ThePress_04.18.2025

More recreational opportunities will be coming to Brentwood

By Jake Menez & Taylor Shepherd Staff Writer, Correspondent

Brentwood residents may soon have more recreational options after the Planning Commission approved both a Pilates studio and an art studio in two separate 4-0 votes during their April 15 meeting. Commissioner Gerald Johnson was absent.

IM=X Pilates

“I think it’s a great addition to the city of Brentwood,” Commissioner Anita Roberts said about the Pilates studio. The studio, IM=X Pilates, would be

at 3870 Balfour Road, in the City Block shopping center across the street from Veterans Park, according to the meeting agenda packet. It will be open seven days

The Wonder Workshop is one of two new businesses coming to Brentwood.

“We are always encouraging and excited to have new businesses in Brentwood,” Denise Cosgrove said before the Commission approved the item. Cosgrove is on the board of directors for the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce. “I think this would be a great benefit to Brentwood.”

More about the Pilates studio is at www.imxpilates.com/california/ brentwood/

Wonder Workshop

by Jeff Weisinger

a week with shorter hours on the weekends, and will host classes in hour-long sessions. Each session will have a maximum of 12 participants.

Beyond home, school or work

By Taylor Shepherd Correspondent

Area planners consider “third spaces” as places where people can gather casually, such as coffee shops, breweries, co-working lounges and bookstores. These are locations outside of home, work or school that promote social interaction, creativity and community identity.

“While the City does not recruit based on age, it actively works to create an environment

where these types of businesses can thrive,” said Abraham Salinas from the Economic Development Team.

Brentwood does not prescribe which specific businesses can open in a given area. “The city uses zoning and land use policies to guide what types of uses are allowed — such as restaurants, cafes, retail, entertainment or offices,” Salinas said.

“Once zoning is in place, it is ultimately the private market — property owners, brokers and entrepreneurs — that decides what businesses open and operate.”

Salinas added that the city pays attention to the demographics to understand demand.

“Brentwood’s population is

see Third Spaces page 18A

By Jake Menez Staff Writer

The second business approved 4-0 by the Commission was Wonder Workshop, an art studio at 1185 Second St. Although the workshop held its grand opening last month, they had been operating in a limited capacity due to a delay with their permits, owner Amanda

The Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion Committee — a city committee made up of Brentwood Vice Mayor Pa’tanisha Pierson and Councilmember Faye Maloney – voted to introduce a land acknowledgement agreement that would be read at the start of future City Council and Planning Commission meetings. The topic will be voted on by the full council at a later date.

“A Land Acknowledgement

is a formal statement that publicly recognizes the Indigenous Peoples who have been displaced and dispossessed from their ancestral lands due to colonial and historical forces,” according to the agenda for the meeting. “It acknowledges that an organization, city, park, or other structure is located on the ancestral homelands of these Indigenous communities.”

The packet notes that a land acknowledgement agreement is “not about assigning blame,” and describes it as a way to promote

see DEBI page

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925-813-4788

925-944-5100 Linda.Feldman@sci-us.com

C ommunity

Oakley student picked for special STEM program

Fourth grader to join students from across U.S. at UC Berkeley this summer

By Nicole Becchina Staff Writer

Jamilah Brunson, a fourth grader at Oakley Elementary School, has been selected to attend Envision’s National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Pathways to STEM.

The forum will take place on campus at the University of California-Berkeley this summer. Outstanding students from across the nation will participate in the program.

“I felt very excited that I was chosen because not everybody gets to be chosen for things like that,” Brunson said.

Brunson is part of Oakley Elementary’s Leadership Club and was nominated

by Jordyn Kahn, an educator at the school. The Leadership Club helps students develop communication skills, teamwork and problem-solving skills to prepare them for the future.

“I found out I was nominated because I came home one day from school and my mom was like ‘I’m so proud of you,’ and I was like ‘for what?’ and she said ‘you got nominated,’” Brunson said.

Joanna Calderon, Brunson’s mother, said the students attending the program will get to partake in various activities in the areas of medical, science, building robots, and leadership. They will also get to attend lectures with college students.

“Everyone is so excited for her,” Calderon said. “I am so beyond proud of her. It’s very exciting. She’s always been super smart.”

Brunson has career aspirations to join the medical field. “I really want to become a pediatrician because I really like little kids,” Brunson said.

Dr. Jan Sikorsky is the Vice President of Education for Envision. “I am excited for Jamilah to meet, work, and collaborate with fellow high-aspiring students from

other cities and schools,” Sikorsky said in a press release. “NYLF Pathways to STEM is a wonderful opportunity for ambitious young students to explore their interests outside the classroom and discover how to innovate and think creatively through hands-on immersive learning. Our students are challenged with real-world simulations and problems, working together to develop unique solutions, and projects to bring life

to their studies and career interests.”

The one-week program costs $3,600 in tuition, which includes room and board.

“I’m most looking forward to sleeping in the dorms, but I’m also kind of nervous.”

Calderon said they are raising funds to cover the tuition cost. Brunson recently sold popsicles at a popsicle stand at the safety fair at her school. She also wrote an essay for a scholarship and was awarded $250 to go towards the tuition.

Those who are interested in donating can send the contribution directly to Calderon’s Venmo at @Joanna-Calderon-6.

NYLF Pathways to STEM is one of Envision by WorldStrides’ many programs that gives students the opportunity to explore learning beyond the classroom and immerse themselves in their interests, according to the press release. WorldStrides provides educational travel and experiences in the United States and works with over 50,000 educators each year and helps 550,000 students explore the world and themselves in new ways.

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

JAMILAH

Brentwood Chamber of Commerce honors award winners

Brentwood residents and business owners mingled in the Community Center on the evening of April 11 at the Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Celebrating Brentwood Gala. The event celebrated those who made a positive impact on their community in the previous year.

Before the awards ceremony, the Chamber recognized Amy Tilley, the former executive director for the Downtown Business Coalition, for her work in “building the bridge” between the Coalition and the Chamber.

The winners of the awards were:

Youth of the Year

Megan Dowdy of Heritage High has a perfect GPA and has earned 16 college credits. She is pursuing a private pilot’s license, and has received several community service awards, including the 2024 Violet Richardson Award and three Gold Presidential Volunteer Service awards.

Employee of the Year

Corrine Comeaux has been a Brentwood resident since 1976, graduating from Liberty High School. Since she joined QuickStop in 2003, she has fostered a welcoming environment for employees and customers alike, building lasting friendships and helping others.

Start-up of the Year

Curated is a group of seven local busi-

Brentwood Vice Mayor Pa’tanisha Pierson (center) presents a proclamation to Adam Martinez, president of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, during the Celebrating Brentwood Gala last Saturday. At left is Tanya Aviles of the Chamber and event organizer.

ness owners who are dedicated to showcasing their creativity through local events like paint nights and pop-ups. They promote community engagement and support small businesses that benefit Brentwood.

Non-profit of the Year

Vasco Forever Helping Families was founded by Cynthia Loredo after her husband died in a car crash on Vasco Road

in 2017. The organization’s goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of Vasco Road and to advocate for more improved safety measures. It also supports families affected by accidents there by assisting with medical bills, hospital expenses and more.

Business of the Year

California Gleamin is a luxury well-

ness spa in downtown Brentwood that offers treatments like massage therapy, body contours and piercings. Owner Sarah Christine says their mission is to provide experiences rather than appointments. Volunteer of the Year

Christine Canales is a dedicated community leader and active volunteer. She is on the board of the Brentwood Rotary Club and Vasco Forever Helping Families, is involved with the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, Delta Networking Partners, and she is one of the leaders of the Brentwood Polka Dot Powerhouse chapter, while also working as a local realtor, making her a key figure in a number of community activities.

Citizen of the Year

Tricia Piquero is a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and owner of the 110 Degrees magazine. She has been a member of several local organizations, like the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce, since first moving to Brentwood in 2005. In addition to that, Piquero has been vice president of the Economic Opportunity Council of Contra Costa County. During COVID-19, she launched a wellness venture. Piquero consistently promotes local businesses, events and people.

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

Press photo

Chamber hosting free Business Expo

Job fair returns to Brentwood

on April 29

By Jake Menez Staff Writer

The East Bay Business Expo and Job Fair returns to the Brentwood Community Center at 35 Oak St. on April 29 for the event’s sixth year, giving residents the opportunity to come meet local business owners and job seekers a chance to connect with potential employers, all while also raising awareness of the businesses. The event is from 5-7:30 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity for businesses who are seeking to expand and grow their business,” organizer Katie Brandt said of the event put on by the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce. “It gives them a chance to surround themselves with other like-minded individuals while also allowing attendees looking for a job to find one.”

According to Brandt, there will be more than 60 local businesses at the free Expo. Unlike previous years, this year’s event will organize the vendors into three

groups: those who are actively hiring at the event, those who are accepting applications and those who are not looking to hire. The program will indicate which businesses are which using a color-coded system.

The list of vendors who will be hiring directly at the event include: • California Payroll

HomeLife Senior Care

Handydads Construction

Express Employment Professionals

• Hallway Healthcare

• Working Wonders

• MassMutual

• 1st Nor Cal Credit Union

• StretchLab

• Brentwood Union School District

• Break Free Fitness

• Perfect Star Heating & Cooling

Based on previous year’s events, organizers say they are expecting 250 to 300 attendees. Those who attend can enjoy free food, beer and wine samples. There will also be giveaways, both by the Chamber of Commerce and by individual vendors. Giveaways include two 65-inch televisions, iPads and several other electronic devices by both Apple and Samsung. Each attendee will get one free raffle ticket for coming to the event. These tickets are to win the 65-inch T.V. The giveaways from the vendors are free to enter but others will be done using raffle tickets.

For more information, visit https://bit ly/4jAidAf

East Bay Park District plans Earth Day event at Big Break

Each year, the East Bay Park District hosts Earth Day volunteer events at locations across the district. Volunteer projects include shoreline clean-ups, removing invasive plants, sand dune restoration, habitat restoration, and trail work. Most projects welcome drop-in volunteers, although some require pre-registration.

