The Press 04.21.2023

City Council approves police audits

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

ANTIOCH The people of Antioch have read the words of hate, now they are looking for accountability.

Following nearly dozens of pages of racist and homophobic text messages revealed and released after an investigation into the Antioch Police Department, Mayor Lamar Thorpe and the rest of the city council unanimously approved to proceed with several independent audits of the police department, including an audit into internal affairs process, the department’s hiring and promotional practices and an equity audit of the department.

“Every aspect of our community groups have a right to feel safe by their department,”

Thorpe said. “All of these people pay taxes and they pay for that police department, everybody pays a pot to fund the police department. So everybody should feel safe and right now people don’t feel safe. They feel angry, frustrated, and betrayed.”

The first item that the City Council approved Tuesday evening is an independent internal audit of Internal Affairs at the police department. The audit will look at investigations from the last six to eight years, the nature of the investigations and the results, along with what complaints have gone outside of the one-year

Antioch residents hold a protest outside of the Antioch police department before a meeting about racist text messages.

requirements to ensure that officers were held accountable and if not, then why not.

“We need immediate and full disclosure and transparency,” Contra Costa County Chief public defender Ellen McDonnell told the City Council. “We can’t downplay this issue. This isn’t a few officers. We’ve reviewed there are 45 officers on these text chains that are disclosed thus far. Forty-five Antioch police officers, 16 of them are in leadership roles. There’s an internal affairs officer that’s part of these texts,

see Audit page 14A

Effort to expand Los Vaqueros Reservoir

Marsh Creek Bridge work approved

By Chris Campos Staff Writer

BRENTWOOD Replacements for the damaged Marsh Creek Road Bridges in Brentwood are on the way following approval Tuesday morning by the county Board of Supervisors for a $12 million contract with the Granite Rock Company.

The project will replace two bridges on Marsh Creek Road, according to Jenna Caldwell of the county Public Works Department. Bridge 143 is 1.5 miles northwest of Deer Valley Road near the Clayton Palms Community, and Bridge 145 is 3 miles east of Deer Valley Road near the road transition to Camino Diablo. Construction is anticipated to start late May 2023 and be completed by December 2024, barring unforeseen circumstances.

By Chris Campos Staff Writer

BRENTWOOD Los Vaqueros

Reservoir, the biggest watering hole in Contra Costa County, isn’t full despite the onslaught of rain storms that drenched the Bay Area this winter.

Despite a record snowpack in the Sierra, our local reservoir

gets fed only a small trickle from Marsh Creek. Besides rainfall, the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) relies on four Delta intake pumps near Tracy to fill the 160,000 acre-feet capacity of the

reservoir, which covers 1,900 acres of land in the southeast corner of the county. The reservoir’s current level is at about 105,300 acre-feet. One acre foot is about 326,000 gallons.

“They’re pumping 24/7 and working hard” to fill the reservoir, according to Jennifer Allen, the CCWD director of public affairs.

see Reservoir page 14A

Caldwell noted Tuesday, “The existing bridges were constructed in the 1930s. They are exhibiting signs of deterioration and don’t meet current roadway design standards. The new bridges are designed to meet current roadway standards and will increase the hydraulic capacity of Marsh Creek under the bridges.”

The work to be done generally consists of the replacement of two existing bridges with single-span concrete wide-flange girder bridges and reconstruction and realignment of the approach roads to each bridge, located along Marsh Creek Road.

see Bridge page 14A

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Photo by Chris Campos

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Since 1979, the Rose & Sons family has been providing fair, friendly and professional service to the East Bay Area. Their office in downtown Brentwood, at 230 Chestnut St., is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

Heritage High sophomore wins Rotary Club youth poster contest

By Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent

Arif Hasan, a Heritage High School sophomore, has been interested in art his whole life but had never entered a contest. His bright, colored-pencil piece, “Empower Nature,” caught judges’ eyes at the Rotary Club of Brentwood’s recent third annual Youth Poster Contest. The competition gives local middle and high school students a chance to express themselves.

“I left my message up to interpretation,” said Arif, 16, who won first place in the high school division. “It feels pretty good to win.”

Members of Rotary collected posters from East County middle and high school students, giving them a platform to stand up and speak about issues important to them.

“This is more of a ‘messaging’ contest than an art contest,” said Rotary member and event co-chair Oscar Peccorini. “Posters are judged

on the impact of the student’s message and how they utilize creativity, expressive language and original art to communicate their message.”

Cash awards were given to first-, secondand third-place finishers in the high school and middle school divisions. A matching amount was also donated to each winner’s school art program. All posters are on display at the Delta Art Gallery at 2485 Sand Creek Road in Brentwood.

Peccorini said Rotary received an overwhelming number of entries this year.

“We had over 140 posters turned in, more than double from the year before,” he said. “It’s great to see the Youth Poster Contest is gaining momentum and we are very excited to see what lies ahead for 2024.”

The contest is sponsored in part by Rotary, local art studios, the Delta Gallery and local businesses.

Middle School winners:

• 1st place - Peer Pressure, by Eva LomackSousa, $300 – Bristow Middle School

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• 2nd place - Social Frenemies by Chandhana Bharathiraja, $200 – Adams Middle School

• 3rd place - Anatomy of a Sea Bass by Anessa Schutz, $100 – Adams Middle School

• Honorable mention - We Are Born Originals by Zephyr Maldonado, $25

– Edna Hill Middle School

High School winners:

• 1st place - Empower Nature by Arif Husan, $300 – Heritage High School

• 2nd place - Sticks & Stones by Grace Pastor, $200 – Independence High School

• 3rd place - Future of Alaska by Valerie Martinez-Yela, $100 – Liberty High School

• Honorable mention - Everything Has A Price by Giovanni Perreira, $25 –Freedom High School

Heritage High sophomore Arif Hasan, 16, proudly displays his firstplace poster, “Empower Nature,” at the awards reception for the Rotary Club of Brentwood’s Youth Poster Contest at the Delta Art Gallery on April 13.

Photo by Dawnmarie Fehr

Lawmaker touts record at town hall

By Chris Campos Staff Writer

OAKLEY Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, DWalnut Creek, held a public Town Hall meeting at the Oakley Recreation Center Thursday night accepting questions from an enthusiastic crowd of 50-60 residents.

The congressman, whose 10th District encompasses East Contra Costa County, noted that he has held 180 town halls since he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2015, among the most of any of his colleagues.

After delivering a PowerPoint presentation on his and the Democratic administration’s legislative record, DeSaulnier fielded questions that ranged from U.S. support of Ukraine to mental health programs. The scheduled hour stretched to two as the congressman’s voice battled with allergies and later as he lingered to talk with attendees one-on-one.

Oakley Vice-Mayor Anissa Williams welcomed DeSaulnier to the city at the start and introduced other elected officials

who attended such as Oakley City Council members Shannon Shaw and Hugh Henderson. Stephen Griswold of county Supervisor Diane Burgis’ staff attended as well.

“We are proud of our record in being responsive to our constituents,” DeSaulnier told the crowd. The congressman emphasized his long record in local government, which started in the Concord City Council

in the early 1990s and led him to the county Board of Supervisors, the state Assembly and state Senate and finally to the House. “I even used to be a Republican,” he admitted.

Among his legislative accomplishments, DeSaulnier pointed to federal infrastructure funding for Highway 4 and BART extensions and his sponsorship of mental health Crisis Response Teams programs in Contra Costa, which were kickstarted with $3 million of federal funding. He also promoted his support of violence

prevention programs and green energy solutions to the climate change crisis. The Representative said he has a long record and experience in clean energy programs at the state and federal levels.

The first audience question fired to him challenged the high cost of U.S. support of Ukraine in its war with Russia. “I respectfully disagree that it’s not in our national interests,” he replied. “The world is a dangerous place.”

One audience member asked DeSaulnier if he agreed that fossil fuels were still an integral need of national energy policy. “It’s a lengthy transition that’s underway and fossil fuels are still needed,” he answered while noting that the county is home to three operating oil refineries. “They’re not going away anytime soon,” he added. Other residents questioned the funding allocated to the state’s high-speed rail project. “You’re all bringing great questions,” he congratulated the audience.

For more: www.facebook.com/watch/li ve/?ref=search&v=903592560926472

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

Elliot just wants it to be September already so he can root for his 49ers again!

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Walnut Creek, answers residents’ questions at the Oakley Recreation Center on Thursday, April 13.

Photo by Chris Campos

“ We are proud of our record in being responsive to our constituents.

Foundation helps families after tragedies

strength came from her own tragedy.

Frazier said in a statement she was honored by Glazer’s recognition and to be a part of an event showcasing women’s accomplishments across many fields.

By Chris Campos Staff Writer

BRENTWOOD Janet Frazier has had to face every parent’s nightmare: the death of a child in a car crash. For the last 19 years, she has reached out to families experiencing health crises and family loss.

