1,000 and left in a vehicle.

March 3, 2:29 p.m. A case of grand theft was reported on Lone Tree way. The reporting party had her purse in a shopping cart, and when she turned around someone took it out of the cart.

For one-of-a-kind burgers, Antioch’s HD Burger and More is the place to go. Owned and operated by Haroon and Dina Popal, HD’s menu boasts everything from classic to gourmet burgers, grilled portabella mushrooms, roasted vegetables, myriad salads and more. The family-style restaurant offers a kids menu and is available for eat-in and take-out dining.

HD Burgers and More is located at 5019 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. It is open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 925-978-9398.

Proposal

Brentwood and Antioch.

“If people will talk about traffic and impact, it’s going to happen,” Beinke said, addressing past criticisms of the proposal. “We’re trying to reduce the impact.”

At the March 11 meeting, the 12 protesting residents were led by Nadine Obeid, who had previously organized a Change. org petition against the Mercedes Lane rezoning. Obeid, speaking first, reiterated the concerns of the citizens about traffic, overcrowding, and impacts on the quality of city services, declaring her belief that Oakley had become “a dumping ground for low-value businesses,” such as gas stations, car washes, storage facilities, and fast-food restaurants. She argued that keeping the commercial zoning at the site would bring in more tax money for the city and provide the local community, which she considers to be underserved, with more amenities.

Other residents had varying reasons for their opposition. Some, such as Ken Tilcock, Brad Nix, and Sean Ross, argued that the land at 40 Mercedes Lane was

Complex from page 1

prime commercial development space on the corner of Laurel Road, which Tilcock called the “main corridor between east and west Oakley.”

Nix also criticized the short time gap between the Planning Commission work session and that held by the City Council, and warned that children in any housing development on the site would likely be playing in the busy streets due to a lack of backyards attached to the houses.

Others, including Bud and Donna Chattuck, and Eric Pratt, focused on what they saw as the City Council bending to the will of developers from outside Oakley. They cited experiences with a McDonald’s near Laurel Elementary School, which they also criticized for its potential impact on the health of the school’s students, and with Quick Quack car wash, which the council voted against approving at first before reversing their decision in the face of a potential lawsuit from Beinke who also developed that property.

“Clearly, you do not listen to the people you’re representing,” Donna Chattuck told the City Council. “All of these people [at the

• Roughly $10.2 million from the Parks and Trails Development Impact Fee. This is money collected by the city from developers as they come to Brentwood, according to Treasurer Kerry Breen.

• Roughly $8 million from the General Fund

- $6.9 million came from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a stimulus package from 2021 that awarded funds to cities nationwide during the pandemic and the amount that was given to Brentwood, according to Breen.

- $1.2 million from the sale of the Brentwood Technology Center. The site on Sand Creek Road formerly housed Los Medanos College’s Brentwood campus before it was sold to Sand Creek Orthopedic Associates in 2022. Upon completion, this phase of the Sand Creek Sports Complex will include:

• Three multi-use synthetic turf fields that can be used for soccer, lacrosse and baseball/softball practice, according to the design documents

• Shaded bleachers

• An area for food trucks

• A dedicated area for team photos complete with an art installation

• Restrooms

• A parking lot with electric vehicle charging stations

• A group picnic area with arbor

During public comment, residents spoke largely in favor of the project, with one resident noting that it would have boost the economics of Brentwood and the rest of East County.

Councilmember Jovita Mendoza thanked city staff for their dedication to the sports complex, calling it a legacy for them.

“I’m excited for the community,” she said. “I’m a big proponent of parks and having spaces for our kids to be

Service from page 3

interested participants would not have to choose between attending one event or the other. We weren’t aware they had chosen April 12 until they advertised it, after we selected that date, but before we advertised it.”

According to Recreation Manager Troy Faulk, “In addition to service projects, local non-profit groups will have a table at the Oakley Recreation Center, each hosting their own donation drive

meeting] would not be here if you listened to us, that is the fact of the matter.”

The councilmembers’ reactions to the comments varied. Councilmember Anissa Williams spoke in favor of commercial zoning on the site. But she worried, as Beinke said, that it would cause just as much traffic, as well as graffiti and trash buildup, as a residential neighborhood. She also cautioned against seeing any malicious intent in Beinke’s proposal, and pointed out that local small businesses do not have deep pockets, which could impact any revenue taken from a commercial area.

Councilmember Aaron Meadows was strongly in favor of commercial, calling the 40 Mercedes Lane site “the most important intersection in all of Oakley.”

Vice Mayor Hugh Henderson agreed with Meadows, saying that the site “definitely should stay commercial,” and pointed out that any housing development would need more exit roads and more parking if it was to be viable.

Councilmember George Fuller applauded the presence of so many concerned

citizens at the meeting, singling out Obeid as “a leader (who) has been born,” who had “single-handedly put this together,” and pointing out that Nix “was one of the original mayors here,” having helped form the city government in its early days. He said that the land should remain commercial, and that if Beinke comes up with a “viable” alternative to the current plan, he would be interested in seeing it; however, he also stated that the practice of developers coming to the city and “asking the city to do things for them” needed to stop, and that the City Council should direct zoning policy.

Mayor Shannon Shaw, after hearing complaints that she frequently voted for the wishes of developers over the needs of Oakley residents, denied that. She said her vote on one development did not determine her vote on any other, and that she “drive[s] to sites, talk[s] to residents, [and does] due diligence.” She also agreed that the land should be zoned as commercial.

At this time no plans have been submitted for a commercial or residential project.

Residents and non-residents can help beautify Brentwood and Oakley on April 12 during each city’s day of service.

able to do something.”

For more information on the Sand Creek Sports Complex project, visit bit.ly/3XQ3jgR

Other topics discussed include:

• A closed-session meeting about the potential sale of several city-owned properties. Following the closed session, Mayor Susannah Meyer said there was nothing to report.

and distributing information to Day of Service participants and other residents. The 2025 Oakley Day of Service will begin with a welcome breakfast at the Oakley Recreation Center. From there, volunteers will meet with their project leader and travel to the project site. Each volunteer will receive breakfast and a 2025 Oakley Day of Service T-shirt. The five service projects that have been selected this year include:

• Beautify Neroly Road between Plac-

• A discussion about the Vineyards at Marsh Creek event center/amphitheater. The city is continuing to finalize the design for Phase 1 of the project, which would include a small event stage and food truck court as well as parking. The topic is expected to come up later in the summer or early fall when more elements are finalized, according to Director of Engineering Allen Baquilar. The full meeting can be watched at https://bit.ly/3DPVr8i

er Drive and Laurel Road.

• Oakley Recreation Center Park beautification.

• Koda Dog Park tree planting project.

• Delaney Park Trail tree planting project.

• Marsh Creek Cleanup at Creekside Park.

Attendees of the Oakley event must sign up in advance, according to Navarro. Sign up can be done at https://secure.rec1.

com/CA/oakley-ca/catalog and is open to both residents and non-residents. Registration is free and includes breakfast and a 2025 Oakley Day of Service T-shirt.

“The Oakley Day of Service is a fun way for residents to work together on service projects throughout the City, side by side with their neighbors, family and friends,” Faulk said. “Each project will make a positive impact on the community that can be appreciated by all residents and park visitors.”

Photo courtesy of City of Brentwood

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