The one in East County is at Sand Dune Restoration: Big Break Regional Shoreline, 10 a.m. to noon. Others are:

• Crown Memorial State Beach Cleanup

• Don Castro Regional Recreation Area Park Beautification, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Hayward Regional Shoreline Cleanup, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline: Tidewater Cleanup

• Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline: Oakport Cleanup

• Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Invasive Plant Removal, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Cleanup, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Earth Day Art: Coyote Hills Nectar Garden, 1-3 p.m.

• Sand Dune Habitat Restoration: Bay Trail at Encinal Beach in Alameda, 1-3:30 p.m.

For more information, visit ebparks. org/we-celebrate/earth-day.

East County participates in Day of Service

Amy Tilley (center), event co-organizer of the Day of Service, stands with Brentwood Youth Commission members Valentina Barros (left) and Carena Helvey.

The Press photo

Brentwood: 25 projects, 1,500 pounds of trash collected

By Isaac Arriaga Correspondent

Brentwood celebrated its second annual Community Day of Service starting at Veterans Park on Saturday, April 12.

About 600 volunteers of all ages worked Saturday morning to complete 25 projects throughout the city.

Amy Tilley, co-chairperson of the Community Day of Service, said that more than 1,500 pounds of trash was collected from Brentwood’s parks, 15 tires were taken out of Marsh Creek, roughly 350 letters and cards of encouragement were written for seniors and for members of Adventure Therapy Foundation, and an estimated 700 pounds of food, clothing, and school supplies were collected.

“I think Brentwood, to me, feels like a community that wants to get involved, and wants to stay engaged, and wants to help each other out,” Mayor Susannah Meyer said. “And so when you hear about non-profits that are local, that are doing really good work and you maybe never heard of them before, you don’t know what their resources are, you want to do what you can. Not everybody has time to volunteer on-going, but a lot of people have time to take a few hours on a Saturday and help with

one-time projects. We also hope it’s going to help people to understand more about what resources we have available in Brentwood.”.

Due to the work completed by volunteers and nonprofits, the City and the Brentwood Leadership Roundtable announced Community Day of Service will happen next year, too.

“There will definitely be another (Community Day of Service) next year,” Meyer declared to the volunteers present at Veterans Park. “This is a huge success for us. And we’re so grateful to everyone; the staff, and the donors, and the sponsors, and the volunteers, and the Youth Commission … ‘Thank you’ to everyone that went right to their site and thank you to everyone who showed up today. This is amazing and it makes all of us feel so good about our community. We really appreciate it.”

The City of Brentwood, along with the Leadership Roundtable, invited residents to sign up and volunteer for community service projects organized by local nonprofits. Volunteers were treated to a pancake and sausage breakfast by the Rotary and Lions Club before reporting to their assigned project.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh provided trash bags and pickers for volunteers to pick-up trash around the park.

see Brentwood page 9A

Oakley

residents plant trees, pick up trash, spread mulch

By Connor Robles Correspondent

Oakley held its first Day of Service on April 12 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Oakley Recreation Center, Creekside Park, Koda Dog Park, Delaney Park, and Neroly Road near Laurel Ridge Community Church.

At each of these locations, a total of more than 170 volunteers of all ages performed acts of community service, such as planting trees, picking up trash and debris, and spreading fresh mulch.

The Day of Service was introduced to Oakley by former Mayor Anissa Williams, according to current Mayor Shannon Shaw. Williams was inspired by the close cooperation between residents and nonprofits at a similar event held in Brentwood last year.

“Having attended last year’s event in Brentwood and [having] seen the amazing turnout, she wanted to bring a little bit of that to Oakley,” Shaw said. “It’s hopefully the first of probably many, since…we’re

hoping to make this an annual event.”

Williams said that the preparation for the event was mainly the result of the city recreation team’s efforts. “I was pretty hands off--basically, the rec team took the idea and ran with it,” Williams said. “I did connect them with Brentwood, because we wanted our [Marsh] Creek projects to line up…We just reached out to a bunch of nonprofits to see how they wanted to contribute, we let people send in project ideas, and in the end we ended up choosing an area in each district, so everybody could see the effects of what we were doing.”

The day began with a pancake breakfast provided by the City staff and a nonprofit fair at the Recreation Center. Five nonprofits, including the Friends of the Oakley Library, the American Red Cross, and Masonic youth group DeMolay International, showcased their causes and handed out free items; Oakley police held a prescription drug take-back.

The volunteers divided into five groups

see Oakley page 9A

Photo by Conner Robles

Brentwood Youth Commission presents annual Multicultural

Faire on April 26

Youth writer

Watch as bright colors twirl; listen as bells ring and cultural music blare from speakers; and gather around as youth from all over Brentwood cheer for their peers. On Saturday April 26 from noon - 3 p.m., Brentwood’s Youth Commission welcomes all residents to a day at City Park in downtown Brentwood filled with celebration and appreciation.

Residents can expect a series of performances from cultural groups based all over the city, said event organizer and commission vice chairperson at Valentina Barros. From Antioch’s Dance it Up Performing Arts to Heritage’s South Asian Student Association and Latinos Unidos, a variety of cultures will be represented.

“Really, our goal for the multicultural faire is to beautifully showcase the rich and diverse culture of the youth in Brentwood,” Barros said.

The event will also feature various food trucks and craft vendors from throughout the Bay Area.

Additionally, this year’s multicultural rally will present a fashion show intended for individuals of all ages to show off their culture and fashion traditions.

For more details about the event visit https://bit.ly/4jA7ENM Rachel Lei Heritage High School, Junior

By Michael J. Amthor, Esq.

GRANDMA AND GRANDPA — YOU’RE THE BEST!

Grandparents love spending time with their grandchildren. If you meet a grandparent, they may break out the photos of their grandchildren, or of the day they spent at the zoo or lake. You and your grandchildren have given each other precious memories, like walking hand in hand to the fishing hole, stopping to skip stones and whistle along the way — just like in the Andy Griffith Show

But, will you leave them anything other than fading memories when you are gone? Many grandparents want to help their grandchildren and give them a leg up financially. If you choose to leave them something, it is important to do so in the right way. If you simply leave assets to your “grandchildren,” that may be vague. Your children may continue to have children of their own even after your death. You have to ask yourself if you want to benefit only those grandchildren who were alive and whom you knew.  Alternatively, you could set aside a pot of money in a trust, appropriately named a “pot trust” to be split at a predetermined time. For example, you could leave money in the trust to be split among your grandchildren

when your youngest child reaches age 50. Of course, there is no right answer. Just make sure your wishes are clear. The worst thing you could leave your children and grandchildren is ambiguity.

Giving during your lifetime can make financial sense, especially if you have a large estate. In 2025, you and your spouse each can give $19,000 per year to each grandchild without reducing the amount you can give estate tax-free at death. So, if you have five grandchildren, you and your spouse each can give $190,000 each year, which is the total of 5 x 2 x $19,000.

Your grandchildren are precious to you. You can show them how important they are through cards and letters and hugs. But, if you also want to help them financially, an experienced estate planning attorney can help you craft a plan that provides for their future.

If you have questions on this or any other estate planning topic, call me at (925) 516-4888. Golden Legacy Law Group, 1181 Central Blvd., Brentwood www.goldenlegacylaw.com

Pets Frolic Inn

REGIONAL & LOCAL

News iN Brief

Brentwood police to host drug takeback event on April 26

The Brentwood Police Department is participating in a national drug takeback day by hosting its collection event on Saturday, April 26.

This free event will be at police headquarters at 9100 Brentwood Blvd. from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. All unused, expired or unwanted prescription drugs will be accepted, according to police spokesperson Lindzie Laughridge.

Syringes will not be accepted.

Brentwood celebrates Earth Month this month with free compost

In honor of Earth Month, the city of Brentwood is providing about 100 cubic yards of free compost to residents available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Visit the self-serve station at the Recycled Water Fill Station (2251 Elkins Way) and follow all posted traffic signs, the city said in a press release.

There is a limit of one pickup truck per household.

Proof of residency may be required.

A shovel is provided for residents’s convenience — just bring your own bags or buckets, the city said in the press release.

For more information, visit www. brentwoodca.gov/government/publicworks/what-s-new

Celebrate Fourth

Annual California State Parks Week June 11-15

California State Parks are celebrating the fourth annual California State Parks Week from June 11-15, and Mount Diablo State Park is among those offering an event.

Presented by California State Parks, California State Parks Foundation, Parks California and Save the Redwoods League, this weeklong celebration with the tagline “This is Where You Live” offers more than 170 events, including both in-person and virtual experiences, highlighting the people, places and programs that make California’s 280 state parks special, the state said in a press release.

New to this year’s celebration is a poster contest for California’s K-12th grade students who are invited to create original artwork inspired by the themes of the week. Students must submit their entries by May 9. There are five grade categories for awards: K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 1012. Winning entries will be recognized with prizes – including an annual pass sponsored by the California State Park Foundation for first place – and featured as part of California State Parks Week. Full contest details and guidelines are available at castateparksweek.org/poster-contest/.

Whether you are exploring new outdoor activities, learning ways to protect the environment or connecting with your

community, California State Parks Week offers something for everyone — all at no additional cost. It’s an opportunity to take direct climate action, enjoy the beauty of your parks and be part of a movement to preserve them for future generations, the state said in the press release. The festivities take added significance this year as California celebrates its 175th year of statehood.

Reservations are now open. For a full list of events and participation details, visit CAStateParksWeek.org.

Locally, on June 14 at Mount Diablo State Park, help care for the park and protect its variety of life from two aggressive plant invaders.

California’s State Parks Week exists to preserve and protect the state’s natural and cultural history. In recent years, it has become clear that public lands play a critical role in making cities stronger, happier and healthier, the state said in its press release. Parks are places where everyone can connect with nature and find inspiration and joy. California State Parks Week is a way to celebrate the wonder and sense of community that the outdoors provides to Californians and visitors from all over the world.

White Pony Express launches fundraiser in face of federal funding cuts

White Pony Express, which distributes food in the county to families in need, in East County, seeks financial support from the public to help reduce a funding gap due to cuts in federal support.