When one of her daughters, Stephanie, died in the 2004 collision, her other surviving daughter, Lindsey, struggled to recover in a hospital. Frazier was touched by the caring of the nursing staff aiding her family. She started putting her grief into action helping other families in similar situations.

Frazier was prompted to start a foundation at the bedside of her hospitalized daughter when — weak from not eating — she accepted a sandwich from a kind nurse. That act of kindness inspired her to create The Network of Care to provide meals to families facing similar situations.

Since 2004, Frazier’s group has fed more than 340,000 families of critically ill children in more than 58 hospitals in 15 counties throughout the state, Frazier said.

“I never forgot that feeling,” she said. “For the next few years while Lindsey was recuperating from her injuries, I thought about that and wanted to do something for other families in that situation.”

State Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, recently honored Frazier at the State Capitol in Sacramento as his district’s nominee for “Women Making Herstory.”

Frazier is also a co-founder of Our Healing Hearts, which supports women who have lost children.

“It was a special moment for me to honor Janet at the capitol,” Glazer said in a statement. “She has put her heart and soul into her life projects to offer care and support for women and families who have lost children or are worrying about them as they lay in hospital beds.”

Glazer said Frazier has dedicated years to supporting women and families with children in hospitals, and her

“The ceremony at the state capitol was filled with amazing women, whose passion, dedication and perseverance are making a difference in the lives of others,” Frazier said. “It was so inspiring to be among women with truly unique stories about the impact they are having on so many people.”

A former Oakley resident, Frazier retired from Chevron after 41 years and now lives in Concord.

The Network of Care has also partnered with high schools in Brentwood and Antioch to allow students in special education classes to help with the assembly of the bags as part of their vocational skills program. Janet and all of her staff are volunteers.

Local resident Lil Pierce, founder of the Brentwood Regional Community Chest, has been with Janet from the beginning, organizing Network of Care’s annual crab feed fundraiser. “It’s a very heart-wrenching start to a really wonderful organization,” Pierce told the Press in 2019. “Many people have been in the situation when you’ve had someone in the hospital, and you don’t want to leave the room. her volunteers work hard to organize an event that keeps people coming back each year.

Using the money earned at the crab feed, as well as donations, supplies are purchased to make the meal bags that go all over the state. Special needs students in Brentwood were responsible for packing 80 percent of the bags. Francis Krohn is a special education teacher at the Gateway Program in Brentwood where she supervises her students as they pack meal bags and learn valuable career skills.

“We (get the food), then we pack the bags,” Krohn said. “Each bag gets a meal and a flyer with the story of how the Network of Care got started. I think the program is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn vocational skills. We teach work ethics, quality control, and teaching that everything is done a specific way.”

Krohn added that many of her students embrace the project because they have had hospital experiences themselves.

“The students are excited because they are doing something good for people and they want to help,” Krohn said. “They learn Janet’s story and are really touched by that.”

Meals aren’t the only thing the Network of Care is sending to hospitals: Fra-

zier also donates blankets, craft kits and stuffed animals to the network of hospitals asking for meals. Her hope is that the recipients of her bags will feel comforted, and then pass on the kindness.

“I hope that people will receive a bag and pay it forward,” she said. “That is my hope. That it makes them think about what somebody did for them, and if they give back in some way, at some time, somehow, then I’ve done my job. There is one man who received a bag of food from us, and wanted to pay it forward, and now he paints murals on hospital walls. That’s what I hope to accomplish.”

In a recent interview with the Press, Frazier also encouraged support for another one of her passions, “Vocal for Victims,” which was created by prosecutors and victim advocates “to give true meaning to crime victim’s rights by providing fee-free legal representation to crime victims, the only non-profit organization to do so in Contra Costa County.” The nonprofit group is hosting a fundraiser on Thursday, April 27, from 5-7 p.m. at the Contra Costa Country Club, 801 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill.

For more information on The Network of Care, call 925-584-4086, email janetfraz123@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page for an updated list of events. Donations can be made at www. thenetworkofcare.org

To view video interview with Frazier, visit www.thepress.net.

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FRAZIER

ADDING CHILDREN TO BANK ACCOUNTS by Martin C. Johnson, Attorney at Law, MBA,RMA®, EA

When meeting with clients to review their assets, we notice that many parents have already added their children to their bank accounts. Usually, parents do this out of convenience. Parents want their children to be able to easily access funds to pay bills on their behalf as they age, and likewise, pay expenses upon their death. While this approach may appear simple and convenient, it should be considered with caution.

Before adding your child(ren) to a bank account, please consider the following: Do you trust your child? When a child is added to a bank account, they become a joint owner of the account, i.e. they will have full access and control over the funds. The bank will not monitor your child’s activity to ensure the money is being used solely for your care.

Does your child have creditor issues? If your child has any creditor issues, the bank account could be levied by a creditor, especially if the creditor is not able to distinguish whether the funds located in that account are originally yours or your child’s.

Is your child getting divorced? During a divorce proceeding, the entirety of your child’s assets is surveyed -- and could likely include your account. During a divorce proceeding, your account may cause confusion and may require your child to prove the funds in the account are not theirs, but in actuality, yours.

Might this cause conflict among siblings?

Upon your death, banks rely on the legal presumption that the surviving joint account

Glazer, Grayson host town hall meeting

holder is the owner of the remaining funds in the account. Therefore, the bank will automatically presume that your child is entitled to receive all remaining proceeds in the account, and will transfer the account to the child’s name. However, if you wish for any surplus funds held in your joint account to be distributed equally among your children or to a select group of children, you need to make your wishes known prior to your death to avoid family conflict.

An alternative to adding your child to a bank account is to re-title your bank account in the name of your revocable living trust. By adding your bank accounts to your trust, your successor trustee will be able to use the funds for your care if you become incapacitated and access the funds upon your death to pay final expenses. The trust will also instruct that any remaining funds will be distributed to your trust beneficiaries.

When preparing your estate plan, it is essential that you review how all of your assets are titled. If you have any questions about the proper titling of your assets for estate planning purposes, we offer a free 30-minute initial consultation. This article provides only general legal information, and not specific legal advice. The information contained is not a substitute for a personal consultation with an attorney.

360 ESTATE PLANNING, INC, PHONE (925) 289-8837, 1600 S. MAIN STREET, SUITE 100, WALNUT CREEK, CA 94596; www.360EPI. COM © 2021 Martin C. Johnson

State Sen. Steve Glazer (left), D-Contra Costa, who represents the Brentwood area, joined state Assemblyman Tim Grayson, D-Concord, at a town hall meeting in Brentwood on Thursday, April 13. “Brentwood residents are always engaged, and I appreciated the questions and feedback at the town hall,” Glazer said this week. “I can only be an effective representative when I’m informed on issues of concern to residents. I have a great partnership with Assemblymember Grayson in representing the Brentwood community in the state Capitol.” To view a video and a slideshow of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

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Lucille Alice Ambrosino

Nov. 12, 1930 – March 12, 2023

Lucille Ambrosino, beloved mother, wife, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away on March 12, 2023, at the age of 92.

Lucille is predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Mike Ambrosino, her parents: Ernest and Clara Marshall, and her siblings: Ernie, Claire and Roy. Lucille was born in Escalon, Calif. on Nov. 12, 1930.

Lucille and Mike were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Stockton, Calif. on Nov. 21, 1953. Lucille was awarded a trip around the world by the International Farm Youth Exchange, through the 4-H, when she was 22 years old and spent a year abroad.

Her favorite memories were staying in Australia making lifetime friends, sailing on the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria ships. Lucille’s interests included camping, cooking, home canning -- including the best apricot jam recipe, polka dancing, and winning at Bingo.

The day before she passed, Lucille won two games of bingo and loved it! Lucille spent numerous hours volunteering for the Knightsen 4-H as the community leader for 25 years, so she could help local youth learn the value of the 4-H’s –Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

Along with her husband, Mike, she donated many hours to the Antioch Lions Club.

In 2003, she was honored for her continuous support and countless hours to the Antioch Lions Club and the community.

As a team, they also volunteered for the East Contra Costa County Historical Society and the Soroptimist International

OBITUARIES

of the Delta. In the last year and half of her life, she lived in a luxury Assisted Living center where she made lots of great friends and truly enjoyed going to various outings, lunches, and, of course, playing Bingo.

Lucille loved taking her family camping at Beaver Creek. Her children would get up early, catch their limit, clean them and she would fry the trout for breakfast. Her other place she loved spending time was Bodega Bay with wonderful friends Emil and Ann Valena, and teaching her grandchildren how to clam and camp. Lucille started the food program at Oakley School, and for 23 years served up snacks, milkshakes and meals.

Under her watch, no child was left hungry, and she was beloved by many students. Lucille is lovingly remembered by sons Rich (Kim) and Joe Ambrosino, daughters Diana Kirkham (Bob) and Patty Ginochio (Paul), her nine grandchildren: Shane, Vince, Angelo, Anthony, Jami, Shannon, Sean, Justin, and Alicia, and her great-grandchildren: Ethan, Zachery, Ashlynn, Jesse, Owen, Natalie, Emily, Bodie, Billie, and Gianna.

A family memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Waves of Compassion Foundation, a non-profit supporting the coastal communities of Bodega Bay. www.wavesofcompassionfoundation.org/donate PO Box 21, Bodega Bay, CA 94923 or The IFYE Association of the USA, Inc. that conducts international exchange programs and cross-cultural education while promoting global awareness. https://ifyeusa. org/ways-to-give/memorial-honor-gift. html IFYE Association of the USA, Inc. ATTN: Roger Sherer, P.O. Box 452, Bluffton IN 46714-0052

Von (Umbert Carl) von Hofen May 29 1934 - March 22, 2023

Von (Umbert Carl) von Hofen passed unexpectedly March 22 at his home in Discovery Bay. Born on May 29, 1934, Von lived his entire life in the San Francisco Bay area, raising a family and building homes for them in Pacifica and Woodside.

From a very young age, Von worked and excelled in residential and commercial construction, and was a well-known and highly regarded figure in the industry during the home construction booms of the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s.

In 1974, Von became a general contractor, specializing in high-end custom construction and restoration. His innovation and fine craftsmanship were recognized by the City of Belmont, and his work directly influenced the creation of the downtown development plan.

He was always willing to share his knowledge, skills, and abilities with his children as well as their friends through his involvement in Scouting. He was always generous with his time and enjoyed helping family and friends with everything from small projects to major remodels.

When not on a job site, Von loved boating, camping, fishing, and snow skiing with family and friends. He was an avid water skier, so summer family vacations meant lots of kids and dogs in a boat, racing around the

Delta waterways and Northern California lakes. He could be found launching his boat at Orwoods and Bethel Island from 1952 to the present day.

In 1970, Von’s love of boating led to the breaking of a gender barrier when he became a Mariner Girl Scout leader in Redwood City. His involvement with his children in both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts spanned more than a decade, and he took on renovation projects at Girl Scout camps in Sonora and Woodside.

Von married Sally in 1954. They had four children and were together 20 years. In 1983, Von married Kathy, and they were together until she passed away in 2016.

Von retired and moved to Brentwood in 2012 to be closer to family. Once in Brentwood, he quickly made friends with his witty comments, humorous tales and outgoing personality. His family called him the “Brentwood Social Director” and marveled at all his activities. They knew they had to “reserve him” well in advance to get a place on his social calendar. Von could be found every weekend exploring a new winery or on a Brentwood dance floor. He always knew where the best live music was.

Von truly lived every day to its fullest, and will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Von is survived by his four children, Patti (Lloyd), Debbi (Jaime), Chuck (Sally), Sandi (Clay), stepdaughter Jill (Tony), 11 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, as well as his siblings Roger and Adrianne.

A celebration of life will be held April 28 in Brentwood.

Hometown SportS

Liberty honors local legend Roy Ghiggeri

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

BRENTWOOD Roy Ghiggeri was nervous heading to Liberty High School last Thursday. He’s been there many times before. However, Last Thursday evening at the “new gym” was a bit different.

“We (Ghiggeri and his wife Angela) were driving over here and we said that I was really nervous,” Ghiggeri said during his speech. “I didn’t understand what she said, but she said ‘It’s better than going to a funeral.’”

Last Thursday, Liberty High School, the Liberty Union School District and the City of Brentwood celebrated as Liberty renamed the “new gym” the “Roy J. Ghiggeri Gymnasium,” in tribute to the 1968 Liberty alum, former basketball star and later, coach, teacher, and former district board of trustees member. Overall, Ghiggeri was involved in some way with Liberty and the district either as a student or staff for over 50 years dating to when he first set foot on campus as a freshman in 1964.

“Working with leadership and working with coaching, being part of the administrative team, hopefully having an effect on kids,” Ghiggeri said about his time at Liberty. “Just being part of our whole system I was involved in, because I’ve done many jobs. I had a lot of opportunities to expand, which was great.”

The gym was built in 2002 to accommodate the then-growing school population. It was never named after anything or anyone until Thursday.

“It’s a wonderful honor,” Liberty principal Efa Huckaby said. “One of the beautiful things about being on Liberty’s campus is walking through history. To walk there and to know the impact that these individuals have had in our community, it’s just tremendous.”

The district decided unanimously, 5-0, to dedicate the gym in Ghiggeri’s name in a board meeting on Jan. 18.

Ghiggeri spent a majority of his 40-minute speech thanking everyone who was involved in his life at Liberty and beyond; from former teammates to coaches and teachers he worked with at Liberty. Along with receiving certificates and plaques dedicating the event, he unveiled a plaque outside of the gymnasium along with the official title of the gym on the outside wall in black letters, immortalizing his legacy at Liberty.

“It’s really humbling,” Ghiggeri said. “It wasn’t all about me. It’s about the people around me that helped me through my life and my career.”

One of those people was Brentwood School District Assistant Superintendent

Chris Calabrese, who was a student of Ghiggeri’s in the 1980s and had him as a leadership class teacher when he was a senior. He wasn’t afraid to tell a story about when Ghiggeri gave him a ‘B’ in leadership.

“(Ghiggeri) expected more out of (me),” Calabrese re-quoted Ghiggeri as part of a story in his speech. “‘Chris is participating in leadership, but I expect him to lead.’”

Calabrese explained that story afterward.

“It really struck me,” Calabrese said. “I pouted for a while and I was upset (at the comment) for a while, then I realized that I could do more. So I began to lead and took small steps. It’s a motto, but something that’s been profound for my life is not to just participate.

“It was a huge honor (speaking at Ghig-

geri’s dedication). The parallels between our lives are striking to me. To be associated with Roy Ghiggeri means a lot to me.”

Ghiggeri’s impact on everyone was also felt by Mike Miller, a former player and student under Ghiggeri at Liberty.

“The gym, in my eyes, is the centerpiece of the school,” Miller said in his speech. “He has been such a huge part of the rich history of this school, this district, and this community for the past 40 or 50-plus years. And he’s always done it with unbelievable passion, loyalty, and dedication.”

Ghiggeri went on to the University of the Pacific on a basketball scholarship after graduating from Liberty and is part of the 1970-71 team that was inducted into the Pacific’s Hall of Fame back in 2004. That team went 22-6 and played in the school’s third trip to the NCAA Tournament. Ghiggeri was inducted into the LUHSD Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 and has since served as a Hall of Fame board member.

He returned to Liberty to work as a teacher and as a basketball coach in 1974. He was the head of Liberty’s adult education program in 1978, then became Liberty’s athletic and activities director in 1982. He moved into a district leadership role in 1988 where he created an independent study program to go alongside the adult education program, which is now the Community Education Center. He was elected into the LUHSD Board of Trustees in 2010 and served for 12 years, twice as president.

Ghiggeri continues to give everyone else the credit for Liberty’s success today.

“We’re very fortunate to have the superintendents that we have,” he said. “The fact that the system has led us forward, the vision we’re providing, all these things you see here is because of the leadership.”

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

Delta Breeze lacrosse enjoys mixed results

Delta Breeze lacrosse started well in April with the boys JV teams visiting from Galena, Nevada (north of Lake Tahoe), Elk Grove, Mendocino, and San Luis Obispo to participate in six games at Freedom High School on Saturday April 1.

Playing for the Delta Breeze JV team were: Adan Garza, Ethan Lind, Garner Plumlee, Jaxon Salazar, Kory Dake, London Webb Allender, Luke Brown, Luke Geis, Mason Beck, Nolan Pryor, Noah Shappet, and Shane Hamilton. On Saturday April 8, the boys JV team traveled to Yuba City to compete against Yuba City and the Chico Rebels.

On Saturday, April 15, great goal work from Alexander Bentancourt and defense from Callahan Veach and James Lord helped the Delta Breeze offense take a 10-9

win in a game of 12U boys lacrosse against the Livermore Phantoms with scores coming from Devin Pryor, Jayden Parks, and Noah Shappet. Assisting in the scores were Asher Bosco, Cyrus Faghih, and Eden Bosco.

After the 12U match and with key defense players missing, the Delta Breeze 14U boys team lost a tough match to the Phantoms 14U team.

While the boys 12U and 14U teams were battling it out against Livermore, the Delta Breeze boys JV team was enjoying great lacrosse play at Heritage High School with JV teams visiting from Chico and Elk Grove.

To make the games more competitive, players from each team were mixed and two separate teams formed. Great Delta Breeze plays came from Alfred Martinez, Ethan

Lind, Evan Lopez, Garner Plumlee (with 2 goals), Luke Geis, Harrison Johns, and Shane Hamilton.

On Sunday, April 16, outstanding goal keeping from Caden Kyle and defense from Alexander Bentancourt, Callahan Veach, James Lord, Jett Apodaca, and Ryder Mayorga, gave Asher Bosco the opportunity to score 3, Eden Bosco 2, Noah Shappet 6, and 1 goal each from Callahan Veach, Devin Pryor, and Jax Apodaca in their 14-5 win over the Oakland Lacrosse club in the boys 12U match.