To this end, White Pony Express has launched the Nourish to Flourish Spring Fundraiser that runs through May 31. The funding cuts threaten one-third of White Pony Express budget, and the organization must raise $350,000 to support ongoing services and fresh food distributions.

White Pony Express is calling on individuals, businesses, and philanthropic partners to contribute because every donation fuels food recovery efforts, ensuring fresh, nutritious meals reach those who need them most, White Pony Express announced in a press release.

With one in five people facing hunger and meal costs at a 20-year high, White Pony Express wants to continue to deliver food to the more than 100 nonprofits serving vulnerable county residents, according to a press release.

Every day, White Pony Express collects fresh, surplus food, and delivers it to more than 100 nonprofit partners. Despite the abundance of surplus food, only 2% is donated, which presents an opportunity to expand food access.

Crime dropped significantly in state last year, according to early data

As the state continues to invest in the safety and security of California residents,

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

new data suggests violent and property crime dropped in 2024 statewide. According to an analysis of Real Time Crime Index data by the Public Policy Institute of California, violent crime dropped by 4.6% and property crime dropped by 8.5% in 2024, compared to 2023.

Through preliminary data for 29 of California’s law enforcement agencies, robberies decreased by 5.2% and aggravated assaults went down by 3.9%, according to a press release from Gov. Newsom’s office.

In addition, robbery and homicides in 2024 also dropped by 12.5% and 5.9%, respectively. Vehicle thefts dropped by 11.9% in 2024 and burglary and larceny also went down by 13.6% and 18.6%, respectively, compared to pre-COVID levels, the early statistics show.

California has invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to fight crime, help local governments hire more police, and improve public safety. In 2023, as part of California’s Public Safety Plan, the Governor announced the largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime in state history, an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety.

As part of the state’s largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime, Gov. Newsom announced last year the state distributed $267 million to 55 cities to help local them combat organized retail crime. These funds have enabled cities and counties to hire more police, make more arrests, and secure more felony charges against suspects.

Newsom, Legislature double down on state’s critical cap-and-trade program in face of federal threats

Gov. Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas have announced they will seek an extension of California’s climate pollution reduction program - known as capand-trade - during this legislative year.

The program is expires in 2030, and requires extension by the Legislature. As the governor noted in his proposed budget, extending the program this year can provide the market with greater certainty, attract stable investment, further California’s climate leadership and set the state on a path to achieve its 2045 carbon-neutrality goal, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration threatens deep cuts to federal environmental programs and attempts to derail state climate efforts with a “glorified press release masquerading as an executive order.”

The cap-and-trade program is the state’s climate program – proposed by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and adopted under a law he signed

in 2006 – that holds carbon polluters accountable by charging them for emitting more carbon pollution than allowed. The funds raised are then put to use across the state on projects and programs that help clean the air, protect public health, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, conserve nature, and more. The funds are also delivered directly back to Californians in the form of the California Climate Credit, a credit applied to utility bills twice a year.

State training program highlights fight against alcohol-related deaths

In observance of Alcohol Awareness Month, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is highlighting its ongoing commitment to combating alcohol-related harm through its Responsible Beverage Service training program.

Established in 2017, the training program teaches servers to responsibly serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption and educates them on the dangers of serving alcohol to minors and over-serving patrons.

“Serving alcohol responsibly goes a long way in reducing alcohol-related harm,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough in a press releases. “Each time underage drinking and overserving are prevented, a very serious hazard to our roadways and our communities is avoided.”

Responsible Beverage Service training is legally required for servers and managers of establishments with on-sale ABC licenses, which account for approximately 56,000 ABC-licensed businesses. If you’re a server, get certified in the Responsible Beverage Service Portal, which has the tools you need to ensure compliance with the mandatory Responsible Beverage Service training requirements.

Once a server takes the training, they must pass their exam within 30 days. Certification is valid for three years and must be recertified prior to expiration. Training is offered in multiple languages.

Newsom sues to end Trump’s tariffs, use of ‘emergency powers’

Gov. Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging President Trump’s use of emergency powers to enact broad-sweeping tariffs that hurt states, consumers, and businesses.

The lawsuit argues that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs through the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, creating immediate and irreparable harm to California, the largest economy, manufacturing, and agriculture state in the nation, the state said in a press release.

These tariffs have disrupted supply chains, inflated costs for the state and Californians, and inflicted billions in damages on California’s economy, the fifth largest in the world.

The Sierra Club organized volunteers to clear discarded tires out of Marsh Creek. Muktangan, a non-profit, ran book and school supply donations for children, and also accepted hygiene product donations for women, while Hope House accepted food and clothes donations. All items donated will be distributed to Brentwood’s nonprofit organizations. The United Indian Association held a blood drive in the parking lot.

“Here at the park you can work on cards for cancer patients (organized by Adventure Therapy Foundation), said Julie Deck, co-chairperson of the Community Day of Service. “You can work on cards for seniors. You can also go over and get more information from each of the nonprofits. You can get a pancake breakfast from the Rotary Club and sausages from the Lions Club. We also have the Marsh Creek clean-up as well as some park clean-up on this site today. Lots of things you can do here at the park.”

The Day of Service was not limited to Veterans Park. About 30 nonprofit organizations arranged projects throughout the city.

“ The Day of Service was not limited to Veterans Park. About 30 nonprofit organizations arranged projects throughout the city. Off-site, the things people are participating in: Hope House has their refresh project, Tilley said. “Liberty baseball and softball fields have a project going on there. DeLuna Ranch is getting some love today. ”

Off-site, the things people are participating in: Hope House has their refresh project, Tilley said. “Liberty baseball and softball fields have a project going on there. DeLuna Ranch is getting some love today. Be Exceptional Programs, they have an amazing outdoor space, but it needs a lot of work, and so there’s a lot of volunteers there helping with that. The Independence and Gateway program in downtown, they are doing a garden clean up there. Bristol Middle School’s got a library being painted. Garin (Elementary School) has a TK playground (clean-up project). The Downtown Brentwood Coalition and the (East Contra Costa) Historical Society are working on the revitalization of the Brentwood Woman’s Club building which was Brentwood’s first library…The list goes on.”

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

and were briefed on their tasks for the day. Those staying at the Recreation Center used pitchforks and rakes to spread mulch on a hillside near the Center, those at Koda Dog Park and Delaney Park helped plant trees, and those at Neroly Road and Creekside Park picked up trash along the road and Marsh Creek, respectively.

Those who volunteered for the day were enthusiastic about it.

“Oh, it’s fun, it’s outdoors, with fresh air and nice people,” said Pat Hill, spreading mulch at the Recreation Center alongside her grandson Kaiden, who was also enjoying himself. She had found out about the event through her daughter, who signed her family up to volunteer.

Other volunteers got involved through churches or nonprofits. Becky Armstrong and her family were encouraged by the leaders of their Latter-day Saints church. They signed up for the Neroly Road beautification and trash pickup.

“I think it’s great,” Armstrong said. “The kids were a little reluctant at first, but we got them involved and they’ve done a great job. I think it’s important to support and clean up our community.”

King Etter, who helped plant trees at Koda Dog Park, was a member of DeMolay International, and was helping an extracurricular activity with that organization. He praised the youth group’s attitude that all of its members were “brethren,” and said that he had “been through a lot [and] learned a lot” during his time there.

“Today’s been a day, to be honest” Etter said. “We’ve shared laughs, been digging holes,” Etter said “It’s like, jokes and stuff, and laughing around. I haven’t been outside in a while, so I got to go out-

side and just see stuff. I got to see how strong I was.”

The most popular activity was the Marsh Creek cleanup at Creekside Park, with 64 registered volunteers. It was held with the assistance of the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, a government agency that has carried out similar activities since 1941. The Oakley Youth Advisory Council, and the nonprofit Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed also assisted the city in holding the cleanup.

The CCRCD was invited to join the Day of Service creek cleanup by the Oakley Youth Advisory Council, according to watershed conservation coordinator Victoria Woolfolk. The two organizations had previously worked together on a coastal cleanup in September of last year.

Woolfolk had high praise for the Day of Service. “It’s been going great so far,” she said. “We have a bunch of volunteers who have picked up a ton of trash, but really, the important part, aside from getting the trash out of the creek and out of the ecosystem…is that people are out here, walking their local creek. They’re connecting with a space that’s right in their backyard, and they’re seeing the wildlife. They’re seeing the turtles, they’re seeing the fish, they’re seeing the ducks, and it’s giving them a sense of ownership and a positive experience in the Marsh Creek watershed. That, to me, is a success.”

Williams considered the day a success as well, and was optimistic about its future. “We’ve been getting really good feedback from everyone so far,” she said. “Hopefully next year will [have] double and triple the numbers.”

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

Brentwood from page 6A

Oakley from page 6A

The Press photo

Photo by Conner Robles

Heritage softball team turning season around one inning at a time

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

”Win the inning.”

After each offensive inning, the players from Heritage’s softball team run out of the dugout and say one phrase that gets them locked in.

The phrase and mindset established by head coach Ron Rivers has helped the Patriots turn their season around, and it was on display in the 9-4 win at Dublin on Wednesday.

“I just came up with it,” Rivers explained of the new mantra. “Just win an inning. We used to say that in football a long time ago with Coach (Kevin) Hartwig, ‘1-0.’ The difference is that we’re trying to win an inning. If we can win a majority of the innings, we win the game.”

The Patriots won the first inning in Dublin big, and used that to carry their momentum to the win. Junior Melina Fuentes’s home run highlighted Heritage’s seven-run opening inning as Heritage sent 12 players to the plate to start the game, knocking out the Gaels’ starter after just an out into the inning.

Even after Dublin rallied with a fourrun sixth inning, Heritage responded by

scoring a pair in the top of the seventh to effectively put the game away.

“No matter where we’re at, what way we are, we’re finding ways to win,” Rivers said. “… It starts with winning the inning. They scored? Okay. Let’s go back and win the inning. If we can’t win it, we cut it in

half. They got four runs, we got two. You keep pressure on them that way.”