After the boys 12U match, the Delta Breeze 14U boys team had an exciting 9-2 win against the Oakland Lacrosse club with outstanding goal keeping from Caden Kyle and outstanding defense from Basir AllahSelvin, Easton Quiles, and London Webb-

Allender. Scoring for Delta Breeze were Jake Pena 1, Jayden Parks 2, Noah Shappet 4, and Shane Hamilton 2.

While the boys teams were playing great lacrosse in Oakland, the girls 10U and 12U teams battled with visiting team San Ramon Raptors at La Paloma High School in Brentwood. The girls 10U lost a close match, with 6 goals from Sophia Pistello, 4 from Korinna Romero, 2 from Lillyana Jimenez, and 1 from Braelyn Pryor. With many of the 10U players playing up in the subsequent 12U match, Delta Breeze took a tougher 12-5 loss against the Raptors 12U team. In the loss, scoring one goal each for Delta Breeze were: Braelyn Pryor, Cailey Feague, Gianna Cummings, Korinna Romero, and Mariah Juarez.

– Daren Shappet, Coach of the Delta Breeze lacrosse team.

Roy Ghiggeri speaks during his gym dedication event at Liberty High School last Thursday.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Car show to rev up Oakley Senior Center

Annual auto display postponed four years because of COVID-19 restrictions

By Sean Tongson Correspondent

For the first time in four years, the annual car show hosted by the Oakley Senior Center will return on Saturday, May 6. The event, the first since 2019, will be held at 215 Second St. and will feature a variety of classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, and related items.

“We hope to have over 30 cars,” said Project Coordinator James Fridas. “Our last show, we had some truly great cars like a 1933 Duesenberg, a 1934 Ford, a 1939 Plymouth, and dozens of other antiques and super cool collectable cars. We hope to have another great show.”

Admission will be free for the public. Participants and visitors can expect to enjoy a day of connecting with others who enjoy vintage vehicles along with their owners. The car show will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, with vehicles starting to arrive by 8 a.m. The cost to enter the car show is $20 for all vehicles.

“The city would not let us have another

one until now,” said Fridas of the absence of the show because of COVID-19 restrictions. “This is our second (show), and we hope there will be a great turnout!”

The Oakley Senior Center Car show will be judged with ribbons and Best of Show awards will be given out. In addition to the car show, there will be a food vendor truck as well as the monthly Trinkets and Treasures Flea Market on site.

According to Fridas, the car show is the first of what is planned to be more special events in the months ahead as fundraisers – such as the upcoming summer Chicken Q and Fall Tri Tip dinners, and monthly bingo games and flea markets – to continue to support the senior center.

“We plan on more in the months to come if this event pans out as well as we expect it to,” said Fridas. “There is another show in Tracy, but we hope our residents come here first! It is an inspiration to the community.”

Fundraiser Chairman Candy Hogan added, “We are excited to bring a car, motorcycle, and truck show back to the Oakley Senior Center after several years hiatus. We hope the community will come out to support our several fundraising efforts this year so we can continue to serve the needs of our Oakley citizens.”

The deadline to register is April 25. For more information and to register, call 925626-7223.

Safelite AutoGlass coming to Brentwood

By Jake Menez Staff Writer

BRENTWOOD Safelite AutoGlass, a company specializing in windshield repairs, will be coming to Brentwood following unanimous approval by the Planning Commission on April 18.

The business will be at 6818 Lone Tree Way, making it part of the Lone Tree Crossing shopping center and putting it near other automotive businesses Firestone Tires and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The proposed business hours would be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday,

according to a city staff report, with 50% of the work is projected to be done in the proposed shop while the remaining 50%

would be done remotely by mobile technicians.

“We’re trying to be very compliant,” one of the applicants told the council. “We just really appreciate working with your city and seeing it happen.”

Safelite is “the largest auto glass spe cialist company in the United States with more than 850 locations nation wide,” according to their website. The company was founded in Kansas in 1947.

“Congratulations,” Chairperson Anita Roberts said following the approval. “Thank you

for adding this wonderful project to the city of Brentwood. I think it’s going to be a great complement – Firestone is right there. I think that what you’re doing is phenomenal and I wish you the best.”

“ We’re trying to be very compliant,” one of the applicants told the council.

“We just really appreciate working with your city and seeing it happen. ”

C lassifieds & l egals

LEGAL NOTICES

OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 to the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, will be held by duly appointed trustee. The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale.

BENEFICIARY MAY ELECT TO BID LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE. Trustor(s): Ariel Bauman and Brian Bauman, wife and husband as community property with rights of survivorship

Recorded: 1/17/2013 as Instrument No. 20130013804-00 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of CONTRA COSTA County, California;

Date of Sale: 5/23/2023 at 9:00 AM Place of Sale:

At the Pleasant Hill Community Center, located at 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. In the Auction.com Room Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $262,443.73 The purported property address is: 1029 CLEAR LAKE DRIVE, OAKLEY, CA 94561 Assessor’s Parcel No.: 032390-037-3 NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 800-280-2832 for information regarding the trustee’s sale or visit this internet website http://www.qualityloan.com, using the file number assigned to this foreclosure by the Trustee: CA-22-910813-CL. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the internet website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.

NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction.

If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase.

First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call 800-280-2832, or visit this internet website http://www.qualityloan. com, using the file number assigned to this foreclosure by the Trustee: CA-22-910813-CL to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for

advice regarding this potential right to purchase.

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE OWNER-OCCUPANT:

Any prospective owner-occupant as defined in Section 2924m of the California Civil Code who is the last and highest bidder at the trustee’s sale shall provide the required affidavit or declaration of eligibility to the auctioneer at the trustee’s sale or shall have it delivered to QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION by 5 p.m. on the next business day following the trustee’s sale at the address set forth in the below signature block. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address or other common designation, if any, shown herein. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. Date: QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION

Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2023-0001622 The name of the business: Legacy Life LLC Located at: 50 Sand Creek Road In: Brentwood Ca 94513, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Alyssa Nelson. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, State of Organization. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 03/28/2023. Signature of registrant: Alyssa Nelson, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/28/2023 by Deputy Clerk Expires 03/27/2028 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Dates: April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

STATEMENT File No. F-2023-0001480 The name of the business: Araniko Village D.B.A. Luigi’s Italian Delicatessen And Catering Located at: 2709 Clayton RD In: Concord, CA 94519, is hereby registered by the following owner: Araniko Village 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: Rohan Khadka, Secretary. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/20/2023 by Deputy Clerk Expires 03/19/2028 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2023-0001458 The name of the business(es): Poppy Movement & Wellness Located at: 2910 Camino Diablo #130 In: Walnut Creek, CA 94597, is hereby registered by the following owner: Whitney Ann Kossman. This business is conducted by: an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 12/05/2022. Signature of registrant: Whitney Ann Kossman, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/17/2023 by Deputy Clerk Expires 03/16/2028 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2023-0001585 The name of the business(es): GI Joe Homes Located at: 2603 Camino Ramon, Suite 200 In: San Ramon, CA 94583, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Joseph L Knipp. 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: Joseph L Knipp, Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/24/2023 by Deputy Clerk Expires 03/23/2028 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2023-0001730 The name of the business: Dilene’s Boutique Located at: 327 E Leland Rd Ste A #109 In: Pittsburg, CA 94565, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Angelica M Rodriguez Torres. 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: Angelica Rodriguez Torres, Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/30/2023 by

BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2023-0001637 The name of the business: Farm 121 Sanitation Located at: 2920 Delta Rd In: Brentwood, CA 94513, is hereby registered by the following owners: Farm 121 LLC. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, State of Organization: California. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Jarred Tomasini, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: March 28, 2023 by Deputy Clerk Expires 3/27/2028 Brentwood Press No.02-1223 Publish dates: April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2023.

Publish Dates: April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2023-0001117The name of the business(e s): And Then Designs Located at: 1936Water St In: Brentwood, CA 94513, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Kevin Robert Gage. 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 Gage, Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 02/28/2023 by Deputy Clerk Expires 02/27/2028 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2023-0001230The name of the business(e s): LS TODO Located at: 5080 MESA RIDGE DRIVE In: ANTIOCH, CA 94531, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): LEONARDO SANTISTEBAN. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, State of Organization.The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: LEONARDO SANTISTEBAN, CEO.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/06/2023 by Deputy Clerk

Expires 03/05/2028 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY: Jason Cohen SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553

PETITION OF: Jason Cohen + Rowena Cohen CASE

NUMBER: N23-0575 TO ALL INTERESTED PER-

SONS: 1. Petitioner Jason + Rowena Cohen filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: a. Naya Cohen to Proposed Name: a. Naya Gisele Cohen. 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

requests that: DORNESSIEA VOLRIE be appointed as personal representa tive to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows

GAMES & PUZZLES

4-14-2023

Here’s How It Works:

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Audit from page 1A

showing once again the police cannot police themselves.”

The City Council also approved an audit into the hiring and the promotional practices within the police department.

“One thing that is concerning to me that I learned last week is that we haven’t had evaluations for six years,” City Council member Michael Barbanica said. “That concerns me. How do we go six years without an evaluation of police officers?”

“It’s like watching (the TV show) The First 48, but at the end, the murderer gives a confession and then gets a promotion and a raise,” Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha TorresWalker added.

The City Council also approved an equity audit of the department, revealing certain things like outcomes in terms of policing, along with arrest and use-of-force data.

Thorpe added that all of the rulings come from discovery of the texts. He also mentioned that an audit like this will take some time to be done right.

“We want to do it in a way that informs the counselors that can make decisions,” Thorpe said. “So if we rush through a process and get bad information, that’s not helpful to anybody. So we have to do our due diligence to ensure that the process plays out in terms of hiring the right person and firms,

Reservoir from page 1A

then conducting an audit and, obviously, getting cooperation from the police department to hand over information. It’s a process.”

The rulings from the City Council to proceed with the independent audits come after a peaceful protest by scores of Antioch residents at the police headquarters two hours before Tuesday’s special meeting.

Tuesday’s events follow numerous findings from an investigation into “crimes of moral turpitude” into the department by both the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that started in 2021. What started with just eight Antioch officers in question for racist text messages between one another has blown up to 45 Antioch officers now, 16 of whom in leadership positions.

“These are processes that have to take place,” Antioch police Chief Steven Ford said. “What’s being asked here tonight is nothing new, nothing earth shaking. These are natural inquiries that need to be made of this organization, of which I’ve already started those processes.”

The investigation into the Antioch police follows an investigation into the Pittsburg police department after the D.A.’s office received a tip in September, 2021 that one of its officers was involved in illegal activities that also included other Pittsburg and Antioch officers, according to reports from

Allen added Tuesday, “We are currently filling Los Vaqueros now through at least the end of April. Decisions on continued filling will depend on conditions in the Delta, Delta water quality and the cost of energy. The intakes and pipelines were sized to minimize impacts to the environment and fish. The District will find appropriate windows of opportunity to put more water into the reservoir.”

The goals of the expansion, according to the Joint Powers Authority, include:

• A reliable water source for south of Delta wildlife refuges;

• Reliable water supply for local water agencies;

• High potential for regional water system integration;

• Protection of delivered water quality;

• Enhanced recreation facilities.

• The 18,500 acres of Los Vaqueros’ watershed provides a number of recreational opportunities including fishing, boating (from the marina located at the Livermore entrance from Vasco Road), birding, education (through the Interpretive Center) and 50 miles of trails for hiking. Repairs to several trails are underway following winter rainfall damage and mudslides. The watershed is now holding April to August hours of operation from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fishing opportunities at the reservoir include catfish, trout, striped bass, bluegill/ sunfish, crappie and largemouth bass.

Private boats and dog and cat pets are not allowed at the reservoir.

Bridge from page 1A

The reinforced concrete bridge abutments are supported with concrete piles. Work includes: clearing and grubbing, tree removal, grading, bridge removal, single stage bridge construction, roadway construction in stages, construction of drainage facilities, storm drainage pipes and outfalls, relocation of a Contra Costa Water District waterline, relocation of above-ground and underground utilities, and pavement delineation.

The $12,095,196 cost of the project is being paid with 75 percent Federal High-

the East Bay Times. Part of that illegal activity reported was officers abusing the use of prescription testosterone supplements and the allegations of “parties” where cops joked about who was bringing in drugs like heroin and cocaine.

Trust in police nationally is at an all-time low. A 2022 Gallup poll found that 45% of surveyed Americans have confidence in the police, down three percent from the previous low of 48% after the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota in 2020. Through two reports that have been released by the county DA ‘s office – one an overall report from all of texts that were sent from 2019 through early 2021 and one solely from an investigation into actions taken during a felony criminal case during that time – the police officers mentioned in the report were frequently saying racist remarks about suspects they were either investigating or took into custody. They also poked fun at suspects who they physically abused, sending photos of them in the hospital.

The findings of the investigation could compromise thousands of cases, possibly overturning them due to the racist nature of the texts per the report by the district attorney that says that the findings “documents potential dishonesty, perjury, abuse of authority, and the violation of individuals civil rights.” Defense attorneys in cases involving the Antioch officers could use the racist texts

as evidence of their bias in making arrests.

“I think we all assumed that (the report) was bad,” Torres-Walker said. “It’s even scary and offensive, but just seeing it on paper and having to read the first initial 21 pages, it was tough. We had to stop and take deep breaths and not read it in front of the children, I mean, it’s absolutely traumatizing. It’s actually worse than what you can imagine.”

“Police culture has been in the spotlight for black folks for a long time,” Torres-Walker added. “We’re very aware of the culture, and that it’s problematic and it has been in our community forever. I think the challenge that we’re seeing now is that individuals who have largely ignored the culture, tolerated the culture, and allowed the culture to persist can no longer hide behind the blue line.”

Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, called Tuesday on Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice to immediately investigate the exchanges between police officers in Antioch who sent racist messages to each other. Sharpton also asked the Justice Department to provide safety for Thorpe because Sharpton said the trust with the police department has eroded. “The hood is off for these cops, and we have seen their true colors, ” he said in a press release.

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

The dam at Los Vaqueros Reservoir will be raised 56 feet during an expansion project getting underway this year.

But bigger plans are afoot for the reservoir’s future.

The eight partners in the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Joint Powers Authority (JPA) have given approval to expand the reservoir’s capacity to 275,000 acre-feet of water. The expansion will require raising the reservoir’s dam by 56 feet.

The JPA partners, besides CCWD, include: the Alameda County Water District, City of Brentwood (through CCWD), the East Bay Municipal Utility District, the Grassland Water District, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency, the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority (which includes the Byron Bethany Irrigation District, the City of Tracy, the Del Puerto Water District, the Panoche Water District and Westlands Water Dis-

way Bridge Program Funds, 24 percent Local Road Funds and 1 percent East County Area of Benefit Funds.

To learn more about this project, visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/MCR-Bridge

In other actions Tuesday with East County impacts, Supervisors approved:

• A ConFire contract with Life Extension Clinics Inc., (Life Scan Wellness Centers), in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000, for annual physical examinations for the period of May 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024;

• The Employment and Human Services

trict), the Santa Clara Valley Water District and the Zone 7 Water Agency.

The expansion project is expected to cost $980 million to complete, officials said. Federal funding provides $203 million, state funding supplies $477 million with local sources funding the final $300 million.

The next step in the process will be final funding approval from the California Water Commission, which is expected this summer. Allen said recently that the Joint Powers Authority expects to start construction by the end of this year with completion planned in 2030.

For more information: https://www.ccwater.com/726/ Los-Vaqueros

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

Director, or designee, to apply for and accept the 5.6% cost-of-living adjustment of $1,520,987 and quality improvement increase of $587,885 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, for a total not to exceed $2,108,872 for the Head Start and Early Head Start Program, for the term Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2023;

• Authorizing the Sheriff-Coroner or designee, to apply for and accept a California Division of Boating and Waterways

Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel

Exchange Grant in an initial allocation of $440,945 for the abatement of abandoned vessels and the vessel turn in program on county waterways for the period beginning Oct. 1, 2023 through the end of the grant funding availability;

• Authorizing the issuance and sale of the “Pittsburg Unified School District, General Obligation Bonds Election of 2018 bonds not to exceed $72,495,000 on its own behalf pursuant to Sections 15140 and 15146 of the Education Code.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net

Photo by Chris Campos

O pini O n

Letters to the editor

Intense debate over reparations for Black Americans

Editor,

The issue of reparations for Black Americans is a controversial topic in the United States.

Reparations are being recommended because of the history of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism that has caused huge harm to Black people in America. People argue that reparations are necessary to address this historical scar. Opponents believe it’s hard to determine who should get compensation and that it might not be fair to those who didn’t directly experience slavery while others think reparations would be too costly and could lead to a lack of money for other groups.

Opponents may argue that it’s hard to determine who should get compensation and that it might not be fair to those who didn’t directly experience slavery. Some also think reparations would be too costly and could lead to resentment from other groups.

It’s important to recognize the harm caused by racism and discuss ways to address its historical effects.

The federal government could implement a program of reparations, similar to the reparations paid to Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II.

Secondly, community-based reparations could involve individuals and top organizations taking responsibility for their role in perpetuating systemic racism and providing compensation through direct payments or scholarships to Black communities.

The issue of reparations for Black Americans is a huge topic, but it’s important to discuss ways to address the historical injustices caused by systemic racism. It’s important to have discussions and consider effective solutions to move toward a more inspiring future.