The mantra has rubbed off on the Patriots players as well through the winning trend.

”We say 1% (better) every time we come out of the dugout for practice, and

(in the games) in the innings it’s kind of the same thing,” junior pitcher Kylie Garcia said. “Every time you come out, your mindset is to win the inning, because you can go one (inning) at a time instead of the whole game being on your back.”

The turnaround from the team’s 1-5 start to the campaign has also seen the Heritage dugout come alive a lot more in the recent weeks as the Patriots have been more energetic with new cheers and a refreshed sense of positivity amongst the team.

”We challenged them to come up with new cheers,” Rivers said. “We challenged them to be supportive of each other. It helps because the biggest thing is that when we tell them something that they do wrong, they’re going back to the dugout and still feel wanted by their peers.”

“We’ve bonded more,” Garcia explained. “The upperclassmen are bonding more with the lowerclassmen and we just build chemistry.”

The shift in the team’s mindset has helped Heritage flip from the slow start to 9-6 overall following Wednesday’s win as the team has now won eight of their last nine games. The current winning streak

Freedom baseball ‘ready’ to start league play

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

Despite falling 3-1 to Pittsburg in their Bay Valley Athletic League opener on Tuesday, Freedom baseball is excited and eager to start league play after spending about the last two months taking on non-conference teams.

“I would say they’re ready to (start league play),” head coach Ken Evanson said. “I don’t think there’s one pushover game. Everybody’s good, and it’s going to be a tough league (season). It’s going to be a battle, and that’s what you want.”

Freedom, who dropped back to .500 at 7-7 following the loss against Pittsburg, has been strong at times this season. After a 2-3 start to the season, the Falcons won three in a row, defeating West, Northgate, and at College Park in mid-March. However, Freedom has gone 2-4 through their last six games including Tuesday’s loss at the Pirates, their second straight after falling 3-2 against Vacaville in 10 innings on April 11.

Despite dropping consecutive

games to the Bulldogs and Pirates, Evanson is confident in his team as they start league play as Freedom looks for

their fourth-straight trip to the North Coast Section playoffs since 2022.

“I think we’re getting better and

better every week,” he said. “That’s what we need to do.

One of Freedom’s biggest standouts this season hasn’t been one particular player, but rather, their small-ball (scoring via stolen bases, hit-and-run and bunting and not relying on home runs) approach, working counts and working the basepaths compared to waiting on big hits and rallies.

“We do small ball a lot,” Falcons junior pitcher Colton Vick explained. “It gets runners over and you get guys hitting gaps, so it’s good.”

The Falcons small-ball approach was on display in their win over Tesoro in Oakley last week. In the bottom of the third inning, down 1-0, Freedom earned a lead-off walk by Isaiah Keys, who stole second almost immediately into the next at-bat to Gabe Jost. Jost grounded out to second, allowing Keys to reach third and Keys would score a batter later on an RBI single by Andrew Borrego.

After working the bases, Freedom

Heritage’s Meadow Wachtel (5) and Sydney Ackermann (1) celebrate after Ackermann scored late in the Patriots’ softball game at Dublin Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Freedom pitcher Colton Vick throws a pitch in the Falcons’ baseball game against Tesoro on April 8 in Oakley.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Heritage rallies in fourth set to beat Freedom

By Juan Cebreiros Correspondent

Despite a rocky finish, the Heritage boys volleyball team won its third match in a row, with a 3-1 (25-18, 25-20, 20-25, 25-23) victory over the visiting Freedom Falcons on Tuesday night.

Heritage lost a chance to sweep Freedom losing the third set after leading the series 2-0. The Patriots had to battle back from as much as eight points down in the fourth set to pull off the victory. Senior outside hitter Sapond Mashal had a team-high 16 kills for the Patriots.

Patriots head coach Janet Hannigan said after the win that it wasn’t the team’s best performance of the season; they committed 27 errors.

“It would have been nice to play clean tonight,” Hannigan said. “They’re capable of it. We had a nice practice (on Monday) and some of the stuff that we worked on they implemented today. But we just didn’t play a clean game.”

Serving errors frustrated Hannigan throughout the night because they allowed Freedom to win the third set, and almost win Set 4. Heritage committed 14 serving errors on the night and at one point she told her team “do whatever you gotta do to get it over the net.”

“The serving is really hurting us,” Hannigan said. “We can either serve soft and let the other team run their offense and make it easy on them and hope our defense does what it needs to do, or we can serve more aggressive. There needs to be an understanding of when you do be aggressive and when you do hold back. You can’t be banging the back wall hoping for something to happen. It’s a fine line between the two.”

In the third set especially, Heritage’s serving mistakes hurt them as they played from behind the entire set.

But the Patriots couldn’t gain ground on Freedom’s lead because of serving mistakes. Hannigan said the 14 service errors were almost enough to swing the entire series.

Similar to the serving problem, the Patriots’ offensive attack at times has been held in check by opponents’ blocks. Blocks are what fueled Pittsburg’s comeback victory over Heritage back on April 1. Hannigan said it all comes down to mental mistakes.

“Smart hitters are gonna beat out a hard hitter any day,” Hannigan said. “We have people that, even though

we tell them to do this, do that, we practice it in practice, it’s not really translating upstairs, so it’s a mental thing.”

Five games into Bay Valley Athletic League play, Heritage is in third place with a 3-2 record against league opponents. They are behind Liberty (6-1) and Deer Valley (4-1). The Patriots will play both teams once more each before the season ends. Heritage hosts the Wolverines Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m.

To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/ slideshows

After scoring, middle hitter Brennan Wells #7 celebrates with his teammates.

Photo by Juan Cebreiros

EDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY

O pini O n

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

Historians defend the NEH and American public culture

Effort comes amid terminations from Trump and DOGE

The American Historical Association condemns the evisceration of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

On April 3, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), using a nongovernmental microsoft.com email address, notified hundreds of recipients that grants awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) have been terminated. These grantees include state humanities councils, museums, teachers, researchers, and organizations that serve the public, including the American Historical Association.

Guest comment

Later that night, letters were sent from a DOGE microsoft.com email address notifying roughly 75 percent of NEH staff that they have been placed on

administrative leave. This frontal attack on the nation’s public culture is unpatriotic, anti-American, and unjustified.

The NEH and the grants it administers nourish our democracy through research, education, preservation, institutional capacity building, and public programming in the humanities for the benefit of the American people.

These grants support work ranging from professional development workshops for teachers to the preservation of historic sites, research initiatives, and a wide array of programs for politically and demographically diverse audiences. Despite these significant contributions to public culture, DOGE justifies the termination of these programs by declaring their destruction to be “an urgent priority for the administration.”

The grant termination notices refer to a reallocation of funds to “a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda.” The specific reallocations remain unknown, but that agenda, as several executive orders have made clear, prioritizes narrow political ideology over

historical research, historical accuracy, and the actual historical experiences of Americans.

The NEH was established in 1965 by an act of Congress. The legislation affirmed that “the arts and the humanities belong to all the people of the United States.” The AHA recognizes that the chairperson of the NEH always has been a political appointment made by the president. The overall agency and its grantmaking programs, however, include a wide range of topics, perspectives, and approaches. The agency was never intended to be, nor has it been, focused solely on a single president’s narrow — and in this case, deeply ideological — agenda.

Under the guise of “safeguarding” the federal government, DOGE has ended grants and diminished staffing to a level that renders it impossible for the agency to perform its mission responsibly and with integrity.

These actions imperil both the education of the American public and the preservation of our history.

– American Historical Association

Letters to the editor

Mr. President, please rethink your funding cut to important student program

Editor:

As a retired educator, I was stunned to learn that President Trump has cut funding for the National History Day Events. This event is the culmination of a year’s work for over 500,000 students with the finalists presenting their projects for national awards in a few weeks.

The funding for this program is $336,000 for two years.

Jake Menez

Founder & Publisher Emeritus Jimmy Chamoures

Losing this program will reduce opportunities for over 500,000 children in sixth- to ninth grades .... and their families who voted for you! The cost is 67 cents per child. Such a small amount of money is giving each child learning experiences they may not receive in other ways. Is it possible your have been ill- informed about this program or that a mistake has been made? I request that you rethink the decision and reinstate the program. Certainly you did not mean to keep children from learning and becoming excellent individuals.

Mrs. Vickey Rinehart Discovery Bay

Letters to the Editor are an efficient way to make a difference. As one of the most widely read sections of any newspaper, Letters to the Editor offer an unmatched opportunity for community members to weigh in on the issues or call others to action.

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Social Talk About Town...

The following comments were made on Facebook and Instagram in response to the story for “Brentwood Cracks Down on Vagracy,” published in the April 11 issue of The Press, and “Bethel Island Woman, 73, ‘Politically Motivated’ Again at “HandsOff’ Rally,” published in the April 11 issue of the Press.

Brentwood Cracks Down on Vagracy

-Published in the April 11 issue of the Press

“Really? It’s about time.” -Angela Cox, Facebook

“When I see it I’ll believe it.”

-Joel Rivera, Facebook

“Start arresting them and put them to work cleaning the mess they made, bet they move along pretty quickly.”

-zoanom, Instagram

Guest Comment: Bethel Island Woman, 73, ‘Politically Motivated’ Again at “Hands-Off’ Rally

-Published in the April 11 issue of the Press

“Hell yeah. Bet she has

plenty of stories and things we can learn from” -littlesaintthick, Instagram

“I thought the democracy part was we all voted for this president. This president said what he was gonna do working with you, Elon Musk and doge prior to him being elected. We all still voted overwhelmingly to elect him as president and to do exactly what he’s doing. How’s that not a democracy? It sounds exactly like a democracy.”