Mike Jobs Brentwood

Publisher Greg Robinson Controller Sandie McNulty

Editor Chris Campos

Production Manager Eric Kinnaird

Ad Services Manager Connie O’Neill

Founder & Publisher Emeritus Jimmy Chamoures

Should immigrants have to learn English before they apply for citizenship?

Editor,

The United States is a widely diverse country. Thousands of people migrate here to start a new life, full of the opportunities that the U.S provides. Though it’s not a perfect country, people sacrifice themselves to succeed here. Most must learn a whole new form of communication.

In March, J.D. Vance, a Republican Senator from Ohio, submitted a new bill that would make English the official language of the U.S. The bill also includes immigrants passing an English test to be naturalized as citizens. After the struggle they go through, they get tested to have a label that will let them “fit in.”

Others may say that immigrants must know English fluently. It will be easier for them to live here since the language most spoken is English. However, it can be difficult finding good translators everywhere. Some argue that it should be required to know English fully to be able to apply for citizenship.

Not everyone has time or money to attend English classes. Speaking English should not be required to get your citizenship accepted.

Coming to the U.S. and learning a new language is one of the challenges faced as immigrants. Slightly understanding English is a good start. Once they are here, they should continue to learn English and practice every day. Their right to live here should not depend on their proficiency in English.

Keisy Reyes Brentwood

LETTERS POLICY

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

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

Odyssey of the Mind winners fundraising for student trip to World Finals Editor,

For the second year in a row, Mary Casey Black Elementary is overjoyed to have an Odyssey of the Mind Division 1 team that has qualified for the World Finals.

The team of fourth- and fifthgrade students placed third at the State Tournament on March 25 in Odyssey’s “Where’s the Structure” problem. The students studied engineering, architecture, design, teamwork, and presentation skills to create and perform an adventure story featuring a complex balsa wood structure they designed and built to support weight testing.

As the only elementary school in Brentwood attending the World Finals, the students are excited to represent their school, and their city, by competing with students from all over the world at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals place at the end of May at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich.

The team is fundraising to cover costs for travel, lodging, and expenses to get to the World Finals. If you or your company would like to donate or sponsor the team, you can visit our GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme. com/f/mcb-odessy-of-the-mind-teamgo-to-worlds) or email our coach,

Elaine Gale-Lopez, at elainegalelopez@ gmail.com for additional ways to help.

To learn more about the competition, visit www.omworldfinals. com

Shanna Edwards Brentwood

Police, council members at Easter egg hunt greatly

appreciated Editor,

A great big thank-you to Chief of Police Tim Herbert and his team of officers who participated in the Easter Egg hunt event at Village Drive.

The day was planned by the One Day At a Time organization. Your presence and support meant so much to our community. The fact that you mingled and interacted with the people was a beautiful sight to see.

Your active participation helped heal a wound caused by last year’s abrupt pullout of the event by the Police Department after advertisements stated that they were cosponsors of the Easter Egg Hunt. Herbert was not chief then. I was happy to know that Council members Pa’tanisha Pierson and Tony Oerlemans as well as City Manager Tim Ogden also attended the event.

Our community is becoming more and more diverse. I hope the City of Brentwood under the leadership of the Mayor and the City Council will support many more cultural events that bring our community together.

Isaac Montanez Brentwood

Subscription Questions 925-634-1441 Editorial email editor@brentwoodpress.com

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

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

FOOD DRINK The Press

&

Spring events in East County

This spring is full of events and activities for East County residents to enjoy. Here are some activities in the coming weeks in the area. The stars will come out for movies in parks, music concerts, comedy shows, vintage cars, and food and drinks for all. Whatever your tastes desire, you will likely find something to enjoy those summer weekends.

see Events page 3B

SEAN TONGSON

Discovery Bay to jam again this summer

Warmer weather means the Summer Jam Concert Series returns to the Discovery Bay Community Center on June 3 and Sept. 9.

Hosted by the Discovery Bay Lions Club and the Town of Discovery Bay, the free concert series brings people, music and food together for an evening of outdoor entertainment.

The musical lineup is as follows. In June, CCsegeR will put on a Bob Seger and CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revival) tribute show with timeless classics.

In September, Gunpowder and Lace will serve up country tunes as the perfect backdrop for a night of line dancing.

The concerts will be held at the community center, 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd. Admission is free, gates open at 5 p.m. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome but no outside food, drinks, coolers, easy-up tents or dogs allowed. Food, beer, wine and margaritas will be available for purchase.

“This will be an amazing night,” said Discovery Bay Lion Bryon Gutow, noting this will be Summer Jam’s eighth year. “It’s a free community concert, and families can come

out and have a great time and they don’t have to spend money if they don’t want to.”

Gutow said the concerts get a little bigger and better each year, with both the Lions and the town working to improve facilities and the event itself. In addition to free music, there will be food trucks with a variety of dining options and the Lions Club will have beer, local wine and margaritas for sale.

Sponsorships are ack this year for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic with Bill Brandt Ford, McCauley Agricultural and Pest

Control, and Five Star Bank as top sponsors.

“The Summer Jam concerts are great community events that bring families and our community together for an evening of good times, good food and live music,” said Rob Brandt of Bill Brandt Ford. “It’s a recipe for a fun event that the Town of Discovery Bay, Lions Club and Bryon Gutow should be recognized and thanked for. Bill Brandt Ford supports our community and great events, especially those with free admission.”

Five Star Bank, not only sponsored

the event, but donated their perks – which included VIP parking, seats and drink tickets – to a local underprivileged family.

“Five Star Bank believes in action over words,” said Five Star Senior Vice President Jerry Legg. “This means in addition to making donations, we actively engage with our customers and our community through volunteerism, board participation and mentorship. With Discovery Bay Lions Club Summer Concerts, Five Star Bank decided to donate the tickets we received to families in need in Discovery Bay. Serving those who need us most is at the forefront of everything we do and is the reason we exist.”

Proceeds from the concert are split between the Town of Discovery Bay and the Lions Club charitable donations. In the past, the town has used its money to purchase items for the community center such as outdoor patio furniture. Sponsorships were scarce over the past three years, resulting in a financial loss for the Lions Club. This year, with the return of sponsorships, Gutow said that might change.

“We have hopes to raise money this year, because the sponsors have returned,” he said. “With the generosity of the community – because people can donate at the event – we are hoping to raise some money to give back.”

For more information, visit www. discoverybaylions.com

DAWNMARIE FEHR

Dawnmarie Fehr

The Summer Jam Concert Series is returning this year thanks to the Discovery Bay Lions Club. This is the eighth year of the event.

Events from page 1B

Brentwood

♦ Brentwood will be hosting their first Movie in the Park on Friday, April 21 at City Park at 710 Second St., where the Disney-Pixar film A Bug’s Life (1998) will be shown at 8 p.m. This is the first in a four-month series of movies being held by the city, with follow-up events in May, September and October.

♦ Cap’s Oak Street Bar and Grill will be hosting a comedy show on Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29, in addition to a visit from a psychic medium on Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20 at 1 p.m. Those interested in attending are invited to call (925) 6341025 for reservations. Additionally, Cap’s also is hosting a “Paint Nite” for guests of the legal drinking age on Monday, April 24 at 7 p.m in their upstairs ballroom. The theme is “Happy Highland Cow”. Admission is $35 per person on a first-come, first served basis, and supplies are included. No outside food or beverages are allowed. Future Paint Nite themes include “Starry Moonlit Lighthouse” (Monday, May 8) and “Cool Blue Butterfly” (Monday, May 22).

♦ The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce will be holding an East Bay Business Expo on Tuesday, May 9 from 4-7:30 p.m at the Brentwood Community Center. The expo will feature 80 vendors from many industries. The Business Expo takes place on the same night as a City Council meeting.

♦ The Downtown Brentwood Downtown Coalition will host Mamapalooza on Friday, May 12, from 6-9 p.m. “Sip, shop and celebrate

Brentwood” with passes priced at $10.

♦ The Coalition is also sponsoring the third annual Bags & Brews cornhole tournament on Sunday, May 28, starting at noon with a military tribute.

Brentwood City Manager Tim Ogden added, “No one can say there’s nothing to do in Brentwood with all the entertaining and fun city and community events crowding nearly every weekend.”

Discovery Bay

♦ The town of Discovery Bay will host a Kustoms and Klassics Car Show on Saturday, May 20 from 5-10 p.m. at 5879 Marina Road. Entry is $35 until April 22, then the entry fee will increase. Cash prizes and awards will be issued. For details, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/DiscoveryBay/ KustomsandKlassicsCarShow.

Oakley

♦ Oakley will be hosting a pair of Retro Summer Block Parties in the Civic Center Plaza, which will feature the movies Jumanji on Saturday, May 29 and Honey, I Shrunk The Kids on Saturday, June 3 from 6-10:30 p.m.

♦ Two Concert in the Park events from 5-9 p.m. are planned, featuring The Real Thang Band on Friday, May 5 and Locked and Loaded on Friday, June 2.

♦ The Oakley Senior Center will be hosting their annual car show on Saturday, May 6 featuring classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Admission is free for the public; the cost to participate in the car show is $20. The car show will also feature the monthly Trinkets

and Treasures Flea Market and food vendors, with proceeds benefiting the Oakley Senior Center. The deadline to apply is Tuesday April 25. For more information, call the Oakley Senior Center at (925) 626-7223.

♦ The Annual Taste of Oakley will take place on Saturday, May 13 at the Oakley Recreation Center at 1250 O’Hara Ave. from 11 a.m.-1 p.m, where Oakley-based restaurants, food trucks, and caterers highlight their most popular dishes and promote their businesses. The Taste of Oakley will be expanded this year to also include a menu item from participating businesses on Saturday. May 6. Tickets at $20 can be purchased at: https:// secure.rec1.com/CA/oakley-ca/catalog

♦ The Oakley Recreation Center will host a Oakley’s Got Talent presented by the Oakley Youth Council on Saturday, May 20 from 6-8 p.m. Youth or adults who can sing, dance, play a musical instrument, or have a special talent are invited to attend, and performances are limited to five minutes. A link to online submissions can be found at the following link at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA

IpQLSehZvEvONxKVEfcPPyqfzx5e8jtTqSf5iDv g983vkXrJaMJcQ/viewform

“The City of Oakley events are important because they encourage community engagement, activate our downtown, which boosts our local economy, and foster a sense of pride and identity among residents,” said Oakley Recreation Manager Lindsey Bruno. “At our events, residents have the opportunity to come together and build relationships with each other and create memories in their hometown.”

Antioch

♦ The city of Antioch will also be holding a special “Keep Antioch Beautiful” event to commemorate Earth Day on Saturday, April 22 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Volunteers interested in participating will be needed at the Antioch Community Park, Prewett Community Park, Gentrytown Park, and at the Nick Rodriguez Center in downtown Antioch, with check-in at 9 a.m. Cleanup materials will be provided for volunteers, but they are advised to bring work gloves. A free lunch for volunteers will be provided from noon-1 p.m. at Prewett Community Park.

♦ Antioch hosts “Food Truck Thursdays” presented by Foodie Crew every week at the Antioch Community Center on 4703 Lone Tree Way across from Deer Valley High School from 5-9 p.m featuring a variety of food trucks and music. Foodie Crew does a similar Oakley event every first Friday of the month. More information, including the upcoming food truck lineup, can be found at: https://www.antiochca. gov/food-truck-thursday/ and at https:// www.foodiecrew.com/.

More information on the following events for the respective cities can be found at the following links:

Brentwood: https://www.brentwoodca.gov/government/parks-recreation

Antioch: https://www.antiochca.gov/ recreation/special-events/.

Oakley: https://www.ci.oakley.ca.us/ recreation/special-events

Chef Jeff Churchill

Backyard supper club R&B, Jazz show in Antioch on April 29

Agroup of local chefs and musicians will be coming together for a special collaboration at the Supperjam experience on Saturday, April 29, in Antioch.

The event will feature a special R&B backyard supper club, celebrating both International Dance Day and International Jazz Day in one night.

Chef Ayesha, known for her Round Midnight Dinner Pop-Up Series, will be the guest chef for the night, and will prepare a spring tasting menu that includes garlic confit mushroom toast, Caesar salad, and shrimp po’ boy; plates easily paired with artisan cocktails or wines at the hosted open bar, according to Clarisse L. J., the event’s co-founder.

In addition, the Bay Area band Baycoin Beats will be playing contemporary jazz and R&B, with guests such as R&B artists SoLauran, Damian, RBYN, and more.

This event will be the first time creating a commu nal seating experience with two long tables, encourag ing guests to mingle and connect with fellow like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs. The goal is to create an inclu sive environment where guests can come together to celebrate their love of R&B, jazz, and great food, all while building connections.

The promoters appreci ate the support of local sponsors, including Sosabe Cellars as their wine spon sor. Tickets are limited, and can be purchased through the Supperjam website at www.supperjam.com

Crawfish Boil to benefit Brentwood veterans hall

The Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building will be presenting their inaugural Louisiana Crawfish Boil on Saturday, April 29, at the nonprofit’s building at 757 First St. downtown.

The local Veterans Service Organizations that call the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building home include The American Legion, Veterans of foreign wars, Marine Corp League, their family Auxiliary’s, Sons of the American Legion, and the Legion Riders.

The fundraiser will support their veterans

outreach programs as well as the group’s plans to build an outside patio, according to Daniel Moses, representing the Board of Directors for the veterans hall.

The doors will open at 5 p.m., with dinner served at 6. Dinner includes “Fresh Crawfish from Louisiana with all the fixins’ and Tri Tip, Durty beans on the side,” says Chris Romero, the master chef for the evening who started his culinary career while he was in the South. Don’t forget to try one of the Special Louisiana cocktails.

Tickets are $40 per person. Come support the veterans, bid on Raffles Baskets and have some 50/50 fun.

For more information, call 925-437-9536 or email BVMB2023@ gmail.com. Or stop by the Brentwood Press building at 248 Oak St. to purchase tickets before they are sold out. Only 150 tickets will be sold.

Meals on Wheels gala to support seniors

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region invites guests to join them for a night of dining, dancing, and fun at the Dining to Deliver Gala on Saturday, June 10 at the Blackhawk Museum at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in, Danville to help support vulnerable seniors.

The gala begins at 6 p.m., and dinner starts at about 7.

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has been delivering meals and life-saving services to seniors since 1968. In the past year alone, they delivered over 600,000 meals. The need for its support services has grown, the group’s statistics show. Fall prevention has increased by 150%, more seniors are receiving friendly visits and calls to prevent social isolation, and care management helps seniors struggling with depression, evic-

tions, and elder abuse. With senior needs increasing, this event is crucial to continue providing these services.

The gala will host live music by the Timebandits, a dance band from Solano County that performed at last year’s event.

For more information about becoming a sponsor, contact Sherry Nadworny at snadworny@mowdr.org. Tickets for the Dining to Deliver Gala are available for purchase, with all proceeds going to support older adults.

Meals on Wheels also ask all guests to test for COVID-19 the day of the event. Attendees with questions about the test should contact Nadworny as well.

To buy tickets and for more information, visit: https://www.mowdiabloregion. org/upcoming-events

A foodie’s guide to East County dining

There is plenty of culture in East County, and from that melting pot are served a variety of foods. Whether residents are in the mood for Mexican, American, Chinese, Japanese, Southern, Italian, or something else, East County carries a vast amount of food variety. Here are some restaurants with great food:

Celia’s Mexican Restaurant

Anyone looking for Mexican food can head to Celia’s. With reasonable prices and fabulous flavors, Celia’s is the right stop for a good meal. They also have a drink menu that will turn a dinner into a fiesta.

Smith’s Landing

Smith’s Landing in Antioch is the selfproclaimed “quintessential waterfront dining experience” on the Delta. The restaurant offers picturesque views of the water in

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addition to a menu that has a little bit of everything – from pasta dishes and steaks to appetizers and wild seafood.

Sweeney’s Restaurant

For those who favor Italian, this is the place for you. Located in downtown Brentwood, Sweeney’s is the place to go for a lovely sit-down anniversary, birthday, or simple celebration dinner. Sweeney’s offers a fine dining experience for decent prices paired with tasty food.

Cap’s Oak Street Bar & Grill

For the fans of Italian cuisine, Cap’s also is an option for Friday Date Night. With pasta, meat dishes, calzones, fish dishes and desserts, Cap’s is the place to go for a fabulous time. Their Banana Fosters are flaming good, and their pasta is so tasty it’s pre-pasta-rous.

Zephyr Grill & Bar

American food could easily be described as hearty and filling. If you’re looking for something that meets these standards, check out Zephyr Grill & Bar in downtown Brentwood on First Street. An upscale dining experience with a comfortable atmosphere, Zephyr is perfect for an evening date or friendly sit-down burger. With tasty food and alcohol, it is a good place to have a good time with a good meal.

Shirasoni

Dinner and a show is always a great combination. With the options of regular table dining or sitting in front of a grill, Shirasoni is the place to try delicious PanAsian cuisine. The staff is friendly and the food is marvelous, ensuring a great time as you enjoy your meal.

Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill

If you ever want to head to the bar on a Friday night to watch the Warriors dominate the court or the Giants or the A’s on the baseball field, consider Tailgaters. With locations in Brentwood and Antioch, great food, good drinks, and a friendly staff, one is sure to have an awesome experience at Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill.

Samurai Teppanyaki

Sushi Bar

The staff at Samurai Teppanyaki Sushi Bar pride themselves on providing excellent service, their authentic Japanese Teppanyaki and sushi dinner shows, according to owner Stan Lee. The Antioch-based restaurant provides a fun, friendly, and family-oriented experience with its pleasant, modern Japanese atmosphere and variety of teppanyaki dishes such as steak, chicken, seafood and vegetables prepared with fresh ingredients right before guests’ eyes as well as a wide variety of sushi rolls for every taste.