-c.greenwell, Instagram

““for women’s rights”... Hope that means no men in women’s sports”

-1funitalian, Instagram

Diane Alexander

Kevin Allen

Gretchen Barber

Miriam Bell

Jerry &Mary Black*

Patricia Blumen*

Jamie Bolt*

Mark Branson

Marsha Brown

Vince Buchanan

Bethi Carver Gibb*

Gary Chambers

Janet Clarke*

Robert Conner

John Cooper

Kimberly Cope

Donna Corrigan

Denise Cosgrove*

Daley Dominic DeBellis

Doherty*

Dodson Michael Echeverria*

Fancey

Filippo

Finnigan

Foster*

Goodwin

Grossman

Gruver*

Guadagni

Guarascio

worked the pitching, walking the bases loaded until Vick cleared the bases on a three-RBI triple as the big highlight in a go-ahead, six-run inning by the Falcons.

“With this group, it seems like it eases the pressure off of them,” Evanson said. “Then those timely hits come and, usually

after that, they’re doing a good job.”

When he’s not hitting bases-clearing triples, Vick has brought a sense of confidence onto the pitching mound. Prior to Tuesday’s loss against Pittsburg, Vick had allowed just two runs in the previous three starts. Vick is 2-0 in nine appearances this season with a 0.92 ERA

with 21 strikeouts through 45 2/3 innings so far this season. Overall, he’s allowed nine runs, six earned.

“He’s doing a great job,” Evanson said. “He keeps his pitches down and he’s got a lot of positive attributes. … He’s just a huge competitor. A very quiet guy, but man, he is a competitor.”

Heritage from page 10A

best streak since they started the 2022 season 8-1-1 through the first 10 games en route to their North Coast Section title that

Heritage is 1-0 in league play after defeating Deer Valley 13-0 in Brentwood

Freedom takes on Antioch to continue BVAL play next week as the Falcons will play three games in a span of four days. Immediately following their home-and-home series against the Panthers, Freedom travels to San Ramon for a Friday afternoon game against California High on April 25.

in the league opener on Tuesday. They played the second game of the home-andhome series on Thursday before starting their two-game home-and-home series against Pittsburg on the road on Tuesday, April 22.

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

C lassifieds & l egals

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2025-0001657 The name of the business(es): Calvary Chapel Discovery Bay Located at: 1555 Riverlake Rd., Suite Q In: Discovery Bay, Ca 94505, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Discovery Bay Calvary Fellowship, Inc. This business is conducted by: a Corporation, State of Incorporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on . Signature of registrant: Melissa Morrison, Secretary. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/26/2025 by Deputy Clerk Expires 03/26/2030 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2025-0001757 The name of the business(es): September’s Glow Located at: 1135 Arnold Dr. #B In: Martinez, CA 94553, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Teri L Whitchurch. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Teri L Whitchurch, Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 04/01/2025 by Deputy Clerk Expires 03/31/2030 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2025-0001705 The name of the business(es): JMS Woodworks Located at: 922 Outlook Court In: Brentwood CA 94513, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Temple Joseph Steadman III. This business is conducted by: an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 03/28/2025. Signature of registrant: Temple Joseph Steadman III, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/28/2025 by Deputy Clerk Expires 03/27/2030 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2025-0001541 The name of the business(es): Mountain Mike’s Pizza Located at: 1185 2nd St Ste M In: Brentwood, CA 94513, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Seita Corporation. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, State of Incorporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 01/28/2013. Signature of registrant: Luis Seita, Managing Member. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/20/2025 by Deputy Clerk Expires 03/19/2030 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: April 4, 11, 18, 25, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2025-0001136 The name of the business(es):

1 STOP REGISTRATIONS Located at: 647 23rd Street In: Richmond, CA 94804, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): 1 Stop Shop Services LLC. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, State of Organization: CA. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Luis A Estrada, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: February 23, 2025 by Deputy Clerk Expires 2/27/2030 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Dates: April 4, 11, 18, 25, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2025-0001748 The name of the business(es):

B D M Electrical Contractor Located at: 3240 Monument Way Ste A In: Concord CA 94518, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Alamo Lighting & Electric Corporation. This business is conducted by: a Corporation, State of Incorporation: CA. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 2/15/2023. Signature of registrant: Kelly Houck, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/31/2025 by Deputy Clerk Expires 03/31/2030 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2025-0001390 The name of the business(es):

1. CR8 IT 2. UPRIGHT INNOVATIONS Located at: 1310 BIRMINGHAM ST In: OAKLEY, CA 94561, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Klear Koncepts LLC. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, State of Organization: CA. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Douglas Gusimat, Manager. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/17/2025 by Deputy Clerk Expires 3/16/2030 Oakley Press No. 03-0477 Publish Dates: April 4, 11, 18, 25, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2025-0001132 The name of the business(es): JC Handy Solutions Located at: 5106 Griffiths Ct In: Antioch CA 94531, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): 1. Jeremy Caesar Contreras 2. Kari Louise Contreras. This business is conducted by: A Married Couple. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on

2/24/2025. Signature of registrant: Kari Louise Contreras, Party Of Marriage. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 02/28/2025 by Deputy Clerk Expires 02/27/2030 Antioch Press No. 06-1617

Publish Dates: April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2025-0001644 The name of the business(es): HORNE Located at: 381 Parkfield Way In: Oakley, CA 94561, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Kevin Winston. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Kevin Winston, Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/26/2025 by Deputy Clerk Expires 03/25/2030 Oakley Press No. 03-0477

Publish Dates: April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 2025

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY: Renee

Kathryn Kern SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 PETITION OF: Renee Kathryn Kern, Renee Kathryn Kern CASE NUMBER: N25-0624 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner Renee Kathryn Kern filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: a. Renee Kathryn Kern to Proposed Name: a. Renee Kathryn Marrone 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING a. Date: 06/20/2025 Time: 9:00am Dept.: 30 Room: 201 b. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3.

a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Brentwood Press Date: March 27 2025 Judge of the Superior Court Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Dates: April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 2025

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

N25-0699 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

1. Petitioner Jerome Eugene Nunes filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: a. Jerome Eugene Nunes to Proposed Name: Jeremy Nunes

2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING a. Date: 7/2/2025 Time: 9:00

a.m. Dept.: 30 b. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Brentwood Press b. Type info here if box is checked or delete this sentence if not. Date: April 8, 2025 Judge of the Superior Court Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY: Aalya Monet Vanzego SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 PETITION OF: Aalya Monet Vanzego CASE NUMBER: N25-0434 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner Aalya Monet Vanzego, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: a. Aalya Monet Vanzego to Proposed Name: Aalya Monet

2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING a. Date: 05/28/2025 Time: 9:00a.m. Dept.: 30 b. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Brentwood Press of the Superior Court Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 2025

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY: Raymond James Sweeney, In Pro Per SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553

PETITION OF: Raymond James Sweeney, aka, Raymond James Hinaus CASE NUMBER: N25-0479- TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

1. Petitioner Raymond James Sweeney, aka, Raymond James Hinaus filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

Present Name:

a. Raymond James Hinaus

b. AKA Raymond James Sweeney to Proposed Name:

a. Raymond James Sweeney

2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING a. Date: 06/06/2025 Time: 9:00am Dept.: 30 Room: 201 b. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Brentwood Press b. Must appear to verify Petition and complete Declaration.

Date: March 06 2025 Judge of the Superior Court Brentwood Press Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Dates: March 28, April 4, 11, 18, 2025

MULTIMEDIA SALES PERSON WANTED

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The Press races to Baja

TPlanning from page 1A

Avery said. The Planning Commission’s approval granted them the permits they needed to begin to host classes and open workshops, which began on April 16 following the approval.

“It will offer art classes for individuals of all ages and skill levels,” the project description reads. “Classes will range from toddlers to school age. The Wonder Workshop will allow students to explore different art mediums from paint, clay, string to chalk through process art. These classes will host up to 15 students for 4560 minutes, with only one class occurring at a time. The Wonder Workshop will also have an extracurricular option for homeschool students to explore art and science concepts.”

The commissioners had originally brought up the parking situation as a potential cause for concern, with the workshop being located in the Town Centre Plaza shopping center, near Mountain Mike’s Pizza and CVS. However, Roberts and Chairperson Rod Flohr said they felt the parking would not be an issue be-

cause of the staggered hours of the businesses in that area.

The Wonder Workshop will also expand its classes to include adult workshops, hosting monthly gatherings for adults to craft and create using different mediums. These events will host up to 25 adults at once with one class occurring at a time.

More information about the Wonder Workshop is at www.thewonderworkshop.co/

Other commission news:

The commissioners approved 4-0 the construction of a “flex building” on Technology Way. The building will have three individual business suites that can be used for commercial or office purposes. There are no potential tenants in mind for the space, with the applicant telling the commission that it was “too early” to make that determination. While Commissioners Anita Roberts and Jeremy Jones put their concerns on record regarding potential noise complaints so close to a school, Vice Chairperson Kristopher Brand noted that the approved uses for that area tend to be quiet rather than relying on heavy machinery. Economic Development Manager Ricardo Noguara told the commissioners he was excited because the city has great retention for industrial tenants and is turning away businesses because of a lack of space.

The full meeting can be watched at https://bit.ly/4cCV8Ll

DEBI from page 1A

inclusion and racial equity. There are a number of Indigenous communities with history in the area that Brentwood is built on, such as the Miwok and Muwekma tribes. City staff recommended that the city partner with these local organizations to draft the agreement rather than using a template version provided by the Contra Costa County Office of Education in order to help foster inclusion “beyond mere recognition.”

Resident opinions on the topic were mixed. One speaker said that he felt it was unnecessary to acknowledge the previous landowners because the Indigenous population in Brentwood makes up less than 1% of the total population, although he did not cite where the data came from. Since everyone who was alive when the land changed hands is now dead, he said he did not think it was something the city should worry about acknowledging.

Third Spaces

from page 1A

largely made up of families and working professionals, with a median age of approximately 39,” Salinas said. “While this reflects a mature and stable residential base, younger generations — including millennials and Gen Z — are increasingly becoming part of the local fabric as firsttime homeowners, remote workers and entrepreneurs.”

Salinas said the city does recognize the value of social spaces that fit the needs of emerging generations. “While the city itself does not operate bars, restaurants or event venues, the Economic Development Team does work closely with commercial developers, restaurateurs and brokers to encourage a diverse mix of businesses that cater to evolving preferences.”