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 21

Movies in the Park

The city of Brentwood’s Movies in the Park series is showing the 1998 film A Bug’s Life in City Park at 790 Second St. from 8-10 p.m.

Saturday, April 22

Friends of the Brentwood Library

Used Book Sale

The Friends of the Brentwood Library is hosting their bi-annual used book sale from 10 a.m.-2 p.m in the Community Room of the Brentwood Public Library at 104 Oak St. From 2-3 p.m. Friends of the Brentwood Library members will provide bags customers can fill for $7.

Liberty Auto Club Sunrise Car Show

The Liberty High School Auto Club is hosting a car show at Independence High School at 929 Second St. The car gate opens at 7 a.m. and the show starts at 10 a.m. Registration is $30 in advance and at the gate, and all vehicles are welcome. For more information and to register, visit http://bit.ly/3ZW58XY

National Take Back Day

The Brentwood Police Department, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Delta Station/ Discovery Bay Annex, both at at 9100 Brentwood Blvd. and the Antioch Police Department, at 300 L St., are participating in National Take Back Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. National Take Back Day aims to provide safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications. The Brentwood and Discovery Bay locations are a free drive-through in front of the police department, and the Antioch event will take place in the department lobby. For more information on the Brentwood Police event, contact Lindzie E. Laughridge at llaughridge@brentwoodca.gov or (925) 809-7778.

On the Horizon

Saturday, April 29

Louisiana Crawfish Boil

The Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building at 757 First St., is hosting a crawfish boil. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner starts at 6. The event will also feature baskets that will be raffled off. Tickets are $40 per person with limited availability. The fundraiser will go to support their veterans outreach programs as well as the group’s plans to build an outside patio. For more information, call (925) 437-9536 or email bvmb2023@gmail.com

Cruisin’ with Christ Car Show

All God’s Children Christian School and the Delta Presbyterian Church are hosting a car show from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The event will include awards, raffles, food trucks, local vendors, photo opportunities and music. Entry is a $50 donation, and the first 30 entries will receive gift bags. For more information, contact Michelle Jones at (707) 7047215 or email mjones.agccarshow@gmail.com

To register your vehicle, visit https://bit.ly/3A625lG

Retro Summer Block Party

The Oakley Youth Advisory Council is hosting the first summer block party at 6 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza at 3231 Main St. The event will feature games like giant Jenga and cornhole, and music. The original Jumanji film will begin when it gets dark. For more information, call (925) 625-7041.

Arbor

Day Celebration

The city of Brentwood is hosting an Arbor Day celebration in Miwok Park near Regal Drive from 9 a.m.-noon. Residents are invited to sign-up to plant trees, spread mulch and pick up trash. For more information and to register, visit https://bit. ly/3GLLsiU

Saturday, May 6

Oakley Senior Center Car Show

The Oakley Senior Center is hosting their annual car show at 215 Second St. from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event showcases antique and collector cars, trucks and motorcycles. Ribbons and awards will be given for Best of Show. The deadline to register is April 25. For more information and to register, call 925-626-7223.

Sunday, May 7

Brentwood Literary Stroll

The Friends of the Brentwood Library is hosting a literary stroll from 1-4 p.m. in downtown Brentwood. The event features 10 authors – Rosie Bank, Michael Barrington, T.L. Bequette , Mark Clifford, Jim Hamilton, Carol Jensen, Josephine Mele, Dana Mentink, Dorothy J. Wilson and Dallas Woodburn – from different restaurants and businesses throughout downtown. Check-in tables will be at the corner of First and Chestnut streets and on the corner of Second and Oak streets. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at https://bit. ly/3MPH9GR.

Wednesday, May 10

Senior Health and Wellness Expo

Cogir of Brentwood at 150 Cortona Way and the Laura Nelson Real Estate Team is hosting a health and wellness expo for seniors from 10 a.m.-noon. The expo will include informational resources from Suncrest Hospice, who will provide blood pressure checks, Med Solutions, who will provide walker and wheelchair checks, the Brentwood Police Department, Bass Medical, The Contra Costa Hearing Aid Center, The Key Hom Care, Kaleidoscope, Family Matters and Accent Care Home Health. The event will feature giveaways and snacks. For more information, contact Edrienne Baebler at ebaebler@cogirusa.com or (619) 339-3474.

Friday, May 12

Mamapalooza

The Downtown Brentwood Coalition and the Tracy Nelson Team is hosting the Mother’s Day- inspired event Mamapalooza in downtown Brentwood from 6-9 p.m. The event will feature live music, photo opportunities, giveaways and raffles and will have 17 participating stops. Tickets are $10. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3GPp1cl

Saturday, May 13

Rotary Club of Oakley Foundation Gala 2023

The Oakley Club of Rotary is hosting their fourth annual gala at La Grande Estates at 1799 Carpenter Road from 5:30-10 p.m. The theme for this year’s gala is “An Evening Under the Stars.” The event will feature entertainment by DJ Brandon, raffles, a silent, live, and dessert auction, along with a door prize. Tickets are $65 and includes dinner and dancing. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/3KrKsmc

Saturday, May 20

Los Vaqueros Reservoir

25th Anniversary Open House

The Contra Costa Water District is hosting a free open house for the Los Vaquero Reservoir’s 25th anniversary from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Los Vaqueros Interpretive Center at 19 Walnut Blvd. The event will feature information on how Los Vaqueros operates, a shuttle trip to the top of the Los Vaqueros Dam, a nature hike, an augmented reality sandbox along with other family-friendly activities. For more information and to reserve a spot, visit http://bit.ly/3JYSp0E

Annual Kustoms and Klassics Car Show

The Discovery Bay Community Foundations is hosting their annual Kustoms and Klassics car show at the Marina Bar & Grill at 5879 Marina Road from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Special guest will be

Erik Estrada, best known from the TV series CHIPs. Car show entry is $35. For more information and to register for the event, visit http://bit.ly/3zNcClt

Ongoing Events

East County Rotary Club Meetings

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

Delta Informal Gardeners

Monthly Meetings

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

East County Lions Club Meetings

Brentwood: The Brentwood Lions Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Straw Hat Pizza on Lone Tree Way. For more information, visit: https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/brentwoodca/ Oakley: The Oakley Lions Club meets the fourth Wednesdays of every month at 7 p.m. at the Oakley Senior Center, for more information, visit https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/brentwoodca/ Antioch: The Antioch Lions Club meets every second and fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Denny’s on Delta Fair Blvd. Discovery Bay: The Discovery Bay Lions Club meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club. For more information, visit:https:// discoverybaylions.com/who-we-are/meetings/ Byron: The Byron Delta Lions Club meets every first Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church for more information https://e-clubhouse. org/sites/byron_delta/

Brentwood Community Chorus Rehearsals

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

Oakley Senior Center

Food Distribution

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

ACA Women’s Group

The ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics) Women’s Group meets every Wednesday at 5 p.m. at 809 Second St. in Brentwood. For more information, contact Cici at 530-306-7034.

Widow and Widower Grief Support Group

A widow and widower grief support group from Immaculate Heart of Mary Church meets every Thursday from 5 to 6:15 p.m. at the church library at 500 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood. The group focuses on finding a new normal as attendees walk the grief trail with others experiencing the same loss. For more information, contact Mary Ann Smith at 925-240-1706 or Sandy Heinisch at 925-513-3412.

Free ESL Classes

The nonprofit organization Opportunity Junction hosts free online English as a Second Language courses online through Zoom on Mondays and Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. or 7:30-9 p.m. The classes are intended to help attendees learn to speak, write and read in English or improve their English. For more information, call 925-776-1133. To apply, visit https://sforce.co/3KdEfac

Coffee with Carolyn

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

Nonprofit offers Health Care

Career Courses

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

Friday Night Al-Anon Meeting

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

Discovery Bay Corvette Club Meetings

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

East County 4-H Club Meetings

Oakley: The Oakley 4-H Club has monthly meetings the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. For more information, email Amanda at oakley@contracosta.org

The Delta-Diablo 4-H Club has monthly meetings the second Thursday at 6:30 p.m at 3840 Brown Road in Oakley. For more information contact Megan and Tiffany at deltadiablo@contracosta4h.org, Brentwood: The Brentwood 4-H Club has monthly meetings the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m at the Knightsen Farm Center located on 3020 2nd Street. For more information, contact Angela at brentwood@contracosta4h. org Knightsen: The Knightsen 4-H Club has monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m at Knightsen Elementary School located at 1923 Delta Road. 4-H members are girls and boys ages 5–19 years old.

California Striped Bass Association

West Delta Chapter Meeting

The California Striped Bass Association meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Sportsmen Yacht Club, 3301 Wilbur Ave., Antioch. For more information, call Moe Adams five days before meeting at 916-529-1192. For more information, visit www.csbadeltachapter.org