The Economic Development Team promotes spaces that combine social interaction with music, art, gaming and dining experiences. In other words, a space for the younger generation to “ ‘hang out.’ ”

“National and regional trends show that Gen Z values authenticity, inclusivity and sustainability in their social environments,” Salinas said. “Concepts such as kombucha bars, themed lounges and experiential retail have gained traction in similar suburban communities.”

Salinas added that the city is also “evaluating how public-private partnerships and targeted efforts to make places can help facilitate the emergence of “third spaces” that don’t fit into traditional retail molds — such as pop-up markets, shared patios, and nighttime activation zones.”

In comparison to the downtowns of Livermore and Walnut Creek, Salinas said downtown Brentwood is more compact and has newer development. “While those cities have decades of layered investment and infrastructure, downtown Brentwood has seen much of its revitalization in the past 10-15 years, emerging as a vibrant core for local businesses, dining and community events.

Livermore and Walnut Creek serve as larger regional destinations with robust nightlife, high-density housing and more developed transit access.”

Salinas mentioned Brentwood’s more

Other speakers were in favor of doing more to acknowledge the history of the Indigenous tribes in the area. One called the land acknowledgement “the least [Brentwood] could do” while another suggested hosting an annual event to honor the history and educate residents.

The committee members were in favor of hosting an event as well, with more discussion on the topic to be held during National Native American Heritage Month in November.

“Land acknowledgements are a single small but significant way to bring about reparations – especially here in California where we have a complex history of displacement, colonization and cultural erasure,” Pierson said. “I want to work towards a just future for every single person, no matter what percentage they sit in.”

The full meeting can be watched at bit.ly/3Ee8q4a

intimate, community-centered downtown experience. “This appeals to families and residents looking for a safe, walkable environment with charm and local flavor.”

Salinas explained the opportunity to expand the downtown and other commercial area experiences. “This can be done through arts programming, street life and unique local businesses that contribute to both economic vitality and social connection.”

In Oakley, “The City offers numerous parks and trails for the community, and as of May 1st, we’ll have the Studio 55 space for community members aged 55 and up,” said Danielle Navarro, Assistant City Manager in Oakley. “There are also all the restaurants, cafes, gyms, the Beer Aisle beer bar, the outdoor seating area between Mr. Pickles and La Costa in the downtown, and the Oakley Library.”

A 20-year Brentwood resident explained in a letter to the editor from December 2024, one recurring issue that has shown no improvement. “Most coffee shops are popular chains, like Starbucks and Dutch Bros. And the issues with them are they are not designed to have people stay inside for an extended period of time, especially Dutch Bros, which has no interior. They are expensive and rely on drivethroughs that clog up roads and create isolation,” said the Brentwood resident. “Most parks are built far away from walking distance and other centers, but the library is one shining example of a good third place, but it cannot be the only one.”

The Brentwood resident said an “enemy of the third space” is the constant turnover of businesses in The Streets of Brentwood. “It was once the most popular spot in town. But over time, the price of rent has driven out almost every business not attached to a massive corporation,” the Brentwood resident said. They added that younger people have no reason to go to The Streets of Brentwood.”

“Brentwood needs to do more to build third spaces to help support its community,” the Brentwood resident said. “A good place to start would be doing something about the businesses in The Streets of Brentwood constantly leaving.”

he Press made it to Baja Mexico at the Baja 250 races with Discovery Bay residents (front right to left) Jim Mattison, Jim Conley, Lance Conley and Bob Ovitt.

Submitted photo

St. Anne’s to host Strut For A Cause Fashion Show fundraiser May 3

By Isaac Arriaga Correspondent

The St. Anne’s chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be hosting a Strut For A Cause Fashion Show fundraiser for its thrift store and charity programs on Saturday, May 3.

Strut For A Cause will be at St. Anne’s Catholic Church at 2800 Camino Diablo Road in Byron from 1-3 p.m. There will be a 30-minute mixer with light refreshments before the fashion show begins at 1:30. Tickets are $20 for general admission, and VIP Runway seating will be $30. The public is invited; the church seats about 800 people, organizers said.

“The clothes are all coming from the Brentwood (St. Vincent de Paul) Thrift Store,” said Dicki Lulay, Conference President of St. Anne’s Church. “All the models are coming from our parish. We have a little over 20 different models from all ages from about 3 years old to seniors. About a third of them are men. And we’ve recruited students from the area (as volunteers)...So we’re trying to involve the whole community in this.”

Nearly all outfits in the show were sold for less than $25. Strut For A Cause will bring attention to the variety of clothing that the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store sells as well as being a cre-

ative fundraiser, Lulay said.

All fashion show proceeds will go to St. Anne’s “Helping Our Neighbors in Need” program that assists lowincome people who need help paying their utility bills, providing families with groceries from the local food bank, and distributing vouchers to families for clothes from the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.

“Last year we helped over 110 individuals in Discovery Bay and surrounding communities, so we are very impactful,” Lulay said. “Most of the time we would get donations from parishioners, but because of the economy right now, the demand (for “Helping Our Neighbors in Need”) has been growing exponentially. So we had to come up with something that we could increase fundraising.”

Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/st-vincent-de-paul-fashionshow-tickets- or can be purchased at the door on the day of the event. St. Vincent de Paul’s Thrift Store accepts donations that can be dropped off at the store throughout the year. The closest store is at 8890 Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood. Donations to St. Anne’s church can be made through the church’s website at anne.church.

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

Men’s suits and baby clothes are for sale at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.

Photo by Isaac Arriaga

Business Profile

A&B LANDSCAPE

FOOD DRINK

How to stay safe during a night out

Nights out give people opportunities to let off steam and socialize. Such nights are great ways for couples, friends, family members, or colleagues to connect and enjoy themselves in memorable ways.

While fun is likely foremost on the minds of people planning to go out, individuals should pay careful attention to safety. Staying safe should be paramount any time people are gathering, particularly during evening hours. By following these tips, anyone enjoying a night out can stay that much safer.

Go out in a group

The adage “there is safety in numbers” still rings true. Always go out with a group of people you trust and know well. Stick together when out and about, and this alone could reduce the likelihood that criminals will target you.

Be aware of your surroundings

Always have eyes on your surroundings and trust your instincts when you sense dangerous situations.

Staying safe while out on the town should be a priority.

Use a taxi or ride-share service

Although it costs a bit more, riding in a hired car is a safer option than traveling alone via public transportation at night, especially if you’ve had alcoholic beverages and cannot drive. Match up the license plate, photo and name of the driver with what is on your rideshare app, if you are going that route. Resist

Comedy Uncorked® Comes to Hannah Nicole Vineyards

Sip, relax, and let the laughter flow! This summer Comedy Uncorked® brings top Bay Area standup talent to Hannah Nicole Vineyards & Winery. With 15 years of sold-out shows in Livermore, the Comedy Uncorked team now brings their style of big laughs to this gorgeous new venue in Brentwood.

Dates: July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18

• Gates open at 5:30 PM Shows start at 7 PM

• Hilarious comedians (details at comedyuncorked.com)

• Award-winning wine & beverages for sale

any temptation to get into an unlicensed ride for a quicker trip home.

Don’t leave drinks unattended

Make a habit of taking drinks with you rather than leaving them on a table or at the bar. It’s easy for someone to slip a drug into a drink when a potential victim is distracted or in the restroom or on the dance floor.

Either carry your drink or buy a new one each time. Similarly, go only to establishments you trust, and don’t accept pre-made drinks from strangers.

Keep valuables out of sight

Flashing expensive jewelry, watches or electronics can make you a bigger target. Leave the expensive stuff at home. Also, make sure you keep your money and credit cards secure. Messenger bags and sports “fanny packs” have made a comeback, meaning you can keep your valuables right on your body more easily.

Avoid checking in on social media

A check-in is a post that alerts others to your location. By posting where you are headed and intend to be, you’re giving other people an open invitation to come and find you, particularly if your social media channels are public. A check-in also tells criminals that your home is empty.

Behave responsibly

Using alcohol or other substances like marijuana can reduce inhibitions and reaction times. It also can contribute to distraction, memory loss and poor decision-making. Temper drinking during nights out.

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

Looking back on 100 years of culinary history

Mac’s Old House − The restaurant that was a staple in East County

After 100 years since being built, Mac’s Old House at 3100 E. 18th St. Antioch, will be closing on June 22, 2025. The restaurant will remain open every day from 4-10 p.m. until the closing date, according to their website.

The current owner, Gary Noe, purchased and opened Mac’s Old House on Aug. 5, 1983. With the help of manager and head chef Rick Cook, they ran the business together for the past 42 years.

“Gary is 86 now, I have run it since 1983 and I am 71 now,” said Cook. “There is no one to take my place. It is just time, I am tired, the building is tired, we are all tired and there are upgrades of the building needed.”

Noe was not available for comment.

Mac’s Old House was built in 1925 by the original owner, Floyd “Mac” McKinney and his father, but did not open as a restaurant until 1956. Some 17 years after opening, McKinney sold it and retired, going on to build a small house in the backyard. McKinney lived here until he passed away in 1994, according to the restaurant’s website macsoldhouse.com.

Noe’s inspiration for the restaurant came

from Bertolas, a restaurant in Oakland that Cook had worked at in 1969 when he was 15 and later managing at the age of 22.

“Instead of changing the restaurant’s name to Bertolas, they decided to keep it as Mac’s Old House, two reasons being because they loved the beautiful neon sign and because they came to know and love Mac himself,” according to macsoldhouse.com.

“What’s next for me is to sit around and enjoy my life,” said Cook. “I want to travel.”

Cook added that there is no inquiries for new ownership.

“The memories are nonstop,” said Cook. “There are thousands of memories when you are able to work with the same crew for 10-12 years, some even 20 plus years and I have been there for over 40 years.”

Cook said the Mac’s Old House Restaurant has been a great place to be in charge of.

Comments poured in as the restaurant announced their closure April 4 on their Facebook page.

“I could cry, my Grandpa was good friends with Gary,” said Anna Griswold-Bohld on the Mac’s Old House Facebook page. “Thank you guys for amazing food and so many great memories with family and friends. Truly my favorite restaurant ever since I was a little one. I’ll be making a trip from Montana to have one more of my favorite meals.”

Many of the comments hope for someone to buy the restaurant without changing anything about it. “Hopefully Sean McCauley rescues this historical gem!” said Jym Rydman on the Mac’s Old House Facebook page.

A few customers thought the post was an April Fool’s joke, and one comment on the Mac’s Old House Facebook page by Maria Mallari said, “This is the nail in the ‘Antioch will never be the same again’ coffin.”

Holly Johnson, a customer of 38 years, mentioned her experience of actually knowing “Mac” in a comment on the Mac’s Old House Facebook page. “I remember when Mac would call my daughter over with his finger when she was just able to walk, saying ‘Come here’ and she would walk over to him and he would give her a dollar. I knew Mac, and I am so happy I had that opportunity.”

Michelle Martin said on the Mac’s Old House Facebook page that she had the privilege of working there for almost 20 years. “Gary is the best boss I ever had. It is a true family there and I have incredible memories that will stay with me until I close.”

Comments on their Facebook asked to provide the recipe to their beloved minestrone soup and that they would even be willing to pay for copies of it.

“From sitting at the bar at three years old to my mom and step dad meeting here and getting married and having their rehearsal dinner here,” said Shannon Contreras on the Mac’s Old House Facebook page. “From growing up with Karen, setting the tables after guests left to be entertained as a child, to turning 21 and realizing just how affordable and strong the drinks are. You all have been amazing the 31 years I have been coming to you. I’m sad, but the memories won’t go away. Thank you for everything!!!”

TAYLOR SHEPHERD

Photo courtesy of macsoldhouse.com

Mac’s Old House is at 3100

Wente Vineyards to be featured at Cap’s Oak Street Bar and Grill event

Cap’s Oak Street Bar and Grill is hosting a five-course winemakers dinner featuring Wente Vineyards on Thursday, April 24 at 6 p.m.

Located at 144 Oak St. in downtown Brentwood, this event is by reservation only. Tickets are $125 per person.

The five-course dinner includes hors d’oeuvres, a salad, pasta, main entree and dessert.

Jimmy Karadais, owner of Cap’s Oak Street Bar and Grill, said “We have high hopes that this event will be sold out, but seats are limited with only 50 available for this event.”

Karadais added that Jordan Wente, the granddaughter of the Wente family, will be

in attendance.

She is a fifth-generation wine grapegrower and serves as a senior ambassador for her family’s winery, among other roles.

“Jordan Wente joined her family’s winery in 2015,” according to www. wentefoundation.org/about-us/. “Before joining Wente Vineyards, she served as the Chief Operations Officer for the Californians Dedicated to Education (CDE) Foundation. Formed in July 2011, the CDE

Foundation’s mission is to improve public school education in California by supporting the implementation of policy goals identified in A Blueprint for Great Schools that

improve health and education outcomes for students.”

To make a reservation, call 925-634-1025.

TAYLOR SHEPHERD

Photo courtesy of Better in Brentwood Cap’s Oak Street Bar and Grill is hosting a five-course winemakers dinner on April 24.

Orange wine: Orange you glad it’s not made from citrus?

IF YOU’VE HEARD OF ORANGE WINE and pictured a bottle fermented with orange peels, you’re not alone. I did, but despite the name, orange wine has nothing to do with citrus fruit. Instead, it refers to a white wine made using red wine techniques — specifically, fermenting white grape juice with the grape skins and seeds. This skin-contact method gives orange wine its signature amber or copper hue, along with a bolder, more complex flavor than typical white wines. While most white wines are made by separating the juice from the skins right after crushing the grapes, orange wines are left to sit with the skins for days, weeks, or even months. The result?

Uncorked: History by tHe Glass

flavor and texture.

A deeper color, tannic structure, and flavors ranging from dried fruit and nuts to tea, honey, and herbs.

A variety of white grapes can be used to make orange wine. Common choices include Pinot Grigio, Albariño, Ribolla Gialla, and Trebbiano, among others. The grape choice, along with time on skins, influences the wine’s final

orange wine has been around for thousands of years, with origins in Georgia (the country, not the state), where traditional winemaking in clay vessels called qvevri is still practiced today. The style has seen a modern revival, especially among natural wine enthusiasts, and is now produced in regions from Italy to Slovenia to California.

Because of their strong personalities, orange wines pair well with bold foods like curries, fermented dishes, and aged cheeses. They’re definitely not your average white wine — and that’s exactly the point.

So next time you spot an orange wine, don’t expect anything citrusy. Expect a funky, fascinating, and ancient twist on white wine.

Frank MaiUri

CAP’S OAK STREET BAR & GRILL

5

COURSE

WINE MAKERS DINNER FEATURING WENTE VINEYARDS

HORS D’OEUVRES | BLANCHARD, PEREZ, BRUT AND WENTE, RIVA RANCH, CHARDONNAY

Melted Le Gruyere Cheese with Crispy Sopressata Crostini

Prawn and Diver Scallop Bouillabaisse

SALAD | WENTE, SAUVIGNON BLANC, LOUIS MEL, CENTRAL COAST

Brentwood’s local Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

PASTA | WENTE, PINOT NOIR, NTH DEGREE 2020

Pappardelle Pasta with Pesto and Pine Nuts

MAIN ENTREE | WENTE, MERLOT, NTH DEGREE 2019

Roquefort Stuffed Filet Mignon

Portabella Mushroom with a Port Cognac Reduction

DESSERT | DOW’S, AGED 20 YEAR TAWNY PORT

SantoriniParfait

(Layers of Honey Walnuts, Crispy Filo Dough, Vanilla Ice Cream and a Chocolate Drizzle)

THURSDAY

When

necessary to ensure the

Tips for having fun dining out as a crowd

Visiting a favorite local restaurant is a popular way to enjoy a night out with family or friends.

Dining out affords individuals a break from cooking at home and offers an opportunity to try new cuisines and enjoy a complicated dish that novices may find difficult to prepare.

Special occasions also may be celebrated by dining out, bringing together a large party of customers at one time. When dining out as a crowd, some additional planning may be necessary to ensure the experience goes well.

The first thing is to consider speaking with the restaurant about how they handle large dining parties.

decide in advance if the bill will be paid by one individual or if it will be split equally among those attending the dinner. If it is the latter, it may be easiest if everyone brings cash to make chipping in for a single check more seamless than handing over 10 different credit cards or requesting multiple checks. Also, paying cash means diners will not be subjected to the extra fee that many restaurants are now placing on credit card payments to help offset their costs for accepting such forms of payment.

The first thing is to consider speaking with the restaurant about how they handle large dining parties. While some restaurants may simply request a reservation (and updates on whether the party count changes), others may treat a crowd of eight or more differently and refer such groups to a party planner or catering manager. Follow the rules of the restaurant to make things easy for their kitchen staff and the waitstaff.

When bringing a large dining party, sometimes it can be easier to work with the restaurant and have a party menu set up. This menu will feature a few different options rather than giving the group free rein over the standard menu. A party menu means you can keep things to a set price and advise those dining out about what they can expect to pay if the bill will be split.

Who will pay for the meal also merits consideration. It’s essential to

Plan for the group to arrive at the same time. Many restaurants will not seat a party until all diners are present. Also, once the group is finished dining, it may be tempting to linger for a while and talk. This can affect the turnover rate of the table and some establishments may not be fond of it. Rather, think about moving over to the bar area (if there is one) or take the group to another bar nearby to continue catching up.

Dining out as a large party involves planning ahead and being cognizant of the protocols in place at the establishment you will be visiting.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

Metro Creative Photo

dining out as a crowd, some additional planning may be

experience goes well.

Studio 55: a new space for seniors in Oakley

The City of Oakley now offers activities specifically for residents aged 55 and older, with free membership for the 2025 calendar year.

Studio 55 is set to open on May 1 in the Oakley Recreation Center at 1250 O’Hara Ave.

“During the 2024 community-wide effort to identify funding for a new larger Oakley Library with a community center, the City Council, staff and community stakeholders also focused on how to better serve Oakley’s aging population in advance of the planned demolition of the current Oakley Senior Center, which is leased by and run by a nonprofit club, the Oakley Senior Citizens,” said Danielle Navarro, assistant city manager of Oakley describing how the idea came about. “Based on the community center project funding allocated by the city and raised by the Friends of the Oakley Library over the past year, we don’t anticipate having a space dedicated entirely to one community or group; it will be flex space.”

Navarro said the city recognizes the needs of residents aged 55 and older. The Oakley City Council approved the addition and funding of affordable and accessible aging services

Anyone age 55 and older who join Studio 55 can enjoy social space as well as daily activities, including pickleball, exercise, self-defense, a book club, dancing, cooking classes and more.

at the Recreation Center.

“Between the main recreation building, the dedicated Studio 55 space, city parks and trails, the city is not only able to offer existing classes, we are also expanding classes and daily activities. We will also provide informational programming relevant to our senior community, a social space and expand the existing one-day-a-week Café Costa program to provide lunchtime service four days a week

starting in July.”

Navarro said the name for the space came from three sources: “the space Studio 55 occupies was already called a studio, the programming is for community members aged 55 and up and the famed Studio 54 theater and nightclub in New York.”

“While the services are in the early stages, our plans to grow the offerings through the years will be included annually in

the city budget,” Navarro said. “As part of our budget process, the city reviews a 10-year plan to determine if the expenditures we can afford today are expenditures that projections show we will be able to afford in the future.”

To find out more about new activities for seniors and other information, visit the Oakley Recreation Facebook and Instagram pages @ oakleyrecreation or online at www.oakleyca. gov/studio55.

- Thurs.: 8am - 9pm

- Sat.: 8am - 11pm

TAYLOR SHEPHERD

Photo courtesy of Siegel & Strain Architects

Calendar

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

This Week’s Events

Friday, April 18

Heritage High School Improv Night

The Improv Team will make up the whole evening up on the spot—characters, song lyrics, situations, and entire scenes. The 7 p.m. show will be at the high school at 101 American Ave. in Brentwood. Tickets are $5. For details, visit https:// hhsrisingstars.seatyourself.biz

Saturday, April 19

Banner Up! Community Art ProgramBanner Pickup

Local artists can pick up banners to paint for the upcoming Banner Up! 2025 program organized by Art Guild of the Delta. This free community art program is available to adult and high school artists. Completed banners will be hung in downtown Brentwood over the summer. Sale of the banners at the annual Banner Up! Gala on Sept. 20 will benefit Adventure Therapy Foundation and the banner artists. Banners can be picked up at Starry Nite Studios, 2545 Sand Creek Road, #136 at The Streets of Brentwood, between noon and 4 p.m. For more information, contact Frank Littman at FrankLittmanArt@gmail.com.

Easter Egg-Stravaganza

Enjoy an afternoon of Easter egg hunting and pictures with the Easter Bunny in Rivertown in Antioch at Waldie Plaza next to the Antioch Chamber at 640 W. 2nd St. This is a free, familyfriendly event. Rivertown merchants have a Merchant-2-Merchant egg hunt from noon-4 p.m. Waldie Plaza events include a petting zoo from 1-3 p.m., photos and the Easter egg hunt will be from 3-4 p.m. For more information, visit celebrateantioch.org.

Easter Eggstravaganza at Merrill Gardens

Enjoy an Easter egg hunt with over 800 eggs for kids to find. There will be a bouncy house, spring crafts, face painting, refreshments and games and prizes. The Easter bunny will be hopping over to take pictures with families from 1-3 p.m. at Merrill Gardens Brentwood at 2600 Balfour Road.

6th Annual Egg Hunt and Pet Event

This free event is from 10 a.m. – noon at Knightsen School, 1923 Delta Road, where hundreds of children and their families enjoy the hunt. Free to all attendees; only egg hunters need to register. Local animal rescues for education and adoption will be there, plus live music, the Easter bunny, Brentwood and Knightsen 4H groups and treasure map and prizes. For details, visit http://bit.ly/4loE4fV.

On the Horizon

Saturday, April 26

Friends of Brentwood Library

Pop-Up Book Sale

Find bargains on children’s books at the Friends of the Brentwood Library Pop-Up Book Sale from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the second floor of the Brentwood Library, 104 Oak St. The sale will also feature a large selection of used books for all ages, puzzles, and more. All proceeds benefit the Brentwood Library. For more information, visit www.friendsofthebrentwoodlibrary.org.

Multicultural Faire in Brentwood

Enjoy a celebration of cultures featuring food trucks, craft vendors, and a cultural fashion show showcasing traditional attire from around the world. This is a family-friendly event presented by the Brentwood Youth Commission at noon-3 p.m. at City Park, City Park Way in Brentwood. To become a vendor, visit brentwoodca.gov/ BYCMulticulturalFaire.

The 2025 Liberty Union High School District Athletic Hall of Fame

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 Golf Tournament

A day of fundraising and golfing will support the Heritage High School Patriot Parents first annual golf tournament. Hosted by the Heritage 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 (prices range from $50 for lunch only up to $540) 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 with 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-bay-businessexpo-job-fair-17546?calendarMonth=2025-04-01

Thursday, May 1

The 74th Annual National Day of Prayer

Join Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 500 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood, for the National Day of Prayer at 10 a.m. Pour out to the God of hope and be filled-Romans 15:13.

Town of Discovery Bay Open House

This free event will take place at the Community Center, 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd., from 3-8 p.m. Staff members will showcase capital improvement projects, provide valuable insights and guidance, and offer opportunities for guests to ask questions as they strive to build a better community. Guests can meet their elected representatives, town staff, and consultants involved in projects that impact residents. Projects showcased include water, sewer, landscaping, rate study and the Administration Building. For more information, visit www.todb.ca.gov.

Saturday, May 3

Devin Hunter Book Signing at Barnes & Noble

Join the Barnes and Noble Brentwood team for author Devin Hunter’s signing of his witchy gardening guide, Houseplant HortOCCULTure, and his new psychic self-help book, The Bad Vibes Field Guide! Hunter will be in-store at 2475 Sand Creek Road Suite 100 from noon-3 p.m. signing copies of his spiritual, educational how-to book on houseplants great and small, along with his fool- (and spirit) -proof guide to fighting off and preventing negative energies. For more information, visit stores.barnesandnoble.com/ event/9780062185499-0.

Look at the many local events on

Kim and Davy’s Benefit for the LMC Foundation

A party with a Kentucky Derby-inspired theme benefits the Los Medanos College (LMC) Foundation will be hosted by LMC Foundation Board member Kim Wentworth and her husband Davy. They celebrate LMC’s 50th anniversary with an array of Southern-style small plates, desserts, and drinks, including wine and local craft beers. During the event at 1221 Hookston Road Concord from 5-8 p.m., an LMC student will discuss how the foundation has helped their life: supporting them to stay in college, transfer to a university, and earn an education — an achievement that imparts a lifetime of benefits. Ticket prices vary between $75 and $5,000, and all proceeds go directly to the LMC Foundation helping to meet the $15,000 fundraising goal to help students where their needs are greatest and knowing that100% of the ticket price goes to the LMC Foundation. RSVP by Saturday, April 26. For details, contact Kim, Davy, or Sara Marcellino at kwentworth@losmedanos.edu, davy.wentworth@gmail. com or smarcellino@4cd.edu or at 510-289-3004.

Strut For A Cause Fashion Show fundraiser

The St. Anne’s chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be hosting the Strut For A Cause Fashion Show fundraiser for its thrift store and charity programs at St. Anne’s Catholic Church at 2800 Camino Diablo Road in Byron from 1-3 p.m. There will be a 30-minute mixer with light refreshments before the fashion show begins at 1:30. Tickets are $20 for general admission and VIP Runway seating will be $30. All fashion show proceeds will go to St. Anne’s “Helping Our Neighbors in Need” program that assists low-income people who need help paying their utility bills, provides families with groceries from the local food bank, and distributes vouchers to families for clothes from the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. Tickets are available at www. eventbrite.com/e/st-vincent-de-paul-fashionshow-tickets- or can be purchased at the door on the day of the event.

Saturday, May 3, Sunday, May 4

Drinks de Mayo

Pickleball Tournament

Discovery Bay Pickleball will host a tournament Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 at the Discovery Bay Community Center, 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd. There will be women’s doubles and men’s doubles on Saturday with mixed and youth doubles and moneyball brackets on Sunday. Registration is $80 and ends April 19. Bracket fees are $15 for regular, free for youth, and $25 for moneyball. All moneyball event fees go to cash payouts. All players will receive a T-shirt. For more information, contact Aaron Hill at thepickleballhills@gmail. com To register, visit app.pickleballden.com/ external-tournament/1518672.

Saturday, May 10

Team Jeremy Charity 5K Run/Walk in Brentwood

The community is invited to come out and rally around Jeremy Reedy, who was diagnosed with CLM, a rare form of leukemia, at 9 years old. Fleet Feet is helping organize the event at Veterans Park, 3841 Balfour Road in Brentwood. The course will be a scenic and flat throughout Veterans Park and Marsh Creek Trail. Individual registration is $30 for all ages and includes a bib number, timing chip, and a custom BOCO hat. Packet pick-up will be available Friday, May 9 from 1-6 p.m. at Fleet Feet, 6061 Lone Tree Way, Suite H in Brentwood. On race day, check-in is at 7:30 a.m., pre-race warm up at 8:30 a.m. and the race starts at 9 a.m. All of the money raised will be donated to Jeremy’s family to help with medical expenses. To register, visit https://teamjeremys5k.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=16698.

Spring Rummage Sale in Brentwood

This free event will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St. There will be mimosas, vendors, and crafters. The booth fee is $50. For vendor information or an application, contact brentwoodveteransbuilding@gmail.com.

Old Document Shred-a-Thon

Get rid of old documents at a Shred-a-Thon from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1360 East Tregallas Road in Antioch. Donations support scholarships and charities coordinated through the church’s endowment. For more information, visit stjohnsantioch.org.

Rivertown Wine Walk & Artisan Faire

The faire will be from noon-4 p.m. at 314 G St. in downtown Antioch and will feature art, handmade crafts, wine tasting and live music performed by Project 4 the band. This is a free, family-friendly event. Wine tasting is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Wine tasting participants must be at least 21 years old and provide a photo ID. Tickets are limited to 500 and are available at Willow Park Mercantile, 205 G St. in Antioch, or at Eventbrite,https://www. eventbrite.com/e/rivertown-wine-walk-andartisan-faire-tickets-1281127299239?aff=odd tdtcreator. For more information or for artisan vendor inquiries, visit CelebrateAntioch.org.

Monday, May 19

31st Annual Rotary Club of Brentwood Golf Tournament

The tournament will take place at the Discovery Bay Country Club, 1475 Clubhouse Drive, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Lunch and dinner will be provided and there will be a variety of tournament games. Each foursome will compete in a scramble format. Golfers will be accepted first come, first serve, as entry forms and payments are received. The entry deadline is May 5, and the registration is $185 for individual golfers. Tournament proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s community projects. For sponsorship information, email rob@billbrandtford.com. For more information about the event, call 925-642-4925. For raffle donations, contact Julie Deck at 925-368-7722 or jacsdeck@comcast.net.

Tuesday, May 20

Red Hawk Casino Bus Trip

The event will provide round-trip motorcoach transportation to Hard Rock Casino. Reservations are $47 per person and includes the bus driver’s tip. Presented by the Oakley Senior Center and Alexander Bus Company, water and snacks will be available on the bus. Participants will receive a bonus of $25 on their player’s card. There will be Bingo en route to the casino, and there will be 50/50 and raffles on the return trip. Casino Bingo players will get a $10 bonus. The bus will leave the Oakley Recreation Center parking lot at 1250 O’Hara Ave. at 8 a.m. Participants will have five hours at the casino to gamble and eat. The bus will arrive home around 5:30 p.m. Reservations must be paid by May 19. To reserve a seat, call 925-626-7223 or Allan at 925-265-3417.

